Smyrna times., 1858-05-27
WHOLE NO., 374.

GRAPE CuLTURE'-At the recent Scientific
Convention, at Baltimore, Prot. Swallow read
paper on the grape culture in Missouri, which
contained numerous interesting facts on the
subject. The culture of the grape depends on
the adaptation OF the climate and soil. In New
England the climate is suitable, but not the
soil. The soil should be warm, light and dry,
and possessed Of abundance of falkaline proper
ties. The best wine-growng soils contain pot
ash, soda, lime and magnesa in large propor-
tons. as to climate, the winter must be short
ana mild, and the summer of an equable tenn
peralure. Statistics collected in Missouri show
that the entire cost Of Vineyards, preparing the
soil, setting and training the vines, till they
come into bearing, varies from $500 to $500
per acre, while the annual cost Of cultivation
thereafter Is from 500 to 500 per acre; so that
an income OF $500 per annum for each acre is
snilclt Mt to pay the interest on the first cost and
the expense Of cultivation. The vineyards of
Missouri have yielded an annual average Of at
least 23O gallons per acre for the last ten years,
which, at an average price per gallon of 81 60
would give annual income of S400, and a
yearly profit Of $500 ler acre, so that, in the
poorest seasons, the vincdresser will reap a
prot, which results in like proportion 10 no
other branch Of husbandry.
In Missouri there are more than fifteen mil
lions of acres adapted to vine culture, and there
are numerous natural caves peculiarly adapted
to the storage OF wines. The best grape for
VINE Is the Catawba, and the best for the table
is the Isabella.
AGRICULTURAL "WAIFs."-What better time
VIII the farmers have than the present for set
ting out trees, ornamental and fruit? Nothing
adds more 10 a farm or garden than trees or
shrubbery. Their cost is not great compared
with the benefit they bring.
Mr.. Jonathan Sanderson Of Petersham has
sheep which has brought forth ten lambs in
less than one year and eleven mOnihs-three
May 10, lS5G; three March, 1857; and four
April /, l955.
Stone fences, neatly built and we'll kept UP,
give .fRiShed look to the farm-a look which
no other fence can give as well. Let those
who have the material put them up, by all
means.
Attach treadle to your grindsone. 1t will
save the time and labor OF Il man when you can
lily spare 1t from the field. See to it; make
a trcodte.
1t pays quite as well to grind hoe as an
axe particularly if your soil is hard and weeds
high.
lon have cleaned cut your yard and draw
away your manure, now scatter a few loads
OF muck and a little charcoal, if you have it.
over the manure beds. 1t will be saving.
DIVIDE your pastures for your sheep so as to
give them change once each month Pro-
vide salt troughs for them. DO not throw the
salt on the ground.
DEcAIsNE PorAros.-This is French pota.
to. white in color, rather deep eyes, of Superior
eating qualities, and remarkably prolific, and
need only to be known TO secure wide spread
popularity. The history of its introduction into
this country is as follows:
"ln the spring OF 1856 DR.. D. p. Hoton, of
New York city, then residing in Paris, and at
tending lectures at the various colleges in that
city, heard Professor Decasne professor of
Horticulture at the Garden of Pants) give a
lecture upon this potato, and in such high
terms did he speak OF its merits, so fattering of
It's wonderful qualities, that he was induced to
solicit Of the Professor, (who politely granted
the tavor) a couple Of them for transatlantic
friend, to serve as an introduction of them into
this country.
From these two potatoes, of medium size the
irlend raised about three tourths of bushel of
potatoS OF large size, and of excellent quality,
notwithstanding a considerable loss had been
0ccasloned by the depradations of mice. The
last year. he raised from scarcely more than
half Il bushel of the same and under somewhat
unavorable circumstances, between "a and 25
bushels, large measure"
nc - IIltHu SpOhcn OF aOOFe, us we are lns
formed, is p. NJ. Forward, Esq, of Southwick,
in this State, (Mass)., of whom specimens, we
presume, may be obtained for trial-if his sup
ply be not already exhausted among his friends
aud neghbors.
DEPTH FOR PLANTING CORN-If corn is plant
ed three inches deep, it will come up and grow
ihrIftlIy for a while, until it is three or four
inches high; then it will stand still ten days or
u fortnight. lfnow we examine the roots to
ascertain the cause of this check upon the
growth of the corn, we shall find that Joint
has formed about an inch and half above the
kernel from which new roots have sprouted, and
that the roots first formed below the kernel
have rotted. While the process of changing
roots is going on, the plant ceases to grow per-
ceptibly above ground. The stalk and ears
flourish as well after this change as corn
planted shallower, but there is a loss of about
fortnight in the growth and maturity of the
plant. The lesson to be derived from this fact
is, obviously, that to have carly corn, it must
not be planted more than an inch and a half
deep!
1t may interest some who are now engaged
planting Indian corn to read the following
record of experiments made by a careful obser-
yer
No l. planted | inch deeb came nm in 81 doyo