124r 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST 
[April, 
of roots in boles made between the cuttings and at 
the same distance that they are apart. Let the top 
of the set be at least 3 inches below the surface. 
Never plant crowns if pieces of root can be had. 
Herbs. —Sow in seed-bed where the ground is dry 
and warvi, Sage, Thyme, Sweet Marjoram, etc. 
Leeks need a fine rich soil. Sow in foot rows. 
Lettuce should be kept in constant succession. If 
plants have been wintered in cold frames set them 
out a foot apart each way. Sow seeds in seed-bed. 
Mustard. —Sow for salad or greens in foot rows. 
Onions. —Put out sets, etc., as directed last 
month. Seeds are to be sown as soon as the soil is 
ready. Plenty of good manure is required, and it 
is best to make the bed each year in the same 
place. Sow fresh seed in foot or 15-inch drills. 
Parsley. —Sow in open ground or in cold frames. 
Parsnips. —Use last year’s seed only; sow only in 
rich, deep soil, in drills 15 to 18 inches apart. 
Peas. —The distance will depend upon the hight 
the variety grows. Dwarfs will do a foot or 18 
inches apart, while those requiring brush 
will need to be 3 or 4 feet or more distant. 
Peppers. —Sow in hot-bed and treat like Egg Plant. 
Potatoes. —Plant only the early sorts in the gar¬ 
den. Uso good-sized seed, and drop a foot 
apart in manured drills that are a foot apart. 
Radishes. —Light, warm, and rich soil is necessary. 
They may be sown between rows of slower crops 
or by themselves. Sow a portion every ten days. 
Salsify or Oyster Plant. —Treat the same as carrots. 
Spinach. —Cut that which has been wintered for 
use and sow for a fresh supply in 18-inch drills. 
Swiss Chard. —A beet, the leaves of which make 
excellent summer greens. Cultivate like beets. 
Sweet Potatoes. —Better buy plants, if but few are 
wanted. They are started by putting the potatoes 
in a hot-bed and covering with about 2 inches of 
rich compost. Give water and air as needed. 
Tomato plants in hot-beds when large enough to 
handle may be potted and placed under glass or 
pricked out into another liot-bed. Seed may still be 
sown under glass, or for late crops in open ground. 
Turnips. —Sow early sorts as soon as possible. 
Hot-beds will need special attention to keep 
the plants from hurrying. Water, if needed. 
Flower (Harden and Tai u ti. 
Much of the work indicated in previous months 
is still to be dono. Get all rough work out of the 
way as soon as possible, and have all transplanting 
of ornamental trees and shrubs, excepting ever¬ 
greens, done as soon as may be. The making of 
lawns arc sufficiently treated of on page 144. 
Borders need to be carefully forked over, first 
giving a coat of well-decomposed manure, and 
Edgings made. Box may be re-set and grass edg¬ 
ings laid. We wish some one would make a nice 
tile edging. Bricks set diagonally may be used as a 
substitute along paths where there is much travel. 
Herbaceous Plants , where they have stood two or 
three years, will often need dividing; do this early. 
We gave a description of some good varieties 
in March last. Seeds of perennials may bo sown. 
Hardy Annuals may be sown when the ground is dry, 
but tender ones are best left until May, unless they 
can be started under glass. Seedsmen’s catalogues 
designate whether the plants are hardy or tender. 
Bedding Plants should not be put out too early. 
They are generally sub-tropical things, and a cold 
spell givos them a check, if it does not kilt them. 
Forced Plants. —In cities and towns plants 
that have been forced are often offered for 
sale. As a general thing they are worthless for 
future use, although for present gratification 
they are oftan worth the price asked. 
Climbers. —The hardy climbers are great favorites 
with us, and we would introduce them wherever it 
it is possible—on verandas, fences, and to cover un¬ 
sightly objects. Our woods supply the Virginia 
Creeper, Moon-seed, Wax-work and others, and 
the nurseries have a long list of the exotic ones. 
Roses .—Where there is room, have a plenty of 
June roses, but in restricted gardens the China 
varieties will give the most satisfaction, as they 
bloom all the time. The varieties are so numerous 
that we must refer to the catalogues for a list. 
Green and Mot-Houses. 
These “hints” are of course intended only for 
amateurs who manage a small house themselves, 
and not for the regular gardener. Give air on mild 
days, guarding against sudden changes, and be pre¬ 
pared to warm up during a cold, damp spell. 
Propagating for out-of-door planting should be 
going on, to supply the demand for bedding stuff. 
As soon as the plants have rooted in the sand of 
cutting bench, transfer to small pots of good soil. 
Seeds of tender annuals may be sown for plants to 
use out of doors. Cover small seeds lightly. Start 
Dahlias by placing their roots in a warm place, or 
if they have already started cut off the sprouts with 
a portion of the root, and pot them. 
“ Foliage Plants," (as the garden term goes), such 
as Cannas, Colocasias, etc., may be potted, as may 
Tuberoses ; indeed the only way to get a satis¬ 
factory result from tuberoses at the North is 
get them well started before they are put out. 
Shrubs making their growth will need more water. 
Insects will start into new vigor with the warm 
days of spring; apply smoke and other remedies. 
Potted Pants .—It takes an amateur a long time to 
acquire courage to use the knife. It is often the 
case that plants go from year to year without being 
cut, and get more “ lanky” and miserable each year. 
Cut back any plant that is in bad shape or shows a 
weakly growth, and repot in fresh soil if needed. 
Cold Grapery. 
Here the heat of the house depends upon the 
sun, and its proper temperature is governed by the 
management of the ventilators. An artificial sum¬ 
mer is to be created, the heat and moisture of 
which are to be kept suited to the vines by 
the care of the cultivator. The first thing to 
be done is to secure an uniform starting of the 
buds on the vine. If the vine were put up in its 
place at once the upper buds would get the advan¬ 
tage of lower ones and the growth would be 
unevenly distributed. To counteract this, the vine 
is so suspended that it will form a curve, with the 
upper end of it hanging down. By varying the 
point of suspension and the curvature of the vine, 
a uniform start can be secured, and when the 
shoots have made a growth of two or three inches, 
the vine is to be tied in place. If the upper buds 
fail to start, or if the vine shows cracks and bleed¬ 
ing, some injury has happened to it during the 
winter, and it must be cut back to a good bud 
which will furnish a cane to take the place of the 
old one. The temperature of the house in the 
early part of the month should be about 65°, which 
towards the end of the month may be increased 
to 70° or 80°. Sudden changes of temperature must 
be avoided, and a favorable moisture be maintained 
by a free use of the syringe morning and evening. 
Commercial Matters—Market Prices. 
The following condensed, comprehensive tables, care¬ 
fully prepared specially for the American Agriculturist, 
show at a glance the transactions for the month ending 
Mar. 14, 1888, and for the corresponding month last year: 
1. TRANSACTIONS AT THE NEW-YORK MARKETS. 
Ukceipts. Flour. Wheat. Corn. Bye. Barley. Oats. 
23 days this >n'thl3!.000 89.000 983,000 23,000 41,000 109.000 
26 clays last m’tli 136,000 131,000 1,194,000 4,500 51,000 111,000 
Salks. Flour. Wheat. Corn. Bye. Barley. Oats. 
23 (lays tW.sra’th.296.000 937.000 1,346.009158.000 973,000 875,000 
20 (lays last m’cli,244,000 476,000 1,391,330 9S,500 136,300 1,016,000 
3. Comparison with same period at this time last year. 
Receipts. Flour. Wheat. Corn. Rye. Barley. Oats. 
23 (lays 1S68....131,000 S9.000 983.000 23,000 41,000 109,000 
22 (lays 1867....Ill,000 94,000 139,000 15,090 47,500 76,000 
Sales. Flour. Wheat. Corn. Bye. Barley. Oats. 
23 (lays 1863 .296,000 957,000 1,346.000 153,000 97.390 873,000 
22 days 1867 .164,500 l,56o,000 236,000 510,000 928,000 - 
3. Exports from, New York, Jan. 1 to March 14: 
Flour. 
Wheat. 
Corn. 
Bye. 
Oats. 
1868 ... 
....130,106 
437.527 
1,797,749 
64,692 
16.424 
1867.... 
.... 71,793 
18,586 
1,342,249 
114,893 
43,961 
1866.... 
_210,295 
67,700 
1,265,387 
79,772 
192.271 
1865.... 
....274,759 
128,960 
101,046 
141 
16,643 
grain in store at New York: 
Corn, Rye, Barley, Oats, 
hush. bush, husli. hush. 
1,719,822 43,542 46,614 1,794,212 
1,705,380 181,111 93,032 2,134.191 
1,434,553 189,330 161,313 2,379,826 
1,653,094 202,900 
1,954.706 134.543 
967,664 7,309 
1,154.892 500 
863,724 32,785 
160.780 66,986 
217,976 117.257 
261,093 186,S04 
392,815 3,199,563 
361,053 2,246.752 
32,793 890,897 
9,376 
12,376 
21,399 
69,643 
145,706 
135,737 
209,349 
206,763 
379,865 
COS,494 
Malt, 
hush. 
34,102 
65,237 
C9.3S9 
83,445 
52,155 
57,977 
61.508 
48,632 
34 700 
16,311 
16,461 
4. Stock Of 
Wheat, 
1888. bush. 
Mar. 10.1,175,152 
Feb. 11.1,507,679 
Jan. 13.1,647,418 
1867. 
Dec. 11.1,804,215 
Nov. 12. 941,129 
Get. 15. 167,608 
Sept. 10. 120,532 
Aug. 13_ 90,174 
July 15. 245,509 
June 14. 578,279 
May 15. 731,330 
Gold has been depressed in price, since our last, clos¬ 
ing at 13914... .Breadstuffs have been moderately active 
since our last, but quite variable in prices. The offerings 
of flour and wheat have been comparatively limited, hut, 
toward the close, have run ahead of the wants of buyers, 
to the injury of prices, which close with a downward 
tendency. Corn has fluctuated materially through the 
month, hut closes briskly and buoyantly, on an active 
home and export demand. Rye and Barley advanced in 
price, on light receipts, and a fair inquiry,—the former 
closing heavily, and the latter very firmly. Oats have 
been less sought after, and have been lower and irregu¬ 
lar... .Provisions have been in good request, but hog 
products have been unsettled in price, closing in favor 
of purchasers. Beef, Butter, and Cheese, close with an 
upward tendency... .Cotton has advanced materially, on 
an unusually active movement, chiefly speculative ; but 
it closes less firmly_Wool was in very brisk demand 
for a week or two, and quoted a shade higher ; but the 
later dealings have been less extensive, the market closing 
about steady_Hay has been salable at full prices,... 
Hops and Tobacco have been quiet_Seeds have at¬ 
tracted more attention, closing more firmly. 
Current Wholesale Prices. 
Feb. 15. March 14. 
Prtck of Gold ..... 140X 139X 
Flour—S uper to Extra State$ 8 45 
Super to Extra Southern_ 9 90 
Extra Western. 9 55 
Extra Genesee. 11 25 
Superfine Western.. 8 45 
Rye Flour . 7 25 
Cop.n Meal. . . 5 50 
@11 25 $ 8 85 
@15 50 9 30 
Wheat—A ll kinds of White 
All kinds of Red and Amber. 
Cor.N— Yellow. 
Mixed. 
Oats— Western. 
State.. 
Rye .. 
JUrley. 
Hay—B ale *1100 B. 
@15 75 
@14 50 
@ 9 35 
© 9 25 
@ 6 35 
© 3 25 
@ 2 82 
@ 1 32 
1 26>£@ 1 35 
85 © — 
Nominal. 
2 
2 33 
1 22 
9 90 
11 10 
8 90 
7 65 
5 75 
2 85 
2 30 
1 23 
1 22 
@11 00 
@15 Od 
@15 50 
@14 50 
@ 9 60 
@ 9 60 
@ 6 25 
@ 3 50 
© 2 85 
@ 1 28 
@ 1 27 
‘ 83 
Nominal. 
Straw, 100 lb. 
Cotton—M iddlings, *! B. 
Hops—C rop ofl866. *!B.. 
Feathers—L ive Gaese, *1 
Seed— Clover, i? ft . 
Sugar—B rown, *! lb . 
Molasses. Cuba. *!gal.. 
Coffee— Rio,(Cold price)*! lb 
Tobacco. Kentucky, &c.,*!B. 
Seed Leaf, ** lb. 
Wool—D omcsticFleece,*! B. 
California, unwashed, 
Tallow. *1 lb . 
Oil-Cake—*! ton.. 
Ponk—Mess, *! barrel. 
Prime, *l barrel . 
La p.d, ill barrels, *) B... 
Butter—W estern, *! B.. 
State, *! lb. 
Ciieese.. 
Beans—*! bushel. 
i 
71 
@ 
1 80 
1 
80 
@ 
1 88 
i 
95 
@ 
2 25 
2 
05 
@ : 
2 40 
i 
05 
@ 
1 45 
1 
05 
@ : 
1 55 
i 
10 
@ 
1 50 
1 
15 
@ : 
L 60 
90 
@ 
1 15 
95 
© : 
1 15 
20M® 
21 X 
24<k@ 
26 
20 
@ 
60 
15 
@ 
60 
75 
@ 
90 
75 
© 
90 
T2M@ 
13X 
13M@ 
14W 
3 
00 
@ 
3 25 
2 
75 
@ 3 00 
2 
60 
© 
2 80 
2 
75 
@ : 
l 85 
li 34® 
14K 
1054® 
135f 
34 
@ 
48 
37 
@ 
55 
12 
@ 
YH 
125f@ 
18 
0 
@ 
22 
7 
@ 
24 
3 VM 
65 
4 
& 
65 
38 
@ 
60 
40 
@ 
60 
27 
@ 
52 
28 
@ 
48 
16 
@ 
28 
18 
@ 
32 
11 
@ 
1154 
Hk@ 
11V 
50 
00 
@56 00 
48 
00 
@56 00 
22 
37 
@23 56 
23 
12 
@24 15 
18 
25 
@19 50 
20 
00 
@21 00 
13 
00 
@19 00 
14 
00 
@20 00 
14 
@ 
15 
14V® 
16 
25 
@ 
42 
33 
@ 
50 
40 
© 
50 
47 
@ 
60 
8 
@ 
1GK 
9 
@ 
16^ 
4 
50 
@ 
5 10 
5 
50 
® : 
i 80 
1 
55 
@ 
1 60 
1 
55 
@ 
— 
33 
@ 
41 
28 
@ 
SI 
15 
@ 
17 
18 
@ 
20 
22 
@ 
25 
20 
@ 
25 
3 
75 
@ 
4 25 
3 
75 
@ 5 00 
4 
00 
@ 
5 50 
4 
00 
@ 1 
) 00 
7 
00 
@ 
9 50 
7 
00 
@ £ 
1 50 
Eggs—F resh. *! dozen 
Poultry—F owls,-*! B 
Turkeys, *! B. 
Potatoes—*1 bbl .... 
Apples—*! barrel. 
Cranberries, *f barrel. 7 00 @ 9 50 
New York I.ive Stock Markets.— 
week ending. Beeves. Cows. Calves. Sheep. Swine. Tot'l 
February 17 .4,793 81 582 26,002 9,060 40,518 
February 24 . 4,042 66 809 26,159 11,214 42,290 
March 2.4,839 74 631 17,455 11.639 34,633 
March 9.4,644 86 603 17,259 10,660 33,252 
Total in four Weeks... .18,318 307 2,625 86,875 42,573 150,693 
doforpreviousliWeeks.^o^Sl 424 3,072 120,513 56,918 197,181 
Beeves. 
Cows. 
Calves. 
Sheep. Swine. 
Average per Week .4,579 
77 
656 
21,719 
10,643 
do 
do last Month. 5,107 
84 
614 
24,104 
11,353 
do 
do prev's Month. 4,763 
71 
544 
20.S99 
17,743 
Average per Week, 1807. 5,544 
64 
1,320 
22,154 
20,605 
do. 
do. do. 1866...... 5,748 
94 
1,200 
20,000 
13,000 
do. 
do. do. 1865 . 5,255 
118 
1,500 
16,091 
11,023 
do. 
do. do. 1SG4. 5,161 
145 
1,511 
15.315 
12.676 
do. 
do. do. 1863. 5,150 
129 
604 
9,941 
21,670 
Total in 1867.....293,832 3.369 
Total in 1806 .298,880 4,S85 
Total in 1865.270,271 0,101 
Total in 1S64.267,609 7,603 
Total in 1863 .264,031 6,470 
09,941 1,174,154 1, 
62.420 1,010,000 
77,991 836,733 
75,621 782,462 
35,705 519,316 1 
,102,643 
672,000 
573,197 
600,270 
,101,617 
The above table gives the weekly receipts for the four 
weeks ending March 9, the total number of all kinds for 
each week, also the number of each kind for the four 
weeks, as well as the sum of all kinds for the month. 
