AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[March, 
& 4 = 
when cold weather is over, but leave it on the bed 
antil the fruit is off. Set new plants early. 
Sundry Matters.—It fruit is marketed, have bas¬ 
kets, crates and all packages in readiness and mark¬ 
ed_Do up any neglected pruning — See that all 
stakes and trellises are in proper condition to last 
through the season... .Look to the labels. 
Kitchen and Market Garden. 
Hot-beds and frames will occupy the greater por¬ 
tion of our readers this month. The Notes for last 
month are very full on these, and we need not re¬ 
peat. Those who would be glad to have a few early 
cabbage, tomato, or other plants, and do not care 
to undertake a hot-bed, are referred to what is said 
there about window boxes. The gain is so great 
and the trouble so small, that those who once make 
the trial, will not give them up. A list of the 
standard varieties of the various vegetables was 
given last month. Send for catalogues, and order at 
©nee all the seeds likely to be wanted for the year. 
Novelties.— While we often caution against trust¬ 
ing to untested novelties for a main crop, there is 
nothing more interesting than to test and compare 
these. One sometimes draws a real prize, but^he 
must be prepared for some disappointments. 
Sow in Hot-bed, the time to be governed by the 
locality, but generally 6 weeks before it is safe to 
put out the plants.—Cabbage, Cauliflower, Cucum¬ 
ber, Egg Plant, Lettuce, Melon, Peppers, Tomatoes. 
If early Celery and Parsley are desired these may 
also be sown. Egg Plants and Peppers can not be 
put out until quite warm weather, and in northern 
localities do better if not sown before Eext month. 
Melons and Cucumbers may be sown in small pots 
and thinned to two or three, or in the earth of small 
squares of firm thick sod, placed grass side down. 
In the Open Ground , seeds of the hardiest plants 
may be sown whenever the soil is in good condi¬ 
tion for working; such as : Beets, Carrots, Cress, 
Leeks, Onions, Peas, Radish, Spinach, Turnips. 
Asparagus. —When the weather is settled rake off 
the litter and fork in the fine manure lightly. In 
inland places, sow on refuse or other salt, 2 lbs. 
to the square yard. Set new beds with one-year 
roots. In field culture 3x3 and even 4x6 feet are 
allowed between the plants. For the family gar¬ 
den 2x2 ft. or 18x18 inches is usual. Give each 
plant a shovelful of good manure, cover this with 
2 inches of earth, set the plant with its crown at 
least 6 inches below the surface, and cover it; 
when the shoots appear, fill up the furrow gradually. 
Peas.— To have them early, plant early ; to have 
them long in bearing, plant deep, never less than 
4 inches. Soil well manured last year is best. 
Potatoes. —Only early varieties belong in the gar¬ 
den, but both early and late should be planted early 
So get ahead of the “bug” as much as possible. 
Generally it will be Paris green or no potatoes. 
Cabbages or Cauliflowers —Plants wintered in cold 
frames, if properly hardened, may be set when the 
ground is ready ; set deep, frost will not hurt them. 
Manure. —We are often asked what is the best 
substitute for stable manure, in the garden. Prob¬ 
ably, take it all in all, Peruvian guano is as cheap 
as any. There are other good fertilizers, and their 
price is generally in proportion to their value, as 
compared with guano. Guano should be sifted; 
have its lumps broken fine and sifted, and mixed 
with twice or thrice its bulk of leaf-mold, dried 
muck, or even garden soil. Street sweepings are 
useful for this purpose. Mix thoroughly, shovel¬ 
ing over several times, and put in barrels or boxes 
for use. This allows even distribution—and pre¬ 
vents injury by applying too much in a place. 
Other Matters.—Get ready a supply of Pea Brush, 
Bean Poles and all other stakes likely to be needed 
... .Have tools and implements all at hand and in 
order... .Paris green, and how to use it, are to be 
thought of—Buy all needed fertilizers_If help 
is to be employed engage it early and for the season. 
Flower Gardena asad Lawn. 
Planting .—Make preparations for planting early. 
Mark the position each tree and shrub is to occupy 
upon a plan, so that no time will be lost in con¬ 
sultation when the ground is dry enough to work. 
Lawns .—Clean up all leaves and rubbish from 
the lawn during the winter, so that they will not 
interfere with the use of the lawn mower. 
Shrubs may be pruned, but only by one who 
knows the habits of the plants, else in case of 
those which flower from ready-formed buds, all 
hopes of bloom may be destroyed; except in 
hedges, dont try to make the shrubs ail alike. 
Walks and Hoads .—Lay out and make all new 
ones needed, and only such as are needed, as soon 
as the season will allow. Gravel, broken stones on 
a foundation of “cobble” and other stones, are 
the best materials for good, dry, durable walks and 
drives ; their first cost is more, but they will last, and 
will require only slight repairs ; the soil should be 
removed to a depth of two to three feet at least, to 
get a permanent foundation that frost will not affect. 
Perennials which have been set several years should 
be divided, or they will decrease in the size and 
number of their flowers. Do this as early as pos¬ 
sible, as most of them begin to grow early. 
Annuals. — Sow seeds in hot-beds or window 
boxes; by the time the weather is warm enough 
to set them out, they will be ready to flower. 
Bulbs .—Take off the covering from the fall plant¬ 
ed bulbs. Look after the tender bulbs of Gladio¬ 
lus, Dahlia roots, etc., and see that they are placed 
where they will not rot from too much moisture. 
Greenhouse and Window Plants. 
Care is required in giving air and water; too 
much or to little water is to be avoided, but more 
plants are injured by too much than by too little. 
Propagation should go on rapidly, whether to pre¬ 
pare a stock of plants for sale, or for bedding out 
in the home grounds. The temperature of the 
propagating bench should be several degrees higher 
than that of the air above, to induce the formation 
of roots as rapidly as possible. 
Fumigation .—To keep plants free from various 
insects, fumigate them with tobacco smoke, once or 
twice a week. Use tobacco stems which are the 
cheapest form in which tobacco can be had. The 
operation is best performed at night when the 
houses can be closed. In the morning, thorough¬ 
ly syringe, or shower with the hose. 
Forcing .—If any pots of bulbs, or other plants 
to be forced are still in the cold frame, or cellar, 
bring them into heat, and they will soon flower. 
Commercial Matters—Market Prices. 
Gold has been np to 107, and down to 104%, closing 
Feb. 12, at 105%, as against 106 on Jan. 12; 107% on 
on Dec. 12 ; and 112% on the 12tli of Feb., 1876... Busi¬ 
ness in Breadstuffs has been generally on a comparative¬ 
ly moderate scale, during the past month. The foreign 
advices have been unfavorable to free export movements. 
Speculation at Chicago and in our market has seriously 
impeded legitimate operations. Home trade require¬ 
ments have not been remarkably urgent. Prices have 
fluctuated considerably. Flour and Wheat leave off 
firmly, on moderate offerings. Corn, Rye, and Barley 
depressed and declining. Prime to choice Oats steady, 
but poorer qualities lower and irregular. Buckwheat 
and Buckwheat Flour have been in moderate request at 
variable rates... .Provisions have shown less activity, 
closing in favor of buyers, especially in the instances of 
Pork, Lard, and Butter. Eggs have declined materially, 
on a slow trade and pretty free offerings. Cheese has 
been quoted stronger, on a better demand, mainly for 
shipment.... Cotton has been active, but quite unaltered 
in price. . .Wool has been moderately dealt in; prime to 
very choice lots firm ; less desirable grades heavy and 
cheaper... .Tobacco has been in fair demand within the 
previous range... .Seeds and Hops have been less active 
and quoted lower .. Haw and Straw about steady, with 
a fair inquiry noted... Ocean Grain and General Cargo 
Freight interests have been unusually quiet and de¬ 
pressed, with rates quoted decidedly lower, though closing 
rather more firmly... .Grain rates by steam to Liverpool 
closed on the 12th of Feb. at 5%@6cf; to Glasgow at 5 d ; 
to London at 5®5%d ; to Liverpool, by sail, at 5®5%cf; 
London, by sail, nominal, per bushel. Provisions by 
steam to Liverpool, 30s.®35s. per fon; Cotton at \d. 
$fi>. Grain, by sail, for Cork and orders, at bs.Zd.QfrsM. 
per quarter. 
The following condensed, comprehensive tables, care¬ 
fully prepared specially for the Ameiican Agriculturist, 
from our daily record during the year, show at a glance 
the transactions for the mouth ending Feb. 12th, 1877, 
and for the corresponding month last year: . 
1. TRANSACTIONS AT TUB NKW YORK MARKKTS. 
Receipts. Flour. Wheat. Corn. line, Bariev Oats 
27 ds tins m'tti271,000 491,000 311,000 87,000 305,000^' 719,000 
2» d s last lu th207,000 791,000 904,000 92,000 227,000 SVcOOO 
Salks. Flour. Wheat. Corn Hue Bariev Oats 
27 cl’s (/a'S in;tj'221,000 679,000 1,203,000 47,000 137,000 ' 529,000 
2d ds last III tli294,000 2,338,000 1,469,000 50,500 239,000 601,000 
2. Comparison with same period at this time last year. 
Receipts. Flour. Wheat. Corn. Rye. Barley. Oats. 
2< dJAys 18^7. .2il,°°° 491,000 311,000 87,000 305,000 719,000 
28 days 1876..211,000 1,007,000 1,309,000 13,500 425,000 411,000 
Sales. Flour. Wheat. Corn. Bye. Barley. Oats. 
27 days 1877 .221,000 679,000 1,203,000 57,000 131,001) 529,000 
28 days 1876. .287,000 1,694,000 2,226,000 28,000 296,000 714,0.0 
3. Stock of grain in store at New York. 
Wheat. Corn. Rye. Barley. Oats. Malt. 
bush. bush. busli. bush. bush. bush. 
Feb. 7, 1877. .3,083,819 2,302,261 374,142 671.114 956,114 388.605 
.Tan. 8, 1877. .3,G63,010 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 
Nov. 8, 1876..2,048,233 3,206.003 294,381 418,141 1,002,891 495,640 
Oct. 9, 1876..1,931,892 1,195 387 15S,305 91,245 825,187 421,751 
Aug. 7, 1876. .2,831,299 904,557 94,960 53,914 1,232,895 434,208 
Apr. 10,1876. .3,393,014 232,140 68,429 200,381 706,282 436,942 
Jan. 10, 1876. .5,802,293 663,982 100,741 325,191 1,0S0,800 307,438 
4. Exportsfrom New York. Jan. 1, to Feb. 10. 
Flour. Wheal. Corn. Rye. Barley. Oats. Peas. 
libls. busb. bush. bush. bush. bush. bush. 
1877.. .. 153,588 1,276,859 1.793.88S 53,533 71,283 15,309 66,191 
1876.. . .241,693 1,843,457 1,731,215 15,387 35,537 168,137 
Current Wholesale Prices. 
Jan. 12. Feb. 12. 
Price op Gold. . loo 105 5-8 
Flour—S uper lo Extra Stale *5 25 <5 6 25 45 40 © 6 35 
Super to Extra Southern_ 5 25 <5 8 75 6 . 0 @ 9 25 
Extra Western. 5 75 @10 50 5 75 @1100 
Extra Genesee. 6 25 @ 7 15 C 30 @ 7 50 
Superfine Western . 5 25 @ 5 75 5 40 @ 5 90 
Rye Flour . S 00 @ 5 20 3 00 @ 5 10 
Corn-'Mkai. 2 65 @ 3 60 2 85 © 3 55 
Buckwheat Flour, ?) 100 tbs 3 65 @ 4 00 3 50 @4 10 
Wheat—A ll kinds of White. 1 35 @1 57% 1 45 © 1 65 
All kinds of Red and Amber. 1 05 @ 1 55 1 10 @ 1 65 
Corn—Y ellow. .... 57 @ G8 56%@ 61 
Mixed. 57%@ 64 55%@ 62 
White... 58 @ 63 5G%@ 62% 
Oats- Western. . 40%@ 60 39 @ 50 
State.. 47 @ 53 47 @ 55 
Rye . 83 @ 95 80 © 93 
Barley .. 65 @ 1 12% 65 @ 1 12 j 
Buckwheat. 92%@ 93 93 @ 1 00 
Barley Malt. 70 @ 1 30 61%@ 1 30 
Hay—B ale, ?i 100 Its . 55 @ 1 00 65 ©105 
Straw, ?!100 ftp. 55 @ 95 55 @ 95 I 
Cotton—M iddlings, 58 ft ... 13 @ 13% 12%@ 12% 
Hops—C rop oT 1876, ?i ft. 12 © 30 8 @ 25 
old, $ lb. 10 @ 17 6 © 15 1 
Feathers —Live Geese, ?> ft 45 © 58 45 © 57% 
Seed—C lover, * ft . 15 © 16% 15 © 16% 
Timothy. 58 bushel.'.. - © 1 90 . 1 90 © 2 10 
Flax, V bushel. 1 60 © 1 70 — @170 
Sugar— Reii’g&Grocery?>ft 8 © 11 8%© 10% 
Molasses, Cuba. gal.50test Nominal. 36 © 37% 
New Orleans, new crop,? 1 gal 40 © 60 40 © 59 J 
Coffee— Rio(Gold). 19 @ 22% 17%@ 21 
ToUacco, Kentucky, &c„ 58ft. 5 @ 18 5 @ 18 
Seed Leaf, 58 ft. 4%@ 50 4%@ 50 
Wool— Domestic Fleece, # ft 28 © 50 80 © 53 
Domestic, pulled, 50 ft. 22 @ 40 20 @ 45 
California, spring clip,. 15 @30 15 @ 30 
California fell clip. 12 © 23 13 @ 23 
Tallow, 58 ft . 8 @ 8% 8 © 8% 
Oil-Cake—# toil. 36 50 @ — 35 00 @36 50 
Pork—M ess, 58 barrel. 17 25 @18 25 io 65 @16 80 
Prime, 58 barrel . 14 00 @14 25 13 25 @13 50 
Beef—P lain mess. 10 50 ©11 50 10 50 @12 00 
Lard, ill tres. & hbls, 58 100 Ih 10 75 @11 50 10 50 @1125 
Butter—S late. 58 ft. 22 @ 37 20 @ 85 
Western, poor to fancy, 58 ft. 16 @ 37 14 @ 34 
Cheese.. . 6 @ 15 6 © 15% 
Beans— 58 bushel. 1 85 @ 3 75 1 50 @ 3 25 < 
Peas—C anada, in bond, 51 tu — @ 90 — @ 92 ; 
Eggs—F resh, P dozen. 32 © 40 22 @ 26 
Poultry—F owls.. 9© 16 9© 12 
Turkeys—?! ft. 9 © 16 8 © 12 
Geese, ?) pair. 125 @ 2 00 1 25 @2 00 
Geese, 58 ft. 7 © 13 7 © 11 
Ducks, 58 pair. 55 © 1 00 50 © 1 00 
Roosters,?! ft. 7 @ 8 6 © 8 
Chickens, dry pick’d ft. 13 © 17 10 © 14 
Grouse, ?! pair . 65 © 80 GO © 80 
Partridge, ?! doz. 55 © 62% 40 @ 45 
Ducks, Wild, ?! pair. 40 © 2 00 20 © 2 00 | 
Quail, 58 dozen. 75 © 1 37% 65 © 1 00 
Venison, ?i ft. 8© 14 — @ — 
Rabbits. pair. 18 © 25 18 © 20 ' ( 
Hares, # pair. 25 @ 40 20 © 30 
Turnips $ bbl. 75 @ 1 00 75 © — 
Cabbages—58 100 . 4 00 © 0 00 5 00 © 9 00 
Onions—?! bbl. 1 50 © 4 50 3 00 @ 5 00 
Potatoes—?! hbl. 2 25 @ 3 75 3 25 © 4 00 j 
new, Bermuda. — @ — 6 25 @ 8 00 I 
Sweet Potatoes— 58 bbl. 4 25 @ 5 00 2 50 © 4 75 ■ 
Cauliflower, 58 bbl. — @ — — @ — , 
Tomatoes, new Bermuda, bx — © — 2 50 © o 00 1 
Broom-corn. 3%@ 8 3%© 8 
Green Peas, ?> bush. 1 25 © 1 40 1 85 © 1 40 
Cranberries—# bbl. 7 00 @ 9(0 8 00 @10 50 J 
•• ?i crate. 2 75 @ 3 00 2 50 @ 3 00 1 
Apples— 58 barrel. 1 00 @ 2 00 1 25 © 2 25 
Squash. 58 bbl. — @ — 1 25 © 1 <o i 
Grapes, ?! 1b. — © — 4 @ 8 a 
Cider, # gal. 7 @ 10 — @ — . 
Ken York lave-Stock Markets. 
RECEIPTS. 
WEEK ENDING Beeves. Cows. Calves. Sheep. Swine. \ 
Jan 15 7,796 73 757 15,666 21,442 ; 
Jon' 22' . 9 720 155 740 36,51 719,612 
Jan 29. 11 141 89 736 33,264 19,482 
Feb. 5'.'.'.'.'.:::. . 9 155 144 599 20;C0G 21,014 1 
Feb. 12 "'. 8^872 66 805 21,465 20,184 | 
Total for 5 Weeks . .46,684 532 8,637 110,518 101,734 j 
do.forprevA WeeksZ\,‘lSl 339 2,91 < <6,<49 106,388 t 
Beeves. Cows. Calves. Sheep. Swine. 
Average per Week . 9,337 106 727 22,103 20,347 
do. do. last Month .. 7.821 85 729 19,137 26,59i j 
do. do. prev's Month. .10,034 107 1,605 27,326 35,783 ,i 
Beeves.—The advance in freights, and the snow 
