1882.] 



59 



BOOKS AMD PAMPHLETS EEOEIVED, 

 Aesthetic Horticulture, Ornamental Planting 

 and some of its common errors.— An address before 

 the Horticultural Society of Summit County, Ohio, 

 by L. B. Pierce. The principal errors are ably pointed 

 out and treated under three distinct heads, viz.: 1, 

 Planting too much; 2, Planting the wrong varieties; 

 3, Planting in the wrong place. 



Entomological Society of Ontario, Canada.— 

 Eleventh annual report, including reports on some of 

 the noxious, beneficial and other insects of the 

 Province of Ontario. Several of the papers are of 

 great value to farmers and horticulturists generally. 

 Among them, Anls, by Rev. C. J. S. Bethune ; Mites, 

 by ffm. Saunders ; Weevils, by W. H. Harrington ; 

 Benefits derived from a Knowledge of Entomology, by 

 James Fletcher. 



Farmer's Guide to Northern Colorado.— A 

 Manual for intending Settlers, by William E. Pabor, 

 Associate Editor "Colorado Farmer," Denver, Col.— 

 A pamphlet of 68 pages, containing interesting sta- 

 tistics and other information about the agricultural 

 products of Colorado, and showing the rapid develop- 

 ment and increase of its manifold resources. In 1880 

 the State produced 1,425,104 bushels of Wheat, against 

 258,474 bushels in 1870, an increase of 451 per cent, in 

 ten 'years. 



Farm Library, No. 4, The Vegetable Garden. 



A guide for any one who would grow with profit the 

 best of foods for the table, by Dr. Byron D. Halsted, 

 and published by E. H. Libby, Chicago. This number 

 of the farm Library Series is, like its predecessors full 

 of practical information, "boiled down" to a mini- 

 mum space. Soil, location, manures and tools best 

 adapted for gardening, are successively described, 

 followed by cultural directions for perennial, hardy 

 and tender vegetables. 



Hints for Painters, Decorators and Paper 

 Hangers, by "An Old Band," published by The 

 Industrial Publication Company, New York. — A 

 pamphlet of sixty pages, containing a selection of 

 useful rules, data, memoranda, methods, and sug- 

 gestions for house, ship and furniture painting, paper 

 hanging, gilding, color mixing, and other matters 

 useful and instructive to painters and decorators. 

 The rules and recipes given appear to be practical 

 and reliable, and cannot but prove profitable to 

 every one engaged in painting or paper hanging. 



Address of the Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, 



Ph. D., on the occasion of his fifteenth election as 

 President of the New England Historic Genealogical 

 Society.— The amount of work which President Wil- 

 der accomplishes every year is something wonderful 

 for one of his age. His duties as President of the 

 Pomological Society, and his efficient work in the 

 horticultural field alone, are a more arduous task 

 than most men would be able and willing to perform 

 for the public good, but in addition to these he labors 

 faithfully and perseveringly in almost every branch 

 of science and industry, promoting progress and the 

 welfare of his fellow men. 



The address before us gives a vivid and carefully 

 condensed review of the leading events of the past 

 year, anniversaries and celebrations, researches and 

 discoveries and other occurrences of historical value. 

 The description of "The Age in which we live," a 

 period which has been more distinguished for its 

 marvellous discoveries, stupendous achievements, and 

 great advance in science, intelligence and Christian 

 benevolence, than any which has preceded it for a 

 thousand years, is especially beautiful and grand. 



Flora of "Westchester County, N. Y., by Dr. 



Oliver if. Willis, White Plains, N. Y. — This work, 

 originally prepared for Bolton's History of the 

 County, is now issued in pamphlet form, in which it 

 becomes easily accessible to botanists. The author 

 has devoted a good deal of time and study in the 

 preparation of this catalogue, the arrangement of 

 which corresponds with that of "Gray's Manual of 

 the Northern United States." The botanical as well 

 as the English names of the 1142 flowering plants and 

 46 Ferns and their allies, growing wild or naturalized 

 in this region, are enumerated in systematic order, 

 together with the localities in which they are found, 

 and in the case of trees, the principal uses to which 

 they are adapted, are also given. This being the first 

 published list of this kind, the difficulties in obtaining 

 accurate data were necessarily great, and the amount 

 of labor required in such works, can only be appre- 

 ciated by those who had practical experience therein. 

 To the collecting botanist, this work will be a most 

 welcome aid in his studies, and to every inhabitant 

 of the county who wishes to become acquainted with 

 its rich flora, it affords valuable assistance. 



ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 



Camellia not Blooming.— i£ W., Harpersville, N. 

 Y. — Transplant as directed in our March number, and 

 put out doors as soon as the weather permits. Graft- 

 ing would be of no benefit unless the plant is of wild 

 stock, which is not likely to be the case. 



Elm Tree Worms.-ifcs. W. C. W., Crisfield, 

 Md. — The destruction of the leaves of your Elm 

 Trees is probably caused by Canker Worms. The 

 article on this subject in the Fruit Department of 

 this number, gives the desired information. 



Coal Ashes.— 7?. II. Holyoke, Mass. ,— Unless wood is 

 used in connection with the coal, they cont ain but little 

 fertility, nevertheless they may|betisedto considerable 

 advantage on heavy soil. They loosen and lighten the 

 soil, make it more porous and thus increase fertility. 



Schraeder's Brome Grass.—./. C. K., Yorkville, 

 S. C. — This new forage plant, (Bromus Schrcederi) 

 introduced from Australia, is said to resist drouth 

 better than any other grass. It is sown broadcast 

 like other grasses, at the rate of two bushels to the 

 acre. It is said to yield two good cuttings in a season. 



Lupines.— F. A'., Brooklyn, N. Y.— There are sev- 

 eral kinds of Lupines cultivated in Europe. The 

 Yellow Lupine, Lupinus lutetis, is the most valuable 

 for green manuring. The seed is sown broadcast, at 

 the rate of about two bushels per acre and harrowed 

 in. It requires a light, deep soil, and should not be 

 sown before danger of frost is over. 



Potato Sets.— W. S. 8., Mossy Creek, Tenn.—On 

 good mellow soil and under otherwise favorable 

 conditions, sets of single eyes produce as good crops 

 as larger pieces, but on poor soil, or on freshly turned 

 sod, it is not desirable to cut so small. Would advise 

 to cut large tubers in four, and medium sized ones in 

 two pieces. 



Keeping Sweet Potatoes.— Subscriber, Owego, N. 

 Y.— Sweet Potatoes grown in dry, sandy soil, keep bet- 

 ter than those raised in heavy ground. They should be 

 dug on a dry day and only sound and perfect ones 

 selected. Cut and bruised tubers and such that have 

 been exposed to frosts however light, do not keep well. 

 A dry, warm place for storage is essential ; most farm- 

 house cellars are too damp and cold for the purpose. 



Quantity of American Wonder Peas per 

 Acre.— if. M. H., Faimington Point.— If carefully 

 sown, one bushel to the acre is enough. There is 

 nothing gained by planting closer, as then the plants 

 crowd each other and bear less. Alpha, Advancer, 

 Champion may be planted for succession, but by 

 sowing American Wonder, every two weeks, and 

 covering deep in dry weather, Green Peas may be had 

 all Summer. 



Pinching off the Blossoms of Strawberry 

 Plants.— Miss M. E. G. Bohrersville, Md.— As a rule 

 it is not advisable to let spring set Strawberry plants 

 bear the first year. The strain of transplanting and 

 bearing fruit is so great that it weakens the plants 

 too much. The blossoms should be pinched off as 

 soon as they appear, and the later in the season the 

 plants are set out, the more important becomes this 

 removal of their flowers. 



Rye.— E. W. H., Morgan Park, Ills.— Spring Eye 

 and Winter Bye are the same species, botanically, 

 Secale cereale. The two varieties have been produced 

 by gradually habituating them to the different seasons 

 of sowing. Many years have been required to effect 

 this change, and the advantages of^sowing each kind 

 at its appropriate season, are proved beyond doubt. 

 Spring Rye should be sown as early as possible, at the 

 rate of about one and a half bushels per acre. 



The Earliest Market Strawberry.—./. D. II, 

 Milton, Oregon. — We cannot speak advisedly for your 

 locality, its climatic conditions being so different 

 from those of the Eastern States. For South Caro- 

 lina, for instance, Newnan's Prolific is the most val- 

 uable early variety, while almost everywhere else it 

 proves worthless. Wilson succeeds well in your 

 State. Would advise a trial of Duchess, Duncan, 

 Nicanor, Charles Downing. 



The Best Strawberry.— A. if., Erie, Pa— -There 

 is no "best Strawberry for every purpose." The 

 very qualities which may make a variety valuable for 

 one purpose, generally disqualify it for others. For a 

 general market berry, the Wilson stands still at the 

 head of the list. For a good medium family berry, 

 Duchess, Charles Downing, Kentucky, are as desirable 

 as any. For largest size, Sharpless, Pres. Lincoln, 

 Cumberland Triumph. For highest flavor, Black 

 Defiance, Lennig's White, Triomphe do Gand. 



Golden or German Millet. — W. if. L., Coatopa, 

 Ala.— "Golden Millet" is the proper name for this 

 grass, as the "German Millet" proper is an entirely 



different plant. It is a valuable fodder grass, espec- 

 ially at the South. It should not be sown before the 

 ground is perfectly warm. The soil should be mod- 

 erately rich and in good mellow condition. It is 

 generally sown broadcast, *at the rate of half a bushel 

 per acre, and brushed or harrowed in with a smooth- 

 ing harrow. 



"Damping Off."— Col. I. A. B., Areata, Calif— 

 This is a drooping or sudden collapse of plants which 

 have been kept too warm and close. It seems as if 

 such plants did not possess sufficient stamina to 

 withstand the slightest adversity. A drop of cold 

 water upon their leaves, a slight draft or a lower 

 temperature makes them succumb and takes the life 

 out of them. There is no remedy for this except 

 prevention, by keeping the plants strong and healthy 

 from the start. 



Alfala.— ./. W. D., Belle Prairie, III.— Alfala, or 

 Lucerne, is highly valued throughout the West as a 

 substitute for Clover, both for soiling and hay. As hog 

 feed, for which it is- extensively grown, it is greatly 

 esteemed. Two and even three crops have been cut in 

 one season. Lucerne grows well upon dry soil which 

 would not produce grass, the roots strike exceedingly 

 deep, deriving their moisture and nutriment from the 

 sub-soil, and for this reason it readily withstands a 

 drouth which would burn Clover or Grass. Where 

 Lucerne once becomes well established there is little 

 fear of its dying out. 



Market Gardening at the South.— H. C. P., 

 Montgomery, Ala.— Only an experienced market gar- 

 dener could successfully manage a large truck farm 

 in the South, and an immigrant, however good a 

 gardener he might have been in Europe, would 

 require several years of careful observation and 

 study here, before he could adapt his ways to climatic 

 conditions so entirely different from those he has 

 been familiar with. Even a gardener from our own 

 Northern States, would probably not be very success- 

 ful during the first year. Would advise to proceed 

 slowly, until you have become better acquainted 

 with the business yourself. 



Box Edging.— M. S. W., Boston, Mass.— -To make 

 Box edging, a line is stretched close to the bed or 

 walk which is to be bordered. A trench about ten 

 inches deep is opened along this with a sharp spade, 

 so that the side against the line is nearly perpendicu- 

 lar, perfectly true and even. Old Box is then torn 

 into small pieces, to each of which some roots should 

 remain attached. These "pieces are then placed in 

 the ditch, against the smooth side, two inches apart, 

 and so that not more than about two inches of the 

 tops remain above the level of the path. The roots 

 and stems are then covered with fine soil, firmly 

 packed, and the furrow filled in. They should then 

 be lightly sheared and watered when the weather is 

 very dry. A mulch along both sides during the first 

 summer is beneficial. Early spring is the best time 

 for planting Box. It has to be sheared every spring, 

 to keep it in' good shape. Cutting it in the autumn 

 is very injurious, and is a frequent cause of "Box 

 dying out." 



CATALOGUES RECEIVED. 



Geo. T. Wales, Rochester, N. Y.— Catalogue of 

 Small Fruits, Flower and Vegetable Plants.— A neat 

 Catalogue, with a colored plate of the " La France " 

 Rose, as a frontispiece, giving cultural directions 

 and descriptions of all leading varieties. 



Mapes Complete Manures, — Circular of the 

 Mapes Formula and Peruvian Guano Co., 158 Front 

 Street, New York.— A neat pamphlet which contains 

 in addition to price lists and descriptions of the 

 different fertilizers manufactured by this Company, 

 much useful information in relation to the elements 

 of soils and plants, and the manuring and cultivation 

 of crops. 



Hoopes, Bro. & Thomas, Hand Book of Beauti- 

 ful Flowers, West Chester, Pa. A large, richiy 

 illustrated and descriptive, handsomely gotten up 

 catalogue of all the best new and old flowering 

 plants for the garden and greenhouse. The cultural 

 directions given for all the most popular plants are 

 especially valuable, and a beautifully drawn sketch 

 of the grounds and greenhouses printed on the cover, 

 gives a good idea of the extent of this establishment. 



Daniel F. Beatty's new Piano and Organ Factory, 

 at Washington, N. J., is one of the most extensive 

 and best organized establishments of the kind. The 

 old factory, burnt out entire only five months ago, 

 and since that time these immense structures have 

 been erected and put in operation, turning out 30 

 musical instruments a day, which we are assured 

 would be doubled in 30, and trebled in 90 days. 



