1879.] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST, 
251 
Forced Peaches were shown by Edward Huckens, and 
hot-house Grapes by John Eagan. The Parsons Sons Co., 
Flushing, N. Y., were strong in rare Evergreens, Japan 
Maples, and other new Japanese plants. Orchids were 
in larger numbers than at any former show; the collec¬ 
tions of Isaac Buchanan and J. S. Bush being- placed to¬ 
gether made a rare display of these rare beauties. Peter 
Henderson’s several collections occupied a large space; 
his specimen Coleuses and Geraniums being very fine, as 
were his cut flowers and a large number of miscellaneous 
plants. Wm. Bennett, of Flatbush, deservedly took a 
first prize for his stove and greenhouse plants, including 
Palms, Ferns, and many others, all showing excellent 
culture. A large specimen of the Pitcher-plant, Nepen¬ 
thes HookeH , in J. S. Bush’s excellent collection, was one 
of the finest plants in the exhibition. Isaac Buchanan’s 
Palms, Agaves, and other succulents, were conspicuous 
for their excellence. Woolson & Co., Passaic, N. J., ex¬ 
hibited a large collection of Hardy Perennials, which took 
the first prize in that class. While we cannot enumerate 
all the attractive features, we would not omit a large col¬ 
lection of native plants by C. R. Hexamer, of New Castle, 
N. Y., showing great industry in collecting and accurate 
knowledge in naming. There were, of course, many so- 
called Floral Designs, which, as a whole, we are glad to 
say were less horrible than these enormities usually 
are, and in bouquets were some of exquisite beauty. 
Tile Beatli of Silas Moore.— Several weeks 
ago, we have not the date, there died, near Providence, 
R. I., one who made little noise in the world, but who 
lived a useful life. Silas Moore, well known in New 
England, was of a class of which we can not have too 
many, a nurseryman who could always be relied upon to 
give his customer good advice and good stock. He did 
much in a quiet way, and the present advanced condition 
of fruit culture in Rhode Island and the adjoining por¬ 
tions of Massachusetts and Connecticut is largely due to 
his influence. He was a regular attendant upon the 
.meetings of the American Pomological Society, and kept 
himself well informed in all that related to fruit culture. 
Tlie Indian Territory.— “ D. H.,” and others. 
No part of this Territory, much less “ 14,000,000 acres,” 
as the sensational circular says, is open for settlement. 
However unwise it may have been for the Government 
to make this reservation, the treaty will be observed 
until properly set aside, and those who are tempted by 
statements like those you send, to invade the Territory, 
will sooner or later find themselves in trouble. There is 
as yet an abundance of land in which to find a home 
without violating a sacred compact. 
American Veterinary College.— The Annual 
Announcement of this Department of the University of 
the State of New York, states that the loth year in the 
education of veterinary medical students just closed has 
been a most prosperous one. In consequence of the 
large increase of students, the Trustees have provided 
greater accommodations for the coming classes. The 
standard is being constantly raised, and certificates of 
collegiate or academic education, or a matriculative ex¬ 
amination is required of all candidates. The course is a 
graded one, and stated examinations are held as in regu¬ 
lar colleges. A free scholarship is offered to the U. S. 
Dept, of Agriculture, and one to each State Agricultural 
Society in the country. Application concerning these to 
be made by the Societies and Dept, on or before the first 
of September of each year. Accompanying the An¬ 
nouncement is a Report of the American Veterinary 
Hospital, a valuable Department of the College. During 
the year ending March, 1879, 1,895 animals were treated, 
of which 22 died, 24 were destroyed, and 1,850 relieved or 
cured. Free clinic patients treated, 462. A. Liautard, 
M. D. V. S., Dean of Faculty, and Chief Surgeon. 
Does Paris Green Poison tlie Potatoes ? 
—This is an important question, and though we have, 
in former years, given our reasons for asserting that there 
is no danger from this source, the repetition of the ques¬ 
tion makes it necessary to briefly go over the samegrouud 
again, to meet the doubts of new readers. It is true that 
some of this compound of arsenic will get into the soil, 
but the quantity will be less than '/ 900 of a grain for each 
square foot of the surface of the soil. It is a well estab¬ 
lished fact that nothing enters the plant except in solu¬ 
tion in the water of the soil. It has been shown that the 
Paris Green soon combines with the oxide of iron of the 
soil and forms an insoluble compound. Professor R. C. 
Kcdzie, of the Michigan Agricultural College, who has 
thoroughly investigated this question, concludes: “1st. 
Paris Green that has been four months in the soil, no 
longer remains as such, but has passed into some less 
soluble state, and is unaffected by the ordinary solvents 
of the soil. 2nd. When applied in small quantities, such 
as alone are necessary in destroying injurious insects, it 
does not affect the health of the plant. 3d. The power of 
the soil to hold arsenious acid and arsenit.es in insoluble 
form will prevent water from becoming poisoned unless 
the Green is used in excess of any requirements as an 
insecticide.” If potatoes to which Paris Green had been 
applied were poisonous, we should have abundant evi¬ 
dence of it, since millions of bushels have been eaten 
during the past few years. The only source of danger is 
in the careless handling and use of the Green, and it 
should be kept and used with the full knowledge of its 
highly poisonous qualities, and no familiarity with it 
should lead to carelessness in handling or using it. Keep 
the poison carefully locked up, and the pails or whatever 
vessels are used in mixing and applying it where they can 
not be got at to be used for any other purpose. 
Bone Crusher.— “J. T. B.,” Great Falls, N. II. 
Bones cannot be crushed economically with one-horse 
power. From 5 to 7 are required; as the bones are very 
tough and hard to break up. The cheapest power is a 
steam engine, and an excellent mill is the Bogacdus Ec¬ 
centric; there are many mills made by other makers, and 
a lever horse-power would supply the force required. 
“ Stony E*oint.”— The storming and capture of 
Stony Point by “ Mad Anthony Wayne,” was one of the 
brilliant and important acts in the war of Independence. 
The many readers of the American Agriculturist in 
Rockland Co., N. Y., where Stony Point is situated, and 
in Orauge, Putnam, and Westchester Go’s., N. Y., and in 
Bergen Co., N. J., all within easy reach of the Point, are 
reminded that the Centennial anniversary of its capture 
will be celebrated with much “pempand ceremony,” in¬ 
cluding a sham fight, to illustrate the real one, on the 
10th of the present month. This occurs at a time when 
most of the neighboring farmers can well spare a day to 
recreation, and they will do well to devoting it to reviv¬ 
ing the memory of the patriotic deeds of theirforefathers. 
Silver’s Berry Picker. —This is rather a berry 
holder than a berry picker; it consists of a small rubber 
cup, so held by a loop around the other fingers as to lenvc 
the forefinger and thumb free. Its chief use is to avoid 
the holding of small berries in the hand until enough arc 
gathered to transfer to the basket. For such small fruits 
as raspberries, huckleberries, etc., it will, no doubt, be 
found convenient. 
The Ensilage of Maize.— The preservation of 
corn-fodder in the fresh state, by packing it in silos, or 
tanks, from which air is excluded, promises to be of so 
great importance to our farmers, that we would give all 
items of interest relating to it. We have already noticed 
the translation of M. Goffart’s work, “The Ensilage of 
Maize,” and its publication by J. B. Brown, Esq. We 
have now received a small pamphlet intended as a sup¬ 
plement to this work. This contains letters by M. 
Goffart, the author, and from others, and other matters of 
interest, to those investigating the subject,. As this has 
its title, “ Addenda to Accompany the Ensilage of 
Maize,” we presume that it will be supplied to those who 
have already purchased the book. 
A New Small Fruit Nursery.— Mr. J. T. 
Lovett, for many years with A. Hance & Son, and later 
with E. P. Roe, has started in business for himself at Lit¬ 
tle Silver, Monmouth Co., N. J. We are glad to welcome 
in any branch of horticulture, those who have intelli¬ 
gence and enthusiasm combined with business ability, and 
we wish Mr. L. much success in his new enterprise. 
Beyburii, Hunter <fe Co.—In May last wo 
quoted from a letter by a Nebraska correspondent, an ac¬ 
count of the operations of scamps who were operating in 
the lightning-rod swindle as pretended agen ts of Reyburn, 
Hunter & Co., of Philadelphia. Our correspondent wrote 
that “ no such concern as Reyburn, Hunter & Co. is to be 
found in Philadelphia ”—in this he was in error. There 
is such a concern, which has been long established and 
well known as reputable makers of lightning rods and 
other wares. The fact that the name was assumed by the 
Nebraska swindlers is, so far as it goes, a testimony to 
their respectability. That Reyburn, Hunter & Co. are 
well and favorably known is shown by the fact that a 
number of their friends have written to us to correct the 
error—which we do most cheerfully. 
Good News from Texas.— It is a pleasant in¬ 
dication of progress in Texas to receive the circular of 
the North Texas Pomological Society. The Constitution 
is conveniently brief—in fact, a model in that respect; 
n. Tone is President, and T. V. Munson, Secretary. The 
meetings are held monthly, alternating between Sherman 
and Denison. We expect to see Texas a great fruit coun¬ 
try in time, and such societies help greatly to this end. 
Tlie Mass. Horticultural Society offers a 
special prize of $25 for the best essay on each of the fol¬ 
lowing subjects: Culture of Flowers and Foliage for 
Winter Decoration and the Market, with a list of the most 
desirable varieties; Profits of Farming and Gardening 
in New England ; The most Promising new Hardy Or¬ 
namental Trees and Shrubs, and their tasteful and effec¬ 
tive arrangement; Upon any Special Action of Fertiliz¬ 
ers, illustrated by Accurate Experiments; Upon Flow¬ 
ers for the Home, with lists of the best Annuals, Herba¬ 
ceous Perennials, and “ Bedding Plants.” These prizes 
are designed to elicit new facts, and preference will be 
given to essays which add the most to our stock of in¬ 
formation. Competition open to all. For further infor¬ 
mation address Robert Manning, Secretary,Boston, Mass. 
64 Tlie Buckeye Still Victorious.” —Messrs. 
Adriance, Platt & Co., the makers of the Buckeye Mower, 
send a circular in which, with commendable pride, the 
above announcement appears in large letters. The cir¬ 
cular states that at a “ Grand Field Trial,” held at Melle, 
France, on the 25th of May last, the “Buckeye” was 
awarded the First Premium, over eighteen of the leading 
machines that entered into competition with it. One 
more for the “ Buckeye.”—Next 1 Agricultural inven¬ 
tors are coming to the front. Col. McCormick, to whom 
the world is indebted for the first practical Reaper, has 
just been elected by the French Academy of Sciences as 
a Correspondent in the Department of Rural Economy. 
A well deserved honor. 
Posies im Iron Pots. —There has appeared this 
year, a new “design” for flower growing. A big iron 
pot—a veritable dinner pot—is slung to a tripod, and the 
flowers take the place of bacon and cabbage in the pot. 
To add to the absurdity, if possible, the pot is painted a 
dazzling Vermillion red. We think this thing is intended 
to represent a gypsies’ camp kettle. Next to the strange¬ 
ness of the invention of such a thing, is the fact that peo¬ 
ple have actually been found to buy it. We have seen 
upon a city lawn, one of these gimcracks, and were sorely 
tempted to trespass and go in and kick the thing over, as 
corrupting the good taste of the community. Now who 
will invent a Floral Frying Pan, or a Horticultural Hog- 
trough? Either would be as sensible as this stew-pot. 
American Association for tiic Advancer 
meat of Science.— This popular Association will 
meet at Saratoga, N. Y., on Aug. 27th next. These gath- 
erings are very pleasant occasions without so much sci¬ 
ence as to interfere with various excursions and junket¬ 
ings. They are practically the annual “ outings ” of 
hard-worked professors and other men of science, who 
enjoy them much after the way of the unscientific. We 
would not imply that science is overlooked, for there is 
a plenty of it, and generally presented in a popular man¬ 
ner. F. W. Putnam, Salem, Mass., is Permanent Sec’y. 
A Horse Show will be held by the Brockport 
Union Agricultural Society at Brockport, N. Y., to 
celebrate the 4th of July.—N. N. Beach is Secretary. 
I.arge Band Owners in Great Britain.— 
According to the Parliamentary returns, as given in the 
“Financial Reform Almanac,” 421 persons own an aver¬ 
age of 54,348 acres each—amounting to 22,880,755 acres, 
or nearly one-third of the whole area of the United 
Kingdom of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. A 
plot of 54,348 acres is equivalent to nearly 90 square 
miles, or a plot nearly 9J- miles square. If the occupant 
of such a plot resided at its center, lie would have to go 
4J miles in any direction to get off his own land. As the 
division is not equal, many own much larger estates than 
this. These 22,880,755 acres would furnish 228,807 per¬ 
sons with a 100-acre farm each, instead of being monop¬ 
olized by 421 owners, as is now the case. 
“Pussley” or Purslane on tlie Table.— 
“ Pussley,” in the older parts of the country at least, is 
regarded as the representative weed. To be “ as mean 
as pussley,” is a common adage. “He lets pussley 
get ahead of him,” is applied to a slack, inefficient gar¬ 
dener, for in these hot July and August days, one must 
be smart if he keeps his garden free of “pussley.” In 
midsummer days, when peas have gone, and the flush of 
sweet corn, Lima beaus, and other late garden products 
has not come, “try Pussley” — Portulaca if the Lat¬ 
in name sounds better, or Pourpier if the French is 
preferable. We have passed months and months when 
“ pussley,” gathered upon the far western plains was the 
only accompaniment to our salt pork, and seemed then 
the best green thing we had ever eaten. We have tried it 
since, and can assure those who do not know it as a table 
vegetable, that it is most acceptable. For ourselves, did 
it not grow of itself, we should follow the example of 
the French, and cultivate it; they consume it as a 
salad and in soups, besides cooking it after the manner 
of spinach, or “greens.” It should be taken when 
growing rapidly and its fat stems snap short and tender, 
and treated like other grass. In looking at an article 
on its culture in a French work on gardening, we find it 
ends thus: “We know of no injurious insect that at¬ 
tacks the Pourpier."— Neither do we—we wish we did. 
