The Placer herald., 1870-11-26
HOUSE AND FARM.

ATLANTIC II. i W., OIlc vi tiic aSe iiCui-
tural excursionists to California, in late let
ter to the New York Independent, says,
while speaking of the vines and trees in the
grounds of the Santa Clara College:
"The grounds of the Santa Clara College
contain many vigorous specimens of fruit and
ornamental trees. In these gardens we see
growing the palm tree and the olive-the
last over forty years ofage; while not far off
is fig tree, one of the most beautiful of all
ornamental shrubs while young. Yet we
find here, amid these evidences of tropical
vegetation, fine hedge of Arbor Vitc. fif-
teen feet high-north and south injuxtabosi-
tion. How striking the contrast in the
same garden are gathered over one hundred
varieties of grapes, mostly foreign, thriving in
the open air with the slightest attention, and
all in fruit. As looked upon the uniform
success that attended the culture Of the grape
here, where every vine is sure to produce its
fruit every year-where there is scarcely the
possibility of failure of crop, and every
thing is almost as sure as the fixed laws of
the Kedes and Persians-I turned my
thoughts back to our Atlantic slope, where
our vineyardsts struggle on year after year,
hardly depending upon more than one good
crop out Of every three, and where prices
are constantly fuctuating; where early frosts
nip their fruit before it is all marketed; where
mildew cuts short the health and productive
ness of their vines, and a score of discourage
ments, which form a remarkable contrast
with the ease of the California grower; and
yet ne would hardly exchange places with
him Where grapes thrive with such abun
dance they are two cheap to be profitable.
suppose the average profits per acre of grapes
90 the entire Pacific Coast is $50 per annum,
and yet hox common it is for our Eastern
vineyards to yield from 5000 to 5000 per
acre. We suppose an acre of Concords, in
full bearing, WILL cot fall below 500 net;
while at tiae lsw price of ten cents per pound
t&ey ~ill more often yield 5000 to $780,"
How 10 KEEP GRAYEx UNDER GRouND.-
The Grape Culturalist contains the following
letter: Many years ago, while in the nursery
bssiness, customer wanted some vines of me
and while they were being dug up he asked
me il kept any Of my grapes over Winter.
This was in March. OF course he got a
negative reply well. said he, when |
come next week for the trees will bring you
nee at the time, but thanked him for the
kind offer True to his promise when he
came week or ten days thereafter, he
aumgkt ne some. Not a few berries as
migh4 have been expected, but at least five
ronDas- They were Isabelas and Catawbas,
perfectly plump, sweet and fresh, although
snast of the berries had dropped from the
stemA With the expection of a very slight
earay taste, they were certainly excellent.
1he question Of course was asked, how do
You keep them thus? The reply was, that in
the faE as late as the cold would admit, they
were gathered in clear day, when perfectly
dry; albox about eight inches deep was taken
a layer of grapes and on these layer of
leaves again until the box was full, finishing
with layer of leaves. Put the lid on tight,
and bury deep to escape the frosts of the
Winter. OF course it must be where water
cannot settle into the box. The stems of
these grapes were quite fresh when given me.
The man told me his father-n-law had kept
them thus for years.
WHEAT.-Prepare broad acres for the staff
Of life, that will be good as gold next season,
in all probability. Plow deep, pulverize
thoroughly by rolling and narrowing, and
see to it that surface drainage is well provid
ed for 1t is scarcely necessary to add that
manure is in demand for all crops except rich
new land, well burnt over. There should be
no waste of anything that will fertillize the
land, where leached ashes can be found, per-
haps for nothing, do not fail to secure them.
Compose chicken manure with muck or SOIL
Dig out the earth around barns and stables,
where manure has been washed into it for
years, and fill up with other dirt. If the
house yard has been enriched by years of
slops and what not from the kitchen, dig it
out and supply with fresh earth, which will
be healthier while what is carted out will
make you richer.
ICED GRApEs.-A nice dessert may be
made Of grapes in the following manner
Take small punches of choice, small grapes,
beat the whites oftwo eggs, and mix them
with quarter Of pint of spring water. Dip
each bunch Of grapes into the egg and water,
drain them two minutes, roll them two or
three times in powdered loaf sugar, and lay
them on sheets Of white paper to dry, when
the sugar will become crystalized Plums,
cherries, currants or strawberries, may be
iced in the same manner.
WHEN WE SHOULD NOT TAKE MEDICINE
fa man can sleep soundly, and has a good
appetite, with no unpleasant reminders after
meals, the bodily habits being regular every
day, he had better let medicine alone, wheth-
er he is as big as hogshead, or as thin and
as dry as fence-ra. Such is the sensible
advice of the Herald Of Healh
HOUSEHOLD WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Wheat -four weighs one pound to a quart.
Indian meal, one pound two ounces to
quart. Butter, when soft, one pound to a
quart. Loaf sugar, broken one pound to
aquart. Wheat sugar, powdered, one pound
one ounce to quart. Eggs, average size,
ten to a pound.