236 



iiig the fragments in a water-tight receptacle nntil dissolved by ashes or 

 other solvent, and then composting them. 



Stock and grain m Nebraska. — A correspondent in Thayer County 

 reports that in that section stock have required but little feed, and have 

 wintered well. Also, that more small grain will be sown tliis spring 

 than heretofore, especially barley, for which the price through the winter 

 has been $1.25 j)er bushel. As jet no attempt has been made in that 

 county at raising cultivated grasses, the wild grass, which is very good, 

 being the only dependence for hay. 



Wheat prospects in Southeast Missouri. — A correspondent in 

 Eeynolds County reports that, notwithstanding the chinch-bug for the 

 last two years has been very destructive to the wheat-crop in that and 

 adjoining counties, about 20 per cent, more than average had been sown, 

 and the growing crop was looking better than he had ever seen it before, 

 especially drilled wheat. 



Onions in Indiana. — Our correspondent in Switzerland County 

 writes as follows : 



The crops of onions and onion-sets are to iis crops of the g-reatest importance. The red 

 onion, from top-sets, is the kind most relied on and most raised. The ground is prepared in 

 the fall by plowing, and thoroughly pulverizing with the harrow, and as soon as the sur- 

 face is dry enough, in February and March, the work of planting is commenced. The 

 ground is marked off with a large wooden rake, with the teeth one foot apart. In the rows 

 so made the onion-set is merely stuck in the ground, leaving a space of three inches be- 

 tween each onion. For onions and onion-sets the ground should be thoroughly cultivated 

 and kept clear of weeds, either with a hoe or a small cultivator. From 18 to 25 bushels of 

 sets are planted to the acre, producing, in an average season, from 300 to 350 bushels per 

 acre, (48 pounds to the bushel.) The crop is harvested in the latter part of July, by pull- 

 ing the onions and throwing them in rows, leaving them for a day, and then gathered and 

 spread thinly on the floors and lofts of out-houses or barns. They are hauled to market 

 within one month from gatliering, and packed by shippers in slack -barrels, holding 2^ bush- 

 els each, and shipped South. The crop sometimes reaches the aggregate of 120,000 bush- 

 els, and is sold to shippers at prices ranging from 40 cents to $1 per bushel. The price 

 has advanced materially, notwithstanding large arrivals of French onions in the New Or- 

 leans market during the past two months. Onions are now selling at $1.75 per bushel, with 

 a constantly-increasing demand. 



Onion-sets, the crop of which will sometimes amount to over 50,000 bushel.?, are raised 

 by preparing the ground in the fall and planting the bulbs in rows two feet apart, three 

 inches in the row, and cultivating with a small cultivator. The crop is gathered by cutting 

 the sets ofif,. and gathering and spreading thinly on floors the same as the onions. After 

 the first year the old onions, called " scallions, " are taken up to thoroughly cultivate and 

 loosen the ground, and are then replanted. If properly cared for the "scallions" will 

 remain productive for several seasons. The market for sets is South, West, and Northwest, 

 and the time for shipping from September to the latter part of April. For transportation 

 they are packed in barrels holding from 3 to 4 bushels, (28 pounds to the bushel.) The 

 price ranges from $1 to $4 per bushel, and has reached this season $5 per bu.sbel in first 

 hands. The production is about 300 bushels per acre. One bushel of onjons producer 

 one bushel of sets. The bottom-laud.s of the Ohio and Miami Valleys should be the source 

 of supply for the Union. 



AGtRICULTURAl industries in Florida. — An intelligent corre- 

 spondent writing from Florida says that there is a very noticeable de- 

 sire in the southern part of the State to abandon the cultivation of long- 

 staple cotton for something better. Cultivation of fruit, growing of 

 sugarcane, and cattle-raising are in popular thought. In the vicinty of 

 Little Eiver one thousand Scuppernoug grape-vines have been set, and a 

 number of peach-orchards have been planted ; at the same time twenty 

 proprietors in a single neighborhood have started apple, pear, and 

 cherry orchards. All the trees here referred to are from southern nur- 

 series. Our correspondent, however, regards the grass question as of 

 the greatest importance, feed for cattle being of prime need. Gruiuea- 

 grass he regards as fully meeting the want. 



