^•?3^«^^^":-''^T^T?^TvT^.'^ 



1863. 



THE ILLmOIS FAKMEE. 



131 



apart ; around this bed put the usual hot bed frame 

 of boards ; these will protect the plants from the 

 wind, and must be covered over with sash or 

 boards, or on very cold nights an addition of straw, 

 old carpets or the like. The frame should be 

 banked up with earth to keep out the wind. 



When but a few seeds are sown a small box can 

 be made to be covered with a single light of glass 

 or a window sash. This can be set so as to receive 

 the light of a south window, and on warm days be 

 set out of doors. After the plants are up care 

 must be taken, when out in the sun, to give air or 

 they will be liable to be burnt up by the sun 

 through the glass. In sowing in boxes, a slight 

 sprinkle of sand over the seeds is valuable, and 

 will tend to keep them moist. 



With the great variety of bedding out plants 

 that are now furnished by our florist, there is less 

 need of annuals ; yet there are certain annuals that 

 cannot well be dispensed with, even in the neigh- 

 borhood of green houses, nor is it at all times 

 convenient for our country friends to obtain 

 them. 



Seientiflo Culture of the Cranberry. 



Gen. R. K. Swift and associates are intending to 

 enter on the culture of this valuable fruit on a 

 large scale. To this end they have selected sever- 

 al hundred acres of cranberry marsh at Peru Lake 

 near the west shore of Lake Huron and north of 

 Saginaw Bay. By a drain of a few feet high and 

 a few rods long, these marshes can be flooded at 

 all seasons of the year. It is also the intention of 

 the parties to tile drain the marsh, so as to have 

 full conntrol of the plants. Flooded, the plants 

 to protect from from frost and to kill all weeds, 

 and at other times to give them the most vigorous 

 grawth. 



Naturally, the cranberry ig a very uncertain crop, 

 being liable to damage by late frosts, but the Gen- 

 eral thinks his flooding will be a remedy for this 

 and thus insure large annual crops. From the 

 maps and description sent us we must consider this 

 one of the best sites for both irregation and drain- 

 age. The marshes were formerly barren dams, 

 with a small stream running through them, coup- 

 led with several feet of fall below the dam. We 

 shall look forward to this enterprise with no little 

 interest as promising abundant return to the enter- 

 prising proprietors. Gen. Smith is well known for 

 his energy and character, and those interested 

 with him will doubtless reap a good return, and 

 the public be gratified with a supply of this 

 pleasant and health-giving fiuit. 



Though not originally intended, the location in 

 the neighborhood being so desirable the growing 



of evergreen seedlings will also form a part of the 

 business. 



Spring. 



So forth issued the seasons of the year; 



First, lusty spring, all dight with leaves of flowers 



That freshly budded and, and new blossoms did 



bear, 

 In which a thousand birds have built their bowers ; 

 That sweetly sung to call forth paramours ; 

 And in his hand a javelin he did bear, 

 And on his head, (as fit for warlike stores) 

 A gilt engraven morion he did wear, 

 That, as some did him love, so others did him fear. 

 •. Spencer's Fairy Queen, 



Hail bounteous May, that dost inspire 

 Mirth, youth, and warm desire : 

 Woods and: groves are of thy dressing, 

 Hill and dale doth boast thy blessing. 



Milton's May Morning, 



Now do a choir of chirping minstrels bring, 



In triump to the world, the youthful spring. 



The valleys, hills, and woods, in rich array. 



Welcome the coming of the longed for May. 



Now all things smile. 



CarevB, 



How flora decks the fields 



With all her tapestry ! and the choristers 



Of every grove chant carols ! mirth is come 



To visit mortals. Everything is blithe, 



Jocund, and jovial. 



Randolph's Jealous Loves. 



Come, gentle spring, ethereal mildness, come. 

 And from the bosom of yon dropping cloud, 

 While music wakes around, veil'd in a shower 

 Of shadowing roses, on our plains descend. 



Thompson's Seasons. 



See where surly winter passes ofi". 



Far to the north, and calls his rufiSan blasts ; '■■■'.. i 



His blasts obey, and quit the howling hills, ' I 



The shattered forest, and the ravag'd vale; .! 



While softer gales succeed, at whose kind touch, ■ 



Dissolving snows, in livid torrents lost, 



The mountains lift their green heads to the sky. 



Thompson's Seasons. 



As yet the trembling year is unconfirmed, 

 And winter oft at eve resumes the breeze. 

 Chills the pale moon, and bids the driving sleets. 

 Deform the day delightless. 



Thompson' s Seasons, 



^^ He who kindly loves, loves warmly. 



