Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-03-16
FARM AND GARDEN.


NOME hlNTS EOR The HCSBANOMAN.
Look to Last Years Grafts-The German
town Telssraph's Sensible ADVICE.
Now is the time to examine the CRAFTS
set last year. In many cases it will be
found that the stocks, by the growing of
the gratis, have split open, exposing the
inner wood, and admitting air and water.
This should at once be tied tightly with
strong twiue, and surrounded with fresh
wax, removing any hard substance that
may have got into the split. This will
frequently repair the damage, otherwise
the work will always be an eyesore and
the parts never become firmly attached
and make good connection, and of course
a perfect union.
Frequently double the number of scions
are set that the stock will we'll sustain.
These should be carefully gone over and
the excess removed, leaving those that
spread somewhat from the stock. Unless
the stock is stout-say from two to four
inches IN diameter-not more than two
CRAFTS should be left, and they should be
as nearly as possible opposite to each
other. When the growth has been rapid
the graft should be shortened. This will
of course increase tho number of branches
and give the tree moro compact form.
Look to Your Whltewashing.
As We have often recommended, good
whitewash, well-applied to fences, sheds,
rough siding, and the walls and ceilings OF
buildings, &c, has a highly sanitary in
fuence, as we'll as being very preservative
in its effects. To be durable whitewash
should be prepared in the following man
ner Take the very best stone-lime and
slake it in a close tub to preserve the
steam. Salt-aS much as can be dissolved
in the water used for shaking and reducing
the lime-should beapplied, and the whole
mass carefully strained and thickened
with small quantity of sand, the purer
and finer the better. A few pounds OF
wheat flour mixed as paste may be added,
and will give greater durability to the
mass, especially when applied to the OK
terror surface of buildings. With pure lime
properly slaked and mixed with twice its
weight OF fine sand and sifted wood.
ashes, in equal proportions, almost any
color may be made by the addition of pig.
ments. Granite, slate, frecstone and
other shades may be initiated, and with
out any detriment to the durability of the
wash. This covering is very often applied,
and with good effect, to underpinning,
stone fences, roofs and tho walls of barns
and other outbuildings. Probably the pure
whitewash is more healthy than the COL
orcd, as its alkalescent properties are
SUPERIOR and when used in cellars,
kitchens and sleeping apartments produces
salutary results.
No person who regards the health OF
his family should neglect to apply coat
of such whitewash every spring. Coun-
try places, especially farm outhouses
fences. &C., are greatly improved in ap-
pearancc by an annual coat, and it will
add to their permanency much more thar
many would imagine. As We all know
it is cheap and easily applied, so tha,
neither expense nor labor can be pleaded
against it.
Planting Grapc-vines
D:Ie would suppose that so simple q
thing rs planting a grapevine would no.
need writing about and yet the number
of people inquiring, How shall W,
plant ~ is SO great that few words tt
these inquiries may we'll be pardoned by
those who think they already know enough
about the matter. The rule is to plan
the roots shallow. If they are long whel
We have to transplant them, instead o
setting them deep We lay them along
about four or five inches beneath the sur
face. 1t is of course very necessary t,
press the soil very hard and firm over the
roots that is if the earth is tolerabl,
dry, though in truth no vine should bt
planted except the earth is in this condi
ton.
1t is very useful in planting grape e-vin'
to cut it closely in. Unless the last year.
growth be very vigorous 1t may be almos
all cut away and even where this growth
is strong, one-half may be cut away. Thi
is the way to get a good strong cane for
bearing next year, which is the most that
one ought to expect vine to do. "Im
mediate bearing is delusion and 4;
snare. Manya person spends dollar o.
4 half dollar extra on vine which Ii,
is told by the seller will "bcar this year,
when for that amount Of money he coult
buy treble The quantity of grapes it viii
bear for him, even if it bears at all. Still!
we like to plant good, strong, healthy
grapes. The little crow -quills, which COM
on: as rare grapes at high prices, seldom
give much satisfaction. Indeed, it is nor,
than likely that the common failures
which generally follow all these introdnc
tions arc as much owing to the way thei
propagation is forced, as to any inheren
inability i'm the varieties to become adap.
ted to soils aud climates.
The Barbed Wire Fence.
The objections urged against the gen
eTal Use of the barbed wire fence, SO fa
Us our observations extend, have very littl,
weight and will exercise very little infiu-
ence against it. Here and there may be
case where horse or q COW may be some
what scratched, but it is doubtful if tht
instances would be more numerous if the
fence had been q stone wall or a post au(
rail fence. While q single occurrence O.
injury of the kind would be printed fa
and wide, it would not be considered O
sufficient importance to note at all if occa
stoned by any other cause. We notice
that while farmer or owner of land cal
employ anything he pleases for his fences
there has been some opposition made il
one OF two of the Eastern states to use thi.
fence along the highways or as a divi
sion fence between different owners,
without tho consent of the adjoining
owner. The matter has even been before
one or two Legislatures but upon a
thoroug b investigation of it, by testimony
drawn from many quarters, the opposition
was 50 frivolous as to have had no intir.
ence upon those bodies; while testimony
i'll favor of tho fence, from those using it,
was general and overwhelming. 1t was
shown that while the barbed fence did nc
injury to cattle, after several years OF
using it, it was sure protection against
trespassing by beast or man, lasted twice
Or thrice rs long, and cost at least one.
third less than wooden fences. 1t was
shown that in p-husbandry alone
the fence was invaluable, as no dog ever
Nentured over one of fnnr strands and