644' 



T//E QUE ST/ON BOX. 



the necessity of being right before going ahead. — Henry 

 Stewart. 



70. Pear Blight. — What is the best mode of killing ? 

 —J. F. M. 



Ans. — The best mode, so far known, is to cut off well 

 below the affected part the diseased branches and burn 

 them. Dip the knife-blade in coal oil or turpentine 

 every time a diseased branch is cut away to prevent in- 

 oculating other trees. Begin cutting at 7't'iy first ap- 

 pearance of disease. 



Best Six Grapes. — What are the six best varieties 

 of grapes for Dallas ? — J. F. M., Texas. 



Ans. — The following in italics, followed by second 

 and third choice, are my selection of six grapes from 

 among the older varieties for the region of Dallas, 

 Texas : Moore's Early, first early black ; Delaware, or 

 Brighton, early red ; Moore's Diamond, or Niagara, early 

 white ; Concord, Worden or Eaton, later black ; Tri. 

 nmph, or Missouri Reisling, late white ; Herbeiuont , or 

 Diana, late red. To these, for very late black, would 

 add Highland. Among more recent introductions, and 

 more especially suitable, owing to having originated in 

 the south, would name, as having proved very success- 

 ful after fruiting five or six years on many vines, and in 

 many places, the following : Brilliant, early, fine large 

 red ; Rommel and Campbell, early, fine white ; Her- 

 mann Jceger, medium late black. The Moyer, as a very 

 early, fine red grape, a seedling of Delaware, with larger 

 berry of recent introduction, so far promises very well 

 here. It is very proper to say that of the above varie- 

 ties, some suffer severely from black rot some seasons, 

 but this may be fully prevented at a small expense by 

 the use of copper solutions sprayed over the vines early 

 in the season, just before and after flowering. By such 

 application many of the finer grapes can be successfully 

 grown in your region, but avoid the vinifera (or " Cali- 

 fornia varieties," as they are often termed), as the phil- 

 loxera pervades black-land regions and will destroy the 

 vines. Such varieties, however, flourish in the arid 

 regions of Texas in the granitic soils, where irrigation 

 can be applied. The varieties named above, which are 

 most subject to black rot, are Brighton, Moore's Dia- 

 mond, Niagara, Concord, Worden and Eaton. The 

 Ives Seedling, black, and Perkins, red, resist the rot well 



and bear heavily, but are miserably poor in quality, and 

 hence should be discarded. For very fine late red wine 

 grapes that do not rot, plant Cynthiana and Black July 

 (syn. Devereux). For a very late fine white or amber 

 wine grape, free from rot and very prolific, the Hermann 

 is very successful. The Le Noir (syn. Jacques or Black 

 Spanish) is vigorous, very prolific and successful in 

 Texas as a red wine grape, but subject to anthracnose 

 and black rot. — T. V. Munson. 



Marechai Niel Rose. — Is this hardy in central Mis- 

 souri ? — Mrs. John E. Mohler. 



71. Christmas pears.— W. M. C, Alabama. — I 

 would most sincerely recommend the Lawrence as a 

 Christmas pear instead of Winter Nelis. — N. L. C. 

 Moore. 



Chinese Lilies. — Will these flower well if grown in 

 clear glass globes ? — H. A. M. 



French Lilac. — N. J. S. — The flowers you send under 

 the name of French lilac are a common white perennial 

 phlox. 



Palm Seeds. — N. L. M. C. — For these seeds write 

 Siebrecht & Wadley, New Rochelle, New York. 



Seedling Rhododendrons. — N. L. C. M. — For seed- 

 ling rhododendrons and magnolias address Gillette & 

 Horsford, Southwick, Mass. ; Reasoner Brothers, Mana- 

 tee, Fla., and Thos. Meehan, Germantown, Pa. 



72. How should I treat the African lily ? — C. 



Ans. — The blue African lily is well adapted for the 

 lawn when planted in large clumps. When growth is 

 starting, give them plenty of water until their foliage 

 is perfected. They are also fine for pot-culture. 



73. What is the proper way to handle hyacinth bulbs 

 after flowering ? — L. 



Ans. — If it is necessary to move the hyacinth bulbs after 

 they are through flowering, wait until the foliage begins 

 to decay ; then take up the bulbs and put them in a 

 cool, dry, airy closet or cellar to dry. Remove the 

 stalks from the bulbs when they are well dried, and 

 place the bulbs in boxes on shelving, covering them with 

 sand. Kept in this way they will be sound and plump 

 in the fall when you wish to plant them. Remove the 

 old roots and loose scales just before planting them. 

 This is a memorandum it will be well to keep in mind 

 for next season. 



