AGRICULTURAL. 



many times proved need not be done again, unless it be for one's own satisfac- 

 tion. Take all the advantage possible in selecting wheat, or other grain, to 

 use the plumpest and heaviest berries; and it would also be well to save that 

 for seed from parts of the field that ripen the earliest, to get the best results. 



II. Melon, Squashes, Cucumbers, Beans, Peas, and all seeds possible 

 should be kept in the pulp or shell till wanted for sowmg, whenever possible' 

 Select the earUest, fuU, medium sized melons, cucumbers, etc., growing three 

 or four feet from the hill, and put stakes by them before you begin to picR for 

 use or market. Let them ripen and rot down upon the vines; then put a piece 

 of board under each one, mashing down to break the rind, so the juice will 

 dry out ; and when dry, cut off from the vine, and also cut off one-fourth of 

 the blow-end and throw it away. When properly dry, put away in the pulp 

 till wanted for planting. Seed thus kept sprouts quicker and is more vigorous 

 in growth, and using only the stem-end seeds, insures an earlier ripening, the 

 same as with corn, which has been well-proved many times. Even garden 

 seeds are better when the stalks are nicely dry to put paper around them, to 

 save scattering seeds and allow them to remain in the plant till wanted to sow 

 or plant, as above. Of course all seeds must be secured from the rarao-es of 

 their lovers, rats and mice. ° 



Weight, Pounds per Bushel of Grain, and Most Articles in 

 Common Use.— Shelled com, 56 lbs. ; com in the ear, 70; wheat, 60; buck- 

 wheat, 52; rye, 56; oats, 32; barley, 48; onions, 57; potatoes, Irish. 60;' sweet, 

 55; turnips, 55; beans, white, 60; castor, 46; clover seed, 60; timothy seed, 45*; 

 flax seed, 56; hemp seed, 44; dried peaches, 33; dried apples, 24 ; salt, coarse,' 

 50; fine, 55; com meal, 48; bran, 20; plastering hair, dry, 8; lime, ''quick " 

 i. e. unslacked, 80; stone coal, 80. ' ' 



Fruit Trees, Right Soil For, How to Plant.— I. The Soil.— 

 If the soil where an orchard is designed to be set out Is not rich, it should be 

 made so before setting out, by deep culture and plenty of barn-yard manure, 

 well worked in with the previous crops. 



n. How TO Plant a Tree.— Dig the hole two or three inches deeper 

 than needed; loosen up the bottom by pick, if needed, a few inches; then put in 

 soil, the last inch or two actual surface soil, and place the tree upon it, spread- 

 ing out the roots level with their starting point at the tree, and work 'the fine 

 surface soil in among them, to leave no vacancies, keeping the fine fibres all in 

 their natural directions and completely covered with the soil, packing the dirt 

 as tightly as you can with the hand only, setting so that about four Inches of 

 dirt shall be above the roots; and this is to be sprinkled on in a fine state, being 

 very careful that no one steps upon this loose soil, nor even to pat it, or pack 

 it with the shovel; then it will settle naturally and evenly, not incline the tree 

 more to one side than the other; and the first rain will have a chance to fiU 

 any possible crevices under the roots, in the settling of the loose soil. After a 

 rain or two, mulch if you have suitable coarse manure for the purpose ^GoU' 

 iiensedfrom F. B. EUiott in the Cleveland Herald. 



