4r 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST, 
[January, 
protected in this way should be covered with straw. 
During every day that is not freezing, the doors 
should be opened, to keep the temperature low. 
Celery stored in treuches in the open grouud, 
should be well covered with straw and boards dur¬ 
ing very severe weather 5 provide surface-drains to 
take away all water which may collect near the 
trenches. A week’s supply may be taken out; and 
put into boxes, and stored in the cellar, where they 
can be readily got at. 
Cold Frames. —Give air on every mild day, else 
there will be danger that the plants may commence 
to grow from too much heat. 
Manure. —Prepare the manure that is to be used 
next spring by an occasional turning. Save all 
house-slops to pour upon the compost heap. 
Pea-Brush .—Prepare a quantity for use next sea¬ 
son, and store under cover, placing heavy weights 
upon the piles, to flatten them into proper shape. 
Bean-Poles may be cut at any time when the snow 
is not too deep to get into the woods ; red cedar 
makes the most durable poles. 
Seeds which are to be ordered from a distance, 
should be sent for at once. If left until needed for 
use, the^varieties needed may be exhausted. Clean 
and prepare all home-raised seeds, and label and 
store in a dry cool place away from mice. 
Flower SAsarstesa aond fawa. 
The work in this department at the north, is only 
one of preparation. New arrangements of flower¬ 
beds and borders may bo planned better now than 
when the hurry of spring work comes. Rustic 
work can be made during the winter ; cedar may be 
got from the swamps while they are- frozen, and 
other woods, such as laurel and the like, may be 
cut, and these with a little ingenuity, may be made 
into tasteful trellises, seats, and other garden orna¬ 
ments ; for making hanging baskets, deep wooden 
bowls and rattans are needed. Secure all flower 
seeds at once, so that they will be ready as soon as 
needed for sowing in the hot-beds. 
CSreenSioMse an«i. Window Plants. 
As the sun gets more powerful, the plants in the 
greenhouse and windows should be looking at their 
best. During cold nights a thin cloth or newspapers 
thrown over house plants, will protect them from 
being chilled. 
Insects must be looked after, else they will soon 
over-run the plants. Fumigate at least once a 
week, to kill the green fly, selecting a time when 
the house is not too moist. To destroy the red 
spider, it is only necessary to sprinkle the plants 
thoroughly once or twice every week. Mealy bugs 
must be destroyed by hand picking. 
Annuals. —Sow seeds of Candytuft, Sweet Alys- 
sum, and Mignonette, etc., for cut flowers. 
Forcing.—-A few plants of Bleeding Heart, Dcutzia 
gracilis, and Lily of the Valley, may be brought 
into heat now, when they will soon flower. 
Bulbs of Hyacinths and Narcissuses, which were 
potted for winter blooming, may be brought into 
the greenhouse or sitting-room from time to time, 
if they have made roots abundantly. 
Horticultural Motes for the Southern States. 
In view of the large and increasing circulation of 
the American Agriculturist in the southern states, 
we have arranged with a gentleman, who, in prac¬ 
tical knowledge and wide experience, is second to 
none, to furnish us with monthly notes, suited to 
the warmer parts of the country. 
The majority of farmers leave almost all kinds 
of garden work to be attended to until after the 
holidays, and thus lose the most favorable oppor¬ 
tunity to thoroughly prepare their land. After the 
cotton-picking is ended, there is usually a short time 
in December, when suitable weather prevails, and 
this period should be partially devoted to garden¬ 
ing operations. Unfortunately this favorable time 
is seldom used to the right purpose. With the ad¬ 
vent of the new year, other matters of seemingly 
greater importance to the farmer, require his time 
and attention, and with making preparations for 
the active farm-work, the garden-work is hurriedly 
and imperfectly performed ; seeds are put in a bad¬ 
ly prepared soil, and the results are unsatisfactory. 
We presume, however, that all our progressive far¬ 
mers have not 'neglected the garden-work, which 
should be performed during December, but if this 
is still undone, no time should be lost in giving it 
immediate attention. 
The Orchard must have a shallow and careful 
plowing, so as not to destroy the roots of the trees. 
Top-dress the land with compost, ashes, plaster, 
etc. If trees are failing in vigor, give them a liberal 
top-dressing of fertilizers, and dig this under, tak¬ 
ing a circle at least equal .to the spread of the 
branches of the tree. Pruning may be performed, 
but where only a small number of trees are to be 
cared for, it is preferable to delay this operation 
until February. Prune grape-vines, and train to 
arbor or trellis, as needed by the different varieties. 
Transplant Fmit Trees without delay, if not al¬ 
ready done; there exists a general impression 
among our people that fruit trees can only be trans¬ 
planted during November, and again in February, 
and that either December or January are unsuitable 
for this operation. Nothing is more erroneous; 
doubtless this idea originated from the perusal of 
horticultural works published in localities where 
the ice-bound soil renders the work impossible 
during these months. I 11 all the southern states 
where the soil is seldom frozen, tree planting 
may be performed from the fall of the leaf, until 
new vegetation commences in March. But early 
fall-planting has numerous advantages over spring¬ 
planting. Although fruit trees do not make a 
growth of wood and leaves, they are continually 
increasing their root-growth, this never ceases here 
during the period of rest of the tree, hence, if one 
has transplanted his trees early in the winter, he 
will have secured considerable root-growth, and 
his trees will be firmly established when vegetation 
starts in spring. 
Early Potatoes should be planted from the begin¬ 
ning to the 20 th of this month in all light soils ; 
but in strong clay soils planting should be delayed 
until February. Very little is gained by planting 
too early, especially in strong soils, where the dan¬ 
ger of decaying in the ground is to be apprehended. 
Perhaps no better variety than Early Rose can be 
advised, it has been so eminently successful wher¬ 
ever it has been cultivated, that it should not be 
put aside for newer varieties, which are no doubt 
very meritorious, but need further trial, before 
risking them for a general crop. 
Hardy Vegetables .—Sow peas, radishes, and let¬ 
tuce from 1st to 15th of this mouth ; carrots, beets, 
parsnips, salsify, etc., after the 15th. Continue to 
sow spinach, radishes, etc., at intervals, for suc¬ 
ceeding spring crops. 
Hot-Beds and Cold Frames. —Prepare these, and 
sow early cabbages ; we find Large Early York and 
Early Winniugstadt still unsurpassed for the ear¬ 
liest. For second early sow Early Wyman, Early 
Savoy, etc. 
Flower Garden.— Prepare seed-beds by digging 
and manuring thoroughly. 
Prune Boses, and see that the old wood is remov¬ 
ed and replaced by last year’s growth. Plants must 
not be allowed to become crowded with the old 
wood; a few stout young shoots of last year’s 
growth, cut back to six or eight inches of the 
ground, will produce better flowers, than can pos¬ 
sibly be expected if the plants are left unpruned, 
and burdened with a mass of branches. 
Deciduous Shrubs, which continue to flower dur¬ 
ing the summer and fall, must be pruned. Those 
flowering in spring only, should have been pruned 
last summer, after they passed out of bloom. If 
these are pruned now, they will flower sparingly, 
as their bearing wood is formed during the pre¬ 
vious year. 
Camellias will bloom profusely during this month 
in the open ground, and it is desirable to protect 
the buds from heavy cold weather. This can be 
done by placing a frame over the plants, and cover¬ 
ing it with a cloth during very inclement weather. 
Greenhouses should be kept well ventilated, espe¬ 
cially if Camellias are grown under glass ; failiqg 
in this, the loss of the flower-buds may be the result. 
Soft-wooded Plants, for bedding out in spring, 
must now be propagated; transplant Verbenas, 
and other hardy perennials, if they have been 
grown in pots, but always harden off seedlings be¬ 
fore exposing them in the open ground. 
---• ---><&•—---— 
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 pec. 13th, isl¬ 
and for the corresponding month last year: 
1. TRANSACTIONS AT TU1C NEW YORK MARKETS. 
Receipts. Floiir. Wheat. Corn. Rye. Harley. Oats. 
26 d’s this m’thSSO.OOO 3,115,000 1,904,000 42,000 207,000 '96.000 
26 d’s last m’th401,000 4,873,500 2,014,000 151,000 412,600 1,379,000 
Sales. Flour. Wheat. Corn. lh/e. Barley. Oats. 
26 d’s this m’tli401,000 3,709,000 1.886,000 74,000 502,000 1,812,000 
26 d’s last m’th473,000 5,104,000 2,912,000 69,000 431,000 2,107,000 
15. Comparison with same period at this lima Iasi year. 
Receipts. Flour. Wheat. Corn. Bye. Barley. Oats. 
26 days 1875. .389,000 3,115,000 1,904,000 42,000 207,000 796,000 
25 days 1874..367,000 2,376,000 1,404,000 129,000 307,000 1,312,000 
Sales. Flour. Wheat. Corn. Kye. Barley. Oats. 
26 days 1875. .401,000 3,769,000 1,88G„000 74,000 502,0 0 1,812,000 
25 days 1871..360,000 3,001,000 2,315,000 92,000 289,000 1,209,000 
3. Stock of grain in store at Few York. 
Wheat. Corn. Bye. Barley. Oats. Malt. 
bush. busli. biisli. busli. bush. bush. 
Dec. 7. 1875..5,878.036 816,962 99,908 305,961 1.252,005 25S.364 
NOV. 8,1875..3,219,457 1,112,998 79,355 277,400 815,591 249,986 
Oct. 11,1875..2.382,502 1,682,246 10,910 21,688 439,698 261,423 
May 11,1875.. 969,804 1,542,924 16,124 16.537 545,209 229,655 
Jan. 11,1875..3,675,122 1,049,900 50,889 191,470 877,014 145.647 
Nov. 9, 1874. .3,680,141 1,727,510 19,123 117,185 794,722 135,882 
4. Exports from New York, fan. 1 to Dec. 9. 
Flour. Wheat. Corn. Bye. Barley. Oats. Peas. 
bbls. bush. bush. bush. bush. bush. bush. 
1875.1,789,299 25,054,035 12,495,3-49 159,952 1.505 132,751 415,019 
1874.2,035,423 33,700,159 18,329,7S1 041,661 3,320 110,334 422,553 
5. Beceipts at head of tide-water at Albany each season 
to Dec. 1. 
Flour. Wheat. Corn. Bye. Barley. Oats. 
bbls. bush. bush. bush. bush. bush. 
1S75 .113 600 21.335,200 8,381,800 250,900 3,833,600 3,105,300 
1874.165,200 23,791,500 17,723,200 837.600 3,428,400 3,581,500 
1873.153.500 22,761,700 IS,552,200 950,260 2,158,300 8,385,900 
1872.131,300 11,349,100 29,928.700 474,000 4,548,600 5,696.000 
1871.290,700 21,313,400 20,042,300 1,107,900 3.839.400 0,639,400 
1870.430,400 37,124,700 4,S05,100 5S7,500 3,9S4,700 0,167,500 
CuunicNT Wholesale Prices. 
Price of Gold.. .. 
Flour—S uper to Extra State 
Super to Extra Southern_ 
Extra Western.. 
Extra Genesee. 
Superfine Western. 
Rye Flour. 
Corn-Meal. 
Buckwheat Flour, $ 100 fts 
Wheat—A ll kinds of White. 
All kinds of Red and Amber. 
Corn—Y ellow. 
Mixed. . 
White... 
Oats— Western. 
State . 
Rye.. . 
Barley. 
Buckwheat, ?! bush... 
May—B ate, ?i !0i) Its. 
Straw, iPinoibs. 
Cotton—M iddlings. ?i B_ 
Mops—C rop oflS75, if) lb. 
Feathers—L ive Geese, IP ft. 
Seed—C lover,if! lb . 
Timothy, iP bushel. 
Flax, iP busli el. 
Sugar— Befi’g& Grocery if) ft 
Molasses, Cuba. ?)gal.. 
New Orleans, new crop,?! gal 
Coffee—R io(C old). 
Toisacco, Kentucky, &e., ?)ft. 
Seed Leaf, IP B. 
Wool—D omestic Fleece, ?) ft 
Domestic, pulled, iP ft. 
California, clip... 
Tallow, iP ft . 
Oil-Cake—IP ton. 
Fork—M ess, ?< barrel 
Prime Mess, IP barrel. 
Beef—P lain mess. 
Lard, in tres. & barrels, ?! ft 
Butter—S tate, ?> lb. 
Western, ?! lb. .. 
q hekse • • .......... — ^ _ 
Beans— if) bnsliei. 1 50 @ 2 30 
Peas—C anada, free, ?) bu ... 1 15 @ 1 18 
Eggs—F resh,TP dozen ....... 27 @ 
Poultry—F owls. 9 @ 
Turkeys—?! lb. 11 @ 
Geese, IP pair.... 1 12 @ 
Geese, ?) ft... . 9 @ 
Ducks, ?! pair. 50 @ 
Ducks,?) lb. 14 
Woodcock, per pair. 50 
Chickens, ?) ft. 13 
Grouse, ?)pnir... 9o 
" 50 
35 
Nov. 
12. 
Dec 
. 13. 
114 3 
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Partridge, iP pair. 
Ducks, Wild,?) pair. 
S uail, trapped, iP dozen.— 
arks, ?) pair—.. 
Rabbits, ?9 pair .. 
Vension, ?! ft. 
Turnips ?! bbl .. 
Cabs iges—?) 100. 
Onions—?) bbl. 
Potatof.s—?! bbl.. 
Sweet Potatoes—?) bbl..... 
Broom-corn. . 
Pears, per box. 
Pears, TP bbl. 
Grapes, ?) ft. . 
Apples—?) barrel. 
Cranberries—?) bbl. 
Quinces, IP bbl. 
Squash, ?) bbl... — ^ 
Cauliflower, per bbl. . 1 50 @ 3 50 
Gold lias been up to 117, and down to 
19 
co 
„ 20 
@ 1 12 
@ 1 12 
„ @ 1 50 
2 50 © 3 50 
60 @ 75 
35 @ 50 
13 @ 17 
75 @ 1 00 
@ 5 50 
@ 2 50 
@ 2 25 
@ 2 25 
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@ 4 00 
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@ 9 
2 00 © 3 50 
7 50 @10 50 
4 50 @ 9 00 
60 
1 SO © 2 25 
1 IS © 1 22 
28 @ 32 
9 @ 18 
10 © 18 
1 25 @ 2 00 
“ ' 13 
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16 
8 @ 
55 @ 
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13 @ 
2 50 
1 00 
75 
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5 
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18 
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50 @ 1 00 
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1 40 © 2 50 
60 @ 75 
40 @ 50 
11 %@ 18 
50 @ 75 
2 00 @ 5 00 
1 00 @2 50 
65 @ 1 75 
1 25 © 2 25 
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3 50 © 4 00 
- @ - 
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1 75 @ 3 00 
7 50 @ 9 75 
— © — 
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113%, closing 
