1882 .] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST 
145 
but this year we have something similar from 
Georgia. The corn advertised is truly called 
“ Giant,” for it is stated that “ the grains are as 
Large as the Average Size Chestnut.” 
More than that, the ears “ are of very large size,” 
as they ought to be to carry such kernels ; besides, 
they average “ three to six ears to the stalk ”—on 
the principle that one “ can’t have too much of a 
good thing.” But the most remarkable thing 
about this corn is that it is “ perfectly hardy.” 
After this we do not need to be told that it is “ a 
new and distinct variety ”—yes, very “ distinct.” 
The same concern also offers the seed of water¬ 
melons, which average 75 to 125 pounds each. 
try,” they must be as hardy as the com. 
Wonderful Fruits and Flowers 
usually put in their appearance this mouth. We 
again remind our friends that no plant of any real 
value is introduced by peddlers or travelling sales¬ 
men. No matter what representations are made as 
to the superior quality of a grape or other fruit, 
don’t buy it of these chaps, of whom you know 
nothing except what they say of themselves. 
Whatever is worth planting may be had of relia¬ 
ble dealers. Believe no stories of unusual things, 
no matter how beautiful the pictures that illus¬ 
trate them, or how glib the tongue of the one who 
offers them. “Self-pruning grapevines,” straw¬ 
berries that grow upon “ bushes,” peaches made 
hardy by “ budding on the French willow,” are 
among the impossible things offered in some part 
of the country every spring. 
One Word to Farmers, 
especially those who have recently become our 
readers. This busy month is one of those chosen 
by swindlers to endeavor to get the farmer’s signa¬ 
ture by some method, as mentioned in February- 
last. Do not allow the press and hurry of work, or 
the desire to be rid of the stranger, induce you to 
sign any paper whatever. No matter how large the 
promised profit, do not accept the agency for any 
implement, as trouble will surely follow. Grinders 
for the knives of mowing-machines, and spring- 
bottom mattresses, still appear to be favorite arti¬ 
cles of which these fellows offer the agency, but 
they deal in other w-ares at times. 
“ The Boys’ Day ” at “ Houghton Farm.” 
Five hundred boys and young men visited 
“Houghton Farm,” Mountainville, Orange Co.,N. 
Y., on February 22d, in response to an invitation 
extended to them by its proprietor, Mr. Lawson 
Valentine, to “ come and celebrate the 150th anni¬ 
versary of the birth-day of George Washington.” 
The day w-as a bright one, both meteorologically and 
socially, and being a novel event in American farm 
life we give the Reception somewhat in detail. 
The invitation was extended to the boys of Orange 
County by neatly printed programmes and through 
the local press. The young guests upon their ar¬ 
rival were met by a reception committee, consist¬ 
ing of the farm pupils, young men who work for 
their board and lodging for the privilege of learn¬ 
ing the improved methods of conducting farm 
operations. The time until 11 o’clock was spent 
in inspecting the livestock and the various farm 
buildings, including the experimental feeding- 
stalls, the silo, dairy, etc.—the large barn being the 
central point of attraction. At 11 o’clock an 
“ opening address ” was given by Major H. E. Al- 
vord, general manager of the farm, upon “ Wash¬ 
ington’s Birth-day.” Washington’s love for farm 
life v/as made prominent, and his familiar words 
that: “Agriculture is the most healthful, most 
useful, and most noble employment of man,” were 
enforced upon the minds of the youthful listeners. 
A letter was read from Mr. Valentine, in which he 
said that the spirit of “ Houghton Farm ” meant 
hope for the true farmer’s calling. He wished the 
boys would “ carry away, for their own practical 
use and benefit, such facts as they can, from our 
failures as much and as well as from our successes.” 
The boys were next, treated to an “ object lesson” 
by Dr. M. Miles, director of the farm experiments. 
As the lecture room will seat about a hundred per¬ 
sons, the patient Doctor found it necessary to give 
his lecture, or “lesson,” five times. The room 
was darkened, and a large number of tine stereop- 
ticon views of various farm animals were shown 
upon a large canvas. This was one of the most 
impressive features of the programme. Though it 
dealt with important points in stock breeding, 
everything was so plain that the youngest lads— 
those of twelve years of age, were instructed as 
well as very much entertained. 
A lunch was served in and around the main barn 
at one o’clock, and it was a decidedly, forcible il¬ 
lustration of : “What appetites boys do have !” But 
there was some excuse for a scrambling for the 
sandwiches and coffee, and crackers and cheese, 
when it is remembered that many of the boys had 
started early and driven many miles to visit “ the 
Farm ” and join in the “ celebration.” 
The afternoon was devoted to a continuation of 
the “ object lesson,” and a discussion which was 
held on the floor of the large barn. Major Alvord 
conducted the meeting, and a number of the young 
men and even boys, hardly fifteen years;old, took an 
active part in the speaking. Various questions in 
farm practice were brought up and disposed of 
with remarkable rapidity and satisfaction. The 
best of feeling prevailed. Some of the younger 
lads found considerable amusement in sliding and 
tumbling in the hay mow, but none went away 
without some good things to think about. Before 
the close of the meeting, five premiums were an¬ 
nounced “ for the best crops of Indian corn, raised 
on plots of land of one fourth of an acre, namely, 
$25, $20, $15, $10, and $5. Competition is open to 
any boy in Orange Co., N. Y., who shall be less 
than 18 years of age on the 1st of May, 1881.” To 
this a number of conditions were given, all of 
which if carried out will do any boy good whether 
he wins a prize or not. 
The celebration was voted by every one as a suc¬ 
cess ; one small lad when asked how he liked it 
replied in language more forcible than elegant: “ It 
was perfectly e-mense (immense)! ” 
It seems to us that Mr. Valentine has done for 
the boys of'Orange Co., what may be carried out 
by others simularly situated in many other counties 
in the State, and in every State of the Union. The 
boys now upon the farms are to own and manage 
the farms in the next generation, and a day devoted 
to their improvement in some such way as was the 
22nd of February at “ Houghton Farm,” is worthy 
of general imitation. 
TheCankerWoi-miii I»Ii«soari.—“J. B. J.” 
Bates Co., states that the canker worm has appeared ! 
there and is on the increase. He has an orchard of 
1,200 trees just coming into bearing ; he fears that 
they will be stripped of their leaves the coming 
season, and asks if he shall buy a sprinkler and 
throw a poisonous liquid into the trees. Our friend 
is perhaps not aware of the habits of this insect. 
The male only flies ; the female has no wings and 
can only reach the top of the tree by crawling up 
tire trunk. The insects come out of the ground, 
where they have wintered, very early in spring; 
the female lays her eggs on the branches, gluing 
them together, and these hatch when the leaves of 
the tree appear and afford food for the young 
worms. As each female lays from 60 to 100 eggs, 
it is evidently easier to dispose of her than to kill 
that number of worms by poison, especially if 
those are scattered all over the tree. The insect, 
which was formerly a serious pest in the Eastern 
States, must be prevented from going up the trunk 
by some barrier that the female can not pass. 
Many devices have been invented, and each year 
brings new ones, but the cheapest and most effec¬ 
tive, is a band of stiff brown paper around the 
trunk which is smeared with pine tar or with print¬ 
er’s ink. It will be a task to treat 1,200 trees in 
this manner, but vastly less so than to poison the 
tops of that number. The paper should fit so 
snugly that no insects can crawl under, and should 
be put on very early. Make it the business of some 
one, during tho time of their coming, which lasts 
about three weeks, to see that the tar or ink is re¬ 
newed if need be, and that dust or dead insects do 
not form a bridge upon which living insects can 
pass over. If all in a neighborhood will persevere 
in this treatment, the insects may be subdued. 
Should a large number succeed in getting into the 
tree, then Paris Green may be used to kill them. 
The NawerStraivberries.— “ C. S. H.” We 
cannot say “which is the best of the newer varie¬ 
ties of strawberries,” for the very reason that they 
are new. Wishing to extend a bed, we last fall 
planted it with “Bidwell” and “Seneca Queen.” 
The “Bidwell” last season seemed to have every 
good quality of hardiness and productiveness, for 
which the “Wilson” has been valued, and is a vastly 
better fruit. We sent many out as premiums, and 
have had no cause to regret doing so. We planted 
the “Seneca Queen” on account of what we saw 
of it on Mr. Roe’s grounds. To wonderful pro¬ 
ductiveness and good size it joins high quality. 
The “ Primo ” is a new kind highly commended and 
the “Manchester” is a new variety that had its ori¬ 
gin in a poorer soil than it is ever likely to be 
planted in anywhere else. We look upon all 
these as of excellent promise, and worthy of triai. 
