^epteirjber ^alei^dar. 



J. S. HARRIS. 



September is the month for agricultural fairs. Everj^ farmer 

 and horticulturist who possibly can should attend the state fair 

 and see the full fruitage of the work of the state horticultural so- 

 ciety, the best exhibition of fruit ever seen in the state. He should 

 take his wife along- and not forget to g^ive his boys and girls the 

 benefit of beautiful object lessons that will stimulate them to be- 

 come better farmers and horticulturists. 



He should also attend his own county fair with all of his family; 

 holding a paid-up ticket by the "straight and narrow way," and 

 help to make it a success by taking in something for exhibition. 



Carry a memorandum book and pencil, and learn the correct 

 names of the varieties of fruit, vegetables, etc., and set them down 

 for future reference; interview the men who have the best exhibits 

 and find out how they do it. 



FRUITS. 



Winter apples will keep better if gathered as soon as matured or 

 tree-ripened and before severe frosts occur. The}^ should be hand- 

 picked from the trees and handled as carefully as j'ou would handle 

 eggs, and stored in a cool place. The fall fruit should be disposed 

 of as fast as ripened. Nothing will be gained by waiting for better 

 prices. That which is sold should be carefully sorted and made 

 to be of one quality all through the package. Plenty should be 

 dried for next spring's and summer's use, and to tide over a year of 

 short crops; good dried fruit will always sell if not needed at home. 

 The poorer grades should be ground up and converted into vine- 

 gar, and that which is worthless for other purposes should not be 

 allowed to rot on the grovxnd but be picked up and fed to stock. 



Nameless fruit is much less valuable without a name than if it 

 had one. Instead of inventing a name for it, take good specimens 

 to the fair or to some competent person and find out the true name 

 Weeds in the orchard are a great nuisance and afford a harbor for 

 vermin. Remove them before they scatter their seed. 



In the small fruit garden, keep the strawberry beds clean from 

 purslane and other weeds, and remove the old canes that have 

 fruited and all surplus canes from the blackberrj^ and raspberry 

 patches, and clean out the weeds to give those remaining a chance 

 to ripen and harden up for winter. 



Grapes are now ripening, and birds often find them out and make 

 sad havoc with them. Watch closely and if needs be use the hard 

 remedy of powder and shot. Pick carefully when fully ripe, with 

 long stems, and pack in baskets or shallow boxes for market. 



