1880 .] 
AMERICAN AGRICE LTI T RIST, 
335 
and not allowed to fall off now, as they can not be 
brought up again when cold weather sets in. Some 
hind of feed, as bran or meal, should be used to 
help out the failing pastures. Corn fodder is ex¬ 
cellent to piece out with at this season, and a patch 
of it should be found on every farm. It is im¬ 
portant that the cows have a plenty of good, fresh 
water, especially as the herbage does not now af¬ 
ford the abundant juices of the spring growth. 
Clover Seed .—The second crop of clover for seed 
can be cut with the ordinary reaper. Some prefer 
to attach a short frame of strips of wood covered 
with cloth to the cutting bar of the mowing ma¬ 
chine, the clover being gathered upon the cloth 
and raked off. This makes a much lighter cutting 
machine. The straw and chaff are useless for hay, 
and need not be preserved from the weather. They 
may be used for litter in the barn-yard or stable. 
Whitewash. —A good way of cleaning stables, 
sheds, etc., is to give them a coat of hot lime-wash. 
Make a barrel of the wash by 6lakiug a bushel of 
fresh lime in a pork or other water-tight barrel, 
filling up the barrel after the slaking is done. A 
ready method of applying the w'ash to coarse work 
is to use a Fountain Pump, or other hand force 
pump. With one of these the whitewash can be 
thrown upon the walls, and into every corner and 
crevice, until every part is completely covered. 
Machinery .—Harvesting and other farm machinery 
that is to be used no more for this season should 
be cleaned and stored away. The bright parts may 
be kept from rusting by applying a mixture made 
by melting together one pound of fresh lard and 
a lump of resin the size of a hen’s egg, stirring 
as they cool. The bearings should be well wiped, 
and afterwards given a thin coat of castor-oil. 
Sundry Matters .—Coarse herbage and weeds not 
in seed may be cut and placed in the barn-yard as 
an absorbent of liquid manure_A number of lit¬ 
tle jobs can be done now that will aid greatly in 
making things comfortable, and will pay a good in¬ 
terest upon the time invested... We again urge ail to 
attend the fairs, doing it with the eyes open to catch 
any new ideas that may be of use at home. There 
is much to be learned if the time at the fairs is 
rightly employed. Make it a point to go and take 
the family, and, best of all, try for one or more 
prizes, and thus have a more direct interest in these 
instructive exhibitions of the products of the farm. 
Notes on Orchard and Garden Work. 
As already noted elsewhere, the apple crop is of 
almost unprecedented abundance; pears for the 
most part offer but a moderate crop, though the 
most popular variety, the Bartlett, so far as we 
have observed, is fairly abundant. But the grapes 
—they are almost equal to the apples in the boun¬ 
tiful yield. It seems as if we never saw wild vines 
so loaded in our rambles through the woods as 
they appear to be this year, while cultivated vines 
present a sight that can not fail to delight the heart 
of the vineyardist. This abundance may not be 
best for the fruit grower, but it is a grand thing 
for the fruit consumer.—Already, early in August, 
Concords were retailing on the street for 5 ets. per 
pound. We hope to see the time when every man, 
woman and child, the whole country through, can 
have all the grapes they can eat during the sea¬ 
son. It is as easy to grow grapes as it is to raise 
eorn, and those who cultivate them must make the 
increased quantity compensate for the low price. 
Orchard and Nursery. 
Apples are abundant this year, and it will not pay 
to market any that are not of the best quality. See 
the use of the bag in picking, with illustrations 
ef the manner of emptying it in the barrel on p. 348. 
Peaches .—A single over-ripe peach in the crate or 
basket will often make a great difference in the 
selling price in the market. Peaches for market 
should always be simply mature, but never soft. 
Pars of all varieties are best when ripened off of 
the tree. Some varieties, such as Clapp’s Favorite, 
are worthless if allowed to remain too long upon 
the tree, but if picked as soon as mature, and al¬ 
lowed to ripen, are among the best. In no case 
should the fruit be shaken from the trees. Use a 
picker for those that can not be otherwise reached. 
The fruit of the choicest larger varieties may be 
packed in shallow crates, each specimen wrapped 
in tissue paper. For general shipping, half-barrels 
are found the most convenient in handling. 
Cider. —The early windfall apples maybe utilized 
by making into cider, which will answer for mak¬ 
ing vinegar. The best cider can only be made from 
perfectly mature fruit later in the season. Those 
with a large orchard can profitably keep a small 
mill and press, and work up the apples as they ac¬ 
cumulate ; they are made of all sizes, and a small 
one is not costly. It should be understood that 
Budding is one of the important labors of the 
present month. The precise time depends upon 
the condition of the stock. The work may be con¬ 
tinued so long as the stocks are growing. After 
the buds have become firmly set the tics should be 
cut. That the buds have “taken,’’ as it is termed, 
will be known by their remaining green and plump. 
Panting. —While we are in favor of fall planting 
wherever the climate is favorable, it can not be 
recommended indiscriminately. In all localities 
where there is a long and mild autumn, it is prefer¬ 
able to spring planting. At this season the soil is 
warm and mellow, a condition favorable to the 
healing of bruised and cut roots and the growth of 
new ones. There is more time at this season that 
can be given to the work, which need not be hur¬ 
ried, and this with the better condition of the soil 
insures much more thorough work. The trees be¬ 
come established and get an earlier start in the 
spring, and are the better able to withstand a 
drouth that may come in mid-summer. The earlier 
trees are planted after completing the year’s growth 
the better. A mound of earth around the ba6e of 
the newly set tree serves to keep water from set¬ 
tling around the roots, acts as a support, and pro¬ 
tects the base from the attacks of mice. If trees 
are to be set in the spring, it is best to prepare the 
ground now, secure the trees, and heel them in in 
a di'y and safe place, to be in readiue6s in spring. 
The Fruit Gurdcu. 
Blackberries and Raspberries start so early in the 
spring that when practicable they should be planted 
in the fall. Blackcap Raspberries, and a few varie¬ 
ties with red fruit, arc only to be propagated from 
the tips of the long pendent branches. If it is in¬ 
tended to propagate these, some of the canes 
should be left uncut for the purpose. If left to 
themselves the new canes naturally bend over and 
grow downward until they reach the earth, where 
their tips strike root, to form new plants. In cul¬ 
tivation it is well to help them by placing a little 
earth on the ends of the canes iu order that they 
may not be blown about by the winds. 
Currants and Gooseberries may be pruned so soon 
as the leaves have fall ■ . Cuttings may be made 
now and planted in rows a few inches apart with 
one bud above the surface, lakiug care to press the 
earth very firmly against the base of the cuttings, 
if put in early, roots will be formed this season. 
Grapes. —The scissors made for the purpose 
should be used in gathering, as they hold the clus¬ 
ters and avoid handling the fruit, which, by remov¬ 
ing the “ bloom,’’ greatly injures its appearance, 
and consequently its sale. Trays should be used in 
which the grapes are placed and conveyed to a cool 
place, where they are left for a tew days for the 
skin to harden, after which the fruit may be pack¬ 
ed in small boxes, when it is ready for market. 
Packing Grapes.— Both thin wooden and paper 
boxes are used, and should hold trom three to five 
pounds. The bottom of the box is removed and 
the grapes laid in carefully. The box should be 
full enough to require slight pressure to bring the 
bottom in place, but not so as to bruise the fruit. 
S'rauibwies. —Keep the old beds clean of weeds, 
and remove all runners not needed for new plants. 
The planting of new beds is given on page 354. 
Hitcliea and Market harden. 
As the cooler weather comes on the late crops 
will make a more rapid growth than during the 
hot and dry weather of summer. The late weeds 
will also grow vigorously, and there should be no 
relaxation of vigilance with them. When a crop 
is removed, the ground should be cleaned and the 
weeds and refuse disposed of by burning or com¬ 
posting. The weeds may be kept down afterwards 
by an occasional running of the cultivator. 
Celery should be making a rapid growth now, and 
will need all the encouragement of clean culture 
and frequent stirring of the soil. If some is wanted 
for early use, a number of the most forward plants 
may be straightened up and have the earth drawn 
around them, increasing the banking at intervals 
of a week or so. This is only for present use, the 
winter supply should be so treated next month. 
Cabbages and Cauliflowers. —Frequent use of the 
cultivator or hoe will promote growth. If the late 
plantings are backward, a little guano or other con¬ 
centrated manure will be of great beuefit. Seeds 
for plants to be kept over winter in cold frames 
for next spring planting, are to be 6owed now. 
Only the early varieties are thus treated. In the 
vicinity of New York City, gardeners sow about 
the middle of the month, each one having his 
favorite date. If 60 wn too early the plants will be 
too large for wintering, and if sown too late, they 
will be too small. The seed is sown in rich soil. 
Com.—A. quantity should be dried for winter 
use. The earliest and best ears should be saved for 
seed. As fast as the ears are taken from the plant¬ 
ing, cut up the stalks and feed to the stock, or 
cure for winter use. 
Cucumbers. — Let none ripen except tihe few 
needed for seed, as it is very exhaustive to the 
plants. Gather for pickles every second day. 
Martynias.— Gather the fruit for pickles while 
still very young and brittle. 
Melons ripen best if they are turned occasionally. 
Sweet Potatoes.— Do not allow the vines to strike 
root at the joints. The largest potatoes for early 
use may be pulled from the rows, the smaller ones 
being left to grow through the season. 
Spinach for use next spring is 6own, in the lati¬ 
tude of New York, between the first and middle of 
the month, in drills 15 inches apart. 
Tomatoes. —Destroy the large worms by hand¬ 
picking. When the fruit is most abundant make a 
supply of catsup. Gather the green fruit before 
frost comes for green pickles, etc. 
Turnips.— The Red-top, Strap-leaved, and other 
flat kinds may still be sown with hope of a good 
crop. Hoe and thin the earlier 60 wn. 
Seeds should not be saved from the leavings of 
the crop. Select the earliest and best plants and 
mark them for seed, giving them special attention. 
It is not best to save the seed of plants that will 
mix, as the melons, squash, corn, etc., if more than 
one variety is grown in the vicinity—only mongrels 
will result. It is cheaper to buy most seeds. 
Flower Garden and Larva, 
Now that the hottest days are passed, the grass 
will grow more rapidly and the lawn mower will 
be more frequently used. Annual grasses, especial¬ 
ly tne “Finger Grass," will spring up, but as it 
lasts for only the season, if it does not seed it will 
give but little trouble hereafter. 
New Lawns may be made and the grass seed sown 
this month. Fall sowing is preferred to that in 
spring if the season is favorable for its getting a 
good start before winter comes. 
Carinas.— Both flowers and foliage should be 
making a fine display now. Prolong the bloom by 
cutting away th? stalks as soon as the flowers fade. 
Dahlias. —A large plant will frequently need more 
than a single stake to support its many spreading 
and flower-laden branches. Unless well supported 
the branches break clown, just when the plant 
ought to he at its best. Remove the blooms as 
they pass their prime. 
Chrysanthemums. —Coming when nearly all else 
is sroDe they deserve more general cultivation for 
both their lateness and beauty. If potted, they can 
be kepi in bloom for several weeks in the green¬ 
house or window. Those wanted tc flower m-deors 
