The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-04-01

49,
common at ten cents packet or forty
cents per ounce, and the broad-leaved
at fifteen cents a packet or fifty cents
per ounce, both by mail, postpaid. An
ounce will plant quite patch. If sown
this spring they will be fit to cut next
spring. They should be sown thinly,
half an inch deep, in rows about foot
apart, and kept free from weeds all
summer. Plant in a spot where the
snow will lie all winter as protection.
There is no difference in the quality
between the wide and the broad-leaved,
in fact broad-leaved plants are often
found among the wild ones, from which
seed may be saved that will be about
as good as the imported. The "down "
of the dandelion has the seed on the
end which is attached to the plant.
Gather as soon as the down expands.
ABOUT MEASURING AsHEs.-S. p.
M, Newfane, VT, writes to say that
there is a law as to what constitutes a
bushel of ashes, and refers to section
3,710 of the Revised Statutes of Yer
mont. AS we have no copy of the
Statutes, we are still unable to tell our
readers how many pounds of ashes
make a lawful bushel.
ABOUT THE YELLOW TRANSPARENT
APPLE.-W. A. A., East Warren, VT,
writes: "The Yellow Transparent is
| just perfection for an early apple"
ABOUT WATERMELoNs AND CELERY.
S. A. b., Stowe, VT, asks for cultural
directions for growing watermelons and
celery
REPLY. - Watermelons require a
sandy soil, and a warm, sheltered ex-
posture, and for Vermont the earliest
varieties only should be planted Ma
nure well in the hill with compost of
hen manure, or pint of good super
phosphate, mixed thoroughly with the
soil for six inches in depth and about
two feet square. Have the hills at
least eight feet apart, both ways. Plant
dozen seeds in hill, and when out
of danger from the bugs take out every
plant but one, the best. The land
should have been well MANFRED the
year before. Hoe frequently, and as
the vines grow pin them to the ground
with little sticks crossed, so that the
wind will not blow them about Melons
and cucumbers can be considerably for
warded by having boxes to set over the
hills, with a single light of glass in
them. After the seed is up the glass
must be taken off when the sun shines
hot, or it will kill the plants.
CELERY requires rich soil and heavy
manuring. Sow the seed early, in a
rich and well-pulverized bed, if you
propose to grow your own plants, but
for a family stock it is cheaper to buy
the plants, which you will find adver-
tised in most agricultural papers at the
proper season. The final planting may
be at any time.in July for Vermont. Set
the plants in straight rows, three feet
apart, and six inches apart in the rows.
Set just to the depth of the roots, and
no more. After planting keep free
from weeds until about September first,
then draw earth to each side of the row
of plants, pressing it firmly so as to
make the leaves grow up straight, pre-
paratory to banking up. Begin to bank
about the first of October. This is done
by digging the soil between the rows
and laying it up with the spade on each
side of the row of celery. Be careful
not to get dirt between the leaf-stalks
1t Will be fit to use in three or foul
weeks. For winter use dig before the
ground freezes, on dry day, and pacl
the plants closely in narrow boxes
nearly as deep as the height of the
plants. A few inches of damp sandy
dirt is placed in the bottom of the DO,
as the plants are packed, being still
careful to get no dirt between the
stalks. Keep these boxes in coo
cellar. The Boston Market is goot
celery to plant in Vermont. Pete
[ Henderson advertises a new kind, tn,
White Plume, that does not require
banking, and as banking is the thins
that most amateur cultivators fail il
doing rightly, this variety may be thu
best for those who desire to grow thei
own celery.
SiIauA for Ruffar