The Portland daily press., 1876-05-01
THE FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.

ASparagus.--Rhubar b...Strawberries.
We notice at this season of the year, that
some agricultural journals are accustomed to
give advice to farmers in such stereotyped
phrase as this: Spring has come! now mend
fences, haul out manure, SOW grain, plant
potatoes corn and beans, etc., etc. Now it
seems to us that it is hardly necessary to re-
mind men of those things which they never
forget; to advise them to do precisely what it
is their main business in life to do. Farmers
as thing of course attend to such matters
almost as instnctivey as they retire at night
and rise in the morning, Or eat their regular
meals; and no stronger necessity exists for re-
minding them of these duties, than of the
others. In this particular field of labor the
province of the journalist should be rather TO
correct habits of neglect, important omissions
of duty; and to suggest such new methods as
promise successful results. u IL &
Entertaining such views, we have felt in
creasing dissatisfaction, with the return of
each successive spring, at the neglect of far
mers to avail themselves of the favorable OPP
portunity for beginning the cultivation of the
esculents we have named above. IF they
were comparatively rare, or Of recent intro
duction, there would be some excuse for unac-
quaintance with them; but common as they
are in the gardens of the workman and the
capitalist in town and city, no reason can be
given why they should not be just as COM
mon on farms in the country. Still further
we are ready to say, that we think the far
mer. inficts wrong upon his fam
lily, who depriVes them of these valuable
plants, whether regarded as necessaries, or
comforts or luxuries. If the proposition was
that every farmer ought to devote part of
his farm to these specialities in order that he
might raise crop for market, it might re-
ceive general negative, although admitting
many exceptions-but when we suggest the
simple reservation of a garden corner for
their exclusive use, perhaps no larger than
ones own living-room, we are not prepared
for solitary denial.
Without entering upon formal line of
argument to sustain our positions, it is
enough to say that these plants should be ad-
mitted to place in every garden upon sani-
tary considerations alone, coming so soon
after the snow wastes away and in such
succession supplying life to the blood, impov-
erished by the long abstinence of winter.
Simply as an economical transaction, their
cultivation is to be commended, as a large
amount of good living is furnished for the
household at time when the markets are
comparatively bare, thus bridging over the
gap until the appearance of the usual garden
crops. And then, it almost always happens
that surplus remains to constitute conye-
nient medium of exchange for those desra-
bic commodities for which money is not al
ways on hand. If however, ignoring all
selfish considerations, and unmindful of
health, economy or profit, we merely supply
our needy neighbors and our invalid friends.
we shall ever be sure of profitable returns.
As to the cultivation of asparagus. rhubarb
and strawberries no special directions are
ueeded-those found even in professional
treatises are not remarkably helpfnl-as in
many other branches, one learns most readily
and understandingly by little experience
of his own. Each one may be raised from
the scotland thus new and valuable vare-
ties are obtained-or prepagated from plants
or cuttings, which may be procured from
nurserymen and seedsmen at reasonable
rates. The latter method is the most expe-
ditious way of securing returns, and on the
whole the most satisfactory; although we
would recommend an experimental bed for
the trial of seedlings. The order and arrange
ment of the plants may be determined by
convenience or the size and shape of the gar
den; we suggest a single row of asparagus
next to the fence; and then to begin at one
eud of the row with the rhubarb, and at the
other with the strawberries, allowing the
place of meeting to be governed by the due
proportion assigned to each. All these
plants require good soil. The ground should
be prepared before they are transpanted, by
being heavily MANFRED and deeply trenched.
The asparagus plants should be placed from a
loot to foot and half apart in the rows.
or so that the roots may have ample room
and the crowns from four to six inches below
The surface. Having no faith in colossal
varieties after repeated trials, we recommend
the common kind, and the saving Of seed
from the most vigorous shoots. Salt may be
freely used as dressing. Rhubarb cuttings
should be set out from three to four feet
apart in holes containing about bushel of
good manure. The Victoria and Lnnues
have been for long time the standards; it !
will be safe however to order any of the mod |
ern varieties from reputable dealer. Straw |
berries, whether in hills or drills. should be |
az least foot apart; if drills are used they |
should be two feet apart. Set them little |
deeper than in the nursery, not however COW
ering the crowns, and provide for drainage.
Give them good soil and generous cultivation.
Wilson's Albany is the leading berry, es-
pecially for transportation. Charles Down
ing's LUCINDA and Triomphe de Gand are
established favorites. Monarch of the West
and Col. Cheney are worth y of trial.