40 



POPULAR GARDENING. 



November, 



The results of the experiment are strongly in 

 favor of the applications made. The value of 

 the Bordeaux mixture is maintained, and the 

 ammoniacal solution of carbonate of copper is 

 equally efficacious. No difference in the effects 

 of these two compounds could be seen. The 

 treated vines have lost about a third of what 

 might be estimated as a full crop, or of what 

 would have matured had it not been for the rot, 

 while the loss on the untreated rinesis practic- 

 ally complete, there being not more than four 

 to five per cent, of the berries left unaffected. 



The Flea Beetle. Prof. a. J. Cook tells of his 

 having made a large number of experiments this 

 season in order to ascertain what remedies are 

 most efficient in destroying the flea beetles 

 which have recently become so destructive to 

 some of the most important crops of the garden- 

 er and fruit grower. For the Grape flea beetle 

 he finds nothing better than the London purple, 

 used at the rate of one pound to three hundred 

 gallons of water, and thrown on in a spray. It 

 should be applied just as soon as the beetles ap- 

 pear in spring, before the leaves put out. The 

 past season we tested ten different insecticides 

 both on the Radish flea beetle and on the Cucum- 

 ber flea beetle. This latter is the species that 

 has proved so destructive to the Potatoes in some 

 localities. Two remedies seemed effective. The 

 first is ashes. These were tried both with and 

 without London purple and it could not be seen 

 that the poison was of any value. The ashes ap- 

 peared to drive the beetles away, but they had 

 to be used very plentifully. In some cases the 

 ashes did considerable injury to the plants. The 

 other remedy, and a better one, was a strong de- 

 coction of tobacco dust which was secured at 

 the factory at a very slight expense. A decoc- 

 tion was made by pouring two gallons of hot 

 water on a pound of the dust. This was applied 

 to the plants with a force pump. In every case 

 the beetles were driven off and no harm came to 

 the plants. This decoction was used on Cab- 

 bages and Radishes for the striated beetles, and 

 on Potatoes for the Cucumber beetle. In both 

 cases the results were favorable. Although the 

 experience of one season is not entirely conclu- 

 sive. Prof Cook feels very hopeful of this reme- 

 dy. He urges others to try it so that its merits 

 may be definitely known. 



American Florists in Convention at 

 Buffalo. Valuable papers. 



Horticultural Exhibitions. Mr. Edwin 

 Lonsdale tells of one of the most primitive 

 exhibitions, held in Philidelphia In .July of 

 this year. The Workingmen's Club in early 

 spring distributed among its members a 

 paper of seed each of Alyssum and Ph'ox, 

 and one plant each of Fuchsia and Zonale 

 Pelargonium. A few premiums for best re- 

 sults with these seeds and plants were 

 offered, and awarded. There w;is nothing 

 pretentious about this, but the benefits 

 which come from this movement, can hardly 

 be overestimated. The example should be 

 followed in other places. 



The only flower show which could boast to be 

 a real financial success,was the one held recently 

 in Detroit under the auspices of a daily paper. 

 The secret of success was judicious advertising. 

 The interest in a contest seems to be universal, 

 and a show if properly advertised and written 

 up intelligently would be crowded. Reporters 

 of the daily papere as a rule have no knowledge 

 of the subject they are talking about. Until re- 

 cently we have had no florists' paper. The 

 press should give preliminary notice of the do- 

 ings of the contestants. 



A show should be a local event. But people in 

 all large cities would be willing to offer prizes 

 for special features if the matter was only prop- 

 erly brought to their notice. All exhibits should 

 be mentioned, no matter how small, to encourage 

 the beginners, and induce them to continue this 

 work. Special e.vhibitions have made the Chrys- 

 anthemum what it is to-day, and what hjis been 

 done with the Chrysanthemum might be done 

 with most other classes of flowers. 



In the discussion following this paper the pres- 

 ident-elect, Mr Jordan, speaks of the influence 

 of the press. Pajiers are anxious to report cor- 

 rectly. He notices that the St. Louis dailies pay 

 now a got)d deal of attention to floriculture. 

 Perhaps there may have been a lack of energy 

 shown in exhibitions. Two annual shows are 

 held in St. Louis, and they are not only a success 

 simply, but a paying success. Unity of action 



will accomplish wonders. All exhibitions should 

 be complete in ever3' way before people are 

 allowed admission; otherwise they may find 

 chaos, and go away and tell others " it is no good." 

 Mr. Grant complains that the reporters can 

 hardly e\ er find anybody who knows anything 

 and can tell them the good jjoints about the ex- 

 hibit and the things exhibited. There is a good 

 impartial man wanted just for giving such in- 

 formation at the shows; but all such men are 

 usually tied up in committee work, and have not 

 a minute to spare. 



Mr. Preston recommends that names should 

 not be attached to exhibits until after the awards 

 are made. Human natureshould not be tempted. 

 Mr. Carmody says children ought to be educated 

 for making exhibits in school rooms. Young 

 people might have a Pansy show for instance. 



Heat Application. The subject of " Making 

 and Applying Heat in our Greenhouses," was 

 ably handled by president-elect Jordan. The 

 problem is to get the maximum of heat from 

 coal. The objection urged against many of the 

 boilers is that they absorb too much heat. It too 

 little of it goes into the chimney, the needed 

 drought is lacking, and the combustion is incom- 

 plete. Oxygen is the supporter of combustion, 

 but the latter can take place only in a high de- 

 gree of heat— the higher the better. The result 

 of incomplete combustion is carbonic oxide, and 

 2400 degrees of heat; the result of complete 

 combustion is carbonic acid gi\ing 4K00 de- 

 grees of heat. More coal is usually in the fire 

 place than can combine \vith the oxygen to 

 carbonic acid, and consequently the oxide is 

 formed above the fire. This oxide is combustible, 

 but as no more oxygen can come to it to com- 

 plete the combustion, it goes through the chim- 

 ney, and a large share of the heat is lost. 



For best results the coal must be brought to 

 the fire place in a magazine, and there should be 

 means for the control and admission of air both 

 below and above the fire. Perfect combustion 

 needs great heat, and the coal should be in a com- 

 pact mass. 



Soft coal requires different treatment from 

 coke, etc. For the former, one-third of the air 

 should be admitted from below the fire, and two- 

 thirds just above; for hard coal and coke one- 

 half of the air should come from each way. 



Another principle often lost sight of is that the 

 intensest heat should often be applied to the top 

 of the boiler, where the water is hottest already. 

 This will bring the steam without commotion. 

 If the intensest heat is applied from below, the 

 whole body of water has to be heated, and steam 

 rising from the bottom causes a great commotion. 



Natural Habitat of Orchids. Mr. Foster- 

 mann tells the native places of the leading var- 

 ieties. He also prophesies that there is a time 

 coming when Orchids are to be much more freely 

 imported than now, and become almost common, 

 and perhaps be quoted in catalogues with Rose. 



Wrought Iron Boilers. How to treat them 

 when not in use, is what Mr. Hunt of Indiana is 

 asked to tell. They are usually left to care for 

 themselves, he says. One person advocates to 

 empty them and let them remain dry. .iVnother 

 prefers to keep them full. Another removes the 

 doors, grates, flues, etc,, and provides for a free 

 circulation of air. Most of the boilers are always 

 exposed to injurious dampness. Mr, Hunt him- 

 self keeps the boilers full of water, removes rust, 

 gives circulation of air. next a dressing of crude 

 oil, and then shuts off air circulation. If bond's 

 are old they should be carefully inspected. 



HE.4TINO With Petroleum. Charles R. Mitch- 

 ell tells his experience in the use of petroleum. 

 Has used it and is quite satisfied with it, but does 

 not advise that it be generally tried. It cannot 

 be used with hot water except where there is a 

 high pressure boileras auxiliary. This is also the 

 case with steam. A high iiressure boiler is 

 needed as au.xiliary. One hundred and twenty 

 gallons of crude oil are about equal in heating 

 capacity to one ton of coal. An iron tank is re- 

 quired for holding oil, and a wagon with iron 

 tank to haul it. If oil can be had easily and 

 cheaply, and the establishment is very large, it 

 may be cheaper and more convenient than coal. 



Horticulture at the New York State 

 Fair at Albany. 

 As usual there were many and fine ex- 

 hibits of fruits and flowers. The following 

 is a list of the awards: 



Fruits.— PnoFESsiONAL List. 

 Pears. Collection of not less than 25 varieties, 

 five specimens of each; ; EUwanger & Barry, 



Rochester, first prize, $15. Collection of 30 varie- 

 ties, five specimens of each; EUwanger & Barry, 

 Rochester, first prize, §10. Collection of 10 varie- 

 ties, five specimens of each; EUwanger & Barry, 

 Rochester, first prize, S.5. 



Plums. Collection of not lessthan 10 varieties, 

 10 specimens of each; EUwanger & Barry, Roches- 

 ter, first prize, S3, Collection of five varieties, 10 

 specimens of each; EUwanger & Barry, Roches- 

 ter, flrst prize, 83. Uish of any one variety, 10 

 specimens; EUwanger & Barry, Rochester, flrst 

 prize, $2. 



Quinces. Dish 10 specimens, Rea's; EUwanger 

 cSc Barry, Rochester, first prize, Sa. 



Native Grapes. Grown in the open air. Col- 

 lection of five varieties, five specimens of each; 

 Isaac Van AUen, Bethlehem Centre, first prize, $5. 



Fruits.— Amateur's List. 



Apples. Collection of 20 varieties, five speci- 

 mens of each; C. V. Baker. Cedar HUl, fiist prize, 

 810. Collection of 10 varieties, five specimens of 

 each; C. V. Baker, Cedar HUl, first prize, 85. Col- 

 lection of five varieties, five specimens of each; 

 C. V. Baker, Cedar Hill, first prize, $3. H. W. 

 Hotaling. Delmar, second prize, 82 



Pears. Collection of 10 varieties, five speci- 

 mens of each; C. V. Baker, Cedar Hill, first prize, 

 83. M. E, Myers, Charlton, second prize, S3. Col- 

 lection of five varieties, five specimens of each; 

 C. V. Baker, Cedar Hill, first prize, $3. M. E. 

 Myei'S, Charlton, second prize, $2. 



Peaches. Dish of any one variety, 10 speci- 

 mens; J. G. Leavens, Melrose, first prize, 82. 

 J. H. Schoonmaker, Bethlehem, second prize, 81. 



Plums. Collection of five varieties, 10 speci- 

 mens of each; David Ledzy, Bethlehem Centre; 

 flrst prize, $5. Three varieties, 10 specimens of 

 each; J. H, Schoonmaker, Bethlehem, first prize, 

 83. Isaac Van Allen, Bethlehem, second prize, 

 82. Dish of 10 specimens; Isaac Van Allen, Beth- 

 lehem Centre, first prize, $1. 



Quinces. Dish of 10 specimens; O. H. Jacques, 

 Wrights Corners, first prize, 82. J. S. Hannon, 

 Chatham, second prize, §1. 



Native Grapes. Grown in the open air. Col- 

 lection of five varieties, three bunches of each; 

 Isaac Van Allen, Bethlehem Centre, first prize, $3. 



Fruits.— Single Dishes. 



Apples. Baldwin, 12 specimens; C. V. Baker, 

 Cedar HUl, 82. Esophus Spitzenberg, 12 speci- 

 mens; C. V. Baker, Cedar Hill, $2. Holland Pip- 

 pin, 12 specimens; Isaac Van Allen, Bethlehem 

 Centre, $2. Gravenstein, 12 specimens; J. O. 

 JosUn, Fiashoke, $2. King of Tompkins County, 

 12specimens; H. W. Hotaling. Delmar, 82. North- 

 ern Spy, 12 specimens; C. V. Baker, Cedar HiU, 

 82. Red Canada, 12 specimens; H. W. Hotaling, 

 Delmar, 82. Rhode Island Greening, 12 speci- 

 mens; J. O. Joslin, Fiashoke, 82. Koxbury Rus- 

 set, le specimens: C. A. Bradt, Castile, 82. Twenty 

 Ounce, 12 specimens; C. V. Baker, Cedar Hill, 82. 



Pears. Bartlett, 12 specimens; Geo. T. Powell, 

 Ghent, 82. Boussock, 12 specimens; Miss E. L. 

 Dorr, Albany, 82. Bosc, 12 specimens; Wm. G. 

 Sickles, Stuyvessant, $2. Clairgeau, 12 specimens, 

 J. T. Lansing, Greenbush, $2, D'Anjou, 12 speci- 

 mens; Geo. T. Powell, Ghent, $2. D'Angouleme, 

 12 specimens; EUwanger & Barry, Rochester, 82. 

 Flemish Beauty, 22 specimens; Zerah Rider, 

 Cambridge, 82. Lawrence, 12 specimens; Miss 



B. L. Dorr, Albany, 82. Seckel, 12 specimens; 

 Geo T. Powell, Ghent, 82. Sheldon, 12 specimens; 



C. V. Baker, Cedar HUl, 82. Winter Nelis, Miss 

 E. L. Dorr, Albany, §2. 



Grapes. Brighton, six bunches; Geo. T. Pow- 

 ell, Ghent, 82. Concord, si.K bunches; Miss E. L. 

 Dorr, Albany, 82. Delaware, si.\ bunches; Miss 

 E. L. Dorr, Albany, $2. Niagara, J. S. Lansing, 

 Greenbush, 82. Worden, six bunches; Geo. T 

 PoweU, Ghent 82.00. 



Flowers.— Professional List. 



Cut Flowers. General Collection; Louis Men- 

 aud, Albany, first prize, $20. James Vick, Roches- 

 ter, special first prize, 820. 



Dahlias. Collection; James Vick, Rochester, 

 first prize, 810. Louis Menaud, Albany, second 

 prize, 85. 12 dissimilar blossoms with names; 

 James Vick, Rochester, first prize, 85. American 

 Seedling not before exhibited; James Vick; 

 Rochester, 85. 



Phloxes. Collection of annual Phlo.xes, Jas. 

 Vick, Rochester, flrst prize, 810. 12 named varie- 

 ties, perennial; Jas. Vick, Rochester, fli"st prize, 

 83. Seedling not before shown ; Jas. Vick, 81. 



Verbenas. Collection; Jas. Vick, Rochester, 

 fii-st prize, 810. 12 named varieties; James Vick^ 

 Rochester, first prize, 83. American seedling not 

 before exhibited; Jas. Vick, Rochester, 82. 



