1898 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
io7 
POINTS AND PICKINGS 
From the recent meeting of the Western New York 
Horticultural Society. 
Tiie Black Knot Law. —The question was brought 
up whether the law enacted on the instigation of the 
Society about a year ago, has had a wholesome effect, 
or whether additional legislation is desirable. S. D. 
Willard, J. S. Woodward and C. M. Hooker were the 
chief participants in this discussion, all giving testi¬ 
mony that the law is a good one, and only needs more 
general enforcement in order to wipe out the dread 
plum and cherry plague. Several amendments 
were proposed which it is thought will tend to in¬ 
sure a stricter enforcement, and Mr. J. S. Woodward 
was appointed to bring the matter before the legisla¬ 
ture of the State 
Cold Storage. —This is a problem that will not 
down. It is discussed unfailingly year after year, and 
yet it is doubtful whether any new points have lately 
been developed. For apples and some varieties of 
pears, for instance the Bartlett, cold storage has been 
found profitable. Further than this, says Mr. Hale, 
he would not recommend it for fruits. It is a failure 
with grapes, on account of the heavy shrinkage. Fruit 
that has been stored in houses where ice is used to 
keep the temperature down, keep only for a little 
while when taken out. A novel method of keeping 
apples has been tried with excellent success in New 
York city. The fruit is stored in barges. The water 
about the boat prevents the apples from freezing, yet 
keeps them near the freezing point all the while. In 
Buffalo, as was stated by Hon. E. B. Fenner, storage 
rooms in large buildings, cooled by artificial means, 
are rented at quite a reasonable price to grocers, com¬ 
mission-men and producers for the successful storage 
of meat, eggs and all kinds of fruits. Mr. Hale told 
how he had placed a lot of peaches, which arrived in 
market too late for the day’s sales, in cold storage for 
only 12 hours, and received about $100 more for them 
than he could have done otherwise. Reference was 
also made to the old and still valuable plan of cooling 
a fruit house by an underground current of air con¬ 
ducted in a large pipe from a distance of several 
hundred feet to the cellar. The proper place for cold 
storage houses generally, it was thought, is in the 
large cities. Dampness must be avoided in all storage 
houses. 
The Oriental Plums. —Some of the new Japanese 
plums found pretty strong indorsement. Professor 
Bailey considers them the most valuable fruits of 
recent introduction. S. D. Willard says there are a 
number of varieties known as Botan. The name repre¬ 
sents a class having a peculiar rugged foliage less sub¬ 
ject to diseases than that of other plums. It remains 
healthy and bright until late in the season. The 
earliest of these “ Botans” ripens with him about the 
middle of July, and is a fairly good fruit. The variety 
known as Abundance is about three weeks later and 
of better quality. The Sweet Botan is still a week 
later and still better in quality. Burbank, which 
ripens about September 10, is a beautiful red plum, 
the most productive among all these varieties, but 
not of the best quality. It is highly recommended by 
Mr. H. E. VanDeman. Mr. Hale pronounced these 
Japanese plums excellent keepers. Frequently they 
keep in good condition for two weeks. The Ogon, a 
handsome yellow variety, ripens in July, and is the 
only free-stone among the Japanese in cultivation. 
All these kinds are entirely hardy, having been fruited 
in Ottawa, Canada, and the trees are exempt from 
black knot. 
Gooseberries and Currants for Profit. —Recent 
statements in the agricultural and horticultural papers 
about the profits promised in growing gooseberries 
and currants seem to have called greater attention to 
this class of fruits; and there was a call, through the 
question box, for more information on this point. The 
statement that $800 had been secured as the proceeds 
from one acre of Downing gooseberries, necessarily 
holds out a great deal of temptation to many of the 
fruit growers who have yet been in doubt whether 
fruit growing at present prices is giving an adequate 
compensation. Mr. S. D. Willard says the English 
varieties are the best, but rather subject to mildew. 
The disease, however, can be kept in check by free 
spraying with liver of sulphur solutions, as has been 
proved at the Geneva Station where the English goose¬ 
berries have been grown free from mildew for years. 
Mr. Willard objects to stable manure as liable to pro- 
• duce mildew, but prefers to fertilize with mineral 
manures, especially wood ashes. Gooseberries are 
usually gathered while in an unripe state, simply 
stripped or scraped off the bushes by handfuls, then 
run through a fanning-mill, and shipped in bulk. 
They stand shipment almost as well as marbles. The 
Columbia was mentioned as an especially fine and pro¬ 
ductive sort, resembling the English gooseberry. 
Eight bushels of fruit had been gathered from 35 
plants set four feet by three. Mr. Hale prefers a dry 
knoll for gooseberries, as he thinks in such position 
they are free from mildew. The Columbia was said 
to be as free from this disease as the Downing, which, 
however, is yet our standard variety for profit. 
Currants seem to be generally considered as a profit¬ 
able fruit. Messrs. C. M. Hooker, S. I). Willard, L. 
Woolverton, J. H. Hale and others gave their testimony 
to this effect. Mr. Hooker says he gets about $2 per 
bushel ; Mr. Willard estimates his average returns at 
$3 per bushel, and often he receives $4. Mr. Woolverton 
says currants bring him about $200 per acre, and pay 
as well as any other fruit. White currants find little 
sale, but are good in the home garden. He raises 
mostly the Fay and Cherry. Mr. Hale says a friend of 
his has four acres of Fay and Victoria, gives high cul¬ 
ture, and secures from 125 to 150 bushels per acre. As 
his fruit is fine and large, he sells all at extra prices, 
and makes money. The Victoria is productive, and 
extremely late, for which reason it often brings the 
very highest prices. Currants should be pruned so 
that the wood is all renewed every three years. They 
need a good, stiff, strong soil, and will not do so well 
on thin or sandy soil. Professor Bailey says that on 
the Hudson River, currants are often planted among 
grape vines, and they give satisfactory returns. The 
Fay is not as reliable as many other sorts, but often 
gives good crops. 
Apple Growing in Canada. —Mr. L. Woolverton, 
representative of the Ontario Fruit Growers’ Associa¬ 
tion, reported a general feeling of unrest and discour¬ 
agement among Canadian apple growers. Orchards 
are being grubbed out by wholesale. He still pins his 
faith to the pet scheme of the Canadian apple growers, 
that of government “ fruit inspectors,” whose business 
it is to prevent poor fruit from being exported. All 
apples for export should be inspected and graded so 
that foreign customers can buy by the officially guar¬ 
anteed grade. 
Insect Notes. —For thoroughness and completeness 
as a report on entomology, Dr. J. A. Lintner’s paper 
deserves the palm. In a general way he tells us that 
the complaints about insect depredations have been 
far less numerous in 1892 than in former seasons. Pos¬ 
sibly this may be due to a better understanding of the 
means and methods of dealing with them. The great 
danger threatening from the Gypsy moth, however, is 
not yet gone by ; but it seems that the thorough 
methods of dealing with the pests adopted by the Mas¬ 
sachusetts people serve to get them under control. 
The following mixture has been used for them : one 
pound each of Paris-green and glucose and 150 gallons 
of water. Spraying with this killed the young, but 
not the old worms. As a combination mixture for 
insect (curculio) and fungous enemies of the plum, Dr. 
Lintner recommends lime, four pounds ; sulphate of 
copper, four pounds ; Paris-green, four ounces ; water, 
50 gallons. This has proved satisfactory on European, 
but not on American plums. 
To destroy clusters of caterpillars, several new 
remedies have been used with good results, namely, 
1, the washing powders known as Gold Dust and 1776 ; 
2, creosote oil. None of these should be applied on 
tender foliage, only on the clusters of worms. Gold 
Dust is thought to give better results than other wash¬ 
ing powders. Dissolve a pound in a little warm 
water, and then dilute with six gallons of water. 
Creosote oil is offered by the manufacturers in Wil¬ 
mington, N. C., at 15 cents a gallon. To spray 
fruit trees for leaf-eating caterpillars the follow¬ 
ing formula is given: one pound of white arsenic, 
two of lime. Boil together for half an hour in 
from two to three gallons of water, then dilute 
with 100 gallons. This mixture contains no soluble 
arsenic, and consequently will do no harm to the 
foliage. Dr. Lintner also states that the grape vine 
leaf-hopper is easily conquered by a single applica¬ 
tion of kerosene emulsion. 
Professor Slinger of Cornell University, mentioned 
the pear tree psylla as the most destructive insect dis¬ 
covered in recent years. It remains on the trees dur¬ 
ing winter. The eggs, which are so small that they 
can hardly be seen with the naked eye, hatch when 
the leaves are just beginning to unfold—about May 16. 
The young psyllas, if sprayed promptly with the 
kerosene emulsion, will die within an hour’s time. 
Professor Lintner also stated that the eggs cannot be 
killed by spraying with the kerosene emulsion. They 
survive contact even with clear kerosene. 
The Degeneration of Tree Fruits. —This subject 
was introduced by a paper read by Professor Bailey, 
who states that the example of the Early Harvest, the 
King, the Newtown Pippin, Greening, Swaar and 
many other apples and pears also proves that there are 
tree fruits now in cultivation which have been grown 
for hundreds of years, and that age counts for noth¬ 
ing. Certainly the deterioration, if there be any, is 
too slow to be observed in centuries. From various 
examples he also shows that American tree fruits 
often prove better adapted to America than European 
varieties. Most varieties of fruits are local. Those 
not adapted to a certain locality will disappear from 
the local fruit list, and rapid changes will be the 
result. All old varieties which had superior qualities 
are yet grown ; varieties propagated from buds do not 
run but drop out. Some varieties are particularly 
subject to disease, and their cultivation will be re¬ 
stricted. The Spitzenberg apple is one of those gradu¬ 
ally driven out by disease. Fashion and tastes also 
change and demand new types, and, on the whole, the 
persistence of a fruit depends on the money in it. 
When fashions change, varieties must change also. 
Professor Bailey’s views were strongly indorsed by 
W. C. Barry, who calls attention to the many fine old 
varieties which have not come into general cultivation 
simply because they are not good-looking enough, 
although of superior quality. These fruits have been 
tested ; their value is known ; but they are given the 
cold shoulder because the demand for fine-flavored 
fruits is limited, more regard being paid to fine appear¬ 
ance, color and size than to flavor. Some of these fine 
old fruits are here on exhibit. When quality is more 
appreciated, some of these choice pears of the finest 
quality imported from Europe, will come into culti¬ 
vation. 
Mr. S. D. Willard speaks of the White Doyennfi as a 
fine pear, which may be given back to us by a higher 
system of cultivation, Prof. Bailey says it can yet be 
grown, if the spray is properly applied every year, 
whether the tree bears fruit or not. 
Mr. George T. Powell says he has for the last three 
years raised fine crops of Spitzenberg apples from the 
same trees which for many years had given no fruit. 
He has given heavy applications of bone and ashes, 
and sprayed with the Bordeaux mixture. In former 
years, the foliage dropped early, sometimes even 
before the fruit was ready for picking. Now, after 
high.feeding and persistent spraying, the foliage hangs 
on luxuriantly after the fruit is picked. t. g. r. 
BUSINESS BITS. 
Mil. S. R. Nii.ks, of Boston, Mass., has again been placed on tho 
llBt of general advertising agencies recognized by Tiib RuuAr, New- 
Yorker. 
During 1892, 72,218,770 gallons of milk and 1,87(1,3(10 of cream were 
sent to Now York city for sale. In 1891 the Ilguros wore, 67,050,950 gal- 
lons of milk and 1,610,980 gallons of cream. 
The “ Holdfast ” Goons aro certainly holding fast to public 
favor, which Is tho same thing as saying that they are first-class. 
They are made for shawl straps, nets, halters, corn bands, hammock 
ropes, shoe laces, bags and sacks and about everything else that 
needs to be held. The Tie Company of Unadllla, N. Y., make the 
“ Holdfast.” Bend for their circular. 
That Folding Saw.—A t tho request of one of our readers wo print 
tho following questions: 1. Have you used tho folding saw sold by 
tho Folding Saw Machine Co., of Chicago ? 2, Does It boar out the 
recommendations given It by tho manufacturers ? 8. Can one man 
run It as easily as two men can an ordinary cross-cut ? 4. What Im¬ 
portant defects has It ? 5. Is It liable to get out of order If used by a 
common wood chopper ? 
TAXATION in New York State.—I f thore Is one question on which 
the people at large In tho Empire State are substantially agreed with¬ 
out distinction of party lines, It Is the necessity for some speedy 
amendment of our taxation laws. The plan of taxation and the 
methods of collecting It now In vogue are practically those provided 
under the Colonial laws, which though profusely amonded In dotal 
and by exceptions, must still bo conceded to urgently demand a recon¬ 
sideration, at any rate In practice. If not In principle. Tho advocates 
of a change may be divided Into three classes: First, those who 
demand the enactment and rlgorouB enforcement of laws which 
Impose upon and collect from personal and corporate property their 
proportionate share of the public taxes. These ebargo, with appar¬ 
ent truth, that upwards of 90 per cent of the personal property now 
subject to taxation falls to pay any tax, either through faults of the 
jaw, evasions of Its provisions or lack of their enforcement by public 
officials. Second aro those who agree In tho opinion that the taxa¬ 
tion of personal property Is erroneous and extremely Injurious to tho 
prosperity of the State, becauso It leads Inevitably to chicanery and 
perjury and to investment elsewhere of money which, Invested here, 
would greatly benefit the people. Some of this class object to all 
such taxation, but most contend for only a light specific tax. Third 
come those who maintain that all taxes should be levied solely upon 
land, excluding from taxations not only personal property, but all 
Improvements on realty. This Is a subject on which tho people not 
only of New York State, but of every State In the Union should ponder, 
decide and legislate; for after all, In this country, It Is the people who 
legislate through their representatives, whom they should hold to 
strict accountability. 
Venal Journalism.—“ If salt hath lost Its savor wherewith then 
shall It be salted?” The public press claims and receives many val¬ 
uable privileges and Immunities on tho ground that It Is tho exponent 
of the best public opinion, the denouncer of fralftd and corruptions of 
all kinds, and the Incorruptible champion of right and liberty. Doubt¬ 
less It deserves credit for many of Its claims, and some of Its members 
merit no small modicum of praise for their fidelity to all. Tho Ineffable 
exposures of the I’anama scandals, however, In Paris, show gross 
venality and turpitude on the part of the conductors of some of the 
most prominent French Journals, and similar revelations are not un¬ 
known elsewhere. Latelv the municipal authorities of Brooklyn 
Illegally squandered $60,000 of the public funds for tho benefit of a 
few political cronies and heelers, but ostensibly for the celebration of 
the Columbian show. An Indignant tax-payer secured an injunction 
against tho payment of the fraudulent contracts, and an Indignant 
grand Jury Indicted the offenders, from the Mayor down. Then the 
political associates of the Indicted men In the legislature promptly se¬ 
cured the passage of a bill of an ex-post facto character, exculpating 
the now perturbed officials and legalizing their offenses. This Gov. 
Flower has Just vetoed atnld the acclamation of all honest citizens. 
Foremost In support of the abortive measure were theBrookly n papers. 
Of all Its oonfrfires one of them charges that: “ Every one of them 
derives from the city and county a subsidy, paid under the pretense 
of requital for printing public documents, amounting In the aggregate 
to not less than $45,000 a year each—a sum, let It be understood, that 
bridges the gulf between bankruptcy and a reasonable profit.” It 
boldly alleges that sycophancy to the dispensers of this, In all cases 
valuable, and In some Indispensable patronage, was the motive of 
their action. That they receive the bribes there Is no doubt, but who 
can divine the nature of their payments ? 
