142 



THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY 



[ ^lay, 



JJ|RUIT AND HEGliTABLB <|iARDENING. 



SEASONABLE HINTS. 



Ainoii}^ the ,i;aiiis of the few past years is the 

 definite knowledge that the knot on the plum 

 and cherry is caused by a fungus. It is no longer 

 feared. If cut out as soon as seen, it is easily 

 kept down. Years before this was demonstrated, 

 the Gardener's MonthUj showed from various 

 analogies that it could be from no other cause— 

 and, in the same way we urge that the terrible 

 fire-blight in the pear, and other "blights" 

 in the pear and apple, the yellows in the peach, 

 and similar troubles, can only be caused by 

 fungoid attacks. For these disorders, washing 

 the trees in Winter with linseed oil or Avhite 

 wash will no doubt be very serviceable. Most ol 

 these orchard pests are getting under control — 

 the curculio being alone triumphant so far. 

 Mr. Lawrence KaufFman believes the fumes ol 

 coal-tar will keep them away from the plum 

 orchard. If this were some mere " paragra])h '" 

 information it might not be worth much atten- 

 tion, but Mr. KaufFman is a man whose experi- 

 ence is worth listening to. It may be too much 

 labor where there are but a few trees. If smok- 

 ing once or twi(;e in a season would do, it would be 

 a good discovery, but many would go without 

 plums than have to do this very often. Of 

 course, in large orchards, it is another matter. 

 The jarring practice is still often in use, and this 

 must be contiiuious the whole season to be very 

 effective. 



For a few trees, the best plan perhaps is to cover 

 them. Last season we saw some heavy crops of 

 plums under trees that had been Avrapped around 

 with mosquito netting, thus fully protecting the 

 fruit from curculios. If such gauze were steeped 

 in tan-bark before using, it would probably last a 

 great many years in good order for use. Trees 

 might be trained en espalier, on purpose to be the 

 more readily protectt,d in this way. It is a nice 

 plan in many respects, as should mildew or in- 

 sects attaek the fruit tree, or a shade or shelter 

 be required for any purpose, the tree is the most 

 perfect shape for operating on to the best advan- 



tage. This is the season to commence with 

 young trees to i)Ut them in shape for thi.-* j)ur- 

 pose. 



Watch all young fruit trees against bearing too 

 abundantly while yoting, or the first season after 

 planting. There can be no objection to the 

 ripening of one or two fruits on a tree the first 

 season of setting out, in order to test the kind, or 

 to administer to curiosity, if the tree be other- 

 wise growing freely. If little growth is making, 

 no fruit at all should be permitted. It is a better 

 practice to disbud or take out soon after shoot- 

 ing, all shoots that are needless to the perfect 

 shape of the tree, than to wait till Fall or Win- 

 ter. The pruning knife need then only be used 

 to shorten a branch into where several branches 

 are desired to push, or to induce a moi-e vigor- 

 ous growth from the pruned parts. In the 

 Gooseberry, Raspberry and Strawberry also, no 

 more shoots should be suffered to grow than will 

 be required to bear the next season. 



Cabbage, Cauliflower, and Broccoli, are now 

 set out for Fall crops, and Endive sown for Win- 

 ter salad. Lettuce also for Summer and Fall 

 use. This however, must be sown in very rich 

 soil, and in a partially shaded situation, or it will 

 go to seed. Peas, Beans, and other crops, should 

 be sown every two weeks. They do much bet- 

 ter than when a large crop is sown at one time, 

 and then have too many on at one time to 

 waste. 



Melons, Cucumbers, Corn, Okras, Squa.sh, 

 Beans, Sweet Potatoes, Lima Beans, Peppei"S, 

 Egg Plants, Tomatoes, and other tender vegeta- 

 bles that do not do well till the sun gets high, 

 and the ground warm, should go into the soil 

 without delay. 



Bean poles should be set before the beans are 

 planted; and near cities where they are com- 

 paratively high priced, their ends should be 

 charred. This will make them last some years. 



Keep weeds of all kinds down from the time 

 they first show their seed leaves. It not only 

 saves labor " in the end," but the frequent stir- 

 ring of the soil vastly serves the crop. Sow a 

 succession of vegetables every few w'eeks, — some- 



