Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-09-02
September Hints for Farm and Garden.
From the american AgricuHurist for SEP
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From the American AgricuHurist for Sep
TENDER.
In laying down piece of land to grass,
finish the dead-furrows with the shovel,
leaving them broad and shallow, so that the
mower runs easily over them, while the
water is carried off as thoroughly as in a
narrow furrow. A good rolling nearly fin
ishes the whole work
Finish digging the early potatoes, before
rains cause them to spreut. Keep the later
kinds free from weeds, either by running
narrow cultivator through the rows, or by
manipulating.
Buckwheat is easily injured by frost, and
should be cut in good reason. AS it shells
easily, cut with the dew upon it, let it cure
in small, loose punches, and draw it to the
barn when slightly moist.
Stock should receive good care through
this month. Sumner heats still prevail,
and hard work continues. Horses and oxen
deserve good feeding and regular watering.
Watch carefully the action of the horses
likely to form. A daily bathing of the
shoulders in salt and water will tend to
harden the skin and prevent chatting.
ORCHARD AND FRUIT GARDEN.
The picking and marketing of early fall
fruit is now in order Special care should
be taken in handling early varieties Of
apples and pears; slight bruises lead to
speedy decay.
Send only the best fruit to market, well
packed, and don't waste the rest, but pre-
serve by drying. The patent driers are
being improved each year, are of all sizes
and prices,-and there is now no excuse for
wasted fruit.
Mostpears should be picked before getting
mellow; {; very few kinds, like the Rostiezer,
ripen well On the tree. Where fruit tree
has not been trained from the start, the best
time to note what pruning is needed, isjust
after the fruit is picked. The cross limbs
and shoots will then make themselves
noticeable, and can be cut out, or, if large,
marked with string for late fall pruning.
MARKET AND KITCHEN GARDEN.
This is the month for sowing those crops
which are to start, and remain all winter,
for early spring growth, such as cabbages,
cauli1owers, lettuce, and onions. On &C
count of the variable weather, it is well to
SOW twice, five or six days apart. The
young plants are afterwards set out in cold
frames, to pass the winter. Sometimes they
are thinned in the row, and covered with
straw.
Onions are usually started from the small
sets, and come into use very early in the
spring.
Look over the cucumber pickles at least
every other day, and keep them picked off
close and of & uniform size. A pickle two
inches long and half an inch thick, is the
favorite size. Cut with stem.
FLOWER GARDEN AND LAWN.
This is time of enjoyment of fall
gTowths and a preparation for winter blooms.
The condition of the lawn will vary re-
markably, according to the weather. One
year the sod will be burned up, another it
will be fresh and green as in spring. If you
have good water supply, keep the sprink
Ter at work every night i'll a dry time, but
thoroughly saturating each spot before
moving to another.
Pot such bedding plants as you wish to
carry over, and take cuttings of those which
are too large and clumsy.
Keep the tall growing plants well staked
against the strong winds.
Save seed as it natures, label, and put
away carefully.
Seed of perennials should be sown as soon
as ripe.
GREENHOUSE AND WINDOW PLANTS.
All needed repairs to the houses should
now be completed, so that there will be no
delay when the time comes for moving in
the plants.
Have supplies Of potting- earth, sand,
pots, ETC., ready at hand.
Plants for winter use in the house shoulN
Oe potted off, and put in cool, shady place.
until new roots have formed.
{ The Gala is one of the most interesting
plants for window use. 1t properly forms a
center for the other plants and its pure,
white blossom, amid the foliage and colored
flowers, attracts every eye in passing. The
number of blossoms can be largely increas-
ed, by promptly cutting off each bloom as
it begins to fade, and applying common salt
to the end of the cut stalk. This seems to
hasten the healing of the wound and to
promote the development of the new flower.