THE SECIIETARY'S PORTFOLIO. 427 



western plains to devour or reduce to network all foliage they can ti-avel to. 

 But they cannot live if the air is kept huinified by evening sheets of syringe 

 showeis. These almost invisible vermin are the cause of the loss of an incal- 

 culable number of choice plants, which are set out in nicely-prepared and shel- 

 tered borders, but directly begin to decline in a way that seems as unaccount- 

 able as wonderful to the vexed and disa|)pointed lady culturist who has given 

 them so much attention through all the winter months, and who finds them sud- 

 denly pine just when they liave all the advantages of free sunshine, balmy 

 spring air, and a choice bed of fine mold. 



Plants are often set out in wet weather and the loaves become soiled. This 

 would be detrimental or fatal, but a shower from the syringe makes all right. 

 Some seedlings require so light a covering, or are so weak when they come up, 

 that a flow from a watering pot would be a waterspout torrent to them, as de- 

 structive as a river current to a corn field. But the fine spray of the syringe 

 drizzled gently over them is as the dew of Hermon. By the middle of May, 

 roses, vines, gooseberries, etc., are attacked by the ravenous leaf -eaters, small 

 and large, and the Queen of Flowers will become a pitiable wreck and the ber- 

 ries will be worthless if the enemy is not promptly overwhelmed. The syringe 

 will do this alone, if applied forcibly and from beneath, and still more easily 

 and thoroughly with water at 130 degrees, or not over 140 degrees, or with cop- 

 peras and water, half a pound to a gallon, or soap and water with as much 

 carbolic acid or coal oil, as the soap will cut completely, leaving none floating. 

 These are eifective, but the rose bushes should be rinsed afterward with pure 

 water to prevent stains, which would mar the beauty of the foliage nearly as- 

 much as the insect ravages. For cabbage worms use hot water with some salt- 

 petre dissolved in it. In using a syringe, never draw the water from the 

 bottom of the bucket for the fear of taking in sand, which would soon wear 

 the bore unevenly, and so do injury that cannot be remedied, but will cause 

 troublesome leakage. — Detroit Free Press. 



THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. 



FARMERS' GARDENS. 



With plenty of land and good locations for gardens upon almost every farm, 

 the farmer should pride himself upon his well-kept and productive garden. Do 

 not cling to the idea that you must retain the same old spot year after year, but 

 strike out for some new location, away from the buildings and where the veget- 

 ables can be sowed in long rows, and then a horse and cultivator can be used 

 to keep down the weeds, — thus enabling you to save a deal of labor, while you 

 can raise much better crops. If you will have hot-beds enough to start the 

 early plants, you can supply your table with all tlie choice vegetables of the sea- 

 son, in abundance, and at a comparatively insignificant outlay, and add to the 

 pleasure of your tables and health of your families, as well as save many a dol- 

 lar that would otherwise go to the grocer and butcher. 



