The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-05-17
Agricultural.
Work in May.

transit in warm weatheI are liable TO lnJu-
ries.
Grating is one Of the operations that had
better be done too late than too early. The
proper time is when the swelling of the buds
shows vegetation to be active and it is risky
to do it earlier. The most successful graft
ing of an orchard we ever saw, was done
while the tree was in full bloom. At this |
season the bark slips readily and care is re-
Qured in saving off the limbs, not TO strip |
it and make a bad wound. 1t is better now
to quite cut through the bark with strong
knife all around where the saw is to work, |
Grating wax for use now should have more
resin in it, to make it harder, than that APP
piled in cooler weather.
BUDS BELOW THE GRAFr.-A gentleman
about to graft informed Us that he was adj
vised by "a professional" to "scrape the
branches, in order to remove every bud be-
low the graf, and called to inquire as to
the propriety of this. Whenever bud starts
into growth, the sap flows towards that bud.
The buds on the cion are dormant, and will
remain so until union is formed with the
stock, sufficient for that to supply the ciou
with sap to allow its buds to commence
growth. If the stock or its branch is entire
ly deprived of buds, the sap has little induce.
ment to ascend, but if the buds are left near
ly up to the point where the gratis are in
serted, their starting will cause an abundant
supply of nutriment to flow to them, and
the chances of the success of the gratis great
ly increased. When the buds on the cions
have commenced to grow--and not until
then-the young shoots lelow are to be
broken or rubbed off,
Insects will increase as the supply of food
becomes abundant. Eggs of the Tent Cater
pillar that have escaped observation, will
now hatch and the small caterpillars will
commence to feed, making their webs, or
'tents" while yet small these are best seen
while the dew is on them, in early morning
Lye, whitewash, petroleum and other
things have been advised, to be applied with
a swab. The quickest, easiest, and surest
way is to remove the web, morning or even
ing, when all are at home, by the hand
gloved or not--and throw it upon the ground
and stamp it. Borers in the apple and
ounce are detected by their sawdust and
by a depression in the smooth bark, those
in the peach and other stone fruits by an
exudation of gum. They must be cut out,
or be probed and punched to death by means
ofa wire. Curcuiio, on stone fruits general
ly, bat on the plum particularly, begins
work as soon as the fruit is set; jarrng the
tree, catching the insects on a cloth, and
then killing them is the only remedy. PIant
Lice often cover the young shoots strong
soap suds or tobacco water will kill them
on low trees the branches may be bent
down and dipped; on others the liquid
must be freely applied by syringe or gar.
den pump.
Young Trees should have the soil kept
clean and mellow among them, and, espec
tally if set this spring, should have much
before dry weather sets in. A tree properl,
planted rarely needs stakes, but if any ar,
disposed to grow crooked, it is best to rene
dy this while they are young, and stak,
them.
Mulching is of great benefit to larg,
share of the small fruits. mulch, whii
it prevents evaporation and overheating tn,
soil, allows the rains to pass through, anC
by preventing the beating of storms, keep
the soil mellow and porous. Because thos,
who live near the coast often write of thu
benefits from using salt hay, many have al
Hpa hot il ha i'll l.
mulch. Whatever mechanically protect
the soil and meets the above named condi
tions may be used. Bog hay, straw galway,
abundant in grain districts), corn stalks
chips (sawdust is not advisable, as it breed
fungi, spent tan bark, litter from stables
and even small stones, have all been sue
cessiully used for the purpose.
STRAWBERRIES. The sooner the mulcl
is applied, the better: aside from its othe
uses it is important in keeping sthe frui
clean. In some states the harvest is over
in others it is now at its height, while it i
still anticipated elsewhere. " e saw (Apri
l5) 3 fine lot Of South Carolina berries will
their value diminished one-half because al
over-ripe berry or two was in each basket
The further the distance the fruit is to b.
sent, the less ripe it should be. For nea
markets, the fruit is best picked into thu
baskets, and not again handled but if Il
be en- route for twentyfour hours or more
it snoulG be picked in fiat baskets, taken I,
shady place to cool off, and then caretull,
assorted and put into the baskets or cups
taking care to put in not single berry 81
ripe that it will soften and crush on the pas
sage. The precise degree of ripeness cal
only be learned by experience, but it is sai
to say, in general terms, that for trip q
twenty-lour hours, no full.celored .frui
should be packed.
The White Grub often makes sad wor
with Strawberries, and their presence is nu
known until the mischief is done. When
strawberry plant willis, take it up and scare
for the grub before it gets to and eats III
roots from another plant.
Blackberries and Raspberries will now /
making their growth Of cans for next year
iruiting. Three or four cans are usual
enough for each stool, all others are TO !
cut away. As soon as tall enough, tie the
TO the stake or trells, and when they reaC
the desired height, stop them by pinchr
out the top. Three or four feet is enoug
for raspberries, and six or seven for blacI
berries. If rust appears, cut and burn Il
diseased stems.
CUREANTs AND GoosEBERRIEs.-N
plants are more benefited by a mulch tha
these; very little manure is excellent #
them; it tends to prevent mildew and grea
ly prolongs the season. The currant worn
must be taken in hand at their first appea
ance; the insect deposits its eggs on Il
under side of the lower leaves, and if
watch is kept for these much trouhle ms