Connecticut western news., 1881-08-31
FARM AND GARDEN.

GRAPE CATsUP.-Several have asked for recipe to make this. The only re- cipe we have seen is one we received from far western housekeeper, some twenty years ago. She prepared from the common wild grapes sauce; which she called grape catsup, finding it so de- licious with cold meats on the table, we afterwards asked for the recipe, which is as follows: Stem the grapes, place in kettle or preserving pan, which, to pre- vent scorching, is set within another vessel of water. To each quart of grapes add teaspoonful each of cinnamon and mace, both broken fine, and half tea spoonful of bruised cloves. Cook for an hour, and pass the juice and pulp through colander or sieve. To each quart of this add pound of sugar, and boil until nearly jelly. Then thin, to a proper consistence to flow from the bottle, with vinegar cork, seal, and put in 8 cool place.
 THE CORN CRIB.-The average corn crib is not what it ought to be, either in size or security from vermin. Much of the labor of the year may go for noth- ing, save to feed swarm of mice, if precautions are not taken to keep these little pests from the corn-crib. At this season, when the crib is usually empty, means should be taken to clear it of mice. ORCHARD AND NURsERY.-For many reasons fall planting is preferable to spring. The soil now is warm and mel low, and there is more time at this season, and the work can be done with out the hurry that too frequently seems necessary during tke busy weeks of spring. The trees become established and are ready for an earlier start, and are therefore better able to withstand the drouth that may come in midsum- mer. After the trees are planted, @ mound of earth twelve to fifteen inches high, thrown up around the trunk, will keep the water from settling about the roots of the tree, and also serve as SUD- port against the winter winds, and pro- tect the base from the attacks of mice. If the leaves are stripped from the nursery trees, they may be set out some weeks earlier then otherwise. There is no harm done to the tree by the removal of the leaves, provided they have finished their work, and are sim ply waiting for the frost and winds of autumn to take them off. If left on there is danger of fermentation in the package while being transported, and after the trees are planted they cause an evaporation and demand for water that it is difficult for the newly placed roots to supply. Even if trees are to be set in the spring, the ground should be prepared for them now, and all arrange ments made for their prompt arrival from the nursery as soon as needed for planting. The quincunx method, by which each tree stands at the corner o1 an equal sided triangle, and also at the centre and equally distant from six sur. rounding trees, is recommended for all orchards of small. sized trees. It gives s more uniform space on all sides of the tree, as each tree IS surrounded by @ cir
 cle of six trees, instead of being at one corner of a square. This is the off yea for apples, and all the more care should
 be taken in picking. sorting, packing
 etc. Much fruit of second quality cal
 saved by drying. Excellent dryers ar
 now made, which at small cost turn ou
 handsome light-colored product vastl.,
 superior to that made in the old way o
 exposing to the sun, air, and various in
 sects. If the fruit is to be dried in thi manner, or on any ordinary stove, should he protected from insects b means of netting. Budding is an i'm portant work at this season, the precis time depending on the stock. The bar
 must lift readily, and the buds shoul
 be well matured. After buds show ths they have taken" the ties should b z removed by cutting them.