The Old Time Farm Magazine
(Page 2 of 3)
September/October 1976
by EMMA SCHMIDT
Grafted or Bu dded Trees. — "J. H .P., " Ashland, Va.. asks about the relative advantage$ of budded and root-grafted trees. As be does not specify the kind or tree, big question can only be answered in general terms. A skillful nurseryman will produce a good tree, It may be by budding, or by grafting. He will some' times be compelled to bud, and at others to graft. if the tree is a healthy one, and hit,; good and abundant roots, it makes no difference how it is produced. Our correspondent asks, it in root grafting, more than one good tree can be made from a seedling stock. Yes, it the stock lea good one, and the grafter understands his business. It makes but little difference how the tree is produced, if it is well furnished with roots.
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White Mould on Trees. — J. H. P.," Alexandria, Va., has found upon the roots of trees received from the nursery, - something resembling frost or a white mould." If this to examined by a magnifier, it will doubtless prove to be a lot of woolly plant lice. He should send such trees back to tile nurseryman. It is a plant louse known in England as—"American Blight," though it originated in Europe. A stiff brush, with strong soft soap solution, will kill it.
Blanching the Celery.
We last month described the manner of bringing the leaves of the celery into an upright position,or "handling," as the gardeners term it.. The stalks are still green, and not fit for use until they have been whitened or " blanched." This is done by the complete exclusion of light, which is usually effected by a banking up of earth. Any other method that will completely shut out the light will answer. The banking up is done with a spade one person on each side, taking the soil from between the rows and forming a steep bank against the plants, covering all except a few inches of the longest leaves; this bank is 10 or 12 inches wide at the bottom, and should be compact and smooth. In three or four weeks after banking the celery may be used. Only that which is Deeded early requires to be banked; the stock for winter use is blanched in trenches, or in boxes, and needs only the handling to bring the plants into the proper shape. A trench is (lug in a dry place, 10 inches wide, and deep enough to contain the whole plant, so that the top will be level with the surface. The celery is then placed in the trench, packing it as closely as possible, fit an elect position. When cold weather comes the celery which is not injured by a moderate frost, must be covered with straw or leaves, the thickness of which must be increased as the weather becomes colder. For family use, celery is often stored in boxes in the cellar, but the cellar must be cool. Boxes are made nine or tell inches wide, of any convenient length, and of a bight a little less thin that of the plants; the bottom is covered with an inch or two of sand or soil, and the celery placed fit it as in the trenches The taking up and storing of the main crop, in the latitude of New York, is left until the middle of next month, but in more northern localities it must always be done earlier.