26 
POUDRETTE AS A MANURE.—HORTICULTURAL CALENDAR FOR AI 
Dr. Josiah Bowers, of Smithtown, L. I., who 
has used over 3,500 bushels of poudrette within the 
last five years, says: “ One half of another field of 
ten acres was planted with a gill to the hill, and 
the next day the other half of the same field was 
planted without any manure. Both parts came 
up equally well, hut that treated with poudrette 
very greatly exceeded in rapidity and vigor of 
growth, being at least twice the size of the other 
at the time of second hoeing. At this period I 
applied an equal quantity of Poudrette per acre, 
to that which had none at planting, as had been 
put in the hill of the first, sowing it on the ground 
at broad cast, and working it in with the cultivator 
and hoe. The result answered fully my expecta¬ 
tions. That matured in the hill maintained its 
superiority for a short time, but it soon became 
visible that its rival was gaining upon it; and when 
cut up no material difference could be perceived 
in the crop, both being excellent for the season.” 
Dr. Bowers says also in a letter of more recent 
date: “ Another year’s experience in the use of 
poudrette has, if possible, increased my confidence 
in its great utility. My opinion of its value on 
most crops was expressed in a former communi¬ 
cation; and the correctness of that opinion has 
been fully confirmed by further use. The past 
season I applied it principally to oats and wheat; 
and it may be sufficient to say, that the result was 
entirely satisfactory. Indeed, the convenience and 
advantages resulting from the use of this article 
are so great, that one accustomed to possess them 
would hardly think himself able to carry on farm¬ 
ing without them.” 
Mr. Fullagar, an experienced gardener, in the 
employ of S. W. Anderson, Esq., at Devoes Point, 
Westchester County, speaks of its astonishing 
effects on watermelons, as follows: 
“I planted watermelons in rather poor and 
gravelly soil in 1841, by digging holes 18 inches 
wide, and put one quart of poudrette, mixed well 
with earth in each hill; when the plants came up, 
I added one pint more of the poudrette to each 
hill, spreading it about 3 feet, and hoeing it well 
in. The effect was that the vines grew vigor¬ 
ously, and in the small patch of 3 square rods of 
ground I gathered 63 melons, weighing from 30 
to 40 pounds each. 
“ I gave some of the same seed to a neighbor of 
mine, who planted it by mixing one shovelful of 
good yard manure to each hill: the soil was the 
same as mine, and the largest melon produced in 
the patch did not weigh over 18 pounds. When 
he discovered the difference, he at once made up 
his mind to subscribe for a share of your stock, 
which he has done, and is well pleased with his 
bargain.” 
Mr. Edward Condict, of Morristown, N. J., in 
a letter dated July 25, 1842, says: “Early in 
October last, I used the poudrette on a loamy soil, 
somewhat inclining to clay, which I had prepared 
for wheat. There was no difference in the soil nor 
in its preparation, except that on about one-fourth 
art of it, after the wheat was sown, about tAventy 
ushels of the poudrette to the acre was also sown, 
broad cast; and the result is, that on harvesting 
that part where the poudrette was put is much 
the heaviest grain, and but very little injured with 
the rust or mildew, while the other part of the 
field is considerably injured. 
“ I am so well pleased with the poudrette^that I 
shall for the future discontinue the practice ol 
using barn-yard manure in the hill.” 
Dr. Henry Fish, of Salisbury County, in a letter 
dated Aug. 4,1842, says: “ I have found poudrette 
sprinkled on vines , the most effectual application to 
destroy insects which were eating the leaves or 
stalks, more particularly the large black insect 
which destroys the vine of the winter squash in 
autumn. I have not been troubled with worms 
in the corn field since I have used poudrette; but 
I do not infer from my limited experience that it 
will always prevent their ravages.” 
I could go on indefinitely almost with similar 
statements, but I dare not extend. 
D. K. Minor. 
118 Nassau Street , N, Y. 
For the American Agriculturist 
HORTICULTURAL CALENDAR FOR APRIL. 
During the past month the weather has been unu¬ 
sually cold, and the season consequently so retarded, 
that the calendar of the last number will answer, gen¬ 
erally, for this. It is frequently the case, when the 
season is very late, that vegetation comes forward 
with an increased degree of rapidity, and, unless some 
care is exercised, will often be in full vigor before 
the cultivator shall have finished transplanting. He 
should, therefore, make this his j first business, on the 
frost leaving the ground; seeds can be planted, and 
other work performed, at a subsequent period. 
Kitchen garden .—During this month, early cucum¬ 
bers, melons, cabbages, cauliflowers, lettuce, radishes, 
&c., which have been brought forward in the hot-bed, 
should be transplanted into the open ground. The 
asparagus bed be attended to, if not prepared before, 
according to the directions of last month. All 
kinds of table vegetables and early root crops can be 
sown in the open ground. Tomatoes, egg plants, and 
peppers, that have been forwarded in pots, can be 
planted out the latter part of the month. 
Fruit Garden and Nursery .—All kinds of fruit and 
forest trees, and shrubs, should be transplanted this 
month, before the leaf buds shall have come out. All 
grafting and spring inoculating performed. Straw¬ 
berry beds dressed and cleaned. Currants, raspberry, 
and gooseberries, that have not before received atten 
tion, can now be pruned; the latter should be pruned 
to open heads for the admission of sun and air, be well 
manured about the roots, and the soil made loose and 
mellow with the spade; the roots of peach trees be 
examined, and the worm cut out with a knife. Cut¬ 
tings can also be made for the purpose of grafting, 
for the propagating of trees and shrubs. 
Ornamental Grounds. —Bulbs that have not yet 
started ought now to have the earth about them 
stirred, to the depth of three or four inches. The 
borders of the flower garden be made up, and peren¬ 
nial herbaceous plants transplanted. Seeds of annu¬ 
als should not be sown until next month. Hedges and 
shrubs may be trimmed, and box-edging set out. Put 
in order the gravel-walks and pleasure-grounds, and, 
if necessary, give the lawn a top-dressing of ashes. 
S. B. Parsons. 
