The National tribune., 1882-12-07
RUR4L TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers.

The best time TO prune grapes is Immediately
after the first frost, or as the leaves fall
Many growers leave this operation till Febru-
ary or later, a practice which close observation
,Eould soon reject. 1t is frequently stated that
all periods are equally good, from the fall OF
the leaves until leaves appear in spring. If the
nJant remained perfectly dormant during the
interval between these periods, the advice
would possibly be correct but as plants con-
tfaue 70 assmilate and add to their vitality to
sorns extent, even when destitute of leaves, the
time for pruning has much effect upon the
future Of the plant. During the winter plants
continue to absorb by their roots, and the buds
on their branches increase in size and gain addi-
tionaI strength for spring growth; therefore,
when pruning is contemplated IT should be per-
formed during the fall so that the buds upon the
branches retained may have the full benefit of
the winters accumulation. This is easily de-
ronstrated and any growers who are doubtful
NAV acouaint themselves Of the difference by
selecting plants and pruning portion Of them
carly in the fell and another portion late in
spriuC. then mark the difference in the earliness
and strength Of growth. A difference of from
one TO TWO weeks viii be found in the ripening
of the fruit on grape-vines pruned at these DIFF
ferent seasons Another point of much future
importance Is that of protecting the plant.
Wherever the thermometer reaches down to
zero. If Will be profitable TO cut the vines from
tbeirsurrorts, laythcm on the ground, and cover
with thin coating of earth or manure; the
object is to protect them from the drying, frosty
winds.
BEST SEASON FOR CUTTING WOOD.
We make the following extracts from an
article contributed to tho Massachusetts, Plough
man by Mr.. Edmund Hersey: Having spent
considerable portion Of my life in cutting, sea-
soning. and working woods of different kinds
sometimes 10 the extent of nearly 1000 cords
wear. very naturally take deep interest in
ell that pertains to this subject and while do
not claim that this long experince is any better,
If As good IS theories of scientific men, desire
70 state what l have found TO be true in prac-
tice. Nv business was such that it usually
compelled me TO cut wood at all seasons of the
wear: and the business was also of a character to
thoroughly test the quality of the wood cut at
the different seasons. For strength, beauty and
durability, l have found August, September
and October to be the best, and February,
March and April to be the worst months TO cut
wood. The reason why this is SO l do not
claim to be wise enough to fully explain. A
red maple cut in September viii keep in a
round log perfectly white and sound until the
next August: while one cut in March will begin
10 blacken and decay by the middle or last of
June Gray birch cut in September will keep
in good condition until the next September, if
left in the woods cut in four-feet lengths.
While if cut in March and left in the same way
it viii be nearly worthless by the first of Au-
gust; at least such is the result on my land.
White pine, like the red maple keeps white
much longer If cut in September than if cut in
March, and is not injured by the worms as
much. l DO not pretend TO be scientific enough
TO explain fully why this is so, but am quite
positive that in practice it proves SO. l have
found wood which is dried slowly in cool
place is better than that which is dried quickly
in the hot sun, even though cut in the summer.
May this not, in a measure, account for wood
being better cut in the autumn, it having the
long cold, winter to dry in"
GREEN MANURING.
The following notes are taken from the re-
cently-issued report Of the Commissioner of
Agriculture Of the State of Georgia:
"The hope of Georgia rests in the restoration |
of the productive capacity of her worn soils by |
some means so cheap as to be within the reach !
of the humblest laDdholder. The teachings of
science and the experience of the cultivators
Of the soil for nineteen centuries point to the
use of the leguminOus plants as the surest and !
cheapest means of restoring worn soils to the |
condition of profitable productiveness In more /
L..
the restoration of his soil when a crop Of clover
is secured. We have the field pea, with which
we commence lower down in the scale than
those who depend upon clover, from the fact
that peas viii grow well upon soils which have
neither the character nor the quality to pro-
duce clover at all.
"Let every farmer in Georgia determine to
adopt, as a part OF his rotation Of crops, the /
largest possible area in peas, following small
grain for soil improvement. Let him each fall
carefully harvest and set aside enough seed
peas to SOW the area devoted to small grain
The general adoption of this system would
quadruple the production of the State in ten
years Experience teaches that it matters not
whether the pea vines are turned il in green
state or left to decay upon the surface of the
ground, SO that no one need 20 be deferred from
adopting this means Of soil improvement on
account of the cost or difficulty of pIowing in
the vines"
COVERING PLANTS IN WINTER.
We occasionally see the opinion expressed
that hardy plants need no protection during
winter; that the strawberry, for instance, "is
naturally as hardy as many other plants that
require no protection at ALL" and so with other
cultivated plants, which is, to a certain extent
true enough, and If nothing further was cared
Tor than the mere existence Of the plant, it |
would not greatly matter whether it was pro-
tected or not. But it should be kept in mind
that the best varieties Of our fruit-bearing |
plants have been far removed from the natu- F!
raj condition Of their ancestors, and have ac-
quired artificial qualities, as it were, by careful
cultivation, and which can only be maintained |,
by constant attention. If neglected, they will !
soon show the ordinary result of negligence,
and it is only by giving ali the care and judi |
ciOus attention which the best experience sug-
gests that they can develop their profit and |
usefulness. But it is also a common observa- |
tion that good practice may be rendered |
nugatory by injudicious application.
FERTILE SOILS
It is well-known fact that the most success
aA0l farmers and gardeners nav but little if anv