B4= 
AMERICAN AG^RICULTURIST. 
[Mabch, 
wlssa cold weather is over, but leave it on the bed 
THUS, the fruit is off. Set new plants early. 
Sundry Matters.— \1 fruit is marketed, have bas- 
Kets, crates and all packages in readiness and mark- 
ed Do up any neglected pruning See that aU 
stakes and trellises are in proper condition to last 
{hrough the season Look to the labels. 
Kitcben and Market Oarden. 
Hot-beds and frames will occupy the greater por- 
tion of our readers this month. The Notes for last 
month are very fuU on these, and we need not re- 
peat. Those who would be glad to have a few early 
oabbage, tomato, or other plants, and do not care 
to undertake a hot-bed, are referred to what is said 
atiere about window boxes. The gain is so great 
and the trouble so small, that those who once make 
the trial, wUl not give them up. A list of the 
standard varieties of the various vegetables was 
gfven last month. Send for catalogues, and order at 
imce all the seeds likely to be wanted for the year. 
Novelties. — Wliile we often caution against trust- 
ing to untested novelties for a main crop, there is 
nothing more interesting than to test and compare 
jhese. One sometimes draws a real prize, but'^he 
must be prepared for some disappointments. 
Sow in Hot-bed, the time to be governed by the 
locality, but generally 6 weeks before it is safe to 
put out the plants. — Cabbage, Cauliflower, Cucum- 
aer, Egg Plant, Lettuce, Melon, Peppers, Tomatoes. 
If eariy Celery and Parsley are desired these may 
ilso be sown. Egg Plants and Peppers can not be 
gut out until quite warm weather, and in northern 
localities do better if not sown before next month. 
Melons and Cucumbers may be sown in small pote 
and thinned to two or three, or in the earth of small 
squares of firm thick sod, placed grass side down. 
Vtt the Open Ground, seeds of the hardiest plants 
iaay be sown whenever the soil is in good condi- 
ion for working ; such as ? Beets, Carrots, Cress, 
Eeeks, Onions, Peas, Kadish, Spinach, Turnips. 
Asparagus. — When the weather is settled rake ofE 
the litter and fork in the fine manure lightly. In 
mland places, sow on refuse or other salt, 3 lbs. 
lo the square yard. Set new beds with one-year 
roots. In field culture 3x3 and even 4x6 feet are 
allowed between the plants. For the family gar- 
den 3x3 ft. or 18x18 inches is usual. Give each 
plant a shovelful of good manure, cover this with 
3- iaQches of earth, set the plant with its crown at 
"least 6 inches below the surface, and cover it ; 
when the shoots appear, iill up the furrow gradually. 
Ras. — To have them eariy, plant early ; to have 
tftem long in bearing, plant deep, never less than 
tinches. SoU well manured last year is best. 
Rtatoes. — Only early varieties belong in the gar- 
ifen, but both early and late should be planted early 
jto get ahead of the " bug " as much as possible. 
Generally it will be Paris green or no potatoes. 
Gabbages or Cauliflowers — Plants wintered in cold 
^ames, if properly hardened, may be set when the 
iprrand is ready ; set deep, frost will not hurt them. 
Manure. — We are often asked what is the best 
substitute for stable manure, in the garden. Prob- 
ibly, take it all in all, Peruvian guano is as cheap 
ss any. There are other good fertilizers, and their 
^i'ce is generally in proportion to their value, as 
-sompared with guano. Guano should be sifted ; 
Savt its lumps broken fine and sifted, and mixed 
^itb twice or thrice its bulk of leaf-mold, dried 
aOTck, or even garden soil. Street sweepings are 
useful for this purpose. Mix thoroughly, shovel- 
fag over several times, and put in barrels or boxes 
for use. This allows even distribution— and pre- 
■'«nt8 mjury by applying too much in a place. 
OlJie-r Matters. — Get ready a supply of Pea Brush, 
Bean Poles and aU other stakes likely to be needed 
Have tools and implements all at hand and in 
iirder Paris green, and how to use it, are to be 
Saought of Buy all needed fertilizers If help 
feto. be employed engage it early and for the season. 
Flo-wer Ciiai-tleii and I^atvn. 
Planting. — Make preparations for planting early. 
■JCark the position each tree and shrub is to occupy 
upon a plan, bo that no time wiU be lost in con- 
sultation when the ground is dry enough to work. 
Lawns. — Clean up all leaves and rubbish from 
the lawn during the winter, so that they wUl not 
interfere with the use of the lawn mower. 
Shrubs may be pruned, but only by one who 
knows the habits of the plants, else in case of 
those which flower from ready-formed buds, all 
hopes of hloom may be destroyed ; except in 
hedges, dont try to make the shrubs all alike. 
Walks and Boads. — Lay out and make all new 
ones needed, and only such as are needed, as soon 
as the season will allow. Gravel, broken stones on 
a foundation of " cobble " and other stones, are 
the best materials for good, dry, durable walks and 
drives ; theirfirst cost is more, but they willlast,and 
will require only slight repairs ; the soil should be 
removed to a depth of two to three feet at least, to 
get a permanent foundation that frost will not aflfect. 
Perennials which have been set several years should 
be divided, or they will decrease In the size and 
numher of their flowers. Do this as early as pos- 
sible, as most of them begin to grow early. 
Annuals. — Sow seeds in hot-beds or window 
boxes ; by the time the weather is warm enough 
to set them out, they wUl be ready to flower. 
Bulbs. — Take ofE the covering from the fall plant- 
ed bulbs. Look after the tender bulbs of Gladio- 
lus, Dahlia roots, etc., and see that they are placed 
where they will not rot from too much moisture. 
<]ireenIioase and Windo-»v Plants. 
Care is required in giving air and water ; too 
much or to little water is to be avoided, but more 
plants are injured by too much than by too little. 
Propagation should go on rapidly, whether to pre- 
pare a stock of plants for sale, or for bedding out 
in the home grounds. The temperature of the 
propagating bench should be several degrees higher 
than that of the air above, to induce the formation 
of roots as rapidly as possible. 
Fumigation.— To keep plants free from various 
insects, fumigate them with tobacco smoke, once or 
twice a week. Use tobacco stems which are the 
cheapest form in which tobacco can be had. The 
operation is best performed at night when the 
houses can be closed. In the morning, thorough- 
ly syringe, or shower with the hose. f 
Forcing. — If any pots of bulbs, or other plants 
to be forced are still in the cold frame, or cellar, 
bring them into heat, and they wiU soon flower. 
Commercial Matters— Market Prices. 
Gold has been up to 107, and down to 104Ji, closing 
Feb. 12, at lOSJJ, as against 106 on Jan. 12 ; IO714 on 
on Dec. 12 ; and 11271 on the 12tli of Feb., 1878... Busi- 
ness in Breadstnffs has been generally on a comparative- 
ly moderate scale, dnring the past month. The foreign 
advices have been unfavorable to free export movements. 
Speculation at Chicago and in onr market has seriously 
impeded legitimate operations. Home trade require- 
ments have not been remarkably urgent. Prices have 
fluctnated considerably. Flour and Wheat leave off 
firmly, on moderate offerings. Com, Eye, and Barley 
depressed and declining. Prime to choice Oats steady, 
bnt poorer qualities lower and irregular. Buckwheat 
and Buckwheat Flour have been in moderate request at 
variable rates Provisions have shown loss activity, 
closing in favor of buyers, especially in the instances of 
Pork, Lard, and Butter. Eggs have declined materially, 
on a slow trade and pretty free offerings. Cheese has 
been quoted stronger, on a better deman's mainly for 
shipment Cotton has been active, bnt quite unaltered 
in price. . .Wool has been moderately dealt in ; prime to 
very choice lots firm ; less desirable grades heavy and 
cheaper Tobacco has been in fair demand within the 
previous range Seeds and Hops have been less active 
and quoted lower Haw and Straw about steady, with 
a fair inquiry noted Ocean Gram and General Cargo 
Freight interests have been unusually quiet and de- 
pressed, with rates quoted decidedly lower, though closing 
rather more firmly Grain rates by steam to Liverpool 
closed on the 12th of Feb. at 5.1^®6(i ; to Glasgow at sd ; 
to London at 5(S)o}id ; to Liverpool, by sail, at 5©5)<(i; 
London, by sail, nominal, per bushel. Provisions by 
steam to Liverpool, 30s.®35s. per ton; Cotton at }rid. 
^ lb. Grain, by sail, for Cork and orders, at bs.Zd.<^s.%d. 
per quarter. 
The lollowing condensed, comprehensive tables, care- 
fully prepared specially for the American Agiicullm-ist, 
from our daily record during the year, show at a glance 
the transactions for the mouth ending Feb. 12th7 1577, 
and for the corresponding month last year : 
1. TK.1.NSAUT10.\S AT rUS X-BW YOKK MAflKKTS 
.-S^fi^',?'^^- ^'"'"'^ I"'""- C'OT„. l:ue l!„rleii Oalx 
27 a 8 ;;,« ,„'tli271,000 491,000 SU.OOO 87,b00 SMOOO 719W 
2o il's hiHl m-tl,-.i07,000 791,000 904,000 92,000 IS'.OCO siS 
SaLHS. Flonr. Whe,at. (^oril Hue nnvUn nilia 
27dsi/.is„AI,23l,000 619,000 l.MS.OOO 47 000 i 3^ 000 ' 5-?9 (TO 
So d'3toMn'U,294,000 2,3.38,000 ];4G9,000 V%m 'iSm MIJOOO 
3. Comparison wUh mvne period ut tliM lime lasl year. 
Ubckifts nonr. Wheal. Corn. Hue Sarleii Oats. 
^il^^ys 1827.. 271,000 491,000 311,000 87,000 305,000 719"m6 
23 days 18,6.. 211,000 1,007,000 1,309,000 18,500 42.1,000 4Ii;oOO 
?-*V^^- .„_ ?<""■• mieat. Corn. Hue. Barley. Oats. 
2. days 18n .2;i,000 679,(00 1,203,000 57,000 131,000 529.000 
28 days 1876. .287,000 1,694,000 2,2-,'6,000 28,000 296,000 71410:0 
3. Stock of grain in store al Xew York. 
Wheat. Corn. Rue. Ilarley. Oaia. Matt. 
_ , bnali. bush. bush. bush. bush. bush. 
Feb. 7, 1877.. 3,083,819 2.302,261374,142 671.114 956,114 888.605 
.T.in. 8, 1877.. 3,668,010 3.017,f 04 341,750 905,613 1.088,104 425,406 
Dec. 11,1876. .3,110,283 3,38.5.554 218 841 ?7S,310 1,182,322 612.041 
Ivov. 8. 1876. .2,048,233 8,206.003 294,381 478,1411,002,691 495,M0 
Oct. 9, 1876.. 1,931 ,892 1,195387 168.S05 91,245 ffi5.187 421,751 
Aug. 7, ]87<1..2,831,299 901,5.57 94,%0 53,914 1,232,895 4:i4,20S 
Apr. 10,1876..3,:;93.o;4 232,140 68,429 200,381 706,282 436,942 
Jan. 10, 1876.. 5,802,293 6*3,982 100,741 325,191 ],0f0,300 307,438 
4. Exportsfrom Vew York. Jan. 1. to Feb. 10. 
Flonr. w/ieat. Corn. Jti/e. Barley. Oats. Peas. 
bbls. bush. busli. busli. busli. busli. bush. 
1877.... 153.588 1,276,859 1.71'3.88S 53,533 71.283 15,309 66,191 
IS76.... 241,693 1,843,457 1.731,215 15,337 35,537 168,137 
Cunr.KNr Wuoi.ksalk Trecks. 
Jan. 12. Feb. 12. 
Prick OF Gold 106 105 5-8 
Floui:— Super 10 Extra Stale t5 25 S 6 25 *5 40 16 6 35 
Super to Extra Eoulliurn.... 5 25 fa 8 75 5 rO (^ 9 25 
Extra Western 5 75 (»10 50 5 75 fell 00 
Extra Genesee 6 25 @ 7 15 6 30 (a 7 50 
SupeiOiie Western 5 25 <a 5 75 5 40 fe 5 90 
1;tb FLOcn 3 00 (S 5 20 3 00 ® 5 10 
Cor.x-ME.M 2 65 e 3 60 2 &5 ® 3 55 
Buckwheat Floue, ?i 100 bs 3 65 ® 4 00 3 50 @ 4 10 
Wheat— All kinds ol White. 1 35 ® 1 57^ 1 45 ® 1 65 
All liiuds olKeil and Amber. 1 05 « 1 55 1 10 ® 1 65 
Conu— Tellow 57 @ 63 sey^S 61 
.Mixed 57X® 64 S5>^@ 62 
Wliite 58 @ 63 .56>i@ 62>f 
Oats— Western 40><:@ =0 89 ® 60 ^ 
State 47 "® 53 47 @ 55 
llTE 83 @ 95 80 ® 93 
BAltLKT 65 ® 1 12M 65 ® 1 12 
l!rCKWHEAT 92>'@ 95 95 ® 1 00 
Bablet Malt 70 ® 1 30 67)4® 1 30 
llAV- Bale, «l ICOtts 65 ® 1 00 65 ® 1 05 
Stkaw, ?1 100 ».B 55 ® 95 56 ® 95 
Cotton— Middlings, ?!&.... 13 @ 13H 12^® 12;i 
ilops— Crop 011876, ^ lb 12 ® SO 8 ® 25 
old, ?t lb 10 @ 17 6 ® 15 
FEATHERS-Live Geese, ^ lb 45 @ 58 45 ® 57M 
SEED-tlover, i? lb 15 ® 16JC 15 @ K-X 
Tiraotliy. «i bushel — @ 1 90 1 90 fi 2 10 
Flax, "# I'USliel 1 60 ® 1 70 — ® 1 70 
SDGAR—F.efl'g& Grocery ¥• lb S ® 11 SJ^® lOM 
MOLASSKS, Cuba. ?ical.50test Koniinal. c6 @ 37K 
New Orleans, new crop.?' gal 40 @ 60 40 @ 59 
Coffee- l:io(Gol(l) 19 ® 22K 17^® 21 
TonACCo, Kentucky, «Sc.,?' lb. 5 ® 18 5 (5 18 
Seed Leaf, i? lb Ay.® 50 i}4@ 50 
Wool— Domestic Fleece, ?) lb 28 @ 50 SO @ 53 
Domestic, pulled. «> lb 22 ® 40 20 @ 45 
California, spring clip, 15 @ 30 15 ® 30 
California fell clip 12 @ 23 13 © 23 
TALLOW.^Ib 8 ® 8H 8 ® 8X 
Oil-Cake— ?> ton 36 60 ® — 35 00 <SE6 50 
Pork— M ess, ?i barrel 17 25 @18 25 16 65 ®16 SO 
Prime, iH barrel 14 00 ©14 25 13 25 ®13 50 
Beef— Plain iness 10 ro ®il 60 10 50 ©12 00 
Lard, in trcs. & libls, ¥1100 n-. 10 75 ®11 50 10 50 ®11 25 
Bdttkr— State. ?> lb 22 ® S7 20 ® S 
Western, poor to fancv, ?( lb. 16 ® 37 14 ® 34 
Cheese.. ' .. .. 6 @ 15 6 ® KH 
I!ejns-%) busbcl 185 ® 3 75 160 ® 3 25 
PEAS-Canada. in bond, ?> bu — ® 90 — ® 92 
Eggs— Fresh,?! dozen 32 ® 40 22 @ 20 
PouLTET— Fowls 9 ® 16 9 ® 12 
Turkeys— ?>lb 9 @ 16 8 ® 12 
Geese,^pair 125®200 125@20O 
Geese, ^B 7 @ 13 7 ® 11 
Ducks, ?ipair 55 ® 1 00 50 ® 1 OO 
Roosters,¥Ib 7 ® 8 6 ® 8 
Chickens, drvpick'd lb 13 ® 17 10 ® 14 
GBonsE, sipair 65 ® 80 60 @ 80 
rAKTRlDGE. %>Aoz 55 ® 62 >i 40 ® 45 
DncKS.Wild. y p-lir 40 ® 2 00 20 ® 2 00 
Quail, ¥1 dozen 75 ® 1 37^ 65 @ 1 00 
Venison, ?* a 8 @ 14 — @ — 
Kabbits. t3 p:dr 18 ® 25 IS® 20 
IlAEES, ?I pair 25 @ 40 20 ® 30 
Turnips 't) bbl 75 ® 1 00 75 ® — 
CAB3\GES-?t 100 4 00 ® U 00 5 00 ® 9 00 
Onions— ¥lbbl 1 50 @ 4 50 3 00 ® 6 00 
Potatoes— ¥1 bbl 2 25 @ 3 75 S 25 @ 4 OO 
new, BeiTOuda — @ — 6 25 (g. 8 00 
Sweet PoTATOKS—^bbl 425®500 2 60®4 75 
Cauliflower, %i bbl — @ — — ® — 
Tomatoes, new Bermuda, bi — @ — 2 50®30Q 
Broom-oobn 3.H® 8 3K® 8 
Geeen Peas. ?1 bush 1 25 ® 1 40 1 35 ® I 40 
Cb.4SBEP.eies— ?i bbl 7 00 @9I0 8 00 rs,10 50 
?i crate 2 75 ® 3 00 2 50 ® 3 00 
Apples-?" barrel 100 @ 2 00 125 ® 2 25 
Squash. P bbl — ® — 1 25 @ 1 75 
Grapes.?! lb — ® — 4 ® 8 
CrDEE,?)gal , 7 ® 10 — ® — 
3iew Yorlt I..ivc-!Si«ocU Mai-Icels. 
RECEIPTS. 
WEEK ENDIKG Deeves. Cows. Calves. Slieep. Siciiie. 
Jan 15 .. . -.Tlie 73 757 15,666 21,442 
Jan 22'. '. 9,720 155 710 16,51 719,612 
J.an 29 11,141 89 736 33,264 19,482 
Feb. 5 9,155 144 599 20,f06 21,014 
Feb. 12 8,872 66 605 21,465 2i',lS4 
Tbto! Air 5 TTect.!.. 46,684 532 3.r,37 110.518 101,734 
ao..rorprev.i Treet.s31,2S4 339 2,917 70,549 100,383 
Beeper. Cows. Calves. Sfieev. Swine. 
Averaoe per Week 9,3:17 106 727 22,103 20,347 
do. do. ;««( J/b'KA .. 7.821 85 729 19,137 26,.597 
do. do. piw'sJfoiKft.. 10,034 107 1,605 27.326 35,583 
Beeves.- The advance in freights, and the snow 
