The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-12-11
(Erom the American Agricnltnris, ior Decemberl
WORK FOR THE MONTH.
WORK IN THE HORTICULTURAL DE-
PARTMENT.

WORK IN THE HORTICULTURAL DE
PARTMENT.
There is seldom month in which some-
thing can not be done towards advancing
the Spring work. There are many mild
days when things which were neglected in
the fall can be attended to. There is now
plenty of time for reading, and no good
gardener will fail to provide himself with
suitable books and papers to employ hls
mind during the long evenings. New hor.
tculturai books are published from time
to me, upon different subjects. most of
wi Nh contain some items OF interest, and
are worthy Of a careful perusal. During
mild days, rubbish, which often collects
around the barn and out buildings, may be
taken away, thus making the house and
grounds look as if they were properly
cared for.
= FRUIT GARDEN.
Raspbaries. down the canes of
the tender varieties, and cover with earth
before the grouno freezes.
Strawberry Beds.--These should receive
covering OF straw. or bog-hay, or leaves.
two or three inches thick. A little earth
or some brush will be necessary to prevent
the leaves from blowing away. Care should
be used not to cover 100 deeply, as the OBJ
ject is to prevent sudden changes of heat
and cold, and not to prevent freezing.
Grippe. Vines.-These ought to have been
pruned last month, but advantage may be
taken of any mild days to prune now.
Young vines, whether tender or hardy, do
best If laid down.
Wood for trellises and stakes may be
prepared ready for setting in the spring.
Chestnut and locust posts are very durable,
and are best where it is necessary to have
wood in contact with the ground.
FLowER-aARDEN AND LAWN.
Protection.-The same rules apply here
for the protection of halt-hardy shrubs and
trees, as given for strawberries, etc. Ten
der roses are best treated by laying down
and covering with sods.
Climbers which are not entirely hardy ct
the North. should be taken down from their
trelises, and covered with earth.
PHs.--Plants kept in pits and frames,
must be kept dormant, and take care not
to keep them too wet. Plants stored in
the cellar do best when surrounded by dry
earth, and kept without water.
1fellises, etc.-Put all movable wooden
trelises and seats under cover. Imprinted |
ones will last longer it a good coat Of Pc
trOleum Is applied TO them.
Erergreens. Protect the young trees by
surrounding them with evergreen boughs (;
this slight protection will often save trees
which when older will prove perfectly
hardy.
GREENHOUSE AND WINDOW PLANTS.
dir is one of the necessary elements of |
success in plant growing, whether in the |
house or greenhouse. Open the ventila-
tors every day when the weather is not |
freezing, opening only those on the oppo-
site side from which the wind is blowing. |
Water.-Give only VIXEN the plants are |
dry; if watered too much, the soil becomes |
SO thoroughly saturated that it is impossi-
Bile for the roots to grow well. Sprinkle |
or shower the plants as often as conve. |
nlent, except in the coolest weather.
House Plants usually suffer more from
dust and dry atmosphere than from any |
other cause, and the only remedy is to |
shower often, and to occasionally sponge |
the foliage of the smoo;he-leaved plants,
such as Camellia, Ivy, etc.
CoRN-sTALKs.
-. F. P.," Fredericksburg, Va, has |
100 tons of corn-stalks; hitherto he has |
burned them. but is ashamed to confess it |
now what can he do to avoid this waste? |
No one should be ashamed to confess his |
faults, but confess, repent, and learn bet
ter. There is q better way which has been |
frequently pointed out by the Agricul.,uist,
which is to cure them and iced them to |
stock. This may be dore by throwing
them to the cattle in yard or pen, when |
the finer portions are eaten, and the rest |
trampled down into manure or, which is
far better, cutting them up, wetting and |
sprinkling them with bran or mil-feed,
when they will be eaten up clean. Horses, |
cows and oxen will eat and thrive upon |
such food, # the stalks are aoen erred.
HOW TO RENOvATE AN OLD APPLE
ORCHARD WITHOUT FLOWING.
Prune judiciouslv, and manure heavily.
Do not put the manure round the trunks OF
the trees. but spread it all over the ground.
Ashes, leached or unleached, are excellent; |
so is lime or bone dust. But superphos- |
phate and nitrate of soda would probably |
act quicker than any other application.