18G3.] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
103 
Ilamburg B n a ern si t ioua I Exhibi i Som . 
— The following gentlemen hiive been appointed Dele- 
gales : Hon. Ezra Cornell, Ex-Presitlent N. Y. State Agr. 
Soc. ; Hon. Dan. Needham of Quincy, Vermont; Ex- 
Gov. Dyer, of Providence, R. L, and Chas. L. Flint, 
Sec. Mass. Board of Agriculture.— Messrs. Austin, Bald- 
win & Co. Inform us that several Express Companies 
agree to reduce their freight 25 percent, on all articles in- 
tended for the Exhibition, viz. American, Adams, Na- 
tional, California, and the Eastern. 
Butter and Cheese in Vermont.— 
In a recent conversation with Mr. G. Merrill, Superin- 
tendent of the Vermont Central and Sullivan Railroads, 
lie informed us, that during the year 1862, there were 
shipped at the St. Albans' Station alone 2400 tuns of 
Butter and Clieese. This is equivalent to 4,800,000, or 
nearly Jive millions pounds. Can anyone give us any- 
where near accurate statistics of the amount of each, 
butter ard cheese, produced in the whole state? We have 
one fact of interest, viz., that in proportion to the inhabit- 
ants, there are more copies of the American Agriculturist 
taken and read in Vermont than in any other state, with 
perhaps the exception of Pennsylvania and the " State *' 
of Long Island. Connecticut, Rhode Island and New- 
York, are nearly on a par with Pennsylvania. On 
Long Island every Post Office has its club of subscribers to 
this journal, and many of these clubs are very large. Ir^ 
our own town there are over 200 subscribers, who get the 
paper through the Post Office and in the city, though no 
canvass has been made for Premiums, and no other 
special efforts have been put forth. Not being a "prophet," 
this of course does not invalidate the general rule con- 
cerning that profession. 
Willow Hedges. — James D. Blacker, of 
Long Island, writes that he made a trial of the Osier wil- 
low for a hedge, and found that the roots so monopolized 
the soil that nothing would grow near it. Potatoes plant- 
ed near the hedge could only be dug by cutting among 
the roots of the willow with a sharp spade. A fence of 
the willow which had been set out four years, sent out 
roots 30 feet long into his garden. 
White Willow. -W. S. Grow, Vt. We 
have not seen the willow cuttings advertised by any one 
at the East. The tree is common enough in all old set- 
tlements, and doubtless grows in your own State. 
Osage Orange Seed.— W. E. Thomas, 
DeKalb Co., 111. The seeds should be sprouted by cov- 
ering with scalding water. When cool, tins is poured 
off, and the seeds kept covered in a warm place until they 
sprout, when they are to be sowed. If large quantities 
are sprouted at a time, take care that they do not heat. 
Sorghuni Seed.— B. Borden, Pa., suggests 
that pure seed could be obtained by cultivating upon an 
island or upon a peninsula sufficiently remote from any 
place where any other variety is cultivated. He thinks 
if someone would cultivate thus for the seed, he would 
do a profitable business, and be a public benefactor. [If 
he gets pure seed to start with.— Ed.] 
Lima Beans* — M\ Wither-ill, Saratoga Co., 
N. Y. "Learns by observation" that Lima beans when 
they germinate do not come above ground like other 
be.ins. This is contrary to our observation. Perhaps his 
were planted so deeply that the leaves did not reach the 
surface, but their usual way is to behave like other beans. 
To Save Cucumber Seeds.— W. W. 
Cook, of Hopedale, Mass., says "when the fruit is quite 
ripe, cut it open and scrape out the seeds into a suitable 
vessel, add an equal bulk of water and stir well together. 
In from 24 to 48 hours the mass will become quite sour, 
when, by rubbing and washing, the seeds may be made 
very clean. This method will answer for tomatoes or 
other similar seeds." 
Sweet Potatoes kept in Cut Straw. 
— We received, March 1st, from Mr. J. C. Thompson of 
Staten Island, a basket of Nansemond sweet potatoes 
which were as fresh and nice as the day they were dug. 
Mr. Thompson practices what lie preaches, and the di- 
rections he gave for keeping sweet potatoes on page 335 
of last volume (Nov. No.) prove eminently successful. 
It is now satisfactorily demonstrated that sweet potatoes 
can be profitably raised at the north, and successfully 
kept until Spring. We gave very full directions for the 
culture in the last volume of the Agriculturist. 
Hfotes on New Seeds.— W. W. Johnson, 
Penobscot Co., Me., writes that Mammoth Millet distrib- 
uted from this Office, and sowed by him in May, did not 
go to seed. In this latitude it ripens seed annually. Spelt, 
from our distribution, except one head, acted like winter 
grain, A package from the Patent Office marked " Bald 
Barley," contained several kinds of that grain, and numer- 
ous foul seeds ! After sorting, three-fiflhs proved to be a 
Bald variety, two rowed, and apparently good. The re- 
mainder was the common two and six rowed sorts. " St. 
James Carrot" from same source, yielded veil, was short- 
er and more tapering than the Orange, was easily pulled 
without digging, and belter than the Orange for the table. 
Soot in the Garden. - C. A. Winthrop, 
Otsego Co., N. Y. Soot, from the amount of ammonia 
it contains, would be too stimulating for strawberry plants. 
It is a valuable fertilizer for all root crops. 6 or 8 quarts 
in a barrel of water will make an excellent liquid manure. 
Weift-lit of Tumips.-G. Lee, Middlesex 
Co., Mass. The laws of different States fix the weights of 
turnips at 55 lbs. to 60 lbs. per bushel. In Connecticut, 
where farmers raise many for stock, the weight is 60 lbs. 
ISlaek Spanish Winter Radish.— 
Geo. E. Lane, of N. H., says that he received some seeds 
of this and the Brazilian Swiss Chard from the Patent 
Office, and does not know what to do with the crop. — The 
radish is eaten by some ; the Germans prize it highly. To 
our taste it is very strong, tough and unpleasant. The 
Chard should have been used for greens. See article on 
page 84 of last month. The roots if putout will give you 
seed next season. 
Treatment of the Orchard.— W. S. Car- 
penter, of Westchester Co., N. Y., one of our most suc- 
cessful fruit growers, scrapes the trunks of his trees after 
a day or two of wet weather, and then applies soft soap 
with a brush. This kills the insects and moss. If the 
soap, as it is found in the market, is too firm to put on with 
a brush, it is brought to a right consistence by working it 
over like mortar. 
jPear Stocks.— "G. N. H.," Jamesport, L. I. 
Pear stock are more difficult to raise than apple stocks, 
as they are liable to blight. Very early planting in a 
thoroughly prepared soil so as to secure an early growth, 
is recommended. The soil should be manured the Fall 
previous with vegetable mold, stable manure and ashes, 
and lime, if the soil does not contain it. Sow in rows 
three feet apart, or far enough to work with a cultivator. 
The Nectarine. — J. T. McLain, of Morrow 
Co., Ohio. The Nectarine is quite hardy and will flor- 
ish wherever the peach will grow. Where the curculio 
is abundant, the fruit, like the plum, is liable to be injured. 
The tree, like the peach, should be pruned in February or 
early Spring. Cut away half the previous year's growth. 
Cherries tor Kowa. — Isaac H. Page, of 
Wapella Co., Iowa. Dr. Kirtland's cherries are said to 
belong to the Bigarreau class. If these cherries do well 
in your latitude, it would doubtless be safe to plant Dr. 
Kirtland's Seedlings. The Patent Office Report can 
probably be obtained by writing to the member of Con- 
gress for your district. 
The Persimmon.- George Smith, of Han- 
cock Co., III. The persimmon prefers a rich and rather 
moist soil. It is a small tree, sometimes 20 or 30 feet high. 
It grows wild in some parts of your State. Mr. Thomas 
Hogg, now in Japan, writes that the most delicious fruit 
of that country is a kind of Persimmon. He hopes to be 
able to introduce it here. 
Rabbits in the Orchard and Nur- 
sery.— "J. R. D.," Warren Co., III., says that rabbits 
may be kept from young trees by greasing the trunk for 
about two feet from the ground. He uses either fresh 
lard or the fat of a rabbit. 
(iJrape Cuttings. — Isaac H. Page, Wapella 
Co., Iowa. The Delaware grape is more difficult to raise 
from cuttings in the open air, than most native varieties. 
A propagator of our acquaintance succeeds by keeping . 
them moist. 
Nursery Catalogues and Tree Plant- 
ing.— We have received a large number of Nursery 
Catalogues, more than we have room to speak of in de- 
tail. The one issued by S. Hoyt <fc Sons, of New Canaan, 
Conn., deserves more than a passing notice on account of 
its full directions for selecting, planting, and the after- 
care of fruit trees. They say : " Never buy or set a tree 
until you have made up your mind to give it proper care. 
Order from responsible nurserymen. In planting, expose 
the roots to sun and air as little as possible. Cultivate 
the orchard for five years, but do not plow too deep or too 
close to the trees. Buckwheat is admissible for a crop, 
but never sow oats or rye. Wash the trunks each Spring 
with a solution of 1 lb. potash to 6 or 8 quarts water. Ex- 
amine Spring and Fall for borers. Cut back half of each 
season's growth of dwarf trees, for three or four years." 
Crcveling: Grape.- 'ttrtt A. R. Sprout, 
Lycoming Co., Pa., writes that in her locality this is not 
considered an untried variety. She says: "We have 
now fruited many of the new varieties of grapes and are 
not so easily pleased with new grapes, after having so 
long enjojed the superior flavor of the Creveling. The 
vine, most seasons, requires winter protection.' 1 
RIeeding- Grape Vines.— Craig Giltnore, 
McLane Co., III., writes that having failed to stop the 
bleeding of a grape vine with grafting wax, or a hot iron, 
he applied a mixture of flour and salt in equal propor 
tions. This had the desired effect. He had seen this 
recommended in the Agriculturist to stop bleeding from 
flesh wounds, and found it good for lacerated vines. 
Keeping: Grapes.— Mr. George Barclay, of 
Dutchess Co., N. Y„ while traveling in France, often 
saw the grape in an admirable state of preservation, quite 
out of season. He found the secret of their success in 
thus preserving them, consisted in coating the clusters 
with lime. The .bunches are picked just before they 
are thoroughly ripe, and dipped in lime water of the 
consistence of thin cream. They are then hung on wires, 
and when dry are dipped the second lime, and then hung 
up to remain. The lime coating keeps nut air and checks 
any tendency to decay. When wanted for the table, dip 
the clusters in warm water to remove the lime. 
Inarching- the Grape Vine.— J. P. 
Streeper. Milwaukee Co., Wis. We doubt the success of 
this method. Practised in early Spring they will bleed 
too much for a union, and though they might unite if 
grafted in Summer, it is preferable to root-graft in the 
manner illustrated on another page. 
Grafting Wax. — C. Olney says, mix liy 
weight 4 parts resin, 2 parts beeswax, and 1 part tallow, 
by melting in an iron kettle. Pour it in cold water and 
work with the hands until it is of an even color. 
Shrub for a Name. — Capt. Ely Sperry, 
19th Conn. Volunteers, Fort Worth, Va —The leaveu 
of the shrub sent to us, appear to be Euonymus Japonica, 
a most beautiful species, but one which will not stand 
our northern winters. We are gratified to It now from 
the many letters we receive from the army that those who 
have taken up the sword have not forgotten about the 
plow, and the garden, and that they remember us. 
Seeds tor al\ame.— Elizabeth Wilson, De- 
catur Co., Ind. The "Forbidden Fruit" is called with 
us Jerusalem cherry. It is very closely related to the 
pepper, and has the botanical name of Solanum Pseudo- 
capsicum. The other we can not recognize from the 
seed. It will be necessary to send the flower at the prop- 
er season. The seeds sent by S. A. Myers, Henry Co., 
Ohio, look as if they were a species of Solanum, but we 
can not tell from the seeds only. 
Milkweed.— H. E. Rhouls, Montgomery Co., 
Ind. We do know the milkweed, and have several spe- 
cies very abundant here, as they are everywhere. We 
know of no use to which the silky fibre attached to the 
seeds, has been put. We learn from a Belgian horticul- 
tural journal that some experiments are to be made there 
upon its culture, with a view to the use of the fibre of the 
bark as a substitute for cotton. 
A Fine Bouquet. — J. J. Otto, of Roches- 
ter, N. Y., has sent us a bouquet of choice flowers, which 
came in fine order and graced our Exhibition tables for 
several days. By means of a frame made of four wire 
rings of different sizes, and placed one within another, 
the flowers were arranged so as to present a perfectly 
flat surface. The wire frame was entirely concealed by 
the beautiful Lycopodium which furnished the green of 
the bouquet. 
Plant for a Name.— S S. White, Mercer 
Co., 111. The beautifully dried specimen you sent is 
Callirrhoe pedata. It has not been long enough in culti- 
vation to have a popular name. We used to see It grow- 
ing wild in great profusion in Texas, and since it has 
been introduced to the gardens, it has been among our 
favorite plants. Sown early, It will bloom as an annual, 
and with care the rools may be kept over Winter. 
Tuberoses.— "Mac.," Sullivan Co., N. T. 
After the balls have dried, it is customary to trim off the 
roots before packing them away. We are glad that you 
have begun to give animals proper treatment whiie young 1 . 
