The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-05-31
RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers.
BRIEF REASONABLE HINTS.

pulled out as they appear. Many people impure
this crop by cutting IL too closely; whenever
the stalks come up weak, cutting should be
stopped. so that the plants may prepare for the
future crop. This close and late cutting causes
the plants 10 THa Oud, when other causes are
sought for, and manurial applications lavished
without effect
Grape vines planted this year should not be
pruned in any degree after growth begins.
The more leaves the plant produces the greater
viii be the quantity of roots which it forms
during summer. Every leaf removed while
plant Is growing has a weakening effect upon
it, and is especially hurtsul TO young plants.
Vines that have been one year planted, and
which were pruned down TO two or three buds
last fall or during the winter, should have all
the shoots removed except two; these should
be allowed to grow unrestricted until they have
attained length of about four feet; then the
extreme point of the growths may be pinched
of, but no expanded leaves disturbed. This
will check upward growth and tend to
strengthen the buds which are then forming IN
the axis of the leaves, and which viii produce
fruit the following year This viii also cause
lateral shoots to develop from the base of the
leaves; these, after growing about foot in
length, should also be checked by taking ont
the mere growing point, but the uppermost
lateral should not be stopped during the season.
All this stopping can be done without the re-
moval OF anything like developed leaf.
not showing fruit punches should be at once
removed, aud in any case only one shoot should
he allowed 10 grow where several proceed from
nearly the same point; then only on extra
strong shoots and leading canes should more
than one bunch be permitted, if the finest fruit
is an object. 1t is also good practice TO pinch
out the point of the shoots two or three leaves
or Joints above the punches of fruit, if done at
once, or before it viii involve the removal of
much of the foliage. We have seen crops of
grapes completely destroyed by cutting back
ali the shoots after the fruit had attained the
size of peas. The slight check 10 growth
which this pinching effects has tendency TO
strengthen the 1ootstaks of the punches and
is coumendable when performed promptly after
the bunch is well defined on the shoot Other
wise ii is a good axiom TO bear in mind that
the more healthy foliage possessed by fruit
ing vine the more fruit will be matured, and
the better the quality. When punches are seen
having coored and green berries AZ ripening
1T is evidence that the foliage Is not sufficiently
abundant to thoroughly mature the crop
There are many places where few tomato
plants may be grown which is not used for any
purpose. 1t is astonishing how much may be
gathered from half dozen plants trained to q
board fence in city yard. 1t is become, more
than formerly, custom to tie up these plants
TO trellises or stakes rather than allow them to
lie PROSTATE on the ground, where much of the
fruit decays especially on very rich ground. A
single stout stake 10 each plant, set when the
plants are first put out, and the branches tied
up as they grow, viii give earlier and every
way finer fruit than plants trailing on the
ground.
Sweet potatoes grow best when the soil gets
thoroughly warmed. As the vines spread they
should be watched and prevented from roofing
al their joints, as when this is allowed TO any
extent 1t has very decided effect upon the
crop.
After the strawberry crop has been gathered
the ground between the rows should be deeply
and etiectually stirred with the cultivator;
this VIII destroy weeds and make a mellow
surface Tor the roofing of runners where young
plants are wanted Where young plants are
no offset and good crop Of fruit Is then all
runners should be cut away as soon as they
make their appearance.
Lima beans, okra, melons, and other kinds
of seeds from warm climates need not be
planted before the soil has become warm; other
wise they VIII rot, or start SO tardily and
weakly as 10 become an eyesore rather than a
pleasure TO look upon. Old gardeners are suf-
feiently veIsed in this, but young enthusiasts
are apt 10 imagine that warm day and CLEAN
OF sunshine ENSURES summer weather.
Root crops, such as sugar beet, mangels, ard
Swedish tDrnip, or rntabagas, should be sown
now. Well pulyerized soil is so important a
factor in the production of these vegetables
that it is but little else than waste of time and
means 10 put in the seed until the land is
brought 10 the best practical condition of fine
filth 1t should not only be made fine on the
surface, but it should be deeply stirred 1t is
not in the nature of things TO grow good roots
on a surface soil four inches in depth. A finely
divided surface Is necessary to cover the seeds
properly, SO that they are not buried under
clods nor lay uncovered on the surface both of
which conditions are likely TO result from a
rough soil These crops are best managed
i
they are OF but little comparative value; they
cannot be worked, and the crop is mostly en-
trusted TO chance. This is not cultivation.
The seeds should be compacted In the soil by
rolling or tramping; this oftentimes makes all
the difference between success and failure. A
dashing rain Immediately after sowing viii
consolidate the soil sufficiently, but in this
matter nothing should be left to chance. The
fly is often troublesome to the turnip family
when the plants are young: busting them with
lime is certain remedy if perSeyered with
until the fly disappears. But when the soil is
put IN the best condition, the plants soon grow
beyond injury, and this is the case with all
plants; continuous vigorous growth from the
Start is the best antldote 10 insect attacks
The watering Of plants in pots is an import
ant matter Of culture. 1t is evident that they
should never be allowed TO become too dry,
neither should they receive wafer until they
really require it, This is sometimes a difficult
A&Itcr Tor the inexperienced to decide, vet ii
Is one which must be learned before they can
be successful in managing plants Careful
watering does not mean that il should be given
II daily dri6lets; when plant needs water, il
needs enough TO freely wet the soil. II the pots
arc ali right in regard to drainage, all that is
given beyond saturating the soil will pass
through the bottom Of the pot; and if after
thus being wstcred, the water stands for ten
minutes on the surface, il is evidence that the
drainage is defective, and when this is the
case the plant should be turned out, and tho
drainage rearranged.
HINTS on NEWLY sET-oUT PLANTS.
In setting ont young grape vines, see that
they are pruncd down 10 two OF three buds; il
the roots are very fine, like horses name cut
them off and leave only the thicker leshly
roots. DO not disturb the summer growth IN
any way, because the more foliage the plant
makes the more are the roots increased
Newly planted raspberries should have the old
stems cut down close TO the ground; it is ruin.
Gus to allow them TO flower The great object
Is to get strong young shoot for fruiting next
year These plants often set too deep; the
buds are at the base of the stem, and when set
more than two or three inches deep thew
never make start.
Young strawberry plantations should have
81 the bloom removed from the plants Flower
ing retards their progress TO greater degree
than would be supposed. The best method O.
setting strawberry plants is to set them in ;
drill such as might be made for sowing peas
49, IL