9 
15 
itself from the seed, having grown many 
seedlings which seemed identical with the 
parent. The specimens sent seem to us 
somewhat larger and thicker meated than 
the Damson. We would like'the opinion of 
our readers upon this point. 
Wakefield. Mass., Aug. 29, 1881. 
Editor of Seed-Time and Harvest ;—In 
last issue I saw the use of petroleum which 
I would like to try but I must ask a few 
questions. Is it a thick substance so that 
we cannot mix any thing with it? What I 
would like is to make a paint of it by mix¬ 
ing dry mineral with it for walls of out¬ 
buildings, and also for roofs of all my build 
ings. I see it comes much cheaper than 
roofing paint for that costs fifty cents per 
gallon by the barrel. If you will please 
answer the above questions you will grant 
me a great favor. I suppose we can get 
petroleum in Boston. Respectfully Tours, 
B. W. Oliver. 
Answer. “Crude petroleum” oil is not 
very thick, and will strike into wood work 
very rapidiy. We have tried mixing min¬ 
eral paints with it and used it on roofs with 
good effect. It is also excellent for paint¬ 
ing farm wagons, plows, cultivators, and 
other implements which are likely to be 
left exposed to the weather. It can be ob¬ 
tained in Boston or any other large city, 
and a barrel will be as good an investment 
as any farmer can make. 
Joe, Bedford Co., Va., Sept., 8, 1881. 
I. F. Tillinghast, 
Dear Sir;—In the last is¬ 
sue of Seed-Time and Harvest, I notice 
you request your patrons to report results of 
new vegetables grown from seeds planted 
by them, and which were first sent out by 
you last spring. Notwithstanding the se¬ 
vere and prolonged drought, the Acme and 
Red Chief Tomatoes, grown by me for the 
first time, surpass anything in the way of 
tomatoes that I have ever seen grown. I am 
also highly pleased with Crawford’s Half 
Dwarf Celery sent me by you and I shall 
plant my entire crop of that variety next 
season. 
My potatoes, Burbank and Beauty of He¬ 
bron, are the best in this community and 
have been a subject of remark during the 
whole season. As to Onion seed, see notice 
in important business letter sent herewith. 
The crop is now laid by and arrangements 
for another are being made. A large crop 
of onions next season is desired, and as I 
have never grown from seed for market, and 
entirely failed in producing any sets, though 
I sowed last spring by moasnre one peck of 
seed, I of course must depend upon seed, 
the coming season, <jr miss an onion crop, 
which is a consideration with me. But Mr. 
Buist says, in writing upon the onion, that 
in the vicinity of Philadelphia and farther 
south the onion will not bottom sufficiently 
large to market the first season from seed. 
I suppose he is here noticing the ordinary 
varieties, for he goes on then to the new 
Italian varieties and says they will grow 
very large the first year from seed sown ear¬ 
ly in the spring, and as this appears in his 
catalogue prepared for the southern states, 
I suppose he intends it for the south. 
You presented me with a packet of White 
Globe and one of White Portugal that pro¬ 
duced large onions for me this reason, the 
nicest I ever saw. If I attempt to produce 
a crop next season I want to commence now 
and I wish your advice. Do your patrons 
in the South support Mr. Buist’s assertion ? 
What is the probable price of Onion Seeds, 
and can you supply me with what I will 
need ? I would be glad to assist in support¬ 
ing Seed-Time and Harvest as a monthly. 
Being now perfectly satisfied that your 
seeds are all that is claimed for them, 
I will do all I can for them and for 
Seed-Time and Harvest the coming winter 
and spring. Very Respectfully, 
V. M. St. Clair. 
Answer. The notice referred to concern¬ 
ing your onion crop was not enclosed as 
stated. Did you forget it? So far as we 
can ascertain Onion seeds which are grown 
north of southern Pennsylvania will pro¬ 
duce large onions in any part of the South 
if planted as early in the spring as the soil 
can be readily worked. We already have 
letters from a number of our customers, in 
different sections of the South, bearing upon 
this subject, and would respectfully ask 
others who have had experience to send re¬ 
ports to us and we will publish them in our 
next issue. The Italian varieties seem par¬ 
ticularly well adapted to the southern cli¬ 
mate, and we shall import some in time to 
give prices in January. We are now selling 
Onion seeds at last season’s prices, as new 
rates have not yet been established, but we 
think they will remain about the same. 
MORE NEW STRA WBERRIES. 
Wonders will not cease, neither will the 
production of new varieties of fruits and 
vegetables.- We have two more new straw¬ 
berries for review, and although it is some- 
