The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-09-25

For the FARMER AND MECHANIC.

For the FARMER AND MECHANIC.
How to cause vegetables and fruits 10
grow to an enormous size, etc.: A curious
discovery has recently been made pubic In
France in regard to the culture of vegeta
bles and fruit trees. By watering with a
solution of sulphate of iron. the most won
derful fecundity has been attained. FEAR
trees and beans which have been submitted
to this treatment have nearly doubled IN the
size Of their productions, and a notlceaoie
improvement have been remarked IN their
favor. DIR. Becourt reports that while at
the head of an establishment at Engheln,
or the sulphurous springs, ne had the gar
denS and plantations connected with IL
watered during several weeks of the early
spring, with this sulphurous water, ana
that not only the plantation prospered to a
remarkable extent, but flowers acquired a
peculiar brilliancy of coloring and healthy
aspect, which attracted universal attention.
To make cucumber vines bear fine crops:
When a cucumber is taken from the vine
let it be cut with a knife, leaving about the
eighth of an inch of the cucumber on the
stem; then slit the stem with a knife from
its end to the vine, leaving a small portion
of the cucumber on each division, and on
each separate slit there will grow a new
cucumber as large as the first.
How to get new varieties Of potatoes:
When the vines are done growing and are
turned brown, the seed is ripe; then take
the balls and string with a large needle and
strong thread, hang them in a dry place
where they will gradually dry and mature,
without danger or in jury from frost. IN
the month Of April soak the balls for sew
eral hours from the pulp; when washed and
dried they are tit for sowing in rows, IN a
bed we'll prepared in the garden; they will
sprout in a fortnight; they must be attend
ed to like other vegetables. When about
two inches high they may be thinned and
transplanted into rows. AS they increase
in size they should be hilled. In the autumn
many of them will be the size of a walnut,
spring they should be planted in hills,
placing the large ones together. They will
in the second season attain their full size,
and will exhibit several varieties of form,
and may then be selected to suit the judg-
ment Of the cultivator. | would prefer
gathering the balls from potatoes of a good
kind. The first crop from seeds TINS OBJ
tanned will be productive, and will continue
SO for many years, gradually deteriorating,
until they will need a renewa. by the above
process.
How to make old orchards new-Kainlte.
or Tree Medicine: 1t is very we'll known
that the reason why peach, apple, ounce
and pear orchards gradually grow poorer
and poorer, unit, they cease to produce at
all, is because the potash is exhausted from
the soil by the plant. This potash must be
restored, and the most effective way to do
it is to use the following compound, dis
covered DO a distinguished German chem
list: Thirty parts of sulphate of potash; fiji
teen parts Of sulphate Of magnesia; thirty
five parts salt; fifteen parts gypsum (plaster
Of Paris five parts chloride Of magnesia,
this should be roughly powdered and mixed
and then mingled with barn yard manure.
To apply, dig around the tree, and put
from ten to twenty pounds, cover up; it
will be found to be enough, and the result
will surprise you.