The Texas Almanac, for 1857, with Statistics, Historical and Biographical Sketches, &c., Relating to Texas. Page: 9
160 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this book.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
HORTICULTURE AND CHRONOLOGT. 9
HORTICULTURE FOR FEBRUARY.
Continue to prepare ground for planting. Set out CabbagePlants from the
seed bed, also Lettuce, Celery, young Onions, &c. Divide your Eschalots
to increase your stock, and replant them: plant the Butter Onion, sow a sue-
cession crop of Red Turnip Radish, Long Scarlet or Salmon Radish, Black
Spanish Radish, and Red or Yellow top Dutch Turnip, Blood Turnip Beet,
Sugar Beet, Cabbage Lettuce, Drum-Head Cabbage, for a late crop. Sow Red
Pepper, Tomatoes, Egg-Plants, Parsley, Endive, Long Scarlet Carrot, and
Early Frame, Washington, or Dwarf Marrowfat Peas.
English Peas, planted last month, and which are tolerably formed, should be
kept clear of weeds, and hilled up on both sides. When they are about four
or five inches high, they will begin to acquire support; they should therefore
be sruck with brush on both sides, as they are more convenient to gather
from and yield much better than when permitted to lie prostrate on the ground.
A few beans may now be planted in a scattered situation; the Early Six
Week, or Early Dun Bean is preferable at this early season.
Plant a few Bush Squash, Cucumbers, Cantelopes, or Musk Mellons; also
Water Mellon for early crops.
There should now be no time delayed in setting out shrubbery and fruit
trees. Trees that have not been pruned, should be attended to forthwith;
this is also the best time to set out cuttings and slips of all kinds.
Irish Potatoes may still be planted, and Sweet Potatoes bedded for slips.
Plant Corn for early roasting ears. Use the hoe freely amongst all young
plants. Whether there are weeds or not, it is best to keep the earth stirred
lightly about the roots of all young plants.
Grafting trees after the method called SplitGrafting, can now be commenced.
Trees intended to be grafted, should be trained up to the height at which it is
intended to insert the scion.
I shall proceed to describe two methods of grafting which I consider best
adapted to this climate: For trees one or more inches in diameter, split graft-
ing is the strongest and will stand more wind than any other method, conse-
quently it is better for exposed situations. First take the head off the tree, a
foot and a half from the ground; split the stock from the top downwards with
a strong knife or chisel, for about one inch; then take your scion which should
be in length about six inches, and cut the lower end of it in the shape of a
wedge; then force it down into the split in the stock, so as to make it fit tight
on both sides, taking care to have the bark of the scion and of the stock
joined carefully together on at least one, if not both sides of the tree. When
this is done take a strip of domestic and bind around it tightly. Have ready
a plaster prepared in the followieg manner: Take stiff clay and mix it with
about one-third of stable manure, wet these and work them together as you
would mortar, but do not let it be too soft. When this is prepared, and the
grafts placed or t' stock, take a piece of the clay, about the size of an egg,
as prepared,.in each hand, and press it tight upon the stock at the place of
juncture; shape it in the form of a cone, that the rain may not easily wash it
of, and your graft is completed. The other method of Grafting, to which I
referred, is called Side Grafting, and for small stocks this method is prefered.
It is done in the following manner: Cut off the stock at the required height,
as in the former method-the scion which must be about six inches in length;
take off one or two of the lower buds, then place your knife about two inches
from the lower end, and cut downwards bringing the lower end to a thin slip,
then take a eut of the stock upwards in the same manner, that they may fit
exactly. When this is done, bind them together fast and apply the composi-
tion of clay, as before, and your graft is completed.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This book can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Book.
The Texas Almanac, for 1857, with Statistics, Historical and Biographical Sketches, &c., Relating to Texas., book, 1966; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth123763/m1/12/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.