Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1886-05-22
Horticultural Society.

raspberries were coming out better than he
expected.
DISCUSSION ON s'THE VEGETABLE GARDEN"
Mr.. Maitland's method of growing potatoes
was: to pillow the ground late in the fall and
harrow smooth. About the middle of March
draw deep burrows with a shovel pillow and
cover deeply. just before the plants come
through, level the ground with a drag. Gull
tivate thoroughly.
DIR. Alexander would plow ground in
ridges in the fall and plant in these, as the
soil could dry easily and thus be suited for
early planting.
MIR. Maitland had found that If plowed in
ridges the soil between them remains wet too
long.
DIR. Alexander replied that ridges were
best however, for such early vegetables which
required no after culture, as lettuce, radishes,
etc. He also stated that some vegetable
seeds were very hardy and could be planted
in the fall. though more seed should be used.
If peas were planted in December and again
in January and February (weather permit
ting), and in March, the December planting
would come up first, be more vigorous and
outbear the other paintings.
Mr.. Maitland said that wrinkled peas were
not as hardy as the other varieties.
DR.. Gordon inquired as to the hardness
of the germ.
Mr.. Teubner had heard of instances whe re
peas were injured by frost and eaten off by
crows and the crop improved thereby.
DR.. Alexander had seen peas unlnjured
when the ground was frozen two inches
deep. He had seen corn a foot high frozen
and then eaten of by cattle. but in the fall
the crop was, by some, said to be twenty-five
per cent. better than the corn in the same
field not so injured; the stalks were shorter,
but stalker, the ears large and heavy.
Mr.. Teubner thought a favorable season
was necessary for the PREPARATION of such in
jury.
DR.. Gordon wanted to know If any of the
members believed in planting in the sign of
the moon.
DIR. Alexander placed no faith in the moon.
Had however tried some experiments to test
the theory. He cut potatoes on q Friday, and
planted one-half the next day, in the dark of
the moon; the other half was planted the
following Monday in the light of the moon;
81. $500 nv uAoG VT uu DtSt.
In the summary of his trials the light of the
moon had a ieetls the best of it.
MIR. Lesueur had planted potatoes every
two weeks, and found that a favorable sea-
son had more influence than the moon.
Potatoes did best if the conditions of the soil
and weather were favorable at the time the
tubers were forming. Had found it best to
make several paintings. Sometimes late plant
ing did better than early. The peachblow
could be planted late, as its tubers did not
form until fall rains came. He was informed
that in Cole county many planted potatoes In
the fall, covering with straw. Here it would
not do.
MIR. Maitland had found a light sandy soil
best for the peacnblow. He spoke favorably
Of the so-called winter onion. for early table
use. They should be planted in September
to get we'll started. The winter did not IN
jure them in the least. They were not only
earlier than other onions, but also more ten
der and better. Radishes should not be
hoed, as it causes a rough branching growth
in the roots.
Mr.. Teubner had given his satisfy extra
care and cultivation, but found while the
growth was large the body was divided up
into many roots, which was not desirable,
Had thought the soil was too rich, but be-
lieved that excessive cultivation was partly
the cause.
DIR. Alexander said that nice smooth rad
ishes could be grown, on a small scale, by
making a hole with a pointed stick, filling it
up with pulverized soil and pressing a seed
into it.
Mr.. Maitland claimed that among peas the
American Wonder proved the best of the
dwarf varieties. He had grown them at the
rate of l50 bushels per acre. The Early Val.
entine bean was the best for both wet and dry
season. The White Wax bean would rot in
wet weather.
MIR. Teubner concurred with Mr.. Maitland
regarding the Valentine and Wax beans. He
planted the former for both early and late
crops. OF peas he considered the Champ,on
OF England as best in quality.
DR.. Alexander mentioned a variety of
beans which was cultivated in Virginia forty
years ago which bore continually through
the season until frost. He lost 1t and cou Id
not procure it again.
ending the discussion, Mr.. Blackwell
(who could not be present at former meet
ing). asked for best method of renewing an
old bed of strawberries.
Mr.. Maitland advised spading up the beds,
after frulting. in alternate strips . feet wide,
with strips of plants 1 foot wide between.
The spaded strip to be first well MANFRED
and turned under deeply. The runners will
form new plants on this strip, and next sea-
son the l foot strip can be turned under.
DIR. Alexander would nave strawberry
beds only 2 feet wide with a 9 foot path be-
tween flor small gardens, as this facilitates
wedding and gath
Mr.. Maitland had also found sailing the
ground before planting beneficial. II kent
off the grub.
DIR. Gordon said it also tended to keen
weeds down.
MIR. Blackwell thought that salt might IN
]ure strawberry plants if put on strong
enough to prevent weeds.
DIR. Alexander claimed that the strawber-
ry could stand more salt than weeds. Salt
would also kill weeds and grass in a pavement
if %sprlnkled on thickly.
Mr.. Blackwell said salt In his brick smoke
house caused the wall to crumble away.
DIR. Alexander did not believe that would
inJure hard brick. In Mr.. Blackwell's case
the brick were probably soft, hence absorbed
a great deal of moisture, which during heavy
freezes, caused them to rumble Salt how
ever, acted on the mortar in a wall, changing
it into chloride of lime. He also stated that
a mixture of lime, ashes and salt was form
erly successfully used by a prominent straw
berry grower,
Returning TO vegetables, Mr.. Maitland
stated mai he was making experiments with
ground bone and other fertilizers, on melons
and Strawberries. and would report results
In due time. He would like to know of some
sure remedy for the cabbage worm. Had
found picking them off the only cure. Salt
and bran failed.
MIR. Teubner had failed even when picking
them Off Gaily at first, and later twice a day.
After 3 weeks persistent trial he gave it up.
1t was during a very favorable wear for the
cabbage worm however.
DIR. Alexander thought a remedy might be
devised 10 trap the moth.
Mr.. Maitland knew of u man who set his
boxes to net them, but it proved unavailipg.
DIR. Gordon stated that DIR. Wilmot had
saved his cabbage crop by fostering and en-
couraging the wren to built nests near by.
DR.. Alexander said turkeys were formerly