The National tribune., 1882-07-15


more profitable than it is to take two crops
from the same plants, and the fruit is finer
in every respect.
Young shoots Of raspberries, if not already
topped, should now be cut over at a height
or wv a4as a-half OF three feet; this is 6
modern method of treatment both with
raspberries and blackberries, and entirely
obviates the necessity of using stakes for
support, which was formerly an important
item of expense in the culture OF these fruits.
The young shoots, after being topped, will
send out side OF lateral branches, thus giving
the plants the appearance of small trees.
AppleS.-We have repeatedly alluded to
the importance of thinning apples as well as
other fruits. In regard to changing the
bearing year of apple trees writer in the
report of the Massachusetts, Board of Agricul-
ture states that by removing one-half or
two-thirds of the fruit the bearing year.
when it has attained the size of walnuts
that a moderate crop will be produced the
following year, and the trees will afterwards
continue TO produce yearly crops instead of
fruiting only in alternate years. 1t improves
the fruit In size, and while the trees are not
allowed to bear one half as much as hereto
fore, more is realized from the crop. The
process, it is remarked, is not so tedious as
might be imagined. A light pole, the length
depending on the size of the tree, with
wire spindle in the end and Goldfish hook,
or something resembling it, fastened to the
ciH of no
implement for doing the work. A moderate
amount of skill, combined with good judg-
ment, is only required to complete the IN
dertaking.
GrGpcS.-No fruit-bearing plant suffers
more from being allowed to overbear than
does the grape vine. Overcropping and ex-
cessive summer pruning have destroyed
many vineyards. The best shoots should
not be allowed to carry more than two
punches, and the weaker shoots only one
bunch. Summer pruning is admissible so
far as to regulate growth by the removal of
the tops of shoots, but it is always injurious
to remove large. quantities of foliage, as is
often done. Grapes viii not ripen well on
vines which receive check to their growth
by the removal of much foliage; they may
assume ripe appearance, but will be found
destitute of the sweetness and flavor of prop
erly-ripened fruit. Some of the best varie-
ties of our native grapes are liable to be
injured by mildew on their leaves; this
fungus growth sometimes prevails to the ex-
tent of almost denuding the shoots of foliage,
and when this happens the fruit will not
ripen. This suggests strong reason against
summer pruning. The most exposed leaves
are the first to be attacked by mildew, and
where there is an abundance of foliage there
will still be enough left to mature the fruit
even should the outer leaves be destroyed;
but when the foliage is much reduced by
summer pruning, and the scanty remainder
become widowed the destruction of the
crop is sure to follow.
1t is common error to thin out the leaves
with the view that the fruit should be ex-
posed to the sun; this is great mistake; the
finest fruit will always be found where it
has been covered by healthy foliage the
leaves, not the fruit, require plenty of sun,
foliage the more fruit will the plant mature
This is rule which has no exceptions with
plants placed under normal conditions
FIOrer Garden and LdUn.-Very much of
the beauty of flower beds and borders de-
ponds upon keeping them scrupulously clean
and neat. The Dutch or scuffle hoe is the
best of all tools for hoeing and stirring the
ground around the plants. Such plants as
dahlias, gladiolus, and hollyhocks require to
be staked, but the stakes should be as short
as possible and not conspicuous; and tie
rather loosely, especially dahlias, so as to
allow the stems to expand without being
injured. The flowers will come more perfect
if the small and weak shoots are removed.
The faded fiower-stems should be removed
from roses and scarlet geraniums; it improves
their appearance and strengthens the plants.
Roses are greatly benefited by an occasional
soaking with guano water, especially the
everblOomiDg varieties 1t is a good prac-
tice to insert small pieces of brush wood
rather thickly among the plants of petunias,
verbenas and Drummond phlox. for the sup
port of their spreading stems; this will pre-
vent them from being beaten to the ground
by dashing rains, and give the mass of
flowers more elevated and improved ap-
pearance.
1t is sometimes asserted that lawns should
not be cut close during dry weather, in order
that the grass may better shade the roots
We do not think that there is much point in
this Of course, but little of moving is
required when the grass suffers for want of
rain, but it is an erroneous idea that moist |
ure is preserved around the roots Of plants
by the shade of their luxuriant growth this
is fallacy, as are all methods which propose
to mulch with a growing crop. This is well |
exemplified where efforts are made TO secure |
fine lawns by sowing oats with the grass
seeds for the purpose of shading the grass. |
The oat-plant is master of the situation and |
exerts it's right by absorbing all the nutri-
ment, and so the grasses perish.
Trees and shrubs planted last spring may |
need attention in case of drought. One |
if properly applied, may be the
means of saving plants that would otherwise |
perish. First, loosen the soil by forlling and |
it up over the roots, then draw an
inch or two of the surface-soil from around |
the stem of the plant so as to form a rim,