1853. 



NEW ENGLAND lARMER. 



183 



stock is sharpened in wedge-form ; the scion is 

 split up in the centre, and each half thinned away 

 on the inside to a Qat point, and tlien set 

 on the stock, vith a good fit, at least, 

 on one edge. It is most practised on 

 stone fruit, and when the scion is im- 

 mature. 



Sometimes large stocks are grafted 

 after the usual season, by splitting up 

 the scions two or three inches, with one 

 side the stronger. The stock is scarfed 

 ofi" on one side, and the stronger side of 

 the scion is fitted into the bark opposite 

 the scarf, and the thin part is brought 

 down over the scarf, and the lower end 

 inserted under the bark below the scarf. 

 The thin part of the scion passing over Jj 

 the scarf promotes healing. ^ 



Root Grafting.— In the Middle States (jf^j^'^^V 

 and the West, this mode succeeds better 

 than in the North, where the seasons are shorter. 

 Roots arc cut into pieces of various sizes, from 3 to 

 5 inches. If large, cleft grafting is best ; if small, 

 splice grafting is preferable. Some apply compo- 

 sition, others omit it, as the root is covered in 

 earth. The surest way is_to apply it, but with 

 omission it is generally successful. The better 

 way is to have the roots accessible in winter, and 

 graft the latter part of winter or early in spring. 

 and set out the stocks in earth in the cellar, in 

 boxes or not, until the ground is dry enough for 

 setting out. 



Grafting Large Trees should generally be done 

 gradually, occupying 2 or 3 years, according to the 

 size of the tree and manner of grafting. Graft the 

 top first, as scions at bottom will not grow well 

 while overspread by large branches. Leave twigs 

 and shoots on the limbs, to sustain the limb till 

 the scions grow, and then remove them gradually, 

 but perhaps not till the second year. !Many an 

 orchard of large trees has been ruined by cutting 

 ofi" all the top at once, in grafting, exposing the 

 trunk and branches to the hot sun, and giving a 

 sudden check to the growth and life of the tree. 

 But if the Hmbsare all cut oif and grafted at once, 

 towards their extremities, say where only an inch 

 in diameter, and numerous twigs and little limbs 

 are left, then the tree does not feel a shock, as the 

 twigs and numerous scions soon form a good supply 

 of foliage ; and as the latter grow, the former are 

 removed. Or graft limbs enough for a new top, 

 where not very lai-ge, and remove the others in a 

 year or two, as the scions supply their place. 



Never graft an unthrifty tree ; it is lost labor. 

 First cultivate, prune, and wash, and put it in a 

 vigorous condition. 



Grafting Composition, and its Application. — 

 1 part good beef tallow, 2 parts beeswax, 4 parts 

 white, transparent rosin ; melt all together, turn 

 into cold water, and work and pull it thoroughly, 

 as shoemaker's wax. This composition is not so 

 soft as to melt in warm weather, nor so hard as to 

 crack in cold weather ; but it gives as the tree 

 grows. It is of great importance to have it of a 

 right temperature, and well applied, else it will 

 peel off in cold weather. While warm, it should 

 bo pressed closely to all the wounded part of stock 

 and scion. 



ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, N.H. 



The farmers of old Rockingham held an agricul- 

 tural mass meeting, at Exeter, N. II., on the 10th 

 of February, which was " a starter." A large 

 number of people were present. Henry F. French, 

 Esq., of Exeter, presided. "He stated the object 

 of the meeting to be, — to adopt measures for the 

 promotion of agriculture — to awaken a new inter- 

 est in behalf of the association they had recently 

 formed, and to arrange for a Fair in the autumn." 

 Everything was propitious; on the 28th of October 

 they had no organization — now they are organ- 

 ized, and at work with a fund of over $1,500 ! — 

 Prof. IIoYT, and Mr. French, of Exeter, Robinson, 

 of Brentwood, Cram, of Hampton Falls, Currier, 

 of Dcrry, Clarke, of Atkinson, Bartlett, of Strat- 

 ham, Learned, of Chester, Sanborn, of Kingston, 

 and others, we learn, made capital speeches, in- 

 teresting and instructive. The following resolu- 

 tions were reported, and we believe adopted. 



Resolved, That a National Bureau of Agriculture 

 ought to be established. 



Res^olved, That our State Legislature ought to es- 

 tablish a State Board of Agriculture, appoint a State 

 Commissioner, and make appropriations in aid of 

 Agricultural Societies. 



Resolved, That it is important to improve our pi-e- 

 sent breeds of stock, by a cross with the best import- 

 ed breeds. 



Resolved, That the ladies be invited to enrol their 

 names as honorary members of the Society. 



j^" An ornamental tree society has been formed 

 in Stoneham. 



For the New England Varmer. 

 CARROTS VS. ENGLISH HAY. 



Gents : — Annexed is an extract from a letter 

 received from one of the best experienced farmers 

 in the county of Worcester. His estimate of the 

 value of carrots, as feed for stock, comes short of 

 most others, — but not so much as appears on the 

 first reading. Valuing English hay at S20 the 

 ton, Mr. Brooks would value carrots at $8 the 

 ton. Generally speaking, they are placed at half 

 the price of hay. Perhaps their true value will be 

 found between one-third and one-half that of good 

 hay — according to the purposes for which they are 

 wanted. Mr. Brooks' view of draining are vvor- 

 thy of much consideration. This is a mode of im- 

 provement but little practiced among us and less 

 understood. I remember to have seen it very suc- 

 cessfully applied, by Mr. Colman on his flirm in 

 Lynn, whereby the value of the land was increased 

 fourfold. What is mea< for one, may be jsoison 

 for another ; so in directions for farming, circum- 

 stances materially alter cases. General rules can- 

 not be applied without qualifications. 



Very truly yours, J. W. Proctor. 



Danvers, Feb. 16, 1853. 



My Dear Sir :— Your favor of the 10th ult. 

 came duly to hand, acknowledging the receipt of 

 the Worcester County transactions, and saying 

 that you had recently turned your attention to 

 the culture of the root crops, for which I am 

 glad, as I have no doubt you will add much that 

 is useful to this important subject. Pruf Mapes 

 is too sanguine in his statement as to the value of 

 carrots. It is true, that a horse fed partly on car- 



