34 
C. W. Stuirt & Co., Newark, New York. 
Ratlibun Blackberry. 
SELECT BLACKBERRIES, continued. 
Rathbun. Bla^k. Fruit jet-black, with a 
liigli polish, and sufficiently firm to handleand 
carry well. The whole crop is of >a very uni- 
form size. A comparison made in the season 
of 1896, taking the berries in each case just 
as they averaged, showed that a common 
strawberry quart box of Snyder counted 164 
berries ; the same package of Rathbun 
I ounlcd but 4,s l)urries. A speci- 
men measured was i V, inches 
in lenglli and i S inches in 
diameter. The fruit of the Rath- 
bun, unlike most Blackberries. lias 
no hard core, in fact, no core is per- 
ceived in eating it ; all is soft, 
sweet and luscious, with a high 
llavor. The plant is a strong, erect 
grower, producing few suckers. 
As to its hardiness, it has stood 15 
lo 18 degrees below zero. 
The RiUlibnn Blackberry is now 
I Inly) in hili frnit. ;uk1 we are \ery 
much pleased wiili ii. It is midway 
between a Blackberry and a dewberry 
in habit as also in earliness. The ber- 
I ies are exceedingly large and glossy, 
ji-t black and of .liood tiuaiit\'. 1 ct-r- 
laiuly think that there is a future for it. 
— 1.. il. Haii l'r<>(Vssnr ol Ilorticul- 
I me, Crornelt riii\-ei sit\-. Ithaca, N. ^'. 
Snyder. Black. Ripens here first 
part of August. Enormously pro- 
ductive. ;\Iediuni size. No hard, 
sour core. Half as many thorns 
as Lawton or Kittatinny, and they 
are nearly straight and short. 
Wachusett. Black. We <|uotethe follow- 
ing : 
Fruit of medium size. ohlong-o\al, moderately 
tlrin; sweet and good, little acid. Good keeper, 
ships well, \'ery hardy, and freer from stifl' thorns 
than others. 
Lucretia Dewberry. A trailing variety of 
the Blackberry Ripens between the rasp- 
berry and the Blackberry. A very desirable 
fruit'. 
SELECT ASPARAGUS, (for fall or spring setting.) 
How to Grow for Family Use. There is no veijetable that can be produced so easily and cheaply. 
A bed of Asparagus ol about 100 plants will give an abundant supply for an ordinary family. Asparagus 
is a \ ery profitable vegetable tu grow, as the crop is always salable at some figure, ancf pi obably the 
reason the market has never been ^lultcd is due to the fact lliat Asparagus culture has been regaided by 
most people as ext reniely difficult. We know instances where it has paid $2^0 to $400 per acre clear. 
To Plant tor Market. Dig the soil deep, and incorporate in it a heavv coat of rotted manure or 
well dccomp"sed ( omp'ist Plant the roots in rows 4 to 6 feet apart, and 3 feet between the roots, K or 
10 inches de^P Cover the bed in fall with manure ; fork it in in the spring. For Home Garden. .Set 
plants I foot apart in vi>\v\ iS inclies wide, for hand hoiiing, with same Ireatment as for markci. 
Caltivation and Cutting:. After the plants are well started, give frecpient and thoiout;h cultiva- 
tion, and draw a little earth into the furrows al each hoeinjj until they arc filled. Juiiiy the next spring 
spade-in a heavy dressing? of manure, and i quart of silt to each s(|uare rod;and culti\ fite well until the 
plants be.tfin to die down. The next season the bed may be cut over two or tlnee times, but if tliis is done 
all the short shoots no matter how small, should be cut, and after the fma! cultiii.t^ li'ivc a .L;oud dressing, 
of manure, ashes and salt. The next season the bed sliould .L;i\ e a full M Op, and be annually dressed 
with manure, ashes and salt after the last cuttins^, and well but not decplj- cullivalcd, until the plants 
occupy lh(_- whdle space In fall, as soon as lops are yellow, cut and burned them. 
Insects. \'ounu beds are sometimes attacked by black beetles, and if the grower does not have 
chickens i iinniiij^ loose, a light dusting? of air-slaked lime will cud the beetle trouble. Poultry will be 
Klad to do ;t gnoti uirn in the Asparagus bed for the harm they do in other places. 
Conover's Colossal. A variety universally ackuowlcdgcd to be an inipr<)veinenl on the 
older sorts, on account of its immense size, and being remarkably tender and hiy:h flavored. 
It is claimed that it can be cut one year sooner than other varieties. It is probably the most 
profitable market s(>rt, as it jModtices the Inrirest spears, and brings nearly double the price 
of other kinds We recommend this very luKhly 
SELECT RHUBARB. 
Khubarb familiarly known as tlie I'ie Plant or Wine Plant, is < ulli \ ated in ^ank-iis for its leafstalks , 
which are used |Vm' pies, tai ts c anninc:, eir. The large si/e, fine texture ami superior (|ualit>- of the new^ 
vaiieties of Klinbarb over the old cultivated "Pie Plant" cannot he conceived by ilmse who have 
never grown it 1 1 is \ cry pif)filable lo grow for market pnrpr)ses, is always in demand, an I commands 
g jod prices. H gi uws wvy rapiflly. and re(|uires little cidli\'ation. 
Planting and Cultivating:. I lu- plants slumld be set 4 feet apart each way. and the stalks will be 
fit ftir use the se» find scai-on aflei' planting. It is benefited by a hea\'y coat of strong, rich inainirc. 
Myatl*s Linnaeus. This is the finest Rhubarb 
firofinced , early, \ ery tender, aufl has a mild 
subacid flavor, tiot '" stritmy " or t'umh. Tlie plant 
is large, and for pies or other t iiliiiar\' pin p<ises it 
is tlie h(jusewife"s favorite. 
Early Scarlet. A rather small plant, but very 
f.'irly. teiuier and good. 
Vicforia. Medium size, and quite a favorite hi 
rci tain se( t ions. It is earl\-, teufler and rpiiie 
pi oductive. 
