:Xs^^ 



editor's table. 



f 0rtitttlt«ral <^0ti£ties. 



Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. — The stated meeting of this Society was held at 

 Concert Hall, on Tuesday evening, 17th of February. Various premiums were awarded. 



Among these we notice, for the best Apples — twelve specimens — the Mammoth Pippin, 

 and for the second best, the Chester's Spitzenburgh, to John Perkins. Special Premiums — 

 iave dollars for three Queen Pine-Apples in pots, and one dollar, for Isabella Grapes, to Mark 

 Hill, and one dollar to S. W. Noble, for Apples. 



The appointments of the Standing Committees for the year were announced. 



Brooklyn Horticultural Society. — President — J. W. Degkauw. Vice-Presidents — Henky 

 A. Kent, Wm. C. Langley, W. S. Dunham, J. S. T. Stranahan, S. J. Eastman. Treasurer — 

 M. Brandegee. Corresponding Secretary/ — J. E. Rauch. Recording Secretary — James Park. 

 The spring exhibition, 1857, will be held at the Brooklyn Athenseum, in Atlantic Street, 

 corner of Clinton Street, opening to the public on Wednesday, the 15th of April, at 4 P.M., 

 and continuing open during the 16th and 17th, from 8 A. M. to 10 P. M. The premiums 

 are numerous and liberal. 



€aUnlj(U of 6pnili0us, 



APRIL. 

 THE VINEYARD. 



BY R. BUCHANAN, CINCINNATI, OHIO, 



This is a busy month for the vine dresser. If not done last month, the stakes have now 

 to be driven firmly into tlie ground, and the vines tied to them. When the buds begin to 

 swell, bind the vine round in the form of a bow, and fasten it to the stake with willow ties; 

 one at the top of the bow, and another at the end of the vine, will do. This lower tie may 

 bring the vine close to the stake, or leave it three or four inches off, if there is danger of 

 breaking it. This should be done, in damp or cloudy weather, in the forenoon, when the 

 vines are pliable ; by giving the vine a slight twist, it will be less liable to break. Tying 

 requires judgment and care. 



Plant cuttings, in nurseries, in trenched ground, in rows two feet apart, and the cuttings 

 three or four inches apart in the rows, five or six inches deep at the butt or lower end, and 

 the top bud just even with the surface of the ground. 



When the ground is warm and mellow, plant out vines or cuttings in the new vineyard. 

 If the latter, plant two to a stick, and if both grow, take tip one to replace failures. Three 

 by six, four by six, four by seven, or four by eight, is a good distance, if trained to stakes ; 

 if on trellises, six by eight feet apart will do. Lay out the rows carefully with a line, and 

 put down a stick, about fifteen inches long, where each vine is to stand. Plant the cuttings 

 ten inches deep, and six inches apart at the lower end, and the buds at the top end, even 

 with the surface, and one inch apart. They will be then placed in a slanting position. 



Leave alleys or walks, every ten to twenty rows, ten feet wide, and cross them when 

 necessary. 



Some persons cultivate their vineyards the latter part of this month, with the plough or 

 hoe. Others prefer May. And it has lately been suggested to omit spring culture, and keep 

 the weeds down with a scythe or a scuffle hoe ; then to hoe or plough about the time the 

 grapes begin to color, late in August ; and to cultivate the ground thoroughly in October, 

 after the crop is gathered. It is thought this method may prevent the " rot." 



Plant the yellow willow in wet places, to make tics for the grape-vines. Cuttings one to 

 four inches in diameter will grow readily. 



BY WILLIAM SAUNDERS. 



Vegetable Garden. — Tlie practice of pinching out the points of growing plants, induces 

 ' maturity and increased productiveness. By cutting the tops off peas immed-"*"'" 

 the first flowers open, the crop is hastened, and the individual plants send out ' 



