The record-union., 1893-01-31

many plants requiring special care.
A rockery, no matter what its object,
should occupy part OF the garden where
it can not be impoverished by encroach-
ing roots from large trees: where the
ground will not become unduly dry in
summer, as near the top of an open, dry
bank; and where it can not be pond
hole in winter; and it should be in
rather retired than conspicuous part of
the garden.
A roekery is hilly. rocky place, where
SOIL Is good, moderately moist, and
vegetation abundant: the same rule holds
good in the wilds of nature as well as in
the artificial garden. On the summit of
Mount Washington we have huge
upheaval of rocks with barely any vege-
tation, and its weird desolation has no
semblance of a garden. The great rock
gardens OF the " hite Mountains are in
the sheltered hOllOws, as we find around
the Lakes Of the Clouds, in the ravines,
as in Tuckerman's, or on the open, par
tial level parts, as near Boots Spur. In
such natural rock gardens there is ample
room between the rocks for plants
20 grow and spread, and the
plants are far more prominent than
the stones. In artificial rockwork we
often find long, ragged stones
sticking out Of the ground like the teeth
of an iron-tined harrow turned over on
its back-but we never find this in nature.
We can with propriety use good deal of
license in setting the stones for little
effect, but never lose sight Of the fact that
rockery is a home for plants, and not an
excuse for a dump-pile OF stones. -
Gardening.
BLoSsOM-TIAIE SPRAYING.
An Act was passed at the last session of
the Ontario (Canada) Legislature which
forbids the spraying or sprinkling Of
fruit trees while they are in bloom with
any mixture containing Paris green or
other substances poisonous or injurious
to bees, says Garden d31d Forest. This
legislation is based on the belief that bees
are important factors in the production of
fruit by helping on the process Of ferJili
zation, and spraying the fruit trees while
they are in blossom will work injury to
the fruit-growers as well as the bee-keep
ers, since it has been observed that since
the introduction of the practice of spray
ing during the time that orchards are in
bloom, large numbers of bees have per-
ished, presumably OF poison. 1t is held,
too, by some men, that honey produced
from blossoms which have been sprayed
with insecticides, is dangerous article of
food. 1t is also argued that it is a waste
OF material and labor as well as of fruit
to spray the trees while they are in bios
som, since the plum curculio is not likely
to be pre- to any extent until the fruit
is set a. the Goblin moth also deposits
j. egg the blossom end of the young
apple st after the fruit is set. That por
ton OF the pistil upon which the pollen
falls is exceedingly tender and sensitive,
and it is held by some authorities that the
application of such substances as Paris
green Injuries it to so great an extent that
the process Of fertilization is affected and
the development of the fruit checked. A
bulletin just issued by Professor Panton
nf tho Ontario 4 AUripnlfnra1 Cnllacrn
holds the law as in accordance with the
teachings of science, and hopes that eff
forts will be made to have it thoroughly
enforced.
CORNED BEEF.
Put six gallons of pure water in a
wash-kettle and add six pounds of salt
peter and set on the fire to boil. When
it is fully dissolved and boiling immerse
your beef, cut into convenient pieces for
family use, in the saltpeter water, allow
it to hang in the water for about five min
utes. Take it out and when quite cold
pack it close and firm in cask or barrel.
To your boiling saltpeter water now add
nine pounds of fine salt, three pounds of
pure, dry sugar, one quart OF the best
molasses and one OF pearlash. Boil
slowly and skim off all the impurities.
Add more hot water if it has boiled away
any. When the pickle is perfectly cold
pour it over the beef and hold down with
a heavy weight. The scalding of the beef
in the saltpeter water closes the pores
and preserves the juices in the meat
Baltimore Sun.
ANOTHER USE FOR THE ONION.
A very convenient mucilage can be
made of onion juice by any one who
wishes to use it. A good-sized Spanish
onion, after being boiled a short time,
will yield, on being pressed, quite large
quantity of very adhesive fluid. This is
used quite extensively in various trades
for pasting paper on tin or zinc, or even
glass, and the tenacity with which it
holds would surprise any one on making
the first attempt. 1t is the cheapest and
best mucilage for such purposes, and
answers just as well as many of the more
costly and patent cements. Some of the
cements sold by street fakirs at 10 cents
bottle consist of nothing but onion juice
and water, and the bottle and cork cost
great deal more than the contents.
WHAT HE CAN RAISE.
The farmer who wants to sell well
should first find out what is in demand
then what he can produce to the best ad-
vantage, then produce the best with the
least expense, get it to the best market at
a minimum cost, have it arrive in first
class condition at a time when it is
wanted. This requires reading, thinking,
observation, patience, perseverance, tact,
judgment, industry and economy, If
these are lacking all the grumblfng on
earth cannot cure the defect.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.
To grow an orchard successfully have
the ground in good state of cultivation
for several years. Before planting plow
deep, and if a sub-soil be used all the bet
ter.
One or two good cats around the farm
buildings are of great usefulness in keep
ing otf rats, mice, etc, and should be well
treated and fed, and if trained little will
hunt mice as well as dog will wood
chucks.
The new law of New Jersey making
the peach basket to hold sixteen quarts
is SAID to give entire satisfaction TO grow
ers and dealers. 1t strikes us that more
equitable way is to sell all fruits by
weight.
Some men think it too expensive to
build sheds for machinery. They do not
realize that it IS more expensive to do
without them. 1t isn't two weeks run
ming every year for five or six years that
wears out binder; it is the exposure to
changeable weather.
If the farmers would study the markets
and their requirements, concentrate their
patronage upon one good commission
house, and make it a rule to ship only de-
sirable stuff in the very best order. they
would save to themselves some profit that
now goes to middlemen.
A Minnesota farmer desires to sell his
flock of 4S0 sheep for reason not often
given, Having kept flock of about one
sheep to the acre for twenty years past.
his land has become so rich that he cannot
grow flax, wheat, or any OF the small
e