Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-03-14
written for the Oxfori Democrat.
snow-pRlr1s AND seso-TlMe.

SNoW-pRlFTS AND SeEp-riMe.
These drifting SHOWS are hardly con-
duclve to thoughts Of gardening. ie'
now IL the time, II you have not already,
to study your catalogues and plan your
garden for the summer. AS we look
over the brilliantly colored plates OF
vegetables and read of their various
merits and the best methods OF growing
them, our imagination already sees
them growing In our gardens, and our
mouth waters with the taste OF the
many good things.
But be We not thus deceived. II is a
long step from the pages OF the cata-
logue to the maturity of the fruit or
flower In your garden. Let us conilne
our subject to-day to the vegetable gar
den.
First, make up your mind just what
you need to plant, and select your seed
from the standard varieties, and send
To some reliable firm. The sooner you
send the better, because II Il already
time to plant some varieties; your order
will now receive more prompt attention
than later In the rush, aud you will BE-
more sure Of getting good seed. After
YOU decide what seeds you really need,
and can take proper care of, then add
what YOU think best of the novelties and
fancy varieties for experiments. But
unless YOU have plenty Of spare time
and money, do not branch out FAR In
these. The novelties are always higher
priced and In the majority Of cases prove
no better than the common varieties,
and are often bitter disappointment.
Walt a year or two, and II they really
are good things they will be put into the
regular list and their prices drop to
match the common varieties. Last year
the catalogues and papers told so much
OF the "peach tomato" and the stree"
variety, that I caught the fever aud
tried both. Possibly our soil was too
rich and heavy, inducing too great n
growth Of vine. The result was, | did
not get dozen ripe peach tomatoes to =
vine, and those did get, although true
To name, a pretty tomato much resem-
bling a peach In color, we're soft and
watery and hardly larger than a hens
egg. IL has very line pretty folisge,
ot much lighter green than the COM
mon varieties. IL IL novelty simply,
and not profitable for crop.
As | did not send 10 the dealers direct
Iy, but had the seed of the tree tomato
given me, perhaps ought not to judgr
that. But my vines Of those, although
they grew seven and eight feet tall.
vet had to be fastened to stakes for
support, and the fruit was no larger
than those of the Perfection.
This year, when I sent TO Gregory for
my seed. he put In extra a package OF
the Belmont tomato, which comes out
this year as "A novelty. Although have
planted my usual number Of the stand
ard varieties, vet have added few Of
these, aud shall watch them with inter-
est.
Ihaye always had the best success
With tomatoes To SOW the seed In boxes
aud then transplant them to tin cans,
one plant In each. The cans draw the
sunlight, take but little room, and the
roots are not disturbed In transplanting.
as they are when taken from boxes.
Tin cans must always have holes In the
bottom for drainage.
Now IL the time also, to SOW your
celery seed. Cover IL with only thin
coating of dirt, and keep where IL j.
moderately warm. IL IL good plan Ia
Law a wet cloth over the earth. DO not
be alarmed II the seeds are two or three
weeks In terminating. When the fourth
leaf Is started, transplant them into
foxes from one TO two inches apart.
The young celery plants will not need
much sunlight, but give the tomatoes
all YOU possibly eau. This year ! have
planted the old varieties Of white
Plume and Boston Market, and shall
try new variety to me-the Early Ar
lingtou. Not because it Il a novelty,
but because IL Is highly recommended
by the gardeners.
1 shall walt a while now before start
ing peppers, cabbages, etc.
Mrs. v. 4. DECosrER.
Buekiield, March q, ls93.