Miscellancov.s. 341 



manure is ready to leave the stable, I think it would be preferable to pile 

 it up instead of spreading on top of the snow. 



Timely Suggestions. — Now is a good time to overhaul the spraying 

 outfit and see that it is in perfect working order. Don't wait until the 

 day you should start spraying, and then find that the tank leaks badly, 

 and that you must send to the factory for a new nozzle. Get a supply 

 of spraying material on hand, excepting, perhaps, the lime, which can- 

 rot be too fresh or too good. The pruning shears and saw should be in 

 use these pleasant, sunny days, cutting out the blighted limbs in the 

 pear orchards, and the objectionable apple limbs. It is a little too early 

 vet to trim the peach trees, excepting where we know that the buds are 

 all killed, as the percentage of live buds has much to do with the manner 

 in which peach trees should be pruned. Gooseberry and currant bushes 

 •often need attention of this kind, and this might now be done. The 

 pruning of raspberries, black berries and grape vines should be done 

 before the spring rush comes on. Go through the orchard carefully, 

 and if you notice any trees that have a decided sickly appearance, have 

 them taken out and burned, and put young, vigorous trees in their places. 

 Experience has taught me that it does not pay to fool with a sick tree. 



Plant enough cherries that the family will get a goodly supply 

 ill spite of the birds. Include some late varieties that ripen when the most 

 troublesome birds are gone. If you intend planting currants and goose- 

 berries this season, you had better order plants at once, as they are 

 scarce and- in great demand. The drouth of 190 1 cleaned up bearing 

 currant bushes, and this fruit could not be bought since at any price, ex- 

 cepting in very limited quantities. No wonder, then, that plants are in 

 demand. 



Why not plant a few grafted chestnut trees the coming spring, just 

 for the sake of learning that they are really profitable, as well as useful 

 and ornamental? They bear the second year after planting and keep it 

 up, whereas the much-talked-about pecan, even when grafted, does not 

 begin bearing until it attains an age of six,- eight or ten years. Again, 

 we are not sure of the hardiness of the improved southern pecans, and 

 but little has yet been done in the way of improving and propagating 

 our hardy natives. The seed of several vegetables is scarce this season. 

 and those who use them in considerable quantities should get their orders 

 oflf at once. — Colman Rural World, Feb. 9, 1904. 



