1 888. 



POPULAR GARDENING. 



'55 



FRUIT GARDEN AND ORCHARD. 



Berries. Plant Raspberries In rows 5 feet apart and 

 S feet In the row. Blackberries lu rows, 8 feet apart, 

 and n feet lu the row. Strawberries may be set in rows 

 3 feet apart, and 12 Inches lu the row. The soil should 

 be fcrtllf, butK'xid cultivation counts uiueh. 



Currants wouhl kIvc better satisfaction If not so 

 generally sIlKhted. They repay very liberally for prun- 

 ing, manuring and culture. 



Grapes. In planting young vines prune to two eyes. 



Manures. Wood ashes, where available, are the 

 cheapest fei-tlllzor for fruit trees. In their absence, 

 bone manure three parts, and muriate of jintash (Ger- 

 man salts) of high grade, one part, have the strong en- 

 dorsement of the Massachusetts Agricultural College. 



Old Orchards should be manured ami plowed, using 

 lime and ashes. 



Quinces. In planting these trees tliey should be 

 given a rich, mellow soil. Old trees may be materially 

 beijeflted If the branches are carefully thinned out 

 and a good dressing of well decayed manure is given 

 over the surface of the roots. 



Strawberries c<tvercd last fall should have the cover 

 drawn apart where the plants are. l-teds nut nmlched 

 in the fall shnuhl be provided with a dressing of littery 

 manure or straw U) keep the weeds Uowu and the fruit 

 clean later. 



Supports sliciuld be provided for Raspberries and 

 lUacklierrles wherever neatuess is aimed at. These can 

 be readily supplied iiy idatiug locust posts through 

 the center of the row about twenty-five feet apart. 

 Such posts to be about five feet high and to haw two 

 strands of wire attached, fine at the top; the other three 

 feet from the ground. To these the vines can be secured. 



Trees, as .'^oon as they arrive from the nursery, should 

 be heeled lu by the roots, until wanted one by one for 

 planting. Should, however, any be received in a shriv- 

 eled up condition, bury the whole tree In the ground 

 for several days, until plumpness Is restored. If they 

 become frozen en route, do not unpack while In this 

 condition, but place the package in a cool cellar, that 

 they may thaw gradually. 



THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. 



Artichoke. Rem<)ve the covering as soon as the 

 weather becomes settled, and fork In a dressing of good 

 manure arnund the plants. 



Asparagus. The time to cut is when the sho<jts are 

 6 to 8 Inches long. Careless cutting spoils many stocks. 

 Use a knife with a jjointed blade and cut with the 

 point, so as not to injure any out of sight shoots. 



Beets are better sown In well dug soil not over- 

 manured. They then make small, nice, well-colored 

 rcx>ts, such as are most desirable. 



Cauliflower. A good crop can be looked for only on 

 ground that is well enriched before planting. 



Celery, for main crop, should be sown early in April, 

 in a nicely prepared seed bed In the open ground. 



Culture. Keep the soil betw-een plants and drill row.s 

 frequently stirred to free them from weeds. 



Fleas on Plants. Watch the Tmnlp and Cabbage 

 plants fill' these pests, and as soon as they show them- 

 selves dust with Paris green or London purple mixed 

 with flour or laud plaster, one part of the former to 

 fifty of the latter. This Is the best remedy and one ap- 

 plication usually suffices. 



Hot-beds. Give plenty of air in the day time; keep 

 close at night by using mats, also when frost or wind 

 threatens. For watering atthis season use water with 

 the chill taken off. 



Onions. Use manure freely, or a good crop need not 

 be expected. When large enough to weed, a top-dress- 

 ing of wood ashes will help the ciop. 



Parsley may he sowed thinly in drills and then if 

 covered with tiles or stones for about ten days, the 

 seed will begin to show itself, instead of taking ascom- 

 monly several weeks for its germination. 



Radishes. Sow two weeks apart for succession. 



Seed Sowing. Do not trust seeds of doubtful vitality, 

 but test them tlrst. Count out two dozen seeds, sow In 

 a flower pot or other vessel of soli, covering but lightly, 

 and note what share comes up. Start m a well pre* 

 pared seed bed such kinds as Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli, 

 Cauliflower, Celery, Endive, Kale, Kohl KabI, Lettuce 

 and Parsley. When frosts are over plant Bush Beans, 

 and start Lima Beans in sods in the hot-bed. 



Sweet Herbs. Look ahead to a supply for next win- 

 ter, by sowing now for later trausplanting, Sage. 

 Thyme and Sweet Marjoram. Summer Savory must 

 grow where It Is sown. 



Sweet Potatoes. Start the.se toward the end of the 

 month In the hot-beds for plants to be ready for plant- 

 ing out by the first of June. 



Tomato plants that have been brought along in hot- 

 beds or seed boxes, must be transplanted promptly to 

 frames (using i)otH, boxes, or not, as you choose) 

 before they become drawn In the least. 



Tools. Put each one In working order before the 

 day It is called Into use. 



Wet land ought to be well drained, as it is always 

 late in the spring before such is ready to work. 



FRUITS AND VEGETABLES UNDER 

 GLASS. 



Cucumbers In frames. Continue to use Unlugs to 

 keep them growing; If stable manure is scarce sonu- 

 other material like grass may be used now Instead. 



Figs. In pots swelling up their fruit to be given 

 liquid manure twice a week. Stop strong growing 

 shoots at the ttfth leaf. 



Grapery. Where the Grapes of early vines are chang- 

 ing color, air freely, leaving ventilators open a little at 

 the top during the night. Keep the air rather dry to 

 prevent shanking, but It is a mistake tt) maintain a 

 parched atmosphere at this time; sprinkle the floor but 

 withhold the syringe for the present. Where new varie- 

 ties are started or old ones replanted, this Is a good 

 time for planting. Attend to former directions con- 

 cerning graperies. 



Lettuce. Some of the plants wintered over in cold 

 frames may be transferred to hot-beds, where they will 

 produce an earlier crop. Seed may be sown for suc- 

 cession. The White Forcing Head and Tennlsball are 

 excellent for forcing purposes. 



Peaches that are being forced will now be swelling 

 fast, and the last thinning must Ijedone wlthoutdelay. 

 Water thoroughly at the ronts and use nuiuure water 

 freely till the fruit shows color. Syringe twice each 

 day. Heat and air ai'e needed at the fruiting stage. 



Pines that show fruit should be given manure water, 

 warm and weak. Before shutting up syrmge. Robust 

 growth may be ln<iuced by free ventilation. 



Strawberries In heat ought U) be hardened gradually 

 after fruiting, if the plants are required for new beds, 

 before removing them outside. 



POINTS ABOUT POULTRY. 



Nut trees are appropriate for sliadc in the 

 poultry run; fowls will not trouble the product. 



Children and Poultry. Edut-ate the younger 

 members of the family to habits of economy h^ 

 g-iving each a flock of fowls, says the Mirror and 

 Farmer. But in so doing they should be in- 

 structed to keep strict accounts, and made to 

 attend to nil tin- details ot nianaM"enH'nt. Slmuld 

 the poultry or ct^M's br used in the family, the 

 vuun^ ]icii]>ii- slmuld he paid fcu'sucii, an<l cvcry- 

 thinjrshnuld br done in a business-like manner. 

 In s(.nir biiiiilics nil spending money is allowed 

 the rliildnii unless thry earn it. which is done 

 with a \i('\\- ti' ti-ach them the value of it, and by 

 givinti- tlu-ni a Hock of fowls they will usually 

 try to inaTKijri- the tlock to the best advantage. 



Large Chicken Lice, t hicks that refuse to eat. 

 throw their heads back, tumble over an their 

 backs, and act as if bewitched generally, are 

 probably troubled with the large chicken lice 

 that at Arst are found only on the heatis of the 

 %nctims. Chicks that an- ailnrned witli topktiots 

 are very apt to be troubled with these pests. The 

 quickest way to get rid of these liee is to t-.ike a 

 big pin and catch them one by (me— you will not 

 of ten tind more than two or three on a chick— 

 and then rub on something to kill the nits. One 

 of the best things for that is a mixture f>f carbolic 

 acid and fresh lard— one-half ounce of the acid 

 to a gill of lard. If the acid be not at hand, use 

 whale oil. or failing in that, try salt«d lard, which 

 can be found in every house.— Pi'actical P^arnier. 



Houdans. These fowls are suitable for clean 

 quarters, and the chickens are as salable as any, 

 considering their size, for the flesh is white, and 

 the feet are flve-toed, resembling those of the 

 Dorking. The top-knot «d' the Houdati is rather 

 against the fowls bciiiu kept in dirty yards during 

 the winter, for here in wet weather tliey often 

 become covered with mud. Want of size is ap- 

 parent in many strains of this breed. If these 

 difficulties can be overcome. Houdans will 

 answer, for they are good foragers, very fair 

 layers, and the chickens are active and hardy 

 fi'ora birth. The hens, however, do not sit, so 

 incubators or birds of another variety must be 

 provided for liatching i)urposcs. Plymouth 

 Rocks are good all-round fowls, but are not con- 

 sidered sueli n .1 layers as the Houdans, although 



much always depends upon the strain. 



Eggs for Hatching. It the rules given by an 



authority in France— where poultry matters re- 

 ceive so much successful attention— were strictly 

 followed, we should hear less ab(.ut addled Ggg:!^, 

 chicks roming dead, tw too weak to break out of 

 the shell when fully develoiicd. Pick out the eggs 

 as soon aft^-r being laid as possible. This pre- 

 vents the nrcdonged contact of the heat of a suc- 

 cession ot laying hens, creating a prematui-e 

 development of the germ in the egg, making it 

 liable to perish when this heat is withdrawn. 

 Reject all in any way misshapen, or surrounded 

 with a circular ring, or having one end with an 

 uneven or rough surface. The sooner eggs arc 

 set. the more certainty of hatching, and the more 

 quickly. Kggs, in order to be well kept for 

 hatching purposes, ought to be turned ouce a 

 day, thus keeping the yolk in the center, which 

 is important. It being of greater spi-eilie gravity 

 than the white or albumen, its ti-ndeney is to 

 work through to the si«ie of the shell, and this 

 injures it for hatching, tli'-ehieks being liable to 

 corae out weakly and defonned. When eggs are 

 received by cxpi-ess the paekagi- ought to Ix; 

 opened and set in a (luii-t. airy phiee lor twentjr- 

 four hours bef<n-e bting i'ut under the hen. This 

 delay is required to allow the fertile germs t^.) 

 recover their natural position and equilibrium 

 from the jolting they get in traveling. 



Correspondents are ur^ed to nyitfcipate tlu ..: j. ,-. ... i^r. 

 stilting qxieationa. To aak, for instance, on April 16 nr 20 

 what Peas had beat be sown, could bring no ansteer in 

 the Mau issue, and none before June, when the answer 

 would be unsertsimable. QueationH received before the I2th 

 of any month stand a yoiid chance of heing answered in the 

 next paper. Not more than three ijiiestions should be sent 

 at one time. Answers to qutattonfi braring <in the mm- 

 pfir-itive value of implements, etc.. offered h\i iliffcrent 

 dt'ah rs must not he r.rpccted. Neillier can we promise to 

 comply jcilh the niiucst sometimes madi- to " plensr ansircr 

 by VHiil." Inquiries appearing without name belong to the 

 name nea:t following . 



Replies to Inquiries are earnestly requested, from our 

 readers. In answering such give the number, your 

 locality and name, the latter not for publication, unless 

 you desire. iVrite only on one side of the paper. 



(155. Oleander Culture. Does the soil for these 

 plants have to l)e (•h:uiK<'d In the tuhs auuually or not? 



fi.">fi. Cleaning Waste Pipes. How can I eleau such 

 of crease and venli^rls without dltfKing them up ?— E. 

 ti.B., St. L^»uis, M,K 



l\57. Ailing Begonia. My large Bej^onla nietalUca 

 has always done well until this winter, now the leaves 

 turn brown at the edges as soon as they open, and later 

 drop. What Is the trouble?— I. V. C, Albany, Oregon. 



(oH. Preserving Grape Juice. Can you give a rule 

 for preserving lirajK' juice for future use without fer- 

 nuMitatiou, If a jM-rson had r>nly a bushel or so of the 

 fruit for working up?— J. B. W., Charlton, Mass. 



tl5H. Gladiolus Query. What Is the difference be- 

 tween Gladiolus types, Gandavensia and Raniosus? 

 Are they equally large and efl'eetlve in bloom ?— J.L.B. 



(li'id. Sparrow Trap. Mine made after the recent 

 pattern did not catch *eni, they wouldn't go In. Per- 

 haps the hole was too small. Wilt others report, stating 

 dimensions of sueh as have been effective?— J. S. A. 



lifil. Cold Storage House, (at What wnnUl be the 

 best size and style of iiou'^e for hi>ldiiii,''M'"tori( hi bushels 

 of fruit, and suitable for retarding Pearhes an<l Plums 

 in summer aud Apples in spring? ib) What would be 

 the best material, wood or stone. Lumber, sawdust 

 and charcoal are iilcntiful here. (*■) Should the Ice be 

 overhead or at the end? (rf) Does cold st^^rage fruit 

 tliat is picked a little under ripe .'ihip all right without 

 refrigerator cars?— R. G., Oceana Co., Mich. 



(iii3. Grapes for Various Sections. Would you give 

 the name.-^ of the varieties best suited to various sec- 

 tions of the country, also some iK)ints coneerning soil 

 elevation, etc?— Z. F. W.. Arx- I'rofidence, Ind. 



iVii. Crabs for Stocks. Woulrl it do to plant Hewcs' 

 Crab seed for stoeks to graft the eomnum Apple on ? 



(i(»4. Apples Falling Prematurely. A Winter Pear- 

 main 15 years old l)lossoms well every year, but the 

 fruit all droi)s after iilossondni; and before it can ripen. 

 What is the cause and cure?— O. B.. Hardin Co.,Ky. 



fJUT). Leached Ashes for Strawberries. Are they 

 worth drawing two miles, and at 2.t cents a loacl, for 

 prairie loam ? My i>aat experience in their free use 

 would say not. Would they be better for orchard or 

 meadow ?—G. J. K., Janesville, Wis. 



fiOG. Violet Culture. How should this plant be man- 

 aged from first to last for winter flowers ? 



(ItiT. Forcing Lily of the Valley. How can this be 

 done most proIltal)Iy.and how should pips be procured ? 



(itw. Forcing Asparagus I have an Asparagus bed 

 the plants of which stand rathershallow. Would there 

 be likely to be money in forcing the roots of such under 

 the benches of a hot-house I contemplate building ? 

 When should the roots be taken in and how to be 

 treatfd ?— .T. W. S., Asbury, Md. 



i;fW. Plums, Free and Cling Stone. Of the follow- 

 ing which are free and which cling stone: Miner, Wild 

 Goose, Lombard, Maquoketa. iJe Soto ?— Subscrujeu. 



670. Peach Stones. Where could five or ten bushels 

 of these be procured for spring planting in New York 

 State?— G. T. F.. Mount Dora. Florida. 



r.71. Bagging Grapes. What material Is used f<»r 

 this ? If paper Ijags. then what size ?— Mrs. G. C. 



672. Varnish for Rustic Work. Will you tell me the 

 best article for this piu-pose and how made?— C. P. H 



<h:j. Downing Mulberry. Is this tree hardy enough 

 for our state ?— W. P. M- Jrjf'erson Co., Pa. 



tut. Asparagus Tenuissimns. My plant of this 

 show^s dead leaves, but the stems are green. How can 

 it be restored ?-C. W. W.. Strafford. N. H. 



ii75. Bark Lice. I enclose specimens of twigs badly 

 iufested with an insect. What is it and how to he 

 treated?-F. M. S. 



117)). Grapes for Profit. Can a vineyard be made 

 profitable without converting the (Jrapes not fit for 

 table use into wine ?-C. E. s.. Buffalo, N. Y. 



(i77. Manure for Flowers, Is there danger In a free 

 use of manure for Geraniums. Carnations, etc.?— .J..I.E. 



67S. French Daisies from Seed. Can these plants be 

 grown from seed, and if so, where is it procurable?— 

 E. S., \S'ayne Co., X. V. 



6;n. Managing Pot Hydrangeas. I would thank 

 any reader fi>r points on managing these, for I am not 

 meeting with siu-cess ?— C. L.. IVinona Co., Mich. 



(W(). Primulas after Bloom. How should these 

 plants be treattMi when the fic)wers are gone.— Mrs. S. C. 

 L., Won-e.stcr i'o.. .Vit.ss. 



(1.S1. Root-grafting Various Trees. Is this method 

 successful for the propagation of Plums. Quinces, 

 Peaches, Pears, Nut-trees, etc.?— E. P. R., Sidtiey, Ohio. 



t58'. Laying out Steep Front Yard, Could you give 

 a plan for my front yard 70 .\ S5 feet, and which Is .so 

 steep towards tlie street that a straight walk would 

 wash out?— Mrs. R. T. K., Lauderdale Co.. Ala. 



