The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-12-20
OUR RURAL TOPICS,
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers.
nrIEF sEasoNABLE H1Nrs.

BRIEF sEasoNABLE HINTS
Protecting plants during miater. We sometimes
meet with the statement that protection does
more harm than good statement which can
not well be reconciled with the universal ex-
perience of all practical cultivators everywhere.
We have also seen the statement repeated, that
a good frost is useful in hardening and ripen-
ing wood That a severe frost viii harden un-
ripened wood need not be questioned, but when
it thaws it will be softer than ever but that
freezing will ripen wood is simple absurdity;
freezing cannot hasten matuFity,--ig merely
checks and stops growth. In fact, we do not
know of any plant that is benefited by frost
as it is an extreme of cold which is always
more or less Injurious. Some plants will sur
viye degree of cold that would kill others at
once, but the harder plant is not improved in
health; on the contrary, it has been injured to
some extent, and would be better without the
freezing. 1t is also agreed that it is not the
freezing that does the injury, but the thawing
afterwards. Those who make this statement
do not tell us what the consequence would be
if thawing never took place; it is better for
plants TO freeze and thaw than that they should
remain frozen for long period.
The great danger from severe freezing to plants
fully exposed, is the evaporation of their juices
they are dried up, and drying means death If
continued beyond a certain point. Recognizing
this fact, we see how much vitality may be re-
frosty breezes, and also the best methods of ap-
plying this protection. Instead of endeavoring
to protect tender rose bush by covering it up
with straw or by surrounding it with evergreen
boughs both being common methods. we per-
eeive that it viii be more eifectually secured
from liability to injury if its branches are laid
close to the surface OF the ground, and then
covered lightly with leaves or straw manure.
And SO with grape vines, raspberry stems, figs
and all other plants which may admit of this
treatment. The most effectual covering is that
afforded by six or less inches of soil and this
has the further advantage of always being
available.
Pruning Before protecting such plants as are
mentioned above they should be pruned, where
pruning is necessary. In pruning grapes the
main object TO be kept in view is TO see that
enough Of the strongest of the present years
| growth retained to give crop next season.
| All small weak shoots which have not grown
more than two feet or so in length should be
| completely removed. Some varieties of grapes
are subject to mildew on their leaves towards the
end of summer, and, in consequence, a guam
/ tity of immature growths will be found on these
/ varieties, all of which should be trimmed off
| closely, and the vines pruned well back, so that
some vigor may be thrown into the few buds
| left Rampant-groWing kinds, such as Clinton,
should not be severely pruned, in order TO pro-
! duce the best results OF crop. These, IT pruned
closely, viii only send out more vigorous shoots
aud but little fruit; it is therefore proper to
retain longer stems of the young wood and
| when the time comes the fruit can be thinned,
/ If too abundant.
G0ose5ery and Ctrfam plants may be pruned
now. The gooseberry produces the best fruit
on young wood; fruit is also produced on spurs
on the older branches. 1t has been stated that
the fruit is less liable TO mildew when produced
1 on strong young growths. The bushes should
not be allowed TO become a thick mass OF tYigs
/ carefully preserve those shoots which have
| made good growth of young wood at their ex-
tremities, and remove those altogether which
/ have made feeble growths. Young shoots
which have started up from the base of the
plant should be preserved by this means a
continued renewal of the branches may be
secured.
Black currrants are not very popular, although
considered valuable for jellies and conserves
they should be pruned similar to goosebeFries.
Red and white currants fruit on spurs which
| form on the older branches, SO that on shoots
which have grown as high as necessary, the
young points may be well cut back. The princi-
/ pie aim In pruning these should refer 10 allow
+ ing young growths from the base of the plant
TO yearly take the places of older branches
which are removed, and thus maintain a con-
tinued system of renewal of the plant.
Pear and Apple iTees.-These require but lit
tie pruning when once established. Some trees
may require to be thinned where the branches
crowd each other, but this is abs3It the extent
OF the pruning required. 1T is very injurious
to these trees to clip the points of the shoots
as is often done. as it prevents the formation OF
young fruit buds, which form on these young
shoots If they are not disturbed.
Feqeta5le Gdrdea.-AH waste or, rather idle
ground should be turned over and left in a
rough state during winter. the better TO be act
ed upon by the frosts. Heavy soils show the
benefit of this treatment more readily than
sandy soils, as it renders strong, lumpy ground
perfectly mellow and agreeable to plant III
spring. Such soils are much improved by turn
ing under good dressing of rough manure at
this season, which assists in keeping them per.
meable TO the atmosphere. 1t is commenda-
bic practice to throw the ground up in ridges
Withstraight and well-dehned furroYs between
them; this forms a fine preparation for plant
ing potatoes and other crops next spring, the
sides of the ridges furnishing plenty OF fine
mellow soil for covering the tubers or seed:
which may be planted in the furrows.
Cslery.--There are many modes of securing
celery for winter use: such as lifting 1t and
stacking it in cool cellar, Or on dry ground
outdoors. After trying various methods we
have not found any better plan than to cover
it well TO the tops with soil where it is grown
rounding it go as to throw off rain, and cover
ing all over with foot thickness of straw OF
leaves. This keeps out the frost, so that it i:
accessible at all times.
AspQrdgus.-The tops and all weeds and grass
should be cleaned from these plants, and ths
roots covered with several inches thickness o.
:. manure. Asparagus is benefited by salt apph
cations, and where it can be procured sea- weed
makes an admirable covering; salt hay alsC
answers good purpose in this respect.
salad.-Few people are aware how easily goot
salad can be secured In winter by lifting chlcory
or dandelion roots and planting them IN a boz
of earth placed III warm cellar. When the
tops start to grow cover them IN some way, SC
/. that they viii not receive ray of light. We
have seen a dozen good dishes Of salad gathered
from an equal number of fvc-ineh flower pot
ijlanted with roots. The blanched leaves o
the chirery, which is common roadside weet
inlnany parts of this country, is the Barbe di
Capacin of French culnaries.
HiudoW Piaats.-The greatest drawback tt
keeping plants healthy in the windows o
} dwelling houses arises from the dryness of th'
air in the rooms; plants will not do well, wher
they are growing, in an atmosphere deprived
OF moisture. The drier the atmosphere, tht
more water viii be required in the soil; not
: withstanding this, one Of the most common
causes Of failure is that Of injudieious watering
, Either the pots are placed in saucers. whicf
. are constantly supplied with water, which sooI
+ renders the soil untitled for healthy roo
growth, or the plants receive daily sprinkling
which keeps the mere surface-soii wet, while
all below is parehed and dry. Saucers are ver1
useful aud almost indispensable, SO far as clean
Iiness is concerned and IL the pots are elevated