1869.] 
AMERICAN AGEIGULTUEIST. 
323 
Itfore Est* ustifnl Sfconnses.— The dwell- 
ings Ulnstratcd and described iu the American Agricul- 
turist for last. March were quickly sold, and have 
so greatly pleased the purchasers that neither of them 
could be bought now except at an advance of several 
thousand dollars. Two more houses arc now nearly com- 
pleted on a similar plan, but with sundry improvements 
suggested by experience, and by hints from the read- 
ers of this journal. They are of larger size, have circle 
or arched-head doors and windows throughout the first, 
story, more piazzas and windows, and are on larger plots 
of ground. They will be ready for inspection by Sept. 
1st, by those who may wish to examine the plans and 
structure, by calling on the builder, Mr. John Donald. 
They are on Bowne Avenue, Flushing, about 100 roda 
from the Main Street R. R. Depot. Trains run between 
Flushing and3-lth street and James Slip Ferries, N. Y. 
City, at almost all hours from sunrise to midnight. These 
houses will be sold to the first comers, on easy terms of 
payment, and at the cost of constrnction added to a mod- 
erate price for the land. Inquire of Jas. B. Parsons, 
31 Pine St., or John P. Ellis, 250 Broadway, N. Y. City. 
Finely Grown lilies* — A magnificent 
epecimen of the Golden-banded Lily, Lilium auratum^ 
we think the finest we have ever seen, was sent by Mr. 
Geo. Such, South Amboy, N. J., who has great success 
with bulb3. A pot specimen from him of the more com- 
mon Japan Lily, It. speaosum, was in our window for a 
week or two, and admired by hundreds. It had about 
a dozen stems, bearing from -1 to 12 flowers each Then 
Mr. James Tick, of Rochester, sent more lilies — a large 
basketful of the kinds mentioned above, and many more 
which people would cultivate if they knew how beautiful 
they were and how easily they may be grown. There 
was the beautiful Lilium longijlorum, the Long-flowered, 
and the larger Brown's Lily, L. Broicnii; the L. Choice- 
don ten m, with its bright scarlet Turk's-cap flowers; ex- 
celsum, with a color so delicate we hardly know how to 
name it; several varieties of L. umbeRatum; and others, 
not forgetting the good old "White Lily, L. candidum. 
An I ~fi (Visit iul Vine.-W. J. Teeter, 
Pulaski Co., Ind., has some vines which bloom every 
year, but bear no fruit. He does not say what vines they 
are, and we suppose he has one of our wild vines, which 
are often barren. Better plant some good varieties this 
fall, and if the others are in a desirable situation, the ex- 
periment of grafting may be tried. The grafting is done 
in October or November below the surface of the ground. 
Trouble iritli Verbenas. — Mrs. "R. 
W. T.," Decatur, III. It is probably some form of mildew 
not known here. Send a specimen. 
W. Y. Central I*arlc Report. — 
Through the politeness of Hon. Andrew H. Green, Con- 
troller, we have received the 12th Annual Report of the 
Commissioners. A hasty per/usal shows it to be equal in 
value to its predecessors. These reports form a valuable 
part of a horticultural library, as besides giving an ac- 
count of the progress of the work, there is always mate- 
rial of use to those contemplating the laying out of parks, 
or who are interested in landscape gardening in general. 
The Wilcl dioose S'ltiiu. — Specimens of 
this plum were sent by Samuel Baker, Madison, Tenn. 
Mr. B. claims to have the original tree from ' L seed taken 
from a wild goose's craw."— The plums were rather too 
ripe when packed, and did not reach us in very good con- 
dition. Enough were entire to show it to be a large and 
handsome variety of the wild plum, and if its productive- 
ness and hardiness are such as are claimed for it, it will 
no doubt be valuable as a preserving plum, and in those 
localities where the foreign sorts cannot be grown will 
prove acceptable as a table fruit. 
The firape Prospects. — In some of the 
grape localities in Ohio the continued rains have made 
pad havoc with the crop. At Hammondsport, as we. 
learn from our correspondent Dr. E. Van Ketiren, they 
were atone time threatened with both mildew and blight, 
but. the danger is now considered as past and they look 
for a fair average crop of fruit. Vines which were al- 
lowed to overbear last year, and those not properly cared 
for. have been more subject to disease than those m 
properly managed vineyards M. A. Stevenson, a well- 
known grape grower of Clyde, O., writes: "Ton are 
probably aware that we have had the most remarkable 
rainy period during June and July. The Catawba and 
Concord grapes were entirely destroyed in my vineyard, 
while the Delaware and Iona hang full of beautiful 
bunches that gladden the eyes to behold. In my broth- 
er's vineyard, the Ionas have suffered but slightly, but his 
Concords and Catawbasare almost entirely destroyed by 
the mildew. He had 3 rows of Catawbas in the 3d sea- 
eon that gave the greatest promise for fruit, but were en- 
tirely mildewed iuanightaad not a bunch left. ^ very 
curious fact is that I have some larj I ■■■'■■ la vines 
trained on trees in my door-yard, correctly pruned, that 
are a sight to behold, banging full of beautiful clusters 
anil fine bunches of grapes, not in the least affected. The 
500 Eumelau vines which I received this spring I plant- 
ed late, near the 1st of June, on account of the excessive 
wet which prevailed. They arc all growing and doing 
well, except 2 vines. A very great number are already 
between 3 and 4 ft. high. They are hoed clean, and the 
laterals are pinched with only one cane to each vine. 
Also the 500 E run elans, which B. K. Stevenson planted 
about the 20th of May, are doing still better than mine. 
They give him great pleasure on account of their great 
vigor and bright dark green and enduring leaf." 
Walnut Trees and Fruit Trees.— 
Mrs. D. S. Sharpe, Willi amsburgh, O. We cannot con- 
ceive that walnut trees can exercise any injurious in- 
fluence upon fruit trees except in two ways— robbing the 
fruit trees of nourishment by their extending roots, and 
by shading them. If the walnut, trees are not so near 
the fruit trees as to injuriously shade them, then we 
should dig down and see about the roots ; if they come 
into the territory of those of the apple trees and vines, 
cut them off and give the fruit trees a dressing of manure. 
VegctJihle Marrow and B'simpUan. 
"P. W.," Yonkers, N. Y. The probabilities are that 
these will mix, though we are not sure. We do not know 
what you mean by "Turks-cap." unless it be the Turban 
Squash. See article on seed raising in July. 
ISrown £pots on CurrantSt — " S. O. 
C," Yonkers, N. Y., sends samples of currants upon 
which are brown spots, and wishes to know what they 
are. The magnifier shows these spots to be so like the 
oyster-shell bark-louse that we think they must be the 
same. This louse ordinarily fixes itself to the bark of 
trees, and that it should attach itself to so perishable 
a thing as a currant shows a lack of knowledge in the 
insect. " S. 0. C." should examine his apple and pear 
trees aud the limbs of his currant bushes, to see if he is 
not badly troubled with the bark-louse. They must be 
very abundant if they attach themselves to currants. 
An Important Hfnrsery Sale. — Mr. 
D. D. Buchanan offers for sale at auction on the 28th of 
Sept., at Elizabeth, N. J., the stock of the well-known 
Reid's Nurseries. These nurseries were established by 
the late William Reid, long known as one of our most 
correct and conscientious pomologists. and their destruc- 
tion to make way for city improvements, while it is to 
be regretted, is unavoidable. The sale will afford a fine 
opportunity to procure specimen plants. 
American Preserving- Powders* — 
In answer to several inquiries we refer to the adver- 
tisement, testimonials, etc., in the July number. 
Protecting' Cabbage Plants.— "J. 
S., 11 Hopkinsville, Ky., says that sprinkling wheat bran 
over the young plants will cause the insects to " vamose." 
— Query. Will not any powder do the same? We judge 
so from the various inert, things that are recommended. 
We use plaster, which we suppose is inert as far as the 
insects are concerned, but it answers the purpose and 
probably serves as a fertilizer. 
Fall Planting. — R. M. Leggett, Boone 
Co., Mo., asks if " grapes, raspberries, etc., can be set 
as safely in the fall as in the spring."— Yes, we prefer 
fall planting for all hardy plants in localities where the 
winters are not severe. One has more time, the plants 
can be had in better condition, and if set during the 
late autumn, they get well established and ready to 
start in the spring. 
Plants Xsimed. — J. F. Knight, Marlon, 
Ala. The specimen is the Amdanehier ( 'anack ruft, called 
June-berry, Shad-bush, and Service-berry. It is a very 
variable plant in its wild state, there being some half 
dozen varieties. We have seen plants which produced 
decidedly pleasant fruit. It would be worth your while 
to try what you can do with seedlings ..." Subscriber,'" 
Wayne Co., N. C. Specimen too young to determine 
with accuracy, but probably the Nut-grass, Cypermro- 
tunda, var. Hydra. We know of no specific for getting 
rid of this, other than hoed crops "R. S. K.," Tow- 
anda, Pa. The shrub is False Indigo, Amorphafruticosa, 
and is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental shrub. 
Your Kansas friend was wrong in the description C. N. 
Pratt, Windsor Co., Vt., sends two of our beautiful 
Orchids. The one with several flowers is Calopogon 
puZcheUus, and that with a single flower is Arethum bul- 
bo-sa. These have received no common names but their 
botanical names; the first or generic ones at least are 
not difficult to Mrs. G. P. Johnson. Lake 
City, Minn., also sends the Ccdopogon ...Luther Purdy, 
Holmes Co., O. Spiderwort, Tradescaniia Yirginioa^ 
wild at, the South and "West, and at the East very com- 
mon in old gardens.... Mrs. " L. II. M.," Bingham, 
Mich. Apparently a semi-double, variety of the Pcach- 
leaved Bellflowcr, Campari Y. Deviuny, 
Denver, Col. Terr. The Columbine is not Aquilegia 
w;, but a more beautiful one. your native Aqi'i- 
ccerutea, the most charming of all Columbines. 
What you call Rocky Mt. Honeysuckle is apparently an 
Astragalus of sum" kind. Send us the seed-pods, . . "G-* 
S..' 1 Slatersville, R. I. Queen of the Prairie, Spir&a 
lebala, of which there are several garden varieties, differ- 
ing in the color of their flowers M. R.Allen, York 
Co., Me. No. 1. Arrowwood, Viburnum dentatum. No. 
2. too imperfect. No. 3. Die) villa frvfida, or Bush-Honey- 
suckle . F. Williamson, Ottumna, Kansas. Leather-flow- 
er, Clematis Yiorna. It bears hairy fruit later in the season. 
The Canker Worm, — "Subscriber," 
Wellesley, Mass. We have about exhausted this subject 
in articles in previous years. The whole story is this. 
The females which lay the eggs that produce the mis- 
chievous worms are wingless. Whatever will prevent 
these from ascending the tree will save you from their 
ravages. It sometimes occurs that they ascend in autumn, 
but they generally leave their chrysalis condition in the 
ground in early spring. Some obstacle must be inter- 
posed to their ascent, and we have in former volumes 
given several. We cannot commend coal tar directly 
applied to the tree, as we fear it would prove injurious. 
The efficacy of all the preventives to the ascent of the 
parent of the canker worm depends upon frequent — 
almost daily — personal attention. 
Golden Queen Strawberry. — "P. 
W.," Yonkers, N. Y. The Golden Queen from "Roches- 
ter is so near like the old Trollope's Victoria that good 
judges are unable to see any difference. When you get 
one as large as a hen's egg we will come and see it. 
Tlte Charles wowniug Sirawber- 
ry. — An annoying error of figures occurred in the August, 
number in a notice of Mr. Doty's results with this fruit. 
Mr. D's receipts from, the bed 30x30 should have been 
put down at §33.67, instead of $2GS.25, which makes 
quite a difference. 
Oa£s upon a Eleau of Wheat.— A. 
Robinson, Blue Earth Co., Minn., sends us a head of 
wheat upon which there are two grains or husks of oats 
attached in a manner to readily deceive one who did not 
make a thorough examination. We had seen such things 
before, and upon carefully removing the wheat and chaff 
it turned out as we suspected. The slender stem which 
supported the oats had in some way become drawn into the 
head of wheat. All familiar with the structure of a head 
of wheat, know that the stem where it passes through the 
head is zigzag, and that the grains set closely in the 
notches. The slender stem of the oat having been drawn 
tightly into one of the notches and behind the grain, it 
rendered the deception very complete ; but a careful 
examination showed no attachment whatever between 
the oats and the wheat stem. 
The American B'omological Socie- 
ty.— The following circular has been issued by the 
executive officers. "Dear Sir: The next regular meeting 
of the American Pomological Society will be held in 
Philadelphia, on the 15th of September, 1869, aud you 
are hereby specially invited to assist in furnishing in- 
formation upon any point that may appear to you im- 
portant connected with the objects of the Society— by 
the promotion and gathering of pomological knowledge. 
You are particularly invited to make notes from time to 
time of the period of blooming, the period of setting, of 
coloring, ripening, etc., etc., of any and all fruits. You 
are also invited to note any disease that may appear, its 
period of attack, general appearance, length of duration, 
and results of injury. These, with such other items of 
practical observation which you may consider likely to 
subserve of valuable aid to the Society, you are eaj uestly 
invited to forward to the Secretary, F. R. Elliott, ( leve 
land, Ohio, on or before September 1st, 1S69. You arc 
also invited to send samples of any new fruits that you 
may have or can obtaiu, from time to time, as they ripen 
during the season, to the said Secretary. Such small 
package samples will he transported by most of the Ex- 
press Companies free of charge, by explaining the object 
to the Agent. Marshall P. Wilder, Prcs., F. R. Elliott, 
Secretary." 1 
Blue Thistles.— "Howard," Cbarleltesvifle, 
Va. We suspect that this is not a thistle at all. If 
not too late, send a specimen. From the description 
given in your letter it cannot be the Canada Thistle. 
