Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1857-05-15
AGRICULTURAL.
The Garden.
We copy the following timely suggestions
from the American Agriculturist.


We copy the following timely suggestion,
from the American Agriculturist.
CABBAGEs.-You are still in ample TIM
Tor the main crop of cabbages to b,
harvested in August and September, anC
tor the Winter crop to be gathered two
months later. Select good rich border o.
garden mold, and sprinkle on half bushe
OF ashes to the square rod. Rake them ir
througlly and SOW the seed, either broad
cast or in drills, four inches apart. The OBJ
Jet OF the ashes is to destroy the larvae OF
the insects that are prone to prey upon the
Brassica tribe of plants These will be up
and H. for setting the last of the month
W hen these plants are removed, it may be
immediately resown to furnish plants for
the last crop.
The cabbage is a rank feeder, and wants
deep rich soil if you mean to make it
pay Avoid all stye manures. or composts
into which they enter. The cabbage rarely
escapes cub-foot where this manure is used.
1t delights in fresh soil and we have found
great benefit in bringing up the subsoil in
old gardens where this crop is planted -
for the small varieties, the rows NAV be
twenty inches apart. and the plants fifteen
inches in the row. The large varieties like
the Drumhelds and the Bergen, want near
| ly twice that room.
When the plants are set out, they must
be cultivated diligently. Once a week is
none too often to hoe them. This makes
them grow rapidly and obtain large size.
GRAPE VINEs-When Spring opens we re-
move the protection gradually, but leave the
vines on the ground till all the frost and
cold winds are over, and the buds have be-
come considerably developed. The canes
are carefully raised so as not to bruise the
buds, and tied in their places. By keeping
them on the ground. and under The lee ofthe
fence q week or ten days growth is gained
oper ZINES tied up 10 the trelhs earlier and
erposed 10 the cutting weather Of early
Spring This q very important point, and
we recommend 1t to the notice of our North
ern readers. In tying the canes to the trel-
bars, we keep them one foot and half
apart. During the Summer little is done
In the way of pruning. except rubbing off
superiuous shoots, and checking the fruit
spurs after the grapes become about the
size of large shot. We never pull off the
leaves from the vines to hasten the ripening
OF the grapes, for nature wants them to
elaborate the full juices of the fruit.
STRAwBERRrEs.-Strawberry beds should |
this month be thoroughly cleaned and |
towards June, the ripening month, some
hay or grass should be shaken round the
plants to keep the fruit clean. The ground
too, by this means retains its moisture, and
weeds are hindered from springing up.
LIMA BEANs.-The season is too short in
many parts Of the Northern states, to get a
iull crop OF these beans, witho ut assisting
Nature little in the Spring This may be
done. by raising the temperature of the
soil, with warm fermenting manures, or by
gentle forcing in hot bed
well trenched soil, filled with ferment-
ng stable manure, is several degrees warm
r than soil compact and undisturbed -
| he last week in May is early enough to
Dlant them. Put down the poles four feet
lpart in the rows running..East and West
md three feet apart in the rows running
North and South, and incline them little
o the South, to give the vines the full ben
mt OF the sun. Make a slight elevation
around the poles, and plant the beans with
IRE enough, and if all grow, pull up two of
he poorest plants This mode will enable
many 10 raise this delicious beam who have
rot hitherto succeeded with it.
sun further North, they may be cultiya-
ed by starting in II gentle hot-bed, or in {
he south kitchen window in box. Take $
urls IRON any swarded meadow, or road l
ne about foot square, and three inches I
n thickness. With trOwel mark off the v
uri INTO smaller squares of about three e
hches upon side. In each of these little Il
quares insert two beans, and then lay the "A
VA ne sod upon your hot bed, or box in the 5
'indow. In short time the beans will /
ONE up, and the little roots will take pos .
"rslon "t the sod. When the weather be-
ONES warm IN early June they may be re-
moved t" the open air aud set out around Il
he poles. The middle of Muy.s early O. t
ough to start them in this way. Whether r
ou use the hot bed or not the ground t
hould be deeply worked, and made rich, i
nat the beans may grow rapidly and ma II
ure early. In selecting seed, buy only s
hose that'have indented sides :
lime OF PRUNiNG.-As respects pple and "
berry, experience teaches me that when
looming or in full flower, the branches, if
noothly cut, heal over perfectly sound
he tree Is then in iull vigor, and able to s
rotect itself, while the leaves and blossoms !,
helter the wounds from sun and wind e
he objection to Winter trimming, espec- n
lily OF large limbs, is, that March winds p
heck the end of the limb from one half to y
wonches in depth, allowing not only water i,
stand In the crevices, but also forms a r.
eservoir for the rising sap, which it is well e
nown becomes strong acid, producing 4
hpid decay and cannot easily be arrested !;
ntil 1t reaches the root of the tree. Nine n
enths of the old orchards have been ruined !.
q this way.
Most II not all shrubs should be pruned
'hen IN the growing state. Shoots or suck c
RS Will not put forth as in the case of Win {
ar pruning. \