DEVOTED TO 



]&orfiruIfurp, ^rtoriruHurp, ©olflng %• Plural OTairs. 



THOMAS MEEHAN, Editor. 

 W. G. P. BRIJSrCKLOE, Publisher. 



JUNE, 1867. 



VOL. IX. "ITO. 6. 



FLOWER-GARDEM AND 

 GROUND. 



PLEASURE- 



Care for the walks on the grounds. Tt will excuse 

 many neglects of other things. Then care for the 

 grass, — frequent rolling and mowing benefits a Lawn 

 amazingly, so does slight dressings of salt, wood ashes 

 or guano. Weeding of lawns is seldom thought of, 

 but if neglected, some weed or another will be very 

 liable to grow out the grass. 



The soil in the flower beds should never be allow- 

 ed to remain hard, as it will sometimes get after 

 heavy rains. Hoe as soon as it dries, and then pul- 

 verize finely with a rake : loose powdered soil will 

 not dry like compact clods. 



Trees planted last spring will be benefited by going 

 over with a rammer and pounding the soil firm 

 about the trees when dry. It is often much better 

 than a watering. Sometimes trees do not push their 

 new buds freely after transplanting, through root 

 injuries. Pruning always helps them in such cases. 



Rose bugs should be shaken off and destroyed 

 when they appear. This will save the skeletonizing 

 of the leaves by the larva ; and cut off the flowers 

 of roses as they fade, — the second crop will be much 

 better for the attention. Seeds of all flowering 

 plants should be also taken off ; all this assists the 

 duration of the blooming season. 



Propagation by layering may be performed any 

 time when strong vigorous growing shoots can be 

 had. Any plant can be propagated by layers. Many 

 can be readily propagated in no other way. Cut a 

 notch on the upper side of the shoot, not below, as 

 all the books recommend, and bend down into, and 

 cover with rich soil. In a few weeks they root, and 



can be removed from their parent. Stakes for plants 

 should be charred at the ends before using, when 

 they will last for years. 



No trees, Evergreens especially, should be suf- 

 fered to have grass grow about them for a year or 

 so after planting. It becomes "rank" in the deeply 

 loosened soil, abstracts moisture, and otherwise 

 seriously interferes with the tree. When the tree 

 gets a fair start, grass does less injury ; and when it 

 becomes a tough sod, and the tree by its shade, or 

 say by frequent mowing keeps the grass short, the 

 grass roots do not penetrate deep, and the sod is a 

 benefit, by keeping the surface spongy, and the 

 substratum cool. 



Evergreen hedges will require attention as they 

 grow. Where the height desired has been attained, 

 the top and strong growth should be cut back while 

 they are still watery. The side shoots need not be 

 touched till past midsummer. All wise people now 

 employ the conical shape for hedges. In cutting 

 back the top. growth at this season, the conical form 

 can still be preserved. 



FRUIT GARDEN. 



Those who want to make new plantations from 

 those on their own grounds, will find it best to layer 

 runners into pots, sunk in the earth near the roots 

 for the purpose. They thus get very strong plants, 

 which transplant in September, and make beds 

 which will bear abundantly the next season. 



Grapes coming in bearing should not be permit- 

 ted to perfect large crops of fruit while young. It 

 is excusable to fruit a bunch or so on a young vine 

 "just to test the kind," but no more should be per- 

 mitted till the vine has age and strength. . Vigorous 

 growth, and great productiveness, are the antipodes 

 of the vegetable world. Encourage as much foli- 

 age as possible on the vines, and aim to have as 

 strong shoots at the base as at the top of the cane ; 

 this can be done by pinching out the points of the 

 strong shoots after they have made a growth of five 

 or six leaves. This will make the weak ones grow 

 stronger. Young vines grow much faster over a 

 twiggy branch stuck in for support than over a 



