Northern Ohio journal. [volume] (Painesville, Ohio) 1872-1896, 1873-07-05
FIELD AND GARDEN
Edited by M. B. BATEHAM.
.rrRxn TO TIE GRAPE VINES.

ATTEND TO THE GRAPE VINES.
Most of the grape vines in this part |
of the State were killed nearly or quite |
to the ground the past winter, and have
now made vigorous new shoots from be-
low the injury. In some cases there
are from six to dozen of these young
shoots, and they are apt to spread hori-
zontally on the surface of the ground. if
not tied up. We notice many vines in
gardens and small vineyards that have
been quite neglected this summer, the
owners seeming to think it will not pay
to tie up the vines or cultivate the
ground when there is no fruit. But II
it is expected that the vines will be pre-
pared to bear fruit next year, the shoots
now growing rapidly should be tied up,
so as to keep them from the ground; and
If there are more than four or five from
one root, the surplus and weaker ones
should be pulled off. The old. dead
wood may be cut away now, or left till
next fall or winter, then the new wood
can be shortened and pruned into
cHdpC lOl DCAl
PRUNING INJURED APPLE TREES.
Many apple trees were injured by the
winter, so that the tops are now looking
sickly, and making no growth, except
ing new shoots or suckers coming out
from the trunks or large limbs. If
these suckers come from near the
ground, of course they should be cut
off; but those above may be wanted for
they should be thinned out, if numerous
cutting away the weaker ones. Then if
the branches do not seem to recover,
they should be cut away next spring,
leaving the new shoots to grow.
If the tree is badly injured in the
trunk by the bursting of the bark near
the ground, and strong shoots have come
out below, one or two of these may be
left to grow, and if the tree is not old, it
may renew itself in this way; but will
need grating if the shoot come from be-
low the original graft.
THE INJURED PEACH ORCHARDS.
Many of the peach trees that were
thought to be killed by the winter, but
were not cut down last spring, have
made few and feeble shoots, showing
tufts of green leaves, here and there
about the tops, and it is still matter of
doubt as to how many of such trees, if
any, will eventually recover. On the
older class of trees such new shoots are
already assuming yellowish tinge and
will doubtless die in August, or before
next spring. Others may recover so as
to live for few years, with diseased
bodies, and If sufficiently vigorous to
make new tops, may hereafter bear a
crop or two of fruit. In our young
orchard of two hundred trees, planted
two years ago; only about ten per cent
were killed; ;the rest are growing finely
OF the bearing orchards we expect no
further heneiit, but haYe left some ol
the trees standing for experiment.
STIR THE SOIL OFTEN.
Much of the corn and potatoes. and
many of the garden crops are quite
backward in consequence of the drauth
of the past month, and now that fine
rains have occurred, everything will
grow rapidly, especially if the surface
of the ground is stirred aud kept mellow
by the hoe and cultivator. Farmers
will hasten this work so as to get well
over with it before haying-and when
ever horse and man or boy can be
spared during haying and harvesting
let them work with plow or cultivation
among the corn or potatoes.
In the garden hoeing to stir the soil
and kill weeds will need to be done
early and often. Even, where tho
ground seems mellow and free from
weeds, stirring the surface after rain
and frequently during dry weather is oI
great advantage to growing crops.
THE POTATO BUGS.
The larval of the Colorado Potato
Beetles are now quite numerous and
active, where they have not been atten.
ded to, and if suffered to remain short
time longer will do mucn mischief, and
then will disappear into the ground only
TO re-appear with wings and fly to new
fields, if the potato tops at home are
scarce, or, if plenty, to lay the eggs for q
more numerous progeny. Hence every
potato grower should know that the
question is whether to kill the bugs oil
let them kill the potatoes. 1t is evident
there can be no compromise in this war
Paris green is still plenty at the drus
stores; use it freely, but carefully; it il
sure and speedy death to the enemy.