S2 



THE GENESEE rAR:\IER. 



sboiild be well lunlched and frcqnetitly watered. — 

 In taking youiiir hemlocks from the woods in the 

 sj)ring, it would be much safer to plant them in the 

 shade for the first year^ and then transplant with a 

 ball of earth to their destined places. All feeble 

 branches should be cut otf. Arbor vitie taken from 

 tlie forest deserves the same care as the hemlock. — 

 White pines will live with ordinary care. Ever- 

 greens which have been well rooted in a rich soil, 

 (as before intimated) can be far more easily trans- 

 planted than others, even without the ball of earth, 

 from the presence of their numerous tibres. 



This subject interests me much, and I intend to 

 make further experiments. x>. w. l. 



W. Medford Mass., Mitv. 1857. 



CULTIVATION OF PLTTMS. 



The culture of the Plum has received but a 

 meagre share of the attention it merits. The Plum 

 is by no means difficult to propagate ; it comes 

 early to maturity, and is very prolific. At every 

 stage of its growth it is an interesting ti-ee, and 

 while in fruit, is extremely beautiful. It is also 

 very hardy, and has but two or tliree drawbacks — 

 however serious they be — to its general cultivation. 



The Horse Plum is said to make the best stocks 

 on wliich to work the good kinds, but they are 

 doubtless most easily propagated on the suckers of 

 tlie Canada stock, Prunvs Americana. This species 

 is widely scattered over the country. In New 

 England, where it does not grow wild, it is very 

 frequently met with, in a state of neglected culti- 

 vation by the side of old walls. These suckers 

 sliould be grafted at or below the surface of the 

 gi-ound. If well cultivated, they will commence 

 bearing the third year, and continue vigorous and 

 productive trees for several years. I am aware that 

 the practice of working trees on suckers, is in gen- 

 eral a bad one, very justly unpopular; but if any 

 one doubts the success of the plum in the manner 

 described, let him try it. 



Select a moist, rich loam, on an elevated position, 

 tliough vallies will, answer a tolerable purpose. The 

 plum is more hardy than the peach, but in frosty 

 places its fruit buds will occasionally be killed. — 

 Work the land deep, and manure highly with stable 

 manure, Avood ashes, peat, chip, dung, etc., using 

 some salt. The ashes should never come in direct 

 contact with the stable manure, as it wastes the 

 ammonia. By thorough working and high manur- 

 ing, even dry soils may be made to answer a very 

 good purpose. Set vigorous yearling trees, and if 

 tliey are on Canada stocks, twelve or fifteen feet is 

 a sufficient distance apart. Cultivate well and ma- 

 nure yearly, keejnng the ground free from weeds 

 and grass. Shorten back all luxurious growths 

 from one-half to two-thirds. This causes fruit 

 spurs to shoot out near the base of the shoot. 



The Curculio. — A few days after the flowering, 

 when the fruit has burst off the calyx of the flower, 

 which adheres for a time, comes the tug of war. — 

 The curculio is perhaps the most insidious and de- 

 structive pest with which the cultivator has to 

 contend. Various remedies, more or less successful, 

 liave been proposed, but jarring is the only sure 

 one. This should be performed unremittingly. If 

 it is neglected for a single day, the fruit may be 

 greatly injured or spoiled. 



The operation should be performed in the morn- 

 ing, when the insect is still. The insect is quite 

 sensitive to cold, and a slight concussion brings it 

 to the ground. Pre]>are two sheets, which, when 

 placed side by side, will form a s<puire large enough 

 to extend under the wliole circumference of tlie 

 tree. Sew rods in each end of the sheets, like 

 window curtains. This greatly facilitates moving 

 the sheets and adjusting them to the tree. Strike 

 the tree a smart blow with the hand, or a muffled 

 mallet. The hand answers a poor purpose, unless 

 applied to small trees or the limbs of large ones. — 

 Perhaps the best method is to saw a limb fi'om 

 the tree, and strike the stump of it. The limb 

 should be cut in tlie fall, as it will season and re- 

 main sound longer. Large limbs can also be con- 

 veniently jarred by placing a staft" with a soft pad 

 on the end against them, and striking the otiier 

 with a mallet. 



If the plum was planted in large orchards of an 

 acre or more, and men constantly employed, I be- 

 lieve it could be made a paying investment. AH 

 small fruit, liowever, should be destroyed by pigs, 

 geese, or by picking up by the hand. The jarring 

 operation need not continue longer than the tenth 

 or fifteenth of July. Some seasons, perhaps, it may 

 be discontinued by the fourth. j. gbiffitus. 



Sterling, Conn., Dec, 1857. 



SHELTER FOR GARDENS. 



The advantages to a garden, arising from shelter, 

 are numerous, apparent, and great. Vegetation 

 starts sooner, continues later, and is less influenced 

 by sudden changes, and severe weather. In shel- 

 tered positions tlie ground and atmosphere are found 

 to be several degrees warmer than in exposed situ- 

 ations. Often there is ditterence enough to ward 

 oft' a late or early frost, which would otherwise do 

 much damage. Many vegetables, fruits, and flow- 

 ers, which would otherwise fail, succeed well with 

 us if slightly ])rotected.. Boards, eight to twelve 

 feet long, nailed end upward to cross bars on the 

 north, west, and east sides of a garden, make good 

 wind-breakers. I also like a double row of Hem- 

 locks set very thick ; they make good wind-break- 

 ers, and look flue. g. o. l. 



Li/nn, Susq. Co., Pa., 1857. 



MAKING AND PACKING DOWN BUTTER FOR 

 WINTER USE. 



The milk, when strained, should stand until the 

 cream lises — from 2-i to 36 hours — then skim and 

 bring to a proper temperature, which practice wiU 

 soon teach. In churning gather weU and work tlie 

 particles of mUk from the butter before salting. — 

 Use no water in this process. Salt to suit your 

 fancy. Let it dissolve for the space of about 13 

 hours, then work it again. It is now fit for pack- 

 ing. The vessel should be stone. Sprinkle a little 

 salt in the bottom. Then pack your butter as solid 

 as possible. If the sprinkhng of salt is repeated 

 between each layer, it is more convenient to cut 

 when used. 



Butter prepared in this manner, has been pre- 

 ferred by competent judges, and will keep sweet 

 and good, with but little expense and trouble. 



A FAEilEK's DAUGHTER. 

 MerriUville, Canada West, _v. 



