The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1871-05-09

nature is to support itself by its tendrills
IN an upright position upon pieces Of
brushwood, iu which manner the ceanest
and best fruits are thus obtained. This
by the way, will be found to be good
practice too, where there is but little room
for horizontal growth upon the ground.
Cucumbers also, like most varieties Of
melons, have been found to possess in the
leaves immense perspuatory power,so that
they require greater supply Of fluid
that those of most other plants which
accounts for the singular fact that they
seem to thrive best where the roots find
their way to an abundant supply ofwater.
Such supply of moisture is requisite
under exposure to an intense sunshine, the
heat and bright light Of which decompose
and alter the fluids Of the plants and ella
borate from them an abundance of sweet
juices. This is peculiarly so with melons
in hot climates and experience has de-
monstrated that the moisture should be
applied to the roots and not upon the
surface of the soil in which they grow, so
as not to cool the surface check the growth
and kill the plants.
The plan recommended, is to take
tight barrel or cask, remove one head and
partially fill the barrel or cask with large
pebbles or stones, say half full; upon these
stones place mixture of compost with
rich alluvial soil, or fine fresh vegetable
mold until the barrel or cask is filled to
within three or four inches of the top in
which plant the seed and cover to the re-
quisite depth. This barrel or cask may
be placed in any convenient situation
where sufficient room or space can be OBJ
tanned, and around which arrange lattice
work or brush to sustain the outspreading
plants in whatever manner may be found
most convenient for affording access at all
times to both the barrel and the plants.
Upon the outer side of the cask insert
pipe of convenient size, through which
water may be introduced to the lower or
under half of the cask daily, or as often
as the occasion may require this portion
of the cask should be kept constantly fill
ed with water Midway of the cask the
slaves should be perforated with several
half-inch holes, for the free escape of any
surplus water and at the same time to
permit the admission of an equal distri-
button of air /; this purpose would be bet
ter accomplished if the holes were bored
upon line at equal distances apart around
the cask.
The effect of this arrangement, as will
be readily seen, is that through the cap
Hilary attraction of the soil, sufficient
moisture is absorbed at all times to nourish
the plants, while the admission OF air can
be controlled at pleasure by opening or clos
ing the apertures upon the sides OF the cask.
As to the production of cucumbers alone
under this plan it has been found to
greatly exceed any other; the yield un-
der proper management, from one 'gener-
ating tub has been found amply sufici-
ent to fill closely packed barrel with
sailed pichels.
Cucumbers, therefore, as will be seen,
can be raised or cultivated with consider
able profit, and produced in cities as
readily and cheaply as in most country
places, with the advantage Of being able
to secure them fresh for the table at all
times during the season. The same OBJ
servations apply with equal, if not great
er force, to the cultivation of melons,
citrons, and many other vegetables.
The object or design intended to be ac-
complished in having the sides Of the
cask project some three or four inches
above the soil, is to enable the plants to
be started early in April, in our northern
ATTITUDES, and allow space for covering
with glass, blankets, ETC., thereby pro-
tecting their growth, and at the same
time protecting them against frosts.
Where light is abundant, such plants may
be grown in warm rooms, and subsequent
ly removed into the open air, where bees
may have access to the blossoms, or the
same may be agitated by the wind during
the bossoming season.
1t is good plan, ALSO, to sprinkle the
surface of the soil at successive periods
say once in every two weeks, with weak
solution of ammonia water, which will
facilitate the growth of the plants.
The TINE TO TRANSPLANT fruit trees
will depend on the season, condition Of
the soil, and condition of the trees The
soil should be dry enough to work W
mellow; if wet and heavy, the work can
not be done well, and Jumps, clods ant
baked surfaces will be left, besides thu
interstices among the roots, which may
cause their death. If the trees have
been dug early, and kept in good PLUMP
condition by being heeled in shady
place, they may be set out safely severa
weeks afterwards; but to dig them VI
when partly in leaf would be hazardous
Trees dug in autumn and we'll heeled in
or dug early in spring, usually carry will
them all the newly formed roots, if care
fully handled, and they will then SUITE
: no detriment. Such trees, whether heel
ed in, or taken fresh and moist from tn
well-packed bale after long railway tran
) sit, have done well set out late in Ma
u but the roots should be kept constant
ly moist.
Y The best strawberries, as they mo-
4 stand in public opinion, are mentioned b
S P. T. Quinn in the Tribune, as follows
The varieties most in demand hold tn
Y same relative position they did last yea
Wilson's Albany Seeding is still at ii
head of the list as the most popula