The National tribune., 1882-07-15


Vegetables for the Tdb1e.-In Colorado, where
the rainfall is insufficient Tor the needs OF
useful vegetation, and where water has 10
be artifcially supplied TO crops, the farmers
assert that irrigation is the best method OF
farming. and that where the supply of water
and the methods of it's distribution are
abundant and complete, the certainty OF
uniform good crops are assured, and all
doubts, fears, and anxieties as to result OF
crops are entirely removed. Undoubtedly
there is much of truth in the assertion, and
the time Will come when farmers, and more
especially market gardeners, who supply our
cities with culinary vegetables, will take
measures to insure ample supplies of water
to their growing crops. There are numerous
localities where streams abound, and which
could be made available for irrigatiDg pur-
poses by the exercise of little engineering
talent Where irrigation is impracticable
by gravitation from streams, then wind
mills or other motive power will be made
available to force the water to the highest
point, where it can be conserved in cisterns
or properly constructed ponds. These re-
marks are suggested by the fact that our
markets are sadly deficient in tender, succu-
lent vegetables during the late summer and
fall months. The spring and early summer
supply is usually all that need be desired,
but as soon as the season becomes hot and
dry. then vegetables are tough, stringy,
woody, and UNBEATABLE. But it is not by any
means impossible 20 secure succulent vege-
tables during summer even without lrrl-
CATION; all that is required is soil deep
enough and rich enough to maintain con-
slant growth. When the soil is properly
enriched and loosened to a depth of
eighteen inches or more there need be
no fear of wilted cabbages, provided ordi-
nary care is exercised in surface stirring or
mulching. And, after all, this deep culture
need not involve much expense. 1t simply
means that the common turning plOw should
oI1caus be followed by the subsoil pillow. Let
this practice once be fairly tried, and it Will
never be abandoned, unless for better
methods of culture, which may be expected
when we can apply power other than that
of animal to implements of culture.
The soil being brought into condition for
the maintenance of growth during dry
weather, constant supply of eatable vege-
tables can be secured by sowing seeds at in
tervals during the season. Such seeds as
those of early horn carrot, bush beans, tur-
nip rooted beet, Tadish, lettuce, and peas,
NAV vet be sown. Peas are apt to mildew
towards the latter part of summer, and the
statement has been made that seed saved
from the earliest-ripened pods Of the first
spring sowing, and sown Immediately, will
afford full crop exempt from mildew. If
the surface Of the ground is very dry,
stream of water from a watering-pOt should
be run into the open drills before sowing;
this is a much better method of insuring
termination than that of soaking the seeds
before sowing, a method which, as general
rule, we cannot commend.
We have in a former paper referred to
the difficulty which is frequently expert
enced during dry seasons in transplanting
cabbages, &c, and took occasion to advise,
as a means of overcoming the trouble, TO sow
the seeds at once where the plants are to be
grown This, although an excellent plan,
as we have proved years ago on an extensive
scale. yet will not probably become general.
The old system of sowing in beds and trans
planting will prevail in most instances.
Young plants are generally too crowded in
the seed bed, and week or ten days before
removing them (if not done earlier) the
beds should be carefully inspected, and all
weak plants removed, which will improve
the plants which are left. Previous to trans
planting the beds should be well soaked
with water, so that in drawing up the plants
the roots will be brought up also; but even
with much care in pulling, many of the roots
will remain. so that the leaves must be re-
duced, which can be done rapidly by taking
a handful of plants and shearing the leaves
in half with knife.
The ground should now be prepared for
celery. This plant requires deep, rich soil;
without this it is waste Of time and means to
attempt to grow it. The custom formerly in
vogue Of digging out deep trenches for this
crop is now obsolete Plant it on the surface,
so that the roots may have good depth of soil
in which they find nOurishment, instead of
having to depend upon the watering-pot for
their main sustenance.
Herbs for winter use should be gathered
when the plants are in flower; Just az the
flowers begin to fade is considered TO be the
best time to harvest them. The herb garden
was formerly Of greater domestic importance
zaG,, i is ip-shase days of patent medicines.
puxF=hether this change is an advantage to
health may well be questioned. To dry
herbs. it is best TO tie them in small bundles
and hang them up in an airy shed.
Fruit. Some of the most successful
growers of strawberries prefer TO take one
crop only from plantation. Young plants
are set in spring, and the earlier they can be
set out the better, so that they may have
good start before the hot, dry weather of
summer overtakes them. Careful attention
is given TO culture, in keeping the soil clean
and loose on surface during the summer, and
particular attention is enforced 10 the re-
moval Of all runners where the best results
are anticipated. Plants managed In this
way become very strong and well furnished
with fruit buds at the end of the year, and
the crop the following season will be heavier
than can be produced by any other system
of culture. After the crop is removed the