I20 



POPULAR GARDENING. 



March, 



"He that questioneth much shall learn much." — 

 BACON. 



Correapondenta are urged to anticipate the aeaaon in pre- 

 eentino queetiona. To aak, for inaiance. on Aprit 15 or 20 

 what Peaa had beat be aoten, aould bring no answer in 

 t?u May taaue, and none before Jane, when the anawer 

 vtould be unaeasonable. Queattona received before the \ith 

 of any month atand a good chanee of being answered in the 

 next paper. Not more than three que ationa ah^uld be aent 

 at one time. Anatrera to queationa bearing on the com- 

 parative value of Implementa, etc., offered by different 

 de-dlera must notbe expected. Neither can we promiae to 

 comply irrtth the reqneat aometimea made to "please anawer 

 by mail.*' Inquiriea appearing without name belong to the 

 name next following. 



Repliea to Inquiriea are eameatly requested from our 

 readers. In anawering auch give the number, your 

 looality and name, the latter n^t for publication, unless 

 you deaire. Write only on erne aide of the paper. 



2.219. G-inseng Root. Where can I get root or seed, 

 and how is it grown and prepared for marlcet?— Incog, 

 Mass, 



2.220. Plant for Hedge. What plant is best to give 

 a substantial ornamental hedge in shortest time? 

 Somebody recommended California Privet, with two 

 or three strands of barbed wire strung through.— JNO. 

 E. S., Lancaster, Ky. 



2,231. Frizetaker and Spanish Eiog Onions, Are 

 they the same?— G, N.. Pa. 



2,232- Horse Manure as Mulch. Will this have a 

 bad eflfect on the Strawberry bed in Summer?— D.W.S., 

 Eau Clair, Wis. 



2.223. Onions on Same Land. How many years 

 may they be grown with safety?— W. W. R., Ont. 



2.224. SrawberriesandHaspbenies. If planted in 

 September or October will they be likely to bear the 

 following year?- W. W. R., Ont. 



2,'225. Blueberry Plants. Where can they be ob- 

 tained?— Mrs. J. B., Marlboro, Mass. 



2.226. Best Grapes for Home Garden. What six 

 varieties do you recommend for Central New York? 



3.227. Best Out Door Roses. Please name eight re- 

 liable varieties.- G. S., Rome, N. T. 



2,328. OultureofFarfugium Grande. What Is the 

 proper method of erowing it in the house during the 

 entire year?-a. J. B., Concord, N. E. 



2,229. Best Fruit State. Which is the best locality 

 for fruit crowinfr. California, Delaware or New Jersey? 

 —A. B.,A'fir Y<irk. 



3,3.'». Poisoning Moles. Has anybody ever made a 

 success of It, and it so, by what means?— W. H. H. 

 Danville, loica. 



2,2m. Grafting Prunus Pissardi on Plum Seed- 

 lines. Can it he done by root grafting, like Apples or 

 Pears, or must the seedlings be set in ground and be 

 thoroughly rooted first?- G. W. C, Agassis, B. C. 



2,332. Construction of Evaporator. I wish to put 

 an establishment capable of working up 2CHI bushels 

 of Apples per day. I would like suggestions as to best 

 methods and machines.— H. O. 



2,'333. Ventilating Cap for Fruit House. Where 

 can I get a Mott or an Espy?— J, P. O. 



2,234. Ashes for Potatoes. Is it better to apply 

 ashes before or after plow lug? 



2,335. Prevention of Galling Land. Orchard on 

 hlU-slde, berry bushes between. What can I do to 

 prevent soil from being washed off? 



2,3:J6. Ashes for Cherries, Plums and Pears. Will 

 a mulch of strong unleached ashes put around the 

 roots of trees set one year, be liable to damage?— D.P., 

 Poplar Grove, Jiid. 



2.237. Chrvsanthemum Spots. Is it usualforChrys- 

 anthemums to sport, giving blossoms of different form 

 and color from the true variety? Would It be possible 

 to raise plants from them that w(mld fix the variation? 

 — F. R., Santa Anna, Cal. 



2.238. Coleus Sporting. On my Coleua, leaves of 

 which are round with cream-colored center and green 

 edges, a shont has appeared with pointed leaves, hav- 

 ing green edges and brlcht red center. Is this any- 

 thing UDUaual?- H. C. F., Mass. 



2,2:i'J. Trimming Evergreens. Will it be safe to do 

 this In spring? 



2,210. Passion Vine not Blooming. Have had it 

 three years. 



2.211- Night Soil lor Roses. Is It con.sidered good 

 for the Everbloomlng class?— W. ,T. M., Ponliac. Ills. 



3,242. Yield of Brussels Sprouts. Will an ordinary 

 I>lant produce more than a quait of sprouts, or how 

 much?— M. C, Floriila. 



2,343. Cranberry Plants or Cuttings. Where can 

 they be oidaiurd:'— .1. R-. .Joseph, Oregon. 



3,241 Strawberry Management for Frnit. Plants 

 set a year ago last fall. Gave us fruit last year. Var- 

 ieties, Je.ssie, Sharpless, Downing, etc. Soil well en- 

 riched. Should the old follace be mowed off? What 

 Is best treatment?- Mrs. B., Kans. 



3,245. Myrica Oerifera. Is It a shrub or a climbing 

 plant?-J. W., Ind. 



3,241). Remedy for Out Worm. Please give life 

 history of this pest, and if iiossible a remedy. We find 

 It almost Impossible to raise early Cabbage on its ac- 

 count.— Wm. P.. loira. 



3,317. Wager and Willow Peaches. Are the seed- 

 lings of any value?— E. A. K., Ills. 



3,213. Hardy Black Raspberry. Is there any variety 

 hardy enough for central Wisconsin?- A. N. T. 



3,249. Earl? Ruby Tomato. Is It worth growing?— 

 M. S. S.. Conn. 



2,350, Tomato Leaf Blight. The leaves on my plants 

 last year, at time of fruit setting, turned yellow and 

 died down. Ground new and rich.— R. R. N., Wash. 



2.251. Chrysanthemums for Cut Flowers. I raise 

 superior flowers, but have no home market. Is there 

 any demand In northern cities?- J. H. W., Tenn. 



3.252. Niagaras Dropping from Stems Before 

 Ripening. What Is the cause?— W. W. H., Ont. 



3.253. Flowering Begonias in Summer. What is 

 best temperature for them? Should they be shaded 

 and well watered?— J. G B., Mo. 



2.254. Remedy for Cnrculio on Peach. Which Is 

 better, spraying w-ith arsenites, or dusting with car- 

 bolic gypsum? If arsenites. state whether Paris 

 green, London purple, or white arsenic should be used. 

 — C. P. B., Pa. 



2.355. Root Grafting Pears and Apples. Can I 



graft in spring same as Apples? In root grafting the 

 ADPle would you prefer grafting on whole root or cut- 

 ting the seedling In two or three pieces?— J. Z. C, Mo. 



2.356. Market Gardening for a Toung Man. Could 

 a young, able-bodied man, b.v close application, make a 

 living by cultivating a small acreage for market? 

 What would you plant, etc.?— H. S. L., New York. 



3,257. Propagation of Rubber Plant and Hibiscus. 

 Please to give best and most rapid methods. 



2.358. Growing Roses Under Glass- What are best 

 ways? What is the cause and cure of mildew? 



2.359, Orchids Not Blooming. How should they be 

 treated for bloom?— J. W. S. 



2,36(1. Forcing Bulbs. How are Hyacinths. Lily of 

 the Vallev, and similar flowers for Christmas and 

 for later market forced?— J. W. S. 



2.261. Dissolved Bone Black. What is It and how 

 is It made? 



3.262. Leached and Unleached Ashes. What dif- 

 ference In fertilizing value?— A. F., Lgnchburah, Va. 



3.263. Heating Greenhouses with Crude Oil- 

 Would like some Information how to arrange the heat- 

 ing apparatus.— J, T., Vineland. 



3.364. Building Greenhouse. Would you advise to 

 build a foundation wall of brick and finish side by 

 studding and hoards, or by using Locust posts and 

 siding entirely? Should I use the butted system of 

 glassing? Is hotwate)" preferable tosteam?- W. J. W.. 

 Pa. 



3,265. Barr's Mammouth Asparagus. Has it any 

 advantage over the old stamiard varieties?— G. G, G.- 

 Stratham. N. H. 



2.366. Applying Wood Ashes. What is best way? 



2.267. Potatoes and Celery in Old Fish Pond. How 

 would such soil suit Potatoes followed bv Celery? 

 What kind of Celery would be best?— W. M. P., Ohio. 



2.268. Japanese Giant Chestnut. Is it a good sort 

 to plant? 



2,369. Ellison Peach. Isitof good quality and hardy 

 here In northern Illinois?— L. E. L. 



2,270. Christmas Rose. Is this' a desirable plant, 

 and if so, where can it be obtained?— F. W. B., Mich. 



2,371, Culture of Saee Grass. What soil is best, 

 and what care and temnerature Is needed to start It 

 with growth?— J. H. B-, Mass. 



REPLIES TO INQUIRIES. 



3,179. TrsDsplaBtine Kaupberries and Black- 

 berries. Raspberries and Blackberries may be 

 planted in the fall and well mulched Tn Canada 

 and northern states spriner plantine: is safer and 

 more satislaetory. As they start early they 

 should be planted as early as possible in the 

 spring.— B. Morden, Wetland Co., Ont. 



2,190 Prnnine Currants Some cut back 

 Currants severel.y. Others prefer to thin some- 

 what and to retain youner wood later on rather 

 than the older wood.— E Morden. 



2,193. Pine Stra\ff as Matiure. O. R's chemical 

 composition for Pine needles makes them richer 

 than anythinE that I have previously noted. 

 Soils where Pine needles have rotted for centu- 

 ries are not remarkable for fertility. I would 

 prefer to take the Cotton seed meal, Kainit and 

 superphosphate and let others have the Pine 

 needles,— E. Morden. 



2,199. Bussian Apricots. I know it to be safer 

 to thoroughly test the Russian Apricot before 

 planting many — E M. 



2-271. Caltnre of the Sago Palm. Cycas revo- 

 luta, the finest of its species, is grown extensive- 

 ly in China and Japan, its native countries, for 

 the pith contained in its trunk, and what is pre- 

 liared by the natives into an article of food simi- 

 lar to the sago ot commerce The cultivation 

 of these plants in our houses, according to Peter 

 Henderson's Handbook of Plants, is the same as 

 reciuired for all the Palm tribe: plenty of pot- 

 room, and a strong, moist heat, Cycus revoluta, 

 however, may be wintered in a low temperature, 

 and its new growth retarded for (he lawn After 

 the leaves have perfected their growth, and are 

 thoroughly hardened, the plants can be placed 

 \i pop the lawn during summer, where they are 

 most approrriate ornaments A good soil in 

 which to grow these and other Palms is com- 

 posed of two parts loam, one part peat and one 

 part sand. They like shade, and an abundance 

 of moisture nt the roots, as well as frequent 

 sprinkling and spraying overhead. 



3.201. Applying Hen Manure. Mix hen ma- 

 nure thoroughly with several parts of earth. 

 On lean soils a larger quantity may be used.-E M. 



2,217 Impoyerished Lawn. White Grubs 

 have probably destroyed the grass on your lawn. 

 A good coat of fine stable manure with fresh 

 seeding will probably restore the lawn. Robins 

 understand the business of catching white grubs. 

 — E. Morden. 



2.229. Best Fruit Stock, We do not know 

 whether there is another state in the union that 

 equals California in the ease with which fruits 

 of almost every kind, from the Apple ot the tem- 

 perate zone to the fruit-bearing Palms of the 

 tropics, are grown and in the great superiority 

 and prolificacy of such fruits ; and we are sure 

 that no state of the union can excel California in 

 these respects. Yet In the locality which may be 

 more than any other favored by climatic and 

 soil conditions, the profits of fruit growing are 

 often much smaller than in places where nature 

 appears to be less larish in her gifts. Thus the 

 California fruit grower, even under the higher 

 scale of prices that seems to be the rule for 

 almost everything in the Pacific coast regions, 

 declares himself satisfied with gross receipt per 

 acre which we at the east would hardly consider 

 enough to pay expenses Whether fruit growing 

 is profitable, and how much so, depends in the 

 first place on the demand and prices that can be 

 obtained for just the fruits that the grower can 

 produce to best advantage. Nearly every loca- 

 lity is adapted to the cultivation of some fruits. 

 If such fruits find a ready sale at acceptable 

 prices, than fruit growing in such locality can 

 be made to pay. In our own locality Pear grow- 

 ing properly managed has been found to be far 

 more profitable than Orange growing in Califor- 

 nia and Florida, and this is the case in other 

 sections of Western New York California or 

 Florida fruit growers do not make half the 

 money made by many Peach growers along Lake 

 Ontario. The Grape grower in Western New 

 York and Ohio receive twice the money for his 

 crop that California people do for their Grapes. 

 Strawberries and other small fruits in the states 

 bordering the Atlantic Ocean often pay the 

 grower far better than anything grown on the 

 Pacific coast does. Pick out the location that is 

 adapted to ,iust such fruits as the near market 

 demands, and if you know how to raise the fruit 

 you will find it easy enough to make fruit grow- 

 ing profitable.— G. R. 



2,226 Best Grape for Home Qarden, For Wes- 

 tern and Central New York, we would name 

 Concord, Worden, Niagara, Delaware, Brighton 

 and perhaps Barry. 



2,156 Clinton drape not Bearini;. Probably 

 you have pruned too closel.v. Clinton, Bacchus 

 and some other varieties naturally make very 

 long canes and when pruned close as wotild be 

 proper for Concord, often fail to bear but if 

 allowed to ramble at will over a tree or building 

 or high trellis bear abundantly.— W. F. Bassett. 



3,196. Cnttingrs of Mariana Plum will root 

 readily if planted in rich mellow soil in the open 

 ground either in fall or early spring. Peaches 

 succeed when budded directly on this stock and 

 require no double working— Wm. F- Bassett. 



2,203. Brond-Iieaved Saee, known also as 

 Holt's Mammoth and Mammoth Seedless Sage, 

 seldom if ever produces seed. It is readily in- 

 creased by division of the old roots, by layering 

 the branches in summer and may be multiplied 

 very rapidly by taking plants into the green- 

 house and growing from green cuttings. If 

 protected through the winter b.v a light cover- 

 ing of straw so as to bring all the growth out 

 fresh and sound in spring, it could, doubtless, be 

 readily and rapidly propagated from wood of 

 the prertous season cut to lengths of four to six 

 inches and planted so as to leave an inch above 

 ground — Wm. F. Bassett 



2.268, Japanese Giant Chestnuts. This is 

 probably fully as hardy as our ordinary Ameri- 

 Sweet Chestnut. The true Japanese Giant is a 

 large nut, of fair quality for ordinary purposes 

 but not good enough to eat raw. Many of the 

 trees sent out as "Japanese Chestnuts" vary 

 greatly in productiveness and size of nut. Some 

 are well-nigh worthless, The.v make a good 

 lawn tree ; but for a home supply of nuts we 

 would in a majority of cases prefer a good native 

 Chestnut, a Paragon or Numbo, If we were to 

 start a grove, we believe we would grow Ameri- 

 can chestnut seedlings, and graft these with 

 cions from a native tree known to bear regular 

 crops of especially large nuts. Such trees may be 

 found in almost any neighborhood where the 

 American Chestnut is indigenous. 



3,267. Potatoes and Celery 'n Old Fish Pond. 



We see no reason why the bed of an old fish 

 pond, if well provided with drainage, should not 

 be a most excellent place for growing all sorts of 

 garden and field crops. Try unleached wood 

 ashes as a fertilizer for the early Potatoes, As 

 to varieties of t>Ier.v we would select White 

 Plume for early and Golden Heart for main 

 crop, as well for" market as for home use.— G. K . 



