The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1875-01-01
applied too early, growth sometimes

too early, growth sometimes
CSons NAV be cut at any time when
the wood is not frozen; store in saw-dust,
and take care that they do not dry out
during the winter.
P5owing.-All blowing should be
done early this month; ground for new
orchards will be in much better con-
dition for planting, if plowed IN the
fall.
.FEsRt should be kept in rooms or
cellars where the temperature is as
even as possible: the nearer it is to
SIS or 40 degrees, the better will the
fruit keep.
Lawns.-If the grass shows signs OF
failing apply a dressing of fine, we'll
rotted manure. Where the grass has
died out SOW fresh seed and rake it in
smoothly and evenly.
Stocks for root grating should be
taken up, assorted, and tied in bundles
of convenient size, and stored in boxes
of damp saw-dust in the cellar, where
they can be easily reached during the
winter.
Pzantin0 NAV often be done this
month where the weather is mild, but
on no account set the trees in partially
frozen soil ; it is much better to heel
in the trees in a dry sandy spot until
spring, when they can be set out prop
erly.
FRUIT GARDEN.
Cuttings of currents and gooseberries
may be planted. The thing necessary
to insure success is that the earth be
packed firmly around the base of the
cuttings.
Covering.-Try to cover strawberries,
| etc , Just as freezing weather sets IN
this is easily done if the covering ma
terial is at hand. Young grape vines
are best covered with a few inches Of
earth.
Pears of choice varieties well pre-
served, will now bring good prices in
the markets. If packed in shallow
boxes, containing one or two layers.
each pear wrapped in soft tissue paper.
the extra price will more than repay the
trouble.
Grape Tnes.-Prune at once before
cold weather sets in =; many persons DE-
not prune until spring +; if left unit
then. the vines are liable to bleed
The various methods of pruning hav'
been described, and it makes but little
difference which is adopted.
Root Cuttings. - Blackberries and
raspberries are most readily propagatet
from root cuttings. The roots are Gu
into pieces two or three inches long, ant
packed closely in a box with earth
there should be holes in the bottom o
the box to allow of drainage, then bur,
the box and contents in a dry spot, an
leave until spring.
Grape Cuttings.-The wood from tn
pruning of the grape vines may be use
for propagation. Gut into pieces cor
tanning two buds, and tie into bundles
and bury in sand in the cellar. Varie
ties ha d to start, like the Delaware
should be rooted in the greenhouse 9
hot-bed from one-eye cuttings, Will
others, like Norton's Virginia, can onl
be proftably multiplied by layers.
Sundry Matters.-Upon stormy day
there will be found plenty of occupatio
in repairing harness, cleaning and pu
ting away tools, working in the carpel
ter's shop, repairing grain bags, ct
Such work is recreation. AS this is Il
season for selling poultry, let there
a good supply kept for home use, an
) those which are kept for breedingshouI
be we'll cared for, SO that they may Il
early. The poultry house should
kept clean and we'll whitewashed, if
! has not been already done. Keep ii
/ pillow running il the corn stubbles uni
the ground is frozen. The long whit
. evenings should be devoted to stuc
and domestic entertainments, in whit
, the younger should be joined by Il
! older ones. There are few things wh1t
will more readily make farm life agre
; able to children than the pleasant eve
ings which may be spent in a far
house, with books, papers, toys al
; games. in which the old folks rene
their youth again. IL is the want
this companionship which makes cou
+ try life SO generally dull and uninvitil
to young people.
Storing Roots, Root crops and pot
J toes should be stored in dry pitz,
preference to cellars beneath the hous
3 Ventilation should not be neglected
: wisps of straw should be placed in &
tops of the pits every six feet apart, t
this purpose. If any are still in t
8 ground, they should be harvested wit
ont delay. A good substantial and pr
: manent root house in convenient plae
q will be found valuable.
Roads.-Repairing roads should n
t be put off any later. Every farm shou
have q permanent road through the ce
ire. which should be kept in good
pair. Roadmasters should seethat m
holes and bad spots in the roads 8
filed with stones. Mending roads vi
earth at any season, is waste lab
s There should be a Blake's stone crust
at every country mill where road ma
rial can be procured. One years I
IS would pay for it. In nothing are we
, behind the times as in the condition
= our country roads.
y Manure is the basis of good crops
the garden, and most farmers would
2 surprised at the quantity applied to
g acre by our market gardeners. Eve
y method should be used to increase |
u supply. Gather leaves, woods ear
Q swamp muck, to be used as absorbel
for the liquid manure of the stables
:; the house slops sods and loan shol
8 be carted to the barn-yard for use