236 BROOM CORN AND FRUITS CULTIVATED IN GARDENS. 



winter, put straw, or leaves of trees, 6 inches thick on 

 the bed, and lay on something to prevent the covering- 

 from being" blown off. This will preserve its leaves 

 from being destroyed ; and, when you go to get it, you 

 must lift up the covering, of a part of the bed. 



BROOM CORN. 



This requires the best oi'land and tillage. The place 

 assigned for it should, early in May, be laid up in 

 small ridges, that it may dry and become warm. About 

 the 20th of that month, level down the ridges, pulverise 

 the soil, and intimately mix the manure — then stretch 

 the line, and with the small hoe make a furrow 2 inches 

 deep, scatter the seed, and cover it v.ith light earth — 

 Then move back your line 3 feet^ and in this way plant 

 whatever quantity you please. When up, thin plants, re- 

 serving those only which appear stout and healthful. — 

 That seed only which is heavy, and of a bright, shining 

 colour, is worth planting. The best seed will lose its 

 vitality in 4 or 5 years. The grain is good for poultry. 



FRUITS CULTIVATED IN GARDENS. 



The useful and the agreeable concur to recommend 

 the cultivation of fruit in gardens ; as the plants, being 

 perennials, require only occasional care, little trouble, 

 and hardly any expense. 



Propagation by cuttings, suckers, and layers, may be 

 practised iu the early part of April ; or as soon as the 

 frost is out of the ground. 



Cuttings must be taken from shoots of the last year, 

 and it is, in most cases, best if they have a joint or two 

 of the last year's wood, at the bottom of them. The 

 cutting should have altogether, about 6 joints, or buds ; 

 and 3 of these should be under ground when plant- 

 ed. The cuts should be performed with a sharp knife, 

 so that there may be nothing ragged or bruised about 

 either wood or bark. Make a hole sufficiently deep 

 and large to admit the cutting without ruffling the bark ; 

 let those which are most difficult to grow be set as deep 

 as 12 inches ; those less difficult, 0, 8, or 10 ; any vacu- 

 ity left ii) the hole must be filled up with fresh earth, and 

 pressed down close to the cutting. Let them be fre- 



