The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-06-11
Work in the Horticultural Departments,

I'll
The spring has been SO backward tn.
many ofthe operations which ought to hay
been finished last month will have to be don
in this. Many plants that have usual
survived the winter with little protection
Will probably be found to be injured an
perhaps in some cases destroyed. 1t wi
often be necessary to replant, and prepare
tons ought to be made as early as pos
s,ole, SO that the trees may be set befor
they have started to grow.
ORCHARD AND NURSERY,
PLANTINa.-If trees were properl,
heeled in last fall, they may be set severa
weeks later than they could, if taken from
the nursery rows. The planting should b
forwarded as fast as possible, so that tn
present seasons growth may be set befor,
they have started to grow.
GRATING, if done after the trees have
started to grow, will require considerable
care, as the bark slips SO easily, that Their,
is danger of injuring the trees by peeling
CULTIvATING.-Ano orchard needs to
be kept plowed and thoroughly cultivated
IN order to produce the best results, anC
during the first few years after planting
some crop may be raised between the
rows potatoes or carrots are good crop
for q young orchard.
MULCHING.-Too much cannot be said
about properly mulching young tree, es-
pecially the first season after they are set .
It saves great deal of work in destrovino
weeds, and during dry season will often
prevent trees dying.
NURSERY TREEs.-Those budded or
grated last summer, will be disposed to
throw out suckers from the stock. These
should be rubbed off, and not be allowed
to get large enough to require cutting.
SEEDS.--Plant all seeds as soon as NOS
sible, and keep the beds free from weeds.
Young seedlings should be shaded as soon
as up, taking care to use some kind of shell
ter that will allow free circulation of air
around the plants; screen of laths is much
used by nurserymen. -.......
& INsECTS.-War must still be kent up
against all injurious insects, plans for de-
stroying which have been given hereto
fore.
FRUIT GARDEN.
AS the fruit garden is only an orchard
on small scale, the directions for planting
and generally cultivation will be the same.
STRAWBERRIES. - Finish setting new
plantations, and fork under the manure ap-
piled last fall. ---7~. -
as CUTTINGS of currants, gooseberries.
etc., may be set out in rows three feet
apart, with six inches between the cuttings.
After one seasons growth they may be
planted where they are to grow.
CURRANT bushes which have become
sickly and unsightly from the want of care,
ought to have the old wood cut back, so as
to give light and air.
hAsPBERRIEs AND BLACKBERRIEs.
Tie up the canes of last years growth.
and cut away the old bearing canes. if not
attended to last fall. Plenty of manure
should be spaded under between the rows.
GRAPE-VINEs.-If grape-vines have
been lett down until now, on account of
frosts, and the shoots have pushed, great
care must be used not to mjure them.
When vines are trained according to the
arm system, the arms should be bent in the
form of curve, to allow the buds to start
equally. Young vines, set out this season,
should be allowed to grow only one cane.
Layers may be made by laying the canes
IN trenches until the buds start, when they
should be gradually covered with soil, as
the shoots grow. -
KITCHEN GARDEN.
In warmer parts of the country, the
early crops of hardy vegetables will be
ready to gather this month, while in the |
more northern States the ground will not |
be ready to plant sooner than the first week |
in May. 1t is best to wait until the ground |
IS warm and dry, before sowing, as a few
days cannot make great difference in the
harvest.
ONIoNs.-Keep the beds sown last
month clear Of weeds, and loosen the soil
often. |
PEAs.-Brush the tall varieties and keep
them properly hoed. Plant more seed for
q succession.
PEPPERS should be treated the same as
egg-plants.
PoTAToEs.-Hoe as soon as up ; plant
for the second early crop. A great deal of
labor may be saved, if the garden is large
enough to allow of horse cultivation.
RADIsHEs.-Sow for succession, and
sprinkle air-slaked lime as soon as up, if
insects trouble.
SALsIFY.-Sow thickly in drills, fifteen
inches apart, and when up, thin to three or
four inches in the row.
SPINACH.-There ought to be several
sowings Of spinach for q succession. New
Zealand spinach should be sown in drills,
and afterwards transplanted into rows,
three feet apart each way; this is prefera-
BILE to spinach during the summer, as it is
not SO liable to run to seed.
Observation-Disclosures as soon as the
weather will permit, three or four feet
apart each way, according to the richness
Of the soil. The plants in neat gardens
are trained to some sort of trellis, and
The Vines pruned, to secure the best results.
TURNIPs.-Sow in well MANFRED soil,
and as soon as up, sprinkle with ashes or
air-slaked lime, to prevent the insects from
destroying them.
FLOwER-aARDEN AND LAWN.
Evergreens do best if planted this month,
Is this is the season when they commence
heir annual growth. In transplanting do
not expose the roots to the sun and air, but
Keep wet and protect with hay or blankets,
and set out as soon as possible.
MARdINs.-Cut the edges of the beds,
walks and drives smoothly with an edging- !
xnife. -
ACCOMPLISHMENTS from the hot
bed or window-boxes the young seedlings as
soon as the weather becomes mild. .as
PERRENNIALs may be sown in bed by
and kept free from weeds. Sow {
leeds of those coming into flower as soon
IS ripe. ,...--
BULBS.-Plant out gladioluses, lilies, l
'tc., as soon as possible. Tuberoses should
De started in pots in the greenhouse or hot