18 



NEW ENGLAND FAEMER. 



Jan, 



are probably the first consignment of improved 

 stock that crossed the Rocky Mountains by the 

 Pacific Railroad. 



Rockingham, N. H.— The report of the Treas- 

 urer of the Agricultural Society of this county 

 made at the annual meeting at Exeter, Nov. 13, as 

 we learn from the Mirror and Farmer, shows the 

 receipts to have been $'2,114, expenditures $1,846, 

 cash on hand $268. The net profit of the late fair 

 was $111 ; the first fair for^years that did not in- 

 volve a loss. The next fair is to be held Sept. IS- 

 IS, 1870, but the place not decided upon. 



The officers elected for the year are as follows : — 



President —D&rinB Towle, Kingatcn. 



Vice Presidents. — Benjamin F. Haley, Newmarket; 

 W. Norris Dow, Epping ; George W. Sanborn, East 

 Kinecton ; Jamea 11. Leavitt, North Hampton. 



Secretary — Andrew J, Hoyt, Exeter. 



Treasurer — Jaiob Carlisle, Exeter, 



7)irec^ors— Charles E. Smith, South Newmarket; 

 John 8. Ber.nett, Newmarket ; J, Frank Lawrence, Ep- 

 pi'g; Henry P. Wlngate, Stratham; Ezra Currier, 

 Fremont; Gideon Webster, Kingston ; Harrison Rowe, 

 fieneiDgton. 



For the New England Farmer, 

 THE GAKDEJNT FOB JANUAKY, 



Again we are permitted to stand on the 

 threshold of another j-^ar, and to present the 

 "compliments of the season" to all the read- 

 ers of the Farmer's Garden Calendar. That 

 the year now commencing may be to each and 

 all a "Happy New Year," and a prosperous 

 one in all that pertains to the culture of the 

 garden and the farm, is the earnest wish of the 

 writer. May it be happy and prosperous to 

 him who cultivates only the least spot of a 

 garden for a few vegetables, as well as to him 

 whose garden and farm embraces many broad 

 acres. 



To the end that the greatest profit and sat- 

 isfaction may result from our labors, we must 

 plan in advance, and work from system. Or- 

 der, neatness and economy are virtues that 

 are not to be overlooked in the smallest of 

 things ; and will greatly enhance the profit 

 and satisfaction resulting from our labor. Let 

 each one, then, with pencil and paper in hand, 

 8et down, this new year's eve, and note down 

 the work for January, and in the order it 

 should be done, taking into calculation the 

 probable interruptions, delays, &c. 



In our northern climate, the season is such 

 as to preclude much active out-door operations 

 in the garden, and the present is the farmer's 

 and gardener's resting season ; yet with a 

 judicious plan of operations, there is always 

 something to do. The garden will need visit- 

 ing occasionally to see that everything is right. 

 If mice are girdling trees, shrubs or vines, 

 snow shoold be piled around injured places 

 and be heavily tramped, to remain till other 

 remedies can be applied ; if water stands in 

 any places occupied by crops, &c., it should 

 be drained away by opening surface drains. 



See that fences and gates are all in order and 

 kept close. A hungry stray animal will spoil 

 a tree or shrub that has cost you time and 

 money, and which perhaps you would not lose 

 for the value of the animal. 



Bean-poles, Stakes, Pea Brush, &c. — 

 Now, while there is leisure and you are haul- 

 ing timber, «&c., from the woods, is the lime 

 to lay in a supply. If you wait till later, other 

 work will begin to press and a much poorer 

 stock may be selected, if indeed you have 

 time to get any at all. Cut bean poles eight 

 feet long, trim them smoothly and sharpen 

 them neatly. A straight limb, or young tree, 

 of close growth, 1^ to 2 inches in diameter, if 

 of strong wood, is as good as any. If one has 

 the wherewith and desires to make them more 

 durable, they can set the lower ends of the 

 stakes, &c., in a kettle of tar and boil them, 

 taking them out and rolling them in fine dust, 

 and repeating the boiling. Set them away 

 carefully to await their season of use. White 

 birch makes the best pea brush. Cut and pile 

 them up. A heavy weight placed on the pile 

 gives the brush a better shape for use. 



Cold Frames. — These will need coverings 

 of straw, mats, boards, shutters or other pro- 

 tection during severe weather. When the 

 weather is mild and pleasant the plants should 

 be ventilated, admitting light and air, in the 

 middle of the day. Care must be used not to 

 keep open too late in the day, or ta give too 

 strong light after having been kept dark some 

 days. 



Cuttings of Currants, Gooseberrles, 

 Grapes, &g. — If these have not been previ- 

 ously made and are desirable, a supply may 

 be taken at any time, when not frozen. Bury 

 them in fresh damp soil, brought in for the 

 purpose, in the bottom of the cellar. The 

 reason why I say "fresh soil," is, that many 

 scions buried in the dirt of old cellar bottoms 

 are lost, from the saltpetre or other poison 

 often found in such dirt. The soil to bury 

 them in should be only moist enough to keep 

 them fresh, without soaking the bark or buds. 



Hot-bed Frames and Sashes. — New ones 

 should now be made or purchased, and old 

 ones repaired. No garden can be complete 

 without one or more hot beds ; they are 

 cheaply constructed and easily managed by 

 any one of ordinary good judgment. With a 

 hot-bed a variety of garden vegetables may 

 be easily obtained some weeks earlier than in 

 any other available way. 



Seeds. — Did you save a supply of your own 

 growing P If so, look them over and see that they 

 are all safe and sound and in every respect 

 perfect of their kind. Is there any variety 

 you desire that you have not heretofore 

 grown? Send for the seedman's catalogue 

 as soon as out, examine and order early, while 

 there is a full stock to select from. 



W. H. White. 



South Windsor, Conn., 1870. 



