252 Editors' Letter- Box. 



B., Boston. — Mr. Rand's previous articles in the Journal have given h'sts of 

 the "well-known hardy varieties of rhododendrons." Lists have also been pub- 

 lished in reply to several correspondents during the last two years. You can 

 easily find them. 



Idem. — To eradicate mealy-bug, take every plant out of the house, or down 

 from the walls ; then wash every part of the house with strong, hot soap-suds ; 

 then give a good coat of paint to all wood-work, filling all cracks. Wash every 

 plant or vine which is in the border with great care with strong soap-suds, re- 

 move all old foliage, and prune in well. Do not allow a plant to be returned to 

 the house until every part has been thoroughly cleaned. 



In no other way can you get rid of this pest : and it is best to do it thoroughly ; 

 for, if it is as bad as you represent it, you will have no comfort in greenhouse 

 or vinery until you do it. Time, as soon as possible. As to washing plants with 

 kerosene, it kills the insects, and usually the plants. 



RURALIST. — In planting two acres of small and large fruits for market near 

 a manufacturing town of some twenty thousand inhabitants, what kinds of fruit 

 and proportions of each would be best to plant ? The soil is a stiff clay. — We 

 would advise you to plant a large proportion of strawberries, as, coming earliest, 

 they are always more sought after than any other of the small fruits. If you seek 

 for the largest quantity, the Wilson is the kind. These, as well as raspberries 

 and blackberries, may be grown between the rows of trees while they are young. 

 Among large fruits, peaches supplant all others in their season ; and, while we 

 would plant a good supply of apples and pears, we would set them wide apart, 

 with peaches between, which will come to maturity, and do their work, and die, 

 while the apples and pears are growing. In regard to varieties both of these 

 and the small fruits, the best thing you can do is to visit the most successful 

 cultivators in your neighborhood, and find what varieties have done best with 

 them, and observe their methods. You will generally find them willing to com- 

 municate freely the results of their experience ; and it will be of more value than 

 any information that we can give, without more particular knowledge of your 

 circumstances. 



Idem. — Would it pay to raise Black-Cap berries for sale in a dried state 

 at the prices they have been selling at for several years in the New- York 

 market ? What is the. number of pounds of dried Black-Cap raspberries in a 

 bushel of fresh berries .'' — We have never known Black Caps raised for drying 

 in this part of the country ; indeed, they are cultivated but little for any purpose ; 

 and therefore we are unable to answer your inquiries concerning them : but we 

 print your questions, trusting that some of our readers will be disposed to give 

 you the desired information. 



G. I., Cumberland, lo. — We do not recognize the grapes as any variety known 

 to horticulturists ; though it was difficult to form a decided opinion, as they were 

 somewhat decayed ; and, for the same reason, we are unable to pronounce on their 

 merits. 



