84 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[March, 
is to make several incisions, both above and below 
the wound,with a chisel, and connect the two cuts 
by means of twigs of the same sort, placing, as in 
grafting, the inner bark of the twig in contact with 
the inner bark of the tree ; then cover with graft¬ 
ing-clay or cloth dipped in liquid grafting wax. 
Trees treated in this way will usually recover, 
as the twigs form a means of conveying the sap 
from the roots to the branches. 
Plant all fruit-trees as soon as the condition of 
the ground and weather will permit, and cut back 
the branches at least one third; it insures an earlier 
and more thrifty growth. Directions for treating 
and planting young trees were given last month. 
Insects. —Treat as advised last month. 
Trees. —If not already ordered, attend to it at 
once, as to be healthy, trees must have well-ripened 
wood, and our seasons arc none too long at the 
best to secure this end. 
Wash. —An orchard of young trees is greatly 
benefited by a wash of very strong soft-soap suds, 
or a solution of sal soda applied with a whitewash 
brush; it removes many eggs of insects, moss, and 
improves the looks of the trees generally. 
I'l’si eJ dai’rteH. 
Many directions given for the orchard and nur¬ 
sery apply equally well here, especially as to plant¬ 
ing and looking out for insects. 
Grape-Vines. —Prune vines which were neglected 
iu the fall, and cut away the extra buds which were 
left to guard against injury by cold weather during 
the winter before the sap starts. 
Trellises. —If these have not already been pre¬ 
pared, look after them at once, and set the posts 
as soon as the ground becomes settled. 
Strawberries.'— It is none too soon to prepare the 
ground for new beds, and by the last of March set 
the plants. A good plan is to set the plants in 
beds five feet wide, making three rows to the bed, 
and the rows twenty inches apart; set the plants 
one foot apart in the rows. Where several sorts 
are grown, provide durable labels so that no con¬ 
fusion may arise. The sorts are so numerous that 
each one must be governed somewhat in his selec¬ 
tion by the soil and the varieties which succeed in 
his locality. 
Currant and Gooseberry cuttings set last season 
will now have rooted, and the young bushes need 
transplanting ; this should be done at once, taking 
care to give plenty of manure. 
Raspberries and Blackberries when set out must 
have the canes cut back nearly to the ground, so 
that the plants need not be weakened by bearing 
fruit the first season. Tie up to stakes or wire 
trellises all which are to fruit this season, 
Mitclicn Carden. 
Hot-Beds.— Prepare six weeks earlier than the 
time when it will be safe to set out the plants. 
Directions have often been given. When the heat 
has subsided to 90°, seeds may be sown; they may 
be sown in a bed of fine soil placed upon the 
manure, or, what is better, where only a few of a 
variety are wanted, sown in earth in shallow boxes, 
and these placed in the hot-bed. Give air on mild 
days, and water when the soil becomes dry. During 
cold nights cover willi straw mats or shutters to 
keep out frost. See article on page 103. 
Window-Boxes. —Plants may be successfully raised 
iu these, where only a few are required for early 
crops, and are often more convenient than a 
liot-bed. 
Artichoke. —Plant seeds of Green Globe in hot¬ 
bed, and set out the plants when large enough to 
handle in rows three feet apari and plants two feet. 
The parts used as food are the thick fleshy scales of 
the flowers. Plantations are also made by putting- 
out the offsets from old plants. 
Asparagus. —Apply a good dressing of manure to 
the old beds if neglected in the fall. Set out new 
beds of one or two-ycar-old plants. Set the plants 
three feet by two. Conover’s or Van Siclen’s 
Colossal is the best. 
Beans must not be planted until all danger of 
frost is over. Sow^he bush sorts in rows two feet 
apart. Valentine and Dwarf Wax are both good 
family varieties. 
Beets may be sown as soon as the ground can be 
worked, as they will bear considerable frost with¬ 
out injury. Sow in drills one foot apart. New 
Egyptian Blood is the best early red sort; Bassano 
is earlier, but light-colored. 
Broccoli. —Sow White or Purple Cape the same 
as cabbages. 
Cabbage. —Sow Early Wakefield, Early York, and 
Winningst.adt for early in hot-bed or cold-frame. 
Plants wintered in the cold-frame may be set out 
as soon as the ground will allow. 
Cauliflower , in order to grow successfully, must 
be started very early, and complete its growth 
before the hot weather of summer appears. Sow 
Early Paris and Early Dwarf Erfurt, as recom¬ 
mended for cabbages. 
Carrots may bo sown in drills one foot apart as 
soon as the ground can be worked. Early Horn is 
the best early. 
Celery .—Sow Boston Market and Dwarf White 
Solid, as directed on page 103. 
Corn must not be planted until warmer weather. 
Procure seeds iu time. Crosby’s Early, Moore’s 
Concord, and Mexican are all good early sorts. 
Cress, or Pcppergrass, must be sown very early in 
shallow drills one foot apart in the open ground. 
Curled is best. 
Cucumbers. —A few seeds may be sown in pots or 
on pieces of turf in the hot-bed, to transplant when 
the weather is warm enough. Early Russian and 
White Spine are reliable sorts. 
Egg-Plants. —In liot-beds, the seeds as well as 
those of peppers need more heat than other vegeta¬ 
bles. Improved New York Purple and Black 
Pekin are the leading sorts. 
Horse-Radish. — Plant sets in well-manured 
trenches two feet apart. 
Kale. —Hoe the plants set out in the fall, and 
keep the soil stirred often, to prevent weeds. 
Kohl-Rabi. —Sow in a frame, or when the weather 
will allow in the open ground in rows two feet 
apart. Early White is best. 
Leek. —Sow early in open ground in rows 18 inches 
apart. Flag and Musselburgh are good sorts. 
Lettuce. —Set out plants from the cold-frame, and 
sow seed for a succession. Curled Silesia and Ten- 
nis-Ball are popular. 
Melons must be treated the same as cucumbers. 
Ward’s Nectar, Skillman’s Netted, and Cassaba are 
excellent varieties. 
Onions. —Sow very early iu drills 15 inches apart. 
Early Red and Yellow Danvers for general crop. 
Plant out sets, potato and top onions for early. 
Parsley. —Soak the seeds, and sow the Curled 
variety in the hot-bed. 
Parsnips.— Sow seeds of Hollow Crown in 18-inch 
drills. Dig those left in the ground over the win¬ 
ter before growth starts. 
Peas.— Plant double rows of Carter’s First Crop, 
Daniel O’Rourke, for early, and Little Gem later. 
Peppers. —Sow in hot-bed Squash and Sweet 
Mountain for stuffing. 
Pdatoes. —A few may be started for very early in 
liot-bed. Do not plant in open ground too early, 
as they will not grow until the soil becomes warm. 
Sprouting may be hastened by cutting and bringing 
into a warm room a few days before planting. 
Radishes.— Sow in rows one foot apart in open 
ground every week or ten days for a succession. 
Olive-shaped, Early Scarlet Turnip, and French 
Breakfast are good varieties. 
Rhubarb.— Dig in plenty of manure around the 
roots, and if wanted very early put a half-barrel 
with the heads removed over a plant, then heap a 
plenty of stable-manure around the barrel, which 
should be covered at night. The rhubarb will 
soon be fit to cut. 
i'. J> 
Salsify. —Dig any left in the ground over wiuteiv 
Sow seeds early the same as for parsnips. 
Scorzonera is much like salsify, and needs the 
same treatment. 
Spinach should be uncovered and hoed ; it will 
be ready to cut in a week or two. Sow seed of 
Round-leaved in rows one foot apart in rich soil. 
Sorrel .—This excellent vegetable ought to be bet-' 
ter known. Sow the seeds iu the open ground or, 
in liot-bed, and transplant to rows one foot apart., 
setting the plants one foot apart in the rows. 
Squashes .—Summer Crookneck is the best early 
sort. Sow seeds upon sods which may be set in 
hills four feet apart each way after all danger from 
frost is over. 
Tomato. —Sow in hot-bed or window-boxes as 
recommended for egg-plants. Trophy is excellent, 
and several new sorts are offered. 
Turnips. —Flat Dutch may be sown for early, and 
Red and White Strapleaf for later. 
Seeds. —Have all seeds likely to be needed ready 
for immediate use. Roots from which seeds are to 
be grown should be set out early. Draw the earth 
well up around the crowns to prevent freezing; 
the earth can afterwards be removed. 
Fl®wer»Gaarden stsad Kjawii, 
Roads , iu order to be valuable, must be passable 
at all times, and in order to make them so it is 
necessary to excavate to the depth of two or three 
feet, and fill in with large stones, gradually dimin- 
ishing as the surface is reached, and finish off with j 
gravel. The roads should be slightly rounding, so 
that the water will not settle iu spots. A road j 
made in the above manner will help drain the land. 
Lawns. —Clear up all sticks and litter which have 
accumulated during the winter, and if the grass > 
has been winter-killed, rake in fresh seed as soon i 
as the frost has disappeared. 
Perennials should be moved early before they have 
commenced their growth. They ought to be taken 1 
up and divided every three or four years. 
Shrubs. —Prune all those which need it before 
they start into growth. 
Climbers. —Provide plenty of climbers for covering: 
trellises and arbors. Clematis, Virginia Creeper, 
Akebia, and many other plants are well suited for 
this purpose. 
Annuals. —Sow seeds in hot-bed or window-boxes 
of such sorts as need a long season to perfect 
them. A few of the hardier sorts may be planted 
in the open ground the latter part of the month. 
Greenlionse anti Window Plants. 
At this season the greenhouse should be looking 
gay with the numerous flowers which are now in 
season. Mauy flowers become injured if water 
falls upon them ; such should be removed at once, 
together with such leaves and flowers as drop off. 
Neatness is highly important iu a greenhouse, 
and too much care can not be taken to keep it 
in proper order. 
Propagation. —A large supply of plants should be 
propagated ready for use in the opeu ground. 
Azaleas just coming into bloom must be placed 
so that the flowers will not be injured by the drip. 
Dahlias.— Place a few tubers in the propagatiug- 
liouse, where they will start early, and when the 
sprouts are two or three inches long, cut off and 
pot in well-manured soil. 
Bulbs. —Dry off those which have already flow¬ 
ered, and store iu a dry place for another year. 
-—*-»--- 
Commercial Matters—Market Prices. 
Gold has been as low as 112%, and as high as 114%— 
closing Feb. 13th at 114%, as against 11254 on Jan. 13th. 
.The Breadstuff trade has been less active, espe¬ 
cially toward the close. Flour and Wheat advanced early 
in the month under review, but wound up tamely and 
heavily, with more eagerness apparent on the part of 
