The National tribune., 1883-03-22
RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers.
RAISING ONIONS From SEED.

The onion grows best in an open situation,
having a free exposure 10 the sun, and IN a
deep rich, and rather clayey sell. There IS no
danger OF making the soil too rich, PROVIDED
only well-rotCed barnyaTd manure Is used ana
well mixed or incorporated with the soil. The
space intended for onions should be plowed OF
dug ever in the fan, so that when dry spring
weather comes slight forking or narrowing OF
the surface VIII be sufficient preparation for
the seed. This flll preparation is especially
advisable because much of the success IN getting
affair crop Of bulbs from seed in the Southern and
southern parts Of the Middle States depends
altogether upon early seeding. The onion Is
very hardy plaat and we had our best crops in
Southern Maryland from seed sown about the
list Of Iarch, when the Young plants, after be-
ing au inch Ia height were subjected 10 quite
severe freeze. In al localities where severe
droueiits are likely to occur N early summer the
value OF tlis crop viii depend upon early SOW
ing 50 lha. The plants may attain strength be-
fore dry weather overtakes them.
Tho seed should be soWn in drills aud but
lightly covered with sell. it is all-imp0Ttant
that the ground shoald be tramped or well
rolled Just over the seed. When the young
plants arc large enough TO be handled, thin
them ont 10 about four inches apart WoeolnS
them at the same time. Hooing should be
commenced before weeds attain any size; it is
easier 10 prevent weeds from growing than II
IS to eradicate taem AFTER gaining foot-hold-
a fact which, if duly recognized, would save
many a dollar in the expenses Of farms and
gardens. The main point IA onion culture is
10 keep the plants in active growth until they
attain size and maturity. This can be effected
by keeping the surface soil pulYerized. or,
what is better, to mulch between the rows with
any convenient material ct for this purpose.
We have seen chat used with great advantage;
rotted leaves, manure, grass from lawns, and
chopped straw have ali been used with good
effect and with profit
To enable them to keep in good condition,
onions should be well dried in the sun after
ripening, and before storing for winter use.
HEDGES AS FENCES
As farm fence the live hedge is not de-
cided success. This is not so much on account
of the impOssbility of making a good and
reliable fence from suitable plants, but mostly
on account OF the timely care necessary in
management The two best plants for making
farm hedges are the Usage orange and the
honey locust; both Of these plants are of luxur-
liant growth and REQUIRE frequent trimming
during the season 10 keep them in shape. 1t
therefore happens that the hedge requires at
tention at a time when the farmer is busiiy
engaged with his crops, and the result is that
the hedge is neglected, and soon becomes use
less as an efficient fence.
A good hedge is something more than mere
fence II acts as q sheltering agent to crops, and
in treS cess countries gives pleasing variety to
the scenery. To the mere utilitarian this lat
ter quality may present little value, but there
are bat few who do not recognize this improved
landscape effect combined as ii is, with utility,
and even where the question OF cost would be
against their continuance the live fence is
maintained In a more or less defective c0ndi-
ton because of the additional beauty it imparts
to the scenery of the country.
With the view of combining an efficient
\ -
10 erect a fence of baThed wire, then plant Usage
orange, barbeTry, privet, or honey locust, and
allow the hedge 70 grow up and ultimately
cover Up the wires. When the posts support
ing the wires have Gecayed it is probable that
5he barbs Of the wires will have become so
axed and entangled in the wood OF branches of
the plants as to remain intact without further
attention. This would insure durable and
nightly fence.
HOW TO sPRoUT SWEET POTATOES.
4 reader of THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE, dat
ing from Kansas, asks for the best method Of
sprouting sweet potatoes, and whether OF not
il is essentially necessary to prepare hot-bed
for the purpose of getting plants In time for
setting out We have never used het-bed for
Eprouting sweet potatoes, although we have
used q glazed sash and frame, and have seen
them equally successful when sprouted under
g covering Of oiled calico; but glass cover is
warmer than when il is covered with a more
opaque substance. In preparing the frame,
first spread two or three inches Of sand, then
lay IN the potatoes thick enough TO nearly
touch each other. If the potatoes are very
large, IL viii be necessary 70 cut them in two
and lay them with the cut surface uppernost.
After filling the space, cover the whole with
sand about two inches above the potatoes.
The sash is then placed over them, and kept
close until they commence TO grow. Do not
give any water. Have some old hagging or
straw TO cover with during nights When the
sprouts show above the sand a little air should
be allowed when the sun shines, and daily
wetting may be given, but only on clear days.
When well sproufed the glass may be entirely
removed during the day, and couple of weeks
before planting keep the glass off day and
night, SO as to harden the plants and prepare
them for removal.
SELECTING GRAPES.
The American Pathological Society states that
the Concord grape is the most popular variety
in the country. Next in popularity the Della
ware is placed. followed by the Hartford Pro-
life and the Ives. Norton's Virginia is popular
as a wine grape, and the Scuppernong for the
extreme Southern States
When we take into consideration the great
number Of varieties which have been intro
ouced during. the past twenty-five years,
brought out with the highest encomiums and
SOLO al niEh pl1ces the above selection is not
very lattering to the Judgment Of those who
have been instrumental in sending out the
high-praised and high-priced kinds: it also
shows that We can only grow grapes of third
rate quality in quantities; for, excepting the
Delaware, we cannot place the others very high
rs GneSfavored grapes But we arc not SO badly
Of rs this summary suggests; the truth is tnat
good grape growing localities are not so plenti-
ful 10 is supposed. We have localities where
such superior varieties as Iona Diana, Eume-
Ian, Waiter, Salem, and Others which could be
named are produced in perfection. but, as
general rule the report OF the society is correct
The successes in grape culture depend more
upon locality than upon skill in management
The most skillful cultvator viii be unable 10
get good crops IN unsuitable localities. The
great drawback Of our best kinds Is their liabil-
ity 10 leaf injury from mildew; hence we find
that the varieties least subject 10 this n:alady
arc mostly grown, a true illustration Of the
Survival OF the fttest, so far as e,owth is
concerned; but nature does not taze into con-
eidelatioa the quality OF the fruit.
AGE OF TREES FOR PERMANENT PLANTING.
l. selecting trees and plants for the orchard
and garden those which have made only mod
crate growth should be preferred 4 peach tree
one year Ole from the bud is the proper age to
Select; indeed, So well is this recognized that
nobody pretcnds TO sell older trees. For pears
apples, plums, and cherries two years growth
from bRd is the most desirable We have
planted considerably Of ;recs only one wear
bRdded, but would not recommend setting out
trees SO young The Slight additional cost of :