The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1880-09-23


were retailing on the streets at 8 cts. per pound.
We hope to see the time when every man, wo-
man and child, the whole country through, can
have all the grapes they can eat dnring the sea-
son. 1t is easy To grow grapes il Is to raise
corn, and those who cultivate them mnst make
the increased quantity compensate for the low
price.
ORCHARD AND NURSERY.
.ipples are abundant this year, and it will not
pay to market any that not of the best quail
ity.
Peaehes,-A single over-ripe peach in the crate
or basket will often make a great difference in
the selling price in the market. Peaches for
market should always be simply mature, but
never soft.
Pears of all varieties are best when ripened of
of the tree Some varieties, such as Clapp's Fa-
vorite are worthless, if allowed to remain too
long upon the tree, but if picked as soon as ma
ture, and allowed to ripen, are among the best.
In no case should the fruit be shaken from the
trees Use picker for those that can not be
otherwise reached. The fruit of the choicest
larger varieties may be packed in shallow crates,
each specimen wrapped In tissue paper. For
general shipping, half-barrels are found the
most convenient in handling.
Cider.-The early windfall apples NAV be util-
lied by making into cider, which will answer
for making vinegar. The best cider can only he
made from perfectly mature fruit, later in the
season. Those with a large orchard can profita-
bly, keep small mill and press, and work up the
apples as they accumulate; they are made of all
sizes, and a small one is not costly. 1t should
be understood that
budding is one of the important Iabors of the
present month. The precise time depends upon
the condition of the stock. The work may be
continued so long the stocks are growing.
After the buds have become firmly set the ties
should be cut. That the buds have ''taken,r as
it is termed, will De known by their remaining
green and plump.
PldHiiRg.-Whilc we are in favor of fall plant
ing whenever the climate is favorable, il can not
be recommended indiscriminately. In all local
tiles where there is long and mild autumn, it
is preferable to spring planting. At this season
the soil is warm and mellow, condition favora-
BILE TO the healing of bruised and cut roots, and
the growth of new ones. There is more time at
this season that can he given to the work, which
need not he hurried, and this, with the better
condition of the soil, insures much more thorough
work. The trees become established, and get
an earlier start in the spring, and the better
able to withstand drOuth that NAV come in
midsummer. The earlier trees are planted after
completing the years growth the better. A
mound of earth around the base Of the newly set
tree serves to keep water from settling around
the roots, acts as support, and protects the
base from the attacks of mice. If trees are to be
set in the spring, it is best to prepare the
ground now, secure the trees, and heel them
in dry and safe place, to be in readiness in
spring
THE FRUIT GARDEN.
Bidekbdries and Rdspberries start 50 early in the
spring that, when practicable, they should be
planted in the fall. Biackoap Raspberries, and n
few varieties with red fruit are only to he prop
agated from the tips of the long, pendent branch
es. If it is intended To propagate these, some of
the canes should be left uncut for the PURPOSE
If left to themselves, the new canes naturally
bend over and grow downward, until they reach
the earth, where their tips strike root, to form
new plants. in cultivation it is well to help
them, by placing little earth on the ends of the
canes, it order that they may not be blown
about by the winds.
CnrdHfs and GOOsebeTries may he pruned so
soon as the leaves have fallen. Cuttings may be
made now and planted in rows a few inches
apart, with one bud above the surface, taking
care to press the earth very firmly against the
base of the cuttings. If put in early, roots will
be formed this season.
Grdpes-The scissors made for the purpose
should be used in gathering, as they hold the
clusters and avoid handling the fruit, which, by
removing the 'bloOm," greatly Injuries its APP
pearance, and consequently its sale. Trays
should he used, in which the grapes are placed
and conveyed TO a cool place, where they are left
for few days, for the skin to harden, after
which the fruit may be packed in small boxes,
when it is ready for market.
Packing Grdpes.-Both thin wooden and paper
boxes are used, and should hold from three to
five pounds. The bottom of the box is removed,
and the grapes laid in carefully. The box should
be full enough to require slight pressure to bring
the bottom in place, but not so full as to bruise
the fruit.
Strawberries. Keep the old beds clean of
weeds, and remove all runners not needed for
new plants.
KITCHEN AND MARKET GARDEN.
As the cooler weather comes on the late crops
will make more rapid growth than during the
hot and dry weather of summer. The late weeds
Will also grow vigorously, and there should he
no relaxation of vigilance with them. When a
crop is removed, the ground should be cleaGsed,
and the weeds and refuse disposed of by burn
ing or composing. The weeds may lie kept
down, afterwards, by an occasional running of
the cultivatOr.
Celery should be making a rapid growth. now.
and will need all the encouragement of clean
culture and frequent stirring of the soil If
some is wanted for early Use, a number of the
most forward plants may he Strengthened up and
have the earth drawn around them, increasing
the banking ut intervals of a week or 50. This
is only for present use, the winter supply should
he so treated next month.
Cdbbdges and CdRlifOWGs.-Frequent use of the
cultivator or hoe will promote growth. If the
late paintings are backward, little guano or
other concentrated manure, will be of great BEN
eft Seeds for plants to he kept over winter in
cold frames, for next spring planting are TO be
sowed now. Only the early varieties are thus
treated. In the vicinity of New York City, gar
deners SOW about the middle Of the month, each
one having his favorite date. If sown too early
the plants will lie too large for wintcriug, and if
s0wn too late they viii be too small The seed
is sown in rich soil.
Corn.-A quantity should be dried for winter
use. The earliest and best ears should he saved
for seed. As fast as the ears are taken from the
planting, cut up the stalks and feed to the stock
or cure for winter use.
CucHmbcrs-Let none ripen, except the few
needed for seed, as it is very exhaustive TO the
plants. Gather for pickles every second day.
MartyRias.-Gather the fruit for pickles while
still very Young and brittle.
MELONS, ripen best if they arc turned OCCASION
ally.
Street PotGfoes-Do not allow the vines to
strike root at the joints. The largest potatoes,
for early use, may he pulled from the rows,
the smaller ones being left to grow through the
season.
Spinach, for use next spring, is sown, in the
latitude Of New York, between the first and
middle of the month"; in drills fifteen inches
apart.
7oadtoes.-Destroy the large worms by hand
picking When the fruit is most abundant,
make a supply of catsup. Gather the green
fruit before frost comes, for green pickles, etc.
TwRips-The Red-top, Strap-leaved, and 9TH
er flat kinds, may still be sown, with hope of q
Seeds should not he saved from the leayinss of
the crop. Select the earliest and best plants
and mark them for seed, giving them special at
tention. 1t is not best to the seed of plants
that will mix, as the melons, squash, corn etc,
if more than one variety is grown in the yicini-
ty-only mongrels will result 1t is cheaper to
buy most seeds.
GREENHOUSE AND WINDOW PLANTS.
All plants to be taken in when frosts are ex-
pected, should be in readiness. The houses
should also be in order for The hurried time of
moving in. In bringing in the plants, il is best
10 do it q little while before the cold comes ON,
in order that they may not be injured, and more
time can be given for the clearing of insects, etc
Begin with the most tender varieties. The
house plants should go into a room where the
windows can he left open, in order that they
may by degrees become accustomed TO the con-
fined air Of the living room.
Soil, Pots, etc, needed during the winter, are
to be provided now.
Seeds Of IRRHdls, such as Candytuft, Sweet
Alyssum, and Mignonette, may he sown. Other
sowing, for a succession of bloom. may lie made
later
HANGING Baskets NAV be filled now and hing