14 
but when shelled look as though two dis¬ 
tinct kinds of corn were mixed together. 
They are alike in size, sliabe, earliness and 
in every way except this single matter of 
color, which has been noticeable f ince we 
first received it from the originator. We 
suppose this variation is caused by striking 
back to the types of the varieties which 
were used in crossing to produce the new 
kinds. We have no doubt that if the dark¬ 
est ears only were selected for seed for a 
few years it could be bred to that type. 
Or the lightest might be taken if preferred. 
Hamlet, Mercer Co., Ill., Sept. 1, 1882. 
Mr. Isaac F. Tlllinghast; 
I see by the last number 
of “Seed-Time and Harvest,” you are going to pub 
lish it monthly at 50 cents a year commencing with 
October, put my name down for one year and send 
me the first number as soon as issued. I intend to 
send you an order the coming fall or next winter and 
will then send the subscription. 
The seed I got from you last Spring has done very 
well. The La Plume celery is just as good if not 
better than any other. 
In the last number of Seed-Time and Harvest you 
speak about rings of tin to enclose the stalks of cel- 
ury when handling, I enclose ten cents; please send 
me one so I can get some made like it. 
I hope you will have plenty of essays on eelt-ry 
culture, &c. Yours Truly, M. D. Dumbell. 
There is no necessity of any exactness in 
the matter of the rings. Anjdliing that 
will hold the leaf-stems together in an up¬ 
right position will answer. A paper wrap 
ped around and a string tied around that 
would probably serve nearly as good a pur¬ 
pose. See what is said about blanching 
with paper in the celery article in this 
number. 
Dear Sir: Some time ago I received your Seed- 
Time and Harvest and am obliged to you for having 
favored me with it. It is my intention to leave for 
Central America next January, with the object of 
embarking in agricultural pursuits, and therefore 
anything relating to the farm or field is highly 
appreciated by me. I shlal in due time send you 
my order for seeds, etc., since your prices are very 
favorable as compared with City houses. But in the 
meanwhile you would greatly oblige me by volun¬ 
teering some information in regard to poultry stock. 
I would like to know how I could carry eggs on 
that trip. Will they stand it? The duration of the 
voyage may be from 15 to 20 days; and I am not at 
all sure whether on my arrival I shall have any hens 
ready to hatch. I think I should select Leghorns 
and Langshans. Are Langshans and so called 
Shanghais in this city, identical ? 
In regard to seeds 1 would like to know if they 
have to be packed loose (in paper) or air tight (seal¬ 
ed tins). The climate in those sections is exceeding¬ 
ly damp, caused partially by the long continued 
rainy season. 
By favoring with an early reply, you will greatly 
oblige, Yours Truly, F. F. Harman, N. Y. City. 
There would be no trouble, we think, in 
carrying eggs upon this trip if they were 
well packed and carried by hand in a small 
basket. It would hardly do to pack them 
in a trunk or with household goods by 
freight. The only question is whether you 
would be repaid for the bother of caring 
for them as personal baggage. 
We gave a description of the Langshans 
in our last issue, from which it will be seen 
that they are • not the same as the old 
Shanghais. 
No doubt seeds of most kinds could be 
carried in your trunk and kept on hand for 
a few weeks at least, or they can be sent in 
small parcels by mail as wanted. We shall 
be pleased to hear from you occasionally 
after getting settled in your new home. 
Dalton, Mich . July 15, 1882. 
Dear Sir: The Belle potato tl 4 bushel) I purchased 
of you in the Spring I think are mixed; about one- 
third of them produce a blossom of the color of Ear¬ 
ly Vermonts, the rest a blossom of a purplish color. 
I enclose a blossom of each color; which Lthe Belle, 
and what is the other from? They were not changed 
from the box you sent them in, but taken fiom it 
and planted directly, by myself. The ft* °f Wall's 
Orange produces a blossom still different, a very- 
dark purple. Please inform me about them, &e. Of 
course I well understand that where people are do¬ 
ing a large business, they- must necessarily trust to 
others to perform a portion of the labor and mistakes 
often occur. Very Truly Yorus, H. S. Tyler. 
This peculiarity in the Belle is nothing 
new. We have spoken of it in our catalogue 
and in Seed-Time and Harvest several 
times. It is a fact that there are apparent¬ 
ly two different kinds of potatoes among 
the Belle, yet we have been unable during 
the three or four years which we have had 
them to separate them. Whether it is the 
result of a sport, or whether it is due to 
getting what was really two different varie¬ 
ties mixed when first produced from the 
seed-ball, we have not fully determined, 
but we do know that this peculiarity has 
always been observable since the variety 
was first named and sent out, which was 
from our establishment. We much re¬ 
gretted this, knowing that many purchas- 
