90 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST 
[March, 
Wat. E. Bowditch. No. 645 Warren St., Boston, Mas-. 
—To his general catalogue of vegetable and flower seeds 
are added one of plants, and lists of later novelties. 
D. C. Brainerd, Mount Lebanon, N. Y., has a hand¬ 
somely illustrated catalogue of “ Shakers’ ” seeds, made 
additionally useful by an Almanac and Rural Register. 
Alfred Biudgeman, No. 876 Broadway, New York.— 
Probably no name, except that of Thorburn, is more 
thoroughly identified with New York horticulture. Mr. 
B.'s catalogue is, as usual, neat, and up to the time. 
W. H. Carson, No. 125 Chambers St.. N. Y.—The ex¬ 
cellent taste and neatness of this catalogue, which in¬ 
cludes specialties, are characteristic of the author, than 
whom we know of no more competent seedsman. 
John Lewis Child, Queens, N. Y.—One need not be 
troubled about prices, as all seeds are put up in “ Half 
Bime Packets.” 
Henry E. Chitty, 169 Main St.. Paterson. N. J., offers 
flower seeds in collections at low rates, and the same 
with greenhouse plants. 
Cole & Brother, Pella, Iowa, we judge are prosper¬ 
ing, as this year’s catalogue is a great improvement on 
former ones. To induce people to buy their seeds, which 
are largely grown by themselves, they offer the American 
Agriculturist as a premium on easy terms. 
Comstock, Ferre & Co., Whethersfield, Conn., in¬ 
clude an almanac and useful calendar in their catalogue. 
The name is so thoroughly identified with the best of 
Connecticut seeds, that we need add nothing more. 
O. M. Crosby & Gorden, Banbury, Conn.—The sight 
of the address brought to mind the “Danbury News 
Man.” who writes a preface to the catalogue, but it is 
sensible enough to stand on its own merits. 
Ferris, Minard & Co.. Poughkeepsie. N. Y., offer 
among their vegetable and flower seeds, several novel¬ 
ties. besides various things needed by the gardener and 
rural resident. 
D. M. Ferry & Co., Detroit. Mich., take pride in the 
fact that their beautiful “ Seed Annual ” is a " Michigan 
production.” With abundant other illustrations, they 
give interesting scenes on their seed farm, and a fine 
colored plate of a “ New Dwarf Japanese Cockscomb.” 
J. A. Foote, 512 Main St., Terre Haute. Ind —Has a 
full list of vegetable seeds, and among them some excel¬ 
lent specialties, such as the “Terre Haute Nutmeg 
Melon,” which we know to be good. “ Green Fringed 
Lettuce,” etc. Also flower seeds and plants. 
James J. H. Gregory, introducer of the Hubbard 
Squash, sends from Marblehead, Mass., his catalogue, so 
unlike all others in form and contents, that it is alwaysa 
pleasure to get, it. and to read of the novelties and spe¬ 
cialties—but he does not forget the old stand-bys. 
It. D. Hawley, 492-198 Main St.. Hartford, Conn,, 
sends his catalogue of Wethersfield garden and field 
seeds, and offers a large number of useful implements. 
Peter Henderson & Co., No. 35 Cortlandt St., N. Y., 
present in their catalogue in bold letters, “ Everything 
for the Garden.” and when we look at its contents we 
are forced to admit that well nigh “everything.” except 
sunshine and rain, and other unpurchasable things, is to 
be found among their novelties and regular stock. 
Hollister. Carter & Co., St. Paul, Minn., offer a se¬ 
lect list of field, and garden seeds, largely grown by 
themselves. Also sorghum machinery and implements. 
A. Howard & Co., Pontoosuc, Ill., flower and garden 
seeds, a selection of plants, and useful cultural directions. 
Charles F. Lane, Koshkononjr. Wis., has a remarka¬ 
bly full catalogue, largely filled with cultural directions. 
Also requisites for the apiary, implements, books, etc. 
Nanz & Nedner forgot to say so, on their title 
page, but we have every reason to believe that they are 
at Louisville, Ky., and they offer so large a list of both 
seeds and plants, that we are at a loss to classify their 
catalogue, which is very full, including novelties in both. 
Price & Knickerbocker. 80 State St., Albany, N. Y., 
full, neat, and well illustrated list. They do not need to 
announce themselves as “ successors to,” any one. A 
“ Knickerbocker ” should be at home in Albany, if any 
where. 
W. II. Reid, Rochester, N. Y., sends a well illustrated 
catalogue, with colored frontispiece, as “Reid’s Illus¬ 
trated Floral Tribute for 1878.” 
R. M. Sihimway, Rockford, Ill., bas a catalogue, am¬ 
ply illustrated, and with very full cultural directions, 
which must be very useful. 
H. N. Smith, South Sudbury, Mass., offers certain 
flower seeds in collections at very low rates. 
The Plant Seed Company, (what an appropriate com¬ 
bination of names), St. Louis, Mo., have a catalogue as 
large, as full, and as amply illustrated as in former years 
—and that is all we need say. 
J. M. Thorburn & Co., No. 15 John St., N. Y. This 
is the oldest seed house in New York, and does an im¬ 
mense business in the quietest manner. This year's cat¬ 
alogue is a departure from former years, in as much as 
they include garden ant field seed, flower seeds, and 
spring bulbs in one neat and comprehensive list, which 
of course includes “ novelties ” of the year. 
Isaac F. Tillinghast, Factoryville, Wyoming Co., 
Pa., with a general stock, offers a number of specialties, 
particularly among potatoes. 
Vanterbilt Brothers, No. 23 Fulton St.. N. Y., a 
condensed list, offering a full assortment in all depart¬ 
ments, including machinery. 
.Tames Vick, Rochester. N. Y., in his “ Catalogue and 
Floral Guide,” presents the same abundance of illustra¬ 
tion, and neatness, as formerly, and he does not forget 
the old standard varieties in offering his novelties. 
W. C. Wilson & Co., 45 West 141,h St., N. Y., well 
known dealers in plants, now offer seeds, glndioluses.and 
other spring bulbs,in a catalogue “as neat as a new pin.” 
David R. Wood, Morrisville, Lamoille Co., Vt. Veg¬ 
etable seeds, seed potatoes as a specialty, and the Arnold 
Poison Distributor first figured by us in August. 1876. 
E. Wyman, Jr., Rockford, III., gives special promi¬ 
nence to flower seeds and summer-flowering bulbs, and 
offers vegetable seeds in collections at low rates. 
FLORISTS. 
Where are they ? we have, thus far, save those noted 
in January, received but a few catalogues in this depart¬ 
ment—the rest no doubt will come next month. 
Ben.t. A. Elliott & Co„ 114 Market St.. Pittsburgh, 
Pa., calls his catalogue “ The Garden.” It is largely oc¬ 
cupied by useful directions for cultivation, and also 
gives a list of new and old plants. 
Ellwanger & Barry, Rochester, N. Y., in their Cat¬ 
alogue of Greenhouse and Bedding plants, have various 
novelties, including the new Coleus figured last month. 
Peter Henderson, 35 Cortlandt St., N. Y., prefaces 
his catalogue with a splendid chromo-lithograph of that 
fine new Hydrangea, “Thomas Hogg,”—and the white 
Tea Rose “Cornelia Cook.”—His catalogue, as usual, 
resents the novelties of the season, and all those which 
ave ceased to be novelties. 
C. H. Hovey & Co., No. 22 Trcmont St., Boston, un¬ 
der the Boston Museum, floral decoration a specialty. 
George Such, South Amboy. N. J., in his spring cata¬ 
logue, makes a specialty of gladiolus, but if there is any 
novelty of the season that is not included in it, we have 
failed to discover it—and so neat 1 
A. Whitcomb, Lawrence, Kas.—A well selected stock 
of bedding and greenhouse plants, presented in a cata¬ 
logue which is a marvel of neatness. 
J. C. Wood & Brother, Fishkill, Dutchess Co., N. 
Y., otter a full catalogue of greenhouse, stove, and bed¬ 
ding plants, including the novelties of the season. 
W. B. Woodruff, Westfield, Union Co., N. J.—In his 
catalogue of flower, bedding, and vegetable plants, has 
some useful talk about plants of various kinds. 
Woolson & Co., Passaic, N. J.. make a specialty of 
Hardy Herbaceous and Alpine Plants. Their catalogue 
adds to last year’s list, those plants which have been 
tested, and the new ones that are now offered. 
NURSERYMEN. 
James Donaldson, executor of John Donaldson, will 
continue the business of the Kittanuing Nurseiies at 
Kittanning, Pa., with floriculture stock in addition. 
Robert Douglas & Sons, Waukegan. Dl., make a 
specialty of evergreen and ornamental tree seedlings, 
which they raise by the million. 
Ferris, Minard & Co., Poughkeepsie. N. Y.. offer, be¬ 
sides a general stock of trees, a large list of small fruits. 
C. A. Green, Clifton, Monroe Co.. N. Y., makes fa¬ 
vorable terms for small fruits of all kinds. 
E. W. Harrington, Palmyra. Wayne Co., N. Y., 
wholesale and retail lists and ‘Root Grafts for Beginners.’ 
D. E. Hoxie, Northampton, Mass.—Catalogue of straw¬ 
berries, grapes, and other sma.l fruits, seed potatoes, etc. 
C. W. Kesler, Bethany Church, Iredell Co., N. C., of¬ 
fers fruits of all kinds suited to the Southern States. 
T. B. Miner, Linden, Union Co., N. J.. sends a special 
list of seedling strawberries, his new grapes, etc. 
E. Moody & Sons, Lockport, N. Y. This, one of the 
oldest nurseries, offers “ special rates by the car-load. 
E. P. Roe, Cornwnll-on-the-Hudson, Orange Co., N. Y., 
sends a chatty circular about new and old small fruits. 
Shinn & Co., Niles, Alameda Co.. Cal., a catalogue of 
trees, etc., suited to California, a large colored sheet, 
showing five varieties of the Japanese Persimmon. 
C. M. Silva & Son. Newcastle, Placer Co., Cal.—A 
general assortmentof fruit and ornamental trees, adapted 
to California, including Japanese Persimmons. 
B. F. Transou & Co.. Humboldt. Tenn., send their 
wholesale list, which includes a full assortment. 
John Van Loon. New Amsterdam. La Crosse Co., 
Wis. With a general nursery stock, makes a specialty of 
small fruits, and offers them as premiums to those who 
subscribe to him for the American Agriculturist. 
B. R. Westcott, Richmond, Ind., is no new hand at 
the business, as he offers his 37th wholesale price list. 
E. & J. C. Williams, Montclair, N. J., in their cata¬ 
logue of small fruits in general, make a specialty of the 
“Duncan” strawberry and “Brighton” grape. 
J. C. Wood & Brother, Fishkill, N. Y.. send a full 
and illustrated catalogue of fruit and ornamental trees, 
shrubs, and give good advice as to planting. 
T. C. Yeomans & Sons, Walworth, Wayne Co., N. Y., 
send a general catalogue, and give useful instruction in 
planting and pruning, with illustrations. 
FOREIGN. 
John A. Bruce & Co., Hamilton, Canada, are no 
novices, for we have their 27th annual catalogue, and a 
very creditable one it is. Yankee notions not excluded. 
William Rennie, Toronto, Canada.—Its neat exterior 
of Scotch plaid, is borne out by the contents. Our Cana¬ 
dian neighbors are well served by their seedsmen. 
William Thompson, Tavern St., Ipswich, England, 
is known to botanists as one of the few seedsmen, not 
only in England, but everywhere, as being, while “in 
the trade,” an accurate botanist. His supplementary 
catalogue for 1878, contains many rare American seeds. 
FARM IMPLEMENTS, MACHINERY, FERTILIZERS. 
Belcher & Taylor Agricultural Tool Co., Chico¬ 
pee Falls. Mass., offer a great variety of farm implements, 
and among them excellent feed cutters, plows, cultiva¬ 
tors. and notably a hand-power threshing machine. 
Wm. L. Boyer & Bro., 2101 Germantown Ave., Phila¬ 
delphia. Pa., describe their Union Railway Horse Power 
and Farm Grist Mill in a special circular. 
Chicago Scraper & Ditcher Co.. No. 34 Metropolitan 
Block. Chicago, Ill. The use of their Scraper and Ditch¬ 
er is illustrated with great fullness, and their recently in¬ 
troduced “ Screw Harrow ” presents a novelty in the way 
of implements, of which we hope soon to know more. 
The Farmer’s Friend Manufacturing Co., Dayton, 
Ohio, make the Farmer’s Friend Grain Drill, which re¬ 
ceived the Centennial Grand Prize Medal and Diploma. 
The feeding apparatus of this drill is its prominent fea¬ 
ture. It sows all sorts of seeds, with fertilizers if desired. 
A. B. Farquhar, York. Penn., issue a handsome illus¬ 
trated catalogue of their wares, which include every¬ 
thing for use on the farm in the way of tools, etc. The 
specialties are steam threshers and separators, the 
Farmer’s Favorite Grain Drill, and harvesting machines. 
Frick & Co., Waynesboro, Pa., describe their Eclipse 
Steam Engine, which they offer in both portable and 
stationary, and combined portable and stationary shapes. 
They also make a grain separator, cleaner, and bagger. 
A. W. Gray & Sons. Middletown Springs. Vt., illus¬ 
trate the merits of their one, two, and three Horse Pow¬ 
ers, with their various machines for sawing wood. 
The Mapes Formula & Peruvian Guano Co., No. 
158 Front St., N. Y., are making a literature of their own. 
Their recent circulars give a great amount of informa¬ 
tion, and will be of interest to all who use fertilizers. 
G. Westinghouse & Co.. Schenectady, N. Y., give full 
particulars of their Separators and Threshers, with the 
horse and steam powers for driving them. 
MISCELLANEOUS. 
American Drier Co., Chambersburg. Pa.—A simple 
apparatus for drying fruits, vegetables, etc. 
Bausch & Lomb Optical Company, No. 37 Maiden 
Lane, N. Y., and Rochester. N. Y., who have supplied the 
American Agriculturist with more microscopes than were 
ever before made for one order, send a catalogue of 
Compound Microscopes and other optical instruments. 
J. S. Bircii & Co., No. 38 Dey St., N. Y.—Self-adjust¬ 
ing Watch Keys, Alarm Clocks, and other useful things. 
Chadborn Coldwell Manufacturing Co., New¬ 
burgh, N. Y., make the widely known “Excelsior Lawn 
Mowers.” They have done two good things, reduced 
the prices and diminished the weight of their mowers, 
which now go to Europe at the rate of over 1.U00 yearly. 
Cleveland Non-Explosive Lamp Co.. No. 42 Barclay 
St.. New York, and Cleveland, O., send an illustrated • I 
catalogue. Their Library Lamp was noticed last month. 
Everett & Small. No. 43 South Market St.. Boston, 
Mass.,are the sole makers of the “ Matthew’s Seed Drill,” 
which they claim to be “ the most perfect drill in use.” 
A. H. Hewes & Co., Cambridge, Mass., make illustrated 
flower pots, vases, & horticultural earthenware generally. 
Lamb Knitting Machine Co., Chicopee Falls. Mass., 
set forth the merits of the “Tuttle ” Family Knitter. 
T. H. McAllister. No. 49 Nassau St.. New York, be¬ 
sides his general optical catalogue, issues one especial¬ 
ly devoted to telescopes, spyglasses, and their uses. 
Massachusetts Arms Co., Chicopee Falls, Mass.—The 
“Maynard Rifle,” and everything thereto appertaining. 
E. Ruiilman. Lockport, N. Y., claims that his “Hand- 
Cultivator, or Wheel-Hoe,” is the best in use. 
J. C. Stribi.ing, Pendleton, R. I., makes the “Dixie 
Fruit Picker.” 
Trevor & Co., Lockport, N, Y., make wooden labels 
of every size. 
Wilson & Howell, Whippany, N. J., make Moore’s 
Patent Duster for distributing Paris Green. It looks , 
efficient, and we shall try it when there are any “bugs.” 
Bee Notes for March. 
BY L. C. ROOT, MOHAWK, N. Y. 
Let bees, out of doors, be left undisturbed, unless nec¬ 
essary to examine occasionally to see that the entrance 
does not become stopped by snow, ice, or dead bees. 
I This sometimes takes place after a cold spell of weather, 
when the frost on the inside of the hive, accumulated 
from the breath of the bees, melts, runs down to the 
bottom, and there freezes. Those wintering in-doors 
should be left as entirely undisturbed as possible. 
Bees ninl Grapes. 
Mr. Jos. Lesley, of Montgomery Co., Pa., writes, “ can 
you put me in the way of finding out what are the odors 
that are disliked by bees. I have fine grapes, and desire 
to eat them, but my neighbor's bees are always before 
me, so that I get about 20 por cent only of the yield.”— 
If beekeepers are conscientious and honest persons, this 
is a question of even more importance to them than to 
those who cultivate grapes. It is a topic which has long 
been discussed. That many kinds of grapes will, from 
different causes, become cracked or broken, while yet 
hanging on the vineB, is well known to grape growers. 
When the skin, from any cause, becomes broken, it is : 
undeniable that, if honey be scarce, bees will suck out 
the juices. But the inference from the above inquiry is, 
that the bees attack and destroy sound grapes. 
That wasps and hornets are capable of puncturing the 
skin of the grape, is evident to any one who has ever 
seen a magnified illustration of the serrated jaws of these 
insects, while the jaws of the honey-bee, under the mi¬ 
croscope, appear entirely different; they qre smooth and 
apparently pliable. This fact must convince any one 
that it is a physical impossibility for a bee to bite the 
skin of any fruit. I could cite various authorities to 
prove this, some of whom were equally interested in 
both bees and grapes. I have myself tested the matter 
repeatedly, watching the bees day after day, when honey 
was not gathered from the usual sources, and have never 
known an instance where the bees injured a grape, when 
the skin was not first broken from some other cause. 
The year 1869 was the poorest season for honey ever 
known, not a pound of fall honey being gathered by 
many swarms. We had over 100 swarms of bees at our 
home apiary, and at the same place about one ton of 
grapes. If, from any cause, a grape, or any kind of fruit, 
became broken, the bees would at once appropriate it. 
Had it been possible for them to puncture the skin, they 
