s 
21 
T 
How to Save tlie Plums. 
Of all the methods yet discovered for 
saving plums from the curculio probably 
none is more sure and effective than jarring 
upon a sheet. Take a piece of muslin 12 
feet square and tack two opposite edges to 
a light pine stick; then saw one stick in 
two at its centre and cut the sheet from 
this point to its centre. This forms a catch¬ 
er which can be rolled up and easily carried 
from tree to tree. Saw a limb from each 
tree and jar by striking with a heavy ham¬ 
mer on the shoulder where the limb came 
off. Begin this work as soon as the blos¬ 
soms fall and continue it every morning 
until the plums are half grown and your 
crop is sure. Destroy the little “turks” as 
soon as caught. When they fall they fold 
their limbs and “play possum.” A casual 
observer would then think them mere 
pieces of wood or bark, and a person who 
does not know what he is trying to catch, 
might easily be deceived and let them go. 
A single tree may be protected by clearing 
away the rubbish and cooping a brood of 
chickens under it. Then give the tree a 
jar every time the chicks are fed and they 
will pick up most of the insects. 
Sweet Potatoes in Northern Gar¬ 
dens. 
Within a few years, the cultivation of the 
sweet potato has extended northward, and 
it is now raised successfully as far north as 
Central Michigan. Those who wish to un¬ 
dertake its culture on a small scale, will 
find it cheaper to buy the plants, or sets, 
than to raise them. They bear transporta¬ 
tion well, and may be sent by mail or ex¬ 
press. In Northern localities it is best to 
raise them on manured ridges. Upon the 
unbroken surface of the soil distribute well 
decomposed barn-yard manure in lines, or 
strips, three feet apart, the manure strips 
being about a foot wide and three inches 
thick. With a plow, turn a furrow from 
both sides, to cover the manure and form 
a ridge over it. Dress up the ridges with 
hoe and rake, and plant the potato sets 
upon the top of it every fifteen inches. If 
the planting is done in a dry time, make 
the holes with a trowel, fill them with 
water, and when this soaks away, set in the 
plant. If the soil is fairly moist, watering 
will not be needed. The plants should be 
set deep in the soil, leaving but one or two 
leaves above the surface. Should a late 
frost or accident destroy the portion above 
ground, some of the eyes below will start 
and replace it. The sides of the ridges and 
the spaces between them should be kept 
clear of weeds until the growth of the vines 
covers them. The variety most generally 
grown at the North is the Nansemond, 
though there are one or two others for 
which greater earliness is claimed. When 
the vines get large, they will throw out roots 
at each joint; this should be prevented by 
moving them, by running a rake-handle or 
some such stick under the vines and lifting 
them from the earth. — American Agricul¬ 
turist for June. 
A DIRGE. 
BY W. B. FOX. 
Tread softly ’mong these grass-grown graves. 
Here sleep the lonely, silent dead; 
O’er what was life the long grass waves, 
Entombed within each narrow bed. 
Here tired feet have found a rest 
From all the weary toil of life; 
No more they tread the earth distress’d. 
Or mingle "in its bitter strife. 
Some linger’d long in grief and pain; 
Some perish’d in their summer bloom, 
And some have borne thro’ life a stain, 
Which made them welcome glad the tomb. 
Does better work, and gives better satisfaction 
than any in use. Sent on trial to responsible farm¬ 
ers. Large Carriers for handling Coal, Stone, Iron 
smd Merchandise, a specialty. For circulars, address 
W.I.SCOTT,Bridgewater, Oneida Co., N.Y. 
STANDARD 
SILK 
or THE 
WORLD i 
of the celebrated 
EE11EKA KNITTING SITK, EMBROIDER¬ 
IES FLOSSES, &c., for sale by all leading dealers. Sixty 
page ILLUSTRATED PAMPHLET, with rules for KNIT¬ 
TING, EMBROIDERY. CROCHET, Ac., sent for 6 cents 
instamps. EUREKA SILK CO.. Boston, Mass 
