The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-02-07
OUR RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers.
LIQUID MANURE FOR PLANTS IN poTs.

LIQUID MANURE FOR PLANTS IN POTS.
Although it is acknowledged that the liquid
state is the best in which fertilizing matters
can be presented to the roots of plants, yet the
expense of its preparation and its application
on an extensive scale has furnished a reason
for its limited use. Psychologists tell us that
all matters which enter into the interior of
plants must be in soluble state, or so minutely
divided as to be carried along with water before
it can be absorbed by the roots.
Plants in pots, being rather limited as to
soil, can be greatly helped by judicious appli-
cations of liquid manure. 1t is only healthy,
growing plants in pots that are benefited by
liquid manures. Many persons hasten the
death of plants by giving them doses of guano
or other concentrated fertilizers when they
are badly rooted and sickly. First, get them
into growing state, then manurial applica
tions may be applied.
Plants that have been for years in the same
pot or tub, and are well supplied with hungry
roots, but are growing slowly for lack of nutri-
ment will be greatly stimulated by the appli-
cation of manurial liquids during their period
of most active growth. Orange and lemon
trees, oleanders, cameias, &C., are frequently
in this condition. The size of the flowers will
be increased and the Towering period length
ened by the use of liquid manures; but the
flower buds should be well formed before using
stimulants, which tend to induce increased
wood growth at the expense of the Towering
principle.
Briefly, it may be stated that manurial liquids
may be applied most freely when plant growth
is active; that they should be applied sparingly,
If at all, during the formation Of flower buds,
and increased as the blossoms expand Ii is a
safer rule to dilute severely, and use the solu-
tion in clear settled state. A good applca-
tion is tablespoonful of guano to gallon of
water. Thick, muddy water will not be of
much benefit, rather an injury, as it stops the
pores in the soil, and prevents the action of the
atmosphere and the egress of the gases to the
roots
TUBERoUs- ROOTED GRAPE VINES.
For year or more past we have repeatedly
met with statements concerning a tuberous-
rooted vine which has been found in Soudan,
! and again In the French colony of Cochin
! China, but these statements seemed to lack
/ defniteness and authenticity. Lately we re-
/ ceiyed foreign periodical (which is considered
/ good authority, having a notice Of this same
| plant, but it conveys no very definite informa-
| tion Nothing is said about the botanical
name of the plant only extracts from letters
| written by the discoverer, such as the follow
| ing " found this vine in the forests of Mais;
! it was covered with enormous bunches of
grapes. 1t will have to be grown in the same
way as hops, allowing it to climb up poles.
The wine is of fine color, but green. A
single vine will yield 300 pounds of grapes,
| and / have remarked lunches which weighed
eight pounds. One meets this vine through
out the whole Of Cochin, China"
Letters from Portuguese Guinea state that
exactly the same grape covers immense tracts
| and forms impenetrable thickets. The grapes
are gathered, pressed, and the liquor imme-
diately put in strong bottles carefully tying
! and corking with wax. Some of the bottles
| burst, but those which do not furnish good
| wine The grapes are both red and white
The white is soft and agreeable In flavor. the
red is rough
This may al!ude to plant which may be-
come valuable in other countries, but the de-
seriptions are so deficient both in practical
and scientific accuracy, that we must wait FOL
further information before giving any opinion
or getting up any enthusiasm about it.
HOW TO GROW POTATOES.
We take the following from the Rural Nele
Yorker. The remarks are made by the editor
in answer TO correspondent. The expert
Inents made by the editor of this popular paper
are of the most valuable character, and are
perhaps of more direct value to the every.
day working farmer than those coming from
any of the many State experimental stations
now in operation: .As a rule we have obtained
the best yields from two eyes to piece, the
pieces enc foot apart In wide drills three feet
apart We lerer place the fertilizer in contact
with the seed. When farm manure is used, il
is always well decomposed and well mixed
with the soil. To obtain maximum yields W;
should spread farm manure in the fall, an6
sow both salt and lime, and then pIow under
In the spring use chemical fertilizers, strong
in potash, spread broadcast or In the wide
drills, at the rate of from 200 to 500 pounds PEI
acre, according to the fertility of the soil
Then we should cultivate fiat never use
plow between the rows or Hill up with the hoe
All cultivation is done by shallow running
4 %1o ot,r
lief that both corn and potatoes are injured b1
plowing after they are well out of the ground
What we want is to preserve every root an(
fiber that grows, aud to preserve the soil loos
and mellow. This is done by shallow cultiva
tion after the plants have sprouted. Fiy
years ago we began to advocate broadeas
manuring exclusively; shallow cultivation
and fat cultivation for corn, and finally 70
potatoes. Thousands of farmers have sine
adopted this method, and they like it,"
PLANTING TREES FOR TIMBER.
Most farmers when they set about to plan
forest trees, select seeds of those species whicl
produce the highest-priced timber, or have th
reputation of furnishing the most lasting post:
, , including such kinds as black walnut, hick
, ories and various oaks and ashes These ar
all comparatively slow growing trees and tn
impression prevails that the wood Of rapid
growing trees is of but little value, either TO
fuel, or for manufacturing or building purposes
Although this is IN the main correct yet it doe
not follow that fast growing trees are of bu
little value; on the contrary, for treeless coun
tries, such as the vast plains in Dakota the,
are more valuable than the others. They ar
of inestimable value as rapidly forming shel
ter and protection for the slower CROWN
kinds, and many of the st-growing poplar
and willows are intrinsically valuable for thei
/, timber, both for fuel and mechanical purpose;
! The most judicious method is to intermix til
! rapid growing trees with those ofslower growth
and the former will be large enough to be avail
able for firewood before they can interfere wit
the welfare of the slow growing kinds Bu
! planting trees with view to profitable sales
. their timber need not be, and probably is no
= = the main object of the settler on treeless loca
tiles. He requires fuel and rough wood fc
= fencing, and these he can secure in few year
u by planting young trees or cuttings Of the poy
lars and willows; another advantage is, tbs
!, these will grow without any special care
= culture, and this is also an important point.
FUMIGATING WITH SULPHUR.
Nothing has been found more effectual i
! destroying the spores of fungi, which seem COT
: stantly present moreso or less in the atmospher
. than sulphur. Where it can be applied will
. out injury either to animal or vegetable lif
= the fumes of burning sulphur are the mo-
= effectual. Cellars, daries stables, hen-hoase
!, &C.. may be thoroughly disnfeeted by th
= means, after removing all animals which al
= not to be destroyed The acid liberated
e burning sulphur is certain to destroy all kinC
= Of yeoetation which NAV come in coutsct wit