Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1867-08-15


A LxrrER FROM ''uNoLE JOSEPH ON VARIOUS
AGRICULTURAL TOPICS.
MoNraoNERY, Co., Pa, Aug, 7.
To tie Editors Of Tie Tribune.
THIS section, Montgomery county, as you
may know, is one of the very best in the
State, or United States. We have every ia
cility that an agricultural community needs,
for prosperous farming; we have Philade-
phia for market, (and there is none better
q railroa through the centre of the comfy,
sand, stone, lime, and iron ore, in unlimited
quantity and of the very best quantity.
These are some ofthe reasons why our coun-
ty is 30 prosperous.
But wish In this letter to give my imme-
diate experiences, and observations. First
of all then would speak of the weather.
This n the most remarkable season for rain
in my recollection. The surface has been
constantly saturated, and now at this present
writing we arc enjoying pouring rain,
which reminds one of Noah's Ark, and his
fsrty days and nights experience. 1t has
has taken much more time to gather in the
crops than usual. The hay was much of 1t
in partially damaged condition. The crop,
however, is very large. The wheat, which
is excellent, was all secured in very good
condition. We are now in the midst of oats
harvest. The earlier sown, which fipened
earliest, is much of it gathered in but there
is much yet out, which lies buried in the
mud and rain of the last three days. The
alternate sun and showers make all look
bright and beautiful, the fields and woods
having the dark green color and vigorous
growth of early spring.
Our corn, which was so late in starting, is
growing rapidly, and bids fair to make Il
large crop. Potatoes are very fine, though
there are some symptoms of rot in some
places, and If the heavy rains continue, they
will many of them be lost, as it is pretty
well established that heavy rains, followed
by hot sun, are the principal cause of theil
| rotting. From present Indications, our fields
| will produce an abundance for home con.
sumption and laIge surplus for sale, SC
that the denizens of the cities need not feal
a famine for year at least.
| In addition to the neccssaries of life men
toned above, we have been feasting for the
last two months on what might be termed
| its Injuries. First in the list, and most i'm
portant of all, were strawberries, and JUS
as these began to fail, the raspberries begar
to ripen, but are now all gone. In their steat
we have the finest dish of Lawtons on oui
tea table you ever saw. Thus we have,witl
a little care in planting, the supply Away
full, and though our larger fruits, such a
apples, peaches, pears, ETC., are quite a fail
ure, Enough we have few pears and ap
ples,) we have plenty Of fruit to suppl
our needs. In few weeks the grapes viii
be ripening their rich clusters, and with
proper attention to canning we shall hav
plenty of wholesome fruit the year round
Now / would ask each reader of the TRI
BUNE how many of them have been carefu
to supply their families with good, ripe
wholesome fruit, and how many have ne
elected to do so. This is question of NOR
importance than some suppose. Not onl
the comfort but the health Of family yer
much depends on having plenty of goo
fruit. 1t is better than meat, Especially
hot weather., better than Doctor bills an
adds much to the enjoyment of life.
1t is an easy matter to those who hay
land, (and that is an article which is nj
scarce in Delaware,) to have plenty OF frui
There are waste places enough on nearl
. every farm in Delaware, with very lit
labor, to raise fruit enough for one famil.
, And those who have not tried IL would
snrrrised ie. find what little labor and land
takes to raise plenty of fruit, and how grea
ly it adds to the comfort and enjoyment {
the family circle. Let those who have nc
done so try it. Plant without delay Straw
berries, the best that can he procured. Rasl
' berries, blackberrics, currants, gooseberrie
/ pears, peaches, ounces, grapes, &C., dc
D can all be best planted in the spring, b
now is the time to begin to prepare Il
ground, to fence and manure it and put it
, the best possible condition to receive IL
plants when the time arrives fer plan
: ing.
8 Throw out these hints and suggestion
hoping that some at least will profit
tbem UNCLE JOSEPH.