124r 
AMERICAN AG-RIC UIjTURIST. 
[April, 
Parsnip, Early Turnip, Spinach, Radish, Peas, Leek, 
Onion, Parsley, and Cresu. These should be sown 
first so soon as the soil can be worked, and all are 
to be sown where they are to grow r , though Parsley 
and Leeks may be transplanted if desired. 
Seed-Beds of Cabbages and other things to be 
transplanted, if not under glass, or in window- 
boxes in the house, as heretofore advised, may be 
made in a sheltered sunny place in the open ground. 
Early Potatoes , to be early, must be planted at 
once, and if the soil is light and warm, no matter if 
a frost nips the tops, they will start from below. 
Succession Crops. —Where the season has allowed 
of early sowing of Beets, Peas, Radishes, Spinach, 
and other early vegetables, succession crops should 
be put in every two weeks or so, until hot weather 
is likely to prevent their healthful growth—and this 
should be kept in mind all through the season. 
Asparagus. —If new beds are to be made, get one- 
year-old plants, and give them all the room that 
can be afforded. The old directions for a family 
garden were, to put the plants 12 by 18 inches. 
This will do if no more space can be afforded, but 
market-growers find that the wider the space, the 
better the crop. Some who grow for markets, set 
the plants as wide apart as 6 ft. by 4 ft., and find 
this the most profitable for field culture. This 
would, of course, be impracticable in a family gar¬ 
den, where 2x2 feet will be wide enough. The old 
practice of manuring a bed to last for years is not 
now followed. The plants at setting should have 
a good supply of manure, and then an annual dress¬ 
ing afterwards. Asparagus should not be cut 
until the third year after setting. 
Sweet Potatoes should be started about six weeks 
before they can be safely set out, which is, 
in the latitude of New York, about June 1st. 
This is a sub-tropical plant, and nothing is 
gained by putting it in the open ground uutil 
that is well warmed. In southern localities, the 
potatoes are “ bedded out a pit is dug in a shel¬ 
tered place, manure put in, and some soil placed 
over it. The potatoes are laid in, and, if large, cut 
lengthwise, and covered with about two inches of 
rich soil; the bed must be covered at night, and on 
cool days, with boards. In the Northern States, 
the potatoes are started in a liot-bed. 
Odds and Ends.— Procure all the seeds you are 
likely to need, early... .Read over Notes for the 
last two months_If you have no seed-diill, get 
one of some kind—it will pay for itself in one sea¬ 
son, even with a small garden_Read Prof. At¬ 
water’s articles on fertilizers, in former months, as 
they apply to the garden as well as to the field. 
Try new varieties, all that you can afford, but do 
not give up standard sorts for novelties, however 
highly praised. Try new things, but go slow. 
Flower Was'dlcia asad. Lawn, 
The title really should be “ The Lawn and Flow¬ 
er Garden,” as in many cases the lawn is the first 
consideration ; the lawn is the ground-work upon 
which the flower-beds, be they simple or elaborate, 
are to be displayed. 
In making a Lawn, it must be borne in mind that 
the work is to last for years, and that the soil must 
be as well prepared for the grass as if for the 
choicest plants. Draining, if needed, is the first 
necessity ; to this must follow, abundant manur¬ 
ing, deep plowing, harrowing, and rolling. If the 
rolling discovers any weak spots, these must be 
filled in. The next question will be 
Sods or Seeds ? —If the lawn is not too large, and 
good pasture, or road-side turf, is to be readily ob¬ 
tained, it is better to use it; but, 
In Turfing, it must be borne in mind, that to 
make a successful lawn, the soil is to be as well 
prepared as for sowing seeds. The turf should be 
of the best kind, and free from all Weeds ; and 
when laid, should be well pounded down. If any 
soft spots are found, they should be made solid. 
In Seeding a Lawn, it is very desirable to lay all 
the margins along roads and paths, as well as the 
margins of flower-beds, with turf. Sow early, and, 
to insure an even cast, divide the seed into three 
or four parts, and sow in as many different direc¬ 
tions. For kinds, see last month. Use the roller 
freely, and notice, mend, and re-sow T all soft spots. 
Sowing Grain with Grass, which is often advised, 
is not needed unless the lawn is soot very late. 
Planting of shrubs and trees can not be done now, 
too soon. The planting of ornamental beds, usual¬ 
ly done with tropical and sub-tropical plants, should 
be deferred until the ground is well warmed. 
Ornamental Beds. —Experience has shown that 
Europeau examples have little value for us, and 
that for ornamental work we must depend upon 
foliage, rather than upon flowers ; and we may em¬ 
ploy, for effect, plants with colored foliage, and 
those with broad leaves, like the Cannas and other 
similar plants, generally classed as sub-tropical. 
Coleuses and Alternantheras. —Plants of this kind 
of course require a greenhouse to provide a stock. 
Those who have not such facilities, can produce 
ornamental effects later in the season with 
Annuals. —Thus, some of the ornamental varieties 
of Ridnus, or Castor Oil Plant, are very effective ; 
another very showy annual, judiciously used, is 
Euphorbia margin at a. Then there are the different 
Celosias .—Indeed, a consultation of the seed cat¬ 
alogues of the leading houses, will suggest various 
other annuals that may be used with good effect. 
Hardy Perennial Plants should not be overlooked, 
as excellent bedding effects may be produced with 
these. We last year described a bed filled with the 
White Anemone Japonica, bordered with Sedum 
speetdbile. Other combinations may be made. 
Spring Bulbs, such as Gladiolus, Tiger Flower, 
and others, are to be put in as soon as the weather 
becomes settled. It is well to make two or three 
plantings for a succession. 
Greenhouse :iob« 1 Window IPlstaiSs. 
Shade will soon be needed for plants under glass; 
this is best done by white-wash—ordinary lime 
wash, such as is used upon plastered walls. To 
make a gradual shade, this is flirted from the 
brush in drops, sprinkling the glass thinly at first, 
and increasing the spattering as the sun gets hotter. 
Shade for Window Plants must be provided in a 
different manner; usually a screen of common 
cotton cloth, such as would be needed, were there 
no plants at the window, will be sufficient. 
Hardening-off will be necessary with all plants, 
whether in the window or greenhouse. This is ac¬ 
complished, in either case, by free admission of air, 
whenever the outside temperature will allow. 
Stripping the Greenhouse, and placing all the plants 
outside, is not now so much practised as formerly, 
as it is very easy to keep the house in an attractive 
condition not only by the use of the summer-bloom¬ 
ing greenhouse plants, such as Gesnerias, and those 
of that family, but by the use of such showy annu¬ 
als as the Balsams. "Whoever lias not seen the Bal¬ 
sams carefully grown in pots, can have no idea of 
the beauty that this flower is capable of. The same 
may be said of some other annuals. 
Plants to go into the Border, such as Geraniums, 
will get too large by fall to be taken in again, and 
it is well to propagate others from cuttings early in 
the season to decorate the house next winter. 
Bulbs .—The last of the Hyacinths, and other 
bulbs, will now be in flower. As soon as the flowers 
fade, turn out the bulbs, if the ground is open, in 
some spare corner, and they will in time resuscitate. 
-<»»-— 
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 March 1 %h, 1S78, 
and for the corresponding period last year: 
1. TRANSACTIONS AT TIIB NEW YORK MARKETS. 
Receipts. Flour. Wheat. Corn. live. Bariev. Oats. 
23d’s this m’tli348,000 3,801,000 1.516,000 91.500 560,000 403,000 
27Wsiast mTh3Sl,000 3,611,000 1,731,000 67,000 504,000 537,000 
Sales. Flour. Wheat. Corn. live. Bariev. Oats. 
23 d’s this m’th339j)00 3,912,000 3,238.000 243,000 551.000 526,000 
27 d’s last m’tli351,000 3,976,000 2,S7i,000 203,000 470,000 5S1.000 
‘2. Comparison with, same period at this lime last year. 
Receipts. Flour. Wheat. Corn. Rue. Barley. Oats. 
23 (lavs 1878..313,000 3,SOI,000 1,516,000 91,000 569,000 403 000 
23 (lays 1877..239,000 263,000 1,401,000 69,000 194,000 613,000 
Sacks. Flour. Wheat. Corn. live. Barley. Oats. 
23 (lays 1878..339,000 3.912,000 2,233,000 243,000 551,000 526,000 
23 days 1377. .227,000 634,000 1,931,004 98,000 246,000 771,000 
3. ' Exports.from New York, Jan. 1, to Mar. 10. 
Flour. Wheat. Corn. Rue. Barleu. Oats. Peas. 
hbls. bush. hush. bush. hush. bush. bush. 
1878.. ..475.400 7.483,409 2,776,780 339,829 621,599 37,847 55,550 
1877.. ..254,958 1,576,S39 2,078,553 164,389 95,457 29,338 124 857 
1570.. ..357.775 1,910,068 2,639,925 15,387 46,206 198,153 
4. Stock of grain in store at New York. 
Wheat. Corn. Rue. Rarleu. Oats. Malt. 
hush. bush. bush. bush. bush, bush, 
Mar.ll,1878..1,639,371 420,181 111,200 €60,145 1,090,897 275,705 
Feb. 11,1878..1,674,035 774,470 208,846 831,673 1,415,638 318,079 
Jan. 10,1878..2,586,715 105,909 236,333 913,898 1,687.985 821,474 
Dee. 10.1S77. .2.S44.982 1.723,229 399,077 864,787 1,S79,052 358,849 
Nov. 5,1877.. 9S1.374 2,643,502 166,949 368,429 1,770,759 328,388 
May 7,1877.. 761,686 468,809 193,016 174,375 347,881 291,654 
Feb. 7,1877..3,083.819 2,302,201 374,142 671.114 956,114 388.605 
Jan. 8.1877..3,668,010 3,077,504 341,750 905,615 1.088,104 425,406 
Dec. 11,1876. .3,110.283 3,385,554 218.841 873.310 1,182,322 512,041 
Apr. 10.1876..3,393,074 232,140 08,429 200,381 706,282 436,942 
Jan. 10,1876..5,802,293 663,982 100,711 325,191 1,0S0,300 307,438 
Cunr.KNT Wholesale Pricks. 
Prick of Gor.n, 
Flour—S uper to Extra Stale ft 00 
Super to Extra Southern_ 4 00 
Extra Western. 4 85 
Extra Genesee. 5 25 
Snuerllne Western . 3 85 
Fc-b. 12, 
101 7-8 
© 
@ 8 00 
© 9 00 
© 0 50 
© 4 75 
© 4 00 
© 3 10 
Mar. 12. 
JOO 3-4 
$4 10 © 5 50 
Kyk Flour.. 3 00 
Corx-.Mkai. 2 50 _ 
Huckwheat Flour, 9 100 lbs 1 25 @2 00 
Buckwheat, per hush. 
Wheat—A ll kinds of White. 
All kinds of Red and Amber. 
Corn—Y ellow. 
Mixed . 
White. 
Oats— Western. 
Stale . 
Ryu . 
Harley .. 
Barley Malt.. 
IIay—B ale, 59 101) lbs. 
Straw, IP 100 lbs. 
Cotton— Middlings. # lb_ 
Hops—C rop of 1877,-# lb. 
old, IP fl>. 
Feathers—L ive Geese. IP lb 
Seed—G lover. "West. & StlP lb 
Timothy, IP bushel.. 135 
Flax. IP bushel. 
Sugar—R e fi’g& Grocery IP lb 
Molasses. Cuba. 59 gal. 
New Orleans, 9 gal. 
Coffee— I !io (Gold). 
Tobacco. Kentucky, &c.,?llb. 
Seed Leaf, IP lb. 
Wool—D omestic Fleece, IP lb 
Domestic, pulled, IP lb. 
California, spring clip,. 
California fall clip. 
Tallow, IP lb . 
Oil-Cake—IP ton . 30 00 
Fork—M ess, id barrel _ 
Extra Prime, # barrel. __ 9 00 
Beef—E xtra mess. 
Hard, in tres. & hbls, # 100 lb 
Butter—S tate. IP lb. 
Western, poor to fancy, iP lb 
Eggs—F resh. # dozen _ 12 @ 18 
Poultrv—F owls & Chickens 8 @ 15 
Turkeys —IB lb. 6 @ 15 
Geese, 9 pair. 1 00 @1 75 
Ducks, 9 pair. 55 @ 90-’ 
4 10 
4 75 
4 75 
4 10 
3 00 
^ 7 75 
@ 8 50 
@ 6 25 
© 4 65 
@ 3 90 
2 50 © 3 10 
1 25 © 1 85 
55 
© 
58 
Nominal. 
1 35 
© 
1 44 
1 35 
@ 
1 41 
1 00 
© 
1 40 
1 00 
© 
1 36% 
50 
© 
60 
52 
© 
58 
44 
© 
59% 
47 
© 
60 
54 
@ 
60 
52 
I 
61 
33 
© 
41% 
S3 
@ 
40 
35 
© 
41% 
35 
© 
41 
63 
© 
75 
70 
© 
76 
60 
@ 1 00 
48 
© 
95 
65 
@ 1 20 
60 
@ 
1 20 
40 
© 
85 
40 
© 
85 
40 
@ 
65 
35 
© 
65 
11 
© 
11% 
11 
© 
11% 
5 
© 
13 
5 
© 
13 
1 
@ 
5 
1 
© 
5 
45 
© 
50 
So 
© 
47% 
, 3 - 
1 ® 
8% 
8 
© 
8% 
1 35 
© 1 40 
1 25 
© 
1 40 
1 55 
© 
— 
1 45 
@ 
1 50 - 
6%© 
8% 
6%@ 
8% 
30 
© 
36 
20 
© 
35 
25 
@ 
49 
22 
@ 
48 
15 
@ 
18% 
14 
@ 
17% 
4 
© 
15 
4 
© 
15 
4 
@ 
50 
4 
@ 
50 
28 
@ 
52 
' 25 
© 
52 
20 
© 
40 
28 
© 
40 
13 
@ 
32 
18 
© 
28 
10 
@ 
23 
12 
© 
20 
7> 
7% 
7%@ 
7 % 
30 00 
©31 00 
SO 00 
@31 00 
11 25 
@11 75 
10 00 
@10 ‘•’5 
9 00 
© 
— 
Nominal. 
12 50 
©13 00 
12 01) 
@12 50 
7 12%@ 8 10 
7 25 
© 
7 65 
12 
© 
37 
10 
@ 
36 • 
10 
@ 
40 
10 
© 
38 
5 
® 
13% 
5 
@ 
14 
30 _ 
7 @ 14 
5 © 14 
1 00 @ 2 00 
. 60 @ 1 00 
Ducks. Wild, # pair. 
25 
@ 2 00 
30 
@ 2 25 
Grouse, #pair. 
75 
© 1 25 
75 
© 1 50 
Pfgkons, wild, West’ll,# doz 
, — 
@ - 
1 00 
© 2 00 
Quail, IP dozen. 
1 00 
@ 2 00 
1 50 
@ 2 75 
Rabbits, 9 pair. 
30 
@ 35 
2) 
@ 25 
Hares, 9 pair. 
30 
@ 35 
20 
@ 25 
Turnips $ bid. 
75 
® 1 00 
50 
@ 1 00 
Cabb iges— 9 100. 
3 00 
© 4 00 
2 00 
@ 4 50 
Red. 
2 50 
© 4 00 
2 fO 
@ 4 50 
Onions— new.# bbl. 
1 25 
@ 1 75 
1 12%@ 1 87% 
Carrots, 9 bbl . 
75 
© 1 00 
75 
© 1 00 
Potatoes, Bermuda, 9 bbl.. 
6 00 
© 7 00 
4 50 
@ 5 00 
Potatoes—!? hbl. 
1 25 
© 2 00 
1 25 
@ 1 87% 
Sweet Potatoes—?) bbl. 
1 50 
© 2 50 
1 25 
@ 2 50 
Beets, 59 bbl . 
50 
@ 75 
60 
@ 75 
Bermuda, $ crate . . 
—- 
© - 
75 
© 1 00 
Peas—C anada, In bond, ?) bu 
— 
@ 83 
82 
© S3 
green, ?) bush . 
1 30 
@ - 
1 15 
@ 1 25 
Beans— 5B bushel. 
1 50 
© 2 GO 
1 45 
© 2 50 
Broom-corn .. .. 
4 
@ 7% 
4 
.© 7% 
Spinach, ?t bbl . 
— 
© - 
1 50 
@ 2 50- 
Kale. # bid. 
— 
@ — 
1 00 
@ 1 25 
Tomatoes, Bermuda, 9 box.. 
1 50 
© - 
75 
© 1 00 
Apples—TP barrel . 
2 75 
® 5 00 
3 00 
@ 5 50 
Peanuts, domestic, 59 bush.. 
— 
@ - 
1 00 
© 1 45 
Grapes, ?) lb. 
2 
@ 7 
— 
@ - 
Cranberries—"# bbl. 
5 00 
@ 7 00 
7 00 
© 9 00 
derate. 
1 00 
© 1 25 
1 25 
® 2 50 
Oranges, Florida, # bbl_ 
2 7a 
© 5 00 
3 50 
© 5 50 
Gold has been up to 102%, and down to 100%, closing 
March 12, at 100%, (or nearly down to par), ns against 
101 % on Feb. 12; 102% on January 12; 103 on Decem¬ 
ber 12; 102% on Nov. 12; 103 on October 12; 105% on 
July 12; 101% on June 12; 107% on May 12; 104% on 
March 12, of last year... .Though the receipts and sales of 
Breadstuff's, during the month, have been to a compara¬ 
tively liberal aggregate, the course of the market lias been 
far from satisfactory to sellers, who have been compelled 
to make further important concessions to buyers, especi¬ 
ally toward the close, with a view to placing supplies 
promptly. Advices from Europe continue against the 
export interest, and serve to depress values. Flour and 
Barley close heavily and irregularly, on a tame move¬ 
ment. Wheat and Corn leave off irregularly. Of the pur¬ 
chases, on export account, were large quantities of Wheat 
for French, German, and other Continental markets; and 
of Rye, chiefly for Germany. Operations in Barley were 
much less extensive, as well for shipment, as for home 
use. Some revival of export demand has been noted for 
Oats... .In the line of Provisions, the feature has been 
