234 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
weeding of red-root. Such examples are worthy of imi¬ 
tation ; and at the present season, when weeds are about 
preparing to fbrm their millions of germs for increase, 
we hope the subject may receive the special attention of 
cultivators. 
Cultivation about Fruit Trees. 
We have often urged the importance of clean and mel¬ 
low cultivation for young fruit trees, to promote growth; 
and for older ones, to furnish fruit of fine quality. 
Young trees, in grass ground from necessity, should be 
widely spaded; but even this treatment is quite imper¬ 
fect, and becomes nearly useless as they advance in size 
and throw out roots far beyond the reach of any ordina¬ 
ry spaded circle. We have just measured a few trees 
differently treated in this particular. Small peach trees, 
set out six years ago, and kept cultivated broadcast most 
of the time, have trunks a foot in circumference, two or 
three feet above the surface. Those in similar soil, but 
kept spaded in five feet circles, in grass, are only eight 
inches in circumference, although ten years old. Most 
of this growth was made in the first five years. 
Peach trees three-fourths of an inch in diameter were 
set out on a gravelly soil, of only very moderate fertili¬ 
ty ; but they were kept cultivated by the plow and har¬ 
row, and no crop nor vegetable growth of any kind al¬ 
lowed within the broad strip of ground of which they 
occupied the center. Two and a half years from trans¬ 
planting, that is, the third summer, several bore a peck 
or more each, and one bore three pecks. 
We have often wondered why some planters were so 
extremely desirous to procure very large trees for trans¬ 
planting, as those of medium size make the best growth, 
and often outstrip the others. But we have now solved 
the puzzle. They set them out on hard ground, in 
cramped holes; and then, unlike a^y farm crop, whe¬ 
ther corn, potatoes, carrots, &e., leave them entirely to 
themselves, to contend with weeds, grass, crusty soil, 
and other difficulties, unassisted. They consequently 
make no growth at all, or, to use the provincial phrase, 
“none to speak on”—and hence in three years, the large 
trees are still the largest, and the smaller still the small¬ 
est, both remaining at their original stature. 
Seven years ago, we set out a row of apple trees on a 
rather unpromising gravel soil. The holes were dug 
seven feet in diameter, and all but the central position, 
where the tree was to stand, filled with soil made rich by 
thoroughly raking-in manure. About one-third of a cu¬ 
bic yard of manure, or a little less, was applied to each 
hole. When the tree was set, only ordinary good soil 
was placed in contact with the roots. Nothing unusual 
appeared the first year. The second, the young fibres 
began to reach the rich bed of earth, and the rapidity 
of growth was surprising. The fifth year one tree bore 
a bushel, although they were only the size of a common 
carriage whip when transplanted. We have to day, (af¬ 
ter seven summer’s growth,) measured most of them, 
and find their circumference at two feet high, to vary 
from fourteen to eighteen inches. The soil has been kept 
cultivated, with but little crops near them. Their growth 
continues nearly undiminished. 
Will not those who have neglected their trees, profit 
by these hints at the present time. 
July, 
Dry and Rat-proof Cellars. 
Frequent inquiries are made on this subject. Cellars 
plastered at the sides and on the bottom with hydraulic 
cement, will keep out the water without a drain, and will 
exclude rats, provided the work has been done in the 
best manner. Imperfectly executed, the water will leach 
in; and if the coat is too thin or too soft, rats will exca¬ 
vate beneath it, and then crack it off peice-meal. It is 
unnecessary to inform our readers that the very best ma¬ 
terial is to be used; but some are not enough aware of 
the importance of giving it sufficient thickness. On dry 
and hard gravel, it may do well to apply the mortar at 
once to the excavated face of earth; but usually it is 
much better to cover the cellar bottom with a paving of 
stones; and where rather inclined to dampness, with two 
or three successive layers, the last of which may be quite 
small, or even coarse gravel will do. The mortar, made 
rather thin, is then spread smoothly over. In a few 
months the whole will assume a flinty hardness, through 
which no rat, with all the cunning of a politician, can 
ever make his way. It will be as dry as a floor, and 
fruit, vegetables, and other articles may be placed directly 
upon it without fear of dampness. It will not very soon 
wear out nor decay. 
-- +** - 
Use of Yearling Bulls. 
Luther Tucker, Esq. —Noticing in your May num¬ 
ber, that a subscriber wishes information on the capacity 
of yearling bulls, I seize a leisure moment to lay before 
you my experience. About five years ago, I owned a 
full blooded Ayrshire yearling, and contrary to the opin¬ 
ions of our standard authors on cattle breeding, as also 
my own notions on the subject, I allowed him to be put 
to my cows, then numberng twelve; all of them proved 
to be with calf. The following season he was made use 
of with like success, and the third season he served 35 
cows without a failure. He was then sold to a farmer in 
the eastern part of my county, who has him in his yard 
at this day, and a more noble specimen of a bull it would 
be difficult to “ skare up.” 
Again, last year I used a yearling, (sired by the one 
above referred to,) for my cows, numbering twenty, and 
five of my neighbors; and the present spring has proven 
his success, with one exception, which was owing to some 
deficiency in the heifer, and no fault of his. He is now 
a thrifty looking animal, and in all probability “ will keep 
his end up,” as we farmers say, without a doubt. 
In neither case have I given these animals any extra 
care, save stabling in winter to keep them from the cows, 
and a little grain per day, towards the latter part of their 
first winter. Thos. B. Arden. Beverley, May 20, ’52. 
Catching Flies. —The Prairie Farmer tells how they 
catch flies in England. It is done by “fly-papers,” and 
the process is called “fly torture,” on account of the 
manner in which the insects have their feet fastened in 
the “stocks” The article used is rosin and sweet oil 
mixed, and spread over the surface of a newspaper, and 
then slightly sprinkled with sugar dust. The moment 
the fly puts down his foot he is fast. They are thus 
caught with great rapidity. The “ torture” appears to 
consist in a w T ant of liberty to go where they please. 
