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SPRING AND SPRING WORK. 
Thk season here is unusually lale, the snow has n 
not all disappeared, and spring work lias not yet 8 
commenced, as it is only in dry and warm situations a 
that, the ground can be worked. Thu first of April 11 
gave us the first look we have had at our grounds u 
since early winter, and wo find that everything has * 
passed the winter in fine condition. Except in low 
places the ground is free from ice. and our nursery- 1 
men have commenced taking up trees. This is r 
unusually late, and the tree growers and planters c 
will have a short and a busy time. Everything c 
indicates an abundance of fruits and flowers the s 
coming summer. The weather now (7th of April,) h 
is fine, but cold, and at six o’clock this morning the f 
thermometer showed six degrees of frost As we 
have had no warm weather during the past two 
or three months, we may reasonably anticipate a 
mild spriug, without late destructive frosts. 
Those who design to plant trees or shrubs should 
lose no time in forwarding their orders to the nur¬ 
series, for neglect now will cause the loss of a year. 
There is now, however, plenty of time, if attention is 
given to the matter at once. People are in too great 
a hurry, usually, in spring planting. It is just as 
well to wait until the ground has lost a portion of 
the water, and has become somewhat warm. We 
dislike to plant trees in the mud, and have always 
foil nil that there is nothing lost by late planting, if 
the trees are in good condition when received. 
Hot-beds for very early vegetables should have 
been started last month; but as a general rule those 
who have little experience in their management 
will find the middle of April sufficiently early. 
Very little manure will be required, about a fool 
being sufficient. The Cold-Frame, which is a very 
good substitute for the hot-bed, particularly for 
growing plants of flowers and vegetables for trans¬ 
planting to the open ground, should not be started 
until the 20th of April in this latitude. For theeold 
frame, select, a warm situation and soil, cover with a 
frame, of any size, like a hot-bod frame. For par¬ 
ticular directions for the management of the cold 
frame, and useful notes on the vegetation ol' seeds, 
see Run a r. of March 8th. 
The early hardy vegetables, like Lettuce and 
Peas, if not already sown, should be as soon as pos¬ 
sible. The hardy flower-seeds, like the Larkspurs, 
Sweet Peas, Convolvulus, Portulacca, Poppies, Ac., 
should be got out as soon as possible; but those more 
tender, like the Slocks and Balsams, it is useless to 
plant until the weather is mild and the ground 
warm. In this section the middle of May is usually 
the best time. 
It is not best to work the ground too early. The 
frost leaves it light, aud it should not be worked or 
trampled by the feet until it is so dry that, itwill not 
pack. Many a garden is about ruined for the soar 
son by being worked to > soon. Dig just what is 
necessary lor early and hardy vegetables or (lowers, 
and leave the rest until you wish to plant. The 
cleaning up of walks, the preparation of manure, 
the providing Of pea-sticks, aud all such work, can 
be done at ouce. 
PRESERVING FLOWERS. 
Ip we could dry our summer flowers so as to 
preserve their form and color for years, we would 
certainly accomplish a very desirable object. For 
some years the idea has haunted us, and we have 
been trying, very quietly, a number of experiments. 
In some cases we have failed, and in others suc¬ 
ceeded pretty well. We have now but little diffi¬ 
culty with single flowers of almost any description. 
The best plan is to obtain sand, as clean as possi¬ 
ble, then wash it thoroughly, and dry well. Place 
enough of this sand in a paper box to keep the 
m. 
THE PHLOX. 
There is no class of flowers more interesting and 
more worthy of attention than tile phloxes. There . 
are so many species, and such an almost endless 
number of varieties, that the garden may be made 
gay with their varied colors, from early spring until 
autumn’s frgsfs. The An¬ 
nual Phlox, of every color, 
all are acquainted with, or 
at least all should be, for we 
have nothing finer, and some 
of the new varieties are - 
really splendid. The seeds ^ 
cau be obtained at most of p 
our seed stores. Every one y/// \y 
should sow a bed in the W * 
spring, and nothing will be 
gayer and more admired in 
June and July, and even 
until frost. W 
But it is the Perennial 
Phloxes of which we wish / f 
particularly to speak, as they ' jL ^ 
arc too much neglected liy >/<"''' ' '■'■atm* _ J|fc Va , 
our amateurs. The rools 
can bo obtained of the nur¬ 
serymen or florists, and 
should ho planted out in a good, rich, deep soil, 
where they may remain unprotected, and will freely 
bloom every summer. 
There is an early class that flowers in May and 
the lirsl part of June, which are valuable on account 
of their early flowering and their brilliancy, though 
inferior to the summer and autumn varieties. The 
second class flowers in J line and July, and embraces 
some of the most beautiful sorts. They are larger 
than the early varieties, but not as tall as those 
flowering in the autumn. The third class flowers 
from about the first of August until frost, and are 
prized by all who are acquainted with them, on 
account of their beauty and brilliancy, showing 
every shade of purple aud red, and also the purest 
white. 
The Phlox is an American plant, and grows in 
the greatest abundance in the holds and on the prai¬ 
ries of the West. When detained by a railroad 
accident in Michigan a few years since, we felt our¬ 
selves well repaid for the lost time by a ramble in 
the 11 openings where we found the phlox growing 
in abundance, and of great beauty. Yet, we are 
indebted to European florists for our most beautiful! 
varieties, and particularly so to the French. 
Our engraving shows a new French flower, named 
Julia Houssel, which is represented as dwarf in 
habit, growing about two feet high, very round, 
thick petalod, white, with a large crimson eye. Fine 
form, good habit, large flower, the finest of its class. 
jj l lgpy 
; a 
m mm 
it* 
w 
We cannot do the lovers of flowers a better ser¬ 
vice than to advise them to obtain at once a good 
assortment of seeds of the annual Phlox, and 
plants of the perennial varieties. 
Sweet Peas, Convolvulus, Portulacca, Poppies, Ac., The bottom of the box was made to slide in grooves, 
should be got out as soon as possible; but those more so that it could be easily withdrawn; but a wire 
tender, like the Slocks and Balsams, it is useless to grating placed immediately above the movable 
plant until the weather is mild and the ground bottom remained fixed. 11m specimen to bo driei 
warm. In this section the middle of May is usually was spread out aud only just covered with the sand, 
the best time The box was then covered with a sheet of paper, 
It is not best to work the ground too early. The and placed in a stove or oven heated to about 110°. 
frost leaves it light, aud it should not he worked or The drying was soon effected; he bottom being 
trampled by the feet until it is so dry that itwill not ‘hen slipped, out, the sarul falls through the wire 
pack! Many a garden is about ruined for the sea- grating, and the specimen rests on the latter. The 
son by being worked to. soon. Dig just what is colors of white yellow, and blue flowers are very 
necessary tor early and hardy vegetables or flowers, *** P™ * “« P***? ,m ttro 
and leave the rest until you wish to plant. The <>f a red or violet tint become somewhat dull. 
cleaning up of walks, the preparation of manure, “ The method now pursued in the drying of flow- 
the providing of pea-sticks, aud all such work, cun ers, in Germany, as described in the Lhu.tsches Mag- 
bo done at ouce. twin, is as follow*: Fine sand, say silver sand, Is 
i ■» «- »- washed till the water passes off perfectly clear. It 
PRESERVING FLOWERS. is then made quite dry and sifted, to remove any 
_ fine dust which may have remained after the wash- 
If we could dry our summer flowers so as to ing and drying. It is theu passed through a sieve 
preserve their form and color for years, we would sufficiently Hue to separate any coarse particles, 
certainly accomplish a very desirable object. For The flowers to bo operated on are cut in as perfect 
some years the idea has haunted us, and we have a state of development as possible, care being taken 
been trying, very quietly, a number of experiments, that they are not moist from rain or dew. If they 
In some cases we have failed, and in others sue- cannot be had otherwise than in a damp state, the 
ceeded pretty well. We have now but little diffi- following means may be adopted to dry them: only 
cully with single flowers of almost any description, one or two pieces are placed in a glass, in the bot- 
The best plan is to obtain sand, as clean as possi- (om of which there is just sufficient water to cover 
bio, then wash it thoroughly, and dry well. Place the lower extremity of the stalk. The (lowers under 
enough of this sand in a paper box to keep the K nch circumstances become dry without flagging* 
flower erect, by inserting the stem and allowing the a box, or pot, or other vessel large enough to con- 
petals to rest on its surface. Then sift sand on the 
flowers until they are covered about an inch in 
depth, and if hot, dry weather, place the box in the 
window, or where it is exposed somewhat to drying 
air. if the weather Is moist, artificial heat must be 
used. The following article on this subject, we 
take from the London Gardener's Chronicle: 
“The formation of bouquets, head-dresses, and 
table ornaments, composed of flowers dried so as to 
retain very nearly their natural appearance, has of 
late constituted at Erfurt, aud other continental 
towns, quite a new branch of industry. The history 
of the matter is as follows: — In 177(1 the Spanish 
botanist, Quer, presented to the Academy of Bo¬ 
logna a collection of dried plants, beautifully pre¬ 
pared; but the process lie adopted was only appli¬ 
cable to specimens for herbaria. Quer dried the 
leaves aiid flower spikes separately between sheets 
of paper placed in the sun, or in a moderately warm 
oven. The flowers retained their forms and colors 
if rapidly dried and only slightly compressed. The 
leaves and spikes were theu gummed to the stem. 
“The. most successful experiments in drying 
plants, so as to preserve their natural colors, were 
those of Monty, published In 1772. lie tried drying 
in millet seed, but found that the specimens were 
crumpled, and retained the murks ol the seeds, lie 
also tried rice and wheat, with similar ill success; 
and at last he had to give up the use of seeds and 
all other vegetable substances, as these had the 
Affect of rendering the drying process tedious and 
imperfect Monty next employed river sand for 
drying, but the sand stuck to the plants; at last he 
adopted white sand, from which he separated the 
grosser particles by sifting, and the finest by wash¬ 
ing; and having dried the residue he surrounded 
the plants with the dried sand in boxus, which were 
exposed either to the sun, or to the heat of an oven. 
This mode was attended with complete success, lie 
also tried sea sand, but this did not answer. 
“About fifteen years ago, M. Stanislas Martin 
made known, under the name of embalming , a pro¬ 
cess in which dried sand was also employed; but he 
did not mention all the precautions which were 
necessary to be taken In order to ensure success. 
“ At the Universal Exhibition in Parte in 1865, M. 
Kentz Swartz, a German, exhibited flowers admira¬ 
bly dried; but he, too, did not publish the details ol 
his process. M. M. Roveil and Borjot, after various 
unsuccessful attempts to obtain similar results, at 
last arrived at nearly the samo plan as that indi¬ 
cated by Monty, of whose existence, however, they 
were ignorant. They took white sand and passed it 
through a hair sieve, and washed it till the water 
came off perfectly clear. The sand was then dried 
in the sun, or, better still, in an artificial tempera¬ 
ture of 300° Fab.; every £ cwt. of sand being sprin¬ 
kled with | oz. of melted spermaceti, and rubbed 
tain the flower or flowers, Is then taken, tha bottom 
is covered with a layer of the dried sand, in depth 
sufficient to maintain the .specimen erect when its 
lower end is inserted. Then, by means of a funnel 
or small sieve, as much sand as will cover the whole 
is introduced. This must he done very carefully, so 
as not to derange the natural position of any part, 
not even the petals. The box must not be shaken, 
otherwise the flowers would be crumpled. It must 
be carried steadily and placed In a dry, warm situa¬ 
tion, in order that the moisture contained iu the 
specimen may evaporate through the sand. The 
heat used, too, must not bo too strong, otherwise the 
color of the flowers would be tarnished; on the 
other hand, if the temperature is too low the mois¬ 
ture contained in the specimens would not he car¬ 
ried off quickly enough, and putrefaction would be 
the consequence. In no case, however, ought the 
heat to exceed 212°. 
“ With a little experience it is easily known when 
the plants arc perfectly dry, by tapping the box. 
The latter is then placed in a slanting position, and 
the sand poured out so as to admit of the specimen 
being very gently removed. It will then bo very 
brittle, and must be handled with great care; but 
after some days’exposure to the air it will regain 
sufficient moisture to render it more pliable. 
“ From the above it will be seen that, this new 
process about which German, English, and even 
American periodicals aro making so much fuss, is 
neither more nor less than that described by Monty 
as far back as 1772. Every day, therefore, brings us 
fresh proofs of the old saying, “ There is nothing 
new under the sun.” 
OSAGE ORANGE HEDGES. 
Many fail in attempts to grow the Osage Orange 
from seed, from want of a little knowledge. We 
have several times given the necessary instruction 
in the Rural, but Ihe following, from a Western 
correspondet of the Horticulturist, we consider ex¬ 
ceedingly valuable, and especially so to our West¬ 
ern readers: 
“ When the plants can be bought at reasonable 
rates, we would recommend purchasing them, rather 
than undertaku to raise plants; fur it Is attended 
with a great deal of trouble, and often results iu 
failure. For those, however, who are desirous of 
raising their own plants, we will state two methods 
of preparing the seed. One is to mix the seed with 
light, moist soil or sand. Wo think the latter pre- 
ferablo. Expose it to the frost, that it may he 
thorougly frozen, in the same manner that many 
other kinds of seed are prepared, to secure vegeta¬ 
tion. , The other is to thoroughly moisten the seed 
with warm water, and keep it moist. Place in a 
tolerably warm room; not too warm, for too much 
keeping the temperature as even as possible. The J 1 
other, by not placing in too large a bulk. The seed 1 
should also be frequently stirred during this process. H 
From one or more causes, the seed will not be likely H 
to vegetate evenly. Watch it closely, and assort as 1 
ofteu ns is deemed necessary. If not convenient to 
plant them, place iu a cooler situation. We think 
it better to have the soil prepared, that it may be 
planted immediately. The soil must be in proper 1 
condition as to warmth, that the seed may not rot 
after planting. This is a prolific source of failure J 
with the inexperienced planter. Prepare the soil 1 
as you would for different kinds of garden seeds; ! 
which means to prepare it loell. Plant in drills, ’ 
eighteen or twenty inches apart, and not too thick ( 
in the drills. Cultivate well during the summer, to 1 
insure a healthy and vigorous growth. After the 1 
frost has killed the foliage, or rather after vegeta¬ 
tion has ceased, the plants can be carefully taken 
up and heeled in, in such a position that they will 
not. bo exposed to the direct, rays of the sun during 1 
winter. It will bo better to cover them with loose 
litter of some kind. Almost any thing, excepting 1 
fresh horse manure. 
The soil, for the reception of the plants in the 
hedge row, should also receive a preliminary 
preparation in the fall. Plow deep and thor¬ 
oughly, and it will re-pay ten-fold the amount of 
labor expended. A space of ground, not less than 
six feet in width, should be devoted to the culti¬ 
vation of the hedge. In the spring, as soon as is 
convenient to commence operations, plow the 
ground thoroughly, but not quite so deep as the 
previous plowing. Give it a good harrowing, to 
pulverize the soil well, and it will bo ready for the 
reception of the plants. Prepare the plants by cut¬ 
ting off all mutilated roots, and cutting off’ the tops 
to within two or three inches of the root, or rather 
that portion that was near the surface of the ground 
during the previous summer’s growth. This will bo 
readily identified by the yellowish color of the hark. 
Have the hedge-row perfectly straight It will he 
more satisfactory to yourself, besides adding an in¬ 
expressible charm to the appearance of a place, that 
no care, no matter how assiduously applied, can 
bestow, if the work has been bungingly done at the 
beginning. We wish to call attention particularly 
to this point of the subject, because it will not. only 
cause vexation, if not attended to at. the proper time, 
but subject your work to the ridicule of the incred¬ 
ulous, who always have an “ I told you so” at their 
tongue’s end to apply, whenever from any cause, 
(no matter how unavoidable on your part.) a fail¬ 
ure' lakes place. 
The planting will next require your attention. 
There are three ways that this can be accomplished. 
First by setting a line, aud planting with a dibble. 
The second by throwing the soil from the line with 
a spade, to a sufficient depth to admit the roots of 
the longest plants. Place the top of the plants 
1 against the line, and then fill in the dirt, aud make 
it compact by trampling it with the foot. This is 
i rather surer, but is not quite so expeditious as the 
; former. The lust is more expeditious than either. 
A good steel mold-hoard plow, and steady team, 
with a good driver, are the requisites to success. 
Follow in a direct line of the slakes, throwing out 
the soil to a sufficient depth; place the plants in 
i their proper position ; throw in the soil with 
} shovel or spade; press compactly with the foot, and 
t level off, that it. may present a neat appearance, and 
1 the work is done. I should have mentioned before 
- that the plants should be about six inches apart, or 
- one hundred plants to every three rods of ground. 
majority of houses now are, the appearance of a P< 
house so situated would he accounted brazen, vul- 
gar, tavern-like and disagreeable. The practice of Any 
pushing up the front of the house as near the road — A 
as decency will permit, seems to say the street, and t A 
what passes thereon, is better worth seeing than any- 
thing else. At whatever sacrifice of scenery, at m 
whatever cost of natural beauty, publicity must be 
secured; the life and movement of the street must i> 
be easily visible from the window. a l>u 
Generally, the dimensions of our door-yards aro rutli 
such as to admit of nothing more in the way of tm ‘ ( 
ornamentation than a single row of trees, stretched m> 
alongside the fence for shade, with the addition of a 
few vines and shrubs. There is little opportunity 
to lay out such a piece of ground to tasteful effect. v 
The stilt'uess inseparable from straight, lines of trees rflci 
cannot well be avoided without sacrificing, in some 
degree, the advantage Of shade, and trespassing on C 
the space intended lor flowering shrubs and vines. ill( l 
Even if a small cluster of trees could be wedged Iu ’’ l ' r 
between the house aud the fence, it cannot be seen 
with the distinctness necessary to an appreciation of ^ 
its elegance and beauty. The nearness of other to, 
objects gives it a confused, crowded, cramped-up W h 
look, quite inconsistent with an appearance of ease 
and gracefulness. To be seen to advantage, it must wii 
have room — must stand aparj — tho eyo of the ai 
beholder must bo aide to separate it from surround- ( 
ing objects. Besides, tho variety of desirable shade ( j t 
and ornamental trees is so great that, in a yard of 
common size, one cannot make anything like a com- r « 
plete collection— it is difficult to find room even for pi 
the commonest sorts. Nothing less than specimens ■>» 
of the best deciduous forest trees and the finest ever- ;w 
greens, native and foreign, satisfies; and these j’ 1 
require considerable space to display themselves to rf 
advantage. p. 
But the violation of good taste in the location of ,i 
private houses so near the public street, is not the only w 
evil effect of American fondness for publicity; there is - 
an important moral consideration connected with 
the prevailing fashion of building in near neighbor¬ 
hood to the highway, that ought not to be over¬ 
looked. W here a house is so situated that the 
windows command a fttll view of the road winning 
past it., the very ease with which the inmates can 
• watch passers-by, almost inevitably induces an idle 
I habit of street-gazing. One wishes to read, and sits . 
I down by Ihe window to secure the best, light; by- 1 
and-by be hears a noise, and naturally looks up; he 
: sees u carriage passing, perhaps containing some of 1 
, his acquaintances, and Ids eye follows it ns long as 
I it remains in sight, lie returns to his book, and 1 
, soon bis attention is a second time attracted by the 
y sound of wheels. Another carriage comers in sight; 
8 perhaps this time he is not sure of the occupants, 
bufsees a resemblance to some ones he knows, and 
|. besets himself wondering whether they really are 
0 Ihe persons he fancied they looked like, and, may 
be, conjecturing where they can be going. By this 
lt time his mind is pretty well distracted from the sttb- 
e ject matter of the book, and it requires an effort to 
II bring it back. From looking at people passing 
.. along the road, he falls into a habit of watching 
/ their coming; and, after a time, so necessary to his 
[! enjoyment does tha excitement afforded by the 
0 activity of the street become, that the day is dull 
„ and tedious that sees little travel past his house. 
ir m , # 
Worse condemnation of a farm than poverty ol soil, 
n Is Us location on a retired road. “No travel past 
II the house,” settles the question of purchase: and 1 
, r once knew a woman whose curiosity to see all the 
,, life aud motion of the street was so great that, when 
, r obliged to bo occupied with her domestic affairs in 
the back part of the house, she stationed a child at 
the front window to keep a lookout, and warn her 
of the passing of pedestrians and teams. 
• y If the proposal to leave a larger space of ground 
between the house and the. highway be met by the 
" objection that, if planted to ornamental trees, Ac., 
it would he little better thau waste land, so far as 
deriving arjy profit from its use is concerned, wc 
l„. reply that it is capable of being made highly orna- 
I mental, and at the same time yield a greater profit 
than any other equal piece of land on the farm. 
^ Strictly ornamental grounds are not necessary to 
'' give an air of nobleness and refinement to a place. 
" Stately trees, and smooth, grassy lawns, and gay 
flower gardens, are all desirable embellishments to 
j a dwelling; but it iB in the power of even the hum- 
l)(i blest proprietor to secure a very good substitute 
,|. for these. What pleasanter approach to a house 
l' ( . could one desire than a well-kept garden? even a 
vegetable garden? And, as every dweller in the 
J! country has a garden, why not have it iu front of 
the house? It, need occupy uo more room there 
h(< than elsewhere, aud, as the ordinary door-yard 
, could be afforded as well with as w ithout the gar- 
y den, the two would remove the house to a ivspocta- 
I " ble distance from the road. Probably, in most 
, (1 ’ cases, tho garden would gain as much iu appear- 
, ance by such an arrangement as the house itself; 
for who could endure the accusation of garden 
’ plants overrun by noxious weeds constantly before 
II his eyes? Besides, the expectation that his neigh¬ 
bors, and whoever else might enter the house, would 
0I1 ‘ pass through and examine the garden, would natu- 
,m1 - rally have some effect in exciting the owner’s pride 
, ) e ' aud ambition to make lu’s plot of ground devoted 
iUl to fruits, flowers, and vegetables, attest the good 
} nf taste and industry of the proprietor. a. 
“(a South Livonia, N. Y., 18C2. 
WM§i 
ftjP V. ^ 
Poppino Cork.—I wish to Inquire through the columns of 
the KriHAU which kbul of corn is host for parching; what 
time it should be planted, and what soil is bert to raise it onf 
Any information with regard 0) it will be gratefully accepted. 
— A SUBSCBIUKR, Wilson, N. >', 1S(>U. 
A tong-cured, creain-colorcd variety, called the Boston 
Popping Corn, is the best we have ever used. It pops well, is 
quite productive, and tho only kind liked by dealers. There 
may he better, hut we have never found it. 
Prgtkotino RaiuSUEB ritoe THK Fly.—I saw an inquiry in 
a buck number of the Rural for tho best means to protect 
radishes, &e , from tho fly. My plan is simple, and by this 
means 1 have earlier and better garden radishes than any of 
my friends. Having young chickens about the time radishes 
are up, I coop tho hen* In the garden until the chicks aro 
feathering, and then ro-place them with younger ones, if neces¬ 
sary. The chickens make short work of the insects. Try it. 
Will L. C. J., of Niagara Falls, (Ritual, March 29,) commu¬ 
nicate with nteT— w 11. Dokl, Whitby, C. IK. 
Oranbbrrt CoLTURtt.—Aa I am in receipt of letters of 
Inquiry in regard to cranberry culture. I would like, with your 
permission, to answer them through the Rural. 
First. What constitutes a vine? This question would 
probably he answered differently by different persons; but 
vines that I transplant aro constituted of a runner, from one 
to four feet long, with numerous branches and roots. This is 
what I call a vhte. 
/Second. IIow many vines are required to set an acre? It 
I will lie seen by the description of the vines given above that 
it la Impossible to give any definite number per acre. 
Third, What, soil is best adapted to the culture of the cran 
berry? A moist, spongy soil, one that will retain its moisturl 
throughout the year. 
In your reply to L. 8. E., in the Rural of March 22d, in 
regard to the preparation of tho soil, you say it should he 
plowed, harrowed, See. This is the proper course where it 
oan he practiced, hut there Is a great deal of laud which is 
admirably adapted to the cranberry, which will not admit 
of trams being driven upon it In this case, the sod, where 
there is one, should bo pared off to a sufficient depth to 
remove all roots of grass and weeds; and Where it can be 
practiced, it will he found beneficial to overflow the meadow 
during winter aud spring, as it servo* to keep down intruding 
weeds.—N. Hill, Colon , Steuben Co., N. Y. 
CONVENIENT CLOTHES - BARS. 
Eds. Rural New-Yorker:—I noticed in your 
last volume two plans of clothes-bars, and thought 
it might ho acceptable to send a description of a 
pair which 1 have lately made and found to be very 
neat and convenient, and any one who can uso a 
plane and auger can make them. By the following 
plan and description, I think it can be understood: 
“2s 
\ — 
between the hands, so as to grease the surface of heat causes fermentation. This latter muni be care- 
each particle of sand. A layer of the sand thus fully guarded ugainsL It is to be avoided in two 
prepared was put in a box about five inches deep. ways. One by not giving them loo much heat, and 
THE DOOR-YARD. 
Ouu fashion ol building houses within a few feet 
or, at most, a tew yards of the public road, cannot 
be defended on the ground of good taste or superior 
economy, if. indeed, it can on that of greater con¬ 
venience. In the city, whore land is so dear that 
people must build as much os possible in tho air, 
the nearness of houses to the street is not to be crit¬ 
icised, because necessity excuses everything, ft, is 
not to be criticised, because it is city-lilce; dwellers 
in town cannot avoid the unpleasant sights, sounds, 
smells and dustof thestreet. Built Is uoo, or should 
not he, country-like . If It were the custom of the 
country to set dwelling houses back a considerable 
distance from the highway—if only now and then a 
house were seen planted so near the roadside as the 
and ^n,$u’ct\$. 
Flowk a I’ots Wa.vtbp. — You have introduced to your 
numerous readers a great many beautiful flowers. Many have 
purelmsed seed* of them, and are preparing a small hot bed 
to raise them in; but all are it, trouble. We cannot get the 
common small pot* here to pot them out previous to planting 
tin- K ;\p|on. Will you help us out of our ineotnenietioe by 
stating iu the Rural where they can be procured? There are 
advertisements of almost every useful article 111 tho Rural, 
hut none ot flowerpot*.— A Constant Kkaukk, Canajoharie , 
iV. F.,LS62. _ 
Cabbaor Worm—Mamuiuc kor Potatoes.—C an any of the 
correspondents of the Rural give a remedy for a specie* of 
worm or maggot, that is so detrimental to the growth of early 
cabbage plants? They have nearly mined my early plants tor 
the past, three years., l ut do not trouble late plants. Which 
of the followui’g named manure* would be likely to give the best 
return on a crop of poiatoe*,—soU a heavy clay; give* good 
Tho bars aro all two inches wide by one inch thick. 
Four bars 3 ft. 11 in. long, and four bars 1 ft 11 in. 
Tho rods are dressed out one inch square, and of the 
following lengths:—Four rods 4 fb long; two rods 
4 ft. 2 in. long; two rods 3 ft. 10 iu. long; one rod 
4 ft 3 in. long, fur the center, to project three inches 
at one end; another rod, for the top, 4 ft 4 in., and 
to project two inches, in order to receive the piece 
shown in the figure, to regulate the height It can 
be shut so as not to occupy more than a foot iu 
width, ur opened so as to hang a washing on. The 
auger used should be J-inch. Tinker. 
Hillsdale, Mich., 1862. 
How to Make Cider Wine. — J. II. Keck, of 
Macon Co., III., gives the following method in the 
Country Gentleman: 
Take pure cider, made from sound, ripe apples, 
as it runs from the press, put GO pounds of common 
brown sugar inlo 15 gallons of tho cider, and let it 
dissolve; then, put the mixture into a clean barrel, 
fill it up within two gallons of being full, with clean 
cider; put the cask into a cool place, leaving the 
bung out for forty-eight hours; then put iu the bung 
with a small vent, until fermentation wholly ceases, 
and bung up tight., and in one year it will be tit for 
use. This wine requires no racking; the longer it 
stands upon the lees the better. This wine is almost 
equal to grape wine when rightly managed. 
Preserving Hams and Sausages.— -In answer to 
an inquiry from C. S. Mori.ky, of liipon, Wis., iff, 
reference to hams not sufficiently salted to kee*' 
during the summer, I would suggest the following:-^ 
Cut them in slices ready for the table, fry them, and 
season if necessary; then pack them in stone jars, 
and cover them with hut lard. This will preserve 
them any length of time, and but little trouble is nec¬ 
essary to prepare for the table when wanted. It is 
also an excellent mode ot preserving fresh sausages 
during the summer. — Cuas. A, Perdue, Qreens- 
burgh, Summit Co,, Ohio., 1862. 
-1 i ^ - — • 
A Good Linament for Man or Bf.ast. — One 
and one-halfpints linseed oil; two ozs. oil origanum; 
two ozs. hartshorn; two ozs. turpentine. Shake well 
before using. Divide the linseed oil in two parts, 
add origanum to one part, then put tho hartshorn 
with the other part, then put both together and add 
turpentine, and it is ready to use for sprains and 
bruises. A Subscriber, Hartford, lovxt, 1862. 
Crochet Shawls. — Will some of the Rural’3 
lady friends please give, through its columns, some 
information about crochet shawls? How much 
double zephyr will knit one, and what number of 
skeins of each shade?— Clayton, Iowa City, 1862. 
-—- 1 ■ # » 4 
Bright Red for Flannel. —Will some of the 
uioy.* of suiierphof^ihatL- of Umv, ground hone*, or r 0RA[ /s Seeing subscribers inform me how to color 
l " Thc'poudrvUe vvo would much pwftr, but try all on a *maii * bright red on side flannel, and oblige-MitS. G. B. 
KCaJo Johnson, Palermo , Oswego Co., Jbf. Y., 1862. 
Pruning Gk.umcs.—I havr road your valuable paper for two 
vear* or more, aud have read several pieces ennocming the 
culture of grapes and the trimming. Cite , but have never yet 
soon the time stated when to trim. Wlial time in tho year I* 
best? Also, the time to trim apple trees.— W. A. 1A, Corf u, 
.V. Y., 1802. 
Grapes may bo pruned any time after the leaves have fallen 
in the auturnu, till tho first of March. Later pruning will 
cause bleeding; hut where pruning has been ueglected, we 
would prune even as late as the first of April. Prune apple 
trees any time during the winter. 
Ui'Lanh Cranrkrriks, —(M. U., Canajoharie, 2V. Y.) —Try 
a few plants. We have never seen a good plantation, nor 
have we tried growing cranberries on dry ground, therefore 
cannot speak from cxperieuM. 
Brown on Straw.— Will some one, through the 
columns of the Rural, inform me how to color 
brown on straw ?—S. J. D., Fentce, W. Y., 1862. 
» ■ ♦ ■ > - 
[St-SOUL NOTIOK.] 
A Relublb Concern. — Reader, we can assure you from 
personal knowledge that D. B. Dk Land & Co. a Chemical 
Saleratus can be relied on as being perfectly pure, healthy, 
aud uniform iu it* result*. Tho proprietors uto also reliahlo 
men, who have, by Integrity and perseveranco, built up » 
mammoth business within a few years past. Try the Saleratus 
and prove our words true for yourselves. It is for side by all 
wholesale and retail dealers in the country. 
