The National tribune., 1881-12-17

In ShTubbery borders or beds, where individual
beauty Of plants is comparatively lost, and where
only general Elassiveness of growth is the OBJ
iect sought, this care is not essential, although
| iudicious pruning will increase the beauty of
foliage, and tend towards keeping the plants ia
| hea3thful growth
WINTER COVERINGS FOR PLANT FRAMES
IL protecting pits and hotbeds from trosts there are
some simple points which should be kept in view.
Everything should be kept as dry as possible in
! frosty weather; dampness from whatever source,
whether it arises from insufficient drainage of
the interior by using damp material for cover
ing, should he carefully avoided. Where Nc arti-
fetal heat IS applied there will not be much oc
casion foT frequent waterings, and the dryer the
soil can be kept without in Jury to the plant the
less effect will cold have upon it. When water
is applied it should be early in the day, choosing
bright weather, and ventilate te get rid Of super
fluous moisture before the evening. Another i'm
portant point is to endeayor to inclose stratum
of air reposing between the upper surface of the
glazed sashes and the protecting material. A
single cover Of canvas if elevated three or four
inches above the glass by light framework, so
and tI3evcoyer viii exclude frost more efectually
than half a dozen thicknessses of covers would
do if,piaced in direct contact with the glass
Eight o. ten inches of thickness Of loose straw
or dry leaves form a good protection. 1t is not
TO be expected that many plants will Bloom dur
ing winter in a frame of this kind, but many of
the harder kinds of summer Towering plants
such as petunas, verlsenas, ,geraniums, ,eentaureas
roses, &c, may be safely carried over for spring
planting.
:KEE9-NG VEGETABLE R3OTs.-The system of
keeping parsnips, oyster-plants, carrots, &c, in
the grcGnd where they hare grown and taking
them up as required for use is very good so far
as the roots are concerned. but where the ground
freezes 80 great depth there is difficulty in
reaching them during freezing weather; even if
protected from freezing there is still the incon-
venieneeof exploring for them under layer Of
snow, as Elay happen. hga;n, when the crop is not
removed, 1t prevents the sell from being turned
over for exposure to the atmosphere during the
winter nenths and it is not every cuitiyator who
can afford to lose this advantage, particularly
On adhesive soils. The better mode is to lift
these roots and keep them IN dry cellar, where
tEey can BE covered with dry sand Choose a
dry day feg lifting and storing and use the pre-
caution not to break any portion Of the feshy
roots more than can be avoided Of course the
leaves should be removed, but they should not
be so closely cut as to iniure the root
WATERING PLANTS III PoTs.-The applica- !
ton, or rathec the misappEcation, of water kills
mere pot plants than anything else in their
ok
admit of making definite rules for it's guidance |
so much depe19s upon individual circumstances
When the soil is wet, it Of course requires no
water get many persons water their plants daily
when the soil il dry, sufficient water sheald be
given to wet eye=y portion OF il, so that al the
rsots may be reached by it; yet many persons
content themselves by daily GlzibbIing a little
1n the surface AID the water never percolates
NOE than an incklnto the earth. Plants having
lacge amount Of foliage and dhose that have
illeG their pots wdth roots, VIII require mere
gateg than those wd.ich present tie opposite OF
hese extremes. Plants maturing their growth
" coming tSwards state Of rest, should receive
gradually diminishing supply, not, however
~ curtailing the quantity of water at each
application, but by leagthening the period be- !
ween them. Merely Wetting the surface of the
5round is OF no value to the deeper parts of the
'0ots. To ascertain accurately whether or not
he soil in 3he pot is dry, give the side of the
1oG sharp rap with the back of the hand: if it
'ro.tuces e4eas ringing sSund, it is a sure sign
hat there Is Eao5 much moisture within it,
HKN-HOUSE GUANO.-The sweeppgs of the s
len-house through winter mag be manufactured :
nto an excellent and powerful guano by the
lse Of a sufficient absorbent 20 be applied in ,
hin alternating layers with the Sroppings. The
node which have found convenient is to / ,
Use barrels, first placing inch OF road dust in
he bottom, then ha!f an inch or an inch of i
roppings, then rOad-Gust, and so or in aternat- t
ng layers till the barrel is full If this mixture
) broken up and pulverized the following spring, a
5 is reduced to good condition to drill in
18th seeds to drop in the hills of any PLANTED
rop If rOad-dust has not been secured. sifted a
Dal ashes in larger quantity may be employed, C
mixture Of dry earth or loa,n with which il
approves it, or mixture of powdered charcoal a
rges good purpose. The thinner the alter il
atiag layers are made the easier and more per