64 Editors' Letter- Box. 



B., Portland, Me. — How can I improve my tomatoes so that I may be able 

 to get them earlier than I do now ? — By saving the seed of the very earUest fruit 

 each year: much can be accomplished in this way. It is said that the Keyes 

 Prolific ripens one or two specimens to a plant several days before any other 

 variety ; and any person, by selecting these very early tomatoes, will find in 

 three or four years that he has an improved variety. Many vegetables may be 

 greatly improved in this way. 



Hartford, Conn. — For several years, my cranberries have not kept well in 

 winter ; and I wish to know if there is a better way of keeping them than the 

 one I have practised, — spreading them in a cool, dry place? — A cool and dry 

 temperature is the best for keeping fruit of any kind ; but there is danger that 

 it may be too damp or too dry at times. We Iiave kept our cranberries in the 

 house-cellar in water, and have had no trouble. They are as fresh-looking in 

 the spring as when gathered in autumn. The water should be changed once in 

 tliree or four weeks. Cranberries are shipped in tight casks with water. 



Provincetown. — Our lands on the Cape are composed of sand, that blows 

 about with the wind, as you may know. What is the best way to form a proper 

 soil for a garden where vegetables and the small fruits can be raised success- 

 fully.'' — It is a rather hard question to answer. If you can get clay from the 

 beach or elsewhere, it will do well ; marsh-mud will help ; fresh meadow-muck 

 is good. All these, mixed with the sand, would form a good soil, where vegeta- 

 bles would thrive. If 3'ou can get some fresh loam without too great expense, it 

 would be good to mix in. 



E. M. G.. Nevv Jersey. — Shall I manure my vineyard? and, if so, what 

 dressing shall I use ? The vines are three years old, and two years set. — If the 

 land was properly prepared when the vines were set, they should not be manured 

 now. If not, then apply old well-rotted horse-manure in limited quantities, 

 bone-dust, or ashes ; always avoiding coarse, unfermented manures. The dress- 

 ing should be applied in autumn or early spring. We have had the best success 

 with grapes on the poorest land, — less mildew and rot, and earlier fruit. 



Inquirer, Thetford, Vt. — Has the Early Goodrich Potato proved to be 

 good ? Would you advise me to plant it ? — It has proved to be hardy, resisting 

 the rot where many other varieties failed. It grows to a good size, and is called 

 a very good eating potato ; though last season it did not prove equal to our 

 expectations. You cannot probably do better than to plant it, if you can get the 

 seed. 



S. K., Sherborn, Mass. — The roots in my cellar begin to throw out leaves 

 soon after they are harvested. What is the cause ? and how shall it be pre- 

 vented ? — Your cellar is too warm. Possibly you put too many of them in 

 a heap, and they heat some : if so, they will soon decay. Keep them as cool as 

 possible without freezing. 



