274 



POPULAR GARDENING. 



September, 



Onions, and gathered a most unheard-of crop. 

 This led to the drainage of the entire swamp, 

 and there is not now an acre tiiat is not regard- 

 ed cheap at $600. From 1.50,000 to 200,000 bushels of 

 Onions are raised annually.— New York Herald. 



The Cabbage-worm Worsted. I would not pay 

 a man twenty-five cents for keeping every single, 

 solitflry worm off a hundred heads of Cabbage, 

 since it can be done for less than five cents. By 

 walking along the rows, every week or two. 

 buhach-bellows in hand, and giving each head a 

 single whiflf of the fresh, unadulterated, death- 

 dealing powder. This is sure death to the Cab- 

 bage worm, and, in fact, to almost all Caterpil- 

 lars. The California buhach is so uniformly 

 good that it is best to take no risks with the 

 imported article. Use in dust form, mixed with 

 about five times its bulk of flour. To apply it in 

 a spray, mix a quantity with hot water to a 

 paste, then reduce with water, a tablespoonful 

 to a gallon.— Farm and Fireside. 



Dealing With Black Knot. A certain scientific 

 writer, whose name need not be mentioned, rec- 

 ommends waiting till the leaves fall in autumn 

 before cutting out the black knot from the Plum 

 trees, so that the knots may be easily seen. This 

 is bad adWce. We find no difficulty in keeping 

 Plum orchards clear by promptly cutting out or 

 cutting off every vestige of the disease as soon 

 as it appears. Success accompanies promptness. 

 A very successful fruit-grower, who raises heavy 

 crops of fine Plums, gives a standing order to his 

 men, that whenever they happen to see a black 

 knot first making its appearance, to drop every- 

 thing else and remove it.— New England Farmer. 



Propagating Tricolor Geraniums. If cuttings 

 are inserted in the usual way many often rot, 

 to avoid which, the i>lan herewith illustrated can 

 be followed: First tie the cuttings to a short 

 stick, then insert a splinter between the stick 

 and cuttings to keep them apart. The upright 

 stick is thrust down into the soil so that the base 

 of the cutting barely touches the surface of the 

 soil. The roots are thrown out from the base, 

 and as the cutting begins to grow it must be 

 carefully potted in sandy soil in thumb pots, and 

 put in a warm place near the glass to encourage 

 thrifty growth.— The Amateurs' Conservatory. 



Tomato worms are never very numerous, and 

 hand-picking is the best way to manage them. 

 In spite of the horn at the tail-end, they can 

 neither sting nor bite. Frequently one will be 

 found with its body nearly covered with small 

 egg-shaped white cocoons containing parasites, 

 though often mistaken for eggs. Worms with 

 these should not 

 be destroyed, as 

 -they are too 

 weak to domuch 

 damage, and the 

 parasitic insects 

 should have 

 time to leave 

 these cocoons, 

 being friends to 

 be encouraged. 

 — Ainer. Farmer. 



The Siberian 

 Apricot. This 

 species is by far 

 the hardiest 

 form against tin- 

 cold of winter as 

 well as against 

 spring frosts. 

 A temperature 

 not exceeding 

 30" below zero 

 hardly harms it 

 at all, although 40" kills it to the snow line. As all 

 plants sent out seem to be seedlings, pains ought 

 to be taken to select the hardiest and most pro- 

 ductive for propagation. We shall then have an 

 Apricot growing with success (i>robably with 

 profit) on the Atlantic slope, and as far north as 

 most Plums.— Rural New Yorker. 



A Hechanical Scarecrow. This new invention 

 represents a figure standing with gun in hand. 

 The arm holding the gun is made to move by 

 clockwork, inclosed in a box at its feet; at a 

 proper elevation it discharges itself. Then the 

 arm lowers. The mechanism is regulated at pleas- 

 ure, and rc'iuires a daily winding.— Kural Home. 



Russian Mulberries. This tree from the far 

 north possesses a greater power of rej^isting cold 

 than any other known form of Mulberry. But, 

 as with the Siberian Apricot, it has almost infinite 

 variutions. As forfrnit, not one in ten produces 



ProiMiijaliuy Tricolor iicraniums. 



a good kind; and there is also great choice as to 

 vigor and beauty of foliage.— Rural New Vorker. 



Spanish Chestnut Hardy. The Spanish Chest- 

 nut is but little less hardy than the English Wal- 

 nut. Both while young lose the tips of their 

 branches in winter. Of both the Spanish Chest- 

 nut and the English Walnut there are many large 

 trees about Philadelphia, bearing fruit every 

 season. — Garden and Forest. 



Value of Cottonwood Trees for Shade. The 

 Cottonwood grows quickly and makes a pretty 

 tree, but it grows most too high for a good shade. 

 Still it will serve the purpose, and is a good deal 

 better than no tree at all.— Western Rural. 



From Bush to Pie. Sparrows were selling in 

 this city last week at fifty cents, while yestex'day 

 they were one dollar per hundred. Sparrow pie 

 and sparrow on toast are gradually becoming a 

 luxui^.— Albany Post. 



To Whitewash Quickly, Make a bucket of 

 rather thin whitewash and apply it with a hand 

 force-pump. Coal oil also can be forced into 

 every crack and crevice with such means,— Farm 

 and Fireside. 



The White Daisy Pest. A peculiarity of this plant 

 Is that it will uot overrun rich soil. By top dressing 

 the meadows liberally, or by raising grain the Daisies 

 are "run out,"— Husbandman. 



Right time for Everything. The time to kill Bur- 

 (k>eks is when the burrs are partly developed, but not 

 ripe, and the way Is to cut the stalk off at the ground. 

 — Husbanilmau. 



Above all Else. A well sustained reputation for 

 reliability. It beats the profits on small cheating "all 

 hollow."— Drovers' Journal. 



Tomato Training. We believe the stalking plan to 

 be the better one.— Florida Fruit Grower. 



Vegetable Products on the Table. 



Beet Pudding' One iiound of boiled and 

 mashed Beets, one quart of tlour, one-half pound 

 of suet, one-half pound of Kaisins, one-half 

 pound of Currants, one-(juarter pound of Citron. 

 Mix stiff and steam three hours. Serve with 

 wine sauce.— Mirror and Farmer. 



Cooking Vegetahles. In cooking Beets and 

 Peas the water should not be thrown away when 

 they are done, but should be boiled away until 

 there is not a spoonful left, care being taken not 

 to burn the vegetables, they will be found to be 

 much swectcT and better flavored.— E. W. L. 



Boiling Sweet Corn. Put the Corn in cold 

 water, set on back of stove where it will yet warm, 

 for half an hour, then heat gradually until it 

 btiils, cooking in twenty minutes. Corn cut from 

 the ear may be treated the same, then seasoned 

 with salt, butter and milk to suit.— E. W. L. 



Peach Pie, Line the plate with crust and till 

 with quartered Peaches; to a common-size plate 

 allow two heaping teaspoonfuls of sugar and a 

 few bits of butter, cut the upper crust a little 

 hirger than the plate; raise the under crust 

 with the blade of a knife and place under it; 

 bake in a moderate oven. 



Fried Cucumbers. Remove skin, slice Cucum- 

 bers lengthwise into thick pieces and lay in cold 

 water half an hour, wipe dry, dip in beaten egg, 

 then in fine cracker crumbs, season with salt and 

 pepper and fry in lard; drain dry and ser\'e hot. 

 If liked, s<iueeze a few drops of lemon juice on 

 the slices.— Detroit Free Press. 



Peach Mangoes. Take large, firm Peaches; 

 wipe them with a damp cloth to remove the 

 bloom; halve and take out the stones; fill with 

 t^ree parts of Horse-radish and one of white 

 Mustard seed. Tie the halves securely together, 

 and place in a jar; i)our boiling vinegar syrup 

 over them.— Country Gentleman. 



Vegetable Marrow. Pare the Marrow, divide 

 and entirely take away the soft part inside. The 

 Marrow may be cut into four equal pieces or cut 

 into slices— slices cook more quickly. Put into 

 the oven a rf)asting-tin containing about one- 

 quarter poimd of butter; let the butter brown 

 nicely; then put in the Marrow and bake until 

 soft and nicely bi'owned. While cooking, this 

 must be well basted with butter.— English Pa])er. 



Pickled Oaions. Peel and slice large Onions, 

 and sprinkle them with salt. To every peek take 

 about six capsicums, slicing only a part; add 

 some pepper, cloves, and allspice whole. Put 

 the Onions into jars, distribute the spices pretty 

 equally among them, fill up the jars with vinegar, 

 and set them in a pan of cold water over the fire, 

 taking care that they are tightly tied dcnvn. In 

 about one hour and ii half they will be done.— 

 English Farm and Home. 



HOUSE PLANTS. 



Agapanthus. The flowering season over, cut down 

 half way, to prevent seeding. Give good treatment to 

 promote growth for a month longer, then dry partly 

 off, keeping in a light place free of frost until spring. 



Annuals, like Asters. Balsams, Chinese Pinks, etc., 

 in good shape, may be lifted for enlivening the win- 

 dow during the coming season of floral dearth. 



Azaleas and other hard wooded plants to be shel- 

 tered in an out-house or veranda from chills, for a 

 month longer before bringing Into the house. 



Begonias. Dig tuberous ones at the time of frosts, 

 dry the bulbs thoroughly and winter in dry sand. 

 Weltonieusis during active growth Is helped by an 

 occasional watering with liquid manure. 



Cactuses summered in the border to be lifted before 

 fall rains set in, potted and moved into the dry. 



Oarnations to be taken up towards the end of the 

 month, treating as directed under " Lifting." 



Chrysanthemums. See " Plants Under Glass. " 



Cytisus. Lift bedded plants; bring on with careful 

 treatment in pots, for promoting heavy spring bloom. 



Jasminum grandiflorum from this time on will be 

 benefited by a weekly application of manure water. 



Jerusalem Cherry. To be taken up and potted as 

 directed under ■'Lifting." The plants make a good 

 show from being covered with their scarlet fruit for a 

 long period. Give an abundant supply of water. 



Lifting from the beds for fall and winter use or stock 

 plants calls for activity; kinds that have bloomed all 

 sunnner require to be severely cut back, while such as 

 have been grown during the summer for winter bloom, 

 by being kept from flowering need no further pinch- 

 ing. Work with much care to retain all the roots, 11ft- 

 a large ball of earth with the spade, and reducing it 

 for the pot by the use of a pointed stick. Have pots 

 from four to eight Inches across on hand, using them 

 as small as can be fairly employed. Work good soil 

 firmly between the ball of earth and the pots. After 

 potting, water well, set closely together in the shade 

 for a week, sprinkling the foliage lightly half a dozen 

 times daily; afterwards increase on space and light, 

 but uot getting Into full sunlight yet for two weeks. 



Oxalis started into growth now will make excellent 

 window ]ilauts, especially such varieties as florlbunda, 

 Boweri, lutea. etc. 



Primroses. See under " Plants Under Glass." 



Roses for winter, to be re-potted, if this has not 

 already been done and border plants to be lifted. The 

 best soil: old fibrous sods, finely divided but not 

 sifted, with a third part well-decayed manure. 



Verbenas. If to be kept over, use young plants pro- 

 pagated from tender shoots aftei- the 15th. 



LAWN AND FLOWER GARDEN. 



Evergreens which require pruning that was over- 

 looked earlier in the season may yet be thinned, 

 though it Is stated that the exposed portions are very 

 apt to be Injm-ed when pruning Is performed in lat« 

 autumn or during winter. In the late summer the 

 resin exudes and prevents hurtful exposure to the air. 

 The lack of nourishment in the soil more than any 

 thing else causes so many poor Evergreen specbnens 

 to be seen. No one except those w-ho have annually 

 invigorated their trees with well rotted manure, can 

 form any idea of the change it will cause in the 

 stronger growth and intensity of color. 



Everlastings. Gather before open; dry In shade. 

 This class of ornamentals is the better for being cut 

 when the flowers are about half open. 



Forget-me-nots. By dividing early In the month 

 they become so well established before winter as to 

 staud a good deal of plaut-trylng conditions in the 

 way of freezing and thawing. 



Frosts now threaten. Anticipate on cool nights by 

 covering tender things to preserve their beauty for the 

 days of fine weather that so often follow. 



G-ladiolus Removing the flower stalks before seed, 

 goes on to ripening Is of advantage in the develop- 

 ment trf bulbs. 



Hardy Bulbs. Planting of Hyacinths, Tidips, Cro- 

 cuses and the like may begin. Tulips for flne effect 

 to be set at five inches apart. Hyacinths seven, and 

 smaller sized bidbs, like the Crocus and Snowdrop, at 

 two or three inches each way. A depth of four Inches 

 will suit the smaller bulbs, of six Inches for larger 

 ones. Narcissus, Crocus and Snowdrop are well suited 

 for close clumps by themselves. Beds ought to be 

 prepared and lay some days before planting. Rotten 

 cow dung Is one of the best fertilizers for bulbs. 



Labeling plants like Dahlias, Gladioluses and such 

 others as require it can better be done before frosts 

 cut them down. 



