Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1861-03-15
From the hs-r,s ~ Nsr'cOluri.t.
Hints on Starting Garden Plants Ear.
ly IN Spring.

ly IN Spring.
Various method. may be rcsorted TO for
procuring early vegetable. and hOwer., in
all climates, and especially in the colder re-
rion. of the mos, Northern States. and Of
the British prOvincs, as well as Tor .ccu'
ring the growth Of ,hOsc plants which will
not ordinarily mature where the season 10
very short. Grecn-house-. hoi'evds, and
cold frames, are the most desirable, and
the. arr de.uusd 90 come into more siien'
.i,. u.s. when people generally learn how
simple. cheap and valuable they are. o'
,ses- We .peak from time TO time here we
will only refer TO one or two method. ihA,
nav be adopted BY all.
First. le, q, 70 remembered, that soil
dcery dug and thoroughly drained. Is In n
condition TO receive seed. or plants much
earlier than an ordinary coil, TO matter
ho- dry IL NAV be \ tree admiIterS Of
fsrmeu,inus manure like that from The
hor,e stable. also tend. TO warm the soil.
The smaller se~i.. lettuce, cabbage. cauli'
flower, iurnip., tomatoes, many OF the
flower ssols .ic.. may veil Be sown In cheap
esrihen pots, or in boIe. Of earth. These
bOIs., if watsr.ught, should have gimle,
hole in the bottom 70 drain OF excess Of
va,., an over do-e Of water with no drain.
ase. will often stop or greatly reiard the
sro-ih. Though no, indispensable. II n.
Away. preferable to water at the bottom.
letting only 50 much soak in n will naiu'
rally rise by capillary attraction. While
the weather remains cold dsr'us the day,
thee boxc. or pots may be kept in warm
light cellar. or better .iill, IN arOon slight
ly warned by frc-hea,. Bu, As soon a. the
outdoor temperature during the day J.
above ,hs freezing point, they should be
lefi oui in the SUI. and only be brought IN
nj nigh, when there is prospect OF frost.
|, answer, very well TO leave them on the
South side Of barn during the day, AMI
remove them 10 the barn aoora, night. Gov.
srins with straw IL needed ~ keep out the
fros,, BY very Little care Of this kind
any one NAV have an abundant supply OF
plants. ready 10 DO transferred to the open
ground when danger Of frost is past.
Another me;h0d which has been highly
commended BY some. i this Gu, turf or
grA- sod. into square blocks, or in long
precc. II grsss ,Od., pare osa little OF the
gra.. side. Inyeri the pieces and plant IN
then various sceds. such as cabbage, let
tuc.. eueumb-r.. melons, corn. turnip-,
r.di.he-. indeed anything which IS desired
to grow early. These can be laid closely
together on the south side Of the house, or
barn taking care TO apply from time to time
ju.t water enough q keep them barely
moist. On ,oll nights they can be covered
With old carpet!ng, or blankets, and straw 4,
until the plapts begin TO sppear. after
Which the pirces should Be temporarily re-
moved 10 the cellar whenever there Is dan
Ger Of iro.t. A. soon a. ,hc condition OF
,h- .oil and weather rcniers IL safe the sots
OF ,uri may bc cut into small pieces, each
one containing one or more growing plants.
and then -ei them into the open ground.
Thsr, u. double advantage in this process ;
q gain % Ore 20 threc week, in time !. 80
currd, and the sod or turf is an eIcellen,
material for promoting future growth and
fertility. Any one who will try ,hi. meth.
% for a single .eason. will not BE- likely 70
omit /, Afterwards. Three or four hours Of
tim. expended in this way, will secure a
considerable supply Of extra early products
Of various kinds.
Tho-e Who have few old baskets will
End the follosine plan good one Put
into the baskets quantity Of good soil,
with rotten chips, With or without some
well roticd manure, as NAV De NEEDED by
the soil used Plant in each ba.ke, few
melon, cucumber, squash, or pumpkin
se-i.. The b..ket. can be carried in or on,
according to he state Of the weather. Al
ter the pl.nls are IN vigorous growth. and
the weather suitable, set the baskets in the
soil. on. 10 . bill without disturbing the
contents. II the sides and bottoms OF The
b.ssv,. se not pretty open. number O'
hole. should Be punched through. ih'
root. ~ill End their way out into the sur
rounding soil. by starting early. 80 as &c
hav. large visOrod. plant srOsing in the
bA.ksi. Of earth by the time the weather IS
settled. you nay have eucunbers ready for
,he table alnO., As coon a. other people have
plants coming up. and melon. aud other
products propOr,iOnately early