apply stimulants in a liquid form, a barrow load 
of compost may be spread upon the surface 
about the vine. We should endeavor to pro¬ 
duce a uniform growth, so that all the vines in 
each row, at least, shall be as nearly of the same 
size as possible. » 
The vines, at the end of the first season, will 
usually be large enough to be pruned for train¬ 
ing, but many of the more feeble growing vari¬ 
eties will require another year, and they should 
be cut back in the fall or winter to two or three 
buds, only one of which should be allowed to 
grow, as in the first year.— Fuller. 
EARLY SPRING FLOWERS - NOTES IN 
THE GARDEN. 
A FEW GOOD CAKE RECIPES. 
Tlie Snow Drop. 
Tun first flower of spring, the earliest harbin¬ 
ger of the delightful season of buds and blos¬ 
soms, is the little modest Snow Drop. This sea. 
son they were in full flower by the first of March, 
and seemed entirely heedless of the storms and 
frosts of early spring, 
There is nothing brilliant 
in these flowers, but grown in amass in the gar¬ 
den, or in pots for winter flowering, they are al¬ 
ways satisfactory. Half a dozen or more may be 
planted in quite a small plot. All who have 
seen English lawns and meadows in the spring 
know the effect of the modest white daisy, shi¬ 
ning ont like stars in a clear night. An excel¬ 
lent substitute for the daisy in the lawn is the 
Snow Drop. A few bulbs may he inserted in 
the turf in the fall, and they will flower and do 
well for years, uninjured by mowing or raking, 
as the flowers are gone and the leaves pretty well 
ripeued before it is necessary to cut the grass. 
The Crocus. 
Following the Snow Drop is the Crocus, deli¬ 
cate in form, and varied and gay in coloring. For 
several weeks, and until the flowering of the 
Hyacinth, the Crocuses nearly monopolize the ad¬ 
miration of the lovers of flowers. They are 
hardy, easily cultivated, take but little room, 
and well repay thu cultivator for all his care. 
These aud all the smaller bulbs should he plant¬ 
ed in masses to produce a desirable effect—from 
a dozen to a hundred together. They are fine, 
too, for winter flowering in baskets or pots. 
The Hyacinth, 
The Hyacinth is oue of the most beautiful and 
the most delicate and fragrant of all the early 
bulbous flowers. They commence flowering in 
April and continue iu bloom about a month. 
They are now iu perfection, and though the 
spring has been somewhat unfavorable, on ac¬ 
count of the late severe frosts, are doing quite 
well. The flowers may bo cut freely, without 
injury to the bulb. Indeed, the flowering stems 
should be cut away as soon as the blossoms fade, 
and no seed be allowed to ripen. November is 
the time for planting Hyacinths. 
In about five or six weeks after flowering, and 
when the leaves are becoming yellow, the bulbs 
may be taken up, dried, and packed away In 
paper bags or boxes, for planting again in the 
fall. If the beds are needed for other flowers, 
as is generally the case, the bulbs may be re¬ 
moved in about three weeks after the flowers 
have laded. In this case, after removing all the 
WHAT A GARDEN MAY BE 
Here let me outline, in brief, what a farmer’s 
garden may be made, without other than home 
labor. A broad walk shall run down the middle 
of either square inclosure, or long parallelogram. 
A box edging upon either side is of little cost, 
and contributes eminently to neatness; it will 
hold good for eight years, without too great en¬ 
croachment, and at that time, will sell to the 
nurserymen for more than enough to pay the 
cost of resetting. On either side of this walk, 
in a border of six feet wide, the farmer may 
plant his dwarf fruit, with grapes at intervals, to 
climb upon a home-made cedar trellis, that 
shall overarch and embower the walk. If he 
love an evening pipe in his garden, may plast 
some simple seat under on* or more of these 
eafy arbors. 
At least one-half the garden, as I before sug¬ 
gested, he may easily arrange, to till,—spring 
and autumn,—with the plow; and whatever he 
places there in the way of tree and shrub, must 
be in lines parallel with the walk. On the other 
half, he will be subjected to no such limitations; 
there, he will establish his perennials — his as¬ 
paragus, his thyme, his sage, and parsley; his 
rhubarb, his gooseberries, strawberries, and 
raspberries; and iu an angle—hidden if he choose 
by a belt of shrubbery — he may have his hot¬ 
bed and compost heap. Fork-culture, which all 
DCC VAN THOL TULIP, SINGLE. 
almost anywhere, and where land is scarce they 
can be planted in the fence corners, or around the 
outside of the garden, where they will be out of 
the way, and by a little attention can be made 
to produce this most delicious and healthful 
fruit. 
Wc say, in conclusion, let the waste places, to 
be found iu almost every garden and village lot, 
be occupied by fruit trees, raspberry, black¬ 
berry, and strawberry plants, and the occupants 
will be richly rewarded for the little expense and 
trouble required to supply themselves, their 
l'amiiiss and friends with an abundance of the 
choicest luxuries to be fohnd in the vegetable 
kingdom. N. B. Ament. 
beans—what a relief to the half wilted potatoes, 
cabbage and ruta baga, or whatever the winter 
and improvident curse has spared. 
It is so perfectly within the means and ability 
of every farmer to have a good and productive 
garden, that it is treason to the comforts of life 
to neglect its provision. 
Before there ean be any important feature of 
seasonable operations commenced in the spring, 
a day or two’s work will put into the ground, 
lettuce, parsnips, carrots, beets, cabbage for 
plants, and top, potato or scullion onions, all of 
which earmot be sown too early,—md the other 
esculents, and tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, &c., 
after the middle of May, when the spriDg seed¬ 
ing is done. Then, with a good asparagus bed, 
which is as easily and readily produced, as a 
bed of onions- 
Horticultural — setting off the two ends with 
au abutment of scarlet runners, and a surbase of 
fiery Nasturtium. 
There are also available and pretty devices for 
making the land do double duty. The border 
lines of China-beans, which will he ripened in 
early August, may have Swedes sown in their 
shadow in the first days of July, so that when 
the Chinas have fulfilled their mission, there 
shall he a new line of purple green in their p'.ace. 
The early radishes and salads may have their lit¬ 
tle circlets of cucumber pits, no way interfering 
with the first, and covering the ground when the 
first are done. The early Bassano beets will 
come away in time to leave space for the full 
flow of the melons that have been planted at in¬ 
tervals among them. The cauliflower will And 
grateful shade under the lines of sweet corn, and 
the newiy-set winter cabbages, a temporary 
refuge from the sun, under shelter of the ripen¬ 
ed peas. I do not make these suggestions at 
random, but as the results of actual and success¬ 
ful experience. 
With such simple and orderly arrangement, 
involving no excessive labor, I think every 
farmer aud country-liver may take pleasure in 
his garden as au object of beauty;—making of it 
a little farm in minature, with its coppices of 
dwarf trees, its hedge rows of currants and 
gooseberries, and its meadows of strawberries 
and thyme. From the very day on which, in 
spring, he sees the first, faint, upheaving, tufted 
Lines of green from his Dau-O’Rourkes, to the 
day when the dangling Dinas, and sprawling, 
bloody tomatoes are smitten by the frost, it 
offers a field of constant progress, and of succes¬ 
sive triumphs. Line by line, and company by 
company, the army of green things take posi¬ 
tion ; the little flowery banners are flung to the 
wind; and lot presently every soldier of them 
ail—plundering only the earth aud sunshine—is 
loaded with booty .—Ik Marvel. 
HOW TO PLANT GRAPE-VINES 
a few grape vines and a few tine 
fruit trees round the borders—one can enjoy the 
paradise of farming. To this add some flue per- 
renial and annual flowers, to humanize and 
harmonize the feelings toward that All Wise and 
provident being who has &o redundantly be¬ 
stowed the blessings of His handy work for our 
good, and evidences of His love aud power, and 
yon can sleep better than on the soporific effects 
of the insane drug. 
When a number of vines are to be planted, it 
is best to dig the holes before the vines are taken 
into the field; and whra they are taken from 
the place where they ha*e been heeled-in, their 
roots should be kept nf*,boxor basket filled 
with damp moss, or protected in some manner 
from the air aud sun. The vines should also be 
pruned before they are taken into the field. 
Prune the roots, Ss has already been directed, 
and cut off the stems to about eighteen inches. 
The holes to receive the vines should be dug in 
a circular form, and from six to ten inches deep 
upon the outside, and four to six inches in the 
center; then set a good strong stake iu the cen¬ 
ter of the hole, for unless the stake is placed in 
position before the vine is planted, there is 
great danger of injuring some of the roots of 
the vine iu driving it down by its side after it 
is in position. Now set the vine iu the center 
of the bole close by the stake, spread out the 
roots in ever direction, and then throw on a lit¬ 
tle soil as you proceed, to hold them in position. 
When all the roots are properly distributed, 
then fill up the holes, pressing down the soil 
with the foot—the weight of a man will not be 
too much pressure to give the soil over the 
roots. It requires two men to work to advan¬ 
tage in plautiug, one to place the vine in posi¬ 
tion and spread out the roots, and another to 
put on the earth. The roots should always de¬ 
scend a little from the stem to their furthest 
point, and in pressing down the soil upon them, 
it should be given the same pressure, as near as 
may be, along their whole length. If the vines 
are planted in the fall, then a small mound of 
earth should be made around the stem, so as to 
protect two or three buds above those that 
would be covered if the ground were made level. 
But when the vines are planted in the spring, 
the hole need not be tilled quite full, but a shal¬ 
low basin may bo left about the stem so that 
the rains shall more readily reach the roots. 
This basin around the vine can be tilled when 
the vine gets well started in growth. 
A fter Management. — When the buds begin to 
push into growth, select the strongest and rub 
the others off; a bud near the ground is prefera¬ 
ble to one that is a foot above, and this is one 
reason why the vines should be cut off quite 
short when plauted, as it makes the lower buds 
more sure to push. Alter the one bud or shoot 
has been selected, the old stem above it may be 
cut off to withm two inches of the young shoot. 
As the young cane grows, keep it tied to the 
stake, but do uot tie it so tightly as to interfere 
with its expansion as it grows. Keep the later¬ 
als stopped according to the direction already 
given. Stir the soil about the plants, the often- 
HOW TO OBTAIN CHEAP LUXURIES, 
There is nothing to hinder the great mass of 
mankind from enjoying the greatest luxuries 
that our world affords to Us teeming millions. 
The manifold works of Nature are everywhere 
visible to all the inhabitants of earth. The 
beauties of the rising aud setting sun can be 
seen by everybody, and bis genial rajs warm 
and invigorate the peasant In his cottage, and 
the king upon his throue. 
The many-colored rain-bow that oft spans the 
neLd of bine, is visible to all, and the silvery 
notes of the songsters of the field, wood and 
glen, are enjoyed by both the rich and the poor. 
The spring, summer and autumn landscapes, 
decked with fruits aud flowers, dispense alike 
their untold enjoyments to the humblest inhab¬ 
itant of this sumblunary sphere, as well as to 
the millionaire, who is often incapaciated (by 
reason of his wealth and intemperate habits,) 
for enjoying the happiness that the earth, air 
and water have constantly iu store for all the 
inhabitants of this terrestial ball, who live in 
harmony with the physical aud moral laws which 
govern the universe. 
Iu the language of the poet, 
A field, a fountain and a wood, 
Is ail the wealth by nature understood. 
But in this day and age of the world, some 
other things arc indispensable for the comfort 
aud happiness of the dwellers upon our ever- 
Uowever, we will leave our 
HOW TO WHITEWASH, 
Procure fresh-burnt lime, not that partly air- 
slacked. The large lumps are best. The fine 
portions and small lamps will not make a wash 
that will stick well. For this reason, lime that 
has been burned several months is not as good 
as that just from the kiln. Put a pound or two 
into a vessel, and pour on boiling water slowly, 
until it is all slacked, and is about as thick as 
cream. Then add cold rain water until it will 
flow well from the brush. Stir often when using 
it. A few drops of bluing added will give it a 
more lively color. One or two tablespoonfuls of 
clean salt, and one-fourth pound of clean sugar 
to a gallon of the wash, will make it more adhe¬ 
sive. If the walls have been whitewashed, let 
them be swept thoroughly, and if colored with 
smoke, wash them clean with soap suds. A brush 
with long, thick hair, will hold fluid best, when 
applying it over head. If a person has the wash 
ot the right consistence, and a good brush, he 
can whitewash a large parlor without allowinga 
drop to fall. When it appears streaked after 
drying it is too thick, and needs diluting with 
cold water. Apply the wash hack and forth in 
one direction, and then go cross-wise, using a 
paint-brush at the corners, and a thin piece of 
board to keep the brush from the wood work, or 
the border of the paper. Coloring matter may 
be mingled with the wash, to give it any desired 
tint. To make a light peach blow eolor, mingle 
a small quantity of Venetian-red. For a sky- 
blue, add any kind ot dry, blue paiut, stirring it 
well while mixing. To make a wash of a light 
straw-color, mingle a few ounces of yellow ochre, 
or chrome yellow. The coloring matter should 
be quiet tine to prevent its settling to the bottom 
of the vessel.— Selected. 
§ovticuttm*aigote$ anti Queries 
Ths Flower Gabpsn will soon demand attention. 
If you are m need of choice flower seeds, and not 
handy to a seed store, do as we did — send a dollar or 
two, or five, to Javoes Vick of Rochester, N. Y,, who 
makes this a specialty, and ho will return you your 
money’s worth of the right sort. If you do not know 
how to select for yourself, ask Mm to make you up a 
parcel suitable for your garden, describing it, and he 
will do so .—Ohio Fanner. 
moving planet, 
readers to their own reflections in this respect 
and proceed to tell how almost every family in 
the laud eau obtain a goodly portion of some of 
tlie most desirable luxuries, which can be easily 
obtained by a little “ eare and pains” on the 
part of all those who are willing to put forth a 
little effort to possess an abundaut supply of 
good things for themselves and families. 
We have reference to some of the small fruits 
—such as strawberries, (some are pretty large,) 
raspberries, blackberries, cherries, Are., Ac. 
These fruits are considered, by all classes of peo¬ 
ple, great luxuries iu their season, aud when 
they are properly eunued, or dried, they are never 
out of saason. Now, dear reader, if you have a 
taste for these highly flavored articles, and have 
not hitherto enjoyed them, just give us your at¬ 
tention a moment, and we will tell you how you 
may enjoy all of these luxuries at a cheap rate. 
First, prepare a little spot of ground properly, 
and then go to a nurseryman and get a couple of 
hundred or more choice straw bery plants, set 
them out and tend them well, aud you eau have 
a supply of these luscious berries for your table. 
(It is a nice, healtful employment for ladles to 
cultivate strawberries.) Raspberries and black¬ 
berries are also easily raised, for they will grow 
FARM KITCHEN GARDEN 
wnmnumy ui me lanaea property aud the means 
and manner of living, that it is difficult and 
even useless to compare our habits, tastes and 
wants. Here every man owns and manages his 
own estate, small as it may be, contrary to the 
European or even southern plan, where the few 
own the whole soil—are wealthy and riot iu all 
the luxuries of earth and sea and air, while we who 
•uo restricted to Binall possessions, cannot have 
a comfortable hinn entirely devoted to vegeta¬ 
ble garden and flowers audaeres of glass-covered 
green and hot houses. Yet, being the lord and 
king of his fifty or one hundred acres, each can 
have, with very little care and labor, all the 
comfortable, healthy ami necessary garden pro- 
Ants in Gardens.—M. Garnier has just announced 
an infallible method for getting rid of auts. In a cor¬ 
ner of his garden. Infected with legions of these in¬ 
sects, he placed four saucers containing sugar and 
water, with the tenth of its weight of arsenic in the 
mixture. A number of ants immediately invaded the 
saucers, bnt were soon after perceived staggering away 
as it were, aud some being oven engaged in dragging 
their dead comrades away. From that moment they 
disappeared from the garden, aud on the following day 
not a single one was to be seen.—Air. 
Coral Frames.— Some of your readers wish 
to know how to make coral frames with sealing 
wax. This is my recipe;—Prepare the frame by 
coating it with glue, and while hot, strew it 
thickly with rice; theu procure, some best-proof 
alcohol, and to a teacup full add one stick of 
sealiug wax, broken iu pieces; a few hours 
standing will cut it sufficient for use. Then put 
it ou the frame with a brush, the same as varnish. 
— Mrs. L. D. Crayton, Kingsville, Ohio. 
A Use for Old Hoop Skirts.—L ay the discarded 
skirt npon oue of your garden beds, plant a small pole 
about as high as a lady ;:i the middle of it, au d attach 
the skirt to the top of the polo by strings from the up¬ 
per hoop; then sow seeds of the morning glory, or 
some other vine at proper distance* around it, aud in 
due time yon will have a lovely pyramid of green or 
rainbow color at small trouble and less expense. Add 
the money savod iu wooden trellises to your wife’s 
allowance for dress, am! slm will find it a highly profit¬ 
able speculation. 
