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THIS DEPARTMENT IS EDITED BY W. J. DAVIDSON, SEO. N. Y. 
HOim CULTURAL SOCIETY. 
THE NEW YORK HORTICULTURAL 
SOCIETY. 
A T the lost meeting of this society, in addition to the splen- 
did head of the Double Poinsettia and the noble dishes 
of mushrooms shown by Messrs. Bennett & Heushaw, a very 
instructive and entertaining lecture on “Small Fruits for the 
Family Garden,” was delivered by Dr. Hexamer, Newcastle, 
N. Y., giving among other thoroughly practical information 
those varieties of small fruits, which from their freeness of 
growth in almost all soils, and under different conditions, 
hardiness, fair flavor, good size, and general good qualities, 
are essentially the “ fruit for the people.” Commencing with 
the strawberry, he said that the variety known as Charles 
Downing for a main crop, with Duchesse for an early and 
Kentucky for a late sort, seemed to give all the requirements 
necessary for a bountiful supply during the season. And for 
the amateur who wished to try other sorts of higher flavor, he 
recommended Black Defiance, Lenning’s White, Seth Boyden, 
Burr’s Pine, and, for heavy soils, Triompfie do Oand. 
In raspberries the Black Cap, Doolittle, Miami or Mam- 
moth Cluster and Davison’s Thornless were highly spoken of, 
and the suggestion offered that as they are propagated from 
tips only, they must not be planted so deep as the other kinds 
which are propagated by suckers and layers. Of these, the 
Philadelphia, Highland hardy, Clark, and Cuthbert (a late 
variety, but large and fine) were pronounced the best hardy 
sorts ; while of the tender sorts, requiring shelter and protec- 
tion in winter, the Hudson River Antwerp and Brinkle’s 
Orange were the favorites. Of blackberries, the Kittatinny, 
hardy and prolific, and the Dorchester. In currants the 
cherry and Versailles, which were pronounced much alike, 
the old red Dutch and white grape were recommended ; and 
among gooseberries, though all subject to mildew more or 
less, the Houghton and Downing. The favorite Concord 
among grapes was awarded the palm of superiority as being 
everybody's grape, and succeeding well in almost any loca 
tion, while in sheltered places the higher flavored sorts, such 
as Delaware, Iona and some of Rodgers’ seedlings, could be 
grown. 
The address was received with great favor, and a hearty 
vote of thanks awarded to Dr. Hexamer. We have much 
• pleasure in stating that at the future monthly meetings of the 
society, addresses may be expected on “The General Culture 
' f Greenhouse and Bedding Plants and Kindred Subjects,” 
' d at the next meeting a letter will be read from J. A. 
V^Varder, Esq., Indianapolis, on “Forestry.” Premiums for 
rftut flowers, hyacinths, primulas, etc., in pots, will also be 
i competed for, and as these exhibitions are free to the public, 
we hope many will avail themselves of the opportunity 
afforded them of a few hours’ instruction and recreation. 
OUR NEW JERSEY GARDENS. 
N EW Jersey is proverbial for its greenhouses and market 
gardens, and in the rarer and finer classes of plants 
South Amboy undoubtedly takes the lead. On a recent visit 
we found at Mr. R. H. Rathbun’s a splendid collection of 
Agaves and other succulents, many of them very rare ; a fine 
collection of Azalias just starting into bloom, besides many 
plants of peculiar interest to the lover of the curious and 
beautiful in nature. A finely-grown plant of the extremely 
curious New Holland Pitcher plant, Cephalotus follicularis. 
is very interesting, showing the finest colored pitchers we 
have ever seen. His collection of ferns, palms, marantas, 
and other exotic plants is very fine, and, with the extensive, 
healthy, and well-grown collection of orchids, 6how the care 
and attention bestowed on tbem by his energetic and able 
gardener, Mr. W. Clements. A plant of the rather weak- 
growing Dendrobium Pierardii is worthy of particular men- 
tion, the stems being-over five feet in length, and bearing over 
550 flowers. We never go to South Amboy without making 
Mr. G. Such’s extensive green-houses our objective point, 
where the presiding genius, Sir. Taplin, dispenses lore on 
orchids and pitcher plants, with a zest that made enthusiasts 
of us all. Here we fouud, in addition to the many palms, 
Dracenas, Pandannds, Crotons, et sic genus omne, a fine lot of 
orchids, cither in or showing bloom ; notably, Cattely, 
Trianre, Lrelia auceps, a very fine variety of Oncedium 
bicallosum, the lovely light pink East Indian Butterfly orchid, 
Phalasnopsis Schilleriana, and its lovely white Congener P. 
Amabilis. . Sophvonites grandiflora, Odontoglossum Rossii, in 
many varieties, undoubtedly native hybrids ; 0. Pescatorei 
Vanda tricolor, and many others. In the cool houses, 
Luculia gratissima, with its large Hydrangea, like heads of 
frngraut pink blossoms, was still in good shape, though in bloom 
for over two months; La pager ia rosea aud Thunbergia Harrisii 
with its wealth of light blue trumpet-shaped flowers, wero 
also very fine; while immense plants of the most lovely of all 
the New Zealand ferus (Gluchenias in many varieties) showed 
the master hand of the cultivator. But after all, to the intel- 
ligent observer, the palm of .superiority must be awarded to 
the seedling pitcher plants raised by Mr. Taplin, crosses be- 
tween Nc peulhes Roftlesiaua, as the female parent with N. 
Hookeri, distitlatoria and Hookori. We have here a most 
wonderful variety, surpassing anything wo have yet seen of 
British or Continental origin in brightness of color, shape and 
size of pitchers, as well as vigor and gracefulness of growth 
and habit. Altogether a visit to South Amboy at no matter 
what season of the year, is a treat to even the veriest tyro in 
horticulture. 
nnql 
To Correspondents. Those desiring us to prescribe for their dogs 
win pleaee take note of and describe the followlug points In each ani- 
mal: 
1. Age. 2. Food and medicine given. 3. Appearance of the eye • 
of the coat ; of the tongue and lips. 4. Any changes In the appearand 
of the body, as bloating, drawing In of the flanks, etc. 6. Breathing 
the number of respirations per mlnnte, and whether labored or not! 
6. Condition of the bowels and secretions of the kidneys, color, etc. 
Appetlto; regular, variable, etc. 8. Temperature of the body 'as lndl 
cated by the bulb of the thermometer when placed between the body 
and the foreleg. 9. Give position of kennel and surroundings, outlook 
contiguity to other buildings, and the uses of the latter. Also give any 
pecollarltles of temperamont, movements, etc., that may be noticed 
gns of angering, eto. 
FIXTURES FOR 1878-BENCH SHOWS. 
St. Louis Bench Show, St. Louis, Mo., Feb. 19, 20, 21 and °2 
Entries close Feb. 6. 
Boston Kennel Club Show, Boston, Maas., Maroh 26, 27, 28 and 
2J. Dr. E. J. Forster, Secretary. 
Baltimore Kennel Club's Show, Baltimore, Md., April 23 24 25 
and 26. L. R. Caesard, Secretary. 
The Westminster Kennel Club (New York) Bench Show Gil- 
more s Garden, May 16, 17, 18 and 19. Dr. W. 8eward Webb 
Secretary. ' 
BLUE BELTONS. 
TN reply to several correspondents who ask particulars as 
1 to blue Beltons, taking the late Mr. Edward Laverack's 
work on the setter as authority, we condense from his book 
as follows : The origin of the Belton is not well known. The 
Marquis of Breadalbane had only Beltons in his kennel. There 
are black and tan Beltons, but blue were preferred. Many 
years ago, through Cumberland and Northumberland, Eng- 
land, the breed was known. Mr. Laverock’s acquaintance 
with the breed dated back in 1872 to some forty-seven years 
before. A dog called Fred II. was supposed by Mr. Laverock 
to present all the best physical traits of the Beltons. On page 
22 of “The Setter,” by Edward Laverock, we find the follow- 
ing description : “Head long and light, not snake-headed or 
deep-flewed, but a sufficiency of tip, remarkable for being 
very strong in the fore quarters ; chest deep, wide, and ribs 
well sprung behind the shoulders, carrying the breadth of 
back to where the tail is set on; immensely strong across the 
loins, shoulders very slanting and oblique, particularly short 
from the shoulders to where the hind-quarters meet; color, 
black, or blue and white ticked; coat, long, soft and silky in 
texture; eyes soft, mild and intelligent, of a dark hazel color; 
ears low set in and cldSe to the head, giving a round develop- 
ment to the skull." There are lemon and white Beltons, 
although Mr. Laverock declares these to have been very fine 
animals, he si ill gave preference to the blue Belton. 
No dogs who do not get the color from Laverock blood can 
fairly be called blue Beltons. Mr. Laverock wrote : “ If I 
had not kept my breed of blue Beltons pure, this rare old 
strain would have degenerated in a similar manner" (to other 
degeuerate strains). The best specimens in America find 
examples in Mr. Smith’s “Paris” and “Pearl,” Mr. Beecher’s 
“Blue Belle,” by “Pride of the Border,” and Mr. Olcott's 
“Guy Mannering” and “Roderick Dhu.” There are others 
equally true in color, but not so well known. Laverock’s old 
‘Blue Dash” had little entire black, except her ears, and the 
nearer a “blue and white ticked” setter of pure or part Lave- 
rock strain resembles him in color, the nearer he approaches 
to the true blue Belton type. Some critics may hold that no 
dog, however black and white ticked, is a true blue Belton, 
unless he is a purS Laverock ; but generally the term is ad- 
mitted as applying to any setter bred wholly or in part from 
“Laverock blood that approaches the hue of old ‘ Blue Dash.’ 
His owner says that “when this dog was first exhibited as 
a specimen of the blue Belton, most of the public and 
judges had never seen the breed ;" which is another way of 
stating that they were purely his own. As other specimens 
of it, lie mentions Garth’s (Q. C.) “Daisy,” Lewellin's 
“Countess” (a beautiful and perfect specimen), and Dickens’ 
“Belle.” 
mode of hunting, and after acquiring the habit in cover ad'’ 
ueres to it when taken to the field, unless extraordinary care 
is taken to break him of what may be to some very desirable 
in oover, yet is detestable when it becomes the habitual mode 
most dnrohlD ? 0pen i , Firs i '“Prions are oftentimes the 
therefore care should bo taken that 
SeSrr sLoulcl be such as to leave a desirable effect 
2° i„ P T ] 8 nund - This would hardly be the ease if the 
nS rr J™, •“*,» to teach him to hunt wUh 
finff <™L k ground, seeking the foot-scent that he might 
to C - “ ng - AU d °g a have a natural propensity 
propensity 
THE BEST BIRDS TO BREAK DOGS ON. 
W RITING to the Chicago Field under this caption, Ar- 
nold Burges gives as his decided opinion “formed 
from experience ” that the ruffed grouse is “ the best bird of 
all to break dogs upon.” The arguments that he advances in 
support of this assertion arc more plausible than practical, and 
but one side of the question is discussed. This is the first oc- 
casion we have known any one to advocate breaking dogs 
first in cover, and upon the wildest of our game birds when 
found in thickly settled districts. Differing in opinion from 
Mr. Burges so widely as to consider the ruffed grouse the 
least suitable for this purpose of all the game birds usually 
shot over dogs in this country, I venture to present some facts 
that serve to support my opinion and that furnish ground for 
objections that to my mind far outweigh the arguments used 
in favor of the subject. The tenor of Mr. B. s argument is, 
that owing to the wariness of thPse birds, a young dog should 
first be broken on tbem to develop caution, a keen nose and 
slowness on a trail. Does Mr. B. desire that a dog’s first 
lesson shall teach him to trail ? A dog takes naturally to this 
rnffXJL,™ ma ™ e F> and the repeated hunting of 
ruffed grouse alone would inevitably coiffirm a doc in tho 
«™*STaI tboS Lot 
time ° ver my do « 8 and devoting much 
oSTkJow f ^ .11 wpinl i r m Cqua ' ly 8° od m cover and 
epen, i Know lull well that few, very few, sportsmen do the 
. Mr ‘J 3u !F 9 wil1 P rolmbl y allow that it is not over 
nffJr > K a d0g , huut fast and in flne style in the open 
after it has become habituated to hunting close and slowly in 
K Cekl ? g v. tbe . fooUscent by Preference and finding rame 
kound by the trail, which It follows cautiously until 
W? 1 ™ nsc8 : , or else, if the bird at last lies aud suffers the 
(log to approach near enough to take the body scent, he catches 
it while on the trail with head down and stern depressed, and 
freezes in that position. There are some qualifications 
quite desirable in a dog for cover-shooting that are quite the 
reverse for open shooting, and to possess both in perfection n 
clog must, be so thoroughly broken as to leave the slow, pot- 
tering gait and habit of trailing the moment that ho emerges 
trom cover to hunt in tho field, and rouging fast and wide 
carry Ins head and stern well up, not seeking to find game by 
the scent on the ground, except when after a crippled bird, 
ims is ft matter of training, andhigber training, too, than is 
ordinarily attained. It is no difficult matter to tench a dog to 
hunt close in cover if he is under good control and hunts for 
liis master and not for himself ; for except when excited by 
the near presence of game, the scent of which has already 
been detected, the dog no sooner misses his master thau he 
returns and hunts within sight or hearing. Mr. Burges' 
arguments are good if the dogs are to he broken especially or 
solely for cover shooting. But if to be used principally for 
open shooting I would not allow a young dog to be taken into 
cover for his first field lessons, nor indeed until after lie had 
been worked sufficiently on game in the open to become quite 
controllable, and familiar with the work expected of him. I 
do not doubt that Mr. B. can break dogs first in cover and 
make them equally good iu the open. But if he habitually 
docs it, he obtains results quite at variance with the vast 
majority of dogs so hunted. Too often has my eye been 
pained by the appearance in the field of dogs of really flno 
qualities, marred by bad habits contracted in the cover. 
Ruffed grouse, like other birds, vary their habits according 
to locality, etc. When much shot at they are very wild, 
but in localities little frequented by man they arc quite tLe 
reverse, and may not only be easily approached, but may bo 
shot from the trees one by one until several are killed cro the 
remainder will seek safety in flight. “ None but pot-hunteis 
would kill them thus," has often been remarked of shootiDg 
game birds sitting, yet this bird is generally considered as on 
exception to the rule. They are very desirable additions to 
the larder, and when found in the dense forest where, owing 
to their surroundings and their habits, they cannot be shot on 
the wing, afford no 9port, and arc killed solely for the pot. 
To illustrate the difficulty of obtaining a wing shot at 
ruffed grouse in such localities I will relate aa incident that 
occurred to the famous sportsman “ Gale ” Loring, who was 
the most wonderful field shot of whom I have ever seen re- 
cord. It was near the close of a day in early autumn, while 
traveling by canoe with an Indian hunter toward Northern 
Maine to hunt moose, and the falling shadows warned him 1o 
select a camping ground. Suddenly a pair of wood-ducks 
flew around a bend of the stream and directly toward tho 
canoe. Too near to turn back, they separated to pass tho 
canoe, one on each side. But Gale's gun was lying nt hand, 
in readiness for any unexpected shot whereby ho might ob- 
tain a good supper, and both ducks fell to a right and left 
shot from either shoulder, for he had the remarkable faculty 
of shooting from either shoulder, and could not turn quick 
enough in the canoe to kill tbem otherwise. 
Great was the astonishment of tho Indian at this feat, it 
being the first time that he had ever seen a bird shot while 
flying. Poor “ Lo ” thought that the devil's power was used. 
“Ugh ! kill um so every time !’’ “ Most every time.” “Kill 
urn all kinds so ?" “ Yes, all kinds.” “ Kill Injun partridge ?” 
“Yes; Injun find one.” While this convereati- n was going 
on, the Indian making long pauses after each query, tin- 
ducks were picked up and the canoe beached, unloaded and 
turned bottom up‘on the shore. A pair of small ducks were 
just enough for one man's supper after an all day's paddle, so 
they immediately set out in search of partridges, as grouse 
are commonly called in Maine. Soon a dozen were found 
feeding on the ground. “ Ready now 7” asked the Indian as 
the birds began to run. “Ready all the time," was the re- 
ply. The Indian clapped his hands, but the birds only ran 
the faster. He then threw a bit of the dead branch of a tree 
at them and one or two went to the lower branches of the 
nearest tree, flying but a few feet and giving no lime for a 
wing shot. After repeated clubbing the others were gradu- 
ally flushed, but with like result, it being impossible to make 
them fly,far enough at a time to afford a wing shot. Yet so 
shy are the same birds when frequently shot at that it is often 
difficult to get near enough to them for any sort of a shot, not 
lying to either dog or man. Especially is this the case in 
open woods free from underbrush, where they will run rapid- 
ly aDd take flight out of niDge. Even when not thus shy 
they will almost invariably first use their legs ere resorting to 
their wiDgs as a means of escape. And owing to their habit 
of running ore they especially undesirable birds upon which 
to break dogs. When a dog lias been hunted upon no other 
game, and has become proficient upon ruffed grouse, he hunts 
in a slow, pottering manner, necessarily so. to be suc- 
cessful in any great measure, for the birds run so that; 
the foot-scent is most often the first taken, and the game 
is found by trailing, which should be done in a slow, cautious 
manner, lest the wary birds be unintentionally flushed. Now, 
when the dog is first taken to the open he hunts in like man- 
ner, and continues to do so until he is taught that another 
style must be adopted. By the time that this other style (a 
fast gait, with head and stern well up, wide ranging and no 
trailing), is thoroughly learned, tho dog must have another 
course of training in tne covers, to teach him to resume there 
his work as first taught, and to know that he must do thus in 
cover and to in the open, and never confound the two duties. 
All this has been, and can be, done ; but, not only must a 
dog be highly trained for such work, but his training must 
