The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1868-05-10
AGRICULTURAL,

Mr.. Gift, thus speaks of
SrRAwBERRIEs.-Who desires to en-
| ter upon the business of Embarrassing for
profit, should begin with the strawberry,
from the fact that it yields q money return
sooner than any other kind of fruit, and is
immensely profitable when well cultivated.
Strawberries planted in the spring of 1868,
viii produce $500 per acre in 1869. With
this $500 expenses may be paid, and the
same ground set in peach, apple, or pear
trees, to come on in after years. This is
the system for party not having capital
enough to go into the business largely at
first. There is but one variety. worth the
ing for csshs and that is Wilson's Albany
the universal market berry Of America. 1t
is large, handsome, very prolific, and its
great frmness gives it the advantage, of all
others when it is to be sent q great distance.
The young planter should not be led astray
parties, who assure you theirs are the best
and biggest; and especially should he be
careful when they tell you theirs is infin-
itely superior to the Wilson. 1t is not SO,
and don't believe it,
zTme for Plamtiny.-Spring planting is
best for the beginner; but after getting on
hand u stock Of acclimated plants it is best
to plant about the middle of August: before
that, is even better, if the season will serve.
Manuring.-The ground for strawberries
should be highly enriched with stable man.
ure, and thoroughly prepared by subsoiling,
narrowing, and rolling. Set the plants in
rows three feet apart, and two feet from
horse-h0e or cultivator, and beNcareful to
have all grass or weeds picked from about
the hills as the hand hoe goes along.
Gathesing.--In picking the berries for
market, place them, with the caps or stems
ON, Immediately into the quart boxes in
hi nlp $hnVy 70 fpx nod rk,x.
boxes are then placed in strong boxes made
with solid ends, but stats or strips, leaving
openings, must compose the sides. The
packing will cost about enc cent per quart.
In New Jersey they pay two and q half
cents Per quart for picking, issuing checks
over; the receiver of the ticket binding him
or herself to pick the entire season through,
unless prevented by the providence of God,
or forfeit the checks already received.
BLAcKBERRIEs.-The same intelligent
gentlemen gives the following suggestions
regarding blackberry culture:
1t would be we'll to ship blackberries from
Southern points to this market. The first
in market sell for forty cents IL quart; and
although it is estimated that not less than
five hundred, some say a thousand, negrOea
are constantly employed in picking them
during the season, yet they are so much
sought after that they never get lower than
sixty cents per gallon. And would, remind
parties about to enter upon strawberry cul-
ture on a larger scale, Of the fact above re-
lated, in regard to blackberries. They never
get lower than sixty cents per gallon, and
it wilfbe a long time before the supply of
straw berries will equal that of black berries
l would advise no one to buy any of the
we'll advertised varieties of blackberries.
By little observation in passing through
the country you will be able to find much
better varieties than any which will ever
come from the North.
THE SEBEC PoTATo.-Dr. b. H. Stevens,
ofEssex, Connecticut, writes: " Last springf
sent to Maine and got n quantity of the early
Sebec potatoes, and found them large and
handsome. planted as directed, putting
only two eyes in a hill think 1 could not
have used more than three barrels to the
acre. They started early and grew we'll.
There were vines enough, and sometimes !
thought that cutting to one eye would have
done as well. They were fit to dig by the 10th
to the ] 5th of July THAT was early with us last
season.) had from one acre three hundred
bushels of the large, smooth, handsome po-
tatoes. planted the early Goodrich in the
same way, and the yield was about the
same; it is not as early, not as good eating,
not as fine, and with more small ones. The
Sebec we think with us the best early potato
that grows. 1t resembles the Mercer, and
it has the same pink streak running through
it when cut. 1 cannot speak too highly of
the Sebec. 1t did nobly with us last season
and gave us large yield, while almost all
other kinds failed.n This variety, which is
quite popular "Down East" is not as gen
orally known as it's merits deserve 1t is
highly commended by Messrs. Burr and
Gregory. Mr.. Gregory says that the Sebec
will admit of being dug earlier in propor-
tion to the maturity it has attained than
will the early Goodrich, and is excellent
and prolific.
MANURING LAwNs.-Failing rich conf
post, or thoroughly decayed dung, sow
Peruvian guano over the lawn, showery
yeather in April, at the rate of cwt. per
acre, and give another dress in the first wet
weather in June, applying it just before
rain. Let the guanO be sifted thronnh n |