1858. 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



183 



the quince and the strength and longevity of 

 the pear stock. For instance, of trees of the same 

 variety standing side by side in my own grounds 

 for twelve years, and enjoying the same treat- 

 mentf those on the quince stock, have attained a 

 larger size, and have borne for nine years abun- 

 dant crops, while those upon the pear stock have 

 yielded but very little fruit. 



In a word, so far as my experience extends, I 

 can see no difference in the hardiness of the same 

 variety of pear, whether on the quince or on its 

 own roots. Some varieties are not suited to the 

 quince stock, others grow vigorously and bear 

 abundantly. Some are as hardy in Vermont, 

 New Hampshire and Maine as in Massachusetts. 

 These remarks are made without reference to ex- 

 traordinary climactic influences such as distin- 

 guished the winter of 1857. 



Marshall P. Wilder. 



Remarks. — We hope you will ; this is a sub- 

 ject of importance to a large number of our 

 readers. 



EXTRACTS AND REPLIES. 



MEASUREMENT OF CORN. 



Mr. Editor : — I am most happy to greet our 

 venerable friend, M. A., of P., again in the field. 

 What he says of his own knowledge, I should as 

 soon credit, as the sajdngs of any other man. I 

 believe him, also, truly Avorthy of the appellation 

 model farmer, given him by Daniel Webster. But 

 when he tells the public that a crop of corn 

 measured one hundred and forty-five bushels to 

 the acre, (this was the quantity, I think,) by a 

 certain measurement of so many pounds for a 

 bushel, weighed green in the ear, as it first comes 

 from the field, 1 think the statement was not 

 generally understood. A bushel is a bushel — 

 neither more nor less — and is determined by the 

 number of cubic inches. Corn is corn, when clear 

 from the cob, fairly seasoned, fit to be ground. 

 Any other mode of measurement does not accord 

 with my notions of propriety. This must be my 

 apology for strictures upon the mode of measur- 

 ing heretofore used in the county of Plymouth. 



February 6, 1858. p. 



CELERY. 



Mr. Editor : — I at last appeal to you and 

 your intelligent readers to inform me of a prop- 

 er way to cultivate celeiy for market purposes. I 

 have inquired in other directions, but thus far 

 have failed. 



1. Which is the best way to make a bed to 

 prevent the ravages of the gnat, fly or Avorm, so 

 very destructive to the young plant while in the 

 bed? 



2. What soil is best for rapid and tall growth ? 



3. How should the plants be set, what distance 

 apart the rows, how deep the trenches, and what 

 distance the plants ? 



4. How much manure should be covered or 

 mixed with the earth before the plants are set ? 



5. How often, and how many times should it 

 be hilled ? 



6. Are there any of the noted fertilizers of the 

 day which will answer the place of manure for cel- 

 ery? Will not some combination of guano, 



bone dust, or other patent enricher, answer for 

 manure ? 



7. Is there anything which will prevent rust or 

 blast ? This is one of the worst evils the farmer 

 has to contend with in raising this plant. 



8. Which is the best time to hill up, in damp 

 or dry weather ? 



9. How can it be preserved through the win- 

 ter, in an acre or two, so as to be handy to get at 

 during the winter? 



I will pay $25 to any one who will answer fully 

 and give such directions as will enable me suc- 

 cessfully to obviate the dlfhculties of the 1st, 7th 

 and 9th questions ; they shall have their money 

 as soon as I prove their directions. Celery. 



Johnson's Creek, N. Y. 



Remarks. — We usually raise celery for family 

 use only, and have no particular difficulty in get- 

 ting good plants. There are persons among our 

 correspondents who cultivate it largely, and who 

 may throw much light upon the subject if they 

 will. Please send it along — we will scatter it to 

 the million. 



WHITEWASH FOR SHINGLES. 



I wish to make the inquiry whether white- 

 wash is an actual preservative ? I have read 

 somewhere of dipping shingles in whitewash and 

 salt. 



Burlington, Jan., 1858. 



Remarks. — We have had no personal experi- 

 ence in this matter, but have been told that 

 shingles dipt into boiling whitewash containing 

 a little salt, will last indefinitely. If there were 

 much salt it might corrode the nails and cause 

 them to break oflf. Perhaps the safest way v\-ouId 

 be to use the lime alone. 



ABOUT BUCKWHEAT. 



Please to inform me how, and at what time, to 

 sow and harvest buckwheat to advantage. 



How shall I prepare and use lime for manure ? 

 Jeffrey, N. H., 1858. d. s. 



Remarks. — When buckwheat is intended for 

 seed, it should be sown about the middle of June, 

 and then the crop will be in early enough to al- 

 low the grain to be perfectly matured before the 

 usual frosts. Harvest when the grain is faiiiy 

 glazed, to prevent its shedding. 



There is no better way to prepare lime for ag- 

 ricultural purposes, to our knowledge, than by 

 mixing it with muck. But if the land is a moist, 

 granitic soil, containing an abundance of vegeta- 

 ble matter, then scatter the lime broadcast over 

 it, at the rate of five bushels per acre. 



WINTER BUTTER-MAKING IN VERMONT. 



Last winter I had two farrow cows, consequent- 

 ly our dairy came in winter ; but cows should be 

 made profitable, whether they are summer or win- 

 ter cows. I gave them one quart of meal each 

 per day, and good care ; so they gave a tolerable 

 mess of milk through the winter. Pains were 



