The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-12-13

they are to remain permanently. The bed
should be made very rich with well rotted ma
nure thoroughly worked in and incorporated
with the soil
AN EXPERIMENT IN GRAPE CULTURE.
Seven years ago, in grubblng up Catawba
vineyard the writer left one row Of the vines.
The stalks had been taken away, and as lot
OF apple tree trimmings were convenient, a
quantity was placed on each side fox the vines
TO run on, just keeping them off the ground,
but scarcely more than foot from 1t in any
place.
The experiment has been completely success
full. The last three years have been excessively
wet and both rot, and grape curculio have run
riot among the Concords, while these vines are
altogether exempt. This year HOT, steamy
weather would occur Immediately alter severe
showers. The result has been widespread
blight among pear, apple and other trees, and
grapes could be seen to mlidew while observing
them; but these vines close to the ground have
been kept shaded all the time and were a]so
much cooler. In no case do they show any
evidence of atmospheric or insect injury Of any
sort
Experiments like these are recommended IN
localities where mildew Is common, and where
choice sorts, like the Catawba, do not usually
prosper. The mode OF culture has many mer
lts. II costs little or nothing to care for them,
only placing brush or rough forks under them
to keep the vines from contact with the earth.
In winter the snow, leaves and other sheltering
cover, sift IN among the branches to remain
there, preventing injury from severity Of the
climate. Last and most important Of all, the
fruit is Of a superior quality without any i'm
perfections in any part. even while requiring
no care.
Have any o: your readers ever tried this
method OF grape culture? II they have, it
would be instructive to hear from them, wheth-
err they succeeded or failed Cor. Prairie
Farmer.
THE BEST TIME TO PLANT TREES. PLANTS, ETC.
The argument so generally advanced in favor
or fall planting, that farmers have more time
in fall than in spring to do their work properly,
ia one that cannot be overlooked and yet it
does not seem to he quite conclusive.
Ii trees and plants must be shipped long
distances, the fall is undoubtedly the best time
to do it. should much prefer to have trees
set where they are to stand, than to have them
"heeled in" over winter. But when it is posi-
bic to procure those freshly dug give me spring
planting every time Neither should the plant
Ing DO done too early in the spring. Let any
one set portioz Of his trees or plants in the
fall, and reserve portion quite late the follow
ing spring, until growth has commenced, then
have them freshly dug and Immediately ret
cut and compare results. The better plan is to
prepare the land thoroughly in the fall have it
all marked, and the planting will consume very
little time, and as believe, it will proye more
satisfactory TO defer this until spring.
Currants, strawberries and perhaps, rasp-
berries are exceptions to this rule. The argu-
ments that by fall planting the earth becomes
firmly settled about the roots by the time
growth commences, has no force. One should
firmly settle the earth about the roots at the
moment they are planted, trusting nothing in
this way to time or change, as neither will be
likely to patch up his neglected job. l have
set trees in the fall and, under certain circur1
stance, may do so again. but under no sort OF
circumstances will ever set grape vines until
late IN the spring. Where freshly dug vines
can be procured, I prefer until the buds have
started. When they are shipped from dis
lance, this is, OF course, impossible.
eueh are my opinions upon this subject.
o'aers may, and probably do, think differently.
IN slson Ritter, in Rural New Yorker.
LETTUCE IN wIsTEF.
IL Is 30 easy to have this vegetable in winter
tnat we wonder it has not place on the table
OF every farmer In summer there are so many
dsishtful vegetables that lettuces are rarely
ea'eo' while IN winter and early spring, when
variety aud change are demanded, they are
greatly relishsd. Every family that has little
garden spot can enjoy the luxury with very