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undertaking too great for an individual to accomplish as one would desire that it should be done. It must satisfy me, I hope it will satisfy my friends, that I have, with unceasing anxiety, sought to execute it as well as I could. It was not to be expected that I should give a complete system of agriculture; but I have constantly endeavored to collect and present that information which would be most useful; and to convey it in a simple and practical form. I have omitted many circumstances, because they are well known. I have given full details wherever I thought they were required. As to my opinions on any subject upon which I have treated, I can only answer that they are my own; that I am quite ready to yield them, when I find, upon further information, reason so to do; and, above all, that my opinions or judgments do not encroach upon the personal right of independent judgment and opinion in any and all others.

European agriculture lays under many burdens, from which the United States are free, and I pray may long remain so. The weight of taxation in most of the countries of Europe is very oppressive. The unproductive classes are numerous to an excess. Immense standing armies; governments enormously expensive, and in a great measure irresponsible to the people; ecclesiastical establishments, and their attachés, demanding large contributions from labor, and returning, in many cases, little more in value than the bishop's blessing in Æsop's fable, are all to be sustained from the soil, and by the labor, of those who cultivate it. In their present exemption from these burdens, the farmers of the United States are greatly blessed. May they duly appreciate their singular advantages, than which none greater ever fell to the lot of man in his social condition. To them we may apply the beautiful line of the immortal poet

O! ter beati Agricolæ, si sua bona nôrint." *-
*—pp. 596-598

We fear, if this was not the closing number, some of Mr. Colman's readers would "stop their subscription," for in these days to recommend the culture of the grape for the manufacture of wine, would bring down, upon the writer, the indignation of some of our philanthropists, who look upon the grape as the remote cause of all the intemperance of the age. We, however, agree with Mr. Colman, and we trust we may see that time arrive, when the importation of wine will be among the things that were.

The work forms two volumes, of upwards of 500 pages each, illustrated with many fine copper-plate engravings-printed on superior paper, and in a neat bold type—and will form a valuable acquisition to the library of every farmer.

*Thrice happy farmers, if they only knew their blessings.

MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE.

ART. I. General Notices.

Cultivation of Celery.-IT is well known, in these exhibition days, that much of the gigantic celery which finds its way to market, or appears at our public exhibitions, is (although so specious in appearance,) exceedingly coarse and fibrous. It moreover has a constant tendency to "run to seed," before even winter sets in and then, of course, loses that delicate tenderness of texture, for which celery is so much esteemed. Now, although it is quite commendable to encourage size, at an exhibition, it does not follow, that the mode employed to produce such enormous stalks, must be implicitly followed by those whose office it is to provide choice salads for the wealthy, whose taste, in matters of the kind, is not always identical with that of the inhabitants of busy towns; the latter, in their marketing matters, not unfrequently prefer bulk to quality.

I presume it will be readily conceded, that rapid growth is the principle which most conduces to tenderness in vegetables; and that any mode of culture, which produces an unusual bulk of material, through very early sowing, must, in a proportionate degree, deteriorate the character of the production. One of the first points to which I would respectfully direct attention, in order to obtain tender, crisp, and good-keeping celery, is to sow it much later than usual, and to cultivate it very highly afterwards; never, if possible, suffering it to receive a check of any kind. A very small sowing, to obtain a little very early celery, may be made in the early part of February; but, for the principal supply, the beginning of April will suffice, provided the maxim be put in full practice.

This plant is such a gross feeder, that mere soil in the seed-bed, be it ever so good, will not suffice alone to carry out these principles. It should always be sown in contact with a thin layer of very rotten manure; and, above all things, kept constantly moist. It is, moreover, generally sown much too thick; and this frequently arises from the want of frame-room; most gardeners preferring to sow it in a hot-bed frame. There is, however, no absolute necessity to rear it in a frame, if sown as here recommended; I have raised my main crops for years—even in this northern climate-on open but elevated beds, in the open garden. True it is, the young plant requires some nursing, and much attention in guarding it from the snails and slugs; this, however, presents no obstacle worth consideration

My practice is to apply liquid manure occasionally, to this late sowing, or, at all events, to keep the beds constantly moist. The importance of an abundant supply of moisture, is pretty well known-especially during hot weather, when it is barely possible to keep it too wet. This was long since shown by the late Mr. Knight, who, taking into consideration the circumstance of its being, as to its native habits, a ditch plant, shaped his course of culture accordingly.

As soon as the young plant can be handled with convenience, trans planting must take place; and this part of the cultivation must be performed with much care. Elevated beds should be had recourse to as a guarantee, against battering storms, the young plant being exceedingly liable to" choke” during heavy rains. These beds should be thoroughly pulverized, and after this process-being duly marked out-a coating of rotten manure should be spread over the surface, two inches in thickness, and a casing of the ordinary soil strewn over this, about an inch in thickness.

The soil being neatly levelled, a light roller may be passed over the bed, in order to make a close and even surface; or, in default of a roller, the soil may be patted with the spade; this precaution will prevent injury from storms. By a kindly attention, the plants will be ready for final transplanting, in about a month, and no delay must be permitted in this matter, as it is well known, in these days, that a sudden check, after very rapid growth, induces the formation of blossoms; or, in technical terms, as applied to the celery, causes the plant to "run." The smaller the plant, therefore, at this removal, the better, provided it is stout and of a dark-green color.

The mode of culture in drills, or by the Scotch bed mode, is so well known, that I need say nothing here on that head; some persons prefer the one mode, some the other. This, however, depends in part, on the scheme of rotation pursued; and, for my part, I prefer the Scotch, or bed mode; for, strange to say, I take my main crop of peas off the ground intended for celery, previously. The peas are chiefly of the Imperial class, which, it is well known, produce a glut, and are speedily off the ground.

By sowing two rows of peas at a time, I obtain ground on the removal of each pair of rows, for a six feet celery-bed: such ground has usually been much exhausted by the Brassica tribes, previous to the peas, and I use the celery as a restoring crop.

Whatever mode be adopted, it should be borne in mind, that moisture, during hot weather, is as necessary here, as in the seed-bed. Much care is requisite, in "soiling up." I have known excellent crops spoiled by neglectful laborers; and the first soiling, in general, determines whether it shall be straight or crooked. The principle of soiling has been much misunderstood, in many instances; some persons neglecting it for a long period, and laying on a most unwarrantable load, by which the whole plant becomes suddenly paralyzed.

Celery should be soiled little and often-a little once a fortnight, at furthest; and the plant should be allowed a firm footing, before the first soiling takes place. In the middle of November, it should be soiled in an extra manner, as protection against frost, and the soil pressed very close. I consider the Manchester red the best for the earliest crop, but Seymour's white will keep the longest.-Journal of Horticultural Society, Vol. III. p. 297.)

Management of Fruit Trees.-At this season, when flowers demand comparatively little attention, the time of the amateur is required by the fruit trees in his garden. Now that the year's growth is completed, and the fo

liage has fallen, the training of the tree should be attended to, in reference both to its bearing fruit, and its future development. Former papers in the Chronicle, have fully explained the general principles of pruning, in reference to different trees, and we refer to them for that instruction, which young gardeners may need. Every thing of this kind should be done now, excepting the nailing of trees to walls, which, physiologists say, should be left as long as possible. Nature appears to confer benefits on trees, by the constant motion of their branches, in the wintry winds, and the process of nailing in, attended to early, deprives them of this. It has been thought, that the tendency of wall trees to canker, is to be attributed, in part, to the unnatural position they are fixed in. It is as well, therefore, to leave this part of gardening labor until the spring, unless the garden is very large, when, of course, work must be done, when there is an opportunity. All pruning, however, may he got under at once. Espaliers and standards, should be carefully trained, and kept in an orderly and elegant form. The latter are too much neglected in gardens. When young, standard trees receive supervision, but when they become older and more valuable, they are slighted. The centres become filled with small spray, by which air and light are kept from a large portion of the tree. The knife should be used to clear this away, and, also to remove all dead branches. Any time, when there is no hard frost, will be favorable for this work.

The quarters devoted to gooseberries and currants should now be dug, a good coating of well rotted manure, being mixed with the soil, as you proceed. The bushes should now be pruned, if you can adopt measures to scare away birds from the buds, otherwise, you had better wait until February. If a bush is now cleared from all useless wood, facility is given for the entrance of the winged depredators, and you may find your trees quite destitute of buds in the spring. By leaving them unpruned, an entrance is in many cases prevented, and, at all events, you can regulate your pruning afterwards, by the state of the buds. However, it is better to get the work done now, and take measures to keep the birds away, during the winter. A mixture of cow dung, soot, and lime, put on with a plasterer's brush, I have found effectual; I am not quite sure that white worsted is not equally potent to keep off the thieves. If your stock is not very large, try both, and you will be sure of success. When the snow is on the ground, keep a look out, and the occasional use of a gun will be beneficial.

In order to have a succession of young bearing trees, of various kinds, the gardener should every year displace some old worn-out subject, for one just entering on its prime. It is bad management to allow all the fruit trees of a garden, to grow hoary together. Good gardeners are always shifting, and by this means they secure health and plenty. Raspberries, currants, and gooseberries, allow of this treatment, especially, since they so rapidly come to perfection.-(Gard. Chron., 1848, p. 829.)

Culture of the Azalea.-At this gloomy season of the year, we are often cheered by thinking of the treasures which are preparing to display themselves, when a few weeks shall have brought more light and a higher temperature. The buds of hyacinths and early tulips, are ready to burst their VOL. XV.-NO. III. 17

cells, and already a shade of purple, or crimson, or white, gives an indication of what is to be. This is especially the case with the azalea, whose stems are now covered with the buds, which, in the spring, will form one mass of beauty.

The azalea is propagated by seeds for obtaining new varieties, or for stocks for grafting the finer sorts upon; by inarching or grafting, when the tender kinds may be strengthened by being united with those which are more robust; and by cuttings, which is the more common and expeditious process, for raising young plants. A soil composed of peat and sand, in equal quantities, is the best, and the cuttings should be covered with handglasses, until struck. The best time is when the parent plants are in the most vigorous growth, for the cuttings, partaking of that vigor, will more readily emit roots, than when the vital juices are inspissated and comparatively motionless. When struck, the young plants must have every advantage of light and air, and frequent shiftings, to secure a vigorous development, until they come into bloom. The after treatment then divides itself into two parts, suggested by the distinction pointed out by nature, between the seasons of activity and rest, which all vegetation demands. As growth commences immediately after blooming, the plants should be repotted then, all the flower-stems being cut off, to prevent the energies of vegetable life going for the production of seeds. The most appropriate soil consists of about six parts of heath mould, in which there is a large portion of vegetable matter, one part of sandy loam, and one of sand. Great care is requisite in potting, both as to the size of the pots, and the disposition of the roots, which are very fine, and of a hair-like texture. They must be disposed as equally as possible, in all directions, that the spongioles may not be crowded together, but may absorb equally, the matters requisite for the vigor of the plant. Good drainage must be secured, varying, however, according to the habits of the plants. Some are semi-evergreen, while others are decidedly deciduous; the former will require larger pots, and more drainage than the latter.--(Gard. Chron., 1848, p. 845.)

ART. II. Domestic Notices.

Annual Fair of the New York State Agricultural Society.-The Society have decided upon holding their next fair at Syracuse, on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, the 11th, 12th, and 13th of September next. A list of premiums has been published, which we shall notice more particularly in our next. It is gratifying to us to see that the Society have included copies of our Fruits of America among the horticultural premiums, to be awarded at the fair.-Ed.

Twenty-First Annual Exhibition of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. The next annual exhibition of the Society, will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, the 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st of September next. The Society have also decided to hold a semi-annual exhibition of flowers and fruits, in June, at the time of the general bloom of

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