1869. 



I^W ENGLAND FARMER. 



351 



onion after chewing. This esculent in an un- 

 cooked state is very healing, and collects the 

 water from the lungs and throat, causing im- 

 mediate relief to the patient." 



For the New England Farmer, 

 THE QAEDEN IJST AUGUST. 



The planting and heavy work in the garden 

 is mainly done for this season, and but little 

 now remains except to keep the crops thriving 

 and free of weeds ; to clear off crops to be 

 succeeded by late ones ; to save seeds as they 

 ripen, and make provision for future fertil- 

 izers. If our previous remarks on the im- 

 portance of a good garden have induced 

 farmers, or others who have suitable land, to 

 give a little extra care and labor to planting 

 and cultivating a variety of vegetables, we 

 hope that the result has justified all that we 

 have said, both as to the profitableness and 

 pleasure of a supply from ones own garden 

 and from ones own labor. Still, as the "dear 

 bought and far fetched" are too often over- 

 valued, so there is danger that what we raise 

 ourselves, or that which springs up almost 

 spontaneously about us, will be undervalued. 

 To appreciate the crisp freshness of vegeta- 

 bles taken from the garden, bedecked with 

 the crystal drops of morning dew, one needs 

 to partake of those that have been wilted, 

 shrivelled, and heated by long transportation 

 and exposure, thus losing not only their natural 

 sweetness, but becoming actually unhealthy. 



Asparagus. — Any weeds that the dense 

 growth of tops have not kept down should be 

 pulled out. If seed is desired, it is advisable 

 to gather it as soon as it gets ripe, and sow 

 at once — which is nature's way — or preserve 

 to sow in spring. 



Beajns. — Dwarfs will be yielding freely 

 now, and the poles will give us shelled beans, 

 if proper care has been given them. Save 

 some of the earliest and best to go to seed. 

 If you have a surplus of string bems, they 

 can be put up for the winter, by some of the 

 approved modes of saving, or they can be 

 allowed to ripen, and be saved as shelled and 

 dried field beans, which they will equal in 

 many respects. 



Beets. — Thin the late planted, and use 

 those pulled out for greens. Early and mid- 

 dle planted will answer for pulling to cook ; 

 pull first from those that stand nearest to- 

 gether, although the single ones may be the 

 largest. A rapid, quick growth produces the 

 best and most tender beets. It will pay to 

 water small beds with liquid manure. 



Cabbage akd Cauliflowers. — Early plant- 

 ed will now be ready to use — selecting those 

 most mature. It is not too late to set out 

 plants for winter use, as the cabbage heads 

 more rapidly after the cool fall wea her than 

 when it is hot and dry. Encourage them 

 to a rapid growth, by frequent hoeing and 

 applications of liquid manure. 



Celery. — If the early planted has grown 

 sufficiently, commence to earth it up. Late 

 crops may be transplanted, if done early in 

 the month. In transplanting, shorten the 

 roots and remove straggling leaves ; shade 

 with evergreen boughs, or by other means, if 

 the weather be bright and warm. 



Corn. — The last planted will need frequent 

 hoeing, and if stimulated with weak guano 

 water, it will hasten the growth of that which 

 is a little backward. The early planted will 

 now be yielding good boiling ears. Some of 

 the earliest and best ears should be saved to 

 ripen for seed. 



Cucumbers. — Gather for pickles and use 

 when they attain a size to suit the fancy. 

 Keep them closely picked, if you desire the 

 greatest yield. A sufficient number of hills 

 should be left to grow the seed needed ; se- 

 lecting the most perfect specimens nearest the 

 roots. Others should be removed from the 

 vines. 



Manure, — No thoughtful gardener will neg- 

 lect to provide for the future, by preparing 

 and composting all vegetable and animal 

 waste, as well as adding the slops and wash 

 from the house. The vegetable matter from 

 the garden and grounds, if properly com- 

 posted with such articles as are allowed to 

 waste their fragrance in the air from and about 

 the house, will go far towards keeping a gar- 

 den in a high state of fertility. 



Melons. — If much fruit is set, it should 

 be thinned to only a few specimens to each 

 vine. Ripening may be accelerated by plac- 

 ing a thin fiat stone or shingle under each 

 specimen ; an occasional careful turning will 

 tend to more evenness in ripening, but this 

 must be carefully done. 



Seeds. — Use all care in saving the earliest, 

 most healthy and best formed specimens from 

 the healthiest plants, for maturing seed ; and 

 when ripe, properly save and care for the 

 same. Never trust to memory, but always 

 correctly label each package as laid away. 

 Every experienced gardener knows the value 

 of good seeds, that will grow when properly 

 planted, and the vexation and loss from seed 

 of a poor or infarior quality, and he is sure 

 of getting the best in no other way than by 

 growing and properly saving it himself. The 

 best and mo.^t conscientious seed dealers some- 

 times fail to furnish good seed, as 1 have rea- 

 son to know by late experience. Desiring 

 a little Broom Corn seed, of a variety not at 

 hand last spring, I obtained a small package 

 from one of the most reliable seedsmen ; but 

 from the package only about a dozen seeds 

 germinated or came up. I do not mention 

 this to discredit any seedsman, but to show 

 the importance of growing our own seed as 

 far as possible, and of testing its germinating 

 capacity before planting. 



W. H. White. 



Soutli Windsor, Conn., 18C9. 



