The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-05-18
FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.

GROWING TOMATOES AND CUoUMBERs
ON STAKEs.-During the past few years
we have noted how much moro healthy
tomatoes grow over stakes than when
growing along, anyhow, on the ground.
Not only is the vine more healthy, but
the fruit is far better in quality, while
the quantity is largely increased. The
only thing ever said against the plan
comes from market gardeners, who find
that the cost of stakes and training is
greater than the increased advantages.
But this objection will have no weight
with those who have their own gardens,
and with whom vastly superior fruit is
of more consequence than their own
time, which they do not pay so much
for. ...
It is seldom that we step out of the
line of what we have seen and observed,
to recommend things on mere imagina-
ton alone but we think that the same
good results would follow the training
of a cucumber up stake, as we have
shown is the case with the tomato. We
think this, in the first place, because the
cucumber is a plant which by its ten
drills climbs over bushes and low trees in
its native places of growth and, in the
next place, because we see them trained
up trellises in lighthouses, where they
are forced for early market. 1t is not,
therefore, all hypothesis about their do
ing we'll trained up from the ground.
The only doubtful point is whether they
will do as well in tie open air on stakes
as we have seen them do on trellises
| under glass. We see no reason why
they should not, and intend to try them
this way this summer and give the
hint in advance of the season of sowing
so that those disposed may try it also.
We expect to gain by this plan superior
quantity and quality of fruit. but those
who have but small garden will gain
in space also, as, in the usual way OF
growing cucumbers, they require con-
siderable room to spread themselves.
It may be as well to remark that in
training cucumbers to stakes it would
be as well to have lines of thread, OF
fine twine, running from the top Of the
pole to the ground, as we do for morn
ing glories or cypress vines. This will
enable the vine to mount its own ladder
by the use of its climbing tendrils
Also it will save tying, which, on ac-
count of the brittle nature OF the GU
cumber vine, might result against the
success of the experiment.
TIN RooFs.-The Scientific american
says: "a stitch IN time saUes nine" is 6
somewhat trite saying, but nevertheless
well worthy of consideration and il
nothing connected with building has il
more significance than in the matter O.
TN roofs.
For a fiat roof, tin is, beyond ques
ton, the most economical covering thai
can be applied If not neglected, it is ab
solutely indestructible by external intlu
ences, and will last hundred years il
as good condition as when first laiC
down, if kept aceU painted. Yet there ar,
to-day, in the city of New York, thou
sands of roofs undergoing the process o
slow ccrrosion and decay, because of tn
want of little timely attention. TIL
comfort of the household, and safety O
the property, depend in a great measur
on the quality and condition of th
roof; yet there are hundreds of thou
sands of dollars wasted every year b,
the most inexcusable negligence in thi
matter.
Many owners of valuable houses nev
, er visit the roofs, and, until admonishet
by the appearance of stained ceiling
and discolored walls, pay no attentio
to this important subject. The renew
ing of tin roof is attended with a con
. siderable outlay of money, and no sma
l amount of inconvenience and trouble
A rain storm during the process ma
, involve the ruin of hundreds of dollar
worth OF expensive and cherished house
t hold goods. To avoid this, in many ca
e ses, some uostrum- vender, who advert
4 ses to "cure leaky roofs for small col
S sideration," is allowed to cover the neg
t lected housetop with q coating of ia
1 and sand, aodrrdnttd to remain tight fC
/; five years. This temporary expedien
I however, like most temporizing, prov,
costly experiment, and time soon show
Il the second state of that roof to be wor:
than the first; for such neglect there
r but one remedy,-repentance, a ne
:, roof covering, and promise of bette
s attention in the future. Tin on hous
a top should be well painted once in fol
3 years.