The National tribune., 1883-02-15

the rapid advance of the heat of. the atmos-
phere; these conditions have the effect of ex-
citing the buds into growth, and the leaves
expand and demand moisture from the tree,
which becomes exhausted before the roots are
sufficiently active to supply the demand and
when dry weather is long continued under
these circumstances the plants arc severely
checked, and oftentimes succumb. Fall plant
ing has advantages in this respect, in so far as
at that season the above conditions of soil and
atmosphere are, in the main, reversed.
ORANGE CULTURE IN THE AZORES.
About thirty years ago orange trees in the
Azores were found to be disappearing from
some unknown reason. 1t was observed that
all the trees affected Produced a very heavy
crop the very year that the disease appeared,
the leaves became yellow and fell of, the bark
on the trunks and stems opened, and drops of a
kind Of yellow gum exuded Many orangeries
were quite destroyed, and opinions as to the
cause of the disease were much divided. Seed
ling trees were attacked as well as those which
had been raised from layers-the usual method
of propagation in these islands. 1t was discov-
cred that by removing every part where the
disease appeared that the tree would revive;
those past recovery were dug up and burnt.
As a remedy, at first, the trees were highly
MANFRED and heavily sheltered, but without
any advantage Now it is acknowledged that
thorough drainage is at the foundation of sue
cessful orange growing; that next to this
trenching to a great depth is essential; and,
thirdly, that manure must be applied, but with
discretion. Although the disease still con-
times to some extent, the orange gardens now
look very prosperous. The thick shelters have
been thinned out, and the trees composing them
are not allowed to grow high. Propagation by
layers has been abandoned, and good kinds are
grated upon Seeding stocks.
KOHL RABI.
This is also called the turnip cabbage. It is
generally assumed to be variety of the COM
mon cabbage but in culture and use it is more
nearly allied to the turnip. 1t receives its
name from a protuberance or swelling in the
stem above the surface of the ground. Some
times these swellings reach considerable size,
so that the crop will be as bulky as that of an
average yield of turnips. For table use it is
best for eating when the bulb is about the size
of hens egg. AT this period of growth, if it
is cut into pieces and well boiled, the flavor is
between that of the artichoke and parsnip. It
is largely grown in some countries as winter
food for cattle, and has the reputation of being
as nutritious as turnips and also that, unlike
the turnip, the kohl rabi imparts no taste to
the milk of COWS which are fed on it. The Gull
ture of this plant is in all respects similar to
that given to cabbage.
CHEAP sILos.
We have in former paper mentioned the
success Of keeping green food in cheap silo.
We see it stated that DR.. w. A. Pratt, of Elgin,
H., the owner of one of the largest herds of
fine cattle in the country says that the feed
from his silo comes out in excellent condition
and pleases his stock. His silo is one of the
cheapest of the cheap kind. 1t is simply an
excavation in soil naturally well drained. 1t
cost but few dollars, yet answers him as well
as though he had expended a thousand dollars
in brick and cement work.