Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-11-01


down, fine earth sprfnkled in among the bun
dies and earth over the cuttings to the depth
OF Tour inches When 1t begins 70 Ieze, the
covered with boards. In spring, the boards are
taken OF, the mulch removed, glas, put on, and
start. when the cuttings must be set out.
STRAWBERRY BEDS should have their covering
put on as soon as the ground begins to freeze.
Use straw, Salt-hay, marSh-hay, or leaves, plac-
ing it thickly between the plants, but put it On
lightly directly over them, as too much SmOtherS.
KITCHEN AND MARKET GARDEN.
Do now whatever the weather will permit to
aid in the hurry OF spring. SO soon as the
ground is cleared Of crop, remove the rubbish,
manure and pillow. 1t is best to not harrow after
blowing at this season. but leave it rough as
the exposure OF the ndged surface to the weather
makes the soil OF better texture, especially II
at all clayey and heavy.
coarse manure If not already done, burn the
tors, as asparagus as weed is nuisance to be
avoided.
COLD FRAMES are not for growing the plants,
but for protecting them In dormant state
through the winter. The SaSheS should not BE-
put on until freezing weather sets in, which, in
The latitude of New York, is generally not until
the last of the month. Where the temperature
s above freezing, and the sashes are on, they
should be tilted up that there may be cru,
lation OF air among the plants.
CELLARS in which roots are stored should b.
kept cool, or the roots viii shrivel and lose their
freshness. Roots keep frasher in pits or when
for present use may be kept in barrels or boxes
of sand In the house cellar; and repleaisheti
from the pits as needed. See last months
notes for making pits.
s. CABBAGFs.-Leave out until heavy froSts, AMI
tie ground is about to freeze; then pull an
pace heads down in rows, and cover the heads
with few inches of earth. Where there are
many, pillow may be used in covering them.
Two burrows turned upon the heads Will do tle
bulk OF the work, and the spade and hoe will
finish the covering. A common method in family
gardens is to dig trench. where water will not
stand little deeper than the height of the
cabbages. Set the cabbageS in the trench close
together, with what earth adheres to the roots.
AS the weather gets cold, put on little st raw,
and when winter fairly sets in, complete the
covering to several inches of straw, and put
boards over the whole. Soft heads thus stored
will become hard and excellent by spring.
CELERY should be stored before the ground
freezes hard; dig trench in dry place foot
or SO wide and deep enough to bring the tops on
level with the soil Set in plants closely, side
by side, with no earth between. After the
trench is filled, cover at first only with small
amount OF straw, and add to the covering as
the cold Increases, until 1t is about foot thick.
To prevent rain from entering, boards may be
put over the straw lengthwise OF the trench.
PARsNIPs.-A portion for present use may be
aug and stored In sand in the cellar, the rest can
remain in the ground as freezing not only does
not 1njure, but improves them. Others may be
dug in January.
PARSLEY may be grown for winter use by Dor
ing numerous holes in the side Of a key; a
crown of parsley is put at each hole, the roots
extending inside the keg, which is gradually
hliCu WIFI sui. lt ups SIUW UuG VI lLt uUleS
The key may be placed in sunny window, and
when properly watered makes an ornament as
well as furnishes good crop of parsley when
green things are scarce.
CARROTS AID BEETs.-Dig before they have
been frozen, and store as directed for other
roots.
beets and carrots, may be left until the last
when they must be dug and pitted, or put in the
FLOWER GARDEN AND LAWN
The lawn should uI,a rta wifi
long coat of grass; hence late moving is not
advisable. Only the most finely compoSted
manure should be applied to the lawn. SO great
is the danger of weed seeds in the manure that
we prefer to rely upon ashes, guano, nitrate of
soda, and similar fertilizers as the sources Of the
plant food.
BULBS that are to be housed for the winter
should be taken up before the ground freezes.
The earlier hardy ones, as the Hyacinth5, Tu-
lips and the other Dutch bulbs are planted the
better,
LEAvEs.-The lawn and paths should be raked
after the leaves have fallen, and the refuse used
as litter or protection for tender plants; it i'm
proves the grounds and furnishes a valuable
covering.
EvERGREENs.-Att this time of the year when
the flowers and deciduOus leaves are gone, the
evergreens show to the best advantage. A d.
versfty OF form and variety in shades OF green is
very pleasing, and the shrubs, when planting,
should be arranged with reference to winter ef-
feet.
WINTER PRoTEcT1oN.-The large bundles Of
straw bound tightly about half hardly shrubs
are not so common now as formerly, as they
are not necessary. A few evergreen boughS
sufficient to break the sharp winds and to az
ford shade, are found to answer the purpose,
and at the same time avoid the danger OF Smoth-
ering the plants protected.
NEW BEDS AND PATHS may be laid out, and
much like work done after the care of the
plants is ended.
WEEDs.-Any large weeds found in the lawn
should be removed, which can be best done by
the aid of an old chisel furnished with long
handle.
GREENHOUSE AND WINDOW PLANTS.
BULBS may be grown in sand, moss, or in wa
ter but rich soil in pots is the best medium.
The bulbs should be put in the pots at once
and placed in dark, cool room or cellar for
several weeks to form good strong roots. WI
terif needed.
PLANTS FROM THE GARDEN should have pc
Rod Of rest, with very little water; those to be
forced. as perennial Candy-tuft, Deutza, Dicen-
ira, and others, may remain in cool cellar
until mid-winter
WArEK1NG.-This is an important part Of sue
cessful plant culture. The pots should be pro-
yided with proper drainage by putting In a
plenty of broken pieces OF pots or oyster-shellS.
A good thorough wetting when water is needed
is better than keeping the surface moist by fire.
drainage, there is but little risk from over-wa-
tering. watering in rooms use water Of the
temperature OF the air.
HANGING BASKETS should be hung where they
can have an abundance of light and sunshine,
and not near the stove or over register. They
should be turned aroundevery day or 50, II the
ngnC comes mostly from one Slue, OF tne plants
grow to one side
CLIMBERS add very much to the beauty OF
greenhouse or window. English Ivy, Tropao-
lum, German or Parlor Ivy, etc., are useful for
this purpose.
ANNUALs.-Sweet Alyssum and Mignonette
should be sown in succession to give a supply
for cutting.
INsECTS-If found on the plants In the house,
they should be destroyed at once by means OF
tobacco water or soap-sudS. An old tooth
brush may be used on hard-wooied plants
Crush the Mealy Bug by the use of a small
pointed stick OF soft wood, Or give 1t drop o.
alcohol from a small bru5h.-An,eric1n AgI-
cuttuFlSt.
SILK FROM THE SEA.-The sea yields many
precious thingS-cOral, amber and pearlS-blt il
is not generally known that in certain parts OF
the Mediterranean species of muSSel is found OF
which the shells contain one OF the most b ,auti-
full textile materials known. These shells are
about seven inches long and three inches broad
and each Of them contains a hank or bySsuS OF
the fibre, weighing half drachm, and at first il
presents nothing particular to the eye, being
sOiled with mud and the remains OF marine
plants. But when washed and combad the tibres
are seen to be extremely luStrous, glistening in
the sunshine in shades varying from golden
yellow to olive brown. Spun and woven In the
ordinary manner, stockings gloves, necktieS
and similar articles can be manufactured from
them, and they are likewise specially suited for
making the finest lace. At present the production
OF these flbres hardly exceeds two hundred kilo-