264 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



June 



the plow ; another for the best motive power for 

 farm use ; another, for the most important inven- 

 tion relating to agriculture, patented within the last 

 two years. This Grand Medal will be superior to 

 anything heretofore made in this country, and, as 

 it will only be awarded after the strictest examina- 

 tion and most careful deliberation, it will be a prize 

 worth seeking. 



A grand gold medal, valued at $175, will be 

 awarded to the successful machines at the reaper 

 and mower trial. 



The United States Society intend that their deci- 

 sion on the merits of any machine or improvement 

 oftered at their Fair, shall be made under every safe- 

 guard as to competency of judges, fair trial of qual- 

 ities and strict impartiality ; and under such circum- 

 stances it cannot be otherwise than very advanta- 

 geous to manufacturers and farmers. All applica- 

 tions for entry at either trial should be made to H. 

 S. Olcott, who is Secretary of the Committee, and 

 will forward a list of regulations and premiums to 

 applicants. His address is American Institute, New 

 York city. 



For the New England Farmer. 



SEEDLING RHUBASB. 



I last year purchased in Boston Market, of Da- 

 vid Hill, and Highland, Mackintosh & Co., about 

 fifteen dollars' worth of Victoria, Downing'sCollossal 

 and Wilder's Seedling Rhubarb, and set the differ- 

 ent kinds side by side on rather light, sandy soil, 

 which was not rich. It was set about the 1st of 

 June, the roots being cut into small pieces ; they 

 all grew well, and did much better than I expected, 

 under the circumstances — each kind producing 

 single stems weighing one pound each. I was so 

 well pleased with it that I have seen fit to recom- 

 mend it very highly, and consider it worth very 

 much more than all the kinds that I had ever seen 

 before. 



I find that there are many farmers who think 

 that seedlings raised from these kinds will be like 

 the original, but my experience proves otherwise, 

 as I have raised thousands from other kinds, and 

 never j'et got one that was worth orte cent, I 

 would as soon think of raising Baldwin apples or 

 Bartlett pears from the seed of those; fruits, astc 

 raise Victoria Rhubarb seed, I mention this, as 1 

 have heard several persons boasting how cheap 

 and easy they had got the new kinds — that they 

 were not going to pay 50 cents per root when they 

 could raise them from seed for less than 3 cents. 



Now, all that I have to say is that I hope that 

 they will succeed better than I did, and learn soon- 

 er that a really good seedling rhubarb plant is as 

 great a rarity as a Concord grape or a Ilovey's 

 seedling strawberry. 13. F- CuiXEIl. 



Pelham, JV. H., Jlpiil 7, 1857. 



The Chinese Sugar Cane. — tn fhe present 

 excitement upon the subject of cultivating the 

 "Holcus saccaratus," every item of information 

 upon its character and qualities is greedily sought 

 by readers and gladly furnished by editors. In a 

 letter from Messrs. Vilmourin, Andrieux & Co., of 

 Paris, to the editors of the California Farmer, we 

 find some remarks on this plant that we deem 



worthy of reproduction. After stating that they 

 have cultivated it some years with much success, 

 they remark : "The quantity of sugar its juice con- 

 tains is very important, hut Us produce in alcohol 

 is still more important, and it would perhaps prove 

 more advantageous to use it in the latter way." 



RASPBERRIES. 



Among our smaller fruits, the Raspberry holds a 

 high, if not the highest rank. Ripening immedi- 

 ately after the strawberry, and when other fruit is 

 scarce, it usually commands a high price in the 

 market. By very many persons it is considered as 

 far superior to the strawberry, and its pleasant fla- 

 vor, and cool, refreshing taste, render it a favorite 

 fruit. 



The plants grow very rapidly and are easy of cul- 

 tivation. The best soil for them is a rich, deep, 

 rather moist, sandy loam. Liberal manuring and 

 high cultivation will not be wasted on them. 



We present a few of the older varieties, as des- 

 cribed by Cole. Several new varieties have been 

 introduced within a few years, some of which prom- 

 ise well. Among those best know and generally 

 approved are, 



Red Antwerp, JVeio Red Jintwerp, True Red 

 Antwerp. Large ; conical ; dull red ; flesh firm, 

 rich, juicy, with a fine, sweet, high flavor. July 15 

 to 30. Canes tolerably strong, pale brown ; leaves 

 large. There is a small Red Antwerp cultivated in 

 this country, much inferior to the New or True. 





Red Anttrerp. 



Fastolff. 



Fastolff. Very large ; oval-conical ; bright pur- 

 plish red ; tender, very rich and high flavor ; same 

 time as Red Antwerp ; continues long in succes- 

 sion. Canes stout, upright, and branching, with 

 strong spines. 



Franconta. Very large; ob- 

 tuse conical ; bright purplish 

 red ; flesh firm, of a rich, brisk, 

 acid flavor, more tart than Red 

 Antwerp; superior for pre- 

 serves. July 25 to August 10. 

 Adai)ted to northern culture, 

 being more hardy than most 

 foreign kinds. Canes strong, 

 spreading, brownish, with a few 

 stout spines ; leaves long, nar- 



