The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-09-27
AGRICULTURAL.

WORKING STocK.-1f the working cattle
have been properly handled during the
early summer, they will be capable of
doing much hard labor in August, without
sensibly feeling it. 1t is best, however, to
do the severest work in the early morn
ing-heavy blowing or hauling stones, for
instance.
| SEAsoNABLE HfNrs.-Compost heaps
rapidly ferment and become homogeneous
in character in hot weather. All sorts of
vegetation in it's green state is adapted to
be used in this way. Swamp grass and
stances, are valuable ingredients. Lay
them in alternate layers with animal ma
nure, Or put them in thin layers, spritk--
ling each thoroughly with lime, or ashes. If
liquid manure can be pumped over the
heaps, the advantage will be marked
up to dry before carting.
MANuRNG LANDs-Manuring grass
lands at this season, or as soon as sown,
is productive of more good, both to the
succeeding crop and to the land, than at
any other season. The clover and grass
| time the hay is cut. A little encourage
| ment at this time keeps them active, the
sod will be close, the aftermath strong, and
the grass crop next year much improved.
Even dressing of common loan from an
| adjoining field will often make the differ
ence of half a ton of hay to the acre on
grass land beginning to fail, if it be applied
In July or August.
PROPAGATING New STRAwBERRIEs.-Dr
Seth BOyden, 80 we'll known as q successful
grower Of some remarkable varieties of
| rawberries, sends us the following " The
strawb berry plant is subject to many varia-
tions from external causes, which should
be avoided when the highest success is
desired. The best varieties will retrograde
if they are neglected and choked with
and will become an inferior variety, re-
curing years of good cultivation to restore
them to their original condition. For O
new setting the best plants should be Sc
lected from healthy parents, with large
runners, and carefully handled. An injury
to the plant is an injury to the future crops.
If the roots ale broken or tangled the plant
will never fully recover. The young plants
should be set as soon as they have roots
sufficient to sustain themselves, and not
want for water before they have become
firm in their place. New land, or soil not
much worn, is preferred, and should BE
trenched foot deep under the rows and a
layer of manure put on the subsoil or
bottom of the trench. If the soil is heavy
and liable to dry hard, small quantity of
fine manure should be added and well
mixed before the trench is filled. The roots
should not come in contact with much
strong manure, but after the plants have
become firm they may be literally top
dressed"
ODDS AND ENDS IN G.RDENING.-A
garden of moderate prctensions, well
kept, is more pleasing than large and
neglected one, even if it be filled with rare
and costly plants. Frequent going over
the plants and attending to their needs at
once is necessary to order and neatness.
fnn -f,r r>To, In nttx
them, tying, nipping, propping, and making
erything do its best. Tying material
should be always at hand. For vines and
plants generally we prefer Russia mating
to anything else. Get bright, fresh piece, |
and keep it were strands can be pulled out
as needed. Wetting makes them sufficiently
flexible. To have the material always at
hand, we cut up the strips into convenient
lengths for one or two ties, wet it and place !
it i'll case made by folding a bit OF pif-cfotf
carpet This can be carried in the pocket l.
of the working coat all day, and be i'll good
condition to use. In bringing into shape
plants that were. disposed to sprawl too |
much, we have found WilcoXs garden
trellis very useful. For some plants this |
makes too much show; all supports should |
be concealed as much as possible, and we
use a ring of galvanized wire, tied to three
small stakes In flower gardens there ismnch
small work to be done, especially among !
bedding plants before they cover the ground. t
These are set SO closely together that no
ordinary implement will work among them
conveniently. We took large kitchen
fork, such as is used to lift heavy meats
from the pot, cut off the shank at con-
venient length, fixed on handle, and found
we had an excellent implement for working
among such plants. By its frequent use
the surface is left in that open and mellow
condition so conducive to the health of
the plants and the well-kept appearance Of
the beds.