The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1896-07-31
horticultural.

Celery and asparagus are the two |
vegetables most rarely seen in either
the farmers or the village garden,
yet there are none which will better
repay the trouble of cultivation.
Then, one is the first vegetation to
come in the spring, while the other
is the last in the fall. They help to
lengthen the season.
Some farmers, who seem sensible
in most things, handle their
orchards as if they did not know
that any trees were growing there.
They plow, grow crops which i'm
poverish the soil, or use the orchard
for pasture, as if the trees were no
more to be considered than fence
posts. No wonder their trees be-
come discouraged.
Flowers and shrubbery add much
to the value of home, but it is true
that not every farmer can spare the
time needed for their proper Guilt
walton, and it is better not to plant
at all than to neglect them after
ward; but there yet remain trees
and grass, the commOnest things
which can be used for ornamental
ton, and the most effective.
1t has been demonstrated by the
most careful experiments that bees
do notpuncture grapes to get at their
juices, but attack them only after
the birds have done the puncturing.
Plant the vineyard and the apiary
together; have the stands sheltered
by the vines, without any injury to
either.
Fruit spurs upon the limbs and
branches OF trees produce a large
number of leaves for the protection
of the branches. The sun is hurt
tul upon the unprotected surface.
Thoughtless pruning not only
hlnders the production of fruit, but
proves serious and direct injury to
the tree.
The best methods of preventing
the evils which are inseparable from
excessive or injudicious pruning
is to commence when the trees are
young, and by rubbing off buds and
cutting back small twigs constantly
keep the form and growth under
control. There will thus be check
to neither the vigor nor the fruitful
ness of the tree.
Celery culture is a much easier
matter than people used to think.
There is no need of setting the
plants in a trench. Have the soil
rich, start them on level, and bank
up as needed, only do not put much
soil about them while the weather
is warm, as it will cause rust. Get
the plants out in time.
Fifteen hundred currant bushes
may be planted on an acre. With
good cultivation each plant should
produce four'quarts of fruit, which
will sell in most markets at 10 cents
or more a quart. Under proper con-
ditions very few fruits are more
profitable. They need a deep, well
cultivated soil, with plenty of moist
ure.
If you contemplate selling your
farm within the next 10 years, by
all means plant fruit. First, good
apple orchard, and then pears,
peaches, plums, cherries and
ounces. Divide an acre up among
the different berries, including few
hundred currants. People will soon
begin to ask your price. Very like
ly your reply will be, II do not care
to sell"
The time has arrived when fruit
trees must be sprayed, sOaped and
ashed at no little expense and
trouble in order to destroy the in
sects which the birds had hitherto
preyed upon. If from a moral and
humane point there IS not stop put
| 20 thn 1a,,tpnntinn of thasn nepf1I
and harmless creatures, the forego
ing use for them should.
In regions which suffer from the
, killing of fruit buds by the late
, spring frosts, and this means nearly
ever region of our country, the com
ing of these buds may be retarded
: by mulching the ground heavily af.
, ter it is frozen, This will proven
/ the sun from warming the soil anC
starting the sap in the early spring
For strawberries select a spo
where the garden product come of
/, early, and cultivate away ever.
r weed as soon as it appears. Manur
{ heavily and spade deeply. Repea
I this about the 1st of September ant
set the plants. Mulch heavily will
f coarse manure, and see that you d
$ not remove this mulch so early as t
start the blossoms in time for tn
q frost to catch them.
An orchard should have dry soil
: either naturally so or by drainag
f from thing. 1t should be at leas
t rich enough to produce good crol
of corn, and should be reinforced
r manuring about the trees. An ele
r waited site will give greater immu
t nifty from frosts.
o The best profit in apple CROWN
will be found in producing larg,
- highly colored fruit, which may b
Il kept by cold storage until April o
# May, and then be brought out an
i sold for fancy prices when th
h market is almost bare of fruit of an
If kind.
o MARVELLOUS RESULTS.
II From n latter written nv Rev i en-