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LIBRARY 


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MASSACHUSETTS 

AGRICULTURAL 

COLLEGE 

NO.,^_.^_(s3._1___DATE..f^-lSH0. 

s  ou  R  c  E  _  X"bL  I  i€i§_e- .  „  X  Li-TQ-OS 

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This  book  may   be   kept   out 
TWO  WEEKS 

only,   and    is   subject   to   a   fine   of   TWO 
CENTS   a   day  thereafter.      It    will    be    due 
on   the   day   indicated   below. 


IZBl    -    6     !VUI 


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4-i8eL  so  c^^ 


AN 


ILLUSTRATED   PERIODICAL 


DEVOTED  TO 


Horticulture  in  all  its  Branches. 


CONDUCTED    BY 


Elias  A.   Long,  Author  of  "  Ornamentat  Gardening  for  Americans.  " 
"  Tlie  Home  Florist,  "  Etc.,  Etc., 


To  him  whjo  iq  tl^e  love  of  qature  holds 
Comrriunion  witt\  her  visible  forrqs,  shje  speaks 
A  various  language;  for  p)is  gayer  hours 
She  has  a  voice  of  gladqess,  arid  a  smile 
And  eloquence  of  beauty;  and  sl^e  glides 
lr|to  his  darker  musiqgs,  witl^  a  mild 
Arid  fiealing  synipat^iy,   that  steal  away 
Their  sharpness,  ere  l^e  is  aware. 

— Bryant. 


Voltinae     5,    1889  =  90. 


BUFFALO,  N.   Y. 
Popular  Gardening  Publishing  Co. 


^  INDEX  ^ 


TO 


VOL.  V  OF  POPULAR  GARDENING. 


Abrus  precatorious . .  192 
Abutilon,  White    Vim- 

Leaved 35 

Abutilon     in      Tree 

Form 193 

Aljutilons 156-163 

Actinidia  polygama. .  .12 
Adaptation  of  Fruits.  112 
Adonis.  The  Spring. .Hi 
Agent  System,  The. . .  249 

Alfalfa 141 

Aloe,  Growing 93 

Altha-a  Shrub  .94 
AmariUis  Belladonna, 

94, 125 
Amaryllises  a7id  their 

Culture 214 

American  Florists'  Con- 
vention  40 

American  Hort.  Soc'y  196 
Am.    Asso.     Nursery- 
men   196 

Andromeda  speciosa . .  89 
Anemone,  Pennsylv^a  176 

Anemone,  Rue 258 

Anemones,    Japan 27 

Annual  Flowers  215 

Annuals,  half-hardy .  ..95 
Annuals     for     Shady 

Position      203 

Ants  on  Lawn 277 

Ants  in  Garden  266 

Aphis  in  Greenhouse .  .il 
Aphis,  Remedy  tor.  ..138 

Apple  Butter 18 

Apple  Culture. .  ...165 
Apple  Along  Highway  196 

Apple  Garfield 210 

Apple  Mildew 20 

Apple     Tree      Barli 

Louse 20  163-176 

Apple  Jelly 42 

Apple  Export..     ..36  110 

Apple  Maggot 54 

Apple  Worm     133 

Apple  Twig  Blight...  268 

Apple  Pomace 203 

Apple  Butter 91 

Apple  Scab        112 

.\pple  Crop  NiagaraCo60 
AppIeTreeinn(po'm)  255 
Apple  Ntomi/e  House  263 

Apple.  Wagener  84 

Apple,  Sweet  and  Sour 

73,  103 
Apple,  The     Shiawas- 
see   79,  125 

Apple,  Pruning  North- 
Spy ....90 

Apple.  Princess  Louise  160 
Apple.  Trade,  Chop'd  .181 
Apples  for  British  JIar- 

kets 14 

Apples  Storing.  .  7.18-65 
Apples  for  Home  Use.  .'15 

Apples  Pay 62 

Apples  for  Market 141 

Apples  for  Michigan  . .  134  I 
Apples  as  Food. .  .171,  206 
.\pples  for  Missouri . .  196  , 
Apples,  Pinking  (poem)  9  ; 
Apples,  Newtown  Pip 

pin 14-206 

Apples,    Packing    and 

Marketing  ....30-65-238 
Apples,   Good  in  Ont. 

Co.,   N.  Y 143 

Apples,  Russian 63 

Apples,  Local  Ill 

Apples. Early  Summer  134 
Apples,  Reproduction  138 
Apples,  Western  ....  213 
Apples,  Pear-Shaped. 2i\ 

Apricot,  Shense 1 

Apricots  in  Virginia.  ..78 
Apricots.  Russianl70,  2.36 

Aquarium  Tank 179 

Aquarium     70 

Arbor  Vita?,  Insects  on 

Golden 244 

Arbor    Day     Celebra- 
tion  184 

Arbor  Day,  The  Good 

of 176 

Ardesia  crenulata  ...IH) 
Arbutus  Trailing(p'm)  132 
Arsonites,  Effects  of..  .53 
Ashes,  Wood  and  Coal  109 

Ashes,  Value  of 141 

Asparagus  for  Minn. .140 

Asparagus  Cutting 194 

Asparagus  Bids  226 

.\sparagu3  Var. .  .214,238 
Asparagus,  Deformed. 21 


Asparagus,  Salt  for.  .119 
Asparagus,  To  Serve. 180 
Asparagus,  Ornam'tal222 
Asparagus,  Culture  of 

14  92-163 

Asparagus,       Rubber 

Bands  for 174 

Asparagus,      Keeping 

Fresh  176 

Asparagus,       Barr*s 

Mammoth  260 

Aster  for  Cut  Flowers.  12 
Aster, Culture  Chinese  108 

August  (poem) 227 

Australian  Forests.   .212 


Balsam  Firs,  Shapely  2Si 
Bags,  Utilize  old  Fertil- 
izer   57 

Bananas    and    Straw- 
berries  ISO 

Bark  Lice  on  Pears  141-168 
Barry  Patrick,  Death 

of  206-227 

Bass  Holder 213 

Bean  Cleaning  Devicellb 
Bean,  Kumerle   LimallO 
Bean,  Lima,  Fungus.  110 
Bean,    A    New    Rust- 
Proof  00 

Beans  Improving 125 

Beans  Stewed  with  To- 
mato  18 

Beans,  Lima,  Gather- 
ing    232 

Beans,  The  Skins  of. .  .66 
Beans,  Old  Fashioned 

Baked 66 

Beauty  in  Flower  Gar- 
den          236 

Beans,  What  I  Know 

About     79-105 

Beans, Keeping  Seed.  267 
Bed,  A  Fine  "Foliage"  208 
Bedding  Plants,  outfit  207 
Bee, Protecting  Honey  170 
Bees,  Do  You  Keep...  42 

Beef  wood  Tree 12 

Beet  Sugar ...199 

Begonia,  Rex  194 

Begonia,        Metallic- 
leaved  36 

Begonias  Book  on  . .    45 

Bpgontas 103 

Begonias.       Propaga- 
ting    140 

Begonias,  Tuberous.. 116 
Berry    Plants,  Treat- 
ment   162-245 

Berry  Picking  Device  179 
Berries  in  Home  Gard  169 
Berries,  Preparing, ..  .222 
Berries  in  Kansas.  . .  5 
Bird,  The  Australian..  25 

Birds  and  Fruit 123 

Birds  and  Forests.  ...134 
Birds  in  the  Garden . .  109 
Birds  of  Money  Value  66 
Birds  as  Planters  . . .  238 

Birds  and  Grapes 255 

Birds,  Useful 227 

Birds,  Protecting.  1.56.205 
Blackberry  Disease  69-163 
Blackberry  Suckers. .245 
Blackberry  Pudding  .243 
Blackberry    Blossoms       | 

(poem) 236  j 

Blackberry  Rust  .244  j 
Blackberry  and  Rasp-  i 
berry  Varieties  ..  .112! 
Blackberry,  Early  .  193  | 
Blackberry,  E'ly  Har- 
vest    196 

Blackberries,     Propa- 
gation of 183.245 

Blackberries,    Culture 

112141-218 

Blackberry,     Ancient       : 

Briton  .   ..   84,  125 

Blackberries,    Manur- 
ing  44,163 

Blackberries,  Miller's  253 

Black  Knot 86-124  183 

Bleaching     Evap'at'd 

Fruits  ....       53 

Bloom  Prolonging  Sea- 
son   17-52 

Blumenbachia  coron- 

ata 236 

Bone  Eating  Trees 216 

Book  on  Gardening.  .195 
Bioks   on    Fruit    and 

Vegetable  Growing.  92 
Bordeaux  Mixture 245 


Bordeaux  Mixture..  255 

Borer  Mixture  202 

Borers,  Wash  for 162 

Botany  for  Home  and 

School  2.37 

Botany,  Study  of 237 

Botany,  Study  of 36 

Botany  P'bl'c  Schools  \H 
Botanic  Garden  at  St. 

Louis    lOS 

Bouquets.  Water  . .   . .  53 

Boxes  vs.  Pots 216 

Boxes  and  Crates  tvith 

Springs 213 

Branching,        Advan- 
tages of  Law 199 

Broccoli,  Branching..  5 
Broom  Corn  Culture.  367 

Brussels  Sprouts 110 

Buckwheat     lin      Or- 
chards  81-125 

Bud    Variat'n,    Varie- 
ties,..   184 

Budded  Nursery  Trees  247 
Budding.  Season  of. .  .245 

Buffalo  Fair 23 

Buffalo  Berry 134-245 

Buffalo  Florists' 196 

Buffalo  Berry  267 

Buhaeh  Manufacture   183 
Buhach    Insect    Pow- 
der  189 

Bulb  Grow'g  at  South  344 
Bulbs  for  Sec'd  Bloom- 
ing   164 

Bulbs,  Spring  Flower- 
ing  34 

Bulbs,  Roots,  etc. ,  that 

are  Annual. 96 

Bulbs,  Soil  for 246 

Bulbs,  Fall  Plant'g  of  270 
Unrihicli  Cutters.  ...  263 
Burdock  Eradicating  268 

C 

Cabbage  Seed,  Grow- 
ing  163 

Cabbage  Enemies. ...  42- 

163  140  203 

Cabbages  not  Heading  68 
Cabbages,  Some  New.  106 
Cabbages,   Starting 

Early 116 

Cabbages,  Early..  144,  147 
Cabbages,  Savoy .  . .  270 
Cactus  Culture..  204,  205 
Calceolarias  fr'm  seed236 
Callas  in  Summer.  . .  180 
California's  Flora. .  . .  134 
California's  Boom  .  249 
Calla  Lily.  Poisonous. 194 
Camellia  Culture,  On.  227 
Camellias.  Repotting. 213 
Cannas, Treatment  of  2'25 
Cannas,   Gladiolus 

Flowered 42 

Canna«,  French  193 

Canna   Seed    Germin- 

a'n 1.32 

Cantelope  and  Var't'sl96 
Caper,  The,  in  Calif.  .110 
Caraway  (poem). .    ..  174 

Cardoon  Growing  232 

Carbon  Bisulphide  . . .  132 
Carnations  Rooting.  ..244 
Carnation  Propagat'n  74 
Carnations,  Propaga'g  59 
Carnat'n,    Origin     of 

Florists' 38 

Carnations,  Planting  115 
Carriage  Corners    ...  174 

Castor  Beans 194 

Catalog'e  Promi's  175,  191 
Catalpa  and  Drains. .  .111 

Cat  Nuisance  70 

Cat  Protecting  Straw- 
berries   174,  209 

Cauliflower  Seed  118 

Cauliflower  Pickles...  18 
Cedar,     Red      Pencil 

Wood   UB 

Cellar  Drainage 159 

Cellar,  The 25 

Cellar,    Warming   the 

Root 41 

Celeriac  Growing.  . .  .232 
Celeries.  Some  New...  106 

Celery  Culture 207 

Celery&Onion  Grow'g.211 
CeleryOult'e  in  MlinelSS 

Celery  for  Market 118 

Celerv  Seed  Growing.  118 

Celery  Notes 104 

Celery  Blight 268 

Celery,  Fertilizer  for. .  173 


Celery,  Machine  for 

Hilling 241 

Celery,  Blanching  163,  225 
Celery,  Kalamazoo, . .  .210 

Celery,  Handling 92 

Celery,  Stewed 77 

Celery,  Cultivating  32-169 
Celery,  Winter  Storage  78 

Celer'j.  Boui/uet   51 

Chautauqua  Co.  Vine- 
yards         199 

Celery,  Blanching...  263 
Cherry-tree  Slug  ..   .198 

Cherry  Stock 204 

Cherry  Culture 14 

Cherry.  The  Wild...  .  12 
Cherry  Trees  in  Cal..  260 
Cherries  Naturally 

Grown 47 

Cherries,  Protecting . 200 
Cherries,  Grafting.  .182 
Chestnut  New  Var'3.220 
Chestnut  Orchard  ...  92 
Chestnut  Paragon  , , .  60 
Chestnut,  The  Sweet. 221 
Chestnuts,  Propag'n,204 
Chestnuts.  Preserving  66 
Chestnut  Paragon  ...  36 

Chicory  ..       221 

Christmas  Rose E8 

Christmas  Tree 60 

Chrysanthemum  Sh'w 

Springfield,  Mass..     38 
Chrysanthemum  Sh'w 

in  Charleston, S.C..65.38 
Chrysanthemum     for 

Amateurs  .37 

Chrysanthemum  from 

Leaf     110 

Chrysanthemum  Ban- 
quet in  Japan  109 

Chryanthe'm,   Liquid 

Manure  for 244 

Chrysanthe'm,  Single- 
Flowered 154 

Chrysanthemums     in 

Summer     214 

Chrysanthe'ms    Pro- 
pagating     183 

Chrysanthe'ms  Sport  138 
Chyrsanthe'ms  Choice  84 
Chrysaixthe'ms  Hisfy.  74 
Cbrsanthemums    and 

Culture  72 

Chrysanthemums      in 

Snug  Harbor 37 

Chrysantheno  ums 

(poem)  ...   12 

Chrysanthemums  for 

Flowers 2fi0 

Chrysa  them'ms.Tall.l95 
Chestnut,  Spanish  ...163 
Chrysanthe'ms,  Pro- 
tecting in  Pots  ,.  .164 
Chrysanthemums,  137-I.5S 
Chrysanthe'ms,  Blue,  110 
Chrysanthe'ms^  Many 

colored  116 

Chrys  anthem'U.ms , 

Training     94 

Chrysanthe'ms,  Good 

51.230 
Chrysa.nthe'ms,  Black 

Fly  on 65 

Chow  Chow IS 

Cider  Making  ..,,..  14 
Cider  Making.  Reform  133 
Cider,   Keeping  Sweet  45 

Cider,  Danger  in 1.80 

Cider,  Keeping  Sweet  268  ! 

Cinerarias ...  246 

Cinijuefoil.  Shrubby.  .173 
Clon  and  Buds.  Pack- 
ing      25 

Climb's  on  Tree  tr'k's  236 

Climbing  Trees 200 

Clematis  Jackmannii. 

Planting 245 

Clematis  Propagat'n.  183 
Clematis  Di.sease.tSX.  183  j 
Clematis,  Propagation  84 
Clematis,  History  Uses 

11-34 

Clod  Crusher 232 

Coal  Ashes  .7-14-141-174 
Cod  lin  Moth  Parasite .  60 
Cold  Storage  Houses .  30 
Cold    Frames,   Muslin 

Covered  85 

Coffee,  How  to  make 

Good  160 

Collards,  Georgia.  ..241 
Colors  in  Flowers. .  . .  192 

Colors,  Blending  100 

Color  Development  of 
in  Plants 17 


Columbine  Flowering 

Double 245 

Columb's,(0.)  Horticul- 
tural Society,  Pick- 
ings from  meetings.  86 
Commiss'n  Merchants 

121-136197 

Com  Merch'ts,  Bogus.  189 
Commiss'n  Merchant-106 
Compost,  A  Good,  for 

Pot  Plants 84 

Complete  Garden.  The 

I      22-57-71-95-131 

Conservatory,     Notes 

from  . .    4 

Concord,  Why  drops. 21 8 
Cook,  Prof.  Geo.  H . . .  49 
!  Copperas  as  Fertiliz'rl94 
Copperas    for    Grape 

'      Rot 86 

j  Copper  Sulphate.  Re- 
I      moving  from  Grapes  41 
Coreopsis  Lanceolata  133 
Corn  Worm.  Remedy. 162 
Corn,      Gold     Coin, 

Sweet 147 

Corn,  Sweet 118.141 

Corn,   Ne  Plus    Ultra 

Sweet 174 

Cottonwood  Tree. ...  238 
Country        Homes, 

Healthfulnessof...,  65 
Covering  Pansies,  etc  *257 

Cow  Pea 176 

Cranberry  Dumplings  IS 
Cranberry  Growing. .  .136 
Cran'bs  Keep'g  Fresh.  42 

Cricket.  Tree  45 

Crinum  Culture..  ..  163 
Crinum  American. .     366 

Crop  Feeding  ,.   160 

Crops  in  Shade. .  203.  224 
Crops  Among  Fruits 

185,   245 

Crops,  How  Grow.  . .  154 
Curculio  on  Peaches. .  21 
Curculio  Beetle  Rem.  185 
Curculio  on  Plum.  ...  50 
Curculic  Strinq . .  .  .  174 
Cucumber  Beetle ..  52-103- 

149 

Cucumber  Pickles  225 
Cucumber  Catsup. . . .  264 
Cuc'ber  B'tle.Striped  265 
Cucumber,  The  Wild.. 200 
Cucumbers  and  Pick- 
Curl  Leaf  of  Peach  . .  .245 

Currant  Borer 20 

Currant  Cuttings  ...  22 
Currant  as  Tree.  .16.3,  171 
Currant  Crandall.. 86-103 

Currant.  Red 118-119 

Currants,  Varieties  of  38 
Currants,  The.  .  ..252 
Currants  in  Georgia. .  183 
Currency.  Fractional,  121 
Cut  Worm,  Climbing. 185 
Cut    Worm,   Remedy 

for 16-54 

Cut  Flowers,    Preser- 
ving   60-65 

Cutting,  Trees  from. .  .132 
Cuttings.    Grape   and 

Fig  .137 

Cuttings.  Planting...  1.56 

Cultivation 200 

Cyclamen  persicum...  20 
Cyclamens,      Culture 

of 113  180 

Cypripedium  Site  for.204 
Cypripedium  Specta- 
bile 224 


Daffodil  Sieve  241 

Daffodil,  Peruvian 9 

Dahlia,  Culture  of  192 
Dahlia,  Improv'g  the. 220 
P.ihlias,  How  to  arow.220 
Dahlia,  History  of .  ..  62 
Dahlias,  Planting.  .  188 
Damp  in  Greenhouse. 132 
Damp  Indicator ..  ..  179 
Dana.Groundsof  C.  A.  49 
Dandelions  for  Mark't  81 
Dandelion  Culture  ,  149 
Datura,  An  Interest- 
ing      61,  77 

Dande'on,  The  (poem)  174 
Decay,  in  Trees,  Mend- 
ing  199 

Decorative     Horticul- 
ture  ...218 

Decoration,  Floral. . .  12 


DeerForest.Pleasurea  137 

Deutzia  crenata 245 

Deutzia  gracilis 164 

Dewberry  Lucretia.,  267 
Dewb'ry  Discussions.  260 
Dewberry,  Lucretia. .  .154 
Diaries,  Amateur.   ..    84 

Dibber,  Improved 26 

Dibble,  How  to  ^ise  theMl 
Dogs  for  Fertilizer, . . .  175 
Dogwood. RedH'w'ed.  251 

Dolichos  Species 245 

Drains,  Constructing. .  97 
Draining,  Depth  of...  14 
Draining,  Effects  of..  14 
Drainage,  Lecture  on.  96 

Drainage 116,  41,  130- 

Drainage,  Thorough .  .137 
Drouth  Time  Obser- 
vations   267 

Drying      Flowers     in 

Natural  Color 217 

Dungeness,  Estate  of  154 
Dutchman's  Pipe  and 
Laburnum  270 

E 

Early  Crops,  Planting  163 
Economy,  Lessons  in.  123 

Egg  Plant  Baked IS 

Elder.  Golden 225 

Elm  Types  258 

Elm.  New  Enemy  of.,  184 
Endive  Growing.,  ,  2.32 
English  Wain's  in  Va.  78 
Essays  by  the  Young.  .238 
Eucalyptus,  Antisep- 
tic Value 270 

Eucharis  Amazonica..2I5 

Eucharis 224 

Euphorbia  splendens  183 
Evaporating  Fruit, 21.  140 
Evaporated       Fruit 

Bleaching 39 

Evaporated  Vegeta's  27U 
Evergreen  Fences  ..  110 

Evergreen  Beds 186 

Evergreen  Planting. . ,  196 
Evergreens    Hurt    by 

Fire 216 

Evergreens  for  Wind- 
breaks  213 

Evergreens  in  Sum'er  2.52 
Evergr'ns  for  Hedges  2.52 
Evergreens,    Monstro- 
sities in 216 

Evergreens,       Keep 

Roots  Moist 252 

Evergreens.  Pruning. -.ihi 
Exhibi'on  Vill'ge  Hort  62 
Experiment  Stations,  .225 
Experiment     Garden, 

Nat. 16 

Express  Rates,  Reduct- 
ion      49 


Falconer.a  visit  to  W23i 

Fall  Work,  Late 36 

Fall  Web  Worm  ....  9 
Farmers'  Club,  Rules. 164 

Feeding  Plants 112 

Fence,  The  Garden.  .  60 

Ferns  from  Seed 182 

Ferns  in  Window 58 

Ferns  from  Seed 45 

Fertilizers  for  Shrubs 

and  Flowers 46 

Fertiliz's,    High-grade 

Best  43 

Fertilezers    and    Til- 
lage        264 

Fertiliz's  in  Greenh'e  250 
Fertilizer,  The  Best. . .  14 
Figs  at  the  North. 75,  191 
Firming  Soil  in  Plant- 

ing 151 

Fish    Geraniums    not 

Blooming    .  182 

Flea  Beetle  Remedies 

39,  40 

Floral  Parterre .....  153 

Floral  Ornaments 111 

Floral  Notes.  N.  Y....  13 
Floral  Design  for  Wed- 
ding    13 

Florists'  Convention.  249 
Flower    Trade,    Lon- 
don.  194 

Flower  Growing  Com- 
mercial       82 

Floirer  Stand,  Novel.  89 

Flower  Tower 86 

Flower  Garden  in  Feb.  117 


I  IsT  3D  E  X, 


Flmcer  Pot  Hanger..  84 
Flower  Show,  ChicaBO  84 
Flower  PoU.  Glazed . .  204 
Flon'rs  for  Table  and 

Exhibit  11 

Flowers  for  Busy  Peo- 
ple    10 

Flowers  in  Parks 1 

Flowers  for  the  inei-  . 

perlenced    B6 

Flowers  in  Pot 173 

Flowers  and  Railroads  35 
Flowers  as  Educators.  14 
Flowers  for  children.  .236 
Flowers.  Names  of . .  .246 

Flowers.  Use  of  195 

Flowers,  Chat  about 

217,  237 
Flowers,  Old  Fashio'd.  10 
Flow'rs.  Sum'r  Bloom- 
ing for  Florista  . .  .61 
Flowers.  Making  up.  259 
Flowers,  Continuous  258 
Flowers.  Educational 

Effects  of 259 

Forcing  Fruits.  19.  43, 
67,  91,   117,  139.   161, 

180.  201.  2*j,  24.3 

Forcing     House^      A 

Hand;/ 150 

Forcine  Houses  176 

Forest  Rotation 218 

Forest    Growth,   Suc- 
cession of" 63 

Forestry  Farm 131 

Fraxinella.  Burning.  216 

Freesia 259 

Frost     and      Flowers 

(p'ml 36 

Frosts,  Effects  of  ..  .  50 
Fruit  Garden    .19,  43, 
67.  91.   117.  139.   161. 

180.201,223.  243 

Fruit  Growing  in  Kan     5 
Fruit  Growing  in  Neb.    5 
Fruit  Ladder,  A  Self- 
supporting,     26 

Fruit  Notes,   Niagara 

Co 32 

Fruit  as  Medicine 41 

Fruit  Trees,  Sertin?. . .  41 
Fruit    Trees,    Moving 

Large 45 

Fruit  Pres.  for  Eshib    41 
Fruit  N"ts,  Judge  Mil- 
ler'=     50 

Fruit    Outlook.     The 

120.143.  165,  187 

Fruit  in  the  Highway.  110 

Fruit  Novelties 132 

Fruit  Storage  South  .121 
Fruit  Trees.  Spraying. 163 
Fruit  Growers'  Union 

needed 156 

Fruit   Dryer,   Home- 

Made 221 

Fruit  Crop  Report       225 
Fruit  and  Berry  Pick- 
er  236 

Fruit  Dried,  Sulphur- 
ing   2.38 

Fruit  Acids 217 

Fruit   Dangers    and 

Remedies 263 

Fruit   Pickers,  Serv- 
iceable      ...  254 

Fruit  Outlook  in  Ohio  255 
Fruit,  The  Settler  s  .247 
Fruit,    No    Danger  in 

Good 89 

Fruits  for  Kansas  . .  20 
Fruits  in  Nebraska...  14 
Fruits  for  Home  use. 205 
Fruits  for  Exhibition. 206 
Fruits  for  Children. .  238 
Fruits  and  Locality  .113 
Fruits  and  Flowers  of 

Japan 159,  178,  177 

Fruits  as  Medicine. . .  260 

Fruits.  Cooking 14 

Fruits,  Local 51 

Fruits.  Evaporation  of 

91.  95 

Fruits.  Exotic  in  Cau.  75 
Frtdts,  Trellises  for . .  184 

Fruits.  Tender 166 

FruitP.Tropical  Cult'e225 

Fruits.  Judging 238 

Fuchsias.  Wintering. .  59 
Fuchsias.  Thrips  on  . .  93 
Fuchsias.  Potting  Old.  93 
Fungicid'sand  Spray- 
ing PumpH  211 

Ftingu.'i,  .^hnthole  or 
Plum-Leaf 259 

G 

Garden  Bag 258 

Garden  Story,  by  EU- 

wanger 13 

Garden  Manure 162 

Garden  as  Home  Gym- 
nasium     ...174 

Garden,  Glass  in 119 

Garden,  the  Home.. .134 
Garden.  The  Village..  15B 
Garden.  An  Ailing  ...248 
Garden,  The  Home  ..235 
Garden,   Possibilities 

of  Small 173 

Gardeners'      Friends 

and  Foes  159 

Gardening.  Fine  Con- 
tagious   858 


Gardening  RequisiteB200 

Gas  Lime \Si 

Genista.  The  Twig'ng263 
Geranium  Freak.   ...154 
Geranium  Cuttings. .  258 
Geraniums  not  Bloom- 
ing  IW 

Geraniums,  Potted .. .  18 
Geraniums.  Zonale...l63 
Girdling  the  Vine.  .197 
Glazing.  Lead  Cappedl38 
Golden  Elder  Leaves 

Dying 267 

Gooseberry  Mildew-  ..244 
Gooseberry  Pudding. 242 
Gooseberry-,  A  Fine.  .270 
Gooseberries    Among 

Pears 118.  119 

Gooseberries.     Shade 

for  204 

Gourd.  A  Japan 221 

Grafting  Wax  Recipe  60 
Grafting  Cherries  .141 
Grafting  English 

Walnuts 125 

Grafting  Herbaceous 

growths 226 

Grafting  the  Grape..  176 

Grafting.  Root 92 

Grape  Cultitre  Train- 
ing      8,14 

Grape  Vines,  Pruning 

21, 140 

Grape  Cure. 38 

Grape  Rot.  .39.50,  80,  125 
Grape  Vines  a'd  Rasp- 
berries. Protecting.  45 
Grape  Vines,  Laying 

Down 45 

Grape  Culture,  32,  56, 

77,  124.  no 
Grape  Seedlings. 

Starting 69 

Grape  Crop  of  1889. ..  54 
Grape  Vine,  A  Large.  84 
Grape  Juice,  Preserv- 
ing    89 

Grape  Lutie 86 

Grape  Cuttings 93 

Grape  Baskets,  CheapllO 

Grape  Myrtle 270 

Grape  Cure 263 

Gripe  Jelly 264 

Grape  Diseases 140 

Grape  Syrup 1.38 

Grape  Vines  Frosted. 154 
Grape  Vine  Bleeding 

Stopped  174 

Grape  Vine  Flea  Bee- 
tle   198 

Grape  Trellis,  Broad- 
topped 199 

Grape  Trellis,  Single 

Post    212 

Grape  Pie 242 

Grape  Jelly „242 

Grape,  Newer  Varie- 
ties, 12.  16,  210.  218.  245 
Grape,  Variegated ...  69 
Grape,  White  Muscat  69 
Grape.  North'n  Light  84 
Grape,  Grafting  the.  90 
Grape.  Exotic  Plants.203 
Grape.  Cortland  ...258 
Grapes     and      Fruit 

Trees.  Manuring...  66 
Grape.  Th"?  Culinary  .260 

Grapes  profitable 260 

Grapes  on  House  Wall  68 

Grapes  in  Iowa 89 

Grapes      running     to 

Vine 140 

Grapes  over  trees 137 

Grapes  and  Climate.  .239 
Grapes  as  Affected  by 

Climate  and  Situa'n262 
Grapes,  Marketing..  260 
Grapes  in  Florida  . .  270 
Grapes.  About  New..  15 

Grapes.  Sun  for 41 

Grapes,  Soil  for        ..38 
Grapes.  Ej-otic.  25. 106. 
141,  177,  193 

Grapes.  White 60 

Grapes,   Winter    Pro- 
tection for 59.  65 

Grapes,    Pruning     of 

Vines  under  Glass . .  56 
Grapes,  Distance  for.  93 
Grapes,  Manure..  112,  176 
Grapes.      Notes      on 

Tested 104 

Grapes,  Brighton,  148,160 
Grapes.  Marketing...  170 
Grapes,  Exotic  in  FlaI86 

Grapes.  Native 196 

Grapes,  Summer 

Pruning 188 

Grapes  under  Glass, 

141.171,206,  249 
Grapes,  Birds  Injuri'g231 
Grapes.  On  Using  ...227 
Grapery,   Number  of 

Vines. 167,224 

Green  Fly    on  Haw- 
thorn   266 

Greenfiy  Killing 261 

Greenhouse  Heating, 

12.  45.  75.  125.  150,  182 
Greenhou.se       Walls, 

Construction  . . .  .35.  53 
Greenhouse  Exposu'el34 
Greenhouse,  A  Cheap  89 
Greenhous*.  Shady. ..Ill 
Grub,  The  White .   ...  174 


Gun,    Self-operating 

Animal 72 

Gypsy  Moth 236 

H 

Hale.  J,  H. ,  Appointm'tl74 
Hand    Book.  Hender- 
son's  36,  151 

Hazelbushes.Killing  ..119 

Health  Recipe  213 

Heating  Greenhouses. 1*25 
HeatiDf;  Frames.  176,190 
Heating.   Hot    Water 

vs.  Steam 195 

Hedges  for  Wind  B'ks  86 
Hedge,  Plant  Thorn  I  TO 
Hedges.Qetting  Rid  otl32 
Heeling  in  Trees,  etc.  131 

Heeling  in  Plants 150 

Heliotrope  Fumigat'nllO 
Heliotrope  as  Bedder,174 
Helleborus  nlger.  ...  58 
Hollyhock  Blight  ..  266 
Hemlock,  The  Native  222 
Hens.  Bees.  Fruit.  ..  200 
Herbaceous       Plants 

from  Seed     20 

Herbs  in  Garden 10 

Hne,  A  Wcrding  .  .  250 
Hollyhock  Blight.    ..  202 
Hollyhock  (poem I    .  236 
HomeExperim'nt  Sta- 
tions  237 

Home  Fruit  Garden..  104 

Home  Garden 106 

Home  Inprovements.144 
Home  Brightening...  86 
Home    Grounds,    Im- 
proving     97 

Homes,    Making    At- 
tractive  218 

Honeysuckle  Insect . .  93 
Honeysuckle.Tartar'n 

Increasing 70 

Honeysuckles,    Bush. 

237.245 
Hop    as    Ornamental 

Climber 2.36 

Horse  Radish  Sauce. .242 
HorseChestnut, Dwarf 

Red-flowering 245 

Horse  Hoe.  Improved.205 
Horse     Chestnuts    in 

London 194 

Horticulturist's    Rule 

Book 174 

Horticultural  Edu'ti'nl99 
Horticulture  in  Sch'ls.  95 
Horticultural  Meet'gs  49 
Hot-beds.  Care...  113,  144 

Hot-bed  Pets 160 

House  Plants,  Care  of2-38 
House  Slops  inGarden238 
House  Plants.  Proffg  36 
House  Plants&  Health  85 
House  Plants.  Care  of258 
House  Plants.  18.42,66, 
90.  lie,  138.    160,    180 

20O,  222,  242,  264 
Hoya,  Bloomless.    ... 
Huckleberry.  White..  42 
Humming  Birds  Nests216 
Hyacinth  Bulhs Gum- 

^ming 268 

Hydr'ngea  panicul'ta  183 
Hydrangea  as  Cut  F'r  42 
Hydrangea  as  .Stand.  68 
Hydrangea.  Climbing263 
Hydrangeas  in  Pots.  83 
Hydrangeas  Blue... .  257 


Ice  House, Plan  for..  267 
Illinois  Fruit  Enterp'e  78 
India  Rubber  Plant.  211 
In  January  tPoemK..  73 
Ind. State  Hort  Soc'tyll2 
Insect  Powder  Indus- 
try  70,189 

Insect  Talk 106 

Insect  Pests  of  Pof  P'(sl72 
Insect  Remedies. .198,  242 

Insect  vs.  Insect 2-38 

Insect    Friends 262 

Insects  in  <  irchard  ...  1  so 
Insects  Fire  for  .  270 
Insests  and  Elec.Lgt.  240 

Insects.  Sand  for 110 

Insects.  Injurious 198 

Insecticide.  Bordeaux 

Mixture 238 

Irrigation 7,  29,  53 

Irrigation  and  Water 

Supply 259 

Irrigating       Western 

Plains 185,  209 

Iris.  Mad.  C'ftereou. .  .132 
Iron  for  Fruit  Trees.  .202 

Ivy  Ball 110 

Ivy.  German 227 

Ivy  Geraniums  37 


Judging  Fruits 2.38 

July  (poem)  205 

Juneberry  Dwarf  .119.156 

June  (Poem  1 185 

June  Rose  (poem)  —  216 


Kainit 


.45,93,203 


Kalamazoo,  A.  N.  J..  116 
Keeping  Choice  Fruit.  66 
Keic  Tree  Seedling. .  .179 
Knife,  New  Fruit...  18 
Kohl  Rabi 190 


Label  Cost 12 

Labels  for  Exhibits..  251 

Labels,  Copper 154 

Labels,  Ink  for  Zinc  .110 

Ladder,  Fruit 86 

Lady  Birds...  12,  53,  103 
Ladv  Bird.  Australian  36 
Lady  Birds  rf-  Ha6i(sl43 
LadyBug.Planteat'g  267 
"Landscape  Archi- 
tects"        105 

Landscape  Gardeni'g. 

23.  87.  160,  163 

Latcn  Float  1% 

Lawn  Seeding 186 

Lawn  Grass  Tests       166 
Lawn  Planting  Prin- 
ciples  173 

Laum  Curves 129 

Lawn  Planting.  .120.  129 

Lawn  making       .86.  134 

Lawn     and      Flower 

Garden,  18, 42,  67.  90. 

138,    160.    180,  200, 

222,  243.  264 
Lawn,  Thistles  on. . .  .298 
Layering  Hard-wood- 
ed Plants 28,205 

Leaf  Mold  for  Shrubs  59 
Lettuce  under  Glass. .  62 

Lettuce  Mildew 62,  67 

Lettuce  Salad 180 

Lettuce,  Winter 89 

Lettuce,  Tennisball. . .  20 
Levels  in  Draining .  .130 
Lightning  Rods  ..  68 
Lightning.  Death  by.  2S4 
Lily  of  Valley.  13. 17, 

45.  68 
Lily.        Scarborough 

Culture 98 

Lilium  auratum 236 

Lilium  auratum 93 

Lima  Beans,  Seed  and 

Planting 2 

Lima  Bean  Planter. . .  174 
Lima  Beans.  Canned. 264 

Lima,  Bush 1,29,  60 

Lime  and  Salt  156 

Lime  in  Soil  238 

Live  Oak  in  S.  C.  .236 
Locust  Trees.  Killing.  45 
Locust  Seed.  Saving. 258 

Locust,  Honey -.141 

London    Purple    and 

Paris  Green 26 

London  Purple,  39,  53.  77 

Long.  Henry  M 1 

Lotuses,  Growing...  183 
Low     Prices,    Fruit, 

Cause 85 

Low  Lands  torOnio'8203 

Lupines 9 

Lycopodium  Pyramid 
of 217 

M 

Mall  •ws,A  WiteGardWS 

Manettia  Vine  174 

Manure  Pays 112 

Manure  Spreading  in 

Winter 90 

Manure  Hauling.  ..44.  42 
Manure  for  Bulbs  —  264 

Manure.  Liquid 132 

Manure.  Feeding  with 
Little  and  Often...    12 

Manure.  Blood 2C4 

Manures  for   Garden 

188.  200 
Manuringon  In8t'lm'tsl56 
Mango  and  Caulitlo'r 

Pickles    267 

Maple  Bark  Louse..  266 
Maples,  The  Japanese  84 
March  (poem)  ...  132 
MariannaPlumasSt'k  44 
Market  Gardening  as 

a  Business 87 

Market       Gardening, 

Buying  a  Place.  ..  38 
Market  forProducers.'222 
Markets  forFruits,  197,241 
Marketing  Suggest'nsl69 

May  Mos2 241 

Melon,  Musk.  Classifi- 
cation   197 

Melon  Bright 257 

Melon  Blight 567 

Melons.  Winter 167 

Mexico.  Notes  on. ...  239 
Mice  in  Orchard...  18. 124 
Mich. Pom  Soc.  Meet'g  63 
Mich  Hort.Soc.Offic's.ll2 
Mignonette  for  Winter  62 

Mildew  in  Pit  118 

Mimulus.  The    259 

Mimulus  in  California. 236 

Mint  Culture 119 

Missouri    Horticult'ts 

113,  114 
Missouri,  Fruits  in . . .  ^5 
Mock  Orange,  Small- 
leaved  109 

Mole  in  Lawn 270 

Moles  and  Gophers..  264 


Moles.  Remedy  for..  286 
Moon  Influence.  202.  346 
Morel  and  other  Fungi]57 
Morn'g  Glories  (poem )216 
Moth,  The  Gypsy.  ..73 

Mountain  Holly 93 

Mountain  Ash,  The.  ..242 
Mulberries  as  Fruit. .213 
Mulberry- .The  Russian  42 

JIulch.  Summer 119 

Mulching  Trees.. 222,  224 
Mulching    with    Tan 

Bark     66 

Mushroom  Culture  in 

Paris 106 

Mushr'm  Profitable..  258 

JIushroom  Spawn 141 

Mushrooms    in    Open 

Air 137,  221 

5Iushrooms 33,   115 

Mushrooms,  Cooking.  119 
Muslin  for  Hot-bed.  ..254 

Myrtle  Dying 93 

Myrtle,  Japanese  Can- 

dleberry 112 

K 

Xarcissus,  Two  Var.  256 

Narcissus  Fly 31 

Narcissus  Bulbs,    Re- 
plant Early 235 

Naming  Plants, Sense 

and  Nonsense  in. .-  261 
Nasturt'm  Chameleon  11 
Nasturtium.  Tuberous  9 
Nasturtiums  in  Housel38 

National  Flower 4 

Native  Trees 180 

NativeTrees  for  Home 

Ornament 62 

NewFruits. Discourses  96 
New  York  Floral  Notes 
37.  61.85.  Ill,  i:S3,155,175 

Nicotiana  afiSnis .  12 

Nitrate  of  Soda  ...  267 
Nitrate    of   Soda,  68, 

135.  202,  163,  208 
N.  J.  State  Hort.  Soc.  106 

N.  Y .  State  Fair  40 

Nomenclature, Veg't'e  36 
Northern  III. Hort.Soc. 1.50 
Nothing  to  Sell  Here.  349 
Notes  from  P.  G.  Ex- 
perimen  t    Grounds 
27,  51,  165.  186.  228,  250 
Notes  from  Montgom- 
ery Co.,  Mo 206 

Novelties,  Vegetable. .  90 
Novelties.  Protecting. 247 
Novelties,  Unsatisfac- 
tory   252 

November,  (poem) ...  25 
Numbering  Device...  56 
Nursery  Business 

Growth  of 210 

Nurserymens'  Meet'g  210 
Nurserymens'Addre's  81 
Nut  Culture,  Future.  179 
Nut  Trees,  Seedling. .218 
Nuts  and  Nut  Trees.6,2.36 
N.  J.  State  Hort.  Soc.  260 

O 

Oak,  The  Scarlet  ..  110 
Oaks,  Arching  Pin..  .235 
Ocean  as  Tree  Plant' rl  72 
Ohio  Hort.  Society. . .  97 
Ohio       Horticultural 

Society  Report.   -.105 
Ohio  State  Hort.  Soc. 196 
Oil  Stove  and  Drum 
for   heating    Small 

Greenhouse 45 

Okra  Fibre 174 

Old    Trees,  Grubbing 

out 116 

Old  Man     182 

Oleander  Cuttings.  .  185 
Oleander  Slips  .  ...  205 
Oleander,  To  Grow... 217 
Onion  Set  Growing...  9 
Otiion,  Prizetaker.27.lG5 

Onions  Marketing '260 

Onions  in  Winter.. 41.  42 

Onions  from  Sets 88 

Onions.  No  Manure. 112 
Onions  on  low  land.  ..203 
Ont.  Fruit  Growers' 

Meeting 253 

Ontario  Fruit  List. ...  94 
Ontario, Canada.  Fniit 

Growers    170 

Orange  Trees,   Black 

Leaves  on  104 

Orange  Wine.  FloridallO 
Oranges  and  GrapeF't211 
Orchard  in  Winter...  63 
Orchard  Planting —  78 

Orchard  Site 156 

(Orchard  Care 14 

Orchard,  Green    Ma- 
nure  141 

Orchard,  Feeding  ...213 
Orchards,  Seeding  old  69 
Orchards,  Cultivating 

Young 226 

Orcharding  for  Profit  -38 
Orchid  Collection  ..  185 
Orchids  Misnamed- ..  49 
Orchids  for  Amateurs204 

Orchids.  Old 93 

Orchids.  Book  on.  ..  246 
Oregon  Fruit  Notes. .  254 


Oregon  Grapes  232 

Ornamental      Trees 

for  North 261 

Ornamental     Shrubs, 

Hardy 15,  83 

Ornamental  Planting, 

38,  84 
Orname't'tn  of  Homel93 
Ornithogalum 164 

1» 

Packing  Fruits 190 

Packing  Plants...  21.167 
Pa-ony  not  Blooming.  93 
Paint  for  TreeWounds  90 
Palm  Seedrgs.Grow'g-14 

Palm    Seed 182 

Palms.  Fertilizers  for.  45 

Park  Planting 218 

Park,  Palmer's 110 

Park.Embellish'nts  of  143 

Parks  at  Buffalo 1 

Parsnip  Fritters 180 

Parsnips  Fried IS 

Pansies  from  Seed . . .  109 

Pans.v  Enemies    93 

Peach      and     Plum 
Growing     at     the 

North  268 

Peach  Trees.  Life  of.  14 
Peach   Culture  in  Ni- 
agara  Co  32,  33 

Peach  and  Plum  Rot.  57 
Peach  Borer..  .  .86. 124 
Peach  Trees.  Protec^ 

ing  at  North liO 

Peach  Culture 1.56 

Peach  Salway 176 

Peach  Bark  Borer 198 

Peach  Culture  in  Conn240 

Peach  Seedlings 119 

Peach  on  Plum Ill 

Peach, .Selection  ofYarll2 
Peach,  Hill's  Chili.  .112 
Peach,  Curl-leaf  of . .  .226 

Peach,  Wilson  216 

Peach.  Pruning  the.  .218 

Peach.  Patterson 36 

Peaches.  Clingstone..  38 
Peaches,  Culture  for.  .38 
Peaches  Essex  Co  ..  124 
Peaches,  Varieties  of.  124 

Peaches,  Pruning 140 

Peaches,  Fine  New..  .143 
Peaches,  Seedling  ..  160 
Peaches.The  Hardiest  217 

Peaches.  Early 6 

Peanuts  for  North 51 

Pear  Culture 124 

Pear  Orchard,  Dwarf  .140 
Pear  and  CherryOrch,176 

Pear  Seedlings 264 

Pear  Scab 213 

Pear  Blight 209 

Pear  blight  Beetle.  .  198 
Pear.  Kieffer,  36,    90, 

101,  1.38 

Pear.  Fitzwater  60 

Pear,  Angouleme ]7 

Pear,  Early  Wilder..  46 
Pear,  Le  Conte,  02,  77, 

103.  ITl.  191.  231 
Pear.Qarber&  Clapp's  G2 
Pear.  Bartlett  SeedlgllO 
Pear,  Dwarf  Orchard  162 
Pear.  Re-grafting  ...  16 
Pear,   Bartlett,  losing 

ground      148 

Pear.  Duchesse    173 

Pear,  Krull's  Winter. 

167.  194,  210 

Pear,  Forelle 185 

Pears  in  5Iissouri. .  .  50 
Pears  for  New  York. ,  93 
Pears.  Riiiening  of...  17 

Pears.  Pruning  267 

Pears.  Canning 264 

Pears.  Report  on 30 

Pears. PlautingDwarfs 

to  Become  Stand'dsl07 
Pears  Oriental  asDw'fl25 
Pears.Dwarf  v.  Stand- 
ard   213 

Pears,  Picking 2.38 

Pecan  Trees,  (Caterpil- 
lars on 118 

Pepper,  Black  FloridallO 
Peppers  Rotting..  3 

Peppers,  Procftpp's . .  27 
Perfumery,Flo'r"sfor  267 

Periwinkle  270 

Periiuinkle     as     Pot 

Plant  147 

Peroxide  of  Silicate..  31 
Persimmon,  Japanese  25 
Persimmons.  Japanese 

in  California..     .      194 
Pests,  Household.        204 

Peter  Henderson 101 

Phosph.  Acid  in  Bone  257 
Phosphates  on  Grapesl76 
Phosph. Acid. Sources  196 
Picking  Small  Fruits. 140 
Pickle    Growing     for 

Profit 210 

Pickled  Cucumbers.. 222 
Pincers  for  Bugs. . ..  190 
Pine    Apple  for   Dip- 

theria 242 

Pine,  White  Weevil..  55 

Pinks.  Hardy Ill 

Pittosporum.Varieg'dl64 
Plant  House  Overh'g.  36 
Plant  Protect'n  byjiig  61 


I  IT  ID  E  X. 


PlantCollarExpand'g  83 
Plant  Box.  Cheap.. .  257 
Plant  Oils  Distillation.102 

Plant    Protector 132 

Plant  Names.  Confu'Dl55 
Plant  Bed,  Muslin  Siz- 
ing   for  167 

Plant  Rack 204 

Plant  a  Grove 198 

Plant  Lice  Remedy. .  .20.3 
Plant,  Holy  Ghost  ...  21 
Plants  Under  Glass.  9, 

42,67,91.118.139,161, 
180,201,233,  243,  265 
Plants  Modification. , .  121 
Plants  from  Seed .        155 
Plants  in   House  and 

Greenhouse 154 

Plants  in  Winter 205 

Plants  in  Small  Pots.. 110 
Plants  Flowerl'g,  May245 
Planting       Spindling 

Plants 191 

Plant  ingStrawberrieslh2 
Planting  a  Place,  127,150 
Planting  Distance.  ..\2S 
Planting  in  Groups. .  .12.S 
Planting  Early  Crops.  141 
Pl'nfg  in  Undr'd  SoillX) 
Pla  tingVine  Against 

House  131 

Planting  Fruit  Trees  44 
Planting, Success  and 

Failure ..150 

Plant'g.  FallorSori'g  255 
Planting,  Record  of.. 155 
Planting, Reasons  fori'Xl 
Planting,  Laying  Out  127 
Planting, Bui/'g  Stock\ZO 
Plant'g, Spring  or  Fall. 130 
Planting, Ornamental.  131 
Plugging     Trees    for 

Disease 202 

Plum  Purple-leaved..  51 
Plum  Rot,  Peach  and .  77 
Plum  Tree,  Barren...  119 

Plum  Rot 130 

Plum  Rot 163 

Plum  Culture 170 

PlumCulture  and  Cur- 

culio  169 

Plum  Pudding 242 

Plum  Tree  Suckers. . .  245 
Mum,    Marianna,  77, 

148,  162. 141 
Plum,  Marianna  from 

Cuttings  203 

Plum,  Pissardi 141 

Plum,  Kelsey 138 

Plum,  Lombard..  .162 
Plum.Dbl-fl'd  Chine8el95 
Plums  in  Virginia.  . .  78 
Plums  for  Profit  ....183 

Plums  for  Profit 213 

Plums,  The  Best  156 

Plums,  Curculio  proof  118 
Plums,  Selection  of  .112 
Plums.Notes  on  Newer  39 
Plunging  Plants  .  ..  220 
Plung'g  Potted  Plants217 
Poinsettia,  Tree  Form245 
Poisonous  Plants.  ...205 
Pollen  for  Crossing. .  .233 
Pomegranate.no  Bl'm245 
Popcorn  for  Profit  —  221 
Poppies,  Oriental  —  216 
Popular     Garde.n'ing 

Grounds,    Visit     ..  191 
Popular     Gardenmng 

Grounds,   Falconer.  25 

Porcelain  Fruits 2,36 

Post-holes  in  hardpan  90 
Post  Setting  Firmly..  61 
Potash  Fertilizers  ...170 
Potash  for  Strawber'sl83 
Potash  for  Beets  and 

Grapes  176 

Potash  for  Fruits    .154 

Potash  Salts 44 

Potash,  Muriate   and 

Sulphate 99 

Pot  Plants.Manag'm't  5 
Pot,  Improved  Plant.  60 

Potato  Rot 21,  38 

Potato  Sorter  41 

Potato  in  Silo 42 

Potato  Digger 45,  68 

Potato  Cheese 66 

Potato  Soup 66 

Potato  Bugs.  Less    .242 
Potato  Seed  Puzzle..  179 
PotatoCulture  Requis- 
ites   171 

Potato  Seedlings. 144, 208 
Potato.  Substitute  for 

Wanted 154 

Potato,  The  Best.  .44,163 
Potatoes        Doubling 

Yield 93 

Potatoes  for  5Ianure.l38 
Potatoes,  Selection  of 

Seed 260 

Potat's  Earlyand  Latel56 
Potatoes, Keepi'gSw't  53 


Potatoes,    Preserving 

for  Seed 55 

Potatoes. Keep  Dark . .  66 

Potatoes,   Early  132 

Potatoes,  Varieties  of.  128 
Potatoes.European..  .138 
Potatoes,  Hints  on...  73 
Potatoes,Cul,of  Sweetl56 
Potatoes,     When     to 

Grow 180 

Potat's,SweetatNo"th  51 
Potting  Bench,  A  Con- 
venient       37 

Poultry  Manure... 92,118 
Poultry  Yard,   19,  43, 
67,   91,    117,  139,  161, 
ISO,  201.  123,  243,365 
Poultry,  Prolific .     .     163 
Prairie    Trees    from 

Seed 264 

Pruning      Hook     for 

Bush  Fruits 171 

Preparing  for  Spring  77 
Preserving  Fruit-.  ..222 
Preserving  Flowers. ..  20 
Prickley  Comfrey  and 

Winter  Vetch  45 

Prices  for  Fruit,  Main- 
taining     197 

Primula   Double 83 

Primula  Obconica 137 

Primulas,  Alpine 221 

Primroses, Prop'g  Dbl,140 
Privet,  Golden-tinted.  110 
Propagat'n  bySprout6l40 
Propagation,  Book  on  68 

Prophet  Flower 221 

Propping  Trees 216 

Protect'g  Vines  Etc..  20 
Protection  for  Young 

Trees  a7id  Shrubs..  61 
Pruners,  Home-Made  65 

Pruning 152 

Pruning  Tool, Chisel  154 
Pruni'gThin-nyBu.'ih's  49 
Pruning  Raspberries.  20 
Pruning  Peach  Trees.  20 
Pruning  the  Pear,  216,224 
Pruning  Trees  ...121 

Pruning,   Right        ..131 

Puddling  Roots  150 

Puddhng 190 

Pumpkin,  (poem) 36 

Pumpkins  Fried 18 

Purslane  Pest 241 

Pyrethrum 236 

I^rethrum  roseum. .  .216 

« 

Quack  Grass,  How  De- 
stroyed   .54 

Quince.  The  Japan..  255 
Quince  Twig  Blight. .  207 
Quince  Marmelade...  19 
Quince     Jelly     from 

Parings  18 

QuincePropagati'n,68,  94 
Quince,  Kieff'er  on  —  72 
Quince  blossomBeetlel98 
Quince, Japan,  for  Fr't242 

R 

Rabbits  and  Mice,  Pro- 
tection from 110 

Rabbits,      Protecting 
Trees  Against,  48,62, 

53,  06,  69,  124.  152 
Radishes,  Early . .     .187 
Railroad  Station  Gar- 
dening   37,  77 

Rain  Water  Sioitch..  96 
Rainfall  a  Heavy .  .216 
RaisinsfromAm,Gr'p's84 
Raspberry  for  Jelly..  86 
Raspberry  Rust.  ...  266 
Raspberry  Planting. .  69 
Ra8pberryCulture,100, 

163,  191 
Raspberry  and  Black- 
berry Hybrids 90 

Raspberry,  Nemaha ..112 
Raspberry  ,Tompson'8 

Early U3 

Raspberry,  Kansas.  .143 
Raspb'ry,Qold'nyueen  82 
Raspberries,  Yellow . .  103 
Raspberr's  and  Black- 
berries, Best  ...  38 
Raspberries  and  Black- 
berries   158 

Raspberries  in  Ohio . .  176 
Raspberries,  Yield  of .  69 
Raspberries,  New  .132 
Raspberries, BIackcapl47 
Raspberries,  Pruning, 

44,  45,  69,  93 
Raspberries,Growth  of 

6,  22 

Rats,  Killing 69 

Recipes  for  Househ'd.200 
Recipes  for  December  66 
Remembrance  (poem)194 


Remedies  tor  Insects. 216 
Repacking  Cal.  Fruitsl69 
Rhododendron  Show.  260 
Rhododendrons,H'dy  2.5S 
Rhubarb  Shortcake.  ISO 

Rhubarb  Pie 180 

Rhubarb,  Forcing..  .  260 

Rhubarb 20 

Riley.Prof.MuchHon'd  25 
Roads,  The  Public. . .  258 
Rockery,    Plants   for, 

107,  141 
Rot'nWood,Fertlliz'r  267 
Root  Crops.  Digging.  .161 

Root  Grafts     133 

Root  Beer 174 

Root  Grafts  andWhole 

Roots 191 

Root  grafted  Trees... 247 

Roots,  Wintering ,33 

Rose  Cuttings,  Srrik'g  36 
Rose  Beds.Man're  for  266 
Rose  Bug  Remedy  . .  60 
Rose  Forcing  byExp't  58 
Rose  Bugs.  Remedies 

84,  244,227 
Rose  Pest,  A  New...  198 
Rose  Beetle.  Fuller's. 245 
Rose  leaf  Hopper. . .  .244 
Rose.  Jacqueminot, 20,  60 
Rose,  Black  Spot  ou. .  16 
Rose,  Change  the  Soil  49 
Rose,  A  Fine  New  . .  155 
Rose, Insects  on  Home204 
Rose,  Hints  on  Hardy 

Culture 186 

RosesNot  Blooming,60,93 
Roses  in  <  >pen  Ground  65 
Roses  from  Seed  ....  141 
Roses  from  England- .  163 
Roses  in  Greenhouse. 183 
Roses  for  Perfume  ..169 
Roses.Hybrid  Perpet'l  3S 
Roses, Perles  ou  Bank- 

sia 66 

Roses,  Hardy 95,135 

Roses,  Black  Spot  of.  267 
Roses  for  Out-doors.  267 

Roses,  Planting 110 

Roses,  Pruning  135 

Roses,  Insects  and  Fu- 
migation   135 

Roses,  Oil  of 1.32 

Roses,  Propagating. . .  164 
Roses,   Budding    and 

Grafting  183 

Roses, Protecting  Tree 

from  Sun  Scald  ..  202 
Roses,  Tender  ...  206 
Roses,  Pruning  Hardyl96 
Roses, Liquid  Manure. 216 
Rubber  Tree  Cuttingsl84 
Rubber  Plant,  soil  for.226 
Rubbish, Disposlot,94, 119 
Rural    Improvement 

Association  needed  270 
Rural  NewYorkerSoldl54 


Salsify,  Sandwich  Is- 
land  103,  160 

Salsify,  Boiling  180 

Sal  Soda  as  Fertilizer. 183 
Sash,Repair'gHot-bed  52 

Scraping  Trees 21 3 

School  ground  Planl'g518 

School  Garden ,218 

Screens  for  Roses  —  236 
Seed  Control  Stations  49 
Seed  DivisionHumbug  49 

Seed  and  Fruit 112 

Seeds  and  SeedGr'w'gl53 
Seeds  Soaking  . .  220 

Seeds,  Tariff  on.. 204,  246 
Seeds,  Starting  Fine.  149 
Sellers  Responsibility. 121 
Selling  Truck  at  Profltl60 
Selling  Fruit. .  .36 

September  (poem) 258 

Shade,  Crops  in 225 

Shading    61as5    with 

Paint  174 

Shaw,  Mr.  Henry —  12 
Sheep  and  <  )rchard . .  180 

Shelter  Belts 84 

Shipping  Crates, Bask.  1.34 
Shipping  Green  Fruit. 112 
Shot  hole  Fungus  ...222 
Shrub  BorderMistake  251 
Shrubs  for  Wisconsin .  140 

Shrubs  of  Y'esso 168 

Shrubs,  Our  Native..  152 
Shrubs,HardyOru'm'l:39 

Shrubs,  Hardy 121 

Shrubbery,    What    to 

Make  of  the 307 

Shrubbery  at  *' Wood- 
banks,'' 166 

Shrubbery  for  the  N.W  88 
Shrubbery  Planting..  86 
Sizing  forHotb'd  Sashl62 

Slug   Shot 266 

Slugs,  Remedy  for.66,236 


Small  Fruit  for  Fam"y220 
Small  Fruits, Money  in3I9 
Small  Fruits,  Managing  15 
Small  Fruits  for  Minn. 162 
Small  Fruit  Farm,Size  20 
Small  Fruits  in  Mich. 109 
Small    Fruit     Plants, 

Packing 46 

Small  Fruits, Notes  on  152 

Smilax  122 

Smilax  from  Seed . , .  217 
Snails,  Remedy  for. .225 
Snowball  Jap,  An...  258 
Soap  Suds  for  Trees. 222 
Soap-suds  for  Garden. 370 
Society  Am.  Florists.  1 
Soil  for  Pot  Plants...  89 
Soil    Preparation  . .   .  132 

Soil  Difliculties  208 

Soil.  Improving  the.  ..160 
Soil  Influence  on  Fr'tsl99 
Soils,  Warming  Cold. 147 
Soohora.Thr  Weeping2I6 
S.EIll.  Fruit  Growers.I53 
Southern  Opportuoit's  17 
Sparrow,  Caterpillars. 137 
i  Sparrow.  The  English 
I  171.  179.  202,  233 

Spiderwort  TheTrail'g  25 

Spinach  Greens 180 

Spinach,    Nitrate     of 

Soda  on  ...208 

Spinach,  Wintering.  367 
Split  Trees,  Mending. 222 
Spraying  with  London 

Purple 5 

Spray  i  n  g  Pu  mp  Neces- 
sary        177 

Spraying,  Effects  of .  .113 

I  Spraying,  Prize  for.  ..174 

!  Sprayer,  A  Cheap  . .  121 

Sprayer,   Portable . . .  202 

\  Spring  Sftoicflake .   -.193 

!  Spring  ( poem) 165 

Spruce  Colorado  Blue,216 
Squash, Growing  Win- 
ter in  Ills 28 

Squash,  Hubbard  ...  68 
Squash,  Red  China..  3 
Stakes  for  Plants. ..  .132 

.Staking  Trees 152 

Staging,  Galvanized. .110 
Stak'gHerbac's  Plants  17 
Stations.  Work  for...  73 
Step  Ladder  .Self -Sup- 
porting ...  ....  199 

Stock  Dug  too  Early.  .247 
Stock.  Care  of.  Before 

Planting 121 

Stock, Do'bleTen-week221 
Stone  Mulch  forTreesl64 
Straw  for  Protection.  90 
StrawberryBeds,Burn- 

iug  Over  5 

Strawberry  Culture  in 

England 31 

Strawberry  Patch,  Re- 
newing    66 

Strawberry  Syrup  .  238 
Strawberry  Seedlings.162 
Strawberry  Bed, The. 166 
Strawberry  Patch,The208 
Stralcberry  Report  in 

the  Fall 228 

Strawberry   Varieties 

in  Ohio 233 

Strawb'yBeds,Dur'blel71 

Strawberry  Setter 168 

Strawb'yand  Banan"sl80 
Strawb'y  Song  (poemll94 
Strawb'y  Beds.Burn'gl95 
Strawberry  Growing 

for  Market 269 

Strawberry.  Cultivated 

and  Wild 31 

Strawberry,  Selection 

of  Plants  andlsoil  for  31 
Strawberry,  Early ...  69 
Strawber'v,LadyRuskl32 
Strawb'y, L'ge  }'roliflcl63 
SVwb'y, Large  Bubach 

190,  209 
Straw1)e'y,  TheAlp'e  249 
Strawberries  in  Indi'a  8 
Strawberries  in  Pear 

Orchard     103 

Strawberries  Summer 

vs.  Fall  Plan  ting...  248 
Strawber's  Pot  Layers  3 
Strawb's  for  Market. 120 
Strawber's  for  Mark't.168 
Strawb's  How  Grown 

in  Drv  Gravel  . .  .268 
Strawb's  on  P.  G.ar'dsl87 
Strawbe's,  The  Newer 

6,  213 
Strawberries,  Setting, 
21,33,  86,  197,  218.  232 

21,  46,  141 
Strawberries. Mulchi'g  45 
Strawberr's,  Mulching 

•  63,  68,  77 
Strawberries,    Winter 
Protection  for 56 


Strawberries,Pistillate  69 
Strawberries,      Early 

Runners  Best 62 

Strawberries, Crescent 

and  Wilson 89 

Strawb's,  Advance  in .  133 
Strawbe's, Thrips  on .  .249 
Strawberries.  Qrowi'gl58 
Straw  berries, Protec'g 

from  Grub .163 

Strawberries,  Jewell. .188 
Strawberries,    Propa- 
gating Choice   245 

Succulents  for  Florist  350 
Sulphates.  Effects  of,  69 
Sulph  of  Copper  Eff'ts  60 
Sunimer'gHousePrts.183 
Sunflo'r  Seed  as  Bait. 258 
SuperiorProducePay8241 

Swamp  Muck 93 

Sweet  Potato, Keeping 

21,  45 
Sweet  Corn,  Quality  of 

226,  344 

Sweet  Corn 199 

Sweet  Potato  Culture.318 
Sweet  Potato  Vines, 

Cutting 266 

Syrphus,The  Cabbagel33 


j  Table      Decoratiojis, 

Holiday  59 

Table  andRoomDecor- 

ation  182 

TalmanSweet  as  Stock  14 

Tamarix 156 

Tariflf  on  Fruits 4 

That  Bay  Window. ...  73 
Thaw'g  Froz'nGround  89 
Thinning  Vegetables  128 
Thinning  Early,  116,  194 
Thinning    Fruit    and 

:      Melons 9,  194 

Thurber,  Dr.  George..  165 
!  Tiger  Lily.  Double...  82 

Tigridias.  New 175 

Tillage  good  as  Mulc'gl53 
Tillage  in  Garden.  ...218 

Tillage.  Deep 60,  131 

Tile,  Color  of  Drain. . .  17 
Tin  Cans,  On  Using  .166 
Toad  as  Insect  Trap, 

186,  196 

Tobacco  Stems 160 

Tomato  Rot 60 

Tomato  S)ed  Curing.  17 

Tomato  Growing 147 

Tomato  Forc'g  House2a!i 
Tomato  Canning  . .  .242 
TomatoWormRe'edy  267 

Tomato  Rot  268 

Tomato  Pickles,  Gr'n  264 
Tomato      Preservers 

Green 364 

Tomato,  The  Peach. . .  103 
Tomato,  Volunteer. .  109 
Tomato,  Ignotum . . . .  132 
Tomato,  Early  Ruby.  121 
Tomatoes  under  Glass  90 
•TomatoeB  for  Winter.  18 
■Tomotoes  for  Money.  134 
Tomatoes  as  Food . . .  327 
Tomat's  in  Tree  Form  194 
Tomatoes  and  Eggs. ,  264 
Tomatoes,  Fried.  ...264 
Tomotoes,  Canning..  264 
Tomatoes,  Trellising.  255 
Tomatoes,  Train'ng.2iG 
Tomatoes,  Mildew  on. 163 
Tomatoes,  Bagging..  160 
Tomatoes,Early29.105, 

110,  148 
Tools  for  Orchard ...  81 
Tradescanthias    and 

Commelinas  216 

Training  Early  110 

Transplanter  Barron's 

Tree 1 

Transplant'g  Influe'ce  57 
Trausplant'g    Condi- 
tions of  Success ...  190 
Transplanter,Tobac'o338 
Transplanting  in  Au- 

tunm 325 

Tree  Scraper,  Uu  iver'l  56 

Tree  of  Ages 60 

Tree  Tomato,  Brazill'n  84 
Tree  Fruits  for  Ohio.  .163 
TreePlant'g.Thoughts 

About     178 

Tree  Cricket,  Snowy. 136 
Tree  Growi'g,  Imp'v'dl48 

Tree  Protector 32'.J 

Tree,Largestin  Flo'da  50 
"Trees  on  Waste  Placesl59 
Trees  and  Berries ....  183 
Trees  and  Humidity.. 351 
Trees,    Transplanting 

Large 45. 163.  185 

Tiees.  Planting...  21.  45 
Trees,  Fall  Planting  .3'26 
Trillium  as  Bedder. .  ,174 


Trillium,  Pink-eyed. ..  174 

Trilliums 9 

Trimming  the  Roots. 100 
Tropical  Fruits  inAm  110 
Tropi'l  Fruits,  Culfe.  266 
Troirels  and  Weeders, 

Use  for  Broken  . .  195 

Tuberoses    59 

Tulip  Sport 194 

TulipTree  forLa'n  etc.    3 

TuUp  Tree 39,  343 

Tulips  and  Hyacinths 

in  Masses,  ..   10 

Tulip.i,TheMa-$si'gof  251 
TuruipTopsforGre'ns  93 
Turnips  for  Seed.  . .  221 
Turtle  in  Greenhouse.  180 


Vallota,TheCulture  of  98 
Varieties  RunningC)ut209 
Vegetable  Garden,  19, 

4-3,91,  67.119.  161.180, 

201,333,  343, '265 
Vegetable      Products 

on  Table,  18,  90,  116. 

160.  180,  223,  243 
Vegetable      Growers 

Association 73 

Vegetable  (garden  . .  128 
Vegetable      Growers' 

Association  — 125,  147 
Vegetable    Remedies, 

Ancient 154 

Veg'ble8LittleKnown.233 
Vegetables,  Boiling  .  42 
Vegetables.Early  Sp'g  81 
\'egetables.  Imp.  in . .  134 
Vegetables,  Thinning  179 
Ventilator  Wi'd-tight  66 
Verbenas,  Rust  on  . .  109 

Vineyard,  The 166 

Violets       for        Cut 

Flower  Trade 268 

Virginia  Fruit  Notes.  78 


W 

Walki     and    Drives, 

Improving    ...  3 

Walks,        Arrajiging 

Front   Yard  99 

Wallflower,     Keeping 

Over 324 

Wall  Flowers  in  Pota- 
to Field 12 

Waste  Land  Planting.176 
Waste  Places.  Using.  13 
Waste  Pipes, CleaniDg203 
Waste  Lands  for  Fr't  259 
Water  Melon.  T'o/oa.  3 
Water  Gas  for  Florists 

17,  69 

Water  Lilies 5,  45 

Water  for  Plants 45 

Water  Lilies, Muskrats  85 
Water  MelonCo8meticl94 
WaterMelonsand^'ar.l77 
Water,HowOftenShall  26 
Watering  Trees..  ..  152 
Watermelon  Sugar. .  .241 
Walnut  Graft'g  Eng- 
lish on  Black,  84,163,125 
Wax  Flower,Dwarf . .  13 

Wild  Flowers 14 

Wild  FlowerCluh,Ara.305 
Wild  Flowers  of  Ills-.  350 
Willows  and  Poplar.. 110 
Windoic  Case,toAtakeViO 
Wind  Breaks  for  Or'dl66 
Wineberry,  Japanese. 3C0 
Winter  Storage  Pits.  22 
WinterCare  of  Ground  83 
Wintering  Plants  Out 

Doors 37 

Wintering  Vegetables  65 
Winter'gFlow'rPlants  3 
Wis.  Hort.  Society.  1.56 
Wis.  Small  Fruits  in.. 255 
Weather  Plant..  ..  192 
IVeed  Destruction . .  208 
Weeds  in  Lawn. ....  236 

Weeds  on  Paths 266 

Weeds,  Penalty  for.  165 
Weeds,  Fightmg.. ...  337 

Weeds,  Seeds  of 25 

Weigelas,      One      of 

Newer  236 

Western  N.Y  Growers 

99,  14.3,  2U 
W.N.Y.Hort.  Society.  369 
Wood  Ashes,20,l  10,189,346 
Wood,Non-inflamable  18 
Worms,  Lime  for...  267 


Zanzibar  Balsam.  28,  53 

Zebra  Grass 185 

Zinc  in  Evap.  Apples.  185 


October,  1S89. 


POPULAR    GARDENING 

AND   FRUIT  GROWING. 


^OLTJn^^E     'V. 


Autumn  Time. 

The  MUfc-weed  pods  are  tossing 

Their  flosses  lu  the  air. 
And  busy  spiders  spinning 

Their  cobwebs  everjTvhere. 

The  Pear-tree  leaves  are  turning 

To  burnished  bronze  and  gold  ; 
And  on  their  b*)ughs  the  black-birds 

Are  growing  overbold. 

Thy  sby.  lilce  any  Violet 

In  balmy  sweetness  blows, 
And  veiled  in  haze,  the  sun  shines 

As  rosy  as  a  Rose. 

Evaie^n  Stein. 


W  HEN  THE  ground  is  too  wet  for  other  work  the 
Plantains,  at  least,  can  be  pulled  from  the  lawn. 


Something  besides  Money.  Mr.  Fish  of  Eng- 
land recently  said  that  if  he  had  not  accumulated 
wealth  in  gardening,  he  at  least  had  received 
his  pay  in  beauty. 

Death  of  Henry  M.  Long.  .\t  Williamsville, 
near  Buffalo,  X.  Y.,  on  September  10th  in  his  tor- 
ty-eisrhth  year.  The  deceased  was  the  oldest 
brother  of  the  conductor  of  this  journal. 


The  Potato  crop  seems  to  have  more  than  its 
usual  number  of  enemies  to  contend  with  this 
year.  In  some  localities  the  millipeds  or  thou- 
sand-legged worms  are  said  to  helji  blight,  rot, 
flea  beetles,  and  potato  bugs  in  the  destruction 
of  the  crop. 


I'NCLE  Sam's  seed  shop  sHH  flourishes,  but 
Secretary  Rusk  has  put  himself  on  record  favor- 
ing the  transfer  of  the  business  from  the  Depart- 
ment to  the  various  Hatch  Experiment  Stations. 
What  excuse  is  there  for  its  existence,  anyhow? 
This  disgrace  and  absurdity  should  be  wiped  out. 


Visions  of  Deliciocs  Apricots  are  before  us 
when  we  hear  of  the  Shense  introduced  by  Prof- 
Budd  from  the  pro\ince  of  Shense  in  China.  It 
has  long  been  the  height  of  ambition  of  many 
fruit  growers  to  be  able  to  produce  fine  Apricots. 
Our  own  attempts,  heretofore,  have  always  re- 
sulted in  dead  failure.  Perhaps  the  newer  "  Rus- 
sians," and  still  more  the  Chinese  '  Shense"  will 
at  last  lead  us  to  success. 


The  Editors  are  at  LaSalle.  All  the  editor- 
ial work  on  Putmlar  Gardening  and  Pruit  Grou- 
ing  is  done  on  the  Experiment  Farm  of  this  jour- 
nal and  which  is  located  at  La  Salle,  Niagara  Co., 
N.  v.,  17  miles  from  Buffalo.  We  desire  to  im- 
press this  fact  so  that  our  friends  who  send  sam- 
ples of  fruits  or  anything  else  for  editorial  in- 
spection will  forward  them  directly  to  La  Salle, 
and  not  to  the  Buffalo  office.  By  so  doing  such 
things  win  usually  reach  the  right  persons  from 
one  to  two  days  earlier  than  otherwise,  to  say 
nothing  of  the  trouble  to  the  editors  of  carrying 
or  shipping  them  17  miles  extra,  on  such  days  as 
they  go  to  Buffalo. 


Mr.  Wm.   Falconer  Talks   About  the 

Florists'  Convention  and  the 

City    of  Buffalo. 

Some  years  ago  John  Thorpe  took  it  into 
his  head  that  a  Society  of  American  Florists 
would  be  a  mighty  nice  thing  to  get  up,  and 
he  got  it  up.  I  don't  think  any  other  man 
in  America  could  have  gotten  it  up.  This 
was  five  years  ago. 

^^'hiIe  it  is  a  society  of  commercial  florists, 
any  one  interested  in  horticulture  is  wel- 
come to  .ioin  it.  From  the  very  first  it  was 
an  immense  success.  Florists  from  every 
State  in  the  Unionbelong  toit,  and  weknow 
no  difference  between  Canada  and  the 
United  States. 

Once  a  year,  in  August,  we  meet  in  con- 
vention in  some  important  city:  first  it  was 
In  Cincinnati,  then  Philadelphia,  and 
Chicago  and  Xew  York,  and  this  year  in 
Buffalo.  These  conventions  are  very  profit- 
able to  the  florists.  Papers  on  vital  topics 
are  read  and  discussed,  business  matters  in- 
vestigated, and  every  thing  likely  to  be  of 
interest  to  the  florist  is  considered.  We 
meet  old  acquaintances  and  form  new  ones; 
everybody  gets  to  know  everybody,  and  we 
become  a  brotherly  gathering.  We  get  new 
ideas  from  one  another  and  learn  and  form 
the  fashions,  for  there  are  fashions  among 
flowers  as  among  frocks  and  bonnets.  We 
tell  all  we  know  ourselves  and  pump  our 
neighbors  like  a  newspaper  reporter.  Kverj' 
new  wrinkle  in  greenhouse  building  or 
heating  is  laid  before  us,  every  new  method 
of  cultivation  is  explained,  and  we  are  told 
of  every  new  Rose,  Carnation  or  Palm  that 
is  worth  growing,  and  of  every  plant  that  is 
a  humbug,  and  among  men  frauds  and 
unprincipled  characters  receive  unstinted 
e.xecration.  This  society  is  a  power  in  the 
land,  its  countenance  is  courted  by  every 
well  meaning  florist,  and  its  light  is  the 
terror  of  every  unprincipled  one.  It  is  the 
national  guardian  of  the  people  who  buy 
plants  or  flowers.  If  you  buy  a  few  plants 
of  a  florist  in  your  town  and  he  cheats  you, 
you  may  get  some  satisfaction,  but  if  you 
send  to  a  fiorlst  a  thousand  miles  away  for 
some  plants  and  he  cheats  you,  how  can 
you  get  satisfaction?  By  submitting  the 
facts  to  this  society.  If  it  finds  the  florist 
guilty  of  fraudulent  dealings,  they'll  warn 
him,  were  he  strong  as  Samson  or  rich  as 
Cr(Bsus,  but  it  the  wrong  is  on  the  other  side 
and  the  customer  is  guilty  of  tricking  or 
unfair  dealing  then  this  society  won't  spare 
him.  Readers  of  Popi^'lar  Gardening  you 
should  be  proud  of  such  a  society. 


As  Popular  Gardening  is  published  in 
Buffalo,  perhaps  some  of  your  distant  read- 
ers would  like  to  know  what  kind  of  a  place 
it  is  horticulturally,  and  how  it  strikes  a 
stranger; 

Buffalo  is  an  immense  city,  on  the  edge 
of  Lake  Erie,  with  wide  streets  and  substan- 
tial buildings,  and  an  air  of  wealth  and 
solidity  everywhere  apparent.  It  has  2.50,(X)0 
inhabitants. 

The  people  are  as  nice  folk  as  one  can 
meet,  homey  and  hospitable,  and  evidently 
only  happy  when  making  other  folks  happy. 

Their  parks  are  their  great  pride,  and 
truly  they  have  good  cause  to  be  proud  of 
them,  for  they  are  extensive,  well  kept  and 
well  planted,  and  good  examples  of  broad 
landscape  gardening.  The  sheep  grazing 
on  the  expansive  lawns  impose  a  peaceful, 
rural  pastoral  effect.  A  large  sheet  of  water 
is  mademuchof  and  with  studied  excellence. 
Extensive  plantations  of  shrubbery  occur  in 
the  neighborhood  of  the  water,  and  the 
variety  is  in  proportion  to  the  quantity. 

Wm.  McMillan  is  the  Superintendent  of 
Parks.  He  is  a  Scotchman  from  Hairn,  an 
enthusiast  and  a  man  of  honor,  and  there  is 
no  man  in  Buffalo  to-day,  not  even  the 
Mayor,  more  respected  than  Jlr.  McMillan. 

The  absence  of  any  display  of  .summer 
flowers  in  the  parks  was  strikingly  apparent. 
No  provision  has  been  madeforthem.  There 
are  no  greenhouses  in  which  to  raise  them. 
This  is  in  accordance  with  Mr.  McMillan's 
taste  and  the  ideas  of  our  most  aesthetic  and 
cultured  landscape  architects.  But  I  have 
an  intense  love  for  flowers,  I  missed  my  pets 
and  I  yearned  for  them. 

Well,  couldn't  they  be  tised  advantage- 
ously? I  think  so.  I  know  of  no  good  reason 
why  we  shouldn't  have  an  abundant  display 
of  flowers,  and  that  too  without  interfering 
in  the  least  with  the  grandeur  of  the  park. 
I  would  not  ask  for  mosaic  patterns,  but  1 
think  a  smaU  portion  of  the  park,  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  most  frequented  part,  should 
be  laid  out' as  a  flower  garden.  Give  us 
Roses  and  Hollyhocks.  Cannas  and  Caladi- 
ums,  noble  grasses  in  variety,  Palms  and 
Ferns  in  shady  places,  Heliotropes  and 
Tuberoses  to  scent  the  air,  and  hundreds 
more;  and  in  spring  never  forget  the  Snow- 
drops and  Crocuses,  Daffodils,  Hyacinths 
and  Tulips,  and  the  Pansies  and  Polyan- 
thuses and  Forget-me-nots,  likewise  the 
Bloodroot,  .Spring  Adonis,  Rock  Cress,  Col- 
umbines, Oriental  Poppies,  Psonias  and 
others.  Be  what  they  may,  give  us  flowers, 
and  oceans  of  them. 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


October, 


A  PUBLIC  PARK  is  the  people's  garden— the 
garden  of  every  human  being  in  the  City, 
the  people  pay  for  it,  and  the  people  have 
the  right  to  dictate  what  shall  be  grown  in 
it.  The  people  of  Buffalo  don't  pay  for  hav- 
ing these  flowers  in  their  park,  hence  we 
conclude  they  don't  want  them.  These 
things  cost  high  but  they  are  well  worth 
the  money.  They  draw  the  people  to  the 
park— the  poor  people,  and  tens  of  thousands 
who  give  no  heed  to  landscape  pictures,  be- 
come ecstatic  over  flowers,  and  find  in  them 
both  recreation  and  religion.  But  if  you 
\vill  call  these  landscapes  education,  then 


Gardening,  "can  never  forget  it.  With  a 
clean  trunk,  straight  as  a  column,  for  forty 
or  fifty  feet,  surmounted  by  a  firm,  ample 
summit  of  rich  green  foliage,  it  is,  in  our 
estimation,  decidedly  the  most  stately  tree 
in  North  America.  When  standing  alone, 
and  encouraged  in  its  lateral  growth,  it 
will  indeed  often  produce  a  lower  head,  but 
its  tendency  is  to  rise,  and  it  only  exhibits 
itself  in  all  its  stateliness  and  majesty 
when,  supported  on  such  a  noble  columnar 
trunk,  it  towers  far  above  the  heads  of  its 
neighbors  of  the  park  or  forest.  Even  when 
at  its  loftiest  elevation,  its  large  blossoms 


v'l'.^ 


"^ 


^■■#'Av 


Front  W(i,lh  and  Lawn  at  Woodhajihs  be- 
fore  being  Improved. 

please  give  us  both  education  and  religion, 
you  have  room  for  both,  and  we  need  both. 

The  Trees.  In  some  parts  of  the  city  the 
soil  is  loamy  and  good,  but  in  most  parts  it 
is  either  hard  brick  clay  or  covered  with  a 
thin  shell  of  soil.  In  the  loamy  land  the 
trees  prosper,  but  in  the  rock  or  clay  they 
do  not  thrive  very  well.  Now  if  a  tree  is 
worth  planting  at  all  it  is  worth  planting 
well  and  taking  good  care  of  afterwards, 
for  there  is  more  pleasure  in  one  thrifty, 
happy  tree  than  in  fifty  starving,  sickly 
scrubs.  Every  starving  wretch  of  a  tree  is 
a  standing  monument  of  shame  to  its  owner. 
Then  begin  right.  In  preparing  for  planting 
dig  out  the  tree  holes  six,  eight  or  ten  feet 
wide  and  two  to  three  feet  deep,  according 
to  kind  of  tree  to  be  planted,  remove  the 
rock  or  clay  and  replace  with  good  soil. 
This  will  cost  a  good  deal  but  it  is  necessary, 
and  if  one  doesn't  wish  to  incur  this  expense 
and  trouble  he  should  not  plant  the  trees, 
for  he  is  unworthy  of  the  trees. 

In  the  subukbax  residence  streets  the 
fences  between  lots,  also  between  the  lots 
and  the  streets,  have  been  removed  and 
the  green  lawns  are  spread  along  the  sides 
of  the  streets  from  end  to  end,  giving  them 
a  pretty,  pleasing,  gardenesque  appearance. 
But  no  flowers  and  no  evergreens.  Why? 
Because  the  flower  beds  would  be  a  field  of 
temptation  to  many  a  passer-by,  and  a  de- 
lightful play  ground  for  cats  and  dogs;  and 
every  dog  that  passes  along  the  street  will 
rest  against  an  Evergreen,  and  the  choicer 
and  prettier  the  Evergreen  the  better  it 
seems  to  attract  the  dog's  attention. 


The  Tulip  Tree  for  Lawn  or  Park. 

Why  is  it  that  the  magnificent,  stately 
Lidriodendron  tulipifera,  commonly  called 
Whitewood,  Yellow  Poplar,  or  Tulip  Poplar, 
is  not  more  frequently  met  with  on  our 
lawns  and  in  our  parks  and  avenues? 

"Whoever  has  once  seen  the  Tulip  tree  in 
a  situation  where  the  soil  is  favorable  to  its 
growth,"  says  Mr.  Downing,  in  Landscape 


Front  Walk  and  Laxon  at  Woodban'ks  after  intro- 
ducing Curvea  and  new  Plantinys. 

which  from  their  form  one  of  our  poets  has 
likened  to  the  chalice, 

Through  the  radiant  maze. 
The  tulip  tree 
Its  golden  chalice  triumphantly  displays. 

—Pickering. 
jut  out  from  the  tufty  canopy  in  the  month 
of  .June,  and  glows  in  richness  and  beauty. 
While  the  tree  is  less  than  a  foot  in  diam- 
eter, the  stem  is  extremely  smooth,  and  it 
has  almost  always  a  refined  appearance. 
For  a  lawn  or  park,  we  conceive  the  Tulip 
tree  eminently  adapted  :  its  tall,  upright 
stem  and  handsome  summit  contrasting 
nobly  with  the  spreading  forms  of  most 
deciduous  trees.  No  tree  of  the  same 
grandeur  and  magnitude  is  so  truly  beauti- 
ful and  graceful  in  every  portion  of  its 
trunk  and  branches.  Where  there  is  a  taste 
for  avenues,  the  Tulip  tree  ought  by  all 
means  to  be  employed,  as  it  makes  a  most 
magnificent  over-arching  canopy  of  verdure 
supported  on  trunks  almost  architectural  in 
their  symmetry." 

The  Tulip  tree  is  greatly  valued  for  its 
lumber.  The  wood  is  excellent  for  cabinet 
work,  ceiling,  floors,  and  inside  flnishiug, 
but  does  not  endure  well  in  the  open  air 
unless  protected  by  paint.  Our  bee-keepers 
value  the  tree  as  a  honey  producer,  and  the 
sweet  nectar  might  often  be  gathered  out  of 
the  great  Tulip-like  flowers  by  teaspoonfuls, 
but  this  honey,  although  good  for  bees,  is 
by  no  means  of  the  quality  that  would  suit 
a  fastidious  taste.  The  flowers  are  large, 
greenish-yellow,  foliage  rich  and  glossy, 
somewhat  square,  truncated.  Bark  of  wood 
and  branches  is  bitter  and  aromatic,  some- 
times used  in  medical  practice. 

The  tree  is  readily  propagated  from  seed. 
which  should  be  sown  in  a  fine  rich  mold, 
in  a  cool,  shady  place.  If  planted  in 
autumn  as  soon  as  seeds  are  ripe,  they  will 
germinate  the  next  spring;  if  sown  in 
spring,  they  often  fail  to  germinate  until 
spring  following.  Although  the  tree  has 
the  reputation  of  being  diflScult  to  trans- 
plant, it  is  no  more  so  than  any  of  the  nut 


trees,  and  when  grown  in  nursery,  and 
occasionally  transplanted,  it  can  be  handled 
as  easily  as  our  common  fruit  trees. 

Notes  from   the   Popular    Gardening 

Grounds  at  La  Salle-on-the- 

Niagara. 

SlraigM  Lina<  versus  Curves.  By  the  annexed 
engravings  is  shown  how  in  improving  the 
grounds  at '"  Woodbanks  "  we  introduced  grace- 
ful curves  in  the  front  walk  and  drive,  and 
irregularity  in  the  planting  where  there  was  in 
these  before  a  preponderance  of  straight  lines 
This  was  done  in  accordance  with  natural  prin- 
"ciples  of  arrangement,  for  as  nature  In  her  most 
pleasing  landscape  gives  us  no  straight  or  formal 
lines,  why  should  we  employ  them. 

In  the  present  case  not  only  was  the  walk  from 
the  front  door  to  the  bridge,  which  gives  access 
to  the  highway  opposite,  straight,  but  the  bridge 
also  was  on  the  same  line.  Together  there  was  a 
straight  course  of  some  12  rods  in  length  and  de- 
cidedly objectionable  to  good  appearance.  By 
throwing  a  slight  curve  into  the  walk,  extend- 
ing the  lawn,  and  planting  a  few  Evergreens 
in  its  former  course,  we  worked  a  marked  im- 
provement in  this  portion  of  the  grounds.  In 
the  drive  something  similar  was  done  with  re- 
sults quite  as  satisfactory.  Where  preriously  as 
seen  in  the  left  hand  engraving  the  drive 
to  the  stable  was  parallel  with  the  north  line 
of  the  house,  thus  giving  emphasis  to  the 
lines  of  the  building,  our  improvement  called 
for  carrying  this  drive  a  half  further  away  from 
the  house  than  formerly,  thus  admitting  of  a 
graceful  curve  throughout  its  course.  This, 
however,  was  not  the  only  gain.  By  changing 
the  drive  the  lawn  was  here  widened,  with 
the  effect  of  giring  a  broader  setting  to  the  house, 
where  before  there  was  a  suggestion  of  cramjied- 
ness.  Room  was  thus  also  secured  tor  introduc- 
ing several  clumps  of  shrubs  and  some  individual 
specimens  trees  with  excellent  effect  for  pro- 
moting a  balance  in  the  embellishing  features. 
This  widening  outlprocess,  it  will  be  observed, 
favorably  effected  the  yard  to  the  front  of  the 
house  also. 

With  having  thus  made  slight  changes  in  the 
course  of  the  passage  ways  there  came  the  op- 
portunity for  introducing  irregular  clumps  of 
trees  and  shrubs  about  the  home  which  was 
gladly  improved.  Together  the  effect  for  the 
better  has  been  so  great  as  to  call  forth  favorable 
comments  from  all  who  have  visited  the  place, 
both  before  and  after  the  improvements.  More- 
over, the  cost  of  these  changes  was  very  small. 
We  have  no  hesitation  in  saying  that  in  the  eyes 
of  the  average  judge  of  real  estate  values  they 
have  enhanced  the  worth  of  the  ground  twenty 
fold  beyond  the  actual  outlay  in  this  direction. 
It  is  a  point  worthj-  the  attention  of  every  prop- 
ei-ty  owner,  and  especially  every  gardener.  So 
improve  your  surroundings  by  judiciousarrange- 
ment  of  the  features  of  the  place,  and  by  plant- 
ing that  you  will  not  only  derive  increased  pleas- 
ure from  the  same,  but  that  there  will  be  a 
marked  increase  in  the  value  of  your  land  out  of 
all  proportion  to  the  cost.    It  can  he  done. 

Lima  Beans.  We  have  freijucntly  been  com- 
plimented upiin  the  attractive,  really  ornamental 
appearance  of  Lima  Bean  trellis  as  described  and 
illustrated  in  a  former  number.  The  season  has 
been  a  rather  cool  one,  but  the  dry  weather  not 
being  favorable  t«  late  growth,  blooming  and 
fruit  setting,  there  are  at  present  no  immature 
pods  left  on  the  vines;  the  whole  crop  has  been 
utilized.  Of  coui-sc  some  of  the  tirst  pods,  those 
nearest  the  ground,  were  left  to  ripen,  and  are 
now  being  gathered  for  seed.  We  lUways  like  to 
depend  on  a  home  selection  of  Bean  and  similar 
seeds  rather  than  on  purchased  supply.  We  do 
this  in  especial  consideration  of  the  fact  that 
plenty  of  seed  should  be  used  in  order  to  make 
sure  of  a  full  stand  and  a  full  crop.  There  are  so 
many  enemies  of  young  Lima  Bean  plants— cut 
worms,  cold  rains,  gi-ubs,  etc.,— that  we  should 
plant  quite  a  number  of  seeds  for  each  jilant 
which  we  expect  and  desire  to  sec  remain.  It  is 
easy  enough  to  pull  some  uj)  if  there  arc  too 
many;  but  it  is  annoying  to  have  gaps  in  the 
rows.  We  had  planted  what  we  thought  a  great 
sufficiency  of  seed,  and  the  plants  came  up  ijuite 
thickly,  but  so  many  came  to  grief  before  they 
made  much  growth,  that  probably  we  would 
have  had  twice  the  yield  if  twice  the  number  of 
plants  had  remained  in  the  row.  This  we  mention 
in  order  to  urge  our  readers  to  select  as  many  of 
the  best  filled  pods  from  the  lower  parts  of  the 
vine,  and  of  the  nicest  Beans  as  possible  to  ha\'e 


1889. 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


oil  hand  noxt  season  for  stHMi.  The  lilK'ral  use  of 
sectl  is  one  of  thesafe-jruants  <tf  siieecss,  aiitl  it  is 
usually  much  cheaper  to  g^ather  selected  seed 
from  your  own  vines  than  tt>  buy. 

Hetuhfiinn's  liuiih  Lima.  Well,  if  weeouid  have 
only  one,  either  the  old  runnint^  sort  or  the  new 
bush  \'ariety,  we  would  not  hesitate  an  instance 
in  our  choice.  And  this  choice  would  not  lull 
upon  the  Hush  Lima  either.  And  yet  this  latter 
is  not  without  value,  especially  for  the  home 
grower.  It  is  a  number  of  days  earlier  tluui  the 
earliest  of  the  Limas.  It  makes  a  neat,  com- 
pact and  peeuliarly  strong,  stiff  bush.  It 
blooms  freely  and  sets  well,  and  the  pods  being 
close  togrether  in  bunches  or  clustei"s,'it  makes 
easy  picking.  In  quality  it  is  as  good  as  the 
running  Limas.  All  considered  it  fills  a  gap 
very  nicely,  and  the  home  grower  will  mosi 
likely  be  pleased  with  it,  even  if  it  is  small  in 
pod  and  IJcan,  and  perhaps  somewhat  mori' 
tender  than  the  pole  sorts.  We  are  gatherinD 
quite  a  little  seed,  and  shall  i^iant  it  mon 
largely  ne.\t  year. 

Tine  Fiiiits.  We  have  to  record  a  failure 
audit  may  relieve  our  conscience  to  confess 
it.  While  we  have  our  speculations  in  regflr<i 
to  the  causes,  and  think  we  will  be  able  to  de- 
duct some  valuable  lessons  from  this  experi- 
ence (to  be  told  later),  we  deplore  the  fact,  not 
alone  because  we  are  very  fond  of  Melons, 
especially  when  they  are  so  deUciously  fine 
as  Emerald  (Jem  among  the  Musk  sorts,  and 
Volga  among  the  Water  Melons;  but  still 
more  on  account  of  the  negative  result  of 
our  test.  A  few  of  the  varieties  named  have"^' 
managed  to  survive,  and  the  superiority  of 
quality  which  we  find  indicated  in  the  few 
imperfect  specimens  of  this  year's  crop,  only 
serves  to  make  us  long  for  the  feasts  we  had  of 
them  in  ycai-s  before.  We  shall  again  plant 
Emerald  Gem  and  Volga,  and  with  as  much  con- 
fidence as  ever.  Our  illustration  gives  cross 
section  of  a  fair  specimen  of  the  Volga,  which 
is  a  favorite  with  us.  The  seeds  are  small, 
but  much  more  easily  removed  from  the  flesh, 
and  the  latter  crisp,  melting,  sweet  and  delicious. 
What  an  insipid,  coarse,  tough  thing  is  the  aver- 
age Water  Melon  bought  at  the  fruit  stores  when 
compared  with  a  well-ripened  Volga  fresh  from 
the  garden. 

Of  Squashes  we  also  planted  quite  an  assort- 
ment of  varieties  without  being  able  to  show 
better  results  than  in  Melons.  We  may  say, 
however,  that  the  little  Red  China  Squash,  which 
we  here  illustrate,  pleases  us  very  much,  espec- 
ially for  its  attractive  color  and  productiveness; 
but  for  general  uses  it  will  take  something  very 
different  from  it  to  crowd  out  such  sorts  as  Hub- 
bard, Pike's  Peak,  etc. 

The  general  failure  of  vine  fruits  this  season  is 
a  serious  blow  to  many  people  in  this  vicinity 
who  make  a  buiness  of  raising  Pickles  for  market. 
One  of  our  nearest  neighbors  planted  two  acres, 
and  in  spite  of  all  pains  and  reijeated  re-plantings 


Wintering  Flowering  Plants. 

At  the  time  when  the  lirst  fall  frosts.arrive, 
many  whose  yards  are  yet  gay  "with  Gera- 
iiiiiins  anil  other  tender  tlowering  plants, 
see  no  way  to  carry  ii  nood  stock  of  tlie.se 
plants  through  winter,  and  thus  preserve 
them  for  another  year's  service.  Regret- 
fully, but  resignedly,  their  favorites  are 
given  up  to  die.  A  correspondent  of;  New 
York  Tribune  rcciiioiuends  a  place  (which 


ing  water  in  the  pit  to  render  the  air  racist 
by  the  steam  it  gives  off.  In  a  pit  of  this 
size  we  do  not  wish  to  winter  many  large 
plants,  and  so  we  take  slips  of  Geranium 
and  other  large  plants,  and  late  in  the 
season  put  them  in  four  inch  pots. 


THE  RED  CHINA  SQUASH. 

could  not  succeed  in  raising  Pickles  enough  to 
supply  his  own  table,  let  alone  to  sell.  Fortun- 
ately sueh  a  fatal  season  does  not  occur  so  very 
frequently.    We  may  do  better  another  vear. 

Peppers  Riilting.  Not  a  single  perfect  speci- 
men of  Kuby  King  and  Golden  Upright  Pepper  on 
our  vines  this  season.  What's  the  matter  with 
the  Peppers?  The  disease  begins  at  the  blossom 
end  and  works  its  way  toward  the  stem  end.  At 
the  same  time  Procopp's  Giant,  Celestial  and  Hy- 
brids, and  our  unnamed  long  sweet  sort  are  en- 
tirely free  from  disease.  We  cannot  account 
for  these  phenomena. 


THE  VOLGA  WATERMELON. 

he  has  used  for  10  years)  for  such  cases, 
where  houses  cannot  conveniently  be  kept 
warm  enough  to  carry  plants  through  the 
winter,  or  where  a  large  family  and  small 
rooms  make  it  impractical  to  try  to  keep 
them.  Undoubtedly  many  amateurs  could 
enjoy  keeping  plants  by  arranging  a  pit 
similar  to  the  one  described  as  follows: 

Our  dining  room  is  over  the  cellar,  and 
has  a  south  window.  Immediately  under 
this  window  I  made  an  e.xcavation  4?  ,3  feet 
wide,  9  feet  long  and  as  deep  as  the  cellar 
lacking  3  feet.  The  cellar  window  was 
taken  out  and  the  space  enlarged  so  that  a 
small  door  was  hung,  which  enables  us  to 
enter  our  pit  from  the  cellar  without  dis- 
turbing the  sash.  Our  pit  is  boarded  up 
but  if  making  another  I  would  lay  a  brick 
wall,  as  the  boards  rot  and  must  be  renewed 
in  a  few  years.  We  use  three  sash  to  cover 
it,  and  the  upper  end  is  placed  against  the 
house  as  high  as  possible  and  not  to  inter- 
fere with  the  dining  room  window.  To 
make  this  pit  frost-proof  we  place  a  frame 
of  inch  boards  3  feet  distant  from  it  on  all 
sides,  except  next  the  house,  and  each  fall 
bring  a  load  of  fresh  sawdust  and  fill  this 
space.  On  cold  nights  an  old  carpet  is  spread 
over  the  glass,  and  whenever  mercury  is 
liable  to  go  to  zero,  or  below,  we  set  a  com- 
mon kerosene  lamp  In  the  pit.  For  several 
years  we  kept  an  old  iron  kettle  in  it,  and  on 
cold  night  would  carry  down  a  peck  or  so 
of  live  coals  just  before  going  to  bed.  This 
was  objectionable  as  coals  not  only  gave  off 
gas,  and  a  dust  from  the  ashes  settled  on 
the  plants,  but  the  heat  was  irregular  ;  for 
when  first  put  in  the  coals  would  raise  the 
Itemperature  too  high,  and  then  before 
morning  they  would  die,  and  in  very  cold 
weather,  'mercury  by  morning  would  be 
near  freezing  point. 

The  lamp  will  keep  a  uniform  temper- 
ature, and  for  a  pit  the  size  of  mine  (  4i<  by 
9  feet),  a  single  lamp  will  suffice,  even  with 
a  zero  temperature  outside.  We  have  had 
several  nights  with  mercury  from  8  to  14 
degrees  below  zero,  and  then  we  put  in  a 
second  lamp.  We  do  not  try  to  keep  flowers 
blooming  during  the  coldest  weather,  btit 
in  February  and  March  they  can  be  pushed 
forward,  and  thus  Daisies,  Pansies,  Violets, 
Hyacinths  and  other  hardy  bloomers  are 
made  to  contribute  flowers  in  abundance. 
It  is  well  occasionally  to  set  a  kettle  of  boil- 


Strawberries  from  Pot  Layers. 

FETEK  HENDERSON. 

In  your  September  issue,  M.  B.  Faxon 
says  that  "  The  claim  that  Strawberries 
grown  by  this  method  will  produce  a  full 
crop  the  next  season  after  planting  should 
be  taken  with  a  grain  of  allowance."  It 
is  evident  that  Mr.  Faxon  never  gave  this 
system  a  fair  trial,  or  he  surely  never 
would  have  said  so.  That  he  is  not  famil- 
iar with  the  process  is  evident  when  he 
says  that:  "Nearly  all  growers  use  a 
mixture  in  potting  which  becomes  as 
hard  as  a  cobble  stone."  Allow  me  to 
say  that  any  grower  that  knows  his  busi- 
ness, simply  uses  the  soil  in  which  the 
Strawberries  are  growing;  a  competent 
workman  will  layer  in  pots  two  thousand 
plants  in  a  day,  if  he  went  to  the  more 
than  useless  trouble  of  preparing  the  soil, 
he  would  not  put  down  half  that  number. 
We  have  adopted  and  recommended  to 
our  patrons  the  pot-layer  system  for 
Strawberries  for  over  twenty  years,  and 
with  such  satisfactory  restilts  that  from 
a  beginning  of  a  few  thousand  a  year, 
our  sales  of  pot-grown  Strawberry  plants 
now  reach  over  a  quarter  of  a  mUlion  plants 
annually.  But  in  this,  like  many  other 
garden  operations,  a  few  minor  details  are 
essential  to  success. 

We  begin  placing  the  layers  in  2  inch  pots 
here  about  the  end  of  June,  or  as  soon  as 
the  fruit  has  been  gathered;  the  soil  is  soft- 
ened with  a  trowel,  and  the  flower  pots 
filled  with  soil  is  sunk  to  the  surface  level, 
the  joint  of  the  Strawberry  layer  is  placed 
in  the  center  of  the  pot  and  kept  in  place  by 
a  small  stone.  This  stone  besides  keeping 
the  layer  in  place  marks  where  the  pot  has 
been  sunk  so  that  when  the  plants  have  be- 
come rooted,  they  can  be  seen  to  be  taken 
up.  In  ordinary  weather,  plants  layered 
will  be  rooted  sufficiently  to  be  taken  up  in 
about  twelve  days.  Men  new  to  business 
generally  lift  them  up  direct  from  the  ground 
and  ship  them  in  that  condition,  and  as  a 
consequence,  they  are  almost  certain  to  be 
unsatisfactory,  for  the  layer  being  just  de- 
tached from  the  parent  stem,  in  this  state 
is  but  little  better  than  an  ordinary  layer. 
What  should  always  be  done  is  to  lift  the 
layers  up,  place  the  pots  closely  together, 
water  and  shade  for  a  few  days,  when  the 
plants  will  have  filled  the  pots  with  roots. 
In  this  condition,  they  can  be  shipped  safely 
to  be  three  days  in  transit,  and  if  properly 
planted,  not  one  plant  in  five  hundred  need 
be  lost.  We  have  yearly  planted  an  acre  of 
Strawberry  plants  from  pot-grown  layers  in 
this  way  for  upwards  of  twenty  years,  and 
never  yet  have  failed  to  obtain  as  much 
weight  of  fruit  per  plant  in  nine  or  ten 
months  (that  is  plants  set  from  pot-layers  in 
August  or  September,  fruiting  in  .June  of 
next  year)  as  from  plants  that  were  one  year 
older  set  from  ordinary  layers. 

We  only  grow  these  Strawberries  for  our 
own  use  and  to  obtain  stock  from  which  to  get 
pot-layers,  but  if  we  grew  Strawberries  for 
the  fruit  for  sale,  we  would  adopt  no  other 
method  !is  the  large  berries  obtained  from 
these  young  nine  or  ten  months  old  plants 
far  surpasses  that  from  older  plantations. 

Where  the  pot-layer  system  has  failed  has 
been  in  cases  where  the  operator  was  inex- 
perienced in  handling  plants,  few  fruit  grow- 
ers have  such  experience  as  we  too  well 
know,  for  when  we  have  occasion  to  order 
sorts  that  we  happen  to  run  short  of,  in 
most  cases,  the  plants  received  come  in  mis- 
erable condition,  mainly  for  the  reason  that 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


October, 


I  have  before  referred  to,  that  the  layer  is 
cut  direct  from  the  parent  stem  and  shipped 
without  first  being  nursed  for  a  few  days 
sufficiently  rooted. 


The  Tariff  and  Horticulture. 

The  florists  in  the  Buffalo  Convention 
disposed  of  the  question  of  "  dtity  on  bulbs" 
in  short  order.  The  knotty  point  was  dis- 
cussed solely  from  a  business  standpoint, 
leaving  the  political  aspects  entirely  out  of 
consideration. 

It  must  be  said,  however,  that  the  matter 
in  this  case  was  rather  simple.  It  came  to 
light  (1)  that  the  duty  on  bulbs  makes  them 
dearer  and  restricts  their  sale;  (2)  that  bulbs, 
according  to  the  statement  of  I>ong  Island 
bulb  growers,  are  grown  in  this  country 
cheaper  than  they  can  be  imported.  The  in- 
terests of  the  great  body  of  florists,  there- 
fore, demand  reduction  or  abolition  of  the 
bulb  duty,  and  the  society  decided  by  vote 
to  use  its  influence  in  behalf  of  such  reduc- 
tion or  abolition. 

The  question  of  duty  on  fruits  is  very 
much  more  complicated,  and  it  is  not  easily 
determined  just  to  what  extent  the  impor- 
tation of  tropical  fruib?,  especially  of  Ba- 
nanas (which  recently  has  assumed  such 
large  proportions),  influences  the  demand 
for  and  price  of  home  grown  fruits.  It 
should  be  approached  with  calmness,  and 
considered  in  all  its  phases. 

In  a  general  way  we  as  a  nation  doubtless 
do  not  make  use  of  fruits  as  freely  as  we 
should  and  as  would  be  in  the  interest  of 
true  civilization.  To  what  extent  the  free 
importation  and  cheapness  of  Bananas  is 
antagonistic  to  the  free  consumption  of 
domestic  fruits,  especially  Strawberries,  and 
to  what  extent  it  is  merely  an  educationary 
factor  in  gradually  leading  us  to  that  de- 
sirable condition  when  people  cease  to  look 
upon  fruits  as  a  luxury,  and  accept  them  as 
food  for  daily  consumption,  is  yet  a  debatable 
question.  For  many  persons  Bananas  more 
nearly  take  the  place  of  bread  than  of  fruit, 
and  the  more  freely  they  are  used,  the  less 
inclined  are  the  eaters  to  go  without  the 
pleasant  acids  found  in  our  berries. 

Some  facts  may  be  recognized  as  estab- 
lished in  the  case  of  Bananas.  First,  they 
are  wholly  unlike  any  fruits  grown  on 
American  soil;  second,  they  cannot  be  grown 
in  appreciable  quantities  in  America,  hence 
there  can  be  no  such  thing  as  protection  for 
Banana  culture;  third,  the  people— the  Ba- 
nana eaters  themselves— have  learned  to 
like  them  greatly.  Whether  to  raise  the 
price  of  Bananas  again  to  the  high  figure 
that  it  was  20  years  ago,  would  simply  put 
a  check  to  their  free  use,  and  correspond- 
ingly increase  the  use  of  the  acid  small 
fruits,  is  a  difficult  point  to  decide,  and  the 
whole  matter  must  be  considered  in  a  cau- 
tious way. 

Somewhat  simpler  perhaps  is  the  question 
so  far  as  Oranges  are  concerned.  It  seems 
that  California,  Florida  and  Louisiana  could 
after  a  while  furnish  us  with  all  the  Oranges 
that  Americans  might  possibly  use,  and  if 
this  is  the  case,  and  the  home  grown  article 
being  as  good  as  the  imported  one,  un- 
doubtedly a  prohibitive  tax  levied  on  foreign 
Oranges  would  be  beneficial  to  American 
growers. 


Notes  from  my  Conservatory. 

W.  F.   LAKE. 

In  these  days  there  is  hardly  an  excuse 
for  a  lover  of  flowers  being  without  a  fair 
abundance  of  them  in  winter,  and  besides 
having  a  lot  of  small  plants  propagated  as 
his  stocks  affords  opportunity,  to  set  out  of 
doors  in  the  spring.  There  are  very  few 
families  who  do  not  keep  some  kind  of  fire, 
in  at  least  one  room  during  the  whole  night 
in  wniter,  so  that  the  temperature  is  always 
above  freezing  point.    Though  one  may  not 


burn  coal,  the  plants  will  thrive  equally  as 
well,  there  being  no  gases  to  escape  which 
are  of  more  damage  than  the  Irregular  heat 
coming  from  the  wood  fire. 

The  first  winter  flowers  I  ever  had  were 
grown  under  difficulties.  It  was  in  an  old 
stone  house  with  the  deep  recess  windows, 
and  the  cold  could  be  felt  coming  in  every 
small  crack.  I  had  plenty  of  flowers,  the 
plants  being  first  prepared  in  the  usual  way 
for  winter  blooming  by  keeping  buds  off' 
in  the  summer,  and  encouraging  stocky 
growth,  and  every  night  during  the  coldest 
part  of  winter,  they  came  out  of  these  win- 
dows to  be  set  on  a  table  in  the  middle  of 
the  room.  2.50  pots  to  handle  every  night 
and  morning,  was  quite  a  task;  yet  the 
pleasure  derived  from  them  more  than  bal- 
anced the  account.  On  mild  nights,  they 
would  survive  the  cold  with  the  shades  being 
drawn,  and  papers  slipped  between  the  pots 
and  the  walls.  I  had  Callas,  Carnations, 
Cinerarias,  Heliotrope,  Primroses,  Hya- 
cinths, and  a  number  of  old  favorites  in 
flower  all  the  winter.  This  was  a  beginning. 
The  next  winter  I  had  a  conservatory,  and 
after  this,  a  real  greenhouse  of  good  size. 

The  conservatory  was  made  by  putting 
sashes  in  the  front  and  sides  of  one  half  of  a 
veranda  extending  completely  across  the 
eastern  front  of  the  house,  and  a  door  open- 
ing into  it  from  the  sitting  room.  The  ques- 
tion of  keeping  it  warm  first  troubled  me, 
but  I  determined  that  the  stove  at  the  ex- 
treme end  of  the  room  would  be  enough  ex- 
cepting in  some  very  cold  nights,  and  a  trial 
would  soon  show.  In  having  the  glass  put 
in.  I  had  some  tins  bent  and  so  puttied  in 
that  the  water  collecting  on  each  sash  would 
run  down  the  middle  into  a  saucer,  thus 
saving  the  fioor  from  becoming  so  unpleas- 
ant by  the  water  collecting,  as  it  is  sure  to 
do  more  or  less  from  the  windows.  Strong 
brackets  were  put  up' for  three  shelves 
which  with  using  the  floor  for  plants,  really 
gave  me  four. 

These  shelves  were  eighteen  inches  wide. 
At  first  it  would  seem  they  are  far  to  wide, 
there  being  no  glass  on  the  top  of  the  con- 
servatoi-y,  and  a  shelf  directly  above  the 
other,  but  I  found  by  arranging  the  plants 
with  care,  putting  those  requiring  most 
light  outward,  and  the  shade  loving  kinds 
back  of  them,  they  got  enough  sunlight 
from  the  sides  and  through  the  open  spaces 
to  make  them  thrive  well  indeed.  This  con- 
servatory cost  more  than  would  needs  be  in 
most  cases  on  account  of  its  being  in  such 
prominent  place,  and  opening  off  from  a 
main  room  therefore  had  to  be  more  elabor- 
ate. 1  .saw  one  which  held  1000  plants  in 
pots  of  different  sizes,  costing  only  ■*1.5.00  for 
sashes,  the  veranda  having  been  made  at 
the  time  the  house  was  built  the  work  on 
the  conservatory  being  done  in  the  family. 
Of  course  it  was  plain,but  just  as  convenient, 
and  covered  by  plants. 

Mine  has  held  more  than  2,000  pots  every 
winter,of  course  including  the  small  thtimbs 
in  which  were  cuttings  just  rooted,  and  the 
number  of  blooms  produced  seemed  to  be  a 
marvel  to  most  people.  This  was  due  to 
the  care  in  the  choosing  of  the  better  varie- 
ties, those  of  the  freest  bloom  and  best  ha- 
bit. I  had  a  collection  of  something  like 
1.50  Geraniums  culled  from  a  large  number 
purchased  each  season  from  the  florists' 
catalogues,  many  of  which  were  good  for 
nothing  in  the  house  but  were  remarkably 
good  bedders.  Such  were  kept  in  the  cellar 
during  winter  and  planted  again  in  spring. 
The  majority  in  house  were  kept  in  four 
and  five  inch  pots,  with  about  300  in  all, 
placed  next  to  the  glass  on  all  but  the  top 
shelves,  which  were  too  hot  for  Geraniums, 
causing  the  buds  to  blast.  I  believe  it  would 
be  safe  to  say  that  hardly  a  plant  of  these 
Geraniums  were  out  of  bloom  during  the 
winter,  and  most  of  them  had  three  or  more 


clusters  at  once.  Being  arranged  with  an 
eye  to  color;  allowed  to  grow  toward  the 
glass  without  turning,  and  so  prolific,  a 
good  show  from  the  street  was  the  result. 
At  some  future  time  perhaps  I  will  give  a 
complete  list,  large  enough  for  any  amateur, 
of  the  best  blooming  kinds  for  house  culture. 

The  top  south  shelf  is  occupied  with  Cacti 
mostly.  A  large  pot  of  Hoya  takes  up  far 
more  than  its  share  of  glass  room,  while  the 
vine  is  covering  the  ceiling.  I  think  it  will 
be  as  thrifty  when  moved  up  higher  so  that 
the  glass  room  may  be  used  by  something 
requiring  the  sun.  This  plant  which  is  a 
joy  during  the  spring  and  summer  months, 
sometimes  fills  up  an  occasional  cluster 
during  winter,  as  if  jealous  of  the  free  bloom 
of  its  stirrounding  neighbors.  A  few  Koses 
bloom  here  fairly  well,  but  are  somewhat 
troubled  with  red  spider,  because  of  heat 
and  dryness.  Cyclamen,  Primroses,  Bego- 
nias, Bulbs  and  a  large  general  collection 
are  interspersed  over  the  rest  of  the  space, 
allowing  those  requiring  most  light  the  pre- 
ference as  to  position,  filling  in  with  the  less 
particular  ones. 

A  half  dozen  Palms  thrive  very  well  on 
the  floor  in  spite  of  the  brushing  of  peoples' 
clothes  when  examining  the  other  plants. 
We  have  curtains  draped  between  the  room 
and  conservatory,  which  are  easily  let  down 
and  closed  in  case  of  too  much  heat  when 
the  sun  is  shining  which  often  rai.ses  the 
temperature  for  a  couple  of  hours  during 
the  middle  of  the  day  to  85°  or  even  to  !W. 

Water  is  kept  constantly  on  the  stove,  and 
saucers  of  it  are  set  around  between  the 
pots,  sponges  filled  and  put  between  where 
there  is  space.  The  red  spider  does  not 
trouble  much,  and  when  filling  in  the  fall, 
I  never  allow  a  plant  to  go  in  which  has  an 
Insect  of  any  kind  if  I  know  its  so  very 
little  trouble  is  experienced  in  this  direction. 

I  think  if  I  had  it  to  bxiild  again,  I  would 
have  the  floor  taken  out  entirely,  letting 
the  sash  run  to  the  ground  with  either  a 
ground  or  brick  floor,  then  have  steps  down 
from  the  main  room.  With  this,  no  care 
would  have  to  be  taken  as  to  the  amount  of 
water  to  be  used  for  spraying,  and  still 
more  moisture  be  in  the  air.  If  it  proved 
too  cold  in  the  worst  weather,  a  lamp  or 
two  could  be  left  burning  at  night  on  the 
floor  which  would  give  a  considerable  heat. 
A  place  like  this  is  very  much  appreciated 
in  cold  winter,  and  one  often  notes  visitors 
taking  their  book  or  work,  and  sitting  down 
where  it  is  summer  in  preference  to  any 
other  place,  for  veritably  here  is  summer  in 
in  the  dead  of  winter. 


COMMENTS    BY    READERS. 

A  di'j3artm*'nt  to  which  all  are  invited  to  send  notes  of 
ej'perience  n»rf  observation  concerning  topics  that  re- 
cenilu  hai'e  been  treated  on  in  this  Journal.  Many 
suctl  contributions  monthly  are  tcelcome. 

Our  National  Flower.  The  questiim.  which 
shall  it  be,  having  been  submitted  to  the  people 
for  their  decision,  it  behooves  such  of  us  as  shall 
voice  our  opinion  to  do  so  understandingly. 
not  from  caprice  nor  sentiment,  not  in  accord- 
ance with  "dame  fashion's  "  whim,  nor  even  to 
give  precedence  to  our  especial  favorite,  unless 
after  candid  consideration  it  is  found  to  possess 
the  good  qualities  essential  in  our  national  em- 
blem. Other  nations  have  been  guided  in  their 
choice  by  circumstances,  which  caused  patriotic 
sentiment  to  point  to  some  certain  plant  as  the 
one  to  be  honored,  but  we  are,  or  should  be, 
guided  by  judgment  and  a  realizing  sense  of  "  the 
eternal  fitness  of  things."  Let  our  national 
flower  be  a  native  of  our  own  country,  if  such  a 
one  can  be  found  meeting  all  the  requirements. 
It  should  lie  a  flower,  not  a  weed,  grain  nor  for- 
age crop.  Our  national  flower  should  be  capable 
of  being  used  appropriately  upon  all  occasions 
when  patiiotic  sentiment  should  be  e.vpresscd. 
When  we  come  to  prepare  our  Nation's  dead  for 
burial,  or  to  decorate  their  final  resting  place, 
could  we  with  due  respect  employ  the  coarse 
Sunflower,  the  iU-smelling  Golden  Rod  or  the 
useful  Indian  Corn  '/■    And  who  would  not  tire  of 


IS89. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


an  ciiilUss  repetition  iif  iiiitimml  Hnw er  (keoia- 
tions,  whieh  weiv  ineiiinible  of  \  iii-iiitioii,  siivc  in 
design  '!  The  tlowei-  of  the  repiiblie  should  l>e 
dainty  enoiitrli  to  ornament  the  mansion,  ami  not 
too  delieate  for  the  gai-den  of  the  workinjiman,  so 
that  rieh  ami  luior,  ehildrcn  and  aihilts,  maj  vie 
with  eaili  other  in  eultivatinj;  the  "  emblem  of 
the  nation."  A  recent  numlx'r  of  PopuiuiH 
(iAHiiKNiNC.  contiiined  an  artiele  which  coin- 
cided with  ray  views  of  the  subject,  and  named 
the  Phlox  as  a  vilant  eminently  suited  to  lie  our 
national  Hower.  It  is  a  refined  plant  with  deli- 
eate flowers,  in  many  lively  colm-s  and 
shades,  from  purest  white,  with  which  to  . 
deck  the  bride,  or  array  the  silent  forms 
of  our  deail,  to  the  most  brilliant  hues, 
suitt-d  to  fe.stal  occasions.  Another  point 
in  favor  of  the  Phlox  is  its  season  of 
bloom,  some  variety  of  which  is  in  its 
trlory  si.x  mtmths  or  more  of  the  year, 
even  in  this  latitude,  and  how  much  the 
skill  of  the  florist  might  prolong  the 
sea.son.  I  am  not  prepared  tosa.v.  Further- 
more, it  is  a  native  Americau.  I  am  very 
much  surprised  to  find  that  some  of  our 
most  noted  people  have  voted  for  the 
Golden  Kod,  and  I  can  but  think  that 
they  must  have  done  so.  without  con- 
sidering the  question  as  carefully  as  its 
importance  deserves.  Some  one  has  said 
that  it  will  be  something  to  tie  proud  of 
all  our  lives,  that  we  helped  to  choose 
the  national  flower:  so  it  will,  provided 
we  help  t<i  make  a  wise  choice,  other- 
wise it  will  be  a  cause  for  regret.  The 
choice  of  a  floral  emblem  for  a  nation 
such  as  ours,  is  not  a  thing  to  be  lightl.v  5^ 
done,  but  with  careful  consideration 
should  the  selection  be  made,  that  we 
may  not  hold  ourselves  up  to  the  ridicule 
of  our  fellow  nations,  but  having  their 
examples  l>efore  us,  try  at  least  to  equal,  if  not 
excel  them  in  the  wisdom  of  our  choice. 

Water  Lilies.  There  is  no  possible  excuse 
for  any  one  whose  home  garden  bordei-s  upon 
lake,  pond  or  stream,  if  they  do  not  have  at  least 
a  few  of  the  beautiful  and  fragrant  Pond  Lilies, 
and  whether  they  have  these  natural  advantages 
or  not,  they  still  may  have  a  very  few,  provided 
they  love  them  wisely.  In  childhood  I  read  glow- 
ing descriptions  of  their  beauty  and  delicious 
fragrance;  later  I  saw  a  waxen  representation 
of  one;  and  stilllatercaught  a  glimpse  of  a  lovely 
bunch  of  real  live  Water  Lilies.  All  these  occur- 
rences served  to  increase  my  desire  to  have  qne 
for  my  very  own,  and  at  last  I  got  some  roots, 
but  only  one  made  a  feeble  growth  the  first  year 
and  stronger  each  succeeding  year  as  I  became 
better  acquainted  with  its  requirements,  and 
gave  it  better  advantages  for  developing.  Last 
year  it  was  in  a  two  quart  stone  jar,  set  in  a  water  j 
hole,  the  water  was  a  little  too  cold  and  its 
growth  was  smellier  and  later  than  it  should  have 
been.  It  bloomed  in  September.  This  year  I 
transferred  the  root  to  a  two  gallon  stone  jar, 
filling  it  nearly  full  of  leaf  mold  and  sand,  and 
set  it  in  a  dilapidated  wash  tub  sunk  into  the  bed 
of  a  tiny  rivulet  that  runs  near  the  house,  and 
which  nearly  dries  up  during  the  heat  of  sum- 
mer. Here  it  has  done  finely,  and  to-day,  (Aug. 
Lst.l  it  has  upon  it  20  leaves  and  a  plump  bud, 
and  all  the  care  it  has  required  has  been  when 
the  down  pours  of  rain  have  come,  to  remove  the 
jar  from  the  tub  and  set  it  upon  the  bank  until 
the  foaming  torrent  should  once  more  become 
the  trickling  rill,  and  then  to  return  it  to  its 
miniature  lake.  During  winter  it  only  requires 
that  the  jar  containing  the  root  be  set  in  a  pit  or 
cellar  free  from  frost.— Efder's  Wife. 

Spbavlng  With  London  Purple.  I  have 
been  injured  to  the  extent  of  a  good  many  dollars 
by  the  ad\ice  published  in  the  papers  this 
spring  to  spray  fruit  trees  with  a  London  purple 
solution  as  a  remedy  for  curculio  and  codling 
moth.  I  followed  the  directions  given,  using  the 
London  purple  at  the  rate  of  one  pound  tti  iiO 
gallons  of  water,  and  It  nearly  ruined  the  foliage 
and  entire  crop  of  fruit  on  every  tree  it  was  put 
on,  and  in  some  instances  nearly  killed  the  trees. 
I  used  it  on  Apples,  Peaches  and  Plums.  Here- 
tofore I  have  used  Paris  green,  and  never  had  it 
injure  the  foliage.  I  think  papers  should  t>e  very 
careful  in  publishing  untested  remedies,  as  they 
may  do  a  vast  amount  of  injury  thereby.— £.  P. 
Cuinminy.'S. 

Berries  in  Central  Kansas.  In  July  num- 
ber a  correspondent  states  that  he  has  found  It 
impossible  to  raise  Raspberries  successfully  in 
Central  Kansas.  We  are  further  east,  but  during 
the  past  five  seasons  have  not  entirely  failed 


with  HasplH^rries,  cither  black  or  red,  except  in 
l.'*,'<7.  We  seem  to  be  more  successful  than  other 
fruit  growers  here,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  prices  | 
we  obtained,  viz.:  1.1  t<i  2"_')^  cents  per  quart  for 
black,  from  liiS;,  to  IHI  cents  for  red.  Wc  raise 
the  Uregg  for  lilack.  The  Hi-st  two  sciusons 
raised  Cuthtxirt,  and  the  last  two  Shaffer  for  red. 
Our  location  and  soil  are  rather  favorable,  and 
our  berries  arc  raised  on  a  soil  of  only  moderate 
fertilit.v,  sloping  up  from  the  river  bottom  to  the 
limestone  bluff.  We  have  been  troubled  here 
with  rot  and  mildew  on  our  Grapes  this  year, 


THE   BRANCHING  BROCCOLI,  A  NtW   HAC£. 

baring  had  'over  five  Inches  more  rain  than  the 
average  of  the  la.st  21  yeai-s  in  eastern  Kansas. 
Brant,  Black  Defiance,  El  Dorado,  Triumiih  and 
Centennial  have  rotted  badly:  LadyWashington, 
Vergennes,  Agawam  and  Hartford  a  little,  while 
Concord,  Catawba,  Delaware,  Faith,  Flster  and 
Pougbkeepsie,  Moore's  E.irly  and  Pocklington 
have  practically  escaped  so  far.  Moore's  Early, 
Faith  and  Hartford  riiwned  first,  and  were  mar- 
keted as  early  as  Aug.  .5th.  Delaware,  Concord 
and  Pougbkeepsie  about  a  week  behind.— .Sufi. 

Fruits  for  Nebraska.  While  I  admire  Mr. 
Powell's  writings,  and  have  no  doubt  that  he  is  a 
careful  obser\er,  and  would  be  a  safe  guide  for 
an  orchardist  in  New  York,  he  is  certainly  mis- 
taken in  recommending  the  varieties  he  does  for 
the  western  prairies,  and  any  orchardist  or  nurse- 
r>Tnan  west  of  the  Missouri  river  would  say  so. 
The  Fameuse  Is  about  the  only  Apple  in  his  list 
that  is  endorsed  for  this  longitude,  and  that  is 
not  ranked  first.  While  the  varieties  of  the 
European  Plum  and  Sweet  Cherries  are  uni- 
formly successful,  his  list  of  Pears,  Grapes  and 
small  fruits  are  nearer  right  so  far  as  they  will 
stand  a  winter  temperature,  sometimes  going 
below  34°  with  very  little  snow  for  protection.— 
Cha».  H.  Manlcii.  KanSiU. 

Spoiling  Simple  Operations.  This  calls  to 
my  mind  another  instance  of  the  ignorance  of 
many  people  concerning  the  simplest  require- 
ments of  plants.  Calling  at  a  friend's  a  month  ago, 
bis  wife,  replying  to  a  query  of  mine,  said  she 
could  not  have  success  with  window  plants;  she 
was  sure  she  gave  them  good  attention,  but  where 
one  branch  gained  another  lost,  and  she  rarely 
was  rewarded  with  a  blossom.  I  made  an  exam- 
ination and  found  the  soil  in  the  pots  hard  and 
cracked.  Its  surface  had  not  been  stirred,  prob- 
ably, since  the  day  it  was  put  in  the  pot.  I  asked 
the  lady  how  often  she  watered  the  plants  and 
she  replied,  "  Oh,  about  every  day;  the  soil  seems 
to  get  dry  so  soon."  I  thought  it  was  not  sur- 
prising that  the  soil  in  such  condition  should  soon 
get  dry.  Nor  was  T  much  surprised  that  the  soil 
was  in  such  condition  and  that  it  was  watered  so 
often.  Very  many  amateur  growers  are  guilty 
of  these  mistakes.  I  got  an  old  table  knife  and 
loosened  and  fined  the  earth  in  the  pots  to  a 
depth  of  an  inch  and  a  half— the  pots  were  from 
six  to  eight  inches  deep.  It  was  heroic  treatment, 
but  the  only  thing  to  do.  I  instructed  my  friend 
to  keep  the  soil  to  the  depth  of  an  inch  loose  and 
fine,  and  to  water  only  when  this  loose  soil  had 
become  quite  dry— say  once  every  three  to  four 
days  when  the  weather  was  dry  and  hot,  and 
once  a  week  when  the  atmosphere  was  cool  and 
moist;  and  when  she  did  water  the  plants  to  do 
the  work  thoroughly— to  saturate  the  sou.  I  met 
her  this  morning  and  the  first  thing  she  said  was. 


"<)h,  you  should  stv  those  plants.  I've  followed 
your  instructions  and  the  plant*  have  grown 
more  during  the  last  month  than  they  had  grown 
during  the  six  months  before.  E\ery  plant  is 
thrifty."  The  chief  ad\antagc  in  keeping  the 
surface  soil  loose  ami  tine  is  in  regulating  the 
moisture  supply.  This  stops  the  capillary  water 
just  below  the  surface,  henceitisnot  evaporated 
anil  wasted.  Hence  less  waterings  are  required; 
and  as  the  air  is  also  admitted,  sowing  and  pud- 
dling are  avoided.  The  soil  is  kept  sweet  and 
lively;  wholesome  and  generous  to  the  plants. — 
Jo?in  M.  Stahl. 

Burning  Over  Strawberry  Beds.  I 
have  seen  some  reference  in  your  col- 
umns or  elsewhere  to  this  subject.  For 
several  years  I  have  burned  my  .Straw- 
berry beds  over  just  as  soon  as  possible 
after  berries  are  all  picked,  selecting  a 
time  when  the  mulch  of  Straw  is  suffici- 
ently dry,  and  when  there  is  a  brisk  wind, 
if  possible,  blowing  lengthwise  of  the 
matted  rows.  Then  I  go  through  be- 
tween the  rows  two  or  three  times  with 
a  Planet  Jr.,  cultivator,  or  its  like, 
loosening  up  the  soil  before  it  becomes  dry 
and  hard;  then  after  plants  are  started 
enough  to  see  them.  I  turn  off  a  part  of  the 
row  on  each  side  with  a  small  steel  turn- 
ing plow  with  rolling  coulter  attached, 
'earing  about  a  foot  in  width  of  plants, 
which  can  be  readily  cleaned  out.  after- 
ward working  down  the  back  fuiTow 
between  the  rows,  against  the  row  of 
plants.  Then  you  have  loose  mellow  soil 
next  to  the  plants  for  them  to  throw  out 
runners  upon  and  make  a  lot  of  vigor- 
ous new  ones  along  the  edge  of  old 
row.  Occasionally  I  go  through  with 
the  one  horse  Harrow  cultivator  nar- 
rowed down,  to  kill  weeds  and  throw 
runners  around  in  place,  so  that  by  winter  there 
will  be  as  clean  and  rigorous  matted  row  as  in 
first  season's  setting.  I  have  kept  beds  three  and 
four  years  in  this  way  in  good,  clean,  healthy 
condition.  Some  in  this  section  of  the  state  are 
losing  acres  of  Strawberry  beds  by  the  new 
"Strawberry  root  louse."  Mine  are  free  from 
insects  and  blight,  except  "grub"  occasionally 
Vines  green,  vigorous  and  healthy— besides 
have  had  some  dishes  of  second  crop  in  Septem- 
ber, some  of  them  as  fine  and  large  as  berries  in 
June.  With  not  too  much  mulch  upon  the 
plants  the  fire  does  not  destroy  many  plants,  but 
kills  weeds,  seeds,  and  insects,  and  has  never 
failed  to  be  a  success  with  me.— A .  M.  N. 


A  New  Race  of  Broccoli. 

Broccoli  is  perhaps  not  a  very  popular  nor 
generally  cultivated  vegetable;  but  we  ven- 
ture to  say  that  nothing  would  tend  to  make 
it  more  popular  than  to  drop  the  foreign 
sounding  name  Broccoli,  and,  hy  common 
consent  call  it  Winter  Cauliflower,  unless  it 
be  the  introduction  of  the  new  branching 
sort  announced  for  next  spring  by  English 
papers.  If  we  can  grow  it  here  to  equal  the 
specimen  sent  by  Messrs.  Sutton  &  Sons  of 
Reading,  England,  to  the  office  of  Garden- 
ing World,  every  gardener,  we  are  sure,  will 
desire  to  have  it  in  his  garden. 

The  plant,  a  reduced  picture  of  which  we 
here  present,  consisted  of  a  strong  central 
OF  main  stem,  together  with  ten  strong 
lateral  branches  originating  from  the  prim- 
ary one  near  the  ground.  Each  of  these 
stems  bore  a  head  of  "  Winter  Cauliflower," 
the  central  one  being  the  largest,  measuring 
seven  inches  in  diameter  and  as  many  in 
thickness.  Each  of  the  ten  laterals  produced 
a  head  from  two  to  four  inches  in  diameter; 
but  the  lateral  heads  are  later  and  grow 
after  the  main  hea<l  is  cut  out.  Smaller 
branches,  also  bearing  heads,  start  from  the 
secondary  stems,  and  the  plant  if  given  a 
good,  rich,  moist  soil  and  plenty  of  space, 
say  four  feet  each  way,  may  continue  to 
branch  and  bear  heads  in  a  truly  wonderful 
way.  Cultivation  and  selection,  it  is 
thought,  will  in  time  give  the  heads  what  is 
somewhat  wanting  now — a  more  refined 
appearance.  Still  we  have  a  fine  start  here, 
and  this  new  race  of  "  Winter  Cauliflower," 
provided  it  answers  the  description,  will  be 
heartily  welcomed. 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


October, 


Judge  Miller's  Fruit  Notes. 

The  Neweu  Stuawhehiiies.  The  great 
numl)er  that  have  come  out  within  a  few 
years  was  enough  to  bewilder  a  novice,  and 
if  you  wished  to  get  the  best,  there  was  but 
one  way,  namely,  to  get  them  all;  for  each 
one  was  claimed  to  be  superior  to  all  others. 
Where  is  now  the  galaxy  that  loomed  up? 
Ijike  the  Meteor's  beauty  they  soon  van- 
ished; yet  a  few  remain  to  illuminate  our 
path.  Among  these  I  would  name  Uubach 
No.  ft,  Belmont  and  Gandy. 

The  first  named  is  with  me  almost  fault- 
less. It  might  be  a  little  better  in  quality, 
but  it  is  (juite  good.  Some  say  too  soft,  but 
I  can  pick  it  one  day  and  ship  it  the  next, 
reaching  its  destination  at  4  p.  M.  that  day, 
and  in  perfect  order. 

Belmont  is  a  large,  handsome,  excellent 
berry,  in  fact,  to  my  taste  one  of  the  best. 
Productive  and  moderately  firm. 

In  Gandy  we  have  the  most  reliable  late 
berry  yet  brought  out.  Plant  very  vigor- 
ous, productive  of  the  largest^sized  berries, 
of  a  handsome  orange  color,  and  of  excellent 
quality.  I  could  ship  it  a  thousand  miles  in 
safety.  Coming  as  it  does  when  the  others 
are  about  gone,  is  one  of  its  best  character- 
istics. Without  any  petting  or  thinning  of 
the  fruit  we  had  both  Bubach  and  Gandys, 
twenty  berries  of  which  filled  a  quart  box. 

Ten  new  varieties  were  sent  me  last  spring 
to  test,  and  from  their  behavior  I  am  satis- 
fled  that  any  berry  brought  out  now  must 
be  no  slouch  if  it  expects  to  have  a  run.  In 
addition  to  these  quite  a  number  of  men 
have  written  me  what  a  wonderful  new 
Strawberry  they  have. 

My  intention  is  to  prepare  a  bed  to  hold 
twelve  plants  of  every  variety  I  have,  set 
them  out  as  soon  as  young  runners  are 
strong  enough;  give  all  an  even  chance,  and 
if  spared  until  fruiting  next  sea.son,  make 
comparisons  between  them. 

I  will  give  $1,000  for  a  Strawberry  plant 
that  is  healthy  and  vigorous,  as  productive 
as  Crescent,  as  large  as  Bubach,  the  color  of 
Crescent  (I  like  that),  with  the  quality  of 
Ladies'  Pine,  and  firmness  of  Capt.  Jack. 

To  show  how  vain  it  is  to  jump  at  conclu- 
sions in  these  matters,  will  state  that  out  of 
a  dozen  new  ones  here,  one  of  the  most 
promising  ones  will  go  under.  It  won't 
stand  our  hot,  dry  Missouri  weather,  as  the 
plants  are  wilting  now,  while  all  the  rest 
keep  fresh.  Before  a  new  Strawberry  can 
be  fully  recommended  for  general  culture, 
it  should  be  tried  in  different  soils  and 
localities,  as  well  as  considerable  range  of 
latitude.  At  this  date  there  is  a  plant  sent 
me  as  No.  7,  with  three  nice  berries  and  one 
blossom  on  it.  These  are  on  a  side  shoot 
like  a  sucker  coining  from  the  stump  of  a 
tree.  If  this  can  be  detached  from  the  main 
plant  with  some  root,  it  will  be  set  apart 
and  perhaps  we  may  get  a  late  strain. 

My  Strawberry  crop  the  past  season  was 
most  satisfactory,  and  lasted  near  two  weeks 
longer,  from  first  to  last,  than  ever  before. 

Early  Peaches.  They  nearly  all  rotted. 
Hot,  rainy  weather  just  at  the  wrong  time, 
with  the  cureulio  in  advance  done  the  bus- 
iness. The  "  Turkish  Army  "  never  invaded 
my  dominions  before,  and  I  was  neither 
forewarned  nor  forearmed,  and  taken  by 
storm.  Another  season,  if  on  hand  yet,  will 
find  me  prepared  for  them. 

Nuts  and  Nut  Tuees.  The  time  is  near 
at  hand  when  the  nuts  for  planting  should 
be  gathered.  That  this  branch  of  industry 
has  not  only  lieen  too  much  neglected,  but 
that  many  valualile  Nut-bearing  trees  are 
annually  cut  down,  which  should  remain, 
we  all  well  know,  and  I  hope  this  article 
may  induce  many  to  save  their  trees.  It 
seems  like  sacrilege  to  cut  down  a  good  Nut- 
bearing  tree  that  has  stood  perhaps  a  cen- 
tury; merely  to  give  a  little  more  land  to 
put  in  cultivated  crops. 


Not  more  than  five  miles  from  here  is  a 
grove  of  Pecan  trees  of  near  one  hundred  in 
number,  scattered  over  about  six  acres,  on 
which  land  the  owner  raises  crops  of  grain 
nearly  equal  to  that  on  clear  land,  and  in 
some  seasons  realizes  more  than  a  hundred 
dollars  from  the  nuts.  The  expense  of  gath- 
ering them  is  but  trifling  as  his  children 
who  are  too  small  to  do  much  other  work 
pick  them  up.  Last  fall  I  paid  the  o^vner 
eight  dollars  for  the  product  of  a  single  tree; 
the  largest  known  in  these  parts.  After  dis- 
tributing all  over  the  country,  with  instruc- 
tions how  to  treat  them,  the  balance  were 
packed  in  sand  in  a  shallow  box  left  out  on 
the  ground  exposed  to  the  elements. 

This  spring  they  were  planted  in  a  row, 
one  inch  deep  and  two  inches  apart.  They 
are  now  from  six  to  ten  inches  in  height,  and 
are  a  very  handsome  set  of  seedlings.  Count- 
ed them  a  few  days  ago  and  found  that  there 
are  about  eight  hundred.  At  the  age  of  sev- 
enty a  man  cannot  well  expect  to  see  fruit 
from  them,  but  those  who  follow  us  may. 

This  nut  is  a  commercial  article  and  is 
eagerly  sought  after.  Louisiana  and  Te.xas 
furnishes  a  much  larger  nut  than  grows  in 
this  latitude,  as  a  rule,  but  on  trial  they  are 
found  too  tender  where  the  mercury  falls  to 
30  and  40°  below  zero,  while  those  I  have 
raised  are  from  a  tree  that  has  withstood  the 
storms  and  winters  of  a  century. 

Some  recommend  cutting  off  the  tap  root 
when  transplanting,  but  this  seems  to  me 
wrong;  mine  will  be  planted  as  they  are,  and 
in  taking  them  up,  great  care  will  be  taken 
to  keep  the  root  entire.  Deep  rich  soil  is 
where  they  grow  best,  and  they  vrill  come 
into  bearing  in  eight  or  ten  years.  Walnuts 
should  be  gathered  in  the  fall,  spread  out 
thinly  on  the  ground,  and  slightly  covered, 
and  in  the  spring  planted  about  two  inches 
deep.  They  grow  very  fast,  and  will  often 
attain  a  height  of  three  feet  the  first  season. 

Hickory  nuts  can  be  treated  in  the  same 
manner,  but  it  is  not  as  essential,  as  they 
will  grow  after  being  dry  for  two  years. 
Three  little  Hales'  Paper-shell  Hickory  nut 
trees  six  inches  big  now,  is  the  result  of  put- 
ting three  nuts  in  the  ground  last  fall,  which 
were  sent  me  by  friend  A.  S.  Fuller,  three 
years  ago,  and  had  laid  in  my  seed  drawer 
all  that  time. 

Acorns  and  Chestnuts  need  a  little  differ- 
ent treatment.  Those  who  are  observant, 
must  have  seen  Acorns  in  a  wet  fall  send  out 
a  sprout  near  a  finger's  length,  and  push  it 
into  the  soil.  Supposing  that  Chestnuts 
would  do  the  same,  a  few  years  ago,  I  got  a 
few  quarts  from  the  East  with  instructions 
to  not  let  them  get  dry.  As  soon  as  they  ar- 
rived they  were  set  in  a  drill  two  inches 
apart  each  way,  covering  about  an  inch  and 
a  half  deep.  The  following  spring,  ere  veg- 
etation had  started,  I  found  on  examination 
that  they  had  made  some  root  in  the  fall. 
They  nearly  all  grew  and  made  fine  trees, 
and  although  of  a  large  and  excellent  vari- 
ety, I  have  commenced  grafting  them  with 
the  Paragon.  This  is  perhaps  the  most  valu- 
able Chestnut  in  America,  and  Henry  M. 
Engle  deserves  the  thanks  of  his  countrymen 
for  bringing  it  out.  The  beauty  of  it  is  its 
excellent  quality  along  with  the  large  size 
of  the  nut,  and  the  number  of  nuts  in  one 
burr  which  runs  from  three  to  five  as  far  as 
I  have  seen  it. 

This  latter  is  easily  grafted  with  fair  suc- 
cess, while  the  Hickory  and  Walnut  are 
more  difficult.  After  trying  for  three  years 
to  grow  the  Pecan  on  Hickory,  of  which 
more  than  one  hundred  were  set,  have  now 
just  three  more  grafts  growing.  Two  of 
these  are  a  Hybrid  between  Shellbark  Hick- 
ory and  Pecan,  and  a  very  valuable  one. 
Last  spring  I  tried  a  different  plan  and  suc- 
ceeded in  growing  one.  This  will  be  tried 
next  spring  if  I  am  spared  so  long,  and  the 
result,  as  well  as  the  mode,  given  to  the 


readers.  It  will  be  time  enough  for  those 
who  start  seedlings.  All  my  attempts  of 
budding  have  failed,  although  the  bark  sys- 
tem, or  half  girdle,  was  practised.  The  very 
dry  weather  may  have  been  to  blame  for  this 
failure. 

That  the  difficulty  will  be  overcome  I  am 
satisfied.  On  my  new  plan  the  branch  is 
not  cut  off  until  the  graft  is  sure  of  growing, 
thus  saving  the  tree  in  full  form  in  case  the 
graft  fails.  As  an  experiment  I  budded  some 
Chestnut  on  Chestnut  trees,  also  on  Oak, 
but  Ihe  latter  failed. 


Black  Raspberries  and  Their  Habits 
of  Growth. 

B.  HATHAWAY,  CASS  CO.,  MICH. 

In  estimating  the  relative  value  of  the  dif- 
ferent varieties  of  this  fruit,  few  people  take 
into  account  the  difference  in  the  habit  of 
growth  of  the  canes. 

After  many  years  of  experience  in  the 
field-culture  of  Raspberries  I  am  led  to  be- 
lieve that  very  much  more  attention  should 
be  given  to  this  subject  than  is  usually  ac- 
corded to  it. 

The  Ideal  Stand,  ok  Hill.  This  should 
contain  a  sufficient  number  of  canes,  and 
there  will  not  likely  be  too  many.  In  fact, 
as  a  rule,  the  more  the  better— the  more 
canes  the  more  fruit.  They  should  stand  up 
well  without  being  too  stiff.  The  fewer  the 
canes  the  larger  and  the  stiffer  they  are,  and 
more  likely  to  be  broken  by  the  wind,  or  in 
the  necessary  handling  during  cultivation. 
The  smaller  the  canes  the  more  elastic  they 
are,  and  therefore  less  likely  to  be  broken. 
That  system  of  planting  and  culture  which 
will  encourage  the  growth  of  a  large  num- 
ber of  canes  is  the  best.  Eight  to  ten  canes 
in  a  hill  are  none  too  many,  and  much  to  be 
preferred  to  four  or  five,  the  usual  number. 

The  Souhegan.  I  mention  this  as  a  type 
of  the  most  objectionable  habit  of  plant  of 
any  I  know.  It  makes  few  canes,  and  those 
are  stiff,  thorny,  and  liable  to  get  broken. 
To  add  to  the  trouble,  its  later  growth  is 
weak  and  trailing,  making  it  particularly 
objectionable.  It  cannot  be  recommended 
for  field  culture,  nor  for  any  culture  except 
when  earliness  is  of  paramount  importance. 

The  Hilbohn.  This  has  a  better  habit,  a 
larger  berry,  and  it  ripens  early  and  all  at 
once,  making  it  more  desirable  than  the  fore- 
going, though  its  weak  canes,  as  compared 
to  the  larger  growing  sorts,  do  not  recom- 
mend it  for  field  culture. 

The  Ohio.  While  this  variety  is  largely 
planted  for  field  culture,  especially  for  the 
purpose  of  evaporating,  it  is  very  far  from 
giving  satisfaction  in  the  growth  of  its  canes. 
Until  the  third  year  it  will  persist  in  trail- 
ing on  the  ground,  and  it  never  gets  above 
showing  a  disposition  to  require  some  sort 
of  trellis  or  support.  It  is  hardy,  a  good 
bearer,  the  fruit  is  large,  though  not  the 
largest,  im<\  it  will  probably  continue  to  be 
planted  in  locations  where  the  more  desira- 
ble kinds  have  proved  tender,  or  until 
equally  good  kinds,  or  better,  have  been 
originated,  with  a  more  desirable  habit  of 
growth.  The  Ohio  has  miule  canes  for  me 
that  measured  eighteen  feet,  which  is  at 
least  twice  too  much.  It  has  been  claimetl 
for  it  that  it  required  less  fruit  to  make  a 
given  number  of  pounds  of  the  dry  product, 
in  evaporating.  This  is  not  confirmed  by 
my  experience,  but  quite  otherwise.  It  is 
more  juicy  than  some  others,  notably  Gregg. 

The  Guegg.  This  comes  nearest  having 
the  ideal  cane  of  any  I  have  tried.  Like  the 
rest,  it  does  not  stand  up  the  first  year,  but 
it  soon  gets  up  and  then  it  needs  no  trellis. 
It  makes  abundance  of  canes,  where  well 
established,  and  they  are  elastic,  so  they  sel- 
dom get  broken,  and  for  size  of  fruit  it  is 
superior  to  any  other,  while  for  productive- 
ness it  is  very  satisfactory.     If  surpassed  in 


1889. 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


this  ri'fiiird  by  the  Ohio — wliicU  is  uot  prov- 
en— I  tiiiil  the  GregK,  tiiken  for  a  series  of 
years,  the  most  satisfactory  variety  I  grow. 
It  will  not  withstand  the  same  degree  of 
cold  as  the  Ohio,  and  this  must  be  taken  in- 
to account  by  the  planter,  and  where  the 
land  is  low  it  should  be  discarded.  But  on 
suit.ible  soil  and  given  the  proper  culture,  it 
is,  1  believe,  the  most  desirable  sort  we  have. 
Oiu!  characteristic  not  to  be  overlooked  in 
estimating  its  value,  is  its  large  size.  The 
pickers  like  it.  I  find  they  prefer  to  pick  it 
at  30  cents  a  crate  rather  than  the  Ohio  at 
35  cents,  when  both  are  at  their  best,  and  in 
the  later  pickings  the  difference  is  greater. 

I  find  also  that  the  Gregg  is  the  best  for 
evaporating,  in  the  face  of  the  fact  of  the 
popularity  of  the  Ohio  for  this  purpose.  It 
is  less  likely  to  get  mussy,  and  the  dried 
berries  are  proportionately  larger  dry  than 
the  other  sorts,  and  bring  more  a  pound. 

The  Nem.\h.\.  This  comparatively  new 
sort  is  so  nearly  like  the  Gregg  in  its  habit 
that  there  is  little  to  choose  between  the  two 
on  that  point.  The  fruit,  however,  is  not  so 
large  as  that  of  the  Gregg.  If  it  is,  as 
claimed,  more  hardy,  that  is  in  its  favor. 
But  in  the  three  or  four  years  I  have  had  it 
on  trial  I  have  seen  little  if  any  difjerence, 
as  to  hardiness,  between  it  and  the  Gregg. 

I  omit  notes  on  other  varieties,  as  those 
named  are  the  leading  sorts  in  cultivation 
and  represent  the  various  habits  of  growth 
of  the  several  kinds,  which  was  my  main 
purpose  of  this  writing. 


Storing  Apples  for  Winter. 

There  can  be  no  doubt,  at  this  time,  that 
this  year's  Apple  crop  is  a  very  short  one.  A 
large  share  of  what  there  is  grown,  also  seems 
to  be  utterly  unfit  for  market — gnarled, 
cracked,  scabby,  small  and  poor  generally. 
We  will  not  have  to  store  gnorJ  Apples,  this 
fall,  to  be  kept  over  because  we  do  not  know 
what  else  to  do  with  them.  If  we  do  store 
any,  however,  we  should  use  all  the  more 
care,  for  apparently,  "Apples  will  be 
Apples,"  ne.xt  spring. 

Some  good  advice  about  storing  Apples 
was  given  recently  In  the  Farmers'  Call. 
Our  friend  Stahl  says:  First  of  all,  gather 
the  Apples  carefully.  A  bruise  is  sure  to  de- 
cay, not  only  spoiling  one  Apple,  but  all  in 
contact.  Assort  the  Apples  carefully,  select- 
ing out,  for  immediate  use,  those  bruised  or 
showing  decayed  spots. 

Leave  in  the  orchard,  in  piles  of  not  more 
than  ten  bushels,  for  six  weeks,  unless  there 
is  danger  of  the  Apples  being  frozen.  Protect 
by  a  covering  of  straw  by  night,  and  shield 
from  rain  by  a  tight  roof.  This  roof  may  be 
made  by  driving  down  forked  stakes;  in  the 
stakes  lay  poles  to  support  boards,  lapped. 

Or  the  Apples  may  be  put,  as  gathered,  on 
the  floor  of  a  dry,  airy  outhouse  or  shed,  but 
not  deeper  than  eighteen  inches.  Do  not  put 
any  straw  or  hay  on  the  floor,  or  in  the  bins. 

At  the  end  of  six  weeks,  or  earlier  if  the 
weather  threatens,  remove  them  to  the  cel- 
lar, if  you  have  one  that  can  be  kept  just 
above  the  freezing  point  and  well  ventilated. 
Put  them  in  bins  not  more  than  eighteen 
inches  deep,  but  as  wide  and  long  as  is  con- 
venient; the  bins  raised  on  legs  or  blocks 
eighteen  inches  from  the  floor,  and  the  sides, 
bottom  and  ends  made  of  slats  two  inches 
wide  and  one  inch  apart. 

Apples  may  be  kept  in  barrels,  store  boxes 
or  tight  bins,  but  will  not  keep  so  well.  Use 
no  straw,  hay  or  anything  in  the  bins, 
boxes,  or  barrels. 

Assort  the  Apples  once  every  month  if  you 
desire  to  keep  them  as  long  as  possible,  us- 
ing those  that  have  begun  to  rot  or  threaten 
to  decay. 

Lacking  the  cellar,  pit  the  Apples.  Make 
the  pit  on  a  high  point,  where  the  water  will 
be  drained  away.  Excavate  one  foot  deep 
and  three  wide,  and  as  long  as  is  necessary, 


throwing  the  earth  on  each  side,  Fill  in 
w  ith  Apples  to  the  surface  of  the  ground 
and  ridge  them  up  a-s  high  as  you  can.  Cov- 
er first  with  (Irii  earth  to  the  depth  of  six 
inches;  next  six  inches  of  straw;  then  earth 
and  stable  manure  until  the  covering  is  so 
deep  that  the  Apples  will  be  safe.  Put  the 
manure  on  the  outside  and  as  deep  as  the 
last  layer  of  earth.  Putting  on  the  last  lay- 
ers may  be  deferred  until  severe  weather  is 
imminent.  Always  dig  a  shallow  ditch 
around  the  pit,  to  carry  ofT  surface  water. 


The  Possibilities  and    Future  of  Irri- 
gation. 

While  from  everywhere  we  hear  reports  of 
increasing  rainfall,  flooded  lands,  grain  and 
Potatoes  rotting  from  excess  of  moisture, 
etc.,  here,  although  right  in  the  midst  of  the 
immense  water  ascumulations  of  the  "Great 
Lakes"— the  swift  current  of  the  powerful 
Niagara  close  by,  and  the  Erie  Lake,  with 
its  broad  expanse  and  inexhaustible  supply 
of  water  many  feet  above,  less  than  twenty 
miles  distant — we  were  parched  and  burned 
up,  the  surface  of  soil  opened  with  deep 
cracks  waiting  for  the  long  delayed 
rain,  plants  drooping  in  despair,  and  all 
foliage  coated  with  a  thick  layer  of  dust. 
With  the  vast  and  inexhaustible  reservoirs 
only  waiting  to  be  tapped,  close  by,  we 
allow  our  late  crops  to  be  greatly  decreased 
in  yield,  or  almost  entirely  ruined,  just  for 
the  want  of  moisture— hundreds  of  thou- 
sands, perhaps  millions  of  dollars,  lost  in 
crops,  simply  becau.se  we  have  failed  to 
grasp  our  opportunities. 

There  are  hundreds  and  thousands  of 
localities  where  similar  opportunities  exist, 
and  are  neglected  as  they  are  here.  Ad- 
vanced agriculture  will  not  tolerate  such 
neglect  much  longer.  What  a  garden 
spot,  hundreds  of  square  miles  in  extent, 
would  be  the  result  if  a  line  of  pipe,  branch- 
ing in  every  direction,  were  laid  from  Lake 
Erie  through  this  fine  farming  section. 
Independent  of  the  water  supply  of  the 
clouds,  we  Wfluld  double  our  fruit,  grain 
and  vegetable  crops. 

That  this  will  come  after  awhile  we  have 
no  doubt.  In  the  meantime,  however,  it 
will  do  no  harm  to  hurry  up  this  desirable 
achievement  by  agitation. 

.As  stated  in  a  previous  article,  we  believe 
in  SOU  soaking,  not  in  surface  sprinkling, 
since*  we  have  learned  by  experience  and 
experiment,  that  the  quantity  of  water 
required  for  successful  irrigation  is  far  be- 
yond our  "carrying"  or  "carting"  power. 
Lilting  water  into  tanks  or  reservoirs  by 
means  of  windmills,  etc.,  may  do  well 
enough  for  small  garden  spots ;  but  little 
reliance  could  be  placed  on  such  devices  for 
the  irrigation  of  whole  farms.  We  are  not 
as  sanguine  as  Mr.  Henry  Stuart,  when  he 
says,  in  N.  Y.  Times,  that  one  inch  of  water 
constantly  running  may  save  fifty  acres  of 
grain  if  available  at  a  critical  period  when 
the  grain  is  forming  or  filling  ;  and  to  raise 
this  water  might  not  cost  one-tenth  part  of 
the  value  gained.  Otherwise  the  advan- 
tages of  irrigation  are  plainly  set  forth  by 
this  distingulshe€l  author. 

Up  to  a  certain  limit,  says  Mr.  Stuart, 
the  most  profitable  growth  of  all  useful 
plants  depends  essentially  upon  a  maximum 
quantity  of  water.  And  as  a  rule,  except 
under  a  system  of  irrigation,  a  sufficient 
quantity  of  water  for  a  maximum  yield  is 
rarely,  it  ever,  supplied  by  the  rainfall. 
Moreover,  when  the  quantity  of  rain  is  sup- 
plied within  the  year,  it  frequently  falls 
when  it  is  not  required  in  such  abundance, 
and  very  often  falls  disastrously  and  when 
it  is  positively  injurious. 

Every  farmer  will  admit  that,  could  he 
control  the  rainfall,  he  could  grow  better 
crops  than  by  dependence  upon  the  irregu- 
lar natural  supply.    The  greatest   anxiety 


which  falls  upon  the  mind  of  the  farmer  is 
due  to  the  variableness  of  the  weather. 
Those  farmers  who  depend  wholly  upon 
irrigation  for  their  crops  enjoy  advantages 
over  others  which  not  only  free  them  from 
these  tormenting  anxieties,  but  which  make 
their  labors  much  more  profitable.  They 
sow  their  seed  without  waiting  days  and 
weeks  for  rain  to  soften  the  land  so  that  it 
can  be  plowed,  and  they  are  not  forced  to 
lose  valuable  time  and  risk  ruinous  damage 
when  excessive  rain  falls  unsea.sonable. 
Where  the  water  can  be  turned  on  to  the 
land  just  when  it  is  wanted,  and  may  be 
withheld  when  it  is  not  wanted,  the  farmer 
may  be  considered  the  happiest  of  mortals, 
for  his  seed  time  is  certain  and  his  harvest 
is  sure,  and  destructive  insect  pests,  even, 
can  be  controlled.  Indeed  the  avantages  of 
irrigation  are  such,  and  the  scope  for  its  use 
is  so  broad  and  vast,  that  it  would  seem  to 
be  within  the  range  of  possibility  that  profits 
able  agriculture  will,  in  course  of  time  (not 
far  distant  either)  be  possible  only  where 
farmers  can  control  the  supply  of  water. 

But  for  the  present  it  is  matter  for  consid- 
eration if  farmers,  even  in  localities  where 
the  rainfall  is  ample  in  the  aggregate, 
although  irregularly  spread  through  the 
season,  might  not  make  such  a  use  of  the 
excess  that  is  wasted  as  to  supply  the  needs 
of  their  crops  when  rain  is  withheld,  and 
the  parched  soil  cannot  feed  the  crops. 
There  can  be  no  doubt  of  such  a  possibility. 
It  has  been  proved  in  practice  for  centuries 
back  in  the  case  of  the  water  meadows  of 
Europe  and  England,  which  have  been  pro- 
ducing the  largest  yield  of  grass  by  means 
of  irrigation,  and  so  far  as  the  growth  of 
grass  is  concerned  it  is  beyond  question  that 
millions  of  acres  on  the  borders  of  the  in- 
numerable streams,  large  and  small,  which 
now  flow  uselessly,  could  be  so  fitted  as  to 
produce  four  or  five  tons  of  hay  to  the  acre 
annually,  year  after  year,  for  one  knows  not 
how  long  a  period. 

At  times,  when  these  streams  are  swollen, 
they  are  carrying  to  the  ocean  uncountable 
tons  of  the  richest  fertilizing  matter  of 
which  they  have  denuded  the  land,  and  a 
great  part  of  this  might  be  arrested  by  turn- 
ing the  water  over  the  meadows,  prepared 
to  receive  it  in  such  quantity  as  to  supply 
the  soil  with  .sufficient  moisture  to  produce 
a  full  crop  in  spite  of  succeeding  drought. 

This  is  one  of  the  possibilities  of  irrigation 
that  presents  itself  to  every  farmer  who  has 
land  suitable  for  it.  It  may  be  called 
natural  irrigation,  because  nothing  more  is 
needed  than  to  reach  out  the  hand  and 
gather  In  the  vast  wealth  that  nature  is 
pouring  with  lavish  waste  past  every  farmer 
so  situated. 


What  to  Do  With  Coal  Ashes. 

A.  P.  REED.  CUMBERLAND  UOUNIT,  ME. 

Coal  ashes,  I  think,  are  commonly  re- 
garded as  comparatively,  if  not  utterly, 
worthless.  Indeed,  I  think  they  are,  so  far 
as  their  fertilizing  quality  is  concerned.  I 
have  a  pile  of  coal  ashes  in  my  yard  which 
has  been  there  over  a  year,  and  around 
which  the  grass  does  not  grow  one  whit 
better  than  by  the  roadside.  Grass  is  as  re- 
sponsive as  anything  and  should  show  the 
effects  of  coal  ashes  here  if  there  is  any 
effect  to  show. 

But  I  have  some  uses  for  coal  ashes  that 
seem  pratical,  and  may  help  some  to  dispose 
of  surplus  accumulations.  In  the  first  place 
they  serve  well  to  make  a  hard  walk,  or 
avenue,  in  any  case  where  good  gravel  Is  not 
attainable.  They  may  seem  too  light  and 
fluffy  at  first,  but  you  will  find  that  rain  and 
sunshine  and  travel  soon  get  them  down  to 
a  tolerably  hard  surface,  and  where  they 
are  placed  the  grass  will  stop  growing. 
They  also  are  exceedingly  serviceable 
material  for  filling  moist.places  in  avenues. 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


October, 


Fig.  1.     Branch 


My  next  use— widely  different— is  in  the 
poultry  house,  where,  especially  in  winter, 
the  fowls  greatly  enjoy  picking  them  over, 
and  get  much  benefit  from  them. 

Another  use  of  interest  to  the  female  por- 
tion of  popular  gardeners,  is  for  scouring 
the  knives.  Of  course  the  ashes  are  pre- 
viously sifted  through  a  fine  hair  sieve.  My 
wife  says  there  is  nothing  better.  , 

CULTURE  OF  THE  GRAPE.  { 

FOURTH  PAPER.  1 

Management  on  the  Latekal  Cane  Hoei-  ' 
zoNTAL  Renewal  Sv.stem.  \ 

DR.  J,  STAYMAN,  LEAVENWORTH  CO.,   KAN. 

Soon  after  the  bearing  shoots  have  been 
pinched  ofl"  laterals  will  start  out  from  their 
axils,  and  these  must  be 
pinched  off  just  beyond 
the  first  leaf  as  soon  as 
they  show  the  second  leaf. 
At  A  in  Fig.  1  we  illustrate 
the  first  pinching  of  the 
leader,  and  at  B  the  sec- 
ond pinching.  In  a  short 
time  after  this  other  shoots 
will  start  from  the  axils 
of  the  last  leaves.  They 
must  al.so  be  pinched  off 
as  before  to  one  leaf,  as 
seen  at  C.  If  the  canes 
start  with  too  much  vigor, 
and  are  likely  to  rot  the 
vines  and  fruit,  they  may  be  pinched  again; 
but  if  not  they  may  remain  as  seen  at  D, 
which  shows  the  shoots  growing  with  nat- 
ural vigor  without  being  stopped  again. 

This  pinching  is  so  necessary  and  import- 
ant that  we  cannot  too  deeply  and  forcibly 
impress  it  upon  our  readers,  but  it  should 
be  carefully  and  thoroughly  done  each  time 
only  upon  the  strong  growing  shoots,  the 
weaker  ones  either  to  be  left  alone  or  rubbed 
off.  The  object  of  pinching  off  the  shoots 
just  beyond  the  last  bunch,  and  the  laterals 
to  but  one  leaf  each  time,  is  to  immediately 
enlarge  the  remaining  leaves  nearest  the 
Grapes.  By  this  close  and  timely  pinching 
we  force  out  laterals  at  once,  with  additional 
leaves  which  would  have  perhaps  remained 
dormant,  at  the  most  important  time  and  at 
the  most  desirable  places.  Consequently 
we  concentrate  the  energy  and  vigor  of  the 
vine  in  building  up  the  stock  and  fruit. 

Should  we  extend  the  length  of  growth  to 
the  second  or  third  leaf  or  beyond  them,  we 
would  concentrate  this  energy  to  far  beyond 
the  fruit  and  stock  where  we  de  not  want  it, 
and  to  be  again  cut  away  in  pruning.  There- 
fore it  would  only  be  a  waste  of  vitality  and 
a  violation  of  our  fundamental  principles. 

The  two  shoots  which  are  turned  up  from 
the  spurs  for  fruiting  the  next  season  being 
also  forced  iuto  lateral  canes,  and  all  suck- 
ers being  removed,  the  vines  will  be  stocky, 
firm  and  well  matured,  and  prepared  to 
withstand  the  changes  of  the  season,  conse- 
quently be  more  healthy,  hardy  and  produc- 
tive. These  objects  are  thus  accomplished 
with  the  least  waste  of  vitality,  and  in  har- 
mony with  the  laws  of  growth  and  the  char- 
acter of  the  vine. 

The  ground  should  be  well  cultivated 
throughout  each  seascm,  and  kept  clean  of 
weeds  as  before  stated.  The  surface  leaves 
should  be  cut  oft  and  kept  off  by  deep  plow- 
ing or  they  will  soon  take  all  the  strength 
from  the  lower  roots,  so  that  the  vine  would 
suffer  in  dry  weather. 

In  the  fall  of  the  third  year  your  vines 
will  have  the  appearance  of  the  lower  Fig. 
on  page  2.54  of  last  volume.  They  may  then 
be  pruned  as  shown  by  the  cross  marks, 
which  indicate  the  right  point  forsuch  prun- 
ing. The  two  horizontal  arms  on  the  lower 
wire  which  had  fruit  on,  should  be  cut  clear 
away, leaving  but  two  spurs  of  two  buds  each, 
as  shown  by  the  marks  in  same  figure. 


The  two  center  canes  on  the  upper  wire 
should  be  brought  down  to  the  lower  wire 
to  take  the  place  of  those  just  cut  away,  and 
firmly  tied  there  for  fruiting  the  coming 
season.  If  the  canes  are  long  enough  they 
should  be  cut  so  they  will  lap  on  the  next 
arm  from  the  adjoining  vine  so  one  tie  will 
answer  for  both.  When  pruned  and  tied 
they  will  have  the  appearance  of  Fig.  2,  with 
two  bearing  horizontal  arms  and  two  spurs 
of  two  buds  each,  having  about  30  bearing 
buds  which  should  produce  about  BO  bunches 
of  Grapes  to  a  vine  the  fourth  year.  The 
treatment  of  the  vine  this  fourth  year 
should  be  precisely  as  directed  for  third 
year,  but  if  properly  treated  they  will  in- 
crease   in   strength   and    vigor,    requiring 


with  their  clusters  of  Grapes  from  a  hori- 
zontal cane  supported  by  the  branch  of  a 
tree. 


o/  Grape  Vine  stwwinfi  gradual  cnJaryiny  of  the  hanging 
during  the  Season. 

I  longer  pruning,  so  they  will  bear  more  fruit 
to  keep  them  within  subjection.    The  vines 
in  subsequent  years  should  be  pruned  and 
j  trained  in  the  same  manner,  giving  them 
,  more  bearing  wood  each  year  until  they  be- 
come too  strong  and  require  more  room. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  we  only  gave 
8  feet  as  the  distance  apart  for  strong  grow- 
ing varieties,  consequently  we  can  only  train 
!  our  arms  four  feet  long  each  until    they 
I  meet:— If  we  increase  the  number  of  arms 
j  to  our  vines  and  place  two  on  the  top  vine 
)  we  violate  an  inipor'ant  principle  and  give 
ourselves  extra  work  to  equalize  the  sap 
and  keep  the  vines  in  subjection. 

This  upward  tendency  of  the  sap  cannot 
be  counteracted  except  by  training  a  vine 
upon  a  horizontal  plane.   That  is  the  natural 
system  and  the  only  one  adapted  to  the  vine. 
,  Fuller  m  his  Grape  ;Culturist  says  "  That 
I  while  the  vine  grows  upright  it  produces  its 
i  most  vigorous  growth  of  wood,  but  its  fruit 
producing  powers  are  not  fully  developed 
until  it  takes  a  horizontal  position."    While 
he  admits  this  as  a  principle  he  violates  it 
in  i)ractice,  for  he  trains  all  the  bearing  and 
renewing  canes  upright,  and  then  says  re- 
,  specting  them.      "  If  the  young  canes  are 
allowed  to  grow  unchecked,  the  lower  bud 
upon  them  will  seldom  become  suflticiently 
developed  t(j  produce  a  vigorous  fruit-     rh 
ing  cane  the  succeeding  year.      That  it 
should  be  so  devel.ped  is  all  important 
when  vines  are  trained  with  horizontal 
arms  and  spur  pruned,  and  in  no  way 
can    this    be    accomplished    except    by 
checking  the  growth  while  growing." 

That  is  as  much  as  to   say   that   the 
buds  are  not  equally  developed  on  an 
upright   cane    because  of   its  position, 
therefore  we  must  check  their  growth 
to  develop  them.    Then  why  are   they 
trained  upright   in  violation  of  a  well 
known    and    admitted     law    of    growth  ? 
Simply  to   carry   out   a   fancy   system    of 
training,    which    on     paper    may    appear 
plausil)le,  but  in  a  vineyard  is  entirely  im- 
practicable.   We  want  no  such  system,  and 
the  nature  and  character  of  the  vine  does 
not  require  it. 

What  an  outrage  it  would  be  upon  nature 
to  see  all  the  bearing  canes  of  a  wild  vine 
standing  upright  fastened  to  the  limb  of  a 
tree!    Now  see  the  beauty  and  simplicity  of 


?ro  wth 


Strawberries  in  Indiana. 

BY    GRANVILLE    COWING,    DELAWARE    CO..    IND. 

The  Strawberry  crop  in  this  region  was 
much  better  than  an  average  one  this  sea- 
son, but  the  weather  was  excessively  moist 
when  it  ripened,  and  it  was  marketed  under 
very  unfavorable  circumstances.  All  varie- 
ties produced  unusually  large  berries— Cres- 
cents in  size  equaling  those  of  Cumberland, 
grown  in  an  ordinary  season.  Of  new  vari- 
eties I  had  none  as  large,  handsome  and 
productive  as  Bubach  and  Logan.  The  ber- 
ries of  the  latter  do  not  average  as  large  as 
Bubach,  but  many  of  them 
are  as  large,  shapely  and 
handsome  as  those  of  any 
variety,  and  are  of  excel- 
lent flavor.  In  size  and 
beauty  the  berries  of  .Jersey 
Queen  stood  next  to  Bubach 
and  Logan,  but  in  product- 
iveness it  is  far  surpassed 
by  them.  All  three  are 
strong  growers,  and  free 
from  blight.  Jessie  was  not 
sufficiently  productive  on 
my  soil,  but  did  well  only 
two  miles  away.  But  few 
of  its  berries  were  above 
medium  size,  and  Crescent  produced  many- 
fold  more  fruit. 

Warfield  also  disappointed  me  as  its  ber- 
ries did  not  average  as  large  as  those  of  Cres- 
cent, nor  was  it  remarkably  productive.  Its 
berries  were  firm  but  not  of  good  flavor. 
But  I  notice  many  favorable  reports  of  it 
this  season,  from  all  parts  of  the  country. 
Haverland  I  liked  much  better,  is  product- 
ive, its  fruit  smooth,  sweet  and  shapely,  and 
above  medium  size,  but  possibly  not  firm 
enough  for  long  shipment.  The  berries  of 
Haverland  and  Pearl  closely  resemble  each 
other,  but  in  other  respects  they  greatly  dif- 
fer, Pearl  inclining  to  blight,  while  Haver- 
land is  remarkable  for  health  and  vigor. 

Gaudy  is  a  late  variety  of  the  Grendale 
type.  Berries  firm,  late,  tart,  and  occasion- 
ally above  medium  size.  As  a  late  variety 
it  did  not  prove  as  desirable  as  Kentucky, 
which  appeared  to  have  renewed  its  youth 
this  season.  Mammoth  rusted  badly  and 
produced  but  few  berries. 

The  berries  of  Gold  were  large,  handsome, 
and  of  the  best  fiavor,  but  not  produced  in 
sufficient  abundance.  Cloud  is  a  strong 
grower  but  its  berries  are  too  small  and  soft 
to  make  it  desirable.  It  averaged  about 
half  the  size  of  Crescent. 
Ohio  again  proved  very  unsatisfactory.   I 

. a. 


Pig.  2.  Three  year  old  Vine  itruned  wi(h  two  bear- 
iny  Cane»  and  two  Spurs  with  two  Bud.-!  each, 
ready  tied  to  the  trellis. 


nature,  the  young  shoots  hanging  gracefully 


was  represented  as  being  much  like  Ken- 
tucky, but  much  better.  In  every  way,  ex- 
cept habit  of  growth,  it  is  much  inferior. 
Cumberland  blighted  badly  last  year,  but 
this  season  was  in  every  way  perfect.  Jer- 
sey Queen  was  also  superb.  It  requires  the 
best  treatment  to  make  it  profitable. 

Plants  of  p:ureka,  Mrs.  Cleveland,  and 
Ohio  Centennial  were  sent  to  me  liy  mail,  last 
spring,  by  Mr.  Townshend,  their  originator, 
to  be  tested.  They  aie  all  renuirkably  strong 
healthy  growers,  and  a   plant  each  of  Mrs. 


IS89. 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


Cleveland  and  Ohio  Centennial,  which  were 
allowed  to  fruit,  produced  a  very  large, 
handsome  berrie.*:.  Two  yeare  ago  Mr. 
Lyons,  of  Minn.,  sent  nie  plants  of  a  seed- 
ling which  1  fruited  this  season  which  prom- 
ises to  be  valuable.  It  is  a  strong  grower, 
free  from  blight,  above  medium  size,  very 
productive,  firm  and  of  good  flavor. 

1  have  a  seedling  Strawberry  of  my  own 
which  tirst  fruited  two  years  ago  and  in  de- 
licious flavor  and  beauty  surpasses  any  var- 
iety I  have  yet  seen.  1  have  not  yet  had  an 
opportunity  of  fairly  testing  its  productive- 
ness, but  hope  to  do  so  next  year. 


The  Fall  Web  Worm. 
The  second  brood  of  the  Fall  Web  Worm 
often  appears  in  much  larger  numbers  than 
the  first,  and  although,  o\ving  to  the  greater 
amount  of  foliage,  and  its  much  more  rapid 
growth  at  this  time,  the  injury  may  some- 
times not  be  so  conspicuous  as  that  result- 
ing from  the  first  brood,  no  orchardist  should 
neglect  to  de^itroy  every  one  of  the  caterpil- 
lars he  can  find,  with  the  view  of  lessening 
future  attack.  Prof.  A.  J.  Cook  tells  to  the 
Western  Rural  his  method  of  destroying 
caterpillars  by  applying  strong  soap  suds  to 
their  nests.  He  provides  himself  with  one 
pole  long  enough  to  reach  the  highest  nests, 
and  another  shorter  one.  To  the  small  ends 
of  these  he  has  fastened  a  piece  of  strong 
cloth  in  such  a  manner  as  to  have  six  or 
eight  inches  of  each  loose,  and  forming  a 
kind  of  switch  which  can  be  applied  over 
and  around  the  branches  of  the  tree  and 
drawn  through  small  spaces,  such  as  small 
forks,  in  which  the  nests  are  general  loca- 
ted. By  proper  and  expert  handling  these 
swabs  can  be  applied  to  the  caterpillars  in 
almost  any  situation.  The  vessel  of  strong 
suds  being  carried  from  tree  to  tree,  he  finds 
it  not  a  very  difficult  job  to  apply  the  suds 
to  the  nests,  and  he  warrants  every  one  of 
the  caterpillars  to  die  immediately  after  the 
first  thorough  application.  Every  man  that 
has  a  farm  should  see  that  all  nests  are  de- 
stroyed, whether  on  fruit  trees,  or  on  wild 
Cherrv  or  Plum  trees  wherever  forms. 


Growing  Onion  Sets. 

One  by  one,  the  old  notions  in  gardening 
and  fruit  growing  are  thrown  over  board. 
From  the  several  inquiries  recently  received 
in  regard  to  the  production  of  Onion  sets,  it 
appears  however,  that  the  impression  so 
long  prevailing  that  seed  for  sets  should  be 
sown  late  in  Spring,  or  Summer,  and  in 
poor  soil,  is  not  yet  entirely  eradicated  In 
a  recent  issue  of  the  American  Agricultu- 
rist we  find  the  following  good  suggestions 
worth  remembering  in  regard  to  this  subject. 

Onion  seed  cannot  be  sown  too  early  in 
spring  or  on  too  rich  land.  The  real  point 
is  to  sow  very  thick,  say  twenty  seetls  to 
each  inch  of  row.  One  practical  ditficulty 
in  sowing  so  thick  is  to  get  the  seeds  to  ger- 
minate. As  every  one  knows,  before  a  seed 
can  germinate  it  must  absorb  considerable 
water,  or,  as  we  say,  "swell."  It  absorbs 
this  water  from  the  soil  in  immediate  con- 
tact with  the  seed.  But  when  you  have  a 
large  number  of  seeds  in  a  small  place  only 
those  in  direct  contact  with  the  soil  will  get 
moisture.  The  others  will  remain  dry  and 
hard,  and  sometimes  'burn."  There  are 
two  remedies  for  this  difficulty.  Either  sow 
very  early  in  the  spring  when  the  ground  is 
moist,  and  when  we  are  likely  to  have  an 
abundance  of  rain,  or  soak  the  seed  two  or 
three  days  before  sowing.  We  say  two  or 
three  days,  but  by  this  we  do  not  meau  that 
the  seed  .should  remain  in  the  water  un- 
changed for  that  length  of  time.  Soak  the 
seed  for  twelve  hours,  and  then  throw  it  on 
a  sieve  or  cloth  and  let  the  water  drain  off. 
Keep  the  seed  in  a  moist  state  in  a  warm 
room  four  to  five  hours  and  then  soak  it 


again  in  fresh  water  another  twelve  hours. 
and  keep  repeating  this  till  you  are  ready  to 
sow.  After  such  treatment  for  two  or  three 
days,  if  the  weather  will  not  permit  sowing, 
put  the  seed  in  a  cidd  room  and  no  harm 
will  be  done.  We  have  kept  the  seed  moist 
till  it  commenced  to  sprout,  without  harm. 
In  fact,  we  never  had  better  sets  than  from 
this  sprouted  seed.  We  repeat  that  early 
spring,  rich  land,  thick  seeding  and  clean 
culture  are  the  great  secrets  of  success. 

.So  for  our  contemporary.  We  have  to 
add  that  this  crop  makes  an  exception  of  a 
general  rule.  Usually  we  use  more  seed  on 
poor  soil  than  on  rich  soil.  When  sowing 
for  sets,  the  greatest  amount  of  seed  should 
be  iised  an  the  richest  soil,  and  the  rows 
should  be  closest  together.  We  are  not  af- 
ter large  size,  but  after  greatest  number, 
and  imiform,  small  size.  The  grower  of 
early  bunch  Onions  only  prefers  a  good- 
sized  set,  because  it  makes  an  earlier  and 
stronger  growth. 

In  sowing  seed  with  the  seed  drill,  we  us- 
ually do  not  sow  the  full  quantity  at  once, 
but  go  over  each  row  repeatedly  with  a 
smaller  amount  until  enough  is  sown. 

Thinning  Fruit  and   Melons   in  Ten- 
nessee. 

J.  A.  HAMILTON.  RHEA  CO.,  TENN. 

The  great  trouble  here  is  that,  upon  every 
tree  and  vine  and  bu.sh  a|^l  stalk,  too  much 
fruit  grows  to  the  square  inch.  The  law 
that  "  two  bodies  cannot  occupy  the  same 
space  at  the  same  time"  in  the  formation 
and  growth  of  fruit,  is  almost  ignored. 
Peaches  quarrel  with  Peaches  for  space; 
Apples  with  Apples,  and  berries  with  ber- 
ries. When  left  to  nature  this  warning  for 
space  is  very  injurious,  especially  to  Peach- 
es. If  some  horticulturist  could  formulate 
a  cheap  plan  to  prevent  this  excessive  for- 
mation of  frnit,  it  would  save  fruit  growers 
in  this  section  large  sums  of  money  annual- 
ly paid  for  thinning. 

This  superfluity  of  bloom  and  fruit  occurs 
also  in  Melons  and  Cucumbers.  One  illus- 
trction  will  suffice.  I  planted  14  hills  of 
Watermelons  in  one  row,  8  feet  apart.  They 
were  hoed  once  and  plowed  three  times. 
Two  plants  were  allowed  to  grow  in  each 
hill.  Well  rotted  hen  manure  was  used  as  a 
fertilizer.  The  plants  grew  rapidly  and 
looked  vigorous.  The  Melons  were  set  thick- 
ly on  the  vines  and  made  a  monstrous 
growth.  Many  of  the  \-ines  measured  thirty 
feet  in  length,  with  numerous  lateral  branch- 
es. We  had  an  abundance  of  Melons  for 
ourselves,  for  our  neighbors  and  for  the  vis- 
itors who  came  to  see  the  patch,  and  sold 
some  besides.  The  largest  one  produced 
weighed  60  lbs.;  several  weighed  50  lbs. 

[Few  growers  who  have  never  experiment- 
ed in  this  direction,  have  any  idea  what  ju- 
dicious liberal  feeding  and  favorable  cir- 
cumstances can  do  for  Melons,  even  much 
further  north  than  Tennessee.  In  some 
years  it  has  seemed  to  us  that  the  Melons  in 
our  patch  almost  touched  one  another  on 
the  ground,  and  the  proceeds  from  a  few 
dozen  hills  have  often  been  really  wonder- 
ful. Our  method  consisted  in  manuring 
very  liberally  in  the  hill  with  composted 
hen  manure,  with  ashes,  and  any  other  rich, 
fine  material  that  may  be  available,  and  to 
top  dress  the  whole  ground  with  .500  or  (500 
lbs.  of  some  high-grade  complete  commer- 
cial fertilizer.    Ed.] 


Old  Favorites  Among   Flowers   Now 
Seldom  Found. 

M.  B.  FAXON,  MASS. 

Nasturtiums. — Nearly  every  one  who  has 
a  garden,  or  even  a  few  feet  of  land  so  situ- 
ated as  to  allow  of  any  plant  growth,  has  at 
one  time  or  another  grown  our  common 
Nasturtiums,  such  as  Tropseolum  major, 
T.  Lobbianum  and  T.  peregrinum,  yet  few 


home  gardeners  are  aware  that  there  are 
.several  tuberous-rooted  species  of  this 
beautiful  class  of  free  blooming  plants. 
The  species  referred  to  are,  however,  much 
less  hardy  than  our  well-known  favorites, 
and  are  generally  greenhouse  plants  of 
delicate  growth  and  fit  subjects  for  careful 
culture.  Perhaps  the  most  beautiful  of 
these  little  flowers  is  T.  azureum,  the 
blooms  of  which  are  of  the  finest  and  most 
delicate  blue  in  the  floral  kingdom.  The 
tubers,  or  bulbs,  as  they  would  be  com- 
monly called,  should  be  planted  as  soon  as 
they  show  signs  of  growth,  in  good  rich 
loam  containing  a  portion  of  sharp  sand,  in 
medium-sized  pots.  Growth  usually  com- 
mences in  early  autumn,  and  the  plants 
flower  in  spring.  After  the  blooms  fade  the 
foliage  dies  down,  and  the  root  should  be 
allowed  to  rest  through  the  summer. 

The  plants  need  plenty  of  sun  and  air, 
and  to  be  twined  around  a  trellis  or  some 
kind  of  a  support  each  day.  A  singular 
feature  in  their  growth  is  that  the  stem  at 
the  crown  of  the  bulb  is  often  no  larger 
than  a  hair,  while  higher  up  it  will  be  three 
or  four  times  as  large.  There  are  several 
other  species  of  this  class  or  division,  but 
the  one  mentioned  is  perhaps  the  most 
striking.  T.  tricolorum  has  flowers  of 
orange,  red  and  purple,  and  T.  Jarattii, 
yellow  and  .scarlet. 

With  proper  care  I  am  sure  that  thjese 
little  plants  might  be  made  to  succeed  in  a 
sunny  window,  at  least  it  would  do  no  harm 
to  experiment  a  little,  and  success  would 
amply  repay  the  trouble. 

Peruvian  D.iffodil.— Peru  is  the  home 
of  some  of  our  choicest  floral  treasures. 
Near  Lima,  the  capital,  a  summer-flowering 
bulb,  somewhat  resembling  a  Daffodil,  is 
very  common.  This  is  Hymerocallis 
amanceas,  sometimes  called  Ismene  aman- 
ceas.  This  genus  embraces  about  a  score  of 
species,  but  the  one  named  is,  so  far  as  I  can 
learn,  the  only  one  common  in  the  locality 
mentioned.  They  should  be  planted  in  the 
border  in  sandy  loam,  or  still  better  almost 
clear  sand.  If  the  soil  is  not  sandy  they 
will  not  bloom  well. 

Trilliums. — I  was  pleased  to  notice,  in 
glancing  through  the  spring  catalogue  of 
one  of  our  enterprising  young  dealers  and 
collectors  of  native  plants,  a  cut  and  de- 
scription of  the  beautiful  Trillium  grandi- 
florum,  the  "Wake  Robin"  of  our  boyhood 
days  iu  the  country.  No  doubt  many  other 
dealers  catalogue  this  plant  or  bulb,  but  no 
one  to  my  knowledge  has  taken  particular 
pains  to  bring  it  to  notice.  This  plant  is  a 
native  of  rich  woods,  but  will  grow  well  in 
deep  garden  soil,  which  is  naturally  some- 
what moist.  It  is  perfectly  hardy,  needing 
no  protection  of  any  kind.  The  bulbs  may 
be  planted  either  in  early  spring,  or  still 
better  late  in  the  fall  after  the  leaves  die 
down.  I  have  seen  acres  almost  solidly 
covered  with  blooms  of  this  flower,  in  a 
partially-cleared  second-growth  wood  land 
where  soil  and  location  were  especially 
favorable,  and  could  hardly  realize  that  I 
was  viewing  such  natural  floral  splendor 
here  in  cold  New  England,  which  some  of 
our  Southern  friends  say  is  only  fit  for 
sheep  pasture. 

Lupines.— Many  species  of  Lupines  are 
common,  especially  in  western  North 
America,  but  none  prettier  than  the  com- 
com  dwarf  Lupinus  nanus.  This  native 
annual  of  California  is  very  common,  and 
few  gardens  grow  it.  A  few  days  since  I 
saw  some  growing  on  the  grounds  of  a 
friend,  and  though  familiar  with  it,  I  had  to 
think  twice  before  the  name  came  to  mind. 

I  like  to  run  across  some  of  these  old  and 
less  common  plants  now  and  then,  for  even 
though  they  may  not  be  particularly  attrac- 
tive,'they  are  former  garden  acquaintances 
and  ought  not  to  be  forgotten. 


lO 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


October, 


After  Dreary   Winter  the  Gay  Tulip 
and  the   Fragrant  Hyacinth. 

Hardy  bulbs  must  always  remain  one  of 
the  chief  resources  of  the  manager  of  small 
parks,  open  spaces  and  pleasure  grounds  in 
and  near  large  cities,  so  long  as  it  is  his  de- 
sire to  make  an  early  spring  display  to 
please  the  eyes  of  the  multitude.  And  to  do 
the  latter  should  be  one  of  his  chief  objects. 
The  winter  is  long  and  gloomy,  and  at  its 
end  a  flue  display  of  color,  agreeably  con- 
trasting with  the  first  green 
of  the  young  grass  just 
starting,  will  always  be  a 
pleasing  thing  and  a  great 
attraction. 

The  Tulip  and  Hyacinth 
stand  at  the  head  of  these 
bulbs,  and  are  largely  used 
for  such  purposes  both  here 
and  in  Europe.  Last  spring 
we  noticed  and  admired 
some  fine  beds  of  this  kind 
in  the  smaller  parks  of  New 
York  City  and  elsewhere, 
and  there  were  few  passers- 
by  who  would  not  linger  at 
least  a  little  while  to  en- 
joy the  sight.  Our  illustra- 
tion, reduced  fi'om  Garden- 
er's Magazine,  shows  a  few 
places  in  England  where 
Tulips  and  Hyacinths  were 
prominently  displayed  last 
season. 

The  great  advantage  of 
spring  bulbs  is  that  they 
can  be  planted  after  the 
summer  show  of  bedding 
plants  is  over,  and  come  off 
in  time  to  plant  for  another 
summer  display.  Thus  they 
are  not  interfering  with 
anything  else.  The  priv  ite 
gardener  can  also  draw  his 
lessons  from  these  displays 
of  Tulips  and  Hyacinths 
To  be  effective  they  should 
be  planted  in  masses,  m 
solid  blocks  of  color  and 
rather  close.  Varieties 
that  are  at  once  cheap,  dis 
tinct  and  effective  can  here 
be  used  with  best  advant- 
age. Planting  these  bulbs 
sparingly  and  far  apart,  will  usually  only 
make  a  poor  show. 


at  least  the  Candidum  and  Auratum  Lilies, 
and  a  white,  pink,  and  red  P*onia.  Though 
their  season  of  bloom  is  not  long,  their  large 
handsome  flowers  attract  much  attention, 
and  please  the  "men-folks"  better  than 
anything  else. 

If  care  can  not  be  given  to  shrubbery,  re- 
strict yourself  to  Snowballs,  and  Lilacs, 
which  do  not  mmd  neglect.  For  Roses,  take 
time  to  care  for  Mad.  Charles  Wood,  (crim- 
som),  La  France  (pale  pink),  Gen  Jacqemi- 


Flowers  for  Busy  People. 

MRS.  LOBA  S.  LA  MANCE. 

For  a  number  of  flowers,  obtained  with 
little  trouble,  nothing  surpasses  a  bed  of 
herbaceous  perennials  and  hardy  bulbs.  A 
good  long  bed  should  be  marked  out,  filled 
rich  mellow  .soil,  and  planted  in  spring  or 
fall,  placing  the  tallest  growing  plants  at 
the  back  or  in  the  center.  Most  perennials 
can  be  grown  from  seed,  but  busy  people 
had  better  buy  plants  instead,  which  are 
much  less  trouble,  and  will  bloom  first  sea- 
son. Among  the  best  sorts  to  plant  are  the 
Perennial  Phloxes,  which  bloom  a  long  time 
in  immense  panicles  of  white,  rose  and  pur- 
ple; the  Delphiniums,  in  long  spikes  of  blue; 
the  Hollyhocks,  double  as  Roses,  and  the 
new  Helianthus,  large  as  Dahlias,  and  yel- 
low as  gold.  The  more  modest  Achillea  and 
Feverfew,  which  area  mass  of  white  blooms 
all  summer,  should  not  be  forgotton,  nor 
the  Bleeding  Heart;  coming  at  a  time  vihen 
flowers  are  scarce. 

If  to  these  are  added  Crocus,  TuUps,  and 
Datt'odiUs,  which  will  bloom  as  soon  as  frost 
is  out  of  the  ground,  and  Chrysanthemums 
for  late  blooming,  a  succession  of  flowers 
will  be  had  from  early  spring  to  late  fall. 
Only  early  varieties  of  Chrysanthemum 
should  be  chosen  for  out-door  display.  In 
addition,  every  perennial  bed  should  have 


TULIPS  AND  HYACINTHS  IN   MASSES. 

not  (dark  red),  and  Washington  (climbing 
white).  These  are  constant  bloomers,  har- 
dy, and  only  need  pruning  and  enriching  in 
the  spring.  Nothing  is  easier  to  care  for  in 
the  way  of  climbers,  than  the  Honeysuckle 
and  Passion-vine.  With  these  you  will  have 
all  the  flowers  needed  at  little  expense  and 
trouble.  The  Perennial  needs  no  care  but 
an  occasional  hoeing,  and  a  dividing  of 
clumps  of  roots  once  in  a  while. 


Floral  and  Other  Notes. 

E.  P.  FOWELL,  ONEIDA  CO..  N.  T. 

I  have  recently  seen  in  one  of  our  best  hor 
ticultural  journals  all  ornamental  hedges 
condehined.  I  cannot  agree  with  this.  The 
Scarlet-flowering  Quince  makes  a  fine  hedge; 
the  Lilac  is  also  good,  but  best  of  all  is  the 
Bush  Honeysuckle.  It  does  well  in  spite  of 
abuse,  if  given  half  a  chance.  If  a  busli  gets 
killed  back,  it  is  up  again  within  two  months, 
and  stout  as  ever  at  the  close  of  the  season. 
The  flowers  are  lovely,  and  the  berries  equal- 
ly so.  The  robins  eat  the  berries  in  prefer- 
ence to  Raspberries. 

The  Japan  Quince  is  superb  in  blossom. 
These  are  white,  red,  and  pink  flowering. 
So  of  the  Tartarian  Honeysuckles  you  will 
be  able  to  procure  red,  pink,  and  white  flow- 
ering ones. 

Another  ground  screen  or  hedge  may  be 
made  of  Catalpas  cut  down  and  grown  as 
bushes.  They  will  blossom  superbly  at  three 
or  fo\ir  feet  high;  and  in  .luly  make  a  very 


beautiful  display.  Set  them  six  feet  apart. 
The  Ribes  make  pretty,  small  hedges  show- 
ing finely  in  early  May.  The  list  of  good 
shrubs  for  hedges  is  quite  long.  Of  course, 
these  ornaments  need  care,  and  as  a  rule,  (tU 
hedges  tend  to  become  ugly  if  neglected. 

Some  old-fashioned  flowers  give  us  a  sen- 
sation of  comfort,  and  I  am  always  glad  to 
rest  my  eye  on  them.  Yesterday  a  bunchof 
Batchellor's  Buttons  was  handed  me.  It  was 
truly  an  elegant  bunch  of  flowers.  The 
Grass  Pink  of  our  mothers' 
gardens  ought  also  to  be  re- 
stored to  favor.  How  fine- 
ly it  served  to  border  beds. 
Everywhere  nowadays 
Pinks  of  all  sorts  are  neglec- 
ted. Even  the  Heddewigs 
have  gone  out  of  fashion. 
There  is  no  Pink,  however, 
in  the  world  to  cempare 
with  hardy  Carnation  or 
Garden  Carnation,  or  mere- 
ly Pink  as  some  growers 
call  them.  I  have  always 
known  them  as  the  Clove 
Carnations.  They  are  the 
most  exquisitely  scented  of 
all  Pinks,  entirely  hardy 
and  perennial.  Theyshould 
be  renewed,  however,  about 
like  Sweet  Williams,  by 
keeping  fresh  plantations 
under  way  each  year.  Now 
add  the  Sweet  Williams  to 
the  list  and  never  say 
enough.  This  is  one  of  the 
flowers  In  which  I  delight. 
Cut  ott  the  early  flower 
stems  and  get  a  full  bloom. 
To  these  join  a  plenty  of 
Nasturtiums.  There  are  few 
things  more  delicious  and 
wholesome.  How  well  I 
remember  the  pots  of  "Stur- 
tion"  pickles  of  forty  years 
ago.  They  were  good,  as 
good  as  the  higgledy-piggle- 
dy messes  that  are  now 
chow-chowed. 

A  good  deal  of  quiet  com- 
fort comes  also  from  an 
herb  garden.  Sage  should 
once  more  be  a  favorite 
in  family  use.  I  find  it 
very  pleasant  occasionally  to  lay  aside  choc- 
olate and  drink  Sage  tea  with  plenty  of 
cream;  as  for  Chinese  teas  and  coffee  they 
are  not  tolerated  in  my  family.  Summer 
Savory  is  the  best  of  herbs  for  soups  and 
meats.  Pennyroyal  and  Carraway  make 
me  think  that  I  am  once  more  walking  with 
the  little  mother  who  so  delighted  in  them 
half  a  century  ago,  and  that  is  enough  to 
make  me  plant  them.  Should  not  our  gar- 
dens be  useful  to  retain  the  past  as  well  as 
to  suggest  progress? 

The  Hollyhock  is  my  pride.  I  do  not  know 
a  finer  plant,  all  in  all,  than  this  malvaceous 
giant.  It  stands  on  my  lawns  in  at  least 
fifty  distinct  shades  of  color — from  black  and 
red  to  yellow  and  white.  Everybody  enjoys 
them;  and  visitors  drive  ten  miles  to  exam- 
ine them,  and  asks  for  seeds. 

Our  farm  grounds  should  he  rendered 
more  beautiful  every  way.  Hollyhocks 
should  stand  about  our  back  lines  and 
fences;  and  Lilacs  and  other  shrubs  about 
our  barns  and  other  buildings.  Over  all 
sheds  and  barns  should  grow  Grape-vines 
and  running  Roses.  The  shame  of  our  homes 
is  that  we  run  lawn  mowers  in  front  and 
keep  Gehenna  in  the  rear.  Nothing  can  be 
conceivably  more  vile  than  the  average  barn 
surroundings  of  our  American  homes.  A 
new  departure  here  is  sorely  needed.  But 
I  am  leaving  my  topic,  and  however  tempted 
must  let  the  <iuestion  of  ornamentation  as  to 
this  subject  drop  for  the  present. 


1889. 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


1 1 


I  should  like  to  nuike  my  liual  note  to  con- 
cern the  Gladiolus.  This  is  the  most  won- 
derful of  recent  additions  t<>  our  gardens — 
wonderful  from  its  adaptation  to  variations 
throujj;!!  crosses.  I  have  several  hundred 
seedlings  and  among  them  are  two  doubles 
and  one  that  holds  its  flowers  upright  like  a 
Tulip.  This  set  includes  besides  some  oth- 
ers of  the  finest  I  have  ever  seen.  It  takes 
three  and  four  years  to  bring  the  seed  to 
flowering;  the  poorer  and  coarser  sorts  in- 
variably blooming  first.  The  Gladiolus  has 
the  great  advantage  of 
blooming  through  three 
months,  and  those  three " 
that  most  lack  in  flores- 
cence. Plant  the  bulbs 
in  succession  in  May 
and  June,  the  smaller 
bulbs  first  and  you  will 
have  flowers  from  July 
SOth  to  heavy  frosts.  To 
keep  them  through  win- 
ters, dig  and  thoroughly 
dry:  then  put  away  out 
of  reach  of  both  damp 
and  frost.  If  not  well 
dried  they  will  sprout 
and  spoil. 


imaginable  shades  of  colors  during  the 
summer.  No  garden  can  be  considered 
complete  without  them,  in  view  of  the  vari- 
ous positions  for  whicli  they  are  adapted. 
They  are  most  useful  either  tor  the  adorn- 
ment of  house  and  garden  walls,  brighten- 
ing old  stumps,  covering  and  beautifying 
old  buildings,  rockeries  and  ruins.  They 
will  also  climb  over  trellises  or  up  snaggy 
poles,  and  therefore  may  be  employed  in 
any  position  where  a  summer  screen  is 
wanted ;  and  last,  but  not  least,  they  are 


Flowers  for  Table 
and  Exhibit. 

Nature  is  a  great 
teacher;  the  trottble  is 
that  we  do  not  always 
heed  her  lessons.  How 
pleasing,  for  in.stauee,  is 
her  own  disjjlay  of  flow- 
ers, as  we  see  it  in  a 
well-grown  plant  in  the  ,  -  - 
border  or  in  the  green- 
house. Compared  with  _  ^j- 
this,  how  strained,  im- 
natural  and  artificial 
appears  the  usua  1 
crowded  arrangement  of  flowers  in  bou- 
quets, vases,  etc.,  on  the  dinner  or  exhibi- 
tion table.  Nature  never  crowds  flowers, 
and  our  best  florists  have  taken  the  hint, 
and  will  make  tasty  bouquets  with  one-third 
of  the  flowers  that  most  amateurs  would 
use  for  the  same  sized  bouquets. 

A  block  cut  out  of  wood  and  bored  full 
of  holes,  as  shown  in  our  Illustration,  may 
be  very  useful  in  helping  the  amateur  to 
cultivate  this  principle  of  natiu-al  flower 
arrangement.  Indeed  we  consider  it  a  most 
excellent  device,  simple,  cheap  and  efficient. 
The  appearance  of  the  flowers  thus  arranged 
(see  illustration)  can  not  help  to  impress 
the  beholder  favorably,  as  everything  will 
that  is  natural  and  free  from  artificial  stiff- 
ness. 


The  Clematises  :  History  and  Uses. 

FRANCLS  FELL,  LONDON,  ENG€.AN1>. 

Considering  the  abundance  of  varied  and 
beautiful  material  which  we  now  possess 


FORM   FOR  TABLE   PIECE. 

for  covering  walls,  the  wonder  is  that  we 
ever  find  any  that  is  bare,  especially  as  they 
are  so  unsightly  in  a  landscape  scene. 
Climbers  of  any  sort,  whether  on  the 
humblest  cottage  or  on  the  castle  wall,  are 
always  very  pleasing,  and  all  the  more  so 
where  there  is  a  happy  combination  of  flow- 
ers and  foliage.  What  could  be  more  beau- 
tiful than  a  wall  covered  with  various 
climbers,  such  as  Clematises,  the  popular 
Ampelopsis  Veitchi,  and  others  ? 

Clematises  are  the  prettiest  of  all  climb- 
ers, and  produce  a  wealth  of  flowers  in  aU 


TABLE   FLORAL   PIECE   IN   THE   NATURAL  STYLE. 

adapted  for  bedding  purposes,  and  an  en- 
hancing   efiiect    can    be    produced    when 
!  judiciously  associated. 

Some  of  the  more  tender  kinds,  with 
ornamental  evergreen  foliage,  can  be  suc- 
cessfully used  for  the  decoration  of  green- 
houses, conservatories  and  glazed  corridors- 
Indeed,  large  quantities  of  Clematis 
indivisa  and  C.  indivisa  lobata  are  now 
largely  gro^vn  in  England  for  cutting  pur- 
poses. The  beautiful  pure-white,  star- 
shaped,  sweet-scented  flowers  are  produced 
in  endless  succession,  and  hundreds  of 
flowers  can  be  cut  from  a  single  plant.  For 
floral  decorations  either  single  flowers  or 
large  branches  can  be  used,  and  are  never 
out  of  place,  as  white,  sweetly-fragrant 
flowers  are  always  highly  appreciated. 

There  are,  however,  many  other  charming 
varieties  fit  for  indoor  cultivation.  As  not 
everyone  who  is  fond  of  flowers  is  in  posses- 
sion of  a  greenhouse,  we  will  keep  in  view 
the  hardy  section  mainly. 

The  Clematis,  or  Virgin  Bower,  botanic- 
ally  considered,  belongs  to  the  order  Ranun- 
culaeea?,  which  is  typified  by  such  well- 
known  flowers  as  the  Buttercup  of  our 
meadows,  and  the  gorgeous  Anemones  of 
our  flower  gardens.  According  to  history 
they  have  been  cultivated  in  our  gardens 
ever  since  the  end  of  the  sixteenth  century. 

The  species  of  Clematis  are  very  numer- 
ous, as  the  scientific  records  give  a  total  of 
about  230  different  species.  Of  these  South 
America  produces  3.S,  Central  America  and 
the  West  Indies,  between  them,  9,  and  North 
America  about  35,  many  of  the  latter  having 
found  their  way  into  our  gardens.  In 
Europe  some  17  species  are  found,  chiefly 
occurring  in  the  southern  and  eastern 
regions.  Some  4^  are  of  Indian  origin,  9  are 
Japanese,  and  one  reaches  westward  to 
Persia ;  about  30  comprising  some  of  the 
finest  of  the  species  come  from  China  and 


.Japan,  U  from  Siberian  regions,  and  3  from 
the  Fiji  Islands.  From  Africa  we  have 
some  14  species,  natives  of  the  tropical 
mainland;  4  others  come  from  South  Africa, 
while  one  or  two  are  of  the  European 
species.  Clematis  Flammula,  for  example, 
extends  into  North  Africa ;  (i  species  are 
found  in  Madagascar.  New  Holland  and  New 
Zealand  yield  their  quota,  the  flora  of  the 
former  with  l.'j,  that  of  the  latter  .5  species. 

The  improvements  of  late  year  on  the  old 
and  better  known  sorts  are  really  astonish- 
ing, and  no  one  can 
form  an  idea  of  their 
striking  beauty  unless 
he  has  seen  them  grow- 
ing to  perfection.  Many 
of  the  new  varieties 
have  immense  flowers, 
meastiring  six  to  nine 
inches  across,  in  almost 
every  shade  of  color- 
white,  blue,  red,  rose, 
crimson,  purple,  violet, 
lavender,  etc.,  etc. 
Some  of  them  are 
striped  and  veined  in 
the  most  exquisite 
manner. 

Uses  in  G.\rdens.— 
As  standards  for  lawns, 
nothing  can  be  more 
enhancing  as  a  floral 
picture  when  grown  on 
[)arasol-shaped  trainers 
about  five  feet  high  and 
ai  ranged  in  lines  with 
standard  plants  of  Acer 
uegunda  variegata  of 
the  same  height.  It  is 
almost  impossible  to 
_,__  overestimate  the  gorge- 

ous  effect  which  they 
are  capable  of  produc- 
ing when  thus  ar- 
ranged. The  never-ending  thousands  of 
various  sorts  of  Clematis  blooms,  and  the 
bright,  leafy  splendor  of  the  variegated 
Acer,  form  a  rich  combination  of  flowers 
and  foliage,  the  beauty  of  which  no  words 
can  express. 

Groups  entirely  devoted  to  Clematises  in 
prominent  positions  in  the  garden  form 
admirable  objects.  These  groups  should  be 
of  an  irregular  character,  and  the  plants 
should  be  planted  on  raised  mounts  about 
two  feet  high  and  six  to  eight  feet  apart.  At 
some  convenient  time  after  planting,  and 
before  the  necessity  of  training  has  arisen, 
the  poles  should  be  placed  about  the  plants. 
The  manner  of  doing  this  may  be  according 
to  taste.  A  single  pole,  well  provided  with 
short,  lateral  branches,  may  be  inserted, 
and  the  plant  trained  about  this  ;  or,  three 
poles  or  ornamental  irons  may  be  set  so  as 
to  form  a  pyramid,  should  it  be  preferred. 
(To  be  Conrhidetl.) 


I,;3(i0.  Lily  of  the  Valley.  For  open-air  cul- 
ture it  should  be  given  a  deep  moderately  en- 
riched soil  and  a  partially  shaded  situation. 
Plant  as  early  in  th(^  autum  as  possible,  and  pro- 
tect the  first  winter  with  a  co\erin{f  of  coarse 
manure  or  Evergreen  branches.  In  planting 
keep  the  pips  about  four  inches  apart  each  way. 
— Chas.  E.  Parnell. 

1.376.  Oladiolns.  I  would  take  the  bulbs, 
upon  a  dry  day  about  the  end  of  October,  clean 
them  off,  place  in  bo.ves,  and  store  in  a  dry  frost- 
proof cellar  for  the  winter.  Don't  pack  them  in 
sand  or  anything  else.— C.  E.  P. 

1,37.5.  New  Nasturtinm.  There  is  a  variety  of 
the  Tom  Thumb  section  named  "Chameleen," 
the  flowers  of  which  are  i«culiarily  marked  with 
crimson,  bronze  and  golden  yellow.— C.  E.  P. 

1.377.  White  Tulip,  La  Candeur  is  the  best 
double-white  Tulip  with  which  I  am  acquainted. 
— C.  E.  Parnell. 

1,382.  Booseberry  Cnlttu-e.  There  is  no  treatise 
or  publication  on  this  sub,iect.  Downing's 
Fruits  of  America  contains  a  chapter  giving 
full  particidars  as  to  their  culture,  etc.— C.  E.  P. 


12 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


October, 


Picking  Apples. 

Apples  to  pick  !  Apples  to  pick  I 

Come  with  a  basket  and  come  with  a  stick. 

Rustle  the  trees  and  shake  them  down. 

And  let  every  boy  take  care  of  his  crown. 

Thujnp  !  plump  !  down  they  come  raining  ! 

Shake  away  :  shake  till  not  one  Is  remaining. 

Hopping  off  here,  and  popping  of  there. 

Apples  and  Apples  are  everywhere. 

Golden  Russets,  with  sunburnt  cheek, 

Fat,  ruddy  Baldwins,  jolly  and  sleek ; 

Pippins,  not  much  when  they  meet  your  eyes. 

But  wait  till  you  see  them  In  tarts  and  pies ! 

Beautiful  Bellefleurs,  yellow  as  gold, 

Think  not  we're  leaving  you  out  in  the  cold  : 

And  dear  fat  Greenings,  so  prime  to  bake, 

I'll  eat  one  of  you  now,  for  true  love's  sake. 

It's  plenty  of  work  and  plenty  of  play. 

And  plenty  of  Apples  the  livelong  day. 

Oh,  the  time  and  the  place  for  boys,  I  maintain. 

Is  the  month  of  October,  the  good  State  of  Maine. 

Touth's  Companion. 


Chrysanthemums. 

O  flowers  of  Indian  Summer ! 
Like  Field  Dalies  glorifled, 
With  brilliance  of  the  sunlight. 
Or  the  vestures  of  a  bride : 
With  deep  hues  of  the  vintage. 
Or  the  flushing  of  the  Rose, 
As  the  Summer  smiling  back. 
Ere  the  year  she  graced  shall  close. 


Air  the  plants  often. 
A  fruit  diet  is  a  health  diet. 
Welcome  now.  Chrysanthemums ! 
Clean  up  the  yard,  the  flower  beds. 
Dry  the  rubbish  and  touch  a  mat<^h  to  it. 
Ehubarb  does  rather  the  best  for  fall  planting. 
Celery  makes  its  best  growth  after  September. 
We  want  our  Pumpkin  pie  made  of  Squashes, 
Again  we  repeat  handle  Celery  onlj-  when  it  is 
dry. 

No  one  can  make  good  cider  from  rotten  Ap- 
ples, 

Bipe  Grapes  can  stand  a  light  frost,  green  ones 
can  not. 

What  has  became  of  the  fractional  currency 
agitation  V 

A  device  for  stripping  Currants  from  their  stem 

is  reported. 

For  the  roadside,  and  for  shade  in  pastures 
plant  Cherries. 

Gardeners  find  the  land  a  wilderness;  they 
make  it  an  Eden, 

Hardy  Eoses  may  be  planted  this  month  in 

"Well-drained  soil. 

The  Wilder  Early  Pear  is  highly  spoken  of 
e\  erywheie  this  season. 

Work  for  Fall.  Pruning  young  trees.  Grape 
Tines,  etc.,  after  leaf  fall. 

Old  clumps  of  Hollyhock  flower  earlier  than 
plants  from  fall-sown  seed. 

A  little  top  dressing  of  compost  for  the  lawn 
where  the  grass  is  thin  may  help  it. 

Don't  fear  the  Cabbages  and  Turnips  freezing 
a  little.    It  really  improves  their  flavor. 

Among  the  chief  virtues  of  the  Miami  Straw- 
berry is  named  its  late  blooming  character. 

Weeds  like  dogs  are  in  the  garden  good  in  their 
place.  Their  place  is  to  be  plowed  under  for 
manure. 

The  first  King  Apples,  exported  this  season, 
sold  m  Glasgow  at  S3  to  34  shillings  (about  §5,75 
to  IH.IJU)  i)cr  barrel. 

Chinch  bugs,  cutworms,  hx^usts,  etc.,  are  fav- 
orite food  of  the  quail.  The  pot  hunter  should 
not  be  g-iven  too  much  latitude. 

Have  yon  tried  a  weak  solution  of  saltpeter  or 
nitrate  of  soda  on  outdoor  or  imt  plants'/'  It  is 
an  excellent  fertilizer,  our  word  for  it. 

Lower  express  rates  will  come  in  the  end,  if 
horticultural  societies,  like  that  of  the  American 
Nurserymen,  keep  pegging  away  at  it. 


Actinidia  polygama  is  highly  praised  by  our 
friend  Mr.  Carman  as  a  quick  growing  vine  that 
is  absolutely  hardy,  will  grow  luxuriantly  in  a 
northern,  shady  position,  and  will  travel  from 
tree  to  tree,  forming  pretty  arbors  and  wild  en- 
tanglements. 

Eeform  better  than  Death  The  Wild  Cherry 
trees  along  the  road  sides  may  breed  caterpillars, 
but  they  can  be  easily  changed  into  useful  Plum 
trees  by  top  grafting.  I  find  that  all  Plums  work 
well  on  the  Wild  Cherry,  and  the  latter  also  take 
Peach  and  .Apricot  buds.— C.  K.  J/cyers,  Ill». 

Green  Mountain  Grape,  Sample.s  were  re- 
ceived from  Stephen  Hoyt's  Sons  early  in  Sep- 
tember. In  size  and  shape  of  bunch,  and  size  of 
berry  it  resembles  Delaware,  but  the  bunch  maj' 
be  somewhat  looser.  Berry  dull  green,  sweet, 
tender,  pleasant,  not  without  acidity,  and  defi- 
cient in  richness. 

The  Aster  for  cut  flowers  seem  to  be  gaining 
in  popularity.  The  Victoria  is  probabl.v  the  best 
for  florists'  use.  Burpee's  Dwarf  Queen  is  highly 
spoken  of.  The  more  we  see  of  the  Chrysanthe- 
mum-like Comet  Aster  the  better  we  like  it. 
Seed  may  be  sown  any  time  from  December  until 
June,  and  flowei^  had  all  through  the  year. 

A  rather  mixed  style  of  gardening  is  some- 
times seen  in  English  market  gardens,  invoU  ing 
a  curious  rotation  of  vegetables  and  flowers. 
Hut  it  serves  its  end,  namely,  to  increase  the 
revenues  from  the  business.  It  is  quite  a  novel 
thing  to  see  a  four  acre  Potato  patch  with  Wall- 
flowers planted  all  between  the  Potato  vines. 

'*  Name  Lost "  shovild  be  written  on  the  new 
label,  if  the  old  one  is  not  to  be  found,  and  the 
name  not  remembered  with  certainty.  Never 
rename  a  plant  without  certainty  that  you  are 
right.  Later  its  name  may  be  recovered.  Try  to 
familiarize  yourself  with  your  plants  and  their 
habits,  and  it  will  not  be  difficult  to  remember 
their  names.— JoTij)  Lauc,  i'tiicoifO. 

The  Leader  Grape,  samples  of  which  were  re- 
ceived from  Painesville,  O,,  on  September  17th, 
seems  to  ha\"e  some  of  the  characteristics  of  the 
Niagara,  being  perhaps  looser  in  bunch,  a  little 
smaller  in  berry,  of  same  color  and  amount  of 
"  native  aroma,"  but  seemingly  still  richer  in  fla- 
vor. If  vigorous,  healthy  and  productive,  the 
variety  is  undoubtedly  a  promising  one. 

Coleraiu  Grape.  Some  clusters  of  it  were  placed 
on  our  table  September  4th.  Bunch  small  mod- 
erately compact.  Berry  of  medium  size,  green 
with  delicate  whitish  bloom,  tender  and  having 
a  trace  of  native  aroma,  but  remarkable  for 
honeyed  sweetness  and  richness,  and  in  favorable 
contrast  with  the  other  first,  early  sorts.  Al- 
together of  unusual  promise  for  a  novelt}'. 

The  Lady-bug  Our  Ally.  How  quickly  Pota- 
to bugs  vacate  the  Held  when  the  Lady-bug 
makes  its  appearance  on  the  vines.  I  have  hand- 
picked  my  little  patch  of  Potatoes  twice  a  day. 
All  at  once  the  Lady-bugs  arrived  by  dozens,  and 
since  then  I  have  found  but  one  full-grown  bee- 
tle, and  only  two  lana".  Have  not  had  to  put 
anything  on  the  vines,  and  they  look  finely.— 
Subscriber. 

The  Late  Mr.  Shaw's  Grounds,  The  announce- 
ment of  the  death  of  Mr.  Henry  Shaw,  of  St. 
Louis,  brought  vividly  to  mind  the  many  pleas- 
ant hours  I  had  spent  in  the  famous  Shaw's  gar- 
den. Tens  of  thousands  of  others  ha\e  found 
and  will  find  pleasure  and  instruction  in  this  gar- 
den. What  an  excellent  use  Mr.  Shaw  has  made 
of  his  means  and  opportunities !  May  others  be 
persuaded  to  follow  in  his  footsteps,  as  his  gar- 
den has  awakened  in  many  a  love  for  plants  that 
will  bring  them  the  purest  enjoyment  for  years. 
—J.  M.  Stahl. 

Little  and  Often,  Instead  of  giving  plants  an 
excess  of  food  at  any  one  time,  I  believe  it  a 
much  better  way  to  feed  them  by  degrees,  but 
enough  at  all  times.  This  applies  especially  to 
the  Vine  family.  Have  tried  this  plan  this  season 
on  a  few  hiUs  of  Squashes  with  best  results. 
Liquid  manures,  including  much  of  the  house 
slops,  may  be  put  to  best  use  in  this  way,  and  be 
the  means  of  greatly  economizing  the  solid  man- 
ures, I  believe  it  is  a  method  worthy  to  be  rec- 
ommended for  garden  and  greenhouse,  on  large 
as  well  as  small  scale.— .4.  P.  Hf^eiU  Me. 

Heating  a  Small  Greenhonse.  My  house  is  a 
span  roof  15  feet  siiuare  and  10  feet  to  pitch.  It 
is  heated  by  two  oil  stoves  with  two  three-inch 
burners  each  and  it  is  very  seldom  necessary  to 
light  more  than  two  burners.  Over  each  stove 
is  a  galvanized  iron  boiler  holding  about  three 
gallons,  and  without  cover.    I  use  the  best  re- 


fined oil  and  have  never  noticed  any  smell  in  the 
house.  The  stoves  burn  from  10  to  12  hours 
without  any  attention,  .\  small  boiler  heated  by 
oil  stoves  I  think  would  pay  manufacturers,  as  in 
the  south  we  do  not  need  any  costly  heating 
apparatus  used  at  the  north.  Hot  water  is  the 
best  for  heating,— E.  B.  Hoiiings.  S.  C. 

Floral  Decoration  of  Vehicles.  The  curious 
style  made  use  of  by  European  fiorists  in  the  de- 
coration of  vehicles  of  all  sorts  for  processions 
and  is  well  represented  by  the  specimens  shown 


A  QUAINT   FLORAL  DEVICE. 

in  our  illustrations  (reduced  from  Gardener's 
Magazine).  The  Sedan  chair  is  quite  an  elaborate 
att'air,  being  entirely  covered  with  Roses.  In 
the  deconition  of  carriages,  carts,  etc.,  every 
conceivable  form  of  flower  and  foliage  is  utilized 
The  coachman's  boxes  frequently  have  a  fixed 
canopy  of  flowers,  and  the  bodies  of  the  carriages 
are  thickly  covered  with  flowers  all  along  their 
upper  surfaces,  while  the  sides  are  prettily  fes- 
tooned. The  wheels  also  are  decorated  in  a 
similar  manner. 

The  Beefwood  Tree.  Of  few  trees  may  it  be 
said  that  they  are  funny,  but  there  is  a  funny 
tree  in  the  Shaw  Garden  of  St.  Louis,  Mo,  When 
you  first  notice  it,  if  there  is  much  humor  in 
your  composition  you  will  smile  ;  as  you  further 
observe  the  tree  your  smile  will  broaden,  and 
the  chances  are  good  that  you  will  laugh  heartily 
as  you  turn  away.  The  tree  is  the  Beefwood 
(  Ca.furiana  (jiiadriralvis  )  from  Australia.  The 
trunk  is  so  very  crooked  and  much  contorted 
that  you  are  almost  forced  to  the  conclusion 
that  this  tree  has  grown  in  the  dark.  Even  the 
bark  is  twisted  and  curled  and  distorted,  as  if  the 
tree  had  eaten  a  txiy's  mess  of  green  Apples.  One 
might  conclude  that  the  leaves  are  but  atten- 
uated extensions  of  the  branches,  being  a  foot 
or  more  long,  cylindrical,  and  almost  as  fine  as 
hair.  As  it  grows  out  of  doors  in  this  garden, 
this  tree  is  probably  not  a  hard  pet  to  keep 
and  as  a  curiosity  it  would  well  be  worth  the 
having.— JoAh  M.  Stahl,  Adams  Co..  III. 

Nicotiana  affinis.  Perhaps  this  is  more  uni- 
versally grown  in  other  places,  but  here  every- 
one who  sees  it,  speaks  of  its  beauty,  and  asks 
what  it  is,  and  1  have  plenty  of  opportunities  to 
give  a  plant  here  and  there,  which  is  a  part  of 
the  pleasure  of  Floriculture,  It  has  a  fragi'ant 
white  flower,  is  very  easily  grown  from  seed,  is 
as  easily  cared  for  as  a  Geranium  in  the  house 
during  winter,  and  makes  a  large  shrub  when 
grown  out  of  doors.  I  have  yet  one  of  the  first 
plants  J  grew.  It  is  now  two  years  old,  has 
blossomed  in  my  conservatory  nearly  all  the 
winter,  and  planted  out  during  summer  is  full  of 
bloom.  1  suppose  it  is  a  tender  perennial,  but  it 
is  so  easily  grown  from  seed  one  who  does  not 
care  to  keep  them  through  the  wintei  can  have 
a  grand  display  in  the  summer  garden,  by  sow- 
ing the  seeds,  which  are  very  fine,  in  a  box  in- 
doors, about  the  first  of  April,  then  plant  out  as 
soon  as  danger  from  frost  is  over.  They  begin 
to  blossom  by  the  last  of  June  and  keep  right  on 
until  frost  They  sland  drouth  and  all  hard 
usage  as  well  as  a  Geranium  or  Petunia,— J/iriam 
Parhtr.  ^tint^esl'ta. 

Using  Waste  Places.  There  are  many  out-of- 
the-way  places,  little  nooks,  and  unsightly  fences 
that  we  take  no  especial  delight  to  look  at  near 
our  homes,  and  that  might  be  made  places  of 
beauty  and  enjoyment.  Among  the  common 
things  that  please  the  eye  are  Nasturtiums  and 
Hollyhocks  to  cover  fences  and  sides  of  barns, 
sheds,  and  houses.  Hollyhocks  of  the  better  class 
are  some  of  the  finest  bloomers  to  be  obtained, 
and  when  once  planted  they  take  possession  of 
the  ground  with  their  multitude  of  seeds.  Mine 
in  the  deep  rich  loam  under  my  windows  some- 
times grow  ten  feet  high  and  do  not  cease  to 
bUiom  until  autumn.  Seeds  sown  now  will  bloom 
next  year.  Nasturtiums  ha\e  given  great  delight 
to  my  citj*  visitors  and  boarders,  climbing  over 
an  old  branch  near  an  open  door.    Among  the 


18S9. 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


lovelk'St  of  planti!  are  tlie  "Fairy  Lilies,"  (Zephyr- 
anthes  or  Amaryllis  Atamasco)  with  their  deep 
pink  bUtssoms.  "Shell  Flowei-s  "  (Tiirriiiias)  too, 
are  veiy  (lesinible  for  their  iK'auty,  with  their 
spotted  ami  lloeked  tlowers  whieh  last  but  a  day 
in  bloom,  bvit  rei>ay  the  lover  of  nature  for  all 
his  pains.  If  late  in  blooming  I  put  them  in  box- 
es or  pots  and  have  the  pleasure  of  them  indooi-s. 

—  Mrs.   h.   It.   /V   \yn]f. 

Floral  Design  for  Wedding.  Last  sprin«^  1  wils 
retpiest^Ml  to  sujrjrest  some  way  toarrnnj?etiowers 
for  a  friend's  wedding,  and  as  the  followin;.'  idea 
wiU"*  eonsidcrcd  very  appropriate  for  sueh  an  oe- 
easion,  1  send  it,  thinking  some  of  your  readers 
might  like  it,  or  some  variation  of  the  same. 
Take  a  small  round,  oval,  or  s(iurtre  table  Uhe 
latter  is  l)e.*Jt)  eover  with  oileloth  to  iirevent  the 
moisture  from  injuringit,  upon  this  lay  a  mirror. 
of  a  size  to  eorrcsponil  with  the  table,  cover  the 
mirror  frame,  and  table  top  with  Moss,  and 
along  the  back  edge  set  a  few  pretty  Ferns,  and 
Vines  to  trail  o\er  the  edge,  and  train  upon  the 
wall.  Do  not  make  the  margin  of  the  Moss  where 
it  borders  the  mirror  too  precise  and  formal,  but 
rather  have  it  resemble  the  bank  of  a  real  lake 
as  much  as  possible,  set  tir)wei-s  here  and  there 
along  the  mossy  banks,  and  tiny  Ferns,  in  short 
imitate  nature  as  closely  as  possible.  Then  make 
a  flat-bottomed  boat  of  pasteboard,  with  wooden 
oars,  gilded,  cover  the  boat  with  pale  lavender  or 
white  pa|>er,  and  upon  the  stern  in  gilt  letters 
the  wortl  HOPE.  Launch  the  boat  uptm  the 
lake,  fasten  to  the  shore  by  means  of  a  gilded  an- 
chor, and  silken  cord,  or  gilt  chair,  and  till  the 
boat  with  any  suitable  blossoms.— "KWcr'sFTi/t*." 

CMldren's  Flower  Bed.  Have  the  little  ones 
had  a  flower  bed  this  summer,  where  they  could 
go  whenever  they  choose,  and  gather  as  many 
flowers  as  they  wished'/  If  not,  make  arrange- 
ments for  one  for  next  season,  and  for  fear  you 
may  forget  it,  or  not  get  time  to  attend  to  it  next 
spring,  make  it,  or  part  of  it  this  fall,  sowing 
mLxed  seeds  of  Poppies,  and  the  old-fashioned 
"  Bachelor'3  Ituttons "  {Centaurca  cuanusy,  1 
know  of  no  flowei-s  which  will  require  less  atten- 
tion, and  give  such  quantities  of  flowers  as  these. 
Several  years  ago  I  bought  seeds  of  these  old- 
fashioned  favorites,  and  they  have  mixed  and 
crossed  until  I  now  have  man j'  v'arieties.  some 
of  them  entirely  distinct  from  any  included  in 
the  original  purchase.  A  part  of  the  old  garden 
has  become  seeded  with  them,  and  all  summer  it 
is  a  mass  of  pink,  blue,  purple,  and  scarlet,  undis- 
turbed save  by  the  busy  little  bodies  whogo  there 
frequently  to  gather  bouquets  for  themselves 
and  their  friends.  The  Poppies  make  a  gorgeous 
spot  of  color,  but  I  am  not  fond  of  them  as  cut 
flowers,  being  very  short-lived,  and  their  odor  is 
very  otfensive  to  me,  but  the  dainty  "'  Bachelor's 
Buttons,"  with  their  various  shades  of  pink,  and 
purple,  and  blue,  and  white,  with  various  colored 
eyes,  or  more  beautiful,  still  the  delicately  striped 
ones,  form  lovely  and  lasting  bouquets,  and  have 
a  not  iinplcasing  fnigrauce.— £frfer'8  Wife. 

The  Dwarf  Wax  Flower.  The  Common  Wax 
flower  Haya  carnnaa  is  an  old  favorite  among 


Horse  ami  Cart  Festooned  with  Fiowers. 

house  plants.  It  is  an  excellent  plant  in  almost 
every  way,  pro\ided  it  be  given  a  warm  place  in 
winter.  This  is  not  diflBcult  wherever  Anthracite 
coal  is  used  as  the  heating  fuel  of  our  houses. 
A  species  of  the  genus  not  so  well  known  as  the 
common  kind  is  Hoya  Bella^  or  as  it  is  common- 
ly called  the  Beautiful  Wax  Plant,  of  which 
an  engraving  is  given  herewith.  This  sort  is  both 
more  dwarf  in  habit  and  more  delicate  in  the 
character  of  its  bloom  than  is  the  older  one.  H 
needs  considerable  heat  and  light,  and  when  these 
are  provided  it  may  easily  be  handled  to  be  a  very 


satisfactory  plant.  A  soil  consisting  of  loam, 
peat,  sand,  with  flnely  broken  charcoal  and  old 
mortar  rubbish  pounded  suits  it  well,  the  pots 
being  thoroughly  drained.  Lack  of  heat  is  liable 
to  render  the  pliints  sickly  and  unsatisfactory. 
H.  Bdla  has  been  in  cultivation  more  than  thirty 
years,  and  might  be  expected  to  be  in  almost  ev- 
ery collection  of  plants;  but  such  is  by  no  means 
the  case,  for  there  are  many  gardens  of  more  than 
ordinary  pretentions  where  it  is  not  grown.  This 
neglect  of  a  beautiful  plant  is  strange,  for  when 
its  delicate,  wax-like  IJowei-s,  with  their  rich  pur- 
ple central  ray,  are  fully  expanded,  the  plant  is 
uniMvalled.  The  neat  trusses  of  flowers  are  in- 
valuable for  cutting  when  something  particular- 
ly choice  is  required. 

Mr.  EUwanger's  New  Book.  Mr.  George  H. 
EUwanger  of  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  has  recently 
written  a  useful  volume  entitled  "  The  Garden 
Story"  which  is  a  welcome  addition  to  the  hor- 
ticultural literature  of  the  day.  Touching  as  it 
does  on  the  beauty,  poetry  and  use  of  hundreds 
of  ornamental  trees,  shrubs  and  plants,  it  is  as  re- 
gards comprehensiveness  just  such  a  work  as 
one  should  expect  to  emanate  from  the  near 
atmosphere  of  the  most  extensive  all-around 
nursery  in  the  country,  namely  the  Mount  Hope 
of  Rochester.  The  author's  aim  has  been  to  pre- 
sent a  simple  outline  of  hardy  flower-gardening, 
rather  than  a  formal  treatise  or  text-book  of 
plants— to  stimulate  a  love  for  amateur  garden- 
ing that  may  be  carried  out  by  all  who  are  willing 
to  bestow  upon  it  that  meed  of  attention  it  so 
bountifully  repays.  Still  we  could  not  but  wish 
that  the  fact  of  Americans  being  as  a  class  but 
learners,  often  very  ignorant,  in  the  field  of  orna- 
mental horticulture  had  been  more  kept  in  mind 
by  the  accomplished  author,  and  that  the  simple 
principles  of  selection,  arrangement  and  cul- 
tui-e  of  plants  had  received  more  attention  in 
detail  in  the  story.  Much  practical  information 
is  given  it  is  true,  but  this  in  general  being 
scattered  is  not  in  the  best  shape  for  the  average 
learner,  to  avail  himself  of.  The  following 
"garden  syllabus  "  as  the  author  styles  it,  strikes 
us  so  favorably  that  we  present  it  verbatim,  I. 
Wliatever  is  worth  growing  at  all  is  worth  grow- 
ing well.  II.  Study  soil  and  expense,  and  cul- 
tivate no  more  space  than  can  be  maintained  in 
perfect  01-der.  III.  Plant  thickly;  it  is  easier  and 
more  profitable  to  raise  rtowei*s  than  weeds.  IV. 
Avoid  stiffness  and  exact  balancing;  garden 
vases  and  garden  flowei-s  neet  not  necessarily  be 
used  in  pairs.  V.  A  flower  is  essentially  femi- 
nine and  demands  attention  as  the  price  of  its 
smiles.  VI.  Let  there  be  harmony  and  beauty 
of  color;  majenta  in  any  form  is  a  discord  that 
should  never  jar.  VII.  In  studying  color-effects 
do  not  overlook  white  as  a  foil ;  white  is  the  lens 
of  the  gardener's  eye.  VIII.  Think  twice  and 
still  think  before  placing  a  tree,  shrub  or  plant 
in  position.  Think  twice  before  removing  a 
specimen  tree.  IX.  Grow  an  abundance  of 
flowers  for  cutting ;  the  bees  and  butterflies  are 
not  entitled  to  all  the  spoils.  X.  Keep  on  good 
terms  with  your  neighboi-s;  you  may  wish  a 
large  garden  favor  of  him  some  day.  XL  Love 
a  flower  in  advance,  and  plant  something  new 
every  year.  XTI.  Show  me  a  welt-ordered  gar- 
den and  I  will  show  you  a  genial  home.  The  Gar- 
den Story  is  from  the  press  of  D.  Appleton  &  Co., 
New  York.    Uhi-strated,  345  pages. 


New  York  Floral  Notes. 

Since  autumn  flowers  came  in,  the  streets  have 
been  full  of  Golden  Rod  and  Asters,  Carduial 
flowers.  Wood  Lilies,  and  the  like.  Indeed,  the 
florists  are  not  above  using  these  same  flowers, 
for  people  ask  for  them;  wild  flowers  are  in  favor 
now-a-days.  At  many  out-of-town  entertain- 
ments—there  are  no  entertainments  in  the  city 
just  now  — decorations  of  wild  flowers  have  been 
arranged  with  much  affect.  Some  very  pretty 
luncheon  decorations  have  been  made  of  Golden 
Rod,  the  centre  being  a  bed  of  these  flowers, 
mingled  with  grasses,  while  loosely-tied  sprays 
formed  the  favors. 

The  best  large  Roses  sent  in  during  midsummer 
were  Mrs.  John  Laing.  This  variety  seems  ad- 
mirable for  summer  blooming.  Baskets  filled 
entirely  with  it  are  very  fine;  they  are  usually 
French  baskets  about  thi-ee  feet  high,  with  a 
high  handle. 

Some  of  the  florists  do  not  seem  to  care  whether 
they  decorate  their  windows  or  not  during  the 
dull  season  (rather  a  mistake),  but  in  some  cases 
a  good  effect  is  produced  with  very  few  flowers. 
One  pretty  window  contained  a  bank  of  Begonia 
Rex,  fringed  with  Adiantum.  Behind  this  was 
a  row  of  Lilium  auratum,  backed  by  Palms.    On 


another  occasion  the  showy  blue  Agapanthua 
was  used,  instead  of  L.  auratum. 

Gladiolus,  Milla  biflora  and  other  Cape  bulbs 
are  seen  a  great  deal;  they  dress  a  window  well, 
though  they  are  not  likely  to  bring  large  prices. 
Another  showy  thing  seen  quite  often  this  season 
is  that  showy  herbaceous  Sunflower,  Helianthus 
multiflorus  tV)  It  really  is  a  handsome  thing, 
with  a  flower  like  a  golden  <^hina  Aster.  The 
foliage  is  fine,  too.  It  is  a  very  handsome  thing 
in  the  mass,  not  so  coarse  as  the  ordinary,  old- 
fashioned  Sunflower. 

Summer-blooming  Orchids  have  steadily  held 
their  own,  for  any  fine  work.    The  scarcity  of 


Floiveriiig Shoot  of  the  Dwarf  Wax  Plant  "'Bella.'" 
really  good  Roses  through  the  hot  weather  prob- 
ably had  something  to  do  with  their  use;  not 
that  Orchids  are  not  popular  and  admired  among 
those  who  can  afford  to  pay  for  them,  but  they 
will  never  supplant  Roses  — always  a  favorite 
flower.  Orchids  have  a  field  of  their  own;  they 
will  become  more  and  more  popular,  no  doubt, 
but  they  will  never  drive  other  flowers  out  of 
the  market. 

The  new  white  Gladioluses  will,  no  doubt, 
prove  popular  in  funeral  work,  coming,  as  they 
do.  when  good  pale-tinted  flowers  are  scarce. 
Gladiolus  of  all  kinds  sold  fairly  well  this 
summer,  rich  reds  being  preferred ;  next  to  them 
ranked  the  very  pale  ones.  Undecided,  medium 
shades  did  not  sell  so  well. 

The  foreign  exodus  has  been  exceptionally 
large  this  year ;  consequently  the  steamer  trade 
for  the  florists  was  large. 

Boxes  of  cut-flowei-s  disputed  favor  with  bas- 
kets or  bouquets  There  is  no  question  that  a  box 
of  fine  flowers  is  a  much  more  popular  gift  than 
any  sort  of  design.  Occasionally  the  florist  is 
asked  to  put  the  flowers  in  some  ornamental  box 
covered  with  silk  and  be-sashed  with  ribbon,  but 
as  a  rule,  people  of  refinement  are  iiuite  satisfied 
with  a  neat  pasteboard  box  well  filled  with  choice 
flowers.  To  fill  one  of  these  gift  boxes  well,  so 
that  the  full  beauty  of  the  flowers  is  shown  on 
first  opening,  is  as  great  an  art  as  to  fill  a  basket. 

Salvia  is  seen  a  good  deal  this  autumn,  arranged 
in  bowls  or  jars  where  some  bold  effect  is  needed. 
Trade  in  Palms  and  decorating  plants  is  quite 
brisk  this  autumn,  the  demand  being  for  good 
stuff  only.  Some  of  the  small  conifers  in  pots 
have  been  used  with  good  effect  in  decorating 
mortuary  chambers;  many  of  them,  such  as  Cy- 
press, Retinosporas  and  Spruce  are  especially 
graceful  and  suitable  for  such  work.  For  ordin- 
ary room  decoration,  well-grown  golden  Retin- 
ospora  is  extremely  pretty. 

A  pretty  supper  decoration  at  a  countiy  Ger- 
man consisted  of  vivid  scarlet  Geranium  flowers 
and  Ferns.  The  German  favors  were  entirely 
garden  and  field  flowers,  little  nosegays  tied  up 
with  all  colors  of  narrow  ribbons  for  the  ladies, 
and  little  boutonniers  for  the  men.  At  a  seaside 
ball  a  rather  novel  idea  in  wall  decoration  was 
noted.  Golden  Rod  and  Cat  Tails  were  mingled 
in  bunches  and  placed  in  the  straw  holders  in 
which  wine  bottles  are  packed.  These  were  hung 
on  the  wall  by  ribbons.  These  holders  might  be 
utilized  by  the  florists.  Very  few  corsage  bunches 
are  seen  on  the  street,  when  flowers  are  worn 
now  they  are  simply  a  single  spray  or  cluster 
tucked  in  the  gown.  Men's  boutonnieres,  how- 
ever, seem  to  increase  in  size. 

Showy  many-colored  double  Poppies  are  ad- 
mired for  informal  arrangements  in  cut  flowers. 
A  big  bowl  of  them  is  sometimes  seen  on  the 
luncheon  table,  or  they  are  arranged  in  groujjs 
of  showy  foliage. 

Emily  Louise  Taplin. 


H 


POPULAR  GARDENINQ. 


October, 


FRoH 
TOE 


SOCIETIES 


lEIWMATTERTllA'I  DBXtRVE* 
TO  BfrWlDEl.YKHOWM# 

Talman   Sweet  as  Stock. 

The  Talman  Sweeting  Api-ile 
a    good    stock    for   top- 
grafting.— Dr.  Oioen,  Mtchi- 
1  tiaii  Bnrl.  Society. 

Newtown  Pippin.  By  a 
liberal  use  of  lime  and  ashes. 
I  have  succeeded  in  grow- 
ing the  Newtown  Pippin.— I>r.  Given,  Michigaii 
Hiirt.Sociity. 

Flowers  as  Educators.  I  think  those  who  cul- 
tivate flowers  are  far  more  apt  to  clean  up  the 
rubbish,  cut  the  briars  and  straighten  the 
fences. -Ho?-nfIst»iHc  Farmers'  Club. 

Cherry  Caltore.  Mr.  Carpenter  says  a  general 
mistake  is  made  in  not  planting  Cherry  trees  deep 
enough  in  setting  them  out.  Mr.  Day  says  over- 
productiim  injures  many  Cherry  trees,  making 
them  short-lived.— A'eftraska  State  Hort.  Society. 

Life  of  Peach  Trees,  Peach  trees  live  from 
twelve  to  fifteen  years,  some  twenty  yeare  on 
very  heavy  soil.  An  old  Peach  orchard  cannot 
be  renovated,  for  the  young  trees  would  die  in 
the  second  or  third  year,  as  the  old  trees  seem  to 
sap  all  the  vitality  of  the  soil.- Gfr(i?id  River 
Valley  Hort.  Society. 

Effects  of  Draining,  I  have  begun  the  work 
of  tile-draining  in  this  State ;  my  neighbors  have 
been  skeptical.  This  season  I  have  a  yield  of  60 
bushels  of  shelled  Corn  to  the  acre,  while  my 
neighbors  have  only  20  bushels,  which  is  an  eye- 
opener  to  them.— Jesse  B.  Ross  ("  the  Indiana 
'rile  and  Drainaye  Asmciat  Ion. 

The  Vineyard  Site.  The  evident  lesson  of  the 
frost  of  last  29th  of  May  to  vineyardist  is  to 
plant  vines  in  the  most  elevated,  airy  exposures. 
Both  as  a  protection  from  mildew  and  late  frosts, 
the  importance  of  free,  unobstructed  ventila- 
tion cannot  easily  be  overestimated.— S.  S. 
Grissey,  Chautauqua  Hort.  Society. 

Making  Cider,  The  way  to  make  good  cider  is 
as  simple  as  it  is  supposed  to  be  that  of  making 
good  bread  by  the  good  housewife.  Take  good, 
sound,  ripe  Apples,  wash  them,  grind  and  press 
and  store  into  clean,  sound  barrels.  If  barrels 
are  new,  they  should  be  soaked  well  to  draw  the 
tannic  acid  out  of  the  wood.  Before  filling,  clear 
the  cider  by  repeated  racking  and  exclude  the  air 
from  the  cider  all  the  time.— Ha  (ry  Ke.cne  before 
the  Mi.fsimri  State  Ho7-tictdtui-al  Society. 

Fruits  in  Nebraska.  Of  Strawberries,  none  are 
more  successful  than  the  proper  intermingling  of 
Crescent  and  Capt.  Jack  or  Jas.  Vick.  The  Dwarf 
.Tuneberry  is  coming  into  favor  on  account  of  its 
hardiness  and  ease  of  cultivation.  The  Nebraska 
Sand  Cherry  would  seem  to  be  a  fruit  worthy  of 
cultivation.  It  has  been  shown  to  increase  in  size 
of  bush  and  improve  in  size  and  quality  of  fruit 
under  cultivation.  As  yet  no  effort  has  been 
made  to  make  selections,  and  here  it  is  believed 
that  a  valuable  field  awaits  the  experimenter.- 
Nebraska  State  Horticultural  Society. 

The  Best  Fertilizer,  The  fertilizer  that  every- 
one engaged  in  small  fruit  culture  should  use, 
and  that  extensively,  is  a  judicious  mixture  of 
brains  and  elbow  grease.  And  it  must  be  used 
in  the  field,  and  manufactured  on  the  spot.  It 
is  of  little  value  without  it  is  applied  every  day 
and  e\ery  hour  in  the  day,  from  Ave  o'clock  in 
the  morning  until  nine  at  night  during  the 
growing  season ;  in  this  way  it  is  as  efficacious  as 
a  patent  medicine ;  it  will  develop  the  plants  and 
kill  the  weeds,  it  will  keep  the  ground  loose  and 
clean  and  destroy  the  insects  and  worms,  in  short 
will  make  a  success,  when  everything  else  will 
fail.  Try  it.— i.  H.  Wilcox  before  Minnesota 
State  Hort.  Society. 

Orchard  Care.  You  must  keep  an  eye  on  your 
orchard.  Never  trust  to  providence  and  your 
hired  hand,  for  a  careless  hand  will  do  more 
damage  in  an  orchard  than  he  will  do  good. 
Keep  all  tramps  out  of  the  orchard  that  are 
around  after  jobs  of  pruning.  Let  no  man 
I)rune  in  your  orchard  without  you  know  he  is  a 
skillful  hand  at  the  business.  Wrap  your  trees 
early  in  the  fall  to  keep  the  rabbits  from  barking 
the  trees.  The  best  material  to  use  is  screen 
wire.  It  will  keep  the  borers  and  mice  away 
from  the  trees  as  well  as  the  rabbits.  The  wire 
will  cost  about  twenty-two  cents  per  yard,  and 
one  yard  will  make  five  guards.— Jfr.  Schidiz  be- 
fore the  MiKKourl  State  Hmi.  Society. 


Training  Grapes.  It  is  impossible  to  obtain 
tine,  large,  perfect  bimches,  except  from  strong 
canes,  hence  it  is  necessary  to  renew  each  year 
from  the  base  of  the  vine,  and  this  is  about  one 
of  the  hardest  things  a  vineyardist  has  to  ac- 
complish. I  believe  that  the  vineyard  of  the 
future  will  be  managed  as  follows ;  Instead  of 
planting  vines  18x12  feet  apart,  they  will  be 
planted  6x13  feet.  One-half  the  viues  will  be 
allowed  to  bear  fruit,  and  the  other  half  only  be 
allowed  to  raise  young  canes  for  next  year's 
bearing  wood,  alternating  each  year.  I  believe 
by  some  such  system  finer  fruit  could  be  obtained 
than  by  the  usual  process  now  pursued. — J.  S. 
Kidder  before  the  Missouri  State  Hort.  Society. 

Depth  of  Draining,  Drains  well  laid  at  a 
depth  of  3VJ  feet,  may  be  laid  with  much  smaller- 
sized  tile  than  drains  laid  at  a  depth  of  two  feet, 
for  the  reason  that  the  greater  depth  would 
allow  the  e-xcess  of  water  from  heavy  rainfalls 
to  pass  down  into  the  under  soil  and  relieve  the 
surface  soil,  so  that  the  ci-ops  will  not  be  dam- 
aged ;  and  the  smaller  tiles  will  hold  back  the 
flow  of  water,  as  compared  with  the  larger  sizes, 
and  cause  a  more  general  distribution  of  water 
in  the  deep  subsoils  and  clays.  The  effect  of 
deep-laid  tile  drains,  using  sizes  only  sufBcient 
to  remove  the  excess  of  water  slowly,  is  to  pre- 
vent, to  some  extent,  the  rapid  filling  up  of  the 
streams,  rather  than  being  the  cause  of  floods.— 
Indiana  Tile  and  Drainage  Association. 

Cooking  Fruits.  Fresh  fruits  should  be  cooked 
with  boiling  water.  As  sugar  is  rendered  no 
more  soluble,  palatable,  digestible,  or  nutritious 
by  cooking  and  is,  in  the  presence  of  some  acids, 
changed  to  glucose  by  heat,  and  consequently  is 
much  less  sweet,  it  should  be  added  only  long 
enough  to  disolve  nicely,  before  removing  the 
fruit  from  the  fire.  Dried  fruit  should  be 
washed  and  then  soaked  in  cold  water  until  no 
longer  wrinkled  in  appearance,  but  until  it  has 
imbibed  sufficient  water  to  give  the  original 
rounded  form,  then  cooked  slowly  in  the  water 
in  which  it  was  soaked.  If  cooked  rapidly  in 
boiling  water  without  first  being  soaked,  the 
cells  are  hardened  by  the  heat  and  lose  the  power 
of  imbibing  water  and  the  fruit  comes  to  the 
table  unsightly,  unpalatable  and  indigestible. — 
Clara  S.  Hays  before  the  Min.  State  Hort.  Society. 

Apples  for  the  British  Market.  The  present 
system  of  buying  Apples  in  lots  at  one  price, 
without  regard  to  the  real  value  of  the  various 
kinds,  is  very  detrimental  to  the  ultimate  pros- 
perity of  Canadian  farmers.  In  this  way,  people 
would  plant  those  kinds  which  yield  the  most 
fruit,  without  regard  to  their  value  in  the 
foreign  markets,  a  course  which  would  ultim- 
ately be  found  to  be  a  most  serious  blunder.  On 
the  other  hand,  by  paying  prices  according  to 
the  real  value,  planters  would  be  led  to  grow 
only  those  varieties  which  were  most  wanted. 
The  following  is  a  scale  of  prices  which  should 
be  j)aid  for  the  staple  kinds  of  apples,  in  a  season 
when  the  Baldwin  is  worth  $1.00  per  barrel,  viz  : 
—  Ribston  Pippin  and  Blenheim  Pippin.  $1.50; 
King,  SL.W ;  Spy,  J1.30 ;  American  Golden  Bus- 
set,  gl.25.  Greening,  ?I.OO.— Prcs.  A.  McD.  Allen 
before  the  Ontario  Fruit  Qrouvrs^  Association. 

Wild  Flowers.  The  secret  of  the  cultivation 
of  wild  Howers  is  not  to  cultivate  them.  The 
only  attentiim  that  they  will  tolerate  is  a  little 
skillful  hand  weeding  to  prevent  the  encroach- 
ment of  grass  and  Clover  and  a  little  judicious 
thinning  to  preserve  the  more  delicate  species 
from  being  crowded  by  the  more  vigorous.  They 
cannot,  therefore,  be  set  out  in  flower  borders 
with  Geraniums,  Heliotropes  and  Verbenas,  and 
even  if  they  would  grow  there,  the  juxtaposition 
would  not  be  favorable  to  the  beauty  of  either. 
The  all  important  thing  is  to  choo.se  the  situ- 
ation. It  is  best  if  partially  shaded  and  enriched 
only  by  leaf-mold.  I  cannot  exactly  say  with 
Emerson  :  "My  garden  is  a  forest  ledge,"  but 
it  is  on  the  north  side  of  a  rather  high  Osage 
Orange  hedge,  where  the  natural  clay  soil  has 
been  deepened  and  mellowed  for  twenty  years 
with  mold  of  the  rapidly  decaying  leaves. 
To  this  spot  we  have  been  for  years  in  the  habit 
of  transfering  at  any  season  in  which  we  chance 
to  find  them,  all  the  beautiful  and  interesting 
native  flowering  plants  and  Ferns  indigenous  to 
the  region.  And  verily  we  have  our  reward. 
The  "wfld  garden"  may  not  be  so  gay  as  the  con- 
tinguo\is  Tulips,  Pivonias  or  Hoses,  but  it  has  a 
charm  to  which  every  visitor  yields.  Here,  dur- 
ing the  first  warm  days  of  spring,  we  are  greeted 
by  the  opening  buds  of  Hepatica,  early  Butter- 
cups and  Antennarias.  Almost  simultaneously 
the  Hloodrootspreads  it  evanescent,  milky-white 


blooms  in  company  with  the  spring  beauty  of 
the  exquisite  Dicentra,  whose  clusters  of  waxen 
hearts  crown  the  tufts  of  feathery,  blue-green 
foliage.  To  these  succeed  the  Violets  of  nearly 
all  the  Species  occuring  in  this  part  of  the  state, 
the  drooping  pink  and  blue  bells  of  the  Lung- 
wort {Mertensia),  and  the  still  lovelier  blue  of 
the  Greek  Valerian.  The  springtime  succession 
is  kept  up  by  the  Crane  Bills,  Shooting  Stars 
(Dodeeatheon),  Squills,  Larkspurs,  and  numer- 
ous less  conspicious  species.  During  the  heats 
of  midsummer,  the  delicate  white  flowers  of 
Gillenia  and  Veronica  mingle  with  Turk's  cap 
Lilies,  Melanthium,  Zygadenus  and  the  glorious 
Cardinal  flower,  crowned  in  a\itumn  by  a  green 
display  of  Asters,  Golden  Rod  and  other  com- 
posites. In  this  way,  while  we  miss  the  indefin- 
able chaiTu  of  searching  out  our  wild  favorites 
in  the  nooks  where  nature  establishes  them,  we 
have  the  oppertunity  of  seeing  much  more  of 
them  and  noting  many  i)eeuliarities  in  their  de- 
velopment which  might  otherwise  escape  our 
attention.— ilia»~y  E.  Murtfeldt  before  the  Mis- 
sotiri  State  Hort.  Society. 


Culture  of  Asparagus. 

^Extract  of  Paper  read  by  Cttas.  W.  Garfield  before 
the  Michigan  State  Horticultural  Society.] 

A  rich  sandy  loam— a  piece  of  ground  fit 
to  grow  75  bushels  of  shelled  Corn  per  acre 
—well  drained,  makes  a  good  beginning  for 
an  Asparagus  field.  I  prefer  to  grow  the 
plants,  sowing  the  seed  early.  Plants  are 
set  three  feet  apart,  in  rows  four  feet  apart, 
but  live  feet  is  a  better  distance. 

Two  men  can  plant  an  acre  in  half  a  day,  set- 
ting the  crowns  of  the  plants  five  or  six  inches 
below  the  level  of  the  soil.  It  takes  about  3,000 
plants  to  the  acre,  in  four  feet  rows.  When  the 
planting  is  completed,  the  lines  of  plants  will  be 
in  the  bottom  of  the  furrows,  which  need  not  be 
filled  at  once,  but  during  the  season  cultivation 
will  gradually  level  the  soil,  and  the  process  of 
weed  extermination  is  greatly  aided  by  leaving 
the  furrows  open  at  the  outset.  Clean  cultiva- 
tion is  given  during  the  growing  year,  and  in 
October  the  tops  are  mowed  off  and  burned.  A 
dressing  of  twenty  cords  of  fine  manure  is  then 
given,  and  the  plantation  plowed  lightly,  say 
four  inches  in  depth,  lea\ing  the  ground  rough 
during  the  winter.  In  early  spring,  as  soon  as 
the  land  can  be  worked,  the  smoothing  harrow 
is  put  over  the  ground,  and  in  older  plantations 
this  is  followed  by  the  planer,  which  leaves  the 
surface  as  even  as  a  floor.  The  expense  of  grow- 
ing Asparagus  Is  about  ^100  per  acre,  up  to  the 
second  spring  after  planting,  and  results  in  a 
net  profit  of  $100  an  acre,  which  is  not  a  large 
profit  when  the  time  retjuired  to  get  the  planta- 
tion into  bearing,  the  investment,  and  the  skill 
are  considered. 

The  great  advantage  is  that  the  work  and  the 
money  come  in  early,  at  a  time  when  the  former 
does  not  interfere  with  other  duties.  The  cut- 
wonn  is  the  worst  insect  foe,  but  by  stirring  the 
soil  in  the  spring,  and  autum  plowing,  its  ravages 
are  considerably  reduced.  The  shoots  are 
broken  off  when  gathering,  instead  of  cutting. 
The  ends  are  squareil  with  a  knife  after  bunch- 
ing ;  and  rubber  bands  are  used  for  biuiching. 
The  plantation  should  not  be  weakened  by  too 
prolonged  cutting. 

Two  exigencies  have  materially  reduced  profits 
with  me.  First,  untimely  frosts,  which  may  in 
one  night  destroy  a  full  picking,  which  upon  an 
acre  may  mean  from  twelve  to  twenty  dollars. 
To  avoid  this  I  contemplate  giving  a  surface 
dressing  with  shavings  manure  in  the  spring, 
which  can  be  hauled  over  the  shoots,  which  are 
just  breaking  the  earth,  in  an  emergency,  at 
slight  cost,  and  save  the  picking. 

Second,  a  dry,  hard  wind  sometimes  arises 
when  a  cutting  of  Asparagus  is  nearlj'  ready. 
The  sand  blown  against  the  tender  shoots 
punctures  the  epidermis,  and  checks  growth  on 
that  side.  In  a  few  hours  the  shoots  will  turn 
over  and  be  so  unshapely  as  to  lie  unmarketable. 


Management  of   Small   Fruits  for 
Profit. 

i  Extract  of  jtai>cr  read  by  J.N.  Stearns  before  ttic 
Michigan  State  Horticultural  Society.) 

One  great  mistake  I  have  frequently 
made  is  trying  to  get  too  many  crops  of 
small  fruit  from  a  single  planting,  and  I 
find  tliis  one  of  the  hardest  mistjikes  for 
the  horticulturist  to  correct. 


1889. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


15 


When  we  hiive  jrnne  to  the  execss  of  titting 
and  plantintr  u  phit  for  lierries,  we  often  yield  to 
the  temptation  to  eoutiniie  thi?  plantation  as 
lonir  as  there  is  any  show  for  a  fair  crop,  when 
our  experience  and  better  judgement  teaches  us 
it  is  not  a  profltablc  thinir  to  do. 

I  am  satistied  that  in  the  lonji  run  it  pays  bet- 
ter to  fruit  a  Stniwberry  plantation  but  imce, 
planting;  a  new  plat  on  new  ({round  every  year. 
We  get  much  finer  fruit  the  tirst  crop,  and  line 
fniit  is  what  helps  to  build  up  a  reputation  for 
your  husiness.  which  an  inferior  crop,  from  a 
second  or  tliirtl  season's  picking,  minht  go  far  to 
destroy.  Secondly,  we  are  much  more  liiible  to 
breed  injurious  insects,  and.  thirdly,  it  is  but 
little  more  work  to  plant  and  care  for  a  new 
plantation  than  it  is  to  properly  clean  out  an 
old  one  after  fruiting. 

I  would  advise  for  field  culture,  that  plants  be 
set  three  and  one-half  feet  apart,  each  way,  and 
cultivate  both  ways,  gradually  narrowing  the 
cultivator  as  the  hills  spread.  Give  thorough 
cultivation  as  long  as  weeds  grow,  and  mulch  as 
soon  as  the  ground  is  frozen  bard.  I  find  great- 
est profit  in  late  varieties,  holding  them  back  in 
spring,  by  leaving  mulch  on  as  late  as  it  can  be 
safely  done. 

Assort  in  picking,  putting  nothing  but  No. 
1  fruit  in  first  grade.  "Watch  closely  that  no 
picker  squeezes  or  bruises  the  fruit  in  picking. 

With  the  at>ore  management,  I  never  have  had 
occasion  to  complain  of  unprofitable  prices. 

With  the  Kaspberry.  I  do  not  think  it  will  pay 
to  continue  the  plat  longer  than  for  three  full 
crops,  and  the  Blackberry  for  five.  And  what  I 
have  said  above  regarding  insects  and  disease, 
will  apply  with  still  greater  force  with  these. 

One  of  the  most  important  points  to  make 
these  fruits  profitable  is  thorough  culture  in  the 
early  part  of  the  season.  I  have  in  mind  a  good 
illustration  of  this  fact  in  two  places  joining. 
For  the  last  three  years  I  have  observed  these 
plats.  One  has  been  given  thorough  cultivation 
all  through  the  early  part  of  the  season,  and 
none  after  the  fruit  was  harvested,  while  the 
other  was  neglected  until  the  ground  was  very 
dry,  and  then  cultivation  was  continued  until 
late  in  the  season.  The  latter  has  never  pro- 
duced a  remunerative  crop  of  fruit,  while  the 
former  has  never  failed  to  do  so. 

I  pinch  or  cut  off  the  young  growth  when 
about  -^  feet  high,  and  do  no  side  pinching  or 
pruning  until  the  following  spring,  at  which 
time  the  black  varieties  are  headed  in,  leaving 
branches  about  a  foot  long.  The  Snyder  Black- 
berry should  be  headed  in  much  closer  than 
Lawton.  Kittatinny  or  Taylor. 

Hardy  Ornamental   Shrubs  for  Car- 
dens,  Lawns  and  Hedges. 
I  Paper  read  by  Jackson   Dawson,  gardener  al  the 
Arnold  Arboretum,  be/ere  the  Massachusetts  Horticul- 
tural Society.}    Continued  from  page  263. 

The  species  of  Euonymuit  are  all  orna- 
metital  in  fruit,  but  their  flowers  are  incon- 
spicuous. E.  atioinirpurcux  is  an  Ameri- 
can species,  with  rich  scarlet  fruit.  E. 
Amcricanus,  \a.T.  ohnviitHK,  is  a  low-grow- 
ing species,  good  for  covering  embankments 
or  any  other  purpose  where  a  low  growing 
species  is  required.  Of  E.  Europaus  there 
are  many  varieties,  with  white,  yellow, 
purple  and  scarlet  fruits,  all  of  which  are 
highly  ornamental  in  the  fall.  E.  rcrrn- 
cosus  is  a  small  .shrub,  with  warty 
branches.  E  nanug  is  an  excellent  plant, 
where  a  dwarf  one  is  required  ;  the  autumn 
and  winter  foliage  is  ot  a  rich  brown,  which 
makes  it  very  effective  for  winter  work. 
E.  alittns  is  a  fine  variety  from  .Japan,  with 
winged  bark.  E.  radicans  and  its  variety 
are  excellent  for  covering  rocks  or  fences, 
clinging  almost  as  well  as  Ivy. 

Of  the  Bitter-sweets,  Celwitrua  scajiden-s,  our 
native  species,  and  C.  punctatus  and  C.  panicu- 
latiui^  from  Japan,  are  all  rapid-growing 
climbers,  well  suited  to  cover  screens  or  un- 
sightly buildings,  and  their  orange  and  scarlet 
fruit  is  very  ornamental  in  autumn. 

Of  the  Buckthorns,  Rhammts  a  I  pin  us  has  the 
best  foliage;  R.  catfmrtica  is  useful  as  a  hedge 
plant,  and  R.  Frangula  is  ornamental  on  ac- 
count t)f  its  continuous  blooming,  which  gives 
the  plant  a  peculiar  character,  it  t»ing  covered 
with  flowers,  green,  red  and  black  fruit  during 
the  summer. 

Ceanothux  <jvali»  from  Vermont  is  a  neat  low 
shrub,  with  white  flowers  in  June;   C  Ameri- 


ca »«.<  blooms  a  mouth  hiter;  both  are  valuable 
in  dry  soils. 

The  different  species  ot  wild  Grapes  are  of 
great  value  in  covering  up  unsightly  buildings 
or  walls:  Vititt  Lattrusca,  trstivatis^  cordift)lia 
and  liparia  are  the  most  hardy.  In  the  Am- 
pelopsis  section  we  have  --i.  (luimiuefolia  and  its 
varieties,  one  of  which,  .-1.  Eiiglcmanui,  has 
sucking  tendrils  like  .1.  Veitchii :  A.heterophylla 
and  its  varities,  ac^mitifolia  and  serJauifcfiiUa 
have  blue  berries. 

.Esculun  macrnstaehya  is  a  fine  late-flowering 
shrub,  with  spikes  of  white  flowers. 

XanthoceraH  snrbifulia  is  very  curious  in 
bloom,  but  short  lived. 

All  the  species  of  Rhus  are  fine  for  large 
clumps  or  embankments,  and  when  cut  within 
an  inch  or  two  of  the  ground  every  year  make 
a  verj-  tropical  appearance.  R.  glabra,  var. 
tatiniata  has  fine  fern-like  foliage.  R.  copalltjia 
is  one  of  the  finest  for  autumn  coloring.  R.  ven- 
enata and  R.  Tnricoflendrvn  are  well  known  as 
the  Poison  Sumach  and  Poison  Ivy.  R,  aroma- 
tica  is  one  of  the  finest  coverings  for  banks  ; 
when  once  established  it  will  giow  in  the  poorest 
of  soils.  R.  Cotinus,  the  smoke  tree,  is  a  well- 
known  shrub,  with  mist-like  flowers.  R.  semi- 
alata  Osbeeki  is  a  fine  large-growing  shrub  from 
China,  with  large  heads  of  white  flowers  in  late 
summer. 

Of  Cytisus  we  have  cupitatu^,  with  round 
heads  of  yellow  bloom,  and  (',  nigricans,,  with 
long  loose  spikes  of  light  lemon-colored  blos- 
soms, which  appear  about  the  flret  of  July.  (' 
ehingatiu'i  biflonu*  has  round  heads  of  flowers 
during  the  early  summer. 

Of  Amorpha  we  have  fruteseens  and  its  many 
varieties,  all  of  which  are  coarse  flowering 
shrubs  with  bluish  purple  flowers.  A .  canescens, 
the  Lead  plant  seldom  exceeds  two  feet  in 
height ;  it  has  spikes  of  very  blue  flowers  and 
pretty  foliage. 

The  Wistarias  are  all  fine  climbing  plants,  well 
adapted  to  the  purposes  that  climbers  are  used 
for.  Ot  these  we  have  Chhiensis  and  the  variety 
alba  andflore  pletio  brachybotrys  and  muttijuga. 

In  Robinias  we  have  R.  vi,^cosa,  the  Clammy 
Locust,  with  pinkish  white  flowers  in  June,  and 
R.  hispida,  the  Rose  Acacia,  with  long  clusters  of 
pink  blossoms,  which  flower  at  intervals  all  sum- 
mer. There  are  several  varieties  of  this  old- 
fashioned  shrub,  the  difference  being  chiefly  in 
the  size  of  the  flowers. 

The  Colutea  or  Bladder  Senna,  is  very  orna- 
mental, and  if  well  pruned  will  continue  in 
bloom  most  of  the  season ;  the  seed  pods  are 
also  very  interesting.  C.  arbwescens  has  dark- 
brown  and  yellow  flowers,  and  there  are  several 
varieties  whose  flowers  vary  from  orange  to 
pale  lemon  color. 

Halimodendron  argentea  is  a  neat  shrub  from 
Asiatic  Russia,  with  clusters  of  purple  flowers  in 
June  ;  it  forms  a  handsome  plant  when  grafted 
on  Caragana  arboresccn.'i. 

The  Ca'-aganas  are  a  very  ornamental  class  of 
shrubs  from  China,  Siberia  and  Dalmatia— all 
perfectly  hardy  and  free  flowering.  The  species 
are  arboresccns  and  its  varietj"  pcndida  and  aren- 
aria ;  all  the  varieties  of  arhorescens  attain 
a  good  size  C.  fi-ute.icens  and  its  variety  grandi- 
ftora  are  medium-sized  shrubs,  with  bright  yel- 
low flowers.  The  low  species  are  C.  aUagana, 
Chandagnf,  pygmcea  and  spinnsa.  The  last  is 
well  adapted  for  small  hedges  on  account  of  its 
long  thorny  branches.  The  dwarf  and  trailing 
species  make  nice  heads  when  grafted  high  on 
C,  arbr/re^ens. 

In  the  Plum  family  we  have  a  large  variety  to 
choose  from,  all  more  or  less  beautiful,  and 
many  exceedingly  handsome. 

The  Kansas  sand  Plum,  said  to  be  a  variety  of 
Prumis  anguslifulia,  is  a  neat  low  shrub  from 
two  to  four  feet  high,  and  is  densely  covered 
with  white  flowers  in  early  spring,  which  are 
followed  by  yellow,  red  and  nearly  purple  fruit 
in  abundance.  This  species  should  attract  the 
attention  of  our  fruit  growers,  as  it  begins  to 
bear  when  less  than  eighteen  inches  high.  P. 
emarginata  from  Callfomia,  is  very  similar  to 
our  wild  red  Cherry.  P.  Pennxylvanica,P.Tirgin- 
iana  and  a  variety  with  semi-double  flowers  are 
worth  a  place  in  the  garden. 

The  Siberia  Apricot,  P.  Sibirica,  stands  well 
here,  and  is  a  fine,  sturdy  plant,  very  striking 
even  when  out  of  leaf,  on  account  of  its  curious 
colored  bark. 

The  varietiesof  P.  Pereica  arc  short  lived  when 
budded  on  the  Peach,  but  are  very  handsome. 
They  make  neat  plants  and  live  much  longer 
when  worked  on  the  Plum. 


Prunwi  Pissardi  is  a  good  addition  to  our  gard- 
ens when  purple  foliage  is  required. 

Pninux  Simnni  is  a  fastigiate  tree,  with  light 
rose-colored  flowers  and  large  purple  fruits  like 
an  Apricot. 

P.  T>avidiana  is  a  species  with  rose-colore<l 
flowers,  from  China. 

Pmnus  A  mei^c^ana  and  its  varieties  are  beauti- 
fiil  in  early  spring;  they  are  adapted  to  large 
shrubberie-s,  but  by  judicious  i>runing  can  be 
kept  at  any  desired  height. 

Of  Pntmi,*  pnmila  we  ha\e  two  forms,  one 
from  the  Greek  Lakes,  with  willow-like  foliage, 
growing  five  or  six  feet  high,  covered  in  spring 
with  small  white  flowers,  and  in  summer  with 
black,  cherry-like  fruit. 

Our  common  variety  of  p.  pumila  seldom  ex- 
ceeds three  feet  in  height ;  liesides  its  flowering 
quality  it  is  one  of  the  finest  plants  for  autumn 
coloring ;  it  might  also  be  improved  as  a  fruit. 

Pninu.^  spinosa  anil  its  variety  .flore  p?*'«o,  and 
P.  Myniholima  and  its  varieties,  are  all  hardy. 
P.  tomcntO!<a  is  a  fine  rose  and  white  flowered 
species,  from  the  mountains  near  Pekin. 

Pmnus  triloba  is  well  known  by  all,  but  its 
single  variety  has  not  been  in  this  country  until 
a  few  years  ago ;  by  the  lovers  of  single  flowers 
it  will  be  considered  a  great  acquisition. 

The  double-flowering  Almonds.  Prunus  Japn- 
niea  alba,  rosea,  and  mttltiplej:  are  all  good 
shrubs,  hardy,  but  short  lived. 

Pruniin  pendula,  when  well  grown,  makes  a 
handsome  plant  for  the  lawn.  Pritnus  charnce- 
eerasus  is  grafted  either  on  standards  or  low  on 
the  ground ;  usually  the  former,  but  when 
grafted  low  it  forms  a  much  more  effective 
plant.  P.  semperflorens  continues  in  bloom 
more  or  less  all  summer. 

The  double-flowering  Cherries,  of  different 
varieties,  are  well  worth  a  place  in  the  garden. 

In  the  section  of  Spira"as  we  have  good 
material  to  choose  from.  S.  salicifolia  is  the 
parent  of  many  garden  varieties,  such  as  Billar- 
dierii,  Leneana,  latifolia,  rosea,  Bethlehemensis, 
and  others.  These,  if  pruned  well  back  every 
spring  will  throw  flower  spikes  twice  the  size  of 
those  not  pruned. 

Spiroea  Dougla»sii  is  a  beautiful  species  from 
the  Northwest ;  this  also  has  a  number  of  very 
showy  varieties.  &'.  chama^drifolia  and  its 
variety  are  a  good  flowering  kinds. 

Spira-a  millefolium,  a  curious  rare  species 
from  Nevada  and  S.  predia,  and  its  varieties  are 
the  earliest  species,  except  Thunbergii,  which  is 
one  of  the  finest  plants  for  foliage  or  flowers. 

Spirua  hypericifoUa  and  S.  conna  are  early 
bloomers.  S.  trilobata  and  S.  Van  Houttei  are 
two  of  the  best  late-flowering  species.  S.  Japo- 
Hi'ca  has  long  been  known  as  callnsa  and  foi- 
tunei.  They  are  all  late  bloomers,  and  if  the  old 
flower  heads  are  cut  off  as  soon  as  out  of  bloom, 
thej'  will  on  good  ground  bloom  well  the  second 
time.  S.  Sorbifolia  and  *'.  Tobolski  are  good 
showy  plants,  with  large  spikes  of  pure  white 
flowers  in  June. 

A  sub-section  of  the  Spirieas  are  the  NeHlioji. 
The  species  opwli/oiio  and  its  variety  aiirca,  are 
coarse  growing  shrubs  with  white  flowers  A^. 
.4mwreH^(!*  is  a  flne,  bold  growing  species  from 
Northern  Asia. 

Exochorda  grandiflora  is  one  of  the  most 
magnificent  of  our  hardy  shrubs. 

Rhodotypus  Ken-imdes,  with  white  flowers  and 
chocolate-colored  seed,  is  a  good  old  shrub. 

Of  the  Rubus  there  are  several  species  worthy 
of  a  place  in  the  garden  ;  these  are  Rubus  odnr- 
ahig,  the  Red-flowering  Raspberry,  and  R.  delici- 
osu.%  the  Rocky  Mountain  Raspberry;  the  flowers 
of  the  latter  are  pure  white,  two  inches  across. 
This  has  never  been  plentiful,  as  it  is  difficult  to 
propagate.-  R.villosus  ftwcpieno  is  rather  coarse, 
but  the  flowers  are  quite  show.v.  R  hispidus 
and  R.  Canadensis  are  useful  to  cover  the 
ground,  where  few  other  plants  wUI  grow. 

Xeriusa  Alabamensis  is  a  rare  shrub,  with 
white  flowers  in  June. 

Polentilla  tridentata  is  a  neat,   low-growing 
species   with   white   flowers.    P.   fruticosa   has 
yellow  flowers  in  abundance  most  all  summer. 
(To  be  Continued.) 


Something  about  New  Grapes. 

[Extract  of  paper  read  by  Geo..  W.  Campbell  before 
American  Nurserymen's  Convention  ] 

So  many  varieties  have  been  brought  for- 
ward with  extravagant  and  extraordinary 
claims  which  have  not  been  sustained, 
that  the  careful  and  practical  Grape  grower 
views  with  many  grains  of  doubt,  if  not  of 


1 6 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


October, 


suspicion,  the  new  Grape  which  is  offered 
as  "  earlier  than  the  Hartford;  as  healthy 
and  as  hardy  as  the  C-oncord;  better  than 
the  Delaware;  and  whose  fniit  never  rots 
and  foliage  never  mildews."  By  claiming 
too  much,  introducers  of  new  Grapes  have 
often  misled  and  disappointed  a  generous, 
and  perhaps  too  confiding  public. 

We  have  been  striving  for  the  perfect  li  rape 
suitetl  to  all  localities.  We  have  not  found  it, 
and  we  probably  ne\er  shall.  But  we  have 
varieties,  that  with  intt'lliyrent  care  succeed  ad- 
mirably in  particular  localities,  and  are  grown 
with  both  pleasure  and  profit  to  their  owners. 

The  Niayara  firape  is  comparatively  new;  and 
although  it  is  not  found  adapted  to  very  general 
cultivation,  is  still  one  of  the  most  profitable  and 
valuable  for  such  localities  as  are  suited  to  its 
requirements.  It  has  not  proved  as  early,  or  as 
hardy  as  represented  by  its  introducers;  neither 
has  it  been  more  exempt  from  mildew  of  foliage 
or  rot  of  its  fruit  than  the  average.  But  its  vig- 
orous growth  and  abundant  bearing,  with  quality 
and  appearance  good  enough  to  satisfy  the  mass 
of  buyers  and  consumers,  render  it  one  of  the 
new  Grapes  worthy  to  be  retained  and  recom- 
mended, wherever  it  can  be  successfully  grown. 

The  Empire  State  is  a  formidable  competitor 
for  public  favor  with  the  Niagara.  It  is  about 
equal  to  it  in  vigor  of  growth,  probably  little,  if 
any  hardier  in  severe  winters,  but  within  my  ex- 
perience has  better  foliage,  much  less  disposed 
to  mildew;  in  productiveness,  usually  somewhat 
less  than  the  Niagara,  but  to  my  taste,  in  quality 
greatly  its  superior. 

Moore's  Diativmd.  A  still  later  introduction, 
with  me  appeal's  no  hardier  or  healthier  in  vine 
or  foliage  than  the  Empire  State.  About  the 
same  in  vigor  of  growth,  but  not  as  productive, 
with  bunches  and  berries  somewhat  smaller.  In 
quality  distinct  and  pure  flavored,  but  not  bet- 
ter. Another  new  white  Grape  of  the  Labrusca 
class,  as  yet  but  little  known,  originated  at  Col- 
umbus, Ohio,  and  named  "  Witt,"  after  its  orig- 
inator, by  the  Ohio  State  Horticultural  Society, 
has  the  merit  of  hardiness  and  health  of  foliage, 
and  is  fairly  productive  of  handsome  clusters  of 
good  size  and  fine  quality.  It  is  doubtless  a  Con- 
cord seedling,  and  resembles  the  Martha  in  foli- 
age and  habit  of  growth,  but  its  bunches  and 
berries  are  much  larger  and  its  quality  and  flavor 
apparently  much  better. 

The  Wominiff'  Red  originated  near  Ann  Arbor, 
Michigan,  and  is  claimed  to  be  a  Concord  seed- 
ling. It  seems  to  ha\'e  all  the  vigorous  growth, 
health  and  hardiness  of  its  reputed  parent,  and 
to  have  all  the  requisites  for  a  popular  and  valu- 
able Grape,  as  nearly  suited  to  general  cultiva- 
tion as  any  variety  new  or  old  yet  produced.  It 
bears  abundantly,  producing  berries  and  clusters 
of  the  largest  size,  bright  and  attractive  in  color 
and  ripening  with  or  a  little  earlier  than  Concord. 
It  is,  however,  a  variety  pronounced  in  charac- 
ter, and  distinct  in  flavor,  a  pleasant  mixture  of 
sweet  and  vinous  acid,  with  also  somewhat  of  the 
"  native  aroma "  called  foxiness,  which  to  the 
many,  when  not  in  excess,  is  an  added  charm, 
and  to  the  few  an  "unpleasantness."  I  have  long 
ago  ceased  to  dispute  or  quarrel  about  matters 
of  individual  taste;  yet  I  do  think  the  Woodruff 
has  more  of  the  characteristics  of  a  popular  and 
valuable  variety  for  general  planting  for  market 
and  for  profit  than  any  other  red  Grape  within 
my  knowledge.  I  would  therefore  plant  it  for 
the  nineteen  who  are  satisfied  with  and  like  it, 
and  let  the  twentieth  seek  something  else. 

The  Eaton  is  another  new  Grape,  black  in 
color,  and  I  believe  is  called  a  Concord  seedling. 
It  somewhat  resembles  the  Woodruff  in  vigorous 
growth  and  healthy  foliage.  As  I  have  seen  and 
tested  it  on  several  occasions,  it  has  less  of  sweet- 
ness and  also  of  "  native  aroma; "  its  juice  being 
rather  thin  and  acid.  It  is,  however,  large  both 
in  bunch  and  berry,  quit*:'  showy  and  attracti^'c 
in  appearance,  and  perhaps  good  enough  to  be 
popular  and  profitable  for  market  and  general 
use.  A  black  Grape  of  entirely  different  char- 
acter is  the  Jewel,  originated  by  John  Uurr  of 
X^eavenworth,  Kansas,  which  has  been  highly 
commended  in  some  sections.  The  vine  is  of  the 
Labrusca  character,  hardy  in  winter,  with  healthy 
foliage,  in  general  habit  much  like  the  Early 
Victor.  It  ripens  a  little  before  Moore's  Early; 
is  very  proiiuctive;  berries  and  clusters  only 
medium,  about  the  size  of  the  Delaware  or  a 
little  larger;  skin  thin,  but  tenacious,  will  carry 
well.  Flavor  pleasant  and  sprightly,  n()t  foxy. 
It  has  small  seeds,  and  though  a  little  pulpy,  is 
not  acid  or  coarse  at  the  center.    Its  rather  small 


size  and  only  moderate  growth  are  its  only  faults; 
and  though  to  my  taste  not.as  some  have  claimed, 
as  good  as  Delaware,  it  is  the  best  in  quality  of 
any  very  early  ripening  black  Grape  I  have  seen. 

The  Moyer  is  a  new  CJrape  from  Canada.  As  I 
have  grown  it,  it  is  not  as  vigorous  as  the  Dela- 
ware, though  the  foliage  appears  rather  thicker, 
and  better  able  to  resist  mildew.  I  fear  the  size 
of  the  clusters  is  smaller  than  Delawares,  and 
its  claim  for  extreme  earliness  .seems  to  be  its 
])rominent  recommendation.  Another  red  Grape 
of  something  of  the  same  character,  named  by  its 
originator,  Marifs  Favorite  1 1  am  not  informed 
whether  it  is  to  be  propagated  and  offered  for 
sale),  appeal's  to  have  merits  above  many  Grapes 
that  are  now  on  our  lists.  The  DowniiXQ  Grape, 
which  was  originated  by  Mr.  Kickettssome  years 
ago,  has  been  lately  introduced  by  Mr.  Burrow, 
of  Fishkill,  N.  Y.  Although  it  is  said  to  have 
been  successful  in  some  places  in  New  York,  I 
have  found.it  unusually  subject  to  mildew  of  foli- 
age, and  unsuited  to  open  culture  in  my  locality. 

The  Mills  Grape  the  past  season  failed  to  ripen 
its  wood,  bj'  reason  of  mildew  of  foliage,  which 
fell  prematurely,  and  I  should  class  it  with  the 
Downing,  as  only  desirable  for  amateur  culture 
in  specially  favorable  situations.  The  t7(s(er 
Prolific,  originated  by  the  late  A.  J.  Caywood, 
has  some  claims  for  consideration,  and  will  prob- 
ably be  found  useful  in  many  localities,  for  its 
hardiness  and  productiveness,  with  good  quality 
of  fruit  and  healthy  foliage.  The  vine  is  of  mod- 
erate growth,  berries  and  clusters  medium,  color 
rather  dark  brownish  red.  The  Nectar,  first 
called  Black  Delaware,  by  the  same  originator- 
is  offered  for  sale,  but  I  can  only  report  vigor- 
ous gi'owth  and  healthy  foliage.  Francis  B. 
Hayen,  by  the  originator  of  Moore's  Early,  is 
healthy  and  of  the  Concord  character,  in  growth 
much  like  Martha,  and  also  in  size  and  appear- 
anceof  its  fruit,  but  ripening  earlier,  less  foxy, 
and  better  in  quality.  I  do  not  think  it  is  as  good, 
however,  or  as  promising  for  general  use  as  the 
Witt  Grape  or  the  Colcraiii.  another  white  Con- 
cord seedling  of  similar  character,  which  origin- 
ated in  Belmont  County,  t.)hio. 

I  think  our  most  popular  Giapes need  improve- 
ment. We  need  a  Grape  having  all  the  general 
characteristics  of  the  Concord  or  Worden,  with 
a  more  tenacious  skin,  which  will  bear  handling 
and  shipping  with  less  injur.v  with  also  better 
quality  and  better  keeping  qualities.  We  need 
also  a  Delaware  with  more  vigorous  growth, 
larger  fruit  and  healthier  foliage.  Or  if  we  could 
have  a  Grape  like  the  Delaware,  borne  upon  a 
vine  having  the  character  of  the  Concord  for 
health  of  foliage  and  adaptability  to  different 
soils  and  locations,  every  Grape  grower  would  at 
once  recongnize  its  immense  importance. 

American  Florists  in    Convention  at 
Buffalo.    Valuable  Papers. 

ExPERi.MEST  Garden.  John  Thorpe 
made  an  earnest  appeal  for  the  establish- 
ment of  an  Experiment  Garden  where 
seeds,  implements,  insecticides,  etc.,  can 
be  tested.  It  should  contain  from  5  to  12 
acres,  be  equipped  with  best  buildings  and 
have  at  the  head  a  man  of  integrity  and 
ability.  Such  an  establishment  would  re- 
qtiire  a  first  outlay  of  about  ■?2.5.000  to 
-*;W,000,  and  could  be  maintained  at  an  an- 
nual expense  of  ?.5,000  to  .*7,000.  It  would 
save  thousands  upon  thousands  of  dollars 
to  the  florists.  For  instance  there  are  a 
number  of  boilers  on  exhibit  in  the  lower 
hall,  but  the  committee  of  awards  is  un- 
able to  decide  on  their  merits.  In  an  Ex- 
periment Garden  they  could  be  tested,  and 
the  best  would  win.  Mr.  Henderson  says 
such  an  establishment  should  be  national, 
not  sectional.  The  society  adopts  a  motion 
that  a  committee  be  appointed,  to  i)ut  this 
matter  in  shape  and  petition  Congress  for 
an  adequate  appropriation. 

Qualifications  for  Manaoers.  Mr.  Hen- 
derson says  that  the  manager  of  a  florist's  estab- 
lishment ought  to  have  an  .Vmerican  experience. 
The  conditions  here  are  so  different  from  those 
in  Europe,  that  much  of  the  European  experi- 
ence has  to  be  unlearned.  Long  special  training, 
however,  is  not  always  necessary  to  success;  but 
the  pei'son  must  have  a  natural  adaptation  for 
the  business,  and  some  originality.  A  mere  im- 
itator will  m)t  do. 

For  head  gardener  in  a  private  place  a  Europ- 
ean training  may  be  of  advantage.     Such  a  per- 


son Ls  u.sually  an  all  around  man— good  in  fruits, 
flowers  vegetables,  on  the  lawn,  etc.  Much  re- 
sponsibility is  placed  upon  his  shoulders,  so  he 
must  be  a  patient  man,  and  expect  little  reward 
for  his  labors. 

The  florist  in  a  public  institution  or  the  super- 
intendent of  public  parks  and  grounds  must  be 
a  landscape  gardener  and  an  artist.  He  must 
understand  drainage,  laying  out  of  lawns  and 
walks,  be  well  versed  in  nomenclature,  and  pos- 
sess knowledge  obtained  by  years  of  experience. 
The  Street  Fakir  Mr.  F.  M.  Huntsman  has 
sent  a  paper  in  which  he  tries  to  answer  the 
query  "  Is  the  sale  of  flowers  in  the  streets  of 
large  cities  an  injury  to  the  general  business  of 
the  stores'/ "  There  are  different  grades  of  cus- 
tomers in  flowers,  he  says,  as  well  as  in  other 
businesses.  Each  sectional  trade  represents  an 
altogether  different  class  of  buyer,  and  there  is 
ample  room  for  all. 

Prices  Naturally  Fluctuate.  Mr.  Vaughan 
replies  to  the  question  "Is  the  practice  of  ad- 
\'ancing  prices  on  special  occasions  of  benefit"/ " 
in  the  affirmative.  Ileal  cau.se  for  complaint 
might  be  found  in  the  practice  of  putting  halt- 
grown  Uoses,  and  poor  specimens  of  flowers  gen- 
erallj',  on  the  market  during  a  heavy  demand. 
This  demoralizes  the  market.  Common  logic 
teaches  that  fluctuation  in  prices  is  justified  or 
demanded  by  the  conditions  of  the  market. 

Hetailers'  Profits.  Mr.  John  Westcott  says 
that  100  per  cent  over  cost  is  about  the  right  gen- 
eral basis  for  prices  in  conducting  a  retail  cut 
flower  trade.  The  man  who  intends  to  sell  cheap 
will  find  himself  left  in  the  end.  The  retailer 
should  handle  the  best  he  can  get  and  buy  as  low 
as  he  can .  In  early  part  of  winter  there  is  little 
or  no  profit  for  him.  Later  he  gets  the  same 
price,  and  buying  much  cheaper,  he  does  well. 

Co-operation  .Mr.  J.  D.  Reynolds,  in  response 
to  the  question  "How  can  local  clubs  and  the 
national  society  best  work  together  to  promote 
their  common  interests'/"  points  to  co-operation 
between  them  as  so  good  a  thing  that  we  want 
more  of  it.  In  many  ways,  however,  the  two  in- 
terests are  not  in  common.  The  city  florists' 
club  has  many  members  who  are  retailers  as  well 
as  growers.  The  only  common  ground  where  all 
can  meet  is  in  the  exhibition  halls. 

Division  of  Labor.  For  the  florist  in  a  small 
town  (one  having  not  more  than  .50,000  inhabit- 
ants) Mr.  Wm.  Scott  sees  no  objection  to  engag- 
ing in  the  hardy  plant  and  shrub  business  for 
lawn  decoration.  For  large  towns,  especially 
those  having  more  than  a  quarter  million  i>eople, 
the  growers  should  attend  to  their  specialties. 

Starting  in  a  Small  Town.  A  paper  sent  by 
Mr.  A.  Gideon  deals  with  the  question  "  In  what 
way  can  a  florist  most  successfully  start  in  a 
country  town?"  Mr.  Gideon  says  that  a  young 
man  with  skill  and  push,  and  with  a  capital  of 
$2,000  might  safely  embark  in  business  in  a  town 
having  two  or  three  thousand  inhabitants.  He 
should  put  up  two  or  three  houses,  heated  by 
steam  or  water,  and  stock  it  with  a  good  general 
assortment  of  plants;  keep  stock  in  good  shape, 
sell  at  reasonable  prices,  and  treat  customers 
kindly.  After  a  while  he  will  do  a  thriving  busi- 
ness. One  of  the  members,  Mr.  Gray,  however, 
thinks  otherwise,  and  criticises  the  paper  very 
severely  as  misleading.  He  considers  it  very 
risky  to  start  such  a  business  in  a  town  of  the  size 
named. 

Bl.\ck  Spot  of  the  Rose.  Mr.  C.  P.  Anderson 
states  that  he  has  not  discovered  any  treatment 
that  is  a  remedy  or  cure.     It  is  a  most  fatal  dis- 


MR.    PALMER'S   FUMIGATING  GUTTER. 

ease,  and  almost  all  out-door  Roses  become 
affected  with  it  more  or  less.  He  thinks  there 
will  be  a  time  when  it  will  be  impossible  to  grow 
a  Rose  out  doors.  European  growei'S  complain 
of  the  same  trouble.  The  cause  seems  to  be 
purely  atmospheric,  and  he  cannot  suggest  any- 
thing for  it. 

Uejieuv  for  Cut  W<irm.  A  simple  way  of 
disposing  of  the  cut  worm  in  potting  soil  is  ex- 
plained by  Mr.  J.  D.  Carmody.  The  soil  is  put 
in  sheet  iron  pans  and  cooked.  This  treatment 
leaves  no  live  grub,  worm  or  weed  seed.  On  a 
large  scale  the  same  object  is  accomplished  b>' 
placing  a  coil  of  steam  pipe  in  a  largh  shallow 
box  or  vat  of  either  metal  or  plank,  and  charging 
this  with  the  soil  to  be  treated.  It  can  thus  be 
cooked  in  an  hour,  when  it  is  read.v  to  be  taken 


1889. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


17 


out,  anil  uuothcr  clinrRC  to  be  put  in.  A  mera- 
iK-r  sfntos  that  it  is  sulllcient  to  put  the  soil 
mi'ivly  on  a  system  of  steam  pipes  i>lace<l  <liix-ctly 
upon  tho  level  sfrouml. 

A«.vvWniiTHK  Faoed  I!ia)OM.  The  newly 
oleeteil  piisident,  Mr.  Jordan,  calls  particular 
attention  to  it,  tliat  in  order  to  prolong  the  season 
of  plants  which  seeti  freely,  the  tlowers  should 
lie  picked  clean,  no  matter  whether  they  can  lie 
utili«'d  for  sale  or  are  in  excess.  Hollyhocks, 
for  instance,  when  thus  treated,  oui  be  kept  in 
bloom  until  (ictolnr.  This  is  also  the  case  with 
t^wiH't  Peas  and  other  tlowers. 

SrMMEK  lli.ooMKRS.  Mr.  A.  E  Whittle  gave  a 
list  of  sinnraer  bloomintr  plants  which  can  be  put 
to  )?ood  use  by  the  florist  for  cut  llowers.  Ex- 
tract of  paper  will  be  given  later  on. 

Aphis  in  Gkeenuousk.  Vice-iiresident  Pal- 
mer of  Bufifalo  explained  his  new  method  of  pre- 
venting aphis  by  evaporating  Tobacco  tea.  Tin 
troughs,  or  guttei-s,  one  inch  wide  and  high,  and 
18  inches  long,  provided  with  a  six  inch  strip  of 
tin  near  each  of  the  lower  corners,  are  placed 
upon  the  steam  or  hot  water  pipes,  about  20  feet 
apart,  and  fastened  upon  them  by  simply  bend- 
ing the  strips  around  the  pipes,  as  shown  in  illus- 
tration. These  gutters  are  kept  constantly  filled 
with  the  Tobacco  tea,  made  by  putting  a  barrel 
half  full  of  stems,  and  tilling  it  up  with  water. 
The  vapors  constantly  produced  from  the  gut- 
ters, although  npither  inconvenient  to  people, 
nor  injurious  to  plants,  are  entirely  sufficient  to 
keep  the  hcmse  free  from  aphis,  and  Mr.  Palmer 
has  seen  no  necessity  of  resorting  to  the  always 
inconvenient,  and  sometimes  injurious  practice 
of  fumigating  since  adopting  this  new  method. 


Water  Gas  for  Florists'  Use. 

Paper  by  J.  T.  Tcmph',  read  before  the  Ameriean  So- 
ciety of  FtortAts  ) 

The  subject  of  e.xperiments  with  water 
gas  tor  florists'  use,  is  one  of  great  Interest, 
but  yet  in  a  rather  crude  state.  -\t  the  pre- 
sent time  I  do  not  know  any  instance  where 
it  is  in  use  by  florists.  Florists  who  use 
natural  gas,  know  how  clean  it  is,  and  also 
the  little  attention  it  requires.  It  is  the 
same  with  water  gas.  The  expense  of  leav- 
ing mains  to  supply  Indtvlduals  is  the  great 
obstacle  to  its  general  use. 

There  are  two  kinds  of  water  gas,  one  for  illu- 
minating and  the  other  for  fuel.  Water  gas  for 
Uluminting  in  various  localities,  costs  from  BO 
cents  to  il.m.  water  gas  for  fuel  costs  from  10 
cent*  to  30  cents  per  1,000  feet.  Owing  to  its  be- 
ing inodorous  it  has  been  sometimes  deluted 
with  something  to  give  it  a  scent,  otherwise  it 
might  cause  great  damage  through  leakage. 
Since  last  January,  I  have  been  watching  experi- 
ments made  at  a  neighbor's,  who  at  a  cost  of  80 
cents  for  24  hours  heated  a  boiler  containing  BO 
gallons  of  water  ui  2)  minutes  to  boiling  heat 
with  illuminating  gas  and  kept  it  at  that  temper- 
ature for  3i  hours  without  further  attention. 
The  same  boiler  with  fuel  gas  at  30  cents  per 
1,1X10  feet  did  the  same  work  at  a  cost  of  22  cents 
per  24  hours.  I  h:ive  also  been  watching  experi- 
ments in  a  foundry  where  the  fuel  gas  was  made 
with  water  and  naptha  to  give  it  greater  heat 
and  found  it  gives  them  satisfaction,  but  the  ex- 
pense is  too  great  for  florists'  use.  It  is  expected 
as  the  result  of  experiments  by  Westinghouse 
and  others,  that  water  gas  for  fuel  will  in  the 
near  future  superc-ede  coal  and  natural  gas,  and 
at  less  expense. 


CONDENSED    GLEANINGS. 

Development  of  Colors  in  Plants.  Prof.  Sorby 
tells  us  that  all  the  colors  of  plants  are  simple 
modifications  of  ordinary  green  coloring— or 
chlorophyl— of  the  leaves;  this  green  coloring  be- 
ing the  practical  working  color  of  the  plant,  and 
all  other  hues  are  formed  out  of  it  by  oxidiza- 
tion, and  sene  some  definite  object  or  use.  H(jw 
this  development  takes  place  from  the  lowest,  or 
working  color,  green,  to  the  highest  specialised 
color,  viz.,  blue,  will  be  best  shown  in  the  accom- 
panying diagram,  by  the  circular  arrow.  Some- 
times yellow  flowers  become  white  and  after- 
wards tinged  with  red  and  purple,  without  pass- 
mg  through  the  orange  [stage  as  many  others 
normally  do.  In  reference  to  this  diagram  let  us 
remember  that  the  Hellebores  and  Buttercups 
var.v  from  green  to  yellow;  Zinnias  and  other 
flowers  from  yellow  and  orange  to  red,  and  the 
Forget-me-not  and  Comf  reys  very  often  show  all 
the  gradations  of  color  from  red  t«  blue— their 


flowere  opening  rod  in  the  bud  stage,  and  finally 
pa.ssing  to  blue  at  their  full  development.  The 
chemical  changes  which  lake  place.in  the  chloro- 
phyll as  exposed  to  light,  heat,  air  and  moist- 
ure are  exceedingly  subtle  ones,  and  not  yet 
thoroughly  understood,  but  now  the  subject  is 
Ix'ing  tivated  to  scientific  ivsearch,  we  may  soon 
hope  tor  even  this  great  mystery  to  be  solved, 
and  then  the  gardener  in  the  wiser  years  to  come 
will  be  enablcil  to  alter  the  colors  of  his  favorite 
flowers  more  rapidly  than  now,  by  carrying  on 
Nature's  work  on  (juicker  and  more  direct  lines. 
—Amateur  Oarilening. 

The  Kipening  of  Pears,  Most  summer  Pears 
cannot  be  trusted  to  ripen  full.v  on  the  tree;  the 
open  wind  and  sunshine  carry  away  their  deli 
cate  aroma  and  flavor.     As  fast  as  they  begin  to 


-> 


PURPLE,'' 


/ 


W 


^° 


I  I 

red',^^  ^(yellow 

V  ~-.^  WHITE  __-<55v^' 

/ 

/ 

^^  ^^ 

ORANGE 

DEVELOPMENT  OF  COLORS  IN   PLANTS. 

show  the  color  of  maturity  they  should  be  picked 
and  placed  in  still  air,  not  too  dry,  there  quietly 
to  complete  the  changes  which  develop  sweet- 
ness and  fine  flavor.  But  even  there  the  flavor 
soon  dissipates,  and  to  enjoy  it  each  Pear  must 
be  eaten  just  as  soon  as  ripeness  is  complete,  for 
decay  immediately  follows.  No  fruit  is  finer 
than  a  fine  Pear  so  managed.  A  good  test  of 
their  being  fit  to  pick  is  when  the  stem  separates 
from  the  spur  on  which  it  grew  by  its  natural 
dissepiment.  If  the  stem  is  broken  elsewhere  it 
will  leak,  and  the  fruit  will  begin  to  shrivel,  and 
will  lose  t)uality.  Winter  Pears  are  treated  sim- 
ilarly. They  should  be  left  on  the  tree  as  long 
as  safe  from  frost  and  then  placed  on  a  tray  in  a 
cool  cellar  and  covered  with  a  cloth  or  otherwise 
to  keep  the  air  still  about  them.  Some  sorts, 
most  unpromising  when  taken  in,  develop  fine 
color  and  delicious  quality  if  patiently  left  thus 
protected  to  the  slow  processes  of  change,  which 
bring  on  final  maturity.  The  proper  cellar  tem- 
perature is  a  few  degrees  above  freezing,  but  as 
the  Pears  show  color  they  should  be  taken  to  a 
warm  room  to  develop  full  flavor,  still  wrapped 
orcoVered  to  prevent  shriveling.— N.  Y.  Tribune. 

Barron's  Tree  Transplanter,  At  the  great 
show  at  Windsor,  Barron's  famous  tree  trans- 
planter was  seen  in  one  part  of  the  grounds. 
Here  suspended  some  l.s  or  20  inches  above  the 
ground,  in  the  middle  of  a  huge  vehicle  resem- 
bling a  big  timber  caiTiage,  was  seen  a  fine 
Scotch  Fir  some  40  feet  in  height,  which  had 
some  ten  days  previously  been  lifted  by  the  ma- 
chine at  Ascot,  and  brought  to  the  show  yard, 
so  that  the  practical  value  of  the  lifter  might 
be  thus  exemplified.  We  saw  the  tree  after  it 
had  been  in  this  novel  position  for  several  days, 
and  exposed  to  the  full  glare  of  almost  tropical 
sunshine,  yet  there  it  still  hung,  suspended 
upon  the  Ijearers  by  stout  chains,  the  roots  be- 
neath and  at  the  sides  somewhat  protected  from 
the  sun  rays  by  mats,  but  none  the  less,  not  a 
twig  hung,  and  not  a  branch  flagged ;  in  fact  it 
seemed  as  though  it  had  grown  on  the  machine 
for  years  and  liked  it.  The  entile  tree  and  ball 
of  soil  weighed  several  tons.  Occasionally  a  few 
buckets  of  water  were  thrown  over  the  grassy 
surface  of  the  ball  to  keep  it  moist.— Gard. World. 

Southern  Opportunities.  People  should  not 
come  here  with  the  idea  that  they  can  make  a 
living  without  proper  effort  on  then'  part,  or 
without  a  fair  expenditure  of  money  or  brain 
power.  The  climate  will  help  out  a  little,  it  is 
true.  Good  .soil  and  a  plentiful  rainfall  and  com- 
I>arative  e.xemption  from  insect  pests  will  help 
one  materially  to  make  a  living.  There  are  hun- 
dreds of  things  that  will  help  out  a  little  and 
give  a  man  great  advantage  over  those  living  at 
the  North,  but  these  advantages  will  not  avail 
unless  a  man  does  his  part  first.  He  must  in- 
telligently prepare  the  ground,  select  and  plant 
the  seed  and  cultivate  the  soil  with  due  regard 
to  agricultural  laws.  He  must  thoroughly 
possess  his  farm.  He  must  ride  his  business  or 
his  business  will  ride  him.    He  must  make  hay 


while  the  sun  shines.  The  same  agricultural 
laws  arc  in  force  here  as  elsewhere,  with  these 
adv  antages  :  Long  growing  seasons,  short,  mild 
wiiitci's,  a  soil  easy  to  cultivate,  and  very  pro- 
ductive when  properly  handled,  line  roads,  low 
taxes  and  cheap  fieight  rates.- Cornucopia. 

Curing  Tomato  Seed.  None  hut  the  best  To- 
matoes should  be  selected  for  seed  to  be  sold  to 
the  trade.  When  thoroughly  ripe,  the  Tomatoes 
should  be  ground  uj)  by  some  sort  of  process, 
either  by  bruising  them  with  a  pestle  or  by  run- 
ning them  through  a  cider  mill  or  something 
similar.  The  next  day  the  seed  is  ready  to  be 
separated  from  the  pulp,  and  the  cleaning  con- 
tinued for  two  or  three  days  after  the  grinding, 
without  any  injury  to  the  seed.  Now  run  the 
pulp  with  the  seed,  through  a  No,  4  sieve,  by 
adding  plenty  of  water  as  it  passes  through  the 
sieve,  into  a  tub  or  receptacle  used  for  holding 
the  seed.  It  should  then  be  taken  out  and  spread 
on  a  drying  cloth  and  left  till  thoroughly  dry. 
The  seed  will  now  be  more  or  less  stuck  together 
but  can  be  separated  by  rubbing,  though  a 
more  rapid  plan  is  to  run  it  through  a  threshing 
cylinder.  Now  run  the  seed  through  a  fanning 
mill  and  the  seed  be  ready  for  market.— Cal.  Fl. 
Coal  Ashes  for  Mulch.  There  can  be  no  doubt 
that  coal  ashes  spread  under  fruit  trees  are  often 
very  helpful.  One  way  they  help  is  to  make  a 
mulch.  Coal  ashes  are  light,  and  the  fact  that 
they  have  not  much  manurial  value  makes  them 
all  the  better  for  keeping  down  grass,  which  de- 
pletes the  soil  of  the  moisture  that  the  trees 
need.  Three  or  four  inches  deep  of  coal  ashes 
spread  under  the  trees  keep  the  soil  beneath 
moist  and  cool.  If  they  are  spread  on  sod  they 
kill  the  grass,  and  this,  with  the  decaying  sod 
roots,  makes  a  fine  feeding  place  for  the  roots  of 
the  tree.  It  is  probable,  also,  that  under  this 
mulch  the  soil  itself  undergoes  important  chemi- 
cal changes,  fitting  its  manurial  elements  for  ab- 
sorption by  roots.— Rural  Canadian. 

Staking  Herbaceous  Plants.  If  satisfactory 
results  are  to  be  obtained,  quite  as  much  time 
must  be  spent  on  a  garden  of  herbaceous  plants 
as  on  the  elaboi-ate  foi-ms  of  bedding  out,  but 
then  it  is  more  enduring,  and  of  more  interest 
from  the  constant  change  of  flowers.  Much  will 
require  to  be  done  in  the  way  of  staking  and  ty- 
ing. Pa^onies  are  getting  top  heavy  with  flower 
buds,  and  generally  a  single  stake  will  be  found 
enough  for  a  large  plant,  looping  up  the  stems 
lightly.  The  same  applies  to  Delphiniums,  but 
these  grow  so  strong  and  tall  that  extra  stout 
stakes  are  required,  and  instead  of  matting, 
strong  string  is  better.  Other  tall  herbaceous 
plants  need  the  same  attention.- Gardrs'  Chron. 

Forcing  Lily  of  the  Valley,  We  arranged  a 
bench  with  moss,  good  bottom  heat,  cotton  cloth 
covering,  etc.,  and  our  crop  of  flowers  wasmerel.v 
fair.  As  we  had  more  irips  to  start  we  put  the 
balance  into  a  couple  of  shallow  boxes,  covered 
with  a  light  mulching  of  Moss  and  set  under 
a  bench  in  a  warm  house,  setting  the  boxes  on 
the  pipes  and  gave  no  further  care  other  than 
watering.  To  our  surprise  these  came  far  better 
than  the  others.  We  now  grow  all  our  Valley  in 
this  simple  way.  The  boxes  can  be  had  from  any 
grocer  at  five  cents  each,  and  thej'  will  hold  KO 
pips.  The  saving  in  bench  room  is  considerable. 
There  has  been  no  Valley  grown  in  this  city  finer 
than  oui-s  forced  in  this  simple  way.— Am.  Florist. 

The  Angouleme  Pe  ar.  This  Pear,  among  cul- 
tivators of  dwarf  orchards,  is  as  widely  known 
and  as  popular  as  the  Bartlett  among  standards 
or  as  the  Baldwin  among  Apples.  Its  large  size 
adds  to  its  popularity,  and  its  excellence  in 
quality  is  increased  by  adding  to  its  size  by  good 
cultivation.  When  neglected  so  much  that  the 
specimens  did  not  weigh  four  ounces,  they  were 
no  better  than  a  Turnip.  When  weighing  a  pound 
they  are  delicious.  The  hardiness  of  the  tree  is 
one  of  the  most  valuable  qualities.  It  is  rarely 
destroyed  by  fire-blight.— Country  Gentleman. 

The  Color  of  Drain  Tile,  A  well-burned  tile 
will  not  dissolve  when  once  safely  underground, 
whatever  its  color  Nor  is  it  any  better  for  being 
burned  until  it  is  black.  Red  color  in  tile  or 
brick  is  evidence  of  iron  in  the  clay  from  which 
they  are  made.  The  Cit.v  of  Milwaukee  is  built 
of  cream-colored  brick.  The  clay  near  that  city 
does  not  contain  iron,  but  the  brick  is  just  as 
durable  under  extreme  cold  as  any  other.  All 
tile  are  more  or  less  porous,  and  if  filled  with 
water  will  crumble  and  break  if  frozen  in  that 
condition.— Am.  Cultivator. 

To  Preserve  Flowers,  Ladies  who  surround 
the  stems  of  their  corsage  bouquets  with  moist- 
ened powdered  Willow  charcoal,  which  may  in 


i8 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


October, 


turu  be  wrai>i)LMl  in  Moss  or  Cotton,  will  find 
their  flowers  remaining  fresh  loni?  after  the  de- 
parture of  all  beauty  from  those  of  their  less 
thougBtful  neighbors.  The  same  substance 
placed  in  the  bottom  of  the  vase  in  which  flowers 
are  kept  will  be  very  useful,  provided  the  stems 
are  cut  off  with  a  sharp  knife  once  or  twice  a 
day.— Pacific  Rural  Press. 

New  Fruit  Knife.  This  simple  contrivance, 
which  is  the  invention  of  J.  L.  Mosher,  of  San 
Jose,  a  professional  fruit  dryer,  and  consist*  of  a 
piece  of  highly  tempered  steel  fastened  to  the 
cutting  table,  as  represented  in  illust  ration, 
directly  in  front  of  the  operator.  The  fruit  is 
held  with  both  hands  between  the  thumb  and  in- 
dex finger,  and  is  forced  against  the  blade  or  cut- 
ting portion,  represented  by  the  curve  near  the 
top.  liy  a  quick  pushing  and  turning  motion  it 
is  separated  into  two  halves  by  a  clean  cut,  and 
the  ;pit  removed  by  the  simple  pressure  of  the 
piece  retaining  the  pit  against  the  lower  portion 
of  the  blade.  It  apparently  suiiplies  a  long-felt 
want  in  fruit  cutting. —California  Fruit  Grower. 

Keeping  Tomatoes  for  Winter.  Late  Tomatoes 
may  be  kept  long  after  the  frosts  have  destroyed 
the  vines  and  the  ripe  fruit  has  disappeared  from 
the  market,  by  picking  the  green  Tomatoes  as 
late  as  possible,  and  packing  them  in  dry  sand, 
putting  them  away  where  they  will  not  freeze. 
A  few  days  before  wanted  take  out  a  layer  from 
the  sand,  place  them  in  a  sunny  window  or  in  a 
warm  room,  when  they  will  ripen  and  be  as  nice 
as  though  fresh  from  the  vines —Prairie  Farmer. 

Potted  Geraniums.  In  California  we  don't  pot 
Geraniums  as  often  as  they  do  in  countries  where 
they  have  to  be  housed  in  winter.  The  profuse 
bloom  which  is  naturally  expected  of  them  and 
which  is  sometimes  not  forthcoming,  may,  how- 
ever, frequently  be  secured  by  potting  and  let- 
ting the  plants  get  almost  pot^bouud.— Pacific 
Rural  Press. 

Non-inflammable  "Wood.  To  deprive  wood  to 
a  considerable  extent  of  the  property  of  com- 
municating fire,  it  is  suflScient  to  coat  it  with  a 
suitable  composition.  This  is  done  with  a  brush, 
and  the  substances  most  to  be  recommended  for 
use  in  this  manner  are  cyanide  of  potassium  and 
asbestos  paint.— Manufacturer  and  Builder. 

Trapping  Mice  in  Orchard.  A  correspondent  of 
Farm  and  Home  digs  holes  all  around  his  fruit  yard  16 
to  H  inches  deep  and  covering  them  with  short  bits  of 
boards  to  keep  snow  out,  raised  a  little  above  the  sur- 
face so  as  to  give  the  mice  free  ingress.  A  few  sweet 
Apples  or  a  little  grass  entk-e  the  little  pests  that  are 
too  clumsy  to  get  out  again. 

Fruit  Eating  on  the  Increase.  Fruit  is  so  cheap 
and  plentiful  in  New  York  that  there  is  no  excuse  for 
a  stinted  indulgence  in  it.  The  fruit  habit  is  growing, 
and  the  cooling,  health  preserving  food  is  seen  on  more 
breakfast  tables  than  ever  before.— Sun. 

A  Moist  Place  for  Apples.  Dampness  will  not  in- 
jure winter  Apples  in  the  least.  In  fact,  they  keep 
better  in  a  cellar  where  the  bottom  is  moist  earth  or 
stone,  then  In  the  cellars  which  are  perfectly  dry.— 
Orange  Co  Farmer. 

Mushroom  Growing.  This  by  artificial  means  is  so 
uncertain  that  no  one  having  experience  in  the  bus- 
luesss  could  advise  another  wholly  ignorant  of  it  to 
attempt  it  for  profit.— Farm  and  Fireside. 

Advantages  of  Draining.  Tile  draining  contributes 
to  an  aeration  of  the  soil  and  consequent  fertility,  so 
that  is  has  uniformly  been  found  use- 
ful in  Increasing  its  fertility. 

Insect  Powder  and  Flies.  Another 
use  for  Persian  Insect  powder  is  to  drive 
away  fltes  and  mos((uitos  by  burning  the 
powder  In  rooms— Am.  tiardeu. 

Keeping  Fruits.  Most  varieties  ofj 
fruit  are  best  kept  on  shelves,  where  tbeyj 
can  be  spread  thinly  and  easily  in- 
spected.-Am.  Cultivator. 

Good  Fruit  or  None.  Only  fine  goods 
are  wanted  In  the  market;  none  others 
pay.— Cal.  Fruit  Grower.  ^™ ''  ^"  'f^'- 

A  cellar  for  the  storage  of  Apples  for  late  sales  or 
shipment  ouglit  not  to  be  under  a  dwelling  house. 

Russet  Apples  make  the  best  cider. 


Vegetable  Products  on  the  Table. 

Fried  Pumpkin.  Slice  the  Pumpkin  and  boil 
luitil  tender ;  remove  frf»m  the  fire  and  musli 
with  a  fork  ;  add  two  eggs,  and  fry  in  butter 
until  brown. 

Boiling  Vegetables.  Always  put  into  fast 
boiling  water,  to  be  quickly  brought  to  the  boil- 
ing point  again,  not  left  to  steei>  in  the  water 
before  boiling,  which  toughens  them  and  de- 
stroys color  and  tla\or. 

fried  Parsnips.  Scrape  and  leave  in  ci  )ld 
water  for  an  hour,  then  boil  with  a  little  salt  in 


the  water.  Dry  them  and  cut  in  lengthwise 
slices.  Dip  in  melted  butter  and  then  in  tlour, 
season  with  salt  and  pepper,  and  fry  in  drip- 
liings.    Drain  free  from  fat  and  serve  hot. 

Cranberry  Dumplings.  Sift  tfigether  one 
quart  of  flour  and  '2^4  teasj>oons  of  baking  pow- 
der ;  mix  to  a  soft  dough  with  sweet  milk  ;  roll 
out  and  spread  with  one  quart  of  Cranberry 
sauce,  fold  over,  place  in  a  pudding-bag  and 
steam  one  hour.    Serve  with  a  sweet  sauce. 

Quince  Marmalade.  Boil  the  Quinces  until 
they  are  soft ;  then  peel  and  rub  them  through  a 
sieve  or  on  a  grater.  To  each  pint  of  pulp  allow 
one  pint  of  sugar,  and  boil  for  two  hours,  stir- 
ring frequently.  It  is  well  to  place  the  preserv- 
ing kettle  where  there  is  no  danger  of  burning, 
but  where  the  boiling  is  continuous.  The  long 
lioiling  causes  the  color  to  become  a  rich  red. 

Quince  Jelly  from  Parinprs.  Put  the  parings 
and  cores  in  a  kettle  and  neatly  cover  with  cold 
water ;  boil  until  very  tender,  pour  into  a  strain- 
ing cloth  tied  over  the  top  of  a  stone  jar,  let 
them  drain  untouched.  To  every  pint  of  juice 
allow  three-quarters  of  a  pound  of  sugar,  put 
juice  in  a  kettle  and  let  it  boil,  then  stir  in  the 
sugar  a  handful  at  a  time,  boil  twenty  minutes 
and  pour  into  glasses. 

Cauliflower  Pickles.  Take  solid  heads,  cut  in 
small  pieces  so  they  will  go  in  a  can  without 
breaking,  wash  well  and  cook  in  hot,  salted  water 
from  three  to  five  minutes.  Skim  out  carefully 
into  cold  water  which  sends  the  salt  all  through 
it,  then  put  into  glass  cans  or  small  jars;  pre- 
l>are  vinegar  with  about  one  teacupf  ul  of  white 
sugar  to  two  quarts  of  pure  cider  vinegar  and 
one-half  cupful  of  whole,  white  Mustard  seed. 
Let  the  vinegar  boil  and  pour  on  the  Cauliflower. 
Fill  the  can  full  and  screw  the  cover  on. 

Chow  Chow.  One  peck  of  green  Tomatoes, 
five  Onions,  three  heads  of  solid  Cabbage,  one 
dozen  green  Peppers.  Chop  each  separately 
and  then  mix  together  and  put  in  a  coarse, 
linen  bag  and  drain  over  night.  Put  in  a  porce- 
lain kettle  three  pounds  of  brown  sugar,  one- 
half  teacupfu!  of  grated  Horse  Kadish,  a  tea- 
spoonful  of  ground,  black  Pepper,  a  teaspoon- 
ful  of  ground  Mustard,  a  tablespoonful  of  Celery 
seed.  Cover  with  vinegar,  boil  and  pour  on 
pickles  in  jar.  If  you  wish  it  to  be  yellow,  add 
Curry  powder  to  the  \inegar. 

Baked  Egg  Plant.  Cut  in  half ;  scoop  out  all 
the  inside,  taking  care  to  preserve  the  outside 
shell;  chop  the  inside  verv  fine,  mis  with  bread 
crumbs,  add  a  half  teacup  of  milk,  season  with 
salt  and  pepper,  but  no  butter  ;  return  it  to  the 
shells,  and  after  cutting  a  little  from  the  ends  to 
make  them  level,  jjlacein  your  meat  pan,  adding 
a  little  water,  and  bake  as  you  would  a  roast 
forty  minutes,  then  take  out  of  the  shells  into  a 
warmed  dish.  Make  a  drawn  butter  sauce  and 
pour  over  it ;  that  is,  a  teaspoonf  ul  of  hot  water, 
butter  the  size  of  a  small  egg  and  flower  to  make 
it  like  thin  gravy. 

Stewed  Beans  with  Tomato.  Soak  any  dried 
Deans,  Lima  or  Butter  Beans  preferred,  and  in 
the  morning  boil  for  fifteen  minutes;  pour  off 
this  water  and  add  a  quart  of  fresh  boiling 
water,  with  a  teaspoonful  of  salt  and  sugar,  and 
half  a  small  Ked  Pepper  cut  fine.  In  the  mean 
time  brown  a  minced  Onion  in  two  tablespoon- 
fuls  of  Olive  oil ;  add  some  sprigs  of  Pai-sley  and 
six  Tomatoes  and  stew  slowly  for  half  an  hour; 
then,  rub  through  a  sieve,  thicken  with  a  spoon- 
ful of  tlour  rubbed  smooth  in  cold  water.  Let 
the  liquid  on  the  Beans  quite  boil  away,  taking 
care  that  they  do  not  scorch  ;  add  the  Tomato, 
let  all  boil  up  once  and  serve  hot.— G(^  Htnisdi''g. 

Apple  Butter.  To  forty  gallons  of  good  sweet 
cider,  made  from  sound,  ripe  Apples,  use  three 
bushels  of  select  Apples.  The  cider  should  be 
boiled  down  to  one-third  or  a  little  less  before 
putting  in  the  Apples,  which  should  be  pared 
clean,  all  specks,  bruises,  seeds  and  seed  cavities 
removed.  They  may  be  quartered,  or  cut  into 
eighths,  if  very  large.  Stirring  should  com- 
mence as  soon  as  fruit  get*  soft,  and  be  kept  up 
carefully  until  done.  At  all  times  prevent  the 
flames  of  fire  striking  the  kettle  above  the  line 
of  contents.  When  boiled  down  to  ten  gallons 
it  will  be  done,  and  will  be  an  article  fit  for  a 
king.  Put  in  earthen  vessels,  and  when  cold, 
dip  clean  white  paper  into  good  whisky  or 
brandy,  and  lay  it  over  the  tops.  In  four  months 
from  making,  if  kept  in  a  garret  (the  best  place), 
the  jars  can  be  inverted  on  a  floor  or  shelf  witli- 
out  running  out.  Will  keep  for  years,  and  if 
made  with  the  right  kuid  of  Apples,  such  as 
Kumbo,  Smokehouse  or  Bellflower,  will  become 
as  smooth  as  cheese.— *\  Miller  in  Vich'a  Magaz. 


HOUSE  PLANTS. 

Begonias.  The  tuberous  rooted  class  t«  be  dried  off 
and  stored  in  a  frost-proof  place.  Other  flowering 
kinds  need  plenty  of  water  and  light,  and  room  enough 
so  they  will  not  touch  one  another.  Give  liquid  manure 
occasionally.  Rex  Begoulas  to  be  watered  but  spar 
ingly,  and  set  in  a  somewhat  shady  position. 

Chrysanthemums  to  be  stimulated  with  liquid  ma- 
nure. 

Echeverias  to  be  watered  quite  sparingly  from  this 
time  on. 

Epiphyllum  truncatum  to  be  placed  lu  a  light,  sunny 
situation,  and  stimulated  occasionally  with  liquid 
manure. 

Ferneries  to  be  started  for  winter  adornment. 
Plants  can  be  placed  In  any  cool,  light  window.  Water 
the  roots  thorouglily  but  not  the  foliage.  Among  the 
finest  for  window  we  have  Pteris  argyrea,  Pserrulata 
erlstala,  Nepolepis  exaltata,  Lomarla  Gibba.  etc. 

Fuchsia.  Plants  having  done  their  flowering  may 
gradually  be  supplied  with  less  water  until  all  foliage 
is  ofl",  then  stored  away  in  some  cool  place  where  frost 
never  reaches,  until  required  to  start  again.  The  win- 
ter bloomers  need  a  well -drained,  light,  rich  soil  and 
plenty  of  sun.  The  old  Speclosa  is  good— none  better. 
Carl  Halt  is  a  variegated  blossom,  and  good  for  winter. 

G-eraniums  closely  cut  back  and  potted  will  winter 
well  in  a  dry  cellar.  Those  kept  from  blooming  up  to 
this  time  are  now  In  shape  for  flowering. 

Hoya  carnosa  tlirlves  best  in  a  warm  place,  but 
needs  now  but  little  moisture  at  the  root. 

Hyacinths  and  other  bulbs— Tulip,  Crocus,  Narcis- 
sus, Jonquil,  etc.,— to  be  started  In  pots  for  forcing. 
Single  ones  bloom  flrst  and  are  generally  the  most  sat- 
isfactory, especially  for  growing  In  glasses.  Dark 
glasses  are  better  than  those  of  clear  glass. 

Jasminum  grandiflorum  In  bloom  to  be  given  occas- 
sional doses  of  liquid  manure. 

Jerusalem  Cherries.  Water  freely  to  prevent  the 
leaves  from  dropping. 

Justica  carnea  to  be  repotted  and  started  up  for 
winter  blooming.  Give  rich,  loamy  soil  and  thorough 
drainage. 

Oleanders  to  be  removed  to  a  cool,  light  cellar  If 
room  is  needed.  Keep  rather  dry  at  the  roots.  Wash 
the  foliage  with  soap  water  from  time  to  time. 

Rivini  humilis  to  be  placed  in  a  sunny  window,  and 
occasionally  watered  with  liquid  manure. 

Primroses  now  need  light,  and  during  blooming  are 
benefited  by  a  weekly  application  of  weak  manm*e 
water. 

Temperature.  Plants  coming  directly  from  the 
florists  often  fall  when  set  in  a  window  at  this  time 
because  the  pampered  greenhouse  plant  is  not  used  to 
the  exposure  in  the  much  colder  window.  Be  sure  to 
get  plants  that  are  thoroughly  hardened,  and  to  warm 
the  rooms  where  such  plants  are  in  the  window,  suffic- 
iently to  carry  them  over  this  change  in  a  gradual  way. 


LAWN  AND  FLOWER  GARDEN. 

Bulbs,  The  sooner  Hyacinth,  Tulip,  Narcissus, 
Liliuni  longiflorum.  Iris,  Crown  Imperial,  Snowdrop 
and  similar  hardy  bulbs  are  put  In  the  ground  now  the 
better,  although  the  planting  may  be  continued  as  long 
as  the  ground  remains  open. 

Caladiums,  Cannas.  The  leaves  should  be  removed 
as  soon  as  injured  by  frosty  or  other  bad  weather,  and 
afterwards  carefully  lifted,  dried  and  stored  in  sand 
iu  a  dry,  cool  cellar,  or  underneath  a  greenhouse  bench. 

Dahlias.  Take  up  after  frost,  label  carefully  and 
store  In  barrels  In  a  dry,  frost-proof  cellar. 

Erythrinas.  After  frost  cut  the  plants  back  properly, 
lift  carefully  and  place  in  boxes  In  a  dry,  frost-proof 
cellar. 

Enonymus,  Ancuhas,  and  similar  half-hardy  plants 
t«  be  taken  up  and  placed  lu  cold  pits  where  some  pro- 
tection can  be  given  in  severe  weather. 

Flower  beds,  etc.,  should  not  be  neglected  now  to 
the  extent  of  becoming  an  eye-sore  to  the  beholder. 
Remove  the  plants  injured  by  frost  and  neatly  level 
the  soil.  Remove  the  decaying  leaves  and  portions  of 
herbaceous  plants. 

Gladiolus.  Take  up  the  bulbs  after  severe  freezing; 
dry  and  clean  them,  put  iu  paper  bags  and  store  In  a 
cool,  dry  place  out  of  the  reach  of  frost. 

Hydrangeas,  Lemon  Verbenas,  etc.,  t«  be  taken 
up.  ipotted  or  placed  in  boxes,  then  placed  In  a  dry, 
cool  celler.    Should  be  kept  almost  dry  at  the  root. 

Mirabilis.    Treat  like  Dahlias. 

PcBonies  and  other  hardy  herbaceous  plants  may  he 
taken  up,  divided  and  reset  early  this  month.  Manure 
and  work  over  the  border  or  bed  thoroughly  before 
replanting. 


1889 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


19 


Planting.  This  nttiuth  lianller  trees  and  shrubs  may 
be  planted  on  well  ilralned  still.    Strip  off  the  leaves- 

Pomegranates.  Direetious  for  Hydrangeas  will 
apply. 

Tigridias,  Tuberoses.  Treat  likelibullulus.  Tube- 
rose bulbs  shouhl  be  stured  lu  a  warmer  room. 

Vallota.    Conimeuee  drying  off. 

ViTalks.  Coutiuue  to  keep  eleau  and  rolled  down, 
with  etlges  ueatly  trimmed. 

Weeds.  Keep  up  the  warefarc  against  them  to  the 
Inst. 


PLANT  CULTURE  UNDER  GLASS. 
Airins-  <.!ive  plants  under  glass  au  abundance  of  air 
daily  as  long  as  the  weather  will  permit.  Avoid  excess 
of  heat,  espeelally  at  night  and  during  cloudy  weather. 
Ardesia  crenalata.  If  Increase  of  stock  is  desired, 
sow  seed  as  soon  as  ripened. 

Azaleas.  Give  them  a  eool.  airy  place,  water  care- 
fully and  give  perfect  drainage. 

Bouvardias,  for  free,  early  bloom  should  be  kept  In 
a  temperature  of  55  to  ft)  degrees.  When  kept  cooler. 
Bowers  will  be  later,  although  just  as  fine.  Syringe 
freely.  WTien  making  rapid  growth  give  weekly  doses 
of  manure  water. 

Cacti  Water  sparingly  except  the  Eplphyllum 
truncaium  varieties.  Give  a  light  sunny  situation,  a 
temperature  of  alx>ut  55  degrees,  and  occasional  doses 
of  manure  water. 

Camellias.  Give  plentj-  of  water  at  the  roots. 
Syringe  foliage. 

Cestrams.  After  blooming  store  under  the  green- 
bouse  benches,  or  place  in  a  ct>ol,  dry  cellar. 

Calceolarias  from  seed  to  be  shifted  as  needed- 
Water  caref  ullj'.  Keep  near  glass.and  free  from  Insects. 
Air  freely. 

Chrysanthemnms  to  be  given  manure  water  until 
nrst  flowers  open,  but  none  afterwards.  Keep  the 
plants  cool;  give  air  freely,  fumigate  occasionally. 
Cinerarias.  Treat  like  Calceolarias. 
Climbers  like  Thunbergia  Harrlsil.  etc..  to  be  kept 
tied  up.  Occasional  doses  of  manure  water  promote 
free  growth. 

Cyclamen  Fersicnm  to  be  placed  In  a  light,  sunny 
position  close  to  the  glass. 

Diosma  fragrans,  Chorogemas  and   similar  hard. 
wooded  plants  to  be  placed  in  a  cool  part  of  the  hou«e, 
and  given  water  more  sparingly.     If  watered  stall 
apply  freely  and  thoroughly 
Ericas.    Treat  as  advised  for  Diosma. 
Enphorbia.     Temperature  at  night  should  be  kept 
at  60  or  more  degress.    Apply  manure  water  bl-weekly. 
Fuchsias.    See  directions  xmder  House  Plants. 
G-ardenias-    Water  sparingly  and  place  In  a  temper- 
ature of  about  55  degrees. 

Geraniums  for  winter  ;bloom  to  be  placed  In  a  light. 
sunny  situation,  with  an  average  night  temperature  of 
from  45  to  55  degrees. 
Callas  for  winter  bloom  to  be  watered  abundantly. 
Heliotropes.     Directions  for  Bouvardias  will  apply. 
Insects  to  be  kept  down  by  careful  and  timely  atten- 
tion.    Fiunigate  the  house  twice  a  week;  or  keep  the 
Tobacco  tea  troughs  on  the  pipes.     Use  the  syringe 
freely  to  keep  red  spider  in  subjection.     Remove  scale 
and  mealy  bugs  by  washing. 

Jerusalem  Cherries.  Treat  as  directed  under  House 
Plants. 

Lachenalias  to  be  potted  now  for  bloom  from  Janu- 
ary to  March. 

Mignonette,  Ten  Week  Stock,  Maurandia,  Sweet 
Alyssiuii,  etc.,  for  winter  and  spring  decoration  may  be 
sown  until  last  of  the  month. 

Oxalis.    The  potted  bulbs  soon  start  into  growth. 
Water  freely:  place  in  a  light,  sunny  position  where 
an  average  temperature  of  50  degrees  is  maintained. 
Poinsettias.    Treat  as  advised  for  Euphorbia. 
Requisites.     Haul  manure,  sand,  etc.,  to  be  on  hand 
when  wanted. 

Petunias,  Pinks,  Carnations,  Centaureas,  etc.,  can 
now  be  readily  propagated. 

Roses.  Avoid  cold  draughts  of  air.  For  cut  flowers 
syringe  dailj*  in  bright  weather.  For  spring  blooming 
lift  and  pot  about  the  middle  of  the  month,  place  in 
cold  frame  to  protect  by  sashes  from  extremes  of  cold 
and  wet. 

Salvias  splendens  will  yet  bloom  for  some  time  if 
given  a  favorable  sitnation,  free  watering  and  occa- 
sional do.ses  of  liquid  manure. 
Seedlings.    Transplant  or  pot  as  may  be  needed. 
Verbenas  can  yet  be  propagated  from  cuttings. 


FRUIT,  GARDEN  AND  ORCHARD. 

Apples.  Fall  Apples  to  be  harvested  just  as  soon  as 
matured-  Winter  fruit  to  be  left  on  the  trees  until  the 
approach  of  colder  weather.  More  than  usual  care 
should  be  bestowed  on  the  gathering,  packing  and 
marketing  of  the  fruit  this  season,  as  the  crop  here 
and  in  Europe  Is  light  and  the  prospect  is  for  good 
prices  generally.  Pack  good  fruit  in  clean  barrels,  and 
put  your  name  and  address  legibly  on  the  head,  with 
variety  of  Apples,  grade,  etc.  Save  the  culls,  and 
evaporate  or  sell  to  evaporating  or  cider  establishments. 

Blackberries  need  little  attention  this  month,  unless 
winter  protection  is  given.  If  s'>,  trim  out  the  old  cane  S' 


heail  back  the  young  ones,  and  lay  them  upon  the 
ground,  covering  the  tips  with  ^11  or  litter. 

Cuttings  may  now  be  made  of  Currants,  Goose- 
berries. Quinces,  etc.  Tie  them  in  bundles  of  fifty  and 
bury  in  the  groimd  in  a  welt  dralneil  spot  or  in  sand  Id 
the  cellar.  If  preferred  they  can  also  be  planted  out  in 
rows  two  or  three  feet  apart  and  two  inches  apHrt  In 
the  rt>ws.  Grape  cuttings  had  better  be  tied  In  bundles 
and  burled  nutll  spring. 

Grapes.  Let  them  get  fully  ripe  before  gathering. 
Pick  when  dry,  and  remove  all  decayed  and  imperfect 
berries.  Dispose  of  the  thin-skinned  varieties  as  soon 
as  possible,  as  they  do  not  keep  long.  Well-rlpened 
thick-skinned  sorts  will  keep  for  a  long  time  If  left  in 
a  cool  room  for  some  days,  and  then  stored  in  open 
trays  In  a  dry.  cool,  airy  cellar.  The  Grape  crop  Is  not 
so  very  large  this  season,  that  there  Is  any  need  of 
crowding  the  market  at  any  time. 

Orchard.  After  the  leaves  fall  Is  a  good  time  for 
pruning  or  heading  back  young  trees.  Plum  and  Peach 
trees  are  generally  benefited  by  trimming  off  one-third 
of  all  young  growth. 

Pears  to  be  handled  somewhat  like  Apples.  Half 
barrels  or  crates  make  good  packages. 

Packages.  Get  a  supply  of  barrels,  half  barrels, 
crates,  etc.,  at  once,  if  not  on  hand  already. 

Picking  Apples,  Pears,  Peaches,  etc.,  can  be  done 
conveniently  and  safely  when  the  needed  ladders, 
baskets,  ropes,  etc.,  are  at  hand,  and  reasonable  care 
in  their  use  Is  exercised.  Run  no  risks.  Use  none  but 
ladders  strong  euoughto  bear  the  strain,  and  fasten  in 
the  trees  In  such  a  way  that  they  can  neither  slip  nor 
slide.  A  little  care  would  save  many  a  fall,  broken 
limbs,  etc. 

Planting.  Apple  and  Pear  trees,  Raspberry  and 
Blackberry  plants,  etc.,  may  be  set  now  with  advan- 
tage. For  Peach  trees  we  prefer  spring  planting. 
Setting  Strawberries,  especially  at  the  north,  and  on  a 
large  scale,  should  also  be  deferred  until  spring. 

Raspperries.    Treat  like  Blackberries. 

Storing.  A  cool  cellar,  dry  enough  to  prevent  mold- 
ing, yet  moist  enough  to  prevent  shriveling.  Is  service- 
able for  storing  Apples,  Pears,  Grapes,  etc.  Put  up 
shallow  bins  or  tiers  of  shelves.  Tree  fruits  to  be 
kept  for  any  length  of  time  should  be  gathered  just  as 
soon  as  mature,  and  rather  earlier  than  fruit  that  is  to 
be  consumed  soon. 

Yonug  trees  need  careful  Inspection.  Sometimes  a 
label  wire  is  choking  the  life  out  of  one,  or  newly  bud- 
ded trees  are  nearly  strangled  by  the  ligature  used  in 
budding.  Remove  the  wires,  cut  the  ligature.  Also 
head  the  young  growth  back  where  needed  to  improve 
the  shape  of  tree. 


VEGETABLE  GARDEN. 

Aspaiagus.  Cut  and  remove  the  tops  before  the 
seeds  are  shed,  then  apply  a  coat  of  manure. 

Beets  to  be  gathered  before  freezing  weather.  Cut 
off  the  tops  an  inch  from  the  crown  and  store  in  pits 
or  in  sand  In  a  cool  cellar. 

Cauliflower.  The  late  crop  should  be  protected 
from  suu  and  dew,  by  folding  some  of  the  large  leaves 
over  the  heads  and  tying  there. 

Celery  needs  considerable  attention  from  now  on. 
Earth  up  what  Is  wanted  for  fall  or  early  winter. 
Handle  what  is  to  be  wintered  in  trenches  or  In  the 
cellar. 

Egg  Plants.  Gather  all  large  specimens  before  frost. 
If  desired,  a  few  plants  may  be  carefully  lifted  and 
placed  under  glass  to  prolong  the  supply. 

Endive  can  be  nicely  blanched  in  cold  frame.  Take 
up  from  open  ground  with  a  ball  of  earth  attached  to 
each  plant  and  set  out  closely  together  in  frame.  Keep 
reasonably  dry  and  air  freely. 

Peppers.  Pull  up  the  plants  before  frost,  and  hang 
up  under  a  shed  or  otherwise  out  of  the  reach  of  frost. 
Thus  the  supply  may  be  kept  up  for  some  time. 

Rhubarb  should  have  a  good  coat  of  manure. 

Spinach.    Cultivate  and  thin  the  crops  for  spring. 

Squash.  Gather  before  frost  and  store  in  a  diy  situ- 
ation out  of  the  reach  of  frost. 

Stakes.  Poles,  etc.    Gather  and  put  under  cover. 

Sweet  Potatoes.  After  the  first  light  frost  cut  off 
the  tops,  dig  carefully  to  avoid  bruising;  then  store  in 
a  dry  place  iu  a  temperature  of  5U  to  60  degrees. 

Tomatoes.  Treat  as  described  for  Peppers.  A  few 
plants  might  also  be  protected  in  open  ground  by 
frames,  sashes  or  otherwise.  A  first  fall  frost  is  usually 
followed  by  weeks  of  fair,  warm  weather,  and  the 
plants  thus  saved  from  destruction  will  often  yield  a 
supply  of  Tomatoes  for  quite  a  while. 

Turnips.  Continue  cultivating  until  foliage  covers 
the  ground. 


FRUIT  AND   VEGETABLES    UNDER 
GLASS. 

Figs.  Reduce  supply  of  moisture  both  overhead  and 
at  the  roots  as  soon  as  fruit  is  gathered. 

Grapes.  Keep  earliest  houses  cool  and  dry.  Prune 
the  successional  houses  as  soon  as  the  leaves  begin  to 
fall.  In  the  late  houses  the  fruit  will  be  about  ripe. 
Keep  them  cool  and  dry.  Remove  all  decaying  berries 
as  soon  as  noticed. 

Guavas  should  be  well  supplied  with  water,  other- 
wise loss  of  the  entire  crop  may  l>e  the  result. 


Lettuce.  Plants  from  the  August  sowings  can  be  set 
out  for  the  earliest  crop,  and  those  raised  from  Sep- 
tember sowings  packed  Into  cold  frames  In  rows  an 
Inch  or  so  each  way. 

Limes,  Lemons,  Oranees.  Wash  the  trees  occas- 
sloually  with  soapy  water.  Thin  (^>ut  the  fruit  where 
too  thick.     Water  occasionally  with  li<!uid  manure. 

Parsley  for  winter  use  is  easily  secured  by  carefully 
lifting  the  plants  and  placing  them  lu  a  cold  frame. 
Some  boxes  can  be  filled  and  placed  In  the  greenhouse 
or  kitchen  window.  Set  the  plants  four  Inches  apart 
each  way. 

Peaches  and  Nectarines  In  cool  or  slightly  heated 
houses  should  have  an  abundance  of  air  in  order  to 
properly  ripen  off  the  wood.  Trees  in  tubs  should  be 
treated  like  Figs. 

Rhubarb.  For  winter  forcing  lift  the  roots  toward 
the  end  of  the  month,  and  store  In  frames  in  cellars 
until  wanted. 

Strawberries.  If  not  yet  done,  repot  into sLxinch 
pots,  and  plunge  In  coal  ashes  In  an  airy  place. 


THE   POULTRY  YARD. 

Stunted  chicks  will  never  make  good-sized_ 
fowls. 

Feed  regularly.  Never  let  the  chicks  go  to 
bed  hungry.  Also  feed  as  early  as  possible  in  the 
morning:. 

Profit  in  Geese.  Pick  geese  every  ten  days  ex- 
cept during  the  coldest  weather  of  winter.  The 
feathers  can  be  made  to  be  a.  source  of  consider- 
able income  with  good  management. 

Making  a  Poultry  Fence.  A  good  plan  is  to 
board  up  tight  the  first  two  feet  and  then  use 
woven  wire  netting  to  receive  the  desired  height. 
The  boards  will  make  a  good  protection  at  a  com- 
paratively small  cost.— Farmer  and  Breeder. 

Soft-shelled  Eggs.  Mr.  Jacobs  states  that  all 
the  bone  and  oyster  shells  in  the  world  will  not 
prevent  fowls  from  laying. *oft-shelled  eggs.  The 
remedy  is  to  give  less  grain  and  more  bulky  food, 
and  compel  them  to  work  and  take  exercise. 

Bones  for  Poultry.  Gather  up  the  bones  and 
either  break  or  grind  them  for  the  poultry. 
There  are  few  if  any  materials  that  will  excel 
this  for  a  poultry  food  and  very  often  they  are 
simply  allowed    to   go   to    waste.— F.  and  B. 

Feeding  Buckwheat.  It  is  very  fattening  and 
stimulating.  It  is  not  largelj'  used  in  this  coun- 
try for  poultry  food.  In  England,  France,  Rus- 
sia, and  especially  in  Germany,  it  forms  an  im- 
portant part  of  poultry  food.— Poultry  Monthly. 

Clip  Rooster's  Spurs.     If  you  have  any  old 

cocks  running  around  amongst  your  flocks,  ex- 
amine them  on  the  roost  at  night.  If  their  spurs 
are  Jong  and  sharp,  take  a  die  and  file  them  down. 
A  sharp  spur  often  causes  serious  damage  to  the 
hens. 

liilk  for  Fowls.  My  three  hundred  fowls,  little 
and  big.  manage  to  drink  twelve  gallons  of  milk 
a  day,  besides  much  of  their  soft  food  being 
mixed  up  with  milk,  or  cooked  with  it.  Still  the 
flock  has  never  known  cholera,  or  in  fact  any 
other  disease  for  years.— Country  Gentleman. 

Feather  Eating.  This  occurs  principally  among 
little  fowls.  It  is  a  very  bad  habit  and  should  be 
stopped.  It  occurs  mostly  where  they  are  con- 
fined in  yards  and  shows  a  lack  of  animal  food. 
Supply  them  liberally  with  raw  meat,  also  ground 
bone,  shells,  etc.  If  this  does  not  stop  the  racket 
chop  the  offending  fowl's  head  off.— Ex. 

Ducks  are  Healthy.  There  is  less  risk  of  dis- 
ease with  ducks  than  with  any  other  fowls.  If 
they  can  have  a  free  range  during  the  day  and  a 
comfortable  house  at  night,  and  are  fed  lightly, 
they  will  need  vei'y  little  other  attention,  while 
they  are  good  layers,  a  good  table  fowl  and  fur- 
nish a  good  supply    of    feathers.— F.  and  B. 

Grass  for  the  Confined  Birds.  l>o  not  throw 
grass  over  into  the  yards  to  be  trampled,  but  cut 
it  up  fine  and  place  it  in  the  troughs.  No  other 
food  need  be  given  until  night.  It  re<iuires  but 
a  few  minutes  to  cut  up  a  large  amount;  even 
with  shears.  Such  food  will  not  render  them  too 
fat,  and  is  just  what  the  hens  want  for  producing 
e^g^-— Farm  and  Fireside. 

Egg  Preservative.  Take  a  teacupful  of  salt, 
and  lime  the  size  of  an  egg,  and  pour  boiling 
water  on  them.  When  cold,  drain  off  the  liquor 
and  put  it  on  the  eggs.  If  too  strong  there  will 
be  a  crust  on  top;  if  so,  add  more  water.  This  is 
for  two  gallons  of  liquor.  There  is  no  receipt 
that  beats  this,  and  it  can  relied  upon.  Eggs  put 
down  in  August  and  used  in  April  are  just  as 
fresh  and  make  just  as  nice  frostings  as  newly 
laid  ones.— The  Magnet. 

Lime  on  the  Yards.  By  scattering  fine  lime 
over  the  yards,  occasionally  (and  also  on  the 
floors  and  walls  of  the  poultry-house),  it  will 
greatly  aid  in  warding  off  disease,  and  will  be  an 
obstacle  to  the  progress  of  lice.  The  house  should 
be  cleaned  out  and  the  lime  dusted  over  every 
part,  ft  will  also  aid  in  making  the  soil  more 
fertile,  and  if  at  any  time  a  crop  is  grown  in  the 
yard,  the  manurial  and  chemical  effects  of  the 
time  will  be  noticable.  Carbolateof  lime  may  be 
prepared  by  adding  a  gill  of  carbolic  acid  to  a 
quart  of  boiling  water  and  using  such  water  to 
slack  stone  lime.  Use  it  only  when  in  a  fine  con- 
dition.—Farm  and  Fireside. 


20 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


October, 


CorresponcUnta  are  urged  to  anticipate  the seanoti  in  pre- 
senting questUms.  To  aalc,  for  Instance,  on  At^ril  16  or  -il) 
what  Peaa  had  best  be  sown,  could  bring  no  answer  in 
the  May  issue,  and  none  before  June,  tflhen  the  answer 
would  be  unseasonable  Questions  reeeivedbefore  the  VJth 
of  any  month  stand  a  good  chance  of  being  answered  m  the 
next  paper     Not  more  than  three  questions  should  be   sent 


at  one  'time.    Answers  to  questions   bearing  on   the  cot 

tHlrMive  value  of   imp.ements.  etc.,  offered    by    different 

dealers  must  not  be  expected.     Neither  can  we  promise  to 


comply  wiih  the  request  sometiii.es  made  to  "please  ansicer 
by  mail."  Inquiries  appearing  without  name  belong  to  the 
name  next  following 

Replies  to  Inquiries  are  earnestly  requested  from  our 
readers  In  ansuvring  such  give  the  number,  your 
locality  and  name,  the  latter  not  for  publication,  unless 
yau  desire.     Write  only  on  one  side  of  the  paper. 

1,441.  Apple  Mildew.  Grafts  of  different  varieties 
covered  with  some  kind  of  mold.  What  is  It,  and  what 
Is  the  remedy/— E.  H.  A.  &  Son. 

1,44a.  Wintering  Fuchsias.  Can  I  keep  them  in  a 
•dark  cellar?  Sitting  room  is  too  warm.— S.M.J. .ionrfon. 

1.443.  Peroxide  of  Silicates.  Will  it  kill  ciirculio? 
How  applied  and  at  what  cost?— P.  K.,  Aledo,  Ills. 

1.444.  Time  ol  Planting  Trees.  Is  It  best  done  in 
fall  or  spring?  Please  describe  most  successful 
methods?— C.  E.  M. ,  Atkinson,  Neb. 

1.445.  Treating  Neglected  Grape  Vines.  A  fine 
Scuppernoug  and  a  number  of  Concords,  covering  large 
trellis,  have  never  borne  fruit.    What  is  to  be  done? 

1.446.  Pruning  Grape  Vines.    The  best  season? 

1.447.  Grapes  on  House  Wall.  What  Is  the  best 
mode  of  culture? 

1.448.  Selling  Strawberries.  Please  tell  best  time 
and  best  varieties  for  here.— A.  J .  R.  Somerville.  Tenn. 

1;449.  Cacti  Culture.  What  are  the  requirements? 
— H.  &  Son,  Galena,  Ills. 

1.450.  IvanhoeApple.  What  of  its  quality  and  value? 

1.451.  Curcnlio  on  Peaches.  Small  maggot  destroy- 
ing Peaches.  What  are  they,  and  what  Is  the  remedy? 
H.  M.,  Rowanta,  ^'a. 

1.452.  "Holy  Ghost"  Plant.  Is  this  the  correct 
name  and  how  is  It  cultivated?- Mrs.  J.  Z.  M.,  New 
Orleans,  La. 

1,45S.  Packing  Small  Fruit  Plants.  Hew  can  I 
learn  the  best  method?— S.  R. 

1.454.  Frost-Proof  Strawberry,  wnat  variety  should 
i  plant  for  market  that  will  endure  early  frost  like 
Crescent?— S.  R.,  Bloomfield,  Ind. 

1.455.  Setting  Strawberry  Plants.  .Should  the  per- 
fect and  plstllate  sorts  be  set  in  alternate  rows  or 
mixed  In  the  same  row,  to  insure  perfect  fertilization? 
What  Is  the  best  distance  to  plant?— J.  A.  S.,  Ind. 

1.4.56.  Bark  Disease  ol  Cherries  and  Plums.  What 
Is  the  reason  the  bark  cracks  and  the  young  trees  all 
die?    It  is  a  very  dry  coimtry  here.— T.  T.,  Utah. 

1.4.57.  Fertilizers  for  Palms,  etc.  Are  Palms,  Rub. 
ber  trees  and  Ferns  benefited  by  the  application  of 
fertilizers?- Mrs.  J.  T.  C,  Jamaica  Plains,  N.  Y. 

1,45.H.  Planting  Trees,  etc.  When  Is  the  best  time 
to  plant  fruit  trees,  deciduous  shrubs  and  vines?- Mrs. 
J.  T.  C,  Jamaica  Plains,  N.  F. 

1,459.  Manure  for  Strawberries.  Will  the  manure 
used  as  mulch  during  winter  hurn  or  hurt  the  plants  if 
workcil  Into  the  soil  In  spring?   -.1.  B.,  Cambridge,  O. 

1,4611.  Tuberous  Begonia.  One  specimen  always 
drops  Its  lunls.  while  others  under  same  treatment  are 
flowering  well.     What  Is  the  reason?— .S^  Jo'ih,  N.  B. 

1,461.  Cacti  Treatment.  How  can  I  make  them 
bloom?— E.  L.  S.,  Ogalatla,  Neb. 

1.463.  Greenhouse  Construction,  Etc.  What  work 
on  the  subject  could  you  reconiniaud,  especially  fcr 
forcing  vegetables?— J.  L.  L.  Biddleford,  Me. 

1,46-5.  Potato  Digger.  Is  there  any  practical  ma- 
chine of  the  kind?- P.  L.  N.,  Georyin,  Vt. 

1.464.  Land  Plaster.  Should  it  be  applied  to  gra.ss 
and  In  the  fall?-B.,  Marlboro,  N.  Y. 

1.465.  Potato  Starch.  Is  this  article  still  made  In 
quantity  in  New  England?  If  so,  where?— T.  T.  B.. 
Richmond,  Va. 

1.466.  Laying  Down  Grape  Vines.  At  what  time 
should  this  be  done?  If  Delaware  hardy  as  far  north 
a.sthls?— M.,  Plattsburgh,  N.  Y. 

1.467.  Tuberoses.  Will  bulbs.  If  taken  up  and  win- 
tered over,  bloom  again?— Ml.ss  M.  R  D.,  Lee,  Mass. 

1.468.  Milla  biflora.  Can  this  bulb  be  forced?  If 
so,  how  treated?— R.,  Hudson,  Ohio. 

1.469.  Potato  Rot.  Is  there  any  way  of  checking 
this  decay  after  Pototoesare  dug  and  placed  In  bins?— 
X.,  Putnam,  Conn. 

1,4711.  Setting  Fruit  Trees.  Should  trees  received 
from  the  nursery  this  fall  be  planted  now  or  heeled  in 
until  spring?— M.  H.  A.,  Kecne,  N.  B. 

1,471.  Nasturtiums.  Can  they  be  grown  in  the 
house  during  winter?- Mrs.  McL.,  Aubnm,  N.  Y. 

1.473.  Keeping  Grapes.  What  is  the  best  way  of 
keeping  tlrapes  for  the  holiday  and  winter  season?- 
Rev.  L.  a.  C,  Taunton,  Mass, 

l,:17:i.  Cabbages  Not  Heading.  Is  there  any  way  of 
putting  "soft  heads"  In  pits  so  they  will  grow  more 
solid  during  wlutei-? — 1.  U.  S.,  Fredonia,  N.  Y. 

1.474.  Raspberry  Pruning.  Is  it  advisable  to  cut 
out  old  wood  In  the  faH?-0.  B.  F..  Oak  Bluff,  Mo. 

1.475.  Hubbard  Squash.  What  is  the  best  way  to 
keep?   I  have  a  dry  cellar.— H.  A.  H.,  AUentown,  Pa. 


1,476.  Apples  for  Home  Use.  Will  they  keep  Itcttcr 
ilurlng  winter  If  packed  in  bran  or  sawdust?— J.  E.  W„ 
Albemarle,  Dak. 

1.4(7.  Mulching  Strawberries.  How  early  shall  i 
cover  niy  new  ijlantation?— Mrs.  C.  H.  H.,  Aurora,  III. 

1,47K.  Althea  Propagation.  How  is  the  Rose  of 
Sharon  propagated  most?— F.  E.  N.,  St.  Louis. 

1,479.  Blight  on  Rhubarb.  Some  of  my  plants  arc 
affected  with  a  kind  of  i>light  or  rust.  What  is  the 
remedy?— J.  B.,  Yale,  Mich. 

1,4M),  Greenhouse  for  Amateur.  What  is  the  best 
and  cheapest  way  of  heating  a  small  greenliouse  for 
trade  in  small  town  or  for  amateurs?— J. B.,  Yale,  Mich, 

l,4yi.  Small  Peaches.  The  fruit  on  one  of  my  trees 
for  two  seasons  ha.s  grown  only  to  the  size  of  marbles, 
and  never  ripened.  What  is  the  trouble?— W.  W.  R., 
Toronto,  Out. 

1,48a.  Kainit  on  Strawberries.  What  effect  will  It 
have,  when  should  it  be  applied,  and  how  much  per 
acre?— W.  M.,  Somerrllk;  N.  J. 

1,4*!.  Propagating  Carnations.  How  Is  it  done?— 
Mrs.  A.  N.,  .South  Rockirood,  Mich. 

I,4y4.  Cranberry  Culture.  Where  can  I  get  seed  or 
plants,  and  how  are  they  managed?— F.  C,  D.,  Tim- 
monsville,  S.  C. 

1.485.  Tartarian  Honeysuckle.  Can  I  propagate  it 
from  cuttings,  and  if  so,  how  and  when?— A.  A.,  Old. 

1.486.  Rose  Seedlings.  What  care  should  my  hardy 
perpetual  seedlings  have  this  winter;  what  per  cent 
are  likely  to  make  gooil  flowers?— T.  D.  V/.,Oalion,  O. 


REPLIES    TO    INQUIRIES. 

1,.3SJ.  Latest  Strawberry.  Among  the  very 
lati'st,  we  hiivo  Kentucky  ami  Gandy.-  P. 

1,382.  Aphis  on  Currants.  Can  be  banished 
by  an  application  of  Tobacco  dust  or  Insect 
Death  Powder.    Ai>iily  with  gun  or  bellows.— P. 

1,373.  Tennisball  Lettuce.  The  Hlack  Seeded 
is  the  most  popular  variety.  The  Boston  Market 
is  a  variety  of  the  Tennisball,  attaining  a  larger 
size  :  and  the  Black  Seeded  Butter  is  also  very 
similar  to,  or  identical  with  the  Boston  Market. 
-C.  E.  P. 

l,38t).  Bhubarb.  No  stalks  should  be  pulled 
the  first  season  after  planting  The  ne.xt  season 
they  can  be  pulled  until  they  show  a  weakness 
in  growth. — C.  E.  P. 

1,379.  Bloomless  Hoya.  Your  plant  is  grow- 
ing too  rapidly.  It  you  permit  the  pot  to  be- 
come well  filled  with  roots,  and  give  the  plants  a 
sunny  sltuatiim  where  an  average  temperature 
of  .^^°  is  maintained  during  the  winter  season, 
no  difficulty  will  be  experienced  in  blooming  the 
Hoya.-C.  E.  P. 

l,:!5t).  Grass  from  Lawn.  Can  be  utilized  for 
manure  by  placing  it  on  the  compost  heap.— P. 

1,:35«.  Jacqueminot  Bose  for  Summer.  As  this 
Rose  is  perfectly  hanly,  it  should  be  planted  out 
in  a  deep  well  enriched  border  in  a  sunny  situ- 
ation. Until  the  plant  becomes  well  established 
a  slight  covering  of  Evergreen  branches  should 
be  gi\en  during  the  winter  in  exposed  situa- 
tions.—C.  E.  Parnell. 

l.3.5i).  Herbaceous  Plants,  if  only  a  plant  or 
two  of  each  variety  is  required  it  will  be  best  to 
purchase  them,  rather  than  to  attempt  to  laise 
them  from  seed.  Strong,  well  established  plants 
can  be  procured  at  very  moderate  rates  from 
those  wh(]  make  a  siwcjalfy  of  their  culture. 
To  raise  Herbaceous  plants  fi-oni  seed,  requires 
skill,  ('.xpciierKc  anil  patii'iiic,  besides  a  knowl- 
edgecjf  thcliabilsof  the dilfi-rent  species. — Chas. 
E.  Paknell. 

l,34(j.  Apple  Tree  Bark  Louse,  Besides  the 
treatment  already  recommended,  they  can  be 
destroyed  by  an  application  of  tobacco  soap. 
Dissolve  two  ounces  in  a  gallon  of  water  and 
apply  with  a  paint  brush.— C  E.  P. 

Law.  Cyclamen  Fersicum.  After  resting  dur- 
ing the  winter  season,  the  plant  should  be  re- 
potted and  placed  in  a  well  drained,  soft-baked 
pot.  Give  a  compost,  ccmipcised  of  two-thirds 
turfy  loam,  and  onc-thinl  wi'll  decayed  iiiamne. 
Water  sparingly  at  lirsl,  and  increase  the  supply 
as  growth  advances,—!'.  E.  P. 

1,441.  Apple  Mildew.  The  Apple  twigs  are 
affected  with  the  powdery  mildew,  a  disease  due 
to  the  attacks  of  a  minute  ijarasitic  fungus. 
The  Department  of  Agricidture,  section  of 
Vegetable  Pathology,  has  given  this  subject 
special  attention,  this  season,  and  as  this  disease 
appears  to  assume  a  rather  serious  aspect, 
especially  for  tree  growers,  we  make  the  fol- 
lowing e.xtract  from  Dr.  Galloway's  report 
soon  to  be  issued :  The  experiments  were  made 
on  large  blocks  of  young  Apple  trees  in  the 
nurseries  of  Franklin,  Davis  &  Co.  The  fungus 
was  confined  almost  wholly  to  the  seedlings,  and 
on  them  solution  of  Sulphuret  of  Potassium 
( liver  of  sulphur),  one-half  ounce  to  the  gallon 
of  water,  was  first  tried,  but  soon  given  up  on 
account  of  various  dilliculties.  The  treatment 
with  Ammoniacal  Carbonate  of  Copper  solution 
was  then  decided  upon.  The  tiquiu  was  put  on 
with  a  Vermorel  pump  provided  with  a  lance 


and  eddy  chamber  nozzle,  which  answered  the 
purpose  admirably,  the  spray  being  just  wide 
enough  to  cover  the  small  trees  without  any 
wast«  whatever.  The  spray,  moreover,  was  ex- 
cepdingly  fine,  and  as  the  lauee  attachment 
enalded  the  operator  to  hold  thi-  nozzle  ilown 
am(]ngthe  leaves  there  was  no  iiicmivenience 
arizing  from  the  wind  deflecting  the  spray  and 
blinvinu- it  i,;,,.|.;  ,111  (,tj(.  ,nan.  The  mixture  was 
I>ivpiircil  by  iilaeing  six  ounces  of  Carbonate  of 
I  opper,  which  is  a  fine  powder  and  readily 
handled  by  means  of  a  small  tin  scoop,  into 
an  ordinary  waterpail.  A  half-gallon  of  ammonia 
was  slowly  added  at  the  same  time  stirring  with 
a  wooden  ]i:tddlc.  Two  miiuites'  stirring  was 
sufficient  to  conipleti-l}  dissolve  the  copper,  and 
the  solution  which  is  of  a  beautiful  blue  color, 
was  then  poured  into  a  barrel  containing  44 
gallons  of  water,  and  mixed  with  the  water  by 
means  of  a  long  stick.  A  moment's  stirring  and 
the  solution  which  was  now  of  a  light  blue 
color,  was  ready  for  use.  The  cost  of  this 
mixture,  and  labor  of  applying  it,  was  about 
two  cents  per  1,(K)0  trees.  The  blocks  were 
sprayed  six  times.  As  a  result  of  this  there  was 
practically  no  mildew  <m  any  of  the  trees  thus 
treated,  in  August,  and  even  a  lot  of  (10,000  trees 
which  were  purchased  in  Ohio  and  were  very 
badly  affcited  with  iniMew  at  the  time  of  jilant- 
inti,  are  now  dniufi  liiiiiv  well,  so  that  probably 
not  more  than  three  per  cent,  of  their  buds  will 
be  lost,  at  the  same  time  the  mildew  is  present 
and  is  doing  considerable  damage  on  many  of 
the  unsprayed  trees  in  the  nursery.  Cherries, 
especially,  are  liadly  all'eeted,  as  well  as  several 
varielies  of  I'lums.  It  niiyht  be  well  to  add  here 
that  this  fungus  attacks  llie  Peach.  Plum,  .Shad- 
bush,  Hawthorne,  and  .several  allied  plants,  but 
whether  the  spores  from  these  jilants  have  the 
power  of  infecting  the  Apple,  or  rice  versa,  has 
not,  so  far  as  we  know,  been  proved. 

1,367.  Currant  Cuttings.  Cut  as  soon  as  the 
fruit  is  gathered,  cut  in  eight  to  ten  inch  lengths 
and  planted  in  a  well  prepared  bed  packing  the 
earth  firm  at  the  bottom  and  leaving  a  bud  or  two 
above  ground  they  will  root  nicely  before  winter 
sets  in,  at  which  time  the  bed  should  be  covered 
with  coarse  manure,  leaves  or  similar  material  to 
keep  them  from  being  lifted  by  frost.  In  spring 
uncover  the  tops  and  let  them  grow,  you  will  se- 
cure far  better  plants  in  this  way  with  less  loss  and 
labor  than  by  spring  planting.— W. 

I,43ij.  Pruning  Peach  Trees.  We  would  not 
advise  fall  pruning  for  the  purpose  named.  Let 
nature  have  her  way.  Prune  in  spring  and  don't 
be  afraid  to  cut  off  a  few  blossom  buds.  Pay  no 
attention  to  them.  -W. 

1,397,  Wood  Ashes.  Use  all  you  can  get  for 
berries  of  any  kind,  and  for  other  crops  also.— E. 

1,404.  Small  Fruit  Farm.  The  size  will  depend 
much  on  the  man  and  the  fruits  grown.  Even  if 
the  place  is  called  a  farm,  extra  help  will  be  needed 
when  the  fruits  are  gathered,  so  that  it  at  once  ex- 
ceeds the  one  man  power  called  for.  Soil  should 
be  light,  warm,  free  from  stone.  Two  acres  of 
such  soil  could  be  easier  and  more  cheaply  worked 
than  one  of  the  opposite  character.  The  best  loca- 
tion is  near  a  good  local  market  not  overstocked 
with  similar  products  from  "all  creation  "  if  such 
can  be  found.— E. 

1 409.  Protecting  Qrape  Tines  and  Rasp- 
berries, Grow  the  hardiest  kinds  and  mature  the 
wood  thoroughly.  Loosen  vines  from  trellis  and 
lay  down  on  the  ground  weighting  with  something 
to  keep  them  down — E. 

1,410.  Strawberries  and  Baspberries  for  Kansas. 

How  often  are  our  horticultural  editors  and  their 
contributors  addressed  with  such  queries,  to  answer 
which  he  must  hunt  up  documents  not  always 
readily  accessil)le,  and  spend  much  time  searching 
for  information  which  the  questioner  could  far 
more  easily  obtain  in  his  own  neighborhood.  The 
editor  a  thousand  miles  away  has  no  experience 
that  would  enable  hint  to  give  an  intelligent  and 
trustworthy  answer,  so  he  must  of  necessity  seek 
the  information  from  sources  more  easily  accessi- 
ble to  the  querist.  It  seems  that  far-fetched  infor- 
mation is  often  better  appreciated  than  the  home 
product.  Kansas  has  a  large  and  live  horticultural 
society  devoted  to  the  interests  of  just  such  in- 
quiries. If  F.  M.  O.  would  send  one  dollar  to  the 
secretary,  Geo.  C.  Brackett  Lawrence,  Kansas,  for 
m**mhership  in  said  society  he  would  get  the 
annual  report  worth  double  the  money,  and  be  sur- 
prised to  see  how  much  valuable  information  in 
this  direct  line  he  could  obtain  right  at  home.  He 
will  also  flntl  if  I  am  not  mistaken,  that  he  can't 
afford  to  deny  himself  in  the  future  the  advantaged 
to  be  obtained  from  being  identified  with  the  so- 
ciety, attending  its  meetings  and  becoming  ac- 
quainted with  its  members. — E.  \V. 

1,403,  Pruning  Bed  Baspberries.  Generally 
speaking  the  young  canes  should  be  pinched  off  at 
2^  or  3  feet  high  so  as  to  secure  stockly  branched 
plants,  but  some  varieties  seem  to  do  better  if 
allowed  their  own  sweet  will  the  first  season  and 
then  having  their  heads  cut  off  in  the  spring.  They 
then  develop  strong  bearing  branches  from  dor- 
mant buds  from  near  the  base  of  the  cane  up,  pro- 
ducing better  fruit  than  the  branches  grown  the 
year  previous.  This  is  especially  true  of  varieties 
that  are  to  be  laid  down  for  winter  protection. 
Bearing  canes  should  be  removed  immediately 
after  fruiting.— W. 


1889. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


21 


1.430.  Fruits  for  Arkansas,  Tlie  remarks  undrr 
1,410  also  iijiply  to,).  K.  M. 

1,419.  Deformed  Asparagus,  My  observation 
led  me  to  attribute  tliis  in  the  majority  of  eases  to 
the  Aspara^is  beetles,  thotigli  cut  or  oilier  worms 
may  be  responsilile  to  some  degree.  Tlie  most  of 
tliese  deforineil  shoots  are  the  early  ones,  and  these 
beetles  feed  under  ground  till  the  weather  becomes 
warm  Have  found  them  so  frequently  in  such 
compromising  positions  as  to  leave  no  doubt  in  ray 
mind  they  are  the  culprits.  Thes;e  pests  are  mul- 
tiplying and  spreading  so  rapidly  as  to  be  a  serious 
menace  to  Asparagus  culture.  They  are  the  chief 
cause  of  so  much  white  Asparagus  in  the  market. 
It  is  the  sheerest  nonsense  to  claim  that  it  is  popu- 
lar or  in  demand,  for  it  is  not  and  is  the  chief  cause 
of  depreciation  in  prices  — W.  (  Jlr.  Chas.  W.  Gar- 
field in  his  paper  on  Asparagus  culture,  extract  of 
which  appears  in  this  issue,  attributes  the  causes 
of  deformed  shoots  to  the  sand  bl.tiwing  against 
them,  just  after  breaking  through  the  ground.  The 
question  of  '*  white"  or  green  Asparagus  seems  to 
us  chiefly  one  of  education,  individual  taste  t  about 
which  latter  sensible  peojjle  do  no'  dispute  },  man- 
ner of  growing,  and  culinary  skill.  When  properly 
grown  and  prepared  even  the  '"  white  "  (  bleached  ) 
Asparagus  is  not  to  be  despised.     Ed  ] 

1.424.  Keeping  Sweet  Potatoes.  The  tubers 
should  be  dujr  after  the  first  frost.  They  are 
generally  ripe  about  that  time.  Examine  some 
bruised  specimens.  If  the  wound  turns  to  a 
dark  or  bluish  color  they  are  not  ripe,  but  it  the 
■milk"  oozes  out  and  dries  over  the  wound, 
they  are  all  right.  Dig  in  fair  weather,  bruising 
them  as  little  as  possible,  and  not  expose  them  to 
rain  or  dew.  Store  them  in  crates  or  boxes  in  a 
dry  place  where  the  temperature  is  kept  at  from 
50  to  65  degrees,  and  never  allowed  to  go  much 
below  4.5.  A  correspondent  of  Southern  Culti- 
vator recommends  the  following  plan  for  south- 
ern localities,  as  one  never  known  to  tail:  Smooth 
off  the  ground  where  you  wish  to  locate  the 
bank.  Put  a  layer  of  Corn-stalks  on  the  smooth 
surface  as  thickly  as  you  can,  and  cross-lay  with 
another  layer  of  stalks.  Spread  over  the  stalks 
about  four  inches  of  Pine  straw  or  any  other 
straw.  Next,  nail  together  four  planks  or 
boards,  forming  a  hollow.  Bore  holes  in  each 
side  of  this  tolerably  thick ;  stand  it  on  end  in 
the  center  of  the  straw,  and  pile  the  Potatoes 
around  it.  Put  a  layer  of  straw  over  the  Pota- 
toes, and  a  layer  of  (^orn-stalks.  setting  on  ends 
over  it.  Cover  the  stalks  with  dirt,  spading  it 
from  close  around  the  bank,  therel>y  forming  a 
ditch  to  turn  the  water  from  the  Potatoes.  Be 
sure  to  let  the  top  end  of  the  boards  extend  a 
little  above  the  top  of  the  bank.  Leave  the  top 
open  until  rain  or  cold  snap  comes,  then  cover 
with  a  piece  of  plank  until  the  weather  moder- 
ates. This  hollow  furnishes  a  channel  tlirough 
which  air  can  readily  reach  the  Potatoes  all  a- 
round  the  center,  and  should  be  kept  oi>en  as 
much  as  possible  while  the  weather  is  moder- 
ately cool,  but  as  winter  approaches  it  should  be 
kept  closed.  Potatoes  always  go  through  a 
sweat  after  being  banked,  and  air  distributed 
through  them  is  ^ery  essential. 

1,432.  Currant  Borer.  This  may  be  the  im- 
ported borer,  the  jiarent  of  which  is  a  pretty 
wasp-like  moth  measuring  with  wings  expanded 
about  three  quarters  of  an  inch  across,  or  it  may 
be  the  American  Currant  borer  which  is  the 
larva  of  a  beetle.  Although  belonging  to  en- 
tirely different  orders,  the  two  borers  are  similar 
in  appearance  and  habits,  the  latter  ( American 
borer)  being,  however,  easUy  distinguished  by  its 
smaller  size  and  abseence  of  feet.  Botii  feed  on 
the  pit  in  the  center  of  Currant  and  sometimes 
Gooseberry  canes,  hollowing  them  out,  and  often 
entirely  killing  them.  The  only  remedy  that 
might  be  suggested  is  cutting  out  and  burning 
all  stems  found  hollow  or  sickly  in  autumn  or 
spring.  During  the  period  when  the  moths  are 
on  the  wing  they  may  often  be  captured  and  de- 
stroyed in  the  cool  of  the  morning,  at  which 
time  they  are  somewhat  sluggish.  The  other 
borer  is  sometimes  attacked  by  parasites. 

1,4.59.  Manure  for  Strawberries.  Sometimes 
it  happens  that  an  excess  *if  barnyard  manure 
works  to  the  injury  of  the  crop  to  which  it  is 
applied,  especially  by  souring  the  soil.  Usually, 
however,  the  injury  comes  from  the  failure  of 
tee  grower  to  apply  enough,  and  we  feel  much 
more  disposed  to  warn  against  the  risks  of  using 
too  little  manure,  than  caution  against  too  much 
of  it.  This  same  view  we  take  even  in  regard  to 
so  strong  a  fertilizer  as  hen  manure.  It  is  mere 
folly  to  exi*ct  very  large  returns  from  the  ma- 
nure of  W  hens  when  spread  over  five  or  six  acres, 
as  so  often  advised  by  poultry  fanciers  and  poul- 
try editors.  But  wheg  we  apply  the  droppings 
of  the  same  number  of  fowls,  accumulated  dur- 
ing one  year's  time,  to  one-twentieth  of  an  acre 
of  garden,  we  never  fail  to  see  remarkably  fine 
results.  The  inquirer  need  not  be  afraid  to  mulch 
his  StrawlxTries  with  stable  manure  which  is  free 
from  weefl  seeds,  pretty  liberally,  and  to  work  it 
into  the  soil  between  the  rows,  and  close  to  the 
plants  in  spring.  It  will  do  no  hurt,  but  most 
likely  very  much  good. 


1.44:i.  Peroxide  of  Silicate.  This  lan  not  be 
used  with  satisfactory  results  for  the  curculio. 
The  only  way  <-»f  applying  remedies  for  this  pest 
is  in  a  fine  spray  that  will  cover  fruit  and  foliage 
with  a  very  thin  film  of  arsenical  poison.  Perox- 
ide of  silicate  is  int^'iided  for  dry  application. 
Paris  green  is  probably  the  best  and  sjtfest  t(t  use, 
but  f(»r  Plum,  and  especially  Peacti  trees,  the 
liqiiitl  should  be  made  ver.\  weak,  piTiiaps  at  the 
rate  of  one  pound  to  'AKi  or  ■-'.'><(  gallons  of  water. 

\,i'tS.  Planting  trees,  etc.  Kor  this  state  we 
prefer  planting  almi)st  all  trees,  shrubs  and  vines 
ill  early  spring  rather  than  in  autumn,  the  excep- 
tion being  with  Kaspberries,  Blackberries,  Ap- 
ples, Peal's  and  a  few  other  things,  which  often 
do  very  much  better  when  planted  in  autumn. 
With  care,  and  a  little  winter  protection,  howev- 
er, almost  all  trees,  shrubs,  vines,  etc.,  can  be  set 
in  autumn  successfullj'. 

l,4.To.  Setting  Strawberries.  Lack  of  pollen 
at  the  time  of  blooming  is  one  of  the  most  pro- 
lific cause  of  bari'enness,  or  poor  specimens  in 
fruits.  For  this  reason  we  always  aim  to  set 
plenty  of  pollen  producing  plants,  and  with 
Strawberries  would  alternate  one  row  of  a  per- 
fect sort  or  sorts  with  not  more  than  two  or 
three  of  the  pistilate  variety.  Some  growers  go 
so  far  as  to  set  them  in  alternate  rows,  and  while 
this  is  hardly  necessary,  it  is  far  better  to  go  to 
the  extreme  in  this  direction  than  in  the  oppo- 
site. The  best  distance  for  the  rows  we  consider 
to  be  about  ff)ur  feet.  This  leaves  a  chance  for  a 
reaaonalilj'  wide  matted  row,  and  at  the  same  time 
ff>r  cultivation  between.  The  plants  are  usually 
setI2  or  !.'»  inches  apart  in  the  row,  but  with  free- 
running  sorts,  we  might  often  plant  double  that 
width  with  advantage,  and  only  where  the  stool 
system  is  strictly  adhered  to,  will  it  be  necessary 
with  all  sorts  to  have  them  as  close  as  12  inches 
apart  from  the  start. 

l,4o'3.  Packing  Small  Fruit  Plants.  In  no  bet- 
ter way  can  this  be  learned  easil.v  and  thorough- 
ly than  by  a  visit  during  the  shipping  season  to 
the  packing  houses  of  one  or  more  good  nurserj'- 
men  who  do  a  mailing  and  shipping  trade.  We 
have  many  such  in  almost  every  state,  and  you 
should  not  begrudge  a  reasonable  expense  to 
make  a  trip  to  those  located  nearest  to  you. 

1,.552.  Holy  Ohost  Plant.  This  is  a  terrestrial 
Orchid  belonging  to  the  genus  Peristeria  or  Dove 
plant,  and  botanically  known  as  P.  clata. 
Should  be  grown  in  well-drained  pots  of  light, 
rich,  fibrous  loam,  with  a  liberal  mixture  of  fine 
sand  and  broken  charcoal.  They  succeed  well  in 
an  ordinary  greenhouse,  but  do  not  want  much 
water,  particularly  when  at  rest.  They  flower 
during  the  summer  months,  and  remain  in  bloom 
several  weeks.    Propagated  by  division. 

1,4.51.  Curculio  on  Peaches.  The  insect  de- 
stroying your  Peaches  is  probably  the  curculio. 
Spraying  with  arsenious  solutions  in  early 
spring,  and  repeated  if  necessary,  will  kill  the 
curculio,  but  great  caution  is  required,  especially 
in  making  the  solution  weak  enough,  lest  the 
foliage  may  be'greatlj'  damaged  also.  Peaches 
seem  to  lie  very  sensitive  in  this  respect. 

1,446.  Pruning  Grape  Vines  Our  best  grow- 
ers now  seem  to  have  pretty  generally  agreed  on 
autumn  as  the  liest  time  for  pruning  Grapes.  It 
can  be  done  as  soon  as  the  leaves  have  matured. 
If  cuttings  are  to  be  made  of  the  trimmings, 
it  is  alwa.vs  best  to  do  that  before  the  latter  have 
been  exposed  to  a  very  low  temperature  in  win- 
ter. Cut  them  now,  tie  in  bundles  of  50  each, 
and  bury  in  sand  in  the  cellar. 

1,448.  Setting  Strawberries.  For  northern  lat- 
itudes we  always  favor  spring  planting  of  Straw- 
licrries,  since  it  is  so  much  more  diflicult  to  win- 
ter them  without  loss  when  set  in  autumn,  and 
the  crop  that  could  be  expected  in  following 
spring  even  under  favorable  circumstances,  is 
really  insignificant.  At  the  south,  however, 
plants  set  in  autumn,  usually  make  considerable 
growth  before  spring,  and  sometimes  even  form 
perfect  matted  rows  that  will  bear  fruit  abund- 
antly the  spring  following.  In  such  case  we 
would  fa\'or  autumn  planting. 

1,444.  Planting  Trees.  The  ground  should  be 
as  thoroughly  prepared  as  for  planting  Corn. 
Dig  the  boles  for  the  trees  large  and  deep,  with 
room  enough  to  spare  for  the  roots,  partly  fill  in 
with  surface  soil  mixed  with  good  compost;  trim 
all  bruised  parts  of  the  roots,  set  the  tree  into 
the  hole  and  fill  with  the  same  material  until  the 
roots  are  all  covered.  Press  the  soil  firmly  about 
and  among  the  roots,  first  by  hand,  then  by  the 
feet,  and  finally  finish  filling  in  the  hole  with  the 
subsoil.  .Always  leave  a  mound  drawn  up  around 
the  stem  of  the  tree  for  protection.  See  also  re- 
ply to  l,4.5.s. 

1,403.  Pruning  Eed  Easpberries.  When  red 
Raspberries  should  be  pruned  depends  largely 
upon  their  vigor  and  rapidity  of  growth  ;  if  they 
start  early  in  the  spring,  ( we  refer  to  new  canes,) 
and  grow,  rapidly,  they  should  be  pruned  as 
soon  as  they  attain  a  height  of  two  and  one- 
half  or  three  feet.  This  will  tend  to  [strength- 
en the  cane,  cause  it  to  put  forth  strong  laterals, 
and  be  likely  to  improve  the  fruitage  of  the 
next  season.  The  cutting  out  of  old  canes  after 
fruiting  of  the  varieties  that  only  fruit  upon  the 
second  years  growth  also  tends  to  strengthen 
new  canes.— Wm.  Yeosians,  Columbia  Co.,  Ctrnji. 


1,4H0.  Evaporating  Fruit.  Free  stone  Peaches 
should  be  placed  Hat  side  down  on  trays.  Clings 
can  be  removed  from  stone  by  "  Peach  knives," 
1  prefer  them  whole.  A]iples  should  be  pared  on 
a  paring,  coring  and  slicing  machine.  Drop  in 
water  tumtjiining  a  little  salt  after  paring  and 
l>lace  in  furnace  as  soon  as  po.ssible.  Should  lap 
one  eight  of  an  inch  on  the  trays.  Small  fruits 
should  be  firm  and  watehed  closely.  For  Corn, 
place  a  piece  of  muslin  on  tray  and  place  the 
Corn  on  it.  It  should  be  scraped  loose  occasion 
ally.  For  bleaching,  if  the  American  evaporator 
is  used  ( it  is  my  favorite },  place  two  trays  on 
the  upper  track  over  the  furnace,  and  a 
piece  of  sulphur  about  the  size  of  a  i'hestnut  in 
the  cuji  on  top  of  furnace  should  be  used  with 
every  fresh  tray.  Leave  the  trays  over  the  fur- 
nace about  ten  minutes  then  push  up  and  insert 
fresh  ones.  When  done,  fruit  becomes  brittle, 
but  softens  after  exposure  to  air.  Pack  in  bags 
or  tight  boxes  in  layers.  W.  P.  Alexander, 
Tenn. 

1,434.  Keeping  Sweet  Potatoes.  Charcoal  or 
the  dust  of  same  is  the  very  best  thing  known  in 
this  country  for  keeping  Sweet  Potatoes  packed 
in  it  for  winter.  Dry,  clayey  dirt,  or  very  dry 
sand  isalso  successfully  used.  \Vlieat  chaff  some- 
times does  well.  Sun  and  cure  the  Potatoes 
well  after  digging  and  don't  pack  over  two  feet 
thick,  then  keep  as  near  69°  or  65°  temperature 
as  you  can.    C.  C.  Lijtdlet,  McDowell,  Co.,  N.  C. 

1,469.  Potato  Eot.  This  has  again  shown  itself 
to  be  a  most  formidable  foe  to  Potato  culture  in 
the  various  sections  of  the  United  States  where 
rains  have  been  superabundant  during  the  season 
just  passed.  It  is  liable  to  become  still  more  de- 
structive next  season,  and  will  undoubtedly  do 
so  should  it  be  one  of  more  than  average  moist- 
ure. In  consideration  of  the  importance  of  this 
question  we  call  our  readers'  attention  to  Prof. 
F.  Lawson  Scribner's  report  on  the  Potato  rot 
appearing  in  Bulletin  No.  2  Vol.  II.  of  the  Agri- 
cultural Experiment  Station,  University  of  Ten- 
nessee, to  be  had  also  of  the  Copnell  University 
Agricultural  Experiment  Station,  Ithaca,  N.  Y., 
and  of  which  report  the  following  are  extracts: 
The  disease  results  from  the  growth  of  a  parasi- 
tic fungus  upon  the  Potato  plant  similar  in  habit 
and  botanically  related  to  the  downy  mildew  of 
the  Grape  vine.  It  is  most  severe  on  lands  that 
are  heavy  and  poorly  drained,  but  this  is  due  to 
the  abundance  of  moisture  present  favoring  the 
development  of  the  fungus  which  is  the  direct 
cause  of  the  rot.  Some  have  supposed  that  the 
rot  was  due  to  an  enfeebled  condition  of  the  Po- 
tato plant,  resulting  from  many  years  of  cultiva- 
tion, but  there  is  nothing  to  prove  that  this  is 
the  case.  The  disease  has  never  been  more  de- 
structive than  during  the  years  1843  to  1845,  and 
the  wild  Potato  is  no  more  free  from  the  malady 
than  the  cultivated  varieties.  The  life  history 
of  the  Potato-rot  fungus,  is  as  follows;  The 
spores,  lighting  upon  the  leaves  of  the  Potato 
germinate  in  drops  of  dew  or  rain,  and  the  pro- 
duct of  germination— zoospores— penetrate  to 
the  interior  tissue-s  of  the  plant,  and  after  grow- 
ing for  a  time  through  these  tissues,  the  mycelium 
sends  out.  chiefly  from  the  under  surface  of  the 
leaves,  slender,  fruiting  branches  whereon  are 
produced  a  new  crop  of  spores.  These  may 
carry  the  disease  to  the  other  plants  in  the  field, 
or  to  other  parts  of  the  same  plant;  that  is,  they 
may  serve  to  spread  the  disease  in  the  tops,  which 
we  term  blight,  o^■er  the  entire  field,  or  by  being 
washed  into  the  ground  they  may  reach  the  tub- 
ers and  caii.se  the  r<»t.  The  presence  of  the  fun- 
gus is  soon  made  evident  by  a  browning  of  the 
flesh  underlying  the  skin  and  by  a  more  or  less 
extensive  discoloration  and  depression  of  the 
latter.  The  mycelium  remains  ali\'e  and  ready 
to  renew  its  activity  upon  the  first  favoring  cir- 
cumstances. Such  Potat<ies  may  often  be  found 
in  the  markets  and  are  used  for  food  every  day, 
and  it  is  too  frequently  the  case  that  they  are 
preserved  for  seed.  Used  for  this  latter  purpose 
they  will  hardly  fail  to  effect  the  new  crop  and 
bring  about  a  new  development  or  spores.  The 
fungus  is  most  active  between  HO'  and  70"  F.  At 
40"  F.  its  development  is  insignificant,  but  the 
vitality  of  the  spores  is  quickly  destroyed  by 
keeping  the  infected  tubers  for  a  few  hours  at  a 
temperature  of  from  105°  to  110°,  a  degree  of 
heat  which  does  not  injure  their  value  for  seed. 
It  is  said  that  tubers  may  also  be  disinfected  by 
soaking  them  for  twenty-four  hours  in  a  solution 
of  sulphate  of  copper,  four  to  six  ounces  of  the 
sulphate  in  enougn  water  to  cover  a  bushel  of 
Potatoes.  If  we  can  prevent  the  spores  from 
germinating  on  the  tops  there  wiU  be  little  dan- 
ger of  the  disease  reaching  the  tubers.  It  is 
nearly  certain  that  the  rot  may  be  prevented  by 
spraying  the  tops  upon  the  first  sign  of  the  ma- 
lady, with  the  Bordeaux  mi.vtue  or  some  of  the 
other  well  known  preparations  of  copper  sul- 
phate. The  greatest  loss  from  rot  often  occurs 
after  the  Potatoes  are  dug.  They  should  be  kept 
at  a  comparatively  low  and  even  temjierature, 
and  especially  where  no  dampness  will  collect 
about  them.  Dusting  the  Potatoes  with  dry, 
air-slacked  lime,  at  the  rate  of  one  bushel  of  the 
latter  to  25  of  the  former,  will  help  to  keep  them 
surface-dry  and  materially  aid  in  their  preser\'a- 
tion.  To  sum  up,  select  for  planting  a  light, 
sandy  loam  or  a  soil  which  is  well  drained  ;  plant 
only  perfectly  sound  or  disinfected  seed;  spray 
the  tops  with"  the  Bordeaux  mi.xture  or  some  pre- 
paration ccmtaining  sulphate  of  copper;  store 
In  a  cool  dry  place,.aad  keep  dry. 


22 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


October, 


The  Growth  of  Raspberries. 

WM.  H.  YEOMANS,  COLUMBIA  CO.,  CONN. 

The  past  season  has  been  one  of  an  unusual 
degree  of  moisture  in  most  parts  of  New 
England,  and  while  it  has  its  discouraging 
effects,  it  has  at  the  same  time  possessed 
some  compensating  influences.  For  the 
production  of  cultivated  crops  the  amount 
of  moisture  has  been  detrimental,  while  for 
the  growth  of  plants  for  the  production  of 
small  fruits  its  influence  is  believed  to  be 
favorable.  With  a  season  of  great  lack  of 
moisture — a  season  of  drought— there  Is 
usually  a  scanty  and  imperfect  growth  of 
plants,  say  of  the  Strawberry  and  the  Rasp- 
berry, which  cannot  result  otherwise  than 
unfavorable  for  fruit  production;  that  was 
an  eftect  in  some  sections  of  a  drought  last 
season;  but  now  the  case  is  very  ditferent. 
Seldom  have  we  ever  seen  a  more  vigorous 
growth  of  Raspberry  bushes  than  has  been 
made  through  the  past  season. 

We  set  new  plants  in  the  spring,  and  with 
the  existing  abundance  of  moisture  in  the 
soil  immediate  growth  was  commenced  and 
continued  with  no  interruption;  the  growth 
of  canes  was  immense.  We  cut  them  back 
heavily,  but  still  they  continued  to  grow, 
and  it  the  fruiting  another  season  is  pro- 
portional to  the  development  of  canes  the 
yield  will  be  almost  unlimited.  We  shall 
await  with  some  interest  the  result,  and  if 
it  accords  with  our  expectations  it  will  be 
an  index  as  to  the  course  to  pursue  in  dry 
seasons,  becaiise  although  some  labor  is  in- 
volved it  would  be  best  to  use  means  for 
irrigation.  Does  not  this  fact  of  vigorous 
growth  with  a  surplus  of  moisture  indicate 
that  a  fairly  moist  soil  would  be  appropriate 
for  the  cultivation  of  small  fruits. 


Winter  Storage  of  Vegetable  and 
Apples  in   Pits. 

CARL  HOLTMAN,  ERIE  CO.,  N.  Y. 

Dead-set  against  tilling  the  cellar  under 
the  dwelling  with  vegetables  and  fruits, 
that's  what  I  am.  And  it  were  much  better 
for  the  health  and  comfort  of  the  family  in 
many  other  cases,  I  know  of,  if  pater 
fuiniUaswere  as  shy  of  the  practice  as  I  am. 
The  conditions  of  the  average  cellar  are  far 
from  favorable  to  the  best  keeping  of  these 
perishable  things,  and  how  often  have  I 
seen  people  carry  out  bushels  of  half-decay- 
ed Apples,  shrivelled  Beets  and  Carrots, 
and  rotten  Onions  and  Potatoes,  Imt  not 
until  after  the  odors  had  tainted  butter  and 
milk,  and  otherwise  annoyed  the  people  for 
weeks  or  months. 

Why  should  we  thus  keep  in  the  house  a 
larger  quantity  of  these  things  than  re- 
quired for  immediate  use,  when  the  old- 
fashioned  pit-storage  is  so  ett'ective  and  sa- 
tisfactory? Tender  and  juicy  are  the  Apples, 
and  plump  and  fresh  the  Potatoes  and  roots 
dug  out  from  the  ''holes"  during  winter, 
and  in  early  spring,  and  altogether  ditferent 
from  the  wilted  stuff  usually  coming  from 
the  house  cellar. 

"  Pitting  is  a  perfectly  safe  and  easy  thing 
if  we  make  proper  provision  for  ventilation 
and  sufficient  protection  against  freezing, 
although  Apples  and  roots  will  usually 
come  out  all  right  even  after  being  touched 
by  frost,  provided  they  are  allowed  to  thaw 
gradually  before  taken  out.  I  have  fre- 
quently used  the  old-fashioned  way  with 
very  good  success.  An  excavation  is  dug 
in  a  well  drained  piece  of  ground  eight 
to  twelve  inches  deep,  four  feet  wide  and  as 
long  as  required.  The  vegetables  or  Apples 
are  put  in,  and  formed  in  a  conical  heap, 
then  covered  with  nearly  a  foot  of  straw, 
laid  smoothly  up  and  down,  and  with  a 
foot  or  so  of  soil  upon  this.  A  whisp  of 
straw  should  reach  from  the  heap  clear 
though  the  soil  covering  on  top  for  ventila- 
tion. At  the  approach  of  cold  weather  the 
heap  is  thickly  covered  with  a  layer  of  straw. 


The  following  is  an  improvement  on  this 
plan,  and  I  like  it  still  better.  Instead  of 
putting  the  soil  directly  upon  the  straw 
covering,  I  make  shutters,  as  shown  in  Fig. 
1,  made  by  nailing  any  sort  of  boards  to 
cross  pieces  or  cleats  four  to  six  inches  wide, 
and  standing  at  right  angle  against  the 
boards.  The  latter  should  be  about  six  feet 
long,  the  width  of  shutter  aboutfour  feet. 

The  vegetables  are  heaped  up  in  a  long 
pile  wide  at  the  bottom  and  coming  to  a 
point  at  the  top,  as  may  be  seen  in  Fig.  2. 
When  covered  with  straw  a  foot  deep,  the 
shutters  are  placed  against  it  in  the  manner 
shown,  cleats  down.  The  straw  should  pro- 
ject over  the  top  edges  of  the  shutters.  Here 
we  have  a  dead  air  space  of  several  inches 
between  the  straw  and  the  shutters.  A  layer 
of  earth,  thick  enough  to  prevent  all  danger 
from  freezing,  is  finally  shoveled  upon  the 
boards,  only  the  top  between  the  shutters 
where  the  straw  appears  above  the  edges, 
being  left  uncovered  for  ventilation  until  the 
approach  of  very  severe  weather.  Then  the 
most  of  this  should  be  covered  also.  Rain 
and  snow  water  must  be  kept  out  by  a  piece 
of  board  laid  lengthwise  over  the  top. 

When  "out  west"  I  have  had  excellent 
success  with  a  root  cellar  similar  to  the  one 
illustrated  in  Fig.  3.  An  excavation  was 
dug  out  seven  or  eight  feet  deep,  about  as 
wide  and  twenty  feet  long,  the  top  covered 
with  stout  poles  or  logs,  and  these  with 
coarse  prairie  hay.  Corn  stalks  or  any  avail- 
able litter.  This  was  sodded  over  with  long 
strips  of  tough  sod,  and  soil  enough  shoveled 
upon  it  to  make  the  whole  covering  two 
feet  thick.  Of  course  an  opening  was  pro- 
vided for,  either  in  the  center  or  in  a  corner, 
and  the  entrance  efl'ected  by  means  of  a  lad- 
der. A  root  cellar  of  the  size  named  holds 
about  4.50  bushels  of  roots. 


THE    COMPLETE    GARDEN.* 

XVIX. 

BY  A  WELL-KNOWN  HORTICULTURIST. 

(Continued  from  page  293  VoC.  IV.) 

CLASSIFIED  LIST  OF  HARDY  FLOWERS, 

CONTINUED. 

1!lass  a.  Usually  from  one  to  three  feet  in  height. 
For  Key  to  Seh'Ctitni  sec  September  J^»e. 
Name.  Color.  Season. 

B     Achillea  (Milfoil) yellow July,  Sept. 

D     Agrost«mma  corona- 

ria crimson June 

e       Anemone      Pennsyl- 

vanica white June 

g      Aira     (Hair     (rrass) 

Citrulea yellow July,  Sept. 

0      Allium rose Sept.    Oct. 

D  eernum rose 

P  stellatum rosy  purple. 

B     Anthericum  liliastrum 

(S(.  Brunos  Lily).. white June,  July 

/       Artemesia        trigida 

(Southcrnieood) yellow  yrven     Summer 

i       Arisivma    triphyllum 

(Jack-in-the-PulpiDpurple May,  June 

D     Aster  ptarmicoides.  ..i/'/)i(c Aug.  Sept. 

n  sericeus  purple Aug.  Sept. 

D     Betomca(Befo»]y)  offi- 
cinalis  purple    .   ..June  Aug. 

Campanula  in  variety  blue,  white,  June 

D     Clematis  integritolia.. blue July,  Aug. 

(7         tubulosa fine  blue July,  Aug. 

C      Conoolinium       (Mist 

flower)  coelestinum. blue Sept. 

h      Corydalis  lutes  (Fum- 
itory)  yeUow May,  Sept. 

D     Delphinium  azureum 

(Lark.tpur) tAuc,  wh  itc .  June 

D      Daphne  cneorum 

(Garland  flower) rosy  lilac  ..May,  Sept. 

B     Diantbus       barbatus 

(Sweet    William)-.  vari<ms lune,  July 

D      Dicentra  e.ximea    .    rose June,  July 

e       Dodecatheon     media 

(Am.  Cowslip) red May,  Juno 

e       Erigeron  Philadelphi- 

cum ro8|/p«rplc.June,  Aug, 

c  BellidifoliumlBobin 

Plantain) rotry  purple.May,  June 

U      Festuca  glauca  (Fes- 
cue Orafts) grey 

•Copyright,  1887,  Popular  Oardenlng  Publishing  Co. 


D  Fritillaria  Meleagris 
(t3uiiuM-Hen  Flow- 
er)   purple April,June 

.4  .i  Funkia      subcordata 

(Plaintain  Lily)...  ti'hitc July,  Aug. 

D  coerulea blue July,  Aug. 

Other  varieties...  various 

/  Fortunei  raaculata.itJac July,  Aug. 

D  e  Gentian  alba   (White 

Ocntian white Sept    Nov. 

E  e       Andrewsii     (Closed 

Gentian blue Sept.  Nov. 

e       Gillenia        trifoliata 

(Bowman's  Root). .white July. 

Gypsophila        acuti- 

folia white...     .  July,  Sept. 

/       Geum  triflorum 

(Ai/ache  Plume). .  .red 

Hesperis  Matronalis  fl  pi, 

(Double  Rocket) white May,  July 

t        Helonias  bullata 

(Spiked  Helonias) .  .redduli ....  May 

A  Hyacinthus  (Hya- 
cinth)  

Orientali8(  Common 

Garden) various A  prjl 

D     Inula  glaudulosa  — yellnw June,  July 

A  g  Iris  (Flower-de-Lnce) 
Germanica  (Ger- 
man Iris)  vai-iuxis  ...  May,  June 

D  g  Leucojum  sestivum 
(Summer  Snow- 
flake) grecn,white.  June 

C      Liatris  (Blazing  Star) 

spicata purple  ..  ..July,  Aug. 

Linium       perenne 

(Perennial Flax)... blue  July 

i       Lobelia  syphilitica . . .  dark  blue . . .  July,  Aug. 

D      Lychnis  flos  cuculi  fl 

pi  (Ranged  Robin). .rose May,  June 

D  Flos  Jovis  (Flower 

of  Jove)       majenta June,  July 

4  Viscaria  fl  pi majenta May,  June 

lulgens scarlet May,  June 

Lysimachia  (Looset 
Strife) 

e  ciliata yellow June,  July 

D  e       clethroides white June,  Sept. 

Melissa  (Bnlra) M'/ittc,  eto... June,  Aug. 

D  i   Mertensia    Virginica 

(Lungwort ) flne  blue  . .  May,  June 

A      Narcissus    (Daffodils) 

Many  flne  kinds..  .i/ciloi(i,whife, 

etc April,  May 

C  CEnothera  (Evening 
Pi  imrosc)    several 

kinds j/6UOTt',u'?i  itc. June, Sept 

Orobua  vernus  (Bitter- 
vetch    dark  purple  May,  June 

Phlox  Carolina pink  purple  May,  June 

divaricata  (Spread- 
ing Phlor) ..lavender  . .  .May,  June 

pileus(Hair!/ P/Woj-lrosc  red  ..  May,  June 

6  Podophyllum  pelta- 
tum   (May  Apple- 

Matulrake) white  .- May 

Polemonium     (.Greek 

Valerian) blue May 


Turhiii  II, ininii ,  I-  icnni'iniiilii  r,n i.iiliicaturbinata.) 
e  i     Pi-unclla  (Self  Heal). inirplc, while  Juuc,  July 
Ranunculus      irroic- 

foot)  aconititolius.u'httc May.  June 

C  acrisflpl   (Double>yeUow May,  June 

i        Sarracenia      iPitcher 

plant)  purpurea.,  yellow Summer 

h       Scduin   iStone    Crop) 

spectabile    (Shouy 

Sedum) 7'(wi/ j««rj)i<;.Sept.    Oct. 

Telephium  hybrid- 

um dark  rose..  .July,  Sept. 

Sidalacea  Malvseflora 

( Indian  Mellow)... purple July 

Stokesia  cyanea blue A  ug.    Oct, 


1889. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


23 


IJ     Tr.uiesiantia  ^^'|<i((ll■- 
tvort)        Vinfinica 

various blue,  while. 

etc 


May,  Au^. 


CAMPANULA  CARPATHICA  PELVIFORMIS. 
Trollius  laxus  iGlobc 

Floircr} bellow April 

Veronica  (Sj)e«dweli).. blue May,  June 

(To  be  Continued.) 


Buffalo  Fair  Observations. 

The  great  industrial  fair  here  and  in  other 
cities  now  seem  to  be  an  assuredly  perman- 
ent annual  institution,  and  as  a  factor  of 
educating  the  masses,  who  have  their  views 
broadened  by  what  they  see  here,  and  their 
store  of  general  knowledge  replenished, 
they  should  not  be  underrated. 

Yet  the  first  impression  the  visitor  receives 
on  entering  the  fair  grounds,  is  usually  not 
a  favorable  one.  Every  device  by  which  the 
unsophisticated  farmer  might  be  induced  to 
part  with  his  hard-earned  money,  is  (for  a 
consideration)  permitted  by  the  manage- 
ment to  unfold  itself.  We  are  glad  to  note 
the  unqualified  condemnation  of  this  feature 
of  the  fairs  by  the  general  public,  and  as  no 
abuse  can  long  hold  out  when  public  indig- 
nation has  once  been  ftilly  aroused  against 
it,  we  have  no  doubt  that  the  end  of  this 
side  show  and  fake  business  at  the  fairs  is 
near  at  hand. 

Tropical  vegetation  always  has  a  peculiar 
charm  for  northern  people,  and  we  were 
much  pleased  with  the  fine  specimen  of 
Cocos  nucifera  (Cocoanut  Palm)  about  30 
feet  high,  and  loaded  with  nuts  in  various 
stages  of  development,  with  the  several 
Banana  plants  in  fruiting,  and  Pineapples, 
etc.,  all  brought  from  Florida  and  the  West 
ladies,  growing  along  in  immense  boxes. 

Missouri  has  done  herself  especial  credit 
by  her  fine  and  extensive  exhibit  of  Apples 
— Apples  of  every  color,  size,  shape  and  var- 
iety. Apparently  there  are  some  sections  of 
the  United  States  where  Apples  have  es- 
caped the  dangers  that  beset  the  fruit  so 
thickly  in  the  earlier  part  of  this  season. 

The  far  northwest,  the  States  in  the 
vicinity  of  Puget  Sound — proved  the  right- 
eousness of  their  claims  of  superior  advan- 
tages in  the  production  of  Cabbages  and 
Cauliflower,  and  theii-  seeds,  etc.,  by  exhib- 
iting some  really  fine  specimens,  veritable 
"  Snowballs,"  and  pretty  large  ones,  too, 
among  Cauliflowers,  Cabbage  heads  of 
bushel  basket  size,  and  Onions  large  and 
perfect. 

Among  the  Potatoes  we  recognized  again 
as  "  best  early  "'  our  old  favorites,  the  Early 
Ohio  and  Early  Sunrise. 

From  Ellwanger  &  Barry,  of  course,  came 
an  exhibit  ot  Pears,  not  as  extensive,  owing 
to  the  earliness  of  the  season,  as  we  used  to 
see  it  at  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Western 
New  York  Horticultural  Society  at  Roches- 
ter, but  of  the  usual  superiority. 

For  the  benefit  of  the  ladies  we  should 
mention  the  Cataract  washing  machine,  of 
which  there  were  a  number  of  them,  in  var- 


ious sizes,  and  for  hand  and  steam  power,  in 
successful  operation.  No  simlper  or  better 
machine  has  ever  come  to  our  notice. 

The  following  are  the  chief  successful  ex- 
hibitors of  horticulture  products,  receiving 
awards  as  mentioned. 


Wm.  Rhatmier,  St.  Catharines,  Ont.,  two  1st, 
four  2d  premiums  on  Pears;  two  1st  and  one  2d 
on  Plums;  one  1st  and  two  2d  on  Peaches. 

Ale.\.  Glass,  St.  Catherines.  Ont.,  1st  premium 
on  Louise  Bonne  ;  1st  on  Duane's  Purple  Plum. 

John  Black,  St.  Davids,  Ont.,  six  1st  and  si.v  2d 
on  Pears  and  Grapes;  2d  on  Bradshaw  Plum;  two 
1st  and  live  2d  on  Apples;  live  1st  on  Peaches. 

Thos.  Plunkett,  Meadford,  Ont.,  three  1st,  one 
second  on  Plums. 

Chas.  Grant,  Thomburg,  Ont.,  three  Ist  and 
one  2d  on  Plums. 

Ellwanger  &  Barry,  of  Rochester,  N,  Y.,  four- 
teen 1st  premiums,  one  2d  premium  on  Pears; 
seven  1st,  four  2d  premiums  on  Plums. 

Peter  Allen.  Nia{?ara,  Ont.,  one  1st  premium 
and  four  2d  premiums  on  Pears:  one  1st,  one  2d 
on  Plums;  two  1st,  five  2d  on  Apples;  two  Ist  on 
Peaches. 

Wootlward  &  Jacques,  Wright's  Comers,  N.  Y., 
two  1st,  three  2d  on  Pears;  four  1st  and  Ave  2d  on 
Apples. 

Henry  Lutts,  Youngstown,  N.  Y.,  two  1st,  three 
2d  premiums  on  Pears;  one  1st  and  two  2d  on 
Plums;  1st  on  Transcendent  Cnsb;  nine  1st  and 
thirteen  2d  on  Peaches. 

Jno.  T.  Bird,  Wrights  Corners,  N.  Y.,  1st  on 
Hyslop  Apple. 

W.  H.  Walworth,  Hillsdale,  Mich.,  two  1st  and 
three  3d  on  Apples. 

VEGETABLES. 

C.  F.  Vanderhoff,  West  Elmira,  N.  Y.,  twenty- 
three  1st  on  Potatoes;  two  1st  on  Beans. 

H.  G.  Stillman,  Almond,  N.  Y.,  twenty-three 
1st  and  seventeen  2d  on  vegetables. 

FLOWERS. 

S.  Pickleman,  Buffalo,  three  1st  and  nine  2d 
on  plants  and  flowers. 

Wm.  Scott,  Buffalo,  ten  1st  and  two  3d  on  cut 
flowers  and  designs;  thirteen  1st  on  pot  plants; 
one  2d  on  pot  plants. 

Daniel  B.  Long,  Buffalo,  two  1st  and  three  3d 
on  cut  Bowers  and  designs. 

F.  J.  Kennedy,  HornellsviUe,  N.  Y.,  1st  on 
Pansies. 

O.  S.  Jacques,  Wrights  Corners.  N.  Y.,  1st  on 
best  display  of  Dahlias. 

F.  Katall,  Buffalo,  three  1st  on  plants,  one  2d 
on  same. 


Landscape    Gardening  in    High- 
Colored  Foliage. 
{Concluded  from  September  V^tnie.) 
[Paper  by   Wm.  McMillan,  Superintendent  of  the  Buf- 
falo Parks,  before  the  Society  of  A/nerican  Ftorijtts.1 
Is  this  new  fashion  better  than  the  old  way? 
Formerl.v  flowers  were  cultivated  solely  for  their 
individual  qualities.     Delicacy  of  tints  and  lines 
was    more    valued    than    strong    color,     and 
line  perfume  more  than  either.    Our  regard  for 
them  was  in  direct  proportion  to  our  knowledge 
ot  the  finer  traits  of  character  gained  only  by  in- 
timate acquaintance  with  their  daily  behavior 
under  aU  circumstances.    Our  love  was  for  the 
individual  plants  rather  than  for  the  general  as- 
semblage—for the  features  revealed  by  close  ac- 
(juai  ntance,  not  merely  the  strong  lines  seen  from 
afar.    It  was  won  by  the  true  test  of  long  famil- 
iarity instead  by  fascinating  novelty. 

The  general  aspect  of  mixed  borders  of  Bulbs, 
Annuals,  Perennials  and  sweet-smeUing  Herbs, 
or  of  miscellaneous  collections  of  favorite  flow- 
ers in  rectangular  panels,  was  not  so  neat  and 
trim  as  clipped  beds  of  fancy  forms  on  shaven 
lawns:  but  all  the  season  through,  from  the 
first  Snowdrop  to  the  latest  Aster,  each  day 
brought  another  flower  into  bloom,  and  an 
ever  changing  phase  in  the  annual  growth  of 
each  plant  to  maturit.v.  Our  chief  foliage  plants 
in  this  latitude  do  not  last  quite  four  months,  and 
their  general  aspect  is  the  same  from  the  first 
day  to  the  last,  except  only  in  the  density  of  the 
foliage,  or  a  slight  increase  of  color.  Color 
apart,  a  bed  of  pot  herbs  has  less  sameness 
throughout  the  season,  while  the  fragrance 
their  leaves  exhale  is  a  constant  source  of 
pleasure  more  refined  than  can  be  given  through 
the  eye  by  any  variegated  leaves,  however  finely 
veined,  stained,  mottled,  spotted  or  splashed. 
To  the  true  lover  of  flowers,  high  color  either 
in  leaf  or  blossom  is  but  one  of  imany  points  of 


interest.  The  habit  of  growth  from  the  swelling 
bud  to  the  fading  leaf  may  be  a  greater  source 
ot  enjoyment,  or  the  fragrance  of  the  bloom 
may  he  the  chief  attraction  as  in  Alyssum,  Mig- 
nonette.Heliotrope,  Violet,  and  Lily  of  the  Valley. 

Where  the  interest  lies  chiefly  in  the  foliage 
such  bedding  plants  as  give  a  tropical  luxuri- 
ance of  growth  are  surely  a  flner  sight  than  any 
mixture  of  the  carpet  bedding  class.  Various 
kinds  of  Canna,  Caladium,  Aralia  and  Castor  Oil 
plant  are  commonly  used  in  such  beds  but 
there  are  many  others  of  like  character.  Their 
rapid  growth  and  great  size  at  maturity  give  a 
sub-tropical  aspect  to  the  group.  Some  of  the 
sedges  and  grasses  of  warm  climates  are  especial- 
ly beautiful  and  effective  for  this  purpose.  Some 
plants  ot  this  class  have  a  stri|)ed  variegation 
with  a  trul.v  natural  look  and  much  real  beauty. 
It  may  have  originated  as  a  "sport"  but  when 
it  has  long  been  knf>wn  it  conveys  no  hint  of 
being  odd  or  ephemeral.  The  Eulalia,  striped 
Maize,  and  even  the  old  fashioned  Gardener's 
Garter  are  well-known  examples. 

If  variety,  richness,  and  contrast  of  color  be 
the  chief  aim  of  the  florist  why  should  he  seek  it 
in  leaves  of  plants,  beyond  the  natural  range 
from  the  lightest  gra.v  to  the  darkest  green  which 
nature  spontaneously  exhibits.  The  shades  of 
green  are  so  infinite  that  no  two  species  of  plants 
have  exactly  the  same  hue,  and  the  manner  in 
which  these  mingle  and  blend  in  any  natural 
landscape,  if  closely  studied  and  copied,  will  give 
more  real  pleasure  than  the  highest  art  in  ara- 
besque designs  in  white,  yellow,  and  red.  If  all 
the  colors  of  the  rainbow  be  wanted  in  a  group 
they  may  be  furnished  in  flowers.  Every  shade 
imaginable  may  be  matched  by  some  plant.  But 
the  taste  is  surely  morbid  that  would  seek  to 
combine  in  one  group  any  greater  variety  of 
tint  than  may  be  furnished  in  many  cases  by  a 
single  genus,  as  in  the  Tulip,  Hyacinth.  Phlox, 
Dahlia,  Hollyhock,  or  Columbine.  Yet  the  hunt 
for  a  blue  Dahlia  or  Hollyhock,  a  .yellow  Aster, 
or  Verbena,  is  still  kept  up,  and  is  akin  in  spirit 
to  that  in  which  some  new  mixture  of  white,  yel- 
low and  red  in  the  leaf  is  sought  after.  The  whole 
work  is  false  to  nature  and  the  foreign  color  due 
to  disease  or  distress  rather  than  '*  sport." 

In  the  present  fashion  of  using  strongly 
contrasted  colors  in  garden  decoration,  the 
strong  tendency  to  run  to  extremes  is  well  shown 
in  the  style  of  embellishment  among  the  poor 
for  their  small  dooryards  or  parterres.  It  has 
been  well  said  that  imitation  is  the  sineerest  flat- 
tery. Hence,  we  often  see  in  such  places  a  col- 
lection of  pebbles  and  cobbles,  oyster  and  clam 
shells,  and  such  like,  arranged  in  border  edgings, 
ribbons,  and  mounds  on  the  carpet  bedding  style. 
When  newly  whitewashed  these  rival  in  force  of 
color  and  distinctness  of  design  any  foliage  bed. 
The  imitation  is  sometimes  very  good,  and  who 
now  can  question  the  taste  displayed  or  the  fit- 
ness of  the  materials  used?  Round  pebbles  or 
even  shells  make  an  admirable  substitute  for  the 
fleshy  vegetable  rosettes  we  call  "  hen  and 
chickens."  They  will  border  a  bed  or  outline  a 
figure  with  equal  distinctness,  and  vary  as  little 
in  form  or  aspect  during  the  season.    For  inlaid 


THE  DOUBLE-FLOWERING  TIGER   LILY. 

letters  in  the  grass  they  are  even  better  adapted 
than  the  plants  we  see  used.  The  inscription  is 
clearer  and  easier  to  read,  and  the  whitewashed 
stones  and  shells  are  really  the  most  befitting 
material  for  such  work.  Shakespeare  wrote  it 
would  be  folly  to  'gild  refined  gold,  paint  the 
Lily,  or  add  a  perfume  to  the  Violet.'  His  satire 
would  have  lost  its  fine  point  if  in  his  day  it  had 
been  as  common  as  it  is  in  ours,  to  embellish 
dooryai-ds  and  lawns  with  whitewashed  quartz  or 
painted  sea  shells,  to  decorate  graves  with  dyed 


24 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


October, 


tin  u3i-t3Ue3,  anil  mantelpieces  with  stained 
grasses,  or  add  a  new  scent  to  a  bouquet  with 
drug  store  perfumery. 

That  the  taste  is  corrupt,  which  approves  or 
applauds  the  prevalent  practices  of  gardeners  in 
this  line,  is  sufficiently  shown  by  the  ob\ious 
tendency  of  the  fashion.  The  motive  is  not  to 
encourage  an  intimate  acijuaintance  with  flowers 
or  plants,  but  simply  to  show  what  brilliant  or 
bizarre  effects  can  be  produced  by  ingenious 
combinations  of  strange  colors.  Hence  the  de- 
mand for  novelty  and  intricacy  increases  from 
year  to  year,  and  the  strain  aftereffect  continues 
till  the  laborious  effort  becomes  grotesque  or 
burlesque.  The  first  designs  in  ribbons,  bands, 
diamonds,  stars,  crescents,  crosses,  crowns, 
heai'ts,  anchors,  and  such  like  no  longer  sufiBce. 
In  like  manner  simple  figures  of  the  geometric  [ 
pattern  are  only  of  use  while  novel.  They  must 
gradually  grow  in  elaborate  intricacy  till  simple 
wheels  and  dials  become  a  blind  maze  of  scrolls  and 
convolutions.  Then  imitations  of  animals  begin  • 
and  advance  from  elephants  and  camels  to  zebras, 
giraffes,  swans,  peacocks,  butterflies,  snakes  and 
sea  serpents.  Inscriptions  in  the  grass  are  also 
tried,  giving  perhaps  the  name  of  the  place,  the 
year  or  month,  or  date,  the  last  of  course  to  be 
changed  daily,  and  so  on  with  labored  variations 
till  every  possible  device  be  exhausted.  The  same 
designs  give  little  satisfaction  if  simply  renewed 
yearly,  for  such  things  once  seen  have  lost  the 
novelty  which  is  their  chief  claim  to  attention. 
The  fashion  must  surely  soon  run  its  coui-se  be- 
cause of  sheer  inability  to  produce  startling 
effects.  If  it  were  the  plants  under  natural  con- 
ditions that  were  visited,  their  seasonal  changes 
might  satisfy  the  eye.  But  we  look  at  them 
only  in  bulk  to  follow  the  design,  and  that  is 
always  the  same  throughout  the  season.  When 
invention  flags  or  fails,  the  popular  surprise  and 
admiration  is  drawn  out  by  making  larger  beds 
or  a  greater  and  more  elaborate  assortment  of 
them.  This  has  led  onward  and  downward  till 
collections  of  several  hundred  thousand  plants 
have  been  set  out  in  some  private  gardens  and 
public  grounds 

The  absurdity  of  the  leading  motive  in  carpet 
bedding  may  be  found  in  listening  to  the  kind  of 
talk  we  often  hear  from  ardent  enthusiasts  of 
the  practice.  A  shallow  amateur  in  such  work 
who  has  not  before  seen  the  highest  art  in  this 
line  visits  some  notable  display  on  some  fine 
private  estate  or  large  public  ground,  and  on  his 
return  regales  his  gaping  friends  with  some  such 
description  as  this:  "  You  can  form  no  idea  of 
the  immense  quantity  of  plants  in  such  a  gar- 
den. A  10-acre  lot  would  be  well  filled  if  all 
were  put  together.  The  edgings  and  rib- 
bons if  strung  out  on  end  would  measure  over 
a  mile.  They  were  of  nearly  every  imaginable 
color  you  can  find  in  the  stores.  The  ring- 
streaked,  speckled  and  spotted  plants,  and  those 
with  aU  shades  of  bronze  and  gold  were  legion. 
They  were  set  out  with  the  most  wonderful  in- 
genuity into  so  many  patterns  that  carpet  bed- 
ding was  no  name  for  it.  There  were  Turkish 
rugs,  church  windows,  wheels  within  wheels, 
figures  of  animals,  statuary,  fancy  penmanship 
and  plain  print,  and  elegant  figures  of  aU 
kinds  in  geometry,trigonometry  and  astronomy." 

What?    Astronomy!    "  Why  certainly." 

"The  first  thing  that  struck  my  eye  was  a 
bright  bed  of  fire-red  Colons,  a  circular  mound 
raised  high  up  in  the  form  of  a  half  globe.  That 
was  a  sunset  when  there  is  a  thick  haze  on  the 
hoiizon.  Near  by  was  a  crescent  in  variegated 
Alyssum.  That  was  the  silver  moon.  I  could 
not  tell  whether  she  was  in  the  last  quarter  or 
the  first;  the  horns  pointed  to  the  north,  and 
were  equally  correct  for  either  phase  Next 
came  a  bed  that  seemed  a  combination  of  both 
the  others.  Two-thirds  of  it  was  filled  with  the 
darkest-leaved  Coleus,  the  other  third  was  a 
crescent  of  variegated  Stevia  in  bloom.  This 
was  an  eclipse.  I  could  not  at  first  tell  whether 
it  was  the  sun  or  the  moon  that  was  eclipsed. 
After  a  little  study  I  '  got  on  ti> '  the  gardener's 
trick.  It  was  either  or  both,  according  to  your 
pleasure  or  fancy  All  around  were  lots  of  little 
stars  and  one  or  two  small  disks  curiously  belted 
and  girdled.  Ha\ing  seen  pictures  of  the  tele- 
scopic appearance  of  Jupiter  and  Saturn  I  at 
once  divnieil  the  meaning. 

"There  wiis  any  number  of  figures  of  men  and 
beasts  and  birds  and  fishes.  A  military  officer  in 
full  uniform  was  very  imposing  A  base  ball 
player  with  club  drawn,  and  two  prize  fighters  in 
full  tilt  looked  dangerous.  A  boat  race  of  two 
boats  and  two  rowers  in  each  pulling  the  oars 
was  quite  e-vciting.    In  statuary  the  finest  design 


I  saw  was  a  cc  ipy  of  St.  George  killing  the  dragon 
It  was  full  of  spirit  and  action.  A  little  puff  of 
wind  now  and  again  crossing  the  dragon's  head 
made  his  Jaws  seem  to  open  and  shut  (luickly. 
The  feathery  stuff  used  for  the  tail  of  the  steed 
actually  whisked  gently  in  the  breeze. 

"  The  brightest  spot  of  all  had  a  display  of 
flags  of  all  the  leading  nations.  The  tricolor  the 
union  jack  and  even  the  stars  and  stripes  were 
easily  imitated,  but  some  of.  the  others  tried  the 
highest  art  of  the  gardener.  In  the  geometry 
section  I  was  for  a  long  while  puzzled  by  a  most 
intricate  figure,  the  meaning  of  which  I  could 
not  make  out.  At  last  I  detected  a  faint  outline 
of  an  arch  spanning  the  whole;  that  gave  me  the 
clew.  It  was  the  tough  jiroblem  in  Euclid  called 
the  asses'  bridge.  I  remember  how  it  puzzled  me 
when  at  school,  and  it  is  just  as  hard  to  see 
through  it  in  a  flower  bed." 

_   MAN    HOLE 


UNDERGROUND   ROOT-CELLAR.     See  pOflie  22. 


This  "  traveler's  tale,"  like  the  plants  he  saw 
was  perhaps  rather  high-colored,  but  it  is  in  the 
same  line  with  the  general  run  of  such  talk.  He 
may  have  followed  the  wrong  cue  at  times,  but 
he  did  not  stray  far  from  the  right  track  A 
lively  imagination  may  have  seen  some  figures 
and  emblems  not  intended  by  the  designer.  But 
worse  things  than  any  here  described  have  been 
actually  done.  Butterflies  have  been  attempted  in 
a  combination  of  leaves  and  flowers,  living  and 
dead,  trained  to  a  frame  and  set  in  high  relief  that 
they  may  seem  merely  to  touch  mother  earth.  For 
special  gala  occasions  models  of  swans  have  been 
covered  with  newly  detached  petals  of  Water 
Lilies  and  set  afloat  on  artificial  ponds.  Calen- 
dars, sun  dials  and  weather  vanes  have  been 
tricked  out  in  living  plants,  with  painstaking 
care  to  furnish  daily  some  useful  information, 
in  no  other  way  obtainable,  about  the  weather, 
the  date  of  the  month,  and  time  of  day  (if  the  sun 
shine).  These  ridiculous  conceits  and  all  other 
monstrous  creations  of  this  kind  are  strictly 
in  accord  with  the  ruling  motive  of  the  simplest 
work  in  the  same  line.  It  is  either  folly  or  false, 
hood  from  beginning  to  end,  because  so  at  vari- 
ance with  the  "  eternal  fitness  of  things." 

The  many  odd  and  whimsical  patterns  into 
which  foliage  plants  are  woven,  are  in  degree 
only  (not  in  kind),  more  objectionable  than  the 
mere  grouping  together  of  large  masses  of 
strong  color  of  every  hue.  Were  this  display 
confined  to  flowers  only,  it  would  not  perhaps  be 
so  glaringly  offensive  as  in  foliage,  because  in 
flowers  brightness  and  endless  varictyof  color  are 
natural.  But  to  collect  together,  even  in  flowers, 
all  the  strongest  colors  we  can  flnd.  and  to  mass 
them  into  strongly  contrasted  bands  and  figures 
in  the  present  bedding  out  style,  would  surely 
not  be  considered  in  good  taste.  Should  we  not 
seek  for  rich  shades  rather  than  glaring  contrasts 
for  quality  rather  than  quantityV  As  a  lady  of 
fashion  once  wittily  said,  "Do  we  measure  beauty 
by  the  square  yard  1 "  Strange  though  it  may 
seem,  there  are  some  persons  who  would  prefer 
one  sweet  Violet  to  one  acre  of  Coleus.  But  in 
carpet  bedding  it  is  the  broadest  carpets  and  the 
boldest  patterns  that  draw  the  biggest  crowds. 
To  the  commercial  florist  that  is  a  better  "  trade 
mark  "  than  the  "  government  stamp."  Whether 
it  elevates  or  degrades  the  public  taste  seems  of 
less  consequence. 

But  Fashion  is  a  fickle  minded  Queen,  especially 
to  subjects  of  her  own  sex.  When  a  fancy  notion 
of  no  intrinsic  value  has  literally  been  run  into 
the  ground,  as  this  one  has  been,  a  slight  hint 
from  the  Throne  would  quickly  change  the  vogue. 
Florists  now-a-days  arc  like  millinci-s  in  their 
abject  dependence  on  the  lattst  whim  of  her 
Majesty.  It  may  therefore  be  more  profitable  in 
the  long  run  to  give  timely  regard  to  the  more 
general  cultivation  of   such   bedding  plants  as 


will  attract  attentii>u  by  some  admirable  cjuality 
inherent  in  each  individual  plant,  whether  it  be 
in  flower,  fragrance,  fruit,  foliage  or  form.  To 
embellish  a  garden  with  such  plants,  however 
uninviting  at  first  it  may  be  to  the  ignorant,  will 
give  more  real  enjoyment  to  the  true  lover  of 
flowers  than  to  emblazon  it  with  merely  so  much 
high  color  cleverly  arranged. 

In  other  things  a  fondness  for  loud  colors  is 
not  considered  in  good  taste  or  a  sign  of  refine- 
ment. Take  dress  for  instance.  The  phrase, 
"  barbaric  pearl  and  gold  "  is  as  applicable  to  the 
color  as  to  the  richness  of  the  apparel.  The 
fashions  in  dress  of  the  Chinaman,  the  Arab, 
and  the  Turk  are  not  copied  by  civilized  nations, 
or  if  imitated  at  all  it  is  done  only  by  ignorant 
and  foolish  people.  Aunt  Dinah  may  go  to  her 
work  in  the  cotton  field  in  a  yellow  skirt,  blue 
wrap  and  red  bandanna.  (Jiddy  girls  may  wear 
"  dolly  varden  "  calicoes,  and  silly  dudes  loud 
tartans,  only  to  be  laughed  at  by  sensible  people. 
The  circus  clown  is  true  to  his  assumed  character 
in  his  suit  of  strongly  marked  stripes  and  bars, 
and  Shakespeare's  fool  quite  consistently  ex- 
claims, "Motley  is  the  only  weai'."  When  we 
dress  up  a  garden  after  the  same  fashion  it 
ought  to  seem  equally  barbaric  and  foolish,  ex- 
cept to  ignorant  or  foolish  people.  True  refine- 
ment in  either  case  avoids  the  cheap  and  con- 
spicuous, and  selects  for  the  richest  adornment 
the  choicest  material  and  the  softest  harmony 
of  tints. 

Some  of  you  perhaps  may  say  that "  as  gardens 
are  made  expressly  for  show  and  ornament  why 
J^DRAiNuot  bedeck  them  with  anything  and  everything 
v  •  ["  \'  that  is  bright  and  beautifulV"  But  what  is  the 
beautiful  'I  "Aye  there's  the  rub."  No  satisfac- 
tor.v  answer  can  be  given  to  that  question.  It  is 
a  common  saying  "there  is  no  accounting  for 
tastes."  Beauty  appeals  maiul.v  to  the  eye,  but 
in  some  subtle  way  we  become  sensible  of  it 
through  other  senses.  We  may  not  touch  it  but 
it  touches  us.  In  a  double  sense  we  judge  it  by 
taste  as  well  as  by  sight.  A  ripe  pei-simmon  has 
a  brighter  color  than  the  finest  apple,  but  after 
you  try  to  eat  it,  the  bloom  on  the  apple  cheek 
will  probably  have  to  your  eye  the  more  inviting 
look.  There  are  some  persons  who  doubt  if  to 
them  "  a  Kose  by  any  other  name  would  smell  as 
sweet,"  or  if  with  its  delicious  fragrance  gone  it 
would  look  as  sweet.  On  a  warm  summer  day, 
when  a  gentle  breeze  fans  the  foUage  of  the 
Birch  or  Poplar,  the  rhythmical  patter  struck  up 
by  the  dancing  motion  of  the  joyous  leaves,  will 
trill  sweet  music  in  the  ear,  and  thus  reveal  a  new 
glimpse  of  beauty  to  the  eye  of  any  one  loving- 
ly familiar  with  these  trees,  and  in  sjmpathy 
with  their  merry  mood  at  such  a  time.  This 
phenomenon  may  not  be  audible  norvisibie  to 
other  people,  because  however  intently  we  may 
listen  or  look,  the  strain  wUl  not  be  heai-d  nor  the 
vision  seen,  unless  our  ears  be  attuned  to  the 
right  key,  and  our  eyes  be  opened  to  receive  the 
light.  Our  sensibility  to  the  beautiful  in  na- 
ture thus  varies  with  each  individual,  as  so  much 
depends  not  only  on  the  relative  acuteness  of  our 
senses,  but  also  on  constitutional  temperament, 
mental  faculty  and  personal  culture. 

Beauty  of  color  esiwcially  depends  largely  upon 
the  light  in  which  it  is  seen.  For  illustration, 
take  these  opposing  views  regarding  foliage 
plants.  To  you  as  florists  your  exotic  plants  look 
so  beautiful  on  the  greenhouse  bench  among 
their  own  kith  and  kin,  that  to  your  eyes  an  illu- 
sive haio  maj'  surround  them  when  you  see  them 
set  out  amid  the  grass  and  gravel  and  shrubbery. 
When  you  look  at  the  landscape  from  the  inside 
of  your  glasshouses  your  plants  are  in  the  fore- 
ground, and  all  else  is  dim,  distant  and  diminu- 
tive, as  if  seen  through  the  small  end  of  a  field 
glass.  I,  on  the  other  hand,  standing  out  amid  the 
native  vegetation,  see  only  the  "  foreign  look  "  of 
the  strange  foliage.  Because  it  is  "  not  to  the 
manor  born"  I  may  look  at  it  through  jaundiced 
eyes.  The  point  of  view  being  so  different,  the 
objects  seen  must  have  an  equally  different  per- 
spective 

It  will  seem  to  you  therefore,  that  I  have  got 
hold  of  the  wrong  end  of  the  telescope.  This 
may  all  be.  Mi>st  people  see  as  you  do  else  such 
woi-k  would  not  be  so  popular.  But  here  and 
there  I  have  met  a  few  whose  vision  seemed  as 
strangely  affected  as  mine.  We  may  be  color 
blind  to  the  beauty  without  knowing  it,  or  we 
look  at  these  things  by  camilc  light  while  you  are 
in  the  sunshine.  My  standpoint  may  be  a  wrong 
one,  but  I  simply  report  things  as  I  see  them, 
and  say  frankly  why  I  don't  like  them.  To  both 
sides,  perhaps,  the  aphorisms  may  be  applicable: 
"things  are  not  what  they  seem," 


POPULAR    GARDENING 

AND  FRUIT  GROWING. 

"ACCUSK   NOT  NJTrUK.  SlIK    HATH  DONE  HER    PART:   DO   THOU    BUT   7'f/iJVfc'." -Milton. 


Vol.  V. 


isro'VE^yLBEia    xsss. 


No.  2. 


Purple  dawns  will  flood  no  more 
Starry  Asters  bendiuy:  low; 
nei^n  of  Golden-rod  Is  o'er. 
Ut  with  sunshine's  overflow; 
Fields  where  armed  Corn  ho-s  stood. 
Gold  flres  flashed  from  spear  to  spear, 
Now  are  left  in  solitude- 
It's  November,  dear. 


The  Cellar  is  all  right  to  keep  a  few  vege- 
tables for  early  use;  but  it  is  no  place  for  winter 
storage. 


Japanese  Pei!,simmons  require  protection  dur- 
ing the  wint<?r  even  as  far  south  as  Philadelphia, 
and  then  they  do  not  seem  inclined  to  bear  in  the 
open  ground. 


Exotic  Grapes.  Mr.D.  M.  Dunning,  as  an  am- 
ateur growerof  Grapes  under  glass,  is  doing  quito 
well.  One  of  his  clusters  this  season  he  reports  to 
be  'JO  inches  long,  and  weighing  about  10  pounds. 


Seeds  of  Pigweed,  Mustard,  Purslane, and  many 
other  common  weeds  sprouted  vigorously  after 
having  been  buried  about  twenty  inches  deep  for 
nearly  ten  years.  This  was  the  result  of  a  test 
recently  made. 


The  TRAILING  Spiderwort,  also  known  as  Wan- 
dering Jew,  an  Irish  plant,  common  though  it 
be,  is  one  of  the  best  of  house  plants.  There  are 
several  varieties.  Grow  them  to  trail  from  a 
hanging  basket  or  other  suspended  receptacle. 


Plants  ln  reasonable  number  add  an  element 
of  brightness  to  the  sitting  room;  but  when  .vou 
make  a  florist's  establishment  of  it,  crowding 
tables,  mantel  shelves  and  e%'ery  available  spot 
with  flower  pots,  the  home-like  appearance  is 
gone,  and  home  comfort  takes  its  departure. 


Packing  Cions  and  Buds  A  little  damp  moss 
from  which  all  the  water  has  been  squeezed ; 
oiled  paper  wotmd  around,  and  this  wound  with 
thread.  Heavy  manilla  pai)er  on  outside  with 
address.  That's  all.  Plants  should  only  have  the 
roots  thus  packed,  while  leaves  and  tops  should 
be  more  or  less  open  to  the  air. 


The  Australian  lady  bird  is  now  raised  and 
distributed  in  California  to  such  an  extent  that 
it  is  expected  that  they  will  soon  be  able  to  hold 
the  cottony  cushion  scale,  upon  which  they  feed, 
and  which  is  a  very  serious  enemy  to  Orange 
and  Lemon  trees,  in  check,  or  clear  it  out  entire- 
ly. Oan't  entomologists  tell  us  how  to  assist  our 
native  ladybirds  to  increase  more  rapidly,  and 
thus  secure  more  efficient  help  in  our  warfare 
against  Potato  beetles,  plant  lice  and  many  other 
insect  foes  ? 


Prof.  Riley  Much  Honored.  Republics  are 
not  always  ungrateful.  The  French  Government, 
in  recognition  of  the  important  ser\'ices  which 
Prof.Chas.V.Riley.through  his  researches  regard- 
ing the  Phylloxera  and  Grape  diseases,  rendered 
not  only  to  the  Grape  growers  of  the  United 
States,  but  to  those  of  France  and  othercountries 
also,  has  created  him  a  "  Chevalier  of  the  Legion 
of  Honor."  Our  deserving  fellow  citizen  has  also 
just  been  elected  an  honorary  fellow  of  the  En- 
tomological Society  of  London.  This  is  a  rare 
distinction,  as  there  are  only  ten  living  honorary 
fellows  at  present. 

Flowers  and  Railroads.  The  Pennsylvania 
Railroad  Co.  is  deserving  of  much  credit  in  its 
pioneer  work  of  adorning  the  grounds  about  its 
stations  with  flowers,  shrubs  and  trees.  What 
has  especially  pleased  us  in  these  adornments  is 
the  fact  that  more  dependance  is  placed  on  the 
use  of  hardy  plants  than  upon  tender  bedding 
kinds.  Not  that  fine  showy  beds  of  Coleus,  Ger- 
aniums etc.  are  lacking  about  the  stations  but 
they  are  second  in  importance  to  the  hardy  kinds 


used.  Tsunlly  the  borders  of  plants  and  shrubs 
are  jilanted  as  back  ground  to  the  bit  of  lawn 
adjunct  to  the  stations,  and  in  the  beauty  and 
variety  of  the  growths  employed  the}'  make  a 
pleasing  picture  to  the  eyes  of  travellers.  fJther 
things  equal  who  would  not  for  their  journejings 
choose  a  road  that  leads  along  the  garden  sta- 
tions to  any  other? 


What   William   Falconer   has   to   say 

about  the  Popular  Gardening 

Grounds. 

When  I  was  at  Buflfalo,  at  the  florists' 
convention,  I  went  out  to  La  Salle  to 
see  the  Popular  Gardening  Experiment 
Grounds.  La  Salle  is  a  country  station  on 
the  Niagara  river,  about  17  miles  from  Buff- 
alo and  .5  miles  from  Niagara  Falls,  and  the 
railroad  .iourney  between  Buffalo  and  La 
Salle  is  about  half  an  hour's  ride.  The  Ex- 
periment Grounds  are  a  third  of  a  mile 
from  the  station  and  border  on  Cayuga  creek 
a  considerable  stream  that  passes  into  the 
Niagara  at  La  Salle. 

At  the  railroad  station  the  editor's  son,  a 
sturdy  youth  with  glowing  cheeks  and  a  flan- 
nel shirt  was  there  to  meet  us  and  row  us 
home.  Another  gentleman  of  our  party  took 
an  oar,  then  under  the  brawn  of  youth  and 
ease  of  practice  we  sped  along  delightfully. 

On  both  sides  of  the  creek  the  banks 
are  high  and  dry,  often  steep,  and  well 
wooded  with  a  variety  of  indigenous  decid- 
uous trees  and  shrubs;  and  these  banks  were 
then  gayly  checkered  with  the  coral  fruit  of 
the  CratiEgus,  the  bright  red  cymes  of  the 
Cranberry  tree  and  the  blue  berries  of  the 
wild  Dogwoods.  And  the  water  margins 
were  fringed  withArrow  leaf,Pickerel  Weed, 
Pond  Lilies  and  other  wild  plants  peculiar  to 
such  a  situation.  Other  atjuatic  and  bog 
plants  are  being  naturalized  in  the  creek 
and  along  its  sides  by  the  editor. 

We  land,  and  climb  the  foot-path  up  the 
bank,  and  here  is  spread  before  us  a  broad 
and  highly  cultivated  level  country,  with 
good  soil  and  good  crops  and  displaying  care- 
ful antl  clean  cultivation  on  every  hand. 
Before  my  visit  to  it  I  had  an  impression  that 
the  Experiment  Grounds  were  in  a  wild  and 
woody  and  swampy  country,  and  I  can  as- 
sure you  I  was  surprised  to  flud  my  impres- 
sion erroneous.  There  is  no  swamp  about 
it,  for  the  creek  is  narrowed  into  a  deep  chan- 
nel by  high  wooded  banks.  The  grounds 
are  all  open  and  had  long  been  cultivated  as 
farm  lands.  The  editor's  house  is  a  comfort- 
able, roomy  structure  upon  the  grounds  and 
close  by  the  boat  landing.  But  don't  think 
that  by  row-boat  is  the  only  way  of  getting 
here,  for  there  is  an  excellent  carriage  road 
between  the  grounds  and  the  station  and 
elsewhere  into  the  country.  The  whole 
place  impressed  me  as  being  a  cosy,  pleas- 
ant, healthful,  happy,  rural  home. 

Changing  the  contour  of  the  place  from 
agricultural  fields  to  a  progressive  Horticul- 
tural Experiment  Garden  has  necessitated 
a  great  deal  of  painstaking  work,  and,  in- 
deed, the  editor  has  already  made  more  pro- 
gress in  this  direction  than  I  had  any  idea  of. 
He  has  graded  a  good  deal  of  the  ground, 
especially  near  the  creek  to  suit  his  land- 
scape tastes,  led  winding  pathways  along 
the  wooded  banks  ot  the  Cayuga,  planted  a 
host  of  hardy  ferns  and  the  prettiest  of  oiu' 
wild  flowers  where  they  are  most  likely  to 


A  Flat  Dibber. 
See  Next  Page. 


naturalize  themselves  under  the  shade  of  the 
trees  and  shrubs,  and  constructed  little  rus- 
tic rests  or  summer  houses  for  the  enjoy- 
ment of  his  family,  visitors,  and  friends. 
Kockworks  have  also  been  formed,  partly 
under  the  trees  and  partly  in  open  sunny 
places  so  that  the  pretty,  little  hardy  flowers 
that  might  get  grown  over  or  lost  in  the 
mixed  borders  or  beds,  may  And  therein  a 
select  site  and  en.ioy  conditions  most  fitted 
to  their  wants.  A  large  assortment  of  orna- 
mental trees  and  shrubs,  including  some  of 
the  newest  introductions  have  been  brought 
together  and  seem  to  enjoy  their  quarters. 
Lawns  have  been  laid  out  and  flower  beds 
made  and  filled,  and  a 
multitude  of  hardy  her- 
baceous Perennials  have 
been  planted  in  prepared 
borders.  A  large  number  of 
fiuit  trees.  Grape  vines,  berry 
bushes  and  Strawberry  plants 
have  been  set  out  systematic- 
ally, and  many  kinds  and 
varieties  of  vegetables  were 
in  luxuriant  vigor. 

"  But  of  what  good  is  an 
E.xperiment  Garden  to  me, 
anyway?"  some  may  ask. 
Just  this  much:  POPULAR 
Gardening  is  a  horticultur- 
al paper,  and  it  presumes  to 
teach  you  all  about  fruits, 
flowers  and  vegetables;  It  Is 
for  the  information  ou  these 
topics  that  you  buy  it.  And  you  want  posi- 
tive and  authentic  information.  You  don't 
want  information  that  is  fudged  from  other 
books  or  old  catalogues,  a  rehash  of  old  writ- 
ings. You  buy  and  pay  for  the  raw,  origi- 
nal truth,  for  facts,  not  guesswork.'and  you 
have  a  right  to  get  them.  Neither  the  editor 
of  Popular  Gardening  nor  any  other  hor- 
ticultural editor  can  get  up  a  brilliant  gar- 
dening paper  in  a  dry  office  alone,  no  matter 
how  much  he  used  to  know  or  what  practice 
he  used  to  have.  Horticulture  is  so  progres- 
sive that  only  a  man  in  practical  harness  can 
keep  pace  with  it.  And  this  is  why  you  have 
got  a  Popular  Gardening  Experiment 
Garden. 

To  begin  with,  it  is  the  editor's  home;  he 
lives  there  summer  and  winter,  and  he  will 
exerci.se  his  utmost  endeavors  to  make  it  a 
comfortable  and  enjoyable  home  for  his  fam- 
ily; in  fact  that  it  is  already.  He  has  plant- 
ed orchards  of  different  kinds  of  fruit  trees, 
and  is  right  here  on  the  ground  among 
them,  watching  them,  and  tending  them  in 
every  way  and  noting  their  behavior,  and 
he  can  tell  you  from  positive  experience 
everything  about  them.  He  does  not  plant 
a  large  number  of  anything,  only  enough 
for  a  fair  sample  or  test;  it  is  living  informa- 
tion that  he  is  after,  and  plants  the  good, 
the  bad  and  the  indifferent,  so  that  he  can 
note  them  all  for  your  benefit.  And  he  does 
the  same  thing  with  all  manner  of  Grape 
vines,  vegetables,  flowers  and  trees.  He 
raises  nothing  for  market,  all  are  grown  for 
experiment.  He  is  obliged  to  keep  up  with 
the  times  and  get  and  grow  every  new  kind 
of  fruit  tree,  vine,  Rose,  or  other  plant. 
Whether  the  "  new  "  kinds  are  distinct  from 
old  sorts  or  not  he  knows  it,  for,  growing 
both,  he  has  the  opportunity  for  comparison. 


26 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


November, 


And,   if  new,  he  can  quickly  tell  whether 
they  are  worth  growing  or  not. 

All  fertilizers  and  insecticides  he  has  got 
to  try,  also  every  method  of  cultivation  and 
Implement  used  in  garden  work. 

And  all  this  experiment- 
ing is  for  the  benefit  of  the 
readers  of  PoprL.\K  G.\R- 
DEXIXG.  You  get  the  infor- 
mation right  from  the  field, 
and  if  it  doesn't  exactly  fit 
your  case,  to  get  what  you 
want  need  only  cost  you  a 
cent  for  a  postal  card  and 
the  trouble  of  writing  your 
query  on  the  card  and 
mailing  it. 

I,  myself,  have  done  a 
great  deal  of  experimenting 
work,  and  I  can  assure  you 
it  takes  up  a  deal  of  time, 
incurs  much  labor,  re- 
quires great  painstaking 
and  considerable  book- 
keeping, but  on  the  other  hand  there  is 
much  pleasure,  and  edification  in  it. 


Improved  Dibber. 


Improvement  In  Planting-  Dibbers. 

The  dibbers  in  general  use  are  yet  the 
same  clumsy  affairs  which  have  done  ser- 
vice in  the  gardens  for  generations.  We  do 
not  concede  them  to  be  perfect,  and  believe 
that  it  is  high  time  we  should  look  for  some- 
thing better  and  more  convenient.  Mr.  C. 
D.  Zimmermann,  a  subscriber,  calls  our  at- 
tention to  improved  styles  of  dibber  appar- 
ently made  by  some  manufacturer,  but 
neither  patented, nor  energetically  pushed  to 
the  front.  We  illustrate  two  styles,  of 
which  we  would  give  the  flat,  heart-shaped 
pattern,  with  a  handle  similar  to  that  of  a 
spade,  the  preference.  The  blades  are  of 
polished  steel. 

Our  informant  has  used  them.    They  are 
not  generally  known  as  they  ought  to  be.  he 
writes.   In  fact  they  are  seldom  met  with 
among  market  gardeners.    The  latter  cling 
to  the  wooden,  or  possibly  an  iron-pointed 
wooden   tool,    that    is    as    inferior    to    a 
polished  steel  dibber  as  a  wooden  plow  is  to 
a  steel  plow.    Three  times  the  number  of 
plants  can  be  put  into  the  ground  with  the 
newer  device,  and  they  will  be  planted 
out  much  firmer.     Any  blacksmith  can 
make   the   tool,  and  once  tried,  it  will 
be  highly  prized . 


during  winter  than  is  absolutely  necessary 
to  keep  the  balls  moist,  and  it  is  good  for 
the  plants  that  these  should  become  rather 
dry  sometimes,  as  then  more  air  is  let  into 
the  soil,  and  air  sweetens  and  purifies. 

The  time  of  greatest  danger  with  hard- 
wooded  subjects  is  immeadiately  after  they 
have  been  potted,  as  then  it  often  happens 
that  the  water  passes  away  through  the  new 
soil  without  wetting  the  old.  This  occurs 
through  non-amalgamation  of  the  two,  the 
one  being  comparatively  loose  and  open,  and 
the  other  hard  and  impervious.  To  make 
matters  safe,  with  such  things  as  Azaleas,  it 
is  a  good  plan,  before  repotting  takes  place, 
and  after  the  plants  are  knocked  out  of  their 
pots,  to  soak  the  balls  by  standing  them  in 
a  tub  of  water,  and  after  they  have  been  there 
some  few  hours,  they  should  be  stood  aside 
to  drain.  So  treated,  there  is  no  fear  of  the 
centres  being  dry,  and  instead  of  watering 
becoming  necessary  immediately  potting  is 
over,  and  the  plants  requiring  it  frequently 
after,  they  will  stand  without  for  some 
time,  and  gradually  get  hold  of  the  fre-sh  peat 
which,  when  used,  ought  to  be  in  a  moist, 
useable  condition,  as  in  that  state  it  can  be 
pressed  or  rammed  firmly;  which  is  essential 
to  good  potting  of  these  plants. 

A  cultivator  who  is  accustomed  to  the  cul- 
tivation of  plants  knows  at  a  glance  when  to 
give  water,  and  if  he  cannot  see  the  .surface 
of  the  soil  distinctly  can  quickly  tell  by  the 
ring  of  the  pot,  as  this,  when  rapped  by  the 
knuckle,  gives  out  a  clear  sound  if  the  ball 
be  dry,  and  a  dull  Head  response  if  the  re- 
verse. Shis  latter  is  caused  by  the  pressure 
of  the  soil  on  the  sided,  owing  to  its  expansion 
and  ring  by  contraction,  through  the  water 
being  out  and  air  in  instead.  Another  guide 
to  plant  growers  is  the  condition  of  the  top 
of  the  plant,  as  the  quantity  or  frequency  of 
watering  depends  much  on  the  amount  of 
the  foliage,  or  whether  fresh  growth  is  tak- 
ing place,  for  with  abundant  leafage,  and 
more  forming,  the  power  of  absorption  by  the 
roots  is  great,  as  so  much  is  taken  up  and 
evaporated  on  bright  sunny  days,  and  the 
same  if  there  is  a  head  of  bloom  to  support. 

This  draws  much  on  their  resources,  and 
atmospheric  conditions  outside  affect  plants 
much,  as  when  there  is  a  quick  movement 


How  Often   Shall  I  Water? 

It  seems  a  simple  enough  problem  to 
keep  our  pot-plants  supplied  with  suffic- 
ient moisture  all  the  time,  and  yet  it  has 
its  difficulties  for  the  inexperienced. 
Many  flower  lovers  think  they  give  their 
plants  the  very  best  of  care, and  pet  them 
with  daily  washes  and  waterings,  and  yet 
a  large  percentage  of  such  pampered 
plants  are  suffering  from  want  of  water 
where  they  need  it,  at  their  roots.  Some- 
times again  the  pots  are  deficient  in 
drainage,  and  the  plants  suffer  from  ex- 
cess of  water  at  their  roots.  Again  some 
plants  require  a  different  treatment  from 
others  in  this  respect. 

Great  discrimination  is  needed,  says  a 
writer  in  Gardeners  Chronicle,  as  without 
it  much  harm  may  be  done,  and  especially 
is  this  so  during  the  dead  time  of  year, 
when  there  is  little  or  no  activity  in  vege- 
tation, and  both  plants  and  roots  are  almost 
dormant,  and  not  only  so,  but  at  the  period 
referred  to,  there  is  nothing  to  bring  about 
dryness,  and  soil  that  is  made  wet  then  soon 
becomes  sour  and  inert.  The  plants  which 
suffer  most  when  they  get  into  that  condi- 
tion, are  those  of  a  hard-wooded  nature  that 
re<iuire  peat  to  grow  in,  and  if  this  is  made 
sodden  the  fine  roots  .soon  die,  or,  if  they  live 
they  become  sickly.  To  prevent  this,  they 
should  have  no  more  water  afforded  them 


Self-Supporting  Fruit  Ladder. 

S.  C.  CASE,  Hr.NTERDOS  COXTSTY,  S.  J. 

I  send  you  herewith  sketch  of  a  self-sup- 
porting fruit  ladder,  such  as  used  principal- 
ly by  the  Peach-growers  of  this  county.  It 
never  totters,  always  sets  perfectly  solid 
even  on  the  hill  side  and  is  pronounced  by  ' 
all  to  be  the  best  ladder  in  use. 

The  sides  and  tongue  should  be  inch  Pine 
boards  clear  of  knots  or  flaws,  foiir  and  a 
half  inches  wide.  The  two  bottom  rounds 
are  3  inches,  and  the  iiext2^{  inches,  and  all 
the  rest  2  inches  wide.  Let  in  the  sides 
(dove  tailed)  to  keep  them  from  spreading 
apart,  and  fasten  with  a  '2^.<  inch  screw  in 
each  end.  There  should  be  two  short  bits 
of  tapering  boards  nailed  on  the  sides  where 
the  tongue  is  held  by  on  iron  bolt.  The 
rounds  are  1.5  inches  apart. 

This  description  and  dimensions  are  for 
a  ladder  12  feet  long.  For  a  shorter  one 
lighter  stuff  may  be  used.  Material,  for 
the  12  foot  ladder  cost  about  7.5  cents. 
Anybody  of  ordinary  ingenuity  can  make 
it,  and  it  is  not  patented. 


A   SELF  SUPPORTING  FRUIT  LADDER. 

of  air,  and  it  is  dry  and  light,  it  licks  up,  as 
it  were,  all  moisture  on  its  way,  and  makes 
foliage  look  distressed  from  the  loss.  To  rec- 
tify this,  a  sprinkling  of  the  floor  of  the  house 
the  plants  are  in,  or  a  syringing  overhead,  or 
both,  is  the  best  thing;  but  the  latter  only 
when  the  sun  is  off,  and  the  revival  will  be 
quick  and  apparant.  Plants  with  large 
fleshy  roots  and  big  leaves  drink  freely,  and 
at  and  after  this  time  for  some  months  to 
come  cannot  %vell  be  over-watered;  and  yet 
in  their  case  judgement  is  required,  or  the 
best  of  soils  may  be  spoiled. 


London  Purple  and  Paris  Green. 
Some  of  our  subscribers  complain  of  in- 
jury done  to  their  fruit  trees,  especially 
Peaches,  by  what  they  state  to  be  "  careful  " 
applications  of  London  purple  in  weak  solu- 
tions, and  seem  inclined  to  criticise  the 
course  of  the  horticultural  and  agricultural 
press  (ourselves  included)  in  speaking  as 
favorably  of  the  poison  compared  with  Paris 
green.  Indeed,  we  think  the  fruit-grower  is 
here  placed  before  a  serious  problem.  Our 
first  experience  with  London  purple,  years 
ago,  we  must  confess,  had  served  to  preju- 
dice us  against  its  use.  We  thought  that 
there  was  a  far  too  narrow  margin  between 
its  effectiveness  as  an  insect  killer,  and  its 
injuriousness  to  plant  growth,  to  make  its 
use  altogether  safe.  We  tried  it  on  Potatoes, 
both  in  dry  mixtures  and  in  solutions. 
Sometimes  it  did  excellent  work  without 
injury  to  the  folliage;  at  other  times  and 
with  other  samples  even  the  weakest  appli- 
cations seemed  to  scorch  the  leaves  badly 
without  showing  the  effect  on  thebugs  which 
we  desired.  At  last  we  concluded  that 
there  is  lack  of  uniformity  in  the  material 
as  put  on  the  market,  and  altogether  too 
large  an  element  of  uncertainty  in  its 
composition.  Hence  we  abandoned  its 
use  for  that  of  Paris  green.  The  fault 
may  have  been  ours.  Perhaps  we  did  not 
mix  or  apply  London  purple_  properly. 
We  never  used  it  in  spray  form,  and 
perhaps  applied  it  too  copiously.  But 
we  are  usually  careful  in  such  matters, 
and  hardly  think  we  were  the  one  to 
blame. 

Afterwards  London  purple  got  a  boom, 
and  we  heard  good  reports  about  it  from 
everywhere.  We  began  to  waver  in  our 
conclusions,  and  were  almost  induced  to 
give  it  another  trial.  The  highest  horti- 
cultural authorities  spoke  in  favor  of  it, 
and  it  is  less  than  a  year  ago  (at  the  meet- 
ing of  the  Western  New  York  Horticul- 
tural Society  at  Rochester,  we  believe) 
that  we  have  heard  Prof.  A.  J.  Cook 
of  the  Michigan  College  of  Agricul- 
ture emphatically  declare  that  we  should 
use  London  purple,  and  say  nothing  more 
about  Paris  green.  The  teachings  of  such 
an  authority  who  has  given  much  attention 
to  insects  and  their  destruction,  we  could 
not  well  refuse  to  accept  with  considerable 
respect,  and  to  commend  them  to  our 
readers'  attention. 

This  season,  however,  it  seems  tliat  Prof. 
Cook  has  got  hold  of  a  different  sample  of 
the  purple,  thus  again  showing  the  lack  of 
uniformity  in  the  article.  In  a  recent  num- 
ber of  the  Rural  New  Yorker  we  find  the 


1889. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


27 


followini;  from  Prof.  Cook's  pen,  and  it 
sounds  very  different  from  his  former  teach- 
infrs  of  less  than  a  year  ago:  "'  Many  and 
seriois  complaints  come  from  fruit-growers 
regarding  injury  done  to  Peach  trees  which 
were  sprayed  with  I>on- 
dou  purple.  I  have  ex- 
perimented very  full}"  in 
this  matter.  It  seems  that 
London  purple  is  far  more 
injurious  than  is  Paris  green. 
The  latter,  used  one  pound  to 
I1KI  gallons  of  water— a  mix- 
ture at  least  twice  too  strong 
— and  twice  repeated,  did 
almost  no  harm;  a  mixture 
one-half  the  strength  did  no 
harm  at  all.  The  London 
purple  of  the  first  strength 
always  did  some  harm  and 
often  serious  damage.  A  rain 
just  after  the  application 
seems  to  increase  the  damage. 
One  pound  to  2(Xi  gallons  of 
water  injuries  Peach,  Cherry, 
Apple  and  Plum  foliage  often 
seriously,  especially  when  re- 
peated. It  is  much  the  most 
injurious  when  used  on  the 
Peach,  The  leaves  often 
fall  off.  Frequently  one  ap- 
plication of  this  weak  mix- 
ture would  be  followed  by 
entire  defoliation. 

I  find  that  the  colored  water 
turned  carefully  off  after  the 
Ijondon  purple   has   all   set- 
tled, will  still  kill  the  foliage. 
Can  it  be  that  the  analine  is 
the  poisonous  substance  ?  Or 
is  it  the  soluble  arsenic?    I 
am    now     having     analyses 
made  to  determine  this  last 
point.    If  an  arsenic  is  to  be 
used  on  the  Plum  and  Peach,  we  must  use 
Paris  green,  and  for  the  Peach  this  must  be 
very  dilute.    1  should  not  make  it  stronger 
than  one  pound  to  2.50  gallons  of  water." 

What  we  desire  is  to  see  clear  in  this  mat- 
ter. We  must  not  mislead  our  readers  by 
false  advice,  nor  withoUl  information  that 
is  almost  life  and  death  to  them,  and  all  we 
can  do  at  present  is  to  commend  the  utmost 
caution  in  the  use  of  the  purple,  until  we 
can  be  sure  to  have  an  article  of  the  uniform 
quality  of  the  best  samples  we  have  used. 


so  without  any  trace  of  piinf^nt'y  that  it  may  bo 
eaten  like  an  .\pple.  If  we  could  eliminate  from 
the  natun,' of  Procojip'.'^  (Jiant  the  tendency  to 
assume  a  v>eculiiir  crinkled  .sliape,  and  by  careful 
selection  of  seed  make  it  as  uniformly  smooth  and 
regular  as  this  Long  Sweet  variety,  it  would  give 


Notes  from   the   Popular    Gardening 

Grounds  at  La  Salle-on-the- 

Niagara. 

The  New  Pepiicrs.  This  is  the  second  year  we 
have  grown  Procopp's  Giant,  this  Goliath 
amongst  Peppers,  and  it  pleases  us  in  so  far  it  is 


PRIZETAKER  ONION. 
a  very  reliable  bearer  of  uniformly  large  fruit. 
The  latter  is  bright  red,  from  5  to  7  inches  long, 
but  lacking  in  regularity  .which  indeed  is  its  only 
fault.  The  thick  flesh  has  just  enough  pepperj' 
pungency  to  make  it  desirable.  Golden  Upright, 
and  perhaps  even  Ruby  King— varieties  so  per- 
fect otherwise— are  too  sweet  for  many  culinary 
purposes.  Our  Long  Sweet  lied  sort  from  New 
Jersey,  which  we  find  unsurpassed  as  a  bearer,  is 


FLOWERS  OF   THE  WHITE  JAPAN  ANEMONE   FROM   NATURE.     %  Natural  Size. 

us  a  Pepper  with  which  no  fault  covdd  be  found. 

Celestial  is  again  not  only  useful  but  also  highly 
ornamental. 

Last  year  we  selected  seed  from  a  number  of 
varieties  which  were  growing  in  close  proximity 
to  each  other.  Among  the  seedlings  of  the  Celes- 
tial this  year  we  have  a  number  of  plants  that 
are  evidently  the  result  of  a  cross  between  it  and 
our  Long  Sweet  Red  variety.  The  plants  have 
the  characteristics  of  the  Celestial,  and  bear  very 
freely.  Fruit  from  2  to  2%  inches  long  and  IH 
inches  wide  at  top,  bright  red,  smooth,  handsome, 
and  with  some  pungency.  All  the  rest  of  the  va- 
rieties came  true  to  name. 

A  Prizrtaker.  We  always  try  every  new  Onion 
that  we  hear  of,  and  the  older  ones,  too.  This 
season  again  we  had  a  great  number  of  varieties, 
among  them  Silver  King,  Mammoth  Pompeii, 
Spanish  King,  and  various  other  mammoth  sorts. 
Owing  to  the  new  condition  of  the  soil,  lateness 
of  the  season,  and  lack  of  various  requisites  at 
the  proper  time,  our  success  was  nothing  to  brag 
about,  although  we  have  a  fair  crop.  Among  the 
score  or  more  of  choicest  sorts,  however,  none 
can  hold  the  candle  to  Prizetaker,  a  variety  in- 
troduced last  year  by  Mr.  Wm.  H.  Maule.  Our 
specimens  last  year  were  the  finest  Onions  we 
ever  raised,  equalling  in  size  and  beauty  the  im- 
ported Spanish-  Onions  of  our  fruit  stores  and 
groceries,  and  our  experience  with  them  this 
year  only  strengthens  our  good  opinion  of  it.  A 
few  rows  grown  with  good  care,  but  otherwise 
by  no  means  under  the  most  favorable  circum- 
stances, gave  us  bulbs  the  smallest  of  which 
weighedoverone-half  of  a  pound  each,  and  which 
yielded  at  the  rate  of  over  ]000  bushels  per  acre. 
With  special  care  we  think  we  could  even  double 
this  yield,  and  propose  to  do  this  next  year.  Its 
name  is  undoubtedly  proper.  No  other  variety 
can  take  the  prize  at  any  exhibition  in  competi- 
tion with  a  well-grown  Prizetaker;  at  least  this 
is  the  conclusion  of  two  seasons'  trials  with  it.  It 
has  proved  itself  to  be  the  Onion  par  excelienc^. 

Potatfi  Tests.  Flea  beetles,  the  blight,  and  dry 
weather  have  made  short  work  of  our  this  sea- 
son's Potato  test  plot,  and  with  our  hope  of  being 
able  to  settle  some  disputed  points  inPotato  grow- 
ing to  our  own  satisfaction.  As  already  stated,  we 
found  the  flea  beetle  the  worst  of  these  enemies, 
and  proof  against  anything  we  applied.    Among 


iither  things,  we  tested  the  virtue  of  Buckwheat 
plants  in  dower,  which,  it  is  claimed,  will  drive 
tlea  Ijcetles  away.  Perhaps  we  did  this  more  to 
show  the  absurdity  of  parading  innocent  plants 
and  leaves,  like  those  of  the  Tomato, Elder,  Buck- 
wheat, etc.,  as  certain  insect  repellers,  than  tor 
any  other  purpose.  They  are 
not,  and  the  little  jumping  pests 
stayed  until  the  test  plot  was 
well-nigh  ruined. 

The  partial  crop,  which  we 
harvested,  however,  gave  us 
something  like  the  usual  results, 
and  in  so  far,  so  much  eifort  and 
care  in  making  these  tests  was 
not  spent  quite  in  vain. 

The  following  are  some  of  the 
results  and  conclusions:  Extra 
large  single-eye  pieces,  selected 
from  extra  large  tubers,  and 
planted  six  inches  apart  in  the 
rows,  yielded  only  7.5  percent,  of 
the  crop  obtained  from  whole 
medium-sized  tubers  planted  one 
foot  apart  in  the  rows,  while 
single-e.ve  pieces  cut  of  ordinar,v 
size  and  from  the  ordinary  run 
of  tubers,  planted  at  various 
•^P"^  ^  distances,  (8  to  12  inches)  gave 
only  a  yield  of  frt)m  -tS  to  5.5  per 
cent,  of  that  from  whole  tubers. 
I'his  again  shows  that  smgle-eye 
pieces  do  not  constitute  "a 
sufficiency  "  of  seed,  or  in  other 
words,  that  a  maximum  yield 
can  not  be  grown  from  this 
method  of  seeding.  Whenever 
we  decide  to  adopt  it,  however, 
we  should  make  the  pieces  as 
large  as  possible,  and  plant  them 
very  close— not  more  than  six 
inches  apart  for  our  ordinary 
soils.  We  planted  them  once  i 
inches  apart  with  good  results. 

The  rows  in  which  whole 
(medium-sized)  tubers  were 
planted,  as  usual  gave  the  largest 
yield  in  the  plat, "showing  the 
superiority  of  whole  against  cut 
tubers. 
Seed  ends  used  for  seed  gave  slightly  better  re- 
sults than  either  stem  ends  or  middle  pieces. 

No  difference  appeared  in  the  yields  from  ha  If 
tubers,  whether  planted  cut  side  up  or  down. 

The  application  of  bone  dust  increased  the 
yield,  but  not  nearly  so  much  as  that  of  a  high- 
grade  complete  fertilizer  containing  a  considera- 
ble percentage  of  potash. 

The  same  good  results  were  noticed  from  the 
applications  of  fertilizers,  whether  applied  above 
or  below  the  seed  pieces. 

The  crop  was  poorest  in  the  rows  where  no  fer- 
tilizer was  used,  and  a  gradual  increase  plainly 
visible  in  the  same  ratio  as  the  fertilizer  (H.  S. 
Miller  &  Co.'s  Peach  tree  fertilizer,  containing  3 
to  3  percent.  Ammonia,  8  to  10  phosphoric  acid 
and  8  to  10  potash)  was  increased. 

The  Fall  Anemones.  To  Japan  we  are  indebted 
for  two  of  the  grandest  flowering  plants  in  ex- 
istence, namely,  the  Japan  Anemones.  For  weeks 
these  magnificent  flowers  have  been  a  chief  at- 
traction of  the  borders  at  Woodbanks;  we  are 
contemplating  their  use  even  more  freely  in  the 
future.  The  type  of  these  flowers  is  Anemone 
Japonica,  ha\ing  many  handsome  rose-colored 
blooms  two  or  more  inches  across.  L^seful  as 
this  species  is,  however,  for  the  sake  of  variety,  it 
is  nowhere  equal  in  attractiveness  to  its  offspring 
(by  sport),  the  White  Japan  Anemone  [Japonica 
rar.  Honorine  Jobert),  of  which  we  show  an  en- 
graving, two-thirds  size,  drawn  from  nature. 
This  latter  plant  is  the  pride  of  the  flower  garden 
during  .September  and  October.  The  flowers  are 
of  the  purest  white,  with  finely  contrasted  yellow 
centers,  and  borne  in  extreme  profusion,  well 
above  a  plant  in  itself  possessed  of  beautiful 
leaves.  It  possesses  the  highest  value  as  a  plant 
for  cut  flowers,  in  this  respect  standing  second 
to  no  other  plant  in  cultivation.  Both  of  these 
Anemones  are  fli'st  rate  plants  for  the  flower 
garden,  for  groups,  borders  or  the  wild  garden. 
An  engraving  reproduced  from  the  London  Gar- 
den of  the  white  variety  as  grown  in  the  wild 
garden  is  annexed.  On  our  own  grounds,  we  in- 
tend the  coming  season  to  devote  a  good-sized 
bed  on  the  lawn  exclusively  to  these  Anemones 
in  the  proportion  of  two-thirds  of  the  space  to 
plants  of  the  white  and  one- third  to  the  rose- 
colored  variety.  By  having  the  plants  in  various 
situations,    some  in  a  north  border,  some  on  a 


28 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


NOVEMBKR, 


warm  one,  the  bloom  may  be  greatly  iirolonped. 
The  white  form  is  never  more  eharmins?  than 
when  it  is  grown  in  the  shade  of  a  wootl.  Some 
suppose  that  the  white  is  the  original  form  of  the 
plant.  As  to  propagation  every  bit  of  the  root 
grows  if  divided.  Some  might  think  this  plant 
increases  too  freely  if  anything,  but  as  it  in  no 
wise  partakes  of  a  weedy  nature  this  must  be 


LAYERING   HARD-WOODED  PLANTS. 

considered  in  its  favor,  especially  so  long  as  it  re- 
mains as  rare  as  at  present  in  the  average  gar- 
den. For  the  best  results  a  rich  soil  is  desirable 
for  these  plants,  but  they  are  not  difficult  to  suit 
in  this  respect.  We  cannot  but  counsel  every 
reader  of  these  notes  to  set  out  one  or  more 
plants  of  the  Japanese  Anemones  if  they  now  do 
not  possess  them. 


ding  with  good  foundations  to  solid  ground. 
The  bins  are  formed  hy  slats,  six  inches 
wide,  one  inch  stuff.  The  slats  have  spaces 
of  six  inches  between  so  that  thorough  ven- 
tilation is  obtained, 

The  heating  of  the  new  house  is  by  hot 
water.pipes,  the  old  one,  hot  air.  No  .shipping 
or  selling,  even  in  the  home  market  is 
attempted  from  this  stock  until  Janu- 
ary and  sometimes  February,  when  the 
ordinary  crops  are  exhausted. 

A  selling  price  of  $3.5  to  $40  per  ton 
usually  pays  well,  but  .$80  was  obtained 
for  part  of  the  crop  last  year.  The 
shipment  is  in  ordinary  cars.  These 
are  lined,  and  a  stove  used  for  heat, 
with  an  attendant  on  the  way.  For  this 
reason  it  is  preferred  to  ship  by  three 
car  lots,  two  to  Boston,  and  one  to 
Providence,  which  is  about  the  relative 
proportion  of  each  city.  Not  much 
market  in  any  but  in  New  England 
cities.  Cost  of  freight  $30  per  car,  but 
it  has  been  as  high  as  $.50,  capacity  of 
car  about  thirteen  tons. 

Now  the  secret  of  sticcess  in  sending 
this  crop  a  thousand  miles,  and  yet 
make  a  profit,  is  in  knowing,  how  best 
to  preserve  the  crop,  and  which  is  the 
exact  time  for  marketing,  with  a  willing- 
ness to  invest  sufficient  capital  in  buildings, 
etc.,  and  to  wait  for  the  returns.  The  crop 
is  all  sold  on  commission,  but  the  markets 
have  to  be  carefully  studied. 


ceptional  plant,  any  more  than  we  can  have 
the  exceptional  persons,  about  us  daily. 

It  likes  a  rich  soil,  very  light,  and  must 
have  plenty  of  water  and  sunshine,  but  the 
soil  must  be  well  drained.  It  seeds  freely 
and  young  plants  will  continually  be  com- 
ing up  in  the  pot  about  the  old  plant. 
These  can  be  potted,  and  very  soon  they  will 
come  into  bloom.  I  have  never  tried  it  as  a 
bedder,  but  I  think  it  might  be  made  useful 
for  this  purpose.  Care  must  be  taken  to 
keep  it  from  getting  dry  at  the  roots,  as  it 
will  suffer  severely  if  neglected  in  this  re- 
spect. If  the  .ioints  begin  to  drop  off  you 
may  conclude  that  the  plant  has  outlived  its 
usefulness  and  start  new  ones  to  take  its 
place.  The  mealy  bug  sometimes  attacks 
it.  This  pest  should  be  removed  with  a  soft 
brush.  If  kept  in  too  dry  an  atmosphere  the 
red  spider  will  injure  it.  Therefore  to 
shower  it  well,  all  over,  at  least  once  a  day. 


Growing  Winter  Squash  in  Illinois 
for  New  England  Markets. 

EDGAR  SANDERS.   CHICAGO  ILLS. 

A  market  gardener,  near  Chicago,  has  tor 
years  made  a  business  of  shipping  Hubbard 
Squash  to  the  New  England  markets.  He 
has  now  two  structitres  holding  200  tons  or 
over;  but  he  sometimes  buys  of  other  grow- 
ers and  ships  hundreds  of  tons  before  he 
touches  his  own  crop.  This  firm, 
(D.  S.  Dunning  and  Sons)  have  this  year,  of 
their  own  growing  30  acres  of  Hubbard, 
which  is  the  only  kind  grown. 

In  consequence  of  careful  selection,  and 
no  other  varieties  grown  near  them,  the 
strain  is  very  pure.  The  average  crop  is 
about  six  ton  to  the  acre,  but  occasionally 
as  much  as  eight,  and  as  low  as  three  tons 
are  grown  per  acre. 

The  soil  is  prairie  eighteen  inches  in  depth 
thoroughly  underdrained.  Seed  is  never 
sown  earlier  than  the  first  of  .June,  eight 
feet  apart,  six  seed  being  dropped,  but  two 
only  left  to  grow  finally;  and  it  is  a  mooted 
question  whether  better  results  would  not 
follow  thinning  to  a  single  plant. 

The  land  is  plowed  in  the  fall.  Fifteen 
two  horse  loads  of  compost  applied  during 
winter,  are  thoroughly  mi.xed  with  the 
soil  in  spring  by  careful  harrowing,  A 
shovel  plow  is  then  run  eight  feet  apart,  and 
this  crossed,  at  the  same  distance  apart  with 
an  ordinary  Corn  marker. 

At  each  intersection  one  shovelful  of 
well  rotted  manure  is  thoroughly  mixed 
with  the  soil,  and  in  this  the  seed  is  sown. 
This  induces  a  quick  growth,  and  less 
trouble  with  the  bugs.  Thorough  cultiva- 
tion is  given  during  summer,  as  long  as  the 
growing  vines  will  permit. 

The  harvesting  began  this  year  Monday 
September  1.5th,  and  the  crop  is  at  once 
placed  into  winter  qtiarters,  with  as  little 
handling  and  bruising,  as  possible. 

The  new  hotise  constructed  this  year  is 
24x40  frame,  built  frost  or  draught  proof  by 
tar  paper  on  outer  and  inner  side  between 
the  studding.  Double  doors  and  windows 
complete  the  outer  shell  of  the  building. 
The  inner  or  bins  for  storing  the  fruit,  are 
entirely  seperate,  and  so  built  that  each 
compartment  is  sustained  by  its  own  stud- 


Zanzibar  Balsam. 

Winter  bloomers  of  easy  culture  are  al- 
ways much  sought  after  by  flower  lovers. 
Mr.  Eben  E.  Rexford,  in  one  of  our  ex- 
changes, calls  attention  to  the  Zanzibar 
Balsam  ( Impatiens  Sultani),  as  a  very  de- 
sirable subject  for  such  purpose.  It  is  a 
low-growing  plant,  he  says,  having  very 
pretty  leaves  of  a  rich,  dark,  shining  green. 
Its  .stems  are  very  mitch  like  those  of  the 
ordinary  garden  Balsam,  having  an  almost 
transparent  look  when  seen  against  a 
strong  light.  Its  flowers  are  single,  about 
the  size  of  a  silver  quarter,  and  are  pro- 
duced with  wonderful  profusion,  all  over 
the  plant.  They  are  a  bright  magenta,  with 
something  of  a  rosy  tinge. 

Being  produced  freely,  the  give  the  plant  a 
cheerful  appear- 
ance, and  bright- 
en up  the  win- 
dow greatly.  I 
do  not  think  I  had 
another  plant, 
last  winter,  that 
was  more  ad 
mired  by  all  who 
saw  it.  "What  a 
bright  little  thing 
it  is,"  everybody 
said,  and  the\ 
were  right.  There 
are  many  plants 
more  showy,  and 
many  more  beau 
titul,  but  it  had 
such  a  cheerful 
look  about  it  that 
it  quite  won 
people  in  its 
modest  way.  It 
seemed  to  be  do- 
ing all  it  could  to 
make  the  window 
gay,  and  it  suc- 
ceeded perfectly. 
It  makes  methink 
of  some  persons  who  do  what  they  can  to 
make  the  world  brighter.  They  may  lack 
the  ability  to  do  as  much  as  some  one  else, 
but  what  they  can  do  they  do  well,  and  it  is 
just  these  persons  whom  we  must  depend 
on  for  pleasure  in  this  world  of  ours,  to  a 
great  extend.    We  can't  always  have  the  ex- 


Layering  Hard-Wooded  Plants. 

A  novel  method  of  propagating  many  of 
the  hard-wooded  evergreens,  (such  as  Cam- 
melias,  for  instance)  much  practiced  in  Italy, 
deserves  to  be  more  widely  known,  both  for 
its  simplicity,  and  its  certainty  of  giving 
good  results  with  many  shrubs  that  fre- 
quently refuse  to  grow  readily,  or  to  make 
strong  plants  in  a  reasonable  length  of  time. 

The  time  for  layering  in  this  manner  is  in 
spring,  when  the  plants  are  making  their 
strongest  growth.  Select  a  well-grown, 
thrifty  side  branch  of  about  the  thickness  of 
a  pencil;  remove  most  of  the  leaves;  then 
drive  the  point  of  a  sharp  penknife,  edge 
downward,  clear  through  the  center,  cutting 
downward,  remaining  in  the  center  for  near- 
ly three  inches,  and  finally  cut  to  the  outside 
with  a  smooth  slanting  cut.  A  small  thin 
piece  of  wood  is  now  to  be  inserted  in  the 
slit,  and  the  free  end  slightly  but  carefully 
bent  outward.  The  plant  appears  now  as 
shown  in  Fig.  at  the  left. 

A  piece  of  tin  is  then  bent  in  funnel  shape 
around  the  branch  operated  on,  usually  held 
together  by  tying  with  wire,  and  fastened 
to  a  stake,  as  appearing  at  the  right.  The 
lower  end  of  this  funnel  is  filled  with  moist 
Sphagnum,  and  the  balance,  up  to  within  an 
inch  from  the  top,  with  a  sifted  mixture  of 
sand  and  leaf  mold.   To  i)reveut  rapid  evap- 


GROUP  OF  THE  JAPAN  ANEMONE.     See  page  37. 


oration,  a  layer  of  moist  Sphagnum  is  next 
firmly  packed  on  top. 

The  soil  in  the  funnel  has  to  be  kept  wat- 
ered whenever  necessary  to  keep  continu 
ously  moist.  In  the  beginning  of  autumn, 
or  soon  after,  a  careful  examination  of  the 
soil  will  reveal  the  presence  of  roots,  and 


1889. 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


29 


tlie  branch  can  now  be  severed  from  the  par- 
ent plant  by  a  smooth  cut  immediately  be- 
low the  funnel.  This  latter  is  now  carefully 
opened  and  removed,  and  the  young  plant, 
with  ball  of  soil  adhereing,  potted  off  in  a 
reasonably  large  pot,  and  in  good  rich  pot- 
ting soil.  It  is  then  treated  in  some  way  as 
other  plants  of  its  kind,  and  in  spring  fol- 
lowing will  be  large  enough  for  sale.    The 


PROCOPP'S  GIANT  PEPPER. 

funnels  are  usually  made  from  4  to  7  inches 
long,  and  2  to  4  inches  across  the  top. 

The  described  mode  is  much  employed  by 
Italian  growers  in  the  propagation  of  Cam- 
ellias, Rhododendrons,  Boxwoods,  Olea  fra- 
grans,  Magnolia  fusca.  Ericas,  and  many 
other  shrubs,  also  of  very  choice  Roses. 


COMMENTS    BY    READERS. 

A  department  to  tchick  all  are  invited  to  send  notes  of 
experienee  and  observation  concerning  topics  that  re- 
centlu  have  been  treated  on  in  this  journal.  Many 
such  contributions  monthly  are  welcome, 

Bleachisg  Evaporated  Fruits.  Why  I 
consider  bleaching  injurious  Because  it  is  a 
fact,  true  even  in  face  of  the  difflcult.v  or  im- 
possibility of  detecting  in  such  fruit  by  chemical 
analysis  any  positively  poisonous  substance. 
Bleaching  is  done  by  the  burning  of  sulphur  or 
roll  brimstone,  while  the  fruit  is  fresh  in  the 
evaporator.  The  burning  of  sulphur  produces 
sulphurous  acid.  This  in  the  presence  of  water 
and  air  (as  in  an  evaporator)  is  oxidized  or 
changed  to  sulphuric  acid.  Every  solution  of 
this  acid—"  oil  of  vitrei  "—acts  readily  upon  zinc, 
and  since  the  zinc-coated  or  "  galvanized  iron  " 
trays  are  in  general  use,  we  have  here  the  explan- 
ation of  the  complaints  of  foreigner  about  our 
poisonous  evaporated  Apples.  The  detection  of 
zinc  in  them  by  German  chemists  has  led  the 
German  government  to  decree  the  destruction  of 
all  such  Apples  on  hand,  and  to  forbid  any  fur- 
ther importation  of  them  unless  accompanied  by 
a  chemist's  certificate  of  analysis  that  they  were 
free  from  injurious  substances.  The  presence  of 
zinc  has  also  lieen  attributed  to  the  action  of  the 
acid  in  sour  Apples  upon  the  zinc  of  the  fruit 
trays.  Fruit  bleaching  just  now  is  a  fashionable 
craze  in  the  United  .States.  The  practical  exclu- 
sion of  American  fruit  from  foreign  markets 
will  cause  the  subject  to  be  investigated.  Bleach- 
ing destroys  the  fruit  flavor  and  makes  all  look 
alike,  so  that  good  and  poor  fruit  can  no  longer 
be  distinguished.  And  as  the  practice  is  some 
trouble  and  expense,  does  not  add  to  but  detracts 
from  the  food  value  of  any  and  all  fruit,  it  is 
better  to  retrace  the  wrong  step,  to  avoid  even 
the  appearance  of  evil  by  at  once  returning  to 
the  use  of  honest,  healthful,  unbleached  fruit.— 
J.  W.  Smith,  Floyd  C'ri.,  Iowa. 

The  Tuijp  Tree.  Yes  it  is  a  noble  tree,  our 
Liriodendron  f«(ipf/ero,  and  should  be  more  gen- 
erally and  especially  more  extensively  planted. 
What  a  fine  and  valuable  thing  a  solid  forest  of 
these  would  be!  Mr.  C.  L.  Allen  in  one  of  the  En- 
glish papers,  remarks  that  there  are  two  distinct 
varieties  of  it,  which  are  more  marked  than  with 
any  other  species  of  other  genera.  One  kind  has 
soft,  yellow,  fine-grained  wood,  tit  tor  almost 
any  work,  and  is  much  used  tor  piano  legs,  par- 
ticularly car\-ed  ones,  as  no  other  wood  takes  a 
stain  so  well,  no  matter  what  wood  is  to  be  imi- 
tated.    It  is  quite  amusing  to  hear  dealers  cal . 


whitc-w(Kid  jjiano  legs  "solid  ntsewood,"  which 
they  do  almost  invariably.  The  wood  is  also  used 
for  nearly  all  ijurpo.ses,  except  for  shingles,  and 
is  more  \'aluable  than  any  of  our  soft  woods. 
Not  long  since  a  tree  was  cut  in  the  Maumee 
Valley  which  made  a  stick  (iO  feet  long.  54  Inches 
by  4«  inches  square,  and  entirely  free  from  knots. 
The  other  variety  is  commonly  called  White 
Poplar;  the  wood  is  soft,  tough  and  stringy,  ex- 
ceedingly liable  to  warp  or  twist,  and  is  onlj- 
used  in  the  most  common  cabinet  work.  The 
variation  in  the  species  is  said  to  be  brought 
about  by  the  soil,  which,  if  dry,  gravelly  and 
elevated,  produces  the  white  wood,  while  it  rich, 
deep  and  rather  moist,  the  yellow  timber.  Our 
observation  does  not  confirm  this  opinion,  hav- 
ing seen  the  two  varieties  growing  within  a  few 
feet  of  each  other  under  the  same  conditions  in 
all  respects.  As  a  roadside  tree  either  variety  is 
desirable;  the  foliage  is  pleasing  in  summer  and 
exceedingly  rich  in  autumn,  while  in  color  it  is 
next  to  our  Maples.  The  Southern  Lumberman 
tells  of  a  tree  near  Bethlehem,  in  Montgomery 
County,  Tennessee,  which  is  six  feetand  one  inch 
in  diameter,  five  feet  from  the  ground,  and  ap- 
parently of  the  same  size  up  to  the  first  limb, 
which  is  75  feet  from  the  ground.  This  tree  is 
probably  sound,  and  estimated  to  contain  more 
than  15,000  feet  of  lumber.— G.  E.,  City. 

SpRATuiG  With  London  Purple.     Mr.  E.  P. 
Cummlngs  complains  that  he  has  been  greatly 
injured  by  the  use  of  London  purple.     The  fault 
has  not  been  with  the  poison,  as  the  strength  he 
mentions  would  not  injure  Apples  in  the  least, 
and  we  do  not  think  it  would  hurt  even  the  most 
tender  Plums.    If  he  will  write  to  us  we  think 
we  might  convince  him  where  the  fault   lies. 
London  Purple  has  been  tried  now  by  so  many 
people  for  this  purpose,  and  we  have  quantities 
of  testimonials  from  growers  who  have  had  good 
results  from  its  use  even  when  applied  stronger 
than  mentioned   by   complainant.      Sometimes 
people  who  have  only  a  few  trees,  dose  them  with 
material  enough  for  a  large  orchard.     This  we 
have  known  to  result  injuriously,  but  the  fault 
was  certainly  with  the  user.     The  proportions 
which  we  recommend  as  hartng  given  the  best 
results,  are  one  pound  of  London  purple  to  300 
gallons  of  water  for  the  Apple  tree,  and  250  gal- 
lons for  the  Plum,  and  this  if  put  on  in  spray 
form   and  in  quantity   suflBcient  for   effective 
work,  is  a  perfectly  safe  application.    Let  us  call 
your  attention  to  following  statement  made  by 
Prof.  J.  A.  Lmtner:  "  The  best  insecticide  for  use 
against  fruit  insects  is  undoubtedly  Paris  green 
or  London  purple.  Of  these  two  I  do  not  hesitate 
to  recommend  London  purple  in  preference.    It 
is  quite  as  effective,  is  less  liable  to  burn  the 
foliage,  there  is   less   danger   from   accidental 
poisoning  from  it,  it  is  less  expensive,  and  is 
held  more  easilj"  in  mixture  with  water."    Or 
to  that  of  Prof.  G.  S.  Goff:    "  It  is  probable  that 
London  purple  will  supercede  Paris  green  as  an 
insecticide  when  its  advantages  become  generally 
understood."    Let  us  further  say  that  a  series  of 
experiments  in  spraying  Plum  and  Cherry  tree 
have  been  made  at  the  Ohio  Experiment  Station 
this  season,  and  the  station  entomologist  thought 
himself  justified  by  the  results  to  publish  the 
following  as  final  conclusions:     "  This  series  of 
experiments   carried    on    through    two   seasons 
upon    two   varieties  of  Cherry  trees  and  four 
varieties  of  Plum  trees,  during  which  a  grand 
total  of  65,500  Cherries  have  been  individually 
examined,  seems  to  me  to  confirm  the  provision- 
al conclusions  announced  one  year  ago,  which 
may  now  be  put  in  the  following  form:  (1)  That 
about  three-fourths  of  the  Cherries  liable  to  in- 
jury by  the  Plum  CurcuUo  can  be  saved  ;by  two 
or  three  appUcations  of  London  purple  in  a  water 
spray  in  the  proportion  of  one  ounce  to  ten  gal- 
lons of  water.    (3)  That  a  sufficiently  large  pro- 
portion of  the  Plum  crop  can  be  saved  by  the 
same  treatment  to  linsure  a  good  yield  when  a 
fair  amount  of  the  fruit  is  set.    (3)  That  if  an  in- 
terval of  a  month  or  more  occurs  between  the 
last  application  and  the  ripening  of  the  fruit, 
no  danger  to  health  need  be  apprehended  from 
its  use.    (4)  That  spraying  with  the  arsenites  is 
cheaper   and    more  practical   than    any  other 
method  of  preventing  injuries  of  this  insect. — 
Hemingway's  London  Purple  Co.,  New  York. 

Early  Tomatoes  for  Profit.  Of  late  there 
has  been  little  said  in  your  columns  regarding 
growing  early  Tomatoes  for  market.  I  hope 
some  of  those  well-posted  in  their  early  culture 
will  give  us  their  views  and  experience,  before 
the  season  comes  around  again  for  sowing  seed. 
I  take  the  ground  that  early  Tomatoes  stand  next 
to  Strawljerries  in  point  of  profit.    After  people 


have  been  kept  on  berries  for  several  months 
they  crave  something  for  a  change,  and  the  To- 
mato seems  to  meet  the  demand.  We  see  hun- 
dreds of  bushels  coming  north  and  filling  our 
markets  long  before  the  home-grown  are  ripe, 
and  selling  at  big  prices.  How  can  we  get  our 
early  Tomatoes  ripe  in  quantities  a  week  or  ten 
days  earlier,  and  catch  some  of  the#  big  prices? 
On  our  market  this  season  southern  Tomatoes 
brought  84.00  per  bushel  wholesale,  when  we 
were  having  only  a  few  ripe  ones.  As  to  varie- 
ties, they  equal  the  Strawberry  in  number,  but 
the  earliest  are  more  or  less  rough  and  inferior. 
The  man  that  will  produce  a  new  Tomato  as 
early  as  the  Imi>roved  Alpha  or  Atlantic,  and  as 
smooth  and  large  as  Acme  or  Perfection,  will  do 
more  towards  the  advancement  of  horticulture 
than  the  man  that  produces  a  new  Strawberry 
that  surpasses  those  now  upon  the  market.  It  is 
true  we  can  take  a  few  plants  of  the  smooth  var- 
ieties and  by  extra  care  and  trouble  get  them 
very  early,  but  to  have  the  plants  so  as  to  sell 
them  by  the  acre,  and  have  them  as  early,  is 
another  thing.  One  writer  in  your  columns  says 
he  gained  three  weeks  in  one  seasen  (?)  by  saving 
the  first  ripe  for  seed.  I  have  done  that  on  the 
same  Tomato  for  six  years,  but  I  have  not  gained 
18  weeks  nor  18  days,  even  in  that  time,  but  it 
may  help  some.  The  Dwarf  Champion  comes  as 
near  the  ideal  Tomato  as  any;  but  it  ripens  its 
crop  too  slow  for  early  market,  at  least  with  me. 
We  can  do  some  to  advance  them  by  early  sow- 
ing, repeated  transplanting,  and  placing  them  in 
the  open  ground  direct  from  the  pot  or  can,  so 
as  not  to  check  their  growth;  but  we  want  an 
earUer,  larger,  smooth  Tomato.  Who  will  pro- 
duce ity  Can  it  be  done?  There  are  many  new 
varieties  praised  by  the  originators  sky-high,  but 
it  is  ad\nsable  to  go  slow  on  them.  I  tried  some 
this  season  to  see  for  myself,  and  one  especially 
proved  the  poorest  thing  of  a  Tomato  I  ever 
grew.— ^.  yr.  A'.,  Ohio. 

Henderson's  Bush  Lima  Bean.  In  October 
notes  from  the  Popular  Gardening  Grounds 
you  speak  of  Bush  Lima  Bean,  but  not  much  in 
its  praise.  Now  here  in  Arizona  we  consider  it 
the  best  novelty  ever  introduced,  and  that  for 
the  following  reasons:  1.  It  has  the  identical 
flavor  of  the  true  Lima  Pole  Bean,  and  is  much 
easer  grown,  being  in  bush  form.  2.  With  us  it 
is  more  productive  than  any  other  member  of 
the  Bean  family,  be  it  Pole  or  Bush.  3.  Not- 
withstanding your  doubts  on  the  subject,  it  is 
hardier  than  any  other  Bean.  I  planted  it  early 
in  the  season,  when  the  average  temperature  of 
the  soil  was  not  above  .55°,  and  it  germinated  well; 
at  the  same  time  Valentine  and  Golden  Wax 
came  up  very  irregularly,  and  Lima  Pole  Beans 
rotted  in  the  ground.  4.  The  Bush  Lima  bore 
as  early  as  any  of  my  bush  Beans,  and  is  bearing 
and  blossoming  yet.  5.  All  other  varieties  of 
Beans  here  were  badly  affected  by  rust  (Golden 
Wax  only  produced  one  picking  when  plants 
died).  Bush  Lima  showed  no  sign  of  it.  6. 
Although  I  am  not  sure  of  it,  still  from  the  looks 
of  the  plants  now,  I  believe  the  Bush  Lima  wUl 
stand  a  slight  frost.  Altogether,  the  Bush  Lima 
is  the  Bean  for  Arizona.  I  should  also  like  to  say 
something  about  an  article  in  your  journal 
headed  "  Possibilities  and  Future  of  Irrigation." 
The  author  of  it  says  that  a  water  supply  from 
windmill  power  mignt  do  for  small  gardens,  but 
that  Mr.  H.  Stuart  was  too  sanguine  in  believing 
that  larger  areas  could  be  irrigated  in  that  man- 
ner. Now,  as  there  are  6,273,i>40  square  inches  in 
an  acre  of  land,  and  as  one  inch  of  water,  flowing 
four  miles  per  hour,  will  equal  6  ,082,.500  inches 
in  24  hours,  it  is  thoroughly  practicable  to  flood 
one  acre  of  land  with  on  inch  of  water  in  24  hours, 
provided  the  land  is  not  a  mere  sand  heap  and 
has  been  properly  prepared  for  irrigation .  At 
that  rate  a  windmill  would  only  provide  water 
once  per  week  for  seven  weeks,  but  where  the 
water  is  only  to  be  used  at  critical  periods,  suffic- 
ient might  be  stored  beforehand  to  water  even 
a  large  area  of  grain.  But  there  are  certain  ad- 
vantages which  windmills  have  over  streams  for 
irrigation.  I  have  a  farm  here  of  160  acres,  all 
of  which  is  irrigated  by  a  canal  five  miles  long, 
bringing  an  abundance  of  water  from  the  Gila 
river.  But  every  irrigation  brings  with  the  water 
also  an  abiuidance  of  weed  seeds,  so  that  I  have 
been  compelled  to  erect  a  windmUl  for  my  mar- 
ket gardens  (four  acres),  as  the  labor  to  keep  the 
weeds  down  would  be  ruinous  in  watering  with 
river  water;  indeed,  heretofore  it  has  been  hardly 
possible  for  an  active  man  to  keep  down  the 
weeds  on  H  acre  of  close  crops;  and  that  too  with 
the  help  of  the  best  wheel  hoes.— Benry  Rupky, 
Graham  Co.,  A.  T. 


30 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


November, 


Cold    Storage    Houses.      Cheap    and 
Convenient. 

The  cold  storage  house  or  room  is  now 
considered  to  be  an  indispensable  requisite 
on  every  place  deserving  the  name  of  "fruit 
farm."  Its  possession  gives  to  the  owner 
the  advantage  of  a  long  marketing  season. 
Without  it,  the  mature  fruits  must  be  dis- 
posed of  at  once,  whether  the  market  is  will- 
ing or  not,  scantily  supplied  or  overstocked 
already.  With  it  the  grower  can  hold  his 
produce  until  such  time  as  he  deems  most 
propitious  or  convenient. 

At  the  north  we  can  adopt  a  very  simple 
plan  of  cold  storage,  and  one  which  does  not 
Involve  the  necessity  of  using  ice.  All  we 
need  is  the  basement  of  some  bam  or  other 
building  properly  insulated  from  communi- 
cation with  the  outside  by  means  of  dead 
air  spaces,  or  double  walls  filled  in  with 
straw  or  sawdust,  and  a  similar  protection 
above.  Cold  air  is  admitted  at  night,  or 
through  a  subterranean  air-passage,  and  the 
building  kept  closed  when  the  outside  tem- 
perature is  too  high. 

For  ice  storage,  the  California  Fruit  Grow- 
er describes  the  following,  as  an  inexpen- 
sive house.  The  room  itself  may  be  any  size 
most  convenient.  Erect  a  frame  lined  on  the 
inside  with  heavy  paper  and  varnished  with 
shellac,  then  ceiled  and  floored  with  matched 
stuff,  %  or  %  inch  thick.  Varnish  the  en- 
tire inner  surface.  Before  putting  down  tlie 
paper  lining  and  floor,  fill  in  between  the 
framing  dry  sawdust  and  pulverized  char- 
coal mixed.  Board  up  the  outside  with 
tightly-matched  boards,  filling  in  as  you 
board  up  with  the  sawdust  and  charcoal,  as 
well  as  the  top.  The  door  for  entrance  to 
the  room  must  be  made  to  shut  against 
broad  jams  and  angular  closures  like  an  iron 
safe,  so  that  it  cannot  stick  by  swelling.  It 
should  be  made  by  framing  and  packing 
with  sawdust  and  charcoal,  in  the  same 
manner  as  the  room  which  should  be  be- 
tween the  walls  from  \2  to  l.i  inches. 

In  the  ceiling  of  the  cold  room,  frame  an 
opening  large  enough  to  let  in  a  galvanized 
sheet  iron  box  of  sufficient  size  to  hold  as 
much  ice  as  you  may  wish  to  store,  or  about 
one-tenth  of  the  capacity  of  the  whole  room. 
The  ice  chamber  should  be  fitted  into  the 
opening  tight,  with  a  flange  all  around  top. 
It  may  be  No.  18  or  20  galvanized  sheet  iron. 
To  the  bottom  attach  a  coil  of  galanized  iron 
or  lead  pipe,  running  two  or  three  times 
around  the  room,  hanging  on  hooks  or  brack- 
ets, just  the  level  of  the  ice  box.  Pass  the 
end  of  the  coil  throvigh  to  the  outside  of  the 
room  and  terminate  in  an  inverted  siphon, 
so  as  to  retain  the  water  within  the  coil  up 
to  a  level  just  below  the  bottom  of  the  ice 
box.  This  is  for  the  purpose  of  economiz- 
ing the  cold  from  the  waste  water  by  circu- 
lating it  around  the  room.  From  the  cross 
beams  of  the  ceiling,  as  bearing  for  the 
weight  of  the  ice,  place  two  or  three  straps 
of  square  iron,  of  a  size  sufficient  for  carry- 
ing the  weight  of  the  ice  you  intend  to  put 
in.  Let  them  hang  upon  the  inside  of  the 
galvanized  iron  box  to  within  an  inch  of  the 
bottom.  Upon  these  straps  lay  a  hardwood 
grating.  Make  a  galvanized  iron  cover  to 
fit  tightly  upon  the  ice  chamber,  and  a  wood- 
en one  to  close  over  the  iron  one. 

To  prevent  the  water  that  may  be  con- 
densed upon  the  outside  of  tlie  ice  chamber 
from  dripping  down  upon  the  goods,  make 
the  bottom  of  the  ice  chamber  bulge  a  little 
downward,  so  that  the  condensed  drops  will 
run  to  the  center,  or  one  side,  where  a  small 
pan  may  be  hung  with  a  small  pipe  leading 
to  the  outside  of  the  cold  room,  and  a  siphon 
attached  to  prevent  ingress  of  air.  The  ice 
chamber  may  now  be  charged  to  its  full  ca- 
pacity with  ice,  and  if  a  very  cold  room  is 
required,  sprinkle  a  layer  of  salt  between 
each  layer.    This,  however,  is  seldom  done. 


The  principle  upon  which  this  cold  room 
is  constructed  is  that  there  shall  be  no  com- 
munication between  the  ice  with  its  moist 
vapor  and  the  air  of  the  cold  room.  Any 
moisture  made  by  the  cooling  of  the  air,  and 
which  is  precipitated  upon  the  iron  surface 
of  the  ice  chamber,  is  at  once  conveyed  out 
of  the  room  by  the  drip  pan  and  its  pipe. 
Hence  there  is  no  need  of  any  special  venti- 
lation, more  than  what  will  naturally  occur 
by  the  use  of  the  door  and  the  small  leakage 
through  its  closing  crevices. 

The  ice  chamber  requires  no  ventilation, 
hence  economizing  the  ice  to  the  best  advan- 
tage, while  the  water  from  the  melting  ice 
is  turned  to  the  best  account  by  circulating 
around  the  room  in  tlie  waste  pipe. 

The  best  temperature  for  fruit  is  about  'M 
degrees  or  any  temperature  Ijelo w  40  degrees 
and  above  freezing,  where  this  kind  of  stock 
is  often  changing  by  sale.  It  stock  is  to  lie 
for  a  considerable  time,  34  degrees  should 
be  obtained  If  possible. 


Paclcing  and  Marketing  Apples. 

The  unusual  scarcity  of  the  Apple  crop 
this  fall  will  make  it  all  the  more  advisable 
to  exercise  the  utmost  care  in  preparing  tliem 
for  market.  In  the  first  place  we  can  afford 
to  bestow  more  than  the  usual  amount  of 
labor  on  this  preparation  of  the  fruit  on  ac- 
count of  its  higher  price;  but  at  the  same 
time  we  cannot  afford  to  lose  any  part  of  the 
crop  by  careless  packing,  since  we  have  no 
overplus.  Furthermore,  we  have  it  in  our 
hand  to  still  increase  the  returns  for  our 
fruit  by  care  in  putting  up,  even  if  we  con- 
cede that  at  a  time  of  scarcity  neither  buyer 
nor  consumer  are  apt  to  be  as  discriminating 
and  exacting  as  in  a  time  of  abundant  sup- 
ply. For  immediate  effect  as  well  as  for  the 
benefits  derived  in  the  future  we  should  put 
up  good  fruit  in  best  possible  shape. 

A  correspondent  of  the  Country  Gentle- 
man, who  has  had  much  practical  experi- 
ence in  the  wholesale  and  retail  fruit  busi- 
ness, offers  the  following  sensible  sugges- 
tions which  we  hope  every  fruit  grower  will 
put  in  practice.  In  the  first  place,  he  writes, 
good  barrels  of  uniform  size  should  be  used. 
The  standard  flour  barrel  size  is  the  best. 
The  fruit  should  be  carefully  picked,  thor- 
oughly assorted,  and  all  small  and  imper- 
fect specimens  rejected  and  used  for  cider. 
The  fruit  should  be  uniform  through  the 
barrel  clear  to  the  bottom. 

Care  must  be  taken  in  pressing  the  Ap- 
ples, and  also  to  see  they  do  not  shake  in  the 
barrel;  this  fault  will  condemn  the  best  of 
fruit.  Carefully  adjust  the  head  and  nail  the 
hoops.  With  a  neat  stencil  mark  the  name 
on  the  faced  head,  and  the  packer's  or  ship- 
per's name,  but  never  the  town,  as  whole- 
sale dealers  do  not  want  that.  Keep  the  bar- 
rels as  clean  and  neat  as  possible.  Some 
people  think  that  anything  will  do  for  an 
Apple  barrel,  but  let  me  say  that  a  nice  bar- 
rel, in  good  condition  when  it  arrives  at  its 
destination,  helps  to  sell  the  fruit.  Some 
shippers  think  that  writing  the  name  with 
pencil  is  just  as  good  as  a  nice  stencil,  but 
they  are  mistaken.  When  a  dealer  goes  to 
inspect  a  carload  of  Apples  and  finds  poor 
barrels,  some  heads  out,  hoops  off,  and  the 
name  scratched  on  with  pencil  or  chalk,  he 
does  not  feel  inclined  to  buy  except  at  a  low 
figure.  On  the  other  hand,  if  on  opening  the 
car  he  finds  nice  clean  packages,  uniform  in 
size,  with  nameof  fruit  nicely  stenciled,  and 
shipper's  name  on  the  same,  he  says  he  will 
at  once  become  a  purchaser.  Then  when  he 
comes  to  open  up  the  lot  and  finds  it  of  uni- 
form size,  such  as  he  would  be  willing  to 
turn  out  on  the  floor  for  his  customers'  in- 
spection, he  is  delighted,  and  you  will  soon 
find  him  writing  to  his  shipper,  saying, 
"This  fruit  is  all  right;  how  many  cars  can 
you  furnish  me  that  will  come  up  to  this 
standard:'    I  will  take  one  or  two  hundred 


cars  if  you  can  guarantee  them  to  be  as  good 
as  this  one."  If  the  fruit  had  been  such  as 
is  usually  shipped,  he  would  have  written 
that  the  quality  was  so  poor  that  he  had  to 
take  a  very  low  price,  and  did  not  care  for 
further  shipments. 

If  fruit  growers  and  shippers  would  go  to 
the  other  end  of  the  route,  stay  through  one 
season,  hear  the  language  uttered  over  poor- 
ly-packed Apples,  and  see  the  frauds  prac- 
ticed, they  would  see  why  prices  seem  low; 
and  yet  they  are  always  high  enough  for  the 
quality  of  the  goods.  In  doing  a  large  ship- 
ping business  the  most  careful  person  will 
sometimes  get  imposed  upon.  A  good  way  to 
avoid  this  is  to  furnish  each  packer  with  a 
small  bill  on  which  is  printed,  "  This  barrel 
was  packed  by  John  Smith."  Then  if  fraud 
is  discovered  it  can  be  traced  to  the  one 
guilty  of  it.  There  are  packers  who  ship  to 
me,  and  as  soon  as  I  get  their  list  I  can  say 
to  a  customer,  "  Here  is  a  car  I  can  guaran- 
tee without  inspecting  it."  I  sell  it,  ship  in- 
to the  country,  make  a  draft  against  it, 
which  is  paid  and  no  fault  found.  Soon 
there  comes  an  order  from  same  customer: 
"  Send  me  another  car;  I  want  same  man's 
packing  as  the  last."  This  is  much  better 
than  to  have  your  draft  returned  with  no- 
tice that  the  fruit  is  so  poor  they  cannot  use 
it,  and  it  is  subject  to  your  order. 

Give  us  good,  fair-sized  Apples,  uniform 
through  the  barrel,  in  good  barrels  tightly 
pressed,  neatly  and  correctly  stenciled,  and 
it  will  be  found  that  far  better  prices  will  be 
realized. 


Report  on  Pears. 

E.  P.  rOWELL,  ONEIDA  CO.,  N.  Y. 

Each  year  adds  its  own  special  facts  to 
fruit  culture;  and  one  may  think  he  fully 
understands  some  variety,  when,  lo,  a  new 
phase  of  weather,  a  unique  season,  will  quite 
upset  his  opinions.  I  began  with  a  preju- 
dice against  the  Onondaga  Pear  twenty 
years  ago;  but  now  I  consider  it  a  very  val- 
uable sort  always.  So  the  Clapp's  Favorite 
won  high  esteem  for  a  time;  but  now  I 
should  reject  it  from  a  plantation  of  twenty 
varieties.  The  Madeleine  for  a  time  blighted 
so  badly  that  I  gave  it  up  wholly,  but  now 
will  again  plant  it. 

The  year  1889  has  been  remarkable  for  un- 
seasonable weather  from  first  to  last.  The 
weather  from  October  1st,  1888,  has  run 
to  excesses,  and  just  when  we  should  nat- 
urally expect  heat  we  have  had  cold,  and 
for  cold  we  have  had  heat.  New  York  State 
has  also  been  continuously  wet  from  the 
flr.st  of  May,  generally  wet  and  cold.  The 
result  has  been  pecviliar  with  all  sorts  of 
crops.  The  Grapes  are  mildewed  and  rotted 
after  a  very  defective  fertilization.  The 
Quinces  after  a  superb  bloom  failed  to  set 
fruit  well.  The  Apples  failed  to  fertilize 
and  set  after  a  full  blossom.  But  the  Pears 
have  given  us  a  very  full  crop,  only  in  many 
sorts  tliere  is  a  deal  of  rustiness.  The  skin 
of  Flemish  Beauty  in  June  was  soft  with 
fungus,  and  this  hardened  into  a  black 
cuticle  that  makes  the  Pear  unsalable. 

Beginning  with  the  earlier  sorts,  Blood- 
good  has  done  very  prettily  and  ripened 
well;  but  lacked  its  usual  quality.  This  is 
as  good  a  Pear  as  one  can  select  for  opening 
the  season. 

Bartletthas  borne  in  great  abundance  but 
the  fruit  has  inclined  to  be  knotted.  This 
Pear  will  hold  its  own  for  many  years  yet. 

Clapp's  Favorite  must  be  picked  before 
Bartlett,  and  can  be  kept  well  along  with 
the  same  if  picked  very  early.  But  if  nearly 
yellowed  when  gathered  it  melts  away  and 
is  gone  in  a  mass  of  decay.  It  is  showy,  and 
in  some  markets  sells  well,  but  is  going  out 
of  fashion  and  will  soon  be  dropped  by  judic- 
ious orchardists. 

Tyson  should  have  been  mentioned  just 
before  Bartlett  and  is  Incomparably  the  best 


i 


1889. 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


31 


of  early  Pears.  It  does  not  bear  early  unless 
your  trees  are  headed  low:  but  It  is  a  capi- 
tal yielder  in  due  time,  and  delicious 

Rosticzer  might  also  be  mentioned  as  pre- 
ceding Bartlett;  but  while  of  good  quality 
it  is  not  as  good  as  it  has  been  ranked,  and 
the  tree  sprawls  abominably.  No  fruit  trees 
are  so  individualized  as  Pears. 

Sheldon  is  the  grandest  of  Pears  and  not 
ttK)  many  of  them  can  be  planted.  But  pick 
them  when  very  solid  and  place  in  a  cool 
cellar.  U  yon  will,  they  will  not  decay  for 
six  weeks.  If  nearly  ripened  on  the  tree 
they  will  not  keep  a  week.  Xo  Pear  is  more 
delicious  than  a  Sheldon.  Large,  smooth 
and  a  marvelous  bearer:  the  only  trouble  is 
that  the  tree  is  brittle  and  soon  wears  and 
bears  itself  out. 

I  hardly  know  how  to  report  on  Do\vn- 
ing's  favorite,  the  Belle  Lucrative.  It  is  a 
dull  green  Pear,  and  well  ripened  it  is  de- 
licious. It  is  too  juicy  for  canning,  and  only 
good  for  dessert.  This  year  it  has  inclined 
to  form  hard  knots  under  the  skin,  another 
result  of  fungus  growth. 

Kirtland  is  a  fine  Pear  but  this  year  has 
cracked. 

Duchess  is  doing  admirably  well  and  takes 
to  a  wet  season.  If  the  drought  does  not 
compel  it  to  prematurely  ripen  it  will  be 
of  fine  size,  as  it  is  also  smooth  and  bright. 

Seckel  I  no  longer  plant  tor  market.  It 
must  once  more  bring  seven  dollars  a  barrel 
to  make  It  pay  as  a  market  Pear.  Its  leaves 
drop  this  year  almost  as  badly  as  Currant's. 

Louise  Bonne  is  also  defoliating  but  I  have 
picked  a  fine  crop.  For  a  dwarf  it  is  unsur- 
passed. Such  crops  are  amazing.  When 
possible  let  these  Pears  very  nearly  ripen 
on  the  trees,  not  like  most  Pears,  off. 

Kieffer  I  have  not  fruited  and  have  only  a 
single  tree,  being  unwilling  to  grow  so  poor 
fruit.    But  the  tree  is  very  healthy. 

I  add  this  year  one  more  point  for  Buffum. 
It  is  a  very  good  Pear  if  picked  early:  and 
is  as  handsome  as  a  Peach.  The  tree  is 
unique  in  growth;  and  of  great  value  for 
the  upright  form  in  a  lawn.  I  grow  it 
wholly  as  a  lawn  tree.  The  color  of  the 
foliage  in  Autumn  is  gorgeous  beyond  all 
trees,  unless  it  be  Water  Maples. 

Anjou  is  first  of  all  Pears  all  in  all.  It  is 
superb  in  quality,  always  smooth,  large  and 
perfect.  It  bears  enormously  and  annually. 
This  year  it  is  unaffected  in  foliage  or  fruit 
by  mildew  or  parasite  of  any  sort.  The 
form  of  the  tree  is  robu.st,  evenly  spreading, 
and  the  foliage  very  bright.  The  fruit 
picked  the  last  of  September  keeps  till 
Christmas. 

Diel  has  not  cracked  at  all  this  year  as  it 
sometimes  will.  Indeed  the  general  diffi- 
culty with  Pears  this  year  is  not  cracking, 
but  growing  rusty,  and  knotty  in  some  cases. 

Clairgeau  I  have  always  stood  by  as  a 
gloriously  beautiful  fruit.  It  is  doing  finely 
this  year.  If  picked  the  last  of  September 
It  is  in  eating  for  Thanksgiving,  when  we 
want  handsome  fruit.  But  when  once  It  is 
fit  for  table  it  must  at  once  be  used  or  the 
gold  and  scarlet  skin  turns  black. 

It  is  a  Pear  year,  taking  the  land  through 
and  the  crop  brings  only  about  one 
dollar  a  bushel  on  the  average.  I  have 
many  varieties  that  I  do  not  report  on: 
partly  because  we  are  growing  too  many 
Pears.  Still  is  there  any  fruit  that  varies 
more  in  flavor:'  No  two  Pears  are  alike, 
which  is  more  than  you  can  say  of  Plums, 
Peaches  and  Apples.  It  is  a  grand  fruit  to 
experiment  with.  But  do  not  grow  It  unless 
you  have  a  cool,  dry  fruit  room  or  cellar  to 
store  it  when  picked.  Placed  in  a  warm 
room  it  decays  at  once.  There  Is  not  one  of 
the  Pears  that  brings  us  more  profit  than 
Flemish  Beauty  when  it  gives  fair  fruit,  but 
that  is  not  oftener  than  once  in  three  years. 
The  trees  should  stand  out  in  an  open  place 
exposed  well  to  the  sun.     As  a  rule  keep 


Pear  trees  well  mulched,  and  have  them 
forked  about  Instead  of  ploughed. 


The  Strawberry — Cultivated    better 
than   Wild 

tin.\NVILI.E  COWING,  DELAWARE  CO.,  I.ND. 

I  cannot  agree  with  those  who  claim  that 
wild  Strawberries  are  better  in  flavor  than 
cultivated  varieties.  My  experience  with 
both  kinds  has  been  long  and  extensive,  and 
I  am  sure  most  wild  Strawberries  are  of  in- 
ferior flavor,  but  they  often  ripen  thorough- 
ly before  they  are  found  and  devoured  by 
persons  whose  appetites  are  too  fierce  to  be 
very  discriminating.  Hunger  is  an  excel- 
lent sauce.  Cultivated  varieties,  if  perfectly 
ripe,  could  not  be  safely  marketed  but  must 
be  picked  when  fairly  colored  but  still  firm. 

During  the  last  .32  years  I  have  found 
many  wild  Strawberries  on  my  farm,  but 
none  of  as  delicious  flavor  as  Sharpless,  Dun- 
can or  any  other  first-class  variety.  Thou- 
sands of  seedling  Strawberries  are  annually 
growTi  in  this  country  by  zealous  horticul- 
turists in  the  hope  of  producing  something 
better  than  any  of  our  well-known  sorts. 
Delicious  flavor  is  always  desirable  in  a  new 
candidate  for  public  favor,  but  a  partial  lack 
of  it  may  be  overlooked  in  consideration  of 
a  marked  advance  in  other  good  qualities. 

The  Strawberry  is,  I  believe,  the  most 
healthful  of  all  fruits.  I  have  seen  hundreds 
of  children  in  Strawberry  fields  where  they 
Were  allowed  to  eat  all  the  fruit  they  de- 
sired, but  I  never  knew  one  to  be  made  sick 
by  an  overdose  of  well-ripened  berries.  To 
the  enthusiastic  horticulturist  there  is  an  in- 
describable charm  attending  the  cultivation 
of  the  Strawberry.  It  is  the  first  fruit  to 
ripen  and  is  succeeded  by  no  other  equal  to 
it  in  flavor.  In  beauty  and  fragrance  it  Is 
hardly  surpassed  by  the  choicest  flowers. 


Wise  Selection  of  Plants  and  Soil  in 
Strawberry  Culture. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  American  Pomolog- 
ical  Society  in  Boston,  two  years  ago,  Mr.  J. 
M.  Smith,  of  Wisconsin,  defended  the  Wil- 
son Strawberry  against  the  charge  of  being 
"run  out."  Recently  Mr.  E.  S.  Goff,  of  the 
Wisconsin  Agricultural  Experiment  Sta- 
tion, has  visited  Mr.  Smith's  grounds,  and 
he  reports  to  Garden  and  Forest  that  this 
old  variety  there  continues  to  yield  immense 
crops,  and  has  not  as  yet  been  surpassed  in 
productiveness  by  any  of  the  more  recent 
Introductions. 

Mr.  Smith  ascribes  his  success  with  the 
Wilson  chiefly  to  his  method  of  propagating 
the  plants.  About  ten  years  ago  he  noticed 
the  fact  that  a  bed  set  with  plants  that  had 
grown  from  a  setting  made  the  preceding 
spring,  and  which  had,  consequently,  never 
yielded  a  crop  of  fruit,  made  a  better  growth 
and  bore  more  Strawberries  than  another 
bed  of  plants  formed  on  a  setting  that  had 
already  yielded  a  crop.  Since  that  time  Mr. 
.Smith  ha.s  been  careful,  in  setting  new  beds, 
to  use  only  plants  propagated  from  those 
that  have  never  borne  a  crop,  and  as  the  re- 
sult his  Wilsons  have  fully  maintained  their 
original  vigor  and  productiveness.  In  fav- 
orable season  they  still  yield  as  high  as  400 
bushels  per  acre.  The  rust,  which  has  been 
the  ruin  of  this  variety  iu  most  localities, 
does  not  appear  in  his  newly-planted  beds. 
After  a  bed  has  yielded  a  crop  of  fruit,  how- 
ever, the  plants  are  severely  attacked  by  the 
rust:  but  as  Mr.  Smith  does  not  usually  take 
more  than  one  crop  from  a  setting,  the  rust 
has  no  opportunity  to  work  harm. 

Mr.  Smith  generally,  after  plowing  up  a 
bed  of  Strawberries,  devotes  the  ground  to 
other  crops  for  a  year  or  more  before  re-set- 
ting it  again  with  Strawberries.  In  the 
spring,  however,  he  found  it  convenient  to 
re-plant  a  portion  of  some  beds  that  had  pro- 
duced Strawberries  the  preceding  year.  Al- 
though this  ground  had  been  kept  in  a  high 


state  of  fertility,  the  result  was  most  marked. 
The  stand  of  plants  on  the  ground  that  had 
produced  a  crop  the  year  before  was  notice- 
ably thinner  and  less  vigorous,  and  the  yield 
was  smaller  by  half. 

In  one  part  of  the  ground,  that  wa.s  occu- 
pied the  second  time  in  succession,  another 
experiment  was  tried.  Mr.  Smith  departed 
from  his  custom  here  in  another  particular, 
and  used  young  plants  that  had  been  prop- 
agated from  a  bed  which  had  already  borne 
a  crop.  He  expected  little  from  this  portion 
of  his  field,  but  he  received  literally  nothing, 
for  the  plants,  which  suffered  a  double  abuse 
— first,  in  having  been  raised  from  weakened 
stock,  and  again,  in  having  been  planted  in 
old  Strawberry-ground,  nnrefreshed  by  rest 
and  rotation— were  so  far  enfeebled  that 
they  were  abondoned  as  worthless  and 
plowed  under. 


Strawberry      Culture      in      England. 

Suggestions  for  American 

Growers. 

The  horticultural  practices  of  our  breth- 
ren across  the  Atlantic  often  appear  to  the 
eye  of  American  cultivators  as  clumsy  as 
they  are  thorough.  But  while  in  counting 
cost  of  crop  the  item  of  "labor"  is  consid- 
ered secondary  to  that  of  "land"  (a  condi- 
tion reversed  in  America),  it  Is  a  question 
whether  some  of  these  laborious  thorough 
methods  give  always  the  great  effects  that 
the  European  gardener  expects  of  them,  or 
at  least  whether  the  same  results  cannot  be 
obtained  in  a  manner  involving  less  hand 
labor.  On  this  side  of  the  big  water  we 
might  often  adopt  some  of  the  old  country 
thoroughness  with  profit,  provided  we  can 
succeed  in  getting  the  feature  of  clumsiness 
separated  from  it. 

Trenching  the  ground  two  or  three  feet, 
and  loading  it  with  manure  clear  down  to 
that  depth,  is  one  of  these  old  clumsy  but 
thorough  methods,  yet  in  vogue  for  many 
crops,  especially  for  Asparagus,  Horse  Rad- 
ish and  Strawberries.  It  has  been  practiced 
for  Asparagus  for  some  time  even  here,  but 
now  we  have  found  that  good  results  are 
not  dependent  on  the  amount  of  hand  labor, 
nor  on  the  excessive  use  of  manure,  wasted 
in  this  operation.  We  are  satisfied  in  any 
event  with  the  good  offices  of  a  common 
plow,  with  a  good  plowman  at  the  handles, 
of  a  subsoil  plow  following  in  the  furrow 
behind,  and  of  the  good  manure  that  we  can 
incorporate  with  the  surface  soil  by  plowing 
and  harrowing  m. 

British  gardeners  now  begin  to  waver  in 
their  belief  that  the  old  trenching  system  Is 
indispensable  to  best  success  with  Strawber- 
ries, and  as  a  consequence,  the  culture  of 
this  fruit  Is  rapidly  increasing.  With  cheap- 
ened production  comes  Increased  cultiva- 
tion, larger  supply,  and  lower  prices.  It  is 
not  over  twenty  years  ago  that  the  planting 
of  a  few  patches,  one-half  or  one  acre  In  ex- 
tent, was  at  length  described  and  illustrated 
in  a  leading  literary  magazine  in  Germany 
as  something  wonderful  and  novel.  Now 
patches  many  times  that  size  are  a  common 
occurence.  On  the  British  Islands  culture 
on  a  large,  scale  is  successfully  practiced 
from  the  south  of  England  to  the  extreme 
north  of  .Scotland.  The  Journal  of  Horti- 
culture, gives  a  lenghty  description  of 
modern  Strawberry  culture  in  England. 

In  some  of  the  Kentish  Strawberry  fields, 
says  our  contemporary,  the  soil  appears  half 
composed  of  gravel  or  shingle.  The  subsoil 
is  well  broken,  provision  is  being  thus  made 
for  the  escape  of  water  when  it  might  prove 
injurious,  and  for  its  presence  in  the  form  of 
vapor  rising  upwards  to  the  roots  when  it  is 
most  needed  by  the  plants  and  crops  during 
the  season  of  growth.  Strawberries  In  strong 
and  even  rich  soil  not  deeply  worked,  or  on 
dry  subsoils,  suffer  from  drought  far  more 
seriously  than  they  do  in  sandy  or  gravelly 


32 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


November, 


soils  where  the  water  table  is  not  far  below 
the  surface  and  the  subsoil  open  so  that  the 
sun  can  and  does  draw  up  supplies  of  moist- 
lu-e  for  the  plants.  In  what  was  considered 
waste  land  in  Hampshire,  too  poor  to  grow 
agricultural  crops,  Strawberries  are  pro- 
duced in  abundance,  twenty  tons  a  day  often 
being  sent  from  one  parish  alone.  Much  of 
the  soil  ill  which  Strawberries  are  grown  is 
reclaimed  waste,  the  best  containing  pebbles 
in  abundance. 

Poorness  as  applied  to  the  soil  is  a  relative 
term,  and  land  that  is  deficient  in  the  essen- 
tials for  agricultural  crops — hence  "poor" 
for  them — may  contain  the  ingredients  that 
Strawberries  need.    What  are  they?    For 
answer  we  must  look  to  the  constituents  ot  ' 
the  plants  and  fruit.    First  they  contain 
about  90  per  cent,  of  water;  of  mineral  sub- 
stances  soda    predominates   over  potash,   , 
though  that  is  considerable,  as  is  phosphor- 
us, a  good  amount  of  lime,  and  an  unusual 
amount  of  silica  and  iron.  Most  of  these  in- 
gredients are  found  in  old  sea  beds,  the  re- 
sult largely  of  marine  deposits  over,  it  may 
be,  millions  of  years  in  remote  ages.    And 
as  sand  banks  and  gravel  beds,  no  matter 
what  their  altitude  now,  have  been  formed 
by  the  washings  and  constitute  the  deposit 
of  primordial  seas,  we  may  expect  them  to 
contain  what  Strawberries  need,  however 
poor  the  drift  may  seem. 

Those  gardens  in  which  a  large  bulk  of 
manure  is  required  for  Strawberries  have 
usually  a  dry  subsoil,  and  the  added  matter 
contributes  to  the  retention  of  moisture,  and 
at  the  same  time  imparts  Ingredients  which 
the  soil  lacks  and  which  Strawberries  need. 
In  heavy  and  more  or  less  damp  soils  in 
which  Strawberries  do  not  grow  and  bear 
satisfactorily,  a  liberal  addition  of,red  gravel 
or  sand,  with  supplementary  dressings  of 
kainit  and  superphosphate  of  lime,  and  in 
dry  seasons  a  sprinkling  of  salt,  would,  in 
all  probability,  effect  an  improvement  and 
have  a  more  beneficial  effect  than  would  re- 
sult from  gorging  the  land  with  ordinary 
stable  or  tarmyard  manure  that  may  or  may 
not  contain  what  the  crop  requires. 


roots  in  earth  in  a  shallow  box,  place  them 
in  a  cellar  and  growth  will  be  continued, 
and  the  blanching  process  finished. 


CULTURE    OF   THE    GRAPE. 

Fifth  Paper. 

DR.  J.  STAYMAN,  LEAVENWORTH   CO.,  KANSAS. 

When  the  vines  have  filled  the  trellis  be- 
low, and  require  more  room  like  the  Cyn- 
thiana  and  Norton  that  do  not  rot,  two 
canes  should  be  trained  to  the  top  wire  from 
the  center  spurs  of  each  vine  to  form  arms 
to  be  renewed  each  year  the  same  as  those 
on  the  lower  wire.  This  will  give  double 
the  space  for  each  vine  which  can  be  ex- 


?^?Si^FS^ 


Cultivating  Celery. 

WM.  H.  YEOMANS,  TALLAND  CO.,  CONN. 

Some  garden  crops  are  not  grown  by  the 
average  farmer  merely  because  he  has  the 
impression  that  they  required  some  special 
skill  or  more  aitentii^n  than  could  be  given 
iu  view  of  the  general  demands  of  the  farm. 
Among  such  is  Celery;  and  while  there  are 
some  people  who  do  not  care  for  it,  and  so 
neglect  its  cultivation,  there  are  many  more 
who  fearfailure,  or  at  the  least  the  labor  and 
time  required  in  its  cultivation,  which  as 
they  suppose  makes  it  cost  more  than  it  is 
worth.  This  last  idea  is  erroneous.  Very 
satisfactory  results  may  be  secured  even 
with  little  if  any  extra  labor.  If  the  seed  is 
sown  or  planted  in  the  spring,  and  the 
plants  are  kept  clean  and  watered  if  neces- 
sary, the  latter  will  attain  size  enough  for 
transplanting  by  the  middle  or  last  of  July 
without  the  frequent  transplautings  prac- 
ticed by  some  for  the  purpose  of  developing 
and  strengthening  root  growth.  Such  a 
course  may  be  profitable  when  one  has  time 
to  spend  in  that  way,  because  ot  a  more  vig- 
orous growth.  If  the  young  plants  are  kept 
growing  and  attain  a  height  ot  three  or  four 
inches  by  the  first  of  August,  and  are  then 
transplanted  to  a  trench  iu  which  there  is  a 
very  liberal  supply  of  rich,  decomposed 
manure,  and  kept  watered  until  they  get  a 
good  start,  if  they  do  not  produce  good  leaf 
stalks  we  shall  be  very  much  inclined  to 
think  there  was  some  fault  in  some  opera- 
tion. During  growth  of  course  the  earth 
should  be  hauled  up  against  the  leaf  stalks 
so  as  to  protect  them  and  to  secure  a  partial 
blanching.  If  there  is  danger  of  severe 
freezing,  take  the  plants  up  and  pack  the 


Fig.  1.  Fine  in  full  hearing  occupjfing  upper  «'tre, 
with  renewing  canes  over  the  top.  Parts  of  the 
adjoining  vines  on  t/i«  lower  wire. 

tended  each  year  until  they  fill  the  whole 
space  as  may  be  seen  in  Fig.  2  which  repre- 
sents a  strong  vine  in  full  bearing  pruned 
and  tied  to  the  upper  and  lower  wires. 

The  shoots  from  the  lower  spurs  should 
be  left  to  bear  fruit  and  their  leaders  should 
be  pinched  accordingly  and  kept  renewed 
each  year  for  that  purpose.  But  from  the 
upper  spurs  there  should  be  two  canes 
trained,  one  from  each  to  form  new  arms  to 
renew  those  bearing  on  the  upper  wire. 
They  should  be  stopped  once  by  pinching 
off  to  make  them  throw  out  laterals;  then 
one  trained  from  each  cane  and  along  on 
the  top  of  the  wire  as  may  be  seen  in  Fig.  1. 
a.a.  and  tied  fast  to  the  wire.  These  canes 
will  not  be  in  the  way  nor  affect  the  bear- 
ing shoots  as  they  occupy  the  vacant  space 
between  bearing  canes. 

This  stopping  or  pinching  off  the  shoots 
to  make  them  throw  out  laterals  may  not 
be  fully  understood,  and  be  neglected  as 
considered  unnecessary  work,  but  experi- 
ence has  proven  that  when  canes  have  ex- 
tra vigor  by  pinching  them  off,  the  laterals 
are  shorter  jointed  and  produce  better  bear- 
ing wood.  The  same  may  be  seen  in  graft- 
ing the  Grape.  The  growth  is  often  so  ram- 
pant that  there  are  no  fruiting  buds,  but  by 
pinching  as  stated  they  develop  good  bear- 
ing buds  on  the  laterals  and  get  good  fruit 
the  first  season. 

This  is  a  very  important  principle  which 
shonld  be  fully  understood,  for  a  good  vine- 
yardist  will  never  select  the  strongest  grown 
canes  for  bearing,  but  those  of  medium  size 
with  well-developed  buds;  even  small  later- 
als are  better  than  large  canes. 

The  shoots  with  fruit  on  project  out  on 
either  side  of  the  wire  and  hang 
gently  down  in  festoons  as  they 
do  in  nature  without  any  tying 
except  the  primary  cane  which 
is  well  tied  to  the  wire.  This 
position  of  the  bearing  shoots 
gives  a  gentle  check  to  the  sap 
as  the  shoots  lengthen,  and  the 
bunches  enlarge  and  become 
gradually  heavier,  bending  the 
extremities  of  the  shoots  towards 
the  ground,  concentrating  the 
sap  and  vital  force  where  it  would  not  all  be 
cut  away  in  pruning. 

Fig.  '2  represents  the  same  vine  after 
having  been  pruned  and  tied  to  the  trellis 
ready  for  bearing  the  next  season.  All  sub- 
sequent training  and  pruning  will  be  just 
like  this,  but  is  entirely  too  much  beariug 
wood  for  Concord  and  all  that  class  of  vines 
unless  we  wish  to  invite  the  Grape  to  rot. 
Of  this  I  mil  speak  in  my  next. 


I  would  state  here  that  the  surface  roots 
should  be  cut  off  each  year  and  never  be 
allowed  to  grow  as  they  rob  the  foot  roots 
of  their  vigor  and  ruin  the  vines. 

To  do  this  effectually,  the  ground  should 
be  dug  out  a  foot  deep  around  the  vines  and 
the  surface  roots  cut  off  close  to  the  stocks, 
and  this  repeated  as  often  as  found  neces- 
sary to  keep  them  clean.  This  will  have  to 
be  often  repeated  on  the  Concord  class  as 
they  all  have  a  tendency  to  root  shallow. 
But  the  Aestivalis  class  root  deeply  and  do 
not  often  require  it. 

The  Concord  planted  on  rich  ground  ac- 
cording to  the  general  method  for  the  Grapes 
will  rot,  and  the  matter  can  not  be  remedi- 
4  ed  by  planting  them  deep  unless  the  richest 
soil  is  put  in  the  bottom,  for  otherwise  the 
roots  will  turn  up  to  the  surface  to  get  nu- 
^  toiment  and  moisture,  and  be  affected  with 
every  change  of  the  weather.  The  Labrusca 
class  of  Grapes  cannot  be  grown  here  suc- 
cessfully on  rich  ground  except  by  trench- 
ing two  feet  deep  and  tiu'ning  the  rich 
ground  below,  neither  can  any  Grape  with 
European  blood  except  by  special  treat- 
ment. 
I  have  now  given  a  full  system  of  Grape 
culture  founded  upon  experience  which  can 
be  modified  to  suit  all  varieties  of  Grapes 


and  conditions  of  climate. 

Niagara  County  Fruit  Notes. 

In  these  days  when  we  hear  so  much 
grumbling  and  complaint  among  fruit 
growers  about  low  prices,  and  the  unprofi- 
table outcome  of  the  whole  business,  it  is 
refreshing  and  pleasing  to  meet  with  a  com- 
munity of  fruit  growers  who  are  in  the  hap- 
piest frame  of  mind  imaginable,  and  who 
frankly  and  truthfully  say  that  they  are 
making  money.  Such  community  or  com- 
munities of  lucky  fruit  growers  we  found  in 
the  northern  part  of  the  county,  near  Lake 
Ontario,  and  also  in  Canada  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  Niagara. 

The  best  lessons  are  object  lessons — those 
which  are  conveyed  to  our  mind  and  memo- 
ry through  the  eyes.  In  travelling  through 
this  section  we  thought  such  object  lessons 
were  scattered  over  the  region  pretty  thick, 
and  they  were  not  lost  on  us.  We  only 
wished  that  our  family  of  readers  could 
have  been  with  us  to  see  for  themselves,  and 
be  impressed  with  some  of  the  great  facts  in 
fruit  growing  which  we  can  only  bring  to 
their  attention  in  words. 

Location.  One  of  the  great  industries  of 
this  whole  section  is  Peach  growing,  and 
yet  it  is  not  many  years  since  the  first  Peach 
orchard  was  set  out  here.  The  eminent 
success  with  this  fruit  is  in  the  first  place 
due  to  the  advantages  of  the  location.  The 
nearness  of  the  great  bodies  of  water  tem- 
pers the  climate,  makes  the  spring  later  and 
prolongs  the  fall.    For  this  reason  Peaches 


Pig. 


Same  Vine  as  pruned  and  tied  to  trellis  ready  for 
bearing  the  next  season. 

bear  annually,  and  a  total  failure  is  almost 
unknown,  which  is  aLso  the  case  with  nearly 
all  other  fruits  grown  here. 

Now  there  are  thousand  of  other  localities 
with  similar  conditions,  where  never  a  Peach 
orchard  has  been  set  simply  because  people 
imagine  they  are  too  far  north  of  the  Peach 
belt. 

Delaware  may  not  retain  her  monopoly 
on  Peach    production   much    longer.    The 


1889. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


33 


yellows  seems  to  play  havoc  with  Delaware 
orchards,  and  the  country  needs  new  fields. 
Where  Peaches  can  he  relied  on  to  bear 
nearly  every  year,  they  are  a  most  prolita- 
hle  crop:  and  people  in  favored  localities 
sIkiuUI  not  hesitate  to  test  the  suitability  ot 
their  soils  for  Peach  growins  and  plant 
largely  when  the  results  of  the  investigation 
are  favorable. 

Pe.vch  Culture.  Here  it  is  indeed  Peach 
culture,  with  the  accent  on  culture — not 
merely  Peach  growing.  The  lesson  that 
Peaches  need  cultivation  (and  where  that  is 
given  proper  feeding  is  not  likely  to  be 
neglected),  could  in  no  way  be  more  indeli- 
bly impressed  upon  one's  mind  than  by  a 
comparison  between  the  many  orchards 
kept  as  clean  as  a  garden,  with  their  splen- 
did, large  specimens  of  trees,  in  healthy, 
dark-colored  foliage,  and  the  few  weedy, 
neglected  plantations  with  dwarfed,sprangly 
trees,  and  yellowish,  sickly  foliage.  This 
difference  was  striking,  and  observable  in 
every  ca.se,  alike  with  Peaches,  Pears  and 
Plums,  so  striking,  indeed,  that  it  would 
convince  the  most  sceptical.  We  confess 
that  we  have  never  seen  orchards  kept  more 
scrupulously  clean,  nor  met  thriftier  and 
healthier  looking  trees  than  in  the  fortunate 
vicinity  of  Lewiston,  Youngstown  and  Ni- 
agara-on-the-Lake. 

Dr.\inage.  Peaches  do  not  like  wet  feet. 
We  suspect  that  want  of  proper  drainage  is 
the  real  cause  of  failure  with  Peaches  in 
more  cases  than  people  dream  of.  Near 
Youngstown  we  saw  an  orchard  remarka- 
bly for  its  thrift  and  luxuriance.  A  little 
brook  formed  the  line  on  one  side,  and  here 
the  land  was  sloping.  The  row  along  the 
brook  consisted  of  a  sorry  looking  lot  of 
trees,  which  were  in  notable  contrast  w^th 
the  splendid  specimens  just  above,  and  Mr. 
Henry  Lutts,  our  kind  host  and  guide,  told 
us  that  the  proprietor  had  repeatedly  re- 
planted that  one  row,  but  could  not  succeed 
in  making  any  of  the  trees  grow  like  those 
on  higher  ground.  Similar  incidents  have 
often  been  observed  by  us  in  other  localities. 
Here  we  have  the  explanation  why  people 
so  often  tell  us  that  their  Peaches  give  full 
crops  on  rather  thin  upland,  while  they  fail 
on  rich  bottom  land.  It  is  not  the  richness 
of  the  soil,  that  works  mischief,  but  lack  of 
proper  drainage.  And  our  experience  fur- 
ther leads  us  to  prefer  natural  to  artificial 
drainage.  If  the  subsoil  is  porous.  Peaches 
often  do  remarkably  well  even  on  stiil  clay 
soil.  Mr.  Lntt's  crops  are  a  notable  example. 
But  where  natural  drainage  is  lacking, 
mere  surface  drainage  is  not  sufficient. 
This  only  removes  the  water  from  the  top, 
but  still  leaves  the  trees  with  wet  feet.  It 
will  not  do  for  the  Peach.  Now  we  have 
the  following,  1 )  favorable  locality;  3) 
thorough  cultivation  (of  course  with  proper 
feeding),and  3)  thorough  drainage,  as  indis- 
pensable conditions  of  the  best  success. 

Good-Sized  Fruit.  The  grower  does  not 
only  want  fruit,  but  he  wants  that  which 
win  sell  readily  and  bring  him  a  good  price. 
The  steam  boat  which  conveyed  us  from 
Lewiston  to  Niagara  on  the  Canada  side  was 
pretty  well  loaded  with  Peaches,  Pears, 
Quinces  etc.,  consigned  to  Toronto.  At  Ni- 
agara the  local  horticultural  Society  held  a 
very  creditable  exhibition  in  the  town  ball 
and  here  again  we  met  fine  selected  fruit. 
So  we  had  plenty  of  opportunity  to  notice 
the  great  difference  in  size  and  general  ap- 
pearance of  the  same  variety  of  fruit  as 
marketed  or  exhibited  by  different  growers. 
A  basket  of  these  small  inferior  Peaches 
looks  small  and  mean  indeed  when  stand- 
ing right  beside  a  basket  of  great,  large, 
fine  specimens,  and  the  grower  of  the  small 
ones,  when  noticing  the  contrast  could  not 
help  to  feel  small  and  mean  too.  The  returns 
are  in  correspondence  with  the  size  of  fruit. 
"  It  is  owing  to  the  amount  of  fruit,  the  trees 


were  made  to  bear, "  said  Mr.  Lutts.  "Atree 
can  carry  only  a  certain  amount  of  weight. 
If  too  many  specimens  are  left  on,  they  ■will 
be  small.  But  it  is  always  better  and  more 
profitable  to  put  this  weight  in  fewer  speci- 
mens, and  have  them  of  large  and  salable 
size."  The  problem  only  is  how  to  relieve 
the  tree  of  the  specimens  that  are  in  excess, 
or  prevent  excessive  fruit-setting.  Some- 
times, and  especially  with  smaller  trees, 
the  growers  here  go  over  the  tree,  limb  after 
limb,  thinning  the  fruit  while  small;  but  the 
method  preferred  by  most  people,  we  talked 
with,  consists  in  thinning  out  the  young 
gi'owth  in  the  center  of  the  free,  during  fall 
or  spring,  to  remove  part  of  the  bearing 
shoots,  and  open  the  tree  to  air  and  sun. 
The  beneficial  effectsof  such  thinning  were 
sho^^^l  us  in  a  basket  of  Hynes's  Surprise 
Peach,  which  Mr.  Henry  Lutts  had  sent  to 
this  office  early  in  August;  and  which  con- 
tained luscious  specimens  of  uniform  and 
large  size,  all  grown  on  this  method  of  giv- 
ing to  each  fruit  its  due  allowance  of  space. 

A  Fixe  Early  Peach.  This  Hyne's 
Surprise,  a  Tennessee  variety  of  recent  in- 
troduction, is  well  thought  of  by  growers 
near  the  Lake.  Mr.  Curye,  an  enthusiastic 
Canadian  Peachgrower,told  us  he  had  jilant- 
ed  100  trees  4  years  ago.  Asthe  product  of 
these  he  sold  the  second  years  40  baskets, 
the  third  year  250  baskets,  and  thi-i  year 
(which  all  Peach  growers  in  that  vicinity 
agree  in  the  first  year  in  ten  they  failed  to 
have  a  full  crop,  owing  to  the  frost  late  in 
May  270)  baskets.  The  three  crops  netted 
him  -*1  'Zb  per  basket,  so  that  he  received  for 
his  crops  §50.00,  S312  50,  and  S337.50,  or  an 
aggregate  of  almost  STOO.OO.  Of  course  he  is 
enthusiastic  over  his  success. 

The  Yellows.  Little  fear  of  that  great 
bug-bear,  the  Y'ellows,  was  expressed  by 
any  of  the  Peach  growers,  although  they 
claim  it  occasionally  makes  its  presence 
known,  and  we  were  shown  trees  and  limbs 
of  trees  al  leged  to  be  affected  with  the  disease. 
In  a  rather  hasty  examination,  however,  we 
could  not  detect  any  of  the  symptons  which 
we  thought  were  characteristic  of  the  true 
Y''ellows,  especially  that  "porcupine-appear- 
ance" produced  by  numerous  tiny  shoots, 
as  we  have  often  seen  it  elsewhere.  In  some 
cases  we  thought  we  could  trace  the  cause  of 
thesickly,  yellowish  appearance  of  trees  to 
"  wet  feet  "  or  lack  of  cultivation  and  feeJ. 

When  one  of  the  trees  shows  signs  of  al- 
leged yellows,  it  is  simply  torn  out  and  de- 
stroyed, and  this  stops  the  trouble.  Specific 
remedies  do  not  seem  to  be  needed  here,  and 
yet  it  is  a  fact  that  further  away  from  the 
Lake,  in  the  same  county,  Peach  culture  is 
pretty  near  abandoned  just  on  account  of 
the  ravages  of  this  disease. 


Mushrooms  for   IVIarket  and   Home 
Use. 

JOHN  ASH.   NORFOLK  CO.,  MASS. 

Materials  for  Beds.  Good  fresh  stable 
manure  must  be  procured  in  sufBcient 
quantity  for  the  size  of  the  bed  to  be  made, 
and  it  should  come  from  stables  where 
healthy  horses  are  kept,  as  that  from  horses 
dosed  vrith  drugs  will  often  cause  failure. 
Let  the  manure  be  put  into  a  heap,  say  from 
three  to  four  feet  high,  shaking  out  of  it  the 
longest  of  the  litter.  Make  the  heap  square 
if  the  manure  is  in  good  condition,  or  rather 
drj',  but  if  wet,  let  the  width  of  the  heap  be 
one-third  the  length,  so  that  the  working  ot 
it  will  help  to  dry  it.  Let  the  heap  remain 
about  a  week,  then  turn  it,  carefully  mixing 
the  outside  with  the  middle.  This  should 
be  four  times,  allowing  an  interval  of  not 
longer  than  two  or  three  days  between  each 
turning.  The  manure  should  then  be  in 
good  condition  for  being  made  into  a  bed. 

Formation  of  Bed.  If  the  bed  is  to  be 
made  in  an  ordinary  Mushroom  house,  give 
it  a  depth  of  ten  inches  in  front,  and  sixteen 


inches  at  the  back,  if  in  an  outhouse  or 
shed  it  should  be  made  against  a  wall  in  a 
similar  manner,  or  when  there  is  room, 
make  the  bed  ridge-shaped,  about  two  feet 
nine  inches  at  the  base,  and  three  feet  high. 
It  is  indispensable  in  every  case,  that  the 
bed  rest  upon  a  thoroughly  drained  bottom. 
In  making  the  bed,  the  manure  should  be 
again  thoroughly  mixed,  as  above  directed, 
and  beaten  down  as  firmly  as  possible. 
Beds  made  according  to  these  dimensions 
will  be  found  to  contain  a  sutfient  body  of 
manure  to  generate  and  maintain  heat 
enough  for  the  production  of  the  crop.  A 
temperature  of  from  60°  to  65°  from  the  time 
it  is  spawned,  until  it  has  finished  bearing 
is  required. 

To  determine  the  suitableness  of  the  bed 
for  spawning  is  one  of  the  most  important 
points,  as  the  manure  may  be  in  the  finest 
possible  condition  when  the  bed  is  made, 
but  having  a  strong  tendency  to  become 
heated,  soon  rises  to  a  high  temperature 
which  causes  it  to  dry  so  that  before  the  bed 
is  cool  enough  to  spawn,  it  may  be  too  dry 
to  produce  a  crop.  The  bed  should  therefore 
be  tested  "before  spawing  "  by  taking  out 
a  handful  of  the  manure  at  about  nine 
inches  below  the  surface  and  pressing  it 
tightly  in  the  hand,  when,  if  it  retains  near- 
ly the  same  shape  into  which  it  has  been 
pressed,  after  the  pressure  is  removed,  it  is 
in  good  condition  ;  but  if  it  falls  to  pieces, 
it  is  too  dry  and  the  bed  must  be  allowed  to 
cool  down  to  about  .50°,  when  it  must  be  re- 
made, thoroughly  breaking  it  in  pieces, 
mixing  it  well,  and  carefully  damping  it 
through  a  very  fine  rose.  The  temperature 
in  this  case  will  not  rise  nearly  as  fast  as 
when  the  bed  was  first  made,  and  some- 
times the  heat  will  not  rise  at  all,  in  which 
case,  the  bed  must  be  spawned  at  once  and 
covered  up  well  to  help  to  raise  and  main- 
tain the  temperature. 

In  order  to  allow  the  excessive  heat  to  es- 
cape, when  the  bed  is  first  made,  make  a 
number  of  holes  in  the  bed  about  twelve 
inches  apart,  allowing  it  to  cool  down  to  a 
temperature  of  from  65°  to  70°  when  it 
should  be  spawned.  Care  should  be  taken 
to  guard  against  the  manure  getting  too 
wet,  this  can  be  ascertained  by  pressing  the 
manure  between  the  fingers  and  the  palm 
of  the  hand,  when,  if  a  slight  hissing  sound 
is  heard,  the  manure  is  too  wet,  and  the 
chances  of  success  are  very  small. 

In  spawning  the  bed,  break  up  the  cakes 
of  spawn  into  pieces  about  three  inches  by 
two  inches  and  bury  them  just  below  the 
surface,  eight  or  nine  inches  apart  every 
way,  then  beat  down  the  bed  firmly  so  as  to 
present  an  even  appearance,  cover  the  sur- 
face with  mould  and  beat  down  to  the  thick- 
ness of  about  two  inches,  then  put  on  a 
covering  of  soft  litter.  If  the  above  men- 
tioned temperature  be  maintained,  the 
Mushrooms  will  begin  to  appear  in  about 
six  weeks.  Avoid  watering  the  bed  if  pos- 
sible, this  can  generally  be  done  by  keeping 
the  covering  damp,  using  care  that  it  does 
not  get  saturated  with  water.  When  water- 
ing is  absolutely  necessary,  it  should  be 
done  through  a  very  fine  rose  using  tepid 
water,  as  cold  water  will  check,  if  not  spoil 
the  crop.  When  gathering  the  Mushrooms, 
take  them  out  by  the  roots,  if  these  are 
allowed  to  remain,  they  will  seriously  in- 
terfere with  the  succeeding  crops. 


1,44K.  Settiner  Strawberries.  Fall  is  best  titae 
in  the  south.  You  can  best  learn  the  varieties 
that  succeed  in  your  climate  by  consulting 
neigboring  fruit  growers.  The  Crescent  Fertili- 
zed by  the  Bidwell,  possibly  the  May  King,  are 
adapted  to  your  section.— i.  J.  Farmer. 

1,400.  Wintering  Eoots.  One  of  the  very  best 
and  safest  ways  ot  storing  Rutabagas,  Beets,  Car- 
rots, etc.,  is  by  pitting,  same  way  as  much  prac- 
ticed for  Potatoes,  and  descritied  in  October 
number,  which  see. — 


34 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


November, 


Selection  of  Spring  Flowering  Bulbs. 

A.  M.  DUNNING,  CATTJGA  CO.,  N.  T. 

The  season  for  planting  bulbs  for  spring 
flowering  is  upon  us.  And  for  those  who 
study  the  florists"  catalogues  the  array  of 
names  is  almost  bewildering;  and  yet  named 
varieties  are  quite  essential  to  the  lover  of 
flowers,  and  give  far  more  satisfaction  than 
the  promiscous  lots  usually  sold  as  bed- 
ding varieties. 

After  an  experience  of  a  number  of  years 
in  testing  a  great  many  varieties,  the  writer 
has  settled  down  on  the  following  as  giving 
the  best  satisfaction.  The  requirements  for 
outside  bedding  are  uniformity  of  bloom, 
uniformity  of  hight,  beautiful  colors,  good 
constitution  and  cheapness. 

Tdlips.  For  the  very  earliest  of  these  a 
bed  of  Due  A''an  Thols  is  desirable.  They 
come  in  good  colors  of  red,  white,  yellow, 
and  meet  all  the  above  requirements,  but 
are  rather  small  and  fade  early. 

For  the  next  early  single  Tulip  the  best 
three  are  Artus,  red.  La  Reine,  white,  with 
sometimes  a  faint  tinge  of  blush,  and  Yel- 
low Prince.     These  can  be  planted  in  rings 
and  make  a  beautiful  bed  together.      Two 
other  beautiful  kinds    are  Rose  Grisdelin, 
a    delicate    shaded 
rose,  and  Proserpine 
a  beautiful   carmine 
ro.=e  color.     It  these 
are   planted    in    the'^^>/:)>, 
same    bed    with  the 
three  others  the  Rose 
Grisdelin   should  be 
around    the   outside, 
as  it  is  a  little  short- 
er, and    the    Proser- 
pine in  the  center,  as 
it   is    slightly   taller 
than  the  others.  They 
all    bloom    together 
and  make  a  magnifi- 
cent show. 

Some  of  the  late 
double  Tulips  are 
very  satisfactory,  the 
three  best  being  Rex 
Rubrosum,  red;  La 
Candeur,  white;  and 
Yellow  Rose.  The 
latter  should  be  on 
the  outside,  as  it  does 
not  stand  quite  as 
erect  as  the  others, 
but  it  is  greatly  ad- 
mired, a  great  golden 
ball  with  the  fra- 
grance and  form  of 
the  white  Water  Lily. 
■  Tulips  should  nev- 
er be  planted  in  the 

same  bed  two  years  in  succession,  unless 
the  earth  is  changed  to  a  depth  of  a  foot  or 
more.  They  should  be  placed  about  four 
inches  apart  and  not  less  than  three  or  four 
inches  in  the  earth. 

Htacinths.  Of  these  the  German  growers 
catalogue  several  hundred  varieties.  Hya- 
cinths at  best  are  somewhat  slift'  in  form, 
but  the  single  are  so  much  better  than  the 
double  in  this  respect  that  I  have  discarded 
the  latter  entirely.  The  best  single  varieties 
are  as  follows:     Marie,  for  dark  blue;  La 


ties  by  themselves  with  Amy  in  the  center, 
and  the  three  last  with  Ida  in  the  center. 

Hyacinths  should  be  planted  six  inches 
apart  and  five  inches  deep,  and  should  have 
a  light  covering  of  compost  thrown  over 
them  as  soon  as  the  ground  freezes. 

Crocus  can  be  planted  in  the  same 
bed  with  Tulips  and  Hyacinths,  as  they 
bloom  about  a  month  earlier  and  before  the 


THE  VINE-LEAVED  ABUTILON.     SEE  OPPOSITE  PAGE 

j  others  come  on.      The  blue  Scilla  Siberia 

can  be  planted  the  same  as  Crocus.      They 

are  very  desirable  and  quite  a  novelty. 

I      In  planting  Tulips    and    Hyacinths   the 

j  earth    should    be   removed   to   the   proper 

I  depth,  and  then  the  bulbs  placed  on  the 

surface  and  pressed    in  enough  too   keep 

'  them    in    place.     Then    scatter   the    earth 

1  evenly  over  them;  and  if  Crocus  are  to  be 

planted  in  the  same  bed,  before  putting  on 

all  the  earth,  smooth  over  the  bed  and  place 

'  them  .so  they  will  be  at  about  two  inches  be- 

Grandesse,  the  best  white;    Amy,   a  deep  j  low  the  final  surface.     Planting  can  still  be 


carmine,  tall  and  showy;  R;  Steiger,  a  lighter 
shade,  a  little  shorter;  Ida,  the  only  good 
yellow;  Lord  Derby,  light  blue,  a  beautiful 
shade,  large  bells;  Gigantea,  a  pleasing  pink 
with  large  truss  and  bells. 

The  two  latter  are  magnificent.  The  above 
all  bloom  together,  and  can  be  mixed  up 
promiscuously  in  plantmg,  or  planted  in 
rings  of  separate  colors.  A  still  better  way 
is  to  plant  an  oval  bed  with  a  diagonal  bar 
across  the  center  with  one  kind,  and  each 
end  with  other  kinds.  In  this  way  a  good 
arraagement  is  to  plant  the  three  first  varie- 


done  in  November,  if  not  done  before. 

All  of  these  bulbs  can  be  taken  up  as  soon 
as  the  tops  show  signs  of  ripening,  say  in 
June,  and  stored  in  a  cool,  dry  place  for 
planting  the  succeeding  autumn,  but  better 
results  will  be  obtained  by  planting  new 
bulbs  each  year.  They  all  soou  run  out  if 
left  permanently  in  the  ground.  They  are 
so  well  grown  now,  and  are  so  cheap  (they 
would  be  still  cheaper  if  the  20  per  cent  duty 
was  removed)  that  they  ought  to  be  more 
widely  disseminated  to  gladden  the  hearts 
of  more  people  every  spring. 


The  Clematises:    History  and  Uses. 

FRANCIS  FELL,  LONDON,  ENGLAND. 

iCmicluded  from  paye  11.) 
The  Clematises  rank  amongst  the  noblest 
of  climbers  for  forming  an  avenue,  or  a  shady 
walk,  in  a  more  formal  flower  garden. 
When  used  for  this  purpose  the  young 
shoots  should  be  tied  and  regularly  divided 
until  they  meet  at  the  top,  but  when  once 
firmly  fixed,  very  little  attention  is  required, 
except  removing  the  weakly  and  ill-ripened 
portion  of  the  one-year-old  wood.  A  similar 
effect  will  be  produced  when  used  for 
festooning,  or  when  trained  over  verandas, 
etc.  In  all  cases  a  liberal  annual  top-dress- 
ing of  well-rotted  manure  is  highly  benefi- 
cial, and  should  never  be  neglected  if  strong 
growth  and  large  flowers  are  required. 

As   a   bedding   plant,  it    is    diflScult   to 
imagine  anything  more  striking.   The  effect 
produced  by  the  masses  of  blue,  white  and 
purple-shaded  flowers  either  associated  with 
the  general  arrangements  of  bedding  plants 
or  isolated  on  the  lawn,  is  beyond  descrip- 
tion.    The  beds  should  be  prepared  during 
the  winter  months,  the  soil  should  be  well 
treuched,  and  a  liberal  dressing  of  compost 
worked  in.     In  order  to  show  the  flowers  to 
the   best  advantagei 
the  soil    should    be 
raised     gradually 
towards  the  centre  .so 
as  to  give  a  convex 
surface   to    the  bed; 
also    large    roots  or 
branches  of  trees  can 
be  used    for   raising 
the  bed  towards  the 
centre.         Whatever 
plan  may  be  adopted, 
the  plants  must    at 
first  be  trained  until 
they  have  furnished 
the  space  to  be  cov- 
ered, when  they  may 
Ije  allowed    to  grow 
more  at  random. 

The  young  plants 
can  be  planted  at  any 
time,  about  two  feet 
apart,  during  open 
weather  until  the 
end  of  March,  but  in 
order  to  start  the 
lower  buds,  the 
plants  should  be  cut 
down  to  within  six 
or  eight  inches  from 
the  base.  Although 
the  first  outlay  for 
such  beds  is  a  trifle 
more  than  for  ordi- 
nary bedding  plants, 
it  is  by  far  the  cheapest  in  the  long  run, 
considering  the  gorgeous  efl'ect  they  are 
capable  of  producing  tor  many  years  to 
come  without  the  incurring  of  any  further 
expense. 

Many  other  ways  in  which  Clematis  may 
be  fitly  introduced  could  be  mentioned,  but 
as  we  have  already  pointed  out  the  most 
suitable  places,  it  will  be  sufficient  to  say 
that  they  are  no  less  at  home  in  wilderness 
scenery,or  amongst  grotesque  arrangements 
of  old  tree  stumps.  In  fact  the  bed,  the 
pillar,  the  wall,  the  rocks,  or  whatever  it 
may  be,  is  merely  a  skeleton,  or  foundation, 
on  which  thegloriousbloomsof  the  Clematis 
are  to  be  displayed. 

A  long  list  could  be  made  of  each  of  the 
different  sections  in  which  they  are  divided, 
but  as  it  is  advi-sable  to  plant  only  the  best, 
I  shall  enumerate  a  few  of  the  most  useful 
and  striking  varieties  which  can  be  easily 
grown  l)y  anyone  who  has  a  garden  or  a 
green-house.  The  following  sorts  we  con- 
sider to  be  the  most  meritorious  and  best 
adapted  for  the  purposes  indicated  by  the 
special  headings : 


1889. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


35 


I.   FOR  STANDARDS  AND  GROUPS  FOR   LAWNS. 

^/cj-<jii<(r(i,pale  yellow  violet, .Inly  t<iOctober, 
AiHleriim  Ucnryi,  large  ereamy-wliite  flowers; 
August  to  .VovemlKT ;  Beaxtji  of  Witrctatrr, 
bluish  velvet  with  white  stamens,  July  to  Octo- 
ber; KxeUior,  a  distinct  (iouble-tloweriug  sort, 
deep,  rich  \iolet,  July  to  October:  Gi/wj/  Queen, 
rich,  velvety  purple,  .Tuly  to  Octolwr;  Jach- 
maniii.  rich,  velvety  \ioIet  purple,  .Inly  to  Octo- 
lK>r;  La'hj  Canliim  Xcvitle,  white,  with  a  white 
stripe  running'  ilown  the  centre  of  the  sepal, 
July  to  October;  Lanuginosa  nivca.  larsre,  pure 
white,  July  to  October;  Lawmniatia,  bright, 
rosy  purple,  slightly  marlied  with  darker  veins, 
August  to  November;  Oltn  Fruhcl,  grayish 
white,  with  a  central  tuft  of  brownish  anthers. 
July  to  Octolx'r;  TltunhrMgensif,  deep  bluish 
purple,  with  a  pale  violet  central  band,  July  to 
October;  Wm.  Kennett,  deep,  shining  lavender. 
II.   FOR  COVF.RING  WALLS,  PILLARS,    ETC. 

Albert  Tichir.  rich  lavender,  with  a  purple 
band  through  the  centre  of  each  sepal.  May  to 
July  ;  Co«ii(fs.<  of  Lovelace,  bluish-lilac,  with  a 
dense  rosette  of  deep  lilac  in  the  centre.  May  to 
July;  Far  Rosanumd,  bluish-white,  with  wine- 
red  bands,  very  sweet  scented,  June  to  August; 
Forhinei,  double  white,  sweet-scented,  June  to 
August;  Gem,  intense  lavender  blue,  June  to 
October ;  GInire  de  St.  Julien.  white  tlushed,  with 
pale  violet  when  young,  July  to  October;  Law- 
sox'ana,  bright  rosy-purple,  slightly  marked 
with  darker  veins,  .August  to  November ;  Lord 
Lomlefhorough,  deep  %-iolet,  with  purplish-red 
bars.  May  to  July;  Miss  Bafema/i,  white,  with 
chocolate-red  anthers.  May  to  July;  Montana 
iirandiilora,  white.  May  to  July  ;  Stella,  pale  \-io- 
Ict,  with  well-defined  bands  of  a  reddish-plum 
color.  May  to  July ;  Victoria,  a  distinct  reddish- 
violet,  July  to  November. 

III.      FOR  PEKMAXEXT   BEDDIXG. 

Alexandra;  Helene,  pure  white,  ivlth  straw- 
colored  anthers.  May  to  July;  Jackmanni; 
Prince  of  TTate,  deep  purple,  with  a  dark-red  bar 
in  the  centi-e  of  each  sepal,  July  to  October ; 
Rubella,  rich  claret-purple,  July  to  October ; 
Ruha  riolacca,  maroon-purple,  flushed  with 
reddish  violet,  July  to  October  ;  Star  of  India, 
deep  plum  color,  with  turkey  red  bars,  July  to 
October;  Thunbrldgens'S,  deep  bluish-purple, 
with  pale  central  bands,  July  to  October. 

IV.    FOR  ox  KOCKWORK  AND  ROOTERIES. 

Flammula,  white,  small  flowering  variety,  very 
sweet-scented,  July  to  October ;  Hendersnni,  rich 
bluish-purple,  small  bell-shaped  flowers,  June  to 
September;  Jackmanni;  Montana;  Rubra  Vi^j- 
lacea;  Velulina  iturpurca,  blackish-mulberry, 
July  to  October. 
y.      FOR  PLANTING    IX  COOL     GREEX-HOUSES. 

Albert  Victor;  Anderson  Henryi;  Duchess  of 
Kdinhurgli.  large  double  white,  deliciously  frag- 
rant. May  to  July;  Fair  Rosamond;  Fortxtnei; 
Jafdmaimi -J Iba,  pure  white.  July  to  October; 
J<ihn  Gloud  Veitch,  soft  lavender-blue,  double- 
flowering  variety,  June  to  July ;  Indivisa,  pure 
white,  star-shaped,  very  sweet-scented,  adapted 
for  a  warm  greenhouse;  Lanuginosa  nirea, 
large,  pure  white,  July  to  October ;  Lucie 
Lemuine,  double   white   rosette-flowered,   well 


M>/ 


§Wi?r' 


■A- 


BRICK  AND  TILE  GREENHOUSt  WALL. 

contrasted  by  its  pale-yellow  anthers.  May  to 
July ;  Madame  Van  Houtte,  white,  July  to  Octo- 
ber ;  Wm.  Kenrtet,  deep  lavender,  July  to  Oct. 


White    Vine-Leaved   Abutilon. 

A  highly  interesting  form  of  the  always 
pleasing  Abutilon  or  Chinese  Bell  flower  Is 
Abutilon  vitifolium,  a  shrub  or  a  tree  from 
Chili,  which  has  been  found  hardy  in  the 
South  of  England  with  slight  protection 
from  frost  and  sometimes  attains  a  height 


of  .30  feet.  The  original  form  porcelain, 
blue,  large,  cupped  flowers  and  cordate,  five 
to  seven  lobed  leaves  which  toward  autumn 
H.ssume  a  fine,  golden,  yellow  blue.  It  is 
not  a  very  fast  grower,  however.  As  witli 
all  other  varieties,  thorough  drainage  must 
be  provided  for  this  plant.    The  best  soil  for 


VARIOUS  FORMS  OF  GREENHOUSE  WALLS. 

it  is  a  mixtute  of  turfy  loam  and  leaf  mold 
with  some  gritty  sand.  Our  illustration 
(reduced  from  Gardeners'  Chronicle)  repre- 
sents flower  and  leaf  of  a  beautiful  new  va- 
riety, A.  vitifolium  alba.  The  flower  of 
course  is  of  the  usual  bell  shape,  but  drawn 
in  full  face  in  order  to  show  the  five-fold 
arrangement  of  the  stamens.  Originallj' 
five,  they  subdivide  into  a  large  number. 
The  flowers  are  pure  white,  and  particular- 
ly ornamented. 


Construction  of  Greenhouse  Walls. 

In  the  erection  of  greenhouses  and  vege- 
table-forcing houses  very  little  attention  is 
often  given  to  the  proper  construction  of 
the  walls.  People  depend  on  flues  or  pipes 
to  furnish  all  the  heat  that  may  be  reqmred 
and  care  little  about  the  heat  that  may  be 
lost  through  thin  and  carelessly-put-up 
sides  and  walls.  This  heat,  however,  is 
considerable,  and  if  its  escape  is  properly 
guarded  against  by  good  walls,  will  result 
in  a  great  saving  of  fuel,  and  in  some  cases, 
perhaps,  prevent  injury  to  plants  by  cold. 

Mr.  Samuel  B.  Green,  of  the  Minnesota 
Hatch  E.xperiment  Station,  has  made  a 
comparative  test  of  the  efficacy  of  variously 
constructed  walls.  These,  as  described  and 
illustrated  in  Station  Bulletin  No.  7,  were 
made  as  follows : 

Section  1  of  the  greenhouse  has  two  four- 
inch  walls  of  brick,  with  a  three-inch  hollow 
tile  between,  and  so  laid  that  there  is  an  air 
space  of  one  inch  on  each  side  of  the  hollow 
tile,  between  it  and  the  brick  covering, 
making  this  wall  thirteen  inches  thick  when 
finished  and  with  three  dead  air  spaces. 

The  next  section  has  a  solid  brick  wall 
thirteen  inches  thick.    See  fig.  2. 

The  third  section— a  brick  wall  thirteen 
inches  thick,  having  a  five-inch  air  space 
inside.    See  fig.  3. 

For  section  4  two  four-inch  courses  of  brick 
are  laid  on  each  side  of  a  three-inch  box, 
which  is  as  high  and  wide  as  the  section. 
In  other  words,  it  is  a  three-inch  hollow 
wooden  wall  with  a  brick  veneer  on  each 
side.    See  fig.  4. 

The  wall  for  Section  .5  is  made  of  a  four- 
inch  studding  covered  with  matched  boards, 
building  paper  and  clapboards  on  the  out- 
side only.    See  fig.  .5. 


The  wall  of  Section  6  was  made  the  same 
as  number  .5,  but,  in  addition,  boarded  up 
inside,  and  so  was  left  a  four-inch  dead-air 
space.    See  fig.  fi. 

In  Section  7  the  wall  was  made  the  same 
as  number  6,  only  it  was  filled  with  dry  pine 
saw  dust.    See  fig.  7. 

All  of  the  above  mentioned  sections  are  so 
tight  that  there  is  no  circulation  of  air  in 
them,  and  no  water  can  get  inside. 

The  readings  of  the  thermometers  in  the 
boxes  against  every  section,  and  those  re- 
cording the  temperature  of  the  greenhouse, 
and  the  outside  air,  were  taken  at  7  a.m.,  10 
a.  m.  and  fi  p.  m.  This  record  justifies  the 
following  conclusions : 

1.  Where  more  than  one  air  space  is  put 
in  the  brick  wall  (figs.  1  and  4)  it  is  much 
warmer  than  the  lined  board  wall  filled  with 
saw  dust :  but  the  lined  board  wall  with  a 
saw  dust  filling  is  as  warm  as  the  brick  wall 
with  one  dead-air  space. 

2.  Of  the  brick  walls,  the  warmest  is  that 
made  of  brick  and  hollow  tile,  leaving  three 
air  spaces. 

3.  The  wooden  wall  with  a  brick  veneer 
is  warmer  than  the  hollow-brick  wall. 

4.  The  hollow-brick  wall  with  a  five-inch 
air  space  was  nearly,  though  not  quite  so 
warm  :is  a  thirteen-inch  solid  wall. 

n.  Of  the  walls  made  of  wood  the  warmest 
is  that  made  with  an  interior  lining  and 
filled  with  four  inches  of  dry  saw  dust. 
(Fig.  7.)  This  wall  was  warmer  than  the 
wall  made  with  a  hollow  air  space  of  four 
inches  and  not  filled  with  saw  dust.  (Fig. 
6.)  This  difference  was  most  apparent  in 
the  severest  weather. 

fi.  There  is  a  very  great  difference  between 
the  walls  built  of  a  single,  well-made 
wooden  covering,  even  though  having 
tarred  paper  under  the  clapboards  and  in- 
side (Fig.  .5),  and  the  same  wall  when  well 
sheathed  up  inside.  This  difference  is  so 
great  that  for  stables  as  well  as  for  green- 
houses and  dwelling  houses,  it  will  well 
repay  the  owner  to  sheath  up  inside  and 
even  to  fill  the  air  space  with  some  dry,  non- 
ducting  material.  In  this  experiment  the 
temperature  of  the  simple  wooden  wall 
(Fig.  .5)  in  severe  weather  was  frequently 
from  five  to  ten  degrees  below  freezing 
point,  while  none  of  the  other  kinds  reached 
nearly  so  low  a  temperature. 

Probably  the  cheapest  warm  wall  for  gen- 
eral farm  purposes  is  one  made  of  wood  with 
a  four-inch  air  space  which  is  filled  with  dry 
saw  dust  or  other  non-conducting  material 

When  a  hollow  wall  is  to  be  filled  with 
saw  dust  or  similar  material,  it  is  all  im- 
portant that  the  material  should  be  dry 
when  put  in  and  then  be  so  protected  that 
it  cannot  get  wet  either  from  water  coming 
in  at  the  top  or  the  sides. 

In  making  a  dead-air  space  the  sides  of  the 
wall  should  be  tight  both  inside  and  out,  in 
order  to  prevent  any  circulation  of  air  and 
to  have  it  a  true  rh'fid  air  space.  Dead  air 
is  the  best  of  non-conductors,  but  its  effi- 
ciency depends  to  a  great  extent  upon  the 
number  of  times  it  is  broken  up  and  multi- 
plied. While  dry  saw  dust  gave  very  excel- 
lent results  as  a  filling  for  walls  in  this  case, 
it  is  probable  that  dry  chaff,  cut  straw  or  hay 
would  answer  nearly  as  well. 


1,394.  Hill  Culture  of  Raspberries.  But  few 
growers  practice  this  method  now.  .\  continu- 
ous row  is  found  more  convenient  and  profitable. 
Five  to  six  feet  is  about  the  right  distance  be- 
tween the  rows.— M.  B.  Faxos. 

I,3ft7.  Wood  Ashes.  The  July  crop  with  which 
I  have  bad  unfavorable  results  from  the  use  of 
wood  ashes  is  Potatoes.  It  seemed  to  induce 
scab.  On  all  fruit  crops  good  ashes  are  a  valua- 
ble fertilizer.- M.  B.  F. 

1,.3!<8.  House  Slops,  Liquid  Manure,  Etc,  I 
very  much  doubt  ordinary  house  slops  being  of 
sufficient  value  to  pay  for  hauling  i^  miles. 
They  will  add  very  much  to  the  richness  of  a 
compost  heap,  however,  and  should  be  utilized 
in  this  way.— M.  B.  F. 


36 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


November, 


Frost  and  Flowers. 

He  is  in  tile  garden, 

Let  me  liaste ! 
He  is  in  tile  garden 

Mailing  waste. 
Marigold  and  Pansy, 
Dalilia,  Aster,  Tansy,— 
Such  a  nosegay  scarce  is  to  my  taste. 
Mignonette,  my  dearest, 

Art  thou  here  ? 
Tuberose,  thou  fearest  ? 

I  am  near ! 
Come,  each  bud  and  flower. 
Come  and  grace  ray  bower. 
Come  !  it  is  the  f  alilng  of  the  year. 
He  is  in  the  garden  : 

Let  him  be. 
Wiii  he  asli  our  pardon  ? 

No,  not  he ! 
But  the  flowers  are  iilooming, 
Ali  tile  Iiouse  perfmning, 
Safe  beyond  his  touch,  for  you  and  me. 

Ida  Benham,  in  TouWs  Companion. 


The  Pumpkins. 
Here  we  iie  amid  the  corn-fleld.  gorgeous  yellow  as 
the  sunshine- 
All  the  mandarins  of  China  cannot  equal  us  in  tone; 
But  the  world  is  quite  forgetting  what  we  malce  and 
what  our  mission. 
And  the  twilight  of  Thanlisgiving  finds  us  in  the 
fields  alone. 
Oh!   ye  children  of  New  England,  as  ye  gather  for 
Thanksgiving, 
As  ye  watch  the  sparks  fly  upward  from  your  bright 
ancestral  fires, 
Auld  Lang  Syne  should  be  remembered :  let  us  see  our 
restoration! 
Clamor  for  the  Golden  Pumpkin,  wives  and  daugh- 
ters, sons  and  sires! 

The  Independent . 


Protection  month. 

Violets  prefer  a  cool  spot. 

The  boys  should  go  "  nutting." 

Gathered  leaves  make  a  good  mulch. 

Good  riddance  of  bad  rubbish— burn  it. 

Planting  must  be  done  quickly  if  at  all. 

Syrnp  from  Water  Melons  is  now  talked  of. 

Onions,  It  has  been  a  poor  year  for  the  seed 
crop. 

Even  the  manure  pile  now  does  best  under 
shelter. 

Garden  seeds  are  expected  to  be  cheaper  anoth- 
er year. 

Celery  is  never  better  to  eat  than  before  frost 
injures  it. 

Have  some  tools  been  left  in  the  fence  corners  ? 
It's  not  right. 

Blanket  the  bulb  beds  with  leaves  or  litter,  Just 
before  winter. 

Are  the  young  trees,  staked,  or  surrounded 
with  a  mound  of  soil  V 

A  good  job  for  now.  Revise  and  renew  labels 
before  the  winter  sets  in. 

No  killing  frost  yet  on  Popular  Gardening 
grounds  middle  of  October. 

For  a  pretty  ornament,  All  a  Cocoanut  shell 
with  Kenilwort  Ivy  and  bang  by  the  window. 

Kazzard  is  better  stock  for  Cherries  than 
Mahaleb.  The  latter  suffers  more  from  borer 
attacks. 

One  thing  much  to  be  admired  in  the  Purple- 
leaved  Plum  is  that  it  holds  its  color  well  to  the 
end  of  season. 

The  Double-flowered  Peach  of  Japan  and  China 
is  reported  to  succeed  well  near  Paris,  France, 
but  does  not  seem  to  thrive  in  England. 

The  gardener  who  does  not  try  to  protect  his 
crops  against  insect  attacks,  does  an  injustice  to 
his  neighbors  besides  an  injury  to  himself. 

Moore's  Early  Grape.  Too  much  can  not  be 
said  in  its  praise.  I  had  salable  fruit  certainly 
two  weeks  before  the  Concord  was  rijie.— T.  If'tlc)/, 
Kansas. 

The  seed  firm  of  Joseph  Breck  &  Sons  of  Bos- 
ton announce    that  they  have   purchased    the 


stock,  good  will,  rights  and  agencies  of  C.  H. 
Thompson  &  Co.  of  same  place. 

An  interesting  little  Fernery  may  be  made  by 
hollowing  out  a  large  sponge,  planting  the  Ferns 
in  it  with  a  little  good  soil,  and  placing  in  a  deep 
saucer,  kept  filled  with  water  at  all  times. 

We  promise  a  small  fortune  to  the  man  who 

will  give  us  a  Gooseberry  with  the  general 
characteristics  of  the  Houghton  bush,  and  the 
size  of  any  of  the  large  foreign  sorts  in  fruit. 

For  a  Blackberry  in  this  severe  climate  I  pre- 
fer Ancient  Briton  to  all  others.  On  130  plants, 
second  year  after  setting,  or  the  -first  bearing 
year,  I  gathered  485  quarts.-^.  C.  Tattle,  Wis- 

Put  the  young  Roses  just  rooted,  into  a  cellar 
or  pit,  and  if  started  early  in  the  spring  in  the 
house,  and  set  out  when  danger  from  frost  is 
over,  they  will  bloom  finely  the  whole  summer. 

A  novel  way  of  striking  Rose  cuttings  is  said 
to  be  much  in  use  with  European  growers.  A 
ten-inch  cutting  is  bent  in  the  form  of  a  bow,  and 
both  ends  inserted  into  the  earth,  so  that  only  a 
part  of  the  center  with  the  bud  is  above  the 
ground.  This  arrangement  stops  the  evapora- 
tion from  the  top  end,  while  the  lower  end  is 
forming  roots. 

A  New  Plant  Book.  We  are  pleased  to  learn 
that  Messrs.  Peter  Henderson  &  Co.  of  New  York 
are  issuing  their  Handbook  of  Plants  in  a  new 
and  revised  form.  This  work  we  have  always  es- 
teemed as  one  of  great  value  and  to  now  learn 
that  it  is  to  be  thoroughly  revised,  enlarged  and 
illustrated  is  most  agreeable.  The  new  form  will 
be  out  in  January  next. 

Apple  Export.  American  Apples  were  quoted 
middle  of  October,  in  Liverpool:  Baldwins  $3.68 
to  S4.87  per  bbl..  Greenings  .$3.16  to  $3.6.5  per  bbl.; 
in  Glasgow:  Greenings  $3.40  to  $3.89,  Baldwins 
$4.13  to  J4.85,  Kings  $4.8.5  to  $.5.83,  Ben  Davis  t4.62 
to  $4.85.  Only  4.3,000  barrels  of  Apples  had  been 
shipped  up  to  October  5th,  as  against  175,000  bar- 
rels for  the  same  period  in  1888. 

Striking  Bose  Cuttings.  Now  is  a  good  time 
to  strike  Rose  cuttings.  Select  a  stem  that  has 
just  bloomed.  Cut  off  three  joints  below  the 
flower,  and  below  the  lower  bud  all  the  leaves 
but  one  ;  insert  in  a  pot  of  pure  sand  up  to  with- 
in half  an  inch  of  the  top ;  set  in  a  partially 
shaded  place,  keep  moist  all  the  time,  and  in  a 
month  they  will  have  rooted  sufficient  to  be 
potted  off.— S. 

Late  Fall  Work.  One  of  the  last  things  we  do 
in  the  autumn  is  to  plow  our  late  Cabbage  ground. 
There  is  always  a  great  quantity  of  leaves  and 
rubbish  on  it,  and  we  find  the  easiest  way  to  get 
rid  of  it  aU  is  to  work  it  in  the  ground  after  the 
Cabbage  is  cut.  The  green  stuff  is  almost  equal 
to  a  dressing  of  manure  at  this  time,  while  if  fit 
be  left  until  spring,  it  is  about  all  wasted,  and  the 
ground  will  not  be  in  nearly  as  good  condition  as 
if  cleaned  up  now.— C.  C. 

Pushing  Sales  of  Fruit.  .Vt  Brocton,  N.  Y., 
which  is  in  the  midst  of  the  Chautauqua  Co.  vine- 
yard region,  boys  treat  the  passengers  of  railroad 
trains  that  stop  here,  to  luscious,  cool,  bloom- 
covered  Concord  Grapes  at  10  cents  per  pint  bas- 
ket heaped  with  clusters.  The  passengers  invest 
freely;  the  boys  and  Grape  growers  reap  quite  a 
harvest,  and  the  Concord  gains  in  reputation  as 
to  its  fine  eating  quality.  Many  travellers  may 
not  be  discriminating  or  exacting  judges  in  such 
a  matter;  however,  the  idea  of  this  pushing  sales 
is  a  good  one. 

For  protecting  house  plants  during  the  winter 
nights,  old  newspapers  are  excellent.  The  object 
is  to  hold  a  body  of  still  air  about  the  plants  and 
this  the  papers,  if  pinned  closely,  do  nicely. 
Very  often  putting  several  thicknesses  of  paper 
between  the  plants  and  the  window  will  give  all 
the  protection  needed.  A  friend,  whose  house  is 
"  cold,"  spreads  some  old  newspapers  on  the  car- 
pets, sets  the  plants  on  the  papers,  and  then  pins 
papers  about  and  o\'er  the  plants.  This  does 
nicely.- JohH  M.  Stahl. 

Overhung  Planthouse.  Amongst  the  curiosi- 
ties of  greenhouse  construction  may  be  men- 
tioned the  "overhung"  planthouse  of  IWessrs. 
Wrinch  &  Co.  of  Ipswich,  England,  shown  in  il- 
lustration. It  has  features,  however,  which 
make  growers  look  favorably  upon  the  design. 
The  greenhouse  benches  usually  are  far  too  much 
beyond  arm's  length  to  be  conveniently  worked. 
The  overhung  plant  house,  besides  its  pleasing 
form,  affords  greater  space  for  the  tops  of  plants 
than  they  retjuire  for  pot  room. 

A  Flower  Tower.  Our  florists  are  what  may  be 
called  real  enterprising.  One  of  the  latest  things 


POTTING  BPNCH. 


out,  in  the  way  of  floral  designs,  is  a  mmiature 
Eiffel  tower  about  four  feet  high.  No  doubt 
there  are  occasions  where  such  a  floral  piece  is  in 
demand.  It  may  be  said  in  its  favor  that  the 
graceful  outlines  of  the  tower,  as  we  are  familiar 
with  the  vast  original  in  Paris,  and  now  in  its 
miniature  facsimile,  suit  it  to  produce  a  pleasing 
effect  when  filled  with  blooms,  and  to  render  it 
superior  to  many  other  designs. 
The  Patterson  Peach,  two  fine  specimens  of 
which  were  received  of 
Albertson  &  Hobbs,  Mar- 
ion County,  Ind.,  is  high- 
colored  .yellow  with  dark 
red  cheek,  somewhat 
j|l=i^:i.Q=H|^=— li  resembling  Late  Craw- 
^J^V"  g^lgyl  ford.  Late,  apparently 
an  excellent  keeperbeing 
tested  by  us  on  13th  day 
after  picking,  and  after 
considerable  handling 
and  exposure  on  the  ex- 
hibition table.  Unfor- 
tunately the  flesh  clings 
badly  to  the  stone,  but  the  quality  is  excellent, 
rich,  meat.v,  not  inferior  to  any  Peach  known  to 
us.  The  tree  is  said  to  be  immensely  productive, 
and  the  fruit  of  uniform  and  largest  size. 

Naming  Vegetables.  Under  the  authority  of 
the  Association  of  American  'Agricultural  Col- 
leges and  Experiment  Stations  a  committee  con- 
sisting of  Profs.  L.  H.  Bailey,  E.  S.  Goff,  and  W. 
J.  Green  have  wrestled  with  the  problem  of 
bringing  more  system  into'the  Babylonian  confu- 
sion of  vegetable  nomenclature.  They  recommend 
a  set  of  rules,  among  them  the  following:  The 
name  of  variety  should  consist  of  not  more  than 
two  words,  nor  should  it  be  superlative  or  bom- 
bastic. Titles  with  personal  names  should  be 
omitted.  The  term  h.vbrid  should  not  be  used 
except  where  the  variety  is  known  to  be  of  such 
hybrid  origin. 

The  Kieffer  Pear.  Much  has  been  said  concern- 
ing the  Kieffer  Pear,  and  while  it  is  not  generally 
conceded  of  first  quality,  its  early  bearing  and 
late  ripening  make  it  a  very  desirable  fruit,  both 
for  home  use  and  market.  We  have  had  it  bear 
for  us  in  nursery  rows  on  two-year-old  trees, 
standards,  and  when  dwarfed,  it  bears  frequents 
ly  from  five  or  six  Pears  on  a  tree  at  that  age. 
A  neighbor  of  ours  set  an  orchard  of  three-year- 
old  standards,  two  years  ago,  which  have  now 
from  a  half  peck  to  a  half  bushel  per  tree.  At 
two  dollars  a  bushel,  which  is  frequently  paid 
for  them,  it  looks  as  though  the  Kieffer  is  des- 
tined to  be  a  very  profitable  market  variety.— 
H.  W.  Freeman. 

Study  of  Botany.  This  is  becoming  diffused 
among  our  district  schools,  but  all  too  slowly. 
We  can  not  well  stand  this  delay— it  is  too  costly. 
Another  thing,  in  many  schools  the  study  of 
botany  is  so  unpiactical  as  to  make  it  well  nigh 
worthless.  Is  it  so  in  your  school  V  Do  you 
know  whether  it  is  or  not 't  You  should  give  this 
matter  your  attention.  Instead  of  studying  the 
flora  of  Africa,  or  memorizing  the  curious  fea- 
tures of  Asiatic  or  Australian  floral  freaks,  keep 
the  work  at  home.  Our  weeds  should  also  be 
studied,  well   studied.     Their  nature  and    life 


OVERHUNG  PLANT  HOUSE, 
history  should  be  known  to  every  pupil  of  the 
country  school ;  and  they  should  be  employed 
in  analytical  botany  until  they  can  be  recogniz- 
ed at  sight  by  every  pupil  in  the  botany  class.— 
John  M.  Stahl. 

The  Metallic-leaved  Begonia  shown  on  the  op- 
posite page  is  one  of  the  handsomest  of  a  hand- 
some class  of  plants  whose  greatest  value  lies  in 
their  adaptability  for  general  pot  culture.  It  is 
not  among  the  most  recent  varieties  of  the  Bego- 
nias, but  it  is  yet  and  always  must  be  a  leading 
favorite.  In  habit  the  plant  is  erect-growing. 
The  beautiful  leaves  are  of  a  triangular  form 
much  longer  than  wide,  rough  and  of  a  dark 
bronzy  green  color,  with  the  veins.depressed  and 


1889. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


2^7 


dark  red.  The  peeuliar  depressions  of  the  veins 
give  the  leaves  a  eraiw-like  appearance.  The 
plant  is  a  free  bloomer,  produeinp:  flowers  that 
are  waxy  white  when  opened,  but  in  the  bud  the 
color  is  bright  red  with  a  surface  like  plush. 
The  blooin  appears  in  panicles  which  give  the 
plani  a  most  attraetive  appearance. 

Wintering  Plants  out  doors,  told  frames  for 
wintering  plants,  unless  covered  so  to  keep  out 
snow  and  niin,  are  no  protection,  but  on  the 
contrary,  worse  than  useless.  I  once  lost  a  lot 
of  line  Pansy  plants  in  this  way:  Not  hartng 
glass  ready  in  the  fall,  poles  were  laid  across  the 
frames  and  then  covered  with  fine  boughs;  the 
snow  sifted  through  these  and  the  heavy  rains 
that  followed  helped  to  form  a  solid  cake  of  ice 
inside,  the  frames  acting  like  a  vat  to  hold  water. 
The  sash  was  put  on  early  in  the  spring  but  not 
soon  enough  to  save  the  plants.  The  proper  way 
js  to  cover  the  frames  with  boards,  or  put  on  the 
sash"  in  the  fall  when  the  weather  becomes 
cold,  and  then  cover  with  straw  or  straw 
matting  to  keep  out  the  sun,  till  ready  to 
start  the  plants  to  growing  in  the  spring.— 
Jcnniaon. 

Bailroad  Station  Gardening.  This  should 
be  heartih-  eneouraired.  I  believe  it  made 
its  start  in  the  east,  but  it  is  becoming  notice- 
able in  the  west,  especially  at  suburban 
points.  As  yet,  anything  more  than  foliage 
plants,  in  massing  and  ribbon  gardening,  is 
rarely  used;  but  the  foliage  plants  are  much 
to  be  thankful  for,  and  more  pretentious 
efforts  will  surely  follow.  I  think  it  is  real 
nice  to  have  'the  name  of  the  station  in 
plant-letters,  though  the  foliage  may  not 
be  grouped  quite  so  well  as  perfect  taste 
would  have  it;  it  is  a  refreshing  sight  to  the 
traveler;  it  makes  "looking  for  the  stations'' 
a  decided  pleasure.  And  when  one  has  to 
wait  for  the  train,  he  isn't  half  civlhzed  if  the 
foliage  lettering  and  massing  does  not  make 
him  an  enthusiastic  convert  to  railroad 
station  gardening.— John  M.StaM. 

The  Queen  of  Antamn.  The  Chrysanthe- 
mum is  truly  the  people's  flower,  and  every- 
body may  grow  and  bloom  it  to  perfection. 
The  beginner  should  procure  some  good 
old  early  sort  of  dwarfish  habit,  plant  them 
out  in  good  rich  soil  on  the  east  or  south 
side  of  a  fence  or  building,  keep  them 
cultivated  by  stirring  the  soil,  and  watered, 
never  too  wet,  never  too  dry,  and  by  September 
25th  build  a  harbor  about  them,  which  may  be  of 
any  ordinary  boards,  line  it  with  paper,  and  pro- 
vide a  cover  of  windows  or  boards  protecting 
from  night  frosts,  removing  the  cover  early  ev- 
ery morning,  watering  early  in  the  morning,  and 
being  sure  the  leaves  are  dry  before  covering  in 
at  evening.  Dwarfish  sorts  may  be  planted  one 
foot  apart  in  May  or  June,  cut  back  once  to  six 
inches  high  and  thereafter  allowed  to  grow. 
I/eave  the  strong  growers,  late  bloomers,  new 
comers,  and  novelties  for  those  with  experience 
and  better  prepared  for  growing  them.— Joh)! 
Lane,  cliicayo.  111. 

Chryaanthemums  in  a  Snuer  Harbor.  Calling 
upon  a  neighbor  to  see  his  Chrysanthemums,  I 
was  led  up  to  a  rough-looking  box  about  16  feet 
long  by  4  feet  wide  and  same  height.  Said  he: 
"  See  my  snug  harlior,  just  rough  boards,  lined 
with  old  carpet,  lining  paper  tacked  on  at  the  top 
only,  the  end  bottom  boards  removable  and  down 
during  the  day  time  to  allow  airing  below,  boards 
covering  it  at  night  and  keeping  the  frost  away 
— alK)ut  fifty  plants,  all  one  sort,  set  in  June,  cut 
back  once  only;  don't  they  look  fine  ? "  'Tis  a 
sight  to  behold,  the  many  hundreds  of  buds  just 
opening  showing  color,  above  the  bright  green 
leaves  lielow  them— a  perfect  success— the  flow- 
ers will  be  very  fine.  "Yes,  I  had  the  same  last 
year,  the  flowers  came  large  and  perfect,  and 
they  kept  coming.  As  we  cut  the  first  blooms, 
others  came  from  lower  down— last  year  they 
came  into  bloom  about  October  12th  and  kept 
coming  for  six  weeks."  Earlj-  kinds  can  be  grown 
thus  with  success  and  this  kind  seems  at  home 
here — 'tis  Chrj'santhemum  "  Mary  Edd,''  of 
dwarfish  growth,  profuse  blooming,  pure  white, 
medium  size.  It  is  largely  grown  here  by  the 
florists  for  cut  flowers.  It  is  an  old  sort,  was 
brought  here  IH  years  ago.  No  new  comer  equals 
it  for  early  cut  blooms.— Joftii  Lane.  Chicago.  Ill, 

Ivy  Geraniums.  These  beautiful  plants  are 
growing  more  and  more  in  popularity,  and  de- 
servedly so;  for  they  have  been  so  improved 
that  some  are  real  beauties.  They  are  alike  use- 
ful for  hanging  baskets  to  droop,  or  In  pots  to 


train  on  trellis.  Some  have  got  so  used  to  grow- 
ing them  in  pots  and  baskets,  that  they  never 
think  of  liedding  them  out  like  other  Geraniums. 
Vet  they  are  splendid  plants  for  bedding  pur- 
poses, and  grow  very  comi»act  when  set  in  the 
open  ground  There  is  a  freshness  about  them 
that  makes  them  charming,  and  the  peculiar 
scent  of  the  leaves  is  a  pleasure  in  itself.  As 
house  plants  they  want  good  light,  good  soil,  and 
well-drained  pots,  and  they  should  not  be  allow- 
ed to  become  pot-bound.  The  following  are 
some  good  standard  varieties :  Jeanne  d'Arc. 
Pretty  double  white  flower.  A  good  growing 
variety.  La  Bosiere,  like  the  above  except  in 
color  which  Is  a  beautiful  rose.  Galilee,  a  fine 
sort  with  very  large  florets,  color  a  lovely  salmon 
pink.  Eden  Marchi.  This  is  a  perfect  gem  semi- 
double,  and  ought  to  lie  in  all  collections  of 
plants.  JIme.  Thebaut,  another  grand  variety- 
L'Elegant,  prized  for  the  beautiful  leaves'it  has. 


METALLIC-LtAVED   BEGONIA. 

and  its  white  bloom  is  also  pretty.  Horace  du 
Cholseul ;  Josephine  Hohenzollern;  La  Prin- 
temps ;  Gem ;  Segrier ;  Anna  Phitzer ;  and  Rob- 
ert Fortune  are  all  good.— G.  Basting  Diemer. 

A  Convenient  Potting  Bench.  It  is  surprising 
how  many  ladies  that  keep  plants  get  along 
without  any  arrangement  on  which  to  do  their 
potting,  but  will  year  after  year  get  down  on  the 
ground  in  search  for  dirt  to  pot  their  plants. 
Now  this  is  a  disagreeable  way  of  doing  what 
might  be  a  real  pleasure.  For  I  enjoy  repotting 
plants  when  everything  necessary  is  at  hand,  but 
what  a  bother  when  one  must  go  for  a  pot  here, 
and  some  broken  crock  there,  and  so  on  for  the 
different  Ingredients  for  potting  soil,  and  then 
no  place  to  do  it  handily.  A  simple  contrivance 
will  save  a  good  deal  of  ve.xation  and  facilitate 
the  work  greatly,  and  a  better  job  can  be  done. 
Have  four  posts  I  pieces  of  scantling  or  some- 
thing lighter )  cut  as  high  as  you  want  to  stand 
up  comfortly;  then  nail  boards  eight  inches 
wide  around.  It  will  then  have  the  appearance 
of  a  table  with  the  top  taken  off.  Then  put  in  a 
bottom,  and  then  you  have  a  bench.  Now  if  you 
want  a  place  for  soil  and  pots  etc.,  nail  some 
boards  around  the  legs.  And  it  you  want  some 
shade  you  can  run  up  four  posts  and  nail  boards 
around  and  on  top.  Drive  some  nails  inside  of 
this  to  hang  a  pair  of  scissors  and  strings  and  a 
hammer  and  one  on  which  to  hang  a  hanging 
basket  while  filling  it  or  making  it  over.  This 
position  will  prevent  the  chains  from  getting 
tangled,  and  prove  quite  a  satisfaction.  Have 
your  potting  bench  in  a  handy  place,  in  a  shed  or 
summer  kitchen  or  arbor,  and  whenever  you 
have  good  soil,  pots,  or  broken  crockery,  put  it 
there,  and  when  you  have  potting  or  repotting 
to  do  can  find  things  ready.— G.  Baiting  Diemer. 

New  York  Floral  Notes. 
Trade  is  begiiuDing  to  look  up  a  little  now,  and 
flowers  are  improving  in  price  as  the  cool  weath- 
er drives  stragglers  back  to  town.  The  street 
venders  selling  Golden  Rod  and  Asters  have  been 
crowded  out  by  the  autumn  leaf  man,  and  the 
same  gorgeous  foliage  decorates  some  of  the 
florists'  windows.  Roses  are  greatly  improved  in 


quality,  as  well  as  price;  prospects  are  favorable 
for  good  crops,  in  spite  of  the  unfavorable  season. 
There  is  complaint  of  a  good  deal  of  loss  in 
Carnations;  the  excessive  damp  has  in  many 
cases  rotted  the  roots.  More  than  one  grower 
has  seen  his  Carnation  beds  regular  swamps  for 
the  greater  part  of  thesummer.  Another  trouble 
which  resulted  in  loss  among  Koses  was  the  rav- 
ages committed  by  cock-chafer  grubs;  when  in 
the  fresh  sod  used  in  Rose  borders  they  eat  off 
the  newly  set-out  plants.  One  grower  com- 
plained of  having  re-planted  a  bed  of  Perles  three 
times,  because  of  this  pest.  The  third  time  the 
sod  was  carefully  scrutinized,  and  the  grubs  de- 
stroyed. Insects  of  all  kinds  have  been  particu- 
larly annoying  this  season,  as  is  usually  the  case 
when  there  is  wet  weather. 

As  for  flowers,  it  looks  as  if  there  would  be  a 
very  large  crop  of  Roses,  and  there  is  no  sign  of 
their  diminishing  in  popularity.  A  good  many 
Papa  Gontiers  will  be  grown  in  spite  of  the 
objection  to  its  habit  of  dropping  its  leaves; 
a  good  many  consider  that  this  fault  only 
occurs  when  spider  is  present. 

It  is  noticeable  now  that  very  few  women 
^re  wearing  flowers  on  the  street;  where  one 
woman  wears  a  corsage  bunch,  a  dozen  men 
wear  single  Carnations  in  their  coats;  a  re- 
versal of  three  or  four  years  ago. 

Some  of  the  autumn  weddings  have,  as 
usual,  displayed  a  graceful  use  of  autumn 
foliage  in  their  decorations.  But  it  is  im- 
possible to  mix  flowers  with  this  foliage, 
without  destroying  the  grace  of  both.  Dec- 
orations, so  far,  have  shown  no  decided 
originality;  there  is  the  usual  mixture  of  big 
Roses,  Smilax,  Asparagus,  and  Palms.  Earlier 
in  the  season,  the  most  effective  work  was 
done  with  big  masses  of  Otaksa  Hydrangea, 
which  was  finer  this  year  than  ever  before. 

Some  very  pretty  wall  or  screen  decora- 
tions this  summer  have  been  made  by  twin- 
ing tennis  nets  with  flowers,  vines  and 
blossoms  being  stuck  into  the  meshes  of  the 
net.  Probably  this  originated  in  the  brain 
of  some  festhetic  but  frugal  woman  who 
wished  to  do  her  own  decorating,  but  the 
Idea  is  quite  pretty  enough  to  be  gratefully 
regarded  by  the  florists.  The  prettiest  way  is 
so  to  arrange  the  flowers  that  the  meshes  of 
the  net  are  occasionally  seen.  This  was  done 
at  the  Blaine-McCormick  wedding. 
Nothing  very  novel  has  teen  noted  In  table 
garnishing,  but  the  custom  of  confining  the  dec- 
oration to  one  variety  or  one  color  of  flower  stUl 
continues.  Although  not  at  all  new,  a  flat  basket 
or  bowl  of  Allamanda  bordered  by  Ferns,  is  still 
recognized  for  its  beauty,  especially  where  yel- 
low is  the  prevailing  color  in  the  table  apoint- 
ments,  Perle  Roses  and  Buttercup  Carnations 
may  be  used  as  favors  with  the  Allamanda. 

Some  teautif  ul  decorations  have  been  arranged 
with  Cattleyas,  Heliotrope  and  Purple  Pansies. 
Such  an  arrangement  on  a  table  lighted  by  can- 
dles with  Violet  >hades  is  the  perfection  of  re- 
fined elegance.  Luncheon  arrangements  are 
rather  more  simple  than  they  were;  ostentatious 
decoration  at  such  a  would-be  simple  entertain- 
ment is  regarded  as  vulgar.  A  single  bowl  of 
flowers,  with  flower  favors  for  the  guests,  is  the 
recognized  style. 

It  is  noticeable  that  while  floral  fashions  in  the 
great  cities,  such  as  New  York,  Boston,  and  so 
on,  change  greatly  year  by  year,  they  remain  at 
the  same  dead  level  of  commonplace  in  smaller 
towns,  even  among  those  regarded  as  important. 
That  crowning  horror  for  a  bouquet,  a  paper 
frill,  is  often  demanded  by  people  who  surely 
ought  to  know  better,  and  it  is  of  no  earthly  use 
for  the  florist  to  protest  against  it.  Again  one 
would  surely  think  it  time  that  lettering  on  de- 
signs was  done  away  with,  but  it  seems  in  demand 
as  much  as  ever,  out  of  large  cities,  and  indeed 
city  florists  are  called  on  to  do  a  good  deal  of  it, 
except  those  whose  trade  is  only  among  people 
of  exclusive  taste.  Among  out-of-town  florists, 
the  pillow  is  the  design  most  called  for,  and 
almost  invariably  people  want  it  disfigured  by 
letters. 

A  beautiful  funeral  wreath  recently  seen  was 
entirely  made  of  loosely  arranged  pale  purple 
Heliotrope,  with  a  knot  of  Perle  Roses  at  one 
side.  Next  to  the  plaque  or  pall,  the  most  beau- 
tiful design  for  laying  on  the  eoflin  is  a  flat  bou- 
quet about  three  feet  long,  made  of  Roses  and 
other  flne  flowers  laid  on  a  back  ground  of  Ferns 
and  Palm-leaves.  It  is  tied  together  with  a  sash 
of  white  ribbon. 

Emilt  Locise  Taplis. 


38 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


November, 


FROM 
TOE 


SOCIETIES 


EIWHATrERThAT  DbiilrveS 

TO  aEVnOELYKMOW^ 

Salway    Peach,      yalway 
'ripening  a  little  later  than 
Smock  is  a  good  free-stone. 
-E.  A.Rhii'L 

Go  to  the  Meetings.  The 
farmers  of  this  country  do 
not  talk  enough.— Jttciflc  G. 
Barltcr. 

Size  of  Fruit  Farm.  Twenty-five  acres  is  too 
much  for  any  man  to  own  who  grows  small 
fruits.— A'.  E.  Dodye. 

The  winter  exhibit  of  the  Illinois  State  Hor- 
ticultural Society  will  be  held  in  Hamilton,  Ills., 
December,  10, 11  and  12. 

Niagara  Orape  was  seriously  criticised  by 
members  of  the  Michigan  Horticultural  Society 
as  not  hardy,  and  subject  to  rot  and  mildew. 

Sign  of  Eeflnement.  As  a  general  thing,  you 
won't  see  the  rough  element  of  the  human  fam- 
ily taking  to  auwers.—HonieHsviUe  Farmer's 
Cluh. 

Co-operation,  rhautauqua  Horticultural  So- 
ciety is  in  favor  of  a  combination  among  growers 
to  avoid  e.tcessivc  shipments  to  a  market  already 
over-loaded. 

The  Hog  Market.  We  have  a  lot  of  poor 
Apples  this  year,  and  they  are  falling  very  badly. 
So  we  have  turned  the  hogs  in  the  orchard,  thus 
securing  the  best  market  for  the  poor  stuff  we 
can  get.— roi.  JWi7cs,  .4/(0)1  South  Ith.  Hoii.  Sue. 

The  Annual  Chrysanthemum  Show  of  the 
Hampden  County  (Mass.)  Horticultural  Society 
will  be  held  In  Springfield,  November  Uth  to  llith. 
It  is  expected  to  be  the  largest  e.\hibit  of  the 
"  Queen  of  Autumn"  ever  held  in  the  state  west 
of  Boston.— IT.  F.  Gale. 

Cling  Stone  Peaches.  They  sell  ,iust  about  as 
well  as  frcc-stoncs  it  properly  handled.  They 
grow  better,  handle  better,  ship  better,  and  are 
always  lietter  flavored.  After  people  learn  how 
to  get  them  off  the  stones,  they  prefer  them.— 
B.  A.  Riehl.  AViin  Suuthern  Illi.  Hint.  Saeiety. 

A  Chrysanthemum  and  Fall  Floral  Show  will 
be  held  in  Charleston,  S.  C,  on  November  5,  6,  7 
and  8th.  Mr.  P.  J.  Berckmans,  Pres.  Am.  Pom. 
Society,  will  be  the  sole  .iudge.  A  great  number 
of  exhibits  are  expected,  and  premium  list  in- 
cludes an  award  of  $25  and  certificate  for  best 
display  of  24  varieties,  three  each,  of  cut  flowers. 
E.  B.  Hiilllntis. 

Best  Raspberries  and  Blackberries.  Among 
varieties  of  Raspberries  Mr.  Soott  tfild  the  mem- 
bers of  Michigan  Horticultural  Society  that  he 
finds  none  better  for  Michigan  than  Souhegan 
or  Tyler  for  early,  and  Gregg  for  late ;  for  red. 
Hansel!  or  Marlboro  tor  early  and  Cuthbert  for 
late.  Of  Blackberries,  he  would  only  recom- 
mend the  Taylor  and  Snyder. 

Culture  for  Peaches.  Mr.  McCreery  reports 
that  many  trees,  especially  on  rich  soil,  ha\e  no 
Peaches  on.  On  top  of  the  hill  where  the  land 
is  so  poor  that  he  could  not  raise  white  Beans, 
the  trees  are  full.  He  gave  the  trees  thorough 
cultivation  and  Peaches  will  be  very  large.  H. 
Markhara  said :  Early  varieties  like  Amsden's 
June  and  Alexander  are  full;  later  varieties, 
none.    Wanlitenaw  ( AficJi.i  Pom.  Soektjj. 

Love  of  Flowers.  Show  me  a  man  who  is  fond 
of  flowers,  one  who  is  ready  to  make  some  little 
sacrifice  that  his  wife  may  indulge  her  fancy, 
and  I  will  show  you  an  enchanted  home,  and  a 
kind,  loving,  tender  father,  whose  sympathies 
are  ever  open  to  the  wants  of  those  entrusted  to 
his  care.  1  will  show  you  cultured  sons  as  well 
as  daughters,  and  almost  without  an  exception, 
a  harmonious  family.— Mrs.  S.  M.  Livermiire, 
Mo.  Hort.  Soe-et}!. 

Varieties  of  Currants.  On  soils  inclined  to  be 
sandy  the  Red  Dutch  is  the  best,  on  heavy  soil 
Red  butch,  Stewart,  White  Grape,  Long  Bunch 
Holland  and  Black  Naples.  On  heavy  soil  the 
Long  Bunch  Holland  lives  the  longest,  makes 
the  largest  bush  and  bears  the  most  fruit  of  any 
variety  I  have  ever  seen.  It  retains  its  foliage 
all  through  our  hot  dry  summers,  and  frequently 
holds  its  fruit  till  September.  It  is  very  valuable 
on  that  account.  It  needs  more  room  than  any 
other  variety  and  they  should  be  set  five  feet  in 
the  row  by  six  feet  between  rows.— iV.  F.  Brand, 
Minn.  Hort.  Society. 


Potato  Hot.  Mr.  C.  M.  Weed  stated  before  the 
Society  for  the  Promotion  of  Agricultural  Sci- 
ence that  an  experiment  in  preventing  the  in- 
juries of  Potato  rot  have  lead  to  the  following 
provisional  conclusions :  1.  That  a  large  pro- 
portion of  the  injury  done  by  Potato  rot  can  be 
prevented  by  spraying  the  vines  with  the  Bor- 
deaux mixture.  2.  That  the  treatment  appar- 
ently diminishes  the  amount  of  scab  affecting  the 
tubers.  3.  That  adding  London  purple  to  the 
mixture,  the  same  treatment  may  be  made  effec- 
tive in  preventing  the  injuries  of  both  the  rot 
and  Colorado  Potato  beetle. 

Ornamental  Planting.  Children  should  be 
taught  the  importance  and  methods  of  orna- 
mental planting  Before  I  was  eight  years  old  I 
was  interested  in  gardening  and  tree  planting. 
The  cost  need  not  deter  any  one,  as  there  are  few 
communities  where  trees  and  plants  and  flowers 
can  not  be  procured  for  digging.  An  old  gentle- 
man who  had  handsomely  ornamented  his 
grounds,  sold  for  a  high  price  and  built  a  modest 
house  near  by.  When  asked  if  he  did  not  regret 
the  change,  he  replied  that  he  did  not,  for  he 
could  enjoy  the  trees  he  had  planted  fifty  years 
ago  and  nurtured  for  almost  a  lifetime,  just  as 
well  as  before.— Hon.  J.  M.  Pearson,  Ills.  State 
Hort.  Soeiety. 

Soil  for  Grapes.  For  soil  a  deep,  warm,  sandy 
loam  which  will  give  the  earliest  start  in  spring 
and  make  a  moderate  growth  of  well-ripened 
sound  wood  is  better  than  a  richer  muck  or 
colder  clay  in  this  climate  for  we  need  all  the 
warmth  we  can  secure  in  our  short  summers  to 
develop  the  fruit  and  bring  the  growing  vine  to 
perfect  maturity.  A  stiff  clay  with  proper  expo- 
sure is  better  than  muck,  while  limestone  is  quite 
desirable.  To  prepare  for  planting,  plow  deep 
and  fine.  If  the  soil  is  poor  and  you  desire  to 
fertilize  it,  employ  ground  bone  or  wood  ashes 
for  that  purpose ;  stable  manure  will  promote  a 
rank  growth  of  wood  and  late  unripe  fruit  to  be 
killed  by  the  first  frosts  of  autumn,  to  the  great 
injury  of  both  root  and  vine.— /I.  N  Wilcox, 
Minn   Hurt.  Sociilij. 

Hybrid  Perpetual  Boses.  1  should  never  start 
them  into  growth  in  this  locality  before  the 
middle  of  December.  Start  them  very  slowly 
when  commencing  to  force  them.  A  tempera- 
ture of  forty  is  i)lent.v  for  the  first  two  weeks, 
then  as  they  break  into  growth  steadily  increase 
the  heat.  Started  too  warm  they  will  make  rapid 
growth,  but  scarcely  any  flowers,  not  having 
time  to  develop  their  flower  buds.  The  \'arieties 
that  are  generally  grown  for  forcing  in  the  dull 
season,  are  the  following:  American  Beauty, 
Catherine  Mermet,  The  Bride,  Perle  des  Jardins, 
La  France,  Niphetos,W.  F.  Bennett,  Sunset,  Mme. 
Cusin,  Souvenir  d'un  Ami,  Papa  Gontier,  etc. 
Of  these  I  consider  Catherine  Mermet,  Perle  des 
Jardins,  and  La  France  the  cream.  The  latter 
Rose  leaves  nothing  to  be  desired  in  color,  size 
and  fragrance.  -  George  Savaae,hefore  tlieWc^tem 
New  York  Horticnltural  Society. 

Orcharding  ifor  Profit.  I  am  satisfied  that  we 
can  quite  easily  overcome  all  the  attacks  of  in- 
sects by  taking  the  matter  in  time.  The  great 
cause  of  failure  is  that  we  don't  commence  soon 
enough.  1  think  it  is  impossible  to  o\erdo  or- 
charding from  the  fact  that  the  demand  for  fruit 
increases  at  a  great  deal  more  rapid  rate  than  it 
is  possible  for  us  to  increase  our  orchards.  Some 
years  ago  when  I  first  began  to  take  an  interest 
in  Apple  culture,  we  thought  a  dollar  a  barrel 
for  Apples  was  an  enormous,  an  extravagant 
price  and  that  there  was  nothing  we  could  grow 
on  the  farm  that  would  pay  so  well  as  Apples  at 
half-a-dollar  a  barrel.  Now  we  are  not  satisfied 
with  two  dollars  a  barrel.  1  don't  see  that  we 
should  be  afraid  of  the  future.  ^  s  to  the  or- 
chard, I  say  plant  as  many  trees  as  you  can  take 
care  of,  and  then  stop.— iVfi'.  DcmpseiJ,  before  the 
Untario  Fruit  Groieer:^'  As.^oeiation. 

Buying  a  Place  for  Market  Gardening.  1  had 
a  hankering  tor  the  soil  again.  One  day  I  rode 
by  the  old  Whittemore  place.  I  had  my  boy 
with  me.  Thei'C  was  a  red  flag  out.  He  saw  it 
and  knew  what  it  meant.  We  had  talked  at 
home  about  buying  a  farm.  He  said,  "  Papa, 
buy  a  farm."  I  alighted  and  looked  it  over.  I 
never  saw  such  a  magnificent  croi>  of  weeds.  It 
was  the  roughest  looking  place  1  ever  saw.  I 
made  up  my  mind  that  land  that  would  bear 
such  fine  weeds  would  bear  other  croi)s  it  it  had 
a  chance.  1  went  in,  made  one  offer  and  got  the 
farm.  The  buildings  were  worth  nothing.  That 
was  in  1878.  Well,  we  raked  the  chickweed  to- 
gether. In  some  places  it  was  six  or  eight  inches 
high.    There  were  places  that  we  could  not  get 


on  with  man  or  beast,  and  the  frogs  had  it  all 
their  own  way.  Alders  and  such  growth  were 
there.  Some  of  this  land  was  among  the  best  on 
the  farm.  I  tile-drained  it.  About  that  time  re- 
tired from  business  and  went  out  there  myself, 
attending  to  it  faithfully.  I  found  it  would 
raise  good  crops  as  1  expected.  In  three  or  four 
years  that  old  place  paid  me  better  than  any 
other  investment  1  ever  ma.de.-  Mr.  Moore  before 
the  Ma»s.  Hort-  Society. 

The  Grape  Cure.  At  the  last  Horticultural 
'Convention  several  persons  were  present  who 
had  been  under  treatment  at  establishments  on 
the  Rhine,  all  of  whom  concurred  in  the  state- 
ment that  their  health  had  been  substantially 
improved  by  the  treatment.  Only  the  most 
thoroughly  ripe  black  Grapes  were  used.  These 
were  taken  at  inter\als  during  the  day,  the 
quantity  being  gradually  increased  until  the  i)a- 
tient  consumed  from  three  to  five  pounds  a  day. 
The  seeds  and  skins  were  avoided,  and  a  little 
meat  was  taken  daily  to  strengthen  the  system. 
In  another  case  cited  the  skins  and  seeds  were 
swallowed  with  the  pulp;  in  another  they  were 
chewed  to  obtain  their  chemical  qualities,  but 
were  not  swallowed.  At  one  establishment  the 
juice  was  pressed  each  day  from  selected  Grapes, 
which  while  being  kept  were  suspended  in  the 
air.  The  juice  was  pressed  from  the  Grapes  in 
the  presence  of  the  patient,  and  was  adminis- 
tered in  doses,  graduated  from  a  spoonful  up  to 
much  larger  quantity,  as  the  patient  was 
strengthened.  The  Grape  cure  is  most  efficient 
in  liver  and  kindred  complaints.  The  opinion 
was  expressed  by  the  convention  that  Grape- 
cure  establishments  would  be  an  attractive  fea- 
ture if  established  in  ('alifiunia,  and  would  be 
remunerative  to  the  projectors,  but  the  fact  was 
emphasized  that  exercise,  pleasant  surroundings, 
and  pure  air  were  necessary  accom|ianiments  if 
the  best  results  were  to  be  obtained. 


The  Origin  of  the  Florist's  Carnation. 

(E.rtract  of  Paper  by  ."^Utirti'i/  Hibbcrd.  reatl  before 
th^  English  Ciirnatinn  and  Picotee'.^  Society's  .Slioir.) 

The  wild  forms  of  Dianthus  that  might 
by  any  possibility  be  regardei,!  as  the  pa- 
rents of  the  Carnation  are  three  In  number 
only  :  The  Sweet  William  may  be  regarded 
as  the  garden  form  of  Dianthus  barbatiis, 
the  Pink  may  be  an  improved  edition  of 
Dianthus  phimarius,  and  the  Carnation 
differs  in  no  essential  particulars  from  the 
wild  form  of  Dianthus earyophyllus,  though 
larger,  fuller,  richer,  and  immensely  various 
in  coloring.  In  its  general  character  it 
stands  distinctly  apart  from  D.  barbatus 
and  D.  plumariiis  as  free  from  any  taint  of 
other  blood. 

The  wild  Carnation  is  registered  as  occurring 
at  Rochester,  Deal,  Norwich.  Rouen,  and  places 
thence  southward  to  the  Mediterranean.  D. 
caryopbyllus  is  constant  in  its  characters  and  it 
never  produced  Pinks  or  Sweet  Williams,  how- 
ever degenerate  the  seed  might  be,  while  as  to 
time  of  flowering,  it  did  not  usually  flower  im- 
til  the  Pinks  and  Sweet  Williams  had  finished 
their  season,  a  sulficient  reason  for  their  so  sel- 
dom appearing  side  by  side  in  e.\hibitions.  We 
have  mule  Pinks  but  n(>  mule  Carnations  ;  all  the 
several  forms  of  the  flower,  whether  (.'loves. 
Show  flowers.  Fancies,  or  "tree"  Carnations, 
were  true  to  the  leading  characters  of  the 
species,  the  limits  of  variation  being  ai)parently 
sharply  defined  by  Nature. 

As  to  the  age  of  this  flower  we  have  a  pretty 
clear  history  of  it  for  3(10  years,  but  it  is  more 
likely  to  be  a  thousand  than  300  years  old  as  a 
garden  flower.  Turner  in  1550  spoke  of  it  as  less 
the  child  of  Nature  than  the  product  of  the 
labor  and  wit  of  man,  a  statement  that  certainly 
suggests  that  long  ere  Turner's  time  the  florists 
had  operated  on  the  flower  and  made  it  beauti- 
ful and  popular.  The  Carnation  was  valued  by 
the  ancients  tor  the  flavoring  of  beverages,  and 
this  consideration  gives  a  clue  to  the  meaning  of 
the  assertitm  of  Pliny  in  his  xxv.  book,  that  the 
cantabrica  was  obtained  by  the  Romans  from 
Spain  in  the  days  of  -Augustus,  who  entered  on 
the  consulship  on  January  1st,  B.C.  33,  which 
carries  back  the  history  of  the  flower  as  nearly 
as  need  be  to  2000  years.  When  Gerard  published 
in  151)0,  Carnations  were  identiful  in  gardens,  and 
he  records  obtaining  a  yellow  variety  from  Po- 
land through  the  kindness  of  a  friend.  Lately  1 
have  submitted  to  certain  friends  a  list  of  .'J20 
varieties  of  Carnations  that  were  conspicuous 
in  prize  lists  in  the  year  18S2,  and  these  friends 


1889. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


39 


declare  there  is  not  one  i>f  them  in  cultivation 
at  the  i>resent  time :  and  yet  the  improvement, 
or  say  ultci-ation,  of  the  tlower  is  accomplished 
but  slowly.  The  \ttrieties  floured  by  Parkinson 
show  how  in  his  time  the  strii)es  were  passing 
outward  to  the  edge  to  form  the  Picotec  ;  and 
the  bizarre  farnation,  figured  in  the  "  Botanieal 
Magi»zine  "  in  the  year  178j<,  is  such  high  ijiialit.v 
that  it  might  be  put  on  the  show  table  to-day 
with  a  fair  chance  of  winning,  proving  that  lUO 
years  of  work  do  not  greatly  affect  the  flower  as 
reganls  its  technical  qualities,  a  fact  strikingly 
illustrative  of  its  possible  high  antiquity  ;  and 
yet  through  the  long  period  of  its  occupancy  of 
the  garden  we  have  no  evidence  that  at  any  time 
it  has  deviated  in  any  degree  from  its  typical 
characters  as  to  suggest  hybridization.  AH  the 
varieties  we  hear  of  and  see  appear  to  be  gen- 
uine representatives  of  Dianthus  caryophyllus 
alone.  They  are  varieties  i-esulting  from  cross- 
breeding, without  the  aid  of  other  blood ;  true 
hybrids  of  the  Camatiou  may  be  said  to  be  un- 
known. 

Notes  on  the  Newer  Plums. 

iExtrart  of  Paprr  read  by  S.  D.  Wittard,  be/ore  the 
American  yurserynwjt^s  Association .) 

The  annoyance  to  which  the  Plum  grower 
has  been  subjected  by  reason  of  its  caprici- 
ous habits  and  the  depredations  of  insect 
life  has  caused  this  valuable  fruit  to  have 
been,  until  recent  years,  more  or  less  neg- 
lected, while  attention  has  been  bestowed 
more  lavishly  upon  the  other  fruits,  but 
with  the  advent  of  "  The  Wild  Goose  "  a 
new  impetus  seems  to  have  been  given  to 
the  development  of  new  varieties  of  Plums, 
and  the  results  have  been  satisfactory  and 
profitable,  with  the  probability  that  in  the 
near  future  the  growing  ot  Plums  for  mar- 
ket may  become  one  of  the  great  industries 
of  the  country. 

Downing  tells  us  of  three  species  of  Wild 
Plums  indigenous  to  this  country— the  Chickasaw 
Plum,  the  Red  or  Yellow  Plum,  and  the  Beach 
Plum,  while  a  fourth,  which  has  become  natur- 
alized in  this  country,  had  it  sparentage  in  Asia, 
and  has  given  us  many  valuable  seedlings  that 
are  grown  with  a  remarkable  degree  of  success 
to-day  over  a  large  portion  of  our  country,  it  is 
of  this  species  mainly  that  I  shall  speak,  while  at 
the  same  time  I  would  not  ignore  the  value  of 
those  sorts  having  their  parentage  from  our  Wild 
Plum  that  seem  especially  adapted  to  sections 
where  the  Euroj>ean  varieties  do  not  succeed. 
Of  some  of  the  new  varieties  tested  within  the 
past  few  years  we  have  found  the  following  good 
enough  to  deserve  notice: 

The  Field.  Much  like  Bradshaw  ripening  a 
little  earlier;  very  productive.  Inclined  to  bear 
early;  origin  Schoharie  County,  New  York. 

Stanton's  Seedling.  Fruit  medium  size;  color, 
dark  purple,  with  a  beautiful  bloom;  verj-  pro- 
ductive; ripens  from  September  15th  to  Octot)er 
1st,  and  has  been  kept  two  weeks  after  ripening, 
with  no  tendency  to  decay  As  a  fine  canning 
fruit  it  has  no  superior,  and  has  fine  quality  as  a 
table  fruit. 

Prince  of  fVaJe^.  A  variety  imported  from 
England  several  years  since;  intensely  produc- 
tive; large,  skin  reddish-purple  and  thick  bloom; 
flesh  greenish-yellow;  very  attractive  and  sells 
well,  though  not  of  the  highest  quality. 

Middleburg.  Fruit  medium  to  large,  dull  cop- 
per color;  in  shape  and  in  keeping  qualities  much 
resembling  the  Prune,  keeping  a  long  time  with- 
out tendency  to  decay;  hardy,  and  ripening  about 
September  15th;  a  promising  market  variety. 

Shipper's  Pride.  Tree  very  hardy;  productive; 
origin.  Cayuga  County,  New  York;  promises  to 
be  valuable  for  market. 

Gtieii.  Fruit  very  large,  deep  bluish-purple, 
covered  with  thick  bloom;  flesh  yellowish-green, 
coarse,  sweet  and  pleasant;  great  bearer  and  very 
early;  tree  a  hardy  and  rapid  grower.  This  new 
variety  is  regarded  as  very  valuable  for  market 
by  growers  along  the  Hudson  river.  Vigorous 
grower.  First  to  middle  of  September.  One  of 
the  l)est  for  a  dark  colored  market  Plum. 

Hudson  River  Purple  Egg.  A  large,  dark,  pur- 
ple fruit;  considered  very  valuable  as  a  market 
variety,  in  some  localities  on  the  Hudson  river. 
A  fine  grower  and  productive.  September,  and 
will  be  more  sought  after  when  better  known. 

Peters'  Yellow  Gage.  This  valuable  variety,  we 
think,  was  introduced  by  Ellwanger  &  Barry, 
quite  a  long  time  since,  and  yet  for  some  reason 
has  never  been 'generally  grown  and  recognized. 


Fruit  large,  nearly  oval,  bright  inarbleil  yellow; 
flesh  rich  and  juicy,  quality  ver.v  good  and  very 
productive.  I  have  often  thought  that  if  eon- 
flne<l  to  one  yellow  Plum  this  would  be  my  choice. 

I'nnada  Orleana.  This  variety  has  been  grown 
some  years  in  the  vicinity  of  Hamilton,  Ontario. 
Fruit  medium  to  large,  skin  reddish-jiurple,  cov- 
ered wiih  a  blue  bloom;  flesh  yellow,  juicy,  melt- 
ing, very  sweet  and  rich;  ripens  early  in  August, 
and  handles  well. 

With  a  growing  demand  for  Damsons  in  all 
markets,  considerable  attention  has  been  given 
them.    As  a  class  they  are  hardy  and  productive. 

French  Damson  has  much  to  commend  it.  Tree 
a  much  better  grower  than  Shropshire  or  Blue 
Damson.  Very  hardy  and  an  annual  bearer; 
very  productive;  fruit  medium;  dark  copper 
color,  with  rich  bloom,  and  the  liest  Damson  for 
market  purposes  we  have  ever  fruited;  ripens 
about  two  weeks  later  than  Shropshire. 

Shropshire  Damson.  A  Plum  of  fine  quality, 
as  free  from  the  attacks  of  curcuUo  as  the  Com- 
mon Damson,  and  of  same  color.  The  flesh  is 
amber  colored,  juicy  and  sprightly.  In  market 
it  has  commanded  nearly  double  the  price  of  the 
Common  Damson,  and  is  enormously  productive. 
Last  of  September 

Frogmore  Dam.^tnn.  Fruit  small,  intensely  pro- 
ductive, and  promises  well.  Originated  in  the 
Royal  Gardens  at  Frogmore,  England. 

Farleigh  Damson.  Another  of  the  same  class 
from  England,  which  promises  well  after  fruit- 
ing several  seasons. 

The  following  new  varieties  are  being  tested, 
each  of  which  promises  well  and  may  prove  val- 
uable acquisitions  to  our  list:  Czar,  Grand  Duke, 
Rivers'  Early  Proliflc,  Black  Diamond,  Mallard, 
Bittern,  Curlew,  Heron,  Late  Transparent. 

Botan  and  Ogon  may  have  some  value.  The 
fruit  is  promising  in  appeai*ance,  while  the  trees 
seem  hardy. 

Kelsey  is  not  sufficiently  hard.v  for  the  Middle 
States. 


Hardy    Ornamental  Shrubs  for  Gar- 
dens,  Lawns    and    Hedges. 

{^Paper  read  by  Jackson  Dawson,  gardener  at  the 
Arnold  Arboretum,  before  the  Xassaehusetts  Horticul. 
tttral  Society. ^    Continued  from  page  15. 

In  Rosa,  ot  the  natural  species  there  are  many 
which  are  beautiful  in  their  place,  and  the  essay- 
ist thought  it  would  become  fasionable  to  have 
a  garden  of  single  wild  Roses  when  the  ground 
can  be  spared.  They  are  seldom  much  troubled 
with  insects,  and  one  or  two  syringings  will  keeji 
them  clean  for  the  season,  and  what  with  the 
flowers  in  summer  and  the  fruits  in  autumn  and 
winter  they  will  repay  by  their  cheerfulness  all 
trouble.  Some  of  the  best  native  species  are 
blanda,  Aahansana,  acicularis, Xuthana.  (Mifor- 
nica.Fedlerii,  lucida,  (yaroliniana.  nitid^^foliosa, 
an(\  sctigera.  Of  the  American  varieties,  lucida 
and  nitida  are  the  two  best  for  covering  banks 
or  planting  as  undergrowth  for  larger  plants. 
R.  setigera  is  the  wild  Michigan  Rose,  one  of  the 
finest  of  all  the  single  American  Roses,  flowering 
profusely  after  all  the  others  are  done.  This  is 
the  parent  of  the  Queen  of  the  Prairies. 

Of  the  foreign  single  Roses  the  best  is  Rosa 
repens,  a  climbing  species  growing  eight  or  ten 
feet  high.  R.  glauca  is  a  fine  species  with  pink 
flowers  and  showy  fruit.  R.  Alpina  is  the  earl- 
iest wild  Rose.  R.  aciciilaris,  cinnamomea,  dume- 
torum,  canina,  Belgradcnsis,  rubige iio.sw  and  (0- 
mcntosa  are  all  good  species.  R.  riihrifolia  has 
purple  foliage,  which  stands  well  all  summer. 
R.  arvetvsis  and  its  varieties  are  all  desirable. 

In  the  Scotch  Roses  we  have  many  fine  varieties 
of  all  colors;  they  have  neat  foliage  and  dwarf 
habit.  A  few  of  the  best  are  fulgens,  pencillata, 
vennlosa,  pimpineUifolia,  and  vestiilora.  Rosa 
aWa  is  a  fine  species,  with  good  foliage  and  flow- 
ers; it  is  the  parent  of  several  of  our  good  gar- 
den Roses. 

Rosa  pumila,  from  the  Minden  Alps,  is  a  dwarf 
species  with  fine  large  flowers. 

Rosa  rugosa,  and  its  varieties,  such  as  pink, 
crimson  and  white,  are  worth  a  place  in  any 
garden. 

Rosa  Kamschatica  resembles  it,  but  is  even 
coarser  in  its  habit.  The  fruit  of  this  and  rugosa 
are  very  ornamental. 

Rosa  multitlora  Japonica  is  very  desirable,  both 
in  flower  and  fruit. 

<)i  Pyiiis  the  varieties  of  arbiifi/o'"!  are  very 
ornamental;  puhens,  serotina,  grandifiora,  me- 
elmwcarpa  and  erythroearpa  are  all  worthy  of 
cultivation.  The  fruit  is  brown  or  black,  and 
ripens  during  the  latter  part  of  the  summer,  ex- 
cepting that  of  ei'ythrocarpa  which  is  brilliant 


i-ed,  does  not  ripen  until  the  autumn,  and  hangs 
on  to  the  plant  well  into  winter.  P.  siiectahilis, 
prunifoUa,  tiaecata,  Parkmanni,  Ringo,  florihun- 
da  and  malus  llore  pleno  are  all  showy  plants. 

I'lrriis  Japonica  has  been  improved  so  that 
many  varieties  can  now  be  had— single  red, 
white,  carmine,  rose  and  other  shades,  besides 
several  semi-double  varieties.  One  of  the  finest 
dwarfs  of  late  introduction  is  P.  JapoHica  Maulei 
which  seldom  exceeds  two  feet  in  height,  and  is 
more  floriferous  than  an.v  ot  the  other  varieties. 

Cotoneaster  imlgari.",  C.  acutifoHo  and  C.  to- 
mentosa  might  be  termed  perfectly  hardy.  The 
flowers  of  this  genus  are  not  as  showy  as  those 
of  some  others,  but  the  fruits  are  very  ornamen- 
tal and  last  almost  all  the  season. 

A II  the  Shad  bushes  ( Amelanchier)  are  hardy, 
the.v  are  the  earliest  of  spring-flowering  shrubs. 
They  vary  in  size  from  about  a  foot  to  twenty 
or  thirty  feet  high.  The  flowers  are  white  and 
the  fruit  is  edible.  The  species  are  Asiatica,al- 
nifolia,  alpina,  ndgaris  aod  Canadensis.  In  the 
Canadensis  section  there  are  a  number  of  well- 
marked  varieties.  The  variety  oblongifolia,  from 
the  White  Mountains,  is  the  earliest  of  all,  and 
has  edible  fruit.  Variety  rotimdifolai.  has 
round  leaves,  and  in  the  species  raiiajidf  nsis  the 
leaves  are  of  a  red  color  when  beginning  to  open. 

Among  the  Hydrangeas  there  are  some  species 
that  might  be  termed  perfectly  hardy;  these  are 
radiata,  arhorescens,  paHicu/afa,  and  its  variety 
grand'ftora.  and  restita  and  vestita  imhescetis. 
rf.<(i(a  and  its  variety  are  the  earliest  to  bloom: 
and  are  followed  by  radiala,  arbore.scen.s,  panicu- 
lata  and  paniculata  grandijiora,  so  that  we  can 
have  them  in  bloom  from  June  until  September. 
H.  scandei^,  the  climbing  Hydrangea,  is  a  good 
addition  to  our  hard.v  shrubs. 

Of  the  Deutzias  we  have  gracilis  and  parviilora, 
the  latter  a  new  species  from  Japan,  with  white 
flowers  a  few  daj-s  earlier  than  gracilis. 

Among  the  Mock  Oranges  there  are  many 
good  hardy  flowei-s.  Some  of  them  are  Phila- 
detithuslatifolius  magnificus,  a  fine  \ariet.v,  with 
large  white  flowers;  nivalis,  pearly  white;  grand- 
itlorus,  a  fine  large  late  variety;  Zcijheri,  with 
flowei-s  not  much  larger  than  Deutzias;  Oordon- 
niaas,  a  fine  late  American  species;  microphallus 
a  miniature  species  from  Colorado;  speciosus,  a 
fine  variety;  nivalis,  a  very  pure  white;  Colum- 
bianus,  a  fine  intermediate-flowered  species,  and 
coronarius  and  its  \arieties.  The  grand'florus 
section  is  the  latest. 


Grape  Rotand  Flea  Beetle  Remedies. 

{From  proceedings  of  Tenth  Animal  Meeting  of  the 
Society  for  the  Promotion  of  Agricultural  Science, 
held  at  Toronto,  Can.^ 

Black  Rot  of  the  Grape.  A  paper  treating 
on  this  subject  was  presented  by  Prof.  F.  L. 
Scribner,  who  reports  that  the  experiments 
with  this  dread  disease  this  year  were  con- 
ducted in  a  vineyard  ot  Concords,  located  in 
good  soil  and  with  an  admirable  exposure. 
Last  year  more  than  !«;  per  cent  of  the  crop 
was  destroyed  by  rot.  The  vineyard  was 
therefore  thoroughly  infected  with  the  dis- 
ease. The  preparations  used  were  the  Bor- 
deaux mixture  (8  lbs.  sulphate  of  copper, 
and  10  lbs.  lime  to  25  gallons  of  water)  and 
the  commercial  solution  of  carbonate  of  cop- 
per (5  ounces  of  the  carbonate  and  one  cjuart 
of  ammonia  to  22  gallons  of  water).  Five 
applications  were  made,  the  same  vines  be- 
ing treated  with  the  same  preparation.  The 
weather  during  the  present  season  in  the 
vicinity  of  Knoxville,  has  been  most  favora- 
ble for  the  development  of  black  rot.  In 
June,  during  the  most  critical  period,  there 
were  daily  showers  preceded  by  a  very  hot 
sun  and  preceded  by  cold  nights  with  heavy 
dews.  Fungi  of  all  kinds  flourished,  and 
Grapes  were  severely  attacked  by  the  rot. 
Under  these  circumstances  the  remedies  em- 
ployed for  preventing  the  disease  were  put  to 
the  severest  test,  especially  when  such  var- 
ieties as  the  Concord  and  Cataba  were  the 
subjects  treated.  The  two  preparations 
named  above  were  first  applied  April  3d, 
when  the  young  shoots  were  from  4  to  12 
inches  long.  The  other  applications  were 
made  at  intervals  utnil  June  22d.  The  leaf 
spot  disease,  or  black  rot  on  the  foliage,  be- 
gan to  appear  Slay  9,  and  very  soon  it  became 
quite  general  throughout  the  vine. 


40 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


November, 


The  results  of  the  experiment  are  strongly  in 
favor  of  the  applications  made.  The  value  of 
the  Bordeaux  mixture  is  maintained,  and  the 
ammoniacal  solution  of  carbonate  of  copper  is 
equally  efficacious.  No  difference  in  the  effects 
of  these  two  compounds  could  be  seen.  The 
treated  vines  have  lost  about  a  third  of  what 
might  be  estimated  as  a  full  crop,  or  of  what 
would  have  matured  had  it  not  been  for  the  rot, 
while  the  loss  on  the  untreated  rinesis  practic- 
ally complete,  there  being  not  more  than  four 
to  five  per  cent,  of  the  berries  left  unaffected. 

The  Flea  Beetle.  Prof.  a.  J.  Cook  tells  of  his 
having  made  a  large  number  of  experiments  this 
season  in  order  to  ascertain  what  remedies  are 
most  efficient  in  destroying  the  flea  beetles 
which  have  recently  become  so  destructive  to 
some  of  the  most  important  crops  of  the  garden- 
er and  fruit  grower.  For  the  Grape  flea  beetle 
he  finds  nothing  better  than  the  London  purple, 
used  at  the  rate  of  one  pound  to  three  hundred 
gallons  of  water,  and  thrown  on  in  a  spray.  It 
should  be  applied  just  as  soon  as  the  beetles  ap- 
pear in  spring,  before  the  leaves  put  out.  The 
past  season  we  tested  ten  different  insecticides 
both  on  the  Radish  flea  beetle  and  on  the  Cucum- 
ber flea  beetle.  This  latter  is  the  species  that 
has  proved  so  destructive  to  the  Potatoes  in  some 
localities.  Two  remedies  seemed  effective.  The 
first  is  ashes.  These  were  tried  both  with  and 
without  London  purple  and  it  could  not  be  seen 
that  the  poison  was  of  any  value.  The  ashes  ap- 
peared to  drive  the  beetles  away,  but  they  had 
to  be  used  very  plentifully.  In  some  cases  the 
ashes  did  considerable  injury  to  the  plants.  The 
other  remedy,  and  a  better  one,  was  a  strong  de- 
coction of  tobacco  dust  which  was  secured  at 
the  factory  at  a  very  slight  expense.  A  decoc- 
tion was  made  by  pouring  two  gallons  of  hot 
water  on  a  pound  of  the  dust.  This  was  applied 
to  the  plants  with  a  force  pump.  In  every  case 
the  beetles  were  driven  off  and  no  harm  came  to 
the  plants.  This  decoction  was  used  on  Cab- 
bages and  Radishes  for  the  striated  beetles,  and 
on  Potatoes  for  the  Cucumber  beetle.  In  both 
cases  the  results  were  favorable.  Although  the 
experience  of  one  season  is  not  entirely  conclu- 
sive. Prof  Cook  feels  very  hopeful  of  this  reme- 
dy. He  urges  others  to  try  it  so  that  its  merits 
may  be  definitely  known. 


American  Florists  in  Convention  at 
Buffalo.    Valuable  papers. 

Horticultural  Exhibitions.  Mr.  Edwin 
Lonsdale  tells  of  one  of  the  most  primitive 
exhibitions,  held  in  Philidelphia  In  .July  of 
this  year.  The  Workingmen's  Club  in  early 
spring  distributed  among  its  members  a 
paper  of  seed  each  of  Alyssum  and  Ph'ox, 
and  one  plant  each  of  Fuchsia  and  Zonale 
Pelargonium.  A  few  premiums  for  best  re- 
sults with  these  seeds  and  plants  were 
offered,  and  awarded.  There  w;is  nothing 
pretentious  about  this,  but  the  benefits 
which  come  from  this  movement,  can  hardly 
be  overestimated.  The  example  should  be 
followed  in  other  places. 

The  only  flower  show  which  could  boast  to  be 
a  real  financial  success,was  the  one  held  recently 
in  Detroit  under  the  auspices  of  a  daily  paper. 
The  secret  of  success  was  judicious  advertising. 
The  interest  in  a  contest  seems  to  be  universal, 
and  a  show  if  properly  advertised  and  written 
up  intelligently  would  be  crowded.  Reporters 
of  the  daily  papere  as  a  rule  have  no  knowledge 
of  the  subject  they  are  talking  about.  Until  re- 
cently we  have  had  no  florists'  paper.  The 
press  should  give  preliminary  notice  of  the  do- 
ings of  the  contestants. 

A  show  should  be  a  local  event.  But  people  in 
all  large  cities  would  be  willing  to  offer  prizes 
for  special  features  if  the  matter  was  only  prop- 
erly brought  to  their  notice.  All  exhibits  should 
be  mentioned,  no  matter  how  small,  to  encourage 
the  beginners,  and  induce  them  to  continue  this 
work.  Special  e.vhibitions  have  made  the  Chrys- 
anthemum what  it  is  to-day,  and  what  hjis  been 
done  with  the  Chrysanthemum  might  be  done 
with  most  other  classes  of  flowers. 

In  the  discussion  following  this  paper  the  pres- 
ident-elect, Mr  Jordan,  speaks  of  the  influence 
of  the  press.  Pajiers  are  anxious  to  report  cor- 
rectly. He  notices  that  the  St.  Louis  dailies  pay 
now  a  got)d  deal  of  attention  to  floriculture. 
Perhaps  there  may  have  been  a  lack  of  energy 
shown  in  exhibitions.  Two  annual  shows  are 
held  in  St.  Louis,  and  they  are  not  only  a  success 
simply,  but  a  paying  success.     Unity  of  action 


will  accomplish  wonders.  All  exhibitions  should 
be  complete  in  ever3'  way  before  people  are 
allowed  admission;  otherwise  they  may  find 
chaos,  and  go  away  and  tell  others  "  it  is  no  good." 
Mr.  Grant  complains  that  the  reporters  can 
hardly  e\  er  find  anybody  who  knows  anything 
and  can  tell  them  the  good  jjoints  about  the  ex- 
hibit and  the  things  exhibited.  There  is  a  good 
impartial  man  wanted  just  for  giving  such  in- 
formation at  the  shows;  but  all  such  men  are 
usually  tied  up  in  committee  work,  and  have  not 
a  minute  to  spare. 

Mr.  Preston  recommends  that  names  should 
not  be  attached  to  exhibits  until  after  the  awards 
are  made.  Human  natureshould  not  be  tempted. 
Mr.  Carmody  says  children  ought  to  be  educated 
for  making  exhibits  in  school  rooms.  Young 
people  might  have  a  Pansy  show  for  instance. 

Heat  Application.  The  subject  of  "  Making 
and  Applying  Heat  in  our  Greenhouses,"  was 
ably  handled  by  president-elect  Jordan.  The 
problem  is  to  get  the  maximum  of  heat  from 
coal.  The  objection  urged  against  many  of  the 
boilers  is  that  they  absorb  too  much  heat.  It  too 
little  of  it  goes  into  the  chimney,  the  needed 
drought  is  lacking,  and  the  combustion  is  incom- 
plete. Oxygen  is  the  supporter  of  combustion, 
but  the  latter  can  take  place  only  in  a  high  de- 
gree of  heat— the  higher  the  better.  The  result 
of  incomplete  combustion  is  carbonic  oxide,  and 
2400  degrees  of  heat;  the  result  of  complete 
combustion  is  carbonic  acid  gi\ing  4K00  de- 
grees of  heat.  More  coal  is  usually  in  the  fire 
place  than  can  combine  \vith  the  oxygen  to 
carbonic  acid,  and  consequently  the  oxide  is 
formed  above  the  fire.  This  oxide  is  combustible, 
but  as  no  more  oxygen  can  come  to  it  to  com- 
plete the  combustion,  it  goes  through  the  chim- 
ney, and  a  large  share  of  the  heat  is  lost. 

For  best  results  the  coal  must  be  brought  to 
the  fire  place  in  a  magazine,  and  there  should  be 
means  for  the  control  and  admission  of  air  both 
below  and  above  the  fire.  Perfect  combustion 
needs  great  heat,  and  the  coal  should  be  in  a  com- 
pact mass. 

Soft  coal  requires  different  treatment  from 
coke,  etc.  For  the  former,  one-third  of  the  air 
should  be  admitted  from  below  the  fire,  and  two- 
thirds  just  above;  for  hard  coal  and  coke  one- 
half  of  the  air  should  come  from  each  way. 

Another  principle  often  lost  sight  of  is  that  the 
intensest  heat  should  often  be  applied  to  the  top 
of  the  boiler,  where  the  water  is  hottest  already. 
This  will  bring  the  steam  without  commotion. 
If  the  intensest  heat  is  applied  from  below,  the 
whole  body  of  water  has  to  be  heated,  and  steam 
rising  from  the  bottom  causes  a  great  commotion. 

Natural  Habitat  of  Orchids.  Mr.  Foster- 
mann  tells  the  native  places  of  the  leading  var- 
ieties. He  also  prophesies  that  there  is  a  time 
coming  when  Orchids  are  to  be  much  more  freely 
imported  than  now,  and  become  almost  common, 
and  perhaps  be  quoted  in  catalogues  with  Rose. 

Wrought  Iron  Boilers.  How  to  treat  them 
when  not  in  use,  is  what  Mr.  Hunt  of  Indiana  is 
asked  to  tell.  They  are  usually  left  to  care  for 
themselves,  he  says.  One  person  advocates  to 
empty  them  and  let  them  remain  dry.  .iVnother 
prefers  to  keep  them  full.  Another  removes  the 
doors,  grates,  flues,  etc,,  and  provides  for  a  free 
circulation  of  air.  Most  of  the  boilers  are  always 
exposed  to  injurious  dampness.  Mr,  Hunt  him- 
self keeps  the  boilers  full  of  water,  removes  rust, 
gives  circulation  of  air.  next  a  dressing  of  crude 
oil,  and  then  shuts  off  air  circulation.  If  bond's 
are  old  they  should  be  carefully  inspected. 

HE.4TINO  With  Petroleum.  Charles  R.  Mitch- 
ell tells  his  experience  in  the  use  of  petroleum. 
Has  used  it  and  is  quite  satisfied  with  it,  but  does 
not  advise  that  it  be  generally  tried.  It  cannot 
be  used  with  hot  water  except  where  there  is  a 
high  pressure  boileras  auxiliary.  This  is  also  the 
case  with  steam.  A  high  iiressure  boiler  is 
needed  as  au.xiliary.  One  hundred  and  twenty 
gallons  of  crude  oil  are  about  equal  in  heating 
capacity  to  one  ton  of  coal.  An  iron  tank  is  re- 
quired for  holding  oil,  and  a  wagon  with  iron 
tank  to  haul  it.  If  oil  can  be  had  easily  and 
cheaply,  and  the  establishment  is  very  large,  it 
may  be  cheaper  and  more  convenient  than  coal. 

Horticulture  at  the  New  York  State 
Fair  at  Albany. 
As  usual  there  were  many  and  fine  ex- 
hibits of  fruits  and  flowers.     The  following 
is  a  list  of  the  awards: 

Fruits.— PnoFESsiONAL  List. 
Pears.    Collection  of  not  less  than  25  varieties, 
five  specimens   of   each; ;  EUwanger   &    Barry, 


Rochester,  first  prize,  $15.  Collection  of  30  varie- 
ties, five  specimens  of  each;  EUwanger  &  Barry, 
Rochester,  first  prize,  §10.  Collection  of  10  varie- 
ties, five  specimens  of  each;  EUwanger  &  Barry, 
Rochester,  first  prize,  S.5. 

Plums.  Collection  of  not  lessthan  10  varieties, 
10  specimens  of  each;  EUwanger  &  Barry,  Roches- 
ter, first  prize,  S3,  Collection  of  five  varieties,  10 
specimens  of  each;  EUwanger  &  Barry,  Roches- 
ter, flrst  prize,  83.  Uish  of  any  one  variety,  10 
specimens;  EUwanger  &  Barry,  Rochester,  flrst 
prize,  $2. 

Quinces.  Dish  10  specimens,  Rea's;  EUwanger 
cSc  Barry,  Rochester,  first  prize,  Sa. 

Native  Grapes.  Grown  in  the  open  air.  Col- 
lection of  five  varieties,  five  specimens  of  each; 
Isaac  Van  AUen,  Bethlehem  Centre,  first  prize,  $5. 

Fruits.— Amateur's  List. 

Apples.  Collection  of  20  varieties,  five  speci- 
mens of  each;  C.  V.  Baker.  Cedar  HUl,  fiist  prize, 
810.  Collection  of  10  varieties,  five  specimens  of 
each;  C.  V.  Baker,  Cedar  HUl,  first  prize,  85.  Col- 
lection of  five  varieties,  five  specimens  of  each; 
C.  V.  Baker,  Cedar  Hill,  first  prize,  $3.  H.  W. 
Hotaling.  Delmar,  second  prize,  82 

Pears.  Collection  of  10  varieties,  five  speci- 
mens of  each;  C.  V.  Baker,  Cedar  Hill,  first  prize, 
83.  M.  E,  Myers,  Charlton,  second  prize,  S3.  Col- 
lection of  five  varieties,  five  specimens  of  each; 
C.  V.  Baker,  Cedar  Hill,  first  prize,  $3.  M.  E. 
Myei'S,  Charlton,  second  prize,  $2. 

Peaches.  Dish  of  any  one  variety,  10  speci- 
mens; J.  G.  Leavens,  Melrose,  first  prize,  82. 
J.  H.  Schoonmaker,  Bethlehem,  second  prize,  81. 

Plums.  Collection  of  five  varieties,  10  speci- 
mens of  each;  David  Ledzy,  Bethlehem  Centre; 
flrst  prize,  $5.  Three  varieties,  10  specimens  of 
each;  J.  H,  Schoonmaker,  Bethlehem,  first  prize, 
83.  Isaac  Van  Allen,  Bethlehem,  second  prize, 
82.  Dish  of  10  specimens;  Isaac  Van  Allen,  Beth- 
lehem Centre,  first  prize,  $1. 

Quinces.  Dish  of  10  specimens;  O.  H.  Jacques, 
Wrights  Corners,  first  prize,  82.  J.  S.  Hannon, 
Chatham,  second  prize,  §1. 

Native  Grapes.  Grown  in  the  open  air.  Col- 
lection of  five  varieties,  three  bunches  of  each; 
Isaac  Van  Allen,  Bethlehem  Centre,  first  prize,  $3. 

Fruits.— Single  Dishes. 

Apples.  Baldwin,  12  specimens;  C.  V.  Baker, 
Cedar  HUl,  82.  Esophus  Spitzenberg,  12  speci- 
mens; C.  V.  Baker,  Cedar  Hill,  $2.  Holland  Pip- 
pin, 12  specimens;  Isaac  Van  Allen,  Bethlehem 
Centre,  $2.  Gravenstein,  12  specimens;  J.  O. 
JosUn,  Fiashoke,  $2.  King  of  Tompkins  County, 
12specimens;  H.  W.  Hotaling.  Delmar,  82.  North- 
ern Spy,  12  specimens;  C.  V.  Baker,  Cedar  HiU, 
82.  Red  Canada,  12  specimens;  H.  W.  Hotaling, 
Delmar,  82.  Rhode  Island  Greening,  12  speci- 
mens; J.  O.  Joslin,  Fiashoke,  82.  Koxbury  Rus- 
set, le  specimens:  C.  A.  Bradt,  Castile,  82.  Twenty 
Ounce,  12  specimens;  C.  V.  Baker,  Cedar  Hill,  82. 

Pears.  Bartlett,  12  specimens;  Geo.  T.  Powell, 
Ghent,  82.  Boussock,  12  specimens;  Miss  E.  L. 
Dorr,  Albany,  82.  Bosc,  12  specimens;  Wm.  G. 
Sickles,  Stuyvessant,  $2.  Clairgeau,  12  specimens, 
J.  T.  Lansing,  Greenbush,  $2,  D'Anjou,  12  speci- 
mens; Geo.  T.  Powell,  Ghent,  $2.  D'Angouleme, 
12  specimens;  EUwanger  &  Barry,  Rochester,  82. 
Flemish  Beauty,  22  specimens;  Zerah  Rider, 
Cambridge,  82.     Lawrence,  12  specimens;  Miss 

B.  L.  Dorr,  Albany,  82.     Seckel,  12  specimens; 
Geo  T.  Powell,  Ghent,  82.  Sheldon,  12  specimens; 

C.  V.  Baker,  Cedar  HUl,  82.     Winter  Nelis,  Miss 
E.  L.  Dorr,  Albany,  §2. 

Grapes.  Brighton,  six  bunches;  Geo.  T.  Pow- 
ell, Ghent,  82.  Concord,  si.K  bunches;  Miss  E.  L. 
Dorr,  Albany,  82.  Delaware,  si.\  bunches;  Miss 
E.  L.  Dorr,  Albany,  $2.  Niagara,  J.  S.  Lansing, 
Greenbush,  82.  Worden,  six  bunches;  Geo.  T 
PoweU,  Ghent  82.00. 

Flowers.— Professional  List. 

Cut  Flowers.  General  Collection;  Louis  Men- 
aud,  Albany,  first  prize,  $20.  James  Vick,  Roches- 
ter, special  first  prize,  820. 

Dahlias.  Collection;  James  Vick,  Rochester, 
first  prize,  810.  Louis  Menaud,  Albany,  second 
prize,  85.  12  dissimilar  blossoms  with  names; 
James  Vick,  Rochester,  first  prize,  85.  American 
Seedling  not  before  exhibited;  James  Vick; 
Rochester,  85. 

Phloxes.  Collection  of  annual  Phlo.xes,  Jas. 
Vick,  Rochester,  flrst  prize,  810.  12  named  varie- 
ties, perennial;  Jas.  Vick,  Rochester,  fli"st  prize, 
83.  Seedling  not  before  shown ;  Jas.  Vick,  81. 

Verbenas.  Collection;  Jas.  Vick,  Rochester, 
fii-st  prize,  810.  12  named  varieties;  James  Vick^ 
Rochester,  first  prize,  83.  American  seedling  not 
before  exhibited;  Jas.  Vick,  Rochester,  82. 


1889. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


41 


ASTEUS.    Ciilloition:  Jas.  Viok,  first  i>ri/.e,  S3. 

Celosias.  Collection;  Mrs.  W.  G.  Haviluiid, 
West  Hoosick.  first  prize,  S3.  Jas.  Vick,  Kochcs- 
tcr,  seconil  prize,  S2. 

CoLErs.  T.  S.  Strickler,  West  Troy,  first  prize, 
S3. 

PAXsrES.  Collection;  Jas.  Vick,  Hochester, 
second  prize,  ?:t. 

G  LADiOLrs.  Collection;  Jas.  Vick,  Kochestcr, 
fii-st  prize,  fS.  1-  varieties;  Jas.  Vick,  Kochestcr, 
first  prize,  $3. 

GERANTCM.S.  Largest  and  best  displaj-  of  named 
varieties:  Lewis  Menaud,  Albany,  first  prize,  $10. 
Jas.  Vick,  Kochestcr,  second  prize,  io. 

Cut  Flowers.— Amateur  List. 

General  Collectios.  E.  Van  Allen,  Beth- 
lehem Centre,  first  prize,  $10.  Mr.  W.  G.  Havi- 
land.  West  Hoosick,  second  prize,  $.5. 

Dahlias.  Collection  of  Dahlias  named;  O.  H. 
Jaeciues,  Wright's  Coi-aers,  first  prize,  S"-  O.  H. 
Jacques,  Wright's  Corners,  second  prize,  §3.  12 
dissimilar  blooms  mimed;  O.  H.Jacques,  Wright's 
Corners,  first  prize,  J3.  O.  H.  Jacques,  Wright's 
Corners,  second  prize.  S2.  Six  dissimiliar  blooms 
named;  O.  H.  Jacques,  Wright's  Comers,  first 
prize,  S2.  O.  H.  Jacques.  Wright's  Corners,  sec- 
ond prize.  SI. 

Verbexas.  Collection  of  Verbenas  named;  E. 
Van  Allen,  Bethlehem  Centre,  first  prize,  $5.  A. 
Stowe,  Stanwix,  second  prize,  S3.  12  distinct 
varieties  named;  A.  Stowe,  Stanwlx,  first  prize, 
S.f.  Six  varieties  named;  A.  Stowe,  Stanwix, 
first  prize,  S2. 

Phloxes.  Collection  of  annual  Phloxes;  E. 
Van  Allen,  Bethlehem  Centre,  first  prize.  So.  A. 
Stowe,  Stanwix,  second  prize,  S3.  Perennial 
Phloxes,  six  varieties  named;  E.  Van  Allen,  Beth- 
lehem Centre,  first  prize,  S2. 

Asters.  E.  Van  Allen,  Bethlehem  Centre, 
first  prize,  S3.    A.  Stowe,  Stanwix,  2d  piize,  S2. 

Passies.  Mrs.  W.  G.  Haviland,  West  Hoosick, 
first  prize,  S3.    A.  Stowe,  Stanwix,  2d  prize,  S2. 

Ten  Week  Stocks.  Collection;  A.  Stowe, 
Stanwix,  first  prize,  S3. 

Gladiolus.  Collection;  Howard  Bros„Roches- 
ter,  first  prize,  $5.  A.  Stowe,  Stanwix.  second 
prize,  i3. 

Everlasting  Flowers.  Collection;  Mrs.  W. 
G.  Haviland,  West  Hoosick,  first  prize,  $3. 

Greenhouse  and  Stove  Plants.  General 
collection;  Louis  Menaud,  Albany,  first  prize,  t30. 

Group  of  Palms.  Louis  Menaud,  Albany,  first 
prize,  810. 

Group  of  Ferns.  Louis  Menaud,  Albany, 
first  prize,  SIO. 

Zonal  Pei.argoniums.  Best  collection  in  pots; 
Louis  Menaud,  Albany,  first  price,  SIO.  One 
Zonale  Pelargonium  (single);  Louis  Menaud,  Al- 
bany, J2. 

Orchids.  Best  collection;  Louis  Menaud,  Al- 
bany, first  prize,  $20. 

BouyiTETS,  Floral  Designs,  Etc.  Best  display 
for  funeral  purposes;  Louis  Menaud,  Albany,  fii-st 
prize,  S2o.  Mrs.  W.  G.  Haviland,  West  Hoosick, 
second  prize,  $15.  Best  display,  other  than  for 
funeral  purposes;  Louis  Menaud,  Albany,  first 
prize,  $23. 

CONDENSED    GLEANINGS. 

The  Narcissus  Fly,  The  grub  feeds  on  the 
heart  of  the  bulb  and  checks  its  root  and  top 
gro^vth,  and  finally  eats  it  way  out  near  the  base. 
It  may  be  detected  by  squeezing  the  neck  of  the 


in  pots  for  fttrciug  into  earl.v  bloom.    The  fiy  is 
hatched  in  May,  and  may  be  caxight  by  plates  of 
treacle,  around  the  edges  of  which  a  little  honey 
has  Itecii  smeared  as  a  bait.  The  simplest  and  best 
remedy  suggested  by  Dr.  Bos  is  to  immerse  in 
I  water  all  affected  bulbs  tor  eight  days  before 
I  planting.    The  eggs  are  laid  by  the  fly  in  May  or 
I  June  presumably  in  the  old  hollow  fiower-stalks, 
or  at  the  bases  of  the  leaves  at  the  neck  of  the 
bulb.     In  July  or  August,  when  at  latest  the 
bulbs  ought  to  be  potted  or  planted,  the  larva'  are 
small  and  have  done  no  material 
injui-y,  and  the   eight-day  bath  is 
almost   certain  destruction  to  the 
insect,  while   doing  no  harm,  but 
possibly   some   little   good   to   the 
bulbs.— Gardener's  Chronicle. 
Orchard  Drainage.    If  you  want 
!  a  good  orchard  you  must  provide 
good  drainage.     If  possible  to  have 
j  it  without  locating  the  orchard  very 
■  inconveniently,  have  good  natural 
j  drainage.     Don't  believe  the  men 
I  tell  you  that,   other   things  being 
]  equaj,  low  ground  is  better    than^ 
high  ground  for  orchards,  it  is  not. 
In  not  a  few  cased  orchards  on  low 
ground  have  done  better  than  those 
on  high  ground  in  the  same  neigh- 
borhood.   But  this  is  because  the 
orchards  have  not  been  manured. 
Those    on    the     hills    have    been 
starved  out  the  soonest,  because  for 
ages  the  surface   water  has  been 
carrying  fertility  from  the  hills  to 
the  lowlands;  and  this  has  been  in- 
creased by  the  cultivation  of  the 
ground.    Hence  the  food  supplies 
of  the  hlUs  are  soonest  exhausted 
and  the  hiU  orchards  are  starved,  yet 


Frtiit  as  a  Uedicine.  Fresh,  ripe,  perfect,  raw 
fruit  is  safe  and  healthful  at  all  seasons  of  the 
.vear,  and  amid  the  ravages  of  disease.  Under 
proper  restrictions  as  to  quantity,  fruits  will  cure 
diarrhcea,  aid  in  removing  a  colic,  cold,  fever,  or 
any  other  disease  whose  treatment  requires  the 
bowels  to  be  kept  freely  open.  Fruit  should  be 
eaten  ripe,  raw,  fresh  and  perfect.  It  should  be 
eaten  in  moderation.  It  should  be  eaten  no  later 
than  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  No  water  or 
fluid  of  any  description   should   be  swallowed 


THE  NARCISSUS  FLY  iMeroden  equestin). 


POTATO-SORTING  SCREEN. 

bulb,  and  if  it  feels  spongy  and  soft,  the  grub  is 
frequently  found  inside,  a  fat  dirty  yellow  thing 
nearly  half  an  inch  long.  We  found  odd  exam- 
ples in  18S",  and  this  year  they  seem  more  plenti- 
ful. It  has  long  been  a  trouble  to  the  Dutch  bulb 
growers,  from  whom  presumably  it  found  its 
way  to  our  gardens  inside  imported  bulbs.  Our 
engra\"ing  shows  this  insect  in  all  its  stages. 
Those  who  purchase  imported  Narcissi,  or  those 
of  home  growth,  should  test  them  by  feeling  the 
necks  of  the  doubtful-looking  bulbs  before 
planting.  In  some  cases  I  believe  the  existence 
and  development  of  this  new  pest  to  our  gar- 
dens has  been  fostered  by  the  growing  of  Narcissi 


the  valley  orchards  get  sufficient  nourishment  for 
good  growth.  But  if  you  manure  the  orchard 
properly,  the  high  ground  will  give  the  better  re- 
sults. Where  natural  drainage  is  not  complete, 
it  will  always  pay  to  add  artificial  drainage.  Of 
this,  underdrainage  tUe  is  the  best  sort;  but  in 
many  cases  good  surface  drainage  will  suffice, 
and  this  may  be  got  by  so  plowing  that  the  ridge 
is  made  each  time  along  the  row,  with  the  "  land- 
furrow"  midway  between  the  rows.— John  M. 
Stahl  in  Indiana  Farmer. 

Eemoving  Copper  Sulphate  from  Grapes.  The 
Grapes  were  more  or  less  covered  with  the  Bor- 
deaux Mixture,  rendering  them  unfit  for  market. 
Upon  trial  it  was  found  by  adding  a  small  amount 
of  cider  vinegar  to  the  water  in  which  the  Grapes 
were  placed  and  allowed  to  remain  a  few  min- 
utes, and  afterwards  rinsing  the  fruit  in  water, 
the  adhering  mixture  could  be  entirely  removed. 
The  method  pursued  in  this  case  was  to  use  one 
quart  of  strong  cider  vinegar  to  five  gallons  of 
water.  The  fruit  was  placed  in  wire  baskets 
which  would  contain  about  20  pounds.  By  using 
two  baskets  and  placing  the  second  in  the  vine- 
gar and  water  when  the  first  was  removed,  and 
allowing  it  to  remain  there  while  the  first  basket 
of  fruit  was  rinsed  twice  in  water  and  the  Grapes 
spread  upon  evaporated  frames  or  other  recept- 
acles to  dry,  then  the  second  basket  oiE  fruit 
would  be  ready  tor  rinsing.  Acetic  acid  could  be 
used  if  desired  instead  of  the  vinegar.  The  fruit 
treated  in  the  above  manner  was  rendered  per- 
fectly wholesome  and  merchantable  and  the  ex- 
pense is  light.— H.  M.  Beckwith  in 
Rural  N.  Y. 

Onions  in  Winter.  Red  Onions, 
yellow  ones,  and  the  white  or  silver- 
skins,  keep  in  the  order  named.  All 
Onions  need  is  to  be  retained  at  a 
low,  dry,  and  uniform  temperature. 
As  usually  stored  in  cellars,  about 
A  foot  in  depth,  they  gather  suffici- 
ent moisture  to  induce  root-growth 
first;  then  top-growth;  both  of  which 
when  continued  deprive  the  Onion  of 
its  solidity,  the  substance  of  the  Onion  being 
wasted  in  the  effort  to  produce  root  and  top.  The 
higher  the  temperature  the  quicker  the  Onion 
spoils.  An  Onion,  will  endure  28°  of  cold  with- 
out injury.  There  is  a  limit  to  the  permanency 
of  this  cold  storage,  for,  as  is  often  the  case,  the 
winter  thaws  affect  them  even  in  the  cellar  or 
haymow.  They  gather  moistiu'e  in  the  thaws  of 
winter.  It  does  little  good  to  handle  them  over. 
I  have  kept  my  Onion  crop  in  barrels  after  the 
tubers  were  fully  cured,  putting  them  into  the 
cellar  not  far  from  December  1st,  and  leaving 
them  as  thus  deposited  till  wanted  for  sale.— 
N.  Y.  Tribune. 


within  an  hour  after  eating  fruit.  To  have  its 
full  beneficial  effect,  nothingelse  should  be  eaten 
at  the  time  fruit  is  taken.  It  is  to  the  neglect  of 
these  observances  that  erroneous  impressions 
prevail  in  many  families,  and  to  an  extent,  too, 
in  some  instances,  that  the  most  luscious  Peach 
or  .\pple,  or  bunch  of  Grapes  is  regarded  as  that 
much  embodied  cholera  and  death. 

Potato  Sorter,  The  old  method  of  sorting  Po- 
tatoes by  going  over  the  ground  twice,  first  pick- 
ing up  only  the  large  ones,  may  be  greatly  im- 
proved upon  and  the  same  or  even  better  results 
reached  by  using  the  following  method:  The 
Potatoes  are  all  picked  up  together,  large  and 
small,  and  taken  to  the  cellar  or  pit,  and  by  using 
a  screen,  as  illustrated  herewith,  allowing  the 
Potatoes  to  roll  down  an  inclined  plane,  the  as- 
sorting is  completed  by  the  time  the  Potatoes  get 
to  the  bottom — this  will  sort  the  sizes  better  than 
a  person  can  do  it  in  the  field.  The  screen  is  so 
simple  that  directions  for  making  it  are  unneces- 
sary. Hy  making  the  spaces  wider  in  the  lower 
half,  as  indicated  in  the  illustration,  the  result 
will  be  small,  medium  and  large-sized  tubers  each 
in  a  separate  place.  When  once  tried  it  will  be 
a  necessity  thereafter.— Orange  Judd  Farmer. 

Sun  for  Grapes.  From  the  fact  that  I  not  un- 
frequently  see  Grapes  growing  and  ripening  in 
orchards  and  gardens  where  the  vines  are  more 
or  less  in  the  shade,  I  am  inclined  to  question  the 
belief  that  Grapes  need  all  the  sun  they  can  get. 
If  they  need  it  anywhere,  they  do  in  northern 
Vermont  and  in  Canada;  yet  I  cannot  disco\'er 
that  a  moderate  amount  of  shade  retards  ripen- 
ing at  all,  except  in  the  case  of  the  Brighton, 
which,  although  a  very*  early  Grape,  does  not 
even  color  here  in  dry,  hot  seasons  when  Dela- 
ware, Salem,  Moore's  Early  and  Eumelan  ripen. 
—Dr.  Hoskins  in  Garden  and  Forest. 

Preserving  Fruit  for  Exhibit.  Liverpool  salt 
is  dissolved  in  clear  water  until  the  brine  is  strong 
enough  to  float  the  fruit.  Let  this  stand  over 
night,  and  then  strain  through  a  cloth  until  the 
liquid  is  perfectly  clear.  Place  the  fruit  to  be 
preserved  in  thoroughly  clean  wide-mouthed 
jars;  fill  to  the  brim  with  the  brine  and  then  close 
tightly.  While  this  method  for  a  long  time  per- 
fectly preser\'es  the  bloom  and  color  of  the  fruit, 
it,  of  course,  unfits  it  for  eating.  Twigs  with  the 
fruit  and  foliage  attached,  when  preserved  in 
this  way,  are  exceedingly  attractive  for  exhibi- 
tion purposes.— Pacific  Kural  Press. 

Wanning  the  Boot  Cellar.  An  oil  stove  costs 
but  a  few  dollars,  lasts  a  life-time  and  with  an 
expenditure  of  a  dime  for  oil  its  use  during  a 
vei-y  cold  night  may  prevent  the  loss  of  a  season's 
crop.  Whenever  the  temperature  in  the  cellar 
falls  below  the  freezing  point  the  stove  should  be 


42 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


November, 


placed  in  the  coldest  part  of  the  cellar  aud  light- 
ed. In  the  absence  of  a  stove  a  few  lamps  kept 
burning  during-  cold  nights  are  often  sufficient 
to  keep  frost  out  of  a  small  cellar,  but  half  a  doz- 
en ordinary  lamps  do  not  give  as  much  heat  as 
an  ordinary  oil  stove.— American  Agriculturist. 

A  White  Huckleberry.  Plants  of  a  so-called 
White  Huckleberr>  (a  variety  of  Gaylui<sacia 
rcsinasa)  sent  to  the  Arnold  Arboretum  last  year 
by  Mr.  B.  W.  Westbrook,  New  Jersey,  bore  a 
small  quantity  of  fruit  this  season.  When  ripe 
the  color  is  a  yellowish-white  on  the  under  side, 
deepening  to  a  pale  crimson  on  the  side  exposed 
to  the  sun.  As  is  the  case  with  white'  or  light- 
colored  varieties  of  many  other  fruits,  the  ber- 
ries are  much  sweeter  than  the  typical  black  fruit 
which  it  resembles  in  size  and  other  respects.— 
(larden  and  Forest. 

Managing  Cabbage  Enemies.  A  mixture  of 
salt  and  ashes  thrown  about  the  roots  of  growing 
Cabbages  before  they  were  attacked  by  the  in- 
sect which  causes  "clubroot"  prevented  such 
disast-er  when  begun.  This  season,  as  last,  I 
planted  a  bed  of  Radishes  alongside  the  Cabbage 
"patch"  and  allowed  it  to  seed.  This  attracted 
the  Cabbage-butterfly  away  from  the  Cabbages, 
and  very  few  worms  bother.  When  found,  a  hoe- 
ful  of  earth  thrown  into  a  Cabbagehead  routs 
them  out.— Galen  Wilson  in  N.  Y.  Tribune. 

Hydrangea  as  Cut  Flowers.  The  large  white 
tiower-cliistei-s  of  Hydrangea  paniculata  gi*aiidi- 
tlora  are  now  very  freely  cut  and  sold  for  decora- 
tive purposes.  Not  only  do  they  remain  without 
wilting  for  a  week  or  ten  days  in  a  warm  room, 
but  they  will  dry  on  the  stems  and  retain  their 
cream-white  color  all  winter.  Half  a  dozen  of 
these  panicles  on  long  stems  in  a  large  vase,  with 
spikes  of  Gladiolus  of  some  positive  color,  make 
a  very  effective  group.— Garden  and  Forest. 

Siloed  YegetableB.  Potatoes  being  so  cheap 
last  fall,  a  farmer  in  an  adjoining  county  placed 
a  quantity  at  the  bottom  of  his  silo.  They  were 
imbedded  in  and  covered  with  chaff,  and  the  silo 
filled  with  cornfodder  as  usual,  Kecently  the 
bottom  was  reached  and  the  tubers  found  to  be 
sound  and  solid  as  the  day  they  were  put  in.  This 
may  solve  the  problem  of  having  plump,  crisp 
old  Potatoes,  until  new  ones  are  ready  for  the 
table.- N.  Y.  Tribune. 

High-grade  Fertilizers  the  Best.  As  a  rule,  the 
fertilizer  which  contains  the  greatest  amount 
of  nitrogen,  phosphoric  acid  and  potash  is  the 
cheapest;  for  the  cost  of  manufacture,  freight- 
age and  rate  of  commission  are  the  same  for 
high-grade  as  for  low-grade  fertilizers,  and  the 
labor  on  the  part  of  the  farmeris  increased  as  the 
grade  of  the  goods  decreases.- Bulletin  N.  J.  Ex- 
periment Station. 

Do  you  Keep  Bees  1  No.  Why  not  V  Can't  be 
bothered.  How's  your  seed  crop?  Middling 
only.  Now  take  an  old  fellow's  ad\ice.  If  you 
want  a  good  seed  crop  or  a  good  fruit  crop,  keep 
bees.  I  know  it,  they  destroy  the  Heliotropes  in 
the  blight  days  of  early  spring,  still  the  advan- 
tages we  derive  from  them  exceed  the  interests 
we   sacrifice.— Mr.    Falconer   in  Am.  Florist. 

Oladiolns-flowered  Cannas.  You  ought  to 
grow  a  lot  of  them.  They  are  dwarf,  very  showy 
and  free-flowering,  and  not  only  fitted  tor  plant- 
ing out  doors  in  summer,  but  they  make  hand- 
some indoor  blooming  plants  in  early  spring. 
Don't  store  them  dry  over  winter  as  you  would 
a  common  Canna  Indica,  but  keep  them  growing 
a  little  as  you  do  C.  Ehemannii.— Florist. 

Storing  Onions.  A  few  Red  Wethersfield  On- 
ions had  been  accidentally  left  in  a  deep  box 
standing  on  the  cellar  bottom.  They  were  cov- 
ered with  two  feet  of  buckwheat  chaff,  several 
old  rugs  and  smaller  boxes  piled  on  top.  On  July 
1st  would  have  been  difficult  to  tell  them  from 
new  ones.— N.  Y.  Tribune. 

Draw  Manure  Now,  Why  put  manure  on  your 
fields  in  the  spring?  Is  that  the  way  the  Lord 
manures  His  farm?  Is  that  the  way  He  has 
reared  these  great  Oaks  and  Chestnuts  and  Pines  V 
No;  He  raises  a  plant  to  feed  an  animal  to  make 
fertility,  and  He  alwaj's  spreads  manure  in  the 
fall.— Prof.  I.  P.  Koberts. 

The  Russian  Mulberry  has  certainly  furnished 
the  cold  north  with  another  useful  lawn  tree. 
For  fruit  it  is  not  of  much  account,  but  it  makes 
a  variety  where  variety  is  circumscribed  by  cli- 
mate.—American  Garden. 

Improving  Our  Homes.  Awkward,  flowerless, 
treeless  homes  are  abominations.  The  nurserymen 
who  help  to  cultivate  rural  tastes  are  patriots  and  pub- 
lic benefactors.— Jolm  J.  Thomas. 

Potash  Salts  for  Potatoes  It  is  noted  in  several 
Instances  this  year  that  where  Potatoes  were  fertilized 


with  potash  salts  the  blight  has  been  less  prevalent.— 
Garden  and  Forest. 

Wood  Ashes  tor  the  Orchard.  Ten  to  twenty  bush- 
els of  t^ood  ashes  per  acre  annually  is  the  best  and 
cheapest  fertilizer  on  any  soil. -Orange  Judd  Farmer. 

Bouvardias  in  Winter.  They  are  lovers  of  consid- 
erable heat,  and  In  the  sitting  room  should  be  given  a 
place  at  the  middle  of  the  window.— Ex. 

Plant  Tulips  in  Fall.  We  are  informed  by  seeds- 
men that  they  frequently  get  orders  for  Tulip  bulbs  in 
the  spring  when  none  are  tor  sale  —Ex. 

Black  Knot.  Plum  raising  will  be  a  failure  till  all 
are  willing  to  co  operate  to  cut  it  out,  burn  it  and  start 
anew.— Country  Gentleman. 

Protect  the  Birds.  Rather  than  kill  birds  to  save 
fruit,  1  would  raise  more  fruit  to  attrsict  the  birds.— 
Dr.  Kirtland. 

More  Trees  Needed.  A  languishing  nursery  busi- 
ness would  be  a  national  calamity-— W.  C.  Barry. 

Secret  of  Success  in  Potato  GrowinB.  It  is  the  old 
storj'.  •'  clover  and  tillage."— T.  B.  Terry. 


Vegetable  Products  on  Table. 

Quince  and  Sweet  Apple  Preserves.  These  are 
excellent.  Use  one-third  Quince  to  two-thirds 
Apple.  Steam  the  fruit  to  preserve  its  form, 
using  the  water  in  steamer  for  making  the  syrup 
for  the  preserves. 

Eacalloped  Vegetable  Oysters.  Mash  freshly- 
boiled  Vegetable  Oysters,  moistening  them  with 
cream,  and  seasoning  with  salt.  Cover  with  dry 
bread-crumbs,  and  bake  seven  minutes  in  a  quick 
oven.— Ex. 

Keeping  fresh  Cranberries.  Look  them  over 
carefully,  rejecting  all  but  sound  berries.  Put 
into  a  jar  and  cover  with  pure  cold  water.  Keep 
in  a  cool  place  and  they  can  be  had  fresh,  until 
as  late  as  anybody  wants  to  eat  Cranberries. 
Even  if  the  water  freezes  the  fruit  is  uninjured. 

Parsnip  Stew.  Three  slices  of  salt  pork  boiled 
1}^  hours ;  scrape  five  large  Parsnips,  cut  in  quar- 
ters lengthwise,  add  to  the  pork,  and  let  boil  one- 
half  hour,  then  add  a  few  Potatoes,  and  let  all 
boil  together  until  the  Potatoes  are  soft.  The 
fluid  in  the  kettle  should  be  about  a  cupful  when 
ready  to  take  oflf. 

Quince  Preserve.  The  flavor  of  Quinces  is 
brought  out  by  long  cooking.  The  Orange 
Quince  is  best  to  use.  Pare,  quarter,  and  core 
and  boil  in  clear  water  until  tender.  Skim  out 
the  fruit  and  put  a  pound  of  sugar  to  each  half  a 
pound  of  the  fruit.  Add  the  Quinces  a  few  at  a 
time,  and  boil  till  clear;  put, them  in  a  jar  and 
pour  the  sj'rup  over  them. 

Barberries  and  Apples.  One  peck  of  Barber- 
ries, one  gallon  of  molasses,  five  pounds  of  brown 
sugar.  Boil  the  molasses  alone,  then  put  in  the 
sugar  and  skim  it ;  then  add  the  Barberries  freed 
from  stems,  and  boil  until  clear.  Skim  out  and 
put  in  a  peck  and  a  half  of  Sweet  Apples  pared 
and  quartered,  and  boil  until  soft.  Pour  the 
syrup  over  the  Apples  and  berries  in  a  stone  jar. 

Sweet  Potato  Biscuit.  Half  a  pound  of  cooked 
Potatoes  peeled  and  mashed  and  rubbed  through 
a  sieve  to  get  out  all  the  fibres,  a  light  quart  of 
flour,  a  large  .spoonful  of  lard,  a  teaspoonful  of 
salt,  and  fresh  milk  enough  to  mix  up  a  rather 
soft  dough.  Mix  thoroughly,  mould,  roll,  stick 
and  bake  in  a  quick  oven,  and  eat  hot  with  plen- 
ty of  fresh  butter,  and  of  coui-se  good  coffee.— 
Good  Housekeeping. 

Spiced  Apple.  To  six  pounds  of  peeled  and 
cored  sweet  Apples  add  two  pounds  of  sugar, 
one  quart  of  good  cider  vinegar  and  a  table- 
spoonful  each  of  ground  Cloves  and  Cinamon  tied 
loosely  in  a  bag.  Make  a  syrup  of  the  sugar, 
^■inegar  and  spices,  cook  in  it  the  Apples  until 
they  are  done  but  not  broken,  then  dip  them 
out  into  bottles,  cover  .closely,  fill  up  the  bottles 
with  the  syrup  when  boiled  until  thick, 

Stu£Eed  Egg  Plant.  Take  a  small  or  medium- 
sized  egg-plant  and  put  it  on  the  stove  in  a  sauce- 
pan of  boihng  water;  let  it  cook  for  half  an 
hour,  take  out,  cut  it  in  half  and  scoop  out  the 
inside,  taking  care  not  to  break  the  skin.  The 
portion  removed  must  be  well  seasoned  and 
beaten  smooth  with  a  fork.  Mix  with  it  a  lump 
of  butter,  the  size  of  an  egg.  Fill  the  skins  with 
the  mixture,  sprinkle  the  top  with  bread  crumbs 
and  bits  of  butter  here  and  there ;  brown  in  oven 
for  about  ten  minutes.— Western  Rural. 

Apples  with  Jelly.  Pare  and  core  one  dozen 
Apples;  put  in  enough  water  to  cover  and  let 
stew  until  they  look  as  if  they  would  break  ;  take 
out  of  the  water  and  into  the  latter  put  one  and 
one-half  poimds  of  sugar :  let  this  come  to  a  boil; 
put  in  the  Apples  and  let  them  stew  until  done 
through  and  clear;  remove  Apples  again  and 
into  the  syrup  slice  one  large  IfCmon;  add  one 


ounce  of  gelatine  dissolved  in  a  pint  of  cold 
water ;  let  all  mix  well  and  come  to  a  boll ;  then 
pour  upon  the  Apples.  Serve  cold  with  cream.— 
Western  Rural. 

Boiling  Vegetables.  Onions,  medium  size  re- 
quire one  hour  ;  Green  com,  twenty  to  twenty- 
five  minutes;  Peas  and  Asparagus,  twenty-five 
to  thirty  minutes :  Potatoes,  half  an  hour,  un- 
less small,  when  rather  less;  Cabbage  and  Cauli- 
flower, twenty-five  minutes  to  half  an  hour- 
Carrots  and  Turnips,  forty-five  minutes  when 
young,  one  hour  in  winter;  Beets,  one  hour  in 
summer,  one  hour  and  a  half  or  even  two  hours, 
if  large,  in  winter;  String  Beans,  if  slit  or  sliced 
slantwise  and  thin,  twenty-five  minutes,  if  only 
nipped  across,  forty  minutes. 

Apple  Jelly.  Select  high-flavored,  acid,  white- 
fleshed  varieties,  like  the  Orange  Pippin  or  Bell- 
flower,  boiling  the  skins  and  seeds,  tied  in  cheese- 
cloth, with  the  juice,  which  heightens  the  flavor. 
For  the  finest  jelly,  press  two  quarts  of  cider  and 
put  it  to  simmer;  pare  five  pounds  of  Apples, 
slice  and  boil  in  the  cider  over  a  brisk  fire  till  the 
fruit  is  melted  down  ;  strain  and  boil  again  with 
ten  ounces  of  sugar  to  the  pound  of  juice.  This 
may  be  flavored  with  Lemon  or  Orange  peel, 
with  Rose  petals— flve  ounces  being  required  for 
the  abo^'e  amount  of  Apples — or  with  Quince. — 
Germantown  Telegraph. 


HOUSE  PLANTS. 

Ardesia  shows  to  best  advantage  In  a  temperature 
of  45"  to  50'^.    Guard  a^^ralnst  frost. 

Agapanthas  umbellatns,  stored  in  a  cool,  light  cel- 
lar should  be  kept  only  just  luoist  enough  to  prevent 
the  leaves  from  shrivelling. 

Begonias.  The  tuberous-rooted  varieties  should 
now  be  at  rest.  Pots  to  be  kept  In  a  dry  situation, 
with  au  average  temperature  of  50*.  The  Rex  varieties 
also  to  be  given  less  moisture  and  allowed  to  rest. 

Cactus.  Keep  in  a  light,  cool  place,  and  cease  wat- 
ering. 

Callas.  Coax  into  stronggrowih  by  liberal  watering 
and  occasional  applications  of  liquid  manure. 

Cestrnms  after  being  trimmed  Into  shape  may  go 
into  a  cool  light  cellar,  and  should  be  kept  dry  at  the 
root. 

Chinese  Primrose.     See  under  Plants  Under  Glass. 

Cyperus  alternifolia  needs  occasional  doses  of  liquid 
manure,  and  a  liberal  supply  of  water. 

Freesia  refracta.  Start  now  for  early  bloom.  In- 
crease the  water  supply  at  the  root  with  advancing 
growth. 

Fuchsias-  The  winter  bloomers  should  have  occa- 
sional doses  of  liquid  manure.  The  summer  bloomers 
are  at  rest  In  a  cool,  light  cellar,  and  kept  rather  dry. 

Geraniunis.  Winter  blooming  Zonales  when  grow- 
ing vigorously  may  be  helped  along  by  oecaslona 
doses  of  liquid  manure.  Cuttings  when  i-ooted  to  be 
potted  at  once,  and  placed  in  a  light  situation. 

Hydrangeas  may  be  stored  and  treated  like  Oes- 
trums. 

Insects.    Guard  against  red  spider  and  others. 

Ivy.    Look  out  for  scale.    Sponge  off  the  leaves. 

Jasminum  Grandiflorum.  Give  an  occasional  stim- 
ulant of  manure  water. 

Jerusalem  Cherries  now  at  rest  should  be  kept  in  a 
cool,  light  cellar,  and  rather  dry  at  the  roots. 

Lemon  Verbenas.    See  Jerusalem  Cherries. 

Myrtns  communis  should  have  a  light  stuiny  situa- 
tion without  too  much  water. 

Orange  Trees,  Lemons,  etc.  Leaves  and  stems 
should  be  sp<mgeil  ofl"  occasionally.    Water  less  freely. 

Oxalis-  Gradually  Increase  the  water  supply,  and 
give  sunny  exposure  if  bloom  Is  desired. 

Pomegranates  may  be  treated  like  Hydrangea. 

Sponging  off  the  leaves  of  all  plants  occasionally 
helps  to  keep  them  bright  and  healthy. 

Watering,  whenever  done,  should  be  thorough. 


LAWN  AND  FLOWER  GARDEN. 

Box  edging  may  be  taken  up,  divided  and  replanted 
as  long  as  the  ground  remains  unfrozen.  Firm  the 
ground  well  about  the  roots. 

Bulbs  for  sprlTig  flowerlug  ought  to  have  been  set 
earlier,  but  It  Is  not  yet  too  late  to  set  them  If  not  done 
before.    Mulch  those  set  late. 

Flower  beds  may  now  be  given  a  good  dressing  of 
well-rotted  compost,  to  be  dug  in  deeply. 


1889. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


43 


Grading.  Thoroughly  exnmlne  the  lawu.  auit  cor- 
rtH't  lrrej;ulaiitles  ainl  uneven  places. 

Hardy  herbaceous  plants  should  be  marked  with  a 
labelleii  stake,  to  Insure  their  safety  nt;alost  destruc- 
tion next  spring  when  the  t>eOs  nre  dug  over.  To 
muleh  them  sllghllv,  or  cover  with  Evergreen  boughs 
Is  always  a  good  precaution. 

Haneing  baskets,  vases,  etc..  tobe  emptied,  cleaned, 
replante<1  and  taken  under  cover. 

Improvements.  Now  Is  the  most  convenient  time 
usually  for  draining,  trenching,  making  walks,  mend- 
ing lawn,  etc..  and  this  work  should  be  pushed  ahead  as 
much  as  possible. 

Leaves  raked  fiom  the  lawn  can  be  put  to  good  use 
for  mulching,  or  as  addition  to  the  compost  heap. 

Mannre,  In  the  shape  of  well  rotted  compost,  or  of 
bone  nienl,  wood  ashes,  etc.,  now  to  be  applied  to  the 
lawn  broadcast. 

Mulchine.  Shrubs  In  the  border,  Roses  and  most 
other  plauts  in  open  ground  are  benefited  by  mulching 
with  coarse  litter.  It-aves,  leaf -mould,  etc. 

Planting.  While  the  weather  remains  open,  trees 
and  shrubs  may  still  be  taken  up  and  reset,  or  planted 
out  as  desired. 

Pansies.  Protect  the  young  seedlings  for  next 
season  by  covering  with  Evergreen  boughs,  or  coarse 
litter  after  the  ground  becomes  frozen. 

Protection.  RhodtiKlendrons  and  other  Evergreen 
shrubs  In  exposed  situation  can  be  protected  by  plac- 
ing Evergreen  btiughs.  but-end  down,  around  them  and 
tying  the  tops  together  with  stout  twine. 

Stakes  and  garden  requisites  should  be  gathered  and 
stored  away  to  be  on  haud  and  In  good  condition  for 
next  -reason's  use. 

Tools.  Take  care  of  lawn  mowers  and  other  tools. 
Clean  and  oil  the  steel  parts  and  gearing,  and  store 
properly. 


PLANT    CULTURE   UNDER    GLASS. 

Acacias  should  now  be  watered  freely,  and  be  given 
occasional  doses  of  liquid  manure. 

Astiibe  Japonica.    Start  for  early  bloom. 

Azaleas.  For  late  blooming  keep  iu  a  cool  part  of 
the  house,  for  early  blooming  aud  young  plants  place 
in  warmest  part  of  the  house.  Plants  at  rest  should  be 
kept  only  moderately  moist. 

Abntilons.  In  order  to  secure  bushy  specimens  the 
leading  shoots  should  be  pinched  back  oceasionaliy. 

Achyranthes  as  a  winter  plant  need  a  warm  situa- 
tion, attention  as  to  watering  and  protection  against 
red  spider.  Pinch  leading  shoots  back  occasionally  to 
secure  the  desirable  bushy  form. 

Bulbs  required  for  flowers  during  the  holidays  should 
be  brought  into  heat  five  or  six  weeks  before  flowers 
are  wanted. 

Cnphea  platycentra  to  be  kept  In  a  light,  sunny  sit 
ualion  if  a  continuation  of  bloom  is  desired.  Leading 
shoots  to  he  pinched  in  occasionally. 

Cineraria  maritima  to  be  treated  like  Abutilons. 

Chinese  Primrose  should  be  carefully  watered. 
Wetting  thd  foliage  often  causes  loss  by  rot. 

Camellias.  Keep  cool  and  syringe  occasionally,  to 
retard  flowering  as  much  as  possible. 

Calceolarias  and  Cinararias  for  early  flowering 
should  be  shifted  into  large  pots.  Keep  In  a  cool,  light 
air>-  place. 

Carnations.  Water  moderately,  and  syringe  occa- 
sionally on  suuny  mornings.  Stake  and  tie  up  as  re- 
quired.    Air  freely. 

Cyclanien.9-  Keep  close  to  the  glass,  and  In  an  aver- 
age temperature  of  50  degrees.  Plants  In  bloom  may 
be  given  occasional  doses  of  liquid  manure. 

Deutzia  gracilis  for  early  blooming  to  be  started  Into 
growth  by  placing  in  gentle  heat. 

Epiphyllum  trnncatum.  Start  into  bloom  by  plac- 
ing in  a  light  sunny  situation,  and  Increasing  heat  aud 
moist  uie. 

Ferns.  Repot  when  necessary;  supply  freely  with 
water.    Keep  free  from  insects,  especially  scale. 

Gesnerias-  Water  liberally,  but  avoid  wetting  the 
foliage. 

Glozinias  now  at  rest,  and  to  be  placed  in  a  dry  sit- 
uation, and  an  average  temperature  of  50  degrees. 

Habrotamnns  In  a  sunny  situation  will  flower  free- 
ly, and  should  have  liquid  mauure  occassionally. 

Heliotropes  may  be  kept  in  boxes  or  large  pots 
where  they  have  an  abundance  of  root  room. 

Insects.  Fumigate  weekly  wlih  Tobacco  stems;  or 
keep  the  gutters  with  Tobacco  tea  on  the  pipes.  De- 
stroy mealy  bujs  by  band  picking,  and  scale  by  soap 
wash.    Syringe  the  house  frequently  for  red  spider. 

Jerusalem  Cherries.  Water  freely  and  give  liquid 
manure  occasionally.  This  will  help  to  keep  the  ber- 
ries on. 

Lily  of  the  Valley.  For  early  bloom  begin  forcing 
towards  end  of  the  month. 

Mignonette.  Keep  as  close  to  glass  as  possible. 
Water  moderately. 

Pansies  for  forcing,  keep  as  close  to  the  glass  as 
possible.  Air  freely  and  keep  the  ground  among  the 
plants  well  stirred. 

Foinsettias.  Place  in  warm,  moist  atmosphere  and 
close  to  the  glass.  Give  liquid  manure  several  times  a 
week,  and  maintain  an  average  temperature  of  60 
degrees. 


Pelargonioms.  Shift  your  plants  as  needed.  Repot 
those  cut  down  some  time  ago,  and  place  In  smallest 
suitable  pots. 

Roses  tralutM]  to  the  rafters  should  be  tied  up  as  fast 
as  they  grow,  and  a  little  weak  manure  water  given 
occasionally. 

Violets.  Keep  down  all  runners  and  dead  leaves 
and  otherwise  treat  like  Pansies.  Those  In  frames 
should  be  covered  by  end  of  monili  with  straw  mats 
or  shutters. 


FRUIT  GARDEN  AND  ORCHARD. 

Blackberries.  The  tender  sorts  In  exposed  sltua 
tlons  should  always  be  protected  against  injury  by 
laying  down.  Trim  out  the  old  wood.  Enrich  the 
field  with  stable  manure,  or  bonedust  aud  potash, 
wood  ashes,  etc.,  if  needed. 

Currants  and  Gooseberries  may  be  pruned  and 
mulched  with  stable  manure. 

Cions  of  Tree  Fruits.  Cut  and  store  in  small  bun- 
dles in  sand  in  the  cellar.  When  stored  In  large  par- 
cels they  are  liable  to  heat  and  mold. 

Cuttings.  Those  of  Grapes,  Gooseberries,  Currants, 
etc.,  must  be  treated  like  Clons  of  tree  fruits. 

Cider.  All  fruit  not  fit  for  sale  or  suitable  for  eva- 
porating should  be  turned  into  cider  and  elder  vinegar. 
Rotten  Apples  should  not  be  used. 

Grape  Vines.  Autumn  pruning  is  now  generally 
conceded  to  be  preferable  to  spring  pruning.  All  ten- 
der varieties  should  be  laid  down  upon  the  ground, 
and  perhaps  even  slightly  covered. 

Packing  Frnit.  Use  only  good,  honest  fruit,  and 
pack  it  tightlj'  in  clean  barrels,  or  crates,  labelling 
carefully. 

Raspberries.  Treat  like  Blackberries,  but  be  more 
generous  in  manuring. 

Rubbish.  Clean  up  and  burn  prunings,  leaves,  litter, 
and  the  like. 

Stra'wberries  set  in  the  fall  must  be  protected  dur- 
ing the  winter.  Two  inches  of  straw  will  answer.  See 
that  drainage  is  perfect.  Southern  people  who  desire 
to  set  northem-grovm  plants  should  buy  them  now, 
since  they  can  not  be  had  early  enough  in  the  spring. 

Stocks  for  root  grafting  shculd  be  lifted  early  this 
month  and  stored  in  earth  in  the  cellar,  or  in  cold 
frames,  where  they  can  be  got  at  easily  when  wanted. 

Young  Orchards.  Every  tree  set  this  year  should 
be  supported  and  protected  by  a  mound  around  the 
trunk.    This  is  better  than  a  stake. 


VEGETABLE  GARDEN. 

Asparagus.  Cut  oflC  the  tops  aud  burn  to  destroy 
the  seeds. 

Cabbage.  Pull  and  store  for  winter,  but  don't  cover 
very  deep  before  cold  weather  sets  in. 

Carrots.  Gather,  cut  off  the  tops  and  store  same  as 
Potatoes. 

Celery  must  be  taken  up  and  stored  before  hard 
freezing  weather  sets  in.  Place  upright  in  narrow 
trenches,  closely  together,  and  cover  with  boards, 
litter,  soil,  etc.,  as  the  season  advances.  Small  quanti 
ties  may  be  packed  in  boxes  in  moist  moss,  and  will 
keep  for  a  long  lime. 

Onions  keep  best  in  a  dry,  cool,  airy  place.  Protect 
agains-t  repeated  freezing  and  thawing. 

Plowing  in  autumn  is  usually  of  benefit,  if  the 
soil  is  reasonably  dry  the  subsoil  plow  may  follow  the 
common  plow. 

Parsnips  for  early  winter  use  to  be  taken  up  and 
stui  ed  like  Carrots.    For  spring  leave  in  the  ground. 

Rhubarb  needs  a  heavy  dressing  of  good  compost  to 
be  worked  into  the  soil  around  the  roots  in  spring. 

Spinach  will  winter  better  if  covered  with  a  few 
leaves  or  a  little  hay  just  before  the  ground  freezes 
solid. 


FRUIT  AND  VEGETABLES  UNDER 
GLASS. 

Asparagus  roots  should  be  taken  up  at  once,  and 
store<l  In  cold  frames,  so  they  can  be  got  at  when 
wanted. 

Figs  Store  those  in  tubs  or  boxes  in  a  cool  dry 
cellar  before  freezing  weather  sets  In.  Those  intended 
for  forcing  under  glass  must  now  be  brought  in. 

Frames.  The  sashes  will  soon  have  to  be  put  on  the 
cold  frames.    Get  them  iu  readiness. 

Grapes.  Keep  the  late  houses  cool  and  dry.  and  air 
freely.  Decaying  berries  to  be  removed.  Prune  the 
vines  In  the  intermediate  houses  as  soon  as  the  leaves 
fall.  Clean  off  canes  and  lay  them  down.  In  very 
early  bouses  the  vines  can  now  be  started  into  gradual 
growth.  Protect  the  borders  by  a  mulch  of  coarse 
strawy  manure  before  cold  weather  sets  in. 

Lettuce  in  cold  frames  should  be  well  aired,  and  at 
the  same  time  well  protected  from  frost  by  means  of 
mats,  shutters  etc.  In  forcing  pits  the  growing  plamts 
should  be  given  an  average  temperature^of  55  degrees. 
Air  freely  whenever  the  weather  is  suitable.  Plants 
in  cold  frames  to  be  wintered  over  should  not  be  pro- 
tected except  in  severe  storms.  The  green  fly  may  be 
kept  In  check  by  scattering  Tobacco  stems  freely 
around  the  plants. 

Pine  Apple  in  fruit  must  be  given  a  warm  moist  at- 
mosphere. Young  plants  need  a  moderately  dry  at- 
mosphere, aud  from  35  to  60  degrees  of  heat. 


Rhubarb.    Treat  same  as  Asparagus. 

Strawberries.  Those  in  pots  are  to  be  plunged  In 
cold  frames  before  severe  freezing  weather  sets  In. 
Water  sparingly. 

Salsify.    Treat  same  as  Parsnips. 

Sea  Kale.  About  last  of  the  month  cover  of  six 
Inches  or  more  of  coarse  manure  or  Utter. 

Squashes  can  be  kept  In  a  dry,  cool  place,  but  must 
be  guarded  against  frost. 

Tools.  Gather  up,  clean,  oil  aud  put  them  away 
safely  for  next  season's  use. 

Turnips.  Gather  and  stoie  in  barrels  In  a  cool  cellar 
for  immediate  w^e,  and  in  pits  for  winter  and  spring. 


THE   POULTRY  YARD. 
Steel    Trap.     If    properly    employed    it    will 
catch  many  of  the  enemies  of  the  poultry  keeper. 
Have  a  long  chain  attached  to  it  and  the  chain 

secured  by  a  weight  or  a  stake. 

Poultry  Manure  worth  Saving.  To  make  the 
best  use  of  Poultry  manure  it  must  be  kept  dry; 
composted  with  leaf  mould  or  dry  muck  and 
sprinkled  with  kalnit  or  gypsum. 

Feed  Judiciously.  While  there  are  many  who 
do  not  fee.l  lavi-^lily.  there  are  far  more  who  do 
not  feed  enough,  or  who  feed  very  irregularly, 
and  the  result  is  a  poor  lot  of  fowl^. 

Autumn  Management.  During  the  rainy  sea- 
son, give  the  fowls  a  hot  feed  in  the  morning. 
Midlings  mixed  with  chopped  greens,  with  a  por- 
tion of  meat  scraps  once  a  week,  and  wet  with 
scalding  water,  makes  good  rations.  Give  Wheat 
or  Corn  at  night.— Poultry  Monthly. 

Water  Regularly.  A  regular  supply  of  water 
is  needed,  and  this  if  possible  a  little  warm.  Use 
a  shallow  iron  vessel.  Warm  it  well  and  pour  in 
warm  water.  Being  shallow  it  will  prevent  them 
from  getting  too  wet  and  will  keei>  warm  suffi- 
ciently long  to  enable  them  all  to  secure  a  supply. 

Cheap  Convenient  Disinfectant.  Mixing  one 
bushel  of  finelj'  sifted  dirt  and  one  pound  of 
chloride  of  lime.  It  flue  Tobacco  dust  be  added, 
all  the  better.  Dust  over  the  floors  or  any  por- 
tion of  the  poultry-house,  and  it  will  greatly 
assist  in  keeping  off  disease  and  vermin.  The 
cost  is  but  a  trifle.— Fla.  Dispatch. 

Poultry  Hospital.  Every  farmer  should  have 
a  small  room  in  which  all  the  sick  chickens 
should  at  once  be  placed,  thereby  saving  the  well 
ones  from  catching  the  disease.  There  should 
also  be  a  picker  house,  in  which  to  kill  and  dress 
fowls  for  market.  These  buildings  need  not  be 
large,  and  will  be  found  very  useful. 

Keep  the  Poultry  House  Clean.  Experience 
shows  that  poultry  are  injuriously  affected  by 
the  emanations  from  filthy  guarters,  aud  besides, 
working  in  places  wheie  roost^s  and  floors  are  fil- 
thy with  droppings  is  an  unpleasant  task.  Dry 
earth  is  the  best  deodorizer  known,  and  the  best 
absorbent  to  preserve  the  manure  in  the  least 
offensive  manner. 

Automatic  Feeders.  The  latest  addition  to 
poultry  supplies  is  a  self-feeding  hopper.  It  is 
tilled  with  grain,  and  by  a  series  of  lessons  in 
gymnastics  the  bird  is  taught  to  place  its  foot  up- 
on a  lever,  agd  is  rewarded  with  a  kernel.  The 
poultry  man  that  has  no  time  to  scatter  his  feed 
with  his  hands  had  better  have  an  auction.— Ger- 
mantown  Telegraph. 

Cross  Breeding.  Cross-bred  fowls,  that  is  the 
product  of  the  uniim  of  two  pure-bred  fowls  of 
different  breeds,  are  among  the  most  profitable 
fowls  for  the  market  man.  In  the  use  of  tbem 
he  often  obtains  hardier  fowls,  better  layers,  bet- 
ter table  fowls,  and  in  a  word  those  that  are 
more  profitable  in  every  way~.H.  S.  Babcock 
before  R.  I.  Poultry  Association. 

Prepare  for  Winter.  "Let  down'^  the  fowls 
easily  and  gi-aduaJly  from  the  green  food  to  dry. 
If  you  have  a  silo  you  are  all  right.  Be  ready 
for  the  cold  wheather.  It  will  come  at  once  and 
if  you  are  not  prepared  for  it,  more  danger  can 
be  done  in  three  days  than  you  can  repair  all 
winter.  A  warm,  dry,  properly  ventilated  house 
is  the  first  thing  to  see  to. — Mass.  Plowman. 

Market  Fowls.  As  a  rule.  New  York  and  Phil- 
adelphia dealers  prefer  dressed  poultry  that  has 
the  feathers  only  removed;  head,  feet  and  entrails 
remain.  Boston,  Baltimore  and  rhicago  markets 
require  that  the  fowls  be  "drawn."  Some  mar- 
kets—as Chicago,  for  instance— give  preference 
to  dressed  poultry  that  has  been  relieved  of  the 
heads  and  which  has  the  skin  drawn  up  and  neat- 
ly tied  over  the  stumps. 

Dressing  Poultry.  To  begin  with,  let  all  the 
poultry  fast  twelve  hours  previous  to  killing  it, 
to  insure  an  empty  crop.  The  highest  prices, 
other  things  being  equal,  are  paid  for  dry-picked 
poultry.  Be  sure  and  remove  all  the  pin  feathers, 
as  any  left  in,  give  an  untidy  appearance  that 
goes  against  the  successful  marketing  of  the  birds. 
The  best  time  to  pick  poultry  without  scalding 
it  is  to  pick  while  the  birds  ai*e  warm. 

Dressing  Poultry.  If  you  want  to  know  how 
to  dress  your  poultry  so  that  {if  otherwise  good) 
it  will  command  the  highest  price,  send  right 
straight  to  a  commission  house  that  deals  in 
poultry,  or  to  some  retail  dealer  in  poultry  in 
the  place  where  you  propose  to  sell  your  poultry, 
and  find  out  just  what  kind  of  dressed  poultry 
sells  best— whether  dvy  or  wet-picked,  drawn  or 
undrawn,  is  preferred.— Prairie  Farmer. 


44 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


November, 


Correspondent  a  are  urged  to  anticipate  the  afoaon  in  pre- 
aenting  questions.  To  aak.  for  instance,  on  ApHl  1ft  or  20 
tehat  Peas  had  best  be  80U>n.  could  bring  no  answer  in 
the  May  issue,  and  none  before  June,  vhen  the  ansteer 
would  be  unaeasonable.  Qiteations  received  before  the  12TA 
of  any  month  utand  a  good  chance  of  being  anaieered  in  the 
next  paper  yut  more  than  three  questions  should  be  sent 
at  one  time.  Anstrers  to  qutstii.ns  bearing  on  the  com- 
parative vaiiu  of  tvipiements,  etc.,  offered  by  different 
dealers  must  notbe  ejrpected.  Seilher  can  tre  promise  to 
comply  wiih  tne  request  somettn-es  made  to  ''please  anazcer 
by  mail."  Inquiriea  appearing  without  name  belotig  to  the 
name  next  fodoiping 

Replies  to  Inquiries  are  earnestly  requested  from  our 
readers.  In  anawerintj  auch  give  the  number,  your 
looalfty  and  name,  the  latter  not  for  publication,  unless 
you  desire.     Write  only  on  one  side  of  the  paper. 

1.457.  Keeping  Cider  Sweet.  How  best  done  with- 
out using  sallt-yllc  acid?— M.  R..  Luzerne,  Pa, 

1.458.  Landscape  Gardening.  What  are  the  best 
works  on  landscape  and  decorative  gardening? 

1.4?9.  Amaryllis.  When  is  the  best  time  to  trans- 
plant?—S.  W.  S.,  Mokena.  Ills. 

1.490.  Crinum  Culture.  What  is  the  proper  treat- 
ment for  bloom? 

1.491.  J.  L.  Bndd  Apricot.  Is  the  foliage  like  Peach? 
P.  K.,  Aledo.  Ills. 

1.492.  Transplanting  Large  Trees.  Can  It  be  done, 
and  would  such  operation  t«ud  to  restore  ray  Seckel 
Pear  tree  to  fruitfuJness?— W.  S.  H.,  Montclair,  N.  J. 

1.493.  Blackberry  Disease.  Stalk  seems  enlarged  at 
top,  curls  over;  leaves  curl,  no  fruit,  no  ^owth.  What 
is  the  matter?- D.  E.  V.  B.,  Middletoic-n,  Conn. 

1.494.  Marianna  Plum  as  Stock.  Can  Peaches  be 
budded  or  grafted  on  it? 

1.495.  Plum  for  Market.  What  variety  is  considered 
most  profitable?- C.  L.  B..  Dayton.  O. 

1,49«.  Water  Lily.  When  should  they  be  planted  in 
greenhouse,  and  how  treated?— E.  A.,  Melrose  High- 
lattds.  Mass. 

1.497.  Pistillate  Strawberries.  Are  they  more  pro- 
ductive than  the  perfect  flowering  ones?— C.  C.  T., 
Harvard,  Mass. 

1.498.  Begonias  and  Abulilons.  How  late  can  they 
be  left  out  doors  safely? 

1.499.  Hot-bed  for  Lettuce,  Parsley,  Etc.  How  ar- 
ranged and  how  managed? 

1,6W).  Plants  for  Small  Conservatory.  Please  give 
list  of  stiitable  bulbs  and  plants  from  seed.— Hakris. 

1.501.  Starting  Grape  Seedlings.  When  and  how 
should  seed  be  sown?— G.  D.  C.  E. 

1.502.  Planting  Raspberries.  Should  It  be  done  In 
fall  or  spring? 

1,5(1-3.  Manuring  Blackberries.  Will  a  shovelful  of 
manure  to  the  hill  increase  next  year's  crop?  Land 
rather  thin.— D.  P..  Foiilar  Grove,  Ind. 

1.504.  Pandanus.  How  propagated  and  mjinaged?— 
D.  E.,  Mt.  St.  Vincent,  X.  T. 

1.505.  Peaches  for  Market.  Please  give  list  of  best 
early,  medium  and  late.— J.  B.  C,  Pitkin,  Ills. 

I,5it6.  Propagation  of  Hard-Wooded  Shrubs. 
How  can  plants  of  Lilacs,  Altheas,  Exochordias, 
Hydrangeas,  etc..  best  be  grown  for  spring  sale?— B.  H. 
J.,  N.  Mex. 

1,507.  Clematis,  Wistaria,  Etc.  How  propagated 
for  spring  sale?  Also  Ampelopsis,  Honeysuckle,  etc.— 
B.  fl.I. 

1.503.  Layering  Shrubs.  When  and  how  should 
this  be  done  ? 

\,W9.  Best  Potato,  Name  best  for  home  use  and 
market.— SL'B. 

1.510.  Pruning  Apples.  When  should  It  be  done,  In 
autumn  or  spring? 

1.511.  Salem  Grape.  How  much  protection  does  It 
require  with  20^  or  '■io'^  below  zero  occasionally? 

1.512.  Variegated  Grape.  Is  there  one  in  cultiva- 
tion?—T.  W.,  Muscotuh,  Kans. 

1.513.  Breaking  Down  Onion  Tops.  Is  this  gener 
ally  practiced  by  growers,  and  at  what  stage  of  growth 
to  hurry  up  maturity?- S.  R.  R.,  Woodside,  Del. 

1.514.  Early  Strawberry.  Which  would  do  for  this 
climate?  Wilson,  Crescent,  etc.,  good,  but  not  early 
enough?~R.  A.,  Calhoun,  Miss. 

1.515.  Soft  Soap  for  Syringing.  Where  can  I  get  It? 
T.  M.,  Pittshiirgh,  Pa. 

1.516.  Potash  Salts.  Where  can  they  be  had  nearest 
here  and  at  what  price?  Is  washing  soda  profitable  at 
two  cents  per  pound  ?— J.  G.  K..  Buckner,  Ky. 

1.517.  Moving  Large  Fruit  Trees.  Will  It  pay  with 

trees  nine  or  ten  years  old?— D.  R.,  Chelsea,  Mass. 

1.518.  Tree  Cricket.  What  Insect  has  laid  Its  eggs 
Into  my  Raspberry  canes?— G.  A.  H.,  Dafid  City,  Neb. 

1.519.  Mnsas  in  Conservatory.  What  care  do  they 
need?     Much  watering  ()r  little? 

1.520.  Rhododendrons  and  Japan  Maples.  Do  they 
require  winter  protection  in  Slassachusetts?- H.  L.  N., 
Grafton,  Mass. 

1.521.  White's  Northern  Muscat  Grape.  Is  this  of 
any  accoimt?— G.  H.  R.,  Alpiiw.  Mich. 

1.522.  Treatment  of  Sloping  Lawn.  Is  there  a  bet- 
ter way  than  sodding?  I  hear  they  now  mix  up  the 
seed  with  soil,  old  horse  manure  and  water,  and  apply 
with  trowel  like  mortar.— E.  D.  S.,  Windsor,  .V.  S. 


l.Sil.  Hydrangea  Paniculata  grandiflora.  How 
are  cuttings  kept  over  winter,  or  will  they  do  better  If 
planted  now?— P.  H.  B.,  Babylon,  N.  Y. 

1.524.  Small  Propagating  House.  How  best  built 
and  heated,  and  at  what  cost?— D.  A.  R  ,  Chelsea,  Mass. 

1.525.  Yield  oi  Raspberries.  Is  there  much  differ- 
ence between  Nemaha,  Gregg,  Tyler  and  Soughegan?— 
H.  P.  N.  Mchols,  Conn. 

1.526.  Parasite  Breeding.  How  can  we  get  the  par- 
asites that  prey  on  Injurious  insects,  and  utilize  them, 
as  suggested  by  Prof.  Fernald  (see  page  184,  Vol.  4}?— 
N.  C.  E.,  RUlgeville,  Tenn. 

1.527.  Paint  for  Apple  Trees.  Will  a  paint  made  of 
white  lead  and  linseed  oil  Injure  the  stems?  Have 
used  this  for  sun  scald  with  good  efEect.—H.  J.  S.,  Dei 
Norte,  Col. 

1.528.  Roses  Ailing.  Apparently  In  full  vigor,  sud- 
denly they  wither,  leaves  turning  yellow  and  die. 
Roots  turn  black  and  begin  to  rot  before  bush  shows 
s^lgns  of  ailment.  What  Is  the  matter?— Mrs.  F.  A.  G., 
Varden,  Miss. 

1.529.  Botan  Plum  Ailing.  Gum  oozing  out  on  stem, 
bark  dead  in  some  parts.    What  Is  It? 

1.530.  Budding  Trees.  Please  give  directions.— 
J.  B.,  Brockicay  Center,  Mich. 

1.531.  Salt  for  Slugs.  How  much  .should  be  applied 
to  rich,  sandy  loam,  and  when?  Or  Is  there  a  better 
remedy  for  snails,  slugs,  earth  worms,  etc.?— J.  B., 
Augusta,  Maine. 

1.532.  Heuchera  Sanguinea.  Where  can  seed  be 
obtained?    H.  E.  B..  Marlboro,  N.  H. 

1.533.  Hardy  Flowering  Shrub.  Recommend  one 
able  to  endure  10*  below  zero,  and  blooming  morethan 
once  each  season?    G.  B.  D.  v.,  Bronnock,  Ariz. 

1.534.  Grapes  Dropping.  Bunches  drop  when  touch- 
ed. Vines  on  arbor  bearing  only  on  top.  Should  vines 
be  cut  to  ground?    W.  S.  C,  Chicago. 

1.535.  Weaver  Plum.  Please  give  descrlptlomJ.C.K. 

REPLIES    TO    INQUIRIES. 

1,399.  Hauling  Manure.  In  this  locality  farm- 
ers and  market  gardeners  haul  manure  six  and 
even  ten  miles,  after  buying  it  at  a  fixed  rate  per 
cord.  Manure  of  any  kind  is  usually  less  affect- 
ive on  upland  than  on  low,  as  it  Is  naturally 
drained  from  the  soil  to  a  greater  or  less  extent 
on  hilly  land  or  where  there  is  a  natural  slope.— 
M.  B.  Faxon. 

1,393.  Pruning  Raspberries.  When  laying 
down  for  winter  Raspberries  and  Blackberries 
should  be  cut  back  to  about  four  feet.— M.  B.  F. 

1.481.  Small  Peaches.  Your  tree  is  either  dis- 
eased or  starved.  Try  thorough  clean  culture 
and  application  of  woodashes,  kainit  or  muriate 
of  potash  in  liberal  quantities;  or  if  the  tree  is 
affected  by  yellows  to  such  a  degree  that  its  re- 
covery by  feeding  with  potash  seems  doubtful, 
tear  it  out  and  burn  it.— P.  G. 

1.482.  J.  L.  Budd  Apricot.  We  know  of  no 
Apricot  having  leaves  resembling  those  of  the 
Peach.  Your  tree  undoubtedly  Is  nothing  more 
nor  less  than  a  Peach  tree,  or  a  sprout  from  the 
stock,  the  bud  having  failed  to  take.— P.  G. 

1,494.  Uarlannaas  Stock.  The  Marianna  Plum 
owing  to  the  readiness  with  which  it  can  be  prop- 
agated from  cuttings,  is  much  used  as  a  stock 
for  other  Plums,  and  apparently  with  good  re- 
sults. The  best  thing  you  can  do  with  your 
Marianna  trees  is  to  graft  better  and  more  reli- 
able sorts  upon  them,  select  whatever  sorts  will 
do  well  in  your  locality,  and  amongst  others, 
try  also  the  Botan.  Peaches  may  lie  budded  on 
Marianna  stock,  but  it  Is  doubtful  whether  this 
course  could  be  recommended.  We  would  rather 
tear  up  the  Plums,  and  replant  with  young 
thrifty  Peach  trees,  if  ive  thought  Peaches  more 
desirable  ot  the  piece  than  Plums.— P.  G. 

1 ,497.  Pistillate  Strawberries.  These  are 
usually  considered  more  productive  than  the  bi- 
sexual or  perfect  varieties.  With  all  the  new 
varieties  introduced,  it  is  yet  a  matter  of  serious 
doubt  wether  we  have  a  single  sort  equalling  the 
old  pistillate  Crescent,  when  this  Is  given  a 
proper  chance  of  poilenization  by  intermixing 
it  with  some  free  poUen-producer,  like  Wilson, 
Sharpless,  James  Vick,  etc.— P.  G. 

1.502.  Planting  Easpberries.  This  can  be 
done  at  any  time,  but  we  have  always  had  the 
best  success  with  fall  planting.  This  is  generally 
considered  preferable  and  can  l_>e  (.lone  any  time 
before  the  ground  freezes  permanently.  Such 
plants  have  always  a  good  start  before  those  set 
in  spring,  however  early  this  may  be  done.— P. G. 

1.503.  Manuring  Blackberries.  Good  crops 
can  usually  be  grown  on  land  not  excessively 
rich;  but  we  would  not  dispise  the  advantiiges 
which  a  shovelful  of  good  compost  to  each  hill 
would  secure  in  "rather  thin  "  soil.  Indeed  we 
are  not  much  afraid  of  "  good  manure  "  for  any 
crop.— P.  G. 

1,474.  Pruning  Raspberries,  etc.  I  cut  soon 
after  fruiting  tn  give  more  room  for  new  canes  to 
grow.  Some  i)eople  think  the  old  canes  protect 
the  others  in  the  winter.  May  be  they  do,  but  if 
removed  early,  the  new  canes  will  make  a  better 
growth  and  thus  be  better  able  to  protect  thoni- 
selves.  Raspberries  may  be  pruned  when  there 
is  no  other  w(irk  late  in  fall:  in  winter,  when 
there  is  no  snow;  or,  early  insuring.— L.J.Farmir. 


l,51t).  Potash  Salts.  Our  friends  in  Kentucky 
might  get  their  supply  of  kainit  and  muriate  of 
potash  from  any  of  the  large  fertilizer  tirms  in 
Baltimore,  at  $13  to  SI »  per  ton  for  the  former, 
and  S45  for  the  latter;  but  it  would  certainly  be 
ad\isable  for  a  number  of  growers  to  club  to- 
gether and  buy  a  carload  or  a  cargo  together  di- 
rectly from  the  importer.  The  needed  potash, 
however,  can  often  be  had  in  Sfmthern  sections 
much  the  cheapest  in  the  form  of  wood  ashes, 
cotton  seed  hull  ashes,  or  perhaps  Tobacco 
refuse,  and  before  investing  in  the  foreign  article, 
it  is  always  well  to  examine  the  home  market 
closely  for  cheaper  home-made  substitutes. 

1.509.  Best  Potato.  The  Early  Rose  and  its 
various  strains  and  seedlings— all  under  the  name 
Early  Rose— are  yet  considered  among  the  very 
best  market  sorts,  and  good  for  home  use  also. 
Their  greatest  fault  is  their  lack  of  keeping 
quality.  Beauty  of  Hebron  is  also  a  superior  ear- 
Ij'  sort  for  market.  For  home  use  we  have  usu- 
ally given  the  Early  Ohio  and  Early  Sunrise  the 
preference.  The  former  Is  probably  the  earli- 
est good  sort  in  existence,  but  many  growers 
complain  of  its  not  being  productive  enough. 
Early  Sunrise  is  also  decidedly  earlier  than  Early 
Rose;  and  both  (Ohio  and  Sunrise)  are  better 
keepers  than  the  Rose,  the  Ohio  really  one  of  the 
very  best.  For  late  use  or  market  the  White  Star 
and  Empire  State  are  often  unsurpassed.  But  so 
much  depends  an  local  condition,  that  a  definitive 
answer  could  hardly  be  ^iven.  The  Western 
Rural  answers  a  similar  question  as  follows:  That 
question  to  use  a  vulgar  expression,  is  a  poser. 
We  forget  just  how  many  varieties  of  Potatoes 
there  are  said  t<i  be,  but  they  may  be  said  to  be 
almost  innumerable;  and  to  sa.v  which  is  abso- 
lutely best,  is  impossible.  It  is  impossible  to  say 
whicTti  of  even  the  best  known  and  more  common- 
ly cultivated  varieties  ai-e  best  in  any  particular 
case,  without  knowing  all  about  the  conditions, 
and  it  might  not  be  possible  even  then.  The  best 
ad\ice  we  can  give  our  correspondent,  we  think, 
is  to  try  several  varieties.  The  catalogues  of  our 
seedsmen  cont*tin  a  description  of  our  old  and 
new  varieties  that  are  being  introduced.  It  is 
not  much  trouble  to  test  them.~P.  G. 

1.510.  Pruning  Grapes.  See  reply  to  1,446,  page 
21  of  this  volume. 

1,347.  Canning  Fruitt  Corn,  etc.  "A  man  "in 
Rural  New  Yorker  gives  the  following  sensible 
directions,  which  we  have  no  doubt,  the  inquirer 
and  many  more  of  our  readers  will  find  useful: 
In  canning  berries  the  less  water  used  the  better 
the  berries  will  be.  If  a  few  aie  pressed  and  the 
juice  is  used  for  cooking  the  others,  the  best  pos- 
sible results  will  be  obtained.  I  consider  yellow 
Peaches  alone  fit  for  canning  purposes.  Peaches 
properly  canned  should  show  clear  syrup  when 
opened.  Soft  Peaches,  properly  handled  before 
canning  will  make  a  thick  syrup  full  of  floating 
particles.  For  a  prime  article,  take  fruit  fully 
ripe  but  not  soft,  pi-epare  by  hand,  dropping  each 
piece  in  the  water  as  soon  as  cut.  If  glass  is  to  be 
used,  cook  the  fruit  for  a  few  minutes  and  can. 
If  tin  cans  fastened  with  solder  are  used,  the 
fruit  may  be  scalded  to  make  it  pack  closely,  and 
packed  with  the  fingers,  sealed  up,  except  a  small 
hole,  and  placed  for  five  minutes  in  boiling  water 
to  expel  the  air,  seal  up  tightly  and  boil  20  to  30 
minutes.  Tomatoes  should  be  scalded,  skinned, 
cut,  and  thoroughly  cooked  if  glass  is  used.  If 
tin  cans  are  used,  (and  they  are  much  better  than 
glass),  pack  in  the  raw  Tomatoes  as  long  as  you 
can,  pressing  out  all  juice  and  seeds  possible,  and 
proceed  as  with  Peaches,  except  that  it  is  better 
to  boil  them  twice  as  long.  Corn  and  Peas  are 
very  hard  to  keep  by  ordinary  methods.  The 
method  used  by  canneries  is  as  follows:  The  Corn 
is  husked  and  then  piissed  through  the  cutting 
machines.  Another  machine  removes  all  the 
silks,  and  the  Corn  is  packed  into  tin  cans  by 
hand.  The  cans  are  filled  with  hot  salt  water, 
sealed,  heated  and  vented;  the  vents  are  closed, 
and  the  cans  are  finally  boiled  in  a  steam-tight 
kettle  for  about  40  minutes  at  a  temperature  of 
245  degrees,  more  or  less.  The  impossibility  of 
securing  such  a  degree  of  heat  is  the  reason  why 
there  are  so  many  failures  in  the  household. 
Four  or  five  hours  boiling  sometimes  will  do,  but 
oftener  will  not.  Some  people  use  cloths  wrung 
out  of  hot  water  >%Tapped  around  them,  but  bv 
wrapping  a  dry  cloth  of  any  kind  around  each 
can,  j'ou  can  get  a  good  grip  on  the  ends  and  you 
can  liold  it  any  way  and  anywhere  you  want  It 
while  filUng.  and  you  can  put  it  on  a  table  or 
elsewhere  without  blistering  your  hands.  Fruit 
put  up  in  tins  certainly  are  better  in  taste.  I 
have  yet  to  see  the  first  good  Tomatoes  pre- 
served in  glass.— P.  G. 

1,470.  Setting  Fruit  Trees.  It  is  best  to  get 
trees  from  the  nursery  in  the  fall  but  not  to  set 
out  permanently  as  heavy  winds  will  wrench 
and  hurt  them.  Better  way  is  to  plow  a  ditch 
by  throwing  out  two  furrows  on  a  dry  knoll  and 
in  this  plant  or  "  heal  in  "  the  ti-ees  inclining  the 
botiies  to  an  angle  of  45".  Cover  the  roots  with 
earth  when  set  and  just  befoi*e  winter  sets  in, 
eover  them  with  earth.  Do  not  put  straw  or 
nuiterial  over  them  that  will  draw  mice  to  gnaw 
the  bark.  Uncover  toi>s  early  iu  spring  and  set 
when  ready.— I/.  J.  Farmer. 


1889. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


45 


1.4-4.  Keeping  Sweet  Potatoes.  Tlie  Western 
Hunil  tells  u  iiiirt\*poudent  who  at^ks  the  same 
iiuestion,  they  eau  be  kept  for  several  inimths  in 
an  iirdinary  eellar.  it  he  is  careful  in  handling 
them.  They  should  be  thoroughly  ilried  before 
being  put  awav,  and  so  carefully  handled  as  not 
to  bruise  them.  The  drying  ma>-  be  done  in  the 
sunshiiu'.  spreading  them  out  carefully  so  the 
siHi  lan  itet  at  them,  and  earefullj-  coveruig  them 
at  night  so  that  the  dews  will  not  got  on  them, 
or  they  may  lie  dried  in  a  kiln  Kor  faniil.v  use 
drying  in  the  sxmshiue  would,  of  coui'se,  be  the 
cheapest  and  would  answer  all  purposes.  The 
cellar  in  which  they  are  kept  should  be  dry,  and 
is  lietter  when  possible  to  so  put  them  away 
that  the  air  can  have  free  access  through  them. 

\.M~.  Heating  Amatetir  Greenhouse,  Any 
ordinary  oil  stove  can  be  used  for  a  small  build- 
ing. Have  a  drum  made  with  opening  in  bottom 
to  let  the  direct  heat  in  from  the  burner  as  shown 


Oil  Stove  and  Drtim  for  heating  small  Greenhouse. 

in  illustration.  If  the  best  of  oil  is  used  and 
burners  kept  clean,  there  is  no  need  of  having 
any  escav>e  lor  the  smoke  to  the  outride.  If  this 
is  not  done,  the  stove  will  smoke,  and  give  you 
trouble  unless  you  proride  an  outlet  through 
pipe  to  the  outside.— H.  J.  Emmerich,  Mil. 

1,477.  Httlchin?  Strawberries.  We  cover  our 
Strawberries  fii'st  time  the  ground  freezes  up 
solid  enough  to  bear  a  team  and  wagon.  We 
drive  anywhere  on  the  patch  depositing  the  litter 
where  we  want  it.  I  like  to  have  them  covered 
by  December  1st.  When  covered  before  severe 
freezing  weather,  the  mulch  is  liable  to  smother 
them  and  to  make  them  too  tender  to  bear  the 
severest  weather  later  on.  We  use  straw,  spread- 
ing it  evenly  all  over  the  ground  deep  enough  so 
as  to  hide  tne  plants  from  view,  say  about  two 
to  three  inches  deep.  Some  of  ray  neighbors 
who  have  used  Buckwheat  straw  report  that  it 
injures  the  plants  and  the  crop.  Others  report 
favorably.— i.  T.  Farmer. 

1.4S2.  Kainit  on  Strawberries.  The  supposi- 
tion that  we  know  everything  in  regard  to  fruit 
culture  frequently  puts  us  "in  a  hole."  We  have 
been  very  anxious  to  find  out  the  whole  truth 
about  kainit,  its  effects,  and  its  value  as  a  fertil- 
izer, especially  for  fruits,  but  all  our  efforts  in 
this  direction  have  only  lead  to  the  discovery, 
that  even  our  best  authorities,  agricultural 
chemist*  and  college  professors  included,  can 
give  us  very  little  information  on  the  subject, 
and  that  we  are  yet  somewhat  in  the  dark. 
However,  we  have  the  following  recognized 
facts.  Kainit  has  about  15  to  16  percent.  pota.sh, 
partly  as  sulphate  and  partly  as  muriate,  and  as 
a  provider  of  this  one  element  of  plant  food  to 
soils  deficient  in  it,  is  worth  its  full  purchase 
price  when  this  is  not  above  §1.5.00  per  ton.  The 
older  soils  of  New  Jersey  are  very  apt  to  lack 
potash,  and  since  this  element  is  so  important  in 
the  production  of  good  fruits,  especially  Straw- 
berries, good  results  could  be  hoped  for  from 
kainit  applications.  The  action  of  this  salt  being 
slow,  fall  is  considered  preferable  to  spring  for 
applying  it.  Besides  directly  ser\ing  as  food  to 
plants,  kainit  also  gives  the  advantages  that 
could  be  expected  from  the  application  of  land 
plaster  or  gypsum,  and  this  perhaps  even  in  an 
intensified  degree.  It  absords  or  "fixes"  am- 
monia, by  an  e.vcliange  of  itssuljjhuric  acid  with 
the  carbonic  acid  of  the  volatile  carbonate  of 
ammonia,  thus  forming  the  stable  "  sulphate  of 
ammonia"  and  the  valuable  "carbonate  of  pot- 
ash," which  are  among  the  very  best  and  most  ef- 
fective of  the  compounds  of  these  plant-food  ele- 
ments. Kainit  also  contains  common  salt,  and 
will  give  all  the  effects  which  applications  of  the 
latter  can  show.  Considering  all  these  various 
services,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  kainit  has 
really  a  greater  money  value  as  a  fertilizer  than 
should  be  inferred  from  the  mere  percentage 
of  potash  which  it  contains.  We  would  apply  it 
at  the  rate  of  about  500  pounds  per  acre,  and  in 
some  cases  perhaps  upwards,  and  about  1000 
pounds  of  bone  per  acre  besides,  in  order  to  sup- 
ply also  the  needs  of  the  crop  in  phosphoric  acid. 

1,.517.  Moving  Large  Fruit  Trees.  If  the  trees 
have  to  be  taken  up  to  make  room  for  a  build- 
ing, for  instance,  and  they  are  healthy  and  bear 
good  fruit,  we  would  certainly  try  to  save  them. 
This  can  easily  be  done  by  the  excercise  of  care 
and  judgment.    See  also  reply  to  1,492. 

1..518.  Tree  Cricket.  The  damage  was  done  by 
the  snowy  tree  cricket.  Full  information  on  this 
insect  was  given  on  page  241  (Vol.  4)  of  Popular 
Gardening  in  reply  to  the  similar  query  No.  1,314. 


I,4i4.  Keepini;  Sweet  Potatoes.  The  KarLsas 
Farmer,  in  reply  tt)  a  similar  inquiry,  gives  the 
following  hints:  Sweet  Potatoes  are  sensitive  in 
every  resiiect,  us  to  changes  of  temperature, 
moisture  and  handling.  .\  light  frost  will  endan- 
ger their  keeping  civialities;  exposure  to  any  kiml 
of  weather  in  the  open  field  is  not  good,  and  es- 
pecially to  wet  weather.  They  will  lie  on  a  floor 
that  is  inclosed  and  roofed  a  long  time  without 
injury,  if  they  are  put  there  without  bruising, 
and  if  the  pile  is  not  deep,  and  if  the  temperature 
does  not  get  near  the  freezing  point.  They  must 
not  lie  long  in  the  sun,  they  must  not  lie  long  in 
the  wet,  they  must  not  lie  in  the  cold.  As  soon 
as  the  Potatoes  are  matured  they  should  be 
raised.  This  must  be  done  before  the  late  fall 
rains  and  before  hea^T  frosts  come.  A  frost  that 
will  kill  the  vines  will  not  affect  the  Potatoes  un- 
less it  also  freezes  the  soil.  But  get  them  out  at 
once.  Never  leave  out  over  night  what  you 
raise  during  the  day.  Pick  those  which  are  to  be 
preserved  over  winter  as  carefully  as  Apples  are 
picked,  and  put  them  in  a  dry,  cool  place  that  is 
well  secured  against  rain  and  frost.  Dry  ground 
makes  a  good  floor,  provided  it  is  so  protected  as 
to  be  free  from  effects  of  rain  or  cold  on  the  out- 
side. The  pile  must  not  be  deep— a  foot  in  depth 
is  enough  during  the  warm  weather  of  the  fall 
months;  it  might  be  made  deeper  late  in  Decem- 
ber, when  the  Potatoes  are  picked  over  and  all 
damaged  ones  are  thrown  away.  Such  as  are 
skinned  or  bruised  or  broken  or  cut  during  the 
process  of  raising  should  be  kept  by  themselves 
and  used  as  fast  as  needed.  They  won't  keep 
long.  The  smaller  Potatoes,  if  they  are  sound 
and  well  matured,  those  say  one  inch  or  one  and 
a  half  inches  in  diameter,  should  be  saved  at  the 
first  picking  for  seed.  They  are  quite  as  good  as 
large  ones.  For  keeping  them  through  the  win- 
ter, store  boxes  and  old  barrels  will  do  for  small 
quantities,  but  they  must  be  made  absolutely 
frost-proof.  They  should  have  a  little  ventila- 
tion occasionally.  For  larger  quantities,  if  one 
has  no  bins  prepared  for  the  purpose  and  has  not 
conveniences  to  prepare  them,  make  a  "  cave  " — 
a  cellar  mostly  above  ground.  This  can  be  done 
with  but  little  labor  and  no  e-xpense  beyond  a 
few  nails,  and  lumber  enough  to  make  a  little 
door,  with  two  posts  and  a  few  strips  to  lean 
from  the  ground  to  the  ridge-pole,  on  which  to 
lay  hay  and  cover  with  earth.  The  two  import- 
ant things  about  keeping  sweet  Potatoes  in  win- 
ter are  to  keep  them  dry  and  warm  enough  to 
prevent  their  freezing.  Make  the  arrangement 
so  that  fresh  air  may  be  passed  over  them.  They 
are  better  packed  in  dry  sand,  chaff,  cut  straw  or 
some  similar  matter.  Don't  cover  them  for  win- 
ter until  the  season  admonishes  you;  that  is  to 
say,  keep  them  in  a  dry,  cool  place  until  frosts 
appear,  then  close  them  in. 

I.IK.  Transplanting  Large  Trees.  It  can  be 
done,  but  whether  it  would  be  advisable  or  not 
is  yet  another  question.  We  fear  it  is  not.  In 
fact  it  is  not  often  very  satisfactory  to  move 
trees  of  any  kind  larger  than  can  be  readily 
handled  with  nearly  all  their  roots.  One  of  our 
exchanges  points  out  some  facts  that  should  be 
understood  by  any  one  desirous  of  moving  a 
large  tree.  The  first  is  that  you  are  undertaking 
a  large  job;  second,  if  it  is  not  done  well,  so  the 
tree  will  thrive,  it  is  labor  worse  than  wasted,  for 
there  is  more  pleasure  in  seeing  a  small  tree  grow 
than  in  seeing  a  large  one  die.  With  these  two 
points  in  mind,  consider  the  location  and  the  dis- 
tance it  has  to  be  moved,  and  the  means  at  hand. 
In  many  cases  it  will  be  found  best  to  dig  a  trench 
around  the  tree  and  cut  off  the  long  roots,  leav- 
ing roots  and  soil  enough  to  support  the  tree  this 
tall,  and  leave  the  trench  open  and  drained  so  it 
will  not  fill  with  water.  Then  dig  a  hole  where 
you  want  the  tree  to  stand  large  enough  to  hold 
the  ball  of  earth  that  is  left  on  the  roots.  Then 
after  the  soil  is  frozen  as  hard  as  it  will  be.  loosen 
the  tree  by  pulling  on  the  top,  and  tip  it  over; 
move  it  on  a  sled  and  set  it  in  the  hole  and  brace 
it  up.  Then  in  spring,  when  the  soil  thaws,  the 
job  can  be  completed.  In  the  case  cited  by  you, 
however,  we  would  resort  to  simpler,  safer  and 
really  more  sensible  means  than  transplanting 
the  Pear  tree.  Turn  under  the  sod  mot  only 
within  a  radius  of  four  feet  from  the  tree,  as  you 
have  done,  but  at  least  of  a  rod)  by  plowing, 
spreading  or  digging.  Do  not  permit  weeds  or 
grass  to  grow,  and  apply  plenty  of  good  fertilizer, 
especially  of  a  mineral  nature- bone  or  other 
forms  of  phosphate  and  potash.  Wood  ashes  can 
not  be  surpassed  as  a  fertilizer  for  fruit  trees. 
Kainit  is  good.  Treat  the  tree  in  this  way,  and 
we  have  not  a  particle  of  doubt  that  it  will  give 
you  again  the  old-time  abundant  crops. 

1,476.  Apples  for  Home  Use.  We  have  tried 
the  plan  of  packing  Apples  in  bran,  sawdust  and 
Oats.  In  bran  they  soon  began  to  heat,  and  near- 
ly the  whole  fruit  thus  packed  was  spoiled.  In 
hardwood  sawdust  they  kept  pretty  well,  while 
Pine  sawdust  imparted  its  peculiar  pitchy  flavor, 
and  spoiled  the  Apples  for  our  taste.  Aiiples 
packed  in  dry  Oats,  however,  kept  in  perfect 
condition,  and  we  consider  it  a  very  superior  way 
of  preserving  Apples  (and  probably  Pears  also) 
for  home  use.    Try  it  and  report  results.- P.  G. 


1,4'*7.  Keeping  Cider  Sweet.  We  greatly  doubt 
that  salicyhc  acid  when  used  in  preserving  cider 
in  the  small  quantities  needed  -one  or  one  and 
one-half  ounces  of  the  drug  to  the  barrel  of  cider 
—would  prove  so  ver.v  injurious  to  the  health  of 
the  moderate  user  of  such  leverage.  The  drug  is 
now  much  used  in  medicinal  art  in  much  larger 
doses,  tor  instance  for  certain  kinds  of  periodical 
headaches.  The  following  method,  however,  is 
vouchcxl  tor  by  one  of  our  exchanges  to  give 
good  results:  Allow  the  cider  to  work  until  it 
reaches  the  condition  most  desirable  to  the  taste, 
then  add  one  and  one-half  tumblers  of  grated 
Horseradish  to  a  barrel  of  cider  and  shake  well. 
This  arrests  fermentation.  After  remaininga  tew 
weeks,  rake  off  and  bung  up  tightly  in  a  clean 
cask.  It  is  also  said  that  cider  may  be  kept  sweet 
for  years  by  putting  it  up  in  cans  after  the  man- 
ner of  canning  fruit.  The  cider  should  first  be 
allowed  to  settle.and  then  be  racked  or  syphoned 
off  from  the  dregs  and  canned  before  fermenta- 
tion begins. 

1,4.38.  Water  for  Plants.  Nothing  better  than 
rain  or  spring  water.  Li<juid  manure  can  be 
given  occasionally,  or  whenever  the  cultivator 
thinks  the  plants  will  be  benefited  bj'  it.  Don't 
use  the  iron  and  sulphur  water.— C.  E.  P. 

1,4.58.  Planting  Trees,  etc.  Apple  Pear  and 
Quince  trees  can  be  planted  in  the  fall  with  de- 
cided advantage.  The  stone  fruits  such  as 
Peaches,  Plums,Cherries,  etc.,  do  best  when  plant- 
ed in  the  spring.  Deciduous  shrubs  can  be  plant- 
ed in  the  fall  and  so  can  vines,  but  if  they  are 
small  I  would  not  plant  until  spring — C.  E.  P. 

1,457.  Fertilizers  for  Palms,  etc.  If  the  pots 
are  well  filled  with  roots  occasional  waterings 
with  liquid  manure  will  he  of  the  greatest  ad- 
vantage. Be  careful,  however,  not  to  use  it  too 
strong.-C.  E.  Pabnell. 

1,466.  Laying  down  Grape  Vines.  Should  be 
done  just  before  the  ground  freezes.— P. 

1,463.  Potato  Digger.  The  Mattice  &  Keeler 
Potato  Digger  has  been  quite  extensively  used 
in  this  vicinity  the  past  season,  and  with  very 
satisfactory  results.— L'has.  E.  Pabsell. 

1,470.  Setting  Froit  Trees.  For  the  last  three 
years  I  have  been  experimenting  on  the  tantalizing 
question  of  whether  it  is  best  to  set  out  fruit  trees 
in  spring  or  fall.  I  take  pride  in  the  thrifty  condi- 
tion of  my  young  trees.  I  have  found  that  with 
the  same  care  in  the  planting,  trees  set  out  in  the 
fall  are  equal  in  every  case  and  in  many  cases 
superior  to  those  spring  planted.  With  fall-set 
trees  I  throw  from  a  foot  to  eighteen  inches  of 
earth  around  the  trunk  of  the  tree  to  keep  it  from 
heaving  on  account  of  frost  and  from  swaying  in 
the  wind.  It  should  be  removed  early  io  spring. 
Thus,  fall-set  trees  are  in  a  better  condition  to  stand 
the  winter  than  if  they  were  trenched  in,  they  be- 
come settled  in  the  gi-ound  and  are  ready  for 
growth  the  first  thing  in  the  spring.  None  of  my 
trees  do  as  well  the  first  year  as  the  second,  but 
my  fall-set  trees  invariably  do  better  the  first  year 
than  those  planted  in  the  spring — F.  W.Brooke, Mich. 

1,40.3.  Prtining  Bed  Easpberries.  I  usually 
wait  until  early  spring,  as  in  my  experience  the  old 
growth  seems  to  offer  a  certain  protection  to  the 
new.    It  may  be  done  late  in  the  fall,  however.— F. 

1,406.  Wintering  Water  Lilies.  The  tub 
should  be  partially  filled  with  water  and  will  need 
renewing  now  and  then  to  keep  it  from  becoming 
stagnant.— M  B.  F. 

1,409.  Protecting  Grape  Vines  andBaspberries. 
Grapes  should  be  cut  back  to  about  two  buds  of 
the  present  seasons  growth,  then  laid  on  the  ground, 
and  if  need  be  held  down  by  stakes,  then  a  covering 
of  straw,  evergreen  boughs  or  even  earth  should 
be  given.  A  great  quantity  is  not  needed.  Rasp- 
berries may  be  covered  in  the  same  manner  ex- 
cept  that  in  bending  over  a  shovel  full  of  earth 
should  be  placed  next  to  the  plant  so  as  not  to 
make  too  sharp  an  angle  in  bending  the  canes 
down.— M.  B.  Faxon. 

1,415.  Hollyhock  Fungns.  This  blight  seems 
to  be  quite  general.  So  far  as  I  am  aware  no 
remedies  have  as  yet  been  found.  — M.  B.  F. 

1,431.  Lily  of  the  Vally.  Pips  or  clumps  may 
be  obtained  of  any  bulb  dealer  about  November  1st. 
Plant  preferably  in  a  partially  shaded  location 
about  three  inches  deep.  They  are  perfectly  hardy. 
— M.  B.  Faxos. 

1,422.  Ferns  from  Seed.  The  seed  or  spores 
may  be  planted  the  same  as  other  fine  seeds .  Keep 
the  soil  coDstanly  moist.- M.  B.  F. 

1,436.  Prickly  Comfrey  and  Winter  Vetch. 
Mrs.  J.  S.  E.  Thompson,  Sparfansburgh,  N.  C.  can 
supply  the  former  and  Northrup  Braslau  Goodwin 
&  Co.,  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  catalogue  the  Vetch.— 
M.  B.  Faxon. 

1,431.  Book  on  Begonias.  The  Tuberous  Be- 
gonia. Its  History  and  Cultivation.  Price  50  cents. 
Published  by  Garden  Pub.  Co.,  Limited,  10  Spruce 
street,  New  York,  is  the  best  work  1  know  of. — F. 

1,434.  Killing  Locust  Trees.  The  sprouts 
always  bother  in  this  way.  The  only  thing  to  be 
done  is  to  cut  them  down  repeatedly.— M.B.Faxon. 


46 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


November, 


1,453.  Packing  Small  Fruit  Plants.  I  learned 
how  to  do  it  by  noting:  how  others  had  done  it, 
when  unpacking  an  order  received  by  mail  or 
express.  I  was  able  to  send  plants  to  my  friends 
in  short  time.  Do  not  think  it  necessary  to  see 
someone  else  do  it.  Send  to  a  nurseryman  for 
some  plants  and  note  how  they  are  put  together. 
—L   J.  Farmer. 

1,459.  Manures  for  Strawberries.  Some  people 
draw  coarse  manure  into  their  Strawberries  in 
the  winter  with  good  results.  We  have  used 
horse  manure  sometimes  with  excellent  success, 
while  at  other  times  have  thought  it  damaged 
the  plants.  It  has  always  been  a  benefit  when 
put  in  after  the  ^ound  is  frozen,  and  stirred  up 
when  plants  begm  to  start  next  spring  allowing 
them  to  grow  through.  I  would  leave  the  ma- 
nure on  top  as  a  mulch,  if  strawy  and  mLxed  in 
it  would  have  a  tendency  to  dry  out  the  soil  and 
shorten  the  crop.  If  manure  is  spaded  in,  a 
mulch  of  straw  should  be  put  on  to  keep  soil 
moist  and  the  fruit  clean.— I/.XFarmer. 


Wilder  Early  Pear. 

While  we  do  not  care  to  say  very  much 
for  or  against  any  new  fruit  before  we  have 
seen  it  growing  on  the  trees,  and  otherwise 
tested  it,  we  have  not  hesitated  to  tell  our 
readers  that  we  were  favorably  impressed 
with  the  specimens  of  the  new  Pear  variety 
called  Wilder  Early  placed  on  our  table.  We 
are  sure  this  fruit  has  good  points,  foremost 
among  them  extreme  earliness,  equalling 
the  much-boomed  I^awson  or  Comet;  very 
fair  quality  and  absence  of  rot  from  the  core, 
in  both  of  which  points  it  is  equally  supe- 
rior to  its  more  beautiful  contemporary 
(Comet-Lawson). 

Our  engravings  of  the  Wilder  Early  will 
show  our  readers  what  it  looks  lilie,  both 
inside  and  outside.  Mr.  Vaudeman,  United 
States  Pomologist,  speaks  of  this  new  Pear 
in  his  last  report,  and  also  in  very  favorable 
terms.  Among  the  midsummer  Pears,  he 
says,  there  is  none  that  pleases  me  better 
than  this  one,  except  that  its  size  is  rather 
small.  But  like  the  Seckel,  what  it  lacks  in 
size  it  makes  up  in  quality,  although  it  is 
larger  than  that  variety.  It  is  a  chance 
seedling.  The  original  tree  was  partially 
grafted  with  scions  of  Buffum  in  1870,  when 
it  was  young,  and  would  never  have  borne 
any  fruit  except  of  this  old  variety,  had  not 
three  of  the  natural  branches  been  left. 
These  bear  profusely,  and  the  fruit  when 
fully  colored  is  quite  attractive.  It  does  not 
rot  at  the  core. 

Size,  small  to  medium:  shape,  pyriform; 
bell-shaped,  irregular,  a  little  angular;  sur- 
face, smooth,  pale-yellow  ground  with  deep 
shading  of  brownish  carmine;  dots  very 
numerous  and  small;  basin,  shallow,  regu- 
lar; eye,  nearly  closed,  sepals  long  and  re- 
flexed;  apex,  rather  abrupt  with  a  slight 
cavity;  stem,  short;  core, closed,  very  small; 
seeds,  very  small,  narrow,  pointed,  dark; 
flesh  very  pale,  whitish-yellow,  fine  grained, 
tender;  flavor,  sub-acid,  sprightly,  much  like 
Bartlett;  quality,  very  good;  season,  August 
in  Western  New  York. 


Fertilizers  for  Shrubs  and   Flowers. 

The  subject  of  manuring  plants  and  trees 
with  a  view  to  special  effect  is  one  of  consid- 
erable complication,  but  which  is  well  worth 
deep  study  and  thought.  Prof.  C.  S.  Plumb 
of  the  University  of  Tennesee,  tells  Garden 
and  Forest  the  results  of  some  experiments 
recently  made  by  him.  In  floriculture,  says 
Prof.  Plumb,  the  application  of  fertilizers 
may  be  made  with  three  purposes  in  view:  (1) 
effect  on  bloom  ;  (2)  effect  on  foliage ;  (3) 
eft'ect  on  seeds,  bulb  or  other  parts  for  prop- 
agation. The  first  and  third  purposes  gen- 
erally go  hand  in  hand,  and,  if  we  secure  the 
first,  as  a  rule,  the  other  is  attained.  The 
past  winter  and  spring  I  had  under  test  in 
the  university  green-house  some  interesting 
work  with  manure  for  the  purpose  of  ascer- 
taining, in  a  measure,  the  effect  of  special 
and  general  manures  on  foliage  plants  and 
on  flowers.  In  the  first  place,  two  lots  of 
Coleus,  one  being  red  and  the  other  green. 


received  special  application  of  mineral  fer- 
tilizers. Five  hundred  milligrams  (about  7,7 
grains)  of  each  of  the  following  fertilizers 
were  applied  to  a  plant  at  intervals  :  (1)  ni- 
trate of  soda  ;  (2)  sulphate  of  Iron  ;  (-3)  acid 
phosphate ;  (4)  muriate  of  potash  ;  (.5)  a 
complete  fertilizer.   The  last  three  had  been 


THE  WILDER   EARLY  PEAR. 

analized  in  the  laboratory,  and  were  good 
specimens  of  fertilizers ;  the  other  two  were 
standard  brands. 

Six  plants  were  selected  for  each  manure 
as  nearly  alike  as  possible,  excepting  that 
three  were  red  and  three  green.  The  plants 
were  small,  not  having  more  than  two  nodes 
each ;  they  had  been  cut  back  twice,  and 
were  m  three-inch  pots.  They  occupied  a 
bench  on  the  south  side  of  the  green-house, 
and  had  good  sun  exposure.  Water  from 
the  same  source  was  used  in  watering  each 
set  of  plants.  The  soil  the  plants  were  grown 
in  was  as  even  in  character  as  I  could  secure. 
The  most  striking  effect  from  the  fertilizers 
was  seen  in  the  application  of  soda.  The 
plants  treated  with  this  became  either  very 
dark  red  or  green  in  color  and  assumed  a 
robust  growth  of  unmistakable  character. 
The  complete  fertilizer  had  an  effect  almost 
as  marked,  and  produced  deep  color  and 
strong  growth.  To  my  surprise  the  sulphate 
of  iron  did  not  give  the  depth  of  color  that 
other  experiments  would  seem  to  have  war- 
ranted us  to  expect  in  this  case.  The  plants 
appeared  strong  and  healthy,  but  there  was 
nothing  unusual  in  their  color.  I  think  that 
the  muriate  of  potash  ranked  third  in  effect- 
iveness. The  acid  phosphate  was  not  effect- 
ive. The  color  of  the  foliage  remained  light, 


and  the  plants  did  not  make  a  growth  equal 
to  those  treated  with  the  soda,  potash  and 
complete  fertilizer.  The  iron  and  phosphoric 
acid  had  much  the  same  effect. 

These  fertilizers  made  themselves  felt  for 
a  few  weeks,  when  their  influence  appeared 
to  wear  off,  and  all  the  plants  began  to  once 
more  take  on  a  similar  foliaceous  coloring. 
Again  the  applications  were  made,  and  once 
more  the  same  effect  of  the  different  plant- 
foods  was  made  manifest.  Future  experi- 
ments were  repetitions  of  the  first  two; 
whenever  these  fertilizers  were  applied  the 
same  results  followed. 

To  me,  the  most  pertinent  application  of 
what  I  saw  in  this,  was  the  benefit  to  be  de- 
rived from  the  use  of  sodium  nitrate  in  bring- 
ing out  strong  foliaceous  coloring,  and  es- 
pecially in  plants  with  bright-colored  leaves. 
If  the  beauty  of  a  t'oleus  bed  lies  in  its  color 
of  leaf,  its  effectiveness,  in  my  opinion,  may 
be  materially  heightened  by  the  use  of 
proper  fertilizers. 

In  another  direction  I  experimented  with 
manures  on  Roses.  I  procured  sixteen  two- 
year-old  La  France  Roses  of  as  nearly  the 
same  size  as  possible.  These  were  separated 
into  four  lots  of  four  plants  each.  Before 
planting,  the  soil  was  carefully  washed  from 
the  roots  of  each  plant.  Lot  one  was  plants 
ed  in  pure,  washed  river-sand,  and  fertilized 
once  a  week  with  liquid  cow  manure.  Lot 
two  was  planted  in  sand  like  one,  and  treat- 
ed once  a  week  with  liquid  horse  manure. 
Lot  three  was  planted  like  lots  one  and  two, 
and  fed  Floralis  (a  preparation  procured 
from  J.  M.  Thorburn  &  Co.)  once  a  week. 
Lot  four  was  planted  in  our  regular  Rose- 
potting  soil,  and  fertilized  weekly  with 
liquid  cow  manure,  such  as  was  used  with 
lot  one.  All  of  these  plants  were  placed  In 
eight^inch  pots. 

First  and  most  important,  the  plants 
grown  in  ordinary  soil  thrived  best  and  pro- 
duced the  greatest  number  of  buds.  At  this 
writing  they  will  average  larger  to  a  notice- 
able degree  than  will  the  others.  The  effect 
of  the  Floralis  was  injurious  at  first,  but  be- 
cause too  strong  in  application,  though  di- 
rections were  followed  ;  as  a  result  one  plant 
was  killed,  and  the  foliage  removed  from 
all.  However,  with  reduced  application, 
three  renewed  their  growth  and,  before  the 
season  was  over,  yielded  a  fair  showing  of 
buds.  In  both  lots  where  cow  manure  was 
used,  more  Roses  were  secured  than  from 
the  others.  The  flowers  were  extra  fine  in 
all  cases,  but  I  have  not  at  my  disposal  the 
number  of  blooms  produced  by  each  lot. 

The  reason  why  sand  was  used  in  three 
lots  was  to  see  if  the  effect  of  manure  could 
be  better  shown,  where  the  soil  was  compar- 
atively clear  of  fertilizing  matter  at  the 
start.  In  each  case,  the  amount  of  liquid 
manure  applied  was  as  nearly  of  the  same 
quantity  and  quality  as  I  could  make  it. 
The  manure  used  was  comparatively  free 
from  straw.  This  work  is  still  in  progress, 
and  will  be  further  reported  on,  so  as  to.be 
accessible  to  those  interested. 

I  cannot  close  without  referring  to  another 
fertilizer  test,  on  a  more  practical  basis.  If 
you  please.  A  portion  of  one  of  our  green- 
house benches  is  planted  with  Roses.  The 
soil  consists  of  turfy  loam  well  mixed  with 
solid  cow  manure.  Late  last  winter  our 
gardener,  a  rather  intelligent  negro,  in- 
formed me  that  he  had  heard  that  sheep 
manure  would  make  the  plants  show  their 
color,  and  begged  me  to  secure  him  some. 
In  a  short  time  a  quantity  was  obtained  and 
made  into  a  liquid  and  applied  twice  a  week 
to  the  Roses  by  Andy.  Certain  it  is,  our 
Roses  did  unusually  well  last  spring.  I 
shake  my  head  in  a  questioning  way  as  to 
the  responsibility  of  the  sheep  manure  for 
this,  but  Andy  only  laughs,  and  says : 
"  Sho',  P'lessor  !  Didn't  I  tell  you  that 
sheep  manure  'ud  do  it?" 


1889. 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


47 


THE    COMPLETE    GARDEN.' 
X.XXI. 

BY  A  WKl.L-KXOWN  IIORTICl'LTrRIST. 

{Continut'd  from  page  23.) 

CLASSIFIED  LIST  OP  IIARUV  FLOWER.S, 

rONTIKrEI). 

CI.ASS3.  TTsnally  from  two  to  four  feet  In  height. 
Fur  Key  to  SehctUin  sec  September  Issue. 
[Note.— B.V  an  error  in  i)roof  rcmiiiitr,  last 
month,  Cla^  -  was  described  a9ombrae-in>?  plants 
"  from  one  to  three  feet  in  height."  it  should 
have  read,  "  from  one  to  two  feet."    Ed.] 

Ifame  Color.  Season, 

f       Aca.uth\is{Bear'sBrecch) 

liurpk  ete.Ju]y.  Sept. 
(J       Achillea  (Milfoil) 

maerophyllum —   white         June,  Jul}' 

millefolium  rosea,  ruse    July,    dtt. 

ptarmiea  fl.  pi.         able  white  July,  Sept. 
Aconitum  {Monhshood) 
B        autumnalis      .       .pale blue... Sept.  Oct. 
Anchusa   (But/loss) 

D  Italica ItflW  Wii<  ..May,  Aug. 

AnemoneiW  imlFlower) 

r         Japonica rosy jmjji/f  Au(r.  Oct. 

A        .laponica  alba  {Hono- 

rine  Jobeii white Sept.  Oct. 

D     Anthcricum     Liliago 

{St. Bernard'sLilU'  white     .   .May,  Sept 

liliastrum  major     w/iite Maj'.Sept. 

Aquilegia  (Cohtmbine) 

I!        ch.vsantha golden June,  July 

Artemesia  abrotanum 
iSnuthern-u'ooci) . .  green,  yellow 
f       Aruudinaria  fol.  var. 

(Ribbon  Grass) 
g      Asphodelus  l.il8p/io<JeJ) 

albus white... 

luteus    yellow . . 

Aster  (Stanvortt 

B         Amellus I'toW  purpteSept.  Oct. 

Other    species  imrpk  etc  Sept.  Nov. 

e  h  Astragulus  (Mil}(Vetch)yell(rw  etc  .June,  July 
Ralsamita  (Costmary) 

grandiflora yellow       ..May,  June 

HaptisiaAustralia(Fa!«e 

Iniligo) blue  June,July 

y      Brodiiea  congesta  — lilcK May,  July 

Campanula  Bell  Flower 
A       persicifolia  fl  pi       .  double  fth/eJune.Aug. 
numeroussorts..        .bhie,  white, 

etc June,  Sept. 

C       pyramidalis biucidftitejuly,  Sept. 

D     Cassim  A  mericanSenna) 

Marilandica  :brigM  j/cJtott'July,.Aug 

Catananche    cajruiea.  blue- June,  Sept. 

Centaurea  iKnapweed) 

dealbata.  lilac June 

macrocephala yellow  June 

Montana violet May,  July 

Montana  alba  white May,  July 

TJ      Centranthus  (Fa(cria»i) 

ruber red June,  July 

ruber  var  albo white    .    .  June,  July 

C'helone  Lyonii     pink Aug  Sept. 

obliqua  albo  icMte  Aug'.  Sept. 

Clematis  erecta  white       .  .         June 

integrifoiia blue       and 

white   ..  .  June,  July 

B         tubulosa    .purple  July,  Aug. 

Coreopsis       (Tick-seed 

Su  nfloieer) 

c  lanceolata yellow Jul.v.  Sept. 

verticellata  yellow July,  Sept. ' 

priecox yelloic     ...  Aug. 

li       Coronilla   varia  fWiJd 

Pea) bluish  June,  July 

C       Desmodium    penduli- 

Sept.    Oct. 


Aug. 


May,  July 
May,  July 


rose 


florum 
A      Dicentra      spectabilis 

(Bleeding  Heirt)  .  .rosy  crim«onMay,June 
c       Dictamaus  (Fraxinella) 

fra.\inella  alba  .       white       .  June,  July 

fraxinella  rubra       rose. June,  July 

c       Digitalis   (Fozgloi'e)    .various  ..  June,  Jul.v 
C      Doronicum  caucasiuraydtow  ..  .May,  June 
Dracocephalum  (/Va-  j 

gons  Head) 

D        Kuyschianum ..     .   .purplish 

blue July 

A      Echinacea     purpurea 

(Cone  Flower) reddish     .  July,  Sept.  I 

D     Echinops  ritro   (Globe  ! 

Thistlei  ..blue July,  Sept 

e       Epilobium       (  iViUow 

Berb)  ...     

angustlfolium  mogento..  June,  July 

•Copyright,  1S87,  Popular  Gardening  Publishing  Co. 


Erigeron  macranthus.piopfc . . .   .June,  July 

speciosa lavender.  .June, Sept. 

Eryngium  (Sea  Holly) 

amethystinum  ..  rfecp  Wuc July,  Aug. 
EupatoriumiSjiaJfciJooO 

ageratoides white   ..  .  July,   Oct. 

Euphorbia      coroUata 

(Flou'cringSinirge).. white  ....July,  Oct. 
Fritillari 

i  m  perialis(rro«)»iJm  - 

perial) various  ..  April,  May 

Meleagris     (Quinea- 

Hen  Flower) iiaruow  . .  April,  May 

pudica  (Golden  Frit- 

illtnin    ,1,11, ,ir  \i.ril.  May 


SPRING  SNOWFLAKE    Lcucojum  Vemum. 


D 


.July,  Aug. 


Funkia  (Plantain  Lily) 

Ciurulea  blu^ 

Gaillardia 

B        aristata  grandiflora  oranoe,  redjuly,  Sept. 
B     Gladiolus  in  sorts       ..various  ... 

Helenium  Hoopesii     orange    .    June,  July 
Hemerocalis  (DayLily) 
A         SaYa(l'eUowDayLily)lemon        .June,  July 

C         in  variety various June,  Aug. 

A  i  Iris  Ka;mpferi  (Japan 

Iris) variojis July,  Aug. 

A      Lilium  (  Lilium) 

in  variety Dorioiw ....  June,  Sept. 

i  e     Lobelia  eardinalis{(7or- 

dinal  Flower) scarlet   ...  .July,  Sept. 

Lychnis       ( Campion ) 
B        chalcedonica  in   va- 
riety     various — June,  Sept. 

e       Lysimachia  thyrsiflorayei'iJU' July,  Aug. 

Malva              (Mallow) 
C         moschataalba        .    white       .  July,  Sept. 
D        alcaea  (Garden  Mal- 
low)         rosc-pi/rp/eJuly,  Sept. 

Morenii        rosy  blush  June,  July 

Monarda   didyma  (Os 

wego  Tea)  scarlet.  . .  July,  Sept. 

Paeony  Herbaceous  in 

large  assortment — various.  ..May,   July 
Papaver       (Perennial 

Poppy)  in  variety  .  scarlet,  etc  June.Aug. 
Penstemon  barbatus  scarlet.  July,  Sept. 
Phalaris<('anary  Gra.ss) 
arundinaiia  picta  . 
Phlox,  Herbaceous  va- 
rieties .  .  ..various 
Physostegia     ( Dranon 

Head ) 

virginica reddish 

Polygonatum       (Solo- 
mon's Seal)  ..         .  . 
multiflorum       ..       white  . 
Pyrethrum  (Feverfew) 
single   and  double. .red,    white 


B 


June,  July 
-July,  Sept. 

July,  Aug. 

May,  June 


I 


etc    June,  Oct. 

Ranunculus  (Crowfoot) 
C         acris  11  pi  (Douh'c)    yellow.  ..  May,  June 

Salvia  (Saae)      

various Zj/ue  etc  ..  June, Aug. 

c       Solidago  (Crolden  Rod) 

various .yellow.     .  July,   Oct. 

Spinea  (Meadoio  Sweet) 
B        anincus(GoatBread)white  etc    June,  July 
C          fllipendula  fl  pi  i(7ii(c  .        June,  July 

A        palmata rosy  crim- 
son   ...       July.  Aug. 

ulmaria white    ..  July,  Aug. 

C         venusta rose July,  Aug. 

Statice  latifolia     .     ..  b  ««    ..        July,  .\ug. 
Symphytum  (Comfrey) 

f  asperrimum  blue         ...May,  June 

/  officinale  fol  var lilac,  red . .  May,  June 

Thalictrum     (Meadow 
Rue) 


e  several  species white May,   July 

Tricyrtis  hirta white  purple.Sept.   Oct. 

C      Valeriana      officinalis 

(Garden  Heliotrnpe). whitish. .  .June,  July 
Veronica longifolia...  vio'et..     ..July, Sept. 
A  f  Yucca  fllamentosa 

(Adam's  JVeed(e,Spa- 

nish  Bayonet)  white  July 

(To  he  Ojntinued.) 


Naturally  Crown    Chrysanthemums 
for   Exhibition. 

Mr.  J.  Doughty,  an  English  expert  Chrys- 
anthemum grower  recently  gave  to  the 
National  Chrysanthemum  Society's  Con- 
ference his  experience  in  the  treatment 
of  plants  grown  for  the  production  of  ex- 
hibition flowers.  Much  depends  upon 
the  strength  of  the  plants,  the  firmness 
of  the  wood,  and  the  treatment  they  have 
hitherto  received,  says  Mr.  Doughty. 

Suppose  that  the  plants  have  been 
well  cultivated  and  are  now  strong  and 
healthy,  so  that  the  wood  is  well  solid- 
ified, and  that  they  have  their  buds  in 
various  stages  of  development.  The  ap- 
plication of  a  rich  top  dressing  is  a 
matter  of  the  greatest  importance.  We 
top-dress  our  plants  at  the  end  of  .Inly  or 
early  in  August,  a  space  of  two  inches 
being  left  at  the  final  potting  for  this  pur- 
pose. About  an  inch  of  the  material  to  be 
used  is  placed  upon  the  surface  of  the  pots 
and  pressed  down  rather  firmly,  the  ap- 
plication being  made  when  the  soil  in  the 
pots  is  moderately  dry,  so  that  it  does  not 
work  into  a  paste.  The  mixture  used  for 
top  dressing  consists  of  one  part  of  loam, 
one  part  of  decayed  manure,  a  small  quantity 
of  old  mortar,  and  a  sprinkling  of  bone  meal. 
For  some  time  afterwards  the  plants  are 
watered  with  a  can,  to  which  a  rose  is  affixed 
to  avoid  the  risk  of  the  top  dressing  being 
washed  out  of  its  place,  or,  indeed,  being 
greatly  disturbed.  WTiatever  feeding  the 
plants  may  have  had  previous  to  this  sur- 
face dressing  should  be  continued  after- 
wards as  the  top-dre.ssing  has  no  immediate 
effect  nnless  a  fertilizer  of  quick  action  be 
added  to  it.  But  the  action  of  manure  that 
will  act  rapidly,  I  do  not  think  real  neces- 
sary, although  I  used  it  previous  to  last  year. 
Now  if  the  surface  material  be  examined 
about  three  or  four  weeks  after  its  applica- 
tion, strong  healthy  roots  will  be  found 
working  their  way  through  it,  and  when  the 
time  arrives  for  housing  the  plants,  the  sur- 
face will  be  seen  to  be  more  or  less  covered 
with  these  healthy,  vigorous  feeders.  If 
prolonged  dull  wet  weather  sets  in,  manures 
must  now  be  used  more  sparingly,  so  as  not 
to  cause  too  quick  a  growth,  or  the  flower 
stems  will  be  weak  and  the  blooms  lacking 
in  substance.  We  use  fertilizer  at  the  rate 
of  about  one  ounce  to  each  plant  of  the 
strongest  growing  varieties,  such  as  Fair 
Maid  of  Guernsey,  Graudiflorum,  Maiden's 
Blush,  Princess  of  Wales  and  its  sports,  and 
the  Queen  family.  The  latter  I  consider 
the  greatest  feeders  of  all.  In  the  case  of 
weaker  growing  varieties,  such  as  Meg  Mer- 
rilles.  Criterion,  Jeanne  Delaux,  Lady  Har- 
dinge  and  Mrs.  W.  Shipman  we  use  the 
manure  more  sparingly,  about  %  ounce  to 
each  plant  being  a  very  suitable  quantity. 

This  rate  of  feeding  is  continued  after  the 
formation  of  the  flower  buds,  with  an  occa- 
sional watering  with  liquid  manure  from 
the  cess  pool,  as  an  occasional  change  of 
food  is,  I  believe,  very  beneficial  to  them. 
The  water  used  is  previously  placed  in  a 
large  tub  standing  in  the  open,  fully  exposed 
to  atmospheric  influences;  hence  it  is  main- 
tained at  a  somewhat  similar  temperature 
to  that  of  the  soil  about  the  roots.  As  a  still 
further  assistance  to  the  plants,  a  bag  con- 
taining soot  is  placed  in  this  tub.  This  bag 
is  refilled  with  soot  about  once  a  fortnight, 
and  the  goodness  is  found  to  be  washed  out 
of  the  soot  in  about  that  period.    The  plants 


48 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


November, 


are  fed  In  this  way  until  the  blooms  com- 
mence to  expand,  when  all  feeding  ceases, 
exceeding  when  the  bloom  is  late,  when  a 
little  sulpha-e  of  ammonia  is  applied.  But 
I  do  not  advise  the  use  of  the  sulphate,  ex- 
cepting for  the  purpose  of  assisting  in  bring- 
ing forward  late  varieties:  as  it  tends  to 
shorten  the  durabilty  of  the  blooms  after 
expansion. 

Mildew  is  a  most  troublesome  disease,  and 
generally  makes  its  appearance  with  us 
early  in  September.  Sometimes  it  attacks 
the  plants  earlier,  and  this  season  they  were 


MARTAGON  OR  TURK'S  CAP  LILY.       »'if  Preccdiltg  Payc. 


at  his  command  for  housing  them.  These 
are  important  points  which  will  repay  a  little 
study,  and  certainly  cannot  be  ignored  by 
those  who  would  achieve  success  in  com- 
petition. 

Having  stated  how  our  late  varieties  are  J 
treated,  I  will  allude  to  the  general  collec- 
tion. The  earliest  varieties,  which  require 
very  little  fire-heat,  )'.  e.,  only  sufficient  to 
maintain  a  dry  atmosphere,  are  placed  in  an 
early  vinery:  and  those  that  are  naturally  a 
little  later,  are  arranged  upon  the  centre 
stage  of  the  greenhouse.  All  are  raised  as 
near  to  the  glass  as  pos- 
sible, by  means  of  planks 
laid  upon  the  drain  pipes 
placed  in  an  upright  posi- 
tion upon  the  stage.  The 
plants  are  placed  upon 
the  platform  thus  pro- 
vided, the  tallest  plants 
being  arranged  at  the 
back,  and  the  dwarf  ones 
ones  towards  the  front. 
The  plants  nearest  the 
front  are  raised  by  means 
of  various  sized  flower 
pots,  so  that,  when  all  is 
complete,  they  form  a 
very  sharp  slope  to  the 
south.  By  this  arrange- 
ment, the  upper  growth 
of  every  plant  receives  a 
full  share  of  light  and  air 
—a  matter  of  great  impor- 
tance if  good  blooms  are 


for  purposes  other  than  protecting  trees  and 
plants  from  rabbits. 


attacked  at  the  end  of  August.      Chrysan-  i  expected.      Again,  every  bud  can  be  seen 


themums  in  a  low  lying  spot  are  more  sub- 
ject to  its  attacks  than  are  those  grown  in 
gardens  occupying  a  higher  and  drier  situa- 
tion. On  Its  first  appearance  every  plant  is 
dusted  with  flowers  of  sulphur,  usually  early 
in  the  morning,  when  the  leaves  are  wet 
with  dew,  as  the  sulphur  will  then  adhere  to 
the  under  surface.  This  is  a  very  important 
point,  as  the  rain  cannot  remove  it  from  the 
under  surface  as  it  does  from  the  upper  sur- 
face. We  seldom  have  to  repeat  its  applica- 
tion, and  I  have  not  on  any  occasion  since 
adopting  this  practice,  been  troubled  with 
mildew  after  housing  the  plants.  Black-fly 
is  very  troublesome  with  us  every  season 
about  this  time.  To  eradicate  this  pest  we 
dust  with  tobacco  powder  immediately  it 
makes  its  appearance.  Also  after  the  plants 
are  housed,  and  before  the  blooms  com- 
mence to  expand,  we  fumigate  slightly  two 
or  three  times  to  free  the  plants  from  aphis 
that  may  remain. 

Much  depends  upon  the  time  the  plants 
are  housed;  especially  the  late  varieties.  As 
to  the  time  of  flowering,  I  do  not  care  so 
much  whether  such  varieties  as  Bonle  d'Or, 
or  Grandiflorum  and  the  like,  or  their 
buds  early  in  August  or  at  the  end  of  the 
month.  Their  blooms  can  be  expanded  by 
the  middle  of  November.  Last  season  I  took 
Boule  d'Or  buds  on  September  1,  and  the 
Grandiflorum  buds  on  September  S,  and  ex- 
hibited them  both  in  good  form  on  Novem- 
ber V2.  These,  with  such  varieties  as  the 
Princess  of  Teck  and  its  sports,  Barbara  and 
Thunberg,  should  lie  housed  earlier,  and 
placed  in  a  favorable  position.  The  above 
varieties,  with  others  correspondingly  late, 
are  placed  on  the  side  stages  of  the  green- 
house immediately  over  the  hot  water  pipes, 
and  by  means  of  large  flower  pots  are  raised 
as  near  to  the  glass  as  possible.  These  re- 
ceive a  little  sulphate  of  ammonia  twice  a 
week,  and  when  the  solar  influences  are  not 
favorable,  a  little  artificial  heat  must  be  ap- 
plied. The  cultivator  must  use  his  own 
judgment  as  to  the  time  of  housing  his  plants, 
taking  into  consideration  the  locality  in 
which  he  resides,  and  the  state  of  the  buds 
(whether  late  or  early),  and  also  what  means 


when  the  cultivator  is  standing  in  front  of 
them,  so  that,  should  they  require  attention, 
a  plant  or  two  can  easily  be  removed  for 
that  purpose. 

Another  important  point  is  arranging  the 
colors  on  the  exhibition  board.  I  have 
noticed  scores  of  stands  arranged  with  some- 
times as  many  as  four,  and  even  six  blooms 
of  a  bronze  or  other  shade  placed  together. 
This  is  not  as  it  should  be,  for  by  a  judicious 
intermingling  of  the  light  and  dark  shades 
of  color,  each  bloom  will  add  to  the  effect 
of  its  neighbor,  and  consequently  to  the  at- 
tractions of  the  exhibition  table.  It  may 
also  make  all  the  difference  between  a  first 
or  second  place  in  a  close  competition. 


Rabbits. 


Protecting   Trees    Against 

JOH.V  M.  STAHL,  ADAMS  CO.,  N.  Y. 

I  have  always  found  an  application  of 
grease  and  blood  to  the  trunks  ample  pro- 
tection for  young  trees  against  rabbits,  and 
rabbits  are  numerous  hereabouts. 
The  only  drawback  to  this  applica- 
tion is  that  the  rains  wash  it  off,  and 
of  course  it  must  be  repeated  as  often 
as  removed.  However,  three  applica- 
tions during  the  winter  are  the 
most  I  have  ever  found  it  necessarj' 
to  make.  I  think  those  who  have 
reported  this  application  not  to  be 
effectual,  have  failed  to  keep  it  on— 
have  not  renewed  it  when  removed  by 
the  weather.  When  I  first  used  this 
application  {almost  or  quite  twenty 
years  ago)  I  was  assured  that  it  would 
not  be  effectual  unless  I  used  livers; 
but  I  have  found  that  the  rabbits 
detest  the  blood  and  fat.  no  matter  from 
what  part  of  the  body  it  comes.  The 
refuse  from  the  slaughter  house  costs 
nothing,  or  perhaps  that  from  your  home 
butchering  will  be  suificient.  The  meat 
should  be  fresh,  and  the  bloodier  and  fatter 
it  is  the  better.  You  can  rub  fast,  but  should 
rub  carefully,  that  no  large  spots  may  be 
missed.  Rabbits  can  be  kept  out  by  a  wire 
netting  fence  put  down  to  the  ground;  and 
as  this  is  a  durable  fence,  it  will  often 
be  advisable  to  use  it  where  a  fence  is  needed 


Winter  Storage  of  Celery. 

M.  GAHRAIIAN.  HZERNE  CO.  .PA. 

Perhaps  there  is  no  question  that  causes 
the  average  market  gardener  more  perplex- 
ity than  the  constantly  recurring  one  of  how 
best  to  store  his  crop  of  Celery  for  winter 
sales.  If  we  only  knew  what  kind  of  a  win- 
ter we  were  going  to  have,  we  would  know 
how  much  covering  to  put  on  the  trenches 
to  be  just  enough,  so  the  Celery  will  neither 
be  spoiled  by  freezing,  if  too  little  for  an  un- 
usually cold  season,  nor  by  rotting  if  too 
much  for  an  unusally  mild  one. 

To  be  as  far  as  possible  independent  of  the 
contingencies  of  weather,  some  have  gone  to 
considerable  expense  in  the  erection  of  out- 
door cellars,  with  sawdust-filled  double 
roofs,  side  walls  of  stone,  (laid  with  cement 
mortar,  to  exclude  rats)  and  ventilators  in 
the  roof,  to  permit  the  escape  of  heat  and 
moisture.  The  expense,  however,  bas  been 
such  in  some  cases  as  to  cause  the  builders  to 
a.sk  the  question,  whether  or  not  the  "game 
was  worth  the  powder." 

The  following  plan  has  been  practiced  in 
this  neighborhood  for  ten  years,  and  prob- 
ably longer,  and  in  other  localities  as  well. 

Instead  of  a  trench  a  foot  in  width,  we 
throw  out  a  trench  lour  feet  wide,  putting 
half  the  dirt  on  each  side  to  facilitate  cover- 
ing. The  trenches  are  just  far  enough  apart 
to  drive  between  and  unload  trom  each  side. 
A  board  is  run  through  the  center  of  the 
trench  to  prevent  the  Celery  from  crowding 
together  too  closely,  the  upper  edge  about 
level  with  the  top  of  theCelery.  I  find  if  not 
packed  too  tight,  it  will  keep  longer  without 
rotting.  The  trench  is  dug  two  feet  deep, 
more  or  less.  Now  rafters  are  cut  from  2x4 
Hemlock,  or  Chestnut,  at  an  angle  that  will 
bring  the  peak  or  ridge  4  feet  from  bottom 
of  the  trench.  Generally,  three  boards,  a 
foot  wide,  will  cover  each  side.  The  rafters 
can  be  made  ready  at  odd  times  through  the 
summer  and  will  last  a  long  time  if  taken 
care  of.  Ventilators  are  also  made  from 
common  fence  boards,  and  in  severe  weath- 
er stuffed  full  of  litter  to  exclude  frost. 

For  about  two  weeks  after  storing.  Celery 
will  "sweat"  and  throw  off  a  great  deal 
of  moisture,  we  therefore  slip  the  roof  on  as 
soon  as  we  can,  after  the  trench  is  filled  to 
keep  off  rain,  and  leave  the  other  covering 
as  long  as  we  dare.  At  the  approach  of  real 
cold  weather  we  smiply  put  on  each  side 
about  a  foot  of  earth.     With  rafters  4  feet 


WINTER  STORAGE  OF  CELERY. 

apart,  we  have  no  trouble  with  the  root  set- 
ting under  its  weight. 

The  advantages  of  this  plan  are  that  one 
can  store  Celery  as  fast  as  he  could  in  ordin- 
ary trenches,  much  faster  than  carrying  it 
"down  cellar."  Can  take  it  out  any  time, 
or  in  any  kind  of  weather,  and  last,  but  not 
least,  insure  immunity  from  rats  as  we  take 
it  up  and  plow  the  ground  level  in  the  spring, 
and  then  we  have  a  lot  of  lumber  inthe  fall 
that  has  been  used  for  banking  up  so  that 
it  don't  seem  to  cost  much  money. 


POPULAR    GARDENING 

AND  FRUIT  GROWING. 

"ACCUSE   NUT  XATURE,   SHE   HATH  DONE   HER   PART:   DO   THOU    BUT   THINt:." -Miuios. 


Vol.  V. 


IDEC!E3S.a:BEia,    ISSS. 


No.  3. 


Moan  on,  ye  cold  and  winter  winds, 

A^nst  the  frosted  window-panes; 
Ye  cannot  cliange  the  love  that  binds. 

With  strong  and  fervent  chains. 
The  heart  that  beats  and  never  wanes. 
Lash  In  your  might  the  aged  tree. 

Spare  not  his  form,  though  bending  low, 
Xur  let  a  leaf  there  clinging  be: 

But  blow,  ye  winds,  and  blow. 
Ye  cannot  change  the  heart  In  me. 

—Arthur's  Home  Magazine. 


Orchids  Misnamed. English  Journals  complain 
of  the  practice  of  Orchid  growers  to  tack  the 
word  "alba"  (white)  to  one-half  of  all  the  flow- 
ers that  show  the  least  bit  of  white.  It  is  certain- 
ly a  gross  misuse  of  words,  if  not  an  utter  ab- 
surdity to  call  a  flower  "alba,"  and  then  describe 
its  color  as  "  primrose." 


Seed  Control  Station.  We  see  no  necessity  for 
such  Institutions  in  this  country.  Lively  coinpe- 
tition  between  live  seedsmen  tends  to  keep  the 
seeds  offered  by  all  reasonably  free  from  injurious 
admixtures.  Each  grower  can  protect  himself 
by  patronizing  only  reliable  dealers  whose  seeds 
he  finds  up  to  the  mark.  We  are  only  too  apt  to 
put  our  reliance  in  the  fostering  care  of  our 
Government  in  such  matters. 


Prof.  G.  H.  Cook.  The  loss  of  Prof.  George  H. 
Cook,  whose  sudden  death  of  heart  failure  oc- 
curred on  Sept.  22d  of  this  year  at  New  Bruns- 
wick, N.  J.,  wiU  lie  severely  felt  by  all  progress- 
ive tillers  of  the  soil.  It  leaves  a  blank  that  it 
wUl  not  be  easy  to  flU.  Under  his  management 
the  New  Jersey  .Agricultural  Experiment  Station 
has  become  one  of  the  leaders,  and  accomplished 
results  of  far  more  than  average  value.  To  his 
untiring  energy  a  large  share  of  the  advancement 
of  poptilar  knowledge  on  the  value  and  use  of 
commercial  fertilizers,  among  other  things,is  due. 
We  shall  miss  his  advice  and  instructions  always 
so  willingly  given  when  applied  to  for  it.  The 
genial  face  of  Geo.  H.  Cook  will  not  easil.v  fade 
from  our  memory. 


HoRTicin.TURE  Meetings.  The  meeting'season 
is  again  upon  us.  December  starts  in  well.  The 
Michigan  and  Missouri  State  Societies  hold  their 
meetings  on  December  3d  to  .')th,  the  former  in 
Hart,  Oceana  Co.,  Mich.,  the  latter  in  Lebanon, 
Laclede  Co.,  Mo.  The  New  Jersey  horticulturists 
usually  meet  week  before  Christmas  in  Trenton, 
those  of  Western  New  York  last  week  in  Jan- 
uary in  Kochester.  Time  and  place  of  all  State 
meetings  will  be  announced  in  our  columns  as 
soon  as  we  are  informed  about  time  and  place. 
We  urge  our  readers  to  attend  as  many  of  these 
meetings  as  may  be  convenient.  They  afford 
rare  chances  of  mind  culture,  and  this  is  as 
profitable  as  the  culture  of  anything  we  might 
name,  fruit  not  excepted.  As  a  mind  stimulant 
nothing  can  be  better  for  the  horticulturist  than 
to  attend  a  live  herticultural  meeting. 


The  Seed  Division  Humbug.  Mr.  Colman 
in  one  of  his  last  reports  of  the  Agricultural 
Department  recommended  the  transfer  of  the 
seed  distribution  feature  from  the  Department 
to  the  Experiment  stations.  If  this  suggestion 
had  been  properly  acted  upon,  it  would  have 
removed  the  seed  division  from  immediate  Con- 
gressional interference,  and  perhaps  resulted  in 
its  reform  i.  e.  return  to  its  original  aims  and 
purposes.  We  had  expected  that  the  present 
Secretary  of  Agriculture  would  go  a  step  further, 
and  in  the  desire  to  rid  the  Department,  in 
its  new  dignity  and  elevation,  of  this  old  and 
generally  recognised  abuse  and  stigma,  recom- 
mend to  Congress  the  entire  abolition  of  the 
scandalous  farce.  Instead  of  this,  Mr.  Rusk  has 
made  a  retrograde  movement,  and  announces  in 
his  first  report,  just  published,  that  he  has  put 
more  energies  than  any  of  his  predecessors  into 


this  unpopular  and  absurd  institution.  We  do 
not  believe  that  the  secretary  will  have  the  sym- 
pathy and  support  of  the  intelligent  farmer  in 
any  such  proceeding;  and  are  sure  that  the 
efforts  of  the  Department  might  be  expended 
in  a  much  more  profitable  and  satisfactory  way. 


Breaking  the  Sugar  Trust.  A  western 
agricultural  paper  is  trying  to  induce  its  sub- 
scribers and  all  other  people  that  may  wish  to 
join  in  the  crusade  against  the  monopoly,  to 
abstain  from  the  use  of  sugar  beginning  Decem- 
ber 1st,  and  continue  this  for  such  a  length  of 
time  as  will  be  necessary  to  bring  the  sugar 
trust  to  terms.  Such  a  course  might  be  tried, 
although  we  have  not  much  confidence  in  its  suc- 
cess. What  we  would  like  to  see— and  this  seems 
to  us  eminently  in  the  interest  of  horticulture- 
is  to  see  the  American  people  restrict  themselves 
in  the  use  of  sugar.  Not  only  that  we  as  a  nation 
consume  five  times  the  (juantity  of  rich  pastry 
and  sweet  meats  that  is  good  for  our  stomachs 
and  teeth,  but  we  have  also  got  into  the  habit  of 
smothering  the  fine  fruit  flavors  and  aromas — of 
the  Strawberries  and  other  berries.  Peaches,  etc. 
—in  an  overabundance  of  sugar.  We  have  thus 
not  only  increased  the  consumption  of  sugar  to 
an  unprecedented  amount  per  capita,  but  also 
deprive  ourselves  of  the  real  enjoyment,  and  the 
best  sanitary  effects  of  some  of  our  choicests 
horticultural  products.  Where  people  would 
eat  and  enjoy  two  quarts  of  Strawberries  with- 
out sugar,  and  thus  get  all  the  beneficial  medical 
effects  from  them,  they  get  tired  of  the  excessive 
sweetness  of  the  Strawberry  and  sugar  mixture, 
and  perhaps  may  not  be  induced  to  eat  a  pint  of 
the  fruit.  We  do  wish  that  trust-struck  sugar 
were  much  less  in  demand  and  use. 


Change  the  Rose  Soil. 

The  secret  of  success  in  Rose  culture,  in 
the  main,  is  this:  A  frequent  renewal  of  the 
soU.  Among  the  best  Rose  growers  the 
faith  in  merely  a  rich  garden  earth,  how- 
ever highly  tilled  and  augmented  with 
special  manures,  for  this  favorite  flower  is 
on  the  wane,  while  faith  in  new  soils,  fresh 
sites  and  farm-yard  manure  grows  stronger 
day  by  day. 

Could  the  Rose  bed  be  moved  to  a  new 
location  periodically  as  in  effect  is  done  by 
those  who  force  Roses  for  cut  flowers,  the 
course  would  be  simple  enough.  This  being 
impracticable  in  the  ordinary  out-door  cul- 
ture of  private  gardens,  we  may,  instead, 
resort  to  the  very  effective  substitute  of 
applying  heavy  dressings  of  fresh  soil  peri- 
odically to  the  Rose  beds.  To  do  this  read- 
ily it  is  best  to  remove  part  of  the  surface 
soil  of  the  bed  in  the  autumn,  and  forking 
in  the  fresh  earth  as  deeply  among  the  roots 
as  practicable,  with  as  little  destruction  of 
the  roots  as  possible. 

As  to  the  nature  of  the  freshening  earth, 
nothing  better  could  be  used  than  the  upper 
layer,  say  six  inches  deep,  from  the  turf  of  a 
pasture  lot  or  of  the  road  side.  This  earth 
could  be  applied  directly  after  being  some- 
what divided  by  handling.  Rather  a  better 
course  would  be  to  prepare  it  a  year  in 
advance  by  adding  to  it  one-sixth  of  the 
bulk  of  good  stable  manure,  piling  the  two 
substances  up  in  alternate  layers. 

But  what  of  insects  on  Roses  some  one  will 
say?  Fortify  the  plants  with  the  vigor  that 
comes  from  right  feeding  at  the  roots,  and 
you  will  know  much  less  of  the  attacks  of 
these  pests. 

Debilitated  plants  are  the  first  choice  of 
insects. 


Pruning  Thorny  Bushes. 

ERWIN  HALTMAN,  MAHONING  CO.,  OHIO. 

As  to  the  time  of  cutting  out  the  old  wood 
from  Raspberry  and  Blackberry  bushes  I 
have  now  pretty  much 
settled  on  fall.  I  always 
like  to  "slick  up"  my 
small  fruit  patches  be- 
fore winter,  and  have 
every  plant  in  good 
shape,  pruned  and  sup- 
ported by  a  stake.  The 
question  with  me  has 
always  been  how  to  cut 
out  and  remove  the 
tough  prickly  canes  of 
Blackberries.  At  last 
I  had  the  blacksmith 
transform  an  old  file 
in  a  hook,  weld  an  iron 
rod  to  it,  and  fix  a  han- 
dle on  other  end,  giving 
me  a  tool  as  shown  in 
accompanying  sketch. 
Of  course  the  edge  of 
the  hook  is  kept  sharp, 
and  it  works  to  my  entire  satisfaction.  With 
such  a  firm  and  comfortable  hold  on  the 
tool  one  can  work  for  days  without  the  least 
fatique,  and  if  the  hand  is  gloved  with  per- 
fect comfort.  The  old  wood  after  being  cut 
out  of  the  hills  is  simply  left  to  decay. 
There  will  be  little  of  it  left  next  season. 


Pruner  for  Tlwrny 
Bushes. 


The  Private  Grounds  of  C.  A.  Dana. 

PETER  HE.VDERSON.  JERSEY  CITY,  N.  J. 

About  three  miles  from  the  Glen  Cove 
station  on  the  Long  Island  railroad  are  the 
residence  and  grounds  of  Chas.  A.  Dana, 
Esq.,  the  proprietor  of  the  Xew  York  Sun. 
In  company  with  a  number  of  gentlemen 
eminent  in  horticulture,  six  hours  of  un- 
flagging interest  was  most  delightfully 
spent  in  the  examination  of  the  horticul- 
tural wonders  of  this  charming  place, 
which  in  variety  and  beauty  of  individual 
specimens  of  its  trees  and  shrubs  has  cer- 
tainly no  equal  in  the  United  States,  if  in 
Europe.  Although  the  specimens  of  trees 
and  shrubs  form  the  prominent  feature,  yet 
everything  necessary  to  complete  a  gentle- 
man's private  grounds  is  to  be  found  here, 
whether  it  be  in  fruits, flowers,  or  vegetables. 
Everything  new  and  rare,  as  soon  as  it  is 
heard  of,  is  ordered  and  is  subjected  to  a 
comparative  test. 

Mr.  Dana's  manager  is  your  correspon- 
dent, William  Falconer.  Mr.  Falconer  is 
not  only  an  enthusiastic  botanist,  but  every 
operation  of  his  immense  charge  indicates 
a  thorough  knowledge  of  horticulture,  in 
every  department,  showing  him  to  be 
thoroughly  up  in  the  most  commonplace 
work  of  the  garden  as  well  as  in  its  most 
scientific  branches.  Mr.  Dana's  grounds 
are  in  some  respects  a  private  experiment 
garden,  and  the  results  as  given  to  the 
public  so  freely  and  fearlessly  by  Mr.  Fal- 
coner, I  venture  to  say  are  of  more  value  to 
horticulture  than  that  of  any  experimental 
station  in  the  country.  His  field  is  far  more 
varied,  and  the  versatility  of  his  knowledge 
derived  from  the  practical  study  of  horti- 
culture for  twenty-five  years  in  the  best 
working  schools  of  Europe  and  America, 
makes  him  perhaps  without  a  peer  in  his   ' 


50 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


December, 


profession.  But  few  men  have  had  the 
opportunities  that  Mr.  Falconer  has  had. 
Mr.  Dana  most  heartily  .seconds  and  en- 
courages him,  and  his  own  thorough  know- 
ledge not  only  of  the  nomenclature  but  of 
the  nature  of  the  collection  forming  his 
grand  arboretum,  is  such  that  he  can  fully 
appreciate  the  work  that  Mr.  F.doesso  well. 
That  the  indulgence  in  such  fancies  must 
be  costly  to  the  owner,  there  can  be  no 
question,  for  it  is  kept 
solely  for  the  pleasure 
it  gives  to  himself  and 
his  friends,  but  that  it 
"pays"  few  can  doubt 
that  ever  saw  Mr.  Dana 
amongst  his  treasures.  His 
ela.stic  step,  erect  and  mus- 
cular form  give  him  the 
appearance  of  an  English 
hunting  squire  rather  than 
a  man  engaged  in  literary 
work — much  of  which  is 
undoubtedly  due  to  his 
interest  in  rural  atf  airs  that 
necessitates  his  presence 
in  the  pure  air  and  sun- 
shine of  his  grounds  at 
Glen  Cove.  The  wonder  is 
that  so  few  gentlemen  own- 
ing country  seats  take  so 
little  personal  interest  in 
their  grounds.  Depend 
upon  it,  the  man  or  woman 
either  that  has  made  a 
study  of  horticultural 
work,  so  as  to  give  him  or 
her  sufficient  interest  to 
be  some  portion  of  the  day 
amongst  it,  will  be  well 
repaid  not  alone  from  the 
pleasure  derived  from  it, 
but  from  the  physical  and 
mental  vigor  as  well.  No 
occupation  is  more  con- 
ducive to  health;  there  is 
just  exercise  enough  in  the 
work  without  being  op- 
pressive to  the  body,  and 
the  never-ending  variety  of 
nature's  productions  in  the 
garden  or  grounds,  which 
can  best  be  seen  in  the  open 
air  and  sunshine  gives  a 
soothing  and  healhty  toneto 
the  mind  that  no  product  of  art  under  roof- 
covering  can  give. 


freezing  and  burning  has  much  'the  same 
effect  on  most  things,  so  that  we  may  not 
account  for  the  sudden  attacks  of  blight  on 
Pear  trees  in  summer,  to  excessive  heat, 
when  the  atmosphere  is  very  humid.  It  is 
much  like  scalding  in  that  case.  Not  one- 
fourth  of  a  mile  from  these  trees  so  dam- 
aged, and  at  an  elevation  of  about  200  feet, 
fifty  Pear  trees,  about  the  same  age  of  these 
here,  and  nearly  the  same  varieties,  escaped 


Judge  Miller's  Fruit  Notes  and 
Review. 

Now  that  another  season  has  gone  by,  the 
question  arises  among  us  horticulturists, 
what  have  we  learned  within  this  year? 
How  many  new  fruits  have  proven  to  be 
equal  to  what  was  claimed  for  them?  What 
knowledge  have  we  gained? 

Effects  of  Frost.  One  thing  I  have 
learned  to  my  sorrow,  Is  what  terrible  work 
a  frost,  at  the  time  when  the  young  Pears 
were  the  size  of  ordinary  Cherries,  could  do 


DAHLIA  BARKERI/E.    See  "History  r,f  the  Dahlia,''  page 

the  frost,  and  also  remained  free  from  blight, 
with  the  exception  of  one  Bartlett  tree  at 
the  southwest  corner  of  the  orchard,  and 
where  the  forest  ends  that  borders  the 
orchard  on  the  north  and  west.  I  forgot  to 
mention  that  a  tree  of  the  Garber  Pear,  in 
the  orchard  here,  fully  exposed,  was  not 
effected  by  frost  nor  blight. 

The  Chinese  Peaks.  The  three  new 
Pears,  Kieffer,  Garber,  and  Le  Conte  are  in 
my  opinion  first  cousins,  and  while  the  two 
first-named  are  valuable  here,  I  think  they 
are  the  foundation  for  a  more  hardy  and 
healthy  class  of  Pears  than  the  ordinary 
run.    That  the  Le   Conte  blights  too  bad 


among  fruit  and  foliage  on  the  trees  here  i  here  to  warrant  its  planting  is  a  fact,  so  far 


on  the  river  bottom,  or  rather  in  a  little 
vale  one  hundred  yards  from  the  river  bank. 
This  frost  made  my  Pear  trees  look  as  though 
a  fire  had  passed  through  irregularly. 

Many  limbs,  as  large  as  a  broom  handle, 
never  sent  out  a  fresh  leaf,  others  made  a 
feeble  attempt  to  recover,  but  in  the  end 
failed.  On  the  same  footing  the  trees  were 
very  differently  affected.  One  Bartlett,  one 
Clapp'sFavorite,  three  Doyenne  d'  etes,  have 
gone  under,  dead  to  the  ground.  While  the 
Bloodgood,  Kieffer,  Easter  Beurre,  Seckels 
were  scarcely  affected.  One  large  Sheldon, 
one  Bartlett;  and  Beurre  Clairgeau  were 
somewhat  hurt,  but  may  recover.  I 

Now,  if  that  frost  was  not  the  cause  of  all 
this  trouble,  I  would  like  if  some  one  can 
tell  what  else  it  was.     We  all  know  that  I 


as  I  have  been  able  to  learn;  but  if  it  does  so 
well  in  the  south,  and  they  can  ship  the  fruit 
north  when  it  commands  a  paying  price; 
there  is  the  place  to  grow  them. 

The  Kieffer  is  roundly  condemned  as  unfit 
to  eat  by  many,  for  which  we  should  extend 
charity,  but  for  my  own  use  I  deem  it  about 
as  valuable  a  Pear  as  we  have.  That  it  is 
not  quite  equal  to  a  Bartlett  or  Seckel  all 
will  admit,  but  if  1  had  the  three  in  prime 
at  the  same  time,  believe  I  would  eat  about 
as  many  Kieffers  as  of  the  others.  Wheu 
this  latter  is  in  its  prime,  it  has  a  sprightli- 
ness  and  a  flavor  that  is  refreshing,  and  for 
preserving  or  making  jelly  there  is  none  to 
equal  it.  Garber  is  a  month  earlier  and  is, 
to  my  taste,  a  little  better,  larger,  and  a 
most  beautiful  fruit. 


I  A  Pear  that  will  sell  readily  at  50  cents 
per  dozen,  right  in  the  Pear  season,  is  worth 
i  growing,  particularly  when  a  young  tree 
bears  four  full  crops  in  succession,  as  mine 
has  done.  I  have  no  Pear  trees  to  sell,  hence 
no  axe  to  grind  in  thus  lauding  these  new 
ones,  but  wish  to  see  Pear  trees  plenty  that 
can  take  care  of  themselves,  and  are  not 
sub.iect  to  blight,  which  is  the  great  draw- 
back to  this  fruit's  successful  culture.  It 
is  a  variety  that  will  give 
yoti  Pears. 

Seedlings  from  these 
varieties  might  bring  out 
somethinggrand,  now  why 
don't  .some  younger  men 
than  I  plant  their  seeds 
and  try  it?  A  lot  of  Kieffer 
seedlings  of  the  past  sum- 
mer that  have  grown  nice- 
ly, and  free  from  leaf  rust, 
which  usually  ruined  all 
my  Pear  seedlings,  are 
budded  with  Idaho.  It  is 
destined  to  make  its  mark 
in  the  world.  I  have  eaten 
the  fruit  twice, and  consider 
it  a  treasure.  Trees  grow- 
ing here  two  years  have 
shown  no  signs  of  blight. 

Grape  Rot.  The  grow- 
ing of  Grapes  here  has  just 
come  to  this.that  if  we  want 
Grapes  to  ripen,  the  bunch- 
es must  be  put  in  paper 
sacks  as  soon  as  the  berries 
are  fully  formed.  The  solu- 
tions recommended  for 
spraying  the  trees  and  fruit, 
have,  in  several  instances, 
here  failed,  and  in  several 
other  cases  the  foliage  of 
the  vines  was  injured. 
Even  if  I  can  keep  the  rot 
off,  the  fruit  is  in  danger 
from  insects  and  birds. 
Among  the  former  a  species 
of  Curculio  is  nearly  as  bad 
on  the  Grapes  here  as  on 
the  Plums.  My  Marsalas 
that  never  rotted  before,  I 
thought  were  rotting  this 
season,  when  a  close  ex- 
amination found  that 
every  berry  that  had 
turned  the  wrong  color  had  a  worm  in 
it.  Sacking  is  proof  against  all  these 
enemies,  and  will  keep  the  fruit  safe  on  the 
vines  weeks  after  they  are  fully  ripe,  and 
would  spoil  it  exposed  to  the  weather.  Some 
say  that  Grapes  thus  hidden  in  sacks  do  not 
color  up  well  and  that  they  are  deficient 
in  flavor,  which  however,  I  have  not  yet 
experienced. 

Curculio.  Is  there  any  cure  for  this  vill- 
ians  attack?  Only  one  sure  remedy  and  that 
is  to  catch  them,  by  jarring  the  trees,  having 
a  cloth  under  the  trees  to  catch  them,  an,d 
kill  them.  It  is  not  hard  to  smoke  the  trees, 
or  spray  with  something  that  will  drive 
them  off  until  a  rain  comes  and  washes  the 
remedy  off.  Then  they  will  come  back 
again.  I  have  tried  the  latter  plans,  but 
found  that  it  must  be  repeated  so  often  that 
one  is  sure  to  neglect  it,  sooner  or  later. 

If  a  whole  community  would  join  in  the 
warfare,  in  a  few  years  the  enemy  might  be 
so  near  exterminated  that  raising  Plums 
would  be  easy.  Last  spring  I  did  nothing 
to  my  Plum  trees:  hence  had  no  Plums 
except  Wild  Goose,  which  is  a  big  nothing 
with  us.  Bushels  rot  under  the  trees.  The 
Express  Companies  make  it  unprofitable  to 
ship  them.  Letting  hogs  and  poultry  run 
in  the  Plum  orchard  will  help  to  destroy  the 
Curculios,  but  it  cannot  be  depended  upon. 
That  there  is  a  Curculio-proof  Plum  I  know, 
the  Golden  Beauty,  but  the  marks  they 
make  on  the  fruit  mars  its  beauty. 


6.3. 


1889. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


51 


A  Few  Good  Chrysanthemums. 

FRED  \V.  CAUn,  TOMPKINS  CO.,  N.  T. 

It  is  very  (litlicult  for  one  unaquainted 
with  varieties  to  select  from  a  catnlofiue 
seeils  or  plants  of  any  kind  suited  to  his 
wants.  HavinK  this  in  mind  I  have  noted  a 
few  ont  of  the  .">u  varieties  of  Chrysanthe- 
mums growing  in  the  Cornell  University 
conservatories  which  happen  to  -suit  my 
taste,  and  would  give  a  Kood  collection 
of  colors  to  any  one  wanting  but  few 
plants:  !<n(>U(]ni.  pure  white;  X  Mas 
Eve,  cream,  EdiKt  Crniij,  white,  pink  tinge; 
QUirinitiim,  bright  yellow;  Mdtl.  Andignicr, 
pink;  Jupiter,  wine  color;  CuUinijforclia, 
dark  (dark  mahogany  crimson). 

To  these  perhaps  I  mightadd:  \cUicBlij. 
dark  yellow;  Lady  SUule,  pink  incurved 
(large  Rose  shaped  blossoms).  While  there 
are  no  doubt  many  others  in  the  collection 
equally  good,  or  even  better,  which  might 
take  preference  with  another  taste,  I  think 
these  would  make  an  entirely  satisfactory 
collection. 


Notes  from   the   Popular    Gardening 

Grounds  at  La  Salle-on-the- 

Niagara. 

Beautiful  Celery.— yfe  have  been  much  pleased 
with  the  Bouquet  Celery  sent  out  last  Spring  by 
Peter  Henderson  &  Co.,  of  New  York.  It  is  a 
dwarf  or  half-dwarf  variety  of  strong,  compact, 
healthy  growth,  equal  in  flavor  and  crispness  to 
the  best,  and  in  beauty  of  foliage  far  surpassing 
anything  we  have  ever  seen  in  the  Celery  line. 
No  doubt  about  its  being  rightly  named- 
Bouquet.  It  would  seem  to  be  an  ideal  sort  tor 
"  soup "'  Celery,  and  we  can  justly  recommend  it 
for  trial  to  gardeners  who  grow  Soup  Celerj'  in 
cold  frames. 

Another  good  sort,  especially  valuable  for 
home  use,  is  the  New  Rose,  introduced,  we  be- 
lieve, by  the  same  firm  as  the  Bouquet.  In 
quality  it  has  no  superior,  in  growth  it  is  strong 
and  healthy,  and  its  delicate  pinkish  color  makes 
it  a  favorite  on  our  table.  As  a  market  sort  it 
has  the  same  fate  as  other  red  varieties— it  is  not 
as  much  in  demand  as  the  white  sorts. 

Kalamazoo  seems  to  resemble  Golden  Heart, 
at  least  we  did  not  notice  much  difterence  be- 
tween them,  and  both  sorts  are  good  and  reliable, 
both  for  home  use  and  market. 

Our  White  Plume  behaved  somewhat  strange- 
ly this  season.  The  self-bleaching  feature  of 
this  sort  appeared  in  a  much  less  pronounced 
degree  than  we  were  accustomed  to  see,  but 
whether  this  is  owing  to  th-^  peculiar  atmos- 
pheric conditions  of  the  season,  or  to  the  natural 
tendency  of  a  self-bleaching  sort  of  reverting  to 
its  original  type,  we  are  unable  to  say. 

Under  our  mode  of  cultivation  we  have  always 
been  fortunate  enough  to  obtain  Celery  of  un- 
surpassed sweetness  and  brittleness.    What  we 


BOUQUET  CELERY, 
would  like  to  know  is  this :  to  what  extent  qual- 
ity and  tenderness  of  Celery  is  influenced  by 
feeding  with  different  manures,  how  much  by 
cultivation,  and  how  much  by  variety?  We 
have  tried  a  good  many  varieties,  but  never  yet 
have  grown  the  great,  coarse,  hollow,  tough 
stalks  that  we  find  on  cit5'  hotel  tables.  And  in 
particular,  does  nitrate  of  soda  tend  to  produce 
brittleness  in  this  and  other  vegetables  ? 


I'rntnits  fur  the  jy<irt/i.— Wo  have  once  more 
tried  a  inimlicrof  Peanut  varieties,  although  not 
with  much  confidence  in  our  ability  to  obtain  a 
paying  crop,  I'cirtunately,  fur  he  who  e.\iiects 
little  will  not  Ik' diaaiipointccl.  The  conditions  of 
soil  and  sua.si>ii  were  almut  as  unfavorable  as 
they  could  well  be.  The  common  Peanut  of  our 
stores  (Virginia  Peanut)  and  Faust's  Improved 
Griiund-nut  entirely 
failed  to  set  fruit,  but 
the  Spanish  and 
Maule's  Improved 
Peanut. — which  seem 
to  be  identical  ma- 
tured at  least  a  few  -'~^^. 
specimens.  On  suit-  ^-r-  z^  '^ 
able  soil  (ours  was  too 
wet  and  heavy),  and 
in  an  avei-age  season 
there  can  be  no  doubt 
that  a  fair  crop  of 
Nuts  can  be  obtained, 
even  in  this  latitude, 
by  planting  these  ear- 
ly varieties.  The  pods 
are  small,  but  closely 
tilled  with  a  nut  of 
most  excellent  quali- 
ty. In  fact  there  is 
no  variety  superior 
to  these  in  this  rr- 
spect,  and  we  Bud  that ' 
an  extra  price  is  asked 
for  this  dainty  sort  at 
our  fruit  stores.  But 
we  do  no  intend  to 
attempt  growing  the 
ordinary  Virginia 
Peanut  again,  at  least 
not  so  long  as  we  live 
north  of  Maryland. 
But  with  early  sorts 
it  is  interesting. 

i'lcet't  Votatoes.—y^e 
do  not  think  we  would 
care  to  engage  in 
growing  Sweet  Pota- 
toes for  market  in 
this  vicinity;  yet  our 
season's  experience 
with  them  shows  that 
there   is    nothing    to 

hinder  the  home  gardener  from  producing  all  the 
Sweet  Potatoes  he  may  want  to  use,  the  only 
condition  of  success  being  that  good  plants  be 
set  in  warm  and  dry  soil  early  in  June,  or  as  soon 
as  the  ground  has  become  thoroughly  warm,  and 
be  treated  in  the  usual  manner.  Excessively 
rich  soil  should  be  avoided,  as  also  nitrogenous 
manures  on  land  already  provided  with  sufBcient 
vegetable  matter.  A  high-grade  complete  fer- 
tilizer—a special  Potato  manure,  for  instance- 
can  usually  be  reUed  on  for  good  results,  and 
only  where  the  soil  is  somewhat  thin  would  it  be 
necessary  or  advisable  to  apply  yard  compost. 
When  stimulated  by  rich  soil  or  manure,  the 
plants  are  only  too  apt  to  expend  their  energies 
in  making  vines.  We  have  had  hard  work,  on 
former  occassions.  to  keep  the  rines  from  rooting 
all  over  the  ground  where  the  whole  surface 
was  enriched,  and  for  this  reason  now  always 
apply  whatever  fertilizer  we  use,  in  the  hill  only. 
In  fact  this  is  the  only  crop  tor  which  we  omit  to 
apply  at  least  a  portion  of  the  fertilizer  broad- 
cast, and  practice  hill  application  exclusively. 

Of  the  three  varieties  we  cultivated  this  year— 
a  yellow,  a  red,  and  a  white  one— contrary  to 
pre\-ious  experience,  the  Yellow  Nansemond 
has  done  by  far  the  l)est.  The  red  (  Ked  Jersey) 
last  year,  and  the  year  before,  had  given  us  so 
much  nicer  tubers,  and  larger  crops,  than  the 
Yellow  Nansemond,  that  we  were  quite  disap- 
pointed in  it  this  year.  This  might  have  been 
merely  accidental,  and  we  shall  not  yet  reverse 
our  former  good  opinion  of  the  Red  Jersey.  The 
white  sorts.  New  Early  Golden,  Southern  Queen, 
etc.  included  -  always  ranked  last  in  our  favor, 
and  this  year's  test  has  not  changed  our  opinion. 

Praiius  PimarAi.  We  have  on  several  occa- 
sions given  expression  to  the  high  estimation  in 
which  wc  hold  this  tree.  No  matter  what  Mr. 
McMillan  may  say  against  variegated  or  high- 
colored  foliage,  we  know  that  if  properly  set  off,  it 
will  make  a  most  attractive  bed  or  single  subject. 
In  short  it  finds  a  place,  and  many  people  desire 
to  display  foliage  of  just  such  exceedingly  rich 
color.  Prunus  Pissardi  has  merits  in  respect  to 
quality  and  price  which  should  strongly  recom- 
mend it  to  all  who  wish  to  employ  trees  of  high- 
colored  foliage.    It  is  as  rich  as  River's  Purple- 


leaved  Beach  ;  but  » hilc  the  latter  is  a"  hard 
subject  to  transplant,  Prunus  Pissardi  trans- 
plants as  easily  as  any  of  our  ordinary  trees. 
Ilut  look  at  the  price.  A  nice  large  specimen^of 
Purple-lca\'ecl  Reach  will  cost  you  several  dollars; 
Prunus  Ptssardi  can  be  had  as  cheap  as  a  com- 
mon Plum  or  Cherry  tree.  Like  common  Plum 
trees  the  Pissardi  blooms  freely,  and  its  white 


PURPLE-LEAVED   PLUM   IN   FLOWER. 

flowers  are  well  set  off  against  the  glossy 
purple  foUage.  Its  fruit  is  small,  deep  red  or 
purple,  of  rather  inferior  quality. 


Fruits,  The   Catalogues    Know 
Nothing  of. 

There  are  thousands  of  good  varieties  of 
Apples,  Pears,  Plums,  Peaches  and  other 
fruits  which  are  not  mentioned  in  the  cata- 
logues. Many  of  these  have  a  wide  local 
reputation,  and  are  grown  extensively  in 
certain  neighborhoods  for  market  or  special 
purposes.  There  they  have  found  environ- 
ments, and  conditions  of  soil  and  climate 
specially  suited  to  their  wants.  There  they 
are  doing  good  in  a  quiet  way  without  mak- 
ing much  ado  about  it.  They  are  known 
and  appreciated  in  the  local  markets,  and 
the  growers  are  doing  well  with  them. 

This,  however,  does  not  prove  that  they 
would  do  as  well,  or  be  appreciated  to  the 
same  degree  elsewhere.  Some  of  them  might 
prove  worthy  of  introduction  and  general 
cultivation,  but  there  is  usually  so  much  of 
an  element  of  uncertainty  about  the  final 
success,  that  it  would  be  too  much  risk  to 
attempt  introducing  them.  We  have  at 
present  a  most  excellent  assortment  of 
fruits,  and  any  new  variety,  to  be  worthy 
of  introduction,  must  combine  a  number  of 
points  of  superiority.  But  the  facts  stated 
are  often  brought  to  our  attention  by  the 
specimens  of  "  local  celebrities  "  sent  us  for 
examination  by  our  kind  friends. 

Apples.  Mr.  John  F.  Rupp  of  Cumber- 
land County,  Pa.,  semis  us  specimens  of  two 
local  Apples,  with  the  following  description: 
'■  The  Streintown  Pippin  is  one  of  our  most 
profitable  varieties;  it  is  an  immense  bearer 
and  a  long  keeper.  Last  year  our  row  of 
this  variety  produced  an  extraordinary 
heavy  crop,  and  this  year  the  crop  is  remark- 
ably   good;     the    trees    averaging    fifteen 


52 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


December, 


bushels.  Though  the  quality  is  not  first- 
class,  being  rather  acid  for  an  eating  Apple, 
for  baking  purposes  it  can  not  be  surpassed. 
They  come  in  very  nicely  in  February  and 
March.  We  have  kept  them  perfectly  until 
the  Middle  of  April,  Our  trees  of  this  vari- 
ety produce  a  fair  crop  every  year.  This 
year  nearly  all  of  our  Apples,  consisting  of 
some  fifty  varieties,  are  an  entire  failure; 
a  few  producing  fair  to  good  crops.  The 
Streintovvn  Pippin,  Boston  Russett,  York 
Stripe,  and  Great  Bearer  are  the  only  kinds 
in  the  whole  lot  that  are  at  all  doing  well; 
last  fall  all  varieties  had  an  extra  heavy 
crop. 

The  small,  red  Apple  I  send  is  the  "  Great 
Bearer."  This  is  a  sweet  variety  and  pro- 
duces wonderfully,  the  trees  appearing  like 
a  solid  red  mass  of  fruit.  Last  fall  they 
were  literally  covered  with  ,\pp!es,  and  this 
fall  they  are  nearly  as  full.  Though  they 
are  very  good  as  an  eating  Apple  in  the  win- 
ter, their  chief  value  is  as  a  cider  Apple. 
Being  a  certain  heavy  bearer,  this  variety  is 
valued  as  the  first  for  cider-making  pur- 
poses. Neither  of  these  varieties  have  been 
very  widely  disseminated,  though  they  have 
been  grown  twenty-five  or  more  years  in 
this  and  ad.ioining  counties." 

Local  Peach.  During  our  recent  visit  at 
the  fruit  farms  in  the  northern  part  of  this 
county,  and  near  Niagaraon-the-Lake,  Can- 
ada, we  became  acquainted  with  the  Long- 
hurst  Crawford,  a  fine  Peach  of  the  Smock 
type  (probably  a  Smock  Seedling)  much 
grown  in  that  vicinity.  Its  quality  is  decid- 
edly good.  Our  friend  Henry  Lutts  tells  us 
that  the  tree  is  a  remarkable  bearer,  never 
missing  a  crop,  and  the  fruit  much  esteemed 
by  canners.  It  was  found  in  the  garden  of 
a  Mr.  Longhurst  some  tliirty  years  ago. 


Remedies  For  The  Striped  Cucum- 
ber  Beetle 

We  have  met  the  enemy  and  we  were 
theirs — that  is  about  the  outcome  of  our  last 
season's  experience  with  the  striped  Cu- 
cumber beetle  (i5(((7)rot((o  vitiata).  Altera 
short  and  decisive  fight  we  conceded  our 
utter  defeat;  but  now  think  it  is  time  we 
should  repair  our  weapons  and  prepare  for 
another  test  of  strength. 

In  the  first  place  it  may  be  well  to  find  out 
by  what  methods  and  devices  we  can 
not  hope  to  conquer.  In  this  respect  we  are 
aided  by  a  number  of  experiments  made  by 
Mr.  C.  M.  Weed,  of  the  Ohio  Experiment 
Station,  and  reported  in  a  recent  bulletin  of 
that  station.  Mr.  Weed  comes  to  conclu- 
sions, which,  it  may  be  hoped,  will  put  for- 
ever at  rest  the  "infallable  remedies" 
which  heretofore  have  been  making  the 
rounds  of  the  agricultural  press  every  season. 
The  methods  proposed  for  preventing  the 
injuries  and  depredations  of  this  insect  may 
be  divided  into  four  classes,  says  Mr.  Weed, 
viz.:  (1)  Keeping  away  by  strong  odors, 
supposed  to  be  offensive  to  the  beetles.  (3) 
Coating  the  plant  with  substances  making 
a  mechanical  barrier  to  their  feeding.  (3) 
coating  the  plants  with  poisonous  subtances. 
(4)  Fencing  out  the  insects  by  enclosing  the 
plants  inside  some  form'  of  tent  or  gauze- 
covered  frame. 

Protection  by  Offensive  Odors.  It  is 
often  stated  that  the  injuries  of  the  striped 
beetle  may  be  prevented  by  covering  the 
earth  about  the  plants  with  hen  manure. 
Accordingly,  23  hills  were  given  a  liberal 
application  of  this  substance  June  11.  The 
day  following  it  rained,  so  that  the  manure 
was  put  in  as  effective  condition  as  it  well 
could  be.  The  second  day,  however,  the 
beetles  were  working  upon  these  hills  in 
great  numbers,  and  the  third  day  they  had 
ruined  a  large  proportion  of  the  plants. 

Five  hills  were  treated  with  cow  manure 
in  the  same  manner  as  in  the  experiment 
just  described,  but  the  results  were  but  a  lit- 


tle better.  The  beetles  did  not  seem  affected 
by  the  application. 

It  is  frequently  stated  that  the  striped 
beetle  can  be  kept  at  bay  by  placing  rags 
saturated  with  kerosene  on  the  hills.  We 
gave  the  method  a  thorough  trial,  but  as 
our  results  show  it  is  of  little  practical  value. 

Bisulphide  of  carbon  is  occasionally  rec- 
ommended as  a  preventive  of  the  injuries 
of  this  insect.  We  tested  it  twice  on  three 
hills,  each  time  pouring  it  in  holes  in  the 
soil,  closing  them  immediately.  Wherever 
the  holes  were  made  near  the  plants  the 
latter  were  injured  by  the  bisulphide;  and 
in  no  case  could  any  effect  upon  the  number 
of  beetles  be  seen. 

Carbolic  acid  was  tried  in  the  same 
manner  as  the  kerosene  experiment,  strips 
of  thick  felt  paper  dipped  in  crude  carbolic 
acid  being  laid  upon  the  hills,  in  the  vicinity 
of,  but  not  in  contact  with  the  plants.  The 
results  of  this  experiment  were  the  most 
promising  of  any  of  this  class  of  preventives. 
The  beetles  seemed  very  sensitive  to  the 
odor,  and  only  worked  sparingly  upon  the 
plants,  which  survived  in  fairly  good  condi- 
tion, while  neighboring  plants,  protected  by 
kerosene  and  other  substances,  were  de- 
stroyed. There  is  danger,  however,  of  in- 
juring the  plant  foliifge  by  using  this  sub- 
stance. Wherever  the  plants  were  touched 
by  the  paper  strips  the  leaves  were  destroyed , 
and  in  some  cases  the  fumes  brought  out 
from  the  acid  by  the  hot  sun  seemed  to  burn 
the  plants. 

Protection  by  Mechanical  Coatings. 
But  three  substances  of  this  class  was  tried; 
coal  soot,  plaster  and  saltpetre.  The  latter 
perhaps  does  not  properly  belong  to  this 
class,  but  I  place  it  here  in  lieu  of  some 
better  disposition  to  make  of  it. 

The  plants  of  five  hills  were  covered  with 
coal  soot,  but  it  seemed  to  have  little  effect 
upon  the  beetles  which  biu-ied  themselves 
in  it  repeatedly. 

Gypsum  or  plaster  was  applied  to  23  hills 
with  only  partial  success.  The  same  diffi- 
culty that  was  found  in  so  many  other  cases 
—that  of  the  beetles  working  beneath  the 
soil  surface  and  feeding  upon  the  stem— was 
experienced.  To  be  most  effective  the  plants 
must  be  dusted  when  covered  with  dew.  I 
doubt  whether  this  or  any  other  substance 
of  a  similar  nature  will  be  wholly  successful 
where  the  beetles  are  very  abundant. 

Saltpetre  is  frequently  recommended  as 
a  protection  against  the  striped  beetle.but  its 
value  is  very  doubtful. 

Coating  With  Poisonous  Mixtures. 
The  only  substances  of  this  class  used  were 
pyrethrum,  slug  shot  and  peroxide  of  sili- 
cates. 

Pyrethrum.  When  put  on  it  killed  many 
of  the  beetles  present,  but  it  had  only  a  tem- 
porary effect,  seeming  to  become  innoxious 
after  a  few  hours,  exposure  to  the  air. 

Slug  shot  was  dusted  on  June  11,  and 
again  the  following  morning  while  the  leaves 
were  still  wet  with  dew.  June  14  the  leaves 
showed  a  decided  injury  due  to  the  slug 
shot  alone.  They  had  also  been  considera- 
bly damaged  by  the  beetles,  which  not  only 
worked  upon  the  surface  above  groimd,  but 
went  down  in  beside  the  stem  and  devoui-ed 
it,  frequently  severing  it  completely.  From 
this  experiment  it  appears  unsafe  to  apply 
this  substance,  at  least  in  the  proportions  in 
which  it  is  now  mixed,  to  the  tender  foliage 
of  young  curcurbitaceous  plants. 

Peroxide  of  silicates  was  used  freely  on 
a  large  number  of  hills,  and  obtained  fairly 
satisfactory  results  when  the  plants  were 
well  started  before  the  bugs  attacked  them. 
It  was  applied  with  a  Woodason  bellows  to 
both  surfaces  of  the  leaves.  But  the  trouble 
with  this,  as  with  any  other  substance  of 
the  kind,  is  that  when  the  beetles  are  as 
thick  as  they  were  in  our  fields,  they  will 
dig  down  to  meet  the  sprouting  plants  be- 


fore they  reach  the  soil  surface.  We  found 
this  insecticide,  however,  of  much  value  in 
protecting  the  plants  after  the  mechanical 
barriers  described  below  had  been  removed. 
Doubtless  Ijondon  purple  or  Paris  green, 
diluted  with  flour  or  plaster,  would  have 
done  just  as  well. 

Excluding  by  Mechanical  Barriers. 
One  of  the  simplest  and  most  successful 
methods  is  that  of  placing  the  ends  of  half 
a  barrel  hoop  in  the  earth  at  the  sides  of  the 
hill,  and  then  laying  over  it  a  square  strip 
of  thin  plant  cloth  or  cheese  cloth.  The 
edges  of  the  cloth  are  then  drawn  taut  and 
covered  with  loose  earth  or  small  stones. 
This  excludes  the  beetles,  and  at  the  same 
time  allows  access  of  air,  moisture  and  sun- 
shine. Squash  plants  are  able  to  grow  un- 
til they  get  four  or  five  leaves,  and  Cucum- 
bers and  Melons  even  more,  before  they  are 
crippled  by  contact  with  the  cloth. 

Instead  of  a  barrel  hoop,  wire  may  be  used. 
On  some  of  our  hills  we  used  a  bent  wire 
with  excellent  results.  Another  way  con- 
sists simply  of  two  pieces  ot  wire  bent  over 
each  other  in  the  middle  like  the  center  arch 
of  a  croquet  ground.  Of  course  the  ends 
are  pushed  into  the  soil  and  the  cloth  drawn 
over  and  held  down  by  loose  earth  as  de- 
scribed above.  Good  results  were  also  ob- 
tained by  simply  placing  the  cloth  over  the 
plants  without  any  standard,  and  covering 
the  edges  as  above.  By  loosening  the  cloth 
occasionally  it  will  not  cripple  the  plants. 

We  also  tried  various  forms  of  gauze- 
covered  boxes,  which,  however,  have  the 
decided  disadvantage  of  not  allowing  free 
access  of  air  and  .sunshine,  so  that  the  plants 
are  liable  to  be  slender  and  weakly,  falling 
an  easy  prey  to  the  voracious  beetles  after 
the  protection  is  removed. 


Water   Bouquets. 

Procure  a  glass  shade  or  globe,  and  a  glass 
dish  on  which  the  shade  will  stand  evenly. 
A  stand  on  a  short  pedestal  so  as  to  lift  the 
ornament  somewhat  up  from  the  table  is 
best.  Then  proceed  to  arrange  the  flowers 
and  foliage  in  bouquet  form,  the  stems  be- 
ing shortened  and  tied  securely  to  some- 
thing heavy,  which  will  serve  to  keep  the 
flowers  erect  yet  fixed  to  the  stand.  Next 
get  a  large  bath  or  tub,  fill  it  full  of  clear 
water,  and  high  enough  to  not  only  fully 
immerse  the  flowers,  but  to  cover  the  shade 
when  placed  over  the  bouquet. 

Place  the  dish  or  stand  at  the  bottom  of 
the  tub,  put  the  flowers  unto  it,  in  erect 
form,  then  take  the  shade  and  lay  it  side- 
ways in  the  water,  the  l)Ottom  edge  touching 
the  edge  of  the  dish  or  stand  on  which  the 
flowers  are  placed.  The  shade  must  then  be 
gradually  and  very  carefully  brought  over 
the  flowers  so  that  no  air  is  retained.  It  is 
important  that  this  act  should  be  performed 
quite  beneath  the  water,  as  if  air  bubbles  are 
admitted  the  attempt  must  be  repeated  until 
the  experiment  is  successful.  Small  bou- 
quets, and  flowers  of  but  two  to  three  pleas- 
ing color  are  best.  Novices  may  well  try 
their  hands  first  with  a  tiny  bouquet  beneath 
a  glass  tumbler,  and  on  a  small  plate.  Such 
bouquets  are  appropriate  subjects  for  ex- 
hibition at  all  flower  shows. 


Repairing  Hot-bed  Sash. 
It  not  unfrequently  happens  that  the  tenon 
at  one  of  the  corners  of  a  sash  rots  off  allow- 
ing the  sash  to  spread  apart,  or  at  least 
rendering  it  very  weak  and  shaky  at  that 
point.  Mr.  J.  N.  Hibberd,  of  Erie  County, 
in  a  recent  visit  at  our  grounds,  recom- 
mended the  following  as  a  superior  method 
of  repairing  such  a  sash.  A  hole  half-inch 
or  less  in  diameter  is  bored  obliquely  into 
the  end,  as  indicated  in  engraving.  A  peg 
of  sufficient  length  is  then  made  to  fit  closely 
into  the  hole.     This  peg  is  split  at  one  end, 


1889. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


53 


a  we(lt;c  lightly  inserted  as  shown  a  ((,  and 
the  pes  driven  in  firmly,  so  that  the  wedge 
is  driven  home  at  the  same  time,  spreading 
the  inside  end  of  peg.  and  giving  the  latter 
a  firm  hold,  as  seen  at  /).  The  other  end  of 
peg  is  now  sawed  off  evenly  with  the  out- 
side, and  another  wedge  driven  in,  as  appear- 
ing at  c.  The  whole  operation  is  as  simple 
as  it  is  eflfective. 


COMMENTS    BY    READERS. 

A  dfpartnunt  to  which  all  are  inrited  to  send  notes  0/ 
experience  and  observation  concerning  topics  that  re- 
cenllu  hare  (xfil  treated  on  in  Ihia  journal,  ilany 
.•ufA  contributions  monthly  are  tcelcome. 

Keepisi!  Sweet  Potatoes.  Our  southern 
methods  are  somewhat  different  than  those  given 
in  your  columns.  The  following:  plan  is  prac- 
tised here  where  cheapness  is  a  leading  consider- 
ation. Harvest  Potatoes  as  soon  as  possible  after 
the  first  frost  has  blackened  the  leaves,  and  by 
all  means  before  the  next  rain.  Make  a  bed  about 
eight  inches  thick  of  dry  Corn  stalks  on  the  south 
side  of  a  building  or  windbreak  of  some  kind, 
and  on  high  ground,  so  that  water  will  run  off 
and  not  rise  into  the  heap.  Now  pile  the  Pota- 
toes in  a  conical  heap  on  the  bed.  being  careful 
not  to  bruise  tnem.  and  pick  out  all  badly  bruised 
and  broken  ones.  Place  Corn  stalks  lengthwise 
around  the  heap  to  the  depth  of  about  five  or  six 
inches,  the  butts  resting  on  the  bed,  and  the  tops 
coming  together  at  the  apex  of  the  heap.  The 
size  of  the  heap  may  vary,  but  generally  should 
be  four  or  five  feet  high.  If  there  are  many 
Potatoes,  a  series  of  heaps,  or  one  long  wedge- 
shaped  heap  may  be  made.  Coverall  finally  with 
soil  to  a  depth  of  about  six  inches  on  the  south 
side,  on  the  north  side  ten  inches  or  more  would 
perhaps  be  better.  Leave  a  small  space  at  apex 
of  heap  uncovered  by  soil,  but  well  protected  by 
the  stalks.  Cover  the  heaps  with  a  cheap  shed 
to  keep  oft  rain.  It  is  better  to  have  a  number 
of  small  heaps  so  that  one  can  be  used  without 
disturbing  the  others.  It  is  doubtful  if  the  Sweet 
Potatoes  grown  in  the  States  north  of  Kentucky 
ever  reach  a  state  of  maturity  that  will  admit  of 
their  being  kept  so  well  as  the  southern-grown. 
This  is  an  inexpensive  method,  however,  and  it 
would  be  well  to  try  it  and  report  results  to  this 
paper.  It  is  now  too  late,  perhaps,  to  treat  the 
present  crop,  unless  the  Potatoes  have  been  pre- 
served in  cellars  or  elsewhere,  without  exposure 
to  cold.-  IT.  B.  i:tark.  State  College.  Ky. 

Lady  Birds.  A  year  or  two  ago  on  a  warm 
bright  day  late  in  autumn,  myself  and  some 
friends  in  strolling  through  a  pleasant  country 
district  of  this  State,  came  to  a  large  Plane  or 
Cottonwood  tree,  the  base  of  which  from  a  little 
distance  appeared  as  if  painted  red.  On  exam- 
ination we  found  the  sunny  side  of  the  base  and 
the  ground  next  to  it  covered  with  a  thick  layer 
of  the  spotted  lady  bird,  millions  of  them  being 
out  sunning  themselves.  We  might  have  scooped 
them  up  by  the  quart.  The  thought  struck  me 
to  gather  a  lot  and  take  them  to  the  greenhouse 
to  give  them  shelter  over  winter,  and  have  them 
assist  me  in  the  warefare  against  the  Potato  bug 
next  season.  But  Mr.  W.  Sanders  in  his  "  Insects 
Injurious  to  Fruits"  has  failed  to  instruct  us 
about  the  life  habits  of  these  useful  little  insects, 
and  so  I  did  not  know  whether  my  interference 
would  be  of  help  or  detriment  to  the  lady  birds; 
so  fearing  the  latter  I  left  them  to  their  fate. 
Would  it  not  be  well  for  our  entomologists  to 
Impart  more  knowledge  on  the  life  habits  of 
useful  insects,  so  we  can  find  out  in  what  way 
we  might  be  of  help  to  them,  protect  and  shelter 
them?— JVcic  Jergian. 

SlTB-lBRIGATIOX     FOB     GARDENS.        NO     dOUbt 

some  ponds  and  streams  carry  weed  seeds,  and 
when  tapped  for  surface  irrigation  are  apt  to 
seed  the  land  with  most  undesirable  and  annoy- 
ing crops.  In  such  case  the  only  thing  to  be 
done  is  to  irrigate  by  means  of  tile  placed  ten  or 
twelve  inches  or  more  below  the  surface.  I  fijid 
this  by  far  the  most  preferable  method  anyway, 
and  it  meets  Henry  Rupky's  objection  in  a  per- 
fect way.  On  my  soil,  which  is  very  porous  with 
porous  subsoil,  the  water  sinks  too  fast  to  be 
quickly  distributed  over  the  surface  layer,  and  I 
need  great  quantities  of  water  in  order  to  irrigate 
every  part  of  the  surface  and  do  thorough  work. 
In  other  words  I  have  to  deliver  the  water  in  a 
rush,  so  to  give  some  of  it  a  chance  to  reach  the 
points  furthest  from  the  head  before  all  of  it 
finds  its  way  into  the  subsoil.  This  is  one  reason 
why  I  prefer  the  full  supply  of  river  or  pond  to 
the  slow  delivery  of  windmills.     On  the  other 


hand  I  find  the  temperature  of  pond  and  stream 
water  in  summer  much  more  cougenlal  to  plant 
growth  than  that  of  deep  wells,  and  otherwise 
more  suitable.  But  if  well  water  has  to  be  used, 
I  would  construct  an  overground  reser\  oir  or  a 
pond  above  my  field,  pump  this  full  and  allow  it 
to  get  warm  in  the  sun,  then  use  it  for  sub- 
irrigation  in  the  way  I  now  practice  with  my 
natural  pond  supply.— .V/orri.s  Mmirrey. 

Construction  of  Gree.nhouse  Wai-ls.  Far 
too  little  attention  is  generally  paid  to  the  con- 
struction of  greenhouse  walls,  and  other  walls 
too,  and  also  to  the  matter  of  excluding  cold  and 
preserving  heat  in  houses,  stiibles,  etc..  by  a  little 
painstaking.  My  neighbors,  for  instance,  con- 
struct a  vegetable  forcing  house.  The  sides,  two 
feet  high,  are  put  up  of  a  single  thickness  of 
boards,  and  so  is  the  end  facing  the  north  with 


REPAIRING  HOT-BED  SASH. 

the  door.  It  is  true  the  sides  are  banked  up  with 
soil,  but  a  few  inches  next  the  glass  are  left  bare, 
and  the  cold  has  an  excellent  chance  to  work  in 
at  this  Line.  How  much  warmer  and  more  com- 
fortable would  it  be  inside,  how  much  better 
would  the  plants  thrive,  or  how  much  less  fuel 
be  needed,  if  the  sides  were  constructed  as  sug- 
gested by  Mr.  S.  B.  Green  (see  page  35,  November 
issue).  Such  a  double  wall  would  not  require 
much  outlay  for  boards,  and  sawdust  can  usuall.v 
be  had  tor  little  besides  the  hauling.  Paper  is 
also  quite  cheap.  People  are  too  careless  in  such 
matters.  A  little  time  spent  in  padding  and 
stopping  up  crevices,  putting  in  lights  where 
broken,  etc.,  will  often  save  much  coal  or  suffer- 
ing.—C?iaric«  Sterling,  Camden,  iV.  J. 

Effects  of  Arsenites.  I  have  just  read  with 
much  interest  the  articles  in  the  November  num- 
ber of  Popular  Gardening  on  the  effects  of 
the  arsenites,  London  purple  and  Paris  green, 
upon  foliage.  As  I  have  conducted  extensive 
experiments  for  the  express  purpose  of  deter- 
mining the  comparative  effects  of  these  different 
poisons,  applied  in  different  ways  to  the  foliage 
of  various  trees  and  plants,  I  can  hardly  help 
adding  a  word.  In  Bulletin  2  of  this  station  I 
gave  the  results  of  a  series  of  experiments  that 
proved  most  conclusively  that  white  arsenic 
should  never  be  applied  in  solution  to  any  foliage 
for  the  destruction  of  leaf-feeding  insects.  I 
have  verified  and  reverifled  those  experiments, 
and  have  always  met  with  the  same  results. 
Arsenic  dissolved  by  boiling  in  water  and  then 
apphed  to  tender  foliage  like  Peach  and  Plum 
has  done  quite  serious  injury,  when  as  dilute  as 
one  pound  of  the  arsenic  to  1.500  gallons  of  water. 
I  also  found  last  year  that  the  larvsp  of  Datana 
ministra  when  fed  day  after  day  upon  the  leaves 
of  Apples  that  had  been  sprayed  with  dissolved 
arsenic  in  the  strength  of  one  pound  to  1200  gal- 
lons of  water,  were  not  affected  bj'  the  poison. 
During  the  past  two  months  I  have  made  in  the 
neighborhood  of  400  applications  of  London 
purple,  Paris  green  and  white  arsenic  in  strengths 
varying  from  one  pound  of  the  poison  to  .W  gallons 
of  water  to  one  i>ound  in  800  gallons.  The  foliage 
used  in  the  experiments  has  been  of  Apple,  Pear, 
Peach,  Plum.  Cherry,  Alder,  Elm,  Locust,  Bar- 
berry, Raspberry,  Poplar  and  Soft  Maple.  It  is 
my  intention  to  conduct  these  experiments 
farther  before  publishing  the  full  results  in  the 
station  bulletins,  but  they  have  gone  far  enough 
to  show  that  London  purple  is  far  the  most 
injurious  of  any  of  these  arsenites  when  freshly 
mixed  and  applied  in  cold  water  to  foliage.  This 
destroyed  nearly  one-halt  of  the  foliage  of  Apple 
trees  when  applied  once  in  the  proportion  of  one 
pound  to  160  gallons  of  water,  and  on  Plum 
foliage  it  did  even  worse  than  this.  Until  farther 
experimentation  proves  me  to  be  wrong.  I  shall 
never  recommend  London  purple  in  preference 
to  Paris  green  for  the  destruction  of  insects, 
provided  the  liquid  is  in  a  condition  to  be  con- 
stantly   stirred  while    being   applied.      In    my 


exi>eriments  Paris  green  hasbeen  next  to  London 
purple  in  amount  of  injury,  and  much  to  my 
surpri.se,  pure  white  arsenic  freshly  mixed  (not 
dissolved)  and  applied  has  been  least  injurious. 
Upwards  of  twenty  applications  of  this  poison  in 
the  proportion  of  one  poimd  to  bO  gallons  of 
water,  have  been  made  to  the  foliage  of  various 
trees,  including  Peach  and  Plum,  without  in  any 
case  doing  more  than  very  slight  harm,  as  shown 
in  two  or  three  weeks'  time.  White  arsenic  is 
very  cheap  when  purchased  in  quantity,  but  it  is 
objectionable  on  account  of  its  being  diiBcult  to 
mix,  and  when  mixed  it  .settles  rapidly,  and  it  is 
more  dangerous  to  have  about  the  house,  as  it  is 
more  liable  to  be  taken  for  flour,  soda  or  other 
articles  used  In  cooking.— C.  P.  OUlette,  litwa  Ex- 
periment Station. 

Zanzibar  Badsam.  I  read  with  much  pleasure 
and  can  heartily  endorse  the  remarks  in  Novem- 
ber issue  regarding  the  Imijatiens  Sultani.  A 
plant  purchased  last  fall  was  never  without 
bloom.  All  winter  it  delighted  the  family  with 
its  wealth  of  blossoms,  and  in  the  spring  was 
planted  under  a  Grape  vine  in  the  garden.  Con- 
trary to  all  expectation,  the  tops  ha^^ng  been 
taken  off  for  cuttings,  it  spread  out,  increased 
rapidly  in  size,  and  soon  was  one  of  the  bright 
spots  in  the  garden  with  its  hundredsof  blossoms. 
E\'eryone  seeing  it  wanted  cuttings,  and  no  diffi- 
culty was  found  in  rooting  them  in  water  or  sand. 
The  original  plant  was  killed  by  the  frost,  as  it 
was  altogether  too  large  to  be  taken  up  for  the 
house,  but  its  cuttings  are  in  blossom  on  the 
shelves,  together  with  cuttings  of  Browallia; 
the  two  flowers  contrasting  well  together,  and 
the  same  height.  Flowering  plants  make  a  win- 
dow look  bright  and  cheerful,  and  my  experience 
is  that  the  Sultani,  BrowalUa  and  Sweet  Alyssum 
are  much  more  satisfactory,  require  less  care, 
and  under  every  condition  give  a  greater  wealth 
of  bloom  than  Geraniums,  Fuchsias,  Helio- 
tropes or  any  other  window  plant.  The  Sultani  is 
the  best  of  the  Impatlens,  the  Lucy  and  Hawkeri 
not  being  so  free  bloomers.  I  have  never  raised 
any  of  them  from  seed,  but  suppose  this  could 
be  easily  done.— Ja;?.  H.  Bancroft,  Mass. 

Remedy  for  Rabbits.  A  much  better  preven- 
tion against  the  depredations  of  rabbits  than  the 
"  grease  and  blood  "  recommended  in  Novemtier 
i.ssue,  is  a  wash  of  one  pound  of  copperas  dissolved 
and  mixed  with  a  bucket  of  whitewash,  and 
applied,  well  thinned  with  water,  with  a  white- 
wash brush.  This  same  wash  will  also  keep  out 
the  Apple  borer  if  applied  in  May,  and  it  does 
not  damage  the  trees.  Further  it  is  a  partial 
protection  against  mice,  while  the  '^  blood  and 
grease  "  attracts  them.  This  is  a  very  valuable 
wash,  and  I  have  used  it  for  five  years  on  thou- 
sands of  trees,young  and  old  .—Be  ;v.Bwc?c77ian, /(Is. 

Bleaching  Ev.iporated  Fruits.  In  reply  to 
a  recent  communication  in  your  columns  I  will 
tell  why  I  do  not  consider  bleaching  evaporated 
fruits  injurious.  Sulphurous  acid  is  not  readUy 
oxidized  in  the  presence  of  air  and  moisture,  as 
there  claimed;  it  requires  the  addition  of  nitric 
acid  fumes  to  produce  sulphuric  acid  in  any  con- 
siderable quantity,  the  reaction  being  chemically 
represented  thus,  3  S.  O  2  plus  N.  O  .5  =  3  S.  O  3 
plus  N.  O  2.  The  whole  matter  was  carefully 
investigated  and  reported  upon  by  Samuel  A. 
Lattimore,  Ph.  D.,  in  the  sixth  annual  report  of 
the  State  Board  of  Health  of  New  York  State, 
submitted  March  19,  18.S6.  Referring  to  sulphur- 
ous acid  he  says:  "In  no  case  has  the  writer 
found  any  trace  of  this  acid  in  evaporated  Apples 
or  other  fruit."  He  also  failed  in  everj'  instance 
to  find  traces  of  free  sulphuric  acid.  Further: 
"  Should  it  appear  that  the  quantity  of  sulphates 
found  in  sulphured  Apples  always  exceeds  the 
normal  quantity,  the  excess  would  very  reasona- 
bly be  credited  to  the  treatment.  The  compara- 
ative  analysis  of  the  samples  of  the  same  fruit, 
part  of  which  had  been  treated  with  sulphur  and 
part  not,  showed  no  wider  difference  than  may 
be  fairly  referred  as  permissible  error  of  experi- 
ment. The  largest  quantities  found  were  so 
tririal  that  the  writer  cannot  entertain  the 
opinion  that  it  excedes  the  quantity  of  sulphuric 
acid  normally  belonging  to  that  particular 
sample."  Then  after  considering  the  question 
whether  the  juice  of  the  Apple  acts  upon  the 
zinc  of  the  fruit  trays  to  form  a  poisonous  salt, 
he  says:  "In  conclusion  it  appears  plain  that 
there  can  exist  no  well  f on  nded  cause  of  appre- 
hension as  to  any  dangerous  contamination  of 
evaporated  Apples  or  other  fruit  from  either  of 
those  two  sources."  Hence  I  trust  no  one  will 
be  frightened  away  from  the  use  of  evaporated 
Apples  by  your  correspondent's  alarm.— i^erf  W. 
Caril,  Tompkins  Co.,  N.Y. 


54 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


December, 


Review  of  Grape  Crop  in    1  889. 

E.  r.  POWELL,  ONEIDA  CO.,  N.  T. 

This  has  been  every  way  a  phenomenal 
year.  We  are  beset  by  surprises  on  all  hands. 
I  was  picking  ripe  Niagaras  the  l'2th  of  .Sep- 
tember. The  Hayes  was  well  ripened  soon 
after  the  first,  and  Diamond  in  good  pick- 
ing on  the  tenth. 

The  amount  of  mildew  and  rot  were  also 
phenomenal.  The  conditions  for  the  devel- 
opment of  vegetable  fungus  were  never  bet- 
ter. Currant  bushes  and  most  of  the  thorns 
have  stood  absolutely  defoliated  since  July. 
It  was  necessary  to  hurry  the  picking  of  the 
Currants  owing  to  their  dropping  with  the 
foliage.  Many  trees  loosened  their  leaves  in 
August,  and  others  early  in  September. 
Rose  bushes  have  been  a  pitiful  sight  all 
through  the  summer. 

I  have  never  had  black  rot  on  my  vines 
before,  except  on  one  sort,  the  Massasoit, 
but  this  year  the  rot  has  swept  through 
Gaertners,  Niagaras,  and  even  Worden. 
Grein's  Hybrids  have  both  rotted  and  mil- 
dewed, and  Roger's  Hybrids  have  either 
wholly  faUed  to  set  or  have  rotted.  The 
special  peculiarity  of  the  season,  however, 
has  been  a  great  failure  of  most  sorts  to  fer- 
tilize while  in  blossom.  Whole  trellises  of 
Herbert,  Worden,  Martha,  Rogers'  30, 
Duchess,  Empire  State,  etc.,  are  without  a 
pound  of  Grapes.  Where  there  should  be 
two  tons  there  may  be  two  hundred  pounds. 

More  damaging  has  been  the  mildew  on 
young  vines  planted  last  fall.  These  start- 
ed well,  but  Gan-tner  and  Roger's  Hybrids 
generally  shrivelled,  andmany  of  them  died. 
Of  vines  that  have  resisted  this  phenomenal 
year  I  make  the  following  list :  Diamond  is 
absolutely  sound  on  old  vines,  nearly  so  on 
small  ones.  Niagara  has  done  well.  Pock- 
lington  all  right.  Hayes  all  right.  Wood- 
rufi  all  right.  Delaware  fairly  well.  Aug- 
ust Giant  fine.  Poughkeepsie  essentially 
identical  in  constitution  with  Delaware. 
Vergennes  fairly  well.  Diana  very  well. 
Martha  very  well.  Worden  all  right.  Con- 
cord all  right.  Brighton  fine.  Duchess  in 
good  order.  Lindley  as  well  off  as  any  of 
Roger's.  Jessica  nearly  leafless.  Golden 
Gem  fine.   This  refers  to  mildew  on  foliage. 

Those  that  have  kept  their  fruit  in  perfect 
order,  free  of  both  mildew  and  rot,  are  Dia- 
mond, Hayes,  Golden  Gem,  August  Giant, 
Concord  mostly,  Martha  the  same;  Diana 
very  nearly  right;  Jefferson  all  right ;  Brigh- 
ton and  Iowa  all  right;  Woodruff  aU  right, 
and  Delaware  in  good  order.  The  worst  to 
mildew  were  Grein's  No.  7  and  Gaertner; 
and  the  worst  to  rot,  Niagara,  Grein's  No.  7, 
a  part  of  my  Wordens  and  Jessica. 

So  many  failed  to  fertilize  that  it  is  impos- 
sible to  draw  a  full  comparison.  But  this  is 
clear  that  among  sixty  varieties  those  that 
have  mastered  all  difficulties,  are  Hayes, 
Diamond.  Woodrull,  Augu.st  Giant,  with 
Delaware,  Poughkeepsie, Vergennes,  Golden 
Gem,  Concord  and  Amber  next. 

My  notes  on  quality  are,  of  course,  imper- 
fect. I,  however,  place  Hayes  twenty-five 
per  cent,  higher  than  before.  It  is  most  de- 
licious, so  much  better  than  it  was  last  year 
when  I  first  ripened  it,  that  I  hardly  recog- 
nize it  as  the  same  Grape.  It  is  a  golden 
white,  good  sized  bunch,  very  fairly  prolific 
and  growth  good.  Diamond  comes  on  a  few 
days  later  than  I  expected,  is  a  delicious 
Grape,  large  noble  berry,  full  fine  bunch  and 
sufficiently  prolific.  Its  growth  and  foliage 
are  beautiful.  Woodruff  is  a  late  grape,  not 
in  any  sense  early  as  reported  to  be,  a  solid 
fine  bunch,  prolific,  and  a  reasonably  decent 
quality.  August  Giant  is  after  Hayes  and 
Diamond,  but  is  rather  an  early  Grape;  very 
prolific,  a  good  bunch,  and  quality  really 
satisfactory.  It  grows  and  outgrows  every- 
thing else.  Foliage  rich,  Grapes  good,  and 
a  splendid  thing  to  take  care  of  itself.  Ver- 
gennes I  set  down  farther  on  the  scale,  ui> 


lacking  quality.  There  is  no  season  for 
growing  Poughkeepsie  Red.  Empire  .State 
I  want  no  more  of.  Worden  is  still  our  best 
black  early  Grape,  and  Herbert  the  best  late. 
Duchess  holds  its  own.  Ulster  I  think  rather 
better  of.  Niagara  has  rotted  badly,  but  it 
fertilized  well,  and  is  this  year  trying  to  be 
an  early  Grape.  Jessica  is  still  in  all  ways 
the  same  contemptible  fraud  made  up  of 
seeds  and  water.  Golden  Gem  is  a  fine  little 
Grape  of  good  spicy  flavor  liked  by  children. 
Grein's  Grapes  are  all  lacking  in  sweetness. 
Brighton  is  superb,  as  usual,  and  the  best 
late  red,  as  Gewrtner  is  best  early.  Lady 
gives  such  wretched  crops;  it  is  worthless, 
but  in  quality  never  surpassed.  Martha,  to 
be  a  fine  Grape,  needs  a  sunny  spot  and 
sharp  thinning. 

Lady  was  first  to  ripen,  August  30th,  Ear- 
ly Victor  and  Moore's  Early  were  colored 
soon  after,  but  not  sweet  and  good  before 
September  .5th.  Worden  was  offering  ripe 
bunches  September  first;  so  also  Brighton, 
but  both  of  these  Grapes  begin  to  ripen  early 
and  do  not  finish  till  late;  are  in  good  eating 
for  sLx  weeks  or  more. 

Hayes  was  fully  ripe  September  1st  to 
.5th,  and  a  glorious  golden  color  when  it 
hung  in  the  sun.  Ulster  began  to  ripen  un- 
usually early  September  5th,  and  Duchess 
not  yet  ripe  September  15th.  So  there  is  no 
calculation  to  be  made  this  year,  for  Duchess 
should  be  ahead  of  Ulster. 

Lindley  on  buildings  was  ripe  September 
5th,  on  trellises,  not  quite  ripe  September 
15th.  Vergennes  may  be  set  down  for  Sep- 
tember 12th.  It  is  not  a  good  Grape.  Mar- 
tha, where  crop  is  thin,  is  ripe  generally  two 
weeks  ahead  of  a  full  crop.  This  Grape  is 
allowed  to  overbear  and  has  lost  its  reputa- 
tion for  quality,  which  may  be  very  good. 

The  secret  of  early  ripening  is  a  sunny  ex- 
posure, well-trimmed  vines,  not  much  sum- 
mer pruning,  a  thinned  crop,  and  well- 
drained  soil.  The  failure  to  fertilize  this 
year  is  a  fault  of  all  fruits.  A  very  warm 
April,  followed  by  cold  weather  all  through 
the  blooming  period,  killed  the  helpful  in- 
sects, and  checked  all  vegetable  activity. 

Quack  Grass  and  How  to  Destroy  it. 

WM.  H.  RAND,  MIDDLESEX  CO.,  MASS. 

The  proprietorship  of  a  garden,  all  my 
own,  given  me  by  my  good  father,  to  encour- 
age my  natural  love  of  plant-life,  is  among 
my  earliest  recollections.  With  a  set  of 
dwarf  garden  tools  I  put  the  weeds  to  flight 
in  short  order,  but  I  found  a  grass  that 
wouldn't  kill.  Whether  dug  up,  cut  off,  or 
covered,  it  rose  Phoeni.x-like  to  fresh  life. 
My  father  told  me  that  my  troublesome  ten- 
ant was  Quack  Grass.  Now  my  crude  idea 
of  the  word  "  Quack  "  was  a  person  who  as- 
sumed to  be  a  doctor,  and  wasn't.  This  plant 
looked  like  Grass,  and  most  decidedly  was 
Grass  every  day  in  the  week. 

Triticum  repens,  the  Quack, Couch, Witch, 
and  De^^^s  Grass  of  various  sections,  is  one 
of  the  worst  weeds  that  Eastern  farmers 
have  to  contend  with  wherever  it  has  gained 
a  foothold  in  tilled  land.  Ordinary  cultiva- 
tion tends  to  increase,  rather  than  weaken 
its  growth,  and  it  not  only  draws  largely  on 
the  supply  of  plant  food  in  the  soil,  but  con- 
sumes the  needed  moisture  to  such  an  ex- 
tent as  to  cause  a  practical  failure  of  crops 
in  a  dry  season.  The  theory  that  no  plant 
can  sustain  life,  if  persistently  cut  off,  and 
not  allowed  to  make  any  considerable  leaf 
growth,  may  be  true  enough,  but  in  practice 
this  idea  cannot  be  carried  out  with  this 
weed,  as  any  hoed  crop  reaches  a  stage  in  its 
growth  where  further  cultivation  is  diffi- 
cult, If  not  Impossible,  and  then  the  Quack, 
as  it  is  commonly  called  in  this  locality,  will 
make  up  for  lost  time. 

We  leased  a  field  on  a  neighboring  place 
for  a  term  of  years,  which,  at  plowing  time, 
we  discovered  to  be  a  solid  Quack  Grass  sod. 


We  determined  to  make  the  best  of  it  and 
put  four  horses  on  a  heavy  Oliver  plow,  with 
the  hope  of  tiirning  under  the  mass  of  roots 
deeply  enough  to  smoother  them.  The  first 
crop  was  nearly  a  failure,  as  the  Grass  roots 
were  so  tough  in  many  places  that  it  was 
impossible  to  keep  the  cultivator  teeth  in 
the  ground.  In  the  fall  we  plowed  again  to 
about  the  same  depth,  bringing  the  old  roots 
to  the  surface  bright  and  fresh.  A  severe 
winter  followed  without  much  snow,  with 
warm  sunny  days  and  sharp  frosty  nights  in 
March.  Now  the  field  was  given  a  thorough 
harrowing  with  a  spring-tooth  harrow, 
which,  of  course,  dragged  the  roots  on  top 
and  together.  This  and  a  second  plowing 
effectually  conquered  the  weed.  The  third 
season  I  do  not  believe  a  dozen  live  roots 
could  have  been  found  on  the  field.  I  be- 
lieve this  is  the  only  successful  method  of 
killing  Quack  Grass.  Summer  following 
might  answer  as  well,  but  would  involve 
loss  of  the  land  for  one  season's  cropping. 
There  are  hundreds  of  small  gardens 
where  this  weed  is  a  pertiferous  nuisance, 
but  if  the  ground  is  dug  deeply  in  the  fall, 
and  the  roots  carefully  pulled  out  and  dug 
from  around  bushes  and  shrubbery,  and 
straggling  plants  hunted  up  the  ensuing 
season,  it  may  be  eradicated.  The  free  use 
of  salt  would  also  accomplish  the  purpose, 
but  prevent  plant  growth  of  any  kind  for  a 
year  or  two,  at  least. 


How  to  IVIanage  the  Apple   IVIaggot. 

The  larva  of  an  insignificant  looking  fly 
(TrypeUi  pornonclla)  causes  much  trouble 
to  eastern  Apple  growers.  It  is  a  footless 
maggot  tapering  to  a  point  in  front,  and  cut 
squarely  off  liehind,  of  greenish  white  color, 
about  one-fifth  of  an  inch  long,  measuring, 
with  wings  expanded,  nearly  one-half  inch 
across;  head  and  legs  rust  red;  thorax  shin- 
ing black,  more  or  less  marked  with  grayish 
white;  wings  whitish  glassy  with  dusky 
bands.  This  single,  brooded  insect  appears 
in  July,  and  by  means  of  a  sharp  ovipositor 
inserts  its  eggs  into  the  substance  of  the 
Apple.  The  maggot  soon  hatches,  and  be- 
gins its  work  of  destruction  by  tunnelling 
the  pulp  of  the  fruit  with  winding  channels. 

For  the  past  two  years  the  Apple  maggot 
and  its  ravages  have  been  the  subject  of 
thorough  investigation  by  Prof.  F.  L.  Har- 
vey, of  the  Maine  Agricultural  Experiment 
Station,  and  the  results  are  published  in  a 
recent  bulletin.  As  preventive  measures  the 
following  are  named: 

1.  Keep  the  orchards  in  grass,  and  in  the 
fall  or  spring  burn  under  the  trees  to  destroy 
the  pupa^  that  are  about  the  gniss  roots. 

2.  If  the  orchard  is  in  cultivation,  the  con- 
ditions are  favorable  for  the  maggots  to 
go  into  the  ground,  but  they  nevergo  deeper 
than  an  inch,  and  deep  spading  or  plowing 
in  the  spring  would  destroy  them. 

3.  Orchards  on  sandy  soil  and  in  sheltered 
places  with  a  southern  exposure  are  worse 
affected.  In  planting  orchards  such  condi- 
tions might  be  avoided. 

4.  Prevent  by  legal  enactment  the  impor- 
tation of  fruit  from  localities  known  to  be 
infested. 

Eemedies.  The  direct  methods  of  subduing 
the  Apple  maggot  are  as  follows: 

1.  The  flies  are  very  stupid,  although 
they  appear  otherwise.  When  resting  on 
the  leaves  of  Apples  they  can  readily  be 
taken  with  a  small  insect  tube  or  bottle.  By 
placing  the  mouth  cautiously  over  them, 
they  are  not  disturbed  and  soon  crawl  inside. 
The  killing  of  even  a  few  flies  would  mater- 
ially lessen  the  number  and  check  the  pest. 

2.  The  fact  that  tlie  larva'  do  not  leave 
the  fruit  before  it  is  ripe,  and  are  still  found 
in  abundance  in  the  windfalls,  would  indi- 
cate the  most  vulnerable  points  in  the  life 
history  of  the  insect,  and  suggest  two 
methods  of  checking  the  pest,  viz. :    Taking 


1889. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


55 


care  ttiat  the  larvu'  in  tlie  satheriMl  fiuit  be 
not  allowed  to  transform  and  destioj'  the 
windfalls. 

Infested  Apples  in  market  places  are  a 
fruitful  .source  of  the  pest,  and  fruit  dealers 
should  be  required  to  burn  or  bui'y  all  Apple 
refuse,  and  not  throw  it  on  the  ground. 

The  niagiiots  in  stored  Apples  soon  leave 
them  and  go  into  the  pui):r  state  in  the  bar- 
rels or  bins.  If  marketed  the  pupa'  go  with 
the  fruit  in  the  barrel  and  may  spread  the 
pest.  In  bins  and  barrels  in  the  cellar  the 
pupa>  no  doubt  retain  their  vitality,  and  tlie 
dies  emerge  iu  the  spring.  As  a  precaution 
the  bins  should  be  carefully  swept,  and  the 
barrels  shaken  into  a  tight  vessel  and  the 
refuse  buried  or  burned. 

The  maggots  are  not  able  to  crawl  out  of 
a  bo.x,  and  the  refuse  from  market  places, 
etc.,  could  be  thrown  into  a  tight  bo.\  or  bar- 
rel, and  the  maggots  prevented  from  going 
into  the  ground.  The  refuse  could  occasion- 
ally be  buried  a  foot  or  so  deep. 

3.  Thorough  and  universal  destruction 
of  the  windfalls  is  the  most  hopeful  means 
of  checking  the  pest.  To  carefully  gather 
the  fallen  fruit  every  day  from  the  early  and 
late  varieties,  from  Aug.  1  until  Nov.  1,  and 
biu-n  or  feed  it,  would  destroy  many  of  the 
maggots.  Sheep  or  hogs  might  be  allowed 
the  range  of  the  orchard  to  eat  the  windfalls. 
The  importance  of  rigidly  adhering  to  this 
method  for  at  least  two  years  cannot  be  too 
strongly  urged  upon  fruit  growers  whose 
orchards  are  infested. 

4.  If  the  above  methods  do  not  succeed, 
there  is  a  radical  one  that  cannot  fail.  The 
destruction  of  the  entire  Apple  crop  for  one 
season  in  the  infested  districts  of  the  State 
by  giving  the  flies  no  place  to  rear  their 
maggots,  would  about  destroy  the  pest.  We 
do  not  think  this  will  be  necessary  if  the 
careful  destruction  of  windfalls  and  infested 
fruit  is  practised.  Should  such  a  radical 
means  be  necessary,  the  flies  could  be  al- 
lowed to  deposit  their  eggs,  and  the  fruit 
approach  maturity,  when  it  could  be  gath- 
ered and  fed  and  not  prove  a  serious  loss. 


Preserving  Potatoes  for  Seed. 

Among  all  the  problems  which  confront 
the  Potato  grower,  none  we  believe  is  more 
serious  or  of  greater  practical  Importance 
than  how  to  preserve  tubers  in  best  possible 
condition  for  seed.  Tests  made  by  us  a  few 
years  ago  seemed  to  indicate  a  loss  of  fully 
one-third  of  the  crop  in  consequence  of  the 
use  of  tubers  that  had  been  allowed  to  spend 
some  of  their  energies  in  the  emission  of 
long  sprouts  before  planting.  These  tests 
justified  the  conclusion  that  a  maximum 
yield  can  only  be  obtained  from  seed  that  is 
entirely  dormant. 

Not  one  out  of  fifty  growers  has  yet  be- 
come aware  of  the  full  importance  of  this 
matter.  Most  of  them  store  theirseed  tubers 
In  a  cellar  much  too  warm  (especially  towards 
spring)  for  the  good  of  the  seed,  and  conse- 
quently of  the  crop  obtained  from  it.  Exper- 
iments with  a  view  to  discover  the  best 
methods  of  preserving  tubers  in  best  possible 
condition  for  seed  are  now  in  order.  Mr.  T. 
B.  Terry,  the  Ohio  Potato  expert,  describes 
in  Ohio  Farmer  how  he  managed  to  keep 
his  seed  Potatoes  in  good  shape  last  year, 
and  it  may  yet  be  time  for  many  of  our 
readers  to  try  it  in  the  same  way. 

Last  fall,  says  Mr.  Terry,  our  seed  Pota- 
toes were  dug  early  in  September  and  stored 
in  the  basement  of  the  barn,  where  it  was 
cool  and  dry.  All  light  was  shut  out.  .Just 
before  freezing  weather,  after  the  ground 
became  cool,  we  moved  them  out  doors  to 
their  winter  quarters.  In  fact,  the  morning 
we  did  this  there  was  a  crust  of  frost  on  the 
surface  of  the  soil.  100  bushels  were  put  in 
a  pile,  on  the  surface  of  the  ground,  about 
■30  feet  long  and  three  feet  wide  at  the  bot- 
tom, and  piled  up  as  high  as  possible  on  this 


base.  A  load  of  straw  was  then  brought 
from  the  barn  and  p>it  over  the  Potatoes. 
A  course  was  laid  around  the  outside  first, 
then  another  above  and  lapping  over  the 
first  one,  and  so  cm  until  tlie  top  was  reached. 
The  object  of  this  care  was  to  have  the  straw 
so  it  would  shed  water  aud  save  the  trouble 
of  putting  a  board  roof  over  the  pile  after  it 
was  done.  About  four  inches  of  soil  were 
put  on  the  straw  at  this  time.  Five  2-foot 
pieces  of  sewer  pipe,  three  or  four  inches  in 
diameter,  were  placed  on  top  of  the  pile,  as 
chimneys  or  ventilators.  When  the  four 
inch  layer  of  soil  on  the  pile  was  frozen 
solidly,  we  drew  out  another  load  of  straw 
and  covered  the  pile  again  in  the  same  man- 
ner as  at  the  first.  Then  we  covered  this 
straw  with  about  eight  inches  of  soil,  top- 
ping it  out  nicely. 

Our  pile  was  made  on  sod  ground,  and  a 
little  chaff  had  been  spread  around  the  base 
of  the  pile  to  prevent  the  soil  from  freezing. 
It  was  a  pretty  cold  day  when  we  did  this 
last  coveriug,  but  iu  this  way  we  had  no 
trouble  in  getting  the  earth.  On  stubble 
ground,  uncovered,  we  should  have  been 
stuck.  No  more  work  was  done  on  the  pile, 
except  to  stuff  some  straw  into  the  tile 
chimneys,  when  very  cold  weather  came, 
until  the  latter  part  of  February.  We  chose 
a  day  then,  when  the  earth  on  the  pile  was 
frozen  solidly,  but  there  was  a  prospect  that 
the  sun  would  soon  begin  to  draw  out  the 
frost.  On  this  day  we  drew  out  plenty  of 
straw  to  cover  the  pile  and  all  around  It  a 
foot  deep  or  more.  The  earth  on  the  pile 
and  around  it  was  then  frozen  solidly.  The 
intention  was  to  keep  it  so  by  this  mulch  of 
straw  just  as  long  as  possible.  Of  course, 
the  sun  shining  on  the  pile  in  March  would 
soon  draw  all  the  frost  out,  and  the  pile 
would  warm  up  gradually  with  the  earth, 
although  not  quite  as  fast,  owing  to  the 
layers  of  straw  beneath. 

About  the  first  of  April,  I  dug  into  the  pile 
to  see  how  the  things  were.  There  was  no 
frost  in  the  fields  at  that  time.  I  found  the 
earth  under  the  straw  frozen  so  solidly  that 
it  was  quite  a  job  with  a  pick  to  get  a  hole 
through  it.  The  Potatoes  were  in  good  con- 
dition, except  that  a  single  eye  on  the  seed 
end  of  some  of  them  had  .sent  out  a  sprout 
in  some  cases  an  inch  or  two  long.  This,  I 
think,  was  done  in  the  early  winter,  which 
you  will  remember  was  quite  warm,  and  be- 
fore the  pile  got  cold  clear  through.  You 
will  now  see  that  the  object  of  making  such 
a  long  slim  pile  was  that  they  would  cool 
through  quicker.  We  closed  up  the  pile 
again,  until  planting  time,  about  the  first  of 
May.  Then  we  opened  it,  drew  the  Potatoes 
in  and  spread  them  on  the  barn  floor,  three 
or  four  inches  deep.  They  had  changed 
little  since  the  first  of  April,  and  on  the 
whole  were  in  excellent  condition  for  early 
Potatoes  at  that  late  date.  At  that  time  the 
frost  had  just  gone  out  of  the  pile.  The 
Potatoes  were  entirely  dry. 

After  the  pile  was  opened  we  drew  the 
straw  back  into  the  barn  and  used  for  bed- 
ding. All  this  was  quite  a  little  work  ;  but 
when  you  come  to  divide  it  up  was  not  prob- 
ably more  than  six  or  seven  cents  a  bushel 
on  the  seed  kept.  I  consider  it  worth  many 
times  that  to  me;  Potatoes  usually  do  so 
much  better  when  the  first  sprout  grows. 
Wherever  the  ground  freezes  solidly  in 
mid-winter  I  do  not  see  why  this  plan  can- 
not be  used  to  advantage.  One  might  even 
go  to  the  trouble  of  covering  with  straw 
during  warm  spells  in  winter,  and  throwing 
the  straw  off  when  a  cold  snap  comes,  in 
more  southern  latitudes  than  ours.  If  you 
understand  the  principle  involved  you  can 
hardly  make  a  mistake.  In  brief,  keep  Po- 
tatoes in  the  cellar  until  the  earth  is  cooler 
than  the  cellar  ;  than  use  every  precaution 
to  get  them  cooled  through  in  the  pile  as 
soon  as  possible,  and  then  to  keep  them  so 


as  late  as  po.ssible  in  the  spring,  by  mulch- 
ing on  cold  earth.  It  would  be  best  if  one 
could  select  a  place  for  his  pile  just  north  of 
buildings,  trees  or  hedges.  Land  in  such  a 
situation  is  slower  to  thaw  when  a  warm 
spell  comes.  Kept  in  this  way  ray  early 
seed  Potatoes  cost  me  less  than  iWO.  Last 
year  I  had  them  rushed  through  from  north- 
ern Maine  at  a  cost  of  $li;0.  It  pays  largely 
to  change  seed  occasionally,  but  I  now  do  it 
in  the  fall,  at  far  less  cost,  and  winter  them 
myself.    Then  I  know  that  I  have  them.  . 


The  White  Pine  Weevil. 

This  insect  causes  considerable  damage 
in  gardens  and  on  grounds  where  Ever- 
greens are  grown  for  ornamental  purposes; 
not  only  White  Pines  are  attacked,  but 
other  species  of  Pine  and  Spruce  suffer 
equally.  A  letter  recently  received  from 
Warren  County,  New  Jersey,  describes  the 
injury  so  well  that  I  reproduce  parts  of  it. 
"Many  of  my  Evergreens— Spruces  especi- 
ally—are much  infested  by  a  borer  which 
seems  to  deposit  eggs  at  the  base  of  the  new 
shoots  and  leaders,  and  spreads  downward, 

killing  all  of  the  tree  that  is  above  it 

In  this  section  every  White  Pine  has  lost  its 
leader.  I  do  not  think  I  have  seen  a  single 
exception.  Is  this  done  by  some  insect  that 
attacks  the  Spruces,  or  is  it  a  different  one  y 
It  is  most  provoking  to  see  one's  best  and 
most  promising  trees  cut  down  in  this  way." 

The  letter  was  accompanied  by  specimens 
of  infested  Spruce  twigs,  which  showed  the 
characteristic  work  of  the  White  Pine  wee- 
vil (Pissodes  Strobi).  The  insect  is  a  well- 
known  one,  and  its  history  was  first  made 
out  many  years  ago  by  Dr.  Harris,  who 
thought  it  required  more  than  a  year  to 
come  to  maturity.  Dr.  Fitch  afterwards 
gave  a  very  full  account  of  the  species,  giv- 
ing it  a  period  of  one  year  to  undergo  its 
transformations.  Other  writers  have  men- 
tioned the  insect  at  intervals,  until  most 
recently  Dr.  Packard  has  written  on  the  sub- 
ject and  has  recorded  the  species  from  April 
to  September,  his  dates  leaving  little  mar- 
gin for  intervals.  Dr.  Packard  gives  one 
brood  for  the  species,  the  generalised  ac- 
count being  that  the  imago  appears  in  spring 
or  early  summer  and  oviposits  soon  after. 
From  my  collecting  and  observations,  I  be- 
lieve there  are  in  the  latitude  of  New  York 
two  broods  annually.  The  first  of  these 
issues  as  imago  early  in  spring,  say  the 
latter  part  of  April  or  early  in  May,  ovipos- 
iting in  May,  the  larva;  of  the  second  brood 
coming  to  maturity  the  latter  part  of  July, 
imago  issuing  during  earlyAugust,  and  ovi- 
positing during  that  month. 

The  larva  is  a  white  grub,  about  one-third 
of  an  inch  long,  with  a  horny  yellow  head, 
slightly  curled  as  it  lies  In  its  cell.  When 
full-grown  it  forms  an  oval  cell  either  just 
under  the  bark  or  the  pith,  and  changes  to 
a  white  pupa,  and  very  soon  after  to  an 
imago.  The  imago  is  an  oblong-oval  and 
rather  narrow  weevil,  about  a  quarter  of  an 
inch  long,  of  a  dull,  dark  chestnut  color, 
with  two  dots  on  the  thorax,  the  scutel  and 
a  short  irregular  band  back  of  the  middle 
of  the  wing  covers  white,  the  wing  covers 
also  variegated  with  a  few  patches  of  tawny 
yellow.  The  eggs  have  not  as  yet  been  de- 
scribed. They  are  deposited  on  the  leaders 
and  other  small  twigs  and  branches— some- 
times also  on  the  trunks  of  old  trees — at 
very  .short  intervals.  The  larvae  eat  very 
little  more  than  twice  their  own  length  into 
the  wood  or  under  the  bark,  and  a  single 
comparatively  small  shoot  will  harbor  thirty 
to  forty  of  them.  Of  course  the  smaller 
twigs  thus  interrupted  in  growth  are 
damaged,  die,  and  the  shape  of  the  young 
trees  is  spoiled,  unless  the  owner  believes — 
as  some  do — in  small,  bushy  trees,  in  which 
case  they  are  no  serious  drawback,  since 
they  never  seem  to  kill  larger  branches. 


56 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


December, 


No  satisfactory  remedies  for  borers  have 
yet  been  discovered.  Their  mode  of  life  is 
such  that  they  are  at  no  time  in  position  to 
be  attacked  by  insecticides.  This  weevil 
has  its  parasites  that  keep  it  in  check  some- 
what, and  some  of  our  smaller  birds  seek 
out  the  larvie  and  pupte  under  the  bark  and 
feed  upon  them.  The  only  way  of  checking 
their  ravages  when  they  appear  in  parks  is 
to  trim  out  and  burn  all  infested  branches 
and  twigs  very  early  in  spring,  and  again 
about  the  middle  of  July.  In  this  way  the 
larvfe  will  be  prevented  from  coming  to  ma- 
turity, and  there  will  be  no  imagos.  So  long 
as  there  are  other  unpruned  trees  about, 
this  remedy  is  palliative  merely;  but  still  so 
many  will  be  destroyed  that  a  much  larger 
proportion  of  leaders  will  escape,  and  the 
injury  will  be  considerably  reduced. — Oar- 
den  and  Forest. 


A  Universal  Tree  Scraper. 
Whether  the  removal  of  much  of  the  dead 
bark  on  orchard  trees,  etc.,  or  in  other 
words  the  scraping  of  the 
bodies  of  such  trees  by 
forceful  means,  is  a  com- 
mendable practice  or  not, 
is  yet  a  matter  of  dispute. 
We  do  not  think  we  would 
go  about  it  in  a  very 
rough  fashion.  It  is 
thought  that  the  dead 
scales,  Mosses,  which  cov- 
er older  trees,  etc.,  often 
serve  a  very  good  pur- 
pose in  giving  shade  and 
protection.  However  this 
may  be,  we  know  that 
these  scales  also  afford 
hiding  places  for  injur- 
ious insects,  for  their  eggs 
and  pupse.  For  this  rea- 
son we  do  not  object 
to  a  moderate  combing  or 
scraping  of  the  trees,  and 
the  universal  "  tree  scra- 
per," picture  of  which  we 
here  present,  appears  to 
us  like  a  very  good  and  desirable  tool  for 
the  purpose.  Its  action  is  not  excessively 
harsh  or  rough,  and  while  it  will  be  effect- 
ive in  removing  the  dead  scales,  and  with 
them  insect  enemies,  we  do  not  think  that 
it  can  do  harm  to  the  live  bark  underneath. 


TREE  SCRAPER. 


CULTURE   OF  THE  GRAPE. 
SIXTH    PAPER. 

Ghape  Rot,  Its  Prevention  and  Cure. 

DB.  J.  STATMAN,  LEAVENWORTH  CO.,  KANSAS, 

In  1878  I  wrote  to  Hon.  LaDuc,  Com- 
missioner of  Agriculture,  in  answer  to 
questions  concerning  Grape  Kot:  "  There 
must  be  some  other  theory  than  of  a  fungus 
growth  to  reconcile  it  with  our  observations. 
We  have  a  vineyard  of  four  acres  planted 
in  '67  and  'H8  which  produced  well  until  '73, 
and  then  commenced  to  rot  and  has  become 
worse  each  year  since,  so  that  we  consider 
it  worthless.  A  portion  of  this  vineyard 
was  grafted  with  other  varieties,  but  it  was 
the  year  of  the  grasshoppers  (1875)  so  but 
few  lived.  The  shoots  or  suckers  came  up 
from  the  roots  and  lay  on  the  ground  in  the 
weeds  without  any  cultivation  ever  since, 
and  produced  Grapes  which  did  not  rot 
under  the  same  conditions  that  the  others 
rotted,  save  they  were  never  cut  off  and  did 
not  lay  in  the  grass.  Here  we  have  the  same 
moisture  and  temperature  without  fungus 
or  Grape  rot. 

Here  we  have  a  fact  that  occurred  thirteen 
years  ago,  on  a  scale  sufficiently  large  to 
demonstrate,  that  it  was  cutting  off  the 
vines  that  produced  the  result.  The  same 
result  has  followed  here  and  elsewhere, 
whenever  \'ines  were  cut  back  to  the  ground. 
At  our  home  place,  200  feet  below  the  above 
mentioned  vineyard  and  two  miles  away, 


we  had  a  vineyard  set  in  1862,  which  had 
also  become  so  worthless  by  rot  that  we 
had  all  the  vines  cut  off  in  the  ground  for 
the  purpose  of  destroying  them,  but  they 
threw  up  such  strong  good  suckers  that  we 
let  them  and  see  what  they  would  do.  The 
result  was,  the  next  year  and  for  several 
years  after,  they  produced  good  crops  lying 
on  the  ground  without  rotting.  We  then 
pruned  and  put  them  on  a  trellis,  where 
they  bore  for  a  number  of  years  without 
rotting.  We  had  two  other  rows  adjoining 
that  were  cut  off  in  like  manner  at  the  same 
time,  one  row  was  pruned  and  trained  on  a 
trellis  and  cultivated  some;  the  other  row 
was  not  pruned  or  cultivated,  but  lay  on  the 
ground.  Both  of  these  rows  produced 
Grapes  that  did  not  rot.  The  one  trained 
up,  however,  produced  the  largest  and  finest 
fruit.  Both  rows  were  about  ruined  by  rot 
before  they  were  cut  off.  All  the  vines 
spoken  of  were  set  out  by  the  common  plan 
of  digging  holes  about  twelve  inches  deep 
and  setting  the  vines  in  them. 

We  have  another  row  of  about  40  vines  that 
were  set  out  in  1860,  and  were  used  for  prop- 
agation by  layering,  some  years  we  would 
layer  so  much  that  there  would  be  no  wood 
left  to  layer  the  next  year.  We  then  would 
let  them  grow  and  make  wood  for  the  next 
year,  and  then  layer  them  again.  This  sys- 
tem has  been  kept  up  from  year  to  year 
except  some  few  canes  were  left  to  bear 
fruit.  In  no  instance  has  this  row  shown 
any  rot.  These  vines,  however,  were  set  in 
a  trench  dug  two  and  a-half  feet  deep  and 
rich  soil  and  material  put  in  bottom  for  the 
foot  roots  to  grow  in,  which  may  account 
for  the  freedom  of  rot. 

Our  experience  of  at  least  sixteen  years 
tells  us  that  cutting  vines  back  to  th  e  ground 
will  prevent  Grape  rot.  To  more  fully  con- 
firm the  fact  stated  we  will  refer  to  an  essay 
by  Prof.  Hawn  of  this  place  read  in  1888 
before  the  Leavenworth  County  Horticul- 
tural Society.  He  said;  "After  abandoning 
the  old  lines  of  research  for  the  cause  of 
Grape  rot,  and  entering  on  the  new,  I  found 
a  single  vine  of  Concord  in  my  vineyard 
entirely  free  from  rot,  while  my  other  vines 
and  those  of  my  neighbors  were  badly 
affected,  and  from  reports  to  your  society  a 
general  disastrous  rot  prevailed.  This  soli- 
tary vine  stood  near  a  pond  of  water,  rarely 
dry  for  days  in  succession,  and  so  rainy  was 
the  season  that  the  furrows  of  my  vineyard 
were  rarely  dry  during  crises  of  the  rot. 

So  active  was  parasitic  growth  in  this 
humid  atmosphere,  that  mildew  attacked 
and  destroyed  the  leaves  of  this  solitary 
vine  before  the  fruit  arrived  at  perfect 
maturity,  an  incident  that  had  never  oc- 
curred before  on  the  Concord  leaf,  yet  not  a 
rotten  Grape  was  found  on  any  of  the  clus- 
ters, some  of  which  might  have  weighed  a 
pound.  In  examening  into  the  cause  of  this 
exemption  I  found  that  in  pruning  .the 
previous  year  I  had  cut  the  vine  down  to 
the  ground  to  bring  it  into  a  better  shape, 
and  the  new  canes  of  the  subsequent 
growth  produced  the  exceptional  fruit.  This 
led  to  fiu'ther  experiments  on  this  line 
which  finally  terminated  in  reducing  the 
whole  vineyard  to  this  sytem. 

During  this  transition,  wherever  a  vine 
was  subjected  to  this  treatment  during  the 
nine  years  through  which  the  experiments 
were  conducted,  the  loss  from  rot  did  not 
amount  to  two  per  cent  in  any  one  year, 
though  losses  outside  of  this  mode  were 
never  less  than  30  per  cent  and  in  one  or 
two  years  nearly  total." 

Here  we  have  the  experience  of  Prof. 
Hawn  continuetl  through  nine  years  with 
the  same  result  as  our  own  proving  beyond 
a  doubt  that  cutting  the  vines  at  or  into  the 
ground  is  a  remedy  for  Grape  rot.  The  only 
difference  in  the  Prof,  experiments  and  our 
own  is  that  he  cut  to  the  ground  while  we 


cut  off  several  inches  below  the  surface. 
Which  of  these  methods  are  the  best,  time 
and  experience  will  decide. 


Pruning    Crape    Vines   Under    Glass. 

SUBSCKIBER. 

The  two  principal  modes  of  pruning  the 
vines  are  the  long  arm  and  the  spur  system; 
the  latter  amongst  practical  gardeners  is 
generally  preferred  where  an  even  crop 
throughout  the  house  is  desired,  but  if  on 
the  other  hand  large  bunches  are  required, 
the  long  arm  system  should  be  adopted. 

In  pruning  vines  on  the  spur  system,  be 
particular  to  alternate  the  spurs  as  nearly 
as  possible,  to  allow  more  space  for  the  de- 
velopment of  the  foliage.  This  is  of  more 
importance  than  is  generally  supposed,  both 
in  assisting  the  coloring  of  the  fruit  and  also 
to  encourage  more  root  action.  Allow  a 
space  of  about  eight  inches  between  the 
spurs  on  either  side  of  the  vine,  cut  back  the 
shoot  to  within  two  eyes  of  the  cane. 

To  grow  Grapes  on  the  long  arm  system, 
allow  the  first  season's  growth  to  run  the 
length  of  the  rafter,  stopping  all  lateral 
growth  at  the  first  or  second  joints  to  con- 
centrate the  sap  in  the  main  shoot.  In  win- 
ter pruning  cut  the  cane  back  to  the  bottom 
of  the  rafter;  in  the  following  season  train 
up  two  of  the  strongest  shoots  to  the  top  of 
the  house,  stopping  all  lateral  growth  as 
above,  and  when  they  have  completed  that 
season's  growth,  cutoneof  them  back  to  two 
eyes  at  the  base.  The  shoot  left  will  produce 
fruit  the  following  year.  It  is  advisable  to 
cut  back  this  shoot  according  to  its  strength. 
The  shoot  that  is  cut  back  to  two  eyes  will 
furnish  arms,  one  to  take  the  place  of  the 
rod  bearing  fruit  this  j-ear,  the  other  to  be 
cut  back  to  two  eyes  as  before  directed. 

Cleaning  the  vines  must  be  done  after 
winter  pruning;  take  down  the  cane  from 
the  trellis  and  scrape  thoroughly  with  a  dull 
knife,  be  careful  not  to  injure  the  fruit  buds 
or  penetrate  the  inner  bark,  then  wash  the 
vines  with  Tobacco  water,  afterwards  paint 
with  a  mixture  of  Tobacco,  soap,  clay  and 
water.  After  the  canes  are  dry,  tie  in  a  hor- 
izontal position  along  the  front  of  the  house 
to  encourage  an  equal  flow  of  sap  through, 
out  the  vine,  allowing  them  to  remain  in 
this  position  until  they  start  into  growth; 
then  tie  them  to  the  trellis. 


Forceps  for  Numbering  Labels. 

The  little  device  for  numbering  zinc  or 
lead  labels  is  sent  out  by  a  German  firm  as 
the  best  and  simplest  of  its  kind,  and  cost- 
ing only  about  ■*2.50.  It  is  small  enough  to 
be  carried  in  one's  pocket,  and  has  siifficient 
purchase  to  be  easily  worked.  Any  number 
from  0  to  9999  can  be  pressed  into  a  label 
with  a  single  impression.  The  number  ready 
for  impression  is  also  indicated  by  same 
number  appearing  on  top  between  two  of 
the  dies,  and  the  operator  is  thus  enabled  to 
avoid  all  mistakes.  To  avoid  the  necessity 
of  setting  the  whole  machinery  for  single 


FORCEPS  FOR   PRINTING   METAL  LABELS. 

figures  (from  0  to  9),  these'  figures  appear  a 
second  time,  and  independently,  on  the 
handles,  as  appearing  in  illustration,  and 
impressions  of  them  than  be  taken  rapidly 
without  changing  the  wheel. 


1889. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


57 


Influence  of  Transplanting. 

Transplanting,  in  some  cases  reiieatedly, 
is  practiced  by  gardeners  quite  generally 
with  Tomato,  Pepper,  Cabbage,  Celery,  and 
other  vegetable  plants  for  the  purpose  of 
securing  stockiness,  and  a  better  develop- 
ment of  root,  and  of  thus  promoting  earli- 
ness.  To  what  extent  this  object  is  accom- 
plished by  transplanting  above  what  it 
would  be  by  merely  giving  each  plant  plenty 
of  room  from  the  beginning,  we  are  not  yet 
prepared  to  say;  but  it  is  pretty  much  gen- 
erally conceded  that  transplanting  also 
serves  to  dwarf  plants  thus  manipulated. 
If  it  makes  Cabbages  and  Tomatoes  earlier, 
for  instance,  it  also  makes  the  heads  smaller, 
and  also  decreases  the  yield  of  Tomatoes. 

It  would  be  of  interest,  and  perhaps  of 
practical  value  to  flower  lovers,  to  discover 
in  how  far  the  bloom  of  plants,  especially 
of  annuals  grown  from  seed,  is  influenced 
by  transplanting.  Phoebe  tells  the  follow- 
ing instances  in  a  communication  to  the 
American  Cultivator.  Two  years  ago  I 
bought  Henderson's  imported  Balsams  in 
twelve  colors.  AVe  mixed  the  seed,  sowed 
half  of  it  in  the  bed,  pricked  out  at  two 
leaves,  changed  into  boxes  at  two-inch  size, 
and  later  transplanted  into  the  open  garden. 
The  soil  in  the  boxes  was  a  mass  of  roots. 
We  picked  off  the  suckers,  training  the 
plants  as  single  stalks,  and  the  flowers  were 
so  large  they  actually  crowded  each  other 
off  the  stem.  You  never  saw  the  like,  per- 
fect double  Camellias  of  exquisite  shades; 
but  not  a  seed.  The  other  half  of  the  seed 
was  sown  in  the  garden.  Xot  one-quarter 
of  the  flowers  were  double,  but  there  was 
seed  enough  for  an  acre. 

Last  spring  I  sowed  some  expensive  Aster 
seed  in  a  long  row,  thinking  it  would  be 
nice  to  have  plenty  of  flowers  to  give  away. 
"When  the  plants  were  about  three  inches 
high,  my  neighbor  came  over  and  asked  for 
some  of  my  Asters.  I  did  not  really  like  to, 
but  gave  her  about  fifty,  and,  do  you  know, 
her  flowers  were  larger  than  mine,  and 
much  more  perfect.     I  was  vexed  about  it. 

John  says  that  transplanting  Potatoes 
decreases  the  yield,  and  he  thinks  the  same 
is  true  of  Tomatoes;  he  knows  it  is  so  with 
Sweet  Com,  from  numerous  trials  to  grow 
it  early. 

So  we  have  come  to  the  conclusion  that 
transplanting  under  good  conditions  favors 
the  perfection  of  some  flowers,  but  reduces 
the  yield  of  seed  and  fruit. 


Save  the  Old  Fertilizer  Bags. 

The  usefulness  of  the  light  one-bushel 
boxes  or  crates  as  now  in  use  by  many 
progressive  farmers  in  harvesting  Potatoes, 
root  crops,  etc.,  can  not  be  questioned.  We 
also  always  find  good  use  for  our  old  ferti- 
lizer sacks,  not  only  in  the  field,  for  harvest- 
ing crops,  and  in  covering  up  plants,  roots 
or  fruit  exposed  to  danger  from  frost,  but 
also  for  various  purposes  in  the  house.  So 
we  never  fail  forgather  these  bags  up  care- 
fully as  soon  as  emptied,  and  have  them 
soaked  out  and  washed  clean. 

Mr.  J.  J.  H.  Gregory  even  places  the  bags 
above  boxes  for  the  purposes  named.  I  use 
fertilizer  bags  for  gathering  Onions,Potatoes 
Beets  and  Com,  so  he  writes  to  the  Ameri- 
can Cultivator.  My  team  takes  some  hun- 
dreds aboard,  and  the  man  scatters  them  at 
convenient  distances  as  he  drives  along. 
Bags  that  have  been  used  for  nitrate  of 
soda,  sulphate  of  ammonia  and  potash  in 
any  form  are  either  too  damp  or  too  rotten 
to  be  of  value.  These  are  either  soaked  in 
barrels  or  spread  on  the  grass  until  free 
from  the  fertilizer,  when  they  are  used  to 
protect  vegetable  heaps  from  sun  or  frost. 

I  find  bags  more  economical  and  more 
handy  than  bushel  boxes,  which,  though 
strengthened  with  iron  bands,  are  very  apt 
to  get  broken  by  the  usage  they  receive 


from  the  average  farm  hand.  Again  boxes 
are  heavier  to  handle,  occupy  more  room, 
and  are  more  liable  to  jam  the  vegetables, 
when  piled  about  each  other.  With  bags  I 
can  take  a  much  larger  load  than  with 
boxes.  Yesterday  my  8000-pound  horse 
team  took  12.5  bushels  at  a  load. 

Men  handling  vegetables  loaded  in  bags 
need  to  be  occasionally  cautioned  not  to 
tread  on  the  load.  In  gathering  seed  Cora 
my  men  used  bags  in  preference  to  baskets, 
grasping  and  carrying  along  the  bag  with 
one  hand  while  they  fill  them  with  the  other. 
They  find  that  this  makes  more  expeditious 
work  than  filling  baskets  and  pouring  into 
the  bags.  After  the  bags  are  filled  they  can 
be  carried  to  the  team  by  throwing  one  over 
each  shoulder,  where,  were  baskets  or 
boxes  used,  but  one  could  be  handled  at  a 
time.  When  husking  Corn  that  is  to  be 
poured  into  bags  I  lay  the  ears  in  the  bas- 
kets, all  one  way.  Placed  thus  they  pour 
out  much  more  readily.  These  are  but  little 
economies,  but  practice  of  them  helps  make 
•'  both  ends  meet." 


Peach  and  Plum  Rot. 

One  after  another  the  diseases  which  have 
heretofore  baffled  the  skill  of  the  cultivator, 
and  often  caused  his  pockets  to  be  still 
empty  at  the  close  of  the  fruit  season,  are 
brought  under  control.  The  rot  of  Peaches, 
and  still  more  of  Plums,  has  long  been  a 
source  of  annoyance  and  loss  to  the  grow- 
ers, but  if  they  will  follow  the  suggestions 
which  Prof.  Erwin  F.  Smith  of  the  Myco- 
logical  Section  of  the  Department  of  Agri- 
culture offers  as  a  result  of  his  observations 
in  various  Peach  growiug  sections  of  the 
United  States,  concernmg  Peach  rot  and 
Peach  blight,  they  may  in  a  measure  be  able 
to  overcome  this  serious  obstacle  to  success. 

The  disease,  says  Prof.  Smith,  is  due  to  a 
parasitic  fungus  which  produces  many 
small  ash-gray  tufts  on  the  discolored  sur- 
face of  the  rotting  fruit.  These  tufts  con- 
sist principally  of  spore  dust,  which  is 
carried  by  animals,  washed  by  rains,  or 
blown  about,  and  causes  the  rot  to  develop 
in  sound  Peaches  whenever  it  falls  upon 
them  under  proper  conditions.  The  most 
favorable  conditions  for  the  germination  of 
the  spores  and  the  rapid  spread  of  the  rot 
are  hot  and  moist  weather. 

This  fungus  also  causes  a  very  character- 
istic blight  of  twigs  and  branches.  In  rainy 
seasons  this  is  quite  apt  to  occur,  especially 
if  the  rotting  fruits  are  allowed  to  remain 
upon  the  tree.  The  fungus  lives  over  winter 
in  the  decayed  fruits,  and  in  this  way  is  re- 
produced year  after  year.  In  the  spring 
these  dry,  wrinkled  fruits,  which  have  been 
left  upon  the  earth  or  still  cling  to  the 
branches,  swell  and  soften  under  the  in- 
fluence of  repeated  rains,  and  produce  a 
new  crop  of  spores  exactly  like  those  of  the 
previous  season. 

The  practical  importance  of  this  discovery 
is  very  great.  Could  the  blighted  twigs 
and  rotted  fruits  of  one  season  be  entirely 
destroyed,  the  fungus  would  disappear  and 
the  rot  with  it.  The  more  nearly  complete 
this  removal  of  infectious  material  can  be 
made,  the  safer  will  be  the  succeeding  crop. 
During  the  growing  season  the  fungus  pro- 
duces innumerable  spores  and  spreads  its 
infection  very  quickly.  For  this  reason,  all 
rotting  Peaches  should  be  removed  from 
the  trees  and  buried  or  burned,  as  soon  as 
discovered.  This  can  be  done  during  the 
picking  season  without  much  additional  ex- 
pense; but  it  may  frequently  be  necessary 
to  do  it  before  the  fruit  is  ripe,  if  the  grower 
would  save  any  portion  of  it  in  a  market- 
able condition.  Finally,  not  a  single  rotted 
fruit  should  be  allowed  to  winter  over.  All 
must  be  destroyed. 

If  fruit  growers  would  nnite  and  follow 
this  method  systematically  for  a  series  of 


years,  the  losses  from  Peach  rot  would  be 
reduced  to  inconsiderable  proportions. 
These  remarks  apply  also  to  the  rot  of 
Plums  and  Cherries  which  is  caused  by  the 
same  fungus,  known  as  MunUia  fructifjcna. 

Winter  Protection  for  Strawberries. 

L.  J.  FARMER,  ORA.N'GE  CO.,  N.  J. 

l^nlike  some  people  we  prefer  to  wait  till 
cold  weather  comes  before  covering  our 
Strawberries.  Of  course  it  is  ea.sier  to  apply 
during  warm,  sunshiny  days,  but  unless 
cold  weather  soon  follows  the  covering  will 
rot  the  plants,  and  make  them  too  tender  to 
endure  the  coldest  weather  later  on.  It 
should  be  borne  in  mind  that  winter  mulch 
is  not  applied  generally  to  keep  plants  from 
freezing  hard,  but  to  protect  them  from 
alternate  freezing  and  thawing,  which 
causes  the  plants  to  heave  out  and  die.  Very 
little  damage  is  usually  done  in  the  late 
autumn,  and  it  is  generally  best  to  delay 
covering  Strawberries  till  December.  The 
most  damage  is  done  in  early  spring.  Good 
Maple-sugar  weather  is  very  destructive  to 
uncovered  Strawberry  plants.  In  the  cold 
nights  the  earth  freezes  and  expands,  raising 
the  plants.  Next  day  the  earth  thaws  and 
settles  around  the  plants,  leaving  the  roots 
exposed.  This  is  continued  several  days  till 
the  plants  are  all  out,  when  the  sun  and 
wind  soon  kill  them.  Now  a  good  mulch 
acts  as  a  non-conductor  of  heat,  and  the  soil 
under  it  will  remain  frozen  during  day-time 
till  freezing  nights  have  passed. 

Mulching  Materi.^l.  We  have  tried 
several  kinds  of  material  with  different 
restilts.  Horse  manure  is  generally  full  of 
seeds  from  bedding  used,  and  therefore 
should  be  applied  only  to  plants  that  are  to 
be  plowed  under  after  fruiting.  I  think  it 
gives  better  results  when  put  on  in  the 
spring  than  in  the  early  winter.  It  stimu- 
lates growth  and  makes  them  earlier.  The 
largest  and  finest  Bid  wells  we  ever  grew 
were  spring  mulched  with  horse  manure. 
For  most  of  our  plantation  we  use  straw, 
any  kind  we  can  get.  To  remove  the  weed 
seeds,  the  straw  is  spread  thinly  in  a  vacant 
lot  and  turned  over  several  times,  when  the 
seeds  will  rattle  to  the  ground.  Hens  will 
assist  in  this.  The  straw  can  afterwards  be 
stacked  by  the  Strawberry  bed  or  put  in  the 
barn  till  wanted. 

Appltixg  Mulch.  When  the  ground  is 
frozen  hard  enough  to  bear  up  the  horses 
and  wagon,  we  can  drive  anywhere  on  the 
patch,  putting  the  material  where  needed. 
A  man  stands  on  the  load  and  shakes  it  unto 
the  rows,  and  others  following  place  it 
evenly  all  over  the  surface  about  two  to 
three  inches  deep,  or  so  as  to  hide  the  leaves 
and  soil.  We  deem  it  important  that  the 
whole  surface  be  mulched ,  as  any  part  freez- 
ing and  thawing  will  disturb  the  rest.  We 
shall  experiment  his  season  ^vith  several 
kinds  of  mulch,  applied  at  different  times 
and  at  different  depths,  so  as  to  give  results 
to  others. 

Fexces  for  Catching  Snow.  On  exposed 
hills  Strawberries  of  the  more  tender  varie- 
ties are  often  killed  by  the  cold  driving 
winds  of  mid-winter,  even  through  a  three- 
inch  mulch  of  straw.  Indeed,  the  Crescent 
and  Burt  are  about  all  that  are  entirely 
hardy  with  us  so  far.  For  this  reason  it  is 
best  to  select  a  location  for  growing  Straw- 
berries where  the  snow  lays  still.  If  this 
cau't  be  had,  fences  of  rails  or  boards  at  fre- 
quent intervals  will  stop  the  snow  and  hold 
it  where  wanted.  A  loose  board  fence  will 
catch  more  snow  than  a  tight  one,  so  nail 
the  boards  several  inches  apart  on  the  posts. 
If  snow  came  Dec.  1st  and  stayed  on  till 
warm  nights  in  the  spring  no  other  winter 
mulch  would  be  needed.  But  last  winter 
no  snow  here  till  after  New  Years,  but  con- 
tinual freezing  and  thawing,  and  whatever 
damage  was  done  was  done  in  early  winter. 
The  safest  way  is  to  apply  a  good  mulch. 


58 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


December. 


The  Hydrangea  as  a  Standard. 

At  a  recent  Horticultural  Exhibition  in 
Kassel  (Germany)  a  number  of  Hydrangeas 
in  standard  form  attracted  considerable  at- 
tention. Our  illustration  gives  a  good  pic- 
ture of  one  of  the  specimens  of  Hydrangea 
hortensis,  seven  years  old. 

The  exhibitor  (Mr.  Winter)  says  that  his 
chief  attention,  during  the  first  two  years  of 
its  life,  was  directed  toward  the  formation 
of  the  stem.  The  head  was  cut  off  entirely 
at  the  beginning  of  the  third  year,  and  all 
efforts  now  concentrated  upon  the  formation 


Ferns   in   the  Sitting-Room  Window. 

The  peculiar  grace  which  is  a  character- 
istic of  Ferns  attracts  the  attention  and 
admiration  of  many  flower  lovers,  and  at- 
tempts are  frequently  made  to  cultivate 
specimens  in  the  window.  These  attempts 
almost  invariably  end  in  failure,  for  the  rea- 
son that  Ferns  to  thrive  need  a  constant  sup- 
ply of  moisture,  far  steadier  and  eveuer  than 
that  which  can  be  secured  by  any  amount 
of  sprinkling  or  showering.  What  the  Fern 
wants,  says  Eben  E.  Rexford  in  the  House- 
wife, is  not  water  on  its  leaves,  but  water  in 
the  air  in  small  quantities— enough  in  sus- 
pension to  make  it  moist  and  keep  up  a 
steady  humidity.  Water  on  the  fronds  for 
any  length  of  time  will  injure  them.  In  a 
room  that  can  be  kept  properly  moist.  Ferns 
should  never  be  showered.  A  fernery,  while 
it  answers  well  for  small  plants,  is  not  what 
is  required  for  large  ones.  I  have  seen  a 
window  lately  that  was  made  cheaply,  and 
answered  its  purpose  well. 

Imagine  a  show-case  the  size  of  a  window, 
about  a  foot  in  depth,  with  sides  and  ends  of 
glass,as  well  as  top,  but  without  any  bottom. 
Now  suppose  you  take  this  show-case  and 
set  it  up  against  a  window  of  corresponding 
size,  with  the  glass  top  towards  the  room. 
You  would  have  a  space  enclosed  on  all  sides 
with  glass.  The  glass  of  the  show-case  would 
furnish  enclosure  in  itself  for  all  but  one 
side,  and  that  one  side,  which  the  show-case 
bottom  was  placed  against,  would  be  en- 
closed by  the  window.  The  plan  is,  to  have 
a  frame  a  foot  or  thereabouts  in  depth — a 
foot  and  a  half  would  be  better — just  the 
size  of  the  window,  against  which  it  must  be 
snugly  fitted,  and  this  frame  is  to  be  glassed 


STANDARD  HYDRANGEA  HORTENSIS. 

of  a  well-shaped  head.  The  plant  shown  in 
illustration  is  the  result  of  this  treatment 
and  four  more  years  of  growth,  and  its  grace 
and  beauty  well  repays  all  the  pains  taken 
with  it.  Standard  specimens  of  the  Hydran- 
gea grandiflora  were  also  on  exhibit,  and 
not  less  attractive. 


in  on  front,  sides  and  top.  A  shelf  at  the  sill 
furnishes  support  for  it.  With  such  a  frame 
you  have  a  space  for  plants,  from  which  the 
dry  air  of  the  room  can  be  excluded,  and  in 
wliich  the  proper  moisture  can  be  retained. 

To  be  made  perfectly  convenient,  the  front 
should  be  made  like  a  door,  and  hung  by 
hinges,  so  that  it  could  be  swung  open  to  al- 
low you  to  get  at  the  plants  inside  easily. 
There  will  be  crevices  enough  about  the  bot- 
tom and  sides  for  the  admission  of  plenty  of 
warm  air.  The  mndow  which  gave  me  the 
idea  had  an  extra  sash  outside,  so  that  the 
frost  could  not  gather  on  the  glass  next  the 
plants.  There  were  two  wire  shelves  run- 
ning across  the  enclosure,  and  at  the  bottom 
there  was  a  zinc  pan  the  size  of  the  space  en- 
closed, about  five  inches  deep.  This  was 
filled  with  wood's  earth,  in  which  plants 
were  set,  and  the  surface  was  covered  with 
Moss  and  Lycopodiums.  The  center  of  the 
pan  was  occupied  by  a  very  fine  specimen  of 
the  variegated  Fern,  Ptirls  arricntea.  On 
the  shelf  above  several  pots  of  Maidenhair 
stood,  while  the  upper  shelf  had  Adiaiitmn 
ffraciUlm  um,  that  most  delicate  of  all  Ferns. 

The  effect  from  the  room,  as  you  looked 
out,  was  charming.  The  plants  made  a 
filmy  curtain  of  green  lace  for  the  ^andow. 
They  grew  as  well  there  as  they  would  have 
grovsTi  in  a  greenhouse,  because  the  glass 
case  protected  them  from  the  intense  heat 
of  the  room  with  its  dry  air.  The  water  ap- 
plied to  the  soil  evaporated  slowly,  and  was 
condensed  on  the  glass,  where  it  ran  down 
to  the  bottom  of  the  window  and  was  taken 
up  by  the  earth  in  the  pan,  to  be  re-evapor- 
ated. Thus  the  atmosphere  was  moist  all 
the  time.  The  window  was  a  fernery  on 
quite  a  large  scale;  an  upright  fernery,  rath- 
er than  a  flat  one,  or  a  square  one,  such  as 
we  usually  see. 

Any  carpenter  can  make  the  frame  for  the 
glass,  and  be  sure  of  getting  a  good  fit  if  he 
measures  the  window  accurately.  Before 
setting  the  glass,  the  frame  should  be  well 
painted.  Then  bed  the  glass  in  aquarium 
cement,  and  paint  over  all  tlie  wood  not  cov- 
ered by  glass  or  cement,  to  protect  it  from 
the  effect  of  too  much  moisture.  A  door 
will  be  necessary  to  get  at  the  plants  from 
time  to  time  to  remove  dead  leaves,  and  to 
turn  them  as  they  draw  towards  the  light, 
aud  for  this  reason  there  should  be  conveni- 
ence of  access.  It  will  be  best  in  all  cases,  I 
am  sure,  to  have  the  entire  front  like  a  door, 
for  this  will  allow  you  to  get  to  any  part  ot 
the  enclosure  with  ease.  In  such  a  case  you 
can  grow  Rex  Begonias  and  other  plants 
fond  of  shade  aud  moisture.  The  window 
which  you  fit  up  for  Ferns  should  never  be  a 
very  sunny  one.  An  eastern  exposure  is 
good.    A  north  window  will  do  very  well. 


About  the  Christmas  Rose. 

E.  ORPET,  PASSAIC  CO.,  N.  J. 

The  hardy  flower  garden  is  not  the  most 
interesting  place  imaginable,  now  that  win- 
ter is  upon  us.  The  only  place  where  flowers 
are  to  be  fotind  is  where  the  so-called  X-mas 
Roses  grow,  and  well  do  they  merit  this 
popular  name.  Helleborus  niger  is  much 
valued  at  this  time  for  its  pretty  white 
flowers,  and  justly  so,  but  the  subject  of  this 
note  is  to  be  seen  as  I  write,  with  pure  white 
flowers  surrounded  with  its  handsome  ever- 
green leaves,  rising  a  foot  above  the  carpet 
of  snow,  as  bright  and  fresh  as  if  it  had 
never  known  a  seven  days'  frost  and  snow. 
In  a  collection  of  18  species  and  varieties  the 
above  is  far  the  best.  No  collection  of  hardy 
plants  should  be  without  H.  niger  maximus, 
or  major,  as  it  is  .sometimes  called;  both 
names  are  applicable,  the  flowers  being  three 
inches  across,  pure  white  inside,  tinged  with 
pink  outside. 

The  whole  family  thrives  well  in  a  shady, 
place,  so  that  they  may  not  have  the  full 


force  of  the  summer  sun.  Given  a  good 
depth  of  vegetable  mould  they  will  thrive 
vigorously  aud  well  repay  any  little  care 
bestowed  upon  them. 


Rose  Forcing  by  an  Expert. 
How  to  get  Hybrid  Remontants  at  Clirist- 
mas,  is  a  question  very  ably  treated  by  Mr. 
.John  N.  May  in  American  Florist.  Start  by 
having  good  plants  in  pots  in  June,  he  says. 
Let  the  pots  (  eight-inch  size  preferred)  be 
well  drained  with  not  less  than  two  inches 
of  broken  pots,  coarse  at  bottom  with  some 
finer  pieces  on  top;  over  the  whole  place  a 
piece  of  very  thin  sod  to  keep  the  soil  from 
washing  down  into  the  crocking  and  filling 
it  up;  this  is  a  very  important  part  of  the 
operation,  as  success  depends  entirely  upon 
the  condition  of  the  soil  during  the  time  the 
plants  are  being  forced  into  flower,  tor  they 
require  liberal  waterings,  aud  the  means  for 
all  surplus  water  to  drain  away  freely.  Next 
take  a  good  quality  of  loam — old  sod  is 
much  the  best,  if  heavy  add  a  liberal  pro- 
portion of  sand — and  to  every  seven  or  eight 
loads  of  soil  add  one  of  well  decomposed 
cow  manure,  broken  up  fine;  thoroughly 


IMPROVISED  FORM   FOR   DECORATION.     FIG.  2. 

mix  and  if  the  soil  is  naturally  very  poor  a 
little  pure  ground  bone  may  be  added  at  the 
same  time.  Then  repot  the  plants  into  suit- 
able-sized pots,  pressing  the  soil  firm  around 
the  ball,  Init  do  not  break  the  young  roots. 

When  this  is  done  the  plants  should  be 
placed  in  the  open  air  on  a  bed  of  coal  ashes 
and  plunged  nearly  to  the  brims  either  in 
coal  ashes,  sand,  or  similar  material.  Water 
carefully  and  syringe  frequently  for  the  first 
week  to  prevent  them  flagging  in  the  hot 
sun.  As  soon  as  the  roots  begin  to  get  well 
hold  of  the  new  soil,  they  will  push  out  soft 
new  growth;  this  must  be  watched  carefully 
as  at  this  late  date  it  would  be  fatal  to  suc- 
cess if  the  eyes  at  the  base  of  the  strong 
shoots  should  start  into  growth,  and  to  avoid 
this  it  will  be  necessary  to  watch  the  water- 
ing very  carefully  so  that  they  are  not  over- 
watered;  the  object  being  to  get  new  roots 
without  producing  very  much  soft  young 
wood;  so  long  as  the  new  growth  is  confined 
to  the  tops  of  the  shoots  already  made,  no 
harm  can  come. 

Let  them  continue  in  this  way  till  about 
the  middle  of  August,  then  commence  to 
withhold  the  water  from  them,  gradually  of 
course  at  first,  aud  continue  to  lessen  the 
quantity  every  day  till  the  wood  becomes 
quite  hard;  but  try  to  retain  some  leaves  on 
them  to  keep  the  sap  balanced  between  root 
and  branch.  By  the  middle  of  September 
they  ought  to  stand  for  a  week  at  a  time 
without  any  moisture  at  all  other  than  the 
dews  at  night.  Should  wet  weather  occur 
during  this  period,  means  must  be  provided 
to  prevent  it  getting  to  the  roots— laying  the 
pots  on  their  side  with  pieces  of  boards  laid 
over  the  pots  is  as  good  a  means  as  any— for 
dry  they  must  be  kept  or  there  will  be  no 
Roses  when  wanted. 

If  they  have  been  properly  treated,  by  the 
Istof  October  the  wood  will  be  hard  and  solid 
without  its  being  shrivelled,  with  the  leaves 
turning  a  pale  green.  In  this  condition  they 


1889. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


59 


are  lit  to  pruuo;  in  doing  so  cut  back  to  a 
good  proininent  eye  on  each  shoot,  clean  off 
nicely,  stand  them  in  a  cool  frame  if  to  he 
had,  water  moderately  ami  syringe  three  or 
four  times  a  day,  shut  up  the  frame  on  cool 
nights,  or  during  cold  rains,  and  in  ten  to 
flfteendays  the  eyes  will  have  broken  nicely- 
They  should  then  be  removed  to  a  green 
house  where  the  temperature  can  be  kept  at 
46°  to  ■«<■  at  night  with  plenty  of  air  during 
line  days,  and  watered,  syringed,  etc.,  as  re- 
quired. About  every  ten  to  twelve  days  the 
temperature  should  be  increased  two  or 
three  degrees  at  night  with  less  proportion 
of  air  during  the  day  according  to  the 
weather.  As  soon  as  the  buds  are  set  they 
will  be  greatly  benelited  by  having  a  good 
watering  or  liquid  manure  twice  a  week, 
but  they  shotild  never  be  saturated  or  given 
more  water  till  the  soil  in  the  pot  is  in  a 
healthy  condition  for  the  roots  to  absorb  the 
water  given.  Plants  treated  this  way  will 
be  in  bloom  in  ten  to  twelve  weeks  from  the 
time  they  are  pruned. 

Varieties.— Those  most  suitable  for  this 
purpose  are:  Gen.  Jacqueminot,  Magna 
Charta,  Anna  de  Diesbach  and  Mrs.  John 
Laing,  though  the  latter  is  hardly  as  good 
for  earliest  pot  work  as  the  other  three.  For 
blooming  in  February  or  even  end  of  Jan- 
uary there  are  a  great  many  good  varieties, 
but  for  most  people  the  following  are  per- 
haps—including those  named  above  and 
Mme.  Gabriel  Luizet,  one  of  the  finest  Roses 
ever  raised — the  best :  Ulrich  Bninner, 
another  grand  Rose,  and  the  new  variety 
Gloire  de  Margottin,  one  of  the  brightest 
colored  Roses  known;  Baroness  Rothschild, 
Mabel  Morrison  and  La  Roserie.  This  gives 
all  the  most  desirable  shades  of  color,  and 
all  are  good  Roses. 

For  later  blooming  the  varieties  that  can 
be  had  in  perfection  are  almost  legion;  with 
of  course  less  trouble  as  the  plants  can  be 
allowed  to  grow  on  naturally  till  frost  stops 
their  growth,  and  then  by  placing  them  in 
a  cool  house  or  like  place  they  can  be  pruned 
and  brought  into  the  greenhouse  as  required. 
One  very  important  item  in  their  cultiva- 
tion during  the  time  they  are  in  the  open 
air  is  that  they  should  never  he  saturated 
with  water  for  any  length  of   time   or  the 


WIRE  FRAME  FOR  TABLE  DECORATION.  FIG.  1. 

result  will  be  fatal,  as  black  spot  will  soon 
have  supreme  control. 


Holiday  Table  Decorations. 
The  possession  of  a  little  natural  taste  and 
talent,  and  the  utilization  of  simplest  de 
vices,  are,  after  all,  the  only  things  needful 
to  be  able  to  make  a  very  creditable  and  at- 
tractive display  in  table  decorations  with 
comparatively  little  floral  material.  The 
objectionable  feature  of  crowding  plants  and 
flowers  can  easily  be  avoided  by  making  use 
of  the  very  primitive  devices  illustrated  in 
Figs.  1  and  2,  and  of  many  other  similar 
ones.   In  Fig.  1  we  see  a  wire  frame  too  sim- 


ple to  need  description.  Killed  with  Roses, 
Asters  and  other  flowers,  nicely  arranged 
on  Fern  leaves,  and  a  few  green  sprigs  of 
some  suitable  material,  il  appears  in  very 
attractive  garb  as  the  table  decoration  Fig, 
3.  In  Fig.  'J  we  have  a  sample  of  flower  and 
fruit  frame,  consisting  of  plate,  fruit  dish 
and  tumbler,  and  in  Fig.   4  the  complete 


soon  as  they  arrive,  but,  instead,  we  set  them 
out  in  rows  in  a  nursery  patch  we  keep  for 
this  purpose,  and  where  we  give  them  good 
attention, and  mulch  the  ground  about  them. 
This  was  the  way  with  these  Andromedas, 
and  we  mulched  about  them  with  tree  leaves. 
They  had  been  in  these  rows  two  years,  and 
la.st  week  when  1  lifted  them  to  tran.splant 


TABLE  DECORATION,     FIG.   3. 

decoration,  with  fruits  and  flowers  in  pleas- 
ing and  tasty  array. 

We  need  hardly  say  that  these  devices  are 
merely  given  as  samples.  They  may  be  var- 
ied in  a  thousand  and  one  different  ways, 
according  to  your  own  fancy  and  the  mater- 
ials at  hand.  The  devices  may  be  primitive, 
and  the  decorative  material  common — a  few 
flowers,  a  few  Ferns,  perhaps  some  Celery 
or  Parsley  leaves,  and  some]  Apples,  Pears, 
Grapes,  etc.,  but  they  can  be  made  to  con- 
tribute largely  to  the  enjoyment  of  a  meal. 



Leaf  Mold  for  Shrubs. 

The  value  of  leaf  mold  as  an  admixture 
to  potting  and  other  soils  is  generally  rec- 
ognized; not  so,  however,  the  advisability 
of  gathering  dry  forest  leaves  in  fall  or  win- 
ter for  the  sake  of  the  mold  to  be  obtained 
from  them  by  composting.  Where  mold 
can  be  scooped  up  from  the  woods  ready- 
made,  of  course  we  would  gladly  avail  our- 
selves of  the  opportunity  to  get  a  supply  for 
whatever  purpose  we  might  wish  to  use  it. 
Otherwise  we  would  not  scorn  to  gather  up 
dry  leaves  in  fall  and  winter  whenever  prac- 
ticable. We  are  glad  to  note  so  good  an 
authority  as  Mr.  Wm.  Falconer  come  out  in 
favor  of  the  practice.  "* 

A  large  bed  of  Rhododendrons  had  be- 
come too  crowded,  so  he  tells  the  Country 
Gentleman,  and  it  was  resolved  to  lift  and 
replant  them.  They  had  been  planted  five 
years  and  grown  bushy  and  tall.  Every  fall 
(November)  when  the  Oak  trees  shed  their 
leaves  we  raked  up  large  quantities  of  the 
dry  leaves  and  mulched  the  bed  with  them 
to  a  depth  of  12  or  l-")  inches,  letting  the 
mulching  stay  there  permanently,  and  year 
after  year  adding  to  it  a  like  amount.  By 
fall  the  mulching  would  have  rotted  down 
to  two  or  three  inches  in  thickness.  In  lift- 
ing these  Rhododendrons  we  found  that  the 
great  mass  of  young  fibrous  roots  were  in 
the  leaf  mold  on  the  sm-face  of  the  soil,  and 
keeping  this  point  in  mind,  in  replanting 
we  threw  several  shovelfuls  of  prepared  leaf 
soil  from  the  compost  yard  around  the  ball 
of  every  Rhododendron.  And  as  soon  as 
the  bed  was  replanted  we  again  mulched  it 
with  leaves  to  preserve  the  fine  surface  root- 
lets from  drying  up  by  the  wind. 

Another  notable  case  of  the  partiality  of 
shrubs  for  leaf  mold  was  evidenced  in  a  lot 
of  A  ndromcda  Japan  ten.  When  we  receive 
fine  trees  from  home  or  foreign  nurseries, 
we  do  not  plant  them  out  permanently  as 


DECORATION.     FIG.  4. 

them  elsewhere  to  their  permanent  quarters' 
I  found  that  not  only  had  they,  like  the 
Rhododendrons,  made  a  carpet  of  fine,  white, 
fibrous  roots  among  the  leaf  soil,  but  what- 
ever branches  had  laid  upon  the  mulching 
had  emitted  roots,  and  that  plentifully, 
wherever  they  touched  the  ground.  In  re- 
planting them,  too,  I  used  leaf  mold  freely 
about  their  roots. 

We  use  a  great  deal  of  leaf  soil  for  this 
work.  We  not  only  gather  up  and  save  the 
leaves  that  fall  upon  our  own  place,  but  we 
go  out  into  the  woods  in  early  spring  or  late 
winter,  as  soon  as  the  snow  has  gone,  and 
rake  up  a  large  quantity,  cart  them  home 
and  make  a  pile  of  them  where  they  will  re- 
main moist  and  not  blow  away.  Towards 
spring,  after  the  leaves  have  lain  on  the 
ground  under  the  rain  and  snow  all  winter, 
they  have  begun  to  decay,  and  we  can  pack 
a  very  great  deal  more  of  them  into  a  wagon 
than  we  can  when  they  are  fresh  in  the  fall. 
Some  years  ago  I  raked  large  quantities  of 
leaves  in  the  woods  in  the  fall  and  left  them 
in  piles  in  hoUow  places  till  towards  spring, 
when  I  intended  to  bring  them  home.  But 
when  spring  came  I  found  that  some  of  my 
neighbors  had  availed  themselves  of  my 
kindness,  so  now  I  cart  the  leaves  home  as 
I  rake  them  up. 

But  when  people  have  only  a  few  Ever- 
green shrubs  to  plant,  they  can  get  all  the 
leaf  soil  they  want  by  scraping  together 
some  of  the  surface  earth  they  will  get  in  the 
hollows  in  roads. 


1,443.  Wintering  Fuchsias.  Fuchsias  may  be 
wintered  very  well  in  a  dark  cellar,  if  it  is  dry, 
so  that  the  plants  do  not  mold.  Late  in  the  fall 
withhold  (Water  gradually  until  the  leaves  drop 
otf .  then  put  them  awa.v  in  tbls  dormant  condi- 
tion, bringini?  out  again  in  March  or  as  early  as 
j  is  feasible.— S.  C.  Valentine. 

'     1,467.    Tuberoses,    These  bulbs  do  not  bloom 
i  a  second  time.     The  little  offsets,  if  preserved  in 
an  equable  temperature,  will    bloom   the   first 
season  they  reach  blooming  size.— C.  S.  V. 

1,4)43.  Propagating  Carnations.  This  is  done 
both  by  seed  and  by  cuttings.  The  cooler  months 
are  best  for  both.  Cuttings  may  be  struck  any 
time  from  now  until  April — later  they  do  not  do 
so  well— in  a  cool  temperature  with  light  bottom 
heat.  For  amateurs,  summer  la.vering  is  apt  to 
be  the  surest  plan,  as  slips  are  ditficult  to  root 
without  bottom  heat.— C.  S.  Valentine. 

1,466.  Laying  Down  Orape  Vines.  This  should 
be  done  after  trimming  and  before  severe  freez- 
ing weather,  say  during  the  latter  half  of  No- 
vember in  the  vicinity  of  Plattsburgh.  Delaware 
is  hardy  if  laid  down;  and  probably  would  te  in 
heltered  situations  it  not  covered.— C.  S.  V. 


6o 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


December, 


The  Wish  of  the  Leaf. 

"  To  be  a  bird— ah  me  :  " 
The  leaf  sighed  on  the  tree; 

"  What  happy,  happy  fate, 
To  glide  upon  the  air 
O'er  regions  free  and  falj-, 

And  chant  at  "  Heaven's  Gate  I  " 
*'  Oh,  envj'lng  Leaf,  beware ! 
Already  joy's  full  share 

Lies  in  thine  own  true  place; " 
A  laughing  gale  passed  by— 
"  I'll  teach  the  leaf  to  fly. 

And  ride  through  distant  space." 
Then  down  from  its  brief  height, 
Down  from  the  air  and  light. 

Far  from  its  sheltering  tree 
The  leaf  was  cast.    All  day 
In  feverish  dust  it  lay. 

And  torn  with  misery. 

— The  Independent. 


Summer  Not  The  Best. 

As  for  the  *'  golden  days,"  why,  countless  flies 

And  torrid  heat  were  much  their  strongest  features; 

And  her  "  calm  silver  nights  "  mosquitoes  brought, 

And  many  other  wily,  winged  creatures. 

Besides  which  (and  oh!  poets,  when  I  think 

Of  them,  at  your  regret  again  I  wonder). 

Her  "gentle  show'rs"  so  often  scared  the  world 

With  lightning  flashes  and  terrlflic  thunder. 

No,  no,  "sweet  Summer,"  me  you  do  not  leave 

Singing  in  minor  key  half  broken-hearted; 

Let  other  rhymsters  mourn  that  you  are  gone; 

I'm  very  glad,  indeed,  you  have  departed. 

—Detroit  Free  Press. 


December. 

Month  for  flre  and  glowing  ember. 
Is  the  last  one,  cold  December. 
Time  for  gay  frolic  and  for  fun. 
Which  the  short  days  leave  just  begun. 


Little  Bun,  little  bloom ! 

As  to  size  fit  the  tree  to  the  yard. 

Let  cione  t)e  cut  before  it  freezes  hard. 

Pansies,  like  Wheat,  need  but  a  thin  covering. 

We  predict  no  failure  in  the  Christmas  tree 
crop. 

Fewer  fences  reduce  expenses  and  increase 
profits. 

Winter  watering  for  pot  plants  should  be  fore- 
noon watering. 

Kill  not  the  house  plants  with  kindness,  nor 
cook  them  in  the  kitchen. 

Paris  Golden  Celery  is  a  new  variety  reported 
on  favorably  in  the  Boston  markets. 

The  good  Cineraria  grower  guards  his  plants 
from  even  the  slightest  contact  with  frost. 

If  plants  don't  "  catch  cold  "  in  a  draught  they 
come  near  to  it.    Keep  off  the  cold  draughts. 

Is  there  any  decaying  fruit  iu  the  cellar?  It 
must  not  be.    It  means  ill  health  to  the  family. 

Unlcliing  and  manuring  is  now  the  order  of 
the  day;  mind  culture  the  order  of  the  long 
evenings. 

Like  a  Banana,  A  good  Apple  without  seed 
or  core  is  a  thing  worth  striving  for.  We  think 
it  will  come. 

The  Kansas  State  Horticnltnral  Society  holds 
its  annual  meeting  at  Paola,  Miami  Co.,  Decem- 
ber .3  to  .5,  IS»9. 

The  Cauliflower  crop  seems  to  have  been  some- 
what of  a  failure  In  its  own  stronghold,  on  Long 
Island,  this  year. 

Messrs,  Cnrrie  Bros.,  of  Milwaukee,  Wis,,  now 
add  one  more  "  rust-proof "  Bean,  the  "  Rust 
Proof  Golden  Wax,"  to  an  already  long  list  of 
recent  introductions, 

"  The  weeds  must  go,"  says  Dakota,  and  woe 
to  the  man  who  harbors  them,  A  noxious  weed- 
law,  strictly  enforced,  would  not  hurt  this  State 
and  many  others  either. 

For  the  Tomato  rot  try  sulphide  of  potassium 
in  solution  (one  ounce  to  the  gallon  of  water)  on 
the  diseased  plants,  sulphur  and  linseed  oil  on  the 
pipes,  and  a  liry  atmosphere  in  the  house. 


Deep  Tillage.  I  have  been  laughed  at,  if  not 
scoffed,  for  plowing  a  piece  of  land  for  a  vineyard 
a  foot  deep  with  four  horses,  but  I  And  it  pays 
in  more  than  one  way.— F.  H.  JVeidenmUler. 

Cnt-flowers  when  immersed  into  a  solution  of 
gum  arable,  repeating  once  or  twice  after  the 
gum  coat  has  (Iried  on  them,  are  said  to  be  pre- 
served in  all  their  beauty,  and  for  a  long  time. 

White  Grapes.  Go  slow  on  planting  them. 
This  advice  given  at  the  meeting  of  the  American 
Horticultural  Society  at  Cleveland,  several  years 
ago,  is  again  heard,  and  apparently  in  still  louder 
and  more  emphatic  tones. 

Lack  of  Pollen,  which  so  often  results  in  par- 
tial or  entire  barrenness  of  many  fruit  and  nut 
trees,  does  not  seem  to  be  a  fault  of  the  Kussian 
fruits.  Abundance  of  pollen,  and  plenty  of 
fruit  in  consequence,  is  the  rule  with  them. 

Wax  Plant.  I  have  four  varieties  of  Hoya, 
H.  coronosa,  H.  imperialis,  H.  variegata  and  H. 
globulosa,  and  I  am  anxious  to  add  the  H.  bella 
to  my  list.  All  do  excellently  in  this  cUmate,  as 
do  the  Oleanders.— JIfrs.  F.  M.  Parchal,  Texas. 

Grafting  Wax.  For  a  good  one,  neither  too 
soft  nor  too  stiff,  try  the  following:  4  pounds 
rosin,  1  pound  bees  wax,  1  pint  boiled  Unseed  oil. 
Melt,  and  when  sufBciently  cool,  pull  like  taffy 
and  form  into  balls  or  sticks.  Be  sure  to  have 
unadulterated  linseed  oil. 

No  Apples  to  be  shipped  from  this  great  fruit 
section  this  year.  Thousands,  tens,  and  perhaps 
hundreds  of  thousands  of  barrels  are  brought 
here  from  Michigan  and  stored.  The  whole  crop 
of  real  good  fruit  grown  in  Niagara  County  is 
probably  within  3,000  barrels. 

Yon  visit  the  city  occasionally,  don't  you  ?  But 
do  you  ever  go  through  the  markets,  carefully 
noting  what  products  bring  the  best  prices,  and 
how  they  are  handled  and  packed?  Such  exam- 
ination may  suggest  reforms  and  changes  in 
selection  of  varieties  and  methods. 

Bosebng  Eemedy.  It  is  said  that  laying  the 
vines  on  the  ground  late  in  the  fall,  and  then 
again  tying  to  trellis  after  mild  weather  begins 
in  spring,  will  induce  early  blossoming  and  a 
consequent  early  development  of  the  clusters 
before  the  bugs  make  their  appearance. 

Layering  Jacqueminots.  The  only  way  that  I 
have  succeeded  in  increasing  Jacqueminot  Roses 
is  by  pegging  down  the  lower  limbs.  Cut  the 
branch  halt  way  through  on  the  lower  side  .so  it 
will  root  more  readily.  Cuttings  have  always 
failed  with  me,  no  matter  how  the  season,  or 
what  the  condition.— ^rgi/nn  is. 

Tree  of  Ages,  A  Plane  tree  (Cottonwood)  that 
was  a  vigorous  tree  during  the  Revolution  is 
reported  to  still  stand  on  George  Sanger's  farm 
in  Canterbury,  Conn.  It  is  seventy  feet  high, 
the  body  measuring  sixteen  feet  in  circumfer- 
ence two  feet  from  the  groimd,  and  of  the  same 
size  around  twenty-five  feet  above. 

The  cumulative  effect  of  the  sulphate  of  cop- 
per mixtures  where  applications  are  made  year 
after  year  for  fungus  disease',  is  the  subject  we 
would  like  to  hear  about.  Reports  are  certainly 
now  in  order.  WiB  continued  treatment  year 
after  year  tend  to  wipe  out  the  rots  and  mildews? 
There  should  at  least  be  some  indication  to  that 
effect  by  this  time. 

The  largest  tree  in  Florida  is  said  to  stand 
between  Long\vood  and  Soldiers'Creek,  in  Orange 
County.  It  is  a  Cypress,  which  by  actual  meas- 
urement is  14  feet  in  diameter  just  above  the 
ground.  This  is  solid  wood.  There  is  none  of 
the  inverted  funnel  shape  so  common  in  the 
Cypress,  but  it  comes  out  of  the  ground  straight 
as  a  candle,  and  at  tiO  feet  from  the  ground  the 
diameter  is  estimated  at  10  feet. 

Paragon  Chestnut,  Messrs,  H.  M.  Engle  &  Son 
of  Lancaster  Co.,  Pa.,  have  forwarded  to  this  office 
some  specimens  of  this  really  excellent  Chestnut 
of  enormous  size,  one  of  them  measuring  1% 
inches  in  width,  1%  inches  in  height,  and  1  inch 
in  depth.  We  have  before  this  seen  burrs  con- 
taining five  and  even  six  large  nuts.  Messrs. 
Engle  &  Son  write  that  the  nuts  are  unusually 
large  this  season,  the  trees  not  Ijeing  overloaded 
as  is  usually  the  case. 

A  new  parasite  of  the  codling  moth  which  is 
classed  as  a  new  species  of  the  genus  Bethylus 
has  been  discovered.  The  larvse  feed  externally 
on  the  codlin  worm.  Whether  this  discovery, 
however,  will  be  of  much  practical  importance 
to  the  fruit  grower  or  not  remains  to  be  seen. 
Probable  it  will  not,  unless  we  learn  to  breed  and 
distribute  these  insect  pai'asites  in  a  more  system- 
atic manner  from  what  we  have  been  able  to  do 
heretofore. 


A  pleasing  custom  that  is  now  gaining  a  foot- 
hold in  many  German  houses  is  to  keep  a  small 
Balsam  Evergreen  tree  growing  in  a  tub  or  box. 
The  children  are  sure  to  pet  it  and  care  for  it,  for 
they  know  they  will  find  it  in  full  glory  and  dec- 
orated in  true  Christm<as  fashion  upon  the  Christ- 
mas table,  with  the  rich  presents  spread  out  under 
its  branches.  The  same  tree  may  thus  serve  this 
purpose  for  a  number  of  years.  When  too  large 
it  is  replaced  by  a  smaller  specimen. 

A  veritable  bush  lima,  and  a  good  one,  too, 
from  all  accounts,  is  being  introducjed  for  next 
spring  by  Messrs.  W.  AUee  Burpee  &  Co.,  of 
Philadelphia,  Pa.  While  the  price  set  on  this 
novelty  is  meant  to  be  in  a  measure  prohibitory 
on  account  of  small  stock  in  existence,  we  think 
that  75  cents  can  be  invested  much  less  profitab- 
ly in  many  other  ways  than  by  the  purchase  of  4 
Beans,  provided  the  novelty  turns  out  half  as 
valuable  as  claimed  tor  it.  Of  course  we  shall 
have  it  on  our  experiment  grounds  next  season, 
and  in  fact  we  are  enthusiastic  over  it  already. 

To  set  a  post  firmly  and  solidly,  for  a  green- 
house, for  instance,  or  for  a  gate  post,  our  friend 
Pierce  now  thinks  he  has  the  right  recipe.  The 
holes  are  dug  33  inches  deep  and  8x18  inches  in 
size  (the  broad  way  in  the  direction  of  the  green- 
house wall  or  the  fence),  the  posts  inserted  and 
held  perpendicularly  in  center  by  means  of  a  few 
small  stones  blockeil  up  around  it,  and  the  holes 
then  filled  two-thirds  full  with  cheap  cement 
mortar,  one  part  cement  to  six  of  sand.  The 
hole  is  now  filled  up  with  coarse  gravel  until  the 
mortar  runs  out  of  the  hole,  and  when  the  latter 
has  become  dry,  the  post  stands  firm  and  im- 
movable. 

Nothing  For  Sale,  J.  W.  L.,  of  Delaware,  who 
apparently  has  never  seen  a  copy  of  Popui.ar 
Gardening,  asks  us  to  send  him  catalogue,  if 
possible  with  instructions  on  Mushroom  culture. 
While  every  one  of  our  readers  will  consider  it 
self-evident  that  we  issue  no  catalogue,  since  we 
as  publishers  naturallj'  keep  our  hands  off  any 
commercial  enterprise  that  might  call  for  the 
expedient  of  a  catalogue,  we  think  it  may  be 
well  to  emphasize  the  latter  fact  by  stating  for 
the  benefit  of  the  applicant,  and  of  all  whom  it 
may  concern,  we  have  absolutely  nothing  to  sell 
except  subscriptions  to  and  advertising  space  in 
POPULAB  Gardening.  J.  W.  L.  will  find  instruc- 
tions on  Mushroom  growing  in  November  issue. 

The  Garden  Fence.  The  crusade  against  fences 
which  the  American  Garden  is  so  vigorously  es- 
pousing, might  be  very  well  were  there  no  dogs, 
no  destructive  boys,  no  drunken  rowdies,  no 
occasional  stray  cattle  and  hogs,  and  we  were  go- 
ing to  sa.v,  no  fine  gardens  along  our  streets.  Our 
own  association  with  good  gardens  in  city,  \-illage 
and  country  has  been  such  that  we  never  could 
feel  easy  to  have  our  valuable  tree,  shrub  and 
plant  pets,  and  our  fine  fruit  subjected  to  the 
above  evils,  as  certainly  is  sure  to  happen  at 
times  if  there  be  no  street  fence.  Popular 
Gardening  must  still  advise  those  who  spend 
their  precious  money  and  time  in  having  a  fine 
garden,  to  erect  the  fence,  but  let  it  be  so  light 
and  unobtrusive  that  it  will  not  cut  off  the 
beauty  back  of  it. 

The  improved  plant  pot.  picture,  of  which  is 
here  shown,  is  an  English  invention.   It  is  nothing 


IIVIPROVED    PLANT  POT. 

more  nor  less  than  one  pot  susi>ended  in  another, 
and  the  advantages  claimed  for  it  are  (1)  the  pro- 
tection of  the  inner  pot  from  the  heat  of  the  sun, 
thereby  preventing  the  roots  being  burnt,  and 
ensuring  a  more  even  moisture  and  temperature 
about  the  roots;  Ci)  less  watering  required,  con- 
sequently less  labor;  (S)  economy  of  manure,  by 
reason  of  its  strength  not  being  washed  away  by 
such  frequent  waterings;  (4)  security  against 
intrusion  of  worms;  (.5)  greater  base  to  the  pot, 
hence  less  risk  of  being  blown  or  knocked  over; 
(B)  avoidance,  in  a  great  measure,  to  the  alternate 
roasting  and  drenching  which  the  roots  experi- 
ence in  hot  weather.  These  pots  are  especially 
designed  tor  Chrysanthemums. 

Fitzwater  Pear.  Mr.  Herbert  A.  Jones  of  Him- 
rods,  N.  Y.,  has  forwarded  to  this  office  a  basket 


1889. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


61 


of  spcciiiu'iis  of  this  pear  early  >"  Nmcralier. 
The  whole  of  this  season's  erop  of  the  (iriiriaal 
tree  mow  ;iO  or  40  years  old)  is  thus  ilistributed 
amoiiK  ineml'ci-s  of  the  Amerieaii  Niirsery- 
men's  Association  for  testing,  whieh  we  think  is 
a  Kood  and  eomnieudable  praetiee.  Peai-s  ar- 
rived in  stood  eoiidition.  Fruit  medium  size; 
abovate.  obtuse  pyriform:  color,  bright  golden 
yellow  on  greenish  ground,  with  numerous  small 
brownish  dots  or  specks  over  the  whole  surface, 
and  sprinkleil  with  russet;  stem  nearly  an  inch 
long;  calyx  large,  open.  Quality  \erj'  good; 
tlesh  juicy,  melting,  aromatic;  its  only  fault 
being  a  slight  tendency  to  rot 
from  the  core.  The  tree  is 
said  to  lie  a  vigorous  grower, 
very  productive  and  an  annual 
bearer.  .Altogether  it  seems  to 
be  well  worthy  of  trial. 

The  little  brown  jug  is  often 
looked  upon  and  drawn  upon 
as  a  protraction  against  both 
heat  and  cold— in  short,  as  a 
sort  of  "  lite  preserver,"  and 
although,  indeed,  it  oftener 
destro.vs  than  preserves.  Now 
a  lady  often  uses  it -and  the 
two  gallon  size  at  that— as  a 
preserver  of  plant  life.  When 
the  real  bitter  cold  and  the 
howling  winds  make  them- 
selves felt  clear  into! the  sitting 
room  and  among  the  window 
plants,  so  that  it  is  feared  they 
may  freeze  the  coming  night, 
the  jug  is  filled  with  water- 
good,  hot  water,  no  whiskey, 
mind  you— wrapped  in  a  num- 
ber of  thicknesses  of  news- 
paper, layer  after  layer,  to 
modify,  preserve  and  equalize 
the  heat,  then  placed  on  the 
table  and  the  tender  plants 
around  it,  like  little  chicks 
crowding  around  and  hovered  by  the  old  hen.  A 
large  sheet  is  finally  thrown  over  the  whole,  and 
held  up  liy  little  sticks  thrust  into  the  plant  pots. 
This  method  of  protection  is  reported  to  be 
etfectual  without  fail,  and  may  be  easily  tried 
by  our  friends. 

Yoang  Trees  and  Shrnbs  in  Winter.  The  aim 
in  giving  any  kind  of  winter  protection  is  merely 
to  preserve  the  gains  made  in  root  or  top  growth 
during  the  preceding  season.  At  a  in  our  illus- 
tration we  show  a  j^oung  tree  well  jjrotected  both 
by  stake  and  mound.  A  few  stones  piled  around 
the  stem,  as  shown  at  b.  will  often  do  very  well, 
at  least  are  much  better  than  no  protection  at 
all,  but  will  not  prevent  injury  from  rabbits  and 
mice,  as  the  mound  is  quite  liable  to  do.  Young 
trees  with  little  root,  when  left  exposed  to  the 
sweeping  winds  without  support,  usually  are 
swayed  back  and  forth  until  a  funnel-shaped 
cavity  is  formed  around  the  base,  as  may  be  seen 
at  c,  endangering  the  life  of  the  tree  from  the 
drying  out  of  the  alread.v  scanty  root  supply,  or 
perhaps  by  being  entirely  blown  over  as  .seen  at 
d.  Young  Evergreens  with  their  comparatively 
heavy  tops  are  particularly  subject  to  displace- 
ment or  partial  uprooting  by  the  winter's  winds, 
and  may  be  held  in  position  by  stout  strings 
fastened  to  the  stem  and  to  small  stakes  driven 
into  the  ground  a  few  feet  from  the  base  of  tree, 
as  shown  at  e.  Small,  compact  Evergreens  are 
liable  to  be  broken  down  in  a  heavy  snowfall — 
squashed— and  the  most  natural  protection  per- 
haps is  the  one  suggested  at  /,  consisting  of  a 
sort  of  roof  made  of  two  pieces  of  board.  Tender 
shrubs  may  be  treated  in  a  variety  of  ways.  At 
g  we  have  a  shrub  protected  by  an  inverted 
barrel.  To  make  a  sure  thing  still  surer,  the  other 
head  might  be  taken  out  also,  the  barrel  filled 
with  dry  leaves  and  again  cohered.  At  h  we  see 
the  shrub  wrapped  in  canvas  or  mushn  and  at  i 
protected  by  straw  ot  straw  matting.  A  simple 
way  of  covering  small  tender  shrubbery  is  by 
means  of  sods,  as  illustrated  at./,  but  ordinary 
soil,  as  at  k,  will  do  about  as  well.  A  little  timely 
attention  to  these  things  may  save  some  of  your 
young  trees  and  shrubs  from  injury.  Examine 
their  condition  now,  and  see  if  you  cannot  put 
some  of  our  suggestions  to  practical  use. 

An  Interesting  Datnra.  I  have  a  Datura, 
which  the  German  florist  of  whom  I  bought  it 
called  "  Bergantia."  It  answers  the  description 
of  Datura  cornigera  in  every  respect,  except 
"  single  flowered."  My  Howers  have  two  rows  of 
petals  or  lobes,  the  recurved  (>oints  of  the  inner 
lobes  being  midway  between  the  outer  ones. 
Coralla  white,  or  cream-colored,  large  funnel- 


shaped,  striateti,  the  m<)uth  spreading,  the  lobes 
terminated  by  a  long  sul)ulate  recurved  jjoint; 
peduncles  axillary,  cur\<ii  downward  so  that  the 
flower  is  drooping.  Lea\cs  chiefly  couHnecl  to 
the  extremities  of  the  braiuhes.  Stem  shrubby; 
the  young  bi-anchesand  alnit)st  every  part  of  the 
plant  clothed  with  soft  down.  I  am  much  inter- 
ested in  this  plant,  because  it  affords  me  such  a 
wealth  of  bloom  for  decorative  purposes.  I 
planted  out  the  middle  of  .May  two  plants,  one 
one  year  old,  the  other  two  years  old.  They 
budded  at  once,  but  a  slight  frost  the  first  week 
in  June  caused  them  to  drop  their  buds,  but  did 


PROTECTING  YOUNG  TREES  AND  SHRUBS  IN  WINTER 
not  injure  the  plant.  My  husband  said  they 
needed  food,  so  we  dug  a  trench  around  them 
and  ailed  it  with  chicken  manure,  with  a  pail  of 
water  every  day  for  several  days.  From  the  last 
of  June  until  frost  T  picked  on  an  average  from 
40  to  51)  flowers  a  week.  The  larger  of  the  two 
plants  was  five  feet  high  and  five  feet  across.  I 
kept  them  in  the  house  last  winter,  and  found 
out  by  experience  that  they  liked  an  eastern 
exposure,  that  they  consumed  a  large  quantity  \ 
of  water,  that  continual  syringing  was  absolutely 
requisite  to  keep  off  red  spider,  etc.,  that  they 
quickly  resented  neglect  by  dropping  both  leaves 
and  buds,  but  that  with  proper  care  they  would 
bloom  magnificently.  I  have  charge  of  our 
church  decorations,  and  not  only  furnish  the 
flowers,  but  grow  them.  I  often  filled  a  large 
Rose  jar  with  these  Datura,  with  a  few  feathery 
spikes  of  Asparagus,  or  pulled  up  a  plantof  Cloth 
of  Gold  Nasturtium,  letting  the  leaves  hang 
all  around  the  bowl  like  a  fringe  with  the  flowers 
above  them;  or  with  vines  of  Adlumia  or  Aspar- 
agus tenuissimus,  and  they  were  grand  enough 
for  a  queen.  People  stop  me  in  the  streets,  on 
the  cars,  everywhere,  asking  me  about  them, 
and  people  with  fine  country  homes  and  grand 
conservatories  beg  tor  a  slip,  and  say  they  ne\er 
saw  anything  so  beautiful.  The  flowers  are 
fragrant  like  the  Tuberose,  only  not  so  strong.— 
Mrs.  Georgina  M.  WiUl,  Ills. 


New  York  Floral  Notes. 

Chrysanthemums  and  (.'hrysanthemum  shows 
are  the  leading  topic  just  now,  and  both  are  plen- 
tiful enough.  The  show  at  Brick  Church,  of  the 
Orange  Society,  was,  of  coui'se,  largest  and  best, 
but  a  very  good  display  was  made  by  Siebrecht 
and  Wadley  at  their  Fifth  avenue  store,  and  there 
was  a  fine  exhibit  of  the  ITnited  States  Nurser- 
ies. The  show  at  the  .\merican  Institute  was, 
really,  a  little  too  late. 

The  most  elegant  and  unique  of  all  the  shows 
was  that  arranged  for  the  benefit  of  theWomen's 
Infirmary,  held  in  the  studio  of  Mr.  Louis  C.  Tif- 
fany, the  well-known  artist  and  designer.  Mr. 
Tiffany  is  the  possessor  of  a  large  collection  of 
Japanese  curios,  and  the  arrangement  of  the 
glowing,  gorgeous  Chrysanthemums,  mingled 
with  rare  bronzes  and  beautiful  china,  presented 
a  wonderful  picture.  Ladies  in  attendance  wore 
authentic  Japanese  costumes,  and  the  artistic 
grouping  of  the  flowers  gave  many  ideas  for  in- 
terior decoration.  It  is  a  pity  that  such  arrange- 
ments are  not  attempted  at  the  ordinary  shows, 
giving  an  idea  of  the  use  of  such  plants  in  decor- 
ation; they  certainly  show  to  greater  advantage 


than  when  just  stood  aromid  in  groups  without 
any  apparent  reason. 

Chrysanthemums  were,  really,  very  dear  the 
earlier  part  of  the  seas(m,  owing,  no  doubt,  to 
the  continued  rain.  Somi'  florists  declared  they 
could  hardly  afford  to  rctuil  them,  as  they  had  to 
buy  them  at  a  high  price  and  sell  at  a  low  one; 
retail  customers  know  that  they  are  regarded  as 
a  cheap  flower,  and  consequeutl.v  demand  what 
they  consider  their  money's  worth.  There  seems 
little  doubt  that  the  coming  of  the  Chrysanthe- 
mums does  reduce  the  price  of  other  flowers,  so 
long  as  they  last.  These  flowers  are  better 
arranged  now;  we  do  not 
so  very  often  see  Ferns  or 
other  delicate  foliage  mingled 
with  them;  a  terribly  mistaken 
combination.  Heavy  Ferns  or 
autumn  leaves  only  are  per- 
missible. A  charming  arrange- 
ment recently  noted  in  a  flor- 
ist's window  was  a  dull  red 
Japanese  jar  filled  with  Golden 
Dragon  Chrysanthemums  and 
the  burnished  red-bronze 
leaves  of  the  Black  Oak. 

Among  new  varieties.  Dr. 
Walcott's  collection  embraces 
some  very  fine  things.  Shasta 
and  Alaska  are  two  whites  of 
great  exceUence,  both  large 
and  shapely  flowers,  long- 
stemmed,  with  robust  foliage 
growing  right  up  to  the  flower. 
There  are  some  very  fine  I'ich 
yellows  in  the  same  coUection, 
all  promising  well  for  com- 
mercial use.  Every  year  one 
sees  a  number  of  new  varie- 
ties, which,  whUe  they  may  be 
added  to  a  general  collection, 
possess  little  commercial  value 
for  lack  of  a  distinctive  color. 
Undecided,  tertiary  colors  are 
comparatively  useless  in  the  trade;  they  are  not 
sufliciently  showy  or  distinct. 

Mrs.  Alpheus  Hardy  is  better  this  year  than 
last,  as  seen  at  Short  Hills.  .\  good  many  seed- 
lings have  been  raised  from  it,  but  so  far  none  of 
them  appear  to  display  the  downy  covering  which 
is  such  a  remarkable  feature  of  that  flower.  A 
straw-colored  seedling  from  Comte.de.Germiny, 
recently  noted  at  a  small  local  show,  displayed  a 
few  tiny  scattering  hairs,  recalling  Mrs.  Alpheus 
Hardy's  peculiarity. 

Some  charming  breakfast  and  luncheon  decor- 
ations lately  have  consisted  entirely  of  Chrysan- 
themums, yellow  and  white.  These  two  tints  are 
certainly  more  popular  than  all  the  rest  put  to- 
gether. In  one  case,  the  middle  of  the  table  was 
filled  with  a  bed  of  yellow  and  white  Chrysanthe- 
mums, standing  upright,  bordered  byAsparagus, 
and  the  room  was  arranged  with  the  same  plants 
in  pots.  A  library,  furnished  in  ecru  and  bronze, 
was  decorated  with  red  and  orange  Chrysanthe- 
mums arranged  in  jars  of  Indian  red  pottery. 
Another  brighter  room  was  arranged  with  old 
pink  Chrysanthemums  in  dull  blue  jars.  Really, 
everything  seemed  to  smack  of  Chrysanthemums 
all  through  November.  At  many  church  wed- 
dings these  flowers  did  duty  in  yellow  and  white. 
White  ones,  in  pots,  ranged  along  the  altar  rails, 
banks  of  yellow  and  white,  backed  by  Palms,  on 
either  side  of  the  chancel,  and  bunches  disposed 
at  the  corners  of  the  pen  railings.  Bridesmaids 
carried  them,  either  in  loose  hand  bunches— no 
set  bouquets— or  tied  by  broad  ribbons  to  tall  La 
Tosca  canes. 

At  present  there  are  very  few  Orchids  in  the 
market,  so  these  flowers  are  not  very  largely 
used,  but  later  there  will  cert<iiuly  be  an  enorm- 
ous crop.  Think  of  1«,000  Cypripedum  insigne 
from  one  place  alone,  and  probably  as  many 
Cattleyas !  Seems  as  if  ( irchids  might  be  cheap 
when  the  dull  time  comes  after  the  holidays. 

Some  pretty  mantel  arrangements  have  been 
noted,  composed  of  potted  Cyclamens,  which 
lend  themselves  very  well  to  any  banked  arrange- 
ment, their  leaves  adding  greatly  to  the  effect. 
A  beautiful  ornament  for  a  bay  window  is  a 
long  window  box  or  jardiniere,  planted  with  Ivy 
whieh  is  trained  over  a  gilt  Bamboo  screen.  Oth- 
er flowering  plants  may  be  added  to  the  jardinere, 
to  fill  up.  This  screen  may  be  utilized  in  many 
ways;  it  is  often  seen  decorated  with  flowers,  or 
used  as  a  support  for  favors. 

The  few  good  Beauty  Roses  now  coming  in, 
show  that  this  Rose's  popularity  is  not  at  all  on 
the  wane,  though  other  varieties  are  being  ex- 
tensively boomed.         Emily  Louise  Taplin. 


62 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


December. 


SOCIETIES 

lEIWMHTERThAl  Dbsw?ve* 


FRoH< 


TO  BETWISEIYKMOW^ 

Good  Fruit  Pays.  I  have 
lOver  known  the  time  when 
really  choice  Apples  would 
not  bring  a  fair  price.— v4 .  ('. 
Brtmmond. 

Choice  Fruit  Only  Worth 
Baising.    Prices  have  faUen 
so    low    for   ordinary    fruit 
that  only  that  of   the  best 
quality  ^vill  pay  the  grower.— E.  A.  R. 

Advertising  Exhibits.  An  intelligent  report 
of  a  worthy  show  in  the  press  will  do  more  to 
make  an  exhibition  a  success  than  any  one  thing 
else.— i/'dicij!  Lonsilale. 

Prolonging  the  Bloom,  The  flowers  should 
always  be  picked  clean,  to  prevent  seeding,  es- 
pecially Sweet  Peas.  HoUyhocliS  have  been  had 
in  flower  in  October  by  picking  off  the  seed  pods. 
—Mr.  Jordan. 

Le  Conte  as  Stock.  The  Le  Coute  Pear  is  a  fine 
grower  ami  makes  good  roots.  Hence  I  plant  it 
and  then  after  a  year  or  two  graft  over  with  any 
other  desirable  kind.  Bartlett  is  perhaps  the 
best  paying  of  all,  but  with  me  Howell  has  done 
just  as  weU.— Alton  Southeru  UU.  Hnrt.  Society. 
Oarber  and  Clapp's  Favorite.  The  Garber 
Pear  has  all  the  good  bearing  qualities  of  Kieffer 
and  is  much  more  palatable,  and  much  hand- 
somer, being  the  handsomest  Pear  I  know  of 
of  a  rich  golden  yellow.with  a  red  cheek.  Clapp's 
Favorite  is  no  good;  it  rots  at  the  core.— E.  A.  R. 
Apples  Will  Pay,  If  I  were  a  young  man 
again,  I  should  plant  Apple  trees.  There  have 
been  none  planted  in  this  region  for  many  years, 
and  the  old  trees  are  all  d)-ing  out  and  in  a  few 
years  there  will  be  a  lack  of  this  good  old  king 
fruit.— Co!.  Miles  hefore  the  Alton  Southern  Ilk. 
Hort.  Socirty. 

Early  Kunners  Best.  Plant  in  checks  of  three 
feet,  and  cultivate  both  ways  early  in  the  season 
and  later  only  one  way.  I  like  to  have  my  run- 
ners root  eai-ly  liecause  a  plant  made  early  in  the 
season  will  be  surer  of  bearing  a  good  crop  than 
one  made  later.  1  know  that  some  varieties  like 
Cumberland  Triumph,  and  Downing  will  give 
no  fruit  at  all  on  late-rooted  plants.— E.  A.  Riehl. 
Perle  Koses  on  Banksia.  Seven  years  ago  I 
budded  a  few  Perles  on  both  white  and  yellow 
Banksia.  1  had  a  dozen  of  the  ESanksia  Ko.se,  six 
white  and  six  yellow,  from  Mr.  Ilarry.  When 
they  threw  up  strong  shoots  from  the  root,  1  put 
a  bud  on  each  shoot  about  six  inches  from  the 
ground.  That  dozen  Perles  grew  and  flourished, 
and  they  have  been  blooming  ever  since,  so  that 
I  could  not  bear  to  pull  them  out.  I  can  say  that 
I  never  had  a  bull-nose  or  a  bad  bud  in  the  lot. 
I  emphatically  say  that  the  Banksia  is  a  grand 
stock  for  budding  the  Perle  upon.— J.  D.  Rey- 
nolds, Inforc  American  Society  of  Fl07-ists. 

Now  for  the  Babbit.  To  protect  the  bodies  of 
■  young  trees,  set  laths  or  split  staves  aroimd  them 
and  tie  the  tops  fast  to  the  tree  by  means  of  a 
cord.  It  snow  is  so  deep  that  rabbits  can  walk 
among  the  branches  of  the  trees,  they  must  be 
trapped,  poisoned  or  otherwise  destroyed.  Rab- 
bits are  easily  caught  in  fig.  4  traps.  Bait  the  trap 
with  a  sweet  Apple.  Then  catch  him.  Now  pro- 
ceed to  eat  him.  But  the  easiest  way  to  destroy 
them  is  by  the  use  of  poisoned  fragments  of 
sweet  Apple  placed  on  sticks  a  few  inches  above 
the  snow.  This  is  very  effective.  The  animal  in 
question  is  usually  found  beside  the  Apple  or 
outside  it.— Minnc.fola  Uort.  Suciety. 

Native  Trees  for  Home  Ornament.  That  which 
grows  naturally  in  any  region  is  what  will  last 
the  longest,  ^\^lat  can  surpass  in  beauty  of 
form  and  appearance  our  own  native  .\sh  and 
Elmy  Where  is  there  an  evergeen  that  grows 
more  rapidly  or  is  of  a  deeiier  or  more  pleasing 
color  than  the  common  Cedar  of  our  own  clime? 
It  Thomas  Jefferson  had  tilled  his  grounds  with 
the  foiest-life  of  other  regions  instead  of  leaving 
the  desired  number  of  that  which  was  already 
growing  there,  or  planted  kinds  indigenous  to 
the  country,  there  would  be  none  whate\'er  of 
the  evidences  of  his  labor  and  his  taste  in  this 
direction  now  left  to  adorn  the  spot  he  had 
turned  intobeauty.- Jfrs.  Doster  before  the 
Knii.<a>  llitrticuUural  Society. 

Bussian  Apples.  Some  of  the  Russians  in 
bearing  on  the  grounds  of  Mr.  Tuttle  of  Baraboo 
were  ivery  handsome  in  appearance  and  fair  in 
quality,  and  several  kinds  of  summer  and  tall 


Apples  are  worthy  of  trial  in  our  state ;  but  we 
found  nothing  that  we  think  will  be  satisfactory 
as  a  long  keeper  as  far  south  as  Central  Illinois. 
-Among  their  much-lauded  seedlings  the  same 
conditions  seem  to  prevail.  On  the  grounds  of 
that  veteran  horticulturist  and  experimenter, 
Peter  M.  Gideon,  on  the  shores  of  Lake  Minne- 
tonka,  we  found  a  number  of  new  varieties 
which  are  spoken  very  highly  of  by  those  who 
have  seen  and  tested  the  fruit  I  think  they  will 
be  late  tall  Apples  in  this  latitude.  In  my 
opinion  the  coming  hoped-for  long-keeping 
Apple  will  most  probably  be  of  southern  origin. 
—A.  r.  Hammond,  to  the  nb.  State  Hoii.  Society. 
Lettuce  Uildew.  Fresh  soU  should  be  used  in 
growing  Lettuce  wherever  possible  to  do  so,  and 
when  mildew  appears  on  Lettuce  it  should  be 
prevented  from  spreading  by  running  the  green- 
house as  dry  and  warm  as  possible,  without  in- 
juring the  Lettuce,  for  a  day  or  two,  which  will 
kill  the  summer  spores.  All  dead  mildewed 
leaves  should  be  destroyed  when  a  crop  of  Let- 
tuce is  cleared  up,  for  these  may  contain  the 
winter  spores.  This  Lettuce  mildew  may  be 
found  on  other  plants  resembling  the  Lettuce, 
and  on  certain  plants  that  are  to  be  found  on  our 
fields  and  roadsides,  and  these  may  spread  to  our 
fields  and  greenhouses.  The  delicate  nature  of 
the  Lettuce  leaf  makes  it  hard  to  apply  anything 
which  will  destroy  the  spores  without  injury  to 
theleat.  Vigorous  plants  in  thrifty  growth  are 
less  likely  to  be  injured  by  mildew  than  sickly 
ones — just  as  a  healthy  man  will  resist  contagion. 
Boston  Market  Gardeners'  Association. 

Mulching  Strawberries.  After  the  ground 
has  frozen,  mulch  one-half  to  two  inches  deep 
according  to  the  material  used.  Anything  that 
has  no  seed,  and  will  shade  and  hide  the  plants 
will  do  for  mulch.  The  germs  of  the  fruit  buds 
are  formed  in  the  fall.  It  is  therefor  important 
that  the  ground  be  prevented  from  heaving. 
This  is  done  by  enough  mulch  over  the  surface 
to  shade  it,  and  thus  prevent  the  sudden  freezing 
and  thawing.  In  localities  where  the  snow  cov- 
ers the  ground  nearly  all  winter,  mulching  is  not 
so  necessary,  or  at  least  need  not  be  put  on  so 
liberally.  The  mulch  is  not  only  a  protection  to 
the  plants  through  the  winter,  but  it  keeps  the 
fruit  clean,  and  makes  it  better  in  every  respect. 
1  prefer  coarse  stable  manure  for  mulch,  if  free 
from  Timothy  and  weed  seeds.  The  winter 
rains  will  wash  the  fertilizing  elements  into  the 
ground,  and  leave  a  clean  litter  for  mulch.  If 
the  mulch  is  thick  on  the  rows  it  must  be  loosened 
up  in  early  spring  so  that  plants  can  come 
through  readily.— JacoZ)  FaiHi,  Vernon  Co.  (Mo.) 
Society. 

Village  Horticultural  Exhibition.  In  Al- 
lington,  an  English  village  of  three  hundred  in- 
habitants, the  annual  exhibition  of  fruits, 
flowers,  and  vegetables,  again  turned  out  a  bril- 
liant success.  In  all  the  classes  the  competition 
was  remarkabl}'  keen,  for  every  inhabitant  of 
that  little  village  is  a  born  gardener— if  only  an 
amateur.  The  window  plants  staged  were  speci- 
ally good,  while  a  prize  offered  for  the  best  col- 
lection of  culti\  ated  flowers  brought  forth  some 
exc*!llent  examples  of  amateurs'  skill  in  garden- 
ing. The  same  may  be  said  of  most  of  the  veg- 
etables that  were  staged;  some,  indeed,  would  by 
no  means  disgrace  a  stand  of  a  professional 
grower  and  exhibitor.  A  pretty  feature  in  vil- 
lage shows  is  the  wild  flower  competition,  and  to 
show  the  enthusiasm  with  which  the  children  of 
the  village  now  under  notice  entered  into  such 
things,  it  need  only  be  stated  that  upwards  of  fifty 
exhibits  of  wild  fiowers  were  staged  at  the  above 
show;  which  is  solely  confined  to  residents  of  the 
village.  If  a  little  rural  spot  like  this  can  suc- 
cessfully hold  its  annual  fioral  exhibition.obvious- 
ly  to  the  welfare  of  the  inhabitants,  what  ought 
larger  places  to  do? 

Mignonette  for  Winter.  Raising  Mignonette 
requires  three  elements — a  good  soil;  good,  clear 
dry  atmosphere,  and  common  sense.  First  of  all 
you  want  a  healthy  soil,  dug  good  and  deep,  not 
too  rich.  Sow  your  seed  very  thinly,  keep  your 
house  just  as  cool  as  possible,  water  when  it  is 
necessary,  and  you  cannot  fail  to  have  good  Mig- 
nonette. If  you  want  the  extra  large  spikes  of 
Mignonette,  such  as  are  produced  in  the  New 
York  and  other  markets,  you  must  disbud  all  the 
minor  shoots  which  come  below  the  flower  spike, 
thereby  increasing  the  length  of  your  fiower 
spike.  Many  people  suppose  that  it  needs  a  great 
deal  of  strong  fertilizing,  or  in  other  words, 
heavy  liquid  dressing.  It  does  not.  Give  it  all 
the  air  you  can  in  winter,  and  have  yimr  disbud- 
ding well  done.  Then  you  cannot  help  having 
good   Mignonette,  provided  you    have   a    good 


stock  to  start  with.  We  sow  any  time  from  the 
first  of  May  to  the  first  of  October,  according  to 
the  season  for  which  it  is  wanted.  If  you  want 
Mignonette  to  be  in  bloom  and  ready  to  use  at 
Christmas,  you  Avill  have  to  sow  it  before  the  first 
of  September.  The  rows  are  1h  inches  apart,  and 
plants  left  12  inches  apart  in  the  rows.— J.  A". 
May,  hefore  the  American  Society  of  Florists. 

Lettuce  Tinder  Glass.  At  a  recent  meeting  of 
the  Boston  Market  Gardeners'  Association  Mr. 
W.  H.  Derby  pronounced  Lettuce  one  of  the 
most  profitable  crops  of  the  market  garden,  be- 
ing in  constant  demand  throughout  the  whole 
year.  Although  prices  ruled  very  low  last  fall 
and  winter,  he  was  disposed  to  think  that  the 
overproduction  was  only  temporary,  and  that, 
unless  we  discover  some  effective  remedy  for  the 
mildew  and  rot.  Lettuce  growing  will  not  be 
overdone  for  sometime  to  come.  Mr.  Derby  grows 
winter  Lettuce  mostly  in  hotbeds.  For  this  pur- 
pose he  used  one  foot  in  depth  of  good  horse 
manure  covered  with  seven  to  nine  inches  of 
loam,  and  was  in  the  habit  of  taking  two  crops 
in  succession  from  most  of  the  beds.  In  severe 
weather  the  heat  will  need  some  renewing  after 
the  first  crop  is  taken  out.  He  considers  green- 
houses far  better  than  hotbeds  for  winter  work, 
and  for  growing  plants  for  the  beds.  The  worst 
pests  of  the  Lettuce  grower  are  mildew  and  rot 
about  which  very  little  is  known.  The  best  food' 
for  Lettuce  is  horse  manure.  It  is  not  so  easy  to 
grow  good  Lettuce  now  as  formerly,  especially 
on  land  continually  tilled.  He  would  advise 
carting  fresh  loam  from  a  pasture  for  the  hotbeds 
and  greenhouse,  in  order  to  avoid  disease  and 
mildew,  especially  for  growing  small  plants. 


History  of  the  Dahlia. 

[Extract  of  paper  read  by  Shirley  Hibbard,  Editor 
Gardeners'  Magazine,  before  the  Daldia  Conference 
held  in  Crystal  Palace,  London,  in  September.] 

There  appears  to  be  no  earlier  description 
of  the  Dahlia  than  that  by  Francisco  Her- 
nandez, physician  to  Philip  II  of  Spain,  in 
his  four  books  on  the  plants  and  animals  of 
New  Spain,  published  in  Spanish  iu  the 
j-ear  1613.  In  this  work  our  flower  appears 
under  its  Mexican  name  of  Acortli,  and  the 
notice  is  particularly  interesting,  for  two 
species  are  figured,  D.  iKiriahills  and  D. 
i-njciita,  and  both  have  single  flowers. 

In  a  work  founded  on  that  of  Hernandez,  and 
published  in  Rome  by  Vitalis  Mascardi  in  18.51, 
there  occurs  a  figure  of  a  double  flower,  but  the 
drawing  is  so  bad  that  it  may  be  single.  Now  we 
lose  the  Dahlia  for  one  hundred  and  thirty  years, 
when  it  turns  up  again  in  1787.  Xichrlas  Joseph 
Thierry  de  Menonville,  who  was  sent  to  America 
to  secure  the  cochineal  insect,  published  in  1787 
a  treatise  on  the  culture  of  the  Nopal  and  the 
"  education  "  of  the  cochineal,  and  therein  de- 
scribed the  Dahlias  he  had  seen  in  a  Garden  near 
Gua.xaca,  which,  he  says,  had  large  Aster-like 
flowers,  stems  as  tall  as  a  man,  and  leaves  like 
those  of  the  Elder  tree.  After  a  lapse  of  two 
years,  we  hear  of  it  again  as  actually  intro<luccd 
to  England  b.v  a  lady  whose  name  should  this 
day  be  remembered  with  gratitude  as  a  generous 
contributor  to  our  great  garden  of  fl^irists' 
fiowers. 

In  the  .vear  1789,  seeds  of  the  Dahlia  were  for- 
warded to  the  Royal  Gardens  at  Madrid.  The 
Marquis  of  Bute  was  at  this  time  ambassador 
from  England  at  the  Court  of  Spain;  and  the 
marchioness,  who  cherished  a  true  sympathy 
with  floriculture,  obtained  some  of  these  seeds, 
which  she  cultivated  in  pots  in  a  greenhouse,  but 
failed  to  keep  them  beyond  two  or  three  years. 
The  Marchioness  of  Bute  was  in  correspondence 
with  the  professors  at  the  different  botanic  gar- 
dens in  Europe,  and  thus  had  opportunities  for 
ac<iuiring,  and  perhaps  of  diffusing,  information 
on  such  matters,  and  her  loss  of  the  plants  ma.v 
therefore  be  accepted  as  in  some  part  testifying 
to  the  prevalence  of  misconceptions  as  to  the  re- 
quirements and  characteristics  of  the  Dahlia. 
In  1802  an  English  nurseryman,  John  Fraser,  of 
Sloane  Square,  a  collector  of  American  plants, 
obtained  from  Paris  some  seeds  of  Dahlia  coc- 
cinca,  which  flowered  in  a  greenhouse  in  VOS,  at 
his  nursery,  and  supplied  a  subject  for  the  plate 
in  the  **  Botanical  Magazine,"  t,  762,  which  se- 
cured to  the  plant  a  projjer  place  in  the  English 
garden.  Thus  it  happensthat  in  Alton's  "Hortus 
Kewensis "  the  Dahlia  obtained  a  place,  two 
species  and  three  varieties  being  entered  in  the 
second  edition,  published  1813.  The  Abbe  Cav- 
anilles  named  the  plant  in  honor  of  M.  Andre 
Dahl,  a  Swedish  botanist,  and  Cavanilles  figured 


1889. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


63 


it  in  his  "  Icoiies  et  Descriptioiies  Plantarum," 
tlic  inililirnOon  of  which  was  commenced  at 
Miuiriii  in  1791. 

For  ten  years  the  .\blie  Cavanilles  manajrod  to 
keep  his  nahlius.  and  one  of  them  inoduoed  semi- 
double  tlowers  in  Oetober.  17W;  and  in  the  Jan- 
luirj"  tullowinfr  was  tijjiu'ed  in  the  Icones  as  D. 
liiuimtii,  whieh  was  the  earl.v  name  of  our  D. 
variabilis^  and  thus  we  fix  the  date  of  the  tirst 
doubling  of  the  Dahlia  in  Europe  as  oecurrinjc  in 
the  first  year  of  its  Uowering  at  Madrid.  The 
variety  named  Hnsca  was  very  soon  afterwards 
estalilished  at  Dresden,  for  in  the  year  1>-C0  it  was 
sent  from  Dresden  to  Berlin  with  the  D.  pi»Mafa 
and  D.  coociiica  already  cited,  the  entire  collec- 
tion of  Dahlias  of  that  date  consisting  of  these 
three  only.  In  lf*i  Cavanilles  sent  them  to  the 
.lardin  des  Plantes  at  Paris,  and  to  M.  Decandolle 
at  Montpelicr,  and  thus  the  flower  was  fairly 
started  on  the  way  to  liecome  known  throughout 
Europe. 

In  the  year  1799,  Humboldt  found  the  Dahlia  in 
a  prairie  between  Areo  and  Pat zciiaro  at  a  height 
of  five  thousand  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea, 
a  fact  which  at  once  explained  the  failures  of 
Lady  Hute  and  others  to  grow  it  as  a  plant  need- 
ing much  heat  and  a  constantly  close  atmosphere 
under  glass.  Kew  had  obtained  the  plant,  and 
had  lost  it  as  a  consequence  of  stewing  or  roast- 
ing it,  as  moist  or  dry  crockery  might  happen  to 
be  in  favor,  and  at  Paris  the  same  thing  had  oc- 
curred. 

The  year  1804  forms  the  second  epoch  in  the 
history  of  the  Dahlia.  Seeds  were  again  sent 
from  Madrid,  and  M.  Buonaiuti  i-aised  all  three 
varieties,  and  they  flowered  satisfactorily  and 
were  figured  in  the  botanical  periodicals  of  that 
day.  The  great  aim  now  was  the  production  of 
double  flowers.  In  1806  the  gardeners  at  Mal- 
maison  and  St.  Cloud  were  striving  after  double 
flowers,  but  appear  not  to  have  got  beyond  the 
three  varieties  they  began  with,  namely,  cocciiica, 
puri>iijra  and  crocra.  But  in  1813  M.  Dankelaar, 
of  the  botanic  gaiHlen  at  Louvain,  Belgium,  ob- 
tained some  semi-double  flowers;  and  again  he 
operated  and  secured  flowers  perfectly  double, 
and  the  honor  appears  beyond  all  doubt  to  be 
due  to  him  of  launching  the  Dahlia  on  the  tide  of 
time  as  a  fine  florist's  flower, 
t  This  brings  us  to  the  year  18U,  which  we  may 
term  the  third  epoch  in  the  history  of  the  flower. 
It  had  become  established  at  Erfurt  and  Leipzig 
simultaneously  with  its  establishment  at  Louvain 
in  lsl;i,  and  Haage  had  raised  a  flower  that  was 
more  than  single  if  not  quite  double.  It  was  ad- 
mired, however,  chiefly  for  its  violet  color  which 


DAHLIA  SUPE 


A 


DAHLIA    COCCINEA. 

was  at  that  time  new  to  the  Dahlia.  In  1811  the 
continent  was  throivn  open  by  the  approach  of  1 
the  Allies  to  Paris,  and  the  British  amateurs 
found  Dahlias  in  plenty  in  French  gardens;  many 
of  which  soon  found  their  way  to  this  country 
and  were  taken  charge  of  with  enthusiasm  by 
the  hopeful  florists. 

About  the  year  1815  double  flowers  were  be- 
ginning to  appear.    The  figure  of  Dahlia  super- 


/fim.the  "crimson  fei'tile-rayed  Dahlia  "appears 
in  the  Botaniial  Register  for  1815.  This  repre- 
sents our  "  sliow  "  Dahlia,  the  D.  rariahiUs  in  its 
best  form  as  a  single  flower  not  far  removed  from 
its  wild  Mexican)  form  certainly,  but  in  a  grand 
condition  as  regards  its  rich  crimson  color,  its 
great  spread  oi  narrowish  elliptic  rays,  and  tlie 
small  but  brilliant  golden  centre.  Such  a  flower 
would  now  be 
prized,  and 
would  make  a 
new  class  of 
singles.  If  his- 
tory is  once 
more  capal>Ic 
of  i*eix?ating 
itself,  surely 
this  original 
Dahlia  that  we 
have  improved 
out  of  exist- 
ence will  be  re- 
stored to  us. 

From  this 
time  the  How 
er  acquires  ex- 
tensive popu- 
larity, and  as 
autumn  ap- 
proaches the 
whole  country 
appears  to 
glow  with 
Dahlias,  for 
tens  of  thou- 
sands are  exhibited,  and  the  talk  of  all  the 
world  is  about  them.  The  excitement  that  has 
prevailed  in  recent  years  in  connection  with  ex- 
hibitions of  the  Chrysanthemum  is  as  nothing 
when  compared  with  the  frenzy  of  forty  years 
during  which  the  Dahlia  was  the  greatest  of  all 
the  exhibition  flowers.  Frrim  1820  to  1860  wa5  the 
term  of  its  highest  popularitj'. 

The  type  of  flower  in  fashion  thiry  years  ago  is 
admirably  shown  in  the  treatise  on  "  The  Dahlia," 
by  Robert  Hogg,  published  by  Groombridge,  18.53, 
for  herein  we  find  the  true  precursors  of  the 
splendid  show  flowers  that  now  rank  highest  in 
the  esteem  of  cultivators;  the  petals  are  no  longer 
pointed,  but  rounded  and  smooth,  and  so  even 
with  the  periphery  of  the  flower,  as  to  secure 
for  it  from  every  point  of  view  an  unbroken 
outline,  while  the  crown  is  higher  and  more  re- 
fined, and  in  respect  of  size  the  flower  comes  very 
near  to  the  present  standard. 
Species  in  Cultivation.    Taking  the  species  re- 
ported in  the  order  of  their  appearing, 
we   have   DaliUa   cvccine<i,   otherwise 
D.frustranea,  the  barren-rayed  Dahlia, 
introduced  to  Madrid,  and  figured  b.v 
Cavanilles   in  his   Icones.     The  more 
famous  D.  variahilis  or  D.  superllua, 
the  fertile-rayed  Dahlia,  was  probabl.v 
also  one  of  the  three  secured  for  the 
first  Madrid  set.    Figures  of  it  abound. 
In  18:17  was  introduced  from  Mexico 
D.  Uarkcria:,  a  i>leasingform,  probably 
not  specifically  distinct  from  the  tore- 
going.     In  1840  D.  tllabrata  was   ob- 
tained from  Mexico.    It  is  smooth  and 
distinctly  lobed  in  the  leaf,  and  has  a 
neat  and  pleasing  habit,  being  smaller 
every  way  than  D.  variabilis,  of  which 
it  is  a  variety.    The  noble  D.  inipcfialis 
is  certainly  distinct,  and  with  all   its 
imperial    qualities,  it   does   not    now 
concern  us  more  than  to  record  that 
it  first  flowered  in  the  Zurich  garden 
in  1803. 

The  Dahlia  shows  at  the  Crystal 
Palace  in  a  long  run  of  years  were  de- 
lightful, but  they  came  to  an  end  in 
the  year  1869,  simply  because,  as  the 
managers  reported,  they  had  ceased 
to  pay.  Thereupon  was  formed  the 
"Metropolitan  Society  for  the  Encour- 
agement of  Florists'  Flowers,"  but  the 
autumn  show  in  1875  in  the  -Alexandra 
Palace  was  the  last  act  and  deed  of 
this  society.  For  sutficient  cause  the 
thing  died  quietlj'. 
But  the  Dahlia  did  not  die,  nor  were  the  ten 
years  of  its  eclipse  a  loss  t(j  its  history.  There 
was  seen  upon  the  horizon  of  the  world  of  flowers 
the  original  Dahlia  of  178'.i;  the  simple  Mexican 
flower  known  as  the  single  Dahlia  suddenly  ac- 
quired popularity,  as  though  its  beauties  were 
perceived  for  the  firet  time. 

Concurrently  with  the  revival  of  the  single 
flowers  as  subjects  of  special  attention,  there 


came  into  the  floral  rtrmument  a  quite  new  star 
know  as  the  Cactus  Dahlia,  and  this  has  given 
birth  to  a  numerous  proj^eny.  It  was  on  the  3d 
of  September,  1880,  that  Mr.  H.  Connell,  of  Swan- 
Icy,  presented  at  the  fruit  show  in  Alexandria 
Palace,  the  firet  flowers  of  Dah!ia  Jaurfjzi  seen 
in  this  country.  This  distinct  and  beautiful  var- 
iety is  an  independent  and  original  introduction 


RFLUA,   DOUBLE  AND  SINGLE. 

from  Mexico,  in  the  year  1872,  by  Mr.  .1.  T.  Van- 
derberg,  of  Juxphaor,  near  Utrecht,  with  whom 
it  flowered  in  1873.  W.  H.  Cullingford.  of  Ken- 
sington, became  the  introducer  of  the  noble 
flower  to  England. 


Pickings  from  Michigan  Pomological 
Society  Meetings. 

The  Orchard  in  Winter.  The  question  how 
to  prepare  orchards  for  ^vinter  was  discussed 
at  a  recent  meeting  of  the  Michigan  Pomo- 
logical Society. 

It  was  pretty  generally  conceded  that  orchards 
especially  Peach,  should  not  be  cultivated  later 
than  the  flrst  or  middle  of  August;  that  a  mulch, 
or  covering  of  some  kind  like  Rye,  is  desirable ; 
provision  should  be  made  in  working  the  land 
for  all  surplus  water  to  run  off  and  as  trees  will 
not  stand  wet  feet,  the  land  must  be  well  drained; 
that  stiff  clay  lands  are  much  more  difficult  to 
keep  in  proper  condition  than  the  sandy  ones; 
and  mice  will  not  be  harbored  if  the  orchard  is 
kept  free  from  sod  or  gi'ass.  Mi*.  Chatfield  ad- 
vocated late  fall  plowing,  as  it  left  the  ground 
in  a  loose  and  mellow  condition,  but  it  must  be 
so  late  as  not  to  start  the  trees  to  growing.  C.  J. 
Monroe  thought  that  if  we  could  depend  on  a 
catch  of  Clover  he  would  prefer  that  as  a  winter 
covering,  but  as  Clover  was  not  as  sure  as  Kye 
he  preferred  the  Rye.  A.  S.  Packard  would  put 
about  a  bushel  of  chip  manure  around  each 
tree,  sow  Rye  and  plow  under  when  in  blossom. 
His  land  was  deep  sand  and  mostly  drained  itself, 
as  it  was  ready  for  the  plow  half  an  hour  after  a 
heavy  rain.  A.  I'.  Merritt  wanted  a  good  growth, 
not  too  rank;  thought  a  coating  of  wood  ashes 
broadcast  was  very  beneficial;  but  if  put  too 
near  the  tree  in  quantities,  might  injure  it.  Also 
thought  there  should  be  a  coierlng  on  the 
ground  of  some  kind.  Those  who  had  only 
sandy  ground  had  no  conception  of  the  troubles 
of  those  who  have  clay  soil. 


Succession  of  Forest  Growth. 

[Extravt  of  paper  read  by  Robert  Douglas  before  the 
American  Nurserymen's  Association.] 

The  prevailing  and  almost  universal  be- 
lief that  when  native  forests  are  destroyed 
they  will  be  replaced  by  other  kinds,  for  the 
simple  reason  that  the  soil  has  been  impover- 
ished of  the  constituents  required  for  the 
growth  of  that  particular  tree  or  trees,  is,  1 
believe,  one  of  the  fallacies  handed  down 
from  past  ages,  taken  for  granted,  and  never 
questioned.  Nowhere  does  the  English  Oak 
grow  better  than  where  it  grew  when  WU- 
liam  the  Conqueror  found  it  at  the  time  he 
invaded  Britain.  Where  do  you  find  While 
Pines  growing  better  than  in  parts  of  New 
England,  where  this  tree  has  grown  from 
time   immemorial?     Where  can  you  find 


64 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


December. 


young  Redwoods  growing  more  thriftily 
than  among  their  giant  ancestors,  nearly  or 
quite  as  old  as  the  Christian  era? 

When  a  Pine  forest  is  burned  over,  both  trees 
and  seeds  are  destroyed,  and  as  the  burned  trees 
cannot  sprout  from  the  stump  like  (1aks  and 
many  other  trees,  the  land  is  left  in  a  condition 
well  suited  for  the  germination  of  tree  seeds, 
but  there  are  no  seeds  to  germinate.  It  is  an 
open  field  for  pioneers  to  enter,  and  the  seeds 
which  arrive  there  first  have  the  right  of  posses- 
sion. The  Aspen  Poplar  (Populus  tremuloides) 
has  the  advantage  over  all  other  trees.  It  is  a 
native  of  all  our  northern  forests,  from  the  At- 
lantic to  the  Pacific;  even  fires  cannot  eradicate 
it,  as  it  grows  in  moist  as  well  as  in  dry  places, 
and  sprouts  from  any  part  of  the  root.  It  is  a 
short-lived  tree,  consequently  it  seeds  when 
quite  young  and  seeds  abundantly,  the  seeds  are 
light,  almost  infinitesimal,  and  are  carried  on 
wings  of  down.  Its  seeds  ripen  in  spring,  and 
are  carried  to  great  distances  at  the  very  time 
when  the  ground  is  in  the  best  condition  for 
them.  Kven  on  the  dry  mountain  sides  in  Colo- 
rado, the  snows  are  just  melting  and  the  ground 
is  moist  where  they  fall.  To  grow  this  tree  from 
seed  would  require  the  greatest  skill  of  the  nur- 
seryman, but  the  burnt  land  is  its  paradise. 
Next  comes  the  Canoe  Birch,  and  further  north 
the  Yellow  Birch,  and  such  other  trees  as  have 
provision  for  scattering  their  seeds. 

Careful  examination  around  margins  of  the  for- 
ests shows  the  trees  of  surrounding  kinds  work- 
ing in  again.  Thus  by  the  time  the  short-lived 
Aspen  have  made  a  covering  on  the  burned  land, 
the  surrounding  kinds  will  be  found  re-establish- 
ed in  the  new  forest,  the  seeds  of  the  Conifers, 
carried  in  by  the  winds,  the  berries  by  the  birds, 
the  nuts  and  acorns  by  the  squirrels,  the  mix- 
ture varying  more  or  less  from  the  kinds  which 
grew  there  before  the  fire.  It  is  wonderful  how 
far  the  seeds  of  berries  are  carried  by  birds. 
The  waxwings  and  cedar  birds  carry  seeds  of  our 
Tartarean  Honeysuckles,  Purple  Barberries  and 
many  other  kinds,  four  miles  distant,  where  we 
see  them  spring  up,  from  the  lake  shore,  where 
these  birds  fly  in  flocks  to  feed  on  the  Juniper 
berries.    It  seems  to  be  the  same  everywhere. 

In  the  Michigan  peninsula,  northern  Wiscon- 
sin and  Minnesota,  Piuus  Banksiana,  a  compara- 
tively worthless  tree,  is  replacing  the  valuable 
Red  Pine  (P.  resinosa),  and  in  the  Sierras,  P. 
Murrayana  and  P.  tuberculata  are  replacing  the 
more  valuable  species  by  the  same  process.  In 
this  case,  also,  the  worthless  trees  are  the  short- 
est lived,  so  we  see  that  nature  is  doing  all  that 
she  can  to  remedy  the  evil.  Man  only  is 
reckless,  and  esiiecially  the  American  man.  The 
Mexican  will  cut  large  limbs  off  his  trees  for  fuel, 
but  will  spare  the  tree.  Even  the  poor  Indian, 
when  at  the  starvation  point,  stripping  the  bark 
from  the  Yellow  Pine  (P.  ponderosai,  tor  the 
mucilaginous  matter  being  formed  into  sap- 
wood,  will  never  take  a  strip  wider  than  one- 
third  the  circumference  of  the  tree,  so  that  its 
growth  may  not  be  injured. 

We  often  read  that  Oaks  are  springing  up  in 
destroyed  forests  where  Oaks  had  never  grown 
Ijefore.  The  writers  ai-e  no  doubt  sincere,  but 
they  are  careless.  The  only  Pine  forests  where 
Oaks  are  not  intermixed  are  either  in  land  so 
sandy  that  Oak  cannot  be  made  to  grow  on  them 
at  all,  or  so  far  north  that  they  are  beyond  their 
northern  limit.  Wherever  the  Oak  is  established 
there  it  will  remain  and  keep  on  advancing. 
The  Oak  produces  comparatively  few  seeds. 
Where  it  produces  a  hundred,  the  Ash  and  Maple 
will  yield  a  thousand,  the  Elm  ten  thousand,  and 
many  other  trees  a  hundred  thousand.  The 
acorn  has  no  provisson  for  protection  and  trans- 
portation like  many  tree-seeds.  It  is  the  only 
seed  I  can  think  of  which  is  left  by  nature  to 
take  care  of  itself.  It  matures  without  protec- 
tion, falls  heavily  and  helplessy  to  the  ground,  to 
be  eaten  and  trodden  on  by  animals,  yet  the  few 
which  escape  and  those  which  are  trodden  under 
are  well  able  to  compete  in  the  race  for  life. 
While  the  Elm  and  Maple  seeds  are  drying  up  on 
the  surface,  the  Hickory  and  Walnuts  waiting  to 
be  cracked,  the  acorn  is  at  work  with  its  coatotf. 
It  drives  its  tap-root  into  the  earth,  in  spite  of 
grass,  and  bush,  and  litter,  and  will  manage  to 
make  a  short  stem  and  a  few  leaves  the  first  sea- 
son. When  age  or  accident  removes  the  tree 
which  has  overshadowed  it,  then  it  will  assert  it- 
self. Fires  may  run  over  the  land,  destroying 
almost  everything  else,  the  Oak  will  be  killed  to 
the  ground,  but  it  will  throw  up  a  new  shoot 
next  spring,  and  when  the  opportunity  arrives, 
it  will  make  a  vigorous  growth.    There  is  no 


mystery  about  succession  of  forest  growths, 
nothing  in  nature  is  so  plain  and  simple.  Reeds 
with  a  hard  shell,  or  with  a  pulpy  or  resinous 
covering,  which  retarts  their  germination,  are 
often  saved  from  becoming  extinct  by  these 
means.  The  Red  Cedar  reaches  from  Florida  to 
and  beyond  Cape  Cod,  has  crept  across  the  conti- 
nent, and  is  found  here  and  there  in  a  north- 
westerly direction  between  the  Platte  and  the 
Pacific  coast.  It  is  owing  to  the  resinous  coat- 
ing which  protects  the  seeds  that  this  tree  is 
found  to-day  scattered  over  that  vast  region. 


Summer  Blooming  Flowers  for 

Florists. 

lExtrcKt  of  paiyer  by  A.  E.  Whittle,  read   before   the 
American  Society  of  Floinsts.^ 

As  a  rule  there  is  a  dearth  of  useful  flow- 
ers in  early  summer.  It  is  too  soon  to  look 
for  flowers  outside  from  spring-sown  seeds, 
and  spring-planted  plants,  and  too  late  to 
gather  very  much  from  the  greenhouses. 
Roses  at  this  period  often  command  as  high 


DAHLIA  GUABRATA.     See  Page  63. 

prices  as  during  some  of  the  winter  months, 
as  florists  now  commence  to  prepare  for  the 
replanting  of  their  Rose-beds  and  the  cro])of 
these  flowers  is  diminished  thereby  and  the 
supply  decreases  through  the  summer 
months.  Carnations  also  at  this  season  are 
not  so  plentiful  as  earlier  in  the  year.  It  is 
therefore  necessary  to  fill  ui>  the  gap  in  the 
best  way  possible  by  preparing  ahead  for  a 
supply  of  useful  flowers. 

Summer  flowers,  equally  with  those  of  winter, 
to  be  used  in  florists'  work,  must  have  long  stems 
and  good  keeping  qualities.  The  following  is  a 
carefully  prepared  list  of  the  flowers  which  can 
be  recommended  for  florists'  purposes: 

May  Bloomers.  Oreenhmise:  Gloxinias,  Lapa- 
gerias,  Stephanotis,  Roses,  Carnations,  Helio- 
trope. Gloxinias  to  be  had  in  flower  for  this 
month  should  be  potted  early,  not  later  than 
March,  and  kept  warm.  Stephanotis  may  be  had 
jn  flower  in  April  if  placed  in  a  temperature  of 
not  less  than  tiO  degrees  through  the  winter. 
Lapagerias  will  continue  blooming  until  fall,  the 
white  one  being  very  desirable.  Stephanotis  will 
last  through  June  and  July. 

Frames:  Pansies,  Myosotis,  A  nemones.  Mignon- 
ette, Candytuft,  Calendulas,  Stocks,  Pansies 
may  be  had  in  bloom  in  April  by  sowing  the  seed 
early  in  the  preceding  fall,  not  later  than  the  end 
of  August.  There  can  be  no  flower  more  useful 
to  the  florist  at  this  time  of  the  year  than  Mig- 
nonette and  Candytuft.  These  may  be  had  either 
by  sowing  seed  in  the  fall,  prtividing  the  protec- 
tion of  a  cold  frame  through  the  winter,  or  by 
sowing  in  moderate  hot-bed  in  early  spring. 
Seed  of  the  Intermediate  Stock  should  be  sown 
in  early  fall.  Ten-week  Stock  in  hot-bed  or  green- 
house in  March. 

itlinihs:  Magnolias— stellata,  conspicua,  Soul- 
angeana;  Lilacs,  Viburnum  opulus,  Peutzia  gra- 
cilis, Spirea  Van  Houttei— cantoniensis ;  Tree 
Pa'onies. 

Herhac^oits  Plants:  Trillium  grandiflorum,  ear- 
ly Pu-'onles,  Lily-of-the-Valley,  Hesperis  matron- 
aUs,   Iberis   semper\nrens,   Diclytra  spectabilis. 


Attention  is  directed  to  the  perennial  Candytuft. 
It  is  excellent  for  all  purposes  as  cut  flowers. 

June  Bloomera.  Oreeiihouse:  Allamanda  Schot- 
tii,  Lapageria,  Stephanotis.  Shrubs:  Chionanthus 
Virginica,  Philadelphus  grandiflorus,  Deutzia 
crenata  fl.  pi.,  Roses.  Hardy  and  herbaccmis  per- 
ennials: Pseonies,  German  Irises,  Coreopsis  lan- 
ceolata.  Double  Pyrethrums,  Lilium  tenuifolium 
— Hansoni,  candidum  and  longiflorum;  ,Spirea 
palmata,  Cypripedium  spectabile,  Hemerocallis 
flava.  Delphiniums.  Coreopsis  lanceolata  is  very 
showy  and  ijuite  desirable.  Seed  should  be  sown 
in  July  and  plants  wfll  bloom  in  the  following 
spring.  Lilium  candidum  and  longiflorum  may 
be  had  in  flower  both  through  May  and  June  by 
retarding  bulbs  potted  in  late  fall. 

A  n  nuals:  Coreopsis  coronota.  Mignonette,  Can- 
dytuft, Alyssum,  Sweet  Peas,  Helianthuscucum- 
erifoUus,  Asters,  Stocks,  Dianthus  in  variety. 
Double  Feverfew,  Gaillardia  picta,  Lorenziana 
and  hybrids,  Scabiosa.  Among  the  most  satisfac- 
tory annuals  for  summer  work  must  be  named 
the  Gaillardiaa.  They  are  extremely  showy  and 
generally  sell  readily.  To  have  them  in  flower  in 
.Tune,  seed  should  be  sown  in  February.  Mr.- 
Denys  Zirngiebel,  of  Needham,  Mass.,  in  answer 
to  a  question,  kindly  gives  some  information  con- 
cerning the  early  blooming  of  Asters.  The  seed 
is  sown  in  December,  plants  when  up  are  potted 
into  two-inch  and  then  three-inch  pots,  and  then 
l>lanted  outside  in  .\pril,  where  if  they  are  prop- 
ei'ly  hardened,  they  will  endure  some  degrees  of 
frost.  By  this  method  Mr.  Zirngiebel  places  As- 
ters in  the  market  by  the  middle  of  June.  Of  the 
various  forms  of  Asters,  not  one  is  superior  for 
florist's  purposes  to  the  Victoria  strain.  The 
flowers  are  very  handsome,  of  fine  form,  and 
produced  in  great  abundance.  A  variety  called 
Burpee's  Dwarf  Queen,  seen  growing  at  Glen 
Cove,  L.  I.  can  also  be  highly  recommended. 

There  is  no  reason  why  Asters  may  not  be  had  in 
flower  from  June  until  October.  All  that  is  need- 
ed is  successive  sowings  of  seed  from  December 
until  the  first  or  second  week  in  June.  Of  course, 
the  two  later  sowings  may  be  drilled  outside.  A 
very  fine  bed  of  Asters  is  now  cotning  into  bloom 
(August  10)  from  seed  drilled  outside  the  first 
week  in  May.  Another  sowing  in  June  will  ena- 
ble flowers  to  be  cut  until  frost.  It  is  perhaps 
superfluous  to  mention  to  practical  men  that 
strict  attention  must  be  given  to  the  proper  thin- 
ning out  of  seedlings  that  grow  from  outside 
drilled  seed.  The  writer  has  no  experience  in  ex- 
perimenting with  Asters  as  an  inside  crop. 

Asters  as  cut  flowei-s  are  essential  to  every 
florist,  and  the  longer  the  blooming  season  can 
be  prolonged  the  better  for  florists  in  general. 

Candj-tuft  is  another  annual  that  can  be  had  at 
any  time  in  spring,  summer  and  fall.  All  that  is 
necessary  is  successive  sowings.  The  dates  of 
these  sowings  should  be  decided  by  each  individ- 
ual for  himself.  Localities  differ,  and  what  may 
be  the  right  time  for  one  may  very  likely  be  the 
wrong  time  for  another.  The  aim  is  to  direct  at- 
tention to  the  possibilities  of  a  continuous  supply 
of  the  flowers  of  desirable  annuals.  Mr.  Zirngie- 
bel states  that  when  Candytuft  is  transplanted, 
the  plants  flower  sooner  than  when  the  seed  is 
drilled  and  the  seedlings,  after  thinning  out,  al- 
lowed to  remain. 

July  Bloomers.  Hollyhocks,  Gladioluses,  Hya- 
cinthus  candicans,  Montbretia  crocosmspflora, 
Milla  bitioi-a.  Gladiolus,  as  is  well  known,  may 
be  had  in  flower  much  earlier  in  the  season.  The 
Montbretia  and  the  Milla  are  both  desirable.  Old 
clumps  of  Hollyhocks  flower  earlier  than  plants 
from  fall  sown  seed.  A  succession  of  these  flo.w- 
ers  may  be  had  by  having  some  old  clumps,  and 
planting  every  year  plants  raised  from  seed  sown 
in  October. 

Perennials:  Lilium  candidum,  longiflorum,  au- 
ratum.  supcrbum;  Iris  K;emi)feri,  Phlox  decus- 
sata— varieties,  Spirea  Ulmaria,  fl.  pi.,  Asclepias 
tuberosa,  Helianthus  multiflorus,  fl.  pi..  Euphor- 
bia corollata.  Yucca  fllamentosa,  Lathyrus  lati- 
folius. 

August  Bloomers.  Slinih$:  Hydrangea  panicu- 
lata  grandiflora,  Tamari.x  Chinensis. 

MisctUanefnts :  Cannas,  Dahlias,  Gladioluses, 
Montbretias,  Feverfew  double  white,  Solanum 
jasminioides— the  latter  in  greenhouse.  Some 
florists  have  made  quite  a  success  in  growing  the 
white  dwarf  Dahlia— Camellia>flora— as  a  fall  crop 
in  the  greenhouses.  It  is  prolific,  and  most  use- 
ful for  our  work.  If  managed  so  as  to  have  the 
plants  in  full  flower  during  the  month  of  Octo- 
ber, they  become  quite  valuable,  for  frosts  dur- 
ing this  month  kill  all  tender  outside  flowers. 
Pfic?ima!«;  Liliuras  in  variety.  Phlox  panicu- 
lata    varieties,  Euphorbia  corollata.   Anemone 


(889. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


65 


Japonioa,  Funkia  srrandifloni.  Annuals:  Set'Oiul 
crop  of  Astci's.  ('iind>"t\ift,  etc. 

September  Bloomers.  Miscellaneous:  Tuberos- 
eii.  Feverfew,  seeoiid  crop  ;  Diiblias,  Carnations, 
Cannas.  Bouvardias  in  greenhouse.  It  t-*  always 
well  to  grow  a  sutKeient  number  of  Carnations, 
in  order  tliat  a  few  may  be  allowed  to  bloom 
early.  These  need  not  be  planted  inside  for  win- 
ter work,  but  kept  solely  for  the  fall  Howers. 
Hardy  pt-irnniah:  Helianthus  multillorus,  H. 
pi..  Anemone  Japonica,  Pyrethrum  uliginosum, 
Lilliim  speciosnm,  Eupatorium  ageratoides,  Eu- 
lalia  Jaiioniea.  Mr.  Falconer  states  that  the  Eu- 
patorium, though  wild,  is  worthy  of  cultivation. 

October  Bloomers.  Annuals:  Asters.  .\^lyssum. 
Calendula  Meteor,  Verbenas,  semi-double  Gera- 
nium, Candytuft.  These  flowers  will  bear  a  few 
degrees  of  frost.  Feverfew,  double  white, 
Pansies  from  seed  sown  in  July.  Perennials: 
Anemone  Japonica,  PjTethrum  uliginosum, 
early  Chrysanthemums,  Helianthus  Maximi- 
liani,  Eulalia  Japonica. 


Charlestown,  S.  C.  Chrysanthemum 
Exhibit. 

Our  Chrysanthemum  show  held  Nov.  4, 
1889,  proved  a  success  in  every  way.  People 
were  surprised  at  the  beauty  of  the  flowers, 
their  great  variety  ot  coloring,  and  shape. 
Heretofore  the  Chrysanthemum  was  little 
known,  and  this  show  has  placed  it  in  good 
favor  with  the  amateurs. 

■■  Mrs.  iilpheus  Hardy  "  did  not  show  up  well, 
and  attracted  but  little  attention.  "Mrs.  C.  H. 
Wheeler"  was  admired  by  all,  together  with 
"  Mrs.  A.  Carnegie,"  "  Mrs.  Frank  Thompson," 
and  "  Thos.  Cartledge." 

Three  stands  each  60  feet  long  were  filled  with 
potted  plants,  about  i"0  in  number,  and  four 
stands  were  covered  with  cut  flowers,  1,000  cups 
being  necessary,  l)esides  vases,  baskets,  waiters 
and  designs. 

A  new  feature  was  a  stand  covered  with  our 
Southern  Moss  with  Ivy,  Smilax  and  other  rines 
running  over  it,  and  the  cut  blooms  nestled  in 
this  bed.  The  sides  and  back  of  the  stand  were 
hid  from  view  with  Ferns.  This  stand  attracted 
much  attention  and  promises  to  become  popular 
for  the  display  of  cut  blooms,  replacing  the  old- 
time  boxes. 

A  beautiful  single  (seedling)  was  also  exhibited 
and  pronounced  by  Mr.  Berckmans  as  something 
new.  It  resembles  in  color  what  is  known  amongst 
the  ladies  as  shrimp-pink  and  the  flowers  are  very 
lasting  and  early.  This  has  been  named  Eifter 
Jlr.  Berckmans  and  no  Idoubt  it  will  be  heard 
from  before  long. 

The  attendance  was  good  and  all  exhibitors 
were  pleased  with  the  decisions  ot  Mr  Berckmans 
who  was  the  sole  judge. 

Mr.  Berkmans  displayed  some  very  fine  speci- 
mens of  Japanese  Persimmons  grown  at  his 
nursery  near  Augusta,  Ga.  Some  of  the  speci- 
mens weighed  U  ounces. 

During  the  progress  of  the  fair  the  orphans  in 
the  various  institutions  in  the  city  visited  the 
show  room,  on  the  in^ntation  of  the  managers 

There  is  a  good  opening  here  for  a  first-class 
florist  in  this  city.  He  must  be  a  man  capable 
and  honest  in  his  dealings.  No  other  need  attempt 
to  get  along  in  this  place,  as  the  amateurs  are 
very  quick  to  detect  and  punish  any  deceit. 
Arrangements  are  already  on  foot  for  next 
years  show.    "  Palmetto  " 


CONDENSED    GLEANINGS. 

Soses  in  Open  Grotind.  Of  the  newer  varie- 
ties the  best,  so  far  in  this  locality,  has  l)een  Mi-s. 
John  Laing.  Though  not  of  a  very  hardy  con- 
stitution, its  pale-pink  color,  fine  form  and  de- 
lightful fragrance  make  it  a  very  desirable  vari- 
ty ,  and  it  is  a  splendid  autumn  bloomer.  Earl  of 
Dufferin  is  a  grand  Rose  of  a  deep  bright  crim- 
son, very  fragrant  and  of  a  good  constitution. 
Ladj'  Helen  Stewart  is  another  first-class  Rose, 
with  a  good,  vigorous  constitution.  tJlrich 
Brunner,  though  not  particularly  new,  nor  yet 
generalh'  planted,  is  pleasing  in  shape  and  color, 
t^ueen  of  Queens  has  again  proved  one  of  the 
best  bedding  Roses,  of  a  pale-shaded  pink  color 
and  very  attractive  in  every  way.  To  my  mind, 
however,  the  best  Rose  of  this  class  introduced 
to  this  country  this  year  is  Gloire  de  Margottin. 
It  is  the  clearest  bright  red  yet  introduced,  very 
fragrant,  a  strong  grower,  and  a  Rose  that 
pleases  everv  one  who  sees  it.  Last  of  all  is  that 
grand  Rose,  Madame  Gabriel  Luizet.  With  its 
satin-pink  color  and   unsurpassed  fragrance  it 


has  few  equals,  and  it  should  be  in  every  garden 
no  matter  how  small.  If  it  were  my  fate  to  be 
dejtrived  of  every  Rose  but  one  for  growing  in 
the  open  air.  I  should  choose  this  one  above  all 
()tlicrs.  It  is  still  producing  some  good  flowers, 
and  will  continue  to  do  so  all  summer  at  inter- 
vals. The  monthly  or  everblooming  Roses  are 
not  growing  very  well  in  this  section,  except 
where  extra  good,  strong  plants  were  only  put 
out  early.— J.  X.  May  in  Garden  and  Forest. 

Hnskrats  and  Pond  Lilies,  About  fifteen 
yeai'S  ago  I  became  quite  enthusiastic  in  regard 
to  introducing  Pond  Lillies  into  my  grounds. 
The  removal  of  muck  from  a  piece  of  low  land 
where  the  water  remained  nearly  up  to  the  sur- 
face all  summer,  and  near  a  creek  gave  me  a 
very  nice  pond  two  or  three  feet  deep,  fifty  feet 
wide,  and  nearly  two  hundred  long.  I  first 
planted  Xelumbium  luteum,  which  was  a  great 
success,  and  the  third  year,  hundreds  of  plants 
bloomed,  much  to  my  own  gratification  and  my 
neighbors'  who  visited  my  Lily-pond.  Other 
varieties  and  species  were  introduced,  and  I 
began  to  feel  pretty  sure  that  I  had  at  last  struck 
one  family  of  plants  that  needed  no  coddling, 
but  could  take  care  of  themselves,  requiring  no 
fertilizer,  hoeing,  weeding,  staking,  nor  dusting 
with  poisonous  compounds  for  destroying  their 
insect  enemies.  But  enemies  came,  and  worked 
so  slyly  and  silently  that  they  were  not  even  sus- 
pected of  being  around  until  the  glory  of  my 
Lily-pond  had  disappeared :  then  it  was  discov- 
ered that  muskrats  were  feasting  on  the  tubers 
of  the  Xelumbium,  but  did  not  trouble  those  of 
the  common  Water  Lily  (Xymphea  odorata'.  The 
latter  remains  in  great  numbers  and  my  pond  is 
well-stocked  with  it,  but  of  other  species  not  one 
plant  remains.  Being  thankful  for  smaU  favors, 
I  shall  love  and  cling  to  the  little  water  nymph 
so  long  as  she  clings  to  me.— F.  S.  Andrews,  in 
American  Agriculturist. 

Winter  Care  of  Vegetables.  Parsley  for  win- 
ter use  is  obtained  by  transplanting  .the  roots 
from  the  field  to  a  cold  frame  or  greenhouse. 
The}'  should  be  protected  from  freezing  if  possi- 
ble since  freezing  injuries  the  ;appearance  .and 
salable  value  of  the  leaves,  though  the  roots  will 
endure  considerable  frost  without  being  killed. 
A  cold  frame  well  banked  and  carefully  covered 
with  mats  and  shutters,  will  generally  yield  two 
or  three  cuttings  in  the  course  of  the  winter. 
The  glass  can  be  taken  entirely  of  in  April,  cov- 
ering the  l)ed  with  shutters  in  severe  weather, 
and  it  will  yield  another  cutting  in  May  before 
the  spring  lots  come  in.  As  soon  as  hot  weather 
begins  the  old  roots  will  run  to  seed,  and  should 
be  thrown  away,  except  such  as  wanted  for  seed. 
Salsify  or  Oyster  plant  is  usually  stored  in  pits, 
the  roots  being  heeled  in  thickly,  and  then  cov- 
ered" like  Celery.  It  is  hardy  but  the  roots  wilt 
easily.  Horseradish,  too,  is  best  kept  in  a  pit  not 
over  two  feet  deep,  covered  with  earth,  and 
enough  litter  to  just  keep  out  frost;  too  much 
covering  must  be  avoided  with  these  roots. 
They  will  start  into  growth  and  spoil  quickly  if 
not  almost  frozen.  The  only  safe  way  is  to 
watch  them,  and  change  the  covering  with  the 
weather.— Western  Rural. 

Home-Made  Pruners.  Any  one  can  make 
pruning  shears  like  those  here  illustrated,  for 
his  o^ra  use.  The  movable  shear,  to  which  the 
pitman  rod  is  attached,  does  most  of  the  cutting. 
Both  shears  are  made  of  thin,  hardened  steel. 
From  the  bolt-hole  in  the  movable  shear  a  rod 
longer  or  shorter  (the  pitman),  to  correspond 
with  the  length  of  the  pole  used,  runs  to  the 
lever  shown  at  the  bottom  ot  the  cut.  In  prun- 
ing trees  and  vines  the  handle  of  this  lever  is 
raised,  which  forces  up  the  bar  and  opens  the 
jaws  of  the  shears.  Then,  on  lowering  the  lever, 
the  twig,  if  it  be  placed  in  the  shears,  is  clipped 
off.  The  jaws  of  the  shears  must  be  ground  at  an 
angle  somewhat  more  acute  than  that  commonly 
employed  for  tailor's  shears.  The  highest  part 
of  each  bevel  must  come  against  the  bevel  upon 
which  it  acts.  The  screw  shown  connects  the 
shears.— American  Agriculturist. 

Preserving  Cut  Flowers.  The  best  way  is  to 
pack  the  flowers  in  ice.  This  is  a  sure  preserva- 
tive, especially  if  a  httle  salt  is  sprinkled  over 
the  crystalline  surface.  Another  mode  in  which 
flowers  are  sent  in  complete  preservation,  even  to 
Europe,  is  to  pack  them  closely  in  tin  cans,  cov- 
ering the  stems  with  moist  cotton.  Over  aU  a 
layer  of  wet  cotton  is  placed.  At  the  end 
of  the  sea  voyage  the  buds  and  flowers  wiU 
be  found  fresh  and  fragrant  as  at  the  beginning. 
To  keep  flowers  bright  from  day  to  day— that  is 
cut  flowers— it  is  ordy  necessaiy  to  sprinkle  with 
water,  place  the  stems  deep  in  moisture,  and,  if 


necessary,  put  a  light  layer  of  cotton  over  them. 
Flowers  can  be  made  to  last  a  long  time  if  care- 
fully watched,  but  they  require  the  delicate  nur- 
ture of  a  k)ver  of  blossoms.— Globe  Dcnn^crat. 

Healthfalness  of  Country  Homes.  There  is 
much  care  taken*  and  none  to  much,  in  locating 
in  a  new  State  or  neighborhood,  to  select  a  place 
promising  healthfulness  for  the  family.  With- 
out good  health,  the  advantages  of  fertile  soil 
and  cheap  lands  go  for  naught.  But  how  many 
people  in  the  country  look  to  it  to  see  that  the 
homes  are  kept  in  good  sanitary  condition  ?  As 
the  country  grows  older  the  soil  becomes  saturat- 
ed with  tilth,  so  that  it  no  longer  disinfects  what 
is  thrown  upon  it.  Many  country  places  are 
thus  made  more  unhealthful  than  cities,  where 
crowded  population  obliges  greater  care  of  sani- 
tary measures.  It  ought  not  to  be  so.  The  death- 
rate  in  the  country  ought  to  be  lower  than  it  is 
in  cities,  and  will  be  if  due  care  is  given  to  good 
drainage  and  ventilation.— American  Cultivator. 

Black  Fly  on  Chrysanthemums.  My  remedy 
has  been  soft  soap  dissohed  in  warm  water  at 
the  rate  of  one  ounce  of  soap  to  one  gallon  of 
water.  With  this  mixture  I  have  thoroughly 
syringed  the  plants,  and  have  had  the  satisfac- 
tion of  finding  them  quite  free  from  the  fly  the 
next  day.  But  in  two  or  three  weeks  after  they 
have  appeared  again.  At  one  time  I  used  to  dust 
the  plants  with  Tobacco  powder  for  destroying 
either  green  or  black  fly,  but  it  made  the  foliage 
so  dirty  unless  very  carefully  washed  off  the  next 
day  that  I  have  given  up  its  use  in  favor  of  soapy 
water,  which  is  quite  as  effectual,  and  instead  of 
disfiguring  the  leaves  in  any  way  it  cleanses 
them.  The  plants  always  look  more  healthy  and 
\ngorous  a  few  days  after  the  application  than 
they  did  before.— Corr.  Gardeners'  Magazine. 

Picking  and  Packing  Apples.  In  an  orchard 
of  fifty  acres,  I  have  men  and  women  go  over 
and  pick  the  fruit,  and  pUe  it  in  heaps.  Then  1 
go  in  with  barrels  right  after  the  pickers  and  bar- 
rel them.  The  less  you  can  handle  fruit  the  bet- 
ter it  is  for  the  keeping  qualities  of  the  fruit.  The 
only  advantage  gained  by  piUng  in  heaps  and 
carting  to  the  barn  is  this:  If  an  Apple  is  bruised 
or  disfigured,  a  few  days  will  disclose  the  bruise, 
that  is  all.  I  have  tried  both  ways,  and  I  say  to 
you,  from  my  experience,  barrel  your  fruit  as 
you  pick  it,  and  head  it  up.  Some  say  the  Apple 
will  sweat.  So  it  will;  every  time  the  Apple  is 
colder  than  the  surrounding  atmosphere,  it  will 
continue  to  sweat.— S.  Fenner  in  N.E.Homestead. 
Storing  Apples.  Bo  not  be  in  hurry  about 
running  the  Apples  into  the  cellar.  If  the  cellar 
be  a  dry  one, 
with  fair  facili- 
ties for  ventila- 
tion when  need- 
ed, this  is  just 
the  place  for  the 
Apples  at  the 
proper  time.  But 
they  should  re- 
main in  an  open 

1 .  outbuilding,    or 

even      out -of - 
I  doors  if  under  a 

U  shed  or  in  some 

way  protected 
from  moisture 
until  freezing 
weather  is  be- 
ginning. Apples 
will  not  be  in- 
jured by  a  pretty 
thorough  chill, 
as  long  as  it  does 
not  amount  to 
Home-Made  Pruning  Shears,  feezing.  If  care- 
fully picked  and  not  too  tightly  barreled,  the 
keepmg  varieties  will  do  well  if  kept  above 
ground  as  long  as  possible.  It  will  be  time 
enough  several  weeks  hence  to  put  them  inside. 
—Stockman  and  Farmer. 

Winter  Protection  for  Grapes.  The  practice 
of  lajing  down  Grape-vines  and  covering  them 
for  winter,  is  not  universal  ;  yet,  with  most  va- 
rieties, in  nearly  all  of  Xew  England  this  treat- 
ment pa.vs.  Growers  find  that  even  when  the 
buds  of  uncovered  vines  all  start  well,  the  cover- 
ed vines  give  a  better  crop,  and  ripen  it  earlier. 
If  vines  are  planted  against  the  south  side  of  a 
tight  fence,  laying  them  on  the  ground  will  be 
all  the  protection  needed  in  a  snowy  country,  as 
a  deep  drift  will  form  in  such  a  spot.  Such  a 
drift  will  not  waste  away  for  a  long  time  where 
there  is  snow  enough  for  pretty  steady  sleighing. 
—Dr.  Hosklns  in  Garden  and  Forest. 


66 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


December, 


Wind-Tight  Ventilator.  Tlie  accompanied 
sketch  gives  a  sectional  riew  of  a  wind-tight  ven- 
tilator designed  and  used  by  Mr.  Anthony,  a 
Chicago  florist.  The  opening  in  the  roof  is  cased 
clear  around  inside  with  a  strip  which  projects 
about  an  inch  above  the  surface  of  the  roof  and 
the  weather  strip  on  the  outside  is  carried  around 
three  sides  of  the  ventilator  sash.    The  joints  on 


WIND-TIGHT  VENTILATOR. 
the  outside  should  be  well  filled  with  paints. 
This  adds  but  a  trifle  to  the  first  cost  of  the  venti- 
latoi'S  and  excludes  much  cold  air  that  would 
otherwise  drive  in  when  a  cold  wind  is  blowing, 
and  renders  the  sash  less  liable  to  be  lifted  by 
the  wind.-  American  Florist. 

Birds  of  Money  Value.  The  more  there  is 
known  of  the  life  habits  of  our  common  birds, 
the  more  fully  will  the  public  realize  the  great 
benefit  which  they  confer  upon  the  husband- 
men. A  bird  which  feeds  mostly  upon  insects  or 
mice  is  worth  as  much  to  the  farmer  or  gardener 
as  a  good  sheep,  at  the  lowest  estimate,  and  the 
farmer  or  gardener  who  fully  realizes  the  actual 
value  of  such  birds  would  be  as  willing  to  have 
the  sportsman  come  into  his  enclosure  and  shoot 
his  sheep  as  to  come  in  and  destroy  his  birds.— 
Dr.  Reynolds  in  Mass.  Ploughman. 

Benewing  the  Strawberry  Patch.  It  pays  best 
to  fruit  a  Strawberry  plantation  only  once. 
Plant  a  plat  every  year.  The  fruit  is  finer,  there 
is  less  liability  to  injury  from  insects,  and  it  is 
little  more  work  to  make  a  new  plantation  than 
to  take  care  of  an  old  one.  For  field  culture 
plant  in  rows  three  and  a  half  feet  apart  each 
way,  cultivate  both  ways,  narrowing  the  culti- 
vator as  the  hills  spread.  Most  profit  is  found  in 
late  berries,  holding  them  back  in  the  spring  by 
keeping  the  mulch  on  as  late  as  possible.— O.  F. 

Preseiving  ChettnutB.  To  keep  Chestnuts  for 
seed  or  eating,  mix  them  with  an  etiual  bulk  of 
clean  sand,  and  bury  in  a  dry  spot  below  frost- 
Boxes  with  holes  bored  in  the  bottom,  crocks  or 
flower  pots  are  suitable  vessels  to  put  the  Chest- 
nuts and  sand  in.  Before  they  are  buried,  spread 
out  thin  for  a  week  or  two  until  the  grubs  are 
hatched,  then  assort  carefully  and  bury  only  the 
sound  nuts.— Farm  Journal. 

Keep  Potatoes  Dark.  Potatoes  must  be  kept 
in  the  dark.  The  whitest,  choicest  Potatoes  will 
be  injured  in  a  short  time  in  any  cellar  where 
one  can  see  to  walk  around.  They  will  look 
yellowish  when  cooked  and  their  fine  quality  is 
gone.  If  you  cannot  make  one  room  of  your 
cellar  absolutely  dark,  see  that  your  home  supply 
is  kept  in  tight  boxes  or  barrels  and  well  covered. 
—Ohio  Farmer. 

Bemedy  for  Sings.  The  use  of  Cabbage  and 
Lettuce  leaves  as  traps  is  about  the  simplest 
remedy,  and  by  irregular  examination  of  these 
leaves  morning  and  evening,  many  of  these 
troublesome  enemies  of  Ferns  and  other  green- 
house plants  may  be . destroyed. —Gard.  &  Forest. 

Babbit  Mixture.  Babbits  won't  bark  the 
young  trees  if  they  are  smeared  with  the  follow- 
ing: Quarter  bushel  of  lime,  one-half  pound  of 
copperas,  and  one-halt  pound  of  glue;  add  the 
glue  and  copperas  dissolved,  to  the  lime,  after 
slacking,  and  apply  withabrush.— Farm  Journal. 

Mulching  with  Tan  Bark.  One  of  m.v  nelRhbors 
uses  spent  tan  bark  for  mulching  his  fail-set  cuttings 
of  Currants,  urapes,  etc-.  He  thinks  there  Is  nothing 
better.- Abner  Holllngaworth. 

Seeping  Choice  Fruit.  Wrapping  each  .specimen  of 
valuable  varieties  In  soft  paper  unquestionably  tends 
to  preserve  them  and  retain  the  beautiful  tints.— New 
York  Tribune. 

Cheapest  and  Best.  Vegetables  and  fruits  save 
meat  and  bread  (and  doctors'  bills  also);  and  they  are 
cheaper  foods  than  wheat  or  pork  or  beef.— F's  Call. 

Sweet  Apples  in  Market.  There  seems  to  be  no  de- 
mand in  the  N.  Y.  market  for  sweet  Apples.  It  seems 
more  profitable  to  feed  them  to  hogs.— Rural  N.Yorker. 

Plant  Nut  Trees.  There  Is  a  lively  demand  for  Nuts 
In  this  market.  The  sale  of  native  Nuts  seems  to  In- 
crease from  year  to  year.— R.  N.  Yorker. 


Vegetables  in  Pits.  Frost  will  not  penetrate  far 
Into  dry  earth,  but  It  will  go  deep  Into  that  which  Is 
wet.— Mich.  Farmer. 

Dse  for  Surplus  Tomatoes.  Feed  a  few  Tomatoes 
to  the  cow  if  you  want  to  see  her  enjoy  a  meal.— R.N.Y' 

Keeping  Onions.  Onions  must  be  dried  well  before 
being  stored  in  bulk  for  wlDterkeepuig.-Farm Journal. 

Freezing  Apples.  A  sound  Apple  will  not  freeze  at 
a  temperature  of  3(1°,  or  even  33°.— Dr.  Hoskins. 

Changing  Seed.  The  advantage  of  a  change  of  seed 
should  be  considered.- Farmers'  Call. 


Vegetable  Products  on  the  Table. 

Fried  Parsnips.  Scrape  them  and  leave  them 
in  cold  water  for  an  hour,  then  boil  with  a  little 
Salt  and  Pepi>er,  and  fry  in  drippings.  Drain 
free  of  fat  and  serve  hot.— .^m.  Cult. 

Apple  Custard.  If  you  have  custard  left  from 
dinner,  fill  the  bottom  of  the  dish  with  Apple 
sauce  and  ijouring  the  custard  over.  A  very  nice 
desert.  Serve  nice  crackers  with  it.  Berries, 
sliced  Peaches  or  Pears  are  nice  served  thus. 

Hut  Pudding.  One  cupful  of  sugar,  one  half 
of  a  cupful  of  butter,  two  cuptuls  of  flour,  one 
half  a  cupful  of  cold  water,  three  eggs,  one  and 
one  half  teaspoonfuls  of  baldng  powder,  one  half 
of  a  cupful  oE  whole  Walnut  meats  added  the  last 
thmg.    Bake  and  eat  with  sauce. 

Apple  Crumb  Pudding.  Put  a  layer  of  bread 
crumbs  in  the  bottom  of  a  buttered  pudding  dish, 
then  a  layer  of  sliced  tart  Apples  sprinkled  with 
sugar,  then  crumbs  and  Apples  until  the  dish  is 
almost  full.  The  crumbs  should  be  last.  Cover 
and  cook  an  hour.  Eat  with  the  sauce  or  sweet- 
ened cream. 

Spiced  Barberries.  Pick  over,  and  to  every 
quart  add  a  cupful  of  vinegar,  one  cupful  of 
sugar,  one-halt  teaspoonful  of  Cloves  and  one 
teaspoonf  ul  of  Cinnamon:  put  the  Barberries  into 
the  boiling  vinegar,  sugar  and  spices,  and  allow 
ten  minutes  for  every  quart  in  cooking.  Serve 
with  roast  meats. 

Potato  Soup.  Pare  and  slice  thin  six  medium 
sized  Potatoes;  stew  in  one  quart  of  cold  water 
with  bits  of  dried  beef.  Stir  smoothly  one  table- 
spoonful  of  flour  with  milk  in  a  coffee  cup;  when 
perfectly  smooth  fill  the  cup  with  milk  and  stir 
into  the  soup  as  soon  as  Potatoes  are  done.  Salt 
and  pepper  to  taste. 

Celery  Stalks.  Cut  into  siuall  bits,  and  use  for 
flavoring  soups,  broths,  etc.  Put  the  leaves  into 
a  pan  or  dish  and  place  in  the  oven.  When  dry, 
crumble  them  and  place  away  in  a  wide-mouthed 
bottle  and  keep  closely  covered.  This  will  be 
found  good  for  flavoring  soups  when  the  Celery 
is  out  of  the  market. 

Quince  Marmalade.  Wash  the  ripe  Quinces, 
slice  and  boil  till  soft  enough  to  mash  and  strain 
through  a  colander.  Allow  one  pound  of  sugar 
to  one  pound  of  the  softened  Quince.  Boil  over 
a  slow  fire,  stirring  often  ami  watching  carefully 
that  it  does  not  burn,  until  it  becomes  a  thick 
mass.  When  partly  cooled  pack  in  jelly  glasses- 
Squash  Pie.  To  each  cuj)  of  Squash  stewed 
and  sifted,  allow  a  coffee  cup  of  milk,  one  egg, 
nearly  halt  a  cup  of  sugar,  and  halt  a  teaspoon- 
ful each  of  salt.  Nutmeg  and  Cinnamon.  Mix 
thoroughly  the  Squash,  sugar,  salt  and  spices, 
add  the  beaten  egg,  then  the  milk.  Bake  nearly 
or  quite  an  hour,  according  to  size  of  the  pie.— 
Mich.  Farmer. 

The  Skins  of  Beans.  An  able  chemist  and 
sanitarian  sa>  s  of  Beans  that  they  are  usually 
difficult  to  digest,  but  are  so  important  a  food 
that  they  can  hardly  be  dispensed  with.  The 
outer  coat  or  skin  is  the  mischief-maker,  and 
should  be  removed,  for  the  same  reason  that  we 
peel  a  Potato.  To  do  this,  previous  to  baking, 
after  soaking  the  Beans  as  usual  over  night  or 
longer,  rub  them  between  the  hands.  A  less 
troublesome  plan  is  to  boil  the  Beans  instead  of 
baking  them,  and  rub  them  through  a  colander. 
Beans  should  be  cooked  at  least  eight  hours,  and 
preferably  longer.— Prairie  Farmer. 

Old-Fashioned  Baked  Beans.  One  quart  of 
dried  Beans,  Cranberry  preferred,  soaked  over 
night.  In  the  morning  pick  them  over  carefully, 
and  put  them  over  to  boil.  When  the  skins  crack 
a  little,  which  will  be  in  about  an  hour,  they  are 
ready  for  baking.  Put  them  in  a  deep  pan  or  a 
Bean  pot,  and  cover  with  the  water  in  which  they 
were  boiled,  adding  a  tablespoonful  of  salt,  a  ta- 
blespoonful  of  molasses,  and  halt  a  pound  of  salt 
pork,  the  rind  of  which  has  been  deeply  scored. 
Press  it  into  the  Beans,  and  bake  them  very  slow- 
ly not  less  than  five  hours.  It  may  be  necessary 
to  add  a  little  more  water.    They  must  bo  moist 


but  iifit  slopjiy  and  each  Bean  should  be  distinct. 
For  those  who  object  to  pork,  two^tablespoonfuls 
of  sweet  beef-driv>inng  can  be  used,  or  the  same 
amount  of  butter.  Double  the  amount  of  salt  if 
no  pork  is  used.— Good  Housekeeping. 

Potato  Cheese.  A  quantity  of  white  Potatoes 
of  good  quality  are  boiled  in  a  caldron,  and  when 
cool  reduced  to  a  pulp,  either  by  means  of  a 
grater  or  mortar.  To  five  pounds  of  this  pulp, 
which  ought  to  be  equal  as  possible,  is  added  one 
pound  of  sour  milk  and  the  necessary  quantity 
of  salt.  The  whole  is  kneaded  together  and  the 
mixture  covered  up  and  allowed  to  remain  for 
three  or  four  days,  according  to  the  season.  At 
the  end  of  this  time  it  is  kneeded  anew,  and  the 
cheeses  are  placed  in  little  baskets,  when  the 
superfluous  moisture  escapes.  They  are  then  al- 
lowed to  dry  in  the  shade,  and  placed  in  layers  in 
large  vessels,  where  they  must  remain  for  fifteen 
days.  The  older  these  cheeses  are  the  more  their 
quality  improves.  Three  kinds  are  made.  The 
first  and  most  common  is  made  as  detailed  above; 
the  second  with  four  parts  of  Potatoes  and  two 
of  curdled  milk;  the  third  with  two  parts  of  Pota- 
toes and  four  parts  milk. 


HOUSE  PLANTS. 

Abntilons.  Give  occasional  doses  of  liquid  manure 
to  plants  in  bloom.  .Shift  young  plants  as  required. 
Pinch  back  when  needed  to  improve  the  form  of  plants. 
Propagate  as  desired. 

Ageratums.  Turn  the  plants  from  time  to  time. 
Nip  back  leading  shoots.  Maniu-e  water  may  be  given 
occasionally  to  advantage. 

Air  should  be  given  to  the  plants  whenever  the 
weather  will  permit.  Never  allow  the  temperature  to 
be  higher  at  night  than  would  be  suitable  for  the  day. 

Aspidistras  and  Azaleas  need  a  copious  supply  of 
water  at  the  roots.    Sponge  the  leaves  off  occasionally. 

Begonias  of  the  flowering  kinds  do  best  In  a  suimy 
situation  with  55*^  to  (JO'  F.  When  out  of  bloom  they 
will  stand  partial  shade. 

Bulbs.  Those  for  earliest  flowering  should  now  be 
well  rooted  and  may  be  brought  Into  light  and  given 
water. 

Callas.  From  now  on  give  an  abundance  of  water, 
and  sponge  off  the  leaves  occasionally.  Repot  yoimg 
plants  promptly  a-s  required. 

Coboea  scandens  may  be  stImiUated  by  occasional 
applications  of  manure  water.    Look  out  for  green  fly. 

Cyclamens  need  plenty  of  water  while  In  bud  and 
bloom.  Keep  close  to  the  glass  and  sponge  off  the 
leaves  from  time  time. 

Evergreens.  A  weekly  showering  given  on  the 
plants  while  standing  In  a  bath  tub,  greatly  improve.s 
their  health. 

Fernery.  Air  a  little  dally.  Remove  decayed  leaves 
or  flowers.    Apply  water  moderately. 

General  Directions.  Upon  anticipation  of  a  very 
cold  night  plants  may  be  removed  to  the  middle  of  the 
room,  or  an  arrangement  may  be  made  for  hanging 
over  the  plants.  A  screen  of  light  cloth  or  paper  to  be 
put  over  the  plants  while  the  room  Is  being  swept  will 
aid  greatly  in  keeping  them  free  from  dust.  Keep  the 
earth  mellow  In  pots  and  the  pots  clean.  Should  the 
soli  become  hard,  remove  the  top  and  replace  with 
fresh  earth.  Never  subject  plants  of  any  kind  to  strong 
draughts  of  air. 

Geraniums.  Plants  to  be  wintered  over  should  be 
kept  cool  and  dry  to  prevent  damp.  Plants  in  bloom 
need  plenty  of  water  at  the  roots. 

Ivy  and  other  suspended  plants,  or  those  too  heavy 
to  move  should  have  their  leaves  washed  simply  with 
a  soft  cloth  and  warm  water. 

Insects.  It  is  seldom  convenient  to  smoke  house 
plants,  and  tobacco  water  may  be  used  for  Insects  in- 
stead, standing  the  pots  In  a  bath  tub  or  spacious  sink. 
Pour  boiling  water  upon  cheap  Tobacco,  dilute  It  to 
the  color  of  weak  tea.  Lay  the  pots  upon  their  sides  In 
order  that  the  under  surface  of  the  leaves  may  be 
reached.  Frequent  drenching  with  water  only  wlU 
keep  red  spiders  In  subjection. 

Lantanas.  Give  a  light  place  In  about  55^  F.  Look 
out  for  red  spider. 

Mahernias  In  bloom  to  be  given  a  sunny  situation 
from  now  on. 

Peristrophe.  Oive  occasional  rations  of  manure? 
water  to  pots  filled  with  roots.  Keep  in  rather  small 
pots  and  in  a  sunny  situation  if  variegation  Isdesired. 

Pilea  muscosa  should  be  watered  carefully  to  avoid 
Injury  from  damp.  Light,  rich  soil  and  a  temperature 
of  50°  F.  Is  best. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


67 


Piltosporoms.  Keep  the  leaves  iis  fresh  ami  eleau 
as  possible,  and  the  plants  eool  and  rather  dry. 

Plants  In  cellar  :>tora*re  to  be  examined  fnim  time 
to  time.  Guard  both  against  Injury  from  damp  and 
ak'aiust  drying. 

Rivinia  EnmiLis  to  be  kept  in  a  suDiiy  expostirei 
and  In  a  tompeiaiure  of  55*  to  W-^  F.  Avoid  extremes 
of  temptrature. 

Watering.  Aim  to  water  all  plants  just  enough  and 
no  more.  As  a  rule  never  water  except  in  the  fore- 
noon. Do  not  water  much  in  cloudy  weather.  The 
water  should  be  of  same  temperature  as  the  air  In 
which  the  plants  are  growing. 


LAWN  AND   FLOWER  GARDEN. 

Borders.  As  soon  as  the  ground  is  frozen,  a  dressing 
of  straw  or  hay  should  be  applied  to  beds  of  fall-planted 
hardy  bulbs,  Pansies  and  other  fall-grown  seedlings. 

Chrysanthemums  after  flowering  to  be  cut  dowti 
and  moved  to  the  cellar  or  other  convenient  place. 

Clematis-  Some  good  manure  may  be  spread  over 
the  loots-  Then  lay  down  the  plants  and  protect  with 
Evergreen  boughs,  etc. 

Evergreens  and  shrubs  should  be  examined  after 
every  snow  fall,  and  the  snow  promptly  shaken  out. 

Herbaceous  plants  should  be  protected  by  straw  or 
salt  hay  held  iu  phiL-e  with  Evergreen  boughs,  etc. 

Lawn-  To  be  top-dressed  with  well  rotted  manure 
If  the  soil  has  become  impoverished. 

Leaves  may  be  gathered  and  secured  for  future  use 
at  any  time  before  snow, 

Roses.  The  hardy  Hybrid  Perpetuals  may  be  given 
a  dressing  of  half-decayed  manure;  the  more  tender 
kinds  should  be  protected  by  bending  over  and  cover- 
ing with  soil. 

Rhododendrons  may  be  given  a  dressing  of  manure. 
Protecting  and  ^hading  by  Evergreen  boughs  Is  always 
advbsable-  Set  the  butt  ends  in  the  ground  around  the 
plant,  and  secure  the  tops  by  tying  with  stout  twine. 

Stakes,  trellises,  plant  supports  of  all  kinds  to  be 
sheltered,  repaired  and  repainted. 

Trenching  deeply  will  benefit  .^11  bonlers,  flowtr 
beds,  etc..  that  are  not  now  planted. 


PLANT    CULTURE    UNDER   GLASS. 

Acacias  should  be  watered  freely,  as  neglect  in  this 
respect  will  cause  loss  of  foliage  and  flowers.  Shift 
young  plants  as  required.  Sow  seed  If  increase  of 
stock  is  desired, 

Acalyphas.  Put  In  temperature  of  55  to  60  degrees 
with  full  exposure  to  sun,  and  apply  manure  water 
occasionally.    Look  out  for  red  spider. 

Adiantams  like  a  warm,  moist  situation  and  a  tem- 
perature of  55  to  60  degrees.  Shift  young  plants  as 
soon  as  pots  become  filled  with  roots,  and  keep  in  con- 
stant growth. 

Allamandas.  When  growth  ceases,  should  be  given 
water  very  sparingly. 

Anemone  Japonica.  When  done  flowering  remove 
to  a  cool  cellar  or  underneath  the  shelf.  Give  water 
but  sparingly  from  now  on. 

Azaleas  When  forced  plants  are  In  full  bloom  give 
a  cool  dry  atmosphere.  Remainder  of  stock  to  be  kept 
in  a  cool  airy  part  of  the  house.  Push  young  plants 
forward  by  giving  them  a  warm  position. 

Balbs.  Hyacinths,  Tulips,  Crocuses,  etc.,  for  early 
bloom  must  be  brought  into  a  sunny  place  with  about 
55  degrees  F.  Air  freely  whenever  circumstances  allow. 

Carnations.  Syringe  occasionally,  give  manure 
water  at  times,  and  air  frequently. 

Camellias-  Guard  against  extremes  in  watering 
and  temperature  to  avoid  the  dropping  of  buds.  Syringe 
plants  not  in  bloom  twice  a  week. 

Chrysantheinums.  Cut  down  when  done  flowering 
and  place  in  a  drj-  cellar,  giving  water  very  sparingly. 
See  to  the  labels. 

Crotons  should  have  the  leaves  carefully  sponged  oflE. 

Daphne.  Guard  against  extremes  in  watering  and 
temperature,  and  otherwise  treat  like  Camellias. 

Deutzia  gracilis,  for  early  bloom  a  few  plants  may 
now  be  brought  to  the  light. 

Gloxinias  for  early  blooming  may  be  started  about 
the  end  of  the  month. 

Heliotrope.  For  plenty  of  flowers  give  a  warm, 
moist  atmosphere  and  manure  water. 

Insects.  Fumigate  regularly  twice  a  week,  or  keep 
the  Tobacco  juice  gutters  on  the  pipes  well  filled  all 
the  time.  ThL«  will  keep  the  green  fly  in  check. 
Syringe  freely  to  keep  down  red  spider.  Scale  and 
mealy  bug  will  yield  to  washing.  Hunt  for  the  slugs 
by  lantern  light,  or  trap  them  with  orange  peel,  etc. 

Means  Against  Sadden  Cold.  Sprinkling  water 
upon  the  pipes  is  one  of  the  most  ready  means  of  rais- 
ing the  temperature  in  an  emergency. 

Mignonette.  A  sunny  situation  and  liquid  manure 
are  good  for  plants  in  bloom. 

Palms  -need  thorough  watering,  and  should  not  be 
allowed  to  become  very  dry. 

Pelargoniums.  Keep  rather  dry  and  in  a  night  tem- 
perature of  about  45  degreess.  Pinch  leading  shoots 
back  after  growth  commences. 

Primulas.  Water  carefully  during  duU,  damp 
weather.    Air  freely. 


Propagation-  Cuttings  of  such  plants  as  st*wk  ap- 
pears short  of  should  be  ma<le  at  first  opportunity. 

Requisites.  During  the  leisure  of  winter  make  hot- 
bed sash,  mats,  ru^^lc  work,  trellises,  etc. 

Roses.  Blooming  plants  may  be  stimuated  by  dally 
syrlnglngs.  an<l  giving  a  night  temperature  of  55  to  60 
degrees. 

Stocks.  Guard  against  damp  and  green  fly.  Remove 
all  decaying  foliage.  Scatter  Tobacco  stems  among  the 
plants,  renewing  them  frequently. 

Thunbergias.  Plants  In  bloom  should  have  a  tem- 
perauu-e  of  55  <legrees.    Syringe  freely  for  red  spider. 

Tuberoses.  Bulbs  should  be  stored  In  a  warm  place. 
These  and  other  bulbs,  seeds,  tubers,  etc.,  should  be 
kept  where  secure  from  frost,  mice,  etc. 

Verbenas  like  moderately  free  watering.  Keep  In  a 
cool  airy  place.    Make  cuttmgs  now. 

Violets.  Remove  all  decaying  leaves,  and  air  freely. 
Also  stir  the  soil  occasionally. 


FRUIT,  GARDEN  AND  ORCHARD. 

Cuttings  of  Gooseberries,  Grapes.  Currants  If  yet  un 
protected  to  have  a  covering  of  Evergreen  boughs  or 
coarse  litter. 

Fruit  in  storage  needs  care  and  frequent  inspection. 
In  cold  storage  try  to  keep  the  temperature  between 
35  and  40  degrees.  Remove  specimens  showing  signs  of 
decay  from  cellar  or  fruit  house  as  soon  as  the  blemish 
is  discovered.  Market  fruit  whenever  in  best  condi- 
tion, or  when  the  demand  is  good. 

Fences.  See  that  they  are  all  right.  When  horses 
and  other  live  stock  arc  allowed  to  run  at  large  a  strand 
of  wire  at  the  top  of  the  fence  will  prevent  the  horses 
from  leaping  it.  If  allowed  to  get  among  young  trees 
they  will  do  much  damage  by  browsing  at  their  tops. 

Grapes  should  now  be  pruned,  tender  varieties  laid 
dowTi,  with  a  stone,  a  piece  of  board,  or  a  little  soil  on 
top  to  be  held  down  firmly.  All  varieties  do  better 
when  thus  threated. 

Mind  Culture.  Review  the  season  and  let  its  les- 
sons be  fully  impressed  upon  your  mind.  Read  the 
horticultural  papers  and  make  your  plans  for  future 
operations.  Consider  well,  then  execute  with  energy- 
Mice  and  Rabbits.  Young  trees  should  have  a 
mound  of  earth  heaped  against  their  trunks,  both  to 
steady  them  against  heavj-  winds  and  to  protect  them 
against  mice.  If  this  has  been  omitted,  tramping  the 
snow  firmly  around  the  tree  will  keep  otf  the  mice. 
Repeat  after  each  snow  fall.  Rabbits  girdle  the  trees 
often  beyond  remedy.  Boys  by  secting  traps  orby  the 
use  of  a  shot  gun  can  keep  the  rabbits  quite  scarce. 
Elsewhere  we  give  various  meth<>dsof  preventing  in- 
jury from  this  cause. 

Manure  can  now  be  drawn  with  advantage.  Scat- 
ter boadcast  over  the  ground  in  orchard  and  small  fruit 
patches. 

Raspberries  and  Blackberries.  All  tender  sorts.  If 
not  laid  down,  to  be  attended  to  at  once.  Cover  slightly 
with  soil. 

Root  grafting  can  be  done  during  stormy  days. 
Label  and  pack  away  in  soil  or  sand  in  the  cellar. 

Scions  may  be  cut  now  at  any  time.  Label  properly. 
Pack  in  sand  in  the  cellar. 

Strawberry  plants  to  be  mulched  as  soon  as  the 
ground  is  frozen  sufBcleutly  to  hold  team  and  wagon. 


VEGETABLE  GARDEN. 

Cold  Frames  in  which  plants  are  stored  for  the  ear- 
liest crops  of  Cabbages,  Cauliflower,  etc.,  need  frequent 
attention.  The  plants  should  be  kept  In  a  dormant 
state.  If  too  warm,  they  will  start  into  growth.  In 
moderate  weather  ventilate  the  frames,  and  In  severe 
spells  cover  the  sashes  with  mats.  Remove  snow 
promptly  from  the  sashes,  unless  the  plants  are  frozen, 
when  the  snow  may  be  left  on  for  a  week  or  longer. 

Celery-  Graduallj-  give  additional  protection  as  the 
cold  increases.  Leaves  and  marsh  hay  are  excellent 
for  the  purpose. 

Drainage.  If  any  part  of  the  grounds  Is  yet  deficient 
in  drainage,  this  fault  can  now  be  remedied.  Lay  tile 
drains  wherever  needed- 

aeneral  Directions.  Look  up,  repair  and  repaint 
the  sashes  and  frames  for  spring  use.  Repair  and  store 
tools.  Clean  all  seeds  gathered  during  the  season,  and 
store  properly  labeled  in  a  cool,  dry,  airy  situation. 
Make  arrangments  for  new  implements,  sashes,  frames 
and  other  fixings  for  next  spring. 

Fertilizers.  Manure,  muck,  chemicals,  fertilizers. 
etc.,  should  be  procured  in  good  season,  and  in  good 
supply.    Half  rations  do  not  pay. 

Onions.  Protect  from  severe  freezing;  keep  dry  and 
in  a  temperature  of  not  over  4u  degrees.  Onions  planted 
out  in  September,  if  on  an  exposed  spot  should  be  cov- 
ered  witu  a  few  inches  of  leaves  or  coarse  litter. 

Rubbish  wherever  found  on  the  premises  to  be 
gathered  and  heaped  up  for  a  grand  •'  roast  of  rubbish  " 
towards  spring. 

Roots  in  Pits.  Give  additional  covering  as  the  sea- 
son advances.  If  you  desire  to  have  easy  access  to  the 
pit  during  winter,  place  a  foot  or  more  of  dry  litter 
upon  the  south  end  of  pit. 

Stumps,  Trees  where  in  the  way  to  be  grubbed  or 
blown  out.  ■ 

Spinach  In  exposed  situations  should  have  a  mulch 
of  straw  or  salt  hay  several  Inches  deep. 


FRUITS  AND  VEGETABLES  UNDER 
GLASS. 

Asparagus.  Roots  lifted  in  November  can  now  be 
placed  in  Ixjxes  and  then  placed  In  any  warm  situation 
for  an  early  supply.  Roots  for  succession  should  be  so 
protected  that  they  can  be  got  at  at  any  time  when 
wanted. 

Dandelions.  Roots  lifted  in  Xovember  and  placed 
in  boxes  may  now  be  brought  into  a  sunny  situation 
for  growth. 

Figs  in  pots  or  tubs  for  early  may  now  be  placed  in 
he  wannest  part  of  the  early  Grapery. 

Grapes.  In  the  early  houses  maintain  an  average 
temperature  of  65*  during  the  night,  with  five  or  ten 
higher  during  the  day.  Tie  the  new  growth  as  It  ad- 
vances. Protect  the  borders  by  a  thick  covering  of 
leaves  or  coarse  litter.  Vines  in  the  late  houses  to  be 
pruned,  laid  down,  and  covered  up  after  the  leaves  falL 

Lettuce.  Water  sparingly  during  damp  dull  weath- 
er. Air  freely  whenever  weather  is  su  table.  Remove 
all  decaying  leaves-  Guard  against  the  green  fly  by 
moderate  fumigation  two  or  three  times  a  week. 

Parsley-    Treat  like  Dandelion. 

Rhubarb.    Treat  same  as  Aspar^us. 

Strawberries  may  now  be  started  up  at  any  time. 
Begin  with  a  temperature  of  ■15*',  gradually  increasing 
until  it  reaches  60".  Also  increase  the  water  supply 
gradually  and  as  the  season  advances.  Plants  for  late 
use  must  be  protected  from  severe  freezing. 


THE  POULTRY  YARD. 
The  Wintering  Problem.  It  cannot  be  told  too 
oft«n  that  a  small  flock  of  poultry  well  cared  for 
will  do  better  than  a  large  flock  half  cared  for. 

Coal  Ashes  for  Hen  Lice.  Sift  the  coal  ashes  in 
the  hen  house.  The  coal  dust  will  penetrate  every 
crack  and  crevice,  and  the  vermin  cannot  live 
among  that.— Rural  Canadian. 

The  Home  Market.  The  best  market,  when 
prices  are  low  and  you  have  a  larg-e  surplus, 
is  your  own  table.  Consume  all  you  can  of 
poultry  and  egg^,  and  pay  for  them  by  reducing 
your  expenses  In  some  other  direction. 

Love  Lightens  Labor.  Nobody  should  go  into 
the  business  of  raising  poultry  if  he  has  not  a 
fondness  for  chickens  uv  knowledge  of  the  care 
they  require.  One  must  have  an  interest  in  them 
to  succeed,  and  some  experience,  before  trying 
it  on  a  large  scale. 

Warm  Quarters  Pay.  A  good  way  to  make  a 
warm  poultry  house  is  to  have  double  walls,  with 
a  space  of  four  inches  between,  and  both  walls  to 
be  lined  with  paper.  This  will  withstand  sudden 
changes  of  weather  and  keep  an  even  tempera- 
ture within.— Farm  Journal. 

Snow  Eating.  Fowls  will  readily  eat  snow  if 
the  water  supply  is  shortened  or  ice  forms  in  the 
fountains.  Snow  doesnot  allay  thirst,  but  causes 
roup  or  throat  ailments.  Hence  do  not  cut  off 
the  water  supply,  under  the  supposition  that  the 
hens  can  get  it  from  snow.— Mirror  and  Farmer. 

Care  Needed.  No  live  stock  is  worth  the  trouble 
and  cost  of  its  keeping  that  is  not  attended  to 
regularly,  systematically  and  faithfully.  Do- 
mestic fowls  will  not  take  care  of  themselves  to 
advantage.  Lack  of  kind  treatment  is  the  lead- 
ing cause  of  failure  with  many  who  undertake 
to  raise  fowls. 

The  Langshans.  We  have  never  had  a  more 
steady  supply  of  Eggs,  and  more  of  them  as  an 
average  than  since  we  began  to  keep  Black  Lang- 
shans, and  we  have  tried  Brahmas,  Cochins,  Ply- 
mouth Rocks,  Wyandottes.  Leghorns,  etc.  With 
good  care  and  common  sense  treatment  the  Lang- 
shans seem  to  produce  eggs  the  year  round. 

The  Horning  Heal.  The  first  meal  should  be 
given  as  early  as  possible.  The  hens  are  usually 
awake  long  before  the  people  of  the  house  are 
up.  and  they  wUl  be  impatient  for  their  breakfast. 
Tne  earlier  they  receive  it  the  sooner  they  will 
feel  like  scratching  and  working,  as  they  often 
feel  the  effects  of  a  cold  night.- Mirror  and  Far. 

Feeding  for  Eggs.  If  you  want  eggs  keep  the 
hens  healthy,  and  furnish  them  the  raw  mater- 
ials. Give  a  variety  of  grains,  Oats  in  the  bun- 
dle. Corn  on  the  cob,  of  grains  scattered  among 
leaves  and  litter— any  way  to  force  them  to  work 
for  it.  Exercise  will  keep  them  in  health.  Also 
give  frequent  messes  of  beaf  scraps,  liver,broken 
bones,  etc.,  and  skim  milk  whenever  you  have. 

Boosts  Sensibly  Arranged.  The  best  roosts 
f*ir  a  poultry  house  are  strips  four  inches  wide 
and  one  inch'thick.  The  fowls  can  roost  on  these 
with  comfort  to  the  feet.  They  should  have  a 
clear  space  of  one  foot  between  them,  and  should 
all  be  on  one  level  and  not  more  than  one  foot 
from  the  floor.  When  thes^  are  made  like  a  lad- 
der the  fowls  fight  to  crowd  to  the  top,  and  when 
they  are  high  the  hens  are  sometimes  hurt  by 
coming  heavily  to  the  floor  when  flying  down. 

Air  and  Exercise.  Your  hens  will  do  better 
and  keep  in  better  health  through  the  winter,  if 
allowed  the  pri\ilege  of  going  out-of-doors 
every  day,  than  thej'  will  it  conhned  closely  to 
the  house  all  the  time.  If  the  snow  drifts  up 
artjund  your  poultry  house,  shovel  it  away  from 
the  front  clear  to  the  ground,  so  that  your  hens 
can  get  out  for  an  airing.  If  they  want  to  eat 
snow,  let  them  eat  it.  Bens  that  are  regularlv 
supplied  with  drink  will  not  hanker  after  much 
snow.— Prairie  Farmer. 


68 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


December, 


Correspondent 8  are  urjed  to  anticipate  the  season  in  prt- 
aenting  qtustiona.  To  aak,  for  instance,  on  April  \b  or  20 
what  Peas  had  best  be  sown,  could  briny  no  ansieer  in 
the  May  issue,  and  none  be/ore  June,  irhen  the  ansiper 
would  he  unseasonable.  Questions  received  before  the  lith 
of  any  month  stand  a  good  chance  of  being  anstcered  in  the 
next  paper.  Sot  more  than  three  questions  should  be  sent 
at  one  time.  Ansvers  to  qut.  si  in  iiJi  betring  on  tr.e  com- 
parative value  of  implements,  etc.,  offered  by  different 
dealers  must  notoe  expected.  Neither  can  irr  promise  to 
oomply  with  the  request  sometimes  made  to  "I'leus*-  anstrer 
by  mail."  Inquiries  appearing  without  name  belong  to  the 
name  next  following. 

Replies  to  Inquiries  are  earnestly  requested  from  our 
readers.  In  anstoering  such  give  the  number,  your 
locality  and  name,  the  latter  not  for  publication,  unless 
ou  disire.        Write  only  on  one  side  of  the  paper. 

1.536,  Roses  not  Blooming.  My  Moss  Rose?  In  very 
rich  soil  make  wonderful  growth  but  no  bloom.  What's 
the  cause  and  remedy?    B.  E.  G.,  Dalton,  Ga. 

1.537.  Nitrate  oJ  Soda.  Am  imable  to  find  it  In 
market.— R.  G.  P.    Burlingio7i,  ^^ 

1,53S.  Psony  not  Blooming.  My  white  Paeony, 
three  or  four  years  old,  has  never  bloomed.  How 
should  1  treat  it?— N.  B.  A.,  Wilfvrd,  Tenn. 

1.539.  Quince  Propagation.  Are  Quinces  propaga- 
ted from  cuttings,  or  by  grafting  on  Apple  root?— G.  F. 

M.  Dayton.  O. 

1.540.  Black  Spot  on  Roses.  What  can  I  do  for  di- 
sease affecting  my  Roses?—.!.  T  A.  Gallatin.  Mo. 

1,  541  Tea  Roses.  How  are  they  best  grown  for 
market  from  cuttings  of  outdoor  plants?— E.  H.,  O. 

1,542.  Pronouncing  Dictionary.  Is  there  a  book 
giving  the  proper  proaunciation  of  all  names  of 
flowers,  shrubs,  etc.?— W.  L.  P.,  Utah. 

\,MS.  Chrysanthemum  Seedlings.  Is  there  a  way 
to  tell  the  single  from  the  double-flowered  before 
blooming?— Mrs.  R.  L.,  Necada. 

1,5^4.  Myrtle  Dying.  Bed  in  front  of  brick  dwell- 
ing, facing  west,  shaded  by  tree.    Give  remedy. 

1.545.  Killing  Rats  How  can  1  keep  rats  from  rab- 
bit coops  without  danger  to  the  latter?— Buefalonian. 

1.546.  JeweU  Grape.  Where  can  I  get  vines?— F.  J. 
Racitie,  Wis. 

1.547.  Raisins  from  American  Grapes.  Can  they 
be  made;  and  if  so,  give  best  method  of  curing.— K.  P. 
F.,  Sterling,  Kan. 

1.548.  Raspberry  Pruning.  What  is  meant  by  "cut- 
ting ba':'k  severely,"  In  feet  or  inches?— B.  D.,  Ind. 

1.549.  Growing  Aloes.  What  treatment  do  they  re- 
quire?—R.  E.  T.  i^fiVy,  Ohio. 

1.550.  Wire  Worms.  How  ca,n  I  rid  a  piece  of  Ismd 
that  Is  badly  infested?- F.  M.  C,  Mentor,  O. 

1.551.  Lily  of  the  Valley.  Give  best  method  of  fore- 
Ing.- E.  R.,  Ohio. 

1.552.  Remedy  for  Rabbits-  How  can  I  best  prevent 
their  guawlng  bark  off  voung  trees?  How  would  coal 
tar  do?-G.  D.  E.  E.,  Ky. 

1.553.  Varieties  of  Small  Fruits.  What  varieties 
shall  I  plant  here?    W.  H.  H.,  Mahoning,  Pa. 

1.554.  Norway  Maple.  One  seems  to  be  dying  ou 
one  side.  Will  cutting  the  tt)p  back  severely  help  it? 
And  when  should  it  be  done?- E.  P.  R.,  Sidney,  O. 

1.555.  Pruning  Grapes.  When  and  how  should  it 
be  done  in  Georgia? 

1.556.  Distance  of  Grape  Vines.  Is  six  feet  between 
them  too  close? 

1.557.  Japan  Persimmons.  How  far  apart  should 
they  be  planted? 

1.558.  Manuring  Grapes  and  Fruit  Trees.  How 
can  ground  be  enriched  most  economically?— W.  S.  J., 
Augusta,  Ga. 

1.559.  Size  of  Silo.  How  small  can  it  be  made,  and 
work  well?— L.  C.  M.,  North  Bergen,  N.  Y. 

1.560.  General  Grant  Crab  Apple.  Is  it  a  sweet  or 
sour  variety? 

1.561.  Budding  Peaches  and  Cherries.  How  high 
from  the  ground  is  the  bud  usually  inserted?— A.  B.  M., 
West  Grove,  Iowa. 

1.562.  Book  on  Propagation.  What  is  the  best  work 
ou  propagation  of  Evergreens,  shrubs,  Roses,  etc.— 
T.  W.  S.,  ConcordvitU-,  Pa. 

1.563.  Effect  of  Sulphates.  Does  sulphate  of  potash 
or  sulphate  of  ammonia  help  to  make  plantfoodsin 
the  soil  available  as  does  sulphate  of  lime? 

1.564.  Muriate  and  Sulphate  of  Potash.  Why  Is 
the  former  usually  recommened  as  a  fertilizer  for 
fruits  in  preference  to  the  latter?-G.C.B..Co/M7nbia,A'.C. 

1.565.  Dry  Maple  Leaves.  Are  they  good  for  mulch- 
ing Strawberries,  or  are  they  liable  to  smother  the 
plants? 

1.566.  Summer  Mulch.  What  Is  the  best  material 
for  putting  around  Strawberries  to  keep  fruit  clean?— 
W    W.  A.  Watersleet,  Mich. 

1.567.  Chicken  Culture.  Where  can  I  get  plans  for 
poultry  houises,  also  information  about  chicken  busi- 
nes&?-R.  S.,  Brooklyn,  N.  T. 

1,56S.  Draining  Low  Lands.  Bottom  of  ditches 
soft  and  liable  to  till  tiles  up  with  mud.  What  can  I  do? 
— R.  M.,  Pa. 

1.569.  Old  Orchards.  Should  they  be  kept  In  grass, 
orclean  cultivation  be  given?— E.S.T..LongSrancft.,iV^. J. 

1.570.  Potato  Spraying  Pumps.  Are  they  now  to 
be  had,  where  aud  at  what  price?— Sub-scriber. 


1,571.  English  Sparrow.  Is  there  no  simple  device 
for  trapping  a  whole  flock?— E.  W.  N'.,  Scranton,  Pa. 

1,5?2.  Lightning  Rods.  Do  they  afford  protection 
or  not?— Syracuse. 

1.573.  Value  of  Swamp  Muck.  What  is  the  esti- 
mated value  of  nirogen?    M.  N.  S.,  Lancaster,  Pa. 

1.574.  Grape  Cuttings.  Will  burying  them  in  moist 
soil  keep  them.' 

1.575.  Keeding  Apple  Cions.  If  burled  in  open 
ground  out  reach  of  frost,  are  they  in  danger  of  heat- 
ing or  of  mold?— G.  T.  K..  Paxton,  Ills.. 

1.576.  Aspidistra  for  Bedding.  Is  it  suitable  where 
sun  strikes  bed  all  day?— M.  A.  H..  Kerney.  Xeb. 

1.577.  Vinegar  Flies.  What  will  destroy  them  in 
cellar?  Pyrettirum  or  sulphur  fimies  do  no  good.  Do 
the  flies  spread  infection  from  one  fruit  to  another? 

1.578.  Castor  Beans  for  Moles.  If  thrown  in  mole 
runs,  will  they  kill  the  moles?— Benj.  B. 

1.579.  Water  Gas  for  Heating.  What  is  it  and  how 
obtained?-C.  N.,  City. 

1.5S0.  Failure  with  Rose  Cuttings.  Cuttings  of 
Hybrid  Perpetuals  root  nicely  under  a  handglass,  but 
always  die  when  transplanted  iu  pots  or  beds.  Why? 
S,T.,  Brooklyn,  N.T, 

REPLIES    TO    INQUIRIES. 

1.473.  Cabbages  Not  Heading.  Cabbai^es 
which  have  not  hardened  may  be  set  in  a  trench 
of  sufficient  wndth  to  receive  several  heads,  side 
by  side,  and  deep  enough  so  that  the  heads  will 
be  about  even  with  the  surface.  Cover  over  with 
hay,  straw,  or  similar  raat^^'rial,  then  with  soil, 
leaving  it  in  a  ridge  that  will  shed  water.  No 
water  should  stand  around  the  Cabbages.  Dis- 
turb the  soil  ou  the  roots  as  little  as  possible. 
The  Cabbages  must  be  removed  to  the  trench  be- 
fore being  frozen.  Cabbages  so  treated  and  kept 
from  freezing  will  form  quite  solid  heads  by 
spring.— F.  H.Valentine. 

1,463.  Potato  Dif^gers.  Yes,  there  are  several 
Potato  diggers,  although  there  is  a  probability  of 
their  being  considerably  improved.  They  nearly 
all  do  good  work  ou  clean  laud,  but  the  difficulty 
has  been  to  make  them  effective  on  weedy  and 
stony  land  as  is  found  on  many  farms.— F.  H.  V. 

1,447.  Grapes  on  HouseWall.  The  vines  should 
be  planted  on  the  south  side  of  the  building,  and 
trained  evenly  over  the  wall.  This  is  an  excel- 
lent way  to  cover  an  unsightly  bam,  or  old  build- 
ing of  any  kind.  There  is  no  expense  for  trellis, 
and  Grapes  will  thrive  finely,  as  they  get  the  full 
benefit  of  the  sun's  rays.  Very  little  room  is 
required  to  grow  Grapes  in  this  way,  as  all  that  is 
needed  is  soil  enough  to  hold  the  roots.  They 
may  be  planted  under  a  pavement,  stones  being 
removed  for  the  purpose,  and  then  replaced.  In  a 
Western  city,  a  few  yeare  ago,  a  merchant  showed 
me  a  small  area  in  the  rear  of  his  store  which  he 
had  filled  with  Wnes,  trainin{^  them  up  to  the 
high  brick  walls,  and  he  said  that  he  had  bushels 
of  Grapes  every  year.— F.  H.Valentine. 

1.474.  Raspberry  Pruning.  I  believe  that  the 
sooner  the  old  wood  is  removed,  after  the  fruit  is 
gathered,  the  better  for  the  future  welfare  of 
plant.  It  certainly  gives  the  plantation  a  neater 
appearance  to  have  the  old  and  unsightly  canes 
removed.  The  old  wood,  in  drying  up,  draws 
considerable  moisture  from  the  plant,  and  saps 
its  vitality  to  a  considerable  extent.  Then  again, 
if  the  refuse  be  removed  and  burned,  a  large 
number  of  insects  will  be  destroyed.  Lastly, 
time  can  be  better  spared  for  the  work  in  the 
fall.— F.  H.Valentine. 

1.475.  Hubbard  Squash.  A  dry,  well -ventilated 
cellar  is  an  excellent  place  for  keeping  if  it  is 
not  too  warm.  The  temperature  should  be  kept 
as  near  40  degrees  as  possible.  The  Squashes 
should  be  stored  in  shallow  bins  or  shelves,  one 
layer  deep,  so  that  access  may  be  had  to  them  for 
the  purpose  of  removing  any  which  may  decay. 
Handle  at  all  times  as  though  you  were  handling 
eggs,  and  store  none  but  perfectly  ripe,  hard- 
shelled  ones.— F.  H.Valentine. 

1,477.  Mulching  Strawberries.  As  soon  as  the 
ground  is  frozen  sufficiently  to  allow  of  driving 
upon  it.  Freezing  does  not  injure  the  plants,  but 
alternate  freezing  and  thawing,  and  this  the 
mulch  prevents.— F.  H.V. 

1,475.  Hubbard  Squash.  Winter  squash  of  all 
varieties  must  be  kept  in  a  dry,  warm  place.  I 
keep  them  upon  a  table  under  the  heater  pipes 
in  the  cellar.  Squash  should  be  very  carefully 
gathered  and  handled,  great  care  being  taken 
not  to  bruise  them.  Last  spring  I  kept  the  Essex 
Hybrid  until  the  midtUe^of  April.  The  Uutman 
is  a  fine  variety  to  keep  until  January,  the  Hub- 
bard after  that,  then  tne  Essex  Hybrid  for  later 
until  April. -E.W.  L. 

l,5ti(i.  Summer  Mulch.  Any  clean  litter  will  do 
as  a  mulch  around  Strawberries  to  keep  the  fruit 
clean.  Straw,  marsh  hay,  tan  bark,  sawdust- 
all  are  good.  Where  coarse  manure  was  applied 
as  a  winter  mulch,  the  litter  left  in  spring,  and 
now  comparatively  clean,  after  being  washed 
out  by  the  snows  and  rains  of  winter  and  spring, 
will  do  very  well  f*)r  summer  mulch  to  keep  the 
berries  off  the  groimd. 

1,567.  Chicken  Culture.  Orange  Judd  Co.,  of 
New  York  City,  publish  books  on  the  subject. 
Address  them.  I 


1,551.  lily  of  the  Valley.  Forcing  Lily  of  the 
Vallej' is  a  very  simple  matter  indeed.  All  you 
have  to  do  is  to  start  them  in  a  gentle  bottom 
heat  about  four  weeks  before  the  flowers  are 
wanted.  To  keep  up  a  continuous  supply  it  is 
only  necessary  to  continue  planting  them  in 
batches  from  time  to  time.  The  usual  way,  says 
the  Mass.  Ploughman,  is  to  make  a  sort  of  enclosed 
hot-bed  over  the  hot  water  pipes  in  the  .green- 
house. Into  this  is  placed  a  layer  of  fine  Sphag- 
num Moss  that  serves  as  soil  for  the  pips  to  grow 
in.  These  are  set  with  the  point  of  the  pip  just 
above  the  Moss.  The  main  point  aimed  at  is  to 
keep  the  bottom  where  the  roots  are  ten  or  fifteen 
dei:r('rs  hotter  than  the  air  above,  which  at  first 
shouM  nnt  exceed  ,50  to  55'',  to  be  increased  by 
keeping  the  glass  covering  closer  after  there  are 
signs  of  sprtmting.  Every  bud  or  pip  has  its 
flower  alreadv  formed,  just  as  in  an  Apple  or 
Cherry,  or  otner  fruit  bud,  in  the  fall,  and  in  a 
state  of  nature  only  waits  the  genial  spring 
warmth  to  bui-st  out  into  a  thing  of  beauty.  In 
such  matters,  all  the  gardener  orflorist  has  to  do 
is  to  imitate  nature,  and  give  heat,  gi-adually.  at 
fii-st,  else  there  will  be  a  failure  to  oi>en  up  finely. 
A  small  space  only  is  required,  as  the  pips  may  be 
placed  one  inch  apart,  and  directly  one  crop  is 
gone,  another  batch  takes  its  place.  But  little 
leaf-growth  starts  with  the  early  batch;  the 
flower-stem  only  pushes. 

1.537.  Nitrate  of  Soda.  Of  coui-se,  you  can  not 
find  it  in  the  drug  stores,  nor  usually  in  stock 
anywhere  except  at  the  large  fertilizer  manu- 
facturers near  the  coast.  Mr.  Joseph  Harris,  of 
Rochester,  N.  Y.,  is  as  far  as  we  know  the  only 
person  who  catalogues  it  for  sale  in  small  quanti- 
ties, but  a  supply  might  be  obtained  from  any  of 
the  large  Eastern  fertilizer  men  by  asking  for  it 
as  a  favor,  as  we  might  say,  and  paying  the 
usually  very  reasonable  first  cost,  and  the  freight 
charges,  usually  unreasonable  if  the  distance  be 
large.    See  also  page  TiS  of  Vol.  IV. 

1,572.  Lightning  Kods.  Lightning-rods,  we 
believe,  have  seen  their  best  day.  Chief  Walker, 
of  the  Electrical  department  of  the  City  of  Phila- 
delphia, expressed  himself  recently  as  follows: 
In  nine  cases  out  of  ten,  I  think  lightning-rods 
are  humbugs.  I  believe  it  is  a  fact  that  more 
barns  were  struck  and  burned  that  have  rods 
on  than  with  them  off.  In  the  first  place,  it  is 
best  to  keep  electricity  as  far  away  from  a  build- 
ing as  possible.  The  object  of  the  lightning-rod 
is  to  attract  it.  The  rod  is  supposed  to  act  as  a 
conductor  of  the  electrical  current  to  the  earth, 
but,  instead  of  being  carried  off,  the  current,  in 
consequence  of  faulty  construction  of  the  rod  or 
attachment,  is  frequently  switched  into  the  build- 
ing. The  end  of  the  wire  is  supposed  to  be  buried 
in  moist  earth,  the  moisture  acting  as  a  good 
conductor.  Without  strict  attention  the  iron 
becomes  oxidized  and  rusts  off,  and  then  the  rod 
is  worse  than  nothing.  It  is  a  positive  danger 
under  such  circumstances,  attracting  the  elec- 
tricity of  the  atmosphere  and  having  no  adequate 
outlet  for  it.  Then,  again,  the  same  danger 
arises  when  the  insulators  upon  the  sides  of  the 
building  become  defective.  The  lightning  is 
attracted  from  the  at  luosphere,  where  it  might 
have  remained  but  fur  the  rod,  and  it  is  turned 
loose  against  the  building  on  its  way  to  the  earth. 
If,  for  instance,  the  attachments  on  a  barn  are 
poor  and  worn  out  the  current  may  be  deflected 
and  set  fire  to  the  buil<ling.  This  is  no  uncommon 
occurreiiee.  In  tliis  city,  some  years  ago,  the  rod 
ou  the  HeUuunt  Water  Works  was  struck,  and  it 
fused.  The  ciu-rent  flowed  on  down  and  played 
about  the  machinery  in  the  liveliest  kind  of  a 
way.  A  big  stone  was  knocked  off  the  Washing- 
ton Monument  by  lightning.  When  the  ground 
contact  is  good  and  the  lightning  is  about  to 
strike  a  building  a  rod  may  be  of  use,  but  I  think 
the  rods  do  more  harm  than  good.  There  was  a 
time  when  farmers  were  scared  into  rodding 
their  barns  and  houses,  but  I  think  they  are  get- 
ting over  that. 

1,5:59.    Quioce   Propagation,     Propagation  by 

cuttings  is  the  usual  method  with  the  Quince. 
jNIature  wood,  taken  off  in  autumn,  is  usetl  for 
the  purpose.  After  the  cuttings  are  made,  says 
A.  S.  Fufler  in  Propagation  of  Plants,  they  are 
buried  in  a  dry,  warm  place  in  the  open  ground, 
or  in  a  moderately  cool  cellar,  and  planted  out  in 
spring.  The  cuttings  may  be  made  from  the 
one-year-old  wood,  and  from  this  age  to  that  of 
fouror  five  yeai*s  old.  Layering  the  branches  is 
also  often  practiced  as  a  mode  of  propagation; 
also  banking  up  of  the  sprouts  that  appear  around 
the  base  of  old  stocks,  which  have  been  headed 
back  for  the  purpose  of  producing  these  sprouts. 
Varieties  may  be  propagated  by  cuttings,  bud- 
ding and  grafting,  using  inferior  sorts  or  seedlings 
for  stocks.  The  .Japan  ornamental  varieties  are 
readily  increased  by  cuttings  of  the  young  wood 
of  the  season,  taken  after  the  frost  has  killed  the 
leaves  in  the  fall,  but  the  most  rapid  and  certain 
mode  is  by  cuttings  of  their  roots  made  in  the 
fall,  kept  in  sand  or  Moss  over  winter,  then  sown 
in  drills  early  in  the  spring. 

1,563.  Book  on  Propagation.  The  best  modern 
work,  undouVitedly  is  A.  S.  Fuller's  Propagation 
of  Plants,  published  by  Orange  Judd  Co.  of  New 
York  City,  and  for  sale  at  the  office  of  Popular 
Gardening.    Price  $1.50. 


1889. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


69 


l,a6',i.  Old  Orchards.  Whethoi-  to  keep  them 
in  grass  or  not  that  is  a  Icarting  question.  On 
general  principles  we  would  answer  in  the  nega- 
tive. It  is  true  that  .Vpples  ami  standnni  I'eai-s 
usuall.v  <1o  very  well  in  grass  provided  they  are 
otherwise  properly  provided  witli  food.  I'nder 
no  eircunistanees,  however,  do  we  believe  in 
takiuB-  any  crop  off  the  old  orchard  except  the 
fruits  from  the  trees.  If  grass  or  anything  else 
is  grown  under  them,  it  should  be  cut  and  left 
for  mulch,  or  eaten  and  tramped  down  on  the 
spot  by  pigs  or  sheep.  As  a  partial  preventive 
of  Pear  blight  Prof.  Arthur  recommended  seed- 
ing the  orchaiil  to  grass,  thereby  ca\ising  a 
slower  but  harder  growth  less  susceptible  to  the 
contagion.  On  the  other  hand  ilr.  J.  .1.  Thomas 
( and  he  is  a  good  authority )  states  that  it  be 
more  profltable  to  gi\  e  Pear  trees  clean  and 
thorougli  culture,  even  if  the  blight  were  to  take 
them  off  from  time  to  time,  makmg  (reiiuent 
re-planting  of  the  orchard  necessary.  We  side 
witli  Mr.  Thomas  Even  if  clean  cultivation  is 
given,  we  can  where  blight  is  feared  prevent  the 
growth  of  tender  succulent  wood  by  feeding 
mineral  foods,  siich  as  ashes,  basic  slag,  tloat«, 
bone  dust,  iHJtJisli  salts,  etc.,  and  withholding 
nitn>genous  fertilizers,  especially  barnyard 
manure.  The  same  holds  good  of  Peaches,  Plums, 
and  all  other  fruits.  If  any  evidence  were 
needed  to  piK)ve  the  superioritj  of  clean  culti- 
vation over  seeding  down  for  Pears,  Plums, 
Peaches,  and  other  ifruits,  we  would  want  no 
better  than  that  furnished  us  during  our  recent 
visit  at  the  fruit  farms  in  the  northern  part  of 
this  county.  The  phenominal  success  of  the 
growei's  tfiere  is,  next  to  favorable  location, 
chiefly  due  to  their  practice  of  giving  clean  and 
thorough  cultivation.  The  trees  that  here  ap- 
pear sickly,  compared  with  the  unusua  luxuri- 
ance of  the  average,  are  those  standing  in  sod. 
This  is  also  in  harmony  yntVt  sound  theory. 
Grass  is  a  great  consumer  of  moisture,  and  if  the 
season  be  not  an  unusual  wet  one,  trees  standing 
in  sod  must  necessarily  suffer  more  or  less  of  the 
lack  of  water  that  they  so  greatly  need  in  order 
to  do  their  best. 

1,558.  Manuring  Qrapes  and  Fruit  Trees.  The 
most  economical  way  of  manuring  Grapes  and 
fruit  trees  is  the  one  which  will  insure  the  best 
effect,  i.  c,  give  us  the  best  fruit  and  the  most 
of  it.  Compared  with  the  result,  as  a  rule,  the 
cost  of  the  fertilizer  is  only  of  secondary  im- 
portance. If,  for  instance,  the  soil  be  very  thin, 
i.  c,  deficient  of  vegetable  matter,  and  our  vines 
and  trees  for  this  reason  refuse  to  make  what 
gi'owth  is  needed  for  best  results,  we  can  better 
afford  to  buy  slable  manure  at  current  rates,  and 
secure  a  full  crop  by  means  of  such  expenditure, 
than  to  save  the  latter  and  continue  to  harvest 
a  half  or  quarter  crop.  Or  if  we  have  plenty  of 
stable  manure,  but  the  soil  is  already  well  sup- 
plied with  humus.  gi\-ing  us  a  large  growth  of 
wood  and  little  fruit,  besides  making  the  trees 
more  susceptible  to  the  attacks  of  diseases,  we 
can  better  afford  to  spend  a  little  money  for 
potash  or  plain  phosphate,  than  to  apply  more 
stable  manure  (merely  because  we  have  it 
already  on  hand  )  and  run  all  the  risks  named,  or 
continue  to  grow  unsalable  wood  and  to  get 
along  without  salable  fruit.  See  also  our  answer 
to  l.riBfl,  and  the  article  on  "  fertilizers  for  fruits  " 
elsewhere  in  this  issue. 

1,461.  Cacti  Treatment.  A.  Blanc's  Catalogue 
and  Hints  on  Cacti  will  give  the  desired  informa- 
tion. Price  ten  cents,  .\ddress  3U  N.  llth  street, 
Philadelphia,  Pa.— C.  E.  P. 

1,460.  Tuberous  Begonia,  it  would  require  a 
personal  examination  to  ascertain  the  reason 
why  your  Tuberous  Begonia  drops  its  buds.  Why 
cultivate  it,  when  the  others  produce  such  satis- 
factory results?— C.  E.  P. 

1,409.  Uannre  for  Strawberries.  Why  use 
manure  as  a  mulch,  when  one  of  the  most  import- 
ant objects  in  mulching  is  to  keep  the  f  niit  clean 
and  free  from  dirt?  I  advise  the  use  of  straw  or 
salt  hay  for  mulching.— C.  E.  P. 

1,542.  Pronouncing  Dictionary,  There  is  none 
that  we  are  aware  of,  but  we  admit  that  one  is 
badly  needed. 

1,56.3.  Effect  of  Sulphates.  Very  little  is  at 
present  known  on  this  subject.  It  is  very  likely, 
however,  that  the  sulphuric  acid  contained  in 
sulphate  of  ammonia  and  sulphate  of  potash  is 
not  without  its  effect  in  making  other  plant 
foods  in  the  soil  available.  This  is  still  more,  and 
decidedly  the  case  with  sulphate  in  kainit,  which 
is  an  impure  form  of  sulphate  of  potash. 

1,564.  Muriate  and  Sulphate  of  Potash.  The 
former  is  nsuiill.\'  prt'f  erred  biTuu^t-  it  <  if  ten  gives 
exactly  as  gooil  results  as  the  latter,  and  certainly 
is  much  cheaper. 

1,514.  Early  Strawberry.  It  is  hard  to  get  a 
berry  earlier  than  the  Crescent  that  is  profltable. 
The  Crystal  City  is  earlier  but  not  very  produc- 
tive. Try  Haverland  which  is  enormously  pro- 
ductive, fertilized  with  Crystal  City.  They  say 
Haverland  is  best  on  clay  or  gravel.  Cloud  and 
Michel's  Early  are  claimed  to  be  extra  early  in 
the  south.  Cloud  hasn't  proved  early  at  the 
north,  but  it  runs.  I  have  seen  rows  spread 
over  eight  feet  wide  in  one  season.— L.J. Farmer. 


1,578.  Water  Gas  for  Heating.  Mr.  Temple  of 
Iowa  spoke  of  this  at  the  recent  meeting  of  the 
Florists  at  Duffalo.  The  Country  Gentleman 
obtained  fromMr.Templcthe  following  additional 
information:  Water  gas  is  made  by  heating  to  a 
white  heat  an  air-tight  iron  vessel  or  generator, 
and  injecting  steam  or  a  Une  spray  of  water.which 
forms  water  gas  for  fuel;  it  is  made  for  ten  to  -30 
cents  per  1,000  feet,  and  at  Jackson,  Mich.,  they 
claim  to  have  made  money,  and  a  good  water 
illuminating  gas  for  3U  cents  per  1,000  feet,  as  I 
have  been  informed.  Water  gas  for  illuminating 
is  made  in  the  same  way,  but  with  the  additiim 
of  a  spray  of  kerosene  to  give  it  greater  illumin- 
ating power,  and  it  has  to  be  run  through  a 
purifier,  to  get  rid  of  the  odor  of  the  oil.  Where 
water  gas  is  used  for  welding  iron,  it  is  mixed 
with  naptha  to  give  it  greater  force  and  does 
the  work  cleaner  and  better  than  any  other  fuel. 
Natural  gas  in  many  places  is  giving  out,  and 
inventors  like  Westinghouse  of  Pittsburg  and 
others  are  experimenting  with  water  gas,  and 
expect  to  furnish  it  as  cheap  as  natural  gas  is 
sold  for  in  some  places.  The  time  is  not  far  dis- 
tant when  dwellings,  stores,  greenhouses  and 
factories  will  be  both  illuminated  and  heated 
with  water  gas,  doing  awaj'  with  the  use  of  coal, 
the  gas  being  furnished  by  companies  the  same 
as  water,  electric  light  and  gas  are  at  present. 
An  English  gentleman,  Douglas  G.  MacKae, 
editor  of  the  London  Finimcial  Times,  says  water 
gas  is  manufactured  in  England  at  a  cost  of  four 
pence  per  1,000  feet,  and  that  preparations  are 
being  made  to  introduce  the  process  in  this 
country. 

1,552.  Babbit  Remedy,  A  correspondent  of 
Farmer's  Home  Journal  gives  the  following  as  a 
sure  preventive  of  injury  to  young  trees  by 
rabbits:  Take  equal  parts  of  soft  soap,  sifted 
ashes  and  flour,  (the  lowest  grade  as  good  as  any) 
and  kneading  the  whole  into  a  paste.  The  hands 
have  to  be  used,  and  the  hands  also  have  to  apply 
said  composition  to  the  stems.  Thickness  to  be 
about  one-fourth  of  an  inch — not  less.  Some- 
times calves  or  hounds  will  lick  it  off  'ere  it  dries. 
Sudden,  washing  rains  may  do  the  same  thing, 
but  let  it  dry  once  and  no  rabbit  will  touch  it 
provided  it  is  applied  as  high  up  as  one  of  them 
can  reach,  standing  on  his  hind  legs.  But  few 
persons  can  stand  it  more  than  an  hour  or  so  at  a 
time,  as  it  corrodes  the  hands  rapidly;  but  dry, 
said  corrosive  power  ceases  to  exist. 

1,.502.  Planting  Easpberries.  The  advantage 
of  setting  Kasjiberry  plants  in  the  fall  are  that 
you  generally  get  a  better  growth  provided  they 
are  protected  in  winter  and  cultivated  early 
enough  in  the  spring.  Vacancies  can  be  noticed 
and  filled  out  early  in  the  spring.  The  advan- 
tages of  spring  setting  are  that  they  require  less 
work  early,  and  a  crop  can  be  more  easily  grown 
among  them  the  first  year.  It  is  a  puttering 
job  to  fit  ground  for  a  crop  in  the  spring  that  is 
occupied  with  Raspberries  set  the  fall  before. 
Most  growers,  especially  those  having  heavy  or 
strong  soils,  plant  in  the  spring.  We  get  a  good 
crop  of  Potatoes  between  the  rows  and  plants 
of  Black  Raspberries.  Fall  planted  Hasiibcrries 
should  have  a  mound  of  earth  arounci  c;icli  plant 
for  protection  to  be  hoed  away  in  the  spring.— 

L.  J.  F.iRMEB. 

1,497.  Pistillate  Strawberries.  We  find  that 
pistillate  varieties  when  properly  fertilized 
always  bring  in  more  money  than  the  perfect 
flowering  kinds.  The  pistillate  and  perfect 
should  blossom  at  one  time  in  order  to  properly 
fertilize.  Crescents  and  Warfleld  may  be  planted 
near  Bidwell,  Jessie  and  Wilson;  Bubach  and 
Windsor  Chief,  near  Burt  Seedling.  When  prop- 
erly cared  for,  there  is  no  better  variety  to  use 
as  a  pollen  producer  than  Bidwell.  This  and 
Burt  produce  five  times  as  much  pollen  as  Wil- 
son. But  the  Bidwell  is  too  tender  a  plant  for 
N.  y.  state  and  so  we  substitute  Jessie.  As  a 
rule  people  do  not  plant  enough  perfect  sorts 
among  the  pistillates.  Two  rows  of  each,  planted 
alternately  throughout  the  field  is  a  good  way. 
A  poor  way  is  to  mi.x  the  plants  in  the  row  as 
the  pistillates  which  as  a  rule  outrun  the  per- 
fect flowering  soon  crowd  out  the  latter  and  in  a 
few  years  all  are  pistillates.  Someone  in  Oswego 
Co.  mixed  Crescents  with  Wilson  and  sold  them 
under  the  name  of  "  Sprawlei-s."  All  worked 
well  the  first  year  but  in  taking  up  for  new 
plantations  very  few  were  taken  up  and  I  can 
go  into  beds  were  there  is  not  one  plant  Wilson 
in  100.  The  growers  surely  will  be  disappointed 
when  picking  time  comes.— t.  J.  Farjier. 

1,493.  Bis  ci  berry  Disease.  Probably  your 
Blackberries  are  on  land  not  suited  to  them.  We 
find  that  naturally  well-drained  light  soils  are 
best  adapted  for  Blackberries.  No  use  trying  to 
grow  them  on  wet  soils  till  well  drained.  We 
grow  good  crops  of  Snyder  Blackberries  on 
heavy  soil  by  throwing  up  into  narrow  lands 
with  deep  ditches  between  each  two  rows.  Of 
course  level  culture  and  land  tile-drained  would 
be  better.  Plants  making  a  healthy  growth  are 
rarely  attacked  with  disease.— L.  J.  Farmer. 


1,.503.  Manuring  Blackberries.  Manure  will 
increase  the  crop,  but  shouhl  be  scattered  evenly 
over  the  soil  and  not  heaped  around  the  canes. 
-F.  L.  W. 

1.510.  Pruning  Apples.  Prune  in  spring  by 
all  means,  so  says  our  state  experiment  station 
and  so  says  my  experience. —F.  L.  W. 

1.511.  Salem  Orape.  Two  or  three  inches  of 
st)il  will  protect  it  suflicicntl.v.— F.  L.  W. 

1.512.  Variegated  Orape  Agawam  (Rogers  15) 
is  often  variegated  when  the  fruit  is  densely 
shaded  by  the  leaves.  So  is  Massasoit  (Rogers  3) 
and  Rogers  No.  8.  Mottled  is  also  variegated 
sometimes.— F.  L.  W. 

1,495.  Plum  for  Market.  No  Plum  has  been 
found  that  pays  as  well  so  the  Lombard.— F.L.W. 

1,497.  Pistillate  Strawberries.  Yes,  if  prop- 
erly fertilized  they  are  more  productive  than 
the  perfect  flowering  oues.— F.  L.  W. 

1.501.  Starting  Grape  Seedlings-  Plant  the 
seeds  in  fall  and  cover  with  a  board  or  mulch, 
we  prefer  a  board.— F.  L-  W. 

1.502.  Planting  Baspberrie*.  Plant  the  red 
varieties  in  the  fall,  the  black  caps  in  spring.— 
F.  L.  W. 

1,521.  White's  Muscat  Grape.  We  do  not  like 
the  foliage  and  it  made  a  very  poor  growth  this 
summer.— F.  L-  W. 

1,-525.  Yield  of  Baspberries.  The  Gregg  will 
yield  one-third  more  than  either  Tyler,  or  Sou- 
negan.  Nemaha  and  Ohio  yield  nearly  as  much 
as  Gregg.— F.  L.  Wright. 

1,545  Killing  Bats.  To  keep  the  premises 
clear  of  rats  and  in  fact,  of  all  other  vermin,  is 
a  very  simple  and  easy  thing  if  you  go  at  it  in 
the  right  way.  A  few  rats  can  usually  be  caught 
in  a  figure  4  dead-fall,  or  in  a  common  steel  trap, 
and  with  a  little  care  in  baiting  and  hiding  the 
trap,  even  the  more  experienced  old  rat  will 
often  fall  a  victim  to  its  voraciousness.  When 
rats  have  once  become  suspicious,  bait  them  for 
awhile  with  cheese  crumbs,  sunflower  seeds  and 
other  dehcacies,  then  set  the  trap  again.  The 
best  way  to  set  a  steel  trap  for  rats  is  to  set  it 
without  baiting,  cover  with  a  piece  of  thin 
muslin  a  yard  square,  and  strew  cheese  crumbs 
and  similar  bait  all  over  it.  Of  course  where 
you  keep  rabbits,  such  a  trap  must  be  set  in  a 
box  or  any  place  accessible  to  the  rats  but  not  to 
the  rabbits.  But  at  most  hardwares  you  can 
now  get  for  25  cents  a  trap  that  is  almost  "  sure 
catch  "  everytime,  and  we  think  you  can  set  it 
an.vwhere  without  risk  of  catching  rabbits.  It 
is  a  stout  wire  loop  closing  down  with  a  power- 
ful spring  and  catching  the  animal  that  attempts 
to  lift  up  the  cheese  rind  or  meat  fastened  to  the 
trigger,  by  the  neck.  The  struggle  is  but  short, 
and  the  animal  dies  without  being  able  to  utter 
a  sound.  You  take  the  victim  out,  reset  the 
trap,  and  the  next  rat  that  comes  will  surely 
invite  the  fate  of  the  first.  The  trap  when  set 
looks  so  harmless  and  insusiiicious,  that  the  rats 
never  seem  to  get  on  to  the  trick  imtil  they  are 
caught.  Ever  since  using  this  kind  of  trap,  we 
have  no  more  trouble  from  rats,  as  they  are  dis- 
posed of  just  as  fast  as  they  find  their  way  from 
our  neighbors  to  our  premises.— U.  S.  W. 

1,535.  Yield  of  Baspberries,  With  me  the 
Gregg  leads  them  all.  Picked  and  sold  133 
bushels  from  one  acre  the  past  season.  Tyler 
comes  ne.xt ;  it  does  bettor  here  than  Souhegan. 
—Geo.  E.  Hanchett,  Wis. 

1,-536.  Boses  not  Blooming.  Moss  Roses  as  a 
rule  require  rather  close  pruning,  and  better 
treatment,  including  a  liberal  soil  and  good 
cultivation  than  ordinary  kinds.  The  plants 
will  not  thrive  in  wet,  cold  damp  soils  but  prefer 
rather  a  warm  dry  soil  well  supplied  annually 
with  manure,  or  better  still  decayed  turf  with 
which  has  been  inctirporated  about  one-sixth 
l>art  of  stable  manure.  Where  plants  have 
declined  in  health  they  should,  unless  of  large 
size,  be  taken  up  and  be  replanted  in  fresh  loamy 
soil,  and  cut  back  hard.  It  may  be  added  that 
some  Moss  Roses  are  of  delicate  growth,  although 
others  are  vigorous  and  robust  enough.  As  a 
rule  all  succeed  best  when  grown  upon  low 
stocks  or  otherwise  on  their  own  roots ;  the 
latter  mode  is  best  suited  to  the  old  Crimson  Moss 
Rose  and  no  garden  where  Roses  are  grown 
should  be  without  this  old  favorite. 

1,-548.  Pruning  Baspberries.  To  tell  in  "feet 
and  inches  "  what  it  means  to  prune  Raspberries 
"  severely  "  is  more  than  we  would  care  to  do. 
It  is  pretty  much  the  same  as  with  fruit-trees. 
One  tree  might  be  pruned  too  severely  by  clip- 
ping off  a  foot  of  growth,  while  another  might 
require  to  have  two  or  three  feet  of  all  or_part 
of  the  limbs  cut  off.  Much  depends  on  size, vigor, 
variety,  etc.  The  aim  in  summer  pruning  is  to 
form  a  self-supporting  stout  bush,  and  for  this 
reason  the  imds  of  the  young  canes  may  be 
nipped  off  when  they  begin  to  grow  above  the 
old  growth.  We  always  like  to  keep  the  canes 
within  three  or  three  one-half  feet  from  the 
grotnid,  then  afterwards  nip  the  ends  of  the 
laterals,  leaving  the  lower  ones  a  little  longer, 
and  giadually  tapering  to  the  top  end.  Let  the 
lowest  arms  be  say  from  six  to  twelve  inches  long 
those  at  the  extremity  say  three  to  five  inches 
long.-F.  R.  P. 


70 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


December, 


1,471.  NastOTtiams.  Presuming  that  you  refer 
to  the  climbing  varieties,  or  Tropsuolum  Lobbia- 
num,  I  would  say  yes,  if  given  a  light  sunny 
situation,  and  a  temperature  of  from  50  to  60 
degrees.— C.  E.  P. 

1,486.  Eose  Seedlings.  A  light  coTering  of 
Evergreen  branches,  applied  as  soon  as  the 
ground  becomes  frozen  in  the  fall,  will  be  all  the 
care  they  require  this  season.— C.  E.  P. 

1,484.  Cranberry  Caltnre,  Tou  can  procure 
plants  of  most  nurserymen.  For  directions  as  to 
their  management  consult  White's  Cranberry 
Culture.-C.  E  P. 

1,48.5.  Tartarian  Honeysackle.  This  shrub 
can  be  readily  increased  by  layers,  cuttings,  or 
from 'seeds.  If  you  desire  a  few  plants  only,  lay- 
ering will  answer  your  purpose  best.— C.  E.  P. 


The  cats  usually  come  back  to  the  same 
spot,  but  they  soon  leave  when  their  feet 
come  in  contact  with  the  sharp  points  of 
the  device.  Should  they  go  to  another  place, 
we  follow  with  the  contrivance,  and  soon 
the  cats  learn  that  our  premises  are  not  a 
pleasure  resort  for  them. 


Cat  Nuisance    About    Gardens   and 
Greenhouses. 

W.  N.  SUMMERS,  WORCESTER  CO.,  MASS. 

I  have  no  special  love  for  cats  at  any  time; 
but  perfectly  detest  them  ever  since  we  have 
had  them  in  our  greenhouse  on  several  oc- 


TWO  AT   THE  GAME. 

casions.  And  what  mischief  a  cat  can  do  in 
a  greenhouse  in  a  single  cold  night,  the 
average  reader  who  merely  glances  at  the 
sketch  given  which  shows  one  cat  in  the 
act  of  climbing  a  plant  pot,  and  another  cat 
ready  to  jump  down,  will  hardly  appreciate, 
unless  he  happens  to  think  of  the  broken 
lights,  the  escape  of  warm  air,  and  the  ten- 
der plants  in  that  part  of  the  house  exposed 
to  a  nipping  draught,  and  perhaps  to  actual 
freezing.  Cats  generally  select  the  nights 
of  lowest  temperature  and  most  piercing 
winds  for  exploits  of  this  character,  and 
that  part  of  a  greenhouse  which  contains 
the  choicest  and  tenderest  plants,  for  the 
point  of  entrance. 

I  am  plain  to  assert  that  at  present  we  are 
at  war  with  all  cat  kind.  Xo  member  of 
the  treacherous  race  finds  a  welcome  in  our 
home  on  the  plea  that  it  may  catch  a  mouse 
once  a  month,  or  a  rat  once  a  year.  (We 
have  good  traps,  and  know  how  to  set  them.) 
But  there  are  plenty  of  cats  in  the  neighbor- 
hood—pets of  people  with  whom  we  try  to 
live  in  peace— and  (pests  for  us)  know  how 
to  climb  the  garden  wall.  We  have  patience 
to  endure  the  nightly  concerts,  but  how  to 
protect  our  greenhouses  we  hardly  know. 

To  keep  cats  from  digging  up  borders  and 
beds  in  the  garden  is  comparatively  much 
easier. 

An  English  gardener  has  hit  upon  the 
contrivance  shown  in  the  engraving  at  right- 
hand  corner  of  page.  He  cuts  strips  of 
tin,  about  one-eighth  in  width  and  two 
inches  long  (see  b  fig.  1),  and  arranges  each 
two  in  the  form  of  a  cross.  They  are  then 
soldered  on  a  flat  piece  of  tin  two  or  three 
inches  wide  and  of  any  length  desired,  and 
in  this  form  may  be  seen  at  c  rf  fig.  2.  The 
ends  are  now  turned  up  in  the  manner 
shown  at  c,  and  cut  to  a  sharp  point. 

As  soon  as  we  find  the  soil  on  our  beds 
disturbed  by  cats,  we  put  one  or  more  of 
these  contrivances  on  the  ground,  points  up- 
ward, and  cover  the  flat  pieces  with  earth. 


Water  Plants  and  Fish. 

Live  tish  and  live  water  plants— this  is  a 
combination  which  wherever  seen,  hardly 
ever  fails  to  excite  the  interest  of  old  and 
young.  Any  large  glass  bowl,  globe  or  jar, 
says  the  Philadelphia  Press,  may  be  used 
for  an  aquarium.  The  larger  the  receptacle 
the  better,  for  then  plants  may  be  grown  in 
it  which  will  not  only  add  to  its  beauty,  but 
also  lessen  the  necessity  of  changing  the 
water  often.  A  good  sized  glass  tank,  well 
constructed  and  containing  both  animal  and 
vegetable  life,  will  certainly  prove  a  most 
desirable  ornament  for  the  room.  The 
builders  of  those  large  aquariums  in  Lon- 
don aimed  to  expose  the  largest  possible  por- 
tion of  the  water  to  the  air,  in  order  that  it 
might  absorb  oxygen  therefrom.  This  may 
be  a  hint  to  those  who  would  construct 
smaller  aquariums.  The  difficulty  seems  to 
be  that  animals  that  breathe  by  gills  absorb 
oxygen  much  more  slowly  than  lung-breath- 
ing animals  do;  hence  they  require  that 
about  the  normal  proportion  of  free  oxygen 
be  contained  in  the  water.  This  diflicultv 
is  overcome  in  small  vessels  by  changing 
the  water  frequently;  which  is  easily  done 
by  drawing  it  off  by  a  rubber  siphon  and 
pouring  in  fresh  water  when  the  contents 
have  been  nearly  emptied. 

If  the  aquarium  is  to  be  more  than  a  fish 
bowl  it  might  be  well  to  arrange  some  small 
rock  work  the  first  thing  and  fasten  it  solid 
with  cement.  This  will  afford  a  retreat  for 
the  flsh  and  an  anchor  for  the  water  plants. 
These  plants  will  be  helpful,  for  they  will 
utilize  the  carbon  dioxide  of  the  animals  by 
appropriating  the  carbon  and  giving  back 
the  oxygen,  thus  simulating  the  interchange 
that  goes  on  in  nature.  A  variety  of  plants 
should  be  chosen,  and  the  only  qualification 
necessary  is  that  it  grows  in  water.  The 
most  interesting  part  of  the  aquarium  will 
be  the  fishes.  These  may  be  dipped  from 
the  creek,  and  any  variety  will  probably  live 
for  some  time  with  fair  treatment.  It  will 
add  to  the  interest  to  introduce  other  small 
water  animals,  such  as  snails,  young  cray- 
fishes, tadpoles,  etc.  Doubtless  everyone 
knows  that  nothing  is  handsomer  for  the 
aquarium  than  gold  fish.  Unfortunately 
these  often  fail  to  do  well  with  inexperi- 
enced persons.  Greater  care  is  necessary 
than  for  other  fish.  The  receptacle  must 
not  be  too  small.  They  must  not  be  caught 
with  the  hands,  but  with  a  net,  and  never 
touched  unless  strictly  necessary;  they  must 
not  be  fed  every  variety  of  food,  and  doubt- 
less a  few  pieces  of  chopped  beef  is  all  that 
is  needed.  Change  the  water  frequently 
and  do  not  frighten  the  fish. 

Thus  far  our  contemporary.  We  have  on- 
ly to  add,  that  the  aquarium  will  be  all  the 
more  interesting,  if  stocked  instead  of  with 
common  gold  fish,  which  are  apt  to  become 
monotonous  and  tedious  after  a  while,  with 
Chinese  macropodes,  or  with  .Japanese  gold 
fish.  The  macropodes  with  their  brilliant 
and  ever  changing  hues,  and  their  playful 
habits,  and  the  Japanese  gold  flsh  with 
their  enormous  swallow  tails,  are  always 
objects  of  admiration  and  attention. 


The  Insect  Powder  Industry. 

Insect  powder  is  oue  of  the  great  bless- 
ings of  the  age;  it  gives  us  control,  more  or 
less  complete,  over  some  of  the  worst  pests 
that  the  people  have  to  fight  against.  Its 
only  drawback  is  the  difficulty  of  getting  a 
fresh  article  (which  alone  has  full  strength), 
or  rather  the  prevalence  of  stale,  weak  pow- 


ders. The  latter  can  be  had  at  almost  every 
drug  store,  while  the  good  and  effective 
powder  has  to  be  hudted  up.  This  is  the 
reason  why  we  have  watche<l  with  so  much 
interest  the  beginning  and  gradual  growth 
of  the  insect  powder  industry  in  this  country. 
The  "Persian  "  insect  powder,  which  is  the 
product  of  the  Pyrethrum  roseum,  and  the 
Dalmatian,  which  is  that  of  the  Pyrethrum 
ciueraria?folium,  are  imported  at  the  rate  of 
several  hundred  tons  a  years.  For  the 
reasons  stated,  however,  it  is  very  question- 
able whether  the  aggregate  amotint  of  ben- 
efit and  satisfaction  resulting  from  this 
importation  is  as  large  as  that  from  the  50 
tons  of  "Buhach  "  now  annually  produced 
in  California. 

The  imported  insect  powder  has  served  as 
basis  tor  the  "insect  killers"  put  up  in 
pepper-box-like  packages,  and  sold  under 
various  more  or  less  fanciful  names.  While 
these  enterprises  smack  a  little  of  humbug- 
gery,  on  the  whole,  they  have  aided  in 
making  the  people  acquainted  with  the 
merits  of  insect  powder,  as  usually  the  goods 
when  first  put  up  were  fresh,  and  the  small 
size  of  the  packages  made  it  unlikely  for 
much  of  it  to  become  stale  in  the  consumer's 
hands.  But  after  all,  the  powder  produced 
in  California  from  the  flowers  of  Pyrethrum 
clnerariaefolium,  and  known  under  the  trade 
name  of  "Buhach,"  Is  so  much  stronger 
than  even  the  best  of  the  imported  article 
that  we  hope  the  time  will  come  when  the 
American  product  will  take  entire  possession 
of  the  home  market.  In  the  light  of  our 
own  personal  experience  with  both  kinds 
we  would  rather  take  one  pound  Buhach 
than  flve  of  the  Persian  or  Dalmatian  insect 
powder  of  the  drug  stores,  even  it  "  war- 
ranted fresh." 

Mr.  G.  N.  Milco,  a  native  of  Dalmatia, 
first  introduced  the  Pyrethrum  cinerarife- 
folium  into  California  in  1877.  Now  about 
300  acres  near  Atwater  are  devoted  to  its 
cultivation.  The  fields  are  irrigated,  and 
from  the  sowing  of  the  seed  three  years  of 
care  and  of  constant  supervision  are  required 
before  a  paying  crop  is  insured.  The  plants 
are  most  productive  at  the  age  of  four  or 
five  years,  but  continue  to  produce  paying 
crops  for  several  years  more.  The  Pacific 
Rural  Press  gives  the  following  account  of 
the  manner  of  harvesting  the  fiowers: 

It  grows  to  a  height  of  about  30  inches 
and  is  planted  in  rows  four  feet  apart  and 
from  1.5  to  24  inches  apart  in  the  row.  The 
flowers  are  generally  harvested  in  the  latter 
part  of  May.  The  stalks  are  cut  at  the  roots 
of  the  plant,  and  the  flowers  broken  off  by 
passing  the  stems  through  a  sort  of  comb, 
which  detaches  the  flowers,  and  they  are 
then  carried  to 
the  drying- 
ground,  where 
they  are  spread 
upon  sheets  and 
exposed  to  the 
rays  of  the  sun  to 
dry.  During  the 
day  they  are  often 
turned,  and  at 
night  they  are 
covered  to  pre- 
""'ii  2  vent  them    from 

GUARD  AGAINST  CATS.  absorbing  any 
moisture.  The  perfect  drying  of  the  flowers 
is  a  most  important  operation,  as,  in  order 
to  retain  the  volatile  oil  which  gives  to  the 
powder  its  insect-destroying  properties,  it 
is  very  necessary  that  the  flowers  should 
be  dried  quickly  and  thoroughly,  and  be 
protected  during  the  process  from  all  mois- 
ture. A  light  dew  falling  upon  the  flowers 
during  the  drying  process  will  color  them 
and  reduce  their  value  as  an  insecticide. 
In  this  respect  the  California-grown  flowers 
are  better  cured,  and  consequently  more 
valuable  than  those  grown  in  Dalmatia. 


1889. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


71 


Oct. 


..Sept.,  Nov. 
.July,    Oct. 


July,  Oct. 
.Sept.,  Oct. 
Oct.,  Nov. 

July,  Aug. 


THE    COMPLETE    GARDEN.* 
XXXII. 

BY  A  WKLL-KNOWN  HOKTICULTllRIST. 

(CoHtinuffi  from  Jtage  47.) 

CLASSIFIED  L.IST  OF  HARDY  FLOWERS, 

CONTISrF.D. 

CLASS  4.    ITsaally  four  feet  or  over  in  height. 
For  Key  to  Sckction  sec  September  Issue. 

Name  Colm:  Season. 

(I        Arun(ioDoua.\(Rffri).piHfcl/«'hitcJiily.  Aug. 

toliis  varie!nitis(  Var- 
iegated lieed) pinkj/ic/iiff  July,  Aug. 

c         .Aster  Nova  AUKlica.  vinht  nisf  Sept.,  Oct. 

thyrsiflorus paic  Wuc. Sept.,  Nov. 

/         Bocconia    {Celaiiiliiie 

Tree-Plume  foppy). 

cordata white       .  July,  Aug. 

Japonica  white  July.  Aug. 

e  B    Calystegia  iBcarbind) 

pubescens     fl.      pi. 

icUmber) d<m6iepinhJune,Sept. 

gigantea   large  w7ii(eJune,  Sept. 

A       De\phmium(  Perennial 

Larkspur^ 

Formosum  and  hy- 
brid varieties      .   .  blue  shadcsJuDe.Jiily. 
y        Erianthus  Kavennie.  purple.       Oct. 
A  g    Eulalia  Japouica  ze- 

brina  {Zebra  Grass).pinh.        .(let. 
g  .Tapouica  albo  line- 

ata pjirple. 

GaltoniafByaeinthtis). 

g  eandicaxis  iproteet). white  July, 

g        Gjnerium      {Pampas 

Grass). 

argenteum  iproteethvhite 
e  i      Helenium  auturanaleycI/oM'. 

Helianthus  iSun.ffoY). 
A  Multiflorus  pi. 

{Double     Perennial 

Sunflower)   yellow 

c  f        orgyalis yellow 

Maximiliani yellow. 

Humulus  (Hop). 

lupulus  {climber) ..  .yellmc . 
B       Lathyrus(£Der!a8finfit 

Pea). 

latitoUus rosf July,  Sept. 

latlfolius  albus    ..  lohite  July,  Sept. 

/        Polygonum        {Knot 

Weed). 

Siebold white Sept. 

/        Rheum        {Bhubarb) 

several  species  white May,  July. 

c  /      Silphium  {Rosin 

Plant). 

pertoliatum     (Cup- 
plant)    yeHlow. 

f        Solidago  {Golden  Rod) 

taller  species.       . .  -yellmc Aug.,  Oct 

SpiT-x&{McadowSweet) 
Ji  AruDCUs         (Goats 

Beard)    white  June. 

c  venusta   rose .July,  Aug. 

Cg     'Iritoma{  FlamUal  flower 

Red-hot  Poker  Plant) 

uvaria scarlet,  ye^. Aug.,  Oct. 

c        Verbascum  {Mullein). 

Several  species  yell(m\ctc  June,  Sept. 

e        Vernonia  (Jroji  Weed) 

fasciculata purple.  ..  Sept.,  Oct. 

c         Veronicas 

Several  species.       -blue,ete. 

ANNUAL  AND  BIENNIAL  FLOWEIUNG  PLANTS. 

The  annual  flowers  of  which  Asters,  Mig- 
nonette, Sweet  Pea,  Morning  Glories,  etc., 
are  among  the  better  linown  representa- 
tives, may  well  be  called  "Everybody's" 
flowers.  The  plants  are  rai?ed  from  seed 
annually;  a  task  easily  accomplished  by  any 
one.  The  seed  is  inexpensive;  a  five  or  ten 
cent  paper  of  a  kind  being  usually  enough 
to  raise  many  plants.  The  plants  yield  re 
turns  sooner  after  the  inve.stment  than  do 
most  other  subjects  of  the  flower  garden- 
sow  a  packet  of  seed  of  the  earlier-blooming 
kinds  in  April  or  May  and  in  two  months 
flowers  will  appear  in  abundance.  For  full 
directions  on  sowing  the  seeds  of  annuals 
see  Section  XXIII  of  this  serial  in  the  Feb- 
ruary issue. 

So  far  from  annuals  and  biennials  being 
inferior  in  the  quality  of  their  bloom  be- 
cause cheaply  and  easily  acquired,  we  have 

•Copyright.  1887,  Popular  Gardening  Publishing  Co. 


but  to  ask:  What  flowers  arc  sweeter  than 
Mignonettey  what  ones  richer  in  color  and 
texture  Ihan  the  Chinese  Pinks,  Zinnias  or 
Balsams?  Where  in  the  entire  floral  king- 
dom can  lovelier  blossoms  be  found  than  the 
Sweet  Peas  or  the  Naturtiums  afford;  or 
grander  flowering  plants  Ihan  the  improved 
Asters,  Petunias  or  Phloxes?  Yet  these  and 
many  others  are  of  the  annuals  or  may  be 
treated  as  such. 

Another  merit  of  some  annuals  is  their 
ability  to    perpetuate   themselves   by  self- 


A  FINE  ANNUAL.   THE   ASTER. 

seeding.  Thtis,  in  the  case  of  Single  Petu- 
nias, Portulacas,  Verbenas,  Poppies,  Erisy- 
mum,  and  some  others  it  is  very  easy  to 
have  a  mass  of  these  kinds  in  abed  by  them- 
selves reappear  year  after  year  without  cost 
and  with  no  other  trouble  than  a  slight  re- 
gard to  the  safety  of  the  young  plants. 

In  the  present  place  I  desire  to  devote 
such  attention  to  the  classification  of  the 
Annual  and  Biennial  section  of  seed  grown 
flowers,  as  will  enable  even  the  most  inex- 
perienced gardener  to  choose  of  them  with 
good  judgment.  This  I  consider  of  much 
importance  in  view  of  the  many  kinds  now 
offered,  a  large  proportion  of  which  can 
scarcely  give  satisfaction  unless  used  with 
marked  discretion.  Space  will  not  permit  of 
a  minute  description  of  all  the  kinds  now 
offered,  neither  is  this  necessary  for  any  one 
of  the  hundreds  of  catalogues  issued  by  the 
seed  trade,  which  can  easily  be  procured, 
lays  sutflcient  stress  on  descriptions  of  kinds 
to  answer  all  needs.  My  desire  rather  is  to 
help  those  amateurs  who,  in  consulting  a 
catalogue  are  contused  by  the  large  number 
of  kinds  offered,  not  knowing  which  to 
choose.  The  following  helpful  classification 
is  therefore  offered. 

CLASSIFIED  LISTS  OF  ANNUAL  AND  BIENNIAL 
GARDEN  FLOWERS. 

For  a  collection  of  ten  "  no  fail "  annuals  for 
beginners,  choose  Z 

For  a  collection  of  the  best  .30  annuals  add  Fto 
above. 

For  a  collection  of  the  best  (JO  annuals  add  X  to 
above. 

For  climbers  choose  v. 

For  everlasting  flowers  choose  w. 

For  Grasses  choose  t 

For  kinds  suitable  for  vase,  basket  and  pot 
culture  choose  s. 

For  Masses   or  lines  of  colors  choose  from  r. 

For  kinds  with  attractive  foliage  choose  from/'. 

For  a  rockery  choose  h. 

Class  5,  Hardy  Annuals  and  Biennials,  In 
this  class  is  included  those  kinds  that  are 
sufficiently  hardy  to  admit  of  being  sown 
in  the  open  ground  at  early  garden-making 
time;  being  in  this  respect  analogous  to 
Lettuce,  Peas,  Parsnips,  etc.,  among  garden 
vegetables.  Some  kinds  may  be  sown  even 
in  the  fall  of  the  year  to  advantage. 

Name,  height  in  feet.  Color.       Season. 

Y      Ageratum    Mexiea- 

num.— 2..-.   bhie July,  Sept. 

Agrostemma    corou- 
aria  (Compion)—lJ^. rose  M'?ii(€  July,  Sept. 


r       Althea  [IloUylinclO.-S 

toil various — July,  .4ug 

r       Alys.sum,  Sweet —H.  «))iJlc.         ,lune,  Oct 
i(        Amobiuraalatum— IHw'i'tc.  .    F.verlast'g 
Uurtonia  aurea.— IH  Ooldcn  ..    July,  Aug. 
Ridens  atrosanguinea 

—2       c)-imso»i....Aug.,  Oct. 

X       Cacaliad'ossel  Flower; 

Flora's  Paint  Brush) 

—1  seii'i  C(*)r.v.July.  Aug. 

X       Calendula      pluvialis 

{Cape  Marigold  )var- 

ious— 1  ...   (iraiiyf.cfc. July,  Sept 


Zv 


Xh 


Zh 


Xh 


Xe 


Xh 


Yb 
Yu 


Zh 


Yv 


THE  LAOINATED  CHINESE  PINK. 

Calliopsis      tinctoria 

{Coreopsis)  various. 

—1  to  2  yeWni!  . . .  .July,  Sept. 

Campanula  speculum 

{Venus'        Looking 

Glass).— % various..  .July,  Aug. 

Carduus     benedictus 

{Bles.'!ed  Thistle)— 3.. yellow  .  ..  July,  Sept. 
Centaurea   moschata 

{Sweet  Sultan)  .  purple  .  July,  Sept. 
Cyanus  {Batchelor's 

Buttun      or      Com 

Bottle) various — July,   Oct. 

Centranthus  macrios- 

iphon pink,  etc.    June,  Sept. 

ArgemoneCJMea;  (cam 

Poppy) «)hi(c,  etc ..  Aug.,  Sept. 

Chrysanthemum,  An- 
nual.—1  to  2.  . .  yellow,  etc. July,  Oct. 
Clarkia  pulchella—l-K!ac,  etc  .June,  Oct. 
Cleome  grandiflora — t.rose  ..  .July,  Aug. 
Collinsia  bicolor.— l.rose,  etc.  .June,Sept. 
Convolvulus      major 

(Morning  Glory)— Wvarious    .  July,  Sept. 

mlnor(7>ioarf  Morn- 
ing Glory) —1      .   ..various    .  June,Sept. 
Cosmidium  Burridge- 

anum  — 2    crimson. ..  July,  Aug. 

Cosmus  bipinnati  —2. various July,   Oct. 

Datura  fastuosa  and 

other  varieties  —^.  white, etc.. July,  Aug. 
Delphinium       ajacis 

(Larkspur)   in  var- 
iety—1  to  2  .  .various July,   Oct. 

Dianthus      Chinensis 

(Chinese  Pinks)  vai'- 

ious— ?4 rarioits  ..  July,  Nov. 

Heddewigii   (Japan 

Pinks)  various— l.i'arious  .  July,  Nov. 
Erysimum   Peroffski- 

anum.— 1  orange    ..  June,Aug. 

Escholtzia  Califoruica 

(Californian  Poppj/j 

in  variety.— 1  . . .  yellow,  etc  June.Sept 
Gilia  in  variety.— 1  .  .bitje,«ihite.June,Aug. 
Godetia  in  variety. — 1 

to2 rose,  etc..  July,   Oct. 

Gypsophila  in  variety 

—%  to  1 pink,  etc.  -July,  Aug. 

Hedysarum  ooronar- 

ium  {Fretich  Honey- 
suckle)—Z  ...         ..  red,  white  Sept.,  Oct. 
Helianthus(Si(n.^o«'er) 

in  variety.— t  to !).  yellcyw.  . .  .Aug.,  Oct. 
Helichrysum  {Eternal 

Flower)  in  variety .  .i/cJ(ott',  etc.Everlast'g. 
Hesperis     matronalis 

{Sweet  Rocket)— li4  imrp.whiteAug.,  Oct. 
Hibiscus Africanus—2(/e!to«)  ..  .Aug.,  Oct. 
Iberis  {Candytuft)  in 

variety.—^  to  1 white,  c(c,  June,July. 

Ipomoea        coccinea 

(Star  rpomcca)- ICscartct  ..  .July,  Sept, 
Kaulfussia  in  var.— J^hiue,  etc--. Aug. 


72 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


December, 


Z  D    LathjTus       odoratus 

(Si('e«t  Peas)  in  var- 
iety.—5  corMms  . .  June,Sept. 

Lavatera  trimestris  -T/reA    July,  Aug. 

X  s  Leptosiphon  in  varie- 
ty.—1    rose,  etc... July,  Aug. 

Xb    Lunaria  biennis  (flon- 

e»t\);  Satin  Flower). purple May,  June. 

X       Lupinus       (Lupines; 

Sun  Dial)  in  variety 

— Hto3 various    .  July,    Oct. 

Malcomia      Maritiraa 

(VirginianStoch)~i4lilac.  .  .  June.-^uly. 
Malope      Grandiflora 

(Large-flowered  Ma- 

kipe)—2    red   Aug.,Sept. 

Malva  zebrina(S(j~ipccJ 

Mallow)— 2  «iJii(c,  etc. Aug.,  Sept. 

Ys    Mathlola  annua  (Ten- 

Weeh  Stock)  in  var- 
iety.—1  to  1!^  various  ...June, July. 

X       Mirabilis  Jalapa(Foj(r 

O'Cloek;  Marvel  of 

Peru)  in  variety— 2  lorkim  . .  Aug.,  Oct. 
Nigella     Damascena 

{Lnve-in-a-Mist)—l.hlue     .   ...June.July. 

s        Nolana  postrata— !4    Mue    July ,  Aug. 

ODnothera       odorata 

{Pragrant    Evening 

Primrose) yellow   — July,  Aug. 

Z       Papaver    (Poppy)    in 

variety— 1^  to  2  . .  varii>us  .  June.Aug. 
Z       Phlox  Drummondi  in 

large  variety— 1  various  Aug., Nov. 
Zs     Reseda  odorata  (iliiy- 

nonettr)   in  variety 

— lto2  ..      .     .     ..6i(#,  etc  .  .July,    Oct. 

Sanvitalia      procum- 

bens— Ji yellow  ..  .July,   Oct. 

Sapouaria     Calabrica 

(Bouncing  Bed— 1  pink,  etc.  .July,  Oct. 
X       Seabiosa     (Mourning 

Bride]  in   variety— 

1  to  3^ various Aug.,  Nov. 

Schizanthus  Grahanii 

—2    red,  etc  . . .  Aug.,Sept. 

Ye    Silene  Armeria(ro(cft- 

^i/)in  variety— 1  to2)^j-ose,  etc    June, Aug. 

Y  Tagetes  (Marigold)  in 

variety— 1  to  2  ..    .yeUoui,  etc.  Aug.,  Oct. 

Z  V  Tropseolum  majus 
(Naaturtiumjia  var- 
iety—6   various  ..  July,  Sept. 

Yv       peregrinam(Canary 

Hird  Flower)— 9,.  .    yellow .July,  Sept. 

Fhs  Dwarf  Nasturtiums— liwrious  .  .June,Sept. 
Viscaria  oculata{/?o8e 
of  Heaven)— I    .   .    pitik,  c(c    July,  Sept. 

X  u  Xeranthenium    an- 
num in  variety— 2    purple,  efc.Everlast'g. 

Y  Viola  tricolor  {Pansy) 

many  varieties varitms    .  May,  Sept. 

(To  be  Continueil.) 

Self-Operating  Animal  Gun. 

A  California  firm,  Foreman  Brothers  of 

Bidwell's  Bar,  Cal.,  have  invented  a  new 

device  for  shooting  gophers,  moles  and  other 

small  burrovping  animals.    Our  illustration 


SELF-OPERATING  ANIMAL  GUN. 

o£  it,  reproduced  from  Pacific  Rural  Press, 
makes  mechanism  and  the  manner  of  setting 
in  an  excavation  facing  the  animal's  burrow, 
quite  plain.  The  gun  or  pistol  is  shown  set 
and  ready  for  firing  off.  A  disk  which  com- 
municates with  the  trigger,  is  inserted  a  little 
ways  into  the  burrow,  and  the  animal,  in  the 
attempt  to  pa.ss  through  to  the  open  end,  or 
in  moving  dirt  against  the  disk  in  trying  to 
stop  up  the  hole,  meets  its  speedy  death. 

We  have  no  doubt  that  a  device  of  this  kind 
can  be  successfully  employed  for  the  destruc- 
tion of  woodchucks,  which  are  so  trouble- 
some in  many  Eastern  localities,  and  per- 


haps for  many  other  animals.  Of  com-se, 
for  larger  game  larger  guns  can  be  made  on 
the  same  principles.  lu  handling  and  set- 
ting caution  must  be  exercised,  same  as 
with  any  other  gun. 

Chrysanthemums  and  their  Culture. 

KATE  M.  SESSIONS,  SAN  DIEao,  CAL. 

If  a  Rosebush  lives  from  year  to  year  and 
has  the  soil  and  water  it  needs,  its  Ijeauty  and 
value  enhances  with  age;  but  the  beauty  of 
the  Chrysanthemum  fades  fast,  and  each 
spring  new  and  thrifty  plants  must  be  pro- 
pagated by  slips. 

Chrysanthemum  seed  of  the  best  quality 
will  generally  produce  more  that  is  poor 
than  good,  yet  most  of  the  new  sorts  are 
growTi  from  seed.  As  soon  as  a  plant  is  out 
of  bloom,  the  flowering  stalks  should  be  cut 
down  and  the  plant  repotted  or  reset  in  the 
ground  to  give  it  fresh  soil  to  live  and  thrive 
upon.  The  Chrysanthemum  roots  are  vig- 
orous and  dense,  but  not  long;  therefore 
the  soil  immediately  in  contact  is  completely 
impoverished  when  the  season  has  passed, 
hence  the  need  of  a  new  position. 

Propagation.~ln  February  a  vigorous 
growth  will  begin,  and  then  is  the  time  to 
propagate  the  new  stock  of  flowering  plants. 

Cut  the  tender  shoots  .iust  below  a  joint, 
three  to  Ave  inches  long;  set  in  a  bed  o£ 
sand,  or  even  sandy  soil  will  do.  Keep  the 
bed  damp  but  not  saturated;  protect  by 
some  shading  from  the  hot  sunshine,  but 
do  not  cover  at  night  nor  on  cloudy  or  damp 
days.  In  a  month  to  six  weeks  good  roots 
will  be  established.  Set  the  young  plants 
in  the  open  ground,  or  in  small  pots  until 
they  are  sturdy  and  vigorous,  then  trans- 
plant to  the  permanent  place.  The  most 
important  part  of  the  successful  cultivation 
of  the  Chrysanthemum  begins  at  this  point. 
Never  allow  these  young  plants  to  receive 
any  check,  but  keep  them  growing  contin- 
uously. Cool,  moist  weather  is  the  climate 
the  Chrysanthemum  thrives  in  best,  induc- 
ing a  thrifty  growth,  which  keeps  the  wood 
in  a  soft  and  brittle  condition;  hot  and  dry 
weather  hardens  the  wood,  and  flowering 
begins  at  once. 

Plants  may  be  set  out  as  late  as  June.  If 
the  early  sorts  arc  set  early  and  the  late 
late,  a  longer  season  of  bloom  can  be  ob- 
tained and  flowers  may  be  had  until  the  new 
year.  The  famous  Christmas  Eve  is  one  of 
the  best  late  whites.  Nipping  back  should 
cease  by  Aug.  1st  for  the  earlier  sorts. 

Soil  and  Trciifmciif.— Chrysanthemums 
do  not  require  any  special  kind  of  soil,  but 
they  do  need  plenty  of  enriching  and  an 
abundance  of  water.  A  moderate  amount 
of  well-decayed  fertilizer  should  be  spaded 
into  a  permanent  bed,  and  after  a  month's 
growth  and  the  warm  weather  is  at  hand, 
spread  a  liberal  supply  of  as  old  dressing  as 
po.^sible  on  the  surface;  frequent  waterings 
will  then  give  most  satisfactory  returns. 
Soot  water  is  a  help  during  the  entire  season. 

The  foliage  should  be  sprayed  every  day. 
It  keeps  the  plants  fresher,  the  foliage 
brighter,  and  lessens  the  liability  to  pests, 
though  these  are  few. 

To  secure  fine  e.xhibition  flowers,  the  buds 
must  be  thinned  from  the  plants  just  as  the 
tree  is  relieved  by  the  wise  farmer  to  pro- 
duce fine  fruits.  Those  sorts  which  bloom 
in  large  terminal  clusters  are  the  most  im- 
proved by  disbudding.  This  can  best  be 
done  with  a  pointed  stick  or  penknife. 

Bloom  for  E.rhibit —The  ideal  plant  of 
this  country  and  the  standard  at  American 
exhibitions  is  the  bush  plant.  This  may  be 
anywhere  from  2,'^  to  4  leet  in  diameter,  of 
nice  contour  and  each  branch  termiiuited 
with  a  good  sized,  fairly  formed  flower.  In 
such  cases  all  the  buds  but  one  perfect  and 
strong  one  on  the  end  of  each  branch  are 
removed.  Many  exhibitors  allow  the  plant 
to  bear  but  one  immense  specimen  flower. 
The  result  of  such  cultivation  is  shown  in 


flowers  of  the  "Mrs,  Frank  Thompson"  ten 
inches  in  diameter,  "Mrs.  Carnegie"  nine 
inches  in  diameter.  Such  flowers  are  only 
the  reward  of  much  labor  and  experience. 

In  competitive  exhibitions  for  the  finest 
cut  bloom  specimens,  but  one  flower  of  a 
sort  is  allowed  to  be  shown,  hence  the  pains 
taken  to  produce  that  one. 

Cut  ffoM'fi-s,— Many  of  these  perfect  speci- 
men flowers  are  grown  for  the  cut-flower 
trade.  Two  years  ago  the  "Mrs,  Wheeler" 
was  universally  worn  in  New  York  and 
Boston  and  was  sold  readily  at  35  cents 
each.  In  England  the  cost  to  the  grower  of 
such  flowers  is  a  shilling  each. 

The  artistic  nature  of  the  Chrysanthe- 
mum commends  it  to  all  lovers  of  the  beau- 
tiful—the long  and  ragged  petals  of  one 
class  contrast  strongly  with  the  round  ball- 
like flowers  of  another,  and  the  tiny  pompon 
no  larger  than  a  dime  may  stand  beside  a 
flower  eight  to  ten  inches  in  diameter. 
Every  autumnal  tint  can  be  matched  in 
these  flowers,  and  we  may  safely  say  no  yel- 
lows could  be  brighter,  no  reds  warmer  or 
pinks  paler,  no  snows  whiter  than  those  of 
the  Chrysanthemum. 


New   York    Market   Quotations, 
Showing  Tendencies. 

Week  ending   Week  ending 

Nov,  20.  Nov.  6 

Apples— Western  King,  per  bbL,  S  5034  00  3  25®3  75 

Western  Fall  sorts,  per  bbl, ,  2  00(S  3  50  2  OOiSS  00 

Western  Greening,  per  bbl. .  2  5062  75  2  50@3  00 

Western  Baldwin  &  Spy  p.bbl  2  25<a2  50  2  25®2  50 

State  Winter  Mixed,  per  bbl,  17562  00  1  75@.2  OO 

Greening  up-river,  per  bbl,,  2(I0®3  25  2  00®'"'5 

Baldwin  &  Spy,  per  bbl l  75@2  00  1  ^5@■2  00 

Grapes— ConcordW,N,Y„51b,b't,     18®   20  18®   21 

Catawba,  W,N.T„  .5  lb,  bask.     IS®   22  18®  ^ 

Isabella, W.N,Y„  9  lb.  bask..     84®   28  24®  28 

Pear.s— Lawrence  .*W.Nelis,  p.  b,  2  75®.'!  50  2  75(83  5n 

Vicar,  per  bbl 2CO®250  200®25(| 

Cooking,  per  bbl 2  00®3  50  2  ()0®2  50 

Cranberries— Cape  Cod,  per  bbl.  3  0O®8  00  5  no@8  oo 

Jersey,  per  crate 1  87@2  25  1  87®2  25 

Oranges-Florida,  per  14  bbl  box  2  00c52  50  2  50@3  00 

Lemons— Florida,  per  box 2  00®4  50  3  00@4  50 

Apples— I^vaporated,  1889 7    l^llO  7    ®io 

Evaporated,  1888 5   ®  TiA  5    ©a 

N.C.,  sliced,  1889 4    ®  5W  i    ®  su 

Ohio  &  Michigan,  1889,  bbls, ,    4H@  5  4«®  s** 

Chopped,  perlb Sk®  SW  Sim  su 

Cores  and  Skins,  1S89,  per  lb.   2)1®  3  vS  3" 

Peaches-Del.  eVp't'd.  peeled  88. 15    ®20  15   ®2U 

Del.,  evap't'd,  iuipeeled88,,,   8    @10  8   <«'io 

N.C.  sundrled,  peeled  89. ...    8    ®11  81^@11 

Ga.  sundrled.  1889 6)^@  9J^  6«®  9U 

Southern,  unpeeled,  1889.,,,   2H®  3  2j|®  s^ 

Raspberries— EvapTd  1889 23    ®24  2.i    ®24 

Sundrled  1889 ®22  @22 

Cherrles—lsS9,  per  lb,,  choice,..  12   @  12    ® 

1889,  per  lb.,  good 9   ®li  9    ®j| 

Huckleberries— 1889,  perlb 12    @I2>^  12    ®12W 

Blackberries— prime,  per  lb 5   @  5)t  5   @  5w 

Plums-State,  1889,  per  lb 8    ®  8)^  8    ®  8i< 

Southern  Damson,  1889,  p. lb,        @7  7    ® 

Cat,  1889,  perlb 8    ®0  8    ®9 

Apricots,  Cal.,  1889.  per  lb 12    @14!^  12    ®15 

Potatoes— L.  1.,  bulk  per  bbl 1  75®2  00  i  75@2  00 

Jersey,  per  bbl 125®!  SO  125@150 

State,  perbbl 12o@175  1250162 

Western,  per  bbl 1  C0@1  75  1  00®1  62 

Sweet  Jersey,  per  bbl 2  50®3  00  2  50®3  UO 

Sweet  Virginia,  perbbl 20O®25O  175S250 

Oabbage-L,  L,  per  100 35O@400  3,'>0c5:400 

Cucumber— Florida,  per  crate      2  00@3  00 

Egg  plant— Florida,  perbbl 30O®5  0O 

string  Beans— South"u,p,  crate,     75®1  25 

Cauliflower— per  bbl 10O®5  00  10065  00 

Onions— Western,  red,  per  bbl,.  125®212  1  (10(S2  12 

Eastern,  red,  perbbl 235@300  200®375 

Eastern,  white,  per  bbl 3  00@4  50  3  00@4  50 

Yellow,  perbbl 150®2O0  175@20O 

Squash— L.I..  per  bbl 75®1  25  7.5012.') 

Celery— L.  I.,  per  doz,  bunches. .     75®  1  00  75®1  00 

Wes'n&  State,  p.  doz.  roots.     15®  35  15®  80 

Turnips— Russia, Canada,  p,  bbl.     50®  65  50®  75 

Russia.  L,  1,,  per  I>bl 75®  90  75®  90 


Received  at  This  Office. 

CATALOGLTES. 

Geo.  Plnney,  Evergreen  Nurseries,  Dover  Co.,  Wis, 

Christian  Weckesser,  Marshaliville,  Wayne  Co.,  0., 
Small  Fruit  Plants,  eti-. 

Floral  Supply  <'nnipaiiy,  Biughampton,  N,  Y.,  and 
Minnciiriolis,  tliiui  ,  I'.ulhs,  Plants,  Seeds, 

LouN  Rmscli,  Frcdcinia,  N,  Y,,  Grape  Vines,  SmaU 
Fruit  Plants,  etc, 

Wm.  Paul  &  Son,  Waltham  Cross,  Herts,  England, 
Roses. 

Reasoner  Bros.,  Manatee,  Florida,  Tropical  Fruits 
and  Plauls. 

T.  v.  Munson,  Denuison,  Texas,  Small  Fruits,  etc., 
Parker  Early  Strawberry, 

MISCELLANEOUS, 

Insect  Life,  Vol,  II,  No.  4.  Periodical  Bulletin  of 
DivlsiiiTiof  Eutomoidgy,  Department  of  Agricuituj'e.  32. 

Ro<)l  Knot  Disease  (if  the  Peach,  (Grange  and  other 
plants  in  Florida;  by  J.  t .  Neal.  Published  by  the  De- 
partment of  Agriculture.    ;;.;  with  21  plates. 

American  Pomologlcal  Society,  .Session  of  1889.  A,  A*. 
Crozler,  Ames,  Iowa,  Sec'y,    220, 

Transactions  of  the  Indiana  Horticultural  Society  for 
1888.    C.  ,M.  Ili.hhs,  .S.cictarv.  Bridgeport,  Ind.    128. 

Tra.l.'  and  Ti.uis|m  mat  I.  .11  between  the  Dnlted  States 
and  Siiaiili-li  Aiii.rl..i,  l,y  William  E,  Cray  Curtis. 
Published  by  the  Gu\eruinent. 

Foods  and  Food  Adulterants.  BuUetln  No.  13  of  the 
Division  of  Chemistry.  U,  S,  Department  of  Agricul- 
ture,   Part  I,  Baking  Powders,    63. 


POPULAR    GARDENING 

AND  FRUIT  GROWING. 

"ACCUSE   yOT  XATVRE,   SHE   BATH  DONE   HER   PART:   DO   THOV   BUT   THINE." -MnJIOS. 


Vol.  V. 


j'^nsrrr^E.-s-,  isss. 


No.  4. 


In  January. 

MJdwintor.  but  the  gracious  sfeles  are  blue, 
Save  where  the  beryl-green  horizon  line 
Glistens  between  the  Interlaclngs  line 
Of  dark  Elm  branches.    Soft  winds  wander  through 
The  tufts  of  meadow  grasses  gaunt  and  few. 
And  golden-tipped  the  cloudy  Willows  shine 
Along  the  far-off  brooks.    Our  hearts  devlne. 
Old  winter  sleeps  and  smiles,  as  sleepers  do. 
Dreatnlug  of  winsome  Spring.    May  all  sweet  dreams 
come  true! 

The  Boston  Transcript, 


The  GrpST  Moth,  the  larva  of  which  feeds  on 
almost  any  green  leaf  it  happens  to  find,  has  got 
a  firm  foothold  in  Medford,  Mass.,  and  is  liable 
to  spread  over  the  whole  country  and  become 
extremely  troublesome.  It  is  of  the  utmost  impor- 
tance that  the  eggs  are  diligently  hunted  up  in 
the  fall  and  burned.  To  destroy  the  larvae  in 
spring,  all  green  trees  in  infected  regions  should 
be  thoroughly  showered  with  Paris  Green  water, 
one  pound  to  150  gallons,  soon  after  the  hatching 
of  the  eggs.  We  hope  these  preventive  measures 
will  be  carried  out  with  care  and  thoroughness 
in  Medford  and  vicinity,  and  the  country  spared 
a  general  invasion  of  this  destructive  foe. 

Work  for  Stations.— The  reports  as  they 
continue  to  come  in  all  agree  that  spraying  with 
arsenical  solutions,  if  properly  done,  is  entirely 
effective  as  a  protection  against  eurculio  and  cod- 
ling moth.  But  the  reports  differ  are  very  widely 
concerning  what  is  best  and  safest,  Paris  green 
or  London  purple.  This  seems  to  prove  conclu- 
sively the  lack  of  uniformity  in  London  purple, 
and  perhaps  also  in  Paris  green.  The  problem 
now  before  us  is  to  discover  a  source  of  supply 
of  just  such  a  quality  of  these  poisons  as  is 
safe  for  the  fruitgrower  to  use,  and  to  find  out 
wherein  this  differs  from  a  poor  article  and  ana- 
lysis might  give  us  a  clue.  This,  it  seems,  is  pro- 
per work  for  the  Experiment  Stations. 

Vegetable  Growers'  Associatios.  The  fruit 
growers  have  their  national  and  local  societies, 
so  have  the  florists.  At  the  many  horticultural 
meetings  we  attend  we  hear  of  pomological  and 
floral  matters  to  our  heart's  content,  but  vege- 
tables and  vegetable  growing  are  hardly  men- 
tioned. The  seedsmen  have  their  society,  but 
they  take  a  different  course  from  the  nursery- 
men. Instead  of  seeking  intercourse  with  their 
customers,  and  inviting  them  to  their  meetings, 
to  interest  them  and  instruct  them  in  the  noble 
art  of  gardening,  as  their  pomological  brethren 
do  with  their  customers,  they  keep  the  public  at 
a  respectful  distance,  and  only  meet  among 
themselves  for  the  furtherance  of  their  own  per- 
sonal interests.  The  nurserymen  find  that  their 
course  pays  them  well.  Would  not  the  seedsmen 
be  benefited  by  adopting  a  similar  course?  The 
market  gardener,  and  the  vegetable  grower  gen- 
erally, is  in  need  of  more  light,  such  light  as  is 
shed  by  free  discussions  at  meetings  of  people 
skilled  in  this  particular  branch  of   horticulture. 


adapted  Ls  that  the  stock  is  In  a  more  vigor- 
ous and  natural  condition  to  build  up  vig- 
orous flowering  plants  upon,  through 
having  had  the  benefit  of  natural  growth 
out  of  doors  during  the  summer.  This  is 
quite  a  different  thing  from  the  condition  of 
the  plants  In  February  or  March,  after  many 
months  of  confinement  under  glass,  and 
heavy  cropping  of  flowers,  and  under  the 
most  favorable  circumstances  far  from  a 
natural  state  of  things.  I  am  of  the  opinion 
that  the  serious  trouble  experienced  from 
Carnation  plants  damping  off  just  as  they 
have  reached  the  flowering  stage  is  largely 
due  to  continuous  propagation  in  the  spring 
from  plants  impaired  in  vitality. 

.  A  great  advantage  for  fall  struck  plants 
is  that  at  no  period  need  either  the  stock 
plants  or  the  young  ones  be  subjected  to  a 
high  temperature,  and  they  have  a  much 

I  longer  season  of  growth.  Consequently  by 
the  following  autumn  they  are  af  much 
larger  size  than  spring  struck  plants  and 
capable  of  producing  a  greater  number  of 
flowers. 

In  October  carnations  can  be  struck  with- 
out a  hot-bed,  but  the  assistance  they  re- 
ceive from  mild  bottom  heat  is  so  great  that 
it  is  found  to  be  of  advantage  to  make  up  a 
bed  of  mild  heat.  The  bed  should  be  located 
in  a  shady  position  as  that  of  a  building. 
After  the  cuttings  are  rooted  we  keep  them 
cool,  yet  with  enough  protection  to  keep  out 
frost.  Ventilation  during  the  winter  season 
should  average  abundant,  for  free  airing 
conduces  to  the  production  of  stronger 
stocks.  Fire  heat  need  be  employed  only 
for  the  purpose  of  keeping  out  frost  and 
drying  up  damp.  Such  plants  are  ready  to 
go  into  the  open  air  early  in  the  spring,  and 
at  once  take  hold  of  the  soU  with  vigor. 


Fall  Instead  of  Spring   Propagation 
of  Carnations. 

CHABLES  WALES.  MIAMI  CO.,  O. 

That  very  good  re.sults  may  follow  on  the 
widely  prevalent  custom  of  early  spring 
propagation  of  Carnation  plants  no  one  will 
deny.  Yet  after  years  of  experience  I  am 
persuaded  that  the  time  referred  to  is  not 
the  best  in  which  to  effect  a  renewal  of  the 
stock  of  this  important  plant. 

For  several  years  past  I  have  struck  the 
cuttings  in  September  or  October,  and  the 
outcome  has  been  such  as  to  invariably  con- 
vince me  that  the  change  from  spring  to 
autumn  has  been  a  good  one.  Practically 
there  is  no  more  difficulty  in  obtaining  a 
supply  of  cuttings  in  October  than  in  March, 
and  they  strike  quite  as  readily.  Indeed  a 
main    advantage   I   claim  for   the    course 


The  Sweet  and  Sour  Apple. 

WM.  F.  BASSETT.   ATL.VNTIC  CO.,  S.  T. 

One  of  our  horticultural  monthlies  allud- 
ing to  a  "  Down-East ''  Apple,  which  is  said 
to  be  made  up  of  alternate  layers  of  sweet 
and  sour,  remarks  that  "  This  Apple  turns 
up  regularly  every  year  in  regular  sea-ser- 
pent style." 

Had  I  never  seen  such  Apples,  I  might 
he  inclined  to  share  this  implied  doubt, 
although  we  see  every  now  and  then  some- 
thing in  nature  equally  strange,  but  having 
raised  just  such  Apples  myself,  there  is,  of 
course,  no  room  for  doubt  in  my  own  mind. 
Some  thirty  or  more  years  ago,  I  had  several 
trees  growing  on  a  recently  purchased  farm, 
which  passed  for  Rhode  Island  Greenings, 
and  most  of  the  fruit  either  was  of  that 
variety  or  so  nearly  identical  with  it  as  not 
to  be  distinguishable  from  it;  but  several 
branches  on  each  of  these  trees  bore  some 
Apples  of  the  size,  color  and  flavor  of  Green- 
ings, and  some  which  were  of  about  half 
that  size,  clear  bright  yeUow,  and  of  a  hon- 
eyed sweetness,  and  also  some  which  had 
sections  extending  from  the  stem  to  the 
calyx,  which  were  green  in  color  and  just 
like  a  Greening  in  taste  and  appearance, 
while  alternate  sections  were  yellow  and 
very  sweet,  these  last  being  considerably 
depressed,  showing  not  only  that  they  com- 
bined the  flavor  and  color  of  the  two  in  one 
Apple,  but  also  the  size.  How  such  a  fruit 
was  produced  I  am  not  prepared  to  say.    I 


have  been  told  that  it  was  done  by  taking 
half  of  a  bud  from  a  sweet  Apple  tree  and 
one  half  of  one  from  a  sour  Apple  tree,  put- 
ting together  and  inserting  as  one  bud.  I 
think  there  is  some  probability  that  it  is  a 
distinct  variety,  that  all  of  these  trees  were 
budded  or  grafted  from  one  original  tree. 
The  original  proprietor  of  the  lot  before 
referred  to,  informed  me  that  the  branches 
which  bore  such  Apples  were  from  grafts 
inserted  by  an  itinerant  grafter  who  fur- 
nished his  own  cions.  I  think  the  colors  of 
some  flowers  show  something  analogous  to 
the  products  of  this  Apple  from  seed.  Take 
the  Dahlia  Landy,  for  instance,  the  normal 
color  of  which  is  very  dark  maroon  purple, 
striped  with  Lilac,  quite  frequently  a  large 
portion  of  the  flowers  come  of  the  dark 
color,  solid,  and  occasionally  one  comes  all 
Lilac,  and  striped  Geraniums  also  some- 
times come  in  one  solid  color.  I  have  a 
theory  to  account  for  such  cases,  which  may 
or  may  not  be  correct,  but  I  will  give  it  for 
what  it  is  worth.  These  flowers  being  the 
restilt  of  a  cross  or  mixture  of  a  peculiar 
kind,  each  color  running  in  veins  or  stripes 
through  the  plant,  when  a  bud  is  produced 
from  a  portion  belonging  to  either  entirely, 
a  flower  of  that  color  is  produced,  but  when 
the  bud  happens  to  come  where  the  two 
colors  join  we  get  both  colors.  In  like 
manner  we  would  get  Apples  varyiiig  as 
described  from  such  a  cross  between  a  sweet 
and  a  sour  variety.  Be  this  as  it  may,  if 
cions  be  taken  from  those  branches  which 
produce  the  sweet  and  sour  specimens  they 
will  be  pretty  sure  to  give  the  three  classes 
of  fruit  when  they  get  to  bearing  age,  so 
that  any  one  can  satisfy  themselves  by  get- 
ting cions  from  such  a  tree  and  grafting  a 
small  tree  or  even  a  branch  of  a  larger  one. 


That  Bay  Window,  Rural  Home 
Comforts  and   Forestry. 

JUDGE  SAMCEL  MILLER,  MONTGOMERY  CO.,  MO. 

Last  spring  I  had  the  good  fortune  to 
purchase  twenty  large  panes  of  thick  glass 
two  feet  square  in  strong  frames,  and 
thought  they  would  go  a  little  way  towards 
building  a  small  greenhouse,  not  having 
had  such  a  house  for  a  number  of  years,  my 
last  burned  down.  Well  towards  fall,  I 
noticed  a  foundation  outside  the  front  door. 
Next  went  up  a  frame,  and  in  we  set  my  big 
glass  and  a  glass  roof  on  top. 

The  wife  and  daughters  superintended 
the  planning,  and  a  son  done  the  work.  As 
I  am  getting  old,  and  like  peace  in  the 
family,  I  said  nothing,  and'no warn  glad  that 
I  did  not  interfere  with  the  work.  I  do  not 
grow  flowering  plants  to  sell,  and  the  affair 
is  simply  for  pleasure.  A  short  time  ago  it 
was  nearly  full  of  superb  Chrysanthemums, 
most  of  which  were  sent  me  by  Bro.  Fuller, 
and  which  have  been  the  admiration  of 
everyone  who  comes  here  or  goes  past. 
These  have  recently  been  removed,  and  now 
the  thing  is  chuckfull  of  such  plants  as 
Primulas,  Fuschias,  Verbenas,  Heliotrope, 
Begonias,  Geraniums  and  Dear  knows  what 
else.  Many  of  these  are  coming  into  bloom. 
There  may  be  room  for  a  few  fine  Roses 
yet  which  I  will  pet  and  give  to  them.  One 
of  my  daughters  has  it  in  charge  and  is  as 
proud  of  them  as  can  be.  These  flowers 
with  plenty  of   music  in  the  house  ;   the 


74 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


January, 


cellar  well  stocked  with  fruit  and  vegetables, 
what  do  we  care  for  the  gayeties  of  city  life? 
not  a  bit.  On  pleasant  clear  days  this  large 
window  would  get  too  hot  hut  the  door  is 
left  open,  and  the  heat  nearly  supplies  the 
place  of  fire  in  the  stove.  Just  now,  nine 
o'clock  December  8,  the  mercury  in  the 
shade  stands  65°  and  we  had  it  down  to  10° 
a  few  weeks  ago.  Is  not  this  a  pretty  great 
range?  But  Missouri  can  beat  any  place 
for  that.  Sitting  in  the  shade  of  a  40  feet 
Norway  Spruce,  and  a  gentle  breeze  from 


fly- 


over which  a  sheet  iron  damper  slides. 
When  I  start  my  Are,  I  pull  out  this  damper, 
allowing  the  draft  to  pass  directly  up  the 
chimney  from  the  hole  in  the  furnace. 
When  the  chimney  becomes  heated,  I  slide 
the  damper  in,  and  the  draft  then  pisses 
around  the  entire  flue.  By  this  means  I 
avoid  the  smoke  which  I  always  had  before 
the  flue  would  get  warmed  at  the  back  end 
sufficient  to  create  a  good  draft.  Those  who 
have  used  the  ordinary  flue  know  full  well 
how  they  smoke  iu  starting  a  flre  in  damp 
weather. 


Comhiiied  BricH  and  Tile  Flue  for  Heating  SmaE  Greenhoxise 

the  west,  I  find  it  all  perfectly  pleasant. 

Plenty  of  books,  periodicals  and  news- 
papers around,  and  some  pretty  fair  paint- 
ings hanging  on  the  wall.  Now  this  is  a 
little  of  the  medley  order,  but  as  some  write 
for  others  to  read  who  do  not  write,  this 
may  not  be  amiss  and  will  give  some  of  the 
wealthy  readers  in  the  cities  and  towns  an 
idea  of  how  an  old  man  is  situated  in  the 
wilderness. 

I  say  wilderness;  because  the  forest  extends 
from  the  river  for  miles  back,  with  lofty 
cliffs  and  quite  respectable  gorges,  with 
small  vales  to  cultivate.  But  the  hill  land 
produces  as  fine  fruit  as  can  be  found  any- 
where. I  recently  bought  80  acres  adjoining 
me  here  all  in  forest,  this  will  be  cleared  of 
all  the  small  underbrush  and  small  trees, 
and  wherever  a  place  suitable  for  an  ever- 
green is  left,  there  it  will  be  planted:  several 
hundred  of  which  are  now  in  nursery  rows 
for  that  purpose. 

This  much  for  my  idea  of  forestry,  a  sub- 
ject that  at  this  day  demands  our  serious 
attention.  My  idea  of  leaving  one-third 
of  the  forest  stand  and  cultivate  the  balance 
properly  is  there  can  be  more  grown  than  if 
all  is  cleared  off.  Then  we  have  the  pro- 
tecting influence,  besides  preventing  much 
of  the  rainfall  from  running  off  the  surface 
which  should  go  into  the  ground. 

In  this  we  must  change  our  plans  if  we 
wish  to  keep  our  soil  on  the  hills.  Dams 
and  wells  in  the  ravines ;  ponds  in  the 
sloping  fields,  will  do  much  towards  help- 
ing up  a  humidity  in  dry  seasons.  It  is  not 
only  the  water  that  falls  on  plants  that  will 
keep  them  fresh,  but  the  evaporation  from 
stream  and  lakes.  It  has  been  so  dry  here 
some  seasons  that  any  distance  from  water 
even  the  dews  were  denied  us. 


Heating  Greenhouse  by  Flue. 

W.  8.  STANTON,  UNION  CO.,  IND. 

The  brick-flue,  a  plan  of  which  I  here  pre- 
sent, proves  to  be  a  perfect  success,  and  I 
like  it  much  better  than  any  flue  I  ever  tried. 
It  is  built  on  the  ground  under  the  propa- 
gating bench,  and  supplies  plenty  of  heat 
for  my  house,  14x40  feet.  It  is  a  double  re- 
turn flue,  the  lower  part  brick,  three  brick 
high,  laid  edgewise,  and  wide  enough  for  a 
brick  to  reach  across  the  top  to  cover  it.  At 
the  back  end  I  inserted  an  elbow  of  6-inch 
sewer  tile  (unglazed  is  best),  and  connected 
with  this  a  flue  of  the  tile  running  back  on 
top  of  the  brick  flue  to  the  throat  of  the 
furnace  on  which  the  chimney  stands. 
From  the  throat  of  the  furnace  up  into  the 
chimney  is  a  hole  the  size  of  the  sewer  tile 


Hints  on  Growing  Potatoes. 

SUBSCRIBER,  BEROEN  CO.  N.  J. 

I  would  advise  early  planting.    Last  year 

I  plowed  my  ground  during  a  snow  storm 

in  March.    The  piece  had  been  plowed  but 

twice  in  eleven  years,  the  last  crop  being 

fodder  Corn  and  very  poor 

at  that. 

I  applied  no   stable  ma, 
nure.    The  old  sod  turned 
up  very  nicely.    With  a 
common     plow     I    made 
drills,    three    feet    apart, 
and  about  five  inches  in 
depth.       Mapes'    special 
Potato  manure  was  put  freely  in  the  drill 
and  covered  with  a  little  soil.    The  Potatoes 
were  planted    about   one  foot   apart,  and 
covered  even  with  the  surface.    In  April  I 
went   through   the  rows    with   cultivator, 
then  gave  another  application  of  the  ferti- 
lizer, scattering  it  around  the  plants,  and 
covering   with  a   little    fresh   soil.     As   a 
result  of  this  I  had  large  nice  Potatoes  from 
my  garden  June  22d.    The  patch  was  the 
admiration  of  all  who  saw  it,  although,  at 
time  of  plowing  and  planting  so  early,  my 
neighbors  gave   me    an    amused    look,  as 
much  as  to  say — too  early,  and  no  show  in 
that  poor  soil!    The  smile  was  on  my  side 
when  I  harvested  at  the  rate  of  over  400 
bushels  to  the  acre  of  Burbanks  and  Early 
Rose.    They  ripened  before  the  blight,  and 
were  free  from  rot;  fine,  large  and  mealy, 
all  marketable  Potatoes. 


History  of  the  Chrysanthemum. 

Mr.  Joseph  Sabine,  Secretary  of  the  Horti- 
cultural Society  (England),  in  a  paper  pub- 
lished in  1822,  tells  that  single  specimens 
of  the  Chinese  Chrysanthemums,  then 
known  under  the  name  of  "  Matricaria  In- 
dica,"  have  been  shown  in  England  even 
previous  to  1764,  and  a  tolerably  correct  ac- 
count of  the  variety  and  beauty  of  this  class 
of  plants  as  appearing  in  China  and  Japan 
was  given  by  Kai'mpher  as  early  as  1812. 
Our  reduced  illustration  of  a  variety  of 
Chry.santhemum  Indicum,  p.  77,  which  was 
figured  in  Mr.  Sabine's  paper,  gives  a  pretty 
good  idea  of  the  general  habits  of  the  plant. 
At  this  early  time  the  Chrysanthemum  had 
not  yet  obtained  a  permanent  foothold  iu 
Europe, although  some  varieties  were  known 
in  Holland  some  300  years  ago. 

For  its  re-appearance,  as  far  as  its  present 
existence  is  concerned,  we  are  indebted  to 
Mr.  Blancard,  a  merchant  of  Marseilles, 
who  in  1789  imported  three  plants  from 
China,  one  with  purple,  one  with  white  and 
one  with  violet  flowers.  He  lost  the  two 
last;  the  first  lived.  This  was  the  "  Kiku  " 
figured  in  Botanical  Magazine,  and  shown 
in  our  reduced  illustration.  The  surviving 
specimen  was  sent  to  the  Jardiu  du  Roi  at 
Paris  in  1791.  This  is  the  purple  variety;  it 
had  been  transmitted  to  England  from 
France  in  1790,  and  after  its  arrival  there 
the  changeable  white  was  obtained  from  it 
by  cultivation.  Between  the  years  1798  and 
1808,  inclusive,  eight  new  varieties  were  im- 
ported from  China  to  England  in  the  follow- 
ing order:  The  Rose  and  Buff,  together,  in 
1798;  the  Golden  Yellow  and  the  Quilled 
Yellow,  together,  in  1802;  the  Sulphur  Yel- 


low, at  the;iatter  end  of  the  same  year;  the 
Spanish  Brown,  in  1806;  and  the  Quilled 
White  and  Large  Lilac,  together,  in  1808. 
Later  importations  gave  the  Tasselled  White 
in  1816  and  the  Superb  White  in  1817.  In 
1819  three  more  varieties  were  imported. 
Mr.  Brooks  who  brought  some  of  these 
varieties  from  China  at  that  time,  some  time 
after  emigrated  to  America,  settling  at 
Chicago,  where  he  was  known  as  the  pioneer 
florist  of  that  town,  and  died  in  188.5  or 
1886,  at  the  ddvanced  age  of  93  years.  At 
the  time  of  his  death  there  was  probably  no 
other  man  who  could  claim  to  have  been 
acquainted  \vith  the  Chrysanthemum  for  so 
long  a  period. 

A  large  importation  in  1822  was  lost  on  the 
way,butgreaterefforts  to  bring  these  flowers 
to  Europe  were  made  with  better  success 
the  following  year.  The  autumn  of  1825 
was  the  occasion  of  a  brilliant  display  at 
Chiswick.  Plants  grown  in  pots  to  the 
number  of  700  were  flowered  in  one  of  the 
Society's  greenhouses.  The  exhibits  proved 
a  perfect  success,  and  much  interest  was 
taken  in  the  show.  The  Society's  collection 
at  this  time  was  already  composed  of  48  dis- 
tinct sorts. 

In  1826,  Mr.  Bernet,  a  retired  infantry 
officer  of  the  French  Army  and  a  Chrysan- 
themum enthusiast,  began  raising  the  first 
seedlings,  which  soon  came  in  possession  of 
a  not  over-scrupulous  nurseryman,  who 
speedily  propagated  them  for  sale,  so  that 
they  were  widely  distributed  at  home  and 
abroad  between  18:ri0  and  1836.  Seedlings 
were  also  now  raised  in  large  numbers  by 
English  growers;  rapid  progress  in  the  de- 
velopment of  the  flower  was  made,  and  in 
the  autumn  of  18.50  the  Chrysanthemum  had 
fairly  acquired  its  position  as  an  exhibition 
flower.      Many  shows  were  now  held;  the 


One  iif  the  Earlier  Chrtisanthemums. 

fame  of  the  flower  spread  rapidly,  and  the 
interest  in  its  cultivation  became  general. 

In  the  year  18.56  Colchester  held  its  first 
annual  show.  The  12  best  large-flowered 
Chrysanthemums  at  this  date,  according  to 
Mr.  Holmes,  were  Aregina,  Beauty,  Dupont 
de  I'Eure,  Hermione,  Nonpareil,  Plutus, 
Queen  of  England,  Stafford,  Themis,  Trilby, 
Versailles,  Defiance  and  Vesta. 

Mr.  Salter  in  autumn,  1859,  claimed  to 
have  900   named    varieties,    besides   many 


iSgo. 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


75 


thousand  seedlings  of  his  own  and  other 
growers.  In  IsilO-IWil  Jlr.  Fortune  imported 
new  and  distinct  kinds  from  Japan,  and 
these  soon  worked  sonietliing  like  a  revolu- 
tion in  the  Chrysantheninni  world.  The 
incurved  flowers  liad  made  theirappearance. 
Other  importations  followed. 

Several  new  raisers  in  France  have  of  late 
sprung  up,  and  we  shall  probably  hear  more 
of  their  labors  as  time  goes  by.  In  1881 
an  interesting  collection  was  imported 
from  Japan  into  England  by  Messrs 
Veitch  &  Sons,  ot  Chelsea.  Every- 
where the  enthusiasm  of  people  on 
Chrysanthemum  matters  was  now 
rapidly  increasing,  but  probably 
nowhere  more  so  than  in  the  United 
States.  This  enthusiasm  culminated 
in  the  creation  of  a  National  Chrysan- 
themum Society  in  1889.  Dr.  H.  P. 
Walcott.  of  Boston,  an<i  Mr.  John 
Thorpe  have  especially  distinguished 
themselves  in  this  work,  and  others 
such  as  Mr.  Waterer,  Mr.  Fewkes, 
Mr.  Spaidding,  and  Mr.  W.  K.  Harris 
have  distributed  numbers  of  new 
Chrysanthemus  that  will  long  remain 
in  cultivation. 

Niagara  County  Fruit  Notes. 

E.xoTic  Fruits  in  Canada.  In  a 
previous  issue  we  have  spoken  of  the 
wonderful  thrift  and  productiveness 
of  the  Peach  orchards  near  Lake 
Ontario,  both  on  the  American  and 
the  Canada  sides.  We  should  have 
mentioned  that  the  Plum  orchards 
there  commanded  our  admiration  in 
scarcely  a  less  degree.  The  trees  in 
many  cases,  especially  in  smaller 
vUlage  lots,  are  crowded  closely  to- 
gether, and  are  reported  to  bear 
annual  and  heavy  crops  of  fine 
marketable  fruit,  thus  setting  at  de- 
fiance all  our  theories  of  the  need  of 
giving  plenty  of  space  in  order  to  raise 
good  fruit.  Crowding  seems  to  be 
well  compatible  with  succe.ss  in  Plum 
and  Cherry  culture.  The  finer  foreign 
sorts  are  almost  exclusively  grown 
—the  Lombards,  the  Bradshaws,  the 
German  Prunes,  etc.,  and  wherever 
these  do  as  well  as  here,  there  is  little 
reason  to  plant  native  sorts.  Of 
course  some  of  them,  as  well  as  the 
newer  Japans,  are  on  trial  here  and  there. 

The  great  secret  of  success  in  Plum  cul- 
ture in  these  regions  is  again  the  same 
combination  already  mentioned  of  favorable 
locality,  and  thorough  clean  cultivation. 
The  trees  are  highly  fed,  regularly  tended 
and  pruned,  diseased  branches  cut  off  as 
soon  as  noticed,  all  fruit,  rotten  ones  in- 
cluded, removed  every  fall,  and  the  ground 
between  the  trees  kept  well  cultivated  and 
clean.  These  conditions,  faithfully  observed, 
would  make  Plum  culture  profitable  in 
many  other  localities  also. 

Ai'KicoTS,  Nuts.  How  much  of  this  gen- 
eral success  in  fruit  growing  is  due  to  the 
one  item  of  favorable  location,  may  be  well 
inferred  from  the  fact  that  in  several  of  the 
gardens  in  Niagara-on-the-Lake  we  noticed 
while  passing  large  Apricot  and  English 
Walnut  trees,  apparently  in  fine  health, 
and  on  inquiring  were  assured  of  their  pro- 
ductiveness. In  the  exhibition  hall  we  also 
saw  a  number  of  plates  with  fresh  English 
Walnuts,  which  proved  that  the  terrible 
frost  of  May  29th  had  not  killed  the  whole 
crop,  although  in  all  probability  it  had  done 
some  injury  to  it.  Some  one  in  this  neigh- 
borhood must  have  great  faith  in  Apricot 
culture  for  profit;  at  least  such  is  indicated 
by  a  sale  of  over  800  Russian  Apricots 
effected  by  a  tree  agent  in  that  neighbor- 
hood at  the  usual  tree-agent's  prices  and 
profits.  The  location  seems  to  be  a  paradise 
for  tree-agents ;  but  we  fear  the  buyer  of 


the  Apricot  trees,  before  many  years,  will 
wish  he  had  not  trusted  quite  so  implicitly 
in  the  promise  of  great  profits  held  out  by 
I  the  oily-tongued  member  of  the  fraternity. 
B''iC!S.  A  complete  .surprise  was  in  store 
for  us  on  a  visit  to  the  garden  of  Mr.  H. 
Patt'ord  in  Niagara.  A  Fig  bush  ten  feet 
high  and  as  many  broad,  every  limb  loaded 
with  young  fruit,  wasoneof  the  first  objects 
and  perhaps  the  most  striking  one  we  met 
here.    There  were  also  a  number  of  other 


Kiku,  the  Chrysanthemum  introduced  into  Europe  in  1789. 

Fig  trees  or  bushes,  but  considerably 
smaller  than  the  other.  Mr.  Pafford  culti- 
vates only  two  varieties,  the  White  Ischia, 
and  Brown  Turkey,  and  the  large  tree  is 
now  about  1.5  years  old.  As  may  be  ex- 
pected the  chief  difficulty  with  them  is  the 
wintering  over,  but  Mr.  Pafford  has  always 
been  entirely  successful.  He  says  he  treats 
the  bushes  pretty  much  in  same  fashion  as 
he  would  tender  Raspberries.  Old  and 
unwieldy  wood  is  cut  out  in  November,  the 
young  growth  properly  pruned  out  and 
then  bent  down  upon  the  ground.  Here  it 
is  held  in  position  by  small  stakes  driven  in 
crosswise.  The  young  fruits  or  fruit  buds 
should  of  course  be  carefully  preserved,  in 
order  to  yield  a  crop  in  early  summer  fol- 
lowing. The  canes  are  uncovered  about 
May  1st,  and  fruit  ripens  here  in  succession 
from  July  until  October. 

Exotic  Grapes.  Another  surprise  were 
the  great  trellises  covered  with  Black  Ham- 
burg, Chasselas  de  Fontainebleau,  Golden 
Chasselas.Rose  Chasselas, Golden  Hamburg, 
and  other  Grapes.  It  will  be  remembered 
that  Mr.  Pafford  was  honored  with  bronze 
medal  and  diploma  for  best  out-door  grown 
exotic  Grapes  exhibited  at  the  Centennial 
in  Philadelphia,  1876.  This  is  a  remarkable 
fact,  indeed,  and  it  shows  that  Mr.  Pafford 
must  have  thoroughly  learned  how  to  grow 
this  difficult  crop.  While  all  around  us 
here  the  ordinary  Grape  crop  had  been 
almost  entirely  ruined  by  the  May  frost,  we 


found  some  excellent  clusters  on  the  exotic 
varieties,  but  not  in  the  quantities  nor  per- 
fection which  Mr.  Pa  fiord  says  he  has  grown 
every  year  with  this  single  exception.  Of 
course  the  garden  is  well  protected  on  every 
side  by  tall  buildings  or  walls,and  birds  are 
kept  off  by  netting.  Mildew  and  rot  had 
also  invaded  this  territory  for  the  first  time 
in  Mr.  Pafford's  experience.  Sulphur  was 
used  freely,  but  of  course  with  little  notice- 
able beneficient  results. 

"I  think  the  prime  requisites  in 
regard  to  soil  for  the  Grape,"  says 
Mr.  P.,  "is  a  dry  well-drained  sub- 
soil, and  if  not  naturally  so,  must 
be  made  so  by  thorough  under- 
draining.  This  is  doubtless  well 
understood  by  all  Grape  cultivators. 
I  planted  the  first  Black  Hamburg 
in  1872,  and  the  fruit  exhibited  by 
me  in  Philadelphia  was  grown  from 
it.  This  vine  still  remains  in  full 
vigor,  and  has  not  in  any  way  de- 
teriorated from  the  effects  of  the 
climate,  nor  has  it  this  year  suffered 
from  mildew  more  than  the  hardy 
kinds  I  have.  Have  now  four  of 
these  vines  in  good  bearing.  The 
Chasselas  de  Fontainebleau  was 
planted  in  1880,  and  will  in  average 
seasons  ripen  its  fruit  by  the  first 
u  eek  in  September,  the  others  I 
have  named  about  three  weeks  later. 
In  regard  to  manure  I  have  used 
bone  dust,  and  sparingly  of  stable 
manure.  The  vines  are  closely 
pruned  in  November,  then  laid 
down,  and  covered  with  soil  about  a 
foot  deep  at  the  extremities  of  the 
new  wood;  then  uncovered  in  May, 
or  as  soon  as  the  season  opens." 
Thus  far  our  friend's  account.  We 
have  only  one  other  important  thing 
to  add.  The  whole  ground  had  been 
thoroughly  trenched  to  the  depth  of 
two  feet  or  more,  the  top  soil  being 
thrown  into  the  bottom.  The  facts 
here  brought  out — wonderful  thrift 
and  health  of  all  plants  and  shrubs, 
freedom  heretofore  from  mildew 
and  rot,  as  also  from  mildew  on  the 
English  Gooseberries  which  we 
here  saw  in  all  their  perfection,  etc. 
— seems  to  harmonize  remarkably 
with  the  statements  and  theories 
recently  given  to  our  readers  by  Dr.  Stay- 
man  of  Leavenworth,  Kansas,  and  we  only 
call  attention  to  this  matter  as  being  in  the 
nature  of  a  (jua.si-endorsement  of  his 
doctrines. 


Notes  from  the  Popular  Gardening 
Grounds  at  La  Salle-on-the- 
Niagara. 
KiEFFER  ON  Quince.  In  the  Munson  Pear 
orchard,  adjoining  our  grounds,  stands  a  dwarf 
Kieffer  tree,  which  appears  to  be  in  full  health 
and  youthful  vigor,  and  has  borne  full  crops. 
In  fact  the  proprietor,  old  experienced  Pear 
grower  that  he  is,  speaks  quite  enthusiastically 
of  both  tree  and  its  fruit.  Now  we  have  on 
many  occasions  heard  the  late  Judge  Parry,  in- 
troducer of  the  Kieffer,  tell  in  most  emphatic 
language,  that  Quince  sap  is  poison  to  the 
KieflEer.  From  this  we  had  inferred,  that  the 
latter  would  not  succeed  on  Quince  root,  and  wc 
beUeve  that  this  doctrine  is  generally  accepted 
by  fruit  growers  and  nurserymen.  But  here  we 
have  a  fine-growing,  healthy  and  bearing  tree 
right  before  our  eyes;  and  everyone  who  is 
acquainted  with  the  Kieffer,  knows  what  a 
handsome  thing  a  vigorous  Kieffer  tree  is.  Mr. 
Munson  tells  us  that  his  Kieffer  Is  double- worked, 
Louise  Bonne  de  Jersey  forming  the  connecting 
link  between  Kieffer  and  Quince.  We  are  also 
told  by  Mr.  S.  D.  Willard  of  Geneva  that  he  has 
(luantities  of  dwarf  Kieffers,  all  doubled-worked, 
in  fine  condition  and  giving  excellent  crops,  and 
establishes  the  fact  that  the  Kieffer  by  the  inter- 
position of  some  variety  congenial  to  both 
Kieffer  and  Quince,  can  be  grown  as  a  dwarf. 
There  may  be  dwart  Kieffers  grown.elsewhere. 


76 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


January, 


There  is  no  more  doubt  in  our  mind  that  a 
healthy  union  can  also  be  formed  between 
Kieffer  and  Le  Conte  on  one  side,  and  unconge- 
nial sorts  among  our  common  Pears,  by  some 
way  of  double-working.  Bartlett,  and  other 
sorts  which  we  recently  saw  tried  on  Le  Conte 
and  Kieffer  stock,  for  instance,  failed  in  every 
instance,  after  making  a  fine  growth  for  one, 
or  at  most  two  seasons.  At  the  same  time  we 
heard  of  successes  when  the  oriental  sorts  were 
used  for  stock,  in  sections  south  of  us.  Double- 
working  should  be  tried,  for  if  successful,  Le 
Conte  will  give  us  very  superior  stocks  indeed. 

Sweet  Corn.  In  the  selection 
of  the  land  for  our  trial  patch  of 
early  varieties  of  Sweet  Corn  we 
have  not  been  remarkably  fortun- 
ate, the  past  season.  Incessant 
rains  with  insutficient  dniinage 
kept  the  ground  in  the  condition 
of  thin  mud  for  weeks  after  plant- 
ing, so  that  much  of  the  seed 
rotted  without  sprouting,  and 
what  did  grow,  had  not  the  proper 
chance  to  come  to  full  develop- 
ment. So  far  as  the  fault  was  with 
the  drainage,  it  will  be  remeditd 
next  season.  The  work  of  ditching 
and  laying  tUes  is  even  going  on  at 
this  writing.  But  owing  to  the 
partial  failure  of  crop,  we  are 
hardly  justified  in  expressing  a 
very  decided  opinion  on  the  merits 
of  the  various  varieties  planted, 
among  them  Potter's  Excelsior, 
Livingston's  Golden,  Landreth's 
Sugar,  Durkee's  Sweet,  Honey 
Sweet,  Cory,  etc.  We  were  favor- 
ably impressed  with  Livingston's 
Golden,  and  shall  not  fail  to  have 
it  on  trial  again  with  the  others. 
Our  favorite,  the  Cory,  seems  to  still  hold  its  own. 
If  we  were  to  plant  Sweet  Com  for  earliest 
market,  we  believe  we  would  select  Cory,  which 
we  know  to  be  reliable,  having  grown  it  for  a 
number  of  years.  The  stalks  are  quite  dwarf, 
allowing  close  planting,  but  the  ears  are  remark- 
ably large  for  so  early  a  sort,  indeed,  the  largest 
we  have  ever  had  at  its  season.  In  earliness  it  is 
also  the  equal  of  any  other  eaiiy  kind,  and  its 
quality  is  quite  passable.  Some  of  the  newer 
sorts  may  be  better,  or  at  least  fully  as  good, 
but  we  will  have  to  find  this  out  first,  and  in  the 
mean  time  depend  on  our  Cory. 

Carrots.  For  many  years  the  Danvers  has 
been  our  favorite  for  a  general-purpose  Carrot. 
The  Long  Orange  and  Improved  Long  Orange 
are  very  good,  and  so  proved  themselves  again 
this  season,  but  their  extreme  length  is  often 
inconvenient  in  shallower  soils,  and  on  account 
of  the  greater  labor  required  in  harvesting  the 
crop.  The  Danvers  undoubtedly  gives  the  same 
bulk,  but  this  nearer  the  surface,  as  it  forms  a 
compact  cone.  The  new  Chantenay,  however, 
suits  us  as  well  as  anything  we  have  yet  grown. 
It  is  of  the  shape  shown  in  engraving,  blunt  at 
lower  end,  always  smooth  and  handsome,  ma- 
tures early,  apparently  is  of  good  quality,  and 
seems  to  be  very  productive.  On  account  of  its 
compactness,  and  growing  so  near  the  surface, 
it  is  even  still  more  easily  lifted  than  Danvers 
Carrot.  Altogether  we  have  come  to  regard  it 
as  our  best  variety  for  the  general  purposes  of 
the  home  grower. 

Underdraining.  While  our  system  of  under- 
drains  was  laid  out  a  year  ago  the  work  of 
putting  down  lateral  tiles  througbtout  the  place 
has  been  pushed  step  by  step  since.  We  are  now 
wanting  to  get  in  1500  tile  before  winter  closes 
upon  us.  The  season  is  wet  and  unfavorable  for 
this  kind  of  work,  but  some  progress  is  being 
made.  The  tile  are  laid  by  an  experienced 
drainer  on  the  terms  of  30  cents  per  rod,  he  dig- 
ging the  trenches,  but  not  filling  in  the  soil  after 
the  tile  are  in  place.  The  discharge  of  the 
system  of  tile  put  down  a  year  ago  is  tree  and 
satisfactory. 

Preparation  for  Winter.  Some  portions 
of  our  grounds  have  lately  been  plowed  and 
subsoiled,  and  the  work  is  being  extended  at 
this  writing  December  16  as  the  intermissions 
between  rains  permit.  We  have  been  struck  by 
how  a  single  circumstaoce  under  certain  condi- 
tions may  defeat  some  object  which  but  for  it 
could  be  carried  out.  A  two-acre  triangular 
plat  of  Oats  stubble  it  was  deemed  best  to  plow 
and  subsoil  by  going  around  the  piece.  This 
method  of  plowing  requires  that  the  turning  be 
done  on  the  overturned  soil.   It  worked  all  right 


until  the  i>iece  was  one-third  plowed  when  heavy 
rains  set  in,  which  have  since  been  quite  steady, 
and  this  prevented  the  plowing  being  finished, 
not  because  the  soil  could  not  have  been  plowed  ] 
had  the  furrows  ran  strictly  lengthwise  and  per- 
mitting of  turning  the  team  on  unplowed  land, 
but  with  plowing  "  round  and  round "  the 
triangle,  the  turning  of  the  team  on  deeply 
plowed  and  subsoiled  land,  wet  at  that,  was 
about  impossible  and  the  job  was  stopped,  for 
another  more  favorable  to  wet  weather  work. 

The  young  trees  and  shrubs  which  were  planted 
in  the  spring,  have  been  given  a  liberal  dressing 


CORRY  SWEET  CORN. 


CHANTENAY  CARROT. 


of  well-rotted  compost,  scattered  as  far  as  the 
roots  are  supposed  to  extend.  The  young  vine- 
yard plants  and  many  the  vines  and  things  have 
been  laid  down  and  covered  lightly  with  soil. 

Some  hardy  perennial  flowers  that  were  re- 
ceived in  October  were  planted  out  in  a  cold  pit 
for  the  winter  here  to  have  the  protection  of 
glass.  We  think  this  an  excellent  plan  for  hand- 
ling hardy  flowers,  received  in  the  fall.  In  the 
first  place  we  gain  on  spring  work  to  receive 
such  in  the  autumn,  secondly  by  thus  setting 
them  in  a  sash-covered  pit,  they  receive  some 
protection  and  the  roots  become  calloused  at 
their  ends  by  planting  time  in  the  spring  which 
is  an  advantage.  Then  again  to  have  the  plants 
at  our  command  earlier  in  the  spring  than  they 
could  be  received  from  a  nursery,  admits  of  early 
planting  which  is  always  a  good  thing  for  this 
class  of  growths. 

The  entire  surface  of  our  new  lawns  that  were 
started  during  the  past  season  were  well  coated 
with  fine  manure  in  November.  The  same  treat- 
ment was  given  to  the  borders  of  hardy  plants 
and  shrubs.  After  the  manure  had  been  apjilied 
to  the  lawn  it  was  noticed  that  some  coarse 
gravel  was  present  in  it,  the  manure  having 
been  shipped  to  La  Salle  from  the  cattle  yards  at 
Buffalo.  Our  laborer  was  told  that  the  presence 
of  the  gravel  might  prove  very  damaging  to 
the  knives  of  the  mower  next  season,  and  he 
was  set  to  work  with  a  fine  steel  rake  to  pass 
over  the  lawn  for  no  other  purpose  than  to  get 
out  all  of  this  gravel. 


Peaches   Under  Class,  Pruning   etc. 

JOHN  ASH.   NORFOLK  CO.,  MASS. 

To  prune  a  Peach  tree  properly,  consider- 
able experience  and  judgment  on  the  part 
of  the  pruner  is  necessary  to  keep  a  tree 
well  furnished  throughout  with  fruit-bear- 
ing shoots.  As  much  of  the  old  wood  as 
possible  should  be  cut  away  to  allow  space 
for  laying  in  this  season's  growth,  and  it 
should  be  the  aim  of  the  pruner  to  keep  the 
young  wood  as  near  the  base  of  the  shoot 
as  possible,  otherwise  the  center  of  the  tree 
will  become  bare  and  unfruitful. 

Where  trees  have  made  excessively  succu- 
lent growth,  as  much  of  it  should  be  cut 
away  as  can  be  replaced  by  fruit-bearing 
wood,  as  these  growths  rarely  produce  fruit, 
and  only  serve  to  draw  to  themselves  the 
nourishment  which  the  trees  require  to 
perfect  the  crop.  To  prevent  their  reappear- 
ance, attention  must  be  paid  to  root  pruning 


and  now  is  the  best  time  of  the  year  to 
perform  the  operation.  Dig  out  a  trench 
two  and  a  half  feet  from  the  stem  at  each 
side  of  the  tree,  and  from  three  to  four 
feet  from  the  stem  in  front,  the  depth  of 
the  trench  should  be  from  two  and  a  half 
to  three  feet,  using  a  fork  when  the  roots 
are  reached  so  as  not  to  bruise  them. 

In  root  pruning  an  old  established  tree, 
where  the  operation  has  not  been  performed 
before,  it  is  advisable  to  cut  away  the 
strongest  roots  "  that  extend  beyond  the 
trench"  on  one  side  of  the  tree 
only,  allowing  those  on  the 
other  side  to  remain  until  the 
following  season,  so  as  not  to 
give  the  tree  too  great  a  check. 
I]  Carefully  fork  away  as  much 
of  the  soil  from  the  ball  as  can 
IjL  done  without  injury  to  the 
roots,  throwing  the  soil  out 
of  the  trench  and  replacing  it 
with  a  mi.xture  of  good  fibrous 
loam,  lime  rubble  and  a  sprink- 
ling of  bone  meal;  in  doing 
.this,  the  roots  must  be  raised  a 
1  little  to  bring  them  nearer  the 
surface,  and  carefully  spread 
I'out  in  layers  so  as  not  to  en- 
In  training  Peach  trees  on  the 
fan  system,  commence  tying 
the  shoots  at  the  bottom  of 
tangle  the  fibres,  covering  each 
layer  with  soil  and  pressing  it 
firmly  among  the  roots.  This 
course  of  treatment  should  be 
followed  every  two  years, 
the  tree,  balancing  each  side  as  evenly  as 
possible,  to  get  an  equal  distribution  of  sad 
in  every  part  of  the  tree,  and  allow  a  space 
of  about  three  inches  between  the  shoots 
to  leave  room  to  lay  in  the  young  growth. 


COMMENTS    BY    READERS. 

A  depa  rtment  to  which  all  are  i7ii'ite(l  to  send  note^  of 
ej^erienee  and  observation  concerning  topics  that  re- 
cently have  been  treated  on  in  this  Journal.  Many 
such  contributions  monthly  are  welcotne. 

Celeries.  The  Giant  Celeries  are  usually  poor 
in  quality,  and  when  mature,  hollow-leaved;  they 
are  also  poor  keepers.  White  Plume  has  behaved 
very  well  with  me  this  year,  and  retained  its 
usual  self-blanching  nature.  But  in  order  to 
hurry  up  my  May  sowing  I  earthed  it  up  a  little 
at  a  time,  but  full  in  October,  and  of  coui-se  this 
lengthed  the  white  leaves  and  rendered  them 
very  tender.  It  is  now  very  ripe,  that  is  the 
leaves  are  so  brittle  they  break  with  very  little 
handling,  and  of  course  this  robs  it  somewhat  of 
its  good  flavor.  I  have  always  regarded  Kala- 
mazoo and  Golden  Heart  as  being  synonymous. 
It  is  splendid  in  every  way,  of  good"  quality  and 
keeps  well.  Uoston  Market  isn't  as  good  for 
early,  and  I  always  rub  off  its  characteristic 
sprouts,  but  its  quality  is  flue,  and  it  is  the  best 
late  keeper  of  all  the  green  Celeries.  But  if  you 
want  perfection  in  quality  grow  the  red  Celeries, 
no  matter  whether  the  variety  is  New  Rose, 
London  Red,  or  Major  Clarke's  Pink.  When  well 
grown  and  well  bleached  the  heart  leaves  are  not 
pink  at  all.  but  of  a  rich  yellowish  white  color, 
and  you  can  smell  it  as  well  as  taste  it. 

Cucumber  Beetle  Insectkides.  Bravol  Ex- 
periment faithfully  and  tell  the  naked  truth. 

Zanzibar  Balsam  from  Seed.  Yes,  it  seeds 
freely,  and  the  seeds  gerniinat*  easily.  In  green- 
houses where  it  is  grown  it  ripens  and  scatters  its 
seeds,  and  self-sown  seedlings  come  up  every- 
where—under or  on  the  benches,  alongside  the 
pathways,  among  the  pots  of  other  plants,  or 
elsewhere  where  you  would  be  likely  to  find 
young  Ferns  or  wild  Oxalis  come  up.  I  grow  it 
for  summer  gardening,  and  instead  of  saving 
some  jilants  overwinter  I  just  gather  seed  and 
raise  a  fresh  stock  of  seedlings  in  spring. 

Christmas  Roses.  Let  me  endorse  what  Mr. 
Orpet  has  got  to  say  about  these.  But  as  many 
people  don't  know  anything  about  them  let  me 
add:  They  are  not  Roses  at  all,  nor  related  to 
Roses,  and  they  don't  grow  like  Roses  or  look  like 
Roses;  they  belong  to  the  Crowfoot  family  of 
plants,  the  same  to  which  Anemones  belong,  and 
are  called  Hellebores,     H.  niger  mazimus  is  the 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


n 


tlnost,  and  i>ne  of  the  easiest  to  ^row  and  least 
exiKMisi\e  to  obtain.  Tliey  botrin  to  bloom  about 
the  end  ()f  No\  finber  and  eonlinue  in  Mower  tl| 
February,  and  the  phiiits  iuureaso  insi/eand  pro- 
fusion year  after  year.  True,  they  are  perfectly 
hard.\'  and  will  bloom  out  of  di)oi*s  in  winter- 
where  winter  set^-^  in  early,  their  bh^oniiuj^  time  is 
delayed  till  late  winter  -but  if  you  wish  to  enjoy 
theui  thoroujrhly  and  in  their  finest  fidlness,  pro. 
tei't  Ihein.  Oui-s  are  now  (Dee.  l™th)  white  with 
buds  and  llowei-s,  in  faet.  more  blossoms  than 
fttliajre,  and  this  is  how  we  ^row  them:  They 
are  ffrowinj?  in  ordinary  ^rden  trrouud  with  full 
cxptisure  faeinjr  northeast,  and  allowed  to  grow 
at  will  and  ne\-er  disturbed.  .\ln)ut  the  end  of 
October  I  set  a  frame  over  them,  and  about  the 
middle  of  November  I  set  another  fi-ame  on  top 
of  the  first  one  and  cover  with  sashes.  The  sasheS 
aiv  kept  on  in  wet  or  frosty  weather,  but  re- 
moved in  fine  weather;  and  the  frame  is  banked 
around  with  leaves  and  the  sashes  covered  with 
straw  mats  to  kee|i  out  frost.  With  this  protec- 
tion, no  mattt'r  how  frosty  the  weather  may  be, 
1  can  get  fine  fresh  flowers,  whereas  were  they 
unprotected,  handling  them  in  frosty  weather 
would  spoil  them.  On  the  approach  of  spring  I 
remove  frames  and  wraps,  and  mulch  over  the 
ground  with  a  two-inch  layer  of  leaf  soil,  and  let 
them  alone  till  next  fall.  And  as  potted  house 
plants  for  a  cool  room  they  thrive  well  and  bloom 
beautifully. 

Interesting  Dat0RA.  "Bergantia"?  Brug- 
mansia  is  probably  what  was  meant. 

Lettuce  Mildew.  I  grow  winter  Lettuce 
largely,  and  have  been  more  troubled  in  October 
anil  November  than  at  any  other  time,  but  it  is 
likely  to  infest  them  any  time  from  October  till 
K  pril.  Hardy  varieties,  plenty  room  between  the 
plants,  full  light,  abundant  ventilation,  and  rigid 
cleanliness  are  my  best  safeguards,  and  keeping 
the  surface  soil  Ixjtween  the  plants  fretiuentlj' 
stirred  with  a  small  Excelsiorhoe.— n'nj.Fo/coHer 

Preparing  for  Spring.  Now  that  you  have 
ail  the  fall  crops  put  away,  tools  all  housed,  com- 
mence planning  for  next  seasons  crops.  Is  there 
any  repairs  to  be  made  on  ,the  tools?  Any  new 
ones  to  be  got?  Provide  enough  new  berry  crates 
to  make  up  the  past  season's  loss.  See  that  the 
divisions  in  the  crates  are  all  there,  with  a  surplus 
on  hand.  Look  the  berry  baskets  over  and  see 
how  many  of  them  will  be  fit  to  use  again.  Some 
of  your  picking  trays  will  very  likely  be  out  of 
order.  If  j'ou  raise  early  garden  truck  be  sure 
to  have  good  soil  stored  away  out  of  the  reach  of 
frost,  to  have  it  ready  for  early  h(jt-beds.  Ex- 
amine the  sashes  and  mend  where  out  of  repair. 
Get  the  plats  ready  to  transplant  seedlings  in. 
Look  up  the  advertisements  in  the  horticultural 
and  agricultural  papers,  and  find  where  you  can 
get  plants,  seeds  and  new  imprf)ved  tools;  not 
always  at  the  lowest  price  but  the  best  in  kind 
and  quality.  Look  backward  at  .vour  mistakes, 
and  forward  when  to  mend  them.  All  this  and 
more  can  be  done  now  better  than  in  those  hur- 
rying times  of  spring. — A.  M.  N. 

Cucumbers  and  Pickles.  Popular  Garden- 
ing has  recently  published  a  number  of  recipes 
for  making  pickles,  but  has  in  every  instance 
neglected  to  begin  in  a  way  similar  to  the  cele- 
bnited  recipe  how  to  cook  a  hare,  which  starts  in 
"first  catch  your  hare."  To  get  the  Cucumbers 
has  been  the  chief  obstacle  in  the  waj'  of  making 
pickles  this  year,  and  perhaps  before  you  give  us 
any  more  pickle  recipes  you  had  better  tell  us 
how  to  manage  to  save  our  vines  from  destruc- 
tion by  beetles  and  diseases.  It  is  quite  likely 
that  the  failure  of  the  Cucumber  crop  in  many 
sections  this  year  will  result  in  using  up  the 
stock  so  completely  that  none  will  beheld  over, 
and  people  will  get  real  Pickle-hungry  by  another 
season,  so  that  the  demand  by  factories  and 
private  people  will  be  larger  than  usual.  This 
demand  must  be  met,  and  I  shall  try  to  do  my 
share  towards  it  if  I  can.  And  the  way  I  shall 
try  is  b.v  planting  a  little  out  of  the  way,  and  in 
a  field  where  1  think  the  beetles  will  not  be  apt 
to  look  for  the  plants.  I  also  shall  use  very 
plenty  of  seed,  with  but  one-half  of  the  usual 
dist-ance  between  the  hills,  and  shall  cover  up 
some  of  the  hills  and  replant  once  a  week,  and 
fight  the  bugs  and  beetles  to  the  best  of  my  ability 
—and  if  all  this  is  not  enough  to  give  me  Pickles 
in  abundance,  I  shall  give  up  in  despair,  once 
and  forever.— Picfcfc  Eater,  ?iew  York. 

Mulching  Strawberries.  Let  me  add  my 
mite  on  the  subject.  About  the  middle  of  Nov- 
ember of  last  year  I  had  the  patch  thoroughly 
cleaned— you  know  how  persistently  chickweed 
grows  in  fall— from  all  weeds,  and  then  I  spread 


a  good  heavy  dressing  of  netted  manure  all  over 
the  patch,  planf.s  and  all .  Early  in  December  as 
soon  as  \vc  had  a  stiff  fro<v,e,  1  spread  some  salt 
thatch  thinly  o\cr  the  bed,  to  be  left  in  this  way 
till  spring.  Nothing;  can  be  better  than  this 
thatch,  because  it  does  not  mat  down  and  rot 
upon  the  Strawberry  plants;  wind  does  not  blow 
it  aiiout,  and  tm  seeds  from  it  can  grow. 

Stewed  Cei.kkv.  This  reminds  me  of  the  first 
ilish  of  it  T  ever  tasfed.  It  was  in  November,  'K3, 
when  on  a  visit  to  Knglanci.     In  company  with 


CHRYSANTHEMUM  INDICUM.  See  page  ti. 
Mr.  Robinson,  the  editor  of  the  London  Oarden 
I  spent  a  day  among  the  great  gardens  of  Lan- 
cashire. He  was  high  in  praise  of  stewed  Celery, 
and  astonished  when  I  told  him  I  never  tasted  it. 
We  got  into  Manchester  about  8  in  the  evening 
and,  late  though  it  was,  on  reaching  the  hotel  he 
ordered  that  a  dish  of  stewed  Celery  be  cooked 
for  me.  I  then  learned  that  we  did  not  have  all 
the  good  things  of  this  life  on  this  side  of  the 
Atlantic,  and  ever  since  that  time  stewed  Celery 
has  been  a  common  and  favorite  dish  upon  our 
table.— vrm.  Falconer. 

The  Leconte  Pear.  I  am  surprised  that  you 
eastern  horticulturists  do  not  say  more  in  regard 
to  this  noble  Pear.  It  is  a  fine,  melting,  sweet 
Pear,  larger  than  the  Kieffer,  a  better  bearer  and 
thriftier  grower.  I  have  an  orchard  of  130  trees 
six  years  old,  raised  from  cuttings  Some  of  the 
trees  will  have  from  one  to  two  bushels  of  fruit 
next  season  if  not  injured  by  frost.  They  ripen 
about  the  20th  of  September  and  may  be  picked 
by  the  15th.  I  notice  they  brought  $4  .'lO  per  bbl. 
as  long  as  any  came  to  St.  Louis  market  this  fall. 
All  eastern  writers  that  say  anything  about  this 
Pear  seem  to  hit  it  a  kick.  Now  if  my  trees  hold 
out  against  blight  in  future  I  don't  want  any 
better  investment  in  fruit  trees  than  this  Pear.— 
Wm.  M.  Jeffrey,  Ills. 

The  Mariansa  Pluji.  I  see  this  gets  a  slight 
hit  by  your  answer  to  inquiry  1,491.  I  think  you 
had  better  advise  him  to  bud  ten  trees  of  Peach 
on  Marianua  roots  for  one  on  Peach.  I  am  con- 
fident that  the  Peach,  .Vpricot  and  Plum  in  future 
will  be  budded  on  Marianna  stock  wherever  they 
are  tested.  I  am  satisfied  the  Peach  will  last  a 
lifetime  if  budded  on  such  roots;  the  borer  will 
not  trouble  them.  There  are  thousands  of  such 
trees  budded  on  Marianna  rfiot  now  growing  in 
the  west.— If  m.  M.  Jeffrey,  7/(,s. 

Railroad  Station  Gardening.  As  this  sub- 
ject has  already  been  favorably  noticed  in  Popu- 
L,\R  G.iRDENiNG,  let  me  add  a  few  points  regard- 
ing the  management  of  the  groundsat  our  station. 
The  lawn  is  on  the  south  and  cast  sides  of  the 
building,  consists  of  about  one-sixth  of  an  acre 
is  nicely  graded  and  covered  with  a  good  sod.  In 
the  bank  facing  the  track  the  name  of  the  station 
is  cut  in  large  letters,  which  in  the  fall  are  planted 
in  TuUps,  and  in  the  summer  filled  with  red  and 
golden  Alternanteras.  Upon  the  upper  edge  of 
the  bank  are  planted  Roses,  Gladiolus,  Tuberoses, 
etc.  In  the  main  part  of  the  lawn  there  are  beds 
of  Cannas,  Geraniums,  Ornamental  Beets   and 


Coleus;  and  some  large  specimens  of  Caladiums 
and  Anifirphophallus  occupy  conspicuous  places. 
There  are  also  numerous  \ines  planted  about  the 
buildings,  as  screens  and  showy  climbers.  The 
lawn  mower  is  in  use  often.  It  is  evident  that 
this  oasis  along  the  iron  highway  breaks  the 
monotony  of  travel  to  many  a  passenger  in  a 
pleasing  manner,  as  is  evinced  by  the  commend- 
able remarks  made  while  the  trains  stop.  It  is 
also  a  pleasant  retreat  for  persons  waiting  for 
the  trains,  and  the  general  public  can  receive 
much  benefit  by  studying  the  various  plants. 
The  beauty  of  these  grounds  depends  much 
upon  the  ticket  agent  who  cares  for  them  and 
fully  understands  the  art  of  gardening.— Jo/iii 
F.  Rui>p,  Cumberland  Co.,  Pa. 

London  Purple  Once  More.  Our  experience 
with  London  Purple  has  been  that  the  English 
varieties  of  Plums  will  stand  a  stronger  solution 
than  any  other  fruit  foliage.  In  Insect  Life,  pub- 
lished by  Division  of  Entomology,  U.  S.  Depart- 
ment of  Agriculture,  may  be  found  an  account 
of  damage  done  to  my  young  two-year  old 
orchard  by  the  May  beetle.  We  have  in  this 
orchard  some  760  Plum  trees  of  the  following 
varieties:  German  Plum,  Shopshire  Damson, 
Gen.  Lee,  Green  Gage,  Gen.  Hand,  White  Egg, 
Wild  Goose  and  Weaver.  In  three  nights  the 
May  ^beetle  almost  defoliated  the  entire  orchard 
of  Plums  (English  varieties  only  I,  also  Gov.  Wood, 
Cherry,  and  Hansel  Raspberry.  We  telegraphed 
Assistant  Entomologist  L.  A.  Howard,  who 
immediately  sent  Mr.  C.  L.  Bartlett  with  a  Nixon 
Little  Giant  force  pump,  and  on  next  day.  May 
10,  we  sprayed  about  1300  trees,  including  Plum, 
Cherry,  Apple,  Apricots,  Peach,  English  Walnut 
and  Raspberry.  We  used  60  gallons  of  water  and 
six  ounces  of  London  purple,  first  dissolving  the 
London  purple  in  one  gallon  of  water  until  every 
particle  was  dissolved,  then  pouring  the  London 
purple  in  the  tank  and  adding  the  water.  We 
put  the  pump  in  our  two-horse  wagon  and 
sprayed  two  rows  on  each  side,  the  writer  driWng 
and  doing  the  pumping,  while  two  little  boys  10 
and  1«  years  old  held  the  nozzles.  The  work  was 
done  in  four  hours.  The  May  beetle  ceased  to 
trouble  anything  that  was  sprayed.  The  trees  at 
that  time  had  made  about  one-third  of  their 
summer's  growth.  The  spraying  did  not  stop  the 
growth,  but  the  Peach  trees  lost  all  foliage  within 
three  weeks,  also  all  bloom  buds  on  the  later 
growth.  The  bloom  spurs  and  buds  also  dropped 
otf  of  Gov.  Wood  Cherry  in  four  weeks;  hardly 
a  leaf  was  left  on  the  Cherry,  Apricot  and  Peach. 
I  do  not  think  the  spraying  affected  the  growth 
in  the  least, for  some  of  the  Peaches  that  dropped 
the  most  foliage  made  the  greatest  growth.  Prom 
my  experience  I  would  estimate  the  strength  of 
the  poisonous  liquid  that  the  different  trees  and 
shrubs  can  endure  when  in  bloom  without  injury 
as  follows:  Plums,  English  varieties,  one  pound 
of  London  purple  to  160  gallons  of  water;  Apples 
and  Raspberries,  one  pound  to  160  gallons;  Apri- 
cots, one  pound  to  200  gallons;  Cherry,  one  pound 
to  iioO  gallons;  Peaches,  one  puml  to  ;i)0  ga  lions. 
My  first  experience  with  arsenical  poisons  was 
spraying  with  Paris  green  for  Plum  curculio 
during  summer  of  1880.  I  have  discarded  Paris 
green  and  shall  always  use  London  purple  here- 
after.—J.  Luther  Bowers,  Va. 

Grape  Culture.  The  communications  of  E. 
P.  Powell  and  Dr.  Stayman  correspond  so  well 
with  my  own  experience  that  I  wish  a  good  hand- 
shaking could  be  had  with  each  just  now.  Those 
who  have  the  Downing  Grape  vines  should  be 
sure  to  protect  them  well,  as  I  see  by  the  record 
that  it  is  half  vinifera,  if  not  three-fourths.  This 
Grape  will  be  worth  sacking  and  a  canopy  over 
it.  The  mildew  of  foliage  is  so  little  trouble  here, 
however,  that  a  roof  is  scarcely  needed  if  we  only 
sack  the  bunches. 

Peach  and  Plum  Rot.  The  article  on  this 
subject  interests  me  greatly,  for  rot  is  a  drawback 
with  us  here.  Past  season  out  of  what  should 
have  given  us  20  bushels  of  fine  early  Peaches  we 
did  not  sell  a  peck,  and  could  hardly  get  enough 
perfect  fruit  for  ourselves  and  the  friends  visit- 
ing us.  The  late  ones  dofie  better.  Plums  suffered 
less,  except  where  the  curculio  got  in  its  work, 
which  was  nearly  on  all  of  them  One  tree  of 
Lombard  produced  a  fine  crop,  however.  Of  late 
Peaches  the  Niq,  a  cling,  is  the  latest  we  have 
there  still  being  some  on  hand  at  this  date,  Dec. 
7th,  sound  and  plump.  Were  it  not  for  the  occa- 
sional hard  winters  that  kUl  our  Peach  buds  (for 
they  seldom  freeze  when  in  blossom)  we  could 
raise  Peaches  here  to  perfection.  Yellows  we 
know  nothing  of,  and  trees  live  to  a  good  age  and 
large  size.  I  cut  up  the  butt  of  one  recently  ten 
inches  in  diameter  at  the  ground.—*'.  MiUer. 


78 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


January, 


Notes  of  An  Illinois  Fruit  Enterprise 

JOBS   M.  STAHL,  ADAMS  CO.,  IIX. 

One  of  the  largest  fruit  enterprises  in  this 
country  is  located  near  Xauvoo,  111.,  and 
has  been  worked  up  by  Mr.  Will  Stahl,  of 
Quincy.  Mr.  Stahl  has  been  growing  small 
fruits  near  Quincy  for  some  years;  has  also 
done  a  commission  business  in  fruits  for  ten 
or  twelve  years.  Several  years  ago  he  be- 
came convinced  of  the  unusual  advantages 
offered  by  the  soil  near  Xauvoo,  and  began 
fruit  raising  there  on  a  small  scale.  He  has 
increased  his  business  there  until  he  has 
now  300  acres  in  small  fruits,  while  he  super- 
vises somewhat  the  cultivation  of  500  acres 
more  in  small  fruits,  and  handles  the  pro- 
duct. Of  the  total  of  800  acres,  about  500 
acres  are  in  Grapes  and  about  300  acres  in 
Strawberries,  Raspberries  and  Blackberries. 

Grapes.  Of  the  Grapes  grown,  the  Con- 
cord is  the  principal  variety.  While  its 
quality  is  not  of  the  best  at  Nauvoo,  as  else- 
where, it  still  has  more  to  offer  the  general 
grower  for  shipment  than  any  other  variety. 
Among  other  varieties  grown  are  the  Ives, 
a  good  early  Grape,  though  sour,  but  being 
replaced  by  the  Worden,  Champion, Moore's 
Early  and  Niagara.  Xearly  all  the  new 
vineyards  are  of  the  four  varieties  last 
named  and  the  Pocklington.  Mr.  Stahl 
puts  a  high  estimate  on  the  Worden,  in  his 
o^vn  words,  "  it  is  a  rattling  good  Grape." 

Raspberries.  Of  Blackcap  Raspberries, 
Mr.  S.  has  60  acres  in  the  Souhegan.  This 
is  the  only  black  cap  variety  he  grows— has 
discarded  all  others  he  has  tried,  and  he  has 
tried  many.  The  trouble  with  the  Gregg 
was  that  it  winter-killed.  He  does  not  grow 
the  Ohio  because  it  ripens  too  late;  he  wants 
only  a  very  early  variety. 

Of  the  reds  grown,  the  Turner,  Brandy- 
wine,  Marlboro  and  Cuthbert  are  the  prin- 
cipal varieties.  All  are  Xo.  1  bearers.  The 
Turner  is  excellent  for  home  market,  but 
too  soft  to  ship  well.  Brandy  wine,  Marlboro 
and  Cuthbert  are  good  shippers.  The  Cuth- 
bert is  a  little  late,  but  nevertheless  profita- 
ble; it  is  apt  to  winter-kill  a  little.  The 
Brandywine  is  very  profitable.  All  are  of 
good  quality. 

Blackberries.  The  five  principal  varie- 
ties of  Blackberry  grown  are  the  Snyder, 
Early  Harvest,  Ancient  Britain,  Taylor's 
Prolific  and  Stone's  Hardy.  The  Early 
Harvest  is  a  good  early  berry,  but  must  be 
laid  down  and  covered  for  the  winter  All  the 
others  will  go  through  the  winter  fairly  well. 
Snyder  is  quite  hardy.  All  are  productive. 
Snyder  is  now  grown  more  than  any  other. 

Strawberries.  Twenty-two  varieties  of 
Strawberry  are  grown.  The  most  import- 
ant are  I..ady  Rusk,  Jessie,  Warfield,  Cres- 
cent, James  Vick,  Capt.  Jack,  Miner';^  Pro- 
lific, Cumberland,  Bubach,  Haverland, 
Monmouth,  Bidwell,  Downing,  Wilson, 
Parry,  Gandy,  .Sharpless  and  Sucker  State. 
Jessie  does  fairly  well.  James  Vick  and 
Capt.  Jack  are  superior  for  fertilizing;  yet 
better  for  this  purpose  is  the  Bidwell.  which 
is  a  very  strong  bloomer.  The  Bidwell 
made  a  fine  crop  of  fruit  in  '88,  but  did  little 
good  this  year.  The  Crescent  does  well  with 
good  culture.  The  Parry  did  exceedingly 
well  this  year;  some  of  the  berries  beat  its 
pictures.  Sharpless,  Bubach,  Warfield  and 
Haverland  are  excellent. 

Mr.  Stahl  usually  tests  a  new  variety  as 
soon  as  brought  out,  and  therefore  his  re- 
taining any  variety,  as  he  has  those  I  have 
mentioned  as  among  those  he  is  growing, 
is  evidence  that  he  has  found  it  possessed  of 
several  good  qualities  when  grown  at  Xau- 
voo. Another  thing,  Mr.  S.  gives  extra  good 
cultivation,  and  thinks  varieties  are  often 
condemned  by  those  who  have  not  given 
them  the  cultiu-e  that  would  have  brought 
out  their  good  qualities. 

The  Lady  Rusk  is  a  seedling  which  he  has 
grown  for  four  years,  and  he  is  so  well 


pleased  with  it  that  he  will  in  future  grow 
it  almost  altogether.  It  is  a  very  vigorous 
grower — surpassed  by  none  in  this  particu- 
lar; withstands  heat  and  drouth  to  perfec- 
tion; it  does  not  rust,  the  berry  is  larger 
than  the  Crescent,  ripens  several  days  earlier 
and  more  than  any  other  is  uniform 
throughout  the  entire  picking  season.  It  is 
a  splendid  shipper — has  reached  Winnipeg 
from  X^auvoo  in  good  condition.  It  is  pis- 
tillate. 

This  year  Mr.  Stahl  shipped  300,000  baskets 
of  Grapes,  30  cars  of  Strawberries,  8,000 
cases  of  Raspberries,  etc.,  of  course  not  all 
of  his  own  growing.  His  experience  as  a 
shipper  gives  him  an  advantage  in  testing 
fruits  for  distant  markets. 


Virginia  Fruit  Notes. 

J.  LUTHER  BOWERS,  FAIRFAX  CO.,  VA. 

Plums. — The  Weaver  has  not  given  me 
satisfaction.  I  have  about  thirty  trees  that 
are  from  three  to  four  years  old,  on  Peach 
root.  They  have  made  an  enormous  growth, 
some  of  the  trees  now  being  three  to  three 
and  one-half  inches  in  diameter  at  the 
ground,  and  ten  to  twelve  feet  high.  They 
set  the  most  bloom  of  anything  in  the  line  of 
fruit-trees  I  ever  saw;  but  the  bloom  has 
never  yet  expanded  to  an  open  flower,  but 
drops  off.  I  am  getting  disgusted  with  it, 
and  if  it  does  not  do  better  next  season,  I 
shall  top-graft  the  trees  to  French  Prunes. 

The  Wild  Goose  is  the  Plum  for  this  local- 
ity, a  heavy  annual  bearer,  always  smooth 
and  perfect,  fine  for  shipping,  fine  for  can- 
ning, and  brings  good  prices.  The  crop  of 
the  four  trees  eight  years  old,  one  season 
sold  for  *i0.00.  I  have  had  trees  to  bear 
when  only  two  years  old.  Gen.  Lee  is  a 
Virginia  seedling  from  Bradshaw,  very 
early,  ripening  here  the  last  of  August.  It 
is  similar  to  the  Niagara  in  shape  and  color. 
ThejGerman  Prune,  Gen.  Hand,  Shropshire 
Damson,  Yellow  Egg,  Green  Gage,  and  sim- 
ilar kinds  of  the  European  type  are  badly 
afflicted  with  curculio,  but  if  sprayed  at  pro- 
per time  and  proper  intervals  a  large  crop 
can  be  grown.  I  am  testing  twenty  new 
varieties  of  Plums.  I  think  the  Satsuma 
will  prove  hardy  here  and  be  a  valuable 
Plum  for  this  section. 

Apricots. — An  annual  crop  can  be  ex- 
pected here  only  of  trees  that  stand  very 
much  exposed  to  the  north  or  east  of  north, 
or  on  north  or  northeast  side  of  building. 
One  of  my  trees  in  a  southeast  exposure, 
bore  well  this  year.  The  curculio  affects 
Apricots  badly  here,  and  spraying  is  neces- 
sary to  save  the  crop.  Seedlings  will  do  50 
per  cent  better  than  budded  stock.  Am 
testing  quite  a  number  of  named  Russian 
Appricots,  and  hope  to  have  fruit  on  some 
of  them  next  year. 

English  Walnuts.— My  trees  are  seed- 
lings from  large  nuts,  and  under  certain 
cLrcumstances  are  hardy.  If  a  dry  Septem- 
ber follows  upon  a  wet  summer,  the  trees 
will  winter  all  right,  but  when  a  wet  and 
warm  September  follows  after  a  dry  sum- 
mer, the  ends  of  branches  are  sometimes 
winter-killed.  My  trees  are  all  young. 
There  are,  however,  some  fine  trees  in  this 
country  that  bear  annual  crops,  some  years 
very  heavy,  other  years  light.  If  young 
trees  come  safely  through  until  they  get  two 
to  three  inches  in  diameter  at  the  ground, 
they  are  hardy,  and  even  more  hardy  on  a 
hill  or  hillside  than  on  low  or  bottom  land. 

I  put  in  a  lot  of  grafts  on  Black  Walnut 
last  spring.  They  made  a  fine  growth;  one 
graft  grew  four  and  one-half  feet  with  seven 
side  branches,  and  is  one  and  one-half  inches 
in  diameter  just  above  union.  I  think  by 
top-grafting  the  Black  Walnut  with  English 
Walnut  the  latter  will  be  entirely  hardy. 

Evaporating  Prunes.— It  seems  strange 
to  me  that  we  have  no  evaporated  Prunes 
here  in  the  east.    I  am  planting  largely  of 


Prunes  for  the  purpose  of  evaporating,  and 
should  like  to  hear  from  some  Xew  York 
man  on  the  subject  of  Prunes. 

I  spent  a  portion  of  three  years  on  the 
large  fruit  farm  of  John  Bidwell,  Chico, 
Butte  Co.,  California,  where  upwards  of  100 
tons  of  Plums  and  Prunes  are  dried  and 
evaporated  every  year.  The  evaporated 
Prunes  sell  better  than  the  sun-dried. 


Planting  an  Orchard. 

-v.  r.  REED,   CL-MBERLAND  COrNn",   ME. 

Although  not  claiming  to  be  an  experi- 
enced orchardist,  I  have  observed  some 
things  that  I  think  would  be  of  value  to 
me  it  I  should  plant  an  orchard.  In  the 
first  place,  I  should  put  the  trees  into  plow- 
ed ground.  I  should  keep  the  ground  plowed 
several  years,  till  the  trees  came  into  bear- 
ing, cropping  it  all  the  while  lightly,  but 
putting  in  each  year,  more  plant  nourish- 
ment than  I  take  out,  thus  laying  in  a 
reserve  fund  for  the  support  of  the  trees  in 
years  to  come. 

Then  I  would  lay  it  down  to  grass,  but 
keep  the  grass  from  growing  for  several 
feet  around  each  tree  by  mulching  quite 
heavily  each  year  after  haying,  with  leaf 
mould,  compost,  etc.  In  the  meantime  I 
would  keep  the  ground  well  up  with  liberal 
top  dressings.  Thus  managed,  I  do  not  see 
the  necessity  of  plowing  much  if  any  in  the 
orchard,  after  it  has  come  to  maturity,  and 
it  is  certainly  not  convenient  to  do  so 
among  low  trees  such  as  I  believe  in,  and 
thus  managed,  we  .shall  find  that  no  crop 
comes  easier  into  our  hands  than  the  Apple 
crop.  An  orchard  where  both  the  land  and 
the  trees  give  a  good  showing,  even  though 
the  Apples  bring  but  -*1  per  barrel,  pays  a 
per  cent,  on  the  capital  invested  that  any 
merchant  would  be  proud  of  in  his  business. 
"WTiat  way  is  there  to  earn  a  dollar  any 
quicker  or  easier  in  horticulture,  than  to 
pick  a  barrel  of  Apples  from  a  low  tree? 


Fertilzers  for  Fruit  Trees. 

The  science  of  agricultural  chemistry 
leaves  us  yet  in  the  dark  about  many  im- 
portant points  concerning  the  rational  and 
economical  feeding  of  our  crops.  It  has 
failed,  thus  far,  to  furnish  us  definite,  abso- 
lutely reliable  data  upon  which  we  might 
base  our  calculations,  or  map  out  a  certain 
line  of  action  with  any  kind  of  assurance 
that  we  are  right. 

The  different  kinds  of  fruit,  for  instance, 
quite  likely  require  different  elements  of 
plant-food,  or  these  in  different  proportions. 
But  we  are  as  yet  unable  to  say,  this  tree 
needs  so  many  pounds  of  nitrogen,  so  many 
of  potash,  and  so  many  of  phosphoric  acid, 
of  which  the  particular  soil  furnishes  so 
many  of  this,  and  so  many  of  that,  leaving 
just  so  much  to  be  supplied  by  applications 
of  fertilizers.  And  probably  it  will  be  a 
good  many  years  before  we  will  reach  this 
state  of  absohite  knowledge,  if  ever. 

We  know,  says  Mr.  W.  J.  Green  in  Ohio 
Farmer,  that  Pears  thrive  best  on  heavy 
soil,  and  Quince  trees  require  a  damp  soil, 
but  we  give  little  consideration  to  the  ele- 
ments in  the  various  kinds  of  soils.  The 
best  that  we  can  do  is  to  supply  our  trees 
with  about  what  we  think  is  required, 
basing  our  judgment  upon  experience. 
Fruit  trees  require  at  least  a  dozen  different 
chemical  elements,  but  nearly  all  these 
elements  are  present  in  most  soils  in  suffi- 
cient quantities.  There  are  only  three 
elements,  nitrogen,  potassium  and  phos- 
phorus, that  we  are  likely  to  be  called  upon 
to  supply  to  any  ordinary  soil. 

Stable  manure,  as  everyone  knows,  con- 
tains the  elements  named,  but  it  is  not 
always  suitable  lor  fruit  trees.  It  may  safe- 
ly be  used  on  thin  poor  soils,  and  upon  old 
Apple  orchards.  In  such  cases  there  is 
nothing  better,  but  where  there  is  danger  of 


i89o- 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


79 


inducinK  too  strong  a  growth  of  wood,  it 
should  not  be  applied.  It  is  not  reiiuired 
for  any  kind  of  fruit  tree  on  rich,  or  even  on 
good  soil,  before  the  tree  conies  into  bearing. 
Peach  and  tMierry  trees  forced  by  manure 
will  not  endure  our  winters;  while  Pear 
trees  suffer  from  the  same  cause,  and  blight 
as  well,  and  Apple  trees  make  a  vigorous 
growth  but  produce  sparingly.  The  princi- 
pal cause  of  this  action  of  manure  is  the 
nitrogen  which  it  contains. 

Nitrogen  causes  growth  and  tends  to  re- 
tard fruitfulness,  hence  any  substance  con- 
taining it  should  be  avoided  except  in  the 
cases  indicated.  Very  often  it  is  just  what 
is  required,  and  this  may  be  known  when 
the  growth  is  weak,  except  in  cases  where 
disease  is  present.  If  a  tree  is  healthy  yet 
does  not  grow  thrifty,  it  will  probably  be 
benefited  by  an  application  of  nitrogen,  but 
as  long  as  there  is  a  good  healthy  growth 
that  element  is  not  required. 

As  stated  before,  nitrogeu  is  found  in 
manure,  but  it  may  be  had  quite  cheaply  in 
other  forms,  or  combinations.  Nitrate  of 
soda  and  sulphate  of  ammonia  are  common 
forms.  It  is  present  in  dried  blood,  hair, 
hides,  bones,  etc.  It  is  from  some  of  these 
sources  that  fertilizer  manufacturers  obtain 
nitrogen.  Fertilizers  containing  nitrogen 
cost  more  than  those  that  do  not,  hence  such 
fertilizers  are  needlessly  expensive  for  fruit 
trees,  as  well  as  harmful,  except  in  rare  cases. 

Bones  contain  nitrogen,  but  not  in  such 
quantities  as  to  unduly  stimulate  growth. 
They  also  contain  phosphorus  in  the  form  of 
phosphate  of  lime,  which  is  required  by 
fruit  trees,  particularly  after  they  reach  bear- 
ing age,  as  phophorous  is  an  important 
element  in  seed  production.  On  thin  soils 
ground  bone  may  be  applied  when  the  trees 
are  planted  at  the  rate  of  .500  lbs.  per  acre  to 
good  advantage.  Ordinarily,  however,  it  is 
just  as  well  to  wait  until  the  trees  begin  to 
bear  before  using  the  bone  meal.  At  this 
period  it  is  well  to  apply  pota,sh  also.  This 
may  be  had  quite  cheaply  in  the  form  of 
sulphate  and  muriate  of  potash  and  kainit. 

Wood  ashes  are  better  than  either  of  the 
above,  as  they  contain  phosphorus  as  well  as 
potash.  Ashes  and  bones  furnish  the  ele- 
ments that  are  most  useful  to  fruit  trees, 
and  except  in  rare  cases,  there  is  no  need 
of  applying  anything  else.  Unles  the  soil 
is  very  poor,  the  bone  meal  will  supply  suffi- 
cient nitrogen,  and  yet  not  enough  to  cause 
excessive  growth. 

Ground  bone  is  particularly  recommended 
for  smallfruit  plants,  Grape  vines  and  bear- 
ing Apple  orchards,  and  may  be  applied  at 
the  rate  of  300  to  30O  lbs.  per  acre  annually, 
the  amount  depending  upon  the  apparent 
needs  of  the  plant  or  trees.  Peach,  Cherry 
and  Pear  trees  will  bear  very  little  forcing, 
hence  bone  should  be  used  more  sparingly 
on  them,  if  at  all.  Unleached  wood  ashes 
are  better  for  these  trees,  as  they  furnish  all 
that  is  required  with  nitrogen  omitted.  A 
by-product  in  iron  manufacture,  known  as 
basic  slag,  contains  considerable  quantities 
of  phosphorus.  Inasmuch  as  iron  is  thought 
to  be  useful  to  fruit  trees,  this  may  prove 
to  be  a  valuable  fertilizer.  Experiments  are 
needed  in  this  direction,  although  there  can 
be  little  doubt  as  to  the  availability  of  the 
phosphorus  in  the  substance  named.  It  is 
quite  cheap  and  a  safe  thing  to  try. 

Superphosphate  is  not,  or  not  as  a  general 
thing,  suitable  for  fruit  trees,  as  its  action 
is  not  sufficiently  long  continued.  It  may 
do  very  well  in  certain  cases  where  quick 
returns  are  desired,  but  if  used  on  fruits  of 
any  kind  it  better  be  applied  to  Strawberries 
or  some  of  the  small  fruits.  High-priced 
chemical  fertilizers  that  are  manufactured 
for  the  purpose  of  giving  immediate  and 
striking  results  on  vegetables  and  grains, 
are  unsuitable  for  most  fruit-bearing  plants. 
Such  fertilizers  stimulate  a  succulent  un- 


healthy growth,  but  are  not  lasting  enough, 
besides  being  too  costly  for  the  purpose.  It 
is  better  to  study  the  needs  of  the  soil,  ac- 
cording to  the  principles  above  indicated 
and  apply  such  .substances  as  seem  to  be 
needed.  In  order  to  define  these  principles 
more  clearly  the  following  summary  is  given. 

1.  On  rich  soils  no  nitrogen  is  required  for 
fruit  trees,  and  to  apply  fertilizers  contain- 
ing nitrogen  in  such  cases  is  not  only  waste- 
ful but  harmful. 

2.  When  the  soil  is  naturally  poor  or  has 
become  exhausted,  as  shown  by  weak 
growth,  stable  manure,  nitrate  of  soda,  sul- 
phate of  ammonia  or  ground  bone  may  be 
tried  and  useful. 

.S.  On  Apple  orchards  that  have  borne 
several  crops,  wood  ashes  (leached  or  un- 
leached), ground  bone,  or  basic  slag  should 
be  applied  annually. 

4.  On  Peach,  Cherry  and  Pear  trees  use 
fertilizers  containing  phosphoric  acid  and 
potash,  but  little  or  no  nitrogen.  Enough 
of  the  latter  element  will  usually  be  found 
in  ground  bone.  Stable  manure,  blood,  etc., 
induce  too  strong  growth. 


The  Shiawassee  Apple. 

T.  T.   LYO-S,   VAN  BrRE.S   CO.,   MICH. 

The  American  Rural  Home,  in  speaking 
of  the  Michigan  Apples  received  at  Roches- 
ter, this  season,  commends  the  specimens  of 
Eameuse,  especially  for  their  size,  high 
color  and  freedom  from  fungus. 

This  is  a  difficulty  to  which,  in  Michigan, 
as  elsewhere,  this  variety  is  peculiarly  liable; 
although,  upon  young  trees,  and,  in  occa- 
sional favorable  years,  upon  older  ones,  the 
fruit  is  often  fair  and  beautiful. 

We  only  refer  to  the  matter  here,  to  ex- 
press surprise  at  the  persistency  with  which 
even  intelligent  and  experienced  fruit  grow- 
ers and  fruit  lovers  seem  to  adhere  to  an  un- 
necessary and  unprofitable^preference,  when 
once  acquired. 

We  refer  to  the  fact  that,  for  thirty  or 
forty  years  past,  there  has  been  before  the 
public  a  supposed  seedling  of  Fameuse,  like 
it  in  color,  texture,  flavor,  aroma  and  white- 
ness, as  well  as  in  juiciness  and  tenderness 
of  flesh;  and  even  excelling  it  in  size,  as  it 
does  in  some  of  the  other  particulars  named. 
And  yet,  probably  for  the  reason  that  it  has 
not  been  heralded,  as  have  so  many  more 
recent  novelties  of  far  less  real  value,  its 
merits  seem  only  to  be  appreciated  by  a  for- 
tunate few,  who  have,  by  accident  or  other- 
wise, been  induced  to  give  it  a  trial;  and 
have  tlius  learned  its  actual  value. 

P'ifteen  or  sixteen  years  ago,  the  writer, 
as  chairman  of  a  committee  to  frame  a  list 
of  fruits  to  be  recommended  by  the  Michi- 
gan State  Pomological  Society  for  general 
cultivation  in  the  state,  I  wished  to  secure 
the  insertion  of  the  Shiawassee,  instead  of 
its  supposed  parent,  the  Fameuse,  and  stated 
that  it  not  only  possessed  all  the  peculiar 
and  desirable  qualities  of  its  supposed 
parent,  but  also  were  of  somewhat  larger 
size,  and  nearly  free  from  the  liability  to 
scab  and  crack,  which  proves  so  serious  a 
drawback  upon  the  value  of  Fameuse. 

In  the  face  of  this  statement,  and  with  the 
full  knowledge  of  this  serious  fault  of  the 
Fameuse,  the  society  refused  to  accept  the 
reported  list,  save  upon  the  insertion  of  the 
latter;  and,  even  down  to  the  present,  the 
Shiawassee  has  been  only  occasionally 
planted;  although  when  shown  at  exhibi- 
tions, its  great  beauty  and  fine  quality  com- 
mand special  attention.  This  tardiness  of 
recognition  is  the  more  surprising,  from  the 
tact  that,  in  tree  as  in  fruit,  and  in  pro- 
ductiveness, as  in  size,  the  Shiawassee  is  not 
a  whit  the  inferior  of  the  Fameuse. 

To  our  apprehension  therefore  the  case 
may  be  assumed  to  be  a  parallel  with  that 
of  Beecher's  dog  Noble;  and  to  indicate 
strongly  that  even  intelligent  fruit  growers 


need  to  have  their  appreciative  faculties 
stirred  by  the  persuasions  of  the  oily-tongued 
tree  peddler. 


What  I  Know  About  Beans. 

E.  P.  POWELL,  ONEID.\  CO.,  N.  Y. 

It  is  now  full  ten  years  since  I  planted  the 
Black  Wax  Bean,  one  of  the  Southern  Cow 
Peas — which  variety  I  cannot  now  recall— 
the  small  yellow  Field  Bean,  a  few  Limas, 
the  Yard  long  for  pickling,  and  the  Refugee. 
I  am  not  certain,  but  there  were  also  about 
my  garden  some  of  the  Scarlet  and  some  of 
the  White-Flowering  Beans,  grown  more 
for  beauty  than  use.  When  harvest  time 
came  there  were  a  few  Beans  remarkable 
for  nothing  but  their  mixed  colors,  but  they 
pleased  my  little  Fritz,  and  we  picked  them 
out  and  sorted  them. 

The  next  year  these  were  planted  and 
now  that  attention  had  been  drawn  to  cross- 
ing Beans,  I  began  to  make  careful  selections 
of  any  variations  that  occurred.  If  pods 
appeared  out  of  the  normal,  strings  were 
tied  about  them  and  the  seed  saved  for  plant- 
ing. There  were  no  marked  results  for  these 
years,  except  a  large  number  of  very  pretty 
or  fancy  Beans,  some  of  them  varying  decid- 
edly in  form  from  what  I  had  planted.  I 
could  only  show  about  twenty  very  curiously 
striped  and  spotted  rich  colored  sorts. 

Systematic  Selections.  Nowbeganadis- 
tinct  plan.  I  proposed  to  secure  white  pods 
of  a  large  size,  with  white  Beans  inside,  or 
Beans  that  would  cook  white.  Black  Beans, 
except  for  soup,  are  worthless  and  were 
rejected.  The  result  was  a  large  number  of 
sorts  with  white  pods  of  many  different 
shades,  pink  or  silver  or  golden,  all  very 
beautiful.  But  I  had  broken  the  barriers 
of  varieties,  and  even  of  species,  for  the  blood 
of  the  Cow  Pea  was  manifest  in  my  products; 
and  it  was  not  easy  to  quiet  the  disturbed 
spirits.  Apparently  one  variety,  when  plant- 
ed, would  come  out  in  the  fall  three  or  four- 
fold. The  tendency  to  sprout  could  not  be 
controlled. 

All  this  while  I  used  no  artificial  means 
for  crossing,  leaving  that  to  the  insects,  and 
confining  my  own  efforts  entirely  to  selec- 
tion. The  difficulty  in  managing  systematic 
crossing  of  Beans  is  great,  and  I  have  seen 
no  reason  troubling  myself  about  it.  The 
chief  act  is  in  selecting  valuable  strains  and 
fixing  them.  I  had  already,  in  the  course  of 
five  or  six  years,  originated  several  hundred 
sorts,  varying  more  or  le.ss,  and  most  of 
them  had  been  repeated.  Still  I  could  see 
no  sign  of  the  Lima.  Evidently  old  long- 
est ablished  variations,  in  the  Bean  family 
were  hard  to  break  up,  as  old  habits  are, 
while  modern  strains  sported  about  at  ran- 
dom. But  at  last  I  found,  about  five  years 
ago,  a  very  evident  touch  of  the  Lima  blood 
in  a  very  prolific  pole  Bean.  It  was  some- 
what flattened  and  in  quality  was  excellent. 
Its  marked  characteristic  was,  however, 
prolific  bearing.  Meanwhile  I  had  discarded 
Black  Wax  and  did  my  best  to  eradicate 
every  trace  of  it;  in  its  place  introducing  the 
Golden  Wax.  Several  reappearances,  in 
different  modifications,  occurred  of  the 
Yard-long  or  Pickle  Bean  and  it  was  clear 
that  for  increased  size  of  pod  I  was  to  rely 
largely  on  that  sort.  The  white  pods  each 
year,  being  selected  in  preference  to  others, 
began  to  show  some  superbly  beautiful 
results.  The  Refugee  reappeared  only  in 
bush  sorts  and  gave  only  a  variation  of  col- 
or. But  of  these  there  was  a  rich  purple  red 
sprout  which,  for  its  exquisite  color,  its 
immense  crops  and  fine  style  of  growth,  I 
fixed  and  retained. 

Curious  Novelties.  Four  years  ago,  while 
passing  through  my  experiment  grounds 
with  a  friend,  we  came  upon  the  first 
great  surprise.  It  was  a  pole  covered  with 
pods  of  enormous  size,  one  of  which  I  meas- 
ured.   It  was  eight  inches  long  and  three 


8o 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


January, 


inches  in  circumference.  I  now  became 
much  more  interested  In  the  Bean  field. 
That  year  turned  me  out  a  dozen  sorts  worth 
preserving.  More  than  all  there  were  traces 
of  the  Lima  in  the  several  hills.  The  pods 
were  not  large  enough,  and  the  Beans  were 
not  half  as  large  as  they  should  be  to  pro- 
nounce the  crosses  valuable  directly,  but 
they  were  prolific.  The  chief  trouble  with 
the  I.,ima  Bean  is,  it  does  not  yield  as  heavily 
as  some  others,  and  it  is  late.  If 
I  could  get  a  Lima  cross  with 
white  pod  and  large  Bean  and 
very  prolific,  I  said  I  should  be 
well  paid  for  my  troiible. 

Meanwhile  rust  had  become  a 
great  curse  to  Bean  growers, 
and  I  found  that  certain  crosses 
were  infected.  Now  I  began 
rigid  elimination  of  any  touch 
of  this  infection.  If  a  hill 
showed  rust  at  all,  it  was 
promptly  pulled  up  and  de- 
stroyed. So  it  came  about  that 
my  fields  in  the  worst  years 
showed  exquisite  silver  and 
golden  pods  absolutely  free  from 
black  spots  or  mildew.  My 
aim  now  included  (1)  rustproof; 
(2)  white  pods  in  the  main;  (3) 
large  white  or  light-colored 
Beans;  (4)  prolific  bearing.  In 
some  respects  I  should  have 
perferred  bush  Beans,  only 
that  so  far  no  bush  Beans  will  bear  the 
whole  season  through;  whereas  pole  Beans 
can  be  relied  on  late  as  November  if  the 
frost  holds  off.  Indeed,  I  think  some  sorts 
would  bear  a  full  year  if  not  frozen. 

Three  years  ago  the  results  began  to  be  so 
extraordinary  that  I  took  great  pains  in 
sorting,  selecting  and  labelling,  and  made 
some  slight  report  of  them  in  the  horticul- 
tural papers.  I^ast  year  the  crop  was  a  great 
burden  to  me  because  it  necessitates  so 
much  care  in  making  all  summer  memoran- 
dums, and  in  labelling  and  bagging  the  sorts 
in  autumn.  If  I  had  had  an  enthusiastic 
helper  who  could  do  much  of  the  mechanical 
work  it  would  have  been  easier.  But  now  I 
was  satisfied  that  my  work  must  be  carried 
through  at  all  cost,  as  clearly  I  was  revolu- 
tionizing Bean  ciilture.  There  was  a  show 
of  magnificient  new  sorts  loading  down  my 
poles.  Pods  appeared  nine  and  ten  inches 
long  and  three  inches  around;  some  green, 
some  yellow,  some  silver  white,  and  with 
eight  to  ten  Beans  in  each. 

But  most  interesting  was  nature's  efl'ort 
in  two  opposite  directions:  (1)  A  struggle 
to  create  Beans,  Beans  in  quantity;  (3)  to 
create  pods  at  the  expense  of  Beans.  I  find 
that  in  one  line  I  was  breeding  all  for  pod, 
that  in  the  White  Wax  pods,  crossed  with 
the  Yard-long,  and  gave  me  pods  that  could 
be  sliced  like  an  Apple  and  one  inch  in  diam- 
eter; solid  all  through.  The  shape  of  these 
pods  was  much  thicker  through  sideways 
than  from  front  to  back — a  curious-looking 
affair.  Apparently  full  of  Beans  they  were 
in  reality  solid  shell  or  pod,  and  most 
delicious  for  the  table.  Some  of  these  sorts 
were  green,  and  others  white.  When  ripen- 
ing, the  tendency  was  still  so  strongly  to  pod 
that  the  backs  would  burst  open  along  the 
rear,  and  the  Beans  came  out.  The  process 
evidently  might  be  carried  so  far,  in  breed- 
ing for  pod,  as  to  abort  seed  altogether,  and 
so  the  experiment  would  end  for  lack  of  seed 
to  propagate  results.  But  I  have  some  truly 
grand  sorts  of  these  solid  pods,  "Break- 
backs" and  "Broad-backs"  and  "Ripped 
Breeches  "  my  boys  call  them. 

On  the  other  hand  appeared  other  sorts, 
all  Beans  and  no  pods;  pods  ten  inches  long 
with  ten  fine  large  Beans.  A  pole  loaded 
down  with  these  pods  is  truly  a  fine  sight. 
The  pure  white,  in  some  cases,  yields  to  a 
most  lovely  striation.    Delicate  pink  stripes 


appear  as  if  put  on  by  hand  work.  This  is 
evidently  a  touch  of  the  blood  of  the  Horti- 
cultural Beau,  which  I  neglected  to  say  I  had 
among  my  original  sorts.  These  varieties 
also  vary  from  the  round  style  of  pod  to  the 
flat  style,  and  as  a  rule  there  is  a  willful 
tendency  in  the  hills  to  sport  toward  these 
two  styles.  These  all  make  a  good  string  or 
snap  Bean,  but  are  not  as  fine  for  this  pur- 
pose as  the  all-pod  sorts.    I  am  breeding 


TOOLS  FOR  THE  ORCHARD.    See  oitpoxit e  page . 

now  in  both  directions  and  do  not  consider 
the  possibilities  any  way  near  determined. 

As  for  the  Ijima  crosses  last  year  they  were 
quite  decided  and  I  planted  them  all  by 
themselves  in  1889.  The  result  is  a  tendency 
to  improved  pods  and  larger  Beans.  It  will 
take  three  or  four  years  yet  to  carry  out  this 
line  and  see  what  can  be  made  of  it,  but  I 
have  one  cross  which  is  white-podded.  The 
pod  is  rich,  clear  golden  white  and  the  Bean 
delicious  for  the  table.  When  green  it  is  a 
good,  large  Lima,  but  when  dry  is  not  yet  a 
success.  I  consider  it  a  hopeful  line  of  work. 

A  strain  of  Horticultural  or  Cranberry 
appeared  all  along.  Three  years  ago  some 
handsome  Beans  were  saved.  I^ast  year  only 
one  of  these  seemed  specially  valuable. 
This  year  the  strain  was  not  quite  firm,  but 
gave  me  one  six-inch  pod.  full  of  Beans, 
and  superbly  striated;  with  another  much 
like  the  old  sort,  but  deeper,  richer  red  in 
color.  I  think  there  is  here  a  first-rate  open- 
ing, besides  the  sorts  already  produced. 

In  the  struggle  of  nature  to  get  at  special 
ends  she  has  turned  every  way  possible. 
There  is  a  strain  which  I  have  carefully  pre- 
served, which  far  more  resembles  a  trellis 
of  Peas  than  of  Beans.  The  pods  are  about 
the  size  of  a  Champion  of  England  Pea  and 
literally  cover  the  vines.  The  color  is  white 
or  delicately  striated.  Ijack  of  room  to  plant 
sprouts  separately  has  caused  them  to  vary 
somewhat.  The  Bean,  in  some,  is  pure 
white,  but  in  others  is  lemon  yellow.  The 
pod  is  as  thin  as  a  leaf,  and  the  Beans  are 
packed  so  that  the  ends  are  flattered  as  with 
Peas.  The  strain  is  a  very  choice  for  home 
use.  The  quality  is  very  fine  for  table,  but 
for  string  it  has  little  value.  I  have  named 
it  Silver  Beauty. 

(To  be  Continued.) 


CULTURE   OF  THE  GRAPE. 
SEVENTH   PAPER. 

The  Cause  of  Grape  Kot. 

DR.  J.  STATMAN,  LEAVENWORTH,   KANSAS. 

The  parasitic  fungus  can  hardly  be  con- 
sidered the  primary  caxise  of  gi-ape  rot , neither 
is  it  in  the  soil  or  atmosphere;  for  the  same 
variety  of  Grapes  has  been  grown  free  from 
rot,  while  under  the  same  conditions  others 
have  rotted  in  the  same  vineyard  by  their 
side  at  the  same  time. 

That  the  manner  of  culture  is  the  cause 
appears  to  me  evident  from  the  fact  that 


the  Cataba  was  healthy  and  free  from  rot  at 
Cincinnati,  Ohio  in  its  first  introduction 
there,  and  also  the  Concord  in  this  country 
up  to  1873.  It  will  not  do  to  claim  that 
spores  of  the  Grape  fungus  did  not  then 
exist,  or  that  the  climate  has  changed,  unless 
it  can  first  be  shown  that  the  same  culture 
will  not  produce  the  same  results,  and  re- 
store the  Grape  to  its  original  freedom  from 
rot  and  disease.  We  can  well  remember  the 
time,  some  sixty  years  ago,  when 
the  European  Grape  was  grown 
here  where  now  the  Concord 
cannot  de  growTi  with  the  same 
degree  of  succes.  That  this 
change  has  been  brought  about 
by  us  may  be  seen  by  compar- 
ing the  two  different  systems  of 
culture.  The  first  and  success- 
ful one  was  the  European,  the 
latter  and  unsuccessful  may 
be  called  the  American  system. 
The  first  was  based  upon  many 
periods  of  successful  experience 
reduced  to  a  system  in  harmony 
to  the  health  and  longevity  of 
the  vine  and  the  production  of 
the  best  fruit.  It  knew  no  slip- 
shod method  or  rapid  ways  to 
success,  neither  did  it  employ 
labor  that  lead  to  such  a  result. 
It  taught  that  haste  made  waste. 
It  studied  the  character  of  the 
soil,  location  and  the  vine,  and 
adopted  these  conditions  as  far  as  is  practical 
to  produce  the  best  results.  It  taught  that 
deep  trenching,  deep  enriching  and  deep 
planting  produced  deep  rooting,  slower 
growth  and  more  healthy  and  enduring 
vines,  also  that  deep  rooting  is  antagonistic 
to  shallow  rooting,  and  cannot  exist  on  the 
same  vine  at  the  same  time.  It  further 
taught  that  long  pruning  and  heavy  loading 
soon  leads  to  decay;  that  vines  should  bear 
only  in  proportion  to  their  age  and  strength; 
that  plants  are  not  generally  in  full  bearing 
until  the  sixth  year;  and  that  then  about  1.5 
pounds  of  fruit  is  a  sufficient  amount  for  a 
strong  vine  to  bear  from  year  to  year  and 
remain  healthy;  that  deep  and  thorough 
tillage,  and  proper  fertilization  is  necessary 
to  success. 

These  are  some  of  the  main  features  of  the 
European  system  as  taught  by  all  their 
authors,  and  as  first  adopted  in  this  country 
more  than  half  a  century  ago,  and  followed 
at  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  This  is  shown  by 
Reemilin  of  that  place,  the  author  of  the 
best  work  ever  published  upon  the  Grape  in 
this  country. 

That  system,  however,  died  with  the 
author,  and  so  did  the  Catawba  Grape  at 
that  place.  LTpon  its  ruins  was  built  the 
"American  system,"  if  just  to  call  a 
method  thus  that  has  lead  to  such  destruc- 
tion of  the  Grape  crop  and  demoralization 
of  Grape  culture.  In  fact  it  is  no  system  as 
the  authors  do  not  agree  among  themselves. 
Some  people  recommend  setting  vines  six 
feet  by  six  feet  apart,  while  others  say  13, 
10  and  even  30  feet  apart.  Some  plant  vines 
very  -shallow  from  four  to  six  inches  deep, 
others  a  foot  or  more.  Some  cultivate  very 
shallow  so  as  not  to  cut  off  the  .surface  roots, 
or  not  at  all;  others  say  cultivate  deep  and 
thorough.  Some  say  vines  will  be  in  full 
bearing  in  three  years,  and  should  bear  from 
25  to  40  pounds,  others  about  the  .5th  and 
should  bear  from  75  to  1.50  pounds  each. 
Some  say  prune  short  and  train  on  trellis, 
others  say  prune  long  and  train  on  trees,  as 
that  is  the  natural  way,  while  others  say 
prune  not  at  all,  let  them  trail  on  the  ground, 
as  that  will  save  jiosts,  wire,  pruning  and 
!  cultivation.  Somesay  plant  in  rich  soil  and 
bottom  land,  while  others  plant  in  poor  soil 
and  hill  sides. 

The  American  system  is  too  fast,  it  has  no 
patience.     It  does  too  much  and  does  not  do 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


81 


it  well.  It  looks  at  flrst  cost,  and  cares  little 
about  its  durability,  so  it  reaps  a  quick  re- 
ward. It  puts  otT  what  oufiht  to  lie  done 
to-day  until  to-morrow,  or  perliaps  at  some 
other  more  convenient  time.  These  are 
some  of  the  main  features  of  the  present 
system  of  Grape  culture. 

We  need  not  wonder  why  it  i.s  not  success- 
ful. No  other  system  that  has  no  more 
harmony  or  propriety  in  it  would  succeed. 

To  restore  the  Grape  to  its  orii;inal  freedom 
from  rot  and  disease  we  will  have  to  restore 
its  cultivation  to  the  orifjinal  nu>thod.  We 
have  now  Ki^'eu  you  a  short  outline  of  both 
systems,  the  one  has  proven  successful 
wherever  tried,  the  other  has  lead  to  de- 
struction. From  our  own  observation  as 
well  as  experience  we  believe  the  present 
method  to  be  exhausting,  and  few  or  no 
vines  can  endure  such  reckless  operations 
in  planting,  pruning,  training  and  cultiva- 
tion. 


Tools  for  the  Orchard. 

All  the  tools  needed  and  used  by  our  old 
settlers  were  an  axe  and  an  augur,  and  with 
them  they  would  construct  houses  and  re- 
pair sleighs,  wagons  and  implements,  and 
this  probably  much  better  than  they  could 
have  done  it  with  a  full  set  of  carpenter's 
and  wagonmaker's  tools,  if  such  were  sud- 
denly given  to  them.  To  do  the  best  work 
requires  not  only  the  proper  tools,  but  also 
skill  in  their  use.  The  average  orchardist 
probably  has  few  if  any  of  the  implements 
for  the  care  of  trees  here  illustrated,  and  he 
may  get  along  very  well  without,  if  he  uses 
a  common  pruning  saw,  knife,  etc.,  properly. 
Yet  the  possession  of  perfect  tools  affords 
not  a  little  satisfaction  to  the  user,  and  it 
often  facilitates  the  work  wonderfully.  The 
implements  here  shown  are  such  as  are  in 
use  by  German  orchardists.  Fig.  1  is  a 
pruning  saw  fastened  to  a  handle;  Figs.  2 
and  3  are  tree  pruners,  similar  to  the  ones 
we  have  in  use  in  America;  F'ig.  4  is  a  sort 
of  hook  and  chisel  combined,  to  be  fastened 
to  a  handle,  and  used  in  pulling  or  gauging 
off  superfluous  sprouts. 

One  of  the  greatest  advantages  which  the 
possession  of  these  various  implements 
secures,  is  deliverance  from  the  necessity  of 
climbing  all  over  the  trees.  The  work 
can  mostly  be  done  while  standing  on  the 
ground  or  on  common  step-ladders. 

Figs.  .5  and  K  represent  two  styles  of  tree 
scrapers,  of  which  there  are  a  great  number 
in  use.  Figs.  7  and  8 
represent  stiff  brushes 
for  brushing  the  bodies 
of  trees  after  the  bark 
has  been  scraped  off. 
The  one  is  fastened  to 
the  end  of  a  long  han- 
dle, and  calculated  to 
be  used  high  up  among 
the  branches;  the  other 
is  intended  for  that  part 
which  can  be  reached  by  hand  from  the 
ground. 


7.  8. 
TREE  BRUSHES. 


Crowing  Dandelions  for  Market. 

Dandelions  are  to  a  limited  extent  used 
for  greens  in  early  spring ;  but  the  supply 
comes  more  from  the  chance  plants  grow- 
ing wild,  than  from  cultivated  beds  in  the 
garden.  In  some  local  markets  there  is 
quite  a  demand  for  Dandelion  greens  before 
their  regular  season,  or  such  a  demand 
could  be  easily  created  by  keeping  a  supply 
before  would-be  purchasers. 

There  are  a  number  of  varieties  mentioned 
in  English  works  on  gardening,  among 
them  the  Moss-leaved,  Thick-leaved  or 
Cabbaging,  Broad-leaved,  etc.  Mr.  John 
Rupp  (Pa.)  last  spring  furnished  us  some 
plants  of  a  new  "Mammoth"  sort  which 
has  made  an  enormous  growth;  but  we  are 


not  prepared  to  speak  of  the  comparative 
worth  of  the  various  sorts. 

Those  who  are  only  ac<iuainted  with  this 
vegetable  in  a  wild  ."tate,  says  Prof.  S.  Green 
in  the  report  of  the  Minnesota  Experiment 
Station,  will  be  wonderfully  surprised  vrith 
the  merits  of  the  cultivated  Damlelions. 
The  labor  of  raising  them  is  comparatively 
easy  and  the  satisfaction  of  having  a  plenty 
of  nice  greens  early  in  the  spring  well 
repays  the  labor  required  to  grow  them. 

Forcing  Dandelions  for  an  early  growth 
is  done  in  two  ways.  One  consists  in  sow- 
ing the  seeds  in  beds  just  the  size  of  the 
ordinary  cold-frame.  In  the  fall  the  frame 
is  set  over  the  plants  and  well  banked  up 
and  the  sash  and  covers  are  put  on  as  soon 
as  freezing  weather  approaches,  and  are 
left  on  until  early  in  March,  when  a  plenty 
of  sunlight  is  given  and  careful  attention 
is  given  to  ventilation  and  watering,  which 
at  once  starts  the  plants  into  growth  and  a 
very  early  crop  is  soon  ready  for  market. 

Another  method  consists  in  covering  the 
bed  in  the  spring  with  sash  laid  two  inches 
apart  on  3x4  inch  joist.  Put  on  at  this  dis- 
tance apart  they  require  no  attention  for 
ventilation  and  the  greens  will  be  ready  to 
cut  long  before  those  left  In  the  field,  but 
not  near  so  early  as  when  more  care  is  taken 
and  the  plants  are  carefully  grown  in  frames. 
The  seeds  for  Dandelions  should  be  sown 
each  year  and  the  old  bed  should  be  plowed 
under  to  prevent  the  seed  scattering.  The 
old  bed  may  be  kept  over  for  several  years 
and  I  have  successfully  done  so,  but  it  will 
not  yield  such  nice  crops  as  newly-sown 
seed  on  fresh  soil.  Immense  quantities  of 
these  greens  are  grown  in  the  vicinity  of 
large  cities  in  the  Eastern  States. 


Early  Spring  Vegetables. 

The  great  value  of  our  common  garden 
vegetables,  we  are  glad  to  note,  is  being 
appreciated  more  and  more  every  year. 
This  in  a  great  measure  is  due  to  the  un- 
ceasing efforts  of  writers  and  agricultural 
periodicals  to  call  people's  attention  to  the 
golden  opportunities  hidden  in  vegetables 
and  fruits.  Mr.  W.  1.  Chamberlain,  presi- 
dent Iowa  College  of  Agriculture  writes  to 
the  Ohio  Farmer  concerning  some  of  the 
leading  spring  vegetables,  as  follows: 

■Lettuce. — I  consider  this  as  one  of  the 
most  valuable  vegetables  we  have;  not  food 
to  any  extent,  but  tonic  and  relish.  It 
should  be  sown  in  February  If  possible  in  a 
good  hot-bed,  on  the  south  side  of  a  tight 
fence  or  building.  Then  it  will  be  big 
enough  for  use  the  early  hot  days  in  April 
when  the  system  craves  a  tonic,  and  will 
last,  sown  later  out  doors,  till  other  things 
push  it  aside.  If  headed  it  is  specially  de- 
licious, and  is  best  with  Durkee's  salad 
dressing,  or  a  similar  home-made  dressing. 
Many  like  it  best  simply  with  sugar,  and 
vinegar  with  a  very  little  salt.  Its  bitter- 
ness hints  at  its  value  as  a  tonic  in  spring, 
and  shows  why  the  system  craves  it  so. 

Radishes  are  far  Inferior  to  lettuce;  are 
indigestible  unless  very  young  and  tender, 
and  have  little  value  except  as  an  appetizer 
and  relish.  Still  they  are  craved  by  the 
system  in  the  early  hot  days  of  spring. 

Spinach.— I  don't  think  one  farmer  in 
fifty  ever  raises  this  exceedingly  valuable 
vegetable.  In  moderate  climates,  or  where 
snow  covers  the  ground  nearly  all  winter, 
the  fall  variety  may  be  sown  and  come  up 
late  in  the  fall,  and  be  earliest  in  spring. 
The  spring  variety'  should  be  sown  very 
early.  Two  rows  100  feet  long  will  give 
plenty  for  a  family  of  si.x  or  eight  persons. 
It  makes  the  most  delicious  "greens,"  boiled 
and  seasoned  with  salt,  butter  and  vinegar. 
Its  bitter  element  is  a  good  tonic  which  the 
system  craves,  and  it  is  a  relish  in  spring. 
Its  leaves  are  so  large  and  clean  and  thick 
that  a  few  minutes  serve  to  gather  it  and 


pick  it  over  ready  for  boiling.  I  know  of 
no  vegetable  that  can  fill  its  place.  Its  sea- 
son is  over  about  when  Peas  flr.st  come.  It 
is  far  cheaper  even  for  farmers  than  to  col- 
lect Dock  or  Dandelion  leaves,  that  should 
not  be  on  the  farm. 

Beets.— More  commonly  grown  by  farm- 
ers than  almost  any  other  kind  of  vegetable. 
Good  nearly  the  whole  year  round,  flrst  as 
"greens, "then  with  Potato  salads  they  make 
a  handsome  platter,  while  as  a  relish  freshly 
boiled,  with  Potato  or  freshly  pickled,  they 
are  quite  worth  having. 

Onions. — Valuable  small,  raw,  early;  val- 
uable as  a  flavoring  for  Potato  salads  and 
India  curries,  and  specially  valuable,  nu- 
tritious and  healthful  boiled  and  stewed  in 
cream;  and  delicious  and  healthful  pickled 
the  size  of  Chestnuts.  We  keep  a  jar  open 
all  the  time,  and  if  I  notice  any  tendency  to 
constipation  from  my  sedentary  habits, 
three  or  four  of  these  little  pickled  Onions 
eaten  at  or  after  supper  time,  give  a  quiet 
movement  of  the  bowels  the  next  morning, 
better  then  any  apparient  or  laxative  medi- 
cine I  have  ever  tried. 

Peas.— One  of  the  most  valuable  of  all  the 
vegetables.  Our  flrst  mess  this  year  was 
cooked  June  3,  and  they  lasted  until  .luly 
18,  in  great  abundance.  We  plant  plenty, 
three  double  rows  about  1.50  feet  long.  Mc- 
Lean's Little  Gem  for  early,  requiring  no 
bushing,  and  Champion  of  England  for  late, 
requiring  bushing.  One  day  we  picked,  for 
two  or  three  days'  use,  and  to  give  away,  a 
bushel,  and  there  were  as  many  more.  The 
greenish  varieties  that  wrinkle  when  ripe 
are  best.  Pickled  when  just  full  size  and 
before  the  pods  begin  to  turn  white,  and 
cooked  thoroughly  and  seasoned  right,  with 
considerable  "juice,"  they  make  a  dish  fit  to 
set  before  a  king;  almost  inflnitely  better 
than  the  dry,  over-ripe  Peas  that  you  get  at 
the  three-dollar-a-day  hotels. 


Buckwheat  In  Orchards 
We  believe  it  was  Prof.  J.  L.  Budd  of 
Iowa  who  flrst  recommended  Buckwheat  as 
a  crop  to  be  grown  in  young  orchards.  The 
subject  is  thought  to  be  of  such  importance 
that  it  should  be  kept  before  the  people  who 
plant  orchard  fruits.  My  belief  in  the  prac- 
tice, writes  Prof.  Budd  in  the  Farmers' 
Review,  is  more  positively  in  its  favor  than 
it  was  ten  years  ago.  During  the  heated 
months  a  covering  of  growing  Buckwheat 
furnishes  very  nearly  the  cool,  mellow  soil 
found  overthe  roots  of  trees  in  the  primitive 
forest.  Not  only  is  the  soil  made  cooler, 
permitting  the  nitrogen  feeding  roots  to 
come  up  nearly  to  the  surface,  but  the  lower 
beds  of  air  coming  in  contact  with  the  .stems 
and  lower  branches  are  also  cooler.  If  any 
one  doubts  the  beneflcial  effects  of  Buck- 
wheat in  a  young  orchard,  let  him  sow  one 
half  of  the  orchard  to  this  crop  the  last  of 
June,  and  treat  the  other  half  in  any  one  of 
the  ordinary  ways.  He  will  flnd  in  three 
years  a  difference  in  favor  of  the  Buckwheat 
portion  that  can  be  seen  a  mile  distant. 
With  the  use  of  the  new  Japan  Buckwheat 
—which  seems  to  fill  perfectly  in  our  worst 
seasons — the  crop  can  be  made  profitable.  If 
there  is  moisture  enough  in  the  soil  when 
sown  to  bring  it  up  I  believe  it  will  mature 
a  crop  without  rain. 


1,599.  Rochester  Nurserymen.  Lists  of  re- 
liable nui'serymen  are  easily  obtainable  by  all 
readers  of  Popnr^AR  Gardening.  Our  adver- 
tising columns  during  a  large  part  of  the  year 
contain  the  announcements  of  the  leading 
dealers  in  plants,  shrubs,  trees,  seeds,  and  general 
horticultural  requisites.  No  party  about  whose 
reliability  we  have  the  least  suspicion,  will  gain 
admLssion  to  our  advertising  columns.  Hence 
we  can  only  advise  our  readers  to  look  up  the 
advertisements  of  dealers  aprearing  in  this 
ioiu-nal,  write  tn  them  for  eatauigue  and  patron- 
ize none  except  those  whom  we  in  a  measure 
have  endorsed  by  accepting  their  advertisement. 


82 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


January, 


Winter  Care  of  the  Grounds. 

W.  C.  .rENNISON,  MIDDLESEX  CO.,  MASS. 

We  should  walk  over  the  grounds  occa- 
sionally during  the  winter  season,  especially 
when  it  freezes  at  night  and  thaws  through 
the  day.  We  may  find  shrubs  that  were  set 
last  spring  half  way  out  of  the  ground  by 
this  time  with  their  roots  all  bare.  If  so 
give  them  a  covering  and  reset  in  the 
spring.  Had  they  been  given  a  good  mulch 
at  the  beginning  of  winter  they 
would  not  have  been  thrown  out. 

Here  you  see  is  a  place  where 
the  water  could  not  all  run  off 
and  so  the  ground  is  covered 
with  a  thin  cake  of  ice  which 
freezes  at  night  and  thaws 
during  the  day.  If  this  con- 
tinues for  a  great  length  of  time, 
all  the  plants  underneath  will 
be  killed,  even  if  they  are  called 
hardy.  Better  cover  them  im- 
mediately with  something  to 
stop  this  continual  freezing  and 
thawing.  Here  again  is  a  spot 
where  those  hea\'y  winds  which 
we  had  some  time  ago,  have 
blown  the  covering  all  off  the 
plants,  and  their  being  only  half 
hardy  will  necessitate  more 
covering  if  you  wishto  save  them. 

Here  is  a  sunny  place  where 
the  poultry  like  to  congregate, 
but  they  are  eating  the  leaves 
all  oflf  the  Pansies,  Sweet  Will- 
iams, etc.,  and  the  plants  must 
be  covered  with  boxes  or  Pine 
boughs,  or  else  the  poultry 
must  be  kept  out  of  the  way. 
Have  your  eyes  open  and  you 
will  all  the  time  find  some- 
thing that  needs  care. 

The  pests  of  winter  will  be  on 
hand  to  bark  the  young  trees  if 
not  prevented.  It  is  a  fact  that 
mice  are  unusually  abundant 
the  present  year  in  many  parts. 
They  are  liable  to  girdle  trees 
under  the  snow  line  and  to  pre- 
vent which  the  snow  should  be 
tramped  close  against  the  tree 
or  shrub.  As  other  food  is 
scarce  for  them  this  becomes  an 
effective  time  to  trap  these 
pests.  Rabbits  may  be  kept 
from  trees  by  smearing  the  trunks  with 
bloody  meat.  A  watch  should  also  be  kept 
for  the  cocoons  and  eggs  of  insects;  destroy- 
ing everyone  that  is  met. 


Commercial  Flower  Growing. 

How  NewYork  florists  manage  their  plants 
and  grow  flue  flowers  in  the  easiest  and 
simplest  way,  so  as  to  enable  them  to  make 
a  living  at  the  business,  is  told  in  Country 
Gentleman  by  our  friend  Mr.  Falconer. 

The  greenhouses, he  says,are  mostly  span- 
roofed  and  hip-roofed,  and  with  the  broad 
side  facing  south.  They  are  usually  built 
of  wood,  and  of  such  size  and  height  as  tg 


The  Double  Tiger  Lily. 

A  favorite  subject  in  every  flower  garden 
is  the  common  Tiger  Lily.  It  was  brought 
from  China  almost  a  hundred  years  ago, 
and  is  considered  indispensable  ou  both  the 
most  modest  and  the  most  pretentious 
grounds.  Its  bright  deep  orange-red  flowers 
with  their  numerous  small  purplish-black 
spots  are  known  to  all  who  have  an  eye  for 
the  beauties  of  lawn  and  border,  and  they 
never  fail  to  excite  admiration. 

A  fine  double  form  of  the  Lilium  tigri- 
num,  or  common  Tiger  Lily,  was  brought 
from  Japan  in  1871.  This  is  the  Double- 
Flowered  Tiger Lily(ii/n(»i  tiffrinum  florc- 
plcno),  infloresenee  of  which  is  shown  in  il- 
lustration. The  flowers  are  bright  orange- 
red,  densely  spotted  with  blackish-purple, 
with  segments  multiplied  into  about  six 
series.  It  appears  to  be  of  even  stronger 
growth  than  the  common  form,  and  may  be 
used  either  as  a  companion  or  as  substitute 
for  the  other.  Surely  it  gives  us  a  most 
welcome  variation,  and  adds  a  renewed  in- 
terest to  the  whole  class  of  Tiger  Ijilies. 

The  over-abundance  of  pollen,  furnished 
and  shed  by  the  single  form,  is  sometimes 
urged  as  an  objection.  Of  course  the  double 
form  is  free  from  this. 


FLOWER  OF  DOUBLE  TIGER   LILY. 

best  accommodate  the  plants  meant  to  be 
grown  in  them,  so  as  to  have  the  plants  as 
near  the  glass  as  possible,  and  at  the  same 
time  give  them  plenty  of  head-room.  The 
greenhouses  instead  of  being  divided  into 
several  compartments,  or  built  in  fanciful 
shapes,  or  scattered  about  the  place,  as  is 
the  case  generally  with  those  in  private 
gardens,  are  erected  in  one  common  group 
with  the  several  houses  running  parallel  to 
and  close  beside  each  other,  and  each  house 
is  devoted  to  one  particular  class  of  plants, 
and  all  open  into  a  long  shed  built  along 
the  north  end  of  the  houses. 

In  such  on  arrangement  there  are  no  un- 
due bends,  or  dips,  or  rises,  or  other  per- 
plexity in  the  heating  pipes,  for  the  flow  is 
straight  and  unchecked  from  one  end  of  the 
house  to  the  other,  and  this  means  an  im- 
mense saving  in  labor  and  fuel  over  that 
expended  in  the  nonsensical  architectural 
"beauties"  of  many  private  greenhouses. 
And  the  working,  as  bench-making  and 
filling,  potting,  watering,  flower-gathering 
and  packing,  staking  and  the  like  can  all  be 
done  without  going  out  of  doors,  and  what 
a  comfort  and  convenience  this  is  ! 

In  country  places  the  florist  can  get  plenty 
of  fresh  .soil,  but  in  suburban  and  city  green- 
houses, this  is  a  hard  matter.  The  way 
these  florists  do  is  to  spraedout  their  old  soil 
along  the  roadside  and  leave  it  there  for  a 
couple  of  years,  then  bring  it  in  again  and 
use  it.    The  richness  of  this  soil  by  the  way- 


side becomes  a  happy  home  for  grass  and 
weeds  which  soon  divest  it  of  sourness  and 
noxious  matter,  and  by  the  end  of  the  sec- 
ond year  it  is  a  sweet  friable  earth  full  of 
fibre.  When  composted,  fresh  but  well 
rotted  manure  is  added  to  it.  For  Roses,  if 
at  all  practicable,  fresh  pasture  loam  is  de- 
sired so  as  to  get  rid  of  the  Rose  grub. 

A  plentiful  supply  of  water  is  of  vital  im- 
portance to  the  florist ;  he  cannot  afford  to 
bother  with  a  pump  or  well.  In 
the  absence  of  reservoir  water, 
a  windmill  and  tank  are  an 
absolute  necessity,  as  he  does 
all  his  watering  with  a  hose, 
unless  it  be  a  few  odds  and 
ends  and  cuttings  and  seeds. 

The  florists  do  not  grow  a  little 
of  everything ;  they  conflne 
themselves  to  a  few  things 
which  they  prove  most  success- 
ful in  growing,  tor  which  their 
soil  and  houses  are  best  adapted, 
and  for  which  there  is  the  best 
market.  For  instance,  one  flor- 
ist will  throw  his  main  strength 
into  Roses,  another  into  Carna- 
tions, another  into  Violets,  an- 
other into  Palms,  and  another 
into  bedding  plants,  and  soon, 
but  all  have  to  grow  sufficient 
variety  of  plants  to  justify  a  full 
succession  and  occupancy  of 
their  greenhouses  all  through 
the  season.  Such  successions 
may  include  Roses  all  the  time, 
Carnations  in  quantity  from 
September  till  March,  Chrysan- 
themums in  November,  Stevias 
in  November  and  December, 
Poinsettias  in  December,  Calla 
from  November  till  April,  bulbs 
in  variety  from  November  till 
May,  and  so  on.  And  some 
florists  are  specialists  with  cer- 
tain flowers— to  wit,  Orchids, 
or  Pond  Lilies. 

Florists  do  not  like  old  plants. 
They  much  prefer  to  raise  a  fresh 
stock  every  year  of  Chrysanthe- 
mums, Stevias,  Bouvardias, 
Carnations,  Tea  Roses,  Violets 
and  the  like,  also  bed  ding  plants; 
and  although  they  raise  annual 
batches  of  Poinsettias  and 
Bouvardias,  these  are  also  good  enough 
when  two  years  old.  And  in  order  to  lessen 
labor  and  secure  a  healthy  growth  in  their 
stock,  they  plant  out  in  the  open  ground 
in  summer  all  stock  that  experience  has 
taught  them  are  benefltted  by  such  treat- 
ment; Violets.  Carnations  and  Bouvardias 
are  included  among  these  and  most  all  soft- 
wooded  plants  for  stock  purposes  are  planted 
out.  Callas  are  rested  in  a  dry  state  in 
summer,  aud  Poinsettias  and  Heliotropes 
are  grown  in  pots  in  summer,  because  when 
planted  out  their  tendencv  to  over-luxur- 
iance causes  them  to  wilt  badly.or  to  become 
a  good  deal  defoliated  after  being  lifted. 
Where  hardy  perennials  or  shrubs  are  large- 
ly used  for  forcing,  the  great  points  to  be 
observed  are  to  get  these  to  complete  their 
growth  as  early  in  the  season  as  possible, 
have  them  well  rooted,  prevent  a  second 
growth  in  the  fall,  and  give  them  a  thorough 
and  long  rest. 

Carnations,  Violets,  Tea  Roses,  Bouvar- 
dias, Smilax,  aud  Climbing  Fern  and  Aspar- 
agus, are  planted  out  in  beds  ;  so  -sometimes, 
too,  are  Poinsettias,  but  in  order  to  check 
over-luxuriance  ot  foliage  at  the  expense  of 
flowers,  Callas  are  kept  in  pots. 

Many  plants  receive  different  treatment  at 
the  hands  of  diflereut  florists,  but  one  thing 
is  observable  everywhere — namely  the  total 
ahscence  of  empty  space  in  the  greenhouses; 
succession  crops  are  being  got  ready  long 
before  the  waning  crops  are  removed.    The 


1890. 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


83 


florists  bestow  imicli  importaiioe  upon  set- 
ting in  their  plants  early  in  the  fall,  and 
before  the  cool  nights  set  in  ;  a  check  to  the 
plants  is  sedulously  ganled  against. 


Ornamental  Shrubbery. 

The  fear  that  planting  shrubs,  etc.,  for 
home  ornamentation  would  entail  an  un- 
reasonable amount  of  fussing,  care,  and  per- 
haps expense,  prevents  many  who  otherwise 
would,  from  making  much  efTort  in  this  di- 
rection. Too  much  encouragement  could 
therefore  not  well  be  given  to  these  hesitat- 
ing proprietors  of  dreary  and  desolate 
country  homes. 

There  is  no  way  in  which  the  external  at- 
tractions of  a  residence  may  be  increased  so 
perfectly,  and  at  so  little  expense,  as  by  the 
planting  of  ornamental  shrubbery,  says  the 
Country  Gentleman.  Unlike  architectural 
structures,  it  docs  not  require  the  labor  of 
the  hand  to  bring  out  every  part,  but  na- 
tural growth  develops  into  beautiful  forms. 
It  requires  only  a  good  soil,  planting  in  the 
first  place,  and  training  into  the  most  effec- 
tive shape.  A  certain  amount  of  smooth 
lawn  in  connection  with  the  shrubbery, 
serves  to  develope  its  charms. 

But  the  surroundings  must  be  kept  in  a 
neat  condition.  We  sometimes  see  planted 
grounds  which  have  l)een  entirely  neglected 
afterwards.  Weeds  and  grass  have  grown 
among  the  ornamentals  and  converted  them 
to  "brush  '"  They  have  been  allowed  to 
grow  into  straggling  and  neglected  forms. 
It  is  a  simple  and  easy  task  to  give  them  all 
the  necessary  attention.  A  selection  of  the 
best  shrubs  is  of  course  important,  and  such 
a  selection  was  made  at  a  horticultural 
meeting  in  Rochester  by  those  present,  who 
placed  the  following  at  the  head  of  their 
lists:  The  first  foiir  were  Deutzia  gracilis, 
Wiegela  rosea.  Purple  Fringe  and  .Japan 
Quince.  These  had  the  greatest  number  of 
votes.  Xext  in  order  were  Persian  liilac, 
Deutzia  crenata  and  Spira-a  lanceolata. 
After  these  were  White  Fringe,  Snowball, 
Plum-leaved  Spirfea,  Tartarian  Honey- 
suckle, Double-Flowering  Almond,  For- 
sythia  and  Crimson  Currant.  The  follow- 
ing had  fewer  votes:  Purple  Barberry,  Rose 
Acdcia,  .Siberian  Lilac,  .losikea  Lilac,  Double 
White  Lilac,  Magnolia  obovata,  Deutzia 
scabra.  Tree  Peouia  and  Silver  Bell.  Plant 
these  in  natural  groupings,  with  a  due  pro- 
portion of  smooth  shaven  lawn  between, 
and  a  natural  beauty  may  be  produced  ex- 
ceeding anything  which  formal  architecture 
can  give. 


Expanding  Plant  Collar. 
A  London  firm  now  manufactures  and 
offers  for  sale  the  contrivance  shown  in 
engraving,  consisting  of  a  band  of  metal 
bent  in  ring  form, 
which  is  inserted  inside 
the  pot  so  as  to  allow 
■  of  surface  feeding. 
Where  Pineapples, 
fruit  trees,  etc.,  are 
grown  in  small  pots, 
a  device  of  this  sort 
comes  very  handy.  The 
space  gained  above  the 
pot  itself  may  be  filled 
with  some  rich  soil  or 
fine  compost,  the  nutritive  elements  of 
which  in  course  of  time,  and  in  conse- 
quence of  the  water  .soaking  through  it,  are 
imparted  to  the  soil  beneath,  and  utilized  in 
feeding  the  plant. 


The  Double  Primula. 
Among  winter-blooming  plants  there  are 
none  that,  if  well-grown,  give  more  genuine 
pleasure  to  the  amateur  cultivator  than  the 
Primula  chinensis.  The  single  sorts  being 
of  sturdier  growth,  greater  hardine.ss,  and 
easily  grown  from  seed,  are  perhaps  more 


satisfactory  in  most  instances  than  the 
double  ones,  but  they  are  of  far  less  value 
for  cut  flowers.  For  this  purpose  the  double 
sorts,  especially  double  white,  a  good  speci- 
men of  which  is  shown  in  illustration,  can 
hardly  be  dispensed  with.  Kven  as  green- 
house or  window  plants,  they  retain  their 
beauty  much  longer  than  the  single  forms. 
Otherwise  they  require  about  the  same 
treatment.  But  while  the  single  kinds 
can  easily  and  speadily  be  raised  by  the 
hundreds  from  seed,  only  a  small  precent- 
age  of  the  high-priced  "double"  seed  gives 
double  and  semi-double  flowers,  so  they 
are  usually  propagated  from  cuttings. 

The  best  time  for  propagating  double 
Primulas,  says  Amateur  Gardening,  is  as 
soon  as  the  plants  have 
finished  flowering.  The 
cuttings  should  be  t,aken 
off  with  a  sharp  knife,  and 
close  to  the  stem.  In.sert 
them  singly  in  small  pots 
of  sandy  soil ;  tie  to  a 
small  stick  to  prevent 
them  toppling  over,  and 
plunge  in  a  brisk  bottom 
heat.  Water  must  be  ap- 
plied sparingly  until  the 
cuttings  are  rooted.  Those 
who  have  no  bottom  heat 
in  which  to  plunge  the 
cuttings  may  remove  a 
few  of  the  bottommost 
leaves  and  place  some 
leaf-mould  or  Cocoanut 
fibre  refuse  around  the 
plants,  heaping  it  up  care- 
fully  until  the  stems  are 
completely  hidden.  Keep  in  a  close  frame 
or  the  warmest  end  of  the  greenhouse  for  a 
few  weeks,  by  which  time  roots  will  be 
emitted  from  the  stems  of  the  shoots.  A 
portion  of  the  leaf-mould  can  then  be  re- 
moved, the  plants  divided  carefully,  and 
each  division  potted  and  grown  on  without 
further  trouble. 

Watering  should  be  most  carefully  per- 
formed, for  many  failures  occur  owing  to 
this  being  done  in  a  negligent  manner. 
During  the  summer  enough  must  be  given 
to  keep  the  soil  always  in  a  moist  condition, 
but  not  sodden.  Keep  the  stems  of  the 
plants  as  dry  as  possible,  for  if  these  are 
made  continually  wet,  damping  off  is  inevi- 
table. This  is  particularly  so  in  winter,  and 
readers  who  desise  to  keep  their  plants  in 
good  health  should  bear  this  in  mind. 


tings  or  else  a  great  portion  of  them  would 
be  flowering  ones  that  is,  have  flowering 
buds,  and  thus  could  come  to  little  good. 

In  selecting  the  cuttings  choose  the  strong- 
est, cut  the  stem  at  the  thinnest  joint  back 
and  set  them  directly  into  these  pots,  using 
a  compost  of  loam  and  sand,  finishing  off 
with  a  layer  of  sand  at  the  top.  The  cutting 
should  be  set  in  the  center  of  the  pot  and 
have  the  soil  firmly  pressed  against  it. 
Water  them  gently  and  plunge  in  propagat- 
ing sand  in  which  there  is  bottom  heat,  and 
keep  close  and  shaded  for  a  week  or  ten 
days.  The  cuttings  should  be  sprinkled  sev- 
eral times  daily.  In  about  two  weeks,  if  all 
has  gone  well,  they  will  commence  to  show 
growth,  and  then  more  air  must  be  given. 


Culture  of  Hydrangeas  in  Pots. 

S.  E.  GRAVES,  ERIE  CO.,  N.  Y. 

There  are  few  plants  more  attractive  than 
the  common  Hydrangea  Hortensis,  when  it 
is  well  grown;  hence  it  is  a  great  favorite, 
both  with  the  commercial  florist  and  with 
amateurs.  True  it  may  be  not  quite  so  easy 
to  manage  in  its  early  stages  as  is  a  Geranium 
or  Coleus,  yet  its  culture  is  in  no  wise  diffi- 
cult. We  propose  in  the  present  article  to 
throw  some  light  upon  this  subject,  our 
remarks  being  based  upon  a  rather  extended 
experience,  some  years  ago,  in  growing 
large  numbers  of  Hydrangeas  for  market. 

To  begin  with  the  cutting  it  should  be 
stated  that  is  impossible  to  start  cuttings  too 
early  after  January  flrst.  To  obtain  early 
cuttings  some  plants  should  have  been 
started  two  months  ago,  by  cutting  them 
entirely  down,  and  setting  them  in  a  warm 
place,  with  a  view  to  having  them  break 
out  new  growth.  In  case  no  provision  of 
this  kind  was  made  in  the  fall,  no  time 
should  now  be  lost  in  bringing  in  some 
stack  plants  for  this  purpose. 

The  shoots  that  proceed  from  these  plants 
afford  the  material  for  propagation.  Every 
shoot  that  forms  is  suitable  for  a  cutting. 
If  these  shoots  are  allowed  to  grow  at  will 
some  care  must  be  used  in  taking  the  cut- 


OF    THE   DOUBLE  CHINESE  PRIMROSE. 

In  another  week  or  two  the  young  plants 
will  be  ready  for  larger  pots.  Usually  a 
shift  into  4-inch  pots  may  be  recommended. 
Place  potsherds  in  the  bottom  of  each  pot 
with  much  care,  in  order  that  any  excess  of 
water  may  readily  pass  off.  For  compost 
use  two  parts  of  well  decayed  turf  and  one 
of  old  manure  with  a  good  dash  of  coarse 
sand.  After  they  are  potted  place  in  a  cool 
house  until  spring,  keeping  them  rather 
close.  Then  move  them  to  the  open  air  for 
the  summer,  and  in  a  position  where  they 
will  get  an  abundance  of  air  and  some  sun. 

About  the  middle  of  October  plunge  the 
pots  in  a  cold  pit  house,  to  remain  until  the 
plants  are  wanted  for  forcing  into  bloom. 
For  early  spring  flowers  a  lot  of  plants  may 
be  brought  into  heat  as  early  as  February, 
and  for  a  succession  from  that  time  on.  It 
is  an  advantage  to  give  them  the  benefit  of 
some  bottom  heat  at  this  stage.  Air  should 
be  given  with  moderate  freedom  up  to  the 
time  flower  buds  appear,  when  it  may  be 
somewhat  increased.  The  syringe  should 
be  occasionally  used  in  sunny  days,  but  care 
should  be  used  not  to  overdo  in  this  respect. 

When  growth  is  fairly  underway  the 
plants  should  have  the  benefit  of  a  light, 
warm  position.  An  important  point  at  this 
stage  is  to  freely  provide  water,  of  which 
the  rapid-growing  plants  require  a  great 
amount.  Always  with  alternate  waterings 
apply  some  liquid  manure  from  now  on  up 
to  full  bloom.  The  plants  should  be  neatly 
staked  only  in  this  growth. 


1,581.  Golden  Queen  Baspberry.  This  is 
nothing  more  or  less  than  a  yellow  t'uthbert.  of 
same  habit  of  growth  and  remarkable  thrift, 
hardiness  and  productiveness  as  the  red  Cuthbert. 
For  home  use,  to  eat  fresh,  it  is  excellent,  and 
its  golden  color  contrasts  pleasingly  with  the  red 
varieties  when  mixed  in  a  dessert  dish.  For 
canning  it  is  inferior,  as  the  beautiful  yellow 
tnrns  into  an  unattractive  ashy  gray;  and  tor 
market  it  is  absolutely  worthless,  as  the  berry 
soon  gets  soft,  and  its  beauty  fades  within  a  few 
hours  after  picking.  A  sprinkling  of  red  color 
will  occasionally  appear  in  some  berries,  thus 
proving  it  to  be  a  sport  from  Cuthbert.  The 
plant  has  great  suukering  propensities.  The 
variety-loving  amateur  will  be  pleased  with  a 
limited  number  of  plants  in  his  garden. 


84 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


January, 


The  New  Spring  Dresses. 

Who  sets  the  fashions,  I'd  like  to  know. 
For  the  little  people  beneath  the  snow? 
And  are  they  working  a  weary  while, 
To  dress  themselves  in  the  latest  style? 
There's  Mrs.  Primrose,  who  used  to  be 
The  very  picture  of  modesty  ; 
Plain  were  her  dresses,  but  now  she  goes 
With  crimps  and  fringes  and  furbelows. 
And  the  Pansy  family  must  have  found 
Queen  Elizabeth's  wardrobe  underground  : 
For  in  velvets  and  satins  of  every  shade 
Tiiroughout  the  season  they're  all  arrayed. 
Pinks  and  Daisies  and  all  the  flowers 
Change  the  fashions,  as  w^e  change  ours  : 
And  those  who  knew  them  in  olden  days 
Are  mystified  by  their  modern  ways. 
Who  sets  the  fashions,  Pd  like  to  know. 
For  the  little  people  beneath  the  snow  ? 
And  are  they  busy  a  weary  while 
Dressing  themselves  in  the  latest  style  ? 


The  Pine  Tree. 

0  let  me  sing  of  the  Pluc  tree — I  who  know  I 

1  am  a  dear  disciple  at  his  feet, 
Faniiiar  with  his  many  moods,  can  tell 

Each  winged  thought  within  his  swarthy  brow 

The  owl  that  governs  all  his  midnight  dreams 

The  dove  the  spirit  of  a  holier  peace. 

The  raven  wrapped  in  melancholy's  weeds,— 

And  even  the  maiden  moon  forgets  her  vows. 

To  fondle  him  all  upon  her  lap, 

And  run  her  pearly  lingers  through  his  hair 

(  The  while  Endymion  wakes  upon  the  hills). 

He  has  the  goodly  gift  of  prophecy. 

It  comes  with  whirlwind,  with  fire  of  storms. 

He  rends  his  beard  :    He  strikes  his  knotted  brows 

The  dew  drips  from  his  face  in  giant  drops' 

He  shouts  the  desolation  of  the  world. 

The  secrets  in  the  caverns  of  mid-air  ! 

O  Pine  Tree.    God  sends  down  His  word  to  you 

By  His  own  eagle,  by  His  Ganymede  ! 

—Edward  Abram  Valentine. 


We  sow  the  seed,  and  we  may  reap 

The  harvest  flower, 
But  God  alone  can  watch  and  keep ; 
Lo!  when  our  eyelids  droop  in  sleep 

He  sends  the  shower. 

—  Y'outh's  Companion, 


The  catalogues  are  in  bud. 

Harbingers  of  Spring,    The  forced  bulbs. 

What  fragrance  in  that  early  pot  Hyacinth. 

For  brightest  bloom  grow  Bovardia  in  a  cool 
house. 

Are  your  gronnds  now  adoined  with  ever- 
greens? 

Lily  of  the  Valley  forces  readily,  but  January 
i.s  I'at  her  early. 

The  flower  of  the  Lilac  retains  its  odor  even 
when  withered. 

Orchids  are  moreand  more  becoming  a  leading 
flower  in  New  York. 

Get  rid  of  it.  (Ine  plant  louse  remaining  over 
is  good  for  a  myriad  next  spring. 

If  your  Camellia  buds  drop  before  opening  the 
chances  are  that  the  plants  suffered  from  drying- 
out  last  summer. 

Novelties  are  veritable  Koses  in  the  catalogues, 
but  they  often  show  the  thorn  in  reality.  Always 
enjoy  them  with  due  care. 

Clematises  of  the  improved  types  are  propa- 
gated loy  grafting  on  the  roots  of  a  free  growing 
kind;  they  may  also  be  layered. 

Color  of  flower  is  an  important  consideration 
in  the  selection  of  plants  for  the  window.  Bright 
colors  should  be  given  the  preference. 

Decorate  your  door  yard  with  some  ornamentals 
m  this  year  1890.  Let  those  now  iilant  who  ne\'er 
planted  before,  and  those  who  always  plant,  now 
plant  the  more. 

A  good  resolution  for  .January  is  to  help  on  the 
cause  of  horticulture  as  never  before  by  induc- 
ing your  friends  and  neighbors  to  become  readers 
of  the  present  journal. 

Large  Grape  Vine.  It  is  reported  that  a  Grape 
vine  of  the  Mission  variety,  planted  forty-seven 
years  ago  by  a  Spanish  girl  in  Carpentera,  Cali. 


fornia,  has  a  circumference  of  six  feet  at  its  base, 
and  at  the  height  of  six  feet  branches  out  in 
every  direction  for  a  hundred  feet.  Its  product 
this  season  was  estimated  at  four  tons. 

Flower-Pot  Hanger.  Tonstructcd  of  three 
wires  of  equal  length  each  extending  one-third 
around  the  pot  with  its  bottom  end  twisted  to 
the  next  wire  forming  an  outwardly  extending 
arm,  then  all  bent  upwardly,  their  top  ends 
joined  and  twisted  forming  a  hook  thereon.  It 
is  a  convenient  harness  for  suspending  Orchid 
pans  and  Fern  pots;  see  illustration.— Jofin  iane. 

Our  Inquiry  Department  is  intended  for  the 
free  exchange  of  information  between  our  read- 
ers, a  sort  of  give-and-receivc  department.  Let 
no  one  hesitate  to  ask  questions  on  any  horticul- 
tural problem  in  regard  to  which  he  desires  in- 
formation; let  no  one  hesitate  to  give  informa. 
tion  of  the  desired  kind  when  such  is  in  his  pos- 
session. This  department  shows  a  becoming  ten- 
dency to  enlarge  just  as  we  are  glad  to  see. 

The  Chicago  Flower  Show.  This  was  a  grand 
success.  The  plan  of  having  lady  judges  for  the 
flower  work  and  decorating  was  decidedly  just 
right.  John  Lane's  two  fashionably  dressed  dolls 
grouped  among  blooming  Orchids  and  Chrysan- 
themums under  a  placard  inscribed  "A  Fair  Ex- 
change," one  holding  in  her  extended  hand  the 
aristocratic  Orchid,  the  other  offering  the  Chrys- 
anthemum, Mrs.  A.  Hardy,  in  exchange,  attract- 
ed much  attention. 

Shelter  belts,  such  as  close  evergreen  hedges, 
etc.,  while  very  desirable  in  some  instances,  are 
a  positive  damage  to  orchards  in  others.  The 
Peach,  for  instance,  is  safer  in  a  somewhat  ex- 
posed situation,  where  growth  is  retarded  in 
spring,  than  in  the  immediate  shelter  of  a  belt  of 
close  evergreens,  where  a  free  circulation  of  air, 
and  the  sweep  of  the  winds  is  interrupted.  Many 
of  our  trees  are  not  thankful  for  two  much  pet- 
ting and  protection. 

Northern  Light  Grape.  Specimens  of  the  fruit 
of  this  Grape  were  shown  us  by  Mr.  W.  W.  Hil- 
born  of  (Ontario.  It  is  a  white  Grai>e  of  pure 
flavor,  claimed  to  be  hardy  enough  for  Ottawa 
Ont.  Bunch  fair  sized,  compact,  shouldered;  a 
little  later  than  Champion.  Vine  a  strong  grower 
and  prolific  bearer,  with  Concord  foliage.  The 
quality  of  the  f  ruit,however,does  not  betray  La- 
brusca  origin.  This  may  yet  prove  an  interest- 
ing Graite  for  the  extreme  north,  and  we  are 
going  to  watch  it. 

The  Wagner  Apple  is  hardly  surpaa=ed  in  iiual- 
ity,  while  the  tree  is  immensely  productive  even 
at  an  early  age,  so  productive  indeed,  that  it  us- 
ually commits  suicide  by  o'i'erbearing.  The  fruit 
needs  severe  thinning.  The  trouble  with  the 
tree  is  that  it  hardly  ever  forms  a  healthy  union 
between  graft  and  stock,  and  this  influences  tree 
and  fruit  alike  unfavorably.  This  Apple  deserves 
to  have  a  little  thought  and  effort  bestowed  on 
it.  Perhaps  someway  might  yet  be  found  how  to 
give  it  a  sound  root. 

For  grafting  the  English  Walnut  on  Black 
Walnut  the  cions  should  be  nice  and  well 
ripened  wood  of  last  summers  growth,  cut  be- 
fore hard  freezing,  and  buried  where  they  will 
keep  moist  and  fresh  on  north  side  of  a  fence  or 
building.  My  mode  of  grafting  is  cleft  on  stocks 
not  over  2^4  inches  in  diameter  and  the  time, 
when  the  Black  Walnut  bloom  is  J4  to  !4  inch 
long.  I  put  in  my  grafts,  using  only  abou  tfour 
inches  of  top  end  of  cion.  If  these  directions 
are  followed  you  will  succeed.— J'.  Luther  Bowers. 

A  good  compost  for  pot  plants  or  any  thing  else 
can  be  made  as  follows:  Skim  off  slices  of  sods, 
mix  with  fine  brush  and  weeds,  let  get  dry,  and 
turn  the  whole  mass.  Mi.v  this  well  with  some 
leaf-mold,  well  decomposed  manure  (cow  dung 
being  be.st\  one-third  sand.  This  compost  will 
grow  anything  in  the  ordinary  line  to  perfection. 
If  prepared  in  the  fall,  store  out  of  the  reach  of 
frost,  and  turn  occasionally,  liy  spring  it  will 
be  in  admirable  order.  An  old  gardener  told  me 
this  forty  yeai's  ago,  and  I  have  never  seen  it 
fail  to  give  good  results  — .S.  Miller. 

Cut  Worms  and  Tin  Cans.  I  have  used  empty 
salmon  and  lobster  cans  with  excellent  success 
to  protect  young  plants  from  cut  worms.  Such 
cans  can  be  easily  procured  in  almost  any  town 
for  the  picking  up.  I  start  a  good  hardwood  lire 
in  a  box  stove,  throw  the  cans  in  tf>  mult  off  the 
solder,  when  they  spring  open  and  can  l:)e  pnt 
away  ready  for  use.  Last  season  I  had  300  such 
cans.  After  Tomato  and  similar  plants  were  set, 
I  simply  bent  one  of  the  tin  cans  around  a  plant, 
and  then  pi-css  it  down;  a  few  inches  into  the 
ground.  The  protection  was  complete.— J".  H, 
SUvens,  Ont. 


Japanese  Maples.  About  twenty  distinct  va- 
rieties of  these  lo\  ely  ornamental  trees  ha\e  been 
derived  by  careful  selection  and  grafting  of  rai-e 
sports  from  Acer  polymorphus.  Among  them 
we  have  varieties  of  red,  purplish,  pinkish,  green, 
yellow  and  many-colored  leaves.  The  contrast 
in  the  colors  of  a  group  of  these  trees  renders 
them  an  object  of  attraction  and  admiration. 
They  delight  in  rich,  loose  soil  sheltered  from 
the  north  wind,  which  is  the  worst  enemy  of  the 
tender  foliage.  The  foliage  and  its  color  is  shown 
in  their  full  glory  and  to  best  advantage  during 
the  spring  months. 

The  Brazilian  Tree  Tomato.  H.  J.  Goemans 
of  Kew  (England)  put  .some  fruit  of  the  Cypho- 
mandra  betaeea  on  exhibit  at  the  meeting  of  the 
Dutch  Horticultural  .'5ociety,  October  SI,  1H89, 
claiming  that  these  fruits  now  and  then  seen  at 
Covent  Garden,  London,  could  become  of  great 
importance  in  future  as  a  new  sort  of  Tomato. 
The  committee,  however,  did  not  adjudge  a  cer- 
tificate to  them  because  this  plant  is  unfit  for  the 
Dutch  climate,  first  on  account  of  not  fruiting 
before  the  second  year,  and  not  being  able  to 
stand  the  winter.  Besides  it  does  not  surpass 
the  common  Tomato  in  flavor. 

A  Good  Blackberry  is  Ancient  Britain,  and  if 
Mr.  Riehl  could  have  seen  my  patch  of  IM  acres 
mostly  of  this  variety  about  the  middle  of  last 
August,  I  think  he  would  have  made  up  his 
mind  that  the  berry  wanted  is  found.  With  me 
it  is  just  about  as  early  and  hardy  as  the  Snyder, 
far  more  productive  and  much  better  in  every 
other  way.  I  picked  my  first  Britains  the  i:"th  of 
July,  also  first  Snyder's  same  day,  the  last 
Britaics  the  21st  of  .September.  Whole  amount 
picked  and  sold  201  bushels  1.3  quarts,  which  sold 
for  S(i.'>4.52,  which  was  entirely  satisfactory  to 
me.— G'ro.  E.  HnitehcU^  Wi^eetnain. 

Eosebu<?8  ai-e  hard  to  kill  with  poison,  it  seems. 
Two  yeai's  since.  Col.  Pearson  of  New  .Jersey 
thought  that  the  copper  mixture  sprayed  on  his 
Grape  rines  had  killed  or  driven  off  the  Rosebugs. 
At  the  same  time  editor  Carman  of  the  Rural 
New  Yorker  claim- 
ed that  he  could  kill 
them  by  spraying 
them  with  buhach 
solution.  Now  Col- 
Pearson  states  that 
the  only  way  he  can 
settle  the  Rosebug, 
for  good,  is  to  smash 
them.  Pyrethrum, 
he  says,  will  intoxi- 
cate or  stupef.v 
them,  so  that  they 
fall  from  the  vines, 
but  recover  after  a 
while  and  fly  up 
again.  What  we 
would  like  to  know 
now  is  whether  Co.l 
Peai'son  used  the 
fresh  buhach,  or  the 
stale  pyrethrum  of 
our  drug  stores. 

Amateur  Diaries, 
A  diary  of  all  ojier- 
ations  with  fiowers 
and  in  the  garden 
carefully  kept  from 
year's  beginning  to 
end,  while  of  course 
a  necessity  to  the 
professional  gar- 
dener, would  also  be 
a  boon,  and  a  source 
of  much  enjoyment 
to  the  amateur,  and 
perhaps  often  save 
disappointmentandtroubleafterwards.  If  he  has 
scored  a  success,  the  management  that  lead  to  it 
can  be  traced  in  all  its  details,  and  will  be  a  guide 
tor  the  future.  If  a  mistake  has  been  made,  it 
is  recorded  in  its  beginning,  and  in  its  results, 
and  a  similar  mistake  can  be  avoided  in  future. 
A  well  kept  diary,  indeed,  wili  be  a  valuable 
record  of  events,  of  methods,  of  operations  gen- 
erally.   lA't  the  amateur  not  neglect  it. 

Choice  Chrysanthemums,  A  lady,  who  visited 
ourgi'ounds  shortly  after  seeing  the  t^harleston 
show,  remarked  that  our  Chrysanthemums  beat 
those  in  Charleston.  They  were  certaiul.v  lovely, 
and  many  visited  the  groinids  dail.v.  Diana  takes 
the  lead  among  the  white  ones  with  us  so  far. 
One  or  two  luid  Mi's,  .\lpheus  Hardy  in  bloom, 
but  all  said  if  they  could  have  but  one  they  would 
take  Diana.    It  is  not  large  but  the  form  is  per- 


Flower-Pot  Banycr. 


iSqO' 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


■^5 


foct,  ami  tlieic  is  a  wealth  of  blossoms.  Mi's.  Vaii- 
naiuan,  rod  rtud  bronze:  f^ullinfordii,  ver.v  dark 
red;  Priiiee  of  Oranjre,  olirome  .vellow  and  larjji': 
AlKl-el-Kadi*e,  very  dark  ivd  with  j-ellow  eenter; 
Tragiclie,  a  lieautifnl  rose:  Vim.  Itobert.son, 
onin^e  and  .vellow.  attnu'ted  speeial  attention 
nmoHK  the  niiinerous  other  beauties.  Our  huKC 
nia.ss  of  riehl.v  blended  eolors  was  the  ehief  at- 
traetion.  ('hrysanthemums  do  well  left  In  the 
ground  lieix*.  We  do  not  t(t  take  up  the  Dahliaji 
or  the  (iladioluses  if  set  reasonabl.v  deep.— J7.  A, 
O.,  lirninanl  Jn.'^lituti;  S.  r. 

The  Sprinp  Adonis.  One  of  the  most 
attractive  siibje^-ts  amon^r  hardy  border 
plants  iu  the  spring  is  the  Spriuj:  Adonis 
(>ldom>  wniaUs)  of  whieh  an  engraving  is 
shown  anue.xed.  It  is  a  low  arrowing  plant 
of  about  one  foot  in  heicrht  in  the  form  of 
a  dense  tuft  and  having  finely  di\  ided  leaves 
in  whorls  along  the  stems.  Early  spring 
is  the  season  of  bloom  at  whieh  time  the 
plants  are  covered  with  numerous  large, 
brilliant  .vellow  Anemone-like  tlowei*s  three 
inches  in  diameter,  a  single  flower  being 
produced  at  the  end  of  each  stem.  Reing 
a  dwarf  jilant  this  Adonis  should  not  b^ 
crt)wded  among  strong,  coarse  growers, 
but  should  occupy  a  place  next  to  the 
margin  of  the  bed  or  be  situated  on  rock 
work.  A  sandy,  moist  loam,  on  which  the 
water  never  stands,  suits  it  well  for  soil 
the  plants  should  not  often  be  disturbed. 
Increased  by  division  or  by  saving  seeds 
soon  after  they  ai'e  ripe.  The  Adonis  can 
be  had  from  leading  growers  of  perennial  plants. 

Muslin  Covered  Cold  Frame.  When  we  com- 
nienced  housekeeping  we  of  course  wanted  a 
garden,  and  having  read  so  much  of  the  desir- 
ability of  having  a  hot -bed.  cold  frames,  etc.,  de- 
termined to  have  them  if  possible.  The  first  year 
however,  we  could  do  no  better  than  start  some 
plants  in  boxes  at  the  kitchen  windows.  To  be 
sure  that  was  better  than  nothing,  but  they  re- 
quired a  great  deal  of  care  and  attention  in  order 
to  do  at  all  well.  The  next  few  years  we  had  a 
small  hot-bed,  but  it  was  rather  troublesome  to 
get  the  manure,  make  the  hot-bed,  and  give  it 
the  attention  it  needed  in  the  way  of  ventilation, 
etc.,  and  we  lost  plants  or  had  them  in.iured  by 
chilling  from  over-ventilation,  and  burning  from 
lack  of  it,  so  at  length  I  was  forced  to  content 
myself  with  a  cold  frame  only.  This  required 
much  the  same  care,  but  for  a  shorter  time.  As 
a  substitute  for  glass  I  took  a  piece  of  unbleached 
muslin,  some  boiled  linseed  oil,  and  a  lump  of 
resin;  then  I  got  my  husband  to  make  a  frame 
of  strips  of  pine  boards  to  fit  the  top  of  the  cold 
frame,  and  tacked  the  muslin  to  it  firmly,  stretch- 
ing as  tightly  as  possible.  I  then  melted  the  oil 
and  resin  in  a  tin  dish,  and  while  hot  applied  it  to 
the  cloth  with  a  clean  paint  brush.  A  second 
coat  was  given  after  the  first  had  dried,  and  this 
frame  was  used  in  place  of  sash.  The  frame  re- 
quired less  attention  than  one  covered  with 
sashes.  I  only  ventilated  it  after  the  sun  got 
very  high  and  warm;  and  on  very  chilly  nights 
early  in  the  spring  covered  it  with  an  old  quilt, 
and  I  never  had  such  strong  thrifty  plants  be- 
fore. The  care  of  it  had  been  so  little,  that  I  got 
the  full  benefit  of  the  pleasure,  whereas  hereto- 
fore the  constant  attention'required, added  to  my 
other  cares,  made  it  a  troublesome  pleasure  at 
best.  Hereafter  I  shall  use  that  sort  of  covering 
more  e.xtensively,  and  would  recommend  it  to 
all  other  busy  wives  and  mothers,  who,  while 
they  have  little  time  to  spare  to  "fuss"  over  early 
things  for  the  flower  and  vegetable  garden, 
would  yet  enjoy  the  growing  and  having  of 
them,  if  it  did  not  involve  much  extra  time  and 
trouble.  Mine  required  practically  nothing  ex- 
cept watering  and  w^eeding,  from  seed  sowing 
until  transplanting.  I  would  suggest  that  the 
muslin  used  be  of  close  even  texture,  that  if  the 
frame  to  be  covered  is  large  that  the  cover  be 
made  in  sections,  one  dimension  equal  to  the 
width  of  the  muslin  used.  A  piece  of  resin  the 
size  of  an  egg  to  half  a  pint  of  boiled  linseed  oil 
will  be  about  the  right  proportion.— EWcr's  Wife. 

House  Plants  and  Health.  The  Massachusetts 
Horticultural  Societ.v  has  for  some  time  taken 
special  pains  to  encourage  window  gardening  as 
a  sanitary  measure.  It  is  held  to  be  of  great 
average  advantage  to  the  health  of  the  people  to 
cultivate  a  few  of  the  simpler  plants  during 
winter  in  their  houses.  The  moral  effect  is  also 
held  to  be  very  marked  and  positive.  The  society 
now  is  engaged  in  the  free  distribution  of  pam- 
phlets to  teach  the  best  methods  of  culture;  and 
especially'  to  enable  children  to  care  for  a  few 
floral  pots.    Sanitation  is  the  sum  of  all  science 


for  the  people  at  large.  It  is  getting  to  be  un- 
derstood that  nearly  all  disease  is  preventable. 
Probably  a  good  deal  of  guess  work  is  indulged 
in  in  matters  sanitar.v,  but  a  very  general  opin- 
ion is  expressed  by  scientists  that  the  perfume  of 
tlowei-s  is  t)f  \'alue  in  civating  ozone,  and  minis- 
tering to  health.  Professor  Meehan  ami  l)r 
Augers  of  Philadelphia  have  written  ranch  to 
this  point,  and  now  a  Frenchman,  M.  Ungerer,  is 
convinced  that,  not  only  flowers,  but  the  per- 
fumes distilled  from  them  have  a  salutary  in- 
fluence on  the  constitution  and  are  of  high  thera- 


THE  SPRING  ADONIS.    Adonia  Vernalia. 

peutic  value.  He  tells  us  that  in  towns  where 
perfumes  are  made  all  forms  of  phthisis  are  rare. 
This  is  probably  a  general  truth;  but  it  niust  not 
be  overlooked  that  each  i.>erson  has  special  rela- 
tions to  the  vegetable  world  through  his  olfac- 
tory organs,  as  well  as  through  his  organs  of 
taste.  Some  perfumes  are  injurious  to  some  per- 
sons that  benefit  others.  In  selecting  our  house 
plats  we  shall  not  go  amiss  in  taking  by  preference 
Heliotropes,  Mignonette,  the  old  fashioned  rose 
and  apple  scented  Geraniums;  and  for  bulbs  the 
Freesia  and  Lilies.  The  relation  of  sanitation  to 
animals  is  quite  as  close  as  the  scientists  find  it  to 
be  to  plants.  I  do  not  like  to  disturb  the  serenity 
of  the  domestic  cat,  but  a  medical  journal  as- 
sures us  that  an  outbreak  of  scarlet  fever  in 
Chicago  was  certainly  caused  by  the  spread  of 
contagion  by  means  of  a  cat.  Other  disgusting 
diseases  are  frequently  spread  about  by  dogs, 
notably,  the  itch.  We  have  traced  trichinosis  to 
the  hog,  and  it  is  more  than  probable  that  the 
cow  is  the  origin  of  some  of  our  worst  diseases. 
Cats  are  very  subject  to  diptheria;  and  rapidly 
spread  the  malignant  poison  to  those  who  pet 
them.  Barnyard  fowls  are  also  said  to  be  sub- 
ject to  the  same  disease.  The  lesson  is,  keep  ani- 
ma.ls  as  clean  as  nature  demands,  and  kill  diseased 
pets  at  once.  A  dog  or  cat  that  is  spared  may 
cost  a  family  dearly,  if  not  a  whole  neighbor- 
hood. The  moral?  Pet  plants  in  preference  to 
domestic  animals. 


Notes  on  Floral  Usages  in  New  York. 

A  center-piece  for  a  dinner,  last  week, was  made 
of  only  one  kind  of  flower,  the  Lady  Eramsi  Car- 
nation, which  had  its  own  foliage  freely  inter- 
persed  among  the  blooms.  Around  the  clump  of 
these  was  a  heavy  line  of  the  golden  Lycopodium 
foliage.  Altogether  the  eflrect  was  most  brilliant. 

For  a  child's  funeral  last  Wednesday,  a  Sixth 
Avenue  florist  turned  out  some  very  elegant 
floral  pieces.  There  was  a  pall  of  Hoses,  Lilies, 
and  Hyacinths,  which  was  thrown  over  the 
casket.  Besides  this  there  was  a  broken  link 
made  of  white  blossoms  studded  with  Roses,  and 
a  plaque  of  Faust  Pansies.  upon  which  reclined 
an  anchor  of  Forget>me-not  flowers,  with  a  chair 
of  Lily  of  the  Valley  sprays,  all  most  exquisitely 
made  up. 

The  catalogues  of  the  seedsmen  and  florists 
which  come  out  this  month  are  usually  much 
more  than  mere  price  lists.  Some  of  them  show 
the  bestowal  of  much  thought  and  labor  by  able 
men,  in  making  them  valuable  as  guides  for 
growing  different  flowers  advertised  in  their 
pages  and  in  general  garden  management.  As  a 
rule,  the  instructions  given  are  safe  to  be  follow- 
ed, for  no  seedsman  would  be  likely  to  advise  a 
course  of  treating  his  seeds  that  would  result  in 
failure  to  the  purchaser. 

The  weddings  and  receptions  of  the  past  week 
made  a  considerable  demand  of  cut  flowers.  In 
no  case  were  the  displays  of  these  very  extensive, 
but  to  an  unusual  degree  choiceness  of  kind 
marked  the  selections,  and  some  high  prices 
were  paid  for  individual  baskets,    A  rarity  for 


this  season  of  the  year  was  made  use  of  in  snvera 
Instances,  in  forced  Lilac  flowers.    Jacqueminot 
Uoses  also  lent  their  charms  to  the  different  dis- 
plays,   a    quality    which    has   been    missed    for 
months  from  floral  events. 

It  is  diflieult  to  decide  during  this  mid-winter 
season  which  is  the  choicest  of  flowers  cut  in 
such  profusion  in  the  villages  of  glass  near  New 
York.  Hybrid  Roses,  with  their  strength  of  stem 
elegance  of  foliage,  remarkable  size,  ami  magni- 
ficence of  color;  the  "new"  Roses  that  every 
week  astonish  by  beauty,  freshly  unfold- 
ing as  they  become  acclimated,  or  accus- 
tomed to  conditions:  the  winning  wild  flow- 
ers, which  have  been  forced  to  shake  out 
their  fragile  bells;  such  blossoms  as  Snow- 
drops and  Anemones;  Orchids,  with  their 
amazing  shapes,  splendid  pencillings,  and 
fitful  fragrance  that  comes  and  goes, 
changing  from  "faint  Lemon  odors"  to 
ueavy  permeating  perfumes;  or  the  great 
spring  flower  crop  that  now,  in  vine,  in 
mish,  and  in  blossoming  bulbs,  opens  with 
such  a  wealth  of  loveliness. 

The  bloom  of  Lilacs,  both  of  French  im- 
portation and  domestic  varieties,  is  hardly 
excelled,  in  grace,  color,  or  fragrance,  by 
that  of  any  other  flowers.  It  is  now  several 
years  that  Lilacs  have  been  produced  in 
mid-winter.  Dwarf  plants  of  the  variety 
Charles  X.  are  imported  from  France  and 
grafted  on  common  or  Chinese  Privet,  when 
they  generally  thro  w  up  one  long  shoot. 
In  the  fall  these  plants  are  taken  up  and 
potted  and  the  shoot  is  cut  back  to  five  or  six 
eyes.  The  shoots  from  these  eyes  become  the 
flowering  ones  the  following  season;  that  is,  they 
are  potted  in  the  fall  and  grown  a  twelvemonth 
by  which  time  they  are  covered  with  flower-buds 
and  ready  for  forcing. 

Forcing  is  then  accomplished  by  placing  the 
plants  in  a  greenhouse  of  uniform  temperature 
of  eighty-five  degrees,  the  plant  being  syringed 
at  least  twice  a  day  with  tepid  water.  If  plants 
are  put  in  the  forcing  house  in  November,  they 
require  from  three  to  four  weeks  to  come  into 
bloom;  but  after  New  Year's,  with  a  lower  tem- 
perature, say  from  seventy-flve  to  eighty 
degrees,  they  will  blossom  in  three  weeks. 

A  cause  of  dissatisfaction  with  these  early 
forced  pot-Lilacs  is,  that  they  bloom  so  abundant- 
ly that  they  produce  scarcely  any  leaf,  and 
besides,  their  stems  are  very  short.  They  are 
unprofitable  except  for  selling  as  pot  plants 
There  is  another  beautiful  French  Lilac  that 
can  be  successfully  forced  in  winter— the  pure 
white  "Virginal";  this  expands  large  trusses  of 
perfect  flowers,  far  finer  than  the  common, 
white  ones.  It  may  here  be  stated  that  the 
Charles  X.  and  all  LiLacsmaybe  made  pure  white 
by  growing  them  in  a  perfectly  dark  house. 

A    new  Kochelle  grower  has  blue-glass  Lilac 
houses;  all  the  shades  from  pure  white  to  deep 
purple  are  brought  out  in  Lilacs  by  management. 
The  domestic  or  common  Lilac  of  the  garden 
is  themost  profitable  to  the  florist  of  all  the  Lilacs 
forced.    If    he   can    procure    large    overgrown 
bushes   that   have    remained    undisturbed   for 
eight  or  ten  years,  these  will  serve  him  gener- 
ously, yielding  very  readily  to  the  forcing  treat- 
ment, giving  long  stems  and  usually  plenty  of 
foliage   and   flowers.    The   French   cultivate   a 
I  variety  in  their  summer  gardens  that  they  claim 
I  grows  more   freely  than  the  common  Syringa 
I  nd{iari.%  our  own  spring-blooming  shrub.    They 
call  it  Syringa  dc  Marley.    It  certainly  flowers 
much  younger  and  more  profusely  than  do  the 
aged  bushes  of  the  common  sort  with  us. 

Nothing  can  be  more  ornamental  and  delight- 
fully-fragrant than  the  pots  of  growing  Lilacs 
now  sent  from  the  greenhouses  for  decorating 
dwellings,  which  sell  for  from  $2  to  f2..50  each. 
The  tassels  will  hang  for  some  time  if  the  condi- 
tions of  the  atmosphere  are  right,  and  although 
expensive,  these  plants  give  great  pleasure  and 
satisfaction. 

A  very  elegant  design  in  Lilacs  was  made  for  a 
reception  on  Tuesday  in  East  Twenty-fifth  street. 
A  mound  of  shaded  Lilacs  three  feet  high  was 
formed  in  one  corner  of  the  drawing-room  which 
looked  like  a  pyramid  of  foam.  Upon  the  tassels 
were  perched  white  .Tava  sparrows  There  were 
groups  of  Palms  and  screens  of  foliage  and  rich 
festoonings  with  Ivy  and  Ferns.  The  flowers 
used  were  selected  to  match  the  colors  of  the 
furnitui-e.  There  were  twelve  hand  bouquets, 
which  included  the  choicest  selection  of  Roses 
and  spring  flowers.  Each  bunch  was  bound  at 
the  stems  with  a  hand-embroidered  sash  five 
inches  wide  of  same  tint  as  the  flowers.— Oftsenier. 


86 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


January, 


FRoH 

TRE 


SOCIETIES 


lElWMATrERTIlAT  DHSWtVE* 
TO  BEVnOBXYKMOWlC 

Crandall  Currant.     I  am 

'not  satisfied   with    it   as   a 

dessert  fruit  —Gm.W.  Trnw- 

hriiliic. 

Easpberry  for  Jelly.  There 
is  no  better  for  jam  or  jelly 
than  the  Schaffer.— iV.  Ohm- 
er,  Ohio. 

Lucretia  Dewberry,  its  habit  of  growth 
makes  it  ot  little  value.— P.  J.  Berkmans  Pres. 
Am.  Pdiiu  Suriety. 

Trinmpli  Oooseberry.  It  is  a  great  improve- 
ment over  any  other  variety  that  will  grow  in 
our  climate.— E  Williams,  N.  J. 

Flowing  tinder  Oreen  Uannre.  I  put  under 
an  immense  crop  of  Black  Peas  withoutdiffleulty 
by  running  a  Disk  harrow  o\  er  the  vines.— T.  O. 
Ahcrnathy,  Giles  Co.  Farmer's  Association. 

Planting  Trees.  In  planting  an  orchard  it  is 
a  good  plan  to  set  the  tree  leaning  considerably 
to  the  southwest,  it  will  be  straight  by  the  time 
it   is   of   sufficient  age  to  bear.— £>i'.  Bohinsoti. 

Copperas  for  Grape  Rot.  Somebody  claims  to 
have  been  very  successful  keeping  out  rot  by 
spreading  common  copperas  under  the  vines, 
and  his  testimony  has  been  quite  satisfactory.— 
G.  IT.  Campbell,  Ohio. 

Pennsylvania  State  Horticultural  Society 
The  annual  meeting  will  be  held  in  Mifflingtoivn, 
Pennsylvania,  January  15  and  IB,  1890.  This  is  in 
the  middle  of  the  great  Pennsylvania  Peach  belt. 
It  is  expected  that  the  usual  reduced  fare  will  be 
granted  by  the  railroad  companies.  For  further 
particulars,  program,  etc  ,  address  the  secretary. 
E.  B.  Engel,  Marietta,  Pa. 

Apple  Ladder.  A  light  and  useful  Apple 
ladder,  cjuickly  made,  and  easily  handled  by  men 
of  light  stature,  is  made  of  two  spruce  poles 
two  inches  in  diameter  and  fourteen  feet  long. 
They  are  slightly  spotted  or  cut  on  one  side.  The 
rounds  are  nailed  with  two  clinch  nails  at  each 
place  and  the  ladder  is  made.  The  poles  being 
round  are  strong.— J.  W.  Tree. 

drapes  in  Iowa.  Eveiywhere  in  Towa  the 
leading  varieties  of  the  Labrusca  type  are  profit- 
ably and  satisfactorily  grown.  Each  year 
emphasizes  the  necessity  of  thorough  winter 
protection  for  all  varieties,  no  mattcrhow  hai'dy. 
by  laying  down  and  covering  with  soil  before 
severe  freezing  in  autumn.  Concord  is  every- 
where grown  more  than  any  other,  ripening 
perfectly  in  all  parts  of  the  state.— Jm. Pom. Soc. 

The  Eelsey  Plum.  At  the  recent  meeting  of 
the  California  State  Horticultural  Society  it  was 
stated  that  Kelsey  .lapan  had  sold  most  profit- 
ably at  the  East,  as  it  comes  after  Eastern  Plums 
are  out  of  the  way,  and  that  its  future  seems  as 
well  assured  as  can  be.  Mr.  Williamson  said  he 
had  had  excellent  results  by  top-grafting  the 
Kelsey  into  the  branches  of  old  Apricot  trees 
thus  securing  large  trees,  while  the  Kelsey 
worked  on  the  Pe.ich  in  the  nursery  makes  a 
small  tree. 

Flowers  for  the  Inexperienced.  The  following 
varieties  I  would  rei-commend  as  best  adapted  for 
people  of  little  or  no  experience  :  Phlox  Drum- 
mondi,  Chinese  Pinks.  Sweet  Peas,  Pansics, 
Sweet  Alyssura,  Verbenas,  .\sters.  Nasturtium, 
Candytuft,  Petunias,  Balsams,  Larkspur,  Ten- 
week  Stock,  Mignonette,  and  Portulaca.  Some 
of  these.  Phlox,  Petunia,  Portulaca,  and  Lark- 
spur are  self-seeding,  and  labor  can  be  saved  by 
using  the  same  bed,  transplanting  occasionally 
in  the  spnag.— Minnesota  State  Hort.  Society. 

Planting  Strawberries.  Land  which  has  been 
in  cultivation!  a  year  or  two  is  best.  Plow  this 
early  in  spring  as  deep  as  possible ;  then  harrow 
it  over  and  over  until  a  perfect  seed-bed  is  form- 
ed. Very  thorough  preparation  of  this  kind  will 
show  itself  in  ease  of  cultivation  lat^r  in  the 
season.  I  tell  my  men  to  harrow  it  over  and 
over,  until  they  think  they  have  done  it 
thoroughly,  and  then  harrow  just  as  much  more. 
I  never  had  it  o\'erdone.  I  ne\'er  knew  a  farm 
crop  to  be  ruined  b.v  over-preparation.— X  H.  U. 

Brightening  Home.  The  most  humble 
home  may  be  brightencfl  and  its  coarse  surround- 
ings made  attracti\'e  by  flowers.  A  neatly  kept 
border,  or  a  bed  gay  with  blossoms  of  even  the 
commonest  varieties  are  certainly  more  pleasant 
and  restful  to  the  tired  wife  and  mother  than  an 
untidy  grassless  yard,  with  fences  down  and  pigs. 


calves,  and  geese  roaming  at  will,  as  seen  so 
often  in  the  counlry.  Half  the  time  taken  to 
keep  them  out  wonld  be  amply  sufficient  to  cul- 
tivate a  few  Hower^.— Minnesota  State  Bort.  Soc. 

Black  Knot.  Black  Knot  on  the  Plum  may  be 
destroyed  with  a  mixture  of  linseed  oil,  turpen- 
tine and  kerosene  The  kerosene  must  be  used 
with  care,  for  if  allowed  to  spread  over  the 
branch  it  will  destroy  it  Linseed  oil  alone,  if 
applied  two  or  three  times,  answers  the  same 
purpose,  but  the  turpentine  and  kerosene  make 
it  prompt  and  efficient.  The  time  is  when  the 
knot  begins  to  make  its  appearance  early  in 
summer  and  afterwards.— Pro/.  Maynard  befwe 
the  Maine  State  Pomoloyical  Society. 

Hedges  for  Windbreaks.  I  never  had  any 
patience  with  the  fellows  who  delight  in  telling 
me  that  my*'hed;jes  occupy  too  much  room." 
When  I  commenced  improving  this  farm  it  was 
all  room — not  a  tree  or  a  shrub  upon  a  thousand 
acres ;  and  to-day  with  twenty  acres  in  orchards, 
with  seven  miles  of  hedges,  with  a  few  acres  in 
groves  of  forest-trees,  I  have  not  a  single  twig 
too  much— not  half  enough— to  meet  what  is  an 
equitable  requirement  that  I  should  contribute 
my  share  toward  the  amelioration  of  the  climate 
in  winter,  for  the  favoring  of  rainfall  in  summer, 
and  for  the  reasonable  forethought  and  provi- 
sion for  those  who  are  to  come  after  me. — L.B.W. 

Lutle  Orape.  J.  Van  Lindley,  N.  0.:  My  dozen 
vines  ha\e  now  fruited  two  years,  and  I  never 
saw  finer  vines  or  fruit.  They  have  no  mildew 
or  rot.  At  our  fair  at  Kaleigh  the  past  season, 
they  were  the  equal  of  any  kind  on  exhibition. 
They  are  foxy  when  first  colored,  but  very  fine 
in  flavor  when  fully  ripe.  I  consider  it  one  of 
the  most  valuable  Gfrapes  we  have;  it  ripens 
with  the  Delaware.  H.  E.  Van  Deman,  D.  C:  I 
received  samples  at  two  different  times  from 
Nashville,  and  they  were  the  worst-flavored  and 
smelling  grapes  I  ever  tasted.— Chas  Parry,  N.  J.: 
I  am  fruiting  the  Lutie,  and  find  it  no  more  foxy 
or  offensive  than  Berkett,s  Amber,  and  that  is  a 
very  profitable  Grape.— ^m.  Pomological  Society. 

Dwarf  Juneberry,  The  fruit  is  borne  in 
clusters  like  the  Currant,  and  ripens  in  June. 
Its  size  equals  the  wild  Gooseberry;  shape,  round; 
color,  reddish  purple  at  first,  becomes  a  bluish 
black  when  fully  ripened.  Its  flavor  approaches 
the  Huckleberry,  a  mild,  very  rich  sub-acid. 
Most  people  like  its  quality,  and  pronounce  it 
delicious.  I  had  two  or  three  bushes  that  fruited 
several  years  in  succession.  In  spring  they  are 
a  sheet  of  white,  and  ^  ery  ornamental.  The 
fruit,  which  is  borne  in  great  abundance,  is,  to 
my  taste,  better  than  Huckleberries.  This  species 
varies  widely  in  its  wild  state.  I  have  found  it 
(the  tall  kind )  in  fruit  in  Maine,  but  one  of  these 
little  bushes  will  bear  as  much  as  half  a  dozen  of 
the  big  ones.— Dr  Geo.  Thurljer,Ain.  Pom,Society. 

Planting  Shrubbery.  The  first  great  advan- 
tage of  gardening  with  hardy  flowers  is  that 
every  dollar  spent  is  a  permanent  investment, 
that  yields  increasing  returns  every  year;  so 
that  it  only  a  small  part  of  the  money  annually 
spent  in  tender  plants  should  be  invested  in 
hardy  shrubs,  bulbs  and  roots  ourgardens  would 
in  few  years  be  fairly  o\'erflowing  with  beauty. 
The  second  advantage  is  even  greater.  When 
a  carpet  bed  has  been  seen  half  a  dozen  times 
that  is  all  there  is  to  it— it  is  the  same  old  story. 
But  how  different  it  is  with  a  good  selection  ot 
hardy  plants;  there  will  be  hardly  a  day  from 
the  last  snow  in  March  to  the  first  blLszard  in 
December  when  we  can  not  find  something  new 
in  our  garden.— ('/ta«.  Little  before  the  W.  N.  Y. 
Horticultural  Society. 

Peach  Borer.  Mr  J.  H.  Hale  stated  before  the 
Maine  State  Pomological  Society,  that  the  grub 
can  be  destroyed  with  caustic  potash  made  into 
a  strong  lye  with  the  addition  of  lime  and  car- 
bolic acid,  to  which  a  little  arsenic  is  added,  and 
sometimes  a  little  clay  to  make  it  adhere  to  the 
tree.  The  earth  is  drawn  awa.y  from  the  foot  of 
the  tree,  and  the  mixture  is  applied  with  a  swab. 
Of  a  hundred  thus  treated  not  one  was  ever 
attacked  by  the  borer.  Of  the  untreated  trees, 
not  one  in  a  hundred  escaped.  This  remedy 
costs  much  less  labor  than  the  old  efficient  one  of 
digging  out  with  the  point  of  a  knife.  The  work 
is  done  early  in  May,  and  the  mixture  should  be 
nearly  as  thick  as  paste  Mr.  Dunbar  also  stated 
that  he  had  tried  this  remedy  with  success,  not 
one  tree  in  twenty-five  being  attacked  where  the 
wash  was  applied. 

On  Lawn  Making.  A  gross  error  is  very  pre- 
valent in  towns  and  cities;  as  when  building  is 
being  done,  gravel,  brickbats  and  other  debris 


are  allowed  to  accumulate,  and  when  improve- 
ments are  finished  this  rubbish  is  spread  over  the 
lot  and  covered  with  a  thin  coat  of  light  black 
soil,  and  is  considered  good  enough  for  grass  and 
flowers.  'Tis  true,  seeds  will  germinate  in  it, 
and  grass  and  flower-plants  grow  well  on  it  for  a 
time,  but  when  the  strong  ra.vs  of  the  summer's 
sun  are  concentrated  on  it  for  weeks  in  succes- 
sion it  will  rapidly  dry  out  and  plants  on  it,  bum 
up,  because  they  have  no  depth  of  root,  or  store 
ot  nourishment.  All  such  material  should  be 
collected  together  and  carried  away  and  replaced 
with  a  good  clay  or  loamy  soil,  to  a  depth  of  at 
least  two  feet.  A  soil  thus  formed,  when  levelled, 
graded  and  made  fine  and  even  on  top,  is  well 
adapted  to  support  plants;  it  will  permit  their 
roots  to  penetrate  it  deeply,  and  to  spread  in  it 
laterly;  will  absorb  and  retain  moisture,  with  the 
plant  food  it  holds  in  solution,  and  can  be  re- 
plenished anaually  by  top  dressing:  and  when  so 
treated  will  retain  its  fertility  and  give  good 
results  for  years  in  succession.  On  such  a  soil 
a  beautiful  lawn  is  easily  formed  by  seeding 
or  sodding  The  latter  is  the  speediest  way,  but 
it  has  no  other  advantage,  and  is  much  more 
costly.  Seeding  with  bluegrass  seed  in  March  or 
April  soon  makes  a  beatiful  lawn,  and  b.v  the 
first  of  July,  if  sown  thickly,  the  surface  will  be 
covered  with  a  nice  green  sward.— £)r.  D.  Mc- 
Carthy before  Montgomery  Cimnty  Hori.  Society. 


Pickings  from  the    Columbus  (Ohio) 
Horticultural  Society  Meetings. 

In  a  review  of  the  season  the  fact  was 
brought  out  that  weeds  for  some  reason 
have  not  given  as  much  trouble  this  year  as 
usual.  Either  the  seeds  producecl  the  year 
before  had  less  vitality,  or  the  conditions  for 
growth  were  in  some  way  less  favorable. 

Much  Bloom,  Little  Fruit.  Another  remark- 
able feature  of  the  season  was  the  unusual  a- 
mount  of  bloom  produced  in  Central  Ohio  by 
plants  of  nearly  every  description,  wild  and  cul- 
tivated, annual  and  perennial,  herbaceous,  shrub- 
by and  tree-like.  This  unusual  prolificacy  in 
blooming  for  two  years  in  succession  is  probably 
due  to  favorable  conditions  of  fall  growth,  mild 
winters,  and  a  sufficient  amount  and  equal  dis- 
tribution of  rainfall  during  the  spring  months. 
Whatever  the  causes,  the  promise  seen  in  the  a- 
bundance  of  bloom  was  not  verified  in  the  har- 
vest. This  was  particularly  observable  in  the 
case  of  the  Apple  and  the  Grape. 

Most  Profitable  Apple.  The  requisities  of  a 
good  market  Apple  are  as  follows:  1.  Fine  ap- 
pearance and,  at  least,  fairly  good  quality.  3. 
Productiveness;  a  profitable  market  Apple  should 
be  an  annual  bearer.  Some  varieties  bear  only 
once  in  two  or  three  years.  Five  years  ago  an 
Apple-grower  near  Columbus  sold  $25  worth  of 
Apples  from  a  single  tree  of  Belleflower.  The 
tree  has  not  produced  $5  worth  during  the  five 
years  since.  3.  Good  shipping  qualities.  In  many 
parts  of  Ohio  the  Ben  Davis  and  Rome  Beauty 
come  the  nearest  to  answering  all  of  the  above 
requisites.  In  other  parts  of  the  state  the  North- 
ern Si)y  and    Baldwin  give  the  best  cash  results. 

The  Ideal  Strawberry.  The  essentials  of  an 
ideal  Strawberry  may  be  grouped  under  the  fol- 
lowing heads  :  1.  A  large  amount  of  each,  and  the 
proper  proportion  of  sugar  and  acid,  i.  e..  rich- 
ness. 3.  .\  good  flavor.  3.  Flesh  melting,  but  firm^ 
without  core  or  hollow.  4.  Seeds  small  in  size 
and  few  in  number.  5  Regular  shape ;  a  conicaj 
form  is  perhaps  the  best.  ti.  Moderate  and  nearly 
uniform  size.  7.  Clear,  pure  color,  no  matter 
what  the  shade.  8.  The  caly.x  should  part  readily 
from  the  fruit.  9.  The  plants  should  be  hardy 
of  vigorous  growth,  able  to  resist  rust,  insect  in- 
jury or  other  forms  of  disease.  10.  A  tendency  to 
produce  a  moderate  number  of  healthy  runners. 

New  Insect  Enemies.  During  the  past  sum- 
mer two  comparatively  new  and  destructive 
insects  have  been  leported  by  members  of  the 
Columbus  Agricultural  Society.  One  works  upon 
Rhubarb  or  Pieplant  and  the  other  infests  the 
root  of  the  Strawberry.  The  former  is  a  beetle 
of  the  curculio  type,  and  does  its  injury  by  punc- 
turing the  stem,  where  it  deposits  its  eggs.  These 
hatch  and  the  larvic  or  grubs  bore  or  tunnel  the 
stalks.  When  abundant  the  plants  are  seriously 
injured.  The  life  history  of  this  insect  is  not 
fully  known,  and  no  remedies  of  a  practical 
nature  have  been  suggested. 

The  other  insect,  a  species  of  aphis,  is  called 
the  Strawberry  root  louse,  and  is  doing  serious 
injury  to  the  Sti-awberry  plantations  in  Central 
Ohio.    It  is  a  small,  greenLsh  louse  that  gathers 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


87 


upon  the  root  of  the  Strawberry  in  (Trent  nuin- 
liers  and  injures  the  plants  by  suckinp:  the  Juiecs. 
The  extent  of  the  injury  is  vnriiible,  depenciintf 
upon  the  niuuber  i>f  the  inseets  and  tlie  condi- 
tion of  the  phint.  Certain  varieties  of  the  Straw- 
berry appear  to  have  a  greater  power  to  resist 
this  enemy  than  do  others.  This  insect  was  first 
noticed  by  Professor  Forbes,  of  Illinois,  and  has 
more  recently  been  fully  descriljed  and  named  by 
Mr.  C.  M.  Weed,  entomolotfist  to  the  Ohio  E.\- 
l)eriment  Station.  Rotation  has  been  suggested 
as  likely  to  prove  the  best  remedy  for  this  pest. 
Care  should  also  be  taken  in  setting  new  planta- 
tions to  see  that  no  infested  plants  are  used,  or 
that  the  insects  on  them  are  killed.  This  may  be 
done  by  dipping  the  roots  in  kerosene  emulsion. 

Landscape  Gardening. 

Extract  of  paper  read  by  Counvillor  Barding  at  the 
Preston  and F>tlwood{EngIand)Hortictdtii7'atSoci€ty.) 

Landscape  gardening  is  an  art  of  no  mean 
order.  Broadly  understood,  it  is  the  appli- 
cation of  art  to  nature.  Nature  in  itself  is 
an  e.xemplifier  of  progress,  always  chang- 
ing, and  like  the  sky,  presenting  scenes  like 
an  ever  changing  kaleidoscope.  "Nature 
is  hut  art  hidden  from  our  view." 

Country  Homes.  The  landscape  of  the  garden 
must  l^  made  subser\nent  to  the  buildings.  In 
the  arrangement  of  the  house,  as  a  principle,  the 
li\'ing  rooms  should  have  east,  south  and  west 
aspects:  stabling  and  out-buildings  be  on  the 
north-east;  fruit  and  flower  gardens  placed  on  the 
sunny  side  of  the  house,  south  and  west;  lawn 
tennis  fronting  the  drawing-room  window. 

The  carriage  drive  from  the  public  highway 
should  be  as  short  as  possible,  provided,  of  course 
sufficient  space  is  left  to  secure  privacy  to  the 
house  gardens,  and  pleasure  grounds.  The  longer 
the  carriage  drive  or  approach,  the  greater  the 
expense  incurred  in  construction  and  making, 
and  in  the  constant  repairing  and  mending. 
Again,  the  longer  and  more  circuitous  or  serpen- 
tine in  form,  the  more  inaccessible  during  the 
evenings,  especially  of  dark  foggy  days.  The 
less  of  gravelled  roads  and  appearance  of  gravel 
the  better— they  are  objectionable  to  the  eye- 
sight. Green  is  the  natural  color  upon  which 
the  eye  should  rest— the  sight  of  sheep  or  cattle 
in  the  park-like  enclosure,  sometimes  found  ad- 
jacent to  a  villa,  occupying  three  or  four  acres 
as  a  site,  presents  a  far  more  picturesque  view 
than  turf  cut  up  by  a  straggling  carriage  drive, 
which,  however  beautiful  in  itself,  mars  and 
spoils  the  scene.  The  foot  paths  communicating 
with  the  main  roads  should  be  serpentine  or 
curved  in  form,  save  only  in  the  kitchen  garden, 
where  these  should  be  straight. 

Much  judgment  and  care  are  required  in  the 
planting  and  grouping  of  trees  and  plants,  and 
the  laying  out  of  flower  beds,  so  that  every  step 
you  take  may  present  to  the  eye  a  constantly 
varying  scene.  These  are  the  keynotes  to  the 
whole.  This  is  the  finish  that  displays  the  skill 
of  the  gardener,  and  embellishes  the  villa  with 
a  charm  that  adds  comfort  to  the  house. 

Public  Parks.  Parks  in  or  adjacent  to  towns, 
provided  by  corporations  or  private  munificence, 
are  maintained  for  the  enjoyment  of  ratepayers 
and  the  public  at  large— to  provide  relaxation, 
fresh  air,exercise, pleasure,  and  enjoyment  for  all 
sorts  and  conditions  of  men.  First  and  foremost, 
the  approach  to  the  park  should  be  a  main  and 
principal  avenue  and  carriage  drive,  designed 
and  laid  out  both  for  position  and  views.  .VII 
parks  should  be  laid  out  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
pro^nde  a  carriage  drive  through  them.  Orna- 
mental water  and  rough  stone-work  laid  to  imi- 
tate nature,  effectually  vary  and  improve  the 
scenes.  A  great  addendum  to  our  parks  is  music, 
which  always  has  and  will  lend  a  charm  to  our 
landscapes.  The  sweet  melody  of  our  native 
birds  swell  the  music  of  our  parks  in  early  morn- 
ing and  early  evening 

Cemeteries,  The  introduction  of  landscape 
gardening,  its  avenues,  walks,  trees,  flowers,  and 
planting,  has  long  been  the  custom  of  civilized 
countries,  to  apply  to  the  adornment  of  our 
churchyards  and  cemeteries.  There  is  to  the 
minds  of  most  of  us  something  very  beautiful  in 
associating  the  works  and  products  of  vegetable 
nature,  as  offerings  to  the  memories  of  the  dead. 

Cemeteries  require  the  hand  and  skill  of  the 
landscape  gardener  to  be  exercised  on  a  different 
principle  in  the  main  to  that  of  public  parks.  In 
the  fine,  sunny,  bright  Sunday  afternoons,  our 
public  cemeteries  are  much  frequented,  by  the 
Inhabitants  of  the  surrounding  districts.  In  con- 
tinental countries,  especially  in  France,  this  is 


notably  so  One  day  in  the  year,  called  La  Joitr 
(Ir  Mnii^  is  kept  specially  Siicred,  the  cemeteries 
being  greatly  crowded  above  all  other  days. 

The  chaiiels  in  cemeteries,  their  relative  posi- 
tions and  situations,  guide  and  rule  the  positions 
of  the  main  avenues.  Serpentine  and  curved 
walks  in  cemeteries  should,  if  ptissible,  be  avoid- 
ed, save  on  hilly  ground.  The  avenues  and  walks 
should  invariably,  as  a  general  principle,  be 
straight,  forming  squares  and  rectangles.  At  a 
glance,  this  provides  some  regularity  in  position 
of  the  spaces  and  ground  to  be  used.  A  main 
central  avenue  forms  an  imposing  and  effective 
approach  to  the  central  chai>el,  which,  it  is  to  be 
hoped,  will  ere  long  suftice  for  classes  and  sects. 

Admitting  this  principle,  the  next  best  adorn- 
ment is  the  introduction  of  native  forest  trees, 
choosing  those  best  adapted  for  the  district,  from 
our  Oaks,  Limes,  Sycannires,  Elms,  Beeches, 
Chestnuts,  and  a  hosts  of  others— long-lived  in 
themselves,  and  which  from  generation  to  gen- 
ei-ation  throw  out  and  form  a  dignity  to  the  sur- 
roundings. 

The  direction  of  the  roads,  avenues,  and  paths, 
in  their  bearing  to  the  compa.ss,  must  be  regu- 
lated by  the  highways  and  public  approaches  to 
the  cemetery. 

Interim  planting  of  shrubs,  not  forgetting  an 
abundance  of  evergreens— "something  that  lives 
in  winter"— trees  and  flowers  should  follow  the 
general  line  adapted  in  parks,  care  being  taken 
that  no  trees  should  be  planted  in  positions  that 
would  interfere  with  the  advantageous  use  of 
the  ground. 

All  cemetery  decoration  by  means  of  land- 
scape gardening  should  be  made  subservient  to 
the  general  purpose  for  which  cemeteries  are 
made  and  dedicated.  Ornamental  or  fish  ponds 
should  have  no  place  in  cemeteries.  They  should 
only  be  introduced  in  the  design  and  laying  out 
of  parks.  Ornamented  seats  can,  with  advantage, 
be  placed  in  the  central  or  main  avenues. 

The  careful  pruning  of  trees,  also  order  and 
cleanliness  of  avenues,  walks,  lawns,  and  flower 
beds  are  necessary  alike  in  gardens,  parks,  cem- 
eteries, and  churchyards. 


Market  Gardening  as  a  Business. 

{Extract  of  paper  read  by  Peter  Henderson  before  the 
Masschusetts  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  Decem- 
ber. 3rd,  1899.) 

Market  Gardening  is  not  the  profitable  bus- 
iness is  was  twenty  years  ago,  yet  we  have 
so  simplified  our  operations  o£  late  years  that 
even  at  the  lower  prices  there  is  still  a  fair 
profit  in  the  business — certainly  more  than 
in  ordinary  farm  crops. 

If  farmers  whose  lands  are  near  to  the  smaller 
towns,  hotels,  watering  places  and  summer  board 
ing^houses,  would  devote  a  few  acres  to  fruits  or 
vegetables,  or  both,  there  is  scarely  a  doubt  that 
every  acre  so  cultivated  would  be  much  more 
profitable  than  if  devoted  to  ordinary  farm  crops. 
Xo  one  need  hesitate  to  begin  the  cultivation  of 
either  fruit  or  vegetables  crops  on  any  soil  that 
will  raise  a  good  crop  of  corn,  hay  or  potatoes. 
The  farmer,  who  grows  to  supply  a  local  demand 
such  as  for  hotels,  boarding  houses,  &c.,  has  a 
great  advantage  in  selling  direct  to  the  consum- 
ers. 

When  it  can  be  done,  select  land  that  is  level 
and  well  drained  by  having  a  gra\'eUy  or  sandy 
subsoil,  and  not  less  than  ten  inches  in  depth  of 
good  soil  If  you  are  not  a  judge  of  soil,  observe 
the  farm  crops  in  your  neighborhood.  If  these  are 
not  strong  and  vigorous,  rest  assured  that  the 
soil  will  not  answer  for  market  garden  work. 
Again,  get  as  near  to  your  market  as  possible,  and 
see  that  the  roads  leading  thereto  are  good.  For 
a  local  market  this  is  not  so  important. 

Labor,  Capital,  Etc.  The  business  though 
healthful  and  fairly  profitable,  is  exceedingly 
laborious.  The  labor  is  not  what  might  be  called 
heavy,  but  the  hours  are  long— not  less  than  an 
average  of  ten  hours  a  da.v  for  both  summer  and 
winter.  No  one  should  engage  in  it  after  having 
passed  middle  life,  neither  is  it  fitted  for  men  of 
feeble  constitution,  for  it  is  emphatically  a  bus- 
iness in  which  one  has  to  rough  it,  and  if  it  is  to 
be  prosecuted  successfully  the  owner  must  put 
his  shoulder  to  the  wheel  at  least  as  strongly  as 
his  roughest  employee. 

The  capital  required  for  beginning  market 
gardening  in  the  vicinity  of  any  large  city  should 
not  be  less  than  S30U  per  acre  for  anything  less 
than  ten  acres.  The  first  year  rarely  pays  more 
than  currant  expenses,  and  the  capital  of  $.300 
per  acre  is  all  absorbed  in  horses,  wagons,  imple- 
ments, sashes,  manures,  seeds,  etc.  If  the  capital 


is  insuthcient  to  procure  these  properly,  the 
chances  of  success  of  are  correspondingly  dim  in- 
ished.  Above  all  be  caivful  not  to  attempt  the 
cultivation  of  more  land  than  your  capital  and 
experience  can  properly  manage.  More  men  are 
strande<l,  both  on  the  farm  and  garden,  in  at- 
tempting to  cultivate  too  much,  perhaps  than 
from  any  other  cause. 

Commercial  Plant  Growing.  Of  late  years 
greenhouses  are  being  largely  used  in  place  of 
hot-bed  sashes,  both  for  the  purpose  of  forcing 
Lettuce,  Radishes,  Beets  and  Cucumbers,  as  also 
for  growing  plants  of  early  Cabbage,  Cauliflower, 
Lettuce,  Celery  and  Tomatoes;  and  in  either  case 
we  believe  that  in  well  constructed  greenhouses 
not  only  is  the  work  better  done,  but  that  the 
saving  in  labor  in  three  yeitrs  will  more  than 
offset  the  greater  cost  of  the  greenhouses.  We 
ourseUes  grow  immense  quantities  of  vegetable 
plants  of  all  kinds,  all  of  which  are  now  started 
in  greenhouses,  in  the  following  manner. 

We  make  our  first  sowing  February  1st,  in  our 
greenhouses  were  the  temperature  will  average 
about  70°;  that  is,  about  60°  at  night,  and  about 
fO°  during  the  day.  A  hot-bed,  made  with 
manure,  about  two  feet  deep,  in  a  proper  manner 
produces  just  about  the  same  temperature  and 
general  conditions  as  a  well  appointed  green- 
house will.  We  now  invariably  sow  the  seed  in 
shallow  boxes  (those  used  in  the  importation  of 
tin)  which  arel^  inches  deep  and  about  20  inches 
long  by  U  wide.  We  use  any  light  rich  soil  for 
the  purpose,  sowing  enough  seed  in  each  box  to 
produce  1000  to  1500  plants,  or  if  sown  in  the  hot- 
bed, without  the  boxes,  each  3x6  foot  sash  should 
grow  about  5000  plants. 

The  plants  sown  on  February  1st  will  give 
plants  fit  to  transplant  in  about  three  or  four 
weeks.  We  then  use  the  same  kind  of  shallow 
boxes,  putting  in  the  bottom  of  each  about  ^  of 
an  inch  of  well-rotted  manure.  Over  that  we 
place  an  inch  of  any  ordinary  rich  light  soil, 
smoothing  it  so  as  to  have  it  as  level  as  possible. 
In  these  boxes,  which  are  l-tx20  inches,  we  put  an 
average  of  about  1.50  plants.  They  are  then  con- 
tinued to  be  grown  in  the  same  temperature  for 
about  ten  days  ;  afterwards  placed  in  a  tempera- 
ture averaging  55°,  where  they  are  allowed  to 
remain  tor  ten  or  twelve  days,  and  finally  placed 
in  cold  frames.  The  boxes  should  be  placed  as 
close  to  each  other  in  the  cold  frames  as  they 
will  stand,— about  eight  boxes  fill  a  sash,  thus 
holding  about  1200  plants.  If  the  weather  is  cold 
they  are  matted;  if  not  the  sash  will  be  suflScient 
protection.  For  the  past  five  years  we  have  each 
season  grown  about  half  a-million  of  Cabbage, 
Cauliflower,  Celery  and  Lettuce  plants  in  this 
way,  and  have  never  failed  to  get  fine  plants, 
much  superior  to  those  raised  by  the  old  cold- 
frame  plan  of  sowing  in  the  fall. 

Plants  sown  on  the  1st  of  February  are  trans- 
planted into  the  boxes  1st  of  March,  and 
are  fit  to  be  placed  in  the  cold-frames  March 
10th  or  15th,  and  make  fine  plants  to  trans- 
plant to  the  open  ground  any  time  after  the  1st 
of  April,  if  they  have  been  carefully  attended  to 
by  watering,  airing  and  protecting  from  frost. 
These  dates  refer  particularly  to  the  vicinity  of 
New  York  City.  In  districts  where  they  can- 
not be  planted  out  sooner  than  the  end  of  .\pril, 
then  the  sowing  should  not  be  made  before  the 
15th  of  February,  and  the  process  of  transplant- 
ing, etc  ,  gone  through  as  before  stated,  so  that 
the  plants  will  be  in  condition  to  plant  in  the 
open  ground  by  end  of  April.  In  sections  where 
Cabbage  cannot  be  planted  in  the  open  ground 
before  the  1st  of  May,  the  sowing  should  be 
delayed  until  near  March,  and  the  process  of 
transplanting  in  the  boxes  or  frames  the  same. 

Rotation.  Manure,  etc.  Twenty-five  .years 
ago  the  market  gardeners  of  New  Jersey,  grew 
better  vegetables  than  the  Long  Island  men,  but 
they  do  not  now  average  as  good  those  grown  in 
districts  adjacent  to  New  York, where  the  land  is 
cheap  enough  to  allow  one-third  to  be  put  down 
annually  with  some  grass  or  ilover  crop.  I 
believe  that  in  a  garden  of  fifteen  acres,  if  one- 
third  is  laid  down  in  grass  each  year,  and  the 
balance  kept  under  the  plough,  that  the  gross 
receipts  will  be  greater  and  the  profits  more 
than  if  the  whole  fifteen  acres  were  under  tillage. 

The  ordinary  stable  manu  re  is  yet  used  almost 
exclusively  by  the  market  gardeners  Co.,  N.  J., 
and  that  too  at  the  rate  of  seventy-five  tons  to 
the  acre.  Very  little  phosphates  or  other  con- 
centrated manures  are  used  on  our  lands,  which 
are  continually  under  tillage  :  these  are  always 
more  telling  on  land  broken  up  from  sod,  where 
the  fibrous  roots  of  the  sod  stand  in  lieu  of 
stable  manure. 


88 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


January, 


The  Cause  of  Low    Prices  of   Fruit 
and  the  Remedy. 

\E.rlrart  of  paver  b//  r.  W.  hiell  read  before  the  N.  J. 
State  Hortievlturol  Soeiety.] 

The  cultivation  of  fruit  in  this  Country  has 
attained  such  proportions  that,  if  we  are  to 
believe  the  statements  of  some  growers,  it  is 
no  longer  profitable.  If  this  is  true  we 
should  investigate  the  cause  and  then  like 
sensible  men  apply  the  remedy. 

The  cause  of  this  depression  in  prices,  I  think, 
is  the  production  of  such  large  iiuantlties  of  poor 
fruit,  which  must  be  sold  for  a  i>rice  less  than  the 
cost  of  production;  thousands  of  quarts  of  Ber- 
ries, tons  of  unripe  Grapes,  thousands  of  barrels 
of  Apples,  Pears,  and  Quinces  which  are  not  fit 
for  consumption  are  sent  to  the  market  with  the 
idea  of  getting  some  price  for  them. 

Growers  make  a  great  mistake  in  shipping  un- 
ripe Grapes  to  market,  for  at  this  time  of  year 
the  market  is  fully  stocked  with  other  varieties  of 
ripe  fruit,  and  there  is  but  little  demand  for  the 
ripe  Grapes,  and  none  for  the  imripc.  The  con- 
tinued shipping  of  the  inuipe  Grapes  to  market 
has  the  effect  of;  depressing  the  prices  for  a  time 
after  the  ripe  Grapes  replace  the  unripe.  If  such 
varieties  as  the  "Champion",  "Hartford",  and 
"Elvira"  were  exterminated  from  our  vineyards 
and  only  the  later  varieties  cultivated  and  allow- 
ed to  ripen  before  being  picked,  the  growers 
would  realize  a  greater  profit  from  his  vineyard 
than  he  now  does;  or  if  these  sour  varieties  were 
permitted  to  ripen  it  would  add  to  their  value  as 
then  they  might  be  sold  for  wine.  Each  grower 
vies  with  the  other  to  get  his  grapes  on  the  mar- 
ket first,  and  the  consequence  is  that  the  returns 
on  the  sale  of  the  fruit  do  not  pay  for  the  labor 
expended  upon  it. 

Premature,  wormy  and  imperfect  Apples,Pears 
etc.,  are  another  objectionable  feature  in  the 
trade,  and  the  continued  shipjiing  of  these  fruits 
has  the  same  effect  upon  the  market  as  noted 
aljove  in  speaking  of  \mripe  Grapes.  It  would 
unquestionably  be  far  better  to  keep  this  fruit  at 
home  and  send  to  market  only  the  ripe  and  per- 
fect kinds.  Not  only  would  better  prices  be  ob- 
tained, but  the  chance  of  having  the  fruit  seized 
ti.v  the  agents  of  the  Board  of  Health  would  be 
reduced  to  a  minimum.  Each  year  these  agents 
seize  large  quantities  of  unripe  fruit  and  there  is 
no  redress  for  the  shipper. 

During  the  Sti-awberry  season  there  are  many 
dealers  from  other  cities  whose  business  is  to  ship 
to  their  customers,  and  I  have  frequently  henrd 
these  men  say  that  "Although  there  arc  so  many 
berries  in  market,  we  cannot  procure  enough  de- 
sirable stock  to  fill  our  orders."  The  remedy,  in 
my  opinion,  would  be  to  plant  less  acres,  to  devote 
more  care  in  securing  fruit  of  a  better  qualit.v, 
and  cease  shipping  premature  and  unripe  fruit. 

Producers  .should  remember  that  the  taste  of 
consumers  is  becoming  cultivated  and  now  the 
demand  is  for  the  best  fruits.  Each  year  it  is 
more  difficult  for  dealers  to  dispose  of  the  im- 
mense quantities  of  inferior  fruits. 

Frequently  the  form  of  a  package  is  objection- 
able to  the  purchasei-s,  and  one  who  aims  at  suc- 
cess in  fruit  oultin'e  must  meet  the  wants  of  pvu- 
chasers.  Of  late  years  the  gift  packages  have  be- 
come so  popular  that  many  refuse  to  buy  fruit 
in  package  on  which  a  deposit  is  required  Choice 
fruit  sells  better  in  small  gift  packages  than  in 
larger  ones.  Some  growers  ship  their  poor  fruit 
in  these  small  packages  thinking  that  if  the  size 
of  the  package  affects  the  price  secured  for  good 
fruit  it  will  also  help  the  price  of  poor;  but  that 
is  a  mistake. 

To  establish  a  reputation  the  grower  m  ust  give 
the  packing  of  the  fruit  his  personal  attention, 
for  some  employees  think  it  folly  to  be  so  partic- 
ular. The  result  is  that  the  brand  is  ruined  with- 
out the  knowledge  of  the  owner. 

A.  careless  person  can  do  much  harm  by  driving 
over  rough  places  without  any  regard  to  the  ten- 
der character  of  the  fruit.  I  would  suggest  to 
the  shippers  of  tender  fruit  that  they  follow  their 
drivers  occasionally  to  the  station  and  examine 
the  fruit  before  it  leaves  for  the  market.  I  know 
from  personal  experience  that  a  large  amount  is 
injured  in  this  way  that  is  attributed  to  the  trans- 
portation companies. 

Another  essential  point  for  the  shipper  to  con- 
sider is  the  selection  of  acommission  merchant  to 
sell  his  fruit.  This  being  done  he  will  do  well  to 
inform  the  merchant  of  varieties  and  (luautity  of 
each  fruit  he  proposes  shijiping,  and  to  obtain  all 
the  information  he  can  upon  the  best  methods  of 
preparing  and  shipping  the  fruit;  also  the  kinds 


of  puckaires  to  be  used  in  order  to  place  the'fruit 
upon  the  market  to  the  best  advantage. 

The  dealer  is  generally  much  better  informed 
on  these  points  than  the  shippers,  who  would  fre- 
quently save  mone.v  if  they  would  consult  with 
the  merchants  more  frequently.  Every  shipper 
should  be  on  the  most  friendly  terms  with  his 
dealer  as  their  interest  is  mutual. 

No  shipper  should  hesitate  to  ask  for  the  infor- 
mation he  needs,  or  take  offense  when  the  dealer 
points  out  the  defects  in  package  or  custom  of 
packing.  I  consider  it  a  part  of  his  duty  to  note 
and  inform  his  patrons  of  these  deficiencies,  yet 
I  have  frequently  known  persons  to  get  angry  at 
their  dealers  for  mentioning  these  items  and  quit 
shipping  to  them.  One  of  the  great  mistake  ship- 
pers make  is  to  keep  their  dealers  in  ignorance  of 
the  quantity,  or  time  he  intends  to  ship. 

If  the  shipper  Iiad  notified  the  dealer  of  the 
quantity  he  proposed  shipping  the  latter  could 
have  instructed  him  as  to  the  quantity  to  send  at 
once.  Not  only  this,  but  the  dealer  could  proba- 
bly have  arranged  with  his  customers  to  take  it 
on  arrival,  at  liberal  prices.  One  curious  feature 
of  the  fruit  trade  is  that  tlie  shippers  demand  a 
daily  report  of  sale  from  the  dealers,  yet  at  no 
time  during  the  season  do  some  give  the  dealer 
one  notice  of  their  intentions— of  the  quantity 
they  intend  to  send,  and  be  it  little  or  much,  a  full 
price  is  always  expected.  It  does  not  seem  to  en- 
ter the  mind  of  some  that  the  non-arrival  of  the 
usual  quantity  affects  the  dealer,  or  may  be  a 
disappointment  to  the  purchaser  who  had  been 
accustomed  to  get  it  regular. 


Onions  From  Sets. 

[Extract  of  paper  by  J.  S.  Qray,  read  before  the  Min. 
nesota  Horticultural  Society.  ] 

Land  should  be  manured  in  the  fall  at  the 
rate  of  seventy-five  tons  of  cow  manure  to 
the  acre.  Now  the  feed  of  the  cows  from 
which  we  obtain  the  manure  is  largely  nitro- 
genous, being  bran,  shorts  and  ground 
cockle  from  the  flour  mills.  In  growing  a 
crop  requiring  so  much  nitrogen  as  does  the 
Onion  the  manure  from  the  cows  fed  as 
above  stated  has  always  given  good  results. 

We  prefer  to  plow  in  the  fall  it  convenient;  if 
not,  as  soon  as  possible  in  the  spring.  In  spread- 
ing the  manure  should  be  well  broken  up.  AVe 
sometimes  do  this  with  a  harrow  and  roller,  going 
over  several  times  if  necessary,  so  that  when 
plowed  and  harrowed  the  manure  will  be  in  fine 
particles  and  well  mixed  up  with  the  soil.  The 
laud  being  plowed,  harrowed  ami  planked  down, 
we  mai'k  with  a  twelve  inch  marker  and  stick 
the  sets  three  inches  apart  and  down  a  little  be- 
neath the  surface.  After  planting  we  tread  the 
rows  with  our  feet,  heel  to  toe,  right  on  top  of 
the  sets;  the  pressure  firms  the  sets  and  breaks 
up  any  little  clods  of  soil  that  otherwise  might 
in  a  dry  time  cause  a  drying  out  at  the  roots. 
The  planting  being  done,  in  a  few  days  we  take 
a  steel  rake  and  rake  lightly  over  the  whole 
pat<.:h,  which  can  easily  be  done  without  disturb- 
ing any  of  the  sets  if  the  work  thus  far  has  been 
done  as  before  advised.  This  raking  makes  an 
even,  mellow  surface  and  destroys  all  surface 
sprouting  weeds,  which  in  Onion  culture  is  t)f 
the  greatest  importance.  When  the  sets  have 
become  well  rooted  we  apply  a  top-dressing  of 
dry  wood  ashes  or  of  wood  ashes  and  bones,  the 
ashes  and  bones  having  been  previously  packed 
in  barrels  and  sufficiently  moistened  with  water 
to  reduce  the  bones  to  small  particles  as  fine  iis 
if  ground.  The  rains  will  leach  the  ashes  and  set 
loose  such  an  amount  of  plant  food  from  the 
manure  that  the  crop  will  now  be  seen  to  grow 
exceedingly  rai>id.  Wheel-hoeing  and  weeding 
will  now  be  in  order  until  such  time  as  the  crop 
is  large  enough  to  market.  The  pulling,  clean- 
ing, tying  and  marketing  will  cost  five  cents  per 
dozen  bunches,  and  we  are  satisfied  that  with 
every  convenience  for  doing  this  work  it  cannot 
be  done  for  less.  The  sets  will  cost  at  g.'i.OO 
per  bushel,  ten  bushels  per  acre,  $5.5. 

Varieties.  The  market  gardener  must  raise 
such  \'arietics  as  his  market  demands.  The  Min- 
neapolis market  demands  a  white  Onion,  there- 
fore we  grow  almost  exclusively  the  White  Port^ 
ugal  with  a  small  quantity  of  Yellow  Strasburg, 
to  come  in  a  few  days  earlier. 

The  sets  which  we  prefer  to  all  others  are  those 
grown  on  the  Landrcth  Jersey  l''arm.  The  stjil 
there  is  poor  and  light  manured,  if  we  may  call 
it  manure,  with  Philadelphia  coal  ashes.  The 
ashes,  we  ^presume,  are  used  more  tor  their 
chemical  effect  than  as  a  manure.  The  Cincin- 
nati sets  we  consider  the  next  best.     The  sets 


grown  here  do  fairly  well,  but  the  Jersey  sets 
Invariably  produce  fewer  seed  stems  and  the 
finest  bulb.  By  the  .seventeenth  o[  July  the  crop 
is  all  marketed.  If  there"  should  be  any  proba- 
bility of  not  selling  the  whole  crop  in  the  green 
state  we  go  between  the  rows  with  a  cultivator 
and  throw  a  little  soil  up  into  the  bulbs.  This  is 
done  as  a  protection  from  the  hot  sun,  and  if  not 
done  the  bulbs  would  quite  likely  turn  green  and 
their  market  value  be  very  much  reduced. 

The  Onion  crop  being  now  cleared  off  the 
ground  is  plowed  and  prepared  for  a  second  crop, 
which  may  consist  of  Celery,  Celeriac,  Thyme, 
Sage,  Winter  Radishes  and  White  Turnips.  Some- 
times we  have  raised  an  excellent  crop  of  Early 
Horn  Carrots. 


Shrubbery  for  the  Northwest. 

\Extract  of  2>(ll'er   read  by  A.B.  Austin,  before  the 
Society  of  Northern  Illinois.'} 

In  planting  shruljbery,  first  get  the  har- 
diest varieties,  those  that  are  known  to 
stand  in  your  vicinity  the  various  vicissi- 
tudes of  the  seasons  and  try  the  tender  later. 
Do  not  get  large  or  fully  grown  plants,  they 
require  to  much  time  too  overcome  their 
removal  and  again  get  established,  thereby 
liable  not  to  give  good  satisfaction ;  but 
always  commence  with  small  or  medium- 
sized  plants  and  as  they  grow  the  interest 
in  them  will  increase. 

It  is  very  discouraging  to  fail  in  our  first 
effort,  very  often  causing  an  abandonment  of 
the  field.  Do  not  set  the  plants  in  a  sod  and  leave 
them  to  take  care  of  themselves,  for  they  will 
surely  die,  but  they  must  be  placed  where  you 
can  spade  around  them  and  give  to  them  at  least 
as  much  care  as  to  a  hill  of  Corn  or  Potatoes ; 
they  need  no  more  eidtivation  than  those,  but 
surely  need  as  much.  I  often  recommend  to 
those  setting,  that  a  border  of  flowers  or  fiower 
bed  be  placed  around  them  for  several  years 
after  setting  so  as  to  insure  care,  the  care  to  the 
flower's  insures  the  care  of  the  shrubs.  When 
shrubs  are  planted  in  masses,  for  the  fii-st  few 
years  it  is  a  very  good  plan  to  plant  bulbs  and 
perennials  among  them  to  insure  cultivation. 

We  have  our  grounds  in  which  the  shrubs,  etc., 
are  planted,  spaded  every  year  in  June  and  hoed 
several  times  after  through  the  season.  For 
best  I'csults,  plant  shrubs  in  masses  and  as  soon 
as  they  begin  to  crowd,  thin  them,  taking  the 
poorest  and  lea\ing  the  best  and  rarest.  Shrubs 
generally  grow  hardier  for  a  while  with  age,  so 
that  with  care  in  protecting  them  for  a  few  years 
many  will  endure  a  much  lower  temjierature 
than  in  their  infancy. 

Shelter  Belts.  About  five  miles  from  where  I 
reside  is  a  Wiegelia  rosea,  thirty  yeai^s  old,  eight 
or  ten  feet  in  height,  and  when  I  last  saw  it  in 
bloom  it  was  a  sight  worth  going  several  miles  to 
see.  This  plant  was  protected  awhile.  Protec- 
tion from  our  cold,  dry  west  and  south  west 
winds  is  desired;  it  is  as  much  the  cold,  dry  winds 
in  winter  as  intense  cold  that  destroys  plants. 
The  planting  on  the  south  or  south  west  side  of 
a  building  is  not  generally  an  advantage,  the 
heat  of  the  mid-day  sun,  especially  in  winter  on 
the  trunk,  t)r  trunks  very  often  is  injurious ; 
would  prefer  to  shade  them,  especiall.v  those  not 
fully  hardy,  to  prevent  injury  to  the  bark  from 
constant  thawing  and  freezing.  A  belt  of  ever- 
greens on  the  west  side  of  the  lawn  or  grounds 
will  be  found  of  great  advantage  to  shrubs  and 
to  all  living  beings. 

I  speak  of  this  from  knowledge.  A  small 
Cladastris  (Yellow  Wood),  struggled  on,  on  my 
place,  for  a  long  time.  The  winter  would  take 
off  what  was  gained  in  the  summer,  until  a  belt 
of  Siiruce  became  high  enough  to  shelter  it  from 
the  west  wind.  It  has  since  put  on  a  robust, 
healthy  look  and  now  is  as  vigorous  a  tree  as  I 
ha\e ;  also  a  Daphne,  a  little  sheltered,  has  been 
growing  and  blooming  for  the  last  sixteen  years, 
always  the  first  to  greet  us  in  the  spring  with  its 
fragrance  and  beauty  luitil  it  seems  almost  like 
one  our  household. 

Selecting  Shrubs,  Two  objects  should  be  held 
in  view;  first,  bloom  and  second,  good  foliage. 
During  the  season,  some  consider  the  latter  the 
greater  object,  but  plants  thatj  both  bloom  well 
and  hold  their  foliage  are  to  be  preferred.  With 
a  little  care  and  patience  insects  can  be  over- 
come. If  attacked  by  worms,  slugs  or  other 
leaf  eatei-s,  syringe  with  water  in  which  Paris 
green  has  been  mixed,  but  if  attacked  b.v  aphis, 
more  patience  will  be  recjuircd,  but  they  wiU 
sooner  or  later  leave. 


1890. 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


89 


It  is  well  to  Ix"  sin>ic'ii>iis  (if  all  shrubs  that  come 
from  Africa,  Oiina.  Japan,  Southoni  Huroiic  anil 
Southern  North  Amorira.  < >e«isionally  we  t^ot 
a  haniy  shruh  from  theiu  and  a  tine  one,  but 
the.v  art'  the  exception.  The  rule  is  for  them  to 
be  tenilcr  here,  lie  also  a  little  cautious  about 
buying  new,  Strang  and  wonderful  plants  of 
strangers  who  have  something  your  nursery- 
man cannot  get.  The  I'hilatliliiliu.-:  (t'ommon 
Syrintrai  are  all  hardy  and  Rood  bloomers, 
either  fnigrraut  or  not,  accortiiuif  to  variety,  and 
hold  their  foliage  well.  We  cannot  do  without 
it.  The  Golden-leaved  (awrcal  is  tine,  hctlds  its 
color  well  and  makes  a  low,  compact  shrub, 
tine  for  fancy  hedges.  All  golden-foliaged  trees 
and  shrvibs  must  have  full-light. 

ioHifoin,  Tartarin}!,  or  Tret  Himcy»ucklc\sa 
fine  shrub,  very  hardy,  blooms  freely,  followed 
by  red  or  yellow  berries  which  remain  uutil  fall 
In  color  of  bloom  we  have  pink,  red  with  white 
striiK-'S,  white  and  creaiu  color,  according  to 
variety.  It  should  be  planted  much  more  than 
it  is.  Sedebouri,  a  variety  from  California,  may 
lie  tender.  Syringa  ( Lilacs ',  all  I  have  tried,  are 
hardy.  The  only  fault  is  its  tendency  to  sprout 
from  the  root.  The  Persian  and  Josikea  are 
free  from  this  fault.  Among  the  new  forms  is  a 
weejier,  having  a  white  bloom  and  has  to  be 
grafted  standartl  height,  and  one  the  Tree  or 
Giant  Lilac,  making  a  tree  with  a  single  smooth 
trunk  twenty  or  more  feet  high,  blooming  in 
.ful.v.  We  have  reason  to  believe  they  will  be 
hardy  here. 

Viburmims  are,  as  far  as  tried,  all  hardy  with 
one  exception ;  most  of  them  are  natives  and 
of  various  characteristic,  making  them  desirable. 
The  Snow-ball,  Viburnum  sterilis,  belongs  to  this 
class.  The  variety,  santonoides,  is  deser\nng  a 
place  in  every  yard;  blooms  well  and  has  a  fine 
leaf ;  blossom-bud  very  conspicuous  in  the  fall. 
Viburnum  plicatum  from  China,  often  called 
.Tapan  Snow-ball,  is  tender,  even  the  roots  are 
destroyed  by  frost.  The  little  Flowering  Almond 
we  must  have,  although  not  fuUy  hardy;  abiiut 
three  years  out  of  five,  we  get  an  abundance  of 
bloom;  the  roots  always  survive. 

Hydrangea  (paniculata  gi'antliflora)  is  perfectly 
hardy;  grows  with  me  five  feet  high,  with  a  fine 
spreading  top;  is  a  fine,  if  not  the  finest,  late- 
blooming  shi'Ub  we  have,  with  its  large  heads  of 
white  bloom  in  August  and  September.  It  is 
very  attractive.  It  is  well  to  keep  it  well- 
trimmed  and  in  a  growing  condition.  The  flowers 
are  on  the  new  wood. 

Eusea  rugn^a  is  a  new  variet.v  of  Rose  from 
Africa.  It  can,  and,  no  doubt,  will,  be  used  as  a 
shrub,  and  will  give  good  satisfaction  There 
are  three  colors,  white,rose  and  red.  The  flowers 
are  large,  often  three  or  more  inches  in  diameter 
and  fine  in  color;  followed  by  bright  berries, 
foliage  dense  and  good,  remaining  until  late, 
often  changing  to  crimson  in  the  fall.  Plants 
have  been  produced  with  double  Roses  by  hybri- 
dizing. These,  with  its  complete  hardiness,  can 
not  fail  to  make  it  a  favorite. 

Chkmaiithu."  (Whit«  Fringe)  is  one  of  the  best 
of  shrubs,  with  leaves  like  the  Laurel,  shining 


A  NOVEL  FLOWER  STAND. 

all  summer,  as    it  varnished,  a  delicate  white 
bloom  in  spring  and  as  hardy  as  an  Ash  tree. 

Among  the  hardy  shrubs,  will  be  found  the 
following:  Berberries  (both  common  and  purple), 
Tellow,  Flowering  Currant,  Purple  Fringe  iPhus 
cotinus).  Snow  Berry  (or  Wax  berry ),  Cornus 
sanguinea  and  the  Siberian  varieties,  nearly  all 
the  Spireas,  and  Daphne. 


CONDENSED    GLEANINGS. 
A  Cheap  lean-to  Oreenhoiue.    If  those  who 
cultivate  house-plants  knew  how  much  better 
they  can  be  grown  in  a  room   by  themselves 


where  the  torai>ci*ature  and  moisture  can  be 
regulated  to  suit  their  wants,  there  would  l)e 
more  small  greenhouses.  It  is  possible,  and  easy, 
to  build  a  lean-to  house  eight  by  twelve  feet, 
and  eight  feet  high  at  the  highest  part  and  live 
feet  at  the  lowest,  for  less  than  a  hundretl  dollars. 
In  a  house  of  this  size  all  the  plants  can  be 
grown  that  most  amateurs  would  find  time  to 
take  care  of.  Of  course  it  would  be  necessary 
to  furnish  the  heat  for  such  a  house  from  the 
dwelling  with  which  it  would  have  to  be  con. 
nected  by  double  doors,  which  could  be  thrown 
open  at  night.  The  walls  can  be  made  of  posts 
set  in  the  ground  as  one  would  set  fence  posts, 
taking  care  to  set  them  low  enough  to  reach 
below  the  frost-limit,  to  prevent  heaving.  These 
should  be  set  about  two  feet  apart.  All  the 
posts  should  be  of  the  same  thickness,  boarded 
up,  outside  and  in,  with  cheap,  matched  lumber, 
over  which  a  layer  of  tarred  sheathing-paper 
should  be  tacked.  Then  give  the  Inside  a  ceiling 
with  cheap  lumber,  and  the  outside  a  finishing 
of  clapboards.  In  this  way  .vou  get  snug  walls, 
with  an  air-space  between,  which  will  keep  out 
frost  more  effectually  than  a  brick  wall.  The 
vertical  sash  can  be  made  like  regular  window- 
sash,  or  strips  can  be  fastened  perpendicularly 
into  which  glass  can  be  set,  lapping  it  as  it  is 
commonly  done  on  greenhouse  roofs.— ^?n«rica  11 
Agriculturist. 

Thawing  Frozen  Groand,  To  thaw  frozen 
ground,  says  Building,  use  fresh  slacked  lime 
over  the  ground  to  be  opened.  Water  to  be  used 
as  little  as  possible;  about  eighteen  pounds  of 
water  to  fifty-six  pounds  of  lime  will  be  the  pro- 
per proportion.  More  wat*fr  would  absorb  a  part 
of  the  produced  heat.  The  slacked  lime  should 
stand  on  the  places  in  paste  form  about  eight 
hours.  To  prevent  the  water  from  running  off 
the  place  has  to  be  properly  surrounded  by  sand. 
As  soon  as  the  lime  begins  to  slake  it  must  be 
covered  with  a  thin  layer  of  sand,  or  old  bags. 
A  hole  3  feet  by  3  feet  and  a  depth  of  3  feet  will 
require  five  bushels  of  hme.  The  thawing  should 
be  commenced  the  night  before  the  day  the  work 
is  to  be  done,  in  order  to  reduce  expenses.  For 
work  which  must  be  rapidly  done,  as  in  case  of 
broken  water-pipes,  the  above  quantity  of  lime 
must  be  doubled,  in  which  case  three  hours 
would  be  sufficient  to  penetrate  through  the 
frost.  The  process  must  t>e  repeated,  if  the  lime 
does  not  thaw  through,  after  the  loose  ground 
has  been  removed.  The  heat  so  produced  is 
about  100  degrees  C,  and  will  therefore  not  affect 
stone-paving,  which  coal  and  wood  fires  will  do. 

Andromeda  Speciosa,  This  is  one  of  the  most 
showy-fiowered  of  all  the  Andromedas.  The 
flowers  are  pure  white  in  drooping  racemes,  the 
individual  flowers  often  measuring  one  half  au 
inch  across.  It  is  a  native  of  North  Carolina  to 
the  Pine. barrens  of  Florida  and  is  usually  found 
growing  in  low  swampy  ground.  This  handsome 
species  was  introduded  into  Europe  about  the 
year  1800,  where  ever  since  it  has  been  much 
appreciated,  and  it  is  much  more  easy  to  find 
plants  in  European  nurseries  than  in  American 
ones.  This  shrub  is  of  slow  growth,  usually 
flowering  at  four  years  from  seeds.  It  requires 
careful  handling  during  the  first  year,  but  after 
that  it  is  comparatively  easy  to  manage  As  the 
fashion  of  forcing  shrubs  is  growing  this  would 
be  a  plant  which,  if  once  introduced,  would  be 
much  sought  after.  It  flowers  about  the  same 
time  as  Dsutzia  gracilis,  and  as  all  ericaceous 
plants  lift  easily  when  well  grown  it  could  be 
potted  in  late  fall  and  kept  in  a  cool  pit  until 
wanted.  By  hauling  a  supply  it  could  be  had  in 
bloom  from  February  till  June. — Jack  Dawson, 
in  Florist. 

Winter  Lettuce  There  is  no  difficulty  at  all 
with  this  crop,  with  low  houses,  heated  with  hot 
water  or  steam.  One  end  of  the  benches  is  used 
for  seedbed,  from  which  plants  are  obtained, 
and  as  fast  as  one  crop  is  cut,  the  soil  is  turned 
over,  some  manure  added,  and  a  new  crop  put 
in.  At  least  three  crops  can  be  obtained  during 
one  winter.  They  are  set  quite  thick,  three  or 
tour  inches  apart,  and  grow  upright,  rather  than 
spreading.  All  are  partially  bleaehed  by  the 
process,  and  just  as  soon  as  large  enough  are 
tender  enough  and  fit  for  market.  A  tempera- 
ture of  55°  at  night  is  about  right,  rising  fifteen 
degrees  to  twenty  degrees  during  the  day.  The 
principal  enemy  is  the  green  fly.  Tobacco  stems 
distributed  among  the  growing  plants  help  a 
great  deal  in  keeping  these  down,  which,  with 
fumigation  regularly  once  a  week,  whether  any 
can  be  seen  or  not,  will  do  the  rest.  If  green 
flies  once  get  a  firm  foot  hold,  tbey^are  difficult  to 


get  rid  of  them.  In  this  case  an  ounce  of  pre- 
vention is  better  than  any  cure.— PrairieFarmer. 
Preserving  Grape  Juice,  Those  who  have  what 
is  rare,  namul.v,  more  than  the  family  wants  to 
eat  of  (Jrapes  well-ripene)l,  because  from  vines 
well-fed,  well-pruned,  and  well-thinned,  can  pre- 
serve all  the  .iuice  in  sweet  condition  for  years 
by  simply  heating  it  to  140  degrees  and  sealing 
close,  as  in  preserving  fruit.  Thei-e  will  be  no 
fermentation,  if  the  sealing  is  secure.  Some  re- 
commend the  raising  of  the  heat  to  the  boiling 


A  CHEAP  LEAN-TO  GREENHOUSE, 
point,  but  it  is  unnecessary  and  alters  the  flavor 
more;  1.30  degrees  really  suffices  to  destroy  the 
germs  of  fermentation.  Some  heat  the  Grapes 
after  stemming  and  sorting,  as  it  softens  the  pulp 
and  makes  it  much  easier  to  press  out  all  the 
juice.  By  dipping  the  bulb  of  a  small  thermom- 
eter, such  as  is  used  for  cream  or  soil,  into  the 
neck  of  a  bottle  while  standing  in  the  boiler  it 
can  readily  be  seen  when  the  proper  temperature 
is  attained,— N.  T.  Tribune. 

Crescent  and  Wilson  Strawberries.  I  seriously 
doubt  whether  Jessie,  or  Sharpless  either,  will 
give  as  much  fruit  per  plant  as  Crescent  and 
Wilson,  and  perhaps  some  others.  Our  objection 
to  the  Crescent  is  the  small  size;  but  a  great  many 
of  our  customers  this  summer  decidedly  prefer 
the  small  berries  to  the  great  large  ones,  which 
some  say  are  tasteless.  Bubach  is  certainl.v  a 
massive  berry.  We  have  single  leaves  that  would 
cover  a  pint  bowl,  and  the  berries  are  monsters. 
But  they  are  all  gone  after  one  or  two  pickings, 
while  the  Crescent,  with  its  great  clusters  of  small 
berries,  still  keeps  the  pickers  busy.  Sometimes 
1  think  there  is  no  better  berry,  all  things  consid- 
ered, than  the  old  Wilson.  Then  again  I  am  in- 
clined to  favor  Crescent.  Finally  I  decide  that 
no  berry  patch  is  complete  without  half  a  dozen 
or,  better  still,  a  dozen  of  the  popular  kinds.— 
Gleanings  in  Bee  Culture. 

No  Danger  in  Good  Frnit.  Some  people  are 
afraid  to  eat  fruit,  thinking  that  fruit  and 
diarrhcea  are  always  associated.  'Tis  true  that 
fruit  eaten  green  or  between  meals  will  interfere 
with  digestion  and  cause  bowel  trouble ;  but  use 
fruit  that  is  perfectly  ripe  at  mealtime,  and  only 
beneficial  results  will  follow.  Fruit  is  a  perfect 
food  when  fully  ripe,  and  if  it  were  in  dail.v  use 
from  youth  to  age  there  would  be  less  gout,  gall- 
stones and  stone  in  the  bladder.  There  are  many, 
however,  who  can  not  eat  it,  on  account  either 
of  the  acidity  of  the  fruit  or  the  excess  of  sugar 
to  make  it  palatable.  Sugar  does  not,  counteract 
acidity ;  it  only  disguises  it— Medical  Classics. 

Novel  Flower  Stand.  Orange  Judd,  farmer, 
gives  the  plan  of  a  flower  stand  so  arranged  that 
the  plants  will  be  hidden  from  view.  Our  illus- 
tration represents  a  cross  section.  It  is  made  in 
the  usual  manner,  plain  or  fancy,  as  may  be  de- 
sired, only  with  this  difference  that  upright 
boards  are  added  which  reach  just  a  little  above 
the  top  of  the  pot  on  each  shelf.  Another  little 
strip  is  nailed  on  the  top  of  the  upright  as  shown 
in  illustration.  This  is  for  large  and  medinm- 
sized  plants.  For  small  plants  the  stand  may  be 
slightly  altered,  bringing  the  upper  part  of  the 
pots  to  view,  and  hiding  only  the  lower  one- half 
or  two-thirds  of  them. 

Soil  for  Plants  in  Pots.  The  best  soil  for  plants 
in  pots  is  to  be  found  in  well-rotted  turf,  or  at 
least  sufficiently  rotted  to  destroy  the  life  in  the 
roots  of  the  grass,  then  the  coarser  the  better,  as 
the  growing  plants  wUl  consume  it  as  wanted. 
The  provident  gardener  or  amateur  will  always 
have  a  pile  of  sods  in  some  out-of-the-way  place, 
where  it  will  decay  and  be  ever-ready  for  potting 
purposes.  Some  of  the  best  Rose  growers  in  our 
country  use  nothing  else  for  their  young  Roses, 
and  there  can  be  nothing  better;  others,  in  piling 
up  the  sods,  alternate  the  layers  with  stable  man- 
ure. This  makes  a  good  compost,  but  is  a  con- 
genial home  for  worms  and  grubs  which  are  de- 
structive to  the  plants.  For  the  best  results  use 
sod  only,  and  make  an  occasional  application  of 


90 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


January, 


Orafting  tlw  Grape 


some  reliable  concentrated  plant  food,  but  use 
in  moderation.— American  Agriculturist. 

Grafting  the  Grape.  A  new  way  of  grafting 
the  Grape  is  doscnbcd  in  Rural  New  Yorker. 
The  work  is  done 
not  earlier  than 
late  in  June,  on 
stocks  half  to 
three-fourths  of 
an  inch  in  dia- 
meter. A  slit  is 
cut  upwards  and 
a  sinii  lar  one 
downwards  in 
the  stock  at  any 
con\-enien  t 
height  above  the 
ground,  and  the 
graft  is  cut  with 
a  bow-iike  bend, 
which  keeps  it 
tightly  in  place. 
The  grafts  are 
tied  with  rubber 
bands  a  tiuarter 
to  three-eights  of 
an  inch  wide, 
pretty  tightly,  or 
they  are  wrapped  tightly  with  tin-foil  cut  in 
strips  half  an  inch  wide,  rubbed  down  closely  as 
the  wrapping  proceeds,  then  over  the  foil  they 
are  wrapped  tightly  with  soft  cotton  wrapping 
yarn;  then  the  stock  between  the  ends  of  the 
graft  is  tied  tightly  with  hard  cord. 

Pruning  Northern  Spy.  Northern  Spy  Apple 
trees  need  more  thorough  pruning  than  any 
other  variety  of  Apple.  If  severely  pruned  while 
the  buds  are  dormant  the  tree  will  grow  with  ex- 
traordinary vigor  for  two  or  three  years  there- 
after, to  the  neglect  of  fruit  bearing.  This  has 
led  some  farmers  to  deprecate  pruning  the 
Northern  Spy.  If  they  will  do  it  while  the  tree 
is  in  leaf,  say  in  May,  the  wounds  will  heal 
quickly  and  there  will  be  siitficient  check  to 
growth  t(i  induce  the  formation  of  fruit  buds.— 
American  (.'ultivator. 

Spreading  Manure  in  Winter.  Manure  made 
in  the  winter  should,  when  it  is  possible,  be 
spread  as  it  is  made,  on  the  land  where  it  is  to  be 
used.  Manure  is  never  worth  more  than  it  is  the 
liay  it  is  made.  Nothing  is  added  to  it,  but 
usually  much  is  lost  from  it  by  lapse  of  time. 
Except  on  steeply-sloping  ground,  the  manure  is 
safe  from  all  danger  of  loss,  and  is  put  where  it 
will  do  the  most  good  when  it  is  spread  upon  the 
land  direct  frum  the  stable.— Am.  Agriculturist 

Pofltholea  in  Hardpan.  I  recently  had  oc- 
cassion  to  dig  a  pit  for  a  greenhouse-furnace  and 
found  the  hardpan  subsoil  so  hard  as  to  be  veiy 
difficult  to  dig.  Saturday  night  overtook  us 
when  there  was  yet  ten  inches  of  almost  impen- 
etrable ground  to  dig.  I  turned  the  hose  into 
the  hole  and  pumped  in  about  three  inches  of 
water.  By  Monday  morning  it  had  disappeared, 
and  we  removed  the  earth  as  easily  as  one  re- 
moves the  first  "spit"  of  a  sod.— N,  Y.  Tribune. 

The  Kieffer  Pear.  On  the  first  introduction  of 
this  variety,  no  extravagant  claims  were  made 
fur  the  fruit  for  table  use  or  for  eating  out  of 
hand.  Its  main  features  were  claimed  to  be  a  re- 
markable vigor  of  growth,  and  the  value  of  fruit 
for  preserves.  It  has  sustained  its  reputation 
and  the  claim  made  for  it  much  better  than  some 
other  introductions  which  we  know  of.— Ameri- 
can Garden. 

Tomatoes  Under  Glass.  In  forcing  Tomatoes 
I  prefer  seedling  plants,  except  of  the  Dwarf 
(Jhampion,  which  does  better  from  cuttings  than 
any  others  I  have  tried.  I  am  inclined  to  think 
more  fruit  can  be  gotten  from  a  given  area  of 
glass  by  growing  them  in  pots  than  in  any  other 
way.— W.  h\  M.,  in  American  Garden. 

Raspberry  and  Blackberry  Hybrids.  We  have 
a  dozen  of  these  hybrids  which  have  not  yet 
fruited,  but  those  which  have  fruited  give  little 
or  no  promise  that  anything  of  value  will  ever 
come  from  the  hybridism  beyond  the  interesting 
fact  itself. —Rural  New  Yorker. 

Paint  the  Tree  Wounds.  Water  sprouts  from 
grafted  Apple  trees  may  be  ti'immed  off  during 
any  time  in  the  year,  but  if  done  in  the  fall  or 
early  winter  it  will  be  best  to  paint  over  the 
wounds  with  linseed  oil  paint,  if  the  woimds  are 
very  large. 

Vegetable  Novelties.  If  one  in  five  or  ten  of 
the  new  sorts  is  an  improvement  on  the  old  kinds, 
the  gardener  should  know  it;  the  only  way  to 
get  the  knowledge  is  to  try.— Am.  Agriculturist 


Straw  ior  Protection.  When  you  take  vegetables 
from  an  out  door  pit,  which  is  sometimes  possible  this 
mouth,  press  plenty  of  straw  into  the  hole.  Straw  is  a 
wonderful  protector  from  frost.— Farm  Journal. 

Moonflower  Not  New.  The  common  and  much 
advertised  "Moonflower"  plant  sold  by  florists,  and 
Ipomtea  bona-box  grown  from  seed  (dark  In  color)  are 
indistinguishable.— Wm.  Falconer. 

Phosphate  in  Florida.  Florida  promises  to  be  dis- 
tinguislied  as  the  greatest  phosphate  producing  State 
In  the  country.— Florida  Dispatch. 

Black  Walnuts  in  Market.  Not  much  use  In  send- 
ing Black  Walnuts  to  market.  They  do  not  bring 
much.— Western  Rural. 

Early  Pruning.  If  we  begin  the  young  tree  right 
and  follow  it  up,  they  never  need  severe  pruning.— 
Farm  and  Home. 

Annuals  from  Slips.  ZInnlasand  Nasturtiums  take 
root  quite  readily.— Florida  Dispatch. 


Vegetable  Products  on  the  Table. 

Potatoes.  To  really  enjoy  a  good  Potato  have 
it  baked. 

Cranherries.  They  are  said  to  keep  all  winter 
in  water. 

Onions  and  Tomatoes.  A  ring  or  two  of  Onion 
added  to  Tomatoes  when  they  are  put  on  to  stew 
improves  the  flavor  to  some  tastes. 

Celery  Stew,  t-ut  the  stalks  and  root  into 
small  pieces  and  stew  till  t^^nder  in  as  little  water 
as  will  sutfice.  Then  add  a  little  milk  and  butter 
and  thicken  with  Hour  to  make  a  nice  sauce 

Fried  Raw  Potatoes.  Pare  and  slice  thinly 
into  cold  water  some  medium-sized  Potatoes, 
dx-ain  in  a  colander  and  put  into  a  frying  pan  in 
which  is  two  tablespoons  melted  butter ;  cover 
closely  ten  minutes,  stirring  until  lightly  brown- 
ed.^Am.  Cultivator 

Squash.  Bake  one-half  of  a  good-sized  Hub- 
bard Squash  until  soft.  Remove  the  seeds  and 
scoop  out  the  remainder  with  a  spoon  into  a 
heated  dish  Mash  flue,  add  butter  and  salt. 
Arrange  daintily  in  the  dish  in  which  it  is  to  be 
served.— Good  Housekeeping 

Celery  for  Garnishing.  Cut  the  stalks  into 
two-inch  lengths  ;  stick  plenty  of  coarse  needles 
into  the  top  of  a  cork;  draw  half  of  the  stalk 
of  each  i>iece  of  celery  through  the  needles 
When  all  the  fibrous  parts  are  separated,  lav  the 
Celery  in  some  cold  place  to  curl  and  crisp  — 
Good  Housekeeping. 

Hickory  Nut  Cake,  IH  cupful  of  sugar,  }4 
cupful  of  butter,  }4  cupful  of  sweet  milk,  1  cup- 
ful of  meats,  2  cupfuls  of  tlour,  14  teaspoonfuj 
of  soda,  1  teaspoonful  of  cream  tartar ;  the 
whites  of  four  eggs.  Beat  sugar  and  butter  to  a 
cream ;  beat  eggs  to  a  froth,  then  add  eggs  to 
sugar  and  cream;  then  add  milk  with  soda  and 
cream  tartar,add  1  cupful  of  flour,  then  one  cup- 
ful of  moats. 

Cabhage  Salad.  Take  half  of  a  good-sized 
Cabbage  and  chopping  ^ery  fine,  first  taking  out 
all  the  core.  Take  half  a  cup  of  vinegar,  four 
or  five  tablespoonfuls  of  sugar,  a  pinch  of  salt 
and  mustard  enough  to  suit  the  taste,  and  mix 
together.  Then  pour  over  the  Cabbage,  also  add 
two  hard-boiled  eggs  finely  chopped.  If  pro- 
curable, a  little  Celery  is  good  chopped  in  with 
the  Cabbage.  This  placed  in  a  glass  dish  looks 
very  pretty,  and  is  palatable.— Am.  Cultivator. 

Apple  Omelet.  Pare,  core  and  stew  six  large, 
tart  Apples  as  for  sauce;  beat  them  very  smooth 
while  hot,  adding  one  teaspoon  of  butter,  six 
tablespoons  of  white  sugar.  Nutmeg  to  taste, 
and  one  teaspoon  of  Rosewater;  when  quite  cold 
add  three  eggs,  beaten  separately  very  light, 
putting  in  the  whites  last;  pour  into  a  deep 
pudding  dish,  previously  warmed  and  well 
buttered.  Season  to  taste,  Bake  in  a  moderate 
oven  until  it  is  delicately  browned.  Eat  warm, 
but  not  hot. 

Fruit  Pudding.  Chop  six  Apples  fine,  grate 
six  ounces  of  stale  bi-ead,  add  six  ounces  of 
brown  sugar,  six  ounces  of  Currants  washed 
;  carefully  and  tioured;  mix  all  well  together  with 
six  ounces  of  butter,  a  cupful  of  milk  and  two 
cupfuls  of  flour  in  which  two  teaspoonfuls  of 
baking  powder  have  been  thoroughly  mixed,  if 
too  thick,  add  mtu-e  milk  in  mixing.  Spice  to 
your  taste.  Put  in  a  pudding  bag,  tie  loosely 
and  boil  for  three  hcmrs.  To  be  eaten  with  cold 
sauce  made  of  b\itter  and  sugar  stirred  together 
a  cupful  of  sugar  to  one-half  eupful  butter.— 
Indiana  Farmer. 

Apple  Butter.  The  Apples  are  pared,  cored, 
cut  and  boiled  in  sweet  cider  till  the  whole  is  a 
dark,  rich  pulp  and  the  cider  is  reduced  one-half. 


No  sugar  is  needed,  for  the  fruit  furnishes  its 
own  sweetness.  Half  the  Apples  may  be  sour 
and  half  sweet,  or  all  sweet  as  one  likes  It  takes 
nearly  two  gallons  of  cider  to  make  one  of  Apple 
butter,  and  spices  are  added  or  not,  to  taste. 
Spice  it  with  one  tablespoonful  of  Cinnamon 
and  one-third  of  a  teaspoonful  of  ground  Cloves 
to  each  gallon  of  Apple  butter,  added  when  it  is 
taken  up,  boiling  hot  It  may  be  kept  in  barrels 
stone  pots,  or  butter  firkins  and  boxes.— F-  J. 


HOUSE  PLANTS. 

Annuals  in  Pots  make  a  fine  decoration  for  the 
window,  and  now  is  the  time  to  sow  the  seeds.  Nemo- 
phila,  with  it  abundance  of  light  blue  flowers,  Is  one 
of  the  best,  as  it  likes  a  shady  place.  Candytuft, 
Sweet  Alysum,  and  Mignonette,  are  useful  for  cutting. 
The  Canary-bird  Flower  is  an  annual  climber,  and  use- 
ful to  train  up  the  window  from  the  Inside,  or  later, 
upon  the  outside,  and  to  trail  over  the  balcony. 

Begonias.  The  Rex  varieties  do  best  In  moist  heat, 
and  all  are  among  the  best  of  hou.se  plants.  Should  be 
kept  In  a  light  position,  but  properly  out  of  full  and 
direct  sunlight. 

Bulbs  that  were  potted  last  fall  should  be  well 
rooted  by  this  lime,  and  If  brought  Into  light,  and 
given  water,  will  soon  be  In  bloom.  Of  course  the 
potted  bulbs  always  have  to  be  kept  In  a  cellar  or 
other  dark,cooI  place  until  the  roots  are  well  developed, 
and  they  should  not  be  brought  to  the  light  before. 
Cut  the  flower  stalks  off  the  earlier  one.s  when  done 
blooming.  Bulbs  need  plenty  of  water.  Hyacinths 
and  Crocus  will  even  do  nicely  with  their  roots  en- 
tirely In  water. 

Camellias  should  be  kept  rather  cool,  In  a  tempera- 
ture below  rather  than  above  50**.  Sponge  off  regularly 
twice  a  week. 

Cinerarias.  Examine  pots  frequently  and  give 
speedy  relief  when  plants  have  become  pot-bound. 

Cyclamens.  Keep  growing  until  spring  to  plant  out 
in  the  border  for  summer ,  which  Is  better  than  the 
usual  practice  of  drying  them  off  when  done  blooming. 
Daphnes  do  well  If  kept  cool  and  damp. 
Ferneries.  The  cases  should  be  kept  moderately 
wet.  Excessive  moisture  in  the  soil  tends  to 
sour  It.  Air  should  often  be  admitted,  especially  after 
watering. 

Frost.  Look  out  for  sudden  and  sharp  changes  of 
weather.  If  plants  were  allowed  to  get  touched  by 
frost,  remove  them  at  once  to  a  temperature  of  a  little 
above  freezing,  and  here  carefully  sprinkle  them  with 
cold  wat«r.  For  protecting  house  plants  during  an 
unusually  cold  night,  use  a  Jug  filled  with  hot  water 
as  told  in  December  number. 

Fuchsias  may  now  be  brought  out  the  cellar  and 
started  anew.  When  leaves  begin  to  show,  shift  into 
smaller  pots  shaking  out  most  of  the  old  soil. 
Lemon  Verbenas  to  be  treated  slmUar  to  Fuchsias. 
Propagation.  Stock  may  be  Increased  now  at  any 
time  when  cuttings  can  be  had  large  enough.  Insert 
in  sand  for  rooting,  and  keep  in  a  sunny  place. 

Sponging.  The  leaves  of  Ivy  and  similar  plants 
need  freijueut  sponging  or  washing. 

Ten  Week  Stock.  Petunia,  Maurandla,  and  similar 
annuals  may  now  be  started  from  seed. 

Ventilation.  Admit  air  to  the  plants  whenever  the 
outside  weather  will  allow.  Window  plants  may  be 
given  air  by  opening  the  windows  of  an  adjoining 
room.  A  vessel  of  water  kept  on  the  back  of  stove  to 
evaporate  will  tend  to  keep  the  air  In  room  moist,  and 
favorable  to  the  well-being  of  the  plants. 


LAWN  AND    FLOWER  GARDEN, 

Beds,  Walks,  etc.  If  new  ones  are  to  be  laid  out, 
plan  them  In  advance  so  you  will  be  able  to  order  the 
needed  stock  early. 

Hollyhocks,  If  wanted  to  flower  next  fall,  may  be 
grown  as  annuals  by  starting  seed  now  In  the  window 
or  under  glass.  The  young  plants  are  set  Into  the 
border  or  bed  In  May. 

Mice.  Young  trees  and  shrubs  often  sufEer  serious 
injury  fiom  this  cause.  The  food  supply  of  these 
rodents  now  being  cut  oET,  they  take  the  bait  readily, 
and  may  easily  be  trapped.  Since  mice  ordinarily 
approach  trees  and  shrubs  only  under  the  cover  of 
snow,  the  ndschlef  can  be  prevented  by  firmly  stamp- 
ing and  packing  down  the  snow  around  the  endanger- 
ed sterns  immediately  after  every  snow  fall. 

Pansies.    Sow  seed  for  spring  bloom. 

Pruning,  wherever  needed  to  Improve  the  shape  of 
trees  and  shrubs  on  the  lawn,  may  now  be  seen  to  at 
anytime.  To  daub  the  larger  wounds  and  cuts  with 
paint  or  liquid  grafting  wax  is  always  a  commendable 
precaution. 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


9' 


Babbits  otien  do  bitIcus  Injury  Ui  the  l>iirk  of  younn 
trees,  and  wherever  they  abound,  preventives  should 
not  be  neglected.  A  number  of  remedies  may  be  found 
In  recent  Issues  of  PoriLAB  G.»nDKNiMi.  and  any  of 
them.  If  properly  applied,  will  prevent  Injury. 

Repairs.  If  any  trees,  especially  Evergreens,  have 
been  broken  by  the  storms  of  winter,  make  a  smooth 
cut  of  the  wound  and  i)alnt  It  over.  Some  of  the 
heaviest  snow  falls  often  come  late  this  month  or 
next.    Shake  the  snow  out  of  the  Evergreens. 

Rockeries.  If  such  are  Intended  to  be  made  next 
season,  the  materials  may  be  gathered  up  now.  The 
great  aim  should  be  to  give  the  whole  a  natural  appear- 
ance, and  stones  and  rock  should  be  selected  with 
this  end  In  view.  In  place  of  natural  rocks,  distorted 
burned  brick  from  brick  kilns  will  often  answer  the 
purpose  very  well, 

Roses.  The  Hybrid  Perpetuals  if  earthed  up  a  foot 
deep, as  they  should  have  been,  will  winter  all  right.  If 
this  was  neglected,  the  coal  ashes,  moistened  if  need 
be  to  keep  them  from  blowing  away,  may  now  be  ap- 
plle<l  as  a  covering. 

Seeds,  Supplies,  etc  Catalogues  of  leading  seeds- 
men and  nurserymen,  etc.,  should  now  be  ordered 
without  delay,  and  thoroughly  studied.  Select  what 
you  need,  both  of  old  and  new  things,  but  always 
-using  due  caution  in  the  selection  of  the  latter,  and 
send  In  your  order  earlv,  to  be  sure  to  have  the  goods 
when  you  want  them.  It  is  always  very  annnoylng  to 
have  the  ground  all  ready  for  sowing  and  planting, 
and  then  be  compelled  to  let  the  most  favorable  time 
for  the  work  pass  by  waiting  for  the  seed  or  plants  to 
arrive.  So  with  implements.  The  materials  for  rustic 
work  may  also  be  gathered  up.  Cedarwood  Is  excel- 
lent for  the  purpose,  and  easily  worked.  Laurel  wood 
and  Laurel  roots  are  also  good.  Rustic  table  seats, 
arbors,  etc.,  may  be  constructed  out  of  such  material 
without  much  cost  and  trouble,  and  be  very  valuable 
and  beautiful.  Wild  Grape  vines  also  are  a  favorite 
and  convenient  material. 

Snow,  Heavy  snow  falls  sometimes  Injure  Ever- 
greens badly.  K  not  protected  by  a  board  roof,  the 
snow  should  be  shaken  out  of  them  after  every  snow 
storm.  Shrubs  and  trees  should  not  be  allowed  to  be 
burled  out  of  sight  In  snowdrifts. 


Seed  Sowing.      See  Ten  week    Stock  under  House 
Plants. 
Ventilate  freely  in  all  suitable  weather. 


FRUIT  GARDEN  AND  ORCHARD. 

Cuttings  plauted  out  in  fall  should  be  given  some 
protection  now.  a  few  Inches  of  straw  or  other  litter 
being  sufllcient. 

Gooseberries,  Currants,  etc.,  may  now  be  pruned. 
Keep  the  heads  opeu. 

Insects.  When  walking  through  the  orchard  at  any 
time  during  winter,  keep  your  eyes  open  for  eggs  of 
tent  caterpillar  and  other  Insects,  and  destroy  them 
when  found. 

Labels.  A  large  number  of  young  trees  are  annually 
ruined  by  leaving  the  labels  on  them  as  they  came 
from  the  nursery.  The  wires  should  be  loosened,  or 
better  the  labels  attached  to  a  twig  rather  than  around 
the  main  stem.  For  permanent  labels  use  Pine  labels 
painted  or  zinc,  and  fasten  them  with  copper  wire  in 
such  a  manner  that  the  wire  will  have  no  chance  to 
choke  the  life  out  of  the  tree. 

Mice  and  Rabbits.  See  direction  under  Lawn  and 
Flower  Garden. 

Mind  Culture.  Our  success  In  any  branch  of  hor- 
ticulture depends  largely  on  our  InteUigence  and 
knowledge  of  best  methods,  varieties,  etc.  The  time 
spent  in  the  study  of  horticultural  works  and  horticul- 
tural journals  will  be  well  spent.  These  stormy  days 
and  long  evenings  afford  chances  which  it  wUl  not  do 
for  us  to  neglect.  The  catalogues  of  nurserymen  also 
contain  many  good  things.  Order  them  early,  and 
examine  them  carefully. 

Pruning  trees  may  be  done  in  mild  weather,  but 
It  should  be  done  judiciously— no  slashing  into  them 
right  and  left.  Remove  weak  and  imperfect  shoots. 
Stunted  trees  may  often  be  helped  considerably  by 
severe  pmnlug. 

Scraping  tree  trunks  with  a  tree  scraper  as  Illus- 
trated in  December  nimiber,  serves  to  remove  dead 
bark,  moss,  scale,  etc.  Paint  with  a  mixture  of  lime, 
soot  and  clay,  or  with  strong  lye  or  copperas  water, 
etc.,  as  may  be  needed  or  thought  advisable. 


houses  the  snow  %vlll  thaw  off,  hut  where  the  temper, 
atttre  inside  Is  kept  rather  low,  it  may  need  removing. 
In  such  case  a  snow  scraper  three  feet  long  may  be 
used  to  advantage. 

Strawberries  should  not  be  allowed  to  set  too  much 
frutt.  else  It  will  be  small.  A  moderate  number  of 
god'l  sfzeil  berries  are  more  satisfactory  than  many 
small  ones.  When  enough  have  set,  dip  off  the  re- 
maining llovvers  and  late-  on  pick  off  the  smallest 
berries  also.  Syringe  freely  to  keep  down  red  spiders. 
Water  moderately  at  the  roots. 


PLANT    CULTURE    UNDER    GLASS. 

Azaleas  coming  into  bloom  need  plenty  of  water . 
Where  a  long  season  of  bloom  is  desired,  the  plants 
should  be  divided  into  lots,  and  exposed  to  different 
temperatures,  some  kept  warmer  and  some  cooler. 

Begonias  of  the  flowering  section  that  are  past 
bloom  should  be  pruned  somewhat,  and  kept  rather 
dry.  Repot  when  new  growth  begins.  Over-watering 
must  be  avoided.  The  Rex  sorts  may  now  be  propa- 
gated from  leaves.  With  a  sharp  knife  cut  the  main 
ribs  of  well-matured  leaves  from  the  underside  and 
just  below  div^ding  points.  In  eight  or  nine  places. 
Place  them  on  sand,  right  side  up,  in  a  temperature  of 
tW  and  put  a  little  sand  on  the  leaf  to  weight  it  down. 
Keep  moist,  and  they  will  root  readily. 

Bulbs  in  storage  should  be  examined  at  this  time  to 
see  that  they  are  in  good  order,  and  kept  dormant. 
Gladiolus,  Cannas  and  Dahlias  are  often  kept  under 
the  greenhotise  stages.  Tuberoses  should  be  cleaned 
up,  and  have  the  offsets  removed. 

Fuchsias  for  nice  spring  plants  should  soon  be 
struck:  when  potted  off,  give  them  plenty  of  root 
room,  light,  and  water.  Plants  struck  after  this  month 
should  not  have  their  tops  pinched  off,  but  should  be 
grown  naturally  and  quick. 

Geraniums,  from  fall  propagation,  should  be  given 
the  room  now  needed  for  free  growth.  Repot  as 
needed.  Geraniums  with  variegated  foliage  need  extra 
care  and  attention.  Give  them  a  warm  place,  say  55", 
and  much  lighc.  Shelves  near  the  glass  in  a  warm 
house  suit  them  well. 

Glass,  when  broken  should  be  repaired  Immediately. 
It  is  a  good  practice  to  keep  a  stock  of  "  life-preservers" 
on  hand.  These  are  pieces  of  board  of  size  of  various 
sizes,  to  cover  one,  two,  or  more  panes  of  glass,  when 
broken  and  until  they  can  be  repaired. 

Orchids  at  rest  should  not  have  a  drop  more  water 
than  absolutely  needed  to  keep  the  bud  from  shrivel- 
ing. Cattleyas,  Oncidiums  and  others  with  large 
fleshy  bulbs  need  even  less  water  than  the  Vandas, 
Saccolabiums,  and  others  of  that  kind.  U  watering 
is  necessary,  do  it  early  in  the  morning,  and  avoid 
splashing  the  tender  toUage.  Let  the  temperattire  be 
very  regular,  with  a  few  degrees  lower  during  exces- 
sively cold  speUs. 

Pelargoniums  should  be  induced  to  make  free 
growth.  Give  them  a  warm  dry  place,  plenty  of  room, 
air,  and  sunlight. 
Petunias  to  be  treated  as  outlined  for  Geranitmis. 
Propagation,  Strike  cuttings  of  all  plants  as  will  be 
needed  in  spring.  Favor  kinds  of  which  stock  is  scarce 
by  hurrying  up  the  growth  of  cuttings. 

Roses.  The  ever  blooming  class  should  be  given  a 
uniform  temperature  of  55°  to  60*  by  night,  with  15  or 
■if  higher  during  the  day.  Syringe  twice  daily;  give  a 
little  air  whenever  the  weather  penults,  and  liquid 
manure  once  a  week.  Remove  all  blind  shoots,  and 
unduly  straggling  ones  from  time  to  time.  If  in 
cutting  Roses  these  are  taken  off  with  stems  rimning 
back  to  the  second  eye  from  the  next  larger  branch, 
little  other  pranlng  will  be  needed.  The  Hybrid  Per- 
petuals now  tinder  way  should  have  an  abtmdance  of 
water  and  air. 


VEGETABLE  GARDEN. 

Cabbage  Plants  in  frames  need  attention  during 
mild  bright  weather.    Give  abundance  of  air. 

Forest  Leaves.  There  Is  no  better  material  for 
bedding  the  animals;  and  when  mixed  with  the  liquid 
and  solids  from  the  animals  it  makes  an  addition  to 
the  compost  heap,  which  soon  decays  into  the  richest 
manure,  quite  free  from  seeds. 

Hot  Beds.  In  most  northern  localities  hot-beds  will 
not  be  started  until  next  month.  In  the  southern 
states  they  will  be  made  now.  See  that  the  materials 
for  frames  are  ready,  and  the  sashes  in  good  order  to 
be  u.sed  when  theys  hall  be  needed. For  heating  material 
pure  horse  manure  is  often  advised,  but  this  sometimes 
gets  beyond  control.  It  is  much  better  to  use  leaves 
in  the  proportion  of  one-third  to  one-half  of  the  stable 
manure.  With  this  the  heat  comes  up  gradually  and 
the  mass  Is  more  tinder  control  and  more  lasting  than 
when  manure  alone  is  used. 

Manure  is  the  key  to  all  successful  gardening, 
whether  the  crops  are  for  home  consumption  or  the 
market.  When  the  ground  is  frozen,  the  hauling  may 
be  done  easier  than  at  almost  any  other  time.  There 
Is  no  objection  to  spreading  the  manure  on  the  groimd 
now,  provided  the  land  is  not  subject  to  surface 
washes.  Fine  manure  had  better  be  put  In 
square  heaps  to  be  spread  on  the  surface  In  spring 
after  plowing  and  harrowed  in. 

Mice,  if  troublesome  in  frames,  root  cellars,  etc., 
may  be  disposed  of  by  poisoning  them  with  Peas 
soaked  In  water  until  they  swell,  then  rolled  In  arsenic 
and  burled  just  below  the  surface  in  some  loose  earth. 
Seeds.  Overhaul  the  store  on  hand  and  throw  away 
all  of  doubtful  vitality.  Most  seeds  are  good  at  the 
end  of  four  or  five  years,  and  Squashes,  Melons,  and 
all  of  that  family,  last  almost  indefinitely. 
Onions.  Parsnips  aud  Carrots  are  the  seeds  which 
growers  are  most  particular  about.  Those  who 
supply  the  market  with  crops  should  put  their  depen- 
dence on  varieties  known  to  be  marketable,  and  not 
risk  novelties  until  a  trial  has  proved  their  value. 

Tools.  Repair  when  needed.  If  new  ones  are  re- 
quired, make  an  order  without  delay. 


FRUITS  AND  VEGETABLES  UNDER 
GLASS. 

Asparagus  must  be  kept  well  watered. 

Graperies  now  being  started,  should  have  not  above 
55"  of  heat,  and  be  well  sprinkled  twice  a  day.  As  the 
young  growth  appears,  sufficient  air  must  be  admitted 
to  prevent  the  growth  from  being  weak  and  the  foliage 
thin.    Air  the  house  freely  on  mild  days. 

Mnshrooms.  Try  to  keep  the  temperature  as  near 
euf.  and  as  steady  as  possible.  Save  manure  for  new 
beds  as  needed. 

Rhubarb  to  be  treated  like  Asparagus. 

Snow.    Cold  frames  frozen  under  a  snowfall  need 

not  be  touched  for  some  time;  but  when  not  frozen, 

the  snow  should  be  removed  within  a  few  days  after 

its  fall.    If  a  shovel  Is  u.sed,  it  should  be  wide  enough 

I  to  reach  clear  across  two  sash  bars.    On  warm  forcing 


THE  POULTRY  YARD. 

Large  Eggs.  Find  out  tbe  hen  that  lays  the 
small  ojjyfs,  aiul  turn  her  into  soup. 

Dampness  Injurious.  Never  let  the  fowls  out 
of  the  house  in  the  morning  when  there  is  a  fog 
or  general  dampness.   Wait  until  the  sun  appears. 

Poultry  for  Meat.  Small  farmers  and  villagers 
may  produce  one-half  of  their  meat  supply  in 
the  iioulty-yai-d  it  they  will  give  the  subject 
proper  attention. 

Milk  for  Poultry.  For  very  young  chicks  use 
equal  parts  of  boiled  water  and  fresh  milk,  and 
give  them  lukewarm.  For  old  fowls,  skim  milk, 
butter  milk,  and  sour  milk  are  all  good.— 
Orange  County,  Farmer. 

Guineas  as  Guards,  If  a  few  Guinea  fowls 
can  be  induced  to  roost  in  or  near  by  the  poultry 
house  thev  will  afford  protection  against  chicken 
thieves.  They  are  light  sleepers  and  make  a 
tremendous  racket  when  disturbed  at  night. 

Prepare  for  the  Breeding  Season,  Give  the 
poultry  intended  for  breeders  next  season  a  good 
show.  Dispose  of  your  surplus  cockerels  or 
inferior  stock.  They  will  gain  weight  more 
rapidly  if  not  allowed  to  run  out.  Let  your 
breeding  stock  have  as  wide  a  range  as  possible. 
— O.  (J.  Farmer. 

Salt  for  Poultry.  Salt  is  a  necessity  for  fowls, 
and  when  it  is  supplied  them  they  keep  in  better 
condition  and  lay  a  larger  number  of  eggs.  Of 
coui-se  an  excess  of  salt  is  injuriou.s,  but  the  soft 
food  is  seasoned  with  it  with  benefit.  Give  your 
fowls  a  proportion  of  salt  in  the  food  two  or 
three  times  a  week. — Mirror  and  Farmer. 

Early  Broilers.  The  early  broilers  must  be 
hatched  not  later  than  February  lo,  and  January 
is  the  best  month  for  hatching  them.  It  requires 
about  thirteen  weeks  from  the  time  the  egg  is 
put  under  the  hen  until  the  chick  goes  to  market. 
This  allows  ten  weeks  for  growth.  The  weight 
of  the  chick  at  that  age  depends  upon  the  breed 
and  how  it    is    fed  and    managed.— M.  and  F. 

Sitting  Hens.  In  cold  weather  eleven  eggs  are 
enough  for  a  good-sized  hen, nine  for  a  small  one. 
When  you  feed  your  sitters,  (  and  you  should 
have  a  regular  time  every  forenoon  for  feeding 
themi,  do  not  let  them  remain  off  the  nests 
untU  the  eggs  chill.  The  last  week  of  incuba- 
tion sprinkle  the  eggs  two  or  three  times  very 
lightlv  with  warm  water  just  before  the  hen 
returiis  to  the  nest.— Farm  and  Field. 

Potatoes  and  Turnips.  There  is  a  large  quan- 
tity of  water  in  the  composition  of  the  Turnip, 
but  the  avidity  with  which  cooked  Turnips  will 
be  eaten  by  poultry  when  the  diet  has  been 
mostly  of  grain,  shows  that  a  change  of  food  is 
beneficial.  Those  who  raise  large  flocks  of  ducks 
and  geese  consider  Turnips  the  best  and  cheapest 
food  that  can  be  allowed.  The  cooked  Turnips 
are  sprinkled  with  meal  and  bran,  fed  warm,  and 
the  birds  allowed  all  they  can  eat.  The  small  and 
unsalable  may  be  advantageously  used  in  the 
same  manner. 

The  Pullets  Should  Lay.  if  too  fat,  stop  feed- 
ing so  much  grain.  Give  plenty  of  water, 
steamed  hay  cut  short  and  mixed  with  bran,  in 
the  morning,  some  fresh  meat  at  noon.  Whole 
Corn  should  not  be  fed,  but  instead  feed  Oats  or 
Wheat.  Make  them  scratch  for  it.  If  pullets 
aie  thin  with  a  pale  comb,  look  out  for  lice  at 
once.  Buhach  does  the  work.  Spray  the  house 
and  roosts  with  crude  petroleum.  Then  feed 
generously.and  all  wUl  be  well.— Poultry  Bulletin. 

Winter  Care.  Fowls  must  have  a  varied  diet, 
as  no  single  element  can  supply  all  the  needs  of 
the  system.  Provision  must  be  made  for  feeding 
vegetables  occasionally,  in  addition  to  the  allow 
ance  of  gxain  or  meal.  Well  steamed  chopped 
Clover  hay,  or,  better  still.  Clover  ensilage  should 
be  fed  once  in  a  while,  and  Cabbage  leaves  wUl 
be  greatly  relished.  Oats  do  not  contain  the 
fattening'  elements  found  in  some  other  foods, 
yet  for  egg  production  they  are  unsurpassed  by 
any  other  gi-ain.  Meat  scraps  and  milk  will  also 
materially  assist  tbe  laying  hens  in  the  perfor- 
mance of  their  duty.— Farmer's  Review. 

Eresh  vs.  Warm  Water.  Neither  would  I  give 
my  fowls  warm  water.  Don't  see  any  sense  in  so 
doing.  Good,  clear,  cold  water,  fresh  from  the 
well  is  about  as  acceptable  to  a  pen  of  fowls  as 
any  drink  you  can  offer  them,  and  will  do  them 
more  good  than  a  lot  of  warm  water.  There  are 
too  many  notions  and  hobbies  about  poultry 
raising.  Good,  plain.  North  American  common 
sense  is  the  best  aid.  Treat  your  fowl  naturally, 
and  don't  be  hunting  up  all  sorts  of  tooUsh  and 
cranky  ideas  to  try.  Keep  their  quarters  clean 
and  neat,  give  them  plenty  of  food  and  water 
and  a  warm  building  to  live  in,  and  they  wiU  do 
all  right  without  so  much  fussing,— G.  Q.  D.,  in 
Mass.  Ploughman. 


POPULAR  .GARDENING. 


January, 


Correspondents  are  urged  to  anticipate  the  season  in  pre- 
Benting  questions.  To  ask,  for  instance,  on  April  IS  or  20 
iphat  Peas  had  best  be  sown,  could  bring  no  anstcer  »n 
the  May  issue,  and  none  before  June,  leken  the  answer 
would  be  unseasonable.  Questions  received  before  the  mft 
of  any  nuinth  stand  a  good  chance  of  being  answered  in  the 
next  paper.     Xot  more  than  three  questions  should  be  sent 


at  one  time.    Answers  to  qu.stiiyns   bearina  en  tue  com- 

of  implements,  etc.,  offered    by   different 

dealers  must  not  be  expected.     Xeither  can   we  promise  to 


parative  valu 


comply  urith  tfic  request  sometimes  made  to  "please  ansuvr 
by  mail."  Inquiries  appearing  leithout  name  belong  to  the 
name,  next  following. 

Replies  to  Inquiries  are  earnestly  requested  from  our 
rea^trs.  In  anstrering  suoh  give  the  number,  your 
loeality  and  name,  the  latter  not  for  publication.  unUas 
you  desire.     Write  only  on  one  side  of  the  paper. 

1.581.  Golden  Queen  Raspberry.  What  is  the  color 
yield,  and  market  value?— M.  J..  Norwich,  X.  T. 

I.5S2.  White  Alpine  Strawberry.  Where  can  I  ob- 
tain a  plant  or  seedV-L.  E.  R.  L.,  Big  Horn  City,  Wyo. 

1.583.  Apple  Stock.  Are  the  roots  of  trees  three  or 
four  years  old  good  for  stock? 

1.584.  Root  Grafts.  Should  they  be  kept  in  cellar, 
or  out  doors,  and  how?  How  deep  should  they  be 
planted  in  spring?~C.  C.  L.,  Old  Fort.  N.  C. 

1.585.  Kandline  Celery.  What  Is  understood  by 
this  term? 

1,5S6.  Sweet  Corn.  Has  the  Gold  Coin  proved  a 
success?— B.  F.  M,,  Sanquoit,  N.  Y. 

l.yi.  Planting  Asparagus.  What  distance  is  best? 
Toset  one  third  acre  uest  spring,  is  it  better  to  raise 
plants  from  seed,  or  to  buy  them  f 

1,588.  Fruit  and  Vegetable  Growing.  What  work 
would  you  recommend  for  the  novice?  -C.  D.,  St,  Paul, 
Minn.  ' 

1.5S9.  Orchid  Culture.  Where  can  I  get  full  infor- 
mation?—Mrs.  T.  M.  P.,  CastroviUe,  Te^. 

1,59<X  Starting  Flower  Seeds.  When  is  best  time  to 
start  them  In  hot  bed  lor  outdoor  planting?  How 
made  and  managed?— S.  R.  H.,  Ashtabula,  O. 

1.591.  Poultry  Manure.  What  is  Its  value  for  the 
garden  and  flower  bed?— R.  S.,  Columbus,  O. 

1.592.  Vine  Leaved  Abutilon.  Where  can  it  be 
bought?-C.  C.  "R, Buffalo,  A'.  Y. 

1.593.  Althaeas.  Can  they  be  grown  from  seed,  and 
If  so,  when  gatJiereU,  and  sowed?— F.  E.  N.,  St.  Louis. 

1,5*4.  Root  Grafting.  How  done?  Are  the  adver- 
tised machines  of  any  account.— W.  W.  R.,  Iowa. 

1.595.  Hardy  Roses.  Please  give  a  list  of  best  six— 
W.  M.  W.,  Chicago,  Ill-i. 

1.596.  Fruit  Evaporating.  What  are  the  leading 
principles?— C.  F.,  Hart.  Mich. 

1.597.  Coal  Soot.  Is  it  a  good  fertilizer  for  plants 
as  claimed?— F.  F.  R.,  Boston,  ^ass. 

1,593.  Growing  Asparagus.  Should  it  be  bleached 
or  not  for  market?— S.  X.,  Fairport,  I. 

1,599.  Rochester  Nurserymen.  Please  give  list  of 
plant  aud  tree  growers.- M.  M.  M.,  Ripley,  O. 

1,6U0.  Prizelaker  Onion.  Please  give  address  of 
seedsman  who  has  It.— J.  D.  W.,  Savannah,  Ga. 

1.601.  Chestnut  Orchard.  Would  you  advise  setting 
a  Paragon  orchard  for  profit?— Ffti7a.,  P. 

1.602.  Disposal  of  Rubbish.  Is  burying  in  trenches 
a  good  practice?— B.  F.  H,,  Warsaw. 

I,»i03.  Turnip  Tops  for  Greens.  Is  any  call  for  them 
in  market?  Are  they  good  for  home  use?— TFes^c/i(?sfer. 

1,6  -A.  Soil  for  Peanuts.  Should  It  be  very  rich,  aud 
how  prepared?- M.  N.  S.,  Indiana. 

1,605.  Pruning  the  Plum  and  Pear.  Should  this  be 
done,  and  If.  how?— J.  M.  M. 

1,61)6.  Red  Currant.  What  variety  is  most  produc- 
tive on  clay  ? 

1.607.  Donbling  the  Yield.  What  Is  best  treatment 
to  make  soli  yield  double  crop? 

1.608.  Quick  Garden  Crops.  What  vegetables  will 
answer  to  raise  two  crops  in  one  season  from  same 
ground?— J.  M.  M..  Embro,  Ont . 

1.6119.  Mulberries  from  Cuttings.  How  grown? 
have  tried  but  failed. -H.  W.,  Clinton,  Ills. 

1.610.  Mountain  Holly.  When  is  best  time  to  trans- 
plant from  forest  to  lawu?— J.  B.  S.,  Highlands,  N.  C. 

1.611.  Elberta  Peach.  Does  it  succeed  at  north  as 
well  as  at  the  south?- J.  D,  B.,  Ann  Arbor,  Mich. 

1.612.  Swamp  Muck.  How  should  it  be  treated  to 
make  it  a  complete  fertilizer  for  vegetables?— E.  G., 
Monmouth  Co.,  X.  J. 

1.613.  Chrysanthemums  not  Blooming.  1  have 
Count  of  Germaula,  and  Robt.  Craig,  strong,  healthy, 
no  bloom.— J.  B.  T.,  Winncpcg. 

1.614.  Propagating  the  Quince.  Can  it  be  done 
from  cuttings,  and  how?— S.  W.  T.,  North  Royalton,  O. 

1.615.  Propagating  Begonias.  How  are  Manicata 
aurea,  ami  Count  Louis  Erdmlv  to  be  treated?— L.P.H., 
West  Rutland,  Vt. 

1.616.  Tariff  on  Plants  and  Seeds.  What  is  the 
present  tariff  rate:'— L.  K..  Stay.slehurst,  Neb. 

1.617.  Hardy  Fruits.  Name  two  hardiest  Plums 
and  Russian  Apples  for  Northwest,— F,  B.,  Olenboro, 
Mon. 

1,6IS.  Pruning  Peaches.  What  is  best  season,  aud 
how  done?— J.  E.  M.,  Rov7^dhead,  O, 


1.619.  Rhododendron  at  North.  Can  they  be  grown 
as  far  north  as  Fort  Wayne,  Ind.?  What  kinds  are  best 
and  when  to  plant?— S.  H.  S..  Titman,  Ijid. 

1,{\H>.  Blue  Gladiolus.  Where  can  it  be  obtained. 
If  existing? 

',  1,621.    Crinum  Americanum.    How  best  kept  over 
winter? 

1,622.  French  Cannas.  What  are  the  parents  of  the 
new  hybrid  dwarfs?— L.  B.,  New  York. 

1.633.  Southern  Market  Gardening.  How  exten- 
sive are  shipments  of  fruits  an<l  vegetables  from  south 
to  northern  market^?- A.  SI.  N.,  New  England. 

1.624.  Bagasse  as.Mulch.  Will  mulch  of  sorghum 
cane  refuse  be  Injurious  to  Strawberries  by  causing 
ai-ldity?— J.  C.  H..  lown. 

1.625.  Roses  from  England.  Can  they  be  sent  by 
mall  successfully? 

1.626.  Variegated  Pittosporum  Tobira.  Is  It  bene- 
fited by  manure  water  before  blooming? 

1.627.  Amaryllis  Belladona.  When  is  its  natural 
blooming  season?  Bulb  planted  seven  weeks,  no  sign 
of  sprouting.— W.  S.  J.,  Cnicago,  Ills. 

1.628.  Celery  Seed.  How  la  It  grown?- F.  T..  H., 
Oakfield.N.   Y. 

1.629.  Gooseberries  among  Dwarf  Pears.  Pears 
ten  feet  apart  each  way.  Will  a  Gooseberry  set  be- 
tween succeed?— L.  S.,  Canada. 


REPLIES    TO    INQUIRIES. 

1,588.  Fmit  and  Vegetable  Growing.  We  are 
not  acquainted  with  any  work  combining-  the 
two  branches,  except  Henderson's  "  Gardening 
for  Profit,"  which  not  only  gives  fnll  informa- 
tion on  the  subject  of  vegetable  growing,  but 
also  has  a  chapter  on  small  fruit  culture.  As  a 
guide  book  for  the  novice  in  fruit  .growing,  we 
would  commend  Bairy's  Fruit  Garden.  The 
mtist  complete  lists  of  varieties  are  found  in 
Cliarles  l^owning's  Fruits  and  Fruit  Trees  of 
America. 

1,546.  Jewell  Grapes.  Vines  can  be  had  of  Dr. 
Stayman,  Leavenworth.  Kansas. 

1,587.  Planting  Asparagus.  We  believe  in 
giving  each  plant  plenty  of  room  for  full  de- 
velopment, and  both  in  field  and  garden  culture 
would  have  rows  about  five  feet  apart,  and  the 
plants  two  feet  apart  in  the  rows.  This  looks 
like  wasting  space ;  but  it  is  not.  On  rich  warm 
soil  and  otherwise  well  treated.  Asparagus 
planted  at  this  distance  will  give  better,  larger 
aud  more  salable  *■  grass,"  and  bring  more 
money  than  if  planted  closer.  Plants  standing 
at  the  distance  suggested  by  our  correspondent, 
namelj'  in  rows  two  feet  apart,  and  six  or  eight 
inches  apart  in  the  rows,  are  too  much  crowded 
for  space  to  produce  anything,  but  weak  spind- 
ling sprouts  that  are  not  in  demand  in  the 
markets,  or  can  be  sold  only  at  a  low  price  to 
fourth-class  boarding  houses.  The  large  succu- 
lent stalks,  three  quarters  of  an  inch  or  more 
in  diameter,  are  what  is  wanted,  and  what  will 
find  quick  sale  at  top  figures.  Why  should  the 
home  grower  plant  closer  than  is  found  most 
suitable  for  the  market  garden?  Close  planting, 
of  course,  is  also  objectionable  on  account  of 
greater  difficulty  in  cultivation.  Wide  rows  are 
convenient  in  every  way. 

1,584.  Handling  Celery.  Handling  is  merely 
a  preparatory  step  to  blanching.and  its  object  is  to 
make  the  plant  grow  upright  and  compact.  The 
leaf  stalks  are  all  gathered  up,  and  held  closely 
together  with  one  hand,  while  the  other  packs 
soil  tightly  around  thera  to  keep  them  in  this 
position.  This  is  '*  handling."  Banking,  or 
earthing  up  for  the  purpose  of  bleaching  the 
stalks  is  done  afterwards. 

1,591.  Poultry  Hanore.  This  contains  more 
of  the  nitrogenous  element  in  an  available  form 
than  any  other  yard  manure, and  forthisreason 
is  especially  suited  to  stimulate  plant-growth. 
Its  value,  of  course,  depends  largely  on  the  way 
it  has  been  handled  and  kept.  An  average  sam- 
ple of  well-preserved  poultry  droppings,  slightly 
mixed  with  sifted  coal  ashes,  dry  muck  or  other 
absorbents,  and  moist  but  not  wet,  will  be  worth 
§5  or  St>  per  ton.  Clear,  dry,  pulverized  drop- 
pings would  have  a  much  higher  value.  On  the 
other  hand,  most  of  our  poultry  writers  and 
poultrj-  editors  are  prone  to  exaggerate  its  value 
and  effectiveness.  We  are  not  afraid  to  spread 
it  on  the  garden  pretty  thick  as  a  t(»p  dressing, 
often  using  all  the  manure  produced  by  a  100 
fowls  during  fall  and  winter  on  less  than  one- 
sixth  of  an  acre.  Such  an  application  has  a  tell- 
ing effect.  If  to  be  used  as  a  top  dressing  in  the 
flower  garden  and  border,  we  would  mix  the 
droppings  with  plenty  of  absorbing  material, 
especiaUy  dry  swamp  muck,  leaf  mold,  rotten 
turf,  etc.  Sifted  coal  ashes  is  always  a  good 
admixture,  but  wood  ashes  should  not  be  used 
to  mix  with  it. 

1,600.  Prizetaker  Onion.  This  was  introduced 
by  Wra.  Henry  Maule,  as  stated  in  last  issue. 
Watch  our  advertising  columns  for  his  address. 
The  reply  to  No.  1.5l»9  on  page  81  applies  to  this 
and  all  similar  cases. 


1,593.  Boot  Grafting.  This  can  be  done  in  the 
house  any  time.  Home  Journal  gives  the  follow- 
ing directions:  The  requisites  are  Apple  seedlings 
one  or  two  years  old;  cions  of  the  desired  varietj', 
as  near  the  size  of  the  j'oung  trees  as  may  be ; 
and  a  knife  with  a  thin  blade  and  a  keen  edge. 
The  cions  are  shoots  of  the  past  season's  growht 
—wood  of  one  year.  For  stocks  only  young 
trees  should  be  used.  Some  have  grafted  on 
pieces  of  the  roots  dug  up  frf)m  large  trees;  but 
these,  as  a  general  rule,  do  not  make  good  trees. 
The  young  trees  are  first  washed  to  free  them 
from  grit;  then  the  small  fibrous  roots  are 
trimmed  off ;  then  as  each  tree  is  taken  up  to  be 
grafted,  the  top  is  cut  off  at  the  collar,  with  a 
sloping  cut  about  an  inch  long.  A  ciou  about 
three  inches  in  length  is  then  prepared  with  the 
same  kind  of  a  cut  on  the  lower  end— the  cut  on 
the  root,  it  will  be  observed,  is  on  the  upper  end. 
In  each  of  these  two  sloping  cuts,  a  slit  of  nearly 
three  quarters  of  an  inch  Is  made,  allowing  the 
knife  to  enter  about  a  third  of  an  inch  from  the 
thin  end.  This  makes  two  "tongues,"  as  they 
are  called,  each  to  be  fitted  into  the  slit  in  the 
other,  and  pushed  together  firmly  and  made  to 
agree  exactly  at  one  side,  in  case  cion  and  stfick 
do  not  quite  agree  in  size.  A  little  wrapping 
with  spool  thread  will  hold  them  togetnor. 
Usually  the  root  will  be  too  long,  and  several 
inches  of  the  lower  end  may  be  cut  off  and  dis- 
carded. The  grafts  are  now  to  be  tied  in  bundles 
of  twenty-five,  with  the  proner  labels  attached, 
and  put  away  in  damp  earth  in  the  cellar  until 
the  spring.  In  planting  out,  only  the  upper  bud 
should  remain  above  ground.  The  dis- 
tance apart  in  the  row  may  be  eight  to  twelve 
inches,  according  to  the  time  the  j'oung  trees  are 
to  be  allowed  to  stand.  Now  about  machine 
work.  We  have  seen  and  tried  some  of  them, 
but  do  not  consider  them  of  much  value.  A 
skilled  grafter  can  handle  the  grafts  about  as 
fast  liy  hand,  and  make  a  surer  job  of  it.  We 
would  like  to  hear  from  our  nurserymen, whether 
any  of  them  is  using  grafting  machines  to  any 
extent.    We  greatly  doubt  it. 

1,601.  Chestnut  Orchard.  No,  we  would  not 
advise  you  to  plant  a  large  Paragon  orchard  at 
the  present  price  of  trees.  It  might  be  a  pay- 
ing investment,  but  we  do  not  believe  in  rushing 
headlong  into  any  new  thing.  We  believe  that 
a  Paragon  Chestnut  orchard  would  yield  large 
returns  after  a  few  years,  but  the  way  we  would 
manage,  if  we  intended  to  plant  largely  is  as 
follows:  First  we  would  secure  some  trees  and 
plant  them,  for  the  purpose  of  growing  grafts 
from  them.  At  the  same  time  we  would  plant  a 
regular  orchard  of  seedlings  of  either  Spanish 
or  American  Chestnuts,  or  else  plant  nuts  ;  and 
as  soon  as  we  can  get  the  grafts,  we  would  graft 
the  seedlings  with  the  Paragon. 

1,599.  Growing  Asparagus.  To  bleach  or  not 
to  bleach— that  has  been  a  point  of  dispute  for  a 
long  time.  Personally  we  prefer  large  tender, 
white  stalks  to  green  ones,  but  we  do  not  want 
them  when  poorly  grown  and  tough.  If  the 
"grass  "  is  grown  for  market,  we  must  of  course 
grow  it  to  suit  the  demand.  If  people  want  green 
stalks,  we  have  to  furnish  them  in  this  way,  aud 
vice-versa.  In  most  citj'  markets  the  white  and 
tender  shoots  bring  a  better  price  than  green 
ones.  Consequently,  says  the  Florida  Agricul- 
turists, the  aim  of  the  grower  should  be  to  have 
his  shoots  as  large  and  at  the  same  time  tender 
as  possible.  These  two  requisites  must  be  co- 
existent; one  without  the  other  will  amount  to 
but  little.  The  amount  of  soil  on  top  of  the 
crown  to  a  great  extent  regulates  the  textui*e, 
color  and  size  of  the  shoots.  If  the  soil  is  of  con  ■ 
siderable  depth,  the  shoots  will  be  longer  and  of 
a  more  desirable  color.  But  at  the  same  time,  if 
the  depth  of  soil  is  too  great,  the  shoots  will 
expend  vitality,  in  forcing  their  way  through  it 
to  the  surface,  and  will  consequently  become 
"spindling,"  tough  and  fibrous.  In  some  sec- 
tions of  the  south,  where  the  rays  of  the  sun 
will  color  and  harden  the  tips  within  a  few  hours 
the  gardenere  resort  to  numerous  devices  to  pro- 
tect them.  A  very  tedious,  laborious  aud  expen- 
sive process  is  that  of  muk-hing  the  beds  during 
the  cutting  season.  The  .'mulch,  consisting  gen- 
erally of  straw  and  leaves,  must  be  removed 
every  morning  in  order  to  get  at  the  sprouts. 
aud  replaced  when  the  cutting  is  finished. 
Another  plan  is  to  have  tlu-  beds  quite  narrow, 
and  to  plant  Ras]"li«_'n-y  bushes  on  each  side  of 
them,  and  to  train  tht-ni  agauist  a  low  trellis  that 
they  will  overreach  and  lap  above  the  bed, 
making  quite  a  dense  shade.  This  is  an  excellent 
plan,  and  magnificent  Asparagus  is  grown  in 
these  Kaspberry-shaded  beds.  The  cutting,  of 
course,  is  somewhat  unpleasant  and  difficult. 
Another  plan  practiced  extensively  in  gardens 
exclusively  for  home  use,  is  to  get  small  tiower 
pots,  fill  the  hole  in  the  bottom  with  ulay  or 
beeswax,  and  every  morning  place  the  i«>ts  over 
young  shoots  just  showing  themselves  on  the 
surface;  at  the  same  time  pulling  the  soil  well 
up  to  the  inverted  pot.  This  excludes  the  air 
and  sun,  and  the  shoots  will  remain  white  and 
tender  until  the  pots  are  nearly  filled. 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


93 


l.tHK.  Doubling  th6  Yield.  Avoniffe  crops  aro 
Imw,  indeed,  too  low  to  be  profltiible,  and  to 
double  them  is  an  easy  Enough  matter.  The 
nverajre  Potato  t-rop  in  this  State,  for  instance, 
is  only  S5  or  90  bushels  to  the  acre.  A  good  gard- 
ener should  not  grow  less  than  'A)0  bushels  to  the 
acre.  So  it  is  with  almost  all  farm  and  garden 
crops  How  to  double  the  yicldl'  First  apply 
double  the  manure— make  the  land  rich  so  the 
plants  have  all  the  food  they  need.  Next  plant 
close.  Just  wide  enough  to  give  each  plant  space 
for  fullest  development,  but  no  more.  Never 
crowd  a  plant.  Be  sure  to  have  no  misshills.  A 
good  manager  can  easily  prevent  them  by  using 
plenty  of  seed,  and  by  timely  r<M>lanting  should 
this  be  needed.  Attend  to  all  the  wants  of  the 
crop  in  proper  time  by  clean  and  thorough  cul- 
tivation, and  in  any  other  way  required,  and 
there  will  be  no  trouble  to  double  the  yield,  and 
in  many  instances  to  treble  it, 

1,612.  Swamp  Muck.  This  is  even  richer  in 
nitrogen  than  ordinary  stable  manure,  but  this 
nitrogen  is  not  in  an  immediately  available  con- 
dition. If  it  were  dry  swamp  muck  would  be 
worth  $8.00  to  $10.00  per  ton.  Of  phosphoric  acid 
potash  swamp  muck  contaios  hardlj'  ever 
moi*e  than  traces.  The  carbonaceous  matter  of 
which  muck  is  largely  composed,  gives  it  bene- 
ficial mechanical  effect  on  heavy  clay,  or  light 
sandy  soils  almost  equal  to  stable  manure,  and 
to  make  a  good  complete  fertilizer  of  it,  it  would 
only  be  necessary  to  dry  it  thoroughly,  and  then 
use  it  as  absorbents  in  the  stables.  When  mixed 
with  the  solid  and  liquid  voidings  of  animals  it 
becomes  as  good  as  stable  manure.  A  good  way 
is  to  bed  horses,  cows,  sheep,  etc  ,  on  a  layer,  say 
a  foot  in  depth,  and  leave  it  there.  It  will  then 
absorb  all  the  manurial  matter,  and  become  a 
valuable  fertilizer,  at  the  same  time  adding  to 
the  comfort  and  cleanliness  of  the  animals.  A 
good  manure  may  also  be  made  of  dry  mucK  by 
composting  is  with  unleached  wood  ashes,  or 
with  bone  dust  and  potash  salt«,kainit  preferred. 
This  treatment  adds  the  potash  and  phosphoric 
acid  to  it,  and  makes  some  of  the  nitrogen  avail- 
able, thus  rendering  the  compound  a  complete 
fertilizer.    Try  it.— G.  R. 

1,610.  Mountain  Holly.  This  is  usually  con- 
sidered difficult  to  transplant,  but  the  operation 
can  be  performed  successfully  by  stripping  the 
plant  of  its  leaves  and  cutting  back  severely. 
Transplant  iu  spring  — G.  R. 

1,556.  Distance  for  Grape  Vines.  Six  feet  is 
too  near.  We  once  advised  and  practised  plant- 
ing the  slow-growing  sorts,  such  as  Delaware, 
Lady,  Adirondack,  lona,  etc  ,  6  by  8  feet,  but 
experience  has  taught  us  that  8  by  8  is  better, 
and  8  by  10  and  8  by  12  is  as  near  as  the  stronger 
growers  should  be  planted.— F.  L.  W. 

1,558.  Manuring  Grapes  and  Trees.  There  is 
no  better  manure  than  wood  ashes.  We  like  to 
plow  under  a  crop  of  Clover  in  onr  orchard.— 
F,  L.  W. 

1,500.  Gen.  Grant  Crab.  It  is  an  acid  variety 
and  a  very  good  one.— F.  L  W. 

1,574.  Grape  Cuttinps.  Do  not  bury  in  damp 
soil  or  where  water  will  settle.  A  damp,  sandy 
soil  is  the  best  place.—.  L.  W. 

1,603.  Turnip  Tops  for  Greens.  Turnip  Tops 
at  Christmas  are  *'  English,  you  know "  and  I 
have  no  doubt  the  inhabitants  of  Gotham  will 
buy  them  and  pay  a  good  price  for  them  both  on 
that  account  and  because  they  are  a  novelty, 
but  that  they  will  eat  them  is  another  matter. 
John  G.  Gardner  of  Jobstown,  N.  J.,  and  who 
is  one  of  the  largest  market  growers  of  forced 
fruits  and  vegetebles  in  the  country  told  me 
once  that  he  used  to  force  a  good  deal  of  Seakale 
in  winter,  but  it  was  no  use,  a  little  was  all  right 
as  a  novelty,  but  as  a  crop  it  wouldn't  pay.  No, 
Turnip  tops  would  never  whet  ray  appetite,  but 
if  you  come  to  see  me  about  this  time,  I''ll  treat 
you  to  as  nice  a  winter  vegetable  as  j'ou  ever 
put  a  tooth  into,  namely  Seakale.  Oh,  it's  just 
excellent.  And  so  easy  to  grow  too,  in  summer, 
and  force  in  winter.— Wm.  Falconer. 

1.574.  Grape  Cuttings.  These  are  usually  kept 
in  the  cellar  in  boxes  filled  with  moist  sand. 
Label  securely;  tie  in  small  bundles.  Or  they 
can  be  buried  outside  in  trenches,  in  any  situa- 
tion where  water  does  not  stand.  Cover  with 
three  or  four  inches  of  soil.— Chas.  E.  Parnell. 

1.575.  Keeping  Apple  Cions.  See  answer  to 
1,574.  They  will  not  mould,  or  be  in  danger  of 
beating  unless  the  bundles  are  made  very  large 
or  placed  veryclose  together  — Chas.E.Pabnell. 

1.576.  Aspidistra  for  Bedding.  This  plant  will 
do  well  outside  in  any  situation  when  given  a 
deep  rich  soil.  Copious  waterings  during  seasons 
of  drought  will  be  of  decided  benefit.  Plant  out 
about  the  tenth  of  May  and  take  up  and  repot 
before  cold  weather  sets  in.— P. 

1,578.  Castor  Beans  for  Moles.  They  will  not 
kill  the  moles  when  thrown  in  their  runs,  nor 
will  they  banish  them  as  some  assert.— C.  E.  P, 

1,554.  Norway  Maple.  I  do  not  think  that 
cutting  back  the  top  will  help  the  tree,  or  pre- 
vent it  from  dying  —Chas.  E.  Parnell. 

1,550.  Wire  Worms.  A  good  dressing  of  lime 
will  probably  destroy  these  pests.— C.  E.  P. 


l,54^t.  Chrysanthemum  Seedlings,  You  can- 
not tell  the  color  of  the  flower,  or  whether  they 
will  Ix-  double  or  single  until  they  bloom.— C.E.P. 

1,538.  Paeony  not  Blooming.  I  give  my 
Pa^onies  a  deep  moderately  enriched  soil,  a  sun- 
ny situation.  After  the  plants  become  well 
established,  a  mulch  of  good  but  well  decayed 
manure  is  given  every  fall  This  is  carefully 
worked  in  around  the  plants  the  ensuing  spring 
and  with  this  treatment  1  have  no  difficulty  in 
securing  large  flowers  and  lots  of  them.— C.  E.  P. 

1,5;^  Boses  not  Bloomintr.  Moss  Roses  like 
rich  ground,  and  require  liberal  manuring,  and 
good  cultivation.  They  bloom  best  on  strong 
new  wood,  and  should  be  cut  back  about  one 
half  of  the  last  season's  growth,  in  the  spring 
before  growth  commences.  When  well  cared 
for  the  bushes  will  attain  a  considerable  size, 
and  in  pruning  it  is  important  to  keep  the  plant 
balanced  and  in  good  shiijie.  Although  thu  Moss 
Roses  are  classed  as  being  perfectly  hardy,  I  tind 
it  best  to  give  them  a  slight  covering  of  Ever- 
green branches  as  soon  as  the  ground  becomes 
frozen  in  the  fall.— Chas.  E.  Parnell. 

1,544.  Myrtle  Dying.  I  presume  Vinca  Minor 
is  the  plant  you  refer  to,  and  if  so  would  say  that 
a  good  dressing  of  two  or  three  inches  of  a  com- 
post composed  of  equal  parts  of  good  garden 
soil,  and  well  decayed  manure  well  worked  in 
throughout  the  bed  will  be  of  the  greatest 
benefit. 

1163.  Insect  on  Honeysuckle,  If  F.  C.  D.  will 
hang  some  small  bundles  of  moistened  Tobacco 
stems,  such  as  he  can  get  of  any  cigar-maker  for 
the  asking,  here  and  there  underneath  the  foli- 
age^ in  summer,  I  think  he  will  not  be  troubled 
agam.  If  the  stems  are  not  to  be  had,  some 
small  bags  filled  with  cheap  smoking  Tobacco 
would  answer  quite  as  well,  first  soaking  these 
in  water  before  hanging  in  the  vine.  Constant 
Reader. 

1167.  Kainit.  This  is  a  mineral  deposit  con- 
sisting of  a  compound  of  the  sulphates  of  potash 
and  magnesia,  with  the  chlorides  of  magnesia 
and  of  sodium  (salt),  and  is  largely  used  as  a 
source  of  potash  for  fertilizing  and  other  pur- 
poses. It  is  found  near  Stassfurt,  Lepoldshall, 
etc,  in  Germany,  in  which  country  its  use  as  a 
fertilizer  has  become  almost  universal.  Thou- 
sands of  tons  are  now  also  exported  to  aU  parts 
of  the  world,  including  America.  The  chief 
value  of  this  fertilizer  is  found  in  the  potash  it 
contains,  and  which  constitutes  one-fourth  per 
cent,  of  the  article.  In  the  use  of  Kainit,  in  or- 
der to  allow  the  chlorine  combinations  contained, 
which  may  be  injurious  to  some  plants,  to  lose 
its  effect,  it  is  recommended  that  the  fertilizer  be 
applied  some  months  at  least  before  the  seed  is 
sown,  as  for  instance,  in  the  late  fall  for  the  fol- 
lowing season's  crop,  thereby  so<'uring  the  bene- 
fit of  all  rain  or  snow  falling  in  the  mruntime 
and  a  consequent  deep  and  tli(»niugh  incorpora- 
tion of  the  Kainit  ingredients  through  the  soil— 
those  which  are  beneficial  and  nourishing,  being 
within  ready  access  of  allthero<its  and  not  con- 
fined m  single  places.  This  method  of  applying 
Kainit  will  prove  itself  highly  advantageous, 
whether  alone,  or  in  combination  with  stable 
manure,  farm  refuse,  phosphates  or  other  ferti- 
lizing material,  and  should  be  strictly  adhered 
to,  unless  quite  impracticable. 

11711.    Best  Market  Pears   for  New  York.    I 

would  add  the  "Bu.ssock."  It  is  of  fair  (juality, 
good  size,  clear  skin,  and  an  abundant  bearer.  I 
think  the  Kieffers  grown  south  of  New  Jersey 
are  of  better  quality  than  further  north.  In  fact 
those  grown  in  Burlington  County,  N.  J.,  are  of 
much  better  flavor  than  those  grown  further 
north  in  the  same  State.  After  a  little  this  much- 
lauded  and  abused  variety  will  find  ite  true  place 
among  Pears.  C.  W.  Idell,  333  Washington  St.^ 
New  York  City. 

1181.  Thrips  on  Fuchsias.  Dissolve  two  ounces 
of  soft  soap  in  warm  water  and  add  thereto  a  gal- 
lon of  clean  water,  and  either  dip  the  plants  in  it 
or  syringe  them.  Thrips  are  the  result  of  want 
of  vigor  in  the  plants,  or  more  frequently  a  too 
arid  atmosphere.  The  two  causes  in  conjunc- 
tion will  bring  on  a  bad  attack.  Fuchsias,  if  root 
bound,  need  watering  twice  a  day,  and  the 
foliage  should  be  freely  syringed  morning  and 
evening,  well  dampening  down  the  floor  and 
sta^s  of  the  house.  Fuchsias  like  a  cool,  rather 
moist  atmosphere,  not  lasting  in  bloom  when 
much  exposed  to  sun.   E.  D.  L. 

1223.  Potting  Old  Fuchsias.  As  soon  as  they 
show  signs  of  growth,  trim  them  back  into  shape, 
turn  them  out  of  their  pots,  and  repot  into  as  small 
pots  as  possible.  Water  thoroughly  when  first 
potted,  afterwards  sparingly  until  growth  com- 
mences, when  a  liberal  supply  should  be  given. 
When  first  potted  place  in  as  warm  and  light  a  sit- 
uation as  possible,  and  as  growth  commences  re- 
move to  a  cooler  atmosphere.  Repot  as  often  as 
necessary  until  the  plants  attain  the  desired  size. 
Do  not  repot  too  freely  if  flowers  are  wanted.  A 
compost  composed  of  two-thirds  rotten  sods,  one- 
third  well-decayed  manure  with  a  sprinkling  of 
bone  dust  will  suit  them  very  well. 


1266.  Lilium  Auratum.  This  should  have  been 
potted  last  fall  when  the  stem  had  died  ofT,  rather 
than  to  have  waited  until  new  growth  had  com- 
menced. Ai  it  is  now.  keep  the  soil  barely  moist 
In  the  same  pot,  and  a  second  stem  will  probably 
be  put  forth  weaker  than  the  first.  The  small  oflf- 
shoots  to  be  removed.  All  Lilies  should  be  potted 
in  autumn,  usually  in  October,  the  foliage  being 
then  ripened.    0.  S  ,  Erie  Co.,  JV".  Y. 

1287,  Pansies  Devoured.  I  think  that  they  were 
destroyed  by  slugs  or  wood-lice,  and  as  a  remedy 
would  suggest  placing  a  few  pieces  of  boards  on  the 
ground  between  the  plants  in  the  evening  ;  early 
the  next  morning  carefully  examine  the  boards 
underneath  and  in  most  cases  the  destroyers  will 
be  found  underneath  and  can  be  destroyed.  Re- 
peat for  several  days  if  necessary.  Turnips  hol- 
lowed out  and  placed  among  the  plants  are  also 
excellent  for  this  purpose. 

1548.  Kaspberry  Pruning.  In  localities  favor- 
able to  Raspberry  culture  the  practice  is  to  nip 
back  the  new  growth  of  canes  when  one  foot  high 
the  first  year,  and  afterwards  allow  them  to  grow 
three  feet  high  before  nipping  back.  The  bush 
will  send  out  laterals,  be  stocky  and  self-support- 
ing. These  laterals  may  be  nipped  back  when 
about  one  foot  long  or  allowed  to  grow  and  then 
cut  back  In  the  fall.  Grown  as  above  the  bushes 
are  stiff  and  unyielding.  When  snow  drifts  it  will 
brake  them  down.  Heavy  winds  will  twist  them 
off.  In  unfavorable  localities  like  ours  It  is  best  to 
allow  the  canes  to  grow  as  they  please,  cut  back 
and  tie  to  stakes.  The  more  canes  in  a  hill  the 
smaller  they  will  be  and  less  liable  to  twist  off. 
Raspberry  canes  will  sometimes  trail  along  the 
ground  ten  or  twelve  feet,  and  "severe  cutting 
back"  is  to  remove  above  two-thirds  of  the  cane, 
shortening  it  to  about  three  to  four  feet.—L.  J. 
Farmhir,  Ostvego,  N.  Y. 

1553.  Varieties  of  Small  Fruits.  Of  the  well 
tested  varieties,  I  reccommend,  if  Strawberries, 
Warfield,  Crescent  and  Jessie  for  early,  Buback, 
Windsor  Chief ,  and  Burt  for  late;  of  Black  Rasp- 
berry, Tyler  for  early,  and  Gregg  for  late;  Red 
Raspberries,  Turner  for  early,  and  Cuthbert  for 
late;  Snyder  Raspberry;  La  Versalles  (red)  and 
White  Grape  currants;  Downing  and  Houghton, 
Goosberries.— L.  J,  Farmer. 

1569.  Old  Orchards.  The  plan  followed  by 
orchardists  in  Oswego  County,  and  which  seems  to 
be  a  feasible  one.  Is  this:  Crops  are  grown  among 
the  young  fruit  trees  until  they  are  large  enough 
to  bear  when  the  orchard  is  seeded  down  and  after- 
wards pastured  with  hogs  or  young  stock.  In 
plowing  among  the  trees,  short  whiffltrees  are 
used  80  as  not  to  bark  them,  and  a  space  left  around 
the  trees  as  wide  as  the  branches  extend,  to  be 
afterwards  turned  over  with  a  spading  fork.  By 
continued  plowing  and  working  among  them,  the 
roots  extend  down  deep  and  are  not  injured  by  the 
plow  or  by  sudden  changes  in  the  weather.  One 
should  be  very  careful  in  plowing  an  old  orchard 
that  has  been  many  years  to  grass,  roots  tend  to 
grow  near  the  surface  and  are  disturbed  and 
bruised  by  the  plow.  Rather  than  run  the  risk 
it  would  probably  be  better  to  pasture  it  with  hogs. 
—L.J  Fabmkk. 

1549.  Growing  Aloes.  Aloes  require  a  com. 
post  composed  of  two-thirds  turfy  loam  and 
one-third  well  decayed  manure.  In  potting  use 
porous  or  soft  baked  pots,  let  them  be  proper, 
tionate  to  the  size  of  the  plants,  and  see  that  they 
are  well  drained.  An  average  winter  temperature 
from  47  to  55  will  answer  well.  While  in  a  state  of 
growth  they  requite  to  be  watered  freely  anfi  when 
in  a  state  of  rest  they  should  be  kept  rather  dry. 
They  can  be  planted  out  in  a  deep  well  enriched 
border  about  the  middle  of  May,  then  taken  up  and 
potted  about  the  middle  of  September.  All  the 
species  are  excellent  window  garden  plants. 
— Chart-ks  E.  Parnell. 

1662.  Dry  Maple  Leaves.  I  would  not  advise 
any  one  to  use  them  for  muching  strawberries 
where  straw  or  salt  hay  can  be  procured.— P. 

1566,  Summer  Mulch.  Nothing  better  than 
straw  or  salt  or  marsh  hay  for  placing  around 
Strawberries  to  keep  the  fruit  clean.  I  often 
wonder  why  so  many  various  materials  are  sug- 
gested when  straw  can  be  so  readily  and  cheapfy 
obtained.    C.  E.  P. 

249.  Pruning  Roses.  It  is  very  difficult  to  teach 
this  by  merely  writing  about  it;  but  it  is  neverthe- 
less, an  important  part  of  the  cullivation  of  the 
Rose,  An  experienced  Rose  cultivator  will  first 
ascertain  the  name  of  the  Rose,  and  he  will  thin 
out  the  wood  or  cut  back  the  young  growths,  in 
references  to  the  general  characteritics  of  the  par- 
ticular variety.  As  a  rule  the  strong-growing 
varieties  must  not  be  cut  back  so  freely  as  these  of 
a  more  weakly  habit.  Those  varieties  that  have  a 
tendency  to  form  a  thicket  of  young  wood  should 
be  disbudded  during  the  summer;  this  allows  a  full 
development  of  leaf  and  growth  with  the  conse- 
quent production  of  Roses  of  a  much  superior 
quality.  Hybrid  Perpetual  and  Moss  Roses  should 
be  pruned  very  much  ahke.  The  young  growths 
ought  to  be  cut  back  to  within  from  three  to  six 
buds  from  the  base,  Very  weak  growers  may  be 
I  cut  back  to  within  two  good  buds    Rose  Grower. 


9* 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


January, 


1,5%.  Fruit  Eyaporatliiif.  Some  leading 
priacipals  were  recently  summed  up  by  the 
California  Fruittrrower,  as  follows  :  Allow  your 
fruit  to  mature  thoroughly  on  the  tree  before 
^thering  it.  Green  or  under-ripe  fruit  does 
not  contain  a  sufficient  (juautity  of  saccharine 
matter  or  Grape  sugar  to  make  a  good  article 
of  dried  fruit.  Over-ripe,  mushy,  bruised,  and 
partially  decayed  fruit  makes  a  poor,  dark- 
colored  dried  product.  Grade  your  fruit  as  to 
size  before  you  cut  it.  Fruit  that  has  fallen  from 
the  tree  and  is  bruised  is  sure  to  turn  black 
when  dried.  Evaporate  your  fruit  thoroughly, 
but  do  not  dry  it  too  much.  Put  on  the  finishing 
touch  in  your  curing  house.  Fine  dried  fruit 
cannot  be  produced  from  poorsmall  green  fruit. 
In  bleaching  do  not  burn  the  sulphur  in  the 
evaporator  on  any  ac- 
count, and  it  is  advis- 
able not  to  burn  it  in 
the  bleaching  house 
with  the  fruit.  Twenty 
or  thirty  minutes  is  a 
sufficient  length  of  time 
to  submit  fresh  cut 
fruit  to  the  sulphur 
fumes.  Clingstone 
Peaches  are  good  driers, 
but  cause  considerable 
trouble  pitting.  There 
is  less  waste  to  the  cling 
than  to  the  free  stone. 
Fine  dried  fruit  can  be 
made  in  the  sun,  but 
you  must  know  how. 
If  you  wish  to  make 
a  record  for  your  fruit, 
use  the  finest,  choicest 
fruit  you  can  get  for 
drying.  You  cannot 
produce  choice  dried 
fruit  if  you  use  wind- 
falls, culls,  wormy  and 
over-ripe  fruit  Sun- 
dried  fruit  may  be  sub- 
mitted to  dry  or  super- 
heated steam  in  a 
heater  say  for  five 
minutes,  if  you  un- 
derstand the  business,  ,  -—  ,  .,,  ,-  ..,„ 
will  soften  the  fruit  slightly  and  will  keep  the 
eggs  of  insects,  worms,  etc.  Do  not  dip  the  fruit 
in  water  after  it  is  dried,  just  before  packing,  for 
the  purpose  of  softening  it  up  and  making  it 
weigh  heavy.  Buyers  can  tell  "doped  fruit 
the  moment  they  see  it,  and  if  it  is  not  sold  and 
consumed  immediately,  it  is  sure  to  turn  black, 
get  soft  and  spoil.  Tour  curing  and  packing 
house  should  be  well  ventilated,  but  all  openings 
should  be  secured  against  insects  by  wire  screens. 

1.B2.5.  Althaea  Shrub.  The  Mallows  may  be 
increased  by  dividing  the  plants  at  the  roots,  or 
by  seeds.  The  latter  are  gathered  when  ripe 
kept  like  other  seeds  in  any  convenient  place  or 
receptacle,  and  planted  in  open,  well-prepared 
ground  covering  an  inch  deep. 

1,627.  Amaryllis  Belladonna.  These  bulbous 
plants  require  a  season  of  perfect  repose  after 
each  season  of  growth,  and  when  this  condition 
is  properly  observed,  the  flowers  can  be  had  at 
almost  any  season  of  the  year.  The  flowers 
appear  before  the  leaves  do.  When  done  bloom- 
ing, and  until  growth  ceases,  water  should  be 
withheld  by  degrees,  and  the  plants  then  kept 
dry  and  in  a  temperature  of  at  least  45  or  ,50°. 
When  desired  to  flower  again,  pot  in  good  fibrous 
loam,  leaf  mould  and  saiid,  equal  parts  of  each, 
providing  thorough  drainage  by  pieces  of  broken 
pots  in  bottom  of  pot,  and  put  in  a  bottom  bed 
or  greenhouse,  beginning  with  a  temperature  of 
50°,and  gradually  increasing  to  liO  or  70.-  Gordon. 

I,.5t2.  Frononncing  Dictionary.  Volume  eight 
of  the  Illustrated  Dictionary  of  Gardening, 
published  by  J.  Arnot  Penman,  12  Dey  street. 
New  York  City,  gives  the  correct  pronunciation 
of  all  the  names  of  horticultural  plants.  The, 
names  are  arranged  in  alphabetical  order,  and 
are  divided  into  syllables  with  the  accents  of  the 
syllables  and  the  sounds  of  the  more  important 
vowels  clearly  marked.— E.  S.  G. 

1,602.  Disposal  of  Eubbish.  Burying  our 
green  rubbish  in  trenches  in  the  garden  seems  to 
me  to  be  a  senseless,  laborious,  expensive  and 
wasteful  practice.  Don't  do  that.  But  have  a 
good  old  fashioned  rubbish  pile.— a  place  where 
you  can  pile  up  and  burn  sticks,  prunings,  roots, 
noxious  weeds  as  couch  grass  and  big  weeds  cut 
in  seed,  and  the  like;  and  alongside  of  it  a  pile 
for  refuse  dirt  as  old  potting  soil,  garden  clean- 
ings, or  the  like;  and  if  you  live  in  the  country 
you  probably  keep  pigs,  well  into  the  hog  pen 
run  all  manner  of  waste  vegetables,  garden 
cleanings,  in  fact,  if  you  will,  every  kind  of 
earthy  and  waste  matter.  What  I  don't  cait 
directly  t.i  the  liog  )ien  and  which  accumulates 
in  a  rot  pile  1  spread  in  the  manure  yard  as  a 
foundation  for  the  manure  piles  and  a  good  ab- 
sorbent it  becomes  too  I  nave  no  sympathj- 
with   burving   plant    food    in    trenches    in    the 

f  round;  my  practice  has  taught  me  to  keep  the 
ood  near  the  surface  of  the  ground.  It  will  find 
its  way  down  fast  enough.— Wm.  FALCONER. 


1.595.  Hardy  Boses  At  the  recent  meeting  of 
the  American  Pomological  Society,  in  Florida, 
the  following  were  given  in  answer  to  an  inquiry 
for  lists  of  best  six  and  best  ten  Hybrid  Per- 
petual Roses,  viz.;  Mr.  Dunning's  list — Mai*shall 
P.  Wilder,  Baroness  Rothschild.  Baron  de  Bon- 
stetten,  Maria  Bauman.  Anne  de  Diesbach, 
Gabriel  Luizet,  Louis  Van  Houtte,  Eugenie  Ver- 
dier,  Mabel  Morrison.  General  Jacqueminot.— 
Mr.  A.  Lamb's  list— Marshall  P.  Wilder,  Baron 
de  Boustetten,  Anne  de  Diesbach,  General  Jac- 
queminot, John  Hopper,  Caroline  de  Sansal, 
Princess  Camille  de  Rohan,  Louis  Van  Houtte, 
Coquette  des  Alps.— W.  C.  Barry's  list— Marshall 
P.  Wilder,  Baron  Bonstetten,  General  Jacque- 
minot. John  Hopper,  Baroness  Rothschild,  Caro- 
line de  Sansal,  Anne  de  Diesbach,  Merville  de 


European  Methods  of  TTaining  CJirysanthemumf!,  Shounng  the  Forms  and 

without  damage.    This  i  Lyon,    Louis   Van     Houtte,    Madame    Gabriel 

Luizet.     It   will   be   seen   that   the   following: 

Marshall  P.  Wilder,  Baron  de  Bonstetten,  Anne 
de  Diesbach,  Louis  Van  Houtte  and  General 
.Tacqueminot,  are  included  in  each  list;  Baroness 
Rothschild,  Madame  Gabriel  Luizet,  John  Hop- 
per, and  Caroline  de  Sansal,  are  found  in  two  of 
the  lists,  while  Marie  Bauman.  Kugenie  \  erdier, 
Mabel  Morrison,  Princess  Camillie  de  Rohan, 
Coquette  des  .\lpes  and  Merville  deLyon  receive  : 
the  recommendation  of  but  one.  These  lists 
may  be  safely  followed  by  planters. 

1,539.  ftuince  Propapation.  They  are  usually 
grafted  on  short  pieces  of  Apple  roots  -F.  L  W. 

1,547  Haisins  from  American  Grapes.  Bright- 
on, Duchess,  Empire  State,  Walter  and  many 
other  pure  flavored  American  Grapes  (or  crosses 
with  the  foreign  1'.  rinifera)  make  good  raisins 
for  culinary  purposes  They  can  be  dried  by 
laving  perfect  bunches  of  fruit  on  racks  made 
of  common  plastering  lath,  and  placing  in  a 
warm,  dry  room.  Tumthe bunches  occasionally 
and  pick  out  all  berries  that  show  any  signs  of 
mold.-F.  L  W. 


European  Methods  of  Training 
Chrysanthemums. 
On  this  page    are   shown    some   devices 
employed  in  Europe  for  training  Chrysan- 
themums in  various  forms.    The  illustra- 
tions were  re-engraved  from  our  German 
contemporary.  The  Gaertner  Zietung, 
the  originals  bemg  accompanied  by 
an  extended  article.      The  lower  en- 
graving    represents     some     young 
plants   during   the   summer    course 
of   treatment    being  placed  in  con- 
junction with    a   light   wire    trellis 
which  permits  of  tying  up  the  plants 
in  any  desired    shape.     The    forms 
above  are  simple  wire  devices  such 
as    any    person    could    readily    con- 
struct.     They  possess  the  merit   of 
allowing  the  plants  to  be  trained  in 
a  way  very  prim    and   pleasing.    It 
is  true  no  one  at  least  no  American 
would  fancy  seeing  an  entire  collec- 
tion of  Chrysanthemums  trained  in 
these  and  other  formal  styles,  for  the 
round    form  of   bush  in  which  an  air  of 
freedom    prevails  is  in  the   generality   of 
cases  more  suitable.     But  unquestionably 
every  gardener  delights  in  trying  his  hand 
at  working  out  at  least  a  few  specimens  in 
some  such  a  way  and  to  such  these  sugges- 
tive engravings  should  be  of  use. 


Ontario  Fruit  Growers  in  Council. 

The  Exhibit.  The  fruits  exhibited  on 
the  stage  of  the  Music  Hall  in  Windsor, 
Ont.,  during  the  meeting  held  on  December 
10,  U  and  l'2th,  consisted  of  some  line  speci- 
mens of  the  Apples  commonly  grown  in 
Ontario,  together  with  a  number  of  Cana- 
dian seedlings,  also  a  few  Pears.  The  Kerr 
ventilated  barrel,  shown  by  the  manufac- 
turer, seems  to  combine  some  good  features 
and  makes  a  handsome,  and  cheap  package, 
alike  serviceable  for  shipment  and  for  home 
storage.  We  are  favorably  impressed  with 
it.  For  the  United  States  this  barrel  is 
manufactured  by  the  Kerr  Barrel  and  Box 
Co.  of  Muscadine,  la. 

Officeks.  The  choice 
of  the  meeting  for 
president  fell  upon  Mr. 
A.  M.  Smith  of  St. 
Catherines.  Mr.  L. 
Woolverton,  of  Grims- 
by, is  secretary  of  the 
association. 

Ontario  Fri'it  List. 
The  fruit  committee 
presents  a  catalogue  of 
-\pples,  on  which  they 
have  been  engaged 
with  the  object  of  es- 
tablishing a  standard 
for  the  guidance  of 
judges  at  fairs.  Other 
fruits  will  be  taken  tip 
in  their  turn.  The 
standard  of  each  varie- 
ty is  fixed  in  four  con- 
siderations, 1,  as  to  its  dessert  quality;  2,  its 
cooking  quality;  3,  its  value  for  home  mar- 
ket: 4,  its  value  for  foreign  market.  The 
list  apparently  is  prepared  with  great  care, 
and  when  finished  will  be  thoroughly  re- 
liable. Mr.  McD.  Allan,  the  ex -president, 
is  a  member  of  the  committee,  and  one  of 
the  best  posted  men  on  the  value  of  Apples 
for  foreign  market.  The  following  may 
serve  as  samples:  Fameuse,  8,  5,  9,  8;  Falla- 
water,7, 8,  8, 9;  Mann,  4.  7,  7, 8;  Esopus  Spitz- 
enburg,  9,  7,  9,  10;  Gravenstein,  9,  9,  10,  10; 
Baldwin,  2,  5,  7,  8;  Ben  Davis,  J,  1,  8,  9; 
Northern  Spy,  10,  10,  10,  10,  etc. 

Discussion  on  Varieties.  The  proper 
rating  of  varieties  brought  out  a  lively  dis- 
cussion, especially  in  regard  to  the  follow- 
ing sorts.  Prhtccss  Louise,  Mr.  McD.  Allan 
and  Mr.  Woolverton  have  a  high  opinion  of 
it;  fine  for  dessert  and  market  Christmas. 

ExiipiiK  Spitzcnhcrrj.  Mr.  Mc  D.  Allan 
says  it  should  not  be  allowed  to  shrivel.  1 
kept  in  somewhat  damp  room  it  will  remain 
crisp,  brittle  and  in  best  condition. 

yellow  TruHb-parciit.  This  is  rated  low 
in   the    Fruit    List,  namely,  5,  7,  4,  0;  but 


the  Developed  Piont.s. 


Summer  Tralninu  of  the  Chrysanthemum. 

most  members  pronounce  it  much  later,  and 
perhaps  of  better  quality  than  Early  Har- 
vest. A  quality  that  all  speak  o£  it  well  for 
is  that  it  does  not  spot.  The  ex-president, 
however,  disputes  that  it  is  very  valuable, 
and  does  not  hesitate  to  put  the  Early  Harv- 
I  est  2  or  3  pouits  ahead  of  it. 


iSgo. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


95 


Salomr.  Mr.  T.  T.  I>yon  of  Jtichigan 
considers  it  third  or  fourth  rate  in  quality, 
and  not  so  very  aUriictive  in  appearance 
or  size.  Tree  not  hardy;  growers  in  Ontario 
and  Micliigan  liave  no  need  of  it. 

(irimc's  (ioUlrn.  Prof.  Sannders  spealvs 
in  praise  of  its  fine  iiuality,  luit  the  men  of 
the  fruit  committee  say  it  is  not  attractive 
enough,  and  not  linown  enough  to  bring  an 
extra  price.  Its  color  is  against  it.  Looks 
too  much  like  common  poor  stuff. 

lied  CdiKidii.  Is  a  long  keeper,  says  Mr. 
T,yon,and  often  passes  as  a  Baldwin  in  mar- 
ket. Mr.  Wilson  states  that  the  exporters 
label  any  red  Canadian  Apple  they  don't 
know.  "Red  Canada."  People  can  not  tell 
how  the  true  variety  would  sell. 

Ben  Ihivif:.  Mr.  Denipsey  states  that  he 
can  make  more  money  from  one  tree  of  Ben 
Davis,  than  from  one  tree  of  any  other  kind. 
He  encourages  the  growth  of  good  healthy 
foliage,  by  judicious  pruning  and  thinning, 
and  gets  fine  well-colored  fruit.  Sold  his 
crop  at  *:}  per  bbl.  in  the  orchard  this  year. 
Mr.  A.  Elliott  says  the  grower  who  sells  a 
barrel  to  his  neighbor  for  S2  robs  him  of 
*1.T.5.  Would  not  advise  anyone  to  plant  it. 
The  ex-president  fears  that  wlien  the  con- 
sumer in  England  gets  better  acquainted 
with  it,  they  will  not  want  it  any  more.  The 
Baldwin  now  is  gradually  losing  in  favor, 
and  R.  I.  Greening  is  growing.  The  oppo- 
sition against  the  poor  quality  of  Ben  Davis 
among  members  was  quite  general, although 
some  held  that  its  proper  season  was  spring, 
and  at  that  time  a  Ben  Davis  was  better 
than  no  Apple. 

AppJcs  for  Essex  County.  Mr.  Alonson 
Elliott  complains  that  we  have  no  good 
early  Apple.  Early  Harvest  is  now  a  failure, 
scabby,  cracked,  etc.  Red  Astrachan, 
Dutchess,  etc.,  none  are  good.  Fameuse 
(Snow)  is  a  good  late  fall  fruit.  For  winter 
Baldwin  is  good.  He  can  afford  to  raise  it 
for  SI  per  bbl.  easier  than  King  for  *2. 
Complains  about  tree  dealers.  A  neighbor 
bought  100  Baldwins.  He  has  now  five 
Baldwins  and  95  other  varieties.  He  never 
bought  an  Astrachan,  yet  has  13  of  them. 
The  tree  agent  knew  better  what  he  wanted 
probably.  The  Russet  grows  deformed. 
Of  Spitzenberg  there  is  not  a  barrel  of  good 
ones  in  the  county.  Talman  Sweet  is  best 
for  baking,  and  a  good  hardy  tree.  Northern 
Spy  better  adapted  to  heavy  soil  than  to 
light.  Other  Apples  that  find  a  place  with 
the  speaker  are  Greening,  Stark,  Mann, 
Canada  Red,  Peck's  Pleasant. 

Fruits  for  Exhibit.  The  discussion  on 
the  question:  Should  fruits  exhibited  be  the 
honn  fidi:  growth  of  the  exhibitor:-  resulted 
in  the  adoption  by  the  Society  of  a  resolu- 
tion, that  in  the  opinion  of  the  Association 
all  exhibitors  of  fruits  at  fairs  should  be  re- 
quired to  sign  a  declaration  that  the  fruits 
shown  are  of  their  own  growth,  and  that 
they  agree  to  forfeit  all  premiums,  and  be 
deprived  of  the  privilege  of  exhibiting  for 
two  years,if  this!proves  otherwise.  Mr.McD. 
Allan  speaks  against  the  practice  of  induc- 
ing individuals,  by  premiums,  to  exhibit 
large  collections,  as  it  is  not  profitable  to 
grow  so  many  varieties.  Premiums  might, 
however,  be  offered  properly  for  large  col- 
lections exhibited  by  societies. 

Horticulture  in  School  Room.  Mr. 
Chas.  W.  Garfield  {  Michigan )  speaks  very 
earnestly  about  the  problem  of  interesting 
the  young  in  horticluture.  He  does  not 
believe  that  thi^  can  be  done  in  the  school- 
room until  the  instructors  themselves  are 
interested.  This  is  not  now  the  case,  and 
little  can  be  hoped  from  that  quarter  at 
present:  but  we  might  have  neighborhood 
gatherings:  not  such  of  the  men  only,  to 
talk  of  Apples,  and  how  much  they  bring 
in  market,  etc.  The  women  and  children 
should  be  sandwiched  in,  and  the  gathering 
be  made  of  interest  to  them.— Mr.  A.  Mc- 


Neil of  the  High  School  of  Windsor  tells 
that  he  finds  little  difficulty  in  interesting 
his  scholars  in  horticultural  matters,  but  he 
does  it  as  far  as  practicable  by  means  of 
object  lessons.  To  demonstrate  the  prin- 
ciples of  budding,  for  instance,  he  takes 
some  young  wood,  and  some  buds  to  school, 
and  performs  the  operation  before  their 
eyes.  Thus  they  learn  it  easily,  and  are 
anxious  to  begin  practical  experiments. 

Hardy  Fruits.  Prof.  Wm.  Saunders, 
Director  of  the  Experiment  Stations,  calls 
attention  to  the  fact  that  in  the  northern 
part  of  the  Province  there  are  thousands  of 
people  who  have  as  yet  no  fruit  of  any  kind. 
It  is  one  of  the  chief  objects  of  the  stations 
to  introduce  from  similar  climates  in  other 
countries,  orto  originate  such  sorts  of  fruits, 
especially  Apples  that  are  perfectly  hardy, 
so  that  fruit  can  be  at  every  man's  door. 
Hopes  much  from  Prof.  Budd's  and  Mr. 
Gibb's  work.  New  consignments  of  later 
Apples  and  of  Cherries  are  on  the  way  from 
Russia.  Seedsof  fair  eating  Apples,  Pears 
and  Cherries  have  been  procured  from  Riga 
in  Russia,  or  north  of  it.  Thus  far  1,.500 
seedlings  have  been  grown  at  the  stations, 
and  will  be  planted  out.  By  making  similar 
experiments  on  a  scale  large  enough,  the 
chances  of  success  will  be  multiplied.  Man- 
itoba wants  some  Apples,  and  anything  in 
the  line  will  do,  if  only  hardy  enough.  An 
arrangement  has  been  made  with  the  U.  S. 
authorities  in  Washington,  D.  C,  for  an 
exchange  of  seeds,  plants,  etc.,  between  the 
United  States  Department  of  Agriculture 
and  Stations. 

Fruit  Growers'  Meeting.  Prof.  Saund- 
ers also  announces  that  a  meeting  of  the 
Canadian  fruit  growers  will  be  held  at 
Ottawa  on  Feb.  nith,'20th  and  -Jlst,  1890,  and 
the  Canadian  government  offers  quite  an 
amount  of  prizes  for  best  exhibits  of  Cana- 
dian fruits. 

Ev.\PORATlON  OF  FRUITS.  Mr.  L.  B.  Rice, 
of  Port  Huron,  Mich.,  gives  an  interesting 
account  of  the  gradual  development  of  the 
industry.  The  importance  of  an  evaporating 
establishment  is  not  measured  by  the  per 
cent  of  profit  it  yields  to  the  owner,  but  by 
the  amount  of  money  brought  into  the 
vicinity  by  it.  A  great  danger  is  at  present 
threatening  the  evaporated  Apple  industry. 
The^  Hamburg  local  authorities  have  for- 
bidden the  sale  of  American  evaporated 
apples  for  the  reason  that  zinc  oxide  (a  strong 
poison)  has  been  found  on  them.  The  pres- 
ence of  this  oxide  is  due  to  the  chemical 
action  of  the  fruit  acid  on  the  zinc  with 
which  the  galvanized  iron  wire  screens  or 
trays  are  coated,  not  to  the  action  of  the  sul- 
phuric acid  used  in  bleaching,  as  was  sup- 
posed by  some  parties.  Hamburg  and 
Amsterdam  are  our  principal  foreign  mar- 
kets for  evaporated  Apples,  and  New  York 
exporters  say  that  up  to  this  date  our  export 
demand  has  been  next  to  nothing.  We  can 
sell  in  Hamburgh  only  if  the  goods  are  ac. 
companied  by  a  chemist's  certificate  that 
they  are  free  from  zinc.  This  is  a  grave 
affair  and  should  not  be  passed  by  lightly. 
We  will  have  to  meet  the  case  by  using 
wooden  trays  or  ungalvanized  wire  cloth. 
Here  is  a  matter  to  receive  the  attention 
of  the  makers  of  evaporating  outfits. 

Specialties.  Mr.  McD.  Allan  speaks  in 
favor  of  growing  special  crops  in  each  sec- 
tion. WTiere  Peaches  and  Grapes  succeed 
as  they  do  in  this  section  of  Canada,  let 
Peaches  and  Grapes  be  made  a  specitilty. 
It  pays  to  cultivate  the  soil,  and  to  feed  the 
crops  properly.  Growers  are  yet  too  neg- 
lectful in  these  respects.  He  also  mentions 
that  it  would  be  absurd  to  attempt  advising 
from  a  distance  any  one  what  varieties  of 
fruits  to  plant  in  a  given  locality.  An  ex- 
pert can  give  a  list  of  valuable  fruits,  but 
the  grower  himself  must  select  from  it  those 
best  suited  to  his  particular  soil  and  section. 


THE    COMPLETE    GARDEN.* 
XXXIIL 

BY  A  WELL-KSOWS  HORTICUI.'njRIST. 

{Continued  from  page  T2.)  ■ 

CLASSIFIED  LISTS  OF  ANNUAL  AND   BIENNIAL 
FLOWERS. 

For  Key  to  Selection  sec  December  Issue. 
Class  6.  Half-hardy  Annuals  and  Biennials. 
The  kinds  of  annuals  embraced  under  this 
head  are  such  as  need  for  germination  and 
growth,  the  aid  of  more  heat,  than  do  the 
hardy  annuals,  in  this  respect  being  like 
Corn,  Beans,  Tomatoes,  etc.  among  garden 
vegetables.  The  seeds  should  therefore  not 
be  sown  outdoors  until  the  season  is  some- 
what advanced,  say  at  Corn-planting  time — 
or  when  warm  weather  is  near  at  hand;  if 
sown  when  the  ground  is  cold  they  are 
liable  to  rot. 

H^ame,  height  in  feet.        Color.  Season. 

Abronia.  Several 

varieties— ^    .....  rose     July,  Aujr. 

X  H    Acroclinium        (fiose 

Everlasting).      Sev- 
eral   varieties,    In- 

cludiDK  double — I.  rose,  etc . . . E verlast'g. 
AlODsagrandiflora— l.scar/cf  ..    June,  Oct. 
r  (())  Althiva  {Hollyhoeli)  in 

variety— 3-6 vaiiotis  ..  Aug.,  Oct. 

X  Amaranthus  in  var- 
iety. Including  Lotx 

Lies  Bleedinij,  Prin- 

ecss  Feather,  Foun- 
tain Plant,  etc — 2-d.red,ete    ..Augr,,  Oct. 
Anagallis  [Pimpeniel) 

in  variety— 1  TAue,  etc. ..June,  Oct. 

T      Aster.     In  large  vai-- 

iety  and  many  colors 

—1-3 varimis       Aug.,  Oct. 

X       Braehycome    iberidi- 

foUa    iSwan    River 

Daisy)— H blue Aug.,  Oct. 

Callirhoe  pedata— 2..uio!e(,«)MteJuly,  Sept. 
X  (ft)  Campanula     medium 

{Canterbury  Bclbin 

variety    wh  ite.pinkJune,  Sept. 

/  r     Centaurea  {Dusty  Mil- 

!<T)gymnocarpa— IHpurpie. 

Candida— 1 white. 

s        Cherianthus        (Wall 

flower"!  in  var.— 1-2    ycHow,  etc  June,Sept. 
Dahlia,  Single  in  var . ranoiis ...  July,  Sept. 
b        Euphorbia  marjinata 

Variegated   S^mrge) 

—2    vartegotcd.Sept. 

Fenzlia     dianthiflora 

—  "^s  cream.etc.  June,  Aug 

r      GaiUardiapictaiPa!n(€<i 

aaiUardia)—!  yellow,  etc. Aug  ,  Oct. 

i(        Helipterum  Sanfordi 

— I'^i        j/ettoic.  ..  .Everlast'g. 

Zh  Linum  iFlax\  Sev- 
eral species  and  var- 
ieties—1-2  i^artous  . .  Aug., Sept. 

s        Lobelia     gracilis     in 

variety—)^ bluc,etc.    June,Sept. 

s{h)  Mathiola  biennis  {In- 

termcdiate  and 

Brompton  Stocks) — 

1^-2 x^arious  ... June,.Vug. 

!<        Mesembryanthemum 

glabrum(De!i'Pton() 

— J4 red   ..  ..    July,  Sept, 

Y  Slormordica    balsam- 

ina  {Balsam  Apple) 

—10 yellow. 

Nemophila         {Love 

Grove)invaT.—%... various  ..  July,  Sept. 
Pansy.    See  Viola  tri- 
color. 
fz     Perilla  Nankinensis.  pu77)k.  ..  Aug.,Sept. 

Y  Petunia  hybrids,  etc. 

Various— 1-1!^      ..  various  ...July,    Oct. 

Salpiglossis  hybrida— l.scaWet  . .  Aug.,  Sept. 

r        Seypanthuselegans— 5yf!;uic.       Aug.,  Sept. 

Th    Verbena  hybrida— ?4  various July,   Oct 

Y  Viola  tricolor  {Pansy 

or     HeaiVs    Ease). 

Many  varieties    .   .varimis       May,  Nov. 
f         Zea  Japonica  (Japan- 
ese Striped  Maize)— o July,  Sept. 

Class  7.  Tender  Annnals,  Perennials  etc. 
Tender  annuals  require  even  more  heat 
for  germination  and  growth  than  do  the 
half-hardy  class,  their  needs  being  similar 
in  this  respect  to  Squashes,  Peppers,  Egg 
•Copyright,  1887.  Popular  Gardening  Publishing  Co. 


96 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


January, 


Plant,  etc.  among  culinary  vegetables.  If 
the  seeds  therefore  are  sown  in  the  open 
air  before  hot  weather  sets  in,  little  or  no 
growth  need  be  expected  while  failure  from 
decay  may  result.  This  class  in  common 
with  half-hardy  annuals  is  often  brought 
on  by  sowing  the  seeds  in  heat  under  glass, 
and  advancing  them  here  to  be  of  some 
size  before  setting  into  the  open  ground. 
b        Amaranthus   tricolor 

( Jascp?rs C'oaf )— 3  ...tricolor July,  Sept 

Z  Balsamina  impatiens 
(Balsam,  Lady  Slip- 
per). Many  var.—l-ivarious July,  Sept. 

X       Browalia  elata  (Am^- 

thyst).    Two  var — blue,  white  July,  Aug. 

V  Calempelisscaber(£c- 

cremocarptts    Vine) 

—10 .oranflfi  .... Aug., Sept. 

b        Canna  Indica  (iTidian 

Shot) DartoMS... Aug.,  Sept. 

Ys    Celosia  cristata'.Cocfcs- 

comb)  crinison,e(cAug.,Sept. 

Ts    Canna  Indica  (Scarlet 

Fruiting  Gourd)— 6 .  red Aug., Sept. 

V  Cucumus     flexuosus, 

etc.  iSnalie   Melon) 

—10  yellow  Aug.,  Sept. 

X  V  Curcubitaaurantiaca, 
etc.  {Orange  Gourd, 
cf-c.,)— 10 yellow       .Aug.,Sept. 

X  I'  Doliehos  lablab  (Hya- 
cinth Bean)  in  var- 
iety—16 jmrple.  ...  Aug.,  Sept. 

Eutoca   Wrangeliana 
—1  litac July,  Aug. 

u        Gomphrena     globosa 

(G/obe  ^maraii(h)..red,  etc  . . - Everlast'g. 

8        Impatiens       Sultana 

(Perennial  Balsam)  .red  July,  Sept. 

Martynia       fragrans 
{Fragrant  31artynia)purple ...  .Aug.,  Sept. 

V  V    Maurandia     Barclay- 

aaa-fl 6!««,  etc..  .June,Sept. 

b        Mimosa  pudica(Sensi- 

tive  Plant)— I  pink. 

Mimulus     hybridum 

{Miinlscy  Flower)  in 

variety various  ..  July,  Sept. 

8  Moschatus      (Mush 

Plant) yellow.  ..  .July,  Sept. 

V  Mukia  scabrella  (Scar- 

let-fruited Mukia).. yellow  ..  .Sept. 
t>        Phaseolus  multiflorua 

{Scarlet      Flowered 

Bean)— 10 scarlet  ..  .July,Sept. 

Z       Portulaca    splendeng 

{Sun  Plant)  in  var- 
iety,    double     and 

single— H    .various  ..  June,Sept. 

u        RhodantUe    Manglesi 

1-3    rose,  etc ...  Everlast'g. 

X  b    Ilicinus    (Castor    OU 

Bean)  in  var. — 4-10. rorious... Aug., Sept. 
Senecio  elegans  (Jaco- 

bea)  in  variety— 1  .  .varivus  . .  July,  Aug. 
s         Solanum        capsicas- 

trum        (Jerusalem 

Cherry)    . i«/ulc. 

u        ThuDbergia  alata  and 

other  varieties— 4 . . j/ci!o(i',e(c. . June,  Sept. 
Vinca      {Madagascar 

Periwinkle)  in  var .  .vaiHous — July,  Sept. 

Class  8.  Bulbs,  Eoots  and  Tubers  that  are 
Annual  in  character.  These  are  such  as 
require  to  be  planted  annually  and  which 
during  the  season  produce  offsets,  which 
in  turn  are  taken  up  in  the  autumn  and 
again  planted  the  following  spring  to  per- 
petuate the  stock,  the  old  bulb  or  tuber 
dying  after  it  has  formed  a  new  plant  and 
a  new  crop  of  offsets. 
b  Caladium  esculentum— 3-4. 
6  Canna  Indica  hybrida.  Many  named  and 
other  varieties— 3-8. 

Dahlia,  double  and  single      Many  named 
and  other  \'arieties-;i-8. 

Er.vthrina  cistgalli  (Coral  Plant)~3-&. 

Gladiolus  in  many  named  varieties— 3-4. 

Hyacinthus  candicans  (Galtoiiia)- 3. 

V  Madeira  Vine— 30. 

OxaUs     Several  species  and  varieties— 1 
Tuberose,  Double-3. 

Tigridia  {Tiger  flaurr).  Several  varieties— 1 
Tritiima  tliiil  lint  /'.Ar;i-3-4, 
b        Richardia  fStmtteil  (ViHa)— 1-3. 

(To  be  Continued.) 


An  Automatic  Rainwater  Switch. 

The  accompanying  figure  shows  a  useful 
device  for  preventing  the  first  or  dirty  water 
from  a  roof  running  into  a  cistern,  thus 
serving  to  keep  the  contents  of  the  reservoir 
comparatively  pure  and  fit  for  culinary  and 
similar  uses.  The  suggestion  comes  from 
Mr.  F.  N.  Landis,  Franklin  Co.,  Pa. 

In  the  engraving  A  represents  the  con- 
ductor from  the  roof,  and  which  terminates 
in  the  tilting  switch  D.  B  is  the  pipe  lead- 
ing to  the  cistern,  C  is  a  flaring  receiver  at- 
tached to  the  pipe  below  and  shaped  to  re- 
ceive one  end  of  the  switch  D  when  the 


An  Automatic  Rainwater  Switch 

latter  is  tilted  in  that  direction.  E  is  a  bar- 
rel for  receiving  the  first  water  from  the 
roof.  F  is  a  float  of  a  piece  of  plank  and 
which  is  connected  with  the  switch  above 
by  a  rod  G.  H  is  a  faucet  for  drawing  off 
the  contents  of  the  barrel. 

The  operation  of  this  self-acting  device  is 
very  simple.  Previous  to  a  rain  the  differ- 
ent features  are  in  the  different  positions 
shown  in  the  engraving  with  the  switch  D 
leading  towards  the  barrel.  Then  when 
it  rains  the  water  from  the  roof  is  at  first 
conveyed  toward  the  barrel.  As  the  barrel 
fills  up  and  the  water  reaches  float  F  this  is 
raised  and  simultaneously  with  it  the  bar- 
rel-end of  the  switch,  until  by  the  time  the 
barrel  is  full,  the  switch  has  tilted  over  into 
receiver  C  and  from  thence  the  water  is 
carried  into  the  cistern. 


Horticulture  in  New  Jersey. 

The  New  Jersey  State  Society  held  its  l.'ith 
annual  meeting  at  Trenton,  December  18th 
and  Wth,  1889.  The  attendance  at  these 
meetings  is  usually  fair:  but  it  is  often  a 
matter  of  wonder  to  us,  that  it  is  not  .several 
times  as  large  in  a  state  where  fruit  and 
vegetable  growing  takes  the  most  promi- 
nent place  in  agriculture,  and  while  so 
much  effort  is  expended  for  making  the 
meetings  interesting  and  instructive. 

Election  of  Officehs.  This  was  held 
on  the  second  day,  and  resulted  as  follows: 
Ralph  Egge,  Hopewell,  president :  W.  C. 
Idell,  Hoboken, vice-president;  E.Williams, 
Montclair,  secretary,  re-elected;  Chas.  L. 
Jones,  Newark,  treasurer,  re-elected. 

Secretary's  Report.  It  is  not  a  plea- 
sant picture  that  Mr.  E.  Williams  unrolls 
before  our  eyes  when  speaking  of  the  past 
season's  achievements  of  the  soil  tiller  in 
New  Jersey.  Weeds,  water,  fungi  and  in- 
sects have  been  the  principal  crops.  With 
much  feeling  the  secretary  refers  to  the 
death  of  Prof.  Geo.  H.  Cook,  who  always 
was  one  of  the  most  ardent  supporters  of 
the  society.  If  an  honest  man  is  the  noblest 
work  of  God,  it  was  well  exemplified  in 
Prof.  Cook's  life. 

Discussion  on  New  Fruits.  The  late 
Mr.  Caywood's  Crystal,  a  white  Raspberry, 
is  highly  spoken  of  by  Dr.  Ward.    It  is  very 


much  better  than  Golden  Queen,  finer 
flavored,  better  colored,  and  quite  produc- 
tive. 

Nothing  can  be  said  about  Grapes,  since 
the  season  has  been  an  abnormal  one.  Dr. 
Ward  is  pleased  with  Minnewaski  Black- 
berry. 

The  older  varieties  of  Strawberries  are 
yet  principally  grown  for  market;  Sharpless, 
however,  is  being  discarded  as  unproductive. 
Mr.  Beebe  has  a  seedling  of  Sharpless  which 
promises  to  fill  the  bill. 

It  seems  that  there  has  been  somewhat  of 
a  lull  in  the  introduction  of  "new  wonder- 
ful fruits"  this  season,  or  the  introducers 
have  been  afraid  to  put  them  into  the  hands 
of  the  fruit  committee  for  testing. 

Lecture  on  Drainage.  Mr.  C.  C.  George- 
son  (late  Professor  of  the  Imperial  College 
of  Agriculture,  Tokio,  Japan)  speaks  in 
favor  of  tile  draining  against  other  methods. 
Land  worth  $.50  and  upwards  per  acre,  if  it 
requires  draining  at  all,  can  be  drained  with 
profit,  and  the  more  valuable  the  land,  the 
greater  is  the  necessity  to  increase  its  pro- 
ductiveness. Our  fruit  crops  are  yet  too 
often  injured  by  an  excess  of  water  in  the 
soil;  and  the  cost  of  thorough  underdrain- 
ing  would  in  many  cases  be  repaid  several 
times  over  by  a  single  crop. 

In  this  climate  we  have  no  crop  that  could 
be  grown  in  swamps,  except  we  have  more 
or  less  control  over  the  water  supply.  In 
Japan  the  Rush  is  grown  on  such  wet  spots 
for  matting,  and  it  is  a  valuable  crop.  It  is 
cut  once  a  year.  Perhaps  we  might  try  it 
here. 

Among  the  benefits  derived  from  draining. 
Prof.  Georgeson  enumerates  the  following: 
1,  It  renders  the  soil  more  porous,  hence  it 
admits  air  needed  for  nitrification  and  other 
chemical  action  on  the  soil,  3,  it  makes  soil 
warmer,  a  thermometer  test  gave  ten  de- 
grees higher  temperature  in  drained  than 
in  undramed  land;  3,  it  lengthens  the  sea- 
son, as  drained  soil  can  be  worked  earlier; 

4,  it  prevents  excessive  baking  of  the  soil; 

5,  plants  in  drained  soil  do  not  suffer  as 
much  from  drought  as  those  ou  uiidrained 
land;  6,  drainage  diminishes  surface  wastes; 
7,  it  increases  the  yield,  and  improves  the 
quality  of  all  crops. 

Open  ditches  should  only  be  used  where 
covered  ones  are  impracticable.  Stone 
drains  may  be  used  where  tiles  are  not 
easily  accessible  and  the  removal  of  stones 
is  desirable.  On  soils  with  heavy  clay  sub- 
soil where  the  surface  is  even,  and  no 
obstructions  in  the  soil,  drains  that  will 
work  well  for  a  time  may  be  made  easily 
and  rapidly  with  a  mold  plow.  But  all 
such  methods  are  mere  make  shifts,  and  the 
tile  drain  is  the  only  perfect  one.  Round 
tile  is  best.  The  less  the  fall,  the  larger 
must  be  the  tile.  Usually  1}{  inside  dia- 
meter is  sutflcient  for  the  laterials;  3  or  3 
inch  tile  for  the  mains.  Provision  must  be 
made  to  carry  off  the  spring  water,  and  .50 
per  cent  of  the  rainfall.  To  lay  out  the 
drains,  a  person  acquainted  with  use  of 
level  snould  be  employed.  The  outlet 
should  lie  the  lowest  part  of  the  field;  the 
main  along  the  lowest  line;  the  laterals 
parallel  and  equi  distant.  In  tenacious  clay  . 
the  laterals  should  not  be  wider  than  35  feet 
apart.  The  fall  should  be  at  least  1  in  600. 
Begin  at  lower  end,  and  ditch  up;  also  lay 
tile  in  same  way.  The  junction  should  be 
laid  by  a  careful  person,  ahd  made  with  the 
junction  or  branch  pipe  where  it  can  be  had. 
Ijay  the  best  few  tiles  at  each  end  of  a 
lateral  in  a  course  to  facilitate  the  flow. 

Collars  are  now  made  to  fit  over  the  joints 
for  the  purpose  of  keeping  out  dirt.  They 
are  very  convenient.  Make  the  outlet  in  a 
substantial  manner,  and  cover  the  mouth 
with  a  wire  screen  to  keep  out  vermin. 

Roots  of  trees,  especially  Willows,  are  apt 
to  enter  and  obstruct  the  drains.    Where 


[890. 


POPULAR  GAPDENING. 


91 


this  is  a  serious  danger,  the  small  tiles  may 
be  encased  in  a  larger  size,  so  that  inside 
and  outside  joints  alternate.  The  collars 
alone  are  in  a  measure  a  preventive.  Where 
said  methods  are  not  employed,  the  trees 
may  be  given  a  thorough  root  pruning  once 
a  year.  Vermin  often  finds  its  way  into 
the  drains,  and  can  only  be  removed  by 
taking  them  up. 

PiiEsiPEXT's  Address.  President  David 
Baird  in  his  annual  address  calls  attention 
to  the  continued  low  scale  of 
prices  for  all  fruits,  and  wants 
the  society  to  find  remedies  if 
possible.  The  influence  of  stock 
upon  cion  and  I'icc  vcrmx  is  yet 
a  subject  for  investigation.  The 
privileges  of  a  good  garden  and 
fruit  patch,  of  lawn,  shrubbery, 
flowers  and  plenty  of  good  read- 
ing, are  named  as  contracting 
influences  to  wayward  tenden- 
cies in  the  young.  The  society, 
he  says,  can  do  much  good  in 
throwing  its  influence  against 
the  practice  of  nurserymen,  etc., 
of  introducing  worthies  novel- 
ties, or  old  things  under  new 
names.  Spraying  fruit  trees 
with  arsenical  poisons,  best 
methods  and  results,  is  recom- 
mended as  a  subject  for  discus- 
sion at  the  meeting. 

Mr.  J.  B.  Rogers,  commenting 
on  the  address,  says  that  in- 
sects have  injured  the  Apple 
crop  in  recent  years  at  the  rate 
of  .*1  a  barrel.  This  is  the  opin- 
ion of  expert  Apple  dealers. 
Better  Apples  are  now  coming 
from  Western  New  York,  and 
the  reason  of  it  is,  that  the 
growers  there  spray  their  trees. 

More  ox  Drainage.— Mr. 
Boynton  tells  us  that  soft-burnt 
tUe  is  by  no  means  the  best,  as 
is  often  supposed.    Collars  over 
the  joints  are  a  good  thing,  and  heavy  as- 
phalt   or    tarred    building    paper  rapped 
around  the  joints  is  next  best.    The  main 
should  be  laid  with  especial  care,  as  any  ob- 
struction in  It  would  make  the  whole  sys- 
tem ineffective.    To  facilitate  inspection  of 
the   main    when  needed,  basins   or  wells 
should  be  sunk  every  200  feet  along  the 
main.    These  extend  somewhat  below  the 
line  of  tiles,  and  the  heighth  of  water  in  the 
bottom   indicates    where    the    drain  is  in 
working  order,  and  where  it  is  not. 
(To  be  Continued.) 


Mezeron  Pink, April;  Golden  Bell(Foc.s!/»i(ii) 
May;  Japan  Quince,  May;  Flowering  Plums 
May;  Flowering  Almonds,  May;  Lilacs, 
May;  Viburnums,  May  and  June;  Honey- 
suckles, May;  Mock  (Grange,  June;  Snow- 
balls, .lune;  Deutzins,  June;  Weigelas,.Iune; 
Clethra,  July;  Spiraeas,  May  to  September; 
Hydrangeas,  August  to  October;  Altheas, 
(Rose  of  Sharon)  August  and  September; 
Purple  Fringe,  July  to  September.  In  the 
margins  of  the  various  shmb-groupa,  there 


ROW  OF  GRAPE  VINES 


VEGETABLE   GARDEN 


j!j>>, 


&^ 


LAWN  \        /      ^i-J 


f^i 


Improving  the  Home  Surroundings. 

A  subscriber  from  the  State  of  Massa- 
chusetts sends  to  this  office  a  sketch  of  his 
home  grounds  size  100x100  feet  with  the 
request  for  some  suggestions  on  arranging 
the  same.  With  the  few  particulars  at  our 
command  we  have  indicated  how  the  vari- 
ous features  which  should  contribute  to  a 
pleasant  home  garden  might  be  arranged. 

The  main  idea  of  this  plan  is  to  have  the 
home  immediately  surrounded  with  a  grass 
plat  embellished  with  trees,  shrubs,  and 
flowering  plants,  with  the  garden  and  fruit 
patch  beyond  the  lawn  to  the  rear  and  side. 
On  each  side  of  the  front  walk  at  the  entrance 
from  the  street  it  is  suggested  that  an 
irregular  clump  of  flowering  shrubs  be 
placed  and  another  one  at  the  left-hand  side 
of  the  front  lawn  near  the  street,  and  yet 
another  and  larger  one  to  the  side  of  the 
house  in  the  direction  of  the  small  fruit 
plat.  The  free  use  of  shrubs  is  recommend- 
ed for  the  reason  that  no  class  of  embellish- 
ments is  more  satisfactory  on  the  home  lawn. 
Take  a  limited  selection  embracing  the 
kinds  which  follow  and  they  will  yield  a 
succession  of  bloom  from  April  until  Octo- 
ber, and  once  planted  they  are  permanent. 


ARRANGING  A  HOME  PLAT,  SIZE  100  BY  100  FEET. 

may  be  set  numerous  hardy  and  other  flow- 
ering plants  also. 
I  Besides  the  shrubs  a  few  ornamental 
''  trees  may  beset  over  the  lawTi,  as  indicated, 
including  the  evergreens  to  the  north  of 
the  rear  part  of  the  house.  A  few  Apple 
or  other  fruit  trees  could  also  be  employed 
in  the  rear  lawn  and  at  the  end  of  the  veget- 
able garden. 

Ohio  State  Horticultural  Society. 

(Condensed    report  of  Twenty-third  Annual  Meeting 
held  at  Columbus,  December  nth  to  Vith,  1389.) 

Prof.  Weed  read  a  very  instructive  paper 
on  remedies  and  preventives  for  injury  by 
insects  and  fungi. 

This  year's  results  in  spraying  Plums  and 
Cherry  trees  with  London  purple  to  prevent 
damage  by  curculio  confirmed  the  opinion 
expressed  last  year  that  it  was  effectual  if 
thoroughly  done.  On  sprayed  trees  only 
'22  8-10  per  cent,  on  trees  not  sprayed  56  per 
cent  of  its  fruit  was  injured;  63,500  Cher- 
ries were  examined  in  the  various  tests. 

He  used  one  ounce  purple  to  ten  gallons 
of  water,  but  thought  a  weaker  solution 
might  be  equally  effective.  (B.  F.  Albaugh 
reported  native  Plums  and  Peach  trees 
injured  by  a  solution  of  this  strength). 
These  two  classes  of  trees  were  said  to  be 
more  susceptible  to  damage  by  spraying 
than  other  trees.  European  Plum  trees 
sprayed  with  the  solution  of  purple  with 
the  addition  of  the  Bordeaux  mixture  to 
prevent  rot,  bore  an  enormous  crop  but  the 
Bordeaux  mixture  adhered  to  the  Plums  at 
picking  time  and  had  to  be  removed  by 
washing  in  a  weak  solution  of  vinegar  and 
water.  Eau  Celestes  would  probably  answer 
as  well  as  the  Bordeau  mixture  and  not 
adhere  to  the  fruit  so  long.  Three  or  four 
weeks  should  intervene  between  spraying 
with  arsenites  and  the  use  of  the  fruit. 


The  Cherry  tree  slug  might  be  destroyed 
by  spraying  with  London  purple,  Pyre- 
thrums  or  Helibore. 

Among  a  great  number  of  remedies  for 
damage  by  the  Cucumber  beetle  covering 
the  plants  with  a  thin  gauze  was  found  to 
be  the  most  efficient. 

The  only  known  preventive  for  the  Straw- 
berry root  louse  which  has  appeared  around 
Columbus,  was  in  rotation  not  fertilizing 
the  patch  only  one  year,  and  avoiding  set- 
ting plants  from  infected  fields. 
The    French    mixtures    (Bor- 
deaux and    Eau  Celeste)  were 
said  to  be  as  effectual  in  com- 
batting fungi  as  the   arsenites 
were  in  destroying  Insects.   The 
copper  mixture  would  also  pre- 
vent leaf  spot  on  the  Quince, 
(not  Apple  scab),  and  were  bene- 
ficial in  preventing  Potato   rot 
and  blight.    Mr.  Weed,  contrary 
to  the  general  opinion,had  found 
London  purple  when  procured 
in   unbroken     packages   direct 
from    the    manufactures    very 
uniform  in  strength, 

Mr.  Harrison  of  Painesville 
related  an  instance  where  a  cow 
was  poisoned  by  pasturing  in 
an  orchard  immediately  after 
spraying.  N.  H.  Albaugh  spoke 
of  several  cases  which  seemed 
to  prove  that  ordinarily  there 
was  little  or  no  danger  owing 
to  the  very  small  amount  of 
poison  which  would  fall  upon 
the  grass.  M.  T.  Thompson  had 
found  Tobacco  dust  effective 
for  the  flea  bealte. 

Novelties,  worthless  and  other- 
wise.   Prof.  Green  spoke  of  the 
E^'x  work  of  the  experiment  stations, 
fj  -^and  expressed  the  hope  that  the 
"^.S^time    would    come    when    the 
public  could  be  protected  from 
the    introducors    of     novelties 
new  varieties  or  old  varieties  under  new 
names,  and  the  originator  of  varieties  really 
valuable  receive  a  just  reward. 

Baspberries.  Gregg  stUl  stands  at  the 
head  as  the  best  late  berry  where  successful 
Palms  was  highly  praised  by  all  who  had 
tested  it  as  the  best  early  blackcap.  It  is 
no  earlier  than  Doolittle,  Tyler,or  Souhegan 
but  ripens  the  bulk  of  its  crop  earlier,  and 
is  larger  and  more  productive.  Hilboro 
was  considered  the  best  second  early.  Ada 
was  doing  remarkably  well  with  some  and 
disappointing  others.  Washington  was 
said  by  M.  Crawford  to  be  of  the  same  class 
as  Shaffer's,  but  hardier,  more  productive, 
firmer  and  of  better  quality,  but  not  quite 
as  large.  Marlboro  was  recommended  for 
family  use  but  not  for  market.  Summer 
pruning  of  its  red  varieties  was  not  advised. 
Blackberries  and  red  Raspberries  might  be 
planted  in  the  fall  but  not  the  Blackcaps. 

Blackberries.  Erie  was  about  as  hardy  as 
Kittatinny,  had  withstood  13°  below  zero. 
N.  Omer  said  cultivate  thoroughly  until 
the  fmlt  was  gathered  then  stop  to  allow 
the  wood  to  ripen.  By  this  means  he  had 
been  able  to  grow  the  Kittatinny  safely. 
Snyder  the  most  satisfactory  generally. 


Constructing  Under  Drains. 

MUd  weather  during  .January  often  gives 
us  a  fair  chance  to  resume  or  continue 
ditching,  and  where  ditches  are  needed,  no 
opportunity  to  construct  them  should  be 
allowed  to  pass  unimproved.  President  W. 
I.  Chamberlain  makes  some  excellent  sug- 
gestions concerning  the  construction  of 
under-drains  in  Coimtry  Gentleman. 

The  Grade. — The  mains  he  says  should 
follow  the  natural  depressions  where  the 
water  runs  ofiE  upon  the  surface  in  wet  times. 


98 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


January, 


of  course  straightening  the  crooks  some- 
what. If  there  is  a  regular  slope  like  the 
roof  of  a  house,  only  not  so  steep,  the  mains 
shoulil  take  the  place  of  the  eaves  troughs, 
and  the  laterals,  if  any,  shoulrl  run  straight 
down  the  slope  as  nearly  as  may  be.  If  the 
fall  is  very  slight,  it  may  need  a  field  level- 
ing instrument  to  lay  out  the  system.  But 
usually  a  very  wet  time  is  the  best  to  locate 
drains.  A  furrow  plowed  then  by  the  eye 
will  work  its  own  grade  or  show  it. 

Digging  Ditches.— It  you  have  not  a 
ditching  machine,  use  a  heavy  breaking 
plow  and  strong  team  to  throw  out  the  first 
eight  or  ten  inches,  only  drive  straight.  If 
possible,  dig  when  there  is  just  enough 
moisture  down  deep  to  ooze  slowly  into  the 
bottom  of  the  ditch  as  you  dig.  Begin  the 
spade  digging  at  the  outlet  and  work  along 
up  the  mains  and  laterals.  The  water  will 
show  the  level.  Permit  no  dips  or  depres- 
sions. Dig  as  narrow  and  true  as  possible 
to  the  required  depth,  and  groove  the  bottom 
of  the  ditch  with  a  bottoming  scoop  of  size 
adapted  to  the  tiles  used.  This  and  the 
ditching  spades,  at  least,  you  should  have 
for  3,000  feet  of  tiling.  I  usually  establish 
the  grade  pretty  nearly  with  the  plow,  plow- 
ing deeper  through  knolls,  and  shallower 
through  depressions,  and  then  dig  two  or 
three  depths  of  the  spade,  according  to  depth 
required,  keeping  the  spade  at  the  same 
angle  all  the  time,  and  thrusting  it  full 
depth  each  time.  This  preserves  the  grade. 
It  takes  a  true  eye.  If  you  have  not  one 
naturally,  you  had  better  hire  a  good,  prac- 
tical tile  ditcher,  and  learn  of  him  a  few 
days.  That  was  what  I  did  at  first.  If 
there  was  no  water  in  the  .soil  to  show  level, 
the  surest  way  is  to  draw  some  into  the 
Held  and,  when  your  eye  on  the  span  level 
says  your  groove  is  cut  straight  and  true 
for  a  hundred  feet  or  more,  turn  in  ,iust 
enough  water  at  the  upper  end  to  test  it. 
It  takes  less  water  than  you  would  think 
and  is  aljsolutely  sure.  If  it  stands  any- 
where in  long  puddles,  you  must  cut  down 
the  high  portions  until  no  puddles  remain. 
Laying  Tiles.— The  groove  should  be  cut 
so  that  the  tiles  will  fit  without  rolling  and 
shall  touch  bottom  all  the  way.  Different 
sized  scoops  should  be  used  for  different 
sized  tiles.  Lay  the  tiles  from  the  outlet 
np  stream,  look  thi-ough  each  tile  to  see 
that  it  is  clear  of  obstructions  and  lay  it  so 
that  it  will  not  rock  or  wobble,  i.  c,  curved 
up,  and  not  down  in  the  middle,  if  curved 
at  all.  Chuck  it  up  tight  against  the  pre- 
ceding tile  and  then  step  forward  upon  it 
and  lay  the  next.  I  prefer  to  stand  in  the 
ditch,  lay  each  tile  by  hand  and  stand  on  it 
to  press  it  firmly  to  its  place.  Assort  the 
tiles  in  scattering  them  along  the  ditch  so 
that  the  harder  burned  (smaller;  ones  shall 
come  together  and  not  be  mixed  among  the 
softer  burned  ones.  But  lay  none  that  are 
not  hard  burned  enough  to  give  a  clear, 
metallic  ring  when  struck  with  a  hammer, 
and,  lay  no  cracked 'or  broken  ones.  For 
junction  with  the  latterals  get  from  the 
kiln,  if  possible,  main  tiles  with  junctions 
formeil,  or  at  least,  holes  cut  for  junctions. 
If  you  have  to  cut  with  a  trowel,  use  great 
care  and  secure  great  perfection.  Remem- 
ber all  the  time  that  the  drain,  if  well  laid, 
should  last  100  years  or  more,  but  if  not  well 
laid,  it  may  not  last  a  year;  also  that  it  is 
no  better  than  its  poorest  part. 

Covering  Tiles.— First,  stand  in  the  ditch 
when  the,tiles  are  laid,  and  with  the  ditch- 
ing spade  shovel  in  the  fine  clay  (the  sub- 
soil last  dug  out)  and  see  that  it  rattles  or 
fills  clear  down  on  both  sides  of  the  tiles. 
Tramp  very  thoroughly  with  the  feet  as  you 
All,  until  you  have  llUed  in  some  eight 
inches  deep.  The  rest  may  be  plowed  in  by 
running  a  very  long  evener  and  long  inside 
lines  and  having  one  horse  on  each  side  of 
the  ditch.    If  possible,  the  Held  drained  in 


the  fall  should  have  been  tilled  in  hoed 
crops  all  summer.  The  soil  and  subsoil  are 
more  moist  early  in  fall,  and  dig  far  more 
easily  than  when  in  turf,  or  even  in  wheat 
or  oats.  Still  further,  the  filling  by  teams 
is  far  easier,  and  the  plowing  of  the  field 
for  the  next  crop  will  efface  all  signs  of  the 
ditch.  In  digging  to  fill  with  the  plow, 
about  half  of  the  earth  had  best  be  thrown 
on  each  side. 

Sizes  of  Tiles,  etc.— In  very  compact 
clay  subsoil,  thorough  drainage  requires 
laterals  from  thirty-three  to  fifty  feet  apart, 
to  drain  the  soil  rapidly  and  thoroughly 
enough  to  prevent  damage  to  crops  after  very 
heavy  rains.  This  porous  soil  of  Iowa  will 
"draw"  100  feet  or  more  each  side  of  a  main 
laid  in  a  ''draw"  or  "slough,"  and  main 
drains  through  depressions,  branching  up 
minor  depressions,  will  usually  be  enough. 
On  my  farm  the  laterals  thirty-three  feet 
apart  and  with  good  fall,  are  all  two-inch 
tiles  and  are  large  enough.  With  fair  fall, 
a  tile  will  drain  an  area  equal  to  one-half  its 
diameter  (In  Inches)  squared.  That  is,  a 
two-inch  tile  should  carry  the  water  from 
one  acre  (two  divided  by  two  and  squared),  a 
four-inch  tile  four  acres,  a  five-inch  tile 
about  six  acres,  and  a  six-inch  tile  about  nine 
acres;  the  less  the  grade,  the  wider  the 
"suction  range"  and  the  longer  the  drain, 
the  larger  the  tiles  required.  A  drain  may 
begin  at  its  lower  end  with  four-inch  tiles 
and  diminish  to  three  and  then  to  two  to- 
wards its  upper  end. 


The  Vallota  or  Scarborougfh  Lily  as  a 
Show  Plant  for  Amateurs. 

We  want  to  give  a  hint  now  to  those  per- 
sons who  delight  to  grow  fine  pot  plants 
either  for  their  own  sake  or  for  the  purpose 
of  exhibition  at  the  horticultural  shows  to 
come  next  August  and  September.  It  is 
with  reference  to  the  use  of  the  valuable 
plant  named  in  the  heading  of  this  article. 
Without  question  there  is  not  another  plant 
in  cultivation  that  It  is  possible  to  bring  to  a 
finer  appearance  of  foliage  and  flowers  by 
August  next  then  can  be  done  with  this  easi- 
ly managed  bulb.  And  yet  we  would  say  to 
those  who  are  accustomed  to  have  but  a 
weak  plant  in  a  pot  with  two  or  three  flower 
scapes,  that  they  can  hardly  form  an  ade- 
quate idea  of  the  extreme  attractiveness  of  a 
specimen  bearing  from  15  to  20  scapes  and 
forming  a  solid  mass  of  brilliant  scarlet 
Howers. 

The  proper  course  to  take,  when  desired  to 
form  large  specimens,  is  to  commence  with 
eight  or  more  bulbs  in  each  pot,  and  then 
examples  of  the  most  magnificent  propor- 
tions can  be  produced  in  a  comparatively 
short  period.  The  best  rule  is  to  begin  with 
eight  or  ten-inch  pots,  and  put  as  many 
bulbs  in  each  one  as  it  will  hold,  without 
their  being  overcrowded. 

The  bulbs  are  now  at  rest,  and  very  favor- 
able opportunity  is  afforded  for  proceeding 
with  the  formation  of  specimens.  The  pots 
must  be  well  drained  by  having  a  layer  of 
crocks,  ranging  from  two  to  three  inches  in 
thickness,  placed  in  each,  and  this  layer 
must  be  covered  with  some  loose  material  to 
prevent  the  fine  soil  working  down  between 
them,  flaky  leaf-mould  being  very  suitable, 
or  that  wanting  Moss,  or  Sphagnum  may  be 
used.  The  compost  most  suitable  is  one 
consisting  of  mellow  fibrous  loam  four 
parts,  and  well-rotted  manure  from  an  old 
hotbed,  leaf-mould,  and  sharp  .sand,  one 
part  each. 

Fill  the  pots  to  about  one-half  their  depth 
with  the  prepared  compost,  placing  a  little 
of  the  rougher  part  immediately  over  the 
material  upon  the  crocks.  Make  it  moder- 
ately firm,  and  then  proceed  to  arrange  the 
bulbs,  and  in  so  doing,  well  work  the  soil 
between  the  roots  and  press  it  moderately 
firm.    The  bulbs  should  be  so  arranged  that 


they  are  equally  distributed  over  the  pot, and 
buried  just  deep  enough  for  the  whole  of 
the  neck  to  be  exposed. 

It  may  be  remarked  that  the  appearance 
of  the  specimens  will  be  materially  improved 
by  the  elegant  foliage  of  small  bulbs  peep- 
ing up  here  and  there  amongst  the  large 
leaves  of  the  flowering  bulbs.  Especially  is 
the  small  foliage  desirable  round  the  edge 
of  the  pots;  and,  as  far  as  practicable,  bulbs 
that  have  an  offset  attached  to  them  should 
be  placed  outside.  If  a  few  small  offsets  are 
available,  they  may  be  distributed  amongst 
the  large  bulbs  for  the  sake  of  the  finish 
they  give. 

Very  little  water  will  be  required  for  the 
bulbs,  until  it  is  seen  that  they  are  commenc- 
ing to  make  new  growth,  still  the  soil  ought 
never  to  be  allowed  to  become  dust  dry  and 
remain  so  for  any  length  of  time.  When  in 
full  growth,  Vallotas  require  rather  liberal 
supplies  of  water,  and  examples  that  have 
filled  their  pots  with  roots  will  be  immense- 
ly benefited  by  weak  liquid  manure  occa- 
sionally. The  best  time  tor  application  of 
stimulants  being  during  the  interval  be- 
tween the  appearance  of  the  flower  scapes 
and  the  expansion  of  the  flowers,  as  it  is 
during  that  period  the  new  growth  is  in 
active  progress. 

The  Scarborough  Lily  being  not  at  all  deli- 
cate in  nature,  may  be  grown  in  the  open 
air  after  the  end  of  May,  and  when  the 
plants  are  placed  out  of  doors,  a  rather  sha- 
dy position  should  be  selected.  Probably, 
the  best  quarters  that  could  ;be  found  for 
them  during  the  summer  season,  are  in  spa- 
cious pit  covered  with  sash,  plants  be  within 
a  moderate  distance  of  the  glass  and  enjoy 
a  free  circulation  of  air  about  them. 

There  is  one  other  point  which  must  be 
alluded  to,  and  that  is  the  liking  which 
slugs  show  for  the  flower  scapes  when  first 
making  their  appearance.  Therefore  wher- 
ever these  marauders  abound,  the  closest 
watch  should  be  kept  upon  the  plants  dur- 
ing the  time  the  buds  are  pushing  up,  or 
much  damage  will  be  done.  As  these  pests 
feed  in  the  night,  they  should  be  taken  by 
the  help  of  a  lamp. 


Nevir    York    Market  IQuotatlons, 


Showing  Tendencies. 


Week  eniiing 
Dec.  18. 
Apples— We.^tern  King,  perbbl..  .S50(a4  00 
Western  Greening,  perbbl..  2  75(?3  25 

Western  Baldwin,  per  bbl 2  75@2  25 

We.stem  Spy,  per  bbl 2  25'<i2  75 

state  Winter  Mixed,  per  bbl.  2  00(!j2  .W 
Greening  up-river,  per  bbl.. 

Baldwin  &  Spy.  per  bbl 

Grape.s— ConcnrdW.N.Y.,51b.b't.     22®   25 

Catawba,  W.N.Y.,. Sib.  basil.     S6@   45 

Cranberries— Cape  Cod. per  cr'te  3  (Ht®3  50 

Jersey,  per  crate 2  75@3  25 

Oranges— Florida,  per  H  bbl  box  1  5(i(«2  50 

Tangerines,  Fla.,  per  box 4  00@6  00 

Mandarins,  Fla.,  per  box 8  0l«r«4  00 

Apples— Ev,iporated,  1889 7    -gilO 

Evaporated,  1888 6    ®  7}< 

N.  C . ,  sliced.  1889 Sfj®,  04 

Ohio  &  Michigan.  1889.  bbls..    4^4®  5 

Tennessee,  1889,  bags S^nj  SJj 

Chopped,  per  lb 3H>® 

Cores  ami  Skins.  I'-'S'.l.  per  II).    2'^.('t  '2\i 
Peaches— Del. evp'lil.pi'il.d'<N.  ir,    mJij 
Del.,  evap't'd.  iiiii'eclcd  S4, , ,    s    dtlit 
N.C.  sundrlcd,  pe.-lcd  wi     .      s    ■■■.U 
Oa.  siinclrlc.l.  p.clc.l.iss'.i....    (;i,_.m  v<, 
Soutlicni.  inip.'.-led,  Iswl,,,,    i',.,!..;  :! 

Ra.spberrie>-Evnpl'<l  1SS9 W    (*2I 

Kundried  1889 21    @?2 

Cherries— 1^49.  per  lb.,  choice...    9    @12 

Hu(klebirrlc.s--18.89,  per  lb 11    ® 

Blackbcrrlis    priiiie.  perlb S    ®  Sk 

riuras— Slate,  issii,  per  lb 8    a  8)^ 

Soutlieni  I  ■unison,  1889,  p. lb.         ®  7 

Cal,.  IWI,  per  ili 8    ®  9 

Apricots,  Cal.,  1889,  per  lb 12    al4 

Potatoes-L.  1.,  bulk  per  bbl. ...  1  S7®2  CO 

Jersey,  per  bbl I  2.'i®l  75 

State,  per  bbl 1  50®  1  87 

Western,  per  bbl 1  00@1  87 

Sweet  Jersev,  per  bbl 2  50®3  75 

Virginia  YeUow,  perbbl..  . 

Oabbage-L.  I.,  per  100 5  00®7  00 

Cucumber— Florida,  per  crate     2  00@5  00 

Egg  plaut-Florlda,  per  bbl 4  00@6 1)0 

SI TlnK  Ileims-  Sf.ulh'n,  p.  crate.  2  0fl@4  00 

Caullll..wer-|.er   l.lil 2  I10®7  00 

(.)nions    <  irunge  Co..  red,  p.  bbl.  1  50(52  50 

Westiru.  red,  per  bbl 1  50®2  25 

Eastern,  red,  perbbl 225®3  00 

Eastern,  white,  per  bbl 5  00®S  00 

Yellow,  per  bbl 1  50®2  00 

Siniash- L.  1.,  Marrow,  iier  bbl. .  1  25®1  50 

L.  I.,  llubbar.i.  per  bbl 1 .50@1  75 

Clelery— L.  I.,  pcrdoz.  bunches..     75@1  50 

Wes'n  &  State,  p.doz.  roots. 
Turnips- Russia.Canada,  p.  bbl.     75®  90 
Russia,  L.  1.,  perbbl 7.5®U0 


Week  ending 
Dec.  4 

4  00(si4  6a 
2  60(»3  0o 
2S0(B3ai 

2  25(«2  50 
150(52  23 

3  0O@2  25 
1  75®  2  00 

20®    28 

25®   SO 

'i  5^3  00 

(i  00®;  n-i 


4UO(?oS 


10 


5  & 


a^jM  ; 


,20 

i.ii. 


2«®  S^ 

2.1    "  " 


21 
9 

11 
5 

8 


j3 
|24 
e22 

1     <% 

8    ®  ,, 
io    (S)  9 
'■    fflH>^ 
12502  00 
1  25®1  t2 

1  110®!  87 

2  50SU87 

2  25®3  .'0 
3 .50®5  00 
1  5Kui  to 

3  0O(»6  00 
I  50®1  75 

1  oivae  (») 

1  50(u  2  50 

1  50®2  25 

2  35®3  00 

3  00@5  00 
1  60@2  00 
1  00®1  25 
1  25®1  50 

7.%«1  00 
20®  35 
60®  65 
76®   90 


POPULAR    GARDENING 


AND   FRUIT  GROWING. 


"AVCUSE   NOT  NATURE,  SEE   HATH  DONE   HEU    PART:    DO    THOV    BUT   THINE." -Miuroti. 


Vol.  V. 


rFEBiarr-A-iair,  is  so. 


No.  5. 


Already  the  feet  of  the  winter  fly. 
And  the  pulse  of  the  earth  begins  to  leap. 
Waking  up  from  her  frozen  sleep. 

And  knowing  the  beautiful  spring  is  nigh. 

Good  St.  Valentine  wanders  by. 
Pausing  hl.s  festival  gay  to  keep— 

Already  the  feet  of  the  winter  fly. 
And  the  pulse  of  the  earth  begins  to  leap. 

To  life  she  wakes  ;  and  a  smile  and  a  sigh- 
Language  the  seoflfer  holds  so  cheap- 
Thrill  her  with  melody  dear  and  deep. 

And  sp'-ing  with  its  mating  time  is  nigh  ; 

Already  the  feet  of  the  winter  fly. 
And  the  pulse  of  the  earth  begins  to  leap. 

—Independent. 


Let  there  be  light  in  the  center  of  fruit 
trees. 


The.htdiciocs  planter  begins  his  season's  work 
early  bj-  studjing  catalogues,  and  sending  his 
orders  for  planting  stock.  Early  bird  has  many 
advantasres 


PENNSYI.TANIA  HORTICULTURAL  .SOCIETY.     G. 

W.  Childs  took  the  chair  as  president  of  the 
Society  on  Jan.  21st  This  is  his  first  acceptance 
of  any  responsibilit.v  of  the  kind,  and  the  society 
may  well  be  congratulated. 


Improved  Packages.  At  the  horticultural 
meetings  we  note  with  great  satisfaction  evi- 
dences of  continual  efforts  on  the  part  of  mechan- 
ical geniuses  to  improve  fruit  packages  and  ship- 
ping devices  in  the  direction  of  lightness, 
simpbcity,  neatness  and  cheapness  iV  wire  box 
handle  which  serves  as  a  spring  to  take  off  the 
jar  is  the  latest. 


American  Horticulture  Society.  The 
expense  of  the  trip  to  Austin,  Texas,  the  place 
of  meeting,  will  be  very  reasonable.  A  special 
train  will  leave  St.  Louis  at  8.10  p.m.  on  Feb.  13th. 
Railroad  tickets  to  Austin  and  return,  good 
going  on  this  special  train,  and  returning  at  any- 
time within  30  days  are  to  be  sold  at  St.  Louis  on 
Feb.  12th  and  13th  for  S2).35.  Fruit  growers  and 
gardeners  who  desire  to  see  something  of  Te.vas 
at  the  least  possible  expense,  and  attend  a  good 
horticultural  meeting  at  same  time,  can  com- 
bine the  two  objects  by  joining  the  society,  if 
they  have  not  already  dtjne  so,  and  remitting  the 
sum  of  $2  00  to  Sec'y  W.  H.  Kagan,  Greencastle, 
Ind. 


Who  is  Successful.  Notwithstanding  the 
complaints  against  the  past  unfavorable  season 
for  horticulturists,  heard  from  many  directions, 
the  fact  remains  that  thousands  of  growers  of 
fruits  and  vegetables  in  the  vicinity  of  American 
villages  and  towns  have  had  a  profitable  season. 
The  growing  of  a  good  assortment  of  products 
near  where  people  are  massed  together  in  large 
numbers,  may  always  be  attended  with  paying 
results.  When  one  thing  fails,  others  do  not. 
Then  people,  as  a  rule,  are  anything  but  well 
supplied  with  a  large  and  varied  assortment  of 
well-grown  vegetables  and  garden  fruits.  These 
grown  and  offered  in  attractive  shape  hardly  ever 
fail  to  And  ready  buyers  at  a  good  profit 


Evaporated  Apples.  To  judge  from  all  the 
reports  now  being  received,  the  crop  of  evapo- 
rated Apples  on  hand  is  not  so  large  that  the 
disinclination  of  -\msterdam  and  Hamburg 
authorities  to  permit  the  importation  of  the 
American  product,  will  be  seriously  felt  for  a 
time.  The  full  extent  of  the  injury  done  us, 
however  may  not  be  known  until  the  next  full 
crop  of  Apples  is  grown,  worked  up,  and  ready 
for  market.  In  the  mean  time  it  will  be  well  and 
wise  to  consider  the  most  promising  means  of 
counteracting  the  prejudice  of  our  foreign  cus- 
tomers. Our  fruit  growers  and  evaporator  men, 
as  well  as  our  professors  and  chemical  authorities 
all  seem  to  be  very  much  agreed  that  Apples 
as  commonly  bleached  and  evaporated,  are  en- 
tirely wholesome,  and  safe  to  use. 


Nomenclature  of  Coix)r.s.  To  describe  the 
colors,  shades  and  tints  of  flowers  and  fruits 
correctly  is  often  a  hard  task,  and  impossible  for 
most  people,  on  account  of  too  slight  acquain- 
tance with  the  nomenclature  of  colors.  In  this 
matter  we  meet  with  two  serious  obstacles;  one 
being  the  lack  of  a  generally  recognized  standard 
of  colors:  the  other  lack  of  opportunity  to  ac- 
quire a  knowledge  of  the  true  nrjracnclature.  First 
of  all  we  need  a  standard  of  colons  and  it  seems 
to  us  that  the  Pomological  Society  or  the  Depart- 
ment of  Agriculture  might  take  this  matter  in 
hand.  Tl^e  publication  of  an  official  chart  of 
colors  would  do  much  in  the  direction  of  ac<iuaint- 
ing  people  with  the  true  nomenclature  of  colors 
and  of  avoiding  confusion.  This  is  well  worthy 
of  the  attention  of  the  U.  S.  Pomologist. 


Society  of  American  Florists.  The  Execu- 
tive Committee  of  this  Association  met  at  Boston 
Jan.  14th,  with  President  Jordan  in  the  chair. 
The  secretary  and  treasurer's  report  showed  the 
finances  of  the  Society  to  be  in  a  more  encourag- 
ing condition  than  heretofore.  Much  enthusiasm 
was  shown  regarding  the  next  annual  conven- 
tion, for  indeed  there  is  much  to  hope  of  any 
meeting  pertaining  to  ornamental  horticulture 
in  a  city  with  such  advanced  ideas  in  this  line 
as  is  possessed  by  Boston.  The  Massachusetts 
Horticultural  Society  will  donate  the  use  of  their 
elegant  Horticultural  Hall,  and  also  change  time 
of  their  summer  show  to  same  week,  occupying 
Music  Hall  for  that  purpose.  The  annual  meet- 
ing of  the  Americar:  Cemetery  Superintendents' 
Association  will  also  be  held  in  Boston  on  same 
days,  with  sessions  held  in  the  afternoons,  when 
the  S.  A.  F.  holds  none.  This  arrangement  will 
admit  of  attendance  to  both  meetings  by  those 
desiring  it.  The  following  is  a  preliminarj'  list 
of  subjects  to  be  treated  in  papers  for  next  meet- 
ing, viz.:  Landscape  Gardening;  Cultivation  and 
Care  of  Best  25  Hardy  Plants  for  Commercial 
Use;  Public  Interest  in  the  Work  and  (Objects  of 
the  Society;  Entomology  in  its  Relation  to 
Florists;  Growing  Importance  of  EasterTrade  and 
Preparations  for  it:  Aquatics:  Cacti;  Horticul- 
tural Exi.ibits  and  Agricultural  Fair;  The  Value 
of  Methods  and  System  in  the  Florist's  Business: 
Horticultural  Chemistry.  The  question  box,  as 
usual,  will  be  an  important  feature,  touching  on 
many  of  the  rttal.interests  of  floriculture.  Plant 
men  and  dealers  will  be  accommodated  for  a  trade 
display  in  Horticultural  Hall  basement.  A  gen- 
eral display  of  ornamental  specialties  will  be 
made  in  connection  with  the  show  in  Music  Hall 
Altogether  the  outlook  for  the  present  years' 
work  is  most  gratifying. 


Western    New   York   Fruit   Growers. 

The  Western  Xew  York  Horticultural 
Society  held  its  35th  annual  meeting  in 
Rochester  on  .January  22cl  and  2.3d.  The 
large  number  always  present  at  these  gath- 
erings almost  filling  the  spacious  hall;  the 
spirited  discussions  in  which  all  seem  to 
participate  freely;  the  array  of  fine  speci- 
mens of  Pears,  Apples,  Grapes  and  other 
fruits  on  the  aldermauic  tables,  as  products 
of  a  season  extremely  unfavorable  to  their 
fullest  development ;  all  these  show  the 
vast  importance  of  the  fruit  growing  indus- 
try in  Western  New  York,  and  indicate  the 
reliability  and  value  of  the  pomological 
truths  here  brought  out. 

PRE.SIDENTIAL  SUGGESTloxs.  President 
Patrick  Barry,  debarred  from  attendance  by 
hygienic  considerations,  sends  a  letter  stat- 
ing that  the  permanent  fund  of  the  society, 
the  substantial  neuclus  of  which  was  fur- 
nished by  Mr.  Barry's  -iijOOO  gift  a  year  ago, 
has  now  reached  nearly  ■*4,000  by  other  con- 
tributions.    The  presitlent  hopes  that  other 


public-spirited  people  will  contribute  for  the 
good  of  the  cause,  and  that  the  fund  will  he 
large  enough  to  enable  the  society  to  offer 
competitive  prizes,  etc. 

While  we  are  near  good  markets,  rapid 
transit  favors  competitors  as  well  as  our- 
selves, and  we  must  try  to  meet  this  com- 
petition by  increased  energy  and  improved 
methods.  In  conclusion,  Mr.  Barry  says 
that  being  unable  to  perform  the  duties  of 
the  presidential  oflBce  any  longer,  he  lays  it 
down  with  profound  gratitude,  and  with  an 
aflfectionate  regard  for  the  society. 

Mr.  S.  D.  Willard,  amid  hearty  applause, 
remarks  that  Patrick  Barry  should  continue 
to  be  president  of  the  association  as  long  as 
as  he  could  write  "yours  truly.'' 

The  House  Fly.  Mr.  C.  li.  Zimmerman 
presents  a  paper  giving  the  life  history  of 
muca  domestica,  the  common  house  fly, 
which  he  says  is  at  home  in  barn  yards,  fields 
and  gardens  as  much  as  in  the  house.  They 
breed  in  warm,  fermenting  horse  manure, 
requiring  from  the  time  the  egg  is  laid  to 
the  development  of  the  winged  fiy  a  period 
of  about  two  weeks.  Consequently,  if  the 
manure  is  carted  out  of  the  bam  yard  once 
a  week  and  .spread  iu  the  fields,  the  breeding 
place  of  the  fly  will  be  destroyed  and  its 
propagation  cheked.  Screens  in  doors  and 
windows  will  keep  the  flies  out  that  may  be 
bred  in  neighbor's  yards. 

Dr.  Lintnersays  while  instances  are  known 
of  the  flesh  fly  having  communicated  disease 
there  is  hardly  any  danger  of  the  common 
house  fly  doing  so. 

Insects.  Dr.  J.  A.  Lintner,  State  Ento- 
mologist, in  his  paper  "Late  Experience 
with  Injurious  Insects  in  Orchard  and  Gar- 
den," cheers  the  assembled  fruit  growers 
with  the  assurance  that  there  is  every  pros- 
pect that  within  a  few  years  almost  every 
insect  now  troubleing  the  fruit  grower,  will 
be  brought  under  control.  An  association 
known  as  that  of  Economic  Entomologists 
had  been  formed  during  the  year,  having 
for  its  ob.iect  co-operation  in  experiments, 
etc.  The  force-pump  is  destined  to  play  an 
important  part  in  our  warfare  with  insect 
pests.  To  go  without  it  is  costly  neglect. 
In  the  preparation  of  arsenical  solutions  the 
minimum  amount  be  used  that  will  answer 
its  purpose.  In  no  case  should  the  solution 
be  of  greater  strength  than  one  pound  of 
poison  to  200  gallons  of  water.  Foliage  of 
more  advanced  growth  seems  to  be  more 
liable  to  injury  from  arsenical  applications 
than  when  first  put  forth.  Of  all  fruit  trees 
the  Peach  is  the  most  readily  injured.  Paris 
green  is  preferable  to  some  fruits;  London 
purple  is  less  injurious  to  others.  White 
arsenic  is  not  safe  to  use,  especially  when 
disolved  by  boiling  or  otherwise. 
{To  be  Continued.) 

The  Artistic  Arrangement  of  Paths. 

L.  B.  PIERCE,  SUMMIT  CO.,  O. 

The  time  has  passed  when  argument  was 
necessary  to  convince  the  average  citizen 
that  curved  walls  are  not  only  more  beauti- 
ful but  often  a  saving  in  distance;  and 
graceful  walks  and  drives  in  many  places 
take  the  place  of  the  old  formal  straight 
paths  with  their  rectangular  corners. 

To  properly  place  paths  so  that  they  may 
just  answer  the  purposes  for  which  they  ara 


lOO 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


February, 


needed,  and  combine  two  or  more  In  one  is 
not  always  easy,  and  many  a  path  laid  by 
some  artistic  hand  would  never  have  got 
there  without  some  precious  careful  study 
and  knowledge. 

I  was  once  called  in  by  the  trustees  of 
Buchtel  College,  in  Akron,  Ohio,  to  give 
advice  in  arranging  a  more  convenient  front 
walk.  In  the  Fig.  at  the  left  c  represents  the 
college  edifice  facing  Jliddleburg  street, 
which  originally  wa.s  reached  by  a  straight 


The  center  figure  represents  the  place  of 
a  gentleman,  the  superintendent  of  a  large 
factory  to  which  his  daily  walks  led  him  on 
the  side  of  the  house  in  the  direction  of  /. 
The  ground  was  filled  in  front  of  the  house 
to  bring  the  lawn  to  the  grade  of  the  corner 
at  d.  At  my  suggestion  the  contour  of  the 
fill  from  (7  to  ;;  was  changed,  and  a  gravel 
walk  made  for  a  daily  short  cut  to  the  back 
of  the  house.  This  fill  was  about  five  feet 
higher  than  the  ground  at  /,  which  was  a 


blend  them,  and  you  cannot  fall  to  produce 
a  good  effect.  Yellow  is  the  sunshine  of  a 
bouquet,  but  you  must  use  it  sparingly  or  it 
will  produce  a  glare.  But  a  wise  choice  of 
this  color  always  lends  cheerfnlness.  In 
making  saucer  bouquets  you  can  use  flowers 
very  choice,  or  with  stems  so  short  you 
would  lose  them  in  other  bouquets.  Rose 
Geranium  leaves  alternating  with  Tulips 
make  a  beautiful  edge  about  any  shallow 
dish;  then  lay  in  Balsams,  Pansies,  a  Tea 
Rose  or  any  dainty  blossom  you  have,  being 
careful  to  have  plenty  of  Sweet  Alyssum  or 
some  fine  white  flower  to  blend,  and  you 
will  be  charmed  with  the  result.  A  low 
glass  dish  filled  with  damp  moss,  edged  with 
j  Geranium  leaves,  and  filled  in  with  Sweet 
Alyssum  for  a  ground  work,  then  Pansies 
set  star-like  against  the  whiteness,  makes 
the  lovliest  center  table  ornament  I  ever 
saw.  By  sprinkling  every  morning  it  will 
keep  its  freshness  much  longer  than  ordinary 
bouquets.  A  large  shell  filled  with  sand 
and  Smilax,  Kenilworth  I\^  or  any  fine 
creeper,  falUng  over  the  edge;  a  few  Purple 
Verbenas,  some  Golden  Caliopsis  and  a  dash 
of  white,  will  throw  a  gleam  of  brightness 
from  a  bracket  shelf.  Select  Roses  of  deli- 
cate white  or  creamy  neutral  tint,  for  the 
flowers  should  be  the  point  of  color. 


PLEASING  ARRANGEM 

walk,  represented  by  the  dotted  lines  at  b. 
Opposite  a  was  College  street,  or  the  right 
hand  sidewalk  of  that  street,  as  you  came 
from  the  principal  part  of  the  city  or  down 
town.  On  reaching  Middleburg  street  by 
the  straight  walk  the  students  must  turn  a 
right  angle  and  travel  half  a  square  to  reach 
College  street,  and  they  soon  got  to  forsak- 
ing the  broad  flag-stones  and  striking  in  a 
diagonal  direction  for  College  street  across 
the  grass.  An  unsightly  barbed  wire  fence 
was  put  up  to  prevent  them  from  running 
across  the  corner;  but  this  was  easily  torn 
down  in  the  night,  and  finally  on  the  erection 
of  an  ornamental  iron  fence  around  the 
ground  I  was  called  in  to  offer  suggestions. 

I  had  previously  located  the  walk  in  my 
own  mind  as  I  passed  that  way,  so  it  was 
but  a  few  minutes  work  to  stick  the  stakes 
for  a  path  which  not  only  led  to  College 
street  in  a  pretty  direct  fashion,  but  gave  a 
more  artistic  appearance  to  the  lawn. 

After  the  stakes  were  in  place,  one  of  the 
gentlemen  present  remarked,  "That's  easy; 
why  didn't  we  do  that  in  the  finst  place." 
The  Fig.  at  the  right  shows  a  comer  lot 
also  in  Akron  fronting  on  the  street  h  with 
a  side  entrance  on  the  side  street  f.  The 
owner,  a  foreman  in  a  large  manufactory, 
when  he  built  the  house  put  down  plank 
walks  leading  from  either  sidewalk  as  shown 
by  dotted  lines,  and  also  connected  the  two 
doorsteps  with  a  similar  walk  parallel  to  the 
sides  of  the  house,  all  angles  being  right 
angles.  After  some  years  the  street  grade 
was  established,  and  he  tore  up  the  planks, 
graded  and  seeded  his  grounds. 

He  obtained  the  design  of  walk  across  the 
corner  at  /  as  shown  in  illustration,  and  the 
walks  were  laid  out  accordingly,  excepting 
the  little  triangular  grass  plot  at  the  inter- 
section of  the  walks,  which  he  had  left 
wholly  in  gravel.  Several  trees  now  adorn 
his  yard  planted  at  regular  distances,  and 
in  the  gravel  triangle  a  square  wooden  box 
filled  with  earth  nourishes  a  few  Geraniums, 
instead  of  the  little  grass  plot  with  two 
Yuccas  and  a  clump  of  German  Iris  that  I 
should  have  placed  there;  and  opposite  across 
the  walk,  instead  of  the  Siberian  Arbor 
Vitae,  Goldeu  Retinospora  and  Suecica 
nana  that  I  should  have  planted,  he  has  a  ; 
few  straggling  Rose  bushes  that  fall  victims 
each  spring  to  bugs  and  thrips.  | 


ENT  OF  FRONT  WALKS. 

'  rich  alluvial  flat  devoted  to  vegetables.  To 
separate  the  ornamental  from  the  vegetable 
garden  I  planted  a  Hemlock  hedge  on  the 
brow  of  the  terrace,  which  after  12  years  is 
perfect  and  beautiful. 

Against  my  earnest  protest  the  owner, 
two  years  later,  planted  on  the  other  side  of 
the  lawn  a  hedge  coinciding  exactly  with 
the  first,  excepting  that  it  was  reversed,  to 
lead  to  the  right  instead  of  to  the  left.  It 
divided  the  narrow  but  beautiful  lawn  into 
two  unmeaning  divisions,  the  only  reason 
the  owner  giving  was  to  make  the  front 
lawn  symmetrical,  which  it  fails  to  do  in 
reality,  as  the  hedges  having  been  planted 
some  years  apart  vary  much  in  height. 


Blending  Colors  in  Bouquet  IVIatcing. 

MRS.  L.  H.  GALE,  BARTON  CO.,  MO. 

Nature  should  be  one's  teacher  in  blending 
colors,  but  she  has  hersecrets.  The  moment 
we  transfer  flowers  from  the  garden  or  their 
wild  wood  home  to  our  drawing  room,  the 
charm  is  broken.      Nature  gives  us  the  lol-  , 


Culture  of  Raspberries. 

WM.  H.  TEOMA.NS,  TALLAKD  CO..  CON.V. 

Where  twenty -five  years  ago  one  garden 
could  be  found  in  which  Strawberries  were 
cultivated,  probably  ninety-nine  can  be 
found  to-day.  The  Strawberry  has  in  fact 
come  to  be  a  common  fruit.  Not  so  the 
Raspberry,  and  yet  this  possesses  a  richness 
of  flavor  excelling  even  that  of  the  Straw- 
berry, and  its  culture  is  no  more  difficult. 
It  delights  in  a  fairly  moist,  rich  loam  in 
which  it  will  make  a  vigorous  growth;  but 
the  making  of  the  most  vigorous  growth  is 
not  the  most  desirable  point  to  be  secured, 
for  canes  of  almost  indefinite  length  may 
be  secured  in  rich  soil.  The  aim  should  be 
to  produce  canes  that  have  such  a  degree  of 
maturity  and  strength  that  they  can  pro- 
duce and  successfully  sustain  an  abundance 
of  fruit  the  following  season.  Last  spring 
we  set  some  roots  of  different  varieties,  that 
came  from  Western  New  York;  the  soil  was 
a  rich  black  loam,  and  the  plants  made  a 
prodigious  growth.  I  was  compelled  to  give 
them  severe  and  frequent  prunings  by  head- 
ing back,  and  by  that  means  we  feel  pretty 
sure  that  with  reasonably  favorable  condi- 
tions we  shall  get  some  choice  fruit.  Late 
in  the  season  some  of  the  canes  showed  a 


IDEAL  CHEAP  HOT-BED  AND 

lowing  hints:  Don't  crowd  yonr  flowers. 
Flowers  have  their  affinities  and  individual- 
ities, and  we  must  respect  them.  For 
example,  a  spike  of  brilliant  scarlet  Gladio- 
lus, with  a  feathery  bunch  of  Asparagus 
and  a  dot  of  white  Feverfews  here  and  there, 
will  light  a  shady  corner  like  a  torch.  But 
smother  your  stately  blossoms  with  Ver- 
benas, Phlox,  Geraniums  and  a  host  of  floral 
beauties,  and  you  will  only  weaken'  the 
effect.  Put  your  scarlets,  crimsons,  and 
purples  in  separate  clumps.    Use  white  to 


FORCING  HOUSE.  See  page  IS). 
I  very  decided  disposition  to  enter  upon  th 
I  work  of  fruiting,  and  just  as  the  leaves  fell 
we  noticed  one  or  two  clusters  of  partially 
developed  berries.  With'  present  prospects 
the  farmer  had  better  manage  his  farm  in 
such  a  manner  as  to  secure  to  himself  and 
family  all  the  pleasures  to  be  derived  there- 
from in  the  way  of  all  varieties  of  small 
fruits  and  vegetables  that  can  be  consumed. 
It  will  require  but  little  effort  but  will  afford 
untold  enjoyment  to  all  who  are  privileged 
to  be  consumers  of  the  products. 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


101 


PETER  HENDERSON. 
The  Great  Horticulturist   Dead. 

When  the  telegraph  on  .lanuary  17  con- 
veyed the  news  of  the  death  of  Peter  Hen- 
derson, of  Jersey  City,  the  most  favorably 
and  widely  known  tlorist.  gardener  and  hor- 
ticultural author  America  has  yet  produced, 
it  carried  deep  sorrow  to  tens  of  thousands 
of  hearts,  all  over  the  country.  He  died  at 
half  past  ten  o'clock  on  the  17th  at  his  home 
on  Jersey  t^ity  Heights  from  pneumonia, 
which  began  with  an  attack  of  the  intluenza, 
so  widely  prevailing.  Two  weeks  earlier, 
less  one  day,  the  symptoms  llrst  appeared, 
btit  little  attention  was 
paid  to  them,  although 
Mr.  Henderson  was  un- 
able to  attend  to  business. 
For  about  a  week  there 
seemed  to  be  steps  toward 
recovery,  and  on  Friday, 
the  10th,  he  felt  well 
enough  to  be  out  and 
around  for  a  short  time, 
but  was  compelled  to  go 
to  his  room  and  lie  down. 
^\Tiile  lying  on  the  sofa  he 
did  some  writing,  his  last 
work  being  an  answer  to 
a  request  from  a  southern 
journal  concerning  the 
origin  of  the  American 
Beauty  Rose,  which  he 
stated  was  not  an  Ameri- 
can Rose  at  all.  .Soon 
after  he  took  to  his  bed 
and  never  again  rose  from 
it.  He  died  literally  "  in 
the  harness,"  as  he  had 
more  than  once  expressed 
a  desire  to  do.  His  friends 
had  only  considered  his 
condition  serious  for  a 
few  days  before  the  end. 

Peter  Henderson  was 
born  in  1833,  at  the  village 
of  Pathhead,  ten  miles 
south  of  Edinburgh,  Scot- 
land. His  father  was 
land  .steward  of  a  gentle- 
man in  the  neighborhood. 
His  schooling  advantages 
were  only  such  in  the 
main  as  the  parish  school 
afforded.  But  even  here 
that  aptness  to  seek  in- 
formation, which  was  a 
leading  trait  throughout 
his  life,  led  him  to  win 
school  prizes  beyond  all 
others  of  his  age. 

In  his  l-5th  year  the  lad 
was  apprenticed  to  a 
tradesman  in  Edinburgh, 
but  finding  the  employ- 
ment uncongenial,  he 
was  allowed  fortunately 
to  follow  his  own  bent;  at 
IB  became  an  apprentice  at  Melville  Castle, 
Midlothian,  Scotland.  Here  with  gardening 
operations  in  all  depratments  carried  out  on 
a  large  scale,  and  the  collections,  especially 
of  hardy  plants,  very  extensive,  the  young 
apprentice  had  the  widest  possible  oppor- 
tunities for  acquiring  a  thorough  horticul- 
tural training.  Feeling  at  this  stage  ham- 
pered by  his  lack  of  schooling,  he  and 
another  youth  walked  ten  miles  twice  a 
week  for  two  years  to  attend  a  mathematical 
school  in  Edinburgh.  So  well  did  he  im- 
prove his  opportunities  as  a  student  of  botany 
during  these  years,  that  before  the  age  of  18 
he  had  twice  successfully  competed  for  the 
medals  awarded  by  the  Botanical  .Society  of 
Edinburgh  for  the  best  herbarium  of  native 
and  exotic  plants,  the  competition  being  open 
to  the  whole  of  Great  Britain.  It  was  about 
the  same  date  that  he  first  took  up  his  pen, 
which  he  has  ever  since  yielded  with  such 


exceptional  force,  to  write  on  horticultural 
subjects.  His  first  article,  naturally  enough 
as  we  now  should  judge,  was  aimed  at  the 
practive  which  then  prevailed  of  holding  as 
secrets  many  of  the  horticultural  operations 
of  the  day.  It  was  printed  in  the  London 
Gardener's  Gazette, and  is  said  to  have  drawn 
out  a  lengthy  editorial  reply.  Such  an 
achievement  at  his  age  clearly  showed  the 
young  apprentice  to  be  a  person  of  uncom- 
mon ability  among  his  comrades. 

But  it  was  not  alone  as  a  progressive  stud- 
ent and  thinker,  and  the  foe  of  narrow 
methods  in  horticulture,  that  young  Hen- 


THE   LATE  PETER   HENDERSON. 

derson  was  singular,  he  aimed  as  well  at  the 
correction  of  certain  moral  abuses  of  his 
class.  It  was  the  practice  of  the  young 
men  of  the  establishments  to  squander 
some  of  their  evenings  at  a  public  house  in 
the  vicinity,  and  against  this  practice  he  set 
his  face  so  firmly,  and  showed  by  his  own 
example  the  better  way  of  improving  the 
mind,  that  he  nearly  abolished  it.  Tho.se 
who  have  known  Mr.  Henderson  since  are 
well  aware  that  the  high  standard  of  moral- 
ity he  then  outlined  has  been  adhered  to  un- 
swervingly throughout  his  life.  He  not 
only  was  an  uncompromising  and  outspoken 
champion  of  temperance,  but  he  equally 
deprecated  the  use  of  tobaccoiand  other  stim- 
ulants. In  1881  it  was  the  writer's  privilege 
to  visit  the  scenes  of  Mr.  Henderson's  early 
manhood  in  Scotland  and  meet  some  of  his 
former  companions.  As  his  friend  from 
America  they  took  much  pleasure  in  testify- 


ing to  the  writer  of  his  many  excellent 
qualities  in  youth,  an<l  rejoicinggreatly  over 
the  well  nu'rited  prosperity  and  great  repu- 
tation he  had  achieved  as  an  American. 

In  1843  young  Henderson,  then  in  his 
twentieth  year,  having  completed  his  ap- 
prenticeship, and  moved  by  the  accounts  of 
a  promising  field  for  young  men  in  America, 
sailed  for  New  York  to  make  tliis  his  future 
home.  He  had  no  capital  but  a  thorough 
education  in  gardening,  good  health  and 
habits,  and  in  a  remarkable  degree  the  spirit 
of  energy  and  pluck.  He  worked  fora  period 
In  the  nursery  of  Thorburn  &  Co.,  Astoria, 
N.  Y.,  and  a  year  or  more 
with  the  late  Robert 
Buist,  of  Philadelphia. 
Mr.  Buist,  an  accom- 
plished gardener  of  the 
old  school,  was  frequent- 
ly startled  by  the  advan- 
ced ideas  and  "  notions  " 
of  his  bright  young  em- 
ployee. He  remained  his 
life  long  friend,  and  often 
with  pride  told  how  the 
man  who  had  by  his  in- 
dustry became  so  famous 
as  a  horticulttarist,  was  as 
a  boy  one  of  the  best  work- 
men he  ever  'had.  For 
several  years  preceding 
1847  Mr.  Henderson  was 
in  the  employ  of  Mr. 
Charles  Spang,  of  Pitts- 
burgh, Pa.,  as  superinten- 
dent of  that  gentleman's 
private  grounds. 

B.v  the  year  1847  Mr.  Hen- 
derson    had    succeeded    in 
saving  up  $.500,  and  in  that 
year,  in  company    with  his 
brother   .lames,  he    started 
(tu  a  small  scale  the  business 
of  market  p:ardening  in  Jer- 
sey City.    He  worked  on  an 
average  10  hours  a  day,  and 
the  venture  was  successful. 
The  business  grew  rapidly, 
;iud  gradually  the  brothers 
added  the  florists  branch  to 
t  lie     establishment         This 
l>artnership  continued  until 
1852.    When  it  was  dissolved, 
I'oter,  though  discerning  the 
lartxiT  profits  in  the  vegeta- 
hlc  brant^h,  devoted  his  main 
energies  to  this.     Later,  as 
the    taste   for  flowers    and 
ornamental     gai'denlng   be- 
came    more     general,     the 
florist  business  was  seen  to 
possess  increasing   promise, 
and     more     attention    was 
given    to   it.      By   18B4    Mr. 
Henderson  built  a  range  ol: 
glass  on   the    site    of     the 
present  extensive  establish- 
ment, and  was  prepared  to 
give  his  entire  attention  to 
the  florist  business,  although 
a  number  of  acres   of  land 
were  aud   have    since   been  devoted  to  general 
garden  crops.     In  180.5  Mr.  Hendersim,  in  com- 
pany with  James  Fleming,  began  business  as  a 
seedsman  in  New  York  flty.  This  firm  continued 
for  five  years,  when  it  was  dissolved.      The  fol- 
lowing year,  1871,  the  present  seed  firm  of  Peter 
Hendei-son  &  Co..  :'■'>  and  37  Cortlandt  street,  New 
York,  was  established,  and  which  from  that  be- 
j  ginning  has  grown  to  be  one  of  the  largest  seed 
j  establishments  in  the  world.   In  the  great  business 
which  in  two  branches,  seeds  and  plants,  had  de- 
veloped under  Mr.  Henderson's  lead  in  the  past 
j  25  years,  he  had  latterly  had  with  him  as  partners 
I  his  two  sons  Alfred  and  Charles  Henderson.     Of 
the  plant  department  it  may  be  said  that  the 
ranges  of  glass  cover  upwards  of  four  acres.  The 
annual  output  of  plants  runs  up  into  millions.    It 
is  thought  to  be  the  largest  and  best  appointed 
greenhouse  range    in  the  world.    In  the  two  de- 
partments the  firm  gi%e  employment  to  about 
150  hands  regularly. 

That  which  more  than  anything  else,  has  made 
the  name  of  Mr.  Henderson  famous  and  aided  in 
securing  the  remarkable  success  of  his  various 


I02 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


February, 


enterprises,  has  been  his  extensive  horticultural 
writings.  On  culinary  vegetable  and  flower 
growing  his  pen  has  given  forth  more  valuable 
material  than  that  of  any  other  writer  in  our 
country.  Aside  from  his  frequent  contributions 
over  many  years  to  this  and  other  horticultural 
journals,  he  has  written  five  volumes  all  of 
which  have  met  with,  an  extensive  sale  some 
enormously  so.  His  first  work  "  Gardening  for 
Profit"  appeared  in  186«)  and  of  which  nearlj- 
150,000  copies  have  been  sold.  Following  close 
was  "  Practical  Floriculture  "  of  a  similar  nature 
to  the  first  but  devoted  to  the  growing  of  plants 
for  sale.  These  two  books,  so  strong  and  clear 
in  guiding  inexperienced  cultivators  along  the 
course  of  successful  practice,  have  led  thousands 
of  persons  in  every  state  and  territor.v  in  the 
union  to  a  comparatively  easy  and  lucrative 
business.  In  1875-  his  "  Gardening  for  Pleasure  " 
was  published  and  more  than  25,000  copies  have 
been  sold.  His  two  other  works  are  '*  How  the 
Farm  Pays"  and  "  Henderson's  Hand-book  of 
Plants  and  General  Horticulture,"  the  latter  a 
treatise  of  great  value,  and  which  has  recently 
been  revised  and  improved. 

The  popularity  of  his  writings  is  due  to  their 
lieing  eminently  practical  clear  and  concise,  and 
to  their  advocacy  of  garden  reforms  and  certain 
radical  cultural  rules  upon  which  their  author 
based  his  own  success,  but  which  were  quite 
severely  opposed  by  the  more  conservative 
school.  YoT  years  after  issuing  his  earlier  works 
many  of  the  leading  topics  advanced  were  dis- 
cussed with  great  \igor  in  the  horticultural  press 
of  the  day.  This  gave  the  brilliant  young 
author  an  opportunity  to  appear  in  theirjdefence 
a  thing  which  he  did  with  great  ability  and  plea- 
sure. He  lived  to  see  many  of  bis  radical 
methods  of  culture  widely  adopted.  Still  Mr. 
Henderson  was  a  man  who  could  give  up  a 
cherished  hobby  most  gracefully  if  time  showed 
its  unsoundness.  "  We  know  better  than  that 
now  "  was  often  heai-d  from  his  lips  in  late  years 
as  he  referred  to  same  abandoned  practice.  It  is 
not  too  much  to  say  that  his  thoroughly  practical 
writings  have  made  an  impress  on  his  time  tor 
improved  methods  and  profits  in  horticulture, 
beyond  those  of  any  other  person.  Thousands 
all  over  the  country  thank  the  day  that  brought 
them  in  contact  with  Peter  Henderson's  writings. 

It  was  the  characteristic  love  for  improve 
ments  in  methods  as  well  as  in  things  that  led 
the  deceased  to  so  zealously  seek  out  and  dissem- 
inate new  varieties  of  vegetables  and  flowers. 
Undoubtedly  Mr.  Henderson's  name  is  associated 
with  a  larger  number  of  new  varieties  of  real 
merit  than  that  of  any  other  American  horticul- 
turist. 

As  a  beUever  in  the  spread  of  sound  informa- 
tion on  gardening,  Mr  Henderson  was  in  love 
with  every  effort  in  this  line  by  whomsoever  pur- 
sued. Thus  he  was  a  most  valued  friend  of  the 
present  Journal  and  aided  not  a  little  in  gi\-ing 
it  its  present  substantial  standing  and  large  cir- 
culation. The  writer's  intimate  acquaintance 
with  the  deceased  dates  from  the  year  1871  when 
as  a  young  man  he  served  a  special  term  of  ap- 
prenticeship in  his  establishment  in  Jersey  City. 
He  was  then  not  long  in  discovering  what  thous- 
ands of  others  had  before  and  have  since  dis- 
covered, that  Mr,  Henderson  was  the  true  friend 
of;e  very  deserving  young  gardener  with  whom  he 
came  In  contact.  The  reciprocal  regard  existing 
between  him  and  all  who  were  in  his  employ  was 
remarkable.  Nearly  every  man  in  his  serrice 
was  of  his  own  training.  He  had  some  men 
working  for  him  at  the  time  of  his  death  who 
had  been  in  his  employ  twenty. eight  years,  and 
many  who  had  been  with  him  for  twenty  years 
and  more.  All  without  exception  entertained 
the  utmost  esteem  for  their  good  friend  and 
employer.  His  friendliness  towards  .voung  Eu- 
ropean gardeners  who,  following  his  steps  of 
forty  seven  years  ago,  came  to  New  York  was 
well  known.  Hundreds  turned  to  him  for  assis- 
tance and  advice  which  was  never  withheld. 
One  such,  who  now  is  a  verj'  successful  florist 
in  Buffalo,  said  to  the  writer  within  a  week  after 
his  death  "  he  was  the  father  of  us  all."  Such 
indeed  is  the  remembrance  cherished  for  Peter 
Henderson  by  thousands  all  over  this  land. 

Mr.  Henderson  was  an  active  and  influential 
meml)er  of  the  Society  of  American  Florists 
having  served  continuouly  on  its  executive 
board  for  years.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the 
New  York  Horticultural  Society,  the  New  York 
Florist  Club,  the  Seed  Dealers  Association  of  the 
United  States,  besides  belonging  to  a  number  of 
merely  local  societies.  He  was  one  of  the  best 
known  and  most  public  spirited  men  of  his  city. 


He  never  held  a  public  office  and  did  not  take  an 
active  part  in  politics.  When  his  name  was  men- 
tioned last  fall  in  connection  with  the  Guberna- 
torial nomination  he  declared  that  it  was  with- 
out his  consent,  and  said  he  would  not  accept 
the  office  of  Governor  if  he  received  a  unani- 
mous election.  He  was  above  all  else  devoted 
to  his  business  and  to  his  famUy. 

Mr.  Henderson  leaves  a  wife,  two  sons  Alfred 
and  Charles,  one  daughter,  Mrs  R.  Floyd.  He 
was  married  twice.  His  first  wife  was  a  Miss 
Gibson,  and  the  second,  who  survives  him,  was  a 
daughter  of  John  Reid,  of  Jersey  City. 


Distillation  of  Plant  Oils. 

The  distillation  of  Peppermint  oil  is  an 
important  local  indiistrv  of  Wayne  County 
in  this  State;  and  there  it  usually  pays  the 
farmer  much  better  than  other  common 
farm  crops.  In  a  recent  report  from  the 
American  Consul  at  Marseilles  we  find  a 
description  of  the  distillation  of  essential 
oils  from  various  other  species  of  plants, 
such  as  Lavender,  Thyme,  Fennel,  etc.,  as 
carried  on  in  southeastern  France. 

The  region  of  aromatic  plants  is  a  moun- 
tainous country.  Lyon,  the  center  of  the 
distilling  industry,  being  in  the  valley  of  the 
river  Aigues.  The  most  useful  plants  are 
Lavender,  wild  Thyme,  Rosemary,  Rue, 
Sage  and  Fennel,  which  last  grows  along 
the  margins  of  mountain  streams.  Of  these 
by  far  the  most  important  is  the  Lavender 
(LnvcnduUi  tioTO.The  harvest  enlists  a  large 
share  of  the  peasant  population:  and  in  good 
seasons  the  people  who  gather  and  sell  Lav- 
ender to  the  distillers,  at  prices  ranging 
from  .5  francs  to  8  francs  perlOO  kilogrammes, 
are  able  to  earn  thereby  as  much  as  4s.  a 
day,  wages  that  are  considered  magnificent 
in  a  country  of  scant  employment  and  ill- 
requitted  labor. 

The  distillation  of  Lavender  on  an  indus- 
trial scale  was  begun  more  than  a  century 
ago  in  the  neighborhood  of  Grasse;  but  dur- 
ing recent  years  the  business  has  extended 
inland  and  westward  until  Drome,  the  most 
westerly  department  of  the  district,  now 
produces  66,000  of  the  125,000  lbs.  of  oil  ot 
Lavender  manufactured  throughout  the 
country  of  France. 

In  many  places  Lavender,  Rosemary, 
Thyme,  and  other  aromatic  plants  are  dis- 
tilled by  farmers  and  small  operators  in  the 
villages  and  communes.  The  harvest  of 
Lavender  begins  about  the  first  of  July, 
and  continues  until  the  end  of  September. 
The  best  results  in  quantity  and  quality  are 
obtained  by  distillation  of  the  first  plants  in 
the  season  of  blossoming,  but  as  these  are 
available  only  during  one  quarter  of  the 
year,  the  Lavender  is  dried  like  hay,  and 
furnishes  material  for  distillation  during 
nine  or  ten  months.  The  same  is  true  of 
Aspic  {Lnvnndulfi  spica).  which  is  known 
as  "  Garden  Lavender."  but  all  are,  like  the 
true  Lavender,  at  their  best  when  in  the 
season  of  full  flower,  which  varies  according 
to  the  respective  species  from  April  until 
into  summer. 

The  practical  process  of  distillation  varies 
but  slightly  for  all  these  varieties,  and  the 
same  apparatus  is  often  used  successfully 
for  each  kind  of  plant  as  its  season  of  flower- 
ing and  harvest  arrives.  Three  himdred 
pounds  of  dried  Lavender  plants,  or  220  lbs. 
of  Aspic,  are  required  to  produce  one  pound 
of  essential  oil.  The  refuse  plants  are  dried 
and  used  as  litter  for  stables  and  manure. 
In  medicine  it  is  employed  as  an  excitant 
and  tonic  in  the  treatment  of  paralysis,  hy- 
pochondria and  epilepsy. 

All  this  class  of  essential  oils,  including 
those  of  Thyme,  Rosemary  and  Fennel, vary 
greatly  in  grade  and  consequent  value,  ac- 
cording to  season  of  distillation,  the  skill 
and  care  with  which  the  plants  are  .selected, 
and  the  process  of  manufacture.  The  dis- 
tillation of  essential  oils  from  aromatic 
plants,  and  the  manufacture  of  perfumes 


from  cultivated  flowers  are  profitable  indus- 
tries peculiar  to  Southern  France;  and  have 
become  prectically  monopolies  for  no  other 
apparent  reason  than  that  they  were  first 
successfully  undertaken  here,  and  the  world 
of-  consumers  is  content  to  believe  that 
original  brands  are  best. 


Choice  Fruits  Not  Often  Mentioned. 

SASniEL  MILLER,  MONTGOMERV  CO.,  Ml). 

Gkapes.  Of  late  the  Gipthe  Grape  we 
hear  but  little  about  except  in  the  cata- 
logues. To  my  taste  it  is  very  good  and  I 
still  grow  it,  and  the  only  reason  I  can  give 
for  its  not  being  more  popular  in  market  is 
because  the  skin  is  so  tender  when  ripe  that 
the  berries  will  burst  often  even  with  the 
most  careful  handling  and  packing.  It  is 
true  it  eats  pretty  well  before  fully  colored, 
when  it  is  not  so  liable  to  burst,  and  is  then 
sold  as  a  white  grape;  btit  to  have  it  in 
perfection  it  is  nearly  as  dark  as  the  Catawba. 

For  a  red  Grape  Woodruff  Red  has  a  bright 
future.  It  is  not  only  large  and  very  hand- 
some, but  of  much  better  quality  than  was 
by  some  awarded  it.  A  good  grower,  pro- 
ductive and  perfectly  hardy. 

Moore's  Diamond  is  to  my  taste  the  best 
of  the  whites,  also  a  hardy,  strong  grower, 
large  bunch  and  berry  and  very  beautiful. 

Apples.  How  seldom  do  we  hear  of  the 
Newtown  Spitzenberg  Apple,  yet  for  a  high- 
flavored,  tender-fleshed  (smooth  as  cheese) 
.Apple  there  are  few  Its  equal.  It  is  true  it 
is  a  little  liable  to  drop  premature,  but  if 
put  away,  the  fallen  ones  will  keep  a  few 
months.  This  with  me  is  a  good  grower 
and  regular  bearer. 

The  Red  Kentucky  Crab  Apple  planted  for 
a  Jotiathan  has  fruited  with  me  for  three 
years,  and  recently  I  sent  a  few  to  an  editor 
who  thinks  it  the  Red  Kentucky.  If  this  is 
correct  we  have  no  use  for  Hugh's  Virginia 
Crab  any  more,  as  it  is  a  much  larger  Apple, 
smoother  and  cleaner,  and  makes  a  superb 
cider^that  will  keep  all  winter  without  fer- 
menting if  kept  in  a  cool  place.  The  fact  is 
one  might  put  them  away  and  make  cider 
any  time  from  now  until  April,  for  it  will 
keep  all  winter,  and  make  a  superb  jelly  or 
preserve,  the  dark  red  skin  imparting  a  fine 
colorto  the  product. 


Notes  from  the   Popular   Gardening 

Grounds  at  La  Salle-on-the- 

Niagara. 

Tomato  Varieties.  Among  the  50  new  sorts 
of  Tomatoes  which  we  had  on  our  grounds  the 
past  season,  there  arc  quite  a  number  which 
would  seem  to  satisfy  all  reasonable  demands  of 
the  grower,  both  tor  market  and  home  use.  In 
point  of  fact  we  now  have  so  many  good,  we 
might  say  almost  perfect.  Tomatoes,  that  we  are 
sometimes  at  a  loss  to  decide  which  to  retain  on 
our  list  and  which  to  drop  out. 

The  earliest  good  specimens  we  had  again  from 
the  Dwarf  Champion;  yet  there  are  always  but 
few  of  them,  and  the  rest  of  the  crop  ripens 
slowl.v  and  extending  over  the  whole  season. 
This  makes  it  a  good  crop  for  the  home  grower, 
but  we  do  not  think  it  will  produce  anything  like 
many  of  our  standard  varieties.  Potato  Ijcaf 
again  pleased  us  very  much.  It  is  an  enormous, 
somewhat  spreading  grower,  producing  its  hand- 
some and  invariably  smooth  purple  fruit,  which 
is  of  good  size,  solid  and  fine-flavored  all  through 
the  season.  The  older  of  Livingston's  Tomatoes, 
Paragon,  Perfection  and  Favorite,  also  Cardinal, 
developed  their  usual  good  points.  In  Living- 
ston's Beauty  we  have  never  been  able  to  discover 
the  merits  claimed  for  it. 

In  real  meritorious  novelties  among  Tomatoes 
the  season  of  1889  has  t>cen  far  more  prolific  than 
any  we  can  remember.  It  is  remarkable,  too, 
that  the  choicest  of  these  are  somewhat  similar 
in  general  characteristics,  both  fruit  and  gi-owth. 
Most  people  could  have  gone  through  our  patches 
of  Lorillard,  Matchless  (Burpee's',  Ignotum  and 
Early  Ohio,  without  suspecting  that  they  were 
different  varieties.  These  form  denser,  com- 
pacter  bushes,  and  grow  rather  more  upright 
than  any  of  Livingston's  or  any  of  the  older 
sorts,  while  the  beautiful,  smooth,  scarlet  fruit 


1 890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


103 


ripens   eiuiy.  evenly,  and  iu  great  abundance 
\iniler  the  luxuriant  foliage. 

All  these,  even  the  Lorillard  (althmiKli  this  is 
disputeil  in  some  iiuartcrsi.  will  make  most  ex- 
cellent market  sorts,  Ignotnm  and  Matchless 
beiniror  especial  large  size,  and  thus  far  unsur- 
passed for  cannery  purposes.  Seed  of  the 
Early  Ohio  was  sent  us  by  a  friend  in  Ohio,  but 
we  know  nothing  of  its  origin.  It  differs  but 
slightly  from  Matchless.  The  Stone,  a  variety 
given  us  by  Mr.  A.  M  Nichol.  of  Granville,  Ohio, 
who  we  believe  is  introducing  it  this  spring,  also 
belongs  to  this  class.  Its  fruit  is  of  good  color, 
large,  smooth  and  reasonably  solid. 

Messrs.  Peter  Henderson  &  Co..  New  York,  are 
introducing  a  new  sort  under  the  name  of  Early 
Kuby.  We  have  grown  this  for  four  or  five  years, 
and  have  seen  acres  of  it  on   the   grounds   of 
the  gardener  who  discovered   the  first   plant. 
We  cannot  speak  too  highly  of  it;  but 
we  suspect  that  this  and  Mr.  Burpee's 
Matchless  will  prove  to  be  very  similar, 
if  not  altogether  identical. 

Our  opinion  of  the  Mikado  or  Turner's 
Hybrid  has  never  been  excessively  high; 
the  fruit,  while  large  and  solid,  is  not 
smooth  enough  to  satisfy  our  taste,  that 
has  been  rendered  fastidious  by  such 
perfect  Tomatoes  as  the  Livingston 
varieties  and  other  newer  sorts.  Neither 
could  we  see  any  points  of  merit  in  the 
yellow  sport  of  the  Mikado  introduced 
last  season  under  the  name  of  Shaw. 

The  French  Tree  and  the  Station  are 
mere  aggregations,  and  so  entirely  with- 
out practical  value  that  we  do  not  pro- 
pose to  bother  with  them  again. 

Horsford's  Prelude,  although  prolific 
and  reasonably  early,  was  left  unhar- 
vested.  We  do  not  care  for  Tomatoes 
of  that  size  when  we  have  plenty  ot  the 
fine  sorts  before  mentioned.  Volunteer 
is  deserving  another  trial,  the  fruit  is 
early  and  fair,  and  the  plant  productive. 
An  altogether  distinct,  unique  and 
beautiful  thing  is  the  Peach  Tomato  of 
which  we  present  an  engraving.  When 
ripe  it  drops  off  with  stem  left  on,  similar 
to  a  tree  fruit.  On  account  of  its  shape_ 
bloom  and  the  beautiful  rosy  tint  on 
greenish  yellow  ground,  it  can  easily  be 
mistaken  for  a  small  Peach.  It  may  sell 
in  market  on  account  of  its  remarkable 
attractiveness;  but  being  rather  soft,  although  of 
high  quality,  it  cannot  be  classed  among  market 
sorts.  The  home  grower  wUl  be  delighted  with  it. 
King  of  the  Earlies,  Atlantic  Prize,  Earliest 
Advance,  and  one  or  two  more  of  the  same  type, 
are  early  indeed,  but  this  is  pretty  near  all  that 
can  be  said  in  their  favor.  They  are  weak,  sprawl- 
ing growers,  with  thin  foliage,  and  their  fruit  is 
small  and  far  from  solid.  Yet  near  large  mar- 
kets, with  a  demand  for  early  fruit  at  good  prices, 
some  ot  these  early  sorts,  especially  the  first 
named,  may  be  grown  with  considerable  profit, 
if  grown  under  high  culture  and  making  use  ot 
all  our  resources  m  forwarding  the  crop.  Rich 
soil  not  only  enlarges  both  foliage  and  fruit,  but 
also  makes  the  foliage  smoother,  better  colored 
and  even  more  solid. 

Sandwich  Island  Salsify.  This  we  have 
grown  for  a  number  of  years,  and  we  found  it  so 
much  better  especially  ot  more  ligorous  growth 
and  larger  root  than  the  old  French  Salsify,  that 
we  at  last  discarded  the  latter  altogether,  and 
shall  stick  to  Sandwich.  The  writer  who  reports 
In  one  of  our  exchanges  that  the  two  varieties  do 
not  materially  differ,  probably  did  not  have  the 
true  Sandwich.  This  variety  was  introduced 
under  the  decidedly  overloaded  name  "  Mammoth 
Sandwich  Island"  Salsify.  It  is  truly  a  good 
variety,  a  decided  step  in  advance,  and  this 
Salsitj"  will  undoubtedly  remain  in  cultivation 
for  a  long  time;  but  what  can  the  "  Committee 
on  Vegetable  Nomenclature"  do  with  the  name? 
The  new  set  ot  rules,  if  strictly  adhered  to,  would 
prune  it  down  to  Spanish  Salsify, 


are  blighting  on  the  thick  limbs  and  main  stem, 
while  the  grafts  of  Idaho  set  on  them  last  spring 
are  still  fresh.  Now  this  is  a  bad  business,  and 
may  cause  me  quite  a  loss;  as  the  Idaho  wood 
was  very  valuable. 

My  faith  in  this  stock  above  ground  is  too  poor 
to  ever  touch  it  again.  Perhaps  the  stock  will 
do  for  other  Pears  if  grafted  on  it  at  the  ground, 
but  even  this  I  will  not  trust.  It  is  often  said 
that  LeConte  will  not  blight  when  grown  from 
cuttings.  One  of  my  neighbors  has  some  twenty 
LeContes  on  its  own  root,  three  years  old.  and 
that  is  all  the  age  they  will  ever  reach,  for  they 
are  about  all  dead.  No  one  regrets  this  more 
than  1  do,  for  it  is  a  beautiful  tree,  the  fruit  of 
fair  quality  and  very  hadsome;  but  the  fruit 
with  me  softened  at  the  core  before  ripe  on  the 
outside.  This  I  thought  bad  enough.yet  thought 
as  it  is  a  good  grower,  there  might  be  value  in 


THE   PEACH  TOMATO. 


COMMENTS    BY    READERS. 

A  department  to  wMch  all  are  invited  to  send  notes  0/ 
experience  and  observation  concerning  topics  that  re- 
cently have  been  treated  on  in  this  journal.  Many 
f  weft  contributions  monthly  are  welcome. 

The  LeConte  and  Keiffer  Pears.  I  see  the 
LeConte  mentioned  by  you  for  stock  and  other- 
wise. I  say,  beware  ot  the  LeConte.  That  this 
Pear  blights  badly  has  already  been  given  from 
my  pen;  yet  I  also  mentioned  that  a  number  of 
trees  of  four  years  old,  were  free  from  blight  on 
the  hill.    Recently,  however,  I  notice  that  they 


the  tree  as  a  stock.  Even  this  seems  denied  us 
also.  Notwithstanding  the  many  slurs  and  con 
demnations  heaped  upon  the  Keiffer  as  not  fit  t( 
eat  by  many,  I  will  stake  my  reputation  on  it 
that  for  this  region  it  will  be  more  largely 
planted  than  any  other  sort  for  the  next  ten 
yeai-8,  unless  the  Idaho  flUs  the  bUl  I  expect  it  to, 
and  the  trees  become  cheap.  Garler  will  also 
be  given  trial  Iwhen  it  becomes  known,  and  the 
trees  plenty.  It  is  larger  than  Keiffer,  a  month 
earlier,  a  regular  beauty,  and  in  quality  better. 
This  Keiffer  and  Garler  are  the  foundation  of  a 
new  class  of  Pear  that  may  be  of  great  value  in 
the  future.  Some  Keiffer  seedlings  raised  the 
past  season  are  the  strongest  and  cleanest  I  ever 
grew.-S.  Miller. 

Life  History  OF  Ladv  Birds.  In  December 
number,  New  Jersyan,  in  speaking  of  the  lady- 
birds, seems  to  think  that  those  left  on  the  tree 
would  die  when  winter  came.  These  useful  little 
insects  hibernate,  and  when  spring  comes  awaken 
again  to  life,  and  lay  eggs  that  hatch  about  the 
time  the  aphides-their  usual  food  supply— ap- 
pear. Sometimes  the  lady-birds  live  through 
the  winter  as  pupae,  several  such  having  come 
under  my  observation.  Dr.  Packard  suggests 
their  use  in  greenhouses  to  destroy  plant  lice.  I 
have  successfully  reared  them  during  summer, 
but  have  yet  to  learn  whether  a  'winter  laying" 
breed  can  be  originated,  a  problem  the  chicken 
!  raisers  have  not  yet  proved  to  their  satislaction 
in  their  line  of  business.  It  is  in  the  larval  state 
that  the  lady-birds  are  of  the  most  use  to  us, 
and,  naturally,  it  is  the  beetle  we  have  in  winter. 
Could  the  right  conditions  be  found  for  hiber- 
nating the  beetles,  they  might  be  let  loose  in  the 
spring  in  the  Potato  patch  to  the  destruction  of 
the  Potato  beetles,  as  they  of  ten  collect  in  count- 
less swarms  just  before  retiring  to  winter  quar- 
ters, and  could  be  collected  in  vast  numbers.— 

Walter  A.  Lynn. 

Striped  Cucumber  Beetle.    Ten  years'  mar- 
ket gardening  have  made  me  acquainted  with 
!  the  Cucumber  beetle,  and  of  all  the  enemies  the 
gardener  has  this  is  decidedly  the  worst.    The 

first  three  years  of  my  gardening  I  made  war  on 
I  this  little  pest,  and  during  that  time  I  discovered 


that  the  Marblehead  and  Hubbard  Squashes  were 
always  destroyed  before  my  Melons.  Cucum- 
bei-s,  etc.,  were  touched  by  bugs.  The  fourth 
year  I  concluded  to  make  peace  with  the  bugs, 
and  I  planted  Squash  seed  by  the  handful  all 
through  my  vine  patches,  and  I  planted  seed 
every  third  day,  so  there  were  fresh  plants  com- 
ing up  all  the  time,  and  in  this  way  I  kept  the 
bugs  well  fed  until  my  Melons  and  Cucumbers 
grew  out  of  the  way.  I  now  have  had  peace  with 
the  Cucumber  beetle  tor  seven  years,  fed  them 
on  their  choice  feed,  and  in  that  time  have  never 
failed  to  save  my  Cantelope,  Watermelons  and 
Cucumbers.  Some  may  think  it  expensive  to 
buy  Squash  seed  enough  to  save  one  acre  of 
vines,  but  you  will  find  it  the  cheapest  and  safest 
plan.  It  you  have  bugs  by  the  million  as  1  have, 
and  two  dollars  invested  in  Squash  seed  will  save 
two  acres  of  vines,  it  is  cheaper  than  fighting 
with  drugs  and  then  fail  — Jactooii. 

Crandall  Currant.  We  have 
grown  and  used  this  for  many  years, 
and  have  a  high  opinion  of  its  desert 
qualities,  and  this  opinion  is  well  sup- 
ported by  the  testimony  of  people  well 
qalifled  to  judge.  Mrs.  Mary  A.  Wood- 
bridge,  Secretary  National  W.  C.  T.  U., 
says:  "We  regard  the  Crandall  highly- 
The  fruit  is  of  fine  sizer  and  flavor,  of 
superior  merit  for  pies,  sauce,  and 
especially  for  jelly,  in  which  the  rich 
brilliant  color  ot  the  juice  is  particu- 
larly to  be  admired."  Our  friend  F  C. 
Miller,  of  Tuscarawas  County,  Ohio,  the 
noted  horticulturist,  speaks  of  it  as 
follows:  'For  culinary  purposes  it  is 
most  excellent;  have  eaten  it  stewed 
and  in  pie.  Its  flavor  is  exquisite.  Most 
productive  of  any  small  fruit  known 
to  me.  Must  be  seen  to  be  believed."— 
TT'arton  Walburn,  Ohio. 

The   Sweet   and   Sour  apple.    In 
corroboration  of  what  Mr.  Bassett  says 
in  January  number,   we   can  add  our 
testimony.       About    1820   one   Chester 
Bartholomew    brought  a  lot  ot  Apple 
grafts  from  Connecticut  and  grafted  an 
orchard  In  this  township.    One  o(  these 
trees  bore  an  Apple  half  red  and  half 
green  with  a  ridge  around  it  as  if  it  had 
been  molded.    One  halt   of  the  Apple 
was  sweet  and  one  halt  sour.    This  will 
be  attested  by  all  of  our  old  citizens.  The 
same  Apple  was  in  Connecticut  years  ago,  as  late 
as  1830.    On  the  farm  then  belonging  to  James 
Treat,  about  eight  miles  from  Norwich.  Conn., 
there  was  a  tree  that  bore  Apples  half  sweet  and 
half  sour;  just  such  an  Apple  as  I  have  described 
as  growing  on  the  farm  of  Mr.  Bartholomew  at 
this  place.— Jir.  M.  Murphy,  Brown  Co.,  O. 

Yellow  Raspberries.    The  remarks  in  Jan- 
uary number  in  regard  to  Golden  Queen  Rasp- 
berry  I  suppose  are  meant  for  all  yellow  Rasp- 
berries so  far  as  the  fruit  is  concerned.    I  have 
this  to  say  for  the  Caroline:  however  it  may  do 
elsewhere,  it  is  our  most  paying  Raspberry.    It 
is  soft  and  sometimes  will  mold  by  standing  over 
night,  but  our  market  is  only  a  mile  away  and 
berries  are  sold  and  used  the  day  picked.    The 
fruit  is  sold  from  the  wagon  and  we  tell  our  cus- 
tomers they  must  use  them  that  day.    For  eat- 
ing fresh,  we  prefer  them  to  any  other  Raspberry, 
because   of    the    agreeable    acid    taste.    When 
canned  alone  the  color  and  flavor  is  impaired. 
By  accident,  my  mother  learned  how  to  over- 
come this,  by  mixing  a  tew  Red  Raspberries  with 
them.    The  reds  not  only  give  a  better  color  to 
the  fruit  but  impart  a  very  agreeable  flavor. 
The  Caroline  is  put  down  by  the  New  Y^ork  Ex- 
periment Station  as  the  most  productive  Rasp- 
berry  in  cultivation,  and  this  has  been  our  ex- 
perience.   With  us  they  are  ever-bearing.    Last 
year  we  had  fruit  for  the  table  from  July  to 
October,  frost  killing  the  last  berries.    It  bears  a 
big  crop  the  first  year  provided  any  of  the  last 
years  growth  is  left  on;  indeed  it  is  liable  to  bear 
too  much  for  its  future  good.    With  us  the  bush 
grows  like  a  black  cap,  as  long  as  good  cultiva- 
tion is  given,  making  new  plants  from  the  tips. 
When  cultivation  is  neglected  orentirely  stopped, 
it  grows  more  like  a  red  variety,  but  never  suck- 
ers immediately.    The  tips  do  not  root   readily 
unless  put  down  just  at  the  right  time,  and  the 
young  plants   are   tender  and   breakable,    For 
this  reason  sucker  plants  will  give  better  satis- 
faction.   The  Caroline  is  certainly  the  best  Rasp- 
berry we  know  for  house  use.    Like  the  Crescent 
Strawberry  it  will  bear  berries  under  great  neg- 
lect, but  like  the  Crescent,  it  repays  good  cul- 
ture.—L.  J.  Farmer. 


I04 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


February, 


Notes  on  Tested  Varieties  of  Grapes. 

S.  S.  CRISSET,  CHAI'TAUQCA  CO.,  N.  Y. 

What  varieties  of  Grapes  besides  the  Con- 
cord can  be  safely  planted  as  profitable 
market  Grapes?  As  a  partial  answer  to  this 
question,  now  asked  by  many  growers,  we 
offer  the  following  as  good  for  this  locality, 
namely,  the  south  shore  of  Lake  Erie  in  New 
York,  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio: 

1st.  PocKLiNGTON.  Every  year  adds  to 
the  success  of  this  well-tried  Grape.  It  is 
handsome,  especially  when  fully  matured; 
it  is  entirely  hardy,  a  fairly  vigorous  grower, 
not  quite  equal  to  Concord,  but  better  than 
Moore's  Early,  Martha  or  Hartford.  As  to 
its  market  qualities,  it  is  firm,  handles  well, 
does  not  become  soft  soon  alter  ripening  (a 
bad  thing  in  many  good  Grapes),  and  is 
popular  in  the  leading  markets.  Last  fall 
Pocklingtons  sold  for  five  cents  when  Con- 
cords were  bringing  three  cents  per  pound. 

2d.  Moore's  Early.  As  to  quality  this 
is  the  hest  early  black  Grape;  and  it  is  early. 
Side  by  side  of  the  Concord,  the  Moore's 
Early  vines  can  be  picked  clean,  and  the 
fruit  stripped  before  a  single  cluster  is  ready 
on  the  Concord.  It  is  decidedly  earlier  than 
the  Worden,  and  while  perhaps  not  any 
earlier  than  the  Champion,  the  detestable 
quality  of  the  latter  shuts  it  out  of  the  list 
altogether.  The  one  great  drawback  to 
Moore's  Early  is  that  it  is  a  very  slow  grower. 
It  should  be  on  rich  soil,  and  given  extra 
care  the  first  few  years.  We  advise  every 
vineyardist  to  plant  this  noble  Grape. 

3d.  Worden.  This  Grape  is  of  better 
quality  than  the  Concord,  but  has  some 
grave  faults.  It  seems  to  be  more  tender 
and  ditficult  to  handle  than  is  the  Concord. 
As  to  vigor  it  is  nearly  up  to  the  Concord, 
and  will  sometimes  even  surpass  that  variety 
m  productiveness.  Here  the  Worden  does 
not  color  but  a  few  days  (not  over  a  week) 
before  the  Concord,  but  it  is  a  good  table 
Grape  when  first  colored,  which  the  Concord 
never  is,  owing  to  its  acidity. 

4th.  Brighton.  When  first  ripened  the 
Brighton  is  among  our  best  strictly  hardy 
Grapes.  It  more  nearly  resembles  the 
Catawba  than  does  any  other  of  the  Eastern 
Grapes.  Its  fault  is  that  it  loses  flavor  by 
remaining  on  the  vines  long  after  ripening, 
also  that  it  must  be  planted  with  other 
sorts  for  the  blossoms  to  fertilize.  Always 
plant  Bright ons  between  rows  of  other  sorts. 


Enjoyments  of  the  Home  Fruit 
Garden. 

J.  \V.  Ul'PPELL,  MARION  CO.,  MO. 

We  moved  to  our  present  house  on  the  14th 
of  April,  188.5.  A  short  time  after  I  made  my 
first  planting  of  trees,  shrubs  and  vine.s.  In 
1886  we  had  all  the  Strawberries  we  could 
use,  a  good  lot  of  Raspberries,  some  Black- 
berries, Gooseberries  and  Currants,  also  a 
few  Grapes.  In  1887  we  had  plenty  and  to 
spare  of  all  the  above  except  Grapes  Same 
in  1888.  In  1889  we  had  all  the  above  in  great 
plenty,  and  some  Pears,  Cherries,  Plums 
and  a  few  Peaches.  My  wife  canned  about 
forty  quarts  of  Peaches,  also  Strawberries, 
Raspberries,  Blackberries  and  Gooseberries. 
I  think  she  has  at  this  writing  nearly  200 
quarts,  besides  an  endless  amount  of  jellies. 

In  1890,  if  nothing  happens,  I  think  we 
will  have  some  Apples,  and  all  the  Pears, 
Peaches,  Plums,  Grapes,  Cherries,  and  small 
fruits  that  we  can  use,  and  some  to  give  to 
our  friends.  I  have  planted  some  each 
spring  and  fall  since  1885,  and  will  have  to 
stop  now  for  wantof  room,  unless  I  do  away 
with  raising  vegetables.  I  hardly  think  I 
will  do  that.  I  am  in  the  bank  during 
business  hours;  before  and  after  I  am  in  the 
garden.  1  keep  a  man  to  do  the  work,  but  I 
can  always  find  something  to  do.  We  keep 
it  very  clean  and  well  cultivated.  My  wife 
and  little  girls  are  in  the  garden  a  great 
deal.     I  admit  they  do  not  work  much,  but 


they  enjoy  walking  around  in  the  pure  air 
and  watching  the  fruit  ripen,  or  even 
testing  it  frequently,  which  contributes  to 
their  health.  Our  whole  doctor  bill  this 
year  was  only  three  dollars.  I  will  tell  you 
what  I  have  planted  for  my  family  of  five 
and  two  servants:  II  Standard  Apple  trees; 
10  Peaches,  4  Dwarf  Peaches,  10  Standard 
Pear  trees,  30  Dwarf  Pear  trees,  20  Dwarf 
Apples,  31  Plums,  5  Cherries,  10  Dwarf  Cher- 
ries, 4  Quinces,  2  Nectarines,  .500  Strawberry 
plants,  176  Raspberry  plants,  74  Blackberry 
plants,  12  Currant  plants,  5  Gooseberry 
plants,  39  Grape  vines,  1  small  and  1  large 
Asparagus  bed,  1  row  of  Rhubarb  and  6 
.Juneberry  plants.  Original  friiit  garden  is 
.50  by  100.  I  have  added  to  it  on  the  west  50 
by  70,  on  the  south  15  by  60.  My  friend 
Samuel  Miller  was  here  in  Oct.  He  was 
much  pleased  with  the  arrangement,  and 
complimented  me  on  my  success.  I  did  not 
know  anything  at  the  start,  but  learned  from 
the  horticultural  papers  and  experience. 


Berry  Notes  From  Michigan. 

J.  A.  WOOD,  CLINTON  CO.,  MICB. 

The  past  season  was  a  very  unfavorable 
one  for  the  Berry  grower.  The  severe  frost 
at  the  blooming  season  ruined  nearly  all 
blossoms  that  were  open  on  mulched 
ground.  Plants  not  mulched  escaped  any 
material  damage.  Raspberries,  especially 
the  earlier  varieties,  were  also  badly  dam- 
aged. Gregg  and  the  later  kinds  escaped 
uninjured  as  the  buds  were  not  sufficiently 
developed  at  the  tinie. 

Plants  set  last  spring  made  an  excellent 
growth  in  the  earlier  part  of  the  season,  but 
.July  or  early  August  brought  us  a  most 
severe  and  protracted  drouth.  This,  of 
course  tended  to  dwarf  the  growth  of  plants 
but  by  faithful  work  v.ith  cultivators  and 
hoes  we  have  succeeded  in  getting  a  reason- 
ably fair  growth  of  plants. 

Strawberry  Varieties.  Of  Strawberries, 
Crescent  takes  the  lead  ,outyielding  all  others 
by  half,  including  the  Wilson  which  we  will 
concede  second  place.  On  heavier  soils  than 
ours,  which  are  sandy,  the  Wilson  may 
prove  superior,but  Crescent  is  with  us  most 
reliable  as  a  market  berry.  Manchester 
does  well  with  us  as  a  late  market  sort. 
Sharpless  produces  a  fair  crop  of  large,  irreg- 
ular, unevenly  ripened  berries  of  good  qual- 
ity. We  consider  Jessie  very  similar  to 
Sharpless  with  the  advantage  of  being  more 
productive  and  more  regular  in  form.  On 
heavy  soil  under  good  culture  it  may  prove 
exceedingly  profitable.  Atlantic  does  well 
bearing  fair  crops  of  dark-colored,  nice- 
looking  fruit.  Mrs.  Garfield  not  productive 
and  rather  soft.  Jersey  Queen  we  rooted 
out  entirely  and  consider  it  entirely  worth- 
less where  other  kinds  here  named  can  be 
obtained.  Monarch  of  the  West  is  one  of 
our  best  perfect-flowering  sorts,  a  rank, 
thrifty-growing  plant,  with  large  beautiful 
berries.  Old  Iron-Clad  is  unproductive. 
Piper's  Seedling  rusts  badly  and  is  a  poor 
grower  and  shy  bearer  of  poor  berries. 

Raspberry  Varieties.  Tyler  or  Souhe- 
gan  is  our  preference  for  early,  being  produc- 
tive and  of  iron-clad  hardiness.  Ohio  and 
Mammoth  Cluster  are  best  medium  sorts. 
While  Gregg  takes  the  lead  in  size  and  pro- 
ductiveness, it  is  less  hardy  than  those 
named,  and  sometimes  kills  back  to  a  con- 
siderable degree.  If  it  were  not  for  this 
one  failing  we  should  not  hesitate  to  place  it 
first  on  our  list.  Of  the  Reds,  Marlborough 
and  Cuthbert  take  the  lead;  Turner  being 
smaller  but  more  hardy  and  fully  as  pro- 
ductive as  either  of  the  above.  Hansell  and 
Rancocas  are  small  and  unproductive,  val- 
ued only  for  earliness  of  ripening.  Golden 
Queen  promises  well  for  a  yellow  sort.  It  is 
a  strong  grower,  like  Cuthbert,  very  pro- 
lific and  the  fruit  quite  attractive  when 
fresh.    Looks  well  on  the  table. 


Celery  and  other  Notes  from 
Glass  City  Gardens. 

THEODORE  SEFF,  BELMONT  CO.,  OHIO. 

Some  large  orchards  are  now  being  planted 
of  Plums,  Prunes  and  Apricots  of  the  hardier 
varieties.  We  can  grow  Plums  and  Peaches 
to  perfection  except  for  three  things,  black 
knot,  borers  and  curculio.  but  we  are  fast 
getting  to  be  master  of  them  all.  Grapes 
we  can  grow'without  any  trouble,  also 
Strawberries  and  Raspberries.  BarnesvlUe, 
the  renowned  Strawberry  town,  is  situated 
almost  in  the  center  of  Belmont  Co.,  and  we 
live  on  the  eastern  line  of  the  county  on  the 
west  banks  of  the  Ohio  river,  where  the 
bottoms  are  very  fertile,  the  soil  is  mostly 
black,  loamy  and  very  little  gravel.  Hence 
we  can  growflnevegetableswithout  danger 
of  being  burnt  up  by  hot  sun  during  the 
summer  months.  We  are  fast  coming  to 
front  in  growing  fine  Celery  for  the  markets, 
even  surpassing  the  famous  Kalamazoo 
Celery,  which  has  such  a  great  reputation. 

Our  method  of  Celery  growingis  as  follows: 
As  soon  as  we  take  the  crops  off  in  the  fall, 
we  commence  to  prepare  for  the  next  season's 
crop  by  hauling  out  well-composted  barn- 
yard manure  and  spreading  it  on  the  ground. 
We  do  not  manure  so  heavily  as  our  soil  is 
naturally  rich  and  fertile;then  the  latter  part 
of  November  we  plow  this  manure  under. 
We  plow  at  least  15  inches  deep,  then  let  it 
remain  until  spring.  Then  we  plow  again, 
thus  thoroughly  mixing  the  manure  with  the 
soil.  Where  we  plant  early  Celery  we  do 
not  plant  any  other  crop,  but  on  soil  intended 
for  late  Celery,  we  grow  Radishes,  Lettuce, 
Peas,  etc.,  and  here  another  dressing  of  fine 
manure  is  plowed  in  after  the  crops  are 
taken  off.  For  the  late  crop  we  plow 
out  deep  furrows,  scatter  pure  bone  meal  at 
the  rate  of  one  ton  to  the  acre,  and  wood 
ashes  at  the  same  rate,  then  we  draw  in 
about  three  inches  of  soil,  and  are  ready  to 
set  the  plants,  which  we  do  from  the  first  to 
the  1.5th  of  July.  We  keep  it  clean  and  well 
worked  until  about  the  12th  of  September, 
when  we  put  on  a  dressing  of  nitrate  of  soda 
close  to  the  rows,  and  then  at  once  com- 
mence handling. 

We  have  tried  all  the  diflferent  methods  of 
blanching,  and  for  early  summer  would 
prefer  plank  about  one  foot  wide,  but  for 
tall  we  prefer  dirt  after  the  first  working. 
When  we  get  the  Celery  started  nicely  we 
use  a  one-horse  reversible  plow  which 
throws  the  dirt  up  against  the  Celery.  Then 
we  pass  along  the  rows  with  the  hand  hoe 
and  fix  up  where  needed.  It  can  be  banked 
very  fast  this  way. 

Another  good  plan  is  to  use  four-inch 
drain  tile  one  foot  long.  This  is  a  little 
more  expensive  in  the  start,  the  tile  costing 
us  here  -JIO.OO  per  1,000,  but  they  are  almost 
indestructible,  lasting  for  a  generation  if 
carefully  handled.  In  putting  the  tile  over 
the  Celery  we  use  a  piece  of  .stiff  paste  board 
paper  about  three  inches  longer  than  the 
tile,  have  it  rolled  in  a  tube  shape,  pull  it 
apart,  let  it  close  around  the  bunch  of  Celery, 
drop  the  tile  over  it,  draw  some  dirt  around 
the  tile,  and  firm  it  to  keep  the  tile  from 
upsetting,  pull  out  the  paper  tube,  and  so 
on.  A  good  active  man  will  tile  from  six  to 
eight  thousand  per  day.  Another  advantage 
for  tile  is  you  never  have  to  wash  your 
Celery,  as  it  comes  out  bright  and  brittle. 

But  if  you  rather  wish  to  grow  the  tall, 
hollow,  tough  kind,  found  in  the  hotels,  get 
some  of  the  tall-growing  varieties,  aud  plant 
them  about  13  inches  apart,  and  let  them 
grow  about  a  foot  high  before  you  commence 
to  bank,  and  use  no  fertilizer  nor  nitrate  of 
soda,  and  we  will  insure  you  just  such 
Celery.  The  closer  you  keep  Celery  from 
the  light  and  air  the  better.  Now  as  to 
varieties  there  has  been  a  vast  improvement 
in  Celery  the  last  ten  years  past.  Now  we 
have  the  dwarfs  and  half-dwarfs,  but  of  aU 
the  late  introductions  give  me  the  Golden 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


105 


Self-blanching  for  profit.  It  is  such  a  fine 
grower  of  an  even  size,  and  such  an  ex- 
quisitely fine  nutty  fiavor.  It  is  also  the 
best  keeper  we  have  for  winter  use.  The 
Golden  Heart  is  luy  next  choice.  Hender- 
son's White  Plume  is  the  lazy  man's  Celery, 
easy  to  blanch  but  of  poor  quality,  and  so 
easily  damaged  in  handling,  and  a  poor 
keeper,  and  for  early  use  has  a  bad  habit  of 
going  to  seed  so  soon.  Some  of  the  pink 
varieties  are  fine  growers  and  good  keepers, 
but  somehow  we  can't  teach  the  people  to 
eat  it,  yet  some  that  you  can  get  to  try  it 
will  have  no  other.  I  believe  that  the  time 
is  coming  when  pink  Celery  will  be  very 
popular  in  market. 

Xow  a  word  in  regard  to  nitrate  of  soda 
in  making  vegetables  tender  and  brittle.  I 
have  been  using  it  for  a  number  of  years  on 
Radishes,  Turnips, Lettuce  and  other  quick- 
growing  crops,  and  I  find  it  makes  a  won- 
derful improvement  on  all  such  crops.  As 
I  raise  a  great  many  early  Radishes,  and  all 
my  customers  claim  that  they  are  much 
more  tender  and  brittle,  and  never  pithy  like 
they  get  from  other  gardeners  about  here. 
There  are  no  others  that  use  it  about  here, 
they  all  think  it  is  tooe.xpensive,  but  I  think 
that's  just  where  they  make  their  mistake. 
It's  the  quickest  acting  fertilizer  made,  and 
if  you  happen  to  get  too  much  on  there  are 
no  bad  results.  It  don't  burn  your  crop  up, 
nor  injures  your  soil  in  any  way.  If  you 
have  a  little  bed  of  Strawberries,  suppose 
that  you  try  some  about  the  time  they  are 
in  bloom,  or  a  little  before,  and  don't  for- 
get to  tell  U.S  the  result. 


What  I  know  about  Beans. 

E.  P.  POWELL.  ONEIDA  CO.,  S.  Y. 

[Concluded  from  page  80.] 

So  far  very  few  of  the  sorts  have  been 
named.  One,  however,  goes  as  the  Golden 
Meal,  a  meJium-sized  pod  very  prolific, 
golden  white,  half  runner,  and  one  that 
combines  in  itself  all  good  qualities:  that 
is,  it  is  superior  as  a  Bean,  which  is  white, 
large,  plump,  oily;  superb  for  string,  as  the 
pod  is  rich  golden,  fat,  very  prolific,  giving 
Beans  in  all  stages  until  frozen.  It  is  as 
early  to  mature  as  it  is  late  to  bear  on.  I 
have  selected  five  or  six  of  this  class  of  vari- 
eties, but  the  "  Golden  Ideal  "  is  ahead. 

Mast  Sorts  on  Haxd.  About  fifty  sorts 
are  held  permanently  or  for  trial,  or  because 
they  represent  broken-up  heredity  and  are 
capable  of  developing  in  all  sorts  of  ways. 
Only  when  the  color  is  dark  or  the  pod 
defective  do  I  like  to  throw  away  a  new 
freak,  because  it  is  not  an  end,  only  a  begin- 
ning. It  stands  for  all  sorts  of  possible  new 
things.  The  chief  trouble  is  to  aflford  room 
for  so  many  sorts  to  develop.  I  consider 
that  those  now  well  proved  and  worth 
special  propagation  do  not  exceed  twenty. 

My  own  preference  for  table  is  so  strongly 
for  rich  fat  Golden  String  Beans  that  I  am 
giving  these  sorts  special  attention.  A  pod 
as  large  as  a  man's  finger  and  solid,  without 
string,  and  richly  sweet  is  for  me  the  best  of 
vegetables,  if  cooked  delicately  in  milk  and 
cream.  These  sorts  I  am  now  able  to  have 
in  good  supply  until  frost.  It  is  probably  as 
well  to  rely  on  bush  Beans  for  early  use  and 
market,  and  yet  there  is  great  range  of  sea- 
son in  my  pole  Beans.  A  few  sorts  will 
probably  not  be  of  great  value  as  far  north 
as  here,  but  will  be  invaluable  in  the  more 
Southern  States.  Friends  have  sent  me 
Beans  from  China  and  South  America,  but 
none  have  proved  valuable  as  crosses. 

This  year,  for  the  first  time,  I  took  some 
pains  to  let  my  evolution  or  survival  of  the 
fittest  be  known  to  experts.  I  invited  Hon. 
Daniel  Batchelor,  whose  connection  with 
State  Agricultural  matters  brings  him  into 
well-known  prominence,  to  visit  my  fields. 
He  expressed  not  only  delight,  but  amaze- 
ment, and  urged  me  to  make  them  known 


to  seedsmen  and  the  public.  I  thereupon 
sent  a  basket  to  the  Rural  New  Yorker,  to 
Popular  Gardf.nixg,  and  to  several  of  the 
leiuling  horticulturists.  All  have  responded 
in  delighted  terms.  The  characteristics 
mentioned  at  once  by  Mr.  Batchelor  were 
"  size  and  qtiantity."  '•  It  is,"  he  said,  "not 
only  the  enormous  size  of  the  pods,  but  the 
enormous  quantity  of  Beans.  Why  sir,  the 
sight  is  worth  going  a  hundred  miles  to  see. 
It  is  the  greatest  thing  in  horticulture  I  have 
seen  in  many  a  year  " 

The  Results.  The  best  established  stock 
will  soon  be  placed  in  the  hand  of  one  of  our 
best  firms,  and  offered  to  the  public.  No 
lies  will  be  told,  nor  any  puffing  of  valueless 
sorts  because  of  their  novelty.  I  have  ruth- 
lessly thrown  away  several  hundred  sorts 
which  had  novel  features,  but  were  not  truly 
of  improved  value.  I  desire  by  what  are 
sent  out  to  give  rust-proof  sorts,  that  will 
be  equally^  good  for  home  culture  and  for 
market  gardeners.  I  should  like,  by  this 
account,  to  stimulate  others  to  efforts  at 
cross  breeding  and  selection.  There  are  the 
germs  of  very  fine  things  in  every  man's 
hands,  but  they  are  seldom  developed.  I 
remember  that  one  of  our  ablest  horticul- 
turists used  to  say  the  saddest  thing  to 
him  was  that,  notwithstanding  the  many 
improvements  in  fruit,  the  most  of  nature's 
propositions  in  that  direction,  were  stupidly 
neglected.  It  was  an  accident  that  saved 
for  us  the  Seckel  Pear.  Each  one  of  us 
should  have  constantly  on  hand  some  sort 
of  experiment,  an  effort  at  improvement. 
The  mere  pleasure  of  the  attempt  is'sufficient 
recompense,  but  there  is  almost  a  certainty 
of  practical  advance.  There  is  not  a  vege- 
table or  fruit  that  cannot  be  improved.  We 
have  several  fruits  that  are  now  worthless; 
that  one  hundred  years  from  now  will  be 
developed  into  the  richest  of  human  possess- 
sions.  The  Pawpaw.Persimmon, Quince  and 
others  are  yet  in  their  incipient  barbarous 
stages.  Who  will  give  us  the  fruits  of  these 
sorts  that  may  be?  Think  of  the  Peas  that 
were  our  best  fifty  years  ago.  The  Dahlias, 
in  our  flower  lawns,  show  what  may  come 
in  less  than  a  century  from  two  very  plain 
varieties.  The  Potato  has  had  its  day  of 
improvement,  and  the  Beet  is  as  good 
as  we  need.  Peas  have  been  marvelously 
advanced,  now  give  a  hand  to  the  Bean. 

I  might  add,  had  I  room,  some  very  start- 
ling lessons  in  heredity,  evolution,  and 
biological  science  in  general,  which  I  have 
learned  of  this  Bean  culture,  but  must  not 
do  more  than  to  say  that  it  confirms  the  great 
lesson  that  there  are  two  great  laws  operat- 
ing in  nature,  one  of  heredity  to  produce 
like,  one  of  cross  breeding  or  change  of 
environment  to  produce  change  of  form  and 
character.  Our  work  is  to  manage  these 
two  laws  or  tendencies:  to  break  up  a  fixed 
habit  when  it  is  not  a  good  one,  and  to 
establish  a  good  habit  when  possible. 

I  am  confident  that  whatever  else  I  do  not 
know  in  horticulture — alas,  a  great  deal — I 
do  know  of  Beans. 

Early  Tomatoes  for  Family  Use. 

ROBERT  L.  DEAN,  GREEN  CO.,  OHIO. 

Nearly  every  family  can  have  a  few  extra 
early  plants  for  Tomatoes  before  the  general 
crop  is  ripe.  Select  a  dozen  or  so  of  small 
flower  pots,  fill  them  with  rich  earth  mixed 
with  a  small  quantity  of  sand.  Make  a  box 
that  will  hold  these  pots  snugly,  and  project 
slightly  above  them.  Fill  the  crevices  be- 
tween the  pots  with  sand  and  keep  this 
moist.  Plant  a  few  seeds  in  each  pot  and 
place  the  box  in  a  warm  window.  When 
there  are  bright  warm  days  set  the  box  with 
a  pane  of  glass  over  it  in  a  sunny  position. 

It  will  be  necessary  to  watch  that  it  does 
not  become  too  warm  under  the  glass,  and 
the  heat  can  be  regulated  by  raising  one  end 
of  the  glass.   The  plants  wUl  make  substan- 


tial growth,  and  should  be  thinned  to  one 
in  each  pot.  This  method  will  be  satisfactory  • 
when  but  few  plants  are  needed.  As  the 
plants  become  of  considerable  size,  larger 
pots  may  be  necessary.  When  the  ground 
becomes  warm  the  hills  should  be  prepared 
with  rich  earth  into  which  the  contents  of 
the  pots  are  placed.  The  seed  should  be 
sown  in  February. 


Ohio  State  Horticultural  Society. 

(Cvmlensed  report  of  ttcrnty-third  Annual  meeting  held 
at  Columbus,  December  11  to  13th,  1&S9.  (Concluded 
from  page  y7.) 

Strawberry  Discussions,  The  majority 
favored  picking  but  two  crops.  Clean  out 
the  bed  thoroughly  as  soon  as  through  pick- 
ing the  first  crop.  Strawberries  although 
not  exhaustive  to  the  soil  require  a  great 
amount  of  available  tertility  to  meet  the 
great  demand  during  the  very  short  time 
occupied  in  growing  the  fruit.  Bubach, 
Warfield  and  Haverland  seemed  to  be  the 
favorites  among  the  comparatively  new 
varieties,  while  Prad,  Miami,  Viola,  Cloud 
and  Eureka  were  recommended  for  trial. 

James  Edgerton  of  Barnesville  had  found 
Crescent  his  most  profitable  variety.  Bu- 
bach was  superseding  the  Sharpless  in  his 
vicinity  which  had  long  been  considered  the 
home  of  the  Sharpless. 

Currants.  W.  N.  Farnsworth  preferred 
the  Victoria.  He  says,  plant  SxS  on  rich 
moist,  but  not  wetland,  cultivate  thorough- 
ly, prune  carefully  and  harvest  abundantly. 
1(53  bushes  yielded  2.5J.2  bushels,  some  of  the 
bushes  produced  twelve  to  fourteen  quarts 
each.  Apply  helebore  by  dusting  on  when 
the  worms  are  few  and  concentrated.  If 
plenty  and  scattered,  he  sprays  with  heli- 
bore  and  water.  Currants  were  very  low 
in  some  markets  the  past  season. 

Aprico;s  and  Pears,  The  Russian  Apricot 
was  thought  to  be  no  improvement  on  the 
common  European,  inasmuch  as  both  bloom 
so  early  in  spring  that  the  blossoms  were 
liable  to  be  killed  by  frost. 

Mr.  Ohmer  had  found  Pear  culture  profit- 
able. Would  not  plant  many  varieties,  but 
recommended  Bartlett,  Kieffer,  and  Law- 
rence as  standards,  and  Duchess  D'Angou- 
leme  as  dwarf.  It  was  as  important  to  ripen 
and  market  properly  as  to  grow  success- 
fully. The  Fitzwater  Pear  was  thought  to 
be  nearly  or  quite  the  same  as  Lawrence. 

Apples.  The  discussion  on  Apple  orch- 
ards seemed  to  indicate  that  cultivation  in 
some  hoed  crop  was  desirable  for  two  or 
three  years,  after  which  thin  soils  might  be 
seeded  and  pastured  with  sheep  or  weeded 
and  mulched,  while  deeper,  richer  soils 
could  either  be  managed  this  may  or  worked 
in  the  regular  rotation  of  field  crops  mulch- 
ing always  that  the  trees  make  a  satisfactory 
growth.  Stark  and  Grimes'  Golden  were 
proving  satisfactory. 

Other  Tree  Fruits.  Early  Richmond,  May 
Duke,  Large  Montmorency  and  Dyehouse, 
were  recommended  for  sour  Cherries,  and 
Gov.  Wood,  Black  Tartarian,  etc.,  among 
sweet  ones. 

European  Plums  were  preferable  to 
native  sorts.  Peaches  were  proving  very 
profitable  on  Calamby  Island,  and  the 
general  impression  prevailed  that  prospects 
were  better  than  heretofore  for  the  general 
culture  of  them. 

The  Champion  Quince  was  pronounced 
too  late  for  Ohio. 

R.  A.  Kent  says  the  Worden  and  Concord 
are  the  leading  varieties  of  Grapes  in  the 
Cleveland  Grape  regions.  Niagara  was 
also  doing  well. 

L.  B.  Pierce  presented  an  illustrated 
article  showing  the  desirability  of  Ever- 
green screens  and  windbreaks  in  adding  to 
the  appearance  and  comfort  of  the  home. 
Adjourned  to  meet  ;at  the  Experiment 
Station  at  Columbus,  June  9th,  1890. 


io6 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


February. 


Some  New  Vegetables. 

ht:^ert  m.  ^^•ELXS. 

Cabbage.  Extra  Early  Express  was 
claimed  to  be  the  earliest  sort  yet  produced. 
The  seed  was  sowed  at  the  same  time  as  my 
main  crop  of  Jersey  Wakefield,  and  was 
subjected  to  precisely  the  same  conditions 
during  the  entire  period  of  growth.  It  did 
not  prove  to  be  in  the  slightest  degree  earlier, 
and  the  heads  were  soft,  no  matter  how  long 
they  were  allowed  to  remain. 

All  Seasons'  Cabbage  was  compared  with 
Henderson's  Early   Summer   which  it  re- 


SASH  CULTURE  FOR  EXOTIC  GRAPES.  See  " Barticulture  in  New  Jersey." 
sembles  somewhat.  The  heads  average  de- 
cidedly larger  than  Henderson's,  mature  a 
week  or  ten  days  later,  and  are  about  the 
same  as  to  solidity.  An  excellent  variety  to 
follow  Henderson's  and  precede  the  com- 
mon Flat  Dutch. 

Celery.  Golden  Yellow  Large  Solid  was 
planted  for  comparison  with  the  Golden 
Heart.  The  few  well  developed  specimens 
I  managed  to  get  were  indeed  handsome 
and  of  good  quality,  but  the  general  result 
was  unsatisfactory.  The  plants  were  not 
very  ^'igorous,  and  averaged  from  one-half 
to  two-thirds  the  size  of  the  Golden  Heart. 
A  severe  frost  about  the  Hth  of  October 
damaged  my  Celery  somewhat,  and  this  new 
variety  suffered  a  good  deal  more  than  the 
old.  About  the  only  point  in  its  favor  seems 
to  be  that  it  requires  very  little  blanching. 

I  would  like  to  know  whether  there  is 
any  better  way  of  blanching  Celery  than 
the  old  one  of  earthing  up.  The  objection 
to  this  is  it  always  makes  the  Celery  rusty 
to  a  certain  extent. 


Horticulture  In  New  Jersey. 

(Continued  from  parjc  90.) 

Insect  Talk.  Prof.  Jno.  B.  Smith,  ento- 
mologist of  the  New  .Jersey  Experiment 
Station,  reads  a  paper  on  "  Insects  vermis 
Horticulture."  Many  of  the  most  destruc- 
tive insects  can  be  controlled  with  a  reason- 
able outlay  of  labor  and  money.  Among 
them  is  the  Codling  moth.  Spraying  the 
trees  with  arsenical  poisons  will  insure 
Apples  any  year,  when  the  season  is  favor- 
able; but  this  spraying  should  be  done  at 
the  proper  time,  and  repeated  as  often  as 
needed.  In  a  rainy  season  this  may  be  quite 
a  number  of  times.  When  the  egg  hatches, 
the  worm  should  find  a  thin  coat  of  poison 
on  the  Apple.  This  time  is  right  after 
blooming,  and  continues  for  a  few  weeks. 
Make  the  solution  very  weak  (one  ounce  to 
30  gallons  of  water),  and  put  it  on  very  thin, 
first  immediately  after  blooming,  and  re- 
peating once  or  twice  afterward.  In  spray- 
ing Peach  trees  for  the  curculio,  the 
strength  of  one  pound  to  '250  or  300  gallons 
water  will  probably  be  effective.  The  Xixon 
and  Cyclone  nozzles  are  doing  good  work. 

The  Apple  fly  has  been  noticed  near  New 
Brunswick,  N.  J.,  this  season.  The  larvae 
cannot  be  reached  with  poisons,  as  the  egg 


is  deposited  inside  the  fruit.  The  worm 
tunnels  all  through  the  Apple,  and  spoils  it 
for  use.  Possibly  the  fly  may  be  trapped 
with  sweets  of  which  it  is  said  to  be  fond. 

The  curculio's  weak  point  is  that  it  comes 
out  hungry  m  early  spring,  and  begins  to 
eat  as  soon  as  it  can  find  anything  to  eat. 
Begin  spraying  as  soon  as  the  leaves  are  out. 
and  repeat  e.xcept  during  the  time  of  bloom. 
Apple  trees  where  curculio  attacks  are 
feared,  should  be  sprayed. 

For  the  Asparagus  beetle,  which  has  be- 
come very  destructive  in  New  Jersey,  sev- 
eral remedies  are 
mentioned.  Lon- 
don Purple  would 
kill  bugs  and 
larvaB,  but  it  is 
almost  impossible 
to  put  it  on  so  it 
will  adhere.  The 
grubs  can  be 
killed  by  either 
Pyrethrum  or  To- 
bacco powder. 
The  eggs  and  old 
bugs  survive  this 
treatment. 

The  larva  of  the 

Rosebug        looks 

-^very  much  like  a 

small  white  grub 

of  the  May  beetle, 

and    probably    it 

also  lives  on  roots  in  grass  land.     It  may 

possibly  be  fought  in  this  state. 

During  the  discussions  following  this 
paper,  it  was  stated  that  the  saw  fly  larvae 
can  be  killed  with  Hellebore  or  Tobacco 
powder;  or  it  may  be  picked  off,  which  is 
not  so  very  different  as  these  insects  always 
feed  in  companies.  Mr.  Vandeman,  United 
States  pomologist,  states  that  some  years 
ago  the  Rosebug  was  exceeedingly  trouble- 
some in  Kansas,  but  after  a  three  or  four 
years'  attack  disappeared  all  at  once.  It  is 
not  impossible  that  they  may  also  leave  New 
Jersey  in  the  same  mysterious  way  that 
they  came.  Mr.  Roberts  calls  attention  to 
the  danger  of  London  Purple  applications 
to  the  foliage.  Has  had  better  success  with 
Paris  Green,  but  thinks  there  is  a  great  deal 
of  difference  in  different  samples.  Some 
Paris  Green  is  quite  coar.^e,  and  should  not 
be  used.  A  finely  ground  article  alone  will 
give  good  results.  It  was  also  said  that 
operations  in  the  fight  against  fungi  and  in- 
sects can  be  greatly  simplified  by  making 
applications  of  remedies  and  preventives  at 
the  same  time.  We  might  just  as  well  spray 
on  a  mixture  of  the  various  ingredients,  at 
a  saving  of  labor  and  material,  as  to  apply 
each  remedy  separately. 

The  Commi.ssios  Merchant.  Mr.  Wm. 
H.  Goldsmith  reads  a  paper  on  the  question. 
Can  the  fjirmers  of  New  Jersey  adopt  any 
system  of  disposing  of  their  products  to 
better  advantage  than  through  commission 
merchants?  This  paper  and  the  lively  dis- 
cussions which  followed  it,  brought  out  the 
fact  that  there  are  grave  abuses  in  common 
practice  with  commission  dealers,  and  that 
there  is  urgent  need  of  action  for  the  pur- 
pose of  having  the  evils  corrected.  The 
producer  often  does  not  get  one  quarter  the 
price  that  consumers  have  to  pay  for  the 
article.  Strawberry  growers  often  get  five 
cents,  after  waiting  about  a  year,  for  the 
same  fruit  which  the  dealer  may  have  sold 
within  a  day  or  so  for  ten  cents.  The  re- 
turns are  not  made  promptly  enough.  Some 
of  the  men  are  downright  dishonest.  One 
of  the  bad  practices  of  dealers  is  selling 
different  producers  goods  in  lump  lots; 
another  the  pilfering  allowed  in  the  stores, 
in  consequence  of  which  the  value  of  many 
fruit  packages  is  reduced  to  one-half. 

Sec'y.  E.  Williams  who  on  several  occa- 
sions has  discovered  that  the  commission 


merchant  had  reported  sales  at  a  lower 
figure  than  actually  realized,  says  he  is  not 
as  favorably  disposed  towards  dealers  as  he 
was.  The  best  way  to  dispose  of  our  fruits 
at  a  good  price,  was  to  make  the  commission 
merchant  honest. 

Mr.  Wm.  R.  Ward  advises  to  do  without 
the  services  of  the  commission  merchant 
wherever  it  is  possible  to  sell  directly  to  the 
consumer. 

A  committee,  with  Mr.  Wm.  R.  Ward, 
chairman,  appointed  to  consider  this  ques- 
tion, and  make  suggestions,  later  on  offered 
a  resolution,  which  was  adopted,  expressive 
of  the  following  sentiments: 

1.  We  denounce  the  growing  practice  of 
furnishing  empty  packages  by  commission 
dealers  to  shippers.  Each  grower  ought  to 
be  responsible  for  his  own  fruit. 

2.  We  commend  to  dealers  the  practice  of 
making  weekly  returns. 

3.  We  commend  to  dealers  the  practice  of 
giving  honest  quotations,  and  all  informa- 
tion that  the  shipper  may  desire. 

4.  We  denounce  the  carelessness  with 
which  packages  are  left  open,  and  pilfering 
allowed  by  employes  and  callers. 

5.  We  condemn  the  practice  of  selling 
goods  of  different  shippers  by  lump  lots. 

Fruit  Exchanges.  Mr.  H.  F.  Bodine 
presents  a  paper  in  which  he  puts  forth  the 
advantages  of  the  Fruit  Exchange  plan  as 
compared  with  the  commission  dealer  sys- 
tem. The  exchange  in  Hunterdon  County 
is  well  frequented  by  buyers,  and  good 
fruit  has  been  sold  for  better  prices  than 
were  realized  by  the  commission  plan. 

Mr.  Valentine  speaks  of  the  success  of  the 
"  Fruit  Growers'  Union  "  in  Hammonton. 
This  institution  combines  the  auction  with 
the  commission  plan,  but  all  the  shipping 
is  done  under  the  auspices  and  surveillance 
of  the  Union,  and  consequently  good  ser- 
vice is  secured. 

The  Home  Garden.  Mr.  C.  L.  Jones 
gave  a  paper  in  which  he  describes  the  possi- 
bilities and  profits  of  the  home  garden  in 
the  light  of  his  personal  experience.  In  the 
small  garden  which  a  city  home  affords,  we 
have  to  concentrate  our  efforts.  Mr.  Jones 
keeps  two  cold  frames  for  early  spring  crops, 
one  for  Radish  and  Lettuce,  and  another 
for  Pansies.  Asparagus,  Peas,  Radishes, 
Onions,  and  other  vegetables  are  produced 
in  his  little  garden  in  great  abundance.  A 
dozen  Tomato  plants  are  trained  on  trellis, 
and  furnish  all  the  Tomatoes  that  his 
family  wants.  Strawberries  are  planted 
every  fall  for  fruiting  next  season,  and  the 
patch  is  then  plowed  or  spaded  and  planted 
to  early  Potatoes,  Sweet  Corn,  Celery,  etc. 
He  plants  Gypsy,  Prince  and  Pearl.  A  few 
Raspberry  vines,  Cuthbert  and  Golden 
Queen,  give  the  next  supply  of  fruits.  Then 
there  are  a  few  Fay's  Currants  which  often 
yield  a  peck  of  fruit  to  the  bush,  also  some 
Gooseberry  bushes. 

A  few  Muskmelon  vines  are  started  early 
under  glass,  and  will  occupy  the  ground 
after  American  Wonder  Peas.  Among 
Sweet  Corn  varieties  Triumph  has  been 
found  very  satisfactory,  and  Dreer's  is  a 
favorite  among  Limas.  Of  tree  fruits  Mr. 
Jones'  garden  contains  one  tree  each  of 
Black  Tartarian  and  Early  Richmond 
Cherries,  a  few  Pears,  Peaches,  and  two 
Quinces  of  the  Orange  variety.  These  two 
Quince  trees  usually  give  him  much  more 
than  a  home  supply,  and  in  one  season  he 
sold  a  surplus  to  the  amount  of  $22.  There 
are  also  a  few  rows  of  Grapes. 

All  this  produce  Mr.  Jones  thinks,  pro- 
vides for  the  necessities  of  the  table,  but  he 
wants  some  luxuries  besides,  and  so  he  has 
planted  two  exotic  Grapes  (White  Muskat 
and  some  other  variety)  in  a  south-eastern 
exposure  close  to  a  building,  and  under  the 
protection  of  a  few  common  hot-bed  sash, 
which  form  a  kind  of  lean-to  house.    Any- 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


107 


one.  says  Mr.  .Tones,  who  has  a  tight  fence 
or  l)uilding,  seven  feet  high  facing  any  way 
except  north,  can  grow  plenty  of  exotic 
Grapes  in  this  manner,  without  much 
troulile.  The  illustration  (page  lOli)  explains 
Mr.  .Jones'  idea  more  fully.  The  material 
needed  consists  of  a  few  hot-bed  sash. which 
can  often  be  bought  very  cheap,  and  a  few 
cents'  worth  of  boards.  A  door  is  put  in 
one  or  both  of  the  ends.  Proper  ventilation 
can  easily  be  provided  in  a  number  of  ways. 
No  insects,  and  no  mildew  will  trouble  the 
vines  thus  protected. 

The  little  garden  described  gives  fruit  and 
vegetables  the  whole  season  through.  Be- 
sides these  blessings  it  contains  Roses  and 
all  sorts  of  annual  flowers  to  gladden  the 
hearts  of  wife  and  children.  The  results 
are  large  indeed  and  satisfaction  is  not  the 
least  of  these. 

To  be  contimicd. 


Mushroom  Culture  in  the  French 
Capital. 

The  often  mentioned  catacombs  of  Paris 
were  originally  subterranean  stone  quarries, 
which  furnished  the  beautiful,  soft,  white 
stones  so  much  used  in  building  up  the  city. 
Abandoned  as  quarries,  a  part  of  this  net 
work  of  underground  passages  is  used  as  a 
sort  of  burial  place,  and  the  name  cata- 
combs,which  properly  belongs  to  this  part,is 
usually  applied  to  the  whole  system  of  pas- 
sages, which  extend  under  the  city  at  various 
depths,  sometimes  nearly  200  feet  below  the 
surface.  All  this  is  city  property,  and  leased 
to  Mushroom  growers  in  larger  and  smaller 
portions.  The  passages  are  quite  irregular, 
from  five  to  fifteen  feet  wide,  and  from  six  to 
nine  feet  high. 

Each  of  these  underground  farms  has  a 
separate  entrance  or  shaft,  and  its  limits  are 
marked  by  walls.  Fig.  1  shows  the  ground 
plan  of  Mushroom  farm  belonging  to  Mons. 
Pautry.  in  Montrouge,  Paris,  which  is  quite 
extensive.  Entrance  is  at  A;  B  are  the  beds, 
and  the  white  spaces  in  the  center  of  the 
passages  mark  the  walks  between  the  beds. 
A  few  oil  lamps  suspended  here  and  there 
above  the  beds,  give  the  little  Ught  abso- 
lutely needed. 

In  Fig.  2  we  have  cross  section  of  an  en- 
trance or  shaft.  This  is  usually  finished  oft 
with  brick  from  the  ground  up.    At  the  foot 


rig.  6 


Mushroom  Faryn  of  Mr.  Laeour  in  ParU.  Fig.  4, 
Oround  Plan;  Fig.  5.  Cross  Section  of  Cellars  or  Tun- 
nets;  Fig.  6,  Cross  Section  of  the  Mushroom  Sheds. 

is  an  enlargement  built  as  shown,  while 
entrance  on  top  is  covered  with  a  simple 
shed.  Ladders  are  yet  the  usual  means  of 
entrance  and  exit,  while  a  basket,  rope  and 
pulley  are  the  means  of  bringing  the  crop 
of  Mushrooms  out  to  the  surface.  The  pre- 
pared manure  is  usually  thrown  right  down 
into  the  mouth  of  the  shaft,  and  allowed  to 
fall  down  to  the  foot,  to  be  carried  in  baskets 
to  the  place  where  wanted. 

Fig.  .3  gives  us  cross  section  of  some   of 
these  passages.     Where  dry,  without  drip 


from  the  roof,  the  passage  is  left  in  its 
original  shape,  as  shown  at  1,  except  that 
sharp  ends  of  projecting  stones  are  knocked 
off  and  the  beds  are  placed  close  against  the 
sides.  Drip  from  the  roofs  upon  the  beds  is 
always  a  serious  matter,  and  may  injure  or 
spoil  the  crop.  Hence,  where  this  occurs, 
the  walls  or  roofs  must  be  made  smooth,  to 
give  the  tunnel  the  shape  shown  in  2  or  3, 
so  that  the  water  sickering  through  from 
above  will  run  down  along  the  wall  on  each 
side  and  behind  a  board  partition,  against 
which  the  bed  is  made,  and  finally  soak  into 
the  ground  beneath.     To  keep  the  air  moist 


rig.  3 


Mushroom  Fami  of  Mr.  Pautry  in  the  Catacombs  of 
Paris.  Fig.  1,  Ground  Plan;  Fig.  2,  Cross  Section  of 
Shaft;  Fig.  3,  Cross  Section  of  Subterranean  Passages. 

in  tunnels  of  this  kind,boxes  of  fresh-burned 
lime  are  placed  every  30  feet  or  so  apart  in  the 
walks  between  the  beds.  The  lime  has  to 
be  renewed  from  time  to  time. 

Success  in  Mushroom  growing,  depends 
on  (1)  good  manure;  (2)  careful  supervision; 
(3)  good  spawn.  Horse  manure  is  the  only 
one  suited  for  this  purpose,  and  the  best 
is  well  soaked  with  urine,  and  from  horses 
that  are  fed  chiefly  on  Oats  and  straw,  and 
worked  rather  steadily.  The  litter  is  to 
be  carefully  removed,  and  the  clean  manure 
piled  up  in  pyramidal  form,  layer  after  layer, 
tramping  each  one  down  firmly.  The  sides 
are  then  raked  off  and  made  smooth  and 
solid  with  the  back  of  spade.  Each  heap  may 
be  protected  by  a  covering  of  litter,  and  is 
then  left  to  itself  for  a  period  of  eight  or  nine 
days.  Then  it  has  to  be  shovelled  over,mix- 
ing  the  mass  well  to  bring  the  outside  inside, 
and  the  top  to  the  bottom.  Where  flrefang 
is  noticed,  the  portions  should  be  well  broken 
up,  moistened  and  mixed  in  with  other  por- 
tions in  the  center  of  the  new  heap.  These 
heaps  may  have  to  be  worked  over  in  same 
manner  once  or  twice,  and  the  manure  is 
then  ready  for  use. 

The  beds  are  put  up  in  same  fashion  as 
described  for  the  preparation  of  manure  in 
heaps.  Layer  after  layer  is  firmly  packed 
with  the  feet,  no  water  being  used.  The 
surface  is  kept  rounding  towards  the  walks, 
as  shown  in  engravings,  and  the  back  part 
of  the  bed  made  about  two  feet  high.  Fur- 
ther treatment,  insertion  of  spawn,  etc.,  is 
about  the  same  as  repeatedly  described  m 
these  columns. 

There  are  now  about  .500  Mushroom 
growers  in  Paris,  'who  annually  buy  and 
use  manure  to  the  amount  of  200,000  francs, 
or  about  $40,000,  which  is  about  one-tenth 
the  amount  realized  for  the  product  in  the 
central  market  of  the  city. 

Still  not  all  of  this  vast  crop  is  grown  in 
the  catacombs.  Some  of  the  French  market 
gardeners  make  double  use  of  their  small 
areas  of  garden  by  constructing  cellars  or 
subterranean  passages  for  Mushroom  grow- 
ing right  underneath  their  regular  crops  of 
garden  vegetables.  The  Mushroom  farm  of 
Monsieur  Lacour,  in  Vangirard,  Paris,  one 
of  the  best  arranged  of  this  kind,  might  be 
duplicated  in  any  locality  with  natural 
drainage,  in  America  as  well  as  Europe. 


Fig.  4  gives  ground  plan;  Fig.  R  cro.ss  view 
of  the  underground  section.  Each  of  the 
six  tunnels  or  cellars  is  300  feet  long,  nearly 
ten  feet  high  and  six  feet  high  in  center, 
having  an  incline  of  about  three  feet  to  its 
entire  length. 

Convenient  stairs  lead  down  into  the  cross 
passage  at  one  end.  A  chimney  (indicated 
in  illustration  Fig.  4),  consisting  of  four 
boanls  nailed  together,  and  reaching  from 
inside  of  each  tunnel  high  up  above  the 
ground,  provides  the  needed  ventilation. 
The  walks  or  paths  are  slightly  sunk  below 
the  ground  level  of  the  beds. 

The  ground  above  this  Mushroom  farm 
was  at  first  used  for  the  cultivation  of  a 
general  line  of  garden  vegetables.  Monsieur 
I.,acour  soon  found  that  Mushroom  growing 
was  much  more  remunerative,  and  he  soon 
hit  upon  the  idea  of  making  the  surface 
yield  Mushrooms  also.  A  first  trial  with 
sheds  proved  satisfactory,  and  the  surface  is 
now  arranged  as  shown  in  Fig.  6.  The  shed 
roofs  are  coated  with  tar,  and  provided  with 
eaves  troughs  to  carry  off  the  rain  water. 
Small  windows,  placed  eighty  feet  apart, 
and  hung  with  cloth  from  inside,  give  what 
light  there  may  be  needed.  Two  lines  of  hot 
water  or  steam  pipe  are  laid  in  the  walks, 
covered  over  with  open  metal  plates,  and 
provide  the  heat  needed  in  the  colder  season. 
We  think  there  is  room  for  similar  struc- 
tures in  this  country. 


Planting    Dwarf    Pears    to     Become 
Standards. 

JUDGE  SAMUEL  MILLER,  MO.VTGOMERY  CO.,  MO. 

The  Quince  cutting  forming  the  stock  is 
usually  almost  a  foot  long,  and  the  trees 
must  be  planted  so  deep  that  it  is  not  an 
easy  matter,  and  unless  the  soil  is  deep  and 
rich  is  not  always  a  success. 

Many  years  ago  I  bought  some  Dwarf 
Pear  trees  with  the  stem  of  the  root  not 
more  than  three  or  four  inches  long.  On 
asking  the  man  (as  he  was  simply  an  ama- 
teur), how  he  managed  to  grow  such  short 
cuttings,  he  stated  that  he  made  rather  short 
cuttings  in  the  first  place,  then  when  bud- 
ding, he  removed  the  earth  away  from 
around  the  trees,  inserted  the  bud  an  inch 
under  ground,  replaced  the  earth  and 
banked  up  an  inch  or  two  more.  This  done 
in  August,  the  Quince  stock  would  emit 
roots  above  the  bud,  so  that  in  the  spring 
he  would  have  a  rooted  cutting  for  every 
budded  stock.  Cut  off  close  above  the  bud, 
cement  the  stub,  and  when  the  bud  had 
grown  a  few  inches,  fill  up  with  earth  again. 

When  planting  such  trees,  the  Pear  gets 
six  inches  in  the  ground,  without  having  to 
dig  a  hole  a  footand  a  half  deep  and  getting 
into  the  clay.  Of  course  Dwarf  Pears  should 
have  the  soil  over  a  foot  deep  well  tilled, 
but  many  will  not  go  to  the  trouble  of  thus 
preparing  the  ground.  Dwarf  trees  of  this 
kind  will  soon  send  out  roots  from  the  Pear, 
and  be  a  half  Standard,  which  I  think  is 
preferable  to  either  a  full  Standard  or  com- 
plete Dwarf. 

There  are  trees  of  this  kind  on  my  place 
here  twenty  years  old  and  bearing  still, 
while  the  Dwarfs  planted  shallow,  that  were 
set  out  at  the  same  time,  are  all  gone. 


1,639.  Plants  for  Bockery.  AmoDg  plants  which 
thrive  in  dry  sunny  situations,  and  are  suitable  for 
a  rockery,  we  have:  Alyssuni  maritinium.  A.  saxa- 
tile  compactum.  Arabia  albida  variepata,  Arenaria 
purpurascens.  Aster  longifolius  formosus.  Aubrietia 
deltoidea  grandiflora,  Campanula  garganica,  Cheir- 
antbus  alpinus,  Cistus  laurifolius.  Cytisus  decum- 
bent*. Draba  bceotica  Erica  carnea  and  var  alba. 
Erysimum  rupestre.  Genista  piasoox.  Iberis  corre«e- 
folia.  I.  sempervirens  plena.  Lirbopttermum  pros- 
tjatum,  Lotus  corniculatus  plenus.  Pblox  subulata 
Nelsoni.  P.  verra,  Potentilla  spleiidens.  Saxifraga 
Burseriana.  S  Camposi.  S.  Cotyledon  pyramidalis. 
S.  longifolia.  Sedum  spe'tabile  Sileue  mariDma 
plena,  and  Zauscbneriy  califormica.  A  few  others 
do  well  in  somewhat  thady.  dry  places,  anoig 
them:  Hypericum  calyctnum  acd  H  olympicum, 
Vinca  major,  and  var.  elegantissima,  V.  minor,  and 
var  plena. 


io8 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


February, 


The  Garden  Mallows. -A  Pure  White 
Variety. 

The  Mallows  are  easily-grown  garden 
plants,  and  as  the  flowers  are  attractive  and 
of  pleasing  odor,  they  are,  in  certain  kinds, 
among  the  more  desirable  plants  for  the 
border. 

In  a  recent  issue  of  Mr.  Robinson's  Gar- 
dening Illustrated,  attention  was  called  to 
one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  the  hardy  per- 
ennial Mallows,  namely  the  White  Musk 
Mallow,  a  variety  of  the  English  Mallow, 
Malva  Moschata,  and  of  which  former  we 
reproduce  the  engraving  herewith.  It 
is  described  as  forming  a  branching 
pyramidal  bush,  composed  of  numerous 
stems  about  two  feet  high,  and  bears 
an  abundance  of  flowers  from  one  inch 
to  one  and  a  half  inches  in  diameter. 
It  is  a  hardy  perennial,  and  will  grow 
in  almost  any  soil  or  situation,  but  a 
hot,  dry  place  suits  it  best,  hence  it  is 
well  adopted  to  the  American  climate. 
The  plant  is  slightly  musk-scented. 

Among  others,  Malva  carapanulata 
is  a  beautiful  dwarf  plant,  but  rare  and 
difficult  to  grow  well,  as  it  is  not  quite 
hardy  except  in  very  mild  districts.  It 
is  dwarf  and  spreading,  and  bears 
numerous  lilac  bellshaped  flowers.  M. 
Alcea,  Moreni,  and  Mauritanica  are 
worth  growing  when  a  full  collection 
is  desired. 

The  annual  Malva  M.  Crixpa  is  also 
valuable  for  all  large  collections.  It 
grows  from  three  feet  to  six  feet  high, 
forming  an  erect  pyramidal  bush  of 
broad  leaves,  with  a  curled  or  frizzled 
margin.  Bushes  of  this  are  pretty  in 
groups,  beds  or  borders.  It  may  be 
sown  in  cool  frames  and  put  out  early 
in  May,  by  which  means  strong  plants 
may  be  obtained  early  in  the  season. 

One  correspondent  thus  wrote  last 
summer  respecting  this  annual  Mallow 
(M.  cri«pa):— "I  never  see  that  any  of 
your  correspondents  mention  this  plant, 
which  is  now  to  be  seen  with  me  in  all 
its  beauty.  I  have  a  long  bed  full  of 
it.  It  grows  to  a  height  of  four  feet, 
and  bears  large  showy  flowers  of  pink  and 
white.  Every  one  is  struck  by  the  brilliancy 
of  the  coloring  and  the  size  of  the  flowers, 
which  few  have  ever  seen.  It  is  very  diffi- 
cult to  procure  the  right  seed.  Mine  was 
sent  me  last  year  from  Guernsey,  and  this 
year  the  flowers  and  foliage  are  lovelier 
than  last.  My  gardener  saved  the  seed. 
They  make  splendid  decorations  for  a  room, 
and  the  flowers  remain  fresh  for  so  long. 
It  is  an  annual  that  ought  to  be  largely 
cultivated." 


square  inches  of  space  each.  If  the  frame 
is  kept  rather  close  for  a  few  days  the  plants 
will  quickly  get  hold  of  the  soil  and  with  a 
moderate  quantity  of  air,  at  all  times  after- 
wards, they  will  soon  make  sturdy  plants, 
that  will  lift  with  balls  of  splendid  roots, 
in  masses  as  large  as  a  man's  hand.  As  a 
matter  of  fact  any  pains  taken  to  secirre 
strong,short  plants  before  bedding  the  better 
assures  the  success  of  the  season's  work. 

Strong-growing  varieties  like  the  Pseony- 
flowered  and  Quilled  Asters  should  be 
planted  from  one  foot  to  fifteen  inches  apart 


The  Culture  of  Chinese  Asters. 

WM.   D.  WILUS,   BUCKS  CO..  TA. 

The  secret  of  growing  these  favorite 
autumn  annuals  centers  in  three  points 
namely:  a  well-enriched  soil,  plenty  of  sun 
and  plenty  of  water  in  dry  weather. 

In  regard  to  soil  they  like  rich  and  fairly 
deep  garden  loam,  preferring  that  which  is 
strong  to  sand.  Manure  from  an  old  hot- 
bed is  as  good  a  fertilizer  as  any,  and  a  layer 
at  least  two  inches  deep  of  this  over  the 
space  to  be  planted,  spading  it  in,  should  be 
about  right.  In  pot  culture— and  the  Aster 
is  a  superior  plant  for  exhibition  and  other 
decorative  purposes  when  grown  in  pots— it 
is  important  to  be  at  considerable  pains  to 
have  the  soil  properly  prepared,  if  large  and 
perfectly-formed  flowers  is  the  aim.  A  com- 
post should  be  used  consisting  of  three  parts 
decayed  sods,  one  part  old  manure  with  the 
addition  of  a  liberal  quantity  of  leaf-mold. 

It  Asters  are  wanted  in  full  bloom  by 
August,  the  seed  should  be  sown  in  gentle 
heat  by  the  middle  of  March,  and  in  three 
weeks  they  ought  to  be  transplanted  into  a 
new  position  giving  the  plants  about  six 


WHITE  GARDEN  MALLOW.    Malra  moKchata  alha. 

each  way.  In  a  rich  strong  soil  they  spread 
out  a  good  deal  while  in  light  sand  there  is 
less  inclination  in  this  direction.  It  is  well 
to  set  the  plants  in  a  slight  depression  ex- 
tending along  the  rows  in  one  direction,  to 
facilitate  watering  in  summer.  As  the 
season  advances  the  drills  maybe  gradually 
filled  in  with  the  ettect  to  induce  an  increase 
of  roots  near  to  the  surface.  The  tall 
varieties  should  be  sustained  by  short  incon- 
spicuous stakes  to  prevent  the  rain  from 
bending  or  breaking  down  the  plants. 

For  exhibition  purposes  Asters  may  be 
grown  singly  in  four  or  five  inch  pots. 
Another  favorite  way  is  to  set  two  or  three 
plants  into  six  or  seven  inch  pots,  using  the 
soil  described  above.  Each  pot  should  be 
filled  with  plants  of  the  same  color,  other- 
wise the  effect  will  be  far  from  satisfactory 
when  they  are  in  bloom.  The  pots  should 
be  plunged  in  coal  ashes  or  soil  during  the 
summer.  In  either  case  they  must  stand  on 
a  hard  bottom  or  else  be  set  over  a  smaller 
pot  plunged  beneath  the  regular  pot  to 
prevent  worms  from  getting  into  the  pots. 

At  no  time,  whether  grown  in  pots  or 
bedded  out,  should  the  plants  be  allowed  to 
suffer  from  want  of  water  at  the  roots.  As 
the  season  of  bloom  arrives  to  treat  the 
plants  to  a  dose  of  liquid  manure  of  the 
color  of  tea,  will  be  beneficial. 

There  can  be  no  doubt  that  judicious 
shading  of  the  flowers  as  they  open,  is  con- 
ducive to  purer  and  better  coloring  in  the 
blooms.  Although  the  flowers  bear  shading 
the  plants  must  have  plenty  of  air.  A 
suitable  shade  may  be  provided  by  elevating 
over  the  plants  a  glass  sash  the  lights  of 
wliich  have  been  coated  with  a  lime  wash. 


The  Botanic  Garden  at  St.  Louis: 
Extending  its  Usefulness. 

At  a  recent  meeting  of  the  trustees  of  the 
Missouri  Botanical  Gardens  the  following 
outline  of  general  policy  to  be  pursued  in 
the  development  of  the  important  institu- 
tion left  to  their  charge  was  adopted: 

To  maintain  and  add  to  the  present  orna- 
mental features  of  the  garden. 

To  increase  the  botanical  usefulness  of 
the  collection  by  the  introduction  of 
American  plants,  so  that,  other  things  being 
equal,  these  shall  ultimately  be  largely 
represented,  and  may  even  prepon- 
derate outside  of  the  green-houses, 
giving  them  in  the  garden  an  epitome 
of  the  characteristics  of  our  native  flora. 
To  carry  into  execution,  as  rapidly 
as  possible,  a  system  of  correctly 
naming  and  labeling  all  plants  in  the 
grounds  with  the  exception  of  such  as 
may  be  used  in  ribbon-gardening  or  for 
other  exclusively  ornamental  purposes. 
To  provide  fire-proof  quarters  for 
the  invaluable  herbarium  of  the  late 
Dr.  George  Engelmann,  and  to  im- 
mediately mount  it  in  the  proper  man- 
ner, so  as  to  Insure  its  preservation 
and  availability  for  scientific  use.  Also 
to  provide  for  and  add  to  the  general 
herbarium  { based  on  that  of  Bem- 
hardi )  now  at  the  garden,  with  the 
special  object  of  making  it  complete 
in  good  representatives  of  American 
plants. 

To  arrange,  bind,  and  index  the  books 
and  pamphlets  at  the  garden.  Also  to 
provide  more  ample,  but  equally  safe, 
accommodations  for  the  library,  to 
bring  it  up  to  date  as  rapidly  as  possi- 
ble, to  enter  subscriptions  to  period- 
ical publication,  and  to  keep  it  abreast 
of  the  times  and  in  the  most  useful 
form  by  the  purchase  of  important 
publications  as  they  shall  appear,  and 
by  the  proper  indexing  of  periodicals 
and  pamphlets. 

To  secure  a  botanical  museum  con- 
taining material  needed  for  study  or 
calculated    to   advance  knowledge  of 
botany. 

To  direct  the  main  effort  of  research  for 
the  present  toward  aiding  in  the  completion 
of  a  systematic  account  of  the  fiowering 
plants  of  North  America,  by  the  publica- 
tion of  monographs  of  different  orders  and 
genera — illustrated  when  this  may  seem 
desirable;  and  to  cultivate  representatives 
of  such  groups  for  purpo.ses  of  study. 

To  gradually  acquire  and  utilize  facilities 
for  research  in  vegetable  histology  and 
physiology,  the  diseases  and  injuries  of 
plants,  and  other  branches  of  botany  and 
horticulture,  as  special  reason  for  develop- 
ing the  one  or  the  other  may  appear  in  the 
judgment  of  the  managers. 

To  make  the  facilities  of  the  garden  use- 
ful in  botanical  and  horticultural  instruc- 
tion, as  they  increase  and  opportunity  for 
such  work  appears;  meantime  in  all  feasible 
ways  to  attract  to  the  School  of  Botany 
students  of  promise,  and  to  provide  for  their 
instruction  and  the  best  use  of  their  time  as 
investigators. 

To  take  steps  looking  to  the  early  appoint- 
ment of  a  number  of  "garden-pupils"— 
youths  with  at  least  an  elementary  English 
education,  who  shall  be  regarded  as  appren- 
tices in  the  garden,  working  under  the 
direction  of  the  head  gardener  and  foremen 
and  shall  hold  scholarships  sufficient  for 
their  living  expenses,  together  with  free 
tuition  in  the  School  of  Botany;  and  who, 
after  having  worked  for  several  years  in 
the  different  departments  of  the  garden, 
and  proved  proficient  in  its  practical  work, 
may  be  admitted  to  examination  for  a  certi- 
ficate of  proficiency  in  the  theory  and 
practice  of  gardening. 


1890. 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


109 


To  have  in  mind,  in  appointing  associates 
for  tlio  director,  their  special  aptitnde  in 
some  line  of  the  branches  indicated  above, 
so  that  with  each  appointment  the  efficiency 
of  the  institution  toriustruction  and  origin- 
al work  may  be  broadened  and  increased. 


Small-Leaved  Mock  Orange. 

The  Pliiladelplms,  Syringa  or  Mock 
Orange,  is  a  genus  of  common  native  shrub 
of  many  species,  all  of  which  are  quite 
hardy,  and  may  be  propagated  by  seeds, 
layers,  cutting,  or  division.  They 
are  common  in  the  mountains  of 
Virginia  and  southward.  A  few 
years  ago  the  subject  of  our  illus- 
tration, a  small-leaved,  dwarfish 
variety  (PliUadcli)hns  microplii/l- 
(»»■),  was  introduced  here  from  New 
Mexico,  and  it  is  a  decidedly  inter- 
esting,and  remarkable  pretty  little 
shrub.  The  branches  and  twigs  are 
slender  and  erect;  leaves  one-half 
to  three-quarter  inch  long,  ovate- 
lanceolate  or  oblong,  entire,  slightly 
obtuse.  The  shrub  flowers  just  as 
profusely  as  the  larger  kinds,  and 
the  bloom  has  a  delicate  perfume, 
somewhat  intermediate  between 
the  scent  of  Orange  and  of  ripe 
Quince,  much  pleasanter  than  that 
of  other  species.  Altogether  we 
think  well  of  this  newer  introduc- 
tion, and  recommend  it  as  worthy  a 
place  among  the  choicest  of  small- 
growing  shrubs.  Notwithstanding 
its  dwarfish  nature,  it  grows  mod- 
erately fast.  Our  illustration  is  re- 
duced from  Gardener's  Magazine. 


A   Chrysanthemum  Banquet  In 
Japan. 

The  interest  in  the  Chrysanthemum,  so 
intense  in  America  and  Kurope,  nearly 
encircles  the  globe.  The  following  is  a 
translation  from  the  Tokio  Post  of  an  ac- 
count of  the  latest  of  the  famous  annual 
Chrysanthemum  shows  in  that  city.  The 
translation  was  made  by  Garden  and  Forest 
by  Mr.  K.  Miyabe,  the  .Japanese  botanist 
now  in  Cambridge,  Massachusetts. 

According  to  the  yearly  practice  the  gar- 


Birds  in  the  Garden. 

TT.  PHELPS,  ONEIDA  CO.,  N.  T. 

I  am  not  of  these  who  think  birds 
a  nuisance  in  the  garden.  I  gladly 
give  them  a  chance  at  the  fruits 
they  desire  between  their  forages 
on  insects.  There  are  more  song- 
sters and  less  insects  in  my  garden 
I  think  than  in  any  other  for  a  longdistance 
around. 

One  thing  that  conduces  to  the  presence  of 
birds  is  my  encouragement  to  them  to  rest 
on  my  grounds.  I  enclose  a  sketch  of  sev- 
eral homes  for  birds  made  of  sections  of  tree 
trunks  that  I  have  located  in  my  garden. 

The  blocks  were  sawed  ofl*  and  afterwards 
hollowed  out  suflficiently  for  a  nesting  place 
by  the  use  of  an  inch  augur.  The  section  to 
tiie  right  was  bored  out  from  below,  after 
which  an  entrance  was  bored  in  from  the 


ground,  and  crowned  with  flowers  of  differ- 
ent colors  and  shapes. 

Next,  to  the  right,  was  a  bed (18 by  60  feet) 
for  large  flowered  varieties. 

Parallel  to  this  was  a  bed  in  which  only 
three  plants  were  set  out.  The  first  one, 
called  the  Golden  Dew  (Ogonno  Tsuyu),  was 
decked  with  338  blossoms,  all  golden  yellow. 
The  next  named,  the  Hanakai,  has  2.53  blos- 
soms of  red  color.  The  last,  the  Sanono 
Watari,  was  covered  with  173  white  blos- 
soms, and  impressed  one  as  the  best  of  the 
three.  The  flowers  were  all  about 
1  1.5  of  an  inch  in  diameter. 

The  next  bed  contained  about  450 
plants  of  about  60  different  varieties. 
Each  plant  was  allowed  to  bear  only 
one  flower,  and  the  diameter  of  the 
flowers  was  only  aliout  15  or  16 
inches.  This  bed  seemed  to  be  the 
crowning  show  of  the  day.  The 
banquet  was  held  in  an  arbor  set  up 
on  the  lawn  just  in  front  of  this  bed. 


Siiiiph  Devices  for  Binls^  A'cste. 

side  and  a  lighting  stick  provided;  then 
it  was  nailed  to  a  tree  to  represent  a  stump. 
The  smaller  one  had  an  opening  made  from 
the  top,  over  which  a  roof  was  nailed,  as 
shown  in  the  sketch.  It  certainly  does  not 
require  unusual  skill  or  ingenuity  to  build 
a  number  of  breeding  boxes  of  these  or 
similar  designs,  and  fasten  them  into  the 
trees  for  the  little  feathered  policemen,  who 
pay  well  by  their  efforts  in  insect  destruc- 
tion for  the  fruits  they  consume. 


SMALL-LEAVED  MOCK  ORANGE.— {Philadelphia  microphyllus.) 

deners  in  Tokio  and  Saikio  raised  many 
rare  and  beautiful  varieties  of  Chrysanthe- 
mums forthe  Imperial  Garden  by  the  special 
order.  On  November  8  the  members  of  the 
cabinet,  the  foreign  ministers  and  a  few 
others,  were  invited  by  the  court  to  the 
"Chrysanthemum  Banquet."  The  follow- 
ing accounts  are  written  from  what  we  have 
heard  from  one  who  enjoyed  this  privilege: 

The  first  bed,  18  by  120  feet,  was  placed 
just  behind  the  arbor.  The  entire  bed  was 
roofed  with  screea  mats  made  of  reeds,  in 
order  to  protect  the  flowers  from  frost  and 
sun.  From  post  to  post  on  three  sides  of  the 
bed  a  curtain  or  screen,  made  of  purple  silk, 
with  the  imperial  badge,  the  Chi-ysanthe- 
mum,  relieved  in  white,  was  tied  rotind  with 
crimson-tasseled  ribbon.  The  flowers  were 
at  their  prime.  They  were  of  different 
colors,  and  their  diameters  seemed  to  be 
about  three  or  four  inches.  Several  hundred 
of  these  plants  were  arranged  without  any 
regular  order  in  the  bed.  Among  them,  one 
called  the  Sugawara,  with  petals  red  inside 
and  yellow  on  the  outer  sides,  and  the  Kag- 
aribi,  with  its  crimson  flowers,  attracted  a 
great  deal  of  attention. 

The  next  bed  to  the  left  was  roofed  with 
oiled  paper  screens,  the  rest  of  the  surround- 
ing structures  being  just  the  same  as  the 
first.  In  this  bed  all  those  varieties  having 
the  filiform  petals  were  arranged.  A  white 
flower  called  the  "  Aunobiki  "  is  worthy  of 
note;  the  petals  were  fine  as  threads,  droop- 
ing down  in  tassels  like  a  water-fall.  One 
variety  with  crimson  petals  tipped  with 
yellow  was  very  conspicuous. 

To  the  right  there  was  one  bed  12  by  60 
feet,  planted  with  13  different  root  stocks,  ; 
each  supporting  numerous  grafted  branches,  ! 
rising  from  the   stem   a   little   above   the 


Pansies  from  Seed. 

PETER    HENDERSON. 

The  seeds  of  Pansies  maybe  sown 
in  the  sitting-room,  greenhouse  or 
hot-bed  where  the  temperature  will 
run  from  65  to  75  degrees,  any  time 
from   middle  of  January  to  middle 
of  April,  but  the  earlier  in  the  sea- 
son they  ai'e  sown,  the  stronger  the 
plants  will   be.     The  best  way  to 
start  Pansies,  or  in  fact,  any  kind 
of  flower  seeds,  is  in  shallow  boxes 
rather  than  in  pots.    Use  ordinary, 
rich  soil,  make  the  surface  perfectly 
smooth   and   level,  then  press  the 
seeds  gently  down  with  a  smooth 
board,  so  as  to  merely  sink  it  into 
the    soil;    over   the   seed   sift   just 
enough  fine  soil  to  hide  the  seed, 
say  about  1-16  part  of  an  inch  in 
depth ;    again    press   gently   down 
with  a  smooth  board,  and  the  sow- 
ing is  complete.     Place  your  box  in 
the    light,  and  water   gently  with 
tepid  water,  so  as  not  to  disturb  the  soil.   In 
about  five  or  si.x  weeks  from  the  time  of 
sowing  transplant  the  seedlings  into  another 
box,  and  when    they  Ijegin  to  crowd  one 
another,  place  in  fiower  pots,  or  boxes,  to 
be  grown  inside  or  in  the  open  ground,  as 
may  be  desired. 

When  it  is  not  convenient  to  give  Pansies 
the  house  culture  just  described,  the  seeds 
can  be  sown  in  the  open  ground  as  soon  as 
it  is  dry  enough  to  work  in  spring.  They 
should  be  sown  exactly  as  described — in  the 
boxes — pressing  down  the  seeds,  then  slight- 
ly covering  up,  and  pressing  down  again, 
but  they  had  better  always  be  sown  in  rows, 
and  when  they  come  up  and  are  about  an 
inch  or  so  in  height,  they  can  be  transplant- 
ed at  a  distance  of  one  foot  apart,  and  if  the 
soil  is  rich  and  the  season  at  all  favorable, 
you  may  expect  continuous  bloom  through- 
out the  entire  season. 


1,631.  Bust  on  Verbenas.  Keep  only  strong, 
thrifty-growing  plants  and  try  to  keep  them 
making  healthy  gi'owth.  Watch  the  plants  care- 
fully, and  throw  out  all  infected  ones  as  soon  as 
noticed.— P.  G. 

1,634.  Wood  and  Coal  Ashes.  The  former 
contain  a  considerable  per  centagc  of  mineral 
elements  of  plantfood,  making  a  ton  of  it  worth 
from  $8  to  $1.5;  the  latter  has  no  plant  food  what- 
ever. Yet  coal  ashes  possess  some  value  as  a 
mulch  for  tree  and  small  fruits,  also  in  opening 
up,  mellowing  and  generally  improving  stiff  clay 
soils.  Still  there  are  prol)ably  but  few  cases 
when  it  would  pay  to  hire  team  and  wagon  for 
hauling  coal  ashes  tour  miles- 

1636.  Volunteer  Tomato,  This  has  been  highly 
praised  as  an  early  prolific  and  reliable  sort  by 
growers  at  the  North.  It  ripens  its  crop  during 
a  comparatively  short  time,  while  Dwarf  Cham- 
pion, which  gives  a  few  ripe  specimens  earlier 
than  any  other  good  sort  we  know;  matures  its 
fruit  slowly  and  steadily  all  through  the  season. 
See  also  our  "Notes  of  the  Popular  Gardening 
Grounds,"  elsewhere  in  this  issue. 


I  lO 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


February, 


Winter  Apples. 

What  cheer  is  there  that  is  half  so  good, 

Id  the  snowj*  waste  of  a  Winter  night, 
As  a  dancing  tire  of  Hicltory  wood, 

And  an  easy  chair  in  its  mellow  light, 
And  a  Pearmain  Apple,  ruddy  and  sleek. 
Or  a  Jenneting  with  a  freckled  cheek? 
A  Russet  Apple  is  fair  to  view. 

With  a  tawny  tint  like  an  Autumn  leaf, 
The  warmth  of  a  ripened  Cornfield'g  hue, 

Or  golden  tint  of  a  harvest  sheaf; 
And  the  wholesome  breath  of  the  finished  year 
Is  held  in  a  Winesap's  blooming  sphere. 
They  bring  you  a  thought  of  the  orchard  trees. 

In  blossomy  April  and  leafy  June, 
And  the  sleepy  droning  of  bumble  bees. 

In  the  lazy  light  of  the  afternoon, 
And  tangled  Clover  and  Bobolinks. 
Tiger  Lilies  and  Garden  Pinks. 

St.  Nicholas. 


How. 

Where  all  the  hills  were  green 

Is  a  brown  and  barren  waste. 
But  earth's  fresh  breath,  that  laughs  at  death. 

Tells  how  the  buds  make  haste. 
Through  the  gray  and  faded  grass 

The  green  blades  rise  to  light. 
And  the  wind  that  grieves  in  the  sweet  dead  leaves. 

Is  full  of  vague  delight. 

Touth^s  Companion. 


Poor  Beedi  poor  crops. 

Plan  the  spring's  planting. 

Crowding  in  time  makes  cripples. 

City  florists  make  up  floral  valentines. 

Cold  water  with  rising  heat  for  frosted  plants. 

How  abont  eight  hours  work  in  the  greenhouse? 

Window  plants  seem  glad  for  the  longer  days. 

A  man  of  family  who  has  land  and  wiU  not 
grow  some  Grape  vines  should  be  deprived  of 
citizenship. 

In  a  high  dry  heat  expect  now  to  see  the  red 
spider  on  plants.  Hemedy,  moisture  by  syring- 
ing or  otherwise. 

Dull  days  cause  danger  of  damp  in  the  plant 
pots.  Air  freely  on  warm  days  and  give  the 
plants  more  space. 

Begonias  in  windows  do  not  like  to  have  their 
leaves  wet,  especially  when  the  room  is  cool.  It 
is  apt  to  rot  the  foliage. 

The  Enmerle  Lima  Bean  does  not  seem  to  be 
in  stock  this  year.  Our  thanks  are  due  Mr.  A  I. 
Koot  lor  a  few  seeds  for  testing. 

Wild  Violets  found  in  bloom  on  my  farm  Dec. 
Slth,  1889 ;  this  is  wonderful  for  our  latitude. — 
D.  F ,  Pecltsihm-oii-Huclson,  JV.  T. 

He  onght  to  take  it.  will  you  not  speak  to 
your  neighbor  of  the  value  of  Popular  Gar- 
DENiNGy    This  we  would  aijpreciate. 

A  well -grown  chrysanthemum,  propagated 
from  a  pure  leaf,  was  recently  e.vhibited  in  Eng- 
land before  the  <'hrysanthemura  Society. 

Export  of  Apples.  It  is  estimated  that  two 
and  a  half  million  barrels  of  Apples  were  shipped 
from  the  United  States  and  Canada  to  Eogland 
last  year. 

Kalamazoo  Celery.  If  1  should  want  seed  in 
quantity,  1  would  bviy  Henderson's  Dwarf  White 
which  is  the  same  thing  as  Kalamazoo.— S 
Rupert,  Ohit)  Celery  Gardens. 

The  Oolden-tinted  California  Privet  (Liffus- 
trum  ovalifoUum  mire^im),  quite  a  vigorous  grow- 
er, is  decidedly  attractive,  and  contrasts  very 
prettily  with  green  leaved  shrubs. 

The  good  housewife  may  be  able  to  make  a 
good  suggestion.  Let  her  examine  your  list  of 
seeds,  ijlants  and  trees,  for  spring  jilanting 
before  giving  it  to  the  dealer  to  fill. 

The  Nutmeg  Hickory  of  Arkansas  and  vicin- 
ity is  pronounced  liy  Prof.  Sargent  to  be  the 
strongest  wood  in  the  United  States,  while  the 
West  Indian  Birch  is  said  to  be  the  weakest. 

America  Leading  England,  Mrs.  Alpheus 
Hardy  Chrysanthemum  has  long  since  taken  a 
place  among  standard  sorts  here ;  in  England  it 
has  only  just  entered  the  first  "  test "  stage. 


Tropical  fruit,  such  as  Bananas,  Pineapples 
and  Cocoanuts  will  probably  not  be  produced  in 
the  United  States  in  quantities  large  enough  to 
make  their  growing  an  important  industry. 

In  growings  early  Tomatoes  for  market,  1  find 
nothing  better  than  tin  cans  for  potting,  but  it 
will  pay  to  out  a  hole  into  the  bottom  as  large  as 
a  silver  dollar.  Try  and  be  convinced  —A.  M. 
Nichiilx,  Lhhiiig  Co.,  O. 

Boses  and  Climbers  when  first  planted  near  a 
wall  orbuilding.and  as  yet  having  few  roots,often 
suffer  from  want  of  root  moisture.  As  a  rule  it 
is  best  to  set  these  subjects  at  least  a  foot  away 
from  the  wall. 

Florida  Orange  wine  promises  to  become  an 
important  article  of  commerce.  The  lowest  dif- 
ference in  profits  to  the  grower  on  1,000  Oranges 
sold  in  boxes,  and  manufactured  into  wine,  is  es- 
timated at  SIO.OO. 

Blue  Chrysanthemums.  There  is  good  ground 
for  the  belief  that  Chrysanthemums  with  small 
blue  flowers  are  in  existence  in  Japan.  If  this 
proves  true,  the  blue  Chrysanthemum  will  soon 
be  seen  at  our  exhibitions. 

Bussian  Willows  and  Poplars  are  favorably 
mentioned  by  Prof.  S.  B  Green,  as  promising  for 
economical  purposes,  ornamental  planting  and 
windbreaks.  Most  of  them  strike  readily  from 
hard  and  soft  wood  cuttings. 

Here  is  a  Chance.  Sprouts  are  said  to  be  in 
good  demand  in  the  city  markets,  usually  selling 
at  two  or  three  times  the  price  paid  for  the  same 
bulk  of  Cauliflower.  Yet  their  culture  is  simple, 
and  the  yield  nearly  as  much  as  Cauliflower. 

A  remarkable  tree  is  said  to  stand  in  Irwin 
County,  Ga.  It  is  a  Pine  with  two  distinct  bodies 
but  only  one  top.  The  trunks  grew  out  of  the 
ground  about  five  feet  from  each  other,  but  at 
forty  feet  united  with  each  other  to  one  top. 

An  Ivy  Ball.  Recently  we  met  a  perfect  globe 
of  Ivy  in  the  window  of  an  amateur.  It  pleased 
us  so  much  that  we  herewith  give  an  idea  of  the 
wire  form  over  which  the  plant  was  trained. 
The  plant  alluded  to  was  a  thing  of  remarkable 
beauty. 

Grafting  Wax,  Here  is  a  good  recipe :  4  lbs 
of  resin,  1  lb.  of  beeswax,  1  pint  of  boiled  linseed 
oil.  Melt  all  together,  and  when  cool,  pull  as  you 
would  taffy  and  form  in  balls  or  rolls.  Be  sure 
to  have  the  oil  pure.  This  wax  is  pliable,  neither 
too  soft,  nor  too  stiff. 

Black  Pepper  in  Florida.  It  is  stated  that  a 
Mr.  Heady  has  started  a  Black  Pepper  orchard  in 
Florida,  and  that  he  is  very  sanguine  of  making 
it  a  financial  success.  The  trees  now  in  bearing 
are  yielding  well,  and  the  fruit  is  apparently  as 
good  as  the  imported  article. 

Heliotrope,  Salvias  and  Geraniums  suffer  easily 
from  excess  of  Tobacco  smoke  in  fumigating. 
By  syringing  the  plants  thoroughly  before  the 
smoke  in  the  greenhouse  is  started,  thus  tem- 
porarily sealing  the  pores  of  the  leaves,  they  will 
escape  injury  from  this  cause. 

Ardisia  crenulata  is  named  as  one  of  the  finest 
of  the  berry-bearing  plants  suited  for  pot 
culture.  May  be  grown  from  seed,  though  a 
slower  grower  than  the  Solanums,  it  is  much 
more  enduring,  and  with  fair  treatment  will 
keep  in  good  condition  for  several  years. 

The  Caper  of  commerce  is  the  young  bud  of 
the  Caper  bush  {Caperis  spitwsa),  which  is  culti- 
vated in  Sicily  and  Southern  France.  It  forms  a 
dense  mat  of  vines  on  the  ground,  and  is  of  easy 
culture.  The  plant  also  seems  to  thrive  and  pro- 
duce well  in  the  Southern  part  of  California. 

Canada  Wood  Ashes  Some  our  friends  across 
the  border  begin  to  think  that  wood  ashes  are  to 
valuable  as  a  fertilizer  to  be  much  longer  allowed 
to  be  taken  out  of  the  country.  We  hope  the 
Canada  people  will  not  be  so  hard  on  us  as  too 
stop  the  export  trade  in  this,  to  us,  so  useful  and 
convenient  article. 

Fruit  in  the  Highway.  There  is  plenty  of 
room  along  our  roadsides  yet  for  fruit  bearing 
trees.  Plant  tor  the  weary  traveller,  the  fruit- 
loving  boy,  the  useful  bird.  Many  of  the  high- 
ways in  Germany  are  straight,  regular,  Cherry 
avenues— beautiful  indeed,  and  yieldiug  a  con- 
siderable annual  revenue. 

Cheap  Orape  Baskets,  An  Ohio  firm  offers  to 
establish  a  basket  factory  in  Penn  Yan  or  Ham- 
mondsport  of  this  state,  and  deliver  to  vineyard- 
ists  in  that  section  small  baskets  at  i2o  and  large 
ones  at  $30  per  thousand.  Low  prices  of  Grapes 
make  cheap  baskets  very  desirable,  if  not  an  ab- 
solute necessity  for  the  vineyardlst. 


A  Worthy  Ezamnle.  Mr.  George  Palmer,  head 
of  a  well-known  firm  of  Reading,  England,  re- 
cently presented  to  the  town  31  acres  of  land  In 
the  eastern  suburb  to  be  used  as  a  public  recrea- 
tion ground.  Mr.  Palmer  has  also  promised 
$1500  towards  laying  out  the  ground.  It  is  pro- 
posed to  designate  the  site  Palmer's  Park. 

The  best  way  to  treat  a  plant  or  tree,  which 
for  some  reason  is  to  be  kept  in  a  rather  small 
pot,  and  in  danger  of  becoming  pot-bound,  is  to 
remove  part  of  the  soil,  from  time  to  time,  and 
replace  it  with  fresh  soil  that  has  had  a  small 
quantity  of  "  prepared  flower  food,"  or  any  high- 
grade  complete  fertilizer  thoroughly  mixed  in. 

Bartlett  Seedling,  Mr  P.C.Dempsey  of  Ontario, 
Canada,  states  that  he  has  a  seedling  of  the 
Bartlett  Pear  fertilized  with  Dutchess,  the 
fruit  of  which  has  every  characteristic  of  the 
Bartlett,  both  in  appearance  and  quality,  but 
ripens  at  the  season  of  its  male  parent,  the 
Dutchess,  or  about  two  months  later  than  the 
Bartlett  does. 

Evergreen  Fences.  Anything  that  adds  the 
feature  of  ornament  and  beauty  to  a  place,  also 
adds  to  its  cash  value.  An  evergreen  hedge  or 
two,  rightly  placed  to  hide  unsightly  objects,  and 
to  add  to  the  general  air  of  comfort  and  beauty, 
although  costing  but  a  few  dollars  for  plants  and 
care,  may  add  hundreds  of  dollars  to  the  value 
of  the  property. 

Now  the  Lima  Bean  is  threatened  by  a  fungus 
disease.  This  appears  as  a  sort  of  white  mold 
that  extends  over  and  through  the  pod  in  an 
early  stage  of  development,  and  destroys  its  vi- 
tality. Dr.  Thaxter,  mycologist  of  the  Coven- 
try station,  is  responsible  for  its  discovery,  and 
we  hope  he  will  even  do  better,  and  give  us  a 
remedy  or  preventive. 

A  good  recipe  for  protecting  trees  against 
rabbits  and  mice  is  this :  One  peck  lime,  one- 
half  pound  copperas,one  pound  cheap  glue.  Dis- 
solve glue  and  copperas,  slack  the  lime,  mix  and 
apply  with  brush.  I  have  found  this  effective 
and  durable.  The  Ume  besides  being  otherwise 
useful,  shows  you  where  you  have  applied  the 
mixture.— r.  W ,  Mwcotah,  Kan. 

Sand  for  Insects.  Clear  dry  sand  or  road  dust 
put  thickly  around  Squash,  Cucumber  and  Melon 
vines  has  often  been  used  with  good  effect  for 
the  yellow -striped  Cucumber  bug.  Now  a  San 
Diego  (Cal.)  man,  by  means  of  some  contrivance, 
so  it  is  said,  sends  a  blast  of  sand,  hot  or  cold, 
against  his  trees  to  kiU  scale  insects,  and  this 
without  the  least  injury  to  the  trees. 

Galvanized  Staging,  A  gentleman  who  has 
tried  this  staging  in  his  greenhouses  speaks  of  it 
as  having  the  following  merits :  It  is  practically 
imperishable.  In  case  it  is  put  up  with  bolts  and 
nuts  it  is  readily  taken  down  and  put  in  place 
again.  With  heating  pipes  and  flues  beneath  the 
staging  the  temperature  at  the  roots  is  five  de- 
grees higher  than  with  old  wooden  stages. 

The  Scarlet  Oak  iQuercitx  coceinea)  has  many 
features  that  recommend  it  for  ornamental  plant- 
ing, among  them 
hardiness,  and 
distinct  striking 
appearance  of 
foliage.  To  be 
seen  at  its  best, 
it  should  be 
planted  clear  of 
other  trees,  per- 
haps with  Pine 
woods  in  the 
backgrou  nd . 
The  contrast 
then  is  particu- 
larly pleasing. 
It  is  a  favorite 
with  cultivators 
both  here  and  in 
Gliilir  Frame  far  Iry  England. 

Early  Training,  An  example  of  what  this 
will  do,  is  told  by  a  visitor  at  the  grounds  of  Mr. 
McD  Allan,  e.x-president  of  the  Ontario  Fruit 
Growers'  .\ssociation.  He  was  shown  around  by 
the  children,  and  everyone  of  them  seemed  to  be 
an  enthusiast  in  fruit  and  flower  culture.  Little 
chaps  of  Ave  and  seven  years  old  could  tell  every 
varief.v  of  Pear  and  Apple  among  the  many  in 
the  well-jilanted,  neatly  arranged  home  fruit 
garden  of  two  acres. 

Ink  for  Zinc  Labels.  The  following  is  used  by 
some  skillful  gardeners:  two  parts  of  verdigris, 
two  parts  sal-ammoniac,  one  part  lampblack  and 
twenty  parts  of  water.    Mix  well,  and  keep  in  a 


1890. 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


1 1 1 


buttle  with  (il!i.<s  stopper:  shake  before  usiiiB 
This  will  keep  any  length  of  time.  A  steel  pen 
should  be  used  writinjf  on  the  lal>el.  Common 
writinK  ink  in  whieh  a  little  sulphate  of  copper 
has  been  tli^sohrd,  will  also  answer  the  purpose, 
but  a  ipiill  should  be  used  in  writing  with  it 

They  are  Caaeht.  Two  thieves  were  recently 
caught  in  the  Hulfalo  Post  Office.  Their  names 
are  Edstrom  and  Bapst,  both  employees.  It  is 
known  that  they  took  letters  belonging  to  Popu- 
lar G.^RDKXixc,  but  there  is  no  telling  how 
many.  It  required  the  services  of  several  Gov- 
ernment detectives  and  the  use  of  1300  decoy 
letters  to  cleanse  the  oIBce  of  thieves.  If  any  of 
our  readers  have  failed  to  hear  from  their  re- 
mittances they  will  know  what  is  the  matter. 

Shady  G-reenhoase.  My  small  plant  house  get,-. 
but  little  sun  in  the  winter.  While  all  plants  do 
not  succeed  in  it  I  would  sjiy  for  the  benefit  ot 
others  who  may  have  no  better  site  for  a  bit  of 
glass,  the  following  plants  do  admirably:  Lapa- 
geria  rosea  and  its  variety,  alba.  Camellias, 
Azaleas,  Ferns,  Lily  of  the  Valley,  Hyacinths, 
Tulips,  Crocus,  would  do  well  in  a  shady  house: 
also  Fuchsias,  Uoses,  t^'inerarias.  Primulas,  Palms 
of  various  kinds,red  and  white  Oleander.  — M.  S. 

Fansies  in  Haine.  I  have  been  very  success- 
ful with  Pansies  in  this.locality,  and  find  light 
garden  loam,  with  a  liberal  supply  of  old  hot- 
bed manure,  suits  the  seedlings  admirably.  For 
early  plants  I  sow  the  seed  in  March.  After 
pinching  the  young  plants  out  in  shallow  boxes 
I  keep  them  near  the  glass  in  a  cold  frame,  and 
when  sufficiently  strong  plant  out.  I  find  that 
young  plants  fare  badly,  or  rather,  refuse  to 
grow  in  heavy  clay  soil,  which  with  me  suits 
them  when  sufficiently  grown,  or  in  the  frame  to 
plant  out.— A.  E.  E.,  Kennebec  Co.,  Maine. 

The  Catalpa  is  a  bad  neighbor  to  drains.  Our 
friend  Wm.  Falconer  recently  found  his  Mush- 
room cellar  aflood,  the  drains  evidently  being 
choked  up,  and  the  trouble  was  traced  to  the  vi- 
cinity  of  two  young  Catalpa  speeiosa  growing 
thriftily  within  a  few  feet  of  the  line  of  the  drain. 
Here  the  pipes  were  found  completely  choked 
with  long  ropes  of  the  fleshy,  thready  roots  of 
the  Catalpas,  and  a  large  proportion  of  their 
main  roots  had  even  made  a  straight  line  for  the 
drain,  which  was  of  glazed  tile.  Other  trees 
nearby.  Birch,  Oak,  Soft  Maple,  Frajiitug  ornus. 
Linden,  Red  Cedar  and  Honey  Locust  had  shown 
no  inclination  to  throw  their  roots  towards  the 
drain,  or  attempt  to  enter  it. 

Peach  or  Flnm.  Our  correspondent.  Professor 
Budd,  says  in  the  Farmers  Ecview,  that  during 
the  past  twenty  .years  he  has  watched  the  behav- 
ior of  the  Peach  when  budded  on  young  stalks 
of  the  Wild  Goose.  Miner  and  other  Chickasaw 
varieties,  and  has  about  reached  the  belief  that 
in  some  respects  they  are  preferable  to  Peach 
roots.  With  a  view  to  drawing  out  the  opinion 
of  others  he  says :  |1.)  That  he  has  not  known 
the  borer  to  attack  the  Peach  wood  when  budded 
on  these  stocks  above  the  crown.  (2.)  He  has 
thought  that  the  Peach  wood  ripened  up  more 
perfectly  on  these  stocks  and  that  for  this  reason 
the  fruit  buds  would  bear  a  lower  winter  tem- 
perature. (3.)  He  has  believed  that  the  Peach 
would  do  well  on  this  stock  on  soils  where  it 
would  nearly  fail  on  Peach  roots. 

Local  Apples,  Specimens  of  the  Virginia 
Beauty  were  sent  us  by  W.  B.  Kelly  of  Washing- 
ington  County,  Va.,  who  says  that  this  fruit  does 
splendidly  in  the  mountains,  and  is  one  of  their 
best.  In  appearance  it  is  loo  dark  and  dull  to  be 
attractive.  It  is  a  sweet  Apple,  very  juicy,  and 
pleasant.  Altogether  we  hardly  deem  it  of  suffi- 
cient value  for  general  cultivation,  even  it  it 
should  succeed  as  well  elsewhere  as  it  does  in  its 
mountain  home.  From  E.  J.  Carr.  Rockingham 
Co.,  S.  U.,  we  had  specimens  of  Carr's  Surprise, 
which  was  awarded  a  special  premium  at  the  last 
New  Hampshire  State  Fair.  The  Apple  is  large, 
oblate,  of  a  very  deep  dull  red  with  dark  stripes. 
Flesh  red-streaked,  coarse,  sub-acid,  not  unpleas- 
ant. Mr.  Carr  says  the  tree  is  an  annual  and 
enormous  bearer,  of  good  shape,  very  \ngorous 
and  hardy,  even  surpassing  the  Baldwin.  Evi- 
dently the  Apple  is  a  good  keeper,  and  Mr.  Carr 
claims  to  have  kept  them  nntU  midsummer  with 
ordinar.v  treatment. 

Floral  Ornaments.  Last  summer  I  saw  a  beau- 
tiful rockerv  The  design  was  a  circle  about 
three  feet  in  diameter;  height  about  two  feet. 
The  stones  were  laid  up  with  a  natural  irregular- 
ity, and  in  the  pockets  of  earth  between  the 
stones  were  planted  Ferns,  Mone>-wort,  Sedums, 
Portulaca,  Verbena  Montana,  Kenilworth  Ivy, 
and  in  the  top  a  large  dark-leaved  Coleus,  with 


Kusty  Miller,  iilanted  in  a  circle  at  the  roots  of 
the  Coleus.  It  maiie  a  striking  ornament  for  the 
lawn  Another  pretty  ornament  was  made  by 
beautifying  a  large  stump  that  was  left  in  a 
friend's  yard.  There  were  Ferns  planted  around 
the  roots  alternate  y  with  Scarlet  Geraniums, 
while  Madeira  Vine  and  Senecio  scandens  were 
running  over  the  stump  in  every  direction,  mak- 
ing a  beautiful  contrast  with  the  bright  red 
below.  Mrs.  X.  H.  Gale. 

The  Hardy  Pinks.  What  is  known  tis  the  Clove 
Pink  is  rather  more  hardy  than  the  Carnation  of 


THE  CLOVE  PINK. 

which  it  is  the  parent.  The  petals  are  more 
fringed,  and  the  fragrance  more  powerful  resem- 
bling that  of  the  Clove.  In  France  it  is  called 
the  Clove  Gilly-flower.  The  Garden  Pink  {Dian- 
thus  hortensU>)  is  a  favorite  species  which  reaches 
perfection  about  the  last  of  June.  The  foliage 
is  more  grass-Uke  and  the  plant  much  hardier 
than  the  Carnation.  The  double  varieties  are 
ver.v  desirable,  and  all  have  Clove  fragrance.  D. 
Chinensis.  (China  Pink.)  This  species  is  a  bien- 
nial of  dwarf  habit  of  great  beauty,  but  with- 
out fragrance.  The  foliage  is  of  a  yellowish 
green  It  flowers  from  seed  the  first  year,  being 
perfectly  hardy.  It  flowers  stronger  the  second 
year.  The  colors  are  exceedingly  varied  and 
rich :  crimson  and  dark  shades  of  that  color  ap- 
proaching to  black,  are  often  combined  in  the 
same  flower  with  edgings  of  white,  pink,  or  other 
colors.  Seed  saved  from  double  flowers  will  pro- 
duce a  great  proportion  of  double  flowers.  In 
beds  where  there  may  be  a  hundred  plants, 
scarcely  two  will  be  found  alike.  D.  harhatus 
(Sweet  William)  is  an  old  inhabitant  of  the  flow- 
er garden,  and  was  much  esteemed  in  Gerarde's 
time  "  for  its  beauty  to  deck  up  the  bosoms  of 
the  beautiful,  and  garlands  and  crowns  for  pleas- 
ure". Fine  varieties  are  perpetuated  by  dirtding 
the  roots  It  is  easily  raised  from  seeds.  A  bed 
of  fine  sorts  presents  a  rich  sight  It  sports  into 
endless  varieties,  viz. :  white,  pink,  purple  crim- 
son, scarlet,  and  variously  edged,  eyed,  and 
spotted.  The  whole  family  of  Dianthus  are 
readily  increased  by  seeds  or  cuttings. 


New  York  Floral  Notes. 
The  florists  are  not  inclined  to  quarrel  with  the 
holiday  trade;  the  crop  was  not  large,  in  conse- 
quence ot  dull  weather,  but  it  fully  met  the 
demand.  Prices  at  New  Years  were  materially 
less  than  at  Christmas,  but  the  dealers  say  they 
did  better  than  they  expected.  The  trade  in 
Christmas  greens  seems  to  have  fallen  off  consi- 
derably, but  Holly  and  Mistletoe  sold  well.  The 
demand  for  fine  English  Mistletoe  is  growing, 
but  a  good  deal  of  the  American  variety  has 
been  in  the  market,  and  this  is  likely  to  bring  the 
real  original  article  into  disrepute,  as  it  is  not 
nearly  so  handsome;  the  leaves  soon  shrivel  up, 
and  the  berries  are  less  showy.  It  is  the  same 
with  Holly;  that  from  the  southern  states  has 
not  the  substance  of  the  English  plant,  nor  is  it 
so  well  berried.  It  is  a  pity  each  holiday  time  to 
see  the  quantities  ot  Kalmia,  Chimaphila,  and 
other  native  plants  just  stripped  or  dragged  up 
by  the  roots;  many  of  our  finest  native  plants 
will  soon  be  extinct,  unless  measures  are  taken 


for  their  protection.  The  Kalmia  has  been  killed 
in  so  many  localities  bj'  forest  fires  that  this 
wholesale  stripping  at  (.'hristmas  becomes  a 
serious  matter. 

Pink  Roses  were  perhajis  the  poorest  of  all  at 
Christmas,  as  the  lack  of  sun  made  them  so 
badly  colored. 

White  flowers  seem  growing  In  favor  for  deco- 
ration ;  the  most  fashionable  dinner  arrange- 
ment is  entirely  colorless.  .\  recent  decoration 
consisted  of  Roman  Hyacinths  and  Maidenhair. 
The  center-piece  was  a  low  oval  basket  filled 
with  these  flowers.  The  favors  for  the  ladies 
were  large  hand-bouquets  of  the  Hyacinths; 
they  were  laid  on  the  table,  forming  a  great 
wreath  around  the  basket.  The  gentlemen's 
favors  were  large  boutonniers  of  the  Hyacinths. 
Some  charming  white  decorations  are  composed 
of  Paper-white  Narcissus.  Of  course  Roses 
really  take  the  lead  for  table  decorations;  what- 
ever other  flowers  come  into  favor,  these  still 
hold  a  front  rank.  Some  pretty  dinner  decora- 
tions of  La  France,  though  not  by  any  means 
novel,  are  much  admired:  the  style  remains  the 
same,  the  flat  basket  in  the  centre,  with  the 
favors  grouped  around  it. 

Very  fine  Lilum  auratum  made  its  appearance 
in  the  market  before  the  holidays;  it  sold  well. 
Large  flowers,  like  these  Lilies,  Pancratiums, 
Amaryllis,etc.,  find  a  sale  now,  though  years  ago 
they  were  not  regarded  as  florist's  flowers. 

The  great  event  of  the  season,  in  the  decora- 
tive line,  was  the  Patriarch's  ball  of  January  2d. 
The  Metropolitan  Opera  House  is  such  an  im- 
mense place  that  any  small  arrangement  would 
be  utterly  lost,  and  a  most  lavish  use  of  stuff 
was  necessary.  Naturally,  the  greater  part  con- 
sisted of  Evergreens,  Kalmia,  Juniper,  and 
Southern  Pine.  The  idea  was  to  represent  a 
forest,  while  the  corridors  and  foyer  were  the 
surrounding  glades.  Walls  and  ceilings  were 
covered,  and  big  Junipers  stood  at  the  angles  of 
the  corridors.  Palms  and  Orange  trees  stood 
about  in  the  foyer. 

In  the  ball-room,  which  consisted  of  the  great 
auditorium,  floored  over  level  with  the  stage, 
the  forest  effect  was  fully  preserved.  The  face 
of  the  boxes  looked  like  a  steep  mountain  side, 
covered  with  verdure.  Tall  Evergreen  trees  stood 
up  against  the  lower  tier,  hiding  the  front,  while 
the  boxes  themselves  were  filled  with  green. 
The  balustrade  along  the  front  was  covered  with 
green,  and  banked  with  flowers,  fiats  of  Tulips, 
Hyacinths,  and  Narcissus  being  used  for  this 
purpose.  Tulips  and  other  flowers  were  hung  in 
the  Evergreen  trees  in  front,  brightening  them 
wonderfully.  The  upper  tiers  of  boxes  were 
filled  with  green,  and  a  delicate  tracery  of  vines 
and  greens  hid  the  lofty  dome  of  the  roof.  The 
great  proscenium  arch  was  masked  in  green, 
while  the  stage  was  set  with  a  most  enchanting 
garden  scene.  Fine  Palms  and  Orange  trees 
stood  about,  while  at  the  back  and  sides  was  a 
raised  terrace  of  flowers,  chiefly  Lilies  and  Pink 
Roses.  The  entire  effect  was  most  charming, 
and  it  was  really  the  most  elaborate  decoration 
of  recent  years. 

The  florists  still  say  that  boxes  of  loose  flowers 
take  the  lead  for  holiday  gifts;  baskets  and 
designs  are  much  less  called  for.  When  baskets 
are  arranged,  they  are  usually  simple  in  form. 

New  Years  week  there  was  an  immense  stock 
of  Violets  on  hand;  they  could  hardl.v  be  given 
away,  yet  the  demand  for  this  flower  is  steady 
and  constant.  Just  now  a  favorite  buttonhole 
bouquet  is  a  bunch  of  half  a  dozen  Paper-white 
Narcissus,  grouped  tightly  together.  The  hand 
bouquets  are  still  very  large  and  loose ;  most 
of  them  are  very  costly.  The  society  papers 
have  had  a  good  deal  to  say  about  the  one  lucky 
debutante  who  carries  a  hundred  dollar  bouquet 
to  great  balls,  but  this  looks  like  an  advertising 
scheme  on  the  part  of  the  young  lady's  friends. 

Some  of  theOrchid  baskets  are  very  handsome; 
a  silver  basket  flUed  with  pale  Cattleyas  and 
Maidenhair  was  a  very  delicate  combination. 
Primula  obconica  is  used  a  good  deal ;  the  plants 
make  a  pretty  bank,  when  used  in  profusion, 
though  alone  they  are  rather  weedy.  Bulbs  are 
used  a  good  deal  in  large  decorations,  but  Tulips 
and  the  like  have  really  seen  their  best  days  for 
fine  work.  Of  course,  they  will  always  be  used, 
but  they  can't  be  considered  fashionable  flowers. 

Trade  was  really  in  a  very  chaotic  condition  at 
the  holidays;  half  the  florists  were  down  with 
the  grippe,  and  the  same  may  be  said  of  their 
patrons.  The  epidemic  was  undoubtedly  respon- 
sible for  a  serious  loss  of  trade;  certainly  this 
winter  has  been  haid  on  the  florists  genei ally. 
EsuLY  Louise  Taplun. 


I  12 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


February, 


FRort 
THE 


SOciETtes 


lEKMrMATRR'niAl  DBtUtVET 

TO  afTwiDEvrtcHowiL 

Nems  ha  Raspberry.  Prof. 

'  Tnjiip.at  last  meetiug  of 
Indiana  horticulturists,  pro- 
nounced it  the  equal  of 
Gregg'  in  e\ery  respect. 

Michigan  Horticnltural 
Society.  At  the  recent  meet- 
ing the  following  officers 
were  elected  for  1890.  President,  T.  T.  Lyon, 
South  Haven;  Secretary,  Edwy  C.  Keid,  Allegan; 
Treasurer,  Sherman  M.  Pearsall. 

Hill's  Chili  Peach.  Members  of  the  Washte- 
naw Pomological  Societj'  stated  at  a  recent 
meeting  that  Hill's  Chill  has  proved  a  failure  for 
several  years,  Mr.  Baldwin  said  it  should  be 
planted  on  the  richest  soil. 

Fmnin^  Trees.  Keep  all  tramps  out  of  the 
orchard  that  are  around  after  jobs  of  pruning. 
Let  no  man  prune  in  your  orchard  without  you 
know  he  is  a  skillful  hand  at  the  business. — Mr. 
SchvUz,  before  the  Miswuri  State  Hoii.  Snciety. 

Shipping  Qreen  Frnit.  Mr.  Manville,  chief  of 
the  literary  department  of  the  Florida  Fruit  Ex- 
change, estimates  that  the  loss  to  the  Orange 
growers  of  Florida  this  season,  directly  attributed 
to  careless  packing  of  the  fruit,  will  be  in  the 
neighborhood  of  $350,000. 

Indiana  State  Horticaltnral  Society.  The 
officei-s  for  1800  elected  at  the  last  anuual  meeting 
are  as  follows:  President,  Joseph  Katliffe,  Rich- 
mond; 1st  Vice-President,  .Joseph  Burton,  Mitch- 
ell: Secretary,  C.  M.  Hobbs,  Bridgeport;  Treas- 
urer, Daniel  Cox,  Cartersburg. 

Missonri  Horticulturists.  The  following  oflS- 
cers  were  elected  for  1890  at  the  last  meeting  of 
the  state  society  by  acclamation:  President,  J. 
*:.  Evans,  Harlem;  Vice-President,  N.  F.  Murray, 
Oregon;  Secretary,  L.  A.  Goodman,  Westport; 
Treasurer.  D.  S.  Holman,  Springfield.  All  were 
re-elected. 

Section  of  Pomoloey  at  Washington.  The 
Michigan  horticulturists  are  not  satisfied  with 
the  achievements  of  the  Bureau  of  Pomology  in 
Washington  as  at  present  managed,  and  at  the 
meeting  in  Hart  adopted  a  resolution  expressive 
of  the  demand  for  speedy  change  in  its  general 
management. 

Selection  of  Peach  Varieties.  The  Hardin  Co. 
(Ky.)  Horticultural  Society  selected  the  follow- 
ing as  best  for  their  soil:  1 — Asmden's  June;  2 — 
Early  Rivers;  3— Crawford's  Early,  4  -Crawford's 
Late;  5  -Stump  the  World;  6— Mountam  Rose; 
7— Old  Mixon  Free;  8— Salway;  9— Smocks  Free; 
10— Bilyeuc's  Late. 

Hannre  for  Grapes.  Mr.  A.  Cay  wood,  of  Ulster 
Co.,  N.  Y.,  was  called  upon  at  a  recent  meeting 
to  give  his  experience  with  manures  on  vines. 
He  said  that  he  uses  all  kinds  of  raanui-e  that  he 
can  afford  to  buy.  He  likes  stable  manure  to 
get  a  growth  of  vine,  and  afterwards  uses  more 
commercial  fertilizers. 

No  Hannre,  No  Onions.  On  my  Onions  I  have 
always  put  some  stable  manure,  but  this  year  I 
put  nothing  on  them.  1  thought  it  might  do  with- 
out for  one  year,  and  the  consequence  was  I  had 
about  half  a  crop.  With  a  little  help  of  our 
maggot*;  I  managed  to  lf)5e  S'^-tO.— il/r.  Joh)ison 
hefiirc  the  Farmerx''  Meetinu  in  Broctnn,  Masn. 

Sslection  of  Plums.  For  orchard  planting  J 
would  choose  the  following,  named  in  the  order 
of  ripening:  Washington,  Bradshaw,  D':ane's 
Purple,  Prince  Engelbert.  Union  Purple,  Lom- 
bard, Oueii,  Quackenbos.=,  Purple  Egg,  Coe's 
Golden  Drop.  Reine  Claude.  Shropshire.— Mr. 
Gebharil  Iiefore  tlit  Miehiyan  Hort.  Society. 

re'dini;  Little  and  Often.  If  we  use  all  fish 
scraps,  it  would  be  ,iust  as  well  to  put  the  fer- 
tilizer all  on  at  the  beginning  of  the  season;  but 
it  is  very  much  better  even  on  those  soils  that  are 
all  right  by  themselves,  to  feed  the  plants  a  little 
through  the  season,  rather  than  to  give  it  all  at 
one  time,  especially  if  the  fertilizer  contains  anj- 
of  the  soluble  salts.— IT'»).  H.  liowher.  hcfmr  the 
Farmers^  Meetinu  in  Uti>iton. 

American  Horticultural  Society.  The  ninth 
regular  meeting  of  the  American  Horticultural 
Society  will  convene  in  Austin.Texas,  on  Monday, 
the  17th  day  of  February,  LSOO.  Members  of  the 
Society  and  horticulturists  generally  are  invited 
to  this  important  meeting,  which  promises  to 
equal  the  great  California  meeting  of  two  years 
ago  in  its  results.  The  .Secretary  will  take  pleasure 


in  giving  all  needful  information  concerning  this 
meeting  to  those  applying  by  letter.— TT.  B 
ttanan,  Seeretary,  Greenccuitk,  Iml. 

Seed  and  Fruit.  Good  fruit  is  more  or  less 
dependent  on  good  seed.  In  the  production  of 
Apple  seeds,  the  essential  proper  diversity  in 
character  of  the  parents  is  best  obtained  by 
affording  nature  the  greatest  opportunity  for 
perfect  fertilization  by  the  use  of  pollen  from 
different  varieties.  Trees  so  situated  as  not  to 
receive  pollen  from  other  varieties  will  not 
mature  good  fruit  under  conditions  as  adverse 
as  will  trees  that  do  receive  pollen  from  others  — 
F.  J.  Mann,  before  the  TUinoin  Hort.  Society. 

manure  Pays  at  Some  Time.  The  food  that  is 
not  consumed  one  year  will  be  used  the  next. 
The  handsomest  field  of  Corn  that  1  ever  saw 
stand,  even  in  Arlington,  I  raised  on  a  high-grade 
complete  fertilizer,  planted  with  a  horse  machine. 
The  leaves  were  all  green.  They  went  way  down 
to  the  ground.  Other  Corn  stood  as  high,  but 
the  leaves  did  not  go  to  the  ground.  Manure 
should  be  composted  that  the  crop  can  take  hold 
with  the  fertilizers.  I  must  give  my  testimony 
enterely  in  favor  of  fertilizers.— Mr.  Johnson. 

American  Association  of  Nurserymen.  At  the 
last  meeting,  in  Chicago,  it  was  decided  to  hold 
the  next  meeting,  first  Wednesday  in  June,  in 
New  Y'ork  City  or  vicinity.  The  executive  com- 
mittee now  propose  to  hold  it  at  the  ParkA  venue 
Hotel,  on  Fourth  avenue,  between  3;M  and  33d 
streets,  nine  blocks  south  of  the  Grand  Central 
Depot  The  hall  has  a  seating  capacity  of  700, 
and  is  said  to  be  one  of  the  quietest  rooms  in  the 
city.  Price  of  board  and  rooms  will  be  reduced 
to  i3.00  a  day.  Members  who  think  they  have  a 
better  place  to  suggest  are  asked  to  communicate 
with  the  secretary  of  the  Association,  Chas.  A 
Green, Rochester,N.  Y. 

Apple  Scab.  Prof,  Goff,  before  the  Wisconsin 
Farmere'  Institute,  said  the  best  preventive  as 
yet  known  for  Apple  scab  is  ammoniacal  carbon- 
ate of  copper;one  ounce  carbonate  of  copper  dis- 
solved in  one  quart  of  ammonia,  diluted  with  90 
parts  of  water,  and  spraying  the  tree  and  fruit 
with  it  before  the  scab  is  too  far  advanced.  The 
disease  seldom  appears  in  young,  vigorous  or- 
chards, but  is  a  source  of  much  trouble  in  old 
thickly  grown  trees.  The  microscopic  spores 
which  produce  scab  are  more  susceptible  to 
growth  in  a  damp  atmosphere  than  in  dry,  hence 
there  is  more  danger  from  it  in  thick-growing 
trees  where  the  sun  has  not  an  opportunity  to 
dry  out  the  dews  and  rain. 

Adaptation  of  Fruits.  .\  new  fruit  may  be 
introduced  with  high  commendation  by  the 
originator,  and  the  most  flattering  testimonials 
from  his  neighbors.  Planted  in  other  localities 
by  enthusiastic  amateurs  and  commercial  grow- 
ers, it  may  be  found  unsuccessful.  It  is  there- 
fore pronounced  a  fraud  and  its  introducer  a 
humbug  or  a  swindler.  Yet  it  is  quite  possible 
that  all  was  said  of  it  was  true,  in  the  locality 
where  it  originated,  and  under  the  treatment  it 
received,  the  failure  having  occurred  from  an 
uncongenial  soil  and  location,  or  from  improper 
treatment.  The  important  part  of  horticultural 
knowledge  is  to  be  understood  what  fruits  are 
best  adapted  to  our  different  soils  and  localities. 
Prom  Geo.  W.  Campbell's  Address  to  the  Ohio 
atate  Hort.  Society. 

Effects  of  Spraying;  Birds,  etc.  One  pound 
of  London  purple  to  100  gallons  <?i  of  water  is 
found  to  be  the  most  effective,  and  at  the  same 
time  of  the  least  injury  to  the  trees.  Spraying 
with  clear  water  alone  in  the  hot  boiling  sun  will 
scald  the  leaves;  therefore  spraying  with  insecti- 
cides should  always  be  accompanied  with  the 
best  of  judgment  and  care,  and  never  when 
hot  sun  poure  down  upon  the  trees  after 
spraying.  Spray  early  for  the  canker  worm. 
Insecticides  do  not  destroy  the  birds,  or  effect 
the  poultry  or  other  stock,  except  bees.  Always 
spray  with  the  wind.  Kerosine  is  good  for  the 
destruction  of  the  tree  cricket.  Encourage  the 
friendly  birds  by  hanging  hundreds  of  gourd 
nests  in  the  orchards.  Never  destroy  the  blue- 
birds, pewees,  kingbirds, woodpeckers,  swallows, 
and  many  other  friendly  birds,  which  while  some 
of  them  may  damage  a  little  fruit,  they  far  moj-e 
than  compensate  by  the  wholesale  destruction  of 
our  insect  enemies. 

Blackberry  and  Baspberry  Varieties.  P.  A. 
Vandenburg,  ga\cthe  follow  inga.'^  his  experience 
in  Jersey  county.  Of  Blackberries  he  grows  only 
Snyder  for  main  crop;  is  early,  hardy  and  pro- 
ductive. Trim  closely;  leave  berries  on  bushes 
until  ripe.  Taylor  and  Early  Harvest  not  hardy 
with  him.     Kittatinny  rusts  badly  and  winter- 


kills. Of  Raspberries  for  a  home  market  Turner 
or  Thornless  cannot  be  beaten;  hardy,  rank 
grower  and  immensely  productive.  Hansen  is 
the  earliest  red,  bears  a  long  time,  is  hardy,  a 
moderate  grower  and  good  shipper.  Brandywine 
about  the  same.  Cuthbert  is  rightly  named  the 
"Queen  of  the  Market:"  rank  grower,  berry 
large  and  the  best  shipper  of  the  reds.  Has  not 
found  Marlboro  profitable,  though  one  of  the 
finest  reds;  same  of  Crimson  Beauty  Golden 
Queen  has  done  well,  but  has  not  been  tested  in 
market;  it  can  grow  suckers  as  prolific  as  Turner 
and  as  rank  as  its  parent.  Suhegan  or  Tyler 
leads  the  blackcaps;  has  no  equal  for  profit,  pro- 
ductiveness or  hardiness.  Hopkins  comes  next 
in  value,  though  not  so  early:  Ohio  next  Grows 
Gregg  only  to  lengthen  the  season,  not  perfectly 
hardy  —III.  State  Hint  Society. 

Management  of  Blackberries.  Mr.  N.  Ohmer 
at  a  horticultural  meeting  in  Indiana,  gave  the 
following  as  the  result  of  long  and  extensive 
experience:  When  the  bushes  have  grown  to 
about  three  feet  high,  and  early  in  the  season, 
the  laterals  are  clipped  back  not  to  exceed  eight 
or  ten  inches.  This  will  reduce  the  berries  in 
number,  but  they  will  be  so  much  larger  as  to 
bring  more  money  in  market.  This  remark  ap- 
plies to  the  Snyder,  and  Mr,  Ohmer  said  there 
was  more  money  in  that  berry  than  in  any  other 
he  had  ever  tried.  Every  bud  where  the  bush  is 
cut  back  will  produce  a  large  cluster  of  berries. 
Without  this  treatment  you  will  have  only  small 
ones.  He  had  a  good  crop  at  the  same  time  that 
the  berries  of  other  persons  were  dried  up.  Both 
cutting  back  and  frequent  cultivation  between 
the  rows  are  necessary.  The  bushes  should  not 
be  allowed  to  grow  more  than  three  feet  high, 
and  be  cut  back  early  in  the  season.  The  rows 
are  eight  feet  apart,  and  the  bushes  four  feet  in 
the  rows.  The  canes  are  so  full  of  fruit  that 
"you  can  hardly  get  through  for  the  berries." 
He  has  a  sharp  five-blade  tool,  which  cuts  all  the 
sprouts  out  of  the  way  and  gives  clean  ground. 

A  New  Fruit— The  Japanese  Candle- 
berry  Myrtle. 
At  the  last  meeting  of  the  California  Hor- 
ticultuial  Society,  Mr.  H.  H.  Berger,  well 
known  as  an  importer  of  Japanese  product.s, 
e.xhlbited  samples  of  the  fruit  of  Myrlca 
rubra  in  alcohol,  giving  the  following  de- 
scription of  it: 

This  evergreen  fruit-bearing  tree,  indigenous 
to  Japan,  has  only  lately  attracted  the  attention 
of  botanists.  It  is  a  native  of  the  southern  parts 
of  Japan,  attains  a  height  of  forty  to  fifty  feet, 
a  diameter  of  two  and  one-half  to  three  feet. 
The  foliage,  which  is  evergreen,  resembles  the 
Magnolias  and  is  of  a  firm,  leathery  texture.  The 
fruit  blossom  appears  early  in  spring,  and  the 
fruit  ripens  during  the  month  of  July.  It  re- 
sembles in  shape  a  firm  Blackberry,  an  inch  long 
by  three-fourths  of  an  inch  in  diameter.  It  con- 
tains a  single  seed  stone  of  light  weight.  There 
are  two  varieties  of  this  fruit  The  one  is  a  dark 
red,  almost  black,  the  other  a  light  rose,  which 
is  superior  even  in  Havor  to  the  dark.  The  fruit 
is  highly  flavored,  vinous  and  sweet,  and  answers 
all  purposes  our  Blackberry  is  put  to.  It  is  deli- 
cious as  a  desert  fruit,  makes  a  tine  preserve, 
jelly  or  jam. 

The  juice  extracted  from  it  may  be  taken  as  a 
refreshing  beverage  in  its  fresh  state  and  after 
being  allowed  to  ferment  produces  a  fine  «ine. 
set  with  alcohol,  a  brandy  is  gained  from  it  equal 
to  our  famous  Blackberry  Brandy.  The  tree  it- 
self is  highly  ornamental,  the  bark  is  useful  for 
dyeing  a  fawn  color,  and  the  timber  is  used  in 
Japan  for  the  most  elegant  cabinetware,  having 
a  finer  mottled  grain  than  the  Bird's-eye  Maple. 
The  wood  is  light,  tough  and  very  durable.  The 
tree  is  perfectly  hardy  in  all  latitudes  where 
the  thermometer  will  not  fall  below  15°  above 
zero.  It  would  succeed  admirably  throughout 
California,  Texas,  Mexico,  and  all  the  Southern 
States  of  the  Union. 

The  propagation  of  this  useful  tree  is  best  car- 
ried on  from  seed,  to  which  it  comes  true,  or  by 
grafting  scions  from  a  fruit-bearing  tree  on  seed- 
lings, which  thus  will  come  in  bearing  in  a  couple 
of  years.  The  seed  ought  to  be  sown  in  leaf- 
mold,  and  loamy  soil  with  bottom  heat  if  obtain- 
able. The  same  ought  to  be  kept  well  shaded 
and  mulched. 

The  seed  is  light  and  ripens  during  July  and 
August.  Plants  ax*e  not  to  be  obtained  as  yet, 
as  the  Japanese  have  never  propagated  the  tree 
beyond  the  chance  seedlings.  There  is  no  doubt 
that  this  tree  would  be  a  most  valuable  acquisi- 
tion for  California. 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


'13 


Hot     Beds    Their    Preparations    and 

Care. 
IKxtracI  of  paper  read  by    L.   A.   Cn.v»r  before  the 
rotlaieotomie  Counlu.  loxni.  Horliexillural  Socirtu.] 

The  construction  of  a  hot-bed  is  merely 
a  simple  box,  made  in  any  size  desirable:  it 
should  be  two  and  one-half  feet  deep,  and 
the  sashes  should  be  three  feet  by  si.\,  and  a 
cross-bar  at  the  edse  of  each  sash  for  support. 
The  Manure.  To  be  successful,  you  should 
haul  vour  heating  material,  which  consists  of 
fresh  horse  manure,  early  in  the  fall  before  the 
(fround  freezes,  so  that  it  may  start  to  heat  and 
keep  a  warm  place  for  later  on  and  keep  adding 
fresh  all  the  time. 

To  make  it  successful  it  should  l>e  turned  over 
three  or  tour  times  Ixjf ore  using  for  early  beds. 
Uy  keeping  your  manure  in  this  condition,  you 
can  start  your  bed  at  most  any  time,  and  it  gives 
you  the  advantage  of  fine  days,  which  is  teces- 
saryforagood  bed.  In  handling  manure  on  a 
cold  day  it  chills  it  so  that  it  is  liable  to  freeze 
out  in  spots  or  altogether.  Care  should  be  taken 
that  the  bed  is  evenly  warm  its  whole  length. 

The  Soil.  After  tilling  your  beds  with  manure 
to  the  top  of  the  frame,  place  your  sash  thereon 
until  sufficiently  warm,  say  from  one  to  three 
davs  as  the  weather  may  require,  then  remove 
sash  and  tramp  manure  solid,  let  it  remain  for 
one  day  longer,  then  place  from  four  to  si.x 
inches  of  soil  over  the  entire  bed.  This  soil 
should  be  prepared  in  the  fall  and  thrown 
through  a  screen:  by  so  doing  it  can  begot  at 
very  easily  any  time  during  the  winter.  For 
general  crops  the  soil  should  consist  of  sandy 
loam  with  about  one-fourth  manure.  When  the 
soil  in  beds  becomes  sufficiently  thawed  out  and 
warm,  it  may  then  be  planted  with  Lettuce 
taken  from  cold  beds. 

Cold  Frame  Management.  A  cold  frame  is 
simply  a  frame  constructed  the  same  as  a  hot  bed 
only  not  so  deep,  and  the  Lettuce  seed  is  sown  in 
those  beds  from  September  10th  to  the  30th  in  the 
natural  soil.  As  soon  as  severe  frost  approaches, 
sashes  are  placed  on  those  beds,  only  on  cold 
nights,  or  when  there  is  a  sudden  change  of  tem- 
perature. They  are  placed  on  them  for  the  pur- 
pose of  what  wf?  term  "hardening  plants."  The 
plants  are  then  hardened  by  degrees.  When  the 
weather  is  mild  the  sashes  are  removed  and  the 
plants  protected  only  when  extreme  changes 
come.  By  this  treatment  Lettuce  plants  can  be 
hardened  so  that  they  will  stand  2.t  or  30  degrees 
of  cold;  in  other  words,  the  ground  may  freeze 
from  eighteen  inches  to  two  feet  under  the 
plants  and  still  not  destroy  them.  After  the  cold 
weather  sets  in  the  sash  should  be  covered  by 
manure,  the  manure  to  remain  on  all  winter.  It 
it  should  turn  warm  and  your  plants  Ijegin  to 
get  mouldy  and  wet,  it  is  necessary  to  raise  up 
the  sash  and  give  them  air:  also,  in  thawiug  out 
in  spring;  the  sash  should  be  open  when  there  is 
warm  air  and  closed  when  it  gets  colder,  so  as  to 
thaw  the  plants  out  by  degrees. 

Planting  in  Hot-bed.  By  this  process  a  large 
amount  of  plant.s  can  be  half-grown  and  they 
can  be  got  at  most  any  time  in  the  year.  This 
enables  vou,  therefore,  to  grow  two  or  th-ee 
crops  inone  hot-bed.  Those  plants  should  be 
transplanted  si.\  inches  apart  in  the  hot-beds. 
Februarj-  is  the  month  in  which  Cabbage  seed  is 
most  generally  sown.  This  is  a  very  important 
part  of  the  business,  as  a  great  deal  of  the  suc- 
cess of  the  grower  depends  on  the  good  quality 
of  his  plants.  Cabbage  should  be  sown  in  boxes 
in  two  inches  of  soil  put  on  the  manure  oefore 
putting  the  boxes  in  the  bed,  the  boxes  should 
be  raised  to  the  heighth  of  two  inches  from  the 
soil;  the  soil  should  consist  of  halt  sand  and  half 
loam.  By  this  method  you  prevent  altogether 
or  partly  so  at  least,  a  fungus  that  comes  on 
your  plants  at  the  surface  of  the  ground,  and 
eats  the  bark  off  all  the  plants.  Many  of  us  have 
labored  under  great  difftcuUy  to  overcome  this 
fungus,  but  when  it  apiiears,  the  grower  had 
better  throw  away  his  plants,  or  all  those  that 
are  affected  and  sow  new  seed,  as  his  results  from 
new  seed  will  be  a  great  deal  better  than  from 
the  wire-rooted  plants. 

Other  Plants.  Next  come  Tomato  and  Egg- 
plants, which  are  sown  about  the  1.5th  of  March. 
I  would  adi-ise  for  them  fresh  manure  right 
from  the  barn,  as  the  season  is  advancing  then, 
and  it  is  not  necessary  to  have  heat  for  any  great 
length  of  time.  Tomato  and  Egg-plants  sprout 
best  in  a  temperature  of  BO  degrees  at  night,  and 
75  to  100  degrees  in  day  time.  After  Tomoto  and 
Cabbage  plants  come  to  a  sufficient  size  to  allow 
transplanting,    the   Cabbage   plants   should  be 


transplanted  in  a  cold  frame,  and  hardened  off 
so  that  when  they  are  removed  to  the  field  the 
change  won't  affect  their  growth.  The  plants 
may  be  picked  out  to  the  distance  of  one  and 
one-halt  inches  to  two  inches  apart.  Cauliflower 
requires  the  same  treatment.  Tomatoes.  Egg 
and  all  tender  plants  should  l)c  picked  out  into  a 
hot-bed  with  liottom  heat,  at  a  distance  of  four 
inches  apart. 

General  Management  All  beds  of  Lettuce, 
Radishes  and  Cabbage  plants  should  lie  aired 
whenever  an  opportunity  occurs,  especially  in 
the  early  stage  of  the  bed,  as  the  heat  is  more  in- 
tense and  the  plants  require  more  air,  as  the 
change  is  great  from  a  cold  bed  to  a  hot-bed. 
The  plants  should  be  kept  as  cool  as  possible  for 
the  first  few  days  to  start  in.  This  gives  your 
plants  a  chance  to  get  well  rooted.  The  beds 
may  lie  forced  to  extreme  heat  at  the  latter  end 
of  the  crop  without  injury  to  it.  both  for  Lettuce 
and  Hadishes. 


Culture  of  Cyclarnens. 

{Abstract  of  a  paper  read  by  Mr.  Walker  at  the  Pajrton 
Society's  meeting,  Rotbtcell,  West  Yorks.t 

I  know  from  experience  that  the  Cycla- 
men, is  not  an  easy  plant  to  grow;  it  re- 
quires strict  attention  from  the  seedling 
stage  onwards. 

Sowing  Seed.  Success  will  greatly  depend  upon 
proper  time  of  seed  sowing,  and  this  is  as  soon 
as  the  seed  is  ripe— namely  July,  August  and 
September,thetwo  former  months  being  the  ticst. 
The  seed  may  be  sown  as  late  as  January,  but 
the  results  would  not  be  so  satisfactory.  Sow  in 
pans  in  a  compost  of  rough  sandy  loam  and  leaf 
mould,  well  draining  the  pans,  and  not  filling 
them,  adding  halt  an  inch  in  depth  to  the  mix- 
ture finely  sifted  on  the  top.  Press  firmly  and 
water  with  a  flne-rose  pot,  so  that  the  whole  is 
moistened;  when  dry  enough  the  seeds  may  be 
sown  on  the  surface  and  pressed  in  lightly  in- 
stead of  spreading  soil  over  them.  Place  a  piece 
of  paper  over  the  pan,  also  a  square  of  glass, 
until  the  seeds  germinate,then  remove  the  paper, 
allowing  the  glass  to  remain.  Shade  from  hot 
sun  until  they  form  roots,  and  when  this  is  ac 
complished,  graduaUy  bring  them  to  the  light. 
When  the  young  plants  are  about  an  inch  long 
they  should  be  pricked  out  into  pans  or  boxes  in 
the  same  kind  of  compost  as  already  recommend- 
ed. Ventilation  must  be  provided  during  the 
early  part  of  the  day,  and  they  should  also  be 
slightly  syringed  two  or  three  times  daily. 

Care  of  Plants.  When  the  weather  becomes 
colder  remove  them  to  a  warm  house,  and 
above  all,  place  them  as  near  the  glass  as  pos- 
sible. The  temperature  should  be  from  4.5°  to  .50° 
where  they  may  remain  until  the  middle  of  April 
or  the  beginning  ot  May.  By  that  time  it  will 
be  necessary  to  plant  them  out  in  a  bed  facing 
east,  made  of  materials  similar  to  a  Cucumber 
bed.  or  any  half-spent  manure  wUl  do,  for  it  is 
not  necessary  to  have  it  hot.  Cover  the  surface 
with  a  compost  ot  loam  and  leaf  mould  to  the 
depth  of  about  six  inches,  made  firm,  so  that 
when  lifting  time  comes  the  plants  will  be  taken 
up  with  a  good  baU  of  roots.  They  may  be  plan- 
ted in  rows  six  inches  apart,  so  that  when  they 
begin  to  get  crowded,  e\eiy  alternate  row  may 
be  lifted  and  transplanted  as  stated.  It  is  neces- 
sary that  each  plant  should  have  ample  room, 
and  at  the  same  time  take  care  that  the  corms  be 
well  out  ot  the  soil. 

The  reason  they  are  placed  in  an  eastern  posi- 
tion is  that  in  the  early  stage  of  growth,  and 
after  being  slightly  dewed  with  a  syringe,  the 
frame  can  be  closed  much  earlier.  It  should  be 
understood  that  they  require  shading  during  hot 
weather  to  prevent  flagging,  with  slight  ventila- 
tion late  at  night.  By  this  treatment  they  com- 
mence flowering  early,  but  it  is  necessary  and 
safer  to  remove  all  the  flowers  until  the  plants 
are  established.  Green  fly  and  red  spider  must 
be  kept  in  check,  or  they  will  injure  both  leaves 
and  flowers. 

The  treatment  given  may  tie  continued  until 
September,  when  lifting  and  potting  wUl  be 
necessary.  This  should  be  done  with  care  using 
no  larger  pots  than  are  absolutely  necessary  to 
get  the  roots  into,  as  they  do  not  make  much 
root  either  before  potting  or  after.  Keep  them 
well  up  in  the  pots  to  avoid  water  standing  on 
the  corms,  for  it  allowed  to  be  left  in  that  state 
some  will  damp  cff.  When  potted  place  them  in 
a  cold  frame,  keep  them  near  the  glass,  shade 
from  hot  sun  for  a  few  days,  frequently  syring- 
ing, and  on  dewy  nights  the  light  can  be  drawn 
off.  When  thoy  are  established  in  these  pots  the 
lights  are  drawn  oft  in  bright  sunny  weather  and 


the  plants  syringed  several  times  a  day,  and  by 
so  diiing  they  never  flag.  Close  the  frames  about 
three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  open  them 
about  six  or  seven  o'clock,  according  to  the 
weather.  By  this  time  the  plants  will  commence 
throwing  up  a  few  flowers,  which  will  be  found 
useful.  As  the  weather  t)ecomes  too  cold  for 
them  to  remain  in  the  frame  remove  them  to 
any  suitable  house  at  command  with  a  temper- 
ature of  from  4.i°  to  .50°.  Avoid  damp  atmos- 
phere :  plenty  of  air  must  be  admitted  when  the 
weather  permits,  and  a  little  fire  heat  can  be 
given  with  care.  The  leaves  and  flower  stems 
are  liable  to  damp  near  the  corms,  and  when 
such  is  the  case  a  little  sulphur  placed  upon  the 
affected  parts  will  prevent  its  progress.  When 
the  flowei-s  are  wanted  for  use  they  should  be 
pulled  out.  not  cut,  as  the  pieces  left  (if  cut)  de- 
cay and  affect  those  remaining.  I  have  large 
plants  grown  in  this  way,  which  commence 
flowering  early  in  November  and  continue  until 
May.  I  also  find  that  the  early-sown  plants 
flower  longer  and  later,  producing  more  and 
better  flowers.  Old  corms  are  not  worth  the 
trouble  of  growing,  for  they  come  into  bloom  so 
late  and  they  are  not  nearly  so  productive  as 
young  ones. 


Influence  of  Locality  on  Fruits. 

\E.rtrnctfrom  paper  read  by  J.  J.  Thoiiuis,  at  a  recent 
meeting  of  the  Society  for  the  Promotion  of  Agricul- 
tural Science,] 

Many  pomologists  believe  that  varieties 
of  fruit  raised  in  our  own  localities  are  bet- 
ter suited  to  this  country  than  those  from 
foreign  lands  Hence,  to  obtain  such  varie- 
ties as  are  of  the  highest  character  for  en- 
durance and  excellence,  we  must  select 
those  originating  in  America. 

The  Apple.  Some  f  ruits.particularly  the  Apple, 
after  fully  developing,  are  largely  controlled  in 
character  by  soil  and  climate.  Of  the  .337  Apple 
varieties  named  in  the  last  catalogue  of  the 
American  Pomologieal  Society,  but  a  small  num- 
ber succeeded  well  in  all  the  States  The  most 
popular  Winter  Apples  at  the  North  become 
summer  and  autumn  fruits  in  the  South,  and  are 
ot  little  value  there,  and  the  best  sorts  in  the 
East  are  unsuited  to  the  soil  and  climate  of  the 
West.  The  few  which  succeeded  best  in  all  local- 
ities are  those  lipeningin  summer  and  autumn, 
the  summer  in  the  North  being  long  enough  to 
give  full  maturity,  though  later  than  in  the 
South.  As  an  example.  Early  Harvest  is  es- 
teemed as  a  valuable  fruit  in  3B  States  and  Red 
Astrachan  in  37,  while  the  Baldwin,  the  most 
popular  Apple  at  the  North  and  East  is  recom- 
mended in  only  20  States  and  from  almost  none 
at  the  South  and  West. 

On  the  other  hand, Ben  Davis,the  most  popular 
western  variety,  is  confined  almost  wholly  to  the 
western  and  southwestern  portion  of  the  Union, 
and  is  only  recommended  in  Si  States.  Yet  to 
prove  that  the  locality  of  origin  has  little  to  do 
with  the  fitness  of  a  fruit  in  any  place,  it  is  only 
necessary  to  state  that  over  halt  of  the  Apples 
most  highly  valued  at  the  West,especially  among 
summer  and  autumn  sorts,  were  brought  from 
the  East.  The  natural  fitness  of  the  soil,  cUmate 
and  other  influences  of  the  United  States  for  the 
growth  of  the  apple  has  been  such  that  innumer- 
able orchards  have  been  planU-d,  and  in  the 
course  of  a  century  or  more  many  new  varieties 
have  been  originated,  hence  most  of  our  cultiva- 
ted sorts  are  American. 

The  Pear.  This  is  least  influenced  by  external 
causes.  Some  of  our  finest  varieties  are  of  Euro- 
pean origin.and  a  larger  number  of  these  foreign  - 
ers  are  adapted  to  this  country  than  native  sorts. 
Bartlett  and  Angouleme.from  Europe,are  exten 
sively  successful  as  the  native  Lawrence  and 
Seckel.  Of  117  varieties  named  in  the  catalogue 
above  mentioned,  «7  are  of  native  origin.  Seven- 
teen.at  least.oftheforeigners  are  among  the  most 
valuable  and  excellent  sorts.  It  seems,  indeed, 
to  be  a  sufficient  answer  to  those  who  would  con- 
fine themselves  to  natives,  to  name  the  Bartleit 
Pear,  which  is  now  by  far  the  most  popular  mar 
ket  sort  in  America.  It  has  been  known  in  Eng- 
land more  than  a  century  as  William  Bonch- 
retren.  The  Anjou  is  a  French  Pear,  and  Mar- 
shall P  Wilder  has  said  that  it  he  were  confined 
to  a  single  variety,  he  would  select  Anjou  as  best 
of  all,  while  Charles  Downing  selected  the  Bosc, 
another  French  Pear,  as  the  most  valuable  varie- 
ty These  facts,  and  the  principles  which  they 
estabUsh,  are  thus  briefly  given  that  cultivators 
may  enjoy  the  widest  resources  for  selecting  and 
testing  fruits. 


114 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


February, 


Botany  and  the  Public  Schools. 

yExtract  of  paper  rea<t  by  Mr.  P.  Sewell  before  the 
British  Association  at  Neu'castle-07i-Ti/ne.] 

School  Botanical  Gardens  may  be  con- 
structed at  a  very  slight  cost,  and  the  prac- 
tical study  ot  botany  be  adopted  with  ad- 
vantage in  the  training  of  even  the  youngest 
children. 

The  garden  (flg.  1)  to  which  we  would  first  call 
attention  is  in  a  boarding  school  near  Edinburgh 
Its  whole  area  is  not  more  than  7i)  by  60  feet,  and 
its  plan  is  the  simplest  possible,  viz. :  regular 
pOws  of  beds,  four  feet  in  width,  with  narrow 


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Fig.  1.— Plan  of  Merchwton  School  Garden. 

References:— A,  Rock  Plants;  b,  b,  b,  General  Collection:  c.  d,  e, 
Rubiaceae,  Dlpsaceae,  Valarlanaceae;  f.  g,  Gramlneae,  Cyper- 
aceae,  h,  Composltae:  i,  j,  Juncaceae,  Llllaceae;  k,  Umbelll- 
ferae;  L,  M,  Irldaceae,  Amaryllldaceae;  x,  o,  Caprlfollaceae, 
Onagraceae;  p,  y,  Ericaceae,  Campanulaceae;  R,  s.  Saxlfraga- 
ceae,  Rlbes;  T,  Sediun.  1.  2,  3.  Plumbaginaceae.  Lythrimi. 
Primulaceae;  4,  Rosaceae:  5,  6,  Convolvulaceae,  Solanaceae; 
7,  Legumlnosae;  8,  9,  Chenopodlaceae,  Boraglnaceae;  10,  11, 
Geraniaceae,  Malvaceae;  12,  Lablatae;  l:i,  14,  Caryophyllaceae 
Resedaceae;  15, 16.  Veronica,  Scrophulariaceae;  17.  IS,  Cruci- 
ferae.  VIolaceae,  19.  20,  21,  Urticaceae.  Polygonaceae;  Planta- 
ginaceae:  22,  23,  Ranunculaceae,  Papaveracae;  u,  r,  Musemn, 
Laboratory,  etc.;  v,  Lawn. 

gravel  walks  between.  At  one  end  is  a  small 
collection  of  rock  plants,  where  alpine  rarities 
flourish.  Last  July  over  100  out  of  the  1.50  or 
more  species  ot  the  gardeu  were  in  bloom. 
Although  such  profusion  was  highly  attractive, 
Mr.  Mabbott,  the  Master,  considers  that  sixty  to 
one  hundred  plants  are  quite  sufficient  tor  such 
a  garden,  and  that  more  entails  a  needless  amount 
of  labor  upon  those  scholars  who  have  been 
appointed  curators.  The  points  to  be  gained  are, 
that  there  shall  be  a  supply  tor  class  purposes  of 
the  types  studied,  and  also  that  flowers  repre- 
senting the  various  orders  shall  be  forthcoming 
at  different  times  of  the  year. 

The  last  instance  of  such  botanical  gardens  is 
with  a  high  school  near  Manchester.  The  aim  of 
the  trustees  has  been  to  direct  attention  to  this 
branch  ot  natural  science.  Botanical  excursions 
and  elementary  lectures  have  formed  part  of  the 
summer's  work.  In  this  instance,  the  purpose 
of  the  garden  allowed  of  simpler  design  and  a 
less  expensive  outlay  than  if  it  had  been  desired 
merely  to  convert  the  half  acre  of  land  into  an 
ornamental  garden. 

The  details  of  construction  were  much  those  of 
an  ordinary  garden.  A  pond  allowed  of  the  cul- 
tivation of  bog  plants.  For  the  botanical  ar- 
rangement ot  beds  a  levelled  piece  of  land  was 
sown  over  with  grass  seed,  and  the  beds  cut  out, 
according  to  accompan.vlng  plan  during  the 
winter 

The  purchase  of  plants  for  these  beds  will  not 
cost  more  than  S.'ii  or  $40;  indeed  it  is  probable 
that,  for  the  most  part,  they  will  be  raised  from 
seed,  or  collected. 

The  simplest  and  most  advantageous  form  of 
garden  is  that  of  narrow  beds  cut  out  from  turf, 
or  separated  b.v  walks  of  gravel,  brick-dust,  etc 
To  devote  a  considerable  space  to  the  garden,  it 
is  wisest  to  sow  grass-seed  where  turf  does  not 
already  exist.  The  beds  may  be  placed  in 
groups  or  in  regular  rows;  shrubs  and  trees 
in  clumps  will  add  in  decorative  value. 


The  plants  best  suited  for  the  beds  are  "  hardy 
perennials."  Many  of  these  may  be  raised  from 
seed,  but  it  is  desirable  to  introduce  a  few  roots 
of  the  more  important  plants 

The  best  label  is  of  zinc  l-16th  inch  or  less  In 
thickness.  2'A  by  2.  The  legs  are  of  zinc-wire, 
stout,  10  inches  long,  and  soldered  to  back  of 
first  piece.  Face  to  be  covered  with  thick  coat 
ot  Aspinall's  white  enamel  paint.  This,  when 
dry,  to  be  covered  with  black  enamel  paint,  in 
which,  when  yet  viscid,  the  name  scratched  by 
means  of  a  blunt  point.  Larger  wooden  labels 
may  also  be  obtained  for  the  natural  orders  if 
desirable  to  set  in  the  beds. 

H      Where  the  boys  or  girls  can  be   per- 
suaded  to  take  an  interest  in  the  tjeds 

there  should  be  no  difficulty  in  keeping 
the  garden  tidy  at  very  trifling  expense. 
Where  the  boys  are  taught  the  ele- 
ments of  agriculture  and  gardening,  they 
noticeably  take  a  greater  amount  of  in- 
terest in  the  results  ot  their  outdoor 
lessons  than  in  any  other. 

Mr.  Dyer  writes  relative  to  this  subject 
of  school  botanical  gardens:  "My  idea  is 
that  a  much  more  real  interest  is  taken 
in  a  school  garden  if  the  pupils  have  a 
hand  in  getting  together  the  plants.  The 
best  way  to  do  this  is  by  collecting  the 
seeds  and  raising  them.  To  take  advent- 
age  of  outings  to  the  country  as  occasions 
to  collect  seeds  for  the  school  garden 
would  in  itself  be  a  very  valuable  lesson. 
The  following  is  a  list  of  the  natural 
orders  suitable  for  a  smaller  school  gar- 
den. The  numbers  of  species  refer  to 
those  that  may  be  taken  as  representa- 
tive types;  Ranunculacea?,  20;  Composita;. 
1.5;  LiliaceaN  12;  Scrophulariaceiv,  12;  Leg- 
uminosie,  10;  Rosacese,  8;  Crucifera»,  6; 
Caryophllacea?,  6;  Papaveracea>,  6;  Um- 
belliferip,  3;  Saxitragacea?,  6;  Geraniacea;, 
6;  Campanulacea?,  6;  Primulacete,  6;  Ru- 
biaceae, 3;  Boraginacen?,  2;  Labiata",  2; 
Polygonacea?,  2;  AmaryllidaceiP,  3. 

ViolacesB,  Resedacea?,  Onagrace*,  Am- 
entacese,  Conifera?,  Graminea>,  and  Jun- 
cacese,  might  be  represented  with  ad- 
vantage by  one  or  two  species.  Also 
Berberis,  Linum,  Lythrum,  Tamus,  Con- 
volvulus, and  Solanum. 

Of  the  older  system,  Professor  Huxley 
at  the  meeting  at  the  Manchester  Town 
Hall   in  1887,  said;    "No  one  can  doubt 
that  this  system  of  primary  education 
has  done  wonders,  but  it  has  the  effect  of 
being  too   bookish,  too   little  practical. 
The  child  is  brought  too  little  into  contact  with 
actual  facts  and  things,  and  as  the  system  stands 
at  present,  it  constitutes  next  t«  no  education 
of  those  particular  facul- 
ties which  are  of  the  ut- 
most importance  to  indus- 
trial    life.      I    mean    the 
faculty     of     observation, 
the  faculty  of  working  ac- 
curately, of   dealing  with 
things  instead  ot  words." 

The  study  of  elementary 
botany  might  he  engaged 
in  by  children  even  of  the 
youngest  years,  so  long  as 
this  study  were  made 
practical,  i.  e.  so  long  as 
they  had  placed  before 
them  plants  which  they 
should  learn  to  distinguish 
one  from  another,  and 
from  which  they  should 
learn  the  uses  of  the  vari- 
ous modifications  ot  roots, 
stems,  leaves,  flowers  or 
fruits,  &c. 

The  probable  interest  of 
such  study  of  science 
would  be  increased  were 
the  instruction  given  with 
reference  to  a  small  botan- 
ical garden,  where  not 
merely  botanical  teaching 
might  be  imparted,  but 
where  the  child  might  be 

grounded  even  in  the  elements  of  horticultural 
and  agricultural  knowledge  the  growth  of  root 
and  cereal  crops  might  be  shown  from  a  very 
small  garden.  A  real  respect  for  the  methods 
and  achievements  of  scientific  men*  might  be 
given;  and,  each  child  might  be  made  to  feel 
that  he  too,  migh  become  an  accurate  scientific 
observer  of  Nature. 


Doings  of  the  Missouri   State 
Horticultural  Society. 

ROBERf  T.  BAILEY,  C.iLLAWAT   CO.,  MO. 

Vinegar  Making.  At  the  recent  meeting 
held  in  Lebanon  a  paper  on  "Vinegar  as  a 
by-product  of  the  orchard"  was  read  by 
Charles  Patterson,  bringing  to  light  the  fact 
that  nearly  all  the  vinegar  sold  is  made 
from  chemical  acids.  It  is  sold  so  low  and 
looks  so  clear  and  nice  to  the  eye  that  it  is 
difflcult  to  get  genuine  pure  cider  vinegar 
into  the  market  in  competition  with  it.  Yet 
all  of  it  is  marked  on  the  barrels  "Pure 
Cider  Vinegar,"  "  Pure  Fruit  Vinegar," 
"White  Wine  Vinegar,"  or  such  false  label. 
Vice-President  N.  F.  Murray  found  that  gro- 
cerymen  did  not  like  to  sell  the  genuine  vinegar, 
for  when  their  customers  once  used  it  they  were 
not  satisfied  to  take  any  thing  else.  In  order  to 
create  a  demand  you  must  have  a  supply  suffi- 
cient to  fill  that  demand  when      is  created. 

Mr.  E.  T.  HoUister  thought  it  would  be  very 
difficult  to  introduce  pure  vinegar  unless  we 
pass  laws  requiring  the  merchants  to  sell  his 
grades  for  Just  what  they  are. 

Mr.  Patterson  introduced  his  vinegar  into  his 
town  by  filling  small  bottles  and  leaving  one  at 
every  house,  telling  them  where  they  could  get 
such  vinegar  at  the  stores.  The  people  are  more 
ready  to  make  the  change  than  the  grocers,  but 
the  latter  found  that  it  drew  buyers  to  keep  the 
pure  article  for  their  customers.  He  thought 
gain  for  the  horticulturist  would  be  small  com- 
pared with  that  of  the  consuming  public  in 
being  saved  from  the  injurious  effects  of  poison- 
ous chemicals.  Every  man  that  goes  to  market 
with  his  Jug  wants  cider  vinegar,  and  he  would 
go  home  with  it  empty  were  he  told  that  he 
could  get  only  acid  vinegar. 

The  legislature  was  asked  to  pass  a  law  re- 
quiring goods  to  be  sold  by  their  true  name. 

Traksportation.  Mr.  Murray  thought  it  of 
but  little  use  to  grow  fruit  and  let  the  carrier 
have  all  the  profits.  He  considered  this  question 
of  transportation  the  darkest  cloud  hanging  over 
the  producers  of  this  country. 

Prof.  Clark  Columbia  thought  it  best  to  go  to 
the  transportation  companies  beforehand  and 
state  the  case,  and  make  the  best  terms  you  can 
Sec.  Goodman  wanted  the  subject  to  be  con 
tinually  agitated.  Let  the  local  societies  pass 
resolutions  asking  for  lower  rates. 

Levi  Chubbuck,  Sesretary  ot  the  State  Board 
of  Agriculture,  said  "  It  is  no  use  to  make  a 
request  of  railroads  unless  they  can  see  some- 
thing in  it  for  themselves." 

The  Profits.  A  paper  on  the  "Profit  and 
Loss  in  Orcharding,"  by  Dan.  Carpenter,  made 


30 ,60     ,70    ,80     90    .100 


.J 


REFERENCE.S:— 2,  Rublaceae;  3,  Valerianaeeae: 
4.  Polemonlacea;  5,  Gentlanaceae;  6,  Dlpsaceae"< 
7.  Lablatae:  8.  Boraglnaceae:  9,  Campanulaceae; 
10,  Primulaceae:  II.  Vacant;  12,  Ericaceae:  13. 
Convolvulaceae;  14.  Scrophulariaceae:  (the  large 
unnumbered  triangular  bed  In  the  upper  left 
hand  corner  of  the  plan  Is  devoted  to  Compo- 
sltae); 16,  Legumlnosae:  17,  Rosaceae:  18,  Coma 
ceae:  19,  Lythraceae;  20.  Onagraceae:  21,  Caprlfo. 
ilaceae;  23,  Araliaceae;  23.  Rosaceae-  24.  Umbelll- 
ferae;  '25.  Saxlfragaceae;  '26,  Crassulaceae:  27, 
Geraniaceae;  2^.  Malvaceae:  '29,  Chenopodlaceae, 
30.  Caryophyllaceae;  .31.  Polygonaceae:  32,  Papa' 
veraceae,  3;i,  Fumarlaceae;  34,  Hypericaceae; 
35,  Cruclferace;  36.  VIolaceae  37,  Resedaceae:  3S 

Ranunculaceaae:  3Vt.  Berberidaceae:  40,  Gramiuceae;  41,  Llllaceae.  b.  Calyciflorae. 
c,  Thalamlflorae:  D,  Monocotyledons:  e.  Kitchen  Garden:  f.  Border;  Janitor's* 
Hoube. 

Fig.  2— Plan  of  Dumferllne  Hehool  Qanlai. 

quite  a  stir.  He  gave  the  amount  of  his  expense 
on  his  fruits  and  the  receipts  from  their  sales  for 
a  period  of  thirteen  years  showing  that  the  net 
annua]  profits  per  acre,  allowing  interest  on  the 
amount  of  the  investment  at  eight  per  cent, 
with  him  had  been  f2  50. 

J. G. Kinder  thought  that  if  $2.50  per  acre  is  the 
measure  of  the  profit  of  fruit  growing  they  had 


[890. 


POPULAR  GAPDENING. 


115 


better  dissolve  the  society  and  go  to  raising 
Castor  Beans,  which,  he  said,  paid  from  $12.00 
to  Slo  per  acre. 

One  man  thought  the  contraction  of  the  cur- 
rency was  the  greatest  incubus  the  producers 
have  to  carry. 

C.  C.  Bell,  of  Biwnville,  had  no  doubt  that  Mr. 
Carpenter  had  given  a  true  account  of  his  ex- 
perience as  a  fruit  grower.    He  called  attention 
to  the  fact  that  Mr.  Carpenter's   own    figures 
showed  that  the  Apple  was  the  only  fruit  that 
had  paid  a  net  profit.    He  would  not  advise  any 
one  to  grow  Grajtes  lor  wine.    The  public  senti- 
ment is  against  it.    Any  man,  he  said,  who  will 
plant  the  right  varieties  of  Apples  in  suitable 
soil  and    care  for  them  will  make  it  pay.    He  ; 
believes  that  the  products  of  an  orchard 
would    pay   for  the  land  ever}'  year  for 
ten  or  twelve  .vears.    He  had  bought  the 
fruit  of  a  40-acre  orchard  every  year  for 
six  or  seven  years  at  prices  ranging  from 
8800    to  81,500  yearly.    Tet   only  a   smaU 
portion  of  this  orchard  was  of  good  market 
varieties,  the  greater  part   being   Hawle's 
Genet,  which  is  too  small  to  sell  well. 

J.  C.  Evans  said  that  he  and  Mr.  Carpenter 
were  neighbors.  He  is  by  no  means  a 
commercial  fruit  grower.  Four-fifths  of 
his  varieties  are  utterly  worthless.  He  has 
about  enough  of  small  fruits  to  supply 
himself  and  his  neighbors.  Very  little  of  ^^^. 
his  fruit  goes  to  market.  Notwithstand-  •'  / 
ing  all  these  drawbacks  his  Apples  had 
paid  a  little  profit. 

Varieties.    The  discussion  of  varieties 
showed  that  the  Ben  Darts  was  by  all  odds 
considered  the  most  profitable  kind  to  grow.  But 
there  is  a  strong  desire  to  find   an   Apple   of 
better  quality  than  the  Ben  Davis  that  shall  be 
as  productive  and  as  profitable, 

C.  C.  Bell,  spoke  well  of  the  Clayton  as  a  ship- 
per, but  did  not  like  the  very  erect  growth  of 
the  tree.    Others  had  the  same  objection. 

No  one  thought  the  Shannon  Pippin  of  much 
value. 

The  Shackeford  is  x>erhaps  a  seedling  of  the 
Ben  Davis,  which  it  resembles  very  much.  Mr. 
Patterson  could  hardly  distinguish  the  fruit 
from  the  Ben  Da\TS.  With  him  the  tree  was  a 
straggling  grower  like  the  Little  Romanite. 

L.  A.  Goodman  found  the  tree  like  the  Willow 
Twig,  the  fruit  like  the  Ben  Davis,  as  large  or 
even  larger. 

The  Mammoth  BlackTwig  was  but  little  known, 
and  not  thought  as  desirable  as  Clayton  by  Mr. 
Bell  who  had  bought  it  in  northern  Arkansas. 
Pres.  Evans  found  it  a  good  keeper. 

The  Arkansas  Black  was  reported  verj'  favor- 
ably from  the  northern  part  of  Arkansas  where 
it  came  from.  It  is  a  beautiful,  dark  red  Apple 
resembling  the  Jonathan,  a  good  keeper  with 
ordinarj-  care  till  May. 

A  letter  was  read  from  J.  C.  Plumb  of  Wis- 
consin asking  what  Apple  would  supercede  the 
Ben  Davis.  The  Gano  was  named,  but  the  dis- 
cussion showed  that  it  was  superior  to  the  Ben 
Davis  only  in  color.  The  quality  is  so  much 
alike  they  could  not  be  distinguished  by  taste. 

The  York  Imperial  was  well  spoken  of.  It  is 
productive  and  keeps  well. 

The  Minkler  and  some  new  seedlings  of  the 
same  type  were  said  to  be  among  the  best  known 
for  southwest  Missouri.  Mr.  Wild  thought  the 
Minkler  would  not  be  as  profitable  as  the  Little 
Romanite,  as  it  is  slower  in  bearing.  He  thought 
the  Langford  better. 

The  Yellow  Transparent  was  found  to  blight 
badly  by  A.  Ambrose  of  Vernon  Co.  Mr.  Wild, 
of  Jasper,  found  it  very  good  as  to  size,  and  a 
few  days  earlier  than  the  Early  Harvest.  It  did 
not  blight  with  him  worse  than  the  Red  June. 

Raspberries.  The  papers  and  discussion  on 
this  fruit  showed  that  there  was  a  strong  feeling 
in  favor  of  dropping  all  Red  Raspberries  for 
profit.  Mr.  Patterson  had  picked  them  in  the 
morning  and  had  them  comeback  on  him  spoiled 
in  the  evening.  With  him  Souhegan,  Mammoth 
Cluster,  and  Gregg  were  good  kinds.  Mr.  Hollis- 
ter,  a  commission  merchant,  of  St  Louis,  was 
loth  to  vote  the  red  Raspberry  out  of  existence. 
He  had  shipped  Turner berriesgrown  insouthem 
Illinois,  successfully  to  Denver.  They  were 
packed  in-shallow  pint  boxes. 

Mr.  Goodman  thought  there  must  be  some- 
thing in  Illinois  soil  peculiarly  favorable  to  the 
Red  Raspberry.  He  had  never  been  able  to  ship 
them  half-way  from  Kansas  City  to  Denver. 

The  Schafler  was  praised  by  some,  and  con- 
demned by  others.  Some  sold  it  higher  than 
other  kinds;  others  couldn't  sell  it  at  all.    Prof  ■ 


John  W.  riiirk,  of  (.'ohimbia  considered  it  the 
poorest  they  had.  In  a  small  way  it  has  always 
been  in  demand  with  the  writer. 

Strawberries.  The  Strawberry  report  of 
that  veteran  horticulturist.  Samuel  Miller,  was 
instructive  and  interesting.  He  planted  last 
year  mostly  of  Bubach  and  Gandy. 

G.  W  Hopkins,  of  Springfield  had  made  more 
money  from  Windsor  Chief  than  from  any  other. 
The  Bubach  was  fine.  The  Jessie  was  frost-bitten. 

Blackberries.  The  Kittatiny  seemed  to  be 
the  favorite  Blackberry.  Early  Harvest  had  few 
friends.  E.  A.  Riehl  of  Illinois,  succeeded  in 
growing  fine  fruit  on  the  Snyder  by  pinching 
twice  in  the  summer;  first  when  the  canes  are 
about  two  feet  high,  second  when  the  laterals 


PLANTING  YOUNG  CARNATIONS. 

have  made  a  growth  of  six  to  twelve  inches, 
thus  inducing  the  growth  of  a  secondary  set  of 
small  branches.  With  him  the  Early  Harvest  is 
worthless.  TheErie  closely  resembles  the  Lawton. 

President  Evans  approved  what  Mr.  Riehl  said 
of  the  Snyder.  He  also  found  the  Taylor  a 
good  variety. 

Missouri  Fbcits  Ahead.  Mr.  A.  Nelson  of 
Lebanon,  Mo.,  a  former  York  State  man,  told  of 
his  success  in  collecting  a  car  load  of  fruit  and 
farm  products  in  southwest  Missouri  and  taking 
them  to  the  Buffalo,  N.  Y.  Exhibition.  He 
made  this  strong  statement;  "I  can  sa.v,  with- 
out fear  of  contradiction,  that  the  poorest 
samples  of  Missouri  Apples  I  had,  equalled  in 
ever.v  particular  the  best  samples  from  the  four 
or  five  eastern  states  which  had  fruit  at  that 
e.xhibition."  After  this  fruit  had  been  shown  at 
Buffalo  he  carried  some  of  it  to  the  Inter-State 
Fair,  Elmira  where  its  beautj'  excited  much  ad- 
miration. 

Peacbthisxing.  Mr.  Gano,  gave  his  exper- 
ience in  thinning  and  shipping  100,000  boxes  of 
Peaches.  His  men  thinned  from  100  to  1.50  trees 
each,  per  day.  It  was  not  half  the  work  that 
might  be  imagined.  He  left  the  Peaches  from 
four  to  six  inches  apart  on  the  twigs.  Mr.  Riehl 
went  farther  and  said  that  it  is  less  work  to  thin 
fruit  than  it  is  not  to  thin  it.  It  is  cheaper  to 
thin  the  fruit  and  drop  the  surplus  on  the  ground 
than  it  is  to  cull  and  assort  it  after  it  is  picked. 
He  thought  Apples  could  be  thinned  by  pruning. 

He  thins  when  the  Peaches  are  about  the  size 
of  marbles  or  Hickory  nuts,  and  keeps  the 
center  of  his  trees  well  open  so  as  to  preserve 
the  small  fruiting  twigs  all  along  the  length  of 
the  main  branches  Trees  must  be  pruned  every 
year  to  keep  these  small  twigs  in  the  center. 

As  an  illustration  of  the  benefits  of  thinning 
Peaches  E.  HoUister  told  of  Peaches  that  Dr. 
Huil  of  IlUnois  thinned  his  fruit,  and  sold  his 
Peaches  for  %\:&  per  peck  basket  while  his 
neighbors  who  did  not  thin  sold  theirs  for  81.75 
per  bushel. 


CONDENSED  GLEANINGS. 
Eed  Cedar  FeDcil-Wood.  The  manufacture  of 
this  has  for  years  been  almost  exclusively  con- 
fined to  Florida,  where  this  tree  grows  to  a  large 
size  and  in  great  perfection.  The  business  has 
been  in  the  hands  of  a  large  foreign  house,  which 
supplies  a  good  part  of  the  world  with  lead 
pencils,  and  has  been  profitable.  Large  Cedar 
timber,  straight  grained  and  of  a  suitable  quality 
for  pencil  stuff,  has  become  scarce  in  Florida 
and  factories  are  springing  up  in  different  parts 
of  the  south,  especially  in  Alabama,  where,  at 
Gurley,  sawing  pencil  stuff  is  already  a  consider- 
able industry.  The  best  Red  Cedar,  however, 
now  left  will  be  found  near  the  Red  River,  in 
Texas,  and  in  the  Indian  Territory,  where  this 
tree  attains  a  greater  size  than  it  reaches  in 
Florida,  while  the  quality  of  the  lumber  is  not, 
probably,  in  any  way  inferior.    The  world  has 


become  so  accustomed  to  using  pencils  made  of 
Red  Cedar,  that  it  will  not  readily  adapt  itself  to 
any  others.  The  supply  of  this  lumber  of  suit- 
able qualit.v,  however,  is  not  large  in  proportion 
to  the  demand,  and  cannot  hold  out  many  years 
longer.  The  Red  Cedar  is  the  most  widely  dis- 
tributed of  North  American  Conifers,  and  in 
some  parts  of  the  country  it  is  one  of  the  most 
common  trees;  but  it  is  in  a  few  favored  locali- 
ties only  that  it  grows  in  a  way  to  produce  the 
straight-grained  material  essential  for  pencil- 
making.  The  distillation  of  oil  of  Cedar,  for 
which  there  is  now  a  large  'commercial  demand, 
from  the  sawdust  and  other  refuse,  has  been 
profitable  in  the  pencil  mills  of  Cedar  Keys, 
Florida,  and  might  be  carried  on  to  advantage 
in  other  parts  of  the  countrj-.  It  can  be 
made,  of  course,  from  wood  of  the  poorest 
quality.— Garden  and  Forest. 

Bean  Cleaning  Device.  The  cut  plainly 
shows  how  the  frame  or  rack  that  the 
screen  swings  on  is  made.  There  should  be 
one- fourth  inch  between  screen  and  stand- 
ards, so  it  will  work  without  friction.  The 
standards  may  be  2  x  3  at  base  and  2  x  2  at 
top,  or  other  convenient  size;  the  rack  four 
and  a  half  feet  long  and  boards  1  x  4  or  5 
inches  all  nailed  on  as  in  cut.  Rear  parts 
should  be  six  and  a  half  feet  long,  and  the 
front  ones  should  be  left  long  until  screen 
is  hung  in  right  place.  The  screen  should 
be  high  enough  to  allow  a  person  to  stand 
up  and  look  the  Beans  over  as  the  pass  by. 
It  is  hung  on  good  strong  Xo.  8  or  9  wire  20 
Inches  long,  after  a  loop  is  made  in  each 
end,  and  should  extend  four  inches 
farther  beyond  the  rear  posts  than  beyond  the 
front  ones.  Put  down  good  steel  wire  nails 
through  bed  pieces  of  screen,  close  to  side  piece 
clinched  on  the  under  side,  and  bent  over  on 
the  upper  side  to  form  a  hook  for  lower  ends  of 
wires ;  and  same  kind  of  nails,  driven  in  proper 
place  near  top  of  standards  to  support  upper 
ends  of  wires.  Put  strips  of  lath  along  the  sides, 
on  a  slant,  to  keep  the  Beans  on  the  wire  cloth, 
five  meshes  to  the  inch  for  Xavy  Beans,  larger 
mesh  for  larger  Beans.  The  incline  of  the  screen 
should  not  be  so  great  as  to  allow  the  Beans  to 
move  of  themselves.  Allowing  ten  or  twelve 
inches  for  swing,  nail  blocks  on  the  outside  of 
screen,  back  of  and  so  they  will  strike  the  posts 
as  the  screen  operates.  This  keeps  the  Beans 
mortng  and  prevents  clogging.  An  upright 
handle  can  be  fastened  on  the  side  of  screen. 

Beqoisites  for  Unshrooma-  This  toothsome 
esculent  cannot  be  raised  artificially  with  the 
same  favorable  and  sure  issue  as  can  our  veget- 
ables from  seeds.  Everyone  should  bear  in 
mind  a  few  general  principles  and  govern  his 
work  by  what  they  suggest.  Mushrooms  do  not 
prefer  a  warm  atmosphere,  but  they  enjoy  a 
warm  bed  to  grow  in.  While  an  excess  of 
water  is  injurious,  the  soil  must  not  dry  out. 
In  short,  I  take  the  fresh  droppings  from  the 
stable,  throw  them  in  a  heap,  and  turn  daily 
until  the  rank  heat  and  steam  has  passed  away. 
The  mass  is  then  made  mto  a  compact  bed  m  a 
cool  atmosphere,  beaten  firm  with  the  back  of  a 
fork,  and  when  it  shows  a  mild  heat  the  spawn, 
broken  to  pieces  the  size  of  a  Walnut,  is  mserted 
a  few  inches  apart,  and  say  two  inches  of  light 
loam  is  placed  over  the  surface.  There  is  no 
use  to  be  impatient  or  tr.v  to  hurry  the  operation. 
Mushrooms  will  not  appear  for  several  weeks; 
but  meantime  it  is  well  to  sprinkle  any  dry  spots 
that  show  themselves,  and  this  is  all  that  can  be 
done.  Darkness  is  preferable,  so  that  a  cool 
cellar  is  well  adapted  for  them.— X.  X.  Tribune. 

Planting  Young  Carnations.  Well  rooted  Car- 
nation cutting  when  potted  or  boxed  off  will 
make  at  once  strong  vigorous  plants,  while  those 
with  very  small  roots,  even  if  quite  healthy, 
take  long  to  start  as  they  become  hard.  Every 
young  plant  should  be  planted  deep  and  firm 
enough  to  enable  it  to  maintain  a  perpendicular 
position  throughout  the  season.  The  plant  at 
the  left  in  illustration  represents  a  j'oung  plant 
put  firmly  in  the  ground,  and  deep  enough  to  be 
safe  from  any  influence  which  might  affect  its 
stability.  It  will  go  right  along  without  stopping 
if  we  keep  the  conditions  right  for  its  growth. 
The  figure  at  the  right  shows  a  young  plant 
which  has  been  carelessly  potted  in  the  first  place 
and  when  planted  outside,  was  planted  so  near 
the  surface  that  the  first  puff'  of  wind  sent  it 
over  to  one  side,  ready  for  a  wind  from  opposite 
direction  to  send  it  back  again.  Under  such  cir- 
cumstances we  can  scarcely  expect  a  plant  to 
amount  to  very  much.— American  Florist. 


ii6 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


February, 


Tnberons-Booted  Begonias.  Perhaps  the 
finest  collection  on  the  coast  is  at  Capt.  Ains- 
worth's,  near  N.  Temescal.  Mr.  John  MeCullum, 
who  has  charge  of  the  grounds,  several  years 
ago  secured  from  England  the  finest  strains  of 
seed  and  named  rarities;  from  these  many  beau- 
tiful hybrids  have  been  produced,  notably 
among  the  whites  and  yellows,  which  have  not 
previously  been  so  well-developed  as  the  scarlets 
and  pinks.  The  plants  will  bloom  the  first  year 
from  seed  if  given  proper  care;  hybridizing  is 
easily  performed,  and  the  bulbs  keep  without 
trouble  after  the  blooming  season.-  P.  R.  Press. 

Drainage,  Take  no  risks;  draining  is  too 
expensive  a  job  to  be  done  imperfectly.  Do  not 
leave  trees  growing  along  the  line  of  a  drain  if 
you  can  possibly  avoid  it.  Two  years  ago  my 
garden  drain  became  stopped,  and  on  making  an 
examination  I  found  that  the  roots  of  an  Elm 
tree  which  it  passed  had  entered  the  tile  and 
completly  choked  them.  As  the  tree  was  valued 
for  shade,  I  took  up  the  tile  and  substituted 
glazed  sewer  pipe  and  cemented  the  joints,  and 
hope  this  will  enable  me  to  save  the  tree  and  keep 
the  drain  clear.— WaldoF.Brown  in  Ohio  Farmer. 

Many-colored  Chrysanthemum,  One  of  the 
interesting  objects  at  the  late  exposition  of 
Chrysanthemums  in  this  city  was  a  plant  upon 
which  some  twenty  different  varieties  had  been 
grafted.  The  different  kinds  of  flowers  were  all 
in  bloom  at  once  and  having  been  arranged  on 
the  stalk  with  every  view  to  harmonize  and  con- 
trast of  color,  the  plant  resembles  a  large 
bouquet.— Weekly  Press. 

A  New  Jersey  Kalamazoo.  It  is  said  a  com- 
pany of  capitalists  have  engaged  a  colony  of 
Celery-growers  of  Kalamazoo  to  go  to  Hacketts- 
town,  X.  J  ,  next  spring,  and  engage  in  raising 
Celery  on  a  tract  of  land  called  the  Great 
Meadows,  on  which  Onion-growing  has  been 
unsuccessfully  tried,  and  Celery  culture  has  also 
been  attempted,  but  not  being  properly  handled, 
was  a  failure.— Mich.  Farmer. 

Training  Tomatoes.  In  a  family  garden  I 
hare  always  found  training  a  Tomato  plant  to  a 
single  stem,  up  an  eight-foot  stake,  firmly  set 
before  planting,  highly  satisfactory,  and,  on  the 
whole,  no  more  troublesome  than  the  let-lie 
course;  while  it  economizes  room,  it  secures 
handsomer,  better-flavored  fruit,  and  more  of  it 
and  pleases  by  its  tidiness  and  its  success  as  an 
art.— Blairco  in  X.  Y.  Tribune. 

Ombbing  out  Old  Trees.  Make  a  circular 
excavation  from  six  to  eight  feet  in  diameter 
around  the  tree,  dig  the  dirt  away  from  the 
roots  and  cut  these  off  the  trunk  and  again  at 
the  outer  edge  of  the  excavation.  Then  the 
roots  ai-e  out  of  the  way,  and  when  they  are  all 
cut  off,  the  tree  wUl  fall.  A  large  tree  can  be 
grubbed  out  in  two  hours  in  this  way.— W. Rural. 

Starting  Early  Cabbages.  We  long  ago 
abandoned  the  practice  of  sowing  seed  in 
autumn,  and  now  start  our  seed  February  1  in 


Mean  Cleaning  DexHce.    See  page  113. 
boxes  in  a  greenhouse  or  hotbed  and  transplant 
to  other  boxes  as  soon  as  large  enough  to  handle, 
placing  the  boxes  in  cold  frames  to  harden  them 
off.— W.  F.  Massey  in  Weekly  Press. 

Thin  Early.  Most  amateurs  giow  their  vegetables 
too  elcsply.  So  they  are  not  only  much  smalier,  but 
also  Inferior  In  quality.  Those  who  desire  pood  Beets. 
Turnips,  Parsnips  and  Carrots  should  thin  thoroughly. 
— T.  H.  Hosktns  In  Ani.  Garden. 

Buying  FertilizinK  Materials.  The  force  of  the 
argument  on  the  side  of  home-mixed  fertilizers  en- 
tirely ontwelghs  all  the  objections.— Connecticut  Ex- 
periment Station  Report. 

Strawberry  Cure.  Of  all  "cures"  Invented,  give  me 
the  Strawberry  cure.  There  is  little  question  that 
other  people  will  l>e  benefited,  just  as  I  am.— Gleanings 
In  Bee  Culture. 

Mice  in  Orchard.  Soak  some  nubbins  In  strychnine 
and  lay  them  under  sheaves  of  com  fodder  at  differ 
ent  points  about  the  orchard.— Farm  Journal. 


Value  of  Grass  Hoots.  The  roots  and  stubble  on  a 
mowing  field— turned  in— have  a  manurial  value  of  at 
least  812.— Piof.  Phelps. 

There  is  something  to  care  for  in  all  weathers,  and 
the  busy  life  is  a  happy  one. 

Better  to  grow  into  a  specialty  than  to  go  Into  It. 


Vegetable  Products  on  Table. 

Succotash.  Boil  one  part  of  dry  Lima  Beans 
and  two  parts  of  dried  Sweet  Corn  seperately 
until  both  are  nearly  tender.  Then  put  them 
together  and  simmer  gently  until  done.  Season 
with  salt  and  sweet  cream.— Western  Rural. 

Farm  Journal  Hints.  Cranberries  will  keep 
all  winter  in  water.  Potatoes  are  'more  whole- 
some when  baked  than  when  boiled.  Never  put 
Potatoes  on  the  table  in  a  covered  dish.  They 
absorb  their  own  moisture  and  become  sogg.v. 

Sagout  of  Onions.  Cut  a  couple  of  bunches  of 
young  Onions  in  slices:  add  double  the  quantity 
of  Potatoes,  peeled  and  sliced;  season  with  salt 
and  pepper,  and  cover  with  broth  of  any  kind; 
simmer  until  the  Potatoes  are  done;  add  a  table- 
spoonful  of  butter,  and  eat  very  hot.— Am.  Ag. 

Pickled  Ttirnips,  Scald  enough  vinegar  to 
cover  them,  with  some  whole  Spice,  pour  it  over 
them,  and  let  them  cool  before  using  them;  Car- 
rots. Cauliflower,  Beets,  Jerusalem  Artichokes, 
Cabbage,  Beans,  in  fact  nearly  all  cold  boiled 
vegetables,  can  be  made  into  pickles  in  this  way. 
—House-wife. 

Orange  Jelly.  Cover  one  box  of  gelatine  with 
one  pint  of  cold  water  and  let  it  soak  one  hour; 
add  one  pint  of  boiling  water  and  one  pound  of 
sugar-.  Stir  until  the  sugar  is  dissolred,  then  add 
one  pint  of  Orange  juice,  strain,  and  turn  into 
molds  to  harden.  This  should  stand  at  least 
twelre  hours.- E.x. 

Browned  Ttirnips.  For  a  good  accompaniment 
to  roast  duck,  pare  and  slice  the  Turnips  and  boil 
till  tender,  then  di-ain  in  a  colander.  Put  two 
tablespoonfuls  of  butter  in  a  frying  pan;  when 
hot  add  the  Turnips  and  a  tablespoonful  of 
sugar;  when  the  slices  are  nice  and  brown  turn 
carefully,  dust  with  salt  and  pepper,  and  serre. 
—Indiana  Farmer. 

Sweet  Potato  Pie.  Line  a  pie  plate  with  nice 
pastry.  Hare  some  boiled  Sweet  Potatoes,  peel 
and  slice  them  lengthwise  orer  the  pastry,  then 
put  a  layer  of  sugar,  nutmeg  and  butter,  then 
another  layer  of  each  till  the  dish  is  filled,  mak- 
ing the  last  layer  of  sugar,  etc.  Fill  with  cream 
and  bake.  Eat  warm.  Should  any  be  left  orer, 
warm  by  adding  more  cream  and  butter  before 
putting  in  the  oren.— Farm  Journal. 

Stewed  Carrots.  Take  si.\  large  Carrots,  wash 
and  scrape  them,  put  them  into  boiling  water 
and  let  them  boil  for  half  an  hour,  then  take  out, 
drain,  and  cut  each  into  as  many  round  balls  as 
it  will  make,  put  them  into  the  stew  pan  with  a 
pint  of  grary,  flavored  with  a  little  Pepper,  Salt, 
and  Mushroom  catsup;  let  them  simmer  for 
twenty  minutes,  then  take  them  out,  pile  them 
in  the  center  of  the  dish,  thicken  the  gravy  with 
a  little  flour  and  butter,  pour  it  over  the  Carrots, 
and  serve.— Cthio  Farmer. 

Apple  Sago  Pudding.  Pare  six  large  tart 
-Apples;  remove  the  cores;  All  the  holes  thus 
made  with  sugar  and  a  little  ground  Cinnamon, 
and  stick  a  few  (loves  into  each  Apple.  Place 
upright  in  a  deeij  pudding  dish.  Over  six  large 
spoonfuls  of  sago  pour  two  cupfuls  of  boiling 
water,  stiiTing  continually  until  it  begins  to 
thicken.  Cover  and  let  stand  about  two  hours; 
then  pour  into  the  dish  containing  the  Apples, 
and  bake  in  moderate  oven  for  two  hours.  Serve 
with  cream  and  sugar.— Country  Gentleman. 

Carrots  Stewed  in  Cream,  One  good-sized  Car- 
rot sliced  thin  and  cooked  tender  in  boiling  water 
well  salted.  Drain  well.  Slelt  a  piece  of  butter 
the  size  of  a  large  Walnut  in  an  enameled  sauce- 
pan; add  one  table-spoonful  of  flour  and  a  very 
little  cream  from  a  pint,  just  enough  to  cook 
into  a  soft,  creamy  mass;  gradually  pour  in  the 
remainder  of  the  cream  and  allow  it  to  boil  a 
moment.  It  it  should  prove  thicker  than  good 
rich  cream,  through  false  measurement,  add  a 
very  little  milk;  pour  over  the  Carrot  and  serve 
hot.— Good  Housekeeping. 

Apple  Slump.  One  quart  of  sifted  flour  with 
three  teaspoonfuls  baking  powder;  shorten  with 
one  tablespoonful  butter  nibbed  into  the  flour. 
Mix  with  cold  milk  or  water,  the  same  as  for  bis- 
cuit. Put  two  quarts  of  pared,  sliced  or  quarter- 
ed Apples  with  one  pint  of  water  into  the  dish. 
Roll  the  crust  about  an  inch  thick,  cut  into 
quarter,  and  with  it  cover  the  .Apples  in  the  dish; 
then  cover  the  whole  with  a  close  fitting  cover. 


and  boil  or  steam  till  done.  Take  out  on  a  plat- 
ter, and  grate  Xutmeg  over  the  Apple.  Serve 
with  sweet  sauce,  or  sugar  and  cream.— Xew 
England  Farmer. 

Banana  Custard.  Dissolre  two  tablespoonfuls 
of  Cornstarch  i  n  t  wo  tablespoonfuls  of  cold  water 
and  one  cup  of  sugar  and  two  ounces  of  butter; 
stir  together  in  a  stew-pan  long  enough  to  cook 
the  Com  starch  until  smooth;  pour  on  gradually, 
stirring  all  the  while,  a  quart  of  boiling  water. 
Remore  from  the  fire  and  add  the  beaten  yolks  of 
three  eggs;  return  to  the  fire  and  stir  until  thick. 
When  cold  stir  a  pint  bowlful  of  thinly-sliced 
Bananas,  and  pour  all  into  a  prett.v  china  or  glass 
dish.  Cover  with  a  meringue  of  the  whites 
beaten  to  a  stiff  froth  with  half  a  cup  of  powder- 
ed sugar  and  the  juice  of  half  a  Lemon,  and  heap 
on  top  of  the  custard.— American  Agriculturist. 


HOUSE  PLANTS 

Airing  should  be  strictly  attended  to  whenever  the 
weather  I?  mild.  Perhaps  the  best  way  of  giving 
window  plants  the  needed  ventilation  is  by  opening 
the  windows  of  an  adjoining  room.  A  vessel  of  water 
may  be  kept  on  the  back  of  the  stove.  The  evapora- 
tion will  tend  to  keep  the  air  in  the  room  moist  and 
favorable  to  the  health  and  thrift  of  the  plants. 

Begonias  should  now  be  blooming  freely.  Only  a 
moderate  amount  of  water  is  needed  for  them. 

Balbs  may  be  brought  In  from  cellar  or  pit  for  suc- 
cession. As  window  plants  they  do  their  best  now. 
As  hxilbs  pass  out  of  flower  cut  away  the  flower  stalks. 

Camellias  need  free  airing,  in  all  suiuibte  weather, 
guarding  against  cold  droughts.  Sponge  the  leaves  on 
both  sides  frequently. 

Callas  and  other  hardy  forcing  bulbs  should  have 
plenty  of  water. 

Cyclamen  Persicam  are  now  blooming.  When  past 
stand  them  back  a  little  from  the  front  in  the  window 
to  give  other  plants  in  bloom  a  better  chance,  but  don't 
dry  off  the  tubers  at  once.  As  long  as  the  foliage  con- 
tinues plump  and  fresh  continue  to  give  a  little  water. 

Fuchsias  at  rest  may  be  started.  After  strong 
growth  is  made  slips  may  be  taken  olT  and  root«d. 
Old  plants  will  do  best  If  cut  back  and  grown  In  bush 
form.  Keep  in  good  growth,  and  guard  against  the 
plants  becoming  pot-bound. 

General  Management.  Increased  sunlight  brings 
increased  growth  and  bloom,  and  less  tendency  to  rot 
and  mould.  Give  the  plants  a  little  more  water  than 
they  were  accustomed  to  get  diu-Ing  the  past  few 
weeks,  but  particularly  avoid  rendering  the  soil  very 
wet.  Once  a  week  at  least  tiu-n  the  plants  in  the 
window  so  that  they  shall  be  equal-sided.  Nip  the 
points  out  of  the  young  growths  on  plants  that  are  in 
thrifty  growth  to  cause  them  to  become  bushy.  While 
it  is  not  advisable  to  wash  the  foliage  of  soft  or  pubes- 
cent-leaved plants,  a  light  sprinkling  or  dewing  over- 
head early  in  the  forenoon  or  early  in  the  afternoon 
helps  and  freshens  them  materially.  Besides,  this 
sprinkling  of  the  foliage  and  bark  induces  the  produc- 
thin  of  more  oifsets  or  side  branches,  and  thus  renders 
the  plants  much  stockier.  But  don't  sprinkle  your 
plants  overhead  while  the  sun  is  shining  warmly  on 
them,  else  the  leaves  are  apt  to  get '  "scalded,"  nor  so 
late  In  the  afternoon  that  they  will  not  dry  perfectly 
before  night,  else  flower  buds,  young  leaves  and  shoots 
may  mould  or  rot  off. 

Heliotrope  slips  may  now  be  struck  for  fine  summer 
plants.    lie-pot  old  plants  as  needed. 

Hyacinths  In  glasses  must  have  the  water  kept 
properly  replenished.  Tie  up  when  In  flower.  See 
also  under  "  Bulbs." 

Ivy  and  other  stiff,  smooth-leaved  plants  to  be 
sponged  otf  to  give  them  a  fresh,  bright  appearance. 

Oleanders  may  be  started  up  now,  if  desired  for 
flowering  in  Slay.  As  growth  begins,  give  plenty  of 
water  and  some  liquid  manure. 

Pruning  soft  wooded  plants  can  hardly  be  overdone 
for  secuiing  good  shape.  The  bushy  forms  springing 
from  the  ground  are  handsome  and  attractive.  The 
long-legged  spindling  things  one  sees  so  often  are  an 
abomination. 

Roses  ot  the  monthly  class  like  a  good  sunny  posi- 
tion, but  should  not  be  kept  too  warm.  Guard  against 
greenfly.  Start  up  the  Hybrid  Perpetuals  that  were 
potted  in  the  fall  and  thus  wintered,  and  when  buds 
appear,  stimiUate  by  li<(uld  mauinre. 

So-wing  Seed.  Sow  Sweet  Alyssum  for  a  continuous 
supply,  other  annuals  and  biennials,  Snapdragon, 
Chinese  Pinks.  MImulus.  Slaurandia,  Ice  Plant,  etc., 
si:  j'.''d  now  be  so".\'n  to  get  good  plants  for  spring  and 
smnmer,  and  by  end  of  mouth  most  other  annuals  for 
early  bloom. 


iSgo. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


117 


LAWN  AND    FLOWER  GARDEN. 

Bedding  Plants.  Make  your  estlmaU"  of  what  wfll 
be  ueedea  In  this  line,  anil  provide  for  It  early  by 
growing  the  desired  subjeets,  or  making  earlj-  eon- 
tracts  with  llorlsls  to  supply  what  Is  needed. 

Mice  often  do  great  daniace  by  girdling  trees  and 
htHlge  plants  under  the  snowline.  Tramp  down  the 
snow  s«x>n  after  every  fre^h  fall. 

Manure,  well-composted  and  free  from  weed  seeds, 
may  be  drawn  out  on  the  lawu.  beds  and  borders 
while  the  ground  Is  fiozeu. 

Pruninsf.  Shrubs  may  be  pruned  with  a  view  to 
preserve  their  natural  habit.  Never  bring  them  into 
a  formal  shape  unless  grown  for  hedges.  The  class 
including  Roses,  Hai-dy  Hydrangea,  Burning  Bush, 
Coronilla.  Amorpha,  Hypericum.  Altbi^as.  Late-flower- 
ing Spineas  and  others  that  bear  their  bloom  on  the 
new  growth  of  the  season,  may  now  be  cut  back  quite 
severely  with  good  results.  Almost  ail  other  shrubs. 
however,  produce  their  flowers  from  buds  on  the  old 
wood,  and  severe  pruning  would  only  result  in  pruning 
away  so  many  tlowers.  With  these  subjects  cut  no 
more  than  to  improve  the  genera!  shape  and  leave 
most  of  the  pruning  until  just  after  the  blooming 
season,  some  months  further  along.  Hedges  of  decid- 
uous kinds  should  be  given  their  annual  trimming 
during  mild  weather. 

Plans.  Before  out-door  activity  begins,  the  main 
operations  to  be  caTied  out  the  coming  season,  needed 
important  changes,  etc.,  should  be  well  considered, 
and  perfect  plans  mapped  out.  This  is  work  that  can 
be  done  to  much  better  advautiige,  and  with  greater 
ease  and  thoroughness  now  than  when  the  out-door 
work  begins  to  crowd  upon  our  attention  and  efforts. 

Reqnlsites.  Buy  or  otherwise  provide  for  labels, 
stakes  and  other  requisites  needed  for  the  lawn  and 
flower  beds 

Seed  Sowing.    At  the  south  all  hardier  annuals  may 

be  sown  out  doors  this  month.  Where  early  plants 
for  summer  bedding  are  desired  at  the  north,  annuals 
such  as  Balsams,  Cockscombs,  Globe  Amaranths,  Port- 
ulaccas.  Phloxes,  Brachycomes,  Stocks,  Tropreolimis, 
Cob£eas  and  kinds  named  under  "  House  Plants  "  may 
be  started  under  glass. 

PLANT    CULTURE    UNDER   GLASS. 

Carnations  for  next  winter's  flowering  should  now 
be  struck  from  cuttings .  Keep  the  young  plants 
thrifty  by  free  airing.  Re-stake  flowering  plants  that 
may  need  it. 

Daisies,  Pansies,  Polyanthuses  and  other  spring- 
flowering  plants  if  kept  in  cold  frames  should  have 
careful  attention  now.  Be  particular  about  the  sashes 
not  leaking,  also  that  no  rain  or  snow  water  can  get 
into  the  frame  around  its  sides,  and  have  it  pretty  well 
banked  around  to  keep  out  the  cold.  Little  frosts  may 
not  hurt  these  plants  but  it  doesn't  do  them  any  good, 
and  it  certainly  checks  their  blooming. 

Butch  Bulbs.  See  Bulbs,  also  Hyacinths,  under 
"  House  Plants." 

Earth  wronns  now  become  more  troublesome.  Caus- 
tic lime  water  is  a  perfect  remedy.  Soak  the  soil 
thoroughly  w^th  it  about  once  a  month. 

Insects  increase  rapidly  with  increasing  plant 
growth.  Regular  fumigation  in  the  greenhouse  by 
burning  Tobacco  stems,  or  other  cheap  forms  of  To- 
bacco, will  keep  the  aphis  in  complete  subjection.  An 
infusion,  about  the  color  of  tea.  may  also  be  freely 
sprinkled  on  eflected  plants,  which  should  afterwards 
be  showered  abundantly  with  clear  water.  Faithful 
hand  picking  and  frequent  showering,  as  well  as  wash- 
ing the  leaves  of  J\'y  and  other  smooth-leaved  plants, 
will  do  much  towards  keeping  all  in  a  healthy  condi- 
tion. Spraying  daily  for  red  spider  and  other  Insects  in 
houses  of  high  heat  must  not'be  neglected.  Hand- 
pieklng,  washing  and  brushing  are  the  best  remedies 
for  scale  and  mealy  bug. 

Gloxinias.  Do  not  be  overanxious  to  start  these 
and  other  plants,  Amaryllises,  Tuberous- rooted  Be- 
gonias, etc..  before  they  have  had  their  full  season  of 
rest,  and  show  an  inclination  to  start  to  grow  again. 

Mignonette  may  now  be  started  from  seed  to  a  good 
purpose.  They  will  make  nice  plants  and  become  very 
acceptable  for  window  and  conservatory  decoration  by 
the  time  mild  weather  sets  in. 

Orchids  that  begin  to  grow  during  the  time  they  are 
in  flower  may  be  shifted  as  soon  as  done  blooming. 
Aerides,  Vandas,  Sacolabiums,  Dendrobes,  Ctelogynes 
and  several  other  genera  do  best  in  Sphagniun  with 
small  crocks  or  sharp  sand.  Cattleyas.  Ltelias.  Oncidi- 
ums  do  equally  well  in  peat  mixed  with  croks  and  a 
few  bits  of  charcoal;  whilst  some  do  best  in  a  mixture 
of  peat  and  moss. 

Primroses.  As  the  common  Chinese  sorts  go  out  of 
bloom,  throw  them  away.  It  is  much  better  to  raise 
a  fresh  lot  from  seed  every  year  than  to  bother  keeping 
over  a  lot  of  old  plants.  Save  double-flowering  ones 
that  you  wish  to  keep.  For  seed  keep  over  one  or  two 
plants  of  your  best  sorts  and  grow  them  in  a  light  but 
not  stinny  exposure,  and  with  a  fine  camel's-halr  brush 
artificially  fertilize  the  flowers,  else  the  seed  cup  w^ll 
be  a  poor  one.    Do  not  expose  to  warm  sunshine. 

Rose  Propagation.  No  better  season  for  it  than 
from  now  on.  Use  cuttings  from  the  best  aud  strong- 
est wood  of  recent  growth.  Never  from  the  time  the 
cutting   is  put  in,   until  the    yoimg   plant  is  fit   to 


set  <^ut.  allow  it  to  suffer  for  want  of  water.  For* 
g<Hid  plants  it  is  absolutely  necessary  to  keep  them  in 
coutiuuous  health.^  growth.  j 

Salvia  splendens  needs  ample  root-room,  and  a  cool 
temperature  at  this  season.  Keep  the  plants  In  good 
growth  all  the  time. 

Verbenas  like  fresh,  sweet  soils.  Shake  them  out, 
and  repot  when  the  need  of  it  Is  shown  by  their  ceas- 
ing to  grow.    Keep  near  the  glass,  giving  plenty  of  air. 


FRUIT  GARDEN  AND  ORCHARD. 

Caterpillars.  When  spraying  with  arsenical  poisons 
is  odiipted  as  a  regular  practice,  little  danger  Is  to  be 
feared  from  leaf-eating  insects.  Where  this  is  not 
done,  the  eggs  of  tent  caterpillar,  etc.,  which  can  be 
readily  detected  by  an  observant  eye  near  the  ends  of 
twigs  where  usually  deposited,  should  be  carefully 
looked  up  and  removed. 

General  Management.  Saw  off  the  stubs  left  by 
broken  branches,  and  cover  the  wounds  with  thick 
paint  or  melted  grafting  wax.  Cut  cions,  if  not  already 
done.  Young  trees  need  protecting  from  mice  and 
rabbits.  Consider  If  it  will  be  profitable  to  plant  more 
trees,  shrubs,  or  vines.  Make  a  list  of  what  is  needed, 
and  order  early.  Scraping  the  moss  and  old  dead  bark 
off,  and  washing  the  bodies  with  some  alkaline  liquid 
can  always  be  recommended  on  general  principles. 

Gooseberries  and  Currants.  Prune  on  mild  days 
where  needed.  Apply  a  few  shovelfuls  of  good  manure 
to  each  bush . 

Grapes.  Repair  trellises  where  rifeeded.  Painting 
the  wooden  work  will  usually  pay  weU.  Prune  vines 
neglected  until  now. 

Manure.  Don't  expect  good  fruit  and  plenty  of  it 
unless  the  trees  and  bushes  are  well  fed.  Top-dress 
the  orchard  and  small-fruit  patches,  and  keep  weedy 
manure  out  of  the  Strawberry  beds. 

Record  of  Varieties.  Such  can  best  be  kept  in  shape 
of  a  complete  map  of  the  orchard  and  fruit  patches, 
drawn  on  stiff  heavy  paper  for  permanent  use.  Mark 
every  tree,  and  every  row  of  small  fruits  or  Grapes, 
and  write  in  the  name  of  the  variety.  Then  if  the 
labels  on  trees,  shrubs  or  plants  be  lost,  you  can  easily 
trace  up  the  name  of  variety. 

Strawberries.  Heavy  winds  are  liable  to  blow  the 
mulch  off  pKrts  of  the  patch,  and  thus  expose  the 
plants  to  injury  by  cold  and  heaving.  Examine  the 
beds  frequently,  and  replace  the  mulch  where  needed. 


possible,  avoiding  cold  draugiits.  Stop  side  shoots  at 
second  joint,  aud  attend  to  proper  fertilization  of  the 
fruit  blossoms.    Prepare  beds,  and  sow  for  later  crops. 

Grapes.  The  late  houses  to  be  kept  as  cool  as  possi- 
ble by  airing  freely  in  all  suitable  weather.  Houses 
just  started  to  be  given  a  temperature  of  50',  gradually 
Increasing  as  growth  commences.  Vines  In  flower 
require  strict  attention  to  avoid  dampness  which 
would  prevent  fruit  setting.  In  the  earlier  houses  the 
fruit  should  be  thinned  as  soon  &3  the  berries  are  the 
size  of  small  Peas. 

Nectarines.  Keep  houses  cool  by  airing  freely. 
Prune  aud  tie  up.  Paint  larger  branches  with  soap 
and  sulphur.    Fertilize  the  flowers  careful Ij'. 

Parsley  growing  in  boxes  or  in  cold  frames  may  be 
given  liquid  maniu"e  frequently. 

Peaches.    Treat  like  Nectarines. 

Strawberries.  Give  liquid  manure  at  times  tmtll 
the  fruit  shows  indications  of  ripening,  when  It  should 
be  withheld,  and  the  fruit  exposed  to  heat  and  light 
as  much  as  possible.  Start  plants  for  successional  crops. 


«##;^>-A 


VEGETABLE  GARDEN. 

Asparagus.  A  dressing  of  well  composted  stable 
manure,  or  of  some  good  high-grade  complete  ma- 
nure, will  come  acceptable.  Salt,  at  the  rate  of  about 
two  pounds  to  the  square  yard,  is  often  recommended, 
but  while  it  does  no  harm  it  is  by  no  means  sure 
whether  its  application  is  followed  by  positive  bene- 
ficial results.    Expect  none  near  the  seacoast. 

Catalogues  of  seedsmen  at  once  to  be  sent  for,  and 
thoroughly  examined.  Make  out  a  list  of  seeds  need- 
ed, and  order  early. 

Cold  Frames  need  strictest  attention,  especially 
duripg  clear,  warm  weather.  Air  freely,  and  harden 
off  wintered  plants  to  get  them  ready  for  setting  in 
oi)eu  ground. 

Hotbeds.    A  leading  feature  is  to  have  the  manure 
evenly  distributed  and  well  tramped 
down,  so  there  will  be  no  depression 
in  center.    See  illustration. 

Lettuce,  Radishes  and  other  early 
vegetables  usually  sell  well  in  manu- 
facturing towns,  but  the  grower  must 
take  them  to  market  himself.  Study 
the  wants  of  your  local  market,  and 
sow  and  plant  to  meet  the  demand. 

Manure  is  the  foundation  of  a  good„,^°„/g  t'venty  di 
garden.    Accumulate,  buy  and  get  in 
readiness    all   that  may  be   needed.    Guard   against 
leaching  or  firefang  in  stock  now  on  hand.  Order  what 
commercial  fertilizers  may  be  required. 

Mice  and  Moles  where  troublesome  in  hot  beds  and 
cold  frames,  should  be  caught  in  traps  or  otherwise 
got  rid  of. 

Planting.  At  the  south  all  hardy  early  vegetables 
may  be  planted,  also  Potatoes,  Asparagus  beds.  Rhu- 
barb, and  Horse  Radish  plantations  may  be  got  in 
readiness  for  cropping.  The  most  successful  garden- 
ers never  hesitate  to  take  some  risks  In  early  planting. 

Rhubarb.  If  desired  early,  a  few  plants  may  be 
covered  by  boxes  or  kegs,  and  fermenting  horse- 
manure  piled  on  pretty  thick  on  these. 

Salsify  and  Parsnips  to  be  dug  as  soon  as  the  ground 
thaws. 

Seeds,  Examine  the  stock  on  hand,  and  prociu-e 
what  else  is  needed.  If  this  is  delayed  much  incon- 
venience, delayed  planting,  etc.,  maybe  the  result. 

Vegetable  Cellars.  Keep  as  cool  as  possible  by 
airing  freely  in  suitable  weather.    Clear  out  rubbish. 


THE  POULTRY  YARD. 

Charcoal  for  the  Fowls.  Charcoal  is  much 
appreciated  by  them.  The  best  is  formed  of 
charred  grain.  I'orn  roasted  like  Coffee  and  fed 
twice  a  week  would  no  doubt  pay  for  the  trouble. 
—  Rural  Canadian. 

Feeding  Cabbage.  Place  a  head  of  Cabbage 
in  the  poultry  yard  and  the  hens  will  know  how 
to  use  it.  Cabbage  makes  an  excellent  addition 
to  the  ordinary  dry  food,  and  is  highly  relished 
by  all  classes  of  poultry,  especially  at  this  season, 
when  green  food  is  not  readily  obtained. 

Vegetable  Food,  Cook  up  Turnips  and  mix 
with  bran  and  meal,  and  then  lookout  for  the 
egsrs.  If  you  have  any  Corn  fodder  to  spare  cut 
up  a  lot  in  short  lengths  and  spread  over  the 
poultry  house  floor.  Among  this  throw  the 
grain  ;'it  will  get  the  fowls  to  scratching.— Ex. 

Force  of  Habit.  Hens  are  not  always  hungry 
because  they  follow  the  feed  box,  for  they  will 
run  to  a  person  carrying  a  pan  of  Corn,  merely 
because  they  have  been  accustomed  to  be  thus 
fed.  An  unexperienced  person  is  apt  to  feed 
them  when  he  sees  them  apparently  so  eager  for 
food.  Feed  only  as  much  as  they  will  eat  up 
clean  at  certain  hours,  to  prevent  their  getting 
too  fat  for  egg  laying. 

Pea  Fowls.  Of  the  common  peacock,  original- 
ly from  India,  Malabar  and  Ceylon,  there  are 
several  varieties,  among  which  are  the  common, 
white  and  parti-colored  The  Japanese  peacock 
from  India  diifers  from  the  common  species  in 
the  blue  color  and  the  metallic  reflections  of  the 
neck,  while  the  gi-een-necked  peafowl,  from 
Cochin  China  and  the  Indian  Archipelago,  is 
distinguished  by  the  neck  being  of  a  gieen  color. 

Feeding  for  £gg9.  Id  feeding  our  breeders  we 
aim  to  get  eggs  that  will  hatch  chickens  with  a 
strong  constitution  and  good  qualities,  while  in 
feeding  layers  we  want  eggs,  and  only  eggs, 
whether  they  will  hatch  or  not.  To  this  end  we 
keep  only  pullets  of  last  year's  hatch  and  feed 
all  they  will  eat  of  rich  food,  constantly  growing 
richer.  If  they  flag,  we  give  a  stimulant  to  im- 
part to  them  a  fresh  start. Red  jicpper  is  the  cheap- 


FRUITS  AND  VEGETABLES  UNDER 
GLASS. 

Asparagus  should  be  freely  aired  whenever  possible. 
To  Insure  tender  shots,  malntaiu  rapid  growth  by 
close  attention  to  proper  heat,  ventilation  and  water- 
ing.   Start  roots  Into  growth  for  succession. 

Cucumbers.  Maintain  a  temperatm-e  of  65''  or  70^ 
by  night,  and  Tif  to  SS"'  by  day.    Give  air  whenever 


(Mirf  tpcU  made:  thejirst  witlioiit  regard  to  having  the 
stributed  and  firmed,  causing  settling  into  a  bad  shape 

est  and  herhaps  the  best  thing  for  the  purpose 

Feeding  in  Winter,  The  food  is  usually  in 
such  concentrated  form  that  the  fowls  can  fill 
their  crops  in  a  few  minutes.  Then  they  stand 
moping  in  the  cold  or  return  to  their  perch  for 
greater  warmth.  If  fattening  be  the  object  this 
is  well  enough  ;  liut  it  gives  small  chance  for  the 
healthful  thrift  necessary  for  egg  production. 
The  feeder  who  always  makes  his  hens  scratch 
for  their  living  gets  the  most  eggs.  Feed  small 
grains,  Oats  or  Wheat,  and  throw  this  among  so 
much  finely  cut  sti-aw  that  they  will  pick  but 
one  grain  at  a  time.  The  health  and  prolificacy 
of  barnvard  fowls  that  depend  on  the  manure 
heap  for  their  living  is  due  to  the  fact  that  they 
have  to  earn  what  they  eat  before  they  get  it- 
American  Cultivator. 

General  Uanagement.  Wheat  and  Oats  should 
be  given  alternately-  Oats  always  dry  ;  Wheat 
either  dry  or  cooked,  I  have  invariably  had 
good  results  from  feeding  sound  Wheat  boiled 
to  bursting.  A  moderate  dose  of  sulphur  given 
twice  a  week  serves  as  a  laxative  and  blood  puri- 
fier. Season  all  soft  food  with  a  pinch  of  salt. 
A  small  quantity  of  flaxseed  meal  mixed  with 
their  morning  ration  is  also  strongly  advised.  It 
makes  their  plumage  bright  and  glossy,  and 
deepens  the  color  of  their  combs  and  earlobes. 
Pronde  a  plentiful  supply  of  grit  or  sharp 
gravel.  Keep  feeding-troughs  and  drinking- ves- 
sels clean  and  wholesome.  Make  a  number  of 
nice  new  nests,  for  hens  thus  cared  for  will  pay 
for  the  trouble  by  heaping  your  egg-baskets 
when  the  market  is  at  its  best.— Canadian. 


tt8 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


Fkbruary, 


Correspondent 8  are  urged  to  anticipate  the  seaBon  in  pre- 
senting queationa.  To  ask,  for  tnatance,  on  April  15  or  id 
what  Peas  had  beat  be  sown,  could  bring  no  answer  in 
the  May  iaaue,  and  none  be/ore  June,  tchen  the  answer 
would  Be  unseasonable.  Questions  received  before  the  I2th 
of  any  month  stand  a  good  ohance  of  being  answered  in  the 
MXt  paper.  Not  more  than  three  questions  should  be  sent 
at  one  time.  Answers  to  questions  bearing  on  the  com- 
parative t<alue  of  implements,  etc.,  offered  by  different 
dealers  must  not  be  expected.  Neither  can  we  promise  to 
comply  with  the  request  sometimes  made  to  "please  answer 
by  mail,"  Inquinea  appearing  without  name  belong  to  the 
name  next  following. 

Replies  to  Inquiries  are  earnestly  requested  from  our 
readers.  In  anauxring  aueh  give  the  number,  your 
looality  and  name,  the  latter  not  for  publication,  unless 
you  desire.     Write  only  on  one  side  of  the  paper. 

1,6:SX  Mildew  in  Pit.  Plants  stored  In  pit  are  being 
destroyed  by  mildew  or  rot.  Those  left  are  simply 
branches  with  a  number  of  smallleaves  which  often 
rot  before  fully  developed.— J.   L.  J.,  Brooklyn,  N.  T. 

1,631.  Rust  on  Verbenas.  How  remedied  or  pre. 
vented?— S.  C.  O.,  Michigan. 

1,632  Celery  for  Market.  Have  little  experience  In 
growing  Celery.     How  should  I  proceed?— Subscriber. 

1.633.  Queer  Behavior  of  Peaches.  Fruit  on  one 
of  my  trees  stopped  growth  when  size  of  marbles;  two 
or  three  months  after  began  to  grow  again  and  came  to 
full  size,  but  too  late  to  ripen.  Tree  apparently  healthy, 
W.  W.  R..  Toronto,  Ont. 

1.634.  Wood  and  Goal  Ashes.  What  is  the  differ- 
ence in  their  value?  Are  the  latter  worth  haulJug  four 
miles  for  small  fruits  and  orchard  trees?— F.  R.  W., 
Dayton,  Tenn. 

1.635.  Shrubs  for  Wisconsin.  Are  Allanthus,  Rosa 
canlna,  and  Weeping  Florida  Dogwood  hardy  here?  If 
so  where  obtained?— J.  L.  J.,  Fort  Howard,  Wis. 

1,6:36.  Volunteer  Tomato.  How  does  It  compare  with 
Dwarf  Champion  in  regard  to  earliness?— J.  McP., 
Morriston,  Iowa. 

1.637.  Dwarf  Pear  Orchard.  Can  Pears  be  grown 
for  market  on  dwarf  trees  with  profit?— F.  J.,  Lisbon, 
Mich. 

1.638.  Deutzia  gracilis.  How  to  be  treated  for  win- 
ter forcing?- R.  N..  Dayton,  O. 

1.639.  Plants  for  Rockery.  Give  list  of  plants  sulta 
ble  for  this  purpose.— W.  F.  S,,  Chicago,  III. 

1.640.  Boad  Scrapings.  Are  they  good  for  potting 
soil?— Sub.,  City. 

1.641.  Quinces  Near  Ditch.  Would  you  advise  set- 
ting Quluce  trees  along  the  bank  of  a  deep  ditch  through 
low  land?— J.  K.  L.,  Pemsgrove.  N.  J. 

1.642.  Grafting  Cherries.  Can  Morello  be  grafted  on 
common  stock  or  how  Is  it  propagated?— D.  F.,  Peeks- 
kill-on-Hudson,  N.  T. 

1.643.  Caterpillars  on  Pecan  Trees.  Our  Immense 
two  trees  for  past  two  years  have  been  covered  with  a 
grayish  caterplllar,eating  leaves  and  destroying  young 
nuts.    What  can  be  doue?- S.  S.  J.,  Augusta,  Ga. 

1.644.  Growing  Spinach  Seed.  How  done,  and  how 
many  pounds  per  ace  are  considered  a  good  yield?— 
H.  G.  W.,  Ehn  Grove,  W.  Va. 

1.645.  Pear  Tree  Not  Fruiting.  My  large  Seckel 
has  ceased  to  bear  for  two  years.  Is  It  bark  bound 
and  if  so.  would  a  wash  of  potash  water  help  it? 

1.646.  yard  for  Hens.  How  large  should  it  be  for  12 
or  15  hens?  How  high  the  fence  to  keep  them  in?— 
F.  N.  S.,  Meriden,  Conn. 

1.647.  Orange  Potato.  What  Potato  Is  of  Orange 
color  outside  and  Inside?  Where  can  it  be  obtained?— 
P.  B.,  Mt.  Carmel.  III. 

1,648  Numbering  Forceps.  Can  they  be  obtained 
in  this  country,  and  where?    F.M.,  Peterborough,  Ont^ 

1.649.  Curculio-Proof  Plums.  Are  the  Spaulding 
and  Abundance  euroullo  pronf  as  claimed? 

1.650.  Golden  Beanty  Plum.  Is  this  the  same  as 
Coe's  Golden  Drop?  If  not,  where  can  It  obtained?— 
T.  S.  G..  Dallas,  W.  Va. 

1.651.  Plants  Damping  Off.  Tomato  and  Cabbage 
plants  started  nicely,  but  .'^oon  began  to  rot  off  just 
above  the  ground.  What  is  the  cause  and  remedy?- 
E.  C.  S..  Covington,  Pa. 

1.652.  Wine  Making.  Please  name  best  work  on 
Grape  wine  making.— Vine,  Thorold,  Ont. 

I,fi5:i.  Early  Blackberries.  What  variety  Is  best  for 
market?  How  Is  Ancient  Briton  and  Brinton's  Early? 
T.  W.,  Muscotah,  Kans. 

1.654.  Amaryllis  for  Continuous  Bloom.  What 
sorts  would  you  recommend?— M.  E.  F.,  Woburn,  Mass. 

1.655.  Peach  Seedlings-  Will  they  live  longer  and 
bear  better  fruit  than  stock  from  nurserymen?— W.  S. 
J.,  Augusta,  Ga. 

1.656.  Camellia  Ailing.  Large  leaves  turning  brown 
and  dropping  off.— C.   H.  D.,  Canada. 

1.657.  Blackberry  Culture.  Give  simple  directions 
how  to  grow,  prune  and  cultivate  in  Georgia.  How 
often  should  plantation  be  renewed? 

1,65S.  Fertilizer  Application.  Should  ground  bone 
and  potash  be  applied  on  top  or  mixed  with  the  soil?— 
W,  S.  J..  Augusta,  Oa. 

1.659.  Barren  Plum  Tree.  My  13-year  old  thrifty 
Plum  tree- apparently  Coe*a  Golden  Drop— blooms  full 
every  year,  but  only  produces  about  a  quart  of  fruit. 
Shall  I  cut  It  down?— O.  B.,  North  CambHage,  Mass. 

1.660.  Mint  Culture.  Please  give  directions  as  to 
soil,  fertilizers,  distillation  and  profits  per  acre.— C.  S., 
Tuckerton,  Pa. 


1.661.  Bulbs  for  Second  Blooming.  Can  Tulips. 
Narcissus,  Polyanthus,  Hyacinths,  Freeslas  and  Chinese 
Sacred  Lily  be  used  successfully  the  second  time? 

1.662.  Ornithogalum  Arabicum.  Has  grown  well, 
but  not  bloomed  In  two  years?— Subscriber. 

1.663.  Salt  for  Asparagus.  If  really  necessary  as 
claimed,  how  much   and   what    kind  shall  I  apply? 

1.664.  Fertilizer  for  Strawberries.  Patch  well  ma- 
nured with  yard  manure.  Will  commercial  fertilizer 
be  of  benefit?-S.  P.  S.,  New  York. 

1.665.  Seed  for  Onion  Setts.  Will  Mr.  Faxon  please 
tell  in  what  particular  the  seed  for  setts  differs  from 
that  for  large  Onions?- P.  S.,  Naperville,  Ills. 

1.666.  Healthy  Cold  House  Plants.  Please  give  a 
list  of  choice  plants  least  attacked  by  Insects.— L.  B., 
New  York  City. 

1.667.  Salt  for  Fruit  Trees.  Is  this  of  benefit?— 
W.  F.,  Idaho. 

1.668.  Trimming  Cactus.  How  Is  It  done,  both  on 
new  and  old  growth?- H.  B.,  Syracxise,  N.  Y. 

1.669.  Juneberry.  Has  any  improved  variety  been 
Introduced? 

1.670.  Ink  fcr  Zinc  Labels.  What  Is  best  to  use?— 
N.  M.  R.,  Oregon. 

1.671.  Killing  Hazlebushes.  How  Is  It  done  most 
conveniently  and  effectively?- Reader,  Canada. 

1.672.  Cooking  Mushrooms.  Please  publish  some 
good  recipes.— A5IATEUR. 

1.673.  Renovating  Fruit  Trees.  Have  just  come  In 
possession  of  an  old  neglected  orchard— a  perfect  wild- 
erness.   How  must  I  treat  It?— R.  S,  T.,  Boston. 

1.674.  Brighton  Grape.  Is  this  an  imperfect  bloomer 
and  to  be  planted  near  other  varieties?— P.  H.,  Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio. 

1.675.  Cauliflower  Seed.  How  obtained?— F.  L.  H., 
Oakfietd,  N.  Y. 

1.676.  Clematis  not  Blooming.  Planted  three  years 
ago,  grows  well.  How  can  I  make  It  bloom?— Mrs.  L., 
Cash,  Mi-is. 

1.677.  Asparagus  Plants.  Of  what  age  should  they 
be  when  set?— B.  F.  K.,  Edgerton,  O. 

1.678.  Fertilizer  for  Grape  Vines.  How  much 
muriate  of  potash  or  phosphate  should  be  put  to  each 
vlne?-W.  L.  H.,  Trenton,  N.  J. 

REPLIES    TO    INQUIRIES. 

1,633.  Celery  for  Market.  Before  you  can 
hope  to  t>e  successful  in  growing-  Celery  for 
market  on  a  large  scale,  you  snould  try  to  learn 
all  about  by  reading  all  available  literature  on 
the  subject,  and  by  growing  it  on  a  small  scale. 
Also  try  to  find  out  what  is  demanded  in  your 
nearest  market.  As  you  gain  experience  in 
growing  Celery,  and  in  selling  it  to  best  advan- 
tage, extend  your  operations  as  you  think 
circumstances  will  warrant.  One  of  the  first 
and  most  important  requisites  is  a  supply  of 
good  plants,  and  it  is  usually  easier  for  a  good 
gardener  to  grow  them  than  to  buy  them.  In 
purchasing  them  from  a  distance  we  are  never 
sure  what  we  will  get.  Sow  seed  of  Golden 
Heart,  White  Plume,  or  whatever  will  sell  best 
in  your  market,  in  a  well-prepared,  very  rich 
seed  bed,  as  early  in  spring  as  can  be  done. 
Cover  seed  but  lightly,  feed  with  nitrate  of  soda, 
cultivate  and  weed  whenever  required,  and  thin 
early  to  have  them  stand  not  over  50  to  the  foot 
of  row,  and  you  will  get  plants  far  better  than 
you  will  most  likely  be  able  to  buy.  Now  select 
a  deep  well-drained,  rich  soil,  naturally  moist, 
but  not  wet.  In  June  or  July  make  furrows 
three  or  four  feet  apart,  scatter  some  of  the  very 
best,  well-rotted  manure  in  them,  then  re-fill 
with  soil,  mixing  this  and  the  manure  well  to- 
gether. Now  stretch  a  line  a  little  one  side  of 
the  furrow,  or  make  a  straight  mark,  and  set 
the  plants  six  inches  apart,  in  this  row.  Culti- 
vate and  hoe,  and  keep  free  from  weeds.  When 
the  proper  time  comes,  "  handle,"  to  make  the 
plants  grow  upright,  and  further  on  "earth  up," 
or  bleach  in  any  way  you  prefer. 

1,600.  Bed  Currant,  We  have  growing  on  strong 
clayey  loam,  the  Fay's  Prolific,  Cherry,  and  Red 
Dutch,  and  value  them  in  the  order  named.  Plants 
of  the  Fay's  Prolific  and  Cherry,  (same  age)  grow- 
ing side  by  side  yielded  about  the  game  for  the  first 
three  years,  after  which  time  the  Fay's  outyielded 
the  Cherry  considerably.  The  Fay's  is  also  not 
quite  as  acid  as  the  Cherry,  which  is  an  improve- 
ment. The  old  Red  Dutch  while  not  quite  coming 
up  to  the  others  in  yield,  has  the  advantage  of 
being  sweeter  and  of  more  flavor.— W.  C.  Jennison. 

1,586.  Sweet  Corn.  Has  the  Gold  Coin  proved  a 
success?  For  table  use  we  say  no.  It  finds  no 
friends  in  this  locality.  The  kernels  are  tough  and 
thick  on  the  outside,  with  but  little  substance  in- 
side. We  grew  this  variety  by  itself  last  season 
for  the  purpose  of  securing  a  seed  supply.  Though 
successful  in  this  respect,  we  can  only  recommend 
It  for  ensilage,  for  which  purpose  it  seemed  well 
as  it  is  sweet,  grows  eight  to  ten  feet  high,  bearing 
two  large  ears  to  the  stalk  In  Massachusetts  the 
Corn  should  be  planted  early,  if  desired  to  have 
the  mature. — W.  C.  Jennison. 

1629.  Gooseberries  Among  Dwarf  Fears.  The 
finest  crop  of  Gooseberries  I  ever  saw  I  found  the 
past  summer  in  a  neighbor's  garden  among  her 
Dwarf  Pears,  which  were  twelve  feet  apart,  three 
Gooseberry  plants  between  each  two.  and  three 
rows  of  Strawberries  between  Pear  rows.— J.  L.  B. 


1,64.3.  Caterpillars  on  Pecan  trees.  There  are 
a  number  of  moths,  the  larvae  of  which  feed  on 
Nut  trees.  Whether  their  name  or  nature,  it  seems 
reasonably  sure  that  spraying  with  arsenical 
poisons  will  put  a  stop  to  their  ravages.  Try  Paris 
green  in  a  weak  solution,  say  one  pound  to  200 
gallons  of  water  and  spray  the  trees  as  soon  as  the 
caterpillars  make  their  appearance.  If  this  is  not 
strong  enough,  and  the  foliage  wiil  stand  it,  put  in 
a  little  more  Paris  green.  Experiments  of  this 
kind  are  in  order,  but  should  be  made  with  proper 
caution. 

1,649.  Curculio-Proof  Plums.  We  greatly  doubt 
that  there  is  a  single  Plum  which  the  curculio 
would  not  attack.  Yet  there  are  varieties,  which 
bear  so  heavy  that  the  curculio  comes  as  a  blessing, 
performing  the  work  of  thinning  which  otherwise 
would  have  to  be  done  by  man,  or  if  neglected 
would  result  in  a  worthless  lot  of  fruit.  There  are 
also  Plums  bearing  fruit  the  juice  of  which  does 
not  seem  to  agree  with  the  curculio  larva,  so  that 
the  egg  if  deposited  on  the  fruit,  may  hatch,  but 
the  worm  will  die  before  it  does  much  damage. 
The  Spaulding  seems  to  belong  to  both  these  classes 
of  Plums.  We  have  seen  it  bear  heavy  crops  of 
Plums  year  after  year,  notwithstanding  a  whole 
army  of  curculios  in  the  neighborhood.  In  reality, 
it  bears  too  heavy  for  its  own  good,  and  it  has  al- 
ways been  necessary  to  take  off  the  crop  long  be- 
fore it  comes  to  maturity  in  order  to  save  it  from 
the  rot.  For  this  same  reason  we  do  not  know 
what  the  ripe  Spaulding  is  like,  but  we  have  not  a 
very  exalted  idea  of  the  unripe  fruit,  although  it 
usually  sold  well  in  the  local  market.  It  seems  to 
us  we  would  not  want  it  where  a  really  good  Plum 
can  be  grown.  The  sort  introduced  as  "Abund- 
ance" is  a  Japanese  Plum  originally  sent  out  some 
years  ago,  and  yet  sold  by  several  New  Jersey  nur- 
serymen, under  the  somewhat  indefinite  name  of 
"Botan."  This  Plum  is  promising,  bears  young 
and  full,  defying  the  curculio  attacks,  but  yielding 
readily  to  rot  where  that  prevails.  W^e  think  highly 
of  it;  but  we  doubt  that  the  name  "Abundance," 
or  "Spaulding"  either,  will  ever  find  a  place  in  the 
fruit  catalogue  of  the  American  Pomological  So. 

8C38.  Celery  Seed  Growing,  Seed  is  sown  in 
spring  in  good  rich  soil.  The  Celery  is  then  grown 
along  until  frost  sets  in  when  it  is  trenched.  The 
trench  should  be  somewhat  drier  than  when  the 
Celery  is  just  stored  for  market.  The  plants  in- 
tended for  seed  purposes,  should  then  be  selected 
and  only  those  taken  which  are  true  to  the  type. 
Select  plants  of  good  size,  soUd  in  stem,  and  with 
an  abundance  of  heart  leaves.  As  spring  ap- 
proaches they  should  be  hardened  off,  and  set  out 
about  the  first  part  of  May.  Use  only  those  plants 
that  are  sound.  Set  the  rows  four  feet  apart  and 
twenty  inches  in  the  row.  The  soil  should  be  rich, 
well  cultivated,  and  the  weeds  kept  out  W^hen 
the  seeds  are  brown,  cut  off  the  stalk  at  the  root, 
carry  away  in  cloths  and  tresh.  The  remaining 
seed  is  then  dried  in  the  sun  a  few  days  and  a^ain 
treshed.  when  all  the  seed  will  come  off  which  is 
ripe  enough  to  be  saved  The  seed  is  now  dried 
and  cleaned  and  will  remain  good  five  years.  An- 
other method  that  some  growers  practice  is  to  sow 
the  seed  in  greenhouses  in  December  and  grow 
until  spring  when  the  plants  are  treated  as  above 
described.  It  takes  only  one  year  to  produce  seed 
in  this  manner.  The  last  method  X  would  not  ad- 
vise as  I  think  it  would  have  a  tendency  to  run  the 
Celery  into  seed  (or  seeders  as  we  term  them)  in- 
stead of  makiug  a  good  marketable  plant.— J.  R. 
V.  B.,  Kalamazo,  Mich. 

1591.  Poultry  Hanure,  We  consider  the  most 
valuable  of  all  manures  for  Onions.  Cabbage,  Rad- 
ishes, and  as  a  top  dressing  of  flower  beds.  Col- 
lect once  a  week  and  put  in  barrels  or  boxes  and 
keep  dry  until  about  two  weeks  before  you  want 
to  use  it.  piace  on  a  floor  of  some  out-building  if 
not  mnist.  dampen  and  cover  with  at  least  two 
inches  of  fine  soil  or  plaster,  to  prevent  escape  of 
ammonia;  leave  for  one  week,  then  cut  the  pile 
down,  and  work   over.it  is  now  ready  for  use.— B. 

163 1.  Mildew  in  Pit.  The  probability  is  that 
the  pit  is  too  damp  Perhaps  water  may  be  drip- 
ping in  through  the  glass,  and  keep  the  earth  in 
pots  soaked  Or  the  ncded  ventilation  is  not  pro 
vided,  and  there  is  little  chance  for  evaporation. 
Examine  the  soil  in  pots  carefully,  and  see  if  every- 
thing is  as  it  should  be.  The  f'  blowing  extract  from 
The  Garden  published  in   Europe  is  good  advice: 

Damp  is  sometimes  a  most  destructive  agent, 
and  the  gardener  needs  to  be  on  the  alert  when  it 
shows  signs  of  spreading  among  his  plants.  De- 
caying leaves  left  on  plants  harbor  damp,  and  are 
sometimes  the  me'tns  of  spreading  it  to  choice  sub- 
jects the  gardener  is  loth  to  lose.  In  the  green- 
house, where  fire-heat  is  applied,  the  effects  of 
damp  can  be  lessened  by  applying  a  little  fire-heat 
on  cold.  dull,  misty,  or  wet  days,  and  giving  some 
air  at  the  same  time.  The  shelves  on  which  the 
plants  stand  should  be  kept  as  clean  as  possible, 
and  it  is  well  to  cause  as  little  drip  as  possible  upon 
the  floor  of  the  house,  unless  the  plants  are  of  a 
character  that  will  take  no  harm  from  the  presence 
of  moisture  on  the  floor.  All  that  one  can  do  is  to 
keep  the  house  as  dry  as  possible;  to  keep  all  de- 
caying foliage  gathered  from  the  plants;  to  stir 
the  surface  soil  so  that  damp  cannot  gather  there, 
and  to  give  air  on  all  favorable  occasions.  The 
soil  about  the  roots  must  be  kept  dry.  It  is  sur- 
prising how  long  plants  will  endure  in  a  dry  state 
during  the  dull  winter  months;  they  are  then  best 
able  to  resist  frost.  All  the  tenderest  plants  should 
be  placed  in  the  warmest  and  sunniest  part  of  the 
house. 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


119 


160.;.  Disposal  of  Rubbish.  The  advice  giten 
in  January  Poi'i'LAR  Gardkning  on  this  subject  is 
applicable  to  sandy  soils  and  others  that  lose  their 
fertility  quickly  by  leacliing.  Clay  soils  "fix"  and 
retain  fertilility.  They  do  not  leach  like  sand- 
Manure  gives  the  best  results  on  clay  when  plowed 
under,  and  serves  the  double  purpose  of  "livening 
up"  the  soil,  especially  if  it  be  light  and  strawy 
like  horse  manure.  If  soil  is  heavy  and  cold,  rather 
than  cart  the  htter  to  a  compost  heap,  it  may  be 
plowed  under.  An  old  gardener  near  us  digs  a 
trench  two  or  three  feet  deep,  and  into  this  places 
weeds,  leaves  of  Pocks,  anything  green  he  can  get. 
When  nearly  full  he  covers  with  earth,  and  on  this 
makes  his  radish  bed.  The  litter  heats,  and  warm- 
ing up  the  soil  makes  the  Radishes  mature  quickly. 
Cuttings  planted  on  such  a  trench  in  the  early 
spring  before  the  earth  is  warm  elsewhere,  will 
root  readily  and  grow  right  along.— L.  J.  Farmer. 
Oswego  County,  X.  V. 

1606.  Ked  Currant.  Enormous  crops  of  the 
Red  Dutch  Currant  are  grown  by  gardeners  near 
us  on  clay  soils.  I  visited  a  neighboring  fruit  grow- 
er this  summer  and  his  wife  told  me  she  picked 
ten  quarts  of  Red  Dutch  Currants  from  a  single 
bush  that  sold  at  8c  per  quart.  One  acre  (5  x  5. 
174'-^  plants)  at  this  rate  would  amount  to  $1,393.60. 
The  Red  Dutch  is  better  for  culinary  purposes  and 
more  productive;  but  is  not  so  large  as  Cherry  or 
Versailles.  All  Currants  do  better  on  moist  heavy 
soils  and  will  stand  more  moisture  than  Rasp- 
berries; but.  even  Currants  will  not  thrive  on  un- 
drained  clay.— L.  J.  Farmer. 

Wi9.  Gooseberries  Among  Dwarf  Fears- 
Gooseberries  will  succeed,  if  planted  as  suggested, 
between  each  two  trees;  provided  thorough  cultiva- 
tion is  given  till  the  bushes  get  a  good  start,  and  are 
afterwards  mulched.  The  Gooseberries  do  better 
in  a  partial  shade,  and  it  may  pay.  provided  right 
treatment  is  given  both.  As  a  rule  "'succotash" 
planting  of  fruits  encumbers  the  ground  and  pre- 
vents free  cultivation.  Small  fruits  may  be  set 
among  trees  with  successful  results;  but  we  would 
not  plant  Strawberries  among  Raspberries,  expect- 
ing best  results —L.  J.  Farmer. 

1566.  Summer  Mnlch.  C.  E.  P.  wonders  why  so 
many  materials  are  suggested  for  mulching  Straw- 
berries when  straw  is  so  cheap,  and  readily  ob- 
tained. This  year,  on  account  of  the  wet  weather, 
grain  crops  run  all  to  straw,  and  there  is  plenty  of 
It  which  can  be  bought  for  four  to  five  dollars  a 
ton.  But  this  year  is  an  exception.  Usually  all 
the  straw  can  be  used  for  bedding  and  feeding. 
Last  year  was  so  dry  that  all  grain  and  grass  crops 
made  a  small  growth.  Straw  was  scarce  and  hard 
to  get,  selling  at  eight  and  ten  dollars  per  ton.  Re- 
course had  to  be  made  to  other  materials,  such  as 
horse  manure,  marsh  hay,  corn  stalks,  etc.  Even 
when  straw  is  cheap  and  easily  obtained,  on  ac 
count  of  the  noxious  seeds  in  it,  I  much  prefer 
other  materials,  such  as  brakes,  marsh  hay.  etc. 
Of  course  tne  greater  part  of  the  seeds  may  be  re- 
moved by  shaking  up  the  straw,  but  enough  will 
remain  to  cause  much  damage.  In  the  future 
we  shall  employ  only  threshing  machines  that  sep- 
arate the  chatT  from  the  straw.  This  year  in  the 
hurry  to  get  our  Strawberries  covered  we  used  straw 
with  all  the  chaff  and  seeds  in  it  for  part  of  the 
bed.  During  the  warm  weather  of  December  and 
early  January  the  poultry  have  busied  themselves 
on  this  part  of  the  bed.  turning  over  the  mulch  and 
picking  up  the  seeds.  We  have  caught  an  idea 
from  this,  and  next  spring,  when  uncovering  the 
plants,  we  shall  encourage  the  poultry  to  work 
among  them;  removing  a  small  part  at  a  time  and 
allowing  them  to  pick  up  the  seeds  thereon.  The 
tendency  of  hens  to  work  in  anything  that  has 
been  recently  stirred  is  well  known  to  gardeners. — 
J.  L.  Farmer.  Oswego  Co.,  N.  Y. 

1583.  Apple  Stock.  Our  experience  is  that  roots 
three  and  four  years  old  are  not  profitable  to  work. 
Better  buy  one  year  old  seedlings  than  use  the 
others  as  a  gift.— Knodle  Brop. 

1593.  Althaeas  from  Peed.  Treat  Althaea  seed 
same  as  you  would  common  Hollyhock  {Althcea 
rosed),  and  you  will  succeed- — Knodle  Bros. 

1610.  Mountain  Holly.  To  transplant  success- 
fully, remove  in  early  spring,  pack  the  soil  well 
around  the  roots,  and  strip  off  most  of  the  leaves 
after  setting.— Knodle  Brcs. 

1595.  Hardy  Eoses,  All  things  considered  we 
would  recommend  the  following  as  the  best  six 
hardy  Roses,  viz.:  Baroness  Rothschild,  Capt. 
Christy,  Dinsmore,  Paul  Nevron,  General  Jacque- 
minot, Perle  des  Blanches.— E.  T.  C- 

1625.  Mailing  Boses  from  England.  If  pro- 
perly packed  there  is  very  little  risk,  especially  if 
shipped  dormant,  between  the  months  of  Novem- 
ber and  March.- E.  T.  C. 

1619.  Khododendrons  at  North.  The  Hybrid 
Rhododendrons  can  be  safely  planted  in  the  lati- 
tude mentioned,  but  are  all  the  better  for  some 
protection.  They  prefer  a  moist  shady  position, 
and  the  buds  should  be  protected  from  direct  rays 
of  sun  in  winter.  Selection  of  varieties  is  a  matter 
of  taste— E.  T.  C. 

1652.  Wine  Making.  Husman's  American  Grape 
Growing  and  Wine  Making  is  probably  what  is 
wanted.  It  can  be  had  of  Orange  Judd  Co.,  751 
Broadway,  New  York  City.    Price  JI.50. 


1655.  Peach  Seedlings.  These  are  usually 
healthier  and  last  longer  than  budded  trees.  Fur- 
ther south  we  have  seen  excellent  specimens  of 
seetUings,  bearing  regular  crops  of  excellent  fruit. 
Hut  since  we  are  never  sure  what  fruit  a  seedling 
will  produce  when  it  comes  to  bearing,  we  will  have 
to  depend  mostly  on  budded  stock.  And  if  you 
will  only  take  proper  care  of  your  trees  of  proper 
varieties,  bought  of  reliable  nursurymen,  they  will 
last  long  enough  to  give  you  good  fniit  for  many 
years.- H.  W.  E. 

1650.  Barren  Plum  Tree.  This  is  propably  only 
another  case  of  barrenness  on  account  of  lack  of 
proper  pollen  at  the  proper  time.  You  might  try 
to  remedy  the  evil  by  setting  a  few  grafts  of  other 
varieties,  free  bloomer;  such  as  DeSoto,  Miner, 
etc..  in  top  of  your  tree.  When  these  grafts  come 
to  bloom,  which  should  be  in  a  year  or  two,  the 
fruit  on  the  rest  of  the  tree  will  most  likely  set  all 
right.    At  least  it  is  worth  the  trial.— H.  W.  E. 

1660.  Mint  Culture.  The  production  of  Pepper- 
mint oil  is  an  important  industry  of  Wayne  County, 
this  state,  most  of  the  farmers  there  growing  an 
acre  or  two  of  Mint,  besides  their  ordinary  farm 
crops.  The  net  profits  are  usually  higher  than 
those  obtained  from  other  farm  crops,  probably 
not  far  from  $100  per  acre  as  an  average.  In  this, 
as  in  other  branches  of  land  tillage  the  profits  de- 
pend on  the  man  as  much  as  on  anything  else.  The 
land  should  be  well  drained,  and  in  a  fair  state  of 
fertility,  but  manure  is  hardly  ever  used.  In  early 
spring  the  piece  selected  for  the  crop  U  well  pre- 
pared by  plowing  and  harrowing,  and  furrows 
struck  off  about  twenty  inches  apart  in  which  the 
root  cuttings— pieces  of  the  root  stock  one  to  two 
feet  in  length— are  planted  pretty  thickly  to  avoid 
bare  spots.  Cultivate  and  hoe,  keeping  down  all 
weed  growth.  In  August  when  the  Peppermint  is 
in  bloom,  it  is  cut  either  with  scythe  or  mower, 
cured,  and  then  put  in  small  cocks  like  hay.  Nest 
it  goes  to  the  distillery,  where  large  steam-tight 
vats  are  filled  with  it.  The  steam  coming  in  from 
the  bottom,  has  to  work  through  the  mass,  volatilizes 
the  oil  and  escapes  with  it  at  the  top  through  a  tin 
tube,  which  carries  it  to  the  condenser  or  worm, 
which  is  a  coil  of  pipe  surrounded  by  cold  water. 
The  condensed  steam  and  oil  now  flows  into  the  re- 
ceiver, and  here  the  oil  is  drawn  off.  The  price  of 
the  oil  fluctuates  between  $1 .50  and  $6  00  per  pound, 
and  the  yield  varies  between  twenty  and  forty 
pounds  per  acre. 

1662.  Salt  for  Asparagus.  It  will  not  be  neces- 
sary for  people  near  the  coast  to  apply  common 
salt  in  any  form  to  ;their  Asparagus  beds.  It  is 
even  questionable  whether  salt  under  average  cir- 
cumstances has  any  beneficial  effects  whatever  on 
Asparagus  plantations  far  away  from  salt  water. 
The  only  "salt"  which  we  would  advise  Asparagus 
growers  to  use  freely  in  early  spring,  especially 
where  stable  manure  has  been  used  more  or  less, 
is  nitrate  of  soda.— H.  W.  E. 

1654.  Fertilizer  for  Strawberries.  Plenty  of 
stable  manure,  as  applied  by  the  inquirer,  is  a  good 
and  reliable  fertilizer,  and  it  will  not  be  absolutely 
necessary  to  make  additional  applications;  yet 
when  the  grower  has  easy  access  to  a  good  complete 
manure,  or  to  wood  ashes  it  would  do  no  hurt  to 
use  one  of  these  or  both  in  small  quantities  also. 

1669.  Juneberry.  We  do  not  know  that  any  im- 
proved varieties  have  been  put  on  the  market  gen- 
erally. We  heard  Mr.  Vandeman,  United  States 
Pomologist,  say  that  he  had  a  very  fine  named 
variety.  Prof.  Budd.  of  the  Iowa  Agricultural  Col- 
lege, also  claims  to  have  especially  floe  sorts.  We 
hold  the  Junberry  in  high  esteem,  and  hope  that 
these  improved  varieties  will  soon  be  offered  to  the 
public.  Mr.  Chas.  Gibb  mentions  the  'Grinnell."' 
the  '  Green  County"  and  '"Gardener"  as  most  ex- 
cellent fruits.— H.  W.  E. 

1657.  Blackberry  Culture.  Early  Harvest  for 
early,  Wilson  for  late  will  probably  do  well  in 
Georgia.  Set  out  on  well  prepared  soil,  in  rows 
eight  feet  apart,  and  three  or  four  feet  apart  in  the 
rows.  Cultivate  well,  and  keep  the  suckers  con- 
fined to  the  rows.  Pinch  the  growing  canes  back 
when  three  feet  high,  and  shorten  the  side  shoots 
with  the  aim  to  make  low  compact  bushes.  With 
good  culture  the  plantation  will  last  many  years, 
but  should  be  renewed  when  crops  begin  to  grow 
smaller.- H.  W.  E. 

1658.  Fertilizer  Application.  Bone  dust  or 
potash  for  Raspberries  and  Blackberries  may  be 
simply  scattered  broadcast  over  the  ground,  no 
especial  pains  being  required  to  work  it  into  the 
soil  other  than  the  usual  course  of  cultivation. 

1671.  Killing  Hazelbusbes.  The  Witch  Hazel 
and  the  Hazelnut  bush  have  great  suckering  pro- 
pensities, but  if  cut  close  to  the  ground  early  in  the 
winter,  they  will  seldom  troubleagaln.  In  swamps 
we  have  always  succeeded  in  killing  the  common 
Swamp  Alder  by  chopping  the  whole  clumps  off 
way  into  the  soft  ground,  which  can  usually  be 
done  with  impunity,  no  stones  being  about.  If  a 
similar  course  can  be  adopted  with  the  Hazel  it 
will  make  a  certain  end  of  it.  Be  sure  to  leave  no 
sharp  stubs  to  hurt  pasturing  horses  another  sea- 
son.—H.  W.  E. 

1675.  Brighton  Grape.  This  ia  one  of  the  varie- 
ties that  cannot  be  relied  on  to  self  fertilize,  and 
it  should  always  be  planted  among  other  sorts 
m  order  to  have  the  benefit  of  a  free  pollen  distri- 
bution by  other  sorts. 


1670.  Ink  for  Zinc  Labels.  Recipe  will  be  found 
elsewhere  in  this  issue, 

1672.  Cooking  Mushrooms.  A  nice  soup  can 
be  made  of  them  by  stewing  same  as  you  would 
oysters,  only  cooking  a  little  longer.  Other  good 
recipies  are  as  follows,  taken  from  Farm  and  Fire- 
side: 'Scalloped  Mushrooms.— Cover  the  bottom  of 
a  buttered  dish  with  a  layer  of  Pepper  and  salt,  and 
lay  bits  of  butter  over.  Put  layers  of  Mushrooms 
alternately  with  the  bread  until  the  dish  is  full. 
Cover  the  top  with  butter,  moisten  with  cream  and 
bake.  Baked  ^fushrooms.— Choose  the  large  Mush- 
rooms. Peel,  cut  off  the  stalks  close  to  the  top, 
place  them  upside  down  in  a  shallow  dish.  Sprinkle 
with  salt  and  pepper,  and  lay  a  little  piece  of  but- 
ter on  each.  Bake  in  a  quick  oven  for  fifteen  min- 
utes, baste  with  a  little  melted  butter.  Serve  hot 
on  the  dish  in  which  they  are  baked.  Fricassee  of 
Mushrooms.— Feel  the  Mushrooms,  put  first  in  boil 
ing  water,  then  in  cold,  take  out,  wipe  dry.  Put  a 
tablespoonful  of  butter  into  a  saucepan,  and  lay  in 
the  Mushrooms.  Set  over  the  fire  and  stir,  add 
flour  enough  to  thicken,  with  a  little  Pepper,  salt, 
Thyme  and  Mace.  Pour  in  soup  stock  enough  to 
thin  out  and  let  simmer  half  an  hour.  Take  out 
the  Mushrooms,  strain  the  gravy,  beat  the  yolks  of 
three  eggs  and  stir  them  with  the  juice  of  a  Lemon 
into  the  liquor.  Have  prepared  small  slices  of 
fried  bread,  lay  the  Mushrooms  on  them  and  pour 
the  sauce  over. 

1648.  Numbering  Forceps.  We  do  not  think 
that  they  are  kept  on  sale  by  any  firm  in  this  coun- 
try. You  might  try  Peter  Henderson  &  Co.,  of 
New  York,  or  Vaughan's  seed  store  in  Chicago. 
They  are  advertised  for  sale,  we  believe,  by  Lud- 
wig  Miller.  Erfurt,  Germany. 

1675.  Cauliflower  Seed.  The  bulk  of  this  is  im 
ported,  little  being  grown  here  as  the  torrid  heat  of 
our  summers  does  not  agree  with  the  crop.  An 
effort  is  now  being  made  by  a  party  near  Puget 
Sound,  {Henry  March,  Fidalgo,  Wasb.).  to  compete 
with  German  growers  in  the  production  of  Cauli- 
flower seed,  and   the  samples  we  have  seen  and 


^.    ^^^vl 

^§$$ 

OFvTO^- 

<;^^ 

•C'-o-^ 

t:V//''r^:^ 


DETAILS  OF   CASE  ON   NEXT   PAGE.     FIG.   2. 

tested  from  him,  were  remarkable  for  size  and 
vitality,  and  reliability  for  heading.  We  do  not 
know  how  he  manages  his  seed  or  seed  stock.  If 
plants  are  started  and  set  out  very  early,  they  often 
go  to  seed  in  fall  and  produce  a  small  crop  of  seed. 
A  safer  way  would  be  to  sow  seed  in  July,  winter 
the  plants  in  pits  or  cold  frames,  and  set  them  out 
in  spring,  as  you  would  Cabbages  or  Turnips.  A 
fair  crop  may  thus  be  grown, 

1546.    Yard  for  Hens.    The  larger  the   better; 

although  with  good  care,  cleanliness,  frequent 
spading  over  of  the  ground,  and  still  better  with 
occasional  changing  from  one  yard  to  another,  a 
dozen  hens  can  be  kept  healthy  and  in  good  laying 
trim  in  a  rather  small  enclosure,  say  twenty  or 
thirty  feet  square.  Brahmas  and  Cochins  can  be 
kept  confined  by  a  fence  three  feet  high;  for  Ply- 
mouth Rocks  the  fence  should  be  at  least  four  or 
five  feet  high;  for  Langshans  five  to  six  feet,  for 
the  Spanish  races,  Leghorns.  Dunghills  and  Mong- 
rels from  eight  to  ten  feet  high. 

1678.  Fertilizer  for  Grape  Vines.  Apply  muri- 
ate of  potash  at  the  rate  of  200  to  500  pounds  per 
acre;  plain  phosphate,  (bone  dust,  ground  rock  or 
floats,  acid  phosphate  at  the  rate  of  1000  lbs.  per 
acre.)  If  you  have  7.")0  vines  per  acre,  this  would 
make  from  one-third  to  two-third  pound  of  muriate 
of  potash,  and  about  IJ4  lbs,  of  phosphate  to  the 
single  vine.  But  if  these  quantities  are  exceeded, 
even  quite  largely,  you  need  not  fear  ill  results, 
and  it  may  be  all  the  better  for  the  vine. 


THE    COMPLETE    GARDEN.* 

XXXIII 

BY  A  WELL-KNOWN  HORTICULTtmiST 

(Continued  from  page  96.) 
GLASS  IN  THE  GARDEX. 

For  Growing  Vegetables.  The  more  pro- 
gressive home  gardener  is  not  any  more 
satistied  with  the  natural  products  of  the 
season,  but  desires  to  enjoy  the  benefits  of 
a  fresh  vegetable  supply  almost  every  day 
during  the  entire  year. 

No  serious  obstacles  are  in  the  way  of 
securing  such  achievement.  A  few  sashes 
alone  will  help  us  over  many  difficulties, 

♦Copyright,  1887,  Popular  Gardening  Publishing  Co. 


r  20 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


February, 


but  the  additional  help  of  a  little  artificial 
heat  enables  us  to  produce  the  most  desira- 
ble summer  vegetables  in  the  middle  of 
winter,  or  at  such  other  time  as  we  may 
desire  them. 

Glass  Without  Artificial  Heat.  Much 
can  be  done  by  the  use  of  glass  alone,  espec- 
ially in  localities  where  the  winters  are  not 
exceedingly  severe.  Of  course,  hardy  plants. 
Lettuce,  Cabbage,  Cauliflower,  etc.,  can  be 
successfully  wintered  over  in  cold  frames 
(simple,  tight-fitting  boxes  covered  with 
common  sashes,  and  in  severe  weather  per- 
haps with  mats  or  shutters)  even  at  the 
extreme  north;  but  here  we  aim  to  preserve 
the  growth  already  made,  not  to  force  a  new 
growth  during  winter. 

In  milder  climates,  especially  along  the 
Atlantic  coast  from  New  York  City  south- 
ward, cold  frames  and  cold  houses  are  and 
can  be  used  for  the  production  of  hardy 
winter  vegetables,  for  instance,  Spinach, 
Lettuce,  Radishes,  Parsley,  also  Carrots, 
Beets,  Soup  Celery,  etc.  The  beds  and 
houses  are  usually  sowed  with  Spinach  (the 
hardiest  of  these  vegetables)  in  the  fall;  and 
the  crop  is  ready  for  use  in  February  or 
March,  when  they  are  at  once  planted  with 
Lettuce  or  sowed  to  Radishes  and  other 
crops,  which  are  ready  for  use  in  March, 
April  and  perhaps  May. 

In  all  these  instances  the  glass  is  simply 
used  as  a  preserver  of  natural  heat  and 
moisture,  and  as  a  protection  from  wind 
and  draught.  A  little  in  the  way  of  winter 
gardening  may  be  done  by  any  home  gar- 
dener, if  he  will  devote  a  frame  with  a  few 
sashes  to  this  piirpose,  and  place  it  in  a  well 
protected,  sunny  location,  making  every- 
thing snug  and  tight,  and  using  mats  and 
shutters  when  needed.  Here  a  few  Parsley 
and  perhaps  Celery  plants  may  be  kept 
green  and  growing,  to  supply  material  for 
flavoring  soups,  etc.,  and  for  garnishing, 
while  Spinach  should  be  the  main  early  crop, 
to  be  followed  towards  spring  by  Radishes 
and  Lettuce,  or  anything  else  that  is  desired. 

The  market  gardeners  at  the  east  some- 
times ase  houses,  or  rather  pits,  svich  as 
shown  in  engraving  page  100,  but  with  the 
heating  arrangement  left  out.  Each  roof  is 
formed  of  two  tiers  of  sashes,  which  may  be 
of  the  common  liot-bed  sash  size  (3  by  tj),  or 
preferably  a  little  longer.  The  walks  or 
alleys  between  the  beds  are  sunk  into  the 
ground  about  18  inches  deep,  giving  just 
room  enough  to  walk  erect  under  the  center 
of  the  roofs.  The  beds  or  benches  are  about 
level  with  the  ground.  The  whole  arrange- 
ment, in  either  capacity  (as  cold  pit  or  warm 
house)  is  as  simple,  economical  and  sensible 
as  can  well  be  imagined.  Its  advantages, 
especially  of  convenient  operation,  when 
compared  with  the  cold  frame  method,  are 
too  obvious  to  need  further  explanation. 

The  majority  of  home  growers  will  most 
likely  find  the  double  structure  too  large 


I     -                                -   -.              ;' 

S  — 

— '  —  -^  ~ — -  1 

DETAILS  OF  WINDOW  CASE.      FIG.  3. 

for  their  purpose,  and  in  that  case  a  single 
pit,  which  would  appear  like  one-half  of  the 
engraving,  will  give  on  a  smaller  scale  all 
the  advantages  of  the  double  house.  Here 
the  gardener  can  take  comfort  among  his 
vegetables,  and  work  in  any  kind  of  weather 
without  inconvenience. 

Gardening  With  Heated  Structures. 
The  simplest  and  yet  most  common  way  of 
forcing  vegetables  is  by  means  of  the  ordin- 
ary hot-bed.  Fermenting  horse  manure 
under  the  soil  furnishes  the  moist  heat  so 


congenial  to  thrifty  plant  growth,  and  the 
only  fault  to  be  found  with  it  is  that  it  is 
not  lasting,  nor  otherwise  sufflciently  under 
control.  The  depth  of  manure  should  be 
regulated  according  to  the  season  and  local- 
ity. For  growing  vegetables  during  the 
coldest  weather,  in  a  cold  climate,  the  layer 
may  have  to  be  two  or  even  two  and  one-half 
feet  deep,  while  a  foot  less  may  be  sufficient 
late  in  the  season,  or  in  a  locality  where  mild 
winters  are  the  rule. 

If  the  bed  is  well  heated  by  manure 
underneath  and  well  protected  by  banking 
and    otherwise,  crops  of  Radishes, 

Lettuce  and    other   vegetables  are      

easily  grown.  Be  sure  to  utilize  —Z.  .1 
every  inch  of  space  all  the  time.  .Z'Z 
Plant  close  without  crowding.  Rad-  ~"l; 
ishes  will  grow  in  rows  three  or  four  —  ■  •- 
inches  apart,  and  an  inch  or  less  ~ 

apart  in  the  rows,  especially  if  the 
larger  ones  are  picked  for  use,  and 
the  smaller  ones  left  to  grow.  Let- 
tuce may  be  set  seven  inches  apart 
in  seven  inch  rows,  and  a  row  of 
Radishes  can  also  be  grown  between 
each  two  of  Carrots,Beets,  Lettuce, 
etc.      They  grow  so  fast  that  they  ~. 

are   out    the   way  when  the  other 

plants  needithe  room. 

Fire  hot-beds,  as  found  in  use 
here  and  there,  have  an  advantage  over 
the  manure  bed  in  their  regular,  steady  and 
easily  controlled  heat  supply.  They  are 
sometimes  single,  oftener  double,  beds  with 
a  flue  under  a  strongly  built  and  well-sup- 
ported floor,  with  a  furnace  at  one  end,  and 
a  chimney  at  the  other.  Their  disadvantages 
are  first  the  dry  quality  of  the  heat,  which 
should  be  counteracted  by  the  evaporation 
from  pans  with  water  placed  at  intervals 
upon  the  flue;  second,  the  disposition  of  the 
foundation  to  rot  away. 

On  the  whole,  there  is  no  hot-bed  con- 
struction so  convenient,  economical  and 
satisfactory  in  every  way,  as  the  forcing  pit 
shown  on  page  100,  and  in  some  measure 
already  described  as  a  cold  house.  For  the 
amateur  it  may  be  single  and  not  very  long. 
A  dozen  common  hot  bed  sashes,  costing 
$2\,  will  give  him  a  pit  with  two  beds  4)^ 
feet  wide  and  18  feet  long,  or  an  aggregate 
of  about  IHO  square  feet  of  tillage  surface. 
A  small,  cheap,  hot  water  boiler  with  some 
common  iron  pipe  encased  in  3  or  4  inch  tile 
and  placed  13  or  1.5  inches  below  the  surface, 
altogether  costing  not  over  $40,  will  provide 
the  necessary  heat. 

A  structure  of  this  kind  will  be  an  endless 
source  of  pleasure.  Here  you  can  keep  and 
propagate  your  flowers,  grow  Lettuce,  Rad- 
ishes and  other  vegetables  in  perfection  all 
winter,  and  produce  all  the  vegetable  plants, 
— Totnato,  Egg  Plant,  Cabbage,  Caiiliflower, 
etc.,  that  you  and  your  neighbors  want. 
What  you  may  be  able  to  dispose  of  to  your 
neighbors,  or  at  your  nearest  town,  at  fair 
prices,  will  more  than  pay  the  whole  expense 
of  running  the  pit  and  the  interest  on  the 
investment,  giving  you  a  bounteous  supply 
of  vegetables  at  a  time  when  they  are  scarce 
and  high-priced,  of  the  very  best  plants  for 
out-door  setting  in  spring,  and  all  the  pleas- 
ure found  in  this  work  besides,  for  the  little 
labor  of  taking  care  of  the  pit,. 


The  bottom,  a  fig  3,  should  be  formed  of 
board  1}{  inch  or  1}<  inch  thick,  with  three 
pieces  of  1  inch  by  }{  inch  iron  screwed 
across  on  the  under  side,  to  keep  it  from 
warping,  and  should  be  rounded  on  the 
outer  edge,  and  also  have  a  drip  groove 
round  the  under  side  There  should  also  be 
a  groove  in  the  top  side  to  receive  the  glass 
panels.  The  narrow  glass  panels  around 
the  bottom  part  of  the  case  may  be  any  kind 
of  thick  glass  painted  inside  of  any  desired 
color;  this  will  prevent  pots  or  earth  being 
seen  through  the  glass.    It  is,  however,  a 


a 


How  to  make  a  Window  Case. 

Window  eases  fllled  with  thrifty  plants 
make  an  agreeable  screen,  and  give  an  airof 
comfort  to  a  residence.  Well-to-do  people 
may  have  them  in  fancy  designs,  in  easy 
curves  with  bent  glass  and  with  highly 
ornamental  tile  bases,  but  the  amateur  will 
probably  be  content  with  such  a  respectable 
looking  case  as  he  can  himself  construct. 
The  design,  shown  in  flg.  1,  says  Amateur 
Gardening,  is  made  with  a  view  to  suit  an 
ordinary  sash  window,  and  simply  and 
cheaply  constructed. 


AN  amateur's  window  CASE.     FIG.    1. 

good  plan  as  tending  to  durability,  to  have 
a  galvanized  iron  tray,  as  shown  in  cross- 
section,  flg.  1,  to  set  inside,  with  pipes 
through  the  bottom  for  drainage.  The 
upper  panels,  /.  d.  and  roof,  c,  may  be 
glazed  with  sheet  glass,  and  the  wood  be 
any  hard  kind,  or  good  red  deal.  In  the 
latter  case  it  .should  have  three  coats  of 
paint,  and  in  the  former  one  coat  of  boiled 
oil,  and  then  a  coat  of  varnish.  Care  should 
be  taken  that  it  is  well  supported  so  as  to 
bear  not  only  its  own  weight,  but  also  that 
of  any  plants  that  may  be  put  into  it.  To 
this  end  good  strong  iron  brackets,  as  shown 
at  flg.  3,  should  be  used,  and  a  fixing  ob- 
tained on  each  side  near  the  top  of  the  case 
into  the  window  frame. 

It  may  be  advisable  to  screw  on  some 
neat  brass  or  maleable  iron  l  angles  at  the 
corners  where  the  timbers  are  jointed  to- 
gether. Some  red  and  white  lead  mixed 
with  boiled  oil,  to  the  consistency  of  glue, 
should  be  put  into  all  the  joints.  In  this 
case  it  is  intended  that  the  top  rail,  ;/.  flg  1, 
should  reach  to  the  meeting  rail  of  the 
window  against  which  it  is  to  be  placed,  so 
that  when  the  lower  sash  is  lifted  up,  access 
can  be  had  to  the  case;  at  the  same  time  air 
will  be  circulated  in  it.  Fig.  2  shows  the 
construction  of  the  bars,  rails  and  rafters 
needed. 

For  preserving  plants  in  flower  in  winter, 
a  tiny  hot-water  boiler,  set  on  a  bracket 
under  the  window,  inside  the  room,  and 
heated  by  a  gas  jet  from  a  fiexible  tube,  or 
by  an  oil  lamp,  with  a  small  lead  pipe  lead- 
ing from  the  boiler  around  the  case,  may  be 
used  for  providing  the  required  temperature. 


The  Fruit  Outlook. 

After  a  season  so  widely  disastrous  to  the  fruit 
interests  as  that  of  the  past  one  it  is  only 
natural  that  fruit  (growers  ask  themselves  with 
considerable  apprehension  what  effect  the  un- 
usual warm  weather  which  thus  tar  has  prevailed 
this  winter,  will  have  on  the  next  fruit  crop.  We 
have  not  the  gifts  of  a  prophet;  but  it  may  be 
well  to  state  that  we  have  before  this  seen  the 
buds  of  Peaches  swell  prematurely,  and  appa- 
rantly  all  be  destroyed  by  severe  cold  afterwards, 
yet  there  were  dormant  or  secondary  fruit  buds 
enough  to  bring  ^a  most  excellent  crop.  We 
further  believe  that  this  is  not  an  unusual  occur- 
ance.  Nature  has  latent  powers  and  reserve 
forces  she  often  develops  in  an  emergency. 
There  is  at  this  writing  no  serious  grounds  for 
fear.  Even  if  fruits  do  not  set  as  full  as  usual, 
superior  size  and  quality  after  all  may  make  up 
for  the  deficiency  in  number. 


POPULAR    GARDENING 

AND  FRUIT  GROWING. 

"ACCUSE   NOT   NATURE,   SHE   BATH  DONE   HEB   PART:   DO    THOU    BUT   THJiVt,'." -Mjlton. 


Vol.  V. 


OVT-A-IRCII,    1890. 


No.  6. 


March. 
Though  winter  waits  reluctant 

To  yield  the  rule  to  March. 
The  sun  with  step  exultant 
Walks  high  through  heaven's  arch, 
Till  day  and  night 
Bring  new  delight. 
By  equal  hours  In  March. 
At  rest  in  Winter's  rigor 

The  life-tide  wends  Its  way. 
Ascending  with  new  vigor. 
Up  through  the  branches  gray. 
From  roots  below 
'Neath  melting  snow. 
Predicting  leaves  of  May. 

—Clara  Hapgood  Nash. 


Hardy  Shrubs.  A  collection  of  50  choice 
bloomers  does  not  cost  much;  it  is  capable  of 
yielding  endless  pleasure. 


Florid lANS  Excited.  Phosphate  beds  of  almost 
unlimited  extent,  and  the  materia]  of  superior 
quality— this  is  the  (tratifying  news  from  Marion, 
Polk  and  Hermando  Counties,  Fla. 


A  Tuup  Trke  on  a  farm  near  Aurora,  Cayuga 
Co„N,  T,a  few  years  ago  was  cut  down,  and 
sawed  into  15,000  feet  of  boards,  which  furnished 
the  entire  outside  covering  of  a  large  barn. 


Safe  Storage  for  Southern  FRtrrrs  A  por- 
tion of  the  wharf  of  the  Florida  Fruit  Exchange 
in  Boston  has  been  enclosed,  and  provided  with  a 
heater,  so  that  the  temperature  can  always  be 
Itept  above  W  degrees.  Cars  and  teams  can  be 
loaded  and  unloaded  in  this  safe  and  roomy  en- 
closure, and  the  fruit  can  be  left  here  without 
danger  of  freezing.  This  is  an  important  im- 
provement. 


How  TO  CONTROI.  THE  COMMISSION  MERCHANT. 

This  has  been  a  much-discussed  question  at  the 
meetings  and  in  the  papers  this  winter,  and  it 
seems  that  some  action  should  be  taken  for  the 
protection  of  fruit  shipped  against  dishonest 
dealers.  By  co-operation  of  the  shippers  in  each 
township  much  might !«  done.  Let  them  appoint 
a  meeting  and  elect  officers.  The  secretary,  or 
executive  committee,  should  receive  the  reports 
of  every  member  concerning  the  ways  of  each 
dealer  to  whom  he  has  shipped  produce  and  thus 
gather  some  pretty  reliable  information  about 
the  true  standing  of  the  men  they  trust  with 
consignments  This,  of  course,  is  merely  a  sug- 
gestion, and  the  details  of  the  plan  have  to  be 
worked  out  by  the  parties  interested. 


Early  RtjBY  Tomato.  Messrs.  Henderson  & 
Co.  write  us  that  the  Early  Ruby  is  an  altogether 
different  sort  than  we  had  ou  our  grounds  last 
season,  and  which  we  supposed  to  be  the  same  as 
now  sent  out  by  them  as  Earl.v  Ruby.  Our  varie- 
ty is  very  similar  to  Matchless,  of  the  same  bushy 
growth,  while  Early  Ruby  of  Henderson's  has 
thin  and  open  foliage,  exposing  the  clusters  well 
to  the  influence  of  light  and  sun,  thus  making 
the  fruit  extremely  early.  It  is  recommended  as 
just  the  variety  U>  suit  the  wants  of  the  grower 
for  early  market.  We  have  need  of  a  variety  of 
this  type  that  will  give  us  real  good  fruit.  All 
extra  early  sorts,  Atlantic  Prize,  Early  Advance, 
etc,  are  yet  deficient  in  this  respect.  We  shall 
be  pleased  to  see  this  want  filled  by  the  Early 
Ruby  of  Henderson's. 


Responsibility  OF  Plant  Sellers.  The  ques- 
tion, how  far  should  nurserymen,  florists  and 
seedsmen  be  held  responsible  for  the  quality  and 
genuineness  of  the  goods  they  sell,  is  a  very  im- 
portant one.  An  English  jury  has  just  rendered 
a  verdict  which  to  us  seems  to  be  also  in  accord 
with  public  sentiments  on  this  side  the  Atlantic. 
A  London  nurseryman  bought  .500  plants  of  what 
his  seed  merchant  alleged  were  Spircea  palmata, 
the  bloom  of  which  is  of  a  deep  peeony  red. 
When  the  plants  bloomed  they  proved  to  be  Spi- 
rcea elegam,  which,  being  of  a  dirty  white,  were 
practically  valueless  as  a   commercial   article. 


The  buyer  therefore  sued  the  seller  for  Is.  3d.  for 
each  of  the  500  plants,  which  he  would  have  ob- 
tained for  them  had  they  been  what  they  were 
sold  for.  The  jury  found  for  the  plaintiff  for  the 
full  amount  claimed. 


A  Cheap  Portable  Sprayer  Needed.  Spray- 
ing as  a  remedy  for  injurious  insects  and  fungus 
diseases  undoubtedly  has  come  to  stay.  The 
progressive  grower  finds  that  this  item  in  the 
management  of  orchards,  vineyards,  gardens  and 
Potato  fields  is  one  which  he  cannot  permit  him- 
self to  ignore.  No  spray— no  crop;  this  alterna- 
tive we  see  looming  up  before  us.  The  large 
orchard  ist  and  the  large  Potato  grower  are  now 
provided  with  serviceable  spraying  pumps  Their 
large  'operations  require  sprayers  of  large 
capacity,  and  the  growers  can  alford  to  invest  in 
the  higher  priced  implements.  The  amateur,  or 
even  the  average  vineyardist  or  Potato  grower, 
however,  needs  a  tool  that  can  be  operated  by 
band  while  being  carried  on  the  back.  Such 
portable  sprayers  have  often  been  described  and 
pictured  in  the  department  bulletins  and  in  hort- 
cultural  papers,  yet  the  only  tool  of  this  kind 
(the  Eurekal  which  has  been  patented  in  this 
country,  to  our  knowledge,  is  not  found  on  the 
market.  The  French  "  Vermorel "  pump  is  also 
an  excellent  tool  of  this  kind,  and  not  patented. 
Why  will  not  some  enterprising  party  manufac- 
ture or  import  it,  and  give  us  a  chance  to  make 
use  of  such  portable  sprayer  at  moderate  cost? 


Give  us  Fractional  Currency. 

The  ten  million  people  who  live  in  large 
cities,  most  Congress  members  among  them, 
have  no  need  of  buying  through  the  mails. 
They  can  go  to  a  store  near  by  and  procure 
any  article  they  may  desire.  But  the  fifty 
odd  millions  of  our  population  living  In  the 
country  and  country  towns  are  differently 
situated.  Where  are  they  going  to  get 
many  of  the  conveniences  and  necessities 
of  rural  life— such  as  books,  papers,  seeds, 
plants,  roots,  flowers,  Insecticides,  horticul- 
tural implemeuts,  and  a  host  of  other  things, 
not  on  sale  In  their  Immediate  neighborhood 
— if  not  by  purchase  from  a  distance? 

These  fifty-odd  million  people  must  make 
remittances  by  mall,  and  it  Is  not  always 
convenient  to  do  this  by  postal  note  or 
money  orders:  hence  the  fifty-odd  million 
of  people  thus  situated  should  be  supplied 
with  a  money  suited  to  their  needs.  Postage 
stamps  were  never  designed  for  currency, 
and  with  their  small  size  and  sticky  backs, 
and  not  being  legal  tender,  are  in  no  way 
suited  for  that  purpose.  Yet  for  want  of 
something  better  millions  of  dollars  worth 
of  stamps  are  thus  in  circulation — a  dread 
to  the  sender  and  a  poor  apology  for  legal 
tender  money  In  the  hands  of  seedsmen, 
nurserymen  and  other  shippers  of  small 
merchandise,  as  well  as  of  publLshers. 

This  urgent  need  can  be  supplied  by  the 
re-Issue  of  a  few  million  dollars  in  fractional 
currency. 

Here  are  simple  facts  that  admit  no  con- 
tradiction They  were  recognised  by  the 
recent  lively  agitation  In  the  agricultural 
papers,  by  the  unanimity  with  which  this 
re-issue  of  fractional  currency  was  demand- 
ed, and  by  the  law  authorizing  It  which  was 
introduced  in  last  Congress,  but,  we  believe, 
was  buried  In  one  of  committee  rooms 
because  our  law  makers  were  occupied  too 
much  with  "  high  politics  '  to  give  the  in- 
terests of  rural  people  a  hearing. 

The  law  should  be  speedily  resurrected  in 
the   present   Congress.      The   agricultural 


press  must  speak  out.  Let  us  strike  while 
the  iron  Is  hot.  Our  demands  are  modest, 
perhaps  only  too  much  so,and  Congress  can 
not  Ignore  them  if  we  press  the  matter. 

We  do  not  ask  for  subsidies,  nor  for 
pensions,  nor  for  the  construction  of  expen- 
sive buildings,  etc.,  at  public  expense.  We 
have  absolutely  no  designs  on  the  U.  S. 
Treasury  and  its  surplus.  We  do  not  ask 
to  have  it  squandered  in  otir  interest  nor  in 
anybody  else's.  Perhaps  we  might  find 
more  attentive  listeners  if  we  did. 

Let  the  agricultural  press  make  another 
united  effort  for  fractional  currency,  per- 
haps for  lower  postage  rates  on  fourth-class 
mall  matter,  and  better  railway  facilities 
generally.  It's  little  enough  we  ask;  but  let 
us  cry  out.  Congress,  if  wise,  will  hear  and 
heed  our  cry. 


Climatic  Modification  of  Plants. 

PaOF.  J.  L.  BUBD,  AGEICrXTTRAl.  COLLEGE,  lOWA. 

I  notice  in  the  December  number  this 
suggestive  paragraph:  "Lack  of  pollen, 
which  so  very  often  results  in  partial  or 
entire  barreness  of  many  fruit  and  nut  trees, 
does  not  seem  to  be  a  fault  with  the  Russian 
fruits.  Abundance  of  pollen  and  plenty  of 
fruit  in  consequence,is  the  rule  with  them." 

This  Is  true  of  the  Duchess  Apple,  the 
Gakovsky  Pear,  the  Orloff  Cherry,  the  Early 
Red  Plum,  and  Indeed  all  the  orchard  fruits 
of  interior  Russia  In  Europe  and  Central 
Asia.  But  Russia  covers,  It  is  said,  about 
one-seventh  of  the  earth's  surface  of  dry 
land,  hence  all  the  characteristics  of  the 
fruits  named  are  varied  in  the  different 
provinces  of  the  great  empire. 

-\  brief  enumeration  of  some  of  the  climatic 
modifications  of  the  varieties  of  the  orchard 
fmlts  of  the  dry  Interior  of  east  Europe  and 
central  Asia  may  have  some  interest. 

The  Friit  Buds  axd  Blossoms.  The 
fruit  buds  are  peculiarly  loaded  and  pro- 
tected with  starch  in  the  cell  structure  to  an 
unusual  extent.  Hence  I  have  never  known 
the  fruit  buds  of  the  -Apple,  Pear,  Cherry, 
or  Plum  from  this  region  Injured  by  our 
test  winters. 

As  stated  the  anthers  of  the  large  and 
strong  stamens  are  always  loaded  with  per- 
fect pollen,  and  in  addition  every  part  of  the 
flower  is  stronger,  thicker  and  better  able 
to  endure  without  Inquiry  the  frosts  and 
weather  changes  of  the  blossoming  period- 
If  the  trees  blossom  they  rarely  faU  to  per- 
fect their  fruit. 

It  Is  well-known  that  the  blossoms  of  the 
Duchess  Apple  will  endure  frosts  that  will 
blast  those  of  our  common  varieties,  but  not 
as  well  known  that  all  varieties  from  the 
home  of  the  Duchess  are  equally  hardy  in 
fruit  bud  and  blossom.  -\s  an  instance,  in 
the  spring  of  1888  we  had  severe  frosts  when 
the  Cherry  was  in  blossom  with  the  result 
that  we  had  a  total  failure  in  the  whole 
state  of  the  varieties  of  the  old  list:  yet  such 
Russian  varieties  as  Orloff,  Large  Long 
Late,  Shadow  Amarelle,  and  Spate  Amarelle 
were  loaded  with  fruit  even  on  low  ground. 

The  Fkuit.  The  fruit  of  the  Apple,  Pear, 
Cherry  and  Plum  from  this  region  is  equally 
characteristic.  In  nearly  all  cases  It  has  a 
clear,  wax-like  expression,  and  a  tendency 
to  pubescence  and  bloom.  ^Tiile  the  skin 
seems  tender,  it  is  able  to  withstand  the 


122 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


March, 


fungous  diseases  such  as  scab,  rot,  and 
cracking.  In  no  case  have  I  seen  scab  on 
an  Apple  or  Pear  of  this  race,  nor  the 
Cherries  or  Plums  to  cracli  or  rot. 

The  Leaf.  The  foliage  of  all  the  orchard 
fruits,  and  the  trees  and  shrubs  from  this 
region  is  peculiar  in  thickness,  firmness  of 
texture,  number  of  rows  of  palisade  cells, 
and  its  pubescence,  often  silvery  in  expres- 
sion. The  surface  of  the  leaves,  like  that 
of  the  fruits,  seems  also  unfavorable  to  rust 
deposits.  While  the  rust  of  the  Pear  and 
Cherry  leaves  has  been  constantly  on  the  in- 
crease in  the  vrest  during  the  past  ten  years, 
we  rarely  find  a  trace  of  it  on  the 

interior   varieties   of    the   Russian     .^^ 

Pears  and  Cherries,  and  the  foliage 
is  perfect  on  the  native  and  Russian 
Plums  when  every  leaf  has  prema_^ 
turely  dropped  from  southwest 
European  varieties,  such  as  the 
Lombard. 

Determinate  Growth.  Without 
regard  to  the  character  of  the  au- 
tumn, all  these  varieties  ripen  up 
their  points  of  growth  before  cold 
weather  comes  on.  The  micro- 
scopic examinations  made  by  Dr. 
Halstead  in  the  winter  of  1888  de- 
termined the  fact  that  all  the  vari- 
eties and  species  from  the  region 
now  considered  ripened  so  perfectly 
prior  to  the  advent  of  severe  frosts 
as  to  form  "caps"  of  almost  pure 
starch  cells  at  every  point  of  growth, 
while  the  tips  of  the  hardiest  of  our 
old  varieties— aside  from  the  Rus- 
sian—were relatively  soft  and  im 
mature. 

Hibernating  Tendenci-.  The 
perfectly  ripened  varieties  of  this 
region  remain  dormant  during  our 
periodic  warm  spells  of  winter  pecu- 
liar to  the  Mississippi  valley,  about 
as  perfectly  as  our  native  Box  Elder 
or  Currant  bushes.  The  peculiar 
bark  we  can  also  say  is  not  favor- 
able to  evaporation  during  our  dry 
winters,  and  it  does  not  absorb 
water  as  do  the  Siberian  Crabs  and 
the  common  sorts  from  southwest 
Europe.  As  a  proof  of  this  the  trees  never 
bark-crack  at  the  crown  in  nursery  or 
orchard,  apparently  for  the  reason  that  they 
do  not  absorb  water  at  the  crown  during 
wet  autumns,  which  swells  the  protoplasm, 
and  ruptures  the  inelastic  bark.  The  same 
peculiarity  of  the  skin  of  the  Cherry  and 
Pear  seems  to  prevent  cracking  of  the  fruit. 
In  all  this  we  notice  climatic  modifications 
which  we  observe  on  native  trees  as  we  go 
westward  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  dry  plains 
of  Colorado. 


with  a  smaller  one  in  the  foreground  at  the 
left.  Exotic  Grape  vines  (Black  Hamburg) 
in  luxuriance  are  seen  in  the  back  ground, 
covering  the  tall  trellis  in  front  of  the  sev- 
eral buildings.  The  large  Fig  tree  is  about 
ten  feet  high,  and  about  as  wide. 

To  bring  out  this  enormous  growth,  the 
ground  had  been  trenched,  lavishly  enrich- 
ed, and  the  soil  reversed  to  the  depth  of 
several  feet.  The  wintering,  of  course,  is 
the  only  real  problem,  and  Mr.  Pafiiord 
solves  it  by  cutting  out  all  old  and  unwield- 
ly  wood,  and  bending  the  young  growths 
carefully  down  to  the  ground,  with  all  the 


The  Fig  at  the  North. 

We  have  never  felt  justified  in  recom- 
mending Fig  growing  at  the  north  for  profit. 
We  hesitate  to  recommend  it  now.  But 
when  we  saw  the  fine  Fig  bushes  in  the 
garden  of  Mr.  Henry  Pafford  of  Niagara, 
Ont.,  la.st  fall,  and  the  fine  specimens  he 
had  preserved  in  jars,  and  heard  him  tell  of 
the  abundant  crops  he  gathers  every  season, 
we  came  to  the  conclusion  that  many 
northern  gardeners  who  take  an  interest  i/i 
such  things,  or  pride  in  having  something 
different  from  other  people,  could  derive 
much  pleasure  and  enjoyment  from  the 
possession  of  a  Fig  bush  or  two  in  his  gar- 
den, provided  this  is  in  a  well  protected  sit- 
uation, or  like  Mr.  Pafford's,  surrounded 
on  nearly  all  sides  by  buildings,  and  in  a 
locality  where  the  nearness  of  great  bodies 
of  water  "  take  the  sting  out  of  the  bliz- 
zard's tail." 

At  our  suggestion,  Mr.  Pafford  had  his 
Fig  tree  photographed  last  autumn.  Our 
illustration  is  a  reproduction  of  this  picture, 
showing  the  large  tree  or  bush  in  centre. 


FIG  CULTURE  AT  THE  NORTH. 

small  fruit  which  the  buds  contain,  left  on, 
then  setting  stakes  crosswise  over  the  wood 
to  keep  it  in  place,  and  covering  with  litter 
and  soil  until  spring,  when  it  is  uncovered 
and  straightened  out. 

Good  Taste  In  Naming  Fruits  and 
Vegetables. 

The  American  Pomological  Society  has 
adopted  a  set  of  most  excellent  rules  for 
naming  fruits,  and  tries  in  every  way  to 
enforce  them;  yet  many  of  the  nurserymen, 
who  are  really  the  main  body  of  that  useful 
association,  seem  to  care  little  for  those 
rules  when  writing  up  their  catalogues. 
The  public  is  fast  learning,  however,  that 
the  most  fiagrant  violators  of  the  rules  are 
also  habitual  introducers  of  worthless  trash, 
or  of  old  things  luider  new,  and  usually  of- 
fensive names. 

Even  where  the  violation  of  the  rules  of 
the  Pomological  Society  do  not  involve  a 
violation  of  honesty  and  integrity  as  they 
do  in  some  cases,  they  very  usually  involve 
a  violation  of  good  taste.  So  are  the  mons- 
trous chromos  with  their  unnatural  glaring 
colors  a  violation  of  good  taste,  and  they 
begin  to  be  offensive  to  public  taste  and 
sentiment  as  well. 

We  are  thankful  to  the  Association  of 
the  American  Agricultural  Colleges  and  Ex- 
periment Stations  for  their  efforts  now  be- 
ing made  in  calling  the  attention  of  the 
seed  trade,  and  of  introducers  of  new  veget- 
ables to  the  flagrant  violation  of  good  taste 
and  good  sense  of  which  they  have  made 
themselves  so  often  guilty  in  the  selection 
of  names  for  their  novelties. 


This  agitation  can  not  fail  to  have  good 
results,  though  they  may  come  very  slow, 
but  we  think  it  is  in  perfect  accord  with 
popular  sentiment,  and,  if  continued  long 
enough,  must  sweep  the  offensive  nomen- 
clature away  in  the  end.  In  fact  we  notice 
a  very  great  improvement  in  this  year's 
crop  of  catalogues  already. 

The  Committee  on  Nomenclature  of  Veg- 
etables consists  of  the  following  good  names 
of  well-known  personages— L.   H.   Bailey, 
E.  S.  Goff,  W.  J.  Green.    These  gentlemen 
are  confident  that  "brevity,  accuracy  and 
good   taste  in  the  naming   of    vegetables 
are  perfectly  compatible  with   the 
purposes  of  the  trade."    A  leading 
principle  of  this  new  nomenclature 
is  that  the  name  merely  serves  the 
purpose  of  designating   the  plant, 
■   ■        not  of  describing  it. 

The   rules  which  the  committee 
'■        have  formulated,  are  as  follows: 

1.  The  name  of  a  variety  should 
consist  of  a  single  word,  or  at  most 
of  two  words.  A  phrase  ,  descrip- 
tive or  otherwise,  is  never  allowa- 
ble; as.  Pride  of  Italy,  King  of 
Mammoths,  Earliest  of  All. 

2.  The  name  should  not  be  super- 
lative or  bombastic.  In  particular 
all  such  epithets  as  New,  Large, 
Giant,  Fine,  Selected,  Improved, 
and  the  like  should  be  omitted.  If 
the  grower  or  dealer  has  a  superior 
stock  of  a  variety,  the  fact  should 
be  stated  in  the  description  im- 
mediately after  the  name,  rather 
than  as  a  part  of  the  name  itself;  as, 
"  Trophy,  selected  stock." 

S.  If  a  grower  or  dealer  has  pro- 
cured a  new  select  strain  of  a  well- 
known  variety  it  shall  be  legitimate 
for  him  to  use  his  own  name  in  con- 
nection with  the  established  name 
of  the  variety;  as.  Smith's  Winning- 
stadt,  .Jones'  Cardinal. 

4.  When  personal  names  are  given 
to  varieties,  titles  should  be  omitted; 
as.  Major,  General,  Queen. 

5.  The  term  hybrid  should  not  be 
used,  except  in  those  rare  instances 

in  which  thevariety  is  known  to  be  of  hybrid 
origin  (the  product  of  two  species). 

6.  The  originator  has  the  prior  right  to 
name  the  variety;  but  the  oldest  name  which 
conforms  to  these  rules  should  be  adopted. 

7.  This  committee  reserve  the  right,  in 
their  own  publications,  to  revise  objection- 
able names  in  conformity  with  these  rules. 


The  Horse  Chestnut. 

Of  leading  trees  suitable  for  lawn  and 
street  planting  the  Horse  Chestnxit  easily 
should  be  included  in  the  best  half-dozen. 
There  are  at  least  three  superior  kinds 
namely  the  Common  White  the  Double  varie- 
ty of  the  same  and  the  distinct  and  handsome 
Red-flowering  Horse  Chestnut.  The  trees 
first  named  are  of  rapid  growth,  and  with 
age  reaching  a  size  of  sixty  to  eighty  teet  in 
height  and  of  nearly  the  same  breadth. 
The  Red-flowering  is  not  quite  so  strong  in 
growth  as  are  the  former  but  it  is  greatly 
esteemed  for  its  flowers  which  are  of  a 
brilliant  red  and  very  attractive. 

A  peculiarity  of  the  HorseChestnuts.which 
commends  them  to  all  tree  lovers  is  that 
the  foliage  appears  In  its  fulness  earlier 
than  that  of  other  shade  trees.  The  foliage 
is  of  a  beautiful  green  and  without  gloss. 
Following  immediately  on  the  rapid  burst- 
ing of  the  leaves  the  blossoms  appear  in 
great  spikes  resembling  very  much  a  dis- 
play of  Hyacinth  heads  set  in  the  green 
young  foliage.  At  this  stage  no  hardy  tree 
can  equal  the  Horse  Chestnut  for  beauty. 
In  autumn  an  attraction  appears  in  the  Com- 
mon species  for  the  children  in  a  bountiful 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


123 


crop  of  extremely  handsome  mahogany- 
colored  nuts,  which  alTord  materials  for 
play  equal  to  the  same  number  of  rubber 
balls,  for  the  beautiful  clean  nuts  possess 
an  elasticity  almost  equal  to  that  of  India 
rubber.  Should  those  persons  who  possess 
overnice  notions  of  tree  propriety,  prefer  to 
be  without  the  crop  of  nuts  they  have  but 
to  plant  any  of  the  varieties  besides  the 
Common,  as  no  others  seed  freely  if  at  all. 
For  our  part  we  expect  always  to  be  so 
young  that  we  shall  look  upon  the  fruiting 
season  of  the  Horse  Chestnut  as 
not  the  least  attractive  stage  in 
its  annual  round  of  development. 

As  the  tree  increases  in  age 
its  dense  foliage  loses  much  of  the 
formality  of  outline  peculiar  to 
the  younger  growth,  and  instead 
breaks  Into  line  masses  more  and 
more  beautiful,  until  it  becomes 
one  of  the  grandest  of  trees. 

We  have  said  this  much  for 
onr  old  favorites  in  part  because 
of  a  disposition  in  some  quar- 
ters, to  speak  disparagingly  of 
their  merits.  Indeed  we  can  do 
the  class  no  better  turn  than  to 
present  the  follo'n-ing  ridiculous 
words  concerning  the  Common 
Horse  Chestnut,  as  showing  the 
work  of  some  against  it.  The 
extract  is  from  the  Rochester 
Democrat  and  Chronicle,  a  source 
from  which  better  things  should 
be  expected. 

"It  is  a  nuisance  from  the  time 
the  blossoms  appear  until  the 
boughs  are  bare,"  says  our 
Rochester  contemporary.  "It 
might  be  valuable  to  reclaim 
barren  fields,  because  the  parts 
which  it  drops  during  the  year 
would  make  quite  a  large  addi- 
tion to  the  mold  which  renders 
the  earth  of  forests  so  rich.  The 
blossoms  become  a  crushed  mass 
of  nasttness  when  they  fall.  When 
the  nuts  begin  to  drop,  passers- 
by  need  helmets  to  protect  their 
heads.  Besides,  the  litter  of  the 
faUen  burs  is  very  disagreeable. 
When  soaked  with  the  rains  of 
autumn,  the  burs  color  the  walks 
and  everything  with  which  tbey 
come  in  contact,  and  do  not  dis- 
appear until  thoroughly  incorpor- 
ated with  the  mold  of  the  fallen 
leaves  from  the  same  tree.  The 
leaves,  with  their  large,  spraw- 
ling stems,  cover  the  walks  as 
with  a  mat,  and  are  even  more 
disagreeable  than  the  litter  of 
the  burs. 

••  The  Horse  Chestnut  grows  rapidly,  and 
this  fact  seems  to  be  its  only  recommenda- 
tion. Why  should  not  the  native  Chestnut 
of  our  forests  be  planted  instead  of  the 
worthless  tree  no w  so  common  ?  The  nut  of 
the  native  Chestnut  is  an  article  of  com- 
merce, and  if  boys  are  to  club  Chestnut 
trees  let  them  do  it  to  some  purpose.  The 
nuts  of  the  Horse  Chestnut  are  worthless 
except  for  medicine.  A  sufficient  supply  for 
medicine  can  be  obtained  without  cumber- 
ing city  streets  with  the  disagreeable  tree.  " 


Chiswick  Conference  on  November  .5th.  of 
last  year.  This  is  a  pretty  and  graceful 
Japanese,  with  exceedingly  line  threadlike 
tlorets  of  a  soft,  clear  straw  color.  It  will 
probably  prove  useful  for  cutting  purposes, 
as  light  flowers  like  these  are  admirable  for 
arranging  in  vases. 


Western   New    York   Fruit   Growers. 

For  the  Rose  slug  a  new  remedy  has  been 

found  by  Mr.  Howard  of  the  Department  of 

Agriculture.   This  is  simpy  a  strong  stream 


A  New  Japanese  Chrysanthemum. 
The  improvement  in  Chrysanthemums 
goes  merrily  on,  which  with  the  interest 
taken  in  this  flower  by  the  best  and  most 
skillful  horticulturists  of  both  America  and 
England,  and  perhaps  by  the  public  gener- 
ally, is  not  to  be  wondered  at.  The  annexed 
illustration,  reproduced  from  the  Journal 
of  Horticulture,  shows  the  bloom  of  the 
new  variety  "Mrs.  Carter.'  Fine  speci- 
mens of  this,  among  other  novelties,  were 
exhibited  by  Messrs.  J.  Carter  &  Co.,  at  the 


NEW  CHRYSANTHEMUM,  WITH  THREAD-LIKE  FLORETS 

of  cold  water  thrown  with  considerable 
force  upon  the  infested  foliage.  Tobacco 
tea  and  Pyrethrum  were  also  effective,  but 
the  former  stains  the  plants;  the  latter  is 
too  costly.  The  jet  of  cold  water  also  killed 
the  aphis  on  Currants,  and  similar  pests, 
also  drove  the  English  sparrows  away  from 
their  nests  and  places  of  refuge.  This 
remedy  is  effective  against  the  Roseleaf 
hopper  and  those  feeding  on  Grapes,  etc. 

For  Grape  diseases  Dr.  Lintner  recom- 
mends force  pump  and  Bordeaux  mixture, 
prepared  after  the  following  formula  :  six 
pounds  of  copper  sulphate  dissolved  in  four 
gallons  of  hot  water,  four  pounds  of  lime 
slacked  in  four  gallons  of  cold  water;  mix 
and  dilute  to  33  gallons.  This  will  be  found 
effective  against  most  fungi.  For  use  on 
Potatoes  this  Bordeaux  mixture  may  be 
combined  with  London  purple,  and  thus  be 
made  effective  both  for  Potato  rot  and  Col- 
orado Potato  bug. 

Many  insects  are  effectively  fought  with 
carbolated  plaster,  made  by  stirring  a  pint 
of  crude  carbolic  acid  into  .50  lbs.  of  plaster. 


A  new  Pear  pest  belonging  to  the  group 
of  case  bearers  has  been  discovered.  It 
burrows  into  the  young  fruit  and  spoils  it. 
May  prove  to  be  wide  spread.  What  the 
species  is  not  yet  determined.  Spraying  soon 
after  the  fruit  sets  will  probably  prove  to  be 
the  remedy. 

Another  newly  found  insect  is  a  snapping 
beetle  which  attacks  Quince  blossoms.  The 
only  way  to  treat  it  thus  far  discovered  is 
knocking  it  off  into  a  pan  with  water  and 
kerosene. 

The  Peach  bark  borer  is  a 
small  beetle  which  attacks  trees 
affected  by  yellows. 

A  new  Rose  pest  has  also  been 
observedj  thus  far,  however,  only 
in  the  larvie  state.  It  Is  a  borer 
attacking  the  tips.  A  lady  re- 
ports that  20  years  ago  the  same 
insect  had  given  her  trouble  ;  she 
fought  it  with  knife  and  fire  for 
tour  or  five  years,  and  got  rid  of 
it  until  its  re-appearance  now. 

Arsenical  Poisons.  Mr.  S.  D. 
Willard  tells  that  Prof.  Cook's 
remarks,  made  in  this  hall  a 
year  ago,  had  induced  him  to 
spray  a  small  orchard  with  Lon- 
don purple,  using  four  ounces  to 
.50  gallons  of  water.  I  badly  in- 
jured Pears,and  especially  Plums. 
The  latter  are  very  sensitive.  All 
the  foliage  dropped,  reducing 
what  he  expected  to  be  a  yield 
of  3,500  baskets  to  1,000  baskets. 
London  purple  is  not  of  uniform 
strength.  It  dissolves  in  water 
and  should  be  used  with  great 
caution.  If  possible  handle  the 
nozzle  yourself.  Thinks  that  two 
ounces  dissolved  in  a  100  gallons 
would  be  affective. 

The' testimony  of  different  mem- 
bers is  very  conflicting,  and  seems 
to  show  that  there  must  be  a 
great  variation  in  the  strength 
of  Paris  green.  Dr.  Lintner  thinks 
the  codlin  would  "laugh  and  grow 
fat'"  on  London  purple  after  Mr. 
Willard's  prepared  formula. 

Jlr.  Chapin  states   he  has   ap- 
plied Paris  green,  two  ounces  in 
a  barrel  of  water,  for  many  years 
on  his  130  acre  orchard  of  Bald- 
wins  with   unvarying    good  re- 
sults, also  to  Pear  trees.  He  buys 
a  genuine  article  from  Xew  York, 
in  100  pound    kegs;     has    little 
confidence    in    the     one    pound 
packages  on  sale  in  country  stores. 
The  discussions  also  brought  to 
light  that  Plum  trees  often  drop 
their  foliage  from    other   causes 
besides  spraying  with  London  purple,  and 
that  we  may  often  blame  London  purple, 
when  fungi  are  the  real  cause  of  the  trouble. 
Election   of   Officers.     This  had  the 
following  result:    President,  Patrick  Barry, 
Rochester.    Vice  Presidents;  S.  D.  Willard, 
Geneva,  W.  C.  Barry,    Rochester;    W.  C. 
Smith,  Syracuse ;  J.   S.   Woodward,   Lock- 
port  ;  Secretary,  John  Hall,  Rochester;  Exe- 
cutive Committee:    C.  M.    Hooker,    Lewis 
Chase,    B.    W.   Clark,    C.    W.    Stuart,   N. 
Bogue,  Batavia. 


Ontario  Fruit  Growers  in  Council. 

{Continued  from  page.  95.) 
Peaches  for  Profit.  Mr.  James  F. 
Taylor  of  Michigan  says  there  are  many 
small  sections.not  only  in  Ontario,but  in  the 
United  States  as  well,  which  are  well  suited 
for  Peach  culture.  This  is  especially  true 
of  land  that  has  ridges  and  hills,  and  vales, 
and  consequently  protected  situations. 
Severe  frosts  in  spring  are  usually  more 
fatal  to  the  Peach  crop  than  are  cold  day  s 
in  winter.    A  frosty^situation  is  to  be  avoid 


124 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


March, 


ed,  yet  an  open  exposure  Is  often  preferable 
to  a  site  sheltered  on  all  sides  by  woods,  etc. 
The  growth  in  the  spring  should  be  rather 
retarded  than  forwarded.  Sand  or  sandy 
loam  is  preferable  to  other  soils.  A  clover 
sod  plowed  in  fall  and  fitted  for  Corn  is 
excellent  for  Peaches.  The  first  two  years 
after  the  orchard  is  started,  plant  it  to  Corn, 
then  to  Rye  or  Bnckwheat,  these  latter 
crops  to  be  plowed  in.  Clean  cultivation 
should  be  given  year  after  year,  in  dry 
seasons  until  middle  of  August.  Feed  the 
trees  plentifully,  as  Peaches  will  not  bear 
neglect.  Plant  the  old  standard  sorts  that 
are  tested  all  over  and  found  reliable.  New 
sorts  are,  however,  constantly  added  to  the 
list.  Popular  in  Michigan  are  Louise  Seed- 
ing, Crane's  Yellow, Early  Barnard,  Jacques 
Rareripe,  Hill's  Chili,  Smock.  Early  Craw- 
ford is  not  prolific  enough. 

Before  planting  trim  to  a  whip,  and  cut 
back  to  three  or  four  feet  in  length.  The 
cuts  on  branches  should  not  be  close,  but 
rather  a  little  ways  from  the  tree.  During 
growth  remove  all  superfluous  sprouts. 
Once  or  twice  a  year  make  a  thorough 
search  for  borers.  When  fruit  sets,  it 
should  be  carefully  thinned  by  hand, 
begining  with  the  early  sorts  and  continuing 
to  the  latest.  Let  the  fruit  remain  three  or 
four  inches  apart  on  each  limb.  Really 
good  fruit  can  not  otherwise  be  grown. 

Peaches  are  always  of  best  quality  when 
ripened  on  the  tree,  and  the  nearer  to  full 
maturity  they  could  be  left  on  the  trees,  the 
better  the  market  will  like  them.  If  possi- 
ble market  without  the  assistance  of  middle- 
men. For  home  market  leave  Peaches  on 
the  tree  until  they  begin  to  ripen.  For  dis- 
tant market  be  sure  that  there  are  no  soft 
specimen  in  the  package.  Always  handle 
the  fruit  like  eggs,  and  never  shake  it  out 
of  one  package  into  another.  A  good  tree 
well  taken  care  of  should  produce  one 
bushel  of  fruit. 

Peacli  culture  in  Michigan  and  Ontario  is 
justified  to  the  fullest  extent  that  transpor- 
tation chances  are  at  command.  The 
yellows  began  to  trouble  in  1877.  The  first 
indication  of  the  tree  being  affected  is  the 
flesh  turning  red.  It  does  not  at  first  show 
in  leaf  or  otherwise.  Mr.  Taylor  began  his 
warfare  against  the  disease  by  cutting 
down  40  trees  out  of  300;  next  year  he  cut 
down  six  of  those  remaining,  and  since  then 
he  has  had  little  yellows  in  his  orchard.  In 
other  localities,  where  the  trees  were  doc- 
tored and  kept,  the  disease  has  kept  on 
spreading,  until  now  Michigan  growers 
generally  are  convinced  that  cutting  down 
every  tree  at  the  first  sign  of  the  disease  is 
the  best  and  cheapest  policy.  It  wipes  out 
the  yellows  at  short  notice.  Mr.  Taylor 
tears  out  the  tree  even  if  he  finds  but  a 
single  diseased  Peach  among  healthy  ones 
on  it.  He  has,  however,  no  evidence  that 
the  yellows  can  be  transferred  from  one 
tree  to  another  by  means  of  pruning  tools. 
The  law  requires  the  tree  to  be  burned.  The 
roots  are  dug  out  in  the  fall.  If  the  trees 
and  stumps  are  left  in  the  land,  the  trouble 
seems  to  remain  and  spread. 

In  the  discussions  following  this  paper, 
the  essayist  advises  to  search  for  the  borer 
in  early  spring  and  again  in  summer,  also 
to  paint  the  bodies  of  trees  with  white- 
wash flavored  with  carbolic  acid. 

It  cultivation  is  stopped  too  early  in  the 
season,  say  in  July,  especially  in  dry 
weather,  the  wood  will  ripen  too  early  and 
develop  fruit  buds  too.soon.  The  cultivator 
should  go  four  inches  deep.  The  round 
basket,  with  so-called  "rail-road"  cover 
(two  slats  crossing  each  other)  has  proved 
to  be  a  very  serviceable  package. 

Sec'y  Woolverton  says  he  used  to  plant 
30  feet  apart.  Now  he  plants  13  feet  each 
way.  Keeps  the  tree  in  bush  form,  closely 
pruned.       Thus  they    occupy    the   ground 


better,  keep  in  better  health,  produce  more 
young,  bearing  wood,  and  consequently 
more  fruit,  not  to  speak  of  the  advantages 
of  the  chances  of  thinning  and  picking  vrith 
greater  ease  and  comfort.  The  trees  have 
been  liberally  fed  with  wood  ashes,  and  the 
results  have  pleased  him  very  much.  This 
fertilizer  seems  to  affect  color,  size  and  per- 
haps the  flavor.  He  prunes  in  March  or 
early  in  April,  cutting  the  young  growth 
back  severely.  Where  the  branches  are 
long  and  straggling,  the  old  wood  is  cut 
back  also.  Unleached  wood  ashes  are  ap- 
plied yearly  at  the  rate  of  one-half  bushel 
to  the  tree.  Thinning  would  pay,  but  he 
can  not  find  the  time  to  do  it. 

The  Borer.  Sec'y  Woolverton  tries  to 
keep  borers  out  altogether,  as  it  is  tco  much 
trouble  to  hunt  for  them  every  year.  The 
eggs,  laid  near  the  ground,  hatch  in  June, 
July  and  August.  About  June  1st  a  mound 
of  earth  is  heaped  up  around  each  tree,  and 
the  young  borer  will  be  kept  off  from  the 
only  part  where  it  can  enter,  namly  at  the 
surface  of  ground  where  the  bark  is  soft. 
Since  adopting  this  plan,  Mr.  Woolverton 
has  had  no  more  trouble  with  the  borer. 

A  member  states  that  weak  lye,  or  some 
other  alkaline  wash  applied  to  the  bodies  of 
Apple  trees  about  June  1st,  has  always 
done  good  service  for  him  in  disposing  of 
the  Apple  tree  borer. 

The  Peach  in  Essex  County.  Mr.  Wm. 
Mitchell  says  the  greatest  trouble  here  is 
the  borer.  Among  good  varieties  for  that 
locality  are  named  Reeves'  Favorite,  Smock, 
Chair's  Choice.  The  Crawford  is  not  pro- 
ductive enough.  Old  Mixon  is  a  fine  Peach, 
but  he  can  not  get  it  to  bear.  Tyhurst's 
Seedling  is  a  fine  local  variety,  in  fact  the 
best  in  this  section,  and  seems  to  reproduce 
itself  from  seed  like  the  Wager. 

Mr.  S.  D.  Willard  of  New  York  says  the 
troxible  with  the  Crawford  is  that  the  buds 
are  too  tender  to  endure  our  severe  winters. 

Mr.  Baldwin  says  Stump  the  World  is  one 
of  the  best  varieties  in  Essex' Co.  Most  of 
his  trees  are  seedlings,  and  he  finds  them 
more  profitable  than  the  uncertain,  mixed 
and  unreliable  lots  bought  of  agents. 

Pres.  A.  M.  Smith  says  Crawford  is  the 
standard  in  the  eastern  section  of  Ontario. 
Good  sorts  are,  for  early,  Alexander,  which 
is  about  the  same  as  Amsden's  June,  Shoe- 
maker, Early  Canada,etc.;  for  .second  Early 
Rivers;  filling  a  gap,  Hale's  Early;  for  later 
Crawford's  Early,  Wager,  Longhurst.  This 
latter  is  a  local  variety  of  which  he  thinks 
very  highly.  It  is  productive,  of  fair  size, 
and  altogether  reliable  in  that  section. 
Late  Crawford  is  good  when  you  can  get  it 
to  bear.  Steven's  Rareripe  is  Old  Mixon 
right  over,  only  from  .seven  to  ten  days  later 
and  a  better  bearer.  Wheatland  is  a  shy 
bearer.  Foster  is  similar  to  early  Crawford, 
perhaps  a  little  rounder,  and  higher  colored. 

Mr.  S.  D.  Willard  speaks  highly  of 
Steven's  Rareripe,  which  was  introduced 
probably  30  years  ago.  but  again  lost  sight 
of.  Comes  just  before  Smock.  Tree  hardy, 
fruit  white-fleshed,  large  and  fine.  A  stand- 
ard variety.  Salway  is  too  late  for  Geneva, 
N.  Y.  Hyne's  surprise  is  one  of  the 
earliest  sorts,  and  an  absolute  freestone. 

Pear  Culture.  Mr.  McMichael  reports 
that  he  now  grows  only  standards,  since  the 
dwarfs  were  not  satisfactory.  Thorough 
underdraining  made  his  orchards  produc- 
tive. The  fruit  is  thinned  by  means  of  a 
pair  of  sheep  shears.  Applies  barnyard 
manure  in  sprmg  and  ashes  in  fall,  As  a 
preventive  of  fungus  diseases  and  insect 
attacks  his  orchard  is  sprayed  with  solutions 
of  hyposulphite  of  soda  and  Paris  green. 

Mr.  Willard's  opinion  is  that  all  lauds  for 
Pears  should  be  uuderdrained  unless  pro- 
vided with  a  natural  drainage.  Heavy 
soils  are  probably  better  fitted  for  Dwarf 
Pears  than  for  standards. 


In  reply  to  the  query— Should  the  vigor- 
ous watershoots  be  cut  off,  Sec'y  Woolver- 
ton says  if  it  is  a  branch  wanted,  encourage 
it — otherwise  remove  it. 

Mice  and  Rabbits  in  Orchard.  A  mem- 
ber states  that  if  one  of  the  wire  screen  pro- 
tectors, now  manufactured  and  put  on  sale 
by  a  firm  in  London,  Ont.,  is  sprung  around 
the  bodyof  a  tree,  the  latter  needs  no  further 
attention,  and  saves  all  trouble.  They  only 
cost  two  or  three  cents  apiece.  Another 
member  suggests  putting  a  few  stooks  of 
Cornstalks  in  the  orchard,  and  placing  some 
poisoned  bait  under  it.  This  has  proveed 
effective  for  mice. 

Mr.  Taylor,  of  Michigan,  uses  common 
tarred  .building  paper.  When  put  around 
the  tree  and  tied,  it  hardens  and  will  remain 
for  years. 


CULTURE   OF  THE  GRAPE. 
EIGHTH  PAPER. 

DR.  J.  STAliTIAN,   LEAVE.N'WORTH,  KANSAS. 

Our  system  of  pruning  is  particularly 
adapted  to  vines  cut  off  at  the  ground  as  a 
preventive  for  Grape  rot.  As  soon  as  the 
shoots  from  the  old  stem  have  made  a 
growth  of  about  twenty  inches,  select  two 
of  the  strongest  canes  and  pinch  or  cut 
them  off  at  the  height  of  first  wire,  then 
cut  off  all  others  close  to  the  stem.  These 
canes  must  be  left  without  their  laterals 
being  checked  throughout  the  whole  season, 
but  all  the  suckers  or  shoots  from  the 
stems  must  be  cut  off  close  to  the  stalks 
as  often  as  they  appear.  This  timely  pinch- 
ing and  removing  suckers  will  force  out 
from  the  dormant  buds  lateral  canes  which 
are  shorter  jointed,  smaller  in  size,  with 
better  developed  buds,  and  producing  much 
finer  fruit.  These  canes  should  be  tied  up 
in  the  vacant  space  as  they  grow. 

In  pruning  those  tor  fruiting,  select  two 
of  the  strongest  canes  with  well  developed 
buds,  and  cut  them  four  feet  long  for  a 
strong  full-bearing  vine,  cutting  away  all 
others.  This  length  we  would  recommend 
for  Concord  and  all  of  that  class  of  equal 
growth  and  productiveness  ;  but  for  such  as 
Cynthiana,  Norton,  Herman  and  Ozak  the 
canes  should  be  longer,  and  for  Delaware 
much  shorter,  say  two  canes  eighteen  inches 
long.  These  three  classes  represent  all  the 
varieties  we  have  worth  mentioning. 

This  method  of  cutting  off  vines  may  be 
considered  a  loss,  and  some  may  hesitate  to 
adopt  it,  but  they  will  find  it  will  pay  in 
extra  productiveness,  quality  of  fruit  and 
exemption  from  rot. 

If  we  were  setting  a  new  vineyard  of 
Concord  tirapes  by  the  common  method  of 
doing  it,  we  would  lay  off  the  ground  in 
rows  six  or  eight  feet  apart  according  to  the 
location,  and  then  set  the  vines  in  the  rows 
four  feet  apart  and  erect  a  trellis  with  two 
wires,  and  train  every  alternate  vine  to  the 
lower  wire  and  the  others  to  the  upper  wire, 
with  two  canes  to  a  vine,  each  four  feet  long. 
This  would  fill  both  when  in  full  bearing, 
and  as  soon  as  we  discovered  rot,  would  cut 
dovra  clear  into  the  groimd  every  alternate 
vine  in  the  rows,  and  train  up  renewal  canes 
as  we  have  herein  directed  to  fill  the  vacant 
places.  The  next  season  after  we  would 
cut  down  the  other  half  and  treat  them  in 
like  manner. 

This  alternate  cutting  off  the  vines  and 
renewing  them  we  would  recommend  every 
second  or  third  year,  and  then  we  would 
always  have  good  fruit  and  no  Grape  rot, 
and  each  year  a  full  crop. 

We  have  now  given  two  methods  of 
growing  Grapes  to  prevent  rot,  either  of 
which  is  more  simple  and  effective  than 
spraying  with  .solutions,  and  collecting  the 
diseased  berries  to  keep  the  spores  under 
subjection.  The  fact  is  they  have  no  power 
to  destroy  Grapes  vipon  perfectly  healthy 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


125 


vines  under  the  conditions  we  have  named. 
Grapes  do  not  rot  on  young  vines  that  are 
even  fairly  treated  until  they  are  overcrowd- 
ed, then  they  commence  to  rot  and  continue 
getiinj:  worse  from  year  to  year  until  en- 
tirely worthless.  This  is  the  history  of  the 
disease  as  far  as  we  have  examined  it. 

All  American  Grapes  with  foreign  blood 
are  subject  to  rot,  such  as  Concord,  Catawba 
and  those  usually  classed  as  Labrusca  with 
large  bunches  as  well  as  all  hybrids  and 
crosses  of  hybrids,  but  the  pure  Labrusca 
as  the  native  Fox  Grape,  and  the  pure  ^sti- 
valis  as  the  Norton,  are  not  subject  to  rot. 
From  the  crosses  of  these  two  species  we 
must  look  for  Grapes  free  from  rot. 

We  have  a  few  now  as  the  Xorton,  Cyn- 
thiana,  Jewel  and  Herman  that  are  free 
from  rot,  and  can  be  grown  by  ordinary 
methods  but  they  are  all  improved  by  high 
and  thorough  cultivation. 

From  a  letter  received  from  a  practical 
Grape  grower  in  New  York  we  fear  some  of 
our  readers  may  not  fully  understand  what 
we  have  said  in  our  fifth  article.  The  cuts 
in  that  article  show  clearly  how  every  alter- 
nate vine  is  trained  up  to  the  upper  wire 
from  the  lower  one;  consequently  the  fruit 
spui-s  are  down  at  the  lower  wire,  but  the 
next  year  following,  the  spurs  should  be 
just  below  the  upper  wire  and  the  lower 
spurs  cut  entirely  away  as  they  are  of  no 
further  use. 

In  some  eases  we  train  on  the  fan  system 
which  is  in  effect  very  nearly  the  same  as 
we  have  given,  except  in  all  cases  the  arms 
or  renewal  canes  are  started  near  the  lower 
wire,  and  spread  out  from  that  point  each 
way  in  the  form  of  a  curve,  tied  to  the  lower 
and  upper  wire  as  most  convenient.  This 
method,  however,  cannot  be  adopted  when 
vines  are  planted  close  together  in  the  rows 
as  this  paper  recommends. 


COMMENTS    BY    READERS. 

A  departinent  to  tchivh  all  are  invited  to  send  notes 
of  experience  and  obsen-ation  concerning  topics  that 
recently  fiave  been  treated  on  m  this  joumai.  Many 
sxich  contributions  monthly  are  welcome. 

Heattng    Greenhouses.     The    method    of 
creating  a  temporary  draught  shown  and  illus- 
trated on  page  74,  while  losing  90  per  cent  of 
the  heat,  is  not  in  harmonr  with  scientific  prin- 
ciples.   The  chimney  will  draw  the  smoke,  when 
fire  is  first  started,  with  a  will  through  the  entire 
flue,  if  the  latter  is  built  of  uniform  size  through- 
out.   The  attempt  to  crowd  the  smoke  through 
the  round  tile  which  is  not  one-half  the  size  of 
the  brick  Uue,  cannot  be  done  with  success.    On 
the  contrary,  e.vperts  tell  us,  that  chimneys  must 
not  l>e  contracted,  but  rather  expanded  as  they 
approach  the  top,  and  greenhouse  flues  offer  no 
exceptions  to  this  rule.    A  number  of  years  ago, 
two  greenhouses,  each  40  feet  long  and  16  feet 
wide,   were   built   by    two   neighbors,   one— an 
amateur— who  used  the  best  material  and  con- 
structed the  flues  80  feet  in  length,  three  bricks 
high  and  covered  with  tile.    It  alwa.vs  worked 
to  his  satisfaction,  and  on  the  coldest  mornings 
the  heat  could  be  seen  radiating  from  the  top  of 
his  chimney.  The  other  house  built  by  a  niu^ery- 
man  was  also  a  lean-to,  with  a  similar  flue,  with 
this  exception,  however,  that  the  flue  was  de- 
pressed to  two  bricks  in  height,  instead  of  three, 
and  this  size  was  continued  for  20  feet  to  the 
chimney.     The  draught  was  always  sluggish. 
One  cold  afternoon  in  January,  frost  commenced 
to  gather  on  the  lower  sash  bar,  and  rum  was 
foreshadowed.     Something   must  be  done  and 
that  right  early.    The   amateur  was  consulted 
and  the  result  of  the  inter\new  was  immediatelv 
put   in   practice.    First  a   brick   was   removed 
where  the  depressed  flue  began  and  a  Ught  of 
glass  was  laid  in   its  place.    This   showed   the 
smoke  as  filling  the   extra  flue,   but   scarcely 
moving  toward  the  chimney;  the  top  bricks  were 
removed  as  the  work  progressed  and   another 
brick  was  added  to  the  height,  until  the  entire 
flue  was  of  one  uniform  size.    Instead  of  the 
last  brick,  the  same  light  of  glass  was  laid  on  in 
order  to  note  the  result.    The  smoke  instead  of 
being  eight  Inches  thick  and  mortng  at  snails 
space,  now  thinned  down  to  a  half  inch  at  the 
bottom  and  passed  rapidly  on  to  chimney.    The 


gathering  ice  soon  disappeared  from  the  lower 
glass  and  the  working  of  that  furnace  was  ever 
afterwards  declared  perfect. —X  IV. Adams,  Afoss. 

That  Vegetable  Gkowers'  Association. 
This  is  certainly  a  society  that  would  be  appreci- 
ated by  the  progressive  gardener.  Xow  when 
attending  horticultural  meetings  he  hears  pomo- 
logical,  floral,  and  forestry  matters  expounded 
by  older  members,  until  it  gets  to  be  tiresome  to 
many  of  the  younger  ones,  and  although  they 
may  be  deeply  interested  in  knowing  some  im- 
portant facts  in  other  garden  products,  no  time 
is  found  to  discuss  an.v  such  points.  The  inquirer 
will  probabl.v  be  told  to  ask  the  Experiment 
Stations.  These  Stations  are  doing  a  noble  work 
and  it  is  appreciated,  but  some  of  the  particular 
points  in  the  progressive  gardener's  line,  they  do 
not  experiment  upon,  or  at  least,  do  not  report, 
therefore  he  must  spend  perhaps  years  in  experi- 
menting for  himself,  where  if  there  were  a 
society  interested  in  these  same  particular  lines, 
to  which  he  could  go  and  hear  such  matters  dis- 
cussed, it  might  save  him  much  labor  and 
expense.  There  are  garden  products  that  could 
be  grown  in  this  state  (r>hio)  which  are  now 
being  shipped  largely  early  in  the  season,  from 
the  south.  At  least  8100.000  was  taken  out  of 
the  state  in  188;)  for  Tomatoes  alone.  It  is  true, 
we  could  not  save  all  this  to  the  state,  but  cer- 
tainly a  portion  of  it  by  the  intelligent  handling 
of  an  "artificial  climate,"  Strawberries  are 
coming  from. the  south  to  our  northern  markets 
in  .January,  and  other  garden  truck  soon  follows. 
Certainly  this  must  be  an  eye-opener  to  the  pro- 
gressive gardener.  If  we  do  not  study,  and 
learn  the  best  process,  to  advance  our  climate, 
by  artificial  heat,  etc  ,  we  are  going  to  get  left 
on  early  truck.  We  are  indeed  "in  need  of 
more  light,  such  light  as  is  shed  by  free  discus- 
sions at  meetings  of  people  skilled  in  this  par- 
ticular branch  of  horticulture, "~iV,,  Ohio. 

Beans  and  Corn.  The  remark  of  Mr.  Powell 
upon  the  tendencj'  which  ;many  of  his  Bean 
seedUngs  showed  to  run  to  pods  altogether  and 
produce  no  seed,  reminds  me  of  a  somewhat 
similar  experience,  years  ago,  with  Indian  Com. 
My  efforts  were  directed  toward  the  production 
of  as  many  ears  to  the  stalk  as  possible,  quite 
overlooking  the  necessity  of  pollen,  or  rather 
supposing  that  Nature  would  keep  up  that  end- 
In  five  years,  by  selection  onl.v,  I  produced  an 
average  of  eight  long  ears  to  the  stalk,  or  cobs 
rather,  for  most  of  the  tassels  at  the  top  pro- 
duced small  shapeless  kernels  instead  of  pollen, 
and  the  kernels  on  the  ears  were  almost  entirely 
lacking  for  want  of  fertilization. 

Amaktllis  Belladonna.  I  should  hardly 
give  the  advice  as  to  this  plant  whieh  I  find  on 
page  94  of  January  issue  I  think  that  there  are 
ver.v  many  failures  with  it  from  the  supposed 
necessity  of  annual  repotting.  After  the  foliage 
has  died  down  the  pot  should  be  laid  on  its  side 
in  a  perfectly  dry  place,  as  hot  as  sunlight  can 
make  it.  Do  not  allow  a  drop  of  water  to  reach 
the  sod  in  which  the  bulb  is  until  September  1st, 
unless  the  flower  bud  should  begin  to  push  be- 
fore that  date.  At  that  time  give  a  little  water 
and,  two  days  after,  a  good  soaking.  The  flower 
spike  will  push  vigorously  and  the  lovely  flowers 
will  remain  a  long  time  in  perfection.  Do  not  be 
alarmed  about  the  tardiness  of  the  leaves,  the,v 
will  appear  in  due  time  and  grow  all  winter, 
drying  off  in  May.  By  no  means  disturb  the 
bulb.  It  will  increase  by  offsets  and  become 
finer  every  year.  When  the  pot  is  crowded,  plant 
ball  of  earth  and  all  in  a  large  pot.  If  the  flowers 
after  a  while  are  not  quite  as  good  as  they  were, 
remove  the  soU  above  the  bulbs  and  supply  its 
place  with  fresh.  A  top  dressing  of  fine  manure 
is  also  helpful  in  such  a  case.— TT.  E.  EnOicott. 

Oriental  Pears  as  Dwarfs.  All  the  Pears 
will  grow  on  the  Quince  a  few  years,  but  the 
structure  of  the  wood  is  so  dissimilar  that  the 
elaborated  iSap  does  not  readily  return  to  the 
roots  to  properly  nourish  them,  and  consequentl.v 
they  are  starved  and  the  trees  so  worked  make  a 
smaller  growth  each  succeeding  year  until  they 
finally  die.  But  where  double  worked  they  make 
as  good  trees  on  the  Quince  as  any  Pear  that  I 
know  of.  That  the  Bartlett  and  other  sorts 
should  act  in  the  same  way  when  worked  on  Le 
Conte  or  other  Oriental  Pears  as  a  stock  is  more 
than  I  can  undei-stand.  But  if  so,  I  would  very 
much  like  to  know  it  for  I  planted  out  a  large 
lot  of  Le  Contes  last  spring  intending  to  let  them 
grow  one  or  two  years  and  then  graft  Bartlett 
and  other  varieties  on  them.  I  believe  the 
Oriental  Pears  do  well  grafted  on  other  varieties. 
I  have  Garber  and  Kieffer  growing  on  Mount 


Vernon  and  I  do  not  see  why  they  should  not 
do  well  when  the  operation  is  reversed.  I  see 
Mr.  Jeffery  speaks  of  having  Le  Conte  Pear  trees 
grown  from  cuttings.  I  know  they  are  grown 
from  cuttings  in  the  south  where  they  can  grow 
many  things  in  that  wa.v  that  we  cannot  here. 
I  last  year  tried  some  Le  Conte  cuttings  and  all 
faile.1  to  grow.  If  they  can  be  grown  from 
cuttings  here  would  like  to  know  it.  I  did  suc- 
ceed in  getting  some  Marianna  Plums  to  grow 
from  cuttings. 

Grafting  English  Walnuts.  I  think  Mr. 
Bowers  will  find  that  his  English  Walnuts  that 
he  grafted  on  the  Black  Walnut  will  only  grow  a 
few  years  making  a  smaller  growth  each  suc- 
ceeding year  owing  to  the  too  great  difference 
between  the  cion  and  stock.  I  have  seen  the 
same  experiment  tried  before  and  it  always  re- 
sulted in  complete  failure. 

Shiawassee  BE-itrrv  Apple.  I  saw  this  on 
the  Missouri  Agricultural  College  farm,  and 
from  the  specimens  seen  conclude  that  it  is  all 
Mr  Lyon  claims  for  it  and  should  be  more  ex- 
tensively grown. 

Ancient  Briton  Blackberrt.  All  the 
evidence  I  can  get  indicates  that  this  is  a  most 
excellent  Blackberry  for  the  extreme  northern 
states,  but  with  us,  although  a  very  fine  berry,  it 
is  not  reliable  in  tlie  matter  of  productiveness; 
sometimes  yielding  good  crops  but  oftener  not. 
It  has  been  tried  here  and  found  unprofitable.— 
E.  A.  Riehl  lllinnU^. 

Grape  Hot.  Dr  Stay  man  is  quite  positive  he 
has  found  the  remedy  for  Grape  rot,  and  alleges 
that  "  the  same  result  has  followed  here  and  else- 
where, wherever  vines  were  cut  back  to  the 
ground.  I  regret  to  have  to  say  that  this  else- 
where does  not  reach  Atlantic  county,  X  J, 
where  the  same  thing  has  been  done  without 
these  desirable  results.  When  Moore's  Early 
first  came  out,  a  neighbor,  Mr.  J.  O.  Kansom,  a 
nurseryman,  cut  off  at  and  below  the  ground,  a 
number  of  varieties  of  Grapes  and  grafted  with 
Moore's  Early.  Many  grafts  failed,  but  strong 
suckers  came  up  precisely  as  with  Dr.  Stayman. 
These  grew  so  well  that  he  trained  to  stakes  (our 
usual  method  here),  but  when  they  fruited  they 
rotted  just  as  badly  as  the  older  vines  not  cut  off. 
In  the  spring  of  ISSB  I  set  out  about  1,000  Moore's 
Early.  As  vines  were  then  high,  and  wishing  to 
propagate  as  fast  as  possible,  I  layered  the  first 
summer's  growth,  and  also  the  second,  except 
one  cane  to  the  hill.  This  fruited  the  third  sum- 
mer but  the  fruit  nearly  all  rotted.  I  got  but 
fourteen  baskets,  and  they  were  of  very  broken 
clusters.  Last  summer,  the  fourth,  I  did  not 
get  a  basket  fit  for  market.  The  Grapes  were 
set  as  the  first  crop,  on  land  just  cleared  from 
the  forest,  and  no  Grapes  raised  within  half  a- 
mile  to  spread  infectious  matter.  As  bagging 
makes  them  late,  and  also  gives  poor  results,  and 
spraying  is  only  an  imperfect  remedy,  and  both 
too  expensive  to  be  warranted  by  the  low  mar- 
ket prices, I  am  digging  up  my  later  settings  of 
layers,  for  why  cumber  the  ground  any  longer 
for  a  crop  that  does  not  even  pay  for  the  strings 
to  tie  the  vines  up.  The  last  two  seasons  have 
been  very  rainy.  New  crops  have  paid  well,  but 
Grapes  worst  of  all  —P.  H.  Brown. 

Buckwheat  in  Orchard.  Buckwheat  does 
even  more  than  your  article  claims.  In  this 
southern  cUmate  it  is  one  of  the  best  things  that 
I  ever  struck.  Last  year  I  got  a  pound  of  the 
Japanese  variety  and  planted  it  the  last  week  in 
April.  We  were  then  just  entering  on  what 
proved  to  be  an  exceptionall.v  long  dry  spell,  but 
the  Buckwheat  made  a  crop  in  six  weeks  without 
a  drop  of  rain  My  bees  found  it  a  veritable 
Godsend.  I  made  four  good  crops  from  this 
small  beginning,  and  could  have  made  a  fifth  if 
I  had  taken  care  of  my  last  planting,  but  being 
so  near  winter  1  let  it  go.  On  going  over  the 
field  I  find  some  of  it  in  bloom  again,  it  having 
grown  from  the  di-opped  seed.  I  beUeve  with 
judicious  management  we  can  make  seven 
crops  a  year  from  it  in  this  mild  climate,  and  it 
is  a  good  paying  crop  in  every  way  you  take  it. 
By  turning  under  every  second  crop,  you  enrich 
the  soil  in  an  effective  and  inexpensive  way,  and 
you  clear  the  land  of  cutworms  and  grubs, — C. 
K.  Maequarrie,  Florida. 

Birds  and  Frctt.  I  think  the  pans  of  water 
in  berry  patches  to  keep  birds  from  eating  fruit 
as  spoken  of  in  Popular  Gardening,  useless, 
for  there  were  httle  ditches  of  water  all  through 
our  garden,  and  a  large  trough  near,  last  sum- 
mer, and  the  birds  could  oidy  be  kept  from  the 
berries  with  netting.  They  love  the  fruit. — Jlrs. 
I.  L.  B.,  Ariz. 


126 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


March, 


Growing    Strawberries   for    MarVcet. 
First  Paper. 

L.  J.  FARMER,  ORANGE  CO.,  N.  J. 

Location.  In  grosving  Strawberries  for 
market  much  after-labor  may  be  avoided 
by  selecting  a  suitable  location  and  soil.  In 
open  places  unsheltered  from  the  driving 
winds,  plants  are  often  injured  in  the  winter 
even  through  a  thick  mulch.  In  blossoming 
time  heavy  wiuds  will  blow  away  the  pollen 
and  thus  the  blossoms  are  improperly  fer- 
tilized. A  piece  of  woods,  a  row  of  trees, 
the  farm  buildings,  or  if  nothing  better,  a 
high,  loose  fence,  will  catch  the  snow  and 
furnish  the  protection  needed. 

Frosts  occur  more  frequently  and  cause 
more  damage  on  low  ground  and  hemmed  in 
on  all  sides  by  woods.  An  elevated  position, 
sulliciently  open  to  allow  a  free  circulation 
of  air,  which  lends  to  drive  away  frosts  and 
to  assist  in  the  distribution  of  pollen,  Is 
most  desirable.  Slope  has  much  to  do  in 
hastening  or  retarding  the  time  of  ripening 
of  the  fruit.  A  level  surface  is  easier  of  cul- 
tivation, and  the  berries  ripen  more  evenly. 
Other  things  being  equal,  a  southern  slope 
produces  earlier  fruit,  whUe  a  northern  ex- 
posure produces  fruit  later. 

Soils.  Sandy  soils  require  less  skill  in 
handling,  and  are  more  easily  worked  than 
clay.  The  ideal  soil  for  Strawberry  growing 
is  a  combination  of  all  soils;  sandy  loam 
most  nearly  approaches  that.  It  always 
produces  a  fair  crop  of  berries  that  ripen 
medium  early,  bringing  fair  prices.  Light, 
sandy  soils  produce  a  small  crop  of  extra 
early  berries,  which  on  account  of  earliness 
bring  high  prices.  Unless  the  season  be 
wet  the  later  part  of  the  crop  may  not  pay 
for  the  harvesting. 

Sometimes  the  roots  extend  down  several 
feet  in  search  of  fertility  and  moisture,  and 
thus  the  plants  are  better  able  to  stand  the 
drouth.  At  the  foot  ot  hills  and  along  small 
streams  may  sometimes  be  found  moist, 
sandy  soils  that  always  produce  a  large  crop 
of  medium  late  fruit  of  the  largest  size. 
Such  soil  cannot  be  surpassed  tor  Strawberry 
growmg.  As  sand  does  not  heave,  plants 
may  be  set  at  any  time,  even  late  in  the  tall 
or  at  open  spells  in  the  winter,  and  thus  a 
better  growth  secured  the  next. 

Strawberries  grown  on  sand  are  better 
colored,  firmer  and  in  proportion  to  their 
size,  bring  better  prices  in.market  than  those 
grown  on  clay  or  heavy  soils.  Clay  soils 
retain  moisture,  and  when  well  under- 
drained  endure  the  drouth  better  than  sand. 
It  requires  considerable  experience  and 
skill  to  know  the  exact  time  to  work  clay. 
It  should  never  be  stirred  when  too  wet, 
else  it  will  bake  into  a  solid  mass,  nor  when 
too  dry,  as  it  will  then  turn  up  in  great  lumps. 

Some  clay  soils  are  too  heavy  for  growing 
Strawberries,  in  fact,  fit  only  for  making 
brick.  The  value  of  clay  is  in  proportion  to 
the  amount  of  other  soils  mixed  with  it. 
Clay  loam  forms  a  very  productive  soil,  in 
fact  when  rightly  treated,  the  largest  and 
most  paying  crops  are  grown  thereon.  A 
very  light  freeze  will  disturb  plants  on  clay, 
and  they  should  be  mulched  early  and  deep, 
keeping  them  covered  till  growth  starts  in 
the  spring  following. 

Muck.  When  thoroughly  decomposed 
and  incorporated  with  other  soils,  muck 
forms  an  admirable  mixture  for  Strawberry 
growing.  The  largest  crops  of  some  varieties 
we  ever  grew,  notably  so  the  old  Chas. 
Downing,  were  produced  on  muck  mixed 
with  clay.  But  as  muck  is  only  found 
in  low  places,  one  runs  a  great  risk  in  plant- 
ing it  to  Strawberries,  for  in  addition  to  the 
otherreasons  given  lor  avoiding  low  ground. 
If  the  season  is  wet  it  may  be  impossible  to 
get  on  the  patch  to  hoe  or  to  gather  the  fruit. 
Better  to  cart  the  muck  to  higher  ground 
and  incorporate  with  other  soils.  Stony 
soils    have    the   advantage   of   being    well 


elevated,  thereby  facilitating  drainage.  Be- 
ing naturally  strong,  with  a  judicious  use 
of  fertilizers  and  muscle,  a  large  crop  may 
almost  always  be  secured.  Instead  of  roll- 
ing over  the  stones  from  year  to  year,  as 
some  people  do,  the  largest  ones  should  be 
removed  each  year  as  the  plow  brings  them 
to  the  surface.  We  have  spent  hundreds  of 
dollars  in  picking  stones  and  underdraining 
a  few  acres  of  such  land,  but  are  annually 
repaid  with  large  crops.  I  believe  the  small 
stones  improve  its  value,  for  when  removed 
the  soil  becomes  cold  and  clammy,  conse- 
quently less  productive. 

PREPAR.\TIoy    OF    SolL    A-vD     MANLTRING. 

With  us  the  preparation  and  fertilization  of 
the  soil  for  Strawberries  begins  two  years 
previous  to  setting  out  the  plants.  Taking 
old  meadow  land,  a  heavy  coat  of  manure 
is  applied  in  the  spring,  plowed  under  and 
the  ground  planted  to  Corn  the  first  year 
and  Potatoes  the  next.  Good  cultivation  is 
given  and  the  weeds  all  destroyed,  that  the 
ground  may  be  clean  for  the  Strawberries 
that  follow.  The  frequent  cultivation  given 
to  these  crops  prevents  the  May  beetle  from 
laying  its  eggs  in  the  soil,  and  also  turns  up 
whatever  white  grub  may  be  in  it,  when  the 
birds  and  poultry  soon  dispatch  them. 

After  the  Potatoes  are  dug  the  land  is 
plowed  in  the  fall  and  cross-plowed  in  the 
spring,  when  all  large  stones  are  dug  out 
and  removed.  A  coat  of  ashes  is  now  ap- 
plied and  the  ground  thoroughly  harrowed 
both  ways,  so  as  to  refine  the  soil  and  make 
the  surface  level .  The  last  harrowing  should 
be  crossways  the  direction  that  the  rows  are 
to  run,  so  that  the  mark  will  show. 

We  find  there  is  nothing  better  to  secure 
a  good  healthy  growth  of  plants  than  well- 
rotted  barn  manure.  Ashes  increase  the 
quantity  of  the  fruit,  make  it  better  colored 
and  firmer.  Superphosphates  are  also  val- 
uable. We  apply  phosphates  by  sifting  on 
the  rows  of  plants  when  the  leaves  are  dry, 
preferring  a  small  application  repeated  sev- 
eral times,  to  applying  all  at  one  time.  If 
put  on  when  there  is  dew  or  rain  on  the 
leaves  it  will  burn  and  injure  them.  What 
lodges  on  the  plants  is  removed  by  brushing 
ott  with  a  broom.  As  soon  as  possible  after 
applying  the  phosphate  it  is  hoed  in. 

Fresh  horse  manure  may  be  applied  the 
year  of  setting  out  the  plants  to  heavy  clay 
soils  and  plowed  under,  when  it  tends  to 
warm  and  liven  up  the  ground. 

If  manure  is  applied  just  before  setting 
out  the  plants,  one  should  be  sure  it  is  free 
from  grubs  and  weed  seeds,  or  else  trouble 
will  follow.  We  once  had  a  trial  plat  of  new 
varieties  almost  ruined  by  grubs  from  the 
rotted  manure,  applied  before  setting  the 
plants.  Horse  manure  is  more  free  from 
grubs  than  any  other. 

The  Snowy   Tree    Cricket— A    Friend 
More  than  a  Foe. 

The  tree  cricket  has  always  been  classed 
among  the  "insects  injurious  to  fruits,"  and 
we  have  often  been  called  upon  to  publish 
means  how  to  prevent  its  ravages.  Now  it 
seems  that  instead  of  responding  to  such 
requests,  we  should  have  pleaded  for  the 
cricket's  protection.  In  a  recent  number 
of  "Insect  Life,"  Mary  E.  Murtfeldt  states 
that  the  food  habits  of  the  tree  cricket  are 
strictly  carnivorous.  They  are  accused  of 
cutting  into  and  sipping  the  juices  of  various 
fruits,  of  severing  the  berries  from  Grape 
clusters,  and  even  of  cutting  the  latter  from 
the  vines,  says  Miss  Murtfeldt.  In  the  pro- 
cess of  oviposition  also  they  are  charged 
with  the  destruction  of  Grape  and  Rasp- 
berry canes  and  the  twigs  of  various  fruy, 
trees  by  their  punctures  and  by  crowding 
the  pith  with  their  eggs.  The  latter  charge 
is  irrefutable;  but  when  we  consider  the 
amount  ot  wood  that  it  is  necessary  to  re- 
move from  vines  and  trees  annually,  the 


few  trees  punctured  by  these  insects  should 
not  be  allowed  to  count  against  them.  As 
to  their  injuries  to  growing  fruit,  all  my  ob- 
servations upon  them  in  the  rearing  cage 
prove  that  at  no  stage  of  their  existence  can 
they  subsist  upon  vegetable  food,  either 
fruit  or  foliage.  When  deprived  of  other 
insects  for  their  sustenance,  they  perished. 

Early  in  .June  of  last  year  I  had  a  colony 
of  (E.  niveus  hatch  from  Apple  twigs,  about 
a  dozen  in  all,  and  I  kept  them  under  con- 
stant observation  on  my  writing-desk.  Dur- 
ing the  day  they  remained  almost  motion- 
less in  one  position,  if  possible  concealed 
from  light  and  sight  on  the  under  side  or  in 
the  folds  of  a  leaf.  They  were,  from  the 
first,  supplied  with  various  berries  and  ten- 
der leaves,  but  evidently  never  touched 
them  for  food.  On  the  morning  of  the 
fourth  day  two  or  three  were  dead,  and 
showed  signs  of  having  been  nibbled  by 
their  hungry  brothers.  Some  leaves  of 
Plum  infested  with  a  delicate  species  of  yel- 
low aphis  were  then  put  into  the  jar,  but 
attracted  no  immediate  attention.  As  twi- 
light deepened,  however,  the  crickets  awak- 
ened to  greater  activity.  By  holding  the 
jar  against  thelightof  the  window  or  bring- 
ing it  suddenly  into  the  lamp  light,  the  lit- 
tle nocturnal  hunters  might  be  seen  hurry- 
ing, with  a  furtive,  darting  movement  over 
the  leaves  and  stems,  the  head  bent  down, 
the  antennae  stretched  forward,  and  every 
sense  apparently  on  the  alert.  Then  the 
aphides  provided  for  their  food  would  be 
caught  up  one  after  another  with  eagerness, 
and  devoured  with  violent  action  of  the 
mouthparts,  the  antennaj  meanwhile  play- 
ing up  and  down  in  evident  expression  of 
satisfaction.  Unless  I  had  provided  very 
liberally,  not  an  aphis  would  be  found  in  the 
jar  the  next  morning,  and  the  sluggish 
crickets  would  have  every  appearance  of 
plethora.  Later  on  in  their  lives,  by  reduc- 
ing them  to  the  point  of  starvation,  I  re- 
peatedly made  them  feed  in  the  daytime,  so 
that  I  might  the  more  distinctly  observe 
the  process,  which  is  certainly  interesting. 

The  growth  of  the  insects  is  very  slow. 
Wings  were  not  acquired  until  late  in  Au- 
gust, and  at  this  time  I  again  attempted  to 
change  their  diet  to  fruit.  Grapes,  Plums, 
etc.,  an  experiment  that  resulted  in  the 
death  of  all  but  three  of  my  specimens. 
Those  which  remained,  fed  for  about  two 
weeks  longer  upon  Oak  Tinriis,  Aphis  jjop- 
!((/,  and  on  a  brownish  aphis  which  infested 
the  new  shoots  of  Grape,  but  neither  of  the 
two  males  essayed  any  musical  perform- 
ances, nor  would  the  single  female  that 
reached  its  perfect  state  puncture  any  of 
the  twigs  that  were  furnished  her,  and  all 
three  died  long  before  those  out  of  doors 
had  ceased  to  sing. 

During  the  present  summer  my  attention 
was  again  attracted  to  these  insects  by  find- 
ing them  so  constantly  and  numerously  on 
Oaks  infested  with  P/iy;((i.i't'roiJi!(;/(.  Every 
leaf  dotted  by  the  aphis  would  have  its  tree 
cricket  in  addition  to  various  smaller  foes. 
The  species  most  commonly  seen  was  CE 
Intipinnis,  distinguished  to  casual  observa- 
tion by  its  somewhat  larger  size  and  by  the 
brilliant  orange  red  or  red  and  yellow  dorsal 
stripe  of  the  pupae.  The  size  and  the  broader 
wings  sufficiently  characterize  the  mature 
insect.  A  close  examination  reveals  many 
less  obvious  distinctions  between  the  two. 

I  found  that  one  specimen  of  UScnnthus 
would  clear  the  PhyUox-era  from  a  large 
Oak  leaf  in  the  course  of  a  single  night  when 
confined  to  one  leaf.  On  one  occasion  one 
of  the  crickets  ate  two  saw-flies  which  had 
emerged  in  the  jar.  I  have  also  had  them 
feed  upon  various  kinds  of  small  leaf  hop- 
pers and  tingids,  and  am  convinced  that 
they  are  thoroughly  and  constantly  carniv- 
erous  and  therefore  a  valuable  ally  in  re- 
ducing the  number  of  our  smaller  insects. 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


127 


HOW  TO  PLANT  A  PLACE. 

A  BRIEF   ILLUSTRATED  GUIDE  SUITED   TO   POPULAR   USE. 

By     One     of    Our     Staff. 


Some  Reasons  for 

Pl.wting. 
1.   It  pays  for  the  in- 
crt<t»cd  valttcimpartcd 
■  to  hinil. 

Trees  possess  great 
value.  Certain  fine 
shade  and  fruit  trees 
are  called  to  mind 
which  cost  their  owners 
not  three  dollars  apiece 
all  told,  but  which  to- 
day would  not  be 
.spared  for  .*.300  apiece. 
'  Railroads  taking  plant- 
ed lands  often  pay  from  -$30  to  ?300  each  for 
trees  occupying  the  same.  The  writer  knows 
of  setiO  apiece  having  been  awarded  to  the 
owner  for  large  Elm  trees  that  stood  on 
some  land  that  was  needed  for  a  certain 
town  park. 

The  planting  of  these  trees  paid  enorm- 
ously. For  besides  the  money  realized  in 
the  sales  alluded  to,  the  trees  had  previously 
given  priceless  delight  in  shade,  shelter  and 
beauty  over  many  years.  The  cost  was  as 
nothing.  Such  returns  often  follow  on  judic- 
ious planting. 

2.  It  pays  for  the  better  living  and  increased 
comforts  that  may  spring  from  planted 
grounds. 

The  free  use  not  only  of  fruits  but  also  of 
choice  vegetables  should  be  en  joy  ed  by  every 
family  in  the  land  daily  the  year  round. 
The  children  especially  should  be  treated  to 
all  the  luscious  fruits,  fresh  and  preserved, 
that  they  may  desire  to  eat— none  should  be 
deprived  of  the  light  and  excellent  food  to  be 
found  in  the  choice  culinary  vegetables  so 
easily  grown. 

Many  troublesome  diseases  are  unknown 
to  the  free  users  ot  a  largely  vegetable  diet. 
The  value  of  fruit  is  clearly  shown  by  this: 
that  settlers  in  a  new  country  improve  in 
health  as  their  orchards  begin  to  yield  freely. 

Statisticians  prove  beyond  any  doubt  that 
people  on  an  average  live  longer  now  than 
for  many  centuries  past.  Lay  that  fact  to 
from  wintry  storms.    In  the  summer  life  for 


all  is  made  more  pleasant  for  the  comfort 
that  is  found  in  the  shade  of  trees. 

3.  It  pays  in  the  profits  that  may  he  derived 

from  the  sale  of  surplus  products. 

Our  population  living  in  towns  and  villages 

become  ready  buyers  from  those  who  have 

a  surplus.     On  this  account  the  judicious 


The  one  attracts  with  an  irresistible  charm, 
the  other  is  forbidding  in  a  measure. 

A  costly  house  never  can  make  up  for  a 
lack  of  trees.  One  that  i- inexpensive  but 
neat,  with  handsome  garden  surroundings, 
shows  to  far  better  advantage  than  a  home 
costing  double  the  money,  but  without  the 
advantages  of  trees,  lawn  and  flowers  about. 
The  wise  home-maker  accomplishes  more  by 
investing  three-fourths  of  his  money  for  im- 
provements in  buildings  and  one-fourth  in 
good  planting  than  by  putting  nearly  all 
into  the  house,  leaving  but  a  few  dollars 
for  the  grounds. 

When  one  tries  to  sell  he  may  find  this  out. 
We  must  not  forget  that  our  attachments  to 
trees  and  plants  becomes  almost  as  strong 


t^i 


Fig.  1.    A  new  place  unimproved  as  regards  tree  planting. 


culture  of  both  fruits  and  vegetables  is 
among  the  most  profitable  branches  of  land 
tillage.  Tens  of  thousands  of  gardeners  and 
fruit  growers  all  over  our  land  derive  larger 
incomes  from  their  small  plats  of  less  than 
ten  acres  each  devoted  to  these  crops,  than 
does  the  average  farmer  from  his  many 
acres  given  to  farm  crops. 

A  neighbor  of  the  writer's,  from  a  Bartlett 
Pear  orchard  of  less  than  two  acres  clears 
upwards  of -?1,000  year  after  year  on  his  crop 
The  annual  sales  from  an  acre  of  Strawl 
berries  in  the  vicinity  of  thriving  towns  or 
villages  is  seldom  less  than  *300,  and  often 
reaches  -$400  to  -?S00  in  case  the  labor  is  done 
by  the  owner's  family. 

Many  a  farmer  with  one-fourth  of  his  land 
devoted  to  a  well-managed  Apple  orchard 
obtains  larger  profits  from  that  part  than 
from  the  entire  three-fourths  of  his  farm 
besides.  The  demand  for  choice  fruits  at 
paying  prices  is  constantly  growing:  it  will 
be  a  long  while  before  aU  of  our  rapidly 


Fig 


The  same  as  Fig.  1,  but  embellished  with  trees,  shrubs,  vines,  orchards,  etc. 


the  increasing  use  of  fruits  and  vegetables 
in  all  civilized  lands. 

The  presence  of  trees  about  a  place  con- 
tribute greatly  to  the  comfort  of  man  and 
beast.  A  dense  belt  of  trees,  especially  Ever- 
greens, to  the  windward  of  a  home  will  save 
the  consumption  of  many  an  additional  ton 
of  coal  in  keeping  the  residence  to  an  agree- 
able temperature.  A  similar  gain  comes  in 
the  saving  of  feed  and  theincreased  thriftof 
live  stock  in  stables,  that  are  well  sheltered 


increasing  population  will  be  the  free  con- 
sumers of  fruit  that  they  should  be. 

4.  It  pays  for  the  increased  beauty  and 
interest  which  trees,  shrubs  and  plants 
are  capable  of  giving. 

We  have  only  to  compare  the  desirability 
of  any  home  [planted  with  a  profusion  of 
ornamental  and  fruit  trees,  shrubs,  vines 
and  plants,  with  the  same  or  similar  grounds 
(as  for  instance  a  new  home)  devoid  of  these. 


as  to  persons.  Were  parents  to  providetrees, 
shrubs  and  flowers  freely  about  the  home, 
and  encourage  their  children  to  love,  to 
study  and  to  care  for  them,  they  would  be 
bestowing  the  source  of  the  highest,  purest 
and  most  constant  enjoyment,  and  of  health 
and  ruggedness  besides. 

Latixg  Out  the  Pi.anting. 

5.  Work  by  plan  from  the  beginning. 
This  should,  as  regards  all  the  main  feat- 
ures, be  decided  upon  ahead  of  the  selection 
of  the  planting  stock  or  of  operations  on  the 
land.  Then  the  details  can  be  carried  out 
step  by  step,  whether  done  in  one  year  or 
over  several  years. 

6.  Crowd  nothing.  Crowding  leads  to  crip- 
ples. 

Have  the  full-grown  tree,  shrub  or  plant 
in  your  mind's  eye,  as  you  plan  for  the  young 
slender  stocks  from  the  nursery  or  from  the 
plant  bed.  Many  orchards  when  they  should 
be  at  their  best  are  failures,  because  the 
trees  are  crowded. 

Street  and  lawn  trees  often  stand  so  close 
that  if  one-half  or  two-thirds  of  their  num- 
ber were  removed  the  distance  would  be 
right  for  those  remaining.  Crowded  trees 
never  can  develop  into  magnificent  speci- 
mens, one  of  which  would  be  worth  a  dozen 
that  are  injured  by  crowding.  Compare 
Figures  3  and  4. 

The  fault  of  crowding  is  a  common  one, 
and  attended  with  much  injury  in  the  cul- 
ture of  shrubs,  vines  and  plants,  even  those 
of  the  vegetable  garden  (see  Fig.  5).  It 
should  by  all  means  be  avoided. 

Crowding  trees  against  buildings  and 
walks  (see  Fig.  6)  is  a  common  fault,  which 
arises  from  not  having  future  size  in  mind 
when  the  young  trees  are  set.  In  the  case 
of  buildings,  it  renders  them  damp,  dark 
and  tmhealthy,  leading  also  to  decay  of 
the  woodwork. 

To  early  relieve  the  barren  appearance  of 
any  place,  plant  the  better  kind  of  trees,  etc., 
at  a  suitable  distance  for  them  permanently, 
and  then  fill  in  more  ordinary  and  rapid 
growing  kinds  between,  to  be  removed  as 
the  others  require  the  space.  Young  Elm 
trees,  for  instance,  set  along  the  street  at  3.5 
feet  apart  mayappear  scant.  But  by  putting 
some  quick-growing  Poplars,  Silver  Maples 


Copyrighted,  1890,  by  the  Poptilar  Gardening  Publishina  Co. 


128 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


March, 


or  Alders  between,  to  be  cut  out  after  a  few 
years,  will  give  a  better  early  effect.  Still, 
if  the  writer  thought  that  in  any  case  the 
cutting  out  would  be  neglected  later,  he 
would  never  recommend  such  a  course.  A 
rich  soil  and  high  culture  are  wonderful  fac- 


J<li£t.  3.  A  tree  grown  without  crowding.  See  No.  6. 

tors  in  so  pushing  ahead  tree  growth,  that  a 
newly  planted  place  will  soon  look  well  em- 
bellished. 

Following  is  a  schedule  of  distances  for 
planting,  the  larger  figures  having  regard  to 
planting  under  high  culture  and  fertility, 
the  others  to  conditions  less  favorable. 
7.    Distitnccs  apart  for  fruit  trees. 

Apple.— Standard  30  to  40  feet;  Standard,  close 
pruned  or  in  rather  dry  soil,  25  feet;  Pyramids  on 
Apple  stock,  15  feet;  Dwarf  Standards  on  Doucain 
stock,  10  feet;  Dwarfs  on  Paradise  stock,  6  to  8 
feet. 
Apricots— 16  to  18  feet, 

Blackberries— 3  feet  apart  in  rows  8  feet  apart. 
Cherries— Standard,  18  to  20  feet;  Pyramids  on 
common  stock,  15  by  15  feet.  Pyramids  on  Maha- 
leb  stock  Dwarls,  and  Morellos,  10  to  15  feet. 
Currants — i  to  5  feet. 
Gooseberries— 4  to  5  feet. 

Grapes— Moderate  growers,  6  to  8  feet,  strong, 
10  to  15  feet. 

Nectai-ines- 16  to  18 
feet. 

Peaches  — 12  to  15 
feet;  on  Plum  stock, 

9  feet. 
Pears— Standards,  15 

to  25  feet;  Pyramids, 
15  feet;  Dwarfs  on 
Quince,  10  to  12  feet. 

Plums  —  Standards, 
15  feet;  Pyramids,  8  to 

10  feet. 
Quinces— 6  to  8  feet. 
Raspberries— 3  to  4 

feet  by  4  to  6  feet. 

Strawberries  —  flill 
culture,  15  to  18  in- 
ches; In  matted  rows, 
1  foot  apart  in  rows, 
3  feet. 

8 — Distance    apart 
for  ornamental 
trees  and  shrubs. 
Elms,  35  to  40  feet. 
Oak       and      Horse 
Chestnut,  30  to  35  feet. 
Pig.  i.    What  crowding       Maples,    Pine     and 
does   to    disfigure    trees,    forest  trees  generally. 
The  sketch  w  a  fair  sped-    25  to  30  feet. 
men  of  hundreds  of  street       Willows,  Magnolias, 
trees  in  Buffahi  and  other    Alders  Birch,  Spruce, 
towns.    See  No.  6.  Hemlock,  etc.,  15  to  25 

feet. 
Mountain  Ash,  Shad  Berry,  Flowering  Cherries, 
15  to  18  feet. 

Judas  Tree,  Dogwood  Tree,  Thorns,  Junipers, 
10  to  15  I'oet. 

Lilacs,  Sumachs,  Aralias,  Burning  Bush, Althfpa 
Syringia,  Snowball.  0  to  10  feet. 
'Weigelas,  Bush  Honeysuckles,  Colutea,  Privet, 


Fig,  5.  Beets  thinned  and  unthinned. 

Calycanthus,  Rhododendrons,  Flowering  Cur- 
rants, Japan  Quince,  4  to  7  feet. 

Forsythia,  Barberry,  Hydrangea,  Spirffia,  Hardy 
Roses,  Deutzias,  Snowberry,  Daphnes,  3  to  5  feet 

Climbing  shrubs  or  vines,  2  to  5  feet. 

9.    Distance),  apart  for  seed-fjrown  plants. 

Beets,  Onions,  Spinach,  Lettuce,  Salsify,  En- 
dive, Garlic,  Parsley,  Pot  Herbs,  and  in  flowers, 


Pansies,  Portulacas,  Sweet  Alyssum,  Candytuft, 
etc.,  about  1  foot  by  from  2  to  6  inches  apart 

Turnips,  Carrots,  Parsnips,  Celeriac,  Chers'il, 
and  in  flowers.  Phlox,  Petunia,  Mignonette,  etc., 
about  l^j  feet  by  3  to  6  inches  apart. 

Peas,  Beans,  2  feet  by  2  to  4  inches  apart. 

Cabbage,  Cauliflower,  Celery  (6  in . ),  Sweet  Coi-n, 
Egg  Plant,  Pepper,  Potatoes,  Broccoli,  about  3 
feet  by  1  to  3  leet  apart. 

Cucumbers,  Tomatoes,  Sweet  Potatoes,  Run- 
ning Beans,  Rhubarb,  Summer  Squash,  about  4 
feet  a^<art  both  ways 

Hills  of  Melons,  Cucumbers,  Squashes,  etc., 
about  6  feet  apart  both  ways. 

10.  Distances  apart  for  vartons  flowering 
a)id  ornamental  }3lant^. 

Pi^onies,  Dahlias,  Hardy  Sunflowers  and  other 
strong-growing  plants,  from  3  to  4  feet  apart. 

Asters,  Balsams,  Petunias,  Lilies,  etc.,  1  to  3 
feet  apart. 

The  generality  of  annuals,  6  inches  to  2  feet. 

XI.  Arrange  the  fruit  and  vegetable  depart- 
ment in  straight  lines,  the  ornamental  in 
curncs  or  irregxdar  outlines,  as  a  rule. 

Orchards  and  gardens  should  be  kept  cul- 
tivated, hence  straight  lines  are  both  more 
convenient  and  more  pleasing  here. 

For  trees  the  form  of  four  (the  square)  or 
the  form  of  five  (the  quincunx)  are  the  most 
suitable,  the  first  being  shown  in   Fig.  7, 


same  trees,  etc.,  arranged  more  naturally, 
with  curves  and  irregularity  prevailing. 
The  improvement  ia  obvious.     It  cost  no 


,.^-\i'*ii 


■<(»* 


''^"-  'W^  '^ 


Fig.  6.  Tlic  ymall  Evergreens  seemed  far  enough 
from  the  walk  when  they  ivere  planted  but  six 
years  of  grrtwth  showed  the  mistake.  See  No.  6. 

more  to  plant  by  the  better  than  by  the 
poorer  plan. 

13.    Keep  the  center  of  the  grass  pints  open. 

The  trees,  shrubs  and  flowers  should  be 
arranged  towards  the  margins  of  the  differ- 
ent grass  areas  (as  shown  by  Fig.  13),  and 
seldom  in  the  interior  (as  showTi  by  Fig.  14). 
Openness  of  center  causes  the  lawn  to  wear 


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Fig.7,    Planting  to  the  form       Fig.  6.    Plantino  to  the  form    Fig.  9.    Planting  large  and  small 
of  four  or  Square.  See  No.  11.       of  five  or  Quincunx.  See  No.  11.  kinds  together.  See  No.  11. 


the  latter  by  Fig.  8.  Sometimes  it  is  well 
to  plant  by  the  arrangement  shown  in  Fig. 
9,  namely,  to  set  Apple  trees  in  squares, 
with  Cherry,  Pear  and  other  smaller  kinds 
midway  between. 

Grape  vines.  Raspberries,  Strawberries, 
etc. ,  are  usually  set  in  lines  running  but  one 
way.  Still  if  they  are  placed  for  lines  cross- 
wise also,  it  may  enable  the  use  of  horse 
labor  both  ways  while  the  plants  are  young 
with  a  great  saving  of  labor. 

For  the  vegetable  plat  avoid  the  common 
square  form,  and  instead  employ  one  that  is 
longer  than  wide,  running  the  rows  the 
longest  way,  and  all  parallel,  so  that  the 
bulk  of  the  work  may  be  done  by  horse 
power.  See  Fig.  10. 

The  arrangement  of  the  lawn  is  rather 
less  easy  on  the  whole  than  is  that  of  the 
fruit  and  vegetable  department,  for  here  the 
object  is  a  tasteful,  handsome  effect,  and 
this  requires  some  pains  to  produce.  The 
following  rales,  together  with  the  illustra- 
tions, should  be  of  help  to  planters. 

13.    Oenerally  avoid  straight  lines  for  the 
laiun. 

Nature  teaches  the  lesson  that  irregularity 
in  the  landscape  or  ornamental  garden  leads 
to  the  most  pleasing  effects.  Recall  all  the 
beautiful  natural  scenery  you  have  met; 
and  it  is  throughout  devoid  of  straight  lines. 
Nature  abhors  straight  lines. 

Another  point  is  this :  The  boundary 
and  building  outlines  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
lawn  and  ornamental  parts  'are  usually  per- 
fectly straight,  hence  out  of  accord  with 
Nature's  principle  of  effective  arrangement. 
To  therefore  have  the  lawn  as  pleasing  as 
possible  all  the  more  requires,  that  the  lay- 
ing out  be  done  irregularly  for  offsetting  or 
relieving  the  effect  of  the  existing  straight 
lines  now  too  strong. 

Figs.  11  and  12  impress  this  lesson.  The 
first  shows  shade  and  ornamental  trees 
arranged  almost  as  one  would  lay  out  an 
orchard,  adding  straight  lines  to  straight 
lines  as  found  in  buildings  and  boundaries. 
The  latter  shows  the  same  place  and  the 


an  air  of  repose,  and  which  is  one  of  the 
greatest  of  garden  charms.  It  also  serves 
to  secure  a  better  view  of  the  beauty  of  the 
subjects  planted.  These  engravings  show 
the  same  lawn  with  the  same  trees  and 
shrubs  used.  The  conclusion  is  clear. 
14.    Plant  ornamental  growths  in  groups 

and  masses. 

This  is  the  keynote  of  the  natural  style  of 
arrangement,  and  applies  to  trees,  shrubs 
and  plants,  even  down  to  annual  flowers; 
all  are  finer  for  being  in  clumps. 

As  a  rule  the  larger  trees,  and  especially 
Evergreens,  should  be  planted  towards  the 
boundaries,  with  smaller  growers,  shrubs 
and  plants  more  towards  the  interior.  A 
weeping  or  variegated  tree,  or  a  shade  tree 
may  here  and  there  be  brought  away  from 
the  boundary  for  good  effect.  A  lawn  will 
appear  to  be  of  greater  size  if  some  vistas 


Fig.  10.    The  best  form  for  the  vegetable  garden. 

or  views  are  kept  open  between  the  tree 
and  shrub  groups  towards  the  more  distant 
parts. 

If  there  are  some  handsome  outside  views, 
leave  openings  in  the  marginal  plantings 
for  giving  such  a  pretty  setting.     But  if  an 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


129 


unpainted  barn  or  other  undesirable  object 
is  within  reach  of  the  eye,  shut  it  off  by  plac- 
iuK  some  Evergreens  in  the  line  of  vision. 
,  Tlie  best  effects  are  created  by  grouping 
the  various  cla^ises  together,  as  Roses  with 
Roses,  Weigelas  with  Weigelas,  Evergreens 
with  Evergreens,  instead  of  scattering  one 
<  lass  all  over  the  place. 
Plant  most  thickly  in  the  direction  of  pre- 


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Fig.  11.  Showing  the  efect  of 
having  lawn  trees,  shrubs, 
waJhs,  etc.,  arranged  in 
straight  lines.    See  No.  13. 

vailing  winds,  not  forgetting  that  this  too 
is  the  place  for  Evergreens. 

15.  Qraceful   mrves    contribvte    beauty, 
poorly  defined  ones  arc  abominahlc. 

As  a  rule  curves  in  walks  should  not  be  so 
rounded  as  to  induce  one  to  cut  across  from 
point  to  point.  Should  more  than  one  bend 
to  the  same  side  be  desirable,  let  them 
vary  considerable  in  boldness  in  order  not 
to  become  serpentine,  which  is  always  ob- 
jectionable. Fjgs.  1.5  and  16  show  a  bad  and  a 
good  form  of  walks,  having  several  curves. 

Let  the  borders  of  flowers,  shrubs,  etc.,  be 
of  curving  outline.  Curves  here  admit  of  a 
little  more  elaboration  than  do  those  of 
walks  usually.  St.il  the  same  rule  as  re- 
ferred to  above  and  in  the  engravings  should 
apply. 

Have  but  few  gravel  or  other  constructed 
walks  on  the  lawn,  and  these  where  much 
used;  elsewhere  turf  makes  the  most  agree- 
able walk. 

In  laying  out  curves,  first  describe  them 
with  a  rope,  varying  its  position  until  the 
curves  are  graceful  and  satisfactory,  then 
ileline  with  stakes  until  the  border  or  walk 
construction  is  done. 

16.  Do  not  undertake  too  7nuch. 

Have  no  more  ornamental  grounds  than 
can  be  well  stocked  and  cared  for,  counting 


month  throughout  the  year.    The  following 

classification  will  be  of  service  in  making  a 

selection  of  fruits  and  vegetables: 

For  xise  in  June,  July,  Augxist. 

Cherries, 

Apricots, 

Pears, 

Nectarines, 

Beans, 

Cabbage, 

Turnips, 

Tomatoes, 

Squash. 

For  use  in  September,  Oclnher 
November. 
Apples, 
Celery, 
Cabbage, 
Potatoes, 
Turnips, 


Strawberries, 

Currauts, 

Plums, 

Peaclies, 

Peas, 

Corn, 


Raspberries, 

Apples, 

Grapes, 

Lettuce, 

Radishes, 

Onions, 

Potatoes, 

Cauliflower, 


Grapes, 

Quinces, 

Pears, 

Tomatoes, 

Beets, 


Fig.  12.  Showing  the  advant- 
age of  placing  the  features  of 
the  lawn  in  irregular  order 
and  employing  curves. 


Sweet  Potatoes,  Egg  Plant, 
Mushrooms,        Carrots, 
Pumpkin,  Cauliflower. 

For  t(.«c  in  December,  January, 
Febmary. 

Pears,  Preserved  fruits 

Apples,  Winter  Squasli, 

Cranberries,  Rutabagas, 

Nuts,  Parsnips, 

Turnips,  Can-ots, 

Salsify,  Beets, 

Cabbage,  Winter  Badish, 

Onions,  Celer.v, 
Mushrooms. 

For  use  in  March,  April,  May. 
Khubarb,  Preserved  fruit. 

Asparagus,         Porced  Lettuce, 
Winter  Squash,  Cabbage, 
Dandelions,        Beets, 
Salsify,  Scborozonera. 

Apples,  Spinach, 

Nuts,  Parsnips, 

Carrots,  Kale, 

Forced  Radishes. 

Following  are  lists  of  some  of  the  more 
pleasing  flowering  trees,  shrubs  and  plants, 
classified  according  to  their  season  of  bloom: 

Earliest  Flowbkino,  Usually  Before 
May.  Slirubs.  Mezeron  Pink,  Forsythia  or 
Golden  Bell.  Plants.  Winter  Aconite,  Hellebore, 
Snowdrops,  Crocus,  Pansies  in  frames. 

May  AND  June  Bloomers.  Trees.  Magnolias, 
Red  Bud  or  Judas  Tree,  White  Dogwood,  Horse 
Chestnut,  Yellow  Wood  or  Cladastris,  Snowy 
Mesjiilus,  Bird  Cherry,  Locusts,  Thorns,  Flower- 
ing fruit  trees.    Shi-ubs.    Currant,  Azaleas,  Bush 


Fin.  13.    TreC!  arranged  for  having  the  center  of 
the  gra^  plat  kept  agreeably  open.    See  No.  13. 

on  the  use  of  a  lawn  mower  at  intervals  of 
five  to  ten  days  apart  in  the  growing  season. 
On  small  places  do  not  plant  the  larger 
growing  trees,  but  rely  chiefly  on  hardy 
shrubs,  vines  and  flowering  plants. 

Making  the  Selection  of  Planting 
Stock. 

1 7.    Secure  a  smcccssion  of  products  the  year 

round. 

This  can  easily  be  done  by  keeping  in  view 
such  kinds  as  will  mature  for  use  month  by 


Fiti.  U.    Siarne  as  Fig.  13.  Intl   with   the  center  of 
the  gras>^  plat  objectionably  I'lanttd.   SeeNu.  13. 

Honeysuckle,  Japan  Quince,  Lilacs,  Flowering 
Plum  and  Almond,  Early  Spineas,  Viburnums, 
Tamarisk,  Calycanthus,  Deutzia,  Mock  Orange  or 
S.vringia,  Roses,  Weigelas,  Clematis.  Plants. 
Tulips,  Hyacinths,  Narcissus,  Pa?onies,  Colum- 
bines, Lily  of  the  Valley,  Garden  Pinks,  Hepatica, 
Creeping  Phloxes,  Herbaceous  Spiraeas.  Violets, 
Crown  Imperials.  Bleeding  Heart,  Oriental  Pop- 
pies, Lychnis,  Periwinkle. 

Summer  and  Early  Autumn  Bloomers. 
Trees.  Chestnut,  Kolreuteria,  Sumachs.  Shritbs. 
Althiea  or  Rose  of  Sharon,  Clethra,  Japan  Cor- 
chorus.  Panicle-flowered  Hydrangeas,  Late 
Spiricas,  Smoke  Bush,  Trumpet  Vine.  Plants. 
Monkshood,  Milfoil,  Japan  Anemones,  Golden- 
spurred  Columbine,  Campanulas,  Sweet  Williams, 
Plantain  Lily,  Day  Lily,  True  Lilies  in  variety, 
Hollyhocks,  Spiderworts,  Sun-flowers,  Annuals, 
Tender  Plants. 

Attraction  in  Fall  and  Winter.  Trees. 
Evergreens,  White-barked  Birches.  Shriibs.  Box 
and  other  IJwarf  Evergreens,  Burning  Bush,  Ber- 
berry, Wa,xberry,  Witch  Hazel.  Piants.  Chrys- 
anthemums, Hellebores. 

18.    Set  out  freely  of  growths  that  will  soon 
yield  crops  or  reach  maturity. 

The  following  lists  will  show  the  lengths 
of  time  the  various  materials  of  a  garden 
require  for  producing  ultimate  results. 

Things  That  Produce  Well  the  First 
Season.  All  culinary  vegetables  excepting  Rhu- 
barb, Asparagus,  Globe  Artichokes,  and  Sea  Kale. 
Annual  flowers  and  bulbs.  Strawberry  plants 
from  the  earliest  runners,  potted  or  otherwise, 
if  well  set  out  in  August,  will  bear  almost  a  full 
crop  within  eleven  months  following. 

Evergreen  trees,  if  well  transplanted,  usually 
take  on  a  mature  look  at  once.  Many  shrubs 
such  as  Hardy  Hydrangeas,  Rose  of  Stiaron  or 
Althaea,  Roses,  Weigelas,  Summer  and  Fall 
Spirseas.  Clematis,  usually  flower  freely  the  first 
season  if  the  planting  be  carefully  done.  Hardy 


perennial  pliints  it  set  early  in  the  spring  for  the 
most  p;n-t  tii'wLT  well  the  fii"st  year. 

A  liiwn  that  is  carefully  prepared  and  sowed 
with  a  mixture  consisting  half  and  half  of  Red 
Top  and  Blue  Grass  before  May  1st,  will  usually 
be  a  fine  expanse  of  velvety  green  before  Sei>- 


Fig.  1.5.  Showing  a  series  Fig.  16.  Pleasing  garden 
of  characterless, seven-     curvebecausethebencla 
tine  curves.  See  No.  15.     vary  considerably  in 
size.    See  No.  15. 

tember,  provided  it  is  kept  clipped  by  a  mower 
once  a  week  on  an  average. 

Coming  the  Second  Year.  Strawberries,  a 
full  crop;  Raspberries,  Blackberries,  Currants 
and  Gooseberries,  a  partial  crop;  Grapes,  fre- 
quently a  few  fine  clusters. 

Youiig  Evergreens,  all  flowering  shrubs,  vines 
and  perennial  garden  plants  should  be  in  full 
perfection  the  second  year  after  planting, 
although  without  the  size  of  later  years 

Coming  in  the  Third  Year.  The  small  fruits, 
such  as  Raspberries,  Blackberries,  Currants, 
Gooseberries,  will  now  be  in  full  bearing.  Grapes 
will  yield  a  good  crop. 

Cherries,  Pears,  Dwarf  and  Early-bearing  Ap- 
ples, Plums,  Peaches  and  Quinces  should  begin 
to  make  some  returns  this  year,  and  all  orna- 
mental trees  put  in  a  satisfactory  appearance. 

19.    Select  the  best  kinds  for  your  locality. 

Avoid  the  common  error  of  ordering  an 
assortment  which  five  years  later  will  show 
to  have  consisted  largely  of  things  too  tender 
for  your  climate  or  otherwise  deficient.  If 
you  are  ine.xperienced  rely  largely  on  the 
experience  of  your  neighbors.  Consult  the 
largest  planters  in  your  vicinity;  what  has 
succeeded  with  them  will  be  likely  to  suc- 
ceed with  you. 

Invest  with  extreme  caution  in  all  new 
and  untried  things.  Nine  times  in  ten  the 
money  spent  for  these  is  an  utter  waste. 

For  family  use  the  variety  in  fruits  may 
be  somewhat  increased  over  that  which  is 


Fig.  17.  Tliree  year  tree  in  the  Nursery;  ceotted 
line  showing  place  of  cutting  the  roots  in  dig- 
ging.   Upper  figure  a  one  year  tree.   See  No.  SI. 

the  most  profitable  for  market.  In  Apples 
the  inexperienced  generally  get  too  many 
summer  and  fall  varieties.  Better  plant 
few  of  these  and  a  large  number  of  winter 
sorts  in  order  to  secure  an  abundance  of 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


March, 


fruit  for  the  winter  when  other  kinds  of 
fruit  are  absent. 

On  BtTTlNG  THE  STOCK  FOR  PLANTING. 

20.    Avoid  buying  of  imrcliable  dealers. 

Face  the  fact  that  there  are  many  unscru- 
pulous agents  among  those  who  supply  trees, 
plants  and  seeds,  but  also  that  there  is  no 
lack  of  reliable  ones. 

It  is  well  to  notice  that  the  dishonest 
agent  makes  the  most  extraordinary  claims 


Fia.  26. 

Undrained 

land;  the  pores 

filled  with  water. 


Fid.  22.  The  heaviest  growth  in 
the  bitttom  braiichcs^  hence 
not  well  suited  fitr  street 
playiting,  where  long  trunks 
are  desirable.  See  No.  23. 


Fig.'^S.  The  h( aril  st  imnoth 
at  the  top.  i)iduci)iii  the 
tree  to  have  a  hnih  trunk, 
hence  well  suitedjor'street 
planting.  See  No.  22. 


for  new  and  wonderful  fruits  and  flowers, 
and  cheats  by  the  use  of  spurious  samples 
or  exaggerated  engravings  and  descriptions. 

You  can  rely  on  the  agent  who  sells 
over  the  same  territory  year  after  year. 

You  can  trust  the  agent,  stranger  though 
he  be,  who  representing  a  flrst-class  nursery, 
carries  a  sirincd  certificate  of  recent  date 
from  the  nursery  he  sells  for.  Always  ex- 
amine the  certificate  before  buying. 

Swindlers  have  been  know  to  carry  forged 
certificates  ;  if  you  have  any  suspicions  on 
tills  point  write  to  the  nursery  asking  if  so 
and  so  is  their  trusted  agent. 

As  a  rule  buy  no  seeds  of  travellers  or  at 
drug  or  grocery  stores.      Ortler  from  the 
catalogues  of  reliable  dealers. 
21.  Choose  young  thrifty  trees  for  best  results. 

A  tree  should  largely  be  judged  by  the 
size  of  its  root  not  by  its  top. 

Young  trees — those  from  one  to  two  years 
from  the  graft  come  from  the  nursery  with 
much  sti'onger  roots  in  proportion  to  the  top 
than  older  trees.  In  the  engraving  figure  17 
the  small  stock  to  the  left  is  that  of  a  year- 
ling tree  and  showing  the  probable  line 
at  which  the  roots  would  be  cut  in  digging. 
It  is  seen  that  nearly  all  the  roots  are  pre- 
served in  digging.  The  otiier  shows  a  tree 
of  some  years'  growth  in  the  nursery  and 
with  roots  reaching  out  about  as  indicated. 
In  digging  such  a  tree  all  roots  beyond  the 
dotted  line  would  be  liable  to  be  left  back. 
Large  as  this  specimen  is  above  ground 
we  think  for  transplanting  it  stands  an  un- 


growers  in    both    fruits  and  ornamentals 
better  suited  to  the  place. 

Where  space  is  very  limited  employ  vines 
such  as  the  Grape  or  ornamental  climbers 
for  they  accommodate  themselves 
over  a  perpendicular  surface. 

Every  planter  sets  some  street 
trees,  but  many  make  mistakes  as 
to  kinds  especially  in  towns  where 
the  law  (  a  proper  one)  requires  that 
the  trunks  be  kept  clear  for  ten 
feet  up.  Here  one  should 
select  according  to  the 
style  of  growth;  if  the 
tendency  is  to  branch  low 
witli  a  lieavy  growth  at 
the  bottom  as  in  figure  22, 
the  tree  is  tar  less  suitable  than 
when  the  form  is  the  rev.rse  of 
this  as  shown  in  figure  23.  On  this 
account  the  A  merican  Elm  is  about 
the  ideal  street  shade  tree.  Our 
towns  abound  with  Maple  and 
Horse  Chestnut  trees  in  the  high- 
ways, which  have  crippled  and 
scarred  trunks  the  result  of  severe 
pruning  to  adapt  unsuitable  kinds 
to  certain  requirements. 

In  locating  varieties  in  the  orch- 
ard or  garden,  set  such  as  come 
early  into  bearing  nearest  to  the 
entrance  and  the  late  kinds  that 
are  harvested  at  one  time  to  the  rear. 

23.     Wlien  to  Plant.    Spring  or  Fall  f 

A  hard  question  because  no  one  knows 
the  season  ahead.  Summer  drouth  is  harder 
on  spring  than  on  fall  planting;  extremely 
cold  weather  the  reverse  of  this  in  its  effects. 
In  the  southern  states  November  to  Jan- 
uary is  the  preferred  planting  season  gen- 


furnish  good  earth  and  plenty  of  it  for  the 
plant,  as  indicated  by  B  in  fig.  23. 
25.     The  soil  should  be  well  drained. 
Is  your  soil  well  drained?    Few  kinds  of 


Fig.  27.  Fig.  28.                 Fin.  29- 
Qravel     land  Underdrainage  Wet  land  un- 
naturally un-  effected  by  rock  derdrained 
derdrained.  seams.                      with  tile. 


POOR 
SUB  SOIL 


Fig.  24.     Providing   good  soil  for  planting   in 
where  the  land  is  poor.    See  No.  24. 

equal  chance  in  the  race  for  results  looking 
ten  years  ahead. 

22.    Suit  the  kind  to  the  place. 

Do  not  plant  Apple  or  large  shade  trees  in 
narrow  town  lots;  there  are  many  smaller 


Fig.  30.   Manner  of  lay ing  main  and  lateral  un- 

cler-drains.    See  No.  25. 

erally.  Taking  one  year  with  another  we 
would  not  recommend  fall  planting  in  local- 
ities where  the  winters  are  known  to  be 
severe.  Yet  even  here  there  might  be  little 
risk  in  fall  planting  with  any  but  the  stone 
fruits,  Strawberries,  Evergreens  and  orna- 
mental trees,  shrubs  and  plants:  these  we 
would  prefer  to  plant  in  the  spring. 

But  whether  done  in  the  spring  or  the  fall 
let  the  planting  be  done  early  in  the  season. 

Thr  Soil  in  Which  to  Plant. 

24.    Land  well  suited  to  gardening  or  to 

Wheat  or  Com  issuitedfor  trees  and  vines. 

The  soil  needs  thorough  cultivation  and 
enriching  for  trees  no  less  than  to  pro- 
duce a  good  crop  of  Corn.  If  the  culture 
given  to  the  crop  named  or  to  garden  crops 
were  bestowed  to  trees,especially  for  the  first 
five  years  after  planting,  many  less  reports 
of  failure  in  planting  would  be  heard. 

To  plant  trees  in  soil  that  is  very  dry  and 
gravelly  or  where  the  top  earth  is  very 
shallow  or  on  the  site  of  an  old  dead  tree, 
there  should  be  special  preparations,  as 
shown  in  fig.  24,  namely;  The  sterile  earth 
should  be  dug  out  for  a  space  of  say  five 
feet  across  and  two  feet  deep,  and  be  re- 
placed by  fresh  loam  iu  which  to  plant. 

Vines  planted  against  a  house  or  verandah 
post  often  fail  because  the  soil  here  was 
the  hard  subsoil  dug  from  the  cellar  and 
was  filled  in.    Under  such  circumstances 


trees  or  plants,  none  in  the  fruit  class 
succeed  in  wet  land,  A  soil  too  wet  for 
raising  good  winter  Wheat  is  too  wet  for 
trees.  This  may  be  known  if  water  stands 
in  the  furrows  for  half  a  week  or  more  after 
the  frost  has  left  the  earth  in  the  spring,  or 
after  continuous  rains  have  held  up.  Drain 
such  land  before  planting  it  to  trees. 

Some  lands  have  natural  underdrainage, 
others  are  suflSciently  undulating  that  the 


Figs.  31  atid  upper  one  32.    Tito  forms  of  levels 
for  use  in  ditch  bottoms.    See  No.  25 

surface  water  flow  so  readily  as  to  obviate 
the  need  of  any  applied  drainage. 

Fig.  26,  shows  a  section  of  soil  supposed 
to  be  excessively  wet  from  the  inability 
of  the  water  to  readily  escape.  Fig.  27,  a 
similar  section  naturally  under-drained  by 
the  presence  of  gravelly  soil  beneath;  thus 
affording  the  means  for  the  water  to  settle 
away.  Fig.  28  shows  another  kind  of 
natural  underdrainage  namely  that  of  soil 
which  overlays  rocks  the  seams  of  which 
make  a  passage  for  the  escape  of  wetness 
above.  Fig.  29  represents  a  cross  section  of 
a  tile  drain  laid  in  soil  not  naturally  under- 
drained. 

Every  planter  should  ascertain  under 
which  of  the  forgoing  heads  his  lands  comes 
gaugeing  his  plans  accordingly. 

If  it  needs  draining,  a  system  of  unrter- 
drains  should  be  provided  which  will 
permit  all  excess  of  moisture  readily  to 
escape.  Drains  usually  are  laid  as  follows: 
A  main  drain  (as  a  in  Fig.  30)  is  laid  start- 
ing from  a  low  point  to  provide  uniformly 
from  U  inch  to  1  inch  fall  for  each  rod  in 


^ 


Fig.  31.    Planting  in  undrained  soil.    See  No.  25. 

length  of  the  system  throughout.  This  main 
may  le.ad  along  one  side  or  through  the  cen- 
ter of  the  plat  to  be  drained. 

Leading  into  the  main  {a  to  h  and  c)  are 
lateral  tiles  laid  in  parallel  lines  through  the 
grounds,  and  usually  at  a  distance  of  two 
rods  or  somewhat  upwards  apart.  The 
system  should  be  so  laid  out,  having  a  depth 
of  not  less  than  2}.i  feet  at  the  shallowest 
parts  for  all  the  laterals,  and  to  have  the 
fall  indicated  above  throughout. 

Two  inch  tile  are  .suitable  for  the  laterals, 
and  three,  four  or  more  inch  for  the  mains, 
depending  upon  the  area  included.  A  device 
such  as  shown  in  Fig.  31  (lower),  in  which  a 
spirit  level  is  attached  to  a  board,  or  Fig  32 
(upper),with  a  line  and  plummet  suspending 


1890. 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


lT,i 


along  the  center  upright,  should  be  used  for 
calculating  the  proper  fall. 

Where  trees  must  be  planted  in  soil  im- 
practicable to  be  underdrained,  instead  of 
setting  them  into  tUe  ordinary  level,  make 


Fig.  25.    Preparing  for  Vine  against  the  house.  A 
Sterile  soil,  B  pocket  of  good  loam.     See  No.  24. 

a  mound  of  earth  for  planting  them  in,  as 
shown  in  Fig.  31. 

Distinguish  between  soil  that  is  properly 
moist  and  such  as  is  water-logged.  In  the 
former  the  earth  particles  are  moist,  with 
the  minute  apertures  between  open  to  admit 
the  air  needed  for  root  growth;  in  the  latter 
the  spaces  between  the  soil  particles  are 
loaded  with  water  to  the  exclusion  of  air; 
for  it  to  so  long  remain  is  death  to  roots. 

26.  Provide  deep  tillage  for  the  roots. 

A  deep  soil  gives  more  space  to  the  roots 
and  opens  up  larger  stores  of  plant  food. 
The  deeper  the  culture  the  larger  is  the 
amount  of  reserve  moisture  for  the  roots  in 
time  of  drouth.  Therefore  to  secure  a  quick 
and  rapid  growth  prepare  the  soil  deeply. 

By  deep  culture  is  meant  for  small  plats 
to  trench  the  soil,  that  is,  work  it  up  two 
depths  of  the  spade,  as  in  Fig.  32,  instead  of 
one  as  in  Fig.  .34;  for  larger  areas  to  follow 
in  the  furrow  of  the  common  plow  (Fig.  3.5) 
with  a  subsoil  plow,  as  in  Fig.  .33,  the  object 
in  either  case  being  to  break  up  the  soil 
thoroughly  1.5  or  more  inches  deep,  instead 
of  less  than  half  that  depth,  after  the  more 
ordinary  one-depth  process. 

Do  not  fall  into  the  error  of  bringing  the 
subsoil,  nearly  always  sterile,  to  the  top, 
and  putting  the  top  soil  beneath.  Leave 
each  stratum  in  its  natural  place.  In  turn- 
ing over  the  lower  stratum,  however,  it  is 
well  to  work  some  manure  into  it.  In  any 
event  fertilizers  applied  to  the  upper  earth 
will  find  their  way  down  to  the  roots. 

Land  that  is  once  well  trenched  or  sub- 
soiled,  will  show  the  good  effects  of  the 
work  on  the  trees  or  crops  for  many  years 
to  come.  In  gardens  where  no  trees  are 
cultivated,  the  operations  often  are  repeated. 

27.  Properly  enrich  the  soil  and  cultivate 
its  surface. 

It  should  be  well  manured  with  barn  yard 
dung  or  clover  plowed  under,  and  be 
thoroughly  pulverized  with  the  cultivator 
and  harrow,  or  for  small  areas  with  the  rake 
before  planting.  This  will  be  found  of  great 
benefit,  both  in  producing  an  abundance  of 
fine,  damp,  soil  for  aiding  good  planting, 
and  in  promoting  the  retention  of  moisture 


Fig.  34.    Turning  the  soil  one  spade  deep:  com- 
pare with  Fiy.  32.    See  No.  28. 

Fig.  35.     Common  plowing;  for  depth  compare 
w.th  Fig.  33.     See  No.  X. 

in  the  soil  throughout  the  season,  not  to 
mention  the  gain  in  the  fight  with  weeds. 


Caring  for  the  Stock  Before  Planting. 

28.  A  tree  or  plant  out  of  ground,  is  like  a 
.fi,sh  out  of  water;  it  is  in  the  dying  stage. 

Take  every  precaution  to  protect  the  roots. 
The  advantage  of  short  shipments  is  that 
the  time  may  be  shorter  from  ground  to 
ground.  But  good  packing  and  slight  ex- 
posure may  make  up  for  longer  distance. 

The  stock  at  hand,  first  unpack  it,  and 
quickly  get  the  roots  into  earth,  thatis,  heel- 
in  the  trees  or  plants.  Heeling-in  is  tem- 
porary planting,  for  preserving  the  roots 
and  having  the  stock  handy  for  setting  out. 

Planting  from  the  box  can  seldom  be  done 
to  advantage. 

29.  How  to  heel  in  trees  and  plants. 

One  way  of  heeling-in  is  illustrated  in  Fig. 
36.  First  a  trench  is  thrown  out  to  one  side, 
and  a  row  of  trees  is  laid  down  with  the 
roots  in  the  trench.  Then  a  second  trench 
is  opened  against  the  first,  the  soil  being 


Fig.  22.    lUustrating  threnching  two  spades  deep. 
Fig.  33.    Us'ng  the  subsoil  plow  beneath  the  fur- 
row made  with  a  common  plow.    See  No.  26. 

thrown  over  the  roots  of  the  trees  in  the 
first.    Observe  four  points: 

1.  Always  open  the  bundles  and  spread  the 
trees  thinly. 

2.  Sprinkle  plenty  of  fine  earth  among  the 
roots. 

3.  Cover  them  over  well  to  at  least  six  inches 
above  the  crown. 

4.  Firm  the  soil  with  the  feet  so  that  it  will  be 
in  dose  contact  with  every  root. 

The  same  principle  is  to  be  observed  in 
heeling-in  small  plants,  as  shown  in  Fig.  37. 

Heeling-in  is  sometimes  done  by  throwing 
out  the  trench  on  both  sides,  and  then  set- 
ting the  trees  uprightly  in  the 
trench,  filling  in  ground  as 
above.  A  second  trench,  if 
needed,  is  then  opened  somestx 
or  eight  feet  from  the  first,  and 
so  on. 

Trees  received  in  the  fall  for 
spring  planting  should  be 
heeled  in  on  some  dry  spot, 
free  from  grass  or  weeds  that 
would  harbor  mice,  and  the 
root,  trunk  and  most  of  the 
branches  be  covered  with  earth. 
Leave  the  earth  as  finished 
somewhat  mound-shaped  to 
shed  water.  Then  cover  any 
exposed  tops  with  Evergreen 
branches,  and  the  trees  will  be 
safe. 

Trees  frozen  or  shrivelled  in 
transit    should     at    once 


enormotis  waste  of  money,  time  and  hopes 
falls  upon  the  planters.  It  is  an  uncalled 
for  waste.    By  pursuing  right  methods  the 


Fig.  36.    Heeling  in  Trees.        See  No.  29. 

average  loss  in  transplanting  need  not  be 
so  much  as  one  in  ten. 

Attention  has  been  directed  to  the  pre- 
paration of  the  soil  and  other  vital  matters 
bearing  on  successful  tree  culture.  The 
purpose  now  is  to  speak  of  that  which  more 
than  anything  else  has  to  do  with  success  or 
failure  in  planting,  namely,  the  pruning  of 
the  planting  stock,  and  the  committing  of 
the  roots  to  the  soil  in  the  new  situation. 

31.    Right  prm^ing;  securing  a  proper  hal- 

antc  Ijctvcen  root  and  top. 

Those  who  plant  for  failure  usually  look 
most  to  the  top,  to  preserve  it  large  and  full 
from  the  day  of  planting.  To  prune  it  is  to 
spoil  it  they  argue,  and  their  tree  is  sure  to 
be  out  of  balance,  more  top  than  root.  To 
plant  for  success  is  to  look  most  to  the  root. 
Give  us  a  good  proportion  of  roots  and  we 
make  the  top  what  we  will. 

The  right  and  the  wrong  idea,  regarding 
balance  of  parts  is  shown  in  Figs.  39  to  40- 
The  first  figure  is  that  of  a  vigorous  young 
nursery  tree  before  digging,  showing  the 
numerous  strong  roots  reaching  some  feet 
out.  Careful  examinations  have  shown  that 
the  roots  of  a  young  tree  fully  equal  or  ex- 
ceed in  extent  the  branches  of  the  top. 
It  is  impossible  to  preserve  all  these  roots  in 
digging,  especially  after  the  tree  is  a  year 
and  upwards  old  (see  Fig.  17).  The  usual 
practice  is  to  thrust  the  digger  into  the 
earth  about  as  the  engraving  shows,  and 
the  larger  part  of  the  finer  roots,  too  delicate 
really  to  handle,  stay  back. 

Thus  the  tree's  balance  in  root  and  top  is 
broken  at  the  nursery;  it  reaches  the  planter 
in  the  top  heavy  condition  of  Fig.  39.  Plant 
it  thu.s,  as  so  generally  is  done,  and  the  root 


hg  Fig.  38.    Baiarn.-f    of   Fig.^.    Unbalanced  in 
.     ,     ^  ,       ,,     .  ,     parts  before  digging,    diggingby  loss  of  roots. 

buried,  tops  and  all,  m  earth 


until  restored. 

The  Operation  of  Planting. 
30.    Do  we  set  out  things  to  live  or  to  die? 

It  is  said  that  fully  two-thirds  of  all  trees 
planted  never  reach  the  state  of  well-devel- 
oped productive  specimens.  It  this  be  true, 
and  we  have  no  reason  to  doubt  it,  what  an 


fi^.   40.      Balance    re- 
stored by  Pruning. 

Tfte  Balance  bctircen  Root  and  Top.    See  Ko.  31. 


is  not  possibly  equal  to  the  task  of  supports 
ingits  entire  top.  The  tree  is  out  of  balance. 
Fig.  40  shows  the  same  tree  handled  for 
restoring  the  balance  lost  in  digging,  through 
pruning  away  enough  of  the  top  to  corres- 
pond with  the  loss  of  the  roots.  This  is  the 
course  that  all  planters  should  follow. 


132 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


March, 


March,  the  Beeuiler. 
Sonny  and  smiling,  you  come  to  the  earth, 

With  promise  of  pleasanter  days. 
Waving  the  banner  of  blossom  and  mirth 

Far  out  Into  the  golden  haze ; 
Blue-eyed  and  tender,  you  bend  o'er  the  beds 

Where  little  soft  buds  lie  a.'^leep. 
Stirring  and  coaling  till  tiny  bright  heads 

From  out  of  the  brown  mould  quilt  creep  ; 
Then,  with  a  frown  and  a  wrathful  eye. 

You  cover  them  up  In  the  snows  to  die. 

Cruel  old  March : 
Greedy  and  grim,  with  your  heartless  wiles — 
Crushing  the  beauty  you  won  with  your  smiles  ! 
Brightly  you  sit  on  the  bare  Peach  boughs. 

And  feel  for  the  pulse  of  the  flowers. 
Whispering  falseh(X)ds  over  their  brows 

Of  golden  and  bright  green  hours ; 
Warming  their  blood  with  your  treacherous  breath. 

And  swelling  the  soft  pink  bloom. 
Then  with  your  frost  work  chill  them  to  death. 

And  whistle  and  chant  o'er  their  tomb  : 
Yet  In  the  gold  of  the  April  sun. 

You  sob  and  moan  for  the  mischief  you've  done. 
Silly  old  March ! 
Fickle  and  false,  with  your  cheats  and  arts— 
You  are  type  of  some  who  have  souls  and  hearts  ! 
New  Tork  World. 


Trailing  Arbutus. 

Dear  floweret,  nestling  'ueath  the  mould. 

Hard  won  thou  art. 
But  now  thy  blushing  beauties  lie 
Unveiled  beneath  the  azure  sky. 
And  wealth  of  fragi-ance  all  untold 

Wells  from  thy  heart ! 
Wert  heaven-born,  sweet  flower,  and  sent 

From  Paradise, 
To  be  of  all  the  joys  of  spring 
The  rarest  and  the  lovliest  thing  ? 
And  hath  the  light  o'er  thee  been  bent 

Of  angel  eyes  ? 

Boston  Transcri2)t. 


Kow  test  all  seeds. 

Bonednst  for  thin  lawns. 

More  sunsliine— brighter  bloom. 

HoBie  Plants  Jetest  dust  as  much  as  you  do 

Bam  the  rubbish,  and  return  the  ashes  to  the 

BOU. 

Heroic  treatment  in  orchard  surgery  is  seldom 
called  for. 

Woodashes  from  Canada  buy  only  on  guaran- 
teed anal.vsls. 

The  first  Arbor  day  of  the  season  was  that  of 
Florida  on  January  ITth. 

For  comfort  try  dry  paths  outside  the  house, 
and  save  dirt  on  the  carpets. 

A  Calla  of  mine  occasionally  bears  a  double- 
spathed  flower.— Jfuy  Wassel. 

Yon  want  flowers  every  month:  Then  select 
plants  and  seeds  accordingly. 

Fmit  bnds  generally  have  started,  yet  the 
prospects  for  a  bountiful  crop  are  favorable.— 
W.A.  Smith,  Mich. 

Some  of  the  most  interesting  reading  matter 
in  this  issue  is  found  in  our  advertising  pages  I 
Head  them  cai-efuUy. 

Pffioies  are  begining  to  receive  the  increased 
attention  they  are  deserving  of.  Grand  flowers 
they  are  indeed.    Transplant  as  early  as  possible. 

The  product  of  American  Tomato  canneries 
for  1869  is  estimated  at  2,979,765  cases,  while  the 
1888  crop  was  estimated  at  3,34'>,137  cases. 

The  Jessie  Strawberry  is  pronounced  by  the 
Ohio  Experiment  station  best  for  forcing,  matu- 
ring as  fine  bennes  under  glass  as  in  open  air. 

Hlsshills  and  gaps  among  our  vegetables  is 
just  what  we  do  not  want.  We  prefer  sowing 
plenty  of  seed— and  thinning  at  the  proper  time. 

The  Wood  Lily  ( Trillium  iirandiflorum  I  in 
culture  must  have  the  partial  shade  of  trees. 
This  fact  lost  sight  of  commonly  leads  to  failure 
in  growing  it. 

A  remarkable  Season.  From  everywhere  come 
the  reports  of  fruit  blossoms,  flowers  of  Trailing 
Arbutus,  Jessamine,  Fruit  Trees,  etc.,  picked  in 
open  air  in  January. 


White  wash.  "It  is  strange,"  remarked  a 
Boston  belle,  as  she  observed  the  shimmering 
Silver  Birches,  "  that  people  will  go  and  white- 
wash trees  that  are  almost  in  the  wood."— Pwcfc. 

This  Don't  Pay.  The  loss  to  manure  by  ex- 
posure especially  by  leaching,  in  tests  by  the 
Cornell  University,  has  reached  as  high  as  42  per 
cent.  The  moral  is,  keep  manure  under  shelter, 
or  draw  it  upon  the  land  at  once. 

Do  yon  think  that  because  Canna  seeds  are  as 
hard  as  shot  (hence  the  name  Indian  shot)  that 
they  wiU  not  germinate  properly?  They  will  if 
soaked  24  hours  before  sowing,  in  water  kept  at 
a  temperature  of  from  75  to  80  degrees. 

The  roots  of  evergreens  wiU  not  bear  exposure 
to  the  air  as  well  as  deciduous  trees,  and  the 
latter  do  not  bear  it  very  well.  When  removing 
Pines,  Hemlock,  Arbor  vita?,  etc-,  always  try  to 
retain  as  much  soil  on  the  roots  as  possible. 

More  to  Come,  what  should  have  been  stated 
at  the  end  of  the  five  page  article  "  How  to  Plant 
a  Place,"  was  that  said  article  is  to  be  concluded 
next  month.  So  we  say  here  that  nearly  or  quite 
three  pages  of  the  same  article  wUl  appear  in 
our  April  issue. 

For  Pea  Weevil  Killers.  Carbon  bisulphide 
which  has  been  often  mentioned,  but  seldom 
used  as  an  insecticide,  simply  because  it  evapo- 
rates too  quickly  for  lasting  effect,  is  said  to  act 
in  a  more  satisfactory  manner,  when  vasaline  is 
used  as  a  solvent. 

Ignotnm  Tomato  has  rotted  very  badly  with 
us.  Grown  beside  the  Dwarf  Champion  and 
Acme,  and  with  same  treatment,  the  Ignotum 
did  not  give  us  more  than  one  sound  Tomato  out 
of  ten  that  ripened,  while  few  of  the  other  kinds 
rotted.— TF.  Hicknz,  Ohio. 

Plant  Stakes.  TJmbrella-wire  painted  green 
makes  excellent  stakes  for  plants  in  pots.  Being 
small,  roimd,  it  is  little  noticed,  which  is  an  im- 
portant factor  in  the  arrangement  of  plants. 
Tie  the  cord  firmly  on  the  wire  to  keep  it  In 
place,  then  brin^  the  ends  together  around  the 
limbs  desired  and  fasten.— ir.  C.  Jcnnison. 

Old  hedees  can  easily  be  disposed  of  by  cutting 
down  now  as  close  to  the  ground  as  possible, 
leaving  them  in  a  narrow,  compact  row  over  the 
roots.  After  new  growth  has  started  in  spring, 
set  fire  to  the  brush,  and  burn  it.  This  will  kill 
the  plants,  and  a  year  later  the  roots  will  be 
rotted  enough  to  be  torn  out  easily  with  the 
plow.— Gardener  Jo. 

Liquid  Manure.  Plants  that  have  but  a  small 
area  to  grow  upon  are  best  treated  with  liquid 
manure,  because  this  is  the  most  advantageous 
method  of  returning  the  fertility.  It  is  safer  to 
dilute  the  mixture  very  considerably,  and  to 
apply  not  too  often,  but  at  regular  intervals. 
During  the  winter  the  washings  from  barnyards 
may  be  secured  and  will  prove  admirable  for  this 
purpose. — Boht.  L.  Dean. 

Oil  of  Eoses.  The  greater  portion  of  this  is 
produced  in  Franco-  The  United  States  imported 
from  there  nearly  one  quarter  of  a  million 
dollai-s'  worth  last  year.  It  is  made  of  the  Rose 
Geranium.  Californian  people  begin  to  think, 
that  there  is  no  country  in  the  world  where 
Rose  Geraniums  can  be  grown  to  such  perfec- 
tion, and  containing  such  a  high  percentage  of 
oil  than  their  own  state, 
and  perhaps  they  will  soon 
make  the  attempt  to 
secure  the  quarter  million 
of  dollars  for  themselves 
for  pin  money.  1 

Damp  is  the  grt':ii 
enemy  of  plants  in  the 
amateur's  greenhouse.  As 
a  precautionary  measure 
every  dead  and  faded 
leaf  should  be  picked 
off;  watering  should  be 
ings  of  bright  days  only 


plants  as  the  engraving  represents.  The  whole 
contrivance  is  easily  put  up,  and  quite  attractive. 
We  know  nothing  of  the  price  of  these  goods, 
but  should  think  that  our  enterprising  seedsmen 
would  import  and  offer  them  to  their  customers. 

Soil  Preparation.  Garden  plants  and  borders 
should  be  thoroughly  pulverized,  but  this  is 
hardly  ever  done  properly .  We  ha ve  adopted 
the  following  method.  The  ground  is  forked 
over  and  the  entire  surface  trodden  down  in 
short  steps,  with  the  feet  close  together.  The  re- 
quired amoimt  of  the  manure  is  next  spread  on, 
and  the  soil  again  forked  over.  A  thorough 
raking  over  will  then  bring  it  in  excellent  con- 
dition for  sowing  or  planting.  The  operation  of 
treading  down  the  soil  can  be  performed  in 
much  less  time  than  it  takes  to  turn  it  over,  and 
it  pulverizes  it  so  thoroughly,  we  think  it  a  good 
practise  for  any  one,  when  preparing  garden 
beds  or  borders.— TT.  r  Jennison. 

To  bi  Weighed  in  the  Balance.  Among  fruit 
novelties  of  the  season  we  have  the  "Lady  Rusk'" 
Strawberry,  introduced  by  Wm.  Stahl  of  Quiney, 
Ills,  and  the  "  Progress  "  Raspberry,  introduced 
by  J.  T.  Lovett  Co.,  Little  SUver,  N.  J.  The 
chief  merit  claimed  for  the  "  Lady  Rusk  "  is 
superior  shipping  and  keeping  qualities,  while 
the  "  Progress"  is  claimed  to  be  much  more 
prolific  than  Souhegan  (the  introducer  says  twice 
as  much);  a  day  or  two  earlier  and  its  equal  in 
every  other  respect,  so  much  so,  indeed,  that  it 
may  be  difficult  to  tell  the  difference.  Great 
things  are  also  claimed  for  the  Palmer  Rasp- 
berry, a  supposed  cross  between  Souhegan  and 
Gregg,  and  introduced  by  F.  R.  Palmer  &  Son, 
Mansfield,  O 

Trees  from  Eoot  Cuttings.  On  the  authority 
of  Prof.  J.  L  Budd  we  state  that  Elm,  Black 
Locust,  Poplar,  Cherry.  Plum,  and  all  other 
trees  that  naturally  throw  up  sprouts,  or  which 
sprout  when  roots  are  wounded  by  plow  or 
spade,  may  be  profitably  grown  from  root 
cuttings.  Sections  of  the  surface  roots  two 
inches  in  length  kept  in  sand  or  Moss  over  Winter 
in  the  cellar  will  make  fine  iilants  the  next  season. 
In  moist  regions  such  cuttings  may  be  dropped 
in  a  light  furrow,  and  covered  like  Corn  or  Peas. 
But  in  dry  sections  they  are  safer  to  stick  diagon- 
ally with  the  upper  part  about  two  inches  below 
the  surface.  Populus  alba  argentea,  grown  from 
short  root  cuttings  put  out  last  spring  has  made 
plants  over  five  feet  in  height  the  same  season. 

Smilaz,  of  all  vines,  is  my  favorite,  and  any- 
where and  in  any  form  I  think  it  is  lovel.v.  One 
window  at  least,  in  every  sitting-room,  should 
be  decorated  with  it.  Take  a  shallow  box  the 
width  of  your  window  and  paint  it  white ;  place 
it  on  a  level  with  the  window  sill  and  fill  it  with 
leaf  mold  from  the  woods.  In  September  start 
slips  of  Smilax.  When  old  enough  to  commence 
running,  guide  them  upward  by  small  linen  or 
cotton  threads  attached  to  the  box  and  fastened 
to  top  ot  the  window.  In  a  short  time  they  will 
run  up  to  where  you  have  secured  the  strings, 
and  turn  back  as  if  surveying  the  distance  they 
have  come.  I  have  seen  small  boxes  of  Smilax 
hung  by  a  strong  cord  on  door  knobs:  the  vine 
would  cover  the  cord  so  that  none  of  it  could  be 
seen,  and  it  puzzles  the  beholder  to  know  by 
what  power  the  box  is  held  in  its  place.    It  is  an 


PLANT  PROTECTOR  OF   GLASS  AND  IRON. 


done  in  the  morn- 
In  damp  dark  days, 
even  if  the  temperature  is  not  low,  keep  the  fire 
going  briskly,  allowing  the  heat  to  escape 
through  the  opened  ventilators  and  raised  sashes. 
The  new  life  that  comes  with  the  progress  of  the 
sea.son,  the  strong  vigorous  growth  favored  by 
the  brighter  and  balmier  days  of  early  spring, 
will  soon  put  a  stop  to  the  dangers  from  damp. 
Plant  Protector.  Osman  &  Co.,  of  London, 
England,  have  kindly  forwarded  to  us  for  inspec- 
tion and  trial  among  other  things  some  of  the 
cast  iron  frames,  specimen  of  which  is  shown  in 
engraving.  The  tines  pressed  down  into  the  soil 
give  the  frame  a  firm  foothold.  Two,  three  or 
more  such  frames  are  set  in  a  straight  line,  and 
glass  fitted  into  them  to  make  a  protector  of 


odd  but  pretty  way  to  suspend  floral  ornaments, 
while  the  more  careless  you  ari-ange  them,  the 
better  the  effect.    Mrs.  L.  B.  Gale. 

A  fine  German  Iris— Madam  Cherfau.  The 
group  of  Iris  (Jennanica  includes  all  the  broad- 
leaved  Iris,  which  generally  pass  under  the  above 
name,  but  are  in  fact  varieties  of  pallida,  neg- 
letta,  KiiualenK,  amiTiia,  rariegata,  aphylla,  and 
germanica.all  resembling  each  other  in  foliage 
and  habit  but  totally  distinct  in  flower;  when 
taken  as  a  whole,  they  form  a  group  unpar- 
alleled in  beauty,  nothing  in  creation  can  vie 
with  them,  unless  it  is  the  Orchids  from  the 
Tropics.  Every  shade  of  color  may  be  found 
among  them,  that  of  the  beautiful  new  subject 
illustrated  being  white-edged  and  feathered  with 
violet.    They  wUl  thrive  in  almost  any  soil  or 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


133 


situation  without  any  iiiie  wliattvcr,  ami  must 
be  considered  necessary  in  every  garden.  For 
the  wild  garden,  shrubbery  borders,  margins  of 
water,  rookwork,  etc.,  they  arc  admirably  adapt- 
ed: in  fact  hardly  any  place  can  be  fouud  in 
which  some  of  this  section  will  not  thrive.  The 
Irises  are  both  old-fashioned  and  new-fashioned 
flowers,  much  attention  being  now  paid  to  im- 
proving tliem. 

The  Apple  worm.  A  new  Apple  pest  has  made 
its  ap|>eaniiice  in  I'eutral  New  York. 
It  is  reported  to  Garden  and  Forest 
by  Dr.  Hoskins  of  Vermont  and  not 
unknown  in  the  western  states.  I  first 
saw  it  in  a  basket  of  Golden  Sweets 
which  1  selected  for  a  friend,  and  set 
in  my  fruit  room  to  become  nicely 
colored.  Xo  handsomer  basket  of 
Apples  could  have  been  found  than 
those  when  I  thought  them  ready  for 
delivery.  But  tasting  one  I  fouud  it 
honey-combed  and  black  to  within 
half  an  inch  of  the  skin.  It  was  in- 
fected with  a  minute  worm  of  a  dull 
yellowish  white  color.  I  threw  away 
the  .\pple  presuming  it  to  be  an  acci- 
dental attack;  but  on  examination, 
found  every  .ipple  in  the  basket 
utterly  spoiled:  the  whole  center  was 
a  mass  of  corruption  The  outside  of 
nearly  all  the  fruit  was  brilliant 
yellow,  showing  no  mark  of  the 
havoc  within:  but  a  few  showed  diuk 
lines  under  the  surface.  The  name 
of  the  ix-st  is  Trypela  pomonella;  but 
that  will  not  help  us  much  in  getting  , 
rid  of  it.— E.  P.  Pnu-cll.  / 

Leisons  in  Economy.  What  curious  ' 
developments  of  possible  domestic 
economy  constantly  occur.  In  one  of 
the  I'alifornian  valleys,  it  has  recently 
been  by  chance  discovered  that  Peach  X 
stones  make  as  good  a  fire  as  the  /  \ 
best  of  coal.  The  fruit  growers  are  ' 
now  saving  what  has  always  been 
thrown  away  and  hard  to  get  rid  of; 
and  selling  the  stones  at  six  dollars  a 
ton.  A  sack  of  Peach  stones  weighs 
eighty  pounds  and  will  last  as  long 
as  eighty  pounds  of  coal,  and  give 
more  heat.  It  pays  to  consider  noth- 
ing as  settled,  and  to  experiment  in 
every  direction.  Our  greatest  wealth 
ma.v  be  outside  the  door,  or  be 
dumped  in  the  waste  heaps.  It  is  im- 
possible to  find  a  farm  in  half  a  days 
drive  where  there  are  not  palpable 
wastes  enough  going  on,  openl.v,  to 
pa.v  for,  or  explain  the  mortgages  that 
overload  them.  I  know  of  a  farmer 
who  is  now  making  a  fortune  out  of 
a  marl  bed,  but  he  owned  it  for  many 
years  before  he  knew  it  More  enter- 
prise is  needed  in  the  way  of  utilizing 
whatever  we  have  held  heretofore  to 
be  useless.— E.  P.  Pmi-cU. 

The  Cabbage  Syrphus.  One  of  the  insect 
friends  that  help  us  fight  our  foes  is  the  Cabbage 
syrphus;  a  beautiful  insect.  Larva  green  with 
two  lighter  green  stripes  down  each  side  of  the 
middle  of  the  back ;  head  small  and  pointed, 
posterior  end  much  the  wider  and  having  two 
short  bristles ;  body  soft  and  slimy  looking,  re- 
minding one  of  a  snail  In  repose  it  lies  next 
the  ribs  of  the  leaf  and  when  hungry  seeks  a 
flock  of  aphides,  usually  not  far  distant,  and 
does  not  retire  until  it  has  devoured  eight  or  ten 
of  these  pests.  When  full-fed  the  body  contracts 
into  a  pear-shaiied  puparium  remaining  on  the 
leaf  until  the  fly  emerges.  The  fly  is  gaily 
colored, yellow  and  dark  green.  These  flies  greatly 
reduce  the  number  of  aphides  and  should  be 
spared  when  we  are  waging  war  on  Insects.  It 
would  be  of  considerable  value  to  the  gardener 
and  fruit  raiser  to  be  able  to  recognize  his  friends 
among  the  hosts  of  insects  that  share  with  him 
the  profits  of  the  farm,  and  he  should  study  their 
life-history  and  habits,  that  he  might  know  which 
to  destroy,  and  which  to  protect.— ^rgynni*. 

Beform  in  Cider  Making,  A  late  consular 
report  on  cider  making  in  Europe  tells  us  that  in 
the  rural  districts  of  France  there  are  yet  to  be 
found  many  who  think  no  good  cider  can  be 
made  without  the  liquid  of  the  barnyard  is 
added  in  the  press.  This  statement  seems  in- 
credible: but  can  any  one  look  into  the  bins  of 
a  great  cider  manufactory  without  horror? 
Cider  making  has  degenerated  into  a  general 
squeeze  up  of  all  the  wormy,  foul,  decaying  trash 
of  our  orchards  and  the  addition  of  drugs.  When 


our  fathers  made  cider.  tlic.\-  .selected  the  licst 
fruit,  or  at  least  carefully  axoided  grinding  up 
wormy  and  rotten  fruit  with  a  liberal  additii>n 
of  mud  and  manure.  Our  whole  method  of 
dealing  with  the  orchard  and  Apple  crop  needs 
revolutionizing.  The  packing  of  barrels  in 
some  sections  is  being  quite  reversed  from  the 
common  method  of  twenty  years  ago.  I  know 
brands  of  barrels  that  I  can  buy  without  looking 
farther  than  the  iiackers  name  on  the  outside. 


IRIS  GERMANICA  MADAME  OHEREAU. 

That  means  fine  fruit  well  packed  from  end 
to  end  of  the  barrel.  But  who  shall  take 
hold  of  this  cider  business  and  reform  our 
national  drinkV-E.  P.  PoUiU. 


New  York  Floral  Notes. 

The  florists  feel  a  little  aggrieved  because  so 
few  flowers  were  worn  by  the  ladies  attending 
the  great  Patriarch's  ball.  So  many  jewels  were 
worn  that  they  could  not  crowd  any  flowers  on, 
and  more  women  carried  elaborate  fans  than 
flowers.  But  when  flowers  were  carried  the 
bouquets  were  very  large. 

Regular  coi'sage  bunches  are  not  worn,  but 
pretty  trailing  knots  of  Roses  are  seen  with  some 
evening  gowns.  They  are  arranged  from  the 
shoulder,  beginning  with  one  Rose:  this  has  per- 
haps two  or  three  others  twisted  around  its  stem, 
as  many  as  are  desired,  and  then  some  others  are 
added,  reversed,  flowers  downward,  so  that  they 
make  a  trailing  spray,  half  knot,  halt  garland. 

A  sumptuous  dinner  arrangement  consisted  of 
a  center  plateau  of  Orchids,  delicate  Cattleyas 
and  Maidenhair,  while  around  it  were  low  baskets 
of  Gabrielle  Luizet  Roses,  used  as  favors. 

A  good  many  beautiful  Bowers  were  seen  at 
the  funeral  of  Peter  Henderson,  whose  sudden 
death  was  a  painful  shock  to  many.  Among  the 
designs  was  a  very  large  slanting  cross  of  Mermet 
and  Niphetos  Roses,  with  a  wreath  of  Violets 
hung  over  its  arms;  it  was  very  handsome.  Some 
flat  bouquets,  arranged  on  a  background  of  Cy- 
cas  leaves  were  also  handsome.  A  wreath  of 
Violets  makes  a  lovely  funeral  design,  hnd  they 


have  been  used  a  good  ileal  this  winter,  these 
flowers  being  both  popular  and  very  plentiful. 

Some,  of  the  growers  say  that  they  have  not 
really  sold  as  many  decorating  plants  this  winter 
as  they  expected,  and  they  really  think  the  mar- 
ket is  not  so  good  as  anticipated.  Perhaps  some 
explanation  of  this  may  be  found  in  the  fact  that 
a  good  many  big  decorations  depended  more  on 
Evergreens  than  on  decorating  plants.  Of  course 
they  were  well  arranged,  tut  they  were  cheap, 
^~"  and  they  looked  cheap.      One   may 

fill  up  with  such  stuff,  but  it  can 
never  compare  with  hot-house  plants. 
Perhaps  the  decorators  are  actuated 
by  prudence  as  well  as  economy,  as  we 
have  record  of  one  ball  of  upperten- 
dom  at  which  the  cultured  guests 
wound  up  the  festivities  by  smashing 
the  decorations  to  pieces  and  then 
pelting  one  another  with  the  frag- 
ments. 

A  beautiful  dinner  decoration  con- 
sisted of  a  quantity  of  pale  pink  India, 
bunched  up  in  graceful  folds.  In  the 
center  was  a  large  mound  of  Gabrielle 
Luizet  Roses,  without  other  foliage. 
Loose  Roses  were  scattered  here  and 
there,  and  a  bunch  was  laid  at  each 
cover.  Little  fancy  baskets  of  gilt  or 
silver,  or  colored  Rushes,  filled  with 
flowers,  often  take  the  place  of  a 
bouquet  as  dinner  favors,  being  filled 
with  the  flowers  prevailing  in  the 
decoration.  Some  charming  arrange- 
ments in  Orchids  are  used,  and  their 
costliness  adds  to  their  style.  One 
very  aesthetic  dinner  decoration  was 
of  Cypripedium  insigne.  Mignonette 
and  Maidenhair.  There  was  a  flat 
center  basket  filled  with  these  fiowers, 
while  around  it  were  the  favors, 
small,  round  baskets  filled  with  the 
same  flowers,  and  tied  with  bunches 
of  pale  green  ribbon. 

White  dinners  are  still  extremely 
fashionable,  one  very  beautiful  ar- 
rangement being  of  Bride  Roses  and 
White  Lilac;  while  Orchids  and  White 
Cyclamens  make  another  beautiful 
decoration.  There  is  but  little  decor- 
ation at  afternoon  teas,  but  Violets 
are  very  popular  at  such  functions. 

Tulips  are  still  used,  but  they  are 
not  very  popular  for  dinners  or  other 
fine  arrangements.  The  largest  Tulip 
decoration  of  the  season  was  the 
annual  dinner  of  the  Holland  Society 
in  Xew  York,  where  it  was  said  over 
3,000  Tulip  blooms  were  used,  chiefly 
Due  Van  Thol.  No  other  flowers  but 
these  Dutch  bulbs  were  used. 

Pot  plants  are  much  used  on  the 
table,  the  pots  being  stood  in  Delft  or 
Leeds  jars  or  rush  baskets.  Cyclamens 
are  much  admired  for  this  purpose, 
varying  from  pure  white  through  all 
the  varying  shades  of  pink  to  deep  crimson. 
Little  Holly  trees,  covered  with  berries,  were 
imported  from  England  for  use  in  decorations, 
but  they  were  rather  clumsy  for  the  table. 

Brides  rarely  carry  Orange  blossoms  now; 
sometimes  a  spray  or  two  is  mixed  in  the  bouquet, 
but  the  favorite  bridal  flower  now  is  White  Lilac. 
Lilac  is  always  in  favor,  either  the  cut  blooms  or 
the  small  French  plants  in  pots,  which  are  used 
for  decorating.  Next  to  the  Lilac.  Lily  of  the 
Valley  is  favored  by  brides.  The  bridal  bouquet 
is  stUl  extremely  large,  tied  with  a  very  long 
white  sash. 

For  luncheons  the  decorations  differ  in  charac- 
ter from  dinners.  One  pretty  yellow  luncheon 
was  decorated  with  Jonquils;  in  the  center  was  a 
large  yellow  bowl  of  Leeds  pattern,  filled  with 
these  flowers.  Two  other  flower  holders  of  quaint 
shape  stood  at  opposite  corners,  and  there  were 
several  smaller  glasses,  all  filled  with  the  same 
flowers.  -\n ingenious  idea  at  luncheons  is  to  tie 
the  favors  at  the  back  of  each  chair  with  ribbons, 
so  that  they  are  easily  moved.  When  the  flowers 
are  laid  at  the  plate  they  are  often  in  the  way 
during  luncheon.  Little  oriental  straw  baskets 
are  filled  with  flowers  for  luncheon  favors. 

A  large  ball  of  flowers  suspended  from  the 
center  of  the  ceiling,  is  a  showy  feature  in  dec- 
oration, especially  when  garlands  of  flowers  are 
looped  from  above  it  to  the  sides  of  the  room. 
Poinsettia  has  been  used  a  good  deal  in  showy 
decorations;  and  its  vivid  color  makes  its  highly 
effective. 

Emilt  Louise  Tapldj. 


134 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


March, 


FRoH 
THE 


SOCIETIES 


awMArtERT>iAT  dbimves 

TO  BETWI  DEI.Y  KN  0 WIU 

Early  Potatoes.  The  Early 
1  )hio  is  now  the  leading  var- 
iety in  my  neighborhood; 
none  better  where  you  want 
,  to  grow  two  crops  in  one 
season.— Jo/in  BwiHg,  O. 

Profitable  Apples  in  Iowa, 
Wealthy  is  the  most  profit- 
able, with  Duchess  second.  At  25  cents  a  bushel 
Duchess  will  in  ten  years  pay  $100  an  acre.— 
Uarvey  Fidkr,  Minn. 

The  Home  Garden .  The  garden  must  be  near 
the  house,  and  at  least  a  part  of  it  enclosed,  be 
well  manured  every  year,  should  face  the  south, 
have  no  trees  near  it,  and  for  the  ordinary  farmer 
should  contain  about  14,  acre.— J.  M.  Pearson,  lU. 

Advance  in  Strawberries.  Wherever  civiliza- 
tion and  Christianity  exists,  there  Strawberry 
culture  is  advancing  and  increasing,  and  as  long 
as  there  is  a  seed  time  and  harvest,  and  as  man 
can  sow  seed  and  set  Strawberry  plants,  just  that 
long  will  there  be  advancement  in  new  and  better 
Strawberries.— C.  D.  Matthews,  Ky. 

Ornamental  Planting.  For  streets  there  is 
nothing  better  than  Elm,  Ash,  Linden  and 
Catalpa.  Where  soil  is  dry.  Hard  Maple  is  among 
the  best;  but  on  wet  black  soil  is  the  poorest 
For  lawn  or  grounds,  increase  the  list  in  propor- 
tion to  the  size  of  the  grounds;  it  there  is  room 
plant  some  which  are  not  generally  classed  as 
hardy,  protecting  them  for  a  few  years  iix  winter. 
—A.  Dunniny  before  Illinois  State  Hort.  Society. 

Buffalo  Berry,  At  a  recent  meeting  of  the 
Dakota  Horticultural  Society  the  Kutfalo  Berry 
was  well  spoken  of,  not  for  its  fruit,  but  for  orna- 
mental hedges  or  lawn  planting.  Trees  planted 
two  years  ago  last  spring,  from  small  sprouts  dug 
up  on  the  bluffs,  were  reported  as  being  now 
seven  feet  high,  having  made  an  average  growth 
of  18  inches  of  the  principal  branches  in  the  dry 
season,  and  last  year's  growth  now  loaded  with 
fruit  buds. 

Southeastern  Illinois  Fruit  Growers  Associa- 
tion. This  was  organized  December  ISlst,  18Hfl, 
and  the  following  oflicei's  were  elected:  Prsident, 
1.  Mills,  of  Clay;  Vice-Presidents,  R.  Mills,  of 
Clay;  Vice-Presidents,  B.  T.  Key,  Richland;  E.  C. 
Kramer,  Wayne;  Allen  Cope,  J  arion;  Wiley 
Honey,  Jasper;  Thos.  Lowry,  Clay.  Secretery, 
N.  M.  Burns,  Clay;  Assistant  Secretary,  J.  It. 
Benney,  Hoosier  Prairie;  Treasurer,  R  Smith, 
Clay.  The  membership  was  placed  at  $1  per 
annum,  or  $10  for  a  lite  membership. 

Early  Snmmer  Apples.  Of  these  we  have  Car- 
olina Red  .Tune,  Yellow  .Tune  and  Early  Harvest. 
The  first  named  ripens  its  fruit  consecutively,  a 
few  at  a  time,  for  a  month  or  so,  and  is  therefore 
very  desirable  as  a  family  Apple.  When  highly 
cultivated,  as  it  always  should  be,  and  grown  in 
large  quantities,  it  is  also  a  desirable  market 
fruit,  being  of  a  beautiful  color  and  of  medium 
size.  All  three  sorts  first  named  are  fit  for  use 
even  before  the  seeds  are  Ijrown,  yet  they  are 
wholesome  and  of  best  flavor  when  fully  ripe.— 
Kansos  State  Hort.  Society. 

Birds  and  Forests.  The  laws  we  can  make  for 
tlie  protection  of  the  birds  will,  in  a  measure,  be 
barren  of  results  if  we  destroy  all  our  native 
fruit  trees  and  neglect  to  plant  more  trees.  Birds 
and  forests  are  intimately  connected,  and  the 
destruction  of  the  relation  between  them  means 
the  destruction  of  both.  The  forests  give  the 
birds  shelter  and  food,  and  the  birds  disseminate 
the  seeds  of  the  trees  and  keep  in  proper  check 
their  enemies.  In  other  words  the  birds  cannot 
live  without  the  forests  and  the  forests  cannot 
exist  without  the  birds.— Fro»i  P}-e»ident^s  Ad- 
dress Keutueliy  Horticultural  Society. 

Greenhouse  Exposure.  I  have  greenhouses 
facing  west  and  southwest;  at  twelve  the  sun 
shines  on  the  ridge  pole  of  my  house  They  are 
built  with  one-cjuarter  span  and  get  the  afternoon 
sun.  1  have  seen  good  success  in  greenhouses 
facing  in  all  directions.  It  don't  make  much 
ditTerence.  The  greenhouse  may  as  well  face 
southeast  as  any  way.  The  morning  sun  is  im- 
portant; if  they  run  southeast  with  one-quarter 
span  you  can  get  the  afternoon  sun,  and  it  I  were 
building  1  should'  buld  the  new  houses  where 
they  would  have  the  afternoon  sun  and  the 
morning  sun  both.— 1'.  Frost,  before  Farmers'' 
Meeting  at  Boston. 


California's  Flora.  Jlr.  B.  P.  Ware  tells  the 
Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society  that  at  a 
recent  visit  in  California  he  saw  acres  and  acres 
of  Squashes,  or,  as  they  are  called  there.  Pump- 
kins, producing  at  the  rate  of  ao  tons  per  acre; 
they  are  valued  at  two  dollars  per  ton.  There  is 
no  frost  there,  and  they  are  piled  up  in  the  fields 
tnitil  wanted  tor  use.  A  field  was  said  to  have 
produced  80  tons  to  the  acre.  Peaches  require 
only  four  years  to  make  good  thrifty  bearing 
trees.  Almonds  and  English  Walnuts  thrive 
there;  indeed,  all  the  fruits  now  imported  from 
Europe  find  a  congenial  home  in  California,  and 
our  whole  country  will  undoubtedly  before  long 
be  supplied  from  thence  with  all  the  fruits  and 
nuts  now  imported. 

Improvements  in  Vegetables.  Beets  have  im- 
in-oved  in  earliness,  not  in  quality.  While  there 
may  be  some  improvement  in  Beans,  the  seed 
men  make  the  most  noise.  The  ijuality  of  Toma- 
toes has  not  improved  as  much  as  the  looks.  In 
Cabbage  the  early  varieties  have  improved. 
Celery  thirty  years  ago  was  used  but  little;  now 
it  is  one  of  the  leading  vegetables.  There  has 
been  such  a  change  in  the  manner  of  growing, 
and  the  new  varieties  intr()duced,  that  it  is 
brought  within  reach  of  all  people.  There  is  no 
vegetable  where  the  variety  has  changed  so  much 
with  advantage  to  the  grower,  without  losing  in 
quality.  There  is  a  steady  improvement  in  veg- 
etables all  along  the  line,  except  the  Sweet 
Potato.— Montyomery  Co.  HoH.  Society. 

Apples  for  Michigan.  At  a  recent  meeting  of 
the  Aiiple  growers  of  Lenawee  Co.,  Mich.,  the 
following  Apples  were  chosen  by  ballot:  For 
fall  family  use,  the  Fall  Pippin,  Strawberry  and 
Snow  Apples.  For  winter  family  use,  Northein 
Spy,  Rhode  Island  Greening,  Rambo,  Canada  Red 
and  Talman  Sweet,  with  approval  of  Belleflower 
and  Belmont  as  cooking  Apples,  and  Jonathan 
and  Winesap  as  dessert  varieties  For  market, 
the  five  selected  were:  Baldwin,  Ben  Davis, 
Northern  Spy,  Rhode  Island  Greening;  Roxbury 
Russet.  Morris  Red  and  Pennock  were  favorably 
mentioned.  As  best  single  varieties  for  all  pur- 
poses these  Michigan  growers  were  about  evenly 
divided  between  the  Baldwin  and  Ben  Davis:  the 
Baldwin's  only  weak  point  being  the  liability  of 
the  tree  to  injure  in  severe  cold  winters. 

Making  a  Lawn.  With  a  good  friable  or  rich 
loamy  soil,  it  will  always  be  a  comparatively  easy 
matter  to  produce  a  good  sward,  if  we  select 
the  right  kinds  of  seed.  I  should  use  to  the  acre 
at  the  rate  of  about  five  bushels,  weight  measure, 
of  the  following  mixture:  Hei  Toi)  (Agrot  is  rid- 
gai-is).  Crested  Dog's  Tail  iCynosiints  crlttattiii), 
Kentucky  Blue  Graas  (Pouprafeiisis)  and  Rhode 
Island  Bent  Grass  lAgrostis  canina)  of  about 
equal  parts  If  not  convenient  to  obtain  all  these, 
either  is  good  alone.  My  first  choice  is  the  Red 
Top  {.igrostis  vulgiiiis)  and  second  would  be  the 
Rhode  Island  Bent  Grass  [.-igrostis  canina). 
After  sowing  and  bushing  in  my  seed,  would  sow 
a  goodly  quantity  of  some  fertilizer  th.-tt  contains 
ammonia,  and  then  roll  the  ground  with  a  good 
weight  roller.  When  the  grass  attains  the  iirojier 
height  to  cut,  I  should  cut  the  first  time  with  a 
very  keen-edged  scythe;  after  the  first  cutting- 
use  the  lawn  mower,  one  with  cylinder  driving 
wheel  preferred,  that  the  ground  may  be  kept 
smooth.  At  the  approach  of  winter  cover  with 
good  thick  coating  of  straw  manure  from  the 
horse  barn,  raking  off  the  straw  in  the  spring 
and  leaving  the  finer  particles  of  manure  on  the 
ground.- A'.  V.  Wilder  before  the  Association  of 
.Ainericcin  Cemetery  Superintendents. 

Seeds.  The  common  advice  is  to  raise  them 
We  are  told  that  if  we  will  only  save  a  few  of  the 
best  specimens  for  seed  and  then  set  them  out 
we  shall  get  seed  superior  to  what  we  can  bu.v  at 
any  price;  but  it  is  yet  the  question  whether  we 
could  better  afford  to  buy  pedigree  seed,  unless 
we  are  to  make  seed  raising  a  specialty.  It  is 
work  of  great  difficulty  to  select  specimen  Beets, 
Parsnips,  Onions  and  Turnips,  and  even  choice 
Cabbage  and  Lettuce;  while  the  raising  of  Cauli- 
flower and  Celery  seed  is  generally  left  toexperts 
entirely.  My  rule  in  procuring  seeds  would  be 
to  buy  the  best  seed  you  can  get,  and  along  the 
line  of  your  specialties  seek  to  originate,  or  at 
least  improve,  on  the  best  strain  in  cultivation. 
The  soil  should  be  finely  pulverized;  not  moist 
enough  to  be  sticky  nor  yet  dry  enough  to  be 
dusty.  After  covering  the  seed  with  earth  to  the 
depth  of  about  four  times  the  diameter  oC  the 
seed,  the  land  should  be  firmed  or  rolled.  Where 
laborers  are  scarce,  hand  work  can  be  saved  by 
omitting  to  sow  every  third  row  of  root  crops. 
In  the  broad  spaces  the  horse  cultivator  may  be 
used.    If  the  plants  should  be  left  a  little  thicker 


in  the  rows  then  if  every  row  were  planted  a  full 
crop  may  be  expected.— A.  B.  Smith  before  the 
Massachusetts  Board  of  Agriculture. 

Farm  Forestry.  Mr.  L.  B.  Pierce,  opening  the 
discussion  on  this  subject  at  a  meeting  of  the 
Ohio  Horticulturists,  said  it  was  useless  to  urge 
farmers  and  horticulturists  to  plant  trees  for 
forest  purposes  on  arable  land.  A  man  who 
could  sow  Oats  in  April  and  sell  the  product  in 
August,  or  plant  Strawberries  in  August  and 
market  the  fruit  in  the  succeeding  June,  would 
not  be  easily  induced  to  plant  trees  so  that  his 
great  grandchildren  might  run  a  portable  saw- 
mill. Private  forestry  could  only  be  successfully 
urged  to  the  extent  of  growing  trees  for  posts 
and  other  farm  uses.  Probably  private  forestry 
would  take  the  form  of  planting  windbreaks  of 
suitable  trees .  For  posts  the  best  trees  are  Locust 
and  Osage  Orange.  The  latter  is  one  of  the  most 
durable,  and  yearling  seedlings  planted  in  a  single 
row  two  feet  apart  on  rich  land  would  average 
two  posts  to  the  tree  in  -'0  .years.  It  makes  a  com- 
pact close  screen,  and  is,  perhaps,  the  best  decid- 
uous windbreak  that  can  be  planted.  For  small 
uses  around  the  farm,  such  as  whiffletrees, 
handles,  binding  poles,  etc.,  there  are  two  trees 
pre-eminently  suitable,  because  of  their  strength 
and  the  fact  that  they  have  no  useless  sap  wood, 
and  rapidity  of  growth  does  not  injure  the  tex- 
ture. These  are  the  Shell-lmrk  Hickory  and  the 
White  Ash.  Much  can  be  gained  in  timber 
growth  by  allowing  stumps  to  sprout.  The  roots 
already  existing  accelerate  the  growth  wonder- 
fully and  the  sprouts  rapidly  grow  into  tall, 
straight  trees.  A  Chestnut  stump  two  feet  in 
diameter  has  nine  sprouts,  which  now  after  25 
years  growth  exceed  in  bulk  twice  the  original 
tree.    The  Catalpa  was  also  mentioned. 


Tomatoes  as  a  Money  Crop. 

[Ertract  of  paper  read  l>y  T.  (jreiner  before  the 
Wetland  County  Farmers'  Institute,  Jan.  !l,  iHOO,] 

Where  large  crops  are  grown  and  brought 
to  maturity,  the  cash  returns  from  Toma- 
toes are  in  favorable  contrast  with  those  of 
most  other  ordinary  farm  crops.  On  the 
other  hand,  the  average  crop  obtained  by 
the  average  farmer  can  hardly  be  pro- 
nounced remunerative. 

Bequisites  of  Financial  Success.  To  make 
the  crop  a  decidedly  profitable  one,  we  must 
aim  to  have  e.xtra  large  yields,  and  these 
yields  early  enough  to  bring  the  whole  crop  to 
maturity  before  the  arrival  of  the  autumn  frosts. 
With  good,  well-hardened  plants  of  good  varie- 
ties to  begin  with,  and  with  proper  cultivation, 
the  two  objects  named  can  easily  be  reached  in 
any  average  season  by  a  judicious  method  of 
feeding  the  plants.  But  before  we  can  get  the 
best  results  from  applying  manures,  we  must 
learn  all  the  effects  that  such  applications  have 
on  plant  life. 

Until  very  recently  it  was  the  general  opinion 
of  expert  Tomato  growers  that  the  free  use  of 
nitrogenous  fertilizei-s  had  a  tendency  to  pro- 
duce vine-growth  at  the  expense  of  fruit.  Con- 
sequently the  crop  was  usually  idanted  on  thin 
soil,  lightly  manured,  with  the  natural  result  of 
a  light  yield.  This  idea  is  yet  prevailing,  and  the 
practice  common  to  this  day. 

This  whole  doctrine  is  wrong  from  beginning 
to  end.  Large  yields  are  only  possible  on  rich 
soils,  or  soils  heavily  manured.  It  is  true  that  an 
excess  of  available  nitrogen  in  the  soil  will  pro- 
duce a  large  growth  of  vine;  but  this  is  iust 
what  we  should  aim  for,  since  a  large  crop  of 
fruit  is  not  to  be  thought  of  without  a  previous 
large  growth  of  vine.  The  only  precaution  we 
have  to  take,  is  to  supply  at  the  same  time  an 
excess  of  the  mineral  elements  of  plant  food,  i.  c, 
of  potash  and  phosphoric  acid,  in  other  words, 
to  supply  our  plants  with  all  the  chances  of  a 
well-balanced  nutrition.  Give  to  the  |>lants  an 
abundant  supply  of  all  the  elements  of  plant 
food  in  available  condition,  beginning  with  the 
very  day  they  are  set  out,  and  a  large  and  early 
crop  of  fruit  will  be  assured. 

The  Wrong  and  Eight  Methods.  It  is  a  very 
common  mistake,  to  set  out  idants  on  thin  soil 
manured  with  fresh  stable  manure  just  previous 
to  jilanting.  Soil  and  atmosphere  are  yet  cool, 
and  but  little,  if  any  available  nitrogen  is  present 
in  the  soil  at  the  time,  since  the  process  of  so- 
called  nitrification,  which  is  the  natural  conver- 
sion of  unavailable  nitrogen  into  the  available 
nitrate  form,  by  a  sort  of  fungus  growth,  goes 
on  very  slow  in  early  spring.  The  consequence 
is,  the  plants,  merely  for  the  lack  of  a  little  nitro- 


1890. 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


135 


^n,  remain  at  a  perfect  stand-still  until  the  soil 
becomes  warmed  throii(?li  suffieiently  toset  na- 
turc'sdiminiitivc  nitrate  maniifaeturcrsto  work. 
Then  the  plants  take  a  start,  aiul  if  the  appiiea- 
tion  of  eoai-se  manure  was  copious,  thus  keeping 
up  a  lariie  late  supply  of  available  nitrogen,  they 
will  make  a  larpe  late  jrrowth  of  vine,  set  fruit 
still  later  than  they  would  have  done  otherwise, 
and  probably  carry  only  a  small  part  of  the  crop 
to  maturity. 

Hcmember  that  we  do  want  a  large  amount  of 
vine,  our  profits  depend  on  our  getting  it,  but 
we  want  it  early.  And  we  can  easily  get  it  early 
by  manuring  heavily  with  good  compost  in  the 
autumn  before,  and  by  applying  some  good  fer- 
tilizer in  the  hill  at  planting  time,  or  by  using  a 
high-grade  complete  fertilizer  copiously  in  the 
spring.  The  aim  must  be  to  put  all  the  needed 
mineral  elements  at  the  plants"  disposal  in  some 
form,  and  also  to  proride  them  with  available 
nitrogen  from  the  very  start.  Then  there  will 
be  no  stand-still;  for  the  supposed  "'check  due  to 
transplanting  or  exposure"  is  nothing  more  nor 
le.ssthan  lack  of  a  little  nitrogen  just  at  that  time. 

Nitrate  of  Soda.  The  method  described  will 
do  well  enough  for  farm  operations.  The  ex- 
pert gardener,  however,  with  whom  earliness  is 
a  matter  of  the  very  flpst  consideration,  hjis  still 
other  resources  in  reserve.  He  selects  the  earli- 
est good  variety:  starts  his  plants  early:  takes 
more  pains  with  them  than  it  would  pay  the 
farmer  to  do,  who  grows  his  crop  for  the  can- 
neries at  about  ?8.00  per  ton,  and  makes  his  soil 
especially  if  not  so,  excessively  rich.  His  reward 
for  all  this  is  the  price  of  §2.00  per  crate  and 
more  often  obtained  for  his  fruit.  But  one  of 
the  most  important  resources  of  the  market 
gardener  is  nitrate  of  soda:  and  its  judicious  use 
offers  him  advantages  which  he  cannot  afford  to 
ignore.  A  mere  trifle  of  it  applied  in  the  hill 
when  the  plants  are  first  set  out,  will  furnish  them 
with  just  that  small  quantity  of  available  nitro- 
gen so  sorely  needed  at  this  time  in  order  to  start 
at  once  a  vigorous  and  healthy  vine  growth. 
Earliest  and  fullest  development  of  the  plants, 
arid  as  the  natural  consequence,  an  early  and 
full  crop  of  fruit,  are  thus  secured. 

Yet  there  is  danger  in  late  applications  of 
nitrates,  especially  when  the  mineral  elements 
of  plant  food  are  butscantily  suppUed.  Suppose 
you  have  planted  on  thin  soil,  have  noticed  that 
your  plants  have  not  made  a  particle  of  growth 
for  two,  three,  perhaps  four  weeks,  and  all  at 
once  the  idea  strikes  you  to  hurry  them  along 
with  copious  applications  of  nitrate  of  soda,  or 
sulphate  of  ammonia.  You  will  find  that  you 
are  only  making  a  bad  matter  worse.  By  letting 
the  plants  alone,  and  abiding  your  time,  or  bet- 
ter by  giving  them  a  good  ration  of  some  high 
grade  complete  manure  (say  Mapes'  special  Po- 
tato manure  I,  you  can  retain  the  proper  balance, 
and  secure  an  amount  of  fruit  proportionate  to 
the  foliage,  even  if  somewhate  late.  By  the  late 
and  copious  use  of  nitrate  of  soda,  if  at  all  effec- 
tive you  can  only  produce  a  strong  growth  of 
vine  too  late  to  allow  much  fruit  to  set,  or  what 
has  set,  to  come  to  maturity. 

The  Advantages.  By  means  of  the  manage- 
ment recommended  you  secure  early  and  full 
development  of  the  vines,  comparative  freedom 
from  disease,  and  a  maximum  crop— always  a 
paying  one— and  this  whole  crop  in  advance  of 
the  autumn  frosts.  This  is  not  the  extent  of  the 
advantages.  You  also  secure  perfect  fruit.  The 
fruit  of  all  varieties  grows  not  only  larger,  but 
also  fairer  and  smoother  on  well-fed  vines,  and 
consequently  brings  more  money  than  the  fruit 
from  starved  plants  which  is  liable  to  be  small, 
ribbed,  scallopped,  irregular. 

Oive  the  Needed  Space.  1  cannot  urge  with 
too  much  emphasis  the  necessity  of  giving  to 
each  plant  the  room  required  for  the  fullest  de- 
velopment which  it  is  very  likely  to  attain  under 
our  improved  method  of  culture.  Here  is  where 
so  many  fail.  A  few  dwarf  varieties.  Dwarf 
Champion  among  them  may  be  set  as  close  as 
four  feet  apart  each  way:  but  for  the  common 
market  sorts — the  Potato-Leaf,  Mikado,  Acme, 
Perfection,  Paragon,  Cardinal,  or  the  newer 
Ignotum  and  Matchless— five  feet  each  way  is 
the  very  lowest  limit  allowable,and  five  and  one- 
half  feet  will  be  better  with  the  spreading  ones 
among  these  sorts. 


Hardy  Roses:   Culture  and  Kinds. 
[Extract  of  paper  read  by  R.  A.  Moore,  before  the 
Connecticut  Board  of  Agriculture.'] 

That  division  of  Roses  known  as  the 
Hybrid  Remontant  or  Hybrid  Perpetual 
contains  most  of  the  desirable  hardy  varie- 


ties. There  is  also  a  middle  ground  be- 
tween these  divisions,  of  Roses  that  will 
with.stand  our  ordinary  winters  with  slight 
protection.  This  field  is  occupied  for  the 
most  part  by  the  Hybrid  Teas  and  Hybrid 
Noisettes,  two  comparatively  new  classes 
which  have  arisen :  first  from  crosses  be- 
tween Remoutantsand  the  Teas,  and  second 
between  Noisettes  and  Bourbons.  They 
contain  a  few  choice  and  almost  indispens- 
able varieties  to  even  the  most  limited  col- 
lection. La  France  is  the  most  beautiful 
and  conspicuous  member  of  the  first  group, 
and  Coquette  des  Alps  and  Blanches  of  the 
second  group. 

CaltiTation,  The  location  should  be  an  open 
and  sunny  one,  free  from  the  injurious  effects  of 
the  roots  and  shade  of  trees,  though  shade  in  it- 
self is  beneficial.  The  soil  should  contain  not 
too  much  clay,  nor  too  much  sand. 

Any  good  garden  soil  with  natural  drainage  is 
suitable,  lioses  almost  refuse  to  grow  in  a  dry, 
sandy  soil,  but  are  equally  impatient  of  a  wet, 
clayey  one.  These  conditions  can  be  modified  by 
drainage,  the  addition  of  sand,  woodashes,  leaves 
and  the  like  when  too  heavy,  and  muck,  clay  and 
turf  when  too  light  and  sandy. 

In  the  preparation  of  the  bed  a  liberal  use  of 
stable  manure  is  important,  and  unless  the  soil 
is  very  heavy,  cow-manure  is  preferred,  but  in 
claye}'  and  cold  soils,  horse-manure.  Do  not 
manure  too  deepl.v,  nor  is  it  necessary  to  make  it 
or  the  soil  specially  fine.  A  mixture  made  of 
well-composted  stable-manure,  turf,  leaves  and 
bone-dust  is  the  best  application,  especially  for 
old  beds.  During  the  blooming  season  liquid 
manure  applied  often  and  weak  is  beneficial. 

If  the  plants  are  set  in  rows  the  distance  be- 
tween them  should  be  not  less  than  2J^  to  3  feet. 
The  rows  should  be  at  least  4  feet  apart.  Early 
spring  I  think  the  best  time  for  setting,  though 
in  dry  soil  fallmay  answer  equally  well.  If  Koses 
are  received  in  the  fall  they  can  be  kept  perfect- 
ly till  spring  by  burying  the  whole  plant  horizon- 
tally a  foot  deep  in  dry  soil.  This  gives  the 
advantage  of  early  spring  setting  which  is  im- 
portant. In  setting,  make  the  hole  sufficiently 
large,  arrange  the  roots  properly,  and  firm  the 
soil  weU  with  the  feet,  covering  the  hardened 
surface  with  a  little  loose  earth. 

If  budded  plants  are  used  they  should  be  set 
from  .3  to  4  Inches  deeper  than  those  upon  their 
own  roots.  The  large  majority  of  Roses  are  bet- 
ter on  their  own  roots  than  budded  either  on  the 
Mannetti  or  Dog-rose  stock.  Clean  cultivation 
after  setting  is  essential  to  a  good  growth. 
Mulching  is  preferred  by  some  during  the  sum- 
mer blooming,  and  does  well  in  a  dry  season. 

Pruning.  The  chief  objects  are  to  give  and 
preserve  a  symmetrical  form  and  to  promote 
growth  for  the  flower  buds.  Plants  of  delicate 
habit  and  weak  growth  require  severe  pruning; 
those  that  are  vigorous  in  growth  should  have 
the  shoots  moderately  shortened  but  the 
branches  well  thinned  out.  The  rule  is  that 
severe  pruning  gives  the  best  flowers  but  less  of 
them;  and  for  quality  few  plants  should  be  left 
in  the  spring  exceeding  two  feet  in  height, 
though  where  an  excessive  growth  has  been 
made  the  previous  season  it  is  not  always  safe  to 
cut  back  too  severely.  There  is  very  little  to 
choose  as  to  time  between  late  fall  and  early 
spring,  though  I  prefer  to  prune  sparingly  in  the 
fall  and  complete  the  work  the  following  spring. 

Insects  and  Fungi.  Among  the  insects  we 
have  the  common  Rose  bug  or  Hose  chafer,  the 
catterpillar  or  leaf  roller,  the  Rose  slug,  and  the 
Rose  hopper.  Hand  picking  is  generally  resorted 
to  with  the  Rose  bug  and  leaf  roller.  Paris  green 
I  have  tried  with  only  partial  success.  In  white 
hellebore  is  found  a  sovereign  remedy  for  the 
Rose  slug  and  hopper.  Mix  one  ounce  of  the 
powder  with  three  gallons  of  water  and  apply 
thoroughly  with  a  garden  syringe  or  small 
broom.  A  watering  pot  is  hardly  suitable 
as  the  under  as  well  as  the  upper  side  of  the 
leaves  must  be  reached.  Make  the  application 
on  the  very  first  appearance  of  these  pests  and 
at  intervals  as  may  be  required.  The  dry  powder 
answers  quite  as  well  but  is  apt  to  give  the  leaves 
an  unsightly  appearance  for  several  days,  es- 
pecially if  the  hellebore  is  mixed  with  flour. 
The  best  remedy  known  for  mildew  is  flour  of 
sulphur,  which  must  be  used  upon  the  first  sign 
of  the  fungus,  or  little  good  will  result. 

Varieties.  A  Rose  for  general  cultivation 
must  be  hardy,  of  free  growth,  of  good  form  and 
color  aud  fragrant;  for  exhibition  purposes  some 


of  the  qualities  must  be  wanting.  There  are 
other  desirable  points,  such  as  freedom  of  bloom, 
permanency  of  color,  beauty  of  foliage  and  the 
like,  hut  the  lirst  five  are  essential.  Some  of  the 
most  beautiful  exhibition  flowers  fall  short  of 
the  perfect  Rose  fSaronem  Rothschild  the  best 
ligbt-colorcd  Rose  in  cultivation,  hardy,  perfect 
in  form  and  color,  but  an  indifferent  grower  and 
without  fragrance.  M(i<l.  Oahrid  Lnizet,  though 
not  equal  in  form  and  color,  is  hardy,  a  fine 
grower,  and  somewhat  fragrant.  Louis  Von 
Boulte  is  probably  the  best  dark  Rose  we  have  as 
an  exhibition  Rose,  almost  perfect  in  form  and 
color,  deliciously  fragrant,  but  of  poor  growth, 
and  not  entirely  hardy.  Both  Fi.iher  Holmes  and 
Haron  dc  Bongtctten  would  outrank  it,  both  be- 
ing hardy,  of  fine  growth,  good  form  and  color, 
and  fragrant.  The  only  ones  in  the  lists  which 
need  protection  are  Coquette  des  Blanches.  Eliza 
Boelle.  La  France  and  Louis  Von  Houtle,  though 
the  others  might  receive  some  benefit  from  it.  I 
have  both  Blanches  and  Alps  which  have  endured 
the  winters  of  the  last  twelve  years  without  any 
protection  whatever;  though  the  tops  are  more 
or  less  injured,  they  renew  their  growth  quickly 
in  the  spring  and  bloom  freely  during  summer. 

Winter  Protection.  There  is  nothing  better 
than  a  mount  of  earth.  Leaves  are  also  good, 
and  an  excellent  plan  is  to  cover  the  bed  in  the 
fall  with  a  heavy  coating  of  leaves,  then  cover 
this  with  coarse  manure,  forking  it  in  the  follow- 
ing spring. 

A  few  of  the  most  promising  new  Koses  are 
Mrs.  John  Laing,  Columbia,  Clars  Cochet  and 
Earl  of  Dufferin. 

The  popular  Rose  is  very  light  or  very  dark 
the  intermediate  shades  being  neglected.  The 
color  of  a  Hose  must  be  pure;  a  purple  shade  is 
always  an  objectionable  one.  Most  Roses  incline 
to  fade  into  that  color. 

The  following  is  a  good  list  of  stage  or  exhibi- 
tion Roses:  MerveiUe  de  Lyon,  La  France, 
Mabel  Morrison,  Eugenie  Verdier,  Capt.  Christy, 
Fisher  Holmes,  Baroness  Rothschild,  Louis  Van 
Houtte.  Mad.  Gabriel  Luizet,  Jean  Loupert; 
Pride  of  Waltham,  Zavier  Olibo. 

The  three  best  Moss  Roses  are  White  Bath, 
Crested,  and  Gracilis. 


Shipping  Crates  and  Baskets. 

[From  a  talfc  on  '' Money  or  Small  Fruits."  before  tfie 
-V.  r.  State  Agricultural  Society  by  J.  H.  Hale.' 

The  baskets  and  boxes  used  should  be 
new  and  clean,  and  made  of  the  whitest 
wood  that  it  is  possible  to  obtain.  All  .should 
be  as  rounding  full  as  can  be  conveniently 
packed  without  injury  to  the  fruit.  There 
should  be  no  inferior  fruit  put  in,  and  that 
in  the  bottom  and  middle  of  the  package 
should  be  just  as  good  as  that  on  top. 

Baskets  thus  packed  should  be  carefully  placed 
in  clean  bright  crates  or  boxes,  and  of  the  size 
required  by  the  markets  where  the  fruit  is  to  be 
sold.  We  in  the  east,  mostly  use  the  square 
quart-American  baskets,  well  ventilated  at  sides 
and  corners  and  pack  them  in  thirty-two  or  forty- 
eight-quart-crates  that  are  all  ventilated  at  sides 
and  ends,  and  are  returned  when  empty. 

In  some  sections  of  Pa.,  Ohio,  Ind.,  Ills  and 
Mo.  they  use  shallow  boxes,  about  14x20  inches, 
called  a  tray:  into  these  they  turn  loosely  sixteen 
quarts  of  berries  Putting  four  of  these,  one 
above  the  other,  with  a  thin  cover  over  the  one 
on  top,  and  cleats  nailed  on  the  sides  to  hold 
them  together,  makes  a  stand  containing  sixty- 
four  quarts.  In  the  market,  the  berries  are 
scooped  up,  and  measured  by  the  quart,  more  or 
less  mussed  ,  with  a  shrinkage  of  about  12  per 
cent.  This  is  an  abomination,  and  surely  no 
money  can  be  made  on  small  fruits  thus  handled. 

In  the  west  aud  south  west  most  of  the  fruit  is 
send  to  market  in  what  is  known  as  the '  Hallock," 
a  box  five  Inches  square,  two  and  a  halt  deep, 
bottom  elevated  half  an  inch,  so  as  not  to  crush 
the  berries  below,  and  no  slit  or  hole  for  ventila- 
tion. These  are  packed  three  deep  without  any 
slats  between  them,  in  cheap  twenty  four  quart 
gift  cases  and  sell  with  the  fruit. 

I  am  satisfied  after  several  yeai's  careful  study 
of  the  markets,  both  east  and  west,  that  we  are 
ventilating  our  baskets  and  crates  too  much,  and 
by  allowing  so  much  air  to  reach  our  berries  we 
are  not  keeping  them  in  good  condition  as  long 
as  we  might.  Of  course  where  berries  are  picked 
in  the  heat  of  the  day,  and  packed  at  once, 
they  must  go  in  ventilated  baskets  and  ciates, 
also  if  wet  from  rain  or  dew,  they  will  dry  off 
and  keep  longer  when  well  ventilated,  but  I  am 


136 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


March, 


clearly  of  the  opinion  that  if  we  will  pick  our 
berries  in  the  cool  of  the  day,  or  if  picked  when 
warm  we  will  at  once  send  them  to  a  cooling 
room,  and  when  thoroughly  cooled  pack  them 
in  tight  boxes  or  baskets,  in  crates  where  the  air 
will  not  directly  reach  them,  berries  will  keep 
twic«  as  long  and  in  better  condition  than  they 
do  now,  in  what  we  call  our  best  yentilated 
packages. 

It  is  usually  good  policy  to  conform  to  the  cus- 
tomers of  the  markets  whose  trade  we  seek. 
However,  where  we  find  those  that  have  not 
attained  a  high  standard,  it  may  be  well  to  humor 
them  to  the  extent  of  sending  second-cliiss  fruit 
in  the  old  style,  and  market  our  best  in  the  most 
approved  packages  attainable.  It  will  attract 
attention  to  our  goods,  and  win  favor  and  custom, 
especially  if  we  guarantee  every  package  to  be 
as  represented.  We  cannot  afford  to  spend  eleven 
months  of  careful  cultivation  of  our  fruits,  and 
then  accept  inferior  prices,  simply  for  the  want 
of  a  little  care  in  the  details  of  marketing. 


Cranberry  Growing  in  New  England. 

[Extract  of  paper  read  by  J.  ir_  Stockwell  before  the 
Massashiissetts  Board  of  Agriculture  .^ 

The  color  of  the  matured  fruit  varies  from 
the  light  red  of  the  inland  berry  to  Cape 
Cod  Black  Caps.  The  lighter  berries  are 
finer  flavored,  richer  and  more  juicy.  The 
darker  berries,  having  a  thicker,  coarser 
skin  keep  better.  This  difference  in  the 
color  of  berries  is  in  the  soil  and  culture 
rather  than  in  the  varieties.  The  Black 
Caps  which  grow  on  the  Cape  become 
brighter  on  the  rich  meadow  lands  in  the 
interior  of  the  state. 

The  first  requisite  of  success  is  a  sure  supply 
of  water  for  protection  from  the  frosts  in  the 
spring,  insect  pests  in  summer  and  early  frosts 
in  the  fall,  as  well  as  for  covering  the  vines  in 
the  winter.  Next  there  must  be  a  good  supply 
of  coarse  sand,  free  as  possible  from  loam  or 
other  impurities. 

Their  should  be  a  main  drain  with  sufScient 
incline  to  insure  a  quick  flow  when  desired,  and 
into  this  should  be  cut  cross  drains  to  carry  off 
water  after  rains  as  soon  as  possible.  On  our 
inland  meadows  with  a  subsoil  of  rich  muck 
or  peat  from  six  to  ten  inches  deep,  any  bog 
will  be  more  satisfactory  if  it  is  smoothly  turned 
over  with  a  flat  furrow  steel  plow,  drawn  by  a 
strong  team.  The  sand  can  be  applied  at  most 
any  time  of  the  year.  A  portable  tramway  with 
only  three  or  four  cars  will  enable  you  to  keep 
a  good  working  force  at  the  bank  and  do  the 
work  to  the  best  advantage. 

The  plants  should  be  set  in  the  spring,  not  later 
than  the  first  of  June.  I  prefer  the  hill  method. 
The  necessary  tools  are  merely  a  home-made 
marker,  a  pointed,  round  spud  and  a  small 
wooden  towel  or  dibble  for  setting  the  vines, 
W  hen  the  ground  has  been  lined  off  with  the 
marker,  the  spud  is  driven  into  the  ground  at 
each  intersection  and  carefully  withdrawn  so 
that  the  hole  shall  not  fill.  The  vines  are  then 
set  in  the  holes  and  the  sand  firmly  pressed 
around  them.  The  \ines  should  be  fresh  and 
thrifty  and  kept  moist  till  placed  in  the  hill. 
They  should  be  sorted  by  hand  to  be  sure  they 
are  free  from  any  other  root  or  grass,  and  when 
straightened  out  cut  into  lengths  of  about  ten 
inches  if  the  sand  is  six  inches  deep.  After  be- 
ing thoroughly  soaked  in  water  they  are  ready 
for  planting  out. 

The  first  danger  now  comes  from  variation  of 
temperature,  and  the  bog  is  a  source  of  anxiety 
from  the  day  the  water  is  drawn  off.  May  10  to 
15,  until  the  last  berry  is  picked.  The  danger 
from  light  frosts  is  not  passed  until  June  10,  and 
the  susceptible  tender  shoots,  contiiining  the 
blossom  buds,  must  be  carefully  guarded.  In 
the  fall  it  is  not  safe  for  the  owner  of  the  bog  to 
be  off  duty  after  August  15,  though  it  is  seldom 
that  injurious  frosts  come  before  the  25th.  The 
green  Cranberries  are  very  susceptible  to  frosts, 
but  grow  more  hardy  as  the  fruit  matures  The 
early  frosts  in  September  this  year  would  have 
had  little  or  no  effect  had  they  not  occurred 
from  September  15  to  20. 

Insect  pests  are  the  next  trouble— the  miller 
and  its  result,  the  flre-fang,  the  fruit  worm,  the 
cricket  and  the  grasshopper.  The  unfailing 
remedy  is  water  applied  when  wind  and  current 
unite  to  watt  the  insects  safely  over  the  dam  as 
the  water  is  let  off. 

A  thorough,  careful  culture  is  essential  the 
flrst  and  second  years,  but  the  third  should  give 
a  fair  crop  of  flrst-class  berries,   150  bushels  per 


acre  being  a  fair  average  jield,  though  as  high  as 
3.50  is  not  uncommon. 

The  picking  is  done  by  hand,  costing  from  forty 
to  sixty  cents  per  bushels.  Pickers  will  make 
from  $1  to  S2  per  day  of  about  eight  hours.  There 
is  no  more  beautiful  crop  raised  than  the  Cran- 
berry. The  bud  and  the  blossom  are  a  thing  of 
beauty,  and  a  well—cultivated  bog  from  June  15 
to  the  close  of  the  season  is  very  attractive  and 
enticing,  most  so  as  the  fruit  approaches  ma- 
turity, taking  on  its  crimson  tint,  the  berries 
crowding  one  another  for  sunlight,  the  air  and 
the  heat. 

The  CranbeiTy  being  an  American  plant,  and 
the  berry  as  yet  unknown  in  Europe,  we  have 
no  export  demand,  and  must  depend  on  the 
home  market;  but  the  business  if  conducted  on 
the  right  principles  and  with  strict  attention  to 
details,  is  sure  to  make  good  returns  for  well- 
directed  labor. 


Fruit  Grower  and  Commission 
Merchant. 

{Itertis  from  a  paper  read  by  R.  Morrill,  before  the 
Michigan  Horticultural  Society,1 

Selling  fruit  at  auction  will  soon  be  press- 
ing the  commission  men  hard.  It  has  been 
tried  in  various  places  and  has  generally 
given  satisfaction,  especially  so  in  New 
York  during  the  past  season.  I  believe 
some  enterprising  man  will  soon  try  it  in 
Chicago,  and  he  will  be  well  supplied  with 
produce,  at  least  until  the  success  or  failure 
of  the  plan  has  been  determined.  If  not, 
some  combination  of  growers  will  undoubt- 
edly try  the  experiment,  and  it  should  be 
put  to  the  test  early  next  season. 

In  dealing  with  our  commission  merchants, 
there  are  a  few  things  which  we  should  not  ex- 
pect of  him,  yet  which  are  too  often  asked.  He 
stands  between  two  fires,  one  from  the  grower 
and  the  other  from  the  buyer,  and  we  must  not 
expect  him  to  protect  us  from  our  own  iniquity 
in  any  form. 

If  we  use  "snide  "  packages  we  must  not  ex- 
pect him  to  get  as  good  prices  as  he  would  for 
standard  packages. 

If  we  will  insist  on  stuffing  the  bottoms  of  our 
packages  with  inferior  fruit,  we  should  not  ex- 
pect him  to  lose  a  customer  on  account  of  that, 
but  he  should  make  the  customer  satisfied  at 
our  expense,  even  if  he  has  to  even  it  up  from 
later  shipments. 

We  must  not  blame  him,  if  we  send  him  a  con- 
signment with  strict  orders  to  sell  at  once,  if  he 
sells  low;  or,  if  not  finding  a  buyer,  he  takes  the 
lot  himself  at  its  market  value.  I  have  frequent- 
ly heard  shippers  complain  that  they  receive 
sales  while  they  know  the  goods  are  still  in  the 
store.  Sometimes  this  is  their  own  fault,  as  they 
compel  the  merchant  to  take  this  course  in  order 
to  hold  their  trade,  and  we  must  expect  him  to 
buy  at  a  safe  price. 

There  is  one  feature  of  the  business,  which  is 
sometimes  practiced,  that  we  object  to  most 
decidedly.  That  is  the  practice  of  making  selec- 
tions from  consignments  for  storing,  leaving  the 
seconds  to  be  worked  off,  thereby  injuring  the 
sale  of  the  lot ;  and  in  such  cases  proper  prices 
are  seldom  attached  to  the  first  selection. 

In  the  matter  of  commissions,  I  feel  that  the 
time  has  come  for  our  dealers  to  reduce  our 
expenses  somewhat  in  this  line.  Chicago  is 
rapidly  approaching  New  York  in  size  and 
volume  of  business,  and  certainly  no  citj'  has 
better  facilities  for  handling  produce.  StUI.  the 
old  war-time  rate  of  ten  per  cent  is  charged^ 
while  I  am  told  that  such  business  is  done  in  New 
York  and  other  eastern  cities  at  five  per  cent. 

Another  item  in  the  account,  against  us,  is 
the  cartage— a  small  matter  it  may  seem  to  some 
but  in  the  aggregate  it  counts  up.  In  the  account 
of  sales  of  three  commission  houses  for  berries, 
one  charges  one  cent  cartage,  another  one- 
half  cents,  the  third  two  cents.  The  one  charg- 
ing me  one  cent  has  sold  for  me  many  years.  I 
am  acquainted  with  the  man  who  has  his  carting 
contract  and  he  is  very  prosperous.  I  do  not 
know  whether  he  gets  all  the  cartage  charges  or 
not,  but  he  certainly  gets  no  more.  Now,  regard- 
ing the  man  who  gets  two  cents.  Does  it  actually 
cost  two  cents'i'  Why  will  they  not  reduce  tbese 
rates  to  actual  cost,  make  it  uniform,  and  relieve 
us  of  the  impression  that  our  commission  mer- 
chant is  taking  an  unfair  advantage  of  us?  Have 
we  not  ten  or  more  merchants  who  will  join  us 
in  an  agreement  to  reduce  commissions  and 
cartage  to  the  lowest  consistent  rates  for  all 
consignments? 


Massachusetts  Horticultural 
Society. 

I  "CliT^santhemums."  a  paper  by  W.  A.  Martda,  before 
the  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society.  I 

These  deservedly  popular  plants  have 
been  brought  up  to  such  a  state  of  perfec- 
tion that  in  their  season  they  command  the 
sole  attention  of  the  flower-loving  public. 
In  its  native  home,  Japan,  it  is  most  care- 
fully cultivated  and  esteemed  as  a  national 
flower  and  Japanese  emblem. 

The  ClasBes.  The  genus  Chrysanthemum  com- 
prises nearly  a  hundred  species.  The  one  from 
which  all  the  present  varieties  have  been  derived 
is  supposed  to  be  the  Cluysanthemum  Indicum,  a 
rather  inconspicuous  single  yellow  flower. 

The  Chrysanthemums  at  present  in  cultivation 
are  divided  into  several  classes,  namely,  the 
Chinese,  Japanese,  Anemone  and  Pon^pon.  Each 
class  is  again  sub-divided  into  several  others,  and 
lately  the  hybrid  varieties  produced  by  inter- 
crossing different  types  have  brought  forms  that 
are  hard  to  class  in  any  particular  group.  Thus 
we  have  the  Chinese  incurved,  Clilnese  reflexed, 
Japanese  incurved  and  reflexed,  Japanese  anem- 
one. Pompon  anemone,  mid  so  oa.  The  aim  of  the 
raiser  nowadays  is  to  produce  large  flowering 
varieties;  the  substance,  color,  stem  and  habit  of 
the  plant  seem  to  be  secondary  considerations.  It 
is  especially  noticeable  that  while  hundreds  upon 
hundreds  of  new  Japanese  varieties  have  been 
introduced  every  year,  only  very  few  of  the 
Chinese  class  have  been  added,  while  the  Pom- 
pons are  discarded  and  rarely  met  with. 

Hybridizing,  When  hybridizing,  the  principle 
object  should  be  to  improve  upon  the  vigor  and 
color  of  any  varieties  more  than  the  mere  size. 
A  first-class  Chrysanthemum  should  be  of  free 
growth,  with  stiff  stems,  the  foliage  clean  and 
furnishing  the  stems  up  to  the  flower,  while  the 
flower  itself  should  be  of  good  substance,  well 
formed  and  of  pleasing  color.  The  colors  which 
are  yet  to  be  obtained,  aside  from  the  impossible 
blue,  which  I  never  expect  to  see,  are  a  fine  clear 
orange  and  clear  bright  red,  which  are  wanted 
to  brighten  up  our  collections. 

A  great  number  of  the  leading  varieties  of 
Chrysanthemums  have  been  from  time  to  time 
imported  from  Japan,  and  when  the  hairy  variety 
Mrs.  Alpheus  Hardy,  made  its  appearance,  it 
raised  a  sensation  among  Chrysanthemum  lovers, 
and  we  hope  that  variety  may  be  a  parent  of 
quite  a  distinct  class,  although  the  seedlings 
raised  from  it  have  not  yet  produced  any  that 
were  furnished  with  the  glandular  hairs  which 
give  to  that  variety  its  peculiar  beauty.  The 
majority  of  the  Chryanthemums  at  present  in 
cultivation  have  been  raised  in  Europe,  and  of 
late  years  in  America.  Our  country  has  started 
late,  but  has  made  up  for  time  lost,  and  at  pre- 
sent the  most  valuable  and  esteemed  varieties 
are  American  kinds. 

A  new  variety  should  never  be  finally  judged 
the  first  year,  but  must  be  grown  at  least  two 
seasons  before  it  is  well  tested.  Some  of  the 
most  promising  varieties  have  proven  total 
failures  the  second  year,  while,  on  the  other 
hand,  many  that  have  been  condemned  the  flrst 
year  have  proven  valuable  when  tried  another 
season. 

The  hybridizing  or  cross-fertilizingot  Chrysan- 
themums is  a  very  uncertain  work  as  'regards 
results,  owing  to  the  mass  of  florets  which  are 
gathered  in  one  single  head.  It  is  very  hard  to 
tell  whether  the  floret  has  been  fertilized  with 
its  own  pollen  or  cross-fertilized  with  the  pollen 
of  another  variety  of  the  same  class,  but  diflJerent 
color,  by  the  agency  of  insects,  especially  bees, 
before  the  hand  of  the  horticulturist  has  tried 
his  own  work  on  it;  and  it  is  for  this  reasou  that 
no  raiser  of  Chrysanthemums  can  say  with  any 
degree  of  certainty  that  any  variety  is  a  cross 
between  such  and  such  varieties,  except  when 
kept  separately  from  all  other  varieties  of  the 
collection.  In  regard  to  the  results  it  is  also 
misleading ;  the  colors  of  the  supposed  parents 
are  sometimes  never  reproduced,  and  if  you 
raise  as  many  as  fifty  seedlings  from  the  same 
head  of  flower  you  may  get  all  colors,  but  none 
like  the  two  parents. 

Vigor.  In  point  of  vigor  of  growth.  Chrysan- 
themums vary  considerably  in  various  sections 
of  the  country,  as  well  as  in  different  seasons. 
Thus  many  of  the  varieties  cultivated  in  Eng- 
land for  exhibition  cannot  be  grown  here  with 
any  success,  and  iHee  i'ersfj;  while  last  .year  being 
exceptionally  wet,  none  of  the  Chrysanthemums 
planted  out  of  doors  did  as  well  as  usual.  As  to 
the  various  sections  of  this  country,  we  find  that 


1890. 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


137 


in  ami  arouml  Philadelphia  arc  grown  the  finest 
rhrysjintlu'iniinis  in  America.  Some  varieties 
also  require  different  treatment  from  others; 
Mrs.  A.  Hanly,  Crimson  King,  Belle  Panic  and 
others  are  very  partial  to  excessive  moisture. 
The  same  applies  to  pinching;  some  varieties  if 
pinched  late  will  not  produce  any  tlowers  at  all ; 
such  are  Granditlora  and  others. 

Culture.  The  culture  of  Chrysanthemums  is 
very  simple  when  the  cardinal  points  are  well 
observed :  namely,  selecting  strong,  soft  shoots 
for  cuttings  and  as  soon  as  they  are  rooted  never 
to  allow  them  to  suffer  for  want  of  root  room  or 
water,  and  after  the  buds  are  set  to  encourage 
them  with  liquid  manure. 

After  the  plants  have  done  flowering,  they 
should  be  cut  down  to  about  a  foot  from  the 
ground  and  iiut  in  the  cool  house  or  a  well-ven- 
tilated frame.  In  January  the  offsets  from  the 
ground,  and  also  from  the  stems  or  branches, 
will  be  from  four  to  six  inches  long,  when  they 
should  be  cut  and  planted  in  sand,  either  in  pots, 
boxes  or  the  propagating  bench;  a  south  aspect 
and  a  temperature  not  above  55°  by  artificial 
heat  are  very  essential.  As  soon  as  the  cuttings 
have  rooted  they  should  be  potted  in  two-inch 
pots;  from  those  they  should  be  repotted  in  three 
weeks  into  three  or  four  inch  pots,  and  again 
when  well  rooted  into  Ave  or  six  inch  pots,  by 
which  time  the  first  pinching  takes  place.  After 
the  plants  are  well  established  in  five  or  six  inch 
pots  they  should  be  planted  in  theii-  final  quar- 
ters: if  in  pots,  ten  to  twelve  inches  is  large 
enough  to  grow  the  best  plants ;  if  in  bunches  or 
boxes,  four  inches  of  depth  will  suffice  for  the 
roots.  Then  comes  the  fixing  of  the  plant  to  a 
neat  stake,  and  tying  it  firmly,  while  pinching 
and  pruning  should  not  be  neglected.  The  last 
pinching  is  dohe  at  the  end  of  July,  while  the 
ground  shoots  are  not  allowed  to  grow,  so  that 
the  whole  strength  may  go  into  the  main  stem. 
When  the  buds  are  well  set  liquid  manure  should 
be  freely  given,  and  attention  should  be  given  to 
the  disbudding,  as  by  leaving  one  bud  to  each 
twig  you  will  have  the  finer  flowers,  and  the 
plants  will  also  look  better  with  fifty  perfect 
blooms  than  with  a  hundred  imperfect  ones. 
When  large  specimen  flowers  are  desired,  not 
more  than  from  four  to  six  flowers  should  be 
left  on  each  plant,  so  that  this  very  limited 
number  may  have  the  benefit  of  the  whole  rtgor 
of  the  plant.  When  standard  plants  are  desired, 
the  best  way  is  to  secure  a  strong  shoot  early  in 
January,  and  leave  it  growing  without  stopping 
until  it  reaches  the  required  height,  when  it 
should  be  pinched  and  treated  in  the  same  way 
as  a  bush  plant.  Planting  out  and  potting  in 
August  may  be  practical,  yet  plants  will  suffer 
more  or  less  by  being  lifted. 

To  he  continued. 


CONDENSED  GLEANINGS. 
Tboroughaess  in  Drainage  Essential.  J.  J 
Warren  sends  to  the  Drainage  and  Farm  Jour- 
nal, a  sketch  of  a  twenty  acre  field  and  how  it 
was  drained.  His  father  had  begun  by  putting 
in  a  wooden  drain  from  "E"  to  "C".  This  re- 
lieved that  part  of  the  field  from  excessive  moist- 


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ARRANGEMENT  OF   DRAINS. 

ure,  and  did  so  well,  that  the  drain  was  extended 
to  "B"  3.  But  soon  the  wooden  drains  were  stop- 
jjed  up,  and  he  concluded  to  lay  tiles.  Four  inch 
tile  was  used  from  "E"  to  "C",  three  inch  from 
"C"  to  the  mouth  of  the  branch  "B"  4,  and 
from  this  point  to  the  pond  two-inch  tile.  This 
did  well  for  a  time,  but  in  the  next  wet  season  it 
was  found   that   the   tile   was   not  near  large 


enough,  and  finally  he  had  to  do  the  whole  work 
over  again,  this  time  lowering  the  bottom  of 
trenches  to  four  feet.  The  main  drain,  from  "E" 
to  "C"  is  now  laid  with  eight-inch  tile.  From 
''C"  to  "B";  the  tile  are  fi\'e-inch,  the  "B";linc 
four  inch,  from  ''C"  to  "B"  2  six-inch,  and 
the  "B"  3  line  five  inch.  The  laterals  are  of 
three  inch  tile.  There  are  now  about  eleven 
rods  of  drains  per  acre,  and  the  cost  is  about 
$7.50  |ier  acre.  Yet  it  becomes  more  and  more 
apparent  that  twice  as  many  drains  are  really 
needeil,  although  the  land  is  doing  finely.  The 
dotted  lines  show  where  the  additional  drams 
should  be  laid.  When  finished  there  will  be 
about  31  rods  of  drain  per  aci"e.  The  pond  "F'' 
is  no  longer  a  pond,  but  is  one  of  the  richest  spots 
on  the  farm.  There  are  at  least  twelve  or  fifteen 
acres  beyond  the  field  that  naturally  drain  to 
it.  This  drainage  will  be  intercepted  by  trenches 
around  the  pond  on  each  side  as  shown  in  the 
dotted  lines. 

Mushroom!  in  Open  Air.  In  September,  188S, 
I  planted  a  brick  of  the  spawn  in  a  field  of  rich 
pasture  land,  the  operation  being  the  simple  act 
of  raising  the  sod  with  a  spade,  dropping  into 
the  cavity  a  piece  of  the  spawn  as  large  as  a  wal- 
nut and  pressing  the  sod  back  again.  On  the 
morning  of  the  2d  of  October,  1889,  I  was  re- 
warded by  the  sight  of  my  first  Mushroom  on 
the  field  planted  in  1888.  From  my  experience 
so  far  I  conclude  that  the  spawn  or  germ  of  the 
Mushroom,  once  in  rich  soil,  resists  for  months 
high  or  low  temperature,  drought  and  satura- 
tion; but  it  does  not  develop  into  the  perfect 
Mushroom  that  it  pushes  above  ground,  except 
under  certain  soil  and  weather  conditions  of  heat 
and  moisture,  and  temperature  sustained  for 
some  days  between  sixty  and  seventy-five  de- 
grees Fahr.  Days  with  these  characteristics  are 
most  apt  to  occur  in  May  and  October  for  these 
latitudes,  and  sometimes  in  unusually  cool  sea- 
sons in  the  summer  months.  Judging  from  what 
I  have  observed  so  far,  I  conclude  there  is  no 
difliculty  in  growing  Mushrooms  on  land  as  rich 
in  nitrogen  and  phosphates  as  the  black  soil 
prairie,  but  the  intense  features  of  the  climate 
so  much  restrict  the  season  of  harvest,  some- 
times abolishing  it  altogether,  that  the  crop  must 
needs  be  a  precarious  one.— B.  F.  Johnson  in 
Field  and  Farm. 

The  FoitonouB  Primula  Obconica.  I  am  quite 
able  to  confirm  from  personal  experience,  and 
that  of  other  members  of  my  family,  the  poison- 
ous nature  of  Primula  obconica.  The  effect  on 
different  constitutions  was  different  in  degree, 
in  one  case  the  hands  and  arms  only  being  at- 
tacked, whereas  in  others  the  swelling  of  the  face 
and  eyes,  as  occui"S  in  erysipelas,  was  so  great 
and  the  fever  so  high  that  the  repeated  attacks 
of  inflammation  became  very  seriously  detrimen. 
tal  to  health.  The  attacks  continued  throughout 
a  period  of  nine  months,  and  it  was  not  until  our 
attention  was  arrested  by  a  warning  in  a  horti- 
cultural paper  in  .\pril  last,  that  the  true  source 
of  our  malady  was  suspected.  An  immediate 
discontinuance  of  all  contact  with  the  plants 
which  had  previously  been  grown  in  quantity 
here,  resulted  in  entire  cure,  since  which  there 
has  been  no  return.  The  poisonous  or  irritant 
property  in  Primula  obconica  does  not  affect  all 
constitutions.  Many  persons  can  handle  it  with 
impunitj',  and  it  is  with  infinite  regret  that  we 
have  banished  so  pretty  and  useful  a  plant  from 
our  greenhouses.  My  own  impression  is  that  the 
iriitation  is  produced  mainly  by  the  downy 
hairs,  of  the  leaves  and  stems— a  point  worthy 
it  would  seem,  of  scientific  investigation.— 
Gardening  World. 

Tree  for  Training  Brapes.  Long  experience 
here  fully  aflSrms  the  truth  of  Matthew  Craw- 
ford's statement  that  a  tree  affords  the  best  of 
all  support  for  Grapevine,  although  notthe  most 
convenient.  No  doubt,  the  exhalations  from  the 
tree  foliage  keep  the  Grape  leaves  in  health. 
The  fine,  high-bred,  thin-leafed  European  Grapes 
cannot  endure  the  occasional  extreme  dryness 
of  our  atmosphere,  but  do  well  in  the  damper 
air  of  the  California  coast,  even  where  the  soil 
is  so  dry  as  to  necessitate  irrigation.  Two  things 
are  especially  requisite  for  free  and  full  growth 
of  a  Grapevine— one  is  that  every  tendril!  may 
find  some  smaU  twigs  or  wire  that  it  can  clasp 
and  hold  firm  by,  so  that  the  young  growth  may 
not  be  stopped  by  twistings  and  bendings  in  the 
wind;  the  other  is  that  every  leaf  may  safely 
bask  in  the  full  sunshine.— Quis-quis  in  N.  Y. 
Tribune. 

Orape  Syrup,  Mr.  G.  H.  Malter,  a  well-known 
California  \ineyardist,  has  succeeded  in  manu- 
facturing a  splendid  article  of  syrup  from  Grape. 


A  large  copper  pan  was  built,  and  several  hun- 
dred gallons  of  Grape  syrup  have  already  been 
manufactured.  That  now  on  hand  contains 
seventy-flve  per  cent,  of  saccharine  matter  by 
the  si»indlc  and  could,  of  course,  be  still  further 
redui'ed.  To  make  a  pure,  clear  Grape  syrup 
that  will  not  turn  to  jelly  or  sugar  and  not  burn 
in  the  process  is,  in  fact,  quite  difllcult.  Mr. 
Malter  gets  160  gallons  of  juice  from  one  ton  of 
flrapes.  This  is  reduced  to  one-fourth  its 
volume,  forty  gallons.  The  Malter  syrup  has 
been  placed,  on  sale  in  Fresno,  and  will  soon  be 
marketed  in  San  Francisco.  If  received  with 
favor  it  will  be  sent  east  next  season.  Thus  are 
the  practical  uses  of  the  Grape  continually  deve- 
loped, and  overproduction  rendered  impossible. 
— Vineyardist. 

The  Pleasures  of  a  Deer  Forest.  A  correspon- 
dent of  an  English  society  paper  enumerates  the 
pleasures  of  being   the  tenant  of   a  Highland 


Singular  ChTT/santhemum  Floicer.  See  next  page. 
deer  forest.  He  explains  that  the  place  costs 
him  £10,000  a-year,  in  addition  to  no  end  of  small 
sums,  of  which  he  grew  tired  of  noting,  and  the 
pleasures  which  he  obtained  in  return  for  this 
outlay  were  of  the  following  character :—"  For 
a  couple  of  hours  at  a  time  I  have  walked  with 
the  waters  of  a  running  stream  well  over  my 
boots.  A  suit  of  clothes  has  been  done  for  in  a 
day's  wear.  Twice  or  thrice  I  have  sunk  up  to 
my  chest  in  a  moss.  Once  I  fell  over  a  precipice. 
Once  when  crossing  a  loch  I  fell  overboard,  and 
was  not  fished  out  till  I  was  nearly  drowned.  On 
another  occasion  I  was  fired  at  by  one  of  my  own 
gUlies,  who  said  he  mistook  me  for  a  '  beastie,' 
of  what  kind  I  do  not  know,  but  1  fancy  I  had 
rather  a  narrow  escape.  Per  contra,  I  have  on 
five  occasions  brought  down  a  good  stag."— 
North  British  Agriculturist. 

Sooting  Orape  and  Fig  Cutting.  I  prepared 
my  ground  as  usual,  the  soil  being  upland  red 
clay  and  gravel,  distributed  bags  of  sand  every 
200  feet  along  the  rows,  dug  away  a  shovelful  of 
earth  where  I  intended  to  set  the  cuttings,  made 
a  hole,  2)^  to  3  feet  deep,  with  a  crowbar  and 
poured  in  enough  sand  to  fill  to  the  proper  depth 
then  set  in  the  cutting  and  filled  around  it  with 
sand  to  the  top.  Result,  every  cutting  grew, 
and  they  are  apparently  as  far  advanced  now  as 
one-year-old  vines  or  trees  would  have  been. 
The  column  of  sand  acts  as  a  self-irrigator,  and 
retains  sufficient  moisture  during  the  dry  season 
to  enable  the  cutting  to  grow,  and  also  allows 
the  roots  to  penetrate  to  a  suflicient  depth. 

Coreopsis  Lanceolata.  This  showy  perennial 
when  planted  with  Penstemon  tubiflorus  forms 
a  pleasing  contrast.  It  attains  the  height  of 
three  feet,  the  rag-like  flowers  of  golden  yellow 
borne  in  great  profusion,  standing  out  well 
against  the  light  and  pretty  foliage.  It  is  grand 
for  cutting  and  decorative  purposes.  They  ex- 
act the  simplest  culture,  any  soil  suiting  their 
requirements,  though  the  richer  the  better. 
Propagation  by  root  divisions  in  autumn  and 
spring  is  advisable;  where  quantities  are  re- 
quired, divide  in  May,  pot  and  plant  out  again  at 
the  end  of  June;  plants  treated  thus  flower  in 
July,  and  are  ready  to  divide  again  in  the  usual 
way. — cor.  American  Garden. 

Sparrow  and  Caterpillars.  Capt.  W.  F.  Sea- 
grave,  British  Consul  at  Baltimore,  warns  the 
Americans  that  their  policy  in  waging  war 
against  the  sparrow  may  prove  to  be  a  mistake. 
The  great  'blizzard'  of  March,  188S,  he  says, 
destroyed  multitudes  of  sparrows,  and  as  a  con- 
sequence, the  past  and  present  summers  have 
seen  a  vast  increase  in  grubs  and  caterpillars. 
Already  in  many  large  cities  the  inhabitants, 
through  the  public  press,  are  complaining  of 
the  destruction  of  their  ornamental  trees,  the 
diminished  number  of  sparrows  being  unable  to 


138 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


March, 


keep  in  check  the  va^t  increase  which  has  taken 
place  in  noxious  grubs,  worms,  and  caterpillars. 
—From  Nature. 

Lead  Capped  Olazin?.  The  annexed  illustra- 
tion will  render  the  method  plain.  A  A  is  section 
of  the  bare,  either  of  wood  or  iron:  B  shows  sec- 
tion of  the  glass  between  two  adjacent  bars;  and 
r  D.  C  D  that  of  lead  capping;  at  C  illustrating 
the  flange  turned  up  to  receive  the  gla«s,  and  at 
D  the  lead  turned  down  on  the  glass  to  secure  it. 
Any  section  of  the  bar  can  be  used.  The  lead 
being  self-sustaining  when  rolled  on  to  the  bars, 
without  the  use  of  nails  to  fix  the  same,  enables 
iron  to  be  used  as  easily  as  wood.  The  glass  can 
be  quickly  inserted,  is  said  to  be  held  firmly 
against  wind,  and  will  not  slip.— Journal  of  Hort. 

NastttrtiumB  as  House-Plants.  Just  before 
the  killing  frost  of  last  November  a  friend  cut  a 
bunch  of  Nasturtiums  in  full  flower.  They  tilled 
two  large  vases,  and  were  as  beautiful  a  parlor 
ornament  as  one  could  wish  for.  To  the  surprise 
of  all,  they  refused  to  wither;  on  the  contrary, 
they  rooted  freely,  and  have  since  continued  to 
produce  their  flowers  and  ripen  their  fruits  in 
the  window,  as  freely  as  when  in  the  border. 
For  house-plants  where  there  is  a  southern  ex- 
posure, there  is  no  plant  so  showy,  so  proliflc  in 
foliage  and  flower,  and  so  easilj'  managed  as  the 
climbing  Nasturtiums.— Am.  Agriculturist. 

Chrysanthemam  Sport.  Chrysanthemum 
"Source  d'Or"  is  illustrated  on  page  137.  One-half 
of  the  flower-head  consisted  of  yellow,  flat,  strap- 
shaped  florets;  the  other  of  dark  golden- 
bronze  florets,  revolute  at  the  edges.  It  seems 
most  plausible,  that  the  appearance  is  due  to  the 
unmixing  or  separation  of  previously  blended 
components.  In  a  flower,  which  has  been  crossed 
and  re-crossed,  and  crossed  again,  for  an  untold 
number  of  years,  it  is  evident  that  the  breed 
must  be  very  mixed  indeed,  and  there  can  be 
little  wonder  if  a  ''return  to  first  principles'" 
occasionally  occurs.— Gardener's  Chronicle. 

Self  Reprodaction  among  Apples.  The  Fa- 
meuse  is  probably  the  most  decided  case.  It  has 
frequently  been  noticed,  especially  among  the 
old  French  orchards  about  Detroit,  that  while 
some  trees  produce  fruit,  ricblj'  blushed,  and 
with  all  the  other  typical  peculiarities  of  the 
Fameuse,  there  are  yet  others  unmistakably  of 
this  type,  but  which  are  striped  with  gi-eenish 
yellow  and  red,  indicating  a  very  possible  repro- 
duction from  the  oiiginal  type,  during  the  early 
days  of  French  occupancy,  and  the  planting  of 
seedling  orchards,  prior  to  the  more  general 
practice  of  grafting.— Mich.  Fanner. 

Varieties  of  Potatoes.  Of  varieties  that  can  be 
safely  relied  upon  to  make  a  fair  return  for  out- 
lay of  cost  and  labor  might  be  mentioned,  the 
Rural  New  Yorker  No.  2,  Extra  Early  Vermont, 
Charles  Downing,  highly  recommended  by  Ohio 
Agricultural  Experiment  Station,  Early  May 
Flower,  Dakota  Seedling,  Dakota  Red,  Empire 
State  ,  season  late,  but  otherwise  very  desirable; 
Globe;  Morning  Star;  Bell;  Early  Sunrise. 

Remedy  for  Aphis.  Best  and  cheapest  method 
of  keeping  down  green  fly  is  simply  to  place  the 
Tobacco  stems  on  the  hot  water  pipes  under  the 
benches.    I  use  at  the  rate  of  one  ton  of  stems  to 


LEAD-CAPPED  GLAZING. 
10.000  feet  of  glass,  but  think  less  at  a  time  would 
do  as  well  if  the  houses  were  clean  of  fly  to  start 
with.    After  two  months  trial  have  yet  to  see 
any  evil  effects.— E.H.  in  Am.  Florist. 

Potatoes  for  Manure.  Whenever  Potatoes  are 
very  low.  it  will  pay  you  to  plant  perhaps  even 
100  bushels  to  the  acre,  for  seed;  for  large  Pota- 
toes are  worth  a  good  deal  for  manure  whenever 
they  cannot  be  used  for  anything  else.-  Gleanings. 

New  Varieties.  The  horticultural  public  should  re- 
fuse to  buy  a  plant  or  seed  of  any  species  or  variety 
that  cau  be  tested  In  one  or  two  seasons,  unless  it  has 
successfully  run  the  gauntlet  of  the  experiment  sta- 
tions.—Am.  Garden. 

Kieffer  for  Ornament.  There  are  many  lovers  of 
ornamental  trees  who  plant  the  Kieffer  Pear  for  the 
foliage.  I  have  seen  speeimens  with  foliage  as  bril- 
liant as  any  tree  famed  for  Its  autumn  beauty.— Phila- 
delphia Press. 

European  Potatoes.  We  have  no  reason  to  expect 
from  Europe  varieties  which  are  as  good  as  the  best 
kinds  which  haveoriginatetl  lu  this  country. —Bulletin 
Minn.  Kx.  Station. 


Kelsey  Plum.  Anyone  intending  to  plant  the  Kel- 
spy  will  do  well  toinsist  that  the  nurseryman  send  only 
those  trees  which  have  been  worked  on  Plum  stocks.— 
Fla.  Dispatch. 

Fruit  in  California.  The  last  crop  Is  estimated  at 
SlS.UOO.OtiO.  More  deciduous  and  other  fruit  trees  will 
be  planted  this  year  than  ever  before. 

Pure  Cider  Vinegar.  Give  us  a  vinegar  law  in  every 
State.  The  decoctions  sold  for  pure  vinegar  are 
villainous.— Western  Rural. 

Complaint  is  made  that  farms  are  too  large  as  a 
rule.  Yes,  and  gardens  are  too  small  as  a  rule. 
—Western  Rural. 

Stndy  of  Floriculture.  N'o  other  will  give  your 
daughter  greater  pleasure,  nor  her  home  greater 
adornment .  —Ex. 

Florida  Phosphates  may  cure  him.  The  tiller  of 
the  soil  in  Florida  is  a  sick  man,  sick  with  Impecunios- 
ity.— Dispatch. 


Vegetable  Products  on  Table. 

Fried  Bananas.  Bananas  fried  in  batter  make 
a  capital  and  seasonable  breakfeast  relish  if 
served  hot  and  dusted  with  powdered  sugar. 

Pickled  Onions.  One  guart  of  button  Onions; 
pour  on  boiling  brine  and  let  it  stand  for  24 
houi-s,  drain  and  wash  well  in  cold  water,  then 
boil  in  vinegar,  Mace,  Pepper  pods,  unground 
spices,  a  tablespoonful  of  brown  sugar.  Put  in 
jars.— Ex. 

Onions  Scalloped.  Hoit  till  tender  six  large 
Onions;  separate  them  with  a  large  ?poon;  place 
a  layer  of  Onions  and  a  layer  of  grated  bread 
crumbs  alternatelj'  in  a  pudding  dish:  season 
with  Pepper  and  salt  to  taste:  moisten  with  milk; 
put  in  the  oven  to  brown. 

Potatoes  for  Breakfeast.  Favorite  dish  in  the 
West  Indies  is  the  following:  Two  pounds  of 
peeled  Potatoes  are  washed  and  grated;  four 
ounces  each  are  added  of  sugar  and  butter 
melted,  one  teaspoonful  each  of  salt  and  Pepper, 
well  mixed;  placed  in  a  baking  dish,  and  put  into 
a  brisk  oven  until  done;  it  shows  a  delicate 
brown  color.— American  Cultivator. 

Potato  Puffs.  Take  mashed  Potatoes  and 
make  them  into  a  paste,  with  one  or  two  eggs; 
roll  it  out  with  a  dust  of  flour;  cut  round  with 
a  saucer;  have  ready  some  cold  roast  meat,  free 
from  gristle,  and  chop  fine;  season  with  salt. 
Pepper,  Thyme,  or  Pickles  cut  up  fine;  place  them 
on  the  Potato  and  fold  over  like  a  puff;  pinch  it 
neatly  around,  and  bake  for  a  few  minutes. 

Cooked  Celery.  Cut  it  in  small  cross  sections, 
using  nearly  the  entire  stalk  and  roots  and  re- 
jecting only  the  very  green  parts.  Cook  it  in 
but  little  water,  so  that,  when  the  Celery  is  very 
tender,  the  water  will  have  boiled  nearly  away; 
then  add  milk  sufficient  for  a  nice  gravy,  season 
to  taste  with  siilt  and  Pepper,  rub  butter  and 
flour  to  a  smooth  paste,  and  add  sufficient  to 
make  it  of  a  creamy  consistence.  When  the 
sauce  boils  it  is  done. 

Pumpkin  Pie,  Select  a  flne-grained,  dry 
Pumpkin,  stewed  and  strained;  one  pint  of  rich 
milk  or  part  cream,  one-half  pint  of  Pumpkin, 
two  eggs  beaten  well  with  a  fork,  granulated 
sugar  to  be  real  sweet,  a  little  Vanilla,  and  Nut- 
meg grated  thickly  over  the  top;  a  straight-up- 
and-down  earthen  dish,  two  inches  deep.  Bake 
slowly  and  carefully,  as  it  should  be  fiiin  when 
done.  Some  people  like  to  add  a  little  molasses, 
plenty  of  powdered  Cinnamon  and  a  little  Gin- 
ger.—Phila.  Press. 

Celery  Fritters.  Take  tender  hearts  of  white 
Celery  of  equal  length  and  size,  stew  them  in 
milk  till  tender.  When  quite  cold,  put  into  a 
basin  two  tablespoonfuls  of  flour,  make  a  well 
in  the  centre,  drop  in  the  yolk  of  an  egg,  after 
putting  the  white  in  a  dry  basin  or  on  a  plate,  so 
that  it  can  be  whipped  to  a  foam.  Use  the  milk 
in  which  the  Celery  was  stewed  to  make  the  flour 
and  egg  into  a  thickish  batter  that  will  cling  to 
and  cover  the  Celery.  Next  season  it  with  salt 
and  Pepper  and  three  or  four  drops  of  l^emon 
juice.  Lastly  whip  up  the  white  to  a  stiff,  rock- 
like foam  and  stir  it  thoroughly  into  the  batter; 
dip  the  Celery  into  this,  fry  in  boiling  fat  till  a 
golden  yellow,  drain  on  wrapping  paper,  and 
ser\e  quickly  and  hot.  Do  not  cover  with  dish 
cover  or  cloth,  as  it  would  destroy  the  crlspness. 
If  they  have  to  be  kept  waim  put  them  on  a  wire 
meatstand  in  the  oven  with  the  door  open.— 
Germantown  Telegraph. 

Apple  Turnovers.  Mix  a  pint  of  flour,  half  a 
teaspoonful  of  salt,  two  level  teaspoonfuls  of 
baking  powder,  and  three  tablespoonfuls  of 
sugar.  Uub  through  a  sieve,  and  then  rub  into 
It  two  tablespoonfuls  of  butter.    Now  beat  an 


egg  till  light,  and  add  to  it  a  generous  half  cup- 
ful of  milk.  Stir  this  into  the  dry  ingredients. 
Sprinkle  the  moulding  with  flour,  and  roll  the 
dough  down  to  the  thickness  of  about  one-fourth 
of  an  inch.  Cut  into  cakes  the  size  of  a  saucer. 
It  is  a  good  way  to  lay  a  saucer  upside  down,  on 
the  dough,  and  cut  around  it  with  a  knife.  Put 
two  tablespoonfuls  of  stewed,  sweetened  and 
seasoned  Apples  on  each  piece  of  dough;  fold 
over,  and  roll  up,  pinching  the  edges  together. 
Have  on  the  fire  a  kettle  containing  hot  fat 
about  five  or  six  inches  deep.  When  the  fat  be- 
gins to  smoke  put  in  a  few  Turnovers  and  cook 
for  eight  minutes.  Drain  on  brown  paper. 
They  are  gorKl  hot  or  cold.  The  Apple  used  in 
turnovers  may  be  flavored  with  either  i.^innamon 
or  Nutmeg. 


HOUSE  PLANTS. 

Airing.  Give  plants  abundant  air  whenever  the 
weather  is  suitable,  to  harden  and  prepare  them  for 
going  out  later. 

Bulbs.  The  foliage  of  Hyacinths,  Tulips,  and  other 
forced  bulbs  may  be  allowed  to  ripen  and  dry  off 
naturally.  Keep  dry  In  the  pot  imtll  fall,  then  plant 
in  the  open  ground.  The  bloom,  although  not  flrst- 
class,  win  be  all  right  for  cut  flowers. 

Carnations.  The  young  stock  Intended  for  next 
winter's  bloom  need  light  and  air  but  not  much  heat. 

Cinerarias,  if  raised  from  seed  early  in  summer,  will 
now  be  in  bloom.  They  love  a  cool  room,  a  sunless 
window,  but  plenty  of  light,  lots  of  wat*r  at  the  root 
and  immunity  from  green  fly.  Calceolarias  require 
about  the  same  treatment,  only  they  shoiUd  not  bloom 
till  late  in  March  or  April. 

Dormant  plants  in  cellar  or  pits,  such  as  Oleanders, 
Hydrangeas.  Cactuses,  Lantanas.  ete.,  for  which  room 
can  be  found  in  the  window,  may  now  be  brought  in. 
Others  may  remain  at  rest  until  the  season  Is  far 
enough  advanced  for  their  removal  outdoors. 

Geraniums,  except  those  wanted  for  present  bloom, 
may  be  cut  back  for  propagation.  The  slips  will  make 
fine  plants  for  bedding,  while  the  old  ones  will  be  Im- 
proved for  summer  bloom. 

Insects  now  multiply  rapidly.  The  free  use  of 
water,  especiallj-  with  occasional  flavoring  of  soft 
soap  or  Tobacco,  will  aid  in  keeping  them  In  check. 

Potting  in  case  of  window  plants  should  as  a  rule 
be  delayed  imtil  the  plants  start  Into  fresh  growth,  or 
show  plainly  that  they  are  sulTering  in  their  present 
pots.  Usually  about  the  end  of  February  or  in  March  Is 
the  proper  time. 

Oxalis.  Give  plenty  of  sun.  They  will  then  be  at 
their  best  now. 

Propagation.  No  better  season  for  general  propa- 
gation than  this.  Cuttings  of  Geraniums.  Coleus, 
Petunias,  and  other  soft-wooded  plants  are  now 
readily  struck  in  sand  in  a  light,  warm  place.  Select 
slips  that  are  neither  too  hard,  nor  too  soft.  If  brittle 
enough  to  snap  off  readily  when  bent  over,  they  are 
in  best  condition  for  cuttings. 

Richardia.    Start  this  month  for  growing  In  pots 

Shading.  Many  of  the  young  growths  are  easily 
injured  by  too  much  stm  this  month,  especially  Primu- 
las and  Camellias.  Provide  shade  as  needed  diuing 
the  noon  hours  of  clear  days. 

Soil  for  pot  plants  should  always  be  carefully  pre- 
pared. Nothing  is  superior  to  well  decayed  turf  lull 
of  root  tibers.  clear  for  some  plauts,  for  Instance  Roses. 
with  an  addition  of  one-third  its  bulk  of  well-rotten 
manure  for  most  others. 

Violets  for  winter  bloom  need  about  the  same  treat- 
ment as  Carnations. 

Watering  needs  close  attention  at  this  season.  See 
also  under  "  Plant  culture  under  glass," 


LAWN  AND    FLOWER  GARDEN. 

Borders  and  beds,  if  unoccupied, may  receive  a  good 
coal  of  flne  manure  to  be  dug  In  deeply,  the  surface 
to  be  left  roughly  for  the  present. 

Bos.    Edgings  to  be  taken  up,  divided  and  reset. 
Plant  deep  and  Arm  the  ground  well  around  the  plants. 
Old  edgings  may  be  trimmed  latter  part  of  month. 
"  Bulbs.     Gradually  remove  the  covering  from  the 
be<!ls. 

Cannas  and  Dahlias.  Choice  varieties  may  be 
started  lutti  growth  now  with  a  view  to  division 
somewhat  later  on. 

General  Directions.  Repair  the  damages  done  by 
the  storms  of  winter.  If  ornamental  trees  have  had 
their  branches  broken,  cut  them  off  smooth  and  cover 
the  wound  with  melted  grafting  wax  or  coarse  paint. 
Evergreens  hold  the  snow  In  their  tojjs  and  are  very 


i89°- 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


139 


apt  to  be  lujured.  If  so,  cut  them  back,  just  as  If  they 
were  deekluous  trees,  and  if  the  removal  of  a  lar«e 
branch  leaves  an  uusi^htl}*  opening,  or  makes  the  tree 
one-sliIed.  draw  other  brancties  together  to  till  the 
opening,  tying  them  In  a  proper  position,  ami  !n  a  few 
years  no  sign  of  the  damage  will  be  visible.  When 
the  leader  of  a  young  tree  is  broken,  select  another 
branch,  tie  it  to  a  stake  in  au  erect  position,  and  In  a 
few  years  it  will  form  a  good  leader.  A  new  place  is 
almost  invariably  planted  too  thickly,  and  judicious 
thinning  becomes  an  Important  duty.  Repair  roads 
and  (uirks  or  make  new  ones  when  the  weather  permits. 

Lawn.  As  soon  as  the  ground  is  do'  and  ilrm  enough 
to  allow  walking  upon  It  without  injury,  rake  off 
the  rubbish,  roll  and  re-seed  where  needed.  Pull  up 
all  large  weeds  by  the  nK>ts  while  groimd  Is  yet  soft, 
such  as  Dandelions,  Burdock,  etc.  A  home-made 
"spud  "  constructed  of  an  old  broad  chisel,  fastened 
to  a  handle  three  feet  long  will  prove  a  convenient 
help  in  this  work. 

Paeonies.  Divide  the  large  clumps  If  at  all  desirable; 
or  plant  new  ones  as  earlj-  as  the  weather  will  permit. 

Planting.  The  earlier  ornamental  trees  and  shrubs 
are  planted  after  the  ground  is  In  proper  condition  the 
better  for  them.  Half-hardy  plants  wintered  over  in 
cold  frames,  should  be  given  air  freely  to  fit  them  for 
early  planting  out.  They  must  become  well  establish- 
ed before  hot,  dry  weather. 

Roses.  The  Hybrid  Perpetuals  should  be  properly 
pruned  this  month.  Take  out  all  small  or  sickly  look 
lug  shoots.  Pnme  the  remainder  from  six  to  eighteen 
inches  according  to  growth.  Many  shoots  show  black 
blotches  or  rings  on  last  year's  growth.  Cut  away 
below  such  spots,  even  if  you  have  to  prune  down  to 
the  plant  itself.  Moder.'ite  growers  should  be  pruned 
to  about  six  inches,  and  strong  growers  from  twelve 
to  eighteen  inches.  The  Teas  and  Bourbons  are  more 
tender,  and  should  not  have  all  the  covering  removed 
this  month.  New  beds  and  borders  may  be  prepared 
80  that  the  ground  may  become  settled  before  planting. 

Vines  may  be  trimmed  and  tied  In  their  proper 
places  by  the  end  of  month.    Manure  well  In  spring. 


PLANT    CULTURE    UNDER  GLASS. 

Begonias  of  the  ornamental-leaved  class  should  be 
freely  stimulated  by  applications  of  manure  water, 
etc..  to  induce  rapid  growth. 

Camellias  after  bloom  to  be  given  a  higher  temper- 
ature and  moist  atmosphere  with  shade  from  direct 
sun  rays.  Shift  into  pots  one  inch  larger  than  those 
occupied  before. 

G-loxineas.  Start  up  some  of  them  each  month  up 
to  May  for  a  succession.  Heat,  moisture  and  shade  are 
needed  for  them.    Treat  Achimenes  same  way. 

Orchids  now  require  an  abundance  of  atmospheric 
moisture. 

Potting.  Let  the  young  slips  go  into  pots  as  soon  as 
roots  appear,  using  small  pots,  and  light  rich  soil, 
potting  rather  firmly.  Always  place  broken  pots  or 
gravel  in  the  bottom  of  every  pot  larger  than  three 
Inches  across  for  drainage.  In  pots  of  six  inches  or 
more  across,  a  layer  of  Sphagnmu  or  hay  should  be 
put  in  top  of  the  drainage,  and  before  filling  in  with 
soil.  This  will  keep  the  lower  drainage  from  clogging. 
Florists  who  have  good  green  house  quarters  and  con. 
veniences  can  repot  their  plants  now  as  well  as  at  any 
time.  This  will  help  lighten  the  heavy  burden  of 
spring  work. 

Primroses.  Propagate  the  double  ones  from  slips 
now. 

Propagation  of  Coleus.  Altemantheras,  Heliotrope, 
Verbenas,  and  many  other  plants  for  simimer  use  may 
still  go  on,  as  also  of  winter-bloomers  for  next  year. 

Pelargoniums.  Air  strong  plants  f.'eely,  and  give 
liquid  manure  once  a  week. 

Watering.  Avoid  extremes,  and  give  each  plant, 
and  each  part  of  the  house,  just  the  amount  of  water 
that  is  required.  Considerable  good  judgment  is  re- 
quired in  this,  else  some  plants  in  the  same  house  may 
suffer  from  dryness,  while  others  are  injured  by  over- 
watering. 


FRUIT  GARDEN  AND  ORCHARD. 

Blackberries  that  were  laid  down  for  winter,  may 
now  be  uncovered  and  lifted  up.  >'ew  plantations  to 
be  planted,  as  early  as  the  season  will  admit.  Plant 
In  rows  from  six  to  eight  feet  apart,  and  two  or  three 
feet  apart  in  the  rows. 

Currants.  For  new  plantations  set  the  plants  four 
feet  apart  each  way,  and  as  early  as  the  ground  can  be 
well  worked. 

Cmtings  of  Currants  and  Grapes  to  be  planted 
early,  setting  them  deep  so  that  only  one  eye  of  Grapes, 
or  two  at  most  of  other  cuttings,  will  be  above  ground. 

Gooseberries.    Treat  like  Currants. 

Graftins-  WTienever  young  trees  are  found  to  be  of 
less  desirable  varieties,  do  not  neglect  to  make  them 
more  valuable  by  a  methodical  system  of  top-grafting. 
A  few  grafts  of  new  varieties  may  also  be  put  into  a 
thrifty  bearing  tree  In  an  experimental  way.  Com- 
mence with  Cherries  and  Plums  at  end  of  this  month. 
Cut  cions  at  once.  Root-grafts  usually  do  best  if  set 
out  as  early  as  the  ground  is  in  working  order. 

Grapes.  Tender  vines  that  were  laid  down  in  the 
autumn  may  now  be  uncovered  and  lifted  up.  Finish 
pruning  where  not  already  done.  Apply  a  good 
dressing  of  manure,  or  bone  dust  and  potash  to  the 
bearing  vines. 


Insects.  Prepare  to  fight  them  vigorously  by  getting 
spraying  apparatus  and  poisons  in  readiness.  See  also 
directions  for  February. 

Manure.  Dig  In  the  application  made  to  vines  and 
trees  In  autumn.  Apply  special  fertilizers,  bone  dust, 
potash,  etc.,  where  such  are  to  be  used.  Good  manure 
and  plenty  of  It  brings  good  fruit  and  plenty  of  It. 

Planting.  Early  planting  usuallj-  gives  the  best 
results,  hence  all  trees,  shrubs  and  plants  should  be 
ordered  promptly,  to  insure  their  being  on  hand  when 
wanted.  Always  unpack  stock  carefully  as  soon  as 
received  from  the  nurser>-,  and  if  too  early  for  plant- 
ing, heel  in  outdoors,  covering  the  roots  well  with 
moist  soli,  or  put  in  a  damp  cellar  and  cover  roots 
lightly  with  moist  sand  or  mos.'i,  until  planting  time. 

Raspberries.    Treat  like  Blackberries. 

Strawberries.  Prepare  the  groimd  for  new  beds 
early,  and  thoroughly.  Use  plenty  of  good  manure, 
and  mix  it  deeply  and  thoroughly  with  the  soil.  Set 
plants  as  soon  as  the  season  will  permit,  having  plants 
from  one  to  two  feet  apart.  Try  new  varieties 
cautiously. 


VEGETABLE  GARDEN. 

Asparagus.  As  soon  as  frost  is  out  of  the  ground. 
apply  a  dressing  of  some  good  fertilizer  or  nitrate  of 
soda,  cultivate  and  mellow  the  soil,  and  get  it  in  readi- 
ness for  the  crop.  For  new  plantations  make  the 
ground  ilch,  stir  deeply;  and  set  the  plants  early. 

Beets.  If  the  season  and  climate  admit,  these  may 
be  sown  In  open  ground. 

Cabbage.  Plants  wintered  in  cold  frame  should 
now  have  plenty  of  air,  or  be  entirely  uncovered,  to 
fit  them  for  planting  out  in  open  ground  as  soon  as 
this  can  be  properly  prepared.  Plants  from  hot-bed 
may  be  transplanted  into  flats,  one  inch  apart  in  rows 
two  inches  apart,  and  transferred  to  cold  frames  to  be 
hardened  oft. 

Carrots.    Treat  like  Beets. 

Cauliflower.    Treat  plants  as  advised  for  Cabbage. 

Egg  Plants.  Start  as  early  in  well-drained  light 
loam,  and  as  near  the  glass  as  possible,  in  a  hot-bed 
with  good  bottom  heat.  Later  on  transplant  into 
shallow  boxes  an  inch  and  a-half  apart  each  way. 
When  plants  begin  to  crowd  each  other  i)Ot  off  into 
three-inch  pots.  Always  keep  in  strong  heat  and  moist 
atmosphere. 

General  Directions.  Make  provisions  for  the  needed 
fertilizers  and  other  requisites.  When  weather  per- 
mits prepare  the  ground  for  the  crops  to  be  planted 
next  month. 

Greens.  Dwarf  German.  Remove  the  covering  and 
begin  cultivation.  A  dressing  of  nitrate  of  soda  will 
be  found  of  service. 

Horse  Radish-  Sets  may  be  planted  as  early  as  the 
ground  will  work  well.  Use  sets  of  thickness  of  pencil 
and  place  three  Inches  below  the  sm'face. 

Lettuce.  Plants  wintered  in  cold  frames  to  be 
hardened  off  for  planting  out.  Plants  from  hot-beds 
to  be  transferred  to  cold  frames. 

Onion  sets  maybe  planted  out  just  as  soon  as  ground 
can  be  worked.  Set  in  drills  twelve  to  fourteen  inches 
apart,  and  five  Inches  apart  in  the  drills.  Potato 
Onions  are  treated  same  way. 

Parsnips.  Dig  the  crop  yet  in  the  ground  as  early 
as  possible.    Also  Salsify  and  Scorzonera. 

Pejis.  Sow  as  early  as  ground  can  be  prepared,  se- 
lecting any  of  the  first  earlies  of  the  Dan  O'Rourke  or 
Early  Philadelphia  class  for  this  purpose.  The  wrinkled 
Peas  if  planted  In  cold  ground  are  liable  to  rot. 

Pepper.    Start  plants  as  advised  for  Egg  plant. 

Potatoes.  Make  provisions  for  good  seed .  Early 
Ohio  and  Early  Sunrise  are  yet  leading  sorts  for  the 
Home  garden  and  earlj'  market.  To  prevent  injury  to 
the  seed  from  premature  sprouting,  spread  the  Pota- 
toes thinly  on  the  floor  In  a  weU  lighted  room. 

Radish.  Sow  in  open  air  when  ground  is  in  working 
order. 

Spinach.  Treat  as  advised  for  German  Greens. 
Sow  seed  in  open  ground  in  drills  twelve  to  fifteen 
inches  apart. 

Tomatoes.    Start  plants  for  early. 


FRUITS  AND  VEGETABLES  UNDER 
GLASS. 

Beets  may  be  sown  in  hot-bed  or  cold  frame  in  rows 
six  Inches  apart,  and  when  well  started  thin  to  four 
Inches  apart  In  the  rows.  The  Early  Egyptian  is  usual- 
ly selected  for  this  purpose. 

Carrots.  Sow  in  hot-bed  or  cold  frame  as  advised 
for  Beet.    Use  the  Short  Horn,  and  thin  to  two  inches. 

encumbers.  Keep  in  a  temperature  of  from  60  to  65*^ 
at  night,  with  an  increase  of  lu*^  by  day.  Fertilize  the 
flowers  by  hand  as  they  open.  Give  air  freely  to  plants 
in  new-made  hot-beds. 

Grapes.  Vines  with  growing  fruit  should  have  a 
good  temperature  and  humid  atmosphere.  Give  a 
little  air  whenever  possible  to  vines  in  bloom,  but 
avoid  cold  draught.  Water  should  not  be  given  freely 
to  them  until  fruit  Is  set.  As  the  season  advances, 
the  late  houses  need  an  abundance  of  air  to  keep  down 
the  temperature. 

Hot-beds  may  now  be  made  at  intervals  for  suc- 
cession. The  earlier  made  beds  when  vacant  may  now 
be  filled  with  Radishes,  Carrots,  Beets,  Celery,  etc. 


Lettuce  must  be  watered  sparingly  during  dull, 
cloudy  weather,  but  aired  freely  as  opportunity  Is 
olTered.  Plants  may  be  set  for  succession  and  seed 
sown  for  plants  to  be  used  for  early  outdoor  planting. 
Boston  Market  or  Tennlsball  are  among  the  best  vari- 
eties for  this  purpose. 

Mushrooms.  Manure  may  yet  be  prepared  and 
beds  made  for  succession. 

Radishes.  Sow  In  hot-beds  or  cold  frames  in  rows 
three  inches  apart,  thinning  to  one  inch  apart  In  the 
rows.  A  row  may  also  be  sown  between  each  two  rows 
of  Beets  or  Carrots.  The  Radishes  will  be  out  of  the 
way  by  the  time  the  other  crops  will  need  the  room. 
Air  freely  on  warm  days.  Early  Erfurt,  Is  a  good  forc- 
ing variety. 

Rhubarb,  may  be  forwarded  from  now  on  by  placing 
kegs  or  half-barrels  over  the  plants,  and  putting  heat^ 
ing  manure  around  them.  The  tops  of  the  barrels  or 
kegs  may  be  covered  with  boards. 

Window  Boxes.  Where  there  is  no  hot-bed  In 
which  to  start  the  seeds,  and  forward  the  plants  of 
early  Cabbages,  Tomatoes,  and  other  things  with 
which  eai'liness  is  desirable,  much  may  be  done  with 
boxes  set  in  a  sunny  window. 


THE   POULTRY  YARD. 

Kill  the  cat  that  develops  a  taste  for  chicks. 

Wire  netting  of  one  inch  mesh  will  keep  out 
animals  that  prowl  around  after  the  young:  birds. 

Select  Your  Breeding  Stock.  If  you  expect 
good  chickens  you  must  breed  from  good  parents. 

Phosphate  for  Hens.  A  Tribune  correspondent 
says  that  his  hens  will  eat  commercial  phosphate 
as' eagerly  as  bones,  and  thinks  it  indicates  that 
rock  phosphate  may  do  as  well  for  hen  food  as  it 
does  for  crop  food. 

Be  Kind  to  Poultry.  In  raisiug  stock  of  any 
kind  there  is  much  saving  of  labor  and  actual 
benefit  by  having  the  animals  tame.  This  is  true 
of  poultry.  Tame  hens  lay  and  sit  better,  and 
fowls  of  all  kinds  fatten  better  when  not  subject 
to  sudden  fright,  as  is  often  the  case  with  those 
that  are  not  tame.  And  then  it  is  a  pleasure  to 
handle  and  work  with  them. 

Testing  Eggs.  At  the  tenth  day  of  incubation 
observe  the  air  cell.  If  it  seems  entirely  filled 
you  can  rest  assured  you  are  giving  too  much 
moisture.  It  is  a  good  plan  to  examine  an  egg 
from  time  to  time  to  see  that  the  shell  is  not 
filling  to  rapidly,  otherwise  you  may  have  an 
incubator  full  of  dead  chicks  in  twenty-one  days 
instead  of  the  cheerful,  piping  sound— Press. 

Drinking  Vessels.  The  most  convenient  drink- 
ing vessel  for  adult  fowls,  is  a  water  pail,  which 
should  be  sunk  in  the  ground  about  two-thirds 
its  heitrht,  and  easily  removed.  But  no  chicks 
should  be  in  the  yard  where  such  vessels  are  used, 
as  they  will  get  into  the  water  and  drown.  It  is 
better  to  keep  fowls  and  chicks  separated  for  con- 
venience of  feeding  and  watering.— F.  Re\iew. 

Early  Pullets.  Success  depends  largely  on  the 
time  the  pullets  are  hatched.  If  they  come  out 
early  thej"  will  have  plenty  of  time  during  which 
to  grow  and  mature,  thus  bein^  in  condition  to 
commence  egg  production  on  the  approach  of 
winter.  If  a  pullet  is  hatched  and  does  not  get  a 
good  start  it  will  remain  useless  until  nearly  a 
vear  old.  It  is  the  matured  pullet  that  gives  the 
best  result*.— Jlirror  and  Farmer. 

Age  of  Eggs*  Dissolve  two  ounces  of  salt  in  a 
pint  of  water.  When  a  fresh-laid  egg  is  placed  in 
this  solution  it  will  descent  to  the  bottom  of  the 
vessel,  while  one  that  has  been  laid  on  the  day 
previous  will  not  quite  reach  the  bottom..  IE  the 
egg  be  three  days  old  it  will  swim  in  the  liquid, 
and  if  it  is  more  than  three  days  old  it  will  float 
on  the  surface,  aud  project  above  the  latter  more 
and  more  in  proportion  as  it  is  older. 

Choosing  A  Yard,  The  location  of  your  yard 
will  have  much  to  do  Avith  success  or  failure.  A 
sandy  soil,  says  a  writer  in  the  Cackler,  invariably 
produces  extra  poultry,  when  the  other  condi- 
tions are  favorable,  while  a  low  or  wet  section 
engenders  disease  and  disorders,  which  decimate 
the  flocks,  while  the  quality  of  the  flesh  of  those 
birds  which  do  come  through  safely  is  not  first 
class  bj'^  any  means.  Consider  this.point  carefully 
before  locating  the  yard.— Ex. 

Garlic  for  Gapes.  Garlic  is  a  very  strong  ver- 
mifuge. Chop  raw  Garlic  very  fine  and  mix  it 
with  quarter  its  bulk  of  powdered  Asaf<etida. 
rub  a  little  in  the  chicks'  mouths,  and  it  will  make 
them  cough,  and  if  the  chicks  are  not  too  weak, 
cure  them.  Very  often  the  efforts  that  the  chicks 
make  to  expel  the  dead  larvae  only  tend  to  accu- 
mulate them  in  a  lump  at  the  orifice  of  the 
trachea,  which  naturally  contracts,  and  thereby 
produces  asphyxia.  I  had  48  chickens  treated 
with  various  remedies,  but  all  died,  and  I  only 
saved  15  by  Garlic- C.  W.  in  Fanciers'  Journal. 

Shipping  Crates,  It  is  quite  an  object  to  have 
the  ci-ates  made  as  light  as  possible  to  save  ex- 
pressage.  There  is  nothing  that  makes  better 
cornel's  or  frames  for  such  crates  than  the  sticks 
which  are  used  to  bind  shingles  together,  and 
which  are  usually  thrown  away.  Save  them  all 
for  this  purpose.  You  will  find  them  very  handy 
and  about  the  right  length.  Crates  should  have 
strong  floors,  and  the  rest  of  them  can  be  made  of 
old  V)agging,  laths  or  one-inch  wire  netting,  ac- 
cording to  what  the  occupant  will  be.  Wire 
,  netting  put  over  a  stiff,  light  frame,  makes  a 
I  fine  shi]»ping  coo])  for  fowls.— Country  Gent. 


140 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


March, 


Correspondent 8  are  urged  to  anticipate  the  season  in  pre- 
8enting  questions.  To  aak,  for  instance,  on  April  lb  or  20 
what  Peas  had  best  be  sown,  could  bring  no  anatoer  in 
the  May  issue,  and  none  before  June,  irn^n  the  annjcer 
would  be  unseasonable.  Questions  received  before  the  Vith 
of  any  month  stand  a  good  chance  of  being  answered  in  the 
next  paper.  Not  more  than  three  questions  should  be  sent 
at  one  time.  Answers  to  questions  bearing  on  the  com- 
parative vaXue  of  implements,  etc.,  offered  by  different 
dealers  must  not  be  expected.  Neither  can  we  promise  to 
oomply  with  the  request  sometimes  made  to  "please  ansteer 
by  mail.*'  Inauines  appearing  without  name  belong  to  the 
name  nesrt  foUoiinng. 

Replies  to  Inquiries  are  earnestly  requested  from  our 
readers.  In  answering  such  give  the  number,  your 
looality  and  name,  the  latter  not  for  publication,  unless 
you  desire.     Write  only  on  one  side  of  the  paper. 

1.679.  Tomato  Rot.    Can  anything  be  done  for  it? 

1.680.  Cabbage  Lice.  Give  best  way  to  kill  them.— 
Subscriber. 

1.681.  Setting  Asparagus  Plants.  Ground  open; 
plants  growing.    Can  I  set  them  out  now? 

1.682.  Pruning  Grape  "Vines.  Buds  ready  to  burst. 
Is  It  safe  to  prune  now?— R.  W.,Keliogg's  Landing,  La. 

1,6SS.  Fertilizer  for  Celery.  My  muck  land  Is  good 
for  any  ordinary  crop,  only  Celery  does  not  grow  right. 
What  fertilizer  should  I  use?— J.  D.,  Darrtoivn,  O. 

1.684.  Propagating  Double  Primroses.  How  done, 
and  at  what  season?— R.  F.  M.,  Cincinnutti,  O. 

1.685.  Grape  V"ines  and  Diseases.  Has  the  Ameri- 
can translation  of  the  French  work  announced  last 
September  issue  P.  G.  yet  been  published?  If  so  where 
can  It  be  had  and  at  what  price?— E.  T.,  York,  Neb, 

1.686.  Plum.  Rot.  Our  Plums  are  all  spoiled  by  rot. 
What  can  we  do  for  lt?-J.  H.,  Kent,  O. 

1.687.  Propagation  by  Sprouts.  Will  the  sprouts 
from  roots  of  Wild  Goose,  Miner,  Damsou  and  DeSoto 
reproduce  the  kind? 

1.688.  Pruning  Neglected  Plum  Trees.  How  should 
this  be  done? 

1.689.  Zonale  Geraniums.  What  are  their  distin- 
guishing characteristics?  Why  are  leaves  of  my  Ger- 
aniums turning  yellow?— M.  M.  M.,  .Wir  Sharon,  Iowa. 

1.690.  Book  on  Poultry  and  Fruit.  Can  you  recom- 
mend a  work  suited  for  New  Jersey?- T.  J.  L.,  Wilkes 
barre,  Pa. 

1.691.  Planting  Early  Crops.  When  is  proper  time 
to  start  Tomatoes.  Celery,  Cucumbers?— A.  A.,  P?iila. 

1.692.  Self  Blanching  Celery.  Will  the  variety  sent 
out  as  NelUs*  Self  Blanching  bleach  without  earthing? 

1.693.  Asparagus  for  Minnesota.  Which  variety 
would  you  recommend? 

I,6W.  Small  Fruit  Varieties.  Which  give  best  re- 
sults in  Central  Minnesota?-C.,  St.  Paul,  Minn. 

1.695.  Cost  of  Picking  Small  Fruits.  What  price  is 
usually  paid  per  quart  of  StrawbeiTtes,  Raspberries 
and  Blackberries?— A.  E.  B..  Ind. 

1.696.  Tree  Fruits  for  Ohio.  What  varieties  of  Pears, 
Plums,  Cherries.  vu'u*^"*?s  and  Grapes  are  most  profita- 
ble for  market  in  Summit  County  and  vicinity?— H., 
Big  Rapids,  Mich. 

1.697.  Mildew  on  Tomatoes.  Many  vines  last  year 
were  killed  by  a  yellow  mildew.  It  stopped  when  the 
rainy  season  set  In.    How  prevented? 

1.698.  Bark  Cracking.  Bark  on  Apricot  and  Plum 
trees  splits  and  cracks,  often  killing  young  trees.  What 
is  the  cause  and  cure? 

1.699.  Grapes  Running  to  Vine.  ,  Is  it  true  that 
eastern  varieties  run  to  vlue  in  Arizona,  and  do  not 
fruit?- J.  L.  R.,  Arizona. 

1.700.  Propagating  Chrysanthemnms.  How  done 
In  large  quantities?—!.  S.  J.,  Ohio. 

1.701.  Bark  Lice  on  Pear  Trees.  How  can  I  get  rid 
of  them?    A.  B.  A.,  Ohio. 

l,Wi.  Sweet  Peas  not  Blooming.  Why,  when  the 
same  seed  produced  blooms  freely  elsewhere?— H.  C.  B. 

1.703.  Grafting  Evergreens.  When  and  how  done? 
Would  the  clon  of  a  variegated  kind,  If  grafted  on  other 
kind,  keep  its  variegated  character?— J.  C.  M.,  Cal. 

1.704.  Packing  Trees.  How  best  done  for  a  journey 
of  1.000  or  1.500  mUes?— A.  L.  D. 

1.705.  Protecting  Strawberries  from  Grubs.  Is 
there  any  wash  In  which  the  $2.00  a  dozen  Strawberry 

Slants  might  be  dipped,  or  any  other  device  that  will 
eep  the  white  grub  off?     Experience  not  theory  Is 
wanted.— J.  L.,  Pulaski,  N.  V. 

1.706.  Sizing  for  Hot-bed  Cloth.  Please  give  recipe? 
A.M..  Ont. 

1.707.  Road-side  Trees.  What  kinds  would  do  best 
In  this  state,  and  ou  soil  almost  pure  sand,  except  six 
Inches  on  top?  How  close  should  they  be  planted  and 
howmanured?- B.  B,,  Dover,  N.  H. 

1.708.  Coal  Ashes  as  Fertilizer.  What  value  have 
they  for  fruit  trees  compared  with  wood  ashes?— M.  L. 
W.,  Ypsilanti,  Mich. 

1.709.  Black  Leaves  on  Orange  Tree.     It  is  full  of 

buds,  but  the  soot  like  color  on  leaves  does  not  wash 
off,  even  with  soap.  Is  It  disease,  and  If  so,  how  cured? 
E.  O.  N'.,  Tracy  City,  Tenn. 

1.710.  Marianna  Plum  for  Stock.  How  is  It  pro- 
duced, from  seed,  cutting  or  by  layering? 

1.711.  The  Forelle  Pear.  Is  the  Trout  Pear  proving 
a  good  variety  In  any  part  of  this  country?— TToottsidc, 
Dayton,  O. 

1.712.  Poultry  Journal.  Which  would  you  recom- 
mend?   Mrs.  cm.,  Col. 


1.713.  Table  and  Room  Decoration.  Do  you  know 
of  any  illustrated  book  on  this  subject?— W.  R.  H., 
Yonkers,  X.  Y. 

1.714.  Honey  Locust  for  Hedge.  Can  this  be  rec- 
ommended?—T.  A.  I.,  Brant/ord.  Ont. 

1.715.  Large  Prolific  Strawberry.  What  variety 
yields  as  well  as  Crescent,  having  large  berries?— C.  T, 
H  ,  Ohio. 

1,T16.    Prunns  Pissardi.    Where  can  It  be  obtained^ 
and  when  does  it  bloom?— Mrs.  E.  M.  W.,  Miss. 
1,717.    Strawberry  Seedlings.  How  are  they  started? 

Have  not  been  successful  with  them.— J.  S.  M.,  A^  F, 

l.Tlf.  Spraying  Pumps.  Oneof  considerable  capac- 
ity, say  holding  r.0  gallons.  Is  wanted.  Which  should  I 
select?— D.  M.,  Camp  Hill,  Pa. 

1.719.  Tools  for  the  Orchard.  Where  can  those 
shown  on  page  31  be  obtained?— E.  W.  D.,  Me. 

1.720.  Violets  from  Seed-  Can't  get  the  seed  to  start 
in  open  air.    How  should  it  be  handled?— Wayside. 

1.721.  Sweet  Corn.  What  are  three  most  reliable 
kinds,  early,  medium  and  late? 

1,723.  Value  of  Ashes.  What  difference  in  ashes 
housed  and  left  out  doors? 

l,?i3.  Roses  from  Seed-  Can  good  varieties  be 
grown  from  seed?  How  are  they  started?— J.  L.,  Dex- 
ter, Mich. 

I,r24.  Florida  Cedar.  Are  they  of  quick  growth, 
and  how  many  should  stand  on  an  acre? 

1,?25.  Grafting  the  Grape.  If  done  in  June,  is  the 
new  wood  or  last  year's  wood  used  forcions?— T.  W. 

I,?26.  Apples  for  Market.  I  am  ten  miles  from  rail- 
road. St.  Louis  Is  my  nearest  town.  Land,  poor  hill- 
side. Freight  excessively  high .  Will  It  pay  me  to  plant 
Apples  tor  market? 

1.727.  Green  Manuring  for  Orchard.  What  crop  is 
best  for  this?    Reader. 

1.728.  Alfala  or  Luzerne.  Is  this  good  for  pasture, 
or  is  there  danger  from  bloating?— J.  B.,  Perri/ Da/^. 
Oregon. 

I,r29.    Mushroom  Spawn.    How  prepared?— H.W.S. 


REPLIES    TO    INQUIRIES. 

1635.    Shrubs  for  WiBConsin.      Ailanthus  and 

Weeping  yiorida  Dogwood  are  not  hardy  in 
Northern  llHnois,  and  probably  would  not  be 
hardy  in  Wisconsin.  The  Weeping  Florida  Dog- 
wood is  a  difficult  thing  to  transplant.— A.  B.  A. 

1.680.  Cabbage  Lice.  These  can  be  disposed  of 
by  spraying  the  plants  with  strong  Tobacco  tea, 
or  the  kerosene  emulsion.  Formula  for  prepa- 
ring the  latter  has  been  published  repeatedly  in 
recent  numbers  of  Popular  Gardening. 

1.681.  Setting:  Asparagus  Plants.  This  can  be 
done  any  time  from  fall  to  spring,  when  the 
ground  is  in  good  working  order. 

1,596.  Fruit  Evaporating.  The  first  requisite 
is  a  strong  steady  current  of  uniform  heat,  pre- 
ferably ranging  from  150°  to  200"  Fah.  The 
arrangements  for  securing  Ihis  are  as  varied  as 
the  different  manufacturers  can  make  them. 
Whatever  the  plan,  it  is  essential  to  rapid  drying 
that  there  be  a  good  draught  of  dry  air  to  carry 
away  the  moisture  given  off  by  the  steaming 
fruit.  The  want  of  this  is  very  noticeable  in 
damp  muggy  weather:  the  amount  that  can  be 
run  through  at  such  times  being  considerably  less 
than  on  bright,  dry  days.  In  handling  Apples 
see  that  not  a  moment  is  lost  between  the 
pairing  machine  and  the  bleacher.  The  aim  in 
bleaching  should  be  to  pre\eDt  fruit  from  color- 
ing, not  to  whiten  it  after  it  is  colored.  Very 
httie  bleaching. suffices  to  do  this.  But  above  all 
it  is  necessary  to  have  good  quick  help,  reliable 
machinery  and  careful  management,  ft  must 
be  done  on  close  business  principles  or  the 
balance  will  be  on  the  wrong  side  of  the  ledger.— 
F.  W.  Card 

1,615.  FropagatinET  Begonias,  ^[anicata  aurea 
maybe  propagated  from  stem  cuttings  if  any 
can  be  removed,  without  injuring  your  plant, 
but  the  main  source  of  increase  with  this  as  well 
as  Countess  Louise  Erdody  must  be  leaf  cuttings. 
Use  the  older, 'hard  leaves,  cut  off  the  stem  near 
the  blade  and  cut  away  the  outer  portion.  Place 
the  remaining  part  in  moist  coarse  sand.  Koot* 
will  form  at  the  base  of  the  blade.  V^e  bottom 
heat  if  available,  but  they  should  root  readily 
without  it.  It  is  better  to  propagate  Begonias 
each  spring,  so  to  have  young  Iresh  plants  for 
winter  use.  If  the  old  plants  are  to  be  carried 
over,  they  should  be  kept  rather  dry,  and  given 
a  partial  season  of  rest  during  the  latter  part  of 
winter.— Fred  W.  Card. 

1.682.  Pruning  Orape  Vines,  This  work  can 
be  done  at  any  convenient  time  after  the  leaves 
fall  until  spring,  but  autumn  is  usually  consider- 
ed preferable  by  expert  vineyardists.  If  neg- 
lected until  now,  the  work  should  be  done  at  the 
fli'st  suitable  day. 

1,685.  0rape  Vines  and  Diseases.  So  far  as 
we  are  aware,  the  American  translation  of  Prof. 
Viola's  work  "'Amei'icau  Grape  Vines  and  their 
Diseases  "  has  not  yet  been  published.  As  soon 
as  it  comes  out,  our  readers  will  be  given  notice 
through  Popular  Gardening. 


1.686.  Plum  Bot.  The  only  method  of  combat- 
ing this  disease  now  known,  is  by  gathering  tdl 
the  affected  specimens  carefully,  and  destroying 
them  leaving  none  to  propagate  the  disease. 

1.687.  Propagation  by  Sprouts,  The  sprouts 
coming  from  the  roots  of  Wild  Goose,  Miner  and 
other  Plum  trees  are  of  course  of  the  same 
variety  of  fruit  as  was  the  stock  of  the  tree. 

1.692.  Self-Blanching  Celery.  NeUis'  Self- 
Blanehing  is  probably  similar  to  White  Plume, 
and  If  so,  will  need  very  httle  earthing  up.  The 
flavor,  however,  is  usually  improved  by  earthing 
up  in  same  manner  as  is  usually  done  for  the 
common  sorts. 

1,684.    Propagating  Double  Primroses.     This 

is  not  without  difficulties.  The  time  for  this 
work  which  offers  the  best  chances  of  success,  is 
March,  and  perhaps  early  in  April.  Syringe  the 
plants  two  or  three  times  a  day,  keeping  well 
shaded  from  the  hot  sunshine.  Also  cut  away 
ail  bad  leaves,  and  give  a  liberal  supply  of  water 
at  the  roots.  This  treatment,  says  one  of  our 
English  exchanges,  will  insure  cuttings  or  side 
shoots  in  about  a  fortnight.  These  are  cut  off 
from  the  parent  plant,  and  close  to  it,  and  the 
loAver  leaves  nicely  trimmed  off,  leaving  three  or 
four  fully-developed  leaves  around  the  heart. 
Now  insert  singly  in  3H  inch  pots  in  finely  sifted 
soil,  consisting  of  loam,  leaf-mold,  and  sand. 
Press  the  cuttings  gently  into  the  soil,  and  water 
with  a  fine-rose  pot,  but  not  over  the  leaves. 
Plunge  the  pots  half-way  up  in  the  propagating- 
box  on  a  brisk  bottom-heat;  put  on  the  glasses 
or  lights,  and  shade  from  all  sunshine;  open  the 
box  every  morning  early  for  an  hour  or  two,  and 
sprinkle  overhead  with  water  gently  according 
to  the  weather.  They  must  not  on  any  account 
be  allowed  to  flag.  In  three  weeks  they  will  be 
ready  to  take  imt.  when  they  must  be  caret uUy 
and  gradually  hardened  off.  The  temperature 
necessary  to  bring  forward  the  cuttings  should 
be  from  60  degrees  to  70  degrees.- .4?/icr(go. 

1.693.  Asparagus  for  Minnesota.  For  planting 
on  a  large  scale  for  market,  the  old,  well-tried 
and  thoroughly  reliable  Conover's  Colossal  is  yet 
the  variety  which  we  would  select.  There  are  a 
number  of  newer  candidates,  the  Palmetto, 
Barr's  (or  Philadelphia)  Mammoth,  etc.,  which 
are  claimed  to  be  superior,  but  have  not  yet  been 
sufficiently  tested  to  have  established  theirstand- 
ing.  These  may  be  planted  in  an  experimental 
way  on  a  small  scale. 

1,695.  Cost  of  Picking  Small  Fruits.  The 
prices  usually  paid  for  pickers  are  as  follows : 
114  cent  per  quart  for  Strawberries ;  1  to  1J4 
cents  per  pint  for  Red  Kaspberries  ;  2  cents  per 
quart  for  Blackcaps ;  IH  cents  per  quart  for 
Blackberries;  1  cents  per  quart  for  Currants. 

1,699.  Grapes  Eunniug  to  Vine.  We  do  not 
know  why  common  varieties  of  Grapes,  that 
grow  strong  wood  in  Arizona,  should  not  fruit 
there  as  well  as  elsewhere,  provided  they  were 
properly  managed.  Our  correspondent  also  asks 
for  a  list  of  fruits  that  we  know  will  fruit  in 
Arizona.  We  are  unable  to  comply.  People 
who  live  in  Arizona  must  know  much  better 
than  we  do  what  fruits  succeed  there,  and  what 
fruits  do  not.  Ask  fruit  growers  living  near 
you ;  but  if  they  cannot  tell,  it  is  about  high 
time  that  they  should  find  out  by  making  trials. 
We  make  this  statement  for  the  benefit  of  all, 
who  are  inclined  to  ask  questions  concerning 
local  conditions  about  which  reliable  informa- 
tion could  be  had  near  home. 

1.637.  Dwarf  Pear  Orchard,  Like  all  other 
crops,  Pears  on  dwarf  trees  may  be  grown  success- 
fully in  one  locality,  or  ou  one  man's  place,  and  be 
a  failure  in  another  locality,  or  ou  another  man's 
place.  There  are  a  large  number  of  Dwarf  Pear 
orchards  right  in  this  iuimfdiate  neighborhood, 
and  most  of  them  bring  money  to  their  owners. 
But  soil  and  climate  here  seem  to  suit  the  wants  of 
the  Pear,  both  dwarf  and  standard.  There  is 
hardly  ever  any  trouble  to  sell  at  a  good  price 
all  the  good  Pears  you  can  raise,  if  you  wdl 
only  produce  them.  So  if  your  location  is  adapted 
to  Pear  culture,  and  you  make  a  good  selection  of 
trees  and  varieties,  and  eive  them  the  high  cultiva- 
tion that  Dwarf  Pears  always  require,  you  will 
most  likely  succeed  in  making  Pear  culture  pay. 
But  if  you  have  an  idea  you  can  set  any  kind  of  a 
dwarf  Pear  tree  in  any  kind  of  soil,  and  then  will 
only  have  to  wait  patiently  for  the  big  returns, 
without  further  effort,  you  will  surely  find  out  that 
Pear  culture  does  not  pay. 

1618  Pruning  Peaches.  If  not  already  done 
this  work  should  be  attended  to  at  once.  My  plan 
is  to  have  my  trees  form  a  head  as  low  as  possible. 
Many  of  my  trees  branch  out  as  low  as  eight  inches 
from  the  ground.  Prune  every  year,  and  cut  off 
one-half  to  two-thirds  of  last  years  growth.  Cut 
away  all  dead  wood  no  matter  how  small;  put  a 
pint  of  dry  unleached  ashes  to  each  inch  of  diame- 
ter of  tree  at  grnund.  and  repeat  this  every  year. 
If  this  plan  is  loUowed  year  after  year,  little  will  be 
heard  of  the  yellows,  and  our  Peaches  will  bring  bet- 
ter prices.  I  w^ould  rather  have  one  bushel  of 
Peaches  containing  120  Peaches,  than  five  bushels 
containing  300  Peaches  each —J.  L.  B. 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


141 


l.Hfl.  FlantinK  Early  Crops.  Tomatoes  for 
early  shoulii  l>o  sCarlod  without  tlelay  in  southern 
Pennsyl\  ania;  Celery  may  be  sown  in  well-pre- 
paroii  l)e<ls  in  o^K'n  air  just  as  soon  as  the  jrround 
can  l>e  tltted  in  spring.  Cuounibers  for  open  air 
culture  should  be  planted  durini?  seeond  half  of 
Slay:  or  if  for  early  use,  may  be  stnrte<l  on  in- 
verted S("m1s.  or  in  flower  pots  under  glass  last  of 
April,  and  planted  out  in  May. 

1.701.  Bark  Lice  on  Pear  Trees.  The  twig  sent 
us  was  covered  with  bark  liee,  an  insect  which 
often  gives  very  serious  trouble  to  the  orchard- 
ist  and  nurseryman.  Its  many  enemies,  among 
them  a  species  of  mite,  also  the  small  larva  of  a 
four  winge<l  (ti.v-like)  insect,  and  the  twice- 
stabbed  lady  bird, cannot  always  keep  it  in  check 
suffioientl.v  t-o  prevent  much  damage  to  fruit 
trees.  Each  one  of  these  scales  is  sirapl.v  a  cover- 
ing or  blanket  firnil,v  fastened  over  a  little  cluster 
of  eggs  and  protecting  them .  Of  course  these 
scales,  and  the  egs^s  with  them,  might  be  scraped 
off  the  limb,  and  thus  destroyed,  but  this  involves 
much  more  work  than  the  average  grower  would 
be  willing  to  l>estow.  We  recommend  to  wash 
or  syringe  the  limlB  with  a  strong  alkaline  .solu- 
tion, strong  lye.  orsalsoda  lone  poundl  dis-solved 
in  water  (one  gallon).  This  should  be  done  in 
spring,  while  the  young  lice  are  hatching  out. 
Painting  the  limbs  "over  with  linseed  oil,  and  thus 
choking  the  life  out  of  the  brood,  has  also  been 
found  effective. 

1.708.  Coal  Ashes  as  Fertilizer.  Coal  ashes 
contain  next  to  no  actual  plant  food,  and  there- 
fore, as  a  Ifertilizer,  are  almost  worthless.  Yet 
the.v  have  a  tendency  to  repel  insects,  to  improve 
the  mechanical  condition  of  the  soil,  thus  facili- 
tating chemical  changes,  and  also  to  serve  as  a 
very  superior  mulch.     The  orchard  is  a  very 

§  roper  and  one  of  the  very  best  places  for  the 
eposition  of  coal  ashes,  and  of  wood  ashes  also. 

l.tvtJ.  Orafting  Cherries,  The  Morello  can  be 
grafted  on  common  or  wild  stock;  in  fact  we  like 
it  better  than  on  their  own  roots.  We  have  been 
experimenting  on  the  Cherry  for  the  last  2.5  years, 
and  our  experience  teaches  us  to  have  our  grafts 
cut  in  season  and  properlj'  buried,  and  to  begin 
the  grafting  just  as  soon  as  the  stock  begins  to 
open  leaf  buds,  using  cleft  plan,  waxing  well; 
also  wax  top  end  of  grafts  to  prevent  evapora- 
tion.—J.  L.  B. 

1.709.  Black  Leaves  on  Orange  Trees.  Some- 
times the  dust  and  dirt  and  discoloration  on  these 
leaves  adheres  so  closely  that  it  takes  considera- 
ble effort  to  get  them  clean.  Faithful  washing 
and  scrubbing  with  warm  soap  suds  will  after 
awhile  accomplish  the  desired  result. 

1.710.  Mariana  Plum  for  Stock.  This  tree  is 
readily  progagiited  from  cuttings  of  the  young 
wood,  in  the  same  manner  as  Currants  or  Goose- 
Ijerries,  or  LeConte  Pear  at  the  South,  are  grown 
from  cuttings.  Probably  good  stock  can  also  be 
grown  from  seed  of  the  Mariana. 

1.712.  Poultry  Journal,  Poultry  World  and 
Poultry  Monthly— both  monthlj'  papers  devoted 
exclusively  to  poiiltry  interests,  and  costing  Sl.2.5 
per  year  each,  or  Sl.^0  with  Popular  Garden- 
ing, are  among  the  best  of  their  kind. 

1.7U.  Honey  Locust  for  Hedge.  The  Honey 
Locust  is  entirely  hardy,  and  a  long-lived  tree. 
For  a  common  hedge  fence  we  know  of  nothing 
superior  to  it  in  sections  where  Osage  Orange  is 
not  hardy  enough.  It  is  probably  as  liable  as  any 
other  tree  to  be  girdled  by  mice  when  grass  is 
allowed  to  grow,  or  snow  to  accumulate  around 
it.  Otherwise  the  tree  iseasily  grown,  and  rugged 
enough  to  thrive  where  most  other  trees  would 
starve.  It  succeeds  even  in  sod,  and  at  the  very 
foot  of  large  trees.  Mr.  H.  Lutts  of  this  county, 
near  ( intario  Lake,  grows  more  than  (iO  acres  of 
young  plants  from  seed  for  hedge  purposes  every 
year.-H.  W.  E. 

1.716.  Prunus  Pissardi,  Can  be  obtained  of 
Ellwanger  &  Barry,  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  and  all 
leading  nurserymen  who  deal  in  ornamental 
trees  and  shrubs.  It  blooms  at  about  the  same 
season  as  other  Plum  trees.— H.  W.  E. 

1,718.  Spraying  Pumps,  Write  to  the  Field 
Force  Pump  Co..  of  Lockport.  X.  Y.,  to  Rumsey 
&  Co  .  Seneca  Falls,  N.  Y..  and  the  Nixon  Nozzle 
and  Machine  Co..  Dayton,  O..  for  their  descriptive 
circulars  and  price  lists;  then  select  the  one  which 
you  think  will  suit  your  purposes. 

1,718.  Tools  for  the  Orchard.  Most  leading 
seedsmen  catalogue  pruning  and  other  tools  for 
orchard  and  vineyard.  Send  for  the  catalogues 
of  a  number  of  leading  dealers,  and  examine 
them  carefuUj".  Tools  of  this  description  can 
also  usually  be  had  at  leading  hardware  stores. 

1.711.  Sweet  Com.  For  earliest  we  shall  again 
use  the  Cory;  fer  medium  Black  Mexican  may  be 
planted;  and  for  late  we  know  of  nothing  more 
reliable  at  present  than  Stowell's  Evergreen. 
The  Black  Mexican  is  very  sweet,  very  rich,  and 
very  tender,  in  fact  surpassed  by  no  other  sort. 
It  should  be  used  before  it  colors  much;  other- 
wise its  dark  purplish  or  bluish  color  is  decid- 
edly against  it.  Stowell's  Evergreen  may  be 
planted  until  June  for  succession.  People  who 
do  not  like  the  Mexican  Blackmay  use  the  Amber 
Cream  instead,  which  is  a  very  good  variety  for 
medium.— H.  W.  E. 


1.722.  Value  of  Ashes.  The  difference  between 
wood  ashes  kept  under  cover  and  those  kept  ex- 
posed to  the  weather,  is  that  the  former  retain 
their  manurial  properties  intact,  while  the  latter 
lose  the  greater  part  of  their  potash  by  leaching. 
But  wood  ashes  make  a  good  fertilizer  even  when 
leached,  and  all  should  be  saved  and  applied  to 
garden  and  ^)rchard. 

1,72.5.  Grafting  the  Grape.  Of  course  the  well- 
ripened  wood  of  last  season's  growth,  such  as 
usually  taken  for  cuttings,  should  be  used  as 
cions  in  grafting. 

1.723.  Boses  from  Seed.  The  growing  of  seed- 
lings is  quite  simple.  In  a  recent  issue  of  the 
California  Fruit  Grower  the  following  instruc- 
tions are  given:  The  hip  or  seed  vessels  should 
be  selected  from  plants  that  have  a  robust  habit, 
and  the  seeds  should  be  well  matured.  The  best 
way  to  keep  them  in  a  germinating  state  is  to 
mix  the  unbroken  hips  with  a  lot  of  slightly  damp 
sand  in  a  box.  They  can  be  kept  in  this  condition 
until  the  spring  begins  to  open.  As  soon  as  the 
ground  becomes  warm,  remove  the  seeds  feom 
the  hips  and  plant  one-half  inch  deep  in  sandy 
loam.  If  the  plants  are  to  remain  where  the 
seeds  are  sown,  they  should  not  be  placed  too 
thickly:  indeed,  it  is  a  better  way  to  place  them 
at  regular  distances,  say  from  three  to  Ave  inches 
apart.  In  a  few  weeks  the  plants  will  show  their 
first  leaves.  They  should  be  allowed  to  remain 
without  transplanting  until  the  coming  fall  or 
succeeding  spring.  The  plants  can  be  lifted  and 
transplanted  into  rich  soil,  when  they  will  soon 
show  the  character  of  their  blossoms:  or,  the.v 
can  be  allowed  to  remain  where  they  are,  and  as 
they  come  into  bloom,  those  which  are  apparently 
the  most  worthless  can  Ije  grubbed  out.  It  is 
very  often  the  case  that  a  seedling  Rose  does  not 
show  its  best  flowers  for  three  years.  If  the  ex- 
perimentor  cannot  wait  for  the  plants  to  bloom 
on  their  own  roots,  buds  can  be  taken  off  and 
worked  on  strong  stalks.  In  all  probability  these 
will  in  a  few  months  push  out  strongly  and  iiro- 
duce  flowers.  The  business  is  one  in  which 
one  becomes  intensely  interested,  but  to  fol- 
low it  for  profit,  one  should  not  expect  any 
good  returns  for  some  years.  Thousands  of  seeds 
should  be  sown  regularly  every  season,  so  that 
there  will  be  constantly  new  plants  coming  into 
bloom.  It  would  be  useless  to  attempt  to  save  90 
per  cent  of  the  plants  which  wiU  have  fiowers 
inferior  to  varieties  which  have  already  been 
introduced.  These,  as  soon  as  they  appear,"should 
be  grubbed  out  and  thrown  away;  but,  if  the 
fiowers  show  any  signs  of  promise,  the  plants 
should  be  carefully  husbanded  and  saved  till  such 
time  as  thej'  have  either  proved  their  value  or 
worthlessness. 

1.726.  Apples  for  Market.  Under  the  condi- 
tions named  we  would  not  go  into  Apple  culture 
very  deeply.  But  if  we  wanted  to  make  the 
trial,  we  would  certainl.v  follow  the  practice 
adopted  b.v  .vou  to  dig  a  deep  and  wide  hole  for 
each  tree,  and  fill  this  mth  rich  earth  carted  from 
the  low  land.  With  profuse  applications  of  good 
manure,  or  of  bonedust  and  potash,  success  in 
growing  the  crop  is  within  easy  reach,  and  the 
difficulty  then  will  be  only  the  task  of  getting 
them  into  a  profitable  market.  In  regard  to 
propagation  of  Mariana  Plum  stock,  see  reply 
to  No.  1,710.— H.  W.  E. 

1.727.  Green  Manuring  for  Orchard.  We  would 
use  Buckwheat  altogether.  Several  crops  can  be 
grown  and  plowed  under  in  the  course  of  a  single 
season.  For  southern  localities  perhaps  Black 
Peas  iCow  Beans)  will  give  excellent  results.— 
H.  W.  E. 

1.728.  Alfalfa  or  Luzerne.  This  is  usually 
grown  and  intended  for  a  soiling  crop,  or  for  hay; 
but  with  the  proper  precaution,  necessary  in 
pasturing  cattle  in  any  kind  of  rank  Clover,  we 
see  no  reason  why  Alfalfa  could  not  be  used 
for  pasture  if  so  desired. 

1.729.  Mushroom  Spawn.  The  cheapest  way 
to  obtain  Spawn  where  but  little  of  it  is  used,  is 
to  buy  it  of  some  reliable  seed  dealer.  For  the 
production  of  Spawn  in  large  quantities  the  fol- 
lowing method  is  practiced  in  Europe:  In  spring 
or  summer  a  ditch  is  dug  about  IH  feet  deep  and 
nearly  two  feet  wide,  preferably  in  a  situation 
with  northern  exposure.  A  layer  of  clear,  dry 
horse  droppings  is  spread  into  the  bottom, 
and  upon  this  a  nine-inch  layer  of  prepared 
horse  manure,  then  another  light  layer  of  dry 
horse  droppings,  another  layer  of  prepared  horse 
manure,  etc.  Each  layer  is  packed  down  solidly 
by  tramping,  and  thorougnly  saturated  with 
liquid  manure  (reduced  with  its  own  bulk  ot 
water).  The  heap  is  continued  as  it  was  begun, 
and  built  up  to  about  a  foot  above  the  surface  of 
the  ground,  nicely  rounded  off.  It  is  now  cov- 
ered with  soil,  and  may  be  planted  with  Radishes, 
Spinach,  Lettuce,  etc.  The  Spawn  will  have 
formed  in  13  to  U  months,  and  is  then  forked  out 
in  large  chunks,  spread  in  a  dry,  airy,  half-dark 
place  to  dry.  When  sufficiently  dry  the  spawn 
may  be  cut  into  bricks  with  the  spade.  The  my- 
celium has  grown  all  through  the  mass,  and  even 
the  smallest  part  of  it  contains  some.  Spawn 
thus  prepared  is  said  to  retain  its  vitality  for 
from  seven  to  eight  years. 


1,639.  Plants  for  Bockery.  The  following  are 
among  the  best  plants  for  rock  work,  the  first 
named  being  well  suited  to  the  sunny  positions, 
though  care  should  be  taken  that  the  roots  of  all 
should  be  so  placed  that  they  be  in  direct  contact 
with  the  bulk  of  the  soil:  Achillea  tomentosa, 
.\juga  alpina,  Adonis  vernalis.  Alyssum  Saxa- 
tile  and  the  variegated  form,  Alyssum  argen- 
teum,  -Antennaria  dioicti.  A<juilegia  cierulea,  A. 
alpina,  Arabis  alpina,  A renariavema  caespitosa, 
all  the  Armerias,  Aster  alpinus  and  variety  alba. 
All  -\ubretias;  many  Campanulas,  such  as  C. 
Carpatica  and  alba,  C.  turbinata,  C.  rotundifolia, 
C.  fragilisandC. punctata, Cerastiums,  Corydalis, 
Daphne  cneorum.  Most  of  the  Dianthus,  and 
especially  D.  glacialis,  D.  neglectus,  and  D.  sub- 
caulescens.  Erysimum  pulchellum.  Genista  sag- 
ittalis,  G.  tinctoria,  pi.,  Globularia  trochosanthee, 
Gypsophila  repens,  Iberis  corifolia,  I.  sempervi- 
rens,  and  I.  Garresciana,  Iris  Iberica,  I.  Susiana, 
I  pumila.  Lychnis  Lagascap,  L.Viscaria,  L.  alpina, 
Onosma  stellulata  and  Ocalis  violacea,  Papaver 
nudicaule.  All  varieties  of  Phlox  subulata, 
PotentiUa  Pyrenaica, Ranunculus  fumaria-folius, 
Sanguinaria  Canadensis.  .Ml  Sedums,  except 
S.  acre  (or  you'll  wish  it  had  never  been  intro- 
duced). Silenes,  such  as  S.  pumilo,  S.  maritima 
and  pi.,  S  schafta,  S.  alpestris  and  S.  Virginica, 
Tunica  Saxifraga,  Veronica  alpina,  V.  prostrata, 
V.  petinata,  V.  rupestris  and  V.  cercaeoides.  The 
Primulas  that  are  hardy,  such  as  P  Siebodii,  P. 
veris  and  P.  elatior  need  a  shady  position  in 
moist  soil.  Likewise  most  of  the  Anemones,  as 
A.  alpina.  A.  nemorosa.  fi.  pi.,  and  A.  sylvestris. 
Hepaticas,  Hellebores.  Vincas.  LUj-  of  the  Valley, 
and  Ferns  all  thrive  best  in  shady  positions.— 
E.  O.  Okpet. 

1657.  Blackberry  ctilture.  The  rows  are  made 
eight  feet  apart  and  plants  set  three  feet  apart 
in  the  row.  Crops  may  be  grown  half  way  be- 
tween the  first  year.  Cultivate  oneway  and  as 
the  rows  spread  mow  off  the  canes.  ha\ing  a  nar- 
row for  fruiting.  If  suckers  between  the  rows 
are  treated  as  weeds,  when  green  and  easily  cut 
off,  there  will  be  no  necessity  for  mowing.  If 
manure  be  applied  when  the  canes  begin  to 
make  an  unsatisfactory  growth,  and  good  culti- 
vation be  continued,  there  will  be  no  necessity 
of  renewing  the  plantation,  when  it  becomes 
diseased.— L.  J.  F.*^r.mer. 

1664.  Fertilizers  for  Strawberries.  Yard  ma- 
nure will  not  supply  all  the  food  necessary  for 
the  Strawberry.  It  lacks  in  potash.  Barn  ma- 
nure used  alone  will  make  large  berries,  but  they 
will  lack  in  firmness  and  color.  Ashes  will  sup- 
ly  the  deficiency.  The  time  of  application  has 
much  to  do  in  the  benefit  obtained  from  using 
fertilizers  of  any  kind.  Fertilizers  applied  dur- 
ing the  dry  months  of  spring  and  summer  are 
mostly  thrown  away.  Last  summer  I  learned 
the  secrets  of  the  most  successful  strawberry 
grower  in  our  town.  We  attribute  his  large 
yields  to  applying  a  good  dressing  ot  yard  ma- 
nure directly  to  the  rows  around  and  among  the 
plants.  The  fall  rain  will  wash  the  goodness 
down  to  the  roots  and  very  little  is  wasted.  In 
the  western  part  ot  the  county,  growers  obtain 
the  best  crops  of  Wilsons  by  scattering  ashes  and 
superphosphate  into  the  rows  in  the  early  spring 
before  growth  begins.— L.  J.  Farmer. 


THE    COMPLETE    GARDEN.* 

XXXIV. 

BY  A  WELL-KNOWN  HOBTICCLTUHIST. 

(Continued  from  page  12^'.) 

Grapes  Ujjder  Glass. 

The  Cold  (or  Usheated)  Graperv. 
Exotic  or  foreign  species  of  Grapes— proba- 
bly the  choicest  of  all  fruits  which  we  could 
grow — have  only  in  rare  instances  been  a 
success  in  open  air  culture.  Yet  no  other 
fruit  or  vegetable  could  be  produced  under 
glass  more  easily  and  certainly.  Given  a 
little  glass  protection  (without  artificial 
heat),  and  the  fruit  can  be  had  at  about  its 
natural  season  in  all  its  lusciousness.  The 
buildings  may  be  of  the  simplest  kind,  and 
even  a  few  hot-bed  sashes  set  up  slantingly 
against  a  six  or  seven  foot  wall  or  tight 
board  fence  with  a  south-eastern  exposure, 
will  give  a  safe  place  for  a  few  vines. 
Arranged  in  a  neat,  systematic  manner, 
such  a  simple,  inexpensive  "cold  Grapery" 
was  illustrated  on  page  106  (Feb.  number). 

Of  course,  a  building  of  this  kind  must  te 
in  harmony  with  its  surroundings.  On  the 
well-kept  premises  of  wealthy  people  we 
expect  to  see  a  more  elaborate  affair:  but 
few  persons  are  so  poor  that  they  could  not 
afford  to  have  some  sort  of  a  Grapery,  in 
which  this  greatest  of  all  luxuries  in  fruits 
could  be  produced  with  little  trouble. 

X  house  with  span-roof,  something  like 

•Copyright,  1887,  Popular  Gardening  Publishing  Co. 


142 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


March, 


the  one  shown  in  annexed  illustration,  will 
be  found  most  convenient,  and  where  cost 
is  no  objection,  should  be  given  the  prefer- 
ence to  the  lean-to  style,  such  as  the  reader 
may  picture  for  himself,  if  he  will  imagine 
one-half  of  the  span  roof  (cut  through  the 
peak)  placed  against  a  solid  wall,  with 
Grape  vines  set  along  the  latter. 

Briclc  walls,  as  here  shown,  make  a  sub- 
stantial, and  decidedly  the  best  foundation 
for  the  sides;  but  good  posts  (Locust,  Red 
Cedar,  etc.)  set  in  the  ground  four  feet  apart 
may  be  used  as  cheaper  substitutes.  Two 
lines  of  3x3  scantling  are  laid  across  the 
rafters,  at  about  equal  dis- 
tance from  plate,  between 
one  another,  and  from  ridge 
piece.  The  sash  bars,  at 
about  eight  inches  apart,  rest 
upon  these  scantlings.  The 
width  of  this  house  should 
be  about  18  feet.  Chances 
for  thorough  ventilation  may 
be  provided  in  the  manner 
suggested  in  the  illustration. 

Thorough  preparation  of 
the  soil  (border)  in  which  the 
vines  are  to  be  planted,  is 
one  of  the  chief  points  of 
importance,  and  indispensa 
ble  for  the  best  success.  The  f 
whole  natural  ground  six  to 
twenty  feet  wide  on  each 
side  of  the  house,  and  pre  -j-jHlS^fc^ 
f  erably  over  the  entire  inside  '  ' "? -"  ■■  ■ti---3"»^ 
also,  should  be  removed 
to  the  depth  of  two  feet,  (German  growers 
recommend  a  depth  of  four  and  a  half  feet); 
a  lot  of  coarse  rubbish,  pebbles,  gravel,  etc., 
with  several  lines  of  tile  for  thorough  drain- 
age laid  in  the  bottom,  and  the  excavation 
again  filled  up  with  a  mixtiire  of  rotted 
turf,  rich  loam  or  leaf  mold,  old  dried  pond 
mud,  and  well-rotted  cow  manure,  if  possi- 
ble with  some  addition  of  bone  dust  and 
lime  rubbish.  Such  things  as  old  leather, 
rags,  wool  waste,  plaster  from  old  walls, 
old  bones,  sweepings,  and  in  fact  all  rub- 
bish of  a  similar  character,  will  serve  a 
good  purpose  if  placed  directly  upon  the 
drainage  material  in  the  bottom.  The  walls 
for  the  sides  must  be  left  with  sufBcient 
openings  to  give  roots  a  chance  for  feeding 
both  inside  and  outside  of  the  Grapery. 

Varieties  to  Plant.  Black  Hamburg 
is  the  leading  and  most  reliable  variety  for 
planting  in  an  unheated  Grapery.  Other 
reliable  sorts  are  Royal  Muscadine,  Buck- 
land's  Sweetwater,  White  Frontignan, 
Trentham  Black  and  Charlesworth  Tokay,to 
which  may  further  be  added  Lady  Downe's 
Seedling,  Muskat  Hamburg,  Red  Chasselas, 
Bowood  Muskat,  Early  Auvergne,  Golden 
Hamburg,  etc. 

Planting  and  Cake.  A  well  ripened 
one  year  old  vine,  started  from  single  eye 
and  grown  in  pot,  is  preferable  to  one  of 
greater  age.  Such  plants  may  be  procured 
from  our  leading  nurserymen.  Set  them  in 
May,  when  buds  are  just  ready  to  start, 
either  outside  the  house,  drawing  the  tops 
through  the  openings  in  the  wall  to  the  in- 
side, or  with  roots  inside,  one  plant  to  each 
rafter  which  brings  them  four  feet  apart. 

In  November  or  December  the  single 
cane  which  was  allowed  to  grow  the  first 
season,  and  trained  along  the  rafter,  is  to 
be  cut  back  to  within  three  or  four  feet  of 
the  ground,  or  at  about  the  bottom  of  the 
rafter.  A  bunch  or  two  might  be  grown 
the  next  season,  but  for  the  good  of  the 
vine  it  will  be  much  better  to  allow  only 
the  single  cane  to  grow,  training  this  to  the 
rafter  as  before.  In  November  or  Decem- 
ber the  cane  is  cut  back  to  about  eight  feet 
from  the  ground,  and  tlie  season  following 
will  bear  a  good  crop  on  the  lower  laterals 
or  side  shoots,  while  the  leading  cane  is 
again  allowed  to  grow  to  the  top.    The  next 


(fourth)  season  the  vine  will  be  strong 
enough  to  bear  a  full  crop  the  entire  length 
of  the  rafter. 

The  system  of  pruning  and  training  usu- 
ally atlopted  is  simple,  and  known  as  the 
"spur"  system.  One  main  cane  is  trained 
up  along  the  rafter,  up  to  the  top,  and  the 
laterals,  which  constitute  the  bearing  wood, 
are  annually  cut  back  to  one  eye. 

The  vines  need  some  [protection  during 
winter  to  insure  their  entire  safety.  They 
should  be  unfastened  from  the  wires  or 
supports,  laid  down  upon  the  ground  and 
covered  six  or  eight  Inches  deep  with  sand 


B     O     R     D 


R 


A  SPAN   ROOF  COLD  GRAPERY. 

or  soil.  Or  a  kind  of  trough  may  be  formed 
by  setting  up  a  line  of  boards  eighteen 
inches  from  the  wall,  the  vines  laid  down 
in  this,  and  the  space  filled  up  with  this 
soil.    Guard  against  mice. 

Chief  Requisites.  These,  during  growth, 
are  (1)  the  maintainance  of  proper  tempera- 
ture, which  should  be  not  less  than  sixty- 
five  degrees  P'ahr.  at  night,  or  eighty  to 
eighty-five  degrees  during  the  day;  (3)  co- 
pious watering  outside  in  dry  weather;  (3) 
damp  atmosphere,  by  sprinkling  the  floor 
inside,  except  during  the  period  of  flower- 
ing and  fruit  setting,  when  watering  should 
be  dispensed  with;  (4)  thorough  ventilation 
at  top,  and  when  necessary  at  the  bottom 
during  clear,  hot  weather;  (5)  judicious  sum- 
mer pruning  by  pinching  laterals  to  one 
leaf;  (f>)  thinning  the  fruit  when  about  the 
size  of  a  Pea  by  carefully  clipping  out  one- 
third  of  the  smaller  berries,  with  a  pair  of 
pointed  scissors,  in  order  to  allow  those  re- 
maining room  to  swell  out  to  full  size;  (7) 
cleaning  and  washing  the  vines  with  a  so- 
lution of  soft  soap  and  tobacco  water  at  the 
time  of  laying  down  for  wintei:,  as  a  protec- 
tion from  insects;  (S)  the  tree  use  of  sulphur 
as  a  preventive  of  mildew. 

The  cold  Grapery  may  also  be  utilized 
during  winter  in  various  ways.  Many  half- 
hardy  plants,  such  as  Roses,  Pomegranates, 
Oranges,  and  others  may  be  here  stored, 
with  pots  or  tubs  well  covered  over  with 
leaves  or  other  materials,  and  thus  safely 
wintered.  Or  it  may  .serve  as  a  pleasure 
resort  for  poultry  when  the  weather  would 
not  permit  them  to  he  much  out  doors. 

The  Warm  or  Heated  Grapery.  For 
forcing  Grapes  in  artificially  warmed 
bouses,  to  come  in  early,  a  well  constructed 
lean-to  will  be  found  useful,  but  span  roofed 
houses  are  also  popular  and  serviceable. 
The  grower  may  select  whichever  system  of 
heating  he  deems  preferable.  Hot  water  or 
steampipes  should  lay  upon  the  ground,  or 
near  the  surface,  and  not  far  from  the  cen- 
tre line  of  building. 

If  fruit  is  desired  by  May,  forcing  should 
be  begun  in  December  or  January.  The 
boards  outside  should  be  well  covered  up 
with  leaves  and  coarse  manure  to  keep  the 
temperature  of  the  soil  at  about  sixty  de- 
grees Fahr.    Heat  should  never  be  applied 


inside  while  the  roots  of  the  vines  outside 
are  yet  frozen. 

For  the  first  three  weeks  at  the  be- 
ginning of  the  forcing  process  the  inside 
temperature  should  be  held  at  about  fifty 
degrees,  with  ten  or  fifteen  degrees  higher 
during  the  day.  Gradually  increase  to  sixty- 
five  degrees  at  night,  with  the  correspond- 
ingly higher  temperature  in  day  time,  until 
the  buds  begin  to  develop.  This  will  take 
about  five  or  six  weeks.  When  the  fruit 
has  begun  to  set,  which  will  be  in  about 
four  or  five  weeks  more,  the  temperature  is 
raised  to  seventy  or  seventy-flve  degrees  at 
night,  with  ten  or  fifteen  de- 
grees more  during  the  day. 
Proper  attention  has  to  be 
paid  to  thinning,  pruning, 
airing,  etc.,  as  described  for 
the  cold  Grapery.  The  pipes 
may  also  be  painted  from 
the  very  beginning  with  a 
mixture  of  sulphur  and  lin- 
seed oil,  as  a  preventive  of 
mildew  and  red  spider. 

The  following  varieties  are 
most  suitable  for  forcing  in 
heated      structures:      Black 
Hamburg,  Muscat  of  Alex- 
andria,   Maddresfleld   Court 
^  Muscat,    Trentham     Black, 
-    Muscat     Hamburg,    Golden 
Champion;  for   late,  Barba- 
^,  -?£  rossa,    and    Lady    Downe's 
Seedling;  for  early,   Chasse- 
las    de    Fontainebleau,    etc. 
Black  Hamburg  and  Alexandria  are   the 
most  profltable  for  market. 

Grapes  in  Late  Forcing  Houses.  Houses 
of  same  construction,  and  heating  arrange- 
ment are  used  for  late  forcing.  Fruit  is 
here  desired  from  November  on,  and  the 
first  aim  must  be  to  retard  vegetation  in 
spring  by  every  available  means.  The 
house  should  be  covered  as  soon  as  the  frnit 
is  off  the  vines,  to  exclude  the  warming  sun 
rays,  kept  open  on  cold  days,  and  closed  on 
warm  days.  The  frozen  ground  outside 
may  be  deluged  with  water,  and  when  this 
has  frozen,  covered  with  leaves  and  manure 
to  keep  the  frost  in,  and  retard  the  begin- 
ning of  the  new  growth  as  long  as  possibly 
can  be  done.  During  summer  also  the  house 
is  kept  as  cool  as  circumstances  will  allow. 
At  the  approach  of  cool  autumn  weather 
the  fires  must  be  started,  and  greater  heat 
provided  from  the  time  that  the  fruit  begins 
to  color.  Ripe  fruit  may  then  be  had  in 
November,  and  with  proper  handling 
through  the  winter. 


"^f^^^.^/fritrr^tgl  , 


Station  Horticulture.  Experiment  Station 
Bulletin  No.  4  of  the  U.  S.  Department  of  Agri- 
culture is  one  of  more  than  usual  importance. 
It  contains  a  list  of  the  horticulturists  at  the 
various  experiment  stations,  together  with  the 
lines  of  work  undertaken  by  each.  The  publica- 
tion of  these  plans  cannot  but  be  productive  of 
good  results  in  suggesting  desirable  lines  of 
work,  in  the  avoidance  of  unnecessary  duplica- 
tion, and  iierhaps  in  some  cases  leading  to  direct 
co-operation.  No  co-operation  work  is  pro- 
posed in  the  buUetin  except  the  distribution  of 
plants  and  seeds  and  the  solicitation  of  certain 
kinds  in  return.  The  names  of  forty-two 
stutions  are  given,  of  which  twelve  have  either 
undertaken  no  work  in  partic\ilar  or  have  made 
no  report.  The  principal  work  at  most  of  the 
stations  is  to  be  the  testing  of  varieties  of  fruits 
and  vegetables,  and  a  special  effort  is  made  to 
induce  originatf)rs  to  furnish  new  varieties  to 
the  stations  for  trial.  Seventeen  stations  intend 
to  give  attention  to  synonymy.  Only  two  propose 
to  do  anything  with  seed  testing.  The  improve- 
ment of  varieties  by  selection,  and  to  a  less 
extent  by  crossing,  will  be  an  important  work  at 
many  of  the  stations.  The  improvement  of 
native  wild  fruits  will  receive  special  attention 
at  one  station  and  limited  attention  at  several 
others.  Plant  diseases  will  be  studied  mainly  by 
the  station  botanists  and  by  those  holding  the 
office  of  both  botanist  and  horticulturist.-^..4.C. 


POPULAR    GARDENING 


AND  FRUIT  GROWING. 


"ACCUSE   NOT   NATURE,   SHE   BATH  DONE  HER   PART:    DO   THOU    BUT   THINE." -Mjuios. 


Vol.  V. 


-A.I'iaiXj,    1890. 


No.  7. 


In  tbe  changeful  April  weather. 
Playing  hide  and  seek  together, 
Rain  and  sunshine,  light  and  shadow,  through   the 

woodlands  come  and  go: 
Now  athwart  the  tree  tops  glancing. 
Now  amid  the  Violets  dancing 

in  the  quiet  glades  below. 

Flitting  through  the  tasselled  Larches, 
In  and  out  the  greenwood  arches. 
Now  the  vivid  sunlight  lingers,  and  its  fltfui  broidery 

weaves 
On  the  starry  wind-flowers  bending. 
And  the  feathery  mosses  blending 

With  the  red-brown  Ivy  leaves. 


Ask  fob  It.  One  of  our  subscribers,  in  sending 
a  communication  for  our  Inquiry  Department, 
promises  **  not  to  bother  us  again."  We  are 
alwa.vs  pleased  rather  than  bothered  by  recer\ing 
intelligent  inquiries,  and  answer  them  cheer, 
fully,  or  hare  them  answered.  If  you  do  not  see 
the  information  you  want,  by  all  means  ask  for  it. 


FRurr  Prospect.  We  are  not  scared  about 
the  fruit  outlook  for  this  season,  whatever  the 
reports  from  elswhere.  The  buds  are  yet  all 
right,  and  if  nothing  unforeseen  happens,  no 
late  frost  like  that  of  last  year,  no  hail,  etc.,  we 
will  not  be  likely  to  go  without  fruit  this  season. 
We  know  the  scare  is  great  all  over  tbe  continent, 
but  the  damage  is  hardly  ever  quite  as  serious  as 
it  has  the  appearance  at  first. 


Newer  Candidates  for  Popularity.  In 
our  notes  from  PoptTLAR  Gardening  Grounds 
we  took  occasion  to  mention  Warfied  No.  2  and 
Haverland  as  the  two  varieties  of  Strawberries, 
which  were  the  most  promising  of  any  sorts 
old  or  new  on  our  grounds  last  year.  The  firm 
who  introduced  the  Haverland  (  Cleveland,  Nur- 
sery Co.,  Lakewood,  O.)  also  sent  out  a  new  red 
Raspberry,  the  Thompson's  Early  Prolific,  which 
we  find  well-spoken  of  everywhere.  Its  earli- 
ness  seems  to  be  a  striking  feature.  Mr.  A.  I. 
Root  reports  as  follows :  Thompson's  Early  i 
Proliflc  ripened  before  Strawberries  were  gone^  j 
and  in  tact,  a  little  sooner  than  anybody  expects 
Raspberries.  In  every  other  respect  it  compares 
exceedingly  favorable  with  any  of  the  red  Rasp- 
Ijerries.  Its  only  fault  is  that  it  is  too  early,  if 
that  is  a  fault.  The  Kansas  is  a  new  Blackcap 
Raspberry,  introduced  by  A.  H.  Griesa,  Law- 
rence, Kans.,  as  a  "  large,  jet-black  fruit  of 
delicious  quality,  very  early,  ripening  the  entire 
crop  in  two  or  three  pickings  and  a  good 
shipper." 


Western  New   York  Fruit   Growers. 

{Continued  from  paije  l'i3.) 

Erie  Countt  Report.  Mr.  Vamey  has 
noticed  a  growing  demand  for  old  Wilson 
Strawberry,  on  account  of  its  ability  to 
withstand  the  rough  handling  by  express 
companies.  Early  Dale  is  mentioned  as  a 
new  variety  of  Blackcaps  which  originated 
in  Erie  County.  The  high  price  of  sugar 
during  the  past  fruit  season  has  been  a 
great  damage  to  fruit  growers.  Grapes  in 
the  county  have  been  injured  so  badly  that 
the  prospect  for  the  coming  year  are  for  not 
more  than  two-thirds  of  a  crop. 

MosROE  County  Report.  Mr.  C.  M. 
Hooker  says  he  doubts  that  there  was  a 
single  barrel  of  perfect  Apples  in  the  county 
last  year.  Pears  had  done  a  little  better. 
Almost  all  other  crops  were  destroyed  or 
badly  damaged.  Pear  blight  raged  to  quite 
an  extent.  Even  Saunder's  remedy  did  not 
help  where  barnyard  manure  had  been  ap- 
pled  for  two  years.    However,  there  is  no 


need  of  getting  discouraged  by  one  bad 
year.  The  average  profits  are  satisfactory, 
if  the  business  Is  properly  managed. 

Ontario  County  Repokt.  Again  it  is 
stated,  this  time  by  Mr,  Darrow,  that  fruit 
growing  is  the  most  profitable  industry  in 
the  county.  The  only  wise  course,  however, 
is  to  plant  a  variety.  Among  older  Apples 
having  special  points  of  merit,  are  named; 
Hubbardston's  Nonesuch,  which  brought  a 
big  price  ;  also  Sutton's  Beauty,  Longfield, 
etc.  Perhaps  people  here  have  planted  too 
largely  of  Baldwin  and  Greening.  Pears 
brought  high  prices.  Vermont  Beauty  is 
growing  in  favor,  as  it  possesses  many 
points  of  excellence. 

Among  European  Plums  the  following 
have  done  well :  French  Damson,  which  is 
the  best  of  the  Damsons,  bringing  best 
price;  Field,  Stanton,  Middleburg,  Prince 
of  Wales,  Field  is  much  like  Bradshaw. 
Stanton  of  medium  size,  very  productive, 
and  very  handsome.  Fine  for  canning  and 
table.  Of  the  newer  sorts  Czar  and  Grand- 
duke  promise  well.  Czar  seems  to  be  the 
earliest  on  the  list  of  the  dark  colored  sorts. 

Cherries  usually  bring  good  prices.  Mont- 
gomery and  English  Morello  are  good  ones 
among  the  sotir  Cherries. 

Among  Peaches  there  are  two  new  sorts 
deserving  high  praise :  Hyne's  Surprise, 
ripening  immediately  after  Early  Rivers, 
and  Horton  Rivers  ripening  middle  of  Aug- 
ust. They  are  perfect  free-stones.  Steven's 
Rareripe  is  also  good  and   profitable. 

Apricots  can  be  grown  with  profit  in 
favored  situations.  The  Harris  Apricot  is  a 
growing  variety,  and  ripens  July  20th. 

Moore's  Ruby  is  the  best  flavored  Red 
Currant. 

Blackberries  are  neglected,  yet  bring 
good  prices.  Early  Barnard  has  been  on 
trial.  It  is  better  than  Snyder,  and  holds 
its  dark  glossy  color  well. 

Some  Good  Peaches.  From  Livingston 
County  comes  tbe  report  that  Hill's  Chili 
has  proved  to  be  hardierthan  other  Peaches. 
It  stood  the  frost  well,  and  sold  well.  The 
Seneca  County  report.mentions  the  Brigdon 
Peach,  which  is  found  to  resemble  Craw- 
ford, but  seems  to  be  morerproductive,  and 
of  more  even  size.  Mr.  Willard  says  it 
came  from  Cayuga  County,  and  is  also  sent 
out  under  the  name  of  Garfield.  Mr.  Smith 
of  Geneva  pronounces  .it  better  than  Craw- 
ford.   Has  about  1,000  trees. 

Embellishments  of  Public  Grounds. 
Mr.  McMillan  of  Buffalo  treated  this  sub- 
ject in  line.with  his  essay  read  before  the 
Society  of  American  Florists  in  Buffalo  last 
summer,  and  published  in  full  in  these 
columns,  but  somewhat  modified  and  tem- 
pered down  in  language,  yet  hardly  less 
strong  in  argument.  Costly  ornamentation, 
he  thinks,  is  out  of  place  in  a  public  park 
on  accoimt  of  pilfering  and  trespassing, 
etc.,  against  which  all  police  supervision  is 
impracticable.  To  what  extent  bedding 
plants  and  .shrubs,  etc.,  can  be  used,  de- 
pends entirely  on  the  gentle  disposition  of 
the  neighborhood,  or  supervision,  etc.  Mr. 
McMillan  also  remarks  that  European  trees 
can  be  more  easily  obtained  than  many  of 
our  fine  hardy  natives.  Oaks,  Chestnuts, 
Beeches,  etc.,  that  are  quite  fine  for  park 


purposes.    Japan  has  furnished   us  some 
very  good  things.    Many  of  our  native  trees 
ought  to  be  much  more  freely  used,  if  only 
for  their  varying  foliage  in  autumn. 
To  he  (MntiniicO. 


Lady  Birds   and  Their  Habits. 

CLARENCE  M.WEED.OHIO  AGRIC'T'RAL  EXP'RIM'NT  STATION. 

Six  common  species  of  the  Lady-bird 
Family  are  represented  in  the  illustration 
on  next  page,  Fis.  1  to  H.  and  the  three 
stages  of  a  seventh  are  shown  at  Fig.  7. 
From  these  the  reader  will  see  that  these 
lady-birds  are  neat  and  handsome  in  ap- 
pearance, and  if  the  colors  were  represented 
he  would  also  find  that  they  are  brightly 
colored  and  beautiful. 

These  lady-birds  are  chiefly  useful  to  man 
as  plant-lice  destroyers.  This  habit  of  theirs 
has  been  known  almost  from  the  time  man 
began  to  notice  this  insect  about  them.  For 
the  last  century  the  literature  of  ento- 
mology has  abounded  with  references  to 
this  habit.  The  following  admirable  ac- 
count of  them  was  written  nearly  fifty 
years  ago  by  Dr.  T,  W.  Harris,  the  author 
of  the  famous  treatise  on  Insects  injurious 
to  Vegetation.     He  says  : 

"  Plant^lice  would  undoubtedly  be  much 
more  abundant  and  destructive,  if  they 
were  not  kept  in  check  by  certain  redout- 
able  enemies  of  the  Insect  kind,  which  seem 
expressly  created  to  diminish  their  numbers. 
These  lice  destroyers  are  of  three  sorts. 
The  first  are  the  young  or  larva-  of  the 
hemispherical  beetles  familiarly  known  by 
the  name  of  lady-birds.  These  little  beetles 
are  generally  yellow  or  red,  with  black 
spots:  or  black  with  white,  red,  or  yellow 
spots ;  there  are  many  kinds  of  them  and 
they  are  very  common.  They  live  both  in 
the  perfect  and  young  state  upon  plant-lice, 
and  hence  their  services  are  very  consider- 
able. Their  young  are  small  flattened 
grubs  of  a  bluish  or  blue-black  color,  spot- 
ted usually  with  red  or  yellow,  and  furnish- 
ed with  six  legs  near  the  forepart  of  the 
body.  They  are  hatched  from  little  yellow 
eggs,  laid  In  clusters  among  plant-lice,  so 
that  they  find  themselves  at  once  within  the 
reach  of  their  prey,  which  from  their  supe- 
rior strength  they  are  enabled  to  seize  and 
slaughter  in  great  numbers.  There  are 
some  of  these  insects  of  a  very  small  size 
and  blackish  color,  sparingly  clothed  with 
short  hairs,  and  sometimes  with  a  yellow 
spot  at  the  end  of  the  wing  covers,  whose 
young  are  clothed  with  short  tufts  or  flakes 
of  the  most  delicate  white  down.  These 
insects  belong  to  the  genus  Seymnus,  which 
means  a  lion's  whelp,  and  they  well  merit 
such  a  name,  for  their  young,  in  proportion 
to  their  size,  are  as  sanguinary  and  ferocious 
as  the  most  savage  beasts  of  prey.  I  have 
often  seen  one  of  these  little  tufted  animals 
preying  upon  the  plant-lice,  catching  and 
devouring  with  the  greatest  ease,  lice  nearly 
as  large  as  its  own  body,  one  after  another, 
in  rapid  succession,  without  apparently  sa- 
tiating its  hunger,  or  diminishing  activity." 
One  of  these  lady-bird  larvs  is  shown  at  a, 
Fig.  T.  It  is  the  young  of  the  twenty -spotted 
lady-bird,  and  its  life-history  may  be  sum- 
marized as  follows:  The  adult  beetle  (c  Fig. 
7)  deposits  eggs  in  clusters  of  six  or  more 
on  the  leaves  of   Iron  weed.  Wild  Lettuce 


146 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


April, 


and  other  plants.  In  a  few  days  the  eggs 
hatch  into  small  larrje  of  the  shape  of  the 
one  illnstrated.  These  feed  for  about  five 
or  six  weeks  when  they  become  full-grown 
as  larvae,  and  are  ready  to  enter  upon  the 
next  stage  of  their  existence — that  of  the 
chrysalis  or  pupa.  They  attach  the  posterior 
portions  of  their  bodies  to  leaves,  and  soon 
shed  their  skin.  They  are  now  pupa,  and 
look  like!?i,  Fig.  7.    About  ten  days  later 


as  any  of  our  lady-birds.  It  is  quite  small, 
nearly  hemispherical,  black  with  a  bright 
reddish  spot  on  the  middle  of  each  wing 
cover.  It  is  sometimes  called  the  twice- 
stabbed  lady-bird,  but  more  commonly  the 
two-spotted  lady-bird.  Mr.  George  Dim- 
mock,  a  well-known  Massachusetts  ento- 
mologist, says  of  this  insect:  "  This  species 
hibernates  under  bark,  in  bams,  and  even 
in  houses.    In  early  spring  the  lady-birds 


rig.x 


Fig.  8. 


Fig.  4. 


Fis-6. 


Fig.  o. 

GROUP  OF  LADY  BIRDS. 


the  pupa  skin  splits  along  the  back  and  the 
adult  beetles  emerge. 

Fig.  1  of  the  accompanying  group  repre- 
sents one  of  the  smallest  species,  somewhat 
magnified,  the  straight  line  on  the  right 
showing  its  actual  length.  It  is  the  Paren- 
thetical Lady-bird  {HippixJamia  Pannthc- 
sis),  so  called  because  of  the  peculiar 
markings  on  the  rear  of  wing  covers.  This 
insect  is  not  so  abundant  as  most  of  its 
relatives,but  sometimes  occurs  in  numbers 
where  plant  lice  are  plentiful. 

The  nine-spotted  lady  bird  (CoccincUa 
Novnniintata)  is  represented  at  Fig.  2.  It  is 
one  of  our  common  species.  It  is  yellowish- 
red  with  nine  spots  on  the  wing  covers, 
arranged  as  represented  in  the  figure,  the 
line  on  the  right  of  which  indicates  its 
natural  size.  The  thirteen-spotted  lady-bird 
represented  at  Fig  .3,  is  of  special  interest 
because  it  feeds  preferably  upon  plant-lice 
infesting  aquatic  plants.  It  may  be  found, 
in  all  its  stages,  in  abundance  upon  plants 
in  ponds,  and  it  is  only  seldom  that  it  is 
found  on  land  plants.  It  is  yellow  or  red- 
dish, with  thirteen  black  spots  upon  the 
back,  arranged  as  shown  in  the  figure. 

The  convergent  lady-bird  (Hippodamia 
convcrgcns )  is  another  abundant  species.  It 
is  represented  at  Fig.  4,  the  line  on  the  right 
indicating  its  natural  size.  Besides  twelve 
spots  on  Its  wing  covers  it  has  two  oblique 
white  lines  on  the  thorax  (the  part  just  be- 
hind the  head)  which  distinguish  it  from 
other  species. 

One  of  our  largest  lady-birds  is  represented 
at  Fig.  .5.  It  is  called  the  Fifteen-spotted 
lady-bird,  because  of  the  fifteen  black  dots 
upon  the  wing  covers.  It  is  a  comparative- 
ly rare  species. 

The  most  abundant  species  of  this  inter- 
esting family  is  the  spotted  lady-bird  {Mrg- 
iUa  maculatti)  shown  at  Fig.  6.  It  is  ex- 
tremely common  in  summer,  and  in  winter 
may  frequently  be  found  under  leaves  at 
the  edges  of  woods,  congregated  in  im- 
mense numbers  for  hibernation. 

There  is  another  species  of  which  I  have 
no  illustration  that  is  perhaps  as  handsome 


come  out  of  their  hiding  places,  and  lay 
their  oblong  yellow  eggs  in  little  masses 
upon  the  bark  of  trees,  choosing  localities 
where  there  is  a  prospect  of  an  abundant 
supply  of  plant-lice  upon  which  their  larva? 
feed.  A  few  of  these  beetles  brought  in- 
doors and  put  upon  house-plants  will  seek 
out  the  plant-lice,  and  the  females  if  they 
discover  a  colony  of  plant-lice,  will  deposit 
their  eggs  near  them,  insuring  their  de- 
struction as  soon  as  the  eggs  hatch."" 

The  family  forming"  these  lady-birds  is 
called  Cociiullida'.  There  are  a  large 
number  of  species  found  in  the  world,  one 
hundred  and  forty  of  .them  occurring  in  the 
United  States. 


Notes  from' the.  Popular  Gardening 

Grounds  at  La  Salle-on-the- 

Niagara. 

Potato  Seedllsos.  We  were  more  than  pleased 
last  season  with  a  lot  of  Potatoes  we  ^rew  from 


The  seedling  plants  stood  twelve  inches  apart 
in  rows  fifteen  inches  wide,  and  of  course  showed 
considerable  variation  in  size,  foliage,  time  of 
ripening  and  especially  productiveness.  Some 
of  the  best  plants  yielded  over  two  pounds  per 
plant  of  well-shaped  tubers,  some  of  them  of 
marketalOe  size,  while  the  poorest  had  a  large 
number  of  tubers,  the  largest  of  which  were 
much  smaller  than  a  walnut.  The  seed  was  sent 
us  from  Ohio,  and  must  have  come  from  a  Pota- 
to of  the  White  Star  type,  for  among  all  these 
seedlings  there  was  not  one  yielding  red  tubers: 
all  were  white  or  yellow  and  most  of  them  of 
White  Star  shape.  It  will  afford  us  a  great  deal 
of  pleasure  to  watch  their  development  this 
season.  Of  course  all  tubers  will  be  planted,  and 
no  cutting  allowed.  We  shall  also  raise  another 
and  larger  numl)er  of  seedlings  from  choice  seed. 

We  believe  that  the  following  causes:  close  cut- 
ting of  the  seed  so  generally  practised;  insuffi- 
cient fertitily  of  the  soil:  and  injury  done  to 
foliage  by  insects  and  poisons,  have  combined  to 
lower  the  %itality  of  our  Potato  varieties  very 
materially  in  recent  years,  and  efforts  should 
be  directed  toward  restoration  of  the  former 
health,  thrift  and  productive  capacity  of  the 
Potato  plant.  There  can  be  no  more  direct  way 
to  achieve  this  desirable  result,  and  obtain  pedi- 
gree seed  tubers,  than  by  more  frequent  renewal 
from  true  seed,  and  propagating  the  seedlings 
obtained  from  uncut  tubers  only,  also  giring 
high  cultivation  and  at  the  same  time  guarding 
the  foliage  carefully  against  any  mutilation  by 
bugs  and  beetles,  or  against  being  burned  up  by 
caustic  applications. 

Home  Impbove3ie>"ts.  The  almost  uninter- 
rupted period  of  rains,  snows,  freezes,  and  thaws 
since  December,  which  has  kept  the  ground 
either  hard  as  a  crust,  or  sloppy  as  mud,  ex- 
cluded almost  entirely  every  chance  of  attempt- 
ing improvements.  It  has  shown  us,  however, 
where  drainage  is  yet  imperfect.  The  surround- 
ing lands  are  not  underdrained,  and  in  a  wet 
season  habitually  supply  our  grounds  with  more 
[  surface  water  than  is  convenient  for  us,  or  l)ene- 
flcial  to  our  soil.  To  relieve  us,  in  a  measure,  of 
this  outside  supply,  we  are  now  having  an  open 
ditch  cut  all  along  the  land  line,  and  this  carries 
a  considerable  stream  of  surfac-e  water  off  to  the 
creek,  thus  affording  us  an  opportunity  to  keep 
the  flood  off  our  own  grounds.  At  the  north 
side,  where  the  ditch  is  deepest,  the  ditch  sides 
have  been  made  slanting,  and  will  be  seeded 
with  lawn  grass. 

The  HOT-BEn.  Comparing  our  this  season's 
operations  with  those  of  last  year,  when  all  was 
yet  new,  and  to  be  newly  laid  out  and  arranged, 
we  can  see  the  great  advantage  of  the  little  pre- 
paratory work  done  in  the  fall.  The  hot-beds 
were  got  in  readiness  and  a  supply  of  good  soil 
provided,  so  we  had  little  to  do  this  hot-l)ed  sea- 
son, but  to  procure  and  prepare  the  needed 
horse  manure,  make  the  tjeds  as  needed,  and 
plant.  One  thing  only  was  not  done  quite  right, 
namely,  looking  after  the  best  chances  of  drain- 
ing the  hot-l)ed  excavation.  This  neglect  has 
delayed  our  operations  slightly,  and  caused  us 
some  inconvenience. 

Eakly  Cabbages.  We  have  not  attempted  to 
winter  plants  in  cold  frames,  as  we  know  we  can 
get  Cabtiages  as  early  as  we  care  to  have  them 


THETWENY-SPOTTED  LADY  BIRD;  A  LARVA;    B  PUPA;C  BEETLE. 


true  seed.  The  plants  seemed  to  be  healthier, 
and  less  subject  to  the  two  terrible  pests  iflea 
l)eetle  and  bUght  I  which  destroyed  most  of  our 
Potato  plantations  long  before  the  tubers  were 
fully  developed,  than  plants  grown  from  tubers. 
They  were  almost  the  only  ones  on  our  grounds 
which  ripened  up  naturally.  This  of  course 
might  have  been  due  to  mere  accident,  or  to  the 
greater  watchfulness  exercised  over  them,  or  to 
the  great  stimulus  and  thrift  given  them  by 
large  applications  of  high  grade  special  Potato 
manure.  The  latter  was  probably  used  at  the 
rate  of  more  than  a  ton  per  acre. 


by  starting  some  plants  of  Early  Jersey  Wake- 
field, which  here  is  yet  the  most  reliable  of  the 
early  sorts,  in  hot-bed  in  March.  The  same  course 
we  also  follow  with  Cauliflower, Brussels  Sprouts, 
etc.  We  need  but  very  few  of  these  extra  early 
Cabbages,  and  to  keep  up  a  succesion  of  early 
oaes,  and  for  late  and  main  crop,  we  shall  again 
follow  our  favorite  method  of  sowing  in  rows 
directly  where  wanted,  having  rows  about  two 
and  one-halt  feet  apart,  and  then  thinning  to 
proper  distance,  namely,  from  one  to  two  teet 
according  to  variety.  We  have  never  had  more 
'  uniform  success  than  since  we  adopted  this  plan. 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


147 


The  Periwinkle  asa  Bedding:  and  Pot 
Plant. 

Among  the  many  desirable  and  worthy 
plants  that  are  undeservedly  neglected, 
or  have  not  yet  found  the  place  in  popular 
favor  to  which  their  (jualities  seem  to  en- 
title them,  is  the  tender  Vinca  or  Peri- 
winkle. This  is  all  the  more  remarl<able 
in  view  of  the  fact  that  almost  everyone 
who  has  once  grown  it,  pronounces  it  a 
very  satisfactory  subject.  Our  engraving, 
reduced  from  the  Garden  (London),  repre- 
sents a  well-grown  speci- 
men of  Vinca  rosea.  This 
Is  the  Madagascar  Periwin- 
kle, a  beautiful  tender 
greenhouse  plant.  The 
hardy  trailing  species  and 
varieties  are  among  the  best 
known  of  garden  plants. 

The  Ilowers  of  one  varie- 
ty of  the  tender  section 
illustrated  are  rose  colored, 
those  of  another  white, 
those  of  a  third  white  with 
crimsom  eye,  and  com- 
pletely cover  the  bushe-s, 
which  grow  to  the  height 
of  thirty  inches  during  the 
entire  summer  if  proper 
attention  is  paid  to  the 
plant's  requirements.  The 
flowers  may  be  found  use- 
ful for  cuttlowers. 

To  grow  nice  specimens, 
they  should  be  started  from 
seed  in  hotbed  or  green- 
house about  the  first  of 
January,  in  at  least  TO  de- 
grees Fahr.,  or  from  cut- 
tings later  on.  They  require 
plenty  of  sunlight  to  pro- 
duce short  jointed  wood, 
may  be  potted  ofi'  in  small 
pots,  and  kept  frequently 
pinched  to  make  dwarf  and 
compact  plants  with  many 
shoots  upon  them.  For  pot 
culture  they  require  about 
the  same  treatment  as  Fuch- 
sias, but  they  also  make 
a  very  superior  plant  for 
the  border.  At  the  proper 
time  tor  planting  out  other 
tender  bedding  plants,  Co- 
leus  and  the  like,  the  Periwinkle  is  to  be 
removed  to  a  suitable  location  in  the  flower 
garden.  Here  it  will  flower  freely  without 
Intermissions  to  the  end  of  the  season. 

Old  plants,  if  so  desired,  can  be  taken  up 
at  the  approach  of  winter,  cut  bark  severly 
and  wintered  over  as  greenhouse  plants. 
The  more  satisfactory  way,  however,  is  to 
start  new  plants  every  year  from  seed  or 
cuttings,  as  described. 


north  we  And  It  to  be  the  earliest,  the  Etampes 
iie.xt,  while  we  have  had  to  discard  the  Early 
Jersey  Wakefield  altogether,  the  Henderson's 
Early  Summer  being  fit  to  sell  very  nearly  as 
early,'and  as  soon  as  they  are  on  the  market  their 
is  no  more  demand  for  the  Early  Jersey.  I  find 
the  succession  a  great  improvement  on  Hender- 
son's Early  Summer  Cabbage.  To  grow  our 
plants,  we  make  our  hot-beds  the  last  week  In 
February,  and  sow  our  Celery  seed  between  the 
rows  of  early  Cabbage,  and  towards  the  end  of 
March  transplant  the  Cabbage  into  other  frames. 
It  does  not  injure  the  Celery  in  the  least,  as  the 
Celery  seed  takes  much  longer  to  germinate  than 


COMMENTS  BY    READERS. 

A  department  to  which  all  are  invited  to  send  notes 
of  experience  and  observation  concerning  topics  that 
recently  have  been  treated  on  in  this  journal.  Many 
such  contributions  monthly  are  welcome. 

Vegetable  Growers'  Association.  A  great 
deal  of  useful  information  on  vegetable  culture 
is  brought  out  by  the  Massachusetts  Horticul- 
tural Society  and  by  the  Boston  Market  Garden- 
er's Association.  Why  is  it  that  so  little  is  done 
in  this  direction  elsewhereV  Certainly  Massa- 
chusetts is  not  the  only  place  where  people  take 
an  interest  in  gardening,  or  could  make  the  pro- 
duction of  garden  stuff  profitable.  There  are 
yet  great  undeveloped  opportunities  for  winter 
gardening  in  the  vicinities  of  Inland  cities  and 
larger  towns.  The  diffusion  of  more  knowledge 
on  forcing  Lettuce,  Spinach,  Kadisbes,  Tomatoes 
and  other  vegetables— an  enterprise  which  is  not 
only  highly  interesting,  but  offers  no  great  diffi- 
culties to  those  who  know  how,  would  certainly 
lead  to  a  better  development  of  opportunities.— 
Arnold  Arnim. 

Early  Cabbages.  My  experience  with  the 
Early  Express  Cabbages  is  quite  different  from 
that  of   Mr.    Hubert    M.   White.     In  our  cold 


THE   PERIWINKLE  AS  A  POT  PLANT. 

the  Cabbage  seed.  We  like  the  White  Plume  for 
early,  and  the  Paris  Golden;  the  Dwarf  White  for 
winter.— B.  BrodU,  Montrenl,  Can. 

Blackcap  Raspberries.  I  first  planted  the 
Mammoth  Cluster  in  the  spring  of  1872,  and  the 
original  hills  are  stUl  standing  and  producing 
fruit  each  year  equal  to  any  Easpberry,  and 
better  than  some  kinds  I  have.  The  Mammoth 
Cluster  is  hardier,  and  more  prolific,  and  will 
stand  cultivation  tjetter  than  any  variety  I  have 
growing,except  the  Johnston  Sweet  and  Shaffer's 
Colossal.  1  have  grown  the  last  two  named 
varieties  only  three  years  fruiting.  My  ground 
is  of  heavy  clay  with  natural  drainage.  The 
Gregg  has  been  a  leading  feature  with  many  fruit 
growers,  but  with  me  and  in  my  acquaintance, 
the  Gregg  is  placed  about  third-class  in  hardi- 
ness, productiveness  and  flavor.  It  is  a  very 
shallow  rooter,  hence  will  not  stand  drouth.  I 
And  the  Mammoth  Cluster  to  give  better  returns 
at  the  fifth  picking  than  the  Gregg  at  the  third 
picking.  The  Mammoth  Cluster  is  easily  picked 
when  the  berries  are  only  red,  and  will  not  shat- 
ter when  dead  ripe,  while  the  Gregg  will  not 
leave  the  stem  until  quite  ripe,  and  If  left  a 
little  too  long,  will  drop  very  bad.  In  18  years 
growing  the  Mammoth  Cluster,  I  have  not  had 
any  signs  of  winter  kUl,  nor  have  I  seen  the 
fruit  killed  by  late  frost  in  all  that  time  and 
I  have  never  failed  to  have  from  a  fair  to  good 
crop  of  fruit  on  the  Mammoth  Cluster,  while  I 
have  known  the  Souhegan  and  Tyler  to  be  a 
failure.  I  am  now  trying  several  of  the  new 
varieties.  So  I  would  recommend  to  plant  7.5  per 
cent  of  Mammoth  Cluster,  and  experiment  on 
the  others.— ^'.  B.  Linton,  Carrol  Co.,  Ind. 

Gold  Com  Sweet  Corn.  We  regard  it  as  the 
most  delicate,  tender  and  delicious  Sweet  Com 


ever  introduced.  I  have  made  a  specialty  of 
testing  varieties  of  Sweet  Corn  since  18.50,  and 
during  that  time  have  grown  many  very  good 
varieties,  but  for  handsome  appearance,  delicacy 
of  texture,  and  delicious  flavor,  the  Gold  Coin 
has  no  superior.  It  ripens  late,  thus  furnishing 
a  supply  of  Sweet  Corn  of  superior  quality  after 
the  earlier  varieties  are  out  of  season.  It  re- 
mains in  condition  for  the  table  longer  than  any 
other  variety,  and  in  case  of  frost  that  might  kill 
the  fodder,  it  can  be  cut  up  and  stacked,  or 
carried  into  a  barn  and  remain  in  condition  for 
use  for  a  week  or  ten  days  longer.  Perhaps  for 
the  extreme  north  it  may  be  little  too  late  in 
opening.— F.  B.  Palmer,  Ohio. 
Brighton  and  other 
Grapes.  I  was  glad  to  learn 
that  Brighton  Grape  needs  to 
be  planted  near  other  kinds  to 
fertilize  it.  My  very  finest 
vine  of  the  newer  varieties  is 
(if  that  kind,  and  I  expected 
wonders  last  year,  as  every- 
thing that  could  bear  fruit 
was  loaded.  Imagine  my  cha- 
grin when  not  one  berry  was 
fit  to  eat,  only  a  few  small  hard 
things,  the  plant  being  isolat- 
ed on  the  lawn,  while  20  or  30 
feet  away  are  Pocklingtons, 
small  plants,  and  very  full,  and 
Moore's  Early,  both  corres- 
ponding well  with  what  Mr. 
Crissey  says  of  them  except, 
with  us,  the  Moore's  Early  has 
made  the  best  growth  of  any 
vine  we  have  had,  probably 
because  the  ground  is  very 
i-ich  and  loose.  The  White  Ann 
Arbor  makes  poorest  growth 
of  any,  and  has  never  even 
bloomed,  although  it  has  had 
the  best  of  care  being  laid 
down  each  winter,  pruned  and 
tacked  up  again  in  spring. 
This  is  a  great  disappointment 
since  it  was  the  one  Grape  of 
great  promise.  The  Stayman's 
Karly  Blackberry  too  has 
proved  of  no  value  with  us, 
although  having  a  choice  place 
and  good  care,  its  growth  is 
good,  but  fruit  small  and  little 
of  it.— G.  A.  P/cdjs,  jHd. 

Warming  Cold  Soils. 
You  speak  of  making  additions 
to,  such  as  sand,  muck,  and  es- 
pecially stable  manure  to  cold 
clay  soils  in  order  to  make  them 
warmer  and  earlier.  This  is  all 
right  so  far  as  it  goes.  But 
the  trouble  is  usually  deeper. 
Such  lands  are  usually  not  only  cold,  but  moist 
and  often  quite  wet.  The  drainage  is  faulty,  or 
else  there  is  not  enough  of  it.  This  then  is  the 
first  thing  that  needs  looking  after.  All  your 
additions  of  sand,  mold,  manure,  etc.,  will  do 
very  little  toward  making  the  land  earlier  and 
warmer,  so  long  as  it  remains  wet.  The  addition 
needed  is  plenty  of  good  and  perfect  working 
tile  drains.  Draw  off  the  surplus  water,  and 
give  the  surface  a  chance  to  become  reasonably 
dry,  and  in  shape  to  be  mellowed.  If  then  the 
substances  named  are  added,  we  can  expect  to 
get  the  full  benefits  from  them,  and  eventually 
see  the  land  become  warm  and  early.— Hard- 
dealer,  Ohio. 


Principle  Points  in  Tomato  Crowing. 

In  a  recent  bulletin  the  Cornell  Univers- 
ity Experiment  Station  gives  a  summary  of 
points,  which  it  is  thought  were  well  estab- 
lished by  the  results  of  the  season's  experi- 
ments. 

Of  the  following  twelve  propositions  or 
principles  we  heartily  endorse  all  except 
points  in  No.  1  and  5,  and  also  in  consider- 
able mental  reservation  in  regard  to  the 
comparative  value  of  the  varieties  named: 

1.  Frequent  transplanting  of  the  young 
plant  and  a  good  tillage  are  necessary  to 
best  results  in  Tomato  culture. 

3.  Plants  started  under  glass  about  ten 
weeks  before  transplanting  into  field  gave 
fruits  from  a  week  to  ten  days  earlier  than 
those  started  two  or  three  weeks  later, 
while  there  was  a  much  greater  difference 
when  the  plants  were  started   six    weeks 


148 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


April, 


later.    Productiveness  was  greatly  increased 
by  the  early  planting. 

3.  Liberal  even  heavy  manuring,  during 
the  present  season,  gave  great  increase  in 
yield  over  no  fertilizing,  although  the  com- 
mon notion  is  quite  to  the  contrary.  Heavy 
manuring  does  not  appear,  therefore,  to 
produce  vine  at  the  expense  of  fruit. 

4.  The  test  indicate  that  poor  soil  may 
tend  to  render  fruits  more  angular. 

5.  Varieties  of  Tomatoes  run  out,  and  ten 
years  may  perhaps  be  considered  the  aver- 
age life  of  a  variety. 

6.  The  particular  points  at  present  in  de- 
mand in  Tomatoes  are  these:  regularity  in 
shape,  solidity,  large  size,  productiveness  of 
the  plant. 

7.  The  ideal  Tomato  would  probably  con- 
form closely  to  the  following  scale  of  points: 
vigor  of  plant,  .5;  earliness,  10;  color  of  fruit, 
.5;  solidity  of  fruit,  30;  shape  of  fruit,  20;  size, 
10;  flavor,  .5;  cooking  qualities,  5;  productive- 
ness, 30. 

8.  Solidity  of  fruit  cannot  be  accurately 
measured  either  by  weight  or  keeping  qua- 
lltiy. 

9.  Cooking  qualities  appear  to  be  largely 
Individual  rather  than  varietal  characteris- 
tics. 

10.  The  following  varieties  appear,  from 
the  season's  work,  to  be  among  the  best 
market  Tomatoes:  Ignotum,  Beauty,  Mika- 
do, Perfection;  Favorite,  Potato  Leaf. 

11.  The  following  recent  introductions 
appear  to  possess  merits  for  market:  Bay 
State,  Atlantic,  Brandywine,  Jubilee, 
Matchless,  and  perhaps  Lorillard,  Prelude 
and  Salzer. 

13.  The  following  recent  introductions 
are  particularly  valuable  for  amateur  culti- 
vation: Dwarf  Champion,  Lorillard,  Peach, 
Prelude. 


Growing  Early  Tomatoes. 

T.  R.  COON,  WASCO  COUNTY,  OREGON. 

In  some  of  the  sheltered  valleys  along  the 
Columbia  River  in  eartern  Oregon  and 
Washington,  Tomatoes  may  be  ripened  in 
the  open  field  as  early  as  July  1st. 

Success  depends  upon  proper  conditions 
and  close  attention  from  the  very  begin- 
ning. The  hot-bed  should  have  eighteen 
inches  of  heating  material,  and  seven  or 
eight  inches  of  sandy  soil.  This  will  give 
strong  and  enduring  bottom  heat  without 
danger  of  burning  the  young  plants.  The 
seed  is  put  in  about  February  30th. 

I  take  the  trouble  to  put  in  the  seed  in 
drills  three  inches  apart  and  the  seeds 
about  two  inches  apart  in  the  drills,  using 
a  knife-blade  with  which  to  pick  up  the 
seeds  that  have  been  scattered  in  a  saucer. 
This  will  give  each  seed  a  fair  chance. 
Although  rather  tedious  work,  you  get 
out  of  the  job  of  thinning  the  plants,  and 
besides,  you  run  no  risk  of  getting  a  mass 
of  slender  white  stems,  all  twisting  and 
crowding  for  room  in  which  to  exist,  instead 
of  rows  of  individual  plants,  stocky  and 
beautiful,  each  having  a  vigorous  constitu- 
tion to  begin  with. 

Probably  the  best  time  to  water  the  plants 
is  in  the  morning  before  the  sun  strikes 
them.  Let  the  water  be  slightly  warm. 
Ventilate  carefully  at  first  but  plentifully 
towards  the  last;  also  giving  less  water  as 
the  time  for  transplanting  approaches. 

When  the  tops  begin  to  touch  between 
drills,  they  should  go  to  the  hot-house.  My 
plan  of  a  hot-house  for  Tomatoes  is  to  make 
a  tight  floor  with  heating  chamber  beneath. 
Cover  the  entire  floor  with  sandy  soil,  well 
enriched,  to  a  depth  of  about  six  inches. 
The  walls  should  extend  three  or  four  feet 
above  the  surface  of  the  soil  and  may  con- 
sist of  sashes  of  glass  arranged  to  slide  into 
or  out  of  their  places.  The  roof  may  con- 
sist of  frames  covered  with  canvas,  as  also 
the  gable  ends.     The  north  wall  may  he 


made  permanent,  and  a  board  wall  is  good 
enough.  I  think  it  best  to  set  the  hot-house 
a  little  quartering,  so  that  the  first  morning 
sun  will  shine  parallel  to  the  north  wall. 
In  this  way  all  the  plants  get  the  first  morn- 
ing rays  which  are  better  for  the  Tomato 
plants  than  the  last  rays  of  evening. 

Set  the  plants  seven  or  eight  inches  apart 
in  straight  rows,  so  that  the  first  pair  of 
leaves  will  be  but  little  above  the  surface. 
After  a  few  days,  when  the  plants  begin  io 
feel  at  home,  the  roof  sashes  or  frames 
should  be  drawn  down  in  the  day  time, 
giving  them  the  full  sun  if  the  weather  be 
not  too  cold. 

To  break  up  the  crust  which  is  apt  to  re- 
sult from  watering,  use  a  three-tined  rake 
to  scratch  over  the  surface  of  the  soil.  Cul- 
tivate both  ways,  and  your  plants  will  say 
thank  you  as  plain  as  plants  can. 

When  time  comes  for  setting  the  plants 
in  open  ground,  take  them  up  with  plenty 
of  soil,  well  watered,  adhering  to  the  roots 
by  means  of  a  new  transplanting  device, 
and  draw  to  the  garden  on  a  sled.  Holes 
are  made  to  receive  them,  and  partly  filled 
with  some  fine  prepared  soil— soil  blended 
with  encouragement,  such  as  Tomatoes  de- 
light in.  Unload  with  the  transplanter,then 
pour  water  liberally  into  the  holes,  washing 
the  fine  soil  evenly  about  the  plants,  and 
when  the  water  has  settled,  dry  dirt  is 
drawn  about  them.  You  will  see  no  wilt- 
ing here. 

Bartlett  Pear  Losing  Ground. 

T.  E.  GOODRICH,  UNION  CO.,  ILL. 

While  examining  several  nursery  cata- 
logues I  note  that  the  once  famous  Bartlett 
Pear  is  relegated  to  a  third  or  fourth  place, 
or  entirely  left  out.  Are  growers  ceasing  to 
plant  it?  In  market  it  is  well  and  favorably 
known  because  of  its  American  name,  and 
its  many  good  qualities — qualities  so  good 
that  many  boxes  of  other  varieties  are  sold 
as  Bartletts— a  sure  test  of  the  standing  of 
any  fruit. 

It  grows  vigorously,  bears  abundantly, 
carries  well  and  is  of  unquestioned  quality; 
but  its  great  f aiUng  is  blight.  The  mortality 
of  the  trees  from  this  cause  ranges  from 
.5  to  15  per  cent  annually.  This  fact  prompts 
planters  to  search  very  diligently  for  more 
rugged  varieties.  The  great,  and  sometimes 
even  ludicrous,  running  after  new  and  so- 
called  blight-proof  varieties,  is  conclusive 
evidence  that  men  are  not  entirely  suited 
with  the  Bartlett,  and  are  casting  about  for 
something  less  tender  to  take  its  place. 

The  Wilson  Strawberry  headed  the  list 
for  decades.  Who  plants  it  now?  Except- 
ing in  a  few  localities  especially  adapted  to 
it,  we  hardly  find  it  at  all.  Is  the  Bartlett 
in  like  manner  passing  into  retirement? 


Judge  Miller's  Fruit  Notes. 

Improved  Tree  Growing.  That  Apple 
trees  as  ordinarily  grown  are  short-lived  as 
a  rule,  is  well  known  to  many  growers  to 
their  sorrow.  Any  seedling  will  start  a  tree; 
but  it  may  live  to  a  bearing  age,  only  to  die 
like  a  person  afflicted  with  hereditary  con- 
sumption. This  is  just  the  kind  of  tree  of 
which  thousands  are  annually  planted,  then 
the  cry  goes:  Apple  trees  won't  pay. 

This  will  occur  so  long  as  Apple  seedlings 
are  grown  from  promiscuous  seed,  and  their 
roots  cut  into  pieces  a  few  inches  long  upon 
which  a  long  graft  is  set. 

Trees  thus  growTi  are  in  a  measure  de- 
pendent upon  the  graft  in  all  their  futiu'e 
development,  with  the  exception  of  a  start 
in  life.  But  there  are  orchards  planted  that 
live  long,  flourish  and  are  productive,  trees 
that  are  properly  grown  on  healthy  seed- 
lings, a  whole  root  being  used  for  each  graft. 
These  begin  life  with  a  constitution  which 
guarantees  their  success  if  properly  treated. 
One  might  as  well  expect  to  have  a  house 


stand  firm  where  the  foundation  is  built  on 
sand. 

When  I  first  came  to  Missouri  twenty-two 
years  ago,  quite  a  number  of  our  best  east- 
ern Apple  grafts  were  brought  along.  These 
were  set  on  old  bearing  trees  in  an  orchard 
here,  with  the  expectation  of  getting  fruit 
sooner  than  the  young  trees  we  could  raise. 

They  soon  came  into  bearing,  but  what  a 
disappointment,  the  fruit  was  scabby  and 
rotted  prematurely;  Smokehouse,  Jeffries, 
Hayes,  R.  1.  Greening,  Boston  Russet,  etc.,— 
could  it  be  possible  that  this  climate  and 
soil  would  not  grow  these  our  favorites  ? 

But  as  these  trees  had  broken  limbs  on 
them,  and  in  some  instances  knot  holes  that 
had  rotted  into  the  trunk  or  limbs,  it  struck 
me  that  that  had  something  to  do  with  the 
failure. 

Not  to  be  defeated  in  this  matter  I  at  once 
started  a  little  nursery,  raised  trees,  set  out 
an  orchard,  including  these  same  varieties. 
These  have  long  since  come  into  bearing 
and  such  Apples  we  never  saw  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, sound  and  healthy,  while  in  size  and 
color  they  are  hardly  recognizable  to  an 
eastern  man.  One  thrifty  tree  was  grafted 
with  Newtown  Pippin  among  the  first,  that 
one  part  of  the  tree  had  broken  off  and  the 
stub  had  rotted  into  the  main  trunk.  These 
Apples  for  years  got  rotten  specks,  and 
would  fall  off  before  the  right  time. 

The  axe  was  in  hand  to  hew  it  dovni,  but 
on  reflection  I  concluded  to  give  it  another 
chance.  I  hewed  off  the  rotten  wood, 
cleaned  out  all  the  decay,  filled  the  hole 
with  common  mortar,  and  nailed  a  board  on 
top  to  prevent  the  possibility  of  wet  getting 
in.  The  result  was  that  the  second  year 
and  after,  that  tree  bore  sound,  good-sized 
Apples.  Whenever  a  tree  has  a  hole  in  it 
that  will  hold  water,  the  fruit  will  be  in- 
ferior, but  if  closed  with  some  kind  of  cement 
to  keep  out  the  wet,  it  may  again  become 
healthy.  The  sap  seems  to  become  soured 
by  rain  getting  into  the  tree. 

It  is  possible  that  had  I  doctored  the  trees 
upon  which  my  first  grafts  were  set  there 
might  have  been  different  results;  but  be- 
fore the  idea  of  trying  a  cure,  the  trees  were 
hewn  down  and  cast  into  the  fire. 

I  am  glad  to  learn  that  there  is  an  exten- 
sive nursery  in  our  state  that  grows  Apple 
trees  on  whole  roots,  which  they  sell  at  an 
advanced  price,  but  the  demand  neverthe- 
less is  growing  rapidly.  In  passing  through 
their  nur.sery  I  was  forcibly  impressed  with 
the  superiority  of  these  trees  over  the  grafts 
on  pieces  of  roots;  for  they  also  grow  after 
the  common  plan  for  those  customers  who 
want  cheaper  trees. 

Mariana  Plum.  This  much-lauded 
southwestern  production  did  not  come  up 
to  my  expectations  so  far  as  the  fruit  was 
concerned,  yet  I  deem  it  a  boon  to  the 
growers  of  stone  fruits.  It  is  a  rapid 
grower,  will  grow  readily  from  cuttings. 
Has  stood  the  thermometer  twenty  degrees 
below  zero,  so  it  is  hardy. 

This  is  the  foundation  for  our  slow-grow- 
ing varieties  of  Plums  and  Apricots.  The 
latter,  if  on  Peach,  although  they  will  grow, 
are  unproductive,  and  not  hardy  here.  On 
Plum  they  will  be  more  hardy,  will  mature 
their  wood  earlier,  and  the  fruit  buds  may 
stand  a  lower  temperature  without  being 
killed. 

I  have  a  dozen  trees  of  the  new  Russian 
varieties,  that  are  growing  fine.  They  are 
on  Plum  stocks;  are  planted  on  a  northern 
slope  so  as  not  to  be  too  early  in  blooming. 

It  would  be  quite  a  comfort  if  we  could 
grow  this  delicious  fruit  successfully. 

But  our  Mariana  stock  has  another  mis- 
sion to  fulfill.  The  Peach  takes  and  grows 
freely  on  it,  and  may  we  not  have  hardier 
trees,  as  well  as  freedom  from  the  borer, 
which,  although  not  very  troublesome  here, 
is  still  a  nuisance. 


1889. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


149 


Some  think  it  may  also  prevent  the  yellows 
in  Peach  trees,  where  that  malady  is  so  de- 
structive. Here  we  know  nothing  of  that 
disease.  The  Peach  will  live  here  to  get 
one  foot  in  diameter  at  the  ground,  unless 
a  winter  occurs  with  thirty  degrees  below 
zero,  then  they  begin  to  decay  at  the  heart 
and  in  a  few  years  are  done  for. 

At  this  time.  February  ."ith,  nine-tenths  of 
the  budded  Peach  blossom  buds  are  killed; 
the  natural  ones  sound  yet.  Pears  and 
Cherries  badly  damaged. 

A  few  sunshiny  days  will  open  some  blos- 
som buds,  which  will  likely  go  under,  for 
there  will  certainly  be  some  very  cold 
weather  yet  before  spring  comes  to  stay. 


How  to  Start  Fine  Seeds. 

HE-N"RT  C.  GREY.  ILLS. 

I  have  a  device  of  my  own  contrivance 
for  starting  fine  seeds,  such  as  Begonias, 
Gloxinias,  etc.  It  meets  no  conditions  of 
heat,  though  any  person  of  ordinary  inge- 
nuity can  add  bottom  heat  fixtures,  which 
without  great  expense  or  serious  complica- 
tions will  add  any  required  heat  conditions. 
Where  an  average  temperature  of  70°  aud 
over  in  the  day  time,  and  tiO  to  ti.5°  at  night, 
can  be  had,  as  is  the  case  in  many  living 
rooms,  bottom  heat  is  rarely  necessary. 

The  seed  box  should  be  about  two  inches 
in  depth,  but  where  no  large  amount  of 
seeds  are  to  be  sown,  or  where  it  is  desir- 
able to  have  them  light  enough  to  be  easily 
handled,  a  common  cigar  box  about  two 
inches  deep,  and  having  drainage  holes 
through  the  bottom  will  answer.  On  the 
outside  of  this  box,  about  half  an  inch  from 
the  top,  narrow  strips  should  be  tacked  as  a 
support  for  an  extension.  The  essential 
feature  of  the  contrivance  consists  of  a 
piece  of  glass  cut  large  enough  to  entirely 
cover  the  box,  on  the  underside  of  which  is 
fastened  evenly  a  coating  of  thick  white 
flannel.  Two  thicknesses  would  be  better 
if  there  is  danger  of  occasional  neglect,  but 
it  must  be  fastened  evenly  so  that  there  be 
no  folds  to  admit  unnecessary  dry  air  be- 
tween the  top  of  the  box  and  the  flannel- 
covered  glass. 

Now  fill  your  seed  box  with  earth  of  the 
proper  kind  up  to  within  half  an  inch  or 
less  of  the  top  of  the  box;  for  most  purposes 
within  a  quarter  of  an  inch  would  be  best. 
How  the  seed  should  be  sown  must  depend 
upon  the  character  of  the  seed  itself,  and  is 
not  intended  to  be  within  the  province  of 
this  article.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  such 
minute  seeds  as  those  of  Begonia  should 
not  be  covered  at  all.  and  there  are  others, 
much  larger,  of  which  the  same  may  be 
said.  The  soil,  however,  should  for  all  be  in 
a  moist,  not  water-soaked,  condition,  when 
the  seeds  are  sown. 

Wet  the  flannel  each  morning  and  even- 
ing, using,  preferably,  hot  water.  Any 
other  moistening  of  the  earth  will  rarely  be 
necessary,  but  should  it  become  so,  do  not 
sprinkle  the  earth,  but  place  the  boxes  in  a 
pan  of  warm  water  of  sufficient  depth  to 
reach  up  to  about  half  the  height  of  the  box, 
and  let  it  remain  there  ten  or  fifteen 
minutes.  Be  careful  not  to  give  so  much 
water  as  to  make  the  ground  be  thoroughly 
water-soaked.  Usually  ten  minutes  in  the 
water  will  be  more  than  ample,  for  though 
the  absorbed  moisture  will  not  have  appear- 
ed at  the  top  by  that  time,  it  will  within  an 
hour  or  two  be  entirely  diffused  throughout 
the  earth. 

In  due  time  the  seedlings  will  make  their 
appearance,  and  as  soon  as  is  desirable,  a 
glass  without  flannel,  or  at  first  one  covered 
with  thin,  white  flannel,  may  be  substituted. 

In  the  meantime  prepare  a  box  or  frame 
similar  to  the  cigar  box,  but  enough  larger 
to  slip  easily  over  the  outside  of  the  box, 
and  rest  upon  the  narrow  strips  tacked  upon 


the  outside  of  the  seed  box.  It  has  neither 
top  nor  bottom,  and  should  be  of  a  height 
not  to  exceed  an  inch  above  the  height  of 
the  seed  box.  Its  purpose  is  merely  to  give 
room  for  the  growing  seedlings,  and  the 
strips  may  be  so  arranged  that  they  can  be 
raised  or  lowered,  by  any  suitable  device 
easy  of  construction.  The  glass  must  be 
sufficiently  large  to  cover  the  extension 
frame,  and  in  the  case  of  seedlings  requiring 
shade,  be  covered  with  thin  white  flannel. 
For  a  number  of  years  past  I  have  grown 
such  seeds  as  Gloxinias,  Begonias,  Prim- 
roses, Cyclamen,  etc.,  in  boxes  substantially 
like  those  described,  with  unvarying  suc- 
cess, and  such  boxes  will  prove  great  helps 
to  amateur  florists  even  with  the  more  com- 
mon seeds. 


Cucumber  Enemies. 

A.  P.  BEID,  CUSIBERLAND  CO.,  ME. 

Bugs  are  plenty  enough,  but  the  worst 
enemy  that  I  have  to  deal  with  is  the  borers 
that  infest  the  roots.  They  are  so  minute 
as  to  be  hard  to  find,  but  the  drooping  of  the 
vines  from  day  to  day  tells  the  story. 

These  borers  are  very  destructive  even 
after  the  vines  are  well  grown.  I  think  they 
are  most  troublesome  in  moist  ground.  Last 
season  I  tried  various  things,  but  finally  had 
good  success  with  salt,  which  I  dissolved  in 
water  and  sprinkled  about  the  roots.  This 
may  seem  rather  harsh  treatment,  and  of 
course  might  kill  the  vines  if  applied  indis- 
criminately, but  I  succeeded  in  either  kill- 
ing or  driving  away  the  plagues  with  this 
remedy  without  killing  a  single  vinit.  The 
solution  was  not  put  on  the  vines  direct;  I 
simply  saturated  the  soil  about  them. 

Cautious  experimenting  will  easily  dem- 
onstrate what  the  vines  will  stand,  and  this 
will  prove  beneficial  in  more  ways  than  one. 
The  vine  family  like  a  warm,  light  loam, 
and  my  experience  would  suggest  that  in 
such  a  soil  the  root  enemies  will  be  the  least 
troublesome.  Considering  how  numerous 
and  various  the  enemies  of  this  class  of 
plants  are,  it  is  always  policy  to  put  in  many 
more  seeds  than  are  wanted,  and  to  grow 
them  as  rapidly  as  possible. 


Points  in  Dandelion  Culture. 

W.  C.  JENNISON,  MIDDLESE.X  CO.,  MASS. 

Preparation  of  the  Soil  and  Sowing. 
— Select  land  free  from  sods,  spread  stable 
manure  over  the  surface  to  the  depth  of  two 
or  three  inches;  plow  it  under,  then  cross- 
plow,  rake  over  the  surface  and  cast  of  all 
stones  and  rubbish,  when  it  will  be  ready 
for  the  seed  sower. 

If  you  have  one-fourth  acre  or  more  to 
sow,  procure  a  seed-sower  by  all  means,  as 
it  will  more  than  pay  for  itself  in  one  season. 

We  are  the  most  successful  when  we 
barely  cover  the  seed  from  sight,  and  then 
firm  the  soil  well  over  it,  )i  to  }{  inch  being 
plenty  deep  enough  to  plant.  It  takes  six 
to  ten  days  for  the  plants  to  appear,  and 
about  ten  days  more  before  much  can  be 
done  in  the  way  of  cultivation,  as  the  plants 
are  small  and  grow  close  to  the  ground; 
for  this  reason  it  is  highly  important  to  get 
the  seed  in  the  ground  early,  so  that  the 
plants  can  be  cultivated  before  Purslane 
gets  a  start,  for  where  such  is  the  case,  the 
labor  is  increased  about  fifty  per  cent. 

CULTiv.\TioN.  From  experiments  tried 
we  find  it  most  profitable  to  thin  plants  to 
three  inches  apart  in  the  row  and  that  they 
are  more  easily  cared  for  when  in  rows 
fourteen  inches  apart,  instead  of  twelve. 
After  the  plants  cover  the  ground  and 
attain  the  height  of  twelve  to  fifteen  inches, 
we  mow  them  down,  rake  off  the  leaves 
and  go  over  the  bed  with  a  hoe  or  hand 
cultivator.  New  leaves  will  soon  cover  the 
ground  again,  and  will  need  no  more  care 
till  fall,  when  they  should  receive  a  cover- 
ing of  coarse  litter. 


Cattle  are  fond  of  the  leaves  which  at  first 
increase  the  flow  of  milk,  but  when  fed 
exclusively  for  many  days,  seem  to  have 
the  reverse  tendency.  The  leaves  are  also 
much  relished  by  horses. 

Planting.  Dandelions  are  easily  trans- 
planted, and  as  very  large  plants  can  be 
raised,  and  much  hand  weeding  saved, 
some  prefer  to  grow  them  in  this  way. 

Furrows  are  struck  out  two  feet  apart 
and  plants  set  about  four  inches  apart  in  the 
row,  a  little  soil  being  placed  against  the 
roots  to  keep  them  in  place  till  a  hand  cul- 
tivator is  run  between  the  furrows  to  com- 
plete the  filling  in  of  the  same. 

To  grow  a  supply  of  roots,  the  following 
method  is  most  likely  to  give  the  best 
results.  Prepare  a  piece  of  ground  early  in 
the  spring  for  a  seed  bed,  then  rake  over 
the  surface  once  a  week  till  June,  the  ob,iect 
being  to  get  as  many  weed  seeds  sprouted 
and  killed  as  possible,  after  which  the  Dan- 
delion seed  should  be  sown  broadcast  and 
raked  in  very  lightly.  Then  roll  or  tread 
over  the  entire  surface.  The  plants  will 
soon  cover  the  ground  and  may  be  allowed 
to  take  care  of  themselves  till  wanted  the 
following  season. 

Insect  Enemies.  While  this  method  has 
great  advantages,  there  is  also  one  serious 
drawback,  In  consequence  of  which  we 
dare  not  risk  growing  our  entire  crop  in  this 
way,  and  that  Is  the  centipede  or  "thousand- 
legged  worm."  They  work  their  way  into 
the  top  of  the  fleshy  roots,  and  eat  out  the 
inside.  In  wet  weather  water  settles  in  the 
cavities  producing  decay. 

The  past  season  we  lost  qviite  a  large  plat 
in  this  way.  They  grew  luxuriently,  cover- 
ed the  ground  completely,  giving  promise  of 
an  exceptionally  large  yield,  but  they  com- 
menced dying  off,  and  by  fall  there  were 
only  a  few  scattering  plants  in  the  whole 
piece.  Some  simple  remedy  that  would  de- 
stroy this  pest,  while  the  plants  are  growing, 
without  injury  to  the  crop,  would  be  of 
great  value.  New  plants  from  spring-sown 
seed  are  not  as  badly  affected  by  the  worms, 
the  roots  being  more  solid  enables  them  to 
resist  their  attacks  more  effectually. 

Where  worms  are  not  troublesome.a  Dan- 
delion bed  may  be  kept  for  several  years,  as 
the  old  roots  when  cut  off  send  out  numer- 
ous sprouts  forming  clumps  of  ten  to  seven- 
ty small  plants  from  one  root,  but  the  labor 
required  to  clean  them  is  so  great  that  it  is 
not  very  profitable.  Where  plants  have 
been  kept  for  seed  stock,  the  case  is  differ- 
ent, for  the  roots  not  being  cut,  send  out 
hut  few  branches  (usually  three  to  five) 
which  form  stools  weighing  when  trimmed 
ready  for  market  one  to  four  pounds  each. 

Gathering  and  Marketing.  Some  cut 
off  the  roots  just  below  the  crown  of  plant 
with  a  long,  stiff-bladed  knife,  but  where 
grown  on  a  large  scale,  this  process  is  too 
slow.  We  take  a  square  shovel,  ground 
sharp,  and  commencing  at  the  end  of  a  row 
shove  it  along  under  the  plants  cutting  them 
off  about  one-half  inch  below  the  surface. 

I A  crescent  scuffle  hoe  works  nicely  for 
cutting  Spinach.    J^d.] 

If  the  weather  is  favorable,  a  gang  of  boys 
follow  with  knife  in  hand,  gathering  up  the 
plants.  They  shake  out  the  dirt  and  litter, 
and  cut  off  the  roots  close  up  to  the  leaves, 
and  throw  the  Dandelions  into  baskets,  as 
cleaned.  When  the  weather  is  not  favor- 
able, the  plants  are  gathered  up  and  wheeled 
in  on  to  the  barn  floor  where  the  cleaning 
can  be  done  in  more  comfortable  quarters. 
The  boys  receive  a  specified  sum  per  bushel 
for  cleaning.  The  Dandelions  are  then 
taken  to  tubs  and  washed,  and  placed  upon 
strips  of  lath  fencing  (laid  flat  over  barrels, 
boxes,  etc.)  to  drain.  After  remaining  in  this 
position  over  night  they  are  weighed,  allow- 
ing twelve  pounds  to  the  bushel,  when  they 
are  ready  for  the  market. 


ISO 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


April, 


HOW  TO  PLANT  A  PLACE. 

(Pnntinned  from  pnqc  131.) 

In  trees  both  fruit  and  ornamental  with 
a  branching  head  on  a  trunk,  cut  out  the 
small  shoots  clean  and  cut  back  the  larger 
ones  intended  for  the  frame  work  of  the 
tree,  to  within  three  or  four  buds  of  their 
base.     Each  bud  should  then  be  able   to 


Fig.  46.    Puddling  the  roots  before  planting. 

make  a  good  branch ;  leave  them  all  and 
there  would  be  not  enough  sap  to  develop 
them  into  anything  beyond  weak  twigs. 

Older  trees  should  be  cut  back  more  In 
proportion  than  younger  ones;  those  having 
but  few  roots  more  than  those  having  many. 

To  cut  forest  trees  back  to  a  mere  pole 
square  at  the  top  is  bad  practice,  for  the  top 
will  not  heal  over  and  a  decayed  spot  will 
appear  at  the  top,  letting  water  into  the 
trunk  and  thus  cause  ultimate  decay. 

In  Dwarf  Pears  to  be  grown  as  pyramids, 
cut  back  the  leader  and  the  lowest  main 
branches  one  half,  and  all  those  between  at 
such  a  length  as  to  cause  a  pyramidal  form. 

Shrubs  should  have  the  growth  of  the 
preceding  year  cut  back  to  from  three  to 
six  buds  each  and  where  they  are  very 
numerous  some  may  be  cut  entirely  away. 
As  a  rule  less  roots  are  lost  in  digging 
shrubs  in  proportion  to  the  top  than  with 
trees.  Prune  Roses  at  planting  by  cutting 
back  the  past  season's  growth  from  one  half 
to  two  thirds. 

Grape  Vines  and  other  climbers  cut  to 
within  two  buds  from  the  ground. 

Vegetable  plants  like  Celery,  Cabbage 
and  others  as  well  as  annual  flowering 
plants  from  a  seed  bed  do  better  for  having 
the  ends  of  the  leaves  clipped  back  one 
third  or  more.  Plants  grown  in  pots  in 
which  the  roots  are  all  preserved  do  not 
specially  need  pruning. 
33.  Locate  each  tree  and  shrub  by  stake  be- 
fore the  day  of  planting. 

Directions  for  laying  out  were  previously 
given .        The 
~'    stakes    correctly 
placed  with   the 
lows  in  the  orch- 
-    ~        ard  straight  in  all 
,   du:ections,     take 


r'  ^ 


the  following 
means  to  exactly 
locate  the  tree 
where  its  stake 
stands.  Make  a 
device  as  shown 
in  Fig.  41  at  top, 
consisting  of  a 
board  about 
seven  feet  long 
notched  from  one 
side  at  the  mid- 
dle, and  with  an 


Fig.  41.  Locating  trees  pre- 
viotta  with  stake.  /See  Di- 
rection 33. 


inch  hole  bored  through  the  center  near 
each  end.  Lay  down  the  board  bringing 
the  notch  to  the  stake,  and  thrust  a  peg 


through  each  of  the  end  holes  into  the  soU. 
Lift   one  end  of   the  board  and  swing  it 
around  as  shown  at  the  middle.     Here  the 
hole  is  to  be  dug.    When  ready  to  receive 
the  tree,  swing 
back  the  board 
to     have     the 
pegs      in     the 
holes  as  at  first. 
In  planting 
place  the  tree 
into  the  notch 
and  than   you 
have  it  precise- 
ly  where    the 
stake  stood  as 
shown   in   the 
bottom  of  the 
figure. 

To  plant 
hedges,  Rasp- 
berries, etc.,  in 
straight  rows, 
stretch  a  line 
say  a  lath's 
length  from 
the  desired 
row,  as  shown 
in    Figure   43. 


the  absence  of  a  tap  root  this  operation  may 
usually  be  aided  by  making  a  small,  com- 
pact mound  of  earth  in  the  bottom  of  the 
hole  over  which  to  spread  the  lower  roots. 


Fig.  43.  Fig.  44.  Fig.  45. 

The  course  of  successful  tree  planting  thrmigh  5  years. 
1  hen  open  the  Tree  well  handled  from  nursery  tx)  planting.  Head  freely  pruned,  to  balance  root.  Planted 
trpTipli  nnH  na  In  good,  deep,  drained  soil,  at  same  depth  It  stood  Innursery,  the rootsspread  outnaturally 
^»ciiv.ii,  a,uu  iio  and  well  compacted  In  fine  moist  earth.  Land  kept  well  tilled  and  fertile.  Result.  Strong 
the  trees  are  growth  from  the  first.  A  straight  tree  the  roots  anchoring  It  well.  No  sprouts  to  mention, 
hpino-  Qof  Ir.  Little  trouble  from  insects  and  diseases, for  these  attack  weak  growers  first.  Kapld 
ueiug     set,    10-       growth  and  early  maturity. 

cate  by  hold- 
ing the  lath's  ends  to  the  line  and  to  the 
tree's  center.  The  result  will  be  a  row  as 
straight  as  the  line.  For  a  second  row,  if 
such  is  to  be  planted,  also  take  the  string  as 
a  guide,  rather  than  the  first  row. 


34.  Bight  planting.  (StepA)  Make  the  open- 
ing large  enough  to  receive  all  roots  with- 
out bending. 

The  holes  should  be  broad  enough  to 
receive  all  the  roots  spread  out  naturally  as 
they  grew,  and  deep  enough  to  allow  the 


iim 

Fig.  37.    Heeling  in  Plants.    See  JVo.  29. 

subject  to  stand  at  the  depth  it  did  in  the 
nursery.  The  outline  of  Pig.  43  shows  a  hole 
of  the  right  size;  that  of  Fig.  47  one  so  small 
that  the  roots  are  bent  against  its  sides,  and 
with  some  protruding  upward  out  of  the 
soil,  and  the  tree  stands  several  inches  too 
high,  all  in  the  worst  possible  shape. 

85.    {Step  B)  Ounrd  against  drying  of  the 

roots,  by  puddlijig  them. 

Have  a  tub  of  water  at  the  taking-up 
place  and  douse  the  roots  into  this  before 
carrying  to  the  place  of  planting.  See  Fig. 
46.  Plant  on  a  damp,  cloudy  day  if  possible. 
If  a  bundle  of  trees  is  carried  some  distance 
from  the  heeling-in  place,  throw  a  damp 
cloth  over  the  roots. 

36.  {Step  C.)     Set  the  Subject  to  the  same 
depth  as  where  it  previously  grew. 

This  is  shown  by  Figs.  43  and  50;  the  oppo- 
site course,  a  very  common  and  bad  one,  by 
Figs.  47  and  51.  Planting  too  deeply  is 
equally  bad. 

Still  a  few  things,  like  Pear  and  Cherry 
budded  on  dwarf  stock,  should  be  planted  so 
as  to  have  all  parts  below  the  bud  com- 
pletely covered.  Budded  Roses  should  be 
similarly  planted. 

Some  soft-wooded  plants  like  Tomatoes, 
Balsams,  vines,  etc.,  that  throw  out  roots 
readily  from  any  parts,  may,  if  they  are  tall, 
be  set  deep  without  the  slightest  injury. 

37.  {StepB.)  Spread  out  the  roots  naturally. 
The  right  idea  is  shown  in  Figs.  43  and  50, 

the  wrong  one  in  which  the  roots  lay  in 
masses  or  are  cramped  in  Figs.  47  and  53.  In 


38.    {Step  E. )     Carefully  surround  the  sep- 
arate roots  on  all  sides  with  earth. 

As  the  tree  previously  grew,  such  was  the 
condition  of  its  roots  in  the  earth.  It  is  im- 
possible to  be  at  too  much  pains  to  secure 
the  same  condition  to  them  in  the  new  loca- 
tion. A  first  requisite  is  an  abundance  of 
fine,  mellow  soil;  if  the  planting  is  being 
done  in  sward  or  by  the  roadside,  suitable 
soil  should  be  carted  from  the  garden  or 
elsewhere.  Then  don't  trust  to  throwing 
in  the  earth  by  shovelfuls,  and  that  a  smart 
shake  of  the  tree  will  properly  distribute  it, 
for  it  will  not.  Put  the  fine  soil  carefully 
over  the  matted  and  other  roots,  and  then 
with  the  fingers  or  with  a  pointed  stick  work 
it  under  and  around  every  part.  Fig.  47  is  a 
good  illustration  of  "shovel  planting,"  in 
which  no  pains  were  taken  to  separate  the 
roots,  Fig.  43  of  right  planting  in  this  re- 
spect. 

Use  no  manure  against  the  roots,  although 
some  that  is  old  and  fine  may  be  scattered 
over  the  earth  before  all  has  been  returned 


Fig.  42.    Locating  trees  by  line.   See  No.  33. 

to  the  hole.    A  moderate  top  dressing  of  old 

manurp  is  never  out  of  order. 

39.    {Step  F.)    Firm  the  soil  compactly. 

No  part  of  planting  or  seed  sowing  is  of 
higher  importance.  In  nature  we  find  the 
soil  laid  so  tightly  against  every  part  of  the 
roots,  that  should  a  strong  man  attempt  to 
pull  up  a  main  root  of  a  small  tree  he  would 
be  likely  to  fail.  Imitate  the  natural  condi- 
tion as  near  as  you  can.  The  man  in  Fig.  54 
is  using  a  maul  to  accomplish  this;  it  is  the 
right  course,  although  the  feet  may  answer 
as  well.  The  roots  should  be  shielded  by 
some  earth  at  the  time. 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


151 


Tight  planting  is  the  only  safe  course  in 
planting  evergreen  trees. 

Set  vegetable  plants  f  lom  a  seed  bed  firmly 
by  the  use  of  dibble,  as  shown  in  Fig.  53. 

With  seeds  it  is  much  the  same.  To  sprout 
they  must  first  and  continuously  absorb 
moisture  from  the  earth,  to  cause  them  to 


"f^<lK 


Govern  the  depth  of  covering  by  the  size 
of  the  seed.  The  old  rule  of  covering  to 
the  depth  of  twice  the  seed's  diameter  will 
seldom  lead  one  astray. 
43.  iSoic  in  a  temperature  suited  to  the 
wants  nf  the  seed. 

For  those  kinds  classed  as  HarJy  Annuals, 
Hardy  Biennials  and 
Hardy  Perennials,  a 
temperature  of  the 
soil  of  about  55°  is 
the  most  congenial, 
while  extremes  of  30° 
for  a  short  time  will 
not  harm  the  sprout- 
ing seed  or  plantlet. 

Half     hardy    kinds 

will  fjerminatebest  in 

a  temperature  of  BOto 

70"  while  tender  kinds 

will  find  above  70°  the 

most  suitable.    In  no 

ease  can  the  extremes 

be   greater   than  20° 

above   or  below   for 

any   length    of    time 

without  injury. 

44.     Provide  mois- 

if    ^WWll    '    '■  >    tiirc  to  the  seed. 

.'■*W..''^m''\\W''     IJo  tliis   by  firm- 

•h  4-(V  \   ilVi  '  'ing  the  soil  ( 


Pig.  47. 


Fig.  48. 
The  Cojtrse  of  Failure  through  five  years 


Fig.  49. 


Tree  unpruned,  hence  with  too  much  top.  The  soil  poor  and  unsuitable.  Planted  fn 
a  small  hole,  the  roots  cramped,  and  Ivlng  In  masses.  The  soil  not  properly  firmed. 
Land  allowed  to  run  to  weeds.  Results.  Being  top  heavy  the  tree  soon  leans. 
Hardly  any  growth  and  that  stunted.  Sprouts  start  up  freely  thus  further  robbing 
the  head  of  much  needed  sustenance.  The  weakness  invites  Insects  and  diseases. 
In  flveyearsthere  Is  DO  satisfactory  growth,  the  tree  perhaps  looJ£ing  worse  than 
when  it  was  planted,  if  It  be  not  outrlghtly  dead. 

swell.  This  can  be  far  more  certainly  ac- 
complished if  the  seeds  are  imbedded  in  a 
moderately  compact  soil  that  will  not  quickly 
dry  out,  than  in  one  that  is  loose. 

40.  Do  not  plant  trees  in  a  water  puddle 
or  ^^'hcn  the  earth  is  wet. 
Because  moisture  is  necessary  to  root  and 

seed  growth,  do  not  fall  into  the  grave  error 
of  thinking  that  excessive  wetness  would 
be  yet  better. 
What  roots  and 
seed  require  is  not 
direct  continuous 
wetness  (which 
really  is  injurious) 
but  moisture  as 
vapour  and  ob- 
tained by  the 
mingling  of  air  in 
the  soil.  The  plan 
of  pouring  a  large 
quantity  of  water 

into  the  tree  hole  fig,  ^.  Rightly pianttd,  with 
when  it  has  been  all  the  roots  properly  spread 
,     ,.      .,,    ,  ...        out.    SeeNo.m. 

half     filled     with 

earth,  is  not  a  good  one  except  the  sur- 
rounding earth  is  quite  dry,  so  that  it  will 
quickly  absorb  the  excess;  in.  such  a  case 
to  apply  water  moderately  would  be  a 
proper  course.  If  the  soil  is  at  all  moist  it  is 
seldom  best  to  use  any  water  in  planting. 

41.  On  leaning  the  tree. 
It  is  a  good  rule  to  lean   trees  slightly 

in  the  direction  of   prevailing  winds,  the 

action    of     which  j 

in  time  will  bring  1 
^^ji^y^'N     'a^atff^p  them  to  a  perpen- 
0^MSlt\\    /)*^V^t:\   dicular     position. 
r        9.V  ^<i  iLi^      %'    In  sections  where 

tree-trunks       are 

liable     to     injury 

from    sun    scald, 

as  throughout  the 

north-western 

states,  it  is  well  to 

lean  the  tree  a 
little  to  the  south  in  order  that  the  top  may 
shield  the  trunk  from  the  sun's  rays. 

On  Seed  Sowing. 

43.     The  soil  shotild  be   made   as  fine  as 

possible  where  seeds  are  to  be  sown. 

For  sowing  large  quantities  a  wheel  drill 
should  be  used,  otherwise  to  open  drills  or 
hills  with  a  hoe  will  answer. 


Fig  51.      A  young  plant  set 
not  deep  enough.    See  No.  36. 


ing  the  soil  or  by 
mulching  the  sur- 
face with  hay  or  a 
board  until  the 
sprout  begins  to 
push  through. 

Fig.  55  (at  right) 
shows    a    gardener 
treading  over  a  line 
of  Peas  or  other  garden  seeds  for  compact- 
ing the  soil.      Rolling  the  land   is   some- 
times made  to  answer,  but  treading  is  better. 
The  advantage  of  firming  is  that  the  soil 
thus  holds  its  dampness  better  than  if  it 
were  loose,  while  the  roots  can  absorb  the 
moisture  required  to  support  the  evapora- 
tion that  goes  on  from  the  top  of  the  tree 
at  all  times. 

45.    Surround  the  home  with  afi,ne  lawn. 

In  lawn  sowing  the  margins  along  walks 
and  borders  should  first  ,be  protected  by  a 
strip  of  turf,  about  one  foot  wide,  to  be 
taken  up  in  some  grass  spot,  free  of  weeds. 
Lift  such'sod  with  a  sharp  spade,  cutting  it 
not  over  \}4  inches  thick  and  rolling  up  in 
strips  of  about  four  feet  long.  To  lay  this 
turf,  the  surface  of  the  ground  should  be 
slightly  lowered  and  loosened  with  a  rake 
to  make  a  bed  for  the  grass  roots.  Join  all 
edges  carefully,  using  a  long-bladed  knife 
for  trimming  the  ends  squarely. 

As  the  laying  proceeds  if  some  portions 
of  the  turf  happen  to  be  a  little  thinner 
than  others,  soil  should  be  worked  under- 
neath such  parts.  The  different  pieces 
should  all  be  snugly  pushed  together  as  the 
sodding  goes  on.  It  is  well  to  carry  the 
line  of  sod  out  a  trifle  further  than  the  edge 
should  be,  and  later  trimming  it  back  with 
a  sharp  spade  or  edging  knife.  The  sod 
before  beating  down,  should  lie  with  its 
surface  a  little  higher  than  that  of  the  sur- 
rounding earth. 

In  general  the  foregoing  rules  will  apply 
to  laying  sod  over  entire  plots  as  well  as  to 
margins.  In  all  cases  after  being  properly 
in  place  the  turf  should  be  well  beaten  down 
with  a  flat  wooden  mallet  or  the  back  of  the 
spade.  If  the  sod  by  any  means  has  become 
dry,  it  should  be  watered  before  the  beating 
down  is  accomplished. 

Be  at  great  pains  to  have  the  ground 
where  grass  seed  is  to  be  sown,  very  even, 
uniformly  firm  to  prevent  settling  into  bad 
shape,  and  lastly  the  surface  made  fine  with 
a  rake,  to  receive  the  seed.  For  spring  sow- 
ing we  advocate  fall  plowing  in  order  that 
the  soil  may  have  perfectly  settled  by  seed- 
ing time.  If  the  sowing  must  be  done  the 
same  season  as  the  plowing  then  there 
should  at  least  intervene  a  soaking  rain. 

Sow  not  less  than  three  bushels  (four  or  five 
bushels  would  be  better)  to  the  acre.  To 
ensure  evenness  divide  the  seed  into  two  por- 


tions, half  to  be  sown  by  passing  over  the 
land  in  one  direction,  the  other  half  by 
walking  at  right  angles  with  the  first  sow- 
ing. It  is  easy  to  guagethe  width  of  sowing 
by  keeping  an  eye  on  the  tracks  made  in  the 
firmly  raked  surface  at  the  last  trip  across 
the  plats.  The  sowing  should  be  done 
when  there  is  no  wind  stirring,  immediately 
after  daylight  being  usually  the  best  time 
for  this.  Afterwards 
the  rake  should  be  again 
applied  lightly  and  this 
operation  be  followed 
by  a  thorough  rolling 
of  the  plat. 

The  best  time  to  so.v 
a  lawn  is  as  early  in  the. 
spring   as    the   ground 
will  work  up  dry  and    Figsa.  Howtousethe 
fine.    Sowing  lawn  seed      ^"''''^-   *«  A'o.  39. 
in  September  is  also  usually  satisfactoi-y. 

After  the  Planting. 
Keep  the  surface  over  the  roots  cleanly 


46. 


tilled  all  season. 

It  is  a  rule  that  should  be  laid  down  for 
all  growths  from  the  soil.  You  would  not 
e.xpect  a  good  Corn  crop  from  untilled  land, 
choked  with  weeds  and  grass.  Neither  must 
trees,  shrubs  or  other  plants  be  expected  to 
thrive  with  slighted  culture.  For  three 
years  at  least  treat  all  growths  as  well  as 
you  would  a  Corn  crop,  and  orchard  trees 
had  hotter  be  so  treated  perpetually. 

Even  young  trees,  shrubs,  etc.,  on  the 
lawn  should  have  the  soil  tilled  for  some 
years.  By  planting 
in  groups,  as  advised 
under  "  Laying  out 
the  Planting,"  it  is 
easy  to  treat  the  spot 
between  and  just 
about  the  trees, 
shrubs,  etc.,  as  an 
open  border  neatly 
cut  in  the  sward  and 
then  kept  cleanly 
tilled.  Single  specL 
mens  may  have  a  circle  from  two  to  five 
feet  across,  they  standing  in  the  center,  kept 
similarly  tilled. 

All  crops  from  seed,  and  all  bedding  and 
garden  plants  should  be  kept  scrupulously 
clean  of  weeds.  By  beginning  early  in  the 
season,  when  the  plants  are  small  and  ten- 
der, and  passing  over  the  beds  with  light 
tools  every  week  or  two  during  the  season, 
it  is  easier  to  keep  a  place  clean  than  by 
kilHng  well-established  weeds. 

47.   Better  till  your  trees,  etc.,  than  to  water 
them. 

This  refers  to  trees  in  orchards,  garden 
crops,  etc.     By  keeping  the  soil  stirred  to  a 


Fig.  45.     Planted  u-ith 
roots  all  in  a  mass. 


Fig,  Si.  Using  thf  mavl  to  Fig.  55.  Tramp,  Tramp, 
firm  the  soil  in  planting.  Tramp.  Firming  a  seed- 
See  No. SS.  drill.    SeeNo.Sa. 

depth  of  several  inches,  the  stratum  lower 
dowTi  will  retain  a  remarkable  degree  of 
moisture,  even  in  the  dryest  weather.  This 
is  because,first,  the  broken  surface  prevents 
largely  the  escape  of  moisture  upwards  by 
capillary  attraction;  second,  a  well-tilled 
soil  absorbs  moisture  from  the  air  at  night. 
It  must  not  be  forgotten  that  wee-'s  are 
enormous  absorbers  of  moisture;  what  they 
take,  the  crop  must  go  without. 


152 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


April, 


Fig.  57  shows  this  method,  while  the  tree 
in  Fig.   .58  is  slightly  protected  by  stones 
placed  around  it. 
.52.  In prmiing remove  huds nr  smnU  syiroiit-s- 

not  neederl,  i-ather  than   irait  tintil  they 

have  developeil,  find  then  eut  them  off. 

Pruning  by  nibbing  off  superfluous  buds 
can  be  done  at  any  time,  and  without  the 


$m 


48.  Oood  tUlaeje  is  as  good  as  miiJching. 
The  layer  of  loose  surface  soil  may  well  be 

termed  a  mulch.  It  preserves  moisture  near- 
ly as  well  as  a  foreign  mulch  like  straw, 
sawdust,  etc.;  it  better  admits  the  air  to  the 
roots;  it  encourages  deeper  root  growth;  it 
is  more  convenient  in  a  garden;  and  it  does 
not  provide  a  congenial  harbor  or  propaga- 
ting place  for  injurious  molds,  insects, 
and  quadrupeds  as  a  mulch  will  do. 

49.  In   timeii  of  dronth   water  pro- 
fusely if  at  all. 
While  as  a  rule  it  is  true  that  if 

better  culture  and  less  water  were 
given  in  American  gardens,  the  re- 
sults would  be  better,  yet  there  are 
instances  where  watering  during 
drouth  is  desirable.  Some  of  these 
instances  are  as  follows:  Trees  and 
shrubs  growing  in  sod ;  vines  against 
buildings;  Strawberry  beds;  beds 
closely  occupied  with  flowers,  Celery, 
etc. 

To  water  any  of  these  properly, 
the  soil  should  be  deeply  punctured 
with  a  bar  of  iron  to  admit  the  moist- 
ure well  down  to  the  roots.  Then 
enough  water  should  be  applied  to 
thoroughly  saturate  the  soil,  and 
this  should  suffice  for  weeks,  perhaps 
for  the  season.    See  figure  .Mi. 

Never  indulge  in  the  common  prac- 
tice of  applying  a  driblet  of  water  to 
each  tree  or  plant  daily,  only  to  cause 
the  surface  of  the  soil  to  bake,  with- 
out ever  giving  enough  to  soak  down 
to  the  roots. 
.50.    Stir    the   soil  each    time   after 

being  ivet  from  rain  or  rjtherwise. 

This  is  to  prevent  baking  of  the 
surface,  which  would  cause  loss  of 
moisture  in  consequence  of  the  un- 
broken capillary  action  between 
lower  stratum  and  surface.  Mel- 
lowing and  pulverizing  the  surface  checks  |  slightest  injury  to  tree  or  shrub.      The  re- 


"^K'y^ci-^' 


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't     '   ■■  ' 

. 

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m 

f  f 

l'  TO  ll 

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1  / 

\u\ 

'kM\ 

1 

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M\f 

r 

hh  ' 

■> 

1 . 

.,  (\  F 

■^ss 

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■     '/  ■  ■ 

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f- 

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^;yg;,,,.     .-       .... 

^rsi-)^-'^ 

Where  the  latter  abound,  however,  the 
bodies  of  trees  should  be  further  protected 
against  in  jury  by  a  wash  consisting  of  white- 
wash flavored  with  copperas  or  carbolic  acid, 
or  smeared  with  a  piece  of  fresh  animals' 
liver,  or  with  blood,  grease,  etc. 

Examine  young  fruit  trees  from  time  to 
time  for  bark  lice,  and  if  such  are  found, 
clean  the  affected  limbs  by  scraping, 
or  wash  them  with  a  strong  solution 
of  salsoda  in  water,  one  pound  to  the 
gillon,  or  with  some  other  strong 
alkaline  liquid,  or  paint  them  with 
Imseed  oil.  Two  or  three  times  dur- 
mg  the  growing  season,  look  also 
for  borers.  You  may  find  indications 
of  their  work  on  the  body  of  tree  near 
the  ground.  Cut  them  out,  or  destroy 
them  with  a  piece  of  wire.  As  a  pre- 
\entive,  which  usually  is  much  bet- 
ter than  a  cure,  the  bodies  near  the 
giound  may  be  washed  several  times 
a  year  with  carbolized  liquids;  or 
coal  ashes  may  be  heaped  around 
the  tree  bodies,  or  the  latter  sur- 
rounded by  mechanical  obstructions, 
like  boxes,  tarred  paper,  wire-screen, 
etc. 


Fig.  5!).  Viiuiiu  liudilnl  H'isr, 
a,  filan:  uf  Jtuililiu{i  ttu-  iin- 
provid  rariity  im  llir  ]yil(l 
root,  b  growth  from  bud,  c  c, 
rampant  wild  shoots. 


Our  Native  Shrubs. 

E.  P.  POWELL,  ONEIDA  CO.,  N.  T. 

We  do  not  make  enough  of  our 
own  native  flowers,  trees,  and  shrubs 
for  home  adornment.  I  have  learned 
to  make  very  great  use  of  our  wild 
Plums  and  Cherries.  They  cannot 
be  surpassed  for  beauty  either  in 
flower  or  fruit.  If  the  robins  would 
let  the  fruit  alone,   it  would  be  the 


Fill.  i;0,      Kihiinrniirk    Tl'iVd. 
tthH'f  lit  Inuliliuii  Ihr  Kihitiirnoch 
on  the  Willi   WiUiiw,  h  /),  iirou'th 
frin  liitil,   (■  c,  irihl  shoots.    Tliese 
'as  so  itficn  ailmeed  to  grow  hill  delight  of  the  eye  nearly  all  summer. 


thi)ii.->ands  of  trees  every  year. 


These  engravlng.s  show  what  kills  many  fine  budded  trees  and 
shrubs,  namely;  letting  wild  sprouts  from  below  the  bud  grow,  thus 
crowding  and  in  time  killing  the  budded  part.    See  No.  52. 


tills.  Clean  and  thorough  cultivation  is  the 
first  choice  in  any  event.  If  ever  an  annual 
crop  is  grown  between  young  growths,  as  is 
permissible,  and  perhaps  advisable  in  newly 
planted  orchards,  etc.,  it  should  be  one 
which  needs  cultivation  and  hoeing,  like 
Beans,  Corn,  Potatoes,  etc.,  but  never  a 
grain  or  Clover  crop. 

51.   Trees  with  well-developed  roots  properly 
planted  need  no  stakes. 

If  the  root  system  is  not  perfect,  so  that 
there  is  the  least  risk  of  displacement  or 
breaking  by  the  winter's  winds,  the  tree 


*t'^^^^ 


^iJ*^- 


Fig.  56.    Preparitig  to  water  a  tree  at  the  roots 
by  puncturing  tlie  soil  with  a  bar.    See  No.  49. 

should  be  tied  to  a  stout  stake,  or  held 
in  place  by  several  galvanized  wires,  or 
cords, fixed  to  a  collar  at  a  convenient  height, 
and  the  other  ends  fastened  to  stakes  or  pegs 
driven  into  the  ground  at  a  proper  distance 
from  the  trees.  When  trees  are  set  in  the 
tall  it  is  a  good  precaution  not  only  to  stake 
them  firmly  but  also  to  heap  up  the  soil 
around  the  body  of  each  to  the  hight  of  about 
one  toot.  This  will  give  yet  firmer  support, 
and  also  prevent  girdling  by  mice.  The 
mound  must  be  leveled  again  in  early  spring. 


moval  of  a  large  limb  always  injures  the 
tree's  vitality.  Be  especially  careful  to  pre- 
serve a  smooth,  clean  stem,  by  the  prompt 
removal  of  all  suckers. 

Fig.  .59  represents  a  young  Rose  bush;  Fig. 
60  a  weeping  tree.  Both  were  budded  at  o; 
the  wood  growing  from  bud,  h  }>,  alone  is  to 
be  left,  while  the  suckers,  c  c,  issuing  from 
the  stem  or  root  below  o,  should  be  ruth- 
lessly removed  at  the  earliest  possible  oppor- 
tunity. Evergreens  are  to  be  cut  back  in 
April  or  May,  .just  before  the  trees  start  to 
grow,  in  order  to  preserve  the  shape  and 
thicken  the  growth. 

53.    Keep  a  record  of  all  trees  and  shrubs 
planted. 

This  is  especially  necessary  with  fruits. 
Labels  may  be  lost,  and  if  no  record  is  kept, 
loss  and  confusion  of  names  will  be  the  sure 
result.  A  nameless  fruit  does  not  taste  half 
as  good,  or  afford  halt  as  much  enjoyment, 
as  one  does  of  which  we  know  the  exact 
name,  and  all  particulars.  The  most  con- 
venient method  is  to  make  a  map  or  chart 
of  orchard,  fruit  garden  and  lawn,  large 
enough  to  show  every  tree,  shrub  and  row 
of  small  fruits,  with  the  name  f)f  each  writ- 
ten out  in  full.  This  map  should  be  on 
stiff'  paper,  or  pasted  on  paste  board,  and  if 
neatly  executed  may  be  framed  and  hung  in 
the  sitting  room.  At  the  same  time  the 
labels,  preferably  of  zinc,  moistened  and 
written  on  with  soft  pencil,  should  be  re- 
newed or  replaced  whenever  needed,  for  the 
grower's  and  visitor's  convenience  in  recog- 
nizing the  variety. 

.54.     Guard  against  rabbits,  mice  and   in- 
sects. 

Where  the  young  growths  are  kept  clean 
by  thorough  tillage,  no  tufts  of  grass,  no 
weedy  fences,  no  rubbish  of  any  sort  being 
allowed  near  them,  there  will  be  no  danger 
from  mice  and   very   little   from  rabbits. 


and 


The  variations  in  the  Cherry  family 
are  many,  and  it  is  hard  to  choose 
between  them.  I  advise  any  one  who 
is  planting  lawns^o  get  a  large  supply 
grow  most  of  them  as  bushes.  This 
can  be  done  by  cutting  off  the  main  trunk 
at  the  ground  and  allowing  the  roots  to 
send  up  several  in  place  of  one.  Cut  them 
back  year  by  year  at  the  tops.  Many  of  our 
larger  trees  can  in  this  way  be  grown  as 
bushes.  Among  others  the  Tulip  tree,  the 
Linden,  the  Magnolias,  the  Catalpas  and 
Beeches.  I  should  like  to  find  something 
finer  than  a  Catalpa  trained  after  this 
manner.  Such  shrubs  or  bushes  will  gen- 
erally blossom  profusely,  while  the  leafage 
is  enlarged. 

The  Coruus  family  is  also  extremely  fine  ; 
perhaps  Cornus  Florida  surpassing  all  other 
native  shrubs  where  it  thrives.  It  is  not  quite 
as  hardy  as  it  might  be,  but  1  get  it  along 
with  some  care  in  Central  New  York.    The 


Fig.  57.  Staking  ami  Fig.  aS.  Steadying  a 
mouneling  up  a  young  yimng  tree  with  stones, 
tree  for  winter. 

red-barked  Cornus  is  truly  superb  for  win- 
ter, turning  to  a  fiery  crimson  in  November, 
and  back  to  green  in  April.  If  planted  in  a 
moist  soil  it  spreads  with  much  regularity 
by  underground  shoots,  rather  than  roots, 
until  it  covers  a  rod  square,  or  more  if  you 
will  let  it.  It  is  deliciously  comfortable  in 
cold  weather.  Holmes  tells  us  of  the  old 
lady  who  got  warm  over  a  cold  register;  but 


I  Sgo. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


15: 


you  really  get  considerable  summer  into 
your  soul  by  looking  down  in  January  upon 
a  group  of  t'ornus  and  Barberries.  If  you 
have  them  adjacent  to  evergreens,  as  you 
should,  they  are  all  the  liner:  and  on  de- 
cent winter  days  you  will  tind  yourself 
under  the  Hemlocks  warming  yourself  by 
closer  approach  to  the  tlery  bushes.  When 
spring  comes,  the  red  color  vanishes  as  the 
leaves  develop  new  coloring  matter,  and  all 
the  world  goes  a-greening.  Our  planting  of 
lawns  should  always  consider  the  whole 
year,  and  they  should  especially  be  adapted 
to  relieve  the   monotonous  seasons. 

Mahonia.  or  American  Holly  bush,  is 
another  of  the  really  wonderful  individuals 
ill  our  floral  family.  It  is,  in  fact,  a  fair 
candidate  for  prominence  as  a  natural 
flower.  In  May  it  gives  you  great  balls  of 
gold,  as  large  as  a  croquet  ball,  all  over  a 
low,  spreading,  superbly-polished  green 
bush.  Then  the  young 
growth  follows,  de- 
lightfully pink  and 
red.  After  that,  the 
bush  is  glorious  with 
its  green  through 
autum  and  winter. 
Ah:  but  it  is  a  won- 
derful piece  of  Na- 
ture's art.  It  should 
be  grown  on  every 
lawn  in  the  United 
States;  only  in  winter. 
be  covered  from  sun. 

I  have  referred  to 
the  Barberry.  There 
are  many  varieties, 
but  the  best  is  the 
English  sort  that  has 
run  wild  in  our  wood- 
and  has  become  so 
naturalized  that  we 
may  speak  of  it  as  a 
native.  This  grows 
to  a  height  of  twelve 
feet  in  dense  bushy 
form,  and  in  May  is 
overloaded  with  sweet 
stems  of  yellow  flow- 
ers that  bring  thousands  of  bees  to  feast 
and  gather  honey.  The  odor  is  very  rich, 
and  a  few  do  not  like  it.  The  berry  is  at 
its  best  in  October,  and  remains  a  brilliant 
crimson  all  winter,  I  could  not  get  on 
without  my  Barberries,  and  like  them 
in  many  parts  ot  my  grounds.  When  the 
snow  makes  a  wilderness,  this  shrub  holds 
out  that  it  is  still  comfortable  weather. 
The  fruit  is  more  valuable  than  we  have 
generally  supposed. 

Two  of  our  very  finest  natives  are  Stuartia 
pentagynia  and  E.xochorda  grandiflora. 
The  former  I  find  hard  to  hold,  and  the 
latter  is  difficult  to  propagate.  The  result 
is  both  are  rare.  But  when  you  have  seen 
an  Exochorda  in  bloom  you  will  never  rest 
content  until  you  get  one.  Its  flower  is  a 
clear  lace-like  white  ;  and  the  whole  bush 
is  a  solid  bouquet.  I  never  saw  anyone  pass 
near  the  shrub  in  bloom  without  exclama- 
tions of  admiration.    Stuartia  is  as  fine. 

To  my  taste  a  Hazel  bush  in  November  is 
perfection.  All  at  once,  after  blooming  and 
fruiting  is  over,  the  White  Hazel  clothes 
itself  from  head  to  foot  in  a  mass  of  lacini- 
ated  yellow  florescence.  It  is  still  fine  when 
the  early  snows  gather  over  it.  At  the  very 
other  end  of  the  season  is  the  Moonwood, 
also  bearing  a  yellow  flower:  and  a  lovely 
thing  it  is. 

The  term  Moonwood  is  sometimes  given 
to  a  very  different  bush,  the  Hopple  or 
Witch  Hopple.  This  I  have  never  been 
able  to  grow  on  my  lawns,  but  in  cool  damp 
wooded  hill-s  des  it  is  glorious.  The  flowers 
resemble  tho.se  of  Hydrangea  Thomas  Hogg, 
if  seen  at  a  little  distance.  Whoever  gets 
this  located  to  suit  it  will  have  a  beauty. 


The  Euonymus  or  Wahoo  is  one  of  the 
least  conspicuous  of  all  bushes  in  flower. 
Its  many,  small  chocolate-colored  flowers 
are,  however,  sweet  and  pretty  to  one  who 
studies  them.  The  value  of  this  shrub  is 
mainly  for  the  superb  show  made  by  the 
seeds  which  burst  open  their  caly.x  covering 
in  October,  and  hang  like  a  bundle  of  flowers 
all  through  the  late  autum  weeks.  They 
are  generally  in  prime  condition  about 
Thanksgiving, 

These  are  only  a  few  of  the  splendid 
treasures  offered  by  our  American  woods. 
In  every  locality  you  will  find  many  native 
sorts  that  will  adorn  a  lawn.  What  we 
need  is  to  cultivate  a  love  for  fiowers  and 
foliage  and  not  for  novelty.  Our  growers 
have  been  so  carried  away  with  the  possi- 
bility of  importing  something  new  and 
j  startling  each  year  that  they  have  educated 
I  a  false  public  taste.    We  are  greedy  for  the 


From  our  standpoint  we  consider  the 
walks  rather  too  conspicuous,  but  this  defect, 
if  such  it  be,  is  largely  counterbalanced  by 
the  strong  touches  of  natural  gardening. 
The  size  of  the  whole  parterre  is  about  300 
by  iOO  feet. 


Seeds  and  Seed  Growing, 
America  is  fortunate  in  the  po.ssession  of 
respectable   and    honorable    seed    houses. 
There  are  many  of  them,  and  so  few  of  the 
opposite  class  that  it  is  the  easiest  thing  in 
the  world  to  get  good  and  reliable  garden 
and  flower  seeds.     If  our  friends  will  only 
deal  with  seedsmen  of  repute  directly,  and 
let  the  seeds  sold  on  commission  in  country 
stores  alone,  they  will  run  very  little  risk 
of  not  getting  seeds  that  will  grow.    Our 
experience  with  advertising  seedsmen  is  that 
seeds  bought  of  them  directly  seldom  fail 
to  come  up  all  right  if  properly  treated. 
Sometimes   only    we 
have   to   find  just   a 
little   fault   that  the 
various    strains   and 
varieties   of  some  of 
the  old  standard  sorts 
are  not  kept  quite  as 
pure  and  separate  as 
they  might,  and  also 
that  the  seedsmen  are 
in  a  bad  habit  of  lead- 
ing us  to  expect  too 
great  things  of  their 
novelties. 

In  regard  to  the 
handling  of  good  seed , 
after  once  having  ob- 
tained it.  Prof,  L,  H, 
Bailey  of  Cornell  Uni- 
versity gives  some  ex- 
cellent advise  in  a  re- 
cent issue  of  Garden 
and  Forest,  from 
which  we  quote: 

There  are  few  good 
sowers  of  seed.  To 
buy  seeds  and  to 
cover  them  with 
earth  comprise  the 
latest  thing  from  China  or  the  Cape,  while  a  sum  of  practice  with  many  people,  To.sow 
finer  is  within  a  mile  of  us  in  its  natural     well  is  the    first   operation   to   acquire    in 


ORNAMENTAL  PLANTING  AT  THE  PALM  GARDENS  AT   FRANKFURT-ON-THE-MAINE. 


habitat.  I  know  nothing  finer  than  our 
wild  hill-sides  covered  vrith  Sumac,  Elder, 
and  Rubus:  or  more  wonderful  than  the 
mountains  of  Connecticut  and  Pennsylva- 
nia covered  with  Laurel,  Azalea,  Rhododen- 
drons, and  farther  north  those  with  Bitter 
Sweet ,  and  Cherries,  My  object  is  not  to  give 
an  exhaustive  list  but  to  draw  attention  to 
our  natural  neglect  of  our  native  beauties. 


Floral   Parterre  in  the  Palm  Gardens 
at  Frankfort-on-the-Maine 
The  accompanying  engraving  conveys  an 
idea  of  the  study  which  German  gardeners 
give  to  elaborate  embellishment.     It  repre- 
sents plan  of  the  Floral    Parterre  in  the 
Palm  gardens  at    Frankfort-on-the-Maine, 
an  institution  which    good    authorities  in 
Germany  are  pleased  to  call  a  High  School 
I  of  the  Art  of  Gardening,    The  plan  of  the 
i  floral  part  was  designed  by  Garden  Director 
Heinrich  Siesmayer, 

The  three  plats  occupied  with  fountains 
are  lavishly  adorned  with  bedding  plants  in 
arabesque  style,  and  this  could  not  do  other- 
wise than  give  a  fine  effect.  We  feel  like 
complimenting  the  designer  for  having 
known  just  where  to  stop.  To  have  carried 
the  same  style  of  adornment  to  the  outlying 
plats  would  have  resulted  in  spoiling  all. 

The  engraving  shows  how  these  marginal 
plats  were  treated,  to  offset  the  artificial 
style  of  the  flower  beds  by  conformity  to 
nature's  ways  in  their  surroundings.  Here 
we  have  only  lawn  and  irregular  groups  of 
trees  and  shrubs,  and  indeed  fine  examples 
of  such  arrangement. 


gardening;  propagation  by  cuttings  is  the 
second.  Two  or  three  general  rules  are 
fully  as  important  as  many  of  the  ex- 
plicit instructions;  (I)  Do  not  be  in  a 
hurry.  In  all  my  teachings  how  to  sow  it 
is  necessary  to  make  this  important  point. 
It  means  taking  an  abundance  of  time  to 
prepare  the  soil  and  to  provide  proper  con- 
ditions. Ten  seeds  well  sown  are  more 
valuable  than  fifty  half  sown,  and  as  a  rule, 
the  more  valuable  the  plants  to  be  grown 
the  more  imperative  is  this  rule,  (2)  Avoid 
shortcuts,  which  are  wholly  artificial.  In 
all  the  long  catalogues  of  compounds  de- 
vised to  hasten  germination.  I  do  not  know 
one  which  is  worth  its  cost  or  trouble.  It  is 
always  legitimate  to  hasten  germination, 
but  it  must  be  done  by  perfecting  natural 
or  normal  conditions.  (:S)  In  cases  of  doubt 
as  to  the  proper  method  of  handling  rare  or 
choice  seeds,  sow  in  installments,  at  inter- 
vals. This  means  experiment.  With  prac- 
tice comes  an  almost  intuitive  faculty  to 
determine  at  once  what  are  the  proper 
methods  of  dealing  with  seeds  with  which 
we  had  never  had  experience.  But  until 
this  faculty  comes,  safety  demand  caution. 
And  some  people  never  acquire  the  faculty. 
Seed-sowing  comprises  three  distinct  sub- 
jects: (1)  Selection  of  seed:  (3)  treatment  of 
the  seed  preparatory  to  sowing,  (.3i  the  sow- 
ing itself.  The  commonest  cause  of  failure 
In  seed-sowing  is  to  much  moisture.  This 
is  particularly  true  in  the  case  of  old  and 
weak  seeds.  Seeds  from  afar,  or  which  I 
have  reason  to  suppose  possess  low  vitality, 
are  never  watered  directly. 


154 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


April, 


Window  Plants. 

When  dainty  Spring  with  awakening  wand 

Unchains  tlie  prisoned  flowers. 
And  trips  about  witli  glances  fond 
To  And  each  tender  bud  and  frond, 
The  house-plants  sigh  with  longing  eye. 
To  gather  'neath  the  open  sky 

And  feel  the  freshening  showers. 

How  eageiiy  they  drink  the  light  !— 
While  others  froUc  full  In  sight.— 
They  struggle  for  withheld  delight. 
And  press  the  pane  with  might  and  main, 
■  Sweet  Freedom's  boundless  cup  to  drain. 
Impatient  at  delay. 

—Good  Housekeeping. 


The  First  Snowdrop. 
But  when  the  modest  Snowdrop  lifts  its  head 
Upon  the  Grass  or  in  the  garden  bed, 
Hope  dawns— we  fancy  spring  Is  near 
That  in  the  copse  the  blackbird's  note  we  hear. 

As  white  and  cold  in  winter-time  it  blows 
(And  lacks  the  fragrance  of  the  summer  Rose), 
From  arched  and  slender  stalk  the  pure  brave  flower 
O'er  Nature's  wreck  droops  down— a  living  power. 

The  crystal  snow  is  pure  and  knows  no  strife. 
The  Snowdrop  breathes  of  spring  and  teaming  life. 
Fears  not,  though  frail,  with  wintry  storms  to  cope. 
Speaks  to  the  heart  of  cheerful  trust  and  hope. 

— S.  Lydia  Ewbank. 


Ring,  happy  bells  of  Easter  time! 
The  world  is  glad  to  hear  your  chime. 
Across  wide  fields  of  melting  snow 
The  winds  of  summer  softly  blow. 
And  birds  and  streams  repeat  the  chime 
Of  Easter  time. 

Youth's  Companion. 


EoU  the  lawn  early. 

Air  the  hot-bed  plentifully. 

Easter  will  bring  sunshine  and  flowers. 

Plant  something  for  ornament.    It  pays. 

Of  Boses  you  should  have  a  dozen,  by  all  means. 

The  first  toad  we  come  across  shall  go  to  our 
hot-bed. 

The  rake  on  beds  occupied  with  bulbs,  before 
the  plants  appear. 

Arbor  Day  is  a  day  of  blessing;  all  judicious 
planting  is  a  blessing. 

Wire  netting  makes  an  excellent  support  for 
Pea  vines  and  Lima  Beans. 

Conple  snbioiling  with  surface  stirring,  and 
you  may  laugh  at  drought. 

Horticnltore  more  than  any  other  art  may 
combine  business  with  pleasure. 

A  shady  corner,  all  by  themselves,  and  with  a 
moist  soil,  is  what  the  Pansies  lilie. 

The  English  sparrow,  in  some  localities,  in- 
]iu-es  Currant  buds  more  than  the  growers  like. 

They  are  Good  Plants.  There  is  every  sign 
that  Pa^onies  are  rapidly  increasing  in  popularity. 

No  worms  wanted  in  pots,  except  when  con- 
verted into  plantfood  by  soaking  the  soil  with 
lime  water. 

Lncretia  Dewberry.  The  way  to  make  it 
tiseful,  and  not  a  nuisance,  is  by  staking  and 
firmly  tying. 

Would  you  have  an  abundance  of  Sweet  Peas 
next  summer?  Then  wait  no  longer,  but  plant 
the  seed  right  away. 

Early  and  often  is  a  good  maxim  for  sowing 
Peas,  Radishes  and  the  like.  We  want  our  "sass" 
early,  and  we  want  it  right  along. 

Preparing  for  more— yet  we  have  already 
over  a  hundred  varieties  of  Strawberries  on  our 
grounds  ready  to  bear  this  season. 

The  Single-flowered  Chrysanthemum  (Nogiku) 
is  prized  by  Japanese  horticulturists  for  its  very 
simplicity,  and  usually  planted  at  the  foot  of 
rocks,  intermingled  with  Grasses,  to  give  the 
landscape  design  a  naturalistic  air. 

Chisel  as  a  Pruning  Tool.  For  cutting  off 
limbs  up  to  the  size  of  two  inches,  I  have  never 
used  any  tools  as  good  as  a  two-inch  paring  chisei 
and  a  mallet.  The  limbs  can  be  cut  much  quicker 


than  with  a  saw,  and  it  leaves  the  wound 
smoother.  The  chisel  should  he  kept  as  sharp  as 
possible.— E.  ir.  Dtinhar,  Mc. 

Not  the  Place  for  a  Stone  Honnment-  A  pile 
of  small  stones  put  around  the  foot  of  fruit  trees 
is  very  far  from  being  a  benefit  to  the  trees.  The 
roots  are  much  better  off  reasonably  deep  in  the 
soil  than  when  coaxed  up  to  the  surface  by  the 
moisture  which  the  stone  mulch  provides. 
Exposure  of  the  roots  to  frost,  and  injury  to  the 
tree  will  invariably  result  therefrom. 

A  Freak.  Argynnis  sends  us  a  sketch  of 
flower  truss  of  a  white  Geranium.  There  are  a 
number  of  flower  stalks  with  secondary  trusses 
growing  on  her  plant.  It  is  hardly  a  rare  occur- 
rence that  one  or  more  secondary  trusses  spring 
from  a  primary  truss,  and  many  of  our  readers 
have  undoubtedly  seen  Geraniums  with  flower 
stalks  such  as  shown  in  engra\ing  on  next  page. 

How  Crops  Grow.  A  revised  edition  of  this 
most  excellent  treatise  on  the  chemical  compo- 
sition, structure  and  life  of  the  plant,  by  Samuel 
W.  Johnson,  M.  A.,  has  just  been  published  by 
the  Orange  Judd  Co.,  of  New  York  City.  It  is  a 
work  calculated  to  assist  those  who  desire  to  be- 
come more  intimately  acquainted  with  the  mys- 
teries of  agricultural  chemistry.  416  pages. 
Price  $2.00. 

Frosted  Grape  Vines.  Grape  vines  frequently 
have  to  run  the  gauntlet  of  a  late  freeze.  If  badly 
injured,  the  right  way  to  treat  them  is  to  cut 
them  back  to  the  first  or  second  bud.  This  will 
throw  all  the  strength  of  the  roots  into  the  new 
wood  for  next  year's  bearing.  It  is  hopeful, 
however,  that  such  a  casuality  will  be  spared  us 
this  year.  We  are  not  any  too  sure  of  a  bounte- 
ous crop  of  fruit,  otherwise,  and  we  could  ill 
afford  to  lose  our  Grapes. 

Copper  Labels.  A  new  style  of  label,  and  ap- 
parently a  very  serviceable  one,  is  made  of  pre- 
pared copper  cut  to  suitable  form,  with  attach- 
ment of  same  material,  all  in  one  piece.  The 
name  is  written  or  indented  on  the  label  easily, 
legibly  and  ineffaceably  with  a  lead  pencil  or 
other  pointed  instrument,  holding  the  label  on 
the  flat  surface  of  an  ordinary  pocket  book. 
These  labels  are  sold  by  Johnson  &  Stokes,  Phila- 
delphia, and  perhaps  others,  at  31.50  per  gross. 

Fruit  Industry  of  Califomia.  The  magnitude 
of  California's  fruit  and  Nut  products  may  be 
seen  by  the  following  figures,  which  represent 
the  quantities  produced  in  1889,  viz  :  Raisins, 
900,000  boxes,  18,000,000  lbs.;  Raisins,  sacks,  1,000,- 
000  lbs.;  Dried  Grapes,  sacks,  2,000,000  lbs.;  Prunes, 
French,  15,000,000  lbs.;  Prunes,  all  others,  300,000 
lbs.;  Peaches,  unpeeled,  2,500,000  lbs.;  Peaches, 
peeled,  2,000,000  lbs.;  Peaches,  sun-dried,  .500,000 
lbs.;  Apricots,  200,000  lbs.;  Apples,  evaporated 
400,000  lbs  ;  Apples,  sun-dried,  100,000  lbs.;  Necta- 
rines, 200,000  lbs.;  Plums,  pitted,  200,000  lbs.;  Figs, 
black  and  white,  100,000  lbs.;  Pears,  50,000  lbs.; 
Almonds,  500,000  lbs.;  Walnuts,  1,.500,000  lbs.; 
Honey,  2,200.000  lbs. 

Potash  for  Fruits.  Plenty  of  potash  makes 
firm  and  sweet  fruit.  That  is  why  we  recom- 
mend the  liberal  use  of  wood  ashes,  and  of  Ger- 
man potash  salts  in  orchards,  vineyards  and  small 
fruit  patches.  Our  fertilizer  manufacturers  also 
recognize  the  usefulness  of  potash  for  such  pur- 
pose. The  special  *'  fruit  and  \"ine  manure  "  made 
by  a  leading  firm,  for  instance,  is  guaranteed  to 
contain  10  per  cent  of  potash,  and  in  reality 
usually  analyses  still  higher,  or  nearly  as  high  as 
an  average  sample  of  kainit;  whde  for  special 
manure  for  Potatoes,  a  crop  which  also  loves 
potash,  six  per  cent  or  very  little  more  is  consid- 
ered fully  sufficient.  In  short,  there  is  very  little 
danger  of  using  too  much  potash  for  fruit  crops. 

The  Bural  New  Yorker  has  been  sold  to  Messrs. 
Lawson  Valentine  and  E.  H.  Libby.  We  know 
that  Mr.  E.  S.  Carman  whose  genius  has  pushed 
(he  Rural  to  the  front  rank,  and  made  it  one  of 
the  most  successful,  popular  and  influential  agri- 
cultural periodicals  ever  published,  was  anxious 
to  be  relieved  of  the  arduous  duties  of  its  busi- 
ness management,  and  we  congratulate  him  on 
baring  secured  the  object  of  his  wish,  but  we 
must  also  express  our  satisfaction  on  learning 
that  Mr.  Carman  is  to  retain  editorial  control  of 
the  paper,  and  will  be  assisted,  as  heretofore,  by 
Mr.  H.  W.  CoUingwood.  While  the  editorial  de- 
partment is  thus  taken  care  of,  and  the  active 
business  management  in  good  (Mr.  Libby 's)  hands, 
the  continued  success  and  prosperity  of  the  Rural 
is  put  beyond  doubt. 

Different  Conditions— Different  Treatment, 
The  management  that  plants  require  when  grow- 
ing in  greenhouse  is  rarely  practicable  or  possible 
in  a  living  room;  but  a  treatment  varying  from 


that  in  certain  points  may  enable  the  amateur 
to  grow  many  plants  not  usually  cultivated  in 
living  rooms.  As  an  illustration  the  advice  to 
use  small  pots  causes  as  much  or  more  harm  to 
the  amateur  as  does  his  potting  in  sizes  much  too 
large.  In  a  high  living-room  temperature  small 
pots  should  not  be  used;  even  transplanted  seed- 
lings, if  to  be  potted  at  all,  should  have  at  least 
four-inch  pots  at  first.  There  are  amateurs  who 
have  great  success  with  Gloxinias,  grown  in  six- 
inch  pots  as  soon  as  the  bulbs  have  attained  the 
size  of  a  Hazel  nut,  who  could  scarcely  make 
them  live  in  four-inch  pots.— H.  C.  G.,  Milicauhee. 

Henderson's  Handbook  of  Plants.  A  copy  of 
the  last  work  from  the  pen  of  our  departed 
friend,  Mr.  Peter  Henderson,  has  been  handed  to 
us.  Although  sent  out  as  a  new  edition  of  the 
"  Handbook  of  Plants "  published  in  1881,  it 
might  properly  be  considered  an  entirely  new 
and  independent  work.  It  gives  an  account  of 
all  plants  under  their  botanical  as  well  as  their 
common  and  local  names;  is  profusely  illus- 
trated, and  enlarged  to  .528  pages.  In  a  single 
volume,  and  costing  S4;  it  is  to  Americans  what 
Gardeners'  Dictionary  with  its  eight  volumes, 
price  ¥2.5,00,  is  to  England.  In  a  work  of  such 
merit,  however,  we  are  sorry  to  see  an  illustra- 
tion of  the  lower-catalogue  order,  one  which 
might  properly  be  submitted  to  the  committee 
of  the  Society  of  American  Florists  on  exagger- 
ated cuts.  We  refer  to  the  Watermelon  cut  on 
plate  492.  This  is  a  blemish,  but  fortunately  the 
only  one  we  have  found  in  the  volume. 

Ancient  Vegetable  Bemedies.  An  Egyptian 
Paprus  in  the  Berlin  Museum  enumerates  fifteen 
vegetable  remedies,  and  another  mentions  over 
fifty  used  by  the  doctors  of  antiquity.  Mineral 
remedies  were  also  used  largely;  the  vegetable 
list  not  only  includes  herbs,  but  fruits,  and  even 
chips  and  sawdust  of  special  trees.  Incantation 
seems  to  have  been  practiced  as  a  help  to  make 
the  medicine  work;  but  the  physician  did  not 
rely  on  mummery  as  much  as  has  been  supposed. 
Ebers,  the  Egyptologist  and  novelist,  says  that 
physicians  of  the  sixteenth  centurj',  B.  C,  could 
and  did,  carefullj-  write  complex  recipes.  Some 
of  their  recipes  are  as  good  as  the  best  we  get 
now.  Castor  oil  was  in  common  use,  as  well  as 
Senna;  and  they  were  understood  and  used  as 
now.  The  use  of  outlandish  and  ridiculous  pre- 
scriptions has  been  common  also  in  all  ages.  In 
New  England  sheep-droppings  were  given  for 
measles  as  late  as  the  middle  of  our  century. — 
E.  P.  Powell. 

A  Paradisic  Spot.  The  State  of  Georgia  gave, 
as  a  reward  for  his  services  in  the  Revolution,  to 
Nathaniel  Green  a  portion  of  an  island  off  the 
coast  and  near  the  Florida  line.  Here  the  General 
resided  and  laid  out  a  remarkable  garden  famous 
for  its  tropical  fruits  and  flowers.  Probably 
North  America  holds  no  more  beautiful  spot  than 
this  estate  of  Dungeness.  The  garden  alone  com- 
prised twelve  acres  enclosed  by  a  wall  of  Coquina, 
and  wholly  tropical  in  its  character.  On  the  ter- 
race before  the  house,  grew  only  Sago  Palms  and 
Crape  Myrtle.  Below  this  was  a  terrace  of  Olives. 
Roses  abounded  everywhere.  The  fields  about 
were  devoted  to  Sea  Island  Cotton  and  Sugar 
Cane.  Bear,  deer,  wild  turkeys  and  water  fowl 
abounded  as  game  near  by.  The  grandest  feat- 
ure of  the  island  is,  however,  said  to  be  its  Live 
Oaks.  This  comes  the  nearest  to  being  the  Eden 
of  America  of  any  spot  we  know.  But  there  are 
thousands  of  places  in  our  states  north  and  south 
where  we  can  create  paradises.— £.  P.  PoweU. 

Substitutes  for  the  Potato  Wanted,  It  is  hardly 
possible  to  get  at  any  accurate  estimate  of  the 
relation  of  the  common  Potato  to  human  life  and 
comfort  in  the  temperate  zone.  It  is  the  vegeta- 
ble above  all  others  upon  which  the  millions 
depend.  It  is  the  staple  food  of  the  poor.  High 
prices  for  Potatoes  means  half  food  for  the  mil- 
lions of  people.  There  is,  however,  a  lack  of 
foresight  in  allowing  this  to  become  a  fixed  and 
settled  dependence.  The  (Colorado  beetle  and 
the  Potato  rot  have  shown  us  that  our  dei>end- 
ence  is  very  unsafe.  Now  a  new  enemy  attacks 
this  esculent— a  parasitic  worm;  and  in  some 
sections,  a  second  enemy  in  the  form  of  a  fly. 
The  use  of  Paris  green  to  destroy  the  beetle  is 
working  some  chemical  changes  in  standard  var- 
ieties that  render  them  semi-poisonous.  The  in- 
troduction of  new  varieties  of  esculents  is  always 
to  be  hailed  with  enthusiasm.  It  is  a  short-sighted 
policy  on  the  farm  to  be  dependent  on  any  one 
or  more  articles  for  food  or  market.  The  vast 
increase  in  the  varieties  of  fruit  point  the  way  to 
a  larger  area  of  fruit  culture,  and  an  increased 
use  of  fruit  for  food.— E.  P.  PoweU. 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


155 


Confasion  in  Plant  Names.  Tlioro  aiv  a  niim- 
bei-  of  ivt'orms  that  the  Society  of  American 
I'lorists  sliimld  tnke  in  band  at  their  next  annual 
meol  InfT.  Hvery  eatiilogwe-making:  florist  should 
lie  i-equiivil  to  ^ive  the  correct  botanical  names 
of  all  plants,  new  ov  old,  common  or  iiirc,  what- 
ever the  common  name.  Take  the  Moon-Hower, 
for  instance.  There  is  only  one  true  Moon-flower, 
Iponica  Hona-no.\,  as  described  by  Gray.  What 
Mamcco\ild  be  more  appropriate  for  this  jfrand 
plant  than  the  specific  name  it  bears?  1.  nocti- 
llora,  I  noctiphyton,  I.irrandiflora.or  I.Me.xicana, 
none  of  them  can  chiim  to  be  as  fitting.  The 
tulienms-rooted  Ipomea  palraata  is  often  called 
I.  Me.xicana,  whereas  I  think  that  is  the  name 
of  the  plant  sold  by  some  firms  as  the  original 
Moon-Hower.  a  tine  vine  in  every  way,  but  it 
neither  blooms  the  first  year  from  seed  nor  grows 
from  cuttings,  while  the  true  Moon-flower  does 
both.  The  latter  plant  is  in  three  varieties, 
white-seeded,  black  seeded  and  cross-bred,  the 
first-named  lieing  the  earlicj^t  and  best  bloomer. 
It  is  not  right  to  offer  Rain-bow  plants,  Sun-set 
plants,  and  many  othei-s  unknown  to  most  people, 
without  giving  something  more  definite  than  a 
local  common  name.  Flower  lovers  may  either 
duiilicate  a  plant  already  in  their  collections,  or 
else  they  may  find  themselves  the  happy  posses- 
sors of  an  undesirable  weed.  The  correct  botan- 
ical name  might  give  us  all  a  clue.— Poey  W. 

A  Fine  New  Kose.  About  the  year  ISfi.'j  Mr. 
Robert  Fortune  brought  from  Japan  the  Polyan- 
tha  Remontant  Rose  (Rosa  polyantha),  a  species 
distinguished  from  all  others  by  its  branching 
clusters  (or  panicles)  of  blooms.  Coupled  with  its 
e.xtremely  free-fiowering  habit,  the  flowers  were 
highly  scented  and  the  plants  were  found  to  be 
better  suited  for  summer  bedding,  than  any 
other  class  of  strictly  perpetual  bloomers.  A 
tjed  of  this  section  of  Roses  is  quite  certain 
under  ordinary  culture,  to  be  a  mass  of  bloom 
during  the  entire  season.  A  new  Japanese  of 
so  much  value  at  once  attracted  the  attention  of 
expert  Rose  growers  and  hybridizers,  with  the 
result,  that  now  our  best  of  Polyanthas  embrace 
many  varieties,  some  of  which  are  about  hardy 
in  the  north,  as  is  also  the  parent.  One  of  the 
more  recent  products  is  the  newClothilde  Soupert, 
a  result  of  hybridizing  the  Tea  Rose  Mme.  Dama- 
zin  with  the  Polyantha  Mignonette,  at  the  hands 
of  that  clever  French  Rosarlan  Mr.  Soupert. 
Recently  we  rceived  a  fine  cluster  of  this  new 
variety  from  Mr.  J.  C.  Vaughan,  Florist,  Chicago, 
and  were  well  pleased  with  its  appearance. 
The  cluster  before  us  has  four  full-blown  (or 
nearly  so)  Roses  and  nine  buds,  all  upon  one 
main  branch.  Still  the  branchlets  are  less 
crowded  than  with  most  Polyanthas,  being 
quite  evenly  dispersed  over  the  strong-grow- 
ing head.  The  color  of  the  flowers  is  a  pearly 
white  suffused  with  delicate  rose  towards  the 
center,  although  in  this  there  is  some  vari- 
ability. The  fragrance  is  delicate.  This  new 
Kose  will  be  planted  on  the  Popular  Garden- 
ing grounds  the  coming  season. 

Baising  Plants  from  Seed.  A  great  many  fail- 
ures in  raising  plants  from  seed  annually  arise 
from  the  inexperience  of  the  planters,  especially 
with  the  small  and  delicate  flower  seeds.  For  all 
kinds  of  seeds  were  transplanting  is  advisable,  I 
practice  the  following  plan  with  almost  invari- 
ably good  results,  and  with  a  minimum  of  care; 
a  simple  method  for  everybody:  Make  a  frame 
of  six  inch  boards,  three  feet  wide,  and  asking 
as  desired.  Next  make  some  sash  frames  out  of 
one  by  two-inch  lumber;  three  feet  in  length  one 
way,  to  match  the  first  frame,  and  then  three 
feet  or  so  the  other  way.  Tack  on  to  these  last 
frames  good,  stout  cotton  sheeting.  Prepare  a 
rich,  mellow  piece  of  ground,  thoroughly  spaded 
and  well  raked,  in  a  sunny  place,  and  set  the  main 
frame  on  it.  If  the  earth  in  the  seed  bed  is  nat- 
urally cloggy  and  heavy,  before  sowing  seed, 
temper  it  well  with  sand  if  possible.  Now  sow 
your  seed  in  rows  properly  labeled,  or  broadcast, 
as  you  prefer,  being  particularly  careful  not  to 
cover  too  deeply  with  earth.  Fine  seeds  need  no 
covering.  A  little  fine  earth,  rubbed  through  a 
sieve,  just  enough  to  hide  the  seeds,  answers  for 
the  coarser  seeds.  Next  take  a  smooth  piece  of 
board,  and  laying  it  on  yoursowing,  press  it  down 
firmly.  Nowsprinkle  the  whole  with  your  water- 
ing iiot  moderately,  and  put  on  the  cloth 
frames.  If  the  weather  is  warm  and  dry,  water 
again  gently  each  evening,  keeping  the  cover  on 
all  the  time  except  when  watering,  and  soon  you 
will  have  a  fine  show  of  plants.  When  seeds  of 
different  kinds  are  to  be  found  in  the  same 
main  frame,  care  should  be  taken  to  sow  those 
which  germinate  quickly,  at   one   end   of  the 


frame;  and  when  up  you  can  give  them  air  from 
time  to  time  by  raising  the  frame  a  little  (best  at 
night)  without  interfering  with  the  sprouting  of 
the  other  secils,  which  take  a  longer  time  to 
ccinic  up.— 7).  A.  FMcher,  Iowa. 

The  Abtttilon.  I  have  had  nothing  finer  among 
my  house  plants  this  winter  than  the  Abutilon, 
of  which  I  have  three  sorts,  one  with  variegated 
foliage  and  double  yellow  blossom,  very  hand- 
some (Thomps<mi  1  think);  one  with  large,  dark 
red  flower,  of  which  do  not  know  the  name,  and 
the  third,  which  taking  all  things  into  account,  is 
most  lovely  of  all,  of  dwarf  habit  with  blossom 
of  reddish  orange  color,  different  from  anything 
I  have  seen  elsewhere.  For  persistency  of  bloom 
it  cannot  be  beaten,  and  I  have  never  seen  its 
e(iual.  I  got  the  plant  originally  from  an  eastern 
florist  among  other  plants,  and  it  was  labelled 
Dr.  Spinner,  but  I  have  never  been  able  to  find 
that  name  among  Abutilons,  either  in  his  cata- 
logue or  any  other  florist's  (it  was  sent  me  as  an 
extra),  and  I  have  always  been  looking  for  it,  as 
every  one  who  sees  it  wants  one.     I  have  given 


A  COMMOM  FREAK:  See  opposite  page. 
cuttings  to  a  great' many  people  ^during  the  six 
or  seven  years  that  I  have  had  it.  I  have  never 
seen  such  a  free  bloomer  in  any  house-plant.  A 
lady  visiting  me  one  winter  counted  the  blossoms 
on  my  plant  about  18  inches  high,  and  there  were 
80  blossoms.  To-day  as  I  write  there  are  on  the 
plant  of  about  the  same  size  55,  and  I  have  been 
taking  blossoms  from  it  almost  every  day  all 
winter.  I  wonder  if  Dr.  Spinner  has  found  its 
way  into  the  plant  collections  of  others  of  your 
readers.  I  keep  my  Abutilons  for  winter  bloom 
entirely,  as  there  are  plenty  of  flowers  during 
summer,  and  to  that  end  keep  cutting  off  just 
the  ends  of  all  branches  as  often  as  they  make  a 
growth  of  a  few  inches,  from  the  time  that  I  put 
them  out  of  their  jars  into  the  ground,  as  I  do  by 
the  middle  of  May  in  this  climate,  until  I  repot 
before  the  first  frost  in  the  fall.  They  are  quite 
free  from  insects,  only  occasionally  the  green 
fly  makes  its  appearance,  but  soon  disappears 
under  a  few  sprinklings  of  weak  soap  suds  with 
kerosene— say  a  half  cupful  of  kerosene  to  a  pail- 
ful of  water.  1  use  that  for  all  plants  infested 
with  green  fly,  and  And  it  does  not  harm  any,  and 
is  effectual.— Miriam  Parker,  Minn. 


New  York  Floral  Notes. 

Since  Lent  began  there  has  been  a  decided 
change  in  the  flower  trade,  at  least  among  the 
florists  holding  the  fashionable  trade,  as  large 
entertainments  are  now  over,  and  most  social 
events  are  of  a  simple  order,  calling  for  compar- 
atively few  flowers.  The  last  few  weeks  before 
Lent  began,  business  was  really  good;  in  fact, 
taken  all  through,  there  is  no  doubt  that  more 
work  has  been  done  than  was  at  first  anticipated. 
It  cannot  be  called  a  poor  winter  for  the  trade, 
in  spite  of  unfavorable  weather,  which  affects 
the  flower  trade  more  than  outsiders  imagine. 


There  was  one  very  notable  wedding  in  Feb- 
ruary, which  called  for  very  novel^effects  in  dec- 
oration, both  house  and  church  being  elaborately 
arranged  The  ceremony  took,  place  in  the 
Chiu'ch  of  the  Heavenly  Rest,  which  is  very  deep, 
but  comjiaratively  narrow.  All  the  way  up  the 
centei-  aisle  were  two  rows  of  tall  Palms,  a  row 
on  cither  side,  the  leaves  meeting  over  head,  so 
as  to  form  an  arch  of  green.  The  chancel  was 
arranged  with  a  backing  of  Palms  and  flowering 
plants.  In  the  house  the  flowers  were  used  very 
lavishly.  A  great  feature  was  the  ball-room,  a 
very  large  apartment.  Walls  and  ceiling  were 
covered  entirely  with  Hemlock,  so  that  it  showed 
nothing  but  a  mass  of  green.  Suspended  from 
the  ceiling  were  nine  wedding  bells  made  of 
flowers;  one  of  unusual  size  in  the  middle,  and 
eight  smaller  ones  surrounding  it  in  the  form  of 
a  long  oval.  Palms  stood  about  to  break  the  mo- 
notony, and  on  the  walls  were  a  number  of  large 
plaques,  made  for  the  most  part  of  Ivy  leaves 
with  flowers  arranged  gracefully  over  them. 
Palmetto  leaves.  Smilax  and  other  greens  were 
disposed  of  further  about  the  walls.."  A  great 
man.y  Lilies  were  used,  and  also  a  quantity  of 
Orchids.  In  another  room  was  a  pretty  foun- 
tain, with  a  mass  of  Callas  and  other  plants 
around  the  circular  basin.  A  handsome  mantel 
had  above  it  a  large  plaque  of  Ivy  leaves,  and  on 
it  an  interlaced  floral  monogram,  "S.  H  "  The 
mantel  was  further  decorated  with  Palms;  the 
flre-place  being  filled  with  Palms  and  flowers. 
A  beautiful  group  of  Palms,  Azaleas,  .ind  other 
flowei-ing  plants  stood  to  one  side  of  the  stairs; 
in  the  lower  hall;  the  broad  balustrade  was 
draped  with  flowers  and  foliage  The  decora- 
tors were  given  carte-blanche  throughout,  and 
the  result  was  very  fine,  being  only  equaled  by 
the  white-and-gold  decorations  at  Miss  Roose- 
velt's wedding  some  time  ago.  These  two  deco- 
rations were  by  the  same  firm. 

February  has  seen  two  Orchid  shows.  The 
first  was  at  the  United  States  Nurseries.  Pitcher 
&  Manda  throwing  open  their  place  to  flower 
lovers,  as  before.  They  had  a  fine  lot  of  Orchids 
in  bloom,  especially  of  Cypripediums. 

Siebrecht  &  Wadley  held  their  annual  Orchid 
show  in  the  Eden  Musee;  they  always  make  a  suc- 
cess of  it,  and  it  always  attracts  a  large  audience. 
Good  and  successful  flower  shows  are  not  very 
frequent  in  New  York— more's  the  pity -and 
this  annual  Orchid  show  deserves  all  the  more 
commendation  on  this  score. 

Orchids  certainly  do  not  take  the  place  of  any 
one  flower— that  is  to  say,  they  are  not  likely  to 
push  any  other  one  flower  out  of  sight,  but  that 
they  have  certainly  a  place  of  their  own  is  fully 
evident.  They  do  not  bring  abnormally  large 
prices,  except  in  the  newspapers,  as  in  the  ease 
of  one  famousentertainment,  which  an  esteemed 
contemporary  described  as  being  lavishly  de- 
corated with  Orchid  blooms  which  cost  $100  a 
spray.  But  there  must  be  a  certain  amount  of 
money  in  them,  or  they  would  not  be  grown  as 
they  are— no  one  in  the  business  is  going  to  raise 
Orchid  flowers  purely  for  love.  For  general  util- 
ity Orchids,  Cypripediums  appear  to  take  the 
lead,  while  for  fine  and  showy  effects  Cattleyas 
will  always  be  a  favorite,  especially  in  table  dec- 
oration. Calanthes  are  liked,  for  they  are  not 
only  pretty  and  graceful,  but  they  last  so  well. 
Phalienopsis  make  some  of  the  finest  bridal 
bouquets,  while  Oncideums,  Odontoglossums, 
Ctelogynes,  etc.,  are  used  in  general  work.  Or- 
chids are  not  often  used  without  any  othei  flower, 
except  in  such  cases  as  baskets  or  table  decora- 
tion, when  Ferns  only  are  used  with  them. 

Corsage  bouquets,  as  we  are  often  told,  are 
rather  out  of  date,  especially  in  the  day  time, 
but  the  spring  girl  still  has  a  habit  of  tucking  a 
bunch  of  Violets  or  a  few  Jonquils  into  her 
jacket,  though  more  pretentious  bunches  would 
not  be  allowed.  A  great  many  women  carry  a 
little  posy  in  the  hand  when  going  to  the  theatre, 
instead  of  wearing  'the  flowers.  Men's  button- 
hole bunches  are  still  quite  large,  several  white 
Carnations  or  Paper-white  Narcissus,  made  into 
a  neat  round  bunch,  without  foliage,  being 
liked.  A  roimd  bunch  of  Violets,  about  the  size 
of  a  fifty  cent  piece,  is  also  much  worn. 

This  has  been  a  very  quiet  winter,  as  far  as 
no\elties  are  concerned;  there  has  been  nothing 
very  remarkable  in  any  way.  There  is  no  great 
difference  in  the  styles  of  baskets;  the  round 
fish  baskets  are  still  used  a  great  deal,  and  also 
the  tall  flaring  Marie  Antoinette  shapes.  Many 
exceptionally  pretty  shapes  are  of  Rushes,  which 
are  handsome  and  admired  when  filled  solely 
with  large  Roses. 

Emixy  LotnsE  Taplin. 


156 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


April, 


PRoH 
THE 


SOCIETIES 


TO  aE>rn)EvrKMovm« 

What  Chemistry  Teaches. 
1 1  reminds  you  that  common 
honesty  pays;  that  what  you 
take  from  the  soil  must  be 
returned,  or  something  will 
auflfer.— 3/f).  Hort.  Soc. 

Dwarf    Juneberiy       The 

Juneberry  takes  oare  of  it- 
self and  never  fails  to  yield  a  full  erop.  The 
fruit  is  good  for  more  purposes  than  food  for 
birds— they  make  good  pies  when  Lemon  juice 
is  added. —Pro/.  B.  Oale. 

The  Orchard  Site.  Select  some  elevated  and 
naturally  well-drained  location.  Avoid  barren 
hill-sides.  Any  good  Corn  land  will  answer.  If 
not  naturally  well-drained,  tile  to  the  depth  of  at 
least  four  feet.  A  northern  slope  is  preferable 
to  a  southern.- J.  V.  Cotta. 

The  Tamariz,  Tamarix  Amurensis  is  a  shrub 
well  adapted  to  a  very  dry  soil.  It  is  extensively 
planted  in  east  Euro])e  on  railroad  embankments 
to  hold  the  earth;  it  is  propagated  from  cuttings, 
cut  in  the  fall  and  put  in  callousing  pit,  the  same 
as  Grapes.— Pro/.  BiKld  before  the  Imva  HoH.Soc. 

No.  Illinois  Fruit  Men.  The  following  officers 
were  elected  iit  the  recent  meeting  of  the 
Northern  Illinois  Horticultural  Society:  Presi- 
dent, A.  Bryan^,  Princetown;  1st  Vice-President, 
A.  Dunning,  Dunning ;  Secretary,  E.  W.  Graves, 
Sandwich ;  Treasurer,  I.  Woodward,  Marengo. 
E.  W.  Graves,  Sec'y. 

Protecting  Birds.  We  want  all  species  of  birds 
that  do  little  or  no  harm  to  crops  and  destroy 
injurious  insects,  entirely  exempt  from  slaugh- 
ter by  any  one  at  any  season  of  the  year.  Let 
us  punish  with  fine  and  imprisonment  any  one 
who  kills  certain  birds,  and  let  us  join  and  see 
that  the  law  is  observed.— Pro/.  Farnsky  nf  Ky. 
Hint.  iS'oc. 

Fruit  Growers'  Unions  Needed.  Good  fruit 
will  always  sell,  and  we  have  none  too  much  of 
it,  but  there  should  be  a  responsible  head,  to 
whom  dealers  all  through  the  state  could  send 
and  order  what  they  wanted  without  fear  of  being 
disappointed  in  ijuality.  It  was  said  that  many 
places  last  year  could  not  get  all  the  fruit  they 
wanted,  and  would  be  glad  to  send  in  orders  if 
they  knew  to  whom  to  send  —South  Haven  (Mich) 
Pomologieal  Society. 

Feach  Culture.  To  make  a  success,  one  should 
select  elevated  sites,  and  warm  sandy  soils,  or 
localities  near  large  bodies  of  water.  In  most 
situtions  a  Peach  orchard  should  be  well  culti- 
vated. Keep  down  all  weeds  and  grass,  in  order 
to  repel  the  borer,  so  destructive  to  Peach  trees 
Wash  the  trunk  of  the  tree  with  strong  suds 
made  of  soap  and  carbolic  acid,  and  scatter  wood 
or  coal  ashes  around  the  roots  of  the  tree. — F.  R. 
Palmer,  Ohio  Hort.  Soc. 

Uanuring  on  the  Installment  Flan.  Crops 
should  be  fed  much  as  people  are  fed.  We  do 
not  want  to  take  food  enough  to-day  for  a  whole 
week;  we  eat  in  instalments.  So  with  the  feed 
ing  of  plants.  It  is  well  to  fertilize  by  using  a 
portion  at  the  starting  of  the  crops,  and  then  to 
apply  some  more  later,  but  there  sometimes  is  a 
difficutly  here,  because  some  crops  are  so  tender 
that  the  leaves  may  suffer  wherever  the  fertilizer 
touches  them.  — ITm.  H.  Bowker. 

The  Village  Garden.  This  is  made  a  nuisance 
by  neglect  and  want  of  care,  a  success  by 
thorough  work  and  thoughtful  management. 
Don't  plow,  but  spade  it.  Plant  a  little  at  a  time 
and  often,  so  as  to  have  a  succession  of  fresh 
vegetables  all  summer.  Give  at  least  a  quarter 
of  it  to  flowers.  The  garden  so  managed  be- 
comes interesting  and  will  not  be  neglected;  and 
an  economizer  by  saving  butchers',  grocers'  and 
doctors'  bills.— JVfrs.  M.  J.  Cotter,  Ills. 

Planting  Cuttings.  The  important  thing  is  to 
see  that  the  soil  o\'er  the  base  of  the  cutting  is 
well  firmed.  It  is  not  enough  that  the  ground 
be  firm  around  the  top  of  cutting.  The  place 
where  the  moisture  is  needed  (and  the  ground  is 
made  firm  to  retain  the  moisture!  is  at  the  cut- 
ting, whence  the  roots  start.  Deep  plowing  and 
careful  preparation  of  the  soil,  and  frequent 
shallow  culture,  with  the  cuttings  firmed  well  at 
the  base,  will  be  pretty  certain  to  insure  growth. 
-Prof.  r.  A.  Kejfcr. 

'Wind-breaks  for  Orchards.  An  essential  ad- 
junct to  an  orchard  is  a  good  wind-break  on  the 


south  and  west,  partly  to  protect  the  trees 
against  excessive  cold  wind  storms,  and  to  pre- 
vent the  fruit  being  blown  off  by  the  strong 
southwest  winds.  Norway  Spruce  and  White 
Pine  are  the  best,  planted  in  single  or  double 
rows,  eight  to  twelve  feet  apart,  between  the 
rows  and  in  the  rows,  setting  the  trees  in  break- 
joint  style.  Belts  of  trees  on  the  north  and 
east  side  would  do  more  harm  than  good.— J.  r. 
Cotta  before  the  Horticultural  Society  of  Northern 
lUiiioix. 

Greenhouse  Heating.  Mr.  W.  W.  Rawson  uses 
bituminous  coal,  it  having  fifteen  per  cent  more 
heat  in  it,  and  costing  $1.1.5  less  per  ton.  He  has 
found  in  the  use  of  this  coal  that  it  is  economy  to 
run  a  thin  layer  with  bright  strong  fire.  Mr.  Phil- 
brick  agreed  with  Mr.  Kawson  as  to  bituminous 
coal,  it  being  easier  to  regulate  the  fire ;  and 
cited  instances  where  fires  had  been  banked  and 
kept  smouldering  from  Saturday  night  until 
Monday  morning,  at  which  time  it  was  only 
necessary  to  stoke  the  fire  and  open  the  draft, 
and  steam  was  had  in  ten  minutes.— Boston  Mar- 
ket Gardeners"  AssoeiatUm. 

Frotecting  Feach  Trees  at  the  North.  James 
Little  told  to  the  Indiana  State  Horticultural 
Society  his  plan  of  insuring  a  crop  of  Peaches 
every  year.  It  consists  in  planting  young  trees 
in  a  metal  or  earthenware  device  six  or  more 
inches  in  diameter  and  twenty  or  more  inches  in 
length,  in  such  a  manner  that  the  roots  can  only 
extend  in  two  directions.  The  "trough"  in 
which  the  roots  are  placed  is  buried  the  usual 
depth  of  planting  and  the  tree  supported  by  a 
stake.  In  winter  the  tree  is  bent  to  the  ground 
and  covered  with  stalks  or  straw,  which  is  not 
removed  until  late  in  the  following  spring. 

The  Best  Flums.  Mr.  S  D.  Willard,  of  Geneva, 
N.  Y.  before  the  Ontario  Fruit  Growers'  Asso- 
ciation gave  the  following  six  as  the  most  de- 
sirable for  home  use,  viz:— (1)  Bradshaw— one  of 
the  most  profitable  and  the  earliest  good  Plum; 
(3)  Lombard,  among  Plums  what  the  Concord  is 
among  Grapes;  (3)  Gueii,  a  hardy,  profitable 
dark  blue  Plum  following  the  Lombard;  (4)  Hud- 
son River  Purple  Egg,  one  of  the  best  fancy 
Plums  for  maket,  hardy  and  productive;  (.5) 
Peters'  Yellow  Gage,  introduced  by  Mr.  Barry, 
the  very  best  light  colored  Plum;  (6)  Coe's  Gol- 
den Drop.  Where  hardy  enough,  he  would  add 
the  Reine  Claude  de  Bavay,  as  being  one  of  she 
most  profitable  of  market  Plums.  Weaver,  Wild 
Goose  and  a  quantity  of  that  trash,  would  do  to 
experiment  on. 

Lime  and  Salt.  First  among  chemical  pro- 
ducts not  needed  as  plant  food,  which  act  as 
solvents  upon  the  plant  food  already  in  the  soil, 
rendering  it  suitable  tor  use  is  lime.  It  acts  as  a 
chemical  agent  in  liberating  potash,  soda  and 
ammonia  from  various  compositions  which  occur 
in  our  soils,  and  are  not  otherwise  available,  and 
it  also  improves  the  mechanical  condition  of  peat 
or  heavy  clay  land.  It  may  be  applied  either  as 
quicklime,  marl  or  powdered  oyster  shells,  at  the 
rate  of  1000  to  2000  lbs.  per  acre,  spread  in  the 
fall,  once  in  two  or  three  years.  Another  article 
useful  in  a  similar  way  is  common  salt.  It  acts 
as  a  solvent  of  certain  chemical  compounds  in 
the  soil,  it  absorbs  moisture  in  damp  weather 
and  retains  it,  and  distributes  other  soluble 
substances  through  the  soil.  It  should  not  be 
used  for  most  plants  more  than  100  or  .500  lbs.  per 
acre.— Bo.s(oH  Market  Gardeners'  Association. 

Sarly  and  Late  Fotatoes,  Mr.  S.  Kiehl:- 
Northern  Potato  growers  now  very  freqently  re- 
sort to  the  expedient  of  salting  their  Potatoes  to 
keep  them  from  sprouting.  Persons  buying 
northern  seed  should  be  careful  not  to  get  these, 
or  they  will  fail  to  get  a  stand.  We  can  get  new 
Potatoes  several  days  earlier  by  taking  the  seed 
and  spreading  it  out  very  thin  on  shelves  or  the 
floor  of  a  light  cellar.  They  will  start  short, 
thick  sprouts,  and  these  will  grow  as  soon  as  put 
into  the  ground.  Mr.  Browne:— This  is  the  only 
way  to  get  a  stand  of  late  Potatoes  in  this  local- 
ity. I  get  my  seed  from  St.  Louis  about  May  1st, 
and  spread  it  out  on  the  barn  floor,  leaving  it 
there  luitil  after  my  Strawberries  are  gone.  Then 
plow  up  the  patch,  cut  my  Potatoes  with  one 
sprout  to  every  piece,  paying  no  attention  to 
eyes  that  have  not  sprouted.  Then  I  plant  them 
on  the  Strawberry  ground  that  has  been  plowed 
after  the  second  crop  has  been  picked,  and  have 
never  failed  to  get  a  crop.— Oi.scK.s.wm,s  "/  the 
Alton  Southern-llUnois  Hort.  Soeiety. 

Wisconsin  State  Horticultural  Society.   The 

annual  meeting  was  held  in  Madison  Feb.  4  to  7 
in  coiijiniction  with  the  several  State  Societies. 
Among  the  papers  of  great  merit  were  "  Making 


it  pay  on  a  Wisconsin  Fruit  Farm,"  by  A.  L. 
Hatch,  and  "  How  to  Prevent  Apple  Scab,"  by 
Prof.  E.  S.  Goff.  Prof.  Goff  conducted  a  series 
of  experiments  with  remedies  for  Apple  .Scab 
last  season  on  Mr.  Hatch's  farm  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  Department  at  Washington  with 
very  flattering  results.  The  Society  is  now 
planning  to  locate  several  experimental  stations 
this  season  for  the  purpose  of  testing  new  vari- 
eties of  fruit.  This  work  will  be  carried  on 
under  the  direction  of  Prof.  Goff  and  controlled 
by  the  State  Society  co-operating  with  the  Uni- 
versity Station.  A  committee  of  three  to  repre- 
sent the  society  and  Profs.  Goffs  and  Henry  of 
the  State  Univerity  faculty  are  to  have  charge 
of  the  work.  The  committee  consists  of  Presi- 
dent J.  M.  Smith;  Secretary  B.  S.  Hoxie,  Hon. 
B.  F.  Adams,  Profs.  E.  S.  Goff  and  W.  A.  Henry. 
In  the  completion  of  local  county  societies  for 
the  prize  of  $15.00  for  the  largest  and  best  col- 
lection of  seedling  Apples,  not  less  than  ten 
varieties,  Waupaca  County  Society  took  first 
premium.  A  number  of  applications  were  re- 
ceived for  the  summer  meeting,  and  by  vote  of 
the  society  it  was  decided  to  hold  that  meeting 
at  Black  River  Falls  in  Jackson  County.  The 
meeting  will  probably  be  about  June  2.5th,  and 
the  "latch  string"  will  be  out  to  all  friends  of 
horticulture.  The  officers  of  the  society  are  J  M. 
Smith,  Green  Bay,  President ;  M.  A  Thayer, 
Sparta,  Vice-Pesident;  B.  S.  Hoxie,  Evansville, 
Secretary;  A.  L  Hatch,  Ithaca,  Cor.  Secretary; 
Mrs  Vie  H.  Campbell,  Evansville,  Treasurer —H. 


Cultivating    and     Marketing    Sweet 
Potatoes. 

[Extract  of  palter  read  by  T.  E.  Ooodrieh  before  the 
Illinois  State  Horticultural  Society.] 

In  selecting  seed  reject  all  crooked  and 
unusually  long  Potatoes,  and  plant  those 
showing  a  tendency  to  become  short  and 
larger  in  the  center,  with  a  rapid  taper 
towards  each  end.  Place  In  a  hot  beil  horiz- 
ontally one-half  inch  apart,  drench  with 
water,  cover  three  inches  with  earth,  then 
one  and  a  half  inches  of  sand.  When  the 
plants  are  four  inches  above  ground,  they 
are  large  enough  to  pull  for  sets. 

Ridge  the  ground  with  a  two-horse  plow,  four 
feet  or  less  apart,  and  with  a  spade  plant  on  the 
ridges,  eighteen  inches  apart.  Keep  free  from 
weeds  and  grass.  A  Sweet  Potato  scraper,  drawn 
by  a  mule,  will  be  of  great  assistance  until  the 
\ines  cover  the  ground,  after  which  little  atten- 
tion will  be  required.  Digging  can  be  done  with 
a  spade,  if  only  a  small  (luantity  is  grown,  or 
with  a  plow  with  the  mould-board  removed,  and 
a  rolling  cutter  to  cut  the  vines. 

I  use  a  digger,  consisting  of  two  rolling  cutters 
and  two  plows,  throwing  the  dirt  in  opposite  di- 
rections, and  two  lifters  that  pass  under  the 
ridge,  leavingt  he  hdls  to  be  easily  Ufted  by  hand. 

The  Potatoes  designed  for  table  use  are  separ- 
ated from  the  seed,  and  corded  in  bins  in  the  Po- 
tato house.  Great  care  should  be  observed  in 
handling  to  prevent  marking.  A  slight  bruise, 
or  a  scratch  of  a  finger  nail,  imperceptible  at 
first,  will  become  black  and  unsightly ,and  great- 
ly impair  the  sale.  No  vegetable  depends  so 
much  on  its  good  looks  for  a  quick  sale  at  a  high 
price  as  a  Sweet  Potato. 

The  house  is  kept  as  near  a  uniform  temperat- 
ure of  fifty  to  Hfty-five  degrees  as  possible. 

The  crop  is  marketable  from  November  to 
April  in  barrels  and  kegs  lined  with  paper  to 
keep  out  the  cold,  and  shipped  to  market  _  in 
refrigerator  cars. 


The  Clematis  Disease. 

{Paper  by  Professor  CcfiLstock  of  f'ornctl    Z'/itvcrsity, 
read  before  the  Western  New  York  Hort.  .Society.) 

The  symptoms  of  the  Clematis  disease 
are,  the  leaves  suddenly  turn  black,  and  the 
vine  dies  down  to  a  spot  near  the  root  that 
has  a  diseased  appearance.  Frequently  after 
a  period  of  rest,  the  plant  will  take  a  fresh 
start,  sending  up  a  new  shoot  from  the  root, 
but  the  life  of  this  growth  is  of  short  dura- 
tion, for  the  plant  that  once  dies  down,  is 
doomed  to  perish  soon. 

At  first  sight  there  are  strong  reasons  for  locat- 
ing the  disease  in  a  limited  section  of  the  vine 
near  the  ground.  This  section  has  a  diseased 
appearance;  the  plant  dies  down  to  this  point; 
and  later  fresh  shoots  are  sent  out  from  below 
it  as  if  the  roots  were  healthy.  It  was  doubt. 
ess  this  reason    that  led   Prof  Arthur  to  look 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


157 


upon  a  fundus  which  he  found  in  the  plant  at 
this  point,  as  the  cause  of  the  disease.  This  fun- 
gus was  descrilH^d  b>'  him  in  one  of  his  reports 
to  theStat^  KxiHTiment  Station.  Hut  m.v  studies 
of  the  past  two  years  have  convinced  me  that 
this  fungus  simply  accompanies  the  disease,  and 
that  the  cause  of  it  is  something  very  different. 
Every  grower  of  Clematis  has  observed  Icnotty 
growths  of  varying  size  upon  the  roots  of  some 
of  the  plants.  It  is  in  the  knots  or  galls  (Figure 
1)  that  the  cause  of  the  disease  is  to  be  found. 
If  a  gall  be  cut  across,  and  the  section  examined 
with  a  hand  lens  of  moderately  high  power,  there 
will  be  found  imbedded  in  the  abnormal  plant 
growth  small  Pear-shaiwd  bodies  (Figure  •_')  of 
the  same  color  as  the  cut  surface  of  the  root,  but 
easily  \isible  by  their  smooth  polished  surface. 

These  Pear-shai)ed  bodies  are  found  on  careful 
examination  to  be  sacs  ( Fig- 
ure 3)  containing  a  large 
number  of  eggs.  In  fact 
each  sac  is  the  body  of  a 
worm  which  has  become 
greatly  distended  by  the 
eggs  which  have  been  de- 
veloped in  it.  It  is  these 
worms,  Hctfrodera  radicico- 
la,  cankering  the  roots  of 
the  plants  that  cause  the  dis- 
ease. And,  as  they  multi- 
ply rapidly  when  the  soil 
becomes  infected  by  them, 
the  spread  of  the  disease  is 
terrible.  I  know  nursery- 
men who  a  few  years  ago 
produced  Clematis  plants  by 
the  tens  of  thousands,  who 
have  been  forced  to  give  up 
their  production  on  account 
of  this  disease. 

But  more  unfortunate 
than  the  serious  injury- 
caused  by  these  worms  to 
the  Clematis,  is  the  fact  that 
thej'  do  not  confine  their 
attacks  to  this  plant.  A  very 
large  number  of  species  are 
liable  to  be  attacked  by 
them,  and  consequently  the 
trouble  cannot  be  overcome 
by  simply  suspending  the 
production  of  this  one  plant. 
It  is  a  question  in  which 
every  horticulturist,  what- 
ever he  produces,  is  inter- 
ested. 

These  new  animals  in 
question  are  worms  (Fig- 
ure 4)  belonging  to  the  order  known  to  Zool- 
ogists as  Nematodes,  or  thread-worms  The  spe- 
cies of  this  order  that  have  heretofore  attracted 
the  attention  of  gardenei-s  abroad,  are  commonly 
known  as  eel-worms.  There  is  also  a  species 
which  will  serve  as  a  good  illustration  of  the  or- 
der, known  as  the  harmless  "vinegar  eel";  minute 
creatures  often  seen  wriggling  near  the  surface 
of  the  \-inegar.  The  order  Xematoda  is  a  large 
one  including  many  species  which  vary  greatly 
in  habits.  The  majority  being  harmless,  feeding 
upon  the  dead  or  decaying  vegetable  matter,  al- 
though a  few  species  are  very  injurious.  The 
best  known  is  the  one  that  in  England  causes 
ear-cockles  in  Wheat,  and  the  Tulip-root  of  Oats; 
but  more  important  than  either  of  these  is  the 
species  that  infest  the  Sugar-ljeet  in  Germany. 
That  species  and  the  one  infesting  Clematis  are 
closely  allied,  but  differ  in  that  the  one  infesting 
Sugar-beet  does  not  cause  the  plant  to  form 
galls  like  that  infesting  Clematis. 

Both  sexes  of  this  species  when  young  are  very 
minute,  and  thread-like  in  form,  but  they  can 
crawl  very  rapidly,  it  being  in  this  stage  that  the 
species  is  spread  from  plant  to  plant.  The  males 
always  remain  more  or  less  thread-like,  while  the 
females  after  flndinglodging  places  in  the  tissues 
of  the  roots,  and  becoming  fertilized  become  dis- 
tended in  a  remarkable  manner,  assuming  the 
shape  already  descril)ed  and  increasing  in  size. 

This  species  of  Heterodora  is  already  known 
to  attack  at  least  seventy-five  species  of  plants, 
among  which  are  the  following: 

Roses,  Begonias.  Cucumbers,  Potatoes  and  To- 
matoes. In  the  south  it  is  especially  destructive 
to  the  Peach  and  Grape  and  garden  vegetables, 
including  Cabbage,  Turnip  and  Lettuce,  Beet, 
Parsnip,  Egg-plant  and  Melon. 

This  wide  range  of  food  plants  is  the  most  dis- 
couraging element  in  the  treatment  of  this  dis- 
ease. In  fact  we  are  not  in  a  condition  to  name 
any  plant  on  which  the  worms  cannot  live,  and 


in  this  direction  lies  an  imjiortant  field  for  future 
exjicriments.  When  such  plants  have  been  de- 
termined, the  cultivation  of  them  upon  infested 
ground,  and  thus  starving  the  worms  out,  will 
be  the  most  practical  way  of  meeting  the  evil  in 
the  case  of  held  crops. 

A  (Jerman  writer,  Prof.  Kuehn.  strongly  urges 
the  use  of  "catch"  plants  against  the  species  that 
infest  Sugar-beet,  having  used  Rape  very  suc- 
cessfully for  this  purpose.  This  is  sown  on  in- 
fested fields,  and  the  young  worms  in  the  soil 
penetrate  the  roots  of  the  plants.  After  the 
roots  have  become  infested,  but  before  the 
females  have  Ijegun  to  produce  young,  the  plants 
are  pulled  up  and  destroyed,  several  crops  of 
Rape  being  produced  upon  the  infested  field  in 


The   Morel  and  other   Edible    Fungi. 

tExtract  of  paper  read  by  Mr.  Dean  before  the  Portage 
County  [O,)  Horticultural  Society,) 

One  of  the  lower  orders  of  cryptoganious 
or  flowerless  plants  includes  the  vast  tribes 
of  Algie  and  Fungi.  I  wish  to  call  attention 
especially,  to  one  of  the  edible  Fungi,  pop- 
ularly called  Mushrooms,  which  is  not  like 
the  Agaricus  or  common  Mushroom  in 
appearance  and  has  not  the  umbrella  shape. 
It  is  classed  as  a  bottle-shaped  Mushroom 
and  scientifically  it  is  very  nearly  related  to 
the  Lichens.  It  has  no  common  name  to 
distinguish  it  from  other  Mushrooms,  like 


the  same  season,  each  succeeiiing  crop  tending  to  I  the  great  Puff  ball,  therefore  I  think  the 


entrap  the  worms  remaining  in  the  soil. 


THE  CLEMATIS  ROOT  GALL. 
Fiy,  1,  Gatls.  Pig.  2.  Cross  section  of  gall  aliinviny  Pcar-sliaped  Heterodera  or  thread  worm 
f'ifl.  3.    Female  Heterodera  with  eggs,  greatly  enlarged.    Fig,  4.   Toung  Heterodtra, 


Obviously  the  use  of  catch  plants  is  a  very  ex- 
pensive method  of  fighting  the  pests,  but  it  is  an 
expense  that  would  be  gladly  met  by  the  owners 
of  valuable  lands  if  they  could  feel  sure  of  such 
results  as  are  reported  by  Prof.  Kuehn.  While  I 
think  we  are  hardly  ready  yet  to  give  definite 
directions  for  the  use  of  such  plants,  yet  it  seems 
to  me  that  the  growers  of  Clematis  can  at  once 
reduce  their  losses  to  the  minimum  by  a  little 
care  in  the  management  of  their  plant  houses, 
in  the  procuring  of  potting  soil,  aud  in  the  choice 
of  fields  for  planting  out. 

The  conditions  in  some  of  our  establishments 
where  Clematis  is  grown  are  those  most  favor- 
able for  the  multiplication  and  perpetuation  of 
the  disease.  The  benches  upon  which  the  pots 
stand  are  covered  with  some  material  which  is 
only  changed  at  infrequent  intervals;  the  roots 
of  the  diseased  plants  pass  through  the  hole  in 
the  bottom  of  the  pot  and  ramify  in  this  mater- 
ial and  the  worms  follow  the  roots,  and  this  ma- 
terial becomes  a  breeding  place  for  the  pest  for 
succeeding  lots  of  plants. 

I  recommend  therefore,  that  between  each  two 
lots  of  plants  the  gravel  or  coal  ashes  be  care- 
fully removed  from  the  benches  and  placed 
where  it  will  not  contaminate  other  crops;  that 
before  replacing  the  soil,  the  benches  be 
thoroughly  washed  with  lye,  so  as  to  destroy 
any  worms  that  may  be  lodged  in  the  cracks; 
that  the  soil  for  potting  be  carefully  selected  so 
that  they  shall  not  be  a  source  of  infection;  that 
in  planting  out  great  care  be  taken  to  make  sure 
that  it  be  done  on  land  which  is  free  from  this 
worm;  if  any  roots  of  any  kind  are  found  in  the 
soil  which  have  unnatural  swellings  upon  them, 
the  field  should  not  be  used  as  there  will  be  a 
strong  probability  that  such  swellings  are  galls 
made  by  this  worm;  and  finally  I  recommend 
that  until  the  grower  is  able  to  produce  only 
healthy  plants  he  should  not  use  root  grafts,  for 
roots  that  seem  healthy  often  contain  worms. 


Latin  name,  Morchella,  should  be  used. 

To  my  taste  it  is  not  sur- 
passed in  delicate  fiavor  by 
any  edible  known  to  me,  and 
there  is  absolutely  no  danger 
of  mistaking  for  it  any  one 
of  its  poisonous  relatives. 
When  once  seen  the  ordinary 
eye  even  of  a  child  is  able 
to  detect  it  at  once.  I  do 
not  know  that  it  has  ever 
l>een  cultivated,  but  if  it 
ever  comes  to  be  and  its  cul- 
tivation is  not  too  difflcult, 
I  think  itwUI  prove  a  source 
of  great  pleasure  and  profit, 
and  will  add  another  luscious 
food  product  to  the  list. 

It  likes  a  soil  a  little  sandy 
and  grows  in  places  where 
the  moisture  is  preserved 
by  decaying  vegetation, 
frequently  in  orchards, 
under  the  Apple  trees,  and 
along  old  fence  rows,  and 
where  one  is  found  there  are 
usually  others  not  far  away, 
but  they  are  not  abundant. 

The  plant  consists  of  a 
stem  or  pedicle  and  a  cap 
or  receptacle  outside  of 
which  and  covering  the 
whole  of  it  is  a  structure 
that  looks  a  little  hke  the 
meshes  of  a  net  The  plant 
is  hollow  throughout,  and  its 
color  is  a  reddish  brown,  ap- 
proaching a  salmon.  The 
stem  or  pedicle  is  com- 
posed of  strings  of  oval- 
shaped  cells  both  inside 
the    outside    and     lining    are 

but  are  alike  and  extend 


Fig.  4. 


and  out,  and 
separate  structures, 
through  the  whole  of  the  interior,  and  form  the 
lining  of  the  cap  or  receptacle.  The  two  parts 
of  the  stem  or  pedicle  along  the  division  line  are 
composed  of  a  mass  of  elongated  cells  interlock- 
ing each  other  by  being  bent  in  all  directions  in 
all  sorts  of  curves,  but  may  be  pulled  apart  show- 
ing each  division  complete  in  itself. 

The  cap  or  receptacle  is  covered  over  the 
whole  surface  including  the  net-like  structure 
b.v  what  is  called  the  hymenium.  which  is  the 
reproductive  portion  of  the  plant.  It  is  not  at  all 
like  the  Agaricus  or  common  Mushroom,  which 
has  these  organs  under  the  cap.  This  hymenium 
consists  entirely  of  elongated  cells  and  the  germs 
or  undeveloped  spores  from  which  future  plants 
are  to  be  produced.  Only  a  part  of  the  cells  of 
the  hymenium  are  fertile,  and  these  are  club- 
shaped,  with  the  large  end  of  the  club  outward. 
The  other  cells,  the  use  of  which  is  not  known, 
are  smaller  and  occupy  the  space  between  the 
fertile  cells. 

The  fertile  ceUs  or  fronds,  if  perfect,  contain 
each  eight  oval  germs  like  little  eggs  lying 
obliquely  against  each  other  in  the  larger  part  of 
cell,  and  when  they  leave  it  as  perfected  spores 
they  pass  out  at  the  large  end.  Of  these  fertile 
cells  or  fronds  there  are  hundreds  of  millions  in 
a  single  plant.  There  being  so  many  they  must 
of  course  be  microscopic. 

The  spores  after  leaving  the  cells  are  washed 
into  soil  or  the  humus  covering  it,  and  in  due 
time  begin  their  growth  in  the  form  of  little 
thread-like  filaments.  These  wind  in  all  direc- 
tions. They  intermingle  and  tangle  themselves 
together  in  all  ways  imaginable,  and  wind  them- 
sehes  in  a  wad.  taking  in  with  them  everything 
in  their  way,  when  at  last  a  kind  of  conglom- 
erate tubercle  is  formed,  from  which  when 
strong  enough  springs  the  full-fledged  plant  into 
the  glory  of  perfect  development. 


158 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


April, 


The  treasures  of  food  that  hare  been  prorided 
for  us  in  the  fungus  tribe  are  sadly  neglected 
in  both  this  country  and  England.  Of  more 
than  thirty  species  of  edible  Fungi  in  England 
only  about  four  are  eaten  by  the  inhabitants. 
We  have  probably  as  many  or  more  species,  and 
they  are  certainly  as  sadly  neglected  here  There 
are  only  two  or  three  that  are  eaten  or  even 
known  and  these  only  by  a  few;  the  rest  of  the 
supply  are  allowed  to  go  to  waste,  rot  under 
trees  or  be  eaten  by  slugs,  field  mice,  toads  and 
other  creatures  to  which  they  afford  many  a 
dainty  repast. 

On  the  contrary,  over  the  continent  of  Europe 
the  edible  Fungi  are  eagerly  sought  after  by  all 
classes  of  people.  They  form  the  chief  diet  of 
thousands  who  would  otherwise  be  scantily  pro- 
vided for.  They  are  also  highly  prized  by  the 
rich  man  and  the  epicure. 


Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society 

{"Chri/santhcmums",  a  paper  by  W.  A.Mandabefore 

the  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. ) 
(Cuntinuedfrmn  paye  137.) 

The  place  where  Chrysanthemums  are 
grown  should  have  all  the  light,  sun  and  air 
from  the  time  the  cuttings  are  rooted  until 
the  time  the  cuttings  are  again  ready  to  be 
cut.  The  soil  that  these  plants  seem  to  pre- 
fer is  good  turfy  loam,  well  mixed  with 
clay  and  enriched  by  ground  bone,  sheep 
manure  or  other  manures  or  fertilizers. 

Many  of  the  thousands  of  varieties  are  not 
grown  at  all,  while  others  could  be  dispensed 
with,  and  only  those  possessing  the  best  qualities 
and  distinctness  should  be  kept. 

Incurved  Varieties.  Among  the  best  old  sorts 
we  may  count  Alfred  Salter,  lilac  pink;  Brazen 
Shield,  bronze  color;  Bronze  Queen  of  England, 
Frank  Wilcox,  golden  amber  color;  Golden  Queen 
of  England,  yellow;  Helen  of  Troy,  deep  rose; 
Hero  of  Stoke  Newington,  pink;  Jardin  des 
Plantes,  golden  yellow;  Jeanne  d'Arc,  blush 
white;  Lord  Wolseley,  bronzy  red;  Miss  Mary 
Morgan,  pink;  Prince  Alfred,  )Ose  carmine; 
Venus,  pink;  "N'irginalis,  white. 

Japanese  Varieties.  Among  the  multitude  of 
the  Japanese  varieties  those  found  to  give  the 
Ijest  results  are.  Admiration,  Ulac;  Bend  d'Or, 
golden  yellow;  Ceres,  white;  Bras  Rouge,  dark 
crimson;  Comte  de  Germiny,  nankeen  yellow; 
Duchess,  deep  red;  Ed.  Audignier,  crimson 
maroon;  Edwin  Molyneux,  Elaine,  white; 
Fantaska,  coppery  maroon;  Gloriosum,  yellow; 
Grandiflorum,  yellow;  Joseph  Collins,  coppery 
bronze;  John  Thorpe,  deep  lake;  Marvel,  white 
shaded;  Mrs.  G.  Bullock,  white;  H.  Cannal,  Mrs. 
H.  Waterer,  white;  Mi-s.  F.  Thompson,  white 
purple;  Newport,  rose;  Pelican,  white;  Peter  the 
Great,  lemon  yellow;  Robert  Bottomly,  white; 
Robert  Craig,  pink;  Sadie  Martinet,  yellow;  Stars 
and  Stripes,  carmine;  Superbe  Flore,  carmine 
rose;  Thomas  S.  Ware,  rose;  Va\  d'Andorre, 
coppery  bronze. 

Beflexed  Varieties.  The  reflexed  are  not  so 
numerous  but  contain  such  varieties  as  Culling- 
fordii,  brilliant  crimson;  Golden  Christine,  light 
yellow;  Phoebus,  yellow;  Sam  Sloan,  pale  blush; 
President  Ayde,  rich  yellow. 

Anemone-Flowered  Varieties.  As  the  best  we 
may  class  Princess,  delicate  lilac;  Thorpe  .Tr., 
Mme.  Cabrol,  white;  Bessie  Pitcher,  deep  rose. 
Those  of  late  years'  introduction  that  have 
proved  superior  to  the  already  long  list  are  Mrs. 
A.  Hardy,  white;  Alaska,  pearly  white;  Ramona, 
yellow,  Adirondac,  white;  Moadnock,  yellow; 
Narragansett  white;  Mrs  de  Witt  Smith,  white; 
Advance,  pink;  Avalanche,  white;  Excellent, 
rose;  Bell  Mickey,  white;  Bell  Poiteatine,  white; 
Colossal,  pearly  white;  E.  H.  Fitter,  yellow;Kivo, 
yellow;  Capucine,  Vermillion;  LaFortune,  yel- 
low; L.  B.  Dana,  red;  L.  Canning,  white;  L.  B. 
Bird,  shrimp  pink;  Magicienne,  chamois  color; 
Mrs.  W.  K.  Harris,  yellow;  Violet  Rose,  rose; 
William  H.  Lincoln,  yellow;  Philippe  Lacroix, 
rose;  Snowball,  white;  Sunnyside,  flesh  color, 
Nessima,  yellow;  Mrs.  Sam  Houstan.  white;  Mrs. 
Irring  Clark,  pearly  white;  Mrs.  Fottler,  .soft 
rose;  Mme.  Louise  Le  Roy  white;  Miss  Mary 
Wheeler,  pearly  white. 

New  Chrysanthemunn.  Of  the  new  ones  that 
are  going  to  be  sent  out  this  spring,  those  that  I 
have  seen  and  which  are  to  my  mind  the  most 
promising  are  Shasta,  white;  I'ortez,  red;  Huron, 
mauve;  Tacoma,  creamy  white;  President  Har- 
rison, a  new  shade  of  bright  red;  Harry  E.  Wide- 
ner,  yellow,  Bohemia,  Venetian  red;  Mrs.  Hicks 
Arnold,  soft  pink  (very  early);  Virginia,  rose; 


Iroquois,  red;  Kearsarge,  mauve;  Crown  Prince, 
red;  Ada  Spaulding,  light  pink;  Cyclone,  creamy 
white,  and  Thomas  Edison.  The  above  are  all 
American-raised  varieties,  and  there  are  scores 
of  others  of  more  or  less  pretence. 

New  Japanese  varieties  of  last  year's  importa- 
tion are  not  numerous;  some  of  them  are  Rohal- 
lion,  with  stiff  chrome-yellow  petals;  Raleigh, 
buff  color;  Ithaca,  rose;  Arizona,  yeUow,  and 
Ellicott  E.  Shepard,  broad,  clear,  yellow  petals, 
and  a  few  others  requiring  further  test. 

From  a  commercial  point  of  view.  Chrysanthe- 
mums play  quite  an  important  part  in  the  nur- 
sery and  florists'  business.  Millions  of  plants 
are  sold  every  spring  from  the  many  nurseries 
throughout  the  country,  while  in  the  flowering 
season  Chrysanthemums  are  the  principal  flowers 
used  by  the  florists.  Some  maintain  that  Chrys- 
anthemums injure  the  florists'  trade,  or  that 
they  are  not  profitable  to  grow  tor  cut  flowers, 
yet  I  have  always  seen  good  flowers  bring  good 
prices,  and  they  are  nowadays  like  anything  else. 
Only  the  best  is  wanted  at  good  prices,  while  the 
poor  stuff  cannot  be  given  away. 

Nomenclatore.  In  naming  Chrysanthemums, 
the  reform  started  by  Dr.  Walcott  should  be  fol- 
lowed; that  is,  the  names  should  be  as  short  as 
possible,  and,  certainly,  such  names  as  Alaska, 
Shasta  and  Cortez  are  far  preferable  to  such  as 
our  English  or  French  competitors  aflBx  to  their 
novelties;  for  example,  Bronze  Queen  of  Eng- 
land, Hero  of  Stoke  Newington,  Monsieur  le 
Comte  de  Foucher  de  Cartel.  By  all  means  give 
us  names  that  can  be  written  on  one  label. 

Fremiam  for  New  Sorts.  As  to  Chrysanthemum 
exhibitions,  while  the  various  societies  and  clubs 
offer  fair  prizes  for  either  plants  or  cut  flowers, 
there  is  a  very  small  inducement  for  the  raiser 
of  new  varieties,  which  branch  should  be  en- 
couraged more  than  anything  else,so  that  before 
long  we  may  see  our  ideal  Chrysanthemum,  com- 
bining all  good  qualities  necessary  to  make  a 
perfect  plant  and  flower. 


Raspberries  and  Blackberries. 

(Extract  of  paper  read  by  H.  B.  Cotta,  before  the  Hort. 
Society  of  Northern  Illinois.) 

With  Raspberries  and  Blackberries,  as 
with  all  other  fruits,  we  must  not  expect 
profitable  returns  unless  we  work  for  them. 
On  the  other  hand,  I  find  them  quite 
profitable  where  proper  attention  is  given. 

I  drove  by  a  small  field  of  Turner  in  this  city 
a  few  days  ago.  The  plants  had  been  set  some 
years  ago  in  squares,  and  are  still  cultivated 
both  ways.  Each  plant  stands  in  a  block  of  sod 
about  two  feet  square.  I  suppose  it  I  had  talked 
with  the  owner  of  that  field  about  the  profitable- 
ness of  that  crop,  he  would  have  told  me  it  did 
not  pay  to  raise  Raspberries. 

In  this  section  of  the  State,  Raspberries  have 
been  neglected,  and  Blackberries  left  to  care  for 
themselves.  There  is  not  one  grower  in  ten  who 
will  give  his  Raspberries  and  Blackberries  as 
good  cultivation  as  he  does  his  Corn. 

To  succeed  in  this  industry,  we  must  give  as 
close  attention  to  every  detail  as  we  would  if 
managing  a  store.  Do  not  attempt  to  grow 
berries  unless  you  can  attend  to  them  when  they 
need  it,  any  more  than  you  would  attempt  to 
fatten  your  live  stock  on  half  rations. 

Soil  and  Planting.  Any  good  Corn  land  that 
is  not  too  low  can  be  made  to  produce  profitable 
crops  of  Raspberries  and  Blackberries.  Prepare 
the  ground  as  well  as  possible,  setting  the  crown 
of  the  roots  about  three  inches  below  the  surface 
of  the  ground.  Blackberries  and  strong-growing 
Raspberries,  like  Shaffer's  Colossal,  should  be 
placed  three  by  eight  feet  apart ;  Black-cap 
Raspberries,  two  and  one-half  by  six  feet  apart. 

Cabbage,  Potatoes,  Corn,  or  some  other  hoed 
crop,  should  be  planted  between  the  rows  of 
berries  the  first  year,  which  will  partly  pay  the 
expense  of  cultivation,  and  of  the  berry  plants. 

Cultivation  should  be  done  frequently  and 
thoroughly,  and  the  weeds  kept  down. 

After  the  first  year,  there  will  not  be  room  to 
raise  any  other  crop  with  the  berries,  but  the 
cultivation  must  be  kept  up  year  after  year  as 
long  as  you  want  profitable  crops  of  fruit.  In 
small  fields  and  gardens,  mulching  may  be  done 
in  place  of  cultivation,  where  cultivation  is  not 
convenient.  The  first  year  I  pinch  off  the  tips 
of  the  largest  canes  when  they  are  about  eigh- 
teen inches  high,  and  the  following  spring  I  cut 
back  the  side  branches,  .^fter  the  first  year,  I  nip 
off  the  ends  of  the  young  canes  when  they  are 
about  two  feet  high,  with  my  thumb  and  finger, 
going  over  the  same  field  two  or  three  times,  at 


intervals  of  a  week  or  ten  days,  as  the  canes  are 
not  at  all  tall  enough  when  I  go  through  the  first 
time.  The  trimming  of  side  branches  or  laterals 
I  do  in  the  spring  after  new  growth  begins;  then 
I  leave  them  eighteen  to  twenty-four  inches  long 
except  when  they  are  injured,  when  I  cut  the 
injured  part  all  off.  After  the  fruit  is  all  gather- 
ed, the  old  canes  should  be  cut  out  at  once,  or 
may  be  left  till  the  following  spring. 

Picking,  If  you  have  a  number  of  pickers- 
it  is  necessary  to  have  some  one  in  the  field  to 
watch  them,  and  watch  them  closely  too,  so  they 
will  pick  all  the  ripe  berries,  and  only  the  ripe 
ones,  never  putting  dirty  or  moldy  berries  in  the 
box.  This  is  important.  Always  use  new,  clean 
boxes,  of  uniform  size,  to  market  your  fruit  in. 

Now,  as  to  varieties;  don't  plant  too  extensive- 
ly of  some  new  variety  that  will  produce  "  fully 
five  times  as  much  fruit  as  any  other,"  unless 
you  wish  to  be  disappointed.  Stick  to  the  old 
stand-bys  that  have  been  doing  well  in  your 
locality,  or  one  similar  to  yours,  until  you  have 
proven  the  newer  to  be  at  least  as  good  as  the 
older  kinds.  If  you  wish  to  keep  up  with  the 
times,  try  the  best  of  the  new  kinds  in  a  small 
way,  as  now  and  then  there  is  something  valu- 
able among  them.  The  best  early  black-caps 
with  us  are  Tyler  and  Souhegan,  which  are 
nearly  identical,  and  hardy  and  prolific.  The 
best  medium  is  Ohio;  hardy,  very  prolific,  and 
fine-flavored.  The  Gregg  is  the  largest,  and 
latest  to  ripen,  but  lacks  in  hardiness. 

Of  red,  suckering  varieties.  Turner  for  early, 
and  Cuthbert  for  late,  have  the  lead.  Marlboro, 
Hansen,  Reliance,  Scarlet  Gem,  and  many  others, 
have  not  been  satisfactory.  Shaffer's  Colossal  is 
a  dark  red  berry,  and  propagates  from  tips.  It 
has  been  more  profitable  for  local  markets  than 
any  other  Raspberry  with  us,  and  is  rapidly 
growing  in  favor  throughout  the  country. 

Snyder,  Ancient  Briton  and  Stone's  Hardy,  are 
the  best  Blackberries,  but  to  insure  a  good  crop 
every  year,  they  must  be  covered  in  winter. 
Blackberries  were  an  abundant  crop  throughout 
Northern  Illinois  last  summer,  better  than  for  a 
number  of  years.  The  canes  of  many  kinds  of 
Raspberries  were  injured  more  than  Blackberries 
last  winter. 

Growing  Strawberries. 

(Extract  of  paper  read  by  D.  J.  Piper  before  the  Hort- 
icultural Society  of  Northern  Illinois.) 

My  advice  is,  have  the  Strawberries  well 
ripened  for  your  own  use,  well  colored  for  a 
near  market,  and  only  about  haK  ripe  for  a 
distant  market,  and  they  will  color  inside  of 
twenty  hours.  Otherwise  the  seeker  after 
information  can  do  little  better  than  to  read 
all  the  literature  within  his  reach,  treating 
upon  these  matters,  inform  himself,  and  use 
his  best  judgement  in  the  selection  and 
cultivation  of  varieties.  Success  with  any 
variety  which  is  adapted  to  the  soil  in  which 
it  is  placed,  depends  more  upon  the  prepa- 
ration of  the  soil  previous  to  planting  than 
upon  all  other  circumstances  combined. 

No  amount  of  manuring  or  cultivation  after 
planting  can  atone  for  previous  neglect.  The 
soil  must  be  made  rich,  fine  and  friable  to  the 
depth  of  twelve  or  eighteen  inches  if  possible. 
This  in  most  cases  can  only  be  done  by  several 
plowings.  My  plan  of  setting  the  plants  is  to 
mark  off  the  ground  as  I  would  for  Corn,  and  set 
the  plants  m  the  hill  system  as  I  would  plant 
Corn.  Cultivate  both  ways  until  the  plants  run, 
then  cultivate  only  one  way. 

In  growing  the  Strawberry,  I  have  tried  many 
different  kinds,  and  find  most  of  them  do  well, 
when  I  have  prepared  the  ground  well  previous 
to  planting.  There  is  such  a  thing  as  having  the 
soil  too  rich,  unless  you  stop  the  increase  of  the 
young  plants  b.v  cutting  off  the  runners.  I  have 
had  single  plants  that  a  bushel  basket  would  not 
cover.  Some  say  that  a  variety  will  run  out;  so 
say  I. 

In  the  case  of  the  Wilson,  we  cannot  grow 
such  crops  of  the  Wilson  as  we  used  to  do.  I 
care  not  how  you  cultivate,  and  this  will  hold 
good  in  every  case.  The  old  must  die,  and  the 
new  or  young  must  take  its  i)lacc.  Plants  have 
a  certain  age  to  live  and  produce,  and  then  die, 
and  I  think  the  heavier  we  crop  them,  the 
shorter  their  lives  will  be  for  production;  hence 
we  must  grow  new  plants  from  seed  again,  and 
we  again  have  the  proper  vitality  to  produce 
what  we  cannot  get  from  the  old  and  worn-out 
plants.  Take  any  species  of  plants  that  .vou  can 
grow  from  seed,  and  you  have  got  to  renew  it 


1889. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


159 


by  plantiiiK  scod  ami  jriuwiiii;  ymiiiyr  plant*,  and 
thcit'  is  not  any  liuit-sriiiwing:  plant  that  can  be 
more  readily  (frown  trom  seed  than  the  delicious 
Strawberry. 

The  Fruits  and  Flowers  of  Northern 
Japan. 

[Paper  read  bu  Pruf.  Brooks  before  the  Massaclnisetis 
TTorticultural  Society,) 

Yes.so  lio.s  off  the  coast  of  Silieria  between 
about  41 'j'-"  and  4.5^''  north  latitude.  Its 
area  is  about  'JT.tKXl  square  miles— a  little 
less  than  tliat  of  Ireland.  Only  about  a 
quarter  part  of  this  area  is  fitted  for  culti- 
vation. The  highest  mountains  attain  an 
elevation  of  about  eight  thousand  feet,  but 
the  great  majority  range  from  one  thousand 
to  four  thousand  feet.  The  lower  slopes  up 
to  an  elevation  of  from  five  hundred  to  a 
thousand  feet,  are  covered  with  a  rich 
growth  of  deciduous  trees— Maples,  Oaks, 
Magnolias,  Cercidiphyllums,  Elms,  Lindens, 
Cherries,  and  Birches  predominating. 
Above  these  altitudes,  Conifera?,  chiefly  two 
species  of  Spruce,  predominate. 

By  tar  the  most  abundant  and  important  plant 
here  found  is  a  kind  of  Bamboo  grass  (.Arundi- 
naria),  which  in  places  forms  almost  impenetra- 
ble thickness,  from  two  to  ten  or  more  feet  high. 
The  leaves  are  evergreen,  and  it  constitutes  a 
most  valuable  and  nutritious  winter  pasturage 
for  deer,  and  also  for  cattle  and  horses,  which  in 
most  parts  of  the  island  keep  in  good  condition 
on  It  during  the  winter  months.  Where  this 
Arundinaria  grows,  it  crowds  out  all  the  other 
undergrowth  except  trees  and  climbers.  The 
enormous  number  and  variety  of  climbers, 
woody  and  herbaceous,  contribute  much  to  the 
appearance  of  tropical  luxuriance  and  richness. 

The  climate  of  Yesso  is  in  many  respects  not 
unlike  that  of  New  England,  but  it  is  a  little 
cooler  in  summer  and  milder  in  winter,  and  the 
air  is  a  little  more  humid,  and  the  percentage  of 
sunshine  somewhat  less.  The  autumn  frosts  are 
late  in  coming,  seldom  destroying  even  the  most 
tender  plants  before  the  middle  of  October.  The 
snowfall  is  large,  averaging  about  twelve  feet ; 
it  usually  falls  upon  unfrozen  ground,  or  at  least 
the  frost  is  so  slight  that  by  the  middle  of  Janu- 
ary the  ground,  even  in  open  fields,  is  free  from  it. 

Fraits.  Yesso  is  not  particularly  rich  in  in- 
digenous fruits ;  those  most  extensively  used  are 
a  wild  Strawberry,  two  species  of  Raspberries, 
a  Chestnut,  a  Walnut,  a  Grape,  and  the  Kokuxoa- 
Huckleberries,  C'heckerberries,  Cranberries,  and 
Blackberries,  although  found,  are  not  abundant 
and  practically  are  never  made  use  of.  Two  or 
three  species  of  Strawberries  are  found,  but  the 
only  one  of  any  importance  is  Fragaria  rc^ca, 
which  in  some  districts  is  so  abundant  that  the 
manufacture  of  jam  from  the  fruit  was  at  one 
time  an  important  industry.  This  jam  was  par- 
ticularly high-flavored  and  delicious.  This  fruit 
is  in  cultivation  very  vigorous  and  fairly  pro- 
ductive ;   small  to  medium  in  size,  whitish-red 


U  "^  £ 


Modes  of  Drainage  and  V^entilation  for  Cellars, 

wnen  ripe,  and  very  sweet  and  high-flavored^ 
with  a  taste  altogether  difterent  from  that  of  our 
varieties.  About  one-third  of  the  plants  pro- 
duced only  staminate  flowers  and  no  fruit.  The 
other  plants  bore  smaller  flowers,  with  perfect 
pistils  and  stamens.  American  Strawlwrries 
flourish  and  increase  rapidly. 

Of  Raspberries,  only  two  species  need  be  no- 
ticed, RuhK^  parvifoliuA  is  of  a  low,  half-running 
habit  of  growth;  the  fruit  is  red,  but  verj-  loosely 
constructed,  and  soft  in  texture.  The  flavor  is 
good,  but  the  fruit  cannot  be  hand  e  1  without 
being  reduced,  to  mush.  Rubu^  phanicolasius 
has  the  Black  Cap  habit  of  growth.  The  canes 
are  strong  and  tall,  not  requiring  artificial  sup. 
port,  and  the  prickles  are  unusually  soft  and 
harmless.  The  fruit  is  produced  in  large  clus- 
ters, is  of  fair  size,  and,  being  of  a  beautiful 
scarlet  color,  presents  a  very  attractive  appear- 
ance. It  is  fairly  tirm,  and  in  flavor  quite  differ- 
ent trom  anything  we  have,  having  less  of  the 


distinctive  Raspberry  flavor,  and  being  slightly 
more  acid  than  our  varieties,  but  less  rich.  The 
griiwing  fruit  is  entirely  covered  and  protected 
by  the  reddish  pubescent  calyx  until  just  as  it 
begins  to  ripen.  American  varieties  of  Rasp- 
berries and  Blackberries  do  well. 

The  Y'esso  Chestnut,  very  abundant  in  many 
sections  and  much  used  by  the  aborigines  of  the 
island  us  well  as  by  the  Japanese,  lis  in  ;size  and 
qvuility  almost  identical  with  the  American,  and 
altogether  difl'erent  from  the  large  Chestnut  of 
Japan,  but  Uke  that  produces 
fruit  very  young.  The  Yesso 
Walnut  closely  resembles  the 
English  Walnut,  but  is  inferior 
both  in  size  and  quality. 

The  native  Grajte  is  VUis  La- 
brusca.    The  fruit  is  of  inferior 
quality,  but  the  vine  is  remark- 
ably rank  and  vigorous  in  habit. 
A  specimen  with  a  stem   four- 
teen   inches    in    diameter    was 
found  near  Sapporo,  and  leaves 
nearly  two  feet  across  are  often 
seen.    The  cultivated  Grape  of 
old  Japan  is  VitU  vinifera,  but 
the  summer  at  Yesso  does  not      -< 
aftord  sufficient  heat  to  ripen  it.     -- 
The   Delaware  is  the  only  one      -; 
of  our  American  varieties  which 
has  succeeded. 

(To  he  continued.) 


flg.  .'),  is  to  be  preferred.  A  small  pipe  tile  is 
much  better  than  a  very  large  one.  The  angular 
bottom  is  best  of  all,  to  confining  the  water  to  an 
acting  channel.  Pure  air  may  be  partly  had 
through  windows  hung  on  hinges,  to  be  opened 
or  partly  closed,  as  required.  A  small  stove  in  a 
room  above  may  also  be  employed  for  effecting 
constant  ventilation  tor  the  arrangement  repre- 
sented in  flg.  t>.  The  pipe  immediately  connected 
with  the  stove  becomes  filled  with  heated  air, 
which  rises  in  it  and  causes  an  upward  current 


GLEAN- 


CONDENSED 

iNGs.  »a"    't; 

A  Handy  Forcing  Honse.  The  *  ■ 

annexed  illustration,  reduced 
from  Home  and  Farm,  repre- 
sents a  fire  hotbed  or  forcing  bouse,  described  as 
follows :  The  sashes  are  3x8  feet,  the  beds  built 
with  IH  inch  Oak,  three  feet  deep  on  the  higher 
side  and  .30  inches  deep  on  the  lower  side,  giving 
a  six-inch  slope  to  the  south.  Oak  posts  were 
used  every  eight  feet.  Then  a  scantUng  was 
nailed  eighteen  inches  from  the  top  on  each  side 
to  hold  up  the  floor.  The  flue  for  conveying  the 
heat  is  Ijelow  this  floor.  Two  scantlings  run  the 
entire  length  of  the  bed  with  props  under  them 
to  hold  them  up  on  each  side  of  the  flue.  The 
floor  must  always  be  built  strong,  or  it  will  break 
down.  It  holds  ten  inches  of  earth  and  here  the 
seeds  are  planted.  Wood  is  used  for  fuel,  and 
but  little  fire  is  needed.  Build  the  furnace  on  a 
level  with  the  ground  or  a  little  lower,  excavat- 
ing a  place  five  feet  deep  in  which  to  stand  and 
fix  the  fire.  The  flue  has  a  rise  of  eighteen  in- 
ches in  the  first  twenty  feet;  after  this  fifteen  to 
eighteen  inches  to  the  end  of  the  bed  is  sufficient. 
Two  boards  seven  inches  wide,  and  two  nine  in- 
ches wide,  all  twelve  feet  long  will  answer  tor 
the  chimney.  To  make  the  furnace,  use  three 
grate  bars,  each  5x40  inches,  and  raise  them 
ten  inches  from  the  ground  on  bricks.  These 
are  inclosed  with  firebrick,  fire-clay  tiles  cover 
the  top  and  fire-clay  should  be  used  for  mortar. 
The  flue  for  the  first  ten  feet  must  be  made  of 
fire  brick.  Common  brick  will  answer  the 
balance  of  the  way.  A  board  roof  should  be 
placed  over  the  furnace  excavation,  and  sheet 
iron  should  be  nailed  above  the  furnace  door  to 
keep  it  from  taking  fire.  Four  air  holes  on  a 
side  allow  the  air  from  the  space  beneath  the 
floor  to  rise  under  the  glass.  If  it  should  get  too 
warm,  board  could  be  laid  over  the  apertures. 
Do  not  burn  coal.  The  soot  wUl  choke  the  flue 
and  coal  gas  is  sometimes  generated,  which  is 
fatal  to  the  plants.  A  vessel  made  of  galvanized 
iron  and  placed  on  the  furnace  generates  moist- 
ure, and  makes  it  more  desirable  for  plant 
growing. 

Cellar  Drainage.  A  stranger  passing  into  the 
apartments  of  the  cellar  should  be  unable  to 
perceive  anything  but  perfect  purity  in  the  air. 
To  secure  this  desirable  result,  perfect  drainage, 
usually  by  artificial  drains,  is  required.  One 
point  which  should  be  well  understood,  is,  to 
give  the  bottom  of  the  drain  a  form  which  will 
aid  the  free  flow  of  any  water  which  might 
otherwise  accumulate.  A  broad,  flat  bottom,  as 
shown  in  fig.  1  of  the  accompanying  cross-sec- 
tions would  cause  the  water  to  spread  thinly 
over  it  and  not  run  off;  but  a  sharply  narrow 
channel,  bringing  all  the  water  together,  as 
shown  in  fig.  ;i,  would  produce  a  current  which 
more  freely  carries  off  all  sediment.  In  flg.  3 
the  old  mode  of  using  flat  sole  for  horse-shoe  tile 
is  obviously  defective.  It  would  be  better  to  in- 
vert this  kind  of  tile,  as  represented  in  fig.  4, 
where  the  water  is  more  nearly  confined  in  nar- 
row 'imits.    For  this  reason,  tubular  or  pipe  tile, 


A  HANDY   FORCING  HOUSE. 

in  all  the  pipe  above,  drawing  the  air  upward  in 
the  pipe  from  the  cellar.— Country  Gentleman. 

Kepacklnp  California  Fruits.  The  California 
Prune  was  first  introduced  by  reliable  packers 
on  the  Pacific  slope  in  boxes  weighing  25  pounds 
net.  Following  the  foreign  custom  of  grading, 
they  were  carefully  sorted  and  packed  according 
to  size  and  the  boxes  plainly  branded,  50-60,  BO-70, 
70-80,  etc.,  meaning  that  the  fruit,  as  packed  in 
that  particular  box,  run  from  60  to  60  Prunes  to 
each  pound.  In  addition  to  this,  they  have  re- 
cently been  shipping  the  product  in  sacks,  less 
expensive  than  Ijoxing,  saving  about  one-half 
cent  per  pound  to  the  retailer  and  consumer. 
Now  comes  the  fraud.  For  several  years  past, 
men  made  a  business  of  repacking  and  reproces- 
sing old  fruit,  mixing  with  new.  Old  Currants 
have  been  steamed,  syruped,  mi.xed,  repacked 
and  sold  as  new.  Currants  have  been  doctored 
up  and  repacked,  and  in  some  instances  a  reput- 
able importer's  shipping  mark  has  been  skillfully 
imitated  and)  stencilled  on  the  box  to  give  color 
to  the  fraud.  Old  Prunes  have  been  steamed, 
doped  and  sold  for  new.  It  is  time  to  call  a  halt. 
The  California  Prune  has  made  such  a  splendid 
reputation  that  we  cannot  afford  to  flitter  it 
away.  The  retailer  who  buys  California  Prunes 
should  weigh  the  goods  and  see  that  he  gets  what 
he  pays  for.  Look  out  for  boxes  topped  off  with 
70  to  80  fruit,  while  90  to  100  are  fllled.in  below. 
Better  still,  buy  the  California  sacked  Prune 
and  you  will  be  sure  to  get  the  weight  you 
pay  for.— Interstate  Grocer. 

Gardeners'  .Friends  and  Enemies.  In  every 
rural  commune  in  France,  boards  are  put  up 
bearing  the  following  instructions:  "  This  board 
is  placed  under  the  protection  of  the  common 
sense  and  honesty  of  the  public.  Hedgehog.  Lives 
upon  mice,  snails  and  wire  worms — animals  in- 
jurious to  agriculture.  Don't  kill  a  hedgehog. 
Toad.  Helps  agriculture;  destroys  twenty  to 
thirty  insects  hourly.  Don't  kill  toads.  Mole. 
Destroys  wire- worms,  larvse  and  insects  injurious 
to  the  farmer.  No  trace  of  vegetables  is  ever 
found  in  bis  stomach;  does  more  good  than  harm. 
Don't  kill  moles.  Cock-chafer  and  its  larvae. 
Deadly  enemy  to  farmei-s;  lays  70  to  100  eggs. 
Kill  the  cock-chafer.  Birds.  Each  department 
of  France  loses  yearly  many  millions  of  francs 
by  the  injury  done  by  insects  —Am.  Agricult'ist. 

Trees  on  Waste  Places.  Nearly  every  farm 
has  one  or  more  acres  not  worth  cultivating  or 
fencing,  which  might  easily  be  turned  to  forest 
growth.  It  is  especially  desirable  to  clothe  the 
high  hilltops  with  trees,  not  only  as  protection 
against  winds,  but  for  the  effect  it  would  have 
in  preventing  the  hillsides  becoming  parched  by 
drouth.  Trees  on  the  top  of  a  hill  serve  to  hold 
the  moisture  in  the  ground,  and  keep  the  whole 
hill  more  moist.  The  more  generally  the  hilltops 
are  covered  with  forest,  the  less  bleak  will  be  the 
country;  and  less  violent  the  winds  sweeping 


i6o 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


April, 


unresisted  over  the  country.  Every  forest  patch 
is  a  windbreak,  and  the  more  of  these  the  less 
will  the  inhabitants  be  annoyed  by  cold  and 
high  winds.— Massachusetts  Ploughman. 

Brighton  Orape.  I  know  a  large  and  thrifty 
vineyard  near  me,  which  the  owner  is  going  to 
graft,  because  in  the  three  years  the  vines  have 
fruited,  the  field  has  become  very  poor—bunches 
loose  and  scraggly.  I  hear  of  other  large  vine- 
yards of  this  Grape  that  have  been  dug  out.  It 
seems  to  be  deficient  in  pollen— many  of  the 
blossoms  barren,  etc.  On  the  other  hand  I  know 
of  Brighton  vines  in  this  vicinity,  scattered 
through  a  vineyard  of  other  varieties,  that  bear 
well,  bunches compactand  large.— Corr.  Country 
Gentleman. 

Selling  Truck  at  a  Profit.  If  you  sell  to  the 
middle  men  they  get  the  lion's  share  of  the  profits. 
By  retailing  j'our  products  you  have  a  certain 
trade  every  day,  and  no  matter  how  flooded  the 
market  your  customer  will  rely  on  your  wagon 
to  supply  them,  and  will  not  buy  elsewhere. 
Market  gardening  affords  more  pleasuie  aud 
profits  than  any  other  branch  of  farming.— A.  H. 
Clark  in  Del.  Farm  and  Home. 

Bagging  Tomatoes,  our  bagged  Tomatoes 
were  so  delicate  in  color,  so  very  smooth  and 
perfect  that  members  of  the  household  did  not, 
upon  first  seeing  them,  know  what  they  were. 
Now  we  hear  of  perfect  specimens  of  Pears  and 
•Plums  raised  in  this  way.  It  would  not  pay  in  a 
money  sense,  to  do  such  work,  but  it  might  well 
serve  to  delight  and  instruct  the  little  folks.— 
Foreign  E.xchange. 

FrincesB  Loniae  Apple,  Its  aristocratic  name 
accords  well  with  the  daintiness  of  its  quality,  as 
well  as  with  its  general  appearance,  as  also  with 
the  political  peculiarities  of  its  native  region; 
but  it  will  be  very  sure,  if  naturalized  on  this 
side  of  the  border,  to  lose  the  aristocratic  prefix; 
and  despite  its  acknowledged  delicacy  and  beauty 
become  i)lain  Louise.— T.  T.  Lyon. 

Crop  Feeding.  All  fruit  growers  should  under- 
stand that  it  is  necessary  to  supply  three  elements 
only— phosphoric  acid,  potash  and  nitrogen.  Ten 
pounds  of  bone  meal  and  half  a  bushel  of  un- 
leached  wood  ashes  to  the  rod  should  be  sufficient 
on  any  soil,  but  it  more  be  applied  it  will  not  be 
lost,  but  will  be  retained  for  succeeding  crops.— 
Mr.  Crawford  in  ( >hio  Farmer. 

Improving  the  Soil,  a  crop  of  Peas  plowed 
under  secures  to  the  land  the  highest  stimulant 
for  the  least  possible  money  that  can  be  obtained 
from  any  other  known  appliance.  It  soon  con- 
verts the  land  into  a  dark,  rich  and  mellow  soil, 
such  as  is  produced  by  leaf  mold  on  the  surface 
in  the  course  of  half  a  century.— Texas  J.T.  H. 

Sandwich  Island  Mammoth  Salsify.  This  is 
not  much  ditferent  from  the  ordinary  sort  in 
flavor  and  ijuality;  but  the  same  seed,  ground 
and  culture  will  produce  twice  or  three  times  as 
much  in  quantity.  Planted  side  by  side  you  will 
get  two  or  more  bushels  from  the  same  length  of 
row  that  yields  one  of  the  old  kind.— E.  S.  Gilbert. 
Be-grafting  the  Pear,  The  most  effectual  cure 
for  the  cracking  of  the  Pear,  so  common,  espec- 
ially with  the  Virgallieu  and  Flemish  Beauty 
varieties,  is  to  re-graft  the  trees  with  some  other 
sorts.  The  Bartlett,  Seckel,  Anjou,  Lawrence, 
and  Kieffer  have  not  this  fault.— So  says  the 
veteran,  J.  J.  Thomas. 

Tobacco  Stems,  No  more  successful  use  can 
be  made  of  them  than  to  mulch  fruit  trees;  they 
repel  insects,  absorb  moisture,  and  as  they  rot 
slowly  they  give  up  potash  salts  and  other  forms 
of  plant  food  essential  to  the  health  and  f  ruitf  ul- 
ness  of  all  sour  fruits.— B.  F,  Johnson. 

Seedling  Peaches.  If  you  live  where  "  Peaches 
won't  grow,"  select  your  driest  knoll  and  experi- 
ment a  little  with  various  sorts,  so  long  as  a  dozen 
trees  can  be  set  and  brought  to  bearing  age  for 
less  than  the  pedler's  price  for  a  bushel  of  Peaches. 
E.  S.  Gilbert,  Tribune. 

Landscape  Oardening.  It  is  not  in  doing  things 
that  the  landscape  gardener's  art  is  most  fully 
illustrated.  Some  of  his  greatest  triumphs  have 
been  achieved  by  knowing  exactly  what  to  leave 
alone.— London  Garden. 

Ohildren  are  Fond  of  Fruit.  Let  the  child  have  all 
the  fruit  it  wants.  Every  mouthful  of  fruit  that  re- 
plaoe.s  a  mouthful  of  meat  means  better  health  and 
lunger  life  for  the  child.— Western  Biu-al. 

Early  Peas.  If  you  want  the  lowest  growing  vines, 
buy  the  "  filinimum."  If  you  want  a  Pea  that  will  pay 
you  for  the  planting  and  cultivation,  buy  some  other 
variety.— Rural  New  Yorker. 

Early  Apples.  It  Is  dinicult  to  Improve  on  the  trio 
of  Russian  Apples  for  early  use,  Red  Astrachan,  Te- 
tofsky  and  Yellow   Transparent.— Joslah   Hoopes. 


Cuthbert  Baspberry.  It  has  one  objection  only, 
namely,  that  it  Is  a  little  late  In  ripening,— Orange  Co. 
Farmer. 

Results  ol  Fruit  Growers'  MeetinKS.  The  quality 
of  Michigan  fruits  Is  said  to  be  all  the  time  Improving. 

Respect  the  Roots.  Pant  good  roots;  the  tops  will 
take  care  of  lhcmseIves.~Ex, 


Vegetable  Products  on  the  Table. 

Crystalized  Orange.  Cut  the  fruit  into  rather 
thick  slices,  pick  out  the  seeds,  dip  into  the  beat- 
en white  of  egg  and  then  in  powdered  sugar. 
Dry  in  a  very  cool  oven  on  paper-lined  plates, 
Nice  to  serve  with  Nuts  and  Kaisins.-Mrs.  E.  B. 
in  Rural  New  Yorker. 

Asparagus  Omelet.  Boil  two  pounds  of  tender, 
fresh-cut  Asparagus  in  a  very  little  salt,  or  steam 
till  tender.  Chop  it  very  fine;  mix  it  with  the 
yolks  of  five  and  whites  of  three  well-beaten 
eggs;  add  two  tablespoonfuls  of  sweet  cream; 
fry,  and  serve  quite  hot.— Home  and  Farm. 

Staffed  Cabbage.  Take  a  large,  fresh  Cabbage 
and  cut  out  the  heart;  fill  the  place  with  stuffings 
made  of  cooked  chickens  or  veal,  chopped  very 
fine  and  highly  seasoned,  rolled  into  balls  with 
yolk  of  egg;  tie  the  Cabbage  flrml.v  together  and 
boil  in  a  covered  kettle  for  two  hours.— Ex. 

Prune  Pies.  Take  one  pound  Prunes  and  soak 
them  over  night,  so  the  stones  will  slip  out  easily; 
stew  in  some  water  with  as  many  raisins  as  you 
wish:  sweeten;  use  less  water  than  for  sauce: 
when  both  are  soft  grate  in  the  rind  of  two  Lem- 
ons and  fill  the  pie,  allowing  two  crusts.— Ex. 

Parsnips  Served  in  Cream.  Pare  and  boil  the 
Parsnii)s  after  cutting  them  in  lengthwise  slices, 
dividing  if  they  are  too  long.  When  they  are 
done,  pour  off  the  water,  add  white  pepper,  salt, 
a  very  little  butter,  and  a  cupful  of  cream.  Pour 
this  on  and  let  come  to  a  boil  just  before  serving. 

Apple  Tarts.  Line  round  patties  with  paste; 
in  each  one  place  the  half  of  a  tart,  peeled  Apple. 
a  tablespoonful  of  sweet  cream,  butter  size  of  a 
Hickory  nut,  tablespoonful  of  sugar  and  a  pinch 
of  Nutmeg.  Put  core  side  of  Apple  down,  and 
sugar,  etc.,  on  top.  Bake  until  the  Apples  are 
soft.— Pacific  Rural  Press. 

Apple  Marmelade.  Scald  Apples  till  they  will 
pulp  from  the  core;  then  take  an  equal  weight 
of  sugar  in  large  lumps,  just  dip  them  in  water, 
and  boiling  it  till  it  can  be  well  skimmed  and  is  a 
thick  syrup,  put  to  it  the  pulp,  and  simmer  it 
over  a  quick  fire  one-fourth  of  an  hour.  Grate 
on  a  very  little  Lemon  peel  before  boiling — 
Mirror  and  Farmer. 

Fragments  Freshened.  The  Asparagus  left 
from  dinners  is  delicious  thus  served:  Cut  in  bits, 
and  beat  with  three,  four  or  five  eggs,  according 
to  the  remnant,  and  season  with  pepper  and  salt. 
Put  a  spoonful  of  butter  in  a  saucepan,  and  when 
it  has  melted  and  run  over  the  bottom  of  the 
pan,  turn  in  the  eggs  and  stir  constantly  until 
they  are  cooked;  then  pour  upon  toasted  bread. 

Carrots,  with  Cream.  Take  a  quantity  of  the 
smallest  new  Carrots  that  can  be  obtained;  boil 
them  in  salted  water;  when  done,  drain  oft  the 
water;  melt  one  ounce  of  butter  in  a  sauce  pan; 
add  to  it  a  desertspoonfui  of  flour,  pepper,  salt, 
grated  Nutmeg,  a  pinch  of  powdered  sugar  and  a 
small  quantity  of  cream;  put  in  the  Carrots;  sim- 
mer gently  a  few  minutes  and  serve.— Horticul- 
tural Times. 

Baked  Canned  Tomatoes.  Empty  a  can  of 
Tomatoes  into  a  bowl.  After  an  hour  season 
them  with  a  teaspoonful  of  sugar,  half  as  much 
salt,  a  little  pepper,  and  a  tablespoonful  of  butter 
cut  into  bits,  each  bit  rolled  in  flour,  and  all  dis- 
tributed evenly  throughout  the  Tomatoes.  Cover 
with  very  dry  bread  crumbs.  Bake  in  a  covered 
pudding  dish  for  about  thirty  minutes,  then 
brown  on  the  upper  grating  of  the  oven.— 
.■Vmerican  Grocer. 

Cabbage  Salad.  Take  two  quarts  of  finely 
chopped  or  shaved  Cabbage,  one  tablespoonful 
of  fine  salt,  two  tablespoonfuls  of  white  sugar, 
halt  a  teaspoonful  of  black  pepper,  and  one  heap- 
ing teaspoonful  of  ground  Mustard;  rub  the 
yolk  of  three  hard  boiled  eggs  until  very  smooth, 
add  half  a  cup  of  butter  slightly  warmed;  mix 
all  thoroughly  with  the  Cabbage,  and  then  add 
one  teacupful  of  hot  vinegar.  Put  the  salad  in  a 
dish  with  the  whites  of  three  eggs  sliced  aud 
placeil  on  the  top.— ()   Farmer. 

Potato  Cakes  and  Eggs.  A  good  supper  or 
breakfast  dish  may  be  made  by  mashing  up  cold 
Potutoes  with  a  little  butter,  and  adding  one 
raw  egg  to  each  one  pound  of  Potatoes  Mould 
into  cakes  about  two  or  two  and  a  half  inches 
across,  put  these  into  a  hot  meat  tray  or  baking 
tin  with  a  small  quantity  of  hot  dripping;  brown 


the  cakes  on  both  sides,  poach  one  egg  for  each 
cake  ,trim  it,  and  lay  it  on  when  the  cakes  are 
done.  For  those  who  like  herbs,  the  cakes  are 
very  nice  when  mixed  with  minced  Shallot.  Pars- 
ley and  Thyme.  Garnish  with  Parsley . -Ger- 
mantown  Telegraph. 

Bow  to  Make  Good  Coffee.  Get  good  Coffee 
in  tbebean,  eitherroast<>dorraw.  If  the  former, 
keep  it  in  a  tight  can.  If  the  latter  be  careful 
to  roast  it  evenly,  without  burning.  Grind  only 
what  you  wish  to  use  for  one  meal.  Make  a  bag 
of  unbleached  mnsUn  large  enough  to  hold  a 
pint.  Take  a  wire  large  enough  to  fit  the  top  of 
the  Coffee  pot,  and  fasten  the  bag  to  it.  Put  into 
this  bag  (which  must  be  scalded  and  dried)  as 
many  tablespoonfuls  of  ground  Coffee  as  there 
are  persons  to  drink  it.  Pour  boiling  water  unto 
it,  until  you  have  enough  for  the  family.  Let  it 
stand  two  or  three  moments,  and  then  pour  out 
a  cupful  of  the  clear  Coffee,  and  pour  it  again 
into  the  bag.  Repeat  this  three  times.  You  can 
then  lift  out  the  bag,  if  you  choose,  or  leave  it  in 
the  Coffee  pot  while  serving  the  Coffee,  if  pre- 
ferred. No  egg  is  needed,  and  the  Coffee  will  be 
perfectly  clear  as  long  as  there  is  a  drop.  De- 
licious Coffee  can  be  made  in  this  way,  in  five 
minutes.— The  Farmer. 


HOUSE   PLANTS. 

Beeonias  of  the  tuberous-rooted  section  to  be  potted 
as  needed,  usingamlxtureof  about  two  parts  of  fibrous 
loam  to  one  of  leaf  mold  and  good  dash  of  sand.  Drain 
weU  and  pot  moderately  firm.  A  fairly  light  and  sunny 
window  suits  them  well.  B.  metalllea  succeeds  best  In 
a  somewhat  shady  window. 

Bulbs,  such  as  Hyacinths,  Tulips,  Lily  of  the  Valley. 
etc.,  If  brought  In  from  the  cold  frames  early  this 
month,  at  the  north,  will  do  well  in  the  window  and 
come  ahead  of  out-door  blooms, 

Callas.  When  done  blooming,  water  but  sparingly 
and  after  the  weather  becomes  fairly  warm,  take  out 
of  the  p<»ts  and  plant  in  rich  soil  out  doors.  Lift  again 
In  August,remove  the  small  bulblets  and  repot  the  old. 

Oamellias  to  be  frequently  syringed  and  the  leaves 
sponged  off. 

Chrysanthemums  should  make  an  uninterrupted 
grovrth.  Do  not  let  them  become  pot-bound.  Cuttlugs 
may  yet  be  struck  for  late  plants. 

ClimbinE  Plants  may  be  given  their  annual  pruning 
before  the  buds  start.  Trim  the  side  shoots  of  Roses 
back  to  one  or  two  buds.  Early  flowering  Clematis 
may  be  pruned  In  the  same  way.  cut  those  of  the  late 
blooming  class  back  to  within  a  short  distance  of  the' 
surface  of  the  ground,  which  treatment  will  Insure 
strong  growth  from  the  base  and  plenty  of  bloom. 

Fuchsias  when  in  bloom  need  plenty  of  water  at 
their  roots.  Give  weak  liquid  manure  once  or  twice  a 
week.    Shift  as  needed. 

General.  The  window  should  now  be  gay  with 
bloom.  A  portion  of  the  plants  to  be  used  for  bedding 
ptu-poses  may  be  procured  now.  and  be  kept  In  the 
window  for  their  bloom  until  the  planting  out  time. 

Hel  otrope  should  never  be  allowed  to  become  pot- 
bound,  as  all  Its  beauty  depends  on  having  plenty  of 
root  room.    Shift  as  needed. 

Mignonette  does  not  easily  transplant.    If  wanted   ' 
as  pot  plant  for  the  window,  sow  seed  directly  In  pot. 

Oleanders  of  small  size  to  be  taken  out  of  the  pots 
and  bedded  out. 

Petunias,  if  old  and  unshapely,  to  be  cut  back 
thoroughly. 

Fropagation.  Chrysanthemums.  Stevlas,  Eupatorl- 
ums,  Roses,  Carnations,  Abutllons  and  many  other 
plants  may  yet  be  propagated  for  winter  flowering. 
Pot  the  cuttings  as  soon  as  possible  after  they  are 
rooted. 

Window  Boxes.  Prepare  a  lot  of  plants  now  for 
stocking  up  boxes  In  May  with  plants  of  considerable 
size,  such  have  been  earlier  brought  along  In  good 
shape  by  due  repotting. 


LAWN  AND    FLOWER  GARDEN. 

Annuals  of  hardy  kinds  may  now  be  started  In  opeit 
air.  such  as  Candytuft.  Sweet  Pea,  Convolvulus  minor. 
Mignonette,  Clarkla,  Sweet  Alyssum,  Briza,  Luplnus, 
etc.  Half  nardy  and  tender  sorts  may  be  started  under 
glass  or  In  a  sunny  spot  that  Is  sheltered  from  the  wind 
by  buildings,  aud  to  be  protected  by  mats  or  shutters 
In  cool  nights. 

Bedding  Plants.  Most  of  these  may  be  grown  on 
in  hot-beds  for  the  last  sl.x  weeks  before  planting  out. 
Remove  the  sashes  entirely  m  warm  days,  which  will 
tend  to  make  strong,  robust  plants. 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


161 


Bulb  beds  to  bt'  raked  over  before  the  plants  ap- 
pear above  ground. 

Carnations  and  other  sash  plants  should  now  be 
hardened  oil  by  rouslderable  exposure,  and  may  then 
be  planted  out. 

Flower  Beds.  If  any  are  to  be  cut  In  the  lawu  make 
a  line  niarKlu  of  turf  around  them.  Also  edge  the  lawn 
where  It  tmrders  on  paths  and  drives,  In  the  same 
manner. 

Hedges  to  be  given  thetr  annual  pruning- 

Gladiolus.  BegUi  planting  out.  and  continue  plant* 
lug  at  intervals  of  t«n  days  or  two  weeks  until  middle 
of  June. 

Hardy  Perennials.  If  soil  Is  dry.  these  may  be  taken 
up,  <ilvlded  and  reset  as  required. 

Lawn-  Sow  seed  as  soon  as  new  lawns  are  made. 
On  strong  soil  sow  JuneGrassfKenlucky  Blue),  on  high 
soils  Red  Top,  at  the  rate  of  four  to  six  bushels  to  the 
aere,  two  or  three  times  in  as  raany  dlflferent  direc- 
tions. This  Insures  an  even  growth.  Roll  after  each 
sowing.  Mow  the  old  lawns  whenever  the  grass  gets  to 
be  near  two  Inches  high.  Mow  evenly  and  carefully 
that  no  vacant  strips  will  be  left. 

Lilies  should  be  planted  early,  if  at  all  at  this  season. 
Fall  Is  the  better  time.  L.  Candtdum  only  is  trans- 
planted in  August. 

Ornamental  Trees  and  Shrubs  should  be  planted 
early;  Evergreens  when  the  new  growth  starts.  Keep 
the  roots  uf  these  moist  and  euver  with  blankets. 

Roses  of  the  hardy  kinds  to  be  planted  out  as  early 
as  they  can  be  procured,  and  the  soil  be  put  in  proper 
order  for  planting. 

Seed  Sowing.  When  making  the  early  sowings  of 
annuals  sow  In  drills,  rings  and  clumps— never  broad- 
cast. The  furrows  may  be  made  a  half  Inch  deep,  the 
seed  scattered  quite  thickly  and  covered  with  tine 
earth.  Dried  and  pulverized  moss  or  fine  leaf  mold 
may  be  sifted  over  the  seed  In  place  of  earth.  Firming 
must  in  no  case  be  neglected. 

Tree  Protection.  Street  trees  should  always  be  pro- 
tected against  injury  from  knawlng  of  horses,  etc.,  by 
some  kind  of  guard.  This  may  be  made  of  slats,  but 
the  best  thing  is  a  piece  of  woven  wire  wound  round 
the  tree  body.  Wherever  staking  is  required  or  thought 
necessary,  bind  the  tree  or  shrub  fast  with  a  strip  of 
duck  or  leather;  rather  than  with  a  cord.  Such  a  strip 
may  simply  be  brought  around  the  tree,  and  crossed  on 
top  of  the  stake,  to  be  held  there  by  a  nail  or  two 
driven  Into  the  stake. 

Weeds  to  be  destroyed  wherever  seen.  Some  of  them 
flower  and  seed  very  early.  Chickweed  is  one  of  the 
worst.  Hunt  up  the  Dandelions  and  Plantains  on  the 
lawn,  and  pull  them  when  the  ground  is  soft,  or  cut 
them  oflf  with  a  sharp  knife  just  below  the  crovra. 


PLANT    CULTURE    UNDER   GLASS. 

Alternanlheras  for  bedding  purposes  may  easily  be 
propagated  by  dividing  up  the  stock  on  hand  In  small 
pieces,  each  with  a  little  root,  and  setting  in  a  close 
frame  in  high  beat. 

Annnals  sown  early  should  be  thinned  early  to  avoid 
crowding.    Top  the  straggling  ones. 

Airing.  Strict  attention  must  be  paid  to  proper  ven- 
tilation at  this  time,  to  Insure  healthy  wood  and 
stocky  growth  of  plants. 

Carnations  to  be  given  a  lop  dressing  of  fine  manure. 

Cuttings  may  still  be  made  of  Verbenas,  Petunias, 
Achyranthes,  Coleus,  Salvias,  Heliotropes,  Fuchsias, 
German  Ivy,  etc., for  summer  decoration,  and  of  Chrys- 
anthemums. Slevlas.  Roses,  Carnations,  Violets,  etc., 
for  winter  flowering.  Pot  them  immediately  when 
roots,  however  small,  are  present. 

Ferns  to  be  shifted,  or  at  least  the  soil  in  pots  to  be 
renewed. 

Fuchsias  require  warmth,  moisture  and  moderate 
shade.  If  wanted  In  bloom  at  any  special  time,  cutting 
•  back  should  cease  about  six  weeks  sooner. 

German  Ivy,  Manrandia  and  other  climbers  for 
summer  to  be  cut  back. 

Hot-beds  and  frames  should  be  provided  to  accom- 
modate plants  where  there  Is  an  overplus  and  when 
crowding  one  another  for  room. 

Insects.  Green  fly  Is  liable  to  trouble  Roses,  Ver- 
benas, etc.  Fumigation  or  evaporating  Tobacco  Juice, 
etc.,  are  the  proper  preventives- 

Orchid  houses  to  be  provided  with  moisture  by 
sprinkling  paths  and  shutting  up  early.  Always  repot 
plants  requiring  It  when  in  a  growing  state.  Shade 
from  the  sun. 

Pots  and  Potting.  Shift  all  plants  as  they  need 
more  root  room.  Plants  visually  do  bett«r  in  new  pots 
because  their  pores  are  open,  admitting  air  to  soil  and 
roots.  Keep  the  pots  clean.  Old  pots  after  being  used 
should  be  thoroughly  washed  before  being  brought 
into  service  again. 

Primroses    Pot  the  young  Double  White.and  shade. 

Requisites.  Secure  plenty  of  loamy  turf,  manure, 
refuse,  hops,  etc.,  for  potting  soil. 

Shading.  The  glass  over  Camellias,  Azeleas.  Fuch- 
sias. Double  Primroses,  Caladiums,  Callas,  Fancy 
Coleus  and  Geraniums,  Ferns  and  other  plants  liable 
to  spot  should  be  lightly  painted  with  whitewash,  or 
with  naptha  and  white  lead.  Paint  thus  all  the  blisters 
In  the  gla.ss. 


Tuberoses,    start  bulbs  in  a  warm  place. 
Verbenas  to  be  propagated  now  for  bedding  plants. 


FRUIT  GARDEN  AND  ORCHARD. 

Berry  Patch.  Remove  the  mulch  from  over  the 
strawberry  plants  and  place  It  between  the  rows. 
Prepare  the  ground  well  for  new  beds,  and  enrich 
thoroughly  with  manure  free  from  weed  seeds  before 
planting.  Set  plants  in  rows  3J^  or  4  feet  apart,  with 
at  least  one  foot  space  between  the  plants.  The  rows 
for  Ra.spberries  should  be  about  five  feet,  and  for 
Blackberries  eight  feet  apart.  The  plants  may  be  set 
three  feet  apart  In  the  rows. 

Onrrants.  To  be  thoroughly  pruned  and  liberally 
manured. 

General  Directions.  Plant  vines  and  shrubs  of  all 
kinds,  and  small  fruits  to  furnish  the  family  an  abund- 
ance. Uncover  at  once  Raspberries.  Grapes.  Black- 
berries, etc.,  that  were  protected  during  winter.  Re- 
pair the  damages  wrought  during  the  winter  by 
weather  or  animals  In  the  orchard.  Remove  broken 
limbs  and  saw  off  the  stubs  close  to  the  trunk  smooth- 
ing the  cut  and  covering  the  wound  with  paint  or 
liquid  grafting  wax.  Apply  clay  or  cowdung  as  a 
plaster  for  partly-girdled  trees,  and  try  to  save  those 
entirely  girdled. by  a  bridge  of  grafts  between  the  bark 
above  and  below  the  injury.  The  ground  for  a  new 
orchard  should  be  prepared  as  carefully  as  for  Corn. 

Grapes.  Pruning  if  omitted  until  now  should  at 
once  be  seen  to. 

Manures.  All  fruit  trees  and  plants  like  potash 
fertilizers.  Few  things  are  equal  to  unleacheed  wood- 
aahes  as  a  manure  for  fruit  crops,  but  where  they  can- 
not be  procured  at  a  reasonable  rate,  the  available 
manure,  whatever  that  Is,  can  in  many  cases  be  sup- 
plemented profitably  by  applltations  of  muriate  of 
pota-shorof  kalnlt.  Bearing  orchards  deserve  liberal 
treatment  In  this  respect,  and  repay  it  well. 

Peach  Trees.  Cut  back  the  growth  of  last  year  to 
form  a  compact  head. 

Quinces  delight  in  a  rich  mellow  .soli.  Thin  out  the 
wood  thoroughly. 

Trees  as  soon  as  received  from  the  nu»^ery  should  be 
unpacked  at  once  and  heeled  in  until  wanted  one  by 
one  for  planting.  If  frozen  when  received,  place  the 
box  or  package  Into  the  cellar  and  let  the  stock  thaw 
out  gradually  before  unpacking.  Trees  that  appear 
shriveled  may  often  be  restored  by  burying  bodily  In 
moist  ground  for  several  days. 


VEGETABLE  GARDEN. 

Asparagus.  Apply  a  dressing  of  nitrate  of  soda,  200 
pounds  per  acre  If  you  have  it.  Mellow  the  soil  nicely 
by  the  means  usually  employed.  Begin  cutting  when 
the  shoots  appear.  Be  careful  In  cutting  so  the  crowns 
of  the  plants  or  smaller  shoots  below  the  ground  will 
not  be  Injiu"ed. 

Beets  for  table  use  may  be  sown  as  soon  as  the 
ground  Is  In  fit  condition.  Have  rows  15  or  16  inches 
apart,  firming  the  soil  well  over  the  seed. 

Cauliflower.  Select  rich,  moist,  mellow  ground, 
thoroughly  prepared,  and  set  plants  from  cold  frame 
in  rows  two  feet  apart,  with  eighteen  inches  space  be- 
tween the  plants. 

Celery.  Seed  should  be  sown  early  this  month  In  a 
well-protected  situation  and  thoroughly  prepared  bed. 
Soil  must  be  made  rich.  Firm  the  soil  over  the  seed 
without  covering.  Give  small  application  of  nitrate 
of  soda  during  early  growth.  Thin  the  plants  early 
and  thoroughly. 

Onltivation-  The  wheel-hoe  should  be  brought  into 
use  as  soon  as  the  rows  of  close-planted  early  vege- 
tables can  be  discovered  by  a  sharp  eye.  A  flue  steel 
rake  Is  also  a  tool  admirably  adapted  to  preventing 
the  growth  of  weeds. 

Hot-beds  should  be  very  carefully  aired,  watered 
and  protected.  Allow  for  the  admittance  of  a  little 
air  during  the  night-time  when  the  weather  is  mild. 
Cold  frames  can  usually  be  left  entirely  uncovered 
from  now  on. 

Insects.  Flea  beetles  have  In  recent  years  been  very 
destructive  to  our  young  Cabbage,  Radish  and  Turnip 
plants.  Tobacco  dust  applied  freely  will  usually  drive 
the  pest  away.  Plaster  flavored  with  Paris  green,  or 
slug  shot  will  also  help  In  most  cases.  Lime  and  lime 
water  freely  applied  will  dispose  of  the  Radish,  Cab- 
bage and  Onion  maggot. 

Onions.  Sow  seed,  and  set  plants  as  early  as  the 
ground  Is  In  good  working  order.  The  soU  should  be 
made  very  rich. 

Parsnip.    Sow  fresh  seed  only  in  well-prepared  soil. 

Radishes-  From  now  on  sow  seed  every  two  weeks 
for  succession. 

Sweet  Herbs.  Sow  now  for  later  transplanting 
Sage,  Thyme  and  Sweet  Marjoram. 

Sweet  Potatoes  should  be  started  in  good  bottom 
heat,  to  have  plants  ready  in  early  June. 

Tomatoes.  Plants  started  In  hot-bed  should  be 
transplanted  once  or  twice,  and  at  last  transferred  to 
cold  frame  to  harden  off  sufflclently  before  planting 
out.  The  essential  point  is  to  give  each  plant  its 
proper  allowance  of  space  to  make  It  stocky  and  sturdy. 

Tools  should  be  Inspected  at  once,  and  repaired 
where  necessary.  If  new  tools  have  to  be  purchased, 
order  them  without  delay,  else  you  may  not  have  them 
just  at  the  time  when  most  needed. 


FRUITS  AND  VEGETABLES  UNDER 
GLASS. 

Figs  In  tubs  or  pots,  fruit  of  which  Is  now  swelling 
up,  tt)  be  given  liquid  manure  twice  a  week.  Stop 
•Strong  growing  shoots  at  the  fifth  leaf. 

Grapes.  When  the  fruit  In  early  houses  begins  to 
col<ir.  give  air  fiecly,  and  have  the  ventilators  open 
a  little  at  the  top  during  mild  nights.  Sprinkle 
the  fi<»or,  but  do  not  otherwise  syringe  for  the  present. 
New  vines  may  be  planted  now. 

Lettuce.  If  very  early  Lettuce  Is  wanted,  wintered 
plants  may  now  be  taken  from  cold  frame  and  planted 
out  In  hot-bed.  Sow  seed  for  succession.  Tennlsball 
or  Boston  Market,  a  strain  of  the  former,  are  usually 
selected  for  forcing. 

Peaches  will  now  be  swelling  fast,  and  the  last  thin- 
ning should  be  done  without  delay.  Water  thorough- 
ly at  the  ror)ts,  and  use  manure  water  freely  until 
fruit  shows  color.    Syringe  twice  a  day. 

Pines  that  are  fruiting  should  have  liquid  manure 
preferably  warm  and  weak.  Syringe  and  ventllatet 
freely. 

Strawberries  In  heat  should  be  gradually  hardened 
when  done  fruiting,  and  before  removing  them  outside 
If  the  plants  are  required  for  new  beds. 


THE   POULTRY  YARD. 

Boors  and  windows  in  poultry  houses  should 
now  be  thrown  wide  open. 

Money  Well  Spent<  An  extra  dollar  or  two 
for  a  superior  breeding  bird. 

Air-slacked  lime  should  be  freely  scattered  over 
the  Honrs  ot  the  hen  houses  to  remove  unpleas- 
ant od()rs. 

One  Dollar  a  Year.  That  is  just  about  what  i* 
costs  to  keep  one  hen  when  all  the  food  has  to  be 
purchased. 

A  Good  Absorbent.  Dry  earth  absorbs  foul 
g'asses,  and  is  very  useful  about  the  poultry 
house  generally. 

No  Dirty  Eggs  Wanted.  Keep  the  nests  well 
supplied  with  clean  litter,  and  renew  this  often. 
It  pays  to  send  only  bright  clean  eggs  to  naarket. 

Spraying  with  Kerosene.  This  is  as  necessary 
in  the  i>oultry  house,  to  keep  down  vermin,  as  is 
spraying  in  the  orchard  to  destroy  the  codlin. 

A  Oood  Bule.  Give  good  food,  pure  water, 
plenty  of  exercise,  free  ventilation  and  keep  the 
poultry  houses  clean,  dry  and  comfortable.— 
Poultry  Monthly. 

Early  Pallets.  To  raise  pullets  that  will  begin 
to  lay  in  early  fall,  and  prove  profitable  next 
winter,  set  eggs  of  good  breeds  without  delay. 
Then  take  extra  care  of  the  chicks. 

Black  Langshans.  No  better  breed  for  egg 
production,  both  summer  and  winter,  is  known 
to  us.  They  are  also  large  and  handsome.  The 
only  thing  against  them  is  their  color. 

Wheat  for  Chicks.  There  is  no  better  grain 
for  laying  hens,  nor  better  food  for  growing 
chicks  than  whole  Wheat.  Little  chicks,  when 
only  a  few  days  old,  soon  learn  to  eat  it,  and 
keep  well  on  this  as  an  exclusive  diet  besides 
what  they  pick  up. 

Nest-Egg  Gourde.  They  very  much  resemble 
the  genuine  eggs,  and  being  very  light  in  weight, 
there  is  less  liability  of  breakage  of  eggs  laid,  as 
is  often  the  case  when  they  roll  against  glass 
eggs.  Stale  eggs  should  never  be  used  as  nest 
eggs.— Poultry  Bulletin. 

Insect  Powder.  The  breeder  who  makes  it  a 
practice  to  dust  fresh  insect  powder,  buhach 
preferred,  thoroughly  through  the  plumage  of 
the  setting  hen,  a  day  or  two  before  the  eggs 
hatch,  repeating  the  operation  after  the  lapse  of 
a  day,  will  not  see  his  chicks  killed  by  lice. 

Eggs  for  Hatching.  The  first  batch  of  eggs 
laid  in  spring  is  generally  the  best  for  hatching, 
but  the  first  laid  by  pullets  should  not  be  set. 
After  a  hen  has  j.ru(iuced.  say  thirty  or  forty 
eggs  in  succession,  the  system  becomes  somewhat 
enfeebled  and  the  eggs  are  more  or  less  wanting 
in  vitality. 

Linseed  Meal.  When  the  flock  appears  droopy 
and  seems  to  lose  appetite,  it  may  restore  the 
birds  to  health,  by  giving  linseed  meal  in  the 
soft  food  once  a  day.  A  gill  of  linseed  meal  to 
ten  hens  is  sufficient.  It  .should  not  be  used  as  a 
regular  diet.  Given  twice  a  week,  it  is  excellent, 
and  if  mixed  with  bran  it  will  cause  the  bran  to 
adhere  and  form  a  crumbly  mess.— Mirror  and 
Farmer. 

To  Set  Hens.  Set  them  on  the  ground  if  possi- 
ble. The  eggs  will  hatch  best.  Don't  give  any 
hen  more  than  thirteen  eggs  for  a  setting.  Be 
careful  to  mark  the  eggs,  for  other  hens  are  apt 
to  lay  in  the  nest  with  your  sitter,  and  unless  the 
eggs  are  properly  marked,  you  might  not  be  able 
to  identify  the  new  eggs.  You  understand  that 
eggs  laid  to  a  sitting  hen  must  be  promptly  re- 
moved.—California  Patron. 

Feeding  Chicks.  The  advice  to  feed  chicks  on 
hard-boiled  eggs  is  wrong.  No  food  should  be 
given  until  the  second  day,  when  crumbled, 
hard-boiled  eggs  may  be  allowed,  but  after  the 
second  or  third  day  eggs  should  be  avoided,  as 
they  will  cause  bowel  disease.  Eggs  should  then 
be  given  only  once  a  week.  As  a  regular  portion 
of  the  diet  they  are  too  concentrated,  and  tend 
to  cause  constipation.— M.  and  F. 


l62 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


April, 


Correspondents  are  urged  to  anticipate  the  season  in  pre- 
senting questions.  To  ask,  for  instance,  on  April  16  or  20 
whdt  Peas  had  best  be  sown,  oould  brino  no  answer  in 
the  May  issue,  and  none  before  June,  when  the  answer 
would  be  unseasonable.  Questions  received  before  the  lith 
of  any  month  stand  a  good  chance  of  being  answered  in  the 
m^t  paper.  Sot  more  than  three  questions  should  be  sent 
at  one  time.  Answers  to  questions  bearing  on  the  com 
parative  tnilue  of  implements,  etc.,  offered  by  different 
dealers  must  not  be  expected,  yeither  can  we  promise  to 
comply  with  the  request  sometimes  made  to  "please  answer 
by  mail."  Inquiries  appearing  without  name  belong  to  the 
name  next  following . 

Belies  to  Inquiries  are  earnestly  requested  from  our 
readers.  In  anstoering  such  give  the  numt>er,  your 
locality  aTtd  name,  the  latter  not  for  publication,  unless 
you  desire.     Write  only  on  one  aide  of  the  paper. 

17:?0.  Forcing  House.  Give  plan  of  house  for  forcing 
Tomatoes  on  a  large  scale     Is  bottom  heat  needed  ? 

1731.  Lombard  Plum.  Is  it  a  good  variety  for  pro. 
fit  ?— C.  W.  M..  Canada. 

1732.  Bnhach  Manufacturers.  What  is  the  name 
and  address  of  parties  in  California  who  raise  buhach  ? 
— Wm.  G.  v..  Mich. 

1735.  Wash  for  Borers.  WiU  Mr.  Hale's  wash  for 
grubs  in  Peach  trees  also  kill  the  grubs  in  Quince 
trees?— J.  B.  H.,  Pa 

17JU.  Treatment  of  Berry  Plants.  Plants  and  Grape 
vines  received  from  nursery'  in  barrels.  How  man- 
aged until  planting  time  ?— J.  D.  M..  East  Berne,  N.  1". 

1?35.  Remedy  for  Corn  Worms.  They  usually  de- 
stroy half  of  our  Eaxlv  Cory  Sweet  Corn.— F.  A.  J., 
Fort  Scott,  Kans. 

1736.  Mariana  Plum  from  Cuttings.  How  prepared 
and  planted  ? 

1737.  Hydrangea  Paniculata.  How  propagated, 
and  in  what  soil  ?— S.  H.  L. 

I7.is.  Cabbage  Seed.  How  grown  and  disposed  of? 
R.  S.  T.,  Ohio. 

ir39.  Geraniums  not  Blooming.  Plants  put  in 
greenhouse  last  fall,  growing  thriftily.  What  can  be 
done  for  them  ? 

1740.  Roses  in  G-reenhouse.  Water,  soil  and  other 
conditions  favorable,  yet  they  make  imperfect  buds 
and  wilted  leaves. 

1741.  Roses  after  Forcing.  Should  sash  be  taken  off 
where  Roses  have  been  forced  all  winter,  or  should 
they  be  kept  dry  and  at  rest  during  Summer  ?—ama. 
TEUR,  Beaver,  Pa. 

1742.  Raising  Broom  Corn.  Wanted  the  address  of 
broom  manufacturers  to  make  contract  for  raising 
broom  corn.— J.  E.  E..  Ord  Valley,  Neb. 

1743.  Keeping  Grapes  to  Mid-winter.  What  is  best 
method  ?  Is  ice  necessary,  and  should  fruit  remain  on 
the  vines  after  maturity  ?— E.  P.  F.,  Sterling,  Kan. 

1744.  Propagating  Blackberries.  How  done  from 
root  cuttings,  and  how  from  tops  ?— F.  O.  M.,Ioica. 

1745.  Propagating  Clematis.  How  best  done?— P. 
&  Co.,  Portland,  Oregon. 

1746.  Rubber  Tree  Cnttings.  Will  they  grow  with- 
out bottom  heat?  If  so  how  managed?— L.  D.  C.  De- 
troit. Jtich. 

1747.  Quince  Borer.    Does  it  attack  dwarf  Pear 

trees?— E.  F.  C  Ohio. 

174S.  Shrubs  for  Wisconsin.  Are  Rosa  canina, 
Ailanthus  and  Weeping  Florida  Dogwood  hardy  here, 
where  mercury  sometimes  runs  down  to  30*  below  zero? 
Mks.  J.  L.  J. 

1749.  Pruning  Roses.  When  is  the  right  time  for 
It  ?— G.  W.  B.,  Ihitledge.  Pa. 

lloi).  Growing  Mignonette.  Please  tell  about  soil, 
when  and  how  to  plant,  whether  in  light  or  shade.  I 
want  the  sweetest  kind,  nothing  fancy.— Mrs.  I.  J.  S. 
Flushing,  L.  I. 

1751.  Budding  and  Grafting  Roses.  When  is  the 
right  time,  and  how  done  ?— A.  F.,  New  Orleans,  La. 

1752.  Apple  Bark  Louse.  How  best  treated  ?— E.  P. 
R.,  .Sidney,  Ohio. 

1753.  Fish  Geraniums  not  Blooming.  They  grow 
luxuriantly  In  light  rich  soil,  with  the  morning  sun? 
Mrs.  C.  G.  McL.,  ia. 

1754.  Iron  lor  Fruit  Trees.  Are  iron  shavings  from 
machinist's  lathe  of  benefit  for  fruit  trees  ?— H.  A.  H., 
Medina,  O. 

1755.  Blood  for  Vegetables.  Quantity  of  blood  in 
barrels.    What  should  I  mix  with  It  to  use  for  garden  ? 

1756.  Grape  for  Market  What  kind  is  best  to  plant 
on  northern  shore  of  Lake  Ontario?— J.  B.  O.,  Prince 
Edwards  Co.,  Ont. 

1757.  Spraying  Fruit  Trees.  Will  farmers  have  to 
reckon  with  this  as  a  nece.s.sarv  Item  in  their  labor  ac- 
cotmt  ?— J.  B.,  Salem,  O. 

1758.  Black  Oalla  aram.  Where  can  1  obtain  one  ? 
— C.  H.  B.,  Neb. 

1759.  Prolific  Poultry.    What  breed  lays  the  most 

eggs? 

Iim.  Rural  Books.  What  book  can  you  recommend 
on  poultry  keeping,  fruit  growing,  landscape  garden- 
ing, market  garileulng,  and  others  helpful  to  an  ama- 
teur?—F.  W.  S.,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

1761.  Mulberry  Tree  not  Fruiting.  Blossoms  freely. 
Shall  I  graft  it  over,  or  cut  it  down  ?— J,  51.,  Bamilton, 
Ont. 

1762.  Canada  Ashes.  Can  be  had  at  $17  per  ton 
here.  Are  they  worth  it  for  fruit  trees  and  small 
fruits  ?— P.  H.  B.,  New  Jersey. 


17K!.  Tools  ior  Digging  Root  Crops.  What  tools 
can  you  recommend  ?— H.  S.,  Fayette  Co.,  Iowa. 

1764.  Rural  Books.  What  books  can  you  recom- 
mend on  horses,  cows,  market  gardening,  and  flower 
culture?- J.  M.  N..  Baltimore,  M.  D. 

1765.  Lilies  in  Pots.  Should  Auratum,  Candldums. 
Harrissi  and  others  remain  In  window,  or  taken  out  in 
air  and  sunshine  ? 

1766.  Applying  Wood  Ashes.    Should  I  mix  them 

with  soil  first,  or  apply  directly  on  top  to  Strawberries 
and  in  flower  border  ? 

1767.  Budding  Roses.  To  make  my  Marechal  Niel 
bloom,  in  what  stock  should  it  be  put?— Mrs.  B.,  Win- 
field,  Kans. 

176S,  Nitrate  of  Soda.  Is  it  good  for  lawns?  And 
what  other  fertilizer  should  be  used  with  it  ?— Mrs.  R 

S.  H.,  Tenn. 

1769,  Magnolia  Seed.  Does  it  germinate  the  same 
season  ?— E.  H.,  Leroy,  .V,  5". 

177U.  Strawberries  in  Pear  Orchard.  Are  they  de- 
trimental to  the  Pear  trees?— S.  S.  ran  West,  Ohio. 

1771.  Euphorbia  Splendens.  What  treatment  is 
required  to  make  a  large  thrifty  plant  bloom  ? 

1773.  Prizetaker  Onion.  Where  can  seed  be  obtain- 
ed ?-G.  E.  B. 

1773.  Packing  Vegetables.  How  are  Lettuce, Celery, 
Radishes.  Greens,  etc.,  packed  tor  shipment?— B.  E.  H. 

1774.  Book  on  Flowers.  What  work,  or  monthly 
magazine  treat,s  on  the  cultivation  of  annuals,  bedding 
plants  and  the  like,  for  amateur's  uses  ?— Miss  K.  J.  T. 

1775.  Garden  Manures.  Is  blood  good  for  garden 
crops,  also  can  new  sheep  manure  be  safely  used  in  the 
drills  or  rows  for  Celery  !'— W.  L.  H. 

1776.  Planting  Dahlia.  Should  the  bulbs  be  separa' 
ted,  or  planted  just  as  taken  up?— S.  E.  P. 

1778.  Spanish  Chestnut.  Will  this  do  all  right,  or 
do  you  advise  grafting  it  to  Paragon?  • 

177S.  Grafting  English  Walnuts.  Can  this  be  done 
successfully  on  White  Walnut  iButtemut)  ? 

1779.  Currant  as  Tree.  Is  It  better  grown  as  tree 
or  bush  ?— Wm.  C,  Steuben  Co..  N.  Y. 

17S0.  Rules  for  Farmer's  Club.  How  are  the  con. 
stitution  and  by-laws  drawn  up?— C.  W,  L. 

REPLIES  TO  INQUIRIES. 
1,706.  Sizing  for  Hotbed  Sash.  For  three 
sashes  of  usual  size  get  one  yuart  of  linseed  oil. 
one  pint  of  lime  water,  yolks  of  fourteen  eggs, 
and  the  whites  of  four  eggs.  Then  boil  oil  and 
lime  water  together,  remove  from  the  Are,  and 
after  a  few  minutes  stirring  add  the  beaten  eggs, 
stirring  again  until  all  is  thoroughly  mixed. 
The  muslin  being  tacked  on  the  frames,  is  paint- 
ed over  with  two  coates  of  this  mixture,  and 
when  dry  will  be  ready  for  use.— E.  A.  W.,  Me. 

L637.  Dwarf  Pear  Orchard.  My  experience  is 
many  varieties  of  Pears  thrive  better  and  are 
more  satisfactory  and  profitable  as  dwarfs  than 
as  standards.  Then  it  is  much  easier  to  pick  the 
fruit  from  a  low  dwarf  tree,  than  a  tall  standard; 
while  the  fruit  is  just  as  large  and  fine,  and  sells 
just  as  well  in  the  market.  Some  of  the  popular 
a  warts  with  me,  are  Osborn's  .Summer.  Bartlett. 
L  luise  Bonne,  and  Duchess;  ripening  in  the  order 
named.  If  properly  managed  these  sorts  be- 
come in  a  few  years  "dwarf  standards,"  trees 
which  with  me  are  the  most  satisfactory  of  any. 
— T.  E.  Goodrich,  Illinois. 

1,736.     Hariana   Pltun  from   Cattings.     The 

proper  plan  is  to  take  the  cuttings  from  the 
trees  late  in  the  fall,  cut  them  six  to  eight  inches 
in  length,  sloping  at  the  base  close  to  an  eye,  and 
at  right  angles  with  the  eye  or  bud,  and  above  a 
bud  at  top  one-half  inch.  It  should  be  of  strong 
wood  of  the  same  season's  growth,  but  if  an  inch 
or  two  of  the  two  year  wood  is  left  at  the  bottom 
it  will  not  lie  amiss.  Tie  the  cuttings  in  bundles 
of  one  hundred  and  bury  them  upright  with 
three  inches  of  sand  or  meUow  earth  on  top. 
Bear  in  mind  that  this  must  be  where  the  drain- 
age is  good,  or  they  will  spoil.  In  this  condition 
leave  them  until  spring  when  the  ground  begins 
to  get  warm,  then  take  them  up,  invert  the  bun- 
dles, and  put  them  back  in  the  same  place.  In 
this  position  the  buts  will  be  in  a  warmer  tem- 
perature than  the  tops,  and  will  callous  while 
the  buds  below  will  remain  nearly  dormant. 
They  should  be  examined  occasionally,  and  as 
soon  as  well  calloused,  with  little  root  points, 
coming  out,  they  should  be  set  out  in 
nursery  rows  for  budding  the  following  summer 
or  for  grafting  the  next  spring.  But  as  the  in- 
quirer cannot  now  follow  the  above  instructions 
tor  this  season,  the  next  best  thing  he  can  do  is 
to  cut  them  as  described  as  soon  as  the  buds 
begin  to  swell,  and  plant  them  at  once,  making 
the  ground  firm  about  them.  I  never  saw  a 
better  strike  of  Quince  cuttings  than  once  when 
the  trimming  was  done  when  the  buds  were 
bursting,  and  the  cuttings  set  at  once.  The  same 
with  a  lot  of  Pyrus  Japonica  cuttings.  The  wood 
seems  to  be  full  of  life,  and  if  the  weather  be  at 
all  favorable  they  go  right  ahead.  This  Mariana 
Plum,  while  to  my  notion  of  but  little  use  here 
for  its  fruit;  will  be  a  boon  to  the  nurserymen, 
and  Plum  growers  as  a  stock  to  grow  the  finer 
varieties  upon.  It  has  also  been  used  for  the 
Peach  successfully.  The  Stark  Bros.,  this  state, 
grow  it  by  the  hundreds  of  thousands,  as  a  supe- 
rior stock  for  Plum,  Apricot  and  Peach.— S.  Mil- 
ler, Montgomery  Co.,  Mo. 


1,696.  Tree  Fruits  for  Ohio,  I  think  the  fol- 
lowing will  be  about  the  best :  Pears :  Bartlett, 
Duchess,  Anjou,  Lawrence;  Plums:  Lombardi 
Bradshaw,  Jefferson;  Cherries:  Early  Richmond; 
Quince:  Orange;  Grapes:  Concord  and  Worden. 
I  would  plant  two-third  Pear  and  Plum,  one- 
third  Cherries,  Quince  and  Grapes.  Peach  trees 
could  be  planted  between  the  other  fruit  trees.— 

E.  H.  OUSHMAN. 

1,~31.  Lombard  Plum.  This  is  one  of  the  very 
best  and  most  reliable  Plums  for  market,  or 
almost  any  other  purpose.  Mr.  S.  D.  Willard  says 
it  takes  the  place  among  Plums  that  Concord 
occupies  among  the  Grapes,  or  the  Baldwin 
among  Apples.  He  also  names  it  as  one  among 
the  best  six  Plums  for  market,  the  others  being 
Bradshaw,  Gueii,  Hudson  River  Purple  Egg, 
Peter's  Yellow  Gage,  toe's  Golden  Drop. 

1,7.33.  Wash  for  Borers,  AU  the  common 
borers  that  infest  our  fruit  trees,  as  Pears, 
Peaches,  Apples,  Quinces,  etc.,  can  be  kept  off 
by  strong  alkaline  washes  or  mechanical  obstruc- 
tions around  the  only  part  of  the  trees  where 
they  can  enter,  namely  near  the  ground  where 
the  bark  is  soft.  When  they  have  once  found  an 
entrance,  however,  washes  alone  will  not  do. 
They  will  have  to  be  cut  out  with  a  sharp  knife, 
or  killed  by  introducing  a  phable  wire  into  the 
cavity.— H.  W.  E. 

1.734.  Treatment  of  Berry  Plants.      Berry 

plants.  Grape  vines,  and  other  nursery  stock 
arriving  in  boxes  or  barrels  ahead  of  the  time 
that  they  can  be  planted  out,  should  be  at  once 
unpacked,  and  put  in  a  cellar  or  other  cool  dark 
place,  spread  out  to  keep  them  from  heating  or 
decay,  and  their  roots  covered  with  moist  sand, 
soil  or  moss.  Leave  there  until  planting  time.— 
H   W.  E. 

1.735.  Bemedy  for  Com  or  Boll  Worm.  This 
insect  is  double-brooded.  The  first  brood  attacks 
the  earliest  varieties,  the  second  brood  the  latest. 
The  intermediate  crop  usually  escapes.  In  order 
to  protect  your  early  Cory  Corn,  you  will  ha^<e 
to  examine  it  frequently,  to  pick  off  the  worms 
and  crush  them.  This  will  also  reduce  the  later 
attacks.  Early  Cory  can  also  be  grown  free 
from  the  insects'  attacks  by  planting  it  very 
late,  so  as  to  have  it  come  after  the  first  brood  of 
the  Corn  worm  is  gone. 

1,715.  Large  Prolific  Strawberry.  Fruits 
growers  have  long  been  looking  for  a  .Strawberry 
as  large  as  Sharpless  and  as  productive  as  Cres- 
cent. We  have  found  it  in  Bubach  No.  5.  This 
variety  makes  large  plants,  and  they  do  not  mat 
the  ground  thickly.  We  consider  it  fully  as  pro- 
ductive as  Crescent.  In  firmness,  it  ranks  with 
Crescent.  The  Color  is  rather  light,  like  the 
Sharpless,  its  size  is  its  chief  attraction.  Although 
not  so  large  as  Bubach,  with  us,  the  Warfield  No. 
-'  is  .W  per  cent  larger  than  Crescent,  more  pro- 
ductive and  better  colored.  It  is  also  very  firm, 
a  good  shipping  beriy  like  Wilson;  which  it  re- 
sembles in  color  and  shape.  This  last  is  very 
important,  for  being  a  pistillate,  some  perfect, 
flowered  variety  must  be  grown  near;  and  if 
Wilson  is  used  as  such,  both  may  be  picked  in  the 
same  basket— and  sell  as  one  variety.— L.  J.  F. 

1.717.  Strawberry  Seedlinifs.  Our  plan  in 
growing  seedUng  Strawberries,  and  which  works 
well,  is  this :  Dead  ripe  berries  are  selected,  and 
all  the  juice  squeezed  out.  The  pulp  and  seeds 
are  mixed  with  dry  soil  and  sown  in  a  box  of 
rich  earth.  The  seeds  should  be  covered  thinly 
by  sifting  fine  earth  over  them.  The  box  should 
be  placed  in  the  shade  and  the  earth  sprinkled 
everyday.  When  the  seedlings  begin  to  come  up 
which  will  be  in  about  a  month,  the  box  should 
be  brought  to  the  light,  so  as  to  gradually  ex- 

fose  the  young  seedlings  to  the  rays  of  the  sun. 
n  a  few  weeks,  the  seedlings  may  be  transplant- 
ed into  boxes,  two  inches  apart.  When  winter 
comes  on,  the  young  plants  are  given  thorough 
protection.  In  the  spring,  they  are  transplanted 
same  as  other  Strawberry  plants;  and  all  runners 
kept  off  till  the  plants  bear,  which  will  be  the 
following  year.— L.  J.  F.\r.mer. 

l.eni.  Small  Frnit  Tarieties.  The  hardiest 
varieties  only  are  adapted  to  the  climate  of  Min- 
nesota. C>f  Strawberries,  we  recommend,  Wil- 
son, Warfield  No.-,  Bubach  and  Jessie;  Rasp- 
berries: Cuthbert  and  Turner  for  red,  Tyler  and 
Ohio  for  black;  Blackberries:  Stone's  Hardy  and 
Snyder;  Currants:  Fay's  Prolific.  Red  Dutch  and 
White  Grape ;  Gooseberries :  Downing  and 
Houghton.— L.  J.  Farmee. 

1,717.  Strawberry  Seedlings,  When  gather- 
ing our  Strawberries  last  season,  a  few  fine 
specimens  were  saved  with  the  intention  of 
separating  the  seed  and  sowing  in  a  few  days 
but  they  were  forgotten  till  about  a  month  after- 
wards when  they  were  found  all  dried  up.  I 
rubbed  them  up  between  the  fingers  to  separate 
the  seeds.  Then  sowed  them  in  a  box.  covering 
it  about  one-eight  inch  deep.  Placed  box  in  cold 
frame  and  covered  with  cloth  frame.  Seed  came 
up  thickly  in  a  few  days  and  was  soon  large 
enough  to  transplant,  when  they  were  set  in  the 
ground  in  cold  frame  there  to  remain  till  spring 
when  they  will  again  be  transplanted,  to  where 
they  are  to  fruit.— W.  C.  Jennison. 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


163 


1,771.  Frizetaker  Onion.  True  seed  can  be 
had  of  William  Heury  Maule,  Philadelphia,  Pa., 
or  Peter  Hendei-9on  \-  fc,  Cortlandt  street,  New 
Vork  City. 

1,770.  Spanish  Chestnut.  We  would  greatly 
prefer  the  Parajronto  the averagre Spanish  Chest- 
nut, even  to  the  N  umbo,  and  this  is  yet  the  best 
among  them,  for  our  uses.  It  also  is  doubtful 
whether  the  Spanish  Chestnut  will  prove  hardy 
in  Steuben  Co.,  N.  Y..  unless  in  a  very  protected 
situation.  No  harm  in  trying  it,  however.  The 
Pai"ag(in.  when  gn\fted  into  the  top  of  Spanish 
and  perhaps  other  kinds  of  Chestnut,  has  some- 
times a  baa  habit  of  suddenly  wilting  and  dying. 
Whether  this  can  be  obviated  by  grafting  near 
the  ground  or  not,  we  dt)  not  know.  — H.  W.  E. 

i.  1,777.  Grafting  English  Walnuts.  The  En- 
glish Walnut  has  been  successfully  grafted  on 
Black  Walnut,  Hickory  and  Butternut,  but  it  is 
a  difficult  operation  at  best,  and  will  fail  in  nine- 
teen cases  where  it  succeeds  once. 

1,878.  Currant  as  Tree,  The  only  safe  way  of 
growing  the  Current  is  as  a  bush.  It  can  be 
trimmed  to  single  stem,  and  grown  as  tree,  but 
it  is  never  satisfactory.  The  same  may  be  said 
of  the  Gooseberry,  although  the  European  varie- 
ties are  usually  grown  so  at  their  nome,  and 
ordinarily  with  best  results. 

1,697.  Mildew  on  Tomatoes.  I  suggest  the 
instant  removal  and  destruction  of  all  plants 
showing  any  indications  of  the  ailment.— C.  E.  P. 

'1,705.  Protecting  Strawberries  from  Ornbs. 
There  is  no  wash,  nor  do  I  know  of  any  device 
that  will  keep  the  white  grub  from  destroying 
Strawberry  plants.— C.  E.  P. 

1,701.  Bark  Lice  on  Pear  Trees.  Dissolve  two 
ounces  of  Gisherts  Compound,  Tobacco  soap 
or  carbolic  soap  in  a  gallon  of  water,  and  apply 
with  a  paint  brush  to  all  infested  parts.  One,  or 
at  the  most  two  applications  will  be  sufBcient.— 
Chas.  E.  Parnei.l. 

1,6!>4.  Zonal  Beraniums.  The  reason  why  the 
leaves  of  your  Zonal  Geraniums  turned  yellow 
was  because  you  do  not  water  them  thoroughly, 
or  else  you  permitted  them  to  become  very  dry 
at  the  roots  bef^^re  watering.- C.  E.  P. 

1,791.  Planting  Early  Crops.  To  answer  this 
query  as  fully  and  as  properly  as  its  importance 
demands,  would  re<juire  more  space  than  could 
well  be  spared  in  this  department.  You  should 
procure  a  copy  of  Henderson's  Gardening  for 
Front  and  carefully  follow  the  directions  con- 
tained therein.- CHA.S.  E.  Pahnell. 

1,488.  Landscape  Gardening.  Scott's  "  Beau- 
tiful Homes  "  is  an  excellent  work  on  the  subject. 
—Chas.  E.  P. 

1,490.  Crintim  Culture.  To  cultivate  and  bloom 
the  Crinums  to  perfection,  they  should  be  given 
a  compost  composed  of  two-thirds  turfy  loam, 
one-third  well-decayed  manure,  and  a  good 
sprinkling  of  sharp  sand.  Good  drainage  is  also 
indispensable.  .\s  the  different  species  are  ever- 
green, they  do  best  when  grown  continually  in 
[lots,  onlv  shifting  into  larger  ones  as  the  others 
become  tilled  with  roots,  for  the  more  root  room 
the  plants  have,  the  larger  and  Dner  will  be  the 
Howers  When  the  plants  are  growing  rapidly, 
liquid  manure  can  be  given  occa.-'sionally  to  good 
advantage.— C.  E.  P. 

1.492.  Transplanting  Large  Trees.  Yes,  large 
trees  can  be  transplanted,  but  I  do  not  think  that 
it  would  do  your  Seckel  Pear  tree  any  good  to 
remove  it.  With  the  exception  of  the  Apple  my 
experience  in  transplanting  large  fruit  trees  has 
been  so  unsatisfactory  that  I  would  not  ad^^se 
the  attempt.— C.  E.  P. 

1.493.  Blackberry  Disease.  Cut  out  and  burn 
all  infested  parts  as  soon  as  noticed.— C.  E.  P. 

1,498.  Begonias  and  Abutilons,  Begonias 
should  be  taken  up  and  potted  about  the  first  of 
September.  They  should  be  placed  inside  about 
the  middle  of  the  month.  Abutilons  can  be  taken 
up  later,  but  should  be  inside  before  cool  weather 
sets  in.  This  refers  to  plants  that  are  grown  for 
winter  blooming.— C.  E.  P. 

1,.503.  Planting  Baspberries,  If  the  plants  are 
large  and  well  rooted,  they  can  be  planted  in  the 
fall.  Otherwise  I  would  wait  until  spring.— C.E.P. 

1,503.  Manuring  Blackberries.  A  shovelful 
of  good  manure  applied  at  once  will  l)eneflt  next 
year's  crop  materially.  As  you  describe  your 
land  as  being  rather  thin,  I  would  double  the 
quantity  if  possible.— P. 

1,.509.  Best  Potato.  For  home  use  Early  Ohio 
and  White  Star.  They  are  also  excellent  market 
sorts.  In  this  vicinity  the  Early  Rose  is  also  very 
extensively  grown  as  a  market  variety.— C.  E.  P. 

1,B80.  Cabbage  Lice,  An  application  of  Hen- 
derson's Insect  Death  Powder  will  destroy  them; 
so  will  an  application  of  Tobacco  soap,  Fir  Tree 
oil  or  Cole's  Insect  Destroyer.— C.  E.  Parnell. 

1,681.  Setting  Asparagus  Plants,  They  can 
be  planted  whenever  the  ground  is  in  a  proper 
condition.  In  light  soils  they  can  be  planted  at 
any  time  from  fall  to  spring,  but  for  heavy  soils 
1  would  wait  until  spring.— C  E.  Parnell. 


1,683.  Fertilizer  for  Celery.  An  application  of 
Mapes  Vegetable  Manure  will  be  found  beneficial. 
Apply  when  hoeing,  scattering  well  and  working 
in  around  the  plants  and  along  the  rows.  Or 
scatter  in  the  rows  and  work  in  thoroughly  be- 
fore setting  out  the  plants.— Chas.  E.  Parnbll. 

1,686.  Plum  Bot.  Gathering  and  destroying 
all  infested  specimens  is  said  to  keep  this  pest  in 
check. 

1,625.  Boses  from  England,  Roses  can  be  sent 
from  England  by  mail  suci'essfuUy  when  the 
plants  are  in  a  state  of  rest.— C.  E.  P. 

1,622.  French  Cannae  It  is  said  that  they  are 
crosses  between  C.  Ehemanni-gladioliflora,  aud 
the  best  of  the  common  smaller-flowered  varie- 
ties.—P. 

1,769.  Strawberries  in  Pear  Orchard.  It  is  a 
good  rule  to  work  an  orchard  tor  tree  fruit  only, 
and  not  for  other  crops,  especially  cereals,  ex- 
cept only  during  the  first  few  years  after  trees 
are  set.  Even  then  only  hoed  crops,  vegetables, 
small  fruits,  etc.,  should  be  planted.  The  trees 
at  that  period  do  not  occupy  all  the  space,  and 
do  not  need  all  the  fertility  of  the  soil,  while  the 
cultivation  keeps  down  weed  growth,  and  other- 
wise benefits  the  trees  as  well  the  hoed  crops. 
Where  manures  are  used  as  abundantly  as  re- 
quired for  the  crops  named,  we  would  not  fear 
damage  to  the  young  trees  by  this  management, 
but  rather  expect  a  beneBcial  efi'ect.  We  would 
not  hesitate  to  plant  rows  of  Strawberries  be- 
tween rows  of  standard  Pear  trees,  no  more 
than  of  Apple  trees  or  Peaches.  Just  as  soon  as 
the  trees  commence  to  bear  fruit,  however,  the 
whole  area  should  be  given  up  to  them  entirely. 
Double  cropping  the  orchard  does  not  usually 
pay.  Dwarf  Pears,  being  planted  very  close, 
and  reaching  out  quite  far  with  their  shallow- 
feeding  roots,  need  the  entire  space  of  the 
ground  almost  from  the  day  they  are  planted, 
and  consequently  it  would  not  be  a  good  prac- 
tice to  crop  the  orchard  very  closely  otherwise, 
especially  not  with  the  over-hungry  and  ex- 
haustive Strawberry  plants.  If  done  at  all,  it  is 
admissible  only  for  a  year  or  two,  setting  a 
single  row  of  plants  between  each  two  rows  of 
trees,  and  applying  the  required  plant-foods— 
chiefly  potjisn  and  phospneric  acid— in  very 
generous  rations  — H.  W.  E 

1.766.  Applying  Wood  Ashes.  These  can  be 
applied  as  a  top  dressing  to  be  raked  or  hoed  in 
if  so  desired,  for  almost  any  crop,  and  at  almost 
any  time.  For  Strawberries  we  would  put  them 
on  the  ground  broadcast,  or  along  the  rows. 
The  plants  will  be  sure  to  get  the  benefit  of  their 
application.  For  flowering  plants  apply  as  a  top 
dressing,  although,  we  believe,  a  nitrogenous 
fertilizer  would  give  better  results. 

1.767.  Nitrate  of  Soda  for  Lawns,  Whether  a 
dressing  of  nitrate  of  soda  will  be  of  much  ben- 
efit to  lawns  depends  very  much  on  the  character 
of  the  soil,  and  the  time  of  application.  Used 
very  early  in  spring,  even  on  rich  soil,  it  may 
bring  out  an  earlier  growth,  and  a  richer,  velvety 
color.  Applied  later  in  the  season  on  soil  well 
supplied  with  fertilizer  (stable  compost),  the 
effect  may  be  very  slight.  We  shall  make  some 
experiments  with  nitrate  of  soda  on  the  lawn  at 
once— H.  W.  E. 

1,764.  Tools  for  Digging  Boot  Crops.  There  is 
usually  some  difficulty  encountered  in  digging 
Carrots  and  Parsnips  when  these  have  grown 
very  long  into  the  ground.  We  know  of  no 
l>etter  way  of  digging  these  crops  thau  by  i>low- 
ing  a  furrow  away  from  one  side  of  each  row, 
and  close  to  it,  thus  almost  laying  the  roots  bare 
on  one  side.  Then  with  a  spade  or  spading  fork 
pry  them  out  or  loose  from  the  other  side,  and 
pull  up  by  hand.— H.  W.  E. 

1,774.  Garden  Manure,  Blood  is  a  most  excel- 
lent fertilizer  for  garden  crops,  being  rich  in 
just  the  element  of  plant  food  (nitrogen)  which 
is  needed  more  than  any  other  for  giving  us 
thrift,  luxuriance,  and  succuleney.  In  Europe 
the  blood  as  it  comes  from  the  slaughter  houses 
is  often  dtied,  then  powdered,  and  thus  fitted  for 
broadcast  application.  W  here  blood  can  be  ob- 
tained from  slaughter  houses  in  quantities,  we 
would  recommend  a  liberal  use  for  gardens.  It 
can  be  composted  by  sandwiching  thin  layers  of 
it  between  layers  of  fresh  stable  manure,  muck, 
sods,  soil,  etc.,  always  covering  the  heaps  over 
with  soil,  muck  or  other  safe  absorl)ent,  or  mix- 
ing small  quantities  of  kainit  with  the  mass,  in 
order  to  prevent  the  escape  of  ammonia.  Blood 
is  almost  exactly  the  same  as  flesh  in  composition, 
and  either  of  them  if  composted  as  suggested, 
will  within  a  few  months  give  you  a  garden  fer- 
tilizer of  the  very  best  quality.  Sheep  manure  is 
also  fine  for  vegetables,  but  we  preter  to  have 
this  as  well  as  all  other  manures  for  the  garden, 
well  composted  before  applying  it.  If  fine  and 
free  from  coarse  litter,  however,  you  need  not  be 
afraid  of  using  it  freely,  both  broadcast  to  be 
raked,  harrowed,  or  hoedin,and  in  hills  and  drills. 

1653.  Early  Blackberry,  The  Snyder  Black- 
berry is  the  best  well  tested  variety  we  know. 
It  is  early,  entirely  hardy,  and  enormously  pro- 
ductive with  us.  The  size  increases  by  heroic 
pruning. 


1,738.  Growing  Cabbage  Seed.  The  best  suc- 
cess in  growing  Cabbages  we  ever  had  was  with 
seed  from  Long  Island  and  from  Puget  sound. 
One  of  our  exchanges  tells  about  the  industry 
in  Long  Island  as  follows :  Contracts  for  the 
seed  are  made  in  advance  with  seedsmen  or  their 
representatives,  stipulating  the  variety  to  be 
grown  and  the  price  to  be  paid  for  the  seed.  The 
seed  is  sown  about  the  20th  of  June,  and  they 
aim  to  set  out  the  plants  between  Aug.  1  and  10, 
in  rows  three  feet  apart,  about  10,000  to  the  acre. 
The  grower  aims  to  have  the  Cabbage  grow  a 
small,  soft  head,  not  sufficiently  large  for  table 
use.  About  the  first  of  November,  before  freez- 
ing weather,  the  Cabbage  is  taken  up  by  the 
roots  and  prepared  for  wintering.  To  do  this,  a 
wide  and  deep  furrow  is  oiiened  by  plowing  both 
ways  in  it.  In  this  furrow  the  Cabbages  are 
compactly  set,  about  three  abreast,  and  the  earth 
thrown  against  them  with  the  plow,  covering 
them  as  nearly  as  possible.  The  work  is  finished 
by  hand  with  the  snovel.  As  soon  as  the  ground 
can  be  worked  in  the  spring  the  Cabbages  are 
taken  out  of  the  trenches  and  set  out,  about  two 
and  one-half  by  four  feet,  according  to  variety. 
To  facilitate  the  starting  of  the  seed  stalk,  the 
head  of  the  Cabbage  is  generally  gashed  with  a 
knife.  About  the  20th  of  July  tne  seed  is  ready 
for  harvesting.  The  seed  stalk  is  cut  off,  and 
allowed  to  lie  upon  the  ground  for  a  few  days 
before  it  is  drawn  in.  The  shelving  of  the  wagon 
is  lined  with  canvas  to  prevent  wasting  of  seed, 
very  much  of  which  is  shelled  out  in  the  process 
of  loading;.  It  is  then  taken  to  the  barn  fioor, 
where  a  slight  flailing  finishes  the  work,  and  the 
seed  is  cleaned  with  a  common  fanning  mill. 
The  crop  varies  largely,  running  between  150 
and  800  pounds  to  the  acre  as  extremes,  and  the 
farmers  realize  from  40  to  60  cents  per  pound.  It 
is  estimated  that  about  200,000  pounds  are  an- 
nually raised  in  this  part  of  Long  Island. 

1,759.  Prolific  Poultry,  We  know  of  no  breed 
of  fowls  that  will  lay  more  eggs  than  the  Leg- 
horns, either  white  or  brown.  The  Polish  and 
Spanish  breeds  are  also  most  excellent  layers, 
but  all  these  are  usually  better  summer  than 
winter  layers.  In  localities  where  the  winters 
are  usually  very  cold,  we  would  prefer  a  hardier 
breed,  and  our  experience  leads  us  to  put  the 
Black  Langshans  ahead  of  any  other  breed  for 
the  production  of  eggs  the  year  round.— H.W.E. 

1,757.  Spraying  Fruit  Trees,  This  is  an  item 
with  which  everyone  who  attempts  to  raise  tree 
fruits  for  market  (and  perhaps  for  home  use  also) 
will  have  to  reckon.  It  has  come  to  this  that  we 
have  only  the  choice  between  spraying  the  trees, 
or  seeing  our  fruit  destroyed  or  badly  damaged 
by  insects.— H.  W.  E. 

l,75;j.  Apple  Bark  Louse,  This  is  the  same  in- 
sect which  also  attacks  Pears,  etc.  Remedies 
were  suggested  on  page  141  (  March  No,)  which 
see.— H.  W.  E. 

1,690.  Book  on  Fruit  and  Poultry.  I  have 
read  most  of  the  books  pertaining  to  small  fruit 
culture  and  1  know  of  none  equal  to  Roe's  "Suc- 
cess with  Small  Fruits."  It  may  be  ordered  of 
Dodd,  Mead  &  Co.,  through  your  bookstore,  and 
costs  $2.00.— L.  J.  P. 

1,762.  Canada  Ashes,  Whether  Canada  uii- 
leached  wood  ashes  are  worth  $17.00  delivered  in 
Hammonton,  N.  J.,  depends  entirely  on  their 
per  centage  of  phosphoric  acid  and  potash.  A 
good  average  sample  contains  about  six  percent, 
of  the  latter,  and  two  per  cent,  of  the  former, 
or  per  ton  120  lbs.  of  potash  worth  at  regular 
schedule  rates  $7.20,  and  40  lbs.  of  phosphoric  acid 
worth  $3.20;  so  that  the  chemical  value  of  one 
ton  might  be  estimated  at  $10.40.  If  the  cost  of 
handling,  shipping  to  Hammonton,  etc.,  are 
added  to  this,  the  probability  is  that  the  $17.00 
per  ton  would  not  be  far  out  of  the  way.  It  should 
be  bom  in  mind  also  that  wood  ashes  are  one  of 
the  very  best  fertilizers  for  bush  and  tree  fruits, 
we  might  say,  are  without  a  peer,  and  that  their 
agricultural  value  is  much  higher  than  analysis 
indicates.  On  the  other  hand  it  is  true  that  many 
samples  of  the  Canada  ashes  nowadays  do  not 
show  as  high  a  per  centage  of  potash  and  phos- 
phoric acid  as  before  mentiond.  In  that  case 
$17.00  is  a  pretty  good  price  to  pay  for  the  ferti- 
lizer. At  least  we  would  look  around  for  cheaper 
plant  foods  first  before  investing  in  Canada 
ashes.  Mr.  S.  D.  Willard  before  the  last  meeting 
of  the  W.  N.  Y.  Horticultural  Society  stated 
that  his  late  experience  with  such  ashes  was  far 
from  being  satisfactory,  owing  to  the  low  grade 
which  had  been  palmed  off  on  him.  The  best 
advice  we  might  give  to  our  subscriber  in  Ham- 
monton, buy  only  on  guaranteed  analysis  or  to 
forward  a  sample  of  the  article  to  the  N.  J.  Ag- 
ricultural Experiment  Station  of  New  Bruns- 
wick, with  the  request  to  have  it  analyzed.  If  it 
contains  at  least  si.x  per  cent,  potash,  and  two 
per  cent,  phosphoric  acid,  you  can  afford  to  pay 
I17.0O  a  ton  for  it ;  otherwise  not.— H.  W.  B. 

908.  Blanching  Celery,  No  material  on  the 
whole,  has  been  found  so  satisfactory  as  earth. 
Drain  tiles  and  paper  answer  well  early  in  the 
season  It  is  unnecessary  to  tie  the  stems  to- 
gether in  using  earth,  provided  they  are  held 
firmly  together  with  the  left  hand,  while  the 
earth  is  placed  about  them  with  the  right. 


164 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


April, 


1,626,  Tariecrated  PittoBporum  Tobira.  If  the 
pots  are  well  filled  with  roots,  occasional  appli- 
cations of  manure  water  are  decidedly  beneficial. 
— C.  E.  P. 

1.709.  Black  Leaves  on  Orange  Treei.  Dissolve 
two  ounces  of  whale  oil  soap  in  a  gallon  of  water, 
and  spray  or  syringe  the  tree  thoroughly  with  a 
part  of  the  solution.  In  two  or  three  hours  after- 
wards the  black  can  be  readily  washed  off  with 
the  remainder  of  the  solution,  using  a  soft  sponge: 
this  should  not  be  done,  however,  when  the  trees 
are  growing  or  are  In  bloom. —Chas.  E.  Parnei,!,. 

1,179.  Rules  for  Farmers'  Club.  We  pubUsh  in 
the  following  the  I'onstitution  and  By-laws  of  the 
"Western  New  York  Horticultural  Society,  one  of 
the  most  noted  and  successful  of  all  such  asso- 
ciations. The  te\t  can  easily  be  altered  to  fit  any 
organization  of  this  kind,  agricultural  as  well  as 
horticultural.  The  rules  are  as  follows:  Consti- 
tution. Article  I.— This  Association  shall  be 
entitled  the  Western  New  York  Horticultural 
Society,  and  its  object  shall  be  the  advancement 
of  the  Science  of  Pomology,  and  the  Art  of  Fruit 
Culture  generally.  Art.  11.— It  shall  embrace  in 
its  sphere  of  operation  the  Counties  of  Chautau- 
qua, Erie,  Niagara,  Cattaraugus,  Orleans,  Gene- 
see, Allegany,  Monroe,  Livingston,  Steuben,  On- 
tario, Wayne,  Yates,  Seneca,  Chemung,  Tomp- 
kins, Cayuga,  Oswego,  Tioga,  Onondaga  and 
Cortland.  Art.  III.— Any  person  may  become  a 
member  of  this  Society  by  paying  into  the  treas- 
ury the  sum  of  one  dollar.  The  payment  of  ten 
dollars  or  more  at  one  time,  will  constitute  a  life 
membership.  Art.  IV.— Its  oflicers  shall  consist 
of  a  President,  Vice-President,  a  Secretary  and 
Treasurer,  all  of  whom  shall  be  elected  annually 
by  ballot.  Art.  V.— The  following  standing  com- 
mittees shall  be  ai)pointed  annually:  An  Execu- 
tive Committee,  a  Committee  on  Nomenclature, 
a  Committee  on  American  Fruits,  and  a  Com- 
mittee on  Foieign  Fruits,  to  consist  of  five  mem- 
bers each,  and  a  General  Fruit  Committee,  to 
consist  of  three  members  from  each  county  rep- 
resented in  the  Society,  with  a  General  Chairman 
of  the  whole.  Art,  VI.— The  officers  of  the 
Society,  together  with  the  E.xecuti ve )  'ommittee, 
shall  constitute  the  Council,  which  shall  have  the 
general  management  of  the  affairs  of  the  Society 
during  its  recess,  and  of  which  seven  members, 
including  the  President  or  one  of  the  Vice-Presi- 
dents, shall  form  a  quonim  for  the  transaction 
of  business.  Art.  VII.— This  constitution  may 
be  amended  by  a  vote  of  two-thirds  of  the  mem- 
bers present  at  any  regular  meeting,  notice  of 
the  proposed  amendment  having  been  previously 
given.  Hy-Laws.  ].— The  C'ommittee  on  No- 
menclature shall  collate  and  decide  the  standard 
and  synonymous  namesiof  all  fruits  known  to  the 
Society,  with  tin-  authorities  for  each,  and  report, 
so  far  as  piiu-tiralile,  at  each  regular  meeting. 
2. — The  Committee  on  American  Fruits  and 
Foreign  Fruits  shall,  in  their  respective  depart- 
ments, examine,  test  and  classify  such  new  fruits 
as  may,  in  a  natural  state,  come  under  their 
notice,  and  report  at  each  regular  n)eeting.  The 
Committee  on  American  Fruits  will,  in  the  con- 
sideration of  new  seedlings,  be  fruiiled  liy  the 
rules  of  Pomology,  as  adopted  bv  tlic  .New  York 
State  Agricultural  Society.  3.  — The  ( 'eutral  Fruit 
Committee  shall  carefully  and  thmuuL'hly  inves- 
tigate the  subject  of  Fruit  Cullurc  in  general. 
Each  local  committee  of  three  shall  colli'ct  such 
useful  and  interesting  information  in  relation  to 
the  subject  as  may  be  in  their  power  and  embody 
the  same  in  a  monthly  report,  to  be  made  to  the 
General  Chairman,  such  report  to  be  by  him  ex- 
amined and  embodied  in  his  annual  or  semi- 
annual repoi-t.  4.— The  annual  mooting  of  the 
Society  shall  bo  hold  on  the  loiiith  Wodnosday  in 
Januarj'  of  oaoh  yoar,  at  suoh  I'laoo  as  tlto  Coun- 
cil may  apimint.  at  which  tlnio  the  aimualoloction 
ofoSBcers  shall  be  held,  anil  exhibition  and  dis- 
cussion of  fruits  take  place,  and  other  business 
be  transacted,  h. — Other  meetings  may  be  con- 
vened by  the  Council,  at  such  time  and  place  as 
they  may  appoint,  fi.— No  member  who  is  in 
arrears  for  dues  shall  be  eligible  t(i  any  office,  or 
serv^e  on  any  Standing  Comniittoo:  and  any  mem- 
ber who  shall  neglect  to  pa.\'  his  duos  shall  cease 
to  enjoy  the  privileges  of  meuiliorship. 

1.661.  Bulbs  for  Second  Blooming.  Tulips, 
when  planted  out  in  beds,  will  flower  year  after 
year,  and  if  planted  six  to  eight  inches  deep, 
summer  bedding  plants  ma.v  be  planted  over 
them,  and  when  these  are  taken  up  in  September, 
a  good  top  dressing  of  manure  apiilied.  ^fa^cis- 
sus  and  Hyacinths  likewise.  Froesias  increase 
rapidly  and  flower  every  year  when  ripened  off 
carefully,  and  not  allowed  to  become  dry  until 
the  leaves  turn  yellow.— E.  O.  O. 

1.662.  Ornithogalum  Arabicum.  Though  a 
beautiful  plant  when  in  lilocmi  this  will  never 
become  popular,  owiug  to  its  having  a  way  of  its 
own  about  flowering.  Under  the  best  ot  treat- 
ment they  will  rarely  flower  more  than  (mce  in 
three  years.  Certainly  not  a  good  characteristic 
for  a  candidate  for  popularity. — E.  O.  O. 

1,638.  Bentzia  gracilis.  There  is  only  one  re- 
quisite to  success  with  Deutzia  gracilis  as  a  forc- 
ing plant,  that  is,  to  secure  good  growth  the 
previous  season  by  liberal  applications  of  water 
or  liquid  manure  if  thoy  aio  ostabli^hoil  already; 
if  not,  plant  in  rich  .soil,  ami  store  in  tall  Liefore 
there  is  danger  of  frost.  Few  plants  force  easier 
or  give  better  returns.— E.  O.  Okpet. 


Protecting  Chrysanthemums  in 
Pots. 

JOHN  LANE,  cmcAQO,  ILL. 

In  growing  Chrysanthemtims  in  pots  out- 
floors  tlie  pots  should  be  protected  from  the 
burning  sun.  Pots  plunged  to  the  rim  in 
the  ground  do  well  except  in  wet  weather, 
too  much  rain  doing  injury,  causing  the 
finer  roots  to  rot.  Pots  not  plunged,  simply 
setting  on  the  ground,  need  much  care  and 
frequent  watering,  the  sun  burns  the  roots 
near  the  sides,  and  the  only  live  roots  are 
found  at  the  bottom.  Partly  plunging  the 
pot  makes  it  less  liable  to  be  injured  by 
either  rain  or  sun,  while  the  roots  fill  the 
pot  as  far  as  plunged.  In  practice,  newly 
potted  plants,  had  at  first  better  not  be 
plunged  until  the  roots  get  hold  of  the  new 
soil;  they  may  be  set  somewhat  near  to- 
gether without  any  plunging  on  the  north 
side  of  a  board  protecting  against  the  sun; 
then,  when  growth  has  commenced,  plunge 
to  the  rim  giving  more  room. 

Hard  rain  will  not  hurt  a  plant  in  vigor- 
ous growth,  if  continued,  the  pots  should 
be  lifted  and 
plunged  again 
after  the  wet 
season  has 
passed.  English 
growers  recom- 
mend a  double 
pot,  one  pot  sus- 
pended within 
another,  which 
probably  will  be 
found  an  im- 
i^provement.  Last 
year  I  grew  a 
few  by  way  of 
experiment,  as 
shown  in  illus- 
tration which 
pleased  me,  and 
this  year  I  will 
growing.     Short 


Cliiiianiluinum  in  imt   inotre 
ted  by  large  tik  drain. 


make  it  general  in  my 
lengths  of  soft-burned,  uuglazed  drain  tile 
pipe  set  on  end  with  a  Chrysanthemum 
pot  placed  within  affords  a  good  protection 
to  the  roots  from  the  burning  sun,  provides 
a  moist  atmosphere  about  the  pot,  causing 
the  roots  more  to  seek  the  side  of  the  pot 
and  remain  healthy.  In  practice,  part 
plunge  the  tile  so  that  its  height  above 
ground  is  the  same  height  as  the  pot  with 
drainage  under  the  pot,  and  thus  serving  to 
keep  the  pot  upright  and  the  plant  trom  be- 
ing blown  over.  Less  watering  will  be  re- 
quired. There  is  also  less  danger  of  injury 
by  continued  rain  or  overwatering,  and  the 
roots  fill  the  pot  to  the  rim. 


About  Propagating  Roses 

W.  F.  LAKE,  ERIE  CO.,  N.  V, 

Spring  Ppopagation.  In  glass  houses 
where  Roses  have  been  used  for  the  late 
supply  of  winter  flowers,  it  is  always  an 
easy  matter  to  get  cuttings  from  plants  that 
will  readily  root,  if  not  too  much  forced  and 
in  good  healthy  condition,  which  may  be 
seen  by  the  wood  being  clean  and  firm,  and 
in  which  condition  it  contains  just  enough 
succulency  to  facilitate  free  root  formation. 

With  most  growers,  the  flowers  are  pro- 
duced largely  in  crops.  After  a  crop  has 
been  harvested,  and  before  the  wood  has 
time  to  harden,  is  the  best  time  to  secure 
the  cuttings. 

As  is  common  in  propagating  the  vine, 
the  shoots  should  be  cut  in  as  many  pieces 
as  there  are  teyes,  with  from  one  to  two 
inches  of  wood  below  the  leaf,  using  a  very 
sharp  knife  and  making  the  cut  in  a  slant- 
ing direction. 

The  cuttings  should  be  placed  in  pots 
with  one  third  of  their  depth  ot  good  drain- 
age material,  the  coarsest  at  bottom,  gradu- 
ally making  it  finer.  The  main  soil  should 
be  of  light  sandy  compost,  and  on  it  must 


be  placed  clean,  sharp  silver  sand,  in  which 
to  put  the  shoots  for  rooting.  Put  them  in 
around  the  edge  of  the  pot  in  a  slanting  di- 
rection so  that  the  eyes  will  come  just  a 
little  below  the  surface.  Water  thorough- 
ly, and  plunge  the  pots  in  the  bench  soil,  or 
good  bottom  heat  if  at  hand.  In  the  above 
method,  it  will  be  seen  that  there  is  an  ad- 
vantage in  having  good  nourishing  soil  un- 
der the  sand,  giving  a  fresh  impetus  to  the 
young  plants  directlyjwhen  they  have  rooted. 

From  this  period  on  the  great  thing  to 
give  attention  to  is  the  humidity  of  the  at- 
mosphere, with  a  view  to  keeping  the  fol- 
liage  fresh  until  the  rootshave  taken  hold. 
The  right  temperature  is  from  60  to  70  de- 
grees, taking  great  pains  to  protect  from  the 
sun's  rays,  and  to  keep  well  supplied  with 
water.  This  should  be  given  if  possible  in 
early  morning  or  late  evening  before  the 
sun's  rays  begin  to  be  felt  to  any  consider- 
able degree.  If  the  leaves  turn  yellow  and 
drop  off,  the  rooting  is  not  so  certain,  and 
many  give  up  on  the  account  that  it  is  hard 
to  keep  cutting  from  doing  this. 

For  stronger  plants,  however,  it  is  best  to 
secure  the  cuttings  from  plants  that  are 
grown  for  this  purpose  exclusively,  as  in 
this  case  they  are  not  exhausted  by  flower- 
ing, the  more  vigorous  growth  being  always 
conductive  to  a  larger  percentage  in  rooting. 

SuMJiER  Propagation.  With  the  trade 
it  is  not  the  practice  to  any  great  extend  to 
secure  stock  by  summer  propagation,  but 
for  the  amateur  it  is  a  good  time  to  increase 
his  stock,  as  the  natural  conditions  are  per- 
haps more  favorable  than  any  other  time  of 
the  year.  At  this  time,  the  cuttings  may 
have  as  many  as  three  eyes,  but  should  not 
have  more  than  one  leaf  left  on  at  the  top, 
and  in  inserting  must  be  pressed  very  close- 
ly or  compactly.  A  frame  with  a  northern 
aspect  is  the  best  position,  and  should  be 
kept  quite  close  for  the  first  few  days.  Give 
good  supply  of  water,  removing  the  glass 
on  all  nights  excepting  when  strong  winds 
blow,  so  to  allow  the  dews  to  come  in  con- 
tact with  the  foliage  as  it  restores  the  vigor 
and  freshness  exhausted  by  the  heat  of  the 
day.  It  is  always  a  good  plan  to  apply  the 
syringe  also  at  night  and  early  morning  be- 
fore putting  on  the  glass,  as  it  has  its  influ- 
ence in  keeping  the  foliage  green  and  the 
wood  plump  till  rooting  begins,  when  one 
need  not  be  quite  so  particular  in  their  care. 

Fall  Propagation.  I  have  seen  very 
nice  plants  grown  in  open  ground  from  cut- 
tings by  simply  taking  off  the  parent  plants, 
with  good  liberal  cutting,  and  placing 
directly  under  the  bush,  where  it  would  be 
shaded  from  sun.  This  is  done  in  fall  when 
there  is  lots  of  natural  moisture  on  which 
depends  success.  The  nature  of  soil  also 
has  its  influence,  it  usually  being  such  that 
comparatively  few  properly  prepared  cut- 
tings will  fail  if  any  kind  of  regular  autumn 
weather  is  prevalent.  The  best  soil  for  fall 
propagating  outside  is  a  light  marly  loam 
not  holding  water.  If  it  is  naturally  cold 
and  water-holding,  it  is  best  to  specially 
prepare  a  plot  which  shall  not  possess  this 
defect.  For  mixing  with  the  natural,  there 
is  nothing  better  than  the  refuse  soil  from 
the  potting  bench,  which,  containing  as  it 
should  a  proportion  of  sand,  will  remain  in 
free  condition  though  there  be  heavy  rains. 
A  depth  of  four  inches  of  this  material  will 
last  for  years,  and  will  not  only  be  found  of 
value  for  this  purpose  but  for  a  score  of 
other  things  which  may  be  thus  propagated. 
A  cause  of  failure  common  in  fall  propagat- 
ing is  putting  the  slips  in  too  late  so  that 
the  callousing  does  not  take  place  till  it  is 
too  late  for  roots  to  form  in  sufficient  quan- 
tity before  the  cold  weather  prevents  fur- 
ther operations.  Medium-sized-growiug 
varieties  succeed  best  with  this  method  of 
propagating. 


POPULAR    GARDENING 

AND  FRUIT  GROWIMG. 

"ACCUSE   NOT   NATURE,   SHE   RATH  DONE   HER    PART:    DO   THOU    BUT   THINE." -Miuios. 


>^ol.  V. 


jyc-A-ir,  189  o. 


No.  8. 


Spring. 

When  birds  are  singing 

On  bvish  and  tree. 
And  opening  Roses 

Allure  the  bee,— 
When  grass  is  growing 

In  glade  and  glen. 
And  young  leaves  gladden 

The  lonely  fen.— 
When  brooks  are  flowing 

In  music  free. 
And  warm  winds  travel 

Across  the  sea. 
When  earth  beguiles  us 

With  smile  or  tear. 
We  know  with  gladness 

That  spring  Is  here! 

—  WiUiam  B,  Hayne, 


An  English  paper  criticises  the  frequent  use 
made  of  the  unfortunate  term  "  landscape  arch- 
itect "'  by  American  landscape  gardeners,  and 
thinks  the  work  very  descriptive  of  the  formal 
hateful  work  frequently  done  by  them.  Perhaps 
the  criticism  is  not  quite  undeserved. 


Sound  Law  is  that  administered  a  few  weeks 
ago  by  the  Loughborough  County  Court,  Eng- 
land, in  the  Thistle  seed  case  Giles  vs.  Walker. 
The  latter  had  allowed  a  mass  of  Thistles  to  grow 
and  seed  on  his  ground,  and  thus  flooded  his 
neighbor's  (Walkers)  garden  with  seed.  Giles 
recovered  £3  (S15I.  It  is  sound  lawto  refuse  a 
man  the  right  to  create  a  nuisance  to  others, 
■especially  such  serious  nuisance,  as  a  field  or 
garden  foul  with  Thistles  must  be  considered  to 
be  to  the  whole  neighborhood 


The  Introduction  of  novelties  is  one  of  the 
legitimate  features  of  the  seed  trade.  But  we 
must  express  our  opposition  to  the  attempt  to 
build  up  a  business  merely  by  working  the  curi- 
osity, credulity,  and  sensational  proclivities  of 
people.  When  a  wife  and  mother,  (a  refined  lady 
•of  the  Popui^K  Gabdeninq  family)  sends  3.5 
<;ents  to  an  advertising  "seedsman"  for  a  package 
of  seeds,  and  receives  in  addition  to  it  a  lot  of 
circulars  advertising  "  The  Life  of  Jesse  James", 
"  The  Life  of  Ansom  Bunker  alias  the  Bloody 
Hand,"  and  other  trash  of  the  same  character, 
also  the  curious  patent  medicine  "pain  paint" 
— she  objects,  and  so  do  we. 


Dr.  George  Thurber. 

An  able  horticulturist,  an  eminent  botan- 
ist and  explorer,  a  skillful  editor,  and  the 
most  acompllshed  all-around  horticultural 
writer  America  has  produced,— such  was 
Dr.  George  Thurber  whose  death  we  are 
called  upon  to  chronicle.  As  editor  of  the 
American  Agriculturist  over  a  long  period, 
his  erudite,  yet  charmingly  clear  and  prac- 
tical articles,  on  many  subjects,  drew  to 
him  tens  of  thousands  of  readers  who  sadly 
will  miss  him.  Xo  more  will  appear  the 
"Talks  "so  learned  and  yet  so  lucid,  on 
familiar  scientilic  subjects,  by  "The  Doctor" 
which  have  formed  so  interesting  a  feature 
of  the  Young  People's  department  of  that 
journal;  no  more  the  "Notes  from  the 
Pines,"  those  delightful  chats  about  flowers, 
plants  and  fruits  from  his  home  and  experi- 
ment grounds  at  Passaic,  New  Jersey.  The 
nearness  of  his  generous  and  sympathetic 
heart  to  his  readers,  was  shown  in  these 
famUiar  talks  in  which  he  wrote  as  an  in- 
dividual instead  of  as  an  editor. 

Dr.  Thurber  was  born  in  Providence  R.  I., 
in  ISil,  where  he  spent  his  earlier  years.  A 
passionate  love  of  plants  and  plant-life  trans- 
formed the  apothecary  that  he  was  in  youth 
into  a  botanist,  and  in  18.50  so  hignly  were 
his  attainments  in  this   field,  appreciated 


that  he  was  offered  and  accepted  the  position 
as  naturalist,  quarter-master  and  commis- 
sary of  the  United  States  and  Mexican 
Boundary  Survey,  which  gave  him  an  op- 
portunity to  explore  for  a  number  of  years 
the  then  little-known  natural  products  of 
the  regions  between  the  Gulf  and  the  Pacific 
Ocean,  and  to  discover  many  new  plants,  a 
work  which  he  engaged  in  with  a  zeal  that 
was  not  lessoned  by  the  trials  and  hardships 
thereby  endured. 

Later  on  he  occupied  the  position  of  lec- 
turer on  chemistry  and  botany  before  the 
New  York  College  of  Pharmacy,  and  at  the 
Cooper  Union,  until  in  18.59  he  accepted  the 
professorship  of  Botany  and  Horticulture 
in  the  Agricultural  College  of  Michigan. 
In  186.3  he  returned!  to  New  York  as  editor 
of  the  American  Agriculturist,  which  posi- 
tion he  filled  for  23  years  with  great  success, 
until  failing  health  compelled  him  to  resign, 
and  restrict  his  work  to  occasional  contri- 
butions. Dr.  Thurber's  garden  was  in  many 
respects  the  most  interesting  of  its  kind  in 
the  country.  His  collection  of  native  plants 
and  flowers  was  perhaps  second  to  none. 

Besides  his  close  editorial  labors  he  pub- 
lished in  18.59  ".\merican  Weeds  and  Useful 
Plants,"  which  is  still  the  standard  work  on 
this  .subject  It  fell  to  him  also  to  edit  and 
review  many  of  the  works  on  agriculture 
and  horticulture  issued  from  the  office  of 
the  --Vgriculturist,  a  work  for  which  he  was 
without  an  equal. 

Standing  alike  high  as  scientist,  botanist, 
horticulturist,  editor,  and  as  man  and  friend 
(  for  of  him.it  truly  may  be  said  that  he  was 
generous  to  a  fault ),  he  was  respected  and 
honored  by  all  who  knew  him,  and  all  who 
knew  him  wiU^miss  him, 'and  deeply  mourn 
his  loss. 


Ben  Davis  and  Wagener  Apples 
in  Ontario,  Canada. 

The  great  markefApple  for  large  sections 
of  the  Province  Ontario  is  the  Ben  Davis. 
Many  growers  assert  that  it  takes  .the  same 
place  among  Apples  that  is  generally  con- 
ceded to  the  Concord  among  Grapes,  and  to 
Lombard  among  Plums.  It  is  the  Apple 
for  fruit,  and  the  fruit  for  money.  The  bulk 
of  the  crop,  grown  in  Canada,  probably 
goes  to  English  markets,  and  has  heretotore 
found  ready  buyers  and  good  prices. 

Yet  even  its  most^enthusiastic  friends  con- 
cede that  as  a  fruit  both  for  dessert  and 
cooking  purposes,  it  is  poor,  except  perhaps 
when  at  its  best,  in  early  spring,  and  when 
it  finds  no  competitor  in  the  market.  Some 
of  the  more  far-seeing  fruitmen  even  fear 
that  its  poor  quality  will  tend  to  discredit 
Canadian  Apples  in  English  markets,  and 
eventually  lead  to  lowering  the  prices  for 
red  fruit.  On  the  other  hand,  the  Ben  Davis 
is  a  sure,  although  not  an  early  bearer,  and 
a  hardy  tree.  When  most  other  varieties 
fail,  the  Ben  Davis  will  give  a  bountiful  crop. 

In  some  respects  the  Wagener  is  the  com- 
plete counterpart  of  the  Ben  Davis,  especi- 
ally in  point  of  quality,  which  in  the 
Wagener  is  the  very  best,  and  in  early 
bearing,  the  Wagener  being  noted  as  an 
early  as  well  as  profuse  cropper.  In  fact, 
its  extravagance  in  these  direction.-i  is  often 
fatal  to  the  tree.  While  attending  the  meet- 
ing of  the  Ontario  Fruit  Growers'  Associ- 


ation in  Windsor,  last  winter,  we  were  told 
by  some  fruit  men,  that  they  planted  the 
Wagener  quite  largely  with  the  avowed  in- 
tention to  let  the  trees  kill  themselves  by 
overbearing.  For  this  purpose  the  orchard 
is  planted  as  shown  in  annexed  diagram, 
the  large  trees  representing  Ben  Davis 
Apples  which  come  In  bearing  only  at  a 
more  advanced  age,  while  the  small  trees 
are  the  Wageners,  that  are  allowed  to  bear 
as  early  and  as  freely  as  they  may.  By  the 
time  the  Ben  Davis  are  coming  into  bearing, 
and  need  the  space,  the  Wageners  have 
finished  their  mission,  and  ruined  them- 
selves by  giving  several  heavy  crops,  and 
are  then  taken  out. 

This  or  a  similar  plan  might  be  adopted 
in  many  other  places  with  advantage  to  the 


S^    9    f    9   f   ^^    f 


? 


^ 


Tr 


*» 


TWO  VARIETIES  TO  THE  SAME  LAND. 

grower:  but  we  would  suggest  that  the 
highest  success  is  only  attainable  (1)  by 
looking  sharply  after  the  borer,  which 
seems  to  be  especially  fond  of  the  Wagener; 
(2)  by  giving  the  trees  plenty  of  good  sub- 
stantial food,  such  as  wood  ashes  or  other 
forms  of  potash  and  phosphorus,  and  (3)  to 
thin  the  fruit  very  thoroughly.  With  such 
treatment  the  Wagener  will  be  not  only  one 
of  the  most  reliable  Apples,  but  also  become 
the  most  popular  Apple,  because  of  its 
superior  quality  and  handsome  appearance. 
Give  to  the  English  people  Wageners  thus 
grown,  and  they  will  soon  find  out  that  a 
"  Canadian  Red  "  -\pple  is  not  always  a 
poor  Ben  Davis,  and  market  prices  will 
have  an  upward  tendency  rather  than  one  in 
the  other  direction. 


Notes  from  the   Popular  Gardeningr 

Grounds  at  La  Sal!e-on-the- 

Nlagara. 

The  Fruit  Prospects.  Our  hopeful  view  of 
the  situation  to  which  we  have  given  expression 
on  former  occasions,  is  now  confirmed  by  solid 
tacts.  All  our  young  fruit  trees— Peaches,  Plums 
( Kelsey's  Japan  included).  Apricots,  etc.,  are 
covered  with  fruit  buds,  and  in  a  thorough  ex- 
amination we  have  thus  far  failed  to  find  a  single 
injured  bud,  every  one  being  "sound  as  a  dollar." 
If  the  season  will  not  go  back  on  its  own  record 
after  this  date,  in  other  words,  if  the  next  six 
weeks  will  deal  as  kindly  with  us  and  our  fruits, 
as  the  past  six  months  have  done,  we  shall  this 
year  see  every  tree  and  bush  loaded  down  with 
luscious  fruits.  Never  have  the  prospects  been 
fairer,  and  at  present  we  do  not  propose  to  worry 
about  what  bad  things  may  yet  happen,  or  begin 
to  croak  that  there  is  "  many  a  slip  'twixt  cup 
and  lip." 


1 66 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


May, 


Tender  Fruits.  Among  our  Peaches  we 
have  lost  one  tree ;  the  Peen-to.  It  had  made  a 
most  vigorous  growth  last  summer,  but  evident- 
ly it  is  too  tender  to  stand  even  a  mild  winter  in 
this  climate;  and  although  it  may  sprout  up 
again  from  the  lower  part  of  the  trunk,  yet  it 
will  probably  be  best  to  tear  it  out  and  replace 
by  a  hardier  sort.  One  or  two  of  our  old  stand- 
ard, tender  Apricots  also  succumbed  to  the  cold 
and  changes  of  the  past  winter.  The  Russians 
are  coming  out  with  flying  colors,  and  may  give 
us  a  few  specimens  of  fruit. 

The  Vineyard.  This  has  received  a  thorough 
stirring  up  with  the  disk  harrow ;  and  so  have 
the  young  orchards.    What  an  elegant  tool  this 


Shrubbery  at  "Woodbanks."  One  of  the 
first  steps  taken  in  improving  these  grounds  a 
year  ago,  was  to  set  out  a  large  collection  of 
hardy  ornamental  shrubs.  This  we  did  knowing 
the  many  good  qualities  o£  this  class  of  embel- 
lishiVg  material  and  because  we  desired  to  test 
them  extensively  in  the  interest  of  our  readers. 
The  character  of  one  part  of  this  work  is  shown 
in  the  accompanying  engraving,  which  repre- 
sents the  largest  of  eight  shrub  borders  planted, 
this  one  being  VJO  feet  long  by  25  feet  across  at 
the  widest  part.  The  entire  bed  contains  about 
200  plants  averaging  in  distance  not  far  from 
four  feet  apart. 

For  best  effect  we  believe  strongly  in  planting 


j      The  half-and-half  mtxture  of  the  two  forego- 
I  ing  which  occupies  plat  2  is  less  handsome  than 
;  the  plats  of  the  same  kinds  separately.    This  is  a 
I  surprise  to  many  gardeners,  who  had  relied  on  a 
[  mixture  of  these  too  staple  kinds  as  being  near 
!  the  ideal  lawn  grass.    The  defect  seems  to  be, 
that  the  Red  Top  being   of   stronger    growth 
crowds  the  Blue  Grass  unduly,  giving  it  an  im- 
perfect color,  while  the  former  is  less  beautiful 
j  than  where  it  thickly  occupies  the  ground  alone. 
Plat  4,  a  mixture  used  extensively  for  lawns, 
consisting  of  equal  measure  of  Red  Top,  Blue 
Grass,  Crested  Dog's  Tail,  Fescue  (Vestuca  duri- 
i  twcula)  English  Rye  Grass  (ioh'umperenne).  This 
'  plat  is  hardly  equal   in  appearance   to  plat  2, 


Plan  of  large  Slirubbery  Border  on  the  Popular  Gardening  Grounds. 


is,  anyway,  for  just  such  work  in  stone  free  soil. 
We  consider  it  far  superior  to  the  plow,  as  it 
stirs  the  surface  thoroughly  without  danger  to 
the  roots  of  trees  or  vines,  and  at  a  small  fraction 
of  the  time  needed  to  plow  the  same  area. 

The  Strawberry  Bed.  The  matted  rows  have 
wintered  very  nicely,  especially  where  thorough- 
ly mulched.  Some  single  plants,  that  were  left 
without  mulch,  however,  are  badly  heaved  out, 
and  many  of  them  entirely  killed.  Last  winter 
seems  to  have  been  a  test  winter  for  unmulched 
beds,  and  many  of  them,  in  this  vicinity,  have 
fared  very  badly. 

Hot  Bed  Pests.  We  have  never  been  more 
thoroughly  impressed  with  the  importance  of 
boarding  up  the  hot-bed  clear  from  the  bottom, 
to  exclude  moles,  rats  and  mice  than  this  year. 
This  is  because  we  have  never  had  much  trouble 
before.  Moles  do  not  work  in  our  soil,  and  we 
always  found  means  to  trap  or  poison  rats  or 
mice  it  they  made  themselves  obnoxious.  This 
year,  however,  our  hot-bed  is  infested  by  a  breed 
of  mice  that  seem  to  be  proof  against  traps  and 
poisons.  They  began  on  a  lot  of  choice  young 
Cauliflower  plants,  grazing  them  off  like  sheep. 
Traps  were  set  without  avail  Next  we  resorted 
to  bi-sulphide  of  carbon,  pouring  a  couple  of 
ounces  into  each  mouse  hole  and  stopping  it  up. 
This  had  no  other  effect,  but  to  make  the  trouble- 
some rodents  dig  other  holes,  and  cut  down  all 
the  plants  near  them.  Getting  desperate,  we 
soaked  Wheat  in  a  solution  of  arsenious  acid, 
and  flUed  up  the  holes  with  it.  This  was  readily 
taken,  but  the  mice  continued  their  work  as 
before  At  last  they  got  into  our  Tomato  and 
Pepper  seed  boxes,  and  the  first  we  noticed,  all 
our  plants  of  Henderson's  Early  Ruby  and  Table 
Queen  were  gone.  This  aroused  us  to  action. 
The  flats  were  taken  up,  and  replaced  closely 
together,  and  close  to  the  frame,  thus  excluding 
every  chance  of  entrance  from  the  underside. 
The  part  containing  these  flats  with  Tomato, 
Pepper  and  Egg  plants,  etc.,  was  then  divided  off 
from  the  rest  of  the  bed  by  means  of  panes  of 
glass  set  on  edge  close  to  the  outside  of  last  row 
of  flats.  We  think  these  plants  will  now  be  safe, 
but  we  shall  continue  to  experiment  with  traps 
and  poisons.  A  year  ago  our  frames  were  badly 
infested  with  fleabeetles,  and  later  on  with 
Potato  beetles  also,  the  latter  paying  considerable 
attention  to  some  Potato  seedlings,  and  Egg 
plants.  Toads  at  last  came  to  our  relief.  This 
year  we  have  not  waited  for  the  toads,  but  have 
strewed  Tobacco  dust  thickly  all  over  the  sur- 
face of  the  bed.  The  flea  beetles  have  left ;  and 
the  Potato  beetles  have  not  yet  appeared. 


not  only  flowering  shrubs  but  nearly  all  other 
ornamental  material,  in  groups  or  masses.  The 
bed  illustrated  represents  a  single  large  mass  of 
shrubbery  and  each  variety  or  species  of  shrub 
used,  consists  again  of  a  mass  of  from  three  to 
seven  plants  apiece.  The  names  of  the  respec- 
tive kinds  planted  are  given  in  the  engraving. 
The  smaller  shrub  borders  planted,  vary  in 
size  down  to  a  dozen  shrubs  apiece.  Besides 
these  there  were  planted  on  our  grounds 
several  large  masses  of  evergreen  trees  and  some 
of  deciduous  trees. 

One  object  in  thus  planting  shrubs  extensively, 
was  quick  results  in  embellishing  our  grounds. 
In  this  we  are  not  disappointed.  The  shrubs, 
true  to  nature,  grew  remarkably  well  and  many 
kinds  flowered  profusely  even  in  this  first  season. 
Having  set  the  plants  somewhat  closely,  by  mid- 
summer the  groups  made  a  fine  appearance,  in 
this  respect  greatly  exceeding  the  growths  of  a 
tree  nature  planted  at  the  same  time  It  is  a 
chief  advantage  of  this  class  of  plants,  that  they 
present  a  mature  appearance  in  one  fourth  the 
time  required  by  other  woody  growths.  The 
more  extensive  our  experience  in  cultivating  the 
entire  class  of  hardy  flowering  shrubs  the  more 
heartily  canwe  urge  this  culture  upon  our  friends. 
Their  leading  merits  may  thus  be  summed  up: 
low  cost,  hardiness,  ease  of  culture,  early  mature 
effects,  large  assortment,  beauty  of  flowers, 
foliage  and  form,  long  season  of  bloom  in  the 
different  varieties. 

Tests  op  Lawn  Grasses.  Our  largest  lawn, 
consisting  of  about  one-halt  an  acre,  was  sown  a 
year  ago  with  six  different  kinds  and  formulas 
of  grass  seeds,  each  lot  occupying  a  separate 
area.  This  was  the  order  of  the  plats  over  the 
piece  and  which  was  much  longer  than  wide. 
Plat  1.  Red  Top  {AgroMin  vulgaris). 
"    2.    Half-and-half  Red  Top  and  Kentucky 

Blue  Grass. 
"    3.    Kentucky  Blue  Grass  l.Poa  pratensis). 
"    i.    A  mixture  which  is  widely  in  use. 
"    .5.    Crested  Dog-tan  (Cynosunts  cristata). 
"    6.    Orchard  Grass  (Dactylis  glomerata). 
"    7.    Timothy  tPhleum  pratense). 
The  most  attractive  plat  of  the  seven  to-day, 
April  18,  and  when  the  grass  in  places  has  started 
enough  to  require  clipping,  is  the  third  plat  con- 
sisting of  Blue  Grass  alone.    This  grass  is  flne  in 
growth,  even,  stands  very  close,  and  is  of  a  beau- 
tiful dark  green  color. 

Next  in  attractiveness,  is  plat  1.  sowed  with 
Red  Top  alone.  This  grass  is  somewhat  coarser 
than  the  Blue  Grass  and  several  shades  lighter 
in  color,  but  yet  forms  a  handsome  even  lawn. 


hence  would  in  this  soil  (a  Chestnut  loam)  seem 
to  have  little  to  commend  it. 

Plat  5.  Is  no  more  satisfactory  than  plat  4. 

Plat  li.  Orchard  Grass  alone,  is  at  this  writing- 
quite  even  and  handsome,  the  young  growth 
being  of  a  vivid  green.  It  stands  about  third  in 
point  of  attractiveness  of  all  the  plats. 

Plat  7.  Timothy  has  an  inferior  appearance  at 
this  date. 

As  but  one  season  has  passed  since  the  sowing 
of  the  foregoing  plats,  while  permanent  results 
IS  the  main  object  in  a  lawn,  it  may  not  be  proper 
to  pass  final  judgment  on  the  kinds  and  formulas 
and  later  reports  on  the  same  will  be  given.  Ad- 
ditional tests  of  mixtures  and  separate  grasses 
are  being  made  the  present  season. 


New  Use  For  Old  Material. 

THEO.  F.  LONOSECKER.  MOSTGOMERV  CO.,  OmO. 

Where  canned  goods  are  bought  from  the 
stores,  there  is  an  accumulation  of  tin  cans. 
For  several  years  I  have  made  use  of  theni 
as  follows:  When  burning  rubbish  they 
were  thrown  into  the  fire  and  left  there  a 
few  minutes  until  the  solderingwas  melted, 
when  with  a  long  pole  they  are  drawn  from' 
the  fire.  They  are  then  in  the  condition 
shown  in  the  illustration  at  the  left.  Flat 
boxes  of  nearly  same  height  as  the  cans  are 
bought  at  the  groceries.  The  cans  are  set 
so  closely  together  in  the  boxes  that  the 


'U 


lluw  Ui  use  Ukl  Tin  Cans 


edges  of  the  tin  come  together.  Good  soil 
is  then  thrown  in  the  box  until  the  cans  and 
the  intervening  spaces  are  filled. 

Cucumbers,  Lima  Beans,  Nutmegs, 
Watermelons,  etc.,  may  be  planted  in  the 
cans.  When  all  danger  of  frost  is  over, 
take  box  and  all  to  the  field  where  wanted; 
make  a  hole  of  sufl5cient  size  to  receive  the 
can.  In  picking  up  the  can  and  plant,  press 
the  tin  together,  so  to  prevent  the  soil  fal- 
ling out.  Set  it  where  wanted,  and  fill  in 
the  soil  around  the  can.    Take  hold  of  the 


1 890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


167 


tin  at  a  a,  open  it  a  little  by  a  gentle  out- 
ward pressure  and  lift  it  out  of  the  ground. 
I  find  this  as  satisfactory  as  transplanting 
from  pots,  and  it  is  done  as  quickly.  The 
tins  can  be  placed  together,  inside  of  each 
other,  and  saved  for  future  use. 


A  Missouri  Winter  Pear. 

In  annexed  illustration  we  present  the  ex- 
act likeness  of  specimen  of  the  KruUWinter 
Pear  sent  us  last  of  .January  by  Mr.  G.  F. 
Mallinckrodt  of  St.  Charles,  Mo.    This  is  a 
very  handsome, well-shaped  fruit,  but  not  of 
very  high  quality.     We  were  tempted  to 
pronounce     it    sweet    and 
poor,  reminding  of  the  very 
earliest      summer      Pears. 
Where     the     Anjou,    and 
Winter  Sellis,  and  Pears  of 
that   quality    succeed,   the 
KruU  is  not  wanted. 

Yet  it  may  And  a  place. 
Mr.  Mallinckrodt  writes  us: 
"In  this  section    we    have 
had    no  Winter   Pears,  or 
none    that    will  keep  even 
until  mid-winter.  This  new 
variety     has    the    keeping 
quality,    and  is    here  con-     !'■  : 
sidered  "good  to  very  good. "      ' ' 
Let  me  call  your  attentimi 
to  the  firmness  of  tlesh  In 
fore  fully  ripe,  and  to  tin 
thickness  of  skin,  which    I 
know  will  render  itagnod 
shipper."  ,    ;  ■ 

There  can  be  no  doubt  as  ■ 

to    its      superior     keeping  '■:,.'■_■     -    i 

qualities,    but     unless    we  •    -' 

did  not  test  the  specimens 
sent   us  when    just   riglit, 
the    Missouri  people  must 
be  probably  less  fastidious 
in  regard  to  the  quality  of 
\viuter  fruit  than  we  are.  We  confess  that  it 
is  not  an  easy  matter  to  do  full  justice  to  a 
fruit  even  but  slightly  inferior   in  quality 
to  the  finest  winter  Pears,  the  taste  of  which 
is  vet  in  our  mouth. 


How  to  Pack  Plants  for  Shipping. 

L.  B.    PIERCE,  SIIMMIT  C«>.,  O. 

Notwithstanding  the  good  examples  set 
by  some  leading  plant  growers  of  good 
packing,  there  is  still  a  frightful  amount  of 
ignorance  on  the  subject,  and  a  loss  to  the 
receivers  of  poorly-packed  goods. 

In  the  introduction  of  a  new  Strawberry,  a 
few  years  ago,  the  plants  being  shipped 
from  a  western  state,  many  lost  a  part  of 
their  high-priced  plants  simply  because 
they  were  packed  too  wet  and  too  tight. 

In  many  cases  shipments  were  delayed 
and  the  result  was  fermentation  and  decay. 
One  nurserymen  who  ordered  (iOO  plants  and 
made  less  than  ICX)  grow,  told  me  that  he 
feared  it  was  done  purposely  in  order  to 
have  less  increase  the  ne.xt  year  outside  of 
the  disseminator's  hands,  but  others  who 
were  also  heavy  loosers  considered  it  a  result 
of  poor  judgment  and  ignorance  on  the 
part  of  the  packer. 

There  are  several  things  to  be  considered 
on  the  part  of  the  shipper:  these  are  in  the 
order  of  their  importance:  kind  of  plant; 
season  of  the  year;  distance  to  be  shipped, 
mode  of  conveyance:  place  shipped  to. 

Dormant  plants  give  little  trouble  as  a 
rule,  provided  plenty  of  sphagnum  is  used 
and  they  are  packed  sufficiently  snug  to 
prevent  shifting  of  position. 

Raspberry  tips  and  small  Evergreens, 
however,  need  extra  precautions.  The  for- 
mer are  generally  shipped  in  barrels  and 
often  little  or  no  packing  is  used;  the  plants 
are  not  pressed  down,  and  the  air  'gets  to 
many  of  them,  so  they  become  dried  and 
worthless.  If  the  plants  were  all  extra  fine, 
with  compact  heavy  masses  of  roots,  there 


would  be  little  more  loss  than  with  to  many 
.■\sparagus  roots,  but  this  is  rarely  the  case, 
especially  with  plants  grown  on  thin  or 
sandy  soil. 

P.\CKIXG  R.\SPBERRY  PLANTS.  Barrels 
are  the  best  packages  and  a  layer  of  Sphag- 
num or  rowen  hay  should  be  placed  in  the 
bottom  coming  up  the  sides  six  inches. 
Some  of  both  materials  is  best,  and  the  hay 
makes  it  possible  to  use  less  of  the  more 
expensive  Moss.  After  covering  the  bottom, 
place  100  plants  evenly  distributed  and  cor- 
rectly counted. 

Put  on  a  half  inch  of  Sphagnum,  being 


I 


\ 


KRULL  WINTER   PEAR. 

careful  to  have  it  come  to  the  sides  of  the 
barrel.  Then  put  on  a  thin  layer  of  hay 
which  makes  a  definite  division, then  another 
hundred  plants,and  so  on.  When  the  barrel 
is  heaping  full,  make  a  follower  of  a  square 
board  with  the  corners  sawed  oft  that  will 
just  go  into  the  barrel,  put  it  on  and  let  a 
heavy  man  step  on,  and  settle  the  mass  as 
firmly  as  possible,  then  pack  it  full  again 
and  once  more  tread  it  down.  Then  saw  a 
piece  of  fence  board  to  just  fit  in  above  the 
follower,  put  it  in  and  fasten  by  nailing 
through  the  staves.  If  the  barrel  is  tight, 
bore  two  or  three  holes  in  the  bottom  and 
then  pour  in  a  couple  of  pails  of  water  at 
the  open  end  letting  it  soak  through  the 
plants,  the  overplus  going  out  at  the  bottom. 

Thus  packed.  Raspberry  tips  will  keep 
moist  and  in  good  condition  for  two  or  three 
weeks. 

Packing  Young  Evergreens.  Young 
Kvergreens  if  of  a  length  of  ten  inches  or 
more  are  best  packed  in  a  box  just  long 
enough  to  contain  two  lengths,  the  roots 
being  placed  together  in  the  center  of  the 
bo.x,  pressed  in  tightly  and  a  wide  board 
nailed  across.  The  cover  should  hide  from 
view  all  but  the  very  tips,  in  other  words 
the  whole  box  should  be  covered  except  two 
inches  at  each  end  left  open  for  ventilation. 
This  will  prevent  any  mistaken  kindness  on 
the  part  of  station  agents  in  watering  the 
tops.  I  once  received  a  box  of  young  Ever- 
greens from  northern  Michigan.  The  plants 
came  .Saturday  evening  and  I  was  not  able 
to  go  until  Tuesday  morning.  The  plants 
were  expressed  with  the  exception  of  the 
roots  which  were  covered  by  a  board.  The 
weather  was  warm  and  the  agent  thinking 
to  do  me  a  kindness  watered  the  tops.  The 
trees  had  been  packed  ten  days,  and  possi- 
bly watered  en  route  by  some  other  kind 
but  ignorant  official,  and  the  result  was  the 
plants  were  a  mass  of  mold  and  about  6,000 
out  of  7,.500  failed  to  grow. 


Str.^wberrt  Plants.  These  should  be 
shipped  in  strong  half-bushel  market  bas- 
kets lined  with  parafine  paper,  with  plenty 
Sphagnum,  and  it  is  much  better  not  to 
bunch  the  plants  if  they  are  to  be  shipped 
any  distance,  but  arrange  them  in  layers 
with  Sphagnum.  The  paper  in  the  bottom 
should  be  in  two  pieces  one  lapping  over  the 
others  two  or  three  inches  to  give  drainage. 
Varieties  can  be  separated  by  a  piece  of 
heavy  cardboard  two  inches  wide,  extending 
across  the  package  and  marked  on  both 
sides  with  an  indelible  pencil,  a  tag  also 
being  tied  to  each  variety  where  it  com- 
mences. After  packing, 
a  piece  of  white  netting 
should  be  tacked  over 
the  basket,  and  the  basket 
set  for  a  few  minutes  in  a 
tub  containg  two  inches 
of  water.  On  no  account 
wet  the  foliage  of  any 
growing  plant  in  packing. 
Plainly  stencilled  on  the 
top  of  the  handle  should 
be  the  legend:  "  Do  not 
water  these  plants."  Only 
.500  to  1,000  Strawberry 
plants  can  be  packed  in 
a  basket,  and  for  large 
orders  boxes  must  be  used. 
Old  berry  stands  can  be 
used  by  attaching  new 
and  longer  standards  or 
using  only  three  drawers 
with  the  original  stand- 
ards. After  packing  the 
lower  drawer,  nail  thin 
strips  two  inches  wide 
across  the  standards,  then 
place  another  tray  and 
pack,  and  so  on. 

Vegetable  Plants. 
These  may  be  packed  in 
as  Strawberry  plants. 
Especial  pains  should  be  taken  with  stuff 
shipped  in  hot  weather,  or  to  the  southern 
states,  and  plants  should  not  be  offered  so 
low  that  the  seller  cannot  afford  to  pack 
properly.  An  instance  comes  to  mind  where 
a  friend  lost  .5.000  Cabbage  plants  in  conse- 
quence of  the  shipper's  disregard  of  the 
orders  given  hira  by  the  patron  concerning 
the  selection  of  express  company.  The 
charges,  instead  of  being  about  3.5  cents  as 
they  would  have  been  by  the  one  route, 
were  SO  cents,  and  the  plants  being  two  or 
three  days  on  the  way  instead  of  less  than 
one  day,  and  with  tops  freely  watered  by  a 
kind  express  agent,  smelled  like  "krout," 
and  were  worthless.  ■ 


the     same    way 


1,781.  number  of  Vines  in  Grapery.  A  lean- 
to  16x9  will  contain  four  Gnipe  vines  pruned  to 
a  single  cane  each.  Black  Hamburg  is  the  surest 
and  best.  The  border  should  be  made  rich,  and 
weLl-prepared  for  the  best  results.  Yes,  a  man 
of  business  if  he  likes  it,  can  find  time  to  give  it 
all  the  attention  required.  It  takes  less  care  than 
the  same  number  of  out-door  vines  as  you  have 
no  mildew  or  insect  enemies  to  contend  with. — 
Chas.  L.  Jones.  V.  J. 

1,706.  Sizing  for  Hotbed  Sash.  Stretch  closely- 
woven  muslin  or  factory  cloth  tightly  on  the 
frame,  then  apply  with  a  paint  brush  three 
ounces  paraffin  dissolved  by  heat  in  one  pint 
boiled  linseed  oil.  Scrape  off  all  you  can  on 
upper  side  with  a  caseknife.  I  have  some  made 
this  way  which  but  for  being  discolored  are  now 
as  good  as  ever,  after  being  exposed  two  years 
summer  and  winter.  It  is  perfectly  waterproof. 
~C   K.  Meyer. 

1,679.  Tomato  Bot  and  1,697  Tomato  Mildew. 
Try  Bordeaux  mixture.— H.  VV.  S. 

1,706.  Sizing  for  Hotbed  Cloth.  The  follow- 
ing is  a  good  recipe  for  the  waterproofing  of 
cfdico:  Old  pale  Linseed  oil,  three  pints;  sugar 
of  lead  one  ounce ;  white  resin  four  ounces. 
Grind  the  sugar  of  lead  with  a  little  of  oil,  then 
add  the  rest  and  the  resin.  Incorporate  thor- 
oughly in  a  large  pot  over  a  gentle  fire,  and  with 
a  large  brush  apply  hot  to  a  fine  calico  stretched 
loosely  previously  by  means  of  tacks,  upon  the 
frame.— H.  W.  Smith,  ia. 


1 68 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


May, 


Growing   Strawberries   for    Marl<et. 
Second   Paper. 

L.  J.  FARMER,  OSWEGO  CO.,  N.  Y. 

The  success  of  Strawberry  culture  depends 
largely  on  a  proper  selection  of  varieties, 
and  one  should  be  guided  somewhat  by  the 
demands  of  his  customers.  If  quality,  large 
size,  or  mere  quantity,  is  the  chief  desidera- 
tum, then  a  variety  having  that  particular 
characteristic  developed  to  the  highest  de- 
gree should  be  selected.  If  for  a  near  market, 
firmness  is  secondary;  but  when  shipping 
long  distances,  it  is  most  important.  Some 
customers  dislike  to  pay  more  for  large  ber- 
ries, but,  if  all  are  offered  at  the  same  price, 
most  every  body  will  take  the  large  ones. 
A  few  appreciate  quality  and  are  willing  to 
pay  for  it.  This  class  is  not  always  confined 
to  the  rich.  Some  of  our  best  paying  cus- 
tomers are  among  the  mechanics  and  other 
working  people. 

Varieties.  In  order  to  catch  all  the  trade, 
and  satisfy  everybody,  we  grow  several  vari- 
eties. Customers  are  supplied  according  to 
their  wants,  and  charged  proportionately. 

Plant  growers  are  often  censured  for  re- 
taining so  many  varieties  on  their  lists,  to 
confuse  the  beginner.  The  fact  is,  nursery- 
men would  be  pleased  to  discard  many  vari- 
eties, but  are  unable  to  do  so  because  of  the 
demands  of  their  customers.  Very  few 
varieties  do  well  everywhere,  while  almost 
everyone  gains  a  local  celebrity  somewhere. 
If  a  nurseryman  plows  up  his  patch  of  a 
variety  that  proves  unprofitable  with  him, 
he  may  get  an  order  from  somewhere  for 
those  plants  the  very  next  day.  But  for  the 
man  who  grows  Strawberries  for  the  fruit 
alone,  four  or  five  varieties  are  sufficient. 
We  want  early,  medium  and  late  berries,  in 
order  to  prolong  the  season,  and  get  the 
benefit  of  the  best  prices.  As  an  American, 
I  believe  in  improvement,  and  therefore  test 
the  new  varieties  as  they  come  out. 

The  old  Crescent  and  Wilson  will  answer 
the  purpose  till  someone  brings  into  market 
some  of  the  large  and  attractive  varieties 
like  Bubach,  Warfield  or  Jessie.  Then 
things  are  changed,  and  the  man  who  neg- 
lects to  plant  these  improved  varieties  will 
be  left  behind. 

Procuring  Plants.  The  first  cost  of 
plants,  however  great,  is  small  compared  to 
the  labors  and  expense  that  must  be  put 
upon  them  afterwards.  One  should  there- 
fore procure  the  very  best  plants.  Plants 
taken  up  with  dirt  adhering  to  the  roots  and 
Bet  out  the  same  day,  cannot  fall  to  live. 

If  you  can  grow  them  yourself  or  procure 
them  from  a  neighbor,  the  results  will  be 
better  than  when  the  plants  are  procured 
from  a  distance.  You  had  better  pay  the 
neighbor  $5  per  thousand  for  new-bed  plants 


STRAWBERRY  SETTER. 

than  to  take  plants  as  a  gift  from  his  old 
bed.  Plants  from  old  beds  are  lacking  in 
vitality.  They  will  not  grow  so  well  nor 
produce  so  much  fruit.  If  the  practice  of 
setting  plants  from  old  beds  is  continued 
from  year  to  year,  the  variety  will  continue 
to  deteriorate  and  finally  run  out.  Take, 
•for  instance,  the  Wilson;  its  productiveness 
used  to  be  a  wonder.  Being  a  slow  runner, 
the  rows  spreatl  only  wide  enough  for  fruit- 
ing. Most  growers  not  liking  to  disturb  the 
new  fruiting  beds,  have  taken  plants  to  set 
new  plantations  from  their  old  beds  that 
have  fruited  once.    The  Wilson  is  not  what 


it  used  to  be,  although  valuable  in  some 
favorable  locations  where  it  has  been  less 
abused.  Had  it  been  a  more  rampant  grower 
like  the  Crescent,  plants  from  old  beds 
would  have  been  set  more  rarely;  and  it 
would  have  continued  in  popularity  longer. 
Some  growers  saw  the  error  before  too  late, 
and  have  avoided  old  plants. 

Plants  from  old  beds  are  often  badly 
mixed.  When  Wilsons  are  set  with  Cres- 
cents, the  latter,  being  more  vigorous,  will 
run  into  the  Wilson  rows,  and  finally  crowd 
them  all  out. 

An  inexperienced  person  getting  plants 
from  such  a  bed  would  be  almost  sure  to  get 
only  Crescents,  and  thus  have  only  his  labor 
for  his  pains,  as  the  Crescent  produces  only 
"  buttons  "  when  planted  alone. 

In  sending  to  a  nurseryman  for  plants, 

insist  on  getting  strong,  well-rooted  plants, 

grown  on  beds  that  have  been  set  the  year 

before  and  never  borne  fruit.      The  plants 

should  be  taken  up  carefully  with  all  the 

roots  adhering,  and  tied  in  bunches  of  35  or 

50,  depending  on  the  size,  some  varieties 

being  twice  as  large  as  others.    The  smaller 

the  bunches   the   better   they  keep   when 

packed.     Plants  sent  by  mail  should  have 

their  roots  covered  with  damp  moss,  then 

wrapped  in  oiled  paper  and  strong  manilla. 

When  packed  in  plenty  of  moss,  leaving  the 

leaves  exposed  to  the  air,  plants  often  travel 

thousands  of  miles  by  mail,  keeping  fresh  a 

week  to  ten  days,  according  to  the  weather. 

As  the  postage  on  plants  is  now  only  eight 

cents  a  pound,  nurserymen  can  be   more 

liberal  In  the  use  of  moss  and  in  the  size  of 

plants  they  send.     It  is  therefore  one  of  the 

cheapest  ways  of  procuring  plants,  especially 

in  small  quantities  and  where  the  distance 

is  great.  Plants  by  express  should  be  packed 

in  light  crates,  the  bunches  separated  by 

layers  of  damp  moss,  with  roots  interlacing, 

and  top  exposed  to  the  air.     Packed  thus 

they   often  keep  fresh  for  several  weeks. 

Early  in  spring  or  late  in  the  autumn  plants 

may  be  sent  short  distances  by  fast  freight 

on  direct  lines,  and  at  a  great  saving  in 

transportation  charges.     But  it  is  not  safe 

to  send  long  distances  when  they  have  to 

be  transferred  several  times,  as  there  is  often 

great  delay,  and  the  railroad  companies  take 

no  responsibility. 

Care  of  Plants  on  Receipt.  As  soon  as 
possible  after  taking  plants  from  the  office, 
they  should  be  opened  and  cared  for.  Dip 
the  roots  in  water  and  cover  with  wet  moss. 
If  not  ready  to  set,  the  plants  may  be  heeled 
in  a  shady  place.  Break  open  the  bunches 
and  spread  out  so  that  the  roots  will  come 
in  contact  with  the  soil.  Water  occasionally 
and  keep  from  wind  and  sun.  When  plants 
are  received  early  in  the  spring  from  the 
south,  they  may  be  kept  till  warm  weather 
by  burying  in  a  snow  bank.  Take  out  the 
bunches  and  puddle  the  roots  In  mud  of  the 
consistency  of  cream;  repack  them,  and 
placing  them  on  the  ground  at  the  bottom 
of  a  snow  bank  cover  over  with  snow,  and 
on  this  place  sawdust  or  straw  to  prevent 
rapid  melting.  Treated  thus  they  will  keep 
as  long  as  the  snow  lasts. 

Time  of  Setting.  Strawberry  plants  may 
be  set  every  month  in  the  year,  and  a  crop 
secured  the  following  season.  The  usual 
time,  however,  at  the  north  is  during  April 
and  May,  on  sandy  soils,  and  at  the  south, 
plantings  are  made  in  the  autumn  and  thus 
a  better  growth  secured  the  following  year. 
The  earlier  plants  are  set  in  the  spring,  the 
better  the  growth  secured  provided  every- 
thing is  favorable.  The  Strawberry  plant 
has  great  vitality,  and  during  favorable 
weather  I  have  known  plants  to  strike  root 
and  grow  where  the  workmen  had  dropped 
them  by  mistake. 

The  most  desirable  time  to  set  is  when  the 
soil  is  moist  (not  muddy)  and  the  sky  cloudy. 
I  have  known  plants  set  in  June,  when  the 


ground  was  moist  and  the  weather  favora- 
ble, to  do  better  than  those  set  two  months 
earlier  while  the  soil  was  dry.  Plants  set 
late  and  the  ground  stirred  soon  afterwards 
and  frequently,  will  do  better  than  those 
planted  early,  but  allowed  to  take  care  of 
themselves  for  a  month  or  till  spring's  work 
is  all  done. 

Marking  the  Ground  and  Preparing 
Plants.  There  are  various  modes  of  mark- 
ing Strawberry  ground;  but  any  way  is  good 
that  brings  about  the  desired  result— straight 
rows.  ■  Some  people  plow  a  furrow  and  set 
the  plants  up  against  the  land  side,  others 
use  a  line  for  marking.  On  our  stony  soil 
we  use  a  two-toothed  peg  marker  with  thills, 
to  be  drawn  by  a  horse.  One  man  leads  the 
horse  while  another  guides  the  marker.  It 
is  very  important  where  horse  power  is  used 
in  cultivation  to  have  the  rows  straight,  as 
then  the  cultivator  may  be  run  close  to  the 
plants.  The  first  row  may  be  staked  off 
and  marked  with  the  foot.  A  space  should 
be  left  on  the  ends  of  the  rows  for  turning 
around  on  with  the  horse.  Have  the  rows 
run  the  longest  way,  and  thus  save  time  in 
turning  around.  We  make  the  rows  3i{  feet 
apart  for  slow  growers,  and  5  feet  apart  for 
rapid  runners  with  plants  one  foot  apart  in 
the  row. 

Before  setting  out,  the  plants  should  have 
all  dead  leaves  and  runners  removed,  and 
the  roots  shortened  to  six  inches.  If  late  in 
the  spring  it  is  better  to  remove  a  part  of 
the  green  leaves,  as  too  much  foliage  draws 
on  the  plants'  vitality  before  the  roots  begin 
to  work.  The  runners  bother  in  hoeing  and 
also  in  setting.  The  more  trash  on  the 
plants,  the  more  bother.  The  plants  packed 
In  a  crate  in  damp  moss  may  be  brought  to 
the  field  and  placed  in  the  shade  till  wautefl. 
If  the  weather  is  cloudy  a  boy  may  drop 
the  plants  in  advance  of  the  man  who  sets 
them,  and  much  time  be  saved.  But  if  it 
be  cold  and  windy,  the  plants  should  be 
placed  in  a  pan  with  water  in  the  bottom, 
and  each  plant  taken  out  only  as  it  is  wanted. 
If  plants  are  exposed  to  the  hot  sun  or  cold 
drivingiWinds,  they  lose  their  vitality  in  a 
few  moments  and  are  worthless. 

Plants  kept  long  in  moss,  like  fruits  in 
cold  storage,  soon  spoil,  and  if  not  used 
quickly  on  being  exposed,  their  value  is 
about  gone. 

Setting  Strawberries.  For  setting 
plants  we  use  a  tool  shaped  somewhat  like 
an  adz  or  grul)  hoe.  The  blade  is  of  steel 
ten  inches  long  and  four  inches  wide.  It  is 
made  thin  and  curved  inwards.  At  the  top 
is  a  hole  for  a  handle,  which  is  one  toot  long. 
It  may  be  made  by  the  local  blacksmith  and 
costs  $1.00.  We  call  this  tool  a  "Strawberry 
setter;  "  but  it  may  be  used  in  setting  vege- 
table plants  or  heeling  in  Ra.spberry  plants. 
Grasping  the  setter  in  the  right  hand  the 
workmen  strike  the  blade  into  the  soil  about 
seven  inches  and  then  withdraw  it.  As  the 
setter  is  withdrawn,  and  before  the  soil 
rattles  back  into  the  hole,  a  plant  is  inserted 
back  of  the  setter.  The  soil  is  pushed  up  to 
and  around  the  plant  by  a  forward  move- 
ment of  the  setter,  and  thus  the  work  is  ac- 
complished. 

Plants  put  out  this  way  have  the  roots  set 
a  little  obliquely,  but  seem  to  do  as  well  as 
when  put  down  straight.  The  soil  comes  in 
close  contact  with  the  roots,  and  there  is  no 
cavity  left  around  them.  The  earth  is  left 
loose,  and  not  packed  hard  as  where  a  dibble 
or  trowel  is  used.  One  of  these  tools  will 
last  a  Ufe  time,  and  we  used  to  spoil  two  or 
three  trowels  every  year.  The  general  ap- 
pearance of  this  Strawberry  setter  is  shown 
in  Illustration  on  this  page. 

Care  should  be  taken  that  the  crown  of 
the  plant  be  put  even  with  the  surface.  If 
below  the  surface  the  plants  will  rot  in  a 
wet  season;  if  above,  they  will  dry  up  in  a 
dry  season. 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


i6g 


Notes  on   Plum   Culture  and 
Plum  Curculio. 

JOSEPH  CHASE.  MIDDLESEX  CO.,  M.\SS. 

I  set  one-year-old  Plum  seedlings  in  nur- 
sery rows,  t;row  them  lo  ,?k'  or  J4  inch  diam- 
ter,  and  then  graft  them  in  early  spring  as 
near  the  crown  of  the  roots  as  convenient, 
with  a  cion  having  four  or  live  buds.  ^ATien 
the  l>uds  have  grown  to  twelve  or  eighteen 
inches  high,  I  nip  off  the  top  to  make  the 
side  shoots  grow,  thus  forming  a  low  tree, 
branching  out  about  six  inches  from  the 
ground.  Thus  grown,  it  is  easy  for  the 
owner  to  work  around  the  trees  and  to  pick 
the  fruit  while  standing  on  the  ground. 

To  save  the  fruit  from  the  ravages  of  the 
curculio,  I  watch  the  fall  of  the  white 
blossom  leaf,  then  I  go  out  to  the  trees  in 
early  morning  with  a  tin  scoop  and  some 
dry  coal  ashes,  and  shower  the  trees  well, 
say  twice  each  week  until  the  fruit  is  one- 
third  grown.  I  sift  my  coal  ashes  in  the 
cellar  during  winter,  in  an  iron  ash  barrel, 
and  head  up  in  Hour  barrels.  After  the  land 
is  plowed  in  spring,  I  roll  the  barrels  out 
under  the  Plum  trees.  In  the  season  of 
1888  I  was  obliged  to  prop  up  my  trees  to 
keep  them  from  breakmg  down.  The  sea- 
son of  1889  was  so  wet  that  most  of  the 
Plums  rotted  on  the  trees  about  here. 


Celery  Growing. 

MRS.   M,  R.  W.,  SCiiTT  CO.,  IOWA. 

It  is  a  wonder  to  me,  that  more  farmer 
families  do  not  enjoy  having  this  delicious 
vegetable  upon  their  tables.  I  am  convinced 
from  my  own  experience,  that  anyone  who 
has  grown  it  once  successfully,  will  certain- 
ly have  it  regularly,  year  after  year.  That 
is  just  my  case,  and  in  the  face  of  many 
obstacles,  I  have  come  to  count  upon  having 
an  abundance  of  crisp,  nutty  Celery  to  put 
away  in  the  fall. 

I  start  the  seed  in  a  cold  frame.  \Vhen 
sulBciently  large,  I  transplant  to  a  small 
bed  in  the  garden,  setting  but  few  inches 
apart  and  cultivate  well.  Then  the  middle 
of  July,  or  even  later,  have  the  "  gude  mon" 
run  furrows  where  the  rows  are  intended, 
going  through  each  furrow  twice  with  a 
little  shovel  plow,  first  working  in  an  abun- 
dance of  rotten  manure.  Then  the  plants 
are  set.  If  there  is  any  danger  of  the  plants 
wilting,  I  cover  with  boards.  Sufficient 
moisture  must  be  provided,  as  this  is  the 
dryest  season  of  the  year.  All  through 
August  the  plants  must  be  kept  in  a  grow- 
ing state;  then  when  the  cooler  weather  of 
September  and  October  comes  on,  you  will 
think  it  wonderful  how  rapidly  they  grow. 
I  earth  up  any  time  during  October,  pre- 
viously going  along  the  row  and  tying  the 
stalks,  or  bunches,  with  a  cloth  string;  this 
keeps  the  earth  out,  and  is  easier  handled. 
You  must  use  your  hands,  but  after  getting 
the  earth  well  up,  you  may  then  use  a  hoe 
or  spade.  Earth  up  at  one  time.  I  always 
like  to  finish  a  job  if  possible,  without  being 
at  it  forever.  No  use  earthing  up  gradually. 
In  three  weeks  or  later  much  of  it  will  be 
fit  for  table  use,  but  I  allow  it  to  remain  out 
as  long  as  possible. 

I  have  a  long  narrow  box  just  the  height 
of  the  Celery,  with  holes  bored  in  the  sides 
to  enable  me  to  get  water  at  the  roots.  The 
roots  are  dug  with  earth  adhering,  and 
packed  closely  in  this  box,  in  river  sand. 
Never  water  from  the  top,  as  the  Celery 
would  be  sure  to  rot.  Any  farmer's  wife 
who  is  fond  of  Celery,  may  have  it  in  abun- 
dance, and  I  assure  you,  there  is  but  little 
work.  .Just  a  little  pleasant  recreation,  if 
you  have  health  and  strength.  If  not  eat 
plenty  of  your  neighbor's  Celery,  and  you 
will  gain  strength.  I  consider  it  a  grand 
medicine,  and  easily  taken.  I  consider  the 
Golden  Self-blanching  the  finest  Celery  I 
have  ever  grown.  Boston  Market  is  of 
good  flavor,  and  always  has  kept  well  for 


me.  Giant  White  SoUd  is  very  crisp,  and 
blanches  so  very  white.  I  shall  try  some 
of  the  red  varieties  this  year. 

Anyone  with  a  garden  patch  might  grow 
all  the  Celery  needed  on  the  early  Pea  patch. 


Suggfestlons  on  Marketing. 

\VM.  H.  YEOMASS,  TALLAND  CO.,  CONN. 

Farmers  frequently  complain  that  they 
fail  to  get  satisfactory  prices  for  their  pro- 
ducts, and  find  fatilt  with  dealers  because 
they  will  pay  no  more,  when  in  reality  the 
trouble  lies  with  themselves.  The  sale  of 
any  product  depends  very  much  on  its  ap- 
pearance to  the  eye.  Precisely  the  same 
thing  may  be  offered  by  different  persons 
under  conditions  peculiar  to  the  individuals, 
and  one  will  sell  at  a  good  price  while  the 
other  will  have  to  accept  much  less  if  he 
sells  at  all.  P^-en  farmers  themselves  who 
are  negligent  in  caring  for  their  own  pro- 
ducts will  make  their  purchases  of  necessa- 
ries at  the  places  that  are  most  neat  and 
clean,  and  where  the  goods  have  an  inviting 
look,  but  will  neglect  the  very  attention  to 
points  by  which  they  themselves  are  at- 
tracted. 

In  putting  up  for  market  any  product, 
whether  fruit  or  vegetable,  it  is  always  bet- 
ter to  have  uniformity  of  size,  and  quality 
so  far  as  may  be.  Baskets  of  Strawberries 
are  often  arranged  wil  h  fine  large  berries  at 
the  top,  while  the  bulk  underneath  are  small 
and  quite  inferior.  The  principle  of  putting 
up  in  good  shape  was  well  illustrated  by  a 
farmer  who,  when  Tomatoes  were  plenty, 
and  the  market  full,  went  with  two  or  three 
baskets  filled  with  choice  selected  specimens, 
with  the  sides  and  top  trimmed  with  leaves. 
The  application  to  purchase  was  at  first  met 
with  "  No;  we  are  full,"  but  when  the  fruit 
was  shown  to  the  merchant,  the  response 
was  at  once,  "  Yes;  we  do  want  them." 

This  only  serves  as  a  fair  illustration  of 
what  can  be  done  by  taking  pains,  and  put- 
ting up  only  products  of  good  quality  and 
In  good  shape. 


Berries  in  the  Home  Garden. 

E.  P.  POWELL.  ON-EIDA  CO.,  N.  T. 

The  object  of  a  garden  is  to  make  home 
more  delightful.  If  you  do  not  propose  to 
sell  a  quart  of  berries,  you  are  under  the 
same  obligation  to  grow  Strawberries  and 
Raspberries  that  you  are  to  grow  Potatoes 
and  Apples.  The  rounding  out  of  home  life 
with  comforts  and  refinements  affects  char- 
acter. You  find  a  home  where  none  of  the 
results  of  modern  culture  are  found,  and  you 
will  find,  as  a  rule,  something  corresponding 
in  the  occupants.  Perhaps,  however,  it 
would  be  as  well  not  to  have  berry  gardens 
at  all  unless  they  are  cared  for  on  sensible 
principles.  Kasy  as  it  seems  now  to  manage 
a  good  plat  of  Raspberries,  or  even  Black- 
berries, it  took  several  years  of  experience 
and  considerable  worry  and  waste  before 
the  thing  could  be  done. 

Strawberries  for  the  majority  of  growers 
must  be  grown  in  the  matted  row.  It  is 
hopeless  to  expect  that  a  busy  farmer  will 
watch  carefully  enough  to  make  the  hill 
system  a  success.  I  plant  in  rows  six  feet 
apart  and  close  in  the  rows.  These  are 
allowed  to  fill  up  compact  rows  for  the  first 
and  second  years.  Then  runners  are  allowed 
to  fill  up  the  interspaces,  and  the  old  plants 
are  dug  out.  I  see  that  a  plan  is  advocated 
of  cutting  off  the  tops  after  fruitage,  and  so 
occuying  the  energies  of  the  plant  that  it 
will  not  form  runners.  By  this  plan  they  can 
easily  be  kept  in  hills.  I  am  inclined  to 
think  there  is  something  in  the  idea.  But 
for  the  purpose  of  economizing  room,  I  grow 
the  larger  part  of  my  Strawberries  under 
my  rows  of  Grapes.  They  will  not  do  as 
well  thus  grown,  but  will  do  well  enough. 

A  Strawberry  bed  once  planted  requires, 
during  the  first  summer,  only  attention  to 


the  runners.  If  allowed  to  sprawl  every- 
where, the  rows  will  become  very  irregular. 
The  culture  of  the  bed,  apart  from  hoeing, 
begins  in  November.  Cover  the  rows  and 
between  the  rows  with  a  light  coat  of  well- 
worked  horse  manure  or  common  stable 
manure,  made  loose  and  friable  with  saw- 
dust bedding.  I  sometimes  first  sprinkle 
over  the  rows  a  light  coat  of  leaves,and  then 
the  manure.  In  the  spring  relieve  the  plants 
of  the  coarser  deposit  with  a  rake,  and  leave 
it  in  the  interspaces.  Now  comes  your  first 
crop,  and  it  should  be  a  fairly  good  one. 
The  second  year's  crop,  however,  should  be 
much  better.  After  the  mulch  is  removed 
in  spring,  run  a  cultivator  through  between 
the  rows  occasionally,  and  have  the  weeds 
kept  out  all  summer.  The  hoe  should  be 
freely  used  to  keep  the  soil  in  the  row  loose 
after  the  picking;  not  too  much  hacking 
about  before  picking.  But  on  no  account 
at  any  time  let  the  weeds  get  a  start.  Weeds 
and  Strawberries  will  not  harmonize.  Good 
culture,  or  small  berries  and  few  of  them,  is 
a  law  of  this  fine  fruit. 

Repeat  the  covering  each  November,  and 
there  will  be  no  need  of  any  other  enriching 
if  the  soil  is  strong.  On  light  sand  you  must 
enrich  accordingly. 

For  varieties  I  select  Sharpless,  Haver- 
land,  Bubach,  Cumberland,  Jessie.  Of  the 
newer  sorts  I  shall  plant  Crawford.  Mrs. 
Cleveland,  Eureka  and  a  few  more.  I  am 
sure  that  no  one  can  go  amiss  in  planting  a 
bed  of  Cumberland  and  Sharpless,  and 
Haverland  and  Bubach.  These  four  varie- 
ties are  superb  and  entirely  satisfactory. 
Don't  begin  with  novelties,  and  don't  deal 
with  agents,  and  don't  plant  any  sort  that 
you  are  assured  will  give  you  berries  that 
measure  over  three  inches  in  diameter.  But 
I  did  have  hundreds  of  quarts  last  summer 
made  up  of  about  30  berries  to  a  quart.  If 
you  grow  for  market  it  does  not  pay  to  grow 
small  berries  for  quantity.  The  time  used 
in  picking  and  the  uncertainty  of  sale  at 
profitable  figures,  more  than  covers  the  gain 
of  quantity.  The  Vick,  under  high  culture, 
is  a  great  bearer,  but  a  most  unprofitable 
berry;  the  Crescent  is  much  better  on  ac- 
count of  its  beauty,  but  it  is  not  profitable. 
A  large  berry  and  fewer  crates  is  better  than 
double  the  number  of  crates  and  only  half- 
sized  berries. 

Poor  berries  never  pay  in  the  long  run. 
High  and  careful  culture  of  the  best  sorts 
bringing  quick  sales  at  highest  prices  is  the 
true  rule.  But  I  only  turn  aside  to  this  point 
because  nearly  all  home  gardens  have  a  sur- 
plus of  berries  to  be  disposed  of  to  neighbors, 
or  a  near  market.  Whoever  plants  a  home 
garden  should  have  a  few  crates  with  berry 
baskets  about  his  barn,  and  sell  what  is  not 
needed  for  family  consumption.  I  am  myself 
by  no  means  in  the  berry  business,  but  I 
sold  last  year  .50  bushels  of  Raspberries,  60 
bushels  of  Currants,  20  bushels  of  Straw- 
berries and  10  bushels  of  Blackberries.  If 
you  find  you  are  specially  skillful,  and  have 
a  natural  aptitude  for  berry  gardening  as 
some  have  not,  you  will  be  likely  to  step  into 
the  business.  Better  begin  slowly,  and  feel 
your  way.  Nine-tenths  of  the  failures  are 
owing  to  launching  out  too  largely  before 
experience  has  been  accumulated.  It  is  with 
berries  exactly  as  with  other  crops,  one  must 
learn  a  thousand  things  no  one  can  tell  him. 
The  points  in  Strawberry  culture  most 
likely  to  bring  failure  are  (1)  lack  of  water 
in  ripening  season.  This  must  be  provided 
for  by  mulching.  The  plan  I  have  suggested 
of  raking  the  winter's  covering  into  the  in- 
terspaces provides  a  good  mulch.  If  the 
climate  is  liable  to  drought,  and  the  soil  is 
light,  it  is  well  to  add  a  mulch  of  cut  straw 
or  sawdust.  I  find  the  sawdust  from  a  neigh- 
boring saw  mill  every  way  best.  It  is  clean, 
and  is  easily  applied  with  baskets  from  the 
wagon.   It  does  not  harbor  bugs  and  worms; 


170 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


May, 


and  it  becomes  in  a  short  time  a  valuable 
part  of  the  soil.  Straw  in  winter  encourages 
mice,  and  in  summer  is  soon  made  foul  by 
treading.  (2)  The  second  danger  is  from 
thawing  after  freezing  in  winter,  and  so 
heaving  out.  This  is  prevented  by  the  top- 
dressing  I  have  suggested. 


CULTURE  OF  THE   GRAPE. 
NINTH   PAPER. 

DR.   J.  STAVMAN,   LEAVENWORTH,   KANSAS. 

Soil  and  Situation. 

In  successful  vineyard  culture  much  de- 
pends upon  the  soil,  location  and  climate,  as 
may  be  seen  in  the  quaUty  of  wine  and  fruit 
from  ditlerent  districts  and  vinyards;  but  in 
garden  culture  we  have  but  little  choice  to 
make,  for  we  will  have  to  plant  our  Grapes 
where  are  gardens  are,  or  do  without  them. 

Notwithstanding  this  difference,  the  Grape 
is  perhaps  adapted  to  a  wider  range  of 
country  than  any  other  fruit.  We  have 
found  it  growing  wild  and  bearing  profusely 
on  the  river  bottoms  overflown  by  the  spring 
freshets,  in  the  ravines  and  clefts  of  the 
rocks,  on  the  gentle  slopes,  on  the  high  hills 
and  mountain  ranges,  variously  exposed,  in 
a  humid  and  arid  atmosphere,  in  the  forests 
climbing  the  highest  trees,  in  the  groves 
and  thickets  riinning  over  the  brambles  and 
bushes,  and  on  the  border  of  the  open 
prairie,  without  any  support  except  the  tall 
grass.  What  other  fruit  can  be  found  grow- 
ing wild  and  bearing  so  profusely  over  such 
a  vast  range  of  country,  with  such  diversi- 
fied soil  situations  and  climate  as  from 
Maine  to  California  and  from  Canada  to  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico  I 

Each  species  appears  to  have  its  own  loca- 
tion and  climate  and  grows  to  a  higher 
state  of  perfect  there  than  anywhere  else. 

For  that  reason  it  is  useless  for  us  to 
attempt  to  grow  every  species  and  variety 
in  the  same  location  with  the  same  success. 
We  can,  however,  grow  a  sufficient  number 
of  varieties  on  any  soil  that  will  grow 
Wheat  within  the  range  of  sufficient  heat, 
for  home  use.  While  this  is  so  in  garden 
culture,  it  is  very  different  in  vineyard  cul- 
ture, either  for  market  or  wine.  For  if  we 
do  not  .select  a  good  location,  we  can  not 
expect  to  compete  with  those  who  do.  A 
location  that  will  produce  good  wine,  may 
produce  good  market  fruit,  but  it  does  not 
follow  that  a  location  for  market  will  also 
be  good  for  wine  ;  for  early  maturity,  large 
size  and  beauty  are  more  important  for 
market  than  late  matmrity  and  fine  quality. 

In  selecting  a  situation  for  market,  it  is 
best  to  be  near  some  good  permanent  mar- 
ket. If  there  is  no  good  location  at  such 
points,  then  it  is  much  better  when  we  go 
where  the  best  locations  are  with  railroad 
or  water  facilities. 

Remember  in  planting  for  market  we 
should  aim  to  have  a  warm  location  so  that 
our  fruit  will  mature  early,  evenly  and  per- 
fectly, for  the  earliest  fruit  brings  the  high- 
est price.  Therefore  a  few  days  in  advance 
will  much  enhance  the  value  of  our  crop. 
This  being  a  natural  advantage  will  soon 
pay  for  the  best  location  aud  be  of  a  perma- 
nent value. 

We  should  also  guard  against  sudden 
and  excessive  changes  of  temperature  as 
they  subject  us  to  early  and  late  frosts 
which  may  very  much  injure  our  crops. 
By  locating  near  large  bodies  of  wat«r, 
we  obviate  excessive  changes  and  are  not 
so  subject  to  early  and  late  frosts,  and  our 
crops  are  more  certain,  but  the  fruit  does 
not  mature  so  soon  and  consequently  is  not 
so  valuable  for  market.  But  if  we  select  high 
elevations  with  east,  south,  or  west  expo- 
sures in  proximity  to  deep  and  wide  valleys, 
we  both  hasten  the  maturity  of  our  fruit, 
and  guard  against  excessive  variations  of 
temperature. 


It  is  a  well-established  fact  that  southern 
slopes  of  high  hills  or  elevated  benches, 
with  a  clay  subsoil  well  drained,  whether 
the  surface  is  composed  of  humus,  sandy 
loam  or  calcareous  earth,  are  the  best  loca- 
tions, and  if  the  soil  is  rich  enough  to  pro- 
duce good  Wheat,  it  is  sufficiently  rich  to 
grow  Grapes,  and  that  lime,  marl,  ashes  and 
bone  dust  are  good  fertilizers  when  the 
ground  is  not  rich  enough.  It  may  be  ex- 
pected by  some  that  we  will  po  nt  out  the 
best  situations  to  produce  the  best  wine,  but 
this  subject  embraces  so  many  important 
conditions  that  we  do  not  feel  able  to  do  the 
subject  justice  in  a  short  article  like  this. 
For  it  should  be  remembered  to  make  wine 
successfully  and  profitably,  we  should  be 
able  to  compete  not  only  with  our  own 
neigborhood,  but  also  with  the  best  wine 
districts  of  this  country  as  well  as  Europe. 

It  requires  a  specific  amount  of  heat  to 
elaborate  and  develop  a  due  proportion  of 
sugar  in  the  Grape,  and  whatever  tends  to 
the  tliorough  ripening  of  our  fruit,  will  add 
to  the  strength,  quality,  and  aroma  of  our 
wine.  The  best  conditions  are  warm  soil, 
dry,  elevated,  sunny  hill  sides  in  a  tem- 
perate climate  within  the  zone  of  sufficient 
heat  and  diminished  moisture,  particularly 
from  seeding  to  the  maturity  of  the  Grape. 
It  should  be  remembered  (1)  that  the  Grape 
requires  a  daily  mean  temperature  of  .52° 
before  it  foliates,  and  a  definite  amount  of 
heat  from  thence  to  its  full  maturity.  (2) 
That  all  the  variations  in  the  time  of  ripen- 
ing depend  upon  this  and  the  amount  of 
rain  fall.  And  (3)  that  the  richness  and 
quality  of  the  Grape  depends  upon  the 
amount  of  sugar  the  fruit  contains,  and 
this  again  depends  upon  the  high  mean 
temperature  under  which  the  seeds  are 
formed  and  the  Grape  matured. 

Ontario  County  Fruit  Growers 
in  Council. 

{Concluded  from  poge  124.) 
Protecting  the  Honey  Bee.  All  mem- 
bers agree  that  trees  should  not  be  sprayed 
while  in  bloom,  not  only  because  it  would 
be  useless,  but  also  because  it  would  en- 
danger the  lives  of  honey  bees,  which  are 
very  beneficial  to  the  fruit  grower.  A  mem- 
ber from  Kssex  states  that  he  would  not 
attempt  to  grow  Plums,  Cherries  and  Pears 
without  spraying,  but  this  should  be  done 
after  the  blossoms  fall.  A  resolution  in  op- 
position to  the  practice  of  spraying  trees 
while  in  bloom  was  then  unanimou.sly 
adopted.  The  strength  of  solution  recom- 
mended by  members  for  spraying  the  trees 
named  is  three  ounces  of  Paris  green  to  .50 
gallons  of  water. 

Potash  Fertilizer.s.  Prof.  Penton  calls 
attention  to  the  great  value  of  potash  for 
fruit  crops.  It  is  just  the  element  that 
starts  the  machinery,  and  none  is  of  greater 
beneficial  influence.  Asked  about  the  value 
of  the  ashes  of  soft  and  hard  coal.  Prof. 
Penton  says  there  is  not  much  plant  food  in 
the  one,  and  none  in  the  other. 

Marketing  Grapes.  Mr.  Petit  presented 
a  paper,  advising  growers  to  study  the  con- 
dition of  their  own  market,  and  to  use  their 
own  ingenuity.  Middlemen  and  transpor- 
tation companies  take  most  of  the  profits. 
Great  care  should  be  exercised  in  picking, 
else  Grapes  will  not  keep,  or  give  satisfac- 
tion. Women  and  girls,  as  a  rule,  make  the 
best  pickers  and  packers.  Try  to  please  the 
eye.  Have  packages  clean  and  neat.  In 
shipping  tor  market,  put  nothing  in  the 
packages  not  good  enough  for  you  to  eat,  or 
put  on  your  own  table.  The  shipping  of 
green  Grapes  has  cost  our  fruit  growers 
many  thousands  of  dollars.  It  has  disgust- 
ed people  with  the  use  of  Grapes.  Perhaps 
one-half  of  the  Grapes  in  Ontario  are  picked 
and  shipped  before  they  are  in  proper  state 
of  ripeness. 


Montreal  and  Toronto  are  the  best  dis- 
tributing centers  of  Ontario.  But  just  as 
soon  as  once  place  quotes  high  prices,  every 
one  ships  there,  consequently  the  prices 
drop  and  go  up  in  the  other  market.  Every 
grower  should  ship  the  bulk  of  his  crops  to 
his  nearest  market. 

Another  cause  of  failure  is  fruitgrowers 
are  too  often  induced  to  patronize  the  new 
firms  that  spring  up  every  spring  and  migrate 
when  it  is  time  to  make  returns.  A  uniform 
basket  should  be  adopted.  The  Ui-pound 
basket  is  fully  large  enough,  so  we  might 
do  away  with  the  20-pound.  The  most  por- 
fitable  Grapes  for  Ontario  are  for  black, 
Worden,  Concord,  Rogers'  No.  4;  for  red, 
Delaware,  Lindley,  Brighton,  Agawam,  Ca- 
tawba ;  for  white,  Niagara. 

Salem  is  more  liable  to  mildew  than  most 
of  the  Rogers,  and  if  a  shower  comes,  it 
bursts  badly.  Otherwise  it  is  one  of  the 
best  keeping  Grapes  in  Ontario. 

Plum  Culture.  This  subject  is  treated 
by  Mr.  S.  D.  Willard  of  Geneva,  N.  Y. 
Bradshaw,  he  says,  is  a  little  tender  when 
young,  but  hardy  and  reliable  when  old. 
Has  often  sold  the  fruit  of  a  single  tree 
and  year  for  over  S12  to  ?il4.  Peter's  Yellow 
Gage  comes  in  ealier  than  Reine  Claude, 
which  is  a  disadvantage.  Otherwise  it  is 
one  of  the  best  of  all  light-colored  Plums, 
not  one  of  the  best  growers,  but  extremely 
hardy,  an  annual  bearer  and  finest  for  eat- 
ing and  canning.  EUwanger  and  Barry  are 
the  only  firm  who  catalogue  it.  Lombard, 
Gueii,  Hudson  River  Purple  Egg  (which 
sells  as  fancy  ),Coe's  Golden  Drop,  and  Reine 
Claude  where  hardy,  were  recommended  as 
good  sorts  for  market. 

Imperial  Gage  is  tender,  and  not  as  pro- 
ductive as  some  others.  Moore's  Arctic  is 
very  tender  in  Geneva,  Shipper's  Pride  is  a 
fair  Plum,  but  on  the  whole,  Mr.  Willard 
has  been  disappointed  with  it.  It  is  good, 
not  best.  Pond's  Seedling  is  not  productive 
enough;  Victoria  is  unreliable,  although  a 
beautiful  Plum,  and  good. 

The  following  are  recommended  for  testing 
Prince  of  Wales,  one  of  the  most  beautiful, 
hardy,  productive  and  promising  sorts  sent 
from  England. 

Stanton  Seedling  would  be  the  one  selects 
ed  if  he  could  have  but  one  Plum  for  can- 
ning or  marketing.  Has  kept  it  for  two 
weeks.  Field  somewhat  resembles  Brad- 
shaw. Grand  Duke  promises  to  be  the  best 
late  dark-colored  Plum  for  market.  Mon- 
arch and  Archduke  are  promising.  Prunus 
.Simoni  bids  fair  to  be  sold  on  the  fruit 
stands.    Good  for  market. 

As  the  best  three  varieties  for  home  use, 
Mr. Willard  names  (1)  Bradshaw;  (2)  Peter's 
Yellow  Gage  ;  (3)  Stanton  Seedling. 

High  feeding  is  necessary  for  best  success. 
Plums  are  surface-feeding  trees,  and  eat  up 
more  manure  than  almost  anything  else. 

The  Horse  Plum  of  Western  New  York  is 
best  for  stock.  Don't  cut  the  roots  or  they 
will  sucker.  Plowing  will  kill  the  trees ; 
the  cultivator  will  do  the  work  just  right. 
Trees  are  planted  ten  feet  apart  in  rows  six- 
teen feet  apart.  Mr.  Willard  is  going  to  use 
Paris  Green  for  spraying  hereafter. 

Russian  Apricot.s.  They  do  not  repro- 
duce themselves  true  from  seed,  hence  the 
seedlings  as  they  run,  are  of  little  value.  A 
number  of  selected  varieties  are  now  claimed 
to  be  of  fair  quality;  but  there  are  no  re- 
ports as  yet,  says  Mr.  T.  T.  I^yon  ( Mich.), 
and  the  question  as  to  their  value  or  desira- 
bility remains  yet  unsettled.  Plxpert  grow- 
ers do  not  express  any  too  much  confidence 
in  them. 

Hedge  for  South  Ontario.  Mr.  McNeal 
shows  a  sample  of  Thorn  hedge.  A  wire 
fence  may  be  cheaper,  but  the  windbreak  is 
of  material  advantage  to  the  fruit  grower. 
If  cut  down  close,  and  kept  wider  at  the 
bottom  than  at  the  top,  it  will  stand  wet  and 


1 890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


171 


cold,  anil  cattle  ln-owsing.  Hut  its  growth 
is  slow.  If  to  bo  used  more  largely  for 
hedges,  we  would  have  to  find  a  way  how  to 
propogateit;  perhaps  by  root  cuttings.  The 
hedge  is  impenetrable.  Small  l>irds  like  to 
nest  in  it,  and  the  fruitgrower  might  grow 
it  if  for  no  other  purpose  than  for  the  pro- 
tection of  birds. 

Apples  as  Food.  "What  shall  we  do 
with  our  fruit  ? "'  asks  Sec'y  Woolverton  in 
his  essay.  People  should  be  educated  to  its 
use,  he  says  :  It  is  more  than  a  luxury  but 
not  appreciated  much  as  food.  Some  even 
fear  ill  results  from  its  free  use.  Meat  is 
one  of  the  most  expensive  diets,  and  the  ill 
results  from  an  excessive  meat  diet  are  often 
laid  to  the  use  of  fruits.  Good  physicians 
say  that  ten  barrels  of  Apples  laid  in  store 
in  the  fall  are  the  most  economical  invest- 
ment. Let  every  farmer  plant  so  he  will 
have  a  constant  supply  of  fruit  the  whole 
year  round. 

Apples  are  also  excellent  for  horses,  cows, 
etc.,  fully  as  good  as  Carrots  for  horses,  and 
as  good  as  Turnips  for  cows. 

This  points  out  a  way  how  to  relieve  our 
market.s  of  the  poor  stuff,  and  keep  only  the 
choicest  for  market. 


Requisites  of  Successful  Potato 
Culture. 

A.  P.  REID,  CUMBERLAND  CO.,  SIE. 

These  are,  early  planting  and  plenty  of 
potash. 

Very  little  more  need  be  said  on  the  sub- 
ject. In  view  of  this  increased  difficulty  of 
getting  the  Potato  crop,  consequent  upon 
new  enemies  and  bad  seasons,  it  behooves 
us  to  plant  early,  as  experience  tells  us  that 
early  planted  Potatoes,  and  the  early  varie- 
ties are  the  ones  that  come  oflE  victorious  in 
these  days. 

To  secure  rapid  growth  and  maturity  be- 
fore blight  days  in  August  or  September, 
we  need  early  planting  and  better  culttire 
than  allowed  by  the  older  methods.  As  to 
food,  the  Potato  should  have  plenty  of 
pota.sh,  which  element  is  best  secured  in 
common  wood  ashes.  Try  your  wood  ashes 
on  the  Potatoes  this  year,  while  following 
out  the  injunction  to  plant  early  of  early 
varieties,  and  report  results.  The  Potato 
crop  is  an  Important  one,  and  should  be 
studied  with  a  view  to  overcoming  the  new 
difficulties  thrown  in  its  way. 


Durable  Strawberry   Beds. 

Jl-DOE  SAMl-EL  MILLER.   MONTGOMERY  CO.,   MO. 

People  who  plant  Downing,  Triumph  de 
Gand,  Mary  Stuart  or  Downer's  Prolific, 
and  count  on  a  big  crop  the  first  season, 
will  most  likely  be  disappointed,  and  feel 
like  discarding  them.  But  the  year  follow- 
ing if  properly  cared  for,  the  plants  will 
show  a  different  condition,  and  continue  to 
bear  well  for  years,  if  dressed  and  fertilized 
and  managed  right. 

In  an  old  vineyard  of  mine  there  have 
been  Mary  Stuarts  for  ten  years,  and  therr 
is  plenty  of  fruit  every  year,  none  ever 
transplanted,  nor  is  there  a  staminate  vari- 
ety within  one  hundred  yards  of  them. 
It  being  a  pure  pistilate,  gives  rise  to  the 
question  whether  this  fertilizing  is  of  as 
much  consequence  as  we  are  led  to  believe. 

The  time  is  now  on  hand  when  new 
beds  will  be  set  out  with  plants  of  this 
delicious  and  indispensable  fruit,  the  result 
of  which  will  depend  much  upon  the  man- 
ner in  which  the  work  is  done,  and  upon  the 
kind  of  plants  set  out.  .Some  tell  us  that 
the  top  soil  should  never  be  turned  under, 
and  in  trenching  soil  mo.st  people  adhere 
to  that  doctrine.  Now  I  know  in  some 
soils,  this  is  not  sound  doctrine,  for  I  have 
seen  when  the  soil  was  about  eight  inches 
deep,  that  it  was  put  under,  and  four 
inches  of  the  subsoil  clay  brought  to  the 
stirface.    This  was  in  the  fall.    The  follow- 


ing spring,  this  subsoil  was  as  fine  and 
mellow  as  need  be,  a  good  coat  of  manure 
having  been  put  on  the  fall  before.  It  was 
set  with  Strawberry  plants,  furnished  by 
me.  These  plants  were  not  allowed  to  bear 
a  berry,  the  blossoms  all  having  been  picked 
off,  and  all  runners  were  also  thus  treated. 
The  following  season  the  gardener  invited 
me  to  see  his  Strawberries.  Such  a  crop  I 
never  saw  since,  and  that  was  near  thirty 
years  ago.  I  am  satisfied  that  I  could  have 
picked  a  peck  of  fruit  without  moving  two 
steps  in  any  direction.  The  plants  were  a 
foot  high,  fruit  stalks  nearly  the  same,  and 
the  fruit  literally  piled  up  under  the  leaves. 
The   varieties  were    Bishops'  Orange   and 


PRUNING  HOOK  FOR   BUSH   FRUITS. 

Early  Scarlet.  In  another  instance  a  friend 
came  to  me  in  September,  I  think  in  184S, 
and  asked  me  if  he  might  expect  some  fruit 
from  fall-set  plants  the  following  season  y 
Already  at  that  time  I  advocated  fall  pl.int- 
ing  under  favorable  conditions,  and  told 
him  so.  So  he  got  good  plants,  Hovey  Seed- 
ling and  Large  Early  Scarlet,  and  was  told 
how  to  set  them.  The  following  summer 
he  asked  me  to  see  his  berries.  I  did  so;  if 
ever  a  man  felt  small  I  did.  In  these  fall- 
set  plants  was  a  crop  of  fruit  that  would 
set  in  the  shade  the  best  on  my  half  acre. 
The  way  he  had  managed  them  was  as  fol- 
lows :  His  garden  was  in  good  condition 
with  a  foot  of  surface  soil.  This  he  threw 
out  two  feet  wide  one  side  of  his  little  patch, 
covered  the  clay  subsoil  three  inches  deep 
with  well  rotten  stable  manure,  dug  this  in 
and  then  put  on  the  next  strip  of  top  soil. 
This  was  done  across  the  bed  and  the  soil 
first  thrown  out  wheeled  over  to  finish. 
Here  he  set  his  plants,  and  when  the 
weather  got  cold,  he  covered  the  bed  with 
coarse  fresh  stable  manure. 

The  largest  crop  of  large  berries  that  I 
ever  grew  was  upon  ground  trenched  18 
inches,  weirmixed  and  a  good  coat  of  man- 
ure dug  in  at  the  time.  If  the  ground  is 
worked  18  or  20  inches  deep  and  well 
manured,  and  properly  mulched,  it  must  be 
a  very  dry  summer  that  will  effect  plants 
growing  thereon. 

It  will  be  well  for  those  who  intend  plant- 
ing Strawberry  beds  to  take  a  hint  from  the 
foregoing.  A  half  acre  will  bring  in  more 
profit  if  well  managed,  than  two  acres  as 
the  work  is  usually  done.  There  is  much 
less  ground  to  keep  in  order,  the  fruit  will 
be  more  abundant,  and  larger,  which  saves 
cost-.in  picking. 

Whoever  prepares  ground  in  this  way, 
and  plants  Bubach  No.  .5,  Gandy,  and  such 
varieties,  may  be  astonished  at  the  result  if 
they  never  tried  it  before.  Last  season  I 
had  Bubachs,  that  I  could  pick  a  quart  in 
less  than  three  minutes. 


COMMENTS  BY    READERS. 

A  deparlmfnt  to  which  all  are  invited  to  send  notes 
of  experience  and  observation  concerning  topics  that 
recently  have  been  treated  on  in  this  Journal,  Many 
such  contributions  monthly  are  welcome. 

Currants  in  Tree  Form.  T  notice  that  in 
answer  to  all  inquiries  as  to  the  pruning  of  Cur- 
rants the  fruit  men  state  that  the  tree  form  does 
well  enough  in  England,  but  will  not  gi\'e  good 
results  here.  I  would  like  to  know,  why,  and 
from  what  experience  they  speak.  I  have  a  friend 
with  a  small  plantation  (part  of  them  fourteen 


years  old)  all  trained  as  trees,  j.f.,  only  one  or 
two  stalks  or  trunks  being  allowed  to  grow  from 
the  ground.  The  crop  is  wonderful.  I  think  he 
hus  one-half  of  an  acre,  and  has  to  ship  to  New 
York  because  he  raises  too  many  for  our  market 
here.  I  have  one-quarter  of  an  acre  three  yeara 
in  bearing  trained  by  my  friend  in  tree  form. 
The  crop  is  e.veellent  and  very  profitable.  I  ship 
all  I  rai.se.  Besides  this  I  have  one  one-quarter 
acres  coming  into  bearing^  this  year,  and  three 
acres  next  year,  all  trained  as  trees.  Now  it 
there  is  any  real  reason  why  I  should  not  train 
that  way,  1  want  to  know  it  now,  so  I  can  let  the 
three  acres  grow  up  in  bush  form.— F.  S.  W., 
Bath,  N.  T. 

A  Prunino  Hook  for  Biish  Fruits  The 
illustration  of  a  bush  pruner,  in  an  earlier 
number  of  Popular  Gardening  reminds  me 
of  one  in  use  by  berry  growers  here.  It  ig  quite 
simple,  being  made  of  an  old  rake  handle  and 
file.  The  illustration  shows  the  hooked  shape 
of  the  sharpened  blade.  It  is  bent  shghtly  after 
being  driven  into  the  handle.  On  the  handle  are 
tacked  two  straps  to  make  the  hold  good.  The 
two  advantages  this  hook  has  over  the  one  shown 
are,  first,  the  operator  can  stand  back  and  reach 
into  the  bushes ;  second,  the  hook  can  be  run  in 
and  draw  the  cut  brush  into  the  row  ready  for 
being  carried  out  It  also  permits  the  use  of 
both  hands  and  can  be  used  for  taking  water 
sprouts  and  small  limbs  from  low  growing  fruit 
trees.— B.  H.  Ciu<}tmnn,  Cuyahoga  I'ounty,  (j. 

Grapes  Under  Glass.  I  notice  in  your 
March  number  in  the  article  on  "Grapes  under 
Glass,"  several  statements  that  I  think  would  be 
decidedly  misleading  to  one  commencing  in  this 
branch  of  horticulture.  On  the  subject  of  lean- 
to  vineries  your  correspondent  writes  that  the 
vines  should  be  planted  along  the  brick  wall. 
This  would  be  a  great  mistake,  and  I  think  that 
iuiy  horticulturist  on  reflection,  even  if  he  has 
had  no  practical  experience,  will  admit  the  great 
advantage  of  plauting  along  the  front  of  the 
house,  and  training  up  the  vines  under  the  glass 
where  they  can  have  the  full  benefit  ot  the  light 
and  heat.  Under  "Planting  and  Care"  your 
correspondent  recommends  the  fruiting  of  eight 
feet  of  cane  during  the  third  season,  and  the 
fruiting  of  the  cane  the  entire  length  ot  the 
rafter  the  fourth  season.  This  I  should  expect 
would  result  in  very  seriously  injuring  the  cane 
during  the  fifth  season,  and  probably  in  totally 
ruining  it  during  the  sixth  season,  and  that  the 
Grapes  during  these  years  would  be  of  poor 
quality,  should  the  grower  be  fortunate  enough 
to  bring  them  to  an  eatable  condition.  The  first 
great  mistake  that  beginners  are  sure  to  make  is 
to  overcrop  their  \nnes,  and  to  follow  the  above 
advice  would  be  doing  it  with  a  vengeance.  Your 
correspondent  advises  a  much  higher  tempera- 
ture for  «nes  in  the  heated  G  rapery  than  I  have 
found  it  necessary  or  desirable  to  maintain, 
especially  up  to  the  time  when  the  buds  begin  to 
develop;  and  during  the  blossoming  period  when 
\nnes  need  to  be  kept  quite  wann  during  fertili- 
zation I  have  found  a  temperature  of  75  degrees 
during  the  day  time  all  sufBcient.  .Such  high 
temperature  as  85  to  SO  degrees  are  to  be  avoided 
rather  than  desired,  and  only  permitted  under 
the  bright  sunshine,  and  with  a  good  circulation 
of  air.— D.  M.  iJuniUng,  Cayuga  Co.,  N.  T. 

The  English  Spahhow.  Some  of  the  young 
gentlemen  of  the  town,  decided  to  hold  an  oyster 
supper.  They  chose  sides  and  agreed  to  kill 
sparrows  to  see  who  would  have  to  furnish  the 
supper,  the  loosing  side  ( the  side  who  killed  the 
smallest  number)  to  pay  for  the  supper.  The 
interest  of  farmers  and  their  sons  was  awakened 
and  they  joined  in  the  sport.  Their  method  was 
to  go  at  night  with  lanterns  to  the  sheds  and  lofts 
where  the  sparrow  resorts.  The  birds  fluttering 
around  the  lights  were  easil.v  dispatched  with  a 
sort  of  small  paddle  made  out  of  a  shingle  or 
other  similar  light  material.— F.  TI'.  IT ,  Chatham, 
Ontario,  Can. 

Le  Conte  Peak  as  Stock.  In  recent  num- 
bers of  Popular  Gardening  I  notice  that  one 
writer  condemned  as  utterly  worthless  the  Le 
Conte  Pear  as  a  stock  for  other  Pears.  Here  in 
the  south  it  is  the  very  best  stock  we  can  get  ; 
other  varieties  grafted  on  it  do  remarkably  well. 
Have  tried  the  French  Pear  as  a  stock,  and  find 
it  of  no  value  whatever.  Le  Conte  Pear  cut- 
tings grow  readily,  sometimes  growing  as  much 
as  six  or  seven  feet  in  one  season  just  from  slips 
put  out  in  the  fall  or  winter.— S.  L.  Bishop,  Ga. 

All  reports  from  the  south  are  pretty  well 
agreed  that  the  Le  Conte  is  good  stock  for  Pears 
and  even  Apples.— Ed. 


172 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


May, 


Aphis. 


Thrips. 


The  Insect  Pests  of  Pot  Plants. 

The  higher  temperature  of  the  advancing 
season,  and  the  thrifty  succulent  plant 
growth  which  is  its  result,  offer  conditions  l 
more  favorable  than  at  any  other  time  to 
the  rapid  multiplication  of  insect  foes  in  the 
greenhouse,  and  call  for  incessant  watchful- 
ness and  prompt  action  on  the  part  of  the 
owner,  who  desires  to  save  his  plants  from 
serious  injury,  or  from  being  rendered  alto- 
gether and  entirely  worthless. 

In  the  accompanying  illustration  are 
shown  the  most  common  and  most  destruc- 
tive of  these  green- 
hoxise  pests,  both 
greatly  enlarged  and 
in  life  size. 

Aphis.  Every  ob- 
servant tiller  of  the 
soil  is  acquainted 
with  various  species 
of  aphis  or  plant 
louse,  green,  black  or 
blue,  for  there  is  no 
kind  of  tree,  shrub  or 
plant  known  to  be 
exempt  from  the  at- 
tacks of  one  or  more 
of  these  hundreds  of 
species.  While  often 
giving  much  trouble 
to  the  fruit  grower 
and  vegetable  gard- 
ener, they  are  still 
more  dangerous  and 
obnoxious  to  the 
grower  of  plants 
under  glass,  as  he 
offers  them  shelter,  a  most  congenial  tem- 
perature, and  the  food  they  like. 

The  old,  well-tried  and  reliable  preven- 
tive remedy  for  this  pest  is  fumigation  with 
Tobacco  stems  regularly  once  or  even  twice 
a  week.  An  improved  and  perhaps  safer 
method  is  that  of  evaporating  strong  To- 
bacco tea  in  little  tin  boxes  or  troughs  fas- 
tened upon  the  heating  pipes.  If  a  sufficient 
number  of  Lady  bugs  are  put  in  the  green- 
house, and  there  colonized,  plant  lice  will 
give  no  further  trouble.  As  an  out-door 
remedy  we  would  recommend  the  kerosene 
emulsion,  sprayed  forcibly  upon  the  affected 
plants.  Submerging  plants  or  branches  in 
water  of  about  130'  Fahrenheit,  will  also  rid 
them  of  plant  lice,  but  the  kerosene  remedy 
is  safer  and  more  reliable. 

Rep  Spider.  This  insect  is  so  small  as  to 
be  hardly  visible  with  the  naked  eye,  yet  it 
is  doing  great  mischief,  as  they  multiply 
very  rapidly,  attack  the  leaves  from  the 
underside,  where  they  work  under  the  pro- 
tection of  a  tine  web,  and  suck  out  the  juices 
of  the  plant.  Fortunately  these  insects 
cannot  endure  a  moist  atmosphere  or  much 
wet,  and  are  therefore  most  readily  held  in 
check  by  frequent  syringing  and  keeping  the 
atmosphere  continuously  moist.  Another 
pretty  sure  remedy  is  the  cautious  applica- 
tion of  Tobacco  fumes.  The  heating  pipes 
may  be  painted  with  a  mixture  of  sulphur 
and  oil,  or  flower  of  sulphur  placed  upon 
metal  plates  or  pans  around  the  plants, 
where  it  is  exposed  to  the  sun. 

Scale.  The  brown  scale  shown  in  illus- 
tration is  the  most  common  form  of  this, 
roundish  or  hemispherical  in  shape,  and 
covered  with  a  brown,  tumid, scale-like  skin. 
The  young  scale,  as  soon  as  hatched,  at  once 
attaches  itself  to  the  branch,  and  here  re- 
mains. It  thrusts  its  powerful  beak  into  the 
stem  or  leaf,  and  fattens  on  the  juices  of  the 
plant.  These  insects  multiply  very  rapidly, 
and  often  do  considerable  mischief.  Spong- 
ing the  plants  with  the  kerosene  emulsion 
or  a  strong  alkaline  solution  is  the  remedy 
•  usually  found  effective.  Often  the  scales 
adhere  so  closely  to  their  fastenings  that 
they  can  only  be  dislodged  by  the  use  of  a 
stiff  brush. 


Thrips.  They  are  very  small  insects  of 
wonderful  agility,  and  often  very  destructive 
among  plants.  The  perfect  insect  has  wings 
and  is  of  blackish  color;  the  larva?  are  much 
smaller,  wingless,  and  of  lighter  color.  They 
may  usually  be  found  underneath  the  leaves 
of  Fuchsias,  Azaleas,  Ferns,  Palms,  etc., 
and  down  in  the  sheaths  of  the  foliage  of 
Orchids.  The  perfect  insect  has  a  habit  of 
hiding  out  of  sight  when  the  leaf  is  touched, 
and  consequently  is  seldom  seen.  Whitish 
patches,  usually  on  the  underside  of  the 
leaves,  and  spots  of  black  fluid  betray  the 


Bed  Spider. 
INSECT  PESTS  OF  POT   PLANTS. 


Scale. 


Mealy  Bug. 


presence  of  the  foe.  The  larva  as  well 
as  the  perfect  insect  injui-e  the  plants 
by  puncturing  the  outer  skin,  and  sucking 
the  juices  of  the  leaf.  The  foliage  of  plants 
should  be  frequently  examined,  and  when- 
ever thrips  are  discovered,  thoroughly 
sponged  with  soap  water  or  a  solution  of  Fir 
tree  oil.  Fumigation  with  Tobacco  stems, 
if  repeated  on  several  successive  days  or 
nights,  or  evaporating  Tobacco  tea,  are  also 
usually  effective  in  ridding  plants  of  thrips. 
Mealy  Bug.  In  this  we  have  an  oval 
insect  with  a  number  of  legs,  and  the  body 
covered  with  a  white,  mealy,  cottony  sub- 
stance. It  is  especially  fond  of  Stephanotis, 
Gardenias  and  similar  plants;  multiplies 
very  rapidly.  It  is  a  pest  hard  to  get  rid  of 
after  having,.once  taken  possession  of  a 
heated  greenhouse.  It  is  also  very  trouble- 
some "in  Graperies,  as  it  not  only  infests 
shoots,  foliage  and  woodwork,  but  also 
works  among  the  berries  of  the  bunches. 
The  same  solutions  advised  for  thrips  may 
be  used  for  this  pest,  but  thoroughness  is 
always  necessary.  Be  sure  to  clear  every 
plant,  also  paint  or  whitewash  the  whole 
structure,  and  try  to  get  rid  of  the  very  last 
of  these  insects.  In  cold  houses  mealy  bug  is 
rarely  seen. 


The  Ocean  as  a  Tree  Planter. 

Nature  employs  many  agencies  and  de- 
vices to  distribute  seeds  and  plants  over  her 
vast  domain.  It  is  not  generally  known, 
perhaps,  says  a  writer  in  Youth's  Compan- 
ion, what  an  important  part  the  sea  plays  in 
carrying.or  planting  seeds. 

I  have  seen  in  small  bays  and  sheltered 
coves  along  the  coast  of  the  Bay  Islands, 
Florida,  and  among  the  West  Indies,  thou- 
sands of  bushels  of  tropical  seeds  of  every 
size  and  form  imaginable,  from  little  things 
not  half  so  large  as  a  kernel  of  Wheat  up  to 
the  great  Cocoanut,  which  when  covered 
with  its  thick  husk  ofteu  will  not  go  into  a 
water  bucket;  flat,  rounded,  oblong,  angled, 
wrinkled  and  irregular  seeds, with  eyes,  and 
covered  with  curious  markings,  a  strange 
and  interesting  medley  of  all  sorts  of  vege- 
table productions. 


In  many  places  they  cover  acres  of  surface 
in  the  water,  or  are  piled  up  in  regular  ricks 
along  the  shore. 

In  most  parts  of  the  tropics  there  are  one 
or  more  rainy  seasons  in  the  year,  during 
which,  often  in  a  very  short  time,  an  im- 
mense amount  of  water  falls,  which  carries 
vast  quantities  of  seeds  into  the  streams, 
and  so  into  the  sea.  Sometimes  the  forests 
reach  to  the  shore,  and  the  fruits  that  grow 
on  them  drop  directly  into  the  water. 

Thrown  thus  upon  the  bosom  of  the  sea, 
these  little  wanderers  start  out  on  their 
journey  for  unknown 
shores;  it  may  be  days, 
months  or  years;  alone, 
or  in  great  drifts;  per- 
haps to  be  stranded  on 
a  cold,  inhospitable 
coast  to  perish,  or  to 
land  on  some  bright 
tropical  beach  to  find 
a  home  as  warm  and 
sunny  as  the  one  they 
have  left. 

Myriads  of  them,  no 
doubt,  become  water- 
logged, and  finally 
sink  to  the  bottom. 

Little  is  known  of 
the  length  of  time  the 
germs  of  seed  will  live 
in  the  ocean.  I  have 
seen  Cocoanuts  float- 
ing about  along  tropi- 
cal beaches,  with  roots 
a  foot  and  a  half  long, 
and  leaves  fully  twice 
that  length,  ready  to  grow  as  soon  as  they 
were  thrown  upon  the  land,  and  apparently 
in  the  most  perfect  vigor.  I  am  certain  that 
the  young  Mangroves  will  live  on  the  sea  for 
a  whole  year. 

Nature  kindly  watches  over  the  little 
wanderers,  and  though,  perhaps,  many  of 
them  are  unfitted  for  the  new  situation  and 
perish,  others  more  hardy  or  better  adapted 
to  the  circumstances,  spring  up  and  live. 

In  a  few  years  a  colony  is  established,  and 
the  botanist  wandering  that  way  finds  with 
astonishment  and  delight  trees  and  plants 
growing  luxuriantly,  which  the  books  say 
should  not  be  found  within  a  thousand  miles 
of  the  spot. 

A  number  of  instances  are  related,  by  this 
same  writer,  of  trees  found  in  localities 
where  only  the  sea  could  have  planted  them. 
On  the  Island  of  Trinidad  he  found  a 
splendid  "cocal"  extending  for  fourteen 
miles  along  the  beach,  which  is  believed  to 
have  grown  from  a  shipwrecked  cargo  of 
Cocoanuts. 

A  group  of  low,  sandy  keys  near  the  coast 
of  Balize  is  now  nearly  covered  with  a 
growth  of  vegetation,  though  old  settlers 
teU  of  a  time  when  nothing  grew  on  them, 
and  they  were  mere  heaps  of  barren  sand 
piled  up  by  the  sea.  It  is  well-known  that 
the  coral  atolls  of  the  Pacific  are  clothed 
with  vendure  as  soon  as  they  are  built  up 
high  enough  above  the  surf  for  trees  and 
plants  to  live  on  them. 

But  one  of  the  most  striking  cases  of  the 
work  of  planting  on  an  extensive  scale 
by  the  ocean  may  be  found  on  the  south 
coast  of  Florida.  No  tropical  trees  or  plants 
are  found  living  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
State.  Yet  in  the  southern  part  more  than 
seventy  species  of  trees  are  met  with,  besides 
a  large  number  of  shrubs  and  plants  that 
belong  nowhere  else  except  in  the  American 
tropics. 

The  Gulf  Stream  bears  along  a  vast  quan- 
tity as  seeds  of  the  West  Indies,  Central  and 
South  America,  and  flowing  around  the 
twelve  hundred  miles  of  coast  of  peninsula 
it  kindly  .scatters  some  of  them. 

On  the  lower  half  of  the  State,  and  among 
the  Keys,  are  found  the  Machineel,  Shore 


1889. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


173 


Grape,  Li,t;iiumvitii>.  Caper,  Lancewood, 
Mahogany,  Royal  Palm,  ami  many  other 
well-known  trees,  all  of  which  were  un- 
donbtedly  colonized  by  the  sen,  and  brought 
up  as  seeds  from  Cuba  or  the  Bahamas. 
The  vesietation  along  the  shore,  and  especial- 
ly on  the  Keys,  is  decidedly  tropical  in  its 
character.  One  might  wander  for  days 
among  the  islands  of  Florida  reefs,  and 
never  be  able  to  tell  by  the  vegetation  that 
he  was  not  in  theWestlndies  or  the  Bahamas. 


Possibilities  of  a  Small  Garden. 

JOHN  B.  LAIl'LEY,  M.  D.,  FKANKUS  CO.,  M.\SS. 

While  riding  about,  I  have  for  years  made 
observations  of  what  farmers  call  a  home 
garden;  a  small,  enclosed  patch  of  ground 
containing  a  good  supply  of  late  Sweet  Corn, 
two  or  three  dozen  poles  and  a  row  of  brush 
with  a  few  late  Beau  and  Pea  vines  cling- 
ing to  them,  plenty  of  nice  Rhubarb,  and  a 
few  bushes  of  grass-choked  and  worm-eaten 
Currants.  Aside  from  this  little  piece  of 
land,  everything  betokens  the  thrifty  and 
successful  farmer. 

If  I  speak  to  the  owner  about  his  garden, 
I  invariably  am  told  this  story:  "I  set  out, 
last  spring,  to  have  a  good  garden  this  year; 
but  somehow  I  got  behind  in  my  work,  so  It 
was  late  when  I  planted.  Then  the  seed, 
bought  at  the  store,  was  poor,  and  failed  to 
come  up;  by  this  time  the  weeds  had  a  good 
start  and  I  let  them  have  possession,  in  fact, 
it  don't  pay  to  fiiss  with  a  garden,  for  you 
can  buy  your  vegetables  of  peddlers  at  the 
door  cheaper  than  you  can  raise  them. " 

This  answer  led  me  to  try  and  see  how 
much  I  could  make  my  little  garden  of  18 
square  rods  produce.  The  accompanying 
diagram  illustrates  my  plan. 

Along  the  front  and  at  the  gates  are  flow- 
ering shrubs.  A  row  of  Currant  bushes  ex- 
tend along  the  back;  f  is  my  Asparagus 
bed;  b  Strawberries;  e  my  wife's  flower 
garden;  d  Rhubarb;  c  cold-frames. 

Beside  the  walks  at  gg  were  planted 
Hender.son's  "  First  of  All"  Pea  April  11th, 
giving  US  first  mess  of  Peas  June  18th; 
vines  were  removed  July  3rd  and  200  Celery 
plants  set  in  the  same  place. 

In  the  plot  h  I  planted  American  "Wonder 
Pea  in  rows  3J^  feet  apart;  with  Early  Rose 


Plat  k  was  filled  with  Cucumbers,  Summer 
Squash,  Corn,  late  Peas,  pole  Beans  and 
Tomatoes,  etc.  The  Cucumbers,  Squash 
and  Com  can  be  replaced  by  Spinach,  which 
sells  very  readily  in  early  spring. 

Plat  1  had  Water  and  Musk  Melons. 
Vines  were  removed  September  .'ith,  and 
Spinach  sowed  in  drills,  which  will  be  out 
of  the  way  next  spring  in  time  for  planting 
Melons  again. 

The  following  is  a  statement  of  the  profits, 
viz:  1.  All  the  nice  fresh  vegetables  the 
family  needed.  2.  Sold  Peas  .*3,  Parsnips 
.*3,  Beets  .*2,  Carrots  SI,  Celery  at  75  cents 
per  dozen— ?34,  Lettuce  -?10,  Spinach  $12; 
a  total  of  «.W. 

To  make  sure  of  success  use  plenty  of  fine 
stable  manure  well  mixed  with  the  soil. 
Keep  down  all  weeds,  and  soil  loose  by  fre- 
quent hoeing.  Last,  but  not  least,  buy  your 
seeds  of  a  reliable  seed  firm,  and  carefully 
firm  the  soil  over  the  newly-sown  seeds. 


emulate  the  proverbial  green  turf  of  England 
and  Ireland,  it  is  necessary  for  us  to  con- 
stantly apply  top-dressing  of  some  rich  fer- 
tilizer that  will  stimulate  growth, and  replace 
in  a  manner  the  constant  drain  upon  its 
vitality  caused  by  long-continued  cutting. 

Frequent  use  of  lawn  mower  encourages 
growth  for  a  greater  or  less  period,  but  a  re- 
action will  take  place  should  the  soil  be 
neglected.  We  cannot  if  we  would,  remove 
every  particle  of  cut  grass  from  the  lavvn^ 


^f 


.k 


■■I- 


ii^^^Mi  ii^^M*^^^ 


PLAN  OF  SMALL  HOME  GARDEN. 

Potatoes  between  the  rows.  Pea  vines  were 
removed  June  30th  and  200  Celery  plants  set 
out  in  their  place.  The  Potatoes  were  dug, 
for  use  in  the  family,  during  .July  and  Aug- 
ust, leaving  the  ground  cleared  In  readiness 
for  banking  the  Celery  in  September. 

In  the  plats  i,  I  set  out  Boston  Curled 
Lettuce  plants  from  my  cold  frames,  which 
■were  used  and  sold  out  of  the  way  in  time 
to  sow  Parsnips,  Carrots,  Salsify  and  Beets. 
Along  the  walks,  d  d.  were  planted  Snap 
Beans,  which  in  turn  were  replaced  by  200 
Celery  plants. 


Principles  of   Lawn  Planting  and 

Management. 
Nature  never  fails  to  be  pleasing  in  her 
informal  ways  and  arrangements,  and  to 
attract  the  eye  in  her  endless  variations. 
Where  her  suggestions  are  followed  in  the 
laying  out  of  the  home  grounds,  the  effects 
must  always  be  more  satisfactory  than 
where  the  artificial  touches  are  too  plainly 
visible.  The  more  natural  and  simple  a 
lawn,  large  or  small,  says  Josiah  Hoopes. 
in  Weekly  Tribune,  the  more  attractive  to 
refined  taste.  The  grading  should  not  be 
regular  and  formal,  unless  the  area  is  very 
contracted.  An  undulating  surface  pleases 
the  eye,  recalling  the  natural  scenery  of 
fields  and  woods.  In  addition,  it  imparts  an 
air  of  greater  extent  to  the  inclosure  than  if 
the  surface  be  dead  level,  or  uniform  even 
slope.  Permit  a  portion  of  the  lawTi  to  re- 
main open;  nothing  can  be  prettier  than  an 
expanse  of  rich-green,  close-shaven  turf.  I 
The  grouping  system  is  always  more  j 
pleasing  than  the  hap-hazard  manner  of  dot-  j 
ting  trees  and  shrubs  all  over  the  place.  , 
Around  the  outer  boundary,  and  especially  \ 
fronting  north,  is  generally  a  good  position 
for  forming  belts  of  mixed  trees,  but  should 
these  obstruct  a  cherished  view,  an  opening 
may  be  made  for  a  glimpse  of 
the  desired  object.  These  belts  or  j 
clumps  should  present  an  easy 
flowing  outline,  similar  to  many 
outer  edges  of  our  woods,  and  all 
pretence  of  formality  in  arrange- 
ment must  be  scrupulously 
avoided.  Even  the  few  trees 
placed  for  shade  in  reasonable 
distances  of  the  dwelling  may  be 
so  disposed  as  to  assume  a  natural 
aspect.  A  little  group  of  two  or 
three  specimens  will  frequently 
break  up  the  monotony  of  an  un- 
artistic  disposition  of  the  trees. 
Have  few  walks,  the  fewer  the 
better;  they  are  expensive  to  con- 
struct properly,  are  not  handsome 
at  best,  and  require  constant  at- 
tentionto  keep  in  condition. 

Above  all,  avoid  the  vases  and 
statues  that  some  people  place 
over  their  grounds.  The  idea  of 
mixing  such  artificial  appliances 
with  pure  natural  ob.iects  like  beautiful  trees 
and  shrubs  must  be  repugnant  to  any  person 
of  discernment  in  home  surroundings. 
When  this  mania  for  pottery  of  a  low  degree 
shall  die  out,  and  the  unadorned,  attractive 
garden  spots,  as  of  old,  regain  their  popu- 
larity, a  great  point  will  have  been  reached 
in  American  gardening;  not  until  then  will 
our  work  prove  creditable. 

The  face  of  the  lawn  is  of  paramount  im- 
portance. No  matter  how  handsome  our 
trees  and  walks,  neglect  of  the  turf  spoils 
the  general  effect.    To  reach  perfection,  and 


■■1 


[Houte- 


■L...-^ 


THE  SHRUBBY  CINQUEFOIL. 


and  so  there  is  always  a  small  portion  re. 
maining  which  acts  as  protection  to  the 
roots.  It  is  slovenly  practice  to  permit  all 
the  clippings  to  lay  on  the  surface,  and  it 
proves  injurious  to  the  turf,  so  that  the  work 
of  the  improved  lawn-rake  is  both  useful 
and  ornamental. 


The  Shrubby  Cinquefoil. 

The  genus  Potentilla  embraces  about  a 
dozen  species  of  native  plants,  most  of 
which  are  natives  of  the  northern  states  and 
British  America.  They  are  of  the  great 
Rose  family  which  embraces  most  of  our 
cultivated  fruits,  as  well  as  the  Queen  of 
Flowers  and  some  other  favorites  of  the 
flower  garden.  Unlike  the  blossoms  of  most 
members  of  the  Rosacea"  those  of  the  Po- 
tentilla or  Cinquefoil  are  yellow  without 
exception  nearly.  The  beauty  of  the  class 
is  not  of  the  highest  order  and  yet  there 
are  several  species  and  varieties  that  are 
well  worthy  of  a  place  in  all  large  plant 
collections. 

The  Shrubby  Cinquefoil,  the  bloom  of 
which  is  illustrated  herewith,  is  an  interest- 
ing member  of  the  genus,  and  the  only  one 
of  a  shrubby  nature.  It  is  a  low  bushy 
grower  and  bears  many  bright  yellow 
flowers  one  inch  across,  from  June  to  Aug. 
With  respect  to  color  it  is  a  rarity  at  this 
season  for  we  have  no  other  yellow-flower- 
ing shrub  coming  in  at  that  time.  In  hardi- 
ness it  is  unexcelled  being  a  native  of  a  few 
localities  in  the  northern  parts  of  the  United 
States  and  the  British  possessions.  It  is 
also  found  in  northern  Europe. 

A  good  course  to  pursue  in  cultivating 
this  shrub  is  to  mass  it  on  a  knoll  or  the 
lawTi,  or  to  make  it  the  terminal  clump  in  a 
shrub  border.  It  prefers  a  dry  spot.  We 
find  the  plant  is  not  generally  quoted  in 
American  catalogues,  that  of  Parsons  & 
Sons  Co.,  Flushing,  N.  Y.,  being  the  only 
one  at  our  command  as  we  write  in  which 
it  is  mentioned. 


174 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


May, 


The  Dandelion 

Dear  common  flower,  that  grow'st  beside  the  way, 

FrlnginR  the  dusty  road  with  harmless  gold! 
First  pledge  of  blithesome  May, 

Which  children  pluck,  and  full  of  pride  uphold— 
High-hearted  buccaneers— o'erjoyed  that  they 
An  Eldodo  In  the  grass  have  found, 
Which  not  the  rich  earth's  ample  round 
Maymatch  in  wealth!— thou  art  moredear  tome 
Than  all  the  prouder  summer  blooms  may  be. 
Gold  such  as  thine  ne'er  drew  the  Spanish  prow 

Through  the  primeval  hush  of  Indian  seas. 
Nor  wrinkled  the  lean  brow 

Of  age  to  rob  the  lover's  heart  of  ease; 
'Tis  the  spring's  largest  which  she  scatters  now 
To  rich  and  poor  alike,  with  lavish  hand. 
Though  most  hearts  never  understand 
To  take  it  at  God's  value,  but  pass  by 
The  offered  wealth  with  unrewarded  eve. 
Thou  art  my  tropics  and  my  Italy  ; 

To  look  at  thee  unlocks  a  warmer  clime  ; 
The  eyes  thou  givest  me 

Are  in  the  heart  and  heed  no  space  or  time  ; 
Not  In  mid-June  the  golden-culrassed  bee 

Feels  a  more  summer-like,  warm  ravishment 
In  the  white  Lily's  breezy  tent. 
His  fragrant  Sybaris,  than  I.  when  first 
From  the  dark  green  thy  yellow  circles  burst. 


Caraway. 

Down  past  the  Savory  bed  and  the  Parsley, 

And  close  to  the  tunible-fiown  picket  fence. 
The  Caraway  grew  that  grandma  planted 

And  there  It  has  been  growing  ever  since. 
Though  Caraway  is  not  fair  to  look  at. 

Though  you  may  not  fancy  Its  taste.  Indeed, 
Tet  still  it  shall  grow  there  down  In  the  garden 

Because  It  was  Grandma's  "  meetln'  seed." 

— Mary  E.  Wilkins,  in  Wide  Awake. 


Start  the  lawn  mower. 

Lilies  must  be  planted  deep. 

New  York  Arbor  Day,  May  2d. 

Sharpen  np  the  hoe :  no  we?dy  garden  can  be 
satisfactory. 

We  know  of  no  more  grateful  flower  for  halt- 
shady  situations  than  the  Pansy. 

For  pure  ornament,  let  alone  usefulness,  no 
hedge  can  exceed  the  Japan  Quince  in  May, 

On  the  PoptTLAB  Gahdening  grounds  the 
Strawberry  bed  was  rolled  directly  after  rolling 
the  lawn. 

We  think  better  of  our  readers  than  to  sup- 
pose a  single  one  is  without  the  hardy  Panicle- 
flowered  Hydrangea  on  their  lawns. 

Would  you  skip  the  ravages  of  codling  worm, 
tent  caterpillar,  and  curculio,  then  you  must 
spray  as  directed  in  past  issues  of  this  journal. 

Fight  the  Insects,  Wonders  may  often  be 
accomiilif  lied  in  ridding  a  neighborhood  of  pests 
by  an  early,  decided  and  concerted  action  of 
neighbors. 

For  heavy,  moist  soils,  many  vegetable  seeds 
may  be  planted  in  ridges.  Usually  we  prefer 
sowing  on  the  level  as  we  prefer  level  to  hill  cult- 
ure generally. 

Bleeding  of  the  Grape  vine,  when  pruned  in 
spring,  can  easily  be  stopped  by  passing  a  red- 
hot  iron  slowly  across  the  cut  surface.  German 
growei-s  say  so. 

Okra  fiber  is  now  highly  spolsen  of  as  cheap 
and  superior  material  for  making  cloth  as  well 
as  rope  and  bagging.  Okra  growing  may  yet 
become  an  important  industry  in  Florida. 

Heliotropes  make  excellent  bedders.  They 
bloom  constantly  and  profusely,  and  their  beau- 
tifully fragrant  flowers  are  always  in  demand 
for  cut  flower  uses.    There  can  not  be  too  many. 

Mistakes  in  horticulture  are  usually  much 
more  serious  than  those  in  agriculture.  The 
latter  can  frequently  be  remedied  in  a  season;  the 
former  often  show  their  ill  effects  for  a  life-time. 

Pink-Eyed  Trillinm,  One  frequently  sees 
mention  made  of  the  White  Trillium,  and  more 
rarely  of  the  dark  red  variety;  but  I  have  not 
seen  anything  concerning  the  most  beautiful  of 
all  Trilliums  to  my  mind,  the  pink-eyed  one.  It 
is  like  the  pure  white  in  form,  and  delicacy  of 
coloring,  e.-ceepting  a  crescent-shaped  blotch  of 


majenta  pink  at  the  base  of  each  petal.  Can 
anyone  tell  the  botanical  name  of  this  variety?— 
E7(7cr',v  Wife. 

Carriage  Corners.  One  of  those  little  practical 
ideas  so  simple  that  we  wonder  why  we  had  not 
thought  ol  it  long  ago,  is  carried  out  at  the  Cor- 
nell Experiment  grounds  in  the  use  of  carriage 
corners  for  strengthening  muslin-covered  frames 
for  use  over  hot  beds  and  cold  frames.  These 
can  be  bought  from  the  hardware  store  at  about 
ten  cent  per  pound,  and  might  be  put  to  profit- 
able use  in  strengthening  many  a  weak  and 
faltering  comer  in  various  places.— F.  TT.  Card. 

Shading  Glass  with  Faint.  An  English  gar- 
dener recommends  the  following  simple  mixture 
for  painting  glass  in  greenhouses,  etc.,  to  ob- 
scure the  strong  rays  of  the  sun,  viz :  white  lead, 
Brunswick  green,  and  turpentine  made  into  a 
thin  paint,  and  appUed  with  a  brush.  No  oil 
should  be  added,  or  it  will  be  difficult  to  wash  off 
again.  If  done  on  a  fine  day,  this  paint  need  be 
applied  but  once  in  the  season,  and  with  the  aid 
of  a  Uttle  soda  in  the  water  it  can  easily  be 
washed  off  again. 

Uanettia  bifiora,  a  climbing  vine  largely  ad- 
vertised this  season  as  a  new  thing,  was  intro- 
duced from  South  America  in  180ti,  now  nearly 
84  years  ago.  On  account  of  its  tendency  to 
mildew,  and  the  fact  that  it  requires  a  very 
moist  and  warm  atmosphere  to  keep  in  health,  it 
has  lieen  abandoned  as  a  plant  for  house  cultiva- 
tion long  ago.  This  attempt  at  re-introduction, 
we  are  afraid,  will  cause  much  disppointment, 
and  perhaps  some  hard  words.— J.  A.  Marshall, 
MahiDiing  Co.,  O. 

The  White  Grub.  A  neighbor  sometime  since 
told  me  that  early  Potatoes  planted  in  the  rows 
with  Strawljerries  would  receive  aU  the  "atten- 
tions" of  grubs  and  allow  the  Strawberry 
plants  to  grow  in  peace.  He  says  a  hill  of  Pota- 
toes once  every  six  or  seven  feet  in  every  other 
row  will  do.  The  Potatoes  can  be  dug  as  soon  as 
ripe  and  the  runners  trained  in  the  space  occu- 
pied by  the  Potato  hills.  I  have  never  tried  the 
plan  but  give  it  for  the  benefit  of  any  who  would 
like  to  experiment.— FraiiA'  Linn. 

A  Home  Gymnasium,  Let  us  turn  the  garden, 
the  fruit  orchard  and  the  lawn  into  the  gymna- 
sium for  the  family.  Such  would  be  far 
more  interesting  and  beneficial  to  all  than  the 
more  popular  gymnasium  of  the  day.  Let  the 
little  ones  have  their  flower  beds,  and  fruit  trees. 
Their  rivalry  for  the  greatest  numt)er  of  Tulips, 
the  finest  Hyacinths,  and  the  very  biggest  Pan- 
sles,  will  develop  a  healthier  future  than  the 
more  common  and  exclusive  cultivation  of  the 
love  of  dress  and  society.— «.  A.  Pleas. 

Effect  of  Coal  Ashes.  On  part  of  a  piece  of 
ground,  coal  ashes  were  put  on,  and  the  rows 
sowed  lengthwise  so  that  part  of  each  row  came 
where  the  ashes  were  applied,  and  part  not.  Peas 
did  splendidly  up  to  where  they  struck  the  coal 
ashes,  and  from  there  they  were  yellow,  sickly, 
half-size,  and  no  crop.  Beets  on  the  contrary 
grew  faster,  were  much  larger,  and  had  a  health- 
ier look  where  the  ashes  wei'e.  Cucumbei's  were 
sickly  and  yellow.  More  expeiiments  in  this 
line  would  be  interesting. — XV.  T.  Alan. 

A  Hale  Appointment.  Decidedly  commendable 
is  the  appointment  of  Mr.  J.  H.  Hale  as 
special  agent  for  work  on  nurseries,  seed  farms, 
etc..  In  the  division  of  Agriculture  of  the  forth- 
coming eleventh  census.  The  branch  of  horti- 
culture is  under  the  general  charge  of  Mr.  Morti- 
mer Whitehead  of  New  Jersey,  and  Mr.  Hale's 
work  win  tie  in  his  department.    It  will  involve 


CaTTkwc  curnei-s. 


Ne  Plus  Ultra  Sweet  Corn.  During  last  sea- 
son we  made  a  trial  of  several  varieties  of  Sweet 
Corn,  some  of  old  and  others  of  a  kind  unknown 
among  which  was  one  alone  named  received  of 
J.  J.  H.  Gregory.  The  appearance  of  the  seed 
did  not  recommend  the  varie- 
ty, it  being  small  and  inferior 
looking,  but  upon  coming  up, 
it  grew  well,  and  when  fit  to 
use  it  was  a  surprise ;  although 
the  ears  were  small  or  short, 
the  kernels  were  long,  tender 
and  very  sweet;  for  a  late 
kind  we  consider  it  as  about 
equal  to  Evergreen.— IT.  B.  Teomaw),  TnUand 
Co.,  Conn. 

Horticulturist's  Bule  Book,  It  atfords  us 
much  pleasure  to  speak  of  Prof.  L.  H.  Bailey's 
newest  work,  pubUshed  under  the  above  title, 
for  it  is  certainly  "  a  good  thing,"  and  should  be 
in  every  landtillers'  hands.  In  the  large  lot  of 
interesting  and  valable  material  which  is  here 
collected,  we  find  most  excellent  summaries  of 
remedies  for  insects  and  plant  diseases,  recipes 
for  gi-afting  waxes,  paints,  etc.,  tables  of  ana- 
lyses, and  many  other  things  of  daily  use  and 
value  to  the  horticulturist.  Price  81.00.  Pub- 
lished by  the  Garden  Pub.  Co.,  New  York  City. 

Why  not  dig  the  Dandelion  from  the  lawn,  to 
use  the  tops  for  spring  greens,  and  the  roots 
for  root  beer?  Steep  these  and  some  Burdock 
root,  and  Swamp  Alder  bark,  a  little  Wild  Cherry 
bark.  Sassafras,  and  perhaps  other  roots  and 
herbs  in  sufficient  water,  sweeten  with  molasses, 
add  a  piece  of  yeast  cake,  and  let  ferment  just 
enough  to  get  the  liquid  clear  and  sparkling,  and 
you  will  have  a  beverage  that  might  take  the 
place  of  tea  and  coffee  at  your  meals  during 
spring,  without  their  objectionable  effects,  and 
far  superior  as  a  tonic  and  appetizer  to  anything 
that  the  doctor  or  druggist  could  furnish  you. 

Prize  for  Spraying.  Mr.  P.  C.  Lewis,  manu- 
facturer of  the  Lewis  Combination  Force  Pumps, 
offers  a  prize  worth  $72  "  to  the  party  who  can 
show  the  best  results  from  spraying  their  trees 
the  coming  season,  provided  the  spraying  is  done 
with  one  of  his  spraying  outfits.  The  pump  is 
now  well-known  all  over  the  States  and  Canada, 
and  used  by  many  fruit  growers.  It  costs  SS.50. 
Anyone  having  a  dozen  trees  can  enter  the  con- 
test. We  only  anticipate  it  will  be  a  most  diffi- 
cult matter  to  make  the  award  in  fairness  to  the 
contestants.  Who  will  be  able  to  judge  of  the 
exact  character  and  amount  of  the  beneflts  de- 
rived from  the  spraying  ? 

A  Curculio  Swing.  Modern  methods  of  fight- 
ing the  Plum  curculio  come  and  sometimes  go, 
but  the  old  reliable  jarring  process  remains  in 
deserved  fa^•or  with  many  very  good  and 
thorough  fruit  growers.  Of  course,  they  must 
be  good  and  thoro^igh,  otherwise  they  could  not 
be  entirely  successful  with  this  method.  As 
proof  that  thorough  jarring  is  a  reliable  curculio 
remedj',  a  fruitgrower  at  a  recent  horticulture 
meeting  in  Michigan  told  that  his  children  had 
put  a  swing  between  two  of  his  Plum  trees,  and 
used  it  freely  in  the  spring.  The  result  was  aU 
sound  Plums  on  the  two  trees,  and  plenty  of 
curculio  on  all  the  rest.  The  jarring  is  all  right, 
if  only  repeated  often  enough  We  would  also 
prefer  poultry  about  to  pick  up  the  fallen  wee\ils. 

Rubber  Bands  for  Asparagus.  Don't  over- 
look the  advantages  of  the  use  of  rubtier  bands 
in  bunching  Asparagus  fttr  market.  Prof.  W.  J. 
Green  of  the  Ohio  Experiment  Station  is  the  in- 


PUSSY  OF  SERVICE   IN   PROTECTING  THE  STRAWBERRY  PLAT. 


a  stud}'  of  nui-series,  fruits,  flowers,  etc.,  through 
the  United  States.  We  congratulate  Mr.  Hale, 
but  we  congratulate  the  cause  of  horticulture 

still  more. 

Lima  Bean  Planter.  Such  is  said  to  be  invent- 
ed in  California  it  consists  of  a  cast  wheel  con- 
taining pods  or  fingers,  which  grasi)  the  Beans  as 
the  wheel  revolves,  each  picking  up  one  or  two 
Beans  and  holding  them  firmly  until  deposited 
in  the  mouth  of  the  tube  from  which  they  are 
conveyed  to  the  ground.  The  wheel  can  be  so 
adjusted  as  to  plant  the  Beans  at  any  desired 
distance  apart  We  will  have  to  double  our 
Lima  Beans  area  on  the  Popni..\R  Gardening 
grounds  several  times,  however,  before  we  shall 
feel  the  necessity  of  investing  in  this  tool. 


ventor  of  this  plan;  and  a  favoite  way  with  him, 
last  season,  was  to  slip  a  rubber  band  over  an 
ordinary  teacup,  holding  it  near  the  top  of  the 
cup.  Then  the  cup  is  filled  with  the  Asparagus 
to  be  bunched,  thrusting  the  heads  of  the  shoots 
downward  into  the  cup.  When  the  cup  is  full 
the  rubber  band  is  pulled  over  the  top  of  the 
cup  upon  the  Asparagus,  the  bunch  removed 
from  the  cup  and  another  band  slipped  over  the 
bunch  near  the  toiis.  This  makes  a  bunch  of 
about  the  right  size  and  leaves  the  top  of  the 
bunch  nicely  rounded.  All  that  remains  to  be 
done  is  to  square  the  buts  with  a  sharp  knife. 

Forest  Influence,  An  authority  on  forest  cul- 
ture, W.  H.  H.  Murray,  finds  that  in  June  the  tip 
of  a  Maple  bough  having  two  or  three  leaves. 


1889. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


175 


iiist'itod  iu  a  pint  bottle  and  hermetkally  si'aliMi, 
will  precipitate  from  twelve  to  twenty  Kraius  of 
water  in  a  few  hours.  From  this  Mr.  Murray 
makes  tlie  following  calculation  :  A  Maple  ti-ee 
of  eight  or  ten  inches  in  diameter,  well  formed 
and  gi-owthful.  has  on  the  average  twenty-five 
thousand  leaves  on  it,  and  it  is  a  sate  computa- 
tion to  say  that  such  a  tree  will  throw  off  in  the 
siwc-e  of  every  twelve  hours  three  hundred  and 
forty  thousand  grains  weight  of  water.  Now  an 
acre  will  easily  contain  six  or  seven  hundred 
such  trees,  so  that  from  a  single  acre  of  forest 
land  three  thousand  eight  hundred  and  seventy- 
five  gallons  of  pure  water  are  thrown  off  and 
distributed  through  the  body  of  the  surrounding 
atmosphere  in  every  twelve  hours— Our  readers 
may  draw  their  own  conclusions  as  to  the  bene- 
ficial influence  of  such  explanation  on  the  earth 
and  air. 

Catalogue  PromiseB.  I  believe  I  could  make 
money  by  going  into  the  plant  and  flower 
business  and  telling  the  exact  truth  in  my  cata- 
logues. For  past  dozen  years  these  radiant  pub- 
lications have  led  us  to  expect  too  much  in  many 
directions,  are  ambiguous,  so  that  when  we 
buyers  are  disappointed,  the  sellers  can  crawl 
out  of  it.  I  instance  "  Clematis  "  and  "  Khodo- 
dendron "  and  "Auratum  Lily."  .My  wife  and 
daughter  hold  up  the  brilliant  pictures  of  "Moou 
flowers",  with  the  sides  of  rural  cottages  covered 
with  bloom,  and  ask  one  another  when  "  papa's 
vine  will  have  any  posies  on  ",  and  wonder,  what 
day  that  dollar-and-a-half  "  Clematis  "  will  give 
up  the  ghost— and  if  Rhododendrons  bloom  like 
Century  plants.every  hundred  years— and  what  a 
pity  that  the  "  Mahonia  aquifolia  "  has  to  be  "hid 
under  a  bushel  "  of  leaves  every  winter  instead 
of  "  cheefing  with  its  gorgeous  green  foliage." 
Between  the  exuberant  fancies  of  florists,  and 
the  sarcasms  of  women,  my  life  is  made  un- 
happy. You  Mr.  Editor,  cannot  remedy  the 
latter,  but  you  might  do  something  to  restrain 
the  former.— J.  B.  D..  Pa. 

Sog8  for  Fertilizer,  Some  of  the  horticultu- 
ral papers  are  insisting  that  we  most  inaugurate 
a  dog  killing  crusade,  which  is  not  a  bad  idea. 
The  land  is  infested  with  an  army  of  domestic 
brutes  that  are  useless,  or  worse  than  that,  are  a 
sheep-killing,  cattle-worrying,  howling  lot  of 
demons.  The  states  are  paying  a  large  amount 
of  bounty  yearly  tor  sheep  that  are  killed  by 
these  savages.  But  a  dog  may  be  a  noble  crea- 
ture, a  companion  almost  human,  a  friend,  de- 
voted and  self-sacriflcing,  faithful,  true  and 
brave.  I  agree  with  the  Rural  New  Yorker,  that 
it  would  pay  millions  into  the  pockets  of  the 
people,  if  they  would  inaugurate  a  common 
movement  to  kill  off  the  cui-s,  poodles  and  no- 
breeds  of  all  sorts  and  introduce  Scotch  Collies 
as  freely  as  they  have  Holstein  and  Jersey  cattle. 
The  dog  should  be  as  valuable  as  a  cow.  It  was 
the  first  animal  tamed  and  made  useful  to  primi- 
tive man ;  but  it  sadly  needs  improvement  to 
adopt  it  to  our  present  needs  and  conditions. 
There  are  millions  of  dogs  in  America  that  should 
be  buried  at  the  root  of  some  good  Grape  vine 
and  made  useful.— E.  P.  Powell. 

Hew  Tigridiaa.  Among  the  many  new  si>ecies 
of  plants  which  Mr.  C.  G.  Pringle  of  Vermont 
has  discovered  in  his  botanical  travels  through 
Arizona.  Mexico,  Southern  Texas,  etc.,  are  two 
new  Tigridias.  The  first,  T.  Piinglci  (H'of-son), 
was  first  found  in  Northern  Mexico  in  18,si  by 
Mr.  A.  Buchan  Helpburn  at  a  height  of  li,U00feet, 
and  a  specimen  was  sent  the  Royal  Gardens  at 
Kew,  England.  In  LSST  Mr.  Pringle  re-discovered 
the  plant  in  the  state  of  Chihuahua,  and  sent 
specimens  to  the  Botanic  gardens  at  Cambridge, 
Mass.,  where  Mr.  Watson,  curator  of  the  Herba- 
rium of  Harvard  College,  identified  it  as  an  un- 
described  species  and  named  it  after  Mr.  Pringle. 
Some  of  the  bult>s  which  Mr.  Pringle  brought 
home,  were  sent  to  the  Kew  Gardens,  and  from 
these  a  beautiful  colored  plate  was  made  tor  the 
December  No.  of  the  Botanical  Magazine. 
Under  cultivation  the  collected  plants  soon 
double  in  size  of  bulb  and  flowers.  But  they  do  not 
increase  by  offsets  as  much  as  the  T.  gramiifiora ^ 
conchiflora,  etc.  The  flowers  surpass  those  of 
grandiflora  in  their  brilliant  scarlet  wide-spread- 
ing outer  segments.  In  Texas,  not  far  from 
Laredo,  in  the  fail  of  '88  when  only  the  dry  leaves 
and  seed  pods  were  visible,  Mr.  Pringle  found 
what  he  supposed  was  a  species  of  Nemastylis, 
and  brought  home  about  a  hundred  bulbs.  Sam- 
ples of  these  were  sent  Mr.  Watson  who  found 
it  to  be  a  new  Tigridia,  and  named  it  T.  buccifera. 
This  species  has  smaller  purplish  flowers.  Like 
all  of  this  genus  the  flowers  are  short-lived,  en- 
during hardly  twelve  hours,  but  they  are  very 


l>cautiful  and  each  bulb  l)ears  in  long  succesion 
from  si-x  to  thirty  flowers.  We  believe  this  is 
the  first  and  only  species  that  has  been  found  in 
the  United  States.  Mr.  Wat.son  in  his  descrip- 
tion says  that  the  s|>ocics  was  found  by  Mr. 
Pringle  in  the  mountains  of  Jalisco,  Mexico:  but 
this  was  a  mistake,  as  Mr.  Pringle  afterwards 
collected  it  in  the  original  locality  which  is  on 
the  southern  borders  of  Texas  In  certain  loca- 
lities it  is  very  abundant  growing  as  a  weed  in 
cultivated  flelds.  T.  buccifera  in  cultivation  is 
grown  like  the  other  species,  and  the  bulbs 
should  be  wintered  in  dry  sand  in  the  cellar.— 
F.  H.  ifi)rs/i)i(i,  Ma.-<.i. 

Flowers  in  Pot.  The  past  two  winters  1  have 
had  a  pit  in  which  I  keep  such  a  miscellaneous 
assortment  of  plants  as  the  average  amateur 
collects.  The  location  of  the  pit  is  at  the  west 
end  of  the  house,  faces  south,  and  is  sheltered  on 


THE  SWING  AS    A  CURCULIO  REMEDY. 

the  north  and  west  by  the  ground  rising  rather 
abruptly.  The  entrance  is  by  a  door  opening 
into  it  from  the  cellar,  and  as  its  only  exposed 
portion  is  that  covered  by  glass  'the  plates  rest- 
ing on  the  earth,  and  the  gable  and  north  part  of 
the  roof  being  banked  with  earth  and  covered 
with  leaves  etc.),  it  is  easy  to  preser%-e  a  compa- 
ratively uniform  temperature.  Last  winter  the 
frost  falling  from  the  glass  as  the  sun  warmed 
the  air,  sometimes  froze  the  leaves  on  which  it 
fell,  but  notwithstanding  the  repeated  freezings, 
few  of  them  died  soon  enough  to  admit  of  their 
death  being  laid  to  that  cause,  and  buds  that 
were  just  beginning  to  appear  when  the  plants 
were  housed  in  November,  gradually  enlarged 
until  in  Februar.v  or  March  they  came  to  full 
bloom,  and  their  fading  was  nearly  as  longdrawn 
as  their  blooming  process.  This  winter  we  made 
a  lightljoard  shutter  to  cover  the  glass  as  a  pro- 
tection from  cold  and  storms  of  wind  and  hail  as 
well.  The  effect  of  the  use  of  this  has  been  to 
preserve  a  more  even  temperature,  and  as  a  con- 
sequence slightly  increased  growth  and  a  trifling 
shortening  of  the  time  necessary  for  buds  to  ex- 
pand. When  colder  nights  demanded,  the  shutter 
was  left  down  until  the  sun  could  shine  into  the 
pit,  which  owing  to  its  location  was  not  until  two 
hours  after  sunrise.  During  the  time  of  the 
"  prolonged  nights,  "  1  was  surprised  at  the  length 
of  time  flowers  kept  perfectly  fresh.  Violets 
have  kept  two  weeks,  and  were  cut  for  bouquet-s, 
and  a  pink  Hepatica,  double  as  a  Rose,  lasted  si.x 
weeks.  Roses  which  in  summer  fade  in  a  day, 
in  the  pit  retained  their  loveliness  for  a  week. 
It  occurred  to  me  that  while  a  pit  without  arti- 
ficial heat  would  hardly  answer  to  grow  flowers, 
one  might  be  employed  profitably  to  keep  them 
when  once  grown.  Perhaps  this  has  been  done 
alread.v,  though  I  have  not  known  of  it;  it  would 
be  a  cheap  and  easy  way  of  keeping  a  supply  on 
hand  to  meet  emergencies,  provided  the  change 
of  temperature  had  no  detrimental  effect.  Can 
someone  speak  from  experience  on  the  subject  ? 
—Elder's  Wife. 


New  York  Floral  Notes. 
New  York  florists  are  congratulating  them- 
selves on  the  best  Easter  they  have  seen  for 
several  years.  Prices  were  not  unusually  large, 
averaging  just  about  the  same  as  last  year,  but 
the  demand  was  \evy  large,  being  generally  re- 
garded as  much  in  excess  of  previous  years. 
Not  only  were  the  church  decorations  extremely 
lavish,  but  flowers  were  used  by  many  bodies 
which  formerly  made  no  decorations  at  all,  and 
it  seemed  as  if  everyone  who  could  afford  to  do 
so  purchased  either  plants  or  flowers.  Flowers 
formed  the  most  favored  Easter  gift,  and  they 
were  worn  to  excess  on  that  day.    It  was  notice- 


able, as  it  is  on  the  occasion  of  ever.v  festival,that 
loose  flowei-s  or  good  blooming  plants  were  sold 
far  more  than  any  other  class  of  designs.  Church 
memorials  usually  took  this  form,  instead  of  the 
unmeaning  or  ugly  designs  formerly  in  vogue. 
Most  of  the  churches  make  it  u  practice  of  dis- 
tributing these  decorations  when  done  with  them 
to  the  hospitals. 

Naturally  Lilies  took  the  lead  in  everything. 
The  cull  for  these  plants  was  enormous.  A 
week  before  Easter  some  of  the  growers  were 
rather  anxious  to  get  rid  of  these  flowers,  under 
the  impression  that  the  market  would  be  over- 
stocked, but  it  is  doubtful  whether  there  were 
any  left  over  on  the  Saturday  night,  and  it  was 
hard  to  buy  them  on  Saturday  afternoon. 

.\zaleas.  Hydrangeas,  Lilac  and  Genista  were 
favorite  pot  plants,  and  so  were  pot  bulbs,  es- 
pecially Dutch  Hyacinths.  Small  pot  Lilacs 
were  seen  arranged  in  gilt  baskets,  tied  with 
Lilac  ribbon.  These  plants  were  usually  arrang- 
ed in  fancy  baskets,  when  intended  for  gifts, 
and  graceful  baskets  of  growing  Ferns  were  also 
used  as  Easter  presents. 

Some  of  the  fashionable  silversmiths  were  in- 
iiching  on   the   florists'  province  by  selling 
.aitiful  silver  baskets,  made  for  table  decor- 
ations, filled  with  growing  Ferns. 

Roses  and  Orchids  were  certainly  most  favored 
iu  fine  cut  flowers,  either  for  a  gift  in  the  form 
of  loose  flowers,  or  as  a  corsage.  All  winter 
women  have  worn  few  flowers  besides  Violets  or 
occasional  Pansies,  but  on  Easter  Day  they 
blossomed  out  in  all  sorts  of  gay  Roses  A  quan- 
tity of  very  fine  Jacqueminots  were  in  the  mar- 
ket, and  these  were  largely  used.  This  Rose  Is 
always  a  favorite  with  women.but  fine  specimens 
of  it  have  not  been  in  the  market  this  season, 
except  in  small  quantities,  until  Easter.  Large 
or  mixed  corsage  bunches  seem  permanently  re- 
tired; from  one  to  three  really  fine.long-stemmed 
Roses  is  the  leading  style.  With  the  large  hy- 
brids, one  only  is  worn,  but  one  sees  two  or  three 
Jacqueminot,La  France,  Mermet,  Madame  Hoste, 
or  the  like.  But  as  a  corsage  flower  always  in 
style,  worn  on  all  occasions,  the  Violet  invariably 
leads.  The  number  of  white  Violets  sold  is  very 
small,  compared  with  the  colored  ones,  partly 
because  they  are  never  really  so  fragrant,  and 
partly  because  the  color  is  peculiarly  associated 
with  the  flower.  These  flowers  have  been  used 
in  a  great  many  wa.vs  during  Lent,  the  color 
being  generally  regarded  as  appropriate  to  the 
season.  Lent  has  not  been  nearly  so  dull  as 
usual  to  the  florist ;  though  there  were  few  large 
entertainments,  flowers  were  needed  in  many 
other  ways.  In  the  Easter  church  decorations 
there  was  an  effort  to  use  white  and  pale  colored 
ribbon  among  the  flowers,  but  it  is  to  be  hoped 
this  idea  will  not  prevail :  it  is  too  suggestive  of 
millinery. 

Easter  week  promised  a  quantity  of  weddings, 
some  of  which  called  for  elaborate  decorations. 
There  were  no  especially  novel  features  promis- 
ed, but  a  good  many  Lilacs  and  Hydrangeas 
were  reserved  for  this  purpose.  Orchids,  Orange 
blossoms  and  Lily-of-the-valley  are  the  usual 
bridal  flowers.  One  promised  innovation  is  the 
giving  of  flower  favors  to  wedding  guests— little 
posies  tied  with  ribbon,  and  having  Orange 
flowers  caught  in  among  the  loops.  Needless  to 
say  the  trade  wiU  favor  this  idea. 

Some  pretty  dinner  arrangements  of  green 
and  gold  are  made ;  gilt  baskets  are  filled  with 
growing  Ferns  for  a  centre-piece,  whUe  trailing 
sprays  made  of  Jonquils'are  laid  on  the  cloth  at 
either  end.  A  good  many  dainty  arrangements 
are  made  of  Ferns  only.  One  very  pretty  idea— 
not  the  work  of  a  professional,  was  carried  out 
in  green  and  white.  A  green  silk  lable  cover 
was  loosely  draped  over  with  white  and  silver 
open-meshed  muslin.  Scattered  irregularly 
about  the  table  were  small  irregularly-shaped 
rustic  logs  filled  with  Ferns.  The  accessories 
were  aU  green  and  white,  and  it  was  very  dainty. 
Fern  baskets  and  Palms  are  often  the  only  decor- 
ation at  receptions.  Loose  bowls  of  large  Roses 
have  come  much  in  use,  both  for  room  and  table 
decorations. 

Carnations  were  really  quite  scarce  at  Easter; 
something  unusual.  Bulbs  were  not  very  plenti- 
ful either,  but  this  season  has  been  very  hard  on 
them.  An  old  bulb  now  revived  is  the  Ixia ;  a 
limited  quantity  was  flowered  this  spring,  and 
they  proved  attractive ;  very  few  people  knew 
what  they  were.  It  is  more  than  likely  that  they 
would  pay  for  a  season  or  two ;  for  they  are  very 
.pretty,  and  a  novelty.  They  require  the  same 
treatment  as  the  Freesia. 

Emily  Lodise  Tapux. 


176 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


May, 


TO  BETVinsEvrKMoWMf 


Flam  Black  Knot.  Prompt 
ii?e  of  the  knife  is  an  effect- 
ive remedy.— Prof.  Pientiee. 

The  Cow  Pea.  I  think  the 
'  Cow  Pea  ought  to  be  more 
generall.v  planted  than  it  is. 
It  is  unsurpassed  as  stock 
feed  and  also  good  for  table 
use.  Besides  they  are  a  benefit  to  the  ground.— 
Capt.  HoUister,  before  the  Alton  Southei-n  UHiwix 
BortictiUural  Society. 

Salway  Peach.  The  Salway  is  one  of  the  best 
and  most  profitable  Peaches,  on  account  of  its 
beauty,  very  late  ripening  and  other  good  quali- 
ties. Its  chief  fault  seems  to  be,  that  it  is  more 
subject  to  yellows  than  almost  any  Peach.— 75.  M. 
Armstrong,  hcfore  n  Farmcm'  liiMitute. 

Potash  for  Beets  and  Grapes.  In  an  experi- 
ment with  Sugar  Beets.Dr.  Goessmann  found  the 
per  cent  of  sugar,  when  stable  manure  was  used, 
to  be  7.S,  and  when  sulphate  of  potash  was  used 
as  a  fertilizer,  the  same  variety  showed  12.78  per 
cent.,  a  result  almost  exactly  like  that  ob- 
tained from  the  Grape  by  the  use  of  muriate.- 
Prof.  Taft,  Michigan  Unrticultural  Society. 

Keeping  Asparagus  Fresh.  While  for  one's 
own  table  Asparagus  should  be  cut  and  cooked 
in  the  same  hour,  the  product  of  a  field  may  be 
kept  two  or  three  days,  and  be  fresh  and  plump 
for  the  market,  by  standing  the  bunches  in  fresh 
water  and  renewing  it  once  in  twelve  hours, 
removing  a  little  of  the  loose  ends  of  the  bunches 
with  a  sharp  knife  just  previous  to  placing  it  on 
the  market.— CTia*.  A.  Garfield,  before  the  Michi- 
gan Horticultural  Society. 

Site  for  Pear  and  Cherry  Orchards.  Plant 
Pears  and  Cherries  on  hi;;h  rolling  land.  If  it 
IS  somewhat  sandy,  it  will  serve  the  purpose  that 
much  the  better.  Plant  sixteen  feet  apart,  and 
do  not  fertilize  too  heavily,  simply  cultivate  well. 
Standard  Pears  are  best.  I  would  plant  some 
trees  every  five  years  and  have  young  trees  com- 
ing on.  Early  Richmond  and  English  Morello 
Cherries  are  liest.— H'.  H.  Coidtis,  before  the 
Shau-nce  Co.  Inatitntc,  Kanms. 

The  Pennsylvania  Anemone.  Along  the  shores 
of  creeks  and  rills  in  many  parts  of  the  United 
States  the  Pennsylvania  Anemone  abounds.  I 
have  found  that  it  thrives  in  any  fertile  spot  even 
of  dry  land,  being  especially  suited  to  half- 
shaded  places.  Once  planted  it  will  thrive  per- 
petually. It  does  not  require  tillage,  but  may 
be  naturalized  in  the  wild  garden.  The  flowers 
are  a  beautiful  large  white  and  appear  freely  in 
early  summer.— Charles  Lord. 

Effects  of  Phosphate  on  Grapes.  Professor 
Caldwell,  in  speaking  of  the  effect  of  fertilizers 
before  the  Western  New  York  Horticultural  So- 
ciety, cited  an  instance  where  wines  of  a  par- 
ticularly rich  bouquet  where  made  from  Grapes 
in  a  district  whose  soil  was  peculiarly  rich  in 
phosphate.  A^  long  treatment  of  phosphatic  fer- 
tilizers was  given  by  an  experimenter  to  certain 
other  lands  where  this  element  was  less  abund- 
ant, and,  after  thirty  years,  the  peculiar  bouquet 
appeared  also  in  the  wine  produced  from  the 
latter  district. 

Baspberries  in  Ohio.  Mr.  Trowbridge  said  that 
small  canes  holding  their  leaves  late  will  survive 
cold  that  will  kill  a  large  rank  growth.  Jlr. 
liOngenecker  favored  a  northern  exposure  for 
Raspberries.  Mr.  W.J  Green  slid  that  .lohnston's 
Sweet  fruits  with  the  Hilborn.  There  is  no  place 
with  market  men  for  an  ever-bearing  Raspberry , 
but  tor  amateurs  who  wish  one,  the  Erhart  is  the 
best  of  its  class.  President  Tryon  said  that  very 
early  Raspberries  are  mostlprofi table  in  the  Cleve- 
land market.  Mr.  Farnsworth  said  that  the  early 
and  very  late  sorts  are  most  profitable  in  Toledo. 
—Discu.^sion  Ohio  Horticulttiral  Society. 

The  Good  of  Arbor  Day.  Arbor  Day  ceremon- 
ies, even  if  they  lead  to  the  planting  of  but  few 
trees,  at  least  serve  to  enlist  the  teachers  in  the 
cause,  and  to  impress  the  children  with  the  idea 
that  it  is  better  to  plant  and  care  for  a  tree  than 
to  destroy  it.  There  existed  once  a  necessity  tor 
destroying  forests  that  crops  might  be  planted . 
This  necessity  matured  into  an  instinct,  so  that 
the  first  natural  tendency  of  the  American  lad 
is  to  cut  a  stick  or  tree.  The  tendency  of  Arbor 
Day,  then,  is  to  lead  to  a  change  of  sentiment 
among  the  youths  concerning  trees.  This  is  one 
of  the  most  hopeful  signs.— Pro/.  Jos.  T.  Bothroch. 


The  Bii;ht  Apple  for  the  Kitrht  Place.  There 
is  no  variety  of  Apples  of  acknowledged  merit 
that  is  at  its  best  over  any  large  part  of  our  ter- 
ritory. The  celebrated  Newton  Pippin,  which  is 
probably  the  best  late  winter  Apple  in  the  world, 
lias  never  been  at  its  best  anywhere  west  of  the 
Alleghen.v  Mountains,  and  onl.v  in  limited  dis- 
tricts in  the  New  England  States  and  in  portion 
of  New  York  and  Northern  New  Jerse.v.  Even 
in  the  limited  districts  of  the  small  portion  of 
our  country,  it  requires  the  best  of  cultivation 
and  the  most  careful  attention,  or  it  will  not 
yield  the  grower  satisfactory  returns  for  his 
labor.— J.  M.  Smith,  Pres.  iris.  Hort.  Society. 

let  us  Spray.  The  force  pump  now  plays  a  most 
prominent  part  in  operations  against  insects  in 
orchard  and  garden.  The  ease  with  which  the 
codling  moth  can  be  controlled,  and  ,\pples 
grown  of  full  size,  perfect  form,  rich  in  color 
and  of  highest  flavor,  and  resistance  to  early 
decay,  is  sufficient  proof  of  its  value;  and  by  its 
aid  we  hope  to  defy  the  Plum  curcuUo,  and 
check  the  ravages  of  almost  every  insect  feeding 
upon  the  foliage  of  trees,  and  a  large  number  of 
those  which  attack  the  products  of  our  gardens. 
No  orchardist  or  gardener  can  afford  to  do  with- 
out a  force  pump.  It  is  costly  neglect.  The 
cheap  and  fatal  spray,  compared  with  old  meth- 
ods of  fighting,  is  as  a  gatling  gun  compared 
with  a  flint-lock  musket.— Dr.  S.  A.  Lintner, 
hcfore  the  Western  Tfew  Torh  Hort.  Society. 

Uannres  for  Grape  Vines.  Mr.  Crawford  said 
ashes  and  ground  bone  dust  applied  to  young 
vines  give  excellent  results.  The  rtnes  get  the 
benefit  of  the  bone  sooner  by  using  ashes  and 
bone  together.  Mr.  Rogers  said  he  hart  used 
phosphate  on  young  vines  and  was  satisfied  with 
the  result.  In  old  vine-yards  he  had  drilled 
Kye  between  the  rows,  in  August,  and  plowed  it 
under  the  following  spring.  .\s  a  cheap  fertili- 
zer it  is  superior  to  any  other  that  he  had  used. 
Mr.  Pierce  said  that  on  a  part  of  his  vineyard 
the  vines  were  not  thrifty  and  he  applied  good 
manure.  The  result  was  very  favorable.  He 
said  Kye  drilled  between  the  rows  and  plowed 
under  in  the  spring  is  useful  to  fertilize  and 
also  to  choke  down  Canada  Thistles  and  weeds 
and  keep  the  soil  from  washing  during  the 
winter.-  Discussions  of  the  South  Shore  Gi-apc  and 
Fruit  Growers'  Association. 

Plant  the  Waste  Lands.  I  feel  safe  in  the 
assertion  that  there  arc  in  Pennsylvania  about 
two  thousand  square  miles  of  land  absolutely 
worthless  for  all  agricultural  purposes,  and 
where  our  most  important  streams  head.  For  all 
that  vast  area  there  is  but  one  natural  destiny— 
the  production  of  the  timber  and  the  conserva- 
tion of  water;  and  the  State  should  own  it  either 
all  or  remove  the  taxes  from  it.  Nor  does  Penn- 
s.vlvania  stand  alone.  From  a  paragraph  written 
as  early  as  1846  by  Mr.  George  Emerson  it  would 
appear  that  Massachusetts  has  similar  areas. 
Speaking  of  the  Rock  Chestnut  Oak  he  says, 
"  The  chief  recommendation  of  this  tree  is  the 
situation  in  which  it  grows.  It  grows  naturally 
and  flourishes  on  the  steep  sides  of  rocky  bills, 
where  the  other  kinds  of  Oak  can  hardly  get  a 
foothold.  There  are  probably  thousands  of  acres 
of  hilly  rock.v  land  in  almost  every  county  in 
Massachusetts,  where  various  kinds  of  ever- 
greens have  grown  unmixed  with  deciduous 
trees  until  they  have  exhausted  all  the  nutri- 
ment suited  to  their  support, and  where  now  con- 
sequently nothing  thrives  which  would  furnish 
abundant  support  for  this  kind  of  Oak.— Prof. 
Jos.  T.  Rnthrock,  before  the  Mass.  Hort.  Society. 

Forciner  Houses.  In  practice  it  is  found  that 
twenty  feet  is  about  the  maximum  profitable 
width  for  a  forcing-house.  If  a  low  house  is  de- 
sired, for  forcing  Radishes,  Lettuce  or  other  low 
plants,  a  much  narrower  house  is  advisable, 
unless  it  can  be  built  upon  a  slope,  where  a  two- 
thirds  span  can  be  used.  In  very  narrow  houses 
the  temperature  is  more  diflicult  to  regulate 
than  in  a  wider  house.  The  house  should  be  low. 
The  sides  range  from  two  to  five  feet,  and  the 
gable  stands  from  seven  to  twelve  feet  above 
the  surface  in  our  best  modern  forcing-houses. 
The  glazing  is  done  upon  permanent  sash-bars, 
as  more  light  can  be  secured  by  this  method 
than  by  roofing  with  sash.  The  details  of  con- 
struction must  Ije  adapted  to  individual  circum- 
stances ;  but  the  old  bugbear  of  great  expense 
may  be  dismissed.  I  have  built  two  good  houses, 
each  twenty  by  sixty  feet,  inside  measure,  at  a 
combined  cost  of  building,  including  heat,  of 
about  81,500.  And  these  houses  are  much  better 
than  common  commercial  forcing-houses,  which 
can  be  built  much  cheaper  than  this.    There  are 


six  general  essentials  to  successful  forcing  of 
plants:  (1)  Bottom  heat  (2)  Abundance  of  light. 
i.Sl  Proximity  of  plants  to  glass.  (4)  Fresh  air. 
We  must  outgrow  the  notion  that  we  ventilate 
simply  to  cool  off  the  house.  The  primar.v  ob- 
ject of  ventilation  is  to  give  fresh  air,  and  this 
should  be  secured  without  allowing  drafts  upon 
plants  or  changing  the  temperature  of  the  house 
suddenly.  (.'3)  Humidity  of  atmosphere  (6)  A- 
daptation  of  methods  to  change  of  habits  of 
plants.  Plants  rarely,  if  ever,  maintain  the 
same  habit  of  growth  when  forced  as  they 
naturally  possess  out-of-doors.  The  struggle 
for  light  is  the  chief  cause  of  change  of  habit.— 
Prof.  Ba  iley  before  the  W.  N.  T.  Hort.  Society. 

Grafting  the  Grape.  Among  the  general  ad- 
vantages of  grafting  the  Grape,  without  con- 
sidering the  importance  of  this  mode  of  protect- 
ing the  varieties  of  Vinifera  parentage  from  the 
ravages  of  the  Phylloxera,  are  the  facility  of  In- 
creasing new  or  nire  sorts  by  grafting  on  old 
stocks,  the  short  time  required  to  test  the  fruit 
of  new  sorts.  Tines  so  worked  bearing  a  full  crop 
the  second  year;  the  ease  with  which  sorts  not 
readily  reproduced  by  cuttings  are  made  to  grow 
when  grafted;  the  ability  to  retop  a  worthless 
stock  with  a  valuable  variety,  and  to  bring  about 
increased  fruitfulness  by  grafting  on  appropriate 
stocks  those  sorts  that  are  shy  bearers  on  their 
own  roots.  A  knowledge  of  the  proper  aflinity 
between  stock  and  cion,  can  be  gained  only  by 
experience.  In  other  particulars,  however,  the 
best  method  is  as  follows:  Select  the  cions  from 
thoroughly  ripened,  firm  wood  of  the  size  of  a 
lead  pencil  or  a  little  larger,  and  keep  them  dor- 
mant by  burying  in  a  cool,  shaded  place  until  the 
leaves  have  expanded  on  the  stock,  as  the  parts 
unite  more  readily  after  the  first  rapid  flow  of 
the  sap  is  over,  and  the  cion  is  less  likely  to  be 
"drowned  out."  With  a  spade  the  earth  is 
cleared  away  from  about  the  crown  of  the  stock, 
which  is  cut  through  with  a  keen  saw  at  a  point 
about  two  inches  above  a  node  or  knot.  A  cleft 
extending  to  the  node  is  now  made  in  the  stump, 
and  ;the  cion,  cut  wedge-shaped,  is  inserted  in 
t  he  cleft  so  that  a  bud  may  stand  at  the  upper 
point,  where  stock  and  cion  united.  Where  the 
stock  is  large  enough,  two  cions  are  put  into 
each  cleft.  If  the  wood  is  firm  and  strong,  no 
ties  are  needed,  nor  is  the  use  of  wax  desirable. 
Press  a  handful  of  moist  soil  upon  the  wound, 
and  heap  about  it  flne  earth  to  within  one  or  two 
buds  of  the  top  of  the  cion.  When  the  cions 
have  become  weU  started,  the  weaker  of  the 
two  in  each  stock  should  be  pruned  off.  Vines 
so  grafted  wUl  make  a  growth  of  from  eight  to 
twelve  feet  the  first  season,  and  though  some- 
times they  do  not  start  at  once  after  the  opera- 
tion, they  wiU  generally  push  rapidly  !and  ripen 
their  wood  well  before  fall.  The  method  here 
outlined  commends  itself  to  every  practical  man 
by  its  simplicity  and  great  utility.— Pro/.  Geo. 
Hu^mann,  before  the  .-imerican  Hort.  Society. 


Heating  Cold  Frames  by  Hot  Water 

or  Steam,   and  Grapes  Under 

Glass. 

{By  Wm.  P.  Phiibrick,  before  the  Massachusetts 
Horticultural  Societj.) 

It  was  five  years  ago,  the  essayist  made  the 
first  experiment  in  growing  Dandelions  in 
a  frame  heated  by  a  circulation  of  hot  water. 
The  bed  was  1!15  feet  long  and  V2  feet  wide, 
covered  by  130  sashes,  and  was  heated  by 
one  inch-and-a-quarter  water  pipe,  support- 
ed on  the  inside  of  the  plant  frame  four 
inches  below  the  glass,  which  was  covered 
at  night  in  cold  weather  by  straw  mats. 

The  Dandelion  roots  were  transplanted  from 
the  field  in  September;  the  glass  was  placed  on 
the  frames  about  the  middle  of  December,  and 
the  firing  of  the  boiler  was  begun  about  Christ- 
mas. The  Dandelions  were  marketed  in  Febru- 
ary, producing  an  average  of  just  a  bushel  to 
each  sash,  and  were  cleared  off  before  the  crop 
from  the  cold  frames  came  in. 

As  fast  as  the  Dandelions  were  cleared  off,  the 
bed  was  sown  with  Radishes  with  every  third 
row  Short  Horn  Carrots;  the  Radishes  were  sold 
in  April,  and  the  glass  was  then  taken  off  to 
another  frame,  heated  by  manure  for  Cucum- 
bers, and  the  Carrots  were  marketed  in  .lune. 
The  result  was  highly  satisfactory. 

The  next  year  the  experiment  was  repeated, 
using,  however,  a  single  inch-and  a-quarter 
steam  pipe  on  the  south  side  of  the  bed,  which 
was  twelve  feet  wide.  The  Dandelions  near  the 
steam  pipe  were  drawn  somewhat  by  the  exces- 


1 890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


177 


sivc  heat  of  the  pipelnit  were  not  much  injureil. 
Instead  of  Carrots,  Parsley  was  sown  with  tlie 
Radishes,  which  eanie  to  market  in  May  and  sold 
remarkably  well.  The  use  of  these  warm  frames 
has  t)oen  eontiniied  every  year  since,  with  uni- 
formly successful  results  as  refrards  f^rowinj?  the 
crops,  though  of  course  the  market  is  not  always 
equally  jjood  for  the  products. 

Beat  Mode  of  Heatine-  For  the  best  and  most 
easily  managed  frame  Mr.  Philbrick  prefers  one 
only  six  feet  wide,  with  a  fence  to  lean  the  mats 
aurainst  when  not  on  the  frame,  with  an  inch-and- 
a-quarter  pipe  eariied  around  the  frame  on  both 
sides,  fo\ir  inches  below  the  grlass,  and  heated  by 
a  small  hot-water-boiler  under  pressure  of  about 
ten  pounds  to  the  inch. 

The  reason  for  preferring  hot  water  circulation 
to  steam  is  that  in  moderate  weather  the  temper- 
ature can  be  more  easily  regulated  by  regulating 
the  fire  than  with  sieam  pipes.  The  same  results 
could  probably  be  attained  by  having  two  or 
three  steam  pipes  of  smaller  calibre  and  shutting 
oil  the  steam  from  part  of  them  in  mild  weather- 

These  frames  are  very  convenient  in  growing 
the  crops  mentioned,  which  used  to  be  grown  in 
the  open  air  in  spring  and  fall  without  glass,  and 
Jlr.  Philbrick  thought  they  would  answer  equal- 
ly as  well  for  many  flowering  plants  of  low 
growth  which  need  but  little  artiticial  heat,  such 
as  Violets,  Pansies,  Primulas  and  many  of  the 
Dutch  bulbs. 

Advantages,  It  is  astonishing  how  little  coal 
is  necessary  to  keep  out  frost,  which  is  about  all 
that  is  required  with  such  hardy  plants  as  have 
been  mentioned.  When  mats  are  used  on  the 
bed,  it  will  require  for  a  bed  two  hundred  feet 
long  and  six  feet  wide  only  about  three  or  four 
tons  of  coal  for  the  winter  to  keep  the  plants  in 
gro\vlng  condition,  and  make  the  frame  produce 
fully  double  what  it  would  without  the  heat. 
Every  one  who  has  attempted  to  run  a  cold 
frame  in  a  severe  winter  knows  how  hard  it  is  to 
keep  out  frost,  even  with  double  mats  and  shut- 
ters. With  the  aid  of  hot  water  and  steam  no 
shutters  at  all  are  required  and  much  of  the  time 
not  even  mats. 

Such  an  arrangement,  however,  will  not  grow 
good  Lettuce  without  a  little  bottom  heat  in 
cold  weather. 

The  arrangement  recommended  is  easily  man- 
aged. When  only  a  few  frames  are  run,  they 
may  be  heated  with  a  small  boiler  and  lamp. 

Exotic  Grapes,  In  regard  to  growing  Hlack 
Hamburg  Grapes  under  glass  that  is  used  for 
other  purposes  in  winter,  Mr.  Philbrick  said  that 
every  market  gardener  knows  that  there  is  usu- 
ally a  considerable  number  of  hot-bed  sashes  in 
market  gardens  which  are  not  used,  unless  for 
growing  Cucumbers  and  Melons,  after  the  mid- 
dle of  April  until  the  next  winter. 

The  early  Cucumber  crop  has  of  late  been  far 
less  profitable  than  formerly,  and  it  occurred  to 
the  essayist  a  tew  years  ago  that  possibly  this 
glass  might  be  put  to  better  use  for  Grapes. 

To  do  this  he  started  some  cuttings  of  Black 
Hamburg  Grapes,  and  grew  the  vines  for  the 
first  year  in  pots  in  his  Cucumber  house.  The 
next  year  they  were  set  out  in  the  border  where 
they  were  to  stand,  and  were  grown  in  a  frame 
raised  three  feet  high  and  covered  by  a  single 
string  of  hot-bed  glass,  the  vines  being  trained 
inside  the  frame.  The  vines  were  cut  back  in 
the  fall  to  two  eyes  and  covered.  The  next 
spring  the  ratters  of  the  house  were  built,  and 
the  glass  was  put  on  about  the  last  of  April. 

The  \'lnes  made  a  fair  growth  last  year  and  were 
allowed  to  ripen  only  a  few  bunches  of  Grapes. 
But  next  summer  he  hopes  to  grow  a  fair  crop. 

The  glass  with  which  this  house  is  covered  Is 
ordinary  hot-bed  sashes,  which  are  fastened  to 
the  rafters  by  means  of  ordinary  screw  eyes  in 
the  rafters,  through  which  common  wood  screws 
pass  into  the  wood  of  the  sashes  underneath  to 
hold  tbem  in  place. 

The  glass  is  taken  off  in  the  fall  after  the  vines 
have  been  pruned  and  laid  down  and  covered 
with  earth.  The  glass  is  used  on  hot-beds  or 
cold  frames  until  the  20th  of  April,  when  it  is 
replaced  on  the  Graper,v  just  as  the  vines  are 
breaking  into  growth. 

The  Grapes  thus  treated  will  ripen  in  Septem- 
ber. The  essayist  saw  no  difBculty  in  the  way  of 
successfully  growing  Grapes  in  this  way  very 
cheaply.  When  he  made  his  plans  for  this  opera- 
tion, the  price  of  Black  Hamburg  Grapes  was 
from  seventy-flve  cents  to  a  dollar  and  a  quarter 
per  pound,  but  the  recent  large  importations  of 
California  Grapes  in  the  fall,  together  with  the 
improved  excellence  of  our  outdoor  Grapes  have 
reduced  the  price  so  that  Black  Hamburg  Grapes 


sold  last  fall  at  about  thirty  cents  per  pound. 
This  low  price  was,  howe\cr,  partly  due  to  the 
wet  season,  which  made  it  impossible  to  hold 
Grapes  for  the  market. 

Any  one  who  wishes  to  grow  these  delicious 
Grapes  cheaply,  can  do  so  by  using  his  spare 
glass,  and  will  be  rewarded  for  the  care  they 
require  with  choice  fruit  for  his  table  or  his 
friends.  There  is.  howe\-er,  little  inducement  to 
grow  them  for  market,  unless  they  are  forced 
early  or  held  until  cold  weather,  which  involves 
the  use  of  heat  and  different  arrangements. 


Water  Melor^s  and  Their  Varieties. 

[E^-travt  of  paper  read  by  Robi'i-t  B.  Harris,  M.  £>.,  be- 
fore the  Pennsylvania  Horticultural  Soeiety.) 

This  fruit  grows  in  hot  countries;  general- 
ly, but  has  not  so  great  a  range  of  climate 
as  the  Cantaloupe.  It  appears  to  be  divided 
into  tvro  distinct  classes — one  adapted  to 
very  hot  localities,and  the  other  able  to  bear 
well  a  limited  degree  of  heat. 


some  countries,  especially  southern  Russia,  Ar- 
menia and  Sicily.  In  Pei-sia  the  favorite  Is  called 
a  "black  Watermelon,"  from  its  very  dark  green 
color,  as  we  have  the  "black  Italian";  it  is  very 
thin-rinded,  and  is  easily  broken  in  transporta- 
tion. The  Japanese  produce  a  Melon  of  a  long 
apple-shape,  having  very  tiny  seeds  and  a  thin 
rind,  that  grows  well  in  our  climate,  and  has 
been  considered  an  excellent  variety  by  private 
growers,  but  Its  small  size  has  prevented  Its  ac- 
ceptance by  the  trade.  Such  fruits  make  good 
hybrids  mth  larger  varieties. 

Large,  tough-rlnded,  symmetrical  Melons  of 
fine  quality,  which  keep  and  carry  well,  are  now 
produced  in  enormous  quantities  in  our  southern 
States,  and  some  may  be  carried  in  good  condi- 
tion to  Europe  or  kept  from  the  last  of  Septem- 
ber to  Christmas.  As  an  article  of  diet  the 
Watermelon  requires  a  better  digestive  power 
in  the  eater  than  is  required  for  the  Cantaloupe, 
and  some  dyspeptics  who  consume  the  latter 
with  entire  comfort,  do  not  dare  to  more  than 
taste  the  former. 

This  country  now  produces  a  greater  variety 
of  large  Watermelons  than  ever  before,  and  they 
can  be  grown  to  a  heavier  weight.  In  1800  there 
were  Melons  in  the  Philadelphia  market  that 
measured  forty-five  inches  in  girth;  but  they  did 
not  grow  them  in  our  country  of  108,  111,  and  12.5 
pounds  until  within  a  few  years,  when  new 
varieties  reached  these  weights  in  favorable 
seasons  and  localities. 

Inthe  olden  time,  our  Watermelons  were 
chiefly  long,  oval,  dark  green  or  striped,  and  had 
large  black  or  brown  seeds.  Spanish  seeds  pro- 
duced our  first  thin-rinded  Melons;  but  these 
soon  changed  in  character  under  the  work  of  the 
bees.  Spanish  Melons  are  still  grown,  but  are 
altered  in  form  over  those  from  imported  seeds. 


Tlte  Pennsylvania  Anemone.    See  opposite pa<ie. 

Those  from  the  tropics  grow  larger  and  finer 
in  tljis  latitude,and  the  Melons  of  Spain  and  Italy 
do  as  well  here  as  in  those  countries,  although 
but  few  of  them  are  worth  introducing.  Water- 
melons from  milder  climates  than  ours  will  grow 
in  New  Jersey  soil,  but  are  never  inviting  in 
flavor.  When  cut  open  they  crack  before  the 
knife  with  a  sort  of  explosive  sound;  are  often 
white-fleshed,  and  seldom  of  a  rich  red;  they  are 
deficient  in  sweetness,  and  the  flesh  is  sometimes 
tough.  I  have  found  one  desirable  Russian 
Melon,  one  Spanish,  three  Italian,  one  Cappado- 
cian,  one  Japanese  and  one  African,  in  a  large 
number  of  varieties  tested  from  many  countries. 
All  the  vines  I  have  examined  were  of  tbe  same 
peculiar, well-known^character  of  leaf , except  one 
from  Liberian  seeds,  which  had  a  large,  solid, 
ovate-pointed  leaf,  set  close  to  the  stem,  and 
growing  right  and  left  alternately,  and  parallel 
with  the  ground. 

Watermelons  are  long,  semi-long,  oval  and 
round;  their  seeds  are  black,  brown,  white,  red, 
buff,  gray  and  mottled.  All  of  these  colors  may 
be  found  in  very  large,  medium,  and  very  small 
seeds.  As  a  general  rule,  a  large  Melon  bears 
large  seeds,  and  vice  versa,  but  there  are  excep- 
tions. White-rinded  Melons  may  have  very 
small  black  seeds,  as  in  the  Russian,  or  may  be 
large  and  white,  or  buff  with  a  brown  edge.  The 
most  delicious  Melons,  as  a  rule,  are  thin-rinded, 
and  pink  or  dark  red  in  flesh.  Such  Water- 
melons do  not  bear  transportation  well,  the 
breakage  in  some  being  up  to  fifteen  per  cent. 
In  interior  colors  we  also  find  white,  yellow  and 
amber-colored. 

Many  foreign  Melons  have  very  tiny  seeds,  and 
some  of  the  fruits  may  be  readily  eaten  by  one 
person.  Orange  Melons,or  those  having  an  easily 
separated  rind,  are  said  to  be  produced  of  very 
small  size  in  Bulgaria  and  the  extreme  south  of 
Italy,  but  have  not  yet  been  grown  here. 

Watermelons  with  very  small  seeds,  down  to 
half  an  inch  in  length,  are  quite  abundant  in 


The  Fruits  and  Flowers  of  Northern 
Japan. 

iPaper  reail  by  Prof.  Broohs  before  the  Massachusetts 
Horticultural  Society.) 

(Coiitinuedfrom  page  1.59.) 
The  "Kokuwa"  MffiHird'a  argnta)  is  peculiar 
to  Japan,  and  finds  its  most  perfect  and  abund- 
ant development  in  the  primeval  forests  of  Yesso. 
Much  has  been  written  and  said  about  it  within 
the  last  few  years,  though  strangel.v  enough,  it 
has  been  urged  upon  public  attention  as  an  orna- 
mental climber.  It  is  a  vigorous,  not  to  say  a 
rampant  grower,  and  its  luxuriant  dark  green 
leaves  and  waving  stems  have  a  beauty  of  their 
own.  For  the  purpose  of  covering  arbors  or 
**  forming  wild  entanglements"  from  tree  to  tree, 
it  is  certainly  suited,  but  its  coils  will  be  found  to 
hug  "  closer  than  a  hrother."  Still,  it  is  a  beauti- 
ful climber,  though  Yesso  can  furnish  several 
more  beautiful  and  far  more  manageable;  but 
the  lecturer  cautioned  not  to  plant  it  against 
verandas  or  buildings.  Unless  looked  after  far 
more  closely  than  most  will  find  time  to  do,  it 
will  overgrow  all  desired  bounds,  displace  eave 
sprouts  and  make  itself  a  nuisance  generally  by 
its  omnipresence.  It  is  for  its  fruit  that  the  plant 
is  mostly  prized  in  Yesso,  where  in  many  locali- 
ties, it  is  abundant  and  very  largely  collected. 
The  fruit  is  a  berry  a  little  larger  than  the  Green 
Gage  Plum;  the  skin  is  green,  the  pulp,  when 
ripe  soft,  and  the  seed  numerous  and  very  fine. 
The  flavor  cannot  be  likened  to  thatof  an.v  other 
fruit;  it  is  very  agreeable  to  most,  but  it  is  sui 
generis  There  is  an  astringent  principle  in  the 
skin,  which  must  not  be  sucked  too  much  or  it 
will  make  the  mouth  sore.  It  is  not  difficult, 
ho%\e\'er,  to  suck  out  the  pulp  without  encount- 
ering this  trouble.  The  effect  of  the  fruit  is  de- 
cidedly, but  pleasantly,  laxative  to  most^much 
more  so  than  in  any  other  of  our  fruits,  not 
excepting  the  Fig.  It  must  prove  a  valuable 
acquisition  e^'en  for  this  single  quality,  were  it 
not  moreover  sufEcientl.y  delicious  to  repay  eat- 
ing. Only  one  attempt  had  been  made  in  Yesso 
to  cultivate  it,  but  the  plants  for  this  experi- 
ment, collected  before  sufficient  acquaintance 
with  the  botanical  peculiarities  of  the  species 
had  been  acquired,  all  proved  barren.  It  is  poly- 
gamo-dioecious,  and  for  fruit  it  must  be  propa- 
gated by  cuttings  from  fertile  plants.  A  second 
obstacle  to  its  culture  is  the  fact  that  a  number 
of  years  must  elapse  before  the  plants  begin  to 
be  productive.  Should  the  fruit  under  cultivation 
prove  as  good  as  when  wild,  it  would  be  well 
worth  a  place  in  our  gardens;  and  of  course  there 
is  a  possibility  that  it  may  be  improved.  It 
flourishes  best  in  rich,  moist  soils. 

The  fruit  (hip)  of  Rosa  ntgosa  is  very  large  and 
handsome.  It  is  chiefly  eaten.by  children,'though 


1/8 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


May, 


halved,  seeded,  and  slightly  salted,  it  is  esteemed 
a  delicacy  by  many  adults,  and  the  lecturer  found 
it  really  not  so  bad  as  he  expected. 

There  are  also  Apples  and  Pears,  an  indigenous 
Plum  (Prunns  tomentosa\  the  wild  Mulberry 
^^f(^n^s  alba)^  a  wild  Currant  (Rib&s  Japoni€a\ 
and  Peaches,  Apricots  and  Cherries,  none  of  which 
are  superior  to  ours,  if  indeed  they  are  equal. 
The  fririt  of  a  species  of  Conifer  [Cephalntaxus 
dnipacea),  however,  deserves •  mention.  This 
grows  as  an  under  shrub  in  man.v  of  the  mountain 
forests.  The  female  plants  have  a  stone  fruit 
precisely  like  a  Plum  in  structure.  It  is  about 
the  size  of  a  Pecan  nut;  the  flesh  is  proportion- 
ately about  as  thick  as  that  of  the  Plum,  and  is 
very  juicy  and  remarkably  sweet,  with  a  faint 
suggestion  of  Pine  in  its  flavor. 

The  Flowers  of  Yesso.  Adimin  Amurensis is 
one  of  the  most  attractive  of  the  early  wild 
flowers.  It  is  bright  yellow,  and  might  ap- 
propriately in  that  country  be  called  the  "  eye  of 
spring,^'  for  it  peeps  up  sometimes  even  in  Feb- 
ruary on  sunny  banks  where  the  snow  has  melted 
away.  Often  it  looks  bravely  up  in  the  midst  of 
sharp  snow  storm,  and  such  exposure  scarcely 
seems  to  hurt  it.  It  is  a  special  favorite  with  the 
Japanese,  who,  however,  seldom  plant  it  in  gar- 
dens, but  are  satisfied  ivith  seeking  out  the  earliest 
plants,  and  digging  them  while  in  bud  for  for- 
warding in  old  tin  cans,  broken  teapots  etc.  It 
is  the  earliest  harbinger  of  spring  for  the  masses. 

More  delicately  beautiful  is  the  GJaueldmm 
palmatum,  a  mid-spring  flower,  witn  large  and 
particularly  beautiful,  almost  translucent  leaves, 
and  large,  delicate  pink  flowers.  This  is  the  fav- 
orite of  cool,  shady  dells  and  rich,  moist  soil. 
A  few  years  since  this  very  beautiful  flower  had 
not  then  been  introduced  into  Europe  and 
America.  It  would  richly  repay  care,  but  would 
undoubtedly  be  fastidious  as  to  soils  and  sur- 
roundings. 

The  gorgeous  beauty  of  the  autumn  woods, 
the  Monkshood  (Aconihim  Fishery,  standing 
often  fully  six  feet  high,  with  enormous  masses 
of  brilliant  blue  flowers,  must  not  be  forgotten. 

By  far  the  most  delicately  beautiful  of  spring 
flowers  in  the  vicinity  of  Sapporo  in  the  Corydalis 
amhigua,  with  its  fragile  stems  and  leaves  and  its 
lovely  racemes  of  flowers  shading  into  the  most 
exquisite  tints  and  hues  of  blue  and  ultamarine 
and  pink,  and  sometimes  becomini;  almost  white. 
The  fragrance,  too,  of  the  flowers  is  wonderfully 
delicate  and  sweet.  This  species,  and  its  rarer 
form  with  the  lobes  of  the  leaves  linear,  might 
probably  be  cultivated  quite  easily,  and  if  so, 
they  would  amply  repay  the  care  bestowed  upon 
them.  The  far  more  sturdy  and  quite  different 
Corydnlis  aurea  has  also  great  beauty  of  its  own. 
Both  thrive  in  moderately  light  soils. 

The  Japanese  Primrose  (Prirmda  Japonica), 
though  well  known  to  American  and  European 
gardeners,  and  justly  esteemed  for  its  elegant 
habit  and  great  beauty  of  flowers,  is  common 
along  the  banks  of  streams. 

Of  the  large  number  of  Spirseas,  several  are  of 
unusual  beauty,  among  them  aruncuf,  callosa 
and  sorhifolia,  any  one  of  which  would  form  a 
beautiful  clump  in  the  garden,  or  add  grace  and 
beaut.v  to  a  bouquet. 

The  "hagi"  of  the  Japanese  is  a  species  of 
Lespedeza,  with  pinkish  flowers,  which  is  cele- 
brated in  Japanese  storj-  and  song,  and  is  regarded 
as  one  of  the  seven  beautiful  wild  flowers  of 
autumn.  Two  others,  which  are  included  by  the 
Japanese  in  the  same  class,  stand  next  on  the  list 
— Patrinia  scabioscefolia  and  Plafiicoden  grandi- 
florum.  These  are  almost  invariably  found  to- 
gether in  open,  sandy  localities,  and  a  beautiful 
combination  they  make,  either  in  field  or  bou- 
quet^the  Patrinia,  with  its  broad  cymes  of  pale 
gold,  and  the  Platycoden  with  its  large  bells  of 
heaven's  own  blue  The  other  flowers  which 
make  up  the  magic  numljer  are,  with  one  excep- 
tion, also  found  wild  in  Yesso.  They  are  the 
Grass  Pink,  the  Morning  Glory,  'a  grass  which 
has  beautiful  autumn  plumes  (L'ufaUaJ'apo/uca), 
the  Aster,  and  the  Wistaria. 

The  Dog-tooth  Violet  lErythmnitim  Dcnx-canig) 
with  usually  large  and  finely  mottled  leaves  and 
large  pink  flowers,  is  a  woodland  beauty  which 
grows  in  many  places  in  extraordinary  profusion. 
Excelling  even  this  in  abundance  is  the  sweet 
Lily  of  the  Valley  (Convallaria  ma./aiis).  of  which 
the  lecturer  has  seen  dozens  of  acres  in  one  lot. 
This  attains  to  great  size  and  beauty,  and  so  well 
do  soil  and  climate  seem  to  suit  it  that  in  places 
it  takes  possession  of  the  ground  to  the  almost 
entire  exclusion  of  other  plants.  It  makes  itself 
a  great  nuisance  in  pastures,  and  during  Pro- 
fessor Brook's  stay  in  Japan  he  was  more  than 


once  consulted  as  to  means  of  exterminating  it, 
asked  whether  some  practical  use  could  not  be 
made  of  it.  The  beauty  and  fragrance  of  such 
pastures,  however  can  be  imagined. 

Other  herbaceous  plants  mentioned  were  the 
Frititlaria  Kamchatcensiit  LiUuin  Jtiedeoloides  and 
LysicJiitoti  Kamchatcense. 

Woody  Plants.  The  Actinidia  polygama  de- 
serves extended  mention.  The '*  Kokuwa"  (Ac- 
tinidia arguta},  which  has  already  been  described, 
has  sometime  been  mistakenly  called  by  this 
name.  The  two  species  are  wholly  distinct,  and 
the  polygama  is  for  ornamental  purposes  worth 
far  morth  than  the  other.  Its  ha!»it  of  growth  is 
considerably  less  vigorous,  though  it  is  by  no 
means  a  slow  grower.  It  will  be  far  less  obtrus- 
ive and  more  manageable;  but  the  chief  point  in 
which  it  excels  arguta  is  in  the  beauty  of  its  foli- 
age.   Mature  plants  have  the  habit  of  producing 


Seedling  of  the  GlnTtgo  or  Maiden-Hair 
Fern  Tree.    (See  opp.  page.) 

at  the  ends  of  the  growing  shoots  from  four  to 
six  leaves,  which  are  tipped  with  a  lustrous  sil- 
very white,  usually  spreading  over  more  than 
halt  the  leaf.  This  peculiarity  gives  it,  at  a  little 
distance,  as  it  clambers  over  thickets,  the  appear- 
ance of  a  plant  in  full  and  abundant  bloom. 
Then,  too,  the  uncolored  foliage  is  exceedingly 
beautiful,  and  the  flowers,  though  partly  hidden 
by  the  leaves,  are  very  pretty,  and  have  all  the 
fragrance  of  the  Orange.  Young  plants  trans- 
planted to  the  lawn  did  not,  however,  show  this 
silvery  appearance  after  growing  there  three 
years,  and  planted  in  Amherst  failed  to  show  it 
last  season,  and  perhaps,  change  in  soil,  climate, 
etc.,  will  cause  the  species  to  lose  this  most  valu- 
able peculiarity.  The  fruit  is  similar  in  size  and 
structure  to  that  of  the  "  Kokuwa,"  but  it  is  far 
less  abundantly  produced  and  cannot  be  consid- 
ered as  delicious. 

Among  others  were  mentioned  the  Magnolias 
(two  species)— Conn:* brochj/poda:  the  Hydrangea 
petiolaris,  called  also  ScMzophrayma  hydranye- 
ojdes;  Hydrangea panicidata,  H.  horteusisor  acu- 
minata; Syringa  rulgarix,  the  Cherry  (which  is 
highly  prized  in  Japan  as  a  flowering  tree);  Styrax 
fihassia.  Eleagmts  Japonica,  DieTXilla  veisicolor, 
and  the  Mistletoe. 

Among  cultivated  flowers  the  Iris  Kcrmpferi 
surpassed  all  others,  the  flowers  under  good  cul- 
tivation being  sometimes  a  foot  or  more  in  diam- 
eter, so  that  one  feels  ready  to  exclaim  when 
seeing  it, ''  This  is  the  queen  of  flowers." 

Professor  Brooks  concluded  with  the  following 
list  of  plants  not  previously  mentioned  in  his  ex- 
cellent paper; 

Pceonia  obovata,Oentiana  (sp?),  Caltha  palustrig 
var  Japonica,  Craipfurdia  Japonica,  Cletnatis 
fusco,  Spircea  Kamchatica,  Trillittm  a'ectum,  var. 
Japonicum,  Potentilla  paiu.^tris,  Trillium  isp?) 
Pueraria  Thunher-giana,  Xymphaa  pygnuca,  Art- 
em'S'O  (sp?),  Veratruni  album,  l^araxacum  officin- 
alis, Funkia  {sp'.'),Adc7wphijrn  verticullata,  Lilium 
cordifolium,  Vitjurnum  Wrigldii,  Vihurnum  dila- 
fatum.  Viburnum  upului*.  Hydrangea  hoi'tenifis 
var.  Japonica. 


Thoughts     About    Trees    and    Tree 
Planting. 

\Extract  of  paper  read  by  ?[rs.  Helen  V.  Austin,  before 
the  Xew  Jersey  State  Horticultural  Society.] 

As  to  the  relations  of  forests  to  rainfall  an(J 
drought  I  leave  that  to  the  scientific  people, 
to  the  weather  clerks,  to  Old  Probilities, 
Professor  Fernow  and  Company,  and  the 
State  Board  of  Agriculture.  It  is  a  fact, 
and  not  merely  trite  lines  in  a  song;  "We 
never  miss  the  water  till  the  spring  runs 
dry."  When  the  greed  for  present  gain, 
shall  have  destroyed  the  wealth  of  the 
future,  and  our  forests  are  wastefully  de- 
stroyed, repentence  will  be  too  late.  We 
will  be  wise  if  we  take  warning  and  avert 
the  day  of  doom. 

J.  Sterling  Morton,  of  Nebraska,  the  man  who 
has  done  so  much  to  reclaim  what  was  once  the 
"Great  American  desert,"  and  who  is  the  Father 
of  Arbor  Day  in  America,  writing  to  the  Forest- 
ry Congress  at  Atlanta,  Ga . ,  says:  "Perhaps  it 
is  ordered  that  the  race  shall  destroy  forests  for- 
ever, and  never  restore  forests.  The  Holy  Land, 
all  the  desolate  Orient,  once  glorious  in  forests, 
luscious  in  fruits,  and  fragrant  in  flowers,  recites 
man's  wicked  waste  of  trees.  The  lesson  should 
teach  America.  It,  when  translated  to  the 
understanding,  is  only  a  picture  of  our  future  if 
we  destroy,  seldom  conserve,  and  never  plant 
great  forests.  What  came  to  the  axemen  of  the 
Orient  will  come  to  those  of  the  Occident.  The 
same  causes  give  inexorably  the  same  results. 
It  is  possible  that  the  Mound  Builders  were  de- 
troyers  of  Forests  and  that  their  race  perished 
with  the  trees.  Then  there  was  a  long  period, 
eons  upon  eons,  which  no  man  has  any  know- 
ledge of,  during  which  nature  re-forested  this 
continent  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  prairies  of  the 
Northwest.  It  may  be  that  the  life  of  a  race  of 
men  is  limited  by  the  duration  of  the  forest  or 
woodland  area  which  they  encounter  at  the  be- 
ginning of  their  career.  We  use  25,000  acres  of 
woodland  as  to  their  forest  products  every  day. 
In  twentv-eight  years  we  shall  have  consumed 
all  the  foi-ests  of  the  United  States.  It  is  time  to 
plant  generall.v  and  thoughtfully. 

Any  observing  person,  traveling  from  Camden 
to  Cape  May,  wUl  be  impressed  with  the  barren 
appearance  of  the  country.  Dwarf  Oaks  and 
Pines  are  the  principal  forest  trees,  yet  we  know 
that  many  kinds  of  trees  would  grow  and  flour- 
ish in  this  soil.  All  that  is  wanting  is  for  the 
hand  of  man  to  plant  and  restore  to  nature  that 
which  has  lieen  taken  from  her.  Imagine  the 
waste  places  transformed  into  groves  and  the 
groves  alive  with  birds !  Where  the  wind  now 
sweeps  unobstructed  over  barren  sands,  in  a  few 
years  would  be  covered  with  leaf-mould  and 
verdure.  Trees  should  be  planted  as  a  protection 
for  birds,  if  for  nothing  else.  The  cruel  destruc- 
tion of  the  darlings  that  navigate  the  air,  is  a 
blight  and  curse,  and  cannot  but  bring  its 
punishment. 

As  an  example  of  the  utility  of  tree  planting 
in  New  Jersey,  Vineland,  the  place  which  is  now 
my  home,  may  be  cited.  It  has  no  great  natural 
beauty,  so  far  as  scenei-j'  exists;  no  hills  or 
mountains  and  no  river.  True,  it  is  on  an  ele- 
vated spot,  in  a  flat  country,  and  sunrise  and  sun 
set  are  not  obscured  Iiy  hills.  But  the  trees  of 
vineland  are  its  greatest  adornment.  The  orig- 
nal  Pines  and  Oaks  abound,  but  added  to  these 
aie  a  great  variety  of  trees,  such  as  arc  usually 
set  for  shade  trees,  and  the  way  they  flourish  is 
proclamation  that  the  soil  of  New  Jersey  will 
nourish  trees  and  is  only  asking  for  a  chance  to 
show  the  world  what  mother  nature  can  do. 

If  I  were  consulted  as  to  what  kind  of  trees  to 
plant  in  towns  and  roadsides,  I  would  say,  plant 
liberally, of  fruit  trees,  alternated  with  forest 
trees.  We  have  some  Apple  trees  on  the  side- 
walks in  Vineland  and  they  afford  delightful 
shade;  their  beauty  when  in  blossom  and  the 
utility  of  fruit  make  them  greatly  to  be  desired. 
And  Mulberry  trees,  I  would  have  plenty  of 
them;  the  robust  native  kintl,  and  the  Downing's 
Everbearing,  and  the  Kussian  also,  and  if  silk 
worms  are  to  be  reared,  the  Italian  or  White 
Mulberry.  This  fruit  is  one  of  the  most  health- 
ful in  the  world  It  is  also  excellent  food  for 
poultry,  and  the  birds  of  the  air  feed  upon  it,  as 
well  as  the  bees.  The  wasps,  those  industrious 
little  souls  that  are  so  useful  in  devouring  the 
eggs  of  insects  injurious  to  fruit,  are  happy  in 
the  hanging  garden  of  a  Mulberry  tree. 

I  call  to  mind  farms  in  Penns.vlvania  among 
the  foot-hills  of  the  AUeghenies,  where  Cherry 


ligo. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


179 


trcH\s  are  planteil  up  and  down  the  laues  and 
along  the  pulilio  roads;  and  sncli  trees!  and  such 
Cherries !  and  sueli  tioeks  of  birds !  These  Cher- 
ries are  marketed  at  2.">  or  tliirty  eents  for  a 
woodi'n  bvu-ketfnll.  holdinfj  a  quarter  of  a 
bushel, and  people  whogothereto  piekthemcan 
have  theai  at  a  less  price, very  often  for  nothing. 

I  eall  to  mnid  also  a  village  on  the  National 
road,  in  Wayne  County,  Indiana,  where  Cherry 
trees  attoiind  on  the  sidewalks.  In  the  blossom- 
ing time,  the  whole  town  is  dressed  in  white, and 
in  the  time  of  fruiting  it  is  brilliant  with  red, 
and  the  birds  hold  high  carnival. 

There  is  a  quaint  old  town  on  the  Ohio  river, 
some  distance  from  Pittsburg,  named  Economy, 
settled  by  a  religious  sect  from  Germany.  In 
this  quaint, sweet,  old-fashioned  tillage  the  fruit 
is  as  free  to  all  as  the  water.  Grape  vines  are 
trained  over  the  dwellings,  and  fruit  trees  shade 
the  gniss-grown  streets.  The  fruit  is  held  in 
common  and  is  free  to  the  inhabitants,  and  if  a 
visitor  ^vishes  a  basket  of  Cherries  or  Mulberries, 
it  is  gathered  and  given,  but  never  sold. 

We  are  often  told  that  if  fruit  trees  were 
planted  on  the  street,  the  boys  would  get  the 
fruit.  That  would  be  one  great  object  in  thus 
planting,  so  that  the  boys  and  girls  could  get  the 
fruit.  The  fact  is  that  children  are  starving  tor 
fruit;  and  what  with  the  scarcity  of  the  article, 
and  the  enclosures  surrounding  what  there  is, 
the  average  boy  is  forced  into  being  a  thief.  If 
the  boy  has  an  innate  conscience,  the  conscience 
and  stomach  strive  for  the  mastery,  and  the 
stomach  is  ipiite  sure  to  gain  the  victory. 

Just  to  think  of  a  man,  who  has  lived  long 
enough  in  the  world  to  have  planted  a  hundred 
orchards,  going  to  the  expense  and  trouble  of 
building  a  high,  solid  fence  around  a  miserable, 
pinched,  mean  little  patch  of  ground  which  he 
calls  an  orchard,  and  then  goes  to  the  expense 
of  keeping  a  ravenous  beast,  a  vile  dog,  to  pro- 
tect that  patch.  And  yet,  professing  do-as-you- 
would-be-done-by  people  laugh  at  such  things. 

I  would  have  them  learn  of  trees  and  forests; 
I  would  have  Arbor  day  observed,  and  have  the 
boys  and  girls  plant  trees  and  impress  the  lessons 
of  the  school  room  by  the  object  lessons  learned 
from  nature. 


Nut  Culture  and   its  Future. 

( Extract  of  paper  read  by  H.  M.  Engle  before  the 
American  Pomological  Society.) 

Nuts  are  rich  in  certain  food  elements, 
adapted  to  the  human  system.  Thousands 
of  acres  might  be  made  profitable  in  this 
branch  of  horticulture  that  now  pay  neither 
interest  nor  taxes,  and  large  supplies  of  food 
for  man  obtained  with  more  certainty  than 
by  an  equal  amount  of  money  spent  and 
labor  applied  in  the  production  of  some 
other  crops. 

An  inducement  to  Nut  culture  is  that  so  little 
care  is  required  in  keeping  them,  while  fruits 
and  vegetables  reijutre  special  care  during 
winter,  when  the  former  are  most  required  and 
the  latter  least.  If  more  of  the  natural  products 
of  the  earth,  and  less  of  artificially  prepared  and 


A  Berrij  Picking  Device. 

adulterated  articles,  were  eat^n,  mankind  would 
be  much  better  for  it. 

The  Chestnut.  Wherever  these  will  flourish, 
it  may  safely  be  placed  at  the  head  of  all  Nuts, 
since  for  quality  it  is  unsurpassed. 

Some  of  the  Spanish,  or  seedlings  of  the  same, 
are  nearly  if  not  altogether  equal  to  our  natives 
in  quality.  Much  has  been  claimed  for  the 
Japan  Chestnuts,  but  those  we  have  fruited  are 
not  equal  to  some  of  the  Spanish,  either  in  size 
or  quality.  We  may  reasonably  conclude  that 
speaking  of  Spanish,  French,  Italian,  or  Japan 
Chestnuts,  is  as  indetinite  as  speaking  of  Apples, 
Pears,  or  any  other  fruits  from  these  countries 
as  all  Chestnuts  vary  when  grown  from  seed. 


New  varieties  will  no  doubt  be  produced  by 
cross-fertilization,  and  these  will  combine  many 
if  not  all  the  best  (|ualities  of  the  originals,  just 
as  has  been  done  with  so  many  other  fruits. 

Hoping  for  sut-h  results,  it  will  be  important  to 
have  new  varieties  i>roperly  named  and  classified 
the  same  as  other  fruits,  so  to  avoid  synonyms, 
improper  names,  and  the  dissemination  of  in- 
ferior varieties. 

The  Walnnt  and  Filbert.  The  Black  Walnut 
(Juiilaiia  nigra),  Hutteruut  (J.  cinerea),  English 
Walnut.  iJ.rcuia).  Pecan  (Carya  ulivfrfurmis), 
Shellbark  (Callia),  and  Filbert  {Cwyiws  ArellanaK 
are  no  doubt  susceptible  of  improvement  in  the 
direction  of  less  shell  and  more  kernel. 

Nut  culture  opens  a  wide  field  for  the  delicate 
process  of  hybridization  and  cross-fertilization, 
and  the  obstacle  should  be  no  greater  than  to 
hybridize  Wheat  and  Kye,  which  has  been  suc- 
cessfully accomplished. 

After  all,  the  raising  of  seedlings  is  like  a  lot- 
tery; manj'  blanks  are  drawn,  but  the  outlay  is 
not  expensive,  and  should  one  superior  variety 
be  produced,  the  producer  may  consider  himself 
a  benefactor  to  his  race. 

Beqairements.  The  different  Nuts  require 
various  soils  and  locations;  Walnuts  nourish 
best  in  rich  loam ;  Butternuts  thrive  in  similar 
soils;  both  bear  transplanting  well.  Pecans  and 
Shellbarks  have  long  and  heavy  tap-roots,  and 
must  be  carefully  managed ;  they  should  be 
transplanted  once  or  twice  in  the  nursery,  and 
by  cutting  off  part  of  the  tap-root,  they  will 
throw  out  side  roots,  after  which  there  is  little 
risk  in  their  removal.  Wherever  the  Peach  and 
Mazzard  Cherry  flourish,  the  Chestnut  will  suc- 
ceed, i.  e.,  in  light  soils,  either  sand,  slate  or 
gravel.  Pennsylvania  has  large  areas  of  Chestnut 
forest  which  are  cleared  once  in  twenty  or 
twenty-flve  years  for  the  timber,  but  the  Nuts 
on  such  trees  do  not  amount  to  much,  as  the 
woods  grow  too  dense,  and  the  Nuts  are  small. 
But  a  new  departure  has  been  made  which,  we 
trust,  will  spread  extensively.  After  clearing 
the  land,  when  the  sprouts  are  of  one  season's 
growth,  they  are  grafted  with  some  improved 
variety,  at  such  distances  as  trees  should  stand 
were  they  planted  for  fruiting,  and  all  the  rest 
are  destroyed  and  kept  down.  The  oldest  of  these 
trees  are  now  but  two  seasons'  growth  since  they 
were  grafted,  but  some  have  ah-eady  borne  fruit, 
and  indications  are  that  in  a  comparatively  short 
time  there  will  be  Nut  orchards  in  full  bearing, 
instead  of  timber  forests. 

I  predict  that  in  less  than  a  decade  there  will  be 
a  boom  in  this  direction,  in  our  state  at  least. 


CONDENSED  GLEANINGS. 

Eew  Tree  Seedling.  So  far  as  is  known  the 
Kew  tree  (Qinkno  adiantifolUt)  is  the  sole  sur- 
viver  of  an  otherwise  extinct  race.  It  is  a  native 
of  China  and  Japan,  and  the  type  one  of  unfath- 
omable antiquity,  and  the  wonder  is  how  the  one 
living  represe.sentative  could  have  held  its  own 
and  survived  through  so  many  changes  of  climate 
and  other  conditions.  With  few  or  no  exceptions 
the  tree  is  best  suited  to  withstand  the  pernicious 
atmosphere  of  crowded  towns,  its  thick  leathery 
leaves  and  their  thick  epiderm  enabling  it  to 
resist  the  smoke  and  other  atmospheric  impuri- 
ties. The  fan-like  leaves  are  borne  in  tufts  on 
the  ends  of  short  spurs,  like  those  of  an  Apple 
tree,  and  in  autumn  before  they  fall  they  turn  a 
beautiful  golden-yellow.  The  male  catkins  are 
produced  at  the  end  of  similar  spurs.  The  female 
flowers  are  on  different  trees  to  the  male,  and 
ripen  into  an  ovoid  berry-like  fruit;  placed  at  the 
end  of  a  long  stalk.  Pollen  from  a  male  tree, 
therefore,  is  required  for  purposes  of  fertiliza- 
tion, or  a  cion  from  the  female  tree  may  be 
grafted  on  the  male,  or  ince  versa.  The  tree  is 
usually  propagated  by  layers,  but  also  by  seed. 
The  mode  of  germination,  as  shown  in  sketch  is 
almost  exactly  like  that  of  an  Oak,  but  primary 
leaf -scales  are  3-seriate.— Gardeners  Chronicle. 

Aqnarinm  Tank.  A  very  elaborate  and 
beautiful  affair,  which  is  reaUy  a  joy  forever,  if 
one  cares  to  stand  the  expense,  can  be  made  by 
a  cooper.  This  should  Ije  constructed  of  heavy 
Ash  or  Oak  staves  with  a  false  bottom,  the  upper 
one  not  too  hea^'y.  well  perforated  with  two  inch 
holes,  and  should  be  about  six  inches  from  the 
true  bottom,  leavnng  about  eighteen  inches  clear 
space  at  the  top.  Plant  the  roots  in  the  bottom 
space,  fill  with  dirt  as  in  the  other  instances, 
mount  on  large  strong  castors  and  you  have  a 
very  cheap  and  large  aquarium  in  which  many 


beautiful  lish  and  water  animals  may  be  kept 
which  could  not  be  made  to  thrive  in  an  ordinay 
a(]uariuni,  e\'en  with  a  fountain  and  a  constant 
supply  of  fresh  water.  In  ours  we  have  many 
kind  such  as  spoon-bill  cat,  gars,  shovel-noses, 
and  the  like,  the  plants  keeping  the  water  natur- 
al for  them.  Orange  Judd  Farmer. 

Capturing  English  Sparrows.  Mr.  W.  T.  Hill, 
our  sparrow  catcher,  has  caught  more  than  ever 
the  past  season,  about  30,(KX),  but  it  cost  him 
more  time  and  trouble,  though  his  greater  skill, 
acquired  by  constant  practice  of  three  years  or 
more,  enables  him  to  catch  them  much  more 
readily  than  at  first.  He 
captures  a  great  many  now 
at  night.  Learning  of  their 
roosting  places,  he  gets 
permissson  to  enter  yards 
after  dark,  and  scoops 
them  in  by  the  hundred. 
It  is  no  uncommon  thing 
for  him  to  bag  500  between 
dusk  and  bed-time.  The 
demand  for  the  birds  from 
sporting  clubs  is  constant- 
ly increasing,  and  orders 
come  from  all  parts  of 
A  Damp  Inilicat(ir.     jjjg    country.     But     with 

all  the  demand  for  trap-shooting,  and  all  the  de- 
vices for  capturing,  the  little  pest  seems  to  hold 
his  own  in  this  city  at  least,  and  we  presume  the 
same  is  true  all  over  the  country.  There  is  a 
chance  for  some  inventor  to  make  a  fortune  in 
divising  some  trap  that  will  catch  the  birds  more 
rapidly  than  anything  yet  invented.— Correspon- 
Indiana  Farmer. 

Thinning  Vegetables.  No  doubt  it  takes  nerve 
to  properly  thin  rows  of  vegetables,  and  throw 
thousands  of  thrifty  growing  plants  away.  I 
find  that  especially  so  with  Cabbage  plants  when 
grown  by  sowing  in  rows  right  where  the  crop  is 
to  grow.  Every  season  I  have  to  puU  up  and 
throw  away,  or  feed  to  the  hens,  thousands  of 
most  excellent  plants,  such  as  you  could  not 
often  buy  even  of  skillful  growers  or  dealers- 
plants  of  the  very  choicest  varieties,  too.  But 
as  I  do  not  attempt  to  sell  Cabbage  plants,  or 
make  any  effort  to  find  buyers  for  them,  I  have 
to  throw  or  give  the  surplus  away  as  soon  as  my 
rows  need  thinning.  In  order  to  accomodate  a 
neighbor  or  an  aquaintance  with  my  surplus,  I 
often  postpone  the  job  of  thinning  much  too 
long  for  the  best  of  my  patch.  But  when  the 
crowding  plants  are  removed,  it  is  astonishing 
to  see  how  rapidly  the  remaining  ones  grow.  I 
always  leave  a  few  plants  standing  between 
those  that  are  left  to  form  heads.  This  enables 
me  to  fill  the  vacancies,  should  they  accur  by 
accident  or  mischief-making  insects.  -Correspon- 
Farm  and  Fireside. 

A  Damp  Indicator.  Mr.  F.  W.  Beck,  a  florist 
at  East  Grinstead  is  the  inventor  of  the  in- 
strument here  illustrated  for  registering  the 
amount  of  moisture  in  the  atmosphere  of  plant 
houses,  dwellings,  machine  rooms,  and  other 
places  where  injury  is  done  by  an  excess  of  damp 
when  the  excess  is  not  suspected.  We  have  been 
informed  that  a  damp  bed  suggested  the  produc- 
tion of  something  that  would  indicate  whether  a 
"  strange  bed  "  was  damp  or  not.  The  instru- 
ment has  been  found  useful  in  that  and  many 
other  respects,  and  is  largely  sold  in  this  country 
and  America.  It  is  so  sensitive  that  when  the 
case  is  opened  the  indicator  moves  by  the  action 
of  the  breath,  just  as  the  mercury  in  a  thermo- 
meter rises  under  the  influence  of  heat  applied 
in  the  same  manner,  the  extent  of  damp  being 
determined  by  the  figures  to  which  the  small 
thread-like  detector  points.— Journal  of  Hort. 

Berry  Picking  Device.  The  berry  picking 
arrangement  shown  herewith  is  used  on  a  fruit 
farm  in  Baraboo,  Wis.  A  visitor  describes  it  as 
follows :  A  little  device  that  interested  me  was  a 
picking  box  or  form  into  which  the  berry  box 
was  placed  while  being  filled  with  Blackberries 
or  Raspberries  by  the  picker.  The  box  was  made 
of  tin  of  a  suitable  size  to  receive  the  quart  box. 
The  box  has  a  hinged  cover,  with  a  funnel- 
shaped  hole  through  which  the  fruit  is  dropped 
into  the  berry  box  within.  There  is  a  slot  on  one 
side  for  the  strap  which  goes  around  the  picker's 
waist.  This  box  prevents  loss  in  picking  berries, 
and  being  held  by  a  strap,  both  hands  are  left 
free  to  gather  the  fruit.— Orange  Judd  Farmer. 

The  Seed-Potato  Puzzle.  Experience  of  my- 
self and  others  in  this  region  has  been  that  whole 
tubers,  with  similar  cultivation  and  care,  pro- 
duce more  large  Potatoes  than  cut  sections.  The 


i8o 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


May, 


finest  lot  of  Potatoes  I  ever  saw  was  grown  on  a 
deep,  rich  meadow  soil,  with  the  old  grass-sod 
recently  ploughed  down,  and  manured  in  the 
rows.  Whole  tubers  were  used  for  seed,  and 
these  were  selected  from  the  entire  crop  of  the 
previous  year.  As  this  system  had  been  follow- 
ed for  several  successive  seasons,  always  select- 
ing the  largest  and  most  perfectly  formed  speci- 
mens, the  crops  gradually  became  more  and 
more  regular  in  form.— Josiah  Hoopes,  in 
New  York  Weekly  Tribune. 

Cyclamens.  In  these  plants  you  have  some- 
thing delicate,  always  choice  and  pleasing,  both 
in  the  beautiful  foliage  and  flowers,  and  in  per- 
fume, though  it  Is  not  strong.  The  most  com- 
mon color  is  white,  with  a  rosy  tip,  but  new 
shadings  and  stripes  are  being  produced  con- 
stantly. Tbis  plaut  should  have  considerable 
leaf-mould  in  the  soil,  and  little  or  no  manure. 
Place  the  crown  of  the  bulb  above  the  soil,  and 
remove,  by  means  of  a  wet  sponge  or  cloth,  the 
dust  as  it  accumulates  on  the  leaves.  This  plaut 
cannot  fail  to  give  satisfaction.— Agriculturist. 

The  Turtle  in  the  Greenhouse.  One  of  the 
most  useful  requisites  of  the  greenhouse  is  one 
of  our  common  box-turtles.  Turtles  are  con- 
stantly on  the  alert  for  insects,  their  special  de- 
hght  being  slugs,  snails  and  wood-lice,  the 
gardener's  worst  pests.  One  turtle  will  do  the 
work  of  a  house  thoroughly,  a  work  that  takes 
the  time  and  ingenuity  of  the  gardener,  and  is 
rarely  half  done.  In  the  greenhouse  the  turtle 
is  qinte  at  home,  never  in  the  way,  and  always 
at  work.— American  Agriculturist. 

Sunflower  Hedge.  A  very  pretty  and  service- 
able hedge  for  one  season  may  be  made  by  plant- 
ing Sunflowers  one  foot  apart  with  Morning 
Glories  between  and  training  the  vines  across  the 
spaces.  Sunflowers  are  sometimes  used  in  like 
manner  for  Bean  poles  and  may  be  made  to 
serve  as  a  trellis  for  Tomato  vines.— Correspon- 
dent Farm  and  Home. 

Sheep  and  Orchard.  Make  a  movable  fence  to 
inclose  say  one-sixth  or  one  quarter  of  an  acre 
at  a  time  for  fifty  sheep,  and  feed  and  pasture 
upon  it  three  or  four  days,  and  then  move  on. 
Food  being  given  in  addition  to  pasture,  the 
manuring  the  land  gets  will  be  worth  more  than 
to  apply  sheep  manure  from  under  a  shed.— 
Practical  Farmer. 

■  No  Joking  Matter.  For  these  good  and  sufli- 
cient  reasons  we  ask  t^ll  the  respectable  news- 
papers to  join  with  us  in  absolutely  refusing  to 
publish  lottery  announcements,  quack  notices, 
snide  jewelry  offers  and  pretty  typewriter  jokes. 
They  all  belong  to  the  same  category  and  should 
be  suppressed.— Western  Plowman. 

When  to  grow  Potatoes.  A  successful  eastern 
farmer,  who  made  his  money  in  Potatoes,  always 
planted  heavily  when  Potatoes  were  cheap  in  the 
spring,  and  lightly  when  seed  was  dear  in  the 
spring.  Everybody  plants  when  seed  is  dear, 
and  rice  rcrsa.— American  (jarden. 

Fine  Native  Trees.  The  Oak,  Sassafras,  Chest- 
nut, Walnut  and  Cherry  from  the  clearing,  all 
are  excellent  shade  trees  for  the  lane,  the  lawn, 
and  around  the  farm  building .  No  use  of  send- 
ing to  the  nursery  if  these  are  in  your  own  wood- 
land.—Farm  Journal. 

Danger  in  Cider.  A  barf  el  of  "hard"  cider  in  your 
cellar,  an  unprincipled  hired  man  who  likes  to  take  a 
drink,  a  boy  you  love,  what  a  beautiful  combination 
with  which  to  mauufacture  a  broken  heart  !—R.  N.  Y. 

The  Hog  as  Insect  Foe.  Several  Apple  orchardists 
wHl  this  year  borrow  their  neighbors'  hogs  to  eat  the 
fallen  Apples.  As  an  Apple  Insecticide  the  hog  Is  a  pro- 
nounced success.— California  Fruit  Grower. 

Blessings  of  Rural  Life.  Talk  about  living  well : 
Why,  we  who  cultivate  the  soil  might  and  ought  to 
live  like  princes,  and  be  the  first  and  formost  men  of 
our  land.— J.  M.  Smith  In  Country  Gentleman. 

An  Evergreen  Hedge.  This  is  a  thing  of  beauty,  If 
properly  taken  care  of;  and  if  properly  placed  It  will 
pay  for  itself  many  times  over  as  a  wind  break.- 
Western  Rural. 

A  good  Work,  One  hundred  thousand  young  shade 
trees  are  to  be  sent  from  Canadian  Experiment  Sta- 
tions to  farmers  in  the  Northwest  for  spring  planting. 

Usually  a  Paying  Crop.  J.S.  Stickney,  Wauwatosa, 
Wis., last  year  marketed  16  tons  of  Currants  from  three 
acres  of  ground;  net  receipts,  $S00.— O.  J.  Farmer. 

The  Gravenstein  Apple.  Gravenstein  Is  the  best 
keeping  and  shipping  Apple  for  an  early  market.  So 
says  the  New  York  dealer. 

Good  for  Almost  any  Crop.  Soap  suds  from  the 
weekly  lauudrylng  Is  also  good  for  the  Grape  vines.— 
Farmer's  call. 

The  Weak  always  First  Attacked.  Debilitated  Rose 
plants  are  the  first  choice  of  insects.— Ex. 


Vegetable  Products  on  the  Table 

Bananas  and  Strawberries.  A  few  Bananas 
sliced  and  served  with  Strawberries  and  cream 
improve  the  dish.  Carefully  heaped  together, 
the  Strawberries  and  Bananas  make  a  very 
pretty  dish —P.  F. 

Spinach  Greens.  Look  over  carefully,  picking 
leaves  from  stems.  Wash  and  cook  30  minutes 
in  salted  water.  Drain,  chop  fine,  return  to  the 
fire,  season  with  butter,  pepper  and  salt,  press 
into  a  mold  or  bowl,  turn  out  and  garnish  with 
sliced  egg.  —Western  Rural. 

The  TTse  of  Evaporated  Fruit.  No  evaporated 
fruit  should  ever  be  boiled  or  stewed, but  soaked 
in  tepid  water  from  eight  to  twelve  hours, 
sweetened  to  taste  by  adding  sugar  for  syrup, 
and  melt  while  the  fruit  merely  simmers— not 
boils.  Thus  simmered,  evaporated  fruits  will 
retain  most  nearly  natural  color  in  preparation. 
^Am.  Grocer. 

Lettuce  Salad.  Take  the  yolks  of  three  hard- 
boiled  eggs;  add  salt  and  Mustard  to  taste;  make 
a  paste  of  the  eggs,  and  add  a  tablespoonful  of 
melted  butter;  mix  thoroughly,  and  then  add 
gradually  one  teacupful  of  vinegar,  and  pour 
over  the  Lettuce.  Slice  one  hard-boiled  egg  and 
lay  over  the  Lettuce.  This  is  sufficient  for  a 
large-sized  bead.— Ohio  Farmer. 

Boiled  Salsify.  Scrape  the  roots  and  throw  them 
into  water,  to  which  has  been  added  a  squeeze 
of  Lemon,  and  leave  them  for  an  hour.  Then 
put  them  into  boiling  salt-aud-water,  and  boil 
until  tender,  which  will  be  in  about  an  hour. 
Drain,  serve  on  toast,  covered  with  white  sauce. 
Salsify,  when  plainly  boiled,  may  be  cut  into 
inch  lengths,  and  served  with  any  simple  salad 
dressing  cold. 

Bhubarb  Pie,  Cut  in  short  pieces,  stripping 
off  the  skin,  and  pour  over  it  boiling  water, 
letting  it  stand  live  minutes,  then  pour  the  water 
oflf.  Mix  one  cup  of  sugar  with  a  large  table- 
spoonful  of  flour,  or  a  small  one  of  Corn  starch, 
upon  this  pour  enough  boilins  water  only  to  dis- 
solve each  ;  pour  into  the  pie  tin  or  plate,  pre- 
viously lined  with  crust,  and  into  this  syrup  put 
the  Pie  plant  as  thick  as  you  need.  Sprinkle  the 
top  with  dry  flour,  and  put  in  a  few  raisins  if 
liked,  a  little  grated  Lemon  or  Orange  peel  or 
extract  of  Lemon,  cover  with  a  thin  top  crust 
with  opening  for  the  steam  to  pass  out,  and  bake 
until  a  light  brown.— O.  C.  Farmer. 

Parsnip  Fritters.  Take  two  or  three  large 
Parsnips,  boil  them,  without  peeling  or  trim- 
ming, until  tender.  Mash  them  up,  and  then 
pass  them  through  a  sieve  to  remove  all  strings 
and  fiber.  To  every  quart  of  the  Parsnip  allow 
four  eggs,  well  beaten,  and  four  tablespoonfuls 
of  sifted  flour,  or  like  proportion  for  less  or 
more  Parsnips.  Beat  the  mixture  together, 
seasoning  to  taste  with  salt  and  pepper  and  a 
good  spoonful  of  fresh  butter  ;  when  it  is  very 
light,  drop  it  by  large  spoonfuls  into  boiling 
lard  and  when  well  browned  lay  on  a  hot  dish 
before  the  fire.  These  should  be  served  at  once, 
as  standing  don't  improve  anything  that  has  eggs 
in  it,  and  is  fried.  Some  people  eat  them  with 
sugar.— Good  Housekeeping. 

Asparagus.  The  nicest  way  to  serve  Aspara- 
gus is  on  toast  with  drawn  butter  poured  over  it. 
Boil  it  whole  in  water  with  a  little  salt.  Prepare 
some  nice  evenly-toasted  bread,  lay  the  Aspara- 
gus on  the  toast  and  season  it  with  pepper  and 
salt  and  a  very  little  butter.  Then  pour  over  it 
a  drawn  butter  sauce.  This  is  best  served  on  a 
platter,  as  one  piece  should  not  be  put  on  top  of 
another.  For  the  drawn  butter,  rub  one  table- 
spoonful  of  flour  with  one-quarter  of  a  pound 
of  butter,  put  this  in  a  saucepan  with  a  teaspoon- 
ful  of  milk,  set  this  in  a  dish  of  boiling  water 
and  shake  it  until  the  butter  melts  and  nearly 
boils.  It  tshould  come  to  the  boiling-point  but 
not  be  allowed  to  boil,  as  that  would  make  it 
oily  and  unfit  for  use.    Prairie  Farmer. 

Bhubarb  Shortcake.  This  can  be  made  the 
same  as  other  fruit  cake.  It  is  best,  however, 
when  cream  of  tartar  or  baking  powder  is  used 
for  the  crust  to  bake  the  crust  alone,  and  spread 
the  stewed  Rhubarb  between  the  layers  just 
before  sending  to  the  table.  For  a  family  of 
eight  this  quantity  will  suffice:  six  cups  of 
flower,  three  teaspoonfuls  of  baking  powder, 
butter  size  of  an  egg  rubbed  in  the  flour  with 
the  powder,  add  cold  water  or  sweet  milk  enough 
to  make  a  soft  dough,  bake  in  two  cakes ;  when 
done  split,  spread  with  Pie  plant  stewed  and 
sweetened,  with  flavoring  if  liked,  and  send  to 
the  table  hot.  Hard  sauce  of  butter  and  sugar 
can  be  eaten  with  it,  or  if  something  lighter  is 


preferred  for  sauce,  use  two  tablespoonfuls  of 
Corn  starch  dissolved  with  milk,  add  boiling 
water  sufficient  to  cook  it  clear,  then  add  one 
cup  of  sugar,  one  tablespoon  of  cream  or  butter; 
flavor  with  Lemon  or  Vanilla.— Orange  Co. 
Farmer. 


HOUSE   PLANTS. 

Annuals,  such  a.s  Balsam,  Aster,  etc.,  sown  in  boxes, 
may  be  used  as  window  plants  in  homes  in  crowded 
streets.  Rural  people  wlil  prefer  to  have  them  growing 
In  the  open  border. 

Azaleas  to  be  repotted  and  moved  out. 

Besonias  of  the  flowering  kind  will  be  suited  by  a 
position  in  a  sunny  window  kept  slightly  shaded.  They 
need  plenty  of  light,  yet  little  direct  sun&hlne.  Rex 
Begonias  need  about  the  same  treatment,  but  are  sat- 
isfied with  still  less  direct  sunlight. 

Cactus  to  be  shifted  at  once  If  needed  this  season. 
Many  varieties  may  be  bedded  out  to  advantage. 

Callas  may  be  bedded  out.  Turn  them  out  from 
their  pots,  and  pull  apart  all  those  that  are  large,  so  as 
to  reduce  them  to  a  desirable  size.  Prepare  a  shallow 
trench  and  manure  it  as  is  done  for  Celery.  This  gives 
every  chance  of  affording  the  Callas  plenty  of  moist- 
ure, as  they  may  be  flooded  occasionally.  The  distance 
at  which  to  place  them  in  the  trench  depends  on  the 
size  of  the  plants,  but  in  a  general  way  IS  Inches  to  two 
feet  Is  ample.  After  planting,  mulch,  which  will 
shade  the  ground  and  help  to  maintain  a  uniform  con- 
dition of  moisture. 

Camellias.  A  shady  place  out  doors  sheltered  from 
winds,  is  just  the  spot  for  them.  They  need  frequent 
watering  and  sprinkling. 

Chrysanthemums  should  now  make  rapid  growth, 
and  will  need  to  be  shifted  whenever  the  ball  of  earth 
appears  to  be  covered  with  masses  of  roots. 

Cyclamens  may  also  go  out  in  the  open  border, 
which  is  probably  the  easiest  way  to  carry  them 
through  the  summer. 

Fuchsias,  G-eraniums  and  other  house  plants  make 
handsome  pot  plants  for  fall  blooming,  if  propagated 
latter  part  of  the  month,  and  kept  pinched  back  for 
eight  weeks.  Wlnter-flowerlng  Fuchsias  should  be 
given  a  rest. 

G-eneral  Management.  The  easiest  way  to  manage 
all  house  plants  during  the  summer  months  Is  to  move 
them  to  the  open  border,  or  other  summer  quarters, 
the  hardier  ones,  like  Agaves,  Azaleas,  Oleanders,  Hy- 
drangeas, Daphnes,  etc.,  first,  and  at  the  end  of  the 
month  the  more  tender  ones.  All  larger  plants  can 
best  be  shifted  at  the  beginning  of  the  season's  growth. 
Neat  tubs  or  boxes  add  much  to  the  beauty  of  fine 
plants.  Most  of  the  house  plants  do  well  in  summer  In 
partial  shade.  If  left  In  pots,  labor  in  their  care  may 
be  saved  by  plunging  them  in  sand,  soil  or  coal  ashes. 

Hydrangeas  should  go  out  now.  Give  an  occa- 
sional dose  of  liquid  manure  to  induce  stronger  growth 
and  finer  flowers. 

Insects.  Syringe  frequently,  and  try  to  keep  the 
atmosphere  about  the  plants  as  moist  as  possible. 

Oleanders  to  be  treated  like  Hydrangeas. 

Oxalis  and  Ixias  when  done  flowering  should  have 
the  pots  turned  on  their  sides  to  ripen  the  roots.  Later 
shake  them  out,  wrap  In  paper  and  keep  them  dry. 

Palms  and  kindred  plants  make  the  best  of  house 
plants  for  the  summer  months;  but  it  Is  a  good  way  to 
bed  thf  m  out  with  all  the  rest  of  the  plants.  Shift  if 
needed.  This  Is  usually  not  required  oftener  than 
once  In  two  years. 

Petunias  for  fall  blooming.    See  Fuchsias. 


LAWN  AND    FLOWER  GARDEN. 

Annuals  of  all  kin<ls  may  now  be  sown  in  open 
border.  Sow  In  drills,  clumps  or  rings  rather  than 
broadcast.  Fine  seeds  need  not  be  covered  deep,  but 
the  soil  should  be  well  firmed  over  them.  All  seeds 
start  better  in  moist  soil  than  when  soil  is  kept  soaked 
all  the  time. 

Oaladium  esculentum  needs  rich  soil,  all  the  better 
If  nearly  one-half  manure.  Provide  this  and  plenty  of 
moisture  If  you  desire  to  get  the  enormous  growth  one 
sometimes  sees  on  city  lawns,  Cannas  may  be  treated 
same  way  for  similar  effect. 

Dahlias  to  be  planted  out  about  the  ndddle  of  month* 

DutchBulh  beds  when  done  blooming  ma>  be  cleared 
of  the  bulbs  by  digging  them  with  tops  and  what  soil 
will  adhere  to  the  roots,  left  on.  and  heeling  in  in  some 
out-of-the-way  place,  so  they  wilt  have  a  chance  to 
mature  properly.  The  beds  may  then  be  replanted 
with  otiier  bedding  plants. 

Evergreens  can  still  be  planted  with  safety  by  using 
the  simple  precaution  of  keeping  their  roots  moist 
while  out  of  the  ground. 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


181 


Ferns  should  bcplaiiltMl  early  lu  sha<iy  or  halfshatl.v 
places,  aud  in  light  well  drained  soil.  Many  of  our 
uatlve  sorts  are  quite  ornamental,  and  require  only 
a  little  care  in  watering  them  during  the  dry  season, 
slight  protection  during  winter,  and  an  occasional  top 
dressing  of  manure. 

General  Directions.  The  ground  between  the  plant* 
in  the  lK>rder.  etc.,  should  be  frequently  broken  and 
stirred,  which  can  usually  be  done  lu  the  easiest  ana 
most  effective  manner  by  means  of  a  narrow  steel  rake. 
For  deeper  tillage  a  hoe  may  be  used  occasionally. 
This  treatment  disposes  of  weed  growth  long  before  It 
can  become  troublesome,  and  will  stimulate  the  plants. 

Gladiolus  to  be  planted  at  least  three  inches  deep. 

Law^n  to  be  mowed  as  soon  as  a  little  growth  of  gras^ 
has  been  made.  Repeat  every  two  weeks  or  oftener. 
Keep  the  edges  tidj'  by  using  an  edging  knife  several 
times  during  the  season. 

Lilies.  A  mulch  of  Tobacco  stems  or  dust  two  or 
three  inches  thick  on  the  beds  will  tend  to  keep  the 
green  fly  away. 

Morning  Glories  are  very  serviceable  In  hiding 
stumps,  fences  and  otherunslghtly  objects.  In  beauty 
and  ease  of  cultivation  they  are  hardly  equalled  by  any 
other  climber. 

Perennials  of  most  kinds  may  still  be  transplanted 
by  exercising  due  care. 

Phlozes.  The  improved  hardy  sorts  make  excellent 
border  plants.    Support  by  stake. 

Planting.  Carnations,  Stocks.  Verbenas  and  all  other 
of  the  more  hardy  plants  may  be  set  in  border  or  bed 
without  further  delay.  The  tender  sorts,  like  Coleus. 
Altemantheras,  Tuberoses,  etc..  should  not  be  thus  eX: 
posed  until  we  are  sure  of  continued  warm  weather. 


PLANT    CULTURE    UNDER   GLASS. 

Air  to  be  given  in  abundance  to  all  plants. 

Achimenes  love  moist  are,  plenty  of  air,  warm  tem- 
perature and  a  somewhat  shaded  position. 

Aslors  and  Balsams  require  a  rich,  light,  sandy  soiL 
They  make  most  excellent  pot  plants.  Air  and  water 
freely,  and  do  not  let  them  become  pot-bound. 

Cinerarias.  If  any  plant  is  to  be  propagated, fill  the 
pot  almost  to  the  brim  with  sandy  compost,  and  when 
the  suckers  have  formed  root,  divide  and  pot  each 
separately. 

Fuchsias  that  have  flowered  during  winter  should 
now  be  allowed  some  rest  by  partially  withholding 
water.    See  also  under  House  Plants. 

Gloxinias  may  be  treated  as  ad^"ised  for  Achimenes. 

Orchids,  such  as  Dendrobiums,  Stanhopeas,  Aerides, 
Saccolablums,  Vandas.  etc.,  need  plenty  of  water  and 
moisture  In  the  atmosphere  at  this  time,  or  else  must 
necessaiily  suffer. 

Pelargoniums  to  do  their  best  and  remain  in  flower 
for  any  length  of  time  should  have  shade,  plenty  of 
air  and  not  too  much  heat. 

Propagation.  Heliotropes  and  Tropaeolums  for 
winter  flowering  may  be  propagated  towards  latter 
part  of  month;  also  a  general  collection  of  such  things 
as  will  be  useful  for  winter  decoration,  including  plants 
with  ornamental  foliage  and  for  ferneries,  also  Ivies, 
etc.    See  also  Fuchsias,  under  House  Plants. 

Shelves.  To  save  space  at  this  crowded  season,  Ly- 
copodiuni,  Linaria,  Moneyvlne,  Tradeseanthia.  etc., 
may  be  grown  on  narrow  shelves  placed  half  way  be- 
tween the  walk  and  the  bottom  of  the  benches.  Their 
growth  Is  not  much  retarded  by  the  shade. 

Summering  Plants.  Of  those  that  are  to  be  kept 
over  summer  In  pots,  many  kinds  can  go  outside  tow- 
ards last  of  month.  The  pots  should  be  plunged  In  soil 
or  other  material  to  prevent  their  drying  out  rapidly. 
Placing  them  on  a  deep  layer  of  coal  ashes  will  keep 
the  angle  worms  out. 

Watering  should  be  faithfully  attended  to  in  this 
season  of  rapid  growth  and  dry  atmosphere.  Allowing 
any  plant  to  become  thoroughly  dry  always  acts  us  a 
check  and  a  permanent  injury.  The  walks  in  green- 
houses and  conservatories  should  be  sprinkled  often, 
and  water  syringed  under  the  benches.  This  will  keep 
the  atmosphere  moist  and  discourage  the  red  spider. 


FRUIT  GARDEN  AND  ORCHARD. 

Blackberries.  Clean  up  the  patch,  and  get  ready  for 
the  fruiting  season.  Do  not  allow  the  rows  to  spread 
too  far. 

Insects  should  not  be  allowed  to  get  a  foothold. 
Spraying  the  trees  with  arsenical  solutions,  preferably 
of  Paris  green,  is  now  practiced  by  all  good  orchardists, 
and  it  will  dispose  of  the  codling  worm,  the  tent  cater- 
pillar and  all  other  leaf  eaters,  also  of  the  curcullo. 
For  the  latter  the  spray  may  be  thrown  upon  the  tree 
as  sc»on  as  the  first  leaves  appear.  Apple  trees  should 
be  sprayed  just  after  the  bloom  is  past.  Never  spray 
any  kind  of  tree  when  in  bloom,  as  this  would  endan- 
ger the  bees,  and  these  are  the  best  assistants  of  the 
fruit  grower.  Hunt  up  the  borers  and  kill  them;  also 
wash  the  Ixxlles  of  trees  near  the  ground  with  some 
strong  alkaline  solution.  Powdered  hellebore,  either 
dry  or  In  solution,  is  a  sure  remedj'  for  the  Currant 
worm.  Tobacco  tea  and  the  kerosene  emulsion  are 
sure  cures  for  green  aphis  or  plant  lice. 

Manoring.  It  is  not  too  late  this  month  to  apply 
some  concentrated  manure  to  crowd  the  Blackberry 
and  Raspberry  crop  to  a  higher  state  of  perfection. 
iSWpoundsof  dissolved  bone,  suupoimds of  sulphate  of 


potash  and  ^ftxi  pounds  of  nitrate  of  soda  will  make  a 
ton  of  mixture  which.  If  applle<l  to  the  plants  as  liber- 
ally as  you  can  afford,  will  make  all  hands  happy  at 
fruiting  time,  says  Mr.  J.  H.  Hale. 

Packages.  Always  make  provision  for  your  supply 
of  berry  boxes,  crates  and  all  other  fruit  packages  long 
before  they  are  actually  needed.  This  precaution  often 
saves  vexation  and  annoyance.  Mark  all  packages 
neatly  with  stencil  plate,  unless  you  expect  to  be 
ashamed  of  your  own  fruit. 

Pruning.  All  buds  on  budded  stock,  except  the  one 
inserted  should  be  removed  as  they  start  to  grow. 

Raspberries.  The  new  growth  of  canes  which  are 
to  furnish  the  fruit  next  year  should  be  pinched  off 
when  15  to  18  Inches  high.  Along  the  last  of  the  month 
or  early  In  June  they  grow  so  rapidly  they  are  likely  to 
get  two  or  three  feet  high  before  we  know  it  unless  we 
give  them  close  attention.  It  is  best  to  pinch  them 
back  just  at  the  right  time. 

Staking  and  tying  judlcously  will  often  straighten 
crooked  trees. 

Strawberries.  Cut  off  all  blossoms  or  fruit  stalks 
from  newly  planted  Strawberries  as  fast  as  they  appear. 
The  few  Inferior  berries  you  would  get  by  leaving  them 
would  not  begin  to  repay  the  loss  in  the  vigor  of  plant 
growth.  Start  the  cultivator  among  the  newly  set 
plants,  and  keep  the  weeds  out. 

Tillage.  Orchards  of  Peaches,  Plums,  Dwarf  Pears, 
and  gulnces  should  have  clean  cultivation  year  after 
year.  Harrowing  with  a  Disk  harrow  is  probably  the 
most  satisfactory  method  of  stirring  the  soil  between 
the  trees,  if  given  often  enough.  There  is  less  danger 
of  barking  the  bodies  of  trees  or  tearing  their  roots; 
and  it  requires  much  less  time  than  plowing.  Hoed 
crops  such  as  Beans,  Cabbages,  Potatoes  or  other  veg- 
etables may  be  grown  between  young  tiees.  Buck- 
wheat is  also  a  good  orchard  crop.  Give  the  necessary 
fertilizer  and  tillage  to  produce  good  crops  as  named, 
and  your  young  trees  will  also  do  well. 

Thinning  orchard  fruits  has  now  become  an  estab- 
lished practice  with  the  best  growers.  Try  it  at  least 
with  a  few  trees,  and  note  the  difference. 


VEGETABLE  GARDEN. 

Asparagus.  In  cutting  try  to  keep  away  with  the 
knife  from  the  crown  of  plants.  Don't  fail  to  set  out  50 
or  lOU  plants  for  home  use  if  there  Is  no  bed  on  your 
premises  now. 

Beans.  Begin  planting  the  bush  sorts.  ,  The  Llmas 
should  not  go  into  the  ground  until  this  has  become 
thoroughly  warm.  Then  plant  in  hills,  after  the  poles 
are  set,  from  four  to  six  Beans  around  the  pole,  after- 
wards thinning  to  two  or  three  of  the  best  plants.  We 
prefer  to  train  to  wire  trellis  and  plant  in  continuous 
row,  rather  thickly,  thinning  to  about  six  or  eight 
Inches  apart. 

Beets  may  be  sown  any  time  this  month,  and  up  to 
early  June  if  for  winter  use. 

Carrots  for  main  crop  to  be  sown  at  once.  Keep 
down  the  weeds  from  the  start. 

Cabbage  from  cold  frames  may  be  set  in  well  ma- 
nured soil  and  the  ground  kept  well  stirred. 

Celery.  The  seed  beds  should  be  kept  scrupulously 
clean  from  weeds,  the  ground  between  the  rows  fre- 
quently stirred  or  loosened  up,  and  the  plants  thinned 
where  at  all  thick.    Crow-ding  makes  poor  plants. 

Cucumbers  may  be  planted  in  open  ground  latter 
part  of  the  month.  For  early  a  few  hills  may  be  started 
now  under  glass  on  pieces  of  inverted  sod,  or  in  pots, 
to  be  transferred  to  open  ground  later. 

Dandelion.    Sow  seed  In  open  ground. 

E  gg  Plant.  Keep  the  plants  in  good  heat  right  along, 
transplant  in  old  Tomato  cans,  or  large  pots  or  boxes, 
and  transfer  to  open  ground  about  June  1st.  Potato 
bugs  are  very  fond  of  the  plant. 

Horse  Radish.  Sets  to  be  planted  between  rows  of 
Early  Cabbages. 

Hot-beds  to  be  kept  well  aired  and  watered.  When 
vacant  they  may  be  planted  withMelons  or  Cucumbers, 
one  hill  in  center  of  each  sash. 

Lettnce.  Sow  for  succession.  Transplant  In  rich 
soil  in  rows  12  or  15  inches  apart,  with  eight  inches  space 
between  the  plants. 

Melons  need  rich  soil  and  should  be  protected  from 
the  attacks  of  the  yellow  striped  bug.  By  all  means 
trj-  Emerald  Gem  of  the  Musk  varieties,  and  the  Volga 
of  the  Water  Melons  for  home  use. 

Onions.  Begin  cultivating  and  weeding  just  as  early 
as  the  rows  can  be  seen  plainly,  and  keep  it  up.  Prompt- 
ness here  Is  indispensable  to  success. 

Peas  of  the  first  early  smooth  kinds  can  now  be 
planted  even  at  the  extreme  north.  Seed  of  the  ten- 
derer, finer  wrinkled  kinds  is  apt  to  rot  In  the  ground 
if  sowed  when  this  is  yet  cold  and  wet.  Try  Bliss' 
Abundance,  Bliss'.  Everbearing.  Stratagem,  York- 
shire Hero,  etc.  All  these  are  most  excellent  sorts 
for  rich  soils.  Manures  containing  considerable  potash 
are  best  for  Peas.  The  very  dwarf  sorts,  like  Anterlcan 
Wonder,  should  be  plan  ted  on  the  very  richest  soil  only. 

Rhubarb  should  have  the  flower  stalks  broken  out. 

Squashes  to  be  planted  after  the  ground  has  become 
thoroughly  warmed  through,  and  on  rich  or  well- 
manured  soil  only.    Guard  against  the  striped  bug. 

Succession.  Always  plan  to  have  the  whole  ground 
occupied  with  a  desirable  crop  all  through  the  season, 
and  plant  of  the  quick  maturing  vegetables,  like  Rad- 


ishes, Peas,  Lettuce,  Beets.  Com,  etc.,  so  to  have  a  suc- 
cession as  long  as  desired. 

Sweet  Corn.  Plant  every  week.  By  proper  man- 
agenient  a  supply  maj'  be  had  imtil  frost,  and  a  lot  of 
fine  fodder  produced  for  the  cow. 

Sweet  Potatoes  to  be  set  latter  part  of  the  month  or 
early  In  June,  in  well-enrlched  ridges  four  feet  apart, 
with  18  to  24  Inches  space  between  the  plants. 

Tomatoes.  A  few  early  plant*  may  be  set  by  middle 
of  montii  if  the  ground  Is  warm  and  the  season  fair; 
but  they  need  watching,  and  perhaps  protection  during 
cold  nights.  The  main  crop  at  the  north  should  not 
be  planted  until  about  June  1st. 

Weeds.  Those  crops  planted  in  rows  can  now  be 
worked  by  some  hand  wheel-hoe,  lea\"ing  but  little 
hand  weeding  jo  be  done  In  the  rows,  but  this  little 
must  be  done  promptly.  In  a  few  days  weeds  w^Ill 
smother  a  crop  of  Carrots  beyond  remedy.  Begin  early. 


FRUITS  AND  VEGETABLES  UNDER 
GLASS. 

Cucumbers  in  frames  need  plenty  of  sim  and  light, 
and  careful  airing.    Look  out  for  cold  nights. 

Grapes.  Thin  the  vines  in  cool  houses,  but  do  not 
handle  the  berries.  Keep  the  early  crops  that  approach 
maturity,  rather  dry,  and  In  a  day  temperature  of  about 
TlT.  with  ti5«  at  night. 

Peaches  when  approaching  ripeness  need  less  syring- 
ing and  watering  at  the  roots.  Gather  the  fruit  before 
dead  ripe  and  keep  in  shallow  boxes,  keeping  In  a  dry 
airy  room  until  just  right  for  use. 

Pineapples  are  now  making  strong  growth.  Keep 
house  moist  by  frequent  applications  of  water  to  the 
walks,  etc.  Some  fire  is  yet  needed,  but  it  need  not  be 
very  brisk. 

Strawberries.    Plant  out  the  plants  after  fruiting. 


THE   POULTRY  YARp. 

Darken  the  Nest,  It  will  prevent  hens  from 
eating  their  eggs. 

No  success  without  Dry  Floor.  It  may  be  of 
brick,  or.  better  far,  rubble  mixed  with  cement. 

Bedding  for  Clucks.  Short  cut  straw,  dry 
sifted  ashes— all  these  are  good  for  bedding  in 
coops  and  broodeis,  and  should  be  renewed  ire- 
quently. 

Eggs  for  Hatching,    Use  no  eggs  for  hatching 

purposes  that  are  not  of  good  shape,  of  arerage 
size,  and  as  fresh  as  it  is  possible  to  oDtain  them. 
Never  handle  with  greasy  hands. 

Charred  Grain.  Charcoal  is  much  appreciated 
bj'  the  ff^wls.  The  best  is  formed  ot  charred 
grain.  <.orn  roasted  hke  Cotfee  and  ted  twice  a 
week  would  no  doubt  pay  for  the  trouble. 

Have  a  Place  for  Sitters.  It  is  best  to  have  a 
separate  apartment  for  sitters  in  order  to  pre- 
vent fighting  on  the  nests  and  breaking  the  eggs. 
Lice  also  thrive  under  sitting  hens,  and  ttie  nests 
should  be  well  dusted  with  Dubach  as  a  precau- 
tion.—Mirror  and  Fanner. 

Over  Attention  Hurtful.  My  wife  had  a  hen 
that  she  sat  on  thirteen  eggs  in  the  poultry  house 
and  looked  after  her  every  day.  Another  ben 
" stole ■"  a  nest  on  the  side  of  the  hill,  undera 
little  bush,  and  without  any  attention  brought 
otf  nme  fine  little  chicks,  while  the  other  only 
hatched  tour.— Ex. 

The  Mandarin  Duck.  When  in  full  summer 
dress,  the  male  of  the  Mandarin  duck,  from  the 
north  of  China,  is  said  to  be  tbe  most  beautiful 
bird  of  the  duck  tribe.  It  somewhat  resembles 
our  summer  duck  in  size,  shape  aud  color,  but  is 
infinitely  more  beauiiluJ.  These  ducks  were 
iutroduced  into  Holland  about  18.50. 

How  to  Feed  Bones.  The  hens  will  always 
prefer  bones  when  pounded  and  broken  into 
pieces  the  size  ot  a  grain  of  Corn.  Bone  meal, 
ground  bone  or  bone  that  has  been  bleached,  is 
not  alwa5's  acceptable,  but  fresh  bones  pounded 
will  be  preterred  by  the  hens  to  anything  else, 
and  often  inJuce  them  to  lay  when  many  other 
methods  fail. —Farm  and  Fireside. 

Health  for  the  Ducks.  Success  cannot  be 
attained  by  feeding  Corn  meal  and  water  and 
meat  scraps.  The  lood  of  the  duck,  when  rang- 
ing streams  and  meadows,  their  favorite  haunts, 
consists  of  irogs,  fish  worms,  insects,  ana  gram. 
With  this  diet  they  also  get  an  abundance  of 
gritty  material,  such  as  sand,  gravel  and  the 
Shells  of  small  shell  tish.— Farm  Journal. 

The  Fekin  Duck.  There  are  poultry  farms  in 
New  Jersey  and  elsewhere  where  Pekin  duck- 
lings are  raised  by  thousands  every  j'ear.  The 
owners- usually  soon  learn  that,  it  well  managed, 
there  is  more  money  in  raising  them  than  in 
raising  chicks  for  broilers.  At  least  this  is 
proven  by  the  fact  that  some  of  these  poultry 
people  have  been  raising  more  ducks  and  fewer 
chicks  every  year. 

Chicks  need  Warmth.  They  should  never  be- 
come chilled.  A  single  nights  crowding  together 
may  be  tatal.  When  you  go  to  the  brooder  in  tbe 
morning,  and  find  some  ol  them  dead  without 
apparent  cause,  it  means  that  they  have  crowded 
together  tor  warmth  and  the  life  crushed  out  of 
those  that  were  aown.  A  young  chick  is  as  ten- 
der as  a  young  baby.  In  tact,  it  is  really  naked, 
and  no  mode  of  feeding  will  undo  the  mischief 
from  lack  of  warmth. 


l82 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


May, 


CoTTespoitdtnts  are  urged  to  anttcipalr'  the  season  in  pre- 
senting questions.  To  ask,  for  instance,  on  April  16  or  20 
what  Peas  had  best  be  sown,  could  bring  no  answer  in 
the  May  issue,  and  none  before  June,  when  the  answer 
would  he  unaeuaonable .  Questions  received  tMifort  the  X'ith 
of  any  nn^nth  stand  a  good  chance  of  being  answertd  tn  the 
next  paper.  Not  more  than  three  questions  should  be  sent 
at  one  time.  Answers  tu  questions  bearing  on  tne  com- 
parative vaiue  of  implements,  etc.,  offered  by  different 
dealers  must  not  be  expected .  Neither  can  we  promise  to 
comply  tpiih  tne  request  sometimes  made  to  "pleufie  aTswer 
by  mail."  Inquiries  appearing  utithout  name  belong  to  the 
name  next  following. 

Rmlies  to  Inquiries  are  eai'nestly  requested  from  our 
readers.  In  answering  such  give  the  number,  your 
loaality  and  name,  the  latter  not  /or  puttlioation,  unless 
you  desire.     Write  only  on  one  aide  of  the  paper. 

1781.  Number  of  Vines  in  Grapery.  How  many 
vines  can  be  grown  in  a  lean  toUrapery  of  about  Ifi  by  9 
feet?  Is  it  aosolutely  necessary  to  prepare  a  border 
for  so  few  vines?— H.  L.  N. 

1782.  Pruning  the  Pear  for  Fruit.  Will  cutting 
back  the  shoots  increase  number  of  fruit  buds?  When 
is  best  time,  and  how  much  should  be  cut  back?  What 
other  fruit  trees  will  be  benerlted  by  cutting  back  ?— D. 
P. — Indiana. 

1783.  Eucharis.  What  Is  best  method  of  making  it 
bloom  ? 

1784.  Oestrums.    How  propagated  ?— Subscriber. 

178.T.  Market  for  Mushrooms.  With  constant  sup- 
ply wiiere  can  i  liuU  a  market,  and  at  what  price  and 
fluctuations?— W.  J.  A.,  A'.  Y. 

1786.  Snowdrop  Tree.  What  is  size,  hardiness  and 
amount  of  bloom  of  the  Halesia  in  the  latitude  of  Chi- 
cago, Illinois? 

1787.  Prunus  Tribulata.  How  will  it  succeed  in 
the  latitude  of  Chicago?— T.  H.  E.  Ills. 

1788.  Manetti  Rose  Stock.  What  is  the  difference 
between  this  and  the  Dog  Hose?  Which  is  best  for 
stock,  and  how  propagated?— L.  R.  H.,  Ilia. 

17S9.  Starting  Dahlias.  How  done  for  Boston 
market.- C.  E.  J.,  Mass. 

179U.  Moving  Large  Trees.  Can  Maple  and  Beech 
trees  S  to  5  inches  thick  be  moved  about  May  1st,  and 
how?— W.  U.  D.,  A',  r. 

1791.  Crops  in  Shade.  Can  any  vegetables,  fruits  or 
flowers  be  grown  successfully  In  the  shade;  if  so, 
which  are  they?— Mrs.  J.  T.C.,  31ass. 

1792.  Insects  on  House  Rose.  It  is  infested  by  spi- 
ders which  are  green,  not  red.  What  are  they,  and 
what  can  1  do  for  them?— Rose. 

1793.  Root  Grafts.  Is  it  true  that  fruit  trees  are 
much  better  if  grafted  on  whole  roots,  or  at  least  on 
the  crown  pieces,  ihan  on  sections  from  below  the 
crown?— Subscriber,  Mich. 

1794.  Low  Land  for  Onion  and  Celery.  How  made 
available?— D.  R.,  Ohio. 

1795.  Ferns  from  Seed.  How  sown  and  managed?— 
R.  T.  S. 

1796.  Exotic  Grape  Plants.  How  are  they  started 
from  single  eye?— Jai',,  Mo. 

1797.  Plugging  Trees  for  Disease.  Will  boring  holes 
in  the  trunk  of  fruit  trees,  and  fltllng  with  Iron,  blue 
vitriol,  or  sulphur  prevent  or  cure  disease?— Doubting 
Thomas. 

1798.  Preserving  Mushrooms.  How  Is  this  done  in 
simplest  manner?— G.  H.  K,,  Pa. 

1799.  Seeding  the  Lawn.  How  much  lawn  grass 
will  it  take  for  one. half  acre  of  new  lawn,  and  what 
kind?— P.  J.  Randall,  O. 

1800.  Potash  Salts  for  Strawberries.  When  should 
they  be  applied,  and  what  (luantity  per  acre?- J.  W.  D. 

1801.  Palm  Seeds.  Where  can  I  buy  them,  and 
when  is  best  time  to  sow?— E.  D.,  Wis. 

1802.  Wall  Flowers.  How  managed  after  flowering 
in  pots,  to  keep  them  tor  flowering  next  winter?- Geo, 
B.  D.,  Yancey  s  Mills,  Va. 

1803.  Household  Pests.  What  remedies  are  there 
for  carpet  beetles,  clothes  moths,  ants,  etc?- Warmoth. 

1804.  Rose  Leaf  Hopper.  Please  tell  me  a  remedy. 
— S.  T.  W.,  Columhus. 

1805.  Shade  for  Gooseberries.  Do  the  American 
varieties  need  shade?  If  so,  how  much,  and  at  what 
season?— A.  E.  B.,  Lena,  Itl^. 

IWe.  Book  on  Cold  Storage.  Where  can  I  get  a 
Ijook  on  building  mid  storage  houses  for  preserving 
frults?-J.  D.  B.,  Chvelaiut,  <). 

1807.  Gas  Lime.  Is  this  of  any  value  as  insecticide 
or  fertilizer?- J.  R.  S.    Delaware. 

1808.  House  Plants  in  Summer.  What  is  best 
method  of  summering  common  house  plants?— Wm.  S. 
H.,  New  York. 

1809.  Front  Fence.  Would  you  recommend  Arbor 
Vitae,  with  Irish  Junipers  placed  at  corners  and  at  gates 
to  represent  posts?  Maple  trees  are  on  outside  of  walk. 
— W.H.  N.,  Botkins,  O. 

1810.  Old  Man.  What  is  the  botanical  name  of 
a  bush  or  shrub,  called  "Old  Man."  Leaves  very  fine; 
bush  hardy,  2  or  feet  high.— J.  C.  M.,  Leechburg,  Pa. 

1811.  Oypripedium  Spectabile.  What  situation 
should  I  give  them  in  the  garden?  and  what  prepara- 
lion  of  bod  is  necessary  for  them?— Gardener,  Conn. 

1812.  Black  Knot  on  Plums,  etc.  What  is  its  true 
cause,  and  what  the  remedy?— H.  P.  .W.,  St.  Catha- 
rines, Ont. 


1813.  Geraniums  Ailing.  Plantsare  keptln  a  warm 
room;  blooms  all  blast;  leaves  curl  up,  and  then  die. 
What  remedy?— Mrs.  F.  W.  L.,  Ka7isas. 

1814.  Greenhouse  Heating.  What  Is  the  best  heat- 
ing apparatus  for  small  and  large  house?— C.  U.  C, 
Oshkosh,  Wis. 

1815.  Pruning  Pears.  How  much  should  standards 
be  cut  back? 

1816.  Duchess  Pear.  What  is  its  value  as  to  pro- 
ductiveness, form  and  quality? 

1817.  Horticultural  Literature.  What  is  the  best 
S5  investment  In  reading  matter  on  fruit  culture?— 

OVERISEL. 

1818.  Brading  Machine.  Where  can  a  machine  to 
brad  glass  In  ctmservatory  be  bought?— J.  N.,  Ontario. 

1819.  Christmas  Rose.  Where  can  It  be  obtained?— 
Mrs.  J.  J.  M.,  Texas. 

1820.  Grafting  Cherries.  Can  this  be  done  success- 
fully as  late  as  May?— C.  L.  D.  Illinois. 

1^21.  Growing  Lotuses.  Can  Lotuses  be  grown 
succcssfidly  in  a  large  wash  tub  sunk  into  the  ground? 

1822.  Sal  Soda  as  Fertilizer.  Will  this  do  in  place 
of  potash  for  Orape  Vines?- W.  J.  M..  Pontiac,  Ills. 

1823.  Trees  and  Berries.  How  close  to  fruit  trees 
can  Blackberries  and  Raspberries  be  grown  without 
detriment  to  the  tree?— Ga. 

1824.  Currants  in  Georgia.  Will  they  succeed  in 
garden  culture,  and  what  soil  would  they  requIre?-J. 
E,,  Augusta,  Ga. 

1825.  Annuals  for  Shady  Position.  What  flowers 
will  succeed  in  bed  at  north  side  of  house,  where  sun 
strikes  only  in  morning  and  evening?— J.  G.  S.,  Somer- 
ville,  N.  Y. 

1826.  Plums  for  Profit.  It  is  safe  to  plant  Spaulding 
and  Abundance  largely?— F.  S,  W.,  Bath,  N.  Y. 

1827.  Clematis  Disease.  What  remedy  can  you 
suggest  for  Clematis  out-doors?- W,  W.  D.,  N.  Y. 

1828.  Rhododendron  Culture.  Some  one  of  experi- 
ence please  tell  how  to  care  for  Rhododendrons.— W. 
J.  Miller,  Illinois. 

1829.  Sun  Scald  on  Roses.  Is  It  desirable  to  wrap 
the  stocks  of  imported  Tea  Roses  with  Sphagnum  Moss 
duiing  the  summer  to  protect  from  sun  scald?— J.  B. 
D,,  Natrona.  Pa. 

1^30.  Mushrooms  for  Market.  How  packed  for 
shipment  ?— W.  J.  A. 

REPLIES    TO     INQUIRIES. 

1,713.  Table  and  Koom  Decoration.  There  are 
several  books  published  upon  this  subject  and 
the  querist  cannot  do  better  than  consult  the 
eatalogiies  of  the  horticultural  publish  in  glhouses. 
But  why  does  he  not  send  his  queries  to  the 
editor?  He  would  find  the  various  writers 
willing  to  give  all  the  information  in  their 
power.  A  large  number  of  plants  are  available 
for  the  purposes  mentioned,  and  many  ot  them 
are  of  simple  culture.  Very  many  fail  in 
growing  window  pUmts  owing  entirely  to  their 
inability  to  it ttrnd  to  details.  The  beauty  of  a 
room  or  tablr  ;ils(Mlcpends  upon  the  amount  of 
taste  and  the  ability  to  arranfre  plants  to  the 
best  advantage  that  the  operator  may  possess. 
Among  plants  suitable  lor  tal>Ie  decoration  are 
Azalias,  the  Umbrella  Palm,  the  India  Rubber, 
Chama-rops  Fortune!,  the  Bourbon  Palm,  several 
of  the  Acacias,  Corypha  Australis,  Corculigo 
recurvata,  Cyperus  alternifolius,  Crotons,  Dra- 
caenas, and  many  others.  For  windows  we  have 
a  very  large  number  to  select  from,  as  Gerani- 
ums, Fuchsias,  Verbenas,  and  bulbous  plants, 
while  for  climbing  plants  there  are  the  vaiious 
kinds  of  Ivies,  the  Cypress  vine,  the  Balloon 
vine.  Sweet  Peas  and  many  others.  The  above 
are  only  mentioned  to  aid  in  a  selection— H.W.S. 

1,814.  Greenhouse  Heatingr.  There  are  a  large 
number  of  firms  who  manufacture  boilers  for 
both  hot  water  and  steam  heating,  and  each  of 
them  claims  to  have  the  best  system.  We  are  not 
aware  that  impartial  comparative  teste  have 
been  made  with  any  of  these,  for  the  reason  that 
it  would  be  not  only  a  delicate,  but  also  an  ex- 
pensive undertaking  to  settle  <lefiiiitely  the  true 
merits  of  each  of  these  boilers  and  their  com- 
parative value.  On  general  luiiu-ipk-  we  believe 
in  hot  water  heating  for  very  Ismail  houses,  and 
conditionally',  in  stfuin  heating  for  hu'^^c  liouses; 
but  at  present  w*  can  do  little  el.'-;e  t)ut  advise 
our  imiuirer  to  apply  to  the  various  advertising 
manufacturers  of  heating  apparatus  for  their 
catalogues  and  prices,  and  then  make  such  a 
selection  as  his  own  judgment  would  dictate. 
He  can  not  go  entirely  amiss,  as  no  reliable  firms 
now-a-days  would  send  onfaii  apparatus  of  this 
kind,  that  would  not  do  good  service  if  properly 
put  up  and  managed. 

1,810.  Old  Man.  This  is  probably  an  Artemisia, 
the  well-known  Southern  Wood^  A.7'temesia  Ahro- 
tanum,  with  finely  divided  leaves-having  a  fra- 
grant, aromatic  odor.  The  common  Kosemarj', 
Rofimarlnu!<  otRcinalis,  from  which  the  oil  used  in 
making  the  fragrant  waters  (Eau  de  Cologne)  is 
derived  by  distillation,  sometimes  goesundei  the 
common  name  "Old  Man."— Gr.  R. 

1,753.  Fish  Oeraniums  not  Blooming.  The 
cause  of  the  trouble  most  likely  is  that  the  plants 
are  stimulated  too  highly,  and  have  altogether 
too  much  root  room.  Treat  them  a  little  less 
liberally  in  these  directions,  and  you  will  prob- 
ably get  bloom.— G.  K.  | 


1,801,  Palm  Seed.  Aug.  Rolker  &  Sons,  44  Dey 
street.  New  York,  are  wholesale  dealers  in  flower 
and  tree  seeds,  and  import  Palm  and  similar  seeds 
on  order,  but  we  do  not  think  they  keep  the 
latter  in  stock.  Spring  is  the  usual  time  for  sow- 
ing Palm  seeds.— G.  R. 

1,795.  Raising  Ferns  from  Seed.  Some  of  the 
commoner  kinds  of  Ferns  come  readilj''  from 
self-sown  spores  when  there  happens  to  be  a 
damp  surface  under  ornear  where  the  pots  are 
stood.  In  the  case  of  such,  says  a  foreign  ex- 
change, unless  where  large  numbers  are  required, 
there  is  no  necessity  for  making  any  special  pro- 
vision for  raising  them.  But  there  are  many 
species,  comprising  the  rarest  and  most  prized 
kinds,  that  are  very  seldom  obtainable  unless  the 
spores  are  gathered  at  the  right  time  and  sown. 
Where  stock  of  any  particular  sort  is  to  be  raised. 
it  is  well  to  sow  as  soon  as  the  spores  are  ready. 
The  best  way  to  proceed  is  to  drain  some  moder- 
ate sized  seed-pans  and  fill  them  with  a  mixture 
of  sifted  peat,  broken  sandstone,  or  crocks,  and 
enough  sand  to  keen  the  material  sweet.  Fill  the 
pans  moderately  full,  press  the  soil  down  fairly 
firm,  make  the  surface  smooth,  and  then  water 
it  well.  The  spores  may  either  be  shaken  out 
from  the  fronds,  rubbed  off,  or  the  fronds  may 
be  taken  and  cut  into  small  pieces  and  sown  witn 
the  spores  attached  to  them.  In  either  case  sow 
moderately  thickly,  and  press  them  gently  with 
the  hand  on  the  soil.  The  pans  should  then  be 
stood  in  others  that  are  a  size  or  two  larger,  and 
that  are  water-tight,  so  as  to  hold  a  little  water. 
This  will  be  absorbed  by  the  pans  in  which  the 
spores  are  sown.  By  this  means  the  necessity 
for  giving  water  over-head  will  be  avoided,  and 
in  this  way  there  will  be  no  lianger  of  the  spores 
getting  washed  down  into  the  soil. 

1,808.  Summering  House  Plants.  A  good 
answer  to  this  query  is  given  in  Vicks'  Magazine. 
Whether  greenhouse  and  window  plants  in  gen- 
eral should  be  kept  in  their  pots  or  turned  into 
the  open  ground  for  the  summer,  says  our  con- 
temporary, depends  upon  what  is  desired  of  them. 
Probably  most  plants  can  be  trained  into  better 
form  in  pots  than  in  the  open  ground,  and  if  one 
does  not  care  for  the  labor,  but  seeks  the  best 
results  in  the  form  of  his  plants,  continuous  pot 
culture  is  best.  But  to  lessen  labor,  most  gar- 
deners now  turn  their  greenhouse  plants  out  of 
pots  and  into  the  open  border  for  summer,  and 
repot  about  the  fii-st  of  September.  As  a  rule, 
plants  are  cut  back  when  so  turned  out.  Aza- 
leas may  need  attention  to  pruning  some  little 
time  before  they  are  put  out.  We  prefer  to 
plunge  the  pots  of  Azaleas  in  sand  in  the  garden, 
and  not  turn  them  out,  though  some  gardeners 
do  so.  Before  these  plants  are  turned  out,  and 
when  they  have  done  blooming,  the  week  wood 
can  be  cut  out  and  the  shoots  shortened,  and  a 
top  dressing  of  about  an  inch  of  fresh  soil  be 
given  to  them. 

1,807.  Gas  Lime.  Some  time  ago  we  inquired 
of  Prof.  G.  C.  Caldwell  of  the  t'hcmical  Depart- 
ment of  Cornel!  University  about  the  value  of 
gas  lime.  The  following  is  an  extract  of  his 
reply :  Gas  lime  is  composed  chiefiy  of  carbon- 
ate of  lime,  and  varying  quantities  of  sulphate 
of  lime  or  ordinary  plaster,  sulphite  and  sulp- 
hide of  lime,  and  more  or  less  unchanged  lime. 
The  sulphite  and  sulphide  are  harmful  to  vegeta- 
tion ;  but  on  exposure  of  the  gas  lime  for  a  con- 
siderable time  to  the  air,  they  become  changed 
to  the  useful  sulphate.  The  carbonate  is  of 
little  value,  and  only  the  sulphate  and  the  un- 
changed lime  can  be  considered  of  any  use.  I 
do  not  value  the  material  much  as  a  fertilizer; 
for  after  an  exposure  to  the  air,  to  render  the 
sulphide  and  the  sulphite  harmless.the  unchanged 
lime  will  also  in  this  time,  be  converted  to  car- 
bonate so  that  only  the  sulphite  is  left  to  be  use- 
ful, and  if  I  were  going  to  use  land  plaster  I 
would  prefer  to  buy  it  outright,  and  know  what 
I  have.  As  an  insecticide  its  use  would  be  dan- 
gerous, because  of  its  etfects  upon  the  plant 
itself,  unless  it  has  been  well  aired,  and  as  for  its 
usefulness  in  this  lespect  after  being  thus  aired, 
it  w<tuM  l)e  same  as  a  mixture  of  plaster  and 
chalk.  Some  few  farmei"s  report  good  results  with 
gas  lime  as  a  fertilizer,  but  not  many,  and  others 
report  the  crops  killed  to  which  it  was  applied. 

1,820.  Grafting  Cherries.  We  have  done  this 
repeatedly  in  May  with  entire  success,  even  in  as 
mild  a  climate  as  that  of  N.  J.  The  following 
statement  is  credited  to  Prof.  J.  L.  Budd  of  Iowa: 
When  a  few  essential  conditions  are  regarded,  I 
have  found  the  Cherry  quite  as  easy  to  graft  as 
the  Apple.  The  Main  requisite  in  top-working  is 
to  have  the  cell  structure  of  stock  and  cion  in 
the  same  condition.  To  secure  the  dormant 
stock  we  must  graft  early,  yet  the  success  will 
hinge  upon  the  condition  of  the  cion.  On  this 
same  iTineiple  we  ran  graft  the  Cherry  when 
the  buds  have  starti-d  in  the  spring,  if  we  cut  the 
cions  as  needed  from  treesabout  equally  .started. 
As  to  rout  gia  fling,  the  same  prinei  pie  holds  good; 
cions  mu.vt  l)e  in  about  the  same  <-ondition  as  to 
starting  eireulation.  If  both  are  la  the  dormant 
fondition  ami  the  root  grafts  are  kept  in  a  cold 
eelhir  where  (liey  will  not  start  until  they  are 
set  in  nursery,  nearly  all  will  grow.  The  past 
summer,  we  saved  95  per  cent  of  all  the  Cherry 
root  grafts  put  out. 


1890. 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


>83 


1,823.  Trees  and  Berries.  Jtuch  will  depend 
on  kind  of  trees  and  their  ai?e.  It  the  trees  are 
of  slow  (frowtb.  Apples,  Plums,  Cherries,  etc., 
and  newly  set  out.  Blackcap  Kaspberries  mijfht 
for  a  few  years  be  set  as  close  as  four  feet  to 
them,  but  on  general  principles  it  would  be 
better  even  than  to  stay  at  a  little  more  respect- 
ful distance.  .-\11  suokorin(t  bush  fruits,  like  Red 
Hasplx'rries  and  especially  lilackberries,  are  too 
apt  to  encroach  upon  the  trees,  and  deprive  them 
of  room,  food  and  moisture,  to  allow  of  being 
planted  very  close  to  the  trees,  even  when  these 
are  newlv  planted.  We  would  plant  all  such, 
and  preferably  even  Blackcaps,  only  in  rows  be- 
tween the  tree  rows,  not  in  the  latter  rows  them- 
selves, and  have  the  bush  fruit  rows  not  less 
than  eight  feet  apart  from  the  tree  rows.  A 
combination  of  this  kind  will  do  very  well  for  a 
number  of  years,  provided  that  the  necessary 
amount  of  fertilizer  is  put  on  the  land,  to  feed 
both  trees  and  bush  fruits.— (3.  K. 

I.SS*.  Currants  in  Oeorgia.  We  have  no  doubt 
that  Currants  would  succeed  with  you  under 
garden  culture  if  planted  in  good  loam  and  in  a 
cool  half-shady  situation.  We  believe  you  will 
Und  the  north  side  of  a  fence  or  wall,  or  a  gar- 
den with  only  trees  enough  to  slightly  temper 
the  fierceness  of  the  summer  sun.  just  the  place 
where  Currants  will  do  their  best  with  you.  At 
least  it  is  worth  the  trial.— G.  R. 

1.821.  Orowine  Lotnaes.  Yes,  Lotuses,  like 
Water  Lilies  and  other  aquatic  plants,  can  be 
grown  in  wash  tubs  sunk  into  the  ground.  It 
will  be  necessary,  however,  to  have  the  tub 
strong  and  well-hooped,  so  it  will  not  be  liable  to 
give  out.  The  culture  being  same  as  Water 
Lilies,  we  quote  the  following  hints,  concerning 
ponds  and  tubs,  from  O.  J.  Farmer  :  Many  per- 
sons are  not  aware  of  the  ease  with  which  Water 
Lilies  can  be  made  to  grow  and  bloom  in  all 
their  beauty  and  fragrance  in  the  yard,  with  the 
trifling  cost  of  constructing  a  small  pond,  or 
sinking  in  the  ground  an  old  tub,  or  barrel  sawn 
in  halt,  and  kept  filled  with  water  during  the 
summer,  covering  up  with  straw  and  boards 
in  the  winter  to  keep  from  freezing.  The  ponds 
should  be  made  about  two  feet  deep;  for  Lilies 
bloom  better  in  shallow  than  in  deep  water.  Get 
some  healthy,  knotty  roots,  cover  but  slightly 
with  rich  mud,  till  with  water,  and  the  job  is 
ended.  For  tubs,  take  any  strong  barrel  free 
from  tar,  oil  or  salt ;  old  molasses,  or  whiskey 
barrels  are  about  the  best,  for  the  nature  of  their 
contents  presupposes  them  strong  and  well 
hooped.  If  an  old  wagou  tire  he  driven  snugly 
on  the  bottom  and  tlie  tub  well  painted,  they 
will  last  a  dozen  years  or  more.  Xow  saw  the 
barrel  in  two  at  the  bung,  fill  eaclj  half  full  of 
fine  loam,  or  if  the  barrel  be  a  large  one,  only 
fill  about  a  third  full,  lay  in  the  roots,  straighten 
out  the  small  fibers,  and  cover  to  the  depth  of 
about  two  inches,  and  if  it  is  intended  to  put 
fish  in,  overlay  with  coarse  gravel  to  prevent  the 
fish  from  burrowing  down  and  exposing  the 
fibrous  roots  until  all  are  well  set.  Now  sink 
the  tub  to  a  level  with  the  ground,  and  fill  very 
gently  with  rain  or  river  water ;  well  water  is 
not  natural  to  acquatic  plants.  I  venture  that 
ninety  per  cent  of  the  failures  to  grow  plants  in 
this  way  are  the  result  of  using  well  water.  Re- 
plenish the  tubs  with  water  from  time  to  time, 
to  supply  evaporation;  this  is  all  the  care  they 
need.  If  desirable,  these  tubs  may  be  set  on  a 
platform  on  rollers,  instead  of  sunk  in  the 
ground,  and  can  thus  be  kept  indoors  during  the 
winter.  Kept  filled  with  water,  they  will  come 
out  early  in  the  spring.— G.  R. 

1.822.  Sal  Soda  as  Fertilizer.  Sal  soda  is 
merely  an  impure  carbonate  of  soda.  Its  direct 
fertilizing  value  depends  on  the  amount  and 
character  of  its  impurities.  For  many  domestic 
purposes  this  washing  soda  serves  as  a  substitute 
for  potash ;  but  plants  will  hardly  be  thus  put 
off.  If  derived  from  sea  weed,  one  of  its  im- 
purities, most  likely,  will  be  potash,  and  this 
alone  can  impart  to  the  material  any  value  as 
direct  plant  food.  This  value,  however,  will 
hardlv  be  large,  and  it  is  very  uncertain  at  best, 
as  sal'soda  is  very  variable,  and  may  not  contain 
any  potash.  Of  course  it  would  not  pay  to  pur- 
chase it  for  fertilizing  purposes,  at  anything  like 
the  usual  rate  paid  for  it.— G.  K. 

1.826.  PlTuns  for  Profit.  We  have  a  favor- 
able opinion  of  the  Botan  Plum,  which  has 
been  sent  out  for  a  number  of  years  under  this 
name  by  eastern  nurserymen,  and  more  recently 
was  introduced  as  Abundance.  It  is  an  early 
and  sure  bearer  where  we  have  seen  it,  and  its 
fruit  quite  handsome  and  palatable,  although 
only  of  medium  size.  The  Spaulding  is  also  a 
sure  and  abundant  cropper  in  New  Jersey,  but 
we  have  no  means  of  knowing  how  it  will  do  else- 
where, and  we  are  not  by  any  means  fully  con- 
vinced of  the  value  of  the  fruit  for  dessert. 
Probably  it  will  be  good  for  canning  purposes. 
The  Botan,  however,  is  decidedly  promising 
both  for  home  and  market  growing,  and  we 
would  advise  our  inquirer  in  Western  New  York 
to  try  it  on  a  small  scale.  Until  more  definite 
data  are  made  known  of  the  behavior  of  the 
varieties  named  in  the  different  localities  (the 
same  as  with  all  other  new  fruits ),  it  would  be 
wise  to  depend  for  extensive  orchard  planting 
on  the  older,  known  to-be-reliable  standard  sorts, 
the  Lombard,  Bradshaw,  and  others  of  like  repu- 
titaon.— G.  R. 


1,827.  Clematis  Disease.  This  is  a  new  ail- 
ment, and  we  know  ii.<  yet  little  how  to  handle 
it.  We  are  afraid  that  ashes  and  lime  water  will 
be  of  little  avail,  as  the  marauders  are  safel.v 
imbedded  inside  of  the  galls.  It  will  do  no  harm 
to  make  the  trial,  however. 

1,7(10.  Propagating  Cbrysanthemnms.  The 
plants  throw  up  suckers  abundantly  from  the 
roots  soon  after  flowering.  These  are  cut  off 
below  the  surface  by  running  a  knife  into  the 
soil,  and  put  out  in  pots  or  bo.-ses  precisely  like 
cuttings.  Light  soil  with  a  layer  of  sand  on  top 
is  excellent.  The  tendency  of  these  plants  is 
toward  too  much  top  growth,  and  it  is  best  to 
take  top  cuttings  from  them  for  the  next  sea- 
son's flowering.  An  easier  way,  with  sufficient 
room  is  to  cut  off  the  old  plant  about  six  inches 
above  ground  after  lilooming,  and  later  take 
cuttings  from  the  new  shoots  which  spring  up. — 
Fred  W.  Card. 

1,744.  Propagatini;  Blackberries.  Cut  the 
roots  into  pieces  two  or  three  inches  long,  in  the 
full,  pack  in  sand  or  sphagnum  through  the 
winter  and  plant  out  in  spring;  or  the  roots  may 
be  taken  up  in  spring,  cut  and  planted  immedi- 
ately. The  former  method  is  more  generally 
recommended.  They  are  also  propagated  by 
transplanting  the  suckers.— F.  W.  C. 

1,746.  Bnbber  Tree  Cuttings.  These  do  better 
with  bottom  heat,  but  can  be  rooted  without  it. 
Plant  in  coarse  sand,  like  other  cuttings.  Cover- 
ing with  a  frame  of  glass  or  belljar  may  assist. 

1,751.  Budding  and  Grafting  Eoses.  Usually 
budded.  Insert  the  buds  on  young  wood  where 
the  bark  will  loosen  readily,  whenever  well 
formed  buds  which  have  not  started  into  growth 
can  be  had.  Such  are  generally  found  on 
branches  bearing  a  bud  or  flower.- F.  W.  C. 

1,767.  Bnd ding  Roses.  La  Marque  is  an  excel- 
lent stock  for  Marechal  Niel ;  the  roots  bear 
forcing  well.— F.  W.  Card. 

1,776.  Planting  Dablia.  Separate  the  tubers ; 
or  better  still  bring  them  in  early  in  spring  and 
just  cover  with  soil  in  shallow  boxes.  Take  off 
the  young  shoots,  with  a  little  piece  of  the  tuber, 
as  they  form  and  pot  them  off,  planting  out  later. 

1,737.  Hydrangea  Paniculata.  May  here  be 
propagated  from  cuttings  taken  in  the  latter  part 
of  July,  or  during  the  month  of  August.  At 
this  time  of  the  year  the  young  green  shoot  is 
beginning  to  get  firm,  and  it  is  found  to  strike 
best  when  in  this  condition.  The  cuttings  should 
be  about  three  or  four  inches  in  lenght,  and  the 
lower  leaves  should  be  removed  and  the  cuttings 
placed  in  pots  containing  a  good  sandy  soil. 
They  should  receive  a  good  watering  and  then 
be  stood  in  a  hot-bed  or  a  green-house,  where 
they  mav  receive  a  little  bottom  heat,  and  be 
protected  from  the  rain.  The  shoots  of  last 
summer  if  taken  off  with  a  heel  and  placed  in  a 
hot-bed  that  may  be  at  work,  will  grow.— H.  W. 
Smith,  Louisiana. 

1,776  Planting  Dahlias.  The  Dahlia  tubers 
may  be  planted  just  as  they  were  taken  up,  if  it 
is  desired  to  do  so,  and  it  is  not  required  to  in- 
crease the  stock.  But  treated  in  this  way  they 
would  be  rather  late  coming  into  flower.  The 
best  way  would  be  to  place  them  in  a  hot-bed 
just  as  thev  were  taken  up,  and  when  they  have 
made  shoots  two  or  three  inches  long,  to  divide 
them  into  as  many  pieces  as  plants  required 
taking  care  that  each  piece  possess  a  shoot.  It 
the  plants  are  divided  when  first  planted,  the 
risk  is  incurred  of  having  no  Dahlias  at  all,  as  no 
piece  will  grow  unless  it  contains  an  eye.— H.W.S. 

1,740.  Boses  in  Greenhouse.  The  imperfect 
buds  and  drooping  leaves  may  be  due  to  the 
want  of  sufBcient  moisture  at  the  roots.  If  they 
are  in  pots,  the  soil  has  probably  become  dry  in 
the  centre  and  the  water  finds  its  way  down  by 
the  side  of  the  pot  without  moistening  the  soil 
right  through  as  it  was  intended  to  do.  It  would 
be  well  to  examine  the  roots  and  if  the  cause  is 
as  suggested,  to  stand  the  pots  in  a  tub  of  water 
until  the  soU  becomes  thoroughly  moistened  If 
planted  out,  the  ground  should  be  pierced  with 
a  small  iron  bar  before  the  water  is  applied. 
Sometimes  the  cause  is  too  much  water.  Bad 
drainage  will  also  have  very  much  the  same 
effect  (irowing  the  Roses  in  close  damp  atmos- 
phere] and  then  opening  the  sashes  when  the  sun 
is  shining  strongly  will  cause  the  leaves  to  wilt 
owing  to  the  rapid  manner  in  which  the  moisture 
is  carried  off.— H.  W.  Smith,  La. 

1  745.  Propagating  Clematis.  The  Clematis  is 
generally  propagated  by  grafting  it  on  the 
Traveller's  Joy,  but  this  is  a  method  that  cannot 
be  successfully  employed  by  an  amateur.  It 
may  be  increased  from  cuttings  of  the  half- 
ripened  wood  taken  in  summer,  but  they  re- 
quire heat  to  enable  them  to  make  roots.  The 
best  plan  would  be  to  layer  a  shoot.  This  is  done 
by  bending  down  a  shoot,  and  pegging  it  firmly 
in  the  ground  burying  it  about  two  inches  deep. 
At  the  tiend  a  slanting  cut  should  be  made  about 
two  inches  long  beginning  on  the  underside  and 
going  about  half  way  through  the  shoot.  These 
layered  shoots  will  require  a  full  twelve  months 
to  make  root.— H.  W.  Smith,  La. 


1,73-2.    Buhach  Mannfactnrers.     Buhach,   the 

strongest,  best  and  most  reliable  insect  powder 
in  the  niiirket.  is  made  by  the  Buhach  Producing 
and  Maiiiitacturing  Company,  whose  address  is 
Channel  street,  Stockton,  Cal. 

I,sl2.  Black  Knot.  This  is  not  caused  by  an 
insect,  although  insects  usuallj'  get  into  the 
diseased  tissues  after  they  are  ruined  by  the 
fungus,  or  vegetable  parasite  which  causes  the 
black  warty  growth.  Of  course  this  disease  is 
extremely  contagious,  the  infinite  spores  or 
seeds  of  the  fungus  when  ripe  being  easily  scat- 
tered about  by  the  winds,  and  ready  to  grow 
wherever  they  find  suitable  conditions,  i.  e. 
young  wood  of  Plum  and  Cherry  trees,  and 
moisture.  The  disease  can  be  eradicated  by  the 
prompt  use  of  the  knife,  cutting  out  all  parts  as 
soon  as  noticed  to  ix-  affected,  and  burning  them. 
Paring  off  the  wart  at  an  early  stage  of  develop- 
ment, and  painting  the  wood  with  turpentine  is 
also  said  to  be  an  effective  treatment.  At  the 
same  time  the  trees  should  be  well  caied  for,  and 
liberally  fed.  Your  own  observation,  that  "  the 
worst  samples  you  have  seen,  were  on  Plum  and 
red  Cherry  trees  which  had  been  allowed  to  eke 
out  a  miserable  existence  ever  since  they  were 
planted,  in  a  tough  sod  "  and  that  the  disease 
■'appears  to  be  much  less  prevalent  among  trees 
that  have  been  well  cared  for  "  suggests  a  very 
promising  course  of  treatment. 

1.816.  Dncbesse  (  d'Angonleme )  Pear.  This 
here  and  elsewhere  is  one  of  the  most  reliable 
and  profitable  market  Pears,  especially  when 
grown  on  Quince.  The  following  description 
found  in  American  Fruit  Culturist,  fits  it  to  a 
dot :  "  Very  large,  very  obtuse-pyriform,  some- 
times oblong-obovate,  surface  uneven  ;  greenish 
j'ellow,  often  some  russet ;  stalk  an  inch  to  an 
inch  and  a  half  long,  very  stout ;  cavity  deep, 
often  wide;  ealy.\  small,  basin  uneven;  flesh 
yellowish  white,  melting,  buttery,  juicj",  very 
good  when  well  grown,  poor  or  worthless  when 
small ;  succeeds  admirablj'  and  does  best  on 
Quince  stock.  It  has  been  remarked  that  when 
t^iis  Pear  weighs  less  than  four  ounces  it  is 
worthless  in  na%or.  Ripens  mid-autumn  and 
later." 

1.817.  Horticnltnral  Literature.  You  will 
want  a  good  book  on  fruit  culture,  Uke  the 
American  Fruit  Culturist  or  Barry's  Fruit 
Garden,  and  if  you  have  any  specialty,  a  work 
on  the  cultivation  of  that  particular  fruit ;  the 
balance  should  be  invested  in  good  horticultural 
periodicals. 

1,800,  Potash  for  Strawberries.  It  is  always 
preferable  to  apply  the  potash  salts,  muriate, 
kainit,  etc.,  in  the  the  fall  or  early  winter,  but 
we  would  not  hesitate  to  put  a  reasonable  quan- 
tity, say  200  to  300  pounds  per  acre,  on  Straw- 
berries in  early  spring.  It  should  be  supple- 
mented, however,  by  applications  of  bone  dust, 
or  by  dissolved  bone  black,  or  other  plain 
superphosphate. 

1,793.  Boot  Grafts.  One  of  our  western  con- 
tempories  has  the  following  to  say  on  this  sub- 
ject :  We  have  strong  evidence  to  place  before 
our  readers  that  it  is  best  to  use  crown  roots  for 
grafting— that  is  the  surface  section  of  the  root 
instead  of  pieces  cut  further  down.  While  any 
portion  will  start  the  cion,  the  crown  portion 
will  give  it  the  best  start.  Says  Prof.  Budd  :  "I 
know  from  experience  that  the  upper  part  of  the 
seedling  root  makes  a  better  tree  than  the  second 
or  third  section  of  the  same  root."  (,'ommenting 
on  this  statement  of  Prof.  Budd,  Judge  Miller 
says:  "The  above  is  correct  in  regard  to  the 
crown  part  of  the  seedling,  and  four  inches  of  it 
is  worth  more  than  eight  inches  of  the  next  cut. 
I  don't  suppose  an.v  nurseryman  would  use  a 
whole  root,  as  the  lower  part  is  simply  in  the 
way.  To  use  four  to  six  inches  of  the  upper 
part  of  the  seedling  will  admit  of  planting  so 
that  the  graft  can  strike  roots  readily.  I  know 
this  much,  that  at  Stark  Bros.' nurseries  I  par- 
ticularly noticed  the  great  superiority  of  those 
whole-root  trees  over  the  ordinary  ones."  Nur- 
serymen should  make  a  note  of  this ;  and  tree 
buvers  should  endeavor  to  obtain  crown-root 
grafts,  and  take  them  only  from  nurserymen  on 
whose  statements  they  are  sure  they  can  rely. 
One  point  is  to  be  remembered  about  crown- 
root  grafts.  Be  sure  that  the  cion  roots,  and 
that  no  suckers  grow  from  the  root  grafted  into. 

1,790.  Moving  Large  Trees.  Success  depends 
largely  on  the  care  and  thoroughness  with  which 
the  work  is  done.  If  a  good  chunk  of  earth  is 
left  adhering  to  the  roots,  pretty  large  trees  can 
be  moved  with  entire  safety  until  the  buds 
begin  to  start,  and  even  after  that  date.  For 
very  large  trees,  we  would  prefer  to  do  the 
moving  very  early  in  spring.  Let  a  trench  be 
dug  all  around  the  tree,  say  two  feet  or  more 
from  C'cnter,  cutting  the  roots  at  that  distance, 
and  about  that  deep.  Then  when  the  outside  of 
that  ball  of  earth  is  frozen  hard  enough  to  keep 
the  whole  unbroken  in  the  mo%ing  process,  have 
the  tree  lifted  out  of  its  place,  transferred  to  its 
intended  above,  where  a  corresponding  hole  was 
dug  previously,  and  here  planted  in.  Such  jobs 
can  usually  be  done  to  best  advantage  by  the 
professional  house  movers. 


184 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


May, 


1,739.  Oeraniums  not  Bloomini;.  I  suspect  the 
cause  of  the  plants  not  blooming  is  that  the 
temperature  of  the  greenhouse  during  the  winter 
months  was  not  high  enough  To  successfully 
flower  the  Geranium  during  the  winter  requires 
a  moderately  high  temperature.  Now  that  the 
days  are  longer  and  warmer,  your  plants  will 
soon  bloom  and  repay  you  for  all  the  trouble 
that  they  may  have  cost  you.  As  they  are 
making  good  growth  you  cannot  do  better  than 
continue  your  present  treatment.— H.  W.  Smith. 

1,758.    Fiah  Oeraniums  not  Blooming.    It  the 

plants  are  in  the  open  garden  they  have  no  doubt 
suffered  from  the  cold  weather  we  lately  ex- 
perienced and  are  only  just  recovering  them- 
selves. If  they  are  growing  in  pots  in  a  window, 
I  would  advise  that  they  be  moved  to  a  room 
where  they  would  recf'i\'e  the  sunshine  for  a 
longer  period.  This  would  aid  them,  in  a  good 
measure,  to  produce  bloom. — H.  W.  Smith,  La. 

1,7*0.  Rubber  Tree  Cuttings.  To  enable  these 
to  form  roots  requires  a  damp  atmosphere  and  a 
temperature  of  between  60  and  70°.— H.  W,  S. 

1,771.  Euphorbia  Splendens,  To  grow  this 
plant  well  requires  a  stove  temperature.  The 
pots  should  be  well  drained,  and  a  quantity  of 
small  crocks  may  be  mixed  with  the  soil  to  ad- 
vantage. To  enable  it  to  do  its  best  it  should  be 
stood  in  the  sunniest  part  of  the  greenhouse  and 
at  no  time  be  shaded.  It  is  rather  too  soon  in  the 
season  for  the  plant  to  Uower.— H.W.  Smith,  i,a. 


Arbor  Day  Celebration. 

A  small  beginning  only,  and  without  con- 
spicuous immediate  results— a  shade  or  lawn  tree 
added  here  and  there  ;a  schoolhouse  site  embel- 
lished with  a  bit  of  bush  and  tree  ;  a  little  senti- 
ment poured  out  in  well-set  speeches;  a  home 
made  more  enjoyable,  a  landscajie  more  pleasing 
—yet  it  may  lead  to  great  things  in  the  future 
clothe  the  barren  hillsides  and  the  treeless  plains 
with  valuable  forests,  temper  the  climate,  and 
even  the  rainfall. 

The  Forestry  Division  of  the  Department 
of  Agriculture  in  a  circular  on  .\rbor  Day  plant- 
ing gives  the  following  hints  concerning  choice 
of  trees :  Trees  for  school  grounds  and  yards, 
along  road  sides  and  streets,  must  be  such  as  are 
least  liable  to  suffer  from  injuries;  they  should 
be  compact  and  symmetrical  in  shape,  free  from 
objectionable  habits,  such  as  bad  odors,  root- 
sprouting,  frequent  dropping  of  parts,  etc.,  and 
from  Insect  pests,  and  if  planted  for  shade, 
should  have  a  broad  crown  and  a  dense  foliage, 
budding  early  in  the  spring,  and  retaining  leaves 
long  into  the  fall.  .Vbsence  of  skillful  hands  at 
tree  planting  on  Arbor  Days  would  also  limit 
the  selection  to  those  which  transplant  easily 
and  require  the  least  care.  The  Division  names 
as  three  trees  to  be  planted  where  nothing  else 
will  grow,  easily  transplanted,  growing  rapidly, 
but  short-lived,  liable  to  injuries,  root-sprouting, 
etc.:  Silver  Maple  (Acer  dasycirpum),  Carolina 
Poplar  (Popultis  moniUfera);  Box  Elder  (Ncgun- 
do  aceroide^).  Among  the  best  for  street  and 
lawn,  the  following  are  named :  Sugar  Maple 
{Acer  saccharitmm);  Ked  Maple  (Acer  7-ubra); 
Linden  (Til'a  Americnna);  Elm  (Ulmits  Ameri-  I 
cana).  Desirable  for  lawn  and  yard  are  also  the  I 
following:  Tulip  tree  (Liriodeiidron  tultpifera); 
Red  Oak  {Quercus  inihr,));  Willow  Oak,  (Querciis 
phelUis);  Black  (Jherry  (Prunun  serotina);  Sweet 
Gum  (Liipiidamhar  xtyracifluai. 


New  Varieties  as  a  Result  of  Bud 
Variation. 

There  can  be  no  doubt  that  many  varieties 
owe  their  existence  to  bud  variation.  Mr. 
A.  S.  Fuller,  in  his"  Propagation  of  Plants" 
mentions  among  these  sports  many  varie- 
gated leaved  plants,  as  the  Varigated-leaved 
Elder,  Dogvsrood,  Ginkgo,  Maples,  etc.,  also 
the  Retinispora  obtusa  Fulleri,  thus  named 
by  Dr.  Geo.  Thnrber,  and  obtained  as  a  sport 
of  a  Golden  Retinispora  in  Mr.  Fuller's  pos- 
session; a  number  of  well-known  varieties 
of  Roses,  Hi  the  Striped  Moss  (obtained  as  a 
bud  sport  of  old  Red  Moss),  White  Baron 
Prevost  (obtained  in  same  way  from  the  old 
Pink  Hybrid  Perpetual  of  the  same  names), 
American  Banner,  Painted  Orleans,  etc. 
"Among  fruits,"  says  Mr.  Fuller,  "  bud  var- 
iations are  constantly  occurring,  but  the 
larger  number  are  probably  overlooked,  and 
consequently  lost.  The  Red  Magnum  Bo- 
num  Plum  is  said  to  have  originated  from  a 
bud  of  the  Yellow  Magnum  Bonum.  Many 
instances  are  recorded  of  Peach  trees  pro- 
ducing Nectarines  on  one  or  more  branches, 


and  these  sports  have  frequently  been  pre- 
served and  propagated.  The  seed  of  Nec- 
tarines originating  in  this  way  usually  pro- 
duce Nectarine  trees,  not  reverting  to  the 
Peach." 

Mr.  C.  L.  Hopkins,  of  the  Division  of  Po- 
mology, Department  of  Agriculture,  thinks 
it  desirable  that  this  matter  be  more  fully 
investigated,  and  for  this  purpose  asks  those 
among  our  readers  who  have  had  practical 
e.xperience  with  "bud  variations"  among 
fruits,  and  the  propagation  of  new  varieties 
from  this  source,  to  give  an  account  through 
our  columns. 

The  points  about  which  definite  informa- 


.small  garden.  It  needs  no  further  descrip- 
tion, except  to  say,  that  the  frame  may  be 
made  about  fifteen  inches  square,  and  the 
stakes  about  two  feet  high  from  the  ground. 


A  New  Enemy  of  the  Elm. 

The  imported  Elm-leaf  beetle  has  for 
some  time  been  doing  considerable  mischief 
among  Elm  trees  in  City  avenues  and 
parks.  Now  another  insect  enemy  of  this 
tree  has  been  imported,  and  seems  to  have 
already  gained  a  foothold  here,  threatening 
destruction  to  our  Elms. 

This  isthe  Elm-twig-borer,Zcuzerap{/n"7io 
which  in  the  image  stage  is  a  very  hand- 

am 


THE;eLM   twig   borer,   a  MALE;  b  FEMALE;  C  CATERPILLAR. 


tion  is  especially  desired,  are  as  follows: 

What  varieties  are  positively  known  to 
have  originated  as  the  result  of  budding 
with  the  intention  of  perpetuating  a  bud 
variation  which  had  been  observed  ? 

What  varieties  are  positively  known  to 
have  originated  by  budding  with  buds  taken 
from  a  positively  known  source,  and  all  sup- 
posed to  be  the  same  variety,  but  among 
which  a  sport  or  sports  were  found  after- 
wards? 

Who  among' our  readers  have  fruit  trees 
with  natural  branches  (not  the  result  of 
grafting  or  budding)  which  produce  fruit 
distinct  from  that  borne  by  other  portions 
of  the  same  tree? 

What  varieties  oftenest  show  cases  of  bud 
variation  in  their  fruit? 

Our  practical  fruit  growers>ow  have  the 
floor. 


Trellises  and  Frames.for  Bush  Fruits. 

Where  Raspberries  and  Blackberries  are 
grown  on  a  large  scale  for  market,  the  ex- 
pense and  labor^involved  by  the  use  of  even 
the  simplest  form  of  trellis  or  frame  must 
prevent  the  grower  from  attempting  to  do 
more  than  keep  the  plants  within  bounds 
by  heroic  pruning.  And  this  usually  ans- 
wers the  purpose  very  well. 

In  the  home  garden,  however,  we'always 
pay  somewhat  greater  attention  to  conven- 
ience and  neat  appearance  than  in  the  field. 
If  our  garden  patch  is  large,  we  may  con- 
tent ourselves  with  setting  a  simple  stake 
to  each  bush,  and  tie  the  latter  to  it  some- 
what loosely.  Or 
we  may  confine 
each  row  of  bush- 
es within  two  lines 
of  wires  or  laths, 
fastened  to  stakes 
set  along  each  side 
of  the  row.  All 
these  are  simple 
means  of  keeping 
the  bushes  up- 
right, and  the 
paths  between  the 
rows    unobstruct- 


S;   =isei 


^>  ed  by  thorny  canes 

^^    which  are  apt   to 

hook      into      the 

clothes,  and  perhaps  into  the  flesh  of  the 

good  wife  and  the  daughters  of  the  house. 

Our  illustration  shows  a  way  of  treating 
single  bushes,  suitable  for  a  few  plants  in  a 


some  white  moth,  rather  closely  spotted 
with  black,  as  shown  in  illustration  on 
this  page.  For  several  years  back,  writes 
the  entomologist  of  the  New  Jersey  Experi- 
ment Station  to  Garden  and  Forest,  single 
specimens  of  the  species  have  been  found 
in  the  city  of  Newark,  and  their  occurrence 
has  been  deemed  accidental,  owing  to  the 
small  number;  biit  they  increased  steadily, 
and  for  the  past  three  years  they  have  been 
numerous  around  the  electric  lights  along 
Broad  street,  especially  near  the  parks  con- 
taining many  Elms.  This  occurrence  point- 
ed to  the  Elms  as  their  probable  food  plant. 
Mr.  Anglemann,  examining  the  branches 
of  a  felled  tree,  found  the  larva  of  the  borer 
in  considerable  numbers  in  the  smaller 
twigs,  and  in  burrows  in  larger  branches 
found  also  the  pupa.  The  moth,  it  seems, 
deposits  its  eggs  in  the  fork  of  a  small 
branch,  and  the  young  larva  burrows  down- 
ward toward  the  larger  branches,  tunneling 
generally  through  the  center,  and  usually 
killing  the  branch.  In  color  the  larva  is 
whitish  as  is  usual  with  borers,  with  black 
dots,  each  bearing  a  single  hair,  arranged 
as  shown  in  the  figure,  which  also  gives 
very  well  the  general  appearance  of  the 
caterpillar. 

The  terminal  branches  of  many  of  the 
trees  in  Newark  have  been  noticed  to  be 
dying,  but  the  cause  has  not  been  hereto- 
fore discovered.  There  is  little  doubt  that 
this  insect  is  responsible  for  the  injury,  and 
that  it  has  gained  a  firm  foothold.  That  it 
is  spreading  is  indicated  by  the  fact  that 
during  the  season  of  1889  it  made  its  appear- 
anqe  at  Arlington,  a  suburb  of  Newark. 
The  insects  are  attracted  by  light,  and  many 
hundreds  of  them  are  drawn  to  the  electric 
lights  and  destroyed;  they  are  mostly 
males,  however.  There  is  no  reasonable 
doubt  that  this  destruction  of  the  moths  has 
done  much  to  prevent  a  more  rapid  spread, 
and  it  is  to  be  feared  that  once  out  of  the 
influence  of  the  electric  lights  their  march 
will  be  rapid. 

As  to  remedies,  I  have  no  suggestion  to 
make  at  present.  Borers  are  hard  to  deal 
with  at  best,  and  a  borer  that  attacks 
branches  from  sixty  to  seventy-five  feet 
above  the  ground  is  an  especially  unsatis- 
factory creature  to  deal  with.  Heroic  reme- 
dies would  be  best  here,  and  I  recommend 
free  cutting  and  burning  of  affected 
branches  as  the  best  means  of  checking 
their  increase  and  spread. 


POPULAR    GARDENING 


AND  FRUIT  GROWING. 


"ACCUSE   XOr  yATlTBE,   SHE   BATH  DONE  HER    PART:   DO   THOU    BUT   THINE." -HjutOS. 


Vol.  V. 


j'crasT'E,  X8SO. 


No.  9. 


O  June :  the  month  of  merry  song. 

Of  shadow  brief,  of  sunshine  long  ; 

All  things  on  earth  love  you  the  best,— 

The  bird  who  carol  near  his  nest : 

The  wind  that  wakes  and,  singing,  blows 

The  spicy  perfume  of  the  Rose  : 

And  bee,  who  sounds  his  muffled  horn 

To  celebrate  the  dewy  mom  ; 

And  even  all  the  stars  above 

At  night  are  happier  for  love. 

As  if  the  mellow  notes  of  mirth 

Were  wafted  to  them  from  the  earth. 

O  June !  such  music  haunts  your  name ; 

With  you  the  summer's  chorus  came  ! 

—St.  Ktcholas. 


Fractiosal  Ctbbe.vct.    We  need  it,  we  want 
It.    What  is  Congress  going  to  do  about  it? 


Their  own  Senses  must  now  convince  rural 
people  that  fruit  trees  may  be  planted  for  orna- 
ment, for  beauty,  and  for  fragrance,  as  well  as 
for  fruit. 


HORTICULTTRE  FOR  TouTH.  Mr.  Wm.  Barry 
thinks  that  scholars  in  our  schools  should  know 
as  much  about  fruits  and  flowers,  as  about 
arithmetic.  "  It  is  an  accomplishment  entirely 
disregarded." 

The  Cumbing  Cutworm  is  often  very  destruc- 
tive in  orchards.  One  object  to  be  accomplished 
by  planting  Buckwheat  in  orchards,  and  plow- 
ing it  under,  is  to  starve  out  the  cutworm  which 
does  not  feed  on  Buckwheat. 

The  Fohelle  Pear  is  a  very  tardy  but  regular 
bearer;  fruit  of  line  shape,  large  size,  red-cheeked 
in  the  sun;  ripening  a  nice  yellow,  losing  much 
of  its  redness.  Quality  of  the  very  best.  Season 
lastof  November  to  January.— D.D.Coitom,  Ohio. 

CoiXECTios  OF  Orchids.  Messrs.  Pitcher  and 
Manda  of  Short  Hills,  X.  J.,  have  secured  the 
entire  collection  of  Orchids  of  DeWitt  S,  Smith, 
of  Lee,  Mass.,  Imown  among  florists  as  contain- 
ing only  the  finest  varieties,  of  Cypripedlums. 

WoDiiD  TOU  have  a  fine  lawn  ornament?  Order 
a  plant  of  Zebra  Grass,  set  in  a  spot  of  very  highly 
enriched  soil,  and  presently  there  will  be  a  six  or 
seven  foot  growth  of  this  most  graceful  and 
hardy  plant.  Take  Popular  Gardening's  ad- 
rice  and  try  this. 

OuB  Crop  Kepokt  Our  customary  crop  re- 
port, to  appear  in  next  (July)  issue,  will  be  pre- 
pared with  great  care,  and  is  intended  to  pre- 
sent as  fair  an  indication  of  this  season's  fruit 
crops,  according  to  prospects  late  in  June,  as  it 
is  possible  to  make.  Those  of  our  readers  in  any 
part  of  the  Tnited  States  who  desire  to  assist  us 
in  this  undertaking,  by  making  a  trustwoi'thy 
report  about  the  fruit  prospects  in  their  respec- 
tive localities,  will  send  us  their  address  on  a  post 
card  we  will  return  suitable  blanks. 

Makixo  the  Desert  Bixjom.  The  Congres- 
sional and  Department  scheme  for  making  large 
western  arid  plains  bloom  like  the  Rose  is  a  most 
magnificent  one,  but  the  people  who  will  have 
to  foot  the  bill  of  many  millions  of  dollars  will 
probably  not  get  very  enthusiastic  over  it.  The 
greed  for  more  land  than  he  can  manage  proper- 
ly has  brought  many  an  individual  fanner  to 
grief,  and  the  nation  would  not  fall  into  the 
same  error  (buying  up  more  land  at  heavy  ex- 
pense than  they  know  how  to  utilize  J  if  it 
depended  more  on  the  tax-payers  and  less  on 
•*  far-sighted  political  jobbers  who  look  beyond 
the  necessities  of  the  people  to  the  long  felt 
want  for  boodle,"  As  one  of  our  contemporaries 
truly  says,  this  expenditure,  "  to  a  disinterested 
person,  would  seem  to  be  a  criminal  waste  of  the 
people's  substance,  in  view  of  the  fact  that  all 
over  the  south  and  west  there  are  millions  of 


acres  of  land,  far  better,  in  every  respect,  un. 
used,  and  likely  to  so  remain  until  the  latest 
born  is  dead  of  old  age." 


Zixc  IN  Evaporated  Apples.  A  sample 
of  evaporated  Apples,  analysed  by  Dr,  Peter 
Collier,  of  the  New  York  Experiment  Station 
was  found  to  contain  in  every  1,000  pounds 
the  equivalent  of  one  and  one-half  pounds  of 
sulphate  of  zinc,  which  is  a  well-known  active 
poison.  Dr.  Collier  says  it  is  reasonable  to  sup- 
pose that  the  continued  use  of  these  dried  Apples 
would  lead  to  very  serious  consequences.  "This 
appears  like  a  rebuke  to  the  flippant,  careless 
manner  in  which  some  fruitmen,  and  even  horti- 
cultural societies,  have  tried  to  pass  lightly  over 
the  action  recently  taken  by  the  Hamburg  ( Ger- 
many) authorities  against  American  evaporated 
Apples.  Our  people  most  interested  in  this  ques- 
tion have  hardly  thought  it  worth  while  earnest 
consideration,  assuming  the  inconvenient  pro- 
ceeding on  the  pai^  of  our  foreign  customers  to 
be  merely  founded  upon  spite  or  unfriendliness, 
and  have  been  showing  an  inclination  to  drop  all 
further  inquiry.  We  mention  Dr.  Collier's  dis- 
covery to  show  the  urgent  need  of  further  and 
careful  investigation  of  our  pi^sent  methods  of 
evaporating  fruits.  This  should  be  attended  to 
without  delay,  and  before  another  evaporating 
season  arrives. 


What   Crops  to  Grow  Among  Fruits. 

CARL  HORTER,  JACKSON  CO.,  ULS. 

Where  land  is  plenty  and  cheap,  it  would 
be  folly  to  crowd  things,  or  attempt  to  have 
the  vegetable  garden  and  fruit  patch  all  in 
one.  It  is  much  more  convenient  to  grow 
fruits  and  vegetables  in  separate  patches. 

Still  there  are  many  modest  homes  in 
Tillages  and  the  suburbs  of  cities  that  have 
only  one-eighth  or  one-qnarter  of  an  acre  of 
ground,  too  much  for  lawn  and  flowers 
alone,  and  not  enough  for  a  garden  and 
fruit  patch.  To  be  able  to  enjoy  the  lusn- 
ries  of  home-grown  fruits  and  vegetables, 
a  system  of  close  planting  must  be  adopt- 
ed in  a  case  like  this.  We  would  then 
rather  do  without  tree  fruits,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  a  row  of  Cherries,  Peaches, 
Plums  or  Pears  near  the  line  on  the  north 
and  west  sides.  Grapes,  of  course,  should 
not  be  omitted  in  any  garden,  no  matter 


Expanded  Form  of  Rose. 

how  small,  since  they  require  so  little  space 
compared  with  the  amount  of  fruit  they 
yield.  There  may  be  a  row  or  two  next  to 
the  trees,  and  at  proper  distance  from  them, 
trained  on  stakes  or  cheap  trellis. 

The  Grape  rows  are  to  be  seven  or  eight 
feet  apart,  and  the  space  or  spaces  betiveen 
afford  a  splendid  opportunity  for  growing 
Strawberries,  Currants,  Gooseberries,  or 
Tomatoes,  Potatoes,  Beans,  Cabbages,  and 
similar  crops.    Where  Strawberries  occupy 


a  separate  bed,  they  may  be  set  in  rows 
three  or  three  and  one-half  feet  apart,  and 
allowed  to  form  matted  rows.  Xo  other 
crop  is  to  be  grown  between  them:  but  any 
bed  after  fruiting,  if  not  to  be  preserved  for 
another  season,  should  at  once  be  spaded, 
or  plowed  over,  and  planted  with  Potatoes, 
Turnips,  Cucumbers,  Sweet  Com,  Celery, 
Endive,  Spinach,  or  whatever  crop  may  be 
most  desirable,  and  promises  to  yet  come  to 
maturity.  A  few  Radishes,  Lettuces,  Beets, 
etc.,  may  be  sown  here  and  there  on  little 
vacant  spots,  as  a  sort  of  catch  crops;  and 
so  may  some  other  vegetables.  In  fact  the 
ground  of  these  limited  areas  should  be 


Glohular  Form  of  Ro>^e. 

kept  fully  occupied  with  one  or  the  other  of 
these  crops  during  the  entire  season,  one 
being  planted  in  the  place  of  another  as 
quick  as  this  latter  is  gathered  and  the  spot 
has  become  vacant.  Even  a  small  piece  of 
ground  thus  mananged  can  furnish  a  pretty 
good  supply  of  vegetables  and  frtiits  for  the 
occupant's  family. 


Hints  on  Hardy  Rose  Culture. 

To  have  beautiful  Roses  in  your  garden, 
said  a  very  successful  rosarian,  you  must 
have  Roses  in  your  heart. 

Xo  other  flower  is  at  once  so  cheap  and 
easy  of  culture,  for  the  satisfaction  to  be 
obtained,  and  yet  is  so  universally  neglected 
in  the  matter  of  bestowing  decent  attention. 

The  Hybrid  Perpetual  class  of  hardy  Roses 
give  the  best  general  satisfaction  to  the 
careful  cultivator.  They  are  not  in  reality 
perpetual  bloomers,  but  derive  their  name 
from  the  fact  of  their  being  hybrids  between 
the  hardy  summer-flowering  species  and  the 
perpetual  bloomers.  Many  of  them  throw 
off  a  few  flowers  at  intervals  through  the 
summer,  with  a  fair  second  crop  in  the  au- 
tumn. 

The  Moss  Roses  are  favorites  on  account 
of  the  exquisite  buds,  fringed  with  a  moss- 
like  growth.  They  are  more  subject  to  mil- 
dew than  some  others,  but  this  can  in  large 
part  be  overcome  by  high  culture  and  close 
pruning.  The  Austrian  or  Yellow  Roses, 
the  Damask  and  other  summer  Roses,  and 
the  Prairie  Roses  (climbing)  are  entitled  to 
be  included  in  every  collection  of  these 
flowers,  which  embrace  anything  like  a  fair 
assortment. 

-Although  some  Roses  may  thrive  bett'er 
In  one  soil  and  others  in  different  soUs,  the 
following  selection  of  Hybrid  Perpetuals 
has  a  wide  range  of  adaptability  and  should 
suit  the  average  needs  of  growers;  -\bel 
Grand,  Anna  de  Diesbach,  Baronne  Pre- 
vost.  Baroness  Rothschild,  Caroline  de  San- 
sal,  Charles  Margottin,  Francis  Michelon 


1 86 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


June, 


General  Jacqueminot,  La  Relne,  Mabel 
Morrison,  Maurice  Bernardm,  John  Hopper, 
Souv.  de  Wm.  Wood. 

As  to  form  of  the  flowers  some  ideas  are 
illustrated  herewith,  namely:  the  expanded 
or  flat  form,  with  the  surface  of  the  flower 
nearly  even;  the  globular  form,  with  the 
outer  petals  concave  and  the  edges  curved 
outwards;  the  cupped  form,  with  the  inner 
petals  shorter  than  the  outer  ones,  the  latter 
standing  erect  and  generally  somewhat  in- 
curved; the  compact  form,  which  is  found 
in  the  large,  very  durable  kinds. 

The  preparation  of  the  Rose  bed  Is  of  the 
utmost  importance.     The  soil  can  scarcely 


Cupped  Form  of  Rose. 

be  too  rich,  but  it  must  be  thoroughly 
drained.  The  best  plan  is  to  work  over  the 
soil  where  Roses  are  to  go,  to  the  depth  of 
fully  two  and  a  half  feet,  working  in  some 
rotten  sods  and  some  farmyard  manure  to 
the  very  bottom. 

Set  the  plants  at  from  two  to  three  feet 
apart.  On  well-drained  soil  it  is  best  to 
plant  Roses  about  November  1st.  Then  the 
bed  should  receive  a  good  dressing  of  farm- 
yard manure  to  keep  out  the  heavy  frost, 
forking  in  the  manure  the  following  March. 

In  setting  Rose  bushes  it  is  very  import- 
ant that  the  soil  be  tightly  firmed  against 
the  roots,  but  take  care  not  to  bruise  them. 
Plant  in  holes  of  such  a  size  that  the  roots 
need  not  be  bent  out  of  their  natural  position. 
All  plants  grown  on  their  own  roots,  that  is 
not  budded,  should  be  set 
fully  as  deep  as  they  stood 
in  the  nursery  row,  while 
budded  varieties  (such  as 
have  the  improved  variety 
budded  in  the  free  growing 
wild  Manettia  or  Briar 
Rose)  should  go  down  so 
deep  that  the  junction  of 
the  bud  with  the  stock  is 
two  or  three  inches  below 
the  surface. 

Pruning  the  bushes  is  a 
part  of  Rose  culture  in 
which  many  growers  make 
their  greatest  mistake.  We 
refer  especially  to  the 
annual  pruning,  which  is 
best  done  in  March  or  early 
April.  All  kinds  must  be 
pruned  when  planted. 

In  the  case  of  Hybrid 
Perpetuals,  a  proverb  of 
"  spare  the  knife  and 
spoil  the  bush,"  is  de- 
cidedly   apt,  as   the    best 


Moss  Roses  should  also  receive  close  prun- 
ing along  with  high  tillage.  Yellow  and 
Climbing  Roses  require  no  other  pruning 
than  to  cut  out  all  weak  growth,  and  in  the 
former  to  shorten  the  flowering  shoots  a 
few  inches  annually. 

In  all  cases  of  pruning  the  shoots  should 
be  cut  down  to  a  prominent  bud  turned  out- 
wards, thus  to  admit  sun  and  air  into  the 
middle  of  the  plant,  which  is  very  important 
in  the  production  of  flue  flowers. 

As  the  blooming  season  approaches  pro- 
vision should  be  made  to  prevent  the  plants 
from  suffering  from  lack  of  water  and  fertil- 
ity as  the  blooms  will  be  decidedly  in.jured  by 
dryness  at  the  root.  Liquid  manure  should 
be  applied  twice  or  three  times  a  week, 
therefore  from  the  time  the  buds  begin  to 
swell  until  the  season  of  bloom  is  past,  doing 
this  work  just  before  night-fall. 

Insects  are  the  dread  of  the  Rose  grower. 
Let  it  be  borne  in  mind  that  it  is  the  under- 
fed and  otherwise  neglected  plants  that  in- 
vite the  largest  numbers  of  pests.  Preven- 
tion in  the  way  of  a  thoroughly  prepared 
and  cleanly  tilled  soil,  fertility,  watering, 
pruning,  etc.,  should  therefore  be  the  flrst 
resort  against  their  attacks,  and  thus  nearly 
all  trouble  will  be  cut  off. 

Still  one  should  be  on  their  guard,  and 
destroy  whatever  insects  may  appear.  To 
keep  off  the  aphis  or  green  fly  place  some 
moist  Tobacco  stems  under  the  bushes.  A 
caterpillar  that  appears  soon  after  the 
growth  begins  in  the  spring,  and  the  pres- 
ence of  which  may  be  detected  by  its  glueing 
a  leaf  or  two  together  to  form  a  shelter, 
should  be  pinched  between  finger  and  thumb 
in  his  leafy  home.  For  the  slug  and  hopper, 
which  devour  the  leaves,  a  si)rinkling  of 
white  hellebore  over  the  plants  just  after 
thoroughly  wetting  the  foliage,  will  usually 
be  sufficient.  The  minute  red  spider  that 
works  on  the  under  side  of  the  leaves,  may 
be  kept  down  by  syringing  the  plants  liber- 
ally every  day.  Plants  that  are  standing 
out  where  the  air  circulates  freely  are  less 
liiible  to  attacks  from  this  insect  than  those 


of  rotted  turf  and  manure,  and  which  should 
be  composted  for  the  purpose.  This  should 
be  spread  over  the  bed  to  the  depth  of  sev- 
eral inches  every  autumn,  and  some  may 
occasionally  be  added  to  the  beds  during 
the  summer.  When  the  beds  get  too 
full  remove  some  by  taking  away  with  a 
spade  "  pockets  "  of  the  older  earth  between 
the  plants,  into  which  to  work  some  of  the 
fertile  top  earth. 

All  garden  Roses  are  better  off  for  light 
protection  in  the  winter.    A  coat  of  compost 


Compact  Form  of  Rose. 

as  recommended  above,  will  afford  all  the 
shelter  needed  for  the  roots.  But  it  is  the 
branches  that  suffer  most  in  the  winter, 
hence  it  is  well  to  wrap  them  in  straw  at  the 
approach  of  severe  weather,  or  else  bend 
them  over  and  cover  with  straw,  evergreen 
branches  or  even  soil. 


John  Hopper  Rose  trained  on  wire  fence;  re-engraved  from  the  Garden. 


results  cannot 
be  obtained  unless  the  knife  is  freely  used 
in  the  spring.  The  operation  of  pruning  is 
a  most  simple  one.  Cut  away  all  weakly 
growth,  and  cutting  back  the  strong  stems 
to  five  or  seven  eyes,  keeping  this  in  mind, 
that  the  weaker  the  growth  the  more  closely 
it  should  be  cut  back.  Another  consideration 
is  the  size  and  the  number  of  the  flowers 
desired,  the  closer  the  cutting,  hence  the 
less  buds  remaining,  the  larger  will  be  the 
flowers;  if  quantity  is  the  object  then  more 
buds  should  be  left.  Some  kinds  of  Hybrid 
Perpetuals  should  be  pruned  after  their  flrst 
crop  of  flowers  to  induce  the  driving  of 
flowering  wood  for  autumn. 


crowded  against  buildings  or  into  the  cor- 
ners of  the  garden.  The  Rose  bug  must  be 
hand  picked  or  knocked  into  a  pan  of  water. 
The  best  remedy  for  mildew  on  Roses  is  to 
dust  the  plants  with  powdered  sulphur,  first 
wetting  the  foliage  so  it  will  stick. 

Choice  Roses  should  by  all  means  receive 
clean  culture.  The  surface  of  the  bed  must 
must  never  be  allowed  to  become  grassy, 
or  to  bake  or  otherwise  get  hard.  Every 
week  or  two  during  the  growing  season,  or 
after  every  rain,  the  ground  should  be 
stirred  with  hoe  and  rake,  and  not  a  sign  of 
weeds  or  grass  be  allowed. 

The  best  fertilizer  for  Roses,  aside  from 
liquid  manure  referred  to,  is  one  consisting 


Notes  from  the  Popular   Gardening' 
Grounds  at  La  Salle-on-the- 
Niagara. 
A  Lawn  FI/Oat.    In  making  the  various  lawns 
for  our  grass  tests  this  season  and  last  we  have 
found  a  float,  as  shown  in  the  accompanying  en- 
graving, of  the  utmost  value  in  evening  up  the 
surface  of  the  ground  preparatory  to  seeding.  It 
is  a  simple  home-made  contrivance,  consisting  of 
two.3  .v4inch  Hemlock  scantlings  eight  feet  long, 
set  the  broadest  wa.v  up  and  down,  about  three 
and  a  half  feet  apart,  with  four  boards  a  foot 
wide  nailed  from  one  to  the 
other,  as  shown  in  the  figure. 
Drawn  by  a  team  of  horses 
and  weighted  somewhat,  this 
float  has  a  wonderful   effect 
in  evening  up  the  surface  by 
passing  over  the  plat.    But  its 
value  is  even  more  apparent 
in  smoothing  down  the  slight 
inequalities   to   be   found   in 
every  piece  of  plowed  land,  if 
the  driver  will  step  on  the  float 
when  a  hump  is  reached,  in 
which  case  the  scantUng  takes 
off  and  draws  along  a  lot  of 
the  soil,  and  by  passing  to  a 
depression  near  by,  where  by 
stepping    off,   the  soil   is  re- 
leased.   Of  course  if  there  are 
larger  humps  or  depressions 
the  shovel  scrai>er  is  the  tool 
flrst  required. 

This  Sprinq's  Lawm  Seed- 
ing. Between  April  24th  and 
May  12th,  soil  of  about  three- 
quarters  of  an  acre  of  our 
grounds  was  put  in  condition 
for  seeding,  and  the  follow- 
ing kinds  of  grass  sown  for  lawn  tests: 
Creeping  Bent  Grass.  English  Rye. 

Rliode  Island  Bent  Grass.      Canadian  Blue. 
Meadow  Fescue.  Crested  Dog  Tail. 

Italian  Rye.  Red  Top. 

Siieeps  Fescue.  Kentucliy  Blue. 

Six  brands  of  "  best  mixtures  "  from  as  many  lead- 
ing seedsmen. 

These  experiment  lawn  plats,  with  the  seven 
of  last  year's  sowing  referred  to  a  month  ago, 
should  enable  us  soon  to  present  our  readers 
some  very  definite  and  valuable  information 
on  the  subject  of  lawn  seeding. 

Evergreens  at  "  Woodbanks."  Strongly  as 
we  favor  the  free  planting  of  ornamental  hardy 
shrubs  about  the  home,  as  referred  to  last  month, 
we  yet  feel  that  the  liberal  planting  of  Ever- 
greens is  entitled  to  even  greater  attention. 
Evergreens  show  forth  their  full  beauty  through- 


1890 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


187 


out  tlu-  twi'lve  months,  while  shrubs  are  in  their 
best  iii»iH'aranee  lor  k^ss  than  lialf  that  time. 
Tlien  also  Kverjfreens.  if  i)roperl>'  loeat<'(i  to  the 
windwart!  t)f  the  home  and  ^'anlun.  have  mar- 
veUiUs  powerfortakingrtlie  sting  out  of  the  bleak 
winds  of  winter.  Tlie  distinct  ornamental  ehar- 
acter  of  Kverirreens  would  seem  alsi^  to  Vie  of  a 
hijrher  order  than  that  of  any  other  kind  of 
woody  {growth:  the  five  use  of  these  about  the 
h(mie.  or  in  any  plaee,  imparts  an  air  of  refine- 
ment, lieauty  and 
eomforl  not  other- 
wise obtainable. 

IIa\'in^  had  these 
ideiu*  in  mind  when 
the  rupri.AH  (iAH- 
DENINO  (irouuds  weiv 
arranged,  it  tiKik  but 
little  time  to  decide  on 
usinjr  Evergreens 

lilx^^ally  for  adorninjr 
the  plaee.  Not  onl.v 
should  the  number 
used  be  ample,  but 
they  also  should 
represent  so  lar^*'  .i 
variety,  and  hr 
tastefully  arrange'!  11^ 
to  show  the  beauty 
as  well  as  the  low  cost 
of  this  class  of  trees 

to  their  utmost.  A  beginning  was  therefore 
made  by  locating  several  large  groups  of  Ever- 
greens, besides  some  scattered  trees,  on  the  ample 
lawn  to  the  northward  of  the  writer's  dwelling. 
This  Evergreen  section  is  in  part  shown  by  the 
accompanying  engraving  The  residence  is 
across  the  road  or  driveway  shown  in  the  lower 
left-hand  corner  of  the  cut.  While  at  present  the 
larger  part  of  the  young  trees  occupy  a  place  in 
cultivated  borders  cut  into  the  sward  in  order  to 
foster  a  rapid  growth  while  young,  yet  it  is  the 
intention  in  time  to  allow  the  grass  to  grow  up 
and  under  the  trees. 

As  with  the  shrulis  referred  to  last  month,  the 
key  to  the  arrangement  of  these  Evergreens  is 
the  group  or  mass,  a  matter  tetter  understood 
by  the  use  of  our  engraving.  In  this  illustration 
the  figures  indicate  the  respective  trees  and 
groups  as  follows: 

1.    Siberian  Arbor  Vitoe. 

2-3.    Norway  Spruce. 

4.  Geo.  Peabody  Dwarf  Arl»or  Vltae. 

5.  Siberian  Arbor  Vitaj. 

6.  Dwarf  Black  Spruce. 
T.    Balsam  Fir. 

8.  Cedars. 

9.  Creeping  Junipers. 

10.  Hemlock,  Abies  Canadensis. 

11.  Firs  In  Variety. 

12.  Dwarf  Spruces. 

13.  Pine  and  Weeping  Hemlock . 

14.  Maxwell's  Dwarf  Spruce. 

15.  Maxwell's  Dwarf  Spruce. 

16.  Alcock's  Blue  Spruce, 
n.    Conical  Spruces. 

18.  White  Spruce. 

19.  Junipers,  etc. 

20.  Scotch  Pine. 

21.  White  Pine. 

22.  Mountain  Pine. 

23.  Globe  Arbor  YiUe. 

24.  Irish  Junipers. 

25.  Sabine  Junipers. 

Thus  is  brought  together  within  a  length  of 
several  hundred  feet  a  large  and  interesting  col- 
lection of  the  more  easily  grown  Evergreens 
suited  to  the  north.  This  list,  which  does  not 
even  embrace  all  the  hardy  kinds  now  grown  in 
our  grounds,  should  yet  possess  value  to  our 
readers  in  assisting  them  in  selecting  such  Ever- 
greens as  it  is  safe  to  plant  in  the  colder  latitudes 
of  our  country.  Pleasure  is  taken  in  present- 
ing a  list  so  large,  because  of  the  prevailing 
notion  that  only  a  very  few  kinds  outside  of  the 
Norway  Spruce  are  reliable  at  the  north. 

The  diversity  of  form,  habit,  foliage,  color  and 
shades,  afforded  by  this  collection,  it  is  easy  for 
the  reader  to  imagine,  is  most  charmingly  varied. 
As  from  five  to  twenty  trees  of  a  kind  are  for 
the  most  part  used— enough  to  set  forth  the  in- 
dividuality of  each  very  markedly,  the  effect  in 
harmonies  and  contrasts,  is  even  now,  twelve 
months  from  planting  very  pleasing,  and  will  be 
more  so  year  by  year. 

Something  should  be  said  of  the  ease  and  inex- 
pensiveness  of  setting  out  masses  of  Evergreens, 
With  the  exception  of  a  tew  comparatively  rare 
and  high-priced  kinds,  and  which  could  easily  be 
dispensed  with,  so  far  as  general  effect  goes, 
the  stock  was  mainly  procured  from  that  Ever- 
green specialist  David  Hill,  Dundee,  Illinois.  The 
plants  averaged  in  height  from  IS  to  ^  inches. 


and  the  cost  inside  of  $2.."i0  per  dozen.  Such 
plants  arrived  from  the  nursery  in  excellent 
condition,  and  many  of  them  grew  a  foot  in 
length  tile  Hist  year.  They  were  planted  from 
two  to  three  times  closer  thiui  their  ultimate 
distances  apart,  with  a  view  to  lifting  and  trans- 
planting elsewhere  a  portion  of  them  as  more 
space  is  needed. 
The  Early  Uadishes.     We  have  always  en - 


be  easily  hurt  by  subsequent  cold  weather.  The 
ground  also  needs  airing,  loosening  and  quicken- 
ing. .-\t  the  approach  of  the  fruiting  season  a 
fresh  clean  mulch  is  to  be  again  applied  next  to 
the  T>lants.  and  will  help  to  keep  the  fruit  clean 
and  the  groimd  moist.  Weedy  manure  is  always 
a  curse  in  the  Strawbery  field,  and  may  even  en- 
tirely ruin  the  usefulness  of  the  patch.  Only  by 
considerable  and  persistent  effort  has  it  been  pos- 


EVERGREENS  IN   MASSES  AS  PLANTED  ON  THE   POPULAR  GARDENINQ  EXPERIMENT  GROUNDS. 


tertained  considerable  respect  and  admiration  I  sible  to  save  a  strip  of  ground  through  one  of  the 

sections  which  had  re- 
ceived a  dressing  of 
weedy  manure  previ- 
ous to  being  planted 
only  last  autumn, 
from  being  entirely 
overrun  beyond  re- 
demption by  foul 
weeds  and  grasses. 
A  little  more  care  in 
the  selection  of 
manure  would  have 
resulted  in  quite  a 
saving  of  labor. 

The  Bush  Fruits. 
Our       multitudinous 
varieties    of      Black- 
berries,    Kaspberi-ies, 
Currants  and   (ioose- 
berries    look  well    at 
this  writing,  and  will 
give  us  an  opportunity  to  judge  of  their  com- 
parative merits  for  this  soil  and  section  when  the 
fruiting  season  arrives. 

A  Living  Insect  Trap.  Not  a  single  creeping, 
crawling  or  hopping  thing  is  to  be  seen  in  our 
Tomato  hotbed  of  four  sashes,  except  one  toad, 
which  in  reality  is  nothing  else  than  a  wandering 
(hf)pping)  insect  trap,  and  gobbles  up  every  hap- 
les?  small  creature  that  gets  into  it.  Of  course 
we  make  a  pet  of  our  living  insecticide,  and  have 
almost  learned  to  admire  its  handsome  color, 
and  its  intelligent  eye.  Sometimes  we  give  it  an 
especially  dainty  morsel,  such  as  a  large  May 
beetle,  or  even  a  Potato  beetle,  a  centipede,  etc. 
Our  guest  takes  them  all  with  equal  gratitude 
and  appetite.  There  can  be  no  doubt  that  toads 
may  be  colonized  and  put  to  good  use  in  Cucum- 
ber, Melon  and  Squash  patches.  At  any  rate  we  in- 
tend to  assign  to  them  the  duty  and  responsibility 
of  keeping  the  vines  free  from  bugs  this  year,  and 
believe  that  it  will  be  safer  to  trust  to  their  watch- 
fulnessthan  to  depend  on  poisonous  applications. 
The  Season.  Rain,  rain,  rain,  with  only  short 
intervals  of  a  sort  of  of  "alt  and  'alt  weather, 
more  or  less  cloudy  and  little  clear  sky— that  is 
the  record  of  the  season  up  to  this  writing.  The 
ground  has  been  soaking  pretty  much  all  the 
time,  and  planting,  consequently,  has  progressed 
somewhat  slowly.  This  is  especially  the  case 
with  the  vegetable  department.  We  do  not  be- 
lieve in  sowing  seed,  or  setting  plants,  unless  the 
ground  is  in  proper  condition  for  the  work.  At 
the  same  time,  we  do  not  worry.  Everything 
will  come  out  all  right  in  the  end. 

This,  also,  is  a  season  where  all  the  great  advan- 
tages of  thorough  drainage  are  making  them- 


for  the  early  or  forcing  Radishes,  not  alone  be- 
cause almost  ever.vbody  likes  them,  but  because 
they  are  grown  both  in  frame  and  open  ground 
with  less  trouble,  and  become  fit  for  use  in  less 
time  than  any  other  crop.  Our  this  season's  ex- 
perience with  a  number  of  the  new  earliest  forc- 
ing Itadishes,  sown  in  frame  March  31st,  only 
confirmed  the  conclusion  previously  arrived  at, 
that  a  further  noteworthy  improvement  of  these 
Radishes,  so  far  as  earliness  is  concerned,  can 
hardly  be  hoped  for,  and  that  it  is  hardly  espec- 
ially needed.  When  Radishes  can  Ik-  grown  for 
the  table  in  from  16  to  2.5  days  from  the  time  of 
sowing,  we  have  achieved  pretty  much  all  that 
can  be  done.  Our  critical  comparison  was  made 
and  notes  taken  on  April  2oth,  or  i5  days  after 
sowing  the  seed. 

Some  of  the  new  sorts  have  again  been  sent  out 
under  the  claim  of  being  earlier  than  any  of  the 
older  sorts.  We  find  that  the  older  Early  Erfurt 
is  yet  as  early  as  any  sort  now  offered  by  seeds- 
men. The  new  Dark  Red  Ball,  and  Earliest 
Scarlet  Forcing  are  of  the  Erfurt  type,  and  do  not 
differ  in  earliness  from  the  older  variety.  The 
White-tipped  Scarlet  Ball  differs  from  the  others 
slightly  in  color,  and  has  the  eharacteristie  white 
tail-end.  Otherwise  we  think  they  are  all  nearly 
of  equal  value  as  forcing  Radishes  for  both  home 
use  and  market. 

"The  Dark  Red  Ball  is  simply  perfection  in  form, 
truly  round  as  a  ball,  and  of  bright  red  color. 
Rapid  Forcing  and  White-tipped  Scarlet  resemble 
each  other  very  closely. 

El  Dorado  and  Early  Yellow  Ball,  which  closely 
resemble  each  other,  have  pleased  us  very  much, 
although   a  trifle    later    than    the    red    sorts 
mentioned.     They  are  round, 
somewhat    russet,     handsome  ^tlTiT""*"^' 

and  tender.  The  market  value 
depends  on  the  fancy  of  the 
market  for  color.  Some 
markets  have  developed  quite 
a  partiality  for  the  tender 
Yellow  Radishes. 


Strawberries.  Our  Straw- 
berry beds  come  out  in  better 
shape  than  we  had  expected 
some  weeks  ago,  when  the 
effects  of  the  constant  changes 
from  cold  to  warm  and  warm 
to  cold  could  be  seen  in  the 
large  number  of  plants  that 
were  heaved  right  out  of  the 
ground.  Thickly  matted  rows 
suffered  little  injury.  Of  the 
Crawford,  Crimson  Cluster,  Cohanzick,  Captain 
Jack,  Covell,  and  a  few  others,  almost  every 
plant  succumbed.  Haverland,  Ivanhoe,  Jessie, 
Warfleld,  Wilson,  Bubach— all  make  a  fine  show- 
ing at  this  time  (middle  of  May). 

The  mulch  iswale  hay)  had  been  entirely  re- 
moved from  all  the  beds  in  April,  and  the  ground 
between  the  rows  given  a  thorough  loosening  by 
means  of  the  cultivator  as  soon  as  it  was  in  good 
working  order,  early  in  May.  This  treatment  is 
far  preferable  to  leaving  the  mulch  on  the  bed 
until  the  fruiting  season,  as  so  often  practised. 
If  plants  are  forced  through  any  covering,  they 
are  apt  to  come  up  blanched  and  tender,  and  to 


A  LAND-LEVELLING  FLOAT.    Sec  next  page. 


selves  plainly  visible.  The  undrained  lands  here 
abouts  are  turned  into  swamps,  with  water 
standing  on  the  su  rf ace  in  every  depression .  The 
drains  put  in  on  the  Popular  Gardening 
grounds  take  care  very  nicely  of  all  this  excess 
of  moisture,  and  leave  the  surface  in  good  shape 
for  work  in  a  little  while  after  it  has  stopped  to 
rain.  The  difference  in  this  respect  between  this 
and  former  seasons  is  most  striking. 

The  Fruit  Outlook.  This  continues  to  be 
the  most  flattering.  Almost  ever.v  tree  and  bush 
is  loaded  with  sound  blossoms  or  buds.  The  fruit 
crop  in  this  section,  barring  accidents,  will  be  a 
most  bountiful  one. 


i88 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


June, 


Summer  Pruning  the  Vine. 

D.  S.  MARWIN.  JEFFERSON  CO.,  N,  Y. 

There  is  a  right  and  a  wrong  way  of  doing 
the  work.  It  is  mainly  a  matter  of  con- 
ditions, or  objects  to  be  obtained.  Let  us 
look  into  the  nature  of  the  plant,  and  let 
the  vine  answer  the  question  for  itself. 

A  vine  is  in  the  nature  of  a  community, 
each  bud  an  individual,  with  another  em- 
bryo vine  wrapped  within  its  water-proof 
covering.  Every  bud  may  be  severed  and 
made  to  grow  into  a  new  vine,  or  if  left  to 
remain  upon  the  present  plant,  may  be 
utilized  by  the  vine  to  produce  foliage.  But 
there  is  a  further,  and  the  most  potent 
energy  of  all,  in  a  part  of  the  buds :  the 
power  of  producing  fruit  containing  seeds 
with  germs  of  new  and  distinct  plants, 
sometimes  very  unlike  the  parent  vine. 

In  pruning  the  vine  what  do  we  desire  to 
accomplish?  In  the  case  of  a  young  plant 
during  the  tlrst  season's  growth  we  want 
alone  a  growth  and  development  of  wood. 
No  system  of  repression  or  turning  the  vine's 
forces  to  other  objects  is  admissible  ;  so  we 
stimulate  and  leave  all  the  foliage  intact 
the  first  year. 

The  second  year  we  have  in  view  bearing 
wood  and  the  development  of  good-sized 
canes  with  large  fruit  buds ;  so  we  prune  in 
the  fall  with  reference  to  the  double  arm, 
the  Kniffin,  the  fan,  or  whatever  system  we 
intend  to  adopt  and  we  have  no  more  wood 
than  is  needed,  so  as  to  avoid  all  the  sum- 
mer pruning  we  can,  for  no  matter  how  we 
manage  under  all  conditions,  much  sum- 
mer pruning  is  to  be  avoided,  so  as  not  to 
disturb  the  vine's  vital  economies  too  harsh- 
ly. But  certainly  in  the  case  of  all  strong- 
growing  plants,  summer  pruning  is  neces- 
sary, for  vre  cannot  otherwise  turn  the 
energies  of  the  vine  into  fruit  bearing, 
because  it  we  do  not  summer  prune  to  a  cer- 
tain degree,  the  forces  of  the  vine  are 
wasted  upon  useless  wood  and  foliage. 

The  first  and  most  important  summer 
pruning  to  be  done,  is  to  break  out  theyoung 
canes  upon  all  the  lower  parts  of  the  vine 
that  we  do  not  need  for  future  u.se,  or  for 
fruit  bearing;  this  concentrates  the  growth 
into  the  bearing  canes  for  the  development 
of  fruit,  and  the  canes  for  next  year's  fruit- 
ing. If  the  vine  is  weakly  or  only  a 
moderate  grower,  this  is  usually  all  the 
summer  pruning  desirable,  e.xcept  when 
the  double  buds  push  two  canes,  when  but 
one  is  needed,  the  best  cane  is  chosen,  the 
other  broken  out.  In  case  one  cane  or 
several  canes  are  appropriating  more  than 
their  due  share  of  sap,  the  ends  should  be 
pinched,  usually  two  or  three  inches  be- 
yond the  last  cluster  of  Grapes,  but  it  extra 
clusters  are  desired,  the  cane  may  be  clipped 
at  the  third,  or  even  the  .second  cluster  of 
fruit,  as  soon  as  the  little  clusters  can  be 
seen,  but  this  should  not  be  generally 
practiced  ;  it  does  not  leave  foliage  enough 
for  a  healthy  growth,  and  under  nearly  all 
circumstances  the  laterals  or  little  side 
canes  growing  from  the  current  year's 
canes,  may  be  pinched  at  the  first  node, 
leaving  but  one  leaf. 

Now  we  have  arrived  at  the  point  where 
there  is  much  diversity  of  opinion.  Shall  we 
cut  oft  the  canes  of  strong-growing  vigorous 
vines  during  the  summer?  I  do  not  approve 
of  cutting  and  slashing,  but  I  do  practice 
and  recommend  pinching  off  the  laterals 
at  one  leaf,  and  the  canes  at  about  the  third 
node  beyond  the  last  cluster  of  Grapes.  I 
can  keep  my  vines  healthy,  and  I  get  larger 
berries,  and  better  clusters  of  fruit  by  so 
doing,  and  I  find  that  the  more  thoroughly 
this  is  done,  the  vines  respond  by  ripening 
the  fruit  a  week  or  two  in  advance  of  vines 
not  so  pruned.  I  always  have  my  fruit  ripe 
and  in  market  before  my  neighbors.  I  am 
sure  the  fruit  is  better  developed,  better 
flavored,  and  a  good  many  days  earlier. 


Another  point  gained  is  also  very  impor- 
tant, that  is  the  production  of  more  pollen 
and  more  potent  pollen,  to  fertilize  the 
ovules  in  June.  Here  is  the  weak  point  in 
most  of  our  species  of  native  Grapes;  there 
is  not  potent  pollen  enough  produced  by  a 
slack  system  of  summer  pruning  to  properly 
fertilize  the  ovules. 

It  will  now  be  seen,  that  no  more  buds 
should  be  allowed  to  grow  upon  a  vine  than 
are  needed,  every  extrabud  when  not  needed 
calls  away  the  forces  of  the  plant  and  pre- 
vents fruit  production.  We  can  see  also 
that  fruit  as  germ  production  is  a  higher 
function,  than  bud  production.  All  vines 
in  a  state  of  nature  are  slowly  shifting  this 
function  from  the  old  bisexual  to  slngle- 
se.xed  plants.  The  vinedresser  will  have  to 
take  this  tendency  into  consideration  and 
counteract  it,  by  giving  his  bi-sexual  plants 
better  conditions  for  pollen  production. 

Again  the  skilled  vinter  must  know  and 
take  into  consideration  the  species  of  the 
vine  he  is  cultivating,  for  the  different 
species  grow  with  different  habits  and  ten- 
dencies, the  most  of  our  native  species  and 
their  hybrids  are  of  recent  origin,  compara- 
tively wild,  and  will  not  submit  to  the  close 
pruning  and  manipulation  of  the  larger 
cultivated  European  species.  Of  course  the 
ultimate  object  is  fruit,  and  the  highly  de- 
veloped cultivated  fruit  is  the  last  and 
supreme  object  to  man. 

The  vine  in  a  wild  state  multiplies  eyes 
and  wood  to  a  much  greater  extent,  and 
when  our  vines  are  diseased,  or  making  but 
a  .slender  growth,  we  should  not  prune  the 
wood,  but  the  fruit,  and  throw  the  forces  of 
tlic  vine  into  bud  and  wood  development. 

Strawberries:  A  Word  for  the  Jewell. 

S.  H.  WARREN,  Mn)DLE.SEX  CO..  MASS. 

The  plants  prefer  new  ground  which  has 
never  before  been  plowed  or  made  to  pro- 
duce our  common  field  crops.  I  believe 
such  land  has  in  it  a  food  for  Strawberries 
which  man  cannot  furnish  by  the  use  of 
stable  manure  or  fertilizei-s.  If  such  new 
land  has  white  grubs  in  it,  it  should  be  cul- 
tivated for  two  years  previous  to  the  plants 
being  set,  or  fenced  in,  for  a  hog  yard. 

New  land  is  also  usually  freer  from  weeds 
than  old  land,  and  I  know  of  no  crop  so  dis- 
couraging to  cultivate  in  a  weedy  soil  than 
Strawberries.  My  Strawberry  land  is  a 
piece  of  low,  deep,  black  soil,  formerly  wet 
and  soft,  which  I  had  tile-drained  and 
sanded.  Part  of  this  had  produced  only 
one  crop  (Potatoes)  before  being  set  to 
Strawberries,  the  other  had  been  cropped 
several  years.  The  whole  was  planted  with 
.lessie  and  .lewell,  one  row  of  the  former 
alternating  with  three  of  the  latter,  and 
the  rows  extending  through  both  the  old 
and  the  new  land.  .Jessie  made  plants 
enough  at  either  end,  but  .Jewell  had  few 
on  the  old  ground,  and  a  plentiful  supply 
on  the  new.  There  were  really  too  many 
plants  for  the  best  results  m  fruit,  but  they 
came  handy  as  I  sell  plants. 

With  me  (and  I  have  3.5  years'  experience) 
the  .lewell  is  the  most  profitable.  It  has  the 
four  great  requisites,  beauty,  size,  quality, 
and  quantity.  At  first  I  stimulated  the 
plants  every  way  to  induce  them  to  make 
runners,  but  without  avail.  I  got  about 
three  runners  to  every  parent  plant,  not- 
withstanding heavy  applications  of  manure, 
and  phosphates.  1  believe  a  great  mistake 
is  made  in  setting  out  large  stocky  plants  of 
the  .Jewell  variety  instead  of  small  ones. 
The  former  are  more  inclined  to  bear  fruit 
than  to  produce  plants.  It  is  also  my  ex- 
perience that  .Jewell  requires  more  moisture 
to  grow  plants  than  other  varieties.  Last 
year  the  .Jewells  on  high  ground  made  a 
good  growth  of  plants  because  we  had  so 
much  rain,  while  the  year  before  they  made 
very  few  on  the  same  land,  it  being  dry. 


The  great  reason  why  this  variety  has. 
been  discarded,  is  that  people  have  not  been 
able  to  raise  their  own  plants,  and  their  mar- 
ket value  is  high.  But  if  small  ones  are 
chosen  and  set  in  new,  moist  land,  there 
will  be  no  trouble  in  raising  both  the  plants 
and  fruit  of  this  most  profitable  variety. 


Celery  Culture  in  Maine. 

J.  A.  UARETT,  CUMBERLAND  CO.,  ME. 

Our  method  is  as  follows :  We  prepare 
our  hot-bed  about  the  last  of  March  or  first 
of  April,  putting  three  or  four  inches  of 
steaming  hot  manure  under  a  little  more 
than  that  depth  of  rich  fine  soil  covering 
with  sashes  and  allowing  it  to  heat  a  little 
for  the  next  twenty-four  hours.  The  sashes 
are  then  taken  off  and  the  soil  thoroughly 
stirred.  It  is  then  smoothed  and  pressed 
down  firmly  with  a  short  piece  of  board. 
The  seed  is  then  sown  quite  thickly  on  this 
surface,  and  a  very  thin  covering  of  rich 
loam  sifted  over  it,  which  in  turn  is  pressed 
down  firmly. 

Now  a  covering  of  thin  cloth  is  laid  over 
it  thus  preventing  the  seed  washing  out  in 
watering.  When  the  plants  make  their 
appearance,  this  cloth  is  taken  off,  and  the 
outside  of  the  sash  daubed  with  whitewash 
or  mud.  The  sashes  are  allowed  to  remain 
a  little  longer,  airing  freely  while  the  sun  is 
shining  on  them.  Great  care  is  exercised  at 
this  point  in  their  growth  as  they  will  die  if 
kept  too  dry,  and  if  kept  too  wet  they  will 
damp  off.  When  the  plants  are  about  an 
inch  in  height  they  are  transplanted  into  a 
bed  that  has  been  used  in  growing  Lettuce 
or  Radishes.  About  :i50  plants  are  allowed 
for  the  space  occupied  by  one  sash.  The 
sash  are  removed,  and  the  plants  kept 
shaded  from  ten  to  three  for  a  few  days. 

All  that  is  necessary  is  to  keep  them  wet 
from  this  time  until  the  15th  to  'Jllth  of  .June. 
They  are  then  set  out  in  ground  that  has 
been  heavily  manured  and  fined,  in  rows 
six  feet  apart  and  one  foot  apart  in  the  row. 

Until  the  middle  of  August  we  cultivate 
between  the  rows,  and  keep  the  plants  clean 
by  hoeing  occasionally.  After  this  time  we 
bank  up  what  is  needed  for  the  local  mar- 
ket. After  the  first  of  October  we  begin  to 
bank  up  what  is  to  be  housed  for  winter. 
We  begin  taking  it  into  the  house  the  25th 
of  the  month. 

Most  of  the  writers  on  Celery  neglect  to 
speak  about  the  importance  of  keeping  out 
of  the  Celery  while  the  dew  is  on.  If 
handled  in  this  condition  it  is  liable  to  rust. 


Manures  for  Garden  Crops. 

The  question  whether  plants  draw  nitro- 
gen from  the  air,  and  how  much  of  it,  is 
often  brought  up  for  discussion;  but  after 
all,  it  has  very  little  practical  bearing,  ex- 
cept in  case  of  leguminous  plants. 

Otherwise  the  gardener  and  fruit  grower 
will  do  well  to  make  little  reckoning  on  the 
nitrogen  needed  for  his  crops,  from  that 
source.  Peas  and  Beans,  like  Clover"  and 
other  members  of  that  family,  do  well  so 
long  as  they  find  plenty  of  mineral  food  in 
the  soil,  as  they  get  their  nitrogen  supply 
from  air,  and  subsoil.  The  only  safe  depen- 
dance  for  nitrogen  with  other  garden  crops, 
however,  is  yet  the  manure  heap  in  the  barn- 
yard, or  the  nitrogen  bought  in  complete 
manufactured  manures,  or  in  nitrates,  or 
ammonia  salts. 

It  is  entirely  fallacious,  says  Tick's  Maga- 
zine, to  suppose  that  garden  crops,  whether 
flowers,  fruit,  or  vegetables,  gain  a  large 
amount  of  nitrogenous  plant-food  from 
atmospheric  sources  by  means  of  this  ex- 
tended leaf-surface.  The  quantity  of  com- 
bined nitrogen  brought  to  the  soil  and  grow- 
ing plants  by  rain-water  and  the  atmos- 
phere is  so  inconsiderable  an  amount,  when 
compared  with  the  weight  required  by  the 
crop,  that  we  may  fairly  say  that  no  plants 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


189 


are  more  dependent  on  nitrogen  in  an  avail- 
able condition  within  the  soil  than  are 
garden  vegetables.  No  matter  how  good 
the  normal  condition  of  the  soil  may  be,  it 
will  not  produce  paying  crops  of  vegetables, 
or  even  fruits,  without  manure.  Certain  it 
is  that  if  a  garden  will  not  pay  with  liberal 
manuring,  it  will  not  pay  without  it. 


The   Insect    Powder    Industry    In 

California. 
The  insect  powder  put  on  the  market 
under  the  trade  name  "'  buhach  "  is  so  far 
superior  to  the  common  "  Persian"  or  "Dal- 
mation "  powders,  kept  by  druggists  and 
seedsmen,  that  progressive  gardeners  should 
cease  to  buy  and  use  the  unreliable  ordin- 
ary insect  powders  and  put  their  trust  alto- 
gether in  "  buhach  "  especially  as  the  latter 
is  an  American  product.  We  only  regret 
that  it  is  as  yet  manufactured  only  in  limit- 
ed quantity,  and  not  sufficient  that  it  could 
be  placed  on  sale  generally  in  all  drugstores. 
But  it  seems  to  us  that  seedsmen  should 
keep  it  in  stock,  recommend  it  to  their 
customers,  and  urge  it  upon  them.  It  is 
infallible  for  Cabbage  (and  many  other) 
worms,  also  for  lice  on  hens  and  chickens. 

The  only  parties  now  engaged  in  the 
buhach  industry  are  the  Buhach  Producing 
and  Manufacturing  Co.,  of  Stockton,  Cali- 
fornia. The  Stockton  Daily  Mail  in  a  recent 
issue  gives  a  pretty  full  account  of  this  in- 
teresting industry,  from  which  the  follow- 
ing is  an  extract :— Buhach  is  a  fine  powder 
made  from  the  blossoms  of  the  plant  Pyrc- 
thruin  cincrdrUrfdlium.  Insect  powder 
made  from  the  Dalmatian  plant  was  first 
put  upon  the  European  markets  about  thirty 
years  ago,  and  it  has  been  found  in  the 
leading  markets  of  the  world  ever  since. 

The  plant  was  introduced  into  California 
by  a  former  Dalmatian,  one  G.  N.  Milco, 
who  procured  some  of  the  seed  from  his 
native  country.  A  large  tract  of  land  was 
planted  and  cultivated  near  Atwater,  Mer- 
ced County.  From  the  blossoms  of  the 
plant  grown  at  Atwater,  buhach  is  manu- 
factured in  Stockton  by  the  company  which 
now  has  more  than  300  acres  under  cultiva- 
tion: an  acreage  which  is  increased  as  the 
demand  increases. 

Its  cultivation  requires  careful  and  intel- 
ligent supervision,  and  it  cannot  be  success- 
fully grown  except  by  irrigation.  It  re- 
quires at  least  three  years  from  the  seed  to 
grow  plants  capable  of  producing  a  paying 
crop  of  flowers,  and  then  the  plant  will  con- 
tinue to  produce.for  four  or  five  years  longer 
although  it  is  in  its  prime  and  most  produc- 
tive when  four  or  five  years  old.  It  grows 
to  a  height  of  about  thirty  inches,  and  is 
planted  in  rows  four  feet  apart  and  from 
fifteen  to  twenty-four  inches  apart  in  the 
row.  The  flowers  are  generally  harvested 
in  the  latter  part  of  May.  The  stalks  are 
cut  at  the  roots  of  the  plant,  and  then  by 
hand  the  flowers  are  broken  oft  by  passing 
the  stems  through  a  sort  of  comb,  which 
detaches  the  flowers,  which  fall  into  a  box 
and  are  then  carried  to  the  drying  ground, 
where  they  are  spread  upon  sheets  and  ex- 
posed to  the  rays  of  the  sun  during  the  day, 
being  often  turned  in  the  meantime,  and  at 
night  are  covered  to  prevent  them  from 
absorbing  any  moisture.  The  perfect  drying 
of  the  flowers  is  a  most  important  operation, 
as  in  order  to  retain  the  volatile  oil  which 
gives  to  the  powder  its  insecticide  properties, 
It  is  very  necessary  that  the  flower  should  be 
dried  quickly  and  thoroughly,  and  be  pro- 
tected during  the  process  from  all  moisture. 
A  light  dew  falling  upon  the  flowers  during 
drying  process  will  color  them  and  reduce 
their  insecticide  properties.  In  this  respect 
the  California-grown  flowers  are  better 
cured  and  consequently  more  valuable  than 
those  grown  in  Dalmatia. 


It  is  also  a  fact  well-known  to  those 
familiar  with  the  Pyrethrum  flowers  that 
they  are  liable  to  be  adulterated  by  the  ad- 
mixture of  flowers  of  no  value,  which, 
however,  closely  resemble  the  Pyrethrum^ 
and  experts  may  be  deceived  unless  the 
powder  manufactured  from  the  combination 
is  thoroughly  tested  to  prove  its  strength. 

Powders  are  sometimes  manufactured 
from  the  whole  plant,  including  the  stems, 
leaves  and  flowers,  which  possess,  to  a  cer- 
tain extent,  the  insecticide  properties  of 
buhach,  and  are  xindoubtedly  far  superior 
in  strength  to  many  of  the  insect  powders 
that  are  found  upon  the  market ;  yet  as  the 
blossoms  of  the  Pyrethrum  plant  are  richer 
in  the  essential  oil  which  gives  the  peculiar 
insecticide  properties  of  the  plant,  powder 
manufactured  solely  therefrom  is  the  strong- 
est and  best  that  can  be  made. 

For  years  after  the  company  first  began 
to  introduce  buhach,  its  sale  was  a  very  slow 
one,  but  finally  the  merits  of  the  article 
were  fully  and  generally  recognized,  and 
for  some  years  now  the  demand  has  been  so 
great  that  its  supply  has  required  the  full 
facilities  of  the  producing  concern. 

Bogus  Commission  Merchants. 

How  to  secure  honest  service,  and  especi- 
ally honest  returns  on  the  part  of  our  com- 
mission men  in  the  cities,  is  a  serious  ques- 
tion which  has  become  a  leading  topic  of 
the  discussions  at  farmers'  and  fruit  grow- 
ers' meetings.  Sec'y  E.  Williams  of  New 
.Jersey,  at  the  last  meeting  of  the  New 
Jersey  Horticultural  Society  remarked  that 
the  surest  way  of  making  fruit  growing 
pay,  is,  making  commission  dealers  honest. 
This  is  not  very  flattering  to  the  fraternity 
even  of  genuine  commission  men,  and  yet 
every  spring  springs  up  a  crop  of  bogus 
commission  merchants,  compared  with 
which  the  dealer  who  retains  only  an  ille- 
gitimate ten  or  fifteen  per  cent  of  the  sales 
made,  must  appear  innocent  as  an  angel 
fresh  from  heaven. 

In  a  letter  written  some  time  since  by  one 
of  the  victims  to  the  New  York  Fruit  Trade 
.Tournal,  the  following  description  of  the 
modus  iipcrnndl  of  the  bogus  dealers  is 
given  :  "  I  know  of  several  instances  where 
New  York  and  Philadelphia  houses  have 
given  prompt  returns  early  in  the  season, 
but  after  large  consignments  and  gaining  a 
large  number  of  customers,  prices  would 
suddenly  take  a  tumble  and  reports  became 
slow  and  unsatisfactory.  In  some  cases 
the  money  would  be  held  back  until  the  end 
of  the  season,  when  the  commission  mer- 
chant would  fail  and  his  agent  would  later 
down  come  with  a  pitiful  tale  of  bad  luck, 
and  secure  a  settlement  at  3.')  per  cent." 

The  Journal  addressed  comments  on  this 
as  follows  :  "  There  are  two  classes  of  com- 
mission merchants  who  are  responsible  for 
this  hardship :  first  the  sharper,  who  de- 
liberately plans  to  swindle  the  farmer. 
Early  in  Berry,  Peach  or  Apple  season  he 
sends  out  sensational  circulars  and  often 
false  quotations,  and  makes  returns  for  his 
first  few  shipments,  of  prices  much  higher 
than  the  fruit  brought,  supplying  the  de- 
ficiency from  his  own  pocket.  Of  course 
the  news  of  his  successful  sales  is  spread 
among  the  friends  of  the  happy  grower, 
who  drop  the  established  houses  they  have 
shipped  to  for  years,  and  consign  to  the  new 
merchant.  The  sequel  is  short  and  disas- 
trous, the  consignee  often  disappearing 
without  taking  the  trouble  to  make  a  per- 
cent settlement  with  the  shipper.  These 
fellows  often  turn  up  the  next  season  under 
different  names.  The  second  are  inex- 
perienced men  from  among  shippers  them- 
selves, who  thinking  they  can  control  large 
shipments  from  their  own  locality  and  not 
counting  the  expense  of  conducting  a  com- 
mission   house,  open    a   place   and    solicit 


consignments  from  their  friends.  Their 
business  is  not  as  good  as  they  anticipated, 
they  are  often  unable  to  get  as  good  prices 
as  old  houses  who  have  their  regular  cus- 
tomers, expenses  are  heavy  and  their  small 
capital  is  .soon  exhausted.  They  become 
involved  and  though  they  strive  to  pull 
through,  the  crisis  comes,  and  before  the 
season  is  over  the  unfortunate  commission 
merchant  is  compelled  to  suspend." 

The  moral  is  plain.  A  prudent  shipper 
will  not  swallow  the  bait  held  out  by  these 
"  new  houses  with  superior  facilities,"  but 
stick  to  his  old-established  firm  or  firms  as 
long  as  they  treat  him  with  apparent  fair- 
ness. At  the  same  time  there  is  no  safety 
in  trusting  any  of  them  too  implicitly.  A 
little  supervision  and  control  will  never  be 
out  of  place.  It  is  a  good  plan  for  the  ship- 
per to  make  an  occasional  trip  to  the  city, 
and  visit  the  commissiou  store  where  he  has 
shipped  his  produce,  to  inquire  the  prices  at 
which  the  goods  are  selling ;  or  it  he  is  per- 
sonally known  to  the  merchant,  to  send  one 
of  his  friends  on  the  same  errand. 

This  may  look  somewhat  like  detective 
work,  and  perhaps  be  distasteful  to  the 
shipper.  Yet  while  the  evil  is  so  great,  and 
the  distrust  in  commission  men  so  general, 
the  shipper  can  be  sure  of  his  ground  only 
by  adopting  such  a  course  like  this  ;  and  if 
the  merchant  is  honest  (and  there  are  such), 
it  will  be  only  to  his  own  advantage  if  the 
shipper  gets  an  opportunity  to  convince 
himself  of  this  fact. 


The  Merits  of  Wood  Ashes. 

In  an  essay  read  before  the  American 
Horticultural  Society  at  the  Cleveland, Ohio, 
meeting  a  few  years  ago,  Mr.  .1.  M.  Smith 
gave  an  account  of  the  means  employed 
for  the  prevention  of  the  evil  effects  of  a 
prolonged  drought.  Among  these  means 
a  free  use  of  wood  ashes  were  named  as  one 
of  the  simplest  and  most  effective. 

Recently  Mr.  Smith  has  made  a  compara- 
tive test  of  the  effects  of  wood  ashes  and 
barn  yard  manure  on  a  scale  large  enough 
to  show  results  that  are  more  than  an  "  in- 
dication." Two  acres  lying  side  by  side 
were  treated  exactly  alike  in  every  respect 
except  that  one  was  manured  with  unleach- 
ed  wood  ashes,  and  the  other  with  stable 
mauure.  Mr.  Smith  reports  the  results  of 
the  trial  to  the  Prairie  farmer  as  follows  : 

The  acre  fertilized  with  ashes  yielded  .'il 
bushels  the  most,  and  if  there  was  any 
dift'erence  in  quality  it  was  in  favor  of  those 
that  had  the  ashes.  Now.  the  fair  inference 
would  be  that  the  ashes  were  much  the  best 
manure  for  Potatoes.  Let  us  look  a  little 
further:  The  last  half  of  May  and  the  first 
halt  of  June  were  wet  and  cold,  and  so  far 
the  two  acres  seemed  to  keep  just  about 
even.  After  .June  15th  the  weather  became 
very  dry,  and  there  was  little  rain  upon  the 
plants  until  they  were  ripe.  Very  soon 
after  the  ground  began  to  get  dry  it  could  be 
plainly  seen  that  those  manured  from  the 
compost-heap  were  suft'eriug  from  want  of 
rain,  while  those  manured  with  ashes  were 
growing  very  rapidly.  This  continued  until 
they  were  ripe. 

The  simple  fact  is.  Potatoes  or  Straw- 
berries maniu-ed  with  ashes  stand  drouth 
that  would  be  ruinotis  to  crops  fertilized 
with  any  manure  I  have  ever  tried.  To  this 
fact  I  attribute  the  failure  of  the  compost- 
heap  acre  to  hold  its  own  with  the  acre  upon 
which  ashes  were  used.  I  have  tried  the 
experiment  many  times,  always  with  pre- 
cisely the  same  result,  provided  we  had  a 
dry  season  during  the  growth  of  the  crop. 
I  do  not  know  but  the  rule  will  hold  good 
with  all  farm  and  garden  crops,  but  with 
the  above  named  there  is  no  doubt.  I  do  not 
underrate  ashes  as  manure.  I  have  used 
them  in  preference  to  any  fertilizer  I  could 
get  for  Potatoes,  many  years. 


IQO 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


June, 


Kohl  RabI  Little  Grown  but  Worthy. 

It  is  hard  to  understand  why  this  veget- 
able, which  is  so  easily  grown,  and  has  no 
forminable  insect  enemy,  while  being  highly 
prized  for  culinary  purposes  in  Europe, 
remains  so  long  a  stranger  in  the  majority 
of  American'gardens.  It  is  not  a  difference 
in  taste,  for  Americans  when  a  dish  of  the 
weirprei)ared  vegetable  is  put'before  them, 
take  to  it  at  once,  and  appreciate  its  tender- 
ness, and  flavor.  j 


in  that  county  (Monmouth)  so  noted  for  big 
small  fruits. 

The  plants  on  which  this  monstrous  berry 
was  borne,  were  set  the  year  before,  and 
had  made  but  a  small  number  of  runners. 
The  soil  was  only  moderately  fertile,  hav- 
ing half-shade  in  the  afternoon  (from  an 
Ajjple  orchard  along  side  the  patch.) 

The  land  had  received  a  dressing  of  some 
high-grade  special  Potato  manure  at  the 
rate  of  about  800  lbs.  per  acre  before  plow 


The  leaves  of  Kohl  Rabi  somewhat  re-  j  ing  and  another  at  same  rate  after  plowing; 
semble  Cabbage  leaves,  and  grow  out  of  th  e  '  no  stable  manure  being  used.  The  soil  was 
center  of  an  enlarged  stem  or  bulb, 
above  ground.  In  texture  this  en- 
largement resembles  a  Turnip.  The 
Early  Vienna  is  the  varietybest  known, 
and  usually  offered  by  seed  dealers. 
We  prefer  it  to  the  larger  and  later  Im- 
perial. Purple  Vienna  only  differs  from 
Early  White  V'ienna  in  outside  color. 
The  flesh  of  all  varieties,  says  W.  H. 
Bull,  in  Garden  and  Forest,  who  has 
grown  Kohl  Rabi  extensively  for 
market,  is  nearly  white,  and  when  not 
overgrown  very  tender.  When  old, the 
fibre  of  the  root  extend  upwards,  first 
on  the  otitside  and  then  through  the 
heart  of  the  vegetable ;  a  thick  rind 
taken  off  at  first  will  remove  all  the 
fibre,  but  when  the  root  is  filled  it  is 
useless. 

The  best  practice  is  to  plant  seed  in 
succession  tor  use,  because  after  the 
bulb  has  begun  to  form,  the  period  in 
which  it  is  edible  is  comparatively 
short.  It  is  very  easy  to  grow,  and 
is  less  affected  by  the  attacks  of  the 
Cabbage-worm  than  any  other 
members    of     the    Cabbage   family. 


ture  falls  threateningly  low.    There  were 
neither  mats  nor  shutters. 

The  accompanying  illustration  taken  from 
American  Florist,  shows  the  manner  in 
which  Mr.  (ieo.  Klehm,  of  Illinois,  has  ar- 
ranged his  hot  beds  for  heating  by  4-inch 
hot-water  pipes.  "The  bed  is  built  up 
against  the  sides  and  ends  of  the  green- 
houses, the  outer  wall  being  of  brick  as 
shown.  From  the  wall  a  12-incli  plank  ex- 
tends out  over  the  hot  water  pipe,  the  inner 
edge  Ijeing  supported  by  i;x+  uprights 
(shown  by  dotted  lines)  placed  at  intervals. 
The  sash  laps  about  four  inches  on 
the  plank.  With  this  arrangement  the 
heat  from  the  pipe  diffuses  evenly  over 
the  bed  without  the  liability  of  injur- 
ing any  plant  through  too  close  contact 
with  the  pipe,  and  permits  all  of  the 
space  covered  by  glass  to  be  utilized." 


The 


seeds  for  first  crop  should  be  planted  about 
the  first  week  in  March  and  treated  in  all 
respects  like  Cabbage,  setting  the  plants  in 
the  open  ground  as  soon  as  Cabbages  can  be 
set.  The  growth  in  rich  land  will  be  rapid, 
and  a  second  planting  a  month  later  will 
make  a  succession.  For  fall  use,  sow  in 
open  ground  early  in  .July.  My  practice  is 
to  transplant,  but  this  is  not  necessary,  as 
the  plants  can  be  thinned  where  they  grow 
to  about  six  inches  apart,  having  the  rows 
two  feet  apart.  They  bear  transplanting 
and  extremes  of  heat  and  cold  or  drought 
well.  In  fall  the  unused  plants  are  taken 
up,  and,  after  the  leaves  are  cut  oft',  are  set 
with  the  rout  in  earth  in  a  cellar,  where 
they  will  keep  well  into  the  spring  months, 
Und  be  as  good  as  when  harvested. 

To  prepare  for  the  table  a  common  method 
is  to  pare,  cut  in  cubes  of  about  an  inch 


A  BUBACH  STRAWBERRY  SHOWN  IN  ACTUAL  SIZE. 

of  the  sandy  loam  with  porous  sub-soil 
which  is  so  widely  found  in  the  eastern 
part  of  the  state. 


PINCERS  FOR   HANDLING   BUGS. 

.square,  boil  till  tender,  and  then  serve  with 
drawn  l)utter. 


A  Large  Bubach  Strawberry. 
That  the  large  specimens  of  Strawberries, 
as  so  often  pictured  in  the  catalogues,  can 
be  produced  under  special  management, 
and  especially  favorable  conditions,  is  true; 
but  it  is  not  often  in  the  life-time  of  the 
average  grower  that  he  can  succeed  in 
showing  such  a  monster  as  we  here  illus- 
trate in  natural  size.  The  original  was  the 
largest  specimen  of  Strawberry  ever  grown 
by  the  writer,  then  in  New  .Jersey,  and  his 
neighbors  assured  him  that  it  was  by  far 
the  largest  they  had  ever  seen  grown  even 


Handling  Bugs  With  Pincers. 

L.  D.  ELDER,  LIVINGSTONE  CO.,  N.  Y. 

For  several  seasons  I  have  noticed  in  our 
Quince  orchard  bugs  resembling  the  large 
gray  Squash  bug,  in  color,  but  being  round- 
er and  flatter  in  shape,  and  having  the 
nauseous  odor  of  the  "stink  bug."  They 
infest  the  trunks  and  large  branches  of  the 
Quince  trees  during  the  summer  and  fall. 
Where  they  harbor,  the  bark  becomes  dis- 
colored, and  during  the  fall  willcrack  open, 
and  the  branch  or  tree,  as  the  case  may  be, 
dies  during  the  winter. 

I  have  picked  them  off  with  my  "bug 
pincers"  on  bright  days  when  they  come  out 
on  the  south  side  of  the  tree  to  sun  them- 
selves, and  think  J  have  saved  some  trees 
by  that  means. 

The  same  or  a  similar  bug  I  noticed  at 
work  on  the  Apple  trees,  at  the  same  time. 
The  "pincers"  mentioned  above,  I  find 
very  useful  in  many  ways.  They  work  on 
the  principle  of  a  pair  of  sheep-shears,  are 
about  eight  inches  long,  and  were  made  by 
a  local  blacksmith  at  a  cost  of  25  cts.,  and 
are  a  fine  thing  for  handpicking  many  kinds 
of  insects. 


New  Ways  of  Heating  Frames. 
In  an  essay  read  before  the  Massachusetts 
Horticultural  Society,  an  extract  of  which 
was  given  in  the  May  issue  of  PoptrLAU 
(jAliDENiNo.  Mr.  Philbrick  tells  how  he 
takes  the  chill  off  his  cold  frames  by  means 
of  a  line  or  two  of  hot  water  or  steam  pipes, 
and  thus  numagcs  to  get  ahead  of  his  com- 
petitors who  frequently  have  difficulty  to 
keep  the  frost  out  of  their  unheated  cold 
frames  planted  with  Spinach  and  Dande- 
lions. We  have  seen  frames  arranged  on 
some  such  plan  in  New  Jersey,  and  used 
for  hardening  off  Tomato  plants,  etc.  Here 
the  pipes  were  only  a  last  resort  in  case  of 
late  cold  spells,  the  beds  being  usually 
worked  as  simple  cold  frames,  and  the  fires 
started  up  only  when  the  outside  tempera-  I  twisting  motion  of  the  right  hand.    Celery 


T.  Greiner  on  Conditions  of  Suc- 
cess In  Transplanting. 
In  a  wet  season,  or  during  a  wet 
spell,  setting  out  plants  in  the  open 
ground  is  an  easy  enough  operation, 
and  anybody,  no  matter  how  unskilled, 
can  succeed  without  effort.  During  a 
prolonged  spelt  of  heat  and  drought— 
and  we  are  apt  to  have  such  at  the 
season  for  setting  Celery  and  late 
Cabbages— the  gardener  often  finds  his 
skill  and  experience  put  to  a  severe 
test  by  the  task.  A  supply  of  first- 
class  plants,  I.  t'.,  such  as  were  grown 
with  proper  allowance  of  space  to  each 
plant,  and  consequently  possess  a  fully- 
developed  root  system  and  a  short, 
stocky  top,  makes  success  reasonably 
certain  even  under  otherwise  unfavorable 
conditions,  especially  if  some  soil  be  left 
adhering  to  the  roots  in  lifting  and  shifting. 
The  most  essential  requirement,  however, 
in  any  case  is  that  the  soil  be  moist,  not  wet 
or  sticky,  but  so  that  it  will  easily  crumble 
between  the  hands.  If  the  soil  be  dry,  it 
must  be  freshened  and  moistened  by  artifi- 
cial watering,  or  failure  will  be  the  sure 
result.  Planting  in  dry  soil  is  usually  fatal, 
even  if  water  be  applied  afterwards.  A  Iways 
plant  in  trrs)ily-stirred  soil,  is  a  gooA  ixiie 
in  this  matter. 

Puddling.— Simply  dipping  the  roots  in 
water  just  before  .setting  them,  is  fully  as 
effective  as  the  famous  manipulation  known 
as  "puddling"  (dipping  in  thin  mud),  and 
it  is  much  cleaner,  more  convenient,  and 
generally  preferable.  I,  myself,  have  no 
tise  for  "puddling"  neither  for  vegetable, 
nor  small  fruit  plants  and  trees;  but  dip- 
ing  the  roots  in  clear  water,  just  before 
setting  the  plants,  is  a  precaution  which  I, 
or  any  other  gardener,  can  not  well  afford 
to  neglect. 

Firming  the  Roots.— Another  indispens- 
able requisite  in  successful  transplanting  is 
the  thorough  firming  of  the  soil  around  the 
roots.  It  should  be  packed  so  tightly  and 
closely  that  parts  of  the  i)lant  would  sooner 
tear  off  than  allow  the  plant  to  be  pulled  up 
by  them.  It  is  advisable,  however,  to  draw 
a  little  loose  soil= 
as  a  kind  of  pro- 
tection  and 
mulch     up  over 

the    firmed    soil 

,  J    *i.        New  ways  Qf  heating  frames. 

and    around   the 

plant,  and  in  very  dry  weather  the  latter 

may  be  well-nigh  covered  up    with   loose 

soil  to  prevent  rapid  evaporation. 

Shortening  Tops  and  Roots.— Another 

sensible  precaution  in  dry  weather  is  the 

trimming  or  shortening  in  of  the  tops  of 

Cabbage,    Celery  and  other   plants    when 

getting  them  ready  for  setting  out.    It  is 

done   in  the  most  convenient  manner  by 

taking  a  bundle  of  plants  in  the  left  hand, 

and  removing  about  half  of  the  tops  by  a 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


191 


plants  with  excessively  lonjj  roots  should 
have  the  tips  cut  olT  with  n  sharp  knife. 
Plants  treated  in  this  way,  after  being  plan- 
ted out.  appear  as  here  illustrated. 

SriMM.iNo  l"i..\NTs.— Kven  the  most  ill- 
looking,  spindling,  almost  rootless  plants 
of  Tomatoes,  Cabbages,  Cauliflowers,  etc., 
can  be  transplanted  with  entire  success 
under  average  conditions  of  soil  and  season. 
All  that  is  needed  is  to  insert  the  plants 
into  the  ground  up  to  their  very  hearts. 
Overgrown  Tomato  plants  may  be  laid  down 
in  a  slanting  position,  care  being  taken  to 
bring  the  moist  earth  in  contact  with  the 
soil  where  underground.  From  "How  to 
make  the  Garden  pay. " 

I  am  not  a  particular  friend  of  transplant- 
ing, and  avoid  it  wherever  I  can.  In  thcuri/, 
transplanting,  which  is  a  sort  of  root  prun- 
ing, induces  early  fruit  production  in  Toma- 
toes, Egg  plants,  etc.,  early  heading  in 
I.,ettuce,  Cauliflower,  Cabbage,  and  root 
development,  such  as  is  indispensable  in 
good  plants  for  setting  outdoors.  For  this 
reason,  gardeners  practice,  and  writers 
advocate,  repeated  shifting,  repotting  or 
transplanting  of  all  sorts  of  vegetable 
plants,  in  particular,  also,  of  Tomato,  Egg 
plant,  Peppers,  Cabbage,  Celery,  etc.  In 
pnwtice,  transplanting,  with  its  unavoid- 
able root  mutilation,  is  a  stab  at  the  plant's 
vitality,  and  acts  as  a  more  or  less  serious 
check  to  its  growth,  thus  invariably  dwarf- 
ing it  in  some  measure.  Sometimes,  if  the 
operation  was  done  under  favorable  circum- 
stances—in moist  atmosphere,  and  absence 
of  direct  sunlight— it  is  certainly  followed 
by  earlier  fruit  production  or  earlier  heading. 
At  the  same  time  it  also  and  invariably  re- 
sults in  reduced  size  of  plant  or  head,  and 
reduced  aggregate  yield  of  fruit.  Should 
less  favorable  conditions  be  ruling  at  the 
time  of  the  transplanting  operation,  how- 
ever, the  atmosphere  \>e  dry  and  the  sun 
bright,  the  plant  will  receive  a  set-back 
which  cripples  and  retards  it  for  a  long 
time,  so  that  the  nntransplanted  plant  will 
come  even  sooner  to  maturity. 

The  great  advantage  that  transplanted 
plants  have  over  nntransplanted  ones,  is 
the  greater  amount  of  space  which  people 
generally  allow  to  the  former.  Seedlings 
are  grown  thickly  in  the  row,  and  left 
thickly.  In  transplanting,  the  space  is 
given  to  each  plant  that  properly  belongs  to 
it.  Let  this  be  done  with  the  seedlings,  by 
early  thinning  to  the  proper  distance ;  or, 
let  the  seed  be  planted  in  a  pot  or  can  large 
enough,  leaving  only  a  single  plant  to  grow; 
and  we  can  thus  produce  plants  with  a  well 
developed  root  system,  and  fully  the  equal 
to  transplanted  plants  in  every  respect. 
This  comparison,  of  course,  refers  to  plants 
started  from  seed  at  the  same  time.  Much 
higher  rates  are  always  asked  for  ■'  trans- 
planted" Cabbage  and  Celery  plants,  than 
for  common  seedlings.  The  former,  it  is 
true,  are  usually  fine  plants,  with  large 
roots  and  stocky  tops,  and  well  worth  their 
price.  I  obtain  just  as  good  plants  by 
growing  seedlings  thinly  in  drills.  All 
seems  to  depend  chiefly  on  the  amount  of 
space  given  to  each  plant. 


COMMENTS  BY    READERS. 

A  department  to  which  all  are  im'ited  to  send  notes 
of  experience  and  observation  concerning  topics  that 
recently  have  been  treated  on  in  this  Journal.  Slany 
such  contributions  monthly  are  loelcojne. 

Cat-ilogue  Promises.  Your  correspondent 
J.  B.  D.,Pa.  in  May  issue,  takes  exception  to  the 
catalogues  in  general,  and  insinuates  that  they 
alone  are  responsible  for  what  must  be  a  series 
of  failures  in  his  gardening  experience,  judging 
from  the  tenor  of  his  communication.  It  there 
is  anything  in  the  whole  list  of  plants,  offered  by 
the  various  dealers,  which  would  tax  their 
powers  of  description  in  an  attempt  to  do  them 
justice,  it  is  the  very  plants  he  mentions.  Who, 
that  has  seen  a  well-grown  specimen  of  Clematis, 


Rhododendron  or  Liliuni  Auratun],  can  tr\il}' 
say  that  they  are  described  in  colors  too  glowing 
l»y  an.v  catalogue  man  ?  It  Is  unfortunately  the 
fashion  now  to  deride  the  catalogue  men  and 
lay  the  blame  of  all  failures  in  plants  and  .seeds 
on  their  shoulders,  yet  they  larely  receive  due 
credit  for  the  numberless  good  things  they  are 
the  means  of  bringing  before  the  public.  It  is  no 
exaggeration  to  say  that  the  Moon  Flower  which 
he  makes  a  target  for  his  sarcasm  was  an  object 
of  admiration  in  over  one  hundred  thousand 
gardens  last  years,  and  that  perhaps  double  that 
number  will  see  its  glories  this  season.  If  ,1.  B.  D. 
would  see  to  it  that  his  ^ 
plants  received  the  proper  ( 
care  as  recommended  by  the  "■■.., 
catalogue  men,  and  by  Pop- 
irLAR  Gardening,  I  can 
promise  him  that  he  will 
have  little  cause  for  com- 
plaint. Too  many  amateurs 
conclude  that  when  they  dig 
a  hole  and  set  a  plant  in  it, 
or  sow  the  seeds,  that  they 
have  done  all  that  is  neces- 
sary and  expect  that  suc- 
cessful refiults  will  follow, 
forgetting  that  plants,  like 
animals,  require  constant 
care  and  attention,  and  that 
they  are  .subject  to  ills  which 
must  be  intelligently  met 
and  combated.  Get  a  proper 
knowledge  of  the  wants  of 
your  plants,  and  be  unre- 
mitting in  your  care,  read 
good  gardening  literature 
and  you  will  see  success, 
where  there  is  failure  now.— Pat.  O'Mma,  Jersey 
City. 

Kaspbebry  CuLTtTRE.  On  page  l.')8  H.  K. 
Cotta  says:"  set  the  crowns  of  the  roots  of  Rasp- 
berry plants  three  inches  below  the  surface." 
In  our  experience  with  Kaspberries,  especially 
the  Gregg,  we  have  found  this  to  be  about  right. 
In  planting  we  furrow  out  the  piece  to  be  plant- 
ed, with  a  small  diamond  plow  and  set  the  plants 
in  the  furrow  with  the  crowns  two  or  three 
inches  below  the  general  surface  of  the  ground. 
As  the  plants  grow  these  furrows  are  gradually 
filled  as  the  plants  are  plowed  and  hoed.  Some 
claim  that  there  is  great  danger  of  the  plants 
drowning  when  set  so  low,  if  the  season  should 
be  wet,  but  if  the  ground  has  been  well  prepared 
the  danger  from  this  source  is  slight.  Last  year 
in  a  piece  of  nearly  two  acres  of  Greggs  set  in 
this  way  we  did  not  lose  more  than  one  per  cent, 
although  it  was  one  of  the  wettest  seasons  known 
here  for  many  years.  He  also  speaks  of  the 
Schafler  as  being  one  of  the  most  profitable 
Raspberries  for  a  local  market.  With  the  best 
of  treatment  it  has  proved  anj-thing  but  profit- 
able with  us.  It  winter-kills  every  winter,  even 
the  past  one  during  which  the  thermometer 
never  went  ten  degrees  below  zero,  it  winter- 
killed almost  to  the  ground.  It  is  too  soft,  if 
left  on  the  bushes  until  ripe  to  stand  handling. 


till'  e.\  es  cut  out  except  the  ujiiM-rinost  one  with 
an  idea  that  theywould  callous  and  bemore  likely 
to  4'niit  roots.  These  were  kept  in  sand  and 
sawdust  until  well  started ;  were  set  out  a  few 
weeks  ago  and  seem  to  be  going  ahead.  If  they 
glow,  they  ai-e  not  intended  to  be  sold  as  such, 
but  used  for  stock  to  bud  others  upon.  A  south- 
ern gentleman  asked  me  not  long  ago  whether  1 
thought  it  would  pay  for  them  to  grow  Le 
Contes  for  stocks.  My  answer  was  that  if  it 
proved  to  answer  the  purpose  as  well  as  Pear 
seedlings  of  our  own,  or  the  best  French  ones, 
and  they  could  grow  them  for  ten  dollars  per 


^^^ 


PLANTING  SPINDLING  CABBAGE  PLANTS, 
and  It  is  unattractive  in  appearance.- E.  L.  Pot- 
lard,  Clinton  Co.,  Mo. 

Le  Conte  Pear.  That  this  Pear  so  far  as  the 
fruit  is  concerned,  will  not  become  popular  in 
the  north  is  pretty  well  settled,  I  suppose,  and 
it  seems  the  trees  are  liable  to  blight,  even  when 
grown  from  cuttings.  The  next  question  is 
whether  it  will  make  a  good  foundation  for 
other  varieties.  That  it  is  difficult  to  grow  from 
cuttings  here  in  the  north  we  know,  so  this 
spring  I  inserted  small  pieces  of  Pear  roots, 
such  as  were  not  fit  to  make  permanent  trees, 
so  as  to  give  them  a  start.    Some  grafts  had  all 


PLANTS  PROPERLY  TRIMMED  FOR   TRANSPLANTING. 


thousand,  it  will  do.  That  it  may  do  under  and 
near  the  ground  is  possible,  but  it  is  not  safe  to 
work  it  even  at  three  feet  from  the  ground ;  as  I 
have  trees  of  it  grafted  with  Idaho  that  are 
black  and  dying,  while  the  graft  of  the  Idaho  is 
still  fresh.  Of  course  the  graft  must  die.  This 
is  I  think  a  pretty  good  sign  that  Idaho  will  be 
blight  proof.  I  have  been  gi'owing  Pear  trees 
for  fifty  years,  and  battled  with  blight  nearly  all 
that  time  carrying  out  the  plan,  that  when  one 
tree  dies,  plant  two  more.  Last  season,  however, 
knocked  all  that  out  of  my  head.  This  spring 
the  axe  has  been  laid  to  near  a  score  of  trees 
and  but  two  trees  were  planted ;  and  these  very 
small  ones  of  which  I  will  hardly  ever  see  fruit. 
— <S.  Miller,  Montgiimery  Co.,  Mo. 

Figs  at  the  North.  I  have  grown  Figs  suc- 
cessfully for  the  last  four  years,  and  my  expe- 
rience may  help  others.  You  say  cover  with 
litter  and  soil.  I  think  covering  with  litter  is 
what  causes  most  of  the  failures  in  attempts  at 
Fig  culture  at  the  north.  Two  years  ago  I  cover- 
ed part  of  my  trees  with  leaves  and  soil  with  the 
result  that  all  so  covered  became  moldy  and 
rotten,  while  othere  covered  with  clean  earth 
came  out  in  perfect  condition.  I  bend  my  trees 
down  as  described  in  Popular  GARnENLNG, 
then  cover  three  to  six  inches  of  clean  earth  and 
over  this  two  inches  of  mulch  to  prevent  alter- 
nate freezing  and  thawing.  Thus  protected  they 
have'come  out  all  right  after  the  temperature  baa 
been  down  to  16  and  20°  below  zero.  The  trees 
are  not  injured  by  the  earth  freezing  solid  about 
them  if  they  are  left  to  thaw  gradually.  I  have 
also  been  successful  in  protecting  Peach  trees 
the  last  four  years,  by  bending  down  and  cover- 
ing with  straw,  have  had  fine  crops  of  Peaches 
when  unprotected  trees  did  not  show  a  single 
bloom.  The  covering  of  trees  and  plants  in  cold 
latitudes  is  a  subject  entitled  to  increased  atten- 
tion.—C.iT.  Meyer,  I/ls. 

Root  Grafts  and  Whole  Roots.  There  is 
a  great  deal  of  humbug  about  this  cry  of  whole 
roots,  and  some  of  the  travelling  tree  peddlers 
have  been  using  it  as  a  means  to  rope  in  many 
well-read  and  intelligent  people.  This  1  state  on 
Prof.  Budd's  authority.  A  Duchess  or  any  other 
absolutely  hardy  variety,  he  says,  "will  make  a 
good  treee  if  grown  from  a  cutting,  and  when 
grafted  on  a  short  piece  of  root  it  practically  is  a 
cutting,  as  the  piece  of  root  only  starts  it,  and 
roots  are  thrown  out  always  from  the  cion. 
Fully  ninety  per  cent,  of  our  thi-ee-year-old 
Apple,  Pear,  Cherry  and  Plum  trees  are  on  their 
own  roots  if  they  have  been  grafted  with  a  long 
cion  on  a  short  root  and  set  deeply.  ITet  the 
crown  graft  is  the  best,  and  nurserymen  could 
afford  to  make  only  one  tree  from  one  seedling. 
But  the  whole  root  idea  is  nonsense,  as  it  would 
have  to  be  set  with  a  crowbar  if  put  down  deep 
enough  to  cause  it  to  emit  roots  from  the  cion, 
as  all  our  trees  should  do." 


192 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


June, 


Hints  on  Arranging  Colors  in 
Flower  Beds. 

BY   "CriRNELL  AMATEUR." 

Some  very  simple  rules  may  be  of  help  iu 
the  way  of  avoiding  what  is  at  once  glaring- 
ly unsightly  in  the  matter  of  arranging 
flowers  about  the  garden. 

ISrierty,  to  contrast  with  either  one  of  the 
three  primary  colors— red,  yellow  or  blue — 
the  color  which  would  result  from  a  mixture 
of  the  two  remaining  ones  is  most  suitable. 


ARRANGEMENT  OF  GEOMETRIC  BED 

Thus  along  with  blue  should  be  used  the  |  appearance 
secondary  color  orange  produced  by  admix- 
ture of  red  and  yellow.  A  bed  of  red 
Geraniums  {primary  color)  seated  on  the 
green  lawn  (green  being  a  secondary  color 
produced  by  yellow  and  blue,)  affords  an 
effect  pleasing  to  most  eyes.  One  of  the 
handsomest  beds  we  met  last  year  was  com- 
posed of  a  ground  work  of  Lobelia  with 
tri-color  Geraniums  dropped  in  amongst 
them. 

Equal  masses  of  bright  color  should  be 
avoided;  one  should  predominate  and  the 
other  serve  only  to  heighten  it. 

A  bed  of  scarlet  Geraniums  may  be  beau- 
tifully modified,  by  using  bright  pink  Ger- 
aniums in  the  center  and  then  grading 
through  rose  and  crimson  do^vn  to  scarlet 
at  the  edge.  Were  the  vivid  mass  then 
bordered  with  yellow  Alternanthera  or 
Pyrethrum,  a  balance  most  pleasing  would 
be  secured. 

A  dash  of  white  is  always  useful  to  break 
up  any  masses  of  heavy  color.  In  bedding 
Coleus,  "by  using  some  of  the  darkest  Coleus 
at  some  point  in  the  arrangement,  along 
with  Verschaffelti,  which  continue  to  be  a 
favorite,  the  effect  will  be  fine. 

It  is  a  wise  rule  to  make  each  mass  of  a 
color  or  variety  large  enough  to  have  a  cer- 
tain mark  of  character  or  dignity  ;  breadth 
in  some  of  the  masses  is  especially  desirable. 
Thus  if  one  has  three  colors  of  Geraniums, 
or  Verbenas,  or  Phloxes,  it  is  better  to  bring 
the  plants  of  each  color  somewhat  by  them- 
selves, allowing  the  masses  to  blend  as  they 
meet,  than  to  mix  all  indiscriminately. 

Purple  and  lilac  group  well  together,  but 
should  not  be  brought  too  close  to  red  and 
pink.  They  do  well  with  the  colder  whites 
and  are  seen  at  their  best  when  placed  near 
to  the  grey-white  foliage  of  C'entaureas,  and 
light  Echeverias ;  Pale  yellow  or  white 
make  a  suitable  color  to  bring  in  between  a 
section  devoted  to  purples,  lilacs,  etc.,  and 
the  group  of  warm  colors  such  as  scarlet, 
crimson,  pink,  and  orange. 

Too  much  white  is  an  offence  against  the 
best  effects.  It  will  be  found  that  a  single 
mass  of  white  is  usually  enough,  for  any 
garden  scene  or  arrangement,  that  may  be 
embraced  by  the  eye  from  any  certain  point. 

Blue  fiowers  are  the  most  beautiful  when 
completely  set  in  an  abundance  of  rich 
green  foliage,  and  next  to  this  when 
brought  in  contrast  with  pale  yellows  and 
warm  whites. 

A  progression  of  colors  is  seltlom  other- 
wise than  pleasing.  Thus  in  setting  Pansies 
start  with  the  whites  at  one  end  of  the  bed, 
following  with  yellows,  browns,  mottled 
and  striped  colors,  light  blues,  indigoes, 
and  other  dark  colors  down  to  black.  For 
mixed  colors  a  good  order  to  observe  as 
applying  to  the  generality  of  garden  flowers 


would  be  as  follows:  blues,  light  and  dark, 
passing  to  white,  pale  yellow,  pink,  rose, 
crimson,  scarlet  leading  to  bright  yellow 
and  orange.  In  Coleus,  Alternantheras, 
and  other  plants  of  similar  widely  varying 
colors,  the  grading  may  be  from  darkest  to 
lightest.  We  do  not  in  this  pleasing  work 
favor  reducing  the  separate  shades  or  colors 
to  anything  like  definite  lines,  but  blending 
them  in  a  manner  that  is  as  far  as  possible 
devoid  of   stiffness  of  effect. 

For  the  formal 
geometric  bed  it  is 
different;  here  the 
beauty  of  the 
effect  depends 
much  upon  hav- 
ing each  portion 
clearly  defined. 

The  accompany- 
ing design  is  of  an 
oblong  geometric 
bed  of  handsome 
made  on  a  lawn  last  year  and 
which  was  planted  as  follows:  the  parts  in- 


dicated by  1,  with  Coleus  A'erschattelti;  2, 
with  dark,  almost  black  Coleus;  .3,  golden 
Coleus;  4,  scarlet  Alternanthera;  5,  Varie- 
gated Dew  plant;  (5,  light  Echeveria. 


The  Weather  Plant. 

Among  the  plants  quite  commonly  found 
in  the  gardens  of  flower  lovers  is  the 
Mimosaor  Sensitive  plant  (Jii/no.si  piidicn), 
which  is  found  interesting  especially  on  ac- 
count of  the  strange  behavior  of  its  leaves 
on  being  touched.  A  near  relative,  the 
Acacia,  also  shows  much  .sensitiveness  of 
its  leaves  to  outside  influence,  especially  to 
atmospheric  conditions,  and  so  in  greater 
or  less  degree,  do  other  plants  of  the  same 
order. 

Another  member  of  this  order  (Legumino- 
sae)  is  now  being  extensively  advertised  as 


THE  WEATHER  PLANT  UNDER  OBSERVATION. 

the  wonderful  Weather  plant.  It  has  been 
known  in  English  gardens  for  201)  years 
imder  its  botanic  name  Alirun prcattiiriaus, 
but  has  now  acquired  a  new  name  and  new 
fame  as  a  prognosticator  of  weather 
changes.  In  Henderson's  Handbook  of 
Plants,  latest  edition,  the  following  descrip- 
tion is  given  of  it:  "A  prccatorius,  the 
only  species,  is  found  in  India,  the  West 


Indies,  and  the  Mauritius.  It  is  chiefly  re- 
markable for  its  small  egg-shaped  seeds, 
which  are  of  a  brilliant  scarlet  color,  with 
a  black  mark  indicating  the  place  where 
they  were  attached  to  the  pod. 

The  following  is  what  Gardeners'  Chro- 
nicle has  to  say  of  the  plant:  It  is  the  West 
Indian  wild  Liquorice,  so  called  on  account 
of  the  amount  of  saccharine  juice  in  its 
roots,  which  renders  it  available  for  all  the 
purposes  for  which  the  Liquorice  grown  in 
European  gardens  is  employed.  It  belongs 
to  the  Phaseolus  group  of  Legumes,  and  its 
seeds  are  small  Beans  of  a  beautiful  scarlet 
color,  adorned  with  a  jet-black  spot.  In 
the  West  Indies  the  beautiful  seeds  are 
much  used  for  rosaries,  and  there  are  red  and 
black-seeded  varieties.  Its  special  charac- 
teristic is  sensitiveness,  in  which  it  claims 
alliance  with  Mimosa  pudica,  Desmodium 
gyrans,  and  other  plants  that  move  their 
leaves  when  irritated.  It  is  not,  however, 
sensitive  to  touch  in  any  special  degree,  but 
to  changes  of  temperature  and  to  other  at- 
mospheric influences.  We  have  noticed 
that  it  changes  color  often,  being  at  one 
time  of  a  full,  lively,  pure  green,  and  again 
of  a  dull  yellowish  green,  and  it  appeared 
to  us  that  change  of  temperature  was  more 
directly  influential  in  causing  these  changes 
than  conditions  of  relative  humidity.  In  a 
temperature  of  71  deg.  F.,  the  leaves  incline 
downward  at  an  angle  of  about  4.5  degrees, 
and  the  leaflets  are  nearly  in  a  plane  of  the 
rachis.  But  should  the  temperature  fall, 
say  as  much  as  ten  degrees,  the  leaves  and 
leaflets  would  be  so  much  depressed  as  to 
give  to  the  plant  a  quite  peculiar  appear- 
ance. It  is  then  in  the  same  state  as  the 
Clover  and  many  more  such  plants  that 
drop  their  leaflets  as  night  approaches— it 
is  in  the  condition  that  we  call  "sleep,"  a 
condition  brought  about  solely  by  a  reduc- 
tion of  the  temperature,  so  far  as  we  at 
present  understand  the  matter. 

Our  illustration  which  is  reduced  from 
Gardeners'  Magazine  (London),  shows  a 
plant  under  observation  for  indications  of 
weather  changes  in  a  plant  house  in  the 
garden  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society 
at  Chiswick,  where  they  are  kept  in  a  house 
heated  to  about  fi9  degrees  Fahr,  They  are 
all  young  plants,  placed  singly  in  glass  jars 
that  are  supplied  with  air  from  above.  Mr. 
Nowak,  who  conducts  these  experiments, 
claims  to  be  able,  by  means  of  the  position 
of  the  leaves,  a  thermometer,  and  other  re- 
quisites, to  foretell  the  weather  48  hours  in 
advance;  but  such  claims  are  entirely  un- 
supported. 

If  the  plant  can  do  no  more  for  us  than 
the  barometer,  says  our  English  contempor- 
ary, it  will  be  a  folly  to  keep  it  for  weather 
purposes,  for  a  barometer  takes  care  of  it- 
self in  any  safe  place,  but  the  plant  needs  a 
glass  house  with  the  warmth  of  summer  all 
through  the  winter,  and,  in  addition,  a  con- 
stant attention  the  whole  year  round.  So 
far  as  we  understand  the  case  at  present,  it 
does  as  many  other  plants  do:  it  speaks  by 
its  appearance  of  conditions  then  prevailing 
whether  of  cold,  heat,humidity,  or  drought, 
and  has  absolutely  no  predictive  power 
whatever. 


Culture  of  the  Dahlia. 

T.  w.  FISHER,  WARREN  CO.,  PA. 

The  popularity  of  this  old  favorite  is 
largely  accounted  for  by  the  ease  with 
which  the  tubers  can  be  preserved  in  suc- 
cession year  after  year.  The  best  plants  are 
those  having  but  a  single  plant  from  each 
root.  Roots  started  in  the  hot-bed  or  propa- 
gating frame  in  March  or  April,  by  just 
covering  them  with  soil,  should  be  excellent 
strong  plants  by  the  end  of  Mayor  .Tune  1st. 
They  should  be  hardened  off  somewhat  by 
giving  them  air  freely  before  putting  out. 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


•93 


The  soil  for  Dahlias  can  scarcely  be  too 
rich— where  there  is  failure  to  obtain  satis- 
factory results  with  them  the  case  may 
usually  be  laid  to  lack  of  fertility.  It.  has 
been  my  practice  when  planting;  to  take  out 
three  or  four  spadefuls  of  soil  anil  replace 
the  same  with  the  same  quantity  of  rich 
rotten  stable  manure,  I  liuisli  the  plant ing 
hole  liy  bavins  a  little  earth  around  the 
tubers.  After  the  root  is  covered  with  earth 
I  usually  water  the  earth  thorout,'hly  with 
manure  water.  Hy  dusting  a  little  lime 
around  the  newiy-.set  plants,  slugs,  which 
are  fond  of  them,  are  kept  away. 

Dahlias  are  thirsty  as  well  as  hungry  sub- 
jects, and  repay  by  a  profusion  of  bloom 
any  attention  given  them  in  the  matter  of 
e.xtra  watering  during  the  season  of  growth. 
Water  should  be  applied  towards  the  close 
of  the  day,  that  which  is  .soft  and  clear  over 
the  foliage,  and  mild  liquid  manure  to  the 
roots.  .\s  the  plants  grow  the  manure  water 
may  be  used  stronger.  Such  treatment  is 
the  secret  of  having  tinely-developed  flowers 
during  dry  weather. 

I  never  set  the  plants  closer  than  four  feet 
apart  and  am  better  pleased  to  have  five 
feet  between,  as  this  affords  ample  room  for 
development.  My  course  is  to  drive  a  stake 
four  feet  high  firmly  in  the  soil  and  then 
planting  against  this,  which  then  serves  as 
the  main  support  of  the  plant  during  the 
summer.  In  arranging  the  bed  I  place  the 
taller-grown  in  the  center  and  the  dwarfer 
plants  nearer  the  sides. 

It  is  interesting  to  manage  some  plants 
for  growing  flowers  of  extraordinary  beauty 
to  show  at  the^fatrs  or  elsewhere.  For  this 
one  should,  besides  the  center  stake,  drive 
four  other  stakes  at  equal  distances  apart 
and  about  a  foot  from  the  center  to  all  such 
plants  as  have  been  chosen  for  the  purpose. 

To  each  of  these  stakes  a  strong  side  shoot 
should  be  tied  and  all  others  be  cut  away. 
The  main  stems  of  Dahlias  grow  rapidly 
when  they  are  fairly  started,  therefore  the 
ties  should  be  loose  enough  to  permit  of 
growth.  If  there  is  any  place  about  the 
garden  where  a  little  attention  paid  to  order 
and  neatness  counts  for  a  good  deal  it  is 
about  the  Dahlia  bed. 

In  growing  single  Dahlias,  the  pegging 
dovm  system  doing  away  with  stakes,  may 
be  adopted.  This  is  especially  true  where  a 
large  bed  is  devoted  to  these  choice  flowers. 
The  course  to  take  is  to  lay  the  plants  down 
sideways  at  planting,  and  pegging  them 
down  at  once.  No  leaders  should  be  allowed 
to  assume  the  perpendicular,  until  the  bed 
is  covered,  and  the  plants  are  ready  to 
bloom.  A  proper  distance  to  set  the 
plants  for  this  method  is  three  feet  apart. 
The  planting  is  begun  in  the  center  of 
the  bed,  pegging  dowu  as  you  go,  and 
then  there  is  no  danger  of  treading  on 
plants  already  set. 

A  fact  which  may  not  be  known  to 
most  growers,  is  that  the  best  time  to  cut 
Dahlias  for  indoor  decoration  or  other 
purposes,  is  early  in  the  morning,  as  they 
then  retain  their  beauty  for  a  longer 
period  than  those  gathered  later. 

Dahlia  roots  may  be  easily  kept  over 
in  any  dry  frost-proof  cellar,  by  covering 
them  lightly  with  a  little  soil  to  prevent 
shrivelling.  As  soon  as  the  frost  destroys 
the  blooms,  I  cut  the  stems  down  to  with- 
in six  inches  of  the  ground,  and  in  the 
course  of  a  few  days  take  the  roots  up 
carefully   and   dry   them  in  the  sun.    Xo 
frost  should  at  this  or  any  time  be  allowed 
to  touch    them.      Each    tuber    should    be 
labeled  with  name  or  color  of  the  variety. 


success.  The  accompanying  engravuig 
represents  a  perfect  specimen  of  Aliiililim 
rt  rnuirium  cm:  (luninii  thus  trained,  as 
seen  last  season  in  the  privateganleus  of 
Uaron  Nathaniel  von  Hoth.'~cl]ild  near 
Vienna,  Austria. 

Mr.  Anton  .Toll,  a  horticultural  authority 
of  that  city,  recommends  in  the  Oaertner 
Zeituug  the  A.  rcriUnihim  as  a  winter 
bloomer,  worthy  of  more  general  culture. 


Specimen  of  AbuHlon  as  seen  in  tht  BotlischiUl 
gardens  near  Vienna. 

This  Abutilon,  he  says,  is  especially  beauti- 
ful, when  top-worked  upon  stock  of  A. 
Thtiiiiiisonii,  or  A.  Snou-b<tU  (bnl  etc  nciije), 
or  any  other  of  the  strong,  erect  growers. 
It  is  an  exceedingly  free  bloomer,  and  when 
grown  in  this  form,  all  its  flowers  show  to 
best  advantage,  suspended  as  they  are  like 
veritable  little  bells.  Especially  eflfective 
and  charming  is  A.  I'r.riUnrUim  var. 
ainxiiin  with  its  yellowish  leaves  by  arti- 
ficial light  in  the  evening. 

The  culture  is  simple,  and  exactly  like 
tli.-it  nf  other  variftifs.     Tlicy  UKiy  bo  i>laiif- 


The  Spring  Snowflake 

The  Si)ring  Suowflake,  l,ni<'iijiiin  rcniinn 
is  a  hardy  bulb,  which  in  earliness  comes 
along  with  the  Narcissus  and  early  Tulips. 
It  grows  to  a  height  of  one  foot,  or  in  the 
best  localities  somewhat  more,  and  bears 
pretty  flowers.  It  is  one  of  the  best  early- 
tlowering  bulbs,  being  neat  and  compact  in 
growth,  it  increases  by  offsets  from  the 
bulb,  the  plants  looking  not  unlike  the 
Narcissus,  except  in  the  (lowers. 

The  flowers  are  delightfully  fragrant,  and 
somewhat  resemble  those  of  the  Snowdrop, 
but  are  much  larger  and  appear  a  month 
later.  The  color  is  white  with  a  yellowish 
green  spot  on  each  petal  near  the  point.  The 
plants  are  entirely  hardy  and  well  suited 
either  for  a  sheltered  border  or  for  rock- 
work.  In  common  with  other  bulbs  the 
Suowflake  is  impatient  of  a  wet  soil. 

This  is  not  a  new  flower.  It  was  first  cul- 
tivated in  England  in  l.")!>6,  having  been 
brought  from  Germany,  where,  as  also  in 
Switzerland,  it  is  found  wild  in  the  woods 
and  other  shady  places.  It  is  said  to  have 
become  naturalized  in  some  parts  o_f  Eng- 
land. Bulbs  of  the  Snowflake  may  be  pro- 
cured of  about  all  dealers  in  hardy  plants 
and  bulbs. 


Beautify  the  House. 

WM.  H.  YEOMANS,  TOLLAND  CO.,  CONN. 

To  keep  the  boys  on  the  farm,  make  the 
home  attractive.  One  reason  why  so  many 
seek  employment  in  the  city,  is  because  in 
the  mind's  eye,  if  in  no  other  sense,  there 
are  greater  attractions  in  the  city,  than  the 
home  furnishes.  Reverse  this  condition  of 
things  and  then  mark  the  change. 

Many  farmers'  homes  possess  in  their  ap- 
pointments and  furnishings  too  little  that 
is  attractive.  There  are  many  that  have  no 
more  than  a  single  weekly  newspaper,  and 
hardly  a  book  other  than  those  that  the 
children  have  studied  at  school;  no  pictures 
upon  the  walls,  or  plants  in  the  windows. 

What  a  dismal  picture  is  this  to  those  who 
en.ioy  different  things  !  What  if  it  does 
cost  a  little  effort  and  some  labor  to  care 
for  them,  is  not  the  presense  of  blooming 
plants  in  winter,  with  the  cheery  spring-like 
atmosphere  which  they  give,  a  sufficient 
recompense?  We  are  led  to  these  thoughts 
by  the  presence  in  our  home  of  a  large  speci. 
men  of  Amarylis  .Johnsonia  in  full  bloom. 
It  is  a  vigorous  growing  plant,  sending  out 
its  dark  green  lancelate  leaves  three  feet  or 
more  in  length.  It  commenced  to  send  up 
its  flower  stalks  some  time  ago,  seven  of 
which  have  already  been  produced  rear- 
ing themselves  to  the  height  of  three  feet 
from  which  have  been  suspended  the 
very  rich  deep  red  blossoms,  five  stalks 
of  which  produced  four  flowers  each. 
There  have  been  ten  in  full  bloom  at 
one  time.  It  has  been  an  object  of  beauty 
and  lent  a  peculiar  cheerfulness  to  the 
home,  of  far  more  value  than  the  little 
care  it  required.  It  is  the  little  things 
that  by  combination  and  special  arrange- 
ment add  very  much  to  the  attractive- 
ness of  the  home. 


The  Abutilon  in  Tree  Form. 

The  tree  form  with   many   shrubs   and 

flowers,  and  even  bush-fruits,  is  far  more 

popular  with  gardeners  in  Europe  than  it  is 

among  American  cultivators,'and  usually  a 


THE  SPRING  SNOWFLAKE.    Leucojeum  Vernum. 

ed  out  in  the  open  ground  during  summer, 
headed  back  once  or  twice,  depending  on 
the  wishes  of  the  grower  concerning  the 
time  of  blooming,  whether  early  or  late; 
then  potted  off  in  autumn,  and  brought  in 
a  cold  house,  or  one  with  moderate  heat. 
Thus  treated  they  will  bloom  in  winter  for 
a  long  time.  An  occasional  application  of 
strong  cow-manure  water,  etc.,  will  be  of 
material  benefit. 


l,T9ti.  Exotic  Graps  Vines.  To  propagate 
exotic  Grapes,  select  one-year  old,  well- 
matured  wood  with  strong  buds,  and  make 
single-eyed  cuttings,  by  making  square  cuts 
a  little  less  than  one-third  inch  above  and 
below  each  bud.  These  cuttings  are  split 
through  the  center,  and  the  halves  with  the  buds 
laid  bud  side  up  in  shallow  boxes  filled  with 
wood's  earth  and  pressed  down  tightly.  They 
are  then  covered  up  with  a  thin  layer  of  sand, 
with  a  little  moss  on  top  ot  this  as  a  mulch,  and 
then  placed  on  the  propagating  bench,  where 
thev  should  be  kept  moist  and  warm.  When  the 
buds  have  started,  the  plants  are  potted  off,  and 
nlaced  on  bottom  heat  to  be  kept  in  strong 
growth.  The  plants  are  repotted  as  often  as  re- 
ouired  If  this  process  ot  propagation  is  begun 
in  January,  the  young  vines  will  be  strong 
enough  in  the  autumn,  to  be  used  for  forcmg 
and  to  bear  the  summer  following. 


194 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


June, 


For  Remembrance. 
It  is  only  a  Rose,  my  darUngs. 

Do  you  ask  what  the  tale  can  be- 
Why  a  Rose  that  Is  withered  and  faded 

Should  be  so  dear  to  me? 
Somebody  sent  It  me,  darlings, 

Back  in  the  days  of  yore. 
On  the  night  that  his  ship  was  sailing 

Away  to  the  dreadful  war. 
But  I  had  my  Rose,  my  darlings. 

To  comfort  me  day  by  day. 
As  I  read  the  bitter  tidings 

Of  the  fighting  far  away. 
Tin  it  drooped  and  died,  my  darlings. 

And  I  read  its  message  plain. 
That  he  who  had  given  that  little  Rose 

Would  never  come  back  again. 
And  now  I  am  old,  my  darlings. 

And  life  draws  near  Its  close. 
You  know  my  heart  Is  happy 

As  I  watch  my  sweet  dead  Rose, 
Our  life  has  another  chapter 

To  read  in  the  world  to  be. 
And  love  like  a  new  Rose.  darUngs, 

WIU  blossom  for  him  and  me. 

—CasseVs  Family  Magazine, 


Strawberry  Song. 

Jennie  come,  Bennie  come,  let  us  be  quick: 
Here  are  the  Strawberries,  ripe  and  .so  thicljl 
Ha!  the  gay  fellows,  so  red  and  so  fine: 
Jennie  come,  Bennie  come,  clear  every  vine! 
Jennie  come.  Bennie  come,  gather  some  more. 
Never  such  beauties  were  seen  here  before. 
Bright,  luscious  berries,  all  sprinkled  with  cream. 
Truly  a  dish  that  is  fit  for  a  queen! 

Youth's  Companion. 


Oh  stay,  because  thou  art  so  fair. 
Sweet  Rose-month,  green  and  sunny  June! 

With  thee  dies  music  from  the  air. 
The  blackbird's  and  the  throstle's  tunc; 

Oh!  stay,  sweet  June,  delay 


Peg  down  the  Verbenas. 

Vieit  "  Woodbanks  "  this  summer. 

We  thin  mir  vegetable  and  flower  jilauts  early. 

Climbers  without  support  can  hardly  Ije  satis- 
tory. 

Summer  plants,  like  people,  do  not  thrive  in  a 
close  crowd. 

It  is  the  seed  pods  that  bring  the  display  of 
annuals  t^)  an  early  close. 

Do  not  forget  that  t  he  Aster  likes,  above  all  else, 
rich  food  and  constant  moisture. 

Grow  Strawberries  If  you  can;  buy  them  if 
you  must— but  eat  plenty  of  them  anyhow. 

The  Insect  Powder  Plant  (Pjrethrum  roseumi 
has  proved  entirely  hardy  en  our  grounds  this 
year. 

We  want  bloom  right  along,  and  therefore  we 
must  keep  on  sowing  hardy  annuals  for  a  month 
to  come. 

Thnnbergias  are  very  pretty  and  easily  grown 
annuals  and  are  worthy  a  place  in  every  garden. 
—Argynnis. 

We  are  going  to  make  at  least  a  trial  of  the 
wringing  method  with  one  or  two  canes  on  our 
Grape  vines. 

The  Lady  Busk  .Strawberry  is  claimed  to  dry 
up  after  being  picked,  rather  than  melt  or  rot 
like  most  other  varieties. 

The  Cnrrant  Worm,  that  dreadful  pest  of  every 
garden,  is  not  a  native  American,  but  is  of 
the  bad  emigrants  from  Europe. 

They  Peel  so  Easily.  Now  is  the  time  when 
young  trees  have  no  greater  enemy  than  a  care- 
less band  on  plow  and  cultivator.  Keep  your 
eye  on  the  whiflSetree,  and  the  whifBctree  off  the 
young  tree. 

The  Dewberry  is  just  the  thing  for  a  dry  and 
sun-exposed  situation.  But  stake  it,  by  all 
means  stake  it,  or  its  creeping  propensities  will 
make  you  tired. 

For  cut  flowers,  or  corsage  bouquets  the 
amateur  should  have  Geraniums,  Gladioli,  Lilies 
and  Tuberoses.  All  of  these  stay  fresh  for  a 
long  time  after  being  picked  even  without  water 
—ATa]p\ni». 


Emll  Winter  Pear.  True  it  can  not  be  com- 
pared in  flavor  to  the  Seckel,  Bartlett  or  Anjou  : 
but  on  the  11th  of  April  last  I  found  it  tolerably 
good  in  flavor  for  a  Pear  kept  fully  sound  with- 
out any  more  extra  care  than  keeping  out  of  the 
reach  of  frost— ^4.  A.  Blumer,  Mo. 

Tnlip  Sport.  I  have  a  Tulip  in  bloom,  the 
leaves  of  which  measure  eighteen  inches  by  six 
inches,  and  the  stalk  is  single,  and  very  thick 
for  five  inches,  then  separates  into  four  stalks, 
each  over  four  inches  long,  and  carr.ymg  a  large 
perfect  Tulip.— If.  J.  R..  Sin^ingfield,  I'.h. 

Be  fair  with  the  Asparagus.  Many  people  con- 
tinue to  cut  far  too  long,  and  in  this  as  in  all 
other  cases  covetousness  meets  its  reward.  The 
beds  must  be  very  strong  that  will  bear  cutting 
after  June.  If  young  seedlings  spring  up  from 
last  year's  scattered  seed,  weed  them  out. 

By  His  Fruit  Ye  Shall  Enow  Him.  We  mean 
the  man  who  makes  fruit  growing  pay.  Now  go 
into  the  markets,  note  the  No.  1  .'Strawberries, 
and  other  fruits,  and  you  wiU  find  his  name 
nicely  stencilled  on  the  clean  crates.  He  is  just 
the  one  (and  about  the  only  one)  who  gets  big 
pay  for  his  work. 

Castor  Beans  make  stately  plants  for  late  sum- 
mer and  autumn.  While  young  they  are  often 
attacked  by  the  stalk  borer.  If  the  plants  begin 
to  look  unhealthy,  look  for  holes  in  the  stalk  and 
leaf  stems  and  with  a  sharp  small-bladed  knife 
split  the  stem  from  the  hole  until  the  worm  is 
reached.— -t  rgim  n  >■■<. 

Japanese  Persimmons  are  now  being  fruited 
in  California  to  the  extent  of  being  freely  offered 
in  the  San  Francisco  market.  The  demand  for 
this  fruit,  however,  is  reported  to  be  ratherslow. 
While  considered  one  of  the  finest  fruits  by  some 
f)eople,  the  majority  are  repulsed  by  the  astrin- 
gent taste  of  the  green  fruit. 

London's  Flower  Trade.  It  is  estimated  that 
London  spends  between  87,000,000  and  §8,000,000 
on  potted  plants  and  cut  flowers.  Many  of  these 
flowers  come  from  Holland,  France  and  even 
Italy.  A  single  culturist  in  southern  France 
claims  to  send  every  year  SfiO.OOO  worth  of 
white  Lilacs.  Snowdrops,  Lilies-of-the-valley, 
and  Roses  to  London. 

In  Bnshy  Park  near  London  are  some  long  and 
noble  lines  of  Horse  Chestnut  trees  which  border 
the  roadway  through  the  park  from  Teddington. 
Every  spring,  when  these  are  in  full  bloom,  tens 
of  thousands  of  Londoners  and  residents  of  the 
surrounding  country  flock  to  the  park  to  ad- 
mire the  trees.  The  railway  company  even  runs 
special  trains  Sundays  for  the  purpose. 

Calla  Lily  Bulb  PoiBonous.  .^t  least  thisap- 
l>ears  to  be  the  case  according  to  an  incident 
reported  In  Therapeutic  Gazette.  A  child  hav- 
ing eaten  a  piece  of  the  bulb  which  one  of  the 
neighbors  had  thrown  out,  was  only  saved  by 
stimulation  and  prompt  use  of  remedies;  and 
remained  for  several  days  in  a  crictical  condition. 
Some  caution  in  ttie  management  of  Calla  bulbs 
ma.v  be  advisable. 

Coppsras  is  not  plant  food  proper.  Yet  in  re- 
cent experiments  made  with  it,  it  was  found  that 
it  increased  the  yield  of  vines,  and  in  a 
measure  protected  the  vineyards  against 
parasites.  It  also  increased  the  yield  of 
Clover  and  Potatoes,  and  tended  to  sup- 
press Potato  diseases,  etc.  There  is  some 
mystery  about  this  substance.  Which  of 
its  constituent  parts  is  the  effective 
agent,  the  iron  or  the  sulphuric  acid, 
and  how  does  it  act?  Who  can  give  us 
light  on  this  dark  subject? 

A  good  gardener,  Prof.  Bailey  observes,  hard- 
ly ever  knows  much  about  weeds,  as  he  keeps 
the  ground  stirred  so  often  that  they  have  little 
chance  to  exhibit  themselves.  The  weed  seeds 
may  be  in  the  soil,  but  the  sprouting  plants  are 
killed  before  they  reach  the  light.  Thus  treated 
weeds  give  but  little  trouble,  and  the  crops  do 
all  the  better  for  this  frequent  loosening  of  the 
sui*face. 

Water  Melon  Cosmetic.  It  is  said  thatsouthern 
girls,  have  for  generations,  used  the  juice  of 
Watermelons  to  beautify  their  complexion.  It 
Is  believed  that  nothing  is  so  soothing  to  the  face 
and  hands,  after  a  long  drive  or  summer  outing, 
than  the  water  from  both  the  pulp  and  rind. 
"  The  first,  crushed  by  dainty  hands  and  rubt)ed 
on  the  face,  takes  off  all  sunburn,  while  the  ap- 
plication of  the  cool  white  pulp  next  to  the  red 
meat  removes  the  stickiness  and  gives  a  softness 
to  the  skin  of  the  Melon  bather  that  can  be  ob- 
taincil  from  nothing  else.  This  is  nature's  own 
cosmetic." 


Trade  in  Chopped  Apples.  According  to  Mr. 
Michael  iJoyle's  statement,  the  export  trade  in 
chopped  Apples— a  dried  product  from  inferior 
fruit  and  material  left  after  the  preparation  of 
the  best  quality  of  evaporated  fruit— had  in- 
creased from  small  orders  in  1880  to  11,000,000 
pounds  in  i8«(8,  and  30,000,000  pounds  could  have 
been  sold  in  1889.  Cider  is  consumed  in  France 
at  the  rate  of  376.000,000  gallons  annually. 
American  chopped  Apples  are  largely  used  for 
conversion  into  cider,  and  preferred  to  the  home 
grown  article,  being  better  preserved  and  of  finer 
flavor.  It  appears  now  that  there  is  room  for  alj 
we  will  be  able  to  export. 

The  Begonia  Bex  This  the  type  of  the  large- 
leaved  Begonias,  and  which  is  the  subject  of  the 
fine  engraving  on  the  opposite  page,  continues  to 
be  one  of  the  finest  plants  of  its  class.  It  is  a 
robust  grower,  possesses  handsome  colors  and 
contrasts  in  the  foliage,  and  is  in  every  way  a 
desirable  pot  plant,  either  for  window  culture  or 
for  the  warm  greenhouse.  It  is  an  easy  plant  to 
manage :  give  it  light  rich  soil  and  an  abundant 
supply  of  moisture  and  little  else  is  required  for 
its  well-doing  so  long  as  a  congenial  heat  of  .50** 
or  upwards  is  maintained.  It  is  also  suitable  for 
the  open  air,  in  a  three-fourths  shady  position 
and  where  rough  winds  do  not  reach  to  break 
the  foliage. 

Tomatoes  in  Tree  Form,  It  anyone  will  follow 
the  directions  "how  to  grow  Mansfield's  Tree 
Tomato,"  which  accompany  each  packet  of  that 
variety  as  sent  out  by  its  introducer,  to  the 
letter,  we  will  wari-ant  the  result  to  be  a  true 
Tomato  tree,  no  matter  what  variety  was  planted. 
The  directions  arc  as  follows :  "  Plant  seed  the 
fore  part  of  March  in  the  house  or  hot-bed,  set 
in  garden  in  May  in  rows  east  and  west,  eighteen 
inches  apart,  near  water,  give  them  stakes  or 
trellis  eight  feet  high;  hoe  out  a  ditch  five  or  six 
inches  deep,  one  foot  in  front  of  plants,  and  fill 
it  with  water  morning  and  night.  Nip  off  every 
side  sh(»ot  as  fast  as  they  appear.  Keep  them 
well  tieil  up,  well  trimmed,  and  no  end  of  watei'." 
Early  Thinning  of  Fruit  Essential.  The  hor- 
ticulturist of  the  Missouri  E.xperiment  Station 
has  made  some  analyses  uf  ,\pples  during  the 
different  periods  of  their  growth,  which  show 
that  much  of  the  greater  proportion  of  the  ash 
is  stored  up  in  the  early  part  of  the  growth  of  the 
fruit.  This  is  urged  as  an  additional  reason  for 
thinning  as  soon  as  the  wormy  and  imperfect 
specimens  of  the  fruit  can  be  distinguished. 
A  barrel  of  large  and  perfect  Apples  takes  a 
smaller  amount  of  minei-al  plant  food  from 
the  soil  than  a  barrel  of  small,  inferior  fruit. 
The  Apples  on  an  acre  of  ground  where  the 
tree  stand  thirty  feet  apart  and  yield  ten 
bushels  of  fruit  to  the  tree,  take  from  the  soil 
more  than  13  pounds  of  potash.  This  suggests 
the  use  of  ashes,  or  of  the  potash  salts,  as  a  dress- 
ing for  orchards. 

Tall  Chrysanthemums  have  their  uses,  but  for 
many  puri)oses  the  cut-back,  compact,  bushy 
plants  are  more  satisfactory.  These  are  just  the 
thing  for  small  greenhouses  and  conservatories. 
This  cutting  back  induces  a  wealth  of  rich 
green  vigorous  foliage  clothing  the  stems  to  the 


BROKEN  WEEDERS  AND  TROWELS  UTILIZED.    » 

edge  of  the  pots.  The  individual  flowers,  al- 
though not  extra  large,  are  usually  well-shaped 
and  fine  in  color.  The  whole  process  is  simple. 
Strike  the  cuttings  and  y  row  the  plants  in  the 
usual  way  until  about  first  week  in  June,  then 
cut  them  down  to  within  a  few  inches  of  the'soil. 
Thin  the  strong  latterals  which  will  spring  up  to 
three  or  four  in  number,  and  repot  in  the  pots 
in  which  they  are  to  remain  for  blooming.  To 
secure  really  fine  flowers,  only  one  should  be 
left  to  each  stem.  Of  course  there  are  some  vari- 
eties which  will  not  do  well  under  this  treatment, 
but  the  majority  do. 

Visit  Ihe  Orounds.  Last  year  numerous  sub- 
scribers visited  the  P0PP1.AR  Gardening 
grounds  at  La  Salle-on-the-Niagara,  on  the  occa- 
sion of  a  trip  to  Niagara  Falls,  from  which  famous 
resort,  as  all  our  older  readers  know,  we  are  only 
five  miles  distant,  with  many  trains  daily.  This 
year  we  hope  to  see  many  more  of  our  friends, 
if  for  no  other  reason  than  that  these  grounds  in 
which  every  sulKcriber  has  an  interest,  are  in  a 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


195 


more  advanced  state  of  improvement  than  a 
year  hko.  These  prouuds,  comprising:  thirteen 
acres,  are  conducted  solely  for  the  benefit  of  our 
readers.  In  the  past  two  seasons  more  than 
twelve  hundred  dollars  worth  of  fruit  and  orna- 
raentiil  trees,  shniVis  and  plants  have  been  set 
out  for  experiments  and  for  beauty,  hence  the 
place  is  beeominK  a  grand  ob,leet  lesson  for  every 
lover  of  horticulture.  The  time  by  train  from 
Niagara  Falls  is  but  eight  minutes,  the  fare  15 
cents.  Our  home  and  these  improvements  are 
but  i-)  mile  from  the  La  Salle  station. 

Double-flowered  Chinese  Plnm  (Prunus  tri- 
loba). There  are  but  few  more  beautiful  hardy 
Howering  shrubs  than  this,  yet  one  seldom  meets 
with  it.  For  small  gardens  it  has  special  value, 
as  it  docs'not  grow  to  a  large  size,  forming, 
when  grown  as  a  standard,  a  dwarf  spreading 
head.  For  this  reason,  when  placed  in  shrubber- 
ies where  vigorous  growing  trees  abound,  it 
should  lie  brought  well  to  the  front,  where  in 
early  spring,  when  crowded  with  blossoms,  it 
forms  a  conspicuous  object.  In  the  standard 
form,  indeed,  it  well  deserves  a  position  on  the 
grass;  but  it  should,  if  possible,  get  some 
shelter,  for  rough  winds  and  heavy  rains  dam- 
age the  expanded  flowers.  Tt  may  also  be 
grown  in  bush  form,  and  it  is  really  admirable 
for  forcing  under  glass  in  winter,  as  it  flowers 
freely  in  pots  in  a  small  state,  and  requires  but 
little  heat  to  induce  it  to  open  its  blooms.  The 
si..ne  plants  may  be  used  year  after  year  if 
carefull.\-  hardened  off,  plunged  or  planted  out, 
anil  well  fed  in  summer,  but  it  is  better  to  have 
two  sets,  allowing  one  year  to  recuperate.— J  ('. 

Hot  Water  vs.  Sleam.  Prof.  I,.  K.  Taft  of  the 
Agricultural  College  of  Michigan  has  also  made 
some  comparative  tests  of  the  hot  water  and 
steam  sytems  for  beating  greenhouses,  which 
corroborate  Prof.  Maynard's  conclusions,  that 
the  hot  water  system  is  less  expensive,  and  con- 
sequently preferable.  The  records  kept  of  the 
two  test  greenhouses  on  the  college  grounds 
show  that  during  January  the  hot-water  house 
averaged  15  degrees  warmer  than  the  steam- 
heated  house  and  to  secure  this  it  required  C75 
liounds  of  coal  less  than  was  used  in  the  steam 
heater.  In  February  the  water  house  averaged 
one  degree  warmer  than  the  other  and  the  coal 
used  was  ti2.'>  pounds  less.  Altogether,  Prof. 
Taft  feels  justified  by  these  results  to  say  that 
while  the  old  method  of  piping  for  water  heating 
with  four-inch  east  iron  pipes  was  undoubtedly 
less  economical  than  steam  heating,  the  present 
system  of  water  heating  with  small  pipes  will 
certainly  prove  more  satisfactory  in  every  way 
for  houses  less  than  100  feet  in  length. 

A  Use  for  broken  Trowels  and  Weeders.  K  nock 
out  the  old  rivets.  Then  le%el  off  the  lower  end 
of  a  small  broom  handle  and  rivet  securely  to 
plate  as  shown  in  illustration.  This  makes  la 
very  useful  implement  for  digging  out  plants 
from  the  center  of  cold-frames,  hot-beds,  etc  , 
also  for  lifting  plants  anywhere  in  the  flower 
garden.  Could  I  have  but  one  trowel,  I  would 
prefer  the  above  to  one  with  a  short  handle.  It 
will  stand  more  prying,  although  there  is  danger 
of  prying  too  hard.  What  is  needed  is  a  similar 
tool,  no  larger,  but  of  thicker  steel.  Would  it 
not  pay  the  manufacturer  to  put  such  a  one  in 
market?  The  Hazeltine  hand  weeder  is  another 
very  useful  tool,  but  for  several  purposes  ( such 
as  weeding,  or  stirring  the  soU  among  plants  in 
the  center  of  cold  frames,  hot-beds  etc.)  it  may 
be  much  improved  by  removing  the  original 
handle  and  substituting  a  small  broom  handle. 
It  is  also  of  advantage  to  form  a  V  shaped  notch 
in  the  end  of  blade  as  it  will  enable  the  operator 
to  easily  catch  on  to  the  plants,  and  as  it  prevents 
slipping  when  weeding  or  thinning  out  plants 
that  are  growing  close  together.  This  may  seem 
a  little  thing,  nevertheless  the  extra  amount  of 
work  accomplished  will  be  considerable  in  the 
long  run.— TT.  C.  Jennison. 

Barning  over  Strawberry  Beds.  We  have  for 
five  seasons  tried  burning  over  the  old  .Straw- 
berry patches  which  we  wished  to  have  bear 
another  crop,  and  like  the  method  so  well  that 
we  shall  follow  this  plan  exclusively  in  the 
future.  I  think  the  plants  begin  to  grow  again 
soonsr  and  are  more  vigorous  and  healthy  for 
the  burning.  The  fire  in  some  way  or  other 
causes  the  soil  to  "mellow  up"  and  hold 
moisture  much  better,  where  it  has  become  hard 
from  being  tramped  over  by  pickers.  Weed 
seeds  and  insects  at  the  surface  will  be  destroyed 
and  nearly  every  weed  will  succumb  while  only 
here  and  there  will  a  Strawberry  plant  be  killed. 
In '88  we  had  a  patch  which  burned  "spotted" 
on  account  of  old  half-rotted  straw  being  used 


for  a   mulch.    Wlii'rcver    the  fire  reached,  the 
plants   grew    beautifully   and    were   free    from 
grubs.    It  is  also  claimed  that  burning  tends  to 
cure  and  prevent  rust  or  leaf-blight,  but  I  can  '■ 
not  sjx'ak  from  experience  as  to  this.  A  valuable 
advantage  gained  by  burning  is  that  the  patch  j 
will  not  need  any  work— e.vcept  to  run  between 
the  rows  with  the  cultivator -for  four  or  six 
weeks  after  their  "  baptism  of  fire."    They  can 
then  be  carefully  hoed  and  the  job  with  us  has 
never  been  more  than  half  as  hard  as  when  we  , 
did  not  burn —B.  F.  Kiiylf. 

"How  to  make  the  Garden  Pay."  Mr.  T. 
dreiner,  in  this  recent  work,  brings  together  272 
large  pages  of  practical  ideas  and  information 


PLANT  OF  BEGONIA  REX.    S«  opposite  page. 

which  will  be  widely  welcomed  It  is  a  work  that 
treats  especially  of  the  latest  ideas  and  methods 
now  in  vogue  with  advanced  American  garden- 
ers. The  author  is  not  only  an  accomplished 
tiller  of  the  soil,  but  is  also  a  keen  experimentor 
and  close  observer,  and  in  the  present  treatise  he 
gives  the  results  of  his  special  attention  to  the 
culinar.v  vegetable  branch  of  horticulture,  al- 
though the  wants  of  the  fruit  grower  are  also 
much  had  in  mind,  one  chapter  being  devoted  to 
the  Strawberry.  The  three  chapters  on  the  im- 
portant subject  of  manures  are  especially  inter- 
esting. A  particular  charm  of  the  book  is  its 
many  beautiful  and  clear  illustrations.  The 
sensible  talks  on  improving  the  home  gardens  of 
.\mericans  to  the  end  of  an  increased  vegetable 
diet,  and  of  converting  the  vegetable  garden 
into  a  pleasure  spot  instead  of  a  place  of  dreadful 
toil  should  be  sounded  from  end  to  end  of  our 
land.  Yet  withal  the  valuable  information  con- 
tained in  the  work,  it  may  not  be  improper  to 
point  out  a  single  defect.  We  allude  to  the  three- 
board  drain  shown  on  page  86  which  is  made  to 
appear  with  the  widest  flat  side  down,  when  it  is 
obvious  that  a  better  conductor  of  water, 
and  less  liable  to  clog,  would  be  obtained  by 
directly  inverting  it,  to  stand  like  the  letter  V- 
This  valuable  work  is  published  by  Wm.  H. 
Maule,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 


Chat  about  the  Use  of  Flowers. 

Only  a  few  short  weeks  ago  the  ladies  were 
wearing  bunches  of  Tulip  buds  at  their  throats; 
arranged  with  their  soft,  grey  leaves.  Now  I 
hear  the  golden  blossoms  of  the  Dandelion  are 
imitated  and  worn;  but  then  the  tendency  is  to 
do  as  in  Paris  where  anything  is  worn— imita- 
tions of  frogs  and  toads,  lizards  with  diamond 
eyes,  or  death's  heads  and  cross-bones  of  oxi- 
dised metal. 

They  have  just  had  a  great  flower  show  near  the 
Champs  Elysee,  Paris,  at  which  Orchids,  Palms, 
Azaleas,  Koses,  and  Pfponies  were  beautifully 
shown;  but  .\lphonse  and  Jeanette  must  have 
something  sensational,  and  this  year  the  much- 
talked-of  novelty  is  our  old  friend,  the  green 
Rose.  It  is  amusing  to  read  the  remarks  about 
this  depauperated  old  variety  in  the  papers, 
even  some  of  leading  journals  have  fallen  into 
the  trap,  and  speak  of  this  old  botanical  curiosity 
as  if  it  were  some  unheard-  of  wonder  of  which 
horticulturists  ought  to  be  very  proud !  It  is 
often  sent  to  me  to  name.  It  was  sent  only 
yesterday, and  by  a  gentleman  who  lives  adjacent 
and  it  has  been  in  botanical  gardens  where  it  has 
been  grown  for  years  and  years. 


As.long'as  life  endures  we  shall  tind  it  full  of 
whims  and  caprice,  I  suppose.  What  flower  did 
Helen  of  Troy  bind  in  her  aubtirn  .tresses?  or 
what,  if  not  the  buds  of  Pomegranate,  revealed 
the  blue-black  intensity  of  Cleopatra's  hair? 
Who  shall  tell  us  which  blossom  of  antiquity  is 
the  oldest,  the  Nelumbium  of  the  east  or  Sun- 
flower of  the  west?  These  secrets  are  safely- 
locked  in  the  safe  of  Time,  and  one  must  rest 
satisfied  with  the  sure  and  certain  knowledge 
that  never  since  creation  were  flowers  more 
beautiful  or  so  widely  grown  and  appreciated  as 
they  are  to-day. 

Can  there  be  a  sweeter  or  more. beautiful  wall 
shrub  than  the  Chinese  Wistaria  in  a  warm  and 
sheltered  garden?  I  saw  several  garden  walls 
(juite  wreathed  with  masses  of  its  (irape-like 
clusters  a  few  weeks  ago,  but  here  it  is  only 
just  now  expanding  its  soft  mauve  flowers. 
Near  Paris  this  rambling  shrub  is  planted  quite 
abundantly,  and  especially  is  it  used  for  the 
draping  of  iron  railings,. thus  .forming  a  sort 
of  floral  wreath  or  frieze,  and  fretjuently  ex- 
tending for  a  length  of  very.  many,  yards. 
When  grown  in  side,  garden  walls  near  the 
public  roads  a  shoot  is  often  trained  a  foot  or 
So  above  the  wall  coping  on  a  strained  wire, 
thus  forming  in  spring  a  wreath  of  olive-green 
leaflets  and  drooping  blossoms  beautiful. to  see. 
There  are  two  or  three  varieties.  Perhaps 
the  finest  form  is  a  white  one,  having  elegant 
'ong  spikes  of  bloom,  and  then  there  is  the 
double-blossomed  form,  which,  like  most  other 
double  Pea  flowers,  is  a  wretched  thing.  The 
main  drawback  to  the  more  frequent  planting 
of  Wistarias  is  their  slowness  of  growth  for 
the  first  year  or  two,  and  some  little  difficulty 
is  often  experienced  in  propagating  them. 
Layering  is  slow,  but  sure.  On  the  other  hand, 
once  well  planted,  a  Wistaria  will  cover  a 
hundred  feet  of  wall  and  live  for  a  centur.v  or 
more— a  thing  of  beauty.  And  there  is  this 
in  its  favor  it  does  well  even  in  the  heart  of 
large  trees,  where  so  many  other  things  fail. 
Soft  and  white  as  swan's-down,  sweet  as  spices 
from  Eastern  seas  is  the  white-blossomed  Pink, 
opening  out  fresh  and  fair  early  in  rosy  June. 
It  is  one  of  the  veiy  best  of  all  our  real  old 
garden  flowers,  and  with  deep,  full-scented  Cab- 
bage Koses  and  a  deep  fringe  of  this  old  Pink 
yon  may  make  a  posy  not  easily  surpassed  in 
freshness  and  in  subtle  perfume.  I  remember 
some  old  villages  in  the  midlands  of  England  the 
streets  of  which  were  nightly  perfumed  with 
these  flowers,  so  that  strangers  in  passing  used  to 
ask  the  source  of  the  fragrance  with  which  the 
air  was  overladen.  No  garden  could  well  be  too 
full  of  this  flower,  which  is,  as  I  think,  prefer- 
able to  the  new  white  called  Snowball— smaller, 
it  is  true,  but  a  much  more  shapely  blossom. 
The  faults  of  Jlrs.  Sinkins  are  fatal  to  a  good 
Pink— it  is  too  heavy  and  lumpy  in  shape,  and  so 
full  of  petals,  that,  as  a  rule,  the  tube  becomes 
split,  and  the  petals  fall  out  in  a  helpless,  disor- 
ganized-looking way. 

In  France,  market  growers  often  make  quite  a 
S])eciality  of  these  white  Pinks;  grown  in  pots 
they  bloom  early  in  April,  and  are  highly  appre- 
ciated ere  the  general  supply  comes  in.  All  the 
Pinks  are  so  readily  increased  by  pipings  or  slips, 
that  there  is  no  difliculty  in  obtaining  a  good 
stock  of  these  soft  and  fragrant  flowers  of  June 
and  July. 

In  this  da.v  when  the  tendency  is  to  overdo  the 
use  of  flowers  and  floral  designs  at  funerals,  to 
an  extent  indeed,  that  leads  many  mourners  to 
refuse  flowers  altogether,  it  is  a  relief  to  meet  a 
really  tasteful  and  flt  use  of  blooms  about  the 
casket  of  the  dead.  Such  the  writer  recently 
came  across  at  the  funeral  of  an  acquaintance. 
While  flowers  were  used  freely,  there  was  an 
entire  absence  of  stiff  unnatural  designs.  On  the 
casket  reposed  a  large  wreath  consisting  chiefly 
of  long-stemmed-Roses,  and  spring  flowers.  On 
the  extreme  end  of  the  top  lay  a  loosely  tied 
bunch  of  Lilacs  and  white  Roses,  some  of  which 
hung  down  a  little  into  the  casket  near  the  face 
of  the  dead.  Around  the  outside  from  handle  to 
handle,  there  was  looped  a  string  of  Smilax, 
with  a  bunch  of  Roses  either  white  pink  or 
yellow,  caught  in  each  of  these  and  together 
serving  to  relieve  the  outlines  of  the  case  and 
take  the  glare  off  from  the  silver  holders. 
Throughout  the  rooms  there  was  here  and  there 
a  vase  of  flowers,  with  a  single  large  basket  of 
blooms  placed  near  the  head  of  the  casket.  It 
was  a  beautiful  illustration  of  bringing  flowers 
in  profusion,  but  with  good  taste  to  the  last  sad 
rites  of  the  beloved  departed. 

Observer. 


196 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


June, 


FRoH 
THE 


SOCI£TICS 


TO  BFwiosvf  Knoym, 

Apples  for  Missouri.    The 

^best    are    (Irinies'    Golden, 

Jonathan,     Koine     Reauty, 

Winesap,  Clayton  and   Ben 

liavis.— Sfc'y  Guodman. 

Missouri  Horticulturists. 
The  StaU'  Society  will  meet 
at  Poplar  BlutT,  June  3d,  4th, 
and  5th.  Low  rates  on  R.  R  arc  secured.— X..  A . 
Goixlmaii,  Sn-relary. 

Buffalo  Forists'  Club.  A  Chrysanthemum 
show  will  be  held  in  the  fall  of  this  year.  Advance 
list  of  premiums  and  further  information  will  be 
furnislied  by  the  secretary,  Mr.  Dan'l  B.  Long, 
Buffalo,  N.  Y. 

The  Asparagus  Season.  The  plantation  should 
not  be  weakened  by  too  long  a  season  of  gather- 
ing. A  good  rule  to  follow  is  to  stop  when  the 
early  Peas  are  ready  to  market  from  adjoining 
land.— (7ia,s.  W.  (iarfidfl. 

Early  Harvest  Blackberry.  It  should  be  left 
to  three  or  four  eyes.  If  you  leave  longer  you 
load  it  with  fruit  that  won't  ripen  early,  or 
come  to  any  size  and  if  you  trim  closer  you  cut 
off  all  the  fruit  buds.— (1ia.s.  Wright  hefiyre  a 
Fiirmein'  Iiuttitttti:. 

Apples  Along  the  Highway.  J.  B.  Smith  of 
Indiana  stated  before  the  American  Horticul- 
tural Society  that  he  planted  60tl  Apple  trees 
along  the  roadside  of  his  farm  and  it  was  the 
best  advertisement  he  ever  had.  The  public 
had  all  they  wanted,  and  he  often  could  not  take 
care  of  what  was  left.  He  advised  every  one  to 
try  the  plan. 

'  Ohio  State  Horticultural  Society.  A  summer 
meeting  will  be  held  at  the  E.xperiment  Station 
in  Columbus,  June  llth  and  12th.  Reduced  rail- 
way fares,  a  large  attendance  and  a  successful 
meeting  are  expected.  All  horticulturists  are 
cordially  invited  to  be  present.  Non-members 
may  write  to  the  secretary  for  programmes. —  W. 
W.  Farnsu'orth,  Sec'y,  WaterviUe,  O. 

Chautauqua  County  Vineyards.  The  area  is 
rapidly  increasing,  and  the  so-called  "  Vineyard 
District,"  which  extends  for  forty  miles  along 
the  south-east  shore  of  Lake  Erie,  will  soon  be 
entirely  given  up  to  this  industry.  Last  year  360 
acres  were  devoted  to  the  propagation  of  the 
vine,  and  more  than  10,000,000  cuttings  were 
rooted.- Prom  Chautauqua  County  Report,  VK 
N.  T.  Hnrt.  Society. 

American  Horticultural  Society.  The  long- 
time secretary  of  this  association.  Prof.  W.  H. 
Ragan,  has  been  compelled  by  continued  bad 
health,  first  to  decline  a  re-election,  and  also  to 
resign  the  unexpired  term.  He  has  been  a  faith- 
ful servant,  and  has  the  everlasting  gratitude 
and  good  will  of  every  member.  The  secretary 
elect.  Prof.  E.  A.  Popenoe  of  Manhattan,  Kans., 
has  been  appointed  for  the  unexpired  terra,  and 
has  already  assumed  the  duties  of  the  office. 

Native  Grapes.  More  wild  varieties  are  found 
in  this  country  than  all  the  rest  of  the  world 
and  Texas  contains  more  wild  species  than  all 
the  rest  of  the  United  States,  of  these  Vitis 
Champini  is  a  line  wild  Grape  of  West  Texas, 
grows  well  on  dry  hills  ;  V.  Solonis  stands  heat 
and  drouth  ;  an  excellent  species  for  Western 
States;  V.  Linsecomii  (Postoak),  a  fine  wild 
variety  of  East  Texas,  has  berries  as  large  as 
Concord,  and  should,  above  all,  be  used  in  hybri- 
dizing to  bring  out  valuable  varieties.— Pro/.  T. 
V.  Munmn  licfore  the  American  Hort.  Soc. 

American  Association  of  Nurserymen.     The 

fifteenth  annual  meeting  of  this  association  will 
convene  at  the  Park  Avenue  Hotel,  New  York 
City,  June  4th,  and  promises  to  be  a  notable 
event.  Among  the  horticulturists  expected  to  be 
present  with  off-hand  talks  or  papers,  are  Profs. 
I.  P.  Roberts,  L.  H.  Bailey,  J.  L.  Budd,  B.  E. 
Fernow,  B.  T.  Galloway,  also  Hon.  H.  E.  Vande- 
man,  A.  S.  Fuller,  etc.  Reduced  fares  have  been 
secured  on  all  railroads  east  of  Chicago,  and  re- 
duced prices  at  the  new  flie-proof  hotel.  For 
particulars  address  Chas.  A.  Green,  Secretary, 
Rochester,  N.  Y. 

The  Friendly  Toad.  The  toad  is  more  cleanly 
than  the  poodle  which  some  ladies  caress  and 
take  in  their  laps.  He  is  the  abiding  friend  of 
the  farmer  and  the  horticulturist.  He  feeds 
upon  cut  worms  and  regards  the  curculio  that 
infests  the   orchard   as  a  great   dainty.     Toad 


houses  should  be  built  in  every  garden  and 
orchard.  Four  bricks  are  enough.  In  winter 
dig  a  hole  in  rear  of  the  house  and  cover  him  up. 
In  spring  he  will  resurrect  himself.  The  toad 
has  a  long  tongue  and  is  a  fine  shot  and  scarcely 
ever  misses  his  aim  or  his  game.— Z>7'.  L.  li.  Clif- 
ton before  the  Georgia  Agricultural  Sue. 

Exotic  Grapes  in  Florida.  During  the  dis- 
cusssions  before  the  State  Horticultural  Societj' 
Mr.  G.  P.  Quaintance  stated  he  would  set  wild 
roots,  and  next  year  graft  on  them.  The  Black 
Hamburg  did  excellently  well  this  way;  on  its 
own  roots  it  was  a  conspicuous  failure.  Mr.  E. 
O.  Painter  agreed  with  this  \'iew  ;  had  planted  a 
Niagara  which  made  a  growth  of  50  or  BO  feet  in 
a  year.  A  Black  Hamburg  grafted  on  a  wild 
root  in  a  hammock,  where  it  had  always  stood, 
did  remarkably  well.  Mr.  R.  W.  Pierce  told  of 
a  vine  that  was  brought  to  his  neighborhood 
from  France.  For  several  yeai-s  it  languished 
miserably,  but  finally  it  was  grafted  on  a  wild 
root  and  it  now  bears  literally  bushels  of  Grapes. 
He  had  the  Sweetwater  grow  75  feet  in  one  year. 

Planting  Evergreens.  1  have  adopted  Ever- 
greens as  ornamental  trees.  I  planted  with  care, 
and  lost  hundreds  of  trees.  Y^et  I  thought  things 
were  done  in  the  best  manner  possible,  but  that 
wonU  save  the  Evergreens  from  dying.  All  the 
water  and  all  the  care  in  the  world  will  not  pre- 
serve Evergreens,  if  you  once  let  the  dirt  dry  on 
the  roots.  The  outside  moisture  on  the  roots 
must  not  be  allowed  to  dry,  if  you  want  the  tree 
to  live.  There  is  a  resinous  substance  on  the 
outside  of  the  roots,  and  if  the  roots  once  be- 
come dry,  water  can  never  penetrate  that  resin- 
ous covering,  and  the  plant  cannot  but  die. 
There  is  not  a  tree  on  my  place  that  I  don't 
prune  every  year.  I  have  a  pair  of  long  sheare, 
and  in  some  cases  I  climb  the  trees.— r>r.  Lyons 
before  the  Illinois  State  Hort.  Soc. 

Sources  of  Phosphoric  Acid.  In  the  United 
States  bone  was  first  used  about  1790.  The 
first  bone  mill  was  established  in  1830,  and 
superphosphate,  or  dissolved  bone,  was  first 
tried  in  1851.  In  1843  phosphatic  rock  was  dis- 
covered in  Spain,  and  in  1808  in  South  Carolina. 
The  latter  contains  from  twenty-five  to  thirty- 
two  per  cent,  of  phosphoric  acid.  Three  million 
dollars'  worth  of  it  are  now  mined  annually. 
The  phosphoric  acid  in  thes'^  rock  phosphates  is 
insoluble,  but  when  ground  and  treated  with 
sulphuric  acid  they  are  converted  into  super- 
phosphates or  soluble  phosphates.  Another 
valuable  source  Of  phosphoric  acid  is  bone  black, 
a  waste  product  from  the  manufacture  of  sugar, 
containing  about  thirty-four  per  cent,  of  insolu- 
ble phosphoric  acid.- Pro/.  C.  H.  Whitcher before 
the  Ma.'is.  Hort.  Soc. 

Horticultural  Education.  For  years  past  we 
ha\-e  been  reaping  the  natural  results  of  a  sys- 
tem of  education  that,  intentionally  or  uninten- 
tionally, turns  all  our  young  people  for  a  livli- 
hood  towards  the  occupations  of  teachers,college 
professors,  lawyers,  physicians,  clergymen,  book- 
keepers, salesmen,  musicians,  artists,  agents,  and 
business  men- under  which  last  head  a  multifa- 
rious and  heterogeneous  legion  of  middlemen 
are  iileased  to  class  themselves.  These  men 
have  had  the  control  of  educational  affairs,  and 
they  have  kept  the  schools  turning  out  their 
kind  so  long  that  there  is  unquestionably  in  the 
country  an  overwhelming  surplus  of  middlemen, 
non-producers  and  men  living  by  their  wits. 
Such  a  surplus  is  bound  to  make  trouble.  All 
are  determined  to  live  in  affluence  if  possible— 
genteely  at  all  events.— Hod-i/  L.  Clapp.  Mn.<<s. 
Hort.  Soeiety. 

Hardy  Boses.  Pruning  and  Varieties.  The 
chief  objects  in  pruning  are  to  give  and  preserve 
a  symetrical  form  and  to  promote  growth  for 
the  flower  buds.  Plants  of  delicate  habit  and 
weak  growth  require  severe  pruning ;  those  that 
are  vigorous  in  growth  should  have  the  shoots 
moderately  shortened,  but  the  branches  well 
thinned  out.  The  rule  is  that  severe  pruning 
gives  the  best  flowers  but  less  of  them ;  and  for 
quality  few  plants  should  be  left  in  the  spring 
exceeding  two  feet  in  height,  though  when  an 
excessive  growth  has  been  made  the  previous 
season,  it  is  not  always  safe  to  cut  back  too 
severely.  There  is  very  little  to  choose  as  to 
time  betweeu  late  fall  and  early  spring,  though 
I  prefer  to  prune  sparingly  in  the  fall  and  com- 
plete the  work  the  following  spring.  As  to 
varieties  a  Rose  for  general  cultivation  must  be 
hardy,  of  free  growth,  of  good  form  and  color 
and  fragrant ;  for  exhibition  purposes  some  of 
the  qualities  may  be  wanting.  There  are  other 
desirable  points,  such  as  freedom  of  bloom,  per- 


raanancy  of  color,  beauty  of  foliage  and  the 
like,  but  the  Hi-st  five  are  essential.  Some  of  the 
most  beautiful  exhibition  flowers  fall  short  of 
the  perfect  Rose  "  Baroness  Rothschild,"  the  best 
light-colored  Rose  in  cultivation,  hardy,  perfect 
in  form  and  color,  but  an  indifferent  grower  and 
without  fragrance.  Mad  Gabriel  Luizet," 
though  not  equal  in  form  and  color,  is  hardy,  a 
fine  grower,  and  somewhat  fragrant.  "Louis 
Von  Houtte  "  is  probably  the  best  dark  Rose  we 
have  as  an  exhibition  Rose,  almost  perfect  in 
form  and  color,  deliciously  fragrant,  but  of  poor 
growth,  and  not  entirely  hardy.  Both  "  Fisher 
Holmes "  and  "  Baron  de  Bonstetten  "  would 
outrank  it,  both  being  hardy,  of  fine  growth, 
good  form  and  color,  and  fragrant.  The  only 
ones  in  the  lists  which  need  protection  are  "  Co- 
ipiette  des  Blanches,"  "  Eliza  Boelle,"  "  La 
France  "and  "  Louis  Von  Houtte,"  though  the 
fither  might  receive  some  benefit  from  it. 
I  ha\e  both  Blanches  and  Alps  which  have  en- 
dured the  winters  of  the  last  twelve  yeai-s  with- 
out any  protection  whatever;  though  the  tops 
are  more  or  less  injured,  they  renew  their  growth 
quickly  in  the  spring  and  bloom  freely  during 
the  summer. 


The  Cantaloupe  and  Its  Varieties. 

lE.rtract  of  jtajter  rcful  by  Df.  Iiobert  P.  Ilarrifi  before 
the  Pennsi/fvania  UortUultural  .Snricty.) 

In  the  estimation  of  some  i)eople,  the  Can- 
taloupe has  no  equal  among  our  summer 
fruits.  To  get  it  in  perfection,  the  fruit 
should  be  removed  from  the  vine  shortly 
before  it  is  ripe,  wa-shed  with  soap  and  cold 
water,  then  dried  in  a  soft  towel,  and  set  to 
ripen  in  &  dry  place.  A  Cantaloupe  that 
before  washing  stnells  like  a  Potato,  will 
in  a  few  hours  begin  to  give  out  an  inviting 
perfume,  and  when  this  odor  has  reached 
its  proper  measure  and  character,  is  the 
time  to  cut  it. 

My  own  ideal  Melon  is  of  the  size  and  form  of 
a  large  ostrich-egg;  with  a  thin  finely-netted 
rind;  thick,  grass-green  fiesh,asmall  seed  cavity 
and  a  sweet  aromatic  flavor.  The  "  Centre 
Melon,"  a  small  green-fleshed  Cantaloupe  excel- 
ling in  richness  of  flavor  all  its  competitors, 
was  the  progenitor  of  the  Jenny  Lind  variety 
named  about  1846.  I  am  inclined  to  believe  that 
it  originated  in  the  east,  possibly  in  Armenia, 
where  netted,  green-fleshed  Melons  are  produced 
in  abundance.  These  Armenia  Melons  belong 
to  a  hardy  race,  are  quite  productive  in  our 
climate,  and  can  stand  it  quite  as  well  as  any 
of  our  own  kinds;  they  are  as  yet  untirely  un- 
known to  our  seedsmen,  but  have  been  grown 
under  the  severe  test  of  the  season  of  1889.  In 
form  they  are  flat,  globular  or  oval,  the  last 
being  seven  inches  long,  and  all  are  fine-grained, 
thin-rinded,  green-fleshed  and  closely  netted, 
the  last  an  unusual  feature  in  our  own  varieties 
last  year.  This  oval  Cantaloupe  has  come  nearer 
to  my  ideal  than  any  one  I  have  yet  tested,  and 
I  hope  to  give  it  a  better  trial  this  coming  sum- 
mer. As  Oriental  seeds  always  come  mixed  in 
the  packages,  it  will  take  time  to  separate  the 
varieties  by  selection.  As  I  have  discovered 
Erzeroum,  in  Armenia,  to  be  a  great  Melon 
centre  for  both  Cantaloupes  and  Watermelons 
that  are  calmlated  to  stand  our  hot  summers, 
our  enterprising  seedsmen  will  take  a  step  to 
secure  a  full  line  of  seeds. 

The  Cantaloupe  has  largely  multiplied  in  its 
varieties  in  our  country  of  latter  years,  and  we 
have  now  those  that  are  white-fleshed,  yelloVv- 
fleshed,  red-tteshed  and  salmon-Heshed.  We 
have  also  netted,  toad-marked  and  smooth  fruits, 
with  green,  yellow  and  whitish  rinds.  Attempts 
have  been  made  to  grow  the  winter  varieties  of 
Naples  and  Malta,  which  may  be  ripened  from 
Christmas  to  Easter,  but  as  yet  with  not  much 
of  encouragement. 

In  size  the  Cantaloupe  varies  as  much  as  in 
<iuality,  and  the  extremes  of  weight  (a  few 
ounces  and  flfty-two  pounds,  the  largest  being 
coarse-grained  and  somewhat  fibrous)  in  fruits 
are  produced,  especially  of  the  green-fleshed 
varieties.  The  largest  imported  kind  was  intro-  , 
duced  from  Portugal,  and  of  native  varieties, 
was  brought  recently  from  Colorado,  both  at 
their  maximum  weighing  over  fifty  pounds,  and 
being  as  large  as  very  large  Watermelons.  For 
a  combination  of  large  size  and  fine  (juality, 
perhaps  no  imported  variety  over  equalled  the 
Persian  Melon  grown  for  many  years  in  the 
vicinit.v  of  Washington  City,  under  the  name  of 
the  Hunter  Cantaloupe,  a  long,  golden,  closely- 
netted  fruit,  with  green  flesh,  reaching  twenty 


iSqo. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


197 


iiK'lii's  ill  k'liuth  anil  u  woittht  of  twoiity-tlvc 
lK>unds.  Tliis  must  not  Ix*  confovindcM  with  the 
OiiMiba  or  Sinyrnii  Melon,  often  erroneously 
called  Persian,  the  seeds  of  which  were  sent  to 
the  Tnited  States  by  Dr.  GwHlell. 

Persia  is  a  land  of  Melons,  from  which  we  have 
had,  as  far  as  kiunvn  to  nie.  lull  four  varieties  of 
OintalouiH',  twti  of  wliieh  aiv  still  prtwluced,  and 
no  Watermelon.  Travelers  praise  the  Melons  of 
Persia,  write  atxiut  them  and  invariably  thritw 
the  seeils  away. 

My  own  Cantalouix"  tests  have  been  made  with 
seeds  fn»m  France,  the  north  and  south  of  Italy, 
TriiMili,  Turkey,  Turkistan,  southern  Russia. 
Kussian  tieorjria,  Cappadoeia,  Armenia,  the  Val- 
ley of  the  Euphrates,  Palestine  and  ,Iapan. 
Many  Melons  that  are  excellent  in  France  and 
northern  Ital.v  will  not  grow  in  our  climate  on 
account  of  the  heat;  those  frtim  the  land  south 
of  Naples  do  fairly  well, but  their  quality  for  the 
table  is  inferior.  The  toad-marked  Melons  of 
northeastern  Italy  under  reixjated  tests  have 
always  failed,  and  so  have  our  netted  varieties  in 
the  c<)oler  parts  of  that  peninsula.  Worms  and 
bugs  appear  to  delight  in  the  flavor  of  the  deli- 
cate foreign  vines,  and  if  the  plants  should  in 
part  escape  their  ravages,  their  leaves  droop 
under  the  sun. and  the  fruit  can  hardly  be  consid- 
ered worth  cutting. 

Classification.  Cantaloupes  may  be  divided 
into  two  classes:  one  that  ripens  to  the  best  ad- 
vantage in  the  house,  and  the  other  on  the  vine 
and  exposed  to  the  sun.  Xetted  and  grooved 
Melons,  as  a  rule,  attain  their  finest  flavor  in  the 
house,  and  should  be  pulled  as  soon  as  the  green 
color  at  the  bottom  of  the  grooves  has  fairly 
begun  to  lighten.  If  a  netted  Melon  is  pulled  a 
little  too  soon  it  wUl  keep  a  long  time  but  never 
ripen,  and  some  varieties  when  apparently  well 
matured  will  only  go  to  decay  it  separated  from 
the  vine. 

Cold  nights,  cold,  damp  ground  and  a  mild 
temperature,  with  very  little  or  too  much  rain, 
are  all  antagonistic  to  the  growth  and  maturing 
of  our  Cantaloupes.  Cold  ground,  with  in  the 
day  a  moderately  warm  sun,  will  cause  a  large 
Melon  to  grow  flat  at  the  bottom  and  very  con- 
vex at  the  top;  the  flesh  of  the  upper  part  will 
also  be  much  thicker  and  better  flavored  than 
that  of  the  bottom. 

Hybrid,  Although  the  pollen  of  a  Cucumber 
flower  is  capable  of  ruining  the  flavor  of  a  Can- 
taloupe, it  is  very  rare  for  a  hybrid  to  be  pro- 
duced. I  have  seen  such,  between  a  Cucumber 
and  a  Jenny  Land  Melon,  which  was  a  decided 
curio8it.v.  A  noted  Palestine  Cucumber,  known 
as  the  Mukte's,  is  produced  upon  a  vine  that 
very  closely  resembles  in  leaf  and  color  that  of  a 
Cantaloupe;  stiU,  the  fruit  is  an  old  variety  of 
Cucumber  and  quite  distinct  from  any  of  our 
sorts.  The  long  Banana  Cantaloupe  makes  a 
curious  hybrid  with  the  Jenny  Lind,  the  product 
being  oval,  yellow,  almost  tree  from  netting, 
very  fragrant  and  salmon-fleshed;  it  has  a  better 
flavor  than  the  former,  but  is  quite  inferior  to 
the  latter. 

In  Armenia  there  grows  a  C£intaloupe,propabl.v 
of  large  size,  to  judge  by  the  seeds,  which  is  so 
sensitive  to  the  heat  of  the  sun  that  the  gardeners 
are  in  the  habit  of  covering  the  young  Melons 
with  earth  until  they  reach  a  certain  size,  when 
they  are  uncovered;  this  variety  will  be  tested 
the  coming  season  in  several  localities.  The 
seeds  are  very  large  and  white,  much  larger  than 
any  we  have,  and  resemble  somewhat  a  curious 
yellow  Cappadocia  Melon  introduced  by  me  sev- 
eral years  ago  and  not  now  grown;  it  was  long, 
flat,  smooth  and  salmon-red  resemble  fleshed,  the 
Banana  Cantaloupe  in  pretty  much  all  points  ex- 
cept shape. 

Winter  Melons.  Some  years  ago  some  winter 
Cantaloupes  were  grown  in  this  latitude,  but  the 
measure  of  success  did  not  encourage  the  grower 
to  continue  the  experiment;  still,  I  see  no  reason 
why  other  attempts  should  not  be  made.  Ameri- 
can visitors  to  Naples  are  willing  to  pay  sixty 
cents  for  a  green  Melon  in  winter,  and  speak  of 
it  as  wonderfully  fine;  in  fact,  it  is  the  finest  Nea- 
politan variety,  and  ought  to  be  grown  in  some 
southern  state,  if  possible,  as  a  new  industry.  If 
the  Naples  Melon  will  not  succeed,  the  Malta 
green  one  should  be  tried.  These  Melons  are  put 
away  in  the  fall  before  they  begin  to  ripen,  and 
kept  in  a  cool  place.  When  one  is  to  be  ripened 
it  is  hung  up  in  the  open  air  in  a  warm  place,  in 
a  net  or  a  little  bundle  of  straw,  as  bottles  are 
sometimes  encased  for  packing.  The  Naples 
seeds  are  very  large,  but  of  a  form  that  ought  to 
grow;  the  dry  soil  varieties  may  do  better  in  our 
country. 


Girdling  The  Vine. 

(>V(mi  paper  rend  by  F.  J.  Kinrwi/  before  the  Boston 
Famierit'  Meeting.] 

Knowing  that  Dr.  Fisher  wa.s  one  of  the 
strongest  objectors  to  trirdlint;,  I  siiKKCsted 
that  experiments  be  made  by  him,  he  to 
furnish  fruit  from  his  own  vineyard  of  his 
own  selection.  Last  year  the  arr.iugement 
was  made.  He  took  one  row  fifteen  to 
twenty  feet  long. 

Dr.  Fisher  was  asked  to  girdle  one  arm  of  each 
vine  leaving  the  other  in  natural  condition.  The 
Committee  of  the  Horticultural  Society  visited 
fir.  Fisher's  vineyard  the  last  week  in  August. 
It  was  curious  to  lo<ik  at  the  row;  on  the  girdled 
half  the  Grapes  were  in  fit  condition  to  pick  for 
market.  The  single  Grapes  were  as  large  as  the 
Hamburgs  in  my  cold  grajwry.  The  others  were 
just  beginning  to  turn;  the  Dr.,  on  the  25th  of 
September,  picked  and  send  the  first  lotto  Dr. 
Goessmann;  on  the  first  day  of  October  he  select- 
ed specimens  from  each  vine,  and  sent  them  for 
analysis. 

The  two  important  elements  in  the  Grape  are 
sugar  and  water.  lu  the  girdled  vines  the  por- 
tion of  water  was  76  and  a  traction  per  c«nt.  In 
the  ungirdled  vines  it  is  SI  and  a  fraction  per 
cent,  in  the  girdled  there  was  7  and  a  traction 
per  cent  of  sugar  and  in  the  ungirdled  6  and  a 
fraction  of  sugar.  The  girdled  fruit  thus  sur- 
p.issing  in  both  respects.  Dr.  Fisher  said  to  me: 
"I  was  never  more  dissapointed  in  all  my  life, 
although  I  had  given  it  more  attention  than  ever 
before  and  I  had  become  certain  before  the  ana- 
lysis that  there  was  more  sugar  in  the  girdled 
fruit;  there  was  more  sweetness  in  its  taste." 

Now  if  this  is  a  fact— if  it  does  not  injure  the 
fruit  and  it  ripens  from  one  to  two  weeks  earlier 
and  increases  its  size  from  one-third  to  one-half, 
it  is  certainly  worth  considering.  In  taking  the 
later  varieties  and  ripening  them  a  fortnight 
earlier  it  gives  us  mote  scope,  and  it  is  so  easil.v 
done,  it  is  done  in  a  moment,  girdling  the  vines 
below  the  lowest  fruit  bud.  If  there  are  a  half 
dozen  bunches— one  quarter  of  an  inch  below 
the  lowest  fruit  bud,  girdling  on  July  1.5  perhaps. 
Mr.  Wheeler  says  an.v  time  after  the  fruit  gets 
to  l)e  the  size  of  buckshot.  He  has  done  it  for 
ten  years  without  any  perceptable  injury;  still  it 
is  a  question  whether  in  the  end  it  will  not 
seriously  affect  the  rtgor  of  the  vines. 


On  Maintaining  Prices  for  Fruit. 

iFrom  paper  by  Capt.   E.  HoUister,  before  the  Alton 
Southern  Illinois  Horticultural  Society.) 

My  first  proposition  is  the  absolute  neces- 
sity of  producing  a  grade  better  ttan  good 
as  generally  understood,  in  fact  it  must  be 
the  best.  Fruit  is  or  will  be  what  we  make 
it.  and  this  more  than  a  slight  difference  in 
soil.  Make  pets  of  your  plants  and  trees, 
with  generous  and  seasonable  care  born  of 
a  wish  to  succeed.  Make  your  o^vn  record 
as  a  fruit  grower,  and  determine  that  in  all 
respects  it  shall  be  above  suspicion.  Make 
the  quality  paramount  to  the  quantity,  be 
not  ambitious  to  compete  with  or  excel  Mr. 
Bragg,  who  plants  many  acres  ;  ambition 
should  be  made  of  sterner  stuff,  but  if 
tempted  in  this  direction  beyond  ability  to 
resist,  then  do  not  forget  the  wisdom  so 
dearly  bought. 

Everybody  may  have  his  peculiar  method,  and 
will  be  quick  to  take  advantage  of  the  seasons 
and  the  constant  climatic  changts,  and  often 
such  will  prove  the  making  of  the  crop.  Vigil- 
ance in  this  profession  carries  the  balance  to  the 
right  side  of  the  account.  It  will  not  do  to  be 
slothful  in  this  business.  Some  wise  man  has 
said  *'  there  is  a  tide  in  the  affairs  of  men."  Hor- 
ticulture is  one  of  these  affairs  which  must  be 
taken  at  the  fiood.  Ever.v  effort  in  this  direction 
has  brought  such  reward  as  to  incite  to  more 
prompt  measures  in  all  possible  circumstances. 

Planting.  Here  I  wish  to  say  a  few  words 
about  planting  Strawtxrrries.  We  cannot  con- 
trol the  rains  we  would  all  like  to  have  each 
night  after  a  day's  planting.  The  soil  is  not 
always  ready,  or  the  plants  are  not  at  hand,  so 
the  delay,  and  the  sun  and  the  winds  are  carry- 
ing the  moisture  away,  and  if  set  then,  many 
plants  will  not  survive ;  my  remedy  is  to  not 
plant  then,  heel  in  your  plants  firmly,  when  par- 
tially shaded,  water  sufliciently  to  keep  the 
plants  growing,  and  as  soon  as  the  new  white 
roots  are  well  formed,  then  on  freshly  prepared 


soil  you  may  set  with  the  assurance  of  a  good 
stand. 

When  you  have  gone  through  the  process  of 
planting  and  cultivating,  and  the  rewarrl  of  your 
labor  L«  seen  in  the  l«)untiful  crop,  (hen  comes 
the  problem  of  how  to  pack  and  where  to  send 
to  best  maintain  prices.  If  in  the  first  instiincc, 
it  is  absolutely  necessary  to  produce  the  best 
grade  of  fruit,  much  more  so  now  to  secure  the 
Itest  results. 

Packing.  It  is  a  self  evident  fact  that  the  fruit 
and  packing  should  be  of  the  best  character. 
Your  product  comes  in  competition,  not  only 
with  your  neighbors,  but  from  many  points 
south  and  elsewhere,  and  as  a  matter  of  course, 
the  best  finds  the  ready  sale  and  best  price. 

Some  years  since  I  had  occasion  to  ask  a  fruit 
grower,  why  his  Peaches  showed  so  much,  and 
good  color';  They  were  packed  in  third  bushel 
boxes.  He  said  in  packing  he  was  only  following 
nature;  that  he  found  the  best  and  highest  color- 
ed fruit  around  on  the  outside  of  the  tree.  There 
were  no  windfalls  or  trash  inside,  however,  as  in 
another  instance,  which  upon  inspection,  proved 
to  be  so  outrageously  packed,  the  owner  never 
called  for  his  money.  Not  one  in  a  hundred  can 
bring  fruit,  such  as  berries,  in  a  wagon  without 
springs,  yet  I  have  known  one  to  do  so  many 
times,  and  his  fruit  was  in  good  shape,  and  reach- 
ed market  uniformly  and  in  best  condition. 

For  the  small  fruits  the  sixteen  quart  case  has 
been  most  extensive!}'  used  with  satisfaction, 
the  one  fault  common  is  the  lack  of  tacks  in 
putting  the  quarts  together,  and  so  with  the 
usual  rough  handling  in  transportation,  the 
upper  tier  is  apt  to  break  down;  an  extra  tack 
or  two  will  remedy  this,  and  go  far  to  help  make 
good  sales.  Of  course  your  cases  and  quarts 
will  be  new,  bright  and  clean.  Should  you  be  so 
fortunate  as  to  have  good  local  markets  your 
fruit  should  be  fairly  and  evenly  ripened,  if  for 
a  distant  shipment.  Strawberries  colored  in  part 
are  firmer  and  will  color  in  transit.  My  experi- 
ence has  made  me  set  highest  value  on  the 
Duchess  Pear  packed  in  barrels.  In  planting 
more  I  would  not  take  them  on  the  Quince  stock 
only  so  as  to  secure  earlier  bearing  and  to  plant 
alternately  with  standards.  My  reason  is  that  in 
a  few  years'  growth,  they  Ijecome  top  heavy  and 
are  frequently  blown  down  and  broken  off  at 
the  root.  While  the  Pear  stocks  keep  them  firm 
in  their  places  and  eventually  carry  more  fruit. 

The  Uarkets.  The  question  now  will  lie  where 
to  find  such  a  market  as  will  best  maintain  prices. 
With  this  comes  the  problem  of  transportation 
which  must  be  taken  into  account.  The  indi- 
vidual shipper  is  at  the  mercy  of  the  railroads 
and  express  companies  who  without  fear,  favor 
or  affection  for  a  ten  to  twelve  hour  transit  take 
not  less  than  twent.v  cases  out  of  one  hundred  of 
berries,  for  their  portion,  whiie  the  commission 
man  takes  ten  more.  You  can  then  see  what  is 
left  for  you  to  pay  for  packages,  picking  and 
cultivation.  The  fruit  grower  has  no  subsidy  to 
relieve  him,  no  protection  from  the  extortionate 
freight  charges  and  often  no  relief  for  damage 
while  in  their  charge.  Can  the  fruit  growers  of 
Alton  combine  in  their  shipments  to  secure  low- 
est rates?  California  has  long  practiced  such, 
without  which  they  could  not  live.  Cobden 
growers  and  others  have  operated  on  the  plan 
with  satisfactory  results. 

Inspect  the  Market.  It  wUl  be  well  for  the 
shipper  to  occasionally  follow  his  fruit,  note  its 
condition  on  arrival.  See  what  and  how  others 
are  sending.  Such  an  object  lesson  will  prove 
well  worth  the  time  and  expense.  Another  point 
he  will  make  by  such  a  trip,  to  see  the  market 
and  style  of  customers  at  the  different  places. 
Some  will  take  one  grade  or  class  of  fruit; 
another  a  different,  perhaps  better  grade.  .Such 
personal  knowledge  will  be  of  great  benefit  and 
is  essential  to  success  in  this  business.  By  know- 
ing the  character  of  your  market,  you  can  dis 
criminate  as  to  quality,  not  daring  to  send  to 
the  one  that  would  readily  move  in  the  other. 
We  always  have  two  grades  to  ship,  and  one  we 
reject,  which  may  in  part  at  least  find  use  in  the 
family. 

This  personal  observation  at  the  end  of  the 
route  will  go  far  to  explain  some  of  the  reports 
of  the  commission  men ;  occasionally  1  have 
been  made  ashamed  to  see  some  of  my  .Apples, 
knowing  my  instructions  as  to  the  packing  had 
been  positive  and  to  select  close. 

The  Commission  Man,  For  your  shipments 
select  good  commission  men  in  a  few  markets, 
keep  in  constant  communication  with  them,  use 
the  wire  freely,  send  them  the  best  and  in  the 
best  shape. 


198 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


June, 


Were  it  possible  to  dispose  of  our  products  in 
local  and  near  markets,  without  the  middle  man, 
or  if  buyers  could  be  induced  to  come,  these 
methods  would  prove  very  satisfactory.  We 
cannot  wait  for  the  buyers  to  come,  nor  will 
local  and  near  markets  take  all  our  fruit,  the 
alternative  is  to  trust  your  fruit  to  the  tender 
mercies  of  the  railroad  and  the  commission  man, 
in  fact  much  of  it  is  all  trust  and  little  or  no  pay. 
That  there  are  dishonest  commission  men  we  all 
know  by  experience :  this  should  make  us  wiser 
and  stick  to  the  true  and  tried  ones. 


Late    Experiences  With    Insects    In- 
jurious to  the  Orchard  and 
Garden. 

(Extracts  from  paper  by  J.  A,  Lintcr,  before  the  West- 
em  New  York  Horticultural  Society,) 

You  will  be  glad  to  know  that  rapid  pro- 
gress is  being  made  throughout  the  United 
States  in  the  study  of  our  insect  foes  and 
insect  friends,  and  how  they  are  to  be  met. 
There  is  every  prospect  that  within  a  few 
years  nearly  all  of  our  most  injurious  insects 
will  be  brought  under  control. 

Spraying  Operations.  Judging  from  pres- 
ent indications,  the  force  pump  is  destined,  for 
the  future,  to  play  a  prominent  part  in  our  oper- 
ations against. the  insects  of  the  orchard  and 
garden.  The  ease  with  which  the  codling  moth 
can  be  controlled,  and  the  Apples  grown  of  full 
size  (the  elements  permitting),  of  perfect  form, 
rich  in  color,  of  highest  flavor,  and  of  resistance 
to  early  decay,  are  a  sulEcient  attestation  of  its 
value.  By  its  aid  we  hope  soon  to  control  the 
ravages  of  almost  every  insect  that  feeds  upon 
the  foliage  of  our  fruit  trees,  and  of  a  large  num- 
ber of  those  that  attack  the  products  of  our 
gardens.  To  do  without  a  force  pump  is  costly 
neglect.  Insecticidal  spraying,  compared  with 
old  methods,  as  pinching  by  hand  or  distributing 
poisons  with  a  sprinkling  pot,  is  as  the  Gatling 
gun  in  comparison  with  the  old  flint-lock  musket. 
Experiments  show  conclusively  that  in  spraying 
with  the  arsenical  poisons,  much  stronger  mix- 
tures have  been  used  than  are  necessary,  and  that 
in  no  case  need  they  exceed  the  strength  of  one 
pound  of  the  arsenite  to  two  hundred  gallons  of 
the  water.  For  Plum  trees  one  pound  of  the 
arsenite  to  250  or  aOO  gallons  of  water  should  be 
used,  while  for  the  Peach,  a  dilution  of  at  least 
aOO  gallons  is  recommended. 

Spraying  With  Water.  This  has  proved 
elBcient  in  arresting  the  injuries  of  one  of  the 
chief  pests  of  Rose  growers— the  Kose-slug,  Man- 
ostcgia  rosii"  (Harris).  I  have  every  confidence 
that  a  rather  coarse  spray  of  water  thrown  with 
force  will  serve  to  rid  us  of  the  injuries  of  many 
other  pests.  It  will  be  efflcient  against  the  little 
white  Rose-leaf  hopper— probably  the  Tettiqonia 
7'imv  of  Harris.  It  should  also  be  equally  efflcient 
against  the  several  species  of  small  leaf  hoppei-s, 
Erythroneura  vitis,  and  othera,  that  infest  the 
Grape  vme,  particularly  if  employed  against 
them  in  the  early  larval  stages.  It  should  be  de- 
structive to  all  f)f  the  plant  lice  that  can  be  di- 
rectly reached  by  the  spray. 

Carbolized  Plaster  Preventative,  From 
some  experiments  in  protecting  Plum  trees  from 
curculio  attack,  carbolized  plaster,  made  by 
combining  one  pint  of  crude  carbolic  acid  with 
50  pounds  of  plaster,  has  shown  such  beneficial 
results  that  the  method  merits  additional  trials. 
It  may  prove  a  valuable  preventative  in  the  dep- 
redations of  the  Rose  bug,  Macrodactylus  subs- 
pinosux,  from  which,  as  yet,  we  know  of  no  sat- 
isfactory means  of  protection. 

Coleopbora  8p.  A  New  Pear  Insect-  On 
June  8,  1888,  Mr.  P.  Barry  reported  to  me  that 
the  newly-set  Pears  of  the  Mount  Hope  Nurseries 
had  been  vigorously  attacked  by  a  new  enemy,  a 
queer-looking  worm,  which  was  found  with  one 
cud  inserted  into  the  fruit. 

Specimens  of  the  fruit  submitted  showed  that 
the  operations  of  the  caterpillar  consisted  in  bor- 
ing numerous  round  holes  of  about  the  diameter 
of  its  body  (that  of  an  ordinary  pinj  to  the  depth 
that  it  could  protrude  from  its  case.  Withdraw- 
ing itself,  it  would  remove  a  distance  and  again 
burrow  into  the  fruit.  Many  of  these  holes  had 
been  made  in  each  Pear.  One  of  the  Pears  re- 
ceived,of  only  one-half  inch  in  diameter,  showed 
by  count,  44  of  the  borings. 

It  is  quite  probaljle  that  this  Coleophora  attack 
will  prove  to  be  widespread.  The  larva^  ceased 
feeding  and  fastened  their  cases  on  end  to  the 
bottom  of  the  box  containing  them  on  June  13th. 
The  first  moth  emerged  twelve  days  thereafter, 
and  the  second  on  July  7th.     Should  the  insect 


appear  in  injurious  numbers  hereafter,  it  could 
be  destroyed  by  spraying  with  an  arsenite  soon 
after  the  setting  of  the  young  fruit. 

The  Pear-bli?ht  Beetle.  The  "  Pear-bhght 
beetle,"  Xylchorus  pyri  (Peck)  appeared  in  great 
abundance  in  a  Peach  orchard  of  Mr.  Norman 
Pomroy,  of  Lockport,  N.  Y.,  in  the  spring  of 
18^8,  where  its  operations  were  so  severe  that  the 
orchard,  consisting  of  young  trees,  was  nearly 
ruined  by  it.  The  attack  had  assumed  a  different 
character  from  that  usually  ascribed  to  it,  for 
instead  of  the  burrows  of  the  insect  running  up- 
ward or  downward,  in  this  they  were  mainly 
horizontal,  and  carried  around  the  trunks  or  the 
limbs  of  the  young  nursery  stock  so  as  to  nearly 
girdle  them  and  permit  of  their  being  easily 
broken  off  by  riand.  All  of  the  trees  attacked 
were  killed,  and  were  eitherpulled  up  when  they 
were  seen  to  be  dying,  or  sawn  off  below  the 
lowest  burrows,  which  in  many  cases  was  near  to 
the  ground. 

This  "Pear-blight  beetle,"  destructive  also  at 
times  to  Apple,  Plum  and  Apricot  stock,  was  de- 
scribed and  its  operations  observed  as  long  ago 
as  the  year  1817,  and  has  since  been  frequently 
written  of;  but  up  to  the  present  day  it  has  suc- 
ceeded in  keeping  its  early  stages  from  us. 

Quince  Bloisoma  Beetle.  From  Mr.  A.  H. 
Briggs,  of  Maccdon,  examples  of  a  species  of 
snapping'beetlewere  received  on  the  20th  of  May, 
188!i,  which,  during  the  preceeding  four  years, 
had  been  so  abundant,  and  injurious  to  the  blos- 
soms of  his  Quince  trees  that  he  had  been  obliged 
to  go  over  the  trees  daily  and  knock  the  beetles 
into  a  pan  of  kerosene  and  water.  The  same  in- 
sect had  made  its  demonstrations  on  the  trees  of 
Rev.  Dr.  Jacques;  while  four  years  previously 
residing  at  Macedon  Center,  and  had  been  fought 
by  him  with  Paris  green  mixed  with  flour. 

The  Peach  Bark  Borer,  This  is  a  well-known 
pest  and  formerly  supposed  to  be  the  cause  of 
"the  yellows;"but  its  only  connection  with  it  has 
frequentl.v  been  found  in  trees  that  have  become 
weakened  and  sickly  through  disease.  All  of 
these  Scolytid  bark-borers,  from  their  conceal- 
ment and  habits,  are  difficult  to  reach  and  kill, 
and  we  know  of  no  satisfactory  methods  at  pres- 
ent of  dealing  with  them.  Whenever  a  tree  has 
become  badly  infested  with  them,  it  should  be 
promptly  taken  up  and  burned.  This  insect 
seems  to  be  increasing  in  the  State  of  New  York. 

The  Cherry  Tree  Slu?.  The  larvie  can  be 
readily  destroyed  by  spraying  with  hellebore  in 
water— an  ounce  of  the  powder  to  two  gallons  of 
water— or  dusting  foliage  with  air-slaeked  lime. 

The  Grape  Vine  Flea  Beetle.  An  unusual 
number  of  intiuirics  ha\'e  been  received  during 
the  spring  and  summer  of  the  Grape  vine  flea- 
beetle.  Wherever  it  makes  its  ajipearance,  effort 
should  1)0  made  to  destroy  the  beetles  during 
their  hibernation,  by  burning  or  removuig  their 
ordiuar.v  winter  quarters,  as  in  the  rubbish  of 
the  vineyards,  or  the  loose  bark  of  the  posts.  In 
the  early  spring,  when  they  first  make  their  at- 
tack on  thebudsto  which  they  are  so  destructive, 
they  should  be  knocked  off  daily  into  a  pan  of 
water  and  kerosene,  or  jari-ed  to  the  ground  and 
crushed,  or  a  poisonous  hquid  applied  fo  the 
buds.  The  ravages  of  the  larvic,  at  a  later  period. 
ma.y  be  controlled  by  Paris  green  in  water. 

Mr.  Snow,  of  Penn  Yan,  has  detected  an  insect 
preying  upon  the  larvie  by  sucking  its  juices. 
They  were  Hemipterous,  belonging  to  the  plant 
bugs,  of  which  so  many  are  known  to  be  valuable 
aids  to  us  in  the  destruction  of  our  insect  foes. 

A  New  Bose  Pest.  A  destructive  borer  of  the 
tips  of  Rose  bushes  has  made  its  appearance  at 
Au  Sable  Forljs,  N.  Y.,  during  the  past  summer. 
Its  form  of  injury  is  to  commence  attheextreme 
tip  and  burrow  downward  several  inches,  con- 
suming the  entire  interior  of  the  stem. 

The  lady  sending  them  has  written:  "About 
20  years  ago,  my  garden  Roses  were  infested  by 
this  same  borer.  I  fought  them  with  knife  and 
fire  for  four  or  five  years,  and  rid  myself  of  them 
entirely,  and  had  never  seen  one  since  until  this 
present  year. 

A  New  Enemy  of  the  Currant  Worm.  A  la  rge 
plant-bug  was  discovered  l)y  Mr  Samuel  G.  Love, 
of  Jameston,  N  Y.,  with  its  beak  inserted  into 
Currant-worms,  Nematus  I'eiitrico^us,  sucking 
out  their  juices  and  killing  numbers  of  them. 
When  received  by  me,  they  were  m  their  pupal 
form.  They  were  fed  on  Currant-worms  until 
they  transformed  to  the  perfect  stage,  permitting 
of  their  identification  as  Pndisux  cyjiiciw  (Say), 
after  which  they  were  released  to  feed  at  large, 
in  the  hope  that  their  progeny  through  coming 
years  would  inherit  a  special  fondness  for  the 


food  of  their  ancestors,  and  thus  aid  in  the  work 
of  bringing  under  control  that  annoying  pest. 

London  Purple.  Dr.  Liutner  said  that  it  was 
the  waste  product  of  analine  dyes,  and  contained 
about  4;i  per  cent  of  arsenic,  while  pure  Paris 
green  contained  about  58  per  cent.  One  pound 
of  London  purple  to  ,500  gallons  gave  no  satisfac- 
tory results.  He  advised  one  pound  to  300  gal- 
lons for  Pear  trees;  and  if  the  London  purple  be 
of  pure  (|uality  and  put  up  properly,  that  will  be 
found  sufficient.  One  pound  to  2(10  gallons  was 
also  used  on  Plum  trees  with  marked  success. 
He  thinks  we  shall  soon  come  to  the  use  of  one 
pound  of  Paris  green  to  250  or  300  gallons  of  water. 


Why  not  Plant  a  Grove? 

{Adapted  from  paper  by  Prof.  W.J.  Beat,  Agrieultu. 
ral  College,  P.  O.  Miih.,  in  the  Report  of  Fruit  Orow- 
ers'  Association  of  Ontario.) 

Generally,  of  late  years,  when  there  is  a 
heavy  fall  of  snow  It  is  soon  so  unevenly 
distributed  that  we  have  little  Idea  of  how 
much  lias  fallen.  It  piles  up  along  the 
north  and  south  roads,  and  blows  from 
some  parts  of  the  east  and  west  roads.  The 
Wheat  fields  have  many  barespots,  while  in 
other  places  the  drifts  are  deep.  The 
animals  at  such  times  eat  more  grain  and 
fodder  than  they  do  wheti  there  is  less  cold 
air  in  motion.  The  house,  too,  gets  coldfr 
in  the  night  than  it  used  to  when  there 
were  few  strong  winds.  When  I  came  to 
this  neighborhood  much  of  the  and  was 
still  covered  with  a  dense  virgin  forest.  As 
one  block  of  woods  after  another  disappear- 
ed, I  noticed  the  winds  becatne  more  fre- 
quent and  penetrating. 

There  is  a  partial  remedy  for  checking  the 
fierce  winds  which  drift  the  snows  in  winter, 
shake  the  Apples  from  the  trees  in  summer  and 
lodge  the  grain  before  it  is  ripe.  It  is  to  plant 
trees.  The  cost  is  much  less  than  most  persons 
miagine,  and  when  once  started  they  keep  grow- 
ing year  by  year,  and  before  you  are  aware  of  it, 
the  little  trees  have  grown  upwards  and  spread 
outwards.  Suppose  you  were  to  plow  a  strip  a 
rod  wide  and  ten  or  fifteen  rods  long,  either  in 
a  straight  line,  in  a  curve  or  in  an  irregular 
shape.  That  would  not  cost  much.  Then 
harrow  it  well  as  though  you  were  fitting  the 
piece  for  ( 'orn. 

Of  course  you  must  arrange  fence  so  as  to 
keep  cattle,  sheep  and  horses  away  from  young 
trees.  Let  us  see  about  a  plan  for  a  wind-break 
or  for  a  small  grove.  You  can  put  in  as  many 
kinds  of  trees  as  you  like,  the  more  the  better, 
if  you  want  to  try  experiments  and  think  you 
would  like  to  study  them  and  learn  their  habits, 
but  .you  want  trees  that  will  grow  fast,  that  are 
likely  to  remain  health.v  and  furnish  protection, 
you  need  onl.v  one,  two  or  three  species  which 
are  best  adapted  for  the  purpose.  We  can't 
afford  to  go  to  the  woods  and  dig  trees.  We  can 
buy  them  cheaper. 

Buy  them!  Some  one  will  say.  Wh.v,  a  nurse- 
ryman will  charge  me  twenty-five  to  fifty  cents 
apiece  for  his  Evergreens.    I  can't  afford  that. 

Procure  small  trees ;  they  will  cost  much  less ; 
they  can  be  more  easily  planted ;  will  be  more 
likely  to  live  and  after  a  few  years  they  will 
very  likely  catch  up  and  overtake  trees  which 
were  larger  at  the  time  of  planting.  The  founda- 
tion of  your  screen  will  consist  of  Evergreens. 
If  others  are  added  which  are  not  Evergreens, 
they  should  not  be  put  in  blocks  each  sort  by 
itself,  but  mixed  more  or  less  in  checker-board 
style  with  the  Evergreens.  And  the  Evergreens 
may  as  well  be  mi.\ed  if  no  others  are  planted. 
You  will  want  to  set  them  in  rows,  straight, 
curved  or  crotiked  in  one  way  four  feet  apart, 
and  three  or  four  feet  apart  in  the  row,  so  they 
can  l)e  as  easily  cultivated  one  way  as  Corn  and 
Potatoes.  There  is  little  risk  in  setting  too  thick- 
ly, and  the  trees  will  sooner  shade  the  ground. 

Nurserymen  who  grow  seedlings—  advertise 
in  the  horticultural  journals,  will  send  by  mail 
young  plants  about  as  follows :  White  Pines, 
three  years  old,®  tl  per  l00,orS8  per  1,000.  Norway 
Spruces,  3  years  old,  (g  75  per  100,  or  $()  per  1,000. 

At  about  the  same  price,  you  can  procure  any 
or  all  of  the  following  :  European  Larch,  White 
Ash,  American  Elm,  Black  Cherry,  Black  Locust 
and  many  others,  remembering  that  for  good 
screens  half  or  more  of  the  trees  should  be 
Evergreens  rather  equally  distributed  over  the 
ground.  A  single  row  or  two  rows  will  make  a 
good  screen,  but  you  will  be  better  pleased  with 
a  wider  strip  of  trees. 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


199 


AlHuit  sotting  the  tret'S.  Tliey  will  if  uniorcil 
early  arrive  almut  the  time  you  are  sowintt  "ats, 
Open  the  paekagcs,  and  plaee  the  roots  in  damp 
soil  in  the  shade,  not  forirettinir  that  the  roots  of 
trees  arc  unfitted  by  nature  to  stand  the  air.  In 
the  wind  or  the  sun  or  in  dry  air,  or  in  the  open 
air,  roots  will  live  just  at>ont  as  lonp  as  a  black 
bass  will  live  out  of  water;  not  much  longer. 
Prepare  some  thin  mud  in  a  pail,  tilling  it  a  third 
full.  In  this  mud  place  the  roots  of  the  ti-ecs 
one  sort  at  a  time  Of  course  you  have  staked 
or  marked  out  your  (.'round.  Din  a  snuill  hole 
with  a  spade  and  let  the  boy  drop  a  tree  in  the 
hole :  strniRhten  it  up ;  replace  the  soil,  not 
omitting  to  step  your  full  weight  with  one  foot 
each  side  and  near  each  tree  Ijefore  leaving  it. 
This  is  important,  as  it  packs  the  soil  close  to  the 
root*,  helping  it  to  retain  moisture,  and  prevent- 
ing the  air  from  entering.  One  after  the  other, 
all  the  kinds  are  planted. 

If  Black  Walnuts,  Chestnuts,  Butternuts, 
Hickories  and  Oaks  are  desirable  in  any  places, 
plant  the  nuts  where  the  trees  are  to  remain. 

Then  cultivate  this  land  as  you  do  your  best 
Cornfield,  with  level  culture,  only  continue  to 
cultivate  all  summer. 

Keep  on  cultivating  during  the  succeeding 
years,  as  long  as  a  horse  can  get  through  the 
rows,  perhaps  four  or  five  years  more,  then  the 
trees  will  not  need  it  any  longer.  From  time 
to  time  you  will  very  likely  pick  up  some  other 
kinds  of  small  trees,  or  shrubs  from  the  neigh- 
boring woods,  and  set  them  in  among  the  others 
in  the  grove.  If  the  cultivation  is  attended  to, 
and  the  land  is  not  too  wet,  you  will  be  surprised 
at  the  nipid  growth  of  the  trees. 

In  older  states,  like  Massachusetts,  farms 
already  bring  a  better  price  if  they  contain  some 
suitable  groves  or  lots  of  young  thrifty  timber. 
As  the  grove  improves  with  age,  you  will  be 
reading  every  good  thing  you  can  get  on  foresty. 
You  will  be  planting  for  study  as  well  as  for 
producing  a  grove  to  shield  animals  or  growing 
crops,  from  the  severe  winds. 

Reader  if  not  already  done,  will  jou  not  plant 
a  grove  this  year,  or  do  something  to  induce 
some  of  your  friends  to  plant  one '/  The  writer 
will  be  glad  to  give  any  further  instructions  in 
his  power  on  this  subject,  and  would  coifeider  it 
a  favor  to  receive  a  postal  card  from  any  who 
contemplate  a  grove. 


CONDENSED  GLEANINGS. 

Bounty  for  Sparrow  Heads-  Jfichlgan  is  one 
of  the  states  in  which  a  bounty  is  paid  for  the 
Extermination  of  the  EngUsh  Sparrow.  But  ac- 
cording to  a  late  bulletin  from  the  Experiment 
Station  of  that  State  the  bounty  too  often  helps 
forward  the  destructive  work  of  the  sparrows  by 
killing  other  insectivorous  birds.  Too  many  of 
the  county  clerks  cannot  distinguish  the  head  of 
an  English  sparrow  from  that  of  a  linnet 
or  a  thrush,  and  the  mone.v  is  actually  paid 
for  the  destruction  of  such  valuable  birds  as  the 
song  sparrow,  the  red-polled  linnet  and  the  even- 
ing grosbeak— birds  which  are  protected  by  the 
state,  under  a  law  which  makes  their  slaughter  a 
misdemeanor,  to  which  a  penalty  of  five  dollars 
is  attached.  The  bulletin  gives  such  illustrations 
and  descriptions  as  will  enable  the  officers  to  dis- 
tinguish between  the  native  birds  and  the  foreign 


A  Broad-Topped  Grape  TrellUe. 

nuisances.  Nevertheless  the  law  should  be  so 
amended  as  to  make  it  the  duty  of  county 
clerks  to  inform  themselves  and  to  collect  a  fine 
for  every  native  bird  offered  for  a  bounty.  It  is 
to  be  remembered  that  the  English  sparrows  de- 
stroy fruit,  grain  and  vegetables.  They  attack 
blossoms,  young  fruit  and  grain  at  harvest  time. 
They  eat  some  insects,  but  they  protect  more 
than  they  feed  upon  by  driving  away  native  in- 
sectivorous birds.  Wrens,  martins,  swallows, 
blue-birds,  and  even  robins  and  wild  pigeons 
suffer  from  these  marauders,  who  destroy  nests. 


young  birds  and  eggs  for  no  other  apparent  pur- 
pose than  to  drive  these  birds  out  of  the  neigh- 
borhood.—(iarden  and  Korest. 

Beet  Sugar,  The  persistent  agitation  of  the 
culture  of  the  Sugar  Beets  and  the  manufacture 
of  sugar  from  them  on  large  scale  in  this  country 
is  at  least  bearing  fruit.  The  United  States  De- 
partment of  Agriculture  is  completing  an  ex- 
haustive investigation  of  all  that  has  been  done, 
from  the  time  that  the  first  experiments  in  Beet 
culture  were  nnide  at  the  Massachusetts  Agricul- 
tural college  down  to  this  year's  experience  in 
the  two  large  Beet  sugar  factories  in  California. 
The  United  States  Senate  has  directed  its  Com- 
mittee on  .Agriculture  to  report  a  bill  for  the 
Iiromotion  of  the  industry,  and  Senator  Mander- 
son  has  already  introduced  a  bill  providing  that 
a  bounty  shall  be  paid  for  every  ton  of  sugar 
Beets  raised  in  the  United  States,  delivered  to  a 
factory  and  manufactured  into  sugar,  and  also 
providing  a  bounty  of  85  cents  per  hundred 
pounds  of  sugar  so  produced,  to  be  paid  to  the 
manufacturer.  The  operation  of  the  proposed 
law  is  left  to  the  Secretaries  of  Agriculture  and 
the  Treasury.  Mr.  Manderson  also  introduced  a 
bill  making  an  appropriation  for  the  importa- 
tion of  sugar  Beet  seed  by  the  Secretary  of  Ag- 
riculture, and  also  of  machinery  for  its  culture 
and  for  the  manufacture  of  Beet  sugar,  all  to  be 
admitted  free  of  duty.  A  large  factory  to  work 
up  the  Beets  grown  on  .5,000  acres  is  now  being 
built  at  Grand  Kapids,  Hall  Co.,  Xeb.— American 
Agriculturist. 

Advantages  of  low  Brancking.  Important 
advantage  of  low  headed  trees  will  be  found  in 
the  fact  of  the  more  complete  shading  of  the 
trunk  and  the  adjacent  soil.  Most  cjf  the  attacks 
of  borers  and  other  insects  are  invited  by  the  de- 
bilitating effects  upon  the  bark,  of  the  hot  suns 
of  summer,  followed  by  the  severe  cold  of  win- 
ter. These  attacks  are  rarely,  it  ever,  made 
except  where  the  bark  is  thus  exposed.  With 
pear,  plum  and  cherry  trees,  especially,  I  would 
branch  within  eight  or  twelve  inches  of  the 
ground,  or  perhaps  a  few  inches  higher  in  case  of 
the  more  spreading  varieties.  The  peach,  if 
branched  very  low,  may  be  injured  at  the  forks 
by  the  larva?  of  the  borer,  the  moth  finding  this 
a  convenient  place  in  which  to  deposit  her  eggs. 
For  this  reason  it  is  better  not  to  branch  the 
Peach  tree  lower  than  two  feet  from  the  ground. 
The  plow  and  cultivator  should  never  be  used 
beneath  the  branches  and  among  the  feeding 
roots  of  an  apple  tree,  or  indeed  of  any  other 
tree.  I  would,  therefore,  branch  apple  trees  in 
orchard  within  from  one  and  a  half  to  four  feet 
of  the  ground,  varying  more  or  less,  according 
as  the  habit  of  the  variety  is  more  or  less  spread- 
ing. The  type  of  beauty  in  evergreens  consists 
in"  their  being  clothed  with  foliage  from  the 
ground  up.— Cor,  O.  J.  Farmer. 

A  Broad-topped  Grape-trellis.  Mr.  C.  B.  Rock- 
well, of  Illinois,  has  used  the  Grape-trellis  illus- 
trated herewith,  with  a  very  satisfactory  degree 
of  success.  The  posts  are  somewhat  stouter 
than  usual,  and  set  ten  feet  apart.  Near  the  top 
of  each,  and  six  feet  from  the  ground,  a  cross- 
piece  is  firmly  spiked.  The  cross-pieces  were  at 
first  made  two  and  a  half  feet  long ;  but  three 
and  a  half  is  found  to  be  better.  The  lower  wire 
is  strung  along  the  posts  three  and  a  half  feet 
above  the  surface  of  the  ground.  Two  and  a 
half  feet  above  this  second  wire  is  strung  from 
the  centers  of  the  posts  at  the  intersection  of 
the  cross-pieces.  Two  others  are  strung  from  the 
extremities  of  the  cross-pieces,  horizontal  with 
the  upper  wire,  and  one  foot  nine  inches  distant 
on  each  side.  The  object  of  using  the  broad- 
topped  trellis  is  to  give  the  Grapes  all  the  room 
possible.  In  our  soil  the  canes  will  make  a 
growth  of  fifteen  to  twenty-five  feet  in  a  year, 
and  it  is  necessary  to  give  them  support  without 
carrying  the  trellis  too  high.  On  the  row  trellis- 
ed  in  this  way  I  had,  last  year,  twice  the  quantity 
of  Grapes  produced  upon  any  one  of  the  rows 
adjoining  it.  They  were  more  free  from  rot  and 
more  convenient  to  gather.— Am.  Agriculturist. 

Boses  for  Perftune.  Gather  the  Roses  in  dry 
weather,  remove  the  petals,  and  to  a  peck  of 
fresh  leaves  add  a  good  handful  of  salt.  Let  this 
remain  five  days,  stirring  up  the  leaves  every 
day.  When  they  appear  moist  add  three  ounces 
of  bruised  Allspice  and  one  ounce  of  Cinnamon 
stick  bruised.  Let  remain  so  a  week,  stira-ing 
daUy  from  the  bottom.  Then  put  into  a  perma- 
nent jar  one  ounce  of  Allspice,  and  add  the  stock 
layer  by  layer.  Sprinkle  between  the  following; 
One  oiince  each  of  Cloves  and  Cinnamon,  two 
Nutmegs  all   coarsely  powdered,  some  Ginger 


r(H)t  sliced  thin,  half  an  ounce  of  .4nLse-seed 
bruised,  ten  grains  of  fine  Musk,  half  a  pound  of 
freshly  dried  Lavender  bowers,  two  ounces  of 
powdered  Orris  root  and  ad  lihiliin  cologne.  Rose 
or  Orange  flower  water,  Orange  or  Lemon  peel. 
Freshly  dried  Violets,  Tuberoses,  Clove  pinks,  or 
any  other  scented  flowers  may  be  added.  Fine 
extract  of  any  kind  will  enhance  the  fragrant 
Oder,  while  fresh  Rose  leaves,  salt  and  Allspice, 
made  as  at  first,  may  be  added  when  convenient. 
Stir  the  jar  occasionally,  leaving  it  closed  except 
when  the  perfume  is  wished  to  odorize  the  room. 
Detroit  Tribune, 

Mending  Decay  in  Trees.  Garden  and  Forest 
reciaumend  the  following  method  of  filling  cavi- 
ties in  the  trunks  and  bodies  of  trees;    The  edge 


A  Self-supporting  Step-ladder. 

of  the  cavity  should  be  cut  away  smooth  and 
even,  and  all  decomposed  matter  or  growth  of 
new  bark  formed  in  the  interior  should  be  re- 
moved. A  coating  of  coal-tar  should  then  be 
applied  to  the  surface  of  the  cavity,  and  the 
mouth  protected  with  a  piece  of  well-seasoned 
Oak  securely  driven  into  it.  The  end  of  this 
plug  should  be  cut  even  with  the  surface  of  the 
trunk  or  limb,  made  perfectly  smooth,  and  then 
coated  with  coal-tar.  If  the  cavity  is  too  large 
to  be  closed  in  this  manner,  a  piece  of  seasoned 
Oak-board  should  be  fitted  and  securely  nailed 
into  it,  and  then  covered  with  coal-tar.  A  new 
growth  of  bark  will  gradually  extend  over  the . 
board  and  so  effectually  cover  the  cavity. 

Influence  of  Soil  on  Fruits.  The  Strawberry 
has  been  classified  with  some  degree  of  accuracy 
as  depending  upon  the  character  of  soil,  and  one 
is  known  to  require  clay  and  another  to  do  best 
in  sandy  soil.  The  Kieffer  Pear  is  worthless, 
grown  in  some  localities,  and  is  excellent  grown 
in  some  other  places.  The  Apple,  the  Quince, 
the  Pear  as  weU  as  the  Grapes  and  Berries  are 
largely  dependent  upon  soil,  for  any  peculiar 
flavor  or  richness  they  might  possess.  It  is  well 
known  that  Celery  among  the  vegetables  comes 
within  this  same  category;  and  Kalamazoo  Celery 
stands  No.  1,  not  from  any  better  seed,  not  from 
any  peculiarity  about  the  plants  themselves,  but 
from  the  nature  of  the  soil.  By  trial  find  what 
fruits  are  of  richest  fiavor  on  your  own  farm  and 
make  of  them  a  specialty.— Maryland  Farmer. 

A  Self-supporting  Step-ladder,  The  Canadian 
Horticulturist  describes  a  self-supporting  step- 
ladder  as  resting  on  five  bearings,  three  of  them 
adjustable  as  to  length  and  position,  and  easily 
adapted  to  aU  inequalities  of  surface,  pefectly 
secure,  and  very  profitable.  The  crane,  or  bas- 
ket and  hook  holder,  rotates,  or  may  be  shifted 
to  either  side  of  the  operator,  will  support  thirty 
pounds  of  fruit  in  basket  with  ease,  and  the  legs 
all  fold  in  when  required.  It  provides  a  safe 
stand,  and  at  the  same  time  increase  the  facili- 
ties of  the  operator  in  picking  fruit,  pruning 
trees,  etc.,  giving  him  the  full  use  of  both  hands, 
and  placing  the  basket  within  easy  reach  of  the 
same. 

Sweet  Corn.  We  are  each  year  more  favorably 
impressed  with  the  Black  Mexican.  It  is  one  of 
the  sweetest  varieties  for  the  table,  makes  a 
medium  sized  stalk    with   a   large   amount   of 


200 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


June, 


foliage,  and  gives  a  better  development  of  ears 
with  close  planting  than  any  other  variety  we 
have  grown.  This  makes  it  very  valuable  for 
an  early  soiling  crop,  for  it  will  be  in  its  prime 
for  feeding  when  the  later  and  larger  varieties 
are  as  yet  so  immature  as  to  have  little  feeding 
value.  Our  expeiience  in  canning  Sweet  Corn 
for  winter  use  has  not  been  encouraging,  and  of 
lat«  years  we  have  given  up  all  attempts  in  this 
direction,  preferring  to  buy  of  the  standard 
brands  with  which  the  market  is  always  well 
supplied.— Farmer's  Review. 

Hens,  Bees  and  Fruit.  Fruit  raising,  bee  keep- 
ing and  poultry  culture  go  well  together.  The 
last  and  first  are  closely  beneficial  to  one  another, 
and  never  fail  to  pay.  The  best  Raspberries, 
Plums  or  Pears  have  been  cultivated  and  picked 
from  trees  and  bushes  where  poultry  have  been 
allowed  to  run  until  the  fruit  was  nearly  ripe. 
Birds  keep  down  the  suckei"s  on  bushes  and  the 
strength  naturally  goes  to  the  fruit.  The  apiary 
in  a  good  orchard  with  now  and  then  a  little  at- 
tention has  always  paid  the  keeper.  Good  man- 
agement is  the  chief  point.  When  this  is  at  the 
helm,  half  the  battle  is  won.— Farm  and  Home. 

The  Japanese  "Wineberry,  This  Raspberry 
is  in  fact  a  Japanese  species,  though  somewhat 
more  ornamental  than  useful.  Very  hardy  and 
free  growing;  keeps  its  foliage  well  in  summer. 
It  also  keeps  its  ornamental  flowering  and  fruit- 
ing condition  for  a  longer  period  than  do  our 
garden  Raspberries.  Thefruit,  however,  is  some- 
what insipid.  As  to  its  being  "new,"  this  species 
has  been  grown  in  this  country  as  a  botanical 
curiosity  for  at  least  l:;  years.  It  may  be  useful 
for  purposes  of  hybridization  as  well  as  for  its 
peculiarities  of  calyx,  flower,  foliage  and  habit. 
—Rural  New  Yorker. 

The  Wild  Cucamber.  Echinocystis  lobata  looks 
well  enough  on  paper,  but  let  it  once  get  estab- 
lished in  a  garden,  and  the  owner  will  never 
cease  to  regret  it.  And  yet  it  is  merely  an  annual 
climber  having  to  seed  itself  every  year.  In- 
credible as  it  may  seem,  for  10  yeai's  I  have  been 
trying  to  exterminate  it  from  my  garden  and 
without  success.— H.  H.,  in  Rural  New  Yorker. 

Cultivate  Early  and  Close.  With  the  Potatoes 
and  Corn  the  harrow  is  the  best  imj>lementto 
commence  the  cultivation,  and  can  generally  be 
used  twice  with  benefit.  In  using  the  cultivator 
care.should  be  taken  to  work.as  close  to  the  plants 
as  possible,  especially  the  fii-st  and  second  times. 
A  Modest  Thief.  A  New  Jersey  Negro  visited 
a  chicken  house  and  grain  shed  recently  and 
stole  31  chickens,  is  bushels  of  Corn,  two  bags  of 
Corn  meal,  three  bags  of  Rye  in  the  grain  That 
New  Jersey  farmer  should  thank  his  stars  that 
be  was  left  the  chit^kcn  house  and  grain  shed.— Ex. 
Save  the  Trees.  When  boys  and  men  climb 
into  a  young  and  thrifty  fruit  tree  in  the  grow- 
ing season  they  should  not  wear  heavy  boots  with 
nails  in  them.  Rubber  shoes  or  slippers,  or  even 
the  bare  feet,  are  much  safer  than  coarse  boots. 
—Ploughman. 

Bequisites  of  Successful  Gardening.  The  es- 
sentials to  a  good  farmer's  garden  are— an  appre- 
ciation of  its  utility,  a  love  for  the  care  of  it,  and 
a  pride  in  its  neat  appearance.  Having  these,  a 
rich  soil  and  long  rows  will  bring  success.— Ex. 

The  Sun  Brings  Bloom  of  Health.  Many  people 
are  so  choice  of  carpets  and  curtains  that  they  never 
let  in  the  sun  and  full  light  of  day.  Far  better  fade 
the  dryB4)ods  than  their  own  rosy  faces  and  weaken 
their  vitality. -Maj.  H.  T.  Brooks. 

Damages  Honest  Dealers  Also.  The  enterpris 
Ing  nursery  dealer  who  deceives  credulous  planters 
into  buying  poor  new  varieties  at  high  prices  not  only 
depletes  the  immediate  victims,  but  damages  horti- 
culture as  well.— Ploughman. 

FrotectinK  Cherries.  Where  one  has  but  few  trees, 
and  those  close  together,  the  fruit  can  be  protected 
against  feathered  friends  by  an  occasional  pull  at  a 
cord  attached  to  a  bell  in  one  of  the  trees,  and  leading 
to  the  residence.— Tribune. 

Mineral  Manures  Best  for  Peas  and  Beans.  I  use 
dissolved  bone,  bone-black  or  South  Carolina  rock  and 
a  very  little  nitrogenous  manure.  In  this  way  I  get 
an  abundance  of  seed  with  a  moderate  vine  growth.— 
Abner  HolUngsworth. 

All  Fmit  Growers  Should  Keep  Bees.  No  farm  Is 
stocked  unless  it  has  several  colonies  of  bees,  to  fer- 
tilize the  fruit  bloom,  and  provide  nature's  choicest 
sweet  for  the  family.— Farm  Journal. 

The  True  Value  of  Fruit.  We  have  often  said,  and 
say  now,  that  there  Is  a  profit  to  fruit  growing  outside 
of  the  money  consideration.  Every  farm  ought  to 
have  fruit  upon  it.— Ex. 

Oerlainly  no  Overproduction.  How  happens  It  with 
this  enormous  increase  ot  the  number  of  food  eaters 
the  business  of  making  food  Is  so  unprofitable?— Amer- 
ican Garden. 


Don't  Worry.  Half  the  things  we  groan  over  to- 
night will  right  themselves  before  to-morrow  night  If 
we  let  them  alone.— Good  Housekeeping. 

Grow  What  People  Like  to  Buy.  One  of  the  best 
places  for  the  farmer  to  get  knowledge  ts  in  the  mar- 
kets.   Flud  out  what  people  want. 

Benefits  of  Shade  Trees  in  Cities.  It  is  accepted  as 
a  sclentltlc  fact  that  trees  render  the  atmosphere  purer. 
— Gemiantown  Telegraph. 

Pay  as  You  Go.  No  species  of  slavery  ever  held 
man  with  more  relentless  grasp  than  the  credit  system. 


Vegetable  Products  on  the  Table, 

Cherry  Catsup.  One  quart  of  sour  Cherry 
juice,  one  pound  of  sugar,  two  teaspoonfuls  of 
Moves,  two  of  Cinnamon  and  a  very  little  Cay- 
enne Pepper.     Boil  until  thick,  bottle  and  seal. 

Strawberry  Preserves.  To  a  quart  of  fruit 
allow  three-fourths  of  a  quart  of  sugar  and 
half  a  pint  of  water.  Boil  the  suj?ar  and  water 
to  a  syrup,  put  in  the  berries,  cook  twenty  min- 
utes, and  seal.    Nice  for  tarts.— Ex. 

Sweet  Pickles.  To  every  three  pounds  of 
stoned  Cherries  take  seven  pounds  of  brown 
sugrar,  one  ounce  of  Mace,  one  quart  best  vine- 
gar. Cook  till  your  fruit  tastes  done.  It  keeps 
well,  and  is  a  nice  relish  in  winter.— G.  Housek'g. 

Spinach.  Wash,  boil  in  boiling  salted  water 
until  tender.  Drain  and  chop  fine.  Melt  two 
tablespoons  butter,  add  the  Spinach,  one  tea- 
spoon salt  and  one  saltspoon  Pepper.  Cook  five 
minutes  stirring  often.    Mould,  serve  with  eggs. 

Strawberry  Dumplings*  Make  a  fine  paste, 
roll  otit  about  a  third  of  an  inch  in  thickness  and 
cut  in  squares  of  four  inches,  putting  in  each  a 
gill  of -Strawberries;  fold  over;  pinch  together 
tightly  and  bake  or  steam  them.  Have  a  butter 
and  sugar  sauce  with  some  Lemon  juice.  C.  Gent. 

French  Boiled  Peas.  Boil  the  Peas  rapidly  in 
plenty  t)f  salted  water.  The  moment  they  are 
done,  drain  them  and  add  a  large  tablespoonful 
of  butter  to  a  <iuart  of  Peas,  sprinkle  a  little 
salt  over  the  Peas  and  toss  them.  When  the 
butter  is  melted  the  Peas  are  done.^N.  Y.  Trib. 

Green  Pea  Soup.  Boil  three  pints  of  Green 
Peas  in  two  quarts  of  water  till  done.  Drain 
them,  saving  all  the  water  in  which  they  were 
cooked, and  press  the  Peas  through  a  puree  sieve, 
then  moisten  them  with  the  water.  Heat  the 
soup  till  it  boils.  Serve  with  sippet  of  fresh  bread. 

Serving  Strawberries.  Some  persons  like 
Strawberries  sugared  and  sot  away  on  ice  a  little 
whilu  before  serving,  and  when  they  are  not 
very  ripe  or  a  little  tart  it  is  a  good  way;  but 
they  do  not  look  so  pretty,  and,  unless  all  the 
family  like  so,  it  is  better  to  let  each  one  add 
cream  and  sugar  according  to  taste.— Demorest. 

Crystsllized  Fruit.  Take  slices  of  (Grange  or 
clusters  of  (Jra(x^s,  or  any  other  fruit  desired, 
and  dip  them  tirst  in  white  of  egg  beaten  to  a 
froth,  and  then  in  pulverized  sugar.  Lay  a 
sheet  of  paper  in  a  pan ;  sprea<i  the  sugared 
fruit  on  it,  set  in  a  cool  oven  to  dry,  then  keep 
in  a  tool  place.  It  is  quickly  done,  and  is  a 
pretty  variety  for  the  lunch  table. 

Strawberry  Shortcake.  Take  one  quart  of 
sifted  fiour,  pinch  of  salt,  one  large  cup  of  sour 
cream,  half  teaspoonful  of  soda,  mix  and  roll 
out  like  pastry,  bake  in  two  large  cakes,  take 
out  of  the  oven,  split  them,  make  four  halves, 
spread  each  half  with  butter,  and  place  between 
a  thick  layer  of  Strawberries  and  sugar,  reserv- 
ing the  upper  crust  of  one  cake  to  cover  the 
other  three.  Then  place  in  the  hot  oven  for 
five  or  ten  minutes,  and  serving  smoking  hot.— 
L.  H  dale.,  Missouri. 

Cherry  Preserves.  Early  Richmond  will  be 
found  best.  Stcme  the  fruit,  weigh,  and  allow 
the  same  amount  of  sugar.  Take  half  the  sugar 
and  sprinkle  over  the  fruit.  Let  stand  an  hour 
or  longer,  then  put  over  the  fire  in  a  porcelain 
kettle  and  boil  slowly  for  ten  minutes.  Then 
skim  out  the  Cherries,  add  the  remaining  sugar, 
boil,  skim  and  turn  over  the  fruit.  Cover  and 
keep  in  a  cool  place  until  the  next  day.  Di'ain 
off  the  syrup,  boil,  skim  carefully,  put  in  the 
Cherries,  boil  for  ten  minutes  and  seal  up  in 
small  jars.— Kural  New  Yorker. 

Preparing  Lettuce.  Have  it  well  cleaned  and 
free  from  sand.  First  pick  the  head  apart,  wash 
well  and  examine  each  leaf  carefully,  being  sure 
there  are  no  bugs  hidden  in  any  part  of  it.  Place 
in  dish  in  which  it  is  served,  putting  the  outside, 
or  large  leaves,  in  first,  and  filling  in  with  the 
smaller  ones,  arranging  it  as  near  as  possible  like 
I  the  head  ere  picked  apart.    Sprinkle  the  whole 


lightly  with  cold  water  and  set  on  the  table. 
Lettuce  served  in  this  way  has  an  appetizing 
appearance  that  is  very  inviting.  There  are 
many  ways  of  eating  Lettuce,  some  using  salt 
and  vinegar,  others  vinegar  and  sugar,  and  many 
simply  salt.  As  a  garnish  of  green  there  are  few 
leaves  will  take  the  place  of  Lettuce,  and  in  the 
greater  number  of  salads  it  forms  an  important 
part.  Plain  lobster  is  much  more  tempting  when 
served  in  a  Lettuce  leal,  than  simply  placed  on  a 
dish  alone,  and  even  the  plebeian  hash  takes  on 
an  added  lustre  when  served  in  this  way.  Truly, 
fine  surroundings  add  much  to  the  appearance 
of  anything.— American  Cultivator. 


HOUSE  PLANTS. 

Azaleas  may  be  repotted  and  moved  out  for  the 
summer.  They  wlU  do  best  In  a  sheltered,  shady  pos- 
ition. 

BeiEonias  of  the  tuberous-rooted  varieties  may  be 
planted  out  In  warm,  moist,  half  shady  situations. 
Propagate  plants  of  the  Rex  sorts.  If  not  already  done. 

Cacti  when  done  bloomInK  may  be  plunged  in  a 
Warm,  sunny  border  where  they  will  summer  well. 

Callas  to  be  given  a  rest  of  several  months  when  done 
flowering. 

Chrysanthemums  like  plenty  of  food  and  moisture, 
and  plenty  of  sunshine.  At  all  events,  whether  In  pot 
or  bedded  out,  they  should  now  be  making  a  good 
growth.  With  most  classes  of  these  flowers  the  flnal 
pinching  back  should  be  done  before  the  end  of  this 
month. 

Cinerarias,  Calceolarias  and  similar  plants  may 
now  be  started  from  seed  for  winter  flowering.  The 
seeds  are  so  fine  that  they  do  not  bear  covering  nor 
watering  from  overhead  well.  All  such  seeds  may  be 
treated  as  follows:  Place  an  Inverted  thumb  pot  In  the 
bottom  of  a  large  pot.  and  fill  up  with  coaise  material 
for  drainage  to  reach  clear  above  the  thumb  pot .  Upon 
this  drainage  is  placed  a  layer  of  finely  sifted  soil,  say 
two  inches  deep.  Arm  this  evenly,  and  sow  the  seed 
upon  this.  A  first  watering  is  given  by  holding  the 
pot  to  half  Its  depth  in  a  pail  of  water  until  the  earth 
Is  thoroughly  moistened  from  beneath.  Over  the  top 
of  the  pot  place  of  cover  of  strong  white  paper,  tying 
It  down  under  the  brim  of  the  pot;  theu  pour  water  on 
the  paper.  This  will  soon  cause  a  depression  in  the 
center,  and  this  must  be  kept  filled  with  water,  until 
the  seeds  have  germtnated. 

General  Directions-  Most  house  plants  are  easiest 
kept  over  summer  liy  plunging  them  In  a  suitable  spot 
out  doors,  up  to  their  brims  tn  earth,  sand  or  coal  ashes. 
If  a  small  empty  pot  Is  placed  into  the  plunging  ma- 
terial down  so  far.  that  the  pot  with  the  plant,  when 
standing  on  the  other,  will  be  just  the  right  depth, 
this  arrangement  will  prevent  the  roots  from  growing 
out  of  the  drainage  hole,  and  angle  worms  from  enter- 
ing the  pots.    It  will  also  Improve  the  drainage. 

Hanging  baskets,  vases,  etc.,  to  be  watered  abund- 
antly. 

Hibiscus  to  be  propagated  from  cuttings  for  next 
year's  bloom.  Plants  having  flowered  last  winter  may 
now  be  taken  out  for  the  summer. 

Lemons  and  Oranges  to  be  treated  like  Azaleas. 

Primroses-  The  double  White  to  be  kept  In  shade, 
and  given  plenty  of  space. 

Propagation  of  Tropa?olums  and  Heliotropes  for 
winter  flowering,  also  of  such  other  plants  that  may 
be  useful  for  winter  decoration,  including  plants  with 
ornamental  foliage,  may  still  go  on.  An  inverted  glass 
tumbler  placed  over  especially  choice  cuttings  aUfs  in 
rooting  by  providing  desirable  moisture. 

LAWN  AND    FLOWER  GARDEN. 

Annuals  of  most  kinds  may  still  be  sown.  Thin 
where  needed,  and  transplant  as  deslretl. 

Antirrhinums  will  bloom  all  the  finer,  If  no  seeds 
are  allowed  to  form  during  the  summer.  This  really 
applies  to  most  flowering  plants.  Always  remove  the 
fading  bloom. 

Bulbs  when  done  flowering  may  be  lifted  as  soon  as 
the  leaves  begin  to  wither.  Place  them  in  clumps  in 
a  shady  plane,  with  a  little  soil  over  their  lower  parts 
to  ensure  perfect  ripening. 

Bedding  Plants.  Plantlngof  Geranliuns,  Verbenas, 
Coleus,  etc.,  is  still  in  order. 

Everlastings.  Hellchrysums,  Rhodanthes,  etc..  If 
sown  at  once,  will  give  a  good  crop  of  flowers  In  time. 
There  Is  usually  a  demand  ot  Christmas  for  such 
flowers  for  decorations. 

General.  Where  there  are  areas  about  the  garden 
that  could  be  well  adorned  by  pot  plants,  by  taking 
pains  to  arrange  such  tastefully  in  lines,  circles  or 
otherwise,  grading  the  plants  aceordiug  to  size,  the 


1889. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


201 


t'ffeot  will  be  tnipntved.  The  Him  sliouM  be  to  main- 
lain  neatness  and  attractive  features  in  all  parts  of  the 
Krounds. 

Hedges  of  all  kinds  should  be  sheared  Just  as  the 
season's  growth  begins  to  bardeo.     This  checks  the 
growth  without  Injury, 
Hollyhocks.    Look  to  proper  thinning. 
Layering  mayb  e  done  as  stxin  as  strong  young  shoot 
of  perennials,  Roses,  Shrubs,  etc.,  are  formed. 

Lawn.  Mow  frequently,  but  not  so  often  In  a  dry 
time  as  when  the  weather  Is  more  favorable  to  growth. 
Look  out  for  seedUngsof  weeds  In  the  grass.  Thistles. 
Docks,  etc..  are  easily  pulled  while  small  and  the  soil 
is  moist.  If  done  now.  It  will  save  much  trouble  in 
the  future. 

Lilies  and  Tritomas  when  In  bloom  need  an  abuud 
ance  of  water.  Make  a  basin  around  each  plant,  and 
All  with  wat«r  several  times  during  the  flowering 
season. 

Mnlching  over  the  roots  will  benefit  Dahlia.«,  Chrys- 
antbemunis.  Carnations.  Lilies,  Kuchlas,  Rhododen- 
drons, etc.  First  stir  the  soil  around  the  plants,  apply 
the  mulch  and  leave  on  for  the  whole  summer. 
Pansies.  Sow  seed  for  fall  flowers. 
Shrubs.  The  best  time  to  prune  shrubs  that  bloom 
In  spring  and  early  summer,  is  when  they  are  done 
flowering.  They  have  now  a  season  of  growth  ahead 
In  which  to  provide  flowering  branches  for  another 
year. 

Supports.  Provide  Sweet  Peas,  Morning  Glory  and 
all  other  climbers  with  support  aa  needed.  Stake 
Dahlias  and  Gladiolus,  and  tie  them  firmly  t-o  prevent 
damage  by  sudden  storms  of  wind  and  rain.  Pinks 
should  also  be  tied  to  stakes. 

Trumpet  "Vine  iBignonia  rarfican-s)  may  be  trained 
to  a  weeping  tree  form.  First  stop  the  stem  at  proper 
height,  and  afterwards  the  laterals. 

Verbenas  and  other  trailing  bedding  plants  to  be 
pegged  dowTi,  Bring  some  of  the  vigorous  young 
branches  dowTi  to  the  earth,  fixing  them  here  by 
wooden  or  metal  hooks,  or  pegs.  Many  kinds  will  then 
take  root  where  pegged,  and  altogether  give  a  great 
increase  of  growth  and  bloom.  This  treatment  can  be 
recommended  for  Verbenas,  Petunias,  Roses,  Achy 
ranthe?,Altemautheras,Lantana<.  Clematis  and  almost 
any  kind  perennials,  tender  or  hardy. 

Weeds  need  frequent  attention.  A  strong,  stift"  knife 
to  cut  the  roots  below  the  surface  is  useful. 


PLANT    CULTURE    UNDER  GLASS. 

Achimenes  to  be  given  occasional  doses  of  liquid 
manure. 

Azaleas,  Lemons,  and  the  most  tender  shrub.s  to  be 
moved  out  doors  for  the  summer  Into  partially  shaded 
places,  as  under  trees  with  light  foliage,  or  temporary 
arbors  made  of  laths  or  slats. 

Bonvardias,  Carnations  and  other  winter-flowering 
plants  ts  be  pinched  back  as  required. 

General  Directions .  After  the  plants  for  out  doors 
have  been  moved  from  the  greenhouse  or  conservatory 
It  should  be  thoroughly  cleaned  for  the  summer.  What- 
ever has  to  be  done  in  the  line  of  repairing  and  build- 
ing should  be  attended  to  early,  that  all  may  1>e  in 
proper  shape  by  the  time  of  occupancy  next  fall. 

Orchids.  Before  the  end  of  the  month  many  kinds 
will  have  finished  their  growth,  and  wlllneed  a  lighter 
position  than  during  the  season  of  growth  iu  which  to 
mature.  Provide  the  necessary  heat  and  moisture  for 
those  that  are  making  still  vigorous  growth.  Odonto- 
glossums  and  some  others  requiring  cool  treatment, 
must  not  be  kept  in  a  temperature  higher  than  "Hf  F. 

Palms,  Ficus,  and  other  sub-tropical  plants  may 
now  be  plunged  to  the  brim  out  doors. 

Primroses  of  all  kinds,  but  especially  the  double 
whlt«,  to  be  provided  with  heavy  shade  overhead  from 
now  until  October. 

Propagation.    See  directions  imder  House  Plants. 

Seed  Sowing.    See  directions  under  House  Plants. 

Roses  and  other  winter  flowering  plants  to  be  re- 
potted if  needed,  and  kept  plunged  and  well  watered. 

Stove  Plants.  Summer  bloomers  should  be  removed 
to  cooler  quarters  while  in  flower. 

Shading  the  glass  overhead  with  a  wash  made  of 
naptha  mixed  with  white  lead,  to  resemble  thin  milk, 
or  even  with  common  whitewash,  keeping  windows 
and  ventilators  open,  dashing  water  about  freely  in 
walks  and  under  the  stages,  will  make  the  greenhouse 
an  attractive  and  not  uncomfortable  place  all  through 
the  summer. 

Pincliing  Back,  Wlnt«r  blooming  plants  in  pots  or 
bedded  out,  such  as  Carnations, Bonvardias,  Heliotrope 
Polnsettias,  Stevlas,  etc.,  should  now  in  their  early 
growth  be  pinched  freely  to  Induce  shapely,  well- 
branched  forms. 


Grafts  rert'utly  set  to  be  examined  and  superfluous 
shoots  tA>  be  removed. 

Grapes.  Vines  set  this  spring  should  bear  but  a 
single  shoot,  which  Is  to  be  kept  tied  up.  Guard 
against  overbearing  of  older  vines.  Keep  carefully 
tied  to  trellis.  Remove  superfluous  buds  and  shoots. 
In  localities  subject  to  mildew  and  rot  spray  with  cop- 
per sohitions  every  ten  days  or  two  weeks. 

Insects.  For  plant  lice  use  strong  Tobacco  water  or 
kerosene  emulsion,  dipping  the  ends  of  small  trees  and 
showering  the  larger  ones.  When  holes  are  to  be 
noticed  in  the  Currant  and  Gooseberry  leaves,  apply 
White  Hellebore.  Fight  the  curcullo  by  Jarring  or  by 
means  of  arsenical  poisons.  If  caterpillars  nests  have 
heretofore  escaped  notice,  tear  them  down  and  trample 
on  the  worms. 

Sings  on  Cherries  and  Pears  can  be  disposed  of  by 
strewing  air  slacked  lime  over  the  leaves. 

Strawberries.  Apply  a  mulch  of  straw  to  the  beds 
to  keep  the  fruit  clean.  Have  boxes  and  crates  In 
readiness  for  marketing  the  crop.  Engage  your  pickers 
early.  Keep  beds  free  from  weeds.  Cut  the  runners 
at  the  start  If  the  hill  system  is  practiced,  and  on  newly 
set  plants  for  some  weeks. 

Thinning.  Begin  to  thin  Apples,  Pears  and  Peaches; 
it  will  give  more  valuable  fruit,  and  probably  as  much 
bulk,  but  certainly  larger  returns  and  greater  satisfac- 
tion. 


applying  a  pinch  of  nitrate  or  some  liquid  manure  to 
each  plant  shortly  after  being  set.  Try  to  produce  an 
early  growth  of  foliage,  and  you  will  get  early  fruit 
and  plenty  of  It. 


FRUIT  GARDEN  AND  ORCHARD. 

Blackberries  and  Raspberries  keep  well  cultivated. 
Pinch  off  the  young  canes  when  three  feet  high.  Stak- 
i  ng  and  tying  is  a  commendable  pratlce. 

Borers  should  now  be  hunted  for.  Gum  exuding  at 
the  root  of  Peach  trees  is  a  sure  sigu  of  their  presence. 
Dig  them  out  with  a  knife,  or  kill  them  with  a  piece  of 
wire. 

Oorrants  and  Gooseberries.  Trim  as  needed  to 
prevent  excess  of  wood.  Begin  marketing  the  green 
fruit. 


VEGETABLE  GARDEN. 

Asparagus  to  be  used  freely  until  Peas  begin  to 
come  In.    Then  allow  the  tops  to  grow. 

Beans.  Plant  field  sorts  by  the  20th  of  the  month. 
All  bush  .sorts  can  now  be  planted,  and  for  a  succession 
still  later.  Llmas  now  start  quickly.  Try  the  Bush 
Lima  Beans.  Assist  the  pole  varieties  to  take  to  pole 
or  trellis. 

Beets  to  be  sown  for  succession. 

Cabbage.  Plant  the  late  varieties  In  good  soil.guard- 
ing  against  damage  by  cut  worms.  Strong  caustic 
lime-water  applied  to  the  soil  around  the  roots  and 
stem  win  dispose  of  the  maggot. 

Cauliflower.  Give  the  early  planted  ones  clean  and 
thorough  cultivation.  Applications  of  nitrate  of  soda 
or  liquid  manure  will  help  them. 

Celery  plants  may  be  set  out  for  first  early.  For 
maiu  crop  not  until  end  of  the  month  or  any  time  in 
July.  Prepare  the  ground  well,  making  it  very  rich. 
White  Plume  and  Grolden  Self  Blanching  are  the  best 
sorts  for  early  use.  Set  in  rows  three  feet  apart,  with 
plants  six  inches  apart  in  the  row. 

Carrot.  Sow  for  succession.  Use  the  hand  wheel- 
hoe  freely  in  the  beds. 

Corn.  Plant  the  sweet  varieties  at  Intervals  all 
through  this  month  for  succession. 

Cucumbers.  Plant  for  main  crop  in  open  ground. 
If  any  were  started  under  glass,  they  should  now  go 
out.  Prepare  the  hills  well  by  mixing  a  shovelful  of 
old  compost,  and  perhaps  some  wood  ashes  with  the 
soil.  Have  them  from  three  to  five  feet  apart  each 
way,  the  early  dwarf  sorts  (Early  Russian,  etc.)  at  the 
former  distance,  the  vigorous  growers  (Long  Green, 
etc.t  at  the  latter  distance.  Guard  against  bug  depre- 
dations. 

Kohl  Rabi.  Thin  the  earlier  sowings  to  about  six 
inches  apart.    Sow  for  succession. 

Egg  Plants  need  rich  and  warm  soil,  and  a  warm 
situation.  Set  the  plants  In  rows  at  least  two  feet  apart, 
and  eighteen  Inches  ai>art  in  the  rows.  Give  clean 
culture. 

Insects.  To  drive  off  the  striped  bug,  keep  Cucum- 
ber and  other  vines  well  covered  with  bone  flour,  or 
put  Tobacco  dust  tliickly  around  them;  or  keep  them 
covered  with  boxes  or  fine  mosquito  netting.  Hunt  up 
and  wash  the  black,  ill-smelling  Squash  bug.  Poison 
Potato  beetles  with  Paris  greeu.  Use  strong  lime 
water  for  maggots,  and  Tobacco  tea  for  the  flea  beetle. 
For  the  Cabbage  worm  every  grower  should  keep  some 
buhacb  on  hand,  and  dust  it  on  the  plants  whenever 
signs  of  worms  can  be  noticed.  This  California  insect 
powder  is  very  strong,  and  fully  effective  enough  if 
mixed  w  i  th  three  or  four  times  its  bulk  of  flower  or  bone 
meal.  It  can  also  be  applied  in  a  solution  In  water, 
best  by  means  of  a  force  pump  and  spray  nozzle. 

Lettuce  to  be  sown  for  succession  where  it  Is  to  grow. 
Thin  the  earlier  sowing  to  six  or  eight  Inches  apart. 
Cultivate  often  with  the  hand  wheel-hoe. 

Melons  to  be  treated  as  directed  for  Cucumbers, 
only  wider  planting  will  be  advisable,  except  with  such 
varieties  as  Emerald  Gem,  which  can  be  planted  in 
hills  three  or  four  feet  apart  each  way.  This  is  proba- 
bly the  highest-fiavored  Melon  now  catalogued.  Try 
also  Volga  Water  Melon. 

Peas.  Clean  oii  the  ground  as  soon  as  the  crop  is 
gathered,  and  plant  with  late  Potatoes,  Peppers,  To- 
matoes, or  any  other  suitable  crop. 

Peppers  to  be  treated  as  directed  for  Egg  plant. 

Squashes.  Plant  the  bush  sorts  in  hills  four  feet 
ap>art,  the  running  winter  sorts  In  hills  ten  or  twelve 
feet  apart  each  way,  lea\*lng  but  two  good  plants  in 
each  hill.  Have  the  ground  very  rich,  and  cultivate 
and  hoe  freely  and  thoroughly.  Quick  maturing  crops, 
such  as  Radishes,  Lettuce,  Kohl  Rabi,  early  Potatoes, 
etc.,  can  be  grown  in  the  spaces  between  the  hills. 

Tomatoes  for  main  crop  to  be  set  at  once.  Plant 
deep,  and  If  {possible,  stimulate  to  prompt  growth  by 


FRUITS  AND  VEGETABLES  UNDER 
GLASS. 

Cucumbers  need  plenty  of  water  at  this  time,  and 
must  not  be  neglected  In  this  respect. 

Grapes.  The  early  vines,  after  fruiting,  should  be 
given  water  more  sparingly,  and  gradually  brought  to 
a  condition  of  rest.  Expose  the  wood  as  much  as  pos- 
sible to  the  sun  and  air.  Give  the  vines  ripening  fruit 
plenty  of  heat.  The  vines  in  fiower  in  the  cold  grapery 
should  now  be  given  water  rather  sparingly,  and  the 
temperature  be  allowed  to  go  up  pretty  well  towards 
90*  at  noon.  Thin  the  berries  in  the  clusters  liberally 
when  about  the  size  of  Peas.  One  bunch  Is  enough  to 
leave  to  each  shoot,  and  this  should  be  stepped  at  the 
third  leaf  beyond  the  bunch.  Tie  up  the  shoots  as  the 
weight  of  the  fruit  Increases. 

Pineapples  require  an  abundance  of  moisture  in  the 
atmosphere  to  prevent  exhaustion  during  the  hot 
weather  now  prevailing.  Close  the  house  early,  syringe 
and  water  the  floor  several  times  everj*  day. 


THE  POULTRY  YARD. 
No  Profit  without  Cleanliness.   If  "  cleanliaess 
is  next  to  g-odliness,"  some  of  the  people  who 
keep  poultry  will  never  get  therel— Germantown 
Telegraph. 

Attend  the  Sick.    It  is  dangerous  at  all  times, 

and  especially  in  hot  weather,  to  have  sick  birds 
running  with  the  flock.  Kill  them  or  put  them 
in  the  hospital  at  once.— F.  J. 

Forcible  WMtewasMng.  The  modem  method 
of  whitewashing  poultry  houses  is  to  make  the 
wash  thin,  strain  it  and  throw  it  on  with  a  hand 
force  pump.    Have  you  tried  it? 

Good  Plan  for  CMcks.  One  of  the  best  places 
we  know  of  at  this  season  for  a  brood  of  chicks 
is  on  the  edge  of  a  Corn  field.  They  have  loose 
earth,  shade  and  security  from  hawlis.— F.Jour'l. 

Feed  Early  and  Often.  Little  chicks  should 
be  fed  at  lc?ast  four  times  a  day,  and  five  times  is 
better.  Keep  them  eating  and  growiut>  all  the 
time.  Whole  Wheat  is  one  of  the  best  foods  for 
chicks.  They  learn  to  eat  it  when  they  are  only 
a  day  or  two  old. 

The  Nests.  Kerosene  must  never  be  used  in 
the  nest  boxes.  It  is  of  that  penetrating  nature 
that  it  will  de^^troy  the  vitality  of  eggs  at  once, 
and  it  will  impart  an  unpleasant  flavor  to  them 
when  used  as  food.  The  hay  in  the  nests  should 
be  changed  at  least  once  a  month  and  the  nest 
boxes  thoroughly  cleansed.  The  contents  should 
be  burned,  so  that  everything  may  be  destroyed. 
—Maryland  Farmer. 

Overflowing  Duck  Fountain.  A  ten-gallon 
keg  with  a  bung  projecting  an  inch  and  pierced 
with  a  three-eights  inch  hole,  filled  with  water 
and  inverted  properly  in  a  trough,  will  give  100 
ducks  a  chance  to  wet  their  whistles  a  couple  of 
days  for  one  filliug.  lie  sure  the  keg  is  water 
tight;  if  it  can  be  placed  in  the  shade  it  will  be 
surer  not  to  leak  and  the  ducks  will  the  more 
appreciate  their  fountain.— F.  &  H. 

Poultry  in  Conflnement.  These  need  extra 
care,  and  regular  attendance.  Grow  Lettuce 
and  Spinach  to  supply  them  with  green  stuflF, 
and  give  this  regularly.  Also  give  fresh  cut 
Clover,  or  the  mowings  of  the  lawn.  Kenew  the 
water  frequently.  Keep  the  vessel  sweet  by 
washing  from  time  to  time  with  carbolized  water. 
Spade  a  small  part  of  the  yard  over  every  day. 
Sprinkle  dry  coal  ashes,  lime,  etc.,  over  the  whole 
surface  of  the  yard  once  a  week.  Supply  the 
needed  animal  food,  broken  bone,  etc. 

The  Incubator.  The  person  who  makes  poul- 
try raising  his  exclusive  business,  raises  thou- 
sands of  chickens  annually  and  makes  a  specialty 
of  early  chickens  for  market— he  is  the  one  to 
whom  the  incubator  is  mdispensable.  It  will 
pay  him  to  make  a  thorough  study  of  it,  which 
is  necessary  to  insure  success  with  them.  The 
poultryraan  who  can  count  lessthan  100  chickens 
and  makes  his  little  i>oultry  venture  secondary  to 
some  larger  occupation,  has  no  time  to  fool  with 
an  incubator  and  had  best  stick  to  the  hen.— N.E. 

Size  of  Ducks  and  Turkeys.  Within  a  dozen 
years  our  ducks  and  turkeys  have  been  increased 
in  size  very  largely.  Where  formerly  we  had 
the  yearling  ducks  in  our  markets  that  drew 
eight  pounds  to  the  pair  fattened,  we  now  find 
them  commonly  weighing  twelve  pounds  or 
more  per  couple  at  Christmas  or  New  Year's. 
And  our  turkeys  of  to-day  exceed  the  weight  of 
those  bred  fifteen  years  ago  by  more  than  half 
ui.ion  the  average,  especially  where  the  bronze 
pol)blers  have  been  introduced  among  the  com- 
mon domestic  ttirkey  hens. 

Indispensable  Bequisites.  Among  these  are 
cleanliness,  an  occasional  coat  of  whitewash  to 
the  whole  interior  of  the  poultry  houses,  the 
free  use  of  kerosene  on  the  roosts,  and  some 
dry  absorbent  under  the  roosts,  also  of  bubach 
I  fresh  insect  powder)  on  the  setting  hens  to  keep 
them  and  the  chicks  free  from  bee.  Fresh  water 
should  always  be  within  reach  of  the  fowls,  and 
the  vessels  so  arranged  that  none  can  get  into  it 
with  the  feet.  A  drop  of  carbolic  acid,  or  a  small 
piece  of  copperas  put  into  the  drinking  water 
will  tend  to  prevent  cholera,  gapes,  etc.~G.  R. 


202 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


June, 


.At«P 


.MVMfi% 


Correspondents  art  uryeii  to  anticipate  the  season  in  pre 
aenting  questions.  To  ask.  for  instance,  on  April  16  or  20 
what  Peas  had  best  be  aoten,  could  brina  no  answer  in 
the  May  issue,  and  none  before  June,  trhen  the  answer 
would  be  unseasonable.  Questions  received  before  the  12rft 
of  any  month  stand  a  good  chance  of  being  ansipered  m  the 
next  paper.  Sot  more  than  three  questions  should  be  sent 
at  one  time.  Answers  to  questions  bearing  on  tne  com- 
parative tnlJte  of  impiements.  etc..  offered  by  different 
dealers  must  notbe  expected.  Neither  can  we  promise  to 
comply  ttriih  tne  request  sometimes  made  to  "please  anstrer 
by  mail."  Inquiries  appearing  imthont  name  belong  to  the 
name  next  following . 

Replies  to  Inquiries  are  earnestly  requested  from  our 
loeaders.  In  answi^ring  such  give  the  number,  your 
reality  and  name,  the  latter  not  for  publication,  uniehS 
you  desire.    Write  only  on  one  side  of  the  paper. 

1,":^.  Apple  Pomace  as  Manure.  Can  Pomaee  tbree 
or  four  yearw  old,  be  safely  applied  for  Giapea? 
What  is  Its  fertilizing  value  ?— Friend. 

I,8:i3.    Plum  Tree  Suckers.  Will  they  bear  fruit? 

1.h:k.  Buddine  or  Grafting  for  Plums.  What  is 
preferable  f  Will  It  do  to  use  suc-kers  from  old  trees 
for  stock  ?    SuBscRiBKR,  Bainbridge,  O. 

1.834.  Grape  Seedlings.  How  are  they  started  from 
seed,  and  managed  generally  ? 

1.835.  Moore's  Diamond  Grape.  Is  It  of  better 
quality  than  Niagara,  and  hardier  in  bud  and  cane  ? 
Has  it  retlexed  stamens?— J.  W .  K.,  Jones  Mills,  Pa. 

1,831).  Soil  for  Bulb  Culture.  Is  our  deep  heavy 
prairie  .soil  goo<l  if  mixed  with  sand?    J.  W.  S.,  III. 

1,8.37.  Langshan  Eggs.  Where  can  I  get  some  for 
hatching  purpose.^?    Mks.  W.H.  H. 

1,8:W.  Buhach  Insect  Powder.  Where  can  It  be 
had  at  the  east?    Merui.oi. 

1,88S.  Crops  among  Fruit.  Have  but  little  land. 
What  ciups  among  Grapes,  bush  fruits,  and  In  the 
young  orchard  can  be  grown  tt)  best  advantage? 

1.840.  Cheap  Greenhouse.  Please  give  plan  of 
greenhou.'*e  10x;iO  to  be  used  for  propagating.  Mercury 
rarely  goes  below  35  degrees  Fah.  Will  cloth  answer 
for  roof  ? 

1.841.  Tariff  on  Seeds.  What  Import  duty  is  there 
on  garden  and  flower  seeds  ?— D.  M.  D. 

1.842.  Cactus  Ouliure.  Will  the  removal  of  the 
young  plants  .springing  up  around  the  parent  plants 
affect  the  health  or  bloonilng  capacity  of  the  latter?— 
A.  J.  G.,  Mabt'rly,  Mo. 

1.543.  Opium  Peppy.  Can  opium  production  be 
mode  a  Ilnancial  success  here?  How  Is  the  plant  grown, 
and  the  opium  gathered?    Mrs.  A.  J.  B.,  Nerada. 

1.544.  Rooting  Carnations.  My  Cuttings  nearly  all 
damp  off  a  few  days  after  being  put  In.  What  Is  the 
trouble?— R.  A.  C,  Midland. 

1,*545.     Borer   Mixture.      Will  the  following:  one 

quart  of  soft  soap,  one  pint  of  Pine  tar,  and  one  pound 
of  .sulphur  be  effective  as  a  w^ash  or  paint  ? 

l.^m.  Moon  Influence.  Should  trees  be  pruned  In 
the  light  or  dark  of  the  moon?— G.  W.  P.,  Ills. 

1,847  Cabbage  Worm.  Can  you  tell  of  a  sure  remedy? 
-E.  C.Sub. 

1.848.  BloodManure  for  Roses.  How  should  blood  as 
prepared  by  English  Rose  growers,  be  used  for  best 
effect  on  Roses?— A.  B.,  Chester,  Pa. 

1.849.  Nitrate  of  Soda.  Is  this  the  same  as  nitrate 
of  potash?  The  soda  Is  not  known  in  our  drug  stores. 
—J.  E.  R.,  Mass. 

1,H50.  Names  of  Flowers.  Please  tell  the  new 
names  for  the  old  flowers  we  used  to  callas  follows ; 
•'  Eglantine,"  a  single,  climbing,  late-flowering  Rose. 
"  Botton "  Roses,  probably  one  of  the  Pofyantha 
family,  crimson  red;  "  Golden  Buttons,"  something  like 
a  golden  yellow  Feverfew,  with  long  stems  and  hardy? 
A.  T.  D..  Kans. 

1.851.  Kainit  for  Trees  and  Potatoes.  How  shall  I 
apply  it?-B.  A.  TJ.,  Del. 

1.852.  Grape  Geranium.  What  is  Its  botanical  name? 
The  large  Grape-like  leaves  are  green  on  top,  red  under- 
neath. Bloom  pink,  similar  to  Begonia.— Mrs.  M.  E.  J., 
Texas. 

1,^53.  Hollyhock  Blight.  Lost  my  plantt  last  year, 
by  a  disease  attacking  the  leaves.  What  Is  it  and  how 
cured?- SUBSCRIBER,  A'f  »?  Jersey. 

1.854.  Book  on  Orchids.  Is  there  a  cheap  practical 
work  on  care  and  treatment  of  Orchids?— Mrs.  J.  A.  C. 
Titus>-iltc,  Pa. 

1.855.  Poultry  Book.  Is  there  one  treating  on  rais- 
ing of  poultry  on  a  large  scale  tor  market?— D.  C.  .4/- 
toona.  Pa. 

1.856.  Poisoning  Sparrows.  How  best  done?— W. 
a.  T.,  Mich. 

1.857.  Slug  Shot.  Is  this  as  sure  a  remedy  for  the 
Potato  bug  as  Paris  Green?— A.  R.  T.,  Pennsylvania. 

1858.    Portable  Sprayer.    Where  can  I  get  one  at  a 

reasonable  price  ?    T.  F.  S.  W,  Va. 

18,59.  Bark  Bursting.  Bark  on  Plum  trees  bursted 
from  branches  to  ground.  How  prevented  and  cured  ? 
Wm.  F.  Ohio. 

1960.  Cinerarias.  How  treated  for  bloom  in  Febru- 
ary or  March? 

1861.  Spireas.  How  treated  for  bloom  by  April  In 
greenhouse? 

1862.  Carnations  for  Winter  Bloom.  What  soil, 
temperature  and  conditions  of  moisture  are  required 
In  greenhouse  culture?    W.  B.  M'C,  Pa. 

1.86:1.  Bisulphate  of  Lime.  What  Is  the  practical 
experience  of  those  who  have  u.ied  It  as  deoderlzer 
and  antiseptic?- F.  N.  M.,  Pa. 


l,'it;4.  Cherry  Trees.  W'lien  should  seed  be  snwn 
for  stock,  and  what  kind  la  best?  How  and  when 
budded  or  grafted?— \V.  T.  A.,  Greemnlle,  Pa. 

l.St^'y.  Remedy  for  Plant  Lice.  WTiat  Is  the  recipe 
for  flsh-oil  soap  recommended  for  plant  lice?— A.  B.  S., 
Ga. 

l.yiifi.  Japan  Chestnut.  Can  this  be  recommended 
as  a  crop  for  prottt?— iNyiisiTivE,  Ohio. 

l,xt'u.  Clearing  Waste  Pipes.  Sink  drain  frequently 
stoppetl  up  with  greasy  matter.  How  can  It  be  cleared 
and  kept  cleared  the  easiest  way?— R.  S.  T.,  L.  I. 

l,8fis.  Hot-bed  Heating.  How  should  hot-beds  be 
arranged  if  lo  be  heated  with  hot  water  pIpes^—N.S.F., 

Wi-st-onsin. 

l.w.i.  Glazed  Flower  Pots.  Can  these  be  reconi- 
meiKh'd  for  general  use?— S.  D.,  Ciueinnati,  O. 

\.^'>iK  Poinsettia  in  Tree  Form.  Can  It  be  thus 
grown  with  advantage?— Carlos,  New  England. 

1S71.  Cherry  Stock.  What  Is  the  difference  between 
Mazzard  and  Mahaleh  stock. 

18;2.  Mahaleb  Sprouts,  Will  the  Mahaleb  produce 
sprouts  from  the  roots  when  wounded.— H.  S.,  Ohio. 

1^7:i.  Asparagus  Bed.  How  prepared  to  insure  sue 
cess  ?— W.  L.  K.,  Pa. 

1871.  Mimulus  Oulture.  What  are  the  most  favor 
able  conditions? 

1875.  Flowering  Begonias.  How  shall  they  be 
treated  In  summer  after  winter  booming?— W.  S.  J. • 
Chiicago. 

1876.  Japan  Honeysuckle.  What  makes  my  LonI 
cero  Halleana  wilt  and  die  down  to  the  ground  after 
living  all  winter? 

1877.  Blackberry  Suckers.  How  can  I  prevent  plants 
from  producing  suckers,  and  how  can  suckers  be 
kIlled?-E.  P.  C,  Mass. 


REPLIES    TO    INQUIRIES. 

1.71^)7.  Plugging  Trees  for  Disease.  A  corres- 
pomlentof  C.Gentleman  voices  our  own  views  in 
the  following :  The  probabilities  are  unfavorable 
to  the  conclusion  that  the  sulphate  of  copper  or 
sulphur,  or  uails,  or  any  other  substance,  intro- 
duced into  a  hole  in  the  trunk  of  the  tree,  can 
cure  *' die-back  "or  rusty  fruit  in  Orange  trees, 
or  remedy  sickliness  in  other  trees.  It  is  a  well 
authenticated  fact  that  copper  is  taken  up  by 
plants  to  whose  roots  its  soluble  salts  have 
access,  and  Is  there  to  be  found  by  chemical 
tests  in  the  stems  and  wood.  It  is  equally  well- 
established  that  very  minute  quantities  of  cop- 
per are  thus  absorbed  without  apparent  detri- 
ment or  benefit  to  trees,  but  that  when  some- 
what larger,  though  still  small,  quantities  of 
copper  are  absorbed,  plants  and  trees  of  various 
sorts,  wild  and  cultivated,  are  destroyed.  It  is 
scarcely  probable  that  sulphate  of  copper  can 
accumulate  sufficiently  in  the  juices  or  tissues  of 
a  plant  to  kill  fungi  or  other  parasities,  without 
Injuring  the  plant  itself.  It  is  rather  likely  that 
sulphate  of  copper,  once  within  the  plant, 
whether  at  the  root-tips  or  in  the  stem,  will  as  it 
diffuses,  yield  insoluble  copper  compounds  with 
the  oxalic,  tartaric,  malic,  citric,  tannic  and 
other  acids,  or  with  the  albuminoids,  some  of 
which  it  must  encounter  ;  so  that,  before  it  can 
reach  the  young  fruit-bearing  branches,  It  will 
have  effectually  killed  the  plant.  That  sulphur 
or  iron  nails  can  have  any  effect,  either  invigora- 
ting to  the  plant  or  destructive  to  Its  enemies,  is, 
in  my  opinion,  not  probable.  Iron,  although 
essential  to  the  life  of  trees  and  agricultui-al 
plants,  is,  so  far  as  we  now  know,  abundantly 
supplied  by  every  cultivable  soil,  and  can  scarce- 
ly fail  to  be  present  in  surplus  in  the  juices  and 
organs  of  plants.  Nevertheless,  a  series  of  care- 
fully conducted  comparative  trials  is  called  tor, 
to  settle  this  question,  and  some  experiment 
stati<m  having  suitable  resources  may  well  un- 
dertake the  investigation. 

1,754.  Iron  for  Fruit  Trees.  We  greatly  doubt 
that  iron  shavings,  or  any  other  iron  refuse,  will 
be  of  any  especial  benefit  to  fruit  trees.  Yet 
this  should  be  settled  by  experiment.  It  is  a 
well-known  fact  that  sulphate  of  iron  (copperas) 
although  its  two  elements— sulphuric  acid  and 
iron— are  abundantly  supplied  in  most  soils,  and 
hardly  considered  to  be  essential  substances  of 
plant  food,  nevertheless  often  has  a  very  de- 
cided beneficial  effect  on  many  crops.  We  have 
been  inclined  to  give  the  credit  mostly  to  the 
mere  dissolving  infiuencc  of  the  sulphuric  acid 
and  its  property  as  a  spore  killer ;  but  it  is  not- 
impossible  that  the  iron  may  have  something  to 
do  with  it.  One  of  our  cnrrcspiindeiits.  J.  laitner 
Bowers  of  Virginia,  reciminuMnicil  the  following 
treatment  for  barren  Plum  trees:  "Clean  away 
the  earth  from  around  the  body  or  root  of  the 
trees,  and  get  some  iron  filing,  or  fine  bits  of  iron, 
say  one  quart  to  each  tree,  and  put  it  next  to 
roots,  say,  within  a  radius  of  three  feet  having 
the  tree  for  center.  Then  the  trees  will  hold 
their  fruit.  If  the  filings  or  turnings  can  not  be 
procured,  fill  the  roots  with  six  a. —nails.  Do 
not  be  afraid  to  drive  them  in  any  part  of  tree 
under  ground,  but  do  not  put  above  ground 
you  may  ruin  a  good  axe  in  after  years  ;  put  in 
the  nails  when  your  trees  ai*e  in  full  bluom." 
We  are  not  prepared  to  endorse  this  advice.  See 
also  reply  to  No.  1,71)7. 


I,s4ii.  Moon  Influence.  It  sh«nild  hardly  be 
necessary  to  say,  that  the  great  infiuence  of  the 
moon  on  vegetation  and  many  other  things  is  all 
moonshine.  It  is  a  wonder,  that  in  our  enlight- 
ened age,  so  many  otherwise  intelligent  people 
will  continue  to  watch  the  moon  phases,  and  to 
use  great  care  to  set  trees,  or  sow  seeds,  or  kill 
hogs,  etc.,  **  just  when  the  moon  is  right.'^  This, 
of  course,  is  merely  a  little  remnant  of  old-time 
superstition,  as  is  the  idea  that  a  tree  can  be 
killed  stone-ilead  at  once  by  striking  an  axe  into 
it  at  a  certain  day  of  the  year.— G.  K. 

1,85:3.  Hollyhock  Blight.  The  disea.se  which 
has  affected  your  |>lants  last  season,  was  prob- 
ably the  Hollyhock  blight,  of  which  Prof.  Byron 
D.  Halstead  writes  to  Garden  and  Forest  as  fol- 
lows :  Last  year,  in  and  around  New  Brunswick, 
it  was  almost  impossible  to  find  a  single  healthy 
Hollyhock  among  the  thousands  of  plants.  At 
first  the  lower  leaves  began  to  exhibit  large  cir- 
cular brown  patches,  sometimes  bounded  upon 
the  side  toward  the  centre  of  the  leaf  by  the 
veins,  thus  giving  an  angular  outline.  Soon 
after  the  largest  leaves  of  all  suffered  and  fell, 
and  by  the  middle  of  August  whole  rows  of  the 
plants  exhibited  leafless  stems.  Few  gardeners 
now  have  any  plants,  but  one  enterprising  prop- 
agator has  a  long  row  of  fair-sized  seedlings  in 
pots.  When  I  first  saw  these  seedlings  they  were 
—a  few  hundred  of  them— in  a  box  xuider  sash, 
and  so  badly  infected  with  the  blight  that  there 
seenied  :it  first  to  be  no  hope  for  them.  Perhaps 
one  plant  in  five  was  saved  and  pricked  out  in  a 
fresh  box:  and  the  following  remedy  was  applied 
almost  daily  :  Three  ounces  of  carbonate  of 
copper  were  dissolved  in  a  quart  of  standard 
ammonia,  and  afterwards  diluted  to  twenty-two 
gallons  with  water  At  the  same  time  the  older 
leaves  which  developed  the  spots  were  removed 
and  burned,  until  a  comparatively  healthy  con- 
dition has  been  reached.  The  disease  is  due  to 
a  Cercospora  and  probably  (\  fl//?ui/7ia.  Sacc,  a 
species  which  in  its  various  forms  grows  upon 
the  common  MallowCMaira  rofjuif/i/o^'a ', Velvet- 
leaf  (yl/x/fi/o/M  i'icf«Hrti^tand  a  species  of  Callirhoe. 

l,85ti.  Poisoning  the  English  Sparrow.  A  re- 
cent Report  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture 
contains  the  following  recipe:  Dissolve  an  ounce 
of  arseniate  of  soda  in  a  pint  of  warm  water; 
pour  this  upon  as  much  wheat  as  it  will  cover 
(in  a  vessel  to  prevent  evaporation),  and  soak 
twenty-four  hours  Dry  the  wheat  so  prepared 
and  it  is  ready  for  use.  The  sparrow  should  be 
baited  for  several  days  previously  with  good 
wheat,  and  the  poisoned  wheat  substituted  at 
the  same  phire  and  time.  The  utmost  care  must 
be  used  in  administering  poison  of  any  kind  to 
sparrows,  and  any  pei-son  or  animal  eating  the 
dead  sparrows  are  liable  to  be  fatally  poisoned. 

1,849.  Nitrate  of  Soda.  This  is  also  known 
under  the  names  of  Chili  saltpeter,  or  cubic  salt- 
peter, and  contains  16  or  17  per  cent  of  nitrogen. 
Nitrate  of  potash  is  the  common  saltpeter  or 
nitre  of  our  drug  stores.  The  latter  is  much  too 
costly  for  general  manurial  purposes.  People 
should  understand  that  potash  salts  and  nitrate 
of  soda  are  fertilizers,  and  should  not  be  looked 
for  in  the  drug  stores,  not  tmly  because  the  aver- 
age druggist  knows  notlnng  of  these  fertilizing 
materials,  an<l  if  he  did.  people  could  not  afford 
to  buy  of  trades-people  used  to  make  charges 
hundreds  of  per  cent  in  advance  of  the  original 
cost.  The  large  fertilizer  men  are  the  ones  to 
look  to  for  a  supply  of  all  plant  foods.— G.  R. 

l,82t).    Protecting  Tree  Boses  from  Sun  Scald. 

Anything  that  will  provide  shade  for  the  exposed 
stems  of  the  Tree  Roses,  must  necessarily  be  a 
prevention  of  sun  scald.  Whether  wrapping 
the  stems  lightly  in  Sphagnum  Moss  would 
answer  this  purpose  without  doing  barm  other- 
wise or  not  is  a  question  to  be  settled  by  trial. 
F^ndoubtedly  a  shade  or  screen  made  of  lathes 
or  similar  nuiterial,  surrounding  the  stem,  would 
be  as  good  as  anything.~G.  K. 

1,845.  Borer  Mixture.  The  borer,  when  inside 
the  body  of  a  tree,  can  hardly  be  reached  by  out- 
side washes.  The  use  of  a  sharp  knife,  of  a 
piece  of  wire  or  a  limber  twig  will  have  to  be 
resorted  to.  The  eggs  are  deposited  in  early 
summer.  Rubbing  the  trunk  and  main  branches 
of  the  trees  with  soft  soap  pure  and  simple  in 
early  June,  and  repeating  this  several  times 
until  middle  of  July,  is  perhaps  as  effective  a 
remedy  as  any  other.  Prof.  Cook  says,  if  he  can 
make  but  one  application,  he  uses  a  mixture  of 
carbolic  acid  and  soft  soap  made  as  follows:  One 
quart  of  soft  soap  to  two  gallons  of  water  heat- 
ed to  the  boiling  point,  when  one  pint  of  crude 
carbolic  acid  is  added,  stirring  the  solution  well 
at  the  same  time.  With  this,  and  ungloved 
hands,  and  uncovered  arms,  I,  by  use  of  a  cloth, 
rub  the  whole  trunk  and  larger  limbs  of  the  tree, 
using  care  not  to  sprinkle  the  foliase.  Incase 
the  acid  is  very  strong  it  might  kill  the  foliage. 
This  is  a]tpUod  to  the  trees  two  weeks  after  the 
blossoms  fall.  This  undoubtedly  is  a  better  and 
safer  wash  than  the  mixture  of  soft  soap.  Pine 
tur  and  sulphur  suggested  by  the  inquirer.— G.U. 


1890. 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


20- 


l.sn.  Apple  Pom&ce  as  Manure.  Old  Apple 
pomace  may  safely  be  applied  to  land  for  al- 
most any  erop  in  moderate  quantities  to  be 
plowed  under,  or  otherwise  thoroiijirlily  mixed 
with  the  soil.  If  fresh  anil  in  an  active  state 
of  acid  fermentation,  it  mi^ht  be  advisable  to 
compost  and  sweeten  it  with  lime  before  it  is 
applied.  We  are  not  aware  that  an  analysis  of 
Apple  pomace  has  ever  been  made  or  published. 
This  is  sure,  however,  that  the  original  stores  of 
mineral  elements  of  plant  food  contained  in  the 
Apples  are  almost  wholly  left  in  the  pomace, 
and  also  part  of  the  nitrogen,  so  there  can  be  no 
question  that  this  material  is  worth  something. 
even  if  but  little,  as  a  fertilizer.  On  the  other 
hand,  as  usually  left  lying-  about  near  cider  mills. 
etc.,  it  is  usually  offensive  to  both  si^ht  and 
smell,  and  a  nuisance  generally,  and  it  would 
pay  to  apply  it  to  the  land  as  suggested  if  for  no 
other  reason  than  to  get  rid  of  it.  Fresh  Apple 
pomace,  as  should  yet  be  stated,  has  also  a  con- 
siderable value  as  food  for  horses,  cattle,  hogs 
and  sheep:  but  if  in  acid  fermentation,  should 
be  given  with  caution.— G.  H. 

],TW.  Low  Land  for  Celery  and  Onions,  From 
Prof.  E.  S.  Goff's  reply  to  a  similar  inquiry  in 
■Western  farmer,  we  extract  the  following  trust- 
worthy information  :  The  drainage  should  be 
such  that  the  water  level  of  the  soil  is  not  less 
than  two  and  a  half  to  three  feet  below  the  sur- 
face. Otherwise,  success  in  growing  Onions  or 
Celery  will  be  wholly  dependent  upon  a  dry  sea- 
son. The  preparation  wiU  consist  in  applying  a 
very  liberal  dressing  of  well-rotted  manure,  and 
breaking  up  the  sod  as  soon  as  the  ground  is  suffl- 
cientlj'  dry  in  spring,  or  during  the  summer. 
Onions  and  Celery  require  abundant  manuring, 
even  on  new  land,  and  without  this,  it  will  bo 
bardl}'  worth  while  to  attempt  their  culture. 
Sixty  two-horse  loads  per  acre  will  make  a  good 
beginning.  Any  barnyard  or  stable  manure  that 
is  well-decayed  will  answer.  Kor  the  first  plow- 
ing, the  furrow  need  be  only  Just  deep  enough 
to  invert  the  sod  and  manure,  cutting  wide  ' 
enough  so  the  sod  will  lay  flat,  without  the  edges 
overlapping.  Shallow  plowing  will  hasten  the 
decomposition  of  the  sod,  and  If  the  furrows  do 
not  overlap,  the  harrow  will  be  less  likely  to  tear 
up.  Harrow  two  or  three  times  in  the  direction 
of  the  plowing:  then  it  the  surface  is  sufficiently 
loosened,  cross-harrow  the  furrows  until  the 
crevices  are  all  filled,  and  the  surface  is  well 
leveled.  If  the  sod  is  very  tough  so  that  the 
plowing  could  not  be  well  done,  a  heavy  roller 
used  tjefore  the  harrowing  will  tend  to  prevent 
tearing  it  up.  The  ground  may  now  be  left  until 
the  succeeding  spring.  The  warm  weather  of 
the  summer  and  autumn  will  cause  the  sod  to 
decay  and  the  freezing  of  winter  will  disinte- 
grate whatever  clods  may  have  escaped  being 
crumbled  by  the  harrow.  If  there  was  any  de- 
ficiency in  first  manuring  it  may  be  made  up 
during  the  winter,  and  another  sixty  loads  may- 
be added  with  benefit.  The  fact  cannot  be  too 
strongly  emphasized  that  the  crops  in  question 
can  do  their  best  only  with  the  most  liberal 
manuring.  There  need  be  no  fear  of  over- 
fertilizing. 

1.85S  Portable  Sprayer.  We  know  of  no 
perfect  portable  spraying  apparatus  put  on  the 
market,  except  the  Eureka,  made  by  Adam 
Weaber  and  Son  of  Vineland,  which  costs  some- 
thing over  830  each.  To  people  of  a  little 
mechanical  skill  and  inclination  the  description 
of  a  home  made  sprayer  given  by  Prof.  R.  Thax- 


Hume  Made  Portable  Sprayer. 


ter,  in  a  recent  Bulletin  of  the  Connecticut  Ex- 
periment Station  (New  Haven),  and  the  accom- 
panying illustration  of  same  reproduced  from 
same  source,  may  be  of  interest  and  help.  The 
machine  consists  of  an  ordinary  small  copper 
wash  boiler.  The  hose  of  a  force  pump  (hydro- 
nette  pattern  1  enters  the  water  as  shown,  e  repre- 
senting a  short  collar  of  tin  through  which  the 
hose  is  pushed.  These  pumps  do  not  throw  a 
continuous  spray,  and  so  a  piece  of  five-eight- 
inch  heavy  rubber  tubing  h  is  fastened  to  a  Ver- 
morel  nozzle  a  at  one  end  x  and  the  regular 
pump  nozzle  d  at  the  other,  by  winding  it  tightly 
with  small  copper  wire.  The  two  nozzles  a  and  d 
are  then  connected  by  two  heavy  copper  wires  c 
fastened  by  winding  once  around  each  nozzle. 
The  following  prices  are  quoted  in  the  IJvilletin, 
for  articles  sold  in  Hartford  and  New  Haven  : 
sulphate  of  copper  from  6J^  to  10  cents  jier  lb., 
according  to  the  amount  sold  ;  ammonia  from 
8  to  10  cents:  carbonate  of  copper  75  cents  per 
lb.  Rubber  tubing  18  cents  per  foot;  wash 
boilers  §3.25:  force  pump  Si.OO. 


KTM.  Tomato  Forcing  Honae.  The  three 
requisites  of  a  good  Tomato  house  are,  1,  the 
maximum  amount  of  light ;  2,  an  abundance  of 
heat;  3,  a  large  volume  of  air.  In  other  words, 
in  forcing  Tomatoes  a  large  house  is  superior  to  a 
smaller  one  Twenty  feet  is  a  good  width,  and 
the  length  may  be  BO  or  70.  A  hip-span  roof  is 
I  best— the  long  slope  facing  the  south.  Use  large 
glass:  12x11)  being  good  size;  though  some  pre- 
fer 14x24.  For  cheap  and  satisfactory  walls,  set 
posts  six  feet  apart;  line,  inside  and 
out,  with  tari-ed  paper,  and  then  ceil 
with  the  best  flooring.  (For  various 
styles  of  greenhouse  walls  see  Bulletin 
No.  7,Minnesota  Experiment  Station.) 
Kor  tables,  make  the  necessary  sup- 
ports of  2x4  stuff,  and  then  use  three- 
inch  strips.  This  allows  the  escape 
of  heat  into  the  room  and  at  the  same 
time  gives  more  bottom  heat  than  if 
wide  boards  were  used.  The  idea  in 
having  the  tables  of  this  style,  is  to  *^ 
grow  the  plants  in  18-inch  boxes,  four 
plants  in  a  box.  I  prefer  this  method 
to  any  other  yet  tried.  Bottom  heat 
is  not  essential,  but  desirable.  Within 
reasonable  limits,  increased  earllness 
of  crop  is  a  very  important  item  in 
growing  Tomatoes  for  profit.  The 
accompanying  diagram  representing  a  cross-sec- 
tion of  a  house  twenty  feet  wide,  shows  the  ar- 
rangement of  tables  and  piping.  The  tables  are  all 
heated  by  return  pipes.  The  steam  enters  the 
room  ats,  and  runs  to  the  full  length  of  the  build- 
ing, in  one  large  pipe.  It  is  then  distributed  as 
desired.  Each  pipe,  or  at  most  each  two  pipes, 
should  be  controlled  by  valves  so  that  as  many 
or  as  few  as  desired  may  be  used.  I  prefer 
ventilators  springing  at  the  ridge  as  shown  in 
diagram.— W.  Munson,  Cornell  University. 

1,851.    Kainit  for  Trees  and  Potatoes.     This 

I  material  can  bo  applied  for  the  crops  named 
directly  to  the  soil,  without  mi.\ing  with  any 
other  substance.  For  tree  and  bush  fruits  it  can 
hardly  be  used  too  liberally.  Apply  in  fall  or 
early  -winter  if  possible,  but  do  not  hesitate  to 

■  put  it  on  for  the  crops  named  at  any  other  time 
of  the  year,  it  not  done  before  For  Potatoes 
we  would  always  apply  it  in  the  fall  or  early 
winter  previous  to  planting,  using  it  at  the  rate 
of  300  to  800  pounds  per  acre,  perhaps  even  more. 
1,848.  Cabbage  Worm.  In  buhach  we  have  a 
never-failing  remedy  for  this  pest.  For  econo- 
my's sake,  the  pure  powder  may  be  mixed  with 
three  or  four  times  its  bulk  of  flour,  bone  meal, 
or  other  dusty  substance,  and  blown  or  sifted  on 
the  infested  plants,  or  it  may  be  applied  In  spray 
form,  diluted  with  water.  It  is  sure  death  to  all 
the  worms  it  touches. 

1,791.  Crops  in  Shade.  Some  of  the  bush  fruits. 
Blackberries  and  Raspberries,  Currants,  Goose- 
berries and  Strawberries  also  might  be  grown  in 
a  half-shady  situation,  as  for  instance  in  a  young 
orchard.  Further  south  we  would  prefer  the 
north  side  of  a  building  or  wall  for  Currants, 
Gooseberries  and  RaspbeiTies  to  a  more  open 
location.  Some  tree  fruits  might  also  flourish  on 
the  north  or  west  side  of  buildings,  walls,  fences, 
or  a  piece  of  woods.  The  vegetable  garden 
should  be  exposed  fully  to  the 
sun,  although  some  crops— Cab- 
bages, Beans,  Potatoes,  Peas, 
Beets,  and  many  others  may  be 
grown  quite  readily  in  the  shade 
of  a  young  orchard.  Success 
here  hinges  chieflyon  the  supply 
of  plant  food  in  the  soU.  Double 
cropping  also  requires  double 
manuring.  None  of  our  common 
vegetable  crops,  however,  will 
thrive  in  absolute  shade.  There 
are  a  great  many  flowers  and 
shrubs  which  succeed  admirably 
in  shady  places,  among  them  all  those  whose 
home  is  in  the  wild  woods,  many  of  the  bulbs. 
Snowdrops,  Lily  of  the  Valley,  etc.  The  Pansy 
is  one  of  our  chief  flowers  for  slightly  shaded 
situations,  and  there  is  also  a  proper  place 
for  the  Wall  Flower.  The  Aquilegia  cana- 
densis (our  native  Columbine)  also  does  well  in 
such  places,  and  so  will  the  little  evergreen  plant 
popularly  known  as  Wintergreen  or  Teaberry 
iGaultheria  procu»ibcJi.i).  In  fact  we  might  name 
a  large  number  more  of  our  native  plants,  which 
are  inhabitants  of  cool,  damp  woods  of  the  north, 
and  well  suited  to  be  grown  in  shade  and  moist- 
ure.- W. 

1,825.  Annuals  for  Shady  Position.  Mr.  Joseph 
Harris  in  American  Garden  recommends  the  tall- 
growing  Nasturtium  if  it  is  only  the  soil  that  is 
shaded;  the  plants  will  do  well  if  they  can  run  up 
till  they  reach  the  sunshine,  at  any  time  before 
noon.  The  Nasturtium  thrives  well  in  partial 
shade.  Do  not  be  sparing  of  seed,  but  thin  out 
the  plants  before  they  begin  to  crowd,  leaving 
them  ultimatelyabout  six  inches  apart  in  the  row. 


1,73«.  Marianna  Plum  from  Cuttings.  How 
to  grow  the  above  was  told  by  me  in  Popui^r 
Gardening  some  time  since.  On  setting  out  my 
cuttings  of  this  variety  I  found  no  difference  in 
those  set  in  the  fall  upright,  or  with  the 
tops  down,  except  that  those  inverted  had 
grown  too  much,  and  the  buds  that  were  started 
had  a  little  sand  in  them,  which  is  objectionable. 
Hereafter  they  will  be  tied  in  bundles  of  fifty  or 
one  hundred,  set  upright,  and  the  tops  about  two 


Tomato  Forcing  Hmtse. 


inches  under  ground  when  leveled  off.  And  if  I 
have  the  time  to  get  the  ground  in  order  and  set 
them,  they  will  be  put  in  where  they  are  to 
grow  in  the  fall.  The  cuttings  need  not  be  more 
than  five  inches  long,  cut  off  sloping  above  the 
bud,  set  in  the  ground  upright,  and  press  the 
earth  firmly  around  them.  Then  before  the 
ground  commences  to  freeze  cover  over  with 
some  litter  to  prevent  their  being  heaved  out. 
Wood  the  size  of  a  Rye  straw  put  in  in  this  way 
will  soon  make  splendid  stocks  for  budding. 
1  have  touched  upon  this  subject  more  particu- 
larly because  I  am  satisfied  it  is  thecoming foun- 
dation tor  our  Plums,  Apricots  and  likely  for 
Peach,  as  it  is  a  very  strong  grower.  I  have  trees 
of  various  Plums  worked  on  it,  and  at  the  same 
time  same  varieties  on  Peach  stocks,  and  the  ad- 
vantage is  greatly  in  favor  of  the  Marianna.  In 
my  orchard  are  several  varieties  that  I  bought  as 
root  grafts,  that  were  grown  two  years  in  the 
nui-sery  and  then  set  out  in  the  orchard.  They 
have  now  been  four  years  there,  and  the  suckers 
are  coming  up  all  around  them  for  ten  feet  from 
the  base  of  the  trees.  One  tree  of  Golden  Beauty 
took  root  from  the  graft,  and  it  also  is  sending 
up  suckers  around  the  tree.  This  suckering  may 
be  well  enough  in  old  times  with  a  good  variety 
and  on  its  own  basis.  But  now,  when  grafting 
and  budding  are  understood  by  so  many  fruit 
growers,  the  suckering  becomes  a  nuisance.  1 
nave  Wild  Goose  trees  that  were  budded  on  Peach 
by  myself,  that  have  started  on  their  own  hook 
and  are  sending  out  suckers  all  around.  This 
will  answer  a  question  for  a  subscriber  who  asks 
how  these  young  trees  coming  up  under  his  Wild 
Goose  Plum  trees  when  he  knew  that  the  original 
stock  was  Peach,  and  the}'  are  not  seedlings  either 
he  says.  I  doubt  whether  we  have  a  native  stock 
here  that  will  not  sucker,  particularly  if  the 
roots  are  wounded  in  the  least,  either  by  the 
plow  or  hand  implements.  And  now  I  am  coming 
to  the  main  point.  On  my  grounds  are  Marianna 
trees,  six  and  eight  years  old,  and  work  done  in 

ground  that  would  induce  them  to  sucker  if  they 
ad  a  tendency  to  do  so,  but  there  is  not  a  sight 
of  a  sucker  under  any  of  them.— Samuel  Miller, 
Montgomery  Co.,  Mo. 

1,865.  Bemedy  for  Plant  Lice.  Prof.  Jno.  B. 
Smith  before  the  New  Jersey  State  Horticultural 
Society  at  last  meeting,  gave  the  following  re- 
cipe: "Hirsch's  crystal  potash  lye,  one  pound 
fish  oil,  three  pints;  soft  water,  three  gallons. 
Dissolve  the  lye  in  the  water,  and  when  brought 
to  a  boil  add  the  oU.  It  should  boil  about  two 
hours,  and,  when  done,  be  filled  up  to  make  good 
the  loss  by  evaporation.  When  cold,  it  can  be 
cut  into  cakes.  It  is  said  to  be  effective  at  the 
rate  of  one  pound  of  the  soap  to  eight  gallons  of 
water  and  spreads  well  over  the  plants.  I  should 
strongly  recommend  a  trial  of  this  mixture, 
which  has  the  endorsement  of  Mr.  Atwood,  the 
Vice-Director  of  the  Virginia  Station.  It  has 
been  tested  very  extensively  by  him  and  found 
very  satisfactory.  It  is  cheap— the  suds  costing 
about  twelve  cents  per  one  hundred  gallons. 

1,867.  Cleaning  Waste  Pipes.  The  cause  of 
the  trouble  usually  is  the  grease  contained  In  the 
slops  and  dishwater.  This  being  liquid  while  the 
water  is  hot,  solidifies  on  coming  in  contact  with 
the  colder  surroundings,  and  soon  entirely  clogs 
up  the  drain.  The  proper  remedy  is  application 
of  strong  lye,  which  unites  with  the  grease  form- 
ing soft  soap,  and  this  carries  it  away  in  the  next 
rush  of  liquid.  The  Sanitary  Era  gi\-es  these 
directions:  Just  before  retiring  at  night  pour 
into  the  clogged  pipe  enough  liquid  soda  lye  to 
fill  the  "  trap  "  or  bent  part  of  the  pipe.  Be  sure 
that  no  water  runs  in  it  until  the  next  morning. 
During  the  night  the  lye  will  convert  all  the 
offal  into  soft  soap,  and  the  first  current  of  water 
in  the  morning  will  wash  it  away  and  clear  the 
pipe  clean  as  new. 


204 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


June, 


1,803.    Household  Pests.     Good  insect  powder 
is  yet  the  best  and  most  convenient  remedy  for 
roaches,  cloth  moths,  etc.,  that  has  ever  been 
recommended.    In  one  of  the  bulletins  issued  by 
the  Di\-ision  of  entomology.  Department  of  Ag- 
riculture.  Prof.  C.  V.  Hiley  says:     "  In  the  lati- 
tude of  Washington  and  further  south  the  croton 
bug  eats  everything  that  contains   paste,  and 
consequently  wall  paper,  photographs,  and  es- 
pecially certain  kinds  of  cloth  book-bindings, 
suffer  severely  from  their  attacks.   Without  con- 
demning other  useful  measures  or  remedies  like 
t)orax,  I  would  repeat  here  that  in  the  free  and 
persistant  use  of  California  buhach  orsome other 
tiesh  and  reliable  brand  of  pyrethrum  or  Persian 
insect  powder  we  have  most  satisfactory  means 
of  dealing  with  this  and  other  roaches.    Just  be- 
fore nighttall  go  into  the  infested  rooms  and 
puff  it  into  all  the  crevices,  under  baseboards, 
into  the  drawei-s  and  cracks  (if  old  furniture— in 
fact,  wherever  there  is  a  crack    and  in  the  morn- 
ing the  floor  will  be  covered  with  dead  and  dymg 
or  demoralized  and   paralyzed  roaches,   which 
may  easily  be  swept  up  or  otherwise  collected 
and  burned.  With  cleanliness  and  persistency  in 
these  methods  the   pest   may   be  substantially 
driven  out  of  a  house,  and   should   never   be 
allowed  to  get  full  possession   by    immigrants 
from  without."     This  insect  powder  is  also  sure 
death  to  bed-bugs,  and  if  thoroughly  and  persist- 
ently applied  in  same  way  as  Prof.  Kiley  recom- 
mends for  roaches,  will  soon  clear  a  house  en- 
tirely of  the  pest,  no  matter  how  badly  infested. 
Ants  are  easilv  managed  by  poisoning  or  baiting. 
Paris  green  is  effective.    Mix  a  little  of  it  in  thm 
syrup  or  molasses  and  place   where  ants,  but 
nothing  else,  can  get  at  it.    Or  moisten  a  sponge 
with  sweetened  water,    place   where   near  the 
ants'  haunts,  and  occasionally  pick  up  and  throw 
into  boiling  water.  Then  bait  and  reset  the  trap. 
— W. 

1,869.  Glazed  Flower  Pots.  A  correspondent 
of  one  of  our  English  exchanges  speaks  about 
this  subject  as  follows:  At  one  time  it  was  the 
general  opinion  that  pots  to  be  suitable  for  plant 
cultivation  must  be  porous,  but  this  opinion  pre- 
vailed apparently  without  any  reason,  or  was 
not  formed  from  experience,  and  if  so,  the  sooner 
gardeners'  minds  are  disabused  of  the  notion  the 
better.  In  windows  we  often  see  plants  in  all 
sorts  of  vessels,  and  taking  into  consideration 
the  adverse  circumstances  under  which  the  plants 
are  placed,  most  of  them  show  signs  of  rude 
health.  This  proves  that  porosity  is  not  of  such 
moment  in  the  vessels  for  potting  in  as  is  gen- 
erally supposed.  Air  in  sufficient  quantity  for 
the  roots  can  surely  find  its  way  tnrough  the 
surface  of  the  soil,  and  it  cannot  be  required  all 
down  the  sides  of  the  pots.  If  these  were  glazed 
how  very  much  easier  it  would  be  to  keep  them 
clean,  and  what  a  time  longer  they  would  last, 
as  glazing  strengthens  considerably,  and  if  the 
posts  cost  a  little  more  at  first  start,  there  would 
be  a  considerable  saving  in  the  end.  not  only  in 
the  durability,  but  in  labor  of  washing,  etc. 

1,7»4.  Chestnuts.  These  are  propagated  by 
cuttings  in  .\ugust,  the  young  plants  being 
potted  off  when  rooted,  and  re-potted  as  fre- 
quently as  the  roots  reach  the  sides  of  the  pots. 
They  should  be  pinched  back  early  in  January 
to  cause  a  bushy  growth.— W. 

1,S71.  Cherry  Stock.  Budding  is  by  far  more 
successful  than  grafting,  and  is  done  in  Mazzard 
or  Morello  stock  in  August,  or  on  Mahaleb  in 
September.  To  get  the  stock,  sow  the  seed  of 
either  of  the  above  in  drills  in  the  fall,  covering 
one  inch,  or  put  the  seed  of  Mazzard  in  single 
rows  six  inches  apart,  and  then  they  will  be  fit  to 
bud  the  first  season.  Mehalebs,  must  be  two 
years  before  they.get  large  enough.  If  not  suit- 
able to  sow  in  the  fall,  mix  seeds  with  sand  and 
expose  to  the  weather  all  winter,  and  sow  or 
plant  very  early  in  the  spring.  Suckers  will 
answer  if  no  seedlings  can  be  got,  but  are  objec- 
tionable, because  they  will  be  sure  to  sucker 
again.  Let  them  stand  in  the  nursery,  where 
they  grew,  no  putting  in  cellar  is  necessary. 
Some  root  graft  the  Cherry  same  as  Apple,  but 
I  don't  consider  it  practicable.— S.  Miller,  Jfo. 

1,841.  Tariff  on  Seeds.  The  Government  exacts 
an  import  tax  of  50  per  cent  ad  vaiorcm  on  most 
garden  and  flower  seeds. 

1,837.  Black  Langshan  Kggs.  Write  to  Mrs. 
C.  M.  Kelley,  Newark,  N.  J.,  or  P.  H.  Jacobs, 
Hammonton,  N.  J. 

1,793.  Insects  on  Home  Eose.  The  pests  no 
doubt  are  some  specimen  of  aphis  or  plant  louse 
and  which  would  yield  to  free  syringing  with 
water,  or  dusting  the  plants  with  tobacco,  or 
washing  with  tobacco  water  of  the  color  of  tea. 
—A.  H.  E. 

1.804.  Bose  Leaf  Hopper,  See  article  on  Rose 
culture  elsewhere  in  thLs  issue. 

1.805.  Shade  for  Oooseberries.  The  American, 
like  foreign  sorts,  will  do  well  enough  in  half- 
shady  situation,  but  at  the  north  they  also  suc- 
ceed In  full  exposure  to  the  suu.  Which  is  more 
than  can  be  said  of  the  English  sorts.— (J. H. 

1,811.  Cypripedium  Spectabile,  Site  for.  This 
superb  species  of  native  Orchid  Is  usually  found 
growing  in  swamjis,  hence  its  wants  may  best  he 
met  byproviding  a  similar  position  for  it.-A.H.  E. 


1,842.  Cactus  Culture.  Your  plant  is  evidently 
an  Echinopsis— sometimes  called  Pope's  Head, 
but  why,  we  cannot  understand.  They  make 
young  offsets  freely,  and  in  order  to  induce  your 
plant  to  bloom  these  offsets  should  be  removed 
early  in  the  spring.  They  may  be  put  several 
toge"ther  in  a  pot  filled  with  sandy  soil,  and  will 
grow  quite  rapidly.  The  flowers  of  many  of  the 
Echinopsis  are  very  beautiful.  One  on  our  table 
now  measures  13  inches  in  length,  five  inch  across 
the  petals.    Color  delicate  pink.— A.  Blanc. 

1,848.  Blood  Manure  for  Boses.  The  item  given 
in  Philadelphia  Record  is  as  foUews:  English 
Rose  growers  are  using  blood  manure  for  their 
Tines  with  great  success.  They  take  sixteen 
pounds  of  blood,  and  as  soon  as  it  begins  to  putrify 
pour  on  it  four  ounces  of  muriatic  acid  and  four 
ounces  of  proto-sulphate  of  iron,  previously 
mixed,  which  turns  the  blood  into  a  dark,  dry 
powder  that  will  keep  for  a  long  time.  We  have 
no  practical  experience  with  this  preparation  but 
undoubtedly  it  will  be  a  good  manure,  rich  in 
nitrogen  for  Roses  and  other  flowiring  plants. 
We  would  be  glad  to  have  the  o]iinion  of  station 
chemists.  We  would  apply  a  light  sprinkling  of 
it  to  the  surface  of  the  soil  around  the  plants,  or 
use  in  weak  solution. 


Orchids  are  not  now  very  expensive.  It 
is  true  some  species  ot  great  rarity  and  ex- 
traordinary beauty  command  very  high 
prices.  But  the  average  amateur  may  form 
a  beautiful  and  intensely  interesting  collec- 
tion for  a  very  moderate  outlay.  A  knowl- 
edge of  the  cultural  requirements  of  these 


A  Rack  for  Carrying  Plants. 
Our  correspondent  L.  B.  Pierce,  of  Sum- 
mit County,  Ohio,  is  a  practical  horticultur- 
ist who  believes  in  employing  conveniences 
in  his  work  wherever  he  can.  The  annexed 
sketch  is  a  rack  for  carrying  plants;  the  rack 
to  be  placed  on  the  box  of  a  spring  wagon,  is 
one  such  which  he,  as  a  florist,  has  had  in 
use,  and  which  mil  commend  itself  to  all 
who  have  occasion  to  carry  pot  plants  to 
market.  Unfortunately  the  articles  which 
accompanies  the  sketch  became  mislaid  and 
cannot  appear  in  the  present  issue.  But  the 
matter  is  so  timely  at  this,  the  planting  sea- 
son, and  our  engraving  so  easily  to  be 
understood,  that  we  present  the  cuts  with 
thLs  explanation. 

It  will  be  seen  by  the  cross  bectional  view 
that  the  rack  consists  first :  of  two  iron  sup- 
ports or  crosspieces  bent  to  the  form  shown 
by  the  heavy  black  line  a.  I.  and  which  rest 
tipon  and  clasp  the  top  of  the  wagon  bos,  c ; 
second,  the  wooden  slats  d.  d.  which  are 
riveted  to  the  iron  creepers  with  spaces 
between.  These  slats  are  then  ratched  at 
intervals  with  concave  ratches  as  shown  in 
upper  drawing  and  into  which  the  parts  fit 
snugly,  as  shown  beneath. 

The  iron  crosspieces  may  be  made  of  old 
wagon  tires,  the  slats  of  ash  or  pine  wood. 


Orchids   for  Amateurs— First  Paper 

FELIX  MASTRON. 

A  great  number  of  those  amateur  garden- 
ers who  possess  a  small  greenhouse,  and 
many  of  those  who  do  not,  are  quite  enthus- 
iastic in  their  admiration  of  Orchids.  They 
like  the  curious  forms  and  brilliant 'colors 
displayed  in  the  flowers  produced  by  plants 
of  this  most  interesting  family.  Numerous 
heroic  attempts  at  their  cult  tire  by  this  class 
of  people  have  come  under  my  notice. 

The  principal  source  of  trouble  in  such 
cases  appears  to  be  simply  and  solely  a  lack 
of  knowledge  on  the  part  of  those  who  at- 
tempt the  experiment.  Some  few  obtain 
the  requisite  knowledge  from  their  experi- 
ences and  are  sticcessful,  while  the  greater 
number  fail  and  give  up  in  despair. 

The  conditions  at  disposal  are  usually 
quite  favorable  to  the  successful  culture  of 
many  beautiful  and  interesting  species,  but 
the  majority  of  beginners  too  frequently 
commence  operations  with  kinds  that  are 
wholly  unsuited  to  the  means  at  their  dis- 
posal. Being  once  set  right  in  this  particu- 
lar, however,  the  lover  of  Orchids,  however 
primitive  his  structures  and  appliances, 
usually  finds  the  road  to  success  smooth 
and  straight. 

Costly  structures,  great  wealth  and  skill 
are  by  no  means  so  necessary  as  one  might 
infer  from  the  above-mentioned  article. 
There  are  numerotts  instances  on  record  of 
some  Orchids  that  are  really  diffictilt  to 
manage  being  grown  very  sticcessfully 
under  disadvantageous  circumstances. 


A  Rach  ftir  carming  Plants. 
plants  is  decidedly  beneficial  to  the  begin- 
ner. These,  happily,  are  in  most  cases  of 
the  simplest  order.  Many  valuable  collec- 
tions of  Orchids  have  been  ruined  by  the 
elaborate  care  bestowed  upon  the  plants. 
Of  course  this  was  to  some  extent  an  evil 
necessity,  because  an  exact  knowledge  of 
their  requirements  could  only  be  gained  in 
many  cases  by  experiment. 

With  the  amount  of  attention  ordinarily 
bestowed  upon  the  commonest  hotise  plants, 
most  Orchids  will  thrive  admirably.  Many 
of  our  most  beautiful  species  wUl  easily  sur- 
vive the  ill-treatmentand  neglect  that  would 
kill  the  most  ordinary  Geranium,  Fuchsia 
and  Coleus.  This  is  easily  understood. 
Under  their  natural  conditions  they  are  often 
subjected  to  great  extremes  of  heat  and  cold , 
draught  and  moisture.  When  one  is  ac- 
quainted with  the  natural  conditions  under 
which  a  plant  floitrishes,  it  is  In  many  cases 
an  easy  matter  to  devise  artificial  conditions 
that  will  be  productive  of  better  results 
(horticulturally)  than  are  met  in  nature. 
Many  of  the  plants  now  grown  in  gardens 
would  not  be  recognized  in  a  natural  state 
by  an  ordinary  observer.  Truly  may  it  be 
said  that  we  "  mend  nature."  And  thus  it 
is  that  by  observing  uniformity  rather  than 
fluctuating  extremes  in  our  treatment  of  the 
plants  we  are  of  ten  enabled  to  dispense  with 
conditions  that  appear  unnecessary,  and 
still  be  sticcessful. 

Ijet  the  amateur  orchidist  take  courage. 
The  daily  experiences  of  Orchid  growers  are 
most  decidedly  in  his  favor,  and  it  is  the 
writer's  firm  opinion,  as  it  is  his  fondest 
hope,  that  the  greenhouses  and  windows 
will  in  a  very  few  years  be  as  well  filled 
with  luxuriant  plants  of  beautiftil  Orchids 
as  they  are  now  filled  with  common  plants. 
A  series  of  hints  on  selection  and  treat 
ment  suitable  to  the  wants  of  the  beginner 
in  Orchid  culture  will  follow. 

Marecha)  NIel  Roses  In  Pots. 
One  gets  so  accustomed  to  the  orthodox 
method  of  training  the  lovely  Marechal 
Niel  Rose  to  the  roofs  of  greenhouses  that 
any  other  mode  of  culture  comes  as  a  wel- 
come relief.  From  what  I  have  seen  of 
others  and  have  done  myself,  I  have  come 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


205 


to  the  conclusion  that  this  popular  variety 
is  not  put  to  as  great  advantage  as  it  might 
be.  Everyone  wlio  lias  grown  it  knows,  and 
many  to  their  chagrin,  that  the  Mareehal 
Niel  is  a  comparatively  short-lived  Kose. 
It  is  In  good  health  this  weel<,  and  by  next 
week  it  may  show  signs  of  sicliness,  which 
eventually  will  end  in  death.  How  many 
readers  of  this  paper  have  not  seen  their 
Mareehal  Niels  produce  an  abundance  of 
lovely  blooms  in  one  particular  season,  and 
then,  from  sheer  exhaustion,  as  it  were, 
gradually  sicken  and  die,  and  leave  them 
without  a  Rose  ?  Too  many  have  experi- 
enced this ;  but  why  do  so,  when  there  are 
so  many  ways  of  averting  this  stat«  of 
affairs? 

For  years  I  grew  a  large  number  of  Mare- 
ehal Niels  from  cuttings  annually,  inserting 
them  in  heat  in  spring,  and  blooming  the 
following  winter.  It  is  a  method  that  those 
who  have  heat  at  their  disposal  will  do  well 
to  adopt.  As  has  been  said,  the  cuttings 
where  Inserted  in  spring  about  March.  They 
were  slips  of  young  wood  taken  from  an 
old  Mareehal  Niel  that  was  growing  in  an 
early  vinery,  and  this,  being  started  in 
November,  would  produce  blooms  by  Feb- 
ruary. The  cuttings  were  made  about  three 
inches  in  lengtii,  and  inserted  in  .5-inch  pots, 
placing  six  or  seven  around  the  sides  of  the 
pots.  A  compost  of  loam,  leaf-mould,  and 
sand  was  used,  and  a  layer  of  the  latter 
placed  over  the  surface.  When  inserted  the 
cuttings  were  watered  with  tepid  water, 
sufficient  to  soak  the  whole  of  the  soil ;  and 
then  the  pots  were  plunged  into  a  brisk 
bottom-heat  and  covered  with  bell-glasses. 

A  slight  shading  was  afforded  when  the 
sun  was  bright,  and  the  cuttings  were 
sprinkled  occasionally.  In  about  a  fort- 
night they  wereinvariably  rooted  sufficiently 
to  enable  them  to  be  removed  to  a  more 
open  position,  and  after  remaining  there 
for  another  week  I  usually  put  them  in 
small  pots,  those  three  inches  or  four  inches 
in  diameter  being  selected.  For  this  potting 
rather  a  sandy  compost  was  used,  and  the 
young  plants  afterwards  replaced  in  a 
strong  heat,  and  grown  on  precisely  in  the 
same  manner  as  pot  vines  are.  Subsequent 
repottings  were,  of  course,  necessary,  at 
which  fibry  loam  and  half-inch  bones  were 
used,  and  these  were  given  at  frequent  in- 
tervals so  that  the  young  plants  could  not 
receive  a  check  in  their  growth. 

In  following  out  this  method  of  treating 
the  Mareehal  Niel  it  will  be  found  that  tine 
young  plants,  with  one  long  shoot  each, 
eight  feet  or  ten  feet  in  length,  and  nearly 
as  thick  as  a  man's  little  finger,  will  be  ob- 
tainable, and  it  these  are  properly  ripened 
they  will  produce  a  very  tine  bloom  at  every 
bud.  The  way  I  treated  the  plants  was,  as 
soon  as  they  receive  their  last  potting,  which 
usually  was  in  7-inch  or  S-inch  pots,  to  train 
them  to  the  roof  of  a  stove  and  encourage 
them  to  make  as  much  growth  as  possible 
by  judicious  watering  and  syringing  untU 
the  end  of  August.  At  that  time  they  were 
removed  to  a  cooler  house  for  a  few  days, 
and  eventually  placed  out-of-doors  on  the 
sunny  side  of  a  wood  fence  facing  south. 
The  long  shoots  I  tied  loosely  in  a  perpen- 
dicular manner,  and  there  they  ripened 
beautifully,  which  to  a  great  extent  is  the 
secret  of  the  success  in  growing  the  Mare- 
ehal Niel. 

In  October  the  plants  were  removed  to  a 
cool  vinery,  and  after  cutting  off  the  soft 
points  the  long  shoots  were  twisted  round 
three  stakes,  which  had  previously  been 
thrust  into  each  pot,  and  tied  loosely  in 
position.  Beyond  this  nothing  except  a  top- 
dressing  of  loam  and  bone-meal  was  given 
the  plants— nor,  indeed  was  it  necessary; 
for  they  were  ready  to  be  placed  in  heat  at 
any  moment,  where  they  never  failed  to 
bloom  in  a  satisfactory  manner. 


It  should  be  clearly  understood  that  at  no 
period  from  the  time  it  is  inserted  until  the 
soft  points,  as  above  said,  are  removed  in 
the  autunm,  must  the  cutting  be  stopped, 
l)ut  rather  encouraged  to  make  as  much 
growth  in  one  shoot  as  possible. 

After  flowering  in  winter  or  early  spring, 
the  shoots  may  be  cut  back  close  to  the  soil 
— just  as  one  would  cut  back  a  one-year-old 
pot-vine — and  placed  in  heat  again.  If 
properly  treated,  the  old  stump  will  quickly 
start  into  growth,  and  will  in  all  probability 
make  a  stronger  and  longer  shoot  than  it  did 
the  first  year.  This  is  a  simple  mode  of 
growing  the  Mareehal  Niel,  and  one  which 
should  be  universally  practised  by  those 
who  have  facilities  at  their  command. — C.  L. 
in  Gardening  Illustrated. 


Improved  Tools  of  Tillage. 

Every  year  adds  new  implements  to  our 
already  large  list  of  tools  of  tillage,  and 
brings  our  older  ones  to  greater  perfection 
by  more  or  less  important  changes.  Some- 
times we  think  we  have  a  tool  as  near  per.- 
fect  as  we  can  expect  to  have  it,  when,  lo, 
the  next  year  brings  us  little  changes  or 
attachments  which  fit  the  original  tool  for 
new  purposes  and  uses.  Such  a  case  has 
come  to  our  notice  with  reference  to  the 
Planet  Jr.  horsehoe,  which,  like  almost  all 
other  Planet  Jr.  goods  manufactured  by  S. 
L.  Allen  and  Co.  always  stood  very  high  in 
our  estimation. 

For  the  coming  season  the  manufacturers 
have  added  new  features,  which  seem  to 
siirpass  in  number  and  importance  those 
made  in  the  aggregate  during  the  past  three 
or  four  years.  We  here  illustrate  one  of 
them.    This  is  the  "Lever  Expander"  by 


Planet  Jr.  Horsehoe— Improved. 

means  of  which  the  width  of  cultivator 
can  be  changed  a  few  inches  at  a  time,  or 
all  the  way  from  narrow  to  wide  or  lu'cc 
versa,  or  narrow  on  one  side  and  wide  at 
the  other,  at  an  instance,  and  while  the 
horse  keeps  going. 

Another  new  feature  is  a  Hiller  andCelery 
Farther,  an  implement  complete  in  itself. 
Its  object  is  plain  enough,  and  it  looks  to  us 
like  a  good  thing.  Among  other  new  at- 
tachments to  the  Planet  Jr.,  there  is  a  "Vine 
Turner,"  a  "  Furrower  and  Marker,"  a 
"  Rake-covering  attachment,"  a  "  Roller- 
covering  attachment,"  and  a  "  side  adjust- 
ment for  the  handles."  There  is  little  doubt 
that  some  if  not  all  of  these  new  features 
wUl  prove  of  value,  and  we  hope  they  will 
be  thoroughly  tested  the  coming  season. 


Protect  the  Birds. 

Every  accused  should  be  given  the  benefit 
of  the  doubt.  This  is  not  often  done  with 
many  of  our  small  birds  which  are  usually 
adjusted  guilty  of  grave  offences  on  mere 
suspicion, and  frequently  maltreated, poison- 
ed or  shot  at  for  injury  done  to  crops  when 
in  fact  they  have  done  more  to  protect  them 
by  waging  a  war  of  extermination  against 
the  insect  enemies  of  such  crops,  than  they 
have  done  damage  by  taking  an  occasional 
bite  of  fruit  or  vegetable. 

An  instance  of  this  kind  is  told  by  L.  N. 
Bonham  of  Ohio,  in  one  of  the  western 
papers.  My  field  of  Corn  was  in  full  roast- 
Lug-ear,  he  says,  and  the  blackbirds  were 


swarming  in  it.  My  hired  man  told  me  we 
must  get  some  boys  with  guns  to  shoot 
blackbirds,  or  they  would  ruin  our  Corn. 
He  added,  "  The  neighbors  are  all  in  their 
Cornfields  shooting  to  drive  away  the  black- 
birds." I  told  him  to  wait  until  I  had  time 
to  see  what  the  blackbirds  were  doing.  On 
entering  the  field  there  were  enough  black- 
birds in  sight  to  have  ruined  the  field  of 
Com  in  a  short  time.  I  spent  an  hour  or 
more  in  the  field  of  twenty-four  acres,  and 
did  not  find  an  ear  that  showed  the  birds 
were  eating  the  Corn.  The  birds  would 
light  on  the  ears,  and  spend  but  a  short  time 
there  and  pass  to  another  ear.  I  noted  ear 
after  ear  on  which  a  bird  appeared,  always 
waited  until  the  bird  had  finished  his 
work.  I  found  on  every  such  ear  the  marks 
of  the  boll-worm.  They  were  developed 
enough  to  have  begun  eating  the  grains. 

There  were  the  evidences  that  the  worm 
had  been  there,  and  I  saw  the  blackbirds 
there  and  making  passes  as  if  picking  out 
the  worms,  and  after  the  bird  had  left  the 
ear  I  could  find  no  worm.  The  birds  seemed 
to  be  busy  hunting  and  eating  this  destruc- 
tive and  disgusting  pest.  I  left  the  field 
pleased  and  grateful  to  the  blackbirds,  and 
told  my  hired  man  not  to  waste  any  time  or 
powder  on  the  birds.  They  were  welcome  to 
hunt  worms,  and  could  take  what  Corn  they 
wanted  to  make  a  variety. 


Poisonous   Plants. 

Now  that  all  nature  again  clothes  itself 
with  verdure  and  bright  gay  colors,  and  old 
and  young  delight  to  roam  through  fields 
and  forests,  a  word  of  caution  may  not  be 
out  of  place.  Not  all  that  glitters  is  gold  ; 
not  all  leaves  and  berries  are  good  to  eat, 
safe  to  chew,  or  even  to  handle. 

Young  children  often  acquire  a  bad  habit 
of  picking,  chewing,  and  perhaps  eating 
any  green  thing,  or  nice  looking  berry  they 
may  happen  to  come  across,  and  for  then- 
own  safety  should  be  taught  not  to  eat  any 
leaf  or  berry  without  first  showing  it  to 
their  parents,  or  some  grown  person.  Many 
serious  and  sometimes  fatal  results  have 
occurred  from  a  neglect  of  this  precaution. 

The  American  Cultivator  enumerated  the 
following  poisonous  plants :  The  Butter- 
cup, so  common  in  fields,  should  never  be 
put  into  the  mouth.  If  gathered,  it  should 
always  be  held  by  the  stem,  as  the  petals 
are  very  caustic  and  will  quickly  excite  in- 
flamation.  The  Oleander  contains  a  deadly 
poison,  both  in  its  leaves  and  flowers,  and 
special  care  should  be  taken  to  exclude 
them  from  bouciuets  for  the  parlor  or  dining 
room.  The  leaves  of  the  Meadow  Saffron 
and  of  Aconite,  or  Monkshood,  seem  to 
possess  for  children  the  fascination  of  the 
rattlesnake,  but  should  be  avoided  carefully. 

During  the  month  of  August  there  is,  per- 
haps, no  plant  so  common  in  the  fields,  by 
the  seaside  and  on  mountain-tops,  as  the 
Meadow-Hemlock,  of  whose  fatal  decoction 
it  is  said  that  Socrates  drank.  Its  tiny  white 
flowers  are  indeed  beautiful,  and  are  often 
gathered  in  large  quantities  by  ladies  and 
children  who  have  little  idea  of  their  poison- 
ous qualities. 

But  it  is  those  poisonous  plants  which  so 
closely  resemble  common  vegetables  that  we 
need  specially  to  shun  and  to  warn  children 
against  eating.  The  common  Dropwort,  be- 
fore it  flowers,  is  so  much  like  Celery  that 
the  former  is  often  eaten  with  deadly  effect. 
This  plant  contains  a  virulent  poison, which, 
taken  into  the  stomach,  causes  convulsions 
and  often  death.  Another  plant,  almost 
equally  dangerous,  is  Fools'  Parsley;  this  is 
often  mistaken  for  Turnips.  Water-Hem- 
lock, or  Cow-bane,  resembles  vei-y  much  the 
common  Parsnip.  Ivy  and  Dogwood,  though 
not  eaten,  are  often  gathered  because  of 
their  beautiful  twining  leaves.  These,  to  a 
large  number  of  people,  are  poisonous. 


206 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


June, 


We  cannot  be  too  careful  ourselves,  nor 
watch  the  children  too  closely.  In  cases  of 
poisoning,  let  no  time  be  lost,  but  promptly 
use  every  means  to  counteract  its  effects. 
Vntil  the  arrival  of  a  physician,  produce 
copious  and  frequent  vomiting,  and  persis- 
tently keep  it  up  until  all  offending  matter 
is  expelled.  By  no  means  allow  the  patient 
to  become  sleepy,  but  give  strong  Coffee  or 
Tea,  and  if  the  body  feels  cold  or  chilly, 
apply  Mustard  and  bottles  of  hot  water. 
By  every  means  keep  up  the  circulation  and 
the  brain  active. 


during  the  winter),  and  as  an  appetizer  and 
tonic.  Our  Apple  orchards  may  safely  be 
doubled,  and  in  some  sections  trebled,  in 
extent,  and  if  we  then  feed  liberally,  and 
send  to  market  only  the  very  cream  of  the 
fruit,  we  will  benefit  ourselves  in  a  great 
many  respects,  by  having  cheaper  food, 
better  and  healthier  stock,  and  better  re- 
turns for  the  fruit  we  sell.  Of  course  where 
planted  with  this  view,  varieties  should 
be  selected  that  will  cover  as  much  as 
possible  the  entire  season,  beginning  with 
the  earliest  sorts,  both  sour  and  sweet,  and 
ending  with  the  latest. 


Apples  as  Food  for  Stock. 

ARTHUR  JACOBSON,  VA. 

As  a  money  crop,  the  Apple  stands  in  the 
front  rank  among  fruits ;  but  there  are 
other  properties  and  merits  hidden  in  this 
fruit,  common  as  it  is,  which  are  not  yet 
fully  appreciated. 

There  is  a  food  value  in  the  Apple  which 
heretofore  has  been  almost  entirely  over- 
looked. Apples  may  be  plentiful,  and  cheap, 
but  don't  talk  of  over-prodvictionior  unprofit- 
able culture,  so  long  as  they  can  be  grown 
at  less  cost,  and  with  less  attendance  than 
any  other  stock  food  of  same  value,  and  the 
whole  country  full  of  horses,  cattle,  hogs, 
and  sheep  are  ready  to  take  and  turn  to 
good  use  all  our  surplus.  In  what  way  can 
you  grow  the  equivalent  of  the  400  or  .500 
bushels  of  Apples  in  other  fodder  which 
will  grow  on  the  30  trees  occupying  one 
acre  of  ground,  with  less  trouble  and  ex- 
pense ? 

I  know  large  stock  farms  the  owners  of 
which  do  not  grow  Apples  enough  for  their 
families.  This  don't  look  like  over-produc- 
tion. At  the  same  time  their  horses,  cattle 
and  hogs  have  a  hard  time  of  it  in  some 
years  to  pick  a  living  off  the  dried-up,  burnt 
up  pastures  in  mid-summer  or  fall.  What  a 
relief  a  good  large  orchard  of  hea^'y-yield- 
ing  sweet  and  sour  Apples,  with  its  gratify- 
ing shade,  pasture  and  dropping  fruit  would 
be  to  the  dumb  brutes.  And  all  this  could 
be  had  with  but  little  cost  and  labor  besides 
the  first  setting  of  the  tree  on  cheap  land. 
Then  if  in  any  year  there  is  a  demand  for 
good  fruit  at  paying  rates,  pick  out  and  sell 
the  good  fruit  for  good  money,  and  let  your 
stock  have  the  culls. 

I  have  fed  Apples,  both  sour  and  sweet, 
quite  largely  to  horses,  cows  and  hogs, 
almost  during  the  whole  year,  and  have 
learned  to  appreciate  them  for  the  purpose. 
A  horse  worked  but  moderately,  will  keep 
in  better  condition  on  four  quarts  of  Oats 
and  one  peck  of  Apples  a  day,  with  some 
coarse  fodder,  than  it  would  on  eight  quarts 
of  Oats.  This  puts  the  money  value  of 
Apples  for  horses  at  least  at  one  half  that  of 
Oats,  bulk  for  bulk.  In  other  words,  if 
Oats  are  worth  thirty  cents  a  bushel.  Apples 
have  a  feeding  value  of  not  less  than  fifteen 
cents  per  bushel. 

Our  best  authorities  concede  Apples  to  be 
equally  valuable  as  Carrots  for  horses,  and 
as  Turnips  for  cows,  and  more  valuable 
than  Mangolds,  pound  for  pound.  If  this 
is  the  case,  why  should  we  always  bestow 
so  much  labor  on  the  production  of  Carrots 
and  Turnips,  and  Mangolds,  when  we  can 
grow  Apples  almost  without  labor  and  ex- 
pense, and  in  many  instances  let  the  animals 
gather  the  crops  themselves  ? 

Mr.  E.  H.  Hutchinson  is  quoted  as  saying: 
"  For  the  general  purpose  horse  of  the  far- 
mer, I  know  from  actual  experience  that 
Apples  are  valuable  food.  I  have  had  horses 
that  were  in  very  low  condition,  from  worms 
entirely  freed  from  this  trouble  when  run- 
ning among  Apple  trees,  where  they  eat  all 
they  want." 

My  own  experience  makes  me  think  high- 
ly of  Apples  as  food  for  stock  ( I  even  chop 
up  a  mess  for  poultry  once  or  twice  a  week 


the  hail  knocked  off.  Thi.s  is  perhaps  the 
finest  tree  of  the  kind  for  many  miles 
around,  over  a  foot  in  diameter  at  the 
ground,  and  branches  within  eighteen  inches 
of  the  earth.  Is  2.5  or  30  feet  high,  and  at 
least  .30  feet  in  diameter  of  head.  It  has 
borne  three  full  crops  successfully,  and  the 
fruit  brings  a  high  price.  With  me  it  is 
the  most  profitable,  while  Gov.  Wood  I  deem 
best  in  quality.   Is  there  a  better  one  ? 


Judge  Miller's  Notes  from  Montgom- 
ery County,  Mo. 

Newtown  Pippin  Apple.  I  know  of  no 
Apple  that  is  the  equal  of  the  Newtown 
Pippin  as  a  late  winter  fruit.  But  as  to  its 
not  coming  up  to  the  mark  west  of  the 
Allegheny  Mountains  is  certainly  a  mistake. 
We  grow  it  here  on  the  Missouri  hills  to 
perfection,  and  I  have  seen  it  grown  in  the 
low  lands  even  still  finer  than  mine. 

It  bears  regular,  the  fruit  is  large,  and 
even  larger  than  I  ever  saw  them  in  the 
east,  clean  and  bright  as  a  dollar,  crisp, 
juicy,  and  of  that  peculiar  sprightly  flavor 
that  no  other  Apple  possesses. 

I  have  seen  specimens  that  would  weigh 
a  pound,  and  have  sent  them  east  to  its  old 
home  where  the  people  did  not  recognize  it. 
In  connection  with  this  it  may  be  said  that 
quite  a  number  of  eastern  Apples  are  per- 
fectly at  home  here.  Rambo,  Romanite, 
(red)  Smokehouse,  Esopus  Spitzenberg, 
Newtown  Spitzenberg,  Newtown  Pippin, 
Northern  Spy,  in  fact  nearly  all  do  well 
here,  if  they  get  a  fair  chance. 

A  D.^MAGiNG  Storm.  On  May  12th  we 
had  a  hail  storm  that  did  great  damage  to 
our  trees  and  berry  crop.  One  Yellow  Belle- 
flower,  my  favorite  among  fall  Apples,  the 
tree  of  which  was  ten  inches  in  diameter  at 
the  ground  and  set  with  a  full  crop,  was 
broken  down;  $100  would  not  have  been 
taken  for  that  tree  the  day  before. 

Fine  Cherry  trees  that  had  full  crops  on 
them  within  a  few  weeks  of  ripening.  Straw- 
berry, Raspberry,  Blackberry  and  Grapes- 
all  suffered  considerably:  this  is  depressing 
to  one's  spirits.  No  exhibition  of  the  new 
berries  for  me  this  season! 

Never  before  was  the  importance  of  strong 
Evergreens  being  planted  on  the  stormy 
side  of  smaller  plants  so  forcibly  impressed 
as  in  this  case.  Choice  Roses,  a  Marechal 
Niel,  whose  buds  are  just  ready  to  burst;  a 
Seppia  Clematis,  a  Snowball  tree,  and  other 
choice  plants,  sheltered  by  two  large  Nor- 
way Spruces,  and  partly  by  the  house,  are 
unscathed. 

It  about  to  build  a  house  on  a  plain  or 
prairie,  one  of  the  first  things  would  be  to 
set  a  windbreak  from  north  to  south  on  the 
west  side,  some  forty  or  fifty  yards  from  it. 
The  recent  storm  taught  some  people  near 
here  that  it  is  not  safe  to  let  a  western  garret 
window  open  when  a  cyclone  is  coming. 
For  two  days  we  hear  the  carpenter's  saw 
and  hatchet  in  use  putting  on  roofs  that 
were  lifted  off  for  want  of  the  precaution  uf 
having  windows  closed. 

The  weather  here  has  been  unusually 
changeable,  hot  and  cold.  Ice  twice  in  May, 
and  this  morning  (May  15)  mercury  down  to 
4'i°,  and  by  2  o'clock  P.  M.  may  be  90°.  Can 
any  other  country  beat  this? 

These  are  the  vicissitudes  of  the  fruit 
grower,  but  it  won't  do  to  dispair.  In  the 
Cherry  orchard  where  five  trees  blowed  down 
I  had  planted  fifteen  this  spring,  expecting 
that  the  old  ones  would  soon  give  out. 

Cherry  trees  to  do  any  good  here  must 
have  low  heads,  so  that  the  sun  will  not 
strike  the  southwest  side  fairly,  or  they  will 
soon  be  done  for.  My  Napoleon  Cherry  tree 
has  again  a  fair  crop,  nearly  half  of  which 


Judge  Miller  on  Tender  Roses. 
Marechael  Niel  which  has  no  superior 
among  the  yellows,  taking  all  things  into 
account,  I  have  had  off  and  on  since  its  first 
introduction,  and  up  to  this  time  never  had 
anything  like  a  respectable  show  when 
grown  on  its  own  roots.  But  when  budded 
into  strong  stocks,  it  has  always  done  its 
prettiest.  Never  yet  has  one  on  its  own 
roots  given  me  a  single  flower,  even  with 
the  best  of  care,  although  laid  down  in  the 
fall  and  covered.  During  the  summer  they 
make  a  feeble  growth,  and  in  the  spring 
Invariably  are  dead. 

Not  so,  however,  where  budded  on  a 
strong  stem  of  some  hardy  variety,  which 
if  budded  a  few  feet  from  the  ground,  is  so 
easily  bent  over  and  an  inverted  sod  laid  on 
the  tender  part.  Just  now  two  such  trees 
as  I  may  call  them,  are  near  me  on  the  lawn 
full  of  buds  that  will  be  in  bloom  in  a  few 
weeks,  while  the  two  plants  in  the  garden 
that  were  better  all  last  summer  and  never 
gave  a  flower,  are  both  dead. 

Not  a  rod  from  this  is  an  Etoil  de  Lyon,  in 
my  opinion  the  next  best  yellow,  that  was 
budded  six  inches  from  the  ground  three 
years  ago,  with  a  head,  three  feet  high  full 
of  buds  and  foliage  is  a  picture  to  look  at. 

This  could  not  be  laid  down  last  fall,  so  I 
took  a  common  flour  barrel  with  both  heads 
out  and  set  it  over  the  bush  filled  in  among 
the  branches  with  forest  leaves,  and  tied  a 
piece  of  burlap  around  the  top  that  was 
above  the  barrel.  In  the  garden  is  a  plant 
of  Pearle  de  Jardins  that  grew  well  last 
season,  and  which  was  well  covered, 
dead  down  to  the  ground  and  is  only  now 
showing  a  feeble  shoot.  The  budded  tree 
will  have  Roses  a  month  sooner  than  the 
'after  probably  will  have. 

Whenever  I  get  a  new  one  and  wish  to 
see  the  flowers  soon,  it  is  taxed  as  soon  as  a 
twig  is  fit  to  furnish  buds.  I  insert  them 
into  strong  stocks  of  which  there  are  always 
some  on  hand.  As  soon  as  the  buds  have 
taken,  the  stock  is  headed  back  and  cement- 
ed. It  is  seldom  that  two  months  pass 
until  I  have  Roses.  Quite  recently  a  deli- 
cate little  new  one  came  to  hand,  that  had 
one  tiny  branch  broken,  which  my  daughter 
claimed,  and  put  into  sand  as  a  cutting.  A 
few  days  after  it  struck  me  that  I  could  im- 
prove on  that  and  asked  for  it,  inserted  it  in 
a  stock  out  doors,  and  now  a  week  later  it 
looks  fresh  and  promises  to  grow. 

Roses  are  now  sold  so  cheap  that  thou- 
sands are  bought  that  never  come  to  bloom. 
They  are  little  delicate  things  taken  from 
under  glass,  that  it  set  out  in  the  open 
ground,  stand  five  chances  out  of  six  to 
perish  at  once. 

When  such  are  received  they  should  be 
potted,  and  kept  in  a  warm  place  with 
plenty  of  light,  but  not  much  sunshine  for 
a  few  days.  Than  to  be  gradually  hardened 
by  exposure  to  sun  and  air  until  they  have 
made  a  good  start.  In  this  way  they  may 
nearly  all  be  saved. 

Of  the  thousands  of  different  flowers  in 
cultivation  none  are  equal  to  the  Rose.  My 
collection  is  but  small  but  am  adding  to  it 
every  year.  If  some  one  could  raise  a. 
hardy  yellow  Rose  equal  to  Marechal  Niel 
in  other  respects,  he  would  have  a  fortune 
in  it.  When  grown  under  glass  it  may  do 
well  on  its  own  roots,  but  not  out-doors 
with  me. 


POPULAR    GARDENING 

AND  FRUIT  GROWING. 

•' ACCUSE   NOT  NATURE,   SHE   HATH  DONE   HER    PART:    Dll    THOU    BUT   THINE." -Hn-TOS. 


Vol.  V. 


crtJijir,  X89  0. 


No.  lO. 


July 

With  sinewy  arniT).  that  beiul  Ut^Tii'ntli  the  strain 
Of  wheat   that  shliiiiners  in  the  market  place. 
Ills  yellow  hair  wiuii  blown  alnml  his  faee. 
Comes  swart  July,  heaillug  Iherumbrous  wain 
That  with  its  heavy  biirtleu  doth  complain. 
KIpe  eherrle,s.  hohling  still  the  orli-nt  craee 
Of  Syrian  groves  allowing  seantv  space 
To  crijuson  apples,  anil  full  beartletl  grain. 
Popples  ami  glailloll  are  round  his  head. 
Anil  ereaniy  lilies  i-IIng  altout  his  hands. 
Their  regal  fragranee  luring  weary  bees; 
HJa  tropic  bounty  showers  its  gidd  and  reil 
On  mountain  crag,  and  where  the  sunlit  sands 
Grow  cool  and  sweet  beneath  the  rippling  seas, 

Youth'fi  Companion, 


Sr.rps  OF  Oi.EANDEii  aud  other  haixi-wooded 
plants  may  be  routed  in  the  simplest  wa.v  by  set- 
ting close  toother  in  a  low  vessel  nearly  full  of 
a  puddle  of  sand.  This  is  to  be  put  in  a  light 
warm  place,  and  the  sand  kept  very  wet. 


The  A.MERICAN  Wild  Vlowkr  Club  Intends  to 
make  a  complete  exhibition  of  native  Americiin 
Flora  at  the  World's  Fair  in  isiri  A  pamphlet 
descriptive  of  the  aim  and  work  i>f  this  Associa- 
tion, and  containing  its  full  history,  manner  of 
conducting  branch  clubs,  etc.,  L«  being  issued, 
and  maybe  had,  with  further  information,  by 
addressing  Sec\v  S.  Howe.  Wilmington,  Del. 


Death  of  Patrick  Barry.  Just  as  we  close 
our  last  form,  word  reaches  us  of  the  death  of 
the  well-known  nurseryman,  pomologist  and 
author  Patrick  Barry,  at  his  home  in  Kochester, 
N.  Y.  He  died  on  the  morning  of  June  23,  at  the 
age  of  seventy-six  years.  At  the  present  time 
we  have  room  for  only  the  following  brief  out- 
lines of  his  career.  Patrick  Barry  was  the  son 
of  an  Irish  farmer  and  was  born  near  Belfast, 
Ireland,  in  181(i.  He  laime  to  this  country  in  ISJti 
and  in  1840,  he  formed  a  partnership  with  George 
EUwanger  and  started  the  widely  known  Mount 
Hope  Nurser}' of  Rochester,  N.  T.,  which  isnow 
among  the  largest  tree  and  shrub  nurseries  in  the 
world.  Mr.  Barr.v  was  for  several  years  editor  of 
The  Horticulturist.  He  wrote  a  number  of  works 
on  tree-raising,  his  '"Fruits  and  Fruit  Trees  of 
America"  being  the  standard  treatise  in  its  line. 
One  of  his  chief  and  most  valuable  works  how- 
ever, was  his  "Catalogue  of  the  American  Pomo- 
logical  Society  which  is  the  accepted  guide 
of  American  fruit-growers,  and  is  regarded 
as  standard  authority  throughout  the  world. 
He  has  been  president  of  Xew-York  State 
.Agricultural  Society,  and  was  a  member  of  the 
board  of  control  of  the  New-York  State  Agri- 
cultural Experiment  Station.  He  was  presi- 
dent of  the  Flower  City  National  Bank  of 
Uochester,  and  had  been  president  of  se\"eral 
others.  Patrick  Barry  was  an  upright  man— a 
model  of  Industry,  integrity,  and  honor.  No  one 
in  the  city,  where  he  had  lived  his  busy  and 
eventful  life,  was  held  in  higher  esteem  by  his 
fellow-citizens;  and  the  life  of  no  man  furnished 
a  better  example  or  stronger  incentive  to  the 
youth  of  the  present  day,  who  would  make  f <  »r 
themselves  a  spotless  name  and  achieve  endur- 
ing fame. 


Prepare  for  the  Winter  Plants. 

Whether  plants  are  grown  in  the  window 
or  the  glass-house  in  the  winter,  one  of  the 
iiKLst  important  things  to  think  of  for  their 
well-doing  is  the  soil.  It  is  to  them  what 
food  is  to  a  human  being,  and  on  its  nature 
and  preparation  must  largely  depend  the 
health  and  vigor  of  the  subjects.  The 
professional  plant^grower  realizes  this,  since 
his  soil  yard  receives  a  vast  deal  of  atten- 
tion, a  point  the  amateur  who  later  views 
the  products  of  the  farmer's  skill  fails  to 
often  properly  to  appreciate. 

The    most    indisputable    ingredients    of 


good  plant  soil  are  loam  and  rich  organic 

nuitter.  liOam,  indeed  forms  the  basis  of 
composts  best  calculated  to  give  enduring 
life  aud  vigor  to  most  soft-wooded  plants. 
The  best  article  that  is  to  be  had  is  sod 
from  an  old  pasture.  This  is  largely  com- 
posed of  the  fibrous  roots  of  the  grass  and 
which  serves  a  double  purpose,  that  of 
plant  food,  and  that  of  causing  a  sufficient- 
ly porous  condition  for  roots,  air  and  water 
to  pass  through  freely,  even  when  used  for 
-such  things  as  require  to  be  finely  potted. 
For  imparting  special  richness  to  the  soil, 
nothing  can  be  better  than  stable  manure 
used  for  the  average  plants  in  the 
proportion  of  one-fourth  or  one- 
third  of  the  entire  bulk. 

As  a  rule  the  foregoing  sub- 
stances with  some  sharp  sand  and 
some  peat,  or  in  its  absence  refuse 
liops  from  a  brewery,  decayed 
to  he  light  and  fine,  are  all  that 
the  window  gardener  or  other 
amateur  requires. 

A  common  method  of  prepar- 
ing plant  compost  by  successful 
growers  is  to  gather  turf  from  a 
pasture  or  the  roadside  in  July, 
and  to  obtain  some  fresh  stable 
manure.  A  compost  heap  is  then 
started,  by  spreading  of  the 
former  about  four  inches  thick  to 
the  size  of  the  heap,  taking  pains 
to  define  it  by  a  line  of  entire 
sods.  Then  over  the  sod  is  placed 
a  layer  of  manure  one-third  or 
one-tourth  as  thick  as  the  former,  spreading 
it  evenly.  This  Ls  repeated  until  the  heap  is 
as  large  as  desired.  The  top  course  should 
be  soil  with  a  line  of  sods  a  little  higher  at 
theedge.  After  the  completion  of  the  pile, 
water  is  applied  on  the  top  to  thoroughly 
saturate  the  entire  mass.  In  a  week  consid- 
erable heat  will  be  present  in  the  earth.  In 
two  weeks  the  material  should  be  thrown 
over,  beginning  at  one  end,  and  cutting 
down  the  pile  vertically  with  a  sharp  spade, 
a  thin  strip  at  a  time  to  catLse  the  substance 
to  be  somewhat  fine.  By  turning  over  the 
new  pile  once  more  two  or  three  weeks  later, 
it  will  after  then  laying  another  month  be 
fit  for  use. 


Soil  is  then  placed  upon  it,  and  firmed  as  in 
planting  or  seed  sowing.  A  stake  driven 
into  the  ground  so  that  the  layer  cutting 
can  be  tied  to  it,  and  firmly  held  in  position, 
will  usually  prove  of  benefit. 

Tonguing.  as  shown  at  a  and  h,  is  the 
usual  method  of  treating  the  layered  part 
for  the  purpo.se  of  checking  the  downward 
flow  of  sap  ;  but  the  removal  of  a  ring  of 
b.ark,  as  .shown  at  <;  or  cutting  out  a  sim- 
ple notch,  as  shown  at  d,  also  answer  the 
same  purpose  well. 

Trees  and  shrubs  intended  for  propogation 
by    layering,    had  best    be    headed    back 


lUiistrating  Layering  of  Bard-wood  Plants. 

severely  the  year  previous,  to  induce  a  large 
number  of  shoots  to  start  from  near  the 
ground. 


Layering  Hard-Wooded   Plants. 

Most  of  the  hard-wooded  growths,  cut- 
tings of  which  do  not  readily  strike  root, 
are  easily  propagated  by  what  is  known  as 
"layering."  This  in  reality,  is  only  a 
modified  way  of  propagation  by  cuttings, 
the  only  difference  being  that  the  layer  cut- 
ting is  left  partly  attached  to  the  parent 
stock  to  draw  sustenance  until  able  to  de- 
pend altogether  on  its  own  root. 

The  process  of  layering  is  made  plain  by 
the  accompanying  illustration.  One  of  the 
branches  of  the  shrub  or  tree  to  be  layered 
is  cut  into,  and  partly  split,  as  shown  at  a. 
This  is  called  "tongued,"  and  is  done  for 
the  purpose  to  stop  the  return  fiow  of  sap 
in  the  half-severed  cutting,  thus  inducing  it 
to  form  a  callous,  and  then  roots,  at  the 
tongued  point  a. 

The  branch  is  then  bent  down  into  a  hol- 
low dug  into  the  ground  beside  the  shrub 
or  tree,  aud  held  there  by  little  sticks 
crossed  above  it,  or  a  hooked  wooden  peg. 


Fruits  for  Home  Use. 

S.  GRA.\VI1XE,  WISCONSIN. 

The  amount  of  berries  and  other  small  and 
tree  fruits  that  a  family  of  fruit  lovers  will 
consume  with  benefit  to  themselves,  when 
having  free  access  to  these  delicacies,  is 
simply  enormous,  and  far  more  than  people 
of  moderate  income  could  well  aiford  to  buy. 
Our  own  family  of  six  members  use  from 
six  to  eight  quarts  of  Strawberries  a  day 
during  their  season,  and  these  at  eight  cents 
a  quart,  which  we  would  have  to  pay  for 
them  if  we  did  not  grow  them,  would  involve 
a  daily  expense  of  over  50  cents,  or  much 
more  than  I  could  afford  to  pay  out  even  for 
so  good  a  purpose.  Thus  it  is  with  Ra.sp- 
berries,  Blackberries  and  all  other  fruits. 
But  since  I  have  a  fruit  and  vegetable  gar- 
den of  my  own,  aud  raise  all  these  things  at 
trifling  expense,  the  work  being  all  done  by 
myself  and  other  members  of  the  family  in 
our  spare  moments,  and  mostly  "  for  recre- 
ation," we  can  use  fruits  to  our  hearts' 
content  all  season  long. 

I  know  farmers  in  this  vicinity  who  grow 
Wheat  and  other  grains,  and  think  they  can 
afford  to,  because  Wheat  brings  cash,  even 
if  it  be  ever  so  little  and  often  less  than  it 
costs  to  produce  it,  but  ask  them  why  they 
have  no  patch  of  Strawberries,  and  they  will 
tell  the  old  story  that  they  can  buy  them 
cheaper  than  they  could  raise  them. 

A  gootl  illustration  of  the  folly  of  such 
assertion  was  given  by  a  Mr.  Harris  at  the 
last  meeting  of  the  Wisconsin  State  Horti- 
cultural Society.      He  stated  that  a  farmer 


2o6 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


July, 


in  his  locality  is  in  the  habit  of  driving  to 
his  place  once  a  year  to  procure  a  quantity 
of  Strawberries  for  his  family.  The  past 
season  he  came  as  usual,  and  being  short  of 
cash,  brought  Oats,  of  which  Mr.  Harris 
happened  to  be  in  need  to  exchange  for  the 
berries.  The  Oats  were  worth  at  the  time 
15  cents  per  bushel,  and  the  Strawberries  l.i 
cents  per  quart,  so  that  a  bushel  of  Oats  was 
required  to  purchase  a  quart  of  lierries.  The 
gentleman  had  driven  10  miles  with  his 
Oats,  and  returned  an  equal  distance  with 
his  berries,  the  trip  consuming  the  greater 
part  of  a  day.  Mr.  Harris  grew  UIO  bushels 
of  Strawberries  on  an  acre,  while  the 
farmer's  acre  produced  but  3.5  bushels  of 
Oats.  Mr.  Harris  is  decidedly  of  the  opinion 
that  in  his  own  case,  he  can  better  afford  to 
sell  Strawberries  and  buy  his  Oats,  than  to 
sell  Oat.s  and  buy  Strawberries. 


are  practically  reduced  to  the  use  of  anti- 
septics acting  at  the  ordinary  temperature. 

2.  The  preservative  should  be  a  liquid, 
which,  besides  being  an  efficient  antiseptic, 
should  not  exert  any  solvent  or  softening 
action  upon  the  skin  of  the  fruit.  This  con- 
dition excludes  from  the  outset  all  alkaline 
solutions,  and  all  the  strong  acids  including 
vinegar. 

.3.  The  antiseptic  should  not  extract  or 
change  the  color  of  the  fruit.  This  is  one  of 
the  most  difficult  conditions  to  fulfill,  and 


European  Grapes   Under   Glass. 

D.  M.  DrSSl.\0,  CAYTGA  CO.,  S    Y. 

The  photographs  from  which  the  annexed 
illustrations  are  produced,  were  taken  in 
my  vinery  last  year,  one  showing  clusters 
of  fruit,  the  other  an  iiilerior  view  of  house. 

Photographs  give  but  a  poor  impression 
in  such  cases  as  this,  when  it  is  de>ired  to 
show  fruit  or  flowers  with  the  foliage,  hut 
they  are  honest  as  far  as  they  go. 

The  largest  clusters  last  year  were  fifteen 
inches  iu  length,  and  aI>out  the  same  across 
the  extended  shoulders,  and  weighed  si.x 
pounds  eacli. 

This  year  they  are  promising  better,  .ind 
some  clusters  already  measure  sixteen  to 
eighteen  inches  e.<ich  way  with  Grapes  the 
size  of  Peas. 

I  am  growing  seventeen  varieties,  among 
them  the  following:  Bfirltarnsfin,  which 
gives  the  largest  bunches,  (and  is  of  the 
finest  quality,  the  English  growers  to  the 
contrary  notwith.standiug).  Xot  more  than 
five  or  six  bunches  of  this  variety  can  be 
safely  trusted  to  a  twenty-four  foot   cane. 

Miisidt  of  Alcxanolria.  I  shall  have 
three  and  four  pound  clusters  of  the  Grapes 
this  year,  perfectly  fertilized  at  a  tem- 
perature of  7.")'.  There  is  little  trouble  in 
having  this  Grape  set  well  at  the  above 
temperature  in  a  well-prepared  border. 

Muxcat  Hainhur<i.  This  is,  all  things 
considered,  about  the  best  all  around  Grape 
I  have,  being  early,  of  fine  quality,  beautiful 
clnsters,  and  easily  handled. 

Among  other  varieties  the  most  satis- 
factory are  Grizzly  Friintiijnan,  AJirnntv, 
Black  Hanibingh,  Ruynl  Muscadine,  Bo- 
wood  ,Vi(.scnf,  and  Rose  Chasselan. 

Two  of  my  varieties,  viz:  MoorenfieUI 
Court  Muscat,  and  Foster's  Secdiing  have 
given  me  trouble  by  the  berries  cracking 
jast  as  they  are  approaching  the  ripening 
period.  I  would  be  thankful  to  know  the 
cause  and  a  remedy  for  this.  I  am  pleased 
at  any  time  when  the  Grapes  are  ripe,  to 
have  any  one  interested  in  their  culture 
visit  the  vinery  at  my  place  at  Auburn  with 
me.  and  discuss  their  merits  in  a  practical 
manner. 


Preserving  Fruits  for  Exhibition. 

The  fruit  show  at  the  fairs  is  not  usually 
what  it  might  be.  simply  because  fruits  are 
more  or  less  perishable,  often  exceedingly 
so,  and  the  growers  of  really  fine  specimens 
are  not  always  acquainted  with  simple  and 
inexpensive  ways  of  preserving  them  in 
good  condition  for  exhibit. 

Prof.  E.  W.  Hilgard,  director  of  the 
University  of  California  Agricultural  Ex- 
periment Station  states  the  following  to  be 
essential  in  a  good  preservative. 

1.  It  should  prevent  all  fermentation, 
molding,  or  other  fungus  attaclcs.  As  heat- 
ing such  as  necessary  in  putting  \ip  fruit  for 
eating  purposes,  is  naturally  excluded,  we 


ClUfUr  !>/  Muscat  Hamburg  Grown  hy  Mr.  D.  M. 
Dunning. 

yet  one  of  the  most  essential.  It  excludes 
at  once  so  excellent  a  preservative  as 
alcohol,  also  common  salt. 

4.  The  preservative  fluid  should  neither 
cause  the  fruit  to  .swell,  so  as  to  increase  its 
size  and  sometimes  bur.st  it,  nor  should  it 
have  the  opposite  effect  of  causing  it  to 
shrink,  consequently,  the  liquid  in  the  fruit, 
and  the  preservative  fluid  should  be  approx- 
imately of  the  same  density. 

The  use  of  sugar  to  bring  up  the  density  of 
the  antiseptic  solution  to  that  of  the  fruit 
juice,  naturally  suggests  itself,  and  with 
some  fmits  very  good  results  may  be  ob- 
tained in  that  way.  Still,  it  is  preferable  to 
use  glycerine,  which  can  now  be  obtained 
cheaply  and  which  is  for  practical  purposes 
unchangeable  when  so  used. 

Like  alcohol,  however,  glycerine  exerts  a 
slight  solvent  action  upon  many  fruit  colors; 
e.  g.,  that  of  Cherries,  Blackberries,  etc. 

Common  salt  has  the  disadvantage  of 
darkening  all  vegetable  colors  after  a 
comparatively  short  time:  and  Glauber's 
salt,  alum,  and  other  commonly  available 
salts  exert  a  not  inconsiderable  solvent  ac- 
tion upon  colors,  which  rendei-s  their  use 
inadvisable. 

Of  antiseptics  the  following  are  the  most 
available:  Salicylic  acid:  boracicacid:  sulph- 
urous acid,  and  its  compound,  bisulphite  of 
soda  (and  of  lime);  last  but  not  least,  bichlor- 
ide of  mercury  or  corrosive  suljlimate. 

.Salicylic  acid,  or  its  compound  with  soda, 
both  obtainable  in  commerce,  is  one  of  the 
best  and  the  most  energetic  antiseptics.  In 
watery  solution  it  is  not  so  much  used  on 
account  of  some  ditficully  in  making  it  dis- 
solve, particularly  when  the  water  is  cold. 
An  ounce  of  the  acid  dissolved  in  a  little  less 
than  five  gallons  of  water  at  the  ordinary 
temperature:  but  when  it  is  simply  thrown 
on  the  water  it  may  float  their  a  long  time, 
being  very  light,  and  most  persons  will 
think  that  it  will  not  dissolve  in  that  propor- 
tion. In  hot  or  boiling  water  there  is  uo  dif- 
ficulty, and  the  solution  is  carbonate  of  soda 
(salsoda)  even  without  heating.     Hut  when 


making  tise  of  the  soda  it  is  absolutely 
necessary  to  avoid  an  excess,  as  the  uncom- 
bined  soda  exerts  a  very  injurious  influence 
upon  the  preservation  of  fruits. 

A  solution  of  one  ounce  of  salicylic  acid  to 
five  gallons  of  water,  to  which  as  much 
glycerine  has  been  added  as  corresponds  to 
the  density  of  the  fruit  juice  constitutes  a 
preservative  fluid  which  has  been  used  with 
very  satisfactory  results  heretofore.  Trouble 
has  arisen  from  the  use  of  too  much  soda 
in  making  the  acid  dissolve;  as  already 
stated,  with  patience  or  heating,  the  water 
alone  will  dissolve  the  acid,  and  soda  need 
not  to  be  used  at  all. 

Boracic  acid,  while  an  excellent  preserv- 
ative so  far  as  the  mere  prevention  of  decay 
or  fermentation  gues.  is  more  liable  than 
the  salicylic  to  soften  the  skin  and  alter  the 
colors  of  fruit,  acting  in  that  respect,  in 
same  cases,  like  alkaline  solutions.  It  is 
therefore  not  well  adopted  to  long  conser- 
vation of  samples  in  their  natural  aspect, 
but  will  do  well  fur  a  few  weeks  with  most 
fruits.  I'se  the  solution  as  strong  as  water 
will  make  it,  which  is  about  five  ounces  per 
gallon. 

.Sniphurous  acid,  can  also  be  employed 
in  solution  for  the  preservation  of  fruits. 
This  solution  may  be  made  directly  from 
the  gas  of  burning  sulphur.  It  is,  however, 
morr  convenient  and  just  as  good  to  use  its 
conxbination  with  soda,  viz.,  the  "bisulph- 
ite" of  soda,  heretofore  sold  under  the  fan- 
ciful name  of  "Califuruia  fruit  salt, "and  re- 
commended for  use  in  caning  fruit  for  hu- 
mau  cuusumption.  Those  whose  digestion  is 
better  than  necessary  and  who  do  not  object 
to  the  sulphurous  flavor  of  the  fruit  so  pre- 
served, may  choose  to  so  use  the  prepara- 
tion. Its  merits  as  an  antiseptic  are  un- 
questioned.   Use  5  to  8  ounces  per  gallon. 

The  following  mode  of  preparing  a  pre- 
servative fluid  with  sulphurous  gas,  has 
been  very  successfully  used. 

"Put  :30  gallons  of  water  into  a  40-gallon 
barrel:  float  on  top  of  the  water  a  tin  pan,  in 
which  put  a  portion  of  2.5  cents'  worth  of 
sulphur.  Set  the  sulphur  on  fire  and  cover 
tightly  until  the  fire  goes  out;  renew  the 
sulphur  until  the  whole  is  consumed,  open- 
ingbarrel  for  renewal  of  air  between  doses." 

Quite  lately  mercuric  bichloride  or  cor- 
rosive sublimate  has  been  used  with  great 
success  as  an  antiseptic  for  preserving  clus- 
ters of  Grapes,  by  keeping  them  immersed 
in  a  solution  of  the  strength  of  half  an  ounce 


!       Seeilling  Potato  EUiM  Weeks  from  Sowing. 
See  page  aoc. 

of  corrosive  sublimate  to  a  gallon  of  water. 
The  Grapes  should  be  thoroughly  washed 
beforehand. 

The  solution  should  properly  be  made 
with  distilled  water;  when  this  is  not  avail- 
able, other  way  may  be  used,  preferable  that 
from  the  larger  streams:  but,  particulary  in 
the  case  of  well  water,  it  should  first  be 
boiled,  and  allowed  to  clear  by  settling  be- 
fore dissolving  the  sublimate.  Even  than  a 
whitish  or  grayish  turbidity  and  sediment 
I  will  usually  form  after  awhile.   This  should 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


207 


he  allowed  to  settle  fnlly  before  putting  the 
thiiil  over  llu'  fruit.  It  woiilil  also  lie  well 
to  lulii'l  all  sufh  fruit  jars  "poison,"  for  the 
sake  of  safety.  No  u\etal  must  come  in 
contact  with  the  sublimate. 


Celery  Culture. 

a.  J.  BENEnrT.  MERRIMACK   CO.,  N.  H. 

Few  people,  compared  with  the  many  who 
are  Olery  lovers,  really  enjoy  Celery  direct 
from  their  own  garden.  This  is  because 
many  fail  to  treat  it  rightly  duringsummer. 
while  othere  do  not  know  how  to  take  care 
of  it  during  winter. 

My  ground  is  a  sandy  soil,  and  in  ciuile  a 
dry  location.  Last  year  I  grew  a  crop  of 
garden  Peas  on  the  land,  then  ha<l  it 
thoroughly  forked  over  preparatory  for 
planting  in  .Tuly. 

I  then  had  a  trench  dug  14 
inches  deep  and  IS  inches  wide 
at  the  l)ottom.  I  then  tilled 
the  trench  for  about  live  inches 
with  dressing  from  my  horse 
and  towstable.  Then  put  on  the 
dressing  about  three  inches  of 
soil,  being  careful  not  to  pack 
down  the  soil.  Then  I  put  in  a 
double  row,  plants  being  set 
four  inches  in  the  row  and 
the  rows  four  inches  apart,  in 
diamond  form. 

By  August  1st  the  plants 
were  making  a  rapid  growth, 
but  as  the  weather  was  very 
dry  I  was  obliged  to  water  the 
plants  freely.  My  neighbor's 
Celery  at  this  time  was  com- 
mencing to  rust,  while  mine 
was  continually  growing.  In 
October  I  banked  the  Celery, 
lea\ing  only  the  tips  of  the 
leaves  out.  In  November  1  had 
stakes  driven  into  the  ground 
on  both  sides  of  the  trench, 
slanting  inward  and  meeting 
at  the  top,  and  fastened  near 
the  top  by  a  light  piece  nailed 
across.  The  frame  work  was  then  covered 
with  boards,  and  further  protected  with 
several  cart  loads  of  leaves. 

All  winter  I  could  take  out  my  Celery 
for  the  ta,ble.  No  trouble  to  get  it;  no 
frost  to  hurt  it,  and  of  flue  flavor, 
tender  and  as  crisp,  as  you  ever  find  it  any 
season. 

I  see  no  reason  why  I  can't  have  Celery 
through  till  spring  in  this  way  every  year. 
The  Celery  in  the  markets  is  often  a  good 
deal  rusty  and  generally  poor,  while  mine 
is  strictly  A  No.  1.  People  who  have  even 
a  small  garden  can  enjoy  their  early  Peas 
and  Lettuce,  and  then  find  a  space  to  plant 
a  fine  row  of  Celery  if  treated  in  the  way  I 
have  described. 


and  spoiled  most  of  them.  But  of  all 
shrubs  two  of  the  finest  I  consider  to  be 
K.xocliordia  granditlora  and  the  Fringe 
bu.sh,  or  Chionanthus  Virginicar. 

The  Deutzias  are  in  tine  array;  Gracilis  is 
just  past  bloom,  and  Crcnala  and  S<:abra 
and  I'ridc  of  Kochestcr  are  opening.  Of 
the  mid  summer  shrubs  there  are  none 
liner  than  the  Althaeas.  When  young,  these 
must  be  protected  with  care,  but  as  they 
become  older,  they  grow  hardier.  The  sin- 
gle-llowering  are  quite  as  important  as  the 
double.  The  variegated  sort  is  fine  only 
for  foliage  as  it  never  opens  its  buds.  With 
I  lie  Altha'as  should  be  had  a  line  assortment 
of  Catalpas  cut  back  into  bushes.  I  do 
not  know  wUat  can  be  finer  then  great 
clumps  of  Bignonoides  and   of  Kempferii 


The  Shrubbery    and    What  to    Make 
of  it. 

E.   P.   POWELL,  ONEIDA   CO.,    N.  Y. 

By  all  means  have  a  shrubbery.  By  this 
I  do  not  mean  a  general  flower  lawn  with 
bushes,  but  a  lawn  devoted  to  small 
trees  and  shrubs,  from  Magnolias  down  to 
Spireas.  I  am  ju.st  now  looking  out  on  the 
procession  of  flowers,  and  wondering  at  the 
possible  delight  that  comes  from  such  a 
lawn.  The  spring  has  put  behind  a  fine 
concourse,  and  June  has  passed  others  in 
review.  Daphnes,  Forsythia.s,  Mahonias, 
were  followed  by  Spiraeas,  Lilacs  and 
E.\ochordia.  Then  came  a  host  of  Syringas 
(Mock  Oranges)  and  Thorns,  and  the  later 
Lilacs  with  Fringe  bush  and  then  the  Rose. 
As  I  write  the  Roses  are  in  full  bloom — not 
less  than  one  hundred  varieties.  The 
.Tosikea  Lilac  is  fading,  and  the  last  of  the 
Syringas  still  fill  the  air  with  fragrance. 
It  has  been  a  poor  season  for  Lilacs  because 
the  open  winter  swelled  the  buds  in  January 


VIEW  IN   D.   M.   DUNNINGS  GRAPERY,   FROM  A  PHOTOGRAPH 

and  Speciosa.  There  is  also  a  dwarf  sort 
getting,  I  think,  never  above  three  or  four 
feet. 

Referring  to  some  recent  notes  that  I  sent 
to  -PopuL.M!  Gardening,  the  Rural  New 
Yorker  says  my  experiments  differ  widely 
from  theirs  as  to  cutting  back  trees  to  grow 
them  in  bush  form.  "  We  much  doubt 
whether  the  Tulip,  Magnolia  or  Catalpa 
would  ever  bloom  under  this  treatment." 
1  have  Catalpascut  back  annually  for  twen- 
ty years,  and  forming  bushes  from  eight  to 
twelve  feet  high,  and  they  are  covered  with 
blossoms  every  year.  This  includes  the 
Speciosa  and  Bignonoides  as  well  as  those 
superb  Hybrids  of  E.  Y.  Teas,  the  Purple 
and  Golden-leaved.  As  for  Beeches  and 
Lindens  of  course  we  should  not  look  for 
bloom  but  we  get  the  most  admirable 
shrubs  with  foliage  greatly  enlarged .  The 
same  authority  judges  that  all  trees  thus 
cut  back  would  be  killed  in  a  very  few 
years.  I  presume  if  you  cut  an  old  tree  back, 
it  would  soon  rot  out  at  the  roots.  The 
plan  I  .suggested— not  a  new  one  to  the  best 
horticulturists— intends  the  cutting  back  of 
young  trees  and  keeping  them  moderately 
back.  (lOod  judgement  must  be  used  a-s  to 
the  amount  and  time  of  cutting.  I  have 
I>indens  twenty  years  old  not  over  six  feet 
high  and  forming  a  dense  mass  of  shoots. 
Such  bushes  will  last  as  long  as  a  Syringa 
can  be  kept  into  fine  form  and  bloom,  or  a 
Weeping  Kilmarnock  or  Rosemary  Willow. 
The  fact  is,  our  shrubberies  must  be  re- 
newed much  like  our  Peach  and  Plum 
yards.  I  cut  away  every  year  something 
that  has  lost  its  beauty  and  again  put  in  a 
fresh  supply. 

A  few  of  our  shrubs  only  seem  to  be  cap- 
able of  retaining  their  charms  for  a  long 


time,  such  as  the  White  Lilac  which  crowds 
up  into  the  form  of  a  small  tree  and  will 
hold  its  own  anywhere.  Hut  the  Persian 
Lilacs,  the  Cydonias,  the  Cornus  varieties 
and  im.irly  all  our  pretty  lawn  bushes  must 
be  constantly  cleaned  and  cut.  If  I  vverelo 
make  a  list  that  would  come  as  near  to  en- 
during neglect  for  a  long  time,  I  would 
take  Knonymus,  Deutzia  scabra,  Exochor- 
dia,  the  varieties  of  Hibiscus,  the  Weige- 
las.  Hydrangea  panicul.ata,  I'pright 
Honeysuckles  and  Viburnums.  But  they 
all  need  care,  for  any  really  perfect  results. 
Old  wood  accummulates  and  the  bush  be- 
comes unsightly. 

The  .same  study  of  character  must  be 
made  in  the  case  of  shrubs  as  of  trees.  I 
see  efforts  made  to  grow  Pears  thus  after 
an  ideal  .shape.  Wiser  culti- 
vators understand  that  no 
two  varieties  can  be  made  to 
conform  to  the  same  ideal 
shape  withoixt  being  ruined. 
Our  shrubs  are  possibly 
more  pliant,  but  it  is  impos- 
sible to  clip  and  shear  them 
arbitrarily  without  damage. 
The  charm  of  a  shrubbery  is 
character.  Let  each  plant  dis- 
play itself  and  its  peculiar 
tendencies,  at  least  to  such  a 
degree  as  to  difference  it  from 
all  other  shrubs. 

I  notice  a  habit  is  growing 
to  buy  very  small  shrubs  and 
have    them    shipped  by  mail. 
If    I    were     a     nurseryman    I 
should   like  this,  because  ten 
thousand  bits  of  plants  at  ten 
cents    each    is   better    to    the 
salesman  than  one   thousand 
at    twenty    five    cents     each. 
But  for  the  buyers  it  is  a  blun- 
der.   The  joy  of  the  shrubbery 
is  in  profusion  of  bloom,   the 
abandon  of  nature  to  gayety. 
I  have    a    few     little    things 
here   and    there   that    I   have 
waited  for  five  years  and  yet  they  are  stun- 
ted.      Buy  good  strong  plants  and   trees 
always.     I  never  buy  of  an  agent,  no  mat- 
ter how  glib  his  tongue,  or  miraculous  his 
new  sorts  are.     It  is  all  a  huge  fib,  my  good 
reader.     Don't  be  caught.     When  you  need 
anything,  send   to  old  established    houses 
that  have  a  solid  reputation  and  you  will 
not  pay,  I  warrant  you,  one  fourth  what  an 
agent  will  get  from  you  for  a  humbug.    I 
always  buy  my  Grapes  of  one  man;   my 
trees  and  shrubs  of  either  one  of  two  firms, 
and  my  berries  pretty  sure  of  another. 

Some  of  the  shrubs  are  almost  invariably 
grown  badly.  Among  such  are  the  Hy- 
drangea paniculata,  which  should  be  train- 
ed to  a  single  stem  and  have  the  form  of  a 
small  tree.  The  bush  Honeysuckles  make 
by  all  odds  the  finest  of  ornamental  hedges. 
SpiriPa  aurea  or  Golden  Spiraea  is  one  of  the 
few  shrubs  that  should  be  sheared  into  a 
solid  mass.  It  is  a  glorious  golden  ball  in 
May  and  June.  Mahonia  should  be  grown 
on  the  north  side  of  a  house,  or  north  east 
angle,  to  protect  it  from  winter's  suns. 
Dwarf  Horse  Chestnut  is  one  of  the  shrubs 
that  should  never  be  grouped,  but  grown  as 
a  single  specimen  with  abundance  of  room. 
So  also  Viburnum  plicatum  or  Snowball, 
which  is  never  fine  iinless  in  full  sunshine, 
out  of  the  drip  of  trees  and  houses.  The 
Weigelias  group  well  as  also  do  most  of 
the  Spiraeas. 

Of  our  native  shrubs  I  very  much  like  the 
Sumach.  You  can  hardly  misplace  it, either 
in  masses  or  in  single  great  specimens.  It 
likes  good  soil,  but  thrives  almost  every- 
where. For  late  ornament  by  all  means 
have  abundance  of  Enonymus  and  Bar- 
berries. The  rich  fruit  of  them  is  the  glory 
of  November  and  December. 


20o 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


July, 


Notes  from   the   Popular    Gardening 

Grounds  at  La  Salle-on-the- 

Niagara. 

The  Strawberry  Patch.  Fruit  of  the  ear- 
liest varieties  only  just  bepns  to  ripen  at  this 
writing.  Alpha,  according  to  its  name,  should 
be  earliest,  and  so  it  seems  to  be;  fruit  hardly  of 
medium  size,  of  fine  spicy  flavor,  and  very  firm. 
Plant  healthy,  but  not  of  strong  growth.  Haver- 
land  is  remarkable  for  size,  thrift  and  health  of 
its  foliage,  and  the  amount  of  fruit  now  cover- 
ing the  ground  under  the  immense  leaves.  Itasca 
has  large  foliage,  but  is  inclined  to  rust.  Ivanhoe 
also  shows  healthy  foliage,  and  fruit  of  largest 
size  and  good  quality.  What  a  contrast  in  size 
there  is  between  the  Wilson  and  Warfleld,  both 
ju  fruit  and  plant.  We  might  call  the  Warfield 
a  magnified  Wilson,  and  a  magnificent  one  be- 
sides. It  is  a  great  producer  of  plants,  with 
enormous,  healthy  foliage,  and  plenty  of  very 
large  fruit,  which  has  some  of  the  characteristics 
of  the  Wilson  in  appearance,  flavor,  and  texture. 
The  Alpines,  for  practical  purposes,  are  not 
worth  the  space  they  occupy.  Monmouth  is 
early,  but  rather  small  in  both  fruit  and  plant, 
and  hardl.v  very  productive.  Lower  makes  a 
good  plant,  but  shows  only  little  fruit,  Logan 
does  not  show  the  same  thrift  and  health  of 
foliage  as  it  did  a  year  ago,  but  is  reasonably 
productive  of  fruit,  which  is  large.  Livingstone 
has  goo<l  foliage,  and  long,  sweet,  fruit  which  is 
of  only  medium  size,  and  not  any  too  firm. 
Crystal  City  has  \ery  little  fruit,  and  this  is 
rather  small,  but  of  very  fair  quality.  Old  Col. 
Cheney  is  evidently  played  out  so  far  as  this 
location  is  concerned.  Altogether  our  planta- 
tions at  tkis  early  date  indicates  nothing  more 
promising  in  the  Sti-awberr.v  line  than  Bubach, 
Haverland,  and  Warfleld.  We  do  not  present 
this  as  final  judgment,  even  for  this  season. 
Further  notes,  and  more  in  detail  will  be  given 
in  August  number. 

Seedung  Potato  Plant.  The  origination 
of  new  varieties  in  vegetables,  as  well  as  in  fruits 
must  always  offer  cimsiderable  attraction  to  the 
enthusiastic  horticulturist.  Whether  we  get  an 
effective  law  tor  the  protection  of  originators  or 
not,  the  slight  iirospect,  that  one  or  the  other  of 
the  new  varieties  may  prove  to  be  especially 
valuable,  will  always  be  most  palatable  setison- 
ing  to  the  undertaking.  Of  course,  we  bavc 
again  raised  our  patch  of  new  seedling  Potatoes. 
The  seeds  germinate  so  freely  in  the  loose  soil  of 
frames  under  glass  protection,  that  we  tried 
them  also  in  oix;n  air,  sowing  them  like  Lettuce 
or  Radish  seeds.  But  hea^y  rains  packed  the 
soil  hard  soon  aferwards,  and  the  young  plants 
were  not  strong  enough  to  break  the  crust. 
Undoubtedly  the  safer  and  better  way  is  to  sow 
the  seed  in  frames,  and  transplant  to  open 
ground  afterwards. 

We  here  illustrate  one  of  our  seedling  plants 
as  it  appeared  when  taken  from  the  frame  in  the 
eighth  week  from  seed,  and  transplanted  once 
before.  It  will  be  seen  that  the  young  tubeis 
are  already  started. 

Plant.s  of  this  age,  if  well  hardened  off  before 
removal  to  oiien  ground,  are  also  hardy  enough 
to  stand  poisonous  applications.  We  dusted 
slug  shot  over  them  pretty  freely,  but  while  this 
did  not  seem  to  do  injury  to  the  plants,  some  of 
these  were  eaten  off  by  bugs.  The  majority,  how- 
ever, and  among  them  the  thriftiest  in  the  lot, 
escaped,  and  are  now  growing  rapidly,  and 
pretty  much  out  of  danger.  We  find  our 
bottomless  fiower  pots  (  5-inch  size ),  or  short 
pieces  of  tile  of  that  size,  when  placed  one  over 
each  plant,  a  reasonably  sure  protection  against 
bugs  and  cold  during  the  most  critical  period  of 
the  plant's  life,  and  much  cheaper  than  gauze 
tents  built  over  the  rows. 

Among  our  last  years'  seedlings  we  have  some 
with  remarkably  thrifty  foliage,  and  if  ever  we 
find  a  real  good  variety  among  them,  we  shall 
attempt  to  preserve  its  original  vigor  and  pro- 
ductiveness by  continued  planting  of  whole 
tuljers  under  high  cultivation.  It  appears  to  us 
very  likely  that  originators,  in  their  desire  to 
multiply  their  stock  at  the  most  rapid  rate, 
resort  to  a  method  of  close  cutting  which  must 
greatly  injure  the  original  vitality  of  the  new 
seedling.  We  would  steer  clear  of  such  a 
serious  mistake. 

Effects  of  Perslstent  Weed  De.structiok. 
No  doubt  it  is  much  easier  and  quicker  done  to 
befoul  a  clean  piece  of  land  with  noxious  weeds, 
than  to  free  the  land,  once  over-run  with  weeds, 
again  from  these  bad  occupants.  One  year's 
seeding  often  makes  many  years  of  weeding, 
and  of  weeding,  too,  which  is  any  thing  but  a 


pleasure,  as  we  hapitened  to  find  out  this  spring 
in  a  part  of  our  Sti-awberry  jiat^-h,  where  weedy 
manure  was  put  on  last  autumn. 

With  a  little  persistency,  in  keeping  weeds 
down,  however,  the  improvement  of  the  land, 
so  far  as  comparative  freedom  from  weed 
growth,  is  steady  and  gratifying.  Many  weeds, 
such  as  Mustard,  Wild  Carrots,  and  most  annuals, 
can  be  almost  entirely  eradicated  by  a  two  or 
three  season's  persistent  pulling  up  or  cutting 
do»vn.  In  short,  clear  cultivation  for  a  few 
years  in  succession  will  bring  the  weediest  soil 
in  subjection,  and  make  it  a  pleasure  to  work  it. 

A  Fine  "  Foliage  "  Bed.  "  Where  are  the 
shrubs  with  magnificent  leaves  that  grew  here ' 


ami  until  the  gra.^'s  became  strong.  After  that 
the  only  attention  given  was  that  of  the  lawn 
mower  in  the  weekly  cultivation  of  the  grass. 
The  present  season  not  more  than  half-a-dozen 
Thistles  have  been  discovered,  and  they  feeble, 
where  last  year  there  were  hundreds.  We  wish 
the  Uandelir>n,  Plantain  and  Rib  Grass,  were  as 
easy  to  subdue  from  a  lawn.  The  difiiculty  in 
managing  the  latter  is  that  they  seed  so  freely. 
The  Virginian  Cowslip.  Great  pleasure  is 
taken  in  cultivating  on  our  grounds  the  beauti- 
ful native  hardy  flowers.  Among  the  gems 
of  this  class  worthy  a  place  in  any  garden 
is  the  handsome  Virginian  Cowslip  or  Lungwort 
{Pulnumaria  Virginiana)  of  which  an  engraving 


said  a  subscriber  who  occasionally  visited  these  !  at  one-half  size,  drawn  from  nature,  is  shown 


grounds  last  season,  as  he  pointed  to  a  certain 
bed  on  his  first  visit  this  year.  The  bed  was  one 
in  which  had  been  growing  a  mass  of  trees  and 
shrubs  bearing  conspicuous  foliage,  and  showing 
a  very  rank  growth  as  a  result  of  a  well-fed  soil. 


annexed.  It  is  really  one  of  the  most  elegant 
ornaments  of  the  flower  garden  in  May,  the 
bright  clear  blue  of  the  flowers  being  matchle.ss. 
Clumps  of  the  plant  grown  in  conjunction  with 
the  white  Narcissus  which  blooms  at  the  same 


Most  of  the  growth  had  been  cut  to  the  ground,  1  time  makes  as  lovely  a  contrast  as   one  could 


in  early  spring,  hence  their  absence  from  the 
visitors  gaze.  It  was  the  treatment  decided 
upon  for  these  growths  and  because  of  the  satis- 
factory appearance  of  the  bed  last  year  afld  its 
even  better  promise  the  present  season  we  take 
pleasure  in  referring  to,  and  commending  it 
to  our  readers. 

The  aim  in  planting  the  bed  was  to  secure 
a  striking  growth  of  foliage  with  plants  pictur- 
esque in  appearance  and  yet  so  hardy  as  not  to 
need  resetting  from  year  to  year.  Chief  among 
the  kinds  employed  are  the  following : 

Chinese  Aralia  {A  ralia  Mamlschurifa). 

Japan  Aralia  {Aralia  Jai)"»ica). 

AngelicaTree  or  Hercules  Club(-4  ralia sinttosa). 

Empress  Tree  iPawUnrnia  imprrailis). 

Ailanthus  (Ailantlntx  glandukisiui). 

Golden  Catalpa  (Vatalpa  blununuiilm  aurca). 

Von  Geert's  Golden  Poplar. 

Fern-leaved  Elder  (Samlmcus  nigra  hcttr- 
ophylla.) 

Siberian  Dogwood. 

Great  Knotweed  (Piilimi'iitim  empidatum). 

The  Keed  (^rit»((ii  lioHOJ-). 

The  Variegated  Keedf.-l  naiihi  tl)inn.r  varicyata). 

The  first  nine  kinds  named  were  cut  to  the 
ground  both  last  spring  and  a  year  earlier.  The 
new  shoots  thrown  out  from  the  roots, 
became  very  rigorous  in  this  rich  soil  and  the 
foliage  of  a  size  and  beauty  quite  remarkable. 
At  the  present  writing  June  16th,  numerous 
young  leaves  on  the  Aralias  are  three  feet  long 
and  of  same  width  individually,  on  young  shoots 
not  above  fourfeet  high.  From  now  until  frosts 
the  growth  will  be  rapid  and 
magnificent,  and  the  bed  as  a  whole 
one  of  the  most  attractive  on  our 
grounds  No  expense  has  Ijeen 
incurred  on  it  the  present  season 
beyond  the  cost  of  manure  applied 
in  the  tall,  and  spading  up  the 
surface  shallow  this  spring. 

This  bed  is  in  the  line  of  what 
is  styled  subtropical  gardening, 
but  with  the  sub-tropical  plants 
such  as  Palms,  Bananas,  Uraciv- 
nas,  Caladiums  and  other  tender 
kinds  requiring  the  protection  of 
glass  in  winter,  left  <)Ut,  Those 
use<l  are  all  hardy  as  far  north  as 
Niagara  Falls  with  the  slightest 
protection  in  winter.  The  foliage 
by  the  annual  cutting  down  pro- 
cess is  as  grand  as  anything  in 
Nature.  None  of  the  kinds  used 
are  of  delicate  habit  -in  most  cases 
they  are  quite  the  reverse  of  this. 

Why  should  not  a  thousand  of  our  readers 
have  Just  such  a  showy  bed  on  their  grounds  V 
The  trees  and  plants  employed  were  procured 
irom  the  nurseries  of  Ellwanger  &  Barry, 
Rochester,  N.  Y.,  and  Parsons  &  Sons,  Flushing, 
N.  Y.  None  were  unusually  expensive.  Once 
such  a  collection  is  planted  and  it  will  be  of  use 
and  increase  in  beauty  for  many  years. 

Canada  Thistles  on  the  Lawn.  Here  and 
there  over  our  grounds  we  have  found  a  patch 
of  Canada  Thistles,  a  weed  looked  upon  as  one 
of  the  worst  to  be  met  by  cultivators.  One 
small  pateh  occupied  a  place  north  of  our  dwel- 
ling and  where  we  desired  to  have  lawn.  Not 
detered  by  the  Thistles  this  part  was  graded  and 
seeded  down  a  year  ago,  along  with  adjoining 
parts.  The  Thistles  came  up  thickly  even  ahead 
of  the  grass.  They  were  cut  off  just  below  the 
surface  with  a  spud  made  out  of  a  table-knife 
blade  set  into  a  handle  five  feet  long.  The  cut- 
ting was  reiwated  a  tew  times  during  the  season 


desire  to  see  in  the  flower  garden. 

The  flowers  of  the  Cowslip  look  like  so  many 
small  bright  blue  pendulous  trumpets,  each 
springing  from  a  prismatic,  pentagonal,  five- 
toothed  caly.v  :  flower-stems  from  one  to  one  and 
one-half  feet  high.  Soon  after  its  heavy  mass  of 
bloom  the  plant  appears  to  die  away  and  is  not 
seen  until  the  following  spring.  It  is  |iropagated 
by  division  of  the  roots  which  are  thick  and 
fleshy.  It  may  be  found  growing  wild  in  half 
shady  woods  at  intervals  throughout  Pennsyl- 
vania and  adjoining  states.  I'nlike  some  native 
flowers,  conspicuously  the  Golden  Itod,  this 
Cowslip  does  not  partake  of  a  weedy  nature, 
either  by  spreading  rapidly  or  in  its  appearance. 
Plants  may  be  obtained  from  leading  plant 
nurseries  at  low  cost. 

Soil  Diffictlties.  We  have  had  some  ex- 
perience before  this  in  getting  ordinar.v,  well- 
worn  farm  land  into  shaiie  for  gardening  pur- 
poses, and  long  since  given  up  the  idea  that  the 
best  results  can  be  obtained  on  such  soil  right 
from  the  start  l).\-  the  application  of  manure, 
and  of  high  culture.  No  matter  how  good  the 
manure,  and  in  what  quantities  put  on  the  first 
season,  the  crops  will  be  less  satisfactory  than 
they  will  be  in  succeeding  seasons,  when  the  good 
treatment,  as  begun,  is  continued  year  after 
yesir.  In  other  word,  ordinary  laml  needs  a 
course  of  prepai'ation,  we  might  say  training, 
Ijcfore  it  can  do  its  Ijest.  Without  a  large 
amount  of  accumulated  plant  foods  in  the  soil, 
in  all  stages  of  availability,  maximum  crops  can 
not  be  produced.    By  a  judicious  combination  of 


Earliest  Forcing  Radishes  on  Our  Qrounds 

manvires— well-rotted  compost,  high-grade  com- 
plete commercial  fertilizer,  nitrate  of  soda,  how- 
ever, we  have  always,  and  again  this  season^ 
been  enabled  to  grow  pretty  fair  ganien  crops  on 
well-worn  soil  even  the  first  season.  Such  a 
combination  of  manures,  all  in  generous  rations, 
say  at  the  rate  of  40  two-hor.se  loads  of  compost, 
I'iOO  lbs  of  high-grade  complete  fertilizer,  and  iV) 
lbs  of  nitrate  of  soda  per  acre,  gives  usually  far 
better  results  than  e\'en  excessive  doses  of  barn- 
yard manure  or  fertilizer  alone  will  do. 

Nitrate  ok  Sod*  on  Spinach.  A  glance  at 
our  Spinach  patch  should  convince  the  most 
sceptical  of  the  value  of  nitrate  of  soda  for 
certain  purposes.  The  portion  where  this  salt 
had  been  repeatedly  applieil,  although  in  very 
small  doses  (.50  to  7.')  lbs  per  acre  each  time', 
shows  a  remarkable  thrift  of  foliage  altogether 
lacking  in  the  portion  left  without  such  applica- 
tion. It  is  a  jilain  demonstration  that  Spinach  is 
Just  the  crop  on  which  the  use  of  nitrate  of  soda 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


209 


niiiy  Ik;  expected  to  give  very  satisfactory  re- 
turns. The  effect  on  Lettuce,  Ciibliage,  and 
Caulittowers  is  noticeable  also,  but  very  much 
lcss9trikinK. 


COMMENTS  BY    READERS. 

Adepurlmtnt  to  wliichalliln' inritetl  lo  semi  nnle.i 
of  t-j*;(cn't'/u-i-  and  observation  cotivt-niinfi  topies  that 
renntlu  liave  licen  treated  on  l?i  this  Journal.  Hany 
sueh  eontrilnttions  monthly  are  weleome. 

Pi'ss  IN  thkSthawberkv  VATt'H.  I  am  Very 
much  afraid  the  plan  to  use  Kiinialkin  as  a 
protector  of  the  Strawberry  patcli  would  be  11 
failure.  1  iu\  er,  as  far  as  my  observation  goes, 
saw  a  pus.sy  jro  so  gaily  (or  the  birtls  as  yours  is 
depietod  to  do.  I  ats,  as  a  rule,  crouch  low  down, 
and  try  to  hide  themselves  as  much  as  possible, 
and  again  cats  are  sleepy  on  a  warm 
day.andextremely  miserable  when  the 
weather  is  damp  or  cold.  Their  nature 
also  leads  them  to  do  their  preying  in 
the  early  morning  and  at  evening 
time,  and  to  chant  their  Psalms  at 
midnight.  Starvation  would  not  com- 
(lel  your  cat  to  bestir  herself  in  your 
intcivst.  Instead  of  a  cat  I  would 
recomnu-nd  the  employment  of  a  small 
terrier  dog.  These  dogs  have  a  strong 
inclination  to  kill  small  birds,  and  if 
they  receive  a  little  encouragement 
will  chase  the  birds  all  day  for  the 
fun  of  the  thing,  and  make  any 
amount  of  noise  into  the  bargain,  and 
would  require  no  tubs  to  take  their 
forty  winks  in  for  the  good  of  their 
digestion.— H.  W.  Smith. 

M.\KiNG  THE  Desert  Bloom.  From 
your    article     we     inter     that     you 
are  not  in  favor  of  Congress  making 
any  appropriations  for  irrigation  pur- 
poses.    We  out  in  this  "neck  of  the 
"Arid  Desert'"  look  at  some  things  a 
little  different.    Kansas  is  given  up  to 
be  one  of  the  best  states  in  the  union, 
especially  the  eastern  part  of  the  state. 
Yet  there  was  a  time  when  a  man  was 
considere<l  foolhardy  who  would  under- 
take to  make  a  home  west  of  the  Mis- 
souri river.    Since  it  was  first  demon- 
strated that  such  a  thing  was  possible, 
the    cry    has    been    "  westward,"    and 
westward   they  have  pushed  until  here 
we  are  right  in  the  heart  of  the  Great 
American    Desert.      The   government 
sent  agents  out  here  to  exact  S1.25  per 
acre  for  every  acre  of  this  land— good 
and  bad,  and  this  amounts  to  only  a 
little  over  three  quarters  of  a  million 
dollars  for  this  (Finney)  county.    Now 
we    find    we    must  have   water  from 
some  source  to  make    a    success.    At 
first  we  thought  that  rainfall  would 
follow     cultivation,    but    while   there 
seems  to  be  a  slight  increase,there  is  de- 
cidedly not  enough  to  make  it  safe  to 
depend  on.    Why  don't  we  go  south  ?    First  the 
climate  does  not   suit  us;  second,  we  paid  the 
government  for  our  land,  and  got  a  title  to  the 
same;  third,  since  paying  for  our  land  we  have 
never  had  enough  money  to  get  ourselves  and 
families  south:  and  fourth,  we  do  not  want  to 
leave  our  homes.  We  like  our  homes,  our  cUmate. 
our  families.    Our  doctor's  bills  are  light,  even 
if  our  grocery  bills  are  heavy.     We  like  our 
broad  fertile  fields,  and  feel  satisfied  that  the 
government  will  sooner  or  later  take  some  of  the 
money  heretofore  spent    on  the  levies  m  the 
south,  and  come  a  little  farther  up  near  the  head 
waters  and  build  reservoirs  to  catch  and  hold 
the  surplus  water  so  we  can  have  it  to  use. — A. 
S.  Parson,  Finney  County,  Kan. 

A  L.^VRGE  BcBACH  Stkawbebrt.  Tout  ar- 
ticle in  the  June  number  might  lead  growei-s 
who  are  as  yet  not  acquainted  with  that  variety, 
to  think  that  it  does  not  often  attain  such  a  size. 
Yet  such  is  the  case,  at  least  with  us.  The 
writer  this  season  has  picked  dozens  of  just  such 
berries,  some  of  them  even  larger,  and  all  of 
immense  size,  and  these  taken  from  the  end  of  a 
row  left  where  we  dug  plants  just  to  see  what  the 
Bubach  would  do  if  not  given  the  best  treat- 
ment. It  is  a  No.  1  berry  for  all  purposes,  and 
for  market  there  seems  as  yet  to  be  nothing  to 
compete  with  it.  It  is  a  most  vigorous  grower, 
never  rusts  or  blights,  always  a  good  bearer  of 
berries  and  seems  to  succeed  everywhere. 
Another  berry  I  am  pleased  with  is  the  "  Viola." 
Berries  on  plants  set  this  spring  were  as  large  as 
Bubach,  and  more  regular  in  shape.  "  Michel's 
Early"   and    "Gipsy"   come   up   fully  to  the 


descriptions  we  have  seen  of  them.  They  will 
certainly  come  to  the  front  where  early  berries 
are  wanted.  Both  are  extra  early,  prodiu'tive, 
of  good  size,  firm  and  good  shippers,  and  that  is 
what  the  Delaware  gvowers  wants.  The  crop 
here  this  season  has  sold  well  owing  to  the  short 
supply,  there  not  having  l>een  over  one  fourth  of 
a  crop  marketed.— t'/ia.s.  Wriahl,  Sussex  Co.,  Del. 
(iKAPES  Under  (!lass.  The  fruiting  of  eight 
feet  of  cane  during  the  third  season  would  result, 
I  expect,  in  very  seriously  impairing  the  cane 
during  that  sea.son  (not  the  fifth  as  1  was  made  to 
say  in  May  numlier),  and  the  fruiting  of  the  cane 
I  he  entire  length  of  the  rafter  the  fourth  sesuson,! 
would  expect  to  result  in  ruining  the  cane  during 
the  same  (fourth,  not  sixth!  season.  I  also  think 
that  the  (irapes  during  those  seasons  (third  and 


The  Virginian  Coii'siip.  See  "Notes  from  Pop.  Gardenit>g  Grounds." 

fourth)  would  be  of  an  inferior  quality  should 
the  grower  be  (ortunute  enough  to  bring  them 
to  an  eatable  condition.  This  to  correct  possible 
misapprehension  of  former  article.- JJ.  3i.  Dun- 
ning, Cayuga  Co.,  iV.  T. 

Varieties  Running  Oct.  I  believe  Mr.  Hen- 
derson was  right  that  varieties  do  not  run  out. 
A  few  years  ago  we  failed  to  get  good  Spitzen- 
berg  Apples,  and  people  said  it  were  useless  to  tryi 
and  so  they  cut  down  their  trees  and  planted  no 
more.  It  was  so  with  the  Virgalieu  or  White 
Doyenne  Pear.  But  I  kept  on  planting  and  now 
the  Spitzenberg  is  all  right  again,  if  you  will  give 
it  what  it  needs,  high  culture  and  protection 
against  insects.  It  is  simply  a  high-blooded  fruit 
and  subject  to  atmospheric,  soil,  and  other  influ- 
ences. The  White  Doyenne  is  also  in  good  con- 
dition and  so  noble  a  Pear  that  those  may  be 
congratulated  who  did  not  lose  faith  in  it.  All 
our  finer  fruits  go  through  periods  that  are  un- 
favorable to  their  development  in  perfection. 
Yes,  Mr.  Henderson  is  right,  "  there  is  no  such 
thing  as  permanent  degeneration  in  the  veget- 
able kingdom,"  provided  regenerative  conditions 
can  be  afforded  in  time.— B.  P.  P. 

Pear  Blight.  Twenty-five  years  ago  I  had  two 
Pear  orchards,  and  accidently  discovered  that  I 
could  almost  wholly  prevent  blight  by  growing 
the  trees  slowly,  keeping  them  well  mulched  and 

:  having  the   limbs   branch   out   low.    In   other 

\  words,  I  must  secure  slow  growth,  tough  wood, 
and  by  mulch  avoid  sharp  changes  of  atmosphere 

'  from  speedily  and  greatly  affecting  the  circula- 
tion of  sap.    Heading  low  shades  the  ground 

i  and  aids  in  equalizing  temperature.    Conditions 


afforded  and  you  can  have  blight  at  any  time ; 
conditions  prevented  and  blight  germs  can  get 
no  chance  to  develop.  The  secret  is  to  secure 
good  well-ripened  wood;  to  cut  out  and  keep 
out  feeble  useless  shoots ;  to  always  have  the 
trees  nuilched  and  not  to  over-stimulate  growth. 
I  grow  in  sod  and  have  my  trees  forked  about. 
Still  S(»me  kuids  likeSeckcl,  require  more  manu- 
ring or  feeding  than  other  sorts.  It  may  also  be 
addetl  that  all  Pears,  or  nearly  all,  are  in  better 
condition  when  grown  quite  open  to  the  sun  ; 
and  it  the  soil  be  not  well-drained  it  would  l>e  as 
well  to  cut  the  trees  down  as  wait  for  the  blight 
to  destroy  them.— E.  P.  P. 

OtiTFiT  FOR  Peddling  Plants.  In  your  re- 
marks in  last  issue  accompanying  the  illustra- 
tion of  ray  acquaintance's  device,  for  carry- 
ing pot  plants  on  the  wagon,  you  have 
omitted  some  points,  and  a  further  de- 
scription of  the  method  employed 
may  yet  be  of  value  to  many  readers 
at  this  time;  for  taking  the  country 
through,  millions  of  greenhouse  plants 
are  sold  from  wagons,  either  by  the 
producer  or  at  second  hand.  The 
general  practice  is  to  pack  the  pots 
closely  in  oyster  cases  or  similar  boxes, 
stuffing  in  sphagnum  or  wads  of  paper 
around  the  pots  to  keep  them  in  place. 
This  does  well  enough  until  two  or 
three  plants  are  taken  out,  and  then 
the  pots  begin  to  jostle  and  tip  over, 
so  it  is  necessary  to  repack  after  every 
sale,  which  consumes  a  large  amount 
of  time.  The  rack  in  question  for 
carrying  plants  does  away  with  boxes 
and  the  litter  and  annoyance  of  pack- 
ing. The  slats  bolted  on  the  irons  are 
placed  far  enough  apart  so  that  when 
the  sides  are  hollowed  out  in  places,  a 
H<jwer  pot  will  set  down  in  the  spaces, 
the  distance  apart  being  graduated  by 
the  size  of  the  plants  it  is  desired  to 
carry,  some  being  fitted  for  5-inch  and 
some  for  smaller  pots.  A  pair  of  slats 
are  also  bolted  to  the  lower  extension 
on  either  side,  which  ride  between  the 
box  and  wheels.  The  iron  supports 
are  bolted  to  the  slats  so  they  just  rest 
on  the  box,  the  forward  one  being 
wired  to  the  lazy-back  of  the  seat. 
The  slats  project  somewhat  in  the  rear 
giving  additional  room.  In  addition 
to  this  rack  a  tray  three  feet  long 
twenty  inches  wide  and  four  inches 
deep  is  made  with  a  bottom  of  similar 
slats,  and  this  turned  bottom  up,  is 
made  to  rest  on  the  seat  and  dash  board 
beside  the  driver.  In  this  way  the 
whole  bed  of  the  wagon  is  at  liberty  to 
use  for  carrying  flats  of  Cabbages  and 
Tomatoes,  dormant  Grape  roots  or 
shrubbery,  bulbs,  fancy  Potatoes  or 
anything  else.  This  man  carries 
Fuchsias  wrapped  in  paper  and  lying  on 
the  side  in  boxes.  Carried  thus  they  do  not  whip 
in  the  wind  or  injure  from  exposure,  and  a  single 
sample  plant  is  all  that  is  necessary  to  expose  at 
a  time.— 1>.  B.  Pierce,  Summit  Co.,  O. 

Newtown  Pippin  Apple.  I  have  the  same 
high  opinion  of  this  Apple  that  is  held  by  Judge 
Miller,  and  am  tempted  to  call  it,  with  Mr.  H, 
Hendricks,  the  "King  of  all  Apples."  Its  only 
faults  are  that  it  is  a  slow  grower  at  first,  and 
that  it  does  not  bear  when  very  young.  .  Mr. 
Hendricks  tells  of  orchards  along  the  Hudson, 
where  it  never  fails  to  produce  splendid  biennial 
crops.  They  receive  no  special  culture  and  stand 
in  sod,  but  have  borne  the  crop  regularly  for 
nearly  20  years,  and  they  net  the  owner  a  much 
larger  sum  per  tree  than  any  other  variety  he 
has.  Where  ordinary  kinds  bring  one  dollar  per 
barrel,  as  now,  he  gets  three  dollars  for  his  New- 
towns  ;  and  this  has  been  his  average  price  for 
years.  His  orchard  is  on  an  eastern  clay  slope 
near  the  river.  Others  like  it  can  be  named. 
Were  I  to  plant  an  orchard,  he  says,  the  Newtown 
would  have  a  large  place  in  it,  and  not  merely  as 
a  matter  of  sentiment  either,  but  as  a  financial 
investment.  Some  time  sine*,  passing  the  store 
of  an  Italian  fruit  vendor,  I  saw,  among  a  large 
collection  of  other  Apples,  a  barrel  of  the  largest 
and  finest  Newtowns  I  ever  beheld.  I  cautiously 
asked  the  price,  expecting  it  would  be  three  or 
four  dollars.  "  gl.bO,"  was  the  answer,  while 
handsome  "Kings"  and  other  Apples  standing 
near  were  three  and  four  dollars.  Of  course  I  had 
the  Newtowns  sent  to  my  house  very  promptly. 
It  was  evident  that  neither  the  seller  nor  the 
grower  knew  what  the  Apple  was.— PotH^hfceepsi'e. 


2IO 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


July, 


The  Meeting  of  Nurserymen  in  New 
Yorl<,  June  4  to  6. 

The  fears  of  some  nurserymen  that  an 
annual  meeting  held  in  New  York  might 
prove  unsiiccessful,  because  New  York  is  in 
no  sense  a  leading  nursery  point,  were  liy 
no  means  confirmed.  The  attendance  dur- 
ing tiie  first  week  of  the  past  month  at  the 
convention  was  large,  and  the  interest  ex- 
cellent. Nearly  300  representative  nur- 
serymen were  present  from  all  parts  of  the 
country.  The  wives  of  a  number  of  the  de- 
legates were  also  in  attendance.  There  was 
a  live  interest  in  all  the  proceedings  which 
indicates  that  the  nurserymen  are  more  and 
more  appreciatmg  the  gain  that  comes  from 
these  annual  gatherings  and  exchange  of 
views  concerning  important  topics  bearing 
upon  their  business. 

Rktiring  President's  Address.  Mr. 
Sweet  alluded  to  the  fact  that  it  is  1.5  years 
since  nurserymen  first  assembled  in  Nation- 
al Convention.  He  spoke  of  the  influence 
which  fruits  and  fruit  trees  have  from  the 
first  exerted  in  shaping  the  destiny  of  man- 
kind. It  should  be  one  of  the  chief  ends  of 
this  Association  to  elevate  the  business  of 
supplying  trees  and  plant  so  as  to  attract 
the  best  men  and  the  best  talents  of  our 
country  to  the  ranks  of  horticulturists. 

Reference  was  made  to  the  altered  condi- 
tion of  the  nursery  business  in  the  life  time 
of  our  Republic.  Kven  middle-jiged  men  can 
easily  rememl)er  when  Western  New  York 
had  practically  a  monopoly  of  the  nursery 
business.  The  center  of  nursery  production 
has  long  ago  moved  many  miles  west.  To 
day  there  are  more  nurseries  west  of  Cent- 
ral Ohio  than  thirty  years  ago  there  were  in 
the  entire  United  States.  There  had  been 
great  changes  in  the  methods  of  producing 
stock  since  the  war,  and  today  the  chief 
difficulties  no  longer  lie  in  the  production 
of  the  fruits,  but  in  finding  a  safe  market. 

If  a  discouraging  condition  of  things  in 
the  matter  of  fruits  is  realized ,  it  is  so  large- 
ly  as  a  result  of  the  fact  that  we  have  out- 
grown the  primitive  state  of  things  when 
the  business  was  new,  the  country  new,  and 
the  prices  large.  Could  the  general  public 
be  made  to  learn  of  the  meagre  profits  which 
now  are  realized  by  nurserymen  in  propor- 
tion to  risks  and  outlay,  they  would  be 
more  ready  to  stand  by  the  legitimate  grow- 
er and  pass  by  the  unprincipled  men  who 
join  the  ranks  only  long  enough  to  make  a 
single  planting  in  a  place,  for  it  is  true  that 
no  other  business  of  like  magnitude  is  sub- 
ject to  such  extreme  risks  as  is  ours.  The 
winter's  biting  frost  that  makes  a  millio- 
naire out  of  plumbers,  may  make  paupers 
of  many  nurserymen. 

Still  we  must  remember  that  the  general 
producing  of  many  has  during  the  past  few 
years  rapidly  declined.  Investments  that  a 
few  yeai's  ago  yielded  seven  percent  will 
now  scarcely  average  three  per-cent.  I 
therefor  consider  that  the  outlay  is  not  such 
as  to  make  us  either  over-sanguine,  or  des- 
pondent. The  sturdy-going,  intelligent 
grower  may  feel  that  he  may  yet  reap  fair 
remuneration. 

Mr.  Sweet  thinks  that  a  chief  factor  of 
uncertainty  lies  in  the  undersirable  fact  that 
may  arise  as  a  result  of  the  recent  increase 
of  the  tariff  by  the  Canadian  Goverment. 
The  magnitude  of  export  trade  to  Canada  is 
greater  than  is  generally  understood.  One 
firm  in  Western  New  York  paid  this  spring 
between  $.5,000  and  $0,000  duty  on  exports 
to  (Canada.  If  this  adverse  legislation  was 
in  any  sense  in  retaliation  against  the  pass- 
age of  the  McKinley  bill,  then  this  conven- 
tion should  urge  upon  Congress  the  adop- 
tion of  a  reciprocity  treaty  with  Canada 
which  shall  remove  these  artificial  barriers. 

The  extension  of  the  fruit  market,  and 
with  it  the  tree  market,  the  introduction  of 
improved  varietes  and  appliances  for  cul- 


ture, preserving  and  marketing  of  fruits, 
should  all  occupy  our  attention  for  stimula- 
ting trade. 

"It  is  a  most  ennobling  thought",  Mr. 
Sweet  remarked,  "that  our  vocation  con- 
stantly tends  to  ameliorate  the  condition  of 
the  human  race  and  adds  to  the  sum  total 
or  human  happiness.  Today  the  king  at 
his  royal  table  and  the  artisan  from  his  tin 
pail  enjoy  alike  the  Bartlett  Pear,  the  Grape 
and  the  Orange.  Is  this  not  better  than  half 
the  deeds  of  half  the  so-called  statesmen  and 
warriors  since  the  world  began?" 

Some  New  Fruits.  Mr. Vandeman  alluded 
to  the  Lyon  as  a  fine  red  Grape,  much  like 
the  Delaware  but  larger,  the  appearance 
being  quite  similar  to  the  Catawba  with  a 
flavor  nearly  its  equal;  medium  in  season, 
originated  in  Michigan  by  a  Mr.  Chichester. 
Colraln  somewhat  resembles  Martha,  being 
a  white  Grape.  The  quality  is  fair  and  in 
productiveness  it  equals  the  Martha.  Mr. 
Campbell  reported  that  he  had  produced  if 
for  two  years,  was  satisfied  that  it  was  a 
true  Labrusca  with  the  general  charaster- 
istics  of  the  Concord,  except  color.  It  was 
larger  in  size  of  bunch  than  the  Martha  and 
somewhat  better  quality  but  earlier.  He 
thinks  it  is  much  more  valuable  than  Mar- 
tha. Its  season  is  between  Martha  and  La- 
dy. While  the  skin  is  somewhat  thin,  it 
will  ship  as  well  as  Worden.  Wooflrnff 
Rtil.  Mr.  Vandeman  spoke  of  this  as  a 
good  grower  and  very  fine  except  for  its 
color.  Skin  rather  thick,  but  a  good  mar- 
ket Grape.  Mr.  Campbell  has  confidence 
that  this  will  prove  a  good  popular  market 
Grape  and  also  a  Grape  for  the  million. 
While  its  quality  is  not  .so  high  as  to  recom- 
mend it  as  one  of  the  finestamateur  Grapes, 
yet  many  like  it  as  well  as  any  kind  grown 
while  it  would  be  sure  of  appreciation  with 
the  masses,  he  was  satisfied,  with  the  Con- 
cord. It  has  sold  well  in  market,  its  pe- 
culiar color  being  an  attraction.  The  vine 
is  a  healthy,  hardy  grower  and  very  attrac- 
tive. Mr.  Hubbard  reported  that  he  had 
seen  some  very  productive  vines  of  this  va- 
riety, the  bunches  produced  being  of  fine 
appearance.  Orccn  Mmintai'ii.  Mr.  J.  W. 
Manning  had  seen  this  variety  for  two 
years  in  succession  at  the  Hoyt  Fruit  Farm, 
and  pronounces  it  very  early,  a  good  grower 
and  entirely  hardy.  Mr.  Hulibard  had  seen 
it  at  Geneva,  where  it  presented  quite  a 
promising  appearance,  being  very  early 
and  good  quality. 

The  KiuU  Pear  was  alluded  to  as  of  Mis- 
souri origin,  aiid  for  keeping  qualities  is  the 
best  Pear  he  has  yet  seen.  He  would  class 
it  in  quality  with  Lawrence,  and  makes  it 
even  better  than  Vicar.  The  flesh  is  solid, 
the  skin  is  yellow.  It  kept  all  winter,  and 
in  his  judgment  was  well  worthy  of  atten- 
tion. The  Itlaltii  Pear,  Mr.  Vandeman  says, 
is  much  like  Duchess  in  size,  shape,  and 
flavor.  Still  in  his  judgment  he  would  not 
yet  conclude  that  it  was  more  hardy  than 
others.  It  has  no  Japanese  blood,  but  is 
probably  a  seedling  of  Duchess. 

The  Garfield  Apple,  the  same  gentleman 
declared  to  be  one  of  the  hardiest,  being  not 
far  behied  Ben  Davis  in  size.  The  fruit  is 
handsome  in  appearance,  having  a  red 
stripe,  is  slightly  conical,  of  quite  good 
quality,  originated  in  Northern  Central  Ill- 
inois. The  Laciin  Apple,  of  Lacon,  111.,  re- 
sembles the  last,  and  has  stood  winters 
where  others  died.  The  Shirk  in  an  India- 
na variety,  .season  the  same  as  Bailey  Sweet, 
luitthe  fruit  is  larger,  very  sweet  and  the 
tree  a  better  grower  than  that  variety.  He 
esteems  it  as  a  very  fine  fall  sweet  Apple. 
The  BuUmitii,  a  variety  widely  distributed 
in  Illinois,  Mr.  Vandeman  feels  satisfied  is 
the  Red  Canadian.  Ituinhor  disai)points 
him  much.  It  is  a  late  keeper  but  poor  in 
qualily,  of  a  greenish  color.  Pffffer,  a  var- 
iety originated  in  Wisconsin,  was  thought 


to  be  better  than  Pewaukee  and  fully  as 
hardy.  Another  variety  called  ll'/ri(?.vor  is 
a  medium-sized  red  fruit,  handsome  white 
fle.sh,  good  quality,  and  very  hardy.  Ear- 
ly Uiilden  is  a  very  nice  yellow  summer  Ap- 
ple, very  attractive  and  very  tart,  hence  va- 
luable for  cooking.  It  is  not  quite  as  early 
as  Harvest.  A'aiimp,  medium  size,  green- 
ish yellow,  flavor  very  good,  October,  No- 
vember, hardy.  The  Foi/ik?/?);/,  a  variety 
of  New  England  origin,  is  quite  hardy  in  the 
extreme  north  of  New  BjUgland.  Itisared 
striped  Apple  on  yellow  ground,  medium 
sized,  good  quality  winter  fruit. 

Attention  was  called  to  the  increased  in- 
terest in  nut  culture.  There  are  varieties  of 
the  native  Chestnut  superior  in  quality  and 
size  to  the  ordinary,  and  these  should  be 
sought  out  for  propagation.  No  Japanese 
Chestnut  equals  the  native  in  quality.  The 
Diiliiiiit  originated  at  Dover,  Delaware,  is 
fully  twice  as  large  as  the  ordinary  nut. 
JViic  (»ci!7/)if(;,  which  is  a  large  tree,  yields 
fully  ScjO.OO  income  per  year  from  the  nuts. 
Pnnnjiin  is  about  the  best  Chestnut,  all 
things  considered.  It  is  as  large  as  Dupont, 
yields  enormously,  bears  young,  and  is  of 
good  quality.  It  is  not  a  foreigner  in  his 
judgment.  The  Nutnlm  is  a  large  foreign 
variety  of  poor  quality. 

A  delegate  present  said  that  these  large 
varieties  are  never  as  good  as  our  smaller 
natives  but  added  that  cooking  improves 
the  large  class  byovercoming  the  astringency 
in  the  skin  of  the  kernel.  Mr.  Jenkins  of 
Ohio  observed  that  trees  when  young  bear 
larger  fruit  than  the  same  when  older. 

The  Prcnn  nut,  is  recommended  for  the 
rich  alluvial  landsof  the  South.  Mr.  Vande- 
man states  that  its  culture  will  prove  very 
valuable  if  confined  to  the  Southern  States, 
and  does  well  as  far  north  as  central  Indi- 
ana. The  Mi\ricaii  Pdiwrnlirll  nut,  grown 
in  Mississippi  is  three  times  as  large  as  the 
ordinary  varieties,  most  delicious  in  flavor. 

The    Crdnddll    Currant,     Prof.      Bailey 
says,  is   the   coming    fruit,    and    attention 
should  be  given  to  fixing  and  improving  it 
by  propagating  from  the  best  plants. 
To  be  continued. 

Pickle  Growing  for  Profit. 

WALTER   UORMAN,  NIAGARA   CO.,  N.  Y, 

Cucumber  pickles  are  a  great  money  crop 
in  this  vicinity,  almost  every  farmer  plant- 
ing his  one,  two  and  three  acres  annually, 
and  thus  often  materially  adding  to  the 
otherwise  not  magnificent  returns  of  his 
farm  operations. 

To  make  the  most  of  it,  planting  should 
not  be  delayed  too  long;  early  June  being  a 
good  time,  and  usually  more  profitable  than 
if  done  later,  although  many  fields  are 
planted,  or  at  least  replanted  (when  the  bugs 
have  devoured  the  first  sowings)  as  late  as 
July.  The  earliest  planted  fields  are  often 
out  of  the  way  of  harm  from  bug  depreda- 
tionswhenthe  later  ones  suHer  badly;  andat 
any  rate  we  must  try  to  get  the  advantage 
of  a  long  bearing  period,  rather  than  run 
the  risk  of  having  one-half  of  the  crop  spoiled 
by  an  early  fall  frost. 

The  land  selected  for  the  crop  should  be 
in  good  condition— the  richer  the  better — a 
young,  fertile  Clover  sod  often  giving  excel- 
lent results.  Manure  is  to  be  used  without 
stint,  if  the  field  is  only  moderately  fertile, 
and  usually  applied  broadcast;  and  plowed 
under.  On  soil  already  rich,  however,  we 
often  use  only  a  shovelful  or  two  of  good 
well-rotted  compost  in  the  hill— and  this  is 
a  commendable  and  profitable  practice  any- 
way. We  plow  the  land  in  the  usual  way, 
turning  the  furrows  over  nicely,  then  pul- 
verize it  thoroughly  by  means  of  Disk  har- 
row and  smoothing  harrow,  going  over  the 
Held  repeatedly  and  in  different  directions, 
until  we  have  a  perfect  seed  bed.  The  next 
step  is  the  marking  out  both  ways,  which  is 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


21 1 


done  by  means  of  a  marker  similar  to  a 
Corn  niarter.  with  teeth  four  feet  apart. 
Some  of  us  plant  somewhat  wider,  but  I 
prefer  this  distance,  in  order  to  have  the 
whole  area  well  occupied.  Xow  comes  the 
compost,  or  a  handful  of  good  fertilizer  into 
e.Hch  cross  mark,  and  here  we  make  a  broad, 
tlat  hill  iipon  which  10  or  IJ  seeds  of  the 
White  Spine  variety  are  dropped  and  lightly 
covered  with  fine  soil.  The  foot  is  used  in 
firming  the  soil. 

When  the  plants  appear,  the  period  of 
danger  and  of  close  watching  begins,  for  the 
bugs  are  usually  there,  and  manage  to  meet 
the  young  plants  half  way.  We  have  made 
repeated  ;applications  of  slug  shot  with  ap- 
parently beneficial  results  last  year,  and  are 
trying  the  same  again  this  season.  It  does 
not  seem  to  hurt  the  plants  in  the  least,  as 
many  other  applications,  especially  plaster, 
lime  and  Paris  green,  appear  to  do.  Keep- 
ing the  plants  covered  with  bone  dust  has 
also  seemed  to  be  a  help  in  keeping  the  bugs 
off,  and  we  are  using  it  again  on  part  of  our 
plantation.  Of  course  good  cultivation  is 
given  until  the  vines  begin  to  mn.  When 
they  begin  to  bear,  the  pickles  must  be  picked 
regularly,  and  always  clean.  On  this  de- 
pends themea.sure  of  success;  for  if  allowed 
to  grow  to  very  large  size  forming  seed,  or 
worse  yet,  to  ripen  on  the  vines,  the  latter 
will  soon  give  out  and  stop  bearing.  The 
pickles  as  demanded  by  our  buyers  should 
be  from  S^.C  to  6  inches  long,  and  the  nearer 
they  are  to  the  former  size,  the  larger  will 
be  the  number  produced,  and  consequently 
the  more  money  the  crop  will  bring.  This 
is  probably  one  of  the  most  important  points 
about  this  business.  Pick  often,  and  try  to 
have  all  pickles  uniformly  small.  The 
market  will  usually  prefer  them  thus;  more 
can  be  drawn  to  the  load,  and  more  money 
brought  back  for  them. 

Our  crops  are  usually  grown  on  contract, 
buyers  agreeing  to  pay  12  cents  per  100,  de- 
livered in  crates  at  our  station.  The  point 
of  profit  is  always  the  most  interesting. 
When  the  crop  is  well  managed,  and  on 
fertile  soil,  it  makes  not  a  bad  showing  in 
this  respect.  Of  course,  we  are  not  quite  so 
fortunate  as  Mr.  M.  Milton,  of  Ohio,  who, 
according  to  his  report  in  some  paper 
grew  43,(X)0  pickles  on  one-eighth  acre, 
selling  them  at  s^.-iU  per  l,(M).  and  securing 
a  net  profit  of  *ti9,  or  at  the  rate  of  ^5.5J  per 
acre.  He  had  the  advantage  not  only  of 
good  garden  land,  but  also  of  a  demand  for 
pickles  from  one-half  to  three  inches  in 
length,  at  more  than  double  the  price  that 
we  realize  for  our  larger  ones. 

We  consider  a  yield  of  100,000  pickles  per 
acre  a  pretty  good  one,  although  now  and 
then  we  have  raised  150,0(Xl,  and  under  ex- 
ceptionally favorable  conditions  and  high 
manuring  still  more.  But  on  the  other 
hand,  we  do  not  make  much  account  of  our 
expenses.  We  have  the  manure — made  by 
our  own  stock— and  the  family  does  the 
picking  and  the  other  work  connected  with 
it.  The  amount  of  *I20  received  for  a  one 
acre  crop,  or  *;3H0  for  our  three  acres,  there- 
fore is  looked  upon  as  clear  gain,  and  cer- 
tainly it  helps  us  ont  quite  nicely  in  these 
times  of  low  prices  for  all  our  usual  pro- 
ducts. But  it  means  considerable  work  for 
most  of  the  family  members. 

One  of  our  neighbors  is  not  only  a  pickle 
grower  himself,  but  a  pickle  buyer  as  well; 
and  most  of  the  pickles  hereabouts  are 
grown  for  him  under  contract.'  They  are 
laid  down  in  brine,  in  large  vats,  each  ot 
which  may  hold  -H)  or  50  barrels,  and  in  due 
time  sold  to  the  grocery  stores  in  Buffalo, 
but  I  do  not  know  at  what  prices.  Another 
neighbor  disposes  of  his  own  crop  in  the 
same  way,  and  possibly  it  might  pay  us  all 
still  better  to  adopt  the  same  practice. 
Altogether,  however,  this  pickle  industry 
gives  us  better  returns  from  our  land  than 


growing  Tomatoes    for    the   canneries   at 
less  than  $8.00  per  ton. 


Oranges  and  Crape  Fruit. 

K.  1'.  roWKLI,.  ONEIDA  CO.,  N.  Y. 

Tlie  use  of  Florida  fruits  is  so  largely  in- 
creased as  to  no  longer  call  for  special  at- 
tention, but  our  northern  consumers  do  not 
yet  begin  to  realize  how  vast  an  amount  of 
positively  inferior  fruit  is  consumed  by  them 
under  the  general  name  of  Oranges.  There 
really  are  almost  as  many  varieties  of 
Oranges  as  there  are  of  Pears  or  Apples,  and 
they  differ  as  largely  in  quality,  but  apart 
from  three  or  four  distinctions,  such  as  Mes- 
sinas,  Floridas,  Tangerines,  etc,  an  Orange 
with  us  is  an  Orange  and  nothing  more. 
During  the  past  year  I  have  imported  di- 
rectly from  Orlando,  boxes  of  Oranges  which 
were  indeed  a  revelation  to  me.  At  a  cost 
of  from  ^2.ry0  to  ^i.W),  freight  included,  I 
secured  fruit  fit  for  the  Gods  to  eat.  Our 
northern  home  consumers,  by  clubbing 
together  and  procuring  'half  a  dozen  boxes 
at  a  time,  can  thus  obtain  this  most  whole- 
some and  noble  fruit  in  its  best  state,  but 
what  I  intended  especially  to  speak  of,  is 
the  Grape  fruit.  In  my  judgment  this  is  the 
healthiest  fruit  that  grows  on  the  face  of 
the  earth.  It  is  a  Citrus,  averaging  two  or 
three  times  the  size  of  an  ordinary  Orange, 
enormously  juicy  and  of  a  mild  acid,  the 
flavor  of  which  grows  upon  one  the  more 
they  eat  it.  It  way  be  said  to  be  half  way 
between  a  first-class  Orange  and  a  flr.st-class 
I^emon  in  fiavor,  with  a  distinct  and  peculiar 
aroma  of  its  own.  Cut  in  two  crosswise 
through  the  middle,  and  eaten  with  a  tea- 
spoon when  rising  before  breakfast,  it  is  not 
only  delicious,  but  exceedingly  wholesome. 
I  recommend  it  to  all  lovers  of  good  fruit, 
and  especially  to  those  troubled  with  indi- 
gestion. 


Fungicides  and   Spraying  Pumps. 

Prof.  B.  F.  Galloway,  of  the  Department 
ot  Agriculture,  in  the  .lournal  of  Mycology, 
Vol.  0,  No.  1,  calls  attention  to  several  new 
preventives  and  remedies  for  plant  diseases. 
and  desires  that  they  be  more  fully  tested. 
The  first  of  these  is  a  solution  of  copper 
acetate  or  verdigris,  prepared  as  follows: 

-Dissolve  three  pounds  of  powdered  verdi- 
gris in  six  to  eight  gallons  of  water,  and 
after  standing  for  34  hours,  dilute  to  22  gal- 
lons. If  desired,  the  amount  of  verdigris 
may  be  increased  to  four  pounds  without 
injury  to  the  plants.  This  preparation  be- 
ing comparatively  cheap  and  easily  pre- 
pared, it  would  be  well  to  test  it  for  downy 
mildew  and  black  rot  of  the  Grape,  making 
the  applications  as  described  for  Bordeaux 
mixture  and  the  other  preparations. 

Anotherpreparation  which  might  be  tried 
for  dowTiy  mildew  is  made  as  follows: 

Dissolve  5  pounds  of  alum  in  3  or  4  gallons 
of  boiling  water,  and  then  pourthissolution 
into  a  half  barrel  or  tu  I)  containing  sufficient 
cold  water  to  make  1.5  gallons.  In  another 
vessel  dissolve  4-2  pounds  of  calcium  chloride 
in  3  gallons  ot  cold  water.  Fioally,  pour 
the  calcium  chloride  solution  slowly  into 
the  alum  preparation,  stirring  constantly  to 
effect  a  thorough  mixing. 

When  the  two  solutions  are  mixed  there 
is  formed  aluminum  chloride,  potassium 
sulphate,  and  calcium  sulphate.  It  is 
claimed  that  the  fungicidal  property  lies  in 
the  first,  while  the  calcium  sulphate  facili- 
tates its  adhesiveness.  The  potassium  sul- 
phate is,  as  every  one  knows,  a  fertilizer, 
and  as  it  is  washed  from  the  leaves  it  en- 
riches the  soil. 

The  news  which  Prof.  Galloway  tells  us 
in  regard  to  thenew  spraying  pump,  is  most 
gratifying.  We  ourselves  have  for  a  long 
time  been  appealing  to  manufacturers  for  a 
cheap,  portable  spraying  apparatus,  but  in 
vain.    The  drawback  to  the  machines  here- 


tofore existing,  was  their  great  cost.  The 
Section  ot  Mycology,  as  well  as  ourselves, 
has  felt  this  need  of  a  cheap,  serviceable  and 
effective  apparatus  for  spraying  Grapes  and 
all  the  low  growing  crops.  France  has  for 
some  time  been  our  chief  reliance  for  these 
machines.  "The  average  fruit  grower," 
says  Prof.  (Jalloway,  "  cannot  affort  to  send 
to  France  tor  a  machine  that  will  cost  him, 
laid  down  in  this  country,  all  the  way  from 
*18  to  *2."),  nor  can  he  pay  *21  for  a  pump 
made  here,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  it 
is  a  most  excellent  machine  and  costs  almost 
the  selling  price  to  manufacture  it.  In  short, 
a  knapsack  pump,  be  it  ever  so  serviceable, 
at  ■*21  or  even  *18,  is  entirely  beyond  the 
reach  of  the  average  farmer,  gardener  and 
fruit  grower.  Consequently  he  has  to  rely 
upon  inferior  machines,  and  as  a  result,  his 
treatments  are  frequently  unsuccessful  for 
the  simple  reason  that  the  remedies  are  not 
properly  applied. 

We  have  had  the  matter  of  providing  a 
cheap  and  serviceable  knapsack  pump  under 
consideration  for  some  time,  and  can  now 
positively  announce  that  the  machine  will 
be  on  the  market  in  a  few  weeks.  The 
pumps  will  be  made  in  two  or  three  styles, 
and  as  there  will  be  no  patent  on  them,  we 
hope  manufacturers  throughout  the  country 
will  be  able  to  offer  them  at  about  *12,  thus 
placing  them  within  the  reach  of  all." 


The  Celery  and  Onion  Combination. 

To  occupy  every  available  inch  of  space 
with  a  useful  crop  during  the  entire  season, 
is  a  matter  well  worthy  of  every  gardener's 
earnest  attention,  for  on  this  achievement 
often  hinges  the  question  of  success  or  fail- 
ure. When  one  crop  is  gathered,  another 
should  at  once  take  its  place.  This  is  a 
method,  which  not  only  makes  the  most  of 
the  land,  but  also  reduces  to  the  very  least 
the  dangers  from  insects  and  weeds. 

Often  we  can  plant  two  crops  at  a  time, 
the  one  a  quick  maturing  one,  like  Radishes, 
early  Potatoes,  .String  Beans,  early  Peas, 
Lettuce,  etc.,  to  occupy  the  space  which  the 
other,  later,  and  wider  planted  one  like 
Celery,  Cabl  )age.  Cucumber  or  Squash  vines. 
Melons,  etc.,)  does  not  yet  need,  and  this 
other  to  spread  over  the  whole  area  after  the 
fir.st,  or  catch  crop  is  gathered. 

A  Massachusetts  market  gardener  makes 
a  specialty  of  Onions  and  Celery  in  combi- 
nation, and  it  is  a  very  good  one.  We  have 
sometimes  used  a  similar  combination  in 
New  Jersey.  Where  the  Onion  crop  had 
nearly  come  to  maturity,  early  in  August, 
we  pulled  up  every  fifth  row,  letting  the 
bulbs  dry  to  sell  in  the  regular  way,  or  use 
at  home,  then  spade  up  the  ground  in  this 
row  a  single  spade's  width,  and  set  some 
real  good  stocky  Celery  plants  six  inches 
apart  in  these  rows.  As  the  land  was  well 
matured  in  the  spring  for  the  Onion  crop, 
the  Celery  would  do  very  well  without  other 
additional  fertilizer  except  a  dressing  of 
some  high-grade  fertilizer,  or  wood  ashes 
strewn  along  the  drill  and  worked  into  the 
soil  before  setting  the  plants. 

Our  Massachusetts  friend's  method  slight- 
ly varies  from  ours.  When  sowing  his 
Onion  seed,  he  leaves  every  seventh  row 
blank,  in  which  row  he  pricks  in  Celery 
plants  twelve  inches  apart.  The  Onions  die 
down  from  the  1st  to  the  10th  of  September, 
which  gives  ample  soil  between  the  Celery 
rows  to  bank  it.  He  manures  his  land  in 
the  fall  by  plowing  in  twenty-five  cords  of 
strawy  manure  and  plows  two  furrows  to- 
gether, thereby  leaving  his  land  in  ridges 
which  enables  the  frost  and  weather  to  work 
upon  it,  making  the  soil  mellow  and  fine  in 
the  sprmg.  It  also  enables  the  water  to  be 
drained  off  in  the  dead  furrows.  Much  de- 
pends upon  the  seed  if  a  maximum  crop  is 
desired.  He  sows  in  rows  thirteen  inches 
ai)art  at  the  rate  of  four  pounds  of  seed  per 


212 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


July, 


acre,  with  a  seed  sower,  after  preparing  the 
land  by  smoothing  the  surface  with  hand 
rakes. 

Celery  plants  are  grown  by  sowing  seed 
very  thickly  under  glass  with  a  gentle  heat 
the  first  of  April.  As  soon  as  the  plants  ap- 
pear above  ground,  a  frecjuent  watering  is 
required  to  keep  the  sun  from  burning  them. 
Give  them  plenty  of  air  and  grow  them  slow 
so  that  by  the  last  week  in  May  to  the  first 
week  in  July,  they  will  be  of  size  to  trans- 
plant into  blank  rows  among  the  Onions. 

The  quantity  of  crop  of  Onions  grown  as 
above,  would  be  from  six  to  seven  hundred 
bushels,  and  they  should  be  stored  in  small 
bulk  m  cellars  for  winter  use. 


A  Single-Post  Grape  Trellis. 

E.  S.  GOFF,  UNIVERSITY  OF  WISCONSIN. 

Some  have  advocated  the  method  of  train- 
ing the  vine  to  a  single  post  on  account  of 
its  cheapness.  The  plan  is  open  to  the  ob- 
jection that  the  canes  when  tied  closely 
about  a  single  post  have  not  sufficient  room 
in  which  to  expose  their  foliage  to  the  light, 
and  to  develop  their  bunches.  The  method 
shown  in  the  accompanying  drawing  is  in- 
tended to  obviate  this  objection  at  a  slight 
increase  in  cost. 

Strips  of  board  three  inches  wide  and  four 
feet  long  are  nailed  to  the  post  in  opposite 
directions,  and  to  stifl'en  these  and  protect 
the  ends  of  the  protruding  arms,  slender 
vertical  strips  three-fourth  by  one  inch  are 
added  as  shown. 

In  training  the  vines  for  this  trellis,  a 
single  cane  is  grown  the  first  season  which 
is  cut  back  pretty  low  in  autumn.  The 
second  year  two  canes  are  trained  up,  each 
of  which  is  cut  back  in  the  fall  to  two  buds. 
The  third  year,  four  canes  are  grown,  and  if 
the  vine  has  done  well  these  are  allowed  to 
bear  two  bunches  each. 

In  the  autumn  of  the  third  year  these 
canes  are  cut  back  to,  not  to  exceed,  two 
feet  in  length,  and  serve  as  bed  canes  for  the 
next  year.  At  the  close  of  this  season  these 
are  cut  back  to  the  cane  nearest  the  fork  of 
the  trunk,  which  cut  off  at  two  feet  long 
serves  as  the  bed  cane  for  the  next  year. 
The  length  of  the  bed  canes  is  of  course 
regulated  by  the  strength  of  the  vine,  but 
it  does  not  exceed  two  feet.  The  growth  of 
spurs  near  the  forks  of  the  trunk  is  en- 
couraged to  develop  future  bud  canes. 

If  the  vines  are  planted  eight  feet  apart 
both  ways,  and  the  arms  of  the  trellis  ex- 


ft. 


of  the  vine.  The  method  has  the  advantage 
of  favoring  a  free  circulation  of  air  through 
the  vineyard  in  all  directions. 


Damming     Ravines    and     Furrowing 
Fields  for  Soil  Saving. 

JUDGE  8.  MILLER,  MONTGOMERY  CO.,  MO. 

One  metereological  problem  puzzles  me 
more  than  any  other,  and  that  is  why  the 


Sinyle  Post  TrcUix  in  Orapery. 
tended  diagonally,  as  shown  in  the  second 
drawing,  there  will  be  a  space  five  feet  wide 
for  cultivation  extending  in  both  directions. 
Each  vine,  though  it  has  eight  feet  of 
trellis  of  which  both  sides  are  exposed  to 
the  light,  occupies  a  space  only  three  feet 
square,  and  this  area  can  be  mostly  reached 
with  the  smoothing  harrow,  as  it  is  only 
obstructed  by  the  single  post  and  the  trunk 


Single  Post  Orape  Trellis. 
rains  that  fall,  and  without  which  vegeta- 
tion could  not  exist,  must  come  down  in 
torrents,  causing  floods  and  washouts,  carry- 
ing away  good  soil  into  the  streams  where 
lost,  instead  of  falling  gently  so  as  to  all  go 
into  the  ground  and  then  come  out  in 
springs?  But  so  it  is,  and  in  the  eyes  of  the 
great  Creator  seems  good.  That  the  lands 
denuded  of  the  primeval  forests,  and  in  cul- 
tivation are  more  subject  to  this,  we  all 
know;  but  even  the  forests,  where  hilly,  are 
by  no  means  exempt  from  it. 

Here  in  this  hilly  country,  where  nearly 
all  the  forests  yet  remain,  there  are  gullies 
washed  out,  and  the  leaves,  logs  and  small 
branches  of  trees  that  fall  to  the  ground, 
come  tearing  down  the  ravines  at  a  fearful 
rate.  On  the  12th  of  May  we  had  a  terrible 
hail  storm  and  a  rain  that  flooded  every- 
thing. A  new  Strawberry  patch  planted 
a  few  weeks  before  had  gutters  washed 
out  that  a  man  could  lie  down  in  and  be 
almost  hidden.  My  garden,  which  is 
nearly  level,  was  like  a  lake,  and  all  the 
work  and  planting  must  be  done  over. 

My  intention  was  to  make  a  ditch  across 
the  upper  part  of  the  garden,  and  also 
on  the  upper  side  of  the  new  Strawberry 
patch.  The  latter  was  attended  to  by  a 
drain  from  each  end  with  a  pond  dug  in 
the  middle.  It  was  not  done  two  days  too 
soon,  as  another  rain  came  down  as  if  the 
flood  gates  of  Heaven  were  opened,  and 
but  for  my  drain  and  pond  all  the  work 
of  filling  up  the  gutters  would  have 
again  been  undone. 

This  pond  above  my  new  Strawberry  bed 
will  furnish  water  to  use  on  the  plants  if  it 
gets  dry.  Hut  there  is  a  bigger  job  on  hand. 
It  is  the  draining  of  the  ravines  in  the  hills, 
and  digging  wells  so  as  to  hold  back  the 
suriilus  of  water.  Two  years  ago  my  sous 
undertook  to  make  a  dam  a  few  hundred 
yards  above  my  house  where  the  ravine  is, 
about  50  feet  wide  and  si.\  feet  high.  They 
thought  they  understood  what  they  were 
about,  and  would  not  take  advise,  but  the 
first  heavy  rain  showed  them    their  error. 


There  is  only  one  way  to  stay  these  floods, 
and  that  is  to  make  the  dam  strong  enough. 
Where  the  timber  is  plenty  like  here,  it  is 
a  simple  matter.  The  first  thing  is  to  get 
down  to  a  solid  clay  in  the  bottom  of  the 
ravine;  then  dig  a  sloping  cut  on  each  side 
of  the  bank  at  an  angle  of  about  7(1°,  dig  it 
mto  the  bank  two  feet.  Now  cut  timbers; 
they  should  be  8  to  13  inches  in  diameter; 
let  them  fit  from  bank  to  bank  and  lay  as 
close  as  the  straight  run  of  the  timber  will 
permit.  The  cuts  in  the  bank  must  lean 
down  stream  so  as  to  give  the  fall  of  the 
waters,  which  should  be  some  feet  from  the 
base,  or  it  will  wash  out  the  bottom. 

When  the  proper  height  has  been  attained, 
pack  the  clay  tight  around  the  ends  of  the 
timbers,  and  set  a  triangle  of  heavy  timbers 
to  support  the  middle.  Next  split  timber 
about  the  size  of  those  used  for  cross  pieces 
into  quarters,  and  put  one  in  the  angles  of 
the  logs;  nail  or  spike  fast.  After  this  is  done 
let  all  the  good  soil  be  thrown  up  to  the 
height  of  the  breast,  and  use  it  on  some 
other  place;  it  will  pay.  Dig  into  the  clay 
bank  and  transfer  some  to  stamp  in  the 
cracks  between  the  logs.  The  thickness  of 
breast  of  the  dam  .should  be  at  least  as  much 
in  feet  as  the  dam  is  high,  and  should  be  at 
the  upper  side  at  an  angle  of  about  30°. 
This  should  be  trodden  down  with  horses 
passing  back  and  forward,  so  as  to  pack 
tight.  If  the  latter  part  of  the  banking  is 
made  by  the  clay  out  of  a  well  dug  in  the 
middle  it  will  be  all  the  better,  as  the  well 
will  hold  a  quantity  if  made  six  feet  in 
diameter  and  eight  or  ten  feet  deep,  which 
can  be  thrown  out  by  hand  and  shovel,  and 
not  need  a  windlass. 

I  have  seen  water  in  such  a  well,  and  the 
ground  at  the  base  of  the  dam,  and  every- 
thing growing  where  all  else  around  was 
parched  to  death.  How  much  of  this  I  will 
get  done  this  season  is  hard  to  tell,  but  at 
least  some.  One  operation  has  already  been 
done  that  saves  us  an  acre  of  our  best  land 
from  overflow,  costing  about  five  dollars. 

How  many  of  our  readers  will  try  this 
and  give  us  their  experiences?  Where  a 
ravine  is  fifty  feet  across  at  the  highest 
part,  and  the  timbers  close  by,  it  can  be 
dammed  for  ten  or  fifteen  dollars.  In  the 
fields  which  are  subject  to  washing,  a  fur- 
row or  furrows  leading  into  ponds  easily 
dug,  will  save  much  good  soil,  from  being 
lost  forever. 

When  the  ponds  get  full  of  soil,  the  water 
can  be  drawn  off,  and  the  good  soil  hauled 
out  on  .some  poor  place.  Here  it  has  just 
come  to  this:  that  something  of  the  kind 
must  be  done,  or  we  must  abandon  growing 
anything  but  grass  on  our  hills.  These 
ponds,  dams  and  wells  will  furnish  moisture 
in  the  air  and  considerably  aid  the  life  of 
plants  during  some  of  the  protracted 
droughts  so  common  in  some  parts  of  the 
west.  On  the  breast  of  these  dams  Willow 
trees  can  be  planted,  which  will  in  a  few 
years  make  them  proof  against  leakage. 


Western  New/   York  Fruit   Growers. 

ilieport  11/  meeting  of  the  Western  New  York  Hurttcul 
tural  Sueiety,  eontlnued  from  page  143.) 

The  Newer  Strawberries.  The  horti- 
culturist of  the  New  York  Experiment 
Station,  in  relating  last  season's  experience 
with  80  varieties  on  the  station  grounds, 
mentions  that  the  matted  rows  have  given 
not  only  a  larger  yield  but  also  larger  berries 
than  rows  kept  on  the  stool  plan. 

Among  the  various  varieties  the  following 
are  favorably  mentioned :  Bubach,  vigor- 
ous and  productive ;  Crawford,  the  very 
latest,  of  flrst-class  quality,  and  an  acquisi- 
tion; Daisy  may  take  the  place  of  Crescent 
in  many  sections  ;  Hoffman,  a  good  shipper 
and  keeper ;  Ivanhoe,  promising ;  Lida, 
stocky  .and  an  enormous  oearer;  Middlerteld 
one   of   the  good  new  ones.     For   market 


1890. 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


213 


the  foUowinij;  are  reconinieml:  ITotTinan  and 
Haverland.  Daisy,  liubach  and  Crawford. 

Dwarf  vs.  Siand.mid  Pk.vu.s.  The  di.s- 
cussions  on  comparative  value  of  standard 
and  dwarf  Pears  showed  considerable 
diversity  of  opinion.  On  tlie  whole,  the 
friends  of  dwarf  trees  had  the  best  of  it. 
Mr.  15ogue  says  that  more  money  is  made 
in  Genesee  County  from  dwarfs  than  from 


DEVICE   FOR   HOLDING  BASS. 

standards:  on  heavy  soil  well  cultivated  and 
highly  manured.  Duchess  heads  the  list 
of  varieties. 

Mr.  Willard  also  decides  in  favor  of  the 
dwarf  for  Ontario  County.  They  bring 
more  clean  money  than  the  standards  and 
last  a  generation.  There  are  more  varieties 
suited  for  dwarfing  than  is  commonly  sup- 
posed. Howell  is  profitable;  Kieffer,  when 
double-worked  on  Quince,  is  trump.  Mr. 
Smith  (  Syracuse )  says  that  Kietf  er  does 
as  well  directly  on  Quince  as  double-worked. 
Strong  clay  loams  give  better  and  larger 
fruit  from  dwarfs,  while  on  light  soil 
standards  do  better.  The  majority  of  Pears 
do  well  on  Quince  in  clay  soil.  Mr.  Rupert 
advises  to  plant  the  dwarf  deep ;  Quince 
stock  should  be  four  inches  below  the  sur- 
face of  ground. 

Mr.  Willard  says,  Pears,  whether  dwarfs 
or  standards,  pay  anyway,  and  probably 
400  per  cent  as  much  as  grain.  There  is  very 
little  danger  of  our  overdoing  Pear  culture. 
Prof.  Bailey,  however,  puts  in  the  timely 
warning  that  it  depends  mostly  on  the  man 
himself.  If  a  person  plants  standards,  he 
will  have  some  truit  anyway,  but  if  he  will 
take  care  of  his  trees  he  can  plant  dwarfs 

Mr.  W.  C.  Barry  is  in  favor  of  dwarfs  on 
account  of  their  early  fruiting,  and  their 
habit  of  bearing  from  the  ground  up.  The 
notion  that  dwarfs  are  short-lifed  is  false. 
If  properly  planted,  so  that  roots  will  be 
emitted  from  above  the  Quince  stock, 
making  the  tree  a  so-called  "  half  standard," 
it  lasts  a  long  time.  Pronounces  Anjou  the 
best  of  all  Pears.  Takes  more  pleasure  in 
an  orchard  of  Anjon  than  in  any  other  fruit 
he  has.  Standards  should  be  set  on  warm 
sandy  soil. 

Mulberry  as  Fruit.  Mr.  Hooker  calls 
it  a  good  tree,  and  a  pleasant  fruit.  Mr. 
Willard  considers  Downing  (Everbearing)  a 
desirable  fruit,  but  not  profitable  for  mar- 
ket. Mr.  Smith  says  it  is  profitable  to  grow 
for  birds,  as  it  saves  Cherries.  A  large  tree 
will  probably  bear  ten  bushels  of  fruit.  Mr. 
Barry  recommends  the  native  Mulberry  as 
a  very  good  one  for  this  purpose.  It  should 
be  grown  more  in  our  gardens. 

Spratixg  Trees.  No  voice  is  raised 
against  this  practice.  Prof.  Bailey  argues 
that  some  trees  should  be  left  unsprayed  to 
serve  as  a  comparison  for  the  effectiveness 
of  the  spray.  The  best  check,  however,  is  to 
spray  all  your  own  trees,  and  compare 
results  with  those  on  your  nciglilior'.^  un- 
sprayed trees. 

Scraping  Trees.  In  answer  to  the  ques- 
tion: Is  it  of  advantage  to  take  off  the  rough 
bark  of  Apple  trees,  Mr.  Rupert  says  this 
practice  destroys  insects,  especially  if  fol- 


lowed up  with  a  wash  of  soap  suds.  Mr. 
Hooker  says  it  destroys  a  hiding  place  of 
the  codlin  moth,  but  it  also  destroy.s  a  coat 
(if  protection.  Mr.  Root  calls  the  practice 
■'  more  nice  than  wise." 

I'EAR  Scab.  Prof.  Bailey  says  the  disease 
i."^  caused  by  a  fungus.  Hyposulphite  in  a 
solution  of  half  ounce  to  ten  gallons  of 
water  sprayed  on  the  trees  will  destroy  one- 
half  of  the  scab.  But  there  is  no  absolute 
remedy  known  for  it  yet.  The  general  ex- 
perience of  the  members  seems  to  indicate 
that  Pears  and  Apples  on  high  ground  are 
less  affected  than  on  low  ground. 

Plums  for  Profit.  The  question  is 
what  varieties,  and  how  many  of  each  to 
plant  for  an  orchard  of  1,000  trees.  Mr. 
Ingraham  says  he  would  plant  1,000  Lom- 
bard ,  which  is  in  opposition  to  Mr.  Willard's 
ideas,  who  would  not  put  all  eggs  in  one 
basket,  and  while  planting  largely  of  Lom- 
bard, would  plant,  besides,  Hudson  River 
Purple  Egg,  French  Damson,  Prince  of 
Wales,  Peter's  Yellow  Gage  (one  of  the  best 
of  the  yellows,  and  only  offered  by  Ellwan- 
ger  and  Barry  of  Rochester),  and  the  more 
tender  Reine  Claude  in  favorable  positions. 
The  Plum  will  do  well  on  clay,  but  should 
have  dry  feet.  The  hardiest  Plum  of  its 
kind  is  Union  Purple,  and  a  good  early  fruit. 
Evergreens  for  Windbreak.s.  As  the 
best  and  most  rapid  grower  Prof.  Bailey 
names  Norway  Spruce  ;  Mr.  Root,  Austrian 
Pine ;  Mr.  Hooker,  Norway  Spruce  and 
Scotch  Pine.  Altogether  the  Norway  Spruce 
seems  to  be  the  favorite  of  the  majority. 

Western  Apples.  Some  fruit  growers 
of  Western  New  York  seem  to  fear  that  they 
may  be  overcome  by  western  competition. 
Prof.  Bailey  tries  to  demonstrate  that  these 
fears  are  groundless.  The  Apples  west  of 
New  York  do  not  export  so  well  as  Apples 
from  here.  The  transport  expenses  to  the 
sea  shore  are  also  higher.  Michigan  Apples 
are  fine,  but  not  so  firm.  Mr.  W.  C.  Barry 
says  he  has  never  seen  fruit  anywhere  as 
fine  as  that  grown  in  Western  New  York. 
Mr.  Chas.  A.  Green,  however,  puts  in  a  word 
of  timely  warning  and  caution.  The  Wes- 
tern New  York  fruit  grower,  he  thinks,  has 
found  competitors  in  the  westand  he  should 
prepare  to  meet  them. 

Brook's  Letter.  Maj.  Hugh  T.  Brooks, 
now  a  resident  of  Arkansas,  has  sent  one  of 
his  characteristic  communications.  Health 
and  strength,  he  writes,  are  primary  condi- 
tions of  success  in  horticulture.  His  recipe 
for  keeping  or  regaining  these  invaluable 
blessings  ( health  and  strength )  can  not  be 
endorsed  too  strongly.  Here  it  is :  1.  Put 
out  the  coal  stoves  and  furnaces,  and  burn 
wood  in  open  fire  places.  2.  Avoid  thin 
shoes.  3.  Wear  plenty  of  wool.  4.  Eat 
only  two  meals  a  day,  a  light  lunch  between 
only  being  admissable,  and  don't  eat  too 
much.  .5.  Don't  worry,  (i.  Adopt  clothing 
to  the  weather.  7.  Think  of  the  blessings 
of  l)eing  engaged  in  an  occupation  that 
benefits  mankind,  of  being  in  open  air  with 
bloom  and  fragrance  about  you,  not  in 
closed,  poisoned  rooms  etc. 

Next  Mr.  Brooks  speaks  of  the  one  great 
obstacle  to  successful  fruit  culture,  which 
is  starvation.  If  the  starving  trees  could 
squeal  like  hungry  pigs.  Bedlam  would  be 
let  loose.  Animals  do  best  on  a  well-select- 
ed, well-balanced  ration.  So  do  all  the 
members  of  the  vegetable  kingdom,  es- 
pecially when  fine  flavors  are  wanted.  The 
best  fruit  pays  the  best,  the  poor  does  not 
pay  at  all.    This  is  an  old  experience. 

In  orchard  culture  Apple  trees  often  yield 
four  to  five  barrels;  single  trees  ten  to  20 
barrels  :  yet  the  average  is  only  one  barrel 
to  the  tree.  The  large  yield  always  comes 
from  the  best-fed  orchard.  The  increasing 
demand  for  fruit  in  towns  is  a  terrible  drain 
upon  the  soil.  Where  are  the  trees  going 
to  get  the  needed  raw  materials? 


In  regard  to  insect  enemies,  Mr.  Brooks 
thinks  the  liord  made  worms  to  prevent  the 
lazy  and  shiftless  to  enjoy  real  good  fruit. 


Device  for  Holding  Bass  and  Other 
Tying  Materials. 

Horticultual  supply  stores  in  Germany  of- 
fer at  about  13  cents  each  the  device  here 
illustrated  for  holding  and  carrying  any 
kind  of  tying  material,  especially  bass  in 
budding,  or  strings  already  cut  in  the  prop- 
er length  for  the  special  purpose  desired. 

The  little  contrivance  is  made  of  strong 
brass  wire,  with  spring  enough  to  firmly 
hold  whatever  tying  material  is  put  between 
the  jaws,  may  this  be  much  or  little.  A 
little  hook  on  top  serves  to  suspend  the 
whole  thing  from  a  button  hole.  Altogether 
the  device  looks  like  a  good  thing. 


Boxes  and  Crates  with  Springs. 

One  of  the  great  difficulties  with  which 
the  fruit  grower  has  heretofore  been  con- 
fronted, is  the  rough  usage  which  some  of 
his  perishable  and  frail  products  have  been 
and  are  exposed  when  in  the  hands  of  trans- 
portation agencies.  No  matter  what  pains 
the  shipper  may  have  taken  with  his  fruit, 
and  how  nicely  it  may  appear  when  first 
given  to  the  carriers,  nobody  knows  how  it 
will  appear  after  the  shaking  up  and  throw- 
ing about  which  it  is  likely  to  be  exposed  to 
before  being  placed  before  the  would-be 
purcha.ser  and  con  sumer. 

This  is  why  we  look  with  so  much  satis- 
factiou     upon 
every      effort 
towards    the    im- 
provement    of 
shipping    crates 
and  boxes,  which 
aim  at  safer  trans-  j^^ ,,   ^y,,,,  ji„j,  ^jm  spring 
portation     by     Handle. 
means  of  doing  away  with  part  of  the  jar, 
shake-ups  and  hard  knocks. 

The  use  of  springs  is  really  the  first  thing 
that  should  suggest  itself  in  such  an  emer- 
gency, but  it  is  only  very  recently  that  some 
of  our  fruit  growers  have  hit  upon  this  idea. 
We  were  quite  pleased  with  the  "  Star  Spring 
Box"  exhibited  by  Dr.  Van  Dusen  at  the 
last  meeting  of  the  Western  New  York 
Horticultural  Society.  The  wire  handle  of 
each  box,  in  packing  and  transit,  serves  the 
purposes  of  a  spring  real  well,  no  matter  in 
what  position  the  crate  may  be.  Such  a  box 
adapted  for  putting  up  Grapes,  Cherries' 
Plums  and  similar  fruits,  is  shown  in  the 
accompanying  illustration,  Fig.  1.  In  Pig. 
3  we  illustrate  Spencer's  Improved  Berry 
Crate,  which  is 
provided  with 
springs  in  the 
bottom  of  the 
crate,  and  upon 
which  the  fruit 
rests  after  the 
crate  is  filled. 
Thus,  obviating 
all  injury  from 

Fig.  2.    Berry  Crate  with  Springs.  dowOWard  jars. 

Altogether,  we  think  that  the  efforts 
for  discovering  improved  devices  for  the 
purpose  of  securing  safety  in  transporta- 
tion, should  not  yet  stop  here. 


1,89.5.  Bepotting  Camellias.  There  are  two 
seasons  when  Camellias  may  be  repotted,  says  an 
Ensrlish  writer.  This  is  either  just  as  the  plants 
have  finished  blooming,  or  towards  the  end  of 
the  summer,  when  the  blossom-buds  are  set.  I 
have  repotted  at  both  seasons  with  about  equal 
results.  The  best  time  to  pot  Azaleas  is  in  spring, 
as  soon  as  the  fiowering  is  over.  All  this  clas-s  of 
plants  must  be  potted  firmly,  ramming  the  soil 
mto  the  pot  with  a  round-headed  stick,  slightly 
ftattened  at  the  sides. 

1,9^2.  Planting  Bush  Beans.  If  snap  Beans 
are  the  ob.iect.  the  early  varieties  can  be  planted 
for  succession  and  late  u.se  as  late  .July  in  your 
latitude.  For  dry  shelled  Beans  we  would  pre- 
fer to  plant  in  June. 


214 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


July, 


Amaryllises  and  their  Culture. 

The  Amaryllis  is  a  noble  genus  of  biilbniis 
plants,  of  which  there  are  now  many  splen- 
did named  varieties  in  cultivation.  They 
may  be  grown  either  in  the  greenhouse  or 
the  window  garden,  and  are  not  diflBcult  to 
manage,  the  great  secret  being  to  give  them 
alternately  a  season  of  growth  and  season  of 
repose.  The  colors  range  from  the  deepest 
crimson  scarlet  to  almost  pure  white.  Very 
often  the  centre  of  the  flower  is  entirely  dis- 
tinct In  color  from  the  other  parts,  as  for 
instance  a  white  center  in  a  crimson  flower 
or  a  rosy  scarlet  center  in  a  white  flower. 
On  this,  and  the  opposite  page, 
are  shown  two  strongly  con- 
trasting types  of  the  flowers. 
The  Johnson's  Amaryllis  a 
variety  having  dark  red  flowers 
with  a  white  stripe  down  each 
segment,  is  well  known  to 
flower  growers,  and  valued. 

All  the  Amaryllises  are  of 
easy  culture,  the  main  require- 
ments being  that  the  plants 
should  be  abundantly  supplied 
with  water,  heat  and  light 
when  they  are  coming  into 
flower,  and  water  should  be 
withheld  from  them  by  degrees 
when  the  bloom  is  over,  until 
growth  has  ceased  entirely, 
after  which  they  should  have 
plenty  of  rest.  It  is  the  mis- 
take of  many  to  suppose  it  to 
be  necessary  to  place  them  con- 
tiguous to  the  heating  apparatus 
in  the  greenhouse,  a  course 
which  leads  to  the  severe  In- 
jury of  hundreds  of  bulbs. 
They  will  be  better  suited  if 
kept  In  any  moderately  dry 
place  where  the  temperature 
does  not  fall  below  forty-flve 
degrees.  The  foliage  will  some- 
times remain  fresh  and  plump 
for  a  couple  of  months  with- 
out water.  So  long  as  the 
plants  are  thoroughly  at  rest, 
It  matters  not  whether  the 
foliage  dies  away  altogether, 
or  a  few  leaves  remain  green 
throughout  the  winter.  Bulbs 
preserved  in  the  way  suggested, 
will  flower  with  double  the 
strength  of  others  maintained 
in  a  high  temperature  and  where  it  Is  in- 
tensely dry. 

Wintered  after  the  manner  outlined,  some 
kinds  may  be  turned  out  iuto  a  warm  bor- 
der in  spring  where  they  will  flower;  and  if 
the  season  be  fine,  they  will  mature  their 
bulbs  in  time  to  be  taken  up  at  the  approach 
of  frost.  If  bulbs  in  pots  are  kept  dry  and 
dormant  during  the  latter  part  of  the  sum- 
mer and  autumn,  they  may  be  lead  to  bloom 
in  a  warm  place  in  the  winter.  Indeed,  by 
having  a  large  stock  of  bulbs — and  a  good 
strain  may  easily  be  grown  from  seed— a 
regular  succession  of  flowers  may  be  had 
throughout  nearly  the  entire  year. 

In  pot  cultivation,  it  may  be  put  down  as 
a  rule,  that  the  Amaryllises  do  better  not 
to  have  the  roots  disturbed  frequently;  a 
fresh  pot  once  in  two  or  three  years  is 
enough,  and  will  grow  better  plants  than 
can  be  accomplished  by  the  annual  shift  as 
so  much  practiced.  But  with  the  bulb  thus 
in  one  pot  for  several  years,  there  must  be 
good  drainage  in  the  pots;  rtrst,  some  pot 
sherds  packed  carefully  at  the  bottom,  and 
over  this  some  sphagnum  or  bits  of  turf  be- 
fore filling  in  any  soil  which  then  go  into 
the  pot  the  coarser  particles  next  to  the 
drainage. 

The  best  season  for  repotting  the  main 
stock  is  in  the  spring,  for  then  the  bulbs 
should  be  making  their  new  roots,  and  these 
with  having  new  soil  to  feed  in,  will  help 


along  the  plant  remarkably.  It  is  a  good 
plan  to  repot  a  portion  of  the  stock  every 
spring,  and  then  not  to  allow  a  single  flower 
on  the  lot  last  potted,  but  to  pinch  out  the 
flower  buds  as  soon  as  they  appear.  Always 
pot  firm  and  always  in  a  substantial  loamy 
compost.  Such  a  course  will  be  of  much 
benefit  to  later  crops  of  bloom. 

For  growth  and  bloom,  a  temperature  of 
fifty  degrees  should  be  given  at  the  start 
and  which  soon  after  may  ascend  to  sixty  or 
seventy  degrees.  From  the  time  the  new 
leaver  appear  until  after  bloom,  the  plants 
should  be  provided  with  plenty  of  water,  a 


AMARYLLIS,   ONE  OF  THE  DARK  TYPES. 

treatment  which  is  really  essential  to  the 
best  success  of  the  plant. 


How   are  you    Handling  the   Chrys- 
anthemums Now? 

T.  W.  FISHER,  WARREN  COUNTY,  PA. 

The  months  of  .lune,  July  and  August, 
should  be  the  making  time  of  this  flower. 
One  of  the  greatest  mistakes  made  by  begin- 
ners in  Chrysanthemum  culture,  is  neglect- 
ing to  place  these  plants  into  the  largest 
pots  soon  enough ;  failure  may  often  be 
traced  to  this  cause — delay  in  potting. 

But  the  pots  must  not  be  too  large.  It  is  a 
mistake  to  place  weak-growing  varieties  in 
pots  which  they  can  never  properly  fill  with 
roots  ;  the  aim  must  be  to  have  the  pots  well 
filled  with  healthy  roots,  as  the  season's 
growth  matures.  Pots  9  inches  in  diameter 
are  best  suited  for  the  majority  of  strong 
single  plants.  Some  weak-growing  varieties, 
among  the  incurved  and  .Japanese  sections, 
may  have  pots  one  or  two  inches  smaller 
in  diameter,  than  for  the  bulk  of  the  sorts. 

If  special  stress  is  laid  upon  having  all 
pots  of  uniform  size,  then  two  plants  of  the 
weaker-growing  sorts  may  be  .set  in  each. 

Chrysanthemum  plants  should  be  repotted 
firmly,  using  .soil  that  is  quite  rich,  for  much 
growth  must  be  made  in  a  short  period.  In- 
deed, the  soil  can  scarcely  be  rammed  too 
hard  at  the  final  shift.  If  the  soil  to  be  used 
is  naturally  heavy,  it  should  be  lightened  by 


the  addition  of  sand,  charcoal,  ashes,  or  de- 
cayed leaves.  The  growth  may  at  first  not 
be  so  strong  from  a  closely  firmed  soil,  but 
the  growth  later  will  be  more  solid,  and  the 
quality  of  the  flowers  be  higher  than  if 
loose  potting  is  practiced. 

Many  a  collection  of  Chrysanthemums  has 
been  spoilt  at  this  early  stage,  through  mis- 
management of  training.  Where  plants  are 
grown  after  the  more  natural  way  of  train- 
ing—that is,  allowing  them  to  grow  from 
the  cutting  untopped,  in  which  case  the 
first  natural  break  into  additional  branches 
generally  takes  place  the  latter  part  of  May, 
or  early  in  June,  the  manage- 
ment is  easy  enough.  If  the 
first  flowers  are  the  object,  the 
side  branches  should  be  re- 
stricted to  three  of  the  strong- 
est, removing  all  other  shoots. 
The  new  growth  as  it  pro- 
ceeds, should  be  supported  by 
stakes,  one  to  each  main  shoot, 
placing  those  of  the  side 
branches  midway  between  the 
plant  and  the  pot.  By  spread- 
ing out  the  branches  in  this 
way,  sturdy  growth  is  made 
during  the  summer  which  be- 
comes more  solidified  as  it  pro- 
ceeds, owing  to  the  thorough 
light  and  air  each  separate 
branch  obtains  over  the  plan 
of  tying  the  three  stems  to  a 
central  stake.  Disbudding  the 
shoots  on  later  laterals  is 
more  easily  accomplished  in 
this  manner,  and  mildew  is  far 
less  liable  to  attack  the  leaves, 
as  It  is  when  the  leaves  are 
huddled  together. 

The  position  in  summer  Is 
important.  What  is  required, 
is,  that  the  plants  receive  the 
sun  and  stiU  be  protected  from 
winds.  Wind  may  cause  a 
serious  check  to  the  tender 
growth ;  although  the  plants 
may  not  be  so  seriously  injured 
as  to  be  broken.  Cold  winds 
also  prevent  that  quick  start 
into  a  new  growth  after  pot- 
ting, so  desirable  to  establish 
the  plants  in  their  new  quar- 
ters. A  good  plan  is  to  arrange 
one  row  on  each  side  of  a 
garden  path,  as  there  they  obtain  the  whole 
Sim's  influence.  Where  the  plants  must 
stand  in  a  block,  good  space  must  be  allowed 
between  the  rows. 

Many  fail  in  watering  at  this  season. 
After  potting,  too  much  water  can  easily  be 
given  to  the  roots,  which  causes  the  soil  to 
become  sour  and  stagnant  before  the  roots 
can  possibly  have  taken  possession  of  it. 
If  the  soil  was  moist  when  potting  was  per- 
formed, the  plants  will  not  require  water  to 
the  roots  for  a  day  or  two,  except  the  sun  be 
very  powerful,  or  a  strong  dry  wind  prevails. 
Much  better  is  it  to  syringe  the  leaves  of  the 
plants  twice  dally  until  the  new  roots  are 
running  into  the  fresh  compost.  Afterwards 
much  care  should  be  exercised  in  allowing 
sufficient  water,  and  no  more.  Rapping  the 
sides  of  the  pots  with  the  knuckles  is  the 
surest  means  of  judging  of  the  require- 
ments. The  size  of  the  pots,  vigor  of  each 
variety,  and  position  the  pl.ants  occupy,  all 
influence  the  supply.  During  hot  days  in 
summer,  three  times  is  not  too  often  to 
apply  water  to  the  roots  in  some  instances, 
while  others  will  need  no  more  than  two  ap- 
plications. The  quality  of  the  water  is 
important.  When  a  supply  of  rain  water  is 
obtainable,  much  less  trouble  is  necessary, 
and  better  results  obtainable  generally. 
During  bright  weather,  the  plants  should 
be  vigorously  syringed  in  the  evening  of 
such  a  day.  It  cleanses  the  leaves  from  dust 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


215 


aud  refreshes  the  jilants  after  a  hot  day. 
Insects  are  sometimes  troublesome  at  this 
season,  renderini;  a  sharper  outlook  neces- 
sary, and  tlie  applying  of  i)rompt  measures 
to  secure  (juick  eradication,  which  is  easily 
done  if  time  is  taken  hy  the  forelock,  pro- 
crastination being  not  tolerated,  (ireen  and 
black  tly  are  easily  got  rid  of  by  dusting 
the  parts  affected  with  Tobacco  powder; 
niiUlew  by  the  use  of  flowers  of  sulphur 
sprinkle<l  on  the  alfected  parts  twice— if 
once  is  not  enough.  A  small  grub  which  is 
secreted  between  the  two  skins  of  the  leaves, 
burrowing  away  until  the 
leaves  are  so  distignred  in  ap- 
pearance that  their  complete 
removal  is  requisite  can  only 
be  hand-picked.  The  leaves 
nearest  the  soil  are  those  gener- 
ally tirst  attacked,  and  if  not 
at  once  checked,  the  whole 
stem  for  two  feet  upwards  is 
quickly  destroyed  in  appear- 
ance by  the  loss  of  foliage. 


blossoming  is  much  prolonged.  When  an- 
nuals are  well  cared  for,  they  are  not  the 
weedy  things  too  often  seen. 

Fuchsias  in  Summer. 

.V  Fuchsia  in  perfection  is  always  attrac- 
tractive,  yet  really  good  specimens  are 
comparatively  rare.  No  stunted,  starved 
Fuchsia  will  ever  give  satisfaction,  and  un- 
less the  plant  is  given  rich  soil,  sufficient 
moisture  and  partial  sunshine,  it  would  not 
pay  to  grow  it. 

To  those,  who  have  seen  noble  specimens 


The    Season   of  Annual 
Flowers. 

One  might  suppose  from  the 
excessive  use  of  bedding  plants 
in  all  town  gardens,  that  f\\' 
annual  flowers  were  in  bad 
repute,  with  most  cultivators, 
not  to  say  that  hardy  perenni- 
als were  lightly  esteemed.  The 
writer  of  this,  last  season  met 
a  garden  almost  wholly  depen- 
dent upon  annuals  for  bloom, 
and  which  was  indeed  a  charm- 
ing place. 

All  around  the  large  house 
and  cut  into  grass  was  a  border 
about  live  feet  wide,  and  which 
was  allowed  to  come  up  to  the 
main  windows.  Here  on  the 
walls  were  trained  somewhat 
loosely,  Roses,  Honeysuckles, 
Clematis,  and  Cobiea,  which 
form  a  very  telling  background. 
The  border  was  filled  with 
Dwarf  Roses,  Pinks,  Carna- 
tions,and  a  very  pretty  arrange- 
ment of  annuals.  The  latter 
were  sown  in  spring,  and  well 
thinned  out,  so  that  each  plant 
had  sufficient  space  to  show  its 
true  character. 

The  groups  were  not  of  one 
size,  nor  was  there  any  plan  or 
method  in  their  arrangement,  nor  yet  was 
any  pinching  or  picking  to  make  any  partic- 
ular group  fit  into  any  particular  place  ;  but 
the  whole  group  was  free,  graceful,  and 
natural,  and  the  border  compared  most 
favorably  with  any  arrangement  of  bed- 
ding plants.  In  no  other  way  could  so  much 
variety  in  color  be  obtained,  and  the  colors 
were  so  soft  and  pleasing,  and  there  was  .so 
much  grace  in  free  and  unfettered  growth. 

Among  the  annuals  used  were,  Phlox 
Drummondi,  Petunias,  Asters,  Balsams, 
Linum  grandiflorum  rubrum.  Blue  Corn- 
flowers, Yellow  Escholtzias,  Dwarf 
French  Poppies  (both  single  and  double  in 
many  colors).  Mignonette,  Love-in-a-mist 
(Nigella  hispanica),  Calliopsis  tinctoria,  sev- 
eral varieties  of  annual  Chrysanthemums, 
Clarkia  elegans  rosea,  Clintonia  elegans 
(blue).  Agrostemma  coeli  rosea,  Brachyconie 
iberidiflora,  Cacaliacoccinea  (Tassel  Flower) 
Marigold  (Meteor),  Candytufts  in  various 
colors,  Collinsia  bicolor,  Godetias  in  sev- 
eral varieties,  Kaulfussia  amelloides  (blue), 
Leptosiphon  in  variety.  Nasturtium  (Tom 
Thumb)  in  variety,  Nemophila  insignis, 
Sweet  Peas,  Sanvitalia  procumbens  flore- 
pleno.  Dwarf  German  Scabiosa,  etc. 

When  each  plant  has  room  to  get  strong, 
it  has  a  greater  length  of  life,  and  if,  in  ad- 
dition, the  seeds  are  picked  ofi,  the  season  of 


AMARYLLIS,   ONE  OF  THE  LIGHT  TYPES. 

growing  as  high  as  eight  feet,  and  loaded 
with  handsome  foliage  and  flowers,  says  our 
correspondent,  W'.  F.  Lake,  in  Country 
Gentlemen,  no  word  is  needed  to  convince 
them  that  they  are  worth  the  extra  care 
necessary  to  attain  this  size,  being  far  su- 
perior to  smaller  plants. 

In  growing  these  large  specimens,  cut- 
tings, which  should  be  rather  short  shoots, 
may  be  taken  off  at  the  end  of  August  or 
early  in  .September,  and  as  soon  as  they 
have  formed  roots,  should  be  potted  at  first 
in  pots  not  over  three  inches  in  diameter, 
placing  them  in  rather  a  warm  position  for 
a  time.  When  the  plants  have  nearly  filled 
the  pots  with  roots,  shift,  using  the  next 
size  larger.  The  main  cause  of  "scrubby" 
Fuchsias,  is  allowing  them  to  become  pot- 
bound  in  the  early  period  of  their  growth, 
and  at  no  time,  until  bloom  is  desired  should 
the  roots  be  allowed  to  become  pot-bound. 

As  summer-bedding  plants  in  a  shady  lo- 
cation, Fuchsias  possess  strong  merits.  If 
the  soil  be  light  and  rich  they  will  make 
surprisingly  vigorous  growth,  and,  as  in  the 
case  of  all  bedding  plants,  the  foliage  and 
flowers  will  be  decidedly  improved  in  color 
and  substance. 

Care  should  be  taken  that  the  plants  are 
not  exposed  to  strong  winds,  as  the  fragile 
flowers  are  easily   Injured   and    the   buds 


knocked  off,  or  whipped  about  so  they  will 
be  ragged  or  torn,  if  those  left  are  open. 

Watering  in  the  dry  sea.son  should  not  be 
overlooked,  and  should  be  applied  in  a  thor- 
ough manner,  soaking  ground  clear  to 
bottom  of  roots. 

As  to  the  matter  of  the  best  varieties  for 
summer  bloom,  one  can  hardly  go  amiss  in 
selecting  the  most  beautiful  ones,  if  the 
plant  is  of  a  strong-growing  habit,  this 
being  the  main  thing  to  look  for.  unless  one 
is  well  versed  in  plant  lore. 
A  very  interesting  sort  is  F.  fnhiins, 
which  is  a  bulbous  variety,  dies 
down  in  the  fall,  and  has  a 
tuber  which  may  be  wintered 
as  we  keep  Gladioli  and 
Dahlias.  The  flowers  are  pro- 
duced in  panicles  and  are  very 
slender,  and  from  one  to  four 
inches  long.  This  variety  is 
started  early  in  pots,  and 
afterward  set  in  open  ground, 
comes  into  bloom  at  a  time 
when  there  is  usually  a  scarcity 
of  flowers  in  the  garden,  and 
never  falls  to  attract  attention 
from  its  peculiar  shape  of 
flowers. 

Considerable  interest  may  be 
derived  in  growing  the  Fuchsia 
from  seed,  and  watching  the 
different  characteristics  of  the 
plant  as  they  come  into  flower, 
and  in  fact,  during  the  whole 
period  of  their  growth.  Very 
good  varieties  may  be  secured 
from  seeds  taken  from  the 
fruit-like  balls  on  your  own 
plants,  which  will  follow  if  the 
flowers  are  not  picked  off,  the 
seed  being  found  inside  of  the 
reddish  purple  fruit.  This 
should  be  sown  in  boxes  in 
heat  and  the  seedlings  pricked 
into  thumb-pots,  after  they 
have  formed  the  second  pair  of 
leaves.  If  kept  growing,  will 
usually  flower  the  first  season. 
When  Fuchsias  are  forced 
for  winter  they  seldom  amount 
to  anything  the  following 
summer,  unless  taken  from  the 
pots  after  they  have  finished, 
all  the  soil  shaken  off  and 
replaced  again  in  smaller  pots 
in  a  rich  soil  and  watered  spar- 
ingly until  well  started  again. 
Treated  in  this  way,  they  will  usually 
flower  again  in  late  summer  or  early  fall, 
sometimes  continuing  up  till  winter  very 
profusely. 

1,782.  Pruning  the  Pear  for  Frnit.  The  Pear, 
if  a  young  tree,  may  be  rendered  fruitful  by  root 
pruning  at  the  proper  season.  All  long  shoots 
that  grow  during  the  coming  summer  should  be 
shortened  at  the  end  of  July  to  about  fl\e  leaves, 
at  the  winter  pruning  tbey  should  be  further  cut 
back  to  about  three  inches:  tlii.'.  will  aid  in  the 
formation  of  fruit  spui-s.  It  the  trees  are  in 
orchard,  the  only  pruning  that  should  be  at- 
tempted is  that  of  keeping  the  head  open  so  as 
tu  allow  of  the  free  passage  of  the  sunlight,  for 
tlif  trees  will  produce  fruit  when  they  have  at- 
tained a  suitable  age.  Old  trees  are  often  cut 
back  so  as  to  encourage  new  growth,  which  in 
its  turn  brings  increased  fruitf ulness.  To  cut 
liack  any  tree  that  is  iu  healthy  growth  means  a 
more  vigorous  growth  still  the  following  season. 
— W.  H.  Smith,  La. 

1,78.3.  Eucharie  Amazonica.  This  is  a  stove 
plant,  and  to  enable  it  to  [iroduee  its  flowers,  a 
temperature  of  about  80°  during  the  day  and  75° 
during  the  night  is  required,  with  an  abundance 
of  moisture  both  at  the  roots  and  in  the  atmos- 
phere. A  temperature  of  not  less  than  f)H°  is  re- 
quired to  keep  it  during  the  winter.  After  it 
has  flowered  and  the  leaves  aie  perfected,  water 
may  lie  ^withheld  until  the  leaves  Bag,  when  it 
should  receive  a  watering,  and  this  treatment 
-lionlri  be  given  for  a  month  or  six  weeks.  Once 
in  threeyears  is  often  enough  to  repot.— W.  H. 
Smith,  La. 


2l6 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


July, 


Morning-CIorles. 

*'  Red  and  purple  Morning-glories, 

Lightly  swaying  in  the  breeze, 
you  seem  filled  with  fairy  stories : 

Won't  you  tell  them  to  me,  please  ? 
"  Little  maid,  we  have  no  stories. 

True  or  fairy,  new  or  old. 
We  are  liut  laughing  Morning-glories 

For  your  pretty  hands  to  hold ! 

St.  NichoUis. 


If  the  June  Rose  could  guess 
Before  the  sunbeam  wooed  her  from  the  bud. 
And  reddened  int^  life  her  faint  young  blood. 
What  blight  should  fall  upon  her  loveliness. 
What  darlcness  of  decay ,  what  shroud  of  snow- 
Would  the  Rose  ever  blow  ? 
Atas,  and  yet  ala^s, 
For  glory  of  existence  that  shall  pass ! 
For  pride  of  beauty  and  for  strength  of  song  I 
Yet  were  the  untried  life  a  deeper  wrong. 
Better  a  single  throb  of  being  win. 
Than  never  to  have  been  I 

Kate  Putnam  Osgood. 


Annual  Finks  like  saQd.v  soil, 

A  clean  tranlon  is  a  pleasure  garden, 

Fortnlaccas  are  Sun-flowei's  in  truth. 

Sow  seeds  "t  perennials  as  soon  as  ripe. 

Have  yon  tried  tlie  new  Zebra  Zinnias  V 

Asters  like  lieh  feed  and  plenty  to  drink. 

The  Salsify  is  a  handsome  Moorainf?  plant. 

The  Water  Lilies  also  are  glorious  tiowers, 

Fnblic  Parks  aie  atipreciated  more  and  more. 

A  fine  Elm  tree  was  appraised  at  $900  in  Uuffalo 
latel.v. 

Our  handsomest  tree :  a  young  Colorado  Blue 
Spruce. 

Thin  the  Feaches,  if  you  have  any  to  thin;  and 
do  it  soon. 

Blackberries  excel  all  other  small  fruits  for 
tine  bloom. 

Fine  beds  with  little  trouble;  those  of  self- 
sown  Petunias  and  Poppies. 

Charcoal  and  burnt  earth  are  unequalled  for 
Kiving  sweetness  and  porosity  to  soil. 

Ko  import  duty  on  plants— that  seems  to  be 
the  sentiment  of  the  great  mass  of  tioiists. 

Did  the  common  Quince  reach  us  as  a  new  tree, 
it  would  be  highly  and  justly  praised  for  its 
fine  blooming  iiualities. 

The  discarded  Strawberry  patch  may  be  made 
to  yield  yet  a  good  crop  of  Potatoes,  Celery, 
Turnips,  Spinach,  or  Sweet  Corn. 

A  Text  for  Bose  Growers.  Lirjuid  or  any  other 
manure  is  only  of  use  when  the  plant  i.s  in  full 
growth  and  health,  at  all  other  times  it  is  poison. 

After  all  that  can  be  said  for  the  winter  beauty 
of  Evergreens  (conifers),  these  same  trees,  when 
in  their  young  spring  growth,  match  any  others 
for  fine  effect. 

For  a  large  lawn  the  horse  mower  is  the  tool ; 
that  which  is  hard  work  for  a  man,  is  light  work 
for  a  horse,  and  that  too  when  more  than  double 
the  width  of  swath  is  cut  by  the  latter, 

"  Mignonette  when  rightly  treated,  becomes  a 
perennial,"  says  a  certain  writer.  Yes  but  few 
care  thus  to  grow  it  when  it  can  be  raised  so 
quickly  to  a  flowering  size  from  the  seed, 

Florida  phosphate  rocks,  at  least  some  of  them, 
are  repeated  to  be  much  softer  and  richer  than 
those  of  South  Carolina,  easily  ground,  and  their 
plant  food  partially  available  without  acid 
treatment. 

That  excellent  authority,  Jlr.  George  Ellwan- 
gcr,  pronounces  Forest  Lawn,  Buffalo,  next  to 
Spring  Gro\'e  at  Cincinnati,  the  finest  garden 
cemetery  in  America— and  that  really  means  in 
the  world. 

With  all  the  more  recent  introductions,  the 
old  English  Woodbine  or  Honey  suckle  LiDnicera 
Pcriclymcnum  is  one  our  most  gratifying 
climbers  at  "  Woodbanks."  The  Bowers  are 
freely  produced,  and  delightfully  scented,  and 
the  growth  of  the  bush  very  attractive. 


Oriental  Foppies.  what  splendid  flery  blossoms 
they  are,  and  so  easily  grown  even  on  any  poor 
dry  land.  The  flowers,  if  cut  before  they  fully 
open,  will  last  in  good  condition  several  days. 

A  Tree  peddlar  has  recently  found  victims  in 
some  of  tlie  counties  of  New  Jersey.  He  agreed 
to  take  the  next  season's  crop  in  pay  for  his 
stock,  but  nevertheless  accepted  the  farmers' 
notes,  which,  as  might  have  been  expected, 
turned  up  in  the  hands  of  "innocent  purchasers." 

Dead  Seeds  tell  no  tales.  We  have  our  sus- 
picions that  some  high-priced  novelties  bought 
to  test  on  our  grounds  had  been  before  they 
reached  us  treated  for  destroying  the  germ.  At 
last  they  did  not  grow  under  favorable  circum- 
stances and  when  others  of  the  same  kind  did. 

The  Insect  Powder  plant,  Pyrethrum  roseura, 
comes  out  in  full  glory  on  the  Popular  Garden- 
ing grounds  and  makes  a  brilliant  show  at  this 
time.  If  entirely  hardy,  as  it  seems  to  be,  this 
class  of  plants  must  be  regarded  as  one  of  the 
most  handsome  of  spi'ing-fiowering  perennials  of 
easy  culture. 

The  Wilson  Peach  is  a  new  seedling  intro- 
duced by  Chas.  Wright,  Seaford,  Del.,  under  the 
claim  that  it  is  equal  to  Reeves'  Favorite,  or 
larger,  much  more  productive,  and  ripening  from 
four  to  five  da.vs  iti  advance  of  it ;  large  to  very 
large,  yellow  with  a  red  cheek  and  a  free  stone; 
exceptionally  productive  on  poor  sandy  soil. 

Monstrosities  in  Evergreens,    Of  all  the  sad 

sights  seen  as  one  drives  about  our  village 
streets,  the  most  pitiful  is  the  Evergi-eens  shaven 
into  fantastic  forms.  If  any  one  desires  the 
monstrous  let  them  get  it  carved  out  of  wood, 
painted  green  and  set  in  the  yard.  It  will  then 
never  need  trimming,  or  cost  any  care.— E,P,P. 

A  Heavy  Bainfall,  When  it  is  reported  that 
in  a  single  night,  that  of  June  4th,  niin  fell  at  the 
PopuLAH  Gardening  grounds  to  a  depth  of 
more  than  one  inch  and  thi-ee-fourths,  and  that 
this  was  but  one  of  a  series  of  heavy  rains  here 
during  two  months  following  April  1,5th,  some 
idea  may  be  obtained  of  how  discouraging  the 
season  has  been  to  all  planters  and  tillers  of  the 
soil  in  these  parts, 

A  delightful  syrup,  it  is  said,  can  be  made 
from  Watermelons  by  chopping  them,  pressing 
out  the  juice,  and  boiling  for  several  hours.  The 
red  coloring  matter  then  coagulates,  rises  to  the 
surface,  and  is  skimmed  off,  when  the  juice 
remains  as  clear  as  distilled  water  and  of  a  pale 
amber  color.  Boiled  a  little  longer,  it  thickens 
into  a  rich,  fruity-flavored  syrup,  jjerfectiy  clear 
and  the  color  of  t,)uince  or  Apple  jelly. 

Bone-Eating  Trees  The  discovery  of  insect- 
eating  plants  has  given  rise  to  some  fabulous 
yarns  about  bone-eating  trees.  Bone-eating 
trees  will  lean  over  in  the  night  and  their 
bunches  of  leaves  will  close  about  all  flesh,  and 
bones,  and  creatures,  that  are  underneath  and 
devour  them.  The  natives  feed  them  carefully 
and  fear  them.  It  is  not  impossible  that  insect 
eating  plants  have  been  observed  by  the  natives, 
who  have  exaggerated  facts,— B.  P.  P. 

Combination  mixtures  for  plant  diseases  an<l 
insects  at  ime  operation  may  work  all  right.  We 
hojic  so;  but  before  ever  using  Paris  green  with 
the  Bordeaux  mixture  for  spraying  trees.  Grape 
vines,  Potatoes  or  anything  else,  we  would  like 
to  find  out  whether  the  arsenic  is  not  dis,solved 
through  the  agency  of  one  or  the  other  ingre- 
dients in  the  Bordeaux  mixture  to  such  an  ex- 
tent as  to  make  the  whole  altogether  too  risky 
for  us  to  use. 

Death  of  Another  noted  horticulturist,  Mr, 
Chas.  Gibbs  of  Abbotsford,  <.»uebec,  who  had 
been  to  ("hina  and  Japan  to  study  the  horticult- 
ure of  those  countries,  died  in  Egypt  on  his  way 
home,  on  March  8th  of  this  year,  aged  4,')  years. 
His  efforts  te  discover  and  introduce  into  the 
colder  regions  of  North  America  fruits  from 
East  Europe  and  other  parts  of  the  world,  that 
will  endure  the  climate,  have  made  his  name 
known  far  and  near.  His  death  is  a  sad  and 
irreparable  loss  to  the  horticultuie  of  the  north. 

Fruits  and  How  to  Use  Them  is  the  title  of  a 
volume  of  240  pages,  price  $1.W1,  by  Mrs,  Hester 
M.  Poole,  just  publislied  by  Fowler  Sc  Wells,  7:W 
Broadway.  New  York.  A  work  of  this  kind  has 
been  needed  for  some  time,  and  we  welcome  it , 
heartily  hoping  that  it  may  aid  in  promoting  the 
free  use  of  fruits.  The  department  of  recipes 
is  very  complete,  beginning  with  the  Apple,  for 
the  pieiiaratiou  of  which  alone  nearly  100  differ- 
ent ways  are  given.  The  information  contained 
in    I  his    well-written,   well-printed    and    well- 


bound  work  will  be  a  valuable  aid  for  the  house 
keeper  and  fruit  lover. 

Propping  trees  to  assist  them  in  bearing  up 
under  an  excessive  load  without  breaking  down 
is  simpl.v  an  outrage  on  the  tree,  and  im  Nature. 
If  not  interfered  with,  the  overburdened  tree 
would  find  relief  in  letting  go  part  of  its  branches 
with  the  surplus  of  fruit.  By  propping  you 
refuse  this  relief,  and  as  a  result  get  a  lot  of 
inferior  if  not  unsalable  fruit.  The  only  proper, 
just  and  sensible  way  of  treating  the  overbur- 
dened tree  is  to  relieve  it  of  part  of  its  burden 
by  thorough  thinning,  thus  enabling  the  tree  to 
give  you  first-class  fruit,  and  all  it  is  able  to 
bear,  and  to  yield  more  money  than  the  excess 
of  poor  stuff  would  bring. 

Wooden  boxes  are  decidedly  better  f(jr  many 
purposes  of  plant  culture  than  earthen  flower 
pots.  Plants  in  them  do  not  dry  out  so  soon  as 
those  in  pots  fully  exposed  to  the  air.  and  the 
boxes  provide  a  more  equitable  temperature, 
being  cooler  in  summer,  and  warmer  in  winter. 
Boxes  are  easily  made,  or  obtained  from  stores 
as  waste  product,  and  when  nicely  painted,  are 
not  at  all  unsightly.  Oaken  butter  tubs,  or  casks 
saweil  in  halves,  are  cheap  and  serviceable  for 
receiving  large  bushy,  or  tree-like  plants,  and 
with  a  little  paint  may  be  made  quite  ornamental. 
Large  boxes  or  tubs  may  have  hooks  screwed 
into  their  sides  for  convenience  in  handling  and 
moving.  The  faculty  of  flower  pots  to  absorb 
water  is  at  least  a  verj' questionable  advantage. 

Humming  Birds  and  th<>ir  Nests.  Did  you 
ever  see  a  humming  liirds  nest?  I  never  found 
or  saw  over  half  a  dozen  in  my  life  outside  of 
collections.  But  if  you  wish  to  get  back  to  be- 
lieving in  fairies  you  must  see  one.  It  is  reall.v 
the  most  exquisite  little  bit  of  manufacture  in 
the  word.  It  is  among  nests  just  what  the  hum- 
ming bird  is  among  birds.  It  looks  like  a  bit  of 
the  tree  so  far  as  color  is  concerned,  and  is  deco- 
rated or  covered  with  moss.  The  walls  of  the 
nest  arc  not  only  artful  but  artistic  and  ipsthctic. 
The  Moss  and  Lichens  are  put  on  with  exquisite 
taste  something  like  thatching.  I  often  see  a 
dozen  of  these  flashes  of  light  and  love  in  m.v 
Lilacs  at  one  time;  but  so  skillful  are  the.v  at 
hiding  that  I  have  hunted  almost  always  in  vain 
to  discover  their  homes;  but  when  found  it  is 
always  by  accident.— K.  P.  P. 

The  Tradescanthia  and  Commelinas  are  closely 
allied  flowers  from  Mexico,  the  former  some- 
times Vicing  known  as  Flower  of  a  Day.  The 
species  kitown  as  Tradesciinthia  Virginica  isb.v 
far  the  best,  being  a  hardy  perennial  of  good 
habit  and  free  bloom.  It  grows  from  one  to  two 
and  a-half  feet  high  and  flowers  abundantly 
during  summer.  The  original  type  has  showy 
purple-blue  flowers,  but  there  are  a  number  of 
varieties,  one  with  double  violet,  one  with  single 
rose-colored,  one  with  single  \"iolet  and  one  with 
single  white  blossoms.  There  is  also  the  grandi- 
flora  section  represented  by  a  white  and  blue 
flowering  variety, 
the  blooms  of 
which  are  of  larger 
size  than  those  of 
the  type.  All  are 
well  worth  grow- 
ing in  mi.xed  bor- 
ders of  flowers. 
They  will  grow  in 
any  soil,  even  in 
heavy  clay.  Prop- 
agatetl  by  division 
in  the  spring. 

The  Weeping 
Sophora-  This  is  a 
beautiful  and  use- 
ful weeping  tree. 
Mr.  F.  L.  Temple 
gives  the  following 
method  of  produc- 
ing tall,  clean  un- 
branched  stocks  of  six  to  nine  feet  in  height,  in 
one  season,  for  top-working  with  the  weeping 
variety.  The  Sophora  will  grow  extremely  fast 
in  a  close,  moist  place.  In  spring,  after  the 
greenhouses  are  emptied,  dormant  Sophoras, 
about  thiee-  fourths  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  arc 
planted  in  the  earth  bottom  of  the  liousc,  which 
should  be  made  fairly  rich;  cut  them  back  to  the 
crown,  and  set  them  one  foot  apart  each  way, 
and  by  December  1st,  they  will  be  out  of  the 
top  of  the  house  and  as  smooth  as  Willows.  Then 
lift,  and  keep  them  protected  in  a  cellar  or 
frame,  or  heel  them  in  deep  in  a  well-drained 
place  till  spring,  when  they  can  be  planted  in 
nursery  rows  and  grafted  at  the  same  time  with 
good  results. 


Flower  of  Commclina. 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


217 


Remedies  forinsoits  mid  plant  liisriiscswitlidiit 
nnnilit'i-  are  liclni;  ipcommcuiliMl  by  prai-tiial 
siiil-tllliM-s  in  itodil  faitli,  lait  when  put  t<i  a 
iiitiial  trst,  must  of  these  provo  utloiiy  witluiiit 
\alni'.  WluMi  a  period  of  attaek  l>y  eillier  enemy 
was  alxiiit  ended,  just  as  the  supposed  remeily 
was  applied,  tlie  latter  is  naturally  (tiven  ttic 
eivclit  for  the  iraproveraent.  An  instance  has 
reeently  eome  to  our  notloe  wheiv  one  part  of  a 
\ine.\ard  was  sprayed  witli  eopper  solution  for 
mildew  and  rot,  while  another  part  was  left 
withoiit  treatment.  A  few  days  after,  the 
weather  eensins  to  be  favorable  to  the  develop- 
ment of  these  diseases,  they  niaile  no  further 
projrn-as,  but  the  improvement  was  alike  marked 
on  the  treated  and  untreated  vines,  showin;; 
that  tlie  applications  deservoil  no  credit  for  the 
improvcnt,  which  would  undoubtedly  have 
iK-en  Ki\pn  to  them,  if  the  whole  vineyard  had 
been  treated. 

Flnneinp  the  Potted  Plants,  nne  of  the  best 
methods  of  pi-evc-nf inji  jilants  in  pot.s  sufTerinK 
from  drouth  is  to  plunirc  them.  In  Rood  plant- 
prowiuK  estalilishments  plunging,  both  under 
glass  and  in  the  open  air,  is  largely  resorted  to. 
It  saves  labor  in  watering,  as  plunged  plants  do 
not  reiiuirc  water  so  often  as  those  with  the  pots 
e.xp'ised  to  the  sun  and  air,  and  while  the  pots 
may  become  so  hot  and  dry  in  the  latter  case  as 
to  injure  the  roots  which  eome  in  contact  with 
them,  this  never  occurs  with  |>lungcd  plants.  As 
a  rule  we  plunge  all  our  f'hrysanthemums. 
Last  year  tor  some  reason  we  did  not  do  so,  ami 
the  result  w»s  the  poorest  we  ever  had.  Few- 
plants  suffer  more  from  having  their  pots  e.x- 
IKLsed  than  Azaleas,  but  when  plunged  they  may 
lie  kept  healthy  without  any  dilTiculty.  It  is 
not  always  possible  to  plunge  pots  in  green- 
houses and  shelves  in  houses,  but  if  a  board  or 
some  screen  is  put  up  to  shade  the  pots  from  the 
sun  it  will  pro\e  a  great  advantage. 

Smilax  from  Seed  This  is  very  easily  grown, 
but  slow  of  germination.  To  hasten  the  process 
I  scrape  one  side  of  each  seed  until  it  looks  while 
then  plant  in  soil  that  has  been  sifted,  and  place 
in  a  shelf  behind  a  stove  until  the  plants  appear, 
when  they  should  have  the  sun.  It  is  essential 
that  the  soil  be  kept  constantly  moist,  nntil  the 
.seed  germinate,  after  that  it  must  be  allowed  to 
become  dry  after  each  watering,  or  the  young 
plants  will  damp  off.  I'se  a  shallow  box  for  seed, 
and  pot  as  soon  as  plants  are  large  enough  to 
handle.  When  each  vine  has  reached  a  yard  in 
length,  trim  off  near  the  surface  of  soil  and  new 
vines  will  stjirt  up  from  the  root.  If  one  chooses 
to  follow  this  method,  Smilax  can  be  kept  grow- 
ing the  year  round.  It  likes  a  firm  rich  soil,  and 
muck  seems  best  suited  to  it,  but  leaf  mold  and 
manure  may  be  used  when  the  former  is  not 
jirocurable.  When  growing  vigorously,  the 
plants  should  be  repotted  often,  each  pot  one- 
size  larger,  as  the  roots  require  considei-able 
room.— ilfi's.  K.  L.  P.,  Crawford  Co.,  Pa. 

The  Burning  Fraxinella.  The  Fraxinella 
{Uietainiiiia  fraxineUa)  is  a  strongly-scented 
perennial  plant  with  rigid,  erect-growing  stems 
from  30  to  2t  inches  in  height,  and  dark  green 
leaves  which  very  much  resemble  those  of  the 
Ash.  Easily  propagated  from  seed,  the  |ilant 
must  be  three  years  old  before  it  will  Hower.  It 
is  a  native  of  Germany.  When  rubbed,  the 
leaves  emit  an  odor  somewhat  like  Lemon  peel. 
A  most  singular  phenomenon  i.s  connected  with 
this  plant.  The  glandular  hairs  abounding  on  it, 
emit  a  resinous  or  oily  matter,  which  becomes 
volatilized  in  the  air  around  the  plant,  and  takes 
lire  when  a  light  is  applied  to  it.  This  phenom- 
enom,  however,  only  occurs  in  warm,  dry 
weather,  as  at  the  close  of  a  sunny  day,  and  es- 
pe<-ially  at  blooming  time.  By  placing  a  plant 
of  Fraxinella  in  bloom  under  a  bell-glass,  and 
leaving  it  there  for  some  time,  the  air  in  the  bell- 
glass  will  be  found  so  highly  charged  with  the 
resinous  gas,  that  it  ignites  the  moment  a  lighted 
match  is  applied.  It  does  so  without  apparent 
injury  to  the  plant. 

Fruit  Acids.  The  grateful  acid  of  the  Rhubarb 
leaf  arises  from  the  malic  acid  and  bin-oxalate 
of  potash  which  it  contains ;  the  acidity  of  the 
Lemon,  Orange,  and  other  species  of  the  genus 
('((ni-i  is  caused  by  the  abundance  of  citr.c  acid 
which  their  juice  contains;  that  of  the  Cherry, 
Plum,  Apple,  and  Pear  from  the  malic  acid  in 
their  pulp;  that  of  Grooseberries  and  Currants, 
black,  red,  and  white,  from  a  mixture  of  malic 
and  citric  acids;  that  of  the  Grape  from  a  mix- 
ture of  malic  and  tartaric  acids;  that  of  the 
Mango  from  citric  acid  and  a  very  fugitive 
essential  oil ;  that  of  the  Tamarind  from  a  mix- 


t\irc  of  citric,  malic,  and  tartaric  acids;  the 
llavor  of  Asparagus  from  aspartic  acid,  I'oiuid 
also  in  the  root  of  the  Marshmallow  ;  and  that 
t>f  the  Cut-umber  from  a  peculiar  poisonous  in- 
gredient called  fugin,  which  is  found  in  all  fungi 
and  is  the  cau.so  of  the  Cucumber  being  offensive 
to  some  stomachs.  It  will  be  oliserved  that 
Khubarb  is  the  only  fruit  whii;h  ci>ntains  bin- 
oxalate  of  ]H)tiish  in  conjunction  with  an  acid. 
It  is  this  ingedient  whit;h  renders  this  fruit  so 
wholesome  at  the  early  commencement  of  the 
summer,  and  this  is  one  of  the  wise  provisions 
of  Nature  for  supplying  a  blood-purifier  at  a 
time  when  it  is  likely  to  be  most  needed.— Jo?iri- 
xnn'.f  ChimlMrii  iif  tlir  IVorM. 

Pyramid  of  Lycopodiam,  Our  subsciber  Ervin 
llaltman  sends  us  a  sketch  of  such  a  pyramid, 
and  which  is  recommended  as  a  pretty  and  novel 
object  in  any  plant 
house.  The  form  oti 
which  the  Lycopodium 
{L.dentata)  is  grown, 
consists  of  a  mixture 
of  Sphagnum  and  rich 
turfy  loam  of  which 
the  former  makes  a 
large  part,  sai<l  mixture 
being  then  bound  to  a 
stick  or  placed  in  a  wire 
frame  of  i)yramidal 
form  and  which  rests 
on  similar  material  in  a 
pot  beneath.  Into  this 
form  rooted  cuttings  of 
Lycopodium  are  then 
pricked  with  a  dibble, 
to  stand  closely  togeth- 
er. By  keeping  the  pot 
in  a  congenial  atmos- 
phere and  supplying 
plenty  of  moisture  it 
requires  but  a  short 
time  after  planting  un- 
til there  is  a  perfect 
pyramid  of  delightful 
green  foliage  of  Lycopodiiuu. 

Drying  Flowers  in  their  Natural  Colors.  The 
following  method  is  to  be  credited  to  Dr.  Schoen- 
land  :  Take  two  pints  of  a  saturated  solution  of 
sulphurous  acid  in  water;  add  to  this  one  pint  of 
methylated  spirit.  Keep  this  mixture  in  a  wide- 
mouthed  bottle,  so  tightly  closed  that  the  cort- 
tents  do  not  evaporate.  Leave  ordinary  flowers 
in  this  mixture  for  about  ten  to  twenty  minutes  ; 
inflorescences  of  Bromeliaceiv  and  Aroideiv  must 
be  left  in  it  about  one  hour.  In  most  cases  the 
color  will  completely  disappear,  but  it  will  grad- 
ually return  during  the  process  of  drying,  or 
even  after  the  plants  have  become  apparently 
quite  dry.  Having  treated  the  specimens  with 
the  mixture,  take  them  out  and  shake  off  the 
adhering  drops  of  fluid.  Leave  the  plants  in  a 
dry  warm  place,  in  ordePto  dry  them  supertci- 
ally  ( they  must  not  be  allowed  to  shrivel ),  and 
then  dry  them  in  the  usual  way  between  blotting 
paper.  If  artificial  heat  is  used  in  the  latter 
part  of  the  process,  excellent  results  are  obtain- 
ed, and  it  is  not  even  necessary  to  change  the 
drying  paper.  If  hot-water  pipes  are  available 
it  is  very  convenient  to  place  on  them  the  bundle 
containing  the  plant  to  be  dried,  which  need  not 
be  subjected  to  very  great  pressure.  I  often  put 
them  loosely  between  sheets  of  vegetable  parch- 
ment before  immersing  them  in  the  fluid. 

How  to  Grow  the  Oleander.  Considering  the 
comparative  ease  with  which  the  Oleander  may 
be  grown,  it  should  become  a  fixture  in  every 
home.  It  seems  to  especially  recommend  itself 
to  those  flower  lovers  who  dislike  the  trouble  of 
attending  to  flres  on  cold  winter  nights,  as  a 
period  of  rest  is  very  beneficial,  if  not  absolutely 
necessary.  This  genus  is  an  evergreen,  as  the 
leaves  remain  on  the  tree  while  at  rest.  It  can 
be  kept  in  any  frost -proof  cellar  from  December 
until  April,  and  will  be  covered  with  buds  when 
brought  to  the  light.  Such  is  my  experience,  at 
least.  The  roots  will  need  watering  but  once  or 
twice  during  its  rest.  Cuttings  must  be  rooted' 
in  water  and  a  small,  wide-mouthed  bottle  is  most 
convenient  for  this  purpose.  Wrap  the  bottle 
with  brown  paper  as  the  roots  are  less  brittle  if 
kept  darkened,  place  where  it  will  get  the  warm- 
est rays  of  the  sun  and  supi>ly  fresh  water  as  it 
evaporates.  The  Oleander  should  be  trimmed 
in  the  desired  form  immediately  after  flowering 
and  then  only  as  later  pruning  will  destroy  the 
following  year's  supply  of  bloom.  It  is  also  a 
good  time  to  strike  cuttings  if  one  wishes  them 
to  bloom  when  one  year  old.  As  soon  as  rooted, 
cuttings  may  be  potted  in  a  compost  of  flne 


loam,  well  rotted  manure  and  muck,  and  given 
an  occasional  wat*:ring  of  weak  lime  water  to 
kill  earth  worms.  Put  a  piece  of  fresh  lime  the 
size  of  one's  fist  in  a  galUm  of  water,  use  when 
settled,  taking  care  not  to  get  it  on  the  foliage. — 
Mrx.  E.  L.  Patterson,  Crawford  Co.,  Pa. 


Chat  About  the  Use  of  Flowers. 
Where  Climbing  Koses  are  abundant  no  finer 
ornament  for  the  table  can  be  imagined  than 
clusters  of  these  on  long  shoots,  placed  in  vases 
to  stand  out  well  above  an  abundance  of  foliage. 
Wild  Ferns  now  arc  abundant.  A  simple  glass  or 
wide-mouthed  vase  filled  with  these  presents  a 
remarkable  cool  and  handsome  appearance. 

This  is  what  city  florists  call  the  "  silly  season  " 
in  the  trade.  Flowers  are  painfully  cheap;  the 
market  is  flooded  with  out-door  blossoms.  Dec- 
oration Day  was  observed  with  more  flt)ral 
tributes  than  was  expected.  A  great  many  plants 
were  used  on  this  occasion.  Experience  every- 
where this  year  shows  a  greater  demand  for 
flowers  than  for  designs.  This  was  the  general 
rule  at  Eastertide  and  Memorial  Day.  It  is  rather 
an  imjirovement,  too.  In  past  years  a  great 
many  designs  at  the  grave  of  a  great  soldier  were 
in  Immortelles,  in  such  pleasing  tints  as  aniline 
crimsoTi,  chrome  yellow,  arsenical  green  and 
vivid  purple,  and  the  combinations  were  calcu- 
lated to  put  an  artist  into  a  cold  perspiration. 
Some  very  charming  effects  are  produced  by  the 
use  of  Cape  Flowers  and  Immortelles  in  their 
natural  colors,  but  as  a  rule  dyed  Everlastings 
are  a  mistake,  if  one  cares  for  artistic  fitness. 

Very  elaborate  designs,  especially  funeral 
pieces,  are  often  comparatively  meaningless. 
The  writer  remembers  a  case  in  point,  in  a  west- 
ern city.  A  prominent  citizen  of  the  "genus" 
"tough"  met  with  an  untimely  end, the  cause 
of  his  taking  off  being  a  beer-glass  thrown  in  a 
saloon  fight.  His  sorrowing  friends  wished  to  oft'er 
some  mark  of  their  respect  in  the  form  of  a 
floral  design.  The  emblem  chosen  was  a  white 
lamb,  with  the  word  Rest  on  one  side,  and  Peace 
on  the  other.    It  ws  slightly  incongruous. 

Florist's  flowers  are  hard  pressed  just  now  by 
all  sorts  of  field  blossoms.  The  Marsh  Buttercups, 
so-called,  which  were  sold  by  the  bushel  during 
April  and  May,  have  now  given  place  to  the  real 
Buttercups  of  the  meadow,  and  the  0.x-eye  Daisy. 
These  two  flowers  together  make  an  exquisite 
harmony  of  white  and  gold.  They  are  not  only 
sold  by  the  street  venders,  but  find  their  way  in 
leading  flower  stores.  Outdoor  Lilacs  are  over 
in  this  section,  but  some  fortunate  florists  get 
them  down  East,  where  they  are  at  their  best. 

When  any  large  piece  of  decorating  is  done,  the 
florist  depends  chiefly  upon  outdoor  stuff.  Great 
masses  of  Weigelia  and  Syringa  are  most  effect- 
ive, and  Mountain  Laurel,  with  its  clusters  of 
rosy  blossoms,  finds  a  place  by  its  sisters  of  the 
garden. 

Some  people  have  been  trying  to  re-introduce 
the  use  of  taller  table  decorations,  but  the  sensi- 
ble fashion  of  low  plateaus  still  holds  good.  It 
is  a  regular  nuisance  to  be  obliged  to  dodge  a 
lot  of  tall  plants,  in  order  to  catch  sight  of  one's 
vis-a-vis. 

The  prettiest  table  decorations  are  low  banks 
of  Ferns,  with  a  few  selected  flowers  lightly 
placed  among  them.  This  is  the  most  advantag- 
eous way  of  showing  off  Orchids;  Cattleyas  or 
Lielias  are  exquisite  in  such  a  position.  It  is  a 
great  mistake  to  mix  these  flowers  with  a  lot  of 
other  stuff;  they  are  not  nearly  so  striking. 
Gloxinias  are  charming  used  in  the  same  way; 
they  show  off  beautifully  banked  in  any  position, 
and  they  come  in  such  exquisite  lamplight  shades 
of  pink  and  porcelain  blue.  Their  use  in  floral 
decorations  is  comparatively  recent. 

The  prettiest  wreaths  now  made  are  certainly 
those  made  in-the  form  of  a  crescent,  with  the 
ends  tied  together  with  ribbon.  They  are  ex- 
quisite when  made  only  of  Ivy  leaves,  with  a 
knot  of  flowers,  or,  in  the  case  of  an  aged  per- 
son, a  bunch  of  Wheat  on  one  side.  The  Ivy 
leaves  are  well  washed,  and  then  slightly  oiled, 
giving  them  a  brilliant  gloss. 

Bouquets  show  no  new  departures  so  far; 
they  are  still  big  pyramidal  nosegays.  We  are 
told  that  corsage  bunches  will  not  be  so  large, 
but  it  still  appears  the  custom  for  each  lovely 
creature  to  wear  as  big  as  she  can  obtain.  By 
the  way,  there  is  a  new  patent  fastening  for 
corsage  bouquets  which  is  very  convenient.  It 
is  built  on  the  same  plan  as  a  safety  pin,  but  in- 
stead ot  a  straight  bar  it  fastens  into  a  spiral 
spring  strong  enough  to  hold  the  flowers  in 
iplace,  yet  yielding  to  accommodate  a  large 
bunch.    Very  convenient.— Observer. 


2Io 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


July, 


PROH 
THB 


SOCIETIES 


TO  BEAVIDBVriMOVniL 

The  Successful  Man  is  one 

'who  can    overcome    every 

obstacle. 

Board  the  Pickers.     Tlie 

,  l.i'St    plan    is  to   board    the 

pickers,  having   them   stay 

on    the     premises    throufili 

the  season.— H.  P.  CloHiier. 

Home  Market  Best.  Sell  at  home  always  when 
you  can  do  it,  and  don't  trust  the  commission 
man  to  send  you  pay  for  what  he  doesn't  want. 
— Oias.  WrUiht,  Del. 

The  Chrysanthemum  Clob.  of  Erie,  Pa.,  have 
decided  to  luild  their  annual  show  on  Nov.  -tth  to 
7th.  Premium  list  will  be  out  in  a  tew  days.  H. 
Tuny,  Set'u,  Box  2-20,  Erie,  Pa. 

Moyer  Grape.  The  Moyer  closely  resembles 
the  Delaware  in  looks  and  ([Uality.  As  to  earli- 
ness  it  is  the  earliest  Grape  we  have,  coming  in 
even  befoi-e  the  Tallman.— icicis  Raasch. 

Clean  Culture  Needed.  I  believe  it  we  would  cul- 
tivate our  orchards  as  they  cultivate  the  Orange 
orchards  of  California,  instead  of  seeding  them 
down,  we  would  increase  the  quality  and  quanti- 
ty of  our  fruit  at  least  20  per  cent,— Tl'. H.  CouUin 
before  the  Shanoicc  Co.,  Kans.  Institute. 

Forest  Botation.  When  Oaks  are  cut  off  they 
are  followe<i  by  softer  wood,  and  Pine  is  followed 
by  Oak,  Walnut  and  other  deciduous  trees.  The 
ground  in  Pine  forests  offers  the  best  opportu- 
nity for  squirrels  to  plant  Acorns  and  Walnuts, 
and  affords  shelter  to  Maple  seeds.— O.B.Hadwin 

The  Hardiest  Peaches.  Mr.  Willard  believed 
Early  Kivei-s  hail  a  hardy  fruit  bud  and  would 
stand  more  cold  than  other  varieties.  Hill's  Chili 
and  Jacques  Kareripe  were  others.  Mr.  Rupert 
said  that  Early  Kivers  and  Hill's  Chili  bore  good 
crops  with  him  when  other  varieties  failed.  Mr. 
Arnold  would  add  Hyne's  Surprise,  proving 
very  hardy,  early,  and  absolutely  free-stone.— 
We.'stcm  New  York  Siieicty. 

Pruninff  the  Peach.  The  trees  should  be 
pruned  so  as  to  leave  no  crotches,  but  limbs  ex- 
tending from  the  trunk  from  four  to  twelve 
inches  apart,  and  in  my  judgment  the  toii  of  the 
tree  should  commence  three  feet  from  the 
ground  ;  and  care  should  be  taken,  in  pruning, 
to  give  the  tree  an  upright  position  and  to  pre- 
vent from  arming  out  so  as  to  hinder  successful 
cultivation.-- irfjif  Mieh.Frwt  growers' A  xfo'tion. 

Garden  Tillage.  When  cultivating,  work  the 
entire  plot,  and  as  soon  as  one  crop  is  harvested, 
remove  all  rubbish  and  cultivate  the  ground,  so 
that  it  may  be  ready  for  something  else.  It 
hurts  land  quite  as  much  to  grow  weeds  as  it 
does  to  grow  useful  vegetables,  and  to  allow 
them  to  mature  their  seed  in  your  garden  is  to 
harbor  your  very  worst  enemies  and  make  the 
battle  ten  times  harder  for  you  the  next  year.— 
Adrian  Farmers'  Institute. 

Seedling  Nut  Trees.  However  much  we  may 
depend  upon  seedling  Walnuts  for  profitable 
planting,  it  will  not  do  to  put  equal  dependence 
upon  seedling  Chestnuts.  The  finer  varieties  of 
these  are  as  unlikely  to  come  true  from  seed  as 
the  finer  kinds  of  Apples  and  Pears,  and  an 
orchard  of  seedling  Chestnuts  would  be  as  un- 
satisfactory as  an  orchard  of  seedling  Apples  or 
Pears.  The  variation  of  Chestnuts  seems  to  be 
in  the  line  of  unproductiveness  as  well  as  size.— 
Chax.  Parry  before  the  N.  J.  Hort  Soc. 

Flantine  Strawberries.  The  easiest  and  quick- 
est way  I  have  found  to  plant  a  large  number,  is 
for  two  jiersons  to  go  on,  one  with  a  spade  and 
the  other  with  a  basket  of  plants;  and  the  one 
who  has  the  spade  simply  puts  it  in  the  soil,  runs 
the  spade  in  a  slanting  direction,  and  raises  the 
handle  a  little,  just  sufliciont  for  the  other  to  put 
the  plant  under  the  spade  and  spread  out  the 
roots  there  and  ht)ld  them  in  i)roper  position 
while  the  other  one  withdraws  the  spade;  the 
earth  falls  back  at  once  on  the  roots  of  the  plant, 
and  presses  his  foot  upon  it,  and  the  thing  is 
done.  They  can  walk  along  that  way  very 
rapidly.  —  Sec'j/  Fruit  Growers''  Association  of 
Dntario,  Canada. 

Blackberry  Management.  I  plant  my  niack- 
beri-ies  se\'en  feet  apart  between  rows,  in  rows 
three  feet,  ami  1  try  to  keep  them  in  hills.  They 
are  supported  by  wire  on  either  side.  When  the 
growth  has  got  to  the  length  of  about  two  and 
a  half  feet,  1  cut  the  top  of  the  cane  off ;  that 


stops  the  upward  growth  of  the  plant,  so  it  forms 
itself  Into  a  tree.  Tn  laying  them  down,  remove 
the  earth  say  four  inches  from  the  hill,  and  three 
inches  under  so  we  can  bend  the  root  and  not 
the  cane.  We  put  earth  enough  upon  them  to 
press  the  tops  together  as  close  as  we  can  ;  then 
cover  them,  so  that  one  lays  along-side  of  the 
other.  I  uncover  them  in  the  spring  as  soon  as 
the  earth  get  in  good  workable  order.  —Mr.  Ham- 
ilton before  Wisconsin,  Farmers"  [nstitute. 

Why  the  Concord  Drops  Off.  I  do  not  think 
the  trouble  arises  from  deep  cultivation  nor 
from  use  of  ashes.  Believe  it  is  caused  by  over- 
bearing, thereby  weakening  the  vine.  We  must 
remember  in  vineyard  management  that  in  any 
given  season  there  are  to  be  perlected  two  crops, 
the  first,  the  fruit  which  goes  Uj  be  consumed 
in  the  market,  and  the  second  the  ripening  or 
maturing  of  the  wood  for  the  ne.\t  year's  fruit- 
ing. If  an  excess  of  fruit  is  grown,  the  wood 
will  suffer  or  become  enleebled.  We  here  touch 
upon  one  of  the  most  important  principles  in 
the  science  of  vine  growing  There  is  no  doubt 
that  very  many  vineyards  are  at  one  time  or 
another  injured  by  overbearing.  This  is  partic- 
ularly true  of  young  vineyards.— Se'cy  Crissyo/ 
the  Chiutauqua  Hort.  .Soc. 

Growing  Sweet  Potatoes.  Plant  seed  tubers 
showing  a  tendency  to  become  short  and  larger 
in  the  center,  with  a  rapid  taper  towards  each 
end.  Place  in  a  hot  bed  horizontally  one-half 
inch  apart,  drench  with  water,  cover  three  inches 
with  earth,  then  one  and  a-half  inches  of  sand. 
When  the  plants  are  four  inches  above  ground, 
they  are  large  enough  to  pull  for  sets.  Ridge 
the  ground  with  a  two-horse  plough,  four  feet 
or  less  apart,  and  with  a  spade  plant  on  the 
ridges,  eighteen  inches  apart.  Keep  free  from 
weeds  and  grass.  A  Sweet  Potato  scraper,  drawn 
by  a  mule,  will  be  of  great  assistance  until  the 
\1nes  cover  the  ground,  after  which  little  atten- 
tion will  be  required.  Digging  can  be  done  with 
a  spade,  if  only  a  small  quantity  is  grown,  or 
with  a  plough  with  the  mould  board  removed, 
and  a  rolling  cutter  to  cut  the  vines.— T.  E.Oood- 
rich  before  the  Ills.  Hort.  Society. 

School-ground  Planting.  The  decoration  of 
school-grounds  can  be  made  at  a  trifling  expense. 
The  ground  in  the  beginning  should  be  thorough- 
ly broken  and  harrowed  and  then  seeded  to 
grass.  It  should  be  planted  with  some  native 
shrubs  and  trees,  and  the  boys  and  girls  should 
be  made  to  feel  an  interest  in  maintaining  it. 
The  play-ground  proper  may  be  in  the  rear  of 
the  building,  and  if  the  students  are  furnished 
with  a  cheap  mower  they  will  take  pride  in  keep- 
ing the  lawn  in  front  well  clipped  and  tidy. 
Besides  this,  if  our  native  trees— Hickories,  Oaks, 
Birches  and  Pines— are  planted  in  groups,  many 
interesting  lessons  in  botany  can  be  drawn  from 
them  by  a  skillful  instructor.  Flower-beds 
should  be  used  with  caution,  but  when  children 
are  properly  interested  they  can  be  introduced 
to  advantage,  and  it  is  certain  that  the  influence 
of  such  a  pleasant  ground  will  do  something  to- 
ward improving  and  elevating  taste  and  charac- 
ter.—J.  J.  Thomas,  before  the  W.  N.  T.  Hort.  Soc. 

Park  Planting.  In  the  sylvan  embellishment 
ot  a  park  is  a  curious  fact  that  nearly  all  our 
larger  forest  trees  are  entirely  neglected,  except 
Maples,  Elms,  Poplars  and  occasiimally  the 
White  Ash  or  the  Basswood.  The  Wild  Cherry, 
Tulip,  Plane,  Beech,  Honey  Locust,  Sweet  Chest- 
nut, all  the  Hickories  and  most  of  the  Oaks,  are 
large  trees  excellent  for  shade  or  ornament,  but 
tew  of  them  are  ever  seen  in  young  plantations, 
and  they  are  difficult  to  obtain  in  ijuantity  at 
any  nursery.  In  the  same  category  may  be 
placed  many  of  our  smaller  native  trees,  such  as 
the  Hackberry,  Sweet-Gum,  Sour-Gum,  Horn- 
beam, Ironwood,  Sassafras,  etc.,  all  compara- 
tively common  in  our  woods,  of  easy  cultivation 
and  comely  form  or  distinctive  character.  Where 
a  European  tree  is  nothing  better,  or  even  in- 
ferior, it  will  be  propagated  and  planted  in  pref- 
erance  to  its  American  congener.  Thus  an 
English  or  Turkey  Oak  can  be  readily  obtained 
at  any  nursery,  but  specimens  of  any  one  of  a 
dozen  native  species  with  difficulty,  or  not  all. 
So  of  the  Beech,  Ash,  Plane,  Horse  Chestnut, 
Linden,  Moimtain  Ash,  Larch  and  Pine  of 
Europe  and  American  respectively.— Wm.  Mc- 
Millan, before  the  W.  N.  Y.  Horticulturists. 

The  School  Garden.  It  should  be  not  only  a 
pliiee  for  observation,  but  afield  for  experiment. 
Budding,  grafting,  jiropagation  by  layers,  cut- 
tings and  slips,  cross  fertilization  jind  the  condi- 
tions favorable  to  plant  growth  could  be  taught 
experimentally— not  to  one  class  necessarily,  but 


to  every  pupil  somewhere  in  the  course  of  study. 
Seeing  and  doing  sueh  things,  and  recording  the 
results  would  give  pupils  a  training  peculiarly 
valuable.  Here  is  a  large  field  f«jr  the  considera- 
tion of  those  who  would  send  the  whole  boy  to 
school.  Here  is  an  efficient  means  of  interesting 
him.  A  lively  personal  interest  is  the  mainspring 
of  all  proper  mental  development.  Unless  the 
boy  is  interested  in  the  work  of  the  schoolroom 
his  mind  will  be  on  things  outside  of  it ;  he  will 
be  present  in  body  but  absent  in  mind.  How  is 
it  that  the  varied,  instructive  and  interesting 
work  of  the  school  garden  has  escaped  the  atten- 
tion and  appreciation  of  educators  so  long, 
much  more  the  attention  and  appreciation  of 
agriculturists?  In  the  public  schools  of  Boston, 
two  hours  a  week  are  set  apart  for  elementary 
science  work  in  all  the  primary  classes,  and  in 
the  fifth  and  sixth  grammar  classes.  Out-door 
work  at  all  seasonable  times  should  be  substi- 
tuted for  the  present  in-door  work.  Work  in 
the  school  garden  would  be  as  much  better  than 
work  on  the  same  material  in  the  schoolroom  as 
a  visit  to  Paris  is  better  than  a  description  of  it. 
The  school  garden  would  furnish  most  of  the 
material  necessary  for  the  winter's  work— seeds, 
buds,  bulbs,  tubers,  corms,  fleshy  roots,  pressed 
leaves  and  flowers,  and  other  material.— ffejirv 
L.  Clapp,  before  the  Mass.  Hort.  Soc. 


Decorative  Horticulture. 

[Abstract  of  paiH^r  by  Jas.  C'urrie,  before  n  Wisconsin 
Farmers'  /n-sti^u(e.] 

Decorative  horticulture,  as  we  understand 
it,  means  the  making  and  care  of  the  lawn, 
the  planting  of  trees  and  shrubs  for  orna 
ment,  and  the  cultivation  of  all  kinds  of 
flowering  and  ornamental  plants,  whether 
native  or  exotic,  hardy  or  tender,  in  the  open 
garden  or  in  the  conservatory. 

Taste  for  the  Ait.  We  cannot  expect  to  find, 
in  a  country  so  new  as  this  is,  many  places  of 
large  extent  so  beautifully  laid  out  as  we  do  in 
the  older  countries;  but  we  have  abundant  evi- 
dence that  the  taste  for  this  art  is  very  rapidly 
developing  throughout  the  country.  The 
changed  and  ever  improving  appearance  of  our 
city  and  village  homes  assures  us  of  this.  Nearly 
every  occupied  lot  now  has  its  well-made,  well- 
kept  lawn,  its  handsome  trees  and  pretty  flower- 
ing plants,  and  sundry  other  embellishments, 
rendering  it  attractive  and  beautiful.  The  city 
merchant  who  delights  to  breathe  the  pure, 
bracing  air  of  his  country  home,  and  never  tires 
of  fea-sting  his  eyes  on  the  extensive  and  varied 
landscape  which  surrounds  it,  is  a  true  lover  of 
nature  in  all  her  native  and  rugged  grandeur; 
but  that  does  not  prevent  him  from  employing 
the  landscape  gardener's  art  to  improve  the  im- 
mediate surroundings  of  his  home.  Some  people 
condemn  that  art,  because  thej'  consider  it  but 
an  imitution  ot  nature.  But  the  true  artist  has 
really  no  intention  of  imitating  nature's  works. 
He  emjiloys  her  materials  to  create  scenes  which 
are  polished  and  refined,  pleasing  to  the  eye  and 
adapted  to  the  circumstances.  Under  his  mas- 
terly direction  he  produces  effects,  which,  it  is 
fair  to  say,  are  scarcely  less  natural,  and  cer- 
tainly are  more  consistent  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
home,  than  any  of  nature's  handiwork.  Our 
country  resident,  therefore,  who  thoroug-ly  ap- 
preciates the  beautiful,  as  well  as  the  picturesque 
in  nature,  and  who  has  a  keen  sense  of  refine- 
ment, embellishes  his  home  grounds,  but  is  care- 
ful not  to  over-do  his  work. 

Pleasures  and  Benefits.  The  pleasures  and 
benefits  to  be  derived  from  the  cultivation  of 
plants,  a  well-stocked  flower  garden  and  nice 
lawn,  with  trees,  shrubs  and  flowers  pleasingly 
arranged,  are  almost  innumerable  and  inestima- 
ble. Let  mo  direct  attention  to  one  important 
benefit.  The  necessary  labor  is  light  and  very 
interesting.  It  demands  attention,  but  does  not 
impose  a  burden  on  the  mental  faculties;  it  may 
be  made  really  nothing  but  amusement;  and, 
moreover,  is  conducted  out  of  dooi-s  in  the  clear, 
fresh  air  and  sunshine.  Is  it  any  wonder,  then, 
that  it  proves  so  often  such  a  splendid  tonic  for 
invaliils  and  weary,  care-worn  business  men'/  I 
take  m.\'  stand  with  confidence,  because  1  am 
assured  of  the  supi>ort  of  every  farmer's  wife 
and  daughter,  and  of  all  those  farmers  whose 
handsome  homes  we  find  here  and  there  through- 
out the  coinitry,  a  delight  to  their  owners  and 
even  the  pride  of  their  neighbors. 

Make  Your  Homes  Attractive.  Why  not  give 
the  children  a  nice  garden,  and  encourage  them 
to  spend  some  of  their  leisure  hours  in  it,  and 
buy  them  a  few  |>lants  and  seeds,  and  let  them 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


219 


t-ulti\  atr  tlu'ir  tnvii  tlow^T^'y  Vory  lew  rliiltireii 
lire  iniTsu  to  this  kind  of  work:  it  is  umuscnu'lU 
to  them,  ami,  as  you  aiv  uwai'c.  most  hi-althy 
ivfivalion.  Many  a  voiy  ilciicatc  lioy  ami  Kii'l. 
r\vi\  on  tho  I'ai'ixi,  havr.  tiy  tlic  lit^iit  \voi'k  in  the 
jjanU'ii.  wliii'li  kept  tltfin  eiiiployod  in  the  open 
air.  l)»H'ii  nui-scil  ui>  into  strong  and  lu'althy  men 
antl  women.  Tlie  eity  has  jrreat  allui^'ment.s  for 
tin-  farm  boy.  I  am  by  no  means  opposetl  to  liis 
i-omiiiK  to  town,  for  we  need  our  l>ineolus,  tJai"- 
lielcis  and  Itusks  to  man  the  ship  of  state,  and  we 
look  to  the  farm  for  them;  but  we  eannot  afford 
to  deplete  the  farm,  .so  we  must  offer  every  iii- 
dueement  to  keeji  the  boys  at  home.  Try  to 
luake  yi^ur  homes  the  pride  of  your  ehiUlren  so 
that  though  theyjfooii  a  visit  to  town,  they  may 
see,  at  least,  few  homes  more  attraetive  than 
their  own.  liabor  is  not  an  e.xpensive  item,  be- 
cause the  work  of  making' the  improvements  Citn 
be  done  at  odd  times  when  farm  work  is  not 
pressing.  Trees,  shrubs  and  hardy  tiowers,  which 
are  no  further  e.\^>ense  than  the  first  cost,  are 
now  very  cheap.  The  future  care  of  the  lawn 
involves  \'ery  little  labor,  as  light  running  lawn 
mowers,  which  the  boys  even  consider  as  play- 
thiiigs,  do  the  work  of  cutting  the  grass  rapidly, 
and  leave  the  lawn  looking  smooth  and  trim. 

Within  recent  years  the  value  of  decorative 
horticulture  has  attracted  the  attention  of  sev- 
eral of  the  great  railroad  companies  of  this 
country,  particularly  those  operating  roads  in 
the  east.  They  employ  it  extensively  about  all 
the  larger  depots  along  the  lines.  Thoroughly 
capable  landscai*  gardeners  are  permanently 
employed  to  direct  all  the  operations.  All  the 
available  ground  in  the  vicinity  of  the  depots  is 
judiciously  and  carefully  laid  out,  and  tastefully 
planted  with  trees,  shrubs  and  ttowers;  and  the 
grass  Is  always  kept  short  and  green. 

Materials.  There  is  no  lack  of  materials  to  use 
in  decorative  horticulture  Trees,  shrubs  and 
flowering  plants  of  suitable  kinds  are  in  abund- 
ance, and  sufficient  for  the  purpose,  even  though 
our  rather  severe  climate  precludes  the  culture 
of  many  beautiful  sorts.  Kut  the  kinds  we  have 
are  already  so  numerous,  and  the  desire  to  use 
them  all  is  so  strong  and  tempting,  that  much 
wisdom  and  self-denial  are  required  to  choose 
only  a  sufficient  number  of  the  most  appropriate 
sorts  for  the  locatiou  and  space  they  are  to  oc- 
cupy. The  general  tendency  is  to  overcrowd. 
It  is  so  hard  to  satisfy  ourselves  with  one  tree 
when  one  is  sufficient  for  the  purpose,  and  our 
judgment  even  tells  us  so.  The  love  of  flowers 
has  that  tendency  even  more  strongly.  While 
their  culture  is  always  commendable,  great  care 
must  be  exercised  in  selecting  them,  and  giving 
them  their  appropriate  place.  The  flower  garden 
or  border  is  the  proper  place  for  a  large  and  gen- 
eral assortment— a  bed  or  two  perhaps  being 
sufficient  to  tastefully  embellish  the  lawn. 

Money  in  Small  Fruits 

{Extract  of  paper  by  J.  H.  Hale,  read  bejore  Wiscon 
sin  farmers'  Institute.) 

It  is  really  only  within  the  pa.st  ten  years 
that  a  1  the  small  towns  and  villages  of  the 
country  have  begun  to  have  anything  like  a 
fair  supply,  while  there  are  yet  hundreds  of 
towns  and  villages  that  are  not  one-half 
supplied,  and  those  that  appear  to  be  well 
furnished  now  would  use  many  more  if 
better  fruit  were  offered  and  in  a  more  at- 
tractive style.  So  there  is  a  chance  yet  for 
new  beginners,  if  they  are  willing  to  live 
up  to  the  requirements  and  demands  of  the 
times.  However,  before  attempting  the 
business  it  is  well  to  know  that  not  all  cul- 
tivators of  berries  have  found  money  in 
small  fruits.  In  fact  there  have  been  some 
very  serious  failures. 

Beqairements  for  Success  The  requisites  for 
success  are : 

1.  A  love  of  fruits  for  their  own  sake;  a 
pleasure  in  their  culture. 

2.  A  soil  fairly  well  adapted  to  them. 

3.  Good  local  markets,  or  convenient  access 
to  railway  lines  which  center  in  market  towns 

4.  Extra  laboi-ers,  near  enoiigh  at  hand  to  be 
called  on,  in  case  of  emergency,  in  cultivating 
and  gathering  the  fruits  promptly  and  econom- 
ically when  ripe. 

Having  made  sure  of  these  things,  if  one  is 
starting  in  business,  care  should  be  taken  not  to 
plan  for  planting  more  than  can  be  cared  for  in 
the  most  thorough  manner,  or  sold  to  good  ad- 
vantage. 


Strawberries.  *>f  the  \'ariotis  fruits,  .siti-aw- 
bcrncs  will  rccci\i'  tirst  attention,  as  it  is  from 
thciu  that  the  quickest  returns  may  bccxpcctfil, 
.\ny  good  Corn  or  Wheat  land  will  priHluce  line 
StrawlH'rrics,  but  to  secure  the  best  results,  it 
must  be  very  rich  in  natural  fertility,  or  made 
so  l)y  the  application  of  mamn-c  in  some  foj-m. 
My  own  cxprricncc  has  been  that  any  soil  ric-h  in 
organic  matti-r,  or  fertilized  with  stable  uiuintre 
or  t'ommcrcial  fertilizers  rich  in  nitrogenous 
matter  produces  too  mnuh  foliage  growth  for 
the  most  profitable  returns  in  fruit ;  and  my  best 
crops  have  come  from  a  sandy  or  loamy  soil, 
where  commercial  fertilizers  had  been  used  con- 
taining a  large  percentage  of  phosphoric  acid 
anil  potash,  but  lacking  in  nitrogen. 

Preparing  the  Oround,  Land  that  has  been  in 
cultivation  for  a  year  or  two  previous  is  best. 
I'low  this  as  deeply  as  possible  early  in  the 
spring ;  then  harrow  it  over  and  over  again  until 
a  perfect  seed-bed  is  formed.  An  extra  day  or 
two  spent  by  a  man  and  team  in  a  thorough 
preparation  of  tlie  land,  will  usually  show  itself 
in  ease  of  cultivation  later  in  the  season. 

Setting  the  Plants.  When  the  ground  is  thor- 
oughly prepared,  with  a  corn-marker,  check  off 
rows  three  feet  apart,  and  set  the  plants  from 
twelve  to  twenty  inches  apart  in  the  row,  ac- 
cording to  the  vigor  of  the  variety.  If  pistillate 
or  imperfect  flowering  varieties  are  used,  plant 
every  third  row  with  some  strong,  perfect  flow- 
ering variety  that  blooms  at  the  same  time.  Too 
many  make  the  mistake  of  planting  a  greater 
number  of  rows  of  pistillat«s  before  adding  the 
l>erfect  bloomers  to  fertilize  them,  and  also  make 
the  selection  of  varieties  without  regard  to  the 
time  of  blossoming. 

Cnltivating,  ('ut  off  all  blossoms  or  fruit 
stalks  as  fast  as  they  appear,  and  as  soon  as 
growth  is  well  started,  begin  the  summer  culti- 
vation, which  should  be  kept  up  once  in  two  or 
three  weeks  all  through  the  season,  until  weed 
growth  is  stopped  by  freezing  in  the  fall.  ()n  my 
own  plantations  the  last  hoeing  is  usually  done 
in  October. 

The  Narrow  Bow  System.  I  am  satisfied  that 
this  is  on  the  whole  the  most  profitable.  Ry  this 
method,  each  of  the  springset  plants  is  allowed 
to  root  a  few  of  its  first  runners,  along  near  the 
line  of  the  row,  after  which  all  the  runners  are 
cut  off  as  fast  as  they  appear.  The  advantages  of 
this  plan  are  that  more  of  the  work  of  cultiva- 
tion can  be  done  by  horse-power,  as  in  hill 
culture,  and  yet  there  are  always  young 
plants  enough  to  form  one  continuous  row,  even 
if  a  few  do  get  destroyed  in  any  way.  There  is 
abundant  room  for  sun-light  and  air  to  reach  all 
the  berries  when  ripening,  which  assures  larger, 
better  colored  and  higher  flavored  berries  than 
can- be  grown  in  matted  rows;  also  firmer  fruit 
that  stands  transportation  much  better,  and  sells 
for  higher  prices. 

There  is  another  advantage  in  this  plan.  It 
costs  but  little  to  clean  out  a  bed  of  this  sort 
after  fruiting,  and  so  renew  it  for  another  sea- 
son's crop  at  little  expense,  while  in  matted  row 
culture  it  is  seldom  profitable  to  continue  a  bed 
in  fruiting  more  than  one  year. 

Importance  of  Moisture  Many  a  field  of 
Strawberries  that  has  received  fairly  good  care 
during  the  whole  year,  has  failed  to  produce 
proHtable  results,  simply  for  the  want  of  suffi- 
cient moisture,  just  at  the  fruiting  season. 
Therefore,  where  it  is  possible,  without  too  great 
cost,  irrigation  should  be  provided,  if  the  highest 
results  are  to  be  obtained.  Where  the  markets 
are  large  enough  to  readily  handle  year  after 
year,  the  product  of  five  or  more  acres  from  one 
farm,  I  am  satisfied  that  an  investment  of  from 
one  to  twf)  thousand  dollars  for  irrigation  pur- 
poses would  pay  handsomely.  I  urge  at  least  a 
thorough  preparation  of  the  soil  for  planting, 
and  frequent  cultivation  that  the  plants  may 
root  deeply  and  thus  be  able  to  withstand  drouth, 
which  comes  so  often  when  we  least  expect  it. 

Oathering  and  Marketins.  In  gathering  and 
marketing  the  crop  there  should  be  one  picker 
for  each  thirty  or  forty  iiuarts  ;of  the  daily  pro- 
duct, and  a  suiJCrintendent  to  every  fifteen  or 
twenty  pickers,  to  assign  them  their  rows  and 
inspect  their  work  from  time  to  time;  to  see 
that  they  keep  to  their  rows  and  do  not  trample 
on  the  vines.  Pick  the  fruit  clean  and  grade  it 
according  to  the  demands  of  the  market  to  be 
supplied.  Upon  the  thoroughness  of  this  super- 
intendent's work  will  depend,  in  a  large  measure, 
the  success  of  the  business. 

Picking,  except  for  local  markets,  should  not 
begin  till  the  dew  is  off  in  the  morning,  and 
should  not  be  continued  through  the  heat  of  the 


day.  If  pickers  enough  can  be  had  to  rapidly 
gather  tho  croi>,  from  four  o'clock  till  dark  is 
nnn'h  the  best  time. 

Packing.  The  packing  shed  should  be  a  cool, 
airy  place,  convenient  to  the  fleld,  anil  here  all 
the  fruit  should  be  brought  as  fast  as  gatheiod. 
A  general  inspection  of  the  fruit  should  be  given 
by  the  person  in  charge,  and  it  should  be  packed 
according  to  its  grade,  each  \ariety  by  itself. 
Baskets  or  bo.xes  should  be  new  and  clean,  and 
made  of  the  whitest  wood  that  it  is  possible  to 
obtain.  All  should  be  as  rounding  full  as  can  be 
conveniently  packed  without  injury  to  the  fruit. 
There  should  lie  no  inferior  fruit  put  in,  and  that 
in  the  bottom  and  middle  of  the  package  should 
be  just  as  good,  or  better,  than  that  on  top. 
Having  made  sure  of  this,  these  should  be  care- 
fully jiacked  in  clean,  bright  crates  oi-  boxes  of 
the  size  required  by  the  markets  where  the  fruit 
is  to  be  sold. 

Baspberries.  Red,  black  and  yellow,  require 
much  of  the  same  soil  as  Strawberries,  except 
that  they  ma.v  be  grown  with  profit  on  land  that 
is  far  richer  in  nitrogeneous  matter. 

Planting.  Kail  is  the  best  time  to  plant  all  but 
the  cap  varieties.  The  ground  should  be  as  thor- 
oughly prepared  as  for  Strawberries.  I  am 
satisfied  that  larger,  finer  and  better  l>erries  can 
be  grown  by  planting  check-rows  five  or  six  feet 
apart,  giving  the  plants  more  sunlight  and  air 
and  admittmg  of  more  use  of  the  horse  and  cul- 
tivator, thus  securing  better  culture  at  less  cost, 
while  the  yield  of  fruit  is  fully  as  large  as  from 
the  hedge-rows. 

Cultivation.  Cultivation  should  be  begin  early 
in  the  season,  and  be  frequent  and  thorough 
through  the  summer  months,  so  as  to  stimulate 
a  rapid  growth  early  in  the  season,  gi\'ing  ample 
time  for  maturity  of  wood  during  the  fall. 

The  new  growth  should  be  pinched  back  when 
fifteen  to  eighteen  inches  high.  This  will  cause  a 
strong  growth  of  lateral  branches,  which  should 
be  allowed  to  grow  at  will,  leaving  all  further 
trimming  until  early  the  following  spring. 

Winter  Protection.  Few,  if  any,  of  the  best  va- 
rieties are  hardy  enough  to  endure  the  winters  of 
Wisconsin  without  some  protection,  if  you  are  to 
make  sure  of  a  crop  annually.  It  is  therefore 
best  to  lay  them  down  and  cover  with  earth  at 
the  approach  of  winter.  This  can  be  done  at  a 
cost  of  from  five  to  eight  dollars  per  acre,  and  is 
a  cheap  method  of  insuring  a  crop,  so  far  as  the 
extreme  frost  might  affect  it.  As  soon  as  frost  is 
out,  and  ground  is  dry  enough  in  the  s|>ring,  un- 
cover and  straighten  up  the  plants ;  thin  out  and 
shorten  in  the  laterals  from  eight  to  fifteen 
inches,  as  may  be  required  to  form  a  well- 
balanced  bush. 

Thorough  cultivation  may  be  given  up  to 
blooming  time,  after  which  it  is  not  well  to  stir 
the  soil  till  after  fruiting. 

Gathering  and  Marketing.  The  gathering  and 
marketing  should  be  on  the  same  general  plan  as 
for  the  Strawberries,  except  that  pint  boxes  or 
baskets  should  be  used  in  place  of  quarts  for  the 
most  delicate  varieties. 

Blackberries.  These  are  generally  inclined  to 
make  too  much  wood  growth,  so  it  is  well  to 
select  land  of  moderate  fertility.  The  high-bush 
varieties  may  be  planted  either  in  spring  or  fall, 
the  latter  being  the  best;  planting  the  same  as 
the  strongest  growing  Raspberries,  while  the 
Dewberries  or  trailing  Blackberries  should  be 
planted  in  the  spring  in  rows  ten  feet  apart, 
plants  three  to  four  feet  in  the  row,  and  allowed 
to  form  a  matted  bed.  Close  pruning  and  winter 
protection  are  essential  to  the  highest  success  in 
Blackberry  culture,  as  with  Raspberries. 

Gooseberries.— Currants.— There  is  only  a  limi- 
ted sale  for  Gooseberries,  but  for  Currants  the 
demand  is  still  far  greater  than  the  supply. 
Strcmg,  rich,  fairly  moist  soil  is  the  best  for  the 
latter.  They  may  be  planted  at  any  time  after 
their  leaves  drop  in  the  fall,  or  very  early  in  the 
spring,  in  check-rows,  four  and  one-half  to  five 
feet  apart.  The  growth  is  all  made  the  first  two 
niimths  of  summer.  It  is  therefore  essential  that 
the  cultivation  be  thorough  and  liberal  early  in 
the  season,  if  we  desire  the  best  wood  growth. 

Pruning.— The  flret  two  years  only  enough 
pruning  will  be  required  to  form  a  broad  open- 
headed  bush,  with  bearing  wood  evenly  distribu- 
ted ;  but  in  later  years  a  pinching  back  of  all  the 
new  growth  when  two  or  three  inches  long  will 
tend  to  develop  a  wonderous  formation  of  fruit 
spurs  and  buds. 

General  Principles.- The  following  are  general 
principles  that  must  be  lived  up  to  if  you  are  to 
find  the  "  money  in  small  fruits." 

FiHST.— Thorough  culture. 


2  20 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


July, 


Second— The  be^st  possible  shipping  pacicajres. 

Third— Honest  packing  of  fruit  from  top  to 
bottom,  yet  maliing  as  fine  an  appearance  as 
possible. 

Net  Profits  — With  culture  such  as  I  recom- 
mend, Strawberries  should  yield  four  thousand 
fiuart«  per  acre,  should  sell  in  your  markets  at 
about  eight  cents  per  quart— a  net  profit  of  one 
hundi-ed  and  fifty  dollars  per  acre. 

Baspberries  should  yield  about  three  thousand 
quarts  per  acre,  which,  at  ten  cents  per  quart, 
will  net  about  same  profit  as  Strawberries. 

Blackberries  should  give  rather  more  quarts 
than  Raspberries,  but  selling  for  less  price,  the 
profit  is  not  quite  as  great 

A  good  product  ot  Currants  is  from  fifteen 
hundred  to  two  thousand  quarts  per  acre,  and 
the  price  I  suppose  here  is  about  six  or  eight 
cents ;  but  as  a  field  of  Currants  may  be  kept  in 
fruiting  for  an  indefinite  number  of  years,  it  is 
one  of  the  most  profitable  of  all  the  small  fruits, 
as  the  cost  of  culture  is  so  much  less  than  any  of 
the  othei-s.  Strawljerries  have  to  be  renewed 
every  two  or  three  years.  Raspberries  and  Black- 
berries every  five  or  six,  for  the  best  results. 

The  Family  Small  Fruit  Garden.— To  get  at 
bottom  facts  as  to  "  money  in  small  fruits,''  the 
family  garden  is  the  place  to  begin  and  end,  if  we 
are  looking  for  greatest  results.  Every  farmer 
should,  and  will  have,  when  he  awakens  to  a  full 
sense  of  the  duty  he  owes  to  his  wife  and  loved 
ones,  a  family  small  fruit  garden  of  a  half  acre 
or  more,  in  proportion  to  the  size  of  his  family, 
and  his  real  interest  in  their  welfare,  for  right 
here  he  has  a  home  market  that  will  take  at  high 
prices  every  day  in  the  week,  quarts  upon  quarts 
of  the  choicest  product  of  his  plants. 


How  to   Grow   Dahlias. 

(Extract  of  pajter  read  b\i  3Ir.  Wm.  E.  Endicott  be- 
fore the  Mafisachusetis  Sorticuttural  Society.) 

In  spring  the  tubers  which  are  hanging  to 
the  crown  by  only  a  few  dead  fibres,  should 
be  cut  off  and  the  sound  parts  so  divided 
that  each  portion  shall  have  not  more  than 
one  or  two  buds.  These  buds  will  be  readi- 
ly discernible  in  May.  If  the  roots  are 
planted  year  after  year  without  division, 
not  only  will  they  form  unwieldy  masses, 
but  there  will  be  a  multitude  of  feeble 
shoots,  whose  flowers  will  be  few  and  poor. 

Soil  and  Manure,  The  soil  should  be  neither 
light  nor  heavy,  and  a  plentiful  supply  of  ma- 
nure should  be  used.  Chemical  fertilizers  will 
induce  a  low  growth,  not  high  enough  to  hide  a 
child,  while  barn-yard  manures  cause  a  tall 
growth.  Dahlias  raised  with  the  latter  need 
staking  to  keep  the  wind  from  breaking  them, 
the  flowers  are  much  finer  both  in  shape  and 
color,  and  the  foliage  has  a  freshness  and  perfec- 
tion which  adds  much  to  the  beauty  of  the  plant. 
With  chemical  fertilizers  there  are  too  many  ill- 
shaped  and  ill-colored  flowers,  and  the  foliage  is 
more  apt  to  be  infected  with  a  fungus  growth, 
which  causes  it  to  turn  yellow  at  the  edges,  and 
to  shrivel  toward  the  end  of  the  season. 

Planting.  The  roots  should  be  planted  about 
the  end  of  May.  and  covered  about  three 
inches  deep,  and  there  should  be  at  least  four 
feet  of  clear  space  allowed  on  each  side;  other- 
wise full  development  cannot  be  expected. 
Sometimes  they  are  planted  singly  on  lawns,  and 
so  treated,  a  tall  bushy  and  well-flowered  plant 
of  a  large-blossomed  variety  makes  a  fine  appear- 
ance. As  with  the  majority  ot  jilants,  the  after- 
cultivation  consists  simply  in  keeping  the  ground 
loose  and  clean,  and  in  applying  water  occasion- 
ally if  the  season  be  dry,  tor  the  Dahlia  needs  a 
good  supply  of  water.  In  one  dry  season  the 
essayist  had  hut  one  tlower  from  many  hundred 
plants,  while  a  field  of  Oladioli  blossomed  as  well 
as  ever.  The  first  frost  will  destroy  the  plants, 
but  it  is  by  no  means  necessary  that  they  then  be 
taken  up.  On  the  contrary,  they  will  keep  better 
in  the  ground  than  out  of  it, until  the  end  of  Octo- 
ber; all  that  is  necessary  is  to  lift  them  before 
the  ground  freezes  up.  A  root  accidentally  left 
in  the  ground  over  winter  has  been  known  to 
come  up  in  the  spring  and  flourish  as  vigorously 
as  if  it  had  been  wintered  in  the  cellar. 

In  taking  up  Dahlia  roots  it  is  necessary  to 
observe  two  precautions— not  to  shake  them  too 
violently  in  removing  the  earth;  otherwise  the 
necks  of  many  tubers  will  be  so  injui'ed  as  to  rot 
during  the  winter;  and  to  invert  the  root  for  a 
while  after  cutting  off  the  stems  so  that  the 
moisture  which  drains  olT  shall  not  run  down 
upon  the  crown,  thereby  ca\ising  the  buds  for 
next  year's  growth  to  rot.    Neglect  of  these  pre- 


cautions have  been  the  destruction  of  many  a 
good  collection. 

Propagation,  The  Dahlia  is  propagated  by 
cutting  or  division.  The  latter  method  may  be 
carried  out  at  any  time  from  lifting  to  planting: 
it  consists  simply  in  cutting  the  old  root  into 
pieces  leading  one  or  more  eyes  on  each. 

If  it  is  intended  to  propagate  by  cuttings,  the 
roots  from  which  the  slips  are  to  be  taken  should 
be  potted  and  put  into  a  warm  greenhouse  in  the 
first  part  of  February.  When  the  shoots  are 
about  two  inches  long  they  should  Ije  cut  off  just 
below  a  pair  of  leaves,  the  buds  in  the  axils  of 
which  will  form  the  eyes  of  the  tuber  which  the 
cutting  is  to  develop.  If  the  cuttings  be  taken 
with  a  long  stem  below  the  leaves,  they  will  root 
and  form  tuljers:  but  these  will  never  grow  after 
the  first  year,  having  no  buds  at  their  crowns. 

The  cuttings  are  rooted  in  sand  in  the  ordinary 
way,  and  may  be  planted  out  when  the  weather 
becomes  warm  enough.  It  sometimes  happens 
that  a  cutting  has  a  hollow  stem;'without  special 
treatment  this  will  never  root,  but  if  it  be  split 
up  to  the  leaves  and  one  of  the  halves  cut  away, 
the  cutting  will  root  without  much  trouble. 

New  varieties  must  be  raised  from  seed,  for  the 
Dahlia  rarely  sports,  though  sometimes  it  does 
so.  The  essayist  had  never  seen  more  than  one 
instance;  in  which  several  tubers  of  Emma 
Cheney,  a  very  large  rosy-colored  sort,  produced 
mahogany  brown  flowers  and  have  continued  to 
do  so.  It  is  said  that  the  plump  seed  is  of  little 
value,  but  that  the  thin  ones  are  more  apt  to 
produce  fine  flowers;  the  essayist,  however,  had 
not  found  any  such  difference.  Whatever  seed  is 
used  will  not  produce  more  than  one  flower 
worth  saving  out  of  a  thousand  seedlings.  Seed 
is  readily  obtained;  if  you  pull  off  one  of  the 
dead  dry  heads  left  where  a  blossom  withered, 
you  will  find  the  thin  black  seeds  among  the 
chaffy  bracts;  these  should  be  planted  oufloors, 
where  the  plants  are  to  remain,  as  soon  as  the 
ground  is  warm  enough;  they  wUI  probably 
blossom  in  September. 

We  are  commonly  advised  to  sow  the  seed 
under  glass  in  March,  but  those  who  do  so  will 
be  sorry  before  the  end  of  May,  for  the  seed 
starts  so  readily  and  the  young  plants  grow  so 
freely  that  the  hasty  garflener  soon  has  to  choose 
whether  he  will  throw  away  some  of  his  Dahlias 
or  some  of  his  other  plants. 

Improving  the  Dahlia.  In  the  Dahlia  as  we 
now  have  it.  the  tendency  to  variation  is  pretty 
thoroughly  fixed.  Out  of  two  hundred  seedlings 
raised  from  seed  of  the  fine  white  Pompon  vari- 
ety called  White  Aster,  the  essayist  had  flowers 
of  every  sort  and  kind,  of  every  shade  of  color, 
single.  Pompon,  and  large  doubles— some  of  the 
last  pretty  good  and  some  poor  enough  to  be 
offered  as  first-rate  Cactus  Dahlias. 

We  seem  to  be  advancing  from  the  single 
flower  over  precisely  the  same  ground  formerly 
traversed,  for  most  of  the  "  Cactus "'  varieties  of 
the  present  day  are  in  no  respect  different  from 
varieties  figured  fifty  years  ago  in  the  Floricul- 
tural  Cabinet  and  other  publications. 

Will  these  loose,  flat-petalled  varieties  liecome 
the  round  perfect  Show-Dahlia  as  they  did  be- 
fore or  will  they  take  a  different  turn  and  pro- 
duce some  new  form?  The  same  materials— the 
species  varialiiiis,  cueciiiia,  and  graciliis— must 
produce  the  same  results. 

In  so  large  a  family  as  the  Compositte  to  which 
the  Dahlia  belongs  it  seems  probable  that  some 
genus  exists  with  which  hybrids  may  be  formed, 
and  it  is  from  such  a  source  that  new  sorts  are 
to  be  had,  if  at  all. 

There  is  still  one  point  in  which  the  present 
race  of  Dahlias  may  be  improved— hardiness. 
We  frequentl.v  have  a  frost  in  the  first  part  of 
September  which  kills  all  our  Dahlias:  then 
succeed  several  weeks  of  bright  mild  weather,  in 
which  our  blackened  plants  present  but  a  sorry 
figure.  If  we  could  infuse  enough  hardiness  into 
them  to  enable  them  to  withstand  this  firet  frost 
it  would  be  a  great  point  gained.  Two  years  ago 
among  some  hundreds  of  seedlings  which  the 
frost  had  destroyed,  one  stood  up  as  fresh  and 
green  as  ever.  Unfortunatel.v  it  was  lost  by 
neglect.  This  incident  shows  that  a  moderate 
degree  of  hardiness  may  be  obtained  by  the 
simple  process  of  selection  among  seedlings;  per- 
haps by  hybridization  perfect  hardiness  ma.v  also 
be  reached. 

The  double  and  single  varieties  are  so  very 
unlike  that  a  comparison  between  them  is  hardly 
possible.  Both  are  desirable,  both  are  beautiful 
—each  in  its  own  way.  The  large  double  Dahlia 
is  certainly  heavy  in  apiJearance,  but  it  has  a 
richness  of  color,  a  delicacy  of  shading  and  a 


perfection  of  construction  that  the  singles  can- 
not approach.  The  single  Dahlias  are  free  in 
flowering,  cheerful  and  graceful  as  they  stand 
in  the  garden. 

The  Wild  Species,  Impcrialis  is  a  very  beauti- 
ful species,  which,  however,  will  never  be  much 
grown,  because  it  does  not  flower  until  Novem- 
ber, and  then  only  on  stalks  twelve  or  fifteen 
feet  tall.  Nothing  can  much  exceed  the  beauty 
of  its  clusters,  however,  consisting  as  they  do,  of 
flowers  gracefully  drooping,  white,  faintly 
flushed  with  pink,  and  with  petals  so  disposed 
that  the  flowers  look  more  like  Lilies  than 
Dahlias  This  species  is  well  worth  growing  for 
the  beauty  of  its  foliage,  which  is  much  di%'ided 
and  arches  out  from  the  stem,  like  some  kinds 
of  .\zalea.  Excelsa  is  another  trio-like  plant, 
coarser  in  foliage  than  imperialis,  and  also  late 
flowering;  the  blossoms  are  pink.  MerMi,  called 
also  iilahrata,  is  a  very  dwarf  species  not  over  a 
foot  and  a  half  high.  In  no  respects  does  it  re- 
semble the  other  species  in  appearance.  The 
foliage  is  shiny  and  very  finely  cut,  and  the 
blossoms  much  resemble  the  Coreopsis  in  size, 
shape, and  length  of  stalk.  The  colors  are  white, 
pink  and  purple,  with  a  dark  brown  center. 

The  other  species  are  very  much  like  the  ordi- 
nary crimson  and  scarlet  single  varieties. 

Varieties.  The  possessor  of  the  following 
kinds  has  a  goo<l  collection:  Anne  Boleyn,  light 
flesh:  British  Triumph,  dark  crimson;  Dutchess  of 
Cambridge,  rose  with  crimson-tipped  florets; 
Earl  of  .Shaftesbury,  rich  purple:  Flamingo, 
vermilion;  Julia  Davis,  rich  yellow;  Louisa  Neath, 
pink;  Prospero,  plum  coU>r  tipped  white;  Lord 
Hawke,  yellow  and  buff;  Miss  Huth.  lemon 
yellow  with  white  tips;  Mrs,  Gladstons,  delicate 
soft  pink. 

Some  very  good  Pompon  or  small-flowered 
double  kinds  are  Snowflake,  creamy  white; 
White  .\ster,  pure  white  with  fringed  petals; 
Cochineal  Rose,  deep  crimson  and  of  perfect 
form;  Figaro,  buff  with  crimson  edge;  Liebchen- 
mein,  white  bordered  violet;  Pure  Love,  lilac; 
Little  Coldlight,  golden-yellow  tipped  scarlet; 
Sparkler,  scarlet;  George  French,  crimson  if  seen 
from  the  front,  bluish  rose  if  looked  at  from  the 
side:  Mercafor,  pink-tipped  crimson;  Lurline 
and  Catherine,  yellow;  Isabel,  briliant  scarlet 
and  of  finest  form. 

Of  the  "  Cactus  "  varieties  there  are  by  far  too 
many,  unless  their  quality  improves.  Juarezi, 
named  for  Juarez,  the  former  president  of  Mex- 
ico, was  the  first,  and  is  so  far  the  best  that  the 
essayist  was  almost  inclined  to  say  that  no  other 
sort  is  worth  growing.  Its  color  is  intense  and 
pure,  and  its  shape  and  arrangement  of  petals 
are  peculiar.  Lord  Lyndhurst  is  very  good;  it 
is  a  reproduction  of  Juarezi  on  a  smaller  scale 
and  in  a  lighter  shade  ot  color.  It  is  probabl.v  a 
sport  from  Juarezi.  Mondamin  is  a  fine  pink 
variety  raised  from  seed  of  Juarezi,  and  has  the 
same  peculiar  shape. 


Plunging  Plants. 

[A  paper  read  bu  Mr,  Wm,  Bardney,  Norris  Green 
Gardeti,s^  before  the  members  of  the  Liverpool  Horti- 
cultural Association.) 

It  should  be  practiced  for  the  economical 
advantages  it  offers.  If  gardening  is  to 
prosper  in  the  future,  the  cost  of  production 
must  be  duly  considered,  so  that  the  rettirns 
will  justify  the  outlay.  Labor  can  be  saved 
by  plunging.  Appearance  will  always  have 
to  be  considered.  The  work  of  keeping  the 
pots  clean  is  considerable,  which  by  pliing- 
ing  would  be  entirely  dispensed  with.  There 
would  be  no  stage  washing.  When  the  pots 
are  constantly  exposed  they  soon  present  an 
unsightly  appearance,  and  they  are  no 
sooner  washed  than  they  are  green  again. 
Use  ordinary  pots,  follow  a  system  of  plung- 
ing them,  and  this  laborious  system  of  pot- 
washing  will  be  dispensed  with. 

But  the  great  labor  saved,  is  that  saved  in 
watering.  Watering  is  a  most  expensive  item  in 
the  production  of  plants  when  grown  with  their 
pots  exposed.  By  plunging  the  pots  evapora- 
tion is  arrested,  and  very  little  moisture  is  drawn 
from  the  soil  in  which  the  plants  are  growing. 
When  the  surface  of  the  soil  and  pot  is  covered, 
very  little  moisture  escapes,  only  what  is 
naturally  evaporated  from  the  leaves  and  stems 
ot  the  plant.  Evaporation  will  go  from  the  sur- 
face of  the  plunging  material,  but  if  a  judicious 
system  of  syringing  is  followed  ilaily  as  the  state 
of   the  atmosphere   and    the  requirements  of 


1890. 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


221 


plants  deiuanil.  it  is  rcplai-uil.  Ti>  do  this  docs  not 
re«i»iire  one-tt-nth  the  labor  entailed  in  water- 
ing wlK'n  plants  are  ^n)\vn  on  the  usual  prin- 
ciple. There  is  a  eorrespondinyr  saving?  of  food 
provided  for  the  idant  within  the  limits  of  the 
pot.  I  think  it  cannot  be  tIispro\ed,  or  even 
doubted,  that  rain  will  wa«h  down  into  the 
earth,  and  often  Ixdow  the  reach  of  the  roots  of 
plants  to  l>e  carifxl  away  in  tlie  dniins,  much  of 
the  essence  of  manure  when  applied  in  autumn. 
even  if  placed  on  the  surface  of  the  soil.  Of 
course  considenibly  more  will  be  lost,  if  I  may 
use  the  term,  on  lifrht  than  heavy  soils.  What  is 
the  rainfall  of  our  climate  in  comparison  with 
the  amount  of  water  poured  into  the  soil  of 
plants  when  they  arc  grown  with  their  pots  ex- 
poscdy  By  plunging,  evaporation  is  ari'ested  to 
a  large  extent,  and  it  is  not  necessary  to  pour 
one-tenth  the  quantity  of  water  into  the  pot. 

Plunging  provides  the  most  uniform  condition 
about  the  roots  both  as  regards  moisture  and 
temperature.  By  the  ordinary  method  of  water- 
ing this  cannot  be  done,  for  the  soil  is  seldom  in 
that  satisfactory  condition ;  it  is  either  wet  or 
dry,  and  they  need  water  during  dry  weather 
two  or  three  times  a  day,  more  or  less  according 
to  e.xt«rnal  conditions. 

I  have  said  that  by  plunging  a  more  uniform 
temperature  about  the  roots  is  maintained.  The 
roots  beneath  the  surface  may  not  become  so 
warm  by  da.v  as  those  fully  exposed,  but  thej' 
are  warmer  at  night.  A  pot  exposed  will  be- 
come frozen  all  round  it,  not  only  on  the  surface, 
while  the  one  plunged  would  only  freeze  on  the 
surface.  By  plunging  the  pots  are  protected 
from  extreme  heat  and  cold,  more  in  accordance 
with  the  conditions  provided  for  plants  in  a 
natural  state. 

Plunging  the  pots  is  advocated  because  it  pro- 
tects the  roots  from  injury.  How  quickly  are 
the  silk-like  roots  of  many  plants  injured  whin 
the  pots  are  exposed  to  the  sun  and  the  drying 
conditions  of  the  atmosphere;  Even  when  the 
sun  has  but  little  power,  moisture  from  the  pot 
and  soil  is  evaporated  at  such  an  enormous  rate 
that  injury  to  the  roots  in  a  greater  or  less  degree 
can  scarcely  be  prevented.  Such  injury  means  a 
check  to  the  plant,  the  evils  of  which  may  not  be 
perceptible  for  some  time. 

Bj'  plunging  plants,  earlier,  quicker  and  in- 
creased root  acti\-ity  is  ensured,  and  in  cons- 
equence a  t)etter  and  more  luxuriant  growth 
follows.  An  example  may  be  given  to  show  the 
difference  in  the  supply  of  ^\  ater  needed  when 
they  are  not.  I  have  rooted  Crotons  in  2-inch 
pots,  and  they  have  been  repotted  until  they 
were  placed  in  10-inch  pots,  and  filled  them  with 
roots  before  water  was  poured  into  the  pots. 
They  were  well  syringed,  and  the  plunging  mat- 
erial kept  moist.  Lift  two  Roses,  pot  them,  and 
plunge  one  outside  in  ashes  below  the  surface, 
aud  stand  the  other  on  the  walk.  Water  one 
when  it  needs  it,  and  give  the  other  none,  if  the 
soil  is  in  a  proper  state  of  moisture  when  potted. 
Examine  when  frost  compels  their  removel  to 
frames,  and  it  will  be  found  that  the  plunged  one 
has  double  the  roots  of  the  other  and  she  soil  in  a 
much  sweeter  and  better  condition.  Plunge 
Lilacs,  Guelder  Hoses,  or  any  similar  plant  after 
potting  or  pruning  in  autumn  in  ordinary  gar- 
den soil  for  the  next  season's  forcing,  and  the 
season   must    prove  exceptionally  dry  if  they 


A  HOME-MADE   FRUIT   DRYER. 

need  a  supply  of  water.  From  a  general  system 
of  plunging  Orchids  must,  however,  be  except<'d. 
I  said  it  was  necessary  to  consider  the  dis- 
advantages that  could  be  urged  against  plung- 
ing. The  only  one  of  weight  that  can  be  brought 
forward  is  that  of  over-watering.  Now,  this  when  [ 
carefully  considered,  is  a  diflBculty  that  bears  no 
comparison  with  the  mistakes  that  are  made, 
often  unavoidably,  in  watering  plants  when 
their  pots  are  exposed.  Watering  properly  when 
the  pots  are  plunged  is  a  mere  matter  of  train- 
ing. If  they  are  over-watered  it  arises  from 
either  lack  of  proper  training,  ignorance,  or 
generally  from  carelessness.  To  water  plants 
properly  when  they  are  plunged  only  needs  ob-  , 
sen-ation  and  thought.  i 


CONDENSED  GLEANINGS. 
Mmhrooms  in  Opan  Air.  In  September,  IStw, 
1  platilcd  a  brick  of  the  spawn  in  a  field  of  rich 
pasture  land,  the  operation  being  the  simple  act 
of  i-aising  the  sod  with  a  spade,  dropping  into 
the  cavity  a  piece  of  the  spawn  as  large  as  a 
Walnut  and  pressing  it  back  again.  On  the 
:-'d  October,  18H9,  I  was  rewarded  b.\'  the  sight  of 
my  first  Mushroom  on  the  field  planted  in  1S8H. 
I'rom  my  exiierience  so  far  I  conclude  that  the 
spawn  or  germ  of  the  Mushroom,  once  in  rich 
soil,  resists  for  months  higli  or  low  temperature, 
drought  and  saturation:  but  it  does  not  develop 
into  the  perfect  Mushroom  that  pushes  above 


PEAR-SHAPED  APPLES. 

ground,  except  under  certain  soil  and  weather 
conditions  of  heat  and  moisture,  and  tempera- 
ture sustained  for  some  days  between  60  and  7.5 
degrees  Fahr.  Days  with  these  characteristics 
are  most  apt  to  occur  in  May  and  October  for 
these  latitudes,  and  sometimes  in  unusually  cool 
seasons  in  the  summer  months.  Judging  from 
what  I  have  observed  so  far,  I  conclude  there  is 
no  difficulty  in  growing  Mushrooms  on  land  as 
rich  in  nitrogen  and  phosphates  as  the  black 
soil  prairie,  but  the  intense  features  of  the 
climate  so  much  restrict  the  season  of  harvest, 
sometimes  abolishing  it  altogether,  that  the  crop 
must  needs  be  a  precarious  one.— B.  F.  Johnson, 
in  Field  and  Farm. 

A  Home-Made  Frnit-Dryer.  Our  illustration 
represents  a  cheap  fruit-dryer,  which  may  be 
set  upon  the  kitchen  stove.  It  is  made  of  inch 
lumber,  with  a  base  of  sheet  iron  four  inches 
wide  to  protect  it  from  burning.  The  slats, 
which  are  nailed  inside  to  support  the  trays,  are 
two  inches  apart.  The  dryer  may  be  made  of 
any  height,  from  two  to  four  feet,  the  capacity  in- 
creasing with  the  height.  The  trays  upon  which 
the  fruit  is  spread  are  mere  frames  of  wood,  of 
a  size  to  slide  easily  upon  the  slats  of  the  dryer. 
Each  tray  is  bottomed  with  narrow  strips  of 
wood,  of  a  size  to  slide  easily  upon  the  slats  of 
the  dryer.  Each  tray  is  bottomed  with  narrow 
strips  of  wood,  far  enough  apart  to  admit  hot 
air  and  hold  the  fruit  from  falling.  Galvanized 
wire  netting  would  be  better  but  more  costly. 
The  dryer  has  an  opening  in  the  top  for  the  es- 
cape of  the  vapor-laden  hot  air  and  a  handle  on 
each  side  for  lifting  it.  The  door  has  two  trans- 
verse cleats  firmly  screwed  on  the  outside,  to 
prevent  warping.  The  dryer  may  be  made  by 
anyone  who  can  use  tools,  at  little  expense.— 
Am.  Agriculturist. 

Pear-Shaped  Apples.  One  of  the  most  curious 
examples  of  changes  in  fruit  is  represented  in 
engraving  on  this  page.  It  will  be  seen  what 
appeal's  to  be  a  Pear  and  an  Apple  growing  from 
the  stem,  or  one  blossom  producing  a  round  and 
another  a  Pear-shaped,  fruit.  Both  fruits  are 
Apples  alike  in  color,  texture,  and  flavor,  and 
several  others  of  the  same  nature  have  been 
produced  by  the  same  tree.  The  specimens  were 
gathered  from  a  seedling  tree  in  the  garden  of 
Mr.  S.  Gower,  Ii)swich.  The  tree  is  a  seedling, 
but  what  of  or  how  sown  nobody  knows.  There 
is  no  other  tree  of  any  kind  on  the  ground. 
There  were  this  year  certainly  a  score  of  these 
twins,  as  well  as  many  other  bunches  of  round 


Apples.  The  Pear-shaped  ones  not  only  grow 
singly  but  also  in  couples.— Journal  of  Horti- 
culture, England. 

Fopoorn  for  Profit.  .Many  times  the  qunntit.^• 
of  Popcorn  now  grown  would  be  used  if  rai.sed. 
(Children  are  foml  ot  it,  and  it  is  better  for  them 
than  nuts  or  candy,  and  apparently  just  as  satis- 
factory. The  price  ranges  from  V5  cents  to  S3 
per  bushel  of  ears,  it  being  the  latter  here  now, 
and  scarce  at  that.  A  neighjjor  sold  his  crop  last 
fall,  nearly  IM  bushels  from  one  acre,  for  gl  a 
bushel.  A  New  York  dealer  offers  to  take  all  a 
friend  of  mine  will  raise  this  year-price  not 
quoted,  because  not  asked.  A  prominent  seed 
firm  tells  me,  the  small,  white,  flint  Popcorn  gen- 
erally brings  best  price.  I  have  raised  it,  and  can 
produce  as  much  per  acre,  both  stover  and  grain, 
as  of  large  field  of  Corn  of  any  kind.  In  rows  3 
feet  apart  each  way  and  four  stalks  in  a  hill,  it 
yields  two  ears  per  stalk  and  often  three.— Trib. 

Double  Stock.  The  Large-Howered  Dwarf  Ger- 
man Stocks  are  much  superior  to  the  ordinary 
Ten-week  kinds.  When  transplanting  them  at 
any  stage,  throw  away  any  strong-growing  for- 
ward examples  with  coarse  forked-roots,  as  these 
are  sure  to  produce  only  single  ttowei's,  retaining 
only  those  of  moderate  and  compact  growth, 
with  a  tuft  of  fibrous  roots.  When  in  full  growth 
give  plenty  of  water,  but  only  when  dry.  Inter- 
mediate, East  Lothian,  and  Brompton  stocks  are 
biennial  (though  the  first  two  will  bloom  the 
same  autumn  if  sown  early  in  a  little  heat),  and 
should  be  sown  about  July,  wintered  in  cold 
frames,  and  planted  out  in  early  spring.  They 
produce  finer  spikes  than  the  annual  kinds,  but 
for  small  gardens  at  any  rate,  are  hardly  so 
useful.— Gardening  Illustrated  (London). 

The  Prophet  Flower,  from  Northern  Persia,  is 
one  of  the  choicest  and  most  interesting  of  gar- 
den plants.  It  belongs  to  the  Borage  familj-, 
comes  into  bloom  about  the  middle  of  May,  and 
has  Primrose  yellow  flowers  with  five  black  crim- 
son spots  on  their  face,  and  these  spots  which  are 
so  rt^id  when  the  flowers  open,  gradually  disap- 
pear till  in  a  few  days  no  trace  of  them  is  left. 
Although  this  plant  has  been  in  cultivation  for  a 
good  many  years,  it  is  stUl  high  priced  and  scarce 
in  cultivation,  and  seldom  included  in  price  lists 
in  this  country.— Wm.  Falconer  in  Am.  Florist. 
Alpine  PrimQlaB.  I  regard  Primula  spectabi- 
lis  as  one  of  the  gems  of  my  collection  of  hardy 
Primulas.  It  is  early  to  bloom,  a  good  grower, 
free,  and  by  no  means  impatient  of  a  little  rough 
treatment;  the  flowers  are  produced  in  trusses, 
and  they  are  of  a  very  pleasing  shade  of  magen- 
ta-rose. I  have  to  grow  these  hardy  Primulas  in 
pots,  not  without  some  rests  during  the  summer 
while  I  am  from  home  for  several  days.  I  find 
it  helpful  to  place  a  few  stones  about  the  roots 
and  on  the  surface  of  the  soil  of  all  cultivated  in 
pots.— Gardening  World. 

CMckory.  This  is  a  very  easy  crop  to  grow. 
Although  a  perennial,  it  is  treated  as  an  annual. 
In  fact,  the  culture  does  not  differ,  if  roots  are 
wanted,  from  that  of  the  Parsnip  or  Salsify.  By 
fall  the  roots  will  be  an  inch  or  inch  and  a  half  in 
diameter,  and  will  weigh  from  6  to  12  oz.  The 
roots  are  cut  into  thin  slices,  roasted  and  then 
ground.  The  Brunswick  and  Magdeburg  are  the 
best  sorts  for  root  production.  For  leaf -salads, 
for  which  Chicory  is  much  grown,  these  sorts 
and  several  others  are  good.    Am.  Garden. 

A  Japan  Gotird,  The  largest  of  the  edible 
Gourds  tested  by  Dr.  Harris  is  the  Kampiyo,  of 
Okayama,  Japan,  which  grows  a  yard  long  and 
five  or  more  inches  thick,  and  in  Japan,  reaches 
a  weight  of  sixty  or  seventy  pounds.  The  Jap- 
anese dry  it  before  it  is  cooked ;  it  may  be  sliced 
and  fried  like  Egg-plant,  and  is  equal  in  flavor  to 
a  good  Squash.  The  plant  is  hardy,  productive 
and  without  musk  odor,  and  Squash  bugs  do  not 
seem  to  be  fond  of  it.— Garden  and  Forest. 

The  Sweet  Chestnut.  Many  of  the  oldest  man- 
sions in  England  have  been  built  of  its  wood. 
Possessing  all  the  strength,  durability,  and 
toughness  of  the  Oak,  the  Chestnut  has  the  ad- 
vantage over  it  that  it  has  a  finer  color.  When 
an  iron  nail  or  bolt  has  been  driven  into  Oak  be- 
fore it  was  dry,  a  black  stain  will  be  found.  This 
is  not  the  case  with  the  Chestnut,  and  the  two 
species  of  wood  in  old  buildings  can  easily  be 
distinguished  by  this. — Horticultural  Times. 

Tornips  for  Seed.  In  Pennsylvania,  the  seed  is 
sown  between  the  rows  of  corn,  after  the  last 
working.  This  gives  Turnips  about  two  inches 
in  diameter,  the  most  desirable  size  for  seed  pur- 
poses. In  this  manner  a  good  crop  is  secured  at 
a  nominal  cost,  as  they  require  no  working  after 
sowing.    Sufficient  roots  can  be  grown  with  an 


222 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


July, 


acre  of  Corn  to  set  three  acres  for  seed  the  fol- 
lowing season.— Am.  Agriculturist. 

Tree  Protector,  The  device  here  illustrated  is 
very  serWcable  to  protect  trees  from  sun  scald, 
rabbits,  mice,  etc.  Drive  nails  iu  a  work  bench 
the  distance  apart  you  wish  the  cords  to  be. 
Take  tarred  cord,  in  pieces  long  enough  to  iro 
about  twice  around  a  tree  when  double.  Put  one 
cord  over  each  nail,  bring  the  two  ends  even  and 
begin  to  tie  in  lath  or  whatever  ;you  may  use. 
When  you  have  enough  tied,  put  it  around  the 
tree,  slip  one  of  the  ends  of  the  cord  through  the 
double  ends,  draw  it  up  tight  and  tie  it.— O.  J.  F. 

Producers  Entitled  to  the  Markets.  The  Gro- 
cer's Bulletin  wants  to  have  farmers  and  market 
gardeners  prohibited  from  selling  their  products 
about  the  town  from  house  to  house.  This  is  an 
impertinence,  but  just  what  we  should  expect 
from  a  middlemen's  organ.  A  nice  little  scheme 
to  compel  the  producer  to  sell  only  at  wholesale 
to  the  grocer,  who  desires  to  retail  and  snatch 
the  cream  of  the  farmer's  profits. — Farm  Journal. 

Shot-hole  Fungus  on  Foliage,  Much  of  the 
injury  to  Plum  foliage  which  has  been  attributed 
to  London  purple  is  found  to  be  due  to  the  shot- 
hole  fungus  iSeptoria  cei'osina).  This  fungus 
produces  a  premature  falling  of  leaves,  and  is 
often  very  serious.  The  leaves  are  marked  with 
circular  brownish  spots,  and  these  spots  eventu- 
ally fall    out  and    leave  shot-hole.— Am.  Gard. 

The  Hemlock.  The  native  Hemlock  is,  to  our 
eye,  the  most  beautiful  of  evergreens.  For  hedge, 
it  has  no  equal,  standing  shearing  perfectly  into 
any  desired  shape.  It  is  easily  transplanted,  and 
when  its  new  and  bright  green  foliage  appears  it 
is  exquisitely  beautiful.  It  makes  handsome 
trees  in  isolated  positions  and  is  among  the  best 
of  windbreaks.— Orange  Count3'  Farmer. 

Orciiard  Surgery.  Put  through  the  fruit  tree 
liable  to  be  spoiled  by  splitting,  a  bolt  of  size  to 
correspond  with  the  tree,  and  short  enough  to 
just  fill  the  nut  when  screwed  tight.  Ten  years 
ago  I  thus  bolted  trees  in  bad  condition ;  they  are 
now  all  right,  and  the  bolts  covered  by  the  tree's 
growth.— Erdna. 

Ornamental  Asparagus.  All  the  species  of 
Asparagus  cultivateil  as  ornamental  plants  can 
be  increased  by  division  of  the  roots,  allowing  at 
least  one  crown  to  each  part.  A.  tenuisslmus 
may  also  be  propagated  with  no  great  difficulty 
by  cuttings,  giving  them  bottom  heat.— Vicb's 
Magazine. 

Malch  for  Young  Trees.  Mr.  Minch  advises  as  an 
excellent  plan  for  niulching  young:  trees,  to  cover  the 
mulch  after  spreading,  with  three  or  four  Inches  of 
earth.  This  keeps  the  soli  below  moist  and  cool  and 
causes  a  rapid  prowth  of  wood. 

Sunshine  lor  Choice  Crops.  Weed  not  only  rob 
crops  of  their  food,  but  are  guilty  of  another  theft— 


A  SIMPLE  TREE   PROTECTOR, 
they  rob  them  of  the  sun.    Fruit  is  seriously  deprecia- 
ted in  value  In  most  orchards  from  lack  of  sunshine.— 
Maj.  H.T.  Brook. 

SaveFertilizers .  So.ip-suds  ought  never  to  he  thrown 
in  the  sink  or  gutter:  If  poured  on  the  Peach  trees  or 
Rosebushes  It  will  return  to  you  after  many  days  in 
luscious  Peaches  or  fragrant  Roses.— F.  J. 

More  Celery.  Jackson,  Mich.,  gardeners  purpose 
Increasing  their  plant  of  Celery  this  year— preferred 
variety— White  Plume. 

No  Overproduction.  Well,  I  don't  believe  In  any 
"Overproduction"  when  mHIIons  are  half-clothed.— 
Live-Stock  Indicator. 


Vegetable  Products  on  the  Table. 

Fried  Egg  Plant,  Cut  in  thin  slices,  parboil 
in  salted  water  for  fifteen  minutes,  then  drain 
perfectly  dry.  Dip  the  slices  in  beaten  yolk  of 
egg,  then  in  cracker  dust  and  fry  in  butter 
until  brown.  Season  with  Pepper  and  salt  and 
serve  quite  hot. 

Spiced  Currants.  Take  four  quarts  of  ripe 
Currants,  picked  from  the  stems,  one  pint  good 
vinegar,  two  pounds  of  powdered  sugar,  one 
teaspoonful  each  of  Allspice,  Cloves,  and  Cinna- 
mon, powdered  fine;  boil  altogether  until  about 


the  consistency  of  jelly,  then  remove  from  the 
tire  and  while  hot  put  away  in  sealed  jars. 

Berry  Pudding.  Make  a  soft  dough,  using 
sour  cream  and  soda,  and  stir  in  Raspberries  or 
Blackberries.  Put  into  a  tin  pail  having  a  tight 
fitting  cover  and  place  in  a  kettle  of  boiling 
water.  Boil  three  hours,  not  once  letting  the 
water  stop  boiling.  Eat  with  sweetened  cream. 
The  mixture  should,  when  put  in,  not  quite  half 
fill  the  pail.— K.  N.  Y. 

Strawberry  Ice  Cream.  One  quart  good  cream, 
about  two  cups  sugar  and  one  box  Strawberries. 
Crush  the  fruit,  add  the  sugar  and  stir  until 
dissolved.  Rub  through  a  sieve  and  freeze.  The 
ice  and  salt  should  be  carefully  mesisured.  It 
requires  twenty  minutes  to  freeze.  After  it  has 
stood  five  minutes,  then  stir  as  rapidly  as  possi- 
ble until  frozen.— Ploughman. 

Currant  Pie-  One  full  cup  of  ripe  Currants, 
mash,  and  add  a  cup  of  white  sugar,  one  table- 
spoonful  of  flour  made  smooth  in  two  spoonfuls 
of  water,  and  the  beaten  yolks  of  two  eggs.  Mix 
and  pour  into  a  tin  lined  with  a  good  crust. 
Bake  slowly.  Beat  the  whites  of  the  eggs  stiff, 
add  two  spoonfuls  of  powdered  sugar,  spread 
over  the  pie,  return  to  the  oven  and  brown 
lightly.— Rural  New  Yorker. 

Raspberry    Vinegar.     Take  red    Raspberries 

sufficient  to  fill  a  stone  jar  nearly  full,  pour  upon 
them  sufficient  vinegar  to  cover  them,  cover  the 
jar  closely  and  set  it  aside  for  eight  or  ten  days, 
then  strain  through  a  flannel  or  muslin  bag  and 
add  to  the  clear  liquor  one  and  a  half  pounds  of 
white  sugar  to  each  pint;  place  it  over  the  fire 
and  boil  slowly  for  ten  minutes,  then  allow  it  to 
cool,  and  bottle  for  use.  This  makes  a  nice 
flavoring  for  sauce,  and  when  mixetl  with  water 
is  a  delightful  drink  for  summer.— Ohio  Farmer. 

Pickled  Cucumbers.  When  Cueumbei-s  begin 
to  set.  pick  them  when  about  three  inches  long. 
We  have  two  small  earthen  jars  on  the  cellar 
floor,  which  we  keep  in  use  until  we  are  through 
pickling.  In  one  we  have  strong  brine  made  of 
cold  water  and  salt,  in  the  other  diluted  vinegar. 
Wash  the  Cucumbers  thoroughly,  put  them  in 
the  brine  and  let  them  remain  one  day.  Then 
put  them  into  a  glass  jar  scattering  amongst 
them  a  few  bits  of  Red  Pepper  and  Xasturtium 
seeds,  and  fill  the  can  full  of  cold  strong  vinegar. 
On  the  top  place  some  Horse-radish  leaves  or 
Grape  leaves,  seal  tight  and  keep  in  a  dark 
cool  cellar.  If  the  cans  are  thoroughly  cleansed 
and  perfectly  air-tight,  the  pickles  will  taste  as 
fresh  in  a  year  as  when  first  put  up. 

How  to  Prepare  Berries.  Most  of  the  Straw- 
berries need  washing.  Drop  them,  with  husks 
on,  gently  into  a  pan  of  water,  stir  around  a 
little  to  dislodge  all  paiiicles  of  grit,  etc.,  then 
lift  them  out  a  few  at  a  time  and  lay  them  in  a 
colander  to  drain.  Take  the  berries  from  the 
colander,  a  few  at  a  time,  and  let  them  lie  on  a 
piece  of  new  cheese  cloth  as  you  hull  them  one 
by  one.  The  cloth  must  be  scalded  each  time  it 
is  used, and  dried,  but  not  washed  with  soap,  and 
ironed.  When  the  Strawberries  are  washed  re- 
move the  hulls  carefully  with  a  silver  knife. 
AiTange  them  on  a  pretty  glass  dish,  the  finest 
on  the  top,  following  the  example  of  the  market 
men,  and  if  Strawberry  leaves,  which  are  the 
prettiest,  are  not  to  be  had,  a  few  young,  crisp 
leaves  of  Lettuce,  as  a  garnish,  make  an  effective 
contrast.  The  leaves  may  be  laid  around  in- 
side the  dish  before  putting  in  the  Strawberries. 

Simple  Method  of  Preserving  Fruit.  We  have 
preserved  large  quantities  of  fruit,  every  season, 
for  more  than  forty  years,  in  pure  water  only. 
The  fruit  is  placed  in  wide-mouthed  bottles,  up 
the  neck;  then  water  is  poured  in  to  cover  the 
fruit;  the  bottles  are  then  placed  in  heat— where 
they  remain  until  near  the  boiling  point.  They 
are  then  put  aside  to  cool,  and  when  quite  cold 
a  small  quantity  of  Olive  oil  is  gently  poured 
into  each  bottle;  they  are  then  as  gently  put  on 
a  shelf,  in  a  cool  di-y  pantry,  where  no  scrubbing 
ogre  is  allowed  to  disturb  them,  until  they  ai-e 
wanted  for  use  The  moutlis  of  the  bottles  are 
left  uncovered  and  uncorked  ;  the  oil  keeps  out 
the  air  effectually.  The  only  failure  we  have 
had  for  many  years  was  when  three  bottles  of 
Orleans  Plums  fermented.  They  were  quite 
ripe  when  bottled,  and  it  should  be  borne  in 
mind  that  there  is  a  point  where  ripeness  ends, 
and  decay  commences.  We  do  not  hesitate  to 
use  old  pickle-bottles,  and  even  glass  jars  that 
have  come  with  French  Plums;  but  we  prefer 
bottles,  for  when  the  water  reaches  half-way  up 
the  neck,  only  a  small  quantity  of  oil  is  required. 
Foreign  Ex. 


HOUSE   PLANTS. 

Abutilons  to  be  repotted  and  encouraged  to  make 
strong  growth  for  winter.  Prune  as  needed  to  im- 
prove the  shape. 

Agapanihus.  Give  plenty  of  water  during  the 
flowering  season. 

Begonias  in  pots  shift  and  repot  as  needed. 

Bouvardias,  Intended  for  winter  bloom  should  be 
kept  closely  cut  back  at  this  time. 

Cactases  may  be  given  water  freely  during  the 
bU)oming  and  growing  period. 

Calceolaria,  Cineraria,  Sweet  Alyssum,  Ten-Week- 
Stix-k.  Mignonette,  etc.,  may  l>e  sown  for  winter 
flowering. 

Cyclamens  for  next  year's  flowering  to  be  sown 
during  this  month. 

Fuchsias.  These  are  well  adopted  for  bedding  plants 
in  situations  sheltered  from  heavy  winds  and  full  sun. 
Give  them  a  light,  rich  soil,  and  keep  down  the  red 
spider  l>y  frequent  spraying  or  sprinkling. 

Geraniums  for  winter  flowering  had  best  be  kept  in 
pots  during  the  summer,  with  all  flower  buds  closely 
pinched  out.  For  house  decoration  later  on,  some  of 
the  plants,  especially  of  the  Rose-Geraniums,  may  be 
lifted  from  the  border  some  time  this  month  and 
potted,  pinching  back  the  leading  shoots  somewhat 
at  the  same  time. 

General  Direction.  Watering  can  not  be  neglected 
at  this  time  without  serious  results.  If  possible  water 
at  night  during  the  summer  season,  and  do  this  regu- 
larly. But  if  soil  Is  found  dry  In  the  morning,  do  not 
wait  but  water  at  once,  and  thoroughly. 

Heliotropes  and  other  wlnter-flowerlng  plants  In 
pots  ought  now  to  be  growing  rapidly,  and  should  be 
pinched  back  every  few  weeks  to  Improve  their  shape. 
Shift  into  pots  one  size  larger  as  soon  as  the  roots  mat 
about  the  ball  of  earth. 

Hydrangeas  when  In  bloom  to  be  given  an  occa- 
sional dose  of  liquid  manure. 

Insects  can  best  be  kept  down  by  attending  to  proper 
watering,  and  otherwise  aiding  thrifty  plant  growth. 
Cleanse  the  foliage,  remove  dead  leaves  and  faded 
flowers,  and  pick  off  any  stray  insect  you  may  flnd 
troubling  the  plants. 

Lantanas  are  easily  grown  as  standards,  with  a 
trunk  three  or  more  feet  high.  Keep  all  side  shoots 
down  during  the  period  of  growth,  and  until  the  de- 
sired height  is  reached. 

Mignonette.    See  Calceolaria. 

Osalis  after  flowering  can  be  given  water  less  freely. 

Pomegranate.  Encourage  strong  growth  by  fre- 
quent applications  ot  weak  liquid  manure,  as  the 
blooming  season  is  now  near  at  hand. 

Primroses.  Seed  may  be  sown  for  winter  flowering. 
Plants  of  the  Double  Chinese  to  be  kept  in  a  cool 
shady  place,  and  sparingly  watered. 

Stakes.  Cobaeas,  Fuchsias  and  other  plants  that  are 
now  making  a  rapid  growth,  had  l>etter  be  given  sup- 
port by  stakes. 

Poinsettias.    Directions  for  Heliotrope  apply. 

Vallotas,  now  beginning  to  bloom  should  be  kept 
well  watered. 

Roses.    See  directions  for  Heliotrope. 

Veranda  Boxes  require  much  water  at  this  time, 
and  the  application  should  be  rather  in  the  form  of 
soaking  than  of  spiiukllng.  The  appUcation  must 
reach  clear  to  the  very  ceuter  of  the  mass  of  earth. 
Often  the  surface  Is  kept  continuously  moist,  yet  the 
plants  suffer  because  the  moisture  never  reaches  down 
to  the  roots.    Be  thorough  In  this  matter. 


LAWN  AND    FLOWER  GARDEN. 

Annuals  of  ntosl  sorts  now  begin  to  bloom.  Be  sure 
the  plant;*  are  not  crowding  each  other.  Thin  early 
and  thoroughly.  Many  of  our  flnest  plants  have  a 
weedy  appearance  when  left  too  close. 

Asters  are  among  our  finest  annuals,  and  reqidre 
plenty  of  fcxid  and  moisture.  Frequent  applications 
of  liquid  manure,  or  a  mulch  of  good  manure  will  do 
much  good. 

Balsams,  to  appear  at  their  best,  should  have  part 
of  the  young  shoots  removed  when  these  appear  in 
super-abundance. 

Candytuft.  Seed  may  be  sown  this  month  In  frames. 
If  plenty  of  flowers  are  desired  after  the  open  air  sup- 
ply is  cut  off  by  frost. 

Carpet  Beds  set  thickly  with  plants  require  plenty 
of  moisture,  and  to  keep  them  at  their  best,  a  thorough 
watering  should  be  given  once  a  week.  Remove  all 
useless  flowers,  unhealthy  leaves,  weeds,  etc.  Trim 
plants  to  regiUate  the  shape  when  needed. 


1890. 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


22  ■ 


Olimbintc  Plants  now  ktow  rapiiily,  aiul  (h*-  needed 
support  should  not  lie  withheld. 

Dahlias.  If  ttxi  many  side  shoots  appear,  reniovc 
part  of  them. 

Lawn  Management.  In  a  hot,  dry  spell,  the  gra.sa 
makes  lint  little  growth,  oud  the  lawu  at  sni*h  times  Is 
Injured  tiy  too  mneh  mowing.  The  ntoHt  troublesome 
weed  lu  some  lawns  is  Orab-grass^/Vuu'ewm  sanj/Kt- 
naU').  This  is  a  lat"*  annual,  tlie  stem  of  which  lies 
prostrate,  taking  n)ot  at  every  Jidnt.  The  flower 
cluster  grows  on  stems  tall  enough  to  be  cut  by  tlie 
mower.  As  It  is  an  annual,  the  preventive  of  seeding 
should  exterminate  it.  The  mowings  should  be  raked 
up  and  burned,  for  fear  that  some  seeds  may  ripen. 

Misnonette.  Sow  In  open  air  or  cold  fran\e  for  late 
blooming. 

Ornamental  Flowering  Shrubs.  When  ornamen- 
tal shrubs  are  out  of  ilower,  it  Is  well  to  cut  away  the 
flower  clusters  and  not  allow  the  shrubs  to  exhaust 
themselves  in  ripening  seed,  save  those  with  ornamen 
tal  fruit.  The  same  may  be  said  of  herbaclous  peren- 
nials, though  of  these  seeds  are  often  wanted. 

Fansies  may  now  be  sowti  for  early  spring  forcing. 

Propaeation.  If  it  is  desired  to  increase  such  kinds 
of  hardy  perennials  that  ripen  their  .seed  this  month, 
seed  may  be  sown  as  soon  Jis  ripe.  All  fine  shrubs  and 
plants  can  easily  be  increased  by  layering,  while  many 
cannot  be  propagated  in  ani' other  way.  Make  a  de 
pression  in  tiie  ground  at  one  side  of  the  plant,  and 
bend  do^vn  into  It  a  vigorous  shoot.  This  latter  should 
have  a  notch  cut  out  from  the  top.  one  third  of  the 
way  through  at  the  lowest  point  of  the  bend.  Cover 
flrmly  with  mellow  soil,  Goo<l  roots  will  usually  be 
formed  In  two  months.  Many  herbaceous  plants  suc_ 
ceed  best  from  seed.  If  sown  at  once  after  ripening, 
and  the  plants  will  get  large  enough  to  stand  the 
winter  with  slight  protection. 

Rhododendrons.    Remove  seed  pods  and  sprouts. 

Roses  should  be  frequently  examined,  for  the  pur 
pose  of  removing  bad  flowers,  and  keeping  down 
strong  growing  sJioots. 

Staking.  All  strong-growing,  top-heavy  plants,  like 
Dahlias,  Gladiolus,  Salvias,  etc.,  must  be  staked  and 
tied  for  best  results.  A  good  way  of  staking  large 
specimens  of  Hydrangeas,  Geraniums,  etc.,  Is  to  have 
the  top  of  stake  low  enough  to  be  Inside  the  plant,  so 
that  the  stake  wiU  not  show,  yet  give  all  the  support 
needed. 

Sweet  Williams  and  other  biennials  to  be  sown  for 

next  year's  blooming. 

Variegated  Trees.  Trees  and  shrubs  with  variega- 
ted or  fancy  foliage  often  show  signs  of  the  common 
type  of  foliage.     All  such  should  be  promptly  cut  out. 

Walks.  Keep  strictly  clean  of  weeds  and  litter,  and 
the  edges  well  trimmed  and  defined.  The  beauty  of 
the  grounds  greatly  depends  on  this.  Roll  the  walks 
aft^-r  hea\'y  rains,  and  where  convenient,  sprinkle 
freely  in  hot  weather. 

Weeds.  Usually  the  good  gardener  has  little  trouble 
from  weeds,  simply  because  thorough  tillage  such  as 
he  practices,  gives  the  weeds  no  show.  The  bortlers 
must  be  gone  over  after  every  rain  with  hoe,  rake, 
digging  fork,  or  any  tool  that  will  Icosen  up  the  sur- 
face.   All  stray  weeds  are  pulled  up  whenever  seen. 


PLANT    CULTURE    UNDER   GLASS. 

Camellias.  Keep  these  cool  by  shading  the  apart- 
ment,  sprinkling  and  free  airing.  Water  regularly, 
and  syringe  the  plants  at  least  three  times  a  week. 

Chrysanthemums  in  pots  to  have  their  final  shift. 
Sprinkle  often  from  overhead.  The  pots  may  now  be 
plunged  in  ashes,  In  order  to  give  the  roots  an  even 
temperature,  and  uninterrupted  moisture. 

Calceolarias.  Seedlings  to  be  pricked  out  as  soon 
as  large  enough  to  be  handled.  Into  pots  or  pans 
placing  these  In  frames  under  shaded  sash.  Give  air 
and  water  as  needed. 

Cinerarias.  Treat  seedlings  as  advised  for  Calceo- 
larias. 

Cyclamens.  Sow  seed  this  month  for  next  year's 
blooming. 

Euphorbias  need  not  much  room.  Three  or  four 
plants  from  spring-struck  cuttings  maybe  kept  In  a 
six  or  seven  inch  pot.  Put  some  good  fertilizer  on  the 
soil  In  the  pot,  and  give  occasional  doses  of  liquid 
manure.  Keep  the  heads  of  the  plants  as  near  the 
glass  as  possible  in  a  warm  house. 

Ferns.  The  large  growing  kinds  should  not  be 
allowed  to  crowd  or  over-shadow  the  smaller  ones. 
For  Tree  Ferns  small  pots  or  boxes  are  best,  and  the 
feed  may  be  provided  by  giving  some  liquid  manure. 
When  ample  root  room  Is  given,  these  Tree  Ferns  often 
outgrow  their  usefulness. 

Mignonette.  To  grow  plants  for  winter  flowering 
seed  should  go  in  not  later  than  early  in  July.  Sow' 
directly  Into  small  pots,  a  few  seeds  In  each,  and  thin 
the  seedlings  later  on,  to  a  single  one  to  each  pot. 

Orchids  to  be  provided  with  free  circulation  of  air 
to  ripen  the  spring  growth  Use  as  little  shading  as 
possible.  Water  paths  and  stages  In  the  afternoon, 
after  which  shut  up  for  the  night. 

Repairs.  The  buildings,  sashes,  etc.,  should  be  ex- 
amined, repaired  and  put  in  proper  order;  and  new 
buildings  or  Improvements  completed,  to  have  every- 
thing ready  for  plants  In  September. 


Poinsettias.  Keep  the  spring  struck  plants  growing 
in  heat  If  large  heads  are  wanted.  Keep  heads  close 
to  the  gUuss, 

Repotting  shoniti  be  promptly  atteuiled  t^)  with 
Heliotrope.  Hegonlas,  Sweet  Alyssuui,  and  similar 
I'lants  deslgneii  tor  winter  blooming. 

Roses.  Keep  th()sc  Intended  for  winter  flowering, 
and  now  bedded  out  under  glass,  in  a  state  of  rest  by 
giviug  no  more  water  than  needed  to  preventsoU  from 
drying  out  entirely. 


FRUIT  GARDEN  AND  ORCHARD. 

Currants.  Use  Hellebore  for  the  Currant  worm, 
Any  kind  of  netting  thrown  over  the  bushes  where 
bir<ls  are  troublesome  will  put  a  st<^p  to  their  mischief. 

Blackberries  and  Raspberries.  Pick  fruit  just  at 
Its  proper  time,  and  market  In  clean  baskets  and  crates* 
Pinch  back  the  young  canes. 

Grapes.  Continue  spraying  with  the  Bordeaux  mix' 
ture  as  a  preventive  of  mildew  and  rot.  Tie  as  needed. 

Insects.  For  aphis  or  green  louse  use  Tobacco  tea 
or  kerosene  emulsion  ;  for  Currant  worm  Hellebore  ; 
for  slugs  on  Cherry  and  Pear  trees,  dry  ashes  or  lime. 

Mulching  Is  usually  beneficial  to  fruit  trees  and 
pjants. 

Pruning  may  be  done  this  month.  As  shoots  start 
up,  where  no  branches  are  wanted,  pinch  them  off, 
and  leave  others  where  desirable.  Where  larger 
branches  are  cut  off,  which  is  rarely  called  for  with 
good  management,  the  wounds  should  be  protected 
from  the  weather  by  a  coating  of  melted  grafting 
wax,  or  thick  coarse  paint. 

Strawberries.  For  new  plantations,  we  would  pre- 
fer potted  plants  provided  these  can  be  produced 
right  on  the  place.  Layer  the  young  runners,  and 
make  them  strike  root  In  pots  or  pieces  of  inverted 
sod,  and  set  out  where  wanted  as  early  as  the  plants 
are  well-rooted.  They  will  then  produce  a  crop  next 
year.  As  soon  as  the  fruit  Is  all  gathered  on  an  old 
plantation,  give  the  beds  a  weeding,  and  apply  a  dress- 
ing of  well-decomposed  manure.  It  may  also  be  well 
to  try  the  new  plan  of  mowing  patch— plants,  weeds, 
and  all,  and  set  fire  to  the  mowings  when  dry  enough. 

Thinning  Is  ,uow  more  generally  practiced  and 
found  profitable,  not  only  with  Peaches,  Plums  and 
Pears,  but  also  with  Apples,  Grapes,  etc.  Varieties 
with  close-growing  bunches,  like  Delaware,  Diana,  etc. 
may  also  have  part  of  the  berries  clipped  out  of  each 
cluster  with  shears. 


VEGETABLE  GARDEN. 

Beans.  For  a  succession  of  String  Beans  the  early 
bush  varieties  may  still  be  sown.  In  a  rich,  deep  soil 
they  grow  quickly  and  tender.  Tie  the  Llmas  to  trellis 
or  poles.    Cultivate  and  hoe  often. 

Cabbages.  Transplant  the  late  varieties  from  the 
seed  bed.  The  crops  can  be  grown  with  but  little 
labor  by  marking  the  land  three  feet  each  way,  and 
setting  the  plants  at  the  crossing  of  the  mark ;  this 
will  allow  the  plants  to  be  cultivated  both  ways  by 
means  of  a  cultivator.  If  some  seed  of  Savoy  Cabbages 
were  planted,  the  Cabbages  will  be  found  so  superior 
to  the  common  kinds  that  they  will  always  be  sown 
hereafter.  They  are  the  hardiest  as  well  as  the  finest 
of  all.   Keep  the  worms  In  check  by  applying  buhaeh. 

Cauliflower.  The  care  required  for  a  good  crop  of 
Cabbages  will  raise  a  good  crop  of  Cauliflowers. 
Abundant  manure,  with  thorough  and  careful  culti- 
vation, are  the  secrets  of  success. 

Carrots.  Continue  to  cultivate  until  the  growth  of 
leaves  prevents  it. 

Celery.  The  middle  of  this  month  Is  early  enough 
to  set  good  plants.  Thorough  preparation  of  the  soil, 
abundant  manuring,  will  Insure  success.  Set  lu  rows, 
three  or  four  feet  apart,  and  the  plants  six  Inches  in 
the  row.  Of  course  the  crops  will  need  frequent  and 
careful  cultivation.  Celery  makes  its  most  rapid 
growth  when  warm  days  are  followed  by  cool  nights. 

Cucumbers  for  late  pickles  may  yet  be  planted. 

Herbs.  ;Jnst  before  these  come  Into  full  bloom, 
cut,  lie  Into  small  branches,  and  dry  In  shade. 

Melons.  Keep  the  ground  well  tilled,  drawing  soil 
towards  the  plants,  until  the  plants  have  well  started 
to  run. 

Radishes  of  the  winter  sorts  may  now  be  sown. 

Sowing  Seed,  of  such  things  as  Kohl  Rabl.  Kale, 
Lettuce,  Turnips.  Sweet  Corn,  Cucumber,  etc.,  Is  yet 
In  order. 

Tomatoes  look  well  when  nicely  staked,  trellised 
and  trained.  Try  at  least  a  few  plants  In  this  way. 
Reserve  the  earliest  and  the  most  finely  shaped  for 
seed.  Make  catsup  and  Tomato  Sauce  while  the  fruit 
Is  In  its  prime.  Those  who  have  greenhouses  should 
root  cuttings  from  selected  vines.  These  plants  can 
be  kept  through  the  winter  without  making  much 
growth,  and  give  fruit  when  set  out  next  spring  much 
earlier  than  plants  from  seed. 

Turnips  to  be  sown  this  month. 

Weeds.  Let  none  go  to  seed.  Improve  the  dry 
spelLs  to  kill  every  one. 


over  and  stop  all  laterals.  Fertilize  the  late  ones  with 
liquid  maimres.  It  is  a  good  practice  to  remove  Im- 
perfectly fertilized  berries  from  the  bunches  on  iat-e 
vines  intended  to  be  left  on  until  Christmas. 
Thoroughly  cleanse  all  vines  In  early  ami  intermedi- 
ate houses  after  the  fruit  Is  taken  off.  Clean  healthy 
foliage  Is  Important  for  the  perfect  development  of 
next  year's  fruit  buds. 

Strawberries.  Start  the  young  plants  now  In  pots 
for  ne.xt  winter's  crop.  The  layering  is  done  as  prac- 
ticed for  potted  plants.  liy  keeping  the  pots  well 
watered,  the  plants  will  be  well  rooted  In  about  three 
weeks.  Then  take  up  and  place  In  the  shade  until  the 
pots  are  full  of  roots,  and  s-hlft  into  six-inch  pots, 
using  g<.)od  fibrous  earth.  Keep  In  an  open,  airy  place, 
and  give  all  the  water  they  need. 

Tomatoes.  Plants  grown  from  seed  early  this 
month  can  be  had  to  fruit  in  November.  Plants  should 
be  grown  along  In  pots,  starting  tlie  seed  In  the  three- 
inch  size,  and  bringing  them  up  for  the  ten  or  twelve - 
size  for  fruiting.  Use  light  fibrous  soil,  well  enriched 
with  Some  tine  compost,  or  fertilizer. 


FRUITS  AND  VEGETABLES  UNDER 
GLASS. 

G-rapes.    Vines  upon  which  the  fruit  begins  to  color 
should  have  an  abundance  of   air.    Look  the  vines  | 


THE  POULTRY  YARD. 

Oil  Cake  for  Eggs.  Feeding  broken  oil-cake 
to  fowls  t  wice  a  week  will  often  promote  laying, 
when  (fther  foofl  shall  fail  to  give  good  results. 

Fresh  Water.  This  should  be  kept  before  the 
fowls  at  all  times  now.  It  is  a  good  plan  to  put 
a  drop  of  Carbolic  acid,  or  a  small  piece  of  cop- 
peras into  the  water  every  day,  and  to  wash  out 
the  dish  thoroiigly  and  frequently. 

The  Office  of  Oyster  Shell.  It  is  now  becoming 
more  generally  n'c()y:nized  that  the  lime  con- 
tained in  crushed  oyster  shell  is  not  so  much 
value  in  the  ci'injidsition  of  the  eggshell,  as  it  is 
food  of  to  serve  a  good  purpose  as  grit  in  the 
grimling. 

Withhold  Food  before  Killing.  Never  feed 
animals  or  poultry  for  thirty-six  hours  before 
killing,  nor  give  water  for  twelve  hours.  By  so 
d(»ing  it  will  be  easier  to  dress  them,  and  a  saving 
of  food  will  be  the  result  if  a  large  herd  or  flock 
is  to  be  slaughtered. 

Success  not  Easy.  It  is  a  mistake  to  think 
that  a  man  who  has  never  been  able  to  make  a 
living  at  anything  else— cnn  go  into  the  poultry 
business  and  make  a  "^luiid  success"  of  it*; 
also,  to  try  to  keep  lUO  t<iwls  thmugh  the  winter 
that  is  none  too  large  for  half  that  number. 

Asparagus.  Another  crop  that  does  well  in 
the  hen  yard  is  Asparagus.  The  hens  should  be 
kept  out  of  it  duriuiT  the  cutting  season,  but 
when  cutting  stops,  nbiiut  .Tune  ~0,then  the  hens 
will  find  its  shelter  from  the  sun  agreeable,  and 
will  eat  up  lots  of  the  young  beetles  on  the  lower 
branches. 

Give  Fowls  Hilk.  Milk,  sweet  and  sour,  and 
buttermilk  are  among  the  best  things  to  give  to 
laying  hens  and  growing  chicks.  For  a  change, 
the  sour  milk  may  be  made  into  what  is  known 
as  *•  Dutch"  cheese.  This  is  a  most  excellent 
food  for  young  chicks,  little  turkeys,  etc.,  and 
beneficial  for  all  fowls 

Care  of  Young  Chicks.  Very  young  chicks 
have  small  crups,  therefore  they  require  feeding 
at  least  four  to  six  times  a  day  or  every  two 
hours,  give  them  different  varieties  of  food  such 
as  boiled  Uice,  table  scraps,  and  never  feed  more 
than  they  will  eat  uj)  clean  of  soft  food.  Chicks 
treated  in  this  manner  will  grow  fast,  and  be 
ready  for  market  at  an  early  date.— Poultry  and 
Stock  Review. 

Cure  for  Egg  Eating.  To  prevent  hens  from 
eating  eggs,  f retiuently  give  them  raw  meat  for 
food,  and  be  careful  not  to  suffer  broken  eggs  to 
lie  within  reach  at  all.  Also  have  the  nests  in 
dark  places,  where  the  hens  cannot  easily  see  the 
eggs.  Another  safe  way  is  to  have  the  nests 
covered  in  such  away  that  the  hen  hus  not  room 
enough  to  stand  perfectly  upright.  The  entrance 
should  be  from  the  side. 

Fat  Fowls  not  Wanted.  Fowls  in  too  fat  a 
condition  cannot  thrive.  They  will  not  only 
stop  laying,  but  will  die  of  ajtuplexy  and  *tther 
diseases.  Corn  andCornracal  will  bring  u[)  grow- 
ing fowls  at  a  good  rate,  :unl  wt-  know  ot  nothing 
better,  but  for  laying  birds,  wu  do  m»t  want  to 
risk  it.  When  fowls  have  a  free  range,  plenty  of 
exercise  and  gravel,  there  is  not  so  much  danger, 
but  when  confined  to  yards,  especially  in  the 
summer  season.  Corn  should  not  be  used.  W^ 
give  Wheat  one  week  and  Oats  the  next,  and 
only  alternate  with  cracked  Corn  during  the 
winter  time.— (lermautown  Telegraph. 

Feed  Lightly.  Fowls  with  unlimited  range  at 
this  time  of  the  year  need  very  little  grain,  and 
no  Corn.  A  little  Oats  or  Wheat,  or  better  still 
both,  may  be  given ;  but  there  is  so  much  green 
stuff,  and  bugs  and  worms  to  be  had  for  the 
trouble  ,of  hunting  for  it,  that  only  light 
rations  ot  heavy  food  are  needed.  Fowls  in 
confinement,  of  course,  must  have  their  full 
rations,  but  a  good  deal  of  their  diet  may  con- 
sist of  freshly  cut  Clover,  lawn  mowings,  etc.; 
and  Oats  and  Wheat  will  be  found  far  preferable 
to  Corn.  The  ground  in  the  yards  should  be 
spaded  or  plowed  up,  a  part  at  a  time,  so  the 
fowls  can  get  to  fresh  soil,  and  pick  out  the 
worms,  etc.  If  possible,  change  occasionally 
from  one  yard  to  another,  that  has  been  kept 
vacant  for  a  week  or  two. 


224 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


July, 


CorreapoiidenCa  are  urged  to  auttctpu.le  the  seuBon  in  pre 
aenting  queationa.  To  aak,  for  inatance.on  April  lbor2t) 
what  Feas  had  beat  be  soten.  could  bring  tio  answer  tn 
the  May  issue,  and  none  before  June,  when  the  anawer 
would  be  unaennonable.  Questions  received  before  the  12th 
of  any  month  stand  a  gooU  chance  of  being  anaipered  in  the 
next  paper.  Not  more  than  three  questions  should  be  sent 
at  one  time.  Answers  to  qu,,attons  beurnn/  tm  the  com 
paratit^e  vaiue  of  ivipiements.  etc.,  offered  by  different 
dealers  must  not  be  expected.  Neither  cati  we  promise  to 
comply  teiih.  trie  retpieat  aometimes  made  to  "please  answer 
by  7itail."  Inquiries  appearing  without  name  belong  to  the 
name  next  fotloioing . 

Replies  to  Inquiries  are  earnestly  requested  from  our 
readers.  In  answering  such  give  the  number,  your 
locality  and  name,  the  latter  not  for  publication,  unless 
you  desire.     Write  only  on  one  aide  of  the  paper. 

1,978.  Hardy  Plants  for  Cut  Flowers.  What  plants 
and  shrubs  do  you  ret'ommeud  to  Kive  an  abundauce 
of  cut  flowers  all  the  season?— Wakmoth,  New  Jersey. 

1,87'J.  Green  Fly  on  Hawthorn.  Ants  do  great 
damage  to  my  Hawthore  hedge.  Scarcely  a  sprout 
escapes  them.  What  Is  the  remedyi'—.I.  B.  K.,  New 
Albany,  Ind. 

1,88(1.  Out-door  Roses  for  Bloom-  Will  hardy  Roses 
bloom  the  ttrst  season  after  setting  In  open  field?— J.  J. 
J...  Titus  Hill.  N.  Y. 

l.ssi.  Remedy  for  Pear  Slug.  How  can  I  get  rid  of 
the  sluK  that  destroys  my  Pear  foliage?— D.  K.,  Mass. 

1,S82.  Heating  Greenhouse  by  Gas.  Can  gas  be 
used  as  fuel  to  heat  a  uitiTow  greenhouse  ^  feet  long? 
How  tu  be  arranged!'— Constant  Reader, 

1,883.  Early  Bearing  of  Tomatoes.  Will  staking  or 
tyln.-?  to  trellis  m  I'i-  frulc  ej.rli-ir't-J.L.P.Marion.O  . 

1.S84.  Kiirogen  from  the  Atmosphere.  Do  rains 
and  the  atmosphere  furnish  to  our  plants  an  apprecia- 
ble quantity  of  nitrogen?— W.  A.  B„  Persia,  Iowa. 

1.885.  Columbines  Flowering  Double.  My  plants, 
at  first  giving  large  single  flowers,  are  now  giving 
smaller  double  flowers.  No  individuality  left,  nor 
much  beauty.  What  can  I  do  to  get  them  single  again? 
— U.  L.  B.,  La  Orange,  IHs. 

l.SWi.  Growing  Tree  Seedlings.  Please  give  us 
some  Information  about  growing  Apple,  Pear,  Plum 
and  Cherry  seedlings. 

1,887.  Nurserymen's  Supplies.  Can  you  give  me 
the  address  of  parties  who  furnish  such? 

1,S88.  Journal  for  Nurserymen.  Is  there  any  paper 
published  in  the  interest  of  nurserymen?- H.  L.  B., 
liising  Sun,  Indiana. 

1,8&9.  Cucumber  Pickles.  Can  you  give  a  lew  good 
recipes  for  pickling  cucumbers?— J.  R.  W.,  Conn. 

1,89(1.  Experiment  Stations.  Please  give  list  of  the 
most  prominent?— J.  R.  P.,  Breckenride,  Mo. 

1,891.  Culture,  of  Tropical  Fruits.  Is  there  any 
work  on  growing  Oranges,  Lemons,  Ba'^anas,  etc.? 
Where  can   It  be  had?— T.  H.,  Bentoii  Harbor,  Mich. 

J,892.    Plants  Blooming  in  May.    Please  give  list  of 

Serennials,  bulbs,  etc.,  bloomiug  by  Decoration  Day?— 
.  K.,  Iowa. 

1,893.  Quality  of  Sweet  Corn.  Is  this  Influenced  by 
soil  or  climate?— U.  S.  T.,  Monroe,  N.  Y. 

1,894.'  Remedy  lor  Snails.  What  can  1  do  to  get  rid 
of  the  disgusting  snails  in  my  Fernery?— Mrs.  S.,  Ohio. 

1.895.  Repotting  Camellias.  When  is  the  proper 
time  to  do  this?— Subscriber. 

1.896.  Soil  for  India  Rubber  Plant.  What  soil  is 
best  for  It?  My  plant  does  not  thrive.— S.  J.  W.,  lA>ng 
Island.  N.   Y. 

1.897.  Sunray  Fuchsia.  How  can  It  be  made  to 
grow  rapidly  and  thriftily?  -Mr.s.  F.  R..  Wisconsin. 

1,89s.  Bleaching  Celery.  Which  method  is  simplest 
and  preferable  for  the  home  garden?— Celery  Lover. 

1,899.  Asparagus  Varieties.  Have  any  of  the  newer 
sorts  proved  to  be  superior  to  Conover's  Colossal?— 
Wm.  F.  C,  Indiana. 

1,9011.  Propagating  Choice  Strawberry  Varieties. 
Which  Is  the  most  rajtld  way  of  growing  plants?— P.  G. 
E.,  Chainbe rsbu rg,  Pa. 

1.901.  Cutting  Sweet  Potato  Vines.  Should  they  be 
allowed  to  run  at  will  or  cut  off?— F.  T.,   Columbus,  O. 

1.902.  Blood- leaved  Peach.  Is  it  hardy  and  pro- 
ductive, and  worthy  of  propagating  for  its  fruit  alone? 
Will  pits  give  desirable  stock  for  budding?— P.  M.  W., 
Iteinersville,  O. 

1.903.  Cheap  Propagating  House.  Please  give  plan 

<ff  small  liouse,  say  30  feet  long  by  10  or  U  feet  wide?— 
E.  A.  B,,  Kittaning,  Pa. 

1,9(W.  Book  on  Evergreens.  Does  Fuller's  Practical 
Forestry  treat  fully  on  i-alslng  and  caring  Evergreens? 
Or  what  other  w()rk  does  this?— C.  G.  S.,  Jr.,  lUinois. 

1.905.  Transplanting  Trees  and  Perennials  in 
Autumn.  Can  I  transplant  Dahlias,  Peonies,  Apple 
and  Pear  trees  by  Sept.  25th  successfully?— A.  S.,Penn. 

1.906.  Season  of  Budding.  Which  Is  the  best  time 
t<)  bud  Plums  on  Peach,  Pears  on  Quinces.  Cherries  on 
Mahaleb?  Should  the  latter  be  cut  back  before  bud- 
ding?-.!. G.  K.,  Ky. 

1.907.  Soaking  Seed  Before  Planting.  Is  this  a  good 

practleeornot?— F.  T.  T.,  W.  Va. 

I.HIIH.  Golden  Elder.  Can  tills  be  recommended  as 
an  ornamental  shrub? --M.  N.,  Dhio. 

1.9tl9.  Cultiyating  Young  Orchards.  How  long 
should  cultivation  be  continued  Into  the  suninieror 
fall?— Elwood,  Maine. 


1.910.  Grafting  Herbaceous  Growths.  Can  Cucum- 
bers be  successfully  grafted  upon  each  other,  or  Pota- 
toes upon  Tomatoes,  etc.?— R.  S.,  Metropolis. 

1.911.  Deutzia  crenala  not  Blooming.  Plant  set 
four  years  ago,  of  strong  growth.  How  should  I  treat 
It  ?— R.  (Jr.  P..  Burlington,  Vermont. 

1.912.  Currant  Worm.  Please  give  life  history.— D. 
F.,  Belair  Mo. 

1.913.  Pomegranate  not  Blooming.  They  are  In 
vigorous  health.    How  are  they  to  be  treated. 

1,915.  Cactus  Culture.  How  should  plants  be  treated 
to  make  them  bloom  ?    F.  F.,  Frankford,  Pa. 

l.yifi.  Curled  Leaf  of  Peach.  What  is  the  cause  and 
remedy?— L.  O.,  .'l;i«  Arbor.  Mivh. 

1.917.  Dwarf-Red-Flowering  Horse  Chestnut, 
Where  can  it  be  obtained  ? 

1.918.  Buffalo  Berry.  Where  can  I  get  it  ?— Wm.  H. 
O.,  Ohio. 

1.919.  Insect  on  Black  Currant.  What  insect 
attacks  the  leaves,  making  them  curl  up,  and  what 
remedy  is  there?— C.  H.  D.,  Toronto,  Canada. 

1.920.  Growing  Pine-Apples.  Please  give  Instruc 
lions.— D.  W.  C,  Cleburne,  Texas. 

1.921.  Thi;ips  on  Strawberries.  Which  is  the  best 
way  of  flghtlug  them  ?— M.  S.  B.,  Nebraska. 

1,932.  Planting  Fruit  Trees.  How  late  In  the  sea- 
may  this  be  done  ? 

1.923.  Asparagus  Beds.  How  long  do  they  u.sually 
last  In  good  order  ?— W.  W.  R.,  Toronto  Can. 

1.924.  Barren  Gooseberry  bushes.  My  plants  eight 
or  ten  years  old  do  not  bear.    What  Is  the  reason  ? 

1.925.  Fall  Planting  of  Trees,  etc.  What  exact 
time  is  best  for  this  work  ?— F.  E.  H.,  Iowa. 

I,!)2(^.  Remedy  for  Black  Knot.  Is  Linseed  oil  a 
sure  remedy,  and  how  applied?- G  Q,  D.,  Neiv 
Hampshire. 

1,937.  Treatment  of  Cannas.  What  m\l  Is  best? 
Will  liquid  manure  be  benefleial  ?— Old  Sub,  Colo. 

REPLIES    TO    INQUIRIES. 

1.791.  Crops  in  Shade.  Most  vegetables  e<»uld 
be  grown  in  a  siiady  place,  provided  it  i.s  not 
under  trees.  Strawberries  would  do  well,  and 
Currants  would  succeed  as  well  as  Cherries. 
Lettuce  and  liadishes  would  thrive.  These  crops 
would  be  a  little  later  than  those  having  the 
benefit  of  the  sun  rays.  Under  the  shade  of  trees 
the  green  and  variegated  Periwinkles,  Hepaticas, 
Hleeding  Heart,  Wood  Anemones.  Violets,  Nas 
turtiums,  Primroses,  Polyanthuses,  Auriculas, 
Solomon's  Seal,  Lily  of  the  Valley,  Daffodils,  Nar- 
cissus, St.  John's  Wort,  Mahonias,  Hardy  Ferns, 
and  the  Leopard'8  Bane  would  all  thrive.  The 
spot  could  be  made  very  enjoyable  by  a  liberal 
use  of  semi-tropical  plants  during  the  summer 
months.— H.  W.  Smith,  La. 

l,79ti.  Exotic  Grape  Plants.  The  eyes  are  sel- 
ected from  primings  that  have  been  reserved  for 
the  purpose.  The  eye  is  prepared  by  cutting  in 
a  slanting  direction,  away  from  the  bud,  about 
half  an  inch  above  the  eye,  and  making  a  straight 
cut  about  an  inch  below.  These  eyes  are  placed 
in  small  pots  or  in  pieces  of  sf)d,  and  subjected  to 
a  temperature,  varying  from  70°  to  80°.  They 
are  repotted  as  they  re(iuire.— H.  W.  Smith,  La. 

1,78:.'.  Pruning  the  Pear  for  Fruit.  Mr.  P. 
Tiarx-y,  in  his  Fruit  Garden,  says  on  the  subject 
of  pruning  to  induce  fruitfulness:  This  is  con- 
ducted on  the  principle  that  whatever  is  favora- 
ble to  rapid,  vigorous  growth,  is  unfavorable  to 
the  immediate  production  of  fruit.  Hence,  the 
object  in  view  must  be  to  check  growth  and 
impede  the  circulation  of  the  sap— just  the  oppo- 
site of  pruning  to  renew  growth.  The  only 
period  at  which  this  pruning  can  be  performed 
is  after  vegetation  has  commenced.  If  a  tree  is 
severely  pruned  immediately  after  it  has  put 
forth  it^  leaves,  it  receives  such  a  check  as  to  be 
unable  to  produce  a  vigorous  growth  the  same 
season;  the  sap  is  impeded  in  its  circulation,  and 
the  result  is  that  a  large  number  of  the  young 
shoots  that  would  have  made  vigorous  wooded 
branches  had  they  not  been  checked,  assume  the 
character  of  fruit  spurs  and  branches.  Pinching 
is  the  principal  mode  of  pruning  to  promote 
fruitfulness.  This  pinching  is  a  sort  of  antici- 
pated pruning  practiced  upon  the  young  grow- 
ing shoots.  A  shoot  of  which  the  point  was 
broken,  bruised  or  otherwise  injured  during  the 
growing  season,  frequently  becomes  a  fruit 
branch  either  during  the  same  or  the  following 
season;  and  this,  especially  if  situated  in  the 
interior  of  the  tree,  or  on  the  older  and  lower 
parts  of  the  branches.  The  check  given  to  the 
extension  of  the  shoot  concentrates  the  sap  in 
part  remaining;  and  unless  the  check  has  been 
given  very  early  in  the  season,  or  the  growth  is 
very  vigorous  in  the  tree,  so  that  the  buds  will 
break  ond  form  shoots  they  are  certain  to  pre- 
pare for  th<'  iiri.ductioii  (»f  fruit.  It  is  on  this 
principleof  clu'ckin-j- tlir  ^'mwth  and  conceutrat- 
in  the  pinched  shunt,  that  pinching  to  induce 
fruittuluess  is  iMcfrncd;  and  its  efliciency  may 
be  estimated  from  the  l"a«-t  thut  trees  on  which  it 
has  been  practiced  have  borne  fruit  Unir  or  live, 
and  porhap^i  seven  years,  sooner  thiin  they  would 
have  dune  without  it.  It  is  a  must  n>i-ful  ojiera- 
tiou  in  the  ease  of  vigorous  growing  and  tardy 
bearing  sorts.  The  mode  of  performing  it  is  to 
pinch  off  the  end  of  shoot  with  finger  and  thumb. 


1,783.  Eucharis.  It  always  helps  us  to  a 
knowledge  of  the  needs  of  any  plant,  especially 
one  which  like  the  Eucharis  has  a  reputation  of 
being  difficult  to  manage,  to  learn  how  they  grow 
in  a  wild  state.  In  the  present  instance  the  plant 
is  found  at  the  sides  of  rivers  in  tropical  South 
America,  hence  we  may  know  at  once  that  the 
essentials  to  growth  and  bloom  are  moisture  and 
heat.  These  conditions  provided,  together  with 
drainage  to  the  pot  so  that  the  soil  may  not  be- 
come stagnate,  and  it  is  no  difficult  matter  to 
succeed  in cultivatingthis beautiful  purest-white 
flower.  By  having  a  dozen  or  more  large  pots  of 
the  plants,  it  may  be  had  in  bloom  in  a 
hot  house  the  greater  part  of  a  year.  The  most 
suitable  temperature  is  about  70*^.  Sunshine  a 
part  of  each  day  is  one  of  the  essentials,  and 
while  the  plant  ismakinggrovvth,plenty  of  water 
must  be  provided,  together  with  licjuia  manure 
at  intervals  of  two  or  three  days.  The  plants 
should  also  be  syringed  daily  during  all  periods 
of  active  growth.  Some  cultivntuvs  make  the 
mistake  of  disturbing  the  bull)s  tu..  utten;  this 
must  not  be  done.  Repot  as  they  need  from  one 
size  to  another  without  dividing  the  roots  until 
they  become  too  unwieldy  to  handle  well.  Side 
shoots  taken  off  at  any  time  and  brought  along 
with  good  attention,  should  show  tlieir  first 
flowers  in  a  year's  time.  Hepotting  may  take  place 
at  any  season;in  doing  this  it  isproperto  remove 
most  uf  the  (lid  eiuth,  using  for  new  material  a 
compust  eunsistnig  uf  well-rotted  manure,  some 
leaf  mold  and  light  sandy  loam.  If  the  latter 
ingredient  is  hu-king,  use  ordinary  loam  with 
plenty  uf  sand  added.  To  <»btain  flowers  in  the 
winter  the  plants  should  be  given  a  season  of  part- 
ial rest  for  two  months  in  mid  summer,  dur- 
ing which  time  water  should  be  used  sparingly.  - 
A,  H.  E. 

1,802.  Wall  Flowers  Keeping  Over.  Attempts  at 
keeping  these  plants  beyond  their  flowering  sea- 
son are  not  made  by  the  best  culti\'ators,  the 
plants  being  hardly  other  than  half-hardy  bien- 
nials. The  means  of  perpetuating  the  stock  is 
either  by  sowing  the  seed  of  the  plants  flowering 
the  spring  following  or  else  by  propagation  from 
cuttings  in  the  spring,  a  course  necessary  with  the 
best  double  varieties,as  there  is  no  assurance  that 
seedlings  will  be  perfectly  double  in  any  consid- 
erable measure.  To  slip  them,  take  present  year's 
shoots  at  about  the  end  of  May;  smooth  the  cut 
end  with  a  sharp  knife.  Cut  the  lower  leaves 
away  about  one  inch  and  a  half  up  from  the 
bottom,  ami  then  set  the  euttin^^^  in  some  sandy 
soil  in  a  shady  sput,  liu\  in^'  them  about  four 
inches  ajiart.  Sprinkle  three  times  a  day  when 
the  weather  is  di-y.  In  about  three  weeks  there 
should  be  roots,  when  the  plants  may  be  set  in  a 
partly  shaded  spot  of  mellow  soil,  here  to  grow 
until  fall.  About  Octflber  pot  the  plants  and 
keep  through  the  winter  in  a  cold  frame  or  light 
cellar.-A.  H.  E. 

1,781.  Number  of  Vines  in  Grapery.  In  a  vinery 

of  the  size  mentioned  one  vine  might  be  planted 
in  the  centre,  and  a  rod  led  along  the  eaves  to 
each  end  of  the  house;  or  a  vine  might  be  planted 
at  one  end  and  a  rod  led  to  the  opposite  end  under 
the  eaves,  with  laterals  as  above.  If  this  is  not 
thought  desirable,  four  vines  might  be  planted 
four  feet  apart,  commencing  two  feet  from  the 
ends  of  the  house  and  the  rods  led  to  the  ridge. 
In  no  case  should  the  rods  or  laterals  be  nearer 
the  glass  than  4  inches.  The  spur  system  of 
pruning  should  be  adopted.  Preferably  I  should 
plant  the  Black  Hamburgh  If  the  greatest 
amount  of  success  is  coveted,  it  would  be  well  to 
make  a  border  and  see  that  the  drainage  is  good. 
Garden  soil  of  fair  rjualiry  could  be  used,  and  if 
a  few  loads  of  siind  and  idd  mortar  were  added, 
as  well  as  a  few  crushed  bones,  and  a  few  bushels 
of  charcoal.  Grapes  of  the  best  quality  might  be 
grown.  The  roots  might  be  planted  outside,  and 
in  this  case  the  exposed  portion  of  the  stems 
would  need  to  be  protected  according  to  the 
locality  —W.  H.  Smith,  La. 

1,811.  Cypripedium  Spectabile.  This  lovely 
terrestrial  Orchid  is  often  referred  to  as  the  Moc- 
casin Flower  or  Lady's  Slipper.  The  plant  is  not 
at  all  difli»rult  so  grow.  It  requires  a  shady  pos- 
ition, and  to  be  planted  in  leaf  mold;  and  after 
it  is  planted  it  should  have  a  layer  of  an  inch  of 
Sphagn\im  moss  spread  over  the  roots.  The  soil 
needs  to  be  well  drained,  as  the  plant  requires 
abundance  of  moisture  at  the  roots.  It  should  be 
transplanted,  potted  or  divided  in  early  spring 
before  growth  commences.  It  is  quite  hardy.— 
H.  W.  S.,  La. 

1,926.  Bemedy  for  Black  Knot.  Cutting  out 
and  burning  all  parts  of  the  trees  showing  the 
least  indication  of  being  infected  with  this 
disease,  is  by  all  odds  the  surest,  simplest,  and 
(juiekest  of  all  remedies  thus  far  suggested. 
Still,  we  can  have  no  doubt,  after  having  listened 
to  the  testimony  of  expert  Plum  growers,  that 
the  mere  peeling  off  of  the  exc-reseenees,  and 
painting  the  wounds  with  Linseed  oil  or  turpin- 
tinc,  if  only  done  pntmptly  and  persistently, 
will  also  ]iut  astop  to  the  progress  of  the  disease. 
Our  in<iuiring  friend  can  resort  to  this  renudy, 
if  he  dislikes  the  more  heroic  treatment;  but 
we  must  repeat  that  success  is  not  to  be  likely 
without   promptness  of  action,  and  persistency 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


225 


1,'.'0N.  Ooiden  Elder,  An  Kn^rlish  writer  speaks 
of  it  iis  follows:  Tliis  useful  plnnt  should  Im? 
jji'own  on  11  sunny  bank  in  a  mass  or  in  the  front 
of  the  shrul)l)eries,  as  when  Itacked  up  by  other 
foliiiKe  nf  a  tiark  (.-olor  the  olleet  is  inipro\'ed. 
To  reruU-r  the  leu\e^  larjfoi'and  ol  a  deep  ^()lcien 
tint,  pinrh  out  the  point  of  eaeh  shnot,  when  the 
(■<il(u- will  einnmenee  to  deepen  at  onee  and  re- 
main inure  jfohlen  all  the  summer  than  when  it 
is  allowed  freedom.  The  tallest  bushes  ean  be 
re^rulated  to  a  nieety  to  jrive  the  best  effect,  as 
in  a  sloping  position  a  larger  area  of  golden 
foliage  is  seen  than  when  the  front  row  of  plant.s 
is  aihiwed  to  grow  the  tiUIest-  Hy  timely  and 
judieious  pinching  a  better  effect  is  obtained 
thiui  by  allowing  the  gmwths  to  ramble  at  will. 

U7VH.  Crops  in  Shade.  There  are  a  few 
elimlH?i-s  that  will  give  perfect  satisfaction  under 
the  shade  of  a  large  tree.  These,  and  the  only 
ones  that  will  do  it,  are— the  green-leaved  vart- 
cties  of  Ivies  If  the  shade  is  nor  too  dense  and 
some  good  soil  can  be  given  to  start  them  in 
several  of  the  strong-growing  <'leraatis  may 
succeed,  including  C.  montanaand  C.  Flammula. 
<\  Jaekamani  I  have  had  do  well  on  an  arch 
untUM'  the  shade  of  a  tree  where  the  branches 
did  not  come  very  low  down;  but  the  plants 
nuist  be  well  supported.  The  common  Honey- 
suckles will  grow  in  the  shade  if  the  top  can 
struggle  out  into  the  sunshine.  The  Hop  will 
grow  in  the  shade  under  similar  conditions.— ^-1 ' - 
lantic. 


1,!>:.'7.  Treatment  for  Cannas.  Catuias  delight 
beyond  all  else  in  a  very  fertile  soil.  It  does 
not  matter  so  much  whether  the  land  is  muck  or 
sand  or  any  other  kind,  so  long  as  it  is  thonmgh- 
ly  enriched  with  strong  stable  nuuiiin'.  In  fact 
to  make  the  substance  one-third  manure  would 
give  all  the  better  results  in  tine  growth.  The 
('anna  also  ilelights  in  plenty  of  moisture  at  the 
root.s.  It  is  almost  impossible  to  overdo  the 
matter  of  watering.  An  excellent  course  to 
produce  tine  results  with  the  plants  is  to  leave 
a  depression  in  the  soil  about  each  one  and  fill  in 
se\'eiiil  inches  of  manure  gathered  from  the 
stable,  and  then  filling  such  basin  with  water 
two  or  three  times  each  week. 

1,W5.  Autumn  Transplanting.  Trees  and 
shrubs  can  be  transplanted  successfully  at  almost 
any  titpe  of  the  year,  with  proper  treatment. 
At  the  latter  part  of  September  the  wood  and 
foliage  of  most  trees  is  nearly  mature,  and  we 
would  not  hesitate  to  transplant  trees  at  that 
time,  but  if  the  leaves  are  yet  in  growing  condi- 
tion, it  may  be  advisible  to  strip  the  branches. 

l.HJd.  Culture  of  Tropical  Fruits.  California 
P''ruits  and  How  to  Grow  them  is  the  title  of  a 
.■)titi  page  volume  by  Edward  Wickson,  A.  M., 
published  by  Dewey  &  Co.,  San  Francisco,  Cal. 
This  treats  cjuite  fully  on  the  culture  of  Oranges, 
Itiinanas  and  other  tropical  fruits.  We  do  not 
know  the  price  of  the  work. 


REPORT  ON  THE  CONDITION  OF  THE  FRUIT  CROP 

From  our  Correspondents,  June  2o,    1  890. 


Explanation:    5,  indioaU's  a  very  heavy  crop;  4,  over  average;  3,  average;  2,  under  average; 
1,  poor;  0,  total  failure.    Kinds  chicHy  grown  indicated  by  full  face  figures. 


EASTERN  SECTION. 


■i     C     B-     a     li 


Correspoudcnts. 


11" 
Vermont. 

Orleans         C'lmnty  5  .5  3 

Chittendeu       "        5  3  3 

Pennsylvania. 

Philadclpliia  County 0  0  2 

Lanca.^ter            "    4  4  3 

Lancaster            "      3  2  3 

Lackawanna        "    2  2  3 

Franklin               "     1  2  1 

Franklin               "     2  I  2 

Dauphin               "     3  3  4 

I'umberland        "    2  3  3 

Chester                 "      2  2  1 

Chester                 "     1  1  0 

Centre                 "    1  1  1 

Butler                   "     0  0  2 

Bucks                   "      3  3  3 

Berks                    "     2  2  3 

Bradford              "     3  3  1 

.Allegheny            "        .   ..  o  n  O 

Warren                "      ...      1  1  I 

Montour           "        1  1  2 

Crawford          "'          1  1  1 

l)EL.\WAHE. 

New  Castle  County U  0  2 

Kent                  '•        1  1  1 

Sussex              "         1  2  1 

New  Jersey. 

Union  County 112 

Monmouth       "        2  2  3 

Orange              "        3  3  2 

Essex                 "        1  1  1 

Burlington       "        0  0  0 

Atlantic            "        2  2  I 

Burlington       "        3  0  0 

New  YoKk. 

Wayne          County  1  1  2 

Yates                 "         3  B  3 

Ulster                "        3  3  2 

Tomi)kins         "        1  I  0 

Suffolk              "         1  1  0 

Suffolk              "        ....  2  2  0 

Seneca               "        3  3  2 

Onondaga        "         1  1  2 

Orleans            •'       0  1  1 

Oneida               "        4  4  4 

Niagara            •'       0  O  2 

Niagara            "       1  O  1 

Niagara            "       3  1  3 

Monroe             "       8  a  2 

Monroe             "        1  1  2 

Livingston       "       0  0  0 

Erie                    "         2  1  2 

Chautaurjua     "           ...  1  1  2 

Chautamiua     "        3  2  3 

Cayuga               "         2  2  2 

Wayne             "       1  1  1 

Chautauqua     "        I  1  2 

Ontario              "       1  O  1 

Albany              "        2  1  3 

Genesee            "        0  O  1 

Oswego              "         1  1  4 

Connecticut. 

Tolland         County  1  1  1 

Middlesex         '•        1  1  1 

LitchHeld          "        3  3  2 

Hartford           "        2  2  3 

Massachusetts. 

Worcester    County 2  3  1 

Hampshire       "        4  4  5 

Hampden         "       3  3  3 

Norfolk            "       2  2  4 


epLiPHPno.o'^paSccB 


3      0      0      0      5 
3.32     3 


4      4 
3      4 


3  0  U  U 
1  O  -.J  '.i 
3      O      0      0 


0 


0 

o 

0  4 
0  3 
0      0 


0  1 
B  1 
4       . 


3     3  T.  H.  Hoskins. 
3     3  C.  W.  Mmott. 


2  3 

3  3 
3       3 


3     2  Thos.  Mchaii  &  Son. 

r,      S  Eii^'IciV  Mro. 

3      3  II.  .M.  V.uKh: 

3     3  Isiuic  F.  Tillinghast. 

2     2  B.  B.  Erigle. 

.      .   B.  L.  Ryder-. 

.  E.  C.  Briiiser. 

4  John  F.  Ilupp. 

2  J.  A.  Roberts. 
1  Joseph  H.  Kent. 

3  Wni.  A.  Buckhout. 
0  George  W,  Phillips. 
3  Wm.  H.  .Moon. 
2  CyiiisT.  Ff).\. 

.   Fri'.l  II.  Ciu'd. 
0  Jatnes  Seinple. 

2  2     3  F.  II.  Miller. 

3  A.  Judstm  Still. 

3     3      3  Mrs.  E.  L.  Patterson. 

2  1      .  Edw.  Tatnall. 

3  3      3  Wesley  Wells. 
13     3 


0     0     0 

1 

0      0     0 


5  2 

3  3 

2  3 

3  3 


0      0 

3      3      2. 

3      0      4      3 


3  J.  H    Shotwell. 
3  F.  M.  White. 

T.  II  Spaulding. 
3  E.  Williams. 

2  B.  Shedaker. 

.  Wm.  F.  Bassett. 

3  B.  D.  Shedaker. 


3  3 

4  5 


4 

4  4 
3  4 
3  3 

5  5 
.5  5 

3  3 

4  4 


3  I  1 

4  1  3 
3  0  1 
3  2  3 


1  3 
1 

2  2  2 

0  3  2 

1  3  1 

1      2  1 

3  1  2 
1  0  3 
3      4  3 


3 
4 
3 
1 
5 
3 
5 
4 
3 
3 
3 
5 
4 
4 

.5 
5 
3 
4 


W.  L.  Dcvereaux. 

Geo.  B  Arnold. 

H.  Hendricks. 

P.  B.  Crandnll. 

P.  H.  Foster. 

E.  D.  Putnoj-. 

Geo.  A.  Bonnell. 

Smiths,  Powell  &  Lamb. 

V.  Brogue. 

E.  P.  Powell. 

Heruy  Lutts. 

J.  K.  Pcrrijio. 

Moody  \-  Sons. 

Joseph  Harris. 

Ellwanger  &  Barry. 

L.  D.  Elder. 

E.  Willett. 

L.  Koesch, 

E.  H.  Pratt. 

D.  M,  Dunning. 
David  Lake. 
.s.  S.  Cri.ssey. 

F.  Greiner. 

J.  A.  Lintner. 
J.  F.  Rose. 
L.  J.  Farmer. 


4  3     3      2 

3  .       . 

5  3      3      3 


1      3      3 


5  2  2  Wm.  H.  Yeomans. 

.5  3  3  W.  A.  Doolittle. 

3  3  3  T.  S.  Gold. 

3  3  .  S.  B.  Kcach. 

3  3  3  W.  H.  Perry. 

4  3  .  William  N.  Hoyt. 
4  3  .  F.  H.  Horsford. 

5  4  Warren  H.  Manning. 


1,S!I4.  Bemedy  for  Snails.  Sister  (iraeious  tells 
of  her  troubles  with  the  "varmints"  in  Ameri- 
can Garden.  An  effective  trap,  she  says,  was 
discovered  accidentl.v.  I  planted  some  Fern 
seed  in  a  (lower  pot  saucer  and  put  it  under  the 
glass.  Ne.\t  time  I  took  it  out,  I  found  three  fat. 
snails  on  tlie  bottom,  and  next  day  some  more 
I  exainiiir  the  case  every  day  and  the  number 
grows  less  and  less;  1  shall  get  them  all  in  time. 
The  Ferns  and  Begonias  look  much  better  ;  my 
trap  is  a  success. 

l.HHO.  Experiment  Stations.  The  bulletins  of 
the  stations  are  mentioneil  under  heading  of 
"  Received  at  this  OIHcc,"  at  the  end  of  reading 
columns  of  each  issue  of  Popular  Gardening. 
In  every  instance  the  name  and  residence  of  the 
director  of  the  respective  station  is  given,  By 
examming  this  department,  you  will  be  enabled 
to  get  the  addresses  of  directors  of  all  the  prin- 
ciple stations.  Another  way  of  getting  this  in- 
formation is  tfl  address  the  United  States  Depart- 
ment of  Agriculture,  Otiice  of  Experiment 
Stations,  Washington,  D.  C  ,  for  a  copy  of  the 
Experiment  Station  Record. 

1,889.  encumber  Pickles.  Quite  a  voluminous 
book  might  be  written  on  the  subject,  so  many 
recipes,  and  very  good  ones,  are  given.  One 
way  of  preparing  Cucumber  pickles,  says  the 
New  England  Farmer,  is  to  pour  boiling  salted 
water  over  the  Cucumbers  and  let  them  stand 
twenty-four  hours;  repeat  the  scalding  on  the 
second  and  third  days.  Use  one-quarter  cup  of 
salt  to  three  quarts  of  water.  On  the  fourth 
morning  heat  enough  vinegar  to  cover  them 
with  a  little  alum  added  and  turn  over  the  Cu- 
cumbers; let  them  stand  until  the  next  day. 
Now  drain  and  put  the  pickles  into  jars  and 
cover  them  with  good  strong  vinegar.  Add  to 
each  gallon  of  vinegar  used  one-half  cup  of 
white  Mustard  seed,  a  small  piece  of  alum,  a 
tablespoontui  of  brown  sugar  and  a  few  well 
bruised  Horse-radish  roots.  Any  one  who  is 
planning  to  make  Cucumber  pickles  to  sell  must 
be  prepared  with  vines  enough  to  give  a  gener- 
ous crop  daily  of  very  small  Cucumbers.  Those 
sold  in  bottles  and  .jars  are  not  the  huge  pickles 
which  are  the  only  kind  many  ijeopli'  make  and, 
however  eatable,  do  not  meet  the  reqiiinnicnts 
of  the  market.  Another  good  way,  ilescribcd  by 
the  Country  Gentleman,  is  the  following:— Make 
a  brine  of  two  pounds  of  salt  to  one  gallon  of 
wat<?r,  and  keep  them  in  it  about  two  weeks, 
stirring  up  from  the  bottom  every  few  days. 
Then  take  them  out  of  the  brine  and  let  them 
lie  in  fresh  water  a  day,  and  they  are  ready  for 
pickliiifr— i>idy  do  not  put  the  vinegar  on  them 
wliilc  till  y  are  wet.  Take  them  out  and  spread 
them  till  they  are  dry,  or,  if  the  number  does 
not  forbid,  wipe  them  off.  The  ob,iect  of  this 
is  to  retain  their  crlspness  Those  that  are  not 
crisp  when  you  take  them  from  the  brine  should 
be  discarded.  Use  strong  vinegar,  and  dilute 
with  water,  as  this  softens  them.  The  vinegar 
should  be  heated  in  a  granite  iron  kettle,  or  un- 
glazed  earthen  one,  for  salt  and  vinegar  will 
dissolve  the  lead  in  the  glazing  of  any  article. 
Add  to  one  gallon  of  vinegar  a  teacupful  of 
sugar,  three  dozen  Peppercorns,  two  teaspoon- 
fuls  of  Cloves  (whole)  Allspice,  and  a  dozen 
blades  of  Mace.  Let  these  boil  in  tlie  vinegar 
ti\e  minutes,  and  then  pour  over  the  Cucumbers 
wliile  it  is  scalding  hot  Protect  them  from  the 
air  by  having  the  stone  ,iar  full,  .so  that  putting 
on  the  cover  will  run  it  over,  the  same  as  sealing 
canned  fruit.  The  third  day  they  should  be 
taken  out,  and  the  vinegar  again  scalded  and 
poured  over  them  the  same  as  before.  Handle 
them  always  with  a  wooden  spoon.  This  process 
should  be  repeated  twice  after  this,  with  an  in- 
terval of  three  days  between.  They  may  taste 
fairly  in  a  month,  but  will  he  far  better  in  three 
months,  and  in  fact  time  treats  them  kindly,  as 
it  does  wine— when  you  have  them  right  to  start 
with. 

1,898.  Bleacbing  Celery.  Of  the  two  methods 
suitable  for  home  garden,  namely  earthing  up, 
and  bleaching  b.v  boards,  I  hardly  know  which 
to  call  the  simpler.  I  am  sure  either  will  answer 
well  enough,  and  no  simpler  or  better  is  known 
to  me.  With  the  few  plpnt-s  in  the  home  garden, 
the  labor  of  "  banking  "  is  not  considerable,  and 
the  job  ean  be  done  at  odd  and  convenient  times. 
Begin  as  early  in  the  season  as  the  plants  are 
large  enough,  in  order  to  have  an  early  supply 
of  good  Celery  to  use.  For  late  fall  use  earth 
up  a  week  or  two  later,  and  use  this  most  delici- 
ous vegetable  freely.  Many  people  have  it  aU 
right  for  use  all  during  the  fall,  but  are  too 
choice  with  it  to  use  all  they  want,  and  then  lose 
a  good  portion  of  it  by  leaving  it  out  too  long. 
Heavy  freeze-ups  usually  come  suddenly,  and 
we  must  be  prepared  tor  them.  When  "a  few 
boards,  ten  or  twelve  inches  wide,  are  at  cora- 
man<l.  the  bleaching  can  be  done  very  easily  by 
encasing  I'ach  row  with  two  lines  of"boards,  to 
be  held  by  little  pegs  or  stakes  driven  into  the 
ground  from  sliding  away  from  the  rows  at  the 
ground,  and  with  strings,  or  slats  nailed  across, 
from  spreading  apart  on  top.  Celery  intended 
for  winter  or  sprmg  use  should  only  be  handled, 
not  bleached  in  the  open  ground.  The  bleaching 
can  be  done  in  winter  storage  in  the  cellar  or 
trench.— G.  K. 


226 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


July, 


<»  -    s     •    »     •     •        »    m-  -■"  -"  -S  V 

EASTERN  SECTION.      »»-gSS^-SoB6fg'g^ 

^%,&p.'o£iaoo.'gSgs      Correspondent. 

New  Hampshire.  ^  ^ 

HockinKham    "  ..  4     4      .       .      4      .       .       .      3      3      .      5     4  .  George  Q.  Dow. 

Maine. 
Curabcrlanrl    County      .33332234.      33333  A.  P.  Reed. 

AndroscoKgin      "        ....3334.443.343      3  3  L.  K.  Abbott. 
Rhode  Island.  ,   ..   „ 

Providence  County  3      3      0     3      2      2      2      3      3      3      4      4      3  3  Joseph  H.  Bowcu 

Canada. 

VVelland        County 3     2. ^      4343. 5      28532  2  E.  Morden. 

Lincoln  "  . .333423333.      43  3  D.  W    Beadle 

Yarmouth        •'  ...  5     4 3.3.43  3  Charles  E.  Brown. 

CENTRAL  SECTION. 
Ohio. 

Belmont       County     ...11140      0      00034      3     3  3  B.  F.  Starliuch 

Belmont  "        1      3      1      3      0      1      1      1      0      3      b      4      3  3  K.  \V.  Rcid. 

Columbia  "        00330000134      31  1  Harry  G.  Wolfifaug-. 

<Mvahoita         '•         2      2      3      3      0      3      2      5      3      3     3      3      2  3  K  H.  Cushman. 

CuyahoKa         "         0     0     2      3      11113      13      3      1  2  M.T.  Thompson. 

FairHcId  "        2     2     0      3     0      2      2     0      13      4      3     3  3  0.  Brandt. 

Franklin  "        112      4      0      112      2      4      4      4      3  2W.  J.  Green. 

Hamilton  •'  ...3213      0      00013421  2  Geo.  W.  Trowbridge. 

Lake  "        0023111234443  3  Ptorrs  &  Harrison  Co. 

Lake  "        0     0      1      3      0      0     0      0     0      5     .5      3      2  4J.  H.  Tryon. 

Lickine  "         12      13011      3      35542  2  A.  M.  Niehol. 

Lucas  "         1114111344442  3  W.  W.  Farnsworth. 

Portage  ■'  ...1113000013331  2  Andrew  Willson. 

Portage  "        1      0      1      3     0     0      0     0     0      3      44      2  3  Frank  Ford. 

Summit  '  2      3351110      134      53  4  M.Crawford. 

Tuscarawas      "        U11OO111033412  Daniel  Wyss. 

Washington      "  1      2      1      4     0      1      1      0      0     3     3     3      1  1  VV.  W.  Rathbone. 

Darke  "       1123132.23353  2  Geo.  Townsend. 

Kentucky.  ,„  , , 

Wai-ren         County  112      51      110     0      555      1  1  A.  D.  Webb. 

Indiana.  ...     ^ 

Delaware     County  3     3     1     2     0     2     2     1  o     5     4     .  1  Granvdle  ( owmg. 

Flovd  "  ...12230110      2444     3  3  .1.  P.  Applegate. 

Hendricks        "         2233022      3  4433  3  Mordecai  Carter. 

Putnam  "        3      3      4      3      2      4     3      0      2      3      5      4      3  2  W.  H.  Ragan. 

Tippecanoe      "        3354133404543  4  J.  Troop. 

La(irangc         "         ....1113223.5453  3  J.  C.  Grossman. 
Illinois. 

Champaign  County  2      243122      1  4434  3  G.  W.  McCluer. 

DuPage  •'        3      .43.  .0.5      553  1  Phil.  Strublcr. 

Hancock  "  33440334345434  A.C.Hammond. 

Kno.\  "        4433023      534534  3  Will.  M.  Kellogg. 

McLean  "        33      5      44      333  5553  4  Sidney  Tuttle  &  Co. 

Madison  "        3     50513345342      3  2  Mrs.  W  A.  Uucknell. 

Marion  "        333513S12      355     2  3  Jennie  Sjiencer. 

Marion  "        3      3     13      11112      3      3      3     3  3  B.  C.  Warfleld. 

Jackson  "  ...331513313      5      533  3  Geo  C.  Hanlord, 

Michigan. 

Berrien         County  133      40     1      10     3      4     4     54  4W.  A.  Smith. 

Clinton  "        331443     3.       .      5433  4  I.  A.  Wooll. 

Kalamazoo       "        33244112      3      2443  3  J.  N.  Stearns. 

V'an  Buren       "         2334013113333  1  George  C.  Lawton 

Van  Buren       "        34553     2     33455535  T.  T.  Lyon. 

Lenawee  "        11131113333232  Peter  Coller, 

Wisconsin. 

Dane  County  3     3  3..       .2.3353  3  E.  S.  Goff. 

Outagamie       "        4433.333.5      55      4  3  W.  D.  Boynton. 

Rock  "        3335      .       .      -3      .      55544  Geo.  J.  Kellogg. 

Walworth         "  .3333.112.3344  4  F.  K.  Phoenix. 

SOUTHERN  SECTION. 
Alabama. 

Madison       County  1203011     (I      .212.  -  Virgil  Wilson. 

Florida. 

Manatee       County 30.440.2     5  .  Reasoner  Bros. 

St.  John  ••       0     0.      .      1      .       .      1     3      -      .  W.  C.  Steele. 

Georgia. 

Fulton  County 00121001132200J  J.  Toon. 

Macon  •'        2      1      1      5      1      1      1      (I      1      2      2      2      .       -  Samuel  H    Rumph. 

Richmond         "         ..        1      1      .      2      0      1      1      0      0     3      4      3      .       .  P.  J-  Beiokmans. 
Carroll  "  .    0      1      3      3      1      0      1      0      1      3      1      3      .       .  R.  N.  Moody. 

North  Carolina. 

McDowell     County 0      11410      0      114      5     2.       .  Chas.  C.  Liudlcy. 

South  Carolina. 

Chester         County  11131111      .353.  .  H.A.Green. 

Texas. 

Washington    County     .00.2000000330  0  William  Watson. 

Grayson  "  1      1      0      5      1      0     0      1      3      3      2      3      0  0  S.  V.  Munson. 

Tennessee. 

Gilson  County 1113311      o     0333.      3  C.  M.  Mervin. 

Virginia. 
Accomack    County  .23131220033311  McMath  Bros. 

Norfolk  "  0      1      0      2      0      0      0     0     0     2      4      3      .  1  G.  F.  B.  Leighton. 

WESTERN  SECTION 
Arkansas. 

White  County  1      1       .      5      0     0      0      0      0      2      2     3  -  Jacob  C.  Cauer. 

Pulaski  "         3      3      0      3      1      0      0      1     0     3      4      30      OW.  K.  Tipton. 

Nebraska 

Nemaha       County  4      3      4      3      0      3      3      1      0      5      5      5      1  3  Robt.  F.  Furnas. 

Jefferson  "  ...332203334533  4  G.  J.  Carpenter. 

Kansas. 

Douglas        County  4.      34      433      32      35      53      3  G.  C,  Rrackett, 

Lawrence  " B.F.Smith. 

Lawrence  "         3333123333553      2  A.  W.  firiesa. 

Leavenworth  "        5      4      3      3      1      3      4      5      2      5      5      5      4  5  J.  Stayman. 

Lawrence         ':        3      13.      .      2     2      .      2     4      5      1      1  B.  F.  Smith, 

Missouri. 

Jackson        County  3      34      41      1      2      1      3      53      52      4  L.  A.  Gooiiman. 

Greene  "        3     32511122454      3      4  D.  S.  Holmaii. 

Jasper  "        3323      1220      1344     3      3  Z.  T.  Russell. 

Jefferson  "        12231110.343.      3  T.  W.  (iuy. 

McDonald         "        4      434333125534      3  Mrs.  Lora  S.  LaMance. 

Miller  "        2      334132     2     2342      3      4  H.  J.  Shepherd. 

Montgomery    "        1135112105542  5  Samuel  Miller. 

St.  Louis  "        3      3     2      4      1      1      10      2      4      4      3      .       .  M.  K.  Murtfeldt. 

Vernon  "  ...4325123104563      3  Jacob  Faith. 

Minnesota. 
Blue  Earth  County  .11      .      4      .  .      2      .      3      3     3     3      4  J.  H   Vandervort. 

Grant  "         ...  1      3     3  ...      4     .      5     4     4     5     3  S.  Frogner. 

Hennepin  "        4      5.4  .4.5444      3  S.  D.  Hillman. 

Houston  "        4      3      0      3      .  .      3  5      5      2      2      2  John  S.  Harris. 

California. 

Contra  "        3      3     2     5      3     3      3     3      4      3      4      3      3  0  Dr  Strentzel. 

Sonoma  "         3     3     4     4     2     3     3     4     4      3     4     3     4      4  1).  B.  Weir. 

Iowa. 

Scott  County  3     3     4     3     0      0      0      3     U      5     5     3     3      3  Mrs.  M    R  Waggoner. 

Jackson  "        4      3      4      2  1  4      4      5     2      3  D.  A.  Fletcher. 


l,'Mr>.  Fall  Planting  of  Trees,  etc.  Trees  and 
shrubs  may  be  planted  in  autumn  from  the  time 
the  leaves  begin  to  mature  until  the  ground 
freezes  up  solid.  We  always  prefer  to  plant 
n'ii>iciTi;ibly  curly,  to  give  the  trees  and  their 
rcpnt>  ii  chance  to  read.iust  themselves,  and  get 
tirnil\  established  in  their  new  quarters.— G.  T. 

l.HS:!.  Asparagns  Beda.  With  good  treatment 
in  the  way  of  food,  clean  cultivation,  and  mod- 
eration in  cutting,  a  bed  may  outlast  a  genera- 
tion. There  is  really  no  telling  how  long  it 
might  continue  in  first-class  condition.  If  ill- 
used,  however,  a  plantation,  after  ten  or  twelve 
years  of  cutting,  is  liable  to  show  signs  of  weak- 
ness, when  it  should  be  discarded.— (i.  T. 

l,!)l(>.  Cnrled  Leaf  of  Peach.  This  is  a  distinct 
disease,  probably  of  a  fungus  character,  and 
develops  usually  after  a  cold  spell  following  a 
jieriod  of  warm  weather  and  rapid  growth.  The 
remedy  must  be  of  a  preventive  nature,  consists 
in  good  feeding,  especially  with  potash,  annual 
pruning  or  heading  back,  and  thorough  cultiva- 
tion. Severe  attacks  of  the  disease  are  always  a 
great  injury  to  the  vitality  of  the  tree  and 
sometimes  even  prove  fatal. 

1,1115.  Slugs  in  the  Garden.  Try  heavy  appli- 
cati<ni  of  air-shicked  lime,orhunt  themiscreants 
up  in  the  night  by  lantern  light  gathering  them 
in  a  dish  containing  a  little  salt  or  kerosene.— G.T 

l.iKio.     Cultivating    Young    Orchards-     The 

usual  practice  is  to  discontinue  cultivation  along 
in  July,  in  order  to  avoid  late  growth  that  may 
not  have  time  to  mature  and  harden  sulficiently 
to  endure  the  winter's  cold.  This  cpiestion,  how- 
ever, depends  somewhat  on  the  season  itself. 
Thcfr  is  such  a  thing  as  young  wood  ripening 
too  early.  So  if  the  season  has  lieen  ver.v  dry, 
and  the  growth  rather  slow,  it  maybe  well  to 
continue  cultivation  into  August,  especially  with 
Peaches.— G.  T. 

l,nio.  Grafting  Herbaceous  Growths.  Cauli- 
flower, Cabbage,  Tomato,  Potato,  and  similar 
plants  can  be  grafted  upon  plants  of  the  same 
genus  unite  successfully,  if  the  operation  is  per- 
formed with  care  and  skill.  The  American  Agri- 
culturist tells  of  the  common  Cucumber  grafted 
on  the  wild  vines  of  the  same  family.  "Cucum- 
bers may  be  grown  on  a  high  trellis,"  says  our 
contemporary, "  or  around  the  upper  story 
windows  of  any  building  by  training  one  of  the 
wild  Cucumber  vines— either  Sicyos  angulattis, 
the  single-seeded  or  Star  Cucumber  vine,  or  the 
LV/M»n<'//.str.s,  or  wiUl  Balsam  .\pple— either  of 
which  grows  .50  or  W)  feet  in  a  single  season  up  to 
the  desired  height.  This  is  done  by  sowing  Cu- 
cumber seed  of  any  of  the  garden  varieties  in 
a  flower  pot,  and  when  the  plant  is  six  or  eight 
inches  high  joining  it  to  one  of  these  wild  vines 
when  it  has  reached  the  desired  height.  Merel.v 
scraping  the  bark  of  each,  and  tying  theiu  firmly 
together  with  any  soft  material  is  sufficient. 
They  will  unite  in  about  ten  or  twelve  days, 
or  sooner,  and  produce  fruits  at  a  height  to 
which  the  garden  could  never  attain."  The 
same  journal  also  states  that  this  knowledge  of 
grafting  annuals  may  be  utilized  and  made  pro- 
litable,  cspeciully  when  the  Potato  is  forced  to 
ripi'ii  seed  b.\-  <'ngrafting  or  inarching  on  the 
Tomato,  but  our  own  experience  in  grafting  the 
Potato  on  Tomat<)  stock  for  the  same  purpose  is 
not  ver.v  encouraging.  With  all  the  pains  and 
precautions  we  could  not  produce  a  healty  union 
between  stock  and  graft,  and  in  order  to  keep 
the  latter  i  Potato )  alive,  we  had  to  keep  it 
banked  up  with  earth  above  the  union.  The 
Potato  graft  then  attempted  to  set  tubers  at  its 
lower  end,  at  the  junction,  but  failed  to  mature 
its  seed  balls.  Altogether  we  think  that  herba- 
ceons  grafting,  except  in  moist  atmosphere  and 
under  glass,  is  quite  a  delicate  ojieration  — G.  T. 

1,907.  Soaking  Seed  before  Planting.  This 
was  formerly  much  practised  and  recommended 
by  writers,  especially  for  Unions,  Carrots  and  all 
seeds  of  root  crops.  We  know  better  now.  If 
the  ground  is  the  least  bit  moist,  well-prepared 
and  freshly  stirred,  and  the  seed  well  firmed, 
soaking  the  seed  of  common  garden  vegetables 
before  planting  is  usually  unnecessary  inconve- 
nient, and  often  even  hurtful  proceeding.  We 
do  not  practice  it  any  more,  nor  recommend  it. 


Condition  of  Fruit  Crops. 
On  pages  2'Z'i  and  32t)  this  issue,  is  to  be 
found  our  annual  report  on  the  condition 
of  triiit  crops  as  it  appears  at  this  date,  .June 
•20th.  We  again  express  onr  thanks  to  our 
kind  corre.spondents  who  have  so  promptly 
replied  to  our  inquiries.  A  computation 
shows  the  average  yield  of  each  kind  of  fruit 
for  the  whole  country  to  be  about  as  fol- 
lows, 3  denoting  an  average  crop: 

.\pples,  early l.ii    Plums 1.6 

Apples,  late 1.0    Quinces l.B 

cherries 20    Raspberries .  3.5 

friapes 34     Blackberries 4.0 

Peaches 10    Strawberries 3.2 

Pears,  early 1.4    Currants 3tt 

Pears.late 1.4    Gooseberries 27 


1890. 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


Ill 


The  Yellow-Striped   Cucumber 
Beetle. 

The  tendency  of  this  troublesome  enemy 
to  Cucumber,  Melon,  Squash  and  Pumpkin 
vines,  to  get  down  to  hard  work  as  soon  as  it 
makes  its  appearance,  and  to  meet  the  tender 
little  plants  half  way,  often  before  they  are 
really  out  of  the  ground,  is  one  of  the  most 
annoying  obstacles  to  success  in  that  partic- 
ular line,  which  the  gardener  has  to  face. 
Whole  plantations,  often  of  acres  in  extent, 
showing  thrift  and  promising  well  one  day, 
are  sometimes  almost  ruined  the  next. 

The  adult  stage,  however,  is  not  the  only 
one  in  which  this  Insect  does  mischief.  Our 


illnstration  shows  the  larval  stage,  in  which 
it  is  also  injurious  to  members  of  the  same 
class  of  plants. 

It  hatches  from  the  egg  laid  by  the  female 
beetle  on  the  stem  of  the  plant  near  the 
ground,  and  at  once  digs  into  the  stem,  and 
begins  its  existence  of  gnawing.  When  full- 
grown,  it  is  about  four-tenths  of  an  inch 
long,  slender,  but  little  thicker  than  an  (or- 
dinary pin,  of  a  whitish  color,  with  a  sm.iU, 
brownish  head,  and  the  end  of  the  body 
suddenly  truncated.  There  are  two  or  three 
broods  during  tlie  year. 

The  destructive  work  of  the  larva  is 
usually  done  when  we  least  suspect  it.  Sud- 
denly a  vine,  apparently  in  perfect  health 
and  thrift,  begins  to  wilt  and  dies,  and  the 
larva  may  be  found  in  or  near  the  stem,  the 
surlace  of  which  is  rough  and  corrugated, 
showing  the  fatal  bite  of  the  insect. 

The  surest  way  of  protecting  plants  while 
young  against  the  adult  beetle,  is  by  me- 
chanical barriers,  such  as  boxes,  netting,  etc. ; 
but  it  is  much  more  difficult  to  guard  them 
against  the  attacks  of  the  larva  at  a  later 
stage.  Possibly  the  remedy  found  etfica- 
cious  against  the  Cabbage  maggot— namely, 
soaking  the  roots  with  lime  water,  made  by 
slackinga  peck  of  lime  in 'id  gallons  of  water, 
or  weak  liquid  manure,  maybe  found  useful 
against  the  insects  infesting  the  roots  of 
Cucubitacefe  also,  and  deserves  a  cautious 
but  thorough  trial. 


Raising  Coleuses  from  Seeds. 

The  last  spring,  1  planted  a  package  of 
mi.\ed  hybrid  Coleus seeds  in  a  warm  seed 
bed,  and  succeeded  in  getting  a  growth 
from  almost  every  seed,  I  imagine,  and  then 
such  a  brilliant  variety  of  colors,  and  such 
a  divergence  from  all  that  I  had  ever  before 
seen  of  the  Coleus  family. 

I  matured  two  hundred  and  fifty  plants, 
about  two  hundred  of  which,  however,  are 
discarded  as  not  being  sufficiently  distinct 
to  deserve  survival. 

But  the  fifty  were,  and  are  jewels,  for  I 
have  them  yet,  and  propose  to  keep  them  as 
long  as  possible.  We  wintered  most  of 
them  in  our  sitting-room  window,  where 
they  were  things  of  beauty,  as  well  as  of 
utility.  An  even  temperature  is  what  they 
must  have  to  thrive  in,  a  room  heated  by 
hard  coal  securing  that  to  perfection.  But 
a  less  high  temperature  will  serve  their  pur- 
pose, and  at  the  same  time  be  healthier  for 
the  human  occupants  of  the  room. 

I  sowed  the  seed  in  a  five  inch  pot,  in 
sifted  soil  of  loam  and  sand,  with  deep 
drainage ;  and  to  secure  indemnity  against 


damping  off  when  the  time  for  feeding  the 
plants  should  arrive,  1  resorted  to  the  origi- 
nal .scheme  of  inserting  a  shallow  tube  in 
the  centre  of  the  pot,  into  which  to  pour  the 
moisture.  It  worked  like  a  charm.  Certain 
it  is,  I  lost  no  plants  that  showed  themselves 
above  the  surface  of  the  soil.  I  placed  the 
pot  on  bottom  heat  in  a  snuill  greenhouse 
which  I  have  the  satisfaction  of  possessing, 
covered  it  with  a  pane  of  glass,  and  in  due 
time  the  young  brilliants  appeared. 

My  success  with  them  after  they  came  up, 
which  is  indeed  the  critical  time  with  seed- 
lings, is  due  mainly  to  the  irrigating  scheme 
above  mentioned.  By  means  of  it,  I  kept 
the  roots  of  the  plants  moist  without  endan- 
gering the  stalks,  and  that  brought  them 
safely  through  until  they  were  big  enough 
to  care  for  themselves,  so  to  speak. 

Among  the  survived  fittest,  is  one  that  is 
the  especial  admiration  of  all  beholders,  be- 
cause it  is  altogether  unique ;  colors  staid, 
though  manifold  ;  leaves  fringed  or  rutfied, 
and  large  ;  in  the  summer  dark:  in  the  win- 
ter like  leaves  of  autumn.  It  is  "beautiful 
as  a  buttertly,"  anyhow,  and  its  exclnsive- 
ness  does  not  detract  from  its  beauty. 

By  all  means  try  raising  seedlings.  It  is  a 
pastime  full  of  surprise,  and  comparatively 
free  from  failures,  especially  if  you  adopt 
my  plan,  on  which,  I  will  condescendingly 
add,  there  is  noembargo.  — V.  M.  in  Garden- 
ing Illu.strated. 


Received  at  This  Office. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Bulletin  of  the  Massachusetts  State  Agricultural 
Experiment  Station  for  Mav.  Analyses  of  Commercial 
Fertlllzcr-s;  O  .\.OiiessnKinu.  lilrector,  Amlicrst.  .Mjiss.  4. 

Special  Knlletln  ..f  the  Bureau. .f  Animal  liclu-trv, 
U.  S.  Department  of  .iKricuIlure.  Proceedings  i.f  tlie 
Interstate  Convention  of  Cattlemen.    1U2. 

Report  of  the  Statistician  Xo.  ?3,  Department  of 
Agriculture.  On  the  Condition  of  Winter  Uraln  :  Prvi 
gress  of  Cotton  Planting, and  Wages  of  Farm  Lalxjr.  52. 

Repiirts  from  the  Cimsuls  of  the  United  StaU'S  for 
March  ls',jo,  issued  hy  the  Bureau  of  Statistics,  Depart- 
ment State.  Washington.    l!r.i. 

Extract  from  the  Journal  of  Mycology,  issued  by  the 
Section  of  Vegetable  Pathology ;  on  the  Treatment  of 
Plant  Di.seases.    'M. 

Experiment  Station  Record.  Vol.  1,  No.  3,  issued  by 
the  office  nf  Exiicriment  Stat  Inns.  U.  S.  Department  of 
Agriculture;  W  .  tt.  Atwaler.  Ijirector.     58. 

Insect  Life,  Vol.  II.  No.  Ill,  Issued  by  the  Division  of 
Entomology,  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture.    4S. 

Bulletin  II.  of  the  Missouri  Agricultural  Experiment 
Station,  on  Texas  fever;  Edward  D.  Potter,  Director. 
Columbia.  Mo.    6U. 

Bulletin  Vol.  III.,  No.  3,  of  the  Ohio  Agricultural  Ex- 
periment station,  on  Experiments  with  Com  and  Oats; 
Charles  E.  Thome,  Director.  Columbus,  O.    52. 

Pr<_K'eediugs  of  the  Thlrty-flfth  Annual  Meeting  of 
the  Western  New  Yorlt  Horticultural  Society ;  Chas.  A. 
Green.  Sec'y,  R<>chester,  N.  V.    188. 

Bulletin  7  of  the  Central  Experimental  Farm.  Depart- 
ment ot  .\gricuiture.  Canada,  on  Two-rowed  Barley ; 
Wm.  Saunders,  Director.  Ottawa,  Can.     14. 

Eleventh  Annual  Report  of  the  Secretary  of  State  of 
Michigan,  Lansing;  Relating  to  Farms  ana  Farm  Pro- 
ducts,   i;-*. 

Bulletin  y  of  the  Iowa  Agricultural  Experiment 
Station,  on  Comparative  Value  of  F<jdder  Plants  ;  Milk 
Tests ;  Creameries,  and  the  Plum  Curcuiio  and  Plum 
gauger  ;  R.  P.  Speer,  l>lrector,  Ames,  iiova.    4S. 

Report*  of  the  Officers  of  the  Experimental  Farms 
of  Ontario,  Can.;  Wm.  Saunders,  Director  Ottawa.  1^. 


New   York    Market   Quotations, 

Showing  Tendencies. 

Week  ending    Week  ending 

June  21.  June  7 

Apples— N.  Spy,  West'n  per  bbl  6  00®  7  i«l  6@  7  00 

Russet.  Western,  per  bbl 5  0  ®  6  00  5®  6  OO 

Strawberrles-Up-rlver,  per  qt.       7@     12 

Jersey,  per  quart 4<»     15  8®    12 

Raspberrles.Red— Md.&Del.p.qt      8<g>     12 
Huckleberries— .N.  C,  per  gt. . . .      15®      16 

Blackberries— Small,  per  qt lIKai     12 

Cherries— Large,  sweet  per  lb..      12®     15  150    20 

Sour,  per  lb B®     10  S®    12 

G<x>seberrles— Green,  per  bush.         ®  2  75 

Watermelons-Per  lU) 18  00*27  OO 

Apples— Evaporated,  1889 8-^     U  8®   12 

Evaporated,  1888 7®      SU  mihi 

N.C.,  sliced 5®       6i|  5®  BJu 

Ohio  &  Michigan,  qrs.  bbU. .    4«@       5)^  Hi®  5V. 

Chopped,  18*1,  per  lb 4®  4®  4)4 

Cores  and  Skins,  iss),  per  lb.   tJi®       l^  \%®  2 

Peaches— Del. eVp't'd.  peeledSS    14®     22  11®  22 

Del.,  evap't'd,  unpeeled  88. .       8®     10  8®   lu 

N.  C.  sundrled,  peeled  89  ..        8®     12!^  S®    11 

Southern,  unpeeled 2^®      n  2®     3 

Raspberries— Evap't'd  1889 28®     StI  2*3   :«l 

Sundrled  1889 26®     2<  26®  2s 

Cherrles-lS89,  per  lb 8®     12  8®    12 

Huckleberries— 1839,  per  lb 8®     lu  8®    111 

Blackberries— 1S89,  per  lb 3)4®     il4  3H®4><. 

Plums— State.  1889,  per  lb 5)*®    6  5)^     11 

Southern  Damson,  18S9,n. lb.        5®    5)i  5®  5^ 

Potatoes-Southern,  per  bbl...  2 25®  3 00  a00@2  75 

Southern  seconds,  per  bbl. .    1  00®  1  25  1  00®1  25 

State,  per  bbl 75®I  .in 

Beets-L.  I .,  per  II  (I  bunch 2  00®3  00 

Southern,  per  liw  bunch 1  00®1  .5ii 

Onions— Egpytian  p. 112  Ib.case.    200@25<l  ®2  25 

Bermuda,  per  crate 200®250  ®2l«i 

New  Orleans,  per  bbl 200@4UO  2001^300 


S<|uash—Floriila  Marrow, p. bbl.  ill!           1  25®1  50 

Croi-kneck.  per  crate 25®    50 

Tomaroey— .Miss. per  l-^  bu.case.  2  0il®2  25 

Sav.  and  Chart,  per  crate. .  1  75^2  25 

Florida,  per  Ijush.  crate....  75® I  50           I  50ISI4  im 

Bermuda,  per  box 75(385 

Asparagus— per  doz.  bun 50®1 .50            .5ll®2  OO 

Cucumbers— South,  p.bu.crate.  total  uo            .'ii>®l  50 

Cabbage     Norfnlk.  per  bbl IMCmim           I  OOtSl  75 

Green  I'eas-  :\i;irvlaiul  p.^  bbl.  1  50.<i2  00           1  75®  200 

Wax  Beans    s,,utlicru  p.  ><;  bbl  124wl5ll 

Per  liushcl  .rate 1  0U®2  25 

String  Beans— Norfolk.p.H  bbl,  1  00 

Southern,  per  crate 7S®150 


Weak 
and  Weary 

In  early  summer  the  wanner  weather  Is  ea- 
pcfially  weakeuIUK  ami  enervating,  and  that  tired 
feellnK  prevails  everywhere.  The  great  benefit 
which  ppupie  at  this  season  derive  from  Hood's 
sarrtaparilia  proves  that  this  medicine  "makes 
the  Weak  strong."  It  does  not  act  like  a  stimu- 
lant, imparting  fictitious  strength,  but  Hood's  Sar- 
saparllla  builds  up  lu  a  perfectly  natural  way  all 
the  wt'akent-d  parts,  and  purlites  the  blood. 

Hood's 

Sarsaparilla 

Sold  by  all  druggists.  $1;  six  for  $5,    Prepared  only 

by  C.  I.  HOOD  &  CO.,  Lowell,  Mass. 

100  Doses  One  Dollar 


PROTECTED  INDUSTRY 


Mfiih^.— Come  in  out  of  tbc  snow.  You'U  get 
your  death  of  cold  from  wet  IllI. 

<"/../i/'-'i(, —Blot her.  our  Bhoes  can't  get  wet;  you 
forget  that  we  bavo 

Woiff'sAGMEBIacking 

on  them,  and  water  can't  go  through. 


nil  PI  nTHQ  are  eipensWe  and  wear  out,  but  » 
UIL  \^LU  I  no  ji^j.  ^ijica  can  be  washed  clean 
.vithout  the  labor  of  ecrubbing  is  such  a  luxury.  We 
.vill  tell  you  how  an  outlay  of  SI.l>0  will  obtain  itt 
ind  still  thu  floor  won't  look  painted.     Use 


IK-EION 


T'/fV  /T*', 


A    ^AINT     THAT    I 
CAN        S££      THRC 

WOLFF  &  RANDOLPH,  Philadelphia. 
Ath  in  Drufj,  Pnint  and  Bovre  Ftirnithing  Stores. 


^^y.  gEAUTIFUL.LASriNG&CHEAR 


l» 
M 


^5J-/0R  ORNAMENTAL  8c  FRUIT  TREES 

JJtEELPlCKET  FLOWER  GUARDS 

'  FpR^FLOWERS,SHRUBS,R0SE  BUSHES.SMftLLFRWTSSf 

^"^^^JUSTTHETHINC  FOR  LAWN  OR  GARDEN. 

'i^'      UCHT^  GRACEFUL  t/y APPEARANCE.. 
'  .  f^R  SHADE,  y^LlOWS  Cl/lT/V/rriOH  \ 

'    WfLU  f^TffAf^BOR  //^SECrSTQft^AMENT/KL.       I 
LAST  A   L/F£    r/A4E. 
LL  DOUBLE  Y/EUi  (^FLOWEf^S  OR  FRUIT. 
..^„„o.«*'i-  YOUA  OEALER  SAMFV.E  ORDER  OR  WfUTEU^ 
^SEND  2*  STAMP  ROR  HORACE  ILLUSTRATED  CArALOCiX: 

OFouR SfeciALT/Es.H/\RTMAN  MFC.  CO 


IV 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


July, 


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American  Rural  flonie,  to SO 

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Atlantic  Monthly,  m S.60 

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Frank  Leshe's  Budget,  m 1.90 

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1  50 
1. 00 
l.EO 
t.OO 
.EO 
2.00 
1.6" 
1.60 
4.10 
2-6'i 
1  no 
3  00 


l.EO 
3.00 
1.76 
2.10 
;  00 
2.E0 

1  10 

2  Do 
1  (10 


2.26 
3. CO 


2-00  Godey's  Ladv's  Book,  m 1.75 

2.50  Good  Housekeeping,  6- to 2. CO 

l."0  Gleanings  in  Bee  t.'nlture,  s.  m 96 

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4. CO  Hariier'8  Weekly,  l«: 3.30 

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3  00  Independent.  The,  t»  2.00 

1.00  Indiana  Farmer,  to  95 

l.to  Journal  of  Agriculture,  w.  neic  ■    90 

1.(0  Kansas  Farmer,  ttt 90 

3.00  Liiipincott'8  Magazine,  m 2.60 

6. CO  Ijfc.to 3.90 

1.00  Ijulies' Home  Journal,  m 85 

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l.fo  Oi-ange  Co  Farmer,  tr 1.35 

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2.00  Peterson's  Magazine,  m 1.50 

1.26  Poultry  Monthly,  m 86 

1.26  Poultry  World,  tn 86 

1.60  Phrenological  Journal,  m 1.10 

3.00  Pulilic  Opinion,  to  new* 2.E0 

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1.00  Practical  Farmer,  l« 88 

5  00  Puck, 1(1 3.86 

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3.00  St  Nicholas,  m 2.70 

l.to  Southern  Cultivator,  tn l.CO 

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1,00  The  National  Magazine 76 

3.00  TheNation 2.80 

1.00  The  Post."  : 86 

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1  80 
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POPULAR    GARDENING 

AND  FRUIT  GROWING. 

■'ACCUSE   NOT  NATURE,   SHE   HATH  DONE   HER   PART:    D(l    THOU    BUT   THINE." -MuJTOtl. 


Vol.  V. 


T^Xra-TJST,    X89  0. 


No.  1  1. 


The  Corn  Is  standing  In  golden  rows, 

The  gardens  are  rich  In  things  Ui  eat ; 
Melons  are  ripe,  and  eaeh  man  Ituows 

Abundance  is  spreading  at  his  feet. 

Luscious  and  mellow  and  passing  sweet. 
The  sky  above  Is  stiU  most  blue. 

And  the  sun  glares  down  the  live-long  day; 
But  work  all  done  and  labor  through. 

We  well  can  sleep  the  night  away  ; 
For  breezes  rise  at  set  of  sun. 

To  cool  the  earth  and  revive  the  flowers  : 
As  the  evening  veil  above  is  hung. 

We  watch  the  stars  from  this  world  of  ours. 

And  smile  at  the  pleasant  August  hours. 

—Ladies'  Home  Journal. 


On   to   Boston.    American  florists'   meeting 
August  Iflth  to  32d. 


The  Late  Patrick  Barry. 

In  our  last  number  we  have  already  given 
the  sad  intelligence  of  the  death  of  Mr. 
Patrick  Barry,  which  occurred  at  his  beau- 
tiful garden  home,  Mount  Hope,  an  attrac- 
tive suburb  of  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  June  23d. 

Mr.  Barry  was  born  near  Belfast,  Ireland, 
in  1816,  and  came  to  New  York  at  the  age  of 
30,  taking  a  position  at  Prince's  Linnaian 
nurseries,  at  Flushing,  L.  I.,  where  he  re- 
mained four  years.  In  1840  he  formed  a 
partnership  with  Mr.  George  Ellwanger, 
and  established  the  Mount  Hope  Nurseries 
at  Rochester,  which  soon  became  famous 
and  grew  to  extraordinary  dimensions.    As 


High  Prices  will  certainly  prevail 
both  for  green  and  dried  fruits. 


A  German  Ivy  cover.s  a  bare, 
sunny  window  of  our  liome  with  a 
perfect  mass  of  lovely  light-green 
leaves.  Nothing  could  be  finer.— GT. 


Pears  in  Niagara  County.  About 
the  only  exception  to  the  tree-fruit 
crop  being  almost  a  failure  in  the 
vicinity  of  La  Salle  is  Bartlett  Pears, 
which  are  nearly  a  full  crop. 


This  is  Good  News.  According  to 
a  Delaware  correspondent  Kose-bugs 
did  not  appear  in  that  region  in  such 
large  numlXTS  as  in  former  years,  and 
Grape  vines  so  far  have  in  that  re- 
gion escaped  with  comparatively  lit- 
tle injury. 


This  Year's  New  Yorlt  State  Fair 
takes  place  at  Syracuse,  from  Sep- 
tember 11  to  18.  An  unusually  in- 
teresting e.vhibit  is  e.\pected  in  all 
departments,  among  which  the  dis- 
play of  horticultural  products,  in 
all  lines  will  be  a  chief  one. 


Tjsefol  Birds.  An  English  gar- 
dener reports  that  a  number  of 
birds -the  titmouse  or  blackcap, 
were  industriously  feeding  on  the 
larvic  of  the  Celery  fly  with  which 
his  plants  were  infested. 

The  Tomato  in  the  estimation  of 
the  chemists  of  the  Maryland  Experi- 
ment station,  cannot  be  valued  as  a 
nutritious  food.  Its  value  depends 
on  its  capacity  to  gratify  the  senses 
of  sight,  taste  and  smell,  to  promote 
appetite,  aid  digestion,  and  in  other  ways  con- 
tribute to  health  and  pleasure. 

A  Tobacco  Transplanter.  A  machine  which 
it  is  claimed  will  plant  Tobacco,  Cabbage  and  To- 
mato plants  "  faster  than  ten  men  can  do  it  by 
hand,"  is  the  latest  wonder  in  agricultural  labor- 
saving  devices.  It  is  announced  from  Louisville, 
Ky.  We  can  not  answer  for  the  correctness 
of  the  inventor's  claims. 

Good  Grapes  cannot  be  improved  by  cooking, 
fermentation,  nor  by  any  other  manipulation. 
To  enjoy  them  as  a  dessert  fruit  is  the  best  use 
we  can  make  of  them.  But  when  more  are  pro- 
duced than  can  be  utilized  in  this  way,  by  all 
means  let  the  juice  be  extracted,  fieely  used, 
and  put  on  sale  everywhere,  while  unfermented. 
The  fresh  juice  of  the  Grape  makes  a  palatable 
beverage,  which  even  has  medicinal  properties, 
and  if  freely  and  cheaply  ofi'ered,  would  greatly 
aid  the  cause  of  temperance,  and  be  a  blessing 
to  the  whole  nation. 


THE  LATE   PATRICK  RBARY. 

pomologist,  nurseryman,  and  author,  Mr. 
Barry  has  achieved  a  world-wide  reputation. 
Thomas  Meehan  says  of  him  :  "  In  fruit-cul- 
ture especially,  Mr.  Barry's  services  stand 
pre-eminent.  He  had  long  been  known  as 
an  effective  careful  writer  in  different 
periodicals,  when  in  18.Vi  his  first  great  work 
"Barry's  Fruit  Garden"  appeared.  This 
was  so  popular  that  another  edition  was 
Issued  in  18S.5.  His  greatest  work,  however, 
is  probably  the  catalogue  of  the  American 
Pomological  Society,  the  preparation  of 
which,  as  chairman  to  the  committee,  has 
been  chiefly  his  work.  This  is  the  great 
guide  for  American  fruit  culturists,  and  has 
long  been  the  admiration  of  the  world." 

In  1847  Mr.  Barry  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Harriet  Huestis  of  Richfield,  Otsego 
County,  N.  Y.  The  union  was  blessed  with 
eight  children,  six  sons  and  two  daughters. 


His  wife,  one  daughter  and  three  sons  sur- 
vive him.  Of  the  latter,  William  C.  Barry 
is  best  known  to  our  readers,  and  among 
horticulturists  generally,  having  won 
name  and  fame  as  a  pomologist  and  nursery- 
man. 

No  better  and  truer  characterization  could 
be  given  of  Mr.  Barry  than  that  contained 
in  the  following  extract  from  the  Rochester 
Post  Express : 

"  Mr.  Barry  was  a  man  of  exceptionally 
strong  character.  The  slightest  contact 
with  him  elicited  some  manifestation  of 
personal  power.  He  was  straightforward 
in  his  methods ;  honorable  in  his  purposes  ; 
and  of  an  integrity  that  would 
not  tolerate  even  the  suspicion  of 
indiscretion.  In  private  affairs 
and  in  public  affairs  he  was  a 
stern,  aggressive  personality 
whose  influence  went  always  for 
what  was  honest,  genuine,  and 
true ;  and  in  his  loss  the  com- 
munity loses  not  simply  an  indi- 
vidual life  but  a  moral  one." 

"  He  was  successful  In  accu- 
mulating a  large  fortune;  but  he 
prospered  on  the  prosperity  of 
others — on  the  improvement  of 
land  in  aU  parts  of  the  country. 
He  made  himself  wealthy ;  but 
he  left  the  world  far  wealthier 
through  his  labors." 

We  point  to  his  life  and  pros- 
perity as  a  shining  example  of  the 
success,  financial  and  otherwise, 
to  be  achieved  through  integrity 
above  even  the  suspicion  of  in- 
discretion. Scorning  every  form 
of  trickery  in  the  trade  as  in  pri- 
vate life,  he  was  everywhere  re- 
garded as  the  type  of  the  reliable 
nurseryman.  Mr.  Barry  held 
many  positions  of  trust  in  the 
business  world.  In  Rochester,  N. 
Y.,  his  home,  he  was  identified 
with  nearly  every  leading  project 
for  the  advancement  of  the  city's 
interests.  For  more  than  thirty 
years  Mr.  Barry  has  been  presi- 
dent of  the  Western  New  York 
Horticultural  Society.  No  man 
was  more  highly  esteemed.  Great 
personal  power,  commanding 
form  and  bearing,  quick  wit, 
cool  and  correct  judgment,  and  a  certain 
amount  of  conservatism,  which  only  ren- 
dered his  leadership  all  the  more  safe,  were 
his  to  a  remarkable  degree,  and  made  him 
a  presiding  officer  of  horticultural  meetings 
the  better  of  whom  we  have  never  seen. 
The  Western  New  York  Horticultural 
Society  is  largely  indebted  to  him  for  its 
prominent  position  among  sister  societies. 


Hints  on  Camellia  Culture. 

For  greenhouse  decoration  no  plant  that 
will  flower  in  an  equally  low  temperature 
can  at  all  compare  in  desirable  qualities 
with  the  Camellia.  In  every  respect,  with 
the  single  exception  of  scent,  it  is  the  equal 
of  the  Rose,  while  in  its  ability  to  thrive  in 
a  low  temperature,  in  the  beauty  of  the 
plant  with  its  heavy,  dark,  glossy  foliage, 
in  its  freedom  from  insects,  and  in  the  dvira- 


22o 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


August, 


ANNA  FOREST. 


ARNOLD'S   PRIDE. 


bility  of  the  bloom,  It  excels  even  the  Queen 
of  Flowers. 

The  Camellia  is  so  hardy  that  it  will  live 
In  the  open  air  in  many  parts  of  the  South- 
em  States  and  in  England.  In  cultivation 
under  glass,  it  will  in  a  dormant  state  live 
and  thrive  in  any  temperature  above  the 
freezing  point,  and  will  take  little  or  no 
hurt  it  suljjected  to  three  or  four  degrees  of 
frost.  The  plants  will  bloom  freely  in  a 
temperature  of  40°,  though  4.5°  suits  them 
better. 

As  a  rule  healthy  Camellias  produce 
enough  tliritty  young  shoots  every  year  to 
require  no  cutting  back.  If,  however,  there 
be  a  lack  of  'these,  or  it  is  desirable  to  im- 
prove the  form  of  the  plant,  there  need  be 
no  hesitation  about  cutting  it  back,  for  few 
plants  will  bear  the  knife  better  than  the 
Camellia.  The  moment,  or  even  l^efore  the 
late  blooms  fade,  is  the  time  for  pruning. 

Few  young  leaves  or  shoots  are  more 
tender  and  easily  burned  by  the  sun 
than  those  the  Camelial;  scorching  not 
only  disfigures  the  foliage,  but  also  hinders 
the  formation  of  fine  growth  and  the  de- 
velopment of  flower  buds.  It  is  of  the 
utmost  importance,  therefore,  that  during 
the  growth  of  the  tender  leaves  and  young 
shoots  in  their  first  stages,  the  plants  should 
be  shaded  from  direct  sunshine. 

During  the  season  of  growth  the  atmos- 
phere should  be  kept  moist  by  the  surface 
sprinkling  of  the  greenhouse  walks,  stages 
and  walls,  and  the  plants  themselves  should 
be  lightly  syringed  at  least  twice  a  day.  If 
the  drainage  of  the  plants  is  good  it  is  hardly 
possible  to  overwater  them  during  this 
period  of  wood-making.  The  atmosphere 
may  range  from  50°  to  (a°  during  most  of 
this  time. 


As  the  flower  buds  appear  in  sight,  indi- 
cating that  the  new  wood  is  hardening,  the 
temperature  may  be  allowed  to  become 
lower  again,  say  in  the  forties  at  night.  The 
plants  now  can  hardly  have  too  free  a  cir- 
culation of  air  about  them.  A  close  and 
arid  atmosphere  is  one  of  the  causes  of  that 
greatest  trouble  with  inexperienced  Camel- 
lia growers,  namely,  dropping  of  the  flower 
buds. 

Another  frequent  cause  of  buds  dropping 
arises  from  either  too  little  or  too  much 
water  at  the  roots  during  the  bud  period  in 
summer.  Seeing  so  many  buds  expanding 
the  grower  too  often  rushes  to  the  conclu- 
sion that  a  good  deal  of  water  must  be  used 
to  fill  them  to  bursting.  On  the  other  hand 
a  Camellia  may  suffer  tortures  from  dryness 
at  the  root,  suflBcient  to  cause  every  bud  to 
drop— not  immediately  but  before  bloom— 
and  yet  not  show  it  by  the  leaves  shriveling 
as  they  would  in  a  Rose  or  Geranium. 
Camellia  leaves  never  wilt,  hence  thus 
never  indicate  suffering  from  dryness. 

It  is  wise  to  attend  the  thinning  of  the 
buds  when  they  have  developed  to  a  moder- 
ate size,  for  many  varieties — notably  that 
most  useful  of  all  varieties  the  Double  White 
—will  often  set  out  and  swell  five  or  ten 
times  more  buds  than  it  ought  to  be  allowed 
to  carry.  Nothing  is  gained,  but  a  good 
deal  is  lost  by  allowing  so  many  flower  I>uds 
to  be  formed  or  partially  developed.  In 
thinning  the  buds  it  is  important  to  allow 
some  buds  of  all  sizes  to  remain  for  the  pur- 
pose of  extending  the  flowering  over  the 
longest  time  possible. 

The  best  place  for  Camellias  during  the 
summer  is  in  a  greenhouse  rendered  cool  by 
obscuring  the  glass  with  some  kind  of  white 
shade,  giving  a  free  circulation  of  air  and 


wetting  down  the  floors  benches  and  wa  lis 
a  number  of  times  daily. 

Some  difference  ot  opinion  exists  as  to  the 
best  time  of  repotting  Camellias.  In  the 
writer's  opinion  this  is  just  before  the  plants 
start  into  fresh  growth.  Under  rather  than 
over  potting  suits  the  plants  best.  Perfect 
drainage  is  one  of  the  essentials.  As  to  soil, 
a  good  loam  with  some  gritty  sand  and  fer- 
tilizing matter,  either  old  rotten  manure  or 
crushed  bone,  suits  the  plants  well.  When 
good  peat  is  available  it  is  a  capital  ingredi- 
ent to  add. 

Under  good  cultivation  the  Camellia  is 
one  of  the  cleanest  of  plants,  but  should  it 
ever  be  allowed  to  become  infested  with 
bark  scab  it  is  diflScult  to  get  rid  of  it.  When 
making  their  young  growth  mealy  bugs  and 
aphis  occasionally  visit  the  young  plants. 
But  the  leaves  once  formed  and  about  half 
matured  are  too  hard  and  leathery  for  such 
insects,  while  they  will  bear  scale  being 
rubbed  off  them  with  impunity.  Really 
well  grown  Camellias  a  rule,  are  wholly 
free  from  insect  pests,  and  their  clean,  dark, 
glossy  leaves  are  only  of  secondary  beauty 
to  their  brilliant,  exquisitely  formed  and 
many  colored  flowers. 


Notes  from   the   Popular   Gardenlngr 

Grounds  at  La  Salle-on-the- 

Niagara. 

The  Strawbebhies.  A  warm  and  wet  winter 
which  had  been  qmte  hard  on  some  of  our  var- 
ieties, killing  every  plant  in  some  instances  by 
heaving  where  the  stand  was  thin,  and  badly 
damaging  and  weakening  some  others,  so  that 
we  were  deprived  of  the  chance  of  watching  the 
perfect  development  of  <iuitc  a  number  of  varie- 
ties, both  old  and  new,  was  followed  by  a  spring 
with  plenty  of  water,  and  just  right  to  bring  out 


BRIGHT   IDEA. 


ITASCA. 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


229 


the  t-rtip  t>n  ix'iniiiiiin^'-  plants  to  best  mh  antiigo. 
Oiir  report,  owins  lo  the  injury  iU>no  by  the 
causers  named,  may  iH>t  lio  full  justice  to  some 
varieties,  Init  on  the  whole  we  found  o\ir  oliscr- 
vutions  eonllrmed  in  a  thorough  examination  of 
the  lartcer  Strawberry  Hclds  in  our  immediate 
vicinity,  embracing  in  one  instance  a  large  test 
lot  containing  forty  or  more  varieties  in  the  best 
state  of  cultivation  and  preservation.  The 
growers  in  our  neijrhborhood,  we  nii>flit  add, 
must  be  greatly  satislied  with  the  outcome  of  the 
season,  for  they,  still  more  than  iu  some  former 
years,  have  found  "money  in  Strawberies,"  as 
the  crop,  on  the  whole,  was  a  full  average  one, 
if  not  above,  and  the  prices  realized  from  it 
averaged  probably  close  to,  if  not  fully  ten  cents 
jK'r  ijiuirt. 

The  following  notes  were  taken  during  the 
height  of  the  season,  and  at  different  Wsits  to  the 
patches  before  and  after.  The  illustrations  on 
pages  -2f<,  ~i9.  230  and  251,  representing  average 
berries  and  clusters  of  berries  as  picked  by  us, 
in  exactlytheir  natural  size. 

AbPiNE  Bush.  The  varieties  of  this  character 
are  interesting  on 
account  of  their 
crinkled  foliage, the 
peculiar  high  flavor 
of  their  small  fruits 
and  their  ever-beai'- 
ing  character,  the 
fruit  being  prod- 
uced more  or  less 
throughout  the  sea- 
son. 

Anna  Forest. 
Foliage  large  and 
healthy;  fruit  of 
largest  size,  reason- 
ably regular,  sweet, 
rich,  pleasant;  rath- 
er late,  and  holding 
its  size  well  to  end 
of  season.  Plant  a 
free  runner,  appar- 
eutl.v  productive. 
Fruit  moderately 
firm,  coloring  up 
somewhat  1  i  ke 
Sharpless;  altogeth- 
er a  promising  vari- 
et.v  for  this  locality. 

Arnold's  Pride. 
Plants  large  with 
strong  healthy  foli- 
age; fruit  large  to 
largest;  not  of  high 
quality,  hardly 

moderately  firm. 
Early  to  medium 
and  productive. 

Atlaxtic.  Foli- 
age detective;  fruit 
somewhat  acid.  Only 
a  moderate  bearer. 

Belmoxt.  Plant 
has  weak,  yellowish 
foliage,  and  does 
not  promise  much  for  this  locality. 

BoMBA.  Foliage  sickly,  dwarfish;  fruit  me- 
dium to  large,  of  fair  quality  and  only  moder- 
ately firm. 

Black  Defiance.  Foliage  somewhat  spotted; 
fruit  of  dark  cohir,  glossy,  medium  to  large, 
sweet  and  pleasant.  A  moderate  bearer,  early 
to  medium. 

Bright  Idea.  Only  a  moderate  grower,  but 
having  dark,  still  foliage;  fruit  medium  to  large 
in  size;  moderately  firm,  of  good  quality,  appar- 
ently productive. 

Burt.  A  free  runner  and  fairly  productive. 
Fruit  large,  regular,  sweet.  Whether  identical 
with  Captain  Jack  or  not  we  cannot  say. 

Boone  (Danieli.  In  this  we  have  remarkably 
fine  foliage,  with  dark  color  of  leaf  and  strong 
growth.  It  produces  runners  quite  freely,  and 
gives  fruit  of  largest  size,  carried  way  up  from 
the  ground;  quite  even,  moderately  firm.  Medi- 
um to  late. 

BuBACH.  While  foliage  is  all  any  one  could 
wish  for, both  in  thrift  and  health,  this  variety, 
remarkable  for  the  size  of  its  fruit,  certainly  has 
greatly  disappointed  us  in  its  quantity.  Our 
plants  were  nf)t  even  moderatel.v  productive. 
Fruit  enormously  large  and  showy,  sweet,  but 
not  of  high  quality,  and  decidedly  soft. 

("henet  (Col.  Cheney).  Foliage  weak  and  dis- 
eased: fruit  large,  of  good  qualitj',  produced  in 
moderate  quantity.     This  variety  does  not  now 


seem  to  possess  the  vigor  and  \itality  we  found 
in  it  fifteen  years  ago. 

Cinderella.  Foliage  dwarfish;  fruit  medium 
size,  dark  color,  rich  and  pleasant  flavor;  moder- 
ately firm.    A  moderate  bearer. 

Cloud.  Produces  a  perfect  cloud  of  plants, 
with  plenty  of  foliage  and  little  fruit,  and  that 
<iuite  acid. 

Cornelia.    Plants  badly  winter  killed. 

I  H  vstal  City.  .\s  we  have  it,  it  is  apparently 
a  wild  berry  in  fruit  and  foliage. 

Cumberland  (Triumph).  Take  it  all  in  all 
this  is  a  handsome  variety,  of  strong  vigorous 
growth;  fine  color  of  foliage,  giving  large  ber- 
ries, although  not  in  great  quantity,  of  high 
llavoi  and  quite  firm.  Especially  desirable  for 
garden  culture. 

Duchess.  Fruit  in  shape,  size  and  flavor  re- 
sembles the  old  Chas.  Downing. 

Duncan.  Has  vigorous,  dark-colored,  healthy 
foliage,  and  jiroduces  runners  freely.  Fruit 
large  to  very  large,  carried  well  up  on  strong 
stalks;  verj'  regular,  moderately  firm,  sweet  and 
good.     Only  a  moderate  bearer. 


CLUSTER 


TH=    HAVERLAND  STRAWBERRY    AS  SKETCHED  ON  OUR  GROUNDS. 


Dutter.  Our  plants  appear  too  near  like 
Sharpless  in  fruit  and  foliage  to  be  easily  distin- 
guished from  it. 

Early  Canada.  A  free  runner  with  good 
foliage,  producing  a  moderate  quantity  of  firm 
berries  of  fair  quality. 

Emerald.  Foliage  spotted.  Fruit  large,  late, 
quite  irregular  and  by  no  means  attractive.  Nor 
productive  either. 

Eureka.  Plants  mostly  winter-killed.  Fruit 
large,  late,  irregular,  very  Arm,  foliage  much 
inclined  to  rust. 

Gandy.  (Gandy's  Prize)  Not  very  productive 
here.  Foliage  good;  fruit  moderately  firm, 
of  good  quality,  very  late. 

Great  Americ.\n.  Leaves  slightly  inclined  to 
rust,  berry  firm,  of  large  size  and  good  quality. 
There  are  some  fine  specimens,  but  not  many  of 
them  Medium  to  late.  Probably  suited  only 
for  good  garden  culture. 

Garibaldi.  Not  much  plant  or  fruit.  Ap- 
pears to  lack  vigor. 

Garretsos.    Entirely  unpromising. 

Glendale.  Foliage  unhealthy,  spotted,  un- 
productive; fruit  sour  and  firm. 

Gypsy.  This  seems  to  go  all  to  runners.  No 
fruit,  and  foliage  poor  and  badly  rusted. 

Golden  Defi.\nce.  Good  foliage,  but  a  shy 
bearer.  Fruit  large,  of  rich  flavor,  firm  and  very 
late.  Some  of  the  finest  fruit  is  produced  after 
most  other  sorts  have  done  fruiting. 


I1.\mi*i>e.n.  Foliage  terribly  poor  and  diseased, 
but  sets  fruit  abundantly,  which  cannot  all  be 
brought  to  perfection.     Very  late. 

Haverlani).  a  berry  to  grow  enthusiastic 
over,  when  one  sees  the  fine  fruit  that  entirely 
covers  the  ground  from  beginning  to  the  very 
end  of  the  season.  Originator  and  introducer 
may  well  be  proud  of  it.  It  is  enormous  in 
foliage,  enormous  in  number  of  runners,  enor- 
mous in  quantity  of  fruit.  Fruit  large  to  very 
large,  somewhat  of  the  soft  order,  of  good  but 
not  high  quality.  Decidedly  a  berry  for  the 
home  grower  and  near  market.  Probably  not 
suited  to  long  distance  shipment.  Color  rather 
light  As  a  bearer  nothing  else  on  our  grounds 
equals  it.  It  gives  large  fruit  to  the  end  of 
season.     Altogether  worth  planting. 

Indiana.  Medium  to  late  in  season;  not  very 
productive.  Foliage  large  and  strong;  fruit  of 
medium  size,  and  high  fiavor;  sweet;  holding  out 
well  to  end  of  season. 

Itasca.  Foliage  fair;  slightly  inclined  to  rust. 
A  free  runner  forming  wide  matted  rows.  Fruit 
sweet  and  of  good  flavor,  but  very  irregular^ 
with  many  ill-form- 
ed, ridged  and  fur- 
rowed specimens. 
Some  fine  fruit  was 
found  on  it  to  the 
end  of  the  season, 
but  foliage  seemed 
to  be  giving  out. 

IVANHOE.  Fruit 
large  throughout, 
firm,  of  fair  not  high 
quality;  foliage 

large   and    healthy. 
Productive  and 

promising. 

Jersey  Queen. 
Little  foliage.  A 
dwarf  grower  and 
shy  bearer.  Fruit 
late  and  large. 

Jessie.  Foliage 
showing  signs  of 
rust;  produces  run- 
ners freely.  Fruit 
pleasant  and  sweet, 
but  not  of  high  qual- 
ity: large,  somewhat 
inclined  to  irregu- 
larity; many  speci- 
mens singularly  fur- 
rowed or  crinkled, 
in  some  cases  to  the 
extent  of  absolute 
ugliness.  Quite  firm, 
and  single  berries 
very  large.  The 
fruit  comes  large  to 
end  of  season.  Sea- 
son medium.  It 
would  not  rank 
among  the  first  for 
market  here. 

Jewell.  Its  great, 
est  fault  with  us  is 
that  it  produces 
hardly  any  runners.  Foliage  rather 
poor,  but  fruit  abundant;  large  to  very  large, 
quite  firm  and  of  good  quality. 

JucuNDA.  Plants  considerably  winter-killed. 
Berry  large,  late,  sweet  and  rich. 

Livingston.  Foliage  dwarfish  and  inclined  to 
spot;  berry  long  and  soft,  much  sun-scalded; 
medium  in  size. 

Logan.  Foliage  disappoints  us  greatly  this 
season,  as  it  was  remarkabl.v  thrifty  a  year  ago. 
Plant  prolific;  fruit  medium  to  large:  inclined 
to  irregularity;  resembling  Jessie  in  this  respect; 
flavor  second  rate. 

Lady  Rusk.  Another  season's  trial  will  be 
needed  to  pass  Judgment  u  pon  this. 

Long  John.  We  have  been  more  comfortably 
impressed  with  this  berry  than  ever.  Its  dark- 
colored,  robust  foliage  seems  to  be  disease  proof, 
and  in  this  respect  it  is  hardly  equalled  by  any- 
other  variety  we  know  of.  Whenever  we  have 
seen  it  under  good  cultivation,  it  equals  Haver- 
land  in  quantity  of  fruit,  and  in  the  desirable 
feature  of  giving  good  sized  fruit  to  the  end  of 
the  season.  The  berr.v  is  not  as  good  a  long  dis- 
tance shipper  as  Wilson.  Of  darker  color,  glossy, 
somewhat  elongated  and  quife  regular,  with  the 
exception  that  the  first  berry  on  each  fruit  stalk 
grows  double,  which  is  an  undesirable  charac- 
teristic of  the  variety.  It  is  a  pity  that  this  var- 
iety was  not  given  a  more  euphonious  name,  and 
introduced  years  ago  with  the  ;same  push  that 


232 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


August, 


has  Riven  many  other  less  deserving  varieties  a 
short  period  of  popularity. 

LONOFELLOw.  This  needs  further  trial  on  our 
grounds. 

Lower.  A  rank  grower  and  moderate  bearer; 
berries  medium  to  very  large;  moderately  flrra; 
holding  their  size  well  to  end  of  season.  Foliage 
inclined  to  rust. 
Monarch  of  the  West.  Badly  winter-killed. 
Monmouth.  Perhaps  the  dwarfest  grower  in 
the  lot,  but  setting  fruit  freely.  Berry,  medium 
in  size,  and  comes  early. 

Mav  Kino.  We  could  not  recognize  in  this 
the  same  variety  we  have  seen  in  New  Jersey, 
where  the  fruit  is  early  and  borne  well  up  among 
the  foliage.  A  dwarf  grower;  fruit  soft,  of 
medium  size.    Productive. 

Manchester.  Foliage  not  extra  thrifty,  but 
holds  out  well.  Fruit  medium  sized;  soft  to  very 
soft.  Productive,  but  probably  not  wanted  for 
market  here. 

New  Dominion.  Mod- 
erately productive;  me- 
dium to  late  in  season; 
rather  soft  and  sour; 
plants  rather  dwarf;  not 
of  much  promise. 

NiCANOR.  Foliage 

dwarfish  and  badly  spot- 
ted;_fruit  small,  firm,  of 
high  quality,  but  not 
much  of  it  in  (luantity. 

Parry.  A  shy  bearer, 
of  soft  light  colored  fruit. 
Not  of  great  promise  for 
this  locality. 

Pearl.  Badly  winter- 
killed. Fruit  somewhat 
soft. 

Pineapple.  A  strong 
plant,  but  a  shy  bearer. 
Fruit  of  good  (luality. 

Piper.  This  has  the 
flavor  and  appearance 
and  growth  of  an  en- 
larged wild  berry,  but  is 
a  shy  bearer.  People  who 
are  longing  for  the  old 
wild  Strawberry  may 
have  it  in  the  Piper. 

Phelps  (Old  Ironclad). 
Foliage  rusty  ;  not  much 
fruit;  early. 

Summit.  Badly  winter- 
killed. 

Seneca  Queen.  Badly 
winter-killed. 

Triumph  de  Gand. 
Plants  badly  winter- 
killed, and  not  giving  a 
fair  show. 

ViCK.  Foliage  healthy; 
fruit  firm  as  an  Apple : 
otherwise  the  less  said 
about  it  the  better  for  it. 
Warfield  (No.  3.) 
A  wonderfully  strong 
grower,  and  free  pro- 
ducer of  plants.  Enor- 
mously productive;  fruit 
medium     to     large     in 

size,  holding  out  well  to  end  of  season.  Seems 
to  exceed  Wilson  in  firmness.  Quality  approach- 
ing Wilson,  leas  seedy,  of  rich  dark  color.  Hard- 
ly a  blemish  found  on  the  specimens,  regular  in 
size  and  shape.  This  seems  to  be  our  most 
promising  berry  for  long  distance  shipment. 

Woodruff.  A  shy  producer  of  irregular 
berries.    Not  promising. 

Windsor  (Chief).  Has  remarkably  healthy 
foliage,  and  produces  runners  freely.  Fruit 
fairly  abundant,  of  medium  size,  fair  quality, 
inclined  to  tart. 

Wilson.  This,  though  last,  is  by  no  means  the 
least  in  the  list,  and  if  we  leave  the  decision  with 
the  cook  we  are  apt  to  hear  the  reply,  "  give  us 
the  Wilson."  The  fact  is  that  this  variety  is  yet 
one  of  the  most  reliable  for  market,  and  perhaps 
the  most  popular,  without  exception,  with  buy- 
ers. The  growers  in  this  vicinity  plant  Wilson 
almost  exclusively,  and  whether  the  introduction 
of  more  recent  varieties  will  work  a  revolution 
in  this  respect,  remains  yet  to  be  seen.  The 
Wilson  when  in  its  prime  and  well-grown  is  a 
firm,  well-colored,  well-shaped  berry,  but  it  has 
serious  objections,  foremost  among  them,  the 
inclination  to  run  out  after  the  first  picking.  It 
sets  more  fruit  in  proportion  to  its  foliage 
than  any  other  variety  we  know  of,  but  only  a 
small  part  of  this  reaches  a  respectable  size.    It 


soon  dwindles  down  both  in  fruit  and  foliage. 
The  latter  here  is  usually  inclined  to  rust,  and 
gives  out  early.  The  berry  is  decidedly  seedy, 
and  has  a  characteristic  tartness  of  its  own. 


COMMENTS  BY    READERS 

A  flrpartuu'nt  to  which  all  are  invited  to  seyttl  notes 
of  experience  and  observation  concerning  topics  that 
recently  have  been  treated  on  in  this  Journal,  many 
such  contributions  monthly  are  welcome. 

Fruit  Prospects  in  Illinois.  Our  Grape 
crop  shows  up  very  favorably.  Moore's  Dia- 
mond has  stood  unprotected,  yet  wintered  well, 
even  on  wet  soil.  It  is  my  best  grower,  and  a 
profuse  bearer.  The  fruit  last  year  kept  six 
weeks  in  nice  condition  on  ray  tables  in  office. 
I  have  500  bearing  vines  of  Diamond,  and  wish 
my  30,000  bearing  vines  were  all  "Diamonds." 
Cherry  crop  is  immense.  We  are  picking  now 
Early  Richmonds.    I  have  3,000  trees  of  them  in 


CLUSTER  OF  BUB*CH   (No.    5)  STRAWBERRY  AS  SKETCHED  ON   OUR  GROUNDS. 

bearing.  Kieffer  Pear  and  Meech  Quince  well 
set.  Apples  small  crop.  Industry  Gooseberry, 
Lucretia  Dewberry  and  all  sorts  ftf  Currants  are 
bearing  immensely.  Strawberries  only  %  crop. 
I  have  over  10,000  Roses  now  in  full  bloom,  and 
.lust  as  many  Peonies.— />r.  H  Schroedcr,McLean 
('(>.  Tllirw'ti. 

The  Fruit  Report.  The  Apple,  Pear,  Peach, 
Plum  and  Cherry  crops  prove  to  be  an  entire 
failure  this  year.  We  had  a  full  crop  of  Straw- 
berries. Hlackberries,  and  Grapes  also  full  crop. 
Currants  and  Gooseberries  only  one  quarter 
crop.  I  have  lately  traveled  40  miles  from  here, 
and  never  saw  a  Pestchor  Apple.— J.Luther  B(nv- 
ers,  Fairfax  Co.,  Va . 

Planting  Evergreens  in  August.  Mr. 
Hoopes,  good  authority,  is  more  firmly  convinced 
than  ever  that  for  transplanting  Evergreens 
August  is  really  the  better  season  than  spring. 
We  should  hear  in  mind,  however,  he  says,  that 
removal  during  the  heat  of  summer  is  conducive 
to  rapid  evaporation,  and  caution  must  be  ob- 
served to  provide  an  abundance  of  moisture, 
not  only  over  the  roots,  but  over  the  entire  top. 
For  this  reason  choose  a  dull,  cloudy  day  for  the 
work,  and  if  a  light,  drizzling  rain  be  falling  all 
the  better.  A  great  point  gained  in  summer 
transplanting  is  the  formation  of  new  roots  in  I 
the  fresh  soil,  thus  enabling  the  tree  to  endure 


the  winter.  The  Piue  family,  as  a  rule,  are 
among  the  most  diflScult  subjects  to  transplant 
properly  and  the  next,  perhaps  is  the  Fir.  This  is 
owing  mainly  to  the  character  of  the  roots, 
which  in  the  former  at  least  generally  have  few 
fibres.  On  the  other  hand,  the  Arbor-vitje  and 
Yew  are  removed  quite  readily  on  account  of 
the  numerous  small  roots. 

No  Peaches  in  Delaware.    The  Peach  crop 
was  destroyed  by  the  frosts  of  March  and  April. 
The  same  frosts  destroyed  nearly  all  the  Apples 
and  Pears.    So  far  as  I  have  seen  there  are  few 
Cherries.  While  the  Strawberry  crop  was  less  than 
an  average,  it  has  been  more  profitable  than 
some  years  when  there  was  a  much  larger  crop. 
The  Rose  beetle  has  been  destructive  to  Grapes 
for  three  years  past,  in  some  parts  of  this  penin- 
sula, by  eating  the  blossoms  or  very  young  fruit. 
No  effective  remedy  has  yet  been  found.    But 
black  rot  has  destroyed  the  Grapes  where  the 
Rose  beetle  has  not.   The  Bordeaux  mixture  has 
proved  only  a  partial  and 
very  unsatisfactory  rem- 
edy. It  sticks  to  the  fruit, 
making  it  unsalable  but 
can  be  removed  by  water 
acidulated  with  vinegar. 
The     Peach     yellows    is 
making    some    progress, 
and  growei-s  are  not  yet 
fully  alive  to  the  neces- 
sity of   digging  out  the 
trees  as  soon  as  they  are 
affected.    This  seems  the 
only   way   to  prevent  it 
from    spreading.     There 
is  as  yet  no  cure  known 
here,  and  no  preventive, 
except  it  be  digging  out 
the  diseased  trees.     Pear 
leaf-blight  has  been  more 
injurious   of   late    years 
than  Pear  blight.     Last 
year  it  defoliated  many 
orchards  and    prevented 
the  proper  maturing  of 
the  wood.  The  Bordeaux 
mixture  is  a  satisfactory 
remedy.—  Wesley     Webh, 
Kent  Co.,  Del. 

Condition  of  Frdit 
Crop  in  Mo.  Apples 
around  here  a  half  crop. 
Pears  not  ten  per  cent, 
of  a  crop.  Peaches  very 
few  and  they  'are  drop- 
ping prematurely.  Rasp- 
berries, a  full  crop. 
Blackberries  also  extra 
fine.  Plums  none  except 
the  Golden  Beauty  which 
has  a  fair  crop  on  sound 
trees.  Should  the  weather 
continue  ten  days  longer 
a.s  (ivy  and  hot  as  it  has 
been  the  last  two  weeks 
(and  it  looks  gloomy)  the 
Strawberrybcds  will  bum 
up,  and  the  Apples  will 
dry  on  the  trees.  A  hard 
.season  on  the  fruit  growers  around  here  — 
.S.  Miller,  Mimtgnmery  Co.,  Mn. 

Amaryllis  Johnsonii.  The  small  bulb  which 
grows  with  each  blossom  stalk  will  bloom  the 
second  or  third  year  after  removal.  If  desired 
for  summer  blooming,  put  in  autumn  in  a  light 
cellar  until  spring,  then  bring  it  up  to  light>ind 
heat,  and  water  profusely.  The  best  soil  for 
summer  blooming  is  rich  loam  and  peat,  or 
swamp-muck— they  revel  in  this.  .Still  ani>ther 
way  is  to  keep  them  growing  all  summer;  they 
are  left  in  the  pots  and  set  on  the  ground  in  a 
somewhat  shady  place ;  repot  once  in  five  years, 
but  each  spring  and  fall  dig  out  some  of  the 
earth  and  put  in  fresh  soil;  black  velvety,  swamp 
muck  is  the  best  if  you  can  get  it.  For  this 
method  of  treatment  from  four  to  five  or  six 
bulbs  can  be  planted  in  one  large  pot,  and  each 
plant  will  give  about  four  blossoms  each  sea- 
son.—Horterwe  Share. 

Managing  the  Cucumber  Beetle.  "Pickle 
Eater"  says  he  will  plant  away  out  in  the  fields 
where  the  beetles  will  not  find  the  plants.  The 
best  way  is  to  plant  near  the  house,  and  watch 
the  vines  closely.  Last  season  I  raised  13.')  dozen 
large  pickles  on  a  plot  3()  feet  scpiare,  which  had 
been  planted  in  Cucumbers  for  the  last  30  years. 
The  beetles  were  plenty.  I  put  a  pint  of  kerosene 
into  a  vessel  and  stirred  about  three  tablespoon- 


i 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


231 


fuls  of  Pine  tar  into  the  kerosene  until  part  ot  it 
dissolved.  Little  pieces  of  old  woolen  rag  carpet 
were  dipped  into  the  kerosene  and  laid  on  the 
ground  among  the  plants,  but  not  to  touch  them. 
The  balance  of  the  tar  that  did  not  dissolve  I  put 
in  little  bits  on  small  flat  stones  placing  them  at 
the  corners  and  middle  of  the  patch.  This  drove 
and  kept  the  beetles  away.  When  the  plants 
need  boeing  pick  up  the  rags,  and  put  them  into 
a  fresh  mi.vture  of  tar  and  kerosene,  then  weed 
and  hoe  the  patch  clean  and  place  the  rags  back 
again.  Three  applications  this  last  seasos  proved 
sufficient.— 3ii.<.<i  M.  McLean,  Pa. 

Le  Co.nte  Pear  Again.  It  is  for  this  region 
that  I  advise  planters  to  avoid  it.  Six  years  ago 
I  set  eleven  trees  (budded  on  French  Pear  stock) 
and  purchased  at  §10  (lO  the  dozen.  At  flrst  they 
grew  beautifully  and  strong  so  that  I  had  already 
counted  on  the  nice  Pears  that  would  be  gathered 
from  them.  I  also  set  grafts  of  them  on  Garber 
and  Bartlett  trees  so  as  to  get  fruit  soon.  The 
grafts  bore  fruit,  but  with  the  most  skillful 
management  I  could  not  get  them  to  be  good. 
They  would  soften  at  the  core  while  hard  and 
immature  outside.  Then  blight  set  in,  and  one 
graft  after  another  withered,  and  had  to  be  cut 
off.  I  also  blame  it  for  causing  a  blighted  limb 
on  my  pet  Garber  tree,  the  only  instance  of  the 
kind  on  this  variety.  Of  the  eleven  trees 
grafted  afterwards  with  Idaho,  four  have  gone 
down,  and  some  of  the  others  are  going.  The 
knife  is  used  as  fast  as  blight  makes  its  appear- 
ance, and  it  is  possible  that  thej'  will  all  go. 
This  is  doubly  discouraging,  as  the  trees  as  well 
as  the  grafts  that  were  valuable  at  the  time  set, 
are  all  as  good  as  lost.  It  was  well  that  I  grafted 
Idaho  on  other  trees  which  are  now  fresh  and 
sound  so  that  we  may  soon  see  the  fruit.  I  dare 
not  even  set  buds  or  grafts  from  these  LeConte 
trees  as  there  may  be  blood  poisoning  in  them. 
While  the  trunk  and  limbs  of  the  LeConte  got 
black  and  dying,  the  Idaho  grafts  on  top  kept 
fresh  and  green  until  the  sap  was  dried  out  of 
the  tree.  The  claim  that  when  grown  on  their 
own  roots  they  wiil  not  blight,  will  not  do,  for  a 
friend  of  mind  planted  a  lot  of  such  from  head- 


JESSIE. 

quarters,  that  have  blighted  the  worst  kind. 
Out  of  about  twenty,  I  don't  think  one  remains 
now.  I  was  in  hopes  that  it  would  be  a  good 
stock  to  work  other  varieties  on,  and  suggested 
to  some  men  in  the  .south  to  grow  it  extensively 
from  cuttings  as  they  can  do  it  down  there,  but 
now  I  would  not  recommend  it  even  for  that 
purpose.  Here  I  have  failed  to  grow  it  from 
cuttings  although  I  tried  it  repeatedly.  Even  in 
the  south  it  may  be  planted  too  extensively  for 
shipping  north,  as  I  have  from  a  commission 
house  in  St.  Louis  a  report  that  they  get  soft 
inside  at  times  before  ripe,  and  are  then  worth- 
less. What  the  nurserymen  will  do  with  the 
thousands  of  LeConte  Pear  trees  on  hand,  is 
none  of  my  business,  but  I  would  not  take  them 
to  plant  if  offered  to  me  free.  The  time  may 
not  be  far  when  some  men  will  thank  me  for 
this  timely  caution.  If  the  tree  did  not  blight,  it 
would  be  worth  growing  for  its  beauty,  even  if  it 
did  not  bear  fruit  at  all.  The  Garber  Pear  is  an 
established  affair,  and  is  in  my  opinion  among 
the  most  valuable  for  general  purposes.  The 
Idaho,  I  think,  is  the  coming  Pear,  if  it  succeeds 
in  a  wide  range.  It  is  of  large  size,  tieautiful  in 
appearance  while  the  quality  is  of  the  highest 
order.    Scarcely  any  core  orseeds.— ^.  JiiUer. 


Birds  Injuring  Grapes, 

Birds  sometimes  injure  Grapes  quite 
seriously.  There  can  be  no  (ioitbt  about  it; 
and  in  their  defense  we  have  always  claimed 
that  they  are  entitled  to  a  great  deal  of  in- 
dulgence on  account  of  the  good  they  do  in 
destroying  noxious  insects.  Bnt  the  ques- 
tion is  by  no  means  settled  in  how  far  the 
various  species  of  birds  are  responsible  for 
damage  done  to  Grapes. 

Prof.  Lantz  of  the  Kansas  Experiment 
Station  has  recently  made  efforts  to  get  at 
the  truth  of  this  matter.  Having  always 
been  a  most  ardent  advocate  of  bird  protec- 
tion, he  says,  "I  have  been  especially  anxious 
to  discover  whether  this  injury  to  the  Grapes 


LOWER. 

can  be  traced  to  any  particular  species  o 
birds,  or  whether  many  species  puncttire 
them.  I  have  sought  this  information  from 
many  Grape  growers,  but  the  testimony  re- 
ceived has  been  of  such  a  contradictory 
character,  mingled  with  so  much  of  conjec- 
ture by  the  observers,  that  it  has  been  en- 
tirely insutficient  to  establish  the  guilt  of  a 
single  species  of  birds.  When  I  have  asked 
whether  the  persons  actually  saw  a  bird 
puncture  the  Grapes,  they  have  usually  ad- 
mitted that  the  blame  was  attached  to  the 
species  because  it  was  seen  in  the  vineyard, 
but  that  they  themselves  did  not  see  the 
damage  inflicted. 

"  Some  are  positive  that  the  oriole  does  the 
mischief:  others  think  that  it  is  the  English 
sparrow:  and  thtis  through  the  list  of  our 
most  common  birds;  while  not  a  few  insist 
that  the  injury  is  due  to  the  stinging  of  bees 
and  wasps,  and  not  to  the  birds  at  all.  These 
last  would  not  be  very  trustworthy  observers 
to  establish  the  identity  of  the  real  marauder. 

"There  can  be  no  possible  question  but  that 
the  injury  is  done  by  birds.  It  may  be  done 
by  many,  a  few,  or  even  by  a  single  kind  of 
birds.  If  but  one  or  two  species  are  re- 
sponsible for  the  damage,  it  would  be  of  ad- 
vantage to  know  it;  especially  if,  as  some 
suspect,  the  English  sparrow  is  the  principal 
thief.  There  is  some  color  to  the  claim  that 
this  species  is  mainly  responsible  for  the 
damage,  from  the  fact  that  the  injurj'  is 
greatest  near  oiu-  cities  and  villages.  My 
own  observations  seem  to  show  that  the 
injtiry  is  mostly  done  very  early  in  the  morn- 
ing. The  birds  puncture  the  Grapes  to 
obtain  the  cool  juices  lying  under  the  skin, 
and  they  are  excellent  judges  of  the  flavor 
of  the  different  varieties  and  of  the  ripeness 
of  any  kind.     It  is  my  purpose  to  gather 


MONMOUTH. 


232 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


August,"  j 


some  data  on  the  subject  of  the  injury  to 
small  fruits  by  birds.  I  doubt,  however, 
whether  such  investigations  will  change 
my  present  opinion  as  to  the  usefulness  of  a 
single  species  of  birds. 


Vegetables  Almost  Unknown  in 
American  Home  Gardens. 

There  are  a  number  of  vegetables  very 
popular  in  Europe,  and  there  found  In 
almost  every  garden,  yet  of  which  the 
average  American  home-gardener  knows 
nothing,  perhaps  not  even  the  name.  Among 
them  we  have  the  Globe  Artichoke,  C'ar- 
doon,  Fetticus,  Celeriac,  Chicoi-y,  Sea  Kale, 
Endive,  not  to  .speak  of  the  many  aromatic 
herbs,  like  Borage,  Coriander,  Anise,  Dill, 
and  many  others.  Globe  Artichokes  are 
started  from  seed  in  early  spring  and 
thinned  sufficiently  to  allow  room  for  full 
development.  The  spring  following  the 
plants  are  set  in  the  permanent  bed,  three 
feet  apart  each  way.  They  will  yield  but 
little  the  first  season.  The  plantation  with 
proper  treatment  lasts  a  number  of  years, 
although  it  would  be  better  to  renew  it  fre- 
quently. A  covering  of  coarse  litter  should 
be  given  for  the  winter,  as  the  plants  are 
not  entirely  hardy.  The  flower  heads  are 
the  edible  part.  They  begin  to  be  produced 
in  June,  and  should  be  gathered  before 
they  open. 

Cardoon  is  easily  grown  from  seed.  Sow 
thinly  in  rows  three  feet  apart,  and  thin  to 
18  inches  apart  between  the  plants.  With 
ordinary  cultivation,  writes  a  Jerseyman  to 
Garden  and  Forest,  the  leaves  can  be  tied 
up  by  the  latter  part  of  August,  to  promote 
a  perpendicular  growth,  and  then  they 
should  be  earthed  like  Celery.  The  plants 
can  be  preserved  for  winter  by  trenching  as 
for  Celery,  and  they  make  fine  flavoring  for 
soups  and  salads. 

Endive  is  extensively  grown  by  German 
cultivators,  but  is  rarely  seen  in  the  garden 
of  amateurs.  The  seeds  may  be  sown  any 
time  before  July  l.'Jth,  and  the  plants  should 
be  transplanted  into  beds  about  one  foot 
apart  each  way.  The  simplest  way  of  bleach- 
ing them  is  to  set  boards  along  the  rows 
when  they  are  about  half  grown.  The  curled 
varieties  make  ornamental  garnishing  for 
various  dishes,  and  the  broad-leaved  variety 
is  highly  esteemed  as  a  salad. 

Celeriac  is  started  from  seed,  and  as  soon 
as  of  sufficient  size,  the  plants  should  be  set 
in  rows  eighteen  inches  apart,  with  six 
inches  between  the  plants.  They  require 
slight  earthing  up,  and  by  November  will 
have  formed  bulbs  like  a  small  Turnip, 
which  is  the  edible  part  of  the  plant.  About 
this  time  they  should  be  dug  up,  and  placed 
entire  in  shallow  trenches,  with  but  a  small 
portion  of  the  top  appearing  above  the  sur- 
face, and  over  this  straw  may  be  laid  as  cold 
weather  sets  in.  The  sliced  roots  make  an 
admirable  salad,  and  when  grated  dry,  are 
useful  for  flavoring  the  finest  soups. 

Plants  of  Terragon  should  be  secured  and 
set  in  a  .sheltered  situation.  The  young 
leaves  are  not  only  useful  for  flavoring  in 
cooking,  but  when  placed  in  vinegar  they 
make  a  palatable  and  appetizing  condiment. 

The  blue  flowers  of  Borage  are  not  only 
ornamental,  but  they  are  much  sought  by 
bees  ifor  the  abundant  nectar  they  yield, 
while  the  aromatic  leaves  are  particularly 
valuable  as  flavoring  for  salads,  cooling 
drinks  and  light  wines.  The  seeds  may  be 
sown  in  spring,  and  transplanted  into  rows 
eighteen  inches  apart  and  twelve  inches 
apart  in  the  row. 

Field  Notes  of  a  Horticulturist. 

L.  B,  riERCK,  SUMMIT  CO.,  O. 

The  fruit  grower,  like  the  farmer,  is 
largely  indebted  to  the  season  for  his  suc- 
cess or  failure.  I  am  forcibly  reminded  of 
this  by  the  ease  with  which  I  have  been  en- 


abled to  get  a  perfect  stand  of  Strawberries 
on  a  block  just  planted. 

The  ground  was  plowed  when  it  crumbled 
nicely  and  in  the  only  interval  in  this  very 
wet  spring  when  it  could  have  been  done. 
It  was  borrowed  very  fine,  and  then  planed 
down  with  a  home-made  contrivance  that 
answers  admirably. 

This  consists  of  three  logs  six  inches  in 
diameter  and  seven  feet  in  length,  strung 
upon  two  %  iron  rods  41  inches  long  and 
held  apart  by  wooden  dowels.  The  rods 
are  one  foot  from  either  end,  and  having 
hooks  in  the  front  end  are  connected  with  a 
log  chain  and  the  double  tree  is  hitched  to 
this  so  the  machine  drags  at  an  angle  of 
about  30  or  40  degrees.  Nuts  at  the  back 
end  of  the  rods  make  all  snug. 

The  ground  being  Corn  stubble,  had  many 
places  held  up  loose  by  the  Corn  roots,  and 
going  over  it  with  this  simple  contrivance 
not  only  levels  the  surface,  put  compacts 
the  soil  and  makes  it  of  uniform  solidity. 

We  planted  with  a  line  containing  13  tags 
to  the  rod  and  with  a  brick-mason's  trowel. 
The  young  man  assisting  would  take  a  bas- 
ket of  plants,  drop  the  length  of  the  line 
and  plant  back  until  he  met  me  when  we 
would  shift  the  line  and  commenced  anew. 
We  averaged  a  row  of  2(X)  plants  in  10  min- 
utes and  including  little  hindrances  could 
easily  put  in  over  .500  per  hour. 

I  read  frequently  about  planting  with  a 
spade,  but  never  took  kindly  to  it  as  the 
most  important  part  of  the  work  that  of 


Pierce's  Clod  Ciiisher  and  Plainer. 

properly  placing  the  plants,  falls  to  the  lot 
of  a  small  boy  who  oftener  than  otherwise 
gets  it  either  too  deep  or  too  shallow. 

In  the  present  case  the  warm  open  winter 
had  produced  a  considerable  growth  of 
tufts  of  grass,  and  many  magnificent  Docks, 
and  where  the  sods  or  Docks  came  in  the 
way  we  dug  them  out,  and  replaced  with 
clean  soil.  This  took  a  little  lime  but  pre- 
vious experience  had  learned  me  that  it 
paid  in  the  after-hoeing.  We  were  particu- 
lar to  set  the  line  exact  and  plant  close  to  it 
so  that  we  can  run  a  little  one  horse  harrow 
close  to  the  plants  and  kill  all  the  newly 
sprouted  weed  except  a  line  three  or  four 
inches  wide. 

Just  as  we  got  the  ground  in  shape  it 
commenced  to  rain  and  rained  every  night 
and  occasionally  in  the  day  time.  This 
would  have  made  a  serious  state  of  affairs 
had  the  land  been  clay,  but  being  a  rich 
sandy  loam  in  fine  condition,  it  was  not 
sticky  and  permitted  planting  vei-y  soon 
after  a  shower. 

We  watched  the  weather  closely  and  when 
a  shower  was  apparent  we  fell  to  and  dug 
a  lot  of  plants,  shook  them  out  and  put  un- 
der shelter  to  be  trimmed  when  it  rained. 

Several  mornings  I  got  up  at  daylight 
and  dug  several  hundred  plants  before 
breakfast,  throwing  them  into  piles* of  100 
each  to  be  afterwards  gathered  up  and  car- 
ried to  the  green  house,  where  we  trimmed 
them  in  a  pleasant  atmosphere,  and  out  of 
the  cold  raw  wind  or  frosty  air.  The  result 
of  our  rainy  day  planting  is:  that  of  many 


thousand  scarcely  one  wilted,  and  all  are 
growing  as  if  they  have  never  been  moved. 

Now  these  notes  are  to  impress  upon  be- 
ginners three  things  in  Strawberry  culture, 
1.— the  importance  of  fitting  the  ground 
early  and  thoroughly  y  2.— the  value  of  a 
complete  stand  of  plants  with  no  vacancies; 
and  above  all,  3.— the  proper  trimming  of 
a  plant  for  setting.  Conversing  with  a  friend 
recently  he  remarked,  "  I  don't  spend  much 
time  pulling  off  runners  or  dead  leaves.  I 
just  plant  them  out  just  as  they  are  dug." 
How  many  can  you  plant  in  an  hour  where 
you  to  take  them  from  a  basket  into  which 
they  were  thrown,  I  asked?  "  Oh!  about  7.5 
or  80  I  guess,"  he  replied.  Exactly!  and  I 
can  plant  300  in  an  hour  without  help,  and 
the  difference  is  that  I  have  the  plant  prop- 
erly trimmed.  Some  leaves  curl  down- 
wards and  some  are  dead;  these  I  remove 
so  that  I  get  by  a  glance  a  clean  view  of  the 
plant,  and  know  just  how  deep  to  set  it. 
The  dead  runners  does  not  interfere  with 
planting  but  it  is  strong  and  rots  slowly, 
and  the  chances  are  that  if  left  on  you  will 
catch  hold  of  it  in  weeding  or  hoeing  and 
pull  out  the  plant  after  it  is  nicely  started 
thus  putting  it  back  or  killing  it  outright. 
As  the  plants  are  trimmed  I  keep  them  in 
my  left  hand  until  I  get  a  fist  full  when 
they  are  carefully  placed  in  the  end  of  a 
basket  or  box,  lying  close  together  as  snug 
and  handy  as  a  box  of  tooth-picks. 

This  season  I  got  on  to  a  new  tool  for  dig- 
ging Strawberry  plants.  I  had  a  specimen 
bed  planted  in  April  1S89  with  a  view  to 
keeping  in  hills,  the  plants  being  set  one 
foot  by  two.  Toward  the  close  of  August  it 
became  apparent  that  my  other  plantations 
would  not  furnish  enough  plants  for  this 
spring,  so  it  was  allowed  to  run.  This 
spring  it  was  a  puzzle  how  to  dig  out  a  foot 
wide  of  plants  between  each  two  rows  with- 
out trampling  the  others  and  seriously  in- 
juring their  roots.  I  had  a  Potato  hook 
with  four  tines  %  of  an  inch  wide  and  % 
of  an  inch  apart  and  I  tried  this  and  I  shall 
never  use  any  thing  else.  Instead  of  stand- 
ing on  the  plants  as  is  necessary  with  a  fork, 
I  can  walk  on  the  dug  ground,  dig  up  a 
cluster  of  plants  and  draw  them  too  me  to 
be  shaken  out  with  scarcely  any  injury  to 
the  remaining  plants  or  to  the  ones  that 
were  removed. 


What  to  Do  Witli  the  English 
Sparrow. 

The  English  sparrow  has  very  few  friends 
among  fruit  growers  and  farmers,  especially 
near  large  cities,  where  he  finds  congenial 
shelter  and  multiplies  very  rapidly.  We 
are  aware  of  all  the  objections  that  can  be 
urged  against  him  as  a  city  guest,  the  be- 
fouling of  buildings,  the  disagreeable  noise, 
the  destruction'to  fruit  and  garden  crops, 
etc.;  still  in  our  rural  home,  where  we  re- 
ceive thealmostdaily  visits  of  flocks  of  these 
birds,  and  where  we  know  them  to  have 
permanent  breeding  and  feeding  grounds, 
we  can  notice  but  little  actual  damage  done 
by  them.  At  times,  in  periods  of  a  week  or 
two,  both  in  summer  and  winter,  they  help 
them.selves  to  some  of  the  feed  thrown  out 
to  poultry,  or  hop  around  in  the  back  yard 
after  crumbs  of  bread,  etc.  At  other  times 
they  seem  to  find  all  they  want  elsewhere. 
They  ilo  not  seem  to  come  after  their  Wheat 
ration  when  May  beetles  and  seventeen-year 
locusts  abound.  They  are  quite  fond  of 
these  insects.  On  the  whole,  we  are  also  in- 
clined to  think  that  the  sparrow  has  to  serve 
as  scape-goat  for  many  sins  committed  by 
other  birds. 

However  this  may  be,  popular  sentiment 
is  decidedly  against  the  English  sparrow. 
Seven  states  have  enacted  laws  for  its  sup- 
pression. Four  of  the^e  states  simply  except 
it  from  the  protection  aftorded  other  birds. 
New  York  makes  it  a  misdemeanor  to  bar- 


1890. 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


233 


bor  or  protect  it,  and  Michigan  even  pays  a 
bounty  of  tliree  cents  for  each  sparrow's 
heml  at  the  town  clerk's  offices. 

Although  the  bird  is  doing  us  no  serious 
damage,  yet  we  believe  that  the  excessive 
number  .should  be  kept  do\vn.  The  bounty 
feature,  however,  involves  some  risk  that 
other  and  useful  birds  are  killed  for  spar- 
rows, and  the  bounty  claimed  for  them.  A 
recent  bulletin  of  the  Michigan  .Agricul- 
tural College  ExperimentStation  names  the 
following  birds  as  liable  to  be  mistaken  for 
the  Engli.-ih  sparrow:  Purple  (inch,  red- 
polled  linnet,  yellow  bird,   song  sparrow, 


Bill  of  Engligh  Sparrow  and  of  Catbird 

tree  sparrow,  field  sparrow,  and  chipping 
sparrow. 

While  some  birds  of  other  families  have 
heads  somewhat  like  the  Epglish  sparrow, 
they  can  always  be  distinguished  from  it 
by  the  form  of  the  bill.  The  members  of 
the  thrush  family  have  larger  and  more 
slender  bills,  as  may  be  seen  at  the  right  of 
annexed  illustration.  A  'sparrow's  bill  is 
shown  at  the  left  for  comparison. 

Xo  one  should  receive  sparrows  on  a 
bounty  or  prize  that  has  not  thoroughly 
studied  the  bird,  says  Prof.  C.  B.  Cook  in  the 
bulletin  mentioned.  Far  too  many  of  the 
tovsTi  clerks  in  Michigan  do  not  know  the 
English  sparrow's  head  from  that  of  a  linnet 
or  thrush.  As  a  result,  a  great  many  birds 
that  have  been  sent  in  for  a  bounty,  are 
most  beneficial  birds.  Thus  many  heads 
have  been  sent  to  this  station  on  which 
bounty  was  claimed,  of  such  valuable  birds 
as  song  sparrow,  red-polled  linnet  and 
evening  grosbeak,  birds  that  Michigan  laws 
protect  by  a  fine  of  S.5.00  against  their 
slaughter.  Every  person  presenting  such  a 
bird  to  the  town  clerk's  office  should  pay 
that  penalty.  The  law  does  well  to  protect 
such  valuable  birds  as  the  song  sparrow  and 
the  red  poll.  To  slaughter  them,  as  has 
been  done  the  past  year,  is  a  serious  wrong; 
to  get  pay  for  so  doing  Is  absurd.  Thus  far 
the  Michigan  Bulletin. 

We  have  given  this  extract  to  show  that 
putting  a  premium  on  killing  sparrows  has 
its  dangers,  and  may  result  in  more  harm 
than  good.  Legislatures  must  take  this 
feature  into  consideration. 


The  Outcome  of  the  Strawberry 
Season  in  Ohio. 

E.  W.  REED.  BELMONT  CO.,  OHIO. 

The  following  varieties  possess  merit,  and 
people  who  have  planted  them  this  season 
are  in  luck:  Warfield  Xo.  2,  Haverland, 
Bubach  (Xo.  :>),  Gaudy's  Prize,  Pearl,  and 
Stayman's  Xo.  1.  The  season's  record  of  the 
various  varieties  on  my  grounds  is  as  follows: 

May  King.  Somewhat  like  Crescent,  and 
after  the  nature  of  the  Cumberland;  uni- 
form in  size,  soft,  early,  but  not  so  product- 
ive as  Crescent. 

Glendale.  Size,  fair;  very  Arm;  good  ship- 
per, and  good  to  plant  with  late  pistillate 
sorts,  as  its  season  is  late;  quality  not  of  the 
best:  fairly  productive  for  late.     . 

Ontario.  Size,  large;  vine  healthy,  but  we 
can  see  no  merit  worth  mentioning  over 
many  others. 


Mammoth.  Large,  but  irregular  in  shape; 
not  profitable  to  grow. 

Summit.  Size,  large;  very  late;  productive; 
but  fruit  too  large  to  ship.  Our  vines  this 
season  are  very  full  of  fine  fruit. 

Belmont.  This  variety  is  the  most  profuse 
bloomer  we  ever  had,  but  will  not  perfect 
its  fruit  regularly.  It  is  a  good  sort  to  plant 
with  pistillate  sorts,  as  it  produces  pollen 
and  heavy  bloom. 

Jessie.  From  our  experience  with  .Jessie 
we  would  not  recommend  any  one  to  plant 
it.  It  produces  some  fine  fruit  at  first,  but 
lacks  in  amount,  and  runs  to  buttons  after 
second  picking.  Good  as  a  pollen 
producer. 

Monmouth.  Early;  size,  good; 
quality  fair;  not  so  productive  as 
some  others,  but  it  has  the  merit 
of  being  early,  firm,  and  of  good 
color.  Think  more  of  it  than  of 
Jessie. 

Crawford.  Very  large,  good 
grower,  quite  firm,  and  of  much 
promise. 

Eureka.  Late;  size,  medium. 
A  good  grower  and  free  to  run. 
We  expected  more  from  this 
variety,  but  will  not  condemn 
until  tested  longer.  It  is  all  one 
wants  in  growth,  but  not  in  fruit. 
Florence.  Size,  medium;  growth  of  vine 
and  of  fruit  fair. 

Mrs.  Cleveland.  Size,  fair;  excellent 
grower,  with  good  vines;  color  light,  with 
white  flesh,  but  fruit  not  as  good  in  propor- 
tion to  growth  of  plant. 

Townsend  Xo.  3.  Very  large,  good  grower 
and  very  productive.  Gives  the  best  promise 
of  any  seedling  on  our  grounds  this  season. 
Ohio  Centennial  (from  Townsend)  is  also  a 
good  berry.  Vine  not  so  robust  as  that  of 
Mrs.  Cleveland,  but  superior  in  fruiting 
qualities. 

Crimson  Cluster.  Size,  large,  and  quality 
fair;  but  not  recommended  for  commercial 
growers.  Soft  and  light  in  color;  grows 
well  when  kept  in  hills,  and  will  do  for 
home  use.  Fine  grower;  did  better  this 
year  than  heretofore. 

Bubach  Xo.  3.  Size,  large  to  very  large; 
makes  a  fine  growth  with  good  color  of  leaf. 
We  have  fruited  Bubach  this  season  on  four 
different  soils,  and  it  was  the  same.  We 
think  more  of  it  each  year. 

Gandy.  Large  and  very  late;  holds  its 
fruit  well  from  the  ground,  and  is  the  best 
late  berry  on  the  market  that  we  have  any 
knowledge  of,  except  a  seedling  received  of 
John  Little  of  Ontario,  Canada. 

Pearl.  Fruit  large,  quite  firm,  of  good 
color.    We  think  well  of  it. 

Burt.  This  again  did  well,  and  we  would 
not  hesitate  to  plant  for  fruiting  on  deep, 
moist  soil.  Fruit,  large,  to  very  large.  A 
good  producer  of  fine  fruit. 

Hampden.  Poor  in  vine  and  fruit;  poor 
grower;  will  not  shade  its  own  fruit,  which 
lays  on  the  ground.    Xo  good. 

Haverland.  One  of  the  most,  if  not  the 
most,  productive  berry  grown ;  early;  of  good 
size;  very  profitable.  We  can  recommend 
this  to  the  grower  for  field  culture. 
Gold.  Late  and  of  little  or  no  value. 
Bomba.  Early,  and  first  fruit  very  large. 
Color  good:  size  runs  smaller  at  last  of 
season,  and  soft.  Were  it  not  for  this  fact 
it  would  be  very  valuable,  as  it  is  a  very 
heavy  fruiter . 

Logan.      Size,  large  to  very  large;  color 

good.    A  good  grower  with  fine  plant.    We 

still  think  as  well  of  it  as  we  did  last  season. 

Lida.  Very  productive  wdth  us  this  season. 

Large,  but  a  little  of  the  soft  order. 

Warfield  Xo.  2.We  place  this  with  Bubach 
in  first  place,  as  it  is  of  the  very  best;  size, 
large;  holding  its  own  better  than  others 
throughout  the  season,  and  being  very  pro- 
ductive. 


Itasca.  Very  productive,  but  do  not  favor 
it  for  culture,  as  it  runs  .small,  and  some 
buttons  are  noticed  after  first  picking. 

Little's  Seedling  No.  <1.  Extra  large  and 
productive,  ripening  in  mid-season;  good 
grower;  promises  well. 

Parry.  I.,arge  and  productive;  its  season 
being  quite  long,  the  first  to  ripen  and  the 
last  to  pick.  We  are  still  of  the  opinion 
it  is  a  good  berry  for  home  market,  but  will 
not  stand  long  shipment.  Plant  not  a  robust 
grower,  and  fruit  resembles  Cumberland. 

Cloud.  Fruit  of  fair  size;  vine  a  good 
grower.  It  holds  its  burr  well,  which  is  a 
point  in  its  favor  for  shipment.  Were  it  as 
productive  as  Crescent  or  Wilson  we  would 
heartily  say,  grow  Cloud.    Pistillate. 

Pine  Apple.  As  for  a  plant  it  is  the  best, 
but  it  has  next  to  no  fruit. 

Jucunda.  Not  holding  its  own  in  past 
years. 

Carmichael.  Fruit  this  season  very  fine. 
People  who  have  beds  are  in  luck,  as  the 
plants  are  full  and  selling  at  double  the 
price  of  other  varieties,  owing  to  lateness; 
but  if  not  on  soil  that  suits  them  may  not 
do  so  well. 

Crescent.  Held  its  own  in  its  class,  and 
proved  to  be  the  best  paying  berry  we  can 
grow,  as  it  ripens  more  fruit  the  first  pick- 
ing, and  continues  to  pick  more  fruit  than 
any  other  unless  it  would  be  the  Haverland. 

Cumberland.  If  you  have  a  soil  that  will 
suit  it,  is  the  best  paying  large  berry  grown, 
holding  its  size  through  the  entire  sea.<ion ; 
being  of  a  good  color.  On  unsuitable  soil, 
poor  and  soft.  In  quality  it  is  very  poor, 
but  being  qiiite  large  is  readily  sold  at  good 
rates.  It  is  one  of  the  berries  that  seem  to 
grow  better  each  season  instead  of  going  the 


Fi^i.  5.    Plant  of  Desmodium  pendiflorum 
mipported  by  trellKC.    See  next  paye. 

other  way.  Plant  it  on  poor  clay  soil  with 
a  good  covering  of  compost,  and  throw  your 
soil  up  hill  so  the  manure  will  not  be  out  of 
reach  of  plant  roots.  Uo  not  plant  in  rich 
loam:  it  wUl  only  produce  top  growth. 

Sharpless.  This  berry  will  do  very  well 
for  a  few  years,  but  then  will  run  out.  We 
have  stopped  trying  to  fruit  it  for  profit  as 
it  was  too  uncertain,  and  easily  killed  by 
frost.  Fruit  very  large,  irregular,  with 
green  points,  which  is  against  it  as  a  desir- 
able berry  for  market. 

Chas.  Downing.  A  good  shipper,  but  un- 
certain in  some  localities.     Good  seller. 

Manchester.  Resembles  Cumberland  in 
some  respects,  but  is  not  so  good. 

Wilson.  We  are  about  the  only  ones  grow- 
ing the  Wilson  in  this  county.  But  if  there 
were  more  Wilson  grown,  better  returns 
would  be  netted  per  acre  than  in  many  cases. 
Vines  are  as  healthy  and  productive  as  ever; 
it  is  the  best  all-around  berry  for  family 
use  we  have  in  KHl  varieties. 

Parker  Earle.  We  like  its  appearance  very 
much,  but  do  not  like  to  set  our  opinion  on 
stock  from  distant  parts  before  further  tests. 

Michael's  Early.  It  was  the  first  to  ripen 
with  us.  Foliage  not  quite  as  good  as  we 
would  like,  but  fruit  fair  for  extra  early. 

Stayman's  X^o.  1.  We  are  highly  pleased 
with  it,  both  in  fruit  and  vine.  Holds  its 
fruit  stems  well  from  ground;  has  a  fine 
plant  and  is  a  good  grower. 

Osceola.    Seems  to  have  a  bright  outlook. 


234 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


August, 


A  Visit  to  Wm.  Falconer,  Gardener  to 
Charles  A.  Dana. 

Among  American  gardeners  no  name 
stands  higher  for  ability  and  intelligence, 
and  none  is  more  widely  known  than  that 
of  William  Falconer,  Glen  Cove,  N.  Y.  a 
gentleman  who  writes  as  well  as  he  gardens 
and  whose  articles  in  this  and  other  periodi- 
cals are  always  eagerly  sought  and  read. 
It  was  with  much  pleasure  that  the  writer 
of  this  embraced  the  opportunity  to  visit 
Mr.  Falconer  on  the  afternoon  of  June  (ith, 
in  order  that  the  garden  which  his  pen  had 
long  before  acquainted  him  with,  might  be 
seen,  and  some  account  of  the  same  be  given 
in  these  columns. 

Mr.  Falconer  is  gardener  on  the  island 
home  of  Chas.  A.  Dana  of  the  New  York 
Sun.  This  island  is  on  the  north  side  of 
Long  Island,  37  miles  from  New  York  and 
so  close  to  the  mainland  as  to  be  connected 
with  the  latter  by  a  bridge.  It  consists  of 
42  acres,  all  of  which  is  devoted  to  the  pur- 
pose of  a  complete  country  home.  The 
views  from  the  island  across  the  Sound  and 
along  the  irregularly  defined  north  shore  of 
Long  Island,  in  itself  decidedly  picturesque 
in  this  region,  are  very  fine. 

Entering  the  grounds  one  is  soon  impress- 
ed by  the  large  number  of  specimen  trees, 
shrubs  and  plants  here  brought  together, 
and  by  their  fine  appearance.  Mr.  Falconer 
is  a  master  in  tasteful  arrangements,  conse- 
quently the  individual  trees  and  shrubs  in 
addition  to  showing  their  own  fine  qualities 
are  made  to  contribute  to  a  handsome 
general  efEect.  From  the  mansion  which 
occupies  an  elevated  central  position  a 
beautiful  wide  lawn  stretches  in  a  southerly 
direction  towards  the  water's  edge.  Scat- 
tered over  the  lawn  but  chieflly  along  its 
borders  are  a  large  number  of  specimens, 
in  this  part  mainly  evergreens,  in  clumps 
and  so  arranged  as  to  afford  numerous  vistas 
as  seen  from  the  residence  and  from  various 
parts  of  the  grounds. 

That  evergreens  are  a  favorite  class  on 
this  place  is  evident,  by  the  large  assort- 
ment present  and  their  fine  appearance. 
Here  one  may  see  the  beautiful  Abies  con- 
color,  and  Abies  Veitchii,  the  latter  some- 
what like  Alcock's  Spruce  as  to  the  blue 
color  on  the  underside  of  the  leaves,  and 
not  unlike  Nordmann's  Fir  in  the  intense 
dark  green  of  the  older  foliage.  The  Japa- 
nese Hemlock  is  an  attractive  tree  pro- 
nounced by  Mr.  Falconer  one  of  the  best  of 
evergreens.  Abies 
Cephalonica  is  anoth- 
er favorite  and  very 
handsome.  Nord- 

mann's Fir  as  beauti- 
ful an  evergreen  as 
one  could  wish  to  see 
is  made  by  the  pecu- 
liar treatment  it  here 
receives  to  look  some- 
what different  from 
its  form  as  commonly 
met.  We  refer  to  the 
fact    that    all    ever- 


pnining  Everffrecns. 


greens  here  are  pruned  in  some  measure 
to  keep  them  within  boimds,  and  for  pre- 
serving their  beauty  indefinitely. 

The  pruning  of  evergreens  as  practised  here 
consists  in  the  main  ot  simply  pinching 
back  the  ends  of  the  leader  and  main  shoots 
soon  after  the  new  growth  starts  in  the 
spring,  as  shown  in  Fig.  1  annexed.  If  by  this 
course  the  natural  freedom  and  irregularity 
of  growth  is  somewhat  overcome,  perhaps 
not  always  with  advantage  to  the  beauty  of 
young  subjects,  on  the  other  hand  that 
greatest  charm  of  all  evergreens :  having 
the  tree  densely  furnished  with  branches 
and  foliage  to  the  groimds  is  invariably 
secured.  As  an  instance  of  this  advantage 
we  have  but  to  cite  the  beautiful  Balsam 
Firs  in  Mr.  Dana's  garden  as  compared  with 


the  wretched  specimens,  of  these,  denuded 
at  the  base,  which  one  constantly  runs 
across  where  no  attention  is  given  to  prun- 
ning  as  here  practised.  The  latter  style  of 
tree  is  illustrated  in  Fig.  3,  while  the  same 
kind  as  grown  on  these  grounds  appears  in 
Fig.  3.  Thus  in  the  Balsam  Fir,  always  one 
of  the  handsomest  evergeens  when  young, 
it  is  possible  by  pruning  to  preserve  its 
beauty    indefinitely,     while     otherwise    it 


:.'i;*3<^j 


Pig.  2.— I7if  Balsam  Fir    Fig.  a.— The  Balsam  Fir 
as  usually  met.         as  it  appears  icith  pruning. 

soon  becomes  one  of  the  homeliest  of  ever- 
greens. The  same  lesson  will  apply  in 
some  degree  to  the  Norway  Spruce  and 
many  other  conifers. 

Among  other  evergreens  of  striking 
beauty,  we  noticed  Cedrus  Atlantica  glauca 
the  most  beautiful  thing  in  glaucus-leaved 
trees  we  have  seen.  Pica  polita  the  most 
rigid  of  all  Spruces,  Colorada  Blue  Spruce 
always  charming,  Douglass  Fir  one  of  the 
hardiest  and  best  evergreens.  Abies  alata 
is  a  very  fine  tree,  but  one  in  which  if  the 
ends  are  not  pinched  out  as  suggested  above, 
its  branches  become  grotesquely  long,  un- 
fitting it  for  the  best  effects.  Pica  alba  var- 
ca?rulea  is  a  form  of  the  White  Spruce  which 
here  is  matchless  for  beauty,  the  form 
being  conical  with  the  branches  bend- 
ing gracefully  outwards  and  downwards, 
making  it  a  veritable  Fountain  Evergreen, 
A  clump  of  three  Douglass  Junipers  form 
a  beautiful  low  mass  on  the  lawn,  and  by 
their  golden  hue  yield  a  beautiful  contrast 
with  other  evergreens  in  the  collection. 

Two  things  which  exert  a  strong  influence 
on  the  well-doing  not  only  of  evergreens 
but  of  all  other  trees  on  the  lawns  at  Glen 
Cove,  are,  first  that  they  are  never  allowed 
to  crowd  one  another,  second  summer 
mulching  is  freely  employed.  Mr.  Falconer 
makes  it  a  rule,  that  before  he  permits  one 
tree  to  encroach  on  another  one  must  bectit 
away  if  it  is  worth  a  hundred  dollars.  Was 
his  excellent  rule  to  be  universally  applied 
to  lawn,  park  and  street  trees  how  it  would 
reduce  the  tree  cripples  now  so  numerous 
everywhere.  His  method  of  mulching 
trees  as  illustrated  in  Fig.  4  is  a  capital  one. 
It  consists  in  neatly  cutting  out  a  circle  of 
sward  four  or  more  feet  across,  the  tree 
being  at  the  centre.  About  two  inches  of 
soil  is  then  removed  from  within  the  circle 
and  a  mulch  of  straw  applied  to  a  depth  so 
that  with  settling,  the  surface  of  the  mulch 
will  be  about  even  with  the  surrounding 
lawn.  Thus  the  mulch  hardly  shows  at  all, 
while  in  this  liberal  width  the  lawu  mower 
needs  never  to  approach  close  to  the  tree 
with  the  danger  of  barking  it,  a  most  im- 
portant advantage. 

In  deciduous  growths  the  Wistarias  trained 
as  standard  here  attract  attention.  These 
are  trees  with  trunks  about  five  feet  high 
supporting  a  good  head  of  branches,  foliage 
and  in  their  season  flowers.  To  fortify  the 
trees  against  the  wind  each  trunk  is  assisted 
by  a  stake  of  small  size.  The  collection  ot 
Magnolias  is  an  interesting  one  with  parvi- 
flora  a  leading  favorite.  As  an  indication 
of  the  fondness  of  Rosebugs  which   have 


settled  down  on  this  island  in  large  numbers 
for  the  sweet  flowers  of  this  species,  Mr. 
Falconer  at  the  time  of  our  visit  could  in 
some  instances  gather  a  handful  of  the 
horrid  pests  from  a  single  flower.  The 
Cercidiphyllum  Japonica  thrives  admirably 
here  in  the  low  lands  near  the  water,  the 
only  place  where  it  is  thought  it  would  suc- 
ceed. Some  Hornbeam  trees  twenty  feet 
high  by  twenty  feet  across  were  as  fine  as 
we  ever  have  met,  a  fact  in  part  also  to  be 
attributed  to  their  standing  on  low  land. 
The  Japanese  Larch  shows  splendid  adapt- 
ability to  this  locality  forming  large  vigor- 
ous trees. 

The  Japanese  Viburnums  (F.  pUcatnm) 
were  in  full  beauty  on  the  day  of  our  visit,and 
it  was  easy  to  agree  with  ovu:  former  conclu- 
sions that  in  this,  we  have  the  handsomest 
of  all  hardy  shrubs.  The  form  of  growth 
is  charming,  being  slightly  inclined  to  irreg- 
ularity, the  foliage  of  deepest  green  is  beau- 
tifully plaited,  and  the  flowers  borne  in 
great  profusion  excel  every  other  Vibur- 
num in  whiteness.  Mr.  Falconer  also  speaks 
well  of  a  round-leaved  variety  of  this  shrub 
{^'.  })UcatU)n  rotunflifdliinn)  which  he  pro- 
cured of  Miller  cS:  Seaver  of  San  Francisco, 
Cal.  It  flowers  a  week  earlier  than  the 
species  and  otherwise  possesses  its  leading 
qualities.  Here  we  met  some  remarkably 
fine  specimens  of  Weeping  Dogwood.  They 
were  fully  ten  feet  in  height  and  of  admir- 
able pendant  form.  They  were  said  by  the 
grower  to  bloom  even  more  freely  than  the 
parent  form  the  common  Cornus  Floridus. 
In  trees  of  golden  hue  Mr.  Falconer  places 
the  Golden-leaved  Oak  {Qucrciin  rohur  con- 
c(iriiin)  at  the  head  of  all  others.  Here 
grown  to  a  dense  conical  form,  with  the 
beautifully  formed  leaves  of  a  delicate  wax- 
like texture  and  rich  golden  hue  they  are 
iudeed  charming  specimens. 

One  of  the  groups  on  the  lawn  consists  of 
various  Double-flowering  Apples,  trained  to 
form  low  trees  clothed    with  branches  to 


^^Cx^r? 


I 


Fig.  i.—lllugtrating  Tree  mvlching  "«  tin  iaion. 

the  ground.  Their  attractivess  in  the  season 
of  bloom  was  highly  spoken  of.  Nearby  is 
the  new  Pyrus  Parkmanii  which  Mr.  Fal- 
coner characterizes  as  the  loveliest  tree  of 
its  season.  A  favorite  shrub  of  this  order 
is  the  Beach  Plum,  a  native  of  this  part  of 
Long  I-sland.  It  is  a  very  free  blooming 
ing  shrub,  and  will  bear  the  most  ruthless 
cutting  back  after  flowering,  only  to  shoot 
up  freely  again.  Eleagnus  longipes  was 
pointed  out  as  one  of  the  most  desirable 
trees  ot  its  class,  a  class  by  the  way  not 
sufficiently  appreciatedwith  growers.  Eleag- 
nus hortensis,  with  its  beautiful  silvery 
white  foliage,  showed  to  special  fine  advan- 
tage growing  here  at  the  water's  edge. 

One  of  the  attractions  at  the  time  of  our 
visit  was  a  large  mass  of  Wild  Roses,  includ- 
ing the  Blackben-y  Rose  (rtosti  multifUirn) 
and  Rosa  rugosa,  both  in  color  and  white. 
To  mass  the  plants  is  the  right  way  to  use  this 
class.   The  Japan  Dogwood  (Coiiius  Japon- 


iSgo. 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


235 


ica)  is  a  most  desirable  small  tree,  which 
blossoms  four  weeks  later  than  the  large 
dowering  Americiin  species.  Quite  simi- 
larly the  Chinese  Tiimarix  was  pointed  out 
as  an  Asiatic  species  which  blossoms 
in  August  and  September,  as  against  the 
ordinary  species  flowering  in  the  spring. 
0£  the  numerous  light-colored  variegated 
shrubs  grown  here,  Mr.  Falconer  pro- 
nounces Cornus  alba  var.  Spathi  the  best. 
The  collections  of  Azaleas  and  Rhododen- 
drons here  are  large,  but  lack  of  time  pre- 
vented our  noting  them  closely.  [ 

In  the  line  of  hardy  herbaceous  perennials 
Mr.  Falconer  is  an  enthusiast,  and  we  much 
regret  that  the  limited  time  at  our  disposal 
did  not  permit  of  our  e.xamining  the  entire 
collection  more  closely.  The  Poppies  in 
bloom  were  bound  to 
attract  our  notice,  and 
a  grand  sight  they 
made,  including  the 
handsome  I'mbro- 
sum.  We  were  in- 
formed that  the  large 
bed  of  those  here  pres- 
ent was  self  sown, 
that  the  bed  had  been 
occupied  with  hardy 
Dutch  Bulbs  earlier 
in  the  season,  and 
that  the  Poppies  in 
turn  would  be  fol- 
lowed by  bedding 
Geraniums.  It  was 
remarked  that  self- 
sown  Poppies  flower 
some  weeks  ahead  of 
the  spring  sown,  thus 
providing  a  succes- 
sion of  this  useful 
plant.  One  prom- 
inent bed  that  attract- 
ed our  attention  was 
that  planted  at  its 
center  with  a  large 
mass  of  the  Great 
Reed  {Arunilo  ila- 
nrix)  which  is  per- 
fectly hardy  and  at- 
tains to  a  height  of 
IS  feet;  this  is  sur- 
rounded in  succession 
with  Zebra  Grass 
(Eulalia  Japouica 
zebrinn),  the  varie- 
gated Japan  Eulalia 
(Eulalia  Jiiponica 
varicfjata)  and  lastly 
Pennistatum  longis- 
tylos,  a  handsome 
grass  raised  from  the 
seed.  The  secret  of 
the  wonderful  growth 
of  these  grasses  is 
that  a  heavy  coat  of 
manxire  is  applied  over  the  surface  every  | 
Autumn,  and  which  Is  never  removed. 

Among  other  plants  growing  in  beds  and 
borders  which  were  singled  out  for  their 
attractiveness  or  other  (lualities,  were  Ver- 
bascum  olympicum,  Erigeron  speciosa  from 
the  western  states,  Spira?a  filipendula  fl.  pi, 
Helenium  Balardri,  Iris  lurida,  of  odd 
form,  Grevilla  robusta  raised  from  seed  and 
used  as  an  edging  to  a  garden  plat.  Arauca- 
rias  kept  over  winter  in  a  cold  frame,  Mos- 
quito catching  plant  O'incctoxicum  acu- 
ininatum  Japonicum  ).  A  collection  of 
Lilies  was  observed  growing  amongst  the 
hardy  Azaleas.  A  specimen  of  Desmodium 
pendiculitlorum,  was  of  very  large  size  and 
required  the  support  of  a  trellis  as  shown 
in  Fig.  5,  page  "i33. 

The  brevity  of  our  time  did  not  admit  of 
visiting  the  greenhouses,  (which  are  not  ex- 
tensive) beyond  that  Mr.  Falconer  insisted 
on  our  glancing  at  some  native  Orchids 
Cypripidum  spcctabilifs  which  grew  in  pots 


in  a  cool  greenhouse  being  then  in  bloom. 
With  all  the  attention  given  to  exotic 
Orchids,  it  is  indeed  difficult  to  find  any 
that  far  excel  in  beauty  this  native  species, 
common  to  many  parts  of  our  country.  As 
Jlr.  Falconer  truly  remarked  they  are  finer 
than  many  exotic  species  worth  ten  or 
twenty  dollars  apiece. 

In  the  fruit  and  vegetable  departments  a 
large  and  varied  assortment  of  products 
suited  to  the  family  wants,  are  skillfully 
grown.  This  department  is  a  model  in  its 
way  and  is  by  no  means  the  least  ornamen- 
tal part  of  the  place. 

In  leaving  the  extensive  garden  after  our 
all  too  brief  visit  of  two  hours,  our  atten- 
tion was  attracted  to  a  winding  avenue 
arched  over  at  regular   distances  apart  by 


nor  can  they  be  planted  too  early  after  they 
are  dug.  Drying  off  the  bulbs  and  keeping 
them  out  of  tlie  soil  until  late  in  autumn, 
as  is  now  the  rule  with  bulb  planters,  is 
a  pernicious  system.  Drying  off  bulbs  is 
almost  a  necessity  for  trade  purposes,  but 
for  all  grown  at  home  it  is  not. 


SPRAY  OF  THE  WHITE  FLOWERING  WEIQELA8.— FLOWERS  PURE  WHITE. 


pairs  of  Pin  Oak  trees  brought  to  the  proper 
curve  by  tying  to  iron  rods  arched  as 
shown  in  Fig.  6,  page  2.37. 


One  of  the  Newer  Weigelas. 
Among  hardy  flowering  shrubs  no  cla.ss 
has  more  friends  than  the  Weigelas  or  the 
Diervillas  as  the  botanists  name  them. 
The  habit  of  growth  is  handsome,  the  foli- 
age is  clean  and  beautiful  the  season 
through,  and  the  flowers,  which  come  in 
after  the  Lilacs,  are  unexcelled  for  beauty. 
In  every  way  the  numerous  varieties  of 
these  charming  Japanese  shrubs  deserves  to 
rank  among  the  choic- 
est and  most  desirable 
ijf  hardy  growtlis 
for  beautifying  the 
lawn  and  flower 
garden. 

One  of  the  more 
recent  varieties  of 
this  species  and  now 
growing  upon  the 
POI'ULAI!  Gaudexixg 
Grounds,  istlie  White, 
Flowered  Weigela 
(  Dicrvilla  Candida ) 
shown  in  the  annexed 
engraving  drawn 

from  life.  All  the  so- 
called  white  varieties 
previous  to  this  one 
had  been  lacking  in 
some  important  char- 
acteristic—either the 
growth  was  inferior 
or  the  color  deUcient. 
But  in  the  present 
subject  we  have  every 
desirable  quality 

found  in  the  class, 
and  withal  the  purest 
snow-white  flowers 
which  appear  in  the 
greatest  profusion  in 
•June  and  again  most 
acceptably  if  in  small 
quantities  through- 
out the  summer. 

Quite  often  when 
we  meet  a  flower  pos- 
sessed of  special  ex- 
cellence it  seems  to 
be  at  the  expense  of 
vigorous  growth  or 
hardiness  of  the  plant. 
With  the  present  sub- 
ject it  is  quite  the  re- 
verse, along  with  the 
handsome  flowers  the 
habit  of  the  growth  is 


iiiiiiiiiiiifiiMi!iiiiiiiii{iii]iiiii]iiiiilll]:;ililiL 


Replant  the  Narcissus   Bulbs   Early. 

MART  S.  WATER,  ORLEANS  CO.,  N.  Y. 

In  a  considerable  experience  with  Nar- 
cissus I  conclude  that  if  the  bulbs  are  dug 
in  .July  and  at  once  replanted  they  will 
flower  quite  as  strongly,  even  if  not  actual- 
ly more  so,  as  if  left  in  the  ground  unmoved, 
and  that  in  addition  bulb  increase  and  bulb 
growth  are  alike  improved  by  a  course  of 
judicious  removal. 

On  the  other  hand,  if,  as  happens  very 
frequently  in  gardens,  the  bulbs  are  dug  in 
July  or  August,  and  are  then  dried  and 
tossed  about  until,  say,  October  or  Novem- 
ber, the  bulbs  are  weakened  so  much  that 
good  strong  bloom  the  first  season  after 
planting  is  quite  out  of  the  question.  I  am 
convinced  that  Narcissus  bulbs  cannot  be 
dug  too  early  after  the  last  week  in  June, 


as  free  and  abundant  as  that  of  the  family 
generally  which  is  saying  enough  for  vigor. 
Ordinary  size  bushes  set  out  in  our  grounds 
in  the  spring  of  1889  are  at  the  present 
writing  fuUy  five  feet  high  and  four  feet 
across  with  many  shoots  of  the  past  seasons 
growth  from  18  inches  to  two  feet  in  length. 
Plants  of  this  desirable  Weigela  can  be 
obtained  of  all  nurserymen  who  carry  a 
considerable  assortment  of  hardy  ornamen- 
tal shrubs,  a  number  of  whom  advertise  in 
our  columns. 


1,848.  Blood  Manure  for  Koses,  Blood  manure 
is  largely  used  in  English  gardens,  especially  for 
such  pot  plants  as  are  strong  growers  and  gross 
feeders  as  Chrysanthemums,  Geraniums,  B'uchs- 
as  and  Roses.  Such  stimulants  are  best  ap- 
plied when  the  plants  have  thoroughly  appropri- 
ated the  soil  in  the  pots,  taking  care  not  to  wash 
the  fertilizer  out  of  the  pots  when  watering. 
Blood  manures  impart  a  healthy  deep  green  to 
the  fohage  and  al)undance  of  bloom,  if  applied 
at  the  time  when  the  plants  need  some  stimu- 
lant.—E.  0.  Orpet. 


236 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


August, 


Blackberry  Blossoms. 

From  a  thicket  In  the  corner  of  zig-zag  fence 

Where  the  succulent  Pokeberry  stalks  uprear. 
With  Sassafras  and  Sumach  In  a  wild  growth  dense, 
The  Blackberry  blossoms  through  the  brown  rails 
peer, 
With  dew  drops  shining  on  their  long,  white  sprays, 
Where  the  yellow  bee  buzzes  and  the  redblrd  flies. 
They  marvel  at  the  world  and  its  new  found  ways. 
With  innocent  wonder  in  their  wild,  sweet  eyes. 
Magnolias  are  white. 
And  Roses  are  bright. 
And  many  there  be  that  love  them; 
But  with  dew-besprlnkled  faces 
And  wildwood  graces. 
Oh,  the  Blackberry  blossoms  are  above  them. 

When  the  Pine  bows  are  swinging  In  the  soft  May 
breeze. 
The  bumblebees  are   boasting  of  their  springtide 
gain. 
And  the  mockbird  Is  singing  out  his  happiest  glees 

To  the  cotton-tailed  rabbit  in  the  bend  of  the  lane; 
They  lean  their  faces  on  the  moss-grown  rails. 

And  listen  to  the  melody  the  mockbird  weaves; 
And  the  lizzards  go  a-darting  with  their  trembling 
tails 
Like  slim  long  shuttles  through  the  last  year's  leaves. 
Chrysanthemums  are  fair, 
And  Orchids  are  rare. 
And  many  there  be  that  love  them; 
But  with  dew-bespiinkled  faces 
And  wildwood  graces. 
Oh,  the  Blackberry  blossoms  are  above  them. 
—Samuel  Mintur)i  Peck.  Good  Housekeeping. 


The  Hollyhock 

On  a  long  and  slender  stalk 
Blooms  the  jaunty  Hollyhock, 
Who  so  saucy,  who  so  tall, 
Peeping  o'er  the  garden  wail? 
Rosy  red  and  softest  whlt«; 
Sunshine  is  its  keen  delight; 
In  broad  daylight  him  you  see. 
Kissing  butterfly  and  bee: 
Hale  and  hearty  on  his  stalk 
.Sways  and  smiles  the  Hollyhock. 


Bepair  the  plant-houses ! 
Mulching  keeps  the  soil  cool. 
The  Grape  crop  promises  well. 
Ivy  cuttings  will  root  well  now  in  shade, 
Stakes  to  the  Ohrysaothemums  and  fine  Asters. 
Most  flowers  are  thirsty  creatures  this  month. 
August  will  do  for  transplanting  Evergreens. 
Young  shoots  of  Lilac  root  readily  now  in  a 
close  frame. 

Liquid  manure   is  both  food  and  drink,  ac- 
ceptable to  plants. 
In  Bosa  rubifolia  the  leaves  and  bark  are  of  a 

pleasing  reddish  color. 

Ivy-leaved  Oeraniums  are  ideal  plants  for 
the  well-kept  hanging  basket. 

This  is  (he  month  to  divide  and  reset  the  little 
double  Daisies  Bellti  ixrennis. 

Among  Strawberries,  Sbarpless,  Jessie,  Bubach 
and  Oandy  are  the  best— E.  D.  F.,  Md. 

Flower  beds  are  to  please  the  eye ;  but  they 
will  fail  in  this  so  long  as  weeds  show  in  them. 

Cannot  you  see  the  insect  that  does  the  mis- 
chief '/  It  may  be  a  night  feeder;  watch  for  it  by 
candle  light. 

Spread  it  Out.  Nasturtiums  are  not  so  pleas- 
ant when  the  growth  is  allowed  to  form  in 
heavy  masses. 

Mr.  B.  S.  Williams  the  fsraous  English  nur- 
seryman and  author  died  on  June  27th,  in  the 
fJTth  year  of  his  age. 

The  Saxony  Government  last  year  realized 
$3.'),480  profits  from  the  sale  of  fruit  that  was 
raised  in  the  highways. 

Our  Rose  bed  has  been  remarkably  free  of  in- 
sects. The  soil  is  good;  the  culture  has  been 
good.    Weak  plants  always  suffer  most. 

Bnhach  is  the  sovereign  remedy  for  Cabbage 
worms  ;  but  if  you  have  nothing  else  at  hand, 
throw  a  handful  of  road  dust  into  the  crown  of 
each  plant.  ] 


A  "Fruit  and  Berry  Picker,"  made  of  metal 
and  shaped  like  a  thumb  nail  and  somewhat  serv- 
ing the  same  purpose  in  pinching  off  the  stems 
when  gathering  fruit  and  flowers,  is  offered,  by 
a  Philadelphia,  Pa.  concern. 

Moles  in  Garden.  I  bad  been  much  troubled 
until  I  fell  upon  the  following  simple  remedy :  I 
scattered  sawdust  soaked  in  paraffine  and  tar  in 
their  runs,  near  where  they  entered  the  garden. 
They  have  not  troubled  me  since.— C.  J.  Rrntse. 

Our  large  Bubach  Strawberry,  illustrated  in 
June  issue,  has  served  to  bring  us  reports 
accompanied  with  pictures  of  still  larger  berries, 
of  Belmont,  Bubach,  etc.  Of  course  we  did  not 
claim  that  we  had  produced  the  largest  of  all 
these  monstrosities. 

Money  In  Nut  Trees  Two  hundred  Hickory 
nut  trees,  and  three  hundred  Walnut  and  Butter 
nut  trees  yield  more  money  to  a  citizen  of  Michi- 
gan than  can  be  made  by  any  farmer  by  culti- 
vating three  hundred  acres  of  land.  At  least 
this  is  what  Mr.  B.  Hathaway  claims. 

The  Gypsy  Moth,  it  is  to  hoped,  will  not  make 
much  headway  against  the  vigorous  war  waged 
against  it  in  the  east.  Scraping  the  trees,  burn- 
ing the  rubbish,  and  spraying  the  foliage  have 
been  the  weapons  employed  with  energy  and 
perseverance,  even  at  considerable  expense  to 
the  people. 

The  Common  Hop  is  anything  but  a  bad  orna- 
mental climber.  The  writer  of  this  visited  a 
neighbor  recently  who  grows  many  choice  clim- 
bers, and  who  pointed  with  pride  to  a  Hop  vine 
that  had  made  a  growth  of  nearly  30  feet  this 
season,  a  perfect  "  rope "  of  dark  green  hand- 
some foliage. 

Shame  on  the  people  who  let  their  boys  and 
girls  go  away  from  home  for  a  botton-hole 
bouquet,  or  for.flowers  for  any  use  during  sum- 
mer and  autumn  when  a  profusion  of  showy 
flowers  might  be  had  right  at  their  own  door, 
with  little  effort,  by  simply  cultivating  a  few 
nice  annuals. 

The  Mimulus,  one  of  the  prettiest  of  Cali- 
fornia's wild  flowers,  is  found  there  in  several 
varieties.  One  of  these  grows  to  be  quite  a  hard- 
W(ioded  shrub,  and  sometimes  the  mountain  sides 
are  literally  ablaze  with  these  pretty,  buff-color- 
ed flowers,  which  are  borne  on  numerous  spikes, 
and  form  very  large  heads. 

Lilium  auratum.  Every  season's  experience 
convinces  me  that  it  is  wet  during  winter  and 
not  cold  which  destroys  the  bulbs  of  this  magni- 
ficent species.  This  next  planting  season  we 
hope  to  plant  some  roots  on  the  sunny  side  of  a 
Privet  hedge  where  the  roots  of  the  Privet  keep 
the  earth  dry.— May  Wade,  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y. 

Bussian  Apricots,  common  and  named  varie- 
ties, are  not  so  hardy  in  bud  as  the  Peach  ;  but 
as  they  do  not  bloom  any  earlier  than  the  Peach, 
would  not  be  injured  one  year  in  ten  by  late 
frosts.  The  trees,  however,  are  tender.  I  had  one 
three  inches  in  diameter  killed  this  Spring  by  a 
frost  that  did  not  injure  Peaches.— C.  K.  Meyer, 
Tazewell  Co.,  lUs. 

Porcelain  fruits,  vegetable,  pickles,  etc, 
colored  to  closely  resemble  the  natural  product, 
are  suggested  for  use  with  advantage  in  gro- 
ceries and  fruit  stores  to  deceive  the  pilferer. 
This  tree  sampling  is  often  carried  on  to  an  un- 
reasonable degree,  and  is  annoying  to  the  dealer, 
and  indirectly  damaging  the  fruit  growers.  Let 
the  pilferer  get  hold  of  the  porcelain  imitation, 
once  or  twice,  and  it  will  be  apt  to  cure  him. 

True  Beauty.  When  you  say  a  flower  bed  or 
plan  of  a  flower  garden  or  lawn  is  beautiful 
think  twice  about  it.  Is  it  beautiful'i'  Ifso.vou 
can  say  why.  If  you  decide  at  last  that  you  are 
mistaken,  that  it  is  only  a  monstrosity  or 
vagary  then  you  will  have  learned  something. 
Much  ot  the  fancy  garden  work  is  unnatural  and 
corrupting  to  good  taste.  As  a  rule  you  will 
flnd  that  a  real  lover  of  nature  has  no  pattern 
bed  on  his  lawns,  and  no  sheared  evergreens.— 
K.  P.  PoweU. 

A  Live  Oak  near  Charleston,  S.  C,  is  con- 
sidered to  be  one  of  the  most  perfect  trees  in  this 
country.  The  trunk  Ave  feet  from  the  ground 
has  a  circumference  of  twenty-five  feet,  and 
the  main  branches,  shooting  out  at  right  angles 
from  the  trunk  at  the  height  of  ten  feet  above 
the  ground,  have  a  spread  of  about  one  hundred 
and  twcnty-flve  feet,  forming  a  dense,  symmet- 
rical, flat  head  of  indescribable  beauty.  This 
tree  may  be  found  behind  the  old  Drayton 
Manorhouse  on  the  Ashley  river. 


Chrysanthemum  Tarietiea.  Among  distinct 
varieties  well  worth  growing,  Mr.  H.W.  Hales 
names  the  following:  Elaine, pure  white;  Venus, 
light  lilac;  Golden  Beverly,  bright  yellow;  Tim- 
bal  d'  Argent,  white  anemone-flowered  ;  Juvena, 
dark  maroon ;  Mad.  Andiguier,  clear  pink,  very 
fine  ;Koseum,  bright  rose  ;  Souce  d'  Or,  deep 
yellow  ;  Lakme,  light  bronze ;  Golden  Dragon, 
Japanese  yellow;  Snowstorm,  pale  lemon  chang- 
ing to  pure  white;  Red  Dragon,  dark  red :  Nym- 
phsea,  pure  white  sweet  scented. 

The  Fyrethrnms.  This  interesting  class  of 
plants  is  not  only  useful  for  the  manufacture  of 
insect  powders,  but  also  furnishes  us  very  beauti- 
ful flowers.  In  Europe  they  are  classed  among 
the  most  desirable  of  easily  grown  hardy  yier- 
ennials.  P.carncnm  audits  varieties  have  large 
and  fine  flowers  resembling  white,  pink  and  rose 
Asters.  The  P.  Parthenium  is  the  well-known 
Feverfew  of  our  gardens.  The  Golden  Feather, 
so  much  used  for  flower  border,  is  a  sport  from 
this  latter  species.  All  of  the  varieties  and 
species  are  easily  grown  from  seed  or  by  division 
of  the  roots. 

Screens  for  Boses.  Did  your  readers  ever  try 
the  experiment  of  covering  young  Eoses  in  the 
spring  with  cone  of  wire  fly-netting,  from  old 
useless  screens  ■/  With  me  it  seems  to  develop 
them  much  more  rapidly,  protecting  them  from 
sun  at  mid-day,  and  from  insects  and  grubs,  till 
their  growth  is  much  matured.  Roses  from  two 
inch  pots  are  hard  to  save  in  the  open  ground 
without  some  such  protection.  I  also  drive  um- 
brella wires  into  bits  of  wood  and  use  them  as 
incuonspicous  support  for  many  weak  plants  In- 
stead of  the  more  common  wood  stakes.— 0.  L. 
Church,  Bristol  Cn.  R.  I. 

Calceolarias  from  Seed.  The  value  of  these  as 
winter  and  early  spring  pot  plants  should  be  well 
known,  as  they  last  a  long  time  in  bloom  and  can 
be  easily  grown  I  sow  the  seeds  in  August,  in 
pans  filled  with  a  mixture  ot  loam,  leaf-mould, 
and  silver  sand ;  water  previous  to  sowing, 
cover  the  seeds  very  slightly,  place  in  a  cool 
frame  j  when  large  enough  pick  out  into  boxes, 
and  when  they  have  grown  to  sufficient  size  put 
into  3  inch  pots  and  keep  in  a  temperature  of 
45°  to  50°  close  to  the  glass.  When  well  pot- 
bound  repot  into  five  inch  pots.  Give  plenty  of 
air,  never  allowing  them  to  get  dry.  Good 
plants  can  be  grown  by  any  careful  grower.  A 
good  strain  of  seed  is  of  course  essential. —D.Roj/. 

Destroying  Weeds  in  the  Lawn.  I  have  tried 
several  methods  of  clearing  our  lawn  of  Dan- 
delion, Dock,  etc,  and  flnd  that  nothing  is  so 
effectual  in  totally  destroying  them  as  a  small 
quantity  of  turpentine  poured  upon  them.  I 
had  dug  these  weeds  out  quite  clean,  but  they 
came  up  again  stronger  thau  before.  I  then  ex- 
perimented by  applying  carbolic  acid,  kerosene 
and  turpentine.  Kerosene  had  little  effect  upon 
them,  while  the  acid  and  turpentine  destroyed 
them  outright.  As  turpentine  is  much  the 
cheaper  of  the  two,  it  was  given  the  preference, 
and  I  am  now  using  it  upon  all  hard-killing 
weeds  as  soon  as  discovered,  and  am  well  pleased 
with  the  results.  A  teaspoonful  of  turpentine  is 
sufficient  to  destroy  almost  any  weed.— Joftii  F. 
Hupp,  Pa. 

Blumenbachia  coronata,  shown  in  illustration 
re-engraved    from   Gardeiung   Illustrated,    is  a 


Plant  of  Blumenbaehia  in  Flower. 

prett.v  hardy  annual,  native  of  Chili.  Its  flowers 
are  showy,  the  foliage  elegant,  and  the  growth 
dwai'f  and  compact.  The  structure  of  the 
flowers  is  somewhat  singular.  The  boat-shaped 
petals  and  the  peculiar  small  scales  between 
them,  together  with  the  brush-like  bundle  of 
stamens,  render  the  blossoms  very  attractive. 
It  may  be  grown  from  seed,  preferably  sown  in 
spring,  and  treated  as  a  hardy  annual.  It  con- 
tinues to  flower  from  July  to  September  if 
grown  in  warm  light  soils.  Other  cultivated 
species  of  Blumenbachia,  natives  of  the  southern 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


237 


parts  of  South  Americn,  are  B.  t'»siom'.«,  with 
j>inv  white  lii^w<M"s  niio  ini'h  across,  ami  Tt  mult  •'- 
fidti.  a  plant  of  much  stroiigiT  larrowth,  and  niui-h 
hux^T.  livo-pnrti'il  U'u\rs. 

Settler's  8tru»(fle8  for  Fruit  wht-n  1  lame 
hcMv  to  the  Ozark  Hills,  seven  years  ago,  1  moveii 
on  a  piece  of  iiplanil,  with  a  few  aei-es  of  t^leared 
land  <>\crjfro\vn  with  vines,  briai's,  and  shrubs  of 
nian.\'  l\inds.  There  were  some  Inniehes  of  seed- 
Iniff  Apple  sprouts.  I  cut  away  all  hut  the  host 
fitini  each  cluster,  ami  cultivated  the  remaining 
ones :  and  they  have  paid  ine  well  for  my  tronhle. 
The  fruit  is  fine  tla\oivd,  of  good  shape,  color, 
and  si/e.  Theri'  were  also  seedling  I*each  trees 
which  we  cared  for.  that  soon  jra\'e  us  plenty  of 
fruit,  and  these  Apples  and  Peaches,  with  Mie 
wild  ti-uits  ^>-rowinK  around  us,  kept  our  table 
reasonabl.v  supplied  while  our  "tame"  fruits 
were  jjrrowinj?.  I  be^m  early  to  plant  fruit  of 
all  kinds,  larpe  and  small,  as  many  each  season 
as  I  could  afford  at  the  time;  am  still  planting, 
and  shall  i-ontinue  to  do  so  for  many  years  to 
ettnie,  if  I  li\e.— /.r.  TrowhriilucDnuijlas  Co.,  Mo. 

Hotne  Experiment  Stations,— Every  farmers 
tioy  and  every  girl  should  be  taught  to  tr.v  ex- 
^KTiments  in  culture.  The  whole  laud  should  be 
an  e.xperiment  station.  The  reports  should  be 
made  brief  and  accurate  to  State  Headquarters, 
to  lie  summed  up,  edited  and  the  valuable  given 
to  the  public.  Among  other  experiments  should 
l>e  the  raising  of  seedlings.  Our  grafted  fruits 
are  subject  to  constant  strain  by  being  trans- 
ferred from  one  climate  to  another;  and  by  the 
tendency  to  graft  feeble  stock.  Growing  seed- 
lings is  our  own  remed.y.  We  have  our  ideal 
fruit  or  vegetable  in  but  few  directions.  I  sus- 
pect our  Strawberry  may  have  culminated  in 
about  as  good  berries  as  we  shall  get.  But  hardy 
Blackberries,  hardy  Peaches,  dessert  Quinces, 
choice  Persimmons,  etc,  etc ;  what  an  opening ! 
Try  something  boys,  every  mother's  son  of  you. 
— E.  P.  Powell. 

Botany  fo?  the  Home  and  School.  In  a  book 
entitled  *'  Fairyland  of  Flowers,"  from  the 
Educational  Publishing  Co.,  Boston,  Mass.,  we 
have  an  excellent  elementary  work  on  Botany 
suited  to  popular  use.  It  is  from  the  pen  of 
Mara  L.  Pratt,  who  in  some  previous  works  has 
established  strong  claims  as  an  instructive 
author.  In  the  present  treatise  her  plan  has 
been  to  make  the  study  of  flowers,  in  their  bo- 
tanical aspect  so  simple  and  untechnical,  that 
with  a  little  guidance  the  child  can  take  common 
flowers  and  trace  out  their  family,  genera  and 
species.  Illustrations  have  been  used  in  pro- 
fusion to  throw  light  on  the  text.  The  author 
has  tried,  and  very  successfully  we  think,  to  re- 
lieve her  work  from  the  dryness  so  often  dis- 
covered by  the  average  student  ,'n  the  strictly 
botanical  works.  Many  a  young  reader  will  be 
led  by  this  book  to  almost  on  concsiously  know 
something  of  botany,  who  would  turn  with 
weariness  from  the  regular  text  books.  It  is  a 
handsome  cjuurto  book  and  costs  but  one  dollar. 

The  Stndy  of  Botany,  Weeds,  flowers,  shrubs 
and  trees  are  everywhere  about  us.  The  elemen- 
tary facts  of  their  structure,  manner  of  growth 
and  classification,  are  so  simple  and  easy  that 
they  may  be  readily  understood  by  a  child.  No 
study  so  enlarges  one's  capacity  for  enjoyment. 
But  most  important  of  all  is  the  fact  that  our 
intimate  knowledge  of  plants,  such  as  botany 
affords,  is  indispensible  to  the  farmer  and  gard- 
ener. Men  in  other  professions  may  get  along 
without,  but  the  soil  worker  who  is  constantly 
dealing  with  plants,  cannot  know  too  much 
about  them.  Tt  enables  him  to  select  his  seed 
with  more  care,  adapting  the  variety  to  soil  and 
climate;  it  tells  him  how  plants  grow  and  what 
food  they  require:  it  enables  him  to  avoid  losses 
by  weeds;  it  shows  him  how  to  prevent  fungous 
diseases;  it  teaches  him  what  plants  are  worth- 
less, and  which  are  the  most  valuable.  In  brief, 
botany  in  connection  with  chemistry  and  geology 
constitutes  the  natural  foundation  ni  a  sound, 
practical  knowledge  of  plants  and  soil.  The  lead- 
ing principles  and  facts  of  these  sciences  are  the 
frame-work,  the  very  body  and  bones,  of  an 
agricultural  education.—Prof.  Wm.  R.  Lazejiby, 
Ohid  State  Univerxitji. 

Fighting  the  Weed  Naisance  — Do  you  know 
that  the  Canada  Thistle  is  again  on  the  increase? 
The  law  is  not  enforced  and  never  has  been 
thoroughly  so ;  yet  the  farmers  did  get  alarmed 
and  fight  the  pest,  but  now  they  are  giving  it 
license  and  it  is  spreading  accordingly.  I  have  not 
seen  an  Oat  field  this  year  free  from  Thistles 
while  some  are  full.    Within  three  miles  of  Utica 


I  can  point  out  dozens  of  open  lots,  pastures, 
meadows  and  roadsides  that  are  covered  with 
these  as  well  as  other  weeds;  and  all  grow  to 
seed.  In  five  yeai-s  more  it  will  have  secured  the 
same  hold  it  had  thirty  or  forty  years  ago.  Now 
will  you  wake  up  in  time  and  enforce  the  law  V 
What  we  ncc<l  is  county  or  town  Anti-weed 
Associations,  organizations  to  enforce  laws  as  to 
the  cultivation  of  weeds  and  neglect  to  cut  them 
Who  will  be  the  first  to  move  in  this  matter?  It 
needs  about  twenty  or  ten  earnest  men  who  will 


Fig.  6.    Arching  Pin  Oaks,  as  practised  by  Wm. 
Falconer.    See  page  234. 

furnish  means  and  prosecute  a  half  dozen  of  the 
shiftless  weed  breeders.  Then  the  law  would  en- 
force itself.  But  we  also  need  in  every  ttounty 
a  Road  Improvement  Association,  pledged  to  the 
enforcement  of  existing  laws  as  to  weeds  in  the 
highway ;  and  ready  to  prosecute  any  path- 
master  who  does  not  rake  up  stones,  mow  weeds 
and  otherwise  obey  the  statutes  under  which  he 
acts.  We  have  laws  enough,  but  too  little 
obedience.  Such  an  association  should  make  a 
study  of  the  best  methods  of  road  building, 
which  so  very  few  of  our  people  have  the  least 
idea  of.— E.  P.  Powell. 

Climbers  on  Tree  Trunks.  In  this  style  of  em- 
bellishment little  is  as  yet  done  in  this  country 
compared  with  the  attention  it  receives  abroad. 
In  a  large  garden  at  Brentford,  England,  this 
style  is  now  carried  out  in  Hoses  and  with  few 
tacks  being  used,  and  these  as  small  as  possible, 
no  harm  results  while  the  wreaths  of  flowers 
clustering  round  the  rich-brown  bar)£  give  that 
picturesque,  wild,  and  natural  appearance  that 
is  inexpressibly  charming.  Noisette  Roses  are 
the  kinds  used.  Aged  specimens  of  trees  fast 
decaying,  and  becoming  in  a  certain  sense  un- 
sightly, are  generally  selected  for  the  Roses  to 
ramble  over,  and  this  they  do  most  effectually. 
One  Cedar  almost  dead  is  embellished  with  Vir- 
ginian Creeper,  and  a  large  tree  of  Red  Cedar  is 
draped  with  this  climber,  the  shoots  hanging 
gracefully  down  and  covering  what  would  have 
been  an  unsightly  stump.  In  another  part  a 
Virginian  (^reeper  was  fast  hiding  the  bareness 
of  a  Monkey  Puzzle,  or  Araucaria  that  had  lost 
its  lower  limbs.  The  time  to  see  the  Ampelopsis 
is  the  autumn.  Then  the  rich-green  leafage 
changes  gradually  to  brilliant-crimson  tints, 
which  light  up  the  garden  with  intense  color. 
A  tree  veiled  with  shoots  and  tendrils,  as  the 
Red  Cedar  at  Syon,  looks  in  the  autumn  as  if 
encircled  with  Are.  This  kind  of  gardening  can 
be  overdone.  Only  a  little  is  wanted,  and  where 
there  are  weather-beaten  tree  monarchs,  whose 
very  age  commands  reverence,  that  may  be 
made  picturesque  and  beautiful  by  planting 
against  their  hollow  trunks  Roses  or  creepers  of 
the  nature  of  the  Ampelopsis.  Breaks  of  white 
Koses  here  and  there  in  a  large  park  certainly 
have  a  peculiar  beauty  in  the  summer  months. 

Bush  Honeysuckles,  Among  the  very  best 
of  those  thoroughly  tested  at  the  Iowa  Experi- 
ment Station,  Prof.  Budd  names  the  following  : 
Lotiicera  splendens,  classed  as  a  variety  of  L. 
Tartarica,  but  a  western  Asiatic  form,  with 
softer  foliage  and  a  more  pendant  habit  than  the 
species.  The  typical  variety  has  large  white 
and  yellow  berries.  Its  abundant  bloom  is  near 
the  point  of  growth,  hence  the  bloom  and  after 
crop  of  berries  are  more  conspicuous  than  with 
the  common  variety.— ion icera  spcci'osi  also  be- 
longs to  the  western  Asiatic  form  of  the  species, 
and  in  foliage  and  habit  it  is  much  like  L.  splen- 
dens. Flowers  very  large,  mottled  pink  in  color, 
followed  by  light  red  berries  in  great  profusion. 
This  is  nearly  identical  with  the  L.  riibra 
grandiftnra  of  European  nurseries.— I/onicera 
rubra  viryinalis,  a  handsome  bush  with  pen- 
dent habit  and  large  pure  white  flowers.  Loni- 
cera    ruprectiana,  a   strong,  growing   species 


from  east  Europe,  with  bold  habit,  soft  foliage 
and  a  great  profusion  of  light,  pink  flowers, 
followed  by  large,  handsome  berries.  The  variety 
of  the  species  from  China  has  yellow  flowers  and 
is  far  less  desirable.  The  bees  work  freely  on 
this  species.  Loiiieera  Ktilostcum.-  This  is  a 
near  relative  of  the  trailing  variety  known  as 
Lonicera  IJnlleane,  which  is  tender  with  us. 
Like  the  latter  its  flowers  are  white,  turning  as 
they  get  old  to  a  creamy  yellow,  and  the  leaves 
are  soft  and  pubescent  on  both  sides  But  it  is 
bush-like  in  form,  with  pendant  shoots,  and  the 
flowers  are  followed  bj'  very  large,  purple  ber- 
ries decidedly  oramental.  The  bees  gather  honey 
and  pollen  from  this  variety  to  such  extent  that 
it  is  grown  in  hedges  as  a  bee  plant  in  east 
Europe.  Lonicera  Albcrti.-  This  is  a  peculiar 
representative  of  the  Bush  Honeysuckle  from 
central  Asia.  At  first  it  appears  to  be  a  delicate 
small  leaved  trailer,  highest  in  the  center,  with 
its  points  of  growth  resting  on  the  ground.  But 
the  cone  ascends  each  year  until  it  becomes  a 
handsome  weeping  bush  four  or  more  feet  in 
height.  It  is  the  most  giaceful  member  of  the 
family  in  habit  and  foliage,  and  a  profuse 
bloomer  with  handsome  after  fruit.  Flowers 
dark  pink,  making  a  fine  contrast  with  the  very 
small  light  green  foliage.  All  the  varieties  and 
species  noted  grow  readil.v  from  cuttings  of  the 
young  wood  put  in  in  the  fall,  and  they  should 
become  common  in  our  western  nurseries. 


Chat  About  Flowers  and  Their  Uses. 

As  charming  a  bouquet  as  one  could  desire  to 
see,  was  recently  carried  to  town  by  a  gentleman 
from  his  suburban  residence.  It  consisted  of 
flowering  branches  of  the  Tulip  Tree,  with 
plenty  of  the  handsome  leaves  to  back  the  bloom 
a  bunch  of  the  purple  Bowers  of  Salsify,  and 
some  sprays  of  Reeve's  Spiraea.  It  discounted 
the  florist's  bouquets  wholly. 

A  most  beautiful  bouquet  of  hardy  flowers  is 
that  of  yellow  Day  Lilies  and  blue  Irises,  with  a 
free  intermingling  of  the  foliage  of  both. 

Recently  Mrs.  Grover  Oeveland  had  charge  of 
a  flower  booth  at  a  charity  fair  in  New  York, 
and  the  customers  for  her  Roses,  which  were 
held  at  from  five  to  ten  dollars  apiece  were  so 
numerous  that  they  were  obliged  to  form  Into 
line  to  be  waited  on. 

To  those  who  grow  flowers  in  profusion,  we 
would  say,  study  simple  effects  in  arranging 
those  cut  for  the  table  or  other  purpose.  To 
mass  a  great  assortment  of  bloom  into  a  close 
solid  bunch  will  be  found  far  less  satisfactory 
than  to  take  some  leading  kind  of  flower  for  the 
main  display  and  then  employ  other  kinds  in 
smaller  quantities.  A  bouquet  composed  of 
three  or  four  kinds.will  usually  be  more  effective 
than  when  ten  times  as  many  kinds  are  used. 
On  this  principle  in  part,  first  class  florists  make 
bouquets  or  baskets  of  Hoses,  or  of  Carnations, 
or  of  Orchids  perhaps,  depending  on  the  various 
colors  of  the  same  kind  for  a  diversified  effect. 

While  you  are  studying  effective  arrangement, 
give  attention  also  to  having  the  flowers  loosely 
instead  of  compactly  disposed  of.  Make  one 
bouquet  with  flowers,  a  good  proportion  of 
which  have  stems  from  long  to  very  long,  and 
another  of  the  same  kind  of  blooms,  but  with 
short  stems,  and  note  how  inferior  is  the  effect 
of  the  latter.  It  scarcely  requires  to  be  repeated 
that  with  hardly  any  exception,  flowers  appear 
to  the  best  advantage  when  surrounded  by  their 
own  foliage. 

At  a  recent  swell  wedding  at  Washington,  taU, 
graceful  Palms  filled  the  nooks  and  corners  and 
clustered  about  the  bottom  of  the  stairway.  In 
all  the  rooms  there  were  masses  of  spring  flowers, 
pots  of  sweet  Honeysuckles,  jars  of  Snowballs 
and  Wistaria,  low  dishes  of  Violets  and  Pansies, 
and  mingled  with  them  all  were  graceful  Ferns. 
A  white  satin  ribbon  stretched  across  the  draw- 
ing room,  dividing  it  midway,  on  the  other  side 
of  this  ribbon,  and  in  the  library  beyond,  was 
the  space  reserved  for  the  guests. 

On  the  second  floor  in  the  long  drawing  room 
extending  across  the  front  of  the  house,  a  bower 
of  nodding  Palms  and  blossoming  Rose  plants  had 
been  arranged  with  the  oval  mirror  for  a  back 
ground.  The  mirror  was  framed  in  a  thick 
fringe  of  Maidenhair  Ferns  and  masses  of  Mar- 
guerites. The  mantel  was  banked  with  growing 
Ferns,and  from  it  drooped  a  pendulous  fringe  of 
Asparagus  vme.  On  eitlier  side  stood  brass  tables 
on  which  were  huge  jars  of  La  France  Koses.  In 
the  corners  of  the  drawing  room  were  clumps  of 
Palms,  and  on  all  the  tables  and  brackets  were 
bowls  of  Snowballs  and  Syringes.—  Observer. 


238 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


August, 


THE 


SOCIETIES 

TO  BirwnBvf  RMovnb 


House  Slops  for  the  Gard- 
en.    If  |iiiji>frlj-  liistributed 
the   slops    (it    an    ordinary 
.  sized  family  will  furnish  all 
.  the  fertilizing    needed    for 
the  village  garden. -E.G. Coo. 

Insect  vs.  Insect.  Noxious 
insects  should  be  fought  by 
means  of  parasites.  This  is  the  true  scientific 
method,  and  the  use  of  poisons  a  grave  mistake. 
—Dr.  BnnUe. 

The  Cottonwood  is  a  kind  of  a  thief,  a 
murderer.  It  will  kill  every  tree  within  its  im- 
mediate reach  by  absorbing  all  the  moisture 
there  is  in  the  soil,  and  then,  after  killing  the 
other  trees,  it  commits  suicide.— iVf.  Carpenter. 

The  Home  Garden.  The  garden  must  be  near 
the  hftuse,  where  the  owner  will  see  it  many 
times  a  day,  and  often  improve  the  waiting 
moments.  It  must  be  enclosed,  at  any  rate,  a 
part  of  it.  It  must  be  well  manured  ever.v  year. 
—lllis.  Hurt.  Sneictij. 

Frtiits  for  the  Children  Wo  are  often  told  if 
fruit-trees  were  planted  in  the  street  the  boys 
would  get  the  fruit.  That  would  be  one  great 
object  in  thus  i>lanting,  so  that  the  boys  and  girls 
could  get  the  fruit.  The  fact  is  that  children  are 
starving  for  fruit;  and  what  with  the  scarcity  of 
the  article  and  the  enclosures  surrounding  what 
there  is,  the  average  boy  is  forced  into  being  a 
thief.— M)>-.  Helen  V.  A  u.itin,  N.  J.  Hurt.  Society. 

Judging  Frnits  at  Fairs.  So  much  fruit  is 
e.'shibited  under  a  wrong  name,  says  Orange 
County  Farmer,  that  the  need  of  an  expert  is 
always  greatly  felt.  Let  such  an  one  be  engaged 
and  the  fact  aimounced  before  the  fair,  coupled 
with  an  invitation  to  those  who  have  fruits  which 
they  cannot  name,  to  bring  them  to  the  fair.  He 
will  have  one  or  two  days  work  on  hand  at  least. 
We  have  attended  fairs  where  half  the  fruit 
was  wrongly  named. 

Picking  Stunmer  and  Antumn  Fears.  While 
many  varieties  will  ripen  upon  the  tree  with 
rich  golden  or  crimson  colors,  like  the  Bartlett 
and  Sekel,  all  varieties  of  Pears  will  attain  a 
richer  tint  as  well  as  a  higher  flavor  by  a  little 
attention.  For  the  attainment  of  the  best  result, 
darkness  and  warmth  in  the  masses  of  fruit  are 
necessary.  Fruit  picked  green  should  be  ex- 
posed long  enough  to  become  perfectly  dry, 
and  is  then  packed  in  cloth-lined  barrels  and 
cases.— Hoc*.  Suciety  af  A'ortft  Ills. 

Birds  as  Planters.  It  is  wonderful  to  notice 
how  far  seeds  of  berries  are  carried  by  the  birds. 
The  Wax  Wing  and  Cedar  birds  carry  seeds  of 
our  Tartarian  Honeysuckles,  purple  Barberries, 
and  many  other  kinds,  for  miles  distant,  where 
we  see  them  springing  up  near  the  lake  shore, 
where  these  birds  fly  in  flocks  to  feed  on  the 
Juniper  berries.  It  seems  to  be  the  same  every- 
where. I  found  European  Mountain  Ash  trees 
last  summer  in  a  forest  in  New  Hampshirel  the 
seeds  of  which  must  have  been  carried  two 
miles  the  way  the  crow  flies.— R,  F.  Dimglass, 
Am.  Asgoeiatum  of  Nurtfcrymen. 

Strawberry  Syrup.  At  the  Cash  Strawberry 
and  Rose  show  of  the  Marshall  County  (I  IlinoisI 
Horticultural  Society,  there  were  on  exhibition 
samples  of  syrup,  manufactured  from  the  juice 
extracted  from  the  Strawberry,  which  were 
highly  commended,  looking  as  though  the  parties 
may  have  found  a  new  and  paying  industry. 
Strawberries  can  be  grown  by  the  100  or  l.OtK) 
acres  and  pressed  in  the  ordinary  cider  presses 
of  the  country,  and  evaporated  in  the  ordinary 
sugar  cane  evaporators,  and  be  made  worth 
much  money  to  our  State,  I  believe.  Strawber- 
ry-growers of  our  county  will  look  after  this 
new  and  promising  industry. 

Pollen  for  Crossing.  When  the  first  blossoms 
of  the  variety  we  wish  to  use  for  fertilizing  have 
expanded,  we  pluck  out,  with  forefinger  and 
thumb,  the  stamens  and  pistils  and  drop  them 
into  a  cup.  In  an  hour  a  smart  boy  can  gather 
in  this  way  enough  of  the  anthers— in  the  '  hard 
pellet'  state— to  fertilize  a  thousand  or  more 
blossoms.  After  gathering  we  dry  it,  in  a  warm 
close  room.  In  the  process  of  drying  the  anthers 
ripen  and  burst,  and  when  needed  for  use  a 
camel's  hair  jxincil,  moistened,  will  come  out  of 
the  dish  laden  with  the  golden  dust.  To  show 
the  duraliility  of  pollen  gathered  in  this  rough 
way,  I  will  state  that  three  years  ago  we  laid 


aside  a  cup  of  pollen  not  used  for  four  weeks. 
At  the  end  of  that  time  Dr.  Halsted  germinated 
it  on  moistened  slides  quite  as  perfectly  as  that 
freshly  gathered.— Prof.  J.  L.  Budd. 

Effects  of  Lime  in  Soil.  At  the  last  session  of 
the  Florida  Horticultural  Society,  the  following 
summary  was  mentioned.  1.  Lime  acts  with 
felspar  or  clay,  setting  free  potash  or  other 
alkalies.  3.  It  acts  on  vegetable  matter  setting 
free  ammonia,  water,  nitric  acid  and  carbon 
dioxide  tending  to  destroy  exess  of  humus  in  the 
soil  3.  Neutralized  organic  acids- humic, 
ulmic,  geic,  etc., — thus  sweetening  the  soil.  4. 
Takes  up  nitric  acid  as  formed  by  the  nitrifying 
bacteria.  .5  It  is  a  plant  food  itself.  H.  Ren- 
ders harmless  injurious  salts  of  copper,  iron,  etc. 
7.  Opens  up  clay  soil  from  the  "curdling"  efl'ect 
it  has  on  the  molecules  of  that  substance.  Soils 
which  contain  more  than  4  per  cent  of  lime 
(carbonate)  should  not  be  treated  with  lime. 

Handling  Apples.  Mr.  True  in  a  paixsr  read 
before  the  Maine  State  Pomological  Societ.v  re- 
commended trees  to  have  all  of  the  same  variety 
in  one  locality,  nearly  so,  to  save  time  in  har- 
vesting. His  favorite  ladder  he  made  in  fifteen 
minutes  out  of  two  Spruce  poles  two  inches  in 
diameter  at  the  butt,  fourteen  feet  long  and 
strips  nailed  across  with  clinch  nails,  having 
ladder  narrower  at  the  top.  All  light-colored 
Fall  apples  he  picked  right  from  the  basket  into 
the  barrels.  Late  Fall  fruit  might  be  put  in 
piles  and  sorted.  Varieties  like  Northern  Spy 
should  never  be  jioured  from  the  basket.  The 
stems  will  penetrate  the  skin  of  those  they  come 
in  contact  with,  and  be  the  means  of  decay. 
Baldwins  may  be  carefully  turned  into  a  cart 
and  sorted  before  storing.  When  one  produces 
a  large  quantity  of  apples  it  is  better  to  build  a 
regular  fruit  cellar.  A  temperature  of  30° 
is  about  right.  A  moist  cellar  is  best.  There  is 
little  danger  of  putting  too  many  in  one  bin. 
Baldwins  may  thus  be  kept  till  April  or  May. 

The  Bordeaux  Uiztare  as  an  Insecticide. 
Professor  Garman  told  of  recent  experiments 
which  had  proven  that  the  mixture  (sulphate  of 
copper  and  lime)  not  only  acts  as  a  fungicide  in 
remedying  Grape  mildew  and  black  rot  as  well 
as  Potato  rot  and  scab,  but  that  it  also  both 
deters  and  destroys  the  insects  infesting  these 
plants,  so  that  one  appication  of  the  mi.xture  to 
Potatoes,  for  instance,  will  not  only  prove  a 
remedy  for  rot  but  also  for  the  flea  beetle  and 
<rolorado  beetle.  Professor  Riley  mentioned  that 
the  discovery  of  the  fungicide  propei'ties  of  this 
mixture  had  been  accidental.  For  years  the 
vinegrowers  near  Bordeaux  had  been  in  the 
habit  of  poisoning  their  outer  rows  of  vines  to 
deter  thieves.  On  the  appearance  of  the  mildew 
(peronospora)  some  years  ago.it  was  noticed  that 
the  outer  rows  did  not  suffer,  and  it  was  not 
long  before  it  was  discovered  that  the  poisoning 
was  the  cause  of  the  immunity,  and  this  particu- 
lar mixture  has  since  remained  at  the  head  of 
the  chea|>  remedies  for  many  fungous  diseases. — 
Entomol-ogieal  Society  of  Ontario. 

Essays  by  Toung  People.  The  Illinois  State 
Horticultural  Society  sets  apart  one  session  of 
the  series  to  the  young  people.  One  of  them 
presided  and  the  essays  read  were  written  by 
farmers'  boys  and  girls  and  the  discussions  on 
the  papers  were  carried  on  without  any  prompt- 
ing from  the  elders.  Of  course,  this  was  the 
most  interesting  session  of  all  the  meeting.  The 
.voung  men  and  woman  showed  how  carefully 
they  had  studied  by  treating  the  subjects  given 
them  in  a  broad  and  thoughtful  way,  and,  having 
brought  a  fresh  intelligence  to  bear  upon  the 
<luestions,  the  old  rut  and  routine  were  aban- 
doned and  the  meeting  went  on  with  a  sparkle 
that  surprised  the  listeners.  One  result  was  that 
the  city  people  discovered  how  much  there  was 
to  keep  the  minds  of  young  people  on  the  farm 
alert  and  active  if  they  are  only  properly  direct- 
ed. The  farm  ought  not  to  be  a  dull  place,  with 
all  the  processes  of  vegetable  and  animal  life  in 
full  tide  all  the  time  before  open  ej-es  and  inqui- 
sitive minds.  Another  result  was  that  this  shar- 
ing of  the  intellectual  portions  of  a  horticultural 
meeting  with  the  young  folks  is  a  capital  way  to 
enlist  their  interest— to  encourage  them  to  add 
the  work  of  mind  to  that  of  the  hand,  to  make 
thoughtful  and  intelligent  cultivators,  to  put 
brains  into  the  conduct  of  the  farm— P/iita- 
(ielijhia  Presn. 


Asparagrus,  House-Plants,  Etc. 
At  the  meeting  of  the  Alton,  Ills.,  Horti- 
cultural Society  on  June  6th,  Mr.  E.  Hollls- 
ter  in  his  paper  on  Asparagus  growing  said: 


It  is  claimed'^by  some  that  there  is  but  one 
variety  of  Asparagus.  I  differ  with  them.  Some 
years  ago  I  set  out  a  small  exi>erimental  lot  of 
Conover's  Colossal,  More's  Crossbred  and  Small- 
ey's  Defiance  and  noted  the  result,  which  was  in 
favor  of  the  latter,  both  in  size  and  quantity. 
More  recently  I  have  tried  the  "  Palmetto,"  and 
was  much  pleased  with  it,  and  think  it  an  im- 
provement over  the  other  sorts.  As  to  market- 
ing, the  third-bushel  box  is  in  so  general  use, 
and  other  packages  are  seldom  seen  or  used;  1 
have  used  with  satisfaction  a  half-bushel  baled 
basket  with  cover,  setting  the  Asparagus  bunches 
on  end,  packing  two  dozen  in  each. 

In  the  after-discussion  Wm.  Jackson  said  he 
liked  Barr's  Mammoth  twice  as  well  as  he  did 
Conover's. 

In  reply  to  a  question  as  to  using  salt  on  As- 
paragus Mr.  HoUister  said,  "  I  would  use  enough 
to  make  the  ground  look  white,  and  put  it  on  in 
the  spring.  I  would  not  cut  until  after  two 
year's  planted,  though  plants  that  are  three  or 
four  year's  old  when  "planted  can  be  cut  quite 
freely  the  first  year." 

Mr.Riehl  is  down  upon  the  whole  salting  busin- 
ess. Is  an  old  notion,  not  of  any  benefit  to  the 
Asparagus,  and  a  somewhat  expensive  way  to 
kill  the  weeds 

Miss  Hilliard  in  her  paper  on  the  summer  care 
of  house  plants  said  she  had  tried  all  plans  on  a 
small  scale,  and  liked  best  to  keep  her  plants  on 
low  shelves  on  the  north  side  of  the  house,  not 
close  to  a  high  wall,  but  where  they  will  be  well 
shaded  through  the  hottest  half  of  the  day.  If 
object  of  summer  care  is  to  secure  Hne  speci- 
mens for  next  winter's  enjoyment,  we  must 
study  the  habits  of  each  different  class,  and  give 
to  each  the  individual  treatment  it  requires.  If 
we  depend,  as  many  of  us  do,  on  such  common 
things  as  Geraniums,  Heliotrope  and  the  like  for 
our  Christmas  blooms  we  should  not  bestir  our- 
selves. Take  slips  from  the  finest  varieties,  and 
after  rooting  then  change  them  from  small  to 
larger  pots  about  once  a  month,  pinching  and 
trimming  them  into  shape  constantl.v  all  sum- 
mer, allowing  no  blossom  buds  to  expand.  Do 
not  let  a  hot  sun  strike  the  sides  of  the  pot. 

The  first  of  September  we  should  have  well- 
shaped  plants  in  five  or  six  inch  pots,  and  they 
should  not  be  shifted  after  this  date,  for  they 
will  not  blossom  so  freely  with  too  much  root 
room.  Continue  pinching  for  a  month  longer, 
making  them  compact,  symmetrical,  full  of  short 
Jointed  branches.  The  first  of  October  they  are 
ready  to  remove  to  the  south  window  of  a  mod- 
erately cool  room.  Foliage  and  Rose  Geraniums 
will  do  in  larger  pots  than  is  required  for  the 
flowering  kind. 

Young  Roses  in  course  of  preparation  for  next 
winter  will  do  best  if  started  in  small  pots  early 
in  the  spring,  shifted  into  one  size  larger  pots 
once  a  month  as  they  make  root  growth.  By  the 
middle  of  August  they  should  receive  their  final 
repotting  into  six  or  eightinch  jars.  Thisissome 
trouble,  but  I  am  convinced  it  is  the  best  way  to 
insure  tine  winter  Roses.  In  every  case  all  the 
buds  should  be  removed. 

She  favors  tin  cans  of  rich  earth  for  Tuberoses 
and  wooden  boxes  for  Violets  or  Primroses. 
"  Potted  Chrysanthmums  for  December  blossom- 
ing need  constant  watering  and  clii>ping."  She 
confesses  that  the  Amaryllis  "  is  an  enigma." 


The  Sulphuring  of  Dried  Fruit. 

\ Prof.  Hitgard  of  the  California  Experiment  Station. 

The  question  whether  sulphuring  of  dried 
frnit  is  a  harmful  practice  or  not,  continues 
to  be  a  bone  of  contention. 

This  sulphuring  of  dried  fruits  has  two  chief 
objects;one,and  that  most  generally  kept  in  view, 
is  the  brightening  of  the  color,  which  always 
darkens,  particularly  in  sliced  fruit,  in  whatever 
way  it  may  be  dried;  the  change  of  color  being 
due  to  the  action  of  the  air  upon  certain  easily 
changeable  substances  contained  in  all  fruits. 
This  darkening  is  a  practically  inevitable  result 
of  drying  any  fruit  in  contact  with  air,  whether 
in  sunshine  or  by  artificial  heat,  and  should  be 
looked  for  by  every  consumer,  as  the  natural 
mark  of  an  honest,  unmanipulated  article. 

The  .second  object  sought  to  be  attained  by 
sulphuring,  is  to  render  the  fruit  secure  from 
the  attacks  of  insects;  whether  by  rendering  its 
surface  unpalatable  before  the  eggs  are  laid, 
or  by  killing  eggs  laid  during  sun-drying  that 
might  subsequently  hatch  in  the  packages.  The 
latter  object  involves,  of  course,  the  sulphuring 
of  the  dried  fruit,  the  former  is  to  a  greater  or 
less  extent  attained  by  sulphuring  before  drying. 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


239 


When  freshly  sliced  fruit  is  sulphured  for  a 
shdit  time,  the  gas  ;KMii'tratos  only  "skin-deeii": 
and  when  tile  fruit  is  afterward  dried,  whetlier 
in  the  sun  or  dryer,  most  of  the  uns  eseapes  and 
few  pei-sons  would  note  the  dillereine  in  taste 
produced  thereby.  Insects,  iie\  ertluless,  are  to 
a  very  material  extt'ut  deterred  from  touching 
such  fruit. 

Hut  when  ihc  latter  is  dried  and  then  tho- 
roughly sulphured,  as  is  tooeouiniouly  done,  the 
ell'ect  is  much  more  serious.  The  jftus  then  pene- 
trates the  entire  spousfy  mass,  bleaching  it,  so 
that  carele.ssly  dried  frnit,toodark  to  be  market- 
able, can  thus  be  made  to  appear  more  or  less 
inviting  to  the  eye.  Not,  however,  to  the 
nostrils  or  to  the  taste,  for  with  the  color,  the 
flavor  has  also  suffered  eorresponrtingly;  and 
upon  opening  a  package  of  such  fruit,  instead 
of  the  natural  aroma,  there  appears  the  flavor 
familiar  to  those  who  visit  a  chemical  laboratory 
or  acid  maiuifaetory. 

The  consumer  then  has  reason  to  object  to  dry- 
sulphured  fruit  on  two  counts,  either  of  which 
is  sufficient  to  condemn  the  practice.  One  is 
that  dirty,  ill-prepared  or  damaged  fruit  may 
thus  be  imposed  upon  him  for  good  quality;  the 
other,  that  the  natural  flavor  of  the  fruit  is 
either  seriously  impaired  or  sometimes  complete- 
ly destroyed,  and  its  acidity  greatly  increased. 

There  is  another  and  very  serious  count  in  the 
indictment,  namely,  that  such  fruit  is  unhealthy 
becjiuse  containing  an  antiseptic  that  impedes 
digestion,  and  while  the  fruit  is  relatively  fresh, 
causes  headaches  Just  as  will  sulphured  wine. 
After  some  time,  the  "sulphurous"  acid  origin- 
ally introduced  becomes  converted  into 
"sulphuric"  acid,  a  condiment  that  few  will 
desire  to  consume  in  their  daily  food.  The 
sulphuric  acid  contained  in  the  unsulphured 
fruit  is  present  in  the  form  of  "neutral  salts" 
such  as  occur  in  the  ash  of  all  vegetable  products; 
while  that  which  is  added  in  sulphuring  e.vists 
in  the  form  of  free  acid. 

In  Apricots  the  increase  of  sulphuric  acid  was 
to  the  extent  of  about  twice  and  a  half  the 
amount  originally  present,  although  these  were 
reported  to  have  been  sulphured  only  before 
(more  probably  during)  drying.  Their  lack  of 
natural  flavor  and  pungent  acid  taste  at  once 
revealed  the  effects  of  sulphuring. 

In  Prunes  which  had  been  sulphured  after 
drying,  the  effect  was  much  more  striking. 
Here  the  increase  was  to  over  six  times  the 
natural  contents.  The  total  amount  added  by 
sulphuring  amounted  to  nearly  a  third  of  one 
per  cent ,  and  the  tree  sulphuric  acid  in  the 
dried  fruit  amounts  to  32  per  cent.,  which  is 
about  35  grains  of  commercial  oil  of  vitriol  per 
poimd. 

In  addition  to  rendering  the  fruit  unpalatably 
acid,  it  had  been  rendered  obnoxious  both  to  the 
digestive  organs  and  to  the  teeth.  No  one  could 
habitually  consume  such  fruit  without  feeling 
the  effects  of  such  an  amount  of  mineral  acid, 
introduced  into  his  food  purely  for  the  gratiQca- 
tion  of  the  eye  with  an  unnatural  tint. 

But  so  long  as  the  public,  and  its  agents,  the 
dealers,  continue  willing  to  pay  from  30  to  .50  per 
cent,  more  for  the  whitened  sepulchres,  offered 
them  in  the  shape  of  sulphured  fruit  than  for 
that  which  retains,  with  its  natural  tint  of  dried 
fruit,  and  with  it  the  marks  of  careful  or  cai-c- 
less  treatment,  so  long  will  the  producer  con- 
tinue to  supply  the  demand  for  the  doctored 
article;  unless,  indeed,  the  law  should  entervene, 
as  has  been  done  in  most  European  countries. 
There  the  sale  of  sulphured  fruit  is  simply  for- 
bidden as  injurious  to  public  health,  and  as 
coming  under  suspicion  of  having  been  doctored 
up  from  an  inferior  article  with  fraudulent 
intent. 

I  think  the  time  has  come  to  make  a  step  for- 
ward and  try  U)  put  upon  the  market  a  flrst-class 
article  of  "unsulphered  dried  fruit,"  with  the 
express  statement  and  claim  that  it  is  un- 
sulphured and  retains  the  natural  sweetness  and 
flav(jrof  California  fruit,  instead  of  being  re- 
duced to  a  common  level  with  the  worst  products 
of  any  other  country.  For  it  is  certain  that  the 
whitish-green  dried  Apples  and  Pears  now  sold 
at  high  prices  in  our  grocery  stores  might  just 
at  well  have  been  grown  anywhere  from  Norway 
to  the  Mediterranean,  for  aught  they  teach  of 
the  quality  of  our  fruits. 

The  following  suggestions  are  offered  to  those 
who  are  willing  to  practice  sulphuring  to  a 
moderate  degree  only,  and  with  some  regard  to 
the  conservation  of  the  fruits'  palatableness: 

Large  quantities  of  sulphur  introduced  at 
once  into  the  drier  or  sulphuring-box   will  t«nd 


to  cause  a  deposit  of  sulphur,  in  subst4incc,  on 
the  outside  of  the  fruit,  adding  its  flavor  to  that 
of  the  acid,  which  alone  is  useful.  The  less 
sulphur  is  put  in  at  oue  time,  an<i  the  more  air 
adniittcil,  the  less  there  will  be  of  the  visible 
fumes  that  carry  the  sulphur  up  into  the  fruit. 
It  is  best  to  let  the  sulphur  catch  fire  all  over 
licl'ore  putting  it  into  the  box  at  all. 

Let  whatever  sulphuring  you  must  do,  be  done 
before  drying,  as  in  that  case  not  only  will  the 
drying  process  itself  drive  off  a  great  deal  of  the 
superfluous  acid  and  prevent  it  from  penetrating 
the  whole,  but  the  flavor  of  the  interior  will 
penetrate  outward  and  measurably  do  away 
with  the  laboratory  odor  that  will  otherwise 
pervade  the  fruit  package. 

A  very  sightly  and  appetizing  cinnamon- 
brown  tint  for  sliced  Apples  and  Peal's  maybe 
secured  by  dipping  for  a  few  minutes,  the 
freshly  made  slices,  contained  in  a  properly 
shaped  basket  (of  galvanized  wire  if  desired), 
into  a  solution  of  salt  contjiining  not  less  than 
two  ounces  in  five  gallons  of  water.  This  pre- 
vents any  spotting  where  the  fruit  has  been 
touched.  Instead  of  the  salt,  a  similar  solution 
of  the  bissulphites  of  soda  or  lime  may  be  used, 
which  effect  a  slight  external  bleaching  without 
injury  to  the  flavor  of  the  fruit. 

Last,  but  not  least,  let  us  try  to  gradually 
educate  the  public  taste  up  to  the  point  of  pre- 
ferring in  this  matter  the  substance  to  the 
shadow,  and  accepting  healthy,  brown,  high- 
flavored  dried  fruit  to. the  sickly-tinted,  chemi- 
cal-tainted product  of  the  sulphur  box. 


Grapes  as  Affected  by  Climate 
and  Situation. 

[Paper  by  Geo.  W.  Cambcll,  the  introducer  of  the 
Delaware  Grape,  before  the  Nurserymen's  Associ- 
tinn.\ 

The  widely  differing  opinions  upon  the 
cliaracter  and  value  of  our  most  popular 
Grapes  seem  at  first  sight  unaccountable.  1 
have  in  mind  the  conticting  reports  which  I 
have  .seen  upon  the  southern  seedlings  of  the 
Riparia  class— mostly  from  the  Taylor  and 
Klvira— which  was  introduced  from  Mis- 
souri with  high  commendation.  Also  upon 
the  so-called  hybrid  varieties  of  Messrs. 
Rogers,  Ricketts,  Moore,  etc.  I  may  also  in- 
clude special  varieties  of  more  recent  date; 
notably  Niagara,  Empire  State,  and  Pock- 
lington;  as  well  as  Brighton,  Eaton,  Wood- 
rufl:  Red,  to  say  nothing  of  many  more  of 
less  prominence. 

Within  my  own  experience,  all  the  Riparia 
seedlings,  such  as  Elvira,  Missouri  Riesling, 
(Jrein's  Golden,  and  several  others  known  by 
numbers,  with  Faith  Amber  and  Noah,  have 
failed,  in  my  locality,  to  meet  expectations. 
While  their  habits  of  growth,  health,  hardines 
and  productiveness  are  generally  good,  they  are 
not  acceptable  for  general  use.  But  because  this 
is  my  experience  the  same  varieties  may,  in  their 
native  home,  imder  the  more  genial  influences 
of  a  southern  sun,  be  all  that  their  introducers 
claimed,  and  valuable  acquisitions  to  their  list  of 
native  Grapes. 

The  various  reports  which  we  have  of  the 
Pocklington,  Empire  State  and  Niagara  indicate 
to  me  simply  this -that  in  some  places  and  under 
favorable  circumstances  they  are  successfully 
grown  and  valuable— while  in  others,  to  which 
they  are  not  adapted,  or  from  some  unfortunate 
surroundings,  they  are  not.  During  the  past 
season,  in  my  reading  of  one  day,  I  saw  reports 
upon  the  Pocklington  from  two  different  sources 
—one  praising  it  as  a  Grape  of  remarkable  ex- 
cellence, the  other  finding  it  so  poor  that  he 
wanted  to  prosecute  the  nurseryman  who  sold 
it  to  him  for  a  fraud. 

Nearly  as  diverse  have  been  the  reports  upon 
the  Empire  State.  In  some  places  it  has  appa- 
rently sustained  the  high  character  claimed  by 
its  mtroducers.  in  others  it  is  reported  to  have 
failed  both  in  the  health  and  hardiness  of  the 
vine  and  in  the  quality  of  its  fruit.  In  my 
locality  the  Empire  State  has  t)een  healthy  in 
foliage,  vigorous  in  growth,  and— excepting  in 
the  past  season,  when  it  failed  to  ripen  perfectly 
—the  finest  in  quality  and  flavor  ot  any  white 
Grape  I  grow.  In  this  instance  the  vines  were 
l)robably  allowed  to  overbear,  and  a  cool,  rainy 
autumn  prevented  their  maturity. 

The  Niagara  has  sustained  itself  fairly  well- 
though  it  will  not  endure  our  severe  winters 
without  protection.    It  is  not  as  early  as  was 


represented— unless  it  is  gathered  long  before  it 
is  ripe  and  while  it  is  l.)oth  immature  and  foxy— 
but  if  left  ujK>n  the  vine  until  well  ripciuMl,  it  is 
a  really  good  Grape,  retaining  but  little  of  the 
fo.xy  taste  or  (Mlor.  My  experience  with  the 
Niagara  indicates  that  in  localities  to  which  it  is 
adapted  it  will  prove  a  valuable  and  profitable 
variety.  The  same  remarks  will  apply  to  the 
Woodruff  lied,  except  that  the  latter  has  proven 
so  far  as  tested,  healthy  in  fruit  and  foliage,  and 
entirely  hardy  in  our  severest  winters.  I  still 
regard  the  Woodruff'  as  probably  the  most 
promising  red  Grape  for  general  planting  yet 
introduced. 

Ot  Mr.  Rogers'  many  varieties,  I  will  mention 
but  one  as  bearing  upon  the  points  I  wish  to 
illustrate.  His  Number  One,  or  Goethe  was  in- 
troduced as  a  light  or  amber-colored  Grape  ;  and 
in  Massachusetts,  I  presume,  it  rarely  attains  a 
deeper  color.  At  Delaware,  where  I  have  grown 
it  for  more  than  .10  years,  it  sometimes  obtains 
a  light  red  or  pink  shade;  but  was  always  flavor- 
less and  insipid,  with  the  exception  of  a  single 
instance,  when  the  autumn  was  unusually  warm, 
and  the  ripening  season  prolonged  until  about 
the  middle  of  October.  It  than  attained  a  color 
as  dark  as  the  Delaware  and  a  high  flavor  and 
good  quality  hitherto  unknown,  thus  showing 
that  farther  south,  where  the  skies  are  brighter 
and  the  seasons  longer,  it  might  be  a  valuable 
Grape.  This,  1  believe,  is  just  what  many  of  our 
southern  growers  find  it;  and  the  Elvira,  with 
its  kindred  varieties  and  seedlings,  are  no  doubt 
equally  improved  under  the  same  favorable  con- 
ditions. 

i'l'ti  he  ennchided.) 


Notes  of  a  Kecent  Visit  to  Mexico. 

/Extract  of  imiier  read  by    C.  T.  Druery,  Ks<j.,  nt  the 
monthly  meeting  of  the  Horticultural  Cliib.Knatand. ) 

Leaving  England  early  in  .January,  and 
arriving  in  New  York  only  about  a  week 
later  I  was  struck  at  once  by  an  aUsolute 
absence  of  all  greenness  in  the  woods  which 
here  and  there  fringe  the  Hudson  river. 
Here  in  Great  Britain,  even  in  the  depth  of 
winter,  the  Hollies,  Ivies  and  other  ever- 
green growths  contribute  a  certain  amount 
of  verdure  to  the  landscape.  In  the  Ameri- 
can woods,  however,  on  my  line  ot  route, 
this  feature  was  entirely  absent,  and  the 
winter  landscape  is  one  of  apparent  death, 
the  gaunt  bare  trunks  and  branches  being 
absolutely  unrelieved  by  any  signs  of  life. 

On  the  fourth  day  after  leaving  Kansas  City 
the  green  prairies  began  to  be  transformed  into 
sandy  desert  plains  dotted  with  Yuccas  of  sun- 
dry species,  with  here  and  there  a  solitary  small 
Cactus,  indicating  a  decided  approach  to  the 
south,  though  icicles  were  hanging  in  profusion 
round  the  watertanks  at  every  depot,  and  snow 
was  lying  in  many  places.  Arrived  at  Nogales, 
a  small  town  on  the  frontier  of  Arizona,  Mexico, 
where  I  had  to  stay  some  days.  I  devoted  my 
spare  time  to  exploring  the  country  around  in 
search  of  Ferns,  but  at  first  sight  despaired  in 
ti)lo  of  seeing  any  of  the  family  in  so  apparently 
arid  and  scorched  a  country.  The  landscape 
consists  of  a  constant  succession  of  low  rolling 
hills  exactlj'  resembling  heaps  ot  reddish  road 
metal,  dotted  here  and  there  monotonously  with 
Yuccas  and  Agaves  sticking  up  like  huge  sphe- 
rical bunches  of  radiating  baycnets;  beyond 
these  hills  were  visible  ranges  of  mountains 
some  4000  to  COOO  feet  high,  equally  bare  and  un- 
promising. On  my  first  walk,  however,  I  was 
agreeably  undeceived,  for  the  first  canon  or 
valley  I  turned  into  between  two  of  the  small 
hills  yielded  several  very  beautiful  species  of 
Ferns,  among  them  some  Cheilanthes  and  silvery 
NothochlR'nas,  which  I  found  growing  freely  in 
the  crevices  of  the  rocks,  and,  though  small, 
evidently  quite  at  home. 

One  of  the  most  striking  things  to  me  was  the 
fact  that  I  found  associated  here,  and  thriving 
in  each  other's  society,  Ferns  and  Cacti,  the  re- 
presentatives of  inhabitants  of  at  once  the  most 
humid  and  shady  and  the  most  arid  and  sunny 
habitats,  and  what  was  equally  strange  to  me 
was  that  while  all  the  species  would  bo  relegated 
here  to  a  warm  greenhouse  and  carefully  pro- 
tected from  a  single  trace  of  frost,  not  only  was 
snow  lying  in  the  chinks  of  the  rock,  but  icicles 
five  feet  long  were  depending  from  the  tank  in 
the  depot,  and  I  was  credibly  informed,  and 
could  from  my  own-sensations  easily  believe  it, 
that  30°  of  frost  had  been  registered  there  this 
last  winter. 


240 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


August, 


In  connection  with  this  I  should  mention  that 
Nogales  stands  4,000  feet  above  sea  level.  Ram- 
bling over  the  hills  some  very  beautiful  Cacti 
were  visible  here  and  there  in  the  more  exposed 
situations.  Some  consisted  of  seven  or  eight 
perfectly  round  balls  about  six  inches  in  diame- 
ter and  heaped  together;  others  were  oblong  and 
solitary  with  a  pink  ring  near  the  apex  ;  others 
were  very  much  flattened  and  deeplycorrugated 
but  all  alike  bristled  with  thorns.  The  Opuntias 
or  Prickly  Pears  were  represented  by  two  species 
—one  with  long  formidable  looking  thorns,  the 
other  apparently  almost  devoid,  but  only  appa- 
rently, for,  like  many  of  their  brethren,  besides 
these  large  and  obvious  weapons  of  defence, 
every  bud  produces  numberless  very  minute 
thorns  or  spicules  which  come  off  on  the  slight- 
est touch,  and  are  only  felt  when  they  have  got 
well  beneath  the  skin,  perhaps  half  an  hour 
after  one  fondly  imagines  the  foe  is  left  behind. 
Pursuing  my  Fern  hunts  I  was  gratified  by 
finding  that  very  pretty  Fern  Pteris  ternifolia, 
of  which  two  forms  exist  there— one  with  obtuse 
oval  pinnules,  the  other  with  sharply  pointed 
narrow  ones,  P.  ornithopus.  A  fine  crenate  pin- 
nate NothochUvna,  very  much  resembling  in 
habit  and  growth  our  Ceterach  olBcinarum.  was 
also  found.  From  this  district  I  brought  home 
fronds  of  NothochliT?na  rufa,  N.  dealbata,  N. 
Newberyi,  N.  sinuata,  Gymnogramma  hispida, 
Pteris  ternifolia,  P,  ornithopus  var.  brachyptera, 
PelUea  marglnata,  P  pulchella,  Cheilanthes 
elegans,  C.  Eatoni  (?).  The  trees  of  the  locality 
are  ehieflly  Walnut  and  Black  Oak.  On  the 
former  I  observed  a  considerable  quantity  of 
Mistletoe  not  very  dissimilar  to  ours,  but  with 
much  shorter  and  wider  leaves. 

The  next  place  I  visited  was  Hermosillo,  some 
170  miles  further  south  and  at  a  considerable 
lower  elevation;  the  main  part  of  my  .journey 
was  at  night,  but  in  the  morning  I  found  the 
train  slowly,very  slowly,plodding  along  through 
a  plain,  bounded  at  some  distance  b,v  a  line  of 
hills  of  decent  height.  The  plain  now  was  brist- 
ling with  thorny  vegetation  of  many  species 
but  mainly  Cacti,  which  formed  huge  clumps 
ten  to  twelve  feet  high,  intermingled  with  con- 
fused spiky  masses  of  other  species,  which 
seemed  to  replace  the  Brambles  of  this  country, 
while  the  larger  ones,  the  Cereus  species  took  the 
place  of  trees;  this  growth  continued  until  within 
about  half  a  mile  from  Hermosillo,  where  the 
hills  closed  in,  dotted  all  over  with  much  larger 
specimens  of  the  Cereus  tribe,  now  15  to  20  feet 
high,  each  plant  resembling  nothing  so  much  as 
some  .30  or  40  immense  corrugated  Cucumbers, 
springing  perpendicularly  from  one  point.  .Sud- 
denly, however,  as  we  entered  the  suburbs  of 
Hermosillo  we  seemed  to  plunge  at  one  leap  into 
the  tropics;  groves  of  tall  Palm  trees  were  seen 
surrounded  by  a  luxurious  growth  of  Bamboos 
and  Castor  Oil  Plants,  mingled  with  Orange 
groves,  and  all  basking  in  a  temperature  in  the 
first  week  in  February  of  about  !tO°  in  the  shade, 
and  by  contrast  with  Nogales  apparently  about 
150°  in  the  sun. 

The  change  was  so  sudden  and  so  great  that 
when  I  alighted  at  the  depot  I  half  felt  as  if  I 
had  been  dreaming,  and  was  still  in  the  land  of 
visions.  The  sudden  change  is  probably  due  to 
the  effect  of  radiation  of  heat  from  the  hills 
around,  added  to  the  protection  theyalford  from 
wind.  The  houses  here,  as  in  all  the  cities  of 
Northern  Mexico,  consist  of  one  story  only, 
the  rooms  and  offices  being  built  round  a  central 
square  or  oblong  courtyard,  with  more  or  less 
pretension  to  be  a  garden,  generally  less. 

Leaving  Hermosillo  and  the  railway,  my  next 
trip  was  up  the  Sonora  river  itself,  the  ijed  of 
which  from  here  to  its  scource  forms  one  of  the 
few  so-called  roads  of  the  district,  roads  which 
are  utterly  at  the  mercy  of  the  weather,  a  sud- 
den attack  of  rain  l)eing  liable  to  imprison 
travelers  between  impracticable  fords  with  only 
a  possible  option  between  taking  to  the  hills  or 
submitting  to  Mexican  fare  of  tortillas  and  Beans 
in  one  of  the  native  villages  until  it  pleases 
Jupiter  Pluvius  to  open  the  road  again. 

Here  as  nearly  everywhere  the  hills  were  brist- 
ling with  the  huge  Cucumber-like  Cacti  afore- 
said, locally  called  Pitayos;  every  chink  in  the 
rock  had  its  tenant,  and  many  thousands  were 
in  view  at  once.  Several  species  of  Acacia 
(Mesquite)  and  a  white  ghost-like  tree  called 
Palo  Planeo  presenting  a  very  curious,  tortuous, 
drooping  appearance,  as  if  the  upper  half  was 
dead.  This  I  found  was  really  the  case  owing  to 
a  severe  frost  the  previous  year,  which  had  cut 
them  all  half  way  down.  The  pink  Verbena  of 
our  gardens  was  a  common  weed  here,  as  also 


was  wild  Tobacco.  A  small  yellow  (Enothera  or 
Evening  Primrose  took  the  place  of  our  Primula 
morning  and  evening,  and  Escholtzia  califor- 
nica  replaced  our  Buttercups,  Agaves,  here 
called  Mescal  plants,  were  plentiful,  and  every 
now  and  then  donkies  laden  with  their  huge 
Pine  apple-like  roots  were  seen  proceeding  to 
the  Mescal  ranches,  where  the  only  spirit  of  the 
country  is  distilled.  This  spirit  is  very  strong 
and  intoxicating,  but  has  the  reputation  of  leav- 
ing no  headache  behind  it.  Its  taste  is  indiscrib- 
able,  and  requires  an  apprenticeship  before  it 
can  be  appreciated. 

Three  species  of  CEnothera  I  found  in  the  dis- 
trict, one  of  which,  CE.  taraxacifolia,  is  marvel- 
lously beautiful  in  its  native  habits,  the  huge 
snow  white  flowers,  about  4  inches  in  diameter, 
forming  solid  clumps  a  fofit  across,  gleaming 
like  snow  heaps  in  the  moonlight,  but  disappear- 
ing like  all  the  family  soon  after  sunrise.  All 
three  species  were  of  the  same  habit  and  foliage 
— i.c.,o  to  Dandelion.  The  specific  name  of  the 
largest,  taraxacifolia,  may  do  for  all  three. 

Some  of  the  Acacias  here  (Mesquits)  bore  huge 
pendent  bunches  of  two  sorts  of  Mistletoe,  both 
quite  different  from  ours,  the  leaves  being  al- 
most entirely  aborted,  and  the  plants  consisting 
solely  of  long  pendulous  jointed  stalks  and 
minute  blossoms.    I    was   told  by   one   of   the 


Machine  fur  Hilling  Cikry.     Sec  opposite  pacrc. 

Mexicans  that  if  these  were  dried  and  smoked  as 
cigarettes,  two  or  three  whiffs  suflicing,  as  the 
active  principle  was  very  strong,  a  powerful 
remedy  was  afforded  for  coughs.  While  camp- 
ing out  by  the  river  I  explored  some  rocks  close 
by,  and  found  a  species  of  Lastrea,  not  unlike  L 
thelypteris,  but  of  different  habit  of  growth, 
possibly  L.  nova  boracense. 

During  the  latter  part  of  my  stay  in  Mexico 
the  season  had  sufficiently  advanced  for  many  of 
the  Yucca  and  Cactus  tribes  to  be  in  blossom; 
and  I  can  hardly  imagine  afiner  sight  th;in  1  had 
on  one  of  my  trips  over  the  hills,  when  I  came 
across  a  huge  Yucca  with  some  five  or  six  im- 
mense spikes  of  its  pure  white  lily-like  blooms 
just  in  perfection.  There  must  have  been  sever- 
al hundred  blossoms,  forming  a  dense  bunch  of 
white,  some  4  feet  high  by  2  through.  When  I 
came  up  it  was  in  absolute  perfection,  and  con- 
stituted a  really  regal  bouquet. 

The  common  prickly  Pear  Cactus  (Opuntia),  as 
large  as  a  fair-sized  Rhododendron,  and  smother- 
ed with  large  pale  yellow  blossoms,  is  also  a 
sight  to  be  seen.  This  plant  is  given  a  place  in 
orchards  for  the  sake  of  it«  fruits,  and  under 
cultivation  assumes  the  demensions  of  a  good 
sized  tree,  with  a  trunk  a  foot  or  more  in  dia- 
meter. It  is  curious  in  this  case  to  see  the 
transmutation  of  the  first  flat  oval  leaf  or  leaves 
into  a  thick  wooden  trunk.  The  skeletons  of 
these  old  leaves  are  very  beautiful  in  their  lace- 
like design,  and  might,  I  think,  be  utilized  well 
in  cabinet  work. 

It  is  noteworthy  that  these  cultivated  plants 
are  nearly  devoid  of  thorns,  entirely  so  of  the 
obvious  large  ones.  As  a  curious  contrast  in 
habit  of  growth  I  may  mention  here  that  on  my 
return  journey  I  stopped  at  Little  Rock,  a  city 
in  Texas,  for  a  few  houi-s,  and  found  there  the 
prickly  Pear  Cactus  reduced  to  a  few  inches  in 
height,  quite  decumbent,  very  prickly,  and 
forming  large  flat  masses.  5  or  6  feet  across,  in 
the  grass  of  the  fields,  from  which  at  a  small 
distance  it  could  hardly  he  discriminated. 

The  Giant  Cactus,  Cereus  giganteus,  which 
sometimes  reaches,  I  am  told,  60  feet  in  height, 
I  only  saw  in  one  place,  which  afforded  a  singu- 
lar instance  of  restricted  locality.  I  was  shown 
some  photographs  of  a  certain  mine  which  I  was 
desirous  to  visit,  and  in  these  photos  1  clearly 
recognized  in  the  hills  several  specimens  of  this 
Cactus  which  I  had  vainly  sought  in  my  journey 
hitherto.    The  mines   were   some  thirty   miles 


distant  across  a  breakneck  country, only  travers- 
able on  horseback,  and  I  need  hardly  say  that 
all  the  way  I  was  on  the  lookout  for  the  Cacti  in 
question,  locally  named  Saguarus,  yet  singular 
to  relate  1  found  when  I  arrived  at  the  mine  that 
they  were  entirely  confined  in  that  region  to  the 
one  hillside,  where  possiblj'  some  thirty  or  forty 
were  scattered.  On  the  way  the  country  round 
for  many  miles  could  be  seen,  but  here  and  there 
only  were  they  to  be  found,  yet  the  general 
conditions  seemed  identical  all  about.  The  hill 
in  question,  however,  was  distinguished  from 
the  others  by  containing  a  network  of  silver 
lead  veins,  which  sugfjest  the  probability  of  the 
restriction  of  the  Cactus  being  due  to  the  exist- 
ence solely  in  this  spot  of  some  essential  elements 
in  the  soil.  Some  day  the  botanist  may  help  the 
miner. 

On  the  return  journey,  passing  through  Texas, 
at  one  of  the  stations  the  train  was  besieged  by 
a  lot  of  children  selling  Cacti  and  Resurrection 
Plants  (Selaginella  lepidophylla).  These  latter 
they  collect  on  the  sandy  plains,  where  apparent- 
ly during  the  dry  season  they  roll  about  and  are 
literally  baked,  but  when  the  wet  weather  set  in 
they  at  once  open  out  and  re-establish  them- 
selves. A  specimen  was  three  weeks  in  my 
portmanteau,  but  a  few  hours'  soaking  re- 
stored it  absolutely  to  life  and  verdure.  When 
the  family  habits  are  considered,  and  its  close 
kinship  to  Ferns,  this  adaptation  to  alternate 
drought  and  soaking  is  very  singular. 

Niagara  I  will  not  attempt  to  describe.  One  of 
its  greatest  peculiarities  to  me  was  its  utterly 
unexpected  appearance.  One  goes  rolling,  and 
rolling,  and  rolling  through  a  country  as  flat  as 
a  pancake,  and  apparently  about  as  likely  to 
afford  a  magnificent  view,  much  less  a  stupen- 
dous^waterfall,  as  the  flattest  part  of  Essex;  sud- 
denly, however,  the  train  slacketis  speed,  pulls 
up  at  the  edge  of  a  precipice,  and  there  in  an 
instance  their  appears  the  awful  gorge  of 
Niagara,  with  its  world  of  tumbling  water: 
above  it  the  mighty  river  itself,  stretching  awa.y 
to  the  horizon,  across  a  seemingly  boundless 
plain,  and  below  the  green  whirly  mass  of  foam 
and  flood,  pulling  itself  as  it  were  together  out 
of  the  chaos  of  its  fall  for  its  second  mad  rush 
through  the  rapids  below,  which  in  all  their  fury 
are  seen  fighting  their  way  along  the  deep 
channel,  bounded  by  the  tall  cliffs,  through 
which  the  raging  water  has  cut  its  headlong  way. 


Peach  Culture  in  Connecticut. 

(Sytioi^sis  of  talk  by  J.  H.  Hale,  and  discussions  before 
the  American  Nurserymetis'  Association.) 

Mr.  J.  H.  Hale  of  Glastonbury,  ConD., 
gave  an  interesting  account  of  a  case  of  suc- 
cess in  what  is  usually  eledned  an  ttnfav- 
orable  latitude.  Their  firm  commenced 
operations  1.'5  years  ago  in  the  central-part 
of  the  state  on  lands  overlooking  the  Con- 
necticut river. 

The  start  was  made  by  securing  pits  from  Ten- 
nessee. The  seedlings  from  these  were  budded 
and  a  small  orchard  started  on  hillsides.  The 
best  of  culture  was  given  to  the  young  orchard 
from  the  start.  Experiments  were  made  in  the 
application  of  different  manures.  Where  stable 
manure  was  used,  the  trees  were  vigorous  and 
healthy,  but  proved  short-lived.  Their  conclu- 
sions are  that  heavy  applications  of  potash  and 
bone  made  healthy  trees,  while  manures  con- 
taing  any  considerable  amount  of  nitrogen  led 
to  disease  and  yellows. 

The  Orchards.  The  Hale  Brothers  now  have 
.52  acres  in  Peach  ti  ees,  all  on  high  and  dry  lands 
They  were  not  long  in  discovering,  with  ther- 
mometer in  hand, that  frost  runs  down  hill  almost 
like  water,  hence  they  selected  only  high  lands 
for  orchards.  With  them  in  winter  the  mercury 
runs  down  to  12,  10  and  25  degrees  below  zero, 
but  there  was  a  heavy  fall  of  snow  on  the  ground 
at  the  time.  The  pruning  in  their  orchards  is 
done  mainly  just  after  the  bloom  is  f)n  the  trees, 
when  they  are  closely  cut  back,  regard  being  had 
to  thinning  the  fruit  at  the  same  time.  Mr.  Hale 
regards  proper  thinning  as  one  great  secret 
of  success.  After  this  blooming-time  pruning 
they  go  over  the  trees  again  and  remove  four  to 
one  of  the  remaining  fruit  when  the  crop  is  an 
average  one.  While  this,  when  carefully  done, 
is  a  big  job,  the  result  is  a  still  larger  crop  of  line 
fruit  an»i  a  good  price. 

Marketing.  For  marketing  their  crop  they 
pick  the  fruit  only  when  it  is  fully  mature  and 
carry  it  to  seeds  for  sorting  and  packing  The 
sorting  is  done  by  ladies,  persons  of  good  taste 
and  judgement  from  the  better  class  in  their 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


241 


ueijrlilim-luKHi,  iind  who  do  not  object  to 
aniniKO  iu  the  work  when  they  reeiive  S~' (HI  per 
diiy.  The  paeking  is  done  in  new  whit*;  baskets, 
made  fniiu  uphinil  Poplar,  tlie  fruit  being  jiacked 
absolutely  honest  from  top  to  bottom.  They 
then  guarantee  everything  being  Just  right,  and 
ask  and  get  75  cents  more  a  basket  than  the  run- 
ning priee. 

Trees  for  Planting.  Mr.  Hale  stated  that  in 
phinling  their  large  orchards  they  have  bought 
more  or  less  trees  from  other  nurserymen,  but 
have  always  found  a  certain  degree  of  mixture. 
This  he  attriliutes  to  the  common  course  among 
propagators  of  taking  buds  from  the  nursery 
stock  instead  of  from  liearing  trees.  Hcstrongly 
urged  nurserymen  present  not  tn  dt>  this.  He 
knows  that  it  is  more  trouble  to  procure  buds 
from  bearing  trees,  but  good  cultivation  and 
thorough  tillage  wUl  lead  to  a  yield  of  suitable 
buds. 

Financial  Outcome.  Although  their  experi- 
ence in  I'euch  culture  was  very  satisfactory  and 
promised  excellent  results,  yet  Mr.  Hale  did  not 
hesitate  to  say  that  if  what  they  had  accom- 
plished was  to  be  judged  by  the  dollar  and  cent 
returns  for  the  e-xpenses  Involved,  then  the 
operations  had  not  yet  been  the  success  they 
have  credit  for.  He  stated  that  their  large  or- 
chards up  to  two  years  ago  were  In  debt  over 
Sfl.OOO.  The  crop  of  that  year  about  equalled  the 
expenses.  Last  year  they  gathered  17,000  baskets, 
which  sold  from  §2.50  to  f 3.00  per  basket  for  No. 
I  fruit,  and  the  cheaper  for  from  SI.BO  to  $2,00 
per  basket  The  orchard  average  about  1.04  per 
basket,  making  a  total  yield  of  $2n.0iM.  They  felt 
proud  of  their  triumph  at  last,  when  for  years 
there  had  been  a  cry  against  their  undertakings 
as  being  sure  to  result  iu  failure, 

A  Caution  to  Imitators.  Now  his  neighbors  all 
see  this  and  are  greatly  impressed  by  the  large 
returns  of  fruit  in  the  past  few  years,  but  they 
know  nothing  about  the  work  and  the  expense 
involved.  Their  success,  therefore  has  been  the 
means  of  leading  many  of  them  to  plant  very 
extensively,  and  in  all  sorts  of  ways.  Mr.  Hale 
believes  that  100,000  Peach  trees  have  been  planted 
this  year  in  their  section,  but  of  these  he  thinks 
80,000  will  never  bear  a  Peach.  He  gave  quite 
an  amusing  account  of  how  the  agents  talk  in 
order  to  sell  trees.  One  firm  lays  great  stress 
upon  the  fact  that  we  are  now  coming  around 
to  old  time  Peach  culture,  when  every  tree,  pro- 
vided it  was  the  right  kind,  would  bear  im- 
mensely. Such  agents  were  prepared  to  furnish 
these  trees.  They  were  propagated  strickly  from 
the  seed  the  same  as  In  their  grandfathers'  time. 
These  agents  sell  many  trees  at  gl.OO  each  or 
glO.OO  per  dozen.  His  neighbors  were  gullable 
and  invested  heavily,  but  the  whole  thing  was  a 
fraud  and  a  disgrace. 

Mr.  Albaugh  made  some  remarks  to  the  effect 
that  there  are  two  Peach  belts  in  his  state,  one 
near  Lake  Erie  and  the  other  south  along  the 
Ohio  river.  He  thinks  the  principal  advantage 
of  the  latter  is  the  high  hills.  In  this  part  of 
Ohio  they  have  had  three  or  four  successive 
crops  of  Peaches. 

Mr.  Albaugh  also  called  attention  to  another 
Peach  belt  in  northern  Kentucky  and  southern 
Indiana.  He  mentioned  one  orchard  of  30,000 
Peach  trees,  one-third  each  of  Salway,  Smock 
and  Henrietta.  The  trees  are  in  bearing,  healthy, 
no  yellows,  the  trees  bending  to  the  ground  with 
three  or  four  baskets  of  fruit  from  each  tree, 
and  from  which  the  growers  realized  after  care- 
ful picking  at  the  rate  of  J3.50  per  bushel.  In 
that  vicinity  there  are  over  200,000  trees  in  bear- 
ing, and  they  have  recently  made  the  growers 
rich.  While  in  Ohio,  Indiana  and  Illinois  Peaches 
have  been  a  large  crop  for  three  or  four  years, 
this  year  there  is  a  break. 


CONDENSED    GLEANINGS. 

Machine  for  Hilling  Celery.  The  mold-boards 
are  ailjustable  to  suit  the  height  of  the  plants, 
and  laterally  to  correspond  with  the  width  of 
the  rows,  the  machine  being  designed  to  crowd 
the  earth  from  the  bottom  of  the  furrows  under 
the  leaves  simultaneously  upon  both  sides  of  the 
rows.  It  has  been  patented  by  Mr.  Maurice  M. 
Hanney,  of  Michigan.  The  side  beams  of  the 
frame  are  adjustable  laterally  upon  the  cross 
beams,  and  from  the  under  side  of  each  side 
beam  projects  a  pedestal  with  an  attached  spud 
axle  upon  which  the  drive  wheels  revolve.  A 
post  extends  downwardly,  from  a  bracket  on  the 
under  side  of  each  side  beam,  through  a  staple 
and  eye  formed  on  a  plate  attached  to  the  for- 
ward end  of  the  mold-board,  each  post  being 
stayed  by  a  brace  bar,  and  the  eyes  and  staples 


lieing  large  enough  to  move  freely  upon  the  post. 
For  the  vertical  adjustment  of  the  mold-boards, 
a  link  connects  the  staple  on  the  forward  end  of 
the  mould-hoard,  each  post  being  stayed  by  a 
brace  bar.  .\nd  the  eyes  and  staples  being  large 
enough  to  move  freely  upon  the  post.  For  the 
vertical  adjustment  of  the  mold-boards,  a  link 
conncts  the  staple  on  the  forward  end  of  each 
with  the  forward  end  of  a  lever  fuleruracd  upon 
an  upright  of  the  frame,  a  rack  secured  to  one 
of  the  side  beams  lieing  provided  for  each  lever, 
which  extends  to  within  easy  reach  of  the  driver. 
A  stirrup  is  bolted  upon  the  outer  face  of  each 
mould-board  at  its  rear  end,  a  chain  from  each 
stirrup  passing  over  a  friction  pulley  Journaled 
at  the  upper  end  of  a  rack  secured  to  the  center 
cross  beam,  to  attachment  with  a  lever  pivoted 
on  the  forward  cross  beam,  and  extending  to  the 
driver.  The  mold-boards  are  so  hung  that  they 
are  quite  a  distance  apart  at  their  forward  ends, 
and  nearer  together  at  the  rear,  where  the  two 
boards  are  connected  by  a 
siiiral  spring,  which  spring  is 
attached  through  short  adjust- 
able arms,  whereby  the  spring 
may  be  lengthened  when  it  is 
desired  to  only  half  hill  the 
rows.  The  driver,  by  resting 
his  feet  In  the  stirrups  of  the 
mouldboards,  can  adapt  them 
to  any  crookedness  of  the  rows 
or  irregularities  of  the  surface, 
the  machine  being  adjustable 
to  rows  from  three  to  five  feet 
apart  and  from  six  inches  to 
two  and  a  half  feet  in  height  — 
Scientific  American. 

Superior  Produce  always 
Pays.  Of  late  very  flue  and 
beautiful  fancy  Pansies  have 
been  brought  into  the  London 
flower  market,  in  large  quanti- 
ties, at  3d.  and  id.  each  at  re- 
tail, while  scores  of  thousands 
of  good  Pansies— fancy,  bed- 
ding, etc.— are  sold  at  from  6d.  to  9d.  per 
dozen  during  the  season.  The  very  fine  strain 
referred  to  is  grown  from  seed  sown  about  .luly, 
dibbled  into  the  best  of  highly  manured  soil, 
slightly  sloping,  and  over  these  as  tlie  spring 
comes  on  are  placed  broad,  low  frames  and  lights 
keeping  the  plants  also  well  watered;  they  are 
brought  into  bloom  in  rapid  succession,  and  the 
market  is  furnished  over  a  long  season.  Of 
course  the  fine  quality  of  the  flowers  is  primarily 
due  to  the  strain,  but  some  of  the  size  is  mate- 
rially due  to  cultivation,  whilst  covering  them 
with  lights  not  only  develops  the  blooms  early, 
but-evenly,so  that  with  several  ranges  of  frames 
at  disposal,  a  long  .succession  of  flowers  is  main- 
tained. The  production  of  these  beautiful 
Pansies  is  but  another  evidence  of  the  care  and 
forethought  shown  b.v  some  of  our  market 
growers  in  catering  for  the  requirements  of 
the  public.  The  trade  in  them  so  far  has  shown 
that  good  things  pay  best,  whilst  the  public  pre- 
fer to  be  well  served,  even  with  such  common 
hardy  flowers  as  are  Pansies.— Gardening  World, 

The  Purslane  Pest,  The  only  weed  that  some- 
times troubles  me  badly  under  my  system  of 
management  is  the  one  known  as  "  Purslane  "  a 
near  relative  of  the  garden  "Portulaca,"  with 
its  succulent  leaves  and  stems  and  its  indiffer- 
ence to  ill  treament.  Dry  weather  does  not  wilt 
it ;  a  hot  sun  does  not  burn  it ;  cutting  off  with 
hoe  or  cultivator  does  not  generally  kill  it;  and 
the  more  you  cut  and  mutilate  it,  the  more  you 
do  for  its  rapid  increase.  I  can  keep  it  in  reason- 
able subjection  by  the  unceasing  use  of  wheel 
hoe  or  finger  weeder  between  the  rows,  and  by 
pulling  out  from  among  the  vegetables  in  the 
rows,  provided  I  have  some  one  following  me 
with  a  basket  to  pick  up  and  remove  the  plants 
to  the  chicken-yard  or  hog-pen  (hogs  are  fond  of 
the  weed).  But  on  larger  areas,  in  Potato  Helds 
and  patches  of  running  vines,  where  the  soil 
cannot  be  frequently  turned  over  or  cultivated, 
the  stuff  is  hard  to  kill,  and  still  harder  to  pre- 
vent from  seeding.  But  can  we  not  invent  a 
sure  and  simple  way  of  eradicating  this  garden 
pest?— Farm  and  Fireside. 

Marketing  Fruit.  The  following  are  a  few  of 
the  general  rules  which  should  be  oqserved  by 
cultivators  and  shippers.  1.  Send  no  fruit  to 
market  but  the  best  in  quality;  reject  all  imper- 
fect specimens;  and  the  man  who  becomes 
known  for  always  furnishing  only  the  best,  will 
in  time  lead  the  market.  3.  In  picking  and  pack- 
ing, do  not  touch,  rub  or  chafe  the  fruit  with 
the  hands ;  preserve  its  bloom  and  freshness ; 


handle  only  the  stems,  as  nearly  as  practicable. 
3.  Avoid  the  adoption  of  the  absurb  fallacy  that 
"  good  fruit  must  sell  the  poor."  4.  Pack  with 
strictest  honesty,  and  with  as  fine  a  quality  in 
the  centre  of  the  package  or  at  the  bottom  as  at 
the  top,  which  will  not  prevent  you  from  giving 
a  smooth,  handsome  surface  to  the  packages. 
5.  Thus  by  furnishing  only  the  very  finest  fruit, 
you  can  afford  to  stencil  your  name  on  every 
package ;  and  in  this  way  your  name  will  become 
a  synonym  for  the  Onest  in  all  the  market. — 
Country  Gentleman. 

Watermelon  Sugar.  There  is  at  the  eastern 
edge  of  the  San  Joaquin  valley  along  the  foot 
of  the  Sierra  Nevadas  much  land  subject  to  being 
destroyed  by  deep  washings  of  sand,  on  which 
nothing  will  grow  but  Melons,  only  two  being 
allowed  to  mature  on  single  vine.  As  the  Melons 
are  gathered  they  are  slashed  upon  with  a  big 
knife,  and  a  wooden  scoop  empties  the  pulp  into 
a  vessel  where  the  juice  is  expressed.    This  is 


A  DAFFODIL  SIEVE. 

boiled  rudely  and  crystallized  like  Maple  sugar 
in  the  Atlantic  states.  The  sugar  sells  at  remu- 
nerative prices,  is  light  colored  and  sweet.  Red 
pulp  Melons  give  a  darker  sugar;  white  pulp 
is  therefore  preferred.  We  have  in  this  state  a 
great  area  of  land  similarly  destroyed  every 
year.  This  sugar  Melon  example  is  commended 
to  poor  men,  who  can  get  the  free  use  of  the 
space  and  proceed  on  small  capital.— Natural 
Wealth  of  California. 

The  May  Moss.  One  of  the  loveliest  of  our 
Pine-barren  plants  is  the  May  Moss  or  Pyxie 
(Pyri'danthera  barbulata).  It  belongs,  botanic- 
ally,  to  the  order  of  Diapensiaces^,  and  in  general 
appearance  very  closely  resembles  one  member 
of  the  Phlox  family,  the  Moss  Pink,  having  the 
same  prostrate  creeping  habit  and  similar  foliage. 
The  flowers  are  pure  white  and  star-shaped,  but 
its  greatest  charm  lies  in  its  unopened  buds, 
which  are  globular,  about  one-eight  of  an  inch 
in  diameter,  white  with  a  rosy  blush,  and  dotted 
thickly  over  the  plant,  nestling  like  gems  among 
the  foliage.  Several  of  these  plants,  which  were 
transferred  to  the  greenhouse  about  the  first  of 
January  with  a  temperature  of  60°  to  70°,  com- 
menced flowering  in  three  weeks,  and  on  re- 
moval to  a  temperature  ten  degrees  lower,  they 
remained  in  bloom  for  weeks— Wm.  F.  Bassett 
in  Am.  Garden. 

Georgia  CoUards.  What  we  want  here  in  the 
south  is  a  Cabbage  that  can  be  safely  carried 
through  late  summer  and  be  reliable  for  heading 
in  autumn  and  winter.  The  difficulty  in  this 
has  led  to  the  almost  universal  use  of  the  Collard 
which  by  the  by  is  no  mean  vegetable  after  frost 
has  made  it  tender.  The  practice  of  calling  any 
Cabbage  that  has  failed  to  head  a  Collard  has 
given  this  vegetable  a  bad  name  with  those  who 
have  never  tasted  a  real  Georgia  Collard.  The 
difficulty  in  raising  the  plants  in  hot  summer 
weather  is  one  of  the  greatest  obstacles  to  the 
raising  of  winter  Cabbage  here,  and  it  seems  to 
me  that  growers  at  the  north  or  in  the  mountains 
might  make  a  good  thing  by  supplying  the  low 
country  with  plants  for  setting  in  August  and 
September.— W.  F.  Massey.in  Garden  and  Forest, 

Daffodil  Sieve.  The  Illustration  shows  some 
workmen  engaged  in  lifting  and  sorting  the 
bulbs  of  Daffodils  in  a  nursery.  The  implement 
is  of  simple  construction,  and  in  form  a  combi- 
nation of  hand-barrow  and  cinder-sifter,  the 
frame  of  wood  and  the  sieve  of  wire,  the  bulbs 
when  dug  up  in  dry  weather  with  a  six-tined 
steel  fork  being  shaken  lightly  about  by  hand 
the  adhering  soil  falling  through,  and  all  the 


242 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


August, 


bulbs  remaining  on  the  sifter.  The  picture 
shows  part  of  nursery,  with  growing  crops  of 
Callas,  Peas.  Potatoes,  etc.,  and  the  matured 
foliage  of  various  Narcissi.— London  Ex. 

Potato  Bug  1«8S  Numerouj.  The  fact  that  the 
Potato  beetle  is  proving  much  less  numerous 
than  usual,  is  probably  due  to  the  excessive 
amount  of  rains  last  winter,  keeping  the  soil 
tilled  with  water.  The  Potato  beetle  goes  in  the 
ground  or  finds  a  hiding-place  under  some  rub- 
bish where,  encased  in  frozen  soil,  and  in  torpid 
state,  it  awaits  the  coming  of  spring  to  reach 
the  surface,  and  begin  his  season's  work.  Wet 
weather  in  winter  instead  of  cold  spoils  such 
calculations.  The  torpid  insect  of  any  kind  can 
not  protect  itself  from  water,  and  soon  perishes. 
—Am.  Cultivator. 

Gathering  Lima  Beans.  If  desired  to  make 
raimey  out  of  green  Lima  Beans,  the  pods  should 
be  picked  immediately  after  they  have  attained 
their  full  growth  and  when  they  have  shown  a 
tendency  to  take  a  tinge  of  yellow.  The  Beans 
are  at  this  time  mature  but  tender  and  are  at 
the  very  largest  stage,  from  this  time  on  de- 
creasing in  size.  A  few  days'  difference  in  the 
time  of  picking,  either  early  or  later,  will  make 
a  difference  of  nearly  one-half  in  the  quantity 
of  shelled  Beans  from  a  given  number  of  pods. 
— Cal.  Fruit  Grower. 

The  Honntain  Ash.  This  is  not  so  much 
planted  as  it  was.  People  are  too  busy  nowadays 
to  destroy  the  borers  at  the  root,  so  the  borer 
destroys  the  tree.  It's  a  pity,  too,  for  when  the 
tree  is  full  of  its  bright  red  berries  it  is  uncom- 
monly beautiful.  A  handsome  specimen  which 
1  saw  last  week  made  me  wish  such  sights  were 
more  common.  In  Europe  it  is  called  Rowan 
and,  sometimes.  Service  tree.  The  American 
species  are  also  very  beautiful,  as  all  will  testify 
who  have  seen  them  in  the  Adirondacks  or  on 
the  shores  of  Lake  Superior— Mr.  Meehan, 
Phila.  Press. 

Unsatisfactory  Novelties.  I  got  a  few  Wilson 
plants  in  either  1S60  or  1861.  Soon  new  varieties 
came  with  every  spring  and  fall,  and  1  began 
buying  and  testing  them  ;  and  scarcely  a  year 
has  passed  since  that  time  that  1  have  not 
ploughed  under  from  one  to  a  dozen  new 
varieties  that  I  had  spent  time  and  money  upon. 
To-day  I  can  say  1  never  had  any  Strawberry 
plants  equal  to  Wilson,  in  all  respects,  unless  it 
may  be  some  of  those  I  am  now  testing.— A.  J. 
Smith,  Tribune. 

Australian  Forests.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  there 
are  no  forests  in  the  world  where  so  multiform 
and  continuous  fragrance  is  perceptible  as  in  the 
"bush"  and  "  Fern  "  of  Australia  ;  the  flowers 
and  flowering  shrubs  are  often  as  exquisitely 
scented  as  they  are  brilliantly  colored,  and  the 
Accacia,  the  Palm,  the  Fern-tree,  and  many 
others,  afford  grateful  and  delightful  shade 
from  the  scorching  ra.vs  of  the  'summer  sun. 
Harper's  Magazine. 

Oregon  Grapes.  There  have  recently  begun 
e-xtensive  importations  of  Russian  and  Asiatic 
Barberries,  some  of  them  quite  remarkable  in 
growth  and  foliage.  But  these  should  not  lead 
us  to  neglect  the  interesting  Paciflc  coast  species, 
especially  Malwnia  aquifolla  and  M.  Jtervuga 
("Oregon  Grapes  "),  which  are  easily  cultivated, 
and  striking  in  foliage,  flowers  and  fruit.  T.  H. 
Hoskins. 

Preventive  for  Insects.  I  have  used  waste 
from  rejected  tarred  felt  roofing  as  wrapping 
round  collai-s  of  Apples,  Peach  and  Quince  trees, 
with  good  success  against  borere;  also  around 
the  edges  of  room  floors  under  the  carpet,  to  re- 
pel the  buffalo  moth.— Trib. 

The  Tulip  Tree.  It  is  of  beautiful,  clean 
growth,  but  should  be  planted  only  where  there 
is  plenty  of  room  to  grow,  as  it  grows  to  a  great 
size.  It  is  sure  death  to  this  tree  to  transplant  it 
in  the  Fall.    Spring  is  the  time.— Phila.  Press. 

Spading-Fork.  We  consider  the  spadlng-fork  a 
neglected  tool.  For  "spading  up"  land  It  is  far 
superior  to  a  spade,  as  it  breaks  up  the  soil  much  more 
completely,  and  it  works  easier.— Am.  Garden. 

Keep  the  Roots  Moist.  Remember  always,  when 
transplanting  evergreeens,  that  if  the  roots  get  dry, 
the  tree  Is  gone.— W.  R. 

Japan  Quince.  Don't  be  persuaded  that  It  has  any 
value  as  a  fruit.  As  a  hardy  flowering  slinib  It  is  un- 
excelled. 

The  bright  flowers  are  sometimes  poisonous:  but 
I  believe  never  the  swet-— (iuesses  at  Truth. 

A  highly  cultivated  garden  Is  half  the  l)attle  In  sup- 
plying the  family  table.— Tenuesee  Farmer, 


Vegetable  Products  on  the'Table. 
Huckleberry  Sauce.    Pick  over  and  wash  ripe 
fruit,  and  strew  with  powdered  sugar. 

Grape  Pie.  One  egg,  one  teacupful  of  sugar, 
one  heaping  teacupful  of  Grapes.  Beat  the  egg 
and  sugar  together,  then  add  the  Grapes,  one 
tablespoonful  of  flour  and  a  little  butter.  Bake 
with  two  crusts.— From  "  How  to  Use  Fruits." 

Green  Grape  Jelly.  Gather  full-grown  Grapes, 
pick  from  the  stems  and  put  in  a  stone  jar.  Set 
the  jar  in  cold  water  over  a  hot  fire  and  let  boil 
until  the  juice  is  extracted.  Strain,  and  allow 
a  pound  of  sugar  to  a  pint  of  juice.  Boil  twenty 
minutes. 

Huckleberries  and  Milk.  Into  a  quart  bowl 
crumble  crackers  «r  a  roll  and  a  half ;  fill  with 
rich  new  milk,  or  milk  and  cream,  half  and  half. 
Pour  into  the  bowl  half  a  cupful  of  Huckle- 
berries, and  stir  contents  together.  A  nice  dish 
for  lunch. 

Mock  Oysters.  Six  plump  ears  of  Sweet  Corn 
uncooked;  grate  from  the  cob;  beat  one  egg, 
stirring  into  it  flour  and  milk  of  each,  one  table- 
spoon, season  with  a  little  salt  and  Pepper.  Mix 
in  the  grated  Corn  and  fry  in  hot  butter,  one 
spoonful  in  a  place,  turning  them.  Serve  hot 
for  breakfast. 

Canning  Tomatoes  in  Glass  Cans.  We  gather 
the  Tomatoes  from  the  %ines  when  they  begin  to 
turn,  put  in  the  cellar  until  red,  then  wash  clean 
put  in  a  pan  of  boiling  water  until  the  skins 
bui-st,  then  pare  with  knife  and  fork,  put  back 
on  the  fire  without  water  and  cook  until  soft ; 
can  hot,  and  place  in  the  cellar.  The  fruit  keeps 
fresh  and  good— L.  T).  R. 

Bipe  Grape  Jelly.  Select  rii^e  perfect  G  rapes, 
pick  from  the  stems,  put  in  a  porcelain  kettle, 
and  let  heat,  then  strain,  or  run  through  a  jelly 
press.  Measure  the  juice,  return  to  the  kettle 
and  boil  five  minutes ;  add  three  quarters  of  a 
pound  of  sugar  to  a  pint  of  juice.  Let  cook  a 
few  minutes  longer ;  take  from  the  Are,  pour  in 
glasses,  and  set  away  to  cool.— Housewife. 

Blackberry  Minute  Pudding.  Steep  a  heaping 
half-pint  of  Hlackbcrries  in  one  full  pint  of 
water  ten  minutes.  Make  smooth  four  table- 
spoonfuls  of  flour  in  a  little  cold  water  and  pour 
into  the  berries  and  boil,  stirring  carefully,  till 
it  thickens,  and  the  flour  is  well  cooked.  Serve 
with  sweetened  cream  while  warm,  or  mould  in 
pudding  cups  and  turnout  to  eat  cold. -From 
How  to  Use  Fruits. 

Pineapple  for  Diptheria.  Pineapple  juice  is 
now  reported  to  be  a  sure  cure  for  diptheria. 
Get  a  ripe  Pineapple,  squeeze  out  the  juice,  and 
let  the  patient  swallow  it.  This  juice  is  of  so 
corrosive  a  nature  that  it  will  cut  out  the  dip- 
theric  mucus,  and  if  you  will  give  the  Juice  of  a 
Pineapple  not  yet  ripe,  to  a  person  whose  throat 
is  well,  it  will  make  the  mucous  membranes  of 
the  throat  sore.  Pineapple  juice  is  a  simple 
remedy,  cheap,  easily  procured  and  easily  tried. 
Horse  Badish  Sauce,  Mix  two  or  three  heap- 
ing tablespoonf uls  of  fresh  grated  Horse-radish 
with  twice  as  much  cream.  Salt  it  lightly  and 
stir  in  an  equal  number  of  dessert  spot)nfuls  of 
vinegar  with  a  teaspoonful  of  sugar.  Add  a 
little  Pepper-sauce  or  Cayenne  if  very  hot  sauces 
are  liked.  Good  either  hot  or  cold.  If  preferred 
hot,  it  must  be  warmed  in  a  double  boiler, 
taking  care  that  it  does  not  boil,  or  it  will  curdle. 
Especially  good  with  roast  beef,  hot  or  cold.— 
Am.  Cultivator, 

Gooseberry  Padding.  A  pint  of  milk,  a  teacup 
of  pastry  flour,  five  eggs,  half  a  teaspoonful  of 
salt  and  a  pint  of  fruit.  Head  and  tail  the 
green  Gooseberries,  and  set  them  aside  till  the 
batter  is  prepared.  Separate  the  whites  and 
yolks  of  the  eggs.  Mix  the  flour  with  enough 
milk  to  make  a  smooth  batter,  add  the  yolks  of 
the  eggs,  beaten  thoroughly,  and  then  the  rest 
of  the  milk  and  the  salt,  and  flnally  the  whites 
of  the  eggs.  Turn  half  the  batter  into  a  well 
greased  tin  mold,  add  the  Gooseberries  and  the 
remainder  of  the  batter.  Suspend  the  mold  in  a 
pot  of  boiling  water,  and  keep  the  water  boiling 
around  it  for  1!^  hours.  Serve  it  with  a  nice 
hard  sauce.— Am.  Cultivator. 

Plum  Pudding.  One-half  pound  chopped  suet, 
oni^half  pound  of  flour,  one-half  pound  bread 
crumbs,  1  pound  grated  Carrots,  1  pound  Pota- 
toes, 1  pound  of  Currants,  1  pound  of  Raisins,  1 
pound  Apples,  1  teaspoonful  of  Ginger.  1  tea- 
spoonful of  Cinnamon,  1  teaspoonful  of  Allspice, 
1  teaspoonful  of  baking-powder,  half  a  Nutmeg 
(grated),  1  pound  of  sugar,  a  good  pinch  of  salt. 
Mix  the  flour,  bread  crumbs,  suet.  Carrots,  Gin- 
ger, Cinnamon,  Allspice,  Nutmeg,  baking  pow- 


der, salt,  and  sugar  well,  than  add  Currants 
Raisins,  (stoned  and  cleaned),  and  Apples.  Mix 
with  water  or  milk  into  a  soft  paste,  boil  in 
floured  cloth  for  four  hours,  or  in  a  basin  or 
mold  for  five  hours.— Glasgow  Cooking  School. 
Bice  with  Tomatoes.  Fry  in  half  a  teacupful 
of  oil— one  or  two  Peppers  whole.  When  done 
take  them  out  and  remove  the  thin  outer  skin, 
and  place  them  on  one  side.  Cut  up  one  or  two 
green  Peppers  and  fry  them,  and  a  small  Onion 
cut  up.  When  the  Onion  is  tender,  but  not 
brown,  put  in  five  or  six  Tomatoes,  skinned  and 
broken.  Let  these  fry  until  quite  pulpy,  stirring 
frequently,  that  they  may  not  burn  nor  stick  to 
the  pan,  then  throw  in  a  breakfast  cupful  of 
Rice,  stir  it  well  in,  add  plenty  of  hot  water  and 
sufficient  salt,  and  let  it  boil  gently,  until  the 
Rice  is  nicely  done  and  the  water  all  absorbed, 
taking  care  to  stir  frequently,  that  it  may 
neither  stick  nor  burn.  Serve  with  the  whole 
green  Peppers  for  a  garnish.  This  dish  is  also 
good  without  the  Peppers— Bn(;l  sh  Recijic. 


HOUSE   PLANTS. 

Ageratums,  If  desired  for  winter  flowering,  should 
not  be  worked  for  bloom  now. 

Anthericum  variegata,  which  Is  a  line  house  plant, 
needs  considerat>le  root  room.  Smaller  pots,  however, 
may  be  used  for  It,  If  In  reijotting  the  roots  are  washed 
entirely  clean,  and  placed  In  new  soil. 

Aspidistras.  Stimulate  leaf  growth  by  applications 
of  lk|uld  manure. 

Balsams,  If  wanted  for  the  window  in  late  fall,  may 
be  lifted  from  the  border  and  planted  in  large  pots. 

Begonias  Intended  for  winter  bloom,  should  have 
the  buds,  as  soon  as  such  appear  on  leading  branches, 
well  piuclicd  back  to  Induce  stocklness. 

Browallia.  If  wanted  as  pot  plants  start  seed  at 
once. 

Callas  for  early  flowering  may  now  be  started  to 
grow.    Give  rich  soil  and  plenty  of  water. 

Chrysanthemums.  The  early  varieties  may  now 
receive  some  weak  liquid  manure  once  or  twice  a 
week,  and  this  treatment  should  be  continued  until 
through  bloom. 
Coleus.  Strike  cuttings  for  winter. 
Echeverias,  Water  moderately  and  give  sandy  soil, 
which  need  not  be  rich. 

Daphne  and  other  Evergreen  plants  and  shrubs,  if 
needing  shifting,  should  have  It  not  later  than  this 
month. 

Freesias.  A  dozen  or  more  bulbs  may  be  planted  in 
a  large  pot  or  box,  to  be  used  for  the  window  garden 
later  on.  They  are  very  desirable  tor  their  delightful 
fragrance. 

Fuchsias.  The  old  stock  of  winter  bloomers,  which 
are  yet  at  rest,  may  now  be  taken  from  the  pots  and 
cut  back  within  three  or  four  Inches  of  the  roots.  Wash 
off  the  soil,  and  repot  in  fresh,  rich  loam,  using  water 
sparingly,  until  the  new  growth  calls  for  a  more  liberal 
supply  of  moisture. 

Insects.  Examine  Chrysanthemums  for  black  aphis 
ami  thrips,  and  apply  Tobacco  dust  or  tea  to  the 
aftecteti  plants.  Earth  worms  troubling  Roses  and 
other  growths  may  be  kejit  in  check  by  soaking  the 
earth  in  the  pots  freely  with  lime  water.  Look  out 
for  red  spider  on  Fuchsias. 

Oleanders,  Oranges,  Pomegranates,  Hydrangeas, 
etc.,  to  be  repotted  as  needed. 

Petunias.  To  make  nice  plants  for  the  window 
garden  In  autumn,  trim  back  the  straggling  branches 
resulting  from  rapid  growth. 

Propagation.  The  amateur  may  now  proceed  to 
Increase  his  plants  of  a  somewhat  tropical  nattire, 
such  as  FIcus,  Cissus,  Rex  Begonia,  Cierodendron,  etc. 
Good  success  may  usually  be  had  by  placing  the  grean 
cuttings  in  sand  In  a  shady  place  and  covering  with 
some  glass  vessel,  watering  slightly  as  needed. 

Roses  for  winter  bloom  must  not  be  stimulated  too 
much  by  overpotting. 

Tuberoses.  Specimens  just  In  bud  at  the  end  of 
month.  ma,v  be  carefully  lifted  and  potted  out  for 
flowering  in  the  hou.se  later  on. 

Veronica,  Give  applications  of  weak  liquid  mauure 
to  encourage  the  flower  spikes  now  in  process  of  de- 
velopment. 

Vinca.  The  roots  of  this  may  be  divided,  and  what 
is  needed  for  the  house  i)otted  at  this  early  date  to 
give  the  .i)art  remaining  in  the  ground  time  to  recover 
and  become  established  for  the  winter. 

Window  Plants.  For  such  a  light  cellar  makes  a 
good  potting  shed  and  store  room. 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


243 


LAWN  AND    FLOWER  GARDEN. 

Acacias,  Mountain  Ash  and  oruaineutal  fluwerlug 
fruit  trees  slmuld  be  examined  for  the  burer.  Use  the 
precautious  or  remedies  advised  for  fruit  trees. 

Edges  of  flower  beds,  walks,  etc.,  to  be  neatly 
trimmed  once  a  month  or  of  tener.  lu  absence  of  an 
edKlng  knife,  a  sharp  spade  will  do. 

Everereens  may  be  suoeessfuUy  transplanted  this 
month.  Select  damp,  cloudy  weather:  guard  the  roots 
carefulli'  against  ilrylng  even  on  the  surface  while  out 
of  the  ground,  and  sprinkle  the  plants  overhead  every 
evening  for  several  weeks  after  planting. 

Gladiolus.  See  to  the  proper  supports.  Spikes  of 
strong  plants  may  be  cut  out  early  t*i  Induce  the  pro- 
duction of  new  splices  later. 

Hollyhocks  arc  not  safe  from  Injury  by  heavy  winds 
without  l>eiug  kept  tied  up  to  stakes. 

Neatness  of  be<is  and  borders  will  depend  upon  the 
tise  of  stakes  for  all  plants  that  need  them.  Many  use 
the  painted  stakes  sold  for  the  purpose,  because  they 
think  they  "  look  pretty  "  with  their  white  heads  upon 
a  green  stake.  When  properly  useil,  the  stakes  them- 
selves should  not  be  seen,  and  the  fairly  straight  stems 
of  bushes  answer  well  enough.  Trim  up  the  flower 
beds,  clip  the  plants  of  formal  beds,  reniove  faded 
flowers  and  stalks  of  perennials,  and  throw  out  early 
annuals  that  are  past  their  blooming  season. 

Fropaeation.  Layering  of  Roses,  shrubs,  etc.,  may 
still  go  on. 

Rockeries.  Remove  the  tops  of  plants  that  have 
passed  into  a  state  of  maturity.  Do  not  allow  the 
plants  to  suffer  from  drought. 

Seed  sowine  of  perennials,  such  as  Pansy.  Holly- 
hock, Delphinium,  Dianthus,  Aquilegia,  Canterbury 
Bells.  Digitalis,  Lychnis,  Myosotis.  Perennial  Poppy, 
lyibelia  cardinalis,  Antirrhinum,  and  others,  may  yet 
be  done  if  done  promptly.  Provide  partial  shade  for 
young  plants  when  up. 

Lilium  candldum,  and  some  other  Lilies  not  at  rest, 
to  be  transplanted  at  this  time. 

Everlastings,  for  drying,  gather  before  fully  ex- 
panded, tie  in  small  bunches,  and  hang  in  the  shade. 
Save  seed  from  best  flowers  only. 

Vases,  tubs  and  pots  set  on  the  lawn  need  close  at- 
tention to  keep  them  from  injury  by  drying  out.  Give 
water  often  and  plentifully. 

Verbenas.  Cut  back  the  extremities,  give  frequent 
doses  of  liquid  manure,  or  strew  some  fertilizer  over 
the  plants  to  help  them  over  this  period,  and  induce 
them  to  give  a  flne  crop  ot  bloom  and  cuttings  for 
propagation  later. 

Walks  and  Drives.  Keep  free  from  lat«  weeds,  and 
repair  the  surface  with  fresh  gravel  where  needed. 

Watering,  whenever  done,  should  be  thorough.  A 
little  sprinkling  does  no  good.  Mounds  and  slopes  re- 
quire some  extra  attention.  Lawns  in  cities,  where 
hydrants  furnish  an  inexhaustible  water  supply,  are 
frequentlyoverwatered  causing  an  unhealthy  condition 
of  the  soil.  Lawn  trees,  however,  can  stand  plenty  of 
watering,  and  respond  with  rapid  growth.  A  good 
plan  Is  to  punch  holes  Into  the  ground  over  the  roots, 
by  means  of  iron  bar  or  spading  fork,  and  giving  the 
water  a  chance  to  go  where  it  will  do  the  most  good. 


PLANT  CULTURE  UNDER  GLASS. 
Camellias.  Give  plenty  of  water  while  at  it,  but 
not  too  often.  If  unfortunately  a  plant  has  become 
dry  at  the  root,  a  good  way  of  watering  is  plunging 
the  pot  in  a  tub  of  water  for  half  an  hour. 

Carnations  for  early  winter  flowers  should  receive 
their  last  heading  back. 

Chrysanthemums.  Stop  the  Pompons  for  the  last 
time:  the  large-flowering  sorts  not  to  be  stopped  again. 
Stake  and  tie  as  needed.  Plants  intended  for  show 
should  have  some  of  the  surface  soil  replaced  by  some 
rich,  half  rotten  manure;  or  weak  liquid  manure  may 
be  given  at  intervals  of  a  week  or  less. 

Coleas  and  other  bedding  plants  of  such  kinds  as 
are  scarce,  or  of  which  it  may  be  desirable  to  get  up  a 
large  stock  next  year,  may  now  have  the  first  cuttings 
taken  off  and  put  in. 

Geraninms  for  winter  bloom  should  now  be  entirely 
stopped.  Start  cuttings  now  for  plants  with  which  to 
decorate  the  house  early  next  spring, 

Lanrels,  and  other  hard-wooded  plants,  as  Aucubas. 
Laurestlnus.  Arbor  Vitaes,  etc..  that  have  completed 
their  work  for  the  season  in  the  ground,  may  be  lifted 
at  any  time  during  this  month  and  next. 

Orchids.  As  the  growth  of  any  Orchid  appears  to  be 
completed,  gradually  withhold  water  and  remove  to  a 
cooler  part  of  the  house.  Encourage  the  growth  of 
young  plants  lately  potted. 

Pelargoninms.  Cut  back  now  if  not  yet  done.  Ends 

of  shoots  to  be  used  for  propagation. 

Requisites.  If  the  needed  repairs  to  the  greenhouse 
have  not  already  been  made,  this  should  be  no  longer 
delayed;  the  houses  being  now  as  empty  as  at  any 
other  time.  Clear  out,  cleanse,  repair,  paint  and  flx 
up  generally.  Provide  pots,  potting  soil,  fuel.  Ex- 
amine and  lest  the  heating  apparatus,  get  everything 
in  readiness  for  restocking  and  activity  Jater. 

Roses.  Syringe  those  for  winter  flowering  daily, 
closing  the  house  after  last  syringing  later.  A  liberal 
mulch  to  the  bedded  Roses  now  will  be  of  great  help 


to  them.  To  get  rid  of  old  canes  of  Teas  curve 
them  to  the  ground,  pegging  them  do%vn,  when  new 
and  strong  shoots  will  break  from  near  the  base  of  the 
old  canes. 

Smilax.  Sow  seed  for  next  year's  plants,  and  start 
up  the  old  roots  that  have  been  kept  at  rest. 

Stocks.  Seed  of  Ten-week  and  Intermediate  sorts 
may  now  be  sown.  For  succession  sow  at  lnter\'ais  of 
six  weeks. 


FRUIT  GARDEN  AND  ORCHARD. 

Apples  of  the  early  varieties,  wherever  found,  and 
even  if  not  perfect,  should  be  carefully  save<l  and 
utilized  this  year  by  canning  and  otherwise.  There 
will  be  something  like  a  fruit  famine  next  fall  and 
winter. 

Blackberries.  After  »he  fruit  Is  gathered,  the  old 
canes  may  be  cut  away.  The  new  canes  for  next  year's 
fruiting  should  be  headed  back  at  the  height  of  three 
feet.  The  laterals  which  afterwards  start  are  also  to 
be  cut  back  so  the  whole  cane  will  be  shaped  somewhat 
In  pyramidal  form. 

Budding  may  be  done  as  soon  as  the  bark  of  the 
stock  peels  freely,  and  buds  in  the  proper  condition  of 
maturity  can  be  had.  Cherry,  Pear  and  Plum  are  the 
first  to  bud;  Apples  next,  and  Peaches  and  Quinces  to 
follow  at  the  end  of  the  month,  and  perhaps  into  Sep- 
tember. Watch  the  growth,  and  cut  the  bands  before 
they  cut  Into  the  bark. 

Currants.  Thin  out  fully  one-half  of  the  new 
growth,  and  remove  old  canes  weakened  by  age.  Cut- 
tings may  be  made  and  struck  now.  Take  shoots  of 
the  new  wood,  cut  eight  inches  in  length  and  insert  a 
trifle  slanting  Into  well-prepared  soil,  with  only  one 
bud  left  exposed.  Firm  the  soil  thoroughly  about  these 
cuttings. 

Gooseberries  to  be  treated  like  Currants.  Cuttings 
do  not  root  quite  so  readily,  however,  and  a  stirer  way 
of  propagating  Gooseberries  is  by  hilling  the  plants  up 
high  with  nice  mellow  soil,  and  inducing  the  young 
canes  to  strike  root. 

Grapes  should  be  closely  watched  and  treated  for 
mildew  and  rot.  This  is  about  the  only  late  fruit  which 
promises  something  like  an  average  crop  this  season. 
Care  and  precaution  with  the  Grape  will  pay  the 
grower  well. 

Marketing.  The  chief  difficulty  In  marketing  fruits 
this  year  will  be  to  get  the  fruit  for  putting  on  the 
market.  Even  second  and  third  grade  tree  fruits  will 
find  ready  sale  this  year  at  acceptable  prices;  but  the 
grower  should  not  be  Induced  to  think  that  strict 
grading,  and  care  In  picking  and  packing,  is  of  less 
importance  than  usually.  The  grower  who  has  fruit 
to  sen,  can  better  than  ever  afford  to  take  pains  with 
it.  and  put  it  on  the  market  In  nice  packages  and  most 
attractive  shape.  As  an  experiment  we  would  advise 
the  use  of  smaller  packages  than  usual,  especially  for 
Pears.  Peaches  and  Plums.  Fancy  prices  will  prob- 
ably be  obtained  for  flne  fruit  thus  put  up. 

Mulching  young  trees  chat  are  suffering  from 
drought,  is  a  commendable  practice. 

Raspberries.  Trim  as  advised  for  Blackberries,  ex- 
cept that  the  laterals  must  be  allowed  to  grow  in  case 
young  plants  are  wanted.  The  ends  of  these  laterals 
have  a  natural  tendency  to  bend  down,  creep  over  the 
ground  and  take  root:  but  a  stone  or  a  hoeful  of  soil 
placed  upon  the  cane  near  the  tip  will  aid  It  in  getting 
a  foothold  in  the  soil. 

Strawberries.  Keep  the  beds  that  are  to  fruit  next 
season  well  tilled  and  free  from  weeds.  Stimulate 
with  a  good  top  dressing  of  hen  manure  or  wood  ashes, 
or  both.  Bone  dust  and  muriate  of  jwtash  is  also  a 
good  dressing.  If  good  potted  plants  are  set  at  once,  a 
fair  crop  may  be  had  from  them  next  season. 


VEGETABLE  GARDEN. 

Beans.  Keep  free  from  weeds,  hoeing  frequently. 
See  that  the  Llmas  all  take  nicely  to  the  poles  or  trellis. 
If  late  snaps  are  wanted,  some  of  the  earliest  sorts,  like 
Early  Valentine,  may  yet  be  sown. 

Celer?  Set  plants  for  late  crop.  Begin  to  earth  up 
the  earlier  plantings  as  soon  as  the  stalks  have  grown 
large  enough. 

Cucumbers  for  pickles  should  be  gathered  at  least 
every  other  day.  Cut  the  fruit  from  the  vines  with 
knife  or  scissors;  do  not  pull  them,  thereby  injuring 
the  vines. 

Egg  Plants  are  great  feeders,  and  like  a  frequent 
dose  of  liquid  manure.  As  the  fruit  gets  large,  place 
xmder  It  a  wisp  of  straw  or  hay,  to  keep  It  from  the 
ground. 

Melons.  Of  some  sorts  a  large  share  of  the  fruit 
sets  too  late  to  ripen  before  frost.  Cutting  these  off 
will  lielp  the  rest  of  the  crop.  A  mulch  of  straw  or  bog 
hay  will  keep  the  fruit  from  the  ground,  and  hasten 
ripening. 

Onions.  Gather  when  most  of  the  tops  have  died 
down.  Cure  thoroughly  t>efore  storing.  Sell  when  an 
acceptable  price  Is  offered. 

Seed  saving  of  but  few  things  is  to  be  commended 
in  private  gardens,  as  the  needed  care  wlQ  not  be 
given.  For  most  seeds  it  is  more  satisfactory  to  buy 
of  those  who  make  a  business  of  raising  them.  In 
small  gardens  there  is  great  danger  of  crossing  and 
"  mixing." 

Spinach.  Sow  now  for  late  fall  use,  selecting  Round 
leaf  or  Long  Standing  Summer. 


Squashes.  Keep  the  cultivator  going  until  the  vines 
cover  the  ground.  Then  pull  up  all  large  weed3  that 
may  appear  among  the  vines. 

Sw^eet  Potatoes.  Keep  free  from  weeds,  and  move 
the  vines  often  enough  to  prevent  rooting  at  the  joints. 

Tillage.  Keep  cultivator  and  hoe  busy  wherever 
the  ground  is  not  covered  with  vegetation.  Stirred 
soil  Is  a  good  mulch,  and  a  prevention  of  the  111  effects 
of  drought. 

Tomatoes.  We  always  like  to  save  our  own  seed  of 
these,  selecting  the  earliest  and  most  perfect  speci- 
mens for  this  purpose.  Squeeze  out  the  pulp  In  a  ves- 
sel, and  allow  it  to  stand  until  fermentation  has  freed 
the  seed  from  the  slimy  matter  which  envelopes  it.  It 
may  then  be  readily  washed  clean  and  dried.  Put  in 
paper  bags  correctly  labeled. 


FRUITS  AND  VEGETABLES  UNDER 
GLASS 

Grapes.  Give  plenty  of  air  to  the  fruit  now  ripening. 
as  this  will  help  both  color  and  flavor.  Remove  part 
of  the  shoots  If  they  are  crowding.  This  will  help  the 
ripening  of  the  wood  for  next  year's  fruiting.  Remove 
defective  berries  from  the  bunches  now  forming  in 
cold  grapery. 

Mushrooms.  It  may  be  worth  while  the  trial  to 
raise  them  under  the  greenhouse  stages  or  In  a  cellar 
or  shed.  Mushroom  growing  Is  an  Infant  Industrj-  that 
will  bear  fostering  and  nursing.  'It  Is  also  a  paying 
industry,  and  by  learning.  In  a  small  way,  how  to  grow 
the  crop  successfully,  it  may  point  out  a  way  to  flnan- 
cial  success. 

Strawberries.  Keep  the  pot -layered  plants  in  the 
shade  until  the  pots  are  well  filled  with  roots;  then 
shift  into  six-Inch  pots.  Use  strong  loam  and  rotted 
manure  for  potting  soil,  setting  the  plants  quite  firmly 
Give  all  the  water  they  need. 


THE    POULTRY    YARD. 

Scaring  chickens  by  trying  to  catch  them,  or 
in  other  ways,  is  a  poor  practice.  The  tame 
fowls  always  do  the  best. 

Eubbieh  heaps  should  not  be  allowed  in  or 
near  the  pnultry  yards  and  houses,  as  they  fur- 
nish harbors  for  rats  and  other  vermin. 

Weeding  out  the  Flocks.  Kill  the  puny,  sickly 
birds  and  plant  near  the  foot  of  a  tree  or  Grape 
vine.  No  more  profitable  use  can  be  made  of 
such  stock. 

Condition  powders  may  be  good ;  but  clean 
quarters,  good  food,  and  a  variety  of  it,  with  a 
continuous    supply  of   fresh    clean  water   are 

much, better. 

Our  Experience  Also.  Every  one  of  our  hens 
that  has  had  a  chance  to  sit  on  the  ground  has 
done  well.  The  higher  and  drier  we  have  made 
the  nests  the  worse  the  failure  has  been.— R.X.Y. 

Sparrows  Eating  Chicken  Food.  Soak  meal 
in  whiskey  and  feed  it  in  a  box  nailed  to  a  pole, 
set  in  the  chicken  yard.  Or  soak  whole  Wheat 
in  a  white  arsenic  or  strychnine  solution  and  put 
in  a  box  placed  as  mentioned. 

Garden  wastes,  such  as  old  Lettuce  going  to 
or  gone  to  seed.  Spinach,  Cabbage  plants,  poor 
specimens  of  Tomatoes,  weeds,  lawn  mowings, 
etc..  are  things  which  fowls  in  confinement  will 
now  receive  gratefully  and  turn  to  good  account 
in  tiesh  and  eggs. 

Tarred  Paper  vs.  Lice.  The  odor  of  fresh  tar 
is  offensive  to  lice,  but  tarred  paper  soon  loses 
its  strong  odor,  and  in  time  will  be  of  no  use  at 
all  as  a  oroteetion  against  lice.  Don't  use  tarred 
paper  thinking  it  will  obviate  all  necessity  of 
other  precautions.— Am.  Farmer. 

Sell  off  Old  Stock.  The  demand  of  boarding 
houses,  etc.,  for  old  fowls  at  this  time,  and  light- 
er supply,  always  results  in  better  prices  than 
can  be  realized  later  in  the  season.  The  old  hens 
now  begin  to  fall  off  in  egg  production.  Sell  off 
your  surplus  now,  l>efore  prices  begin  to  drop. 

Keeping  Eggs.  Eggs  may  be  kept  in  fair  con- 
dition for  several  months  by  immersing  them  in 
a  pickle  made  of  two  pounds  lime,  one  pint  of 
salt  and  four  gallons  of  water.  They  may  also  be 
preserved  by  packing  them  in  fine  salt  or  in  dry 
wood  ashes.  Place  them  small  end  down  in  the 
salt  or  ashes  and  do  not  allow  them  to  touch 
each  other.  In  all  cases  put  in  only  strictly  fresh 
eggs.— Farm  Journal. 

Fattening  Fowls.  At  this  season  of  the  year 
the  hens  will  fatten  very  readily,  and  will  gain 
more  rapidly  on  a  small  space  covered  with  grass 
and  feed  three  times  a  day,  than  tbev  will  in 
coops.  In  feeding  them,  however,  varv  the  food, 
giving  ground  Uats  and  Com  meal,  scalded,  in 
the  morning.  Potatoes  mixed  with  Corn  meal 
and  bran  at  noon,  and  all  the  Corn  and  Wheat 
they  can  eat  at  night.  A  yard  10  bv  30  feet  will 
be  large  enough  for  50  fowls  for  ten  davs  or  two 
weeks,  which  is  ample  time  forgetting  them  fat, 
and  if  they  are  in  fair  condition  at  the  beginning 
one  week  will  suffice.  If  the  yard  is  bare  of 
grass,  keep  a  trough  of  finely-chopped  grass 
where  the  hens  can  eat  of  it  at  will.The  hens  must 
be  bountifully  supplied  with  sharp  grit,  and  pure 
water  should  be  kept  within  their'reaeh  all  the 
time;  charcoal,  ground  or  pounded,  is  also  ex- 
cellent, and  at  night  the  quarters  must  be  com- 
fortable. No  fowl  will  fatten  rapidly  if  lice  are 
present.— Farm  and  Fireside. 


244 


POPULAR  GARDENING, 


August, 


Correspondents  are  urged  to  anticipate  the  season  In  pre 
aenting  questions.  To  aak,  for  instance,  un  April  15  or  20 
what  Peas  had  best  be  sovm,  could  bring  no  answer  in 
the  May  issue,  and  none  before  June,  when  the  ansioer 
would  be  unaea.sonable.  Questions  received  before  the  Uth 
of  any  month  stand  a  good  ohatice  of  being  anstivred  in  the 
next  paper.  Not  more  than  three  questions  should  be  sent 
at  one  time.  Answers  to  questions  be<..rinu  on  t.:e  com- 
parative value  of  implements,  etc.,  offered  by  different 
deaiers  must  not  be  expected.  Neither  can  we  promise  to 
oomply  tpith  t/ie  request  sometimes  made  to  "please  answer 
by  mail"  Inquiries  appearing  without  name  belong  to  the 
name  next  following . 

Replies  to  Inquiries  are  earnestly  requested  from  our 
readers.  In  answering  such  give  the  number,  your 
locality  and  name,  the  latter  not  for  publication,  utilesa 
you  desire.     Write  only  on  one  side  of  the  paper. 

1.928.  Bordeaux  Mixture.  How  prepared  for  Grape 
diseases?  Or  what  other  solution  do  you  recommeud? 
—  Wm.  T.  B.,  New  Torh  City. 

1.929.  Plan  for  Cold  Pit.  I  desire  to  keep  flowers 
growluK  during  the  winter.  Please  give  plain  practi- 
cal plan.— A  Subscriber,  Colorado. 

l,93ti.  Huckleberry  Plants.  Where  can  they  be  ob- 
tained?-E.  W.  T.,  Williamsfteld.  III. 

1.931.  Value  ofWoodashes.  Going  to  move  by  ear 
to  new  location  this  fall.  Will  it  pay  to  move  several 
barrels  of  unleaehed  wood-ashes? — W.  M.  K.,  III. 

1.932.  Enemy  to  Raspberry  Canes.  My  plants  are 
attat-ked  with  what  appears  to  be  a  kind  of  scale. 
What  is  the  remedy?— Mrs.  M.  A.  P..  3Iiss. 

1.933.  Protecting  Paths  Against  Wash-outs.  How 
can  I  best  keep  my  drives  and  paths,  from  house  to 
street  on  a  slope,  and  in  S  shape,  from  being  washed 
out  by  heavy  rains?— A.  C.  C. 

1.934.  Apple  Twig  Blight.  What  is  the  cause,  and 
do  you  know  any  remedy?  Will  it  finally  kill  the  tree 
where  severe? 

1.935.  Blackberry  Rust.  What  can  I  do  for  the 
Orange  rust?  Will  it  do  to  set  new  plantations  with 
roots  taken  from  an  affected  paU'h?— w.  F.  Ritchie. 

1.936.  Dolichos  Species.  Please  tell  me  the  botanical 
name  of  a  Dolichos.  a  hard  wood  climber  with  scarlet 
nanicles  of  flowers,  apparantly  hardy.— G.  L.  C, 
Warren,  R.  I. 

1.937.  Treatment  of  Perennials  alter  Blooming.  Is 
It  good  policy  to  cut  them  down?  Columbines  for  in- 
stance are  a  nuisance  after  blooming-- G.  L.  C, 

1.933.  Bulb  growing  at  the  South.  What  chances  of 
financial  success  would  1  have  going  south  to  engage 
In  growing  bulbs?  What  kinds  promise  best,  and  how 
managed?— F.  V.  B.,  Chicago. 

1.939.  Thorn  Apple,  is  this  the  same  as  Hawthorn? 

1.940.  Wild  Crab  Apple  as  Stock-  Can  it  be  used 
for  improved  Crab  an<l  other  varieties? 

1.941.  Anglers  Quince.  What  is  the  distinguishing 
form  of  the  leaf?— Dou.sman,  Wis. 

1.942.  Curl  Leaf  of  Peach.  Leaves  all  rolled  up  into 
balls  and  discolored.  What  is  the  matter  with  them? 
J.  C.  H.,  Ontario. 

1.943.  Remedy  for  Rose  Chafer,  Pyrethrum  only 
paralyses  but  does  not  kill  them.  Do  you  know  a  bet- 
ter remedy?    E.n.W.,  Linlithgo,  N.  Y. 

1.944.  Mildew  on  Gooseberries.  Is  there  any  rem- 
edy?—Carlton,  Ohio. 

1.945.  Growing  Palm  Seedlings.  How  should  I 
proceed?— AMATEUR,  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

1.946.  Liquid  Manure  for  Chrysanthemums.  Will 
flowers  be  larger  if  manure  water  is  applied  freely?— 
J.  S.  T..  New  Jersey. 

1.947.  Substitute  for  Glass  in  Hot-bed  Making. 
Where  cau  it  be  bought?— P.  M..  Salineville,  O. 

1,94S.  Long  Standing  Summer  Spinach  Is  it  bet- 
ter than  tlie  ordinary  Round  Leaf?—T.  F.S.,^^^  York. 

1.949.  Canning  Green  Corn  and  Peas.  How  put 
up  In  glass  lars  so  to  keep  we!l  and  not  burst  cans?— G 
H.  B.,  Edsallville,  Pa. 

1.950.  Insect  Destroying  Golden  Arbor  Vitae.  Not 
a  green  leaf  left.  What  Insect  is  It  and  what  can  I  do 
for  It?— Mrs.  R.  W.  P.,  Macon,  Miss. 

1.951.  Rose-Leaf  Hopper.  What  cau  be  done  for 
It?— J.  L.  T.,  Hagerstown.  Ind. 

1,932.  Spirsea  Varieties.  What  are  the  best  varie- 
ties, both  of  the  shrubhy  and  the  herbaceous  Splneas? 
Give  color  and  time  of  bloom,  etc.— T.H.E.,  Geneva,  III. 

1.953.  Daphnes  and  Deutzias.  Please  give  list  and 
description  of  varieties?— T.  H.  E. 

1.954.  Planting  Clematis  Jackmanii.  When  is  the 
best  time  for  it  in  Autumn?  Should  roots  be  spread 
out  or  planted  vertically?- W.  S.  J.,  Chicago,  III. 

1.955.  Cherry  and  Fay's  Currants.  What  are  the 
distinguishing  characteristics  of  ihe  two?— M.  N.  O.. 
Rhode  Island. 

1.956.  Preventive  for  Potato  Diseases.  Can  the 
ammoulariil  carbonate  of  copper  solution  be  depended 
ui>on  t^>  be  as  efl^ective  as  the  Bordeaux  mixture?— 
G.  N..  Philadelphia. 

1.957.  Worden  Grape.  Is  it  a  good  enough  shipper 
to  grow  for  a  market  liW  miles  distant?- N.  M.  T. 

1.958.  Melon  Blight.  Can  you  give  a  remedy  or 
preventative?— Old  sub. 

1.959.  Depth  of  Planting  Potatoes.  What  depth 
gives  best  results?— D.  D.  F.,  New  Jersey. 

1.960.  List  of  Ornamental  Plants.  Please  name  the 
10  most  showv  hardy  shrubs,  and  best  24  Roses  for  front 
yard?     Soli  rich,  san4ly  loam. 


1,961.  Tea  Roses  in  Texas.  Will  they  succeed  here 
in  open  ground? 

l,9tii.  Rhododendrons  in  Texas.  Tf  suitable  for 
open  ground  culture  here,  what  soil  and  treatment 
should  be  given  to  them?— Mrs.  K.  A.  H..  Texas. 

1.963.  Fuller's  Rose  Beetle.  Name  best  way  of 
preventing  Its  attacks.— G.  N.,  Mich. 

1.964.  Eradicating  Purslane,  How  best  done? 
Our  gardens  are  overrun  with  it.— R.  A.  C,  MW/anrf. 
Chit. 

1.965.  An  Ailing  Garden.  Soon  after  I  begun  my 
garden  six  years  ago,  I  could  raise  fine  vegetables  and 
plants,  now  they  come  poor  and  the  former  are 
apt  to  be  infested  with  Insects  and  scab.  I  have 
raised  carrots  weighing  three  pounds  each.  My  neigh- 
bors will  have  it  that  I  am  too  liberal  with  manure. 
The  soil  is  black  and  has  beendeeply  trenched.— M.  G., 
Duchess  Co.,  N.  Y. 

1.966.  Fuchsia  Buds  Dropping.  All  during  recent 
weeks  my  Fuchsia  plant  seemed  healthy,  but  when  the 
buds  were  on  the  eve  of  opening  they  would  drop. 
What  was  the  cause?— Ella  P.  Worth,  Miami  Co,  O. 

1.967.  Weeds  in  Gravel  Walks.  How  are  they  best 
kept  down? 

1.968.  Ants  in  the  Garden.  What  is  the  best  reme- 
dy?—C.  C.  G..  Tioga  Co.,  Pa. 

1.969.  Forcing  Rhubarb.  What  course  is  recommend- 
ed for  this,  where  a  cold  frame  is  used  with  a  view  to 
hasten  the  crop  by  some  weeks? — H.  M..  Elizabeth,  N.J. 

REPLIES    TO    INQUIRIES. 

1,896.  Soil  for  India  Eubber  Plant.  Almost 
any  good  soil  will  do  for  the  plant,  but  the  best 
compost  is  probably  one  composed  of  three 
parts  turfy-loam,  one  part  of  leaf -mold  or  rotten 
cow-manure,  and  plenty  of  silver  or  washed 
river  sand.  The  pot  or  pots  should  he  well- 
drained,  as  the  plant  requires  an  abundance  of 
water  when  in  active  growth.— Ex. 

],»9.3.  Quality  of  Sweet  Corn.  We  have  not 
the  least  doubt  that  this  is  greatly  influenced  by 
soil  and  climate.  Sandy  soil  and  a  long  warm 
season  gives  us  boiling  ears  vastly  richer  and 
sweeter  than  clay  soil  and  a  cold  season.  We 
have  always  considered  Blaclc  Me.xican  the 
sweetest  and  richest  of  all  the  varieties  with 
which  we  are  acquainted;  but  the  Stowell's 
Evergreen,  as  we  grew  it  on  sandy  loam  in  New 
Jersey  seemed  to  be  superior  to  even  this  justly 
celebrated  colored  Corn  as  we  produced  it  on 
cold  clay  loam  in  Western  New  York.— U.  R. 

l,8fls.  Asparagus  Varieties,  There  are  quite 
a  number  of  newer  varieties,  as  for  instance  the 
Palmetto,  Philadelphia  ( or  Harr's  >  Mammoth, 
Eclipse,  Giant,  etc.  None  of  these,  however, 
have  been  sufiBciently  tested  to  be  ranked  accord- 
ing to  their  real  merits.  The  introducers  claim 
great  things  for  them  ;  but  pre\nous  experience 
with  "improved"  varieties  of  Asparagus  leads 
us  to  be  not  over-sanguine  in  regard  to  any  of 
the  newer  kinds.  Colossal  we  know  to  be  good 
and  reliable.  The  near  future  will  disclose  what 
there  is  about  the  others. 

1  844  Kooting  Carnations.  We  would  expect 
Carnation  cuttings  to  damp  off  as  yours  do,  if 
the  heat  in  the  propagating  bed  is  too  high  or 
the  air  too  close,  or  il  the  cuttings  are  too  soft 
when  put  in.  The  most  favorable  condition  for 
rooting  Carnations  is  to  start  with  vigorous 
young  cuttings  from  plants  in  health  and  grown 
moderately  cool,  say  in  a  temperature  not  to  ex- 
ceed 50  degrees  at  night.  They  should  be  put 
into  sand  having  bottom  heat  not  exceeding  60°, 
be  kept  well  watered,  and  provided  with  shade 
and  a  moderate  amount  of  air  for  keeping  the 
apartment  cool  and  moist.  By  doing  the  propa- 
gating in  Feb.  under  such  conditions  the  failure 
from  damping  off  should  not  be  five  per  cent. 

1,8.52.  Orape  Oeraninm.  The  writer  is  not 
familar  with  any  plant  of  this  name.  If  the 
flowers  as  you  say  are  like  those  of  Begonia  the 
plant  certainly  can  be  no  (ieranium,  and  un- 
doubtedly is  some  Begonia. 

1,862.  Carnations  for  Winter  Bloom.  Soil  of  a 
light  loamy  nature  suits  the  Carnation  the  best 
where  winter  flowers  is  the  object.  The  plant  is 
impatient  of  a  wet  soil.  As  to  temperature  that 
suited  to  ordinary  greenhouse  plants  and  ranging 
from  45  to  5.5  degrees  at  night  is  the  most  favor- 
able. The  Carnation  delights  in  a  cool  pure  air 
secured  by  proper  ventilation,  and  detests  close, 
damp,  dark  quarters. 

1,943.  Bemedy  for  Bose  Chafer.  There  is  no 
better  remedy  kn<jwn  than  l>uhach,  and  this  if 
applied  thoroughly,  should  not  only  paralyze 
but  kill.  The  best  way  is  to  put  a  tablespoonful 
in  a  bucket  of  water,  and  spray  this  upon  the  in- 
fested bushes.  Among  other  remedies  often  re- 
sorted to,  are  gathering  by  hand ;  knocking  oil' 
on  a  sheet  early  in  the  morning ;  eau  celeste. 
The  bug  prefers  Clinton  Grapes  to  most  any- 
thing else,  and  these  may  l>e  planted  as  decoys. 

1,947.    Substitute  for  Glass  in  Hotbed  Making, 

By  all  means  use  glass.  The  "  stulf  used  in  stove 
doors"  is  mica,  but  we  never  heard  of  it  Ix'ing 
used  for  the  purpose  named  by  you.  tilled  mus- 
lin has  been  much  used  as  a  substitute  for  glass 
in  cold  frames;  but  it  has  never  in  our  practice 
seemed  to  fill  the  jilace  of  glass  e\'eti  for  c()ld 
frames,  and  we  arc  sure  we  do  not  want  it  for 
hotbeds.-G.  B. 


1.945.  Growing  Palm  Seedlings.  Good  fresh 
seed  is.  of  course,  the  first  thing  needed,  and  not 
always  easy  to  procure,  on  account  of  its  liability 
to  lose  its  vitality  during  the  long  voyage  from 
the  home  of  the  Palm.  Some  Palm  seeds,  if 
planted  while  fresh,  germinate  readily ;  among 
them  A7rc  i  lutei<c€Jiii,  one  of  the  most  useful  of 
Palms,  Latania  Bnrbon  'ca  {Livistonia  Chinensis) 
and  Cucos  WethleUiDia.  Others,  amongthem  the 
Kentias,  may  take  six  or  eight  months  for  the 
process  of  germination,  W.  H.  Taplin  gives  in 
Garden  and  Forest  the  following  directions  for 
raising  the  seedlings :  The  soil  for  Palm  seeds 
should  be  rather  lighter  in  composition  than  that 
in  which  established  plants  are  grown,  and  may 
consist  of  equal  portions  of  peat  and  light  loam, 
with  sand  enough  to  make  the  mixture  open  and 
easy  to  drain,  the  latter  point  being  worthy  of 
attention,  for  when  the  soil  is  allowed  to  become 
too  wet  many  of  the  seeds  are  sure  to  rot.  The 
seeds  may  be  planted  in  either  pots,  pans  or 
wooden  boxes,  an  objection  to  the  latter  being 
their  liability  to  breed  fungus,  the  earthenware 
vessels  being  therefore  found  the  most  satis- 
factory, and  for  convenience  four  to  six  inch 
pots  are  preferable.  As  a  steady  bottom-heat  is 
essential  for  the  rapid  germination  of  Palm- 
seeds,  the  pots  containing  them  should  be  placed 
in  the  propagating  house  or  some  similar  struct- 
ure, and  plunged  in  Cocoa-flbre  or  coal-ashes, 
the  Cocoa-fibre  being  the  better  conductor  of 
heat  of  the  two,  and  also  cleaner  to  handle. 
Care  should  be  given  to  watering,  to  keep  the 
soil  damp  without  making  it  sodden,  until  the 
seedlings  have  des'eloped  their  first  leaves,  after 
wiiich  water  may  be  given  much  more  freely 
without  injury  to  the  plants.  As  to  the  time  for 
potting  off,  it  will  be  found  best  with  most 
species  to  wait  until  the  second  leaf  begins  to 
push  up,  but  with  some  of  the  free-growing 
sorts,  such  as  Arcca  luiescens  and  Livistonia 
Chinensis,  it  is  not  necessary  to  prolong  the  time 
to  this  extent,  and  plants  may  be  potted  as  soon 
as  the  first  leaf  is  fully  expanded ;  but  they 
should  in  any  case  be  kept  in  a  warm  house  and 
shaded  from  the  .direct  sunlight  until  they  are 
well  established. 

1,935.  Orange  Bust  of  Blackberry.  There  is 
only  one  thing  that  cau  be  done  for  it,  and  that 
is  to  promptly  dig  out  and  burn  every  cane 
showing  signs  of  the  disease. 

1,944.  mildew  on  Gooseberries.  The  only  thing 
found  yet,  thus  far,  that  has  seemed  to  put  a 
check  to  the  disease,  is  spraying  with  potassium 
sulphide  at  intervals  of  ten  days  or  two  weeks  all 
during  the  season. 

1.946.  Liquid  Manure  for  Chrysanthemums. 
It  is  hardly  necessary  to  assist  well  grown  and 
vigorous  plants  in  this  way  until  they  are  well 
established  in  the  pots  in  which  they  are  to 
flower,  and  these  pots  well  filled  with  roots. 
But  it  is  of  great  importance  to  have  the  plants 
in  fullest  health  and  vigor  as  the  blooming  sea- 
on  approaches ;  and  the  judicious  applications 
of  manure  water  then  may  greatly  aid  the  full 
and  perfect  development  of  the  exhibition 
flowers.  A  few  weak  applications  may  be  made 
even  before  the  buds  nave  appeared.  Some 
growers  only  apply  manure  water  after  that 
time.  As  soon  as  the  flower  buds  are  set,  weak 
manure  water  may  be  api>lied  at  every  alternate 
watering,  and  it  is  best  to  vary  it.  For  one  week 
guano-water  may  be  used ;  another  series  of  ap- 
plications may  be  of  diluted  farmyard  manure, 
and,  if  possible,  the  liquid  should  be  clear. 
Always  err  on  the  side  of  its  being  too  weak 
rather  than  too  strong. 

1.950.  Insect  Destroying  Golden  Arbor  vitae. 
Inquirers  should  always  give  either  the  name  or 
a  description  of  the  insect  for  which  they  ask  us 
to  name  remedies.  Whenever  an  insect  is  found 
to  do  damage,  some  etforts  should  at  once  be 
made  to  fight  it.  If  it  cannot  be  done  by  hand 
picking,  or  mechanical  devices,  applications  of 
the  more  common  insect  poisons  sliould  be  tried 
at  once.  All  leaf-eaters  can  usually  be  dis- 
posed <ilV  liy  siiraying  the  infested  plants  or  trees 
with  weak  I'aiis  gi'cen  water.  Sometimes  the 
keniseiu'eniulsioii.  Tobacco  water,  or  solution  of 
Hellebore,  api'licd  in  s|)ray,  will  prove  effective. 
Or  carbolizod  phisler  or  lime  may  help  In  short 
try  one  or  the  i  it  her,  or  rather  one  after  the 
other  of  these  remedies.— G.  R. 

1.951.  Bose  Leaf  Hopper.  This  is  a  very  com- 
mon, and  well  known  pest,  which  appears  early 
in  May,  and  has  one  or  more  broods  later  in  the 
season.  It  may  be  recognized  by  its  yellowish 
white  body,  white  transparent  wings,  and  brown 
eyes,  claws  and  ovipositor.  Its  length  is  about 
three-twentieths  of  an  inch.  As  it  lives  on  the 
juices  of  the  leaf  only,  ]>oisons  will  be  of  no 
avail  Bubach  will  kill  it,  and  so  will  the  kero- 
sene emulsion.  The  insect  should  be  fought  at 
its  first  appearance  in  the  month  of  May,  when 
it  is  more  sensitive  to  applications,  and  would 
probably  sut^cumb  of  Tobacco  water  and  whale- 
oil  soapsuds.  Later,  its  wings  are  a  protection 
from  washes  and  powders,  and  a  means  for  its 
quickly  escaping  from  the  powder-bellows  orthe 
sprayer.  With  the  first  brood  destroyed,  but 
slight  harm  could  result  fr()m  later  ones. 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


245 


1,988.   Bordsanx  Mixture.    The  formula  for 

preparing  this  is  as  follows:  In  an  earthen  ves- 
sel dissolve  ri  pounds  of  copper  sulphate  iu  water ; 
in  another  vessel  slake  i>  pounds  of  lime.  Mix  the 
two  solutions,  and  when  ready  tor  use,  dilute 
with  'ii  gallons  of  water.  This  is  sprayed  on  the 
Grape  vines,  the  tirst  application  to  be  made  Just 
as  soon  as  the  leaves  have  started  in  spring,  and 
others  at  intervals  of  ten  days  or  two  weeks 
through  the  season.  The  great  objection  to 
late  applications  is  that  the  lime  of  the  mixture 
adheres  to  the  fruit  and  often  tiadly  spots  and 
discolors  it  so  that  it  may  l)e  necessary  to  dip  the 
bunches  into  acidulated  water  (water  anil 
strong  \nnegar.l  To  meet  this  objection,  the 
ammoniacal  carlwnate  of  copper  solution  may 
be  substitute*!  for  the  Bordeaux  mixture  in  the 
later  applications.  This  solution  is  cheap  and 
easily  prepared.  IDissolve  3  ounces  of  carbo- 
nate" of  copper  in  one  quart  of  ammonia  (24° 
Baume)  and  dilute  with  S  gallons  of  water. 
Prof.  Galloway  also  advises  to  try  this  solution 
in  place  of  Bortleaux  mixture  in  all  applications, 
making  the  first  spraying  when  the  Howers  are 
opening,  and  the  others  at  the  usual  intervals. 
Former  experiments  had  lead  him  to  believe  that 
in  ordinary  seasons  this  solution  will  prove  as 
elfective  ais  the  Bordeaux  mixture,  and  its  ad- 
vantages over  the  latter  are  (1)  ease  of  prepar- 
ation and  application,  (2i  cheapness,  and  ri)  its 
proi>erty  of  not  spotting  the  fruit.  The  chief 
troublewith  it  is  that  tlie  average  druggists  do 
not  keep  the  carbonate  of  copper  in  stock,  and 
will  have  to  order  it  from  some  wholesale  house. 
It  should  not  cost  more  than  about  6.5  cents  per 
pound  at  retail. 

1,931.  Value  of  Wood  Ashes.  Good  unleached 
wood  ashes  have  a  fertilzing  value  of  from  $10 
to  515  per  ton.  If  you  have  engaged  a  car  for 
moving  your  goods,  and  consequently  will  be  to 
no  great  expense  in  moving  your  wood  ashes,  it 
will  certainly  pay  you  to  do  so. 

1,906.  Seaion  of  Btldding.  in  a  general  way  we 
will  say  that  budding  can  be  done  at  any  time 
when  the  stock  is  making  vigorous  growth,  so 
that  the  bark  peels  readily,  and  when  good  buds 
can  be  had. 

1,8T6.  Japan  Honeysuckle.  Evidently  the  root 
suffered  some  injury  during  the  winter  that 
should  have  caused  the  plant  to  die  in  the  spring. 
If  as  in  western  New  York,  the  soil  was  very 
wet  in  the  fall,  the  root  may  have  received  in 
jury  in  the  way  for  being  unprepared  to  stand 
freezing.  It  is  not  invariably  the  coldest  win- 
ters that  are  the  most  serious. — A.  H.  E. 

1,870.  Foinsettia  in  Tree  Form.  There  is  no 
disadvantage  in  growing  this  plant  to  a  tree 
form,  indeed  it  is  its  most  natural  form.  Still 
we  would  not  recommend  a  very  long  trunk 
say  not  l>eyond  a  length  to  make  the  tree  from 
two  to  four  feet  high.  Thus  we  would  cut 
back  the  growth  freely  every  year  depending  an 
new  growth  for  the  top  and  bloom  each  season. 

1.990.  Propagating  Choice  Strawherry  Vari- 
eties. Plants  are  set  as  early  in  .spring  as  the 
ground  can  be  worked  in  rows  8  to  10  feet  apart 
and  2  feet  apart  in  the  rows.  In  a  day  or  two 
the  soil  is  stirred  around  the  plants  with  a  rake 
or  hoe  ;  so  as  to  break  the  crust  and  destroy  the 
germinating  weed  seeds.  Strawberry  plants  ap- 
preciate good  culture  and  to  obtain  the  best  re- 
sults they  should  be  stirred  every  day.  To 
obtain  the  most  rapid  growth  use  nitrate  of 
soda,  a  spoonful  to  a  plant  scattered  around  the 
hill  We  have  been  very  successful  with  barn- 
yard scrapings,  putting  it  on  an  inch  deep  all 
over  the  surface.  Liquid  manure  in  dr>  weather 
is  best  of  all :  but  be  careful  that  it  is  not  too 
strong.  Cut  off  the  first  runners  that  appear  to 
give  stockiuess  to  the  plant.  The  runners 
that  are  allowed  to  grow  should  be  held  in  place 
by  a  stone  or  a  little  earth  till  well  rooted.  In 
order  that  the  young  runner  may  root  readily  it 
is  verv  important  that  the  soil  be  kept  mellow  by 
frequent  stirring.  By  the  above  method  we 
were  able  last  year  to  grow  500  plants  from  5 
parent  plants  that  had  been  taken  up  in  Kan- 
sas after  the  fruit  was  set  and  shipped  to  X.  Y. 
by  mail.  I  believe  I  could  grow  ICKJI  plants  from 
one  single  setting  of  the  Cloud  variety.— i.  J. 
Farmer ,  S  1'. 

1,8.39.  Crops  Among  Frnit.  -\11  kinds  of  an- 
nual vegetable  crops  may  be  grown  among 
Grapes,  Blackberries  and  Raspberries.  On  a 
pinch,  a  row  of  early  Potatoes,  Peas  or  Beans 
might  be  grown  between  the  Strawberries  and 
renewed  before  the  plants  begin  to  run.  We 
plant  Potatoes  between  the  Raspberries  and 
Blackberries  the  first  year.  Afterwards  the 
Berry  plants  take  all  the  room.  Berries  may  be 
grown  in  the  young  orchard  with  good  results. 
Don't  plant  Strawberries  among  Raspberries  or 
Blackberries,  as  the  frequent  cultivation  that 
would  be  necessary  for  the  Raspberries,  etc. 
would  be  detrimental  to  the  Strawberries  when 
ripening,  and  if  no  cultivation  is  given  to  the 
Blackberries,  etc,  their  growth  is  seriously  re- 
tarded and  the  ground  gets  full  of  weeds.  Then 
two  things  must  be  looked  to  in  succotash  treat- 
ment of  crops.  There  must  be  more  fertilizer  ap- 
plied, and  of  course  more  hand  lab(jr ;  but  it  will 
pay  where  land  is  dear.— i.  J.  Farmer. 


1,734.  Treatment  of  Berry  Plants.  When 
plants  and  vines  are  received  from  the  nui-sery 
they  shouUf  Ix"  immediately  opened  and  taken 
from  the  package.  Keep  from  wind  and  sun 
as  either  will  destroy  the  Hue  rootlets  in  a  few 
moments.  Plants  that  are  not  to  be  set  the  next 
day,  should  tx;  heeled  in.  Plow  a  furrow  long 
enough  to  hold  all  the  plants,  being  careful  that 
the  land  side  is  kept  straight.  Break  open  the 
bunches  of  Strawberry  plants  and  spread  them 
out  up  against  the  land  side  ;  so  that  all  the  roots 
will  come  in  contact  with  the  soil.  Draw  the 
soil  up  around  the  roots  and  give  it  a  good  fir- 
ming. Water  when  necessary  Raspberry  tips 
should  be  treated  likewise.  If  the  bunches  are 
heeled  in  without  being  broken  open,  all  but  the 
outside  plants  will  rot .  Red  Raspberries,  Black- 
berries and  Grape  vines  may  be  set  in  the  center 
of  the  trench  about  3  inches  apart  and  earth 
hauled  around  them  from  both  sides.  It  is  a 
good  plan  to  have  plants  come  early  and  heel 
them  in.  Then  when  we  are  ready  to  plant  we 
can  tell  better  what  will  grow  and  be  more  sure 
of  an  even  stand.— I,.  J.  Farmer. 

1,714.  Propagating  Blackberries.  Blackberries 
are  propagated  from  root  cuttings  by  cutting 
the  roots  into  pieces  about  3  inches  long  in 
autumn  or  early  spring.  These  cuttings  are 
sown  in  rows  about  3  inches  deep.  If  done  in 
autumn  the  cuttings  had  better  be  kept  till 
spring  packed  in  earth  or  damp  moss.  Another 
way  IS  to  take  a  sharp  spade  or  shovel  and  cut 
circles  about  6  inches  from  each  other  all  around 
the  parent  plant  as  far  as  its  roots  extend. 
Every  piece  of  root  will  produce  a  plant.  Black- 
berries proper  are  not  propagated  from  the  tops. 
The  running  Blackberry  or  Dewberry,  propa- 
gates from  the  tips  early  in  the  autumn  same 
as  black  Raspberries,  .is  soon  as  the  Dewberry 
cane  begins  to  swell,  burj*  the  end  in  soil  about 
2  inches.— I/.  J. Farmer. 

1,766.  Applying  Wood  Ashes.  In  applying 
wood  ashes  or  any  fertilizer  of  an  alkaline  nature 
one  should  be  careful  that  the  Strawberry  leaves 
are  perfectly  free  from  dew  or  rain.  The  ashes 
should  be  sifted  on  the  plants  when  dry.  Just 
before  a  heavy  I'ain  is  the  best  time.  What 
lodges  on  the  foliage  may  be  swept  off  with  a 
broom.  We  nearly  destroyed  a  tine  patch  of 
Eurekas  last  summer  by  not  brushing  off  the 
superphosphate  that  lodges  on  the  foliage,  be- 
fore a  heavy  dew.— i.  J.  Farmer. 

1,833.  Plnm  Tree  Suckers.  My  neighbors  dig 
up  the  suckers  t&at  spring  up  around  the  bear- 
ing trees  and  set  them  out,  same  as  trees  from  a 
nursery.  They  bear  the  same  fruit  as  the  parent 
tree  and  lots  of  it.— i.  J.  Farmer. 

1,877.  Blackberry  Suckers.  Blackberries  will 
produce  suckers  anyway.  The  less  the  ground 
is  plowed  and  cultivated  deep,  the  fewer  the 
suckers.  Mulch  and  shallow  cultivation  is  a 
partial  preventive.  When  the  green  shoots  come 
up,  cut  off,  same  as  weeds,  all  except  those  you 
wish  to  grow  into  canes  for  bearing  fruit  next 
year.— L.  J.  Farmer. 

L,915.  Cactus  Culture,  Cacti  will  bloom  every 
year  if  given  a  complete  rest  from  the  latter 
part  of  December  until  April.  Place  on  a  shelf 
away  from  the  light  where  the  temperature  does 
not  fall  below  35°;  withold  water  until  each  plant 
shows  signs  of  growing.  As  they  make  small 
root  growth,  small  pots  are  best.  Give  rich  soil 
with  at  least  one  half  sand  and  keep  growing 
through  the  summer.  Autumn  and  spring 
flowering  varieties  should  be  treated  alike.— 
Mrs.  B.  L.  P. 

1,936.  DoUchos  Species,  The  species  usually 
found  in  cultivation  is  1).  Uffuosens  (woody  1;  the 
flowers  are  rose-colored,  with  a  purplish  keel, 
umbellate;  leaflets,  ovate,  acute,  smooth- 
glaucous  beneath  ;;stem,  woody;  branches,  twin- 
ing, rather  villous.  The  species  in  your  pos- 
session, however,  may  be  D.  hieo)itortus  itwice 
twisted).  Its  Bowers  are  white  and  purple,  sus- 
pended on  long  peduncles,  leaves,  trifoliate,  on 
long  petioles.  This  half  hardy  climber  was 
brought  from  Japan  in  1869. 

1,914.  Cactus  Culttire— Treating  for  Bloom. 
The  culture  of  this  family  is  very  simple,  namely 
the  plants  should  have  a  protracted  rest  during 
the  fall  and  winter  by  withholding  water  almost 
wholly,  and  then  providing  water  freely  during 
the  season  of  growth  and  bloom.  They  prefer 
a  light,  sandy  soil  and  rather  small  pots. 

1,917.  Dwarf  Bed-flowering  Horse  Chestnut. 
You  will  find  this  variety  offered  in  the  catalogue 
of  Parsons  &  Son's  Company,  Flushing,  N.  Y  , 
under  the  name  of  Aei^culug  hippoca^anum  rit- 
hicunda  nova. 

l.HS.'i.  Columbine  Flowers  Double.  The  cause 
of  the  flowers  growing  more  double  as  years  go 
on  is  that  as  the  growth  increases  the  vitality  of 
the  plant  is  slightly  reduced  by  the  crowding  of 
the  roots  and  shoots.a  condition  that  tends  to  in- 
crease the  doubleness  of  the  bloom.  Divide  and 
reset  the  roots  into  fresh  soil  next  October  or 
April,  and  with  the  more  vigorous  growth  that 
will  follow,  the  flowers  will  again  assume  a 
larger  and  more  single  form. 


l.itis.  Bulb  Growing  at  the  South  Undoubt- 
edly there  arc  chances,  here  and  there  at  the 
South,  to  make  a  living  by  growing  flowering 
bulbs  for  sccdmen  and  florists  at  the  North. 
But  It  looks  to  us  dijcidedly  risky,  to  say  the 
least,  for  anyone  not  an  expert  in  the  production, 
use  and  sale  of  such  produce,  to  start  for  the 
sunny  South  with  the  hope  of  making  a  living 
out  of  the  business.  This  is  a  trade  that  has  to 
be  learned  and  studied.  An  acquaintance  of  the 
writer,  a  good  florist  too,  some  years  ago.  en- 
gage^l  in  growing  Tuberose  bulbs  and  flowers  by 
the  acre  in  the  southern  part  of  Virginia,  but  he 
found  trouble  in  selling  his  crops  at  remunera- 
tive prices,  and  has  abandoned  the  business.  We 
shaU  be  glad,  however,  to  receive  further  in- 
formation on  this  subject  by  our  southern 
friends  and  readers. 

1,942.  Ctirl  Leaf  of  Peach.  This  disease,  with 
which  the  trees  of  (.lur  inquirer  were  affected, 
like  almost  all  trees  we  have  seen  this  season,  is 
produced  by  a  parasitic  fungus  which  develops 
its  spores  in  minute  sacks  in  the  swollen  and 
distorted  parts  of  the  leaf.  This  fungus  is 
konwn  as  Ascomye^  defininaus.  or  more  recently 
as  Exoa-fcuit  deformau.f.  It  always  appears  early 
in  the  season,  and  usually  the  diseased  leaves 
drop  after  a  tew  weeks.  The  disease  can  not 
well  be  otherwise  than  an  injury  to  the  tree,  but 
it  is  not  a  fatal  one.  There  is  no  known  remedy  ; 
but  the  attacks  may  possible  be  prevented  by 
judicious  pruning,  through  cultivation,  and 
liberal  maining,  especially  with  potash. 

1,965.  An  Ailing  Oaiden.  It  is  more  than 
likely  that  you  have  overdosed  your  garden  with 
foul  animal  manure.  I  would  advise  you  to 
place  no  animal  manure  on  your  garden  for  at 
least  two  years.  Instead  of  that  I  would  rec- 
commend  covering  the  soil  with  a  dressing  of 
fresh  lime,  and  turn  it  into  your  ground,  at  least 
two  spades  deep.  A  Carrot,  three  pounds  in 
weight,  is  all  very  well  to  grow  for  exhibition 
or  for  a  horse  to  eat,  but  is  quite  unfitted  for 
anyone  to  eat  who  values  the  clean,  sweet  flavor 
of  a  vegetable.  Small,  sweet  vegetables,  fit  for 
the  table,  is  what  should  be  aimed  at,  and  these 
you  cannot  produce  if  you  use  foul  animal 
manure.  Y'ou  should  manure  with  leaves  and 
lime,  not  gas  lime,  and  trench  deeply.— A.  H.  E. 

1,892.  Plants  Flowering  in  Hay.  The  time  of 
bloom  of  the  following  named  flowers  is  about 
that  of  Memorial  Day,  varying  accordingly  as 
the  season  is  earlier  or  later,  H.\rdy  Flowers 
Garland  Flower  I  Daphne  Vreoumn>;  Double 
Hoc^etAHe^peris  matrionalisfl.pl.);  Early  Irises, 
Lychins  viscaria.Virginian  Lungwort  [Mentemsia 
Virginica);  Creeping  Phloxes,  May  Apple  or 
Mandrake,  Greek  Valerian,  {Polemimium);  Early 
Crowfoot  or  Buttercup,  Speedwell,  (  Teroiica  1; 
boronicum  caucasium.  Bleeding  Heart,  iD/cen- 
tra  speetablis];  Pa"onies,  LUy-of-the- Valley, 
Pansies,  Daises,  Shrubs.  Three  Pa?ony.  Lilacs, 
Bush  Honeysuckle,  Rough-leaved  and  Lantan- 
leaved  Viburnums,  Plum-leaved  Spira?a  Thun- 
berg's  Soir-.ea,  Flowering  Almond.  Tulips: 
Y'ellow  Rose,  Pieony  Gold,  Parrot,  Roses,  Bi- 
zarres.  La  Candeur  Marriage  de  ma  Fille,  By- 
looms,  etc. 

1,919.  Pomegranate  not  Blooming.  The  fact 
that  you  comment  upon  the  vigorous  condition 
of  your  plant  which  does  not  bloom,  would  indi- 
cate that  the  tendency  is  too  much  towards 
growth  of  wood,  this  being  caused  perhaps  by 
having  more  and  richer  soil  than  is  desirable  for 
promoting  bloom  Very  likely  if  you  were  to 
defer  shifting  into  a  larger  box  or  pot  until  fully 
a  year  later  a  crop  of  bloom  would  set  in  the 
intervening  time  The  plant  is  a  lover  of  sun- 
shine, being  very  suitable  for  lawn  or  veranda 
decoration  in  the  summer.  It  requires  the  pro- 
tection of  a  cool  greenhouse  or  cellar  during  the 
winter. 

1,918.  Buffalo  Berry.  This  shrub  Shepherdia 
argentca)  is  seldom  found  in  the  nurseries.  The 
firm  of  Gillett  &  Horsford,  Southwick,  Mass., 
pay  much  attention  to  the  cultivation  of  native 
plants  and  shrubs,  and  it  is  possible  that  they 
could  furnish  the  one  referred  to.  Another 
species  Shci>herdia  canadensis,  is  mentioned  in 
their  catalogue. 

1,911.  Deutzia  crenata  not  blooming.  It  is 
possible  that  the  soil  is  too  rich  for  your  plant  or 
else  that  it  stands  too  much  in  the  shade,  both  of 
which  causes  might  be  suflBcient  to  hinder  bloom. 
In  our  own  grounds  this  shrub  has  always 
flowered  freely. 

1,954.  Planting  Clematis  Jackmanii.  We  pre- 
fer planting  in  the  spring  before  new  shoots 
start  up.  As  good  a  position  as  any  for  the  roots 
in  planting  is  to  make  a  crown  of  earth  in  the 
hole  with  its  highest  part  but  a  little  below  the 
surface  of  the  surrounding  soil.  Over  the  crown 
spread  the  roots  evenly  in  all  directions  and 
cover  with  soil,  firming  it  down  well.  The 
hybrid  Clematises  are  impatient  of  a  wet  soil, 

1,9.')7.  Worden  Grape.  Most  growers  consider 
this  a  rather  poor  shipper,  and  having  a  tendency 
to  drop  the  berries  from  the  stem.  It  ships  quite 
well,  however,  if  picked  as  soon  as  fully  colored. 


284 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


August, 


1,836.  Soil  Best  Salted  for  Bulb  Culture.  This 
is  such  as  has  been  stacked  for  several  months 
so  that  the  grass  has  become  decayed.  Use  two 
parts  of  such  to  one  part  well-decayed  cow- 
manure,  with  plenty  of  sand  to  make  the  whole 
porous.  A  small  portion  of  sand  should  be 
placed  at  the  base  of  each  bulb  when  planted.— 
E.  O.  Orpet. 

1,841.  Tariff  on  Seeda.  There  is  no  tariff  on 
flower  seeds  so  far  as  our  experience  goes.  We 
annually  import  large  quantities  of  seeds  of 
perennials  from  all  parts  of  Europe  through  the 
malls  and  have  never  had  duty  to  pay.— E.  O.  O. 

1,946.  Moon  Influence.  The  sooner  all  super- 
stitions relative  to  the  moon  influence  on  garden 
operations  are  dispelled,  the  better  it  will  be  for 
the  cause  of  Horticultural.  There  is  no  necessity 
to  consider  the  moon  before  doing  anything 
that  wants  doing.— E.  O.  Orpet. 

1,8.50.  Names  of  Flowers.  Eglantine  is  the 
poetical  name  for  Rosa  i-ubiginosa,  also  known 
as  "Sweet  Briar"  and  can  be  obtained  at  any 
good  nursery.  "Golden  Buttons"  is  probably 
the  double  form  of  the  Buttercup,  Ranunculus 
acris  fl.  pi.  It  grows  two  to  three  feet  high;  if 
dwarf  it  is  probably  R.  speciosus  fi.  pi.  which  has 
larger  flowers  and  very  double.  Both  are  first- 
class  hardy  perennials.  E.  O.  Orpet. 

1,96:{.  Fuller's  Bose  Beetle.  This  insect,  named 
in  honor  of  A.  S.  Fuller,  who  first  noticed  it  as  a 
foe  to  Koses,  is  3-10  of  an  inch  long,  dark-gray  in 
color,  dotted  with  white,  and  hides  by  day  in  the 
axils  of  the  leaves  or  in  some  other 
place  of  concealment.  When  it  is 
jarred,  it  drops  quickly  to  the  earth, 
like  many  other  beetles,  and  from  its 
close  mimicry  in  color  of  the  earth,  it 
is  quite  likely  to  escape  notice.  The 
female  lays  her  small  yellow  eggs  in 
clusters  at  the  base  of  the  plants,  and 
the  larvas  or  grubs  feed  on  the  roots. 
So  far  as  observed,  says  Prof.  A.J.  Cook 
of  the  Michigan  Agricultural  College, 
it  has  done  no  appreciable  damage  in 
the  grub  or  larva  state,  but  has  been  a 
serious  annoyance  as  a  mature  beetle. 
It  feeds  on  the  foliage,  and  has  defolia- 
ted seriously  the  following  kinds  of 
plants:  Ferns,  Palms,  India-rubber, 
Laurel,  Accacia,  Lemon,  Orange,  Cassia, 
Draca'na,  Oleander,  Camellia,  Habro- 
thamnus  and  Pittosp(>rura.  It  feeds  on 
the  plants  at  night  all  through  the 
winter.  It  eats  from  the  edge  of  the 
leaves  and  rarely  cuts  them  up.  We 
believe  that  with  us  the  insect  does  not 
injure  the  Roses.  The  facts  seem  to  argue 
that  the  larva-  must  work  on  the  roots  of 
some  plants  other  than  Roses.  As  they 
seem  much  more  abundant  in  the  Palm,  Fern 
and  Ficus  room,  I  have  surmised  that  they  might 
feed  on  the  roc'ts,  possibly,  of  some  of  these 
plants,  though  I  have  no  positive  proof  that 
such  is  the  case.  The  advice  given  by  Mr. 
Henderson  to  catch  and  destroy  the  mature 
beetle  is  excellent.  By  carefully  noting  its  habit 
of  hiding,  it  is  not  hard  to  find  it.  It  usually 
stays  close  in  the  axii  of  a  leaf,  or  between  the 
stems  at  the  base,  bj'  the  earth,  or  between  a 
stem  and  its  sheath.  Frequently  we  can  avail 
ourselves  of  its  habit  of  dropping  when  jarred, 
and  vii  uKiy  ([uickly  discover  it  and  pick  it  up 
from  the  earth.  The  fact  that  the  beetle  hides 
so  carefully,  may  lead  to  its  non-detrcticni  by 
thegardener.  Hesees  his  plants  mutilatid,  Imt 
does  not  discover  the  cause.  Close  obseivutiun 
will  detect  the  culprit. 

1,860.  Cinerarias.  To  bloom  in  February  or 
March,  seed  should  be  sown  at  once,  and  the 
plants  when  large  enough,  be  planted  singly  in 
thumb  pots  in  good  loam  two  parts,  sand  one 
part,  and  leaf-soil  sifted  one  part.  When  the 
pots  are  full  of  roots  the  plants  should  be  trans- 
ferred to  five-inch  pots,  using  soil  similar  to  the 
above,  but  with  the  addition  of  one  part  well- 
decayed  cow  manure.  The  plants  should  have 
their  final  potting  into  7  or  8-inch  pots  in  Novem- 
ber, and  it  the  plants  are  grown  in  cold  frames 
until  the  arrival  of  frost,  and  fumigated  lightly 
every  two  weeks  {preventive  rather  than  cura- 
tive,! their  greatest  enemy,  green  fly,  will  not 
trouble  them,  and  the  plants  may  be  placed  in  a 
cool  green  house  in  fall  and  will  flower  beauti- 
fully in  the  early  spring  months.  The  two 
firinciple  points  to  be  kept  in  view,  are,  never  to 
et  them  become  pot-bound  until  finally  potted, 
and  to  keep  them  as  cool  as  possible  without 
their  coming  in  contact  wilth  frost.— E.  O.  Opet. 

1,854.  Book  on  Orchids.  The  cheapest  and 
best  book  on  <  trchids  for  amateurs  is  the  "Orchid 
'  Manual"  by  B.  .S.  Williams.  Although  the  cul- 
tural matter  is  meant  to  apply  to  English 
Gardens,  it  can  in  most  cases  oe  modified  by 
the  cultivator  to  suit  his  own  ]>eculiur  roiiiire- 
ments.  The  book  has  full  cultural  directions  t() 
the  growth  of  nearly  all  Orchids  in  culti\ution, 
it  having  been  recently  revised  and  brought  to 
date.  Cost  in  the  L^nited  States  probablj-  about 
85.00.-E.  O.  O. 


1,921.  ThripB  on  Strawberries.  We  do  not 
exactly  know  to  which  insect  our  inquirer 
refers.  The  Grapevine  leaf-hopper,  an  insect 
often  quite  troublesome  to  Grape-vines,  espec- 
ially to  Clinton,  Delaware,  and  other  thin-leaved 
varieties,  is  commonly  known  among  grape- 
growers  as  the  "Thrip."  As  this  lives  only  on 
the  juices  of  the  leaf,  it  is  difflcult  to  deal 
with.  Syringing  with  strong  Tobacco  water,  or 
with  the  kerosene  and  soap  emulsion  are  probab- 
ly the  most  efBcient  remedies.  Carrying  lighted 
torches  through  the  \'1neyard  at  night,  at  the 
same  time  disturbing  the  foliage  with  a  stick,  t^^ 
induce  the  insects  to  fly  into  the  light  and  get 
burned  is  also  recommended.  As  a  preventive 
the  ground  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  vines 
should  be  kept  thoroughly  clean,  and  be  several 
times  raked  or  disturbed  late  in  the  autumn,  and 
early  in  the  spring,  so  as  toexpose  any  concealed 
insects  to  the  killing  influence  of  frost.  Some- 
times these  leaf-hoppers  are  quite  abundant  in  a 
vine  yard  one  season,  and  ijuite  scarce  the  next. 
Perhaps  the  insects  infesting  our  friends  .Straw- 
berries is  the  leaf  roller.  Whatever  it  is,  a  good 
way  to  get  rid  of  it,  is  to  mow  the  patch  as  soon 
as  possible  after  fruiting,  on  the  morning  of  a 
hot  day,  and  at  night  or  next  day  set  Are  to  the 
mowings.— G.  K. 

1,964.  Eradicating  Purslane.  There  is  hardly 
a  more  persistent  weed  in  rich  garden  soil  than 
purslane,  a  near  relative  of  our  annual  garden 
flower,  the  Portulacca.  A  large  plant,  pulled  up 
and  thrown  down  upon  the  ground,  even  in  the 
hottest  day,  will  usually  continue  to  produce. 


and  before  the  fire  could  be  extinguished, 
several  rods  of  the  hedge  was  totally  de- 
stroyed. The  heat  created  was  sufficient  to 
seriously  damage  some  fine  shade-trees 
that  were  standing  near.  Last  October, 
while  visiting  the  orchards  of  Mr.  A.  G. 
Tuttle,  I  saw  several  fine  groups  of  Ever- 
greens on  his  grounds  suffer  total  destruc- 
tion from  fire  through  the  ignorance  and 
carelessness  of  some  of  his  men  who  had 
been  instructed  to  burn  some  brush  in  the 
vicinity.  The  fire  run  through  the  partially 
dried  grass  that  covered  the  ground  about 
the  trees,  and  as  it  approached  their  trunks, 
the  dry  needles  beneath  the  trees,  being 
resinous,  burned  so  vigorously  that  the 
lower  branches  were  ignited,  and  in  a  mo- 
ment the  Are  crept  up  the  trunk  to  the  top 
of  the  tree,  where  tongues  of  flame  rose 
higher  than  the  tallest  shoots.  Whole 
groups  of  Norway  Spruces,  Balsam  Firs  and 
Scotch  Pines,  nearly  or  quite  twenty  feet  in 
height,  were  destroyed  in  a  moment  by  a 
roaring  conflagration. 


MR.   STAHL'S  PLAN  OF  TRELLISING  TOMATOES. 

ripen  and  scatter  its  numerous  seeds.  Small 
plants  can  easily  be  killed  by  cultivation;  but 
when  allowed  to  become  large,  they  shcmid  not 
only  be  carefully  pulled  up,  but  also  gathere<l 
at  once,  and  piled  up  in  heaps  with  soil  on  top, 
to  rot,  or  better  be  removed  from  the  garden 
and  given  to  pigs  or  poultry. 

1,966.  Fuchsia  Buds  Dropping.  This  is  caused 
by  a  want  of  vigour,  and  rarely  happens  to  plants 
liberally  grown  in  a  light  airy  greenhouse.  It 
only  occurs  with  us  in  the  case  of  some  of  the 
double  white  kinds  which  have  element  of  weak- 
ness in  them.  The  remedy  lies  in  giving  plenty 
of  air  night  and  day,  ;so  as  to  strengthen  the 
wood  and  foliage.  Plants  grown  in  windows  are 
most  liable  to  cast  their  buds,  owing  to  the  con- 
lini'iufot.  When  this  happens,  and  the  weather 
is  warm,  put  the  plants  in  the  open  air  in  a  shel- 
tered, not  too  sunny,  place.  Water  only  when 
dry,  and  if  they  are  root-bound,  top-dress  with 
some  concentrated  manure,  or  water  with  soot. 
or  guano  water  twice  a  week.  This  will  soon 
give  them  strength  enough  to  open  their  flowers. 
When  in  a  root-bound  state.  Fuchsias  want  a  lot 
of  nourishment.  Very  often  window  gardeners 
do  not  prune  back  their  plants  in  spring,  so  that 
they  make  a  weakly  growth  inciipablcjof  the 
production  of  good  blooms.  They  siiould  be  cut 
back  in  February,  leaving  only  two  eyes  of  the 
previous  season's  growth,  and  quite  cutting  away 
all  very  weakly  growths.  Then  they  start  strong- 
ly, and  if  shaken  out  of  the  old  soil  and  repotted 
when  the  young  shoots  are  an  inch  in  length 
they  form  stout  tlower-bearing  branches.— A.  E. 


Evergreens  Endangered  by  Fire. 

Among  the  dangers  that  beset  Evergreen 
trees  and  hedges  that  from  fire  set  by  care- 
less hands  in  a  dry  time  during  spring, 
summer  or  fall,  is  not  the  least.  Prof.  Goff' 
of  the  University  of  Wisconsin  has  recently 
had  occasion  to  observe  several  instances  of 
Evergreen  trees  being  entirely  ruined  by 
such  me.ans. 

I^ast  spring,  he  tells  in  Garden  and  Forest, 
a  fine  Norway  Spruce  hedge  on  the  farm  of 
the  Wisconsin  Agricultural  Experiment 
Station  was  accidentally  set  on  fire  from  a 
mass  of  burning  leaves  in  the  neighborhood, 


How  to  Train  Tomatoes. 

Growing  Tomatoes  for  the  canning  fac- 
tories at  -r^ti.dO  to  .*8.00  per  ton  excludes  even 
the  possibility  of  profitable  trellis- 
ing.  The  grower  for  market,  who 
receives  from  .*1.0ll  upwards  per 
bushel,  may  find  it  advisable  to  put 
at  least  some  brush  or  litter  of 
some  kind  around  his  vines,  in  or- 
der to  keep  the  fruit  from  contact 
with  the  .soil.  Perhaps  it  may  even 
pay  him  to  put  up  a  simple  trellis 
such  as  shown  in  fig.  1.  This  metii- 
od  was  suggested  to  us  by  Mr.  ,Iohn 
M.  .Stahl,  who  believed  that  trellis- 
ing  a  patch  in  this  manner  will  in- 
crease the  amount  of  crop  to  the 
full  extent  of  paying  for  material 
and  erection  of  trellis,  while  the 
better  quality  of  the  fruit  resulting 
from  such  treatment,  will  be  clear 
gain.  The  trellis  consists  simply 
of  a  row  of  stakes,  at  a  resonable 
apart,  on  each  side  of  the  row  of  plants,  and 
strands  of  wire  strung  along  the  posts,  at 
say  eight  inches  apart  from  each  other.  A 
more  detailed  description  was  furnished  us 
by  Mr.  Stahl,  but  our  printers,  unfortunately 
have  lost  or  mislaid  the  mantiscript. 

One  of  the  state  experiment  stations  re- 
ports satisfactory  results  from  the  use  of  a 
trellis  put  up  like  the  one  described  with 
this  exception,  that  pieces  of  six-inch  board 
in  single  Hue,  were  substituted  for  the  pots, 
and  the  wires  stappled  to  the  edges  on  each 
side. 

The  home  gardener  can  well  afford  to  put 
up  some  sort  of  trellis  for  his  comparatively 
few  plants,  even  it  he  did  not  expect  any 
other  advantage  from  it  but  the  greater 
attractiveness  and  neatness  of  the  patch. 
Ahything  that  adds  renewed  interest  to  the 
garden  is  a  great  gain. 

A  simple  way  of  treating  Tomato  vines  is 
to  train  them  to  a  single  pole  or  stake,  say 
eight  feet  high,  and  keep  the  plants  trimmed 
to  single  stem.  Soft  bands  should  be  used 
for  tying,  and  particular  attention  paid  to 
give  the  fruit-clusters  some  support  by 
tying  to  the  stake.  The  plants  need  not  be 
more  than  three  feet  apart  in  the  row. 
When  in  full  growth,  and  loaded  with  fruit 
in  all  stages  of  development,  a  row  of 
Tomato  plants  thus  trained  will  always 
attract  attention,  and  may  prove  one  of  the 
"  sights  "  of  the  garden. 

Other  simple  styles  of  trellis  are  shown 
in  flg.  3  and  3.  The  former  is  made  by 
setting  three  stakes,  five  or  six  feet  high, 
in  a  circle  around  each  plant,  and  fastening 
a  few  barrel  hoops  to  them  as  shown  in  en- 
graving. The  other  consists  of  two  uprights, 
and  three  or  four  cross  sticks  or  slats  nailed 
to  them.    There  are  many  other  ways  of 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


247 


n\akinK simple  trellises;  and  the  gardener 
may  use  whatever  his  own  fancy  or  ingenu- 
ity may  dictate. 

National  Registration   of   Plants. 

A  law  to  secure  exclusive  propagation 
and  sale  rights,  for  a  cert^iin  length  of  time, 
to  oriRnators  of  new  plants,  etc.,  is  at  pres- 
ent the  subject  of  thought,  study  and  di.s- 
cussion.  We  fear  that  the  plans  now  pro- 
posed and  which  embrace  an  elaborate  clas- 
sification of  species  and  their  varieties,  to- 


Ti'inato  Treltli  made  of  Slata  and  Honps. 

gether  with  illustrations  and  descriptions, 
and  tests  by  the  State  Experiment  Stations 
are  much  too  complicated  to  give  us  prac- 
tical results. 

That  we  are  skeptical  as  to  the  utility  of 
any  measures  designed  to  protect  orig- 
inators of  plants  and  varieties  which  are 
based  upon  descriptions,  illustrations  and 
tests  we  do  not  disguise.  This  is  because 
we  know  somewhat  of  the  degree  of  un- 
stability  that  prevails  in  the  characteristics 
of  species  and  varieties.  A  mechanical  in- 
vention can  be  defined  and  illustrated  so 
accurately,  that  it  may  be  identiUed  beyond 
a  doubt  wherever  found,  hence  it  may 
readily  be  protected  by  letters  patent.  But 
with  a  plant  it  is  entirely  otherwise.  A 
description  or  illustration  that  would  accu- 
rately fit  a  species  or  variety  under  one 
condition  of  climate,  altitude,  soil  and  cul- 
ture might  not  lit  it  at  all  under  a  thousand 
others.  All  students  of  botany,  who  depend 
upon  printed  descriptions— and  such  as  are 
made  by  the  most  skillful  experts  in  descrip- 
tion too — in  determing  species  and  varieties 
know  of  the  uncertainty  that  always 
prevails  in  relying  upon  such  descriptions. 
The  same  thing  is  true  of  fruits  as  is  seen 
in  the  Smithsonian  Institute  collection  of 
fruit  models,  where  are  shown  types  of  cer- 
tain varieties,  say  the  JEsopus  Spitzenberg 
Apple,  as  grown  in  the  eastern  states  and  per- 
haps quite  a  different  type  of  the  same  var- 
iety asgrown  in  Missouri  or  Kansas.  What 
jury  of  experts  familiar  with  the  Ben 
Davis  Apple  as  known  in  Michigan,  could 
positively  swear  that  certain  specimens 
raised  in  Arkansas  were  or  were  not  the 
same  variety. 

Such  are  a  few  of  the  obstacles  in  the  way 
of  protecting  owners  of  novelties  by  means 
analogus  to  patenting  inventions,  that  is  by 
depending  upon  descriptions  and  illustra- 
tions. But  there  is  another  remedy  and  a 
more  practical  one  for  attaining  the  same  end 
namely  to  make  the  name  of  the  variety  a 


trademark  as  applying  to  the  use  or  sale  of 
said  variety.  This,  as  was  pointed  out  in 
the  discussion  at  the  recent  meeting  of 
nurserymen  in  New  York,  has  been  tried 
with  satisfactory  results  in  a  number  of 
instances.  It  is  possible  that  the  present 
trade  mark  laws  could  be  amended  to  adapt 
them  even  more  perfectly  to  the  end  sought, 
A  trade  mark  affords  perfect  protection 
in  the  use  of  the  name,  thus  shielded.  By  its 
use,  all  that  an  originator  of  a  valuable 
variety  the  name  of  which  has  been  thus 
secured  to  him,  would  have  to  do  for  pro- 
tection, would  be  to  get  up  a  large  stock  of 
his  novelty  before  commencing  to  put  it  out, 
merely  as  a  safe  guard  against  the  remote 
possibility  of  some  unscrupulous  persons 
buying  largely  of  the  stock  and  selling  of 
the  same  under  some  other  name  and  de- 
scription. 

The  Meeting  of  Nurserymen   in  Nevi? 
York. 

BY  OUR  STAFF  CORltESPONDENT. 

(Continued  from  page  210.) 

Root-grafted  and  Budded  Nubsert 
Trees.  Prof.  L.  H.  Bailey,  in  his  paper  said 
this  whole  subject  might  be  divided  into  two 
different  parts,  and  discussed  one  as  whole- 
rooted  trees,  (grafting  on  whole  roots)  and 
another  as  piece-rooted  trees  (grafting  on 
small  pieces  of  roots)  and  again  in  regard 
to  budded  trees.  In  England  the  piece-root 
method  of  propagation  is  used  to  rather  a 
limited  extent  for  ornamental  trees  mostly. 
It  allows  us  to  make  more  trees  from 
our  stocks,  as  you  all  know,  it  allows  us 
to  double  and  sometimes  quadrupple  trees. 
It  sometimes  cheapens,  and  it  hastens  mul- 
tiplication, it  allows  deep  setting,  and  is  of 
value  especially  in  our  great  northwest, 
where  seedlings  are  apt  to  vary,  and  some 
of  these  seedlings  may  be  tender. 

Mr.  Albaugh  of  Ohio,  said  that  in  this 
nursery  there  has  not  been  a  piece-root  graft 
for  the  last  six  years.  Grafts  grown  upon 
whole  roots,  these  have  been  anything  like 
the  failure  of  forinerly  with  piece-roots. 
He  advocated  the  use  of  roots,  a  fibrous 
character.  Stand  them  in  the  orchard  so 
that  the  union  is  under  the  surface. 

Mr.  Carpenter,  of  Nebraska,  thought  the 
question  was  a  sectional  one.  In  his  section 
whole  roots  and  budded  trees  are  not  a 
success.  The  soil  is  too  light  and  they  are 
subject  to  root  freezing  unless  banked  up. 
The  soil  also  is  too  rich,  and  they  make  too 
strong  a  growth  and  run  wild.  He  had 
tested  seedlings  enough  to  know  that  (iO  per 
cent,  would  not  stand  Nebraska  winters, 
hence  they  take  the  piece  roots  every  time, 
and  produce  as  good  trees  as  eastern  men 
would  dare  to  produce.  They  produced 
more  laterals,  or  side  roots  in  his  section, 
and  the  trees  were  less  subject  to  blowing 
over.  The  tap  root  never  supports  the  tree 
from  blowing  over,  but  the  side  roots  do. 

Mr.  Stark,  of  Missouri,  had  been  growing 
whole-root  and  piece-root  trees  for  many 
years,  and  the  whole-root  will  mature 
earlier  than  the  piece-root  and  will  average 
from  one-third  larger,  and  they  will  make 
much  finer  rooted  trees.  Piece-root  trees 
tend  to  throw  out  roots  from  oue  side  only, 
and  in  the  nursery  row  will  twist  over, 
while  the  whole-root  tree  will  stand  straight 
and  make  better  trees  for  the  orchard. 

Mr.  Thurlow,  of  Massachusetts,  believed 
that  budded  trees  are  better  than  grafted 
trees.  Borers  find  concealment  better  in  a 
graft  than  in  a  bud. 

Mr.  Albaugh  ventured  the  statement  that 
in  grafts  as  spoken  of  the  point  of  union, 
may  have  been  above  the  ground,  thus  leav- 
ing a  place  for  the  borers  to  work  in. 

In  regard  to  covering  the  union  lietween 
the  scion  and  the  root,  in  grafting  they 
turn  the  root  in  a  wooden  spoon  of  hot  wax, 


covering  over  every  part  of  the  grafted  por- 
tion, below  and  above;  they  turn  the  graft 
quickly,  so  that  it  will  not  only  cover  up  the 
union  between  the  two,  but  will  prevent 
any  water  from  getting  under,  eitlier  below 
or  above. 

Stock  dug  and  shipped  to  early  in  the 
FALL.  Mr.  G.  E.  Meissner,  of  Missouri,  in  his 
valuable  paper  referred  to  the  fact  that 
because  the  dealer  is  anxious  to  get 
through  with  his  fall  deliveries  while  the 
weather  is  fine,  the  nurseryman  or  grower 
must  gather  his  forces  early.  Men  and  boys 
are  put  to  work  ruthlessly  stripping  the 
foliage  from  trees,  plants  and  vines,  long 
before  the  leaves  have  completed  their  func- 
tions. The  days  of  delivery  have  been  set 
commencing  in  the  very  beginning  of  Oc- 
tober, often  regardless  of  latitude  or  season, 
so  the  nurseryman  must  commence  his 
work  weeks  in  advance.  The  stock  must  be 
dug,  sorted,  packed  and  shipped  at  a  season 
when  the  the  mid-day  sun  is  as  hot  and 
burning  as  in  August.  The  immature  roots 
exposed  for  hours  or  longer,  and  the  unripe 
soft  wood  may  shrivel,  but  the  agent  is  "on 
time"  with  his  delivery.  He  turns  over  his 
stock,  collects  his  money,  settles  up  with 
his  employer  or  nurseryman  who  has 
"packed"  him,  and  is  ready  for  the  spring 
campaign,  arguing  to  himself  that  "fall 
trade  don't  amount  to  much  anyway." 

Now  look  at  the  result  for  the  planter. 
He  was  perhaps  told  that  "fall  planting  is 
no  good  in  this  part  of  the  country, "  but 
the  agent  soon  persuaded  him  out  of  this 
notion.  What  a  disappointment  when 
spring  and  summer  come!  Quite  a  number 
of  the  carefully  planted  trees  will  not  grow 
at  all,  others  start  out  with  a  puny  yellow- 
ish growth,  and  finally  die,  and  a  few  sur- 
vive. After  much  time  and  money  has 
been  spent,  after  much  work  and  fretting, 
the  farmer  has  started  a  sickly  plantation. 
He  has  practically  lost  a  year's'time  besides 
his  money  and  labor.  The  consequence  to 
the  trade  in  general  from  such  proceedure  is 
a  grower,  popular  prejudice  against  all  fall 
planting,  bringing  it  into  disregard,  not  to 
say  disrepute. 

All  of  our  best  authorities  in  horticulture 
tell  us  that  fall  is  the  best  season  for  trans- 


TomaU)  Trellis  made  of  ,s(a(s.  See  opimsite. 
planting  fruit  and  forest  trees,  shrubs  and 
vines.  No  authority  that  I  know  of,  ad- 
vises us  to  accomplish  the  "fall  of  the  leaf  " 
by  a  savage  tearing  off  of  the  foliage  long 
before  nature  has  given  the  first  signal  that 
the  period  of  rest  is  at  hand.  The  young, 
white  reotlets  are  still  at  work,  leaves  are 
still  converting  the  sap  into  nutrition,  and 
returning  these  to  be  stored  away  for  new 
leaf  and  growth,  in  the  following  spring. 


248 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


August, 


But  the  "tree  dealer"  has  no  time  to  wait 
for  them,  and  the  grower  must  do  the 
dealer's  bidding,  or  he  will  see  the  coveted 
order  go  to  somewhere  else.  The  "tree  but- 
chers" are  set  to  work,down  come  the  leaves, 
out  or  off  come  the  tender,  immature  little 
roots.  The  poor  trees  suffer,  but  who  cares; 
they  are  paid  tor.  When  I  see  circulars, 
announcing  that  trees  will  be  ready  for 
shipping  by  Sept.  20th,  from  sections  where 
the  first  light  frosts  can  hardly  be  expected 
before  the  middle  of  October,  or  later,  I 
cannot  help  haying  grave  doubts  as  to  the 
success  of  stock,  which  must  be  dug  a 
month  or  more  too  soon  in  order  to  have  it 
ready  for  shipping  by  the  time  announced. 
This  abuse  is  growing  worse  from  year  to 
year,  and  can  ultimately  only  result  in  ruin- 
ing our  fall  trade  entirely. 

Throughout  the  greater  portion  of  our 
country,  fall  is  undoubtedly  the  best  season 
of  the  year  for  transplanting  trees,  shrubs 
and  vines.  Aside  from  physiological  reasons, 
the  soil  is  then  generally  in  the  best  con- 
dition, the  planter  has  more  time,  and  can 
give  better  care  to  the  planting  than  in  busy 
spring.  The  earth  about  the  newly  set  trees 
will  become  firmly  settled  by  the  late  fall 
rains  and  winter  snows,  the  roots  will  be- 
come established  in  the  soil,  the  unavoidable 
bruises  will  heal  over,  and  when  the  first 
warm  spring  rains  come,  long  before  the 
ground  has  become  sufficiently  dry  for 
proper  preparation  of  spring  planting,  your 
fall  set  trees  will  grow  and  push  into  new 
life  and  vigor,  provided  always  that  you 
have  furnished  a  tree,  shrub  or  vine  that 
was  properly  matured,  both  top  and  root, 
when  taken  from  its  bed  in  the  nursery  row. 
Do  not  let  us  counteract  the  advantages  of 
fall  planting  by  an  undue  haste,  just  be- 
cause if  we  will  not  do  it  some  other  fellow 
will.  I  beg  to  finish  my  remarks  by  sub- 
mitting the  following  motion  or  resolution: 
Whereas,  the  practice  of  shipping  deciduous 
trees,  vines  and  shrubbery  at  unseasonably  early 
time  in  tlie  fall,  and  before  such  stock  has  come 
to  a  proper  stage  of  maturity,  making  it  entirely 
unsafe  for  removal,  is  highly  prejudical  to  the 
best  interests  of  the  nurseryman,  as  well  as  to 
those  of  the  planter,  and 

Whereas,  such  a  practice  is  tending  to  create 
a  general  distrust  and  disregard  against  all  fall 
planting 

Resolved,  that  we,  as  American  Nurserymen, 
in  convention  assembled,  disapprove  and  protest 
against  such  practice,  and  request  our  members 
to  discountenance  and  discourage  the  same  at 
every  opportunity. 

Mr.  Campbell,  of  Ohio:  In  my  judgment 
it  is  too  early  to  take  up  a  plant  or  tree  until 
the  foliage  has  fallen,  and  until  the  roots 
are  thoroughly  ripened,— until  the  plant  or 
tree  is  dormant;  at  that  time  it  can  be  taken 
up  with  safety. 

Mr.  Parsons,  of  New  York,  fully  agreed 
with  Mr.  Campbell.  In  old  times  we  never 
commenced  the  taking  up  of  trees  until  by 
shaking  them  we  could  shake  the  leaves  off. 
Mr.  Hale,  of  Connecticut,  would  rather 
plant  in  the  fall,  but  wants  the  selection  of 
the  time  of  digging;  nurserymen  have  in- 
jured their  business  and  injured  fall  sales 
by  forcing  the  business  immaturely. 

Mr.  Meehan,  of  Pennsylvania,  said  that 
they  commence  digging  trees  as  fast  as  the 
leaves  begin  to  change  color.  The  leaves  are 
only  waiting  for  the  frost  to  come,  and  when 
the  frost  comes  and  takes  them  off,  or  we 
take  them  off,  we  can  see  no  difference. 

When  Mr.  Meissner's  resolution  was 
brought  to  a  vote  nearly  every  member  fav- 
ored it,  and  it  was  adopted. 

Judge    Miller's    Strawberry    Report. 

The  quantity  of  Strawberries  consumed 
may  be  in  proportion  to  the  intelligence  and 
refinement  of  the  people.  Never  before  in 
the  life  of  the  writer  were  they  more  abund- 
ant and  cheaper  in  the  west  than  this  season; 


and  while  discouraging  to  the  grower,  it  was 
a  boom  to  the  consumer,  as  they  came  with- 
in the  reach  of  the  poorer  classes. 

We  usually  try  to  be  guided  in  the  future 
by  the  past,  so  that  what  and  how  we  shall 
plant  of  this  delicious  fruit  for  the  coming 
yearin  1891,isa  matter  to  be  well  considered. 
Unless  a  man  has  a  fair  show  for  a  home 
market,  it  will  be  well  to  go  slow,  and  plant 
such  as  produce  abundant  crops  of  good- 
sized  berries,  of  good  color,  and  at  least 
reasonably  good  quality.  This  latter  item 
seems  to  be  of  the  least  importance  as  a  rule, 
for  a  fruit  that  is  large  and  showy,  will  out 
sell  one  of  much  better  quality  if  less  at- 
tractive in  appearance.  Of  course  for  our 
own  use  we  want  the  best. 

For  a  berry  of  the  largest  size,  immensely 
productive,  fair  quality,  and  firm  enough 
for  any  near  market,  Bubach  (No.  5)  would 
be  my  choice.  For  little  earlier  I  don't  see 
how  we  can  dispense  with  the  much  abused 
yet  extensively  grown  Crescent.  And  for 
an  earlier  berry  than  we  have  yet  had, 
Michel's  Early  and  Schnell's  Earliest  will 
take  a  place  in  this  list.  With  these  planted 
on  a  southern  slope  (along  side  of  each  other, 
as  Michel  is  perfect  flowering,  but  Schnell  is 
pistillate),  and  Gandy  and  Schnell's  Late  on 
a  northern  e.xposure,  1  think  we  can  have 
Strawberries  for  six  weeks  instead  of  only 
four,as  is  about  the  usual  length  of  the  crop. 
Just  now  my  plants  of  the  Vandeman  are 
in  full  bloom,  and  as  they  came  from  Ark- 
ansas it  may  be  that  this  will  be  still  later 
than  any  we  yet  have  tried. 

Many  of  the  older  berries  have  done  well 
this  season,  such  as  Crescent,  Minnesota, 
Cumberland,  Capt.  Jack,  Windsor  Chief, 
etc.,  and  if  we  compare  these  with  the  new 
ones  they  will  not  lose  by  the  test. 

The  majority  of  the  boomed  varieties,  one 
by  one,  fade  away  and  are  scarcely  men- 
tioned after  a  few  yeare  of  trial.  Not  so, 
however,  with  Bubach, Warfield,Haverland, 
and  among  the  newer  ones.  Eureka,  which 
also  has  come  to  stay  if  I  know  anything 
about  a  valuable  berry. 

Townsend's  No.  S  and  No.7,  also  Mrs.  Gar- 
field and  Ohio  Centennial  show  so  well  that 
they  may  make  a  longer  visit  among  ns  than 
many  of  the  recent  ones  have  done.  Then 
S.  B.  Miller,  of  Illinois,  has  a  lot  of  new 
seedlings  that  will  be  heard  of  ere  long.  I 
might  name  a  number  of  varieties  fruiting 
here  for  the  first  time,  but  none  of  them  are 
superior  to  many  mentioned  here. 

Now  the  crop  is  about  over,  and  many 
will  feel  Uke  giving  up  the  growing  on  ac- 
count of  the  unprofitableness  of  the  present 
season's  crop,  and  neglect  their  plantations 
even  for  their  own  use.  This  should  not  be 
allowed,  as  even  if  not  grown  for  the  market, 
one  should  have  plenty  of  good  berries  for 
one's  own  family. 

Had  I  not  set  out  a  new  plantation  the 
past  spring  and  nursed  them  well  up  to  the 
present  time,  I  should  feel  like  turning  them 
under  and  planting  late  crops  or  sowing 
Buckwheat  on  the  land.  But  we  will  try  it 
one  season  more 

So  cheap  were  they  this  season  that  the 
boxes,  crates,  express  charges  and  a  trifling 
commission  would  have  covered  the  trans- 
action and  left  me  nothing  for  the  berries. 
But  this  should  not  prevent  all  who  have 
land, from  growing  plenty  for  their  own  use, 
and  some  to  give  their  neighbors  who  can 
not  raise  them.  The  old  beds  that  are  not 
worth  leaving  should  now  be  plowed  imder 
and  left  until  tops  are  well  decayed,  and  then 
renewed  with  fresh  plants,  if  desirable,  first, 
however,  giving  it  a  good  coat  of  well-rotted 
manure.  If  to  be  iised  this  fall,  it  is  a  good 
plan  to  take  new  runners  and  set  them  in  a 
bed  four  or  six  inches  apart,  and  keep  them 
well  cultivated.  They  will  l)ecome  strong 
by  the  first  of  October. 
Last  fall  I  set  out  a  large  number  of  such 


plants,  and  the  crop  they  produced  this 
season  was  very  satisfactory.  Where  plenty 
have  been  kept  in  stock,  and  are  to  have 
another  crop,  they  should  be  dressed  up,  and 
the  old  leaves  cut  off  close  to  the  crown. 
Clean  all  the  decayed  matter  away,  and  then 
draw  mellow  ground  up  even  with  the 
crown.  This  will  cause  new  roots  to  start, 
and  establish  the  plant  for  another  crop.  If 
a  bed  is  not  too  old,  and  it  is  desirable  to 
renew  the  bed,  there  should  be  strips  of  a 
foot  broad  dug  up  and  raked  smooth;  lay 
and  bed  the  young  runners  on  this,  and  by 
fall  the  old  part  can  be  plowed  down  or  dug 
and  covered  with  the  spade. 

That  young  plants  grown  from  those  that 
have  borne  a  crop  of  fruit  will  not  bear  as 
well  as  when  grown  from  new  ones  that 
have  never  never  borne  fruit,  is  a  doctrine 
laid  down  by  some,  and  there  is  likely  truth 
in  it,  but  sometimes  it  happens  that  we  must 
run  the  old  ones  or  not  have  any.  And  that 
plants  a  year  old  are  not  worth  planting  is 
not  quite  tnie,  for  one  dry  season  here,  1881 
I  think, there  were  no  runners  made,  and  we 
were  obliged  to  use  old  plants  in  the  spring 
of  1882.  The  following  season  these  plants 
bore  a  good  crop. 


Summer  vs.  Fall  Planting  of  Straw- 
berries. 

CARL  HOLTMAN,  ULSTER  CO.,  N.  Y. 

In  some  of  the  southern  states  I  have  seen 
good  crops  grovsTi  on  plants  set  as  late  as 
September  or  even  October  of  the  previous 
year,  but  whether  such  good  results  are  ob- 
tained from  plants  set  thus  late,  I  am  not 
quite  sure.  I  aiu  perfectly  safe  in  saying 
that  here  at  the  north  we  have  no  use  what- 
ever for  planting  deferred  until  the  fall 
months,  not  even  where  potted  plants  are 
used.  I  have  tried  this  time  and  again,  and 
always  with  the  same  lack  of  success  in 
getting  berries  enough  the  next  fruiting 
season  to  pay  for  the  extra  trouble  in  caring 
for  the  bed  during  fall  and  winter. 

When  planting  in  early  spring  we  start 
with  a  clean  bed,  and  with  a  whole  season 
for  the  full  development  of  plants  for  fruit- 
ing ahead  of  us;  and  if  we  take  good  care  of 
the  plantation  we  are  reasonably  sure  of  a 
good  crop  that  will  pay  well  for  the  previous 
season's  attention. 

Fairly  good  results  may  be  secured  by 
summer  planting  however.  In  this  case  I 
would  want  about  the  earliest  runners 
made  on  plants  that  have  never  fruited. 
Such  plants  may  usually  he  had  in  July, 
and  if  taken  up  as  soon  as  well  grown  and 
well  rooted,  with  a  good  chunk  of  soil  left 
adhering  to  the  roots,  moved  to  the  new 
plantation  close  by,  and  set  and  otherwise 
cared  for  properly,  the  chances  are  they  will 
make  good  plants  and  develop  embryo  fruit 
stalks  before  winter.  Then  mulch  as  good 
culture  requires,  and  trust  to  Providence. 

With  good  potted  plants  we  might  even 
start  a  bed  early  in  August  and  not  spoil 
our  chances.  But  no  time  should  be  lost. 
Select  the  strongest  runners,  and  let  them 
strike  root  in  thumb  pots.  Pinch  off  second- 
ary runners,  in  order  to  concentrate  all 
energies  of  the  vine  upon  the  potted  plant. 
When  the  pot  has  become  filled  with  roots, 
take  it  up,  soak  in  water  if  dry.  Knock  out 
the  ball  of  earth  with  the  plant,  and  set  out 
carefully,  firming  the  soil  about  it. 

I  am  sorry  to  say  some  nurserymen  instead 
of  doing  as  above  take  up  the  rooted  runners, 
press  them  in  a  thumb  pot,  leaving  them 
there  a  day  or  two,  then  knock  out  the 
plants,  squeezing  the  earth  together  in  a 
tight  ball,  andsend  forth  as  "potted  plants." 
Such  plants  can  give  no  satisfaction. 

I  always  set  good  potted  plants  of  my  own 
growing,  and  that  as  early  in  the  season  as 
possible,  and  I  have  good  success.  If  1  can- 
not have  such  plants  early,  I  prefer  to  wait 
until  spring,  and  make  sure  of  my  chances. 


POPULAR    GARDENING 

AND  FRUIT  GROWING. 

"ACCUSE   NOT   NATURE,   SHE   HATH  DONE   HER   PARI:   DO    THOU    BUT   THINE." -Uiuron. 


Vol.  V. 


SES'TEDyCBEE,,    1890. 


No.  12. 


The  ComsUk  tassels  on  the  ridge 

Are  bronzing  in  the  sun  ; 
The  Elderberries  by  the  bridge. 

And  all  along  the  run, 
Grow  purple  through  the  golden  days ; 

Barberries  by  the  wall 
Glow  crimson  in  the  silver  haze 
That  ushers  in  the  Fall. 

—Annie  M.  Libby. 


Califorkia's  Boom.  The  season  of  1890  bids 
fair  to  be  remembered  in  the  horticultural  his- 
tory of  California  as  a  boom  year  of  the  first 
kind.  The  Prune  crop  alone  is  estimated  to  be 
close  to  15,000.000  pounds,  and  the  prices  of  all 
dried  fruits  are  steadily  advancing. 


The  Agent  System  of  selling  fruit  trees  and 
plants  notwithstanding  it  is  so  often  abused,  has 
its  decidedly  good  points.  We  have  always  held 
that  it  is  ■much  better  people  were  urged  and 
persuaded  to  plant  and  care  for  fruit  trees  and 
plants,  even  if  the  agents  made  them  pay  a  good 
round  price  for  the  stocls,  than  that  any  home 
or  family  should  be  without  fruits.  There  are 
thousands  of  landowners  in  this  country  who 
never  would  think  of  buying  plants  if  not  per- 
sonally, and  perseveringly  solicited  to  do  so. 
The  enjoyment  of  fruits  which  is  one  of  the 
greatest  comforts  and  blessings  of  life,  has 
actually  to  be  forced  upon  a  great  number  of 
rural  people.  We  only  protest  against  the  abuses 
of  that  system. 

Nothing  to  sell  Here.  Our  subscriber,  W. 
Chapman,  Cedar  Co.,  la.,  sends  us  an  order  for 
Buhach,  together  with  a  remittance  for  the  same 
which  we  have  been  put  to  the  trouble  of  return- 
ing to  him.  He  also  requests  our  prices  tor 
Strawberry  plants.  We  had  supposed  that  every 
subscribar  to  our  journal  was  aware  that  we  are 
in  no  sense  nur.^erymen,  although  we  conduct 
experiment  grounds  on  which  are  tried  all  nov- 
elties as  they  appear.  We  have  from  the  first 
made  it  a  rule  to  sell  nothing  except  our  journal 
and  some  books,  and  to  this  policy  we  shall 
strictly  adhere.  To  this  subscriber  we  would  say 
that  the  various  articles  inquired  about  are  ad- 
vertised from  time  to  time  in  our  journal,  and 
he  is  respectfully  referred  to  the  parties  whoso 
advertise  them. 


Electric  Light  is  a  great  slayer  of  insects. 
Prof  Lintner,  New  York's  State  Entomologist, 
believes  that  the  average  number  of  the  insects 
destroyed  in  a  night  by  a  single  electric  light  is 
nearly  100,000.  The  larger  portion  of  Prof.  Lint- 
ner's  specimen  collection  from  one  light  con- 
sisted of  minute  gnats,  midges,  crane  flies,  and 
similar  small  two-winged  insects.  No  mosquitoes 
were  discovered  among  the  victims,  as  they  are 
not  attracted  to  the  lights.  There  were,  however, 
large  numbers  of  plant  bugs,  which  are  injurious 
to  vegetation,  particularly  of  one  small  species 
of  a  handsome  green  gassid,  which  feeds  upon 
our  grasses.  A  number  of  the  moths,  and  one  of 
the  leaf-rollers  which  have  made  such  havoc  in 
our  fruit  trees  this  season,  were  found,  as  well 
as  other  species  of  the  same  family.  Prof.  Lint- 
ner  was  sorry  to  discover  also  a  numl)er  of  the 
beautiful  gauze  wings  among  the  heaps  of  the 
slain,  as  their  iarvit  are  the  aphis  lions  which  aid 
in  keeping  down  plant  lice.  The  electric  light, 
says  Prof.  Linter,  will  undoubtedly  prove  an 
active  agent  in  the  reduction  of  insect  pests,  and 
also  furnish  entomologists  with  many  rare  spec- 
imens and  with  many  species  never  before  seen. 


Plum  Leaf  or  Shothole  Fungus. 
A  peculiar  form  of  fungus  on  the  leaves 
of  some  of  our  Cherry  trees  attracted  our 
attention  early  in  July.  It  appeared  in 
brownish  spots  which  soon  assumed  definite 
outlines,  at  last  dropping  out  altogether, 
leaving  holes  as  if  made  by  a  charge  of  the 
shot-gun.  A  leaf  thus  affected  is  shown  in 
the  accompanying  illustration. 


This  same  fungus  attacks  the  leaves  of 
Plum  trees,  and  is  known  as  Plum  leaf  or 
shot  hole  fungus  {Scptoria  cfraKina,  Peck), 
and  sometime  results  in  premature  dropping 
of  the  leaves,  which  prevents  the  fruit  from 
maturing.  In  our  own  case  during  two 
season,  we  did  not  notice  any  serious  con- 
sequences of  the  attacks,  which  presumably 
were  not  severe  ones. 

We  are  not  aware  that  remedies  for  the 
disease  have  been  tried,  or  found  efficacious. 
Burning  the  leaves  as  soon  as  they  fall,  is 
suggested  as  a  probable  check  to  the  spread 
of  the  fungus.    Spraying  in  May  and  June 
with  copper  solutions,  such  as  the  Bordeaux 
mixture,    am- 
moniated  car- 
bonate of  cop- 
per    solution, 
eau  celeste,  or 
perhaps    with 
sodahyposhul. 
phite  solution, 
is    the   treats 

th  crrnivor  Appearance  of  the  Shothole  Fungus  in  the  Cherry. 


Annual  Convention  of  American 
Florists  in  Boston. 

The  fifth  annual  convention  of  American 
Florists  at  Boston,  August  19-23,  was  one  of 
the  largest  meetings  ever  held  by  this  the 
youngest  of  our  national  horticultural 
societies.  Some  800  delegates  were  present 
accompanied  in  many  instances  by  their 
wives  and  daughters. 

For  some  reason  the  proceedings  were  not 
of  as  high  an  average  value  as  in  former 
conventions  of  this  society.  The  papers 
were  of  a  kind  seemingly  which  did  not 
call  out  free  discussion.  Even  the  question 
box,    with    answers   assigned   to     leading 


grower 

may  most  likely  expect  to  give  him  protec- 
tion against  the  attack  of  this  fungus. 


The  Alolne  Wood  Strawberry. 

The  remarks  on  Alpine  Strawberries  in  a 
recent  issue  of  Popular  Garden  ixg  have 
brought  out  some  requests  for  further  in- 
formation. 

The  Alpine  Strawberries,  as  indicated  by 
the  name,  are  natives  of  the  Alps,  and  dis- 
tinguished from  the  common  wild  or  wood 
Strawberries,  of  Europe,  especially  by  their 
habit  of  bearing  continuotisly  all  through 
the  summer.  We  do  not  concede  to  this 
class  of  Strawberries  any  practical  value  for 
average  people.  None  of  its  various  varie- 
ties is  a  "fill  basket''  Strawberry,  the  fruit 
is  too  small,  and  not  bulk  enough  to  be  of 
any  account  for  market.  At  the  same  time 
the  fruit  possesses  a  peculiar  perfume,  and 
richness  of  flavor,  which,  with  its  everbear- 
ing character,  renders  it  interesting  and  of 
value  for  the  well-to-do  amateur. 

The  varieties  reproduce  themselves  exact- 
ly in  every  respect  from  seed,  and  European 
gardeners  usually  raise  their  supply  of 
plants  in  this  way  rather  than  from  rim- 
ners.  They  agree  in  the  opinion  that  plants 
grown  from  seed  are  more  vigorous  and 
more  productive  than  the  others.  Some  of 
the  varieties  of  Bush  Alpines  produce  no 
runners,  and  are  always  increased  by  seed, 
or  by  division  of  the  tufts.  These  Bush 
Alpines  are  hardy,  productive  and  continous 
bearers. 

If  a  good  supply  of  berries  is  desired  late 
in  autumn,  the  plants  might  be  rested  by 
the  removal  of  earlier  fruit  stalks  and  run- 
ners, and  by  providing  them  plentifully 
with  moisture  during  the  summer  heat.  If 
exposed  to  heat  and  drought,  the  plants  will 
cease  to  fruit.  We  believe  that  the  plants 
will  be  most  likely  to  yield  fruit  continuously 
all  through  the  summer  and  fall,  if  planted 
in  soil  quite  rich  in  humus,  and  in  a  half 
shady  situation.  The  conditions  would 
then  resemble  more  nearly  those  found  in 
their  native  home.  When  thus  treated  the 
Alpines  should  yield  almost  as  abundantly 
in  September  as  in  spring. 


florists  was  rather  a  spiritless  affair.  Is 
it  possible  that  the  florists  have  been  so 
flushed  by  the  remarkable  success  of  their 
young  society  in  the  past,  that  they  begin 
to  feel  that  any  kind  of  programme  or  any 
manner  of  participation  in  the  meetings  on 
the  part  of  members  should  prove  success- 
ful ?  If  so  it  is  a  grave  mistake  which  the 
executive  board  would  do  well  to  look 
closely  into  with  a  view  to  proper  remedies. 
There  certainly  .should  be  no  lack  of  sub- 
jects, to  occupy  the  close  attention  of  hun- 
dreds of  enterprising  florists  during  three 
or  four  days  of  the  annual  convention.  In 
kindred  associations,  more  especially  that 
of  the  lAmerican  nurserymen,  the  interest 
in  the  annual  meetings  and  discussions  is 
clearly  on  the  increase,  so  it  should  be  with 
the  present  society.  If  the  interest  in  the 
educational  features  of  the  convention 
sessions  is  really  showing  signs  of  waning, 
not  a  few  friends  of  the  society  could  be 
found  who  would  attribute  the  unfortunate 
state  to  an  undue  love  for  play  and  pleasure 
on  the  part  of  members  during  convention 
time.  It  is  one  of  the  excellent  objects  of 
these  meetings  to  combine  recreation  with 
work,  but  it  would  be  a  grave  error  to  give 
the  former  the  greater  prominence.  We 
have  confidence  that  this  is  far  from  the 
florists'  intentions.  We  believe  that  with 
observing  the  present  signs  they  will  so  call 
a  halt  on  the  weaker  features  of  this  so- 
ciety's past  experience,  as  to  evolve  a  future 
career  in  every  way  as  creditable  to  them- 
selves as  has  been  so  much  of  the  past. 

For  a  city  in  which  to  hold  a  florist's  con- 
vention no  other  in  America  could  surpass 
Boston.  Here  the  culture  of  plants  and 
flowers  both  commercially  and  in  private 
places  has,  all  in  all,  made  greater  advance- 
ment than  in  any  other  section  of  the 
country.  We  doubt  not  that  the  magnifi- 
cent exhibition  of  well-grown  plants  and 
flowers  by  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural 
Society  during  convention  week  proved  a 
complete  revelation  to  most  of  the  florists 
present.  Certainly  no  other  city  could  make 
an  equally  fine  display  of  the  products  of 
the  plantsman's  art.    The  visits  by  the  con- 


250 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


September, 


vention  to  the  famous  private  gardens  of 
Mrs.  Francis  B.  Hayes  and  of  Mr.  H.  H. 
Hunnewell,  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston  were 
among  the  most  attractive  events  of  the 
week. 

The  Pre.5IDENt's  Address.  In  the  course 
of  President  J.  M.  Jordan's  address  the  fol- 
lowing points  of  general  interest  were  pre- 
sented : 

The  aim  of  this  Society  is  to  lift  up  and  caiiy 


Plant  and  Fruit  of  the  Alpine  Strawberry.    See  Preceding  Page. 


forward  all  that  tends  to  advance  the  interest  of 
its  membei's. 

Much  is  expected  from  its  organized  efforts, 
not  only  to  instruct  its  members  in  their  avoca- 
tions, but  to  educate  the  masses  in  horticulture, 
by  widening  and  deepening  an  interest  in  our 
profession,  by  increasing  our  membership,  until 
we  embrace  all  the  leading  men  of  the  country 
who  are  interested  in  the  various  callings  of 
horticulture. 

There  are  lew  occupations  more  general  than 
the  florist's  and  horticulturist's,  and  it  is  com- 
mitted to  our  hands  to  extend  our  parks  and  bou- 
levards far  into  the  country  until  city  is  linked 
to  city,  and  the  most  rural  districts  will  feel  the 
vitalizing  forces  of  plants  and  flowers.  And 
this  brings  us  to  the  inquiry:  From  whence  wUl 
come  the  means?  Who  will  furnish  the  money? 
It  we  are  true  to  our  best  interests  we  will  do  all 
we  can  to  foster  the  sentiment  of  encouraging 
donations  to  )ior(icu((Hrt'.  "  He  who  plants  a 
tree  (and  makes  it  grow)  builds  a  monument  to 
his  name;  or  makes  two  blades  of  grass  grow 
where  but  one  grew  before,  will  not  lose  his  re- 
ward." 

Large  fortunes  have  been  bequeathed  to  religi- 
ous institutions,  and  to  schools  and  while  we 
all  believe  that  much  good  is  accomplished  thus, 
yet  we  must  acknowledjte  those  who  are  thus 
benefited  are  very  few,  compared  with  the  great 
mass  of  people  that  frequent  our  parks  and  pub- 
lic grounds  to  take  object  lessons,  where  young 
and  old,  rich  and  poor,  learned  and  illiterate  meet 
on  one  common  level  to  drink  in  nature's  best 
gifts  to  man. 

Undoubtedly  these  sentiments  inspired  Mr. 
Henry  Shaw  who  died  in  St.  Louis,  August  25, 
1889)  to  bequeath  to  the  public  his  immense  for- 
tune, for  the  purpose  of  instructing  the  people 
in  the  ever-increasing  knowledge  of  horticulture. 
He  gives  to  the  public  a  Botanical  Gai-den  which 
shall  be  forever  kept  up  and  maintained  for  the 
cultivation  and  propagation  of  plants,  flowers, 
fruits,  trees  and  other  productions  of  the  vega- 
table  kingdom,  a  museum  and  library,  devoted 
to  the  service  of  botany,  horticulture  and  allied 
subjects. 

A  school  has  already  been  established,  where 
young  men  are  trained  in  the  practical  work  of 
horticulture.  They  are  paid  for  their  work,  be 
sides  furnished  with  lodgings  and  tutition  free. 

Mr.  Shaw  did  not  forget  the  social  side  of  life, 
and  bequeathed  one  thousand  dollars  each  year 
for  a  banquet  to  men  eminent  as  teachers  of 
science,  literature  and  art;  also  four  hundred 
each  year  for  a  Uke  banquet  for  gardeners  and 
florists;  five  hundred  dollare  each  year  for  a 
floral  exhibition;  giving  the  trustees  unlimited 
power  to  spend  large  sums  of  money  in  extend- 
ing parks  and  pleasure  grounds.  And  that  these 
objects  may  be  fully  carried  out,  he  has  put  into 
the  hands  of  the  trustees  an  estate  \  alued  from 
Ave  to  eight  million  dollni-s,  consisting  largely  of 
prtductive  really  Ihatiiumut  lie  sold,  but  must 


be  rented.  The  income  now  realizes  hundreds 
of  thousands  of  dollars,  and  should  in  the  near 
future  reach  a  million  dollars  a  year.  St.  Louis 
challenges  the  world  to  show  a  like  donation 
from  any  one  individual. 

The  subject  of  a  higher  education  has  been 
mentioned  in  our  former  conventions.  Modern 
science  reveals  the  operations  of  nature  in  their 
truth  and  beauty,  and  lifts  us  by  their  contem- 
plations out  of  ourselves  to  higher  things.  It 
finds  as  much  that  is  wonderful  in  the  growth  of 
a  blade  of  grass  as  in 
the  motion  of  the 
planets,  as  much  of 
inspii'ation  in  the 
process  by  which  a 
clod  of  earth  gives 
up  its  fertility  as  in 
the  forces  that  keep 
the  stars  in  their 
places  in  the  uni- 
verse. 

There    should     be 
established         some 
measure  of  qualifica- 
tion of    young  men 
entering  into  the  em- 
ployment of  florist  to 
learn    the    business, 
and  with  proper  in- 
fluence,    we     could 
have    graduated    at 
many  of  our  institu- 
tions    of      learning 
young  men  suitable 
for  aprentices  in  our 
profession. 
No  school  of  recognized  ability  to  graduate  a 
pupil  should  leave  out  of  its  curriculum  books 
of  that    kind,  and  even    our    common  schools 
should  teach  the  rudiments  of  horticulture. 

Special  Fertilizers  IN  the  Greenhouse. 
In  a  well-written  paper  on  the  above  sub- 
ject. Prof.  S.  T.  Maynard,  of  the  Mas- 
sachusetts Agricultural  CoUege,  Amherst, 
said  the  conditions  of  plant  growth  are  com- 
prised under  three  heads  namely:  A  proper 
amount  of  water,  sun  and  plant  food.  In 
house  culture  the  small  amount  of  soil  pos- 
sible necessitates  the  use  of  much  greater 
quantities  of  chemical  or  concentrated  man- 
ures. Potash  and  other  nitrogenous  man- 
ures produce  good  leaf  growth ;  for  seeds 
and  other  results  different  chemical  com- 
binations are  required. 

Liquid  manures  have  not  been  found  on 
tlie  whole  to  give  the  best  results  at  the  ex- 
periments at  Amherst.  Muriate  of  potash, 
sulphate  of  ammonia,  nitrate  of  soda,  sul- 
phate of  potash,  bone  black  and  ordinary 
liquid  manures  have  all  been  used  in 
separate  plots.  The  muriate  of  potash  and 
bone  black  gave  the  best  results  in  Car- 
nation culture.  Various  special  experiments 
in  the  use  of  these  fertilizers  were  then 
given  in  the  raising  of  Lettuce,  Tomatoes 
and  other  plants.  The  Tomatoes  did  decidedly 
best  in  the  plots,  treated  with 
bone  black,  which  is  rich  in 
prosphoric  acid.  Pansies 
were  then  treated  with  the 
same  fertilizers,  in  which  ex- 
periment the  muriate  of  pot- 
ash produced  the  finest 
bloom.  In  treating  the  Calla 
the  best  resxilts  were  got  by 
leaving  the  plants  undis- 
turbed through  the  summer, 
and  afterwards  treating 
them,  when  potted  for  bloom- 
ing, with  liquids  prepared 
from  any  of  the  standard  pre- 
pared manures. 

Dried     blood,     and     other 
similar   animal      substances 
were  not  thought  favorably  of,  as  likely  to 
induce  mildew  in  the  greenhouse. 

Professor  Maynard  spoke  of  the  great  need 
of  further  careful  experiment  in  this  direc- 
tion, and  inxited  all  gardeners  and  florists 
to  engage  so  far  as  practicable  in  the  work 
of  recording  results  for  mutual  instruction. 
.  Succulents  for  the  Florist.  Mr.  E. 
S.  Miller  of  Floral  Park,  N.  Y.,  in  his  paper 


on  this  subject  says,  these  are  potentially 
very  valuable  for  the  florist's  purposes,  es- 
pecially for  use  as  house  plants,  but  need 
some  special  knowledge  in  their  culture. 

Mr.  Miller  gave  a  list  of  not  commonly 
known  succulents  which  should  be  more 
generally  in  use.  The  most  of  these  are 
easily  propagated  by  cuttings,  and  can  be 
extended  very  rapidly.  The  common  suc- 
culents, such  as  the  Cactus,  House  Leek, 
Sedums  of  various  sorts,  Mesembryanthe- 
mums  and  others,  have  been  very  success- 
fully grown  for  a  long  time. 

The  great  number  of  plants  of  the  Cactus 
family  to  be  found  in  Texas  and  New  Mexico 
are,  however,  of  far  greater  promise.  These 
are  quite  subject  to  the  attacks  of  insects 
such  as  mealy  bug,  thrips,  scale,  etc. ,  the  use 
of  Tobacco  and  sulphur  being  generaly  suc- 
cessful, however,  in  clearing  them  of  pests. 
In  some  cases  a  brush  should  be  used,  but 
if  the  plants  are  very  badly  infested,  it  is 
better  to  throw  them  away  than  to  run  the 
risk  of  seriously  infesting  the  whole  house. 

New  Officers;  Next  Meeting.  The 
election  of  officers  for  the  ensuing  year  re- 
sulted in  the  following  choice:  President, 
M.H.Norton,  Boston,  Mass.;  Vice  President, 
John  Chambers,  Toronto,  Out.;  Treasurer, 
Myron  A.  Hunt,  Indiana;  Secretary,  W.  L. 
Stewart,  Boston.  Toronto,  Ontario,  is  the 
place  chosen  for  the  meeting  in  1891. 


Notes  from  the  Popular  Gardening 
Grounds  at  La  Salle-on-the- 
Niagara. 
The  Stratagem  Pe.\.  It  is  not  the  first  time 
we  mention  this  Pea,  but  it  proves  so  good,  and 
has  done  so  well,  year  after  year,  here  and  else- 
where, that  we  could  not  resist  the  temptation 
of  presenting  the  picture  of  a  branch  taken  from 
our  patch.  The  plant  is  remarkably  bushy,  not 
over  eighteen  inches  high,  and  entirely  self-sup- 
porting, stem  stout  and  stocky,  and  leaves  large 
and  healthy.  The  plant  bears  numerous  pods  of 
the  very  largest  size,  usually  crowded  almost  to 
bursting  with  Peas  which  are  also  largest  in  size 
and  of  the  very  best  quality.  It  comes  in  mid- 
season,  perhaps  midway  between  Bliss'  Ever- 
bearing and  Champion  of  England.  It  has,  in- 
deed, so  many  good  qualities  that  it  deserves  to 
be  grown  in  every  home  garden.  We  are  also 
sure  that  extra  prices  can  be  secured  for  it  in 
most  markets,  while  the  picking  will  require 
but  one-half  the  labor  demanded  by  other  vari- 
eties for  picking  the  same  quantity.  By  all 
means  try  the  Stratagem  next  year.  The  spring 
floods,  this  season,  have  done  much  damage  to 
our  Pea  patches,  as  they  have  to  other  things, 
and  about  ruined  a  large  number  of  varieties. 
As  a  general  thing,  we  maj'  say,  however,  that 
the  majority  of  the  newer  mtroductions  of  gar- 
den (wrinkled)  Peas,  among  them  Telephone, 
Yorkshire  Hero,  and  .American  Champion,  have 
proved  with  us  not  only  entirely'  i*eliable,  but 
also  of  highest  quality.      People  who  only  grow 


Plantliw  Tulips  in  Clumps.     See  Opposite  Page. 

the  old  smooth  varieties  for  table  use,  and  have 
never  tasted  any  of  these  fine  wrinkled  sorts, 
can  have  no  idea  what  a  really  good  Pea  is. 

A  Weeding  Hoe.  What  a  difference  there  is 
between  hoeing  and  hoeing !  In  employing  peo- 
ple to  do  garden  work  we  have  fimnd  that  men 
who  do  good  hoeing— such  as  will  thoroughly 
pulverize  the  soil,  kill  every  weed,  whether  to  be 
seen  or  only  just  sprouting,  and  be  of  most  and 
lasting  lieuetlt,  are  the  exception  rather  than  the 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


251 


rule.  But  when  you  once  have  a  man  that 
knows  how  to  do  pood  hoeiiifr,  keep  him  if  pos- 
sible, for  ten  to  one,  he  will  do  all  his  other  work 
thoroughly  and  intellif^eutl.v.  0{  course  a  good 
man  and  a  good  hoe  should  go  together.  The 
dull,  worn-out,  rickety  alTaii-s  so  often  put  in  the 

hands  of  hired  men,  or,  worse  than  all,  of  the 

young  boy  who  takes  his  tlrst  lessons  in  the  field, 

arc  an  abomination,  and  should  be  replaced  by 
new  tools,  light  and  sharp  ami  bright.    Oood  and 

effective  work  is  more  likely  to  be  done  with 

them  than  others. 
Yet     the     old    dis- 

cai'ded  hoes  need  not 

be  thrown  away.    We 

have    used    them    to 

the    best     advantage 

for      weeding      hoes 

among    Onions     and 

other      close-planted 

stuff.       The    change 

from  a  poor  hoe  to  a 

good    weed    killer    is  / 

easily  made,  as  shown 

in    our  engi-aving  on 

page  2fi8.    We  simply 

took  them  to  the  neai'- 

est    blacksmith,    and 

had    the    blades   cut 

down,  in  the  way  in- 
dicated by  the  dotted 

lines,  and  so  that  the 

width  of  the  cutting 

edge      is      narrowed 

down  to    about    two 

and  one  half  inches. 
This  gives  us  a  narrow 

hoe  with  sharp  edges, 

and   admirabl.v  fltted 

for  killing  the  weeds 

among  the  rows  of 
vegetables.  Care  in 
handling  such  tools 
is  necessary.of  course, 
else  the  sharp  corners 
clip  off,  or  into,  the 
Onions,  or  Beets,  or 
whatever  vegetables 
they  may  be.  On  the 
whole,  these  hoes 
have  saved  us  and 
our  men  some  back- 
aching  work.  The 
weeding  in  the  rows 
especially  during  the 
later  stages  of  the 
development  of  gar- 
den crops,  was  done 
almost  wholl,v  with 
these  weeding  hoes. 

EVEROBEENS    In 

Summer.  It  is  cus- 
tomary to  speak  of 
the  l)eauty  of  ever- 
greens in  the  winter, 
as  if  the  prominence 
of  this  class  at  a  season 
when  other  kinds  are 
devoid  of  foliage,  did 
not  entitle  them  to  !» 
called  attractive  in 
the  season  of  general 
verdure.  But  the 
summer  beauty  of 
evergreens  impresses 
us  more  and  more  as 
we  behold  the  fine 
appearence  of  the 
borders      of       these 

set  out  here  but  a  year  ago  last  May.  At  | 
this  date,  August  13,  after  six  weeks  of  almost 
unbroken  drought,  which  has  caused  the  lawn  to 
become  browned  and  the  foliage  of  various  kinds 
to  flag,  there  is  not  a  handsomer  sight  on  our 
place  than  the  evergreens.  Indeed  we  go  fur- 
ther and  say  that  of  all  our  hardy  growths  these 
groups  of  young  Conifers  excel  in  beaut.v  and 
freshness  all  others,  if  we  except  only  the  line 
of  large  trees  near  the  waters'  edge  which  draw 
up  an  abundance  of  moisture  from  beneath. 
Turn  our  eyes  towards  the  borders  of  deciduous 
shrubs ;  there  are  now  few  flowers  as  compared 
with  a  month  ago  and  earlier,  foliage  of  some 
kinds  which  earlier  was  of  a  deep  green  has  now, 
partly  as  a  result  of  the  drought,  turned  to  a 
yellowish  or  brownish  hue,  and  is  comparatively 
unattractive.  Some  of  the  kinds  such  as  the 
Mountain  Ash-leaved  Spiriea  and  the  Yellow- 
flowering  Currant  are  showing  a  tinge  of  red 
indicating  ripening  of  the  foliage  here  in  mid 
summer.    It  is  true  that  many  others  such  as  the 


Weigelas,  Elders,  Roses,  Spineas,  Calycanthus, 
.Sumachs,  retain  their  color  admirably,  but  they 
arc  detracted  from  in  measure  by  others  whose 
lH>auty  is  on  the  decline.  Here  and  there  also  a 
branch  shows  the  effect  of  some  insect  work,  or 
blight,  and  which  while  it  does  not  greatly  mar 
the  same  is  yet  no  help  to  appearences. 

With  the  evergreens  it  is  otherwise.  In  our 
large  group  comprising  25  distinct  species  and 
varieties,  the  beauty  is  uniform  throughout  and 
wholly  imimpaired  by  the  drought.      There  is  no 


THE  STRATAGEM  PEA.    As  Sketched  on  the  Papular  Gardening  Grounds. 

somewhat  at  the  edges. 


signs  of  a  lack  of  moisture  in  the  soil,  of  insects 
or  of  blight,  nothing  but  the  handsome,  rich, 
clean  vigorous  foliage  delicate  in  form  and  of 
substantial  color.  The  prevailing  hue  is  a  rich 
deep  green  with  more  or  less  of  a  blueish  cast  in 
the  Pines  and  some  others,  and  of  gold  in  various 
Arbor  Vitseas,  and  Junipers.  Viewed  as  a  whole 
there  is  an  indescribable  richness  in  the  mass  that 
is  unequalled  by  any  other  hard-wooded  growths. 
Viewed  closely  the  richness  of  most  kinds  is 
equally  apparent  and  leads  one  to  think  the 
deciduous  shrub  comparatively  coarse.  One  of 
the  conspicuous  charms  of  the  class  is  the  deep 
shadows  present  in  the  interior  of  the  tree  as 
they  contrast  markedly  with  the  outside  gi'owth. 
A  list  of  the  principle  evergreens  comprising  the 
group  referred  to  was  given  in  our  June  issue. 
There  is  not  an  individual  in  the  lot  but  is  doing 
itself  credit  during  the  present  dry  spell,  no 
water  has  been  applied  to  these  borders.  The 
other  evergreens  scattered  about  our  grouncjs 
are  equally  pleasing  in  appearence  at  this  date. 


Trees  and  Humidity.  That  the  presence  of 
trees  near  to  or  upon  a  lawn  which  is  not  kept 
watered  artificially  is  conducive  to  maintaining 
good  color  to  the  grass  in  time  of  drought  is 
quite  noticeable  the  present  season.  The  trees 
serve  variously  in  preserving  moisture  to  the 
soil,  flrst  l)y  l)reaking  drying  winds,  which  if  un- 
checked so  rapidly  take  up  the  moisture  from  the 
soil,  second  by  the  shade  they  cast  and  which 
from  each  tree  amounts  to  a  large  area,  as 
from  morning  till  night,  the  shadow  shifts, 
third  by  the  natural 
humidity  emitted 

from      the      foliage. 
These  combined  influ  ■ 
ences  when  of  rather  a 
marked     nature,    are 
sufficient     to    render 
a  lawn  of  good  color 
in  droughty  times  for 
a    number   of  weeks 
beyond  the  time,wben 
a  similar  lawn  begins 
to  turn  brown.   In  the 
ease  of  the  Beech  and 
some  other  trees  the 
roots    of     which    lie 
near  the  surface,  the 
grass  may  early  in  a 
drought    be     robbed 
of  moisture  to  its  in- 
jury.   But    with    the 
majority  of  trees  the 
roots     strike     down 
suflicently  deep   that 
with  the  presence  of 
the    favorable    influ- 
ences named  it  takes 
a  long  drought  to  ef- 
fect unfavorably  the 
jrrass  under  the  trees. 
The    Massing     or 
Tulips.     As    an    in- 
stance  of  the  favor- 
able effects  which  fol- 
low the  arranging  of 
bulbs     in      irregular 
masses      instead      of 
straight  lines,  we  re- 
fer to  a  simple  clump 
of  three  varieties  of 
double    Tulips     that 
was    planted    on    the 
lawn    at  Woodbanks 
a  year  ago    The  form 
of  the  mass  is  shown  in 
the  engraving  on  the 
opposite  page.     Part 
a  was    planted   with 
Rex  Ruborum,  a  rich 
deep    scarlet,  b  with 
Gloria     Solus     crim- 
son with  deep  yellow 
margin  about  half  and 
half    of  each  color,  c 
with  Tournesal    Yel- 
low, a  brilliant  yellow 
variety.      These     are 
among   the   finest  of 
double      sorts,      and 
grow  about  10  inches 
high. 

■  The  outline  of  the 
seperate  varieties  was 
not  as  cleanly  de- 
fined as  the  engrav- 
ing would  indicate, 
the  masses  instead 
ran  into  each  other 
The  bed  was  a  I'emark- 


ably  handsome  sight  when  in  bloom,  and  vastly 
more  effective  than  would  have  been  possible, 
had  the  bulbs  been  planted  either  in  regular 
lines  or  had  the  colors  been  mixed. 

It  may  be  added  that  this  bed  was  planted  with 
Geraniums  and  other  summer  fiowers  the  latter 
end  of  May  and  without  disturbing  the  bulbs. 
The  summer  plants  were  set  out  between  the 
maturing  Tulip  plants  so  that  for  a  few  weeks 
there  were  two  distinct  occupants  of  the  bed- 
But  as  the  Gerainums  increased  the  others 
decreased  and  after  a  little  were  sufficiently  ripe 
to  admit  of  cutting  away,  and  this  was  done. 

Now  that  it  is  the  right  time  to  order  and  plant 
hardy  bulbs,  let  it  be  said  that  as  a  class  the  early 
double  Tulips  are  not  sufliciently  appreciated, 
considering  their  sterling  qualities,  the  low  prices 
at  which  the  bulbs  can  be  bought,  and  their  per- 
manency. In  our  own  grounds  we  have  with 
great  satisfaction  grown  the  following  varieties 
additional  to  those  named  above:     Imperator 


252 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


September, 


Rubrorum,  splendid  deep  scarlet,  the  petals  ar- 
ranged somewhat  loosely,  one  foot  biith;  La 
landeur,  fine  white  :  Murillo.  white  shaded  with 
rose,  magnificent  large  flowers  .Count  Leicester, 
orange  and  yellow,  feathered. 

A  Mistake.  The  drought  reveals  a  mistake 
made  in  laying  out  one  feature  of  our  grounds. 
Along  next  to  a  heavy  fringe  of  young  second 
growth  Oak.  Chestnut,  Maple  and  other  trees  and 
shrubs  that  skirts  one  side  of  the  grounds  next  to 
the  creek,  the  broad  shrub  borders  were  ar- 
ranged to  extend  back  U>  the  fringe  mentioned. 
It  is  now  very  plain  that  with  having  kept  the 
soil  of  the  shrub  bed  worked  and  somewhat 
manured,  it  has  tempted  the  roots  of  the  tree, 
over  to  suck  up  the  food  and  moisture  with 
jrreat  apparent  satisfaction  to  themselves,  but 
detrimentally  to  the  shrubs.  The  remedy  is 
plain :  namely  to  take  up  the  back  part  of  the 
border,  devoting  it  to  grass,  or  else  have  the 
space  occupied  with  the  ranker  growing  shrubs, 
letting  them  flght  for  their  rights  as  they  can. 
But  it  is  evident  that  the  choicer  shrubs  and 
plants  must  be  moved  further  away  from  the 
near-by  older  occupants.  Oearly  it  is  not  fair 
treatment  for  any  choice  plants  to  have  the  roots 
of  rank-growing  trees  or  other  shrubs  reach  in 
and  rob  them  of  sustenance.  In  such  case  with 
the  surface  of  the  bed  kept  tilled  the  intruding 
roots  come  quite  near  the  surface. 

The  ctrBRA>TS.  Our  plant*,  now  the  second 
year  from  setting,  bore  quite  a  respectable  crop. 
We  must  consider  this  one  of  the  most  easily 
grown,  most  reliable,  and  perhaps  most  remu- 
nerative of  ordinary  fruit  crops.  We  also  think 
highly  of  it  as  material  for  canning,  and  especi- 
ally for  the  table  during  winter  when  a  little 
sharp  fruit  acid  comes  so  acceptable  and  grati- 
fying. As  to  varieties,  it  will  take  an  expert,  and 
one  with  more  than  average  powers  of  observa- 
tion, to  easily  distinguish  between  many  of  those 
of  the  same  color.  Red  Champion.  Prince  Albert, 
Versailles,  Red  Dutch,  etc..  are  so  near  alike  in 
their  leading  characteristics,  that  we  are  not  at 
all  sure  of  our  infallibility  when  attempting  to 
tell  the  variety  name  of  any  one  plant  without 
seeing  the  label.  The  same  is  true  also  of  the 
Cherry  and  of  Fay's  Currants,  and  of  the  White 
Champion,  White  Dutch  and  White  Grape.  The 
following,  however,  is  an  abstract  of  notes  made 
during  visits  to  the  patch. 

Of  red  sorts,  Red  Defiance  bore  plenty  or  fruit; 
of  good  size  in  bunch  and  berry. 

Prince  Albert  had  but  little  fruit.  Versailles 
bore  well.  Red  Dutch  gave  large  long  clusters, 
but  only  few  in  number.  Fay  excels  in  size  of 
clusters  and  berry,  is  reasonably  prolific  and 
somewhat  acid.  Cherry  seems  a  trifle  smaller  in 
both  bunch  and  berry,  and  less  prolific  than 
Fay.  The  chief  difference  between  the  two- 
however,  is  in  the  length  of  the  stems  of  fruit 
clusters.  They  are  remarkably  long  in  the  Fay. 
Among  the  white  varieties  we  have  the  White 
Champion,  well  loaded  with  fruit.  White  Dutch 
bore  much  less  fruit.  The  old  White  Grape, 
however,  appeared  to  outyield  all  by  far,  as  the 
bushes  were  completely  covered  with  fruit.  Sun 
scald  affected  all  varieties  about  equally. 

Red-Flowered  Dogwood  This  hardy  shrub 
of  recent  introduction  appears  to  be  one  of  the 
most  promising  subjects  of  the  large  collection 
recently  planted  on  o*ir  grounds.  Indeed  to  the 
extent  we  can  judge  now  near  the  end  of  the 
second  season  from  planting,  it  is  destined  to 
take  front  rank  among  all  shrubs  suitable  for 
lawn  or  cemetery  adornment.  On  our  bush 
flowers  appeared  in  profusion  during  the  past 
spring,  one  season  after  setting  out.  The  com- 
mon white  type,  Cormis  Florida,  planted  at  same 
time  under  similar  conditions  showed  no  bloom. 
The  flowers,  or  rather  petal-like  involucres.which 
surround  the  flowers  are  in  this  variety  as  large 
as  in  the  common  one  and  of  a  deep  rosy  red 
hue,  and  possess  a  degree  of  attractiveness  that 
is  wholly  witljput  equal  among  hardy  shrubs  of 
the  season.  The  Red-flowering  bush  is  of  free 
growth,  in  this  respect  excelling  the  common 
species  on  our  own  grounds,  for  we  note  that 
while  the  former  shows  scores  of  this  year's 
shoots  from  12  to  15  inches  long,  those  on  trees  of 
the  latter  do  not  average  one  half  this  size.  The 
form  of  growth  is  decidedly  shrubby,  our  plaat 
being  now  three  feet  high  and  the  same  measure 
across  and  dense'  throughout.  Altogether  we 
must  look  upon  this  shrub  as  well  worthy  of 
trial  by  readers  who  are  desirous  of  increasing 
their  collections  of  the  choicer  new  shrubs.  It 
may  be  ordered  at  the  leading  nurseries,  going 
by  the  name  Red-flowering  Dogwood  {Cornui< 
Florida  ftore  ruirro). 


Seasonable   Notes  on   Small    Fruits. 

E.  P.  POWELL.  ONEroA  CO.,  X.  T. 

The  Strawberry  Season.  Berry  culture 
has  come  to  such  proportions  that  no  other 
f  niit  industry  is  of  more  importance .  I  have 
made  the  following  notes  during  ISHO:  The 
season  on  Strawberries  has  been  strictly 
abnormal.  No  one  could  possibly  judge  of  a 
variety  by  its  behavior  this  year.  Therefore 
specific  reports  must  not  count  for  much. 
Haverland  and  Cumberland,  both  of  which 
I  know  to  be  of  the  very  finest,  have  not 
done  verj-  well.  One  or  two  other  sorts  have 
surpassed  the  best  standard  varieties,  but 
are  not  for  all  that  to  be  reckoned  reliable 
and  foremost.  On  the  whole,  so  far  as  a 
comparison  of  the  past  three  years  goes.I 
still  hold  to  Sharpless  and  Cumberland,  and 
Bubach  and  Haverland  as  extra  fine  and 
most  reliable.  I  should  like  to  see  a  race  of 
berries  raised  from  Summit.  This  is  a  very 
curious  berry,  as  slow  to  ripen  as  a  Peach. 
It  is  solid,  heavy,  large,  handsome,  excel- 
lent. It  is  very  late,  and  very  slow  to  ripen 
after  beginning  to  color.  It  is  truly  unique. 
How  it  will  be  for  market  I  cannot  judge. 
But  it  is  a  new  style  of  berry. 

Bush  Hoxetsuckle  Hedge.  I  wish  to 
commend  the  planting  of  Bush  or  Tartarian 
Honeysuckles  around  berry  lots.  The  robins 
take  the  berries  in  preference  to  Raspber- 
ries, and  so  greatly  relieve  the  burden  of 
their  pickings.  It  makes  a  robust  hedge, 
profuse  in  flower  and  in  fruit.  It  propagates 
with  great  ease,  and  grows  into  full  size  in 
two  or  three  years.  It  forms  a  hedge  that 
no  one  can  easily  make  hideous,  as  they  can 
Thorns  and  Evergreens.  You  can  raise  from 
seed  if  you  prefer. 

Raspberry  Growing.  This  has  been  a 
capital  year  for  Raspberries  where  they  have 
been  grown  rightly:  but  in  other  cases  the 
crop  is  a  failure.  I  insist  that  the  bushes 
should  be  grown  taller  than  usual.  Mine 
are  clipped  off  at  six  feet,  and  the  canes  are 
tied  to  a  wire  stapled  to  posts  in  the  row 
twenty  feet  apart.  Tie  three  or  four  canes 
together  with  "  hop  twine  "  to  the  wire.  In 
this  way  the  tall  cane.s  stand  well  up,  and 
the  branches  shade  the  soil.  In  case  of 
drought  the  sun  does  not  easily  afl'ect  such 
plants.  Besides  this  I  have  the  ground 
heavily  mulched  with  coarse  stable  manure 
—straw  and  sawdust  bedding  included— 
after  the  old  canes  are  cut  out  and  the  new 
ones  tied  up.  My  crop  has  been  somewhat 
injured,  but  I  have  picked  nearly  one  hun- 
dred bushels  of  fine  berries. 

Raspberry  Varieties.  The  Shaffer's 
Colossal  resists  drought  admirably,  and  if 
trained  sideways  to  wires  is  a  wonder  for 
cropping.  The  Marlboro  is  only  a  medium 
fine  berry— early,  and  holds  on  well.  I  have 
a  strain  of  seedlings  from  Cuthbert  and 
Philadelphia  that  tm-n  out  wonderfully,  and 
I  hope  to  be  able  to  send  out  the  best  early 
varieties  to  be  had.  They  will  be  tested  one 
more  year  at  home.  Our  variety  was  not 
only  the  earliest  but  the  latest  in  ray  fields. 
Turner  is  the  only  red  that  I  have  which 
with  my  methed  of  growing  runs  out  in  a 
few  years.  My  Cuthberts  are  as  fine  as  ever 
in  a  garden  planted  some  years  ago.  The 
canes  of  this  year's  growth  are  very  strong 
and  clean.  Golden  Queen  is  not  a  good 
shipper,  but  takes  well  in  a  near  market. 

Hiding  Blackcaps  from  Birds.  When 
a  person  has  only  a  small  fruit  garden  the 
best  place  for  black  Raspberries  is  to  have 
a  few  plants  under  the  Grape  row.  They 
will  not  interfere  seriously  with  the  Grape 
vines,  but  the  fruit  will  escape  the  eyes  of 
the  birds.  These  are  tricks  of  the  trade 
that  must  not  be  despised.  The  black  Rasp- 
berry suffers  more  from  bird  depredation 
than  any  other  fruit. 

A  Good  Gooseberry.  The  Gooseberry, 
so  popular  in  England,  begins  to  be  in  much 


greater  demand  here.  Industry  fails  with 
me.  and  is  the  only  .sort  that  does  so  entirely. 
But  I  have  a  berry  that  I  have  sent  samples 
of  to  Popular  G.\rdening  and  to  other 
authorities,  and  I  have  very  great  hopes  that 
it  will  be  just  the  thing.  It  is  early,  scarlet 
red,  deepening  afterward  to  purple.  It  bears 
heavily  on  very  large  bushes.  It  is  a  true 
cross  of  the  English  and  native  Gooseber- 
ries. The  history  of  this  berry  is  cvirious — 
like  that  of  many  other  good  fruits.  I  found 
it  in  a  field  adjacent  to  a  forest,  and  quite 
far  from  any  habitation.  It  was  probably 
bird-sown.  I  have  grown  it  six  or  seven 
years,  and  am  satisfied  now  that  it  is  worth 
sending  out.  I  do  not  think  it  will  bear  as 
heavily  by  count  as  Houghton  and  Ameri- 
can; but  by  weight  it  wiU. 

Birds  and  Berries.  Whether  we  shall 
encourage  the  birds  or  not  to  visit  our  berry 
yards  may  seem  a  problem.  But  I  have 
quite  settled  it  in  favor  of  the  birds.  We 
cannot  live  by  berries  alone  any  more  than 
by  bread  alone.  We  need  mind  food  and 
we  need  encourgement.  Bird  music  is 
worth  all  we  pay  for  it,  and  a  hundred  fold 
more.  I  say  to  robins,  catbirds,  and  aU 
native  sparrows,  to  grosbeaks,  indigo 
birds  and  the  goody  gold  finches,  come  on! 
help  yourselves!  I  have  not  less  than  half 
a  dozen  pairs  of  catbirds  nested  about  my 
house  each  year,  and,  oh!  how  they  sing. 
They  almost  articulate.  One  of  them  has 
learned  all  I  whistle  to  him,  and  whistles  it 
back  to  me.  Most  people  never  hear  a  cat- 
bird sing.  It  never  will  sing  until  it  has  a 
true  home,  when  it  feels  at  home.  But  apart 
from  music,  my  native  birds  are  so  abund- 
ant that  they  drive  off  and  keep  off  English 
sparrows  and  blackbirds,  besides  eating  a 
vast  number  of  worms  and  larva?.  I  had 
some  worms  on  my  Currant  bushes  owing 
to  the  carelessness  of  the  person  who  had 
charge  of  the  hellebore.  Baskets  after  pick- 
ing were  placed  in  the  cellar  over  night.  I 
was  surprised  to  find  no  worms  the  next 
morning.  This  puzzled  me.  and  I  imagined 
they  had  crawled  off.  But  one  day  I  found 
a  toad  sitting  on  the  edge  of  a  basket  of 
Currants  catching  the  worms  and  devouring 
them.  I  have  made  a  pet  of  him.  He 
enjops  being  talked  to  and  having  his  head 
rubbed.  Tommy  is  a  fine  fellow.  We 
must  learn  who  are  our  friends. 


Evergreens  for  Hedge  Purposes. 

The  choice  of  Evergreens  should  always 
be  made  with  an  eye  to  the  particular  object 
in  view.  If  for  protection  alone,  as  for  in- 
stance on  the  outside  of  buildings  or  or- 
chards, says  Josiah  Hoopes  in  the  Tribime, 
a  dense,  strong-grower  should  be  selected. 
Norway  Spruce,  aU  things  considered,  fills 
every  requirement,  and  needs  little  training. 
Scotch  and  Austrian  Pines  have  been  rec- 
ommended, but,  owing  to  the  disastrous 
fungal  disease  peculiar  to  the  genus,  these 
soon  prove  useless,  the  lower  branches  be- 
coming defoliated.  White  Pines  form  an 
excellent  screen,  especially  if  pruned  when 
young. 

American  Arbor-vitae,  although  not  grow- 
ing so  large  as  the  foregoing,  will  make  a 
heavy,  sightly  and  effective  hedge,  if  set 
close  together.  They  increase  rapidly  in 
height,  but  slowly  in  bulk  near  the  ground; 
no  mistake  will  be  made  in  using  them  in 
almost  any  situation  not  too  wet. 

For  an  ornamental  hedge  proper,  that  is. 
one  to  be  annually  trimmed  and  kept  in 
perfect  condition.  Hemlock  Spruce  is  per- 
haps most  attractive,  but  Norway  Spruce 
will  bear  neglect  better,  is  hardier  in  the 
hedge,  is  adapted  to  a  greater  diversity  of 
soils  and  exposures,  and,  If  skillfully 
trimmed,  presents  an  exceedingly  beautiful, 
although  formal,  appearance. 

Siberian  Arbor-Vita-  (a  mere  form  of  our 
native   species,  with    an   improper    name) 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


253 


makes  a  charming  hedge  plant.  For  cheap- 
ness combined  with  utility,  the  common 
Arbor- Vita"  may  be  recommended  a-s  among 
the  most  available  evergreens.  In  shaded 
situations,  or  in  fact  wherever  a  very  low 
boundary  is  needed,  nothing  can  take  the 
place  of  ordinary  Tree  Box,  or  its  varieties 
known  sis  Chinese  Box. 

Those  desiring  a  neat  and  serviceable  en- 
closure for  cemetery  lots,  will  find  the  latter 
unsurpassed,  although  it  is  questionable 
taste  to  have  any  hedge  around  them,  hate 
summer  may  be  recommended  for  planting 
Kvergreehen  dges;  during  a  droughth  the 
operation  will  almost,  certainly  fail,  but  if 
the  season  be  moist  failure  rarely  results. 
When  out  of  the  ground.  Evergreen  roots 
must  be  preserved  damp,  and  if  the  day  be 
cloudy  and  wet  during  removal,  success  is 
certain.  At  this  time  roots  will  form  at 
once,  and  the  plants  will  secure  a  firm  hold 
of  the  soil  before  winter. 


Summer  Meeting  of  the  Ontario 

(Canada)  Fruit  Growers' 

Association. 

The  picturesque  little  town  of  Xiagara-on- 
the-Lake  liad  been  selected  for  the  place  of 
summer  meeting  (July  8th,  9th  and  ll)th), 
perhaps  in  the  hope  that  the  charms  of  the 
place  would  assist  in  inducing  members  to 
attend.  The  number  of  those  present,  how- 
ever, was  so  small,  that  there  was  talk 
among  the  officers  of  the  organization  to 
abandon  the  whole  scheme  of  having  sum- 
mer meetings  in  future,  and  concentrate  all 
efforts  upon  the  winter  meeting.  Unques- 
tionably this  will  be  a  wise  thing  to  do. 
^  Ornamental  Thees  for  Ontario,  D. 
Nichol  read  a  paper  on  the  "  Suitability  of 
the  different  kinds  of  ornamental  trees  for 
the  different  localities  in  Ontario.  '  Extracts 
of  this  will  be  given  later.  He  spoke  of  the 
common  Beech  as  un.surpassed  as  a  shade 
tree.and  recommended  the  Cut-leaved  Weep- 
ing Birch  as  the  one  tree  above  all  others  for 
the  lawn.  In  reply  to  a  question  he  stated 
that  the  Ironwood  can  be  made  one  of  the 
prettiest  ornamental  trees  if  trimmed  low 
and  shaped  into  a  compact  growth. 

The  American  Elm  stands  very  high  as  a 
shade  and  lawn  tree.  The  Horse  Chestnut 
does  not  last  long.  There  is  too  much  money 
spent  in  the  Province  on  this  tree,  when 
native  trees  would  give  much  better  satis- 
faction. The  principle  trouble  with  the 
Blue  Spruce  is  its  liability  to  be  attacked  by 
a  fungus,  which  affects  the  leaves  and  di.s- 
figures  the  tree.  Has  tried  the  copper  rem- 
edies for  this  disease,  but  thus  far  without 
definite  results. 

Hi'MBCGS  IX  Horticulture.  Mr.  T.  Race 
addressed  the  meeting  on  this  sub,iect.  At 
the  head  of  an  extensive  list  of  humbugs, 
he  says,  stands  the  nursery  .jobber  who  pre- 
tends to  be  a  nurseryman,  but  who  has  not 
a  foot  of  land  nor  a  tree.  If  the  Society  Unds 
that  the  farmer  is  bound  to  be  humbugged, 
it  should  try  to  educate  him  not  to  be. 
Although  not  a  protectionist  he  is  in  favor 
of  a  prohibitive  tariff  on  nursery  stock  to 
shut  out  the  tree  jobber.  These  men  like  to 
buy  the  surplus  stock  of  nurserymen  on  the 
other  (American)  side,  because  they  can  get 
the  stuff  very  cheap,  and  then  palm  it  off 
on  our  Canadian  customers.  People  should 
be  sensible  and  buy  directly  from  reliable 
Canadian  nurseries,  A  farmer  needing  a 
bam  does  not  wait  until  some  carpenter 
comes  along  and  convinces  him  that  he 
ought  to  have  one,  but  he  goes  to  work  and 
has  one  put  up.  People  needing  trees  ought 
to  do  the  same. 

Humbugs  are  also  found  in  connexion 
with  nurseries.  The  Russian  Mulberry  has 
proved  to  be  one.  The  Russian  Apricot  is 
another.  These  were  pushed  by  reliable 
nurserymen,  and  much  damage  has  been 
done.     It  is  a  humbug  to  sell  to  a  farmer  a 


little  tirape  vines  for  $1..50  or -^S.OO,  and  the 
farmer  invariably  finds  it  so  in  a  year  ortwo. 
All  new  fruits  should  be  tested  at  the 
stations,  and  only  sent  out  after  having  been 
found  worthy. 

In  the  discussion  following  this  address 
Mr.  Dempsey  stated  that  the  Russian  Apri- 
cot on  Plum  stock  is  worth  cultivating  as 
an  ornamental  tree. 

Secretary  Woolverton  was  sure  the  Rus- 
sian Apricot  was  sent  out  with  confidence 
and  in  good  faith.  But  many  of  them  have 
proved  deficient  in  hardiness.  They  came 
from  a  section  where  the  more  tender  fruits 
succeed.  There  may  be  some  among  the 
named  varieties  that  will  be  more  hardy. 
At  least  he  hopes  that  there  will  be  some 
found  yet  worthy  of  recommendation. 

The  Russian  Olive  was  mentioned  as  a 
fine  ornamental  shrub,  having  proved  hardy 
at  Ottawa. 

Points  in  Pe.\ch  Growing  in  the  Ni- 
agara District.  This  was  the  title  of  a 
paper  by  Secretary  Woolverton.  After 
twenty  years  of  experience,  with  failures 
outnumbering  the  successes,  he  is  still  of 
the  opinion  that  Peaches  in  this  region  can 
be  grown  with  profit.  Even  when  we  get 
only  one  good  crop  in  five  years,  the  Peach 
is  still  worthy  of  a  place  on  our  fruit  farms. 
A  good  yield  will  sometimes  pay  the  owner 
as  much  as  -ftiUO  per  acre,  and  this  gives  an 
average  of  $iO  per  acre  for  five  years,  in  the 
most  unfavorable  case,  while  at  the  same 
time  there  is  a  chance  of  doing  much  better 
One  of  the  few  points  requiring  careful 
attention  is  wise  selection  of  varieties. 
Alexander,  Early  Rivers,  Early  Hales, 
Early  Crawford,  Wager  and  Bowslaugh's 
Late,  recommended  at  last  winter  meeting 
by  President  Smith,  all  are  excellent ;  but 
Mr.  Woolverton  is  becoming  more  and 
more  discouraged  with  Early  Crawford. 
Failure  has  become  almost  the  rule.  If  we 
get  it,  it  is  so  fine  we  feel  like  planting  it ; 
but  the  trouble  is  we  get  it  so  seldom,  that 
the  choice  is  between  no  fruit  and  one  of 
less  desirable  quality. 

Hyne's  Surprise  and  Horton  Rivers  were 
named  as  reliable  bearers  at  the  late  West- 
ern New  York  meeting.  Mr.  Woolverton  is 
testing,  among  others,  Troth's  Early.  C'hris- 
tianha,  Salway,  Steven's  Rareripe,  Wheat- 
land, WiUets,  Conkling,  Cooledge's  Favor- 
ite, Foster,  Hill's  Chili,  Lord  Palmerston, 
May's  Choice,  Mountain  Rose,  Richmond, 
Shnmacher,  Pineapple,  Globe  and  Centen- 
nial. Perhaps  one  or  the  other  of  these  may 
prove  worthy  to  be  placed  on  the  list  of  the 
six  best  sorts.  The  secretary  is  loth  to  leave 
out  the  Old  Mixon,  which  is  one  of  the 
grandest  old  varieties  both  in  quality  and 
appearance  tested,  but  it  is  tender,  and 
more  than  others  subject  to  the  yellows. 

Another  important  point  is  selection  of 
suitable  site  and  congenial  soil,  for  the 
Peach  is  hard  to  please.  For  best  results  it 
demands  a  well-drained  soil.  The  essayist's 
best  orchard  is  on  an  elevated  piece  of 
ground  of  about  five  acres.  On  other  parts 
the  trees  have  been  short-lived,  and  un- 
satisfactory, especially  on  clay  loam. 

Mr.  Woolverton  advocates  rather  close 
planting  of  Peach  trees  (about  12  feet  apart) 
on  account  of  their  liability  to  be  thinned 
out  by  the  yellows  at  an  early  age. 

The  method  of  pruning  has  much  to  do 
with  deciding  the  distance.  If  limbs  are 
allowed  to  grow  to  any  length  spreading 
out  like  bare  poles,  with  foliage  and  fruit 
far  out  towards  the  ends,  close  planting 
would  not  answer.  But  this  method  is  out 
of  date,  in  Canada,  even.  Trees  so  treated 
die  young,  and  are  not  so  productive  as 
where  properly  shortened  in.  The  idea  of 
shortening  in  is  simply  to  cut  back  the  new 
growth  about  one-half  every  spring,  and  in 
case  of  neglected  orchards  which  have 
already  become  straggling,  to  cut  back  the 


old  wood  severely,  and  in  this  way  an  abun- 
dant supply  of  young  wood  is  kept  up  which 
is  productive  of  better  fruit,  and  a  greater 
abundance  of  it.  An  orchard  so  treated 
will  also  live  longer,  and  be  more  attractive 
in  appearance. 

The  Peach  orchard  must  have  thorough 
cultivation,  especially  in  the  early  part  of 
the  season.  Among  Peach  enemies  we 
have  the  curl,  the  curculio,  the  borer  and 
the  yellows.  No  remedy  is  known  for  the 
curl.  The  borer  gives  little  trouble  if  the 
trees  are  heaped  up  with  earth  in  early 
spring,  thus  blocking  out  the  borer  from  the 
tender  part  at  the  collar  of  the  tree.  The 
yellows  remain  still  as  great  a  mystery  as 
ever,  notwithstanding  the  enormous  ex- 
pense incurred  by  the  U.  S.  Department  of 
Agriculture  in  trying  to  understand  it.  No 
better  remedy  is  suggested  than  the  one 
which  has  been  faithfully  employed  for 
years  past,  and  that  is  rooting  out  every 
case  as  fast  as  discovered. 

In  packing  for  market  the  old  bushel 
crate,  the  half  bushel  and  basket,  have 
given  place  to  the  twelve  quart  basket,  and 
now  the  question  is  whether  even  this  is 
not  too  large.  For  choice  samples,  during 
the  growing  season,  Kilb  Grape  basket  may 
be  used,  putting  only  the  finest  in  this 
package  and  the  ordinary  in  a  larger  basket. 


Judge  Miller's  Notes  on  Blackberries 
in  1  S90. 

There  is  none  of  our  small  fruits  that  fill 
a  greater  place  than  the  Blackberry.  They 
last  a  long  time,  and  seem  to  be  just  the 
thing  for  the  hot  weather  of  summer.  Law- 
ton  and  Kittatinny  I  discarded  years  ago  as 
failures,  and  now  I  have  Snyder,  Taylor, 
Triumph,  Erie,  Minnewaski.Stone's  Hardy, 
and  Freed.  All  have  done  well,  and  a  little 
description  may  be  interesting. 

Snyder  ripens  first  of  the  Bramble  sorts; 
next  comes  Triumph,  then  Taylor.  Erie, 
Minnewaski, Stone's  Hardy  and  Freed  about 
the  same  time.  Minnewaski  and  Erie  have 
come  to  stay.  Hardy,  prodtictive  and  good. 
Erie  to  my  taste  the  best.  They  are  the 
largest  cultivated  ones  I  have  with  the 
exception  of  the  Triumph. 

Stone's  Hardy  and  Freed  are  both  exelleut 
large  berries,  the  latter  a  production  of 
Pettis  county,  this  state,  and  the  one  most 
grown  where  it  is  best  known.  But  I  have  a 
rather  strange  story  to  tell  about  this  fruit. 
Bordering  my  original  Blackberry  patch  on 
the  east  side,  along  a  declivity  under  the 
lofty  cliffs,  there  are  thousands  of  seedlings 
from  the  Snyder  and  Triumph,  some  re- 
sembling one  some  the  other,  while  many 
show  both  traits. 

F"'rom  this  wilderness  bushels  and  bushels 
have  been  gathered,  that  are  fully  equal  to 
the  cultivated  ones,  and  in  another  place 
where  the  native  wild  ones  sprung  up  in 
weeds  and  sod,  we  gathered  finer  berries 
than  any  other.  These  volunteers  are  larger 
on  an  average  than  the  named  ones,  and  de- 
cidedly better  in  quality.  The  question 
arises  is  the  Blackberry  not  a  fruit  that  will 
take  care  of  itself  and  yield  abundantly? 
This  looks  like  it. 

Once  I  was  told  of  a  very  large  superior 
Blackberry  in  a  secluded  spot  in  Cedar  Glen, 
near  here.  The  following  season  I  visited 
it  in  fruit  time,  and  sure  enough  it  was  a 
grand  one.  It  was  marked,  and  in  the  fol- 
lowing fall  1  took  the  plant  home;  propa- 
gated it,  sent  some  plants  to  the  finder,  and 
named  it  Cedar  Glen,  with  an  idea  that  we 
had  a  big  thing. 

When  the  plants  came  to  bear  they  were 
of  so  little  account,  that  after  two  years 
fruiting  they  were  rooted  out.  The  same 
was  the  experience  of  the  friend  to  whom  I 
sent  plants. 

.  ^Vllen  we  find  an  extra  fine  wild  one  in 
the  forest,  it  is  likely  that  the  roots  run 


254 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


September 


under  a  bed  of  leaves,  an  old  rotten  log,  or 
in  a  fence  corner,  where  decayed  leaves  and 
bush  accumulate  for  years.  E.  A.  Riehl 
some  time  ago  said  that  there  are  better  wild 
Blackberries  than  tame  ones,  and  I  am  sat- 
isfied that  he  was  right. 

I  have  had  a  number  of  new  ones  sent  me 
within  the  past  ten  years,  that  after  fruiting 
a  couple  of  years  gave  me  the  trouble  of  ex- 
terminating, which  was  all  I  could  do.  This 
year  my  folks  had  but  little  trouble  in  pick- 
ing this  fruit,  as  the  neighbors  came  and 


A  CALIFORNIA  FRUIT  PICKER. 

gathered  them  on  shares.  Although  the 
weather  was  very  dry  for  a  month,  they  were 
pretty  well  developed. 

But  of  the  latter  half  of  the  crop  we  got 
but  few,  as  an  apiary  of  74  colonies  on  the 
ground  took  possession  of  the  whole  ground, 
and  as  a  berry  came  up  the  to  mark  it  was  at- 
tacked and  the  juice  extracted. 

To  this  I  found  no  objection,  although  the 
bees  are  not  mine,  for  without  this  big  berry 
patch  I  didn't  see  how  the  bees  could  have 
survived,  as  there! was  no  a  flower  to  be  seen. 

LucRETiA  Dewberry.  This  is  the  best  of 
the  trail  berries  I  have  yet  tried.  Product- 
ive, of  good  quality,  and  the  largest  of  all 
my  Blackberries.  Mine  are  tied  to  stakes 
six  feet  high,  and  while  in  bloom  they 
were  quite  ornamental,  as  also  when  the 
fruit  was  ripe. 

It  comes  quite  early  and  lasted  nearly  to 
end  of  season.  It  is  not  as  sweet  as  some 
may  like,  but  it  has  a  very  pleasant  flavor, 
and  will  ship  as  well  as  any  other  I  think. 
At  our  June  meeting  I  was  reported  to  have 
said  that  I  would  not  recommend  it  for  ex- 
tensive cultivation;  but  under  proper  treat- 
ment I  don't  see  why  it  may  not  be  as  profit- 
able as  the  others. 


Serviceable  Fruit  Pickers. 

The  choicest  specimens  of  Apples,  Pears 
and  other  fruits  frequently  hang  on  the 
ends  of  the  highest  or  furthest  outside  limbs, 
and  entirely  out  of  reach  by  means  of  lad- 
ders. A  good  fruit  picker  is  therefore  indis- 
pensible  in  any  well  regulated  orchard,  and 
this  especially  in  a  year  like  this,  when  fruit 
is  scarce,  and  every  specimen  should  be 
carefully  saved  and  put  to  good  use. 

Home-made  affairs, consisting  forinstance 
of  a  circular  piece  of  inch  board,  with  a  hole 
in  the  center  for  the  insertion  of  along  pole, 
and  pegs  standing  in  a  circle  around  the  out- 
side of  the  circular  piece,  will  answer  well 
enough.  A  year  or  two  ago  we  saw  a  pick- 
ing device  provided  with  an  elongated 
bag,  or  tube,  through  which  the  fruit  could 
be  forwarded  down  to  the  ground. 

Our  illustration  shows  a  fruit  picker  now 
being  advertised  by  a  firm  in  California.  It 
is  claimed  that  with  this  tool  Apples,  Apri- 


cots, Peaches,  Pears,  Plums,  Oranges  and 
Lemons  can  be  picked  from  the  tallest  trees 
without  damaging  the  most  delicate  fruit. 
In  operating  it  the  thumb  is  pressed  on  the 
lower  part  of  the  handle,  when  the  steel 
wire  fingers  will  open  and  form  a  basket  in 
which  the  fruit  is  received.  The  price  asked 
for  the  tool  is  two  dollars. 

Attaching  Cards  to  Exhibits. 

"  L'TILITY."   WARRE.S    CO.,  OHIO. 

In  making  some  exhibits  at  the  fair  in 
previous  years  I  had  been  troubled  with  the 
entry  cards  being  blo\\'n  about  or  otherwise 
lost  until  I  hit  upon  the  simple  device  of 
which  a  sketch  is  enclosed.  You  may  think 
it  is  too  simple  to  publish  but  it  has  saved 
me  and  those  who  have  followed  my  plan 
some  vexation.  It  is  the  plan  of  attaching 
the  card  by  means  of  a  stick  that  is  split  down 
a  little  from  one  end  and  into  which  split 
the  card  is  inserted,  the  other  end  of  the 
stick  being  pointed  to  insert  into  the  article 
exhibited.  In  case  of  fruit  or  Potatoes  a 
large  specimen  may  be  chosen  to  hold  the 
stick  that  supports  the  card. 


Dragon  Flies  and  Their  Habits. 

CLARENCE  M.  \VEED. 

One  of  the  pleasantest  summer  sights  in 
the  country  is  that  of  the  graceful  dragon 
flies  skimming  over  the  surface  of  ponds 
and  lakes.  Nearly  all  of  our  species  are  of 
brilliant  and  often  gaudy  colors,  and  the 
metallic  lustre  so  common  among  them 
adds  greatly  to  their  beauty.  That  few  in- 
sects have  received  more  popular  attention 
than  these  is  shown  by  the  common  names 
they  have  received.  We  call  them  dragon- 
flies,  devil's  darning  needles,  snake-feeders, 
mosquito-hawks,  and  various  other  names. 
The  English  sometimes  term  them  horse- 
stingers,  and  the  Scotch,  flying  adders.  The 
French  speak  of  them  as  Demoiselles  or 
ladies,  while  the  Germans  have  called  them 
"Virgins  of  the  Water." 

These  dragon-flies  have  four  net-veined 
wings,  and  a  long  slender  body,  with  large 
and  beautiful  compound  eyes.  One  of  our 
commonest  species  is  represented  at  Fig.  1, 
Their  general  make-up  admirably  adapts 
them  for  the  swift  meteor-like  flight  which 
characterizes  them. 

Ijike  other  insects  these  dragon-flies  un- 
dergo certain  changes  or  transformations 
during  their  life.  The  adults  deposit  eggs 
usually  just  beneath  the  surface  of  the  water 
on  some  reed  or  rubbish.  These  eggs  soon 
hatch  into  small  larva?,  which  live  in  the 
water,  preying  upon  various  other  animals, 
and  gradually  growing  in  size.  These  larva" 
are  often  called  water  tigers,  on  account  of 
their  voracious  and  predaceous  habits.  They 
are  provided  with  a  triangular-shaped  jaw, 
called  the  mask,  which  has  a  sharp  pair  of 
"  scissors  "  at  the  end.  This  mask  is  usually 
concealed  beneath  the  head  of  the  larv*, 
but  when  an  insect  comes  within  reach  it  is 
suddenly  thrust  out,  grasping  the  victim 
and  returning  to  its  concealed  position. 

These  water  tigers  breathe  the  oxygen  in 
the  water  much  as  fishes  do,  but  instead  of 
gills  there  are  several  minute  tubes  in  the 
posterior  part  of  the  body,  into  which  the 
water  passes,  and  its  oxygen  is  taken  up  by 
the  colorless  blood  of  the  insect.  The  water 
then  passes  out  to  be  replaced  by  a  fresh 
supply,  much  as  air  passes  in  and  out  of  the 
lungs  of  one  of  the  higher  animals.  Upon 
occasion  these  tubs  may  also  serve  for  loco- 
motion. Ordinarily  the  insect  moves  by  its 
six  feet,  but  when  it  wishes  to  advance  rap- 
idly it  forces  the  water  out  of  these  tubes, 
and  so  .shoots  ahead.  This  ciu'ious  process 
may  be  seen  by  anyone  who  will  place  some 
of  these  larva;,  which  are  to  be  found  in 
nearly  every  pool  or  pond,  in  a  glass  fruit 
jar  filled  with  water,  and  containing  one  or 
two  aquatic  plants. 


When  the  caterpillar  of  a  butterfiy  is  full 
grown  it  becomes  an  inactive  pupaorchrys- 
alis:  but  where  one  of  these  dragon-fly  larvae 
becomes  a  pupa  (or  nymph  as  it  is  more 
properly  called)  it  remains  active,  and 
does  not  differ  much  from  its  larval  form 
(see  Fig.  2),  moving  about  as  vigorously  as 
before.  In  a  short  time  after  it  has  become 
a  nymph,  however,  is  ascends  some  reed  or 
sedge  till  it  is  above  the  water  level  and  its 
skin  splits  along  the  back,  the  adult  dragon 
fly  crawls  out,  suns  itself  as  its  wings  ex- 
pand, and  finally  flies  away.  Tennyson,  in 
"The  Princess,"  describes  this  process  as 
follows: 

"  To-day  I  saw  the  dragon-fly 
Come  from  the  well  where  he  did  lie— 
An  inner  impulse  rent  the  veil 
Of  his  old  husk;  from  head  to  tail 
Tame  forth  clear  plates  of  sapphire  mail. 
He  dried  liis  wings;  like  gauze  they  grew; 
O'er  crofts  and  meadows  wet  with  dew, 
A  living  flash  of  light  he  flew." 
These  dragon-flies  rank  high  among  the 
classes  of  beneficial  insects.      Both  in  their 
young  and  adult  stages  they  destroy  large 
numbers  of  mosquitos  and    similar   pests, 
and  they  doubtless  render  much  more  ser- 
vice to  man  than  they  are  generally  given 
credit  for. 


Oregon  Fruit  Notes. 

E.  R.  LAKE,  OREGON  AGRICULTURAL  COLLEGE. 

Oregon  has  witnessed  abnormal  seasons 
this  year.  Last  winter  was  uncommonly 
wet,  and  the  winter  rains  proper  histed  till 
well  into  the  spring  months,  thus  making 
the  season  of  spring  from  three  to  four  weeks 
late.  The  winter  rains  were  followed  by 
drouth;  the  two  conditions  working  together 
caused  the  great  dearth  in  small  fruits  and 
vegetables — especially  early  ones— that  has 
been  so  common  throughout  the  whole  of 
our  state  this  year. 

Strawberries,  much  smaller  and  poorer  in 
flavor  than  is  common,  sold  for  10  and  1.5 
cents  per  quart,  and  scarce  at  these  figures. 
Cherries  were  slightly  injured  by  late 
showers,  but  aside  from  that  were  not  more 
than  two-thirds,  and  perhaps  less,  the  ord- 
inary crop.  They  readily  sold  for  30  cents 
per  gallon,  with  a  brisk  market.  Raspber- 
ries, Blackberries,  Dewberries  and  Currants 


ATTACHING  CARDS  TO   EXHIBITS. 

were  a  fair  crop,  and  had  a  good,  (juick 
market  at  eight  cents  per  quart.  In  eastern 
and  southern  Oregon  were  these  figures 
raised  quite  noticeably. 

Pears  and  Plums  are  our  great  reliables, 
along  with  Prunes  and  Peaches  for  southern 
Oregon.  Peach  Plums  are  selling  at  .50  to 
1)0  cents  per  bushel,  and  Summer  Pears,  per- 
haps Doyenne,  at  To  to  80  cents.  Red  Astra- 
chan  Apples,  good,  bad  and  indifferent,  at 
.50  to  HO  cents.  Generally  this  fruit  is  quite 
free  from  codling  moth  this  year,  owing  to 
the  fact  that  this  pest  began  its  work  with 
us  very  late;  only  rare  instances  of  their 
depredations  being  found  earlier  than  July 
1st.    Apples,  Pears,  Prunes  (and  Peaches  in 


1890- 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


!55 


Southern  Oregon)  are  very  promising  so  far 
as  quantity  goes,  but  the  proverbial  slow- 
ness of  our  people  has  allowed  the  codling 
moth  to  make  grave  onslaught  on  the  Apple 
and  Pear,  principally  the  late  ones.  Already 
the  Bartlett,  Baldwin,  I'earmain  and  others 
are  falling  in  great  numbers.  It  seems  a 
downright  shame  and  crime  to  let  such 
splendid  fruits  as  these  grow  to  be  in  this 
fertile  valley  (Willamette),  go  to  ruin  in  this 
way,  when  there  is  such  a  comparatively 
ine.xpensive  preventive  as  the  arsenites. 
Grapes  so  far  are  quite  promising.  On  the 
whole,  while  the  fruit  crop  is  smaller  in 
some  directions  than  is  usual,  the  growers 
will  receive  liberal  remuner- 
ation for  their  outlay  of  time, 
labor  and  capital.  Fruit 
growing  in  the  northwest  is 
an  assured  success  if  followed 
in  a  business-like  way.  The 
fact  that  the  fruit  crop  has 
never  yet  been  a  failure,  and 
that  markets  for  all  the  fruit 
that  can  be  raised  are 'with- 
in reasonable  distances,  war- 
rants the  statement  that  ere 
long  the  northwest  coast  will 
be  the  seat  of  an  enlightened, 
intelligent  and  progressive 
horticultural  interest.  The 
few  illustrations  of  eastern 
enterprise  in  the  orcharding 
of  southern  Oregon  are 
doing    a    wonderfully    good  ^'^'  '•        °^ 

work  for  our  state  and  coast.  The 
large  young  orchards  of  that  section  will 
begin  to  bear  in  a  year  or  two,  and  then  we 
may  look  for  a  financial  demonstration  that 
will  awaken  Oregon  lethargy. 


eailiest  Haspborry.  Cutlilxrt  briii(<.s  up  the 
rear  in  spleudul  shape.  Altogether  small  fruits 
liere  are  a  success.  In  July  number  you  speak  of 
settintr  Strawberry  filants  with  the  spade.  1 
have  tried  this  uiethod  on  limestone  laud,  but  if 
dry  weiitlicr  followed,  I  fouud  it  packed  them 
too  close.  Is  there  any  autlioiity  on  (iooseborries 
in  the  United  States  who  will  talk  (iooseberries, 
ami  Gooseberries  aliiic,  with  surticient  know- 
ledge of  the  subject  to  discriminate  between 
this  fruit  and  the  Currant  V  The  latter  occupies 
a  right  royal  position,  hut  all  writers,  so  far  as  I 
have  seen,  invariably  place  the  two  together  as 
far  as  cultivation  is  concerned,— H,  H,  Q.  B., 
Eureka,  Wis. 

FKurrs  IN  Oneida  Co.,  N,  Y,    I   give  the  fol- 
lowing as  supplementary  to  Fruit  and  Crop  Re- 


COMMENTS   BY    READERS. 

Adrpartmt^iit  fo  which  nit  aiT  invitt'd  to  semi  notes 
of  erperifnct'  anJ  observation  concerning  topics  that 
recently  have  been  treated  on  in  this  Journal.  Many 
such  contributions  monthly  are  welcome. 

Striped  Cucumber  Beetle.  I  have  tried  the 
various  remedies  mentioned  by  you  and  other 
papers,  such  as  Persian  insect  powder,  slug  shot, 
etc.,  with  little  effect.  Lime  dust,  however, 
does  the  business.  I  took  several  good-sized 
lumps  of  fresh  lime  and  put  them  into  a  coffee 
sack.  The  lime  soon  logins  to  slack,  forming  a 
fine  dust.  By  shaking  the  sack  on  the  wind- 
ward side  of  the  plants,  the  fine  dust  settles  on 
the  underside  of  the  leaves  as  well  as  on  the  up- 
perside.  I  made  three  such  applications,  the  dust 
being  more  than  the  bugs  could  stand.  This 
remedy  must  be  used  with  caution,  a.s  an  over- 
dose will  injure  the  vines.  Shake  the  sack  at  the 
side  of  the  plants,  not  directly  over  them.  The 
heavier  particles  of  lime  will  then  fall  to  the 
ground,  and  only  the  dust  will  reach  the  plants. 
The  material  costs  but  a  trifle ;  it  takes  but  little 
time  to  apply  it— and  it  has  done  the  work.— E. 
H.  Benedict,  Nehraiska. 

Strawberries  and  Peaks  in  Missouri.  Tour  ] 
high  praise  of  Bubach  Strawberry  is  well  de-  I 
served.  It  is  a  grand  berry  in  every  way.  In 
regard  to  Monmouth  we  partly  agree  with  you. 
Here  it  is  a  complete  failure,  and  so  is  the  May 
King,  both  varieties  heralded  as  the  best  among 
the  earlies.  Yesterday  we  cut  some  five  or  six 
feet  from  the  top  of  a  Le  Conte  *'  blight-proof" 
Pear  tree,  on  account  of  blight.  Seckel,  Duchess, 
etc,  are  all  right.— Sub.,  Jefferson  City,  Ho. 

Trellislsg  Tomatoes.  I  have  this  year  dis- 
carded hoops  or  frames,  and  allowed  the  vines  to 
run  on  the  ground,  placing  under  them  the  short 
grass  cut  from  the  lawn.  I  find  the  vines  much 
stronger,  the  fruit  less  liable  to  rot,  and  attain, 
ing  a  much  larger  and  more  perfect  form.  That 
the  plan  coincides  with  nature  is  shown  by  the 
numerous  fibers  projected  through  the  dry  grass 
into  the  earth.  The  plan  admits  the  light  and 
air  and  the  dry  grass  keeps  the  fruit  clean,  and 
puts  a  stop  to  the  growth  of  weeds,  at  the  same 
time  keeping  the  soil  moist.— H".  J.  Smve,  Ihi. 
Page  Co.,  III. 

Small  Fruits  in  Wisconsin.  The  Jessie  gave 
a  splendid  crop.  It  ripened  a  few  days  later  than 
several  other  sorts.  Our  season  usually  lasts 
from  June  13th  to  July  9th.    The  Turner  is  our 


AGON  FLY,  ADULT  AND  LARVA.      See  preeeediny  pane . 

ports;  Apples  failed  to  fertilize  blossom^  ] 
and  crop  nearly  a  failure;  Pears  as  reported 
medium  crop;  Strawberries  failed  to  fertilize— 
crop  one  third ;  Currants  the  same ;  Gooseberries 
superb  crop ;  Raspberries,  Blackberries,  Quinces 
the  same ;  Cherries,  good ;  Plums,  moderate. 
All  crops  that  were  overtaken  in  bloom  by  the 
cold  wet  of  middle  May,  were  seriously  damaged  , 
—pollen  ruined.— B.  P.  Powell. 

The  Japan  Quince.  When  you  say,  "  Don't 
be  persuaded  that  it  has  any  value  as  a  fruit  etc," 
I  can  only  reply:  Don't  be  too  sure  of  it.  Per- 
haps you  are  right ;  but  it  is  not  well  to  be  too 
certain  of  what  may  be  developed  from  this 
now  much  despised  fruit.  Thirty  years  ago 
when  I  began  to  talk  about  the  native  Rasp- 
berries as  promising  to  give  us  more  valuable 
varieties  than  could  be  obtained  from  Europe 
or  the  European  species,  my  good  old  friend. 
Chas.  Downing,  wrote  me,  "you  are  all  wrong  ; 
it  can't  be  done.'  Well,  they  are  here  never- 
theless, and  the  European  Raspberry  and  all  its 
American  seedlings  are  nearly  or  Quite  obsolete. 
We  have  already  a  great  variety  of  Japan 
Quince  fruit,  varying  in  size  from  a  quail's  egg 
up  to  that  of  the  goose  and  there  is  also  a  good 
difference  in  quality,  i'.  e.  testure  and  flavor.  I 
am  very  much  inclined  to  think  there  will  be 
excellent  edible  varieties  in  market  not  many 
years  hence.— .,4  ndrew  S.  Fuiter, 

Fall  or  Sprlng  for  Planting,  Where 
trees  are  procured  when  fully  matured,  my  ex-  ' 
perience  is  in  favor  of  fall  planting  for  Apple, 
Pear,  Plum  and  Cherry  ;  and  spring  planting  for 
Peach,  Apricot,  and  Evergreens  and  small  fruits. 
The  season  preceding  the  setting  out  has  a  bear- 
ing on  how  early  or  how  late  in  the  fall  trees 
should  be  procured ;  that  is,  if  trees  ripen  up 
early  they  can  be  set  with  great  assurance  by 
the  10th  of  October,  but  should  the  season  be 
such  as  to  promote  late  growth,  which  frequent- 
ly occurs,  it  is  not  best  to  plant  before  the  Sth 
of  October,  and  my  experience  in  handling  trees 
bears  me  out  that  halt  the  loss  occassioned  by 
fall  planting  is  caused  by  trees  being  moved 
Ixifore  the  wood  is  full.v  ripened.  Several  years 
ago  we  had  occasion  to  strip  and  dig  a  lot  of 
trees  about  September  SJrd,  and  it  happened  i 
that  the  boys  in  stripping  had  taken  the  leaves  j 
off  of  a  few  that  were  of  a  smaller  size  than 
those  ordered.  The  ensuing  spring  quite  a 
numl>er  of  the  trees  were  dead,  and  on  careful 
investigation  we  discovered  that  those  dead  were 
the  ones  stripped  and  left  over  for  spring.  Now 
a  great  deal  is  said  about  heeling  in  trees  over 
winter;  but  few  have  assigned  reasons  tor  so 
doing.  Trees  procured  late  in  fall,  if  not  too 
dry  to  plant,  should  be  set  at  once,  but  if  the  | 
trees  are  received  early  or  show  signs  of  shrink-  ! 
ing  caused  by  improper  handling,  or  being  dug 


Fitf.  i 


too  early,  it  is  liest  to  heel  in  until  spring.  For 
spring  planting  procure  your  Strawberries  as 
early  as  weather  and  ground  permits  which  with 
us  is  from  20th  of  March  to  the  1st  of  April. 
Small  fruits  such  as  .Strawbeiries,  Riispberries, 
etc.,  should  not  lie  tied  up  and  shipped  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  cause  "  heating."  It  is  best  to  have 
them  sent  by  Express  in  crates  prepared  for 
giving  plenty  of  air,  and  not  pa»-ked  too  tight. 
Fruit  trees  are  best  set  in  this  latitude  from  the 
.'ith  to  20th  of  April  which  enables  them  to  re- 
ceive the  fall  benefit  of  the  early  rains,  and  thus 
to  get  well  started  to  growing  before  our  usua* 
dry  siJell  sets  in  The  proper  time  to  set  Ever- 
greens we  Ijelieve  to  be  from  the  Ist  to  the  20th 
of  May,  as  they  do  not  do  well  in  chilly  weather, 
and  should  lie  handled  and  planted  carefully 
Trees  procured  in  fall  should  be" 
heeled  in,  as  any  that  are  with- 
ered will  fill  out  and  be  ready  to 
grow  soon  as  set,  whereas  if 
planted  at  once  the  chances  are 
that  such  trees  will  die.  How- 
ever, should  you  receive  trees 
that  you  know  are  freshly  dug 
and  fully  matured,  my  ad\dce  is 
to  set  at  once  if  your  ground 
is  ready  for  them.  Be  careful 
in  selecting  varieties,  planting 
but  few  kinds  in  large  orchards, 
and  w-hen  set  for  your  own  use, 
select  such  as  do  well  and  suit 
your  own  needs  without  refer- 
ence to  market.  If  you  are  not 
sufficiently  posted  leave  the 
selection  to  someone  who  is,  and 
be  sure  to  plant  carefully  and 
give  proper  attention  to  their 
culture.  My  experience  is  that 
the  majority  of  trees  but  little 
when  once  established,  do  not  cause  much 
trouble  to  be  kept  growing  nicely.— H.  IF.  Pree- 
inan,  Montgomery  Co.,  O. 

Fruit  Outlook  in  Ohio,  Since  sending  you 
the  fruit  estimate  I  find  Apples  are  a  total  fail- 
ure through  this  section,  also  Pears  and  Plums, 
only  a  few  of  last  two.  Raspberries  have  been 
higher  in  Cleveland  market  than  for  many  years 
past.  Grape  crop  a  good  fair  average  ;with  in- 
creased acreage.— £.  H.  Cushman,  Pre.<<.  Eastern 
Cuyahoga  Co.  Hort.  Soc. 

The  Bordeaux  Mixture.  You  have  not  got 
the  Bordeaux  mixture  <iuite  right  on  page  345, 
and  you  are  not  definite  enough  about  the  mix- 
ing. As  I  have  helped  mix  about  1800  lbs.  of 
sulphate  the  two  past  seasons,  I  think  I  know 
how  it  should  be  done.  The  recipe  is  6  lbs,  of  sul- 
phate of  copper  and  four  of  lime.  Take  two 
barrels  and  put  the  sulphate  in  one,  and  lime  in 
the  other.  I  use  about  three  gallons  of  boiling 
water  for  each,  and  stir  till  dissolved,  and  then 
let  stand  till  cold.  I  usually  mix  a  lot  a  day  or 
two  before  using.  When  cold  pour  one  of  these 
lots  slowly  into  the  other,  and  stir  well  while 
doing  it.  Then  add  enough  water  to  make  22 
gallons.  If  it  is  mixed  hot  it  will  thicken  up, 
and  then  it  will  take  two  or  three  days  to  dis- 
solve. I  am  afraid  the  ti  lbs.  lime  in  your  recipe 
would  make  it  to  thick  for  the  spray.  When 
ready  to  use  stir  it  and  let  it  settle  for  a  few 
minutes  and  dip  from  the  top,  leaving  the  sedi- 
ment in  the  barrel.  I  have  not  tried  the  ammo- 
nical  mixture,  but  shall  next  season  if  those 
using  it  this  season  report  favorably  of  it,  as  it 
is  a  good  deal  of  trouble  t«  prepare  the  Bordeaux 
mixture.  The  surest  way  is  to  spray  and  than 
bag  the  Grapes,— G.  B.  W..  Warsaw,  111. 

Birds  and  Grapes.  I  have  18  different 
varieties  of  Grapes,  among  them  the  Brighton 
and  Bacchus.  I  notice  that  the  robin  and 
blue  jay  are  the  birds  that  attack  the  Grapes. 
They  devour  them  as  they  do  Cherries,  especially 
the  Bacchus  they  being  small  and  therefore 
more  con\'enient  to  swallow,  T  have  frequently 
caught  them  in  the  act,  and  one  robin  will  make 
way  with  a  bunch  of  Grapes  at  one  meal  or 
sitting.  I  have  never  seen  the  sparrow,  cat-bird, 
or  any  other  bird  attack  the  Grapes.  It  often 
happens  that  some  Grapes  in  a  bunch  will  crack 
open  ;  then  the  bees  will  get  their  work  in ;  but 
they  will  not  puncture  a  Grape  if  uninjured  or 
not  cracked.  I  have  stood  by  and  watched  them 
at  work.  I  will  add  that  of  all  the  Grapes  I  cul- 
tivate there  is  nothing  to  equal  the  Goethe  for 
quality,  appearance,  productiveness,  I  have 
sold  Goethe  at  '25  cents  iier  pound,  when  others 
sold  at  from  three  to  eight  cents.  Some  bunches 
were  green,  some  amber,  some  purple  in  color; 
but  all  ripe  and  splendid,—  V.  Boisaubiii. 


256 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


September, 


Wild   Flowers  of  Illinois. 

G.  L,  B.,  COOK  CO.,  UX. 

Much  as  I. love  my  home  garden,  I  still 
hold  my  love  for  the  wild  things  of  nature 
in  the  woods,  meadows  and  prairies:  all  the 
changing  aspects  which  they  take  on  in  the 
procession  of  the  seasons,  from  the  yellow- 
ing of  the  Willow's  twigs  and  the  reddening 
of  the  Dogwoods  in  February  and  March, 
through  the  budding,  leafing,  blossoming, 
fruiting  and  withering,  down  to  the  last  of 
the  Asters,  Golden  Rods  and  Blue  Gentians 
that  hardly  leave  us  before  the  snow  is  on 
the  ground.  And  loving  these  things  as  1 
do,  it  seemed  to 
me  that  some 
other  readers  of 
this  paper  would 
be  glad  to  hear  of 
some  of  the  plants 
that  grow  on  the 
Illinois  prairies. 
In  going  to  and 
from  the  city  every 
day  by  train,  we 
go  for  several 
miles  through  vir- 
gin prairie,  and  at 
this  season,  early 
August,  it  is  a 
blaze  of  flowers: 
mostly  composites 
of  various  sorts. 
And  while  it  is  not 
yet  late  enough 
for  the  wild  As- 
ters and  Golden 
Rods,  we  stUl  have 
a  great  showing. 

The  big  yellow 
blossoms  of  the 
Rosin  Weeds,  two 
varieties,  stand 
high  above  all,  and 
face  the  sun  a- 
round  in  its  half 
circuit,  while  their 
broad,  stiff  leaves 
in  one  variety,  in 
the  other  almost 
entire,  divided 
almost  to  the  mid 
rib,  stand  erect, 
with  their  faces 
almost  true  east 
and  west,  their 
edges  north  and 
south,  from  which 
is  derived  their 
other  common 
name,  Compass 
Plant. 

The  "Blazing 
Star"  (Liatris),  in 
several  varieties, 
comes  next,  and 
holds  up  its  tall, 
lilac -purple,  club- 


and  fruit,  make  the  prairies  and  waysides 
a  source  of  great  delight  to  me. 

A  pretty  thing  I  noticed  from  the  train 
one  morning  recently  was  a  new  wo ven  wire 
fence,  extending  along  parallel  with  the 
track  across  a  broad  meadow.  It  was  no 
sooner  up  than  the  wild  Convolvulus 
(hitherto  content  to  spread  along  the  bank 
of  a  ditch )  found  in  the  fence  the  opportunity 
of  a  lifetime,  and  straightway  converted 
itself  into  pickets:  pointed,  slender,  green 
pickets,  with  pink  waving  flowers  flung  out 
from  either  side.  It  made  a  fence  pretty 
enough  to  enclose  a  section  of  fairy  land. 


DAFFODIL  STELLA, 


Shaped  spikes  as  high  as  it  can,  and  makes 
a  good  record  in  height  to  the  "Rosin 
Weed."  Some  of  the  tall  spikes  noticed  to- 
day as  just  opening,  stood  almost  six  feet. 

Below  these  leaders  are  a  host  of  smaller 
ones.  Yellow  "  Composites"  in  many  varie- 
ties of  the  Sunflower  tj-pe,  white  ones  with 
a  yellow  centre  (Erlgeron),  which  the  little 
folks  call  "Daisies."  And  then  lower  still, 
not  more  than  a  foot  or  fifteen  inches  from 
the  ground,  a  perfect  carpet  is  seen  of  the 
little  globes  of  the  white  and  pink  blossoms 
of  the  Wild  Onion. 

And  we  must  not  forget  to  mention  the 
"Button  Snake  Root  "  (Kryngium  Yucca- 
folium),  standing  from  three  to  live  feet 
high,  with  its  whitish  stem  and  Yucca-like 
leaves,  and  roimd  button  balls  of  tiny  white 
blossoms,  standing  up  so  stiffly  and  yet  so 
gracefully.  All  these  things,  with  the 
grasses,  rushes  and  sedges.now  in  full  bloom 


As  Sketched  on  the  Pupular  Gardening  Grr/unds. 

and  yet  it  only  served  to  keep  the  cows  off 
from  the  railroad  track. 


About  Two    Narcissuses— The 
"  Flower  of  the  Poets." 

Of  the  two  varieties  of  Dafliodils  shown  in 
the  annexed  engravings,  the  first,  Stella,  has 
proven  to  be  well  adapted  to  naturalization 
in  the  wild  garden  at  the  Popular  Gar- 
DEXING  Grounds:  the  other  has  not  yet  been 
tested  in  our  grounds.  The  variety  Stella 
belongs  to  the  medium  Trumpet  or  Eucharis- 
flowered  section  of  Daffodils,  and  is  one  of 
loveliest  of  easily  grown  plants.  The  color 
of  the  outer  whorl  is  creamy  white — the  cup 
lemon  yellow.  The  entire  flower  and  form 
of  growth  is  marked  by  extreme  beauty  and 
delicacy,  hence  it  is  not  strange  that  it  is 
one  of  the  most  popular  forcing  and  cutting 
varieties  for  the  flower  market. 


The  fact  that  this  fine  variety  succeeds  so 
readily  without  garden  culture  as  has  here 
been  exemplified,  is  a  strong  mark  in  its 
favor.    Late  in  the  season  two  years  ago  we 
were  in  the  store  of  a  Buffalo  dealer  in 
bulbs     when     he     offered     some     surplus 
bulbs  of  this  and  several  other  varieties  of 
Narcissus  at  a  figure  which  induced  us  to 
purchase  several  dozen  of  each  as  a  start 
towards   stocking  our  wild  garden.      The 
season  (far  into  November)  was   late   for 
planting  such  bulbs,  but  nevertheless  the 
planting  was  done  on  a  sloping  bank  where 
second  growth  trees  about  one-half  shade 
the    surface,    and 
here  they  were  left 
to  thrive  as  they 
would.       Of    the 
several     varieties 
thus  set  out   the 
line    here   figured 
has  done  the  best 
by  long  odds,  hav- 
ing the  past  season 
rewarded  us  with 
a  profuse  crop  of 
bloom. 

The  Stella  is 
therefore  a  varie- 
ty of  the  hand- 
somer single  Nar- 
cissus that  we  take 
especial  pleasure 
in  recommending 
to  our  readers. 
The  bulbs  may 
now  be  bought  at 
a  low  price  of  all 
leading  dealers  in 
Dutch  bulbs.  Suc- 
ceeding as  the  var- 
iety so  readily  does 
in  the  wild  garden 
it  should  do  even 
better  under  culti- 
vation, pro^^ded 
the  planting  be 
done  in  a  compar- 
atively dry  .spot,  as 
on  well-drained 
soil  or  on  a  gentle 
slope. 

The  Queen 
Ann's  Double 
IlaffodU  (Narcis- 
sus Capex  pleno) 
is  now  being  quo- 
ted in  the  cata- 
logues of  some 
leading  Bulb  deal- 
ers. It  is  one  of 
the  rarest  and 
handsomest  vari- 
eties of  Double 
Narcissus  ui  culti- 
vation. Although 
it  is  scarely  famil- 
iar to  the  average 
I  cultivator,  yet  it  seems  to  have  been  known 
to  Parkinson  in  the  reign  of  Queen  Anne.  It 
belongs  to  the  trumpet  section  of  the  family, 
a  fact  hardly  to  be  suspected  by  the  engrav- 
ing annexed,  for  it  is  so  full  in  respect  to 
multiplication  of  parts  that  the  normal  form 
is  quite  disguised.  The  size  and  peculiarity 
of  its  form  is  emphasized  by  its  name  Cai)cx 
plcno,  which  indicates  a  capacious  double 
flower. 

The  blooms  have  the  remarkable  star 
shape  sho^vn  in  the  engraving,  the  sections 
of  the  perianth  being  arranged  in  regular 
layers  of  sis  parts.  The  color  is  an  exquisite 
pale  lemon  yellow  and  the  plant  is  dwarf. 
In  common  with  all  the  smaller  growing 
Daffodils  this  variety  prefers  a  rich  dry 
loam  abounding  in  sand,  but  no  rank 
manure  of  any  sort.  The  position  should 
be  fairly  sunny:  the  bulbs  should  be  set  not 
too  deeply.     It  is  an  exquisite  variety  for 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


257 


forcing  in  a  cool  pit,  this  bcinj;  in<lce(l  the 
treatment  from  wliich  in  our  climate  the 
best  results  should  be  expected. 

It  may  be  well  to  add  at  this  season  of 
planting  DatTodils,  that  a  deep,  moist  soil  is 
the  one  chief  requisite  for  obtaining  a  free 
growth  and  abundant  bloom  of  the  larger 
varieties,  while  the  smaller  kinds  prefer  a 
drier  soil.  All  love  a  humid  atmosphere, 
and  as  the  shelter  of  trees  and  shrubs  favors 
humidity,  it  follows  that  the  family  will 
thrive  better  where  such  growths  are 
abundant  than  elsewhere.  Clumps 
growing  in  an  exposed  situation,  sub- 
ject to  winds  unbroken  by  trees,  will 
not  do  nearly  as  well  as  the  same 
varieties  favored  by  shelter  and  more 
moisture  in  the  air. 

The  variety  comprised  in  this  family 
is  now  something  quite  wonderful. 
Formerly  there  were  twenty -one  species 
recognized,  but  later  classifications  by 
the  Daffodil  Conference  of  Great 
Britain  has  reduced  these  to  thirteen. 
They  are  all  plants  of  Europe,  being 
found  wild  throughout  the  region  of 
the  Mediterranean.  Including  the 
varieties  with  the  species  and  fully 
600  distinct  Daffodils  are  numbered. 


with  bright  pink  tlowers,  and  those  with 
flowers  of  a  tolerably  good  blue  are  not  un- 
frequently  met  with  in  positions  near  each 
other,  and  apparently  in  soils  exactly  alike, 
while  plants  grown  in  an  ordinary  manner 
for  the  most  part  have  either  all  pink  or  all 
blue  flowers,  as  the  circumstances  of  their 
abode  may  determine.  That  every  attempt 
to  change  the  color  of  Hydrangeas  is  not 
attended  with  the  desired  success  is  a  fact, 
and  the  many  failures  which  have  occurred 


A  Cheap  Plant  Box. 

In  former  years  when  the  writer  was 
extensively  engaged  in  the  plant  and 
flower-growing  business,  he  found  use 
for  many  boxes  of  the  style  shown  in 
the  accompanying  engraving.  The 
boxes  were  made  of  rough  pine  inch 
boards,  six  inches  wide  and  with  the 
sides  and  ends  flaring  slightly,  to  ad- 
mit of  readily  removing  the  earth  at 
any  time.  The  inside  width  of  the 
boxes  at  the  top  was  about  eight  inches 
and  tw-o  inches  less  at  the  bottom.  The 
bottom  board  was  about  two  inches  shorter 
than  the  opening,  in  order  to  admit  of  a 
small  space  at  each  end  for  affording  ample 
drainage. 

The  use  these  boxes  was  put  to,  was  that 
of  receiving  lifted  plants  from  the  lot  in 
September,  such  as  were  designed  for  stock, 
plants  for  propagating  purposes  and  also 
plants  being  grown  for  cut  flowers.  Their 
advantages  were  that  they  answered  as  a 
good  substitute  for  pots,  but  without  the 
danger  of  breakage.  They  were  less  ex- 
pensive than  pots,  plants  in  them  required 
less  care  in  watering,  as  the  boxes  retained 
moisture  better  than  pots.  By  their  use 
greenhouse  plants  could  be  lifted  and  con- 
veniently stored  under  some  temporary 
structure  of  sash,  for  weeks  after  the  first 
frosts  and  then  be  removed  to  the  green- 
house, thus  giving  those  that  were  moved 
directly  into  the  structure  ample  space 
until  they  become  adapted  to  the  quarters. 

^fti  advantage  to  the  plants  in  such  boxes 
over  setting  them  directly  into  beds,  is  that 


HOME-MADE   PLANT   BOX. 

the  space  can  readily  be  suited  to  their 
growth — that  is  when  plants  are  first 
brought  in,  the  boxes  may  stand  perhaps 
one  against  the  other,  but  as  growth  pro- 
ceeds they  can  be  spread  somewhat.  These 
boxes  were  home-made. 


Hydrangeas  with  Blue  Flowers. 

"  J  "  IN  JorRNAL  OF  HORTICUI.TCRE. 

The  variable  character  of  Hydrangea 
Bowers  when  the  plant  is  grown  under  cer- 
tain circumstances  has  for  many  years  been 
a  sort  of  horticultural  puzzle,  wliich  is  still 
far  from  being  satisfactorily  solved.    Plants 


QUEEN   ANN'S  DOUBLE   DAFFODIL. 

have  led  to  the  conclusion  that  the  proper 
means  to  accomplish  the  end  in  view  are 
not  yet  sutflciently  understood. 

Some  time  ago  it  was  pointed  out  that 
iron  rust  would  not  always  effect  the  change 
in  color  so  much  desired.  But  certain  it  is 
that  the  removal  of  a  plant  from  a  soil  in 
which  this  element  Is  only  foimd  in  very 
minute  particles  to  one  in  which  it  exists  in 
greater  abundance  does  not  tor  some  time 
-produce  any  change,  yet  that  a  change  does 
eventually  take  place  in  most  cases  (not  aU), 
is  also  generally  admitted. 

In  general,  Hydrangeas  growing  in  a 
peaty  soil  flower  blue,  while  those  in  soil  of 
an  opposite  character  produce  pink  flowers, 
but  there  are  exceptions  in  both  cases.  As 
a  proof  that  iron  alone  will  not  always 
change  a  pink  Hydrangea  into  a  blue  one,  I 
may  mention  that  large  quantities  of  that 
metal  have  been  at  times  added  to  the  soil 
without  the  desired  effect.  Neither  has 
alum  dissolved  in  the  water  applied  to  the 
plants  been  always  attended  with  success. 
On  the  other  hand,  now  and  then  a  plant 
will  produce  blue  flowers  without  apparent 
cause. 

Time  is  always  required;  a  plant  that  has 
been  growing  under  conditions  favorable  to 
the  productions  of  pink  flowers  will  not 
produce  blue  in  the  first  season  that  it  is  re- 
moved to  a  soil  where  blue  flowers  are  the 
rule.  This  slow  change  is  easily  accounted 
for,  as  the  Hydangea  sets  its  bloom  buds  in 
the  preceding  autumn,  and  their  expansion 
the  following  season  will  be  in  accordance 
with  the  character  of  the  material  in  which 
they  have  been  formed,  but  in  course  of 
time,  in  consequence  of  the  new  food,  the 
juices  of  the  plant  become  changed,  and 
the  flowers  of  another  character  are  pre- 
pared. This  change  may  possibly  not  be 
effected,  even  in  the  second  year,  as  I  have 
witnessed,  but  it  is  sure  to  follow. 

Notwithstanding  the  general  hardiness  of 
the  Hydrangea,  in  some  cases  where  it  has 
been  injudiciously  planted  out  in  a  damp 


situation  its  summer  growth  is  not  suffi- 
ciently ripened  before  winter  sets  in,  and 
there  is  consequently  no  blossom.  A  low 
damp  situation  is  by  no  means  suitable  to 
it ;  a  dry,  sunny,  and  airy  one  is  more  in 
accordance  with  its  wants,  and  I  believe  the 
largest  plant  I  ever  saw  of  it  was  in  a  very 
exposed  situation  in  Northumberland,  ele- 
vated considerably  above  the  surrounding 
country,  but  at  the  same  time  dry,  the  sub- 
soil being  the  loose  shatter  stone  overlying 
a  freestone  quarry.  This  plant  flowered 
pink,  as  might  be  expected  from  such 
a  soil;  but  if  it  had  been  growing  in  a 
valley  not  more  than  a  stone's  throw 
*  from  its  position,  in  all  probability  it 
would  have  produced  blue  flowers,  if 
indeed  it  had  bloomed  a  tall,  as  a  black 
peat  morass  of  considerable  depth 
formed  the  base  of  this  quarry. 

It  is  remarkable  that  few,  if  any, 
plants  show  such  a  difference  in  the 
character  of  their  flowers  as  the  Hy- 
drangea does  when  planted  in  soils 
favoring  the  two  extremes.  Most 
plants  to  which  chemical  and  other 
substances  are  sometimes  applied  ex- 
hibit a  difference  in  their  general 
health  as  well  as  in  their  foliage,  but 
the  Hydrangea  possesses  as  robust 
health  in  the  one  condition  as  in  the 
other;  at  the  time  we  may  be  right  in 
assuming  pink  to  have  been  the 
original  color.  Its  change  to  blue 
seems  to  be  due  to  soluable  substance 
contained  in  the  soil  and  taken  up  by 
the  plant,  and  carried  through  its 
system  into  the  flower  buds. 

I  cannot  conclude  without  advert- 
ing to  a  very  common  disappoint- 
ment—namely, that  this  plant  will 
not  produce  blue  flowers  when  grown 
in  a  pot  and  in  peat  soil,  and  water 
impregnated,  perhaps  with  chalk  or  lime, 
is  supplied  to  it  from  a  well.  Water  of 
this  kind  neutralizes  the  effects  of  the  peat 
and  the  flowers  are  pink  instead  of  blue,  I 
believe  many  of  the  so-called  failures  in  ob- 
taining blue  flowers  arise  from  this  and 
similar  causes.  Those,  therefore,  who  ex- 
pect to  have  blue  flowers  on  Hydrangeas 
ought  to  be  careful  what  description  of 
water  is  supplied  them,  and  it  is  not  too 
much  to  say  that  this  has  really  more  to  do 
with  the  success  of  the  plants  than  the  soil 
they  are  grown  in;  but  to  make  doubly 
sure  the  one  as  well  as  the  other  ought  to 
be  duly  attended  to. 


2,006.  Winter  Covering  for  Fansies,  Spinach, 
Etc.  The  virtues  of  Evergreen  boughs  tor  cov- 
ering plants  needing  slight  protection  from  cold, 
or  from  the  influences  of  changes  in  temperature, 
are  not  yet  appreciated  as  they  deserve.  Forest 
leaves,  where  to  be  had  in  quantity,  also  serve  a 
good  purpose,  and  Pine  boughs  or  Cornstalks  put 
over  them  will  keep  than  in  place  and  add  to 
the  protection.  Evergreen  boughs  placed  over 
Pansies  are  also  useful  in  keeping  fowls  away, 
and  save  the  buds  that  are  threatened  from  that 
source.  Of  course,  any  coarse  material,  weeds, 
straw,  marsh  hav.  etc  .  can  be  used  for  covering 
also.-G.  R. 

1,8.18.  Melon  Blight.  It  has  often  puzzled  us 
to  find  a  cause  of  the  sudden  withreingand  dying 
of  Melon  and  Cucumber  vines.  The  trouble 
seems  to  begin  with  the  leaves,  which  die  down 
while  no  indication  of  any  trouble  whatever  is  to 
be  found  on  any  part  of  the  stalk  or  root.  What 
to  do  to  prevent  this  disease,  we  do  not  know, 
e-xcept  it  be  planting  on  new  ground.  There  is 
another  disease,  which  manifests  itself  in  the 
leaves  becoming  spotted  with  greyish-white  dis- 
colorations,  turning  to  brown,  and  causing  a  de- 
crease in  the  vigor  and  vitality  of  the  plant. 
This  is  caused  by  the  same  fungus  which  attacks 
Bean  vines,  and  causing  the  disease  known  as 
authraconse  of  the  Bean.  ReUable  remedies  for 
this  have  not  yet  been  found.  In  many  cases 
however,  the  withering  and  dying  of  the  plants  is 
not  the  result  of  disease,  but  of  the  attacks  of 
the  larva  of  the  yellow-striped  Cucumber  bee- 
tle, which  gnaws  and  sucks  at  the  root  part  of 
the  plant.  Whether  this  can  be  reached  and 
killed  by  applications,  such  as  Tobacco  tea,  salt- 
peter water,  etc,  we  can  not  yet  positively  af- 
flrm.— E.  R. 


258 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


September, 


September. 
Have  you  seen  the  pretty  fairy 
Walking  wltii  a  manner  airy 

Through  the  earth. 
Gilding  vines  on  hut  and  castle, 
Lingering  where  the  Corn-stalk's  tassel 

Nods  in  mirth? 
She's  a  dainty  little  creature, 
Fair  in  form  and  every  feature  ; 

Shaded  blue 
Is  the  dress  her  form  adorning— 
'Tis  a  glory  of  the  morning, 

Sprent  with  dew. 
Silvery  Luna's  beams  her  hair  Is, 
And  within  her  hand  she  carries 

•  Golden  rod. 
Touching  with  It  fruits  by  magic. 
While  the  leaves  in  ending  tragic 

Strew  the  sod . 

—Culumbus  Dispatch. 


Apple-Tree  Inn. 

When  in  the  country,  and  I  would  dine 
Of  the  best  inn  I  know  the  sign  ; 
A  golden  Apple  swings  in  the  breeze. 
Inviting  me  there  to  rest  at  ease. 
Under  the  good  old  Apple-tree- 
There  is  the  jolliest  inn  for  me. 
The  kindest  host  and  daintiest  food, 
The  sweetest  drink  and  all  that's  good. 
And  under  that  roof  of  purest  green 
Many  light- winged  guests  are  seen  ; 
By  the  landlord's  self  is  a  bed  for  me  made. 
And  he  covers  me  over  with  coolest  of  shade. 
And  when  I  ask  what  I  have  to  pay. 
He  shakes  his  head  in  a  curious  way. 
How  quickly  he  knows  a  poor  poet  like  me~ 
In  that  inn  freely  welcome — the  Apple-tree. 

—From  the  German  by  Geo.  Birdseye. 


It  is  Aster  time. 

Stake  the  Ricinius  plants. 

Tie  up  the  plants  as  they  need  it. 

DuBt  is  iii't  relished  by  the  pot  plants. 

Oh!  Jack  Frost,  how  we  detest  your  visits. 

Hyacinths  must  be  started  at  once  to  flower  at 
■  (^'hristmas. 

How  grateful  the  Roses  seem  to  be  for  a  little 
hoeing  amc^ng  the  beds ! 

For  a  delightful  arbor  the  Weeping  Elm  or 
A.sh  is  well  nigh  matchless. 

If  winter  bloom  is  desirable,  hold  some  of  the 
flowering  plants  in  check  now. 

Nitrate  of  soda  this  year  has  given  us  little  or 
no  effect  on  Tomatoes  and  Potatoes. 

Toads  cat  Potato  beetles.  Squash  bugs  and 
other  disgusting,  niah:)dorous  creatures. 

The  Garden  Carpet.  How  soft  an  even,  vel- 
vety lawn  feels  under  our  feet,  and  how  hard  the 
gravel  walk! 

The  Inter-state  Fair  at  Trenton,  N.  J.,  will  be 
held  September  :.".*  and  HO,  and  (October  1,  2  and 
3,  of  this  year. 

A  Secret  of  the  Trade.  The  largest  Chrysan- 
themums for  exhibition  are  grown  where  only 
one  bud  is  left  on  each  branch  or  shoot.* 

The  nnfermented  Juice  of  the  Grape  as  a  bev- 
erage is  gaining  in  popularity.  We  hope  its  in- 
troduction and  use  will  t)ecome  general. 

Bnssian  Sunflower  seed,  as  almost  all  seeds  of 
an  i>il.v  nature,  will  tempt  rats  and  mice,  when 
other  bait  fails  t<i  induce'them  to  ent<?r  a  trap. 

Seeds  of  the  Yellow  Locust  are  quite  sure  to 
germinate  even  if  sown  by  inexperienced  people. 
For  planting  on  land  claims  this  tree  is  therefore 
one  of  the  best. 

The  Japanese  Snowball  when  seen  in  the  height 
of  the  blooming  season,  makes  many  people 
thiiik  of  planting  one  in  fall  or  spring  aft«r. 
Such  good  resolves  should  now  soon  be  fulfilled. 

The  Cortland  Orape,  which  originated  in 
Canada,  is  claimed  to  be  the  earliest  of  all  native 
vaiieties— three  to  four  weeks  earlier  than  Con- 
cord, and  similar  to  it  in  appearance  and  quality. 

Prepare  support  for  the  Gladioli  either  a 
trellis  to  which  they  can  be  fastened  or  plant  the 


bulbs  in  a  square  with  a  strong  stake  in  the 
center  to  which  the  top-heavy  stalks  can  be  tied. 
— Argiinni!*. 

Hardy  Bhododendrons.  The  following  are 
named  by  Mr.  Meehan  as  among  the  best,  quite 
hardy  and  affording  a  good  variety  of  color: 
Rhodndendron  elegana,  white;  B.  cuerentianum, 
rosy  lilac;  R.  roseum  cUgan.'t,  rosy  pink;  E.  Chan- 
cellor, purplish  rose;  Mrs.  Milner,  crimson;  R. 
purpurcum  gramlitlonim,  large  purple. 

Garden  Bag.  For  all  around  garden  work  one 
needs,  knife,  shears,  string,  labels,  and  in  put- 
ting up  climbers  tacking  material.  The  idea  of  a 
garden  bag  of  leather  for  carrying  such  arti- 
cles, and  flgured  on  this  page  is  from  the  English 
suppl.v  house  of  Osmond  ,Jt-  Co. .London,  England, 
who  keep  the  bags  in  stock. 

Mushroom  Growing  Profitable.  Wm.  Falconer 
some  time  ago  heard  of  a  man  in  New  Jersey 
"  who  grows  Mushrooms  in  cellars  and  has  made 
lots  of  money  at  it."  An.tious  to  see  the  man, 
and  learn  all  he  could  about  it,  he  called  at  the 
house;  but  although  he  talked  his  prettiest,  and 
used  every  persuasion  and  persistence,  the  family 
would  not  only  refuse  to  let  him  see  inside  the 
cellars,  but  they  would  not  even  let  him  see  the 
man  himself.  "What  is  the  meaning  of  all  this 
secrecy?"  he  says.    "  There  is  money  in  it." 

The  California  coyote  is  going  to  be  bred  in 
Australia  as  a  rabbit  exterminator.  The  Cali- 
fornia fruit  grower  comments  on  this  in  a  hum- 
orous strain.  Who  knows,  it  says,  but  what  the 
coyote  under  the  influence  of  the  Australian 
Government  may  develop  admirable  traits  of 
character,  which  were  never  even  suspected  in 
his  old  home?  Australia  gave  us  the  lady  bug, 
which  is  a  quiet,  respectable,  thrifty  insect  We 
reciprocate  by  donating  to  our  sister  country  the 
festive  coyote,  with  the  howl  thrown  in.  If 
.•Australia  can  breed  a  new  tune  for  her  parasite, 
it  will  tend  to  greatly  enhance  its  popularity. 

Geranium  cuttings  are  easily  injured  by  over- 
watering.  The  method  practiced  at  Lincoln  Park, 
Chicago,  is  to  take  cuttings  from  bedded  plants 
in  latter  part  of  .September.  They  are  then 
properly  trimmed  and  placed  in  the  sand  beds  in 
the  greenhouses,  the  sand  having  first  been  well 
wet  down.  More  water  is  applied  to  settle  the 
sand  around  them,  but  no  more  water  is  given 
them  for  about  ten  days,  or  until  the  cuttings 
are  calloused.  In  bright  days  they  are  occa- 
sionally syringed  if  the  foliage  shows  signs  of 
wilting.  The  aim  is  to  give  them  as  little  water 
as  possible  until  bottom  heat  is  supplied,  and 
more  liVieral  waterings  are  necessary. 

The  Public  Boads.  The  common  errors  in  our 
road  building  are  (1)  rounding  the  road  into  a 
ridge  with  the  notion  of  securing  drainage.  The 
result  is  ruts,  because  all  wheels  move  nearly  in 
one  track.  Widen  out  your  road  track.  (2)  Dirt 
roads  are  alwa.vs  patched  and  never  made.  You 
cannot  mend  a  road  to  advantage  till  you  haNe 
first  made  it.  Do  your  work  thoroughly  as  far 
as  you  go.  (3)  The  grade  is  in  almost  all  cases 
too  steep.  Three  inches  for  a  wide  road  bed  is 
enoiigh.  But  an  association  in  each  county  would 
soon  revolutionize  the  land.  Our  American  roads 
are  our  shame.  They  are  our  costliest  public  en- 
terprise, because  all  expenditures  on  them  go  to 
wast^.— B.  P.  Pou'ell. 

For  a  continual  display  of  flowers,  the  garden 
should  be  supplied  with  jierennials  and  hard.v 
bulbs  in  abundance.  Many  of  the  earliest  flower- 
ing plants  can  be  procured  from  our  woods,  are 
perfectly  hardy,  and  repay  culture  by  increased 
size  and  abundance  of  bloom.  C)f  these  we  raa.v 
name,  Erythronium,  Cypripedium,  Mertensia, 
Dicentra  cucularia,  Polemonium,  Wild  Ger- 
anium, Violets,  and  Ferns  in  variety,  and  many 
othei'S.  The  beds  containing  Tulips,  Erythi'oni- 
ums  and  others  that  die  down  to  the  ground 
aft<.'r  flowering  can  be  planted  with  various 
anntmls,  those  that  do  not  have  long  roots  being 
bettt'r  for  this  purpose,  as  then  the  bulbs  are 
not  disturbed.— .4  rffj/)i»i.s. 

Elm  Types.  Have  you  ever  noticed  how  many 
different  types  there  are  of  the  common  White 
Elm?  I  wonder  if  any  nurseryman  has  ever  tried 
to  propagate  any  given  type.  There  is  as  much 
difference  in  Elms  as  there  is  in  Apple  trees;  and 
the  different  kinds  of  Apple  trees  all  grow  after 
a  fashion  of  their  own.  Xo  one  who  knows  any- 
thing about  them  w(<uld  mistake  a  Willow  Twig 
tree  for  a  Red  Astrachan,  and  1  frequently  see 
two  Elm  trees  growing  side  by  side  that  are  just 
as  different  in  habit.  It  would  cost  but  little 
more  to  bud  the  trees  than  it  does  to  grow  them 
from  seed  simply,  and  with  a  judicious  selection, 
their  value  for  average  purposes  would  certainly 
be  doubled.— .S.  W.  M.,  IHs  State  Experiment  Sta. 


The  Water  Supply  and  Irrigation.— Irrigation 
is  spoken  of  as  a  system  applicable  only  to  the 
western  lands ;  but  it  is  quite  as  valuable  applied 
to  our  eastern  States.  We  are  liable  to  loose 
about  one  crop  out  of  four  or  five  by  a  dry  spell. 
We  have  no  provision  against  this.  It  would  be 
a  simple  and  inexpensive  affair  with  man.v  far- 
mers to  have  provision  made  to  utilize  brooks 
to  prevent 'serious  loss.  If  you  investigate  you 
will  be  astonished  to  see  how  few  farmers  have  a 
proper  supply  of  wells.  I  have  three  and  will 
soon  have  four ;  and  none  to  many.  When 
brooks  fall,  the  cattle  suffer.  Wells  will'not 
cost  one  hundreth  part  the  loss  from  shrinkage 
of  milk  and  time  wasted  in  driving  cows  to 
larger  streams.— E.  P.  P. 

Bue  Anemone.  Anemones  are  just  now  claim- 
ing considerable  attention.  One  of  the  prettiest 
as  well  as  one  of  the  most  common  of  this  inter- 
esting genus,  is  the  pretty  Rue  Anemone  of  our 
woods  I  Anemone  thalictroides).  Putting  forth 
its  elegant  leaves,  soon  followed  by  the  delicate 
pink  and  whit«  flowers  in  early  spring,  it  well 
deserves  a  shady  nook  in  our  garden  where  it 
will  thrive  as  contentedly  as  in  its  native  haunts. 
The  number  of  sepals  in  the  corolla  of  the  little 
plant  varies.  Often  one  can  be  found  double, 
nearly  to  the  centre,  but  the  number  is  more 
often  five  or  six.  In  beauty  of  foliage  it  cannot 
be  surpassed,  and  the  flowers  are  as  lasting  as 
almost  any  of  our  cultivated  species.  In  April 
and  May  our  woods  are  full  of  these  little  *'  har- 
bingers of  spring"  vielng  with  the  creamy 
flowers  of  the  Bloodroot,  the  graceful  sprays  of 
wild  Dicentra,  and  the  showy  Crowfoot  and 
Phlox.— Aruynnis  IbetTiile. 

Fine  Gardening  Contagious.  Mr.R.Hager,  one 
of  our  subscribers  who  lives  in  Buffalo,  visited 
the  Popular  Gardening  Grounds  a  year  ago 
this  summer.  He  was  so  favorably  impressed  by 
a  bed  on  our  lawn  occupied  by  plants  having 
foliage  of  a  showy  color,  that  he  not  only  set  out 
a  similar  bed  on  his  own  grounds  the  past  spring, 
but  he  is  now  warmly  urging  the  superintendent 
of  the  Buffalo  parks,  Mr.  McMillan,  to  do  like- 
wise to  the  extent  of  a  large  bed  of  the  same  at- 
tractive character,  at  some  point  in  the  parks. 
What  are  the  growths  in  the  bed  referred  to? 
Tender  Coleus,  Centaureas  or  similar  plants  on 
which  It  is  generally  supposed  we  must  depend 
for  such  effects?  The  stock  in  the  bed  consists  of 
a  dozen  shrubs  of  the  magnificent  Blood-leaved 
Plum  iPrunnx  Pisxm'di)  at  the  center  and  sur- 
rounded by  twenty  others  of  the  Variegated- 
leaved  Cornelian  Cherry  (('orniis  mascula  fol- 
var.),  a  plant  with  leaves,  the  surface  of  which  is 
more  than  one-half  white.  Both  of  the  growths 
are  inexpensive  and  entirely  hardy;  once  they 
are  planted  they  will  thrive  and  be  handsome 
for  many  years  to  come.  Our  subscriber's  sug- 
gestion to  the  park  superintendent  is  a  good  one. 
Such  a  bed  won  Id  be  an  attractive  feature  in  any 
public  garden,  and  no  less  so  in  private  grounds. 

Care  of  House  Plants.  One  of  the  most  fre- 
quent queiies  adderessed  to  us  for  replj'isthat 
about  cause  and  cure  for  the  dropping  of  the 
leaves  of  hou.se  plants.  Wherever  this  occurs, 
we  may  be  sui-e,  the  health  of  the  plant  is  im- 
paired in  some  way.  The  plant  may  have  been 
kept  too  warm,  or  too  cold,  given  too 
much  water  or  not  enough  of  it;  it  may  have 


LEATHER   GARDEN   BAG. 

been  injured  bj"  crowding  or  with  strfing  stimu 
lauts,  or  allowed  to  become  pot  boinid.  The  first 
thing  to  be  d(meis  tomake  a  thorough  e.vamina- 
tion.  Knock  the  plant  out  of  the  pot  and  see  if 
the  soil  is  too  dry  or  too  wet,  or  whether  the 
feeding  roots  are  destroj'cd.  Injudicious  water- 
ing or  applications  af  strong  liquid  manure— the 
ti'eatment  usually  given  without  further  exam- 
ination—may result  in  the  death  of  the  plant. 
Sick  people  cannot  be  cured  by  crowding  them 
with  victimls.  Repotting  in  light  and  rich,  rather 
dry  soil,  especially  if  a  new  or  freshly  cleansed 
pot  is  used,  will  give  relief  in  most  cases.  The 
pot  need  not  be  larger  than  to  give  about  an 
inch  of  soil  around  the  ball  of  roots.  Plunge  it 
into  a  half  shady  bench,  or  a  box  of  soil,  water 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


259 


enougta  to  settle  the  soil  around  the  roots,  and 
(ri\o  no  more  water  until  now,  vlirorous  growth 
coniinonci'S.  The  soil  shoul.l  be  liept  moist  all 
thni\itrh,  Imt  never  wet  for  any  lenstli  of  time. 

Waste  Lands  for  Fruit  and  Forests.     Prof. 
Ma.vnarci  ealls  attentiini  to  the  faet  that  Apple 
trees  reraarlialile  for  tlieir  thrift  and  vigor  are 
often  found  on  land  so  ningh  and  stony  that  it 
cannot  be  eulti\nted.     The  fruit  prodneed  upon 
sueh  land  is  noted  for  its  high  eolor  and  rieh 
flavor,  and  for  long-keeping  qualities.     There 
are  thousands  upon  thousands  of  aeres  of  this 
kind  of  land,  and  much  of  it  is  almost  worthless 
for  any  other  purpose  than  forestry  and  the 
production  of  the  large  fruits,  and  if  proper- 
ly cared  for,  it  would  in  a  few  years  give  a      ^ 
large  income  for  the  investment      In  plant- 
ing such  land  particular  care  must  lie  given 
to    the    preparation    ot     the    soil    directly 
around  the  tree,  and  to  saving  the  material      - 
often  found  growing  upon  it,  sueh  as  Sedges, 
brush,    etc.,    or   obtained   elsewhere  to   be 
used  for   mulch,  to  prevent   the  escape  of 
the   moisture  that  is  rapidly  carried  away 
by  the  leaves  or  grasses  and  other  plants. 
The  advantages  claimed  for  the  turf  system 
arc,  that  the  trees  mature  their  wood  much 
earlier  in  the    autumn,    and    consequently 
are    less   liable   to   injury    from    cold;   the 
roots  arc  protected    from  injury  from  the 
extremes  of  heat  and  cold  by  the  grass  roots; 
the    trees  begin  tiearing  much   earlier  and 
bear  more  regularly,  the  fruit  is  of  better 
quality  and  keeps  longer;  the  cost  of  land 
and  cultivation  is  much  less,  while  a  satisfac- 
tory  growth    may   be  obtained  by  the  use 
of   a  small   amount  of  fertilizer  applied  to 
the  surface. 

Educational  Effect  of  Flowers.  One  of  the 
city  paper  thinks  it  would  be  interesting  to 
know  just  what  is  the  educating  effect  upon 
that  part  of  the  city's  youth  which  might 
be    called    the    "pavement  population,"  of 
the  sight  of  flowers  the  year  through.    Dur- 
ing the  winter  months  flowers  are  at  least 
always    -lisible,    and    during   the     summer 
months  they  fairly  overflow  the  city— in  the 
florists'  windows,  in  great  clusters  on  street 
corners,  and,  best  of  all,  in  living  profusion 
in  the  parks.  It  is  not  wholly  fancy,  perhaps, 
that  all  this  has  more  than  a  slightly  refining  in- 
fluence upon  these  young  souls  into  whose  lives 
comes  so  little  that  makes  for  the  amenities  of 
life.    It  is  a  good  thing  for  a  child  to  learn  to  love 
a  flower.     In  learning  that  he  has  learned  much 
more.     His  imagination  has  been  drawn  upon, 
his  delicacy  ot  sentiment  has  been  quickened, 
and  the  Sender  feeling  for  one  kind  of  natural 
beauty  goes  hand  in  hand  with  a  feeling  of  other 
kinds.     Because  a  boy  loves  a  Rose  he  is  more 
likely  to  love  a  bird,  and  when  he  loves  a  bird  he 
has  begun  the  lesson  of  fencer  affection  for  all 
things  great  and  small  which  helps  in  the  making 
of  every  grace  of  character.    And  so  one  should 
be  glad  ot  the  Roses  on  the  street  corners— glad 
both  with  the  eye  and  the  heart -and  of  the 
Tulips  in  the  parks  in  their  season,  and  for  the 
Water  Lilies  when  they  come,  and  for  the  glow- 
ing Geraniums,  and  for  every  unkempt  little 
fellow  who  stands  gazing  with  intent  eyes  at 
their  beauty.     He  is  taking  in  lessons,  perhaps, 
that  neither  teacher  nor  preacher  could  give  him. 

The  Freesia.  Among  the  bulbous  plants  that 
will  be  potted  up  during  the  coming  month  none 
are  more  fragrant  than  the  Kreesias.  These 
lovely  bulbous  flowers  are  native  of  the  Cape  of 
Good  Hope,  and  make  their  growth  during  the 
dull  months  of  the  year,  so  consequently  will 
not  endure  the  least  amount  of  frost.  A  tem- 
perature of  about  .56°  is  the  best  in  which  to  grow 
them;  they  delight  in  a  light,  rich  loam.  The 
bulbs  should  be  potted  as  soon  as  attainable, 
potting  about  eight  bulbs  in  a  five  inch  pot. 
When  all  have  been  potted  they  should  receive  a 
good  watering,  and  then  be  placed  in  cold  frame 
and  covered  a  few  inches  deep  with  some  material 
that  will  keep  them  moist  and  thus  dispense  with 
the  necessity  of  again  watering.  If  too  much 
water  is  given  before  they  begin  to  grow  they 
will  rot,  but  when  they  have  started,  liberal 
amounts  may  be  given.  Before  the  weather  be- 
comes severe  the  pots  should  be  removed  to  the 
greenhouse  and  stood  on  a  shelf  where  they  may 
obtain  plenty  of  light.  The  flowers  are  white, 
and  borne  on  a  moderately  long  stalk;  they  are 
beU-shaped  but  not  pendant.  The  stalk  takes  a 
graceful  curve,  and  on  the  upper  part  of  this 
curve  the  flowers  stand  erect.  They  are  de- 
liciously  fragrant,  and  pots  of  blooming  plants 
stood  in  the  drawing  room  have  a  very  pleasant 


effect.  The  flowers  are  very  useful  for  making 
up  into  bouquets,  as  they  last  a  long  time  when 
out.  If  these  llowera  were  raised  in  ciuantities 
in  the  south  they  would  And  a  ready  sale  during 
the  winter  montlis  in  northern  towns.— H.  W. 
Smith,  Lonixiatia. 

The  Uimulus  or  Monkey  flower,  is  reported  by 
llortcuse  Share  as  being  a  most  satisfactory 
plant  tor  the  windowlgarden,  summer  or  winter. 
When  once  grown,  one  wonders  how  it  escaped 
notice  so  long.  The  flowers  are  showy  and  bril- 
liant in  color;  bright  yellow  spotted  with  crimson 
and  brown.     Some  varieties  are  as    distinctly 


THE  RUE  ANEMONE.    (See  opposite  page.) 

marked  as  a  spotted  Calceolaria;  some  too  are 
duplex  in  form— one  flower  growing  out  of  the 
other- just  as  in  the  long  ago  when  we  played 
among  the  flowere  we  stuck  Kour-o-clooks 
together,  and  made  chains  and  wreaths  of  Lark- 
spurs. The  leaves  of  one  variety  have  a  strong, 
musky  odor;  many  of  the  new  French  varieties 
are  far  ahead  ot  the  old  sorts.  A  packet  of  mixed 
seed  can  be  had  of  most  florists  for  10  cents— and 
out  of  this  small  sum  you  will  get  more  real  en- 
joyment than'Jrom  a  dollar's  worth  of  some  other 
plants  that  are  hard  to  rear.  The  seeds  are  very 
small  and  should  be  sown  very  thinly  on  the 
surface  in  pots  of  damp  sifted  soil.  Do  not  cover, 
only  press  the  seed  down  gently  with  the  back 
ot  a  spoon.  Dip  a  flannel  cloth  in  tepid  water 
and  cover  the  earth  with  it;  set  in  a  sunny 
window  and  in  a  few  days  the  tiny  plants  show 
like  a  green  fuzz.  Then  remove  the  cloth.  After 
the  plants  get  a  little  size,  bunches  of  them  are 
taken  up  with  a  spoon  and  set  in  pots  or  boxes 
of  rich  light  soil— half  leaf  mould,  half  good 
garden  earth,  with  enough  sand  to  make  it  light. 
They  must  have  good  drainage  and  plenty  of 
water,  for  they  are  thirsty  plants.  Some  varieties 
have  a  drooping  habit,  and  are  fine  for  hanging 
baskets.  After  blooming  all  summer  some  of  the 
plants  can  be  trimmed  closely,  repotted  in  fresh 
soil  and  make  flne  window  plants  tor  winter;  or 
a  few  seeds  can  be  sown  in  early  autumn  for  the 
same  purpose. 


Chat  on  Maklng-Up  Flowers, 
The  average  bouquet  culled  from  the  garden 
consists  of  too  many  flowers,  it  is  a  crowded 
mass  of  bloom  instead  of  a  charming  nosegay, 
in  which  the  individual  flowers  show  to  the 
best  advantage. 

That  the  crowding  of  the  material  in  any  flower 
arrangement  is  a  mistake  is  easily  susceptible  of 
proof.  Let  the  reader  take  a  liberal  quantity  of 
bloom  and  arrange  it  in  a  single  large  bunch; 
then  take  an  exactly  similar  lot  and  divide  it 
into  two  or  three  bouquets  spreading  the  flowers 
somewhat  so  as  to  have  the  outlines  of  each 
about  equal  in  size  to  the  first  one  made,  and  note 
the  superior  results  from  an  equal  quantity  of 
flowers.  This  test,  however,  presupposes  the 
use  of  ordinary  garden  blooms  cut  with  long 
stems,  some  of  them  to  be  very  long,  say  18  inches 


or  two  feet  in  length.  This  is  a  point  in  it!»elf 
not  sufhciently  appreciated.  For  to  arranging 
advantageously  one  should  employ  an  abun- 
dance of  long  stems.  Indeed  it  such  stems  are 
naturally  lacking  it  may  be  well  to  follow  the 
florists  and  provide  suital>lc  artificial  stems. 

In  the  making  of  every  kind  ot  bouquets  we 
may  take  some  most  useful  lessons  from  the 
commercial  florist.  Where  flowers  have  a  money 
value  it  of  course  increases  the  profits  to  be 
able  to  make  any  given  quantity  go  as  far  as 
possible.  And  yet  the  spreading  out  of  blooms 
may  be  caricd  far  with  no  disadvantage 
to  the  buyer.  The  ideal  bouquet  has  every 
flower  uncrowded. 

Where  the  stems  of  flowers  are  short,  or 
the  ob.1ect  is  to  tie  aflat  or  rounded  hand  boti- 
quet,  how  is  one  to  proceed  in  spreading  the 
bloomsV  Let  us  watch  the  commercial  florist 
tie  up  a  nosegay.  In  the  first  place  if  any 
flowers  ai-e  too  slender  to  be  stiffly  supported 
by  their  own  stems,  or  the  stems  of  which  are 
very  short  he  supplies  a  wire  to  make  up 
the  deficiency  of  nature.  Then  he  commen- 
ces his  bouquet  by  selecting  a  good  bold 
fiower  such  as  a  Rose,  Lily  or  Camellia  for 
the  center  which  he  winds  with  strong  thread 
on  to  a  thin  stiff  twig.  Around  this  centre 
flower  he  then  places  a  few  leaves  and  out- 
.^-  \  side  of  these  to  be  an  inch  or  two  below  the 
1^  flower  he  binds  suificent  moss  so  that  when 
a  circle  of  flowers  is  added,  they  will  not  un- 
duly crowd  or  overlap  the  Brst  flower.  It  is 
usual  to  start  with  smaller  individuals  or 
tresses  of  flowers  in  this  front  line  outward 
and  place  a  few  light  sprays  of  bloom  between 
them  to  stand  out  boldly  above  the  regular 
surface,  next  another  ring  of  moss  is  bound 
on  the  centre  stem  after  which  more  green 
is  applied  and  another  circle  of  flowers  and 
of  projecting  sprays.  In  this  manner  the 
bouquet  is  proceeded  with  until  a  suitable 
size  is  reached,  when  it  may  be  finished  by 
the  addition  ot  an  edging  of  pleasing  foliage 
as  Smilax,  Fern,  Rose,  or  Camellia  leaves. 

In  the  making  of  a  bouquet  thus  the  use  of  a 
variety  of  flowers  is  assumed.  But  the  style 
now  very  much  and  very  sensibly  in  vogue  is 
the  use  of  but  a  single  kind  of  flowers  in  a 
bouquet;  it  may  be  of  Roses,  Sweet  Peas,  Mig- 
nonette. Violets,  Pansies,  Tulips,  Lilies,  or  other 
kinds.  In  this  case  the  course  to  employ  for  pre- 
venting crowding  is  not  disimilar  from  that  we 
quoted.  But  to  avoid  a  stiff  and  monotonous 
appearance  in  the  bouquet  pains  must  be  taken 
to  have  some  flowers  stand  out  considerably  be- 
yond the  others  and  yet  not  be  crowded,  a 
matter  easily  effected,  by  the  use  of  plenty  of 
Moss  back  of  the  inner  line  of  flowers,  for  keep- 
ing the  arrangement  open. 

In  all  large  arrangements  of  flowers  Roses 
may  be  used  with  their  own  buds  and  foliage 
to  stand  boldly  beyond  the  general  mass  of 
blooms,  be  they  Roses  or  other  flowers;  this  at 
once  breaks  up  the  formal  and  heavy  appear- 
ance which  otherwise  would  prevail. 

Simpl.city  should  be  aimed  at  in  every  arrange- 
ment of  flowexs.  To  employ  for  instance  more 
than  two  or  three  shades  of  flowers  in  the  same 
bunch  one  is  sure  to  clash  and  kill  the  others. 
In  two  shades  of  the  same  color  we  may  effect  a 
lovely  combination.  Take  for  instance,  a  pink 
shade  and  a  deep  crimson  or  maroon  as  found 
in  Roses,  Carnations,  Hollyhocks,  Asters,  etc. 

For  a  brides  bouquet  it  follows  without  saying 
that  white  flowers,  the  choicest  kinds  and  the 
purest  in  color  are  the  proper  thmg.  Still  it  is 
no  strange  occurence  now-a-days  for  fiorists  to 
receive  ordeis  for  such  bouquets  made  of  deli- 
cate tints  just  off  from  white. 

A  very  handsome  style  of  bouquet  is  one  in 
which  several  shades  of  the  same  fiower  are 
used  arranging  them  uniformly  in  lines  cross- 
wise. We  allude  to  the  use  of  the  darkest 
shade  on  one  side  of  the  bouquet  and  then 
grading  in  line  of  next  darkest  and  so  on  in 
succession  to  the  lightest  on  the  further  or  op- 
posite side.  A  similar  style  may  be  employed  in 
making  an  upright  anchor,  cross  or  other  floral 
design  suitable  for  a  funeral.  For  instance  it 
may  be  the  desire  to  make  a  harp  of  Pansies 
alone.  After  gathering  the  flowers  grade  them 
according  to  color  and  shade.  Then  in  their  use 
j  begin  with  the  lightest  ones  at  the  bottom  and 
proceeding  with  the  various  successive  shades 
■  in  regular  order  to  complete  the  entire  piece, 
ending  with  the  darkest  even  it  it  be  black 
Pansies  at  the  top.  Whatever  the  nature  of  any 
piece  of  flowers  it  should  have  some  kind  of 
edging.or  setting  of  green.— Observer. 


26o 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


September, 


"^tSOClFriES 

TO  BrwarnvtmawtL 

Barr'B  Mammoth  Aipara- 

^U8.  I  like  it  twice  as  well 
as  Conover's.—  Wm.  Jackson, 
Altiin.Soiilh.nin.  Hin-t.  Soc. 

New  Jersey  State  Horti- 
cultural Society.  The  Fif- 
teenth Anniversary  Meeting 
will  be  held  in  the  College 
Building  at  New  Brunswick,  Monday,  Sept.  22d, 
1S90.   E.  Williams,  Secretary,  Montclair,  N.  J. 

Western  New  York  Horticultural  Society. 
The  report  of  the  last  meeting  has  been  pub- 
lished more  promptly  than  ever  before,  and 
shows  considerable  improvement  over  earlier 
volumes.  The  society  is  still  gaining  in  strength 
and  influence. 

Profitable  Orape  Culture.  I  commenced  grow- 
ing Ci rapes  on  land  where  some  said  I  would  not 
succeed.  Obtained  first  bearing  year  two  tons 
per  acre;  second  bearing  year,  four  tons  per 
acre;  third  tearing  year  (season  of  1888),  nine 
tons  per  acre.  In  fertilizers  I  use  mainly  horse 
manure,  applying  it  in  the  fall.  As  an  experi- 
ment I  put  on  hen  manure  on  a  part  of  my  vines, 
which  nearly  doubled  the  yield.— J.  K.  Jlforrteoji, 
Cliitiitanijua  Hort.  Socktti. 

Bhododendrons  on  Exhibit.  The  recent  dis- 
play at  the  Horticultural  Hall,  Boston,  suggests 
the  following  selection  as  giving  the  largest  and 
best-formed  trusses,  with  a  good  range  of  variety: 
James  Mcintosh,  Michael  Wat«rer,  Princess 
Mary  of  Cambridge,  Lady  Grey  Edgerton,  Henry 
W.  Sargent,  Sherwoodii,  Purpureum  grandi- 
florum,  Delicatissimum,  Sir  William  Sebright, 
Charles  Dickens,  Sappho,  The  Queen,  Sir  Joseph 
Whitworth  and  Helen  Waterer. 

Preparing  Onions  for  Market.  At  the  Grand 
River  Horticultural  Society  a  bunch  of  spring 
Onions  with  the  roots  on  were  shown  by  the  sec- 
retary as  a  a  sample  of  proper  preparing.  James 
J.  H.  Gregory  says  that  of  all  tender,  early  veg- 
etables mutilated,  to  appear  well  on  the  market, 
nothing  suffers  so  much  asthe  Onion.  TheOnion 
root  should  not  be  severed  until  it  is  needed  im- 
mediately for  the  table,  otherwise  the  volatile 
oil  escapes  and  the  most  essential  part  is  lost. 

The  Culinary  Grape.  The  Culinary,  of  Ohio, 
for  which  so  much  was  claimed  in  the  way  of 
retaining  it  shape  when  cooked,  is  the  most  foxy 
Grape  I  ever  tested;  in  fact  it  seems  to  be  simply 
a  form  of  the  native  Vitui  (abntsca,  and  in  every 
respect  is  very  poor,  if  not  entirely  worthless. 
It  greatly  resembles  Dracut  Amber  and  North- 
ern Muscadine  having  the  same  color  with  a 
very  tough  skin.  It  showed  no  superiority,  even 
when  boiled.— H.  E.  Tandeman,  Association  of 
Am.  iVurserj/men. 

Chrysanthemams  for  Flowers.  Southwesterly 
winds  during  the  end  of  August  and  the  early 
part  of  September,  often  do  much  damage  to  the 
buds  and  leaves  where  the  plants  are  much  ex- 
posed. The  tiower-buds  and  their  peduncles  are 
at  that  time  so  t<;nder,  that  they  are  apt  to  be 
whipped  about  and  so  cause  a  check  to  the  devel- 
opment of  the  blooms.  Some  growers  set  too 
much  store  on  plants  with  extra  thick  stems  and 
gross  green  leaves.  These  are  perhaps  pleasant  to 
look  upon  during  the  summer  by  the  uninitiated, 
but  blooms  possessing  the  desirable  character- 
istics are  often  missing.  Very  vigorous  plants, 
as  a  rule,  produce  blooms  devoid  of  solidity  and 
other  essentials.— B.  Molyneux,  Chrysanthemum 
Conference,  Shefflcld. 

Fruits  as  Medicine.  Fruit  is  more  than  a 
lu.xury,  it  is  a  necessity,  in  some  cases.  We  can 
not  give  too  much  emphasis  to  this.  I  am  almost 
a  crank  on  this  subject  For  several  years  I  have 
had  fruit,  in  some  shape,  constantly  on  the  table. 
A  few  years  ago  1  was  thought  to  be  subject  to 
a  heriditary  disease  which  seemed  sometimes  to 
almost  deprive  me  of  my  senses,  and  at  times 
could  not  do  mental  work  on  account  of  severe 
headache.  It  was  suggested  to  me  that  I  adopt 
a  fruit  diet,  and  I  have  eaten  fruit  every  meal 
since  and  the  result  is  good.  Since  putting  this 
in  practice  neither  myself  nor  family  have  been 
sick,  anil  have  paid  no  doctor's  bills.  I  am  not 
a  vegetarian,  but  am  in  the  habit  of  eating  meat. 
I  believe  we  should  use  plenty  of  fruit,  as  I  am 
of  tjie  opinion  that  it  is  conducive  of  good  health. 
—Pri^f.  Stockhrirlfir,  Indiana  Hort.  Socitty. 

Dewberry  Disciusions.  Mr.  Wright.— I  have 
never  been   able   to   get   any   fruit   from   the 


Lucretia  in  Florida.  I  have  never  seen  even  any 
blossoms  on  it  here.  Mr.  Bacon.— I  think  if  you 
will  pile  up  some  timter  that  you  want  to  decay 
and  plant  the  Dewberries  around  it,  you  will  get 
all  the  fruit  you  want.  I  have  about  an  acre  of 
them  Hxed  this  way,  and  I  never  before  saw  such 
a  mass  of  berries.  The  ground  was  so  black  you 
could  hardly  see  any  green.  There  were  proba- 
bly ashes  on  the  ground;  for  when  the  timter 
was  cut  everything  was  burned  that  would  burn. 
I  have  also  seen  them  grow  on  high  ground  where 
there  was  plenty  of  rotten  wood.  Mr.  Mott.— 
The  ones  I  ate  in  Louisiana  were  twice  as  large 
as  'any  Blackberry  I  ever  saw,  and  better  than 
any  I  ever  ate.  I  believe  it  is  worthy  of  exten- 
sive culture  here.— Florida  Hort.  Society. 

Marketing  Grapes.  There  is  plenty  of  room 
to  extend  the  market  (1)  by  getting  earlier  Grapes 
of  good  quality.  We  ought  to  have  a  Grape  as 
early  as  the  Champion  and  as  good  as  the  Worden 
in  every  respect.  If  we  had  that  we  could  double 
our  plantations.  (2)  At  the  end  of  the  season  by 
preserving  Grapes.  (3)  By  puttingon  the  market 
nothing  but  Grapes  of  the  very  best  (juality. 
(4)  By  teaching  the  consuming  population  the 
good  uses  of  Grapes,  both  as  food  and  medicine. 
Very  little  is  known  about  that  at  present.  The 
Champion  is  a  strong  grower,  prolific  in  yield, 
good  hardy  vine,  good  leaf,  and  comes  earlier 
than  anything  we  have.  There  is  a  fortune  for 
some  man  who  will  bring  the  right  early  Grape 
before  the  public  and  handle  it  well.  The  first 
good  Grape  we  have  is  the  Worden,  which  is  at 
least  ten  days  later  than  Champion.  The  best 
ten  days  in  the  season  for  selling  G  rapes  is  far 
more  than  lost,  because  it  is  occupied  by  a  Grape 
which  destroys  the  sale  of  other  Grapes  teing  so 
poor.  The  season  is  partly  occupied  by  Moore's 
Early,  but  it  does  not  jield  in  sufficient  quantity 
to  compete  with  the  Champion.  We  must  have 
a  Grape  good  enough  in  all  its  points  to  drive  the 
Champion  out.  Moyers  Seedling  is  not  known 
well  enough  yet  to  pronounce  positively  as  to  all 
its  good  points.  It  is  sweet,  good  flavor  and  early. 
I  think  about  as  early  as  the  Champion.  But 
that  is  a  red  Grape,  and  even  if  successful  and  as 
good,  it  may  not  drive  the  Champion  out.  With 
better  systems  of  preserving.  Grapes  could  be 
sold  till  May,  and  the  time  when  Strawberries 
come  in.  The  best  keeper  I  find  is  the  Salem: 
but  it  has  other  qualities  that  do  not  recommend 
it  to  the  commercial  grower,  though  it  is  of  an 
exceedingly  good  quality,  fairly  good  yield  and 
handsome  to  look  at.  The  great  objection  is  the 
weakness  of  the  leaf.  I  have  seen  some  Salem 
Grapes  packed  in  cork  dust  that  are  to-day  as 
sound  as  when  they  were  packed.— B.  D.  Smith, 
Ontario  Fniit  Groicfr.v'  Association. 

Growing  Cherry  Trees  in  California.  Cherry 
trees  are  now  generally  propagated  on  Mazzard 
seedlings  grown  in  France.  They  drill  the  seeds 
in  rows,  and  at  the  end  of  the  first  season's 
growth  take  them  up  and  assort  into  three  or 
four  sizes,  viz;  Extras,  No.  I,  No.  2  and  No.  a. 
They  vary  all  the  way  in  size  from  that  of  a  small 
straw  to  one-half  inch  at  collar.  They  use  the 
extras  at  home  and  export  the  other  grades.  If 
we  take  the  No.  1  grade  (about  one-fourth  inch 
in  diameter  at  the  collar)  and  plant  in  a  good, 
loamy  soil,  in  the  coast  and  bay  counties,  grow 
without  forcing  by  irrigation,  and  bud  the  first 
summer  or  graft  the  first  winter,  at  the  end  of 
the  second  year  we  have  what  we  call  a  one-year 
old  tree;  and  we  should  have  at  least  two-thirds 
of  a  planting  running  from  three  to  five  feet  in 
height.  We  call  such  a  production  first-class 
trees,  and  not  being  stimulated  by  irrigation, 
they  form  the  terminal  bud  in  the  latter  part  of 
the  summer  and  early  fall  and  have  the  balance 
of  the  growing  season  to  ripen  and  harden  the 
wood.  This  class  of  trees  I  consider  suitable  to 
start  with  in  planting  a  Cherry  orchard.  On  the 
other  hand,  it  we  take  the  third-class  stock,  plant 
it  in  the  interior  of  the  state,  where  the  spring 
growth  commences  early  and  the  summers  are 
clear  and  warm,  irrigate  it  thoroughly— by  Sep- 
temter  we  will  have  the  stock  large  enough  to 
bud;  in  all  probability  larger  than  the  first-class 
stock  grown  without  irrigation,  and  if  we  follow 
with  a  plentiful  supply  of  water  the  second 
season,  we  can  produce  trees,  two-thirds  of  them 
or  over,  ranging  from  four  to  six  feet  in  height, 
straight  stalks  and  smooth  bark,  and  to  the  inex- 
perienced eye  better  looking  trees  than  the  No. 
I  descrited  above.  But  this  class  of  trees  would 
te  an  unsuitable  one  to  select  in  planting  a 
Cherry  orchard.  The  foundation  (the  stock)  is 
inferior  to  commence  with,  the  wood  will  te 
coarse  and  unripe,  the  trees  will  not  bear  the 
transplanting  as  well  as  those  we  have  designated 


as  suitable.  They  will  go  back  on  the  planter  in 
their  future  growth  compared  with  the  suitable 
trees.— H'.  H.  Pepper,  Cat.  State  Hort.  Society. 


Selection  of  Seed  Potatoes. 

{Ej-tracI  of  paiirr   read  bu  Prof.  E.  S.  Goff  before  a 
Wi$eoHt<in  Fanners^  Irustitute.) 

Starting  on  the  assumption  that  the  run- 
ning out  of  Potatoes  is  due  to  a  lack  of  proper 
selection  of  seed  we  determined  to  select 
from  the  stronge.st  hills  on  the  one  hand, 
in  order  to  increase  the  vigor  of  one  set  of 
plants  and  from  the  weakest  hills  on  the 
other  hand,  in  order  to  decrease  the  vigor  of 
one  set  of  plants. 

In  the  fall  of  18SI  we  ordered  our  men,  while 
they  were  digging  our  variety  tests  of  Potatoes, 
to  put  Potatoes  of  each  hill  carefully  by  them- 
selves I  passed  over  the  rows  and  examined 
each  hill,  one  by  one.  I  then  selected  the  hill  of 
each  row  that  contained  the  largest  number  of 
fine,  smooth,  salable  Potatoes,  and  put  this  hill 
into  a  small  sack  and  latelcd  it,  '•  Best  hm  of 
White  Star,"  or  "  Best  of  American  Giant,"  ete. 
After  I  had  gone  over  ten  varieties  in  this  way, 
I  returned  and  selected  the  hill  from  each  row 
that  had  the  smallest  numter  of  merchantable 
tubers.  These  smallest  hills  were  put  into  sacks 
and  carefully  labeled,  when  all  were  put  into  the 
cellar,  and  left  until  the  next  spring.  Now  a  dif- 
ficult question  arose.  The  Potatoes  from  the 
strongest  hills  were  larger  on  the  average 
than  those  from  the  least  productive  hills.  It 
would  be  expected,  therefore,  that  they  would 
yield  more,  because  our  other  experiments 
generally  showed  that  large  tubers  are  more 
productive  than  small  ones.  To  eliminate 
these  difficulties,  the  following  plan  was 
adopted:  We  took  the  two  sacks  of  each  variety, 
that  is  the  best  and  the  poorest  hills,  and  picked 
out  the  largest  from  each,  and  cut  these  to  single 
eyes.  Sometimes  these  two  potatoes  were  of  the 
same  size.  But  whether  they  were  or  not,  single 
eye  cutting  did  not  differ  much  in  size,  because, 
as  a  rule,  the  larger  the  tuber  of  a  given  variety 
the  larger  will  be  the  numter  of  its  eyes.  We 
then  planted  the  single  eyes  of  each  of  these 
tubers  in  a  short  row  by  themselves,  and  labeled 
the  one  test  tuters  from  best  hill,  White  Star, 
and  the  other  test  tubers  from  smallest  hill. 
White  Star,  etc.  Next  we  picked  out  the  smallest 
tubers  from  the  same  hills,  and  planted  these  in 
the  same  way. 

In  the  fall  the  crop  was  dug,  each  hill  being 
put  by  itself,  and  the  same  collections  made  for 
another  year,  and  in  ISS^  the  same  experiment 
was  repeated.  In  the  fall  of  this  year  Potatoes 
rotted  badly,  and  we  were  unable  to  make  the 
selections.  We  therefore  waited  until  the  fol- 
lowing year  then  we  made  the  same  kind  of  sel- 
ections from  all  the  varieties  we  were  testing,  8.3 
in  number.  The  results  of  all  these  tests  show 
that  the  tubers  from  the  most  productive  hill 
yielded  most  in  every  trial.  What  is  still  more 
striking,  the  .yield  of  the  smallest  tuber  from  the 
most  productive  hill  was  more  than  that  of  the 
largest  tuter  from  the  least  productive  hill.  This 
furnishes  the  proof  of  the  experiment,  tecause 
all  our  other  experiments  go  to  show,  that  if  the 
vigor  of  the  two  hills  had  been  the  same  the 
larger  tuter  would  have  yielded  more  than  the 
smaller,  whereas  it  actually  yielded  con.siderahly 
less.  The  figures  show  that  the  tubers  from  the 
largest  hills  yielded  on  the  average,  calculated 
on  this  single  eye  method,  something  more  than 
38  bushels  per  acre  more  than  those  from  the 
least  productive  hills. 

We  may  fairly  assume  that  had  the  yield  of 
the  best  hills  been  compared  with  that  of  the 
average  hills,  the  difference  would  have  teen 
half  as  great,  or  about  IH  bushels  per  acre.  We 
have  this  much  then  to  pay  for  the  trouble  of 
selecting  the  seed,  added  to  the  prospect  that 
the  Potatoes  will  increase  in  productiveness 
from  year  to  year. 

When  Potatoes  are  not  dug  by  horse  power  the 
increased  trouble  recpiired  to  gather  seed  Pot- 
atoes from  the  most  productive  hills  is  very 
slight.  Simply  have  a  man  walk  along  each  row 
with  a  bag  hung  over  his  shoulder,  and  gat'  er 
each  strikingly  productive  hill.  I  would  advise 
to  gather  only  those  hills  that  have  produced  a 
large  number  of  tubers  of  good  size,  and  uniform 
shape,  and  very  few  small  ones.  The.se  seed 
potatoes  had  better  be  stored  in  a  cool  cellar, 
where  they  will  not  sprout.  But  some  will  say 
there  is  no  use  of  taking  this  trouble,  because 
when  one  variet.v  runs  out  we  can  buy  new  ones. 
Yes,  but  can  you  afford  to  let  a  variety  run  out  on 


1890. 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


261 


your  hands  V  Suppose  you  secure  a  variety  that 
suits  ymi  in  iiuality,  form  ami  season,  anil  is 
(»riMlneti>e,  if  it  loses  in  protUietiveness  three 
bushels  lu'r  aere  year,  tor  10  years,  the  llftli  year 
you  (flow  that  variety  you  will  lose  iri  bushels 
Iier  aere,  the  sixth;  IS;  the  seventh,  21,;  the 
eighth,  ;.'4  ;  the  ninth,  ■JT,  ami  the  tenth,  :UI.  If  you 
want  to  buy  a  new  variety  you  must  pay  some 
one  else  for  taking;  the  pains  that  you  mit^ht  ami 
ou)j:ht  to  have  taken  youi-self. 


Ornamental  Trees  for  Extreme 
North. 

{Ejrtrart  flttm   imin-r   rt-ad   by  D,  Xivot  bi^ore  the  Oa- 
tario  Krttit  (jronvrs'  Assoriation. 

Although  the  Catalpa,  Tulip  tree,  Ken- 
tucky Cdlfee  tree,  the  Magnolias,  the  Cy- 
press, Ailauthus.  Laburnum,  Euonymus, 
BoUonwood,  Persimmon,  and  Sassafras  are 
not  suitable  for  our  northern  climate,  there 
is  certainly  no  lack  of  variety  of  beautiful 
trees  which  can  be  relied  on  as  being  hardy 
enough  and  in  every  way  suitable  for  any 
inhabited  part  of  Ontario. 

Amonjr  evergreens  we  have  the  Hemlock 
Spruce,  which  for  !?i-aeefulness  of  habit,  richness 
in  color  of  foliape,  is  not  excelled  by  any  foreign 
variet.v  that  I  know  of.  I  often  wonder  why  it 
is  so  seldom  grown  as  an  ornamental  tree»  Per- 
haps by  some  it  is  considered  too  common,  but 
this  is  a  mistake,  tor  according  to  present  indi- 
eattoDs  it  will  soon  become  one  of  the  most  un- 
common trees  in  this  country. 

We  also  have  the  Norway  Spruce,  the  Balsam 
Fir,  Arbor-vitivs  in  variety.  Red  Cedar,  and  the 
Retinospora,  the  Austrian  Pine,  Scotch  Pine, 
Weymouth  Pine,  and  a  lot  of  other  Pines,  which 
when  grown  as  single  specimens  with  plenty  of 
room  make  ornamental  trees. 

Then  among  deciduous  trees  besides  all  the 
glorious  Maples,  Elms,  Ashes  and  Mountain 
Ashes,  we  have  the  Basswood,  European  Larch, 
European  White  Birch,  American  Canoe  Birch, 
Purple  Birch,  and  the  Cut-leaved  Weeping  Birch. 
Trees  of  all  these  kinds  when  properly  grown 
as  single  specimens,  are  admirable. 

One  prevailing  error  is  planting  trees  too 
closelj'  together.  Recently  I  saw  growing  on  a 
lawn  three  beautiful  trees  of  considerable  size, 
one  each  of  the  Purple  Beech,  Cut-leaved  Maple 
and  Weeping  Birch.  They  were  only  twelve 
feet  apart,  and  beginning  to  crowd  each  other 
then,  consefiuently  in  about  three  years  more 
the  two  outer  ones  will  be  lop  sided,  and  the 
middle  one  a  spindling  scrub.  I  have  seen 
thousands  of  line  trees  ruined  in  the  same  wa.y. 
Indeed,  it  is  only  in  rare  instances  they  are  given 
sufficient  room  to  display  their  natuml  beauty. 

Another  objectionable  practice  is  that  of  clipp- 
ing ortriming  Evergreen  tree  into  various  fanci- 
ful shapes.  When  trees  are  grown  for  orna- 
ment and  given  plenty  of  room,  they  usually 
take  a  natural  and  graceful  form,  which  is 
always  more  pleasing  to  those  who  have 
acquired  a  correct  taste  than  any  distortion  that 
may  be  given  by  pruning.  Many  otherwise 
Ijeautiful  landscapes  are  sadly  marred  by  the 
stiff  appearance  of  some  barbered  trees. 

Native  and  Foreign  Trees.  Another  commijn 
mistake  is  made  in  giving  preference  to  all 
foreign  species  belonging  to  the  same  genera  as 
some  of  our  native  trees.  The  European  Larch 
is  of  more  graceful  habit  than  our  native  Tam- 
arack, and  the  White  Birch,  with  its  weeping 
varieties,  is  certainly  more  Iwautitul  than  any 
of  our  common  Birches,  but  the  European  Lin- 
den is  not  by  any  means  preferable  to  our  Bass- 
wood  as  an  ornamental  tree.  Neither  is  the 
English  Elm  for  either  beauty  or  shade  to  be 
compared  with  some  of  the  varieties  of  our 
White  Elm.  Particularly'  is  this  noticeable  in 
Toronto  when  the  different  species  are  growing 
on  opposite  sides  of  some  of  the  streets. 

The  Horse  Chestnut  is  a  magnificent  tree  when 
grown  to  (>erfection,  but  in  my  district  it  is  too 
short-lived,  and  even  if  it  lives  forty  years  it 
loses  its  beauty,  as  the  branches  begin  to  die. 

There  is  perhaps  no  tree  more  unsuitable  for 
ornamentation  than  the  Silver  Poplar.  Yet 
about  many  farm  homes  it  is  the  only  tree  plant- 
ed. When  once  planted  it  is  there  to  stay,  for  it 
continuously  sends  up  suckers  enough  to  de- 
stroy every  other  kind  of  tree  near  by.  The 
down  it  throws  off  after  flowering  is  an  abomin- 
ation. 

The  Lombardy  Poplar  Is  admired  by  some, 
but  it  deserves  no  place  on  ornamental  grounds. 
The  Aspen  possesses  some  beauty ;  yet  it  would 
be  folly  to  plant  it  unless  for  the  sake  of  variety. 


When  asked  which  of  all  trees  I  prefer  for  the 
ornamentation  of  a  lawn,  I  invariably  recom- 
mend the  Cut-leaved  Weeping  Birch.  I  have 
U)st  many  tine  specimens  of  it  through  the  depre- 
dations of  "sap  sucker"  (yellow-bellied  wood 
pecker);  yet  if  I  had  but  room  for  one  ornamen- 
tal tree  I  wo\ikl  plant  a  Cut-leaved  Weeping 
Birch.  Ne.xt  I  wo\ild  prefer  the  Purple  llirch, 
Weil's'  ('ut-leaved  Maple.  European  Larch,  Red 
Cedar,  Blue  Spruce,  and  Norway  Spruce.  After 
the  European  Mountain  Ash,  the  Imperial  Cut- 
leaved  Alder,  the  Basswood,  and  the  Bogwood. 
On  ext^'nsive  grounds  I  would,  of  course,  plant 
a  large  \'ariety,  and  would  include  the  Yellow 
Locust.  The  only  ob.jection  to  it  is  its  tendency 
of  suckering.  The  sweet  perfume  from  its 
Howers  in  the  month  of  June  entitles  it  to  a 
place  on  the  pleasure  grounds 

The  wild  Black  Cherry  is  seldom  planted  as  an 
ornamental  tree,  although  remarkably  suitable 
for  the  purpose.  It  is  beautiful  in  tiower  as  well 
as  in  fruit.  I  have  seldom  seen  it  affected  by  the 
black  knot,  but  have  found  it  to  be  one  of  the 
most  enduring. 

The  Hickories,  as  a  class,  are  of  slow  growth 
while  young,  but  their  foliage  is  exceedingly 
beautiful.  In  exposed  positions  they  endure 
and  thrive  well,  while  many  other  kinds  would 
be  in.1ured. 

The  Ashleaved  Maple  is  quite  as  hardy,  but  it 
requires  a  richer  and  moister  soil. 

For  a  large  growing  and  wide-spreading  tree 
for  shade  the  Common  Beech  is  unsurpassed. 

The  White  .\sh  when  grown  as  a  single  speci- 
men with  plenty  of  room  is  a  noble  tree,  well 
suited  for  an  extensive  landscape. 

The  number  of  trees  I  have  mentioned  is  suffi- 
cient to  make  any  country  home  as  cheerful  and 
beautiful  as  the  most  refined  taste  could  desire. 

I  believe  one  of  the  chief  reasons  why  so  many 
farmers'  homes  look  desolate  is  because  the 
owners  have  become  discouraged  through  the 
imposition  of  unscrupulous  vendors  who  have 
urged  the  imrchase  and  planting  of  trees  utterly 
unsuited  for  locality  and  conditions.  Nurser.v- 
men  who  allow  their  agents  to  sell  unsuitable 
trees  are  also  to  blame ;  and  they  make  a  mis- 
take, because  success  with  suitable  trees  would 
certainly  lead  to  increased  demand. 

Common   Sense  and   Common  Non- 
sense in  the  Naming  of  Plants. 

{Abstract  of  paper  by  Mr.  Shirley  Hibbard,  read  at  a 
meeting  of  the  Horticultural  Club.) 

If  you  compare  what  I  term  the  pre-Lin- 
naean  names  with  those  that  Linna?us  estab- 
lished, you  will  perceive  at  a  glance  how 
fully  possessed  of  common  sense  was  the 
great  botanical  reformer.  Those  names  in 
use  in  books  in  the  time  immediately  pre- 
ceding Liuna?us  are  to  be  regarded  as  de- 
scriptions in  brief.  In  "  Turners's  Herbal," 
1.5U8,  simple  names  occur,  as  for  example, 
Coniza  Magna  and  Hyacinthus  Maximus, 
and  again  in  "  Kay's  Plantarum,''  1H8.5,  the 
names  are  in  reality  brief  descriptions,  as 
for  exaraple,'  Hyacinthus  orlcntalis  vuliiaris 
clivcr-siirum  colorum,  the  ordinary  Oriental 
—Hyacinth. 

The  Binomial  System.  Linnaeus  in  his  "Genera 
Plantarum,"  1737,  and  "Species  Plantarum,"  1753, 
established  the  binomial  system,  having  prepared 
the  way  for  it  by  a  general  review  of  the  \ege- 
table  kingdom,  and  prepared  the  way  for  the 
natural  system  which  is  now  in  general  favor. 
Those  of  his  canons  that  directly  concern  us  now 
are  that  the  same  generic  name  shall  be  applied 
to  all  plants  of  the  same  genus;  that  each  generic 
name  must  be  single;  that  generic  names  com- 
pounded of  two  entire  words  or  portions  of  two 
entire  words  are  improper;  that  generic  names 
derived  from  the  Greek  or  Latin  languages  are 
alone  admissable;  that  names  are  not  to  be 
adopted  for  the  purpose  of  gaining  the  good  will 
of  saints  or  celebrated  persons;  and  that  long, 
awkward  and  unpronounceable  names  are  to  be 
avoided  as  altogether  objectionable.  There  are 
many  more  such.  Mr.  Alcock  quotes  from  Pluk- 
cnet  Otrwtragcmatfidendros  as  an  example  of  a 
"  long,  awkward,  disagreeable  name." 

A  good  name  of  a  plant  may  serve  two  pur- 
poses. It  may  guide  one  to  a  plant  not  seen  or 
known  before.  I  submit  as  an  example  that 
Ilex  cornuta  does  this,  when  we  have  learned  to 
recognize  the  Holly  as  an  Ilex,  for  the  specific 
name  admirably  suggests  the  form  of  the  leaf. 
A  good  name  recalls  it  in  the  absence  of  a  speci- 
men, and  assists  to  identity  the  specimen. 


A  fanciful  name  is  of  no  use  for  either  of  these 
purposes;  it  is  simply  a  mnemonic  sign,  and  a 
ta.\  on  the  memory.  A  German  botanist  is  re- 
port/tMl  to  have  said  that  it  is  not  in  the  power  of 
a  man  Ui  attjiin  to  a  knowledge  by  name,  and,  in 
fact,  of  more  than  1(1,111)0  plants.  Many  intelligent 
and  observant  men  of  fairly  good  memory  would 
be  glad  if  tlicy  could  master  the  identification 
correctly  b.v  name  of  ten  hundred  plants. 

Commemorative  Names.  What  I  mean  by 
common  sense  in  this  connection  is  compliance 
with  the  Liuna-n  methixl,  but  we  may  with  ad- 
vantage build  uiiim  the  Linnu'n  foundation,  so 
as  to  carry  the  edifice  a  few  stories  higher. 

For  example.  Linnaeus  admitted  commemora- 
tive names;  but  such  have  of  late  years  been  em- 
ployed with  such  a  lack  of  discrimination  that 
the  abuse  suggests  a  necessity  for  their  total 
abolition.  The  great  sin  of  modern  botanists  is 
the  wholesome  adoption  of  cDinmemorativc 
nanieK.  A  plant  comes  to  hand,  the  characters 
of  which  separate  it  from  all  known  genera.  The 
troultle  of  inventing  a  name  by  means  of  an  ex- 
ploration "of  Greek  roots  is  saved,  because  the 
botanist  has  a  friend  named  Smith  to  whom  it 
would  be  agrerable  to  pay  a  compliment.  So 
Smith  furnishes  the  generic  name.  For  the 
specific  name  there  stands  Brown,  and  the  thing 
is  done.  By-and-by  a  variety  of  the  species  is 
met  with,  and  again  the  process  is  repeated,  and 
the  \ariety  is  named  after  Jones. 

Among  the  reputed  British  species  of  Salix, 
there  are  no  fewer  than  twenty-two  named  after 
persons  or  places,  and  not  one  of  the  names  is  so 
good  as  that  devised  by  a  humble  botanist  who, 
finding  a  plant  he  had  never  seen  before,  and 
having  no  means  of  ascertaining  it  name,  called 
it,  because  he  found  it  by  the  roadside,  lihodum 
Sidum,  as  good  a  name  perhaps  as  Geryiuw 
Sidug,  and  one  that  might  be  adopted  and  pass 
current  without  raising  a  laugh.  In  Curtis' 
••  Botanical  Magazine  "  for  the  year  1865  there 
are  figures  and  descriptions  of  sixty-six  plants, 
of  which  nine  are  named  from  the  countries  or 
districts  in  which  they  grow,  and  nineteen  from 
persons. 

Geographical  names  are,  as  a  rule,  not  good. 
Very  many  of  the  plants  found  in  Japan,  and 
named  (with  how  little  effort)  Japonica,  are  also 
found  in  China;  and  species  that  inhabit  both 
the  old  and  new  world  cannot  with  any  propriety 
at  all  have  geographical  names  assigned  them. 
If  books  of  authority  like  the  "  Botanical  Maga- 
zine "  arc  thus  open  to  animadversion,  what  shall 
we  say  of  trade  catalogues? 

In  the  "  Botanical  Magazine  "  during  the  year 
1838  there  were  published  sixty-one  plants,  of 
which  thirty-one  have  specific  names  commem- 
orative of  persons,  three  are  records  of  Geo- 
graphical location,  and  twenty-one  are  founded 
on  visible  characters,  and  may  be  regarded  as 
descriptive.  The  bestowal  of  a  personal  or  a 
geographical  name  saves  time,  and  demands  ab- 
solutely no  talent;  but  for  the  bestowal  of  a 
good  descriptive  name  a  diagnosis  is  required, 
and  it  must  be  performed  by  a  botanist  familiar 
with  the  genus,  and  in  a  state  of  mind  favorable 
to  clear  perception  and  discriminative  comj)ar- 
ison. 

Descriptive  Names.  A  generic  name  should 
cover  all  generic  characters,  and  a  specific  name 
should  clearly  separate  a  plant  from  all  other 
specic!<  in  the  genus.  The  thick  or  broad  guage 
men  are  lum[)ers,  and  see  fewer  species  worth 
naming  than  the  thin  or  narrow  guage  men  who 
are  splitters,  and  usually  see  more  species  than 
common  sense  can  acknowledge. 

To  name  plants  from  their  colors  is  bad  practice. 
We  have  DigUali^jmrpurca  aWa,  the  white  pur- 
ple Foxglove,  which  is  not  more  rational  than  to 
say  the  white  black  cat.  Nor  is  it  consistent  with 
the  aims  of  science  to  adopt  names  that  reflect 
injuriously  or  unpleasantly  upon  persons.  Sir 
J.  E.Smith,  who  was  a  purist  in  this'mattter, 
refers  to  the  Linnean  name  Buffonia  tenuifolia 
as  "  a  satire  on  the  slender  botanical  pretensirins 
of  the  great  French  Zoologist,  as  the  Hillia  para- 
sitica of  Jacquin,  though;  perhaps  not  meant,  is 
an  equally  just  one  on  our  pompous  Sir  John 
Hill.  Such  satires  stain  the  purity  of  our  lovely 
science;  if  a  botanist  does  not  deserve  commem- 
oration let  him  sink  peacefully  into  oblivion." 
Mr.  Alcock  has  put  the  case  reasonably,  thus— 
"Those  names  that  point  out  a  decided  specific 
character  are  the  best,  as  Areiiaria  trinervU^ 
Chhtra  perfuUala,  Epipactis  ensifolia,  and  the 
like." 

The  greatest  sinners  against  propriety  in  nam- 
ing plants  are  the  orchidists,  for  they  ignore  all 
settled  rules,  they  repudiate  the  requirements  of 


262 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


September, 


common  sense,  they  make  a  law  for  themselves 
which  they  do  no  define,  and  which  whene\'er 
they  do  define  it,  will  convict  them  of  frequent 
and  flagrant  violation. 

The  raising  of  hybrid  Orchids  has  brought 
about  a  curious  crisis  in  botanical  nomenclature. 
The  binomial  system  may  be  said  to  be  nowhere. 
Take  a  few  e.xamples.  I  will  begin  with  the 
actual  ('ymbtdium  cbunieo-Lowianum,  Cymhid- 
ium  giganteum  and  Cymhidium  pendulum.  Then 
I  will  effect  a  cross  between  Cymhklium  gigan- 
tcum  and  Cymhhiium  pendulum,  and  the  selected 
offspring  shall  be  called  CymlikJium  gigantco- 
Ijendulum.  This  last  I  will  cross  with  (^ymbidium 
ehurnco-Lowkmum,  and  the  result  shall  be  a 
beautiful  Orchid  with  the  interesting  name  Cgm- 
hklinm  ehurnco  Lowkmum-giganteo-penduhtm . 
We  shall  have  to  manipulate  generic  names  in 
an  equally  elegant  manner;  we  cross  LtEfia  with 
Cattleyn  and  obtain  a  new  genus  to  be  called 
Lelkj-Cattleya,  and  we  cross  in  an  opposite  direc- 
tion to  obtain  Cattle ya-Lcelta.  The  orchidists 
are  endeavoring  to  turn  the  world  back  to  what 
we  may  speak  of  as  pre-Linnean  times,  and  they 
substitute  descriptions  for  names,  and  where  a 
definition  is  wanted  they  provide  a  confusion.  I 
submit  that  we  are  not  to  have  descriptions  in 
the  place  of  names,  and  that  while  the  binomial 
system  suffices  for  all  ordinary  purposes  it  should 
be  maintained  in  its  original  integrity.  The  use 
of  supplementary  names  is  allowable  only  as 
representing  varieties,  and  may  be  framed  on  a 
variety  of  plans  with  almost  unlimited  latitude, 
consistent  with  propriety  and  convenience.  Very 
often  our  plant  names  do  injury  to  science  and 
disgrace  the  inventors  of  the  ugly  and  unpleasant 
names. 

Variety  Names.  In  naming  varktics,  and  es- 
pecially garden  plants,  there  must  be  much 
liberty  allowed,  and  here  ample  room  may  be 
found  for  commemorative  names,  and  for  such 
as  may  be  termed  fanciful  and  playful.  But 
common  sense  will  object  to  freedom  in  this 
region  irrespective  of  the  class  of  subjects  to 
which  the  names  are  applied.  For  such  things 
as  Dahlias,  Pelargoniums  and  Phloxes,  descrip- 
tive names  are  rarely  wanted.  But  in  such  a 
group  of  plants  as  the  varieties  of  Ilex  aquifol- 
ium,  for  example,  we  seem  to  need  descriptive 
names,  those  of  a  personal  or  geographical 
character  being  inappropriate.  We  have  a  Holly 
a[)propriatel.v  named  LaurifoUa,  and  the  name 
is  useful  as  a  guide  to  the  plant.  Suddenly  in  the 
midst  of  Hollies  we  find  Madame  Brint,  where  a 
lady  should  not  be  in  the  midst  of  sombre  colors, 
and  other  characters  that  have  nothing  especially 
feminine  about  them. 

In  the  year  1871'  I  bestowed  some  care  in  the 
classification  and  nomenclature  of  the  Ivies.  I 
adopted  or  invented  descriptive  names  for  all 
the  varieties  I  could  obtain;  and  you  will  find 
them  entered  as  lohed,  arrow-Unved,  wrinlded, 
round,  angular aniiso  forth.  The  personal  names 
I  abolished  without  hesitation.  For  example,  I 
found  an  Ivy  bearing  the  name  of  Olumi;  and  as 
the  Glym  would  not  light  me  to  the  character,  I 
named  it  Tortunsa,  because  it  had  a  twisted  leaf. 
One  that  I  found  bearing  the  sweet  name  Rhnm- 
l}<iidea  iihnvata  latifalki  I  observed  had  a  leaf  that 
might  be  likened  to  the  Greek  letter  D,  and  I 
called  it  Deltiikleo.  The  world  did  not  accept  my 
proposals  with  joj'ful  thanks,  for  in  truth  ths 
men  who  knew  absolutely  nothing  about  Ivies 
were  the  most  free  of  their  abuse;  and  I  never 
cimdescended  to  tell  them,  as  I  might  have  done, 
that  many  of  the  names  they  condemned  as  new 
and  ridiculous,  were  good  old  names  that  I  sought 
to  re-establish  in  the  place  of  later  names  that 
were  altogether  inaiipropriate. 

The  Bemedy.  It  you  ask  me  what  is  to  be 
done,  I  can  only  answer  that  I  have  more  faith 
in  public  opinion  than  I  have  in  any  of  our  or- 
ganized societies,  councils  and  committees.  It  is 
doubtful  if  an  effective  board  of  nomenclature 
could  be  constituted,  considering  how  local  and 
academic  the  so-called  learned  societies  for  the 
most  part  are.  A  revising  board  would  have  to 
be  in  correspondence  with  all  botanical  and  jier- 
haps  with  some  horticultural  societies,  not  only 
of  Europe  and  America,  but  of  the  world. 

Were  certain  common  sense  principles  agreed 
upon  for  a  basis  of  operations,  an  immensity  of 
good  work  might  be  accomplished  with  but  a 
shadow  of  the  effort  that  appears  to  be  inevita- 
ble, so  long  as  we  consider  the  matter  in  the 
abstract  only.  Let  us  take  the  Rromeliaceous 
plants  for  an  example.  The  late  Professor  Ed- 
ward Morren  has  left  for  the  appropriation  of 
such  a  board  a  systematic  revision  of  all  the 
materials  for  a  rectification  of  nomenclature. 


One  example  is  as  good  as  fifty.  Specialists  will 
be  found  to  differ  in  their  methods  of  operation, 
in  their  views  on  classification  and  nomenclature, 
but  as  a  rule  they  may  be  relied  upon  for  minute 
knowledge  of  facts,  and  the  business  of  a  revising 
board  would  be  to  turn  their  labors  to  account 
in  aid  of  a  distinctly  formulated  system;  the 
board  would  have  to  harmonize  rather  than  in- 
vent; and  to  parcel  out  the  work  and  keep  con- 
trol in  view  of  fundamental  principles. 


Grapes  as  Affected  by  Climate 
and  Situation 


{Paper  by  Geo.  W.  Campbell,  the  introducer  of  the 
Delaware  Qrape.  before  the  Nurserymen's  Associ- 
tion.  Coruiluded from  page 'i^.\ 
Mr.  Ricketts'  Grapes,  although  many  of  them, 
as  grown  and  exhibited  by  himself,  were  of 
great  beauty  and  excellence,  have  not  proven 
generally  successful,  and  the  most  of  them,  I 
think,  can  only  be  grown  to  perfection  by  special 
care  or  in  very  favorable  situations.  The  .Jeffer- 
son has  been  with  me  one  of  the  most  successful, 
and  among  the  best  flavored,  though  sometimes 
rather  tardy  in  ripening.  John  Snider,  one  of 
the  oldest  Grape-growers  in  southern  Ohio,  at 
Lancaster,  gives  the  Jefferson  the  position  of 
"  the  finest  Grape  on  the  American  Continent." 
But  Secretary  Williams,  of  New  Jersey,  finds 
the  Jefferson  unsatisfactory  and  of  little  or  no 
value. 

The  Brighton  Grape  is  deservedly  popular  in 
many  places,  but  it  often  fails  in  productiveness. 
This  must  always  continue,  for  the  cause  is 
found  in  its  imperfect  blossom,  with  short  fila- 
ments and  reflexed  stamens.  In  favorable  sea- 
sons, with  bright  and  mild  weather  dnring  the 
period  of  infloresence,  the  pollen  seems  sufBci- 
cient  to  fertilize  and  produce  perfect  fruit.  But 
if  cold  and  rainy  weather  prevails  at  this  period 
the  Grapes  fail  to  set,  and  few  and  imperfect 
clusters  are  the  result.  Some  of  the  Rogers' 
Hybrids  and  the  newly  introduced  Moyer  Grape 
are  in  the  same  class. 

Most  persons  who  plant  a  large  number  of 
different  kinds  of  Grapes  come  to  the  conclusion 
that  we  have  too  many  varieties.  This  is  doubt- 
less true  as  applied  to  any  one  locality;  but  the 
very  kinds  that  do  not  succeed  in  that  particular 
may  be  both  successful  and  valuable  in  other 
places  which  are  suited  to  their  special  require- 
ments. Occasionlly,  when  we  have  pleasant 
and  sunny  weather  extending  late  into  autumn 
without  unseasonable  frosts  or  cold  rains,  some 
of  the  Grapes  of  southern  origin,  such  as 
Catawba  and  Herbemont,  and  even  our  northern 
Clinton  and  Zoe,  become  rich  and  high  flavored 
with  a  sweetness  and  refreshing  sprightliness 
which  are  only  attained  in  our  climate  in  ex- 
ceptionally favorable  seasons.  The  inference 
here  is  plain  that  in  other  places  where  such 
favorable  conditions  exist  naturally  the  same 
happy  results  will  as  naturally  follow. 

The  point  I  wish  to  make  is  that  success  in 
Grape  culture  requires  that  varieties  should  be 
selected  which  are  especially  adapted  to  the 
locality  where  they  are  grown;  and  that  because 
a  Grape  does  not  succeed  in  one  section,  it  is  by 
no  means  certain  that  it  may  not  be  both  suc- 
cessful and  valuable  in  another  to  which  it  is 
fitted  naturally. 

The  area  of  adaptation  is  evidently  much 
wider  for  some  varieties  than  others.  In  our 
section  of  country  the  Labrusca  type— includiug 
Concord,  Worden,  Moore's  Early,  Ives,  Lady, 
Martha  and  Woodruff— will  probably  be  found 
more  generally  successful  than  any  other  class; 
but  there  are,  doubtless,  in  some  portions  of  the 
south,  other  varieties  which  are  better  adapted 
to  their  soil  and  climate  than  any  of  these.  The 
Delaware  Gra])e  would  probably  be  fouud 
adapted  to  as  large  an  area  as  any  other  in  culti- 
vation, except  for  its  unfortunate  liability  to 
mildew  of  the  foliage  :  and  I  am  not  without 
hope  that  the  use  of  the  sulphate  of  copper 
remedies  may  so  far  overcome  this  difliculty  as 
to  permit  the  successful  growing  of  this  valuable 
variety  to  an  extent  even  bej'ond  that  of  the 
Concord  by  i-eason  of  its  constitutional  resistance 
to  the  attacks  of  Grape-rot. 

I  regard  as  of  the  greatest  importance  the  use 
of  these  recently  discovered  remedies  against 
the  various  maladies  which  have  been  so  preva- 
lent and  so  discouraging  to  Grape-growers.  I 
believe  that  their  general  adoption  and  general 
use  will  not  only  greatly  enlarge  the  area  of 
successful  Grape-growing,  but  will  also  enable 
us  to  grow  profitably  many  of  the  finer  and  par- 
tially tender  varieties  in  sections  where  it  would 
be  impossible  without  them. 


'Our  Insect  Friends. 

lExtractsfrom  an  essay  reeul  before  the  Missouri  State 
Hortieultural  .Society,  by  Mary  E.  Murtfeldt. 

Out  insect  friends  are  far  more  numerous 
than  people  generally  are  aware.  As  one 
phase  of  their  usefulness  in  a  general  way 
insects  are  busy  from  morning  till  night, 
and  from  night  till  morning,  carrying  the 
pollen  from  the  anthers  of  one  plant  to  the 
stigmas  of  another  of  the  same  kind,  thus 
insuring  vigor  to  the  germ  and  perfection 
to  the  fruit. 

Our  orchards,  our  vineyards,  our  berry  l)eds 
are  all  more  productive  for  the  swarms  of  bees, 
flies,  beetles  and  butterflies  that  flit  from  one 
flower  to  another,  scattering  the  fructifying 
germs.  The  Crimson  Clover  fields  would  be  ban- 
ished from  our  landscapes  but  for  the  bumble 
bees. 

Insects  are  the  chief  food  supply  of  the  great 
majority  of  birds  and  food  fishes.  We  can 
scarcely  realize  the  aid  they  afford  in  the  reduc- 
tion of  decaying  animal  and  vegetable  sub- 
stances. It  is,  however,  to  those  species,  which 
by  their  cannibalistic  and  parasitic  habits  assist 
so  immeasureably  in  keeping  in  check  other 
species,  which  are  undeniably  injurious  to  us, 
that  I  desire  more  particularly  to  call  attention. 
We  must  be  able  to  distinguish  our  friends  from 
our  foes.  It  may  almost  be  set  down  as  a  rule 
that  the  ugliest  and  most  ferocious  looking  of 
insect  larviv  are  the  ones  in  all  cases  to  preserve. 
And  it  may  also  be  said  that  grace  and  beauty  of 
the  perfect  insect  is,  with  many  species,  in  exact 
ratio  to  the  fierce  ungainliness  of  their  immature 
forms.  This  is  especially  true  of  the  cannibal 
beetles. 

The  tiger  beetles  we  see  along  our  paths  in  the 
spring,  running  with  the  extreme  lightness  and 
agility  and  rising  readily  on  the  wing,  are  great 
hunters,  while  their  larvae,  which  rest  at  the 
bottom  of  a  perpendicular  hole  in  the  ground 
five  or  six  inches  deep,  and  the  size  of  a  lead 
pencil,  are  genuine  trappers  at  the  top  of  their 
burrows,  and  hundreds  of  bugs,  ants,  flies  and 
worms  are  required  to  nourish  a  single  larva?  to 
the  stage  of  maturity.  The  larger  ground  beetles 
also  hunt  on  the  surface  of  the  earth,  while  their 
larvte  burrow  in  all  directions  in  search  of  cur- 
culio  and  other  larvsf  that  enter  the  ground  there 
to  transform. 

The  preying  mantis  or  devil's  horse  (Mantis 
Carolina)  is  another  (very  valuable,  though  un- 
canny looking  insect.  Its  singular  egg  masses, 
which  resemble  what  geologists  call  a  "trilubite" 
shovdd  by  no  means  be  destroyed.  While  it  is  no 
respecter  of  species,  beneficial  or  injurious,  it 
devours  far  more  of  the  latter  than  the  former. 
The  short  winged  females  which  are  incapable  of 
flight  are  especially  ferocious,  and  manj-  of 
the  winged  but  less  robust  males  furnish  their 
conjugal  partners  with  a  dinner. 

Among  the  species  of  cannibal  beetles  which 
merit  our  highest  regard  are  the  so-called  lady 
birds  (Coccinellidip).      Wc  have  native  to   this 
country  .50  or  fiO  species,  but  not  more  than  13  or 
1.5  of  this  number  are  abundant  and  widely  dis- 
tributed.    They  are  all  of  small  size,  the  largesi 
not  exceeding  one-third  of  an  inch  in  length, 
and   in  coloring,   various   shades    of  red,    with 
black  dots,  prevail.      The  larvse  are  elongate 
dark  colored,  often  spiny  grubs,  with  six   long 
sprangled  legs,  and  present  a  rather  repulsive 
appearance.    When  ready  to  change  they  attach 
themselves  by  the  tail  and  either  push  the  larvie 
skin  backward  or  split  it  open  on  top,  but  remain 
within  it  until  the  beetle  is  ready  to  appear.  The 
especial  function  in  nature  which  these  insects 
were  apparently  designed  to  fulfil  is  to  keep  in 
check  the  myriads  of  Iplant  lice  and  bark  lice 
that  multiply  at  such  an  incredible  rate  that  no 
human  agenc.v  is  sufficient  to  cope  with  them. 
Simultaneously    with    the   appearance   of   the 
aphids  or  plant  lice,  come  several  species  of  these 
beetles,  two  or  three  lace-wing  flies  and  syrphus 
flies,  and  a  large  number  of  big  and  little  para- 
sitic species,  and  while  the  plant  lice  extract  the 
sap  with   their   innumerable   little   beaks,   the 
larger  insects  seize  them  in  their  jaws  and  drain 
them  of  their  vital  fluids  or  puncture  their  plump 
bodies  to  lay  their  eggs,  which  hatch  into  tiny 
grubs  within  the  bodies  of  their   victims,  and 
within  a  few  hours  destroy  their  appetites  for 
plant  nectar,  and  soon  convert  them  into  a  mere 
house  and  larder  for  the  knawing  worms  within. 
All  these  predacious  species  develop  with  great 
rapidit.v,  and  soon  so  reduce  the  ranks  of  the 
vegetable  feeders  that  the  grain  crop  is  rescued 
from  destruction. 


1890 


POPULAR   GARDENING. 


263 


Tho  inirasitii'  spet-ies  of  insootsaie,  with  \or.v 
riiro  fxeeittions,  rith»'r  two-winded  or  ioiir- 
wiiiyred  tlics.  Tlu'ir  lity  thoy  eji:j?s  on  t\w  siirfm-e 
of  till'  boiiy  of  thoir  vk-tlni,  ffUuMiiK  t'H'ni  fast 
until  tIu'Ki'"l'f^'ii»iI  Imtfh.  or  by  nifaiKsof  vari<ms 
inK'-''"'"*"^l.v  sliapi'd  ovipositories.  they  puuctuio 
tho  skin  and  li^ave,  their  ewjfs  in  the  fatty  tissue 
beneath.  The  K-rubs,  upon  hatehintr,  feed  all 
around  luiderneath  the  skin  of  the  poor  eater- 
pillar  or  worm,  and  do  n<tt  penetrate  t(t  the  vital 
parts  until  they  are  g'rown,  and  have  no  further 
use  for  their  host,  except  as  a  shelter  while  they 
are  in  the  pupa  state.  They  then  devour  the 
remaining  orgiin";  and  spin  their  eoeoons  soa)e- 
timcs  within,  sometimes  upon  the  surface  of  the 
infested  larvie. 

An  example  of  the  latter  that  will  be  familiar 
to  most  of  you  is  the  small  parasite  of  the  Tomato 
worm,  which  often  covers  the  surface  of  the 
still  living  larvie  with  little  white  cocoons  stand- 
ings on  end,  which  have  very  much  the  appearance 
of  grains  of  rice.  In  cases  of  larger  parasites 
like  i^phion  and  its  allies,  but  a  single  one  infests 
a  Marva,  and  these  generally  transform  inside 
the  body  of  their  victim. 

The  tree  crickets,  which  have  so  long  been 
classed  with  injurious  species  because  of  the 
punctures  they  make  in  Grape  vines  and  Rasp- 
berry canes,  in  the  process  of  oviposition,  are 
according  to  my  own  observations,  far  more 
beneficial  than  pernicious.  This  is  especially  the 
case  with  the  broad-winged  species  {Ecanthus 
Latipennis).  Having  carefully  reared  it  for  two 
successive  years  in  a  rearing  cage  I  am  prepared 
to  class  it  as  one  of  the  most  efficient  aids  that 
we  have  in  reducing  the  numbei*s  of  the  plant 
lice  and  other  small  insect*  that  attack  our  fruit 
trees,  vineyards  and  lierry  patches.  And  if  it 
does  occasionally  kill  a  twig  in  preparing  a  safe 
nidus  for  its  eggs,  it  certainly  makes  ample  com- 
pensation. 

Entomologists  have  long  realized  the  value  of 
jiredaceous  and  parasitic  species,  yet  but  few 
attempts  have  been  made  to  increase  the  num- 
bers of  the  latter  or  to  introduce  them  from  one 
country  or  region  to  another.  The  European 
parasites  of  the  Cabbage  butterfly  have  been  im- 
ported into  some  sections  of  the  Eastern  States 
and  are  doing  good  service  in  the  market  gardens 
near  some  of  our  large  cities.  As  man  affords 
unnatu  ral  facilities  for  the  increaae  of  vegetable 
feeding  species,  by  covering  such  vast  areas  with 
certain  kinds  of  grains  and  fruits,  it  would  be 
but  reasonable  for  him  to  devote  some  attention 
to  the  recognization  and  protection  of  their 
natural  enemies.  When  the  armies  of  cannibal 
insects  meet  the  armies  of  the  vegetable  feeders 
in  anything  like  an  adequate  proportion,  we  shall 
be  able  to  close  up  our  Paris  green  and  Loudon 
purple  factories,  and  convert  our  spraying 
machines  into  approved  watering  appliances, and 
leave  our  fields  and  orchards  to  their  natural 
protectors. 

CONDENSED  GLEANINGS. 
An  Apple  ^torape  House.  The  building  as 
here  illustrated  is  :iO  feet  long,  24  feet  wide,  and 
nine  feet  high,  inside  measure.  Two  walls  sur- 
round it,  a  and  h,  which  are  1%  feet  thick  and 
constructed   of  wood.    The  space  in   middle  of 


BURDOCK  CUTTERS. 

each  wall  is  tilled  with  sawdust,  as  the  walls  are 
built  up.  The  space  between  the  inner  and  the 
outer  walls,  c,  is  filled  with  charcoal.  The 
ground  or  floor  of  the  interior  and  c  is  made  of 
clay  and  sawdust.  The  roof  must  slope  enough 
to  throw  off  water  freely,  and  the  earth  about 
the  building  be  graded  so  as  to  let  the  water  flow 
away  as  fast  as  it  falls.  Have  the  entrance  door 
at  the  north  end  of  the  building.  The  outside 
wall  should  have  a  double  door,  d,  one  openiug 
out  and  the  other  opening  in.  The  door,  e,  is 
single  and  opens  directly  inU)  the  fruit  room.  In 
severe  cold  weather  fill  this  space  with  straw. 
Wooden  shutters,/,  four  in  number,  are  placed 


-J_ 


<»ii  a  level,  four  feet  iibovo  the  y:riniiul,  in  the 
exterior  imd  interior  walla,  as  indicated.  They 
are  t'<»r  use  in  eleaninpr  and  airin^r  the  room  Ik'- 
fore  imttinp:  the  fruit  in.  Tho  interior  is  fitted 
up  witli  shelves,  bin.'*,  and  plaees  for  barrels,  or 
other  artieles  in -which  fruit  may  be  packed. 
Tile  slielves  are  as  shown  in  g  h,  and  extend 
from  tlie  lloor  up  to  the  ceiling— one  foot  above 
each  other,  the  first  four  or  five  tiers  being  on  a 
level,  (/,  and  the  rest  on  an  angle,  7(,  of  about  Ut"^ 
and.  to  give  free  circulation  of  air,  the  shelf 
pieces  are  made  of  narrow  boards  with  an  inch 
space  left  between  each,  the  front,  i,  to  have  a 
ledge-board  attached  to  prevent  fruit  from 
rolling  off.  In  the  center  of 
room  space  is  reserved  for  a 
stand  or  table  upon  which  to 
place  the  fruit  for  final  assort- 
ment before  going  on  to  the 
shelves.  ProWde  dr.v  moss,  or 
cotton,  for  the  table,  thus  form- 
ing a  cushion-like  receptacle  for 
the  fruit;  carefully  glean  out 
aU  specimens  having  bruises,  and 
let  the  sound  fruit  lay  for  several 
days  in  order  to  throw  off  surplus 
moisture.  Supply  the  shelves 
with  a  thin  layer  of  dry  moss,  or 
cotton,  wipe  the  fruit  with  a  dry 
flannel  cloth,  and  place  on  the 
shelves,  being  sure  that  none 
touch  each  other.  Keep  the  atmosphere  of 
room  dry  rather  than  humid,  and  the  tempera- 
ture always  as  nearly  as  possible  46°  to  48°  Fahr. 
—Orange  Judd  Farmer. 

Prairie  Trees  from  Seeds.  As  a  rule  failure 
almost  invariably  follows  the  attempt  to  grow 
trees  from  seed  planted  where  the  trees  are  in- 
tended to  stand,  yet  the  difference  in  the  first 
cost,  relatively,  between  seed  and  rooted  trees  or 
cuttings,  induces  many  to  plant  seeds.  The  cost 
of  the  seed  usually  required  for  five  acres  is 
three  or  dollars,  of  cuttings  twelve  to  eighteen 
dollars,  and  of  young  trees  from  twenty  to 
thirty  dollars.  The  cost  of  planting  seed  or  trees 
is  almost  as  much  in  favor  of  the  seed.  The 
only  possible  chance  of  success  with  seeds  is 
when  the  ground  selected  has  been  previously 
cleanly  cultivated  by  some  hoed  crop,  or  better 
by  summer  fallowing,  and  when  it  is  put  in  the 
finest  condition  and  the  seed  planted  late  in  fall. 
If  the  trees  are  to  be  raised  from  seed,  seleet  a 
clean,  rich  piece  of  ground  in  the  garden,  which 
should  be  made  as  fine  as  possible  by  thorough 
haiTOwing  and  planking,  stretch  a  line  length- 
wise the  patch,  and  make  a  drill  about  six  in- 
ches wide  and  two  inches  deep.  Sow  the  seed 
thickly  in  this  drill,  say  about  twenty-five  seeds 
to  the  foot,  and  cover  with  the  tine  earth,  which 
should  be  compacted  firmly  with  the  feet  or  hoe, 
according  to  moisture  in  the  soil.  Other  drills 
can  be  made  parrallel  with  this,  about  thirty  in- 
ches apart,  so  that  the  ground  between  can  be 
kept  cultivated  by  a  horse  hoe  or  harrow  toothed 
cultivator.  If  good  ground  is  selected  and  clean 
culti\'ation  carried  out,  the  seedlings  will  be  of 
.just  the  right  size  to  transplant  the  next  spring, 
and  by  clean  cultivation  or  summer  fallowing 
(preferabl.v  the  latter)  of  the  ground  which  they 
are  intended  to  occupy,  you  have  the  first  essen- 
tials of  success  But  here,  aselsewhere,  "eternal 
cultvation  is  the  price  of  trees.— American 
Agriculturist. 

Orape  Care.  An  American  "  Grape  cure  "  can 
not  exist  as  yet,  for  lack  of  the  proper  curative 
material.  The  Concord  and  Delaware  remain 
our  types  of  popular  Grapes,  with  least  amount 
of  acid  centre,  but  still  too  much.  Aside  from 
acidity,  with  its  more  or  less  unpleasant  conse- 
quences, there  has  in  late  years  been  brought  to 
public  notice,  a  real  danger  to  life  from  swallow- 
ing the  seeds.  We  have  noted  several  cases  of 
death  which  physicians  said  were  due  to  the 
lodgment  of  Grape  seeds  in  the  intestines.  It 
would  be  well  for  our  physcians  to  tell  us 
whether  this  lodgment  of  seeds  is  due  to  weak- 
ness or  imperfect  action  of  the  bowels,  or 
whether  it  is  liable  to  occur  in  any  healthy 
nature.  The  foreign  Grape  is  eatable,  and  its 
seeds  are  small;  the  native  Grape  must  be 
swallowed  like  a  pill.  The  new  danger  will  cer- 
tainly lead  many  eaters  to  refuse  to  swallow  the 
seeds.  This  will  compel  them  to  be  satisfied 
with  the  juice,  only,  of  our  standard  sorts,  e.ject- 
ing  the  firm,  acid  pulp,  or  else  to  limit  them- 
selves to  the  very  few  sorts  whose  pulp  is  tender 
and  sweet,  although  their  seeds  are  large. 
Would  it  not  be  well  to  see  what  can  be  done  in 
the  wa.v  of  "  breeding  out."  These  large  seeds? 
—County  Gentleman. 


The  Twiggy  Genista.  ^(Itnlxtu  Miyitl^i  is' 
without  doubt,  one  fif  the  )>iost  IjCHutiViil  ol  all 
the  showy  li-guminous  shri|i)s  in  the  KcW  Arbo- 
retum. Although  a!iMti\c>of  Matieira,  it  ^-x^iUs 
with  us  quite  as  hardy  as  our  native  llroom 
(.CytiKiiK  svapariUK).  In  spiljp  ot  its  merit  tho 
species  is  far  from  common  }, it  lias  small  leaves 
and  slender  branchlets,  cvc|a'  one  of  whit'his 
terminated  in  .luly  with  an  iiWifcht,  golden  j'a-| 
ceme.  There  arc  numerous  oW  ^petMineng  flW 
Kcw  from  six  to  eight  or  ten  feet  I'it-'li  arid'  tifi/ 
much  through,  and  these  must  ha\'K4;ur<('svfiiJly 
passed  through  many  winters  which  •tuli^flicir 
mark  on  not  a  few  of  our  indigenous  trees  and 


a 


^ 


i 


m:: 


PLAN  OF  APPLE  STORE-HOUSE. 

shrubs.  In  some  gardens  Cf.t'ir(7rt(a  is  cultivated 
under  the  name  of  O.  elata,  which  really  repre- 
sents a  widely  different  plant,  and  is  nothing 
more  than  a  vigorous  form  of  the  European 
G.  tinctnria,  a  pretty  perennial  with  a  woody 
base.— U.  Nicholson,  in  Forest  and  Garden. 

Burdock  Catters.  The  instrument  shown  at 
the  toji  of  illustration  can  be  made  by  any  black- 
smith, using  an  old  spade  handle  and  a  piece  of 
old  wagon  spring.  .Set  the  cutter  about  two 
inches  from  the  Kurdock,  at  an  angle  of  about 
30°  from  the  perpendicular;  with  the  foot  press 
the  cutter  down  far  enough  to  cut  off  the  root. 
Now  lift  the  Burdock  by  the  hand,  from  its 
place,  and  the  work  for  that  Burdock  is  done. 
This  instrment  and  process  severs  the  roots 
below  the  crown,  and  it  will  not  sprout  again; 
The  blade  of  the  other  instrument,  shown  at 
bottom,  is  a  wide  piece  of  old  wagon  spring,  20 
inches  in  length,  sharpened  at  both  ends.  A 
block  of  bard  wood,  seven  inches  long,  is  bolted 
to  centre  of  blade  to  hold  the  wooden  handle,  40 
inches  in  length.  With  this  implement  one 
stroke  is  required,  and  one  can  take  out  weed 
roots  at  a  rapid  rate —From  County  Gentleman. 

Fruit-Dangers  and  Remedies.  An  excessive 
amount  of  fruit,  or,  if  eaten  either  in  the  unripe 
or  over-ripe  state,  produces  various  disturb- 
ances in  the  system,  chiefly  so  because  of  its 
tendency  to  ferment  and  decompose  within  the 
digestive  tract,  and  to  produce  stomach  and 
bowel  disorder.  If  these  disturbances  are  not 
too  great,  or  too  prolonged,  they  need  occasion 
no  special  anxiety.  A  dose  of  castor  oil;-  to 
which  a  few  drops  of  laudanum  have  been  added, 
is  usuall.v  suflieient  to  clean  out  the  irritating 
"debris,"  and  in  a  day  or  two  the  natural  equili- 
brium is  restorted.  If  there  is  much  griping  and 
pain  with  the  movements,  and  these  become  too 
numerous  to  be  comfortaiile,  the  dose  of  oil 
should  bo  followed  by  curtailing  activitj— by 
quiet  and  repose— by  a  diet  of  meat  broths,  con- 
taining rice,  barley,  or  sago;  by  rice,  and  milk 
milk  toast,  etc. — Medical  <^'lassics. 

The  Climbing  Hydrangea,  There  are  vines 
more  desirable  than  this  for  certain  purposes, 
but  where  there  is  wanted  a  stout,  vigorous, 
rapid  climber,  that  will  supjiort  itself  just  as  the 
Trumpet  Vine  does,  it  will  be  found  in  this.  It 
has  large,  green  leaves,  thickly  set  along  the 
stem,  and,  as  it  gets  large  and  strong,  it  flowers 
every  spring,  soon  after  the  foliage  expands. 
While  the  flowers  are  in  large  heads,  such  as 
some  other  Hydrangeas  have,  there  is  not  the 
beauty  in  them  that  there  is  in  such  sorts  as  the 
paniculata  graudifiora.  Still,  it  is  uncommon 
in  a  climber,  and  no  detraction  at  all.  For  fences 
carriage  houses  or  any  place  where  large  vines 
are  used  it  will  be  found  a  good  thing  to  have, 
but  it  should  not  be  set  where  there  is  objection 
to  birds  building  in  it,  as  its  thick,  branchy 
growth  forms  a  good  place  for  nests.— P.  I-'armer. 

Blanching  Celery,  A  crisp,  delicacy  of  flavor 
seems  to  be  only  obtainable  by  a  generous  bank- 
ing with  earth.  Previous  to  banking,  tie  the 
stalks  in  a  compact  bunch  ;  the  earth  is  then 
packed  as  high  arf)und  the  stalks  as  is  deemed 
advisable.  A  simple  way  to  prevent  the  possible 
objections  in  damp  weather,  that  the  stalks  ara 


264 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


September, 


crooked  in  tying  or  the  stalks  stained  or  nibbled 
by  earth  worms,  is  to  take  strips  of  straw  paper, 
ten  to  twelve  inches  wide,  and  wrap  each  stalk 
in  place  of  tying.  A  troweltul  of  earth  will 
hold  the  paper  in  place  when  the  banking  can  be 
done.  The  earth  should  be  drawn  up  nearly  to 
the  top  of  the  paper  Leave  the  base  of  the  hill 
broad,  so  that  more  earth  can  be  drawn  up,  if 
necessary.— Canada  Ex. 

Killing  Greenfly.  The  idea  illustrated  in  ac- 
companying tlgure  is  old,  but  only  practicable 
to  those  heating  with  steam.  I  use  it  with  per- 
fect satisfaction.  Screw  in  a  T  (see  A)  where 
convenient  (we  use  one  every  hundred  feetl, 
then  using  half-inch  pipe  put  in  B  with  valve, 
cut  pipe  C  long  enough  to  reach  middle  of  walk, 
screw  in  D  loosely  (so  as  to  screw  or  unscrew  by 
hand;,  and  have  it  long  enough  to  reach  bottom 
of  barrel.  Fill  your  flour  barrel  with  Tobacco 
stems,  turn  on  the  steam  and  you  have  a  cheap, 
clean,  and  effectual  apparatus  that  will  kill  green 
or  black  fly  and  red  spider.  During  the  day  un- 
screw D,  roll  barrel  out  of  the  way,  push  C 
parallel  to  bench  and  the  walk  is  clear. -A.  H. 
Lange,  in  American  Florist. 

Death  by  Lightning  not  Frequent.  There  is 
a  thousand  times  the  danger  in  the  sewer  pipes 
that  there  is  in  the  thunder  clouds.  The  deaths 
by  lightning  are  few  indeed.  Who  of  the  readers 
of  this  paragraph  ever  lost  a  friend  that  way? 
Who  of  them  hasn't  lost  a  score  of  friends  by 
the  less  brilliant  and  less  noisy  destruction  that 
comes  up  out  of  the  house  drains?— The  Hart- 
ford Courant. 

Pear  Seedlings.  Few  fruit  seeds  grow  easier 
than  Pear  seed,  fresh  from  the  fruit,  stuck  right 
in  the  ground,  covered  an  inch  or  less  with  lively 
rich,  sandy  or  coal  ash  soil  that  can't  bake,  and 
then  covered  over  winter  with  two  or  three 
inches  of  grass,  hay,  straw  or  leaf  mulch,  to  be 
removed  early  in  spring.— F.  K.  Pha-nix. 

Tame  Qaaile.  Quail— so  wonderfully  helpful 
against  our  insect  enemies— are  so  numerous 
and  tame  in  the  vicinity  of  (jrass  Lake,  Wis., 
that  they  fly  into  the  village  in  flocks  and  sit 
around  on  the  lawns  like  robins.  The  law  pro- 
tecting them  lasts  two  years  more. -N.Y  Witn's. 

Fertilizers  and  Tillage  Pay  in  the  Garden. 
Careful  experimenters  are  becoming  more  and 
more  doubtful  as  to  whether  commercial  fertili- 
isers,  as  ordinarily  used  on  farm  crops,  are  a 
source  ot  profit ;  but  they  are  unanimous  in  the 
opinion  that  superior  tillage  pays.— Concord  Pen. 

Manure  for  Bulb  Beds.  Cow  manure  is  best  of 
all.  It  is  used  by  the  Holland  bulb  growers  who 
raise  the  millions  of  flower-roots  annually  sent 
out  to  gladden  the  eyes  and  hearts  ot  multitudes 
in  other  lands.— Ex. 

Moles  and  Gophers.  1  have  never  been  able  to 
poison  moles,  but  always  successful  In  clearing  my 
fields  of  gophers  by  opening  their  holes  late  In  the  fall, 
and  rolling  In  a  Potato  plugged  and  poisoned  with 
arsenlc.-Corr.  B.  N.  Y. 

Currants  Worthy  of  Care.  By  the  use  of  manure, 
the  cultivator  and  hoe  with  a  little  white  Hellebore 


STEAMING  TOBACCO  FOR  APHIS. 

dusted  on  the  foliage,  my  bushes  look  thrifty  and  are 
well  loaded  with  large  Currants,— E.x. 

Lily  of  the  Valley.  The  flowers  are  used  during 
the  winter  months  In  immense  quantities,  N.  Y.  City 
alone  using  probably  a  million.  The  average  price  Is 
about  live  cents  each.- Am.  Florist. 

Thinnine  Grapes.  Grapevines  that  over-bear  will 
not  ripen  their  I'rult.  It  is  better  to  thin  out  an.l 
thereby  get  better  clusters  and  riper  fruit.— C.  Mills. 

Prices  of  Dried  Fruits.  There  Is  no  indication  of 
any  abatemeut  of  the  upward  movement  of  prices  for 
dried  fruit.- N.  Y.  Com.  Bulletin. 

Danger  in  Wells.  The  farmer  should  by  all  means 
study  pure  water,  and  how  Xo  keep  it  ptire  on  his  own 
place.— Mobile  Register. 

Mania  for  Dosing  Incurable.  There  Is  a  remedy  for 
everything— except  some  of  our  modern  remedies.- 
Puck. 


Vegetable  Products  on  the  Table. 

Canning  Whole  Tomatoes.  Select  small  sound 
Tomatoes.  Pack  them  without  peeling  into  wide- 
mouthed  jars.'fill  the  jai'S  with  cold  water,  and 
finish  precisely'as  directed  for  Lima  Beans,  boil- 
ing only  thirty  minutes.  Be  sure  that  the  cans 
are  filled  to  overflowing  with  boiling  ;water  be- 
fore screwing  on  the  tops. 

Grape  Jelly.  Stem  ripe  Grapes  and  put  in  a 
preserve  kettle,  let  come  to  a  boil,  mash  and 
strain.  Put  the  .iuice  on  to  boil  for  twenty 
minutes,  when  add  three  quarters  of  a  pound  of 
sugar  to  every  pint  of  juice,  skim  while  boiling, 
let  cook  fifteen  minutes.  Green  Grape  Jelly  may 
be  made  the  same  way,  but  will  retiuire  a  pound 
of  sugar  to  a  pint  of  .juice.- Ladies  Home  Jour. 

Eggs  and  Tomatoes.  Fry  a  pound  of  ripe 
Tomatoes  with  skins  removed  either  in  oil  or 
lard,  with  a  small  quantity  of  Onion,  and  suffl- 
cient  salt,  until  all  the  moisture  is  evaporated 
and  the  Tomato  like  Apple  sauce.  Have  ready 
half  a  dozen  eggs  well  beaten,  and  when  the 
Tomatoes  are  ready  add  the  eggs,  stirring  quick- 
ly for  a  minute  or  two  until  well  mixed  and  the 
eggs  set,  when  serve  at  once. 

Green  Tomato  Preserves.  Slice  the  Toma- 
toes quite  thin,  and  to  each  pound  allow  half  a 
pound  ot  sugar,  the  .iuice  and  rind  of  half  a 
Lemon,  and  some  grated  Ginger.  Place  all  to- 
gether in  a  preserving  vessel  near,  but  not  on 
the  fire,  until  the  sugar  is  melted,  then  place  it 
where  it  can  boil  quickly  for  about  half  an  hour, 
or  until  the  syrup  thickens,  then  put  in  ,iars.  I 
always  use  a  stoneware  basin  with  a  flat  bottom. 

Green  Tomato  Pickles.  To  one  peek  of  small 
green  Tomatoes  add  six  large  Onions,  sliced,  and 
a  cupful  of  salt,  and  let  them  stand  until  the 
next  day.  Then  drain  off  the  water,  and  boil 
them  for  fifteen  minutes  in  two  quarts  of  water 
and  one  of  vinegar  mixed ;  afterwards  drain 
them  in  a  sieve.  Then,  while  still  hot,  pour  over 
them  tour  quarts  ot  vinegar,  with  two  pounds  of 
brown  sugar,  two  tablesi)Oonfuls  each  of  gi'ound 
Cinramon,  Cloves,  and  Allspice,  previously 
boiled  therein,  and  bottle  off. 

Cucumber  Catsup.  Select  tender  Cucumbers 
and  peel  and  grate  enough  of  them  to  make  two 
iiuarts  of  pulp.  With  a  wooden  spoon  press  it 
lightly  until  the  juice  stops  running.  Throw 
the  latter  away  and  season  the  pulp  with  half  a 
pint  of  grated  white  Onions,  halt  a  pint  of 
grated  Horse-radish,  half  an  ounce  of  ground 
black  Pepper,  salt  to  your  taste,  and  six  level 
tablespoontuls  of  sugar.  Have  ready  three  one- 
quart  glass  jars,  put  one-third  of  the  pulp  into 
each,  fill  full  ot  the  best  cider  vinegar  and  screw 
the  tops  on  perfectly  tight.— Home  Maker. 

Canned  Lima  Beans.  Fill  the  jars  full  of  un- 
cooked Beans,  then  fill  full  of  cold  water,  and 
lay  on  the  tops.  Place  straw  or  hay  in  the  bot- 
tom of  a  wash  boiler,  place  the  jars  on  this,  and 
pour  in  sufBcient  cold  water  to  half  cover  them. 
Put  the  boiler  over  the  fire,  cover  it  closely  with 
the  lid,  and  boil  steadily  for  three  hours.  Take 
up  the  jars,  see  that  they  are  filled  to  overfiow- 
ing,  and  screw  on  the  cover  as  tightly  as  possible. 
Stand  aside,  where  the  air  will  not  strike  them  to 
cool.  When  cold,  again  screw  the  covers,  and 
keei>  in  a  dark,  cool  place.  Asparagus  and  Peas 
may  be  canned  in  the  same  way.— Table  Talk. 

Fried  Tomatoes.  No  better  breakfast,  lunch- 
eon or  supper  dish  can  be  desired  than  one  of 
fried  Tomatoes  with  cream  sauce.  Cut  large, 
and  not  overripe  Tomatoes  into  three  thick 
slices;  dust  with  salt  and  Pepper  and  dredge 
lightly  with  flour.  Have  some  hot  butter  or 
half  butter  and  half  sweet  drippings  in  a  frying 
pan,  and  fry  slowly.  When  browned  on  one  side 
turn  on  the  other,  and  when  tender,  but  not  so 
well  cooked  that  they  cannot  be  lifted  without 
breaking,  lift  with  a  cake  turner  and  slide  on  to 
a  hot  dish.  Stir  two  tablespoonfuls  of  flour  into 
the  fat  in  the  pan,  and  when  smooth  add  slowly 
a  pint  of  rich  hot  milk.  Stir  constantly  until  it 
boils,  season  with  salt  and  Pepper  and  pour  over 
the  Tomatoes.  Another  way  is  to  dip  the  slices 
in  egg  and  bread  crumbs  and  serve  with  a  brown 
sauce.— .\lice  Chittenden,  in  Country  Gentleman. 

Canning  Pears.  Hartlctts  are  best  for  canning. 
Pare,  cut  in  halves,  and  with  a  pointed  knife  re- 
move the  core  and  blossom  end.  The  stems  may 
be  left,  as  they  look  very  pretty.  Throw  them 
at  once  into  cold  water  to  prevent  discoloration. 
When  you  have  pared  suflicient  to  make  one 
quart  jar,  about  twenty-one  halves,  weigh  them, 
allowing  a  quarter  pound  of  sugar  to  every 
liouud  tif  Pears.  Put  the  Peai-s  in  a  porcelain- 
lined  kettle,  cover  with  boiling  water,  and  sim- 


mer gently  until  you  can  pierce  them  with  a 
straw.  Put  the  sugar  and  a  pint  of  water  into 
another  kettle,  stir  until  disolved,  then  boil  and 
skim.  When  the  Pears  are  tender,  lift  carefully 
with  a  skimmer  and  slide  them  into  the  syrup, 
simmer  five  minutes  and  can.  After  sealing, 
stand  the  jars  in  a  warm  part  of  the  kitchen 
over  night.  In  the  morning  the  covers  should 
again  be  tightened,  as  the  glass  will  contract 
after  cooling;  then  put  them  away  in  cool,  not 
cold,  dry,  dark  closet.— Table  Talk. 


HOUSE   PLANTS. 

Agapanlhus.  Encourage  growth  by  watering  and 
stimidatlon.  Plants  done  blooming  may  be  cut  back 
suflicleutly  to  prevent  seeding. 

Asters  and  other  annuals,  if  thrifty  and  of  good 
shape,  may  be  carefully  lifted  and  potted  for  blooming 
during  fall  and  winter. 

Azaleas.  These  and  other  hard-wooded  plants  had 
better  be  left  out  In  a  sheltered  situation,  where  safe 
from  chills,  until  October,  before  being  brought  Into 
the  house. 

Begonias.  The  tuberous-rooted  kinds  should  be 
taken  up  before  frost  and  the  bulbs  dried  thoroughly- 
They  winter  best  in  dry  sand. 

Bouvardias  and  others  of  the  more  tender  plants 
for  winter  decoration  may  he  taken  up  and  potted. 

Bulbs  of  Hyacinth,  Tulip,  Crocus,  Snowdrop  and 
others  for  early  flowering,  may  now  be  started  in  pots 
or  boxes. 

Cactus  that  were  summered  In  the  border  should  be 
taken  up  before  the  fall  rains,  potted  and  taken  In. 

Carnations,  Violets  and  other  plants  of  a  similar 
degree  of  hardiness  designed  for  winter  flowering,  to 
be  lifted. 

Chrysanthemums.  Plants  in  pots  to  be  promptly 
.shifted  for  the  last  time.  Lift  bedded  plants.  Water 
ing  twice  a  week  with  liquid  manure  will  aid  In  growth 
and  flowers.  Keep  the  exhibition  plants  staked  and 
tied  up  for  inducing  shapeliness.  Look  out  for  cater- 
pillars. 

Fuchsias  to  be  given  a  rest  as  they  cease  to  flower. 

General  Directions.  Have  everything  ready  to  re- 
ceive the  plants  In  case  they  must  he  taken  In  suddenly. 
Plants  lu  pots  that  were  summered  outside,  shoidd  be 
pruned  into  proper  shape  and  the  pots  washed .  If  the 
ball  shows  that  the  roots  are  crowded  and  cramped, 
use  a  pot  a  size  or  two  larger.  Top-dress  all  with  rich 
soil.  In  lifting  plants  from  the  beds,  work  with  much 
care  to  retain  all  the  roots.  A  large  ball  of  earth,  plant 
in  center,  may  be  lifted  with  a  spade,  and  reduced  for 
the  pot  by  the  use  of  a  pointed  stick.  Have  pots  from 
four  to  eight  Inches  across  on  hand,  and  use  them  as 
small  as  will  answer.  Work  good  soil  firmly  between 
the  ball  of  earth  and  the  pots.  Then  water  well,  set 
closely  together  in  the  shade  f()r  a  week,  sprinkling  the 
foliage  lightly  half  a  dozen  times  dally;  afterwards 
give  more  space  and  light,  hut  avoid  full  sunlight  yet 
for  two  weeks.  Plants  that  have  bloomed  all  summer 
require  to  be  severely  cut  back,  both  top  and  at  the 
roots.  Store  good  potting  soil  In  the  cellar,  also  sand, 
moss,  sods,  etc. 

Hanging  baskets  and  vases  may  yet  be  left  out  If 
carefully  protected  on  cool  aud  frosty  nights. 

Mignonette.  Sow  seeds  of  this  and  any  other  annual 
that  may  be  desired  for  the  window  garden. 

Oxalis  may  now  be  start-ed  Into  growth,  and  will 
make  excellent  window  plants.  Among  the  best  for 
this  purpose  are  O.  florlbunda,  lutea,  Bowerl,  etc. 

Roses.  The  repotting  or  lifting  of  plants  Intended 
for  winter  bloom  should  now  no  longer  be  deferred. 
Old  fibrous  sods,  finely  divided  but  not  sifted,  with 
one-third  of  Its  bidk  well-decayed  manure  makes  the 
best  potting  soil  for  Roses, 

Tuberoses  not  yet  done  flowering  may  he  taken  up 
and  potted. 

Verbenas  to  be  kept  over,  should  consist  of  young 
plants  propagated  from  tender  shoots  after  middle  of 
this  month. 


LAWN  AND  FLOWER  GARDEN. 

Bulbs.  Prepare  bed  of  hardy  bulbs,  such  as  Hya- 
cinth, Tulip,  Crocus,  etc.,  at  once,  and  begin  planting 
just  as  soon  as  bulbs  can  be  obtained  from  the  dealer. 
Rotten  cow-dung  is  perhaps  the  best  fertilizer  for  all 
these  bulbs.  For  fine  effect  sot  Tulips  five  Inches,  Hya- 
cinths seven  inches,  and  smaller-sized  bulbs,  such  as 
Crocus  and  Snowdrops,  two  of  three  inches  apart  each 
way.  Set  the  smaller  buds  four  Inches  deep  and  the 
larger  ones  about  six  Inches.  Narcissus.  Crocus  and 
Snowdrops  are  well  suited  for  close  clumps  by  them- 
selves. 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


265 


Evergreens.  If  any  pruning  has  yet  to  be  done,  be- 
cause overlooked  earlier  In  the  season,  this  should  not 
be  long  delaye<i.  In  late  summer  the  resin  whk-h 
exudes  from  the  cut  branches,  prevents  Injurious  ex- 
posure to  the  air.  Where  the  trees  have  been  properl>' 
nourished  with  well-rotted  manure,  the  effect  will 
show  In  stronger  growth  and  Intensity  of  color. 

EverlastinKs.  The  flowers  should  be  cut  when 
about  half  open,  and  dried  In  the  shade. 

Dahlias.  Attend  to  the  proper  staking.  They  need 
stakes  at  the  side  branches  as  much  as  at  the  main. 

ForBet-Me-Nots  to  be  divided  early  tn  the  month. 
They  will  then  become  well  established  before  winter, 
and  belter  able  to  endure  thehardshlpsof  winter,  with 
its  unavoidable  freezing  and  thawlnK. 

Fall  Frosts.  The  Hrst  of  these  often  occurs  latter 
part  of  the  month.  Be  on  your  guard,  and  when  a 
frost  Is  anticipated,  cover  up  all  tender  things  out-doors 
that  maj*  yet  be  useful  In  the  days  of  flne,  warm 
weather  usually  following  after  such  first  one  or  two 
frosty  night. 

Gladiolus.  The  bulbs  will  develop  all  the  better  if 
the  flower  stalks  are  cut  off  before  seed  begins  to  form 
and  ripen. 

Hanging  baskets  and  vases  may  be  kept  in  good 
condition  and  attractive  for  some  time,  If  protected 
from  the  tlrst  fall  frost. 

Labels.  Where  It  is  desired  that  the  names  of  var- 
ieties be  preserved,  the  proper  labels  should  be  put  on 
Dahlias,  Gladiolus,  etc.,  before  frost  destroys  the  tops. 

Lawn.  Cooler  autumn  weather  and  more  frequent 
rains  promote  the  growth  of  the  grass,  consequentli- 
the  lawQ  mower  should  be  used  more  frequently. 
Sow  seed  where  the  grass  Is  thin. 

Lobelia  cardinalis  makes  a  very  attractive  plant 
when  grown  In  clumps.  It  is  a  native  and  easllj' 
grown  from  see^l.  Sow  them  as  soon  as  ripe.  Old 
plants  may  be  divided  In  October  or  in  spring. 

Planting.  All  trees,  shrubs  and  bulbs  to  be  planted 
this  fall  should  be  ordered  now;  bulbs  to  be  delivered 
and  planted  as  early  as  can  be.  It  is  well  to  tell  your 
dealer  that  no  trees  and  shrubs  are  wanted  except 
such  as  are  dug  after  the  leaves  have  fullj  matured. 
Then  have  the  stock  sent  on,  and  plant  them  the 
sooner  the  better. 

Perennials.  Pseonies,  Phloxes,  Lilies,  Irises,  etc., 
will  have  finished  their  growth.  The  clumps  of  all 
such  may  be  taken  up.  divided  and  reset. 

Tritomas  to  be  given  an  occasional  dose  of  liquid 
manure  to  assist  them  in  perfecting  their  flower  spikes. 

Violets.  Make  a  bed  for  flowers  in  early  spring. 
Prepare  a  frame  with  well-enriched  soil,  and  plant 
with  vigorous  plants  from  runners. 


PLANT    CULTURE    UNDER    GLASS. 

Acacia.  Water  regularly,  else  the  plants  will  lose 
flowers  and  foliage. 

Begonias  now  coming  into  bloom,  like  a  suimy  situ- 
ation.   .A.pp!y  liquid  manure  from  time  to  time. 

Bonvardia,  Carnations,  Stevia,  Violets,  etc ,  are  often 
lifted  and  budded  out  in  the  plant  houses.  When  this 
is  done  keep  the  house  close,  shaded  and  frequently 
sprinkled  for  a  week  or  two,  afterwards  gradually 
giving  more  light  and  air. 

Chrysantbemoms.    See  under  "House  Plants." 

Cinerarias.  Prick  out  seedlings  as  soon  as  they  can 
be  handled.  Into  pots  or  pans.  Admit  air  and  water  as 
required.  A  cool,  airy  situation  is  best  for  the  plants 
now  getting  in  shape  for  flowering. 

Dracenas.    Repot  this  month  if  required  at  all. 

General  Directions.  The  greenhouse  should  now  be 
put  In  perfect  shape  for  receiving  plants.  Make  a 
final  thorough  inspection  of  the  whole  arrangement. 
See  that  heater  and  pipes  are  in  working  order.  Be- 
fore getting  the  stock  into  winter  quarters,  give  the 
house  also  a  thorough  fumigation  with  Tobacco  stems, 
repeating  twice  each  week  all  through  the  greenhouse 
season.  Some  of  the  more  tender  warm  house  plants 
may  need  a  fire  started  up  during  some  of  these  cool 
nights:  but  for  the  ordinary  greenhouse  plants  we 
would  put  off  "firing  up"  until  absolutely  needed. 
Air  freely,  and  guard  against  aphis,  thrips,  etc.,  by 
fumigation,  as  mentioned,  as  also  by  strewing  Tobacco 
among  the  pots. 

Hebeclinnms  when  rapi<lly  growing  should  be 
given  an  occasional  application  of  liquid  manure. 

Hardy  bnlbs  for  early  winter  flowering  should  be 
potted  as  soon  as  they  can  be  procured  from  the  dealer. 
Use  well-drained  pots,  and  a  light,  rich  soil,  containing 
sufficient  sand  to  keep  it  open.  Set  In  a  dark  place  at 
first,  until  the  roots  have  become  well  developed. 

Orchids.  As  the  days  shorten,  less  moisture  should 
be  given  to  most  varieties.  A  low  temperature  during 
winter  to  keep  these  plants  almost  dormant  is  the  best 
treatment. 

Plunged  plants  must  be  brought  in  before  frost  can 
do  them  Injury.  Small  plants  may  go  into  frames  for 
a  while, where  protection  in  bad  weather  can  be  given. 

Frimnlas  should  be  guarded  against  over-watering, 
and  the  double  white  against  too  much  sun. 

Propagation  ot  a  general  stock  of  tender  plants  to 
be  Increased  during  fall  and  winter  for  spring  and 
later  use,  should  now  be  begun.  Whenever  pot  plants 
show  young  growth  fit  for  the  purpose,  use  It  for  cut- 
tings.   Pot  them  off  at  the  flrst  sign  of  roots. 

Syringe  the  newly  planted  houses  occasionally,  and 
give  free  ventilation  when  the  weather  L«  favorable. 


FRUIT  GARDEN  AND  ORCHARD. 

Apples.  Gather  them  as  they  mature,  and  save 
carefully. 

Blackberries  and  Raspberries  now  need  no  further 
cultivation. 

Borers.  All  young  trees  need  a  through  inspection 
at  this  time  for  lK)rers.    Dig  them  out  or  wire  them. 

Budding.  This  Is  the  usual  monthfor  budding  Peach 
trees,  and  still  in  season  for  all  trees  yet  making  vig- 
orous growth,  as  Indicated  by  the  readiness  with  which 
the  bark  lifts  from  the  stock.  Cut  the  tieing  material 
on  earlier  set  buds.  Re-bud  where  the  flrst  attempt 
was  a  failure. 

General  Directions.  We  can  only  repeat  that  it  will 
pay  the  grower  to  take  the  utmost  care  In  saving  and 
utilizing  his  fruit  this  season,  because  it  Is  scarce  and 
will  be  dear.  There  will  be  little  necessity  for  thin- 
ning anywhere,  nor  for  propping.  Refrain  from  sow- 
ing grain  In  young  orchards. 

Grapes  should  be  packed  In  boxes  holding  three  and 
five  pounds,  of  wood  or  pasteboard,  according  to  the 
usage  of  the  market.  Large  quantities  are  shipped  in 
handled  baskets,  holding  ten  pounds,  with  a  cover  of 
some  thin  stuff.  Use  scissors  in  gathering;  those 
which  hold  the  bunch  after  it  is  cut  are  convenient, 
and  allow  one  to  avoid  handling  the  fruit.  Fine  ap- 
pearance depends  upon  preserving  the  bloom. 

Marketing.  See  advice  given  under  this  heading  In 
August  number. 

Pears  of  most  varieties  are  better  if  ripened  indoors. 
The  proper  time  to  gather  them  is  indicated  by  the 
ease  with  which  the  stem  parts  from  the  branch,  when 
the  fruit  Is  slightly  lifted  up. 

Picking.  The  returns  for  our  fruit  are  greatly  in- 
fluenced by  the  care  with  which  they  are  gathered. 
Peaches,  Plums,  and  even  Apples  and  Pears,  ought  to 
be  handled  as  carefully  as  eggs;  and  they  ought  to  be 
picked  just  when  at  the  proper  degree  of  ripeness,  so 
they  will  reach  the  consumer  when  tn  the  height  of 
perfection. 

Planting.  When  the  soil  can  be  properly  prepared, 
and  trees  to  be  had  with  wood  and  foliage  thoroughly 
matured,  fall  planting  is  advisable  for  all  but  stone 
fruits.    Trees  should  be  ordered  early. 

Pruning  may  be  doue  after  the  foliage  has  fully 
matured.  Young  trees  should  have  all  superfluous 
shoots  removed,  and  the  head  brought  into  shape. 

Strawberry  beds  should  be  gone  over  occasionally 
to  remove  all  weeds,  so  that  none  will  go  to  seed. 


VEGETABLE  GARDEN. 

Asparagus.  It  is  now  time  to  remove  the  tops,  in 
order  to  prevent  them  from  scattering  seed.  Toung 
plants  thus  started  are  worse  than  weeds.  New  beds 
may  be  set  out  any  time  in  the  fall,  if  the  soil  is  well 
drained  and  well  prepared. 

Beans.  The  ripe  seed  of  the  bush  varieties  may  be 
gathered  and  tised  in  place  of  the  common  field  Beans 
for  the  table.  Lima  Beans  for  seed  should  be  taken 
from  the  pods  nearest  the  ground. 

Cabbage  and  Cauliflower.  Seed  for  the  early  crop 
should  be  sown  this  month;  the  plants  to  be  wintered 
in  cold  frames.  It  is  usually  best  to  make  two  sowings, 
one  on  Sept.  15th  and  other  Sept.  20th.  The  young 
plants  should  be  set  into  the  frames  about  November 
1st.    Hoe  the  fall  crop  often. 

Celery.  Keep  them  growing  thriftily  by  frequent 
cultivation  and  hoeing,  Earth  up  the  early  crop,  and 
give  to  the  later  one  Its  first  handling. 

Com.  Save  seed  from  the  best  hills  in  the  patch. 
To  dry  Sweet  Corn,  boll  until  the  milk  is  set,  cut  from 
the  cob  and  dry  quickly. 

Cresses,  if  desired  for  any  purpose,  may  yet  be  sown. 

Egg  Plants.  Encourage  growth  vrlth  liquid  manure. 
Guard  against  the  fall  frosts. 

Kale.  The  hardy  sorts  may  yet  be  sown,  best  thinly 
in  drills.  The  young  plants  may  be  thinned  out  as 
needed  and  used  for  greens.  Growth  will  continue 
more  or  less  all  winter. 

Lettuce  may  be  sown  In  open  ground  to  be  set  out 
In  frames  later  on. 

Melons.  The  late  fruit  which  has  no  chance  of 
reaching  maturity,  might  as  well  be  removed  at  once. 

Onions.  The  dying  tops  give  indication  that  the 
crop  is  ready  for  harvesting.  Pull  and  leave  In  wind- 
ows until  the  tops  are  well  dried:  then  top  and  leave 
in  hills  to  cure,  sell,  or  store  for  winter.  Seed  may  be 
sown  late  to  remain  out  all  winter  for  early  spring. 

Peppers  should  not  be  exposed  to  frost.  Plants  may 
be  pulled  up  and  hung  somewhere  under  shelter,  where 
they  will  continue  to  ripen  their  fruit. 

Spinach  may  now  be  sown  for  early  spring  greens. 
Have  rows  one  foot  apart;  sow  plenty  of  seed  and  firm 
the  ground  well.  If  too  thick,  thin  in  November,  using 
the  thinnings  for  greens. 

Root  Crops.  Hoe  between  the  rows  as  long  as  the 
foliage  permits.  Afterwards  pull  up  all  stray  weeds 
to  prevent  their  seeding. 

Squashes.  The  winter  sorts  should  be  gathered  and 
housed  before  frost. 

Tomatoes.  If  frost  Is  threatened,  protect  a»meof 
the  plants  to  have  a  late  supply;  also  gather  the  fruit 
on  those  left  unprotected.  All  fully  developed  speci- 
mens, if  exxKJsed  to  the  sun,  under  glass  If  necessary, 


will  gradually  ripen.  The  green  ones  may  be  used  for 
pickling  material.  There  Is  usually  also  a  ready  de- 
mand for  green  Tomatoes  In  the  markets. 

Turnips.  Continue  cultivation,  hoeing  and  weeding. 
Thin  where  too  close.  The  early  sorts  may  still  be 
sown  with  good  prospects  of  getting  a  crop,  except  at 
the  extreme  north. 

FRUITS  AND  VEGETABLES  UNDER 
GLASS. 

Oncnmbeis.  If  wanted  during  Januar>-  and  later, 
start  seeds  now  and  grow  in  high  heat.  Air  freely,  but 
do  not  stimulate  growth  otherwise  much  at  the  start. 

Grapes.  In  early  hotises  the  wood  has  ripened,  and 
leaves  begin  to  drop.  Prune  the  vines  and  cleanse  the 
canes.  It  Is  also  now  the  best  time  to  wash  or  paint 
the  Inside  wood-work  of  the  house.  In  later  houses, 
where  fruit  has  not  yet  ripened,  keep  the  temperature 
at  about  55^  to  60*  at  night,  with  10«  or  15*  higher  by 
day.  When  the  fruit  Is  ripe  the  atmosphere  should  be 
kept  rather  dry. 


THE    POULTRY    YARD. 

Improve  the  Breed.  Avoid  inbreeding.  Get 
new,  and  if  possible,  better  blood  from  time  to 
time.  Now  is  the  season  to  purchase  the  needed 
cockerels,  and  whilst  you  are  about  it,  gel  good 
ones  only. 

Charcoal  mixed  with  soft  feed  for  all  kinds  of 
poultry  is  better  and  cheaper  than  any  condition 
powder,  because  it  does  good  and  is  harmless, 
which  cannot  be  said  of  patent  nostrums.— Texas 
Farm  and  Ranch. 

Give  Them  Whole  Wheat.  When  hens  begin 
shedding  their  feathers,  they  generally  begin  to 
quit  laying.  If  they  are  fed  on  good  healthy  food 
that  is  easily  digested,  and  esi>ecially  green  stuff, 
they  will  continue  to  drop  an  occasional  egg  all 
through  the  moulting  season. 

Bequiflites  for  September.     As  long  as  the 

season  remains  hot,  perfect  ventilation  of  the 
poultry  houses,  and  treciuent  cleansing  and  de- 
odorizing can  be  neglected  only  at  the  risk  of 
health  ami  perhaps  lives  of  fowls.  Use  air-siacked 
lime  and  sifted  wood  ashes,  and  the  kerosene 
spray  often  and  thoroughly.  ' 

Care  Always  Pays.  Care  bestowed  upon  poul- 
try is  not  lost  by  any  means,  for  the  fowls  appre- 
ciate kindness  and  attention,  and  are  very  quick 
in  returning  favors  in  the  shape  of  nice  fresh 
eggs.  The  better  the  care,  and  the  more  varied 
the  diet,  the  better  will  Ije  the  results  obtained, 
and  consequent  increased  profit  for  the  keeper. 

Sow  some  Eye  for  PastuTe.  Hens  need  some 
kind  of  green  food  every  day,  and  there  is  noth- 
ing better  than  green  rye  in  its  season.  Prepare 
a  piece  of  ground  near  the  poultry  house  for  this 
purpose,  and  sow  the  Kye  without  delay.  If  put 
in  later  it  may  be  eaten  off  as  fast  as  it  grows 
and  thus  destroyed.  It  should  get  a  good  start 
before  the  hens  are  turned  in. 

The  Late  Chickens.  Chicks  hatched  very  late 
never  amount  to  much  unless  well  taken  c*areof, 
liberally  and  often  fed,  and  sheltered  during  pro- 
longed rains.  We  like  a  few  late  pullets,  as  they, 
if  properly  handled,  will  give  us  eggs  until 
late  next  summer  when  other  fowls  cease  laying. 
The  late  cockerels,  however,  should  go  into  the 
kettle,  or  to  market,  at  an  early  opportunity. 

The  Dust  Bath.  Any  roomy  box  will  answer 
for  the  hens  to  dust  themselves  in.  A  cheese 
box  is  good  and  very  often  used.  It  is  the  same 
as  a  bath,  and  equally  as  important  to  a  fowl  as 
a  washing  is  to  a  dirty  i>erson.  Good  road  dust 
with  a  mixture  of  sulphur  is  the  best.  Ashes,  if 
allowed  in  the  pen  of  fowls  with  yellow  legs,  will 
ruin  them  for  exhibition  purposes.— F.  and  H. 

Weeding-out  the  Flock.  Now  is  the  time  to 
begin.  Select  your  best  pullets  and  the  best  of 
the  cocks,  to  the  number  required,  and  dispose 
of  the  rest,  old  and  young.  It  is  not  usiially 
profitable  to  hold  for  higher  prices.  If  not  in 
tirst-rate  condition,  separate  the  fowls  to  be  dis- 
carded from  those  to  be  kept,  and  give  them  all 
the  Corn  Ihey  will  eat.  It  will  soon  make  them 
fat  enough  for  market  or  the  table. 

Divide  the  Flocks,  It  is  universally  conceded 
that  the  best  results  are  from  small  fiocks.  When 
too  many  are  kept  together  there  is  a  constant 
struggle  for  existence,  the  stronger  ones  bully- 
ing the  weaker  ones.  There  is  no  difficulty  in 
keeping  a  large  number  of  hens  if  they  are  pro- 
perly divided:  that  is,  not  over  one  cock  and  25 
hens  in  a  flock  for  the  active  breeds,  and  not  over 
one  cock  to  12  hens  for  the  quiet  breeds.  If  divi- 
ded in  this  manner  the  best  result  can  be  ob- 
tained. Two  cocks  should  never  be  kept  in  the 
same  flock.— Ohio  Farmer. 

Give  them  Grit.  When  your  hens  are  droopy 
and  seem  anxiously  searching  for  something, 
and  refuse  to  eat,  give  them  grit.  When  they 
seem  crop-bound,  with  the  crop  soft  and  water 
running  out  of  the  mouth,  give  tnem  grit.  When 
they  do  not  lay  and  waste  a  portion  of  their  food, 
give  them  grit.  When  they  molt  slowly  or  have 
bowel  disease,  give  them  grit.  If  you  want  to 
prevent  cholera  by  having  the  flock  %'igorous, 
give  them  grit.  If  it  is  desirable  to  have  the 
hens  derive  all  the  nutrition  in  the  fo(K3,  give 
them  grit.  If  it  is  desired  to  make  the  hens  get 
every  particle  of  lime  from  the  food  and  thus 
return  good,  hard-shelled  eggs,  feed  them  this 
sovereign  need.— Farmer  and  Stockman. 


266 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


September, 


CorrespondentH  are  uryed  to  anticipate  the  aeaaon  in  pre 
tenting  'Tuestions.  To  ask,  for  inittaTWe,  on  April  l^  or  £0 
what  Peaa  had  bent  be  aoum,  could  bring  no  answer  in 
the  Mat/  issue,  and  none  before  June,  when  the  answer 
would  be  unseasonable.  Questions  receivedbefore  the  litn 
of  any  month  stand  a  good  chance  of  being  answered  tn  the 
next  paper.  Not  more  than  three  questions  should  be  sent 
at  one  time.  Answers  to  questions  bearina  on  tMcom- 
parative  value  of  implements,  etc.,  offered  by  different 
dealers  must  not  be  expected.  Neither  can  we  promise  to 
comply  with  tne  request  sometimes  made  to  "please  answer 
by  mail."  Inquiries  appearing  unthout  name  belong  to  the 
name  next  following . 

Replies  to  Inquiries  are  earnestly  requested  from  our 
readers.  In  answering  such  give  the  number,  your 
locality  and  name,  the  latter  not  for  publication,  unless 
you  desire.     Write  only  on  one  side  of  the  paper. 

1,97U.  Celery  Blieht.  OutslUe  leaves  are  affected 
with  yellow  and  brown  spots,  and  die  of.  What  Is  the 
cause  and  remedy?— SrBsoRlBER,  Mercer  Co..  Pa, 

!.971.  Irrigating  a  Knoll.  Level  of  water  supply 
ten  inches  below  highest  point.  What  Is  best  means 
of  raising  the  water?  Can  I  do  so  by  making  use  of 
the  pressure  of  one  foot  at  mouth  of  flume  thorough 
an  aperture,  and  force  It  out  of  other  end  through  a 
great  deal  smaller  aperture?— F.  R.  W.,  Riverside,  Cat. 

1.972.  Lucretia  Dewberry.  Is  it  a  good  fruit  for 
market?  Iff  so.  where  can  1  get  a  few  thousand  plants 
cheap  and  true  to  name?    3. \.Vi .,  Klickitat  Co.,  Wash. 

1.973.  Phosphoric  Acid  in  Bones.  What  percent, 
age  of  the  acid  U  cotalned  in  bones  when  burnt  to 
ashes? 

1.974.  Rotten  Wood  as  Fertilizer.  Is  it  of  any 
value? 

1,975.    Nitrate  of  Soda.     Where  can  it  be  obtained 
and  at  what  price?— W.  L.  H.,  Fort  Collins,  Col. 

1.976.  Wintering  Spinach.  Can  the  plants  be  dug 
up  in  autumn  and  wintered  successfully  in  pits  like 
Celery?-M.  E.  W..  Mich. 

1.977.  Pears  in  Alabama.  W  hat  kind  would  be  best 
here  for  orchard  planting?  Will  heavy  clay  underlaid 
with  gravel  do  tor  Pears?  The  land  is  very  level  and  a 
little  cold,  but  uo  water  standing  on  it. 

1.978.  Apple  Twig  Blight.  Ends  of  twigs  have  been 
dying  down  quite  badly.  What  is  the  cause  and  how 
cured?— J.  S.,  Floreiice,  Ala. 

1.979.  Ants  on  Lawn.  How  can  I  best  dispose  of  a 
colony  of  small  red  ants  on  my  lawn?— G.  H.  C,  Jr. 
Edsallville,  Pa. 

1.980.  Remedy  for  Tomato  Worm.  Worms  are 
boring  holes  into  the  Tomatoes,  doing  much  damage. 
Can  you  suggest  remedy?- H.  C.  C,  Memphis,  Tenn, 

1.981.  Quince-leaf  Blight.  Ends  of  the  top  limbs 
are  dying.  What  is  the  trouble  and  best  treatment?— 
H.  P."W.,  .SV.  Catharines,  Onl. 

1,983.  Plan  of  Ice  House.  Can  you  give  plan  for 
keeping  small  ijuantity  of  ice,  say  two  tons,  for  family 
use  during  summer?— W.  T.  Q„  Wauken,  Iowa. 

1.983.  Black  Spot  of  Rose.  Can  you  suggest  a  pre- 
ventive or  cure?— Rose  Lover,  Pa. 

1.984.  Broom  Corn  Culture.  Please  tell  how  grown 
and  prepared  for  market?- W.  S.  M.,  Virginia. 

1,935.  Maple  Bark  Louse.  How  can  I  clear  my  fine 
shade  trees  of  this  pe8t?~E.  N.  T.,  Ohio. 

1,986.  The  Wine  Plant.  This  some  years  ago  was 
sent  out  as  a  new  variety  of  Rhubarb,  from  which  a 
choice  wine  could  be  made.  What  is  the  truth  about 
thls?-VV.  R.Siioouer.  Wis. 

1,9-7.  Exochordia  grandiflora.  The  leaves  turned 
brown  at  the  edges:  In  June  the  foliage  all  burnt  up. 
and  plant  died,  shall  get  another  plant.  How  must  it 
be  treated?- E.  R.,  Ida  Grove,  Iowa. 

1,988.    Skeleton  Lily.    What  is  its  botanical  name? 

1,9S9.  LiliumKrameri.  Is  It  as  hardy  asL.auratum? 
E.  P.  R.,  Kennebunk,  Me. 

1.990.  Lime  Water  ior  Earth  Worms,  How  pre- 
pared to  be  safe  for  use  on  Begonias, etc.?  How  often 
to  be  applied?— U.  A.  B„  Scranton,  Pa. 

1.991.  Manure  for  Rose  Beds.  Would  a  dressing  of 
bone  dust  or  nitrate  of  soda  restore  exhausted  beds? 
When  should  it  be  applied?  Where  can  nitrate  of  soda 
be  obtained? 

1.992.  Tuberous-rooted  Begonias.  How  propa- 
gated?—H.  K.  D.,  W.  I'll. 

1.993.  Orange  Rust  on  Raspberries.  One  bush  in 
every  five  Is  alfected.  What  can  1  do?  What  is  the 
cause  of  the  disease?— S.  W.  H.,  Henry  Co.,  Illinois. 

1.994.  Keeping  Cider  Sweet.  How  best  done  with- 
out the  use  of  dangerous  chendcals?— Walther.  Conn. 

1.995.  Sweet  Violets  for  Cut  Flower  Trade.  Please 
tell  me  about  making  frames  for  growing  them  In, 
variety  of  soil,  distance  between  plants,  general  treat 
ment,  variety,  etc.?— U.  A.  S.,  Queens  Co.,  N.  V. 

1.996.  Golden  Elder  Leaves  Dying.  What  is  the 
cause  and  remedy?  La-st  ye^r  was  wet,  this  year  is 
dry,  but  the  partial  burning  or  dying  is  the  same.— 
Wm.  R.  C,  Mass. 

1.997.  Keeping  Seed  Beans  Pure.  Is  it  safe  to  gather 
Beans  for  seed  where  more  than  one  variety  is  grown? 
I  wish  to  keep  them  pure.— subscriber.  Conn, 

1.998.  Plant-Eating  Lady  Bug.  What  can  be  done 
for  the  hairy  slug  that  eats  our  Bean  leaves?— R.  S.  T., 
Coloradx>. 

1.999.  Remedy  for  Ants.  Lawn  infested  with  black 
and  red  ants.  What  is  the  best  remedy?— H.  J.  S., 
Chicago,  Ills. 

2,000.  Wintering  Monthly  Roses  in  Open  Ground. 
How  best  done?- R.  M.  S.,  Indiana. 


2.001.  Mango  and  Cauliflower  Pickles.  Please  give 
a  few  good  recipes.- R.  S.  N.,  Oft  to. 

3.002.  Preventing  Tomato  Rot.  Krult  is  badly 
struck  with  a  black  rot  at  the  free  end.  What  can  we 
do  for  it?- W.  S.,  Yarmouth,  Mass. 

2.003.  Eradicating  Burdocks.  Notwithstanding 
frequent  cutting  they  manage  to  live.  What  is  to  be 
done?- F.  S.  N.,  Ontario. 

3.004.  Top-Set  Onions.  What  relation  have  these 
to  the  black  seed  Onions?- Si'bscribek. 

3.l«i5.  Best  Harrow  for  the  Orchardist.  Which  Is 
II/-0.  S.  F.,  Pa. 

2.0<>6.  Winter  Covering  for  Fansies,  Spinach,  etc. 
What  material  is  best?— W.ykmdth,  N.  Y. 

2,l*yi.  Roses  for  Out-Door  Culture.  Please  name  a 
few  of  the  best  of  each  class.— G.  S.  W.,  Syracuse,  N,  Y. 

2,008.  Pruning  Pear  Trees.  How  should  this  be 
done?— Inquirer. 

2,0*jy.  Flowers  for  Perfumery  Purposes.  Can 
flowers  be  used  to  scent  hair  oils,  or  to  make  perfumery 
In  a  simple  and  practical  way?— M.  N.  P..  11,  Va. 

REPLIES    TO    INQUIRIES. 

1,!<79.  Green  Fly  on  Hawthorne.  Syringe  tree 
with  stioDg  Tobacco  water.— H.  W.  S. 

1,891.  Cultore  of  Tropical  Frnits.  Spons 
Tropical  Cultivator,  published  in  London,  could 
be  obtained  through  any  large  book  concern, 
possibly  for  $6.50.— H.  W.  .S. 

1,99.3.  Orange  Rust  on  Baipberries,  The  only 
thing  that  can  be  done  with  an.v  hope  of  eradica- 
ting the  disease,  is  to  pull  up  and  burn  every 
cane  as  soon  as  it  shows  the  affection. 

1,967.  Weeds  on  Qarden  Paths.  The  best  and 
cheapest  way  of  preventing  growth  of  Grass 
and  small  weeds  on  garden  walks  is  to  salt  them 
during  dry  weather  in  the  spring  with  common 
salt,  it  may  be  sprinkled  all  over  the  surface 
except  near  the  edges.  If  the  wallis  are  edged 
with  Box  there  will  be  danger  of  killing  the  Box. 
It  walks  are  turned  over  every  spring,  put  into 
the  best  shape  (slightly  convex)  for  throwing  off 
the  water,  there  will  not  be  much  trouble  with 
weeds.  A  boy  or  a  woman,  after  a  shower,  will 
soon  pull  out  any  weeds  which  show,  and  the 
roller  will  make  all  firm  again.— A.  H.  E. 

1,96».  Ants  in  the  Garden,  We  have  found 
several  efficient  remedies  as  follows  :  A  trap  is 
made,  by  sinking  a  small-necked  bottle  level 
with  the  ground  near  their  entrance;  the  ants 
will  run  in  and  fall  in,  and  a  few  days'  perse- 
verance will  catch  a  large  colony.  The  ants  in 
the  bottle  can  be  killed  by  a  few  drops  of 
kerosene,  and  the  bottle  put  into  the  place  again. 
Another  way  is  to  dig  up  the  hill,  early  in  the 
morning  when  the  ants  were  all  in  the  nest,  and 
with  a  pail  of  water  work  the  nest  over 
thoroughly  until  the  whole  mass  was  thin  mud. 
Where  toads  are  very  nunierous  they  cut  ni;ui,\- 
ants  in  the  garden,  but  do  not  tind  tlmsi.'  on  tin.' 
sidewalks.  We  have  called  them  to  nvir  spmlul 
help  by  building  a  little  pen  around  the  ant  hill, 
and  put  into  it  a  good-sized  toad,  and  find  no 
ants  there  after  a  few  days.— Bender  Bros., 
Munroe  To.,  N.  Y. 

1,969.  How  to  Force  Bhnbarb.  If  the  crowns 
of  the  Rhubarb  plants  are  strong  place  the  roots 
in  the  frame  about  the  first  week  in  December, 
or  any  time  from  that  onwards.  They  may 
stand  close  together,  but  all  the  interstices  be- 
tween should  be  filled  up  with  light  rich  soil 
flrml.v  rammed  in.  Keep  it  well  supplied  with 
moisture,  and  cover  the  frame  with  mats,  to 
save  the  heat.  Rhubarb  forces  best  in  the  dark. 
-E.  H.  L.,  Erie.  A.  I'. 

1,994.  Keeping  Cider  Sweet,  cider  to  be  kept 
unfermented  should  be  made  as  late  in  autumn 
as  possible,  as  it  would  be  difficult  to  keep  from 
fermenting  when  made  early  in  the  season. 
November-made  cider,  if  bunged  up  tight  and 
stored  where  a  temperatuse  near  the  freezing 
point  can  be  maintained,  will  probably  keep 
sweet  indefinitely,  Some  people  put  in  a  half- 
pound  or  a  pound  of  Mustard  seed  to  the  barrel, 
of  cider,  and  others  use  sulphite  of  lime  in  the 
same  way.  The  old-time  method  of  scalding  is 
considered  by  many  people  one  of  the  best  and 
least  objectionable  methods.  We  see  this  de- 
scribed as  follows  :  When  the  cider  has  slightly 
fermented,  it  should  be  drawn  or  dipped  from 
the  casks,  where  it  has  been  standing  to  settle, 
into  large  copper  kettles  or  an  old  copper  still. 
and  be  heated  Just  up  up  to  the  boiling  point 
and  no  longer,  when  it  should  be  again  put  into 
open  casks  to  settle  and  become  cold.  It  will 
then  be  ready  to  be  tightly  bunged  in  barrels 
and  stored  away.  During  the  heating  a  large 
cjuantity  of  scum  will  rise  to  the  top  to  he  skim- 
med off,  and  during  the  <(«>linK  most  nt  the  im- 
purities still  held  in  solution  will  he  dcpcmited  as 
sediment  in  the  bottom  nt  the  casks.  While 
cider  thus  created  will  afterwads  taste  slightly 
of  the  scalding,  it  will  not  be  unpleasant  to  those 
who  like  it  sweet,  and  is  to  be  preferred  to  that 
in  which  fermentation  has  been  arrested  by 
Mustard  seed  or  chemicals.  This  process  will 
stop  fermentation  at  the  right  point  to  leave  it 
sweet,  and  will  quite  thoroughly  cleanse  it  from 
impurities,  but  will  effect  it  unfavorably  for 
making  into  vinegar  afterwards— G.  K. 


1,8.53.  Hollyhock  Blight.  So  far  as  our  own 
experience  goes,  there  is  no  cure  for  Hollyhock 
disease.  It  is  common  here  in  Miissaclnisetts. 
We  grew  them  very  suciiessfully  iti  Passaic,  N. 
J.,  for  yeai'S,  but  it  is  useless  to  attempt  jrrowing 
them  here,  owing  to  the  fungus.— E.  O.  O. 

l,9!il.  Manure  for  Kose  Beds.  There  is  prob- 
ably no  better  way  to  restore  the  fertility  of 
worn-out  Kose  beds  than  by  the  application  of 
at  least  two  inches  of  well-rotted  stable  manure 
and  working  this  thoroughly  into  the  soil  to 
the  depth  of  one  foot.  In  the  absence  of  suit- 
able stable  manure  bone  dust  may  be  applied  at 
the  rate  of  ten  pounds  to  every  one  hundred 
square  feet  of  surface.  This  also  shoul<l  be  well 
incorporated  with  the  soil  to  the  depth  mention- 
ed. I  would  also  use  nitrate  of  soda,  if  to  be 
used  conveniently,  in  light  but  repeated  dress- 
ings, say  at  the  rate  of  one  pound  to  two  hundred 
square  feet,  or  in  solution  at  the  same  rate. 
This  substance  may  be  bought  of  ail  fertilizer 
firms  near  the  sea  cost,  and  costs  about  g2.50  per 
100  pounds  in  small  quantities.  In  the  absence 
of  nitrate  of  soda  (Chili  saltpeter)  nitrate  of 
potash  (common  saltpeter)  applied  in  somewhat 
smaller  doses,  will  probably  give  good  results. 

1,857.  Slug  Shot.  We  have  used  this  the  past 
season  with  excellent  success  for  Potatoe  bugs 
and  slugs :  one  thorough  application  cleaned  the 
vines  from  the  pest  within  '24  houas,  so  that 
hardly  a  bug  was  left  to  tell  the  story.  There 
was  no  ill  effect  from  the  application.— G.  K. 

1,901.  Cu  ting  Sweet  Potato  Vines.  This  was 
never  done  in  Northern  Indiana,  my  old  home, 
where  I  have  grown  and  seen  grown  many  acres. 
There  some  practised  moving  or  raising  the  vines 
with  a  fork  and  rake  handle  to  prevent  their 
rooting  on  the  sides  of  the  ridges.  But  they 
were  never  cut  until  digging  time.  In  Florida, 
it  is  never  done  except  in  June  or  July  when 
cuttings  of  the  vines  are  taken  off  to  set  new 
plantations.— W.  C.  Steele. 

1,891.  Cnlture  of  Tropical  Fruits,  Florida 
Fruits  and  How  to  Grow  Them,  by  Helen  Har- 
court,  is  a  popular  treatise  on  Cultivation  of 
plants  and  fruits  iii<iuired  about.  The  directions, 
however,  arc  feu- outdoor  culture  in  Florida.  I 
know  of  no  l)ook  gi\  uig  dircctn»ns  tor  cultiva- 
ting them  in  the  house  in  a  cold  clnnate.  By  the 
use  of  a  little  common  sense  tlic  directions  of 
the  above  book  might  be  ad.justcd  to  home  cul- 
ture.—W.  C.  Steele. 

1,621.  Crinum  Americanum.  This  question 
"How  best  kept  over  winter?"  appeared  in  the 
January  number.  Though  out  of  season,  some 
information  may  be  useful  now.  This  species  is 
a  native  of  Florida,  being  common  in  this  part 
of  the  state  and  also  in  the  extreme  south- 
western parts.  The  tops  are  usually  killed  by 
frost  every  winter  and  when  this  happens  it 
rcnmins  dormant  until  spring  But  if  as  occa- 
sioUiiUv  hiipiiens,  we  have  a  frostless  winter,  it 
kci-|ps  on  ^'ro^ving  all  wiiUer.  At  the  north  the 
first  frost  might  lie  allowed  to  kill  the  foliage 
and  tnen  the  pot  or  tub  could  be  kept  in  any 
cellar  that  is  free  from  frost,  keeping  the  soil 
barelv  moist  enough  to  prevent  the  bulb  roots 
fromshriveling.  But  much  the  best  way  is  to 
keep  the  plant  growing  all  the  year.  If  given  a 
very  rich  soil,  plenty  of  sunlight  and  abundant 
moisture,  the  growth  and  beauty  of  the  siecics 
will  surprise  you.  In  a  wild  state  it  always 
grows  in  very  wet  places,  usually  with  its  roots 
in  water.— W.  C.  Steele. 

1,985.  Maple  Bark  Louse.  The  presence  of 
the  pests  is  shown  by  the  occurrence  upon  the 
twigs  of  Maple  trees,  especially  on  the  under 
side  of  a  brown,  circular,  leathery  scale  about 
one-(iuarter  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  beneath 
which  is  a  fluffy,  cottony  mass,  that  at  this  time 
is  alive  with  hundreds  of  young  lice,  appearing 
to  the  untrained  eye  as  minute,  white  specks 
moving  about.  Soon  after  hatching  they  fix 
themselves  upon  the  leaves  were  they  remain 
throughout  the  season.  They  insert  a  tiny  beak 
into  the  leaf  and  suck  the  .sap.  In  autumn 
before  the  foliage  drops  they  desert  the  leaves 
and  fasten  themselves  to  the  twigs.  Much  of 
the  sup  that  is  sucked  from  the  foliage  passes 
through  the  bodies  and  falls  to  the  ground.  This 
is  frequently  called  honey-dew.  The  simplest 
way  of  clearing  shade  trees  of  the  scales  and 
young  lice  is  by  using  a  stream  of  water  from 
the  hose,  forcing  it  into  the  trees  and  washing 
them  off.  This  treatment  should  be  repeated 
several  times.  The  more  water  pressure  on  at 
the  time  of  treating  the  better.  The  next 
best  method  is  spraying  with  kerosene  emulsion 
made  by  adding  two  parts  of  kerosene  to  f)ne  of 
a  solution  made  by  dissidviug  half  a  pound  of 
hard  soap  in  one  gallon  of  boiling  water,  and 
churning  the  mixture  through  a  force  pump 
with  a  very  small  nozzle  until  the  whole  forms  a 
creamy  mass,  which  will  thicken  into  a  jelly-like 
substance  on  cooling.  The  soap  solution  should 
be  hot  when  the  kerosene  is  added,  but  of  course 
must  not  be  near  the  tire.  The  emulsion  thus 
made  is  to  be  dilutcil  licfore  using,  with  twelve 
parts  cd'  cold  water.  This  must  be  applied  soon 
after  the  lice  hatch  with  a  force  pump  and  spray 
nozzle. 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


267 


1,984.  Broom  Corn  CnUnre.  Plant  in  drills 
in  ^ood  hind,  making  the  rows  about  throe  and 
one-halt  feet  apart.  The  plant,';  when  they  first 
show  above  the  ground  are  iiuite  weak  and 
spindley-lookiuK,  but  afterwards  take  on  quite 
a  thrifty  and  ^i^rorous  appearanee.  Cultivators 
and  hoes  are  used  much  the  same  as  in  jrrowinK 
any  ordinary  Corn.  When  the  plants  have 
attained  their  (f  rowth.  and  the  seed  is  past  the 
blossoming  period,  the  stjilks  are  bent  over  just 
l)el(tw  the  tirst  joint.  This  prevents  the  crooking 
of  the  straw  b.v  the  weijrht  of  the  maturing 
seeds.  When  the  brush  hangs  straight  down  and 
so  ripens,  the  weight  of  the  seed  rather  tends  to 
straighten  the  straw  than  otherwise.  Sometimes 
the  parellel  rows  are  broken  in  opposite  direc- 
tions and  low  enough  so  that  the  neads  overlap 
and  lie  upon  another.  .\s  soon  as  the  seed  has 
reached  maturity  and  before  the  brush  has 
turned  brown,  the  stalks  are  cut  about  an  inch 
above  the  first  joint  and  the  head  and  stalk  are 
slipped  out  of  the  sheath.  The  brush  is  then 
piled  upon  wagons  or  sleds  and  drawn  to  barns 
or  sheds,  in  which  there  has  Ijeen  erected 
scaffolding.  Upon  this  the  Corn  is  spread  to 
cure.  The  seeds  are  removed  by  running  the 
heads  through  swiftly  revohing  cylinders.which 
have  long,  thin  spikes  or  teeth.  These  strip  off 
the  seeds  and  leave  the  brush  ready  to  sort  and 
liale,  when  it  is  ready  to  place  upon  the  market. 
The  thrashing  and  packing  can  be  done  at  any 
time  during  the  leisure  months.  The  seed  which 
is  removed  is  useful  for  the  feeding  of  poultry, 
and  when  ground  makes  most  excellent  food  for 
swine,  cattle  and  horses. 

1,982.  Plan  for  I06  Hoose.  It  is  hardly  prac" 
ticable  to  keep  such  a  small  quantity  (two  tons' 
for  use  during  the  summer  by  ordinary  methods. 
The  greater  the  bulk  put  up,  and  the  colder  it 
was,  when  put  in.  the  better  it  will  keep  under 
otherwise  similar  conditions.  All  that  is  needed, 
is  to  put  up  a  s<4uare  building  of  sufficient  size  to 
hold  the  ice  and  give  a  foot  or  more  space  be- 
tween the  ice  and  the  inside  walls,  which  space 
is  to  be  filled  with  dry  sawdust,  with  the  same 
material  two  feet  deep  or  more  on  top  of  the  ice. 
Of  course  the  walls  of  the  building  should  be  as 
tight  as  possible,  and  it  made  double,  with  a 
dead  air-space  between,  all  the  better.— G.  K. 

1,981.  Quince  Twig  Blight.  The  desease 
known  as  leaf  blight  is  quite  common, and  attacks 
the  extreme  ends  of  the  twigs  of  Quinces, 
Apples  and  various  other  trees,  often  killing 
these  twigs  to  the  length  of  a  foot  or  more.  The 
injury  is  usually  not  very  great.  Cause  unknow. 
Cutting  away  the  affected  twigs  as  soon  as 
noticed  is  suggested  as  a  remedy.— G.  H. 

1,981.  Bemedy  for  Tomato  Worm.  The  worm 
you  complain  of  as  eating  holes  in  the  fruit  of 
the  Tomato,  is  undoubtedly  the  Corn  or  Boll 
worm  so  common  at  the  south.  We  do  not  known 
of  a  better  remedy  for  it  than  to  pick  it  off  by 
band  and  destroy  it. 

1,979.  Ants  on  the  Lawn.  Boiling  water, 
kerosene,  or  a  solution  of  fresh  insect  powder  in 
water,  poured  into  the  hill,  will  probably  make 
short  work  with  its  inhabitants.  Insect  Life 
(October,  1K90)  contains  an  article  on  "The 
Little  Red  Ant,'"  by  Prof.  C.  V.  Riley,  in  which 
he  suggests  the  use  of  kerosene,  pyrethrum,  or 
bi-sulphide  of  carbon.  Where  the  nests  are  out- 
side nothing  is  easier  than  to  find  them  and  to 
destroy  the  inhabitants  with  kerosene  or  bisul- 
phide of  carbon,  he  says.  The  nests  are  almost 
always  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  house. 
The  auts  are  peculiarly  susceptible  to  the  action 
of  pyrethrum  in  any  form,  be  it  Persian  or  Dal- 
matian powder  or  buhach,  and  a  free  and  persist- 
ent use  of  this  powder  will  accomplish  much. 
The  best  means  of  trapping  ants  consists  in 
placing  small  bits  of  sponge  moistened  with 
sweetened  water  in  the  spots  were  the  anta  con- 
gregate, collecting  the  sponges  once  a  day  or  so, 
soaking  them  in  hot  water  and  then  replacing 
them.  Small  bits  of  bread  and  poisoned  molases 
or  small  vessels  of  lard  in  which  a  few  drops  of 
oxalic  acid  have  been  put  have  also  l)een  recom- 
mended, as  well  as  tiie  free  use  of  borax,  so 
often  advised  tor  roaches.  A  much  larger  black 
or  brownish  ant  often  builds  its  nests  in  door- 
yards  so  close  to  the  houses  that  it  becomes  a 
great  nuisance.  A  case  was  brought  to  my 
notice  two  years  ago  in  Washington,  where  a 
large  colony  was  completely  destroyed  by  the 
use  of  bisulphide  of  carbon.  A  teaspoonful  was 
poured  down  each  of  a  numljer  of  openings, 
and  a  damp  blanket  was  thrown  over  them  for  a 
few  minutes.  Then  the  blanket  being  removed, 
the  bisulphide  was  exploded  at  the  mouth  of 
each  hole  by  means  or  a  light  at  the  end  of  a 

Fole.    The  slight  explosions  drove  the  poisonous 
umes  down  through  the  underground  tunnels, 
killing  off  the  ants  in  enormous  numbers. 

1,974.  BottenWood  as  Fertilizer.  This  con- 
tains some  plant  food,  although  as  a  manure  it 
is  not  very  rich.  If  thoroughly  rotten,  it  can 
always  be  applied  with  advantage  on  both  clayey 
and  sandy  soils,  and  will  improve  the  mechani- 
cal texture  of  either.— G.  R. 

l,97.i.  Nitrate  of  Soda,  This  can  be  had  from 
any  of  the  leading  fertilizer  firms,  and  at'  pres- 
ent costs  about  S40  per  ton  at  the  sea  ports. 
More  is  charged  in  proportion  for  small  quanti- 
ties.-G.  K. 


1,976,  'Wintering  Spinach.  No  wc  don't  think 
Spinach  can  be  dug  up  and  wintered  in  pits  like 
Celery.  The  only  thing  to  be  done  is  to  leave 
the  plants  out  in  the  field  until  spring,  giving 
some  protection  by  covering  with  Kvcrgreen 
boughs  or  other  litter.  Of  course  .Spinat-u  can 
be  grown  during  winter  in  forcing  pits,  or  hot- 
beds heated  with  Hues  or  pipes.— (i.  It. 

l.snio.  Lime  Water  for  Earth  Wormi,  Lime 
water  can  be  used  with  perfect  safety  on  Be- 
gonias and  other  potted  plants,  for  the  purpose 
you  name.  Put  a  piece  of  freshl.i  burnt  lime, 
size  of  an  egg,  into  a  bucketful  of  water;  let 
settle  and  use  the  clear  liquid  on  top,  putting  in 
enough  to  soak  up  the  earth  in  the  pot.  This 
will  kill  the  worms. 

1,973.  Phosphoric  Acid  in  Bone-  Fresh  bones 
contain  about  one  quarter  their  weight  phos- 
phoric acid  in  the  form  of  phosphate  of  lime. 
In  the  process  of  burning  all  the  organic  sub- 
stances are  driven  off,  and  nothing  remains  but 
phosphate  of  lime,  m  almost  a  pure  state.  Al- 
most one-half  of  this  is  phosphoric  acid.— G.  R. 

1,972.  Lncretia  Dewberry.  This  is  now  being 
grown  for  market  in  many  localities,  and  gives 
good  satisfaction.  Wherever  you  find  a  brisk 
demand  for  Blackberries  the  Lucretia  is  likely 
to  sell  well.  All  leading  nurserymen  keep  the 
plants  in  stock.  Send  for  the  Catalogues  when 
the  time  comes,  compare  prices,  and  order  your 
plants  from  any  reliable  dealer  you  chose. 

1,998.  Plant-Eating  Lady  Bug.  There  is  only 
one  of  the  lady  bugs  which  is  plant-feeding  in 
its  habits— this  is  Lachtiostei-va  comtpta—the 
black  sheep  in  the  family.  The  only  thing  1 
know  of  that  can  be  done  in  the  case,  is  to  apply 
Paris  green  to  the  infested  plants  when  this  can 
be  done  without  injury  to  people.— G.  R. 

1,997.  Keeping  Seed  Beans  Fare.  The  different 
varieties  of  bush  and  pole  Beans  mix  very  readily 
when  planted  near  each  other,  and  under  such 
conditions  cannot  be  expected  to  keep  pure.  To 
be  suie  of  the  purity  of  any  one  variety,  it  must 
be  planted  alone  by  itself.  The  Liina  Reans, 
however,  are  true  blue  blood— the  aristocrats 
among  Beans,  and  while  apt  tu  cross  with  other 
Lima  varieties,  as  a  rule  disdain  to  mix  with  the 
rabble — i.  c,  with  the  ordinary  Beans.  Conse- 
quently we  may  plant  one  variety  of  the  Limas 
and  one  of  the  ottiers  in  close  proximity  without 
fear  of  tainting  the  purity  ot  the  seed  of  either 
sort. 

1,98:3.  Black  Spot  of  Boses.  This  is  a  parasitic 
fungus  which  manifests  itself  in  the  form  of 
round  or  irregularly  shaped  black  spots  upon  the 
upper  surface  of  the  leaves.  Generally  only  the 
full  grown  leaves  are  attacked,  and  it  gradually 
spreads  through  them,  destroying  the  circulation 
ot  the  sap  and  causing  a  premature  fall  of  the 
foliage.  The  Moss  Roses  and  Hardy  Hybrid  Per- 
petuals  are  more  subject  than  the  Tea  or  Monthly 
class  to  this  disease.  There  is  no  known  certain 
remedy  for  it,  up  to  the  present  time.  The  only 
thing  "to  be  done  is  to  pick  off  and  burn  all 
affected  leaves  so  as  to  prevent  its  spread,  as  it  is 
quickly  contagious.  It  is  usually  a  consequence 
of  an  injury  to  the  roots  either  by  an  excess  of 
mositure  or  an  excess  of  drought.  Ween  grown 
out  of  doors  the  danger  from  drought  ma.v  be 
remedied  by  watering— but  nothing  can  guard 
against  injury  from  dull,  wet  weather.— From  an 
emay  hy  Fetcr  Heniierson. 

1,9.59.  Depth  of  Planting  Potatoes.  We  have 
worked  at  the  problem  of  best  depth  for  many 
years,  and  finally  have  settled  upon  four  inches 
under  average  conditions.  This  is  deep  enough 
to  get  the  roots  into  the  stratum  of  perpetual 
moisture,  and  afford  ample  room  for  the  tubers 
to  form  between  the  seed  piece  and  the  surface 
of  the  ground.  Of  course  we  practice  level 
culture,  or  nearly  that.  When  planting  small 
seed  pieces,  especially  single  eyes,  however, 
which  we  seldom  do,  three  inches  depth  is  prob- 
ably better,  especiallj'  if  the  soil  is  not  in  really 
perfect  condition  as  to  mellowness.  Single  eyes 
are  usually  slow  to  come  up,  and  many  pieces 
fail  altogether,  if  the  conditions  of  growth  are 
not  all  perfect.  People  who  practice  hilling — 
which  we  not  advise — may  plant  nearer  to  the 
surface  Deeper  planting  then  four  inches  in- 
volves too  much  labor  in  digging  to  suit  us. 

2,000.  Wintering  Monthly  Boses  in  Open  Air. 
The  Monthly  Roses  are  only  half  hardy,  and  con- 
sequently are  liable  to  be  winter-kiUed  where  the 
thermometer  falls  .15  degrees  below  the  freezing 
point.  The  best  way  to  protect  them,  according 
to  our  past  experience,  is  to  bend  the  bran- 
ches down  and  fasten  them  securely  within 
two  or  three  inches  of  the  ground,  by  tying  them 
to  stakes  driven  in  for  that  purpose,  or  if  close 
enough  they  may  be  tied  to  each  other.  Then 
spread  dry  leaves  Or  rough  litter  over  them  to  a 
depth  of  say  six  inches.  This  should  not  be  done, 
however,  until  severe  cold  weather  sets  in,  so 
that  nearly  all  the  leaves  are  off  the  plants  and 
they  are  thoroughly  ripened,  which  is  usually 
about  December  1st  in  the  latitude  of  New  York 
State.  This  covering  should  not  be. taken  off.until 
all  danger  of  severe  frost  is  over,  say  about  April 
first. 


1,918.  Buffalo  Berry.  The  Cold  Spring  Seed 
Farm,  Big  Horn  City,  Sheridan  Co.,  Wyo.,  can 
supply  jilants  of  Sheperdia  argentca  at  .in  cents 
each  by  mail  post  paid.  The  fruit  is  said  to  be 
of  good  (luality,  and  the  tree  or  bush  hardy.  It 
is  a  native  of  Wyoming,— G.  11. 

2.001.  Mango  and  Canliflower  Pickles.  To 
pickle  I'aulillowcr,  select  white,  close  heads, 
sprinkle  them  with  plent.v  of  salt,  and  let  them 
stand  in  an  earthen  dish  twenty-four  hours. 
Then  drain,  break  up  in  rather  small  pieces,  and 
wash  thoroughly  in  cold  water.  Steam  a  few  at 
a  time  until  they  are  tender;  then  put  in  glass 
jars,  or  small  stone  ones.  Make  a  pickle  by 
adding  one-half  pound  of  sugar,  one  ounce  of 
white  Pepper,  and  one  ounce  of  whole  Mustard 
seed  to  half  a  gallon  of  vinegar,  and  bringing  it 
to  a  scalding  heat.  Fill  the  jars  and  cover 
closely.  To  make  Mango  pickles,  take  small 
green  Musk  Melons,  and  cut  a  piece  out  of  one 
side,  then  scrape  out  the  seeds  carefully  with  a 
teaspoon.  Make  a  strong  brine  with  salt  and  let 
the  melons  stand  in  it  twenty-four  hours.  Chop 
a  head  of  white  Cabbage  and  tour  good-sized 
Onions;  add  half  a  teacupful  ot  grated  Horse 
Radish,  two  tablespoonsful  of  white  Mustard 
seed,  one  tablespoonful  of  cloves.  Mix  all  well 
together  and  fill  the  Melons;  sew  in  the  pieces 
and  put  in  a  large-mouthed  jar.  Pour  scalding 
vinegar  over  them.  Let  them  stand  four  days. 
Pour  off  the  vinegar  and  re-heat.  Do  this  three 
times,  then  throw  away  the  vinegar  and  add 
new.  Green  Peppers  can  be  substituted  for  the 
Melons  if  preferred. 

1,858.  Melon  Blight.  The  character  of  this 
disease,  although  this  is  quite  prevalent  through- 
out large  sections  of  the  United  .States,  is  not  yet 
well  understood,  and  the  diligent  application  of 
even  so  powerful  fungicides  as  the  Bordeaux 
mixture  and  other  copper  solutions  has  not  been 
attended  with  uniform  or  even  satisfactory  suc- 
cess. The  only  thing  that  has  seemed  to  partially 
prevent  the  attacks  of  the  disease  is  covering  the 
vines  lightly  with  hay  or  other  litter. 

2.007.  Boses  for  Ont-door  Cidtnre.  w.  H. 
Taplin  recommends  the  following:  Among 
Hybrid  Perpetuals :  Alfred  Colomb,  bright 
crimson;  .Anna  de  Diesbach,  carmine ;  Eugenie 
Verdier,  silvery-pink;  Fisher  Holmes,  deep 
crimson  ;  General  Jacqueminot,  the  well-known 
popular  variety;  John  Hopper,  bright  Rose; 
Marie  Baumann,  carmme-crimsou.  Among  "Teas, 
BonSilene;  Souvenir  d'un  Ami  and  Marie  Van 
Houtte  are  about  the  most  satistactorj-  for  out- 
door culture.  Souvenir  de  la  Malmaison  is  still 
the  best  known,  and  most  satisfactory  Bengal 
variety.  For  white  flowers  the  following  may 
be  added  :  Madame  Plantier  (Hybrid  China)  lor 
early  flowering,  and  Coquette  des  Blanches  (Hy- 
brid Noisette)  for  late  blooms.  If  a  representa- 
tive ot  the  Hybrid  Teas  is  desired.  La  France  is 
decidedly  the  most  satisfactory,  but  like  most 
of  its  class,  and  also  the  pure  Teas,  it  needs  some 
protection  in  severe  winters,  at  least  it  planted 
in  an  exposed  position. 

2.008.  Prnning  Pears,  The  dwarf  sorts  should 
be  trained  in  a  pjTamid  form,  which  can  be 
easily  done  by  pinching  the  tips  of  the  young 
shoots  that  seem  to  get  too  much  of  a  start  in 
the  summer.  The  first  two  years  when  they 
make  long  growths  they  may  be  cut  back  half 
the  previous  year's  growth  in  the  spring,  stand- 
ard's need  but  little  trimming,  unless  such  strong 
growers  as  Le  Coute,  Garber  and  Kieffer.  These 
should  be  cut  back  for  a  few  years,  or  they  will 
Ukely  to  break  down  when  they  begin  to  bear. 
After  bearing  a  crop  this  will  not  be  necessary. 
So  says  Judge  Miller. 

1,996.  Bolden  Elder  Leaves  Dying.  That 
peculiarity  of  the  Golden  Elder  which  leads  the 
foliage  to  assume  the  yellow  color,  is  accounted 
for  by  an  enfeebled  condition  of  growth,  which 
at  times  leads  the  weaker  parts  of  the  shrub  to 
become  affected  in  the  manner  you  describe. 
This  is  more  noticeable  in  newly  planted  shrubs 
than  in  those  which  have  become  well  established. 
Vou  may  haye  observed  that  various  parts  of 
the  plants  present  different  shades  of  yellow,  and 
that  it  is  the  brighter  shades  which  are  most 
liable  to  be  burned.  L'nder  ordinary  conditions 
we  would  simply  suggest  that  as  such  parts  be- 
come burned  they  should  be  pinched  out,  which 
will  give  the  less  intensely  colored  parts  more 
strength  for  growth,  and  thus  tend  to  promote 
the  growth  of  the  foliage  possessing  4hat  degree 
of  color  which  is  less  likely  to  be  thus  injured. 
It  this  shrub  be  planted  where  it  is  partly  pro- 
tected from  the  sun  in  the  middle  of  the  day,  leaf 
burning  will  be  obviated.  It  is  usually  the  plants 
that  are  most  exposed  which  suffer  tfie  most. 

2.009.  Flowers  for  Perfumery  Purposes.  Puri- 
fied lard,  tallow,  or  olive  oil,  placed  in  a  tight 
vessel  with  a  quantity  of  fragrant  flowers.  Will 
absorb  the  odor,  but  in  order  to  saturate  a 
pomade  or  oil  with  perfume  the  flowers  should 
be  renewed  daily  for  months.  Fragrant  essences 
are  obtained  by  the  distillation  of  flowers  thrown 
into  large  copper  retorts  with  water  and  exposed 
to  heat.  The  scented  waters  are  made  b.v  placing 
alcohol  in  the  condensing  tank  used  iii  distilla- 
tion, and  this  condenses  and  absorbs  the  odorous 
\apor  until  it  becomes  fragrant.  As  a  rule  il 
will  be  cheaper  to  purchase  perfumery  than  its 
home  manutacture. 


268 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


September, 


1,995.    Sweet  Violets  for  Cut   Flower  Trade. 
From  your  questions,  we  iufer  that  you  desire 
to  grow  VioJets  on  but  a  small  scale.    In  our 
own  experience,  we  have  never  been  successful 
in  forcing  them  in  ordinary  frames,  but  have 
confined  our  culture  in  latter  years  to  green- 
houses about  ten  feet  wide,  the  roof  consisting 
of  ordinary  sash  which  extended  to  the  ridge, 
the  alternate  ones  of  which  were  made  to  lift  at 
the  top.    Formerly  there  were  many  advocates 
of  Violet  culture  in  frames,  but  this  practice  has 
been  largely  abandoned,  and  houses  similar  to 
the  one  described  have  with  better  success  been 
used  in   their  stead.    These  houses  are  of  very 
simple  construction  in  many  cases.    The  sides 
are  often  made  of  2x4  inch  uprights  covered  on 
the  exterior  by  building  felt  and  matched  stuff 
or  clapboards,  and  the  inside  with  matched  stuff. 
The  sash  roof  consists  simply  of  rafters  extend- 
ing from  gutter  board  to  ridge  and 
at   a   distance   apart  to  receive  the 
sash  with  a  lap  of  at  least  one  inch 
on  each  side.  These  rafters  are  placed 
opposite  each  other  and  a  short  pur- 
loin strip  of  wood  or  iron  rod  is  at- 
tached from  each  rafter  to  the  one 
opposite  at  such  a  height  as  will  ad- 
mit of  head  room  in  the  walk  of  the 
house  which    is    directly  under  the 
ridge.    A  common  cross  sectional  size 
for  the  rafter  is  «x4  inches,  laying 
this     flat     ways.        Some     builders 
strengthen  the  rafters  by   nailing  a 
cleat  IJ^xlJ^    inches    lengthwise    of 
the  rafter  on  the  outside,  said  cleat 
coming  between  the  sash  and  ser\  - 
ing  also  to    keep  out  the   cold.    In 
cultivation,    some    grow    Violets    in 
pots,  while  others  plant  them  out  on 
the  bench,  the  latter  method  being 
most   generally  preferred.    In  eithirr 
case    the    benches  to   accommodate 
the  plants  should  be  near  the  glass  in 
oidei-  to  have  the  advantage  of  both 
light  and  air.    The  soil  preferred  for 
Violets  is  a  strong  calcareous  loam, 
one  from  which  moisture  will  readi- 
ly escape.  Under  the  soil  there  should 
be  no  confined  heat.    In  watering  the  plants  it  is 
of  utmost   importance   not   to  wet  the  foliage. 
The    vai'ieties    most    generally   cultivated   are 
Marie  Louise,  and  Neapolitan.  The  cost  of  frame 
will  depend  entirely  upon  its  size,  the  cost   of 
labor,  lumber,  etc.,  all  of  which  are  variable. 
Violets  require  a  low  temperature,  not  to  exceed 
40  degrees  at  night,  and  30  or  30  degrees  higher 
during  the  day,  ventilating  freely  in  all  suitable 
weather.    And  as  the  V^iolet   is  nearly  or  quite 
hardy,  there  can  be  no  objection  to  (jpening  the 
frames  to  an  extent  that  would  not  be  suited 
to  average  greenhouse  plants.     Another  impor- 
tant requirement  is  that  of  keeping  the  jjlants 
clear  of  runners  which  will  start  freely,  and  of 
all  decayed  leaves.    It  may  be  added  that  the 
business  of  Violet  growing  is  one  in  which  there 
is  greater  liability  of    failure  than  in  that  of 
most  other  plant-^,  but  with  careful  attention  to 
the  points  given  failure  should   be  rare,  while 
without  it  success  need  hardly  be  expected.— E. 

1,978.  Apple  Twig  Blight.  This  is  the  same 
disease  thatalso  attacks  Quinces,  Pears  and  other 
trees,  killing  the  ends  of  twig's.  It  seldom  does 
serious  injury.  We  cannot  name  a  cause,  nor 
suggest  a  reliable  remedy.— E.  K. 

2,003.  Preventing  Tomato  Hot.  The  only  thing 
that  to  our  knowledge  can  be  done  to  prevent 
the  rotting  of  Tomatoes,  and  blighting  of  the 
leaves,  is  spraying  the  plants  with  Bordeaux 
mixture,  or  other  copper  solutions.  -  E.  R. 

3,00:i.  Eradicating  Burdock.  If  cut  deep 
enough  below  the  surface  of  the  ground,  they 
will  not  sprout  again.  You  can  also  make  a  sure 
job  of  killing  them  by  applying  a  few  drops  of 
some  powerful  acid  (sulphuric,  for  instance), 
or  a  tcaspoonful  of  turpentine  or  kerosene  upon 
the  root  after  cutting  otythe  top.— E.  R. 

1,970.  Celery  Blight.  The  yellow  and  brown 
spots  on  the  leaves,  and  the  decay  of  the  latter, 
indicate  the  work  of  the  C«lery  Leaf  Blight. 
This  usually  appears  during  a  spell  of  hot  and 
dry  weather,  and  after  once  having  got  a  foot- 
hold in  a  patch  is  liable  to  do  serious  damage, 
unless  checked  by  cooler  and  moisture  weather, 
as  the  disease  is  very  contagious.  I  have  seen  it 
continue  its  work  of  destruction  sometimes  not 
only  during  the  late  fall  months,  notwithstand- 
ing pleutiful  rains,  and  quite  cold  weather,  but 
also  in  the  cellar  and  in  the  trenches  after  the 
plants  had  been  put  in  winter  quarters.  Appli- 
cation of  fungicides  have  proved  of  little  or  no 
avail  thus  far.  Shading  the  plants,  as  suggested 
by  Prof.  B.  T.  Galloway  (Report  of  section  of 
Vegetable  Pathology,  U.  S.  Department  of  Agri- 
culture 1888),  perhaps  mulching  on  carefully 
selected  cool  and  moist  ground,  may  be  means  of 
avoiding  attack  of  this  dreaded  malady.  So  far 
as  our  observations  have  extended,  says  Prof, 
(ialloway,  the  disease  occasions  the  greatest  in- 
jury in  sections  where  the  summers  are  long, 


hot,  and  dry.  In  regions  where  the  soil  through- 
out the  months  is  cool  and  moist,  and  the  air  is 
also  in  a  constantly  humid  condition,  the  disease 
is  unknown.  Just  such  conditions  as  the  fore- 
going are  to  be  met  with  in  the  vicinity  of  Kala- 
mazoo, Jlich.,  where  the  finest  Celery  in  the 
country  is  grown.  Where  it  is  not  practicable  to 
shade  plants  by  natural  means,  artificial  shades 
in  the  shape  of  screens  made  of  coarse  sacking  or 
laths  will  be  found  fully  as  effectual.  Lath 
screens  are  preferable  to  those  made  of  cloth ; 
they  are  cheap  and  easily  made  by  nailing  the 
laths  at  each  end  to  two  narrow  boards  10  feet  in 
length.  The  laths  are  usually  placed  about  1 
inch  apart,  thus  allowing  plenty  of  air  to  reach 
the  plants,  at  the  same  time  effectually  shading 
them.  Such  screens  when  finished  are  4  feet 
wide  and  10  feet  in  length;  they  may  be  sup- 
ported by  posts  driven  down  on  either  side  of  the 
bed,  the  height  of  the  former  of  course  depend- 
ing upon  the  size  of  the  plants.  As  the  plants 
increase  in  size  the  screens  may  easily  be  raised. 


GUMMING  OF  ROMAN   HYACINTH   BULBS. 

At  the  approach  of  cool  weather,  which  usually 
comes  on  in  September,  the  screens  may  be 
discarded  entirely,  as  the  fungus  at  this  season 
loses  its  activity.  It  remains  alive,  however 
in  the  old  leaves  during  the  winter  and  following 
spring.  Conidia  found  in  fragments  of  old 
leaves  late  in  the  spring  germinated  readily  when 
sown  in  water.  A  knowledge  of  this  fact  shows 
the  importance  of  destroying  the  old  diseased 
leaves  in  the  autumn,  as  each  small  fragment  of 
the  latter  harboi-s  thousands  of  the  reproductive 
bodies  of  the  fungus.— E.  R. 

How  to    Grow  Strawberries    In    Dry 
Gravel. 

W.  W.  MUNSON.  CORNELL  rNn'ERSlTV.  N.  Y. 

Lovers  of  this  most  luscious  of  fruits  will 
welcome  every  device  for  makinp;  possible 
its  successful  culture  in  difficult  places.  It 
has  been  truly  said,  "  A  man  who  can  grow 
Corn,  can,  ;/  he  will,  grow  Strawberries." 
There  are  some  soils,  however,  which  will 
not  grow  Corn  successfully.  On  such  soils 
the  following  device,  adopted  by  one  of  the 
professors  at  Cornell  l^niversity,  will  be 
found  valuable: 

The  gentleman  alluded  to,  Professor  Rob- 
erts, had  for  years  tried  to  raise  Strawber- 
ries in  his  garden,  but  failed  every  time. 
The  soil  is  a  very  loose  gravel,  and  the  long 
summer  droughts  would  kill  the  plants. 
Finally,  remembering  that  grass  and  weeds 
are  always  green  and  vigorous  by  the  side 
of  old  rails  or  boards,  he  applied  the  princi- 
ple to  his  Strawberry  bed.  After  setting  the 
plants,  a  wide  board  was  placed  on  each  side 
of  the  row,  leaving  a  space  of  two  or  three 
inches.  The  result  was  all  that  could  be 
desired.  The  plants  grew  vigorously  and 
bore  abundantly;  while  for  the  spaces  be- 
tween the  rows  being  covered,  there  was  no 
time  required  in  keeping  down  the  weeds. 

The  device  is  not  patented,  and  is  well 
worth  trial  by  those  who  are  troubled  by 
the  drying  out  of  their  soils. 


an  exudation  of  gum,  generally  at  the 
crown,  or  more  rarely,  at  the  sides  Tn  bad 
examples  they  swell  and  soften,  gum  bursts 
through  the  entire  surface,  and  the  bulbs  at 
length  putrefy.  The  figure  at  the  left  shows 
the  external  aspect  of  a  slightly  affected 
bulb,  while  that  at  the  right  represents  a 
cross  section.  The  gum  torms  a  kind  of 
seal  at  the  crown,  through  which  the  flower- 
ing shoot,  even  if  sound,  cannot  penetrate. 
Sometimes  Roman  Hyacinths,  imported 
in  an  apparently  sound  and  healthy  con- 
dition, deteriorate  and  perish  by  gumming 
before  the  time  of  planting  arrives.  If  the 
unsound  examples  are  planted  they  perish 
in  the  ground,  or  if  they  are  only  slightly 
affected  they  do  not  flower. 

The  gum  is  produced  in  the 
heart  and  between  the  scales.  On 
a  microscopical  examination  of 
the  soft  thick  gum  it  is  found  to 
be  thickly  traversed  by  the  my- 
celium of  the  above  mentioned 
fungus,  Penicillium  crustaceum, 
Fr.  The  gum  when  removed 
from  the  bulbs  and  placed  under 
favorable  conditions  for  growth 
generally  produces  the  fruiting 
condition  of  this  fungus  from  the 
mycelium  within.  The  Penicil- 
lium, it  is  supposed,  cannot  set  up 
decay  in  perfectly  sound  sub- 
stance, but  it  doubtlessly  greatly 
accelerates  decay  when  it  once 
alights  on  any  slightly  bruised  or 
unhealthy  surface. 

It  has  been  proved  by  experi- 
ment, that  gumming  increases  in 
the  bulbs  as  the  fungus  extends  in  growth- 
It  appears,  then,  probable  that  the  Penicil- 
lium spores  are  imported  with  and  inside 
the  bulbs,  and  that  it  the  bulbs  receive  any 
slight  bruises  or  other  injuries,  in  packingor 
transit,  gumming  is  started.  The  gum, 
with  its  contained  growing  fungus,  by  irri- 
tation increases  the  gumming.  The  gum, 
\yith  its  fungits,  is  probably  capable  of  set- 
ting up  gumming  in  other  bulbs  by  contact. 
Every  bulb,  which  shows  the  slightest 
trace  of  gumming  should  be  removed  and 
burnt,  for  it  is  probable  that  by  the  exuded 
gum  the  disease  is  extended  from  one  bulb 
to  another  in  collections. 


Some  Drouth-Time  Observations. 

"  AMATECR."   R(H-HE.STER,   N.  Y. 

The  occurence  of  drouth  is  so  common  in 
our  climate  that  any  points  we  may  gain  in 
preventing  our  gardens  from  suffering 
greatly  are  of  much  importance. 

Herbaceous  borders  and  beds,  being 
usually  filled  with  a  great  variety  of  sub- 
jects, suffer  from  drought  severely,  partic- 
ularly the  shallow-rooting  species  and  such 
as  root  freely,  like  the  Phlox,  which  is  a 


The  Gumming  of  Hyacinth  Bulbs. 

The  disease  of  Hyacinth  bulbs  popularly 
termed  "  gumming  "  is  due  to  the  attack  of 
a  fungus  PeniciUiiiin  cnistacfum.  As 
shown  in  the  accompanying  illustration,  re- 
engraved  from  cut  appearing  in  an  article 
on  this  subject  in  the  Gardeners'  Chronicle 
some  time  ago,  the  diseased  bulbs  exhibit 


UTILIZING  OLD  HOES.     See  pOffe  231. 

gross  feeder,  soon  impoverishing  the  soil 
near  and  sucking  the  moisture  out  of  it  like 
a  crop  of  Peas.  I  have  found  that  the  best 
provision  against  drouth  on  these  is  to  mulch 
such  borders  with  rotten  leaf-mould  early 
in  the  season,  which  will  keep  the  soil  moist 
without  watering,  if  put  on  annually  two 
or  three  inches  deep.  Cool  moisture-loving 
subjects,  like  the  herbaceous  Sptra'as  and 
most  -\lpine  subjects,  should  be  mulched  by 
themselves  if  the  whole  of  the  ground  can- 


1890. 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


269 


not  be  covered.  A  good  covering  of  several 
inches  of  leaf-mould  or  short  Grass  will 
often  save  the  lives  of  tliese. 

In  some  places  Pansiesare  most  uncertain 
if  not  mulched,  and  watering  without  that 
seems  only  to  work  greater  injury,  causing 
the  soil  to  bake  and  crack  in  a  few  hours 
afterwards,  unless  the  watering  pot  is  fol- 
lowed immediately  by  the  hoe,  which  is  not 
always  convenient;  mulching  prevents  this. 

All  flower  beds  suffer  in  dry  seasons,  and 
especially  bedding  plants,  whose  roots  are 
always  necessarily  near  the  surface.  The 
evil  is  greatly  increased  by  careless  planting, 
as  if  the  roots  are  not  let  in  deeply,  a,s  can 
be  done  in  the  case  of  many  things  from 
seed  beds,  the  tops  are  sure  to  suffer  from 
even  a  few  days'  drought.  Still,  frequent 
waterings  should  be  avoided:  a  good  soak- 
ing once  a  fortnight  is  sufficient  if  the  sur- 
face of  the  soil  is  stirred  the  day  following, 
or  mulched,  but  mulching  is  objected  to  on 
flower-beds  if  not  covered  in  some  way,  as 
the  birds  are  sure  to  scatter  the  litter  all 
over  the  ground. 

Mulchings,  even  if  thin,  should  be  scat- 
tered roughly  over  the  soil  among  all  garden 
crops  during  drought,  and  there  is  hardly 
anything  so  handy  as  short  Grass,  which, 
being  light  and  easily  applied,  may  soon  be 
made  to  cover  much  ground,  and  it  will  re- 
duce the  necessity  of  watering  at  least  .50  per 
cent,  so  that  there  is  no  comparison  between 
the  two  as  regards  labor.  Water  should  be 
applied  after,  not  before,  the  mulching  is 
put  on. 

Peach  and  Plum  Growing  at  the 
Extreme    North. 

As  Mr.  Henry  Paffard,  at  Xiagara-on-the- 
Lake,  has  demonstrated  that  Figs  can  be 
grown  in  open  air  in  that  locality  with 
occasional  spells  of  zero  weather  in  winter, 
so  Peter  M.  Gideon  of  Minnesota  is  showing 
us  that  Peaches  can  be  successfully,  and 
perhaps  profitably  grown  in  a  country 
with  an  occasional  winter  temperature  of 
50  degrees  below  zero.  Both  parties  accom- 
plish the  task  by  the  same  means,  namely, 
laying  down  the  trees. 

Mr.  Paffard's  way  of  handling  his  Fig 
trees  was  described  in  an  earlier  number  of 
Popular  Gardenixg.  Mr.  Gideon's  plan 
differs  only  in  some  of  Its  details.  He  pre- 
fers small  one  year  old  trees  with  whole 
roots,  digs  the  hole  of  the  proper  size  and 
depth,  a  little  deeper  than  for  ordinary 
planting,  makes  a  cone  of  solid  earth  across 
the  middle  of  the  hole,  in  line  with  the  row 
or  in  the  direction  the  tree  is  to  be  laid 
down;  divides  the  roots  into  two  equal  parts 
or  as  near  as  can  be,  each  division  as  com- 
pact as  possible  and  saddles  them  over  the 
cone  of  dirt,  then  fills  up  and  packs  the 
dirt  as  in  other  planting.  In  the  fall  when 
he  wishes  to  lay  them  down  he  digs  on  the 
side  to  which  he  wants  the  tree  to  turn  and 
it  lops  over  as  if  on  a  hinge.  A  little  hay  or 
leaves  are  placed  under  to  keep  the  small 
branches  off  the  naked  ground,  then  he  fills 
in  the  dirt  around  the  roots,  over  which  he 
puts  leaves  or  some  other  litter,  and  over 
that  litter  and  the  entire  tree  he  puts  about 
six  inches  of  hay  or  its  equivalent  in  straw 
or  com  stalks.  In  the  spring  the  covering 
and  the  dirt  are  removed,  the  tree  lifted  and 
the  dirt  replaced  around  the  roots.  To  avoid 
mice,  he  used  strychnine  bait  under  cover  of 
the  tree.  To  keep  the  bait  dry  he  used  two 
pieces  of  boards,  one  on  top  of  the  other,  on 
that  he  put  about  a  spoonful  of  dry  Corn 
meal,  and  over  it  the  strychnine  made  as  fine 
as  dust,  and  over  all  two  boards,  nailed 
edges  together  to  form  a  roof,  and  the  trees 
are  safe. 

A  fruit  grower  of  Woodstock,  New  Bruns- 
wick, a  Mr.  Sharpe,  is  reported  as  entirely 
successful  in  growing  Plums.  The  accomp- 
anying illustration,  reproduced  from  Far- 


mers' Advocate,  explains  his  method:  As 
the  trees  are  to  be  bent  down  to  the  ground 
in  the  fall,  t«  be  sheltered  by  the  snow,  they 
have  to  be  so  planted  as  to  admit  of  bending 
without  injury,  and  this  can  be  done  only 
by  directly  training  the  roots  in  such  direct- 
ions as  shall  not  interfere  with  it.  The  trees 
are  always  bent  soutwards,  and  the  roots, 
to  allow  of  this,  are  directed  to  the  east  and 
west— any  large  roots  on  the  north  and  south 
sides  are  removed.  In  the  fall  all  that  is 
necessary  to  do  is 
to  take  a  spadeful 
or  two  of  earth  from 
the  south  side  and 
gently  bend  the  tree 
down  and  fasten  it 
there.  This  may  be 
done  by  weighting 
or,  better  still,  by 
means  of  a  crotch 
stick    driven    well 


itself  'for  a  time,  the  moisture  from  the 
earth  passes  off  into  the  air.  By  stirring 
the  soil  frequently,  the  pores  are  broken  off 
and  a  mulch  is  formed.  The  moisture  in- 
stead of  passing  off'  into  the  atmosphere, 
stops  just  at  the  stirred  layer  and  goes  to 
the  benefit  of  the  plant.  Soil  will  dry  out 
just  as  deep  as  it  is  stirred.  This  is  why  we 
hoe  deeply  in  wet  weather. 

Horse  Cultivation.  Like  other  field 
crops,  were  it  not  for  the  horse,  Strawberry 
growing  would  be  a  drudgery  indeed.  I 
think  growers  do  not  as  a  rule  practice 
economy  in  horse  cultivation.  We  should 
be  more  particular  with  the  horse  and  cul- 
tivator. The  horse  should  be  steady  and 
taught  to  walk  straight,  through  the  row.  I 
have  used  most  kinds  of  cultivators,  but 
have  discarded  all  for  the  Planet  .Jr.  It 
seems  ridiculous  after  running  so  close  to 
the  rows  as  to  peel  the  leaves  off  with  the 
wings  of  a  Planet  Jr.  to  glance  over  the 


Laying  dmtm  Peach  and  Plum  Trees  at  the  North. 


into  the  ground.  A  Plum  orchard  treated 
in  this  manner,  where,  as  in  Mr.  Sharpe's, 
the  trees  are  planted  rather  closely,  has  the 
appearance  of  a  brush  pile  in  the  fall.  The 
trees,  laid  almost  flat  upon  the  ground, 
gather  the  snow  and  retain  it,  but  from  the 
branches  lying  with  their  length  paralled  to 
the  ground  they  are  not  broken,  and  being 
perfectly  sheltered  by  the  snow,  their  fruit 
buds  remain  uninjured,  and  an  abundant 
crop  is  the  result.  And  this  fruitfulness  is 
not  wholly  due  to  the  protection  given  to  the 
fruit  buds  by  the  sheltering  snow,  but  in 
part  to  the  check  that  is  given  the  wood 
growth  by  the  bending  down  and  retaining 
the  trees  in  their  recumbent  position  till 
after  blossoming.  Instead  of  a  vigorous 
wood  growth  numerous  fruit  buds  are  pro- 
duced; these,  duly  protected,  are  in  turn 
followed  by  the  fruit. 

The  trees  treated  in  this  manner  are,  after 
blos.soming,  raised  up  and  fastened  to  strong 
stakes  driven  into  the  ground  at  their  side. 

When  the  trees  become  so  large  as  to  be 
unmanagable  they  may  be  permanently 
fastened  down.  Although  only  Plums  have 
been  tried  in  this  way,  there  is  no  reason  to 
suppose  that  Cherries  and  Pears  may  not  be 
grown  under  the  same  treatment. 

Growing  Strawberries  for  Market. 
Third  Paper. 

L.  J.  FARMER,  OSWEGO  CO.,  N.  Y. 

Hoeing  Strawberries.  Not  less  than  a 
week  after  Strawberries  are  set,  they  should 
be  stirred  with  a  rake  or  hoe,  and  the  oper- 
ation continued  throughout  the  season  as 
often  as  possible.  This  early  and  frequent 
stirring  destroys  the  weeds  that  are  sprout- 
ing, and  also  breaks  the  crust  formed  by 
the  dews  and  rain.  This  crust,  unless  fre- 
quently broken,  prevents  the  runners  root- 
ing readily,  and  also  the  air  from  circula- 
ting to  the  roots.  The  free  access  of  air  to 
the  roots  is  most  important  as  is  shown  by 
contrast  between  plants  grown  where  the 
soil  is  loose  and  porous,  and  when  it  is  sub- 
merged with  water  and  packed  down  hard. 
Plants  won't  thrive  on  the  latter. 

If  heavy  rains  occur  to  pack  down  the 
soil  around  the  plants,  it  should  be  stirred 
deeply.  In  no  other  way  can  the  plants  be 
made  to  grow.  As  a  rule  Strawberries 
should  be  hoed  shallow  In  dry  weather  and 
deeply  in  wet  weather.    When  soil  is  left  to 


fence  and  see  a  neighbor  cultivating  the 
centre  of  a  row  with  one  of  those  broad- 
toothed  cultivators  that  came  over  in  the 
Mayflower.  Do  his  best,  he  will  have  over 
a  foot  to  stir  up  with  the  hoe,  while  with 
the  wings  and  fine  teeth  on  a  Planet  Jr., 
the  rows  may  be  narrowed  to  four  inches. 

How  TO  Cultivate.  In  about  a  week 
after  plants  are  set,  the  cultivator  is  started. 
We  cultivate  the  centre  of  the  row  thor- 
oughly, using  the  wide  teeth.  The  wings 
are  now  put  on,  arranging  so  as  to  cut 
away  from  the  row.  We  spread  the  culti- 
vator about  2i<  feet  and  use  but  one  wing, 
the  left  one.  Going  up  we  drive  on  the 
right-side  of  the  row,  close  up ;  returning 
on  the  left  side.  The  wing  is  so  arranged 
as  to  scrape  away  the  weeds  and  yet  allow 
the  cultivator  to  be  guided  easily.  The  fine 
teeth  go  easier  and  should  be  used  when 
the  wings  are  on.  After  the  wings  have 
performed  their  service,  they  should  be 
taken  off  and  the  fine  teeth  put  on.  Both 
sides  of  the  rows  are  now  .stirred  close  up, 
and  the  plants  are  ready  for  hoeing.  The 
advantages  of  using  fine  teeth  are  these— 
you  can  run  more  closely  to  the  row  with- 
out throwing  dirt  or  stones  on  the  plants, 
and  you  can  also  stir  the  soil  deeply  around 
the  plants,  thereby  disturbing  and  possibly 
destroying  any  worms  or  insects  that  may 
be  at  work  on  the  roots. 

In  hoeing  Strawberries  for  the  first  time, 
the  weeds  are  cut  out  between  and  around 
the  plants  and  as  much  earth  put  around 
the  plants  as  is  taken  away.  If  a  plant  be 
set  too  deeply  or  if  heavy  rains  have  caused 
earth  to  settle  over  the  crown,  it  should  be 
fingered  out ;  so  the  crown  will  be  free.  If 
the  plant  be  set  too  shallow,  so  that  its 
roots  show,  more  earth  should  be  drawn 
around  it.  If  the  soil  be  hard,  it  shoiild  be 
stirred  deeply  and  mellowed  up.  If  any 
blossom  or  berries  remain  on  the  plants 
they  should  be  removed  as  it  ta.xes  the 
plants  vitality.  No  runners  will  start  till 
quite  late,  and  the  plants  will  often  suc- 
cumb if  allowed  to  fruit  the  first  year. 
Strawberries  should  be  hoed  and  cultivated 
as  often  as  possible  before  the  runners  start 
to  grow.  By  frequent  stirring,  the  weed 
seeds  are  brought  to  the  surface  and  then 
they  sprout  and  are  destroyed.  It  is  easier 
to  hoe  four  times  before  the  runners  start 
than  once  afterwards. 


270 


POPULAR  GARDENING. 


September, 


When  the  runners  begin  to  grow,  the  first  I 
ones  should  be  removed  to  give  stockiness  j 
to  the  plants.  If  the  first  runner  is  left  on,  ! 
it  will  draw  the  life  from  the  parent  plant 
so  as  to  prevent  its  sending  out  other  run- 
ners. Whichever  side  of  the  row  this  run- 
ner happens  to  strike  root  will  be  covered 
with  plants  and  the  other  side  vacant ;  and 
thus  a  very  uneven  growth  is  secured.  By 
cutting  oft  the  first  runner  or  two.  the  plant 
becomes  larger  and  soon  sends  out  several 
large  runners,  all  at  once,  which  may  be 
layered  on  both  sides  and  make  an  even 
stand  of  plants.  In  hoeing  Strawberries 
after  the  runners  start,  if  there  be  several 
runners  and  only  a  few  new  plants  rooted, 
we  turn  all  the  runners  over  on  one  side, 
while  the  other  side  is  weeded  and  hoed. 
The  runners  are  now  all  turned  to  the  side 
that  has  been  hoed  while  the  other  side  is 
treated  the  same.  Earth  should  be  drawn 
around  the  plant  to  replace  that  which  has 
been  scraped  away  with  the  hoe  m  removing 
the  fine  weeds.  One  should  be  very  care- 
fvil  that  all  the  fine  weeds  be  cut  away,  for 
in  dry  weather  they  are  sure  to  grow 
through,  if  covered  up.  Strawberries  may 
be  hoed  after  the  runners  have  rooted  t/oo 
strongly  to  disturb,  by  the  following 
method  :  The  ground  is  cultivated  deeply 
between  the  rows  so  as  to  give  plenty  of 
loose  soil.  All  the  large  weeds  are  pulled 
out.  The  earth  is  now  drawn  up  around 
the  plants,  covering  the  small  weeds  and 
runners.  This  not  only  retards  the  weeds,  j 
sometimes  smothering  them  ;  but  also  in- 
sures the  young  runners  rooting  readily. 
They  will  root  and  grow  up  through  an 
inch  of  soil.  This  covering  of  the  runners 
with  soil  is  the  safest  and  most  rapid  way 
of  securing  a  good  growth  of  plants  even 
in  dry  weather.  ^ 

In  pulling  large  weeds  around  a  Straw- 
berry plant,  the  plant  should  be  held  down 
with  one  hand,  while  the  weed  is  pulled  out 
with  the  other.  I,arge  grass  weeds  may  be 
split  in  pulling  and  with  less  danger  to  the 
Strawberry  plant.  I  have  great  difficulty 
in  getting  men  to  pull  the  weeds  properly 
around  the  plants,  and  also  to  layer  the 
runners  as  they  should  be  set  in,  parallel 
to  the  rows  and  those  about  to  root,  put  in 
place  and  held  down  with  a  stone  or  pressed 
into  the  soil.  A  runner  that  has  once  rooted 
will  never  root  again,  unless  it  is  pressed 
down  with  a  stone  or  covered  with  soil. 

The  cultivator  should  be  kept  going  con- 
tinually ;  at  least  once  a  week  so  long  as 
growth  continues,  to  keep  the  soil  mellow 
and  turn  the  runners  that  start  across  the 
path.  As  the  the  runners  spread,  the  culti- 
vator should  be  narrowed  up  and  run  only 
one  way  in  the  row. 

SUMMEK  Fertilization.  There  is  noth- 
ing that  will  pay  the  grower  so  well  next  to 
thorough  cultivation,  as  liberal  manuring. 
I  think  that  Strawberries  should  be  given 
an  application  of  some  quick-acting  fertili- 
zer such  as  nitrate  of  soda,  superphosphate 
or  guano  soon  after  they  are  set  out,  to  give 
them  a  nice  send-off.  At  this  time,  they  are 


very  feeble  and  undecided  whether  to  grow 
or  die.  Plants  never  stand  still.  They 
either  grow  or  go  back.  The  weather  may 
be  too  cold  for  growth,  the  soil  either  too 
wet  or  too  dry.  Some  tonic  manure  applied 
just  as  they  are  to  start  growth,  may  ensure 
their  safety.  The  fertilizer  may  be  scatter- 
ed along  the  row  and  hoed  in  around  the 
plauts.  The  plants  will  need  another  dress- 
ing of  superphosphate  soon  as  they  begin 
to  run  nicely.  By  this  time  the  leaves  will 
be  large,  and  whatever  fertilizer  lodges  on 
them,  should  be  brushed  off  with  a  broom. 
In  applying  commercial  fertilizer  it  is  safest 
to  apply  a  small  quantity  several  times 
rather  than  all  at  one  time.  If  the  ground 
is  weedy,  it  should  be  scattered  on  after  hoe- 
ing, for  in  cutting  away  the  weeds,  the  fer- 
tilizer will  be  drawn  from  the  plants,  where 
it  cannot  benefit  them.  Otherwise  put  it 
on  before  the  plants  are  hoed.  We  put  on 
about  300  lbs.  superphosphate  to  the  acre 
at  one  application.  This  is  about  10  quarts 
to  3.50  feet  of  row.  The  largest  and  finest 
crops  of  Strawberries  grown  hereabout 
were  produced  from  rows  that  had  been 
treated  to  barn  manure  and  super-phosphate 
about  September  1st.  "The  rains  wash  it 
down  to  the  roots,  very  little  is  lost  and  its  i 
value  goes  to  forming  the  fruiting  crowns 
and  new  plants.  If  one  has  a  manure 
spreader  it  may  be  used  here  to  advantage, 
scattering  the  manure  on  to  the  rows,  in 
among  the  plants. 


The  warm  soap  suds  on  washing  days  are 
always  carried  to  our  Melon  and  Cucumber 
patches,  and  emptied  near  the  hills.  Can  better 
use  be  made  of  the  valuable  plant  food  they  con- 
tain?—«.  R. 

The  Crape  Myrtle  Is  a  satisfactory  plant  for 
lawn  or  garden,  and  flowers  perfectly  until  cold 
weather.  But  it  should  be  stored  during  winter 
where  it  is  sate  from  freezing.  Any  cellar  is  a 
good  place  for  it. 

Florida  forGrapes.  I  find  this  agoing  to  be  a 
most  glorious  state  for  the  Grape.  I  have  year- 
ling rtnes  now  that  would  take  vines  at  the 
north  at  least  three  or  four  years  to  equal  them  in 
growth.— £.  S.  Oandy,  Florida. 

The  Periwlnkle  (Vinca  minor)  is  one  of  the 
few  plants  that  will  flourish  in  the  shade  of  trees, 
where  no  sod  can  be  established.  It  is  very 
useful  in  cemeteries,  to  beautify  graves  with 
its  dark,  glossy,  green  foliage. 

Evaporated  Fruit  will  tail  us  this  year  to  some 
extent.  Evapcrating  establishments  might  turn 
their  attention  to  vegetables.  We  see  it  stated 
that  a  company  in  San  Francisco  is  engaged  in 
drying  and  packing  Potatoes,  Turnips,  Onions 
Carrots  and  other  vegetables.  They  are  to  be 
packed  in  tin  cases,  and  will  keep  indeflnitely. 

A  Fine  Gooseberry.  Mr.E.P.Powell  forwards 
to  this  oftice  a  branch  of  a  new  Gooseberry  with 
fruit.  Ho  writes  that  is  a  true  cross  of  foreign 
and  native,  the  first  he  has  ever  seen  or  heard 
ot.entircly  tree  from  mildew,  proUflc,  fruit  Inrge, 
and  of  fine  flavor,  being  tart  rather  than  sweet 
It  looks  somewhat  like  Houghtou.but  is  consider- 
ably larger. 

The  mole,  we  should  remember,  lives  exclus- 
ively on  insects,  not  on  grains  or  roots.  If  this 
quadruped  tunneLs  through  the  lawn,  we  may 
be  sure  he  is  after  the  grubs  that  gnaw  at  the 


roots  of  the  grass.  The  question  for  you  to  de- 
cide is  only  which  is  the  least  of  the  two  evils; 
the  mole  burrows,  or  grubs  killing  the  grass. 

Rural  Improvement  Ai5SoriATiONS  Needed. 
We  had  in  this  town  tor  25  years  a  Rural  Art  As- 
sociation, the  object  being  monthly  meetings  to 
discuss  horticultural  and  kindred  topics,  and  to 
engage  in  planting  our  streets  with  judiciously 
selected  trees.  The  result  was  a  vast  amount  of 
practical  work,  and  much  education  of  the 
public— B.  P.  P. 

Savoy  Cabbages.  Even  the  Savoys  which  have 
been  crossed  and  increase''  in  size  and  coarse- 
ness, like  the  Drumheu.  -avoy,  are  still  far 
superior  to  the  ordinar  "lat  Dutch  and  Drum- 
heads. And  now  we  .  ,  e  a  variety  known  as 
the  Netted  Savoy,  which  combines  fair  size  with 
the  higest  quality.  We  never  miss  Cauliflowers 
while  we  have  good  Netted  Savoys.— W.  F. 
Massey  in  Garden  and  Forest. 

Fire  for  Insects.  A  subscriber  of  Frankford, 
Pa.,  suggests  the  plan  of  killing  insects  at  whole- 
sale by  piling  up  heaps  of  brush,  weeds  and  Tuh- 
bish  of  all  sorts,  and  burn  them  off  on  warm, 
still  evenings,  to  attract  night-flying  insects  to 
their  death.  He  has  seen  as  many  dead  insects 
as  would  fill  a  quart  measure  nightly  taken  from 
the  globe  of  one  electric  Ugbt. 

Camphor  Tree.  This  tree,  Camphoi-  officinalis 
furnishes  the  camphor  of  commerce,  which  is 
produced  from  the  wood  by  boihng  the  chopped 
branches  in  water.  The  cami>hor  becomes  de- 
posited, and  is  purified.  It  is  then  brought  into 
a  state  of  vapor  by  heat,  and  again  condensed 
as  a  solid.  The  leaves  are  bright,  shining  green, 
and  resemble  the  Laurus.  This  beautiful  and 
useful  tree  grows  remarkably  well  in  most  parts 
of  California.— Cal.  Florist  and  Garden. 

Plant  in  the  Fall.  The  culture  of  the  choice 
Tulips,  Hyacinths,  Crocuses  and  other  Dutch 
bulbs  would  be  vastly  more  common  could  they 
be  grown  by  planting  in  the  spring  garden-mak- 
ing time.  It  seems  unseasonable  to  most  people 
to  plant  in  the  fall.  Still  in  this  case  it  must  be 
done  if  we  would  enjoy  a  class  of  flowers 
which  contains  some  of  the  handsomest,  sweetest 
and  most  satisfactory  blooms  of  the  entire  floral 
realm.  The  earlier  the  buds  are  planted  after 
September  1  st,  the  better. 

Dutchman's  Pipe  and  Laburnum.- Whether 
by  accident  or  design  I  cannot  say,  but  a  novel 
and  beautiful  combination  I  recently  saw  was 
formed  by  a  strong  plant  of  Aristolochia  Sipho 
clambering  through  and  over  a  common  Labur- 
num. Its  handsome  broad  leaves  contrasted 
well  with  those  of  the  Laburnum,  and  the  ef- 
fect was  simply  perfect,  as  there  was  just  enough 
of  the  one  to  contrast  with  the  other.  The 
Laburnum  appeared  to  be  giving  support 
without  hurt  to  itself,  but  in  a  year  or  two  the 
encircling  folds  of  the  Aristolochia  may  destroy 
it.  Even  then  to  have  this  beautiful  climber 
growing  so  naturally  and  free  would  be  a  dis- 
tinct gain.— London  Garden. 

Antiscoptic  Value  of  EuCALVPTUS.~In  soak- 
ing up  (lid  wine  or  vinegar  casks.we  throw  a  few 
Blue-gum  boughs  with  their  leaves  into  the 
water,  and  it  uever  becomes  putrid,  while  with- 
out the  Blue-gum  we  would  have  to  change  the 
water  daily  to  prevent  putridity  and  spoiling  of 
the  flavor  of  anything  afterward  kept  in  the 
cask.  A  decoction  of  green  leaves  is  a  stronger 
and  more  lasting  stimulant  than  tea  or  cofl'ee, 
and  more  salutary  in  its  efi'ects,  as  it  does  not 
cause  wakefulness.  It  seems  to  have  the  stimu- 
lating effect  of  quinine  without  any  of  its  in- 
jurious qualities.— Selma  Irrigator. 


END    OF 


VOL.   V. 


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