CALENDAR FOR APRIL. 157 



the most good when cultivated in, as the potash is then more or 

 less dissolved and assimilated by the small roots. The rains will 

 of course, wash the potash into the soil, where it is never lost till 

 taken up by the growth of vegetable matter, and if the ashes are in- 

 corporated with the soil they are not so liable to be washed away or 

 carried out of reach of the plants. 



In gardening the earliest productions are the most heartily en- 

 joyed and most eagerly looked for. Some varieties, like peas, 

 onions, asparagus, etc., need early attention, but plants of a tropical 

 nature do best when the ground has become thoroughly warmed. 



Too much attention cannot be given at this time to the quality 

 and character of the seeds to be used. If the seeds are worthless 

 we labor in vain and are doomed to disappointment. Next to care 

 in the selection of seeds, comes a proper selection of varieties 

 adapted to our soil and conditions. In many cases this can only be 

 determined by trial and especially so with fruits, as most veget- 

 -tables are liable to adapt themselves to different soils when in the 

 proper condition. A safe rule to follow is to select such as are 

 known to succeed in the vicinity or neighborhood. A word of cau- 

 tion may not be out of place here in regard to a heavy outlay or in- 

 vestment in untried productions, which may be staples in a more 

 favorable climate. Of the soil we have no fear, but reason and com- 

 mon sense dictates to us not to try dates, figs and pineapples, and 

 prudence requires us to go slow on even some of the productions 

 of temperate regions, like prunes, quinces, sugar beets, etc. 



Common Sense Pkuning.— The principles of pruning, as I hold 

 them, are to head rather low, to have a central stem, with branches 

 that come out evenly and continuously, to allow no large limbs to 

 cross each other or otherwise interfere. Train to a round, evenly 

 balanced head. Great care should be used to know the habit of 

 each variety, those which are of upright habit being headed lower 

 and cut back on top to prevent too tall growth, and those of droop- 

 ing or spreading habit being treated exactly the reverse. Do not 

 cut off all the twigs along the main branches, for they 'are needed 

 to shade them and sometimes bear considerable good fruit, especially 

 in case of the peach. No stumps should be left, but the cuts made 

 exactly at the crotches. It has been proved by careful experiments 

 that it does not pay to cover small wounds with anything to protect 

 them from the weather while they are healing. Large wounds, such 

 as are over an inch in diameter, should be covered with any common 

 paint, which is cheap and as good as wax or anything else for this 

 purpose. If these ideas are reasonably well followed there will be 

 little or no need to secure the advice of an expert to show any 

 sensible man how to do the work well. — H. E. Van Deman. 



Fruit for Paris Exposition.— The Western New York Horticul- 

 tural Society is making plans to exhibit a carload of fruit at the big 

 show next year, 



