The Farmers' Column.

Bruce Herald, Volume XI, Issue 1017, 11 June 1878, Page 7

The Farmers' Column.

-» MISCELLANEOUS. The Concord philosopher defines a weed as " a plant whose virtues have not yet been, discovered. " The .' Golden Rule ' remarks— on the strength of experience —that it pays those who really pine for " early greens," to .start lettuce in a shallow box in the house, and transplant into the garden at the right, time — and also beets and other hardy vegetables. - Mr E.A. Real, speaking of the undoubtedly excellent effect of fruit-eating, mentions, in ' Coleuaan's Rural,' that his family of seven children, who have fruit for every meal the year round, are blessed with uninterrupted health,, while those of neighbours, who neglect' fruit culture, have repeated and fatal sickness. Sixteen millions three hundred and sixty-five thousand two hundred and thirteen bushels of wheat were shipped from Port Adelaide to Great Britain during the seven weeks ended the 16th February last. A lady correspondent ' of ' Moorete Rural ' punches holes, for drainage, in the bottom of old fruis and vegetable cans, paints them any desirable colour, or pastes on "pretty pictures," and used them for flowers, finding them quite as good_ as porous pots, the rust being rather beneficial to the plants than otherwise. Another lady utilises the cans for starting tomatoes early, keeping them, among the flowers at the window at first, and then transplanting into boxes or larger pots as the roots require more room, till the time arrives for setting out in the open ground. TRANSPLANTED TfiEEs/ ' I The roots of trees absorb water and air. The soil should be finely pulverised, and placed upon every part of the bark* of the roots, whether they are large or small, , for they everywhere absorb when the moiefc earth comes in contact with them, j We need not calculate much onttiVsporigiole, for the tree has left' all thoße where it was dug up ; and soon the white ends ! of the new growth of the roots push their way out through the ground; and when they get old enough to form bark and wood for pores to conduct the water and air, then, and not till then, do they as- j siet the tree. Having filled the hole half full of fine, rich, soft soil, with no turf, grass, or manure on tbe roots, if the soil i« rather dry apply a little water, ao as to thoroughly wet the roots and soil ; if very dry, increase tbe water ; then the rest of the filling up may be with a mixture of earth, soda, 1 grass,- or. well-rotted manure if the soil is poor; then stamp hard, and cover the surface with mulch— for which use rubbish, coarsej manure, leaves, grass, with dirt enough to prevent blowing off ; even pieces of board—anything to keep the ground from drying by Summer drought. If severe drought comes, water ; first digging' away the earth nearly : dbwn to the roote, then .turn in,the water where it will reach the roots. As to evergreen^" I have found the best time to set them is soon after setting fruit and shade trees, just aB the buds of the evergreens begin to -swell, or have grown an inch or two. Do not expose the roots to sun or air to dry in tbe least. ; tbe rosin in the bark of the . root will harden, which is death to the evergreen, though the drying up may not take place fora monl.h or two. Follow ibe foregoing direction in setting, and if the eauth ia dry, ram it very hard in filling the hole. The limbs of- evergreens may be shortened in, as well ..as .these of deciduous trees. Cutting the ends of the limbs, even half the length, tends to secure the life of the evergreen and to thicken and beautify it when it has Jgrown a few years. If you want a tall, main stem, do not' shorten ; if' a low, broad, J spreading centre, clip the top. In handling the evergreens it is necessary to keep the roots covered with sacking rags, or * -wet straw. Many persons are discouraged in planting evergreens, so many die. If the above direction is followed, they are sure to live as the apple or elm. <<• Every viarm, and every suburban residence should be decorated with evergreens.— -'■ New , York Tribune.'

" Hewers of wood and drawers of water" — wood engravers and marine painters. ~ '•/•■'