384 



NEW ENGLAND FARJ^IER. 



Aug. 



and four men could cover with hoes, and did 

 not consider it a hardship. A man can not put 

 his hand into a pocket and drop each hill sep- 

 arately and cover, without a great loss of time. 



The after culture of this crop is also very 

 imperfectly attended to. Very few hoe their 

 corn more than twice, if ever so foul with weeds. 

 I have seen fields the past season where the 

 weeds overtopped the corn, and almost all I 

 saw were very weedy, insuring a bountiful 

 crop for coming years. This neglect of clean 

 culture is in part owing to a press of other 

 work, especially from the imperative demands 

 of the tobacco, which must be attended to, or 

 great loss will be the result. How far a far- 

 mer is justified in planting more extensively 

 than he can well care for during the growing 

 season, I will leave for each to decide for him- 

 self; being content with my own conviction that 

 there is no profit in it, but on the contrary a 

 downright loss. 



As regards the best method of management 

 of corn after maturity, much diversity of opin- 

 ion prevails all over the country. 1 believe, 

 however, it is the most prevalent idea that it is 

 the most profit to cut at the ground at the 

 proper time for curing both corn and fodder 

 and putting into shocks or stooks. The shock- 

 ing is almost universally prevalent here, but 

 neglected or deferred until the leaves of the 

 fodder are about ruined before cutting. To 

 avoid frost or stonns, many cut and leave their 

 corn upon the ground for weeks before setting 

 it up, exposing it to great damage by dews 

 and storms. When harvested, very little care 

 is taken to secure the fodder fi-om stormy 

 weather, either by getting under cover or set- 

 ting up. I have no doubt but that two-thii"ds 

 of its value for stock is worse than lost by 

 these careless methods. In some sections of 

 New England the fodder from an acre of corn 

 yielding fifty bushels to the acre, is considered 

 equal to a ton and a half of hay, when as much 

 care is taken to secure it in good order as in 

 the case of hay. In such sections, the pre 

 vailing practice here would be regarded as the 

 sure road to the pauper asvlum. K. o. 



East Windsor, Gt., 18(37. 



For the Kew England Farmer. 

 THE GARDEN IN JULY. 

 The garden this month will, if it has been 

 well tended thus far, furnish a variety of fruits 

 and vegetables to reward the labors of the 

 gardener. During this month, increased atten- 

 tion is needed in keeping weeds, &c., in sub- 

 jection ; they will grow as fast, if not faster 

 than other plants. The improved machines 

 recently introdiu^ed will enable the fanner to 

 perform his haying and other laborious farm 

 work so much easier and more rapidly, that 

 time for the proper care of the garden may be 

 found by tlie diligent farmer. An hour or two 

 in the morning, while the dew is on, is more 

 profitably spent in the garden than in the hay 



field. Stir the soil and the weeds often with 

 the hoe ; apply liquid manure, just before rain, 

 or after sun set, at the roots only of such 

 plants as need stimulating, covering the watered 

 surface with dry soil. Water newly set trees 

 and grape vines, keeping the mulch moist. 

 Li(iuid manure will swell fruit very fast when 

 judiciously applied. 



Blackkeuries. — Tie new shoots to stakes 

 or trellises ; shorten main stem and branches 

 to help growth of fruit buds, and pull up all 

 canes not wanted for multiplying. 



Celery. — Transplant till the last of the 

 month ; hoe and cultivate often. The excel- 

 lence of the crop depends largely upon rapid 

 growth and proper bedding and blanching. 



Currants. — If particularly large specimens 

 are desired, pinch off the ends of the shoots 

 just beyond the bunches, and thin and give 

 plenty of water or lifjuid manure. They will 

 begin to ripen during the month ; when fully 

 ripe pick for jelly, preserves and canning. 

 Prune and cut out old canes as soon as the 

 fruit is gathered. The currant worm and other 

 insects should be looked after and destroyed 

 by all practicable means. Powdered hellebore 

 is recommended to destroy the worm, &c. 



Gooseberries. — Thin out the fruit where 

 needed early in the month, and use the berries 

 removed for sauce, pies, &c. Dust with sul- 

 phur on the first signs of mildew. 



Grapes will need thinning where more than 

 two or three bunches grow on a shoot. Treat 

 signs of mildew with sulphur. Pinch off super- 

 fluous shoots to two or three leaves ; also fruit 

 branches two leaves beyond the last bunch. 

 Attention in summer pruning, watering, &c., 

 will be repaid with less labor in fall pruning, 

 better wood, and superior fruit ; insuring bet- 

 ter fruit buds for next season. 



Herbs. — Cut when in blossom ; tie in small 

 bunches or spread and dry in the shade, and 

 save in papers or boxes, which will hold their 

 aroma. 



]\Ielons need the same culture that is given 

 cucumbers. To hasten maturity, place a board 

 or fiat stone under specimens. 



Potatoes. — Early planted will do to dig 

 for use ; clear off and sow to turnips, spinach, 

 or other late crops. 



Raspberries. — As soon as the fruit is off, 

 cut down oid canes and thin out new ones. 

 Three or four canes to a stool is sufficient; 

 keep well hoed without disturbing the roots. 



Seeds. — Some vegetables and plants will be 

 maturing their seeds ; save only the best, and 

 that from the most perfect specimens, and from 

 near the centre of the plant or vine. The 

 earliest should be saved, as it tends to increase 

 earliness ; dry all, and put in a dry cool place 

 in boxes or papers, labelled with variety and 

 year of growth. 



Strawberries. — After bearing is over, 

 weed the beds and cut the runners Avhere not 

 wanted for new plants. Old beds may be re- 

 newed by first spreading on fine manure, then 



