4=4= 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[Febbuaby, 
and air may be had to insure the proper ripening 
of the fruit growing in the centre of the bushes. 
Trellises for grape and other vines will be needed, 
and they may be made during stormy weather. 
Posts should be cut and prepared for use in and 
around the garden ; locust and red cedar make the 
most durable. 
Kitchen Garden. 
Every one who has a piece of ground, even 
though it be only a city lot, can have a constant 
supply of some of the choicer vegetables if a little 
effort is made in this uirection. Most persons would 
be surprised to know the quantity of vegetables 
which marke t gardeners grow upon their small plots, 
and though it is not expected that all will do as 
well, yet on a very small area properly cared for, a 
great many of the garden luxuries could be grown. 
Lettuce, cucumbers, radish, tomatoes, egg-plants, 
etc., are a few of the things which are raised 
easily. At the South cabbage, lettuce, onions, 
parsnips, beets, etc., may be sown at any time 
during the month. The tenderer varieties, how- 
ever,must not be put in until settled warm weather. 
Manure is one of the necessities of the gardener 
as well as the fanner, for without it no adequate 
returns can be had. Every precaution then should 
be used to preserve and increase the quantity. With 
a little care the amount may be increased very 
largely. Absorbents should be used in the poultry- 
yards, around the stables, and in the pig-pen. If 
the manure-pile is turned occasionally, and the 
house slops poured over it, fermentation will be 
more active, and the pile better rotted, and conse- 
quently more useful for the immediate needs of the 
crops. Save the horse manure in a separate pile, 
where it can be easily got at when wanted for mak- 
ing hot-beds. 
Straw Mats. — During cold and stormy days, when 
there is no chance for out-of-doors work, make a 
supply of straw mats for covering frames and hot- 
beds, to protect plants from too much sun and 
from frost. Use rye straw, making the mats 7 feet 
long and 41 feet wide, so that two will cover three 
sashes. The best plan is to take five strands of 
tarred twine the proper length, then lay the straw 
on an inch thick, placing the butt ends towards the 
edge of the mats. After this, take five other 
strands and lay them directly over the first ones, 
and with a needle and twine sew through the 
straw, taking care that the loop catches both 
strings. When the whole is completed, the edges 
of the straw can be cut straight, and the mat is 
ready for use. Always store in a dry place under 
cover when not in use. 
Cold Frames will need considerable attention now 
to 6upply plenty of air. Remove the sashes en- 
tirely when the weather will allow. 
Mot-beds will not be needed except by market 
gardeners before another month, unless very early 
vegetables are wanted. Shelter should be provided 
at the side from which the prevailing winds come 
to keep the wind from blowing directly upon beds. 
Brush and Poles for peas and beans should be cut 
early, trimmed and sharpened ; place near where 
they are to be used. 
Root Crops left in the ground during winter may 
be dug as soon as the ground will allow. 
Rhubarb. — Apply a thick dressing of fermenting 
manure to the bed to induce an early start. A few 
roots for forcing may be taken up and removed to 
a hot-bed, and supplied with plenty of fermenting 
manure. 
Ploffer tiarden and. I.awn. 
The beauty of a flower garden consists in having 
a different arrangement of plants each year. Where 
the same varieties are planted year after year, with 
no change in the grouping, a garden soon loses 
its attractiveness. With a little forethought this 
difficulty can be done away with. 
lawns. — Roll as soon as the frost is out of the 
ground, and if not top-dressed last fall apply a 
compost of fine manure or bone-dust and ashes. 
Plants in Pits or Cellars.— Give air every warm 
day, or else they will become sickly and drawn, 
now that the sun is more powerful. Water only 
when the soil looks dry. 
Dahlias and other roots stored in cellars must bo 
looked after, to see that they do not rot from too 
much dampness. If any signo of mould or rot oc- 
cur remove to a dry room. 
Shrubs. — Pruno and thin when the weather is 
mild enough. Cut back those varieties which 
flower on the new growth to proper shape. Where 
the flower buds are already formed only the crowded 
growth should be cut out. 
Rustic Work. — Give a coat of petroleum to pro- 
tect from the weather. Make any new trellises or 
rustic work needed now in order to have every- 
thing ready for use as soon as required. 
Walks. — Clear up all rubbish which has accumu- 
lated and roll when the frost is out. 
Greenhouse n»i«l Window Plants. 
Care must be used with the fires, as during mild 
weather they are apt to be neglected, and a sudden 
change may cause a great deal of damage. Never 
let the fire go entirely out ; if very warm a few 
cinders or ashes placed on the fire will prevent its 
burning rapidly. 
Camellias and Azaleas coming into flower require 
more heat and water. Never sprinkle the plants 
when in bloom, as the water injures the flowers. 
Window Plants will need showering to remove 
tho dust; some of the plants with thick leaves can 
have the dust removed with a sponge. 
Bulbs. — Continue to bring these from the cellar 
to keep up a succession. As fast as the flowers 
fade remove the flower stalks and gradually dry 
off. Those flowered in glasses are not worth keep- 
ing, as several years are needed before they will 
recover from the effects of forcing. 
Propagation. — Plants needed for sale or planting 
in the flower garden and borders may be propagated 
this month. The temperature of the air of the 
propagating house should always be lower than 
that under the cutting Dencn. this is usually ef- 
fected by means of boards arranged so as to confine 
the heat under the benches. 
Annuals. — Sow a few boxes for early flowers, and 
for planting out. 
Re-pot 6uch plants as have filled tho pots with 
roots, and all intended for specimen plants. 
Climbers. — Tie these up to wires ; climbers will 
serve a good purpose for shade for other plants. 
Passion-flowers, wax-plants, roses, etc., are all 
very good for greenhouse use, as they are of easy 
culture. 
Insects. — Fumigate often to kill the green-fly. 
The plants should be thoroughly syringed the 
morning after smoking. 
Forcing. — Deutzia gracilis, and Astilbe Japonica 
are good plants for forcing. They should be 
brought into heat early this month. 
Commercial Matters— Market Prices. 
The following condensed, comprehensive tables, care- 
fully prepared specially for the American Agriculturist, 
from our daily record during the year, show at a glance 
the transactions for the month ending Jan. 13th, 1874, 
and for the corresponding month last year, also for the 
year ending Dec. 31, 1873 : 
1. TRANSACTIONS AT THB NR17 YORK" MARKETS. 
Receipts. Flour. Wl/eat. Com. Hue. Ilarley. finis. 
24 [1'si/lM in'tli280.4l6 2,192,000 279,000 21,000 75.000 553,000 
25 d's lust lU'tb 331,000 3,236,000 2,066,000 9,400 537,000 9J2.000 
Sai.ks Flour. Wheal. Corn. Hue. Rarleu. Out*. 
24 d's Hits nrihS2R.0O0 2.051,000 1.011,000 4.1,000 289,000 1,110,000 
25 il's lust ui'th 006,000 3,873,030 3,933,000 100,030 440,000 1,532,000 
2. Comparison with same period at this time last ytar. 
RgnitnTS. I'lnur. lrTVu'. Corn. Rite. Barley. Oats. 
24 days 1871 . 280.116 2,I02.000 279.0D0 23,010 75,000 553.000 
20 days 1873... 356,000 2,253,000 1,380,000 28,000 661,000 821,000 
Kales Flour. W'teat Corn. Hut. Jlorley. Oat*. 
2ldavs 1874... 328,000 8,6*1,000 1,611,000 43,000 289.000 1.410.000 
26 days 1873. . 263,000 1 ,955,000 2,000,000 42,000 325,000 2,335,000 
3. Stock of grain in store at New York. 
Wheat. Corn. Hue. Barley. Oats. Malt. 
bush, hnsli. lnish. ltuali. bnsh. hush. 
.Tan. 12,1871. .1,235.413 1. 116.202 1,131 1«6.'IS S14.117 S'.,48! 
Dec. 10, 1873.. 1.553,313 2,093.511 211.885 579.742 60.8C5 
Nov. 3. 1873.. 1,596.560 8,951,998 10B.9RS 23.801 630,1>;6 91.460 
Oct. 6. 1873.. 1,270,801 5.120,537 43.297 643.723 1.451 .863 201,727 
Oct. 7, 1ST!.. 23,142 3,812,181 39,925 40,025 2,505,006 12,535 
4. Receipts at head of tide-water at Albany eacli season 
to Nov. Suth. 
flour. Wheat. Corn. Rye. Barley. Oau. 
I'DlB. bush, bosh, bush, bluli. bu»b 
1373 153.500 22,761.700 18,552,200 9.^,260 2,153Tl M 3 385 1900 
187- 137.300 ll.410.HKj 29.928,700 474,00,1 4 54B6iO 5,696'o00 
1811 290,700 21,313.100 20,042,30* 1,107.900 3 KM 400 6«&40» 
1370 430,400 17,124,7uO 4,805,100 587,500 S^OO 6,16?J(10 
5. Receipts of Breadstuff* in New fork (it each of the. 
last six years : 
Flour. WJieat. Corn. Rue. Barley OaU 
1873. . . .3,516.568 S3,5 9,870 24,589,345 9oi,447 2,448,526 ll.2S5.4Ji 
1372.. ..3,030,771 16,229,413 25.292,156 491,563 5,117,351 12.486348 
1371. ...3,649,045 26.518,300 27,108,156 1,055,621 3,869,123 12,546.966 
1370.... 4,143,998 24.083.742 9,143.478 550,I69 5,0.0,718 9.626,606 
1869.... 3.535,716 23.si3.65-j ll.666.78t 357.803 3,007,958 8,747,322 
1883.... 2,863,736 12,988,147 19,003,61:! 773,351 2.853,643 10,221,590 
6. Exports from New York, Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 : 
Flour. 
1873 1.655.331 
1873 1,179.0.0 
1371 1,659.755 
1S70 1.950.231 
1869 1,582,211 
1868 1,020,522 
7. Comparative Slock of Flour In New York, Jan. 1 : 
1872. 1873. 187*. 
33J.197 322.124 244,412 
300 1,800 1,056 
25,974 36,700 24,889 
100 3,000 
Wheal. 
Corn. 
Rye. Barley 
Oau. 
27.801.829 
15,587.527 
1,069.148 
19.376 
49,716 
13.144.956 
27.864.000 
668.547 
22.656 
31,480 
21,968,613 
13,046,570 
525.772 
98.745 
47.310 
18.416,03.. 
487.792 
92,431 

28.936 
18.240.506 
1.687.580 
142,542 

19.393 
5,775,109 
6.002325 
153,093 

94,340 
356,271 363,624 269,761 
„ 1871. 
Western and State Flour .548,349 
Canada Flour 850 
Southern Flour 45,870 
Calil'ornia Flour 
Grand total, bbls 565.C 
0. Comparative Stock of Grain in New York, Jan. 1 : 
_ 1871. 1878. 1873. 1874. 
Wheat, bushels.... 3,700,003 4,227,181 1,996,981 1,268,601 
Corn, bushels 303,033 1,439,601 6,125,803 1,272.50* 
Rye. bushels 2,289,065 573.657 110,854 14,630 
Barley, bushels.... 192,070 565.778 1,211,176 194,406 
Oats, bushels 1,161,192 2,874,586 1,765,699 471.006 
Malt, bushels 11,571 129.4R0 258.402 26.536 
Teas, bushels S5S,330 9,503 9,293 12,471 
CURRENT WHOLESALE PRICES. 
PRIOH OP GOLD 
Flour— Super to Extra Stale 
Super to Extra Southern 
Extra W esteru 
Extra Genesee 
Super One Western 
Uyk Flour. 
Oorn-.Meal. . 
Buckwheat Flour, *) 100 tts. 
Wheat— All kinds ol White. 
All kinds ol Iletl and Amber. 
Corn— Yellow 
Mixed 
White. . 
Oats— Western 
State 
ltYR 
Barley 
Hay— Bale, 1ft 100 jbs 
Straw, f loo Jt.s 
Cotton— Middlings. ij< lb.... 
Hops-Crop OI1S73. V P. . 
Dec 12. 
109X 
*5 70 
6 85 
6 60 
8 10 
5 70 
4 50 
335 
00 
@11 00 
@1I 00 
® 9 50 
@ 6 50 
<3 6 00 
@ 4 40 
Skko-C'1 
Timothy. * bushel.... 
Flax. V bushel 
Sugar— Ren'g& Grocery K)tt 
Molabsks. Cuba. if J gal , 
New Orleans, ^ gnl 
Coffee— l:io(Gu!d) 
Touacco. Kentucky, &e..?tlb. 
Seed Leaf, V lb 
Wool— Domestic Fleece, V to 
Domestic, pulled, V lb 
California, clip 
Tallow. ¥< lb 
Oil-Cakk— ?< Ion 
Pork— M ess. H< barrel 
Prime, 38 barrel . . . 
Bkkf— Plain mess 
LakD, 111 trcs. & barrels, V lb. 
Butter— State, fa. 
Western. ^1 lb 
Cheese. . 
Himns— 3* bushel 
Pkas— Canada, free, tf bu ... 
Eqgs— Fresh, <p dozen 
" Limed V dozen 
Poultry— Fowls 
Turkeys— Tf lb 
Geese, t$ pair 
Ducks, Upalr 
V lb 
Pigeons, s$ doz ". 
Woodcock, W pah- 
Partridges, V pair 
Grouse,' trapped, %t pair 
Harks, ¥> pair 
Vknison, f» lb 
Quail. V doz 
Ks-oLtsH Snipe. s$ dozen.... 
1 60 ® 
1 50 @ 
78 ® 
65 ® 
IS ® 
56 ® 
56 3 
1 10 ® 
1 85 ® 
i o.i 3 
CO 3 
16X3 
30 & 
05 & 
@ 
2 50 
i bo @ 
cj-ia 
17 @ 
no @ 
2 IKS 
28 
19 
7?, 
37 CO 
16 CO 
12 50 

1 90 
1 70 
ft* 
SIX 
59M 
59;< 
1 12 
1 80 
1 50 
85 
10* 
46 
75 
3 12}! 
1 90 " 
»X 
28 
09 
25 
14 
65 
58 
15 85 
6 90 
6 65 
825 
5 85 
4 50 
4 00 
3 CO 
1 65 
1 00 
1I1X 
70 © 
<u, 8 25 
en oo 
(311 00 
O 9 65 
« 6 50 
® 5 90 
a 4 75 
IS 3 40 
@ 1 95 
a l 70 
92 
92K 
92X 
92 
® 66 
a 68 
a i os 
a i 85 
a i 50 
a 85 
63 
62 
1 04 
1 £5 
1 00 
CO _ 
16X3 
25 @ 
os a 
9K@ 
O 25 Q 3 50 
2 25 a 2 35 
6K8 9 
20 a 30 
65 a 
2i>;e 
5 Ma 
5 ® 
a 
17 
40 
67 
7xa 
23 * 
Robins,?' dozen. 
Gray Squirrels, each... 
RAnBiTS. $ pair 
Turnips ?> obi 
Cabbages— V 100 
On ions— *i bbl 
Potatoes— V bbl 
Sweet Potatoks— V bbl.. 
Carrots— V bbl 
Cauliflowers, % doz 
Broom-oorn 
Apples— ** barrel 
" J.ftdy 
Cranberries'— V bbl 
Pears, *i box 
Grapes. ?> tt 
Beets, f hhl 
Celkrt, H* doz 
Green Peas, # bushel 
17 
3 
i ro 
1 10 
29 
20 
8 
10 
1 50 
CO 
10 
1 40 
40 
25 
50 
6 
125 
1 25 
50 
5 
SO 
50 
. 4 OO 
. 4 10 
. 1 50 
. 4 50 
, 1 50 
50 
4 
, 2 00 
10 00 
, 1 50 
4 
1 5» 
1 00 
. 1 50 
@SS 50 
a - 
® - 
611 00 
«M 
4: 
30 
35 
19 
40 CO 
16 10 
13 CO 
8 50 
78 
il* 
65 
70 
55 
36 
K 
a i4 
@ 3 75 
a i is 
® 33 
3 23 
a H 
a u 
® 2 50 
M 1 00 
® 14 
a 2 oo 
a — 
@ 70 
a 85 
& — 
® 13 
a i so 
@ 1 75 
a 65 
® 6 
a 40 
a 1 25 
a 8 oo 
a s so 
a 3 25 
a 6 so 
a 2 oo 
(A 4 50 
® 12 
(.» 4 IX) 
i." 15 1)0 
® 950 
a — 
a 6 
a i 75 
a l 25 
@ 1 75 
24 ® 
is a 
3 " 
1 50 
1 20 
25 
15 
7 
6 
1 50 
60 
6 
@40 50 
® 16 75 
813 75 
an 00 
45* 
So 
a i5 
a 3 75 
9 1 30 
9 SO 
® 19 
a h 
a is 
a 2 50 
a 87 
20 
50 
4 00 
4 00 
1 fO 
4 50 
2 00 
1 00 
5 00 
7 00 
350 
5 
2 00 
1 OO 
1 45 
IS 
a so 
a m 
a 4« 
a 10 
a i so 
a - 
a - 
a — 
a 4« 
® 1 o* 
a 8 o» 
3 5 5* 
a 3 oo 
a 6 50 
a 3 25 
a - 
a u 
a 4 08 
310 0* 
3 9 6* 
34 25 
a 7 
a 2 ss 
a i 50 
a i 8* 
Gold has been np to 112*4— closing January 12th at 
1117a' as against 10fl!4 on December 12th The deal- 
ings in most kinds of Produco have been on a more 
liberal scnle since our last, and the prospect at the close 
is much more encouraging for mercantile interests gen- 
erally There has been an active trado in Flour, es- 
pecially in shipping and trade extras, at improved prices. 
Wheat has been in much better request, chiefly for ex- 
port, advanced rates, but closed tamer, and 3c. @ 5c. ^ 
