Q96 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[OCTOBER, 
features we found in the fruit, household and implement 
departments. We regret to speak thus of the show of a 
State we have reason to especially regard, and do it 
"more in sorrow than in anger." Our only aim is to 
awaken the good farmers of New-Jersey to a sense of the 
disgrace put upon them, or perhaps put upon themselves, 
and to incite them to right action in the future. Mon- 
mouth County with its potatoes, and Bergen with its 
vegetables, can take the job and get up a big and useful 
display ; but let the farmers of the whole State come to- 
gether next year — at some central, accessible point — and 
show what New-Jersey can do when she tries. No State 
could beat her in a genuine exhibition of soil products. 
Interesting to Flax and Hemp 
Growers and Manufacturers.— Congress hav- 
ing appropriated $20,000 to be expended in investigations 
to test the practicability of preparing flax and hemp as a 
substitute for cotton, the Commissioner of Agriculture 
has placed the matter in the hands of three Commis- 
sioners, who call the attention of manufacturers to the 
subject. Samples of fibres. and fabrics, with precise de- 
scriptions of processes, and statistics of cost, are to be 
sent to the Department of Agriculture at Washington, on 
or before November 20th. Parcels and letters should 
be endorsed, "For Commissioners of Flax Culture." 
"White Flax Seed. — Henry Gaylord, New 
Haven Co., Conn., sends us a sample of white flax seed, 
and asks if ihere is any difference between the fibre from 
this and that of the common seed. We have never seen 
the white seed before, except an occasional grain mixed 
with the brown and have no knowledge that the fibre 
is different from that of the ordinary kind.— We shall be 
glad to hear from any reader who can inform us. 
Wliul Success in Cotton Growing? 
— From many letters received last Spring we judged that 
a comparatively large area of cotton would be planted in 
g-nne of the Northern States this year. Will those who 
have been engaged in the experiment please report to the 
Agriculturist their success or failure, and give such 
practical hints as their experience has suggested. 
I>argje Yield of Potatoes. — Mrs, Elsie 
C. Wheeler, Essex Co., N. J., reports to the American 
Agriculturist, having planted a plot of ground, 61 feet 
by 89 feet, with Bulkley's seedling potato, and realized a 
return of 39 bushels— over 312 bushels per acre. 
Ufative Tobacco. — Geo. H. Brown, Henley, 
Cal.. sends seeds and specimens of a species of tobacco 
which grows wild in all parts of California. We sup- 
pose, from the limited specimen, that it is Nicotiana 
Tustica. We have not known of any attempts to culti- 
vate it, and can give no idea of its value. 
Tooncco for Ants.— W. B. Waldo, of 
Dutchess Co., N. Y., informs us that, after trying various 
expedients for ridding his walks of ants, at length suc- 
ceeded in clearing them out by the use of a strong 
decoction of tobacco. 
Pear and Peacli Trees in Miclii- 
gan. — J. N. Lansing, Mich. In your locality we should 
prefer to "heel in" the trees, i. e. make a deep trench 
for the roots and cover them with a good amount of 
earth, in a sheltered situation. Plum and Cherry trees 
we should prune in June or July. Currant bushes may 
be pruned any time in Autumn. 
Nig;ht-bloomiiig Cerens. — We have a 
fine specimen of this beautiful flower from Mr. George 
Stillwagon, of Flushing, L. I. Thanks to the attention of 
Mr. S., we had the pleasure of seeing it also. 
Plants fbr a Name. — Mrs. N. GouguD, 
Wild Co., III., sends Anagallis arvensis, the Pimpernel, 
which she says is a cure for hydrophobia. We never be- 
fore heard of its having any medicinal qualities "Spiv- 
ins," PIqua, Ohio. The specimen came in rather bad or- 
der, but it seems to be QuamocLt coccitiea, own brother to 
the Cypress Vine, and probably not a cross as you sup- 
pose. ...S. A. Decker, (no place) sends the Bitter Sweet, 
described on another page Mr. Seelbach, Baltimore. 
The plant is probably Cleome pungens, but the specimen 
Is too small for accurate determination H. H. Acker- 
man, Bucks Co., Pa. The seeds look like those of the 
Hollyhock, but as there are other nearly related plants, 
we can not be sure from the seeds only G. W. Good- 
win, Conn., Lythrum Salicaria u lhe Spiked Loosestrife. 
It grows wild in Forne parts of your Stale, and is often 
cultivated ...Mrs. Julia H. Mack, Richland Co., Wis. 
The leat sent is that of the Canarybird Flower (Tropes- 
olum peregrinum), a climbing species of the Nasturtium 
of the garden*. U is a charming climber, and an annual. 
Probably the flower buds of your lilacs are winterkilled. 
. ..E. W. Daniell, Meigs Co., Ohio. The grass is Uniola 
latifolia, the Broad-leaved Spike-grass. It is one of the 
most beautiful of our native grasses and worth cultivat- 
ing for ornamental purposes Mariette M. Herring, 
Winnebago Co., III. Your plant is Mertcnsia Virginica, 
(formerly called Pulmonaria) the Virginian Cowslip or 
Lungwort. It is one of the most beauliful of our native 
plants, and better deserves cultivation than many im- 
ported ones. The plant is a perennial, and if it does not 
perfect seed, may be propagated by division of the root. 
T. E. Goodrich, Ford Co., III., sends Trades cantia 
Virginica, noticed in the August basket. There are 
several varieties, all easily cultivated and very pretty. 
In botanical names when there are more than three syl- 
lables the accent is on the last but two, and thus : Tra- 
des-cau-ti-a Vir-gvVi-ca. The name officinalis, winch 
is often used as a specific name, comes from the Latin 
ojficina, a shop, and is applied to many plants which 
were or are sold as drugs in the shops. 
Spontaneous Generation. — P. Gara- 
brant, Morris Co., N. J., proposes to leave to the Agri- 
culturist the settlement of the question " Will ground 
germinate grain or weeds if there are no seeds in it?" — 
If Mr. G. has read the back volumes of the Agriculturist 
he will have seen that we have taken very strong ground 
against spontaneous generation. We have no proof that 
plants are multiplied in any other than the way provided 
by nature. With all the knowledge we have at present, 
we should answer his question with an emphatic NO. 
Mixing; of Strawberries. — L. C. Church, 
Plymouth Co., Mass. It is likely that strawberries with 
perfect flowers will mix more or less, if planted together, 
but as this will not materially affect the fruit, it is of no 
practical consequence, unless you wish to preserve the 
seeds or plants of any particular kind in a pure stale. 
A Good Tomato. — The Fejee is a good 
tomato. It is of medium to large size, nearly smooth, of 
a dark red, or salmon color, with a solid, meaty flesh, 
and is of fine flavor. If tomatoes were sold by weight — 
which really gives their value— the overgrown, deep 
scalloped sorts which have to be broken into pieces be- 
fore they can be peeled, would be discarded. Any smooth, 
solid tomato is preferable to the irregular ones, but 
commend us to the Fejee, alias Lester's Perfected. 
" Big Things."— J. D. Ellis, Columbia Co., 
N. Y., writes to the A?nerican Agriculturist, condemning 
the mania for producing " big things." He asks, " Why 
is a pumpkin weighing 200 lbs. better than five weighing 
40 lbs. each ; or a strawberry that must be carved like a 
muskmelon, more desirable than a larger number averag- 
ing one to a mouthful ?" In some things, undoubtedly 
there is little gained by enlarging specimens to unusual 
size; but in many fruits and vegetables large growth 
gives superior quality. Thus the apple, peach, cherry, 
etc., are improved by increase of size. But even where 
this is not the case, producing extraordinary specimens 
is merely a gratification of curiosity, an innocent though 
perhaps unprofitable amusement. 
Great American Exhibition of 
Pumpkins, Squashes, and 
Ornamental Gourds. 
The Second Annual Exhibition of Pump- 
kins, Squashes, and Ornamental Gourds, at the 
office of the American Agriculturist, 41 Park Row, New 
York City, opens on Wednesday, Nov, 4 tli 5 1863, 
and the following Prizes will be paid by the Publish- 
er, upon the official award of competent Committees. 
CASH PREMIUMS, 
A— For the Heaviest Pumpkin or Squash §10.00 
B— For the 2nd Heaviest Pumpkin or Squash. .. 5.0O 
C — For the 3d Heaviest Pumpkin or Squash 3.00 
D— For the Best Pumpkin or Squash for cooking. 5,00 
E— For 2nd Best Pumpkin or Squash for cooking 3.00 
F — For the largest yield on a single Vine * 1O.00 
G— For the 2nd largest yield on a single Vine...* 5,00 
II— For the largest and finest collection of Fan- / » „ n 
cy or Ornamental Gourds* \ '*"" 
I— For the 2nd largest and finest collection) - nft 
of Fancy or Ornamental Gourds" \ 4,uu 
*A11 to be grown by one person and to be accompanied 
by positive evidence from the grower, and one disinterest- 
ed person who assists in gathering the specimens. 
Note 1.— The specimens receiving the Prizes will re- 
main on Public Exhibition at the pleasure of the Publish- 
er who offers the prizes. The other specimens will be 
subject to the order of the exhibitors, or they will be 
sold at auction, or otherwise disposed of, for their benefit. 
NoteS.— All Exhibitors must notify us of their intentions 
by Oct. 15th, and deliver specimens for competition on or 
before Nov. 2d. Specimens to be delivered free of charge. 
Note 3.— The same specimen can compete for only one 
of the premiums offered above. See note, pa e 292. 
Exhibition Tablos at the Oflice of 
the American Agriculturist. 
The following articles have been placed on our tablps 
for exhibition since our last report: 
Fruits.— Apples ; Red Aslrachan, from A. J. Hall, 
Wallingford, Conn Specimens for name, and St. Law- 
rence ; T. Briggs, Schagticoke, N. Y Benoni Apples, 
fine; James Weed, Muscatine, Iowa Hyslop Crab 
Apple, (described under "Basket :") H. A. Conger, White- 
water, Wis. ...Specimens kept from last year; Wm. 
Teffl, Fordham, Mass Specimens for name; Wm. 
Howe, Mt. Vernon, N. Y Cranberry Pippins grown in 
1862, very fine ; Robert Benner, Astoria, N. Y Peart; 
Bartlett and Doyenne Boussock ; Wm. Doty, Union Hill, 
N. J Specimens for name ; Wm. Van Brunt, L. I ... 
Fine clusters of Seckels ; Peter Voorhees, Nyack, N. Y. 
... -Peackes : Specimen for name ; J. W. Hughes, Staten 
Island, N. Y Fine basket Crawford's Early: C. W. 
Idell, West Washington Market, New-York City 
Seedling; Wm. L. Plume, Brooklyn, N. Y Grapes: 
Hartford Prolific; Prof. Hopkins, Metuchin, N. J... Hart- 
ford Prolific; Wm. H. Milcliel!, Harlem, N. Y.... 
Northern Muscadine and Hartford Prolific; G. R. Gar- 
retson, Flushing, L. I Early Canada or August 
Grape; Mr. Ripley, South Windsor, Conn Hartford 
Prolific ; Wm. Tefft, Fordham, Mass August Pioneer ; 
John Friske, Holliston, Mass Berries: Cut-leaved 
Blackberry; S. A. Halsey, Astoria, N. Y Lawton 
Blackberry; Jno. B. Peck, Yonkers, N. Y ...Twice 
bearing Raspberry, Belle de Fontenay, Pink Black- 
berries, and late Strawberries ; Wm. F. Helns, Morrisania. 
N. Y ... .Miscellaneous Fruits: Ripe Figs, large and 
fine ; M. J. Taylor, Jr., Southport, Conn White Japan 
Melon ; Mr. Godfrey. Weslport, Conn Skillman's Net- 
ted Musk Melons, splendid specimens; Richard Ben- 
nett, Fort Hamilton, N, Y... .Plum for name; L. Pfen- 
ninger, Brooklyn, N. Y Cape Cod Cranberry Plant, 
in fruit; Wm. H. Starr, New-London, Ct Nectarine; 
B. N. Leonard, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
Flowers. — Cut Flowers and Asters in pots ; O. Judd, 
Flushing, N. Y. . ..Dahlias, Carnations, Roses, etc.; C. 
S. Pell, New- York Orphan Asylum Canna Indica, 
very fine; Wm. F. Heins, Morrisania, N. Y... Fine 
colored Seedling Petunias; Peter Henderson, Jersey 
City, N. J. ...Balsams; Mr. Petrick, Union Hill, N. J. 
....Double Sunflower, Imperiale, perfect specimen, 
Lewis A. Burt, Tremont, N. Y Magnificent collection 
of Gladioluses; Andrew Biidgman, 8TS Broadway, New- 
York City... Dahlias, Seedling Phloxes. Petunias, Helio- 
tropes and Double Balsams, very superior; W. ■& J. 
Cranston, Hoboken, N. J Bilbcrgia fulgens in bloom ; 
Isaac Buchanan, West 17th-st., New-York City; Night- 
blooming Cereus triangularis ; A. P. Cummings, 
New- York City Cut Flowers; Mrs. John Harper, 
East 82d-st., New-York City ....Splendid collection of 
Seedling Verbenas; Wm. Davison, Brooklyn, N. Y.... 
Caladium nymph of olium ; Wm. Heins, Morrisania, N. Y. 
....Magnificent collection of Asters and Zinnias ; W. P. 
Wright, Weehawken, N. J Balsams, Prince's Feather, 
Coxcomb, and Fancy Gourds ; Wm. B. Weslcolt, 302 
Madison-st., N. Y Balsams; Mis. Wm. Hamon, N. Y. 
Vegetables. — Curious growth of Sweet Corn ; Wm. 
Bergen, East New-York.. ..Cucumber grown in Bottle; 
E. W. Probasco, Clinton, N. J.. . .Tree Tomato, extia , 
G. M. Usher, Port Richmond, N. Y Cucumber and 
Melon hybridized ; H. W. Olcott, Mt. Clair, N. J. ...Fe- 
jee Tomato; Dr. A. Barber, Brooklyn, N.Y.... White 
Cucumber, very fine; W. G. McLaughlin, Harlem, 
N. Y Cuban or Grape Tomatoes; W, M. Doty, Union 
Hill, N. J . . . . Long Blood Beet, Red Turnip, Yellow To- 
matoes, Curious growth of Carrot and Tomato, superior 
Corn, and Lima Beans; J. W. Perkins, St. Joseph's 
Hospital, N. Y Purple Egg Plant, improved variety, 
While Egg Plant, Okra, Beefsteak, Yellow Plum, Yellow 
Cherry, Red Plum, Fig, Apple, and Cuban Tomatoes, 
and Winter Cherries ; Wm. F. 'Heins, Morrisania, N. Y. 
Large Purple Egg Plant, weighing 4!* lbs ; John G. 
Freeman, Ravenswood, N. Y — Sugar Beets; John B. 
Vroom, Blooming Grove, N. Y Fancy Gourds ; Daniel 
Rankin, Mt. Vernon, N. Y Peach-Blow Potatoes, good, 
first crop from Scrub-Oak land; M. Foley, Central Islip, 
N. Y Two Purple Egg Plants, very large, weight 5>£ 
and t% lbs ; Mrs. A. A. McElwee, Walker Valley, N. Y. 
Cucumber, Z% lbs., and Long-necked Squash, 20 
lbs. ; W. C. Aubert, New-Durham, N. J ... .Fejee Toma- 
toes ; W. W. Davis, 130 Grand-st., Jersey City, N. J 
Tree Tomato, curious specimen; G. M. Usher, Port 
Richmond, N. Y Purple Egg Plant, largest, weight 
8 lbs. 10 oz. ; Robert McGarrety, gardener to Frederick 
Wiggins, Rye, N. Y. 
Miscellaneous Articles.— Specimen of Raw Silk; 
O. U. de la Harpe, Great Salt Lake City, Utah.. ..Red 
Currant Juice preserved in bottle ; Wm. M. Dotv. Union 
Hill, N. J Mediterranean Wheat: A. Milne, Stamford, 
Conn.. .Mammoth Millet; Mrs. A. A. McElwee, Walker 
Valley, N. Y Fruit of Skunk Cabbage, iSympiocarpu* 
f&tutus ;) J. M. Knowfton, Tarrytown. X. Y. 
