Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-05-20
VOL. 3.---N0. 80.
AGRICULTURAL.

mon error to plant too carly. In ali parts of
the country, the seed often goes into the
ground several days earlier than it ought. It
is forgotten that this plant is of tropical origin,
and requires a much higher temperature to
germinate and grow than most other kinds oil
grain and vegetables. We have somewhere
seen it stated that the kernal required a tenn
perature of at least 55deg. to make it sprout.
and grow we'll. Whatever the particular de-
gree of the heat may be, we are confident that
it is much higher than the soil generally is at
the usual time of planting. As consequence
of too early planting, much of the seed rots.
and the farmer has the trouble of planting
yer again. The corn that comes up is stunted,
part Of the roots rot, and the plant yields less
fodder and grain than it would if seasonably
planted. In attitudes north OF this, except in
warm locations, both east and west. the last
week in May is better than any earlier date to
plant Indian corn. This is now uniform
practice in field culture. One of the best far
mcrs of our acquaintance plants the first week
in June, and though he uses the yellow dent
variety, which is not early, he uniformly gets
large crops. He claims that this late planting
saves once hoeing, and that the corn comes up
better, has more uniform growth and yields
better.
TINE OF PRrxIyG.-I notice much diversity
of opinion in regard to pruning. As respects
apple and cherry, experience teaches me that
when blooming or in full flower, the branches,
if smoothly cut, heal over perfectly sound
The tree is then in full vigor, and able to pro-
tect itself, while the leaves and blossoms shell
ter the wounds from sun and wind. The OBJ
lection TO winter trimming, especially of large
limbs is, that the March winds check the end
| of the limb from one-half to two inches in
| depth, allowing not only water to stand in the
creyice, but also forms reservoir for the ris-
| ing sap, which it is well known becomes a
strong acid, producing rapid decay, and cannot
easily be arrested until it reaches the root of
the tree. Nne-tenths of the old orchards
have been ruined in this way. Most if not all
| shrubs should be pruned when in the growing
state. Shoots or suckers will not put forth
in the case of winter pruning.--american .4g-
| ricU!turalist
CHINESE SrGAR CASE.-A contemporary
speaking of the high price of sugar and molas-
seS urges farmers to plant thiscan lie says:
Let every man who has got foot of ground
plant the seed Of the Chinese cane. II car &c
made the most profitable crop that IS raised.
| Some gentlemen who have tried it say that
| from two to four hundred dollars worth can
be produced from an acre of ground. Il will
| grow in our Northern States probably as we'll
as the South. 1t has succeeded well in Yer
mont. 1t natures much sooner than the South
ern cane, and will be ready for harvesting be-
| fore the frosts come. Let our farmers try it
| by all means. The seeds can be obtained
One editor in the State Indiana says that the
4 farmers in that State are taking hold of il in
| good earnest, and that in year or two the peo-
! pie of the State will be entirely independent
of all supplies from abroad or from louisiana
| 1t could be raised in Pennsylvania in a suffi-
| cient quantity TO supply the entire demand
| And it would be very profitable production,
Twenty dollars worth of wheat is about as
much as an acre will produce at present pri-
ces. We hope it will be tried on nearly eve
ry farm. Sugar is an article of universal use,
and high prices burdensome. We think
the Chinese cane is being introduced just in
time to supply great public want.
MAPLE SUGAR AND MoLAssEs.-The very
| high price of sugar and molasses renders the
production of these articles from the maple
matter OF trifing moment. ACCORDING to
the census of 1850, the quantity of maple su-
gar produced in that year was about thirty
four millions Of pounds. The n. Y Tribune
estimates the production of the present year
at seventy millions ofpounds. This, at twelve
cents pouud-the lowest price at W. ich we
have heard of its being sold, in this quarter.
by the producers-would amount to nine mil
lions and eight hundred thousand dollars.-
The quantity of maple molasscs produced this
year will not, probably, be less than million
of gallons, worth, TO the prodHeer, for sale or
use, nc less than dollar a.gallon. Thus, it
appears that the maple sugar and moiasses
produced the present year will amount, prob
| ably, to not less than about eleven millions of
dollars-all manufactured at a very small ex-
| pense of time and from material that would
not have been usefully employed in any other
way.
a CuRIoUs SUIr.-A celebrated Paris pbv-
| sician and surgeon lately performed an opera
tion on blind man. an act of charity, and
fully restored him to sight. IL few iays the
blind man sued the doctor for destroying his
profession as blind man, and taking tools,
laying damages at twenty thousand frances
The suit is in court.