Morticultaral A'oies. 127 



The En III elan Ornpe. 



Peter M. Gideon, of Minn., writes to the Prairie Farmer that, in his opinion, 

 the Eumelan is the best of the black grapes, and we quote his remarks, which seem 

 to us justifiably enthusiastic : 



" Of all black grapes that I have seen or tasted, the Eumelan is the earliest, best 

 table grape, splendid in bunch and berry, very saleable, first in market ; a pro- 

 dio'ious bearer, always ripe before early frosts ; strong grower, hardy vine, ripening 

 more wood than any other vine we had, notwithstanding it yielded double the fruit of 

 any other vine of its size, the yield being some seventy-five pounds. Every bunch 

 ripened evenly, though only ten feet of space on trellis, whilst two Concords, same 

 age, each nearly as large (thirty feet on trellis), yielded only about twenty pounds, 

 same soil and culture, less in bunch, and not so good in quality. Evidently the 

 Eumelan is the grape for the North. Safe in all seasons, and no dropping of berries 

 if left out as long as any grape dare be left out of doors. But as to its wine quali- 

 ties, I can't say ; don't care. I grow grapes only for the joy and comfort of home. 



If short of space, the Eumelan is the grape. It gives the greatest yield, is sure to 

 ripen, and is the most luscious of all black grapes wc have yet seen. But, if there 

 is space, and a variety is wanted, then for quality, and a sure crop, early to ripen, 

 the Croton has no superior among the white grapes, so far as we have tested. And 

 of the red grapes, the lona is our best, though not so early as either of the pre- 

 ceding, and requires a southern exposure, well sheltered from cold winds, a good 

 warm soil, with clay, or, better, clay and gravel, to insure well ripened fruit every 

 year. But when well ripened, as they ripen on our grounds, they are truly luscious, 

 keeping well into winter, in a common room, on shelves or in baskets, gradually dry- 

 ing into good raisins, without the addition of sugar." 



Jte>nedy for the Strijted lim.h 



Some weeks aoro I saw, in the Farmer, a recommendation of the use of ground or 

 calcined plaster as a remedy for striped bugs. My own experience allows me to tell 

 you how I have improved on that remedy. Having occasion to use Paris green and 

 calcined plaster, in proportion of one of the former to fifteen of the latter, as a 

 destroyer of the potato bug, I tried the stuff on squash, melon and cucumber vines ; 

 with me, the mixture dusted on from a common dredging box, has proved equally 

 eff'cctual against the Colorado potato beetle and the striped bug. On squashes of the 

 tenderest variety of foliage, like the Hubbard, for instance, and on the hardier, like 

 Cymlin and the winter Crookneck, this mixture, put on while the plant is wet or dry, 

 does not injure them; and so of musk melons and cucumbers. The water melon, 

 however, does not bear such treatment, and I recommend that the mixture be used 

 with care. I give my experience in this business — limited as it is — because I know 

 with what extreme difficulty cucumber and other vines are protected from the striped 

 bug. — Cor. of Prairie Farmer. 



To MaUe Grafting Wnjc. 



Grafting wax is useful in pruning to cover wounds, and hence it is useful to have 

 on hand, even when not expecting to graft. The proportions of ingredients (tallow, 

 beeswax and rosin), are one, two and four in the order named, though the London 

 Garden says that when beeswax is very expensive one-third less will do. Stir well 

 when made, and keep in a cool place. We will add — to keep it from sticking to the 

 hands and fingers when mixing or applying it, keep them well greased ; if you do not, 

 it will stick closer than a brother. 



Siniill £verf/reens. 



We are very frequently asked the question, as to when is the best time to plant 

 small evergreens ? our answer is, any time when the ground is in a mellow, free con- 

 dition (except the months of July and August, as being too hot), at all the other sea- 

 sons we would plant subject to the above considerations ; yet there are seasons and 

 conditions when success may be deemed more certain, and these are — first, if the soil 

 s light and dry, in Maryland and Virginia the months of March and April would be 



