1867.] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
311 
Manure. — Dig muck and peat, cut swamp grass, 
collect all weeds not in seed, and through the agency 
of swine, of the liquid manure of the ham-yard and 
the stahles, of ashes and lime, and of every method 
of composting, start an active fermentation in the 
largest possible quantity of vegetable matter. 
As7ies. — Send a team through the neighboring 
villages and wherever wood is burned, and engage 
the winter's ashes, agreeing to pay in soap, tin ware, 
wooden ware, money, or in any other way. 
Bones. — Collect by paying children to gather them 
at the rate of 50 cents a barrel — you can afford to 
pay $1.00 if you use the bones in gardening or in 
the fruit orchard, or if the land needs phosphates. 
Straw. — September is a good month to buy straw ; 
taken direct from the thrashing machine, it often 
sells cheap. In most wheat regions it is worth the 
price of three bushels of wheat per ton for manure, 
and should not be sold for that of four. 
Linseed Cake. — Lay in a stock in advance. It is 
worth all it. costs simply as manure, (taking the 
price of Peruvian guano as a criterion of value,) 
and if fed, you either gain in some other way, as in 
milk, or get nearly the full value in the manure, 
with the flesh and fat of the animals, as clear profit. 
Weeds. — How or pull while in bloom or before ; if 
possible, use as an ingredient of compost heaps or 
in the pig pen. If seeds have formed, dry the 
weeds, burn them, and use the ashes. 
Orchard and Xursery. 
The question of autumn planting should be de- 
cided by the locality. In those places where win- 
ter sets in early, spring planting is preferable ; but 
where a long, mild autumn succeeds the planting, 
the trees become well established, and setting them 
at this season is advantageous. The ground for the 
orchard should be prepared as early as may be, by 
deep plowing and subsoiliug. In most cases drain- 
ing also is advisable. Order trees from the nurser- 
ies before the season of taking up begins, so as to 
obtaiu them as soon as they are fit for removal. - 
Autumn Fruit is to be picked as it matures. 
This and all other fruit should be left upon the tree 
nntil it attains its full development. Peaches must 
be picked before they soften. Pears should be kept 
in a cool, dry cellar, until they show signs of ripen- 
ing. Bartlctt pears, kept in a cool place until the 
supply is nearly exhausted, bring very high prices. 
Packages should be at hand in sufficient abun- 
dance to allow for the uncertainty of returns from 
market. For peaches, pears, aud even the choicer 
early apples, the basket is fast giving way to a 
wooden crate, with two compartments that hold a 
half bushel each. The sides of these are made 
with slats which allow of ventilation, while the 
compact form of the package allows it to be pack- 
ed to belter advantage than the baskets. 
Budding will continue with the peach, aud pear 
upon quince stocks. Remove or loosen the ties as 
soon as the buds have formed a union with the 
stock, which is usually in about two weeks. In 
cases of failure, re-bud if the bark will lift. 
Preserving fruit, either by drying or canning, is to 
be attended to as the different sorts ripen. A dry- 
ing house of some kind is useful where the quanti- 
ty is large. Fruit dried out-of-doors should be 
covered by some open fabric to keep oif flies and 
other insects. 
Pomoloe/ical Exhibitions, cither those held by 
themselves, or in connection with State and County 
fairs, do much to impart a knowledge of fruits. 
Visit these ; and if you have any fruit, go not only 
as a spectator, but as an exhibitor. If there are 
any varieties of which the name is lost, or any of 
doubtful identity, take specimens for comparison, 
and for submitting to other fruit growers. 
Insects. — Much may be done to diminish the num- 
ber of these by picking up all fallen fruit and feed- 
ing it to swine. 
Seeds. — Secure those as the fruits ripen. Those 
of stone fruits must not be allowed to get too dry. 
See hints on page 293 — last mouth. 
- Weeds must be kept down in the nursery if good 
plants are expected. The plow, cultivator, and 
pronged hoe, are the principal implements used for- 
tius purpose, aud they should not be idle. 
Fruit Garden. 
Autumn planting is in many cases desirable, but 
the practice iu this respect must be governed by 
the considerations given under " Orchard and 
Nursery." The secret of success in small fruit grow- 
ing is in well preparing the soil, selecting good 
varieties, and in giving thorough cultivation. 
Those who think that they have done their whole 
duty in merely setting out the plants, will find 
their mistake when they come to harvest the crop. 
Blackberries, if properly shortened, will have 
thrown out side shoots, which, when they attain 
the length of IS inches, should be pinched early 
this month. This will cause the wood to ripen 
and withstand the winter better than when they 
are allowed to grow on nntil cheeked by frost. 
Black-caps and others, that only propagate from 
the tips of the branches, will need to be layered. 
See illustrated article on page 292, last month. 
Baspberries. — Keep the young canes tied up to 
wires and stakes, and the soil clear of weeds. 
Grapes. — Market the early ripening varieties, 
handling carefully so as not to injure the bFoom. 
Use scissors in gathering, and leave long stems to 
the bunches. 
Pears are to be gathered as soon as mature, and 
ripened in the house. If picked too early, they 
will shrivel instead of ripening. 
Strawberries. — If fall planting is practised this is 
the month in which to do it. Plants that were 
struck in pots are removed with little risk. With 
others, unless the roots are taken up with a ball of 
earth, it will be better to remove all the large leaves, 
as this diminishes the evaporating surface and in- 
creases the chances of success. 
Kitchen Garden. 
The gardener is now occupied with the care of 
his late crops, which, under good culture, should 
be growing rapidly. 
Asparagus — It is recommended by some to plant 
in the fall. We have never tried it, but Meehau, 
of the Gardener's Monthly, says it is advisable. 
One year old plauts have their tops cut off and are 
planted iu a well mauured bed in the usual way. 
Beans. — Shell or dry all the Linias that will not 
be used before frost comes. They are excellent in 
winter. Salt string beaus. 
Cabbages and Cauliflowers. — Promote theirgrowth 
by frequent stirring of the soil. Use lime if slugs 
are troublesome, or trap them by means of cabbage 
leaves laid ou the ground. From the 10th to the 
20th sow seeds of early sorts in the open ground 
to get plants for wintering iu cold frames. 
Borecole, or German greens, sow for "sprouts." 
Com. — Save seed from the best, aud dry an 
abundance for winter use. 
Cucumbers. — Gather, if large enough for pickles. 
Celery. — Keep the plants cultivated aud earth 
them ir"> in flat culture about ten days before 
wanted for use. That for winter is left until later. 
Endive. — Blanch as wanted for use either by ty- 
ing the leaves together, or laying a piece of board 
or slate over the plant. 
Manure. — This is the key to successful garden- 
ing, and the heaps should be increased from every 
available sonree. 
Melons ripen better if a board or wisp of straw 
be placed between them and the earth. 
Onions^— Harvest, if not already done, and cure 
and store as directed last mouth. 
fiadish. — The Chinese Rose-colored Winter may 
be sown When not overgrown, it is tender and 
will keep good all winter. 
Shallots. — A species of onion, and much used in 
the green state as a substitute for it. Divisious of 
the bulb are set 6 iuehes apart, in rows one foot 
distant. It is hardy and comes early in spring. 
Spinacli, for early spring, may now be sown, in 
drills 12 to 15 inches apart. It meets with a ready 
sale in the spring, and is a profitable crop. 
Sweet Potatoes. — Carefully remove the earth and 
take out the largest roots for use. The smaller 
ones will grow until frost comes. 
Squashes. — Allow the vines to root at the joints, 
and look out for late broods of insects. 
Tomatoes. — Preserve a good supply and make cat- 
sup while the fruit is abundant. Select only the best 
formed and earliest for seed. The "worm," be- 
fore mentioned, will still continue its depredations. 
Turnips. — Sow the round sorts and give Swedes 
good culture. 
Winter Cherry. — Gather as the fruit ripens, and 
use for sweetmeats, or spread in a dry room. 
Flower Garden and Lawn. 
A number of things may be done in preparing 
for next year's enjoyment Among these one of 
the most importaut is the planting of 
Bulbs. — These should be purchased as soon as the 
florists receive their stocks, as the best bulbs are 
soou bought up. All the spring-flowering ones 
should go iu the ground the last of this month, or 
early iu October. 
Chrysanthemums. — Pot those intended for house 
blooming, and shade them for a few days. See 
that those left in the grounds are properly staked. 
Bahlias should now be in their ^rime. Remove 
faded flowers and keep the stems well tied up. 
Bedding Pants must have cuttings made for a new 
stock. Those that it is worth while to keep over, 
should be potted before cool weather. Seeds of 
Perennials, if sown at once, will make plants 
strong enough to winter safely, at least if a slight 
protection be given them. Make preparation for 
Wintering Plants. — A well drained and vermin 
proof pit, covered with sash, will answer-for stor- 
ing tender roses, carnations, and other half hardy 
things. A light, dry, and not too warm, cellar, 
will also serve for the same use. 
Violets for winter blooming are to be set in a cold 
frame this month. The soil should be fine ami 
rich. The frame should not be covered until frost. 
Green and Hot-Houses. 
Repairs and alterations of the house and heating 
apparatus ought to be finished, and everything 
ready for immediate use. 
Sou) Seeds of such annuals as are desirable for 
house blooming as well as those of cinerarias, 
calceolarias, Primulas, and other florists' flowers. 
Cuttings, to give a stock of young plants, arc to 
be made. 
Cape Bulbs must be potted for winter blooming. 
Plants out-of-doors must not be neglected. They 
often receive much injury iu the heavy gales of 
autumn. 
Hanging Baskets and Vases should be stocked with 
plauts. Use plenty of Ivy for this purpose. 
Cold Grapery. 
When the fruit is ripe, keep the atmosphere of 
the house dry, but give ventilation on fine day.-. 
If rats trouble the fruit, set traps or poison for 
them, aud look out for two-legged marauders. 
Apiary for September.- As Mr. Quin- 
by's notes have failed to reach us this mouth, wo 
simply call the attention of the bee-keepers amone: 
our readers to the necessity of shielding their weak 
colonies from the tendency of bees to rob, which in ■ 
creases as the season advauces aud pasturage yield- 
a less abundant supply of honey. When buckwheat 
is in full flower, bees will busy themselves in stor- 
ing honey, but when this supply fails, they will 
rob other hives, or take honey out of the surplu- 
boxes. These should be watched and removed be- 
fore I hey are attacked. The fly-holes of weak col- 
onics should be contracted very much, and these 
