34 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[Febrdaby, 
meat, powdered bones, or lime, gravel, ashes and 
warm water, are the convincing arguments. 
Boots. — Sort over, remove decayed ones to be 
cooked and fed immediately, and keep a supply of 
the soundest for breeding animals, or those failing 
in appetite, as spring approaches. No decayed 
turnips, rutabagas, or cabbages should be fed to 
milch cows, or bad flavor will be imparted to the milk. 
Stieep. — Exercise and fresh air are essential to 
their health. Shelters must be well ventilated, not 
crowded, and the sheep turned out daily, except in 
severe storms. Roots, fed with grain, will be re- 
turned in wool and mutton. Pre,gnant ewes should 
have little if any grain, but roots with hay. Those 
3'eaning early will need separate, clean, not over- 
littered apartments, and careful attention, that the 
lambs be not fatally chilled. See pages 43, iS. 
Swine, — Keep them at work among the muck and 
manure. Allow breeding sows, near farrowing, 
potatoes or other succulent food, with bran or lin- 
seed me.al. Give them clean, well littered sties, but 
not straw enough to endanger the young by over- 
l.aying of the mother. A projecting shelf, eight 
Inches high, on the sides of the pen, will allow the 
pigs to escape much danger from this source. 
Tools and Implenumtx. — Have all in repair and 
readiness for spring work. In the end, buying is 
cheaper than borrowing. Consult advertisements, 
send for catalogues and circulars for information 
about new implements, and ahv.ays get the best. 
Wood. — Save many late dinners, and much need- 
less scolding, aud annoyance in the household, by 
having a year's stock cut and stored under cover. 
■Work in the Orclinrd aiKl iViirsery- 
— Read over the notes of last mouth, aud see if 
there is not some hint there given that may be fol- 
lowed with advantage. The season precludes mncl< 
in the way of work, but allows time for abundant 
planning. Do not postpone selecting fruit trees, 
and sending orders, beyond this mouth. Take ad- 
vantage of a damp, warm spell, if one occurs this 
month, to give old trees a good washing and scrap- 
ing. A tiorough application of soft soap, made 
tliiu enough with water to work with a broom, will 
be death to insects and moss, and will make the 
old trunk look like a new one. Continue root graft- 
ing, cut clous, and look after seeds stored in sand 
for spring planting; see that mice do not trouble 
them. Among other applications to prevent rabbits 
from gnawing trees, we find a wash made with 
lime aud strong tobacco w.iter recommended. Ap- 
ply a poultice of cow dung and loam to barked trees. 
Do everything uow that will save a day in April. 
Kitrlicii Garden. — Generally the gard- 
ens are, during this month, covered with snow, or 
frozen so hard that nothing cau be done. The 
work of preparatiou hinted at last month, ought 
not to be forgotten, and everything that can be 
done in gettingtools, seeds, manures and all imple- 
ments in readiness, should be well attended to. 
In family gardens it is not necessary to start the 
hot-bed until next month, but where very early 
vegetables are required it may be done sooner. 
The market gardeners around New York start their 
hot-beds about the middle or end of Februarj'. 
The plants are, however, transplanted into other 
beds, or potted and kept under glass until the 
weather allows them to be put into open ground. 
Six weeks in advance of the time at which the 
plants can be set out, is a safe rule for the hot-bed 
in the family garden. Stable manure is the main 
reliance as a heating material, but may be mi.xed 
with leaves or spent hops from the breweries. 
Sash 6 feet long and about 3 feet wide, are usually 
employed, but the width is governed by the size of 
glass. The frame is of stout boards or plank, 1 foot 
high at front and 2 or 2)^ feet at back, and of a 
sufficient length to accommodate 2, 3, or more 
sashes. A detailed description was given in March 
last. The bed of manure should be at least 18 
inches wider and longer than the frame, aud built 
up at least 2 feet high, the manure being spread 
evenly, and made compact by beating the layers 
down with the fork. Set on the frame, and put in 
6 inches of rich earth, which should have been 
made ready last fall. The temperature of the bed 
will at first be too violent, and the sash must be 
raised during the day for several days. When the 
temperature moderates to about 70° the seed may 
be sown. The manure, by using it for a hot-bed, 
is brought into most excellent condition for appli- 
cation to the garden later in the season. 
Forcing of Asparagus and Rhubarb may be prac- 
ticed by those who have the conveniences. Roots 
of either may be placed in a hot-bed, or fermenting 
dung may be placed around them where they stand 
in the beds. We have seen excellent rhubarb stalks 
from roots placed in a barrel in a warm cellar. 
Dig Horseradish, Parsnips, and Salsify whenever 
the ground is open. Lay in a stock of seeds for the 
reason suggested on page .53. Haul out ma- 
nure while the ground is still hard. 
Fruit Garden.— The out-door work is 
limited to fewthings. If grape vineswere neglect- 
ed last autumn, they may be pruned in mild weather 
this mouth. If any dwarf trees are of unsatisfac- 
tory kinds, look out for cions of choice varieties to 
graft them with. Cuttings of currants and goose- 
berries may be made and saved in the cellar until 
pl.inting time. Pruning dwarf trees may be done 
with the knife. See that the covering of straw- 
berry beds does not get removed by the storms. 
Flower Garden and Luivn — -Make 
and perfect plans for the improvcmeut of the 
grounds. Some hints for front yards are given on 
page oO. Draw all ]>lans to an exact scale. Give 
air to plants in cold frames on mild days. Prune 
aud thin out shrubbery that has become overgrown. 
Rhododendrons aud other broad-leaved evergreens 
need protection from the great .alternations of tem- 
perature which occur as spring approaches. Ever- 
greens must not be allowed to break down from 
the weight of snow. Trellises, v.ases, and other 
garden ornaments and appliances can be made at 
leisure. See desigus given last month. Hot-beds 
for starting .annuals, etc., should be prepared for, 
but next month will be early enough to start them. 
Green and Hot-Houses.— Admit air 
freely to all hard-wooded jilauts, whenever the 
atmosphere is clear aud the outside temperature is 
8 to 10 degrees above freezing. During damp, 
foggy spells, a little fire should be used, even if 
the temperature does not appear to I'equire it. 
A<:himene.s, Gesmi-a.'i and Gloxhiiaa. — Place some 
in pots, give bottom heat, and start for eaily bloom. 
Azahaa and Camellias. — Those intended for late 
blooming should be kept as cool .as possible, with- 
out injury by frost, and shaded. Those just open- 
ing their buds, put in warmer part of the house, 
and give manure water. They repay any attention. 
Bulbs. — A succession of flowers should be kej^t 
up These will like liquid manure. 
Cinernnas. — These bloom best in small pots. 
Those intended to bloom later should be kept 
growing, by shifting them to larger pots. Give 
weak manure water to those already in bloom. 
Deut-.ia yraiilis and Scahra. — These hardy shrubs 
make fine green-house plants, when forced. They 
need a warm pl.aee to start them. 
Dieentra. — Plants of this in pots may be brought 
into a warm part of the house, aud they will soc'J 
show their beautiful bloom. 
Fnchxias. — Some of these may be started for 
early flowering by cutting back freely, and giving 
them a little bottom heat at first. Do not repot 
until they have made a new growth. 
In.-seds. — Cleanliness .and cultivation will do much 
towards keeping them down. Crush each one as 
soon as seen. If necessary to resort to fumigation, 
do not wait until they have half killed the plant. 
Manure Water. — This is beneficial to growing 
plants, if not used too strong. Half a bushel of 
sheep or cow droppings to a hogshead of water will 
be strong enough. It should be clear when used. 
Primula,'!. — The Chinese Primroses, especially 
the double ones, are line ornaments to the house, 
They keep longinbloom.ifnot exposed to extremes 
of temperature and are benefited by manure water. j 
Scarlet Qe)-aniums. — Old plants which have been 
stored away for the winter are apt to become damp 
and mouldy. Remove all decayed portions and 
bring to a drier and warmer place. 
Succulents, such as Cactuses audMesembryanthe- 
mnms, need little w.ater, except they are growing. 
Water only when the soil is getting dry, and then 
copiously with that .at the temperature of the house. 
Apiary in January.— Prgjared 5i/ 3/ Quin- 
by. — If the weal her is sufficiently warm for the bees 
to come out when there is a newly fallen snow, the 
directions for last mouth should be observed. 
Keep open the air passages. Sweep out dead bees 
and filth, whenever .all frost leaves the hive. If any 
stock is to be changed to a new stand, arrange it 
now before the bees fiy out to mark their present 
locality. Place stands at leasl six feet apart where- 
ever there is room. A less distance is allowable 
only for want of room, or when a fertile queen cau 
be provided for swarming hives. Indeed, orna- 
mental bee-houses, so strongly coveted by some, 
in which the hives are set quite close together, can 
be made nearly .as profitable .as any, if queens are 
furnished ; but the movable comb hive of some 
kind is required for this purpose. When standing 
thus, the hive may be .allowed to swarm, .and sevea 
d.ays afterward, before any of the young queens 
hatch, the roj-.al cells should be removed, and the 
queen introduced. If this system of management 
is contemplated for the coming season, or if the 
Italians are to be propagated, the boxes for raising 
queens should be made now. Make a miniature 
hive less thau six inches square, of the pattern ot 
any movable comb hive used, and containing not 
less than three combs. Fit clean worker combs in 
the frames, and expose to severe freezing, to kill 
all moth eggs that may be in them. For method 
of Italianizing bees in box hives, see page 43. 
Twenty Good Premiums 
For Volume 24. — 1865. 
The following excellent premiums are continned. Tbey 
are worthy of strong effort. For full particulars, see 
page 2ii(l of January number. There is no change in the 
lei ms. except that the Book list of this month (page 63,) 
is to be refeneil to instead of that of last month, as prices 
have changed somewhat. 
Table of Preniiiiiu»« and Terms, ^ -»5; 
For Volume 24. s3 g| 
Open to all— IVo Competition. H J 
Xnmes of Premium Articles. ^ 
1— Good Books— .sve terins Inst tnonth 
3— Case of Druwintr Instruments.., $8 00 
3— Pest Family f 'lot ht-s-Wringer 410 00 
4 — Duty's Wasliinc Marliinp Jl2 00 
.5- Scwmct Mscliine. fWIieeler & "Wilson), $.55 00 
G—Four Octave Melodeon (best) $(i7 00 
7— Five Ortave ftfelodeon (best) $112 00 
8- Brown's liabv Tender $30 00 
D— Brown's Baby Tender $42 00 
10— WoodrutTs Afercurial Barometer $10 00 
11— Woodrufl's Mercurial Barometer $15 00 
l*i— The Aquarius $l'i 00 
1.3— Ladies' Rosewood "Writing Desk $1'^ OO 
14— Gentleman's do do do - $14 00 
l.'»—.\iiv back Volume Agriculturist, 1 2*^ $1 ."50 
10- Any Two do do do c 5 $3 00 
17— Any Three do do do .'■ 9-q $4 50 
IS— Any Four do do do I g'S $6 00 
19— Any Five do do do J li;b $7 50 
30— Sti-.iwberry Plants— ,See Tenns laet manth 
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Commercial Notes— Prices Current. 
New-"Vokk, Jan. 20, 1665. 
"We give herewitli seven very comlensed and conveni- 
ent tables, the first two referring to the transactions in 
the New York markets during a month ending January 
16, to which date they are made up. Tliese tables have 
been carefully prepared, specially for the American Ag- 
riculturist, from official and other reliable souices, in- 
cluding the notes of our own reporter. They will be 
found highly interesting, as showing the course of trade 
and giving a general view of the condilion of our bread- 
stuff supplies. They will also be valuable for reference 
in after years During the past monih, there has been 
little noteworthy in the Breadstuff Markets. The prices 
have varied from day to day. with the rise and fall of 
gold. The price table herewith, shows a little decline, 
and as gold is *' weak " just now, rates are tending down 
ward rapidly. The same is the case with other produce, 
eolton, etc. If the military successes continue as they 
