FOR THE FARM, GARDEN AND THE FIRESIDE

Volume XXXV - No. 901 - Albany, N.Y. April 28, 1870

Page 261:
OUR ILLINOIS LETTER. CHAMPAIGN CO., APRIL 20, 1870
The warm weather of the first part of the month closed in a general thunder storm on the 14th, and then pretty extensive, though not heavy rains followed. These ended in a snow storm, the twenty-second of the season, which fell to the depth of between two and three inches on the night of the 15th. There was quite a freeze Saturday night, but corn and beans, both up, came through the trial untouched, and I have therefore no fears of the fruit buds. Not even the peaches are in bloom hereabouts, and it is fully two weeks to a general flowering, the snow storm and raw weather having greatly retarded vegetation. For a day or two, the engine of the weather appears to be “standing on its centre,” as the machinists say, for it is neither cold nor hot, and it is evident a small influence would give a brisk movement either way.

Page 262:
SILENE PENDULA — var. ruberrima
This is a newly introduced bloomer, the whole plant presenting a remarkable appearance, the flowers of a bright carmine rose; the branches, instead of being green, are of a brownish red which spreads over the leaves and calyx, giving the whole a striking aspect, quite different from that of the old Silene pendula. NORTHERN ILLINOIS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

Page 265:
PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY
Farmers have the credit of doing their fair share of the grumbling that goes on under the sun, and it is pleasant to receive, as we so often do, evidences of the satisfaction their pursuit under good management is capable of yielding. A subscriber in Chester Co., Penn., (he lives, it is true, in a region where contentment ought not to be a very difficult task) says: After 28 years experience as a hard working practical farmer, taking an interest in everything that relates to progressive agriculture, I have no lingering regrets as to the past, (except so far as I have make mistakes,) and earnest hopes for the future. I have been quite successful in bringing a worn down farm up to a high state of fertility, by a way that many people do not love, that is, by hard work, and by adopting the motto that nothing can labor without it is fed. I have fed my land, fed well my stock, my fruit trees - and they in turn have all fed me. I hear others complaining of hard times, scarcity of money, &c., but the past year with me has been as prosperous as I could wish, with a mixed husbandry.

Page 267:
The Fireside
GARDENING FOR THE LADIES
At this season we must work vigorously to keep up a supply of “Bedding-out Plants.” Those of our readers who have Fortunatus’ purse, can easily supply all their wants. The florists offer great varieties, and the prices are low. Cities and towns are filled with green houses, cultivated upon the most approved methods. We were just looking over a new catalogue, from the Innisfallen Greenhouses at Pittsfield, Mass., which offers rare inducements to purchasers. Its superintendent being a pupil of the “Prince of Floriculture,” Peter Henderson, knows how to supply his customers with the “rich and rare,” and his prices are befitting the fall in gold. In geraniums and pelargoniums there is a wide choice. The variegated-leaved species are the most popular plants now cultivated, and though their flowers are not as beautiful as those of the Zonale tribes, their leaves are so perfectly shaped and marked that they can be substituted for flowers in arranging bouquets, baskets and vases. Mrs. Pollock has had a world-wide reputation, and is now likely to be superseded by Lady Cullum, which can be purchased for 50 cts. Italia Unita possesses a bright carmine zone on each leaf and is decidedly a desirable “novelty.” Silver Pheasant is perfectly margined with white and carmine - its flowers a rosy pink. Mountain of Snow is greatly admired, and a 25 currency can obtain it. The Zonale or Horse-Shoe geraniums will flower from May until frost, and cannot be excelled for brilliancy of coloring and loveliness. Andrew Henderson has rich rosy pink flowers with yellow centre; Incomparable possesses flowers striped like a carnation; it is of a salmon pink, stripped with white, and 30 cts. is all that is asked for it. The Lilliputian Zonale geraniums are, as their name denotes, of a dwarf species - often a plant is seen not over six inches in height, and filled with immense trusses of flowers fully equal in size to their larger sisters; Baby Boy is a dazzling scarlet with a white eye; Little Dear, a lovely rose color with white spots; Cupid, a rich salmon color with white centre; Little Gem, a brilliant vermillion; all these varieties are only 25 cents each, and can be sent by mail. We who love flowers so dearly, owe a debt of gratitude to the government which allows us to transmit and receive them by mail so cheaply. Expressage is very high; many of us are dwellers remote from the centres of civilization, but the friendly mailbags will bring the perfect flowers, free gratis, nearly to our doors. All the florists offer to send packages in amounts not less than $1, free. Eight cents per pound is the charge for plants, cuttings and seeds, sent by mail. We can receive a dozen verbenas for $1. Think of the blaze of glory that one hundred cents thus invested will bestow, not only upon ourselves, but upon all our friends and visitors! Let us beg “Lou Lightheart” to brighten her surroundings in this manner. By sending $5 to any florist, she can procure at least forty to fifty most desirable plants for summer and winter blooming, allowing him to make his own selection. The “special selections” which are offered to us are excessively cheap, and every lover of flowers will find it a far better way to secure a fine display, than by selecting at random from the catalogues.

Every tree, shrub or plant that produces buds, can be propagated by cuttings; each bud contains the germ of a new plant, and if taken from the parent stem and properly cultivated, it can be made to produce roots, stems, leaves and flowers. Loudon says: “If the trunk of a tree is lopped, and all its existing buds destroyed, there will be protruded from between the wood and bark a sort of protuberant lip or ring, formed from the proper juice, and from which there will spring a number of young shoots. The formation of the root in the case of the slip or cutting, is effected in the same manner-the moisture of the soil encouraging the protrusion of buds at and near the section, and the bud that would have been converted into a root below. This explains the science of the thing, and teaches us that a bud must either be buried in the ground, or kept in water, to produce the desired results. Cuttings will strike more quickly if taken from a part of the plant which is in full growth, but the lower extremity of it should not be too soft, else it will absorb too much moisture, and it will decay. A junction of the old and new wood is the most desirable. They should also be cut off just below a bud, as they only form roots from buds; and if a bud is not left close at the end, it will not be as likely to flourish. The tender herbaceous and watery-stemmed plants, require more care than the hardy shrubs and perennials. Verbenas, heliotropes, feverfews, fuchsias, and most kinds of geraniums, will strike root readily in glass vials, filled with soft water and hung up at the window by twine tied round the neck of the vials. If the sun shines very hot all day, the vials must be looked at, and their position changed, lest the water should become too much heated and burn them; but in April and May the sun is rarely hot enough to effect this. As soon as the roots are one inch long, transplant into pots. A certain degree of heat, shade and moisture is requisite to enable cuttings to strike root. Shade is necessary for at least two days. A glass covering makes them grow rapidly, it acts like a miniature hot-bed, and retains all the moisture. Broken tumblers are greatly in demand when we plant our cuttings. All leaves except four or five at the top, should be carefully cut off-if the cutting is small, leave only two. We use the common red pottery, and fill the pots two-thirds full with as rich earth as we can procure, having first baked it in the oven to kill all vermin and larvae. Press the soil firmly into the pot, then fill in one inch of pure sand - house scouring sand will do, if no other is obtainable. Wet the sand thoroughly, insert the prepared cuttings as close to the edge of the pot as possible, and a little more than an inch apart - press the soil around each with thumb and fingers - half the victory lies in this firm planting. Unless the soil is thus treated many of your cuttings will fail. Press the glass over all, and set in the dark for a day or two; then place as close to the window as possible; keep well watered, and give all the sun and air that can be had. If the day is warm let down the window at the top. Soon the cuttings will shed a leaf or more, that will show you that the bud is forming into roots, and will soon develop leaves, then flowers. This process of raising plants by cuttings is simple in the extreme, and we take great delight in plants thus procured. We associate them with the kindly giver who bestowed upon us the cutting; we rejoice in them as the result of our care and culture. Try it, dear reader, raise a few plants from seeds or cuttings up to perfect fruition, and it will be impossible not to love them. They in their turn will bestow upon you a new and innocent pleasure which neither boundless wealth nor power can procure, for–
‘There’s not a flower
But shows some touch of freckle, streak or stain
of His unrivaled pencil. He inspires
Their balmy odors, and imparts their hues, And fills their cups with nectar.” — S.O.J.

Page 268
RECORD OF THE TIMES
The Weather, Crops and Prices
Illinois-Lockport, Will Co., April 16 - Rather a rough spring until about the 6th; since then very fine, and farmers have improved the time. Small grain is nearly in, cherry and peach blossoms almost ready to burst - and prospects good for a fruitful season. Stock wintered well, and if the present genial weather continues they will soon be transferred fiom winter quarters to the green fields.

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