1868. 



NEW ENGLAND FimMER. 



29 



ty-four bushels of corn on the cob from one 

 and one-half acres. All along our route, peo- 

 ple were pressing hay for market, but were 

 not anxious to sell at present prices, which 

 range from sixteen and one-half to eighteen 

 dollars. They say prices will range at twenty 

 and upwards. 



At Gardiner we learned that potatoes were 

 selling at one dollar per bushel, but we think 

 they will sell for at least one dollar and fifty 

 cents before planting time, as the yield was 

 about six bushels from one, as a general thing. 

 Through the southwestern part of Lincoln 

 and Southwestern part of Kennebec counties, 

 it appeared to us that farmers generally, simply 

 tried to live, and nothing more. After cross- 

 ing the Kennebec river, farming appeared to 

 present a different aspect. Barn cellars and 

 manure sheds frequently presented themselves 

 to our view. Dwellings neatly painted and 

 fences in good repair, gave evidence of thrifty 

 and enterprising occupants. After passing 

 through West Gardiner and Litchfield, we as- 

 cended "Oak Hill," which is composed of a 

 sandy, gravelly soil, too dry for profitable 

 farming in all its departments. While it is a 

 good soil for corn and "just the thing" for an 

 orchard, it is not profitable for potatoes or 

 hay. But jnst beyond, occupying a part of 

 the towns of Monmouth and Wales, lies the 

 most fertile valley in this section of our State. 

 One farmer told us that he broke up a piece of 

 land that had been lying waste for a long time, 

 and without manure of any kind, raised pota- 

 toes to which were awarded the first premium 

 at the county fair. We were informed that 

 real estate in this valley was rapidly advancing 

 in price. One farm which was sold for $3500, 

 in two years afterwards was j»urchased by its 

 former owner for $4550. Through the whole 

 of our drive we saw no reason why people 

 should cry out "hard times," for on the whole 

 God has blessed us with an abundant harvest. 

 If we have less of one kind wo have more of 

 another, to make good the deficiency. 



Wiscanset, Me., Nov. 11, 1867. c. h. w. 



Manure. — We like barn cellars to protect 

 the manure from rain and sunshine, but there 

 is something else to do with manure besides 

 housing it. If you keep it housed and protected 

 from the frost, there is an acid in it which is 

 deleterious to the growing crops. My mode 

 is to clean out the shed and barn cellars in the 

 fall and pile it up closely, cover it over with 

 loam, which protects it from the rain. Then 

 the frost has free access to neutralize the 

 acidity, to penetrate through all the parts, and 

 then when it is pitched over in the spring, it 

 falls apart and becomes fine and adapted to the 

 growing crops. In the spring, instead of ma- 

 nuring five acres sparingly, we manure Avhat 

 can sumptuously, do irot scant a hill, and the 

 result is that we harvest good crops. — S. P. 

 Maherry, in Maine Farmer. 



US JSrUTTING TIME. 



With lingorine glints of gold and red 

 The waning autumn woods are gay; 



And in the deep blue overhead 



The sun shines clear and soft to-day. 



The late October winds are bland, 

 Their voices whisper low and sweet; 



While far away the blue hills stand 

 With valley vapors round their feet. 



Across the azure of the sky 



The milky cloud-ehapes, wandering, sail; 

 Southward the roving songbirds fly, 



And from the stubble pi^je the quail. 



Along the winding path we go, 

 Through fields in which the aster nods; 



And over breezy slopes where grow 

 The yellow-painted golden rods — 



Alorg the path by field and hill. 

 With mai:y a lightly-spoken jest, 



Past golden orchard rows where still 

 The robin shows his crimson breast — 



Until at last the woods we gain, 



And there, with shout and crashing sound, 

 We beat the boughs till downward rain 



The ripened nuts upon the ground. 



All other sounds around are hushed, 



There is no note of any bird ; 

 But through these aisles with autumn flushed 



Our voices far and wide are heard. 



With lingering glints of gold and red 

 The waning autumn woods are gay. 



And though the summer months are fled 

 Our hearts make summer of to-day. 



HINTS FOK THE GAfiDEKT. 

 We copy the following from the New York 

 Horticulturist : — 



Hyacinths for winter blooming should now 

 be potted. 



Vineyards should all have the earth plough- 

 ed up toward the vines late in autumn, leaving 

 a centre furrow for the surface drainage. 



Chrysanthemums in bloom require abun- 

 dant fo d, which is best supplied by watering 

 them with liquid manure. 



Roses for window blooming should be potted 

 in good rich soil, cut back freely, then kept in 

 cool frames for a time before bringing into 

 the room for winter. 



Cuttings of geraniums, verbenas, &c., that 

 were made some time since and placed in a 

 cold frame, should now be potted off, brought 

 into the house, and placed in a cool, shady 

 place for a time before giving them a position 

 for growth. 



Pits or Frames for winter stowing of plants 

 should be ready. Make them two to three 

 feet deep, and when they are well drained, 

 place the pots in leaf mold from (he woods, 

 give air freely aird shade-il'om hot sun ; when 

 severe weather sets iir, have ready a quantity 

 of straw, old hay, &&., for spreading over the 

 sash. 



Strawberry beds planted this autumn 

 should during this month be lightly mulched 

 with coarse straw, leaves, cornstalks, or other 



