1889. 



POPULAR GARDENING. 



^?>7 



Hydransea. The Grand Fanlele-flowered hardy sort, 

 now largely grown in clunipe, should have, to promote 

 to the fullest Its blooming powers, a rather severe head- 

 ing back each spring with a good top dressing of old 

 manure every other season. 



Ornamental trees for planting should be ordered 

 without delay. If not already done. Climbers should 

 have their supports renewed or repaired as required, 

 before growth begins. 



Roses. The tender section to have part of the cover 

 removed, while the hardy hybrids and mosses may be 

 entirely uncovered if the weather is favorable. The 

 IPrairie class should be trimmed and tied where wanted. 

 Well rotted manure can be worked about the roots 

 with advantage. 



Shrubs. The condition of such as are somewhat old 

 will be improved if a portion of the old soil Is replaced 

 with fresh, or top dressed with flne manure; however. 

 if more foliage than bloom is produced one quart of 

 slaked lime to 100 sq. ft. of surface would be a good 

 dressing. Clear out dead wood and renew any needed 

 supports. 



Stakes, Labels, Etc. Repaint as needed, both to 

 secure neatness and durability. Dipping the ground 

 end of new ones into hot gas tar will tend to preserve 

 them. 



Sweet Peas do better to have the seed sown early to 

 secure germination before the ground becomes very 

 warm. Some might be started In pots and transplanted 

 if carefully handled. 



Walks. Get these in order, raking, rolling, etc., 

 among the first jobs of Spring. 



PLANT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



Achimenes. Follow directions for Gloxinias. 

 Airing. The Increasing sim heat demands special 

 attention as to ventilation. Too little fresh air. with 

 free growth will cause plants to become weak and 

 much more liable to disease and more easily Injured by 

 the attacks of Insects. Still beware of rough draughts, 

 as an excess of cold air in this form checks growth and 

 causes mildew. To have stocky, healthy plants de- 

 pends largely on judicious airing, with ample room for 

 each plant. 



Alternantheras. Fill the pots containing the old 

 plants with sand on top of the soil so one Inch of their 

 lower parts are covered. Place near to the glass in high 

 heat, and never stint them in watering. Roots form 

 quickly from each of the stems, and these may then be 

 divided, potting separately in light, rich soU and plac- 

 ing them in a warm hot-bed.whlch should be kept close 

 enough to cause a high heat and moist atmosphere. 



Azaleas generally should now be in full bloom and 

 making new growth. Water thoroughly, as actually 

 needed and preferably in the afternoon. Much Are heat 

 is not desirable this mouth, and to prevent the sun's 

 biUTilng the foliage shade overhead lightly before 

 AprU 1st; syringe daUy. Admit air regularly, but not 

 In strong draughts. 



Bedding Plants. Coleus, Alternantheras, Achyran- 

 thus, Verbenas, etc.. for main stock, will be of the most 

 suitable size for bedding out if propagated now. Many 

 other kinds will also make good second-sized plants if 

 struck in March. 



Bulbs like Hyacinths, and Tulips, which were forced, 

 while of no use for forcing again, will better complete 

 their growth and ripening If kept fairly watered and 

 In a growing place; after the usual rest plant out In 

 the fall in a permanent situation. 



Camellias after blooming will be invigorated by 

 applications of soot water, which will clear the soil of 

 worms and help next season's growth. The white and 

 brown scale too are now the most likely to prove troub- 

 lesome, having tender wood to work upon. Warm 

 soap-suds and a brush afford an effective remedy. 



Oentaureas. If the seedlings of the cut- leaved gym- 

 nocarpa are put by twos in 2 3-4 Inch pots and left until 

 pot bound, and then are separated and placed singly 

 in four inch pots and placed into hot beds, they will 

 easily make flne healthy plants by planting-out time. 

 Do not set the seedlings too deeply in the soil, for then 

 a black rot at the surface may destroy them. The en- 

 tire-leaved C. cayidissima easily siiffers from being 

 kept too wet. 



Double Primroses. This is the proper time for prop- 

 agation from slips. 



Gloxinias. For succession start some of these each 

 month until May, and as they show growth of an inch 

 or so, place in the pots in which they are to bloom. 

 Heat, moisture and shade ai-e necessary for best results. 



Klenia Repens. Old plants soon get too unshapely 

 for use. and a young stock should be brought along 

 each year. A common soil will do for these. 



Liliums in pots about too bloom will be benefitted 

 by an occasional dose of manure or guano water. As 

 green-fly are very partial to these, strew Tobacco 

 about the pots and then.with fumigating also they may 

 easily be kept down. 



Palms. Such as come from seed should be sown. 



Pelargoniums. Give air freely and also weekly 

 doses of liquid manure. 



Roses. Mildew will result from t<jo much airing 

 when the weather is raw and chilly, even though It 

 seems bright; while air must be admitted, yet judg- 

 ment should be used. 



Shading the glass over hard-wooded plants, Double 

 Primroses, Ferns, etc., Is quite a necessary course gen- 



erally about the lost of the month. A cheap and sim- 

 ple methotl is to apply common whitewash; while 

 naptha colored like milk with white lead and thrown 

 on with a syringe is also satisfactory. 



Space. This Is a time when a close overhauling of 

 stock, throwing out any surplus In the more inferior 

 plants, is required. 



Watering at this season of free growth and when 

 moisture becomes so rapidly taken up, is liable to be 

 Inadequate unless special pains be taken t<> water often 

 and regularly. Some kinds require more water than 

 others, and such should be attended to at least twice 

 daily, dependent upon by the state of the weather. 



FRUIT GARDEN AND ORCHARD. 



Blackberries. See under Raspberries. 



Cherry Trees, A good disease preventive is said 

 to be the following mixture: One pail of common 

 whitewash, one pint of soft soap. In which Is stirred 

 one pound of sulphur and applied to the trunk and 

 main branches of trees. For seedlings sow the Cherry 

 pits as soon as the ground thaws. 



Currants. For large clusters and berries thin out to 

 six or seven shoots. Set new plants four feet apart 

 each way. 



Cuttings of Grapes, Currants, and sbnllar plants 

 which were made in the fall should be uncovered and 

 cultivated. Now ones shoiild be taken off close to the 

 old wood and set so that one eye on the Grapes show 

 and two eyes on any other kinds. 



Gooseberries. Treat as directed for Currants. 



Girdled Trees. If not eaten clear to the wood a 

 simple and efficient course of treatment is to paint 

 over the cut with dilute gum shellac, early in spring, 

 hilling up the soil to cover it. Where the wound is too 

 high, a paste of cow manure and clay bound on will 

 usually save the tree. Where badly girdled, Insert 

 several scions around the wound, with one end below 

 and the other above the cut. and cover to exclude the 

 air; this will likely prolong the usefulness of the tree. 



Graiting for most trees should be done when the 

 buds are fairly swollen. With Cherry and Plum, how- 

 ever, the earlier it is now done the greater certainty 

 of success. See page 98, last month. 



Limbs Broken off by high winds and leaving a jag- 

 ged surface should be smoothed with a sharp knife 

 and covered with grafting wax. 



Manure about the trees, vines, etc., ought to be dug 

 under without delay. 



Old Orchards are benefited by yearly sowing two 

 bushels of Peas to the acre, having the land well fer- 

 tilized, and then when nearly grown, after marketing 

 the main part, plow under or turn pigs in on them. 

 WTiere the orchard is in sod. extra care is necessary in 

 preventing borers, field mice, etc., from doing Injury, 

 as the turf affords these lodging. 



Peaches. For providing a more uniform tempera- 

 ture to the roots, of alternate thawing and freezing, a 

 mulch of shavings over them will be of benefit during 

 the spring season. More especially, wood ashes are 

 an excellent, if not the very best fertilizer. The 

 Massachusetts Agricultural College recommends a 

 compost of three hundred pounds guano, two hundred 

 and filty pounds bone black, and two hundred pounds 

 muriate of potash per acre, as a remedy for the yellows 

 as well as a fertilizer. 



Pruning. During this month, this should be fin- 

 nished on fruit trees and Grape vines before the busy 

 days of spring. 



Raspberries.. Set new plantations as early as pos- 

 sible, two feet apart In the rows which are six feet 

 apart. Uncover any tender plants. 



Strawberries. Upheaved plants must be firmed by 

 rolling or tramping the soli before the sun's heat does 

 them Injury after being uncovered. A portion of the 

 bed might be advanced a week or more In bearing by 

 enclosing the bed with twelve-Inch boards and cover- 

 ing with muslin. The earlier the plants for new beds 

 are set out after the ground works up well, the better, 

 and the soil cannot be made too rich or deep. 



Trees Frozen In transportation to be so sheltered 

 or covered as to allow of gradual thawing. 



Young Orchards. Thorough cultivation for these 

 will be repaid by future increased fruitfulness. In 

 trimming avoid the formation of crotches. 



THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. 



MANSFIELD MILTON, MAHONING CO., O. 



As soon as the ground Is In suitable condition pre- 

 pare for early crops, but do not plow or work it in a 

 wet condition, especially If of a clayey nature. 



Asparagus. Sow seed for new plants; stir the sur- 

 face of the old beds before growth commences. Now 

 is a good time also for making the plantations of As- 

 paragus; being a rank feeder, see that the ground Is 

 supplied with an abundance of rotten manure, and 

 plow or dig deep. 



Beets. Sow in some sheltered place. 



Cabbage and Cauliflower. Plants sown last month 

 transplant Into other frames or boxes about IJ^ inch 

 each way; after they start into growth give all air pos- 

 sible on suitable days. 



Celery Seed for Early Plants. Sow In the hot-beds 

 which were used In starting the Cabbage plants. Sow 

 thinly In rows. 



Early Peas. S<nv the smooth kinds, as they will not 

 be Injured should the ground be frozen after sowing; 

 the wrinkled sorts leave until later, as they will rot 

 more easily. 



Horse-radish. Whatever roots are in the ground 

 should be dug. and sets for new should be planted early 

 In very rich ground. 



Hot-beds. :Make these for seeds of Peppers. Toma- 

 toes and Egg I'lants for main crop. Also start on In- 

 verted pieces of sod. seeds of Melons, Cucumbers and 

 Lima Beans; by cutting the sod In pieces about three 

 inches square, the seed can be sown in them, and will 

 make good plants for placing In the open ground In 

 May. This will give a month's start of such as are 

 planted in the open ground. 



Lettuce may be .'iown for early using. 



Onion Seed and Sets. Get Into the ground as soon 

 as possible. Unless Onions are gotten In early enough 

 to make a good start before the hot weather sets In, 

 success with them Is seldom attained. 



Parsnip. See under Salsify. 



Potatoes. Some time may be gained In having the 

 first new ones if the cut tubers are placed where it is 

 warm enough to the start the buds before planting. 



Radishes. Some of the small scarlet varieties can 

 go in as soon as the ground is fit. 



Rhubarb wanted for early should have a barrel 

 placed over each plant and covered up with manure. 



Rhubarb. See directions for Asparagu.s. 



Salsify or Vegetable Oyster still in the ground dig 

 before they start into growth, also sow seeds of them, 

 selecting a deep sandy soil, which has been manured 

 with thoroughly decomposed manure. Fresh or green 

 manure Is unsuitable for this crop. 



Spinach. Remove the covering this month. Sow 

 for succession when the groimd Is ready. 



FRUITS AND VEGETABLES UNDER 

 GLASS. 



Asparagus. Old roots that were lifted in the au- 

 tiunn may go into heat, covering them here with four 

 inches of earth, and placing them so thickly that the 

 space of a sash 3 ft. by 6 ft. ought to accomodate near 

 a hundred roots. 



Cauliflower. About the 15tb, on the stages from 

 which the last crop of early Lettuce was cut. Snow- 

 ball Cauliflower plants brought along for this purpose 

 may be set a foot apart each way. It will be ready for 

 marketing several weeks before the outdoor crop. 



Cucumbers. These now require an even tempera- 

 ture of from 60° to ti6* at night with a lO*' increase by 

 day. Bring earth up around the vine at intervals. In 

 new hot-beds air carefully. Far later planting sow 

 seed in small pots. 



Grapery. In ho^house water freely now-, giving 

 some air. Do not allow too many bunches to continue 

 growth. Head lu the laterals in cold house. While the 

 leaves are expanding syringe daily until they are com- 

 pletely out. 



Pines about to fruit need to be well supplied with 

 water, and an increase of bottom heat. Place roots or 

 suckers in an active dung or tan bed, and after roots 

 have formed they can go into pots ranging from 5 in. 

 to 8 in. across. Plunge these close to the glass, but 

 giving ample space, and give no water imtl! they make 

 roots into the new soil. Keep up a heat of 55" to 60® at 

 night, and 10^ higher by day, and give a little air. 



Radishes. Sow thinly in the hot-bed in rows about 

 three inches apart, and thin out to one inch apart in 

 the rows. The Early Round Dark Red and Small- 

 topped Forcing are among the best. 



THE POULTRY YARD. 



Abundant vitality and ''broiler points" should 

 have the preference over "standard points" 

 with the market poulterer.— California Cackler. 



One egg a week will pay all expenses of keep. 

 Every egg over is profit. The greater the num- 

 ber of eggs secured the lower the cost of each 

 egg proportionally.— Fancier's Review. 



A Poultry Raiser may be very successful in 

 raising fowls but if he lacks the ability to dis- 

 pose of them at the best prices and in the best 

 condition he will lose much, if not all of the pro- 

 fits that would accrue from a well managed 

 lousiness.— Indiana Farmer. 



A Small Beginning is Best. If you have an 

 ambition to keep poultry on a large scale— say a 

 thousand hens or so— don't begin with that num- 

 ber; get a small liock and increase the num- 

 ber as much each year as you can profitably 

 manage.— American Farmer. 



Gathering Eggs. This should be done daily, 

 placing the eggs in a dry, cool room, but not in 

 a cellar. F< >r turning the eggs we use patent egg 

 boxes. ht)l<ling two dozen eggs. They are made 

 of wood with a luck cover so either side can be 

 turned up or down.— Poultry Bulletin. 



Profit in Grading Eggs. Do not have several 



colors and sizes together. Keep the dark eggs 

 and the light ones apai-t, and pick out the small 

 ones for selling separately. It will pay, and as- 

 sist in securing you a reputation. The New 

 York market prefers light and the Boston mar- 

 ket dark eggs.— Rural New Yorker. 



