334 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER, 



and horticultural register. 

 Boston, Wedkesday, April 24, 1839. 



We give wilh pleasure to our readers, the subjoined 

 agreeable letter, because wo know it will give ihem 

 pleasure to read it. We had prepared the usual edito- 

 rial dish, but this is a much more agreeable and spicy 

 viand than anything we cuuld serve up ; besides, it is 

 not designed to keep; and now is the linjo to place it 

 on the table. There are some observations of much 

 practical utility at the close. 11. C. 



Mr. Colman : The pastwinler in Berkshire, has been 

 one of peculiar cliMuency. The firstdawnings of spring 

 have been of kindrid character. March, to be sure, 

 came in with some roughness, but none of tln! lion-fierce- 

 ness for which it is usu.illy characterized. It went out 

 with all the meekness of a lamb, distinguishable for 

 nothing save its warm sunny days, with occasional soft 

 eliowers. April, for the first nine days, was very warni 

 and dry. On the fourth, the mercury rose, at 2 o'clock, 

 p. m., to 00="; fifth, same hour, 60'= The 12th was 

 very rainy, with N. E. wind ; 14th, wind N. W. ; snow ; 

 ground quite while. Vegetation has come forward with 

 sufficient rapidity. The Tussillago (colts-foot) was in 

 bloom the 3d ; Dirca Palustris (nwjose or leather wood) 

 6th ; Taxus Canadensis (dwarf yew,) the 7th ; Vlmus 

 /uteo (slippery elm,) the 8ih ; ULmus Americana (com- 

 mon elm,) the 9th ; Mcer Rubrum (red flowerrng maple) 

 the 10th. Cut there is, of course, a check put upon 

 these things, which we hope for n few days at least, in 

 fear of worse consequences will remain. The season 

 has evidently been too forward to hold out, and a little 

 snow now, is much less annoying than in May. 



The late rain has much revived grass and winter crrain 

 which, considering the freezing and thawing to wh eh 

 it has been exposed, now looks unusually well; of the 

 latter, however, there is but a small quantity on the 

 ground in our vicinity. 



Ploughing for spring crops is eonsiilerably advanced ; 

 but little seed, however, has yet been committed lo the 

 earth. Prudence has rather delajed sowinc, in antici- 

 pation of cold storms and checking frosts. It is w^tr lo 

 delay these things in a clayey soil like ours, until al.flut 

 the usual time, notwithstanding warm suns, and gentle 

 winds and rains, may advise lo tlie contrary ; for the 

 heavy rains will descend, and their offectsareto consol- 

 idate the earth, however well it may have been prepar- 

 ed, so that the young and tender plant will find it iliffi- 

 cult to push its tender blade through the surface, and 

 crowd Itself forward to maturity and harvest. 



Maugre the veto which the winds and storms have 

 put upon the movements of the plough and harrow there 

 are still many thingsof kindred importance, still on hand, 

 to invite the attention of the enterprising firmer, such as 

 removing stone from his meadows, clearing up his old 

 waste places, and, if he has taste in matters of rural im- 

 provement, transplanting a {kvi trees, to " grow with his 

 growth and strengthen with his strength"; to furnish 

 himself and friends with beautiful shades from the sul- 

 triness of a vertical summer sun ; to stand as beautiful 

 monuments of his labor and skill, when his labors are 

 ended, and enrich posterity with many an ennoblinir 

 thought of his regard for llieir comfort, when ordinary 

 men of his own limes shall bo foro-oiien 



APRIL, a*, I sag- 



comfort, we think it not only rational, bulduteous of us, 

 who have entered into their labors, and are enjoy in i' the 

 richer part of the reward thereof, to testify our gratitude 

 by planting for the benefit of others. Lei us then now, 

 when a favorable season for the operation is passing 

 away — a season which has come some days earlier, so 

 promising to be somewhat longer, as if to invite ua to 

 the pleasant and profitable employment, by our example 

 invite all around us to devote a few hours, days if possi- 

 ble, to planting out trees. We ourselves, shall surely 

 find ample compensation for our toil, not only in the 

 opening bud, when future springs shall come to people 

 the fi)rest with new verdure and the earth wilh flowers, 

 curious to behold — not only in summer, when the ample 

 leaf wooes the dying zephyr back to life and quickens it 

 to a breeze, but when autumn spreads its russet hui.'S 

 over the scenery, or when winter comes, wilh storms 

 and tempests clail, lo shake the leafigss bough, and has- 

 ten the reign of terror in its career — then, then they 

 break the fury of the winds, and reduce the rigors of 

 frowning climate. 



Why the culture of tiees around pur dwellings and by 

 the way-side is not more attended to than it is at pres- 

 ent, we cannot imngine. They surely regulate the at- 

 mosphere which surrounds them, and by their wonder- 

 ful organic properties, inhale many of its qualities, which 

 though salutary to them, would be highly deleterious to 

 ourselves, beside ornamenting the grounds which sus- 

 tain them. We luive actually known unhealthy locali- 

 ties rendered free from all pernicious qualities by the r 

 influence. Cut were health not promoted by them, how 

 does a dwelling look, st-inding " in unblushing naked- 

 ness," with no tree to shield it from the heat ol summer 

 or protect it f'rom winds of winter ? Like a world with- 

 out a soul ; and we very often are tempted to doubt, 

 when passing such habitations, whether their denizens 

 possess the immorlal principle which alone c<mstitutes 

 the nobility of man. They surely cannot possess it in 

 the nobleness of social and refined excellence. 



But with those who do occasionally " confer a benefit 

 on posterity, by planting out a tree," there are some de- 

 fects in " modus operandi" which may properly be cured. 

 We refer to cutting off the tops-a species of inhuman 

 butchery, which cannot be too severely reprobated. 

 The main shcyit should always remain entire ; if destroy- 

 ed, the effect will be bad. The branches may all be 

 taken off without detriment, as they will replace them- 

 selves; but when the stalk or upright shoot is amputat- 

 ed, a side branch usually takes its place, and from it the 

 head of the tree is formed, not however in a firm and du- 

 r;ib!e manner, for it derives its support fro.n a sickly 

 fountain, and in premature age is frequently prostrated 

 by the winds, leaving the stump which sustained it, in 

 lonely widowhood. 



Another error is, in taking up less root th.-m the ne- 

 cessities of the tree require ; we cannot be too particular 

 in this part of our operation, nor obtain too inuili for the 

 convenience of the plant Grouting, or smearing the 

 roots in soft mud, is very beneficial in planting trees, 

 and is easily performed. We have practised it in re- 

 moving trees at all times, in all seasons, with entire 

 success. 



Your«, truly, \V, B. 



Mount Osccula, April 15, 183;', 



THE SEASON. 

 The season was nevermore beautiful and promising; 

 and for any person who desires any better weather or 

 Since our fathers have not only cleared fields and any better climate than we have been blessed with sinci 



planted trees, il 



dug pools of water, that we may drink thereof ; in short, 



e m:iy eat the fniil of them, and last November, our only prayer is, that he may find one 



soon as possible. For ourselves. 



done so many things which have passed lo our express I belter. The spiingi 



were at one time 



ask for nothing 

 quite low ; and 



with some persons, a slight inconvenience was felt ii 

 regard to water; but a most copious rain, of severa 

 days, coming in exactly the gentle mode we could de 

 sire, at the time most needed, and, in the quantity suil 

 to our wants, has stilled all rompl.nnt, and presei 

 claims upon our gratitude, which every one must fei 

 who has a heart to feel anything. The grass is well sei 

 The winter grain is looking well. The agricultural oi 

 erations are everywhere going on w ithout impediment, 

 and with due diligence. We advise, always, to early 

 planting of corn. There is no danger of getting it in toe 

 early, if the ground is prepared for it. Wo have found 

 with scarcely an exception, in the experience of mor* 

 tlian thirty years, that ihe early planted, in strength to 

 resist drought, in abundance of produce, and in security 

 from early frosts, has always had the advantage over late 

 planted. 



Potatoes, for early use, should be planted early, ol 

 course. If designed for a winter crop, the time of plant- 

 ing should depend on the kind planted. The La Plata 

 or long red potatoes, require as much lime as you can 

 give them. The Chenango, if designed for winter use, 

 need not be planted early, as the season of their matur- 

 ing is comparatively short; and in general, it is desira- 

 ble that potatoes should be taken from the ground a» 

 soon as the plant is ripe, and the vines dead. For Ruta 

 Baga, some persons advise late planting. Our opinion 

 is in favor of getting tiiem in by the last of May, or the 

 first week in June. Carrots for winter use, need not b& 

 sown until the first of June. We advise that the seed be4 

 sprouted in wet sand before sowing. Il is otherwise a, 

 long time in coming up, and the weeds are apt to get the 

 start of it; and to render the cultivation of it vexatious 

 and difficult. For .Mangel Wurizel and all (ho beet tribe, 

 we advise the last week in May. Planted earlier, they 

 are very apt lo be eaten off by an insect or worm. Plant- 

 ed late, they are not secure against his depredations; 

 but the chance of security is greater. Parsnips cannot 

 be planted too early. It is greatly to be desired that this- 

 as a field crop, should receive much more attention than 

 hitherto it has done. In the islands of Jersey and Guern- 

 sey, they are raised abundantly as food for stock, and 

 deemed a most valuable crop. We have tried them for 

 milch cows end fatting stock, with great advantage. 

 They are subject to few casualties. The seed is of tri- 

 fling cost, i'liey may be letl in the ground until tho 

 spring with impunily from the frosts; and then taken 

 i>ut at a season when such feed for cattle is greatly 

 needed. Farmers now, however, have no time lo read 

 a long homily; we therefore stop. Heaven is scattering 

 its blessings about us in unstinted profusion. Our only 

 duty is, to work with industry and skill; louse wilh 

 temperance; to bestow with liberality; and to enjoy 

 wilh pious gratitude. "Paul may plant, and Apollos 

 water, but God giveth the increase." H. C. 



khodFislanix 



Dr. C. T. Jackson, of Boston, the learned geological 

 surveyor of .Maine, has been appointed by the Legisla- 

 ture of Rhode Island, to make a geological and agricul- 

 tural survey of the State- The appointment is, in every 

 respect, eligible. We are glad lo see our little sister 

 liolding her head as high as the rest of the graces in tho 



<;''■'■''*■ H. C. 



MassncIiiiBotts Horticultural Society. 



VEGETABLES. 

 The^r*( specimens of Cucumbers presented at the 

 rooms of Ihft Society, this season, were from the garden 

 of Samuid S. Lewis, Esq , of Brinley place, Roxbury. 

 The specimens were fine, and do great credit to his 

 ;ardener, Mr Henry Reed. 

 For the Coiuminee. 



JAMES L. L. F. WARREN, 

 April Clh. Chairmun. 



