i89t 
Three Themes for Thought. 
A. L. Crosby, Baltimore County, Md. 
—The Rural advises home-giving rather 
than to send money “to far-away people 
who may be more or less needy, but who in 
19 cases out of 20 are less,” and asks : “ Are 
we right ?” Certainly you are, never more 
so ; and one other point might be men¬ 
tioned in favor of home-giving, viz.: it costs 
more than a dollar to get a dollar to the 
far away people. This giving includes, or 
should include, the sum intended for 
moral improvement as well as physical. I 
have often wondered what the heathens 
say, or think, when they come here and see 
our millions of heathens and then read of 
the millions of dollars sent to convert the 
foreign heathens, “ Charity begins at 
homelet us first present a clean record 
ourselves, then try to help to purify other 
nations. The same doctrine The Rural 
advises, applied to nations, would or should 
show better results than those we now 
have. 
The Rural asks; “ How many bushels 
of wheat does it take to buy a suit of 
clothes ?” Well, 10 bushels of wheat will 
now pay for a suit of clothes, and the man 
who believes that there is no depression in 
farming immediately inquires: “ When 
did 10 bushels of wheat ever do the like be¬ 
fore ?” and claims one more for protection. 
But the suit of clothes is not on a par with 
the wheat; the latter is as good as the 
wheat of our fathers, but the clothes 1 
Well, they are made to sell; there is little 
durability in them ; little wool (what there 
is, is coarse); little protection from cold, 
but a great deal of protection for the man¬ 
ufacturer of the goods. 
The Rural thinks Henry Stewart’s idea 
that the world “ promises to become worse 
instead of better ” is appalling. It is; and 
yet, under the present condition of things, 
what else have we a right to expect ? Do 
you read, or do you hear so much said 
against the Anarchists as formerly ? Not 
that people believe more now than then in 
anarchy, but they begin to feel that unless 
things can be set straight lawfully, they 
will have to be set straight in some other 
way. Am I right ? 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
samples and comments. 
“ That there is truth in the popular idea 
that a scratch from (dirty) finger-nails may 
be poisonous was demonstrated recently by 
a number of scientific examinations of dirt 
taken from under the nails. Germs of many 
kinds of living organisms were found in this 
prolific soil. 
“This Is true, says the N. Y. Tribune, and 
worth space if it would only lead farmers 
and others to keep their finger-nails out of 
mourning.” 
According to Harper’s Weekly, Baron 
Cuvier said that the domestic dog was the 
" completest, the most singular, and the 
most useful conquest ever made by man.” 
To a person unfortunate enough not to be 
fond of dogs this sounds like an extrava¬ 
gant statement, but the affirmative of it 
could be maintained with much force, and 
the real dog-lover would maintain it with 
an enthusiasm which would probably de¬ 
feat the purpose of his argument. What¬ 
ever may be the value of the domestic dog 
in comparison with the other animals 
which man has subjugated and trained, 
there can be no question of the utility of 
the dog in his various capacities—as 
hunter, shepherd, watch dog, friend, com¬ 
panion. 
The Frederick Clapp is one of the most 
showy and delicious pears ripening in Oc¬ 
tober. 
The Wilder Early Pear is unquestion¬ 
ably one of the most valuable of its season 
(August), as we may assume from the 
valid indorsements of such men as T. T. 
Lyon, Ellwanger & Barry, Thomas Meehan, 
C. A. Green and others. 
Don’t forget to try a tree or so of the 
Idaho Pear. 
The Elberta Peach is praised by compe¬ 
tent judges as of marvelous productive¬ 
ness, great beauty and fine quality. It 
ripens in August and is a good, shipper.... 
In Sciadopitys verticillata (Japan Um¬ 
brella Pine) we have, says a writer in the 
London Garden, not only one of the most 
distinct conifers, but also one of the most 
remarkable evergreen trees ever intro¬ 
duced. There is scarcely any department 
in ornamental planting into which it may 
not be introduced with excellent effect; 
and whether planted singly as a specimen, 
or in combination with other trees and 
shrubs for contrast and variety, its sym¬ 
metrical habit and peculiar foliage mark it 
out as one of the most characteristic of 
decorative subjects. The experience of the 
past 20 years has proved Its hardiness ; and 
although in England, growing under cli¬ 
matic conditions somewhat different from 
those of its native home, its growth is 
rather slow, it makes satisfactory progress 
when established in good soils and screened 
from piercing winds, The specimen at the 
Rural Grounds is about 12 years old, and 
five feet high. Its growth, though slow in 
the early years, increases every year. 
Though growing in a fairly exposed situa¬ 
tion, it has never been injured by the sever¬ 
est frosts of winter or droughts of sum¬ 
mer. We do not know of a hardier conifer. 
Experienced members of the Western 
New York Horticultural Society had much 
to say regarding a number of new shrubs 
and trees which are worthy of a place in 
every collection. Ptelea trifoliata aurea 
(Hop Tree) is regarded as the best of all 
golden shrubs. Ulmus Dampieri aurea 
retains a golden color until fall. 
ROBINIA PSEUDACACIA VAR. MIMOStE- 
FOLIA is regarded as the most beautiful of 
the large number of varieties of this 
native American species, which have been 
originated in European nurseries. As the 
name suggests, its foliage is made up of a 
great number of very small leaflets, much 
resembling the foliage of the mimosa. It 
is well worth growing for a choice lawn 
tree, and is now grown largely in the Euro¬ 
pean nurseries. 
Syringa Japonica (Giant Tree Lilac).— 
A new species of lilac. The oldest speci¬ 
mens in this country are in Boston, and are 
now 12 years old and over 20 feet high. 
Foliage is distinct and durable. Blooms 
white and very large. 
Syringa Japonica argentea is a form 
of the above well-known “Tree Lilac,” 
with foliage broadly marked with clear 
white, and will be interesting to many as 
the first “ sport ” yet obtained of this 
superb new species of the lilac family. It 
originated from seed in Shady Hill Nur¬ 
series, Cambridge. 
Xanthoceras sorbifolia is a newly in¬ 
troduced flowering shrub growing to a 
height of six to nine feet. It produces a long 
raceme of white flowers with a crimson 
center; flower an inch and a half In diame¬ 
ter. One of the most remarkable shrubs of 
recent introduction. A portrait of the 
flower raceme appeared in The R. N.-Y. 
some 15 years ago, and again four or five 
years ago. This handsome shrub fruits 
early, and the seeds, we find, germinate 
freely, the seedlings blooming while 
young. 
Abies Nordmanniana aurea is the only 
well marked sport of this noble fir, and 
promises to be quite effective, with its deep 
yellow shadings on the very dark green of 
this species. 
-Life: “ The happy marriages make no 
talk, and a thousand of them will not get as 
much space in the newspapers as one lively 
divorce case.” 
-W. F. Massey in Weekly Press: 
“ Ampelopsis Veitchii, the Japan Creeper, 
raised from seed will get twice as high up 
a wall the first season as a young plant 
grown from a cutting will. Start the seeds 
early in a box in the house.” 
-Journal of Commerce : " Shutting 
men and women up in cells to keep them 
from temptation has not produced a pious 
community. Tell the inebriate that his is 
a vicious indulgence for which he is mor¬ 
ally responsible and there is some hope of 
his reformation.” 
-The Century : “ There would be more 
charity if we could learn to remember'that 
a man’s faults are simply his virtues carried 
to excess.” 
“ The world gives its greatest rewards 
to those who learn not to care for them.” 
“ Much worrying is mental cowardice.” 
“HE Is a wise man that can reason a 
thing out with himself, but it takes two 
wiser men to reason it out together.” 
“We admire a rascal for what he might 
have been and hate a fool for what he is.” 
“ALL truth is old, but there is much art 
in making it appear new.” 
-Prof. Storer: “There is no greater 
fallacy than that which gauges the worth 
of a manure by the stench it emits.” 
“ Why do they call De Thompkyns the 
* Chrysanthemum.’ ” 
“ Because he finds favor with society and 
yet hasn’t a cent.” 
227 
pisscfttaumtiS ^ihwtteing. 
IN writing to advertisers please always 
mention The Rural New-Yorker. 
Insects on Fruit Trees. 
These pests are rapidly multiplying and every 
year their ravages Increase; they destroy the apples, 
plums, cherries and peaches. Yet they can be exter¬ 
minated by judiciously spraying the trees. '1 he Field 
Force Pump Company, of Lock port, N. Y., have Just 
published a very instructive treatise on this subject, 
which they will send free on application,_ 
SH CRAPE VINES 
IOOVarieties.Also Small Fruits,Trees, Ac. Best 
rooted stock. Genuine, cheap. i£ sample vines mailed for 14c. De¬ 
scriptive pricelist free. LEWIS ROESCH.Fredoaia, fl.Y* 
CRAPE VINES, 
Strawberries lilackberrieH, 
KiiNpberricH, CurrantH at reduced 
i*prices. Write for New Cntalotflic 
Nursery Stock, Farm and Garden 
SEKDH«with instructions for pruning, planting, <ftc. 
jOKL 1IOHNER «fc SON, Delulr, Camden Co., N. J. 
grape: vines 
"-plants of Boat duality. Warrantodtrueito namo. Lowoat 
Prices. Largoat Stock and Assortment of Old and How 
Variotios. Send for Price List. 
BUSH & SON ft M2ISSNZB. Bnshtorg, Mo. 
GRIPE TIRES. •: 
—On receipt $1.00 l 
will mail at once 
Treatise on Grape 
„ ..... _ __<; u 11II r e. and in 
early Spring «.» vines White Grapes, 8 Martha si Pock- 
llngton, 8 Niagara ; or 9 vines Red Grapes,8 Brighton, 
8 Salem, 3 Agawam; or 0 vines Black Grapes, 3 Moore s 
Early, 3 Worden, 3 Wilder; or 9 vines, one each of 
above 9 varieties, for $1.25; or 27 vines, three each ol 
above 9 varieties, for $2.50. First-class, properly 
labeled; postage prepaid, and saro delivery in gooi 
condition WUloll g h bv. Ohio. 
37,9 (FRUIT TREES 
VINES, PLANTS, Etc.* 
Apple, Pear, Peach, Cherry, Plum, Quhiee, 
Stru wherry. Raspberry, 1 ilackberry 1 L ur- 
rants. Grapes, Gooseberries, Ac bend for cat¬ 
alogue J. S. COLLINS, Moorestown. N. J. 
S 
PRAY YOUR TREES. SI7 KxiireNH Paid, for $5.50. 
Outfit Combines 3 Complete Brass Machines. Will thoroughly ^o-acre P er "ty 
A valuable Illustrated Book (worth $5) on “ Owr Insec £Foe*,” «o «ach^oha*er^My agents 
DECIDUOUS ami 
EVERGREEN. 
Including tlio 
New Chestnut 
_ % _ , NUMBO. 
HEDGING, FLOWERING SHRUBS and VINES. 
The WM. H. MOON COMPANY, Morrisville, Bueks County, Penna. 
TREES 
ORNAMENTAL}. 
Fruit&NutBearing 
1891 . 
1891 . 
Home Grown, Honest, Reliable. 
I offer you my Vegetable and Flower Seed Catalogue for 
1891 FREE. Note the immense variety of seed it con¬ 
tains, and that all the best novelties are there. Not 
much mere show about it (you don’t plant pictures) 
jbut fine engravings from photographs of scores of the 
w -choice vegetables I have introduced. Would it not 
be well to get the seed of these from first hands? 1 o be the 
oldest firm in the United States making mail and express 
business a specialty proves reliability. I loncst an ®- 
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imerest my customers, j. J. H. GREGORY & SON. Marblehead. Massk 
iBscuLUS RUBICUND A pendula.— A seed¬ 
ling from the red horse chestnut, with a 
fine pendulous habit and good red color. 
This should make a very effective tree for 
the lawn. 
PAV CURRANT 
r H I HEADQUARTERS. 
GRAPES 
i ._ nn /1 nil ntburu 'Mntv nnfi Old WV! ATaTs 
W WWW BEST & CHEAPEST , ( ’ Ilto „ Moyer and all others New and Old SMART, 
N E W GRAPES Oa^ggWee. <SeO.S. JOSSELYN, FREDONIA, N. Y. 
WORD FOR WORD. 
-The Journalist : “A good many peo¬ 
ple do not know that an editor’s selections 
from his contemporaries are quite often 
the best test of his editorial ability, and 
that the function of the scissors is not 
merely to fill up vacant spaces, but to 
reproduce the brightest and best thoughts 
and the most attractive news from all 
sources at the editor’s command.” 
-Life: “Col. Higginson declares it to 
be 1 a curious fact that there is nothing 
which is so wholly unanimous as the desire 
that other people’s daughters should be 
cooks and chambermaids,’ but that our 
own daughters should not.” 
-New York Tribune :“ For nests in a 
poultry-house where egg-eating is a habit, 
fill nail-kegs two-thirds full of sawdust, 
and over the top throw a hoop of canvas 
sewed loosely on it to sag six inches. In 
the bottom of this cloth make a hole large 
enough for an egg to fall through into the 
keg. To keep one egg from breaking on 
another, slope the dust in the keg so each 
egg will roll away from the place where it 
fell.” 
-Puck : “It is odd that, among all the 
different varieties advertised, we have 
never seen coal-dust mentioned as a 
baking-powder. ’ ’ 
deduct the IO cents from first order it costs nothing. T his 3 Gran< l offer, chance for all. 
Seeds, Plants, Shrubs, Vines, 
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CATALOGUE FREE. 
Over 150 pages illustrating and describing one of the largest 
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BffitWlu?tor tlie miney in our Tested Novelt.es and Special 
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37 YEARS. 25 CREENHOUSES. 700 ACRES. 
THE STORRS & HARRISON CO., 
Painesville, Ohio. 
JERRARD’S SEED POTATO CATALOGUE 
them superior to all others for seed. I raise my SEED CO N 
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*“ V I offers season my new HARBINGER POTATO’aTrpJaNT COR H 
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> GEORGE W. P. JERR ARD, Caribou, Maine. 
