i89°- 



POPULAR GARDENING. 



139 



apt to be lujured. If so, cut them back, just as If they 

 were deekluous trees, and if the removal of a lar«e 

 branch leaves an uusi^htl}* opening, or makes the tree 

 one-sliIed. draw other brancties together to till the 

 opening, tying them In a proper position, ami !n a few 

 years no sign of the damage will be visible. When 

 the leader of a young tree is broken, select another 

 branch, tie it to a stake in au erect position, and In a 

 few years it will form a good leader. A new place is 

 almost invariably planted too thickly, and judicious 

 thinning becomes an Important duty. Repair roads 

 and (uirks or make new ones when the weather permits. 



Lawn. As soon as the ground is do' and ilrm enough 

 to allow walking upon It without injury, rake off 

 the rubbish, roll and re-seed where needed. Pull up 

 all large weeds by the nK>ts while groimd Is yet soft, 

 such as Dandelions, Burdock, etc. A home-made 

 "spud " constructed of an old broad chisel, fastened 

 to a handle three feet long will prove a convenient 

 help in this work. 



Paeonies. Divide the large clumps If at all desirable; 

 or plant new ones as earlj- as the weather will permit. 



Planting. The earlier ornamental trees and shrubs 

 are planted after the ground is In proper condition the 

 better for them. Half-hardy plants wintered over in 

 cold frames, should be given air freely to fit them for 

 early planting out. They must become well establish- 

 ed before hot, dry weather. 



Roses. The Hybrid Perpetuals should be properly 

 pruned this month. Take out all small or sickly look 

 lug shoots. Pnme the remainder from six to eighteen 

 inches according to growth. Many shoots show black 

 blotches or rings on last year's growth. Cut away 

 below such spots, even if you have to prune down to 

 the plant itself. Moder.'ite growers should be pruned 

 to about six inches, and strong growers from twelve 

 to eighteen inches. The Teas and Bourbons are more 

 tender, and should not have all the covering removed 

 this month. New beds and borders may be prepared 

 80 that the ground may become settled before planting. 



Vines may be trimmed and tied In their proper 

 places by the end of month. Manure well In spring. 



PLANT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



Begonias of the ornamental-leaved class should be 

 freely stimulated by applications of manure water, 

 etc.. to induce rapid growth. 



Camellias after bloom to be given a higher temper- 

 ature and moist atmosphere with shade from direct 

 sun rays. Shift into pots one inch larger than those 

 occupied before. 



G-loxineas. Start up some of them each month up 

 to May for a succession. Heat, moisture and shade are 

 needed for them. Treat Achimenes same way. 



Orchids now require an abundance of atmospheric 

 moisture. 



Potting. Let the young slips go into pots as soon as 

 roots appear, using small pots, and light rich soil, 

 potting rather firmly. Always place broken pots or 

 gravel in the bottom of every pot larger than three 

 Inches across for drainage. In pots of six inches or 

 more across, a layer of Sphagnmu or hay should be 

 put in top of the drainage, and before filling in with 

 soil. This will keep the lower drainage from clogging. 

 Florists who have good green house quarters and con. 

 veniences can repot their plants now as well as at any 

 time. This will help lighten the heavy burden of 

 spring work. 



Primroses. Propagate the double ones from slips 

 now. 



Propagation of Coleus. Altemantheras, Heliotrope, 

 Verbenas, and many other plants for simimer use may 

 still go on, as also of winter-bloomers for next year. 



Pelargoniums. Air strong plants f.'eely, and give 

 liquid manure once a week. 



Watering. Avoid extremes, and give each plant, 

 and each part of the house, just the amount of water 

 that is required. Considerable good judgment is re- 

 quired in this, else some plants in the same house may 

 suffer from dryness, while others are injured by over- 

 watering. 



FRUIT GARDEN AND ORCHARD. 



Blackberries that were laid down for winter, may 

 now be uncovered and lifted up. >'ew plantations to 

 be planted, as early as the season will admit. Plant 

 In rows from six to eight feet apart, and two or three 

 feet apart in the rows. 



Currants. For new plantations set the plants four 

 feet apart each way, and as early as the ground can be 

 well worked. 



Cmtings of Currants and Grapes to be planted 

 early, setting them deep so that only one eye of Grapes, 

 or two at most of other cuttings, will be above ground. 



Gooseberries. Treat like Currants. 



Graftins- WTienever young trees are found to be of 

 less desirable varieties, do not neglect to make them 

 more valuable by a methodical system of top-grafting. 

 A few grafts of new varieties may also be put into a 

 thrifty bearing tree In an experimental way. Com- 

 mence with Cherries and Plums at end of this month. 

 Cut cions at once. Root-grafts usually do best if set 

 out as early as the ground is in working order. 



Grapes. Tender vines that were laid down in the 

 autumn may now be uncovered and lifted up. Finish 

 pruning where not already done. Apply a good 

 dressing of manure, or bone dust and potash to the 

 bearing vines. 



Insects. Prepare to fight them vigorously by getting 

 spraying apparatus and poisons in readiness. See also 

 directions for February. 



Manure. Dig In the application made to vines and 

 trees In autumn. Apply special fertilizers, bone dust, 

 potash, etc., where such are to be used. Good manure 

 and plenty of It brings good fruit and plenty of It. 



Planting. Early planting usuallj- gives the best 

 results, hence all trees, shrubs and plants should be 

 ordered promptly, to insure their being on hand when 

 wanted. Always unpack stock carefully as soon as 

 received from the nurser>-, and if too early for plant- 

 ing, heel in outdoors, covering the roots well with 

 moist soli, or put in a damp cellar and cover roots 

 lightly with moist sand or mos.'i, until planting time. 



Raspberries. Treat like Blackberries. 



Strawberries. Prepare the groimd for new beds 

 early, and thoroughly. Use plenty of good manure, 

 and mix it deeply and thoroughly with the soil. Set 

 plants as soon as the season will permit, having plants 

 from one to two feet apart. Try new varieties 

 cautiously. 



VEGETABLE GARDEN. 



Asparagus. As soon as frost is out of the ground. 

 apply a dressing of some good fertilizer or nitrate of 

 soda, cultivate and mellow the soil, and get it in readi- 

 ness for the crop. For new plantations make the 

 ground ilch, stir deeply; and set the plants early. 



Beets. If the season and climate admit, these may 

 be sown In open ground. 



Cabbage. Plants wintered in cold frame should 

 now have plenty of air, or be entirely uncovered, to 

 fit them for planting out in open ground as soon as 

 this can be properly prepared. Plants from hot-bed 

 may be transplanted into flats, one inch apart in rows 

 two inches apart, and transferred to cold frames to be 

 hardened oft. 



Carrots. Treat like Beets. 



Cauliflower. Treat plants as advised for Cabbage. 



Egg Plants. Start as early in well-drained light 

 loam, and as near the glass as possible, in a hot-bed 

 with good bottom heat. Later on transplant into 

 shallow boxes an inch and a-half apart each way. 

 When plants begin to crowd each other i)Ot off into 

 three-inch pots. Always keep in strong heat and moist 

 atmosphere. 



General Directions. Make provisions for the needed 

 fertilizers and other requisites. When weather per- 

 mits prepare the ground for the crops to be planted 

 next month. 



Greens. Dwarf German. Remove the covering and 

 begin cultivation. A dressing of nitrate of soda will 

 be found of service. 



Horse Radish- Sets may be planted as early as the 

 ground will work well. Use sets of thickness of pencil 

 and place three Inches below the sm'face. 



Lettuce. Plants wintered in cold frames to be 

 hardened off for planting out. Plants from hot-beds 

 to be transferred to cold frames. 



Onion sets maybe planted out just as soon as ground 

 can be worked. Set in drills twelve to fourteen inches 

 apart, and five Inches apart in the drills. Potato 

 Onions are treated same way. 



Parsnips. Dig the crop yet in the ground as early 

 as possible. Also Salsify and Scorzonera. 



Pejis. Sow as early as ground can be prepared, se- 

 lecting any of the first earlies of the Dan O'Rourke or 

 Early Philadelphia class for this purpose. The wrinkled 

 Peas if planted In cold ground are liable to rot. 



Pepper. Start plants as advised for Egg plant. 



Potatoes. Make provisions for good seed . Early 

 Ohio and Early Sunrise are yet leading sorts for the 

 Home garden and earlj' market. To prevent injury to 

 the seed from premature sprouting, spread the Pota- 

 toes thinly on the floor In a weU lighted room. 



Radish. Sow in open air when ground is in working 

 order. 



Spinach. Treat as advised for German Greens. 

 Sow seed in open ground in drills twelve to fifteen 

 inches apart. 



Tomatoes. Start plants for early. 



FRUITS AND VEGETABLES UNDER 

 GLASS. 



Beets may be sown in hot-bed or cold frame in rows 

 six Inches apart, and when well started thin to four 

 Inches apart In the rows. The Early Egyptian is usual- 

 ly selected for this purpose. 



Carrots. Sow in hot-bed or cold frame as advised 

 for Beet. Use the Short Horn, and thin to two inches. 



encumbers. Keep in a temperature of from 60 to 65*^ 

 at night, with an increase of lu*^ by day. Fertilize the 

 flowers by hand as they open. Give air freely to plants 

 in new-made hot-beds. 



Grapes. Vines with growing fruit should have a 

 good temperature and humid atmosphere. Give a 

 little air whenever possible to vines in bloom, but 

 avoid cold draught. Water should not be given freely 

 to them until fruit Is set. As the season advances, 

 the late houses need an abundance of air to keep down 

 the temperature. 



Hot-beds may now be made at intervals for suc- 

 cession. The earlier made beds when vacant may now 

 be filled with Radishes, Carrots, Beets, Celery, etc. 



Lettuce must be watered sparingly during dull, 

 cloudy weather, but aired freely as opportunity Is 

 olTered. Plants may be set for succession and seed 

 sown for plants to be used for early outdoor planting. 

 Boston Market or Tennlsball are among the best vari- 

 eties for this purpose. 



Mushrooms. Manure may yet be prepared and 

 beds made for succession. 



Radishes. Sow In hot-beds or cold frames in rows 

 three inches apart, thinning to one inch apart In the 

 rows. A row may also be sown between each two rows 

 of Beets or Carrots. The Radishes will be out of the 

 way by the time the other crops will need the room. 

 Air freely on warm days. Early Erfurt, Is a good forc- 

 ing variety. 



Rhubarb, may be forwarded from now on by placing 

 kegs or half-barrels over the plants, and putting heat^ 

 ing manure around them. The tops of the barrels or 

 kegs may be covered with boards. 



Window Boxes. Where there is no hot-bed In 

 which to start the seeds, and forward the plants of 

 early Cabbages, Tomatoes, and other things with 

 which eai'liness is desirable, much may be done with 

 boxes set in a sunny window. 



THE POULTRY YARD. 



Kill the cat that develops a taste for chicks. 



Wire netting of one inch mesh will keep out 

 animals that prowl around after the young: birds. 



Select Your Breeding Stock. If you expect 

 good chickens you must breed from good parents. 



Phosphate for Hens. A Tribune correspondent 

 says that his hens will eat commercial phosphate 

 as' eagerly as bones, and thinks it indicates that 

 rock phosphate may do as well for hen food as it 

 does for crop food. 



Be Kind to Poultry. In raisiug stock of any 

 kind there is much saving of labor and actual 

 benefit by having the animals tame. This is true 

 of poultry. Tame hens lay and sit better, and 

 fowls of all kinds fatten better when not subject 

 to sudden fright, as is often the case with those 

 that are not tame. And then it is a pleasure to 

 handle and work with them. 



Testing Eggs. At the tenth day of incubation 

 observe the air cell. If it seems entirely filled 

 you can rest assured you are giving too much 

 moisture. It is a good plan to examine an egg 

 from time to time to see that the shell is not 

 filling to rapidly, otherwise you may have an 

 incubator full of dead chicks in twenty-one days 

 instead of the cheerful, piping sound— Press. 



Drinking Vessels. The most convenient drink- 

 ing vessel for adult fowls, is a water pail, which 

 should be sunk in the ground about two-thirds 

 its heitrht, and easily removed. But no chicks 

 should be in the yard where such vessels are used, 

 as they will get into the water and drown. It is 

 better to keep fowls and chicks separated for con- 

 venience of feeding and watering.— F. Re\iew. 



Early Pullets. Success depends largely on the 

 time the pullets are hatched. If they come out 

 early thej" will have plenty of time during which 

 to grow and mature, thus bein^ in condition to 

 commence egg production on the approach of 

 winter. If a pullet is hatched and does not get a 

 good start it will remain useless until nearly a 

 vear old. It is the matured pullet that gives the 

 best result*.— Jlirror and Farmer. 



Age of Eggs* Dissolve two ounces of salt in a 

 pint of water. When a fresh-laid egg is placed in 

 this solution it will descent to the bottom of the 

 vessel, while one that has been laid on the day 

 previous will not quite reach the bottom.. IE the 

 egg be three days old it will swim in the liquid, 

 and if it is more than three days old it will float 

 on the surface, aud project above the latter more 

 and more in proportion as it is older. 



Choosing A Yard, The location of your yard 

 will have much to do Avith success or failure. A 

 sandy soil, says a writer in the Cackler, invariably 

 produces extra poultry, when the other condi- 

 tions are favorable, while a low or wet section 

 engenders disease and disorders, which decimate 

 the flocks, while the quality of the flesh of those 

 birds which do come through safely is not first 

 class bj'^ any means. Consider this.point carefully 

 before locating the yard.— Ex. 



Garlic for Gapes. Garlic is a very strong ver- 

 mifuge. Chop raw Garlic very fine and mix it 

 with quarter its bulk of powdered Asaf<etida. 

 rub a little in the chicks' mouths, and it will make 

 them cough, and if the chicks are not too weak, 

 cure them. Very often the efforts that the chicks 

 make to expel the dead larvae only tend to accu- 

 mulate them in a lump at the orifice of the 

 trachea, which naturally contracts, and thereby 

 produces asphyxia. I had 48 chickens treated 

 with various remedies, but all died, and I only 

 saved 15 by Garlic- C. W. in Fanciers' Journal. 



Shipping Crates, It is quite an object to have 

 the ci-ates made as light as possible to save ex- 

 pressage. There is nothing that makes better 

 cornel's or frames for such crates than the sticks 

 which are used to bind shingles together, and 

 which are usually thrown away. Save them all 

 for this purpose. You will find them very handy 

 and about the right length. Crates should have 

 strong floors, and the rest of them can be made of 

 old V)agging, laths or one-inch wire netting, ac- 

 cording to what the occupant will be. Wire 

 , netting put over a stiff, light frame, makes a 

 I fine shi]»ping coo]) for fowls.— Country Gent. 



