336 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



this same exercise renders it more able to encoun- 

 ter and perforin that superior part of labor, where- 

 in the hands are idle but the brain unflagging, that 

 elevates every phase of human life. 



Is tiiere an individual who wishes for a quiet 

 residence unmolested by tlie prying eyes of inordi- 

 nate curiosity, a residence unhaunted by that pest 

 oi retired neighborlioods — an inquisitive neighbor, 

 let him seek it in the city, for there only can it be 

 found. In the city a person can retire within him- 

 self and be alone without exciting inquisition, or 

 he can find congenial spirits with whom to blend 

 and harmonize; he can attain his own level, where 

 ever it may be, with greater facility than in the 

 limited population of a country district. 



Does he seek food for contemplation 1 Where 

 can it be found in greater variety than in the busy 

 mart of a crowded city ? 



"Tile proper stiiJy of iimiikiMd is man." 



The argument is capable of indefinite expansion 

 (for every merchantable luxury from the country is 

 brought to the city, and but comparatively few are 

 or can he reciprocated,) but I will intrude no long- 

 er upon your patience. Carpius. 



For the New England Farmer. 



NEV/LAND'S STRAWBERRY, 



Mr. Editor: — When Mr. Brown says of this 

 strawberry, that "it is infinitely sweeter and richer 

 flavored than a7ii/ other kind which I have tasted," 

 I cannot but think him extravagant in his language, 

 or unfortunate in his taste, or in the selection of ob- 

 jects to be tasted. That this strawberry is a fair pro 

 ducer, in numbers and that the berries areof apas- 

 sable quality, will not be denied; but that they will 

 compare with the Hovey, or the Virginia, or oth- 

 ers that can be named, in all those characteristics 

 which recommends the strawberry, is to my mind 

 a matter of great doubt. It may be, sir, that the 

 argument used in the brief article upon which Mr. 

 B. comments as "unfair and altogether too severe," 

 has lost "half its force for want of a name attached 

 thereto," in the view of those who pay more regard 

 to names than to facts; — nevertheless, if the facts 

 stated be true, even such an argument, siiorn of 

 half its power, will be more than sufficient to break 

 down Mr. B.'s notions. That the facts were pre- 

 cisely as stated, Mr. B. may be assured. I have 

 thiee or four gentlemen of intelligence and entire 

 veracity, who personally attended to the cultiva- 

 tion. Allow me to add another fact, drawn from 

 the unsophisticated judgment of a family of chil- 

 dren, who know what they like, and honestly tell 

 what they know, without favor to any one. An in- 

 telligent cultivator of fruit for the market, (Mr. I. 

 S. Needham,) whose ground I was examining, 

 pointed out the Newland Strawberry, with the re- 

 commendation attached to it, and requested me to 

 take home some of them and test their quality. I 

 did so, and had them brought to the table, as being 

 something extra. The children, when they came 

 to eat them, said, "Why, father, these are not near 

 as good as those Mr. N. brought the last week — 

 they have no taste to them — they seem kind of flat 

 and insipid; and they don't look near so well." I 

 tried to argue with them, that their judgment was 

 made up more from the appearance of the berry 

 than the taste; but I did not succeed in convincing 

 them that their first impressions were wrono. Now, 

 sir, it may be that these children were not fit per- 



mind, their opinion is entitled to much regard. 

 They had no favorite theory to sustain, or specula 

 ting project to foster; — they spoke just what they 

 thought — and although I tried to convince them 

 that they were wrong, in so doing, they satisfied 

 me that they were right. Mr. B. will excuse me 

 for not affixing my name,— I withhold it not be- 

 cause I have the least objection to his knowing it, 

 but because I can write with more freedom when 

 I do not intend to use it. When the individual 

 who signs an article is personally known, it not 

 unfrequentiy happens, that more regard will be 

 paid to the name than to the facts stated. Take, 

 ibr instance, an assertion in relation to phosphate of 

 lime in the production of milk; who is there that 

 will not jiay mote regard to wliat Dr. Jackson says 

 on the subject, than they would to the observation 

 often farmers who have no knowledge of chemis- 

 try? And though the probability is, that there is 

 ten times the chance of the doctor being right — 

 nevertheless, doctors are not always right; for cir- 

 cumstances alter cases. With entire respect, there- 

 fore, to the opinions of Mr. B., I respectfully say, 

 that discussions may often be carried on with more 

 freedom and benefit, without the use of a name, 

 tlian with. Suppose an article to come out signed 

 "John Smith, "without any locality attached, what 

 weight would this name carry? Give me facts, and 

 careful analysis of them, and I will dispense with 

 the name. * 



Dancers, Sept. 20, 1851. 



For the New England Farmer. 



PLUMS— OURCULIOS. 



For a few years past it has been almost impos- 

 sible to raise plums, at least the finer kinds, so in- 

 defatigable has been that hitherto unconquerable 

 enemy, the curculio, in his attacks on this fruit. 

 For a number of years in sucession, our crop was 

 completely cut off by this insect; we tried various 

 remedies that had been recommended, and all failed, 

 but the laborious and expensive one of shaking the 

 trees every morning and killing the insect. Two 

 years ago it occurred to us that air-slached lime 

 might be a preventive; we applied it, and with 

 complete success. This year we again tried it, 

 and though we lost a few plums, it was not the 

 fault of the lime, but our own fault; for we did not 

 apply it until the little "Turk" had made his mark 

 on some of the fruit. Last' year, as soon as the 

 blossoms dropped oft', and the fruit was visible, we 

 applied the lime liberally, covering every part of 

 the tree; doing it in the morning when the dew 

 was on, or after a rain, and renewing it every time 

 it was washed off. This plan, as we have said, 

 was successful; and we have no doubt but that all 

 who will give it a fair trial will be satisfied of its 

 utility. VVe hope it may be tried by others in va- 

 rious locations, and under diflerent circumstances; 

 if it is good, let the public have the benefit of it; 

 if they pronounce it good for nothing, we say, so 

 belt; we will not quarrel with them; if it wont 

 work with them, it will with us. Though we 

 have written on this subject before, yet we thought 

 best to write our experience again, thai it migiit 

 corroborate the testimony of your correspondent 

 P., of Danvers. If others have tried the same, 

 will they not communicate the result, that the pub- 

 lic may get all the information possible on the sub- 

 ject ? J. H. & Sox\. 



sons to sit in judgment in this matter; — but, to my' Newton Centre, Sept. 25, 1851. 



