The National tribune., 1894-02-22
OUR RURAL TOPICS
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers

The greenhouse, the conservatory, the hot
bed and the canvas-covered plaut-bed have
been used to protect tender plants from cold.
and to force them into development for the
| early market. But the expedent Of sheltering
an entire outdoor garden with a cover Of can
vas, or cloth, is a new device which for some
years has been used with success The canvas
cover shelters tender things, such as frost will
harm, during those few weeks in Spring and
Autumn when the temperature of the air and
of the soil is high enough for plant growth and
development, but when, on any night, frost
might occur. 1t is an attempt to prolong the
growing and bearing season Of a variety Of
useful garden vegetables and fruits, and so
hasten crops for early market, and extend the
time in Autumn during which tender yege-
tables, like tomatoes, beans, corn beets peppers,
melons and potatoes may be taken from the
outdoor garden. By its use from six to eight
weeks added to the season. The canvas
cover also increases the temperature OF the
garden to slight degree; and when the fence
is made tight. the interior temperature may b
raised four or five degrees.
The canvas garden should be of highly-im-
proved and literally -fertilized soil, intended
small fruits and vegetables as frost will iniurs
IN Spring or Autumn. 1t IS not intended for
the hardy crops that frost will not harm, which
should be planted elsewhere in open ground,
and no more ground shonld be taken to be
covered with canvas than is absolutely neees-
sary to furnish an adequate supply of the ten
derer vegetables for family or market use.
Not an inch of canvas more than is required
to cover the ground Enclosed should be used,
and to this end the various crops must be
crowded little, and the soil highly fertiiized
and thoroughly titled to compensate for the
crowding. The plat should be inclosed with g.
close fitting board fence, and it were better to
have the fence upon the northern side two or
three feet higher than the rest, and the eastern
and western sides TO slope off toward the south.
If the site is much exposed to cold and sweep
ing winds, the fence should be battened for
security from cold.
If the canvas is spread over the garden at
sunset, or little before, when the atmosphere
and soil are both warmed by the sun, and the
canvas is made to fit closely over the top Of
the fence all around, this difference of tempera-
ture will be maintained under the canvas
through the night. If possible to have it so,
the canvas garden should always front the
south, and be sheltered az much as practicable
upon the side from which the prevailing cold
winds and storms come. The canvas is made
of plain cotton cloth, costing five cents per
yard. With care in handling, and putting it
away when the season for using it is over, il
will last several years.
The canvas is only needed for about six to
eight weeks in Spring, aud the same time in
Autumn. Heavy rains tear it by the weight
of the precipitation. and hence it should be
rolled up, and left resting on the north line of
the fence when these occur. It is only needed
on clear nights when the thermometer shows
that frost will occur. When thermometer
under shelter registers $50 F. on a clear night,
frost will occur, unless it be windy. And if at
sunset on any clear day in Spring or Autumn, the
mercury falls to 44o or 45', the canvas should
be spread. for sometimes frost forms at an air
temperature of 40o, when heat rapidly radiates
from the earth.
During the cold and frosty weather in Spring
and Autumn the canvas must be spread over
the garden every night, and rolled up again
each morning. TO let the sunshine in to the
plants. This is a general rule. But il the
temperature during the night should fall 10
the freezing point or below it is best to let
the canvas remain over the garden a few hours
to shut out the sun. A gradual thawing, under
shade. often saves frozen plants. When it is
certain that the temperature during the night
will not fall to the frost point, the canvas need
not be spread. But it is advantageous to grow
ing crops in Spring, to spread the canvas on
any cool night, as it checks radiation from
the soil. and renders the garden warmer with
in. When there is no longer any danger of
frost in Spring. the canvas is to be thoroughly
dried, folded up, aud laid away in house.
until time to use it again in Autumn. Afsel
it is put on in Autumn, it will have to re-
main in use as long as there are any tender
crops to be protected.
1t is probable that further experience with the
canvas will so demonstrate its great utility, that
it will be kept in use all Winter long. from the
time of the earliest Autumn to the latest Spring
frost. 1t will be found beneficial, not only for
tender crops from frost, but for the
protection aud speedier growth of all garden
crops, aud sn aid in their cultivation in Win
ter. In the latitude of southern Virginia, and
even farther north, m Oh can be done in the
open garden all through the Winter season. It
onions, kals, lettuce, mustard, eresS leeks, tur-
nips, and other hardy plants growing in the
open ground from November until April. And
with the proper use of canvas and placing of
straw around, it has been found that in mild
Winters cOilards, cabbage potatoes, beets,
spinach, and few other desirable vegetables
can be added TO the list. In very hard Winters
this would hardly be possible. With the can
vas cover the gardner can rest assured during
Spring Autumn nights the frost will not de-
strOy the bright prospects of his labors and the
reward for his work.-American AGRICULTURAL
To those who use commercial fertilizers the
facts given below may be of interest. Nitro
gen is the most costly element of plant food
and losses from fertilizers are often due TO its
extravaganza and injudicious use. Expenses
for this element may be reduced by practicing
green manuring; that is, by planting clover.
peas, vetches, which have the property of
absorbing nitrogen from the air, and turning
them under. Green manuring pays well on
light soils, but is of no benefit on peaty land.
Phosphoric acid and potash. though present IN
nearly all soils, for the most rt insolubIe.
For this reason these elements must be adued
to the soil if full crop is desired. Apply nj
4 !.