Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1880-03-25
WHITE SULPHUR MONTANA TERRITORY,

and earliest, most prolific. etc, that ever
tried. planted one eye in hill three feet
apart each way. They bear u very heavy
foliage. and it is said that they are almost
beetle proof can't say as to that, as
we are not troubled with them here. [
planted my potatoes Oh the lSt of May, and
June 23d dug for trial eight pounds from
two hills; found them large and fine flavor
ed. Raised from two pounds of seed over
four hundred pounds of fine potatoes.
Peas, Winona Dwarf Marrowfat This is
not very early variety, and not much of a
dwarf, but is a large rich pea. aut very pro-
life will try them in The field this year
can recommend them to be one of lie best
kinds. either tor drills or broadcast sowing;
plant about April Goth.
Cucutnber, EARLY Russian and Early
White Spine. They arc both good varieties
for Montana. dug a trench about two feet
deep, filled it with stable manure, wet the
manure thoroughly, put dirt enough on top
to plant seeds in, put six seeds in hill,
hills eight feet apart. U do not claim that
this is really necessary, but was we'll paid
tor the extra labor last year, and think it
worth the trial on a small scale at least).
planted the Jennie Lind musk mellon
and Goodwin's Imperial watermelon in the
same way, with equally good results. The
melons ripened early and were delicious.
The vines are very tender; slight frost
will finish them. By taking this pa:l you
can plant earlier than in the old way, as the
light frost and keep the plant growing
nights. which are cold in the spring and
early summer. Alter long rain vines
should be covered tor Il few nights, as we
are apt to have pretty heavy frosts at such
times. ! also covered mine at night in the
fall and kept them growing and bearing un-
til freezing weather. | planted my vines
Oh the 23d of MAY.
Tomato vnes should bc started early IN
March, in the house or hot bed, but ought
in either case be exposed enough to the air
before setting out to become hardy enough
to stand the change. They do not require
a rich soil, no manure is needed. Good
thrifty plants, a rather poor soil, (warm and
sar.d is the besD pinch off the surplus vine,
and only allow few good tomatoes to
grow on a vine. and you will have good sue
cess. There are SO many good early Varie.
ties of tomatoes that it is useless to specify
any particular kind. | had good success
with the Trophy last year.
And now few words in regard to the
Departmeat Of Agriculture, and [ will close
this rather long article. 1t is claimed by
many that this expensive department OF the
government might be dispensed with, and
that not one out Of twenty, even of the
farmers. would ever teel the effect of it OF
not speak well of the intelligence of the yeo.
many of this country. It is the intention
Of this department to benefit the farmer in
several ways. First. to make annual distri-
buttons of ucW varieties OF seeds; ID, to
teach new methods of tiliing the soil; Sd
to introduce new labor-saving machinery to
the notice of agriculturi It's; but the best re.
suit that is derived from it, is the system OF
reports required of those who received seeds
therelrom. as to time of planting, soil, re.
suit. etc. | do not think this arm of the
Governmen t is doing as much for us as i
ought to- or will when the farmers once
find out its value but it is designed for oul
benefit, is doing worlds of good, d,every year =
not in one locality but all over the land, and
eyery farmer should raise his voice ard vote
against any man or party that would teal
it down.
Very Respectfully, &C.,
GRANGER.
GalIatin, March 10th.