Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-05-26
FARMER AND GARDENER.
ADylCE FROM THE GEKMANTOWN
TELfGHArH.

Commissioner LIE Dues Tea.
The tests to which certain sample pro
ducts of tea grown in the South under the
auspices of tho commissioner of agricul-
ture, which have been pronounced eek
cellent - by the appointed tasters, may
have been really something that could be
sold to many consumers if the price were
fixed at very moderate figure ; but in
connection with testing or tasting, not Il
word is said rs to whether it could be pre-
duced profitably at price that tea grown
elsewhere of similar quality now sells for
in the market. This, when all Is said,
must he the actual, controlling point Of
what can be done in the United States as
a competing tea grower.
Improving the Lima Bean.
Some people complain that of all the
garden products and the vast improve
ments that have been made in nearly all
of them, the Lima bean is now about
where it was fifty years ago. And it is
nearly so. Lattcrly there has been some
increase in the size of the pod and the
bean, and that is all. But then may it
not Oc said ut the same time that the cS
ccllence of the bean is such that there is
no room for improvement III the quality.
1t is true that it still requires the big,
long pole, which has to be planted with
almost the Solidity of an ordinary fence
post but when that is said VIC may con-
cl,lde that all is said that can be against
it. For ourselves, VIC arc only too glad
that We have this bean rs it is vOuchsalcd
to us, and We doubt if We shall ever see it
improved in any way, except in size. and
it is questionable whether that wculd be
an advantage at all. Ii the pole could be
dispensed with and 4 trcllis like that Of
the tomato be substituted, it would bc 4
decided advantage but it is a natural
climber, and climb it probably will to the
end of its days. So be it.
Pruning Tomatoes.
Many persons find much profit in pinch,
lug back tho branches of the tomatoes
and it is good practice when .judiciously
done. 1t may be OvcrdOne. however, and
injury result. In the first place it is mouse
to attempt it after tho flowers have fallen.
The idea is to force the nourishmept into
the fruit at the earliest start for it is at
that time that the future fate of the fruit
is cast. A few leaves beyond the fruit is
an advantage. 1t is only the growth that
is to be checked. And then much damage
is done by taking off the leaves as
we'll as the fruit. The tomato plant
needs all the leaves it can get. 1t is
only the branches that are to bc
checked in their growth. No one who has
not tried it can have any idea of how
valuable tho leaves arc to the tomato
plant. One may for experiment take of
most of the leaves Of a plant, and he will
find the flavor insipid, and every way poor.
OF course it is the peculiar acidity of the
tomato that gives it SO much value to all
of us but the acid from a tomato that
has ripened on an insufficient amount OF
foliage, is disagrceablc to most tastes.
The same principles has been found to
work in managing grapevincs. The man
who judiciously pinches back the branches
does we'll but he who strips off the foil
age to "let in the sun and the air." gen.
orally finds that Inc has made a bad mess
of it.
Tomatoes on Stakes.
A friend tells us that he was pcstered
beyond measure by the potato beetles last
year. They not only fed on his potatoes,
but egg plants and potatoes suffered as
well. He had read that tomatoes would
do we'll on stakes, and he found that the
plants SO treated escape the ravages Of the
beetle, while those on the ground ", II
almost devOured. The lower branches OF
the tomatoes on stakes were eaten, but al
above foot were untouched. The idea i,
that tho beetle is somew hat lazily inclin
ed, at least when climbing has to be done
The hint is valuable one. If this is moi
a mere accident, but genuine protection
against the beetle, it will be new argu
ment for stakes, although those existing
are good enough. There is no doubt that
the plants are more productive on stakes
or trellises than when grown in any Other
way and then the influence of the sun al
around alike is favorable to thoro usl
ripening of the fruit, improving the flavor
considerably, especially in the estimation
Of those who like to cat tomatoes raw.
1t may be repeated that the stakes for
tomatoes must he very stout and strong,
as tho weight of fruit requiles something
substantial to rest on and il the stakes
can have arms or knots to help sustain the
branches, it will be better than depending
on twine alone. The stakes must be-
planted in the ground firmly before the
plants are set. These plants are easily kept
in position by light tying until the fruit
comes then the weight requires good
judgment to secure them we'll.
Rheumatic Diseases.