THE GENESEE FARMEPw. 



125 



In growing the fig in this manner, little pruning 

 is necessary, as the shoots are very short jointed 

 and become well ripened. 



The best variety of fig for this mode of culture 

 is the Brown Turkey, as it is one of the most hardy, 

 being able even to bear the winter in the southern 

 part of the Middle States, if protection is given it. 

 Downing describes the fruit as "large, oblong, or 

 pyriform. Skin, dark brown, covered with a thick 

 blue bloom. Flesh, red and of very delicious 

 flavor." Blaclc Ischia, Brown Ischia, Small Brown 

 Ischia, White Ischia, Nerii, and Pergussaha can 

 also be recommended as excellent and tolerably 

 hardy sorts. 



m I ■! 



EXPERIMENTAL GARDENING -NEW AND VALU- 

 ABLE PLANTS TO CULTIVATE. 



Eds. Genesee Fakmek: — We devote a portion 

 of our time to obtaining and propagating various 

 new and rare plants; and by testing the quality of 

 each variety, and when found to be of value, we 

 deem it our duty to impart our discoveries to 

 others, that tliey too may share with us the luxu- 

 ries and comforts of life. "Progress and Improve- 

 ment" is our object, and to disseminate, by way 

 of intei'change or otherwise, rare seeds of known 

 value. As a very convenient and cheap mode of 

 receiving and distributing seeds from distant parts 

 of the Union is offered by our cheap postage and 

 frequent mails, it becomes the duty of every agri- 

 culturist to cast in his mite to forward the enterprise. 

 A little parcel of corn, or other grain, planted at 

 any point, may soon multiply so as to become 

 widely disseminated. Especially is this the case 

 with seeds of garden vegetables. By the abov6 

 mode we have received and cultivated many valu- 

 able plants; and among the many varieties we 

 liave grown the past season, and deem worthy of 

 public mention, are the following: 



The Tomato. — Dr. Bennett, a professor of some 

 celebrity, considers the tomato an invaluable article 

 of diet, and a most sovereign remedy for dyspe[)sia 

 and indigestion; and that it should be constantly 

 nsed for daily food either cooked, raw, or in the 

 form of catsup. It is the most healthy article now 

 in use. We opine the doctor is about right, and 

 that the tomato should be grown in every garden. 

 We find the Feejee, a variety recently introduced 

 from one of the Fejee Islands, one of the best. It 

 is early, fruit more solid, less seeds, smooth skin, 

 pale red color, aud large — specimens weighing from 

 ten to twelve ounces; of extra flavor. Charlton'' s 

 Improved is, in our opinion, the next best; color, 

 deep red; of good size and quality. 



Of Sweet Corn, the Constantinople and Brigg''g 

 Excelsior are two of the best varieties we have 

 grown. They are early, large, 10 and 12-rowed, 

 well filled, sweet and delicious. 



Of Peas, we will mention two varieties, out of 

 the many we cultivate, as the best. The West 

 India Sugar Pea (edible pods), and the Poor Marl's 

 Pea. We will tell why this is called the Poor 

 Man''s Pea. It is this: they are so rich and nutri- 

 tious that they require no butter or other ingredients 

 to season them. In height, about two feet; pods 



hang in clusters, and can pick a mess in a few 

 minutes. 



Lettuce. — The Grand Admiral; heads largo 

 very tender. 



California Ccrled Parsley. — A biennial of 

 easy culture. Of our common parsley, from the 

 long time the seed lies in the ground without 

 germinating, it has been said that "it goes nine 

 times to the devil and back before it comes up." 

 These journeys require ordinarily a month or 

 more. We find no such delays of the germinating 

 of the Cal. Mammoth Curled Parsley. This is 

 extra for garnishing; giving a delicious flavor to 

 fresh meats, soups, etc., and should be grown in 

 every garden. 



Mammoth Mustard. — This is truly a gigantic 

 plant. It has a large, curled leaf; extra for greens 

 or salad; a profuse seeder — much more so than the 

 common, and of better quality. 



Strawberry Wateijmelon. — This is our choica 

 variety. 



Cucumbers. — The Man of Kent is quite a novelty. 

 We have grown specimens 18 inches in lingth. The 

 Early G-reen Russian and the Early White Russian 

 are two very early and desirable varieties. Brigg''s 

 Prolific Pickle is the smallest of all cucumbers, and 

 good for pickling. 



Fennyreck. — An annual medicinal y)lant, the 

 seed of which is valuable for the restoration of tlie 

 hair. Take half a tablespoonful of the seed, put it 

 In half ft gallon of cold water and let it stand 40 

 hours; then wash the head twice a week, and it 

 gives the desired effect. It is also one of the best 

 ingredients for a condition powder for horses and 

 cattle. Fennyreck is a hardy plant, of easy culture, 

 and should be grown more extensively. Plant in 

 drills ten inches apart and eight inches asunder. 



West India GniuKiN. — About the size of the 

 butternut; stem five to six inches in length. Pick 

 the fruit when young and tender, and reserve the 

 stem, as it is handy to take them from the dish. 

 As a pickle, we prefer them to the cucumber. 



Winter Squashes. — The Eubbard is one of our 

 choicest and best varieties. 



Long Purple Egg Plant. — This variety is pre- 

 ferred for family use. When two or three inclies 

 in diameter, cut in thin slices and fried in butter, 

 or used in stews or soups, they are quite a rarity. 

 The White Egg Plant is very ornamental. 



Chufa (Earth Ahnond). — This produces tubers 

 about the size of an ordinary bean, resembling in 

 taste a chestnut, but more delicious. 



Weld, or Dyer's Weed {Reseda luteola). — This 

 produces a splendid fast-yellow color, for all kinds 

 of silk, cotton, linen, mohair and woolen goods. 

 The same yellow color serves for painting also, as 

 the "Dutch pink" is made from it. Weld is a very 

 hardy biennial plant. Sow in July or August, and 

 harvest in July the next year, when in bloom and 

 beginning to turn a light yellow color, by merely 

 pulling up the whole plant, and put up in small 

 shocks, so as to thoroughly dry. It can be kept a 

 number of years without altering its coloring 

 qualities. 



We have grown many other varieties of plants, 

 but we already weary the patience of the reader, 

 and occupy too much space in the Farmer, l. n. 

 Windsor, Aehtabula Co., Ohio. 



(To he continued,) 



