996 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[October, 
features we found in the fruit, household and implement 
departments. We regret to speak thus of the show of a 
State we have reason to especially regard, and do it 
“ more in sorrow than in anger.” Our only aim is to 
awaken the good farmers of New-Jersey to a sense of the 
disgrace put upon them, or perhaps put upon themselves, 
and to incite them to right action in the future. Mon¬ 
mouth County with its potatoes, and Bergen with its 
vegetables, can take the job and get up a big and useful 
display ; but let the farmers of the whole State come to¬ 
gether next year—at some central, accessible point—and 
show what New-Jersey can do when she tries. No State 
could beat her in a genuine exhibition of soil products. 
Interesting to Flax and Hemp 
Growers and. Manufacturers. —Congress hav¬ 
ing appropriated $20,000 to be expended in investigations 
to test the practicability of preparing flax and hemp as a 
substitute for cotton, the Commissioner of Agriculture 
lias placed the matter in the hands of three Commis¬ 
sioners, who call the attention of manufacturers to the 
subject. Samples of fibres and fabrics, with precise de¬ 
scriptions of processes, and statistics of cost, are to be 
sent to the Department of Agriculture at Washington, on 
or before November 20th. Parcels and letters should 
be endorsed, “For Commissioners of Flax Culture.” 
WltEfe Flax Seed. —Henry Gaylord, New 
Haven Co., Conn., sends us a sample of white flax seed, 
and asks if there is any difference between the fibre from 
this and that of the common seed. We have never seen 
the white seed before, except an occasional grain mixed 
with the brown and have no knowledge that the fibre 
is different from that of the ordinary kind.—We shall be 
glad to hear from any reader who can inform us. 
What Success in Cotton Growing? 
—From many letters received last Spring we judged that 
a comparatively large area of cotton would be planted in 
some of the Northern States this year. Will those who 
have been engaged in the experiment please report to the 
Agriculturist their success or failure, and give such 
practical hints as their experience has suggested. 
Large Yield of B*otatocs.— Mrs, Elsie 
C. Wheeler, Essex Co., N. J., reports to the American 
Agriculturist, having planted a plot of ground, 61 feet 
by 89 feet, with Bulkley’s seedling potato, and realized a 
return of 39 bushels—over 312 bushels per acre. 
Native Tobacco.— Geo. H. Brown, Henley, 
Cal., sends seeds and specimens of a species of tobacco 
which grows wild in all parts of California. We sup¬ 
pose, from the limited specimen, that it is Nicotiana 
ruslica. We have not known of any attempts to culti¬ 
vate it, and can give no idea of its value. 
Tobacco for Ants.— W. B. Waldo, of 
Dutchess Co., N. Y., informs us that, after trying various 
expedients for ridding his walks of ants, at length suc¬ 
ceeded in clearing them out by the use of a strong 
decoction of tobacco. 
IPear and Peach Trees in. Michi¬ 
gan.— J. N. Lansing, Mich. In your locality we should 
prefer to “heel in” the trees, i. e. make a deep trench 
for the roots and cover them with a good amount of 
earth, in a sheltered situation. Plum and Cherry trees 
we should prune in June or July. Currant bushes may 
be pruned any time in Autumn. 
Nig'Hit-bloosming' Cereus. —We have a 
fine specimen of this beautiful flower from Mr. George 
Stillwagon, of Flushing, L. I. Thanks to the attention of 
Mr. S., we had the pleasure of seeing it also. 
Plants for a Name.— Mrs. N. Gougan, 
Wild Co., Ill., sends Anagallis arvensis, the Pimpernel, 
which she says is a cure for hydrophobia. We never be¬ 
fore heard of its having any medicinal qualities. ...“Spiv- 
ins,” Piqua, Ohio. The specimen came in rather bad or¬ 
der, but it seems to be Quamoclit coccinea, own brother to 
the Cypress Vine, and probably not a cross as you sup¬ 
pose_S. A. Decker, (no place) sends the Bitter Sweet, 
described on another page_Mr. Seelbach, Baltimore. 
The plant is probably Cleome pungens, but tire specimen 
is too small for accurate determination — H. H. Acker¬ 
man, Bucks Co., Pa. The seeds look like those of the 
Hollyhock, but as there are other nearly related plants, 
we can not be sure from the seeds only-G. W. Good¬ 
win, Conn., Lythrum Salicaria,Vne Spiked Loosestrife. 
It grows wild in some parts of your State, and is often 
cultivated ...Mrs. Julia H. Mack, Richland Co., Wis. 
Tlie leaf sent is that of the Canqrybird Flowgr ( Tropes - 
nlum peregrinum), a climbing species qf the N as * u f^ um 
of Ihe gardens. It is a charming climber, and an annual. 
Probably tiie flower buds of your lilacs are winterkilled. 
. ..E. W. Daniell, Meigs Co., Ohio. The grass is Uniola 
latifolia, the Broad-leaved Spike-grass. It is one of the 
most beautiful of our native grasses and worth cultivat¬ 
ing for ornamental purposes_Mariette M. Herring, 
Winnebago Co., III. Your plant is Mertensia Virginica, 
(formerly called Pulmonaria ) the Virginian Cowslip or 
Lungwort. It is one of the most beautiful of our native 
plants, and better deserves cultivation than many im¬ 
ported ones. The plant is a perennial, and if it does not 
perfect seed, may be propagated by division of the root. 
....T. E. Goodrich, Ford Co., Ill., sends Tradescantia 
Virginica, noticed in the August basket. There are 
several varieties, all easily cultivated and very pretty. 
In botanical names when there are more than three syl¬ 
lables the accent is on the last but two, and thus : Tra¬ 
des-can-ti-a Vir-gdre-i-ca. The name officinalis, which 
is often used as a specific name, comes from the Latin 
offiema, a shop, and is applied to many plants which 
were or are sold as drugs in the shops. 
Spontaneous CjJenevatiosa. —P. Gara- 
brant, Morris Co., N. J., proposes to leave to the Agri¬ 
culturist the settlement of the question “ Will ground 
germinate grain or weeds if there are no seeds in it?”— 
If Mr. G. has read the back volumes of the Agriculturist 
he will have seen that we have taken very strong ground 
against spontaneous generation. We have no proof that 
plants are multiplied in any other than the way provided 
by nature. With all the knowledge we have at present, 
we should answer his question with an emphatic NO. 
Mixing of Strawberries.—L. C. Clmrcla, 
Plymouth Co., Mass. It is likely that strawberries with 
perfect flowers will mix more or less, if planted together, 
but as this will not materially affect the fruit, it is of no 
practical consequence, unless you wish to preserve the 
seeds or plants of any particular kind in a pure state. 
A €woo<tl Tomato.—The Eejee is a good 
tomato. It is of medium to large size, nearly smooth, of 
a dark red, or salmon color, with a solid, meaty flesh, 
and is of fine flavor. If tomatoes were sold by weight— 
which really gives their value—the overgrown, deep 
scalloped sorts which have to be broken into pieces be¬ 
fore they can be peeled, would be discarded. Any smooth, 
solid tomato is preferable to the irregular ones, but 
commend us to the Fejee, alias Lester’s Perfected. 
“ I$£g Tliiaags.”—J. D. Ellis, Columbia Co., 
N. Y., writes to the American Agriculturist, condemning 
the mania for producing “ big things.” He asks, “ Why 
is a pumpkin weighing 200 lbs. better than five weighing 
40 lbs. each ; or a strawberry that must be carved like a 
muskmelon, more desirable than a larger number averag¬ 
ing one to a mouthful ?” In some things, undoubtedly 
there is little gained by enlarging specimens to unusual 
size ; but in many fruits and vegetables large growth 
gives superior quality. Thus the apple, peach, cherry, 
etc., are improved by increase of size. But even where 
this is not the case, producing extraordinary specimens 
is merely a gratification of curiosity, an innocent though 
perhaps unprofitable amusement. 
--»-»-— <►— > «.-- 
Great American Exhibition of 
Pumpkins, Squashes, anti 
Ornamental Crottrds. 
The Second Annual Exhibition of Pump¬ 
kins, Squashes, and Ornamental Gourds, at the 
office of the American Agriculturist , 41 Park Row, New 
York City, opens on Wednesday, Nov. 4th, 1863, 
and the following Prizes will be paid by the Publish¬ 
er, upon the official award of competent Committees. 
CASH PREMIUMS, 
A—For the Heaviest Pumpkin or Squash.§10.00 
B—For the 2nd Heaviest Pumpkin or Squash... 5.00 
C—For the 3d Heaviest Pumpkin or Squash. 3.00 
D—For the Best Pumpkin or Squash for cooking. 5.00 
E—For 2nd Best Pumpkin or Squash for cooking 3.00 
F—For the largest yield on a single Vine. * 10.00 
G—For the 2nd largest yield on a single Vine...'* 5.00 
H—For the largest and finest collection of Fan-/ 
cy or Ornamental Gourds*.j 
I—For the 2nd largest and finest collection \ . 
of Fancy or Ornamental Gourds*. ( 4.WO 
*AU to be grown by one person and to be accompanied 
by positive evidence from the grower, and one disinterest¬ 
ed person who assists in gathering the specimens. 
Note 1.—The specimens receiving the Prizes will re¬ 
main on Public Exhibition at the pleasure of the Publish¬ 
er who offers the prizes. The other specimens will be 
subject to the order of the exhibitors, or they will be 
sold at auction, or otherwise disposed of, for their benefit. 
Note 2.—All Exhibitors must notify us of their intentions 
by Oct. 15th, and deliver specimens for competition on or 
before Nov. 2d. Specimens to be delivered free of charge. 
Note 3.—The same specimen can compete for only one 
of the premiums offered above. See note, pa e 292. 
Exliibition TaMes at tine Office tp? 
tlae Aaiaei’Icsaia Agricuiturist. 
The following articles have been placed on our tables 
for exhibition since our last report: 
Fruits.— Apples: Red Astrachan, from A. J. Hall, 
Wallingford, Conn-Specimens for name, and St. Law¬ 
rence ; T. Briggs, Schagticoke, N. Y_Benoni Apples, 
fine; James Weed, Muscatine, Iowa_Hyslop Crab 
Apple, (described under “ Basket:”) H. A. Conger, White- 
water, Wis-Specimens kept from last year; Win. 
Tefft, Fordham, Mass-Specimens for name; Wm. 
Howe, Mt. Vernon, N. Y-Cranberry Pippins grown in 
1862, very fine ; Robert Benner, Astoria, N. Y ...Pears. 
Bartlett and Doyenne Boussock ; Wm. Doty, Union Hill, 
N. J-Specimens for name ; Wm. Van Brunt, L. I ... 
Fine clusters of Seckeis; Peter Voorhees, Nyao.k, N. Y. 
. Peaches : Specimen for name ; J. W. Hughes, Staten 
Island, N. Y_Fine basket Crawford’s Early ; C. W. 
Idell, West Washington Market, New-York City_ 
Seedling; Wm. L. Plume, Brooklyn, N. Y_ Grapes: 
Hartford Prolific ; Prof. Hopkins, Metuchin, N. J.. .Hart¬ 
ford Prolific; Wm. H. Mitchell, Harlem, N. Y_ 
Northern Muscadine and Hartford Prolific; G. R. Gar- 
retson, Flushing, L. I.Early Canada or August 
Grape; Mr. Ripley, South Windsor, Conn_Hartford 
Prolific ; Wm. Tefft, Fordham, Mass_August Pioneer ; 
John Friske, Holliston, Mass_ Berries: Cut-leaved 
Blackberry; S. A. Halsey, Astoria, N. Y_Lawton 
Blackberry; Jno. B. Peck, Yonkers, N. Y ...Twice 
bearing Raspberry, Belle de Fontenay, Pink Black¬ 
berries, and late Strawberries ; Wm. F. Heins, Morrisania, 
N. Y- Miscellaneous Fruits: E.ipe Figs, large and 
fine ; M. J. Taylor, Jr., Southport, Conn_White Japan 
Melon ; Mr. Godfrey, Westport, Conn_Skillman’s Net¬ 
ted Musk Melons, splendid specimens; Richard Ben 
nett, Fort Hamilton, N. Y....Plum for name; L. Pfen- 
ninger, Brooklyn, N. Y_Cape Cod Cranberry Plant, 
in fruit; Wm. II. Starr, New-London, Ct_Nectarine ; 
B. N. Leonard, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
Flowers.—C ut Flowers and Asters in pots ; O. Judd, 
Flushing, N. Y-Dahlias, Carnations, Roses, etc., C. 
S. Pell, New-York Orphan Asylum_Canna Indica, 
very fine; Win. F. Heins, Morrisania, N. Y_Fine 
colored Seedling Petunias; Peter Henderson, Jersey 
City, N. J-Balsams; Mr. Petriek, Union Hill, N. J. 
....Double Sunflower, Imperials, perfect specimen, 
Lewis A. Burt, Tremont, N. Y_Magnificent collection 
of Gladioluses; Andrew Bridgman, 878 Broadway, New- 
York City... Dahlias, Seedling Phloxes, Petunias, Helio¬ 
tropes and Double Balsams, very superior; W. & J. 
Cranston, Hoboken, N. J .... Bilbergia fulgens in bloom ; 
Isaac Buchanan, West 17th-st., New-York City; Night¬ 
blooming Cereus triangularis ; A. P. Cummings, 
New-York City_Cut Flowers; Mrs. John Harper, 
East 82d-st., New-York City_Splendid collection of 
Seedling Verbenas; Wm. Davison, Brooklyn, N. Y_ 
Caladium nymphasfolium; Wm. Heins, Morrisania, N. Y. 
_Magnificent collection of Asters and Zinnias; W. P. 
Wright, Weehawken, N. J_Balsams, Prince’s Feather, 
Coxcomb, and Fancy Gourds ; Wm. B. Westcott, 302^ 
Madison-st., N. Y... .Balsams ; Mrs. Wm. Hamon, N. Y. 
Vegetables.—C urious growth of Sweet Corn; Wm. 
Bergen, Fast New-York...-Cucumber grown in Bottle; 
E. W. Probasco, Clinton, N. J-Tree Tomato, extra ; 
G. M. Usher, Port Richmond, N. Y_Cucumber and 
Melon hybridized ; II. W. Olcott, Mt. Clair, N. J_Fe 
jee Tomato; Dr. A. Barber, Brooklyn, N. Y_White 
Cucumber, very fine; W. G. McLaughlin, Harlem, 
N. Y_Cuban or Grape Tomatoes; W. M. Doty, Union 
Hill, N. J_Long Blood Beet, Red Turnip, Yellow To¬ 
matoes, Curious growth of Carrot and Tomato, superior 
Corn, and Lima Beans; J. W. Perkins, St. Joseph’s 
Hospital, N. Y-Purple Egg Plant, improved variety, 
White Egg Plant, Okra, Beefsteak, Yellow Plum, Yellow 
Cherry, Red Plum, Fig, Apple, and Cuban Tomatoes, 
and Winter Cherries; Wm. F. Heins, Morrisania, N. Y, 
-Large Purple Egg Plant, weighing 4}£ lbs ; John G. 
Freeman, Ravenswood, N. Y_Sugar Beets; John B. 
Vroom, Blooming Grove, N. Y_Fancy Gourds ; Daniel 
Rankin, Mt. Vernon, N. Y_Peach-Blow Potatoes, good, 
first crop from Scrub-Oak land ; M. Foley, Central Islip, 
N. Y_Two Purple Egg Plants, very large, weight 
and 7}£ lbs ; Mrs. A. A. McElvvee, Walker Valley, N. Y. 
_Cucumber, 3% lbs., and Long-necked Squash, 20 
lbs.: W. C. Aubert, New-Durham, N. J_Fejee Toma¬ 
toes ; W. W. Davis, 130 Grand-st., Jersey City, N. J_ 
Tree Tomato, curious specimen; G. M. Usher, Port 
Richmond, N. Y-Purple Egg Plant, largest, weight 
8 lbs. 10 oz.; Robert McGarrety, gardener to Frederick 
Wiggins, Rye, N. Y. 
Miscellaneous Articles.—S pecimen of Raw Silk , 
O. U. de la Harpe, Great Salt Lake City, Utah_Red 
Currant Juice preserved in hot11e ; Wm. M. Doty, Union 
Hill, N. J_Mediterranean Wheat; A. Milne, Stamford, 
Conn... Mammoth Millet; Mrs. A. A. McElwee, Walker 
Valley, N. Y... Fruit of Skunk Cabbage, (Symplocurpus 
feetidus;) J. M. Knowlton, Tarrytown, N. Y. 
