334 



THE GARDENERS MONTHLY 



[November, 



plements are found contrivances for rubbing off 

 useless bark. Annexed is a wire-glove, used in 

 Germany for taking off the rough bark of the 

 grape vine. 



It is little use to attempt to grow vegetables 

 well, unless the soil is well treated. They may 

 be and are grown on thin soils, not only at a great 

 expense for manure, but at a great risk of dying 

 out in a dry season, and of having the roots rot- 

 ted out in a wet one. In these parts where the 

 frost has not yet been severe enough to injure 

 the celery crop, it may have another earthing 

 up. Care must be exercised in the operation 

 not to let the earth get into the hearts of the 

 plants, or they will be liable to rot. Where the 

 plant has evidently finished its growth for the 

 season, measures should be taken to preserve it 

 through the winter. For family use, it is proba- 

 bly as well to let it stay where it is growing, 

 covering the soil with leaves, litter or manure, to 

 keep out the frost, so that it can be taken up as 

 wanted. When large quantities are frequently 

 required, it is better to take it up and put it in a 

 smaller compass, still protecting it in any way 

 that may be readily accessible. It always keeps 

 best in the natural soil, where it is cool and moist 

 and free from frost, and whatever mode of pro- 

 tection is resorted to, these facts should be kept 

 in view. Beets, turnips, and other root crops, 

 will also require protection. They are best di- 

 vested of their foliage and packed in layers of 

 sand in a cool cellar. Parsnips are best left in 

 the soil as long as possible. If any are wanted 

 for late spring use, they may be left out to freeze 

 in the soil, and will be much improved thereby. 

 Cabbage is preserved in a variety of ways. If a 

 few dozen only, they may be hung up by the 

 roots in a cool cellar or buried in the soil, heads 

 downward, to keep out the rain, or laid on their 

 sides as thickly as they can be placed, nearly 

 covered with soil, and then completely covered 

 with corn stalks, litter, or any protecting mate- 

 rial. The main object in protecting all these 

 kinds of vegetables is to prevent their growth by 

 keeping them as cool as possible, and to prevent 



shrivelling by keeping them moist. Cabbage 

 plants, lettuce and spinach sown last Septem- 

 ber, will require a slight protection. This is 

 usually done by scattering straw loosely over. 

 The intention is principally to check the fre- 

 quent thawings which draw the plants out of the 

 ground. 



In making new vegetable gardens, a south- 

 east aspect should be chosen, as far as practica- 

 ble. Earliness in the crops is a very great de- 

 sideratum, and such an aspect favors this point 

 materially. Too great a slope is objectionable, 

 as inducing too great a run of water in heavy 

 rains. The plots for the crops should be laid ofi' 

 in squares or parallelograms, for convenience in 

 digging, and the edges of the walks set with box 

 edging. If water can be introduced, it is a great 

 convenience. 



Sometimes broccoli does not head before there 

 is danger of frosts, especially if growing vigor- 

 ously. If taken up with small balls of earth, 

 and set in a damp cellar, they will still perfect 

 themselves. 



Asparagus beds, after the tops have been 

 cleared off, are better covered with litter or 

 stable manure. The plants shoot easier for it 

 next season. 



When the ground becomes frozen, or no other 

 work offers, preparation can always be made for 

 advancing prospective work when it arrives. 

 Bean-poles may be made; and if the ends are 

 charred, and then dipped in coal tar, the com- 

 monest material will be rendered nearly equal 

 to the best cedar. 



COMMUNICA TIONS. 



A HISTORY OF SOME CITY PEACH 

 TREES. 



BY HON. LORIX BLODGETT. 



[The following memoranda were sent to us, 

 with the excellent peaches to which they refer, 

 and are regarded as of sufficient interest in con- 

 nection with the history of peach culture to give 

 them a prominent place in our columns. — Ed.] 



Blodgett's Golden Cling. — Three peaches, 6^ oz. 

 each ; 3 inches in diameter ; 8J inches in circum- 

 ference. Tree 16 years old — bearing 14 years. 

 Tree measures 24 inches in circumference 2 feet 

 from surface of earth. 



Blodgett's Golden Pointed Cling. — Three peaches, 

 4 oz. each. Tree 16 years old — bearing 13 years. 

 Tree measures 22 inches in circumference 24 

 inches from surface. 



