136 
AMERICAN t AGRICULTURIST. 
occasional syringing in the evening may be ap¬ 
plied, but this must bo done with caution, on ac¬ 
count of the liability to mildew ; for this crop is 
more commonly attacked than any other. This 
affection does not often appear until next month, 
and will be fully discussed at that time. 
STRAWBERRIES—CHAPTER VI. 
HINTS FOR THE SEASON. 
If not already done, lose no time in taking 
out all weeds and grass ; and, if the plants 
are, as is usually the case, spread over the 
whole surface of the bed, thin them out, re¬ 
moving the weakest plants, and those that 
do not indicate blossom buds. The fault of 
letting the plants stand too thick is almost 
universal, and consequently the fruit is not 
so plentiful nor so large and sweet. This is 
especially true in regard to the deservedly 
popular kind, Hovey’s Seedling. Few are 
aware of the fine qualities of this berry, sim¬ 
ply because the plants are left to grow so 
thickly that the fruit is not sufficiently ex¬ 
posed to the sun to ripen it thoroughly. It 
makes fifty per cent, difference in the quality 
of this kind, when well exposed to the influ¬ 
ence of the sun. It is usually picked before 
it is perfectly ripe. It is true that fine-look¬ 
ing fruit may be obtained when the plants 
cover the ground and cast a deep shade, so 
that the fruit is entirely in the shadow of the 
leaves ; but it will not have its otherwise 
rich and juicy quality imparted by light, 
heat and air. About the same remarks apply 
to other varieties. 
When the plants are, as they ought to be, 
in rows, now is the time, if not already 
done, to mulch the ground that it may be 
moist, and the fruit remain clean. Recently- 
cut grass, spread over the surface, is very 
suitable for this purpose. If the plants are 
in thick beds, it may not be so necessary to 
mulch ; but if the ground is sandy, it will be 
a protection to the fruit, in case of beating 
rains, to scatter over the beds some cut 
straw : this will sink through the leaves, 
and protect the fruit from the sand being 
thrown upon it. 
While the fruit is forming, the strawberry 
needs a great deal of moisture ; therefore, if 
the season be dry, water liberally from the 
cistern. Some liquid manure may be used, 
if the plants are not vigorous ; but this must 
be applied carefully—not too strong, nor too 
frequently—lest it induce a growth of foli¬ 
age at the expense of the fruit. 
When the berries begin to turn whitish, or 
ripen off, less moisture is necessary, as too 
much spoils the flavor. If very dry weather 
at this time, some rain water may be given 
around the plants, but not on the fruit. A 
slight sprinkle of well-water in the evening, 
with the rose of a watering-pot, is of ser¬ 
vice, too, assisting the ripening, but not in¬ 
juring the flavor. 
The strawberry in perfection should be 
picked when the plants are dry, set for an 
hour or two in the cellar or in the ice-house 
to cool, and not sugared until about ten 
minutes before being served. Large berries 
ought to be cut in two , previous to being 
sugared; the delicious aroma is thus pre¬ 
served, and a generally agreeable acid en¬ 
sured. If the fruit should be sandy from re¬ 
cent rains, put it into baskets, and pour 
well-water gently over it: this should be 
done before the calyx or hull is taken off. 
We have had Hovey's Seedling so large 
that thirty would fill a quart basket, and in 
such perfection, it was no hardship to hull 
them at the table; if the strawberry could 
be thus served, it can be eaten in greater 
perfection. A little care, as already de¬ 
scribed, will give such fruit instead of the 
little sour, pea-like masses that are so 
eagerly purchased in many city and village 
markets. 
Plantations may be made this month with 
success, if plants are taken up with care, 
and some earth thrown among the roots, or 
some moist moss, to keep them from being 
injured by the air. If immediately transfer¬ 
red to well-prepared ground, watered, and 
covered slightly with grass or hay, they will 
re-root and grow. Plant in drills, two feet 
apart, and the plants nine to fifteen inches 
from each other. 
New beds planted in April or May should 
now be kept clean. Use liquid manure 
freely (but not too strong). Urine diluted 
with water or soap-suds, forms an excellent 
manure for growing plants not in bearing. 
. . mu h i m 
TOMATOES. 
Our own table during the past three 
months, and up to this time, would furnish 
the most convincing argument we could ad¬ 
vance in favor of providing a good supply of 
this/ruri—for such we call it. We have at 
this season, not only tomato figs equal to the 
best Smyrnas, preserves as good as could be 
desired, but nice fresh Simon-pure tomatoes, 
as good as when first picked—not to men¬ 
tion tomato mangoes and pickles. If our 
readers will look out now, and get a good 
supply of the fruit growing, at the proper 
season we will tell them how we keep them. 
We intend to store for next Winter and 
Spring use a good many bushels—at least 
enough to have a daily supply for seven 
months after the frost kills the vines in Au¬ 
tumn. In this latitude, tomatoes can be 
raised from seed sown as late as the first 
week in June. But those who have ne¬ 
glected to sow seed until this date, should 
get, from others, plants already started, if 
this is at all practicable. If not, better try 
to raise them from seed. They bear trans¬ 
planting well—at least as well as cabbage 
plants. They will grow on almost any soil— 
better, of course, on a good one. They need 
about the same culture as potatoes. For 
fuller directions, see page 102 (May Agri¬ 
culturist). _ 
PLANT SWEET CORN. 
If you have not tried this crop, do so this sea¬ 
son, and you will never regret it. There are 
few crops which will furnish nicer food 
for Summer, Autumn and Winter us'e. It may 
be planted to the middle of July for drying green, 
though any time this month is better. There is 
a choice in varieties, but any variety is better 
than none, and you will be lucky to find seed 
enough of any kind this year. We have distribu¬ 
ted forty odd thousand packages to our subscri¬ 
bers this Spring, of the Darling and Stowell va¬ 
rieties, which we hope will all be saved for seed 
another year. We are sorry to hear of two in¬ 
stances in which the seed sent to subscribers has 
failed to come up. The fault must have been in 
the weather and too early planting. We are cer¬ 
tain that all we have sent out, has not only been 
of pure quality, but also in good condition. We 
have tested samples to be sure that it would veg¬ 
etate. 
DIELYTRA SPECTAB1LIS. 
Among the hardy plants recently introduced 
into this country, few claim so distinguished a 
place as this. It is truly a floral gem, and des¬ 
tined to be a universal favorite. Though a na¬ 
tive of China, it is perfectly hardy in almost any 
latitude in this country. It was brought to Eng¬ 
land by Mr. Fortune, and when it first flowered, 
created a great sensation. It is an herbaceous 
plant, very much resembling the Pamny in its 
manner of growth and general appearance, ex¬ 
cept the flower, and the more delicate texture ol 
its foliage. It flowers early in the Spring, and 
continues in bloom over considerable time; 
sometimes it will throw out a second bloom. The 
flowers are borne on a drooping, graceful raceme, 
and are of a beautiful rosy pink color, and very 
abundant. They are singular, but remarkably 
graceful and elegant, resembling in form a lady’s 
reticule. 
Unlike many other beautiful plants, its culture 
is very simple. A good garden loam suits it well, 
but the addition of some leaf mold will be of ad¬ 
vantage. The crown of the plant should be placed 
two or three inches beneath the surface ; in the 
open border, the plant will need no f urther care, 
except to keep the ground mellow and free from 
weeds. 
The Dielytra is propagated from cuttings, but 
more readily by division of the root, which may 
be done either in Spring or Autumn; we prefer 
Autumn, as the plant starts very early in the 
Spring, and grows rapidly. 
The Dielytra is also admirably adapted to pot 
culture, and forces well. By a little management, 
it may be brought into bloom in February. The 
plants should be lifted from the border in the latter 
part of November, and placed in good-sized pots, 
in a compost made up of old, well-rotted manure, 
loam, and sufficient sand to make it porous The 
crown of the plant should be only slightly cov¬ 
ered. The pot must be well drained by placing 
potsherds or (broken earthen-ware) in the bottom. 
Place them in a cold frame, about the first of Jan¬ 
uary, when they may be brought in at intervals. 
As the plant is a rapid grower, much of the suc¬ 
cess will depend upon bringing it forward quickly. 
In order to do this, place it in a warm part of tho 
house, and water freely. By bringing forward a 
few pots at a time, a long succession of blooms 
may be kept up ; and few plants will yield a bet¬ 
ter return for the labor. In the Spring, the plants 
may be turned into the border again. The tops 
will sometimes die off about mid-Suminer, but 
they will break forih strongly again in the Spring. 
We prefer to see it grown singly in the border, or 
in pots for Winter bloom, rather than used for 
bedding. There are few plants which will give 
such general satisfaction as the Dielytra specta- 
bilis, and we strongly recommend its culture 
They may be obtained from any respectable 
grower of plants for about 37£ to 50 cents each. 
Manure Articles —Our articles on Ma¬ 
nures are by no means closed, and will not 
be for some years yet (if we live). We are 
only waiting time and room to treat the sub* 
ject thoroughly. 
