1859. 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



315 



plant. About a week after the cabbage has been 

 set, taken root and begun to grow, put as much 

 salt in a circle two or three inches from the 

 plant on top of the ground ; take care that no 

 salt comes in direct contact with the roots. Do 

 not put much manure under the plants, but leach 

 the manure and put the liquor round them at 

 sundry times. Do this, and I will warrant good 

 cabbages. Washington Hall. 



Brewer, April, 1859. 



LAW REGULATING THE SALE OF MILK. 



Does it render farmers liable for delivering 

 milk to the milk-venders who provide unsealed 

 cans for its reception ? 



How does it afiect existing contracts? 



If under present contracts milk-venders refuse 

 to provide sealed cans, what is the farmer's rem- 

 edy ? Shall he refuse to deliver, as heretofore 

 contracted, or shall he deliver as usual, and ob 

 tain satisfaction by process of law ? 



When does the act take effect? 



Remarks. — We refer our correspondent to the 

 entire law given in the Farmer of April 23, and 

 which will be found in the monthly for June. 



WIRE FOR FENCES. 



V."hat kind of wire is^best for a fence ? What 

 is the cost of it, and wlrere may it be obtained? 

 Samuel B. Bird. 

 Framingliam, May, 1859. 



Remarks. — We think number six wire the 

 best size for a M-ire fence, though some persons 

 use a much larger size. It costs about six cents 

 a pound. 



Mr. Bird has some of the long red potatoes 

 for sale, recently inquired for. Price 60 cts. per 

 bushel. 



potatoes. 



The potatoes I send are a variety raised from 

 the seed about fifteen years ago ; they are an ex- 

 cellent, early potato. By your description of 

 those sent you by ]\Ir. Hazeliine, of Straflbrd, I 

 think this may answer his inquiry, as I gave some 

 to a man that lived in Straflbrd some years ago. 



Thetjord, Vt., May, 1859. A. C. Howard. 



Remarks. — Mr. Howard has our thanks for 

 the nice potatoes sent us. They are not the color 

 or form of those sent by Mr. Hazeltine. We 

 ?;ill plant and test them. 



TRANSPLANTING PINES. 



Can you or any of your subscribers inform me, 

 through your columns, the best time of year to 

 transplant pine trees from the woods to decorate 

 grounds around one's house, &;c. Also, if any 

 particular care is needed as to their transplant- 

 ing? I wish to learn where I can obtain a 

 "Muscova Drake" and two "Muscova Ducks," of 

 the best breed known. Where may I be able to 

 obtain them, and at what price ? Any reply will 

 be appreciated by your faithful reader and old 

 subscriber, "Oak Uill." 



May 12, 1859. 



MAPLE SUGAR. 



Damon Bridgman, of Soutk Hardwick, Vt., 

 has made this season 7,100 lbs. of tip-top maple 

 sugar. 



Joseph S'evens, of East Hardwick, has made, 

 I understand, over four tons. Beat this you 

 Chinese cane breakers, if you can, at the same 

 cost. F. J. 



Hardwick, April, 1859. 



PLUM TREES. 



I have some red plum trees which blossom full 

 every year, but do not bear much ; I have some 

 white ones, also, which are set with the red ones, 

 which bear. I have tried a great many things 

 which have not done any good, and would in- 

 quire if there is anything that would make them 

 bear ? The trees are very thrifty. 



Bethel, VI. A Subscriber. 



For the New England Farmer. 

 PLANTS WITHOUT LEAVES. 



Messrs. Editors :— Having seen in the month- 

 ly Farmer, February, 1859, page 59, an article 

 entitled "Roots cannot grow without leaves," and 

 thinking the writer in error, I will state my opin- 

 ion. It is a known fact that there are numerous 

 exceptions to the general rule ; for instance, 

 there is the plant found growing in wet places, 

 known as the bulrush ; it shoots up numerous 

 spikes or stems, that are from one to three feet 

 in height, and from one-fourth of an inch in di- 

 ameter downwards, without leaves, or the appear- 

 ance of leaves, for the first four or six weeks, 

 when it throws out the short stem on which the 

 seed grows, but not any leaves. If any one doubts 

 its having roots, try to pull one up ! There is 

 the button rush, with a stem of the thickness of 

 a goose quill, or larger, but it has no leaves. 

 There is the house leech, or live forever, the top 

 of which will grow any length of time, severed 

 from the roots, and suspended by a string. A 

 good way to kill the Canada thistle is to cut off 

 the top, close to the ground when in blossom, 

 when the stalk is hollow. When it rains, the 

 water runs down the stalk, and rots the roots. 

 The absence of leaves will not do it, for without 

 hoUowness of stalk, you may cut them from July 

 to December, clip, or burn as you please, but 

 without effect. Regulus. 



Eipton, Vt., April, 1859. 



For the Netc Enj^land Farmer. 



WINTER WHEAT. 



Hundreds of farmers in this State do not raise 

 this grain, simply because they think they can- 

 not. I have tried both upland and intervale, and 

 find it does best on upland where I never man- 

 ure it. I always select good, warm pasture 

 land, (the older the better,) free from strong 

 winds and standing water, and where the snow 

 remains on as long as on any part of the farm. 

 Break it up any time in July or August. Sow 

 from the 20th of August to the 1st of Septem- 

 ber, at the rate of one and a half bushels per 

 acre. Get it in two or three inches deep, if pos- 

 ble, with a plow or cultivator. After it is up a 



