682 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF , AGRICULTURE. 
As far as can be learned, there have been but few attempts to cultivate the mustard 
plant in this country, and the results obtained have not been very satisfactory. 
Mustard requires a rich, loamy soil for its growth, It is sown in spring, usually 
broadcast, although sometimes in drills about 1 foot apart. The soil requires to hayea 
finely-pulverized surface before sowing, so that the seeds may be equally,covered by 
harrow and roller; if they are covered more than one-half inch with soil they may 
remain dormant for many years. It is found that buried mustard seeds will remain 
dormant for decades, and vegetate when brought near the surface ; so it is difficult 
to get rid of it in fields where it has once been grown, the seeds shaken out in har- 
vesting being sufiicient to furnish a crop, as weeds, for many years. 
About one-half peck of seed will sow an acre, and a good crop willreturn 30 bushels 
per acre, This quantity is procured only where soil and climate conduce to best 
results, In dry seasons this amount would be very much reduced. 
GRAPE ROT, 
J. K., Farrrax County, Va. 
My grapes were, I may say, a complete failure this year from rot. Ever since 
my vines commenced bearing they have suffered more or less, some seasons less 
than others, Four years ago I may say that the crop was as total a failure as this. 
Last year I saved a good half crop. I need not say that I am discouraged, and will 
abandon the culture if this disease continues, but i am loth to dig them up if any- 
thing can be done to save them. They have been carefully pruned and fertilized 
with bone, the land is not poor, and the vines make plenty of growth. 
What is the general result of putting paper bags over the bunches? If any par- 
ticular point in culture or management can modify or extirpate this ruinous inflic- 
tion I would be glad to know it. 
Answer.—As to the general result of putting paper bags over the bunches, it may 
be stated that it is successful. Some few report unfavorably, but it has been found 
necessary to place the bunches in bags as soon as the berries are formed, and that, 
when the covering is delayed much beyond this period, rotted berries have been 
found in the bags. 
It has long been observed and noted that grape-vines protected by a canopy or 
coyering, such as the projecting eaves of a building, or even the casual protection 
afforded them when growing up through the branches of a tree, are measurably ex- 
empt from fungous diseases. Recent reports show that grapes under a board, or 
even a muslin cover, are almost entirely exemptfrom ret. A protected grape trellis 
is described and figured in the Agricultural Report for 1861.and was in use in the 
garden of the Department for many years, with the best results. This board-coy- 
ered trellis was substituted by a T-shaped trellis, the fiat top being wired, and the 
vines allowed to cover it with a dense mass of foliage. This arrangement was found 
to be quite as effectual in protecting from mildew and. rot as the more solid but 
more expensive cover of boards. In this case the more robust growing varieties of 
grapes were planted at intervals of 30 feet,and trained exclusively on top of the 
trellis. So far as economy is concerned this plan has an advantage over all others, 
inasmuch as the vines used for protection also yield their crop of fruit.  - 
Even on the ordinary wired trellis exemption from rot has been observed when 
the summer growth has been allowed to accumulate on the top wire, and the ends 
of long shoots and laterals allowed to hang down like a screen over the plants. ‘To 
secure this heavy top growth summer pruning will be abandoned, which is perhaps 
an advantage tothe crop. Summer pruning, when done at all, is usually overdone, 
and is but little practiced by the most successful grape-growers. 
LICORICE. 
P. W. J,, ACCOMACK County, VA. 
I would be greatly indebted if you will let me know what you think about the 
culture of Licorice in this county. Our winters are not quite so severe as at Wash- 
ington, D. C., and my soil is somewhat sandy. I am anxious to learn something 
about its cultivation and whether the crop would be a profitable one to raise. __ 
Answer.—So far as regards the cold of winter the Licorice plant will not be in- 
jured, but its profitable culture may be considered as doubtful. 
To produce good licorice roots the soil must be rich, and it must be deeply worked, 
at least to a depth of 2 feet. It is very essential to have a deep soil to allow the 
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