NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



393 



MANNING'S LONG BLUE PRUNE PLUM 



The origin of this valuable plum is uncertain. Mr. 

 Manning procured the tree from Landrcth's nursery. 

 And although it has been known to the public for a 

 number of years, it has not generally been duly esti- 

 mated. The size is good, the quality excellent, and 

 its long keeping on the tree gives it an important 

 advantage, for the market, over transient fruits that 

 quickly pass away. 



The fruit is quite large ; oval, with slight suture ; 

 stem long and slender, set in a slight depression ; 

 the skin a dark purple, or nearly black, covered with 

 a thick blue bloom ; the flesh yellowish, firm, rather 

 juicy, of a rich, sweet, sprightly iiavor. Freestone. 

 Ripens in September. It bears carriage well, and is 

 well adapted to the market. The tree is a prodigious 

 grower and great bearer. 



FENCE POSTS. 



We are often asked for the best method for prepar- 

 ing fence posts. 



When practicable, always put the upper or limb 

 end of the post in the ground, thus reversing the 

 position in which it grew. The valvular arrange- 

 ment of the capillary tubes of wood is such, that the 

 moisture from the ground will rise if placed root end 

 down, and thus assist to decompose the wood; but 

 if the post is reversed, the moisture will not rise, and 

 thereby the decay will in part be prevented. 



As additional security against decay, any of the 

 following may be adopted : — 



Insert the end of the post intended to be placed 

 in the ground, in a weak solution of corrosive sub- 

 limate, to the depth of its intended insertion : this is 

 called kijanizing ; and if thoroughly done, so that the 



wood be saturated, the bottom will outlast the upper 

 part of the post. 



Burn the lower end of the post, and while hot, 

 plunge it into melted tar, or petroleum : coal tar 

 will answer. 



If the end of charred posts be soaked in a solution 

 of sulphate of iron, (common copperas,) for one week 

 before being placed in the ground, thoj' will last for 

 a lifetime. The tops of posts should be tarred after 

 they are in the ground, and the sun will cause the 

 tar to enter the grain of the wood, and thus close it 

 against rain, insects, &c. — Working Farmer. 



PREPARATION OF THE SOIL FOR 

 SEEDS. 



The ground for the reception of fine seeds of 

 vegetables should be broken up in the preceding 

 year, and well manured in autumn, and rendered 

 fine in spring by repeated ploughing, and harrowing, 

 or raking. Plough and manure deep, for deep-rooted 

 vegetables ; but manure near the surface only for all 

 others. Potatoes and Indian corn answer well, and 

 produce large crops in ground newly broken up. 

 Very fine seeds should be sown in a newly-prepared, 

 fresh soil, and covered only a quarter of an inch 

 deep ; larger seeds deeper in proportion to their size ; 

 and the ground to be immediately trodden hard, or 

 rolled with a heavy roller. This enables the earth 

 to preserve its moisture at its surface, where at the 

 same time the seeds may receive the necessary de- 

 gree of heat from the sun, and vegetate at once, 

 striking root downwards. Fine seeds, if sown too 

 deep, are liable to perish. — Kenrick's Orchardist. 



There are twenty-five thousand known species of 

 fishes. 



