Chapter XXV: Part IX: Work in Doors and Out (2)

2171. Much of the red now used in China is actually produced by the _anotto_ extracted from the cuttings of scarlet cloth, which have long formed an article of exportation to Canton.

2172. It ought to be taken for granted that all china or glassware is well tempered; yet a little careful attention may not be misplaced, even on that point.

2173. Ornamental china or glassware are not exposed to the action of hot water in common domestic use.

2174. It will be proper never to apply water to them beyond a tepid temperature.

2175. An ingenious and simple mode of annealing glass has been some time in use by chemists. It consists in immersing the vessel in cold water, gradually heated to the boiling point, and suffered to remain till cold, when it will be fit for use.

2176. Soap and labor may be saved by dissolving alum and chalk in bran-water, in which the linen ought to be boiled, then well rinsed out, and exposed to the usual process of bleaching.

2177. Soap may be disused, or nearly so, in the getting up of muslins and chintzes, which should always be treated agreeably to the oriental manner; that is to wash them in plain water, and then boil them in congee or rice-water: after which they ought not to be submitted to the operation of the smoothing iron, but rubbed smooth with a polished stone.

2178. The economy which must result from these processes renders their consideration important to every private family, in addition to which we must state that the improvements in philosophy extend to the laundry as well as to the wash-house.

AGRICULTURE--MORE HINTS.

(SEE PAGES 198 AND 264.)

2179. _Small Farms._--Never have more land in culture than can be _well cultivated_.

2180. _Be a Farmer_, not a mere earth-scraper, lazily scratching up sufficient earth to destroy the face of the soil, and throw seed away, or you will always have to scratch hard for a living. But make your farm a source of pride, and it will surely become a source of profit. Make the object to be not to have _many_, but _rich_ acres.

2181. _Turnip Fly_ may be expelled by the use of fish-oil, one or two gallons to the acre.

2182. _Bone Dust._--An English proverb says, "One ton of bone-dust saves the importation of ten tons of grain."

2183. _Corn._--Sprinkling with salt and water will check the weevil. Of all the grains, corn is the most valuable, taking into view quantity and price. Soaking the seed in a solution of saltpetre keeps off the worm, and largely increases the crop.

2184. _Rye_ is more thrifty on soil of a dry, sandy, or gravely texture, if well manured, and winters best when sown early.

2185. _Lime_, as manure for wheat, is of great importance Use about three bushels to the acre.

2186. _Fields._--As a general rule, with but few exceptions, square large fields are more advantageous than small irregular ones, requiring less fence, and being more easily watered, manured, plowed, and harvested.

2187. _Musty Grain_ is made sweet by putting it in boiling water, (double the quantity of grain), letting it cool in the water, and then drying it well. Skim the water.

2188. _A Single Weed_ may draw out the nourishment that would have given fullness to half-a-dozen ears. To be free from taxes is far less important than to be free from weeds.

2189. _Fences._--Around each post hill the earth, to carry off the water, and char the end a few inches above the surface. Cedar fences last about 15 years, which should lead owners to inquire where the fences are to come from hereafter.

2190. _Manure._--Every farmer can double the quantity of his domestic or yard manure, with scarcely any additional expense. At least fifty per cent. of the nutritive properties of yard manure are lost by drenching of rains, excessive fermentation, and injurious application to soil.

2191. _Plow deep._--Let a farmer examine the extent and depth to which the roots of grain, in a loose and favorable soil, will spread, and he will cease to wonder at the failure of a crop where the subsoil has never been stirred by the plow.

2192. _Green vegetables_, when put under the soil and submitted to the process of decomposition, are efficacious in restoring exhausted soils.

2193. _Fertilizing._--Buckwheat and clover are striking instances of this power in green crops to fertilize soils, and both have been extensively used for this purpose.

2194. _Agriculture_ is worthy the most liberal patronage of our governments, state and national; it ought to be enlightened by a better (and thorough) education of the agricultural class.

2195. _Three Pillars of the State._--Agriculture, manufactures, commerce, stand together; but they stand together like pillars in a cluster, the largest in the centre, and that largest is agriculture.

2196. _The Civilizer._--Let us never forget that the cultivation of the earth is the most important labor of man. Man, without the cultivation of the earth, is in all countries a savage. When tillage begins, other arts follow. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of human civilization.

2197. _Independence of Farmers._--We live in a country of small farms; a country, in which men cultivate with their own hands, their own fee-simple acres; drawing not only their subsistence, but also their spirit of independence, and manly freedom from the ground they plow.

2198. _The Glory of Agriculture._--"The task of working improvements on the earth is much more delightful than all the vain glory which can be acquired by ravaging it with the most uninterrupted career of conquests."--_Washington._

CATTLE.

(SEE PAGE 289.)

2199.--_Treat Domestic Animals kindly and tenderly._--Domestic animals of all kinds from a horse down to a chicken, should be treated with gentleness and mildness; men or boys who are rash and bad-tempered, ought not to be permitted to have charge of them or to interfere with their management. Animals that are kept in constant fear of suffering never thrive well, and they often become vicious and intractable by unkind and cruel treatment.

2200. _Keep Stock in good condition._--An animal may be kept short of food in the latter part of the fall or first of winter, at a small saving of food but at a loss in the condition of the animal.

2201. _Stables and Food._--Provide comfortable sheds and stables. Remember that a _want of comfort is always a waste of flesh_. Give a sufficiency of food and drink, with great regularity. A meal ten minutes later than the usual time, causes the animal to fret, and fretting lessens flesh.

2202. _Drink and Litter._--Most animals will drink several times a day, and should therefore have it as often as they want it. They should have plenty of clean litter as often as needed. With such management, there will be an almost incredible saving of food.

_Tight Stables_ should always be ventilated. The breath and manure from animals always causes impure air.

2203. _Oxen._--Being well-mated, oxen are more easily trained; and the more easily to effect this, much self-denial on the part of the driver, much coolness of temper, more training by motion and less by voice, may be highly advantageous to man and beast.

2204. _To Select._--Adopt the practice of selecting best lambs every year, for stock. In a few years you have first-rate sheep. The same course will produce the same effects in every kind of animal.

2205. _Hogs._--_Food._--If pumpkins, roots, apples, or any of them be fed to fattening hogs with corn, the advantage will be salutary. Most of the food for swine should be cooked. Swine fatten much faster on fermented, than on unfermented food. Salt, charcoal, and once in a while sulphur, are excellent for hogs under all circumstances.

_Good Medicine._--When your hogs get sick, you know not of what, give them ears of corn, first dipped in tar, and then rolled in sulphur.

2206. _Bees._--(See p. 176).--Every farmer should keep bees; a few swarms to furnish honey for his own use, if no more. They toil with unremitting industry, asking but a full sweep of the wing, and no monopoly. Every man, in either town or country, can keep bees to advantage.

2207. _Care of Bees in Winter._--A cold, dry, dark room, is the best winter-quarters for bees. They will consume less honey than if left on their summer stands, and will not be weakened by the loss of thousands, which, tempted out by the premature warmth, are caught by the cold winds, fall to the ground, and never rise again.

2208. "_Never kill a bee._"--The smoke of the _fungus maximus_, or common puff ball, when dried so as to hold fire, has a stupefying effect on the bees, and renders them as harmless as brimstone does, without any of its deadly effects.

2209. _Mignonette, Sweet._--Is especially mentioned as easily cultivated by drills in a garden, and is one of the finest and richest flowers in the world from which the honey-bee can extract its food.

2210. _Horses._--See page 199.

2211. _To cure Scratches on a Horse._--Wash the legs with warm strong soap-suds, and then with beef brine. Two applications will cure the worst case.

2212. _Bite of a Spider._--Catnip bruised and applied to the wound, is said to be a cure for the bite of a spider.

2213. _To preserve a Granary from Insects and Weasels._--Make the floor of Lombardy poplars.

2214. _To prevent the Creaking of a Door._--Rub a bit of soap on the hinges.

2215. _Sulphur_ is valuable in preserving grapes, plants, &c., from insects.

2216. _Salt_ is really necessary to horses, cattle, and sheep, and they should be supplied with it at regular stated intervals throughout all seasons of the year.

2217. _Manure_, on a wet soil, produces but half its effect; and gypsum, that grand stimulant of dry soils, on a wet one is useless.

2218. _Hen-House_ should be warm in winter, well-ventilated, white-washed, and kept clean. For the floor, use slaked lime, fine gravel or ashes, or burnt oyster shells. (See page 200.)

2219. _A single dozen_ fowls, properly attended, will furnish a family with more than 2,000 eggs in a year, and 100 full-grown chickens for fall and winter stores.

2220. _Expense._--The expense of feeding the dozen fowls will not amount to 18 bushels of Indian corn. They may be kept in cities as well as in the country, and will do as well shut up the year round as to run at large, with proper care.

2221. _A Fact._--Eggs the nearest to roundness produce females, and those pointed at one end always produce males.

2222. _For Fattening._--_Boiled_ Indian, wheat and barley, is better than oats, rye, or buckwheat. One-third is gained by _boiling_.

2223. _Eggs_, little boiled or poached, in small quantity, convey much nourishment; the yolk only should be eaten by invalids.

2224. _Salt for Poultry._--Salt is good for water-fowls, but death to land fowls and birds.

2225. _Salt for Pigeons._--Pigeons are fond of salt, and it keeps them in health. Lay a large heap of clay near the house, and let the salt-brine that may be done with in the family be poured upon it.

2226. _To Fatten Fowls in a short time._--Mix together ground rice well scalded with milk, and add some coarse sugar. Feed them with this in the day-time, but not too much at once; let it be pretty thick.

2227. _Pork cured._--Soon as cool enough to cut, and before it freezes, pack a clean cask full, with plenty of salt on all sides of each piece. Fill up with water, taking care, by means of a large stone, to keep the pork under the pickle, and covered from flies, in a cellar. Never boil pickle.

2228. _Pork Feeding._--It is a well-ascertained fact, that more meat will be made on half the weight of corn, if ground and made into mush instead of being fed whole.

2229. _In Smoking Hams_, &c., be careful not to have the fire too high, or the smoke-house top tight. It is best done in an upper story, to which the smoke is conveyed in tubes, from oak or maple chips in the cellar. (See p. 324.)

2230. _Hollow Horn._--Where supposed to exist, feed half-peck potatoes twice a week, and treat your cattle kindly in food and shelter.

2231. _Sheep_ must be fed well, kept dry, have salt often, and pure air, and be grazed in hilly stony pastures.

2232. _Cows._--Those who wish their cows to give large messes of milk in the winter season, should give them warm drink. The extra trouble will be more than repaid in the increased quantity of milk. (See pp. 285-6.)

2233. _Wild Onion_ may be destroyed by cultivating corn, plowing and leaving the field in its plowed state all winter.

2234. _Remember._--The great rule in relation to animals holds perfect in its application to vegetables; breed only from the best animals; _defects and imperfections have always a tendency to propagate themselves, and are always, in a greater or less degree, transmitted_.

2235. _Wheat_ shoots strongest when there is an interval between the time of plowing and sowing, but _barley_ is most vegetative when sown immediately after the plow.

2236. _Grease Wheels._--Fifty parts, by weight, of pulverized black lead, 50 of lard, 50 of soap, and 5 of quicksilver. Rub the lard and mercury first together, then the lead and soap. If well mixed, it is invaluable.

2237. _Plants_, when drooping, are revived by a few grains of camphor.

2238. _Flowers_ beginning to fade, can be restored by putting the stems in scalding water.

2239. _Bacon Hams in Summer._--Pack in a barrel, in clean dry ashes or charcoal; head up the barrel and put it where it is dry, and as cool as possible.

2240. _Timber_ cut in the spring and exposed to the weather _with the bark on_, decays much sooner than that _cut in the fall_.

2241. _In Feeding_ with corn, 60 lbs. ground goes as far as 100 lbs. in the kernel.

2242. _Apples._--Experiments show apples to be equal to potatoes to improve hogs, and decidedly profitable for fattening cattle.

2243. _Pears_ are greatly improved by grafting on the mountain ash.

2244. _Rats_ and other vermin are kept away from grain by a sprinkling of garlic when packing the sheaves.

2245. _Wet Land._--Money skillfully expended in drying land, by draining or otherwise, will be returned with ample interest.

2246. _Grass._--Sweet and nutritious grass gives a richness and flavor to milk, attainable from no other source.

2247. _Curing Fodder._--Bundles may be so placed around centre-poles as to form a hollow-stack, having a foundation of brush, sticks, &c., admitting a circulation of air that will thoroughly cure fodder in the shade.

2248. _Turnips_ of small size have double the nutritious matter that large ones have.

2249. _Ruta Baga_ is the only root that increases in nutritious qualities as it increases in size.

2250. _In transplanting_ trees, the hole should not be proportioned to the extent of the roots _as they are_, but to their extent as they _may be_ and _should be_.

2251. _Toads_ are the very best protection of cabbages against lice.

2252. _Peach Trees_ are protected from hard winters by covering the roots a foot deep with straw, in _January_, after the ground has become thoroughly frozen, which keeps the frost in the ground, and so prevents the sap from starting until the Spring is fairly opened.

2253. _Save your Fire Wood._--Mr. Madison, in his Notes of Agriculture, says, "Of all the errors in our rural economy, none perhaps is to be so much regretted, because none so difficult to be repaired, as the excessive and injudicious destruction of fire-wood."

2254. _Sorrel_ may be killed out by lime, while ashes have no effect on it.

2255. _Shumac_ or _Sumac_, a poisonous shrub or plant, which grows wild in abundance, and frequently where nothing else will, is used for dyeing in England, at the rate of thirteen thousand tons per annum. It might be made a source of profit to our farmers.

GARDENING

(SEE PAGE 291.)

2256. _Kitchen Garden._--This is one of the most important parts of general domestic economy, whenever the situation of a house will permit a family to avail themselves of its assistance, in aid of butcher's bills.

2257. It is, indeed, much to be regretted that small plots of ground, in the immediate vicinity of the metropolis more especially, are too often frittered away into shrubberies and baby gardens, when they might more usefully be employed in raising vegetables for the family, during the week-day residence in town, than wasting their sweetness on the smoky air in all the pride of lilac, hollyhock, and bachelors' buttons, to be merely smelled to, by the whole immigrating household on the day of rest.

2258. With a little care and attention, a kitchen-garden, though small, might be rendered not only useful, but in fact, as ornamental as a modern grass carpet; and the same expense incurred to make the ground a labyrinth of sweets, might suffice to render it agreeable to the palate, as well as to the olfactory nerves, and that even without offending the most delicate optics.

2259. It is only in accordance with our plan to give the hint, and to record such novel points as may facilitate the proposed arrangement.

2260. It is one objection to the adoption of a kitchen garden in front of the dwelling, or in sight of the family apartments, that its very nature makes it rather an eye-sore than otherwise at all seasons.

2261. This, however, is an objection that may be readily got over by a little attention to neatness and good order, whilst the plants themselves, if judiciously attended to, and the borders sown or planted with ranunculus, polyanthus, mignionette, &c., in succession, will really be ornamental.

2262. But then, in cutting the plants for use, the business must be done neatly, all useless leaves cleared from the ground, the roots no longer wanted taken up, and the ravages of insects to be guarded against by sedulous extirpation. It will also be found a great improvement, where space will admit of it, to surround the beds with neat espaliers, with fruit trees, or even gooseberry and currant bushes trained along them, instead of these being suffered to grow in a state of ragged wildness.

DRYING HERBS.

2263. Fresh herbs are preferable to dried ones, but as they cannot always be obtained, it is most important to dry herbs at the proper seasons:--

2264. _Basil_ is in a fit state for drying about the middle of August.

2265. _Burret_ in June, July, and August.

2266. _Chervil_ in May, June, and July.

2267. _Elder Flowers_ in May, June, and July.

2268. _Fennel_ in May, June, and July.

2269. _Knotted Marjoram_ during July.

2270. _Lemon Thyme_ end of July, and through August.

2271. _Mint_ end of June and July.

2272. _Orange Flowers_ May, June, and July.

2273. _Orange Thyme_ (a delicious herb), June and July.

2274. _Parsley_ May, June, and July.

2275. _Sage_, August and September.

2276. _Summer Savory_, end of July and August.

2277. _Tarragon_, June, July, and August.

2278. _Thyme_, end of July and August.

2279. _Winter Savory_, end of July and August.

2280. These herbs always at hand will be a great aid to the cook.

2281. Herbs should be gathered on a dry day; they should be immediately well cleansed, and dried by the heat of a stove, or Dutch oven.

2282. The leaves should then be picked off, pounded and sifted, and put away for use.

PROPERTIES AND USES OF VEGETABLES.

2283. _Parsley_ is very cooling and softening.

2284. _Catnip_ is a warm herb, of a diaphoretic or sweating nature.

2285. _Pennyroyal_ is much the same, only more powerful. It retains a very powerful pungent oil.

2286. _Spearmint_ is pungent and hot, but of an astringent nature.

2287. _Calamint_ is much the same, but not so strong.

2288. _Hoarhound_ is very strengthening to the lungs, and is somewhat of a pectoral. It is excellent in a cough, or stopage in the stomach.

2289. _Everlasting_, or _Indian Posey_, is a very balsamic herb--healing and cooling, and excellent in salves or ointment.

2290. _Johnswort_ is much the same.

2291. _Pea Balm_ is a cooling and sweating herb, and is good in fevers and inflammations.

2292. _Chamomile_ is a great restorative to the lungs, and promotes perspiration. It is good in salves and ointments to take away swellings.

2293. _Mayweed_ is of a pectoral nature, and is good for a pain in the side.

2294. _Garden Coltsfoot_ is a great restorative to the lungs, and is good in syrups for coughs.

2295. _Melilot_ is good in salves and ointments for swellings and inflammations. It is mollifying and cooling.

2296. _Sage_ is the greatest restorative to human nature of any herb that grows.

2297. _Bloodroot_ is a very powerful emetic or purge: steeped in spirits, it will serve for an emetic; and boiled in fair water it serves as a purge.

2298. _Mandrake_ root is an excellent physic, dried and pounded.

2299. _Cumfrey_ and _Spikenard_ are so well known that they need no describing.

2300. _Elecampane_ is good in coughs, yet it is an astringent.

2301. _Cranesbill_ is an astringent, and excellent in cankers.

2302. _Whiteroot_ is of a physical nature, and is good to remove wind pent in the stomach, or part of the bowels.

2303. _Sassafras_ root is good for the blood.

2304. So also are _Sarsaparilla, Horse Radish, Burdock roots, Elder roots_.

2305. _Hop roots_, and _Wild Coltsfoot_ are good as pectorals.

2306. _White_ and _Yellow Pond Lily roots_, the same.

2307. _Winter's Bark._--This is the product of one of the largest trees on Terra del Fuego. It is good in dropsy and scurvy.

2308. _Wild Jenton_ is a strong cathartic, when boiled.

VEGETABLES TO CULTIVATE.

2309. _Artichoke._--Sow early in the Spring, in rows three inches apart, or plant suckers.

2310. _Asparagus._--Sow in April, in good rich soil.

2311. _Beans._ _English Dwarfs._--Plant as early in the Spring as the ground will work.

2312. _Kidney Dwarfs._--Plant from end of April to about 20th August.

2313. _Pole or Running._--Plant beginning of May, and at intervals through the season.

2314. _Beets._--Sow in drills, from early in the Spring till the middle of Summer. Leave the plants 6 to 8 inches apart in the drills.

2315. _Borecole_ is an excellent green. Sow in Fall, either broadcast or in drills, as for Winter Spinach.

2316. _Brussels Sprouts_ are cultivated for the small heads, which are attached to the stem. Sow in the middle of Spring, and treat as Winter Cabbage.

2317. _Brocoli_ produces heads like cauliflower. Sow in seed bed about the middle of Spring. Transplant in rich ground when 8 or 12 inches high, and treat as Winter Cabbage.

2318. _Cabbage._--For early cabbage, sow in Autumn, in seed beds. Protect during Winter; transplant early in the Spring. For late Cabbage, sow in seed bed, middle of Spring. Transplant early in Summer.

2319. _Cardoon_ is much used for salads, soups, and stews. Treated much like Celery.

2320. _Cauliflower._--Sow, for early, in seed beds, in Autumn; protect from frost, in cold frames, and transplant in rich ground after frost ceases. For late, manage as Brocoli.

2321. _Carrots_ should be sown early in the Spring, in deep-dug and well-manured ground, in drills twelve or eighteen inches apart.

2322. _Celery_ should be sown early in the Spring, in light rich moist soil. Transplant in trenches, highly manured, when about six inches high. Blanch by earthing up as they advance in growth.

2323. _Chervil._--A small salad. Sow early in the Spring, and after heat of Summer.

2324. _Cress._--Used as a salad. Sow very thick, in shallow drills, at intervals through the season.

2325. _Corn Salad._--Used as a salad during the Winter and Spring. Sow thick, in drills, about 1st of September, and cover with straw on the approach of cold.

2326. _Cucumbers_ should be planted first week in May, in hills four feet apart; prepare the ground by incorporating a shovelful of rotten dung in each hill.

2327. _Endive._--Sow last of Spring to middle of Summer, in shallow drills.

2328. _Egg-Plant._--Sow in hot-beds early in the Spring; transplant in rich warm ground late in the Spring, about 30 inches apart. Egg-plant seed will not vegetate freely without a substantial heat.

2329. _Lettuce_ should be sown in seed bed, in the middle of September; protect the plants through the Winter, and early in the Spring transplant in rich ground; or sow in hot-beds, in March, and at intervals throughout the season.

2330. _Melon._--Plant in hills, in light sandy earth, about the first week in May.

2331. _Mushroom Spawn_ should be planted in hot-beds of dung, covered with earth.

2332. _Mustard._--Sown like Cress, and used for a salad.

2333. _Nasturtium._--Sow in May. The flowers and young leaves are used as a salad; the seed-pods, with foot-stalk, are gathered whilst green, and pickled as a substitute for capers.

2334. _Okra_, or _Gombo_, is one of the best of vegetables. Plant in May. The seed should be sown thick, as it is liable to rot in the ground. Very rich ground is required.

2335. _Onions_ should be sown in drills, early in the Spring, in rich ground, thin, to stand two or three inches apart.

2336. _Parsley_ should be sown early in the Spring. Soak in warm water before sowing.

2337. _Parsnip._--Sow in drills 18 inches apart, in good and deep-dug ground, early in the Spring.

2338. _Peas._--The best soil for Peas is a light loam. The early sorts require rich ground. Sow in drills as early in the Spring as the ground will work.

2339. _Pepper._--Sow late in Spring, in drills, on a warm border; or in a frame or hot-bed, in March; set out plants eighteen inches apart.

2340. _Pumpkin._--The Mammoth Pumpkin has been grown to the enormous weight of 225 pounds. Plant early in May, in rich soil, in hills, eight to ten feet apart each way.

2341. _Radish._--The early kinds should be sown as soon as the ground can be worked, in a sheltered situation.

2342. _Rhubarb_ should be sown in Autumn or early in the Spring; when in the latter, transplant in the ensuing Spring to desired situation. The stems are used for tarts, and are fit for use before green fruit can be obtained, being a very desirable substitute.

2343. _Salsify_, or _Vegetable Oyster_, should be sown during April. The roots boiled, made into cakes with paste, and fried like oysters, much resembles them.

2344. _Spinach_ should be sown as soon as the ground can be worked. The soil cannot be too rich for Spinach.

2345. _Squash._--Cultivate same as Cucumber.

2346. _Tomato._--Sow in hills three feet apart, on a warm border, early in the Spring. As the plants advance in growth, give them support.

2347. _Turnip._--For summer use, sow early in the Spring. For main crop, sow close of Summer. The Ruta Baga requires more time to mature, and should be sown at midsummer.

2348. _Aromatic and Sweet Herbs._--Anise, Brazil, (sweet), Caraway, Coriander, *Fennel, *Lavender, Marygold, Pot, Marjorum, (sweet), *Sage, Summer Savory, *Winter Savory, *Thyme, *Mint, *Rosemary, Dill.

2349. Those marked with a * are perennial, and when once obtained, may be preserved for years. The others are annual.

FRUIT TREES AND FRUIT.

2350. _Fruits_, in a ripe and perfect state, are beneficial to health, if not eaten to excess.

2351. _Stunted_ trees never become vigorous, nor when too long crowded in nurseries.

2352. In _Grafting_, 25 well placed are better than 100 grafts placed at random, and ten placed injudiciously will change the whole top of a tree in a few years, when 200 grafts may be so scattered as not materially to change the top of the tree or its fruit. Graft only on such as are sound and vigorous.

2353. _Haggling_ off limbs and branches and leaving stumps on the trees, which rot off and let the water into the trunk, soon destroys the tree; therefore, always cut or saw off smooth, when the wound will heal and the bark grow over.

2354. _Sound_, vigorous trees, and no other, should be set out, as they take no more trouble or space than the worthless ones.

2355. _Budding_ should only be done with fresh buds, on very small stocks of vigorous growth. Begin after sap starts, until 1st June. Later will do. Make incision like a T; raise the corners and insert the bud with as little of the wood as possible, and bandage, not too tight, for three weeks.

2356. _Scions_ may be cut in February or March, before or at the time the buds begin to swell; or take grafts size of a pipe-stem, from bearing branches, not from side shoots nor the rank growth of the top. Put in earth one-third their length, keep from frost, and occasionally sprinkle, to prevent shriveling, but not so wet as to sprout them.

2357. _Composition._--Resin 8 oz., beeswax, 3 oz.; melt up with lard, and work it like shoemaker's wax; for wounds made in pruning or grafting.

2358. _Split_ the stock, drive in a wedge six or eight inches long, open the split so as to admit the graft freely; sharpen end of graft and insert, matching the wood of graft and wood of the stock; remove the wedge carefully, and cover smooth over with composition, tight, to exclude air, and the sap will force its way to the graft.

2359. _Seed._--Select from healthy trees, sound, ripe and fair fruit, and place in sand, in a cellar or other cool, damp place, until time to plant. If kept too dry, they seldom vegetate. Let the soil be good, well worked, not too wet; cover up and press the ground moderately over. Plant in Fall, before the ground is frozen, or in Spring, soon as the ground can be worked.

2360. _Soil._--Low, wet or marshy ground is not suitable. Soil appropriate for crops of grain, is also adapted to the cultivation of fruit trees, shrubs or vines. Occasional digging, mellowing the ground, keeping down underbrush and weeds, and manuring, are beneficial.

2361. _Cleanliness_ is essential. Destroy all caterpillars, noxious worms and insects, and prune off all affected parts. Scrape off all rough, ragged bark and moss, and wash well with soap-suds or cover with a coat of limewash. Remove all suckers from the roots, side branches and excrescences.

2362. _Grubs_, which occasion disease, may be prevented by coating the roots and lower trunk, about July 1, with tar, train oil, or whitewash, and sprinkling a little lime, ashes, or soap-suds, on the ground around the tree. When seriously affected, dig the earth from the roots near the surface, and search thoroughly in the bark for the grub; cleanse off the gum, &c., wash with ley or soap-suds, or rub dry ashes over them, and close up with good fresh earth. Doing this as occasion requires, will ensure health and vigor.

2363. _Slugs and Snails_ are great enemies to every kind of garden-plant, whether flower or vegetable; they wander in the night to feed, and return at daylight to their haunts; the shortest and surest direction is, "Rise early, catch them, and kill them."--(See p. 281.)

2364. _Another way._--Lay cabbage leaves about the ground, especially on the beds which they frequent. Every morning examine these leaves, and you will find a great many taking refuge beneath.

2365. _Caterpillars and Aphides._--A garden syringe or engine, with a cap on the pipe full of very minute holes, will wash away these disagreeable visitors very quickly. You must bring the pipe close to the plant, and pump hard, so as to have considerable force on, and the plant, however badly infested, will soon be cleared without receiving any injury.--(See p. 277.)

2366. _Rake the Earth._--Every time that you use the syringe or garden-engine, you must immediately rake the earth under the trees, and kill the insects you have dislodged, or many will recover and climb up the stems of the plants.

2367. _Grubs on Orchard Trees._--Make a bonfire with dry sticks and weeds on the windward side of the orchard, so that the smoke may blow among the trees; you will destroy thousands; for the grubs have such an objection to smoke, that very little of it makes them roll themselves up and fall off; they must be swept up afterward.

2368. _Wasps_ destroy a good deal of fruit, but every pair of wasps killed in spring saves the trouble and annoyance of a swarm in autumn.

2369. _Butterflies and Moths_, however pretty, are the worst enemies one can have in a garden; a single insect of this kind may deposit eggs enough to overrun a tree with caterpillars, therefore they should be destroyed at any cost of trouble.

2370. The only moth that you must spare, is the common black and red one; the grubs of this feed exclusively on grounsel, and are therefore a valuable ally of the gardener.

2371. _Earwigs_ are very destructive insects; their favorite food is the petals of roses, pinks, dahlias, and other flowers.

2372. _To kill Earwigs._--They may be caught by driving stakes into the ground, and placing on each an inverted flower-pot; the earwigs will climb up and take refuge under it, when they may be taken out and killed.--(See p. 279.)

2373. Or very deep holes may be made in the ground with a crowbar, into these they will fall, and may be destroyed by boiling water.

2374. _Toads_ are among the best friends the gardener has; for they live almost exclusively on the most destructive kinds of vermin.

2375. _The Rose Slug._--A new and sure mode to destroy these insects, either when as a fly laying its eggs, or as a slug, is the following:--

2376. _Whale Oil Soap_, dissolved at the rate of two pounds to fifteen gallons of water.

2377. _Mode of Preparation._--Take whatever quantity of soap you wish to prepare, and dissolve it in boiling water, about one quart to a pound; in this way strain it through a fine wire or hair sieve, which takes out the dirt, prevents its stopping the valves of the engine, or the nose of the syringe; then add cold water to make it the proper strength.

2378. _How to use it._--Apply it to the rose-bush with a hand engine or syringe, with as much force as practicable, and be sure that every part of the leaves is well saturated with the liquid. What falls to the ground in application, will do good in destroying the worms and enriching the soil, and from its trifling cost, it can be used with profusion.

2379. _The cost._--A hogshead of 136 gallons costs forty-five cents--not quite four mills per gallon. Early in the morning, or in the evening, is the proper time to apply it to the plants.

2380. _Mildew_ on the Gooseberry, Peach, Grape-vine, &c., is checked and entirely destroyed by a weak dressing of the solution.

2381. _The Canker Worm._--Laying soap oil on the trunk and branches of the tree, at the consistency of thick paint, destroys the brown, scaly insect on the bark, and gives the tree a smooth, glossy, and healthy appearance.

2382. _To free Plants from Leaf-Lice._--Mix one ounce of flowers of sulphur with one bushel of sawdust; scatter this over the plants infected with these insects, and they will soon be freed, though a second application may possibly be necessary.

2383. _Keeping Fruits._--The three best of eight different modes fairly tried, are, 1, covering in pure dry sand; 2, in dry fern; 3, in a deal box buried in the earth. In all cases to be kept cool.

2384. _Sunflower_ yields 140 bushels per acre, and each bushel one gallon of good oil. Its leaves furnish provender; its seeds, food for poultry and hogs. It thrives on poor soils.

2385. _To prepare a cheap Hortus Siccus._--All the small plants should be expanded under water, in a plate, on a piece of writing-paper. In this state they will assume their natural form and position. Then withdraw the paper with the plant gently from the water, and place them between sheets of blotting-paper, and press them with a book or flat board. When dry, it may be placed on writing-paper.