FEB. 13. 
MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER: AN AGRICULTURAL AND FAMILY NEWSPAPER. 
NOTES TO CORRESPONDENTS AND READERS 
We give up this department, the present week, 
a’most entirely to correspondents, and to answering 
inquiries. One very important question, from a 
correspondent at the West, ‘ where and how can 
■R-e purchase fruit trees without danger of being 
cheated,” we shall endeavor to answer next week. 
This will open a very interesting subject, and we 
wish to deal with it carefully and truthfully, in 
such a way as to remove prejudice and impar: 
useful information, and, therefore, postpone its 
discussion until we can give it proper time and 
space. Many inquiries still remain unanswered, | 
and we have several communications on file. 
The present is the time to make all necessary 
arrangements for active operations in the spring. 
The selection of ground, trees and plants, &c., 
may now be made with care. Cuttings of currants, 
grapes, etc., may be made any time in the winter. 
Cut the wood from the tree, lay it in the cellar, 
and the cuttings may be made at leisure. Grape 
vines should be pruned by the beginning of next 
month. Sash for hot-beds should be made or put 
in order. Hand glasses, poles for beans, trellises 
for grapes, can all be made at this season very 
cheap. 
Best Varieties op Fruit.—I wish that you, or 
some other person posted on the subject, would 
give through the Rural a list of about a dozen of 
the best sorts of apple trees to set in an orchard, 
of one hundred, for domestic use. Those adapted 
to Western New York or Southern Michigan. Also 
half a dozen varieties each of Peaches and Pears.— 
J. W. Pierce, Allen, Mich. 
Remarks. —We can very easily give the desired 
number of good varieties, and such as we would 
prefer; yet we well know that others as well quali¬ 
fied as we are to judge of the merits of fruits would 
give a different selection. Tastes differ and expe¬ 
rience often seems to teach a different lesson.— 
Then, in naming so small a list as a dozen, we have 
to leave out a good many fine varieties that we 
would like to have in an orchard. However, we 
give the following list, and if our correspondent 
plants them he will not complain of having poor 
fruit. Red Astracan, Early Harvest, Large Sweet 
Bough, Early Joe, Fall Pippin, Gravenstein, Rhode 
Island Greening, Baldwin, Fameuse, Melon, Esopus 
Spitzenburg, Talman Sweet, Green Sweeting. A 
less number, of course, of the early varieties should 
be planted than of the late-keeping sorts. Some 
might prefer to add the Golden or Itoxbury Russet. 
For Pears, standards, we would recommend the 
Tyson, Bartlett, Louise Bonne de Jersey, Seckel, 
White Doyenne, Vicar of Winkfield and Easter 
Beurre. For Peaches, Serrate Early York, Large 
Early York, Crawford’s Early, Crawford’s Late 
Melocoton, George the Fourth and Morris White. 
Cranberry Plants. —I am requested to ask 
through your columns where the round cranberry 
roots can be obtained, and at what price. Also, if 
sand spread over the ground will benefit them, arid 
how deep it should be. If you or any of your 
readers will answer the above you will oblige an 
old subscriber. — J. M. Towner, Tovmers, Putnurn 
Co., N. Y. 
Remarks. —Plants, we think, can be obtained of 
D. L. Halsey, of Victory, Cayuga Co., and Noble 
Hill, of Caton, Steuben county, in this State. The 
latter advertised plants in the Rural last year at 
$1 per hundred. Those who have plants for sale 
would do well to let it be known. Covering the 
ground with sand is principally to prevent the 
growth of weeds, as they will not make such head¬ 
way if covered with two or three inches of sand. 
If the ground was dry enough in summer to plow, 
and destroy the weeds by a kind of summer fallow¬ 
ing, it would be, perhaps, better than covering with 
sand, or both could be done. So far as our limited 
experience goes, the rapid growth of weeds, coarse 
grass, &c., in a damp soil suited to cranberry culture, 
is the great obstacle in the way of their cultivation. 
Fruit the Boys will not Steal.—I would like 
to see a list of two or three good keeping apples 
that are not prepossessing in appearance, while 
on the tree, and that would be a profitable mar¬ 
ket apple and hardy in this locality; (and which 
would not tempt the boys; a variety that they could 
not break ground on would be desirable;) also, a 
hardy plum, pear and cherry. Our locality is good 
for apples, but we have not yet succeeded in raising 
good pears and cherries, and but few good plums. 
Peaches are out of the question here. — W. L. K., 
Waddington, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. 
Remarks. —AVe don’t know what kind of apples 
to recommend for such a case. The Roxbury and 
other Russets are uninviting when on the tree, but 
fruit thieves, like others, if they cannot get what 
they want, will take the best they can get. Most of 
the plums will do well with you, and so will the 
Duke and Morello cherries, such as the Early Rich¬ 
mond, May Duke, Reine Hortense, English Morello, 
&c. Try several of the good standard varieties of 
pears, such as the Bartlett, Seckel, Louise Bonne de 
Jersey, etc. 
Mountain Ash Seeds.—I wish to inqure what * 
preparation is necessary to insure the germination 
of the seeds of the Mountain Ash.—W m. W. Avery, 
Fort Atkinson, Jefferson Co., IVis. 
Remarks. —The general practice of our nursery¬ 
men, we believe, is to mix the seed with sand or 
earth, and lay it in the ground, covered with three 
or four inches of earth, for one year; then take it 
up and plant in rows. As a general thing, Moun¬ 
tain Ash Seed will not grow the first year, though 
in some cases where we have sown it early in the 
fall, a good portion vegetated the following spring. 
Ailanthus Seed. — Please direct through your 
paper where the Seed of the Ailanthus Tree can be 
procured, and the prices of such seed. As it is 
noted for the rapidity of its growth, some of my 
friends and myself would like to obtain some of the 
seed, to experiment with.—A. T. B., Sangersfield, 
January, 1858. 
Remarks. — We don’t know as this seed is kept 
for sale, but any quantity could be obtained here 
and at many other places in the fall. 
THE PEAR TREE AND ITS ENEMIES. 
Eds. Rural: —In a former communication upon 
this subject, I alluded to some of its ills and the 
remedies applied, with the results; and yet, other 
ills occur demanding additional relief. Upon some 
of my standards and dwarfs last season I observed 
the outside bark turned dark colored, and upon 
examination, found it dead; and from time to time 
observing its tendency, I found it increased, and 
upon a standard Dearborn's Seedling, especially, it 
had covered the entire body from the ground to the 
limbs during the summer. The leaves turned yel¬ 
low, the fruit ceased to grow, at half size, 
and the whole appearance indicated that the ' 
tree could not survive the attack. Becom- / 
ing satisfied of the result, about the first of 1 
September last, I resolved to try my hand ns V 
its physician and surgeon. With a sharp ( 
knife I pared off the black bark from the en- — 
tire body of the tree, finding it necessary in / / 
some places to cut to the wood to complete ( 1 
its riddance. Then with common bar soap l v, \ 
coated the tree over well, and waited for 
time, nature and the elements to demon¬ 
strate the effects. In three weeks the leaves y 
resumed their natural color, the fruit grew 
and the tree showed distinctly its renewed V 
lease of life. I used the soap upon it after¬ 
wards in like manner, and upon the ap- / 
proach of winter, I wound the body with a ( 
piece of carpet for its protection, — and its / 
present .appearance is hardy and vigorous, ( 
with plenty of fruit buds as harbingers of I 
the reward of my labors. — S. N. Holmes, V 
Syracuse, N. Y 
ISABELLA GRAPES. 
Eds. Rural: — I have read with considerable 
interest the discussion on the Cultivation and Pres¬ 
ervation of Grapes, in the late Western New York 
Fruit Growers’ Convention. 
I notice that strong preference was expressed for 
the Isabella for general cultivation; and several 
present seemed to think it sufficiently hardy for 
most gardens in Western New York. It usually 
ripens well in Southern Michigan; yet the last two 
very severe winters have, in many instances, nearly, 
if not entirely, destroyed many large Isabella grape 
vines. In view of a possibility, even, of such injury, 
it has occurred to me that for large cultivation, it 
might be better to plant the Isabella in rows, say 
ten feet apart, north and south; and either five or 
six feet apart in the row. The intention in plant¬ 
ing thus close in the row, would be to dispense with 
all lateral shoots—relying entirely upon two up¬ 
right shoots, renewed every year. Then at the 
proper season, late in the fall, turn down these up¬ 
rights upon the ground in the direction of the 
rows, and by means of a j>low running along side, 
cover the vines so much with earth as to require 
but little other labor with hoe or shovel to secure 
the vines against the severest northern cold. I 
have thought this might be a practicable mode of 
planting and pruning the Isabella. But a possible 
objection has suggested itself. Will the Isabella 
bear this short pruning? Will it be more inclined 
to rot while forced to bear fruit so near its roots? 
If it will not, it seems to me that this mode of pro¬ 
viding a cheap and certain winter protection for 
this deservedly popular variety, is feasible. I write 
this to elicit discussion from your grape-growing 
subscribers early enough for the action of those 
who design to plant vineyards next spring. 
Adrian, Mich., Jan., 1858. W. H. S. 
Prunino and Management of the Black Cur¬ 
rant. —Black currants require quite a different 
system of pruning from the other varieties; the 
great point to aim at is to get as much young wood 
as possible every year from the lower part of the 
tree. This is increased by thinning out. the old 
wood from the bottom, and the finest fruit is ob¬ 
tained from the young wood. In striking the black 
currant you should select young shoots about 10 or 
12 inches long, insert them in the ground, with the 
buds on, about 0 inches. The buds of the other 
sorts are rubbed off except about four, which are 
left on the portion out of ground. I have had 
black kinds struck on the same system, but they 
never lasted long; they die off limb by limb about 
the time they ought to make good trees. They 
like a moisture-holding soil; if jilanted on dry 
ground they suffer much in hot summers. Red and 
white sorts like a lighter soil; they produce their 
fruit from spurs on the old wood. In pruning, cut 
a portion of the young wood back every year, and 
thin according to the growth of the tree. — P. W., 
in London Gardeners' Chronicle. 
INSECTS.-No. IL 
THE ORDER HYMENOPTERA. 
He that is observant and interested in the study of - ■■■ ■ ■ . 1 1 - - 
Nature, will find ample scope for all his powers, in ICE CREAM, BLANC-MANGE, LEMON PIES. 
examining and tracing out the end and design of the - 
myriad of insects that surrounds him. Nor can it Eds. Rural: —As Ice Cream is a delicacy which 
be said that any, however minute, are too insigni- most people are fond of, I thought perhaps a recipe 
ficant to deserve the attention of the philosopher; f° r making it would be acceptable. To oue quart 
for, in viewing their various habits and metamor- of milk take 4 eggs; beat them well, then stir them 
phoses, we are filled with the same admiration for in the milk; sweeten very sweetwith relined sugar; 
the wisdom displayed by the Creator, as when we then set it on the stove and stir until scalding hot. 
dissect the larger animals, and behold the arrange- Caro must be taken that it does not boil. Take it 
ment and disposition of all the parts so wisely and off and let it stand until cold; flavor with lemon, 
wonderfully combined. 
vanilla, or anything you choose. The rind of fresh 
J \ \ their larva:. the blanc-mange settle before you turn it into the 
y \ yy M / Most of them have their bodies attached to the forme > or the will be on the top of the blanc- 
■ —, thorax by a peduncle, often very long and thin, mange when taken out of the moulds. 
' V f / When we examine the pupae we find that the en- Lemon Pie.—C hop your lemon, fine; peel and 
j p*-veloping membrane is of a uniform width, surround- use all, except the seeds; then to each lemon take 
J? "‘H j \ ing the narrow peduncle, like a loose garment,— one egg, one-half cup sugar, one-half cup molasses; 
/ thus enabling the insect to extricate itself without add a cup of water to every 4 lemons, and stir in a 
y rupturing this part of its covering, — a wise and few spoons of flour. Make a nice paste and bako 
\A [ \- necessary provision. with two crusts. 
X y\ ) Every 01,6 i9 famiUar Wifh th ° ^t-dauber-wasp, A Very Nice CusTARD.-Take the yolks of 8 
-C\ / whose cel18 are 8tuck or plastered upon tllc joist egg8 an(1 beat them well; add 3 pints new milk; 
and raftcrs of our 8 arrets and out-houses, or any and grate iu some nutmeg( and put in a very little 
THE DIANA GRAPH projecting object, and also that they are stored with salt; bake iu a slow oven. When it is done, whip 
, - 8 P ider3 walle(l in t0 “PPfr their larva; with food, the whites of the eggs to a froth, then pour your 
The only grapes recommended for general culti- These belong to a species of Pelopoesus. P. H. custard into the dish you intend to have it remain 
vat.on by the American PomologicalSociety are the Crosse, Esq gave quite a lengthy and interesting in; then po „r the froth on the top and let it remain 
Catawba, Diana and Isabella. Fortunately we account of his observations of a species of dirt- in the oven a momen t to cook it; then lay a few 
have several promising varieties now being tested, daubers, when on a visit to the Southern States, sliceB of Clirrant jelly’over it. 
The order Hymenoplera, so called from having lemons grated is far superior to the extract. Those 
(four) membranous and naked wings, is very exten- wbo have not patent freezers will find a tin pail 
sive. It is not my object to treat of the order, and a covcr answers very well. Chop your ice 
shall mention but a few of the Diggers, (Fossores) dne » and each peck of ice put one quart of 
commonly called wood, mud and sand-wasps. The coarso salt; then throw some of your ice into a 
name wasp, however, properly belongs to the genus Basket; set in your pail and fill in the ice; pack it 
Vespa L., having their superior wings folded Ion- closely around the sides of the pail; then take a 
gitudinally, while those first named have their wash-tub and lay some sticks upon it; then set your 
wings extended, and were comprised under the basket u P oa them - 80 when the water melts it will 
genus Sphex L., now, however, divided into mime- 11111 oub ^ be °l ,cner it 18 stirred the nicer the 
rous sub-genera and seven or more principal sec- .cream will be. When you are not stirring it, keep 
tions too tedious to enumerate. *t covered with a flannel blanket. 
These, like the Ichneumons, are beneficial in Blanc-Mange. —Boil 2 ounces of isinglass in 3 
destroying obnoxious insects,—the one by using P ln t® °1 water half an hour; strain it into a pint 
their carcass as a matrix for the development of and a ba *l °1 8w eet cream; sweeten very sweet; 
their brood, the other by storing their cells with add a i°' v hitler almonds; let it boil once up, and 
spiders, grass-hoppers, caterpillars, Ac., as food for P u tinto what forms you please. Be certain and let 
THE DIANA GRAPH projecting object, and also that they are stored with 
- spiders walled in to supply their larva: with food. 
The only grapes recommended for general culti- These belong to a species of Pelopoesus. I*. H. 
vation by the American Pomological Society are the Grosse, Esq., gave quite a lengthy and interesting 
Catawba, Diana and Isabella. Fortunately we account of his observations of a species of dirt- 
tli at bid fair to prove superior to either. At the published iu the Zoologist for 1844. 
next meeting of the Society, the coming summer, We have a species of Amophila, (or Aminophila) 
some of these may be deemed sufficiently tested to which are known to bury two or three grasshoppers, 
receive a similar recommendation. What we need so stung as to survive half alive until the larva: in 
is good table grapes that are hardy enough to en- the cell is hatched, when they find their food at 
dure our most severe winters, and that will ripen hand, provided by the parent fly. 
in unfavorable seasons and situations, and in the 
East Chatham, N. Y., 1858. Mas. M. A. II. Itown. 
HOP-YEAST BREAD. 
more northern latitudes. The Isabella is now I ^ 
most commonly cultivated here, and in ordinary .... - 
summers, and situations, with proper pruning, ? in- - 
ripens its fruit well. In cool summers, such as the 
last, and in unfavorable situations, without proper ^ 
care in pruning, this grape seldom, and perhaps we {/ 
may say never, ripens its fruit fully. The conse- 
qucnce is, our shops dur in g rille fall are filled with Hr 
unripe Isabella grapes, and many who have eaten 
this grape all their lives, know nothing of the flavor I will illustrate a species of Amophila or Spin 
of a good Isabella. Scores of times have we heard as I witnessed it one day in the month of June 
e cell is hatched, when they find their food at Eds. Rural:— In a late number, under “Domes- 
md, provided by the parent fly. tic Economy,” are two recipes for hop-yeast bread. 
_ Being one of the “ sterner' sex,” the writer cannot 
^ n bc expected to have an opinion as to their merits; 
- J indeed, it was only because he happened one day 
to b e in a lazy mood, in his room, warmed by an 
old-fashioned fire-place, (a thousand thanks that 
there is one spot on earth where modern “ progress” 
- - - has not crept,) that he chanced to look over that 
V ' part of the paper at all. All honor to Lizzie, of 
*.Mb Airy, Ohio, for her opportune suggestions; and 
I wish that your Rural would keep these recipes 
I will illustrate a species of Amophila or Sphex., (or any other good ones) conspicuously placed until 
oi gooa isaoeiia. scores ot times nave we beard as l witnessed it one day in the month of June.— certain housewives in the land shall throw to the 
persons express their astonishmmt when tasting them Fig. 1 represents Ihe'insect with a caterpillar; fig. dogs the offensive milk-yeast that is getting so corn¬ 
ier the first time in a fit condition to be eaten. 2 the hind leg, 3 and 4 the nervures of the superior mon. The writer has had an appetite of usual 
for the first time in a fit condition to be eaten. 2 the hind leg, 3 and 4 the nervures of the s 
In this respect the Catawba is worse than the and inferior wing; iig. 5 the bi-dentatc jaw. 
Isabella, for it is only under the most favorable cir- __ 
cumstances that this grape becomes ripe enough . 
here to be at all eatable, and even then it does not ^ 
compare with specimens grown in Cincinnati and ^ ~ 
The Diana is a seedling of the Catawba, and in J 
color and general appearance it bears a strong re- fj 
semblance to its parent, though both berries and 
bunches are smaller, and to our taste it is quite lL 
superior in flavor. The form of fruit is shown in 
the engraving. Its great merit consists in its liardi- $ 
ness and early ripening. We have seen the fruit 
perfected in season and situations where the Ca- My attention was first arrested by sec 
tawba would never ripen, and it is a little earlier insect drop into the path before me, liavin 
than the Isabella, but how much we cannot say, as a caterpillar by the nape of the neck fro 
strength satisfied while he was yet in the door-yard, 
just by an assault upon his olfactories of the sour, 
stinking stuff ! The N. Y. Tribune must have had 
its mind on this particular thing when it pro¬ 
nounced country cooking “ horrid!” Almost eve¬ 
ry country tavern seems to be alllicted thus, and 
but for the article of crackers (blessings upon the 
memory of him who invented them) many atrav-* 
eler would have felt, on rising from the table, “ that 
a fool and his money are soon parted.” This par¬ 
ticular species of cookery is seldom met with at a 
house which makes any pretensions to “ first-class.” 
New York, Feb., 1858. * 
My attention was first arrested by seeing the 
insect drop into the path before me, having seized 
a caterpillar by the nape of the neck from some 
there is a good deal of difference of opinion on this neighboring shrub. I was greatly amused iu watch- 
point. One gentleman, claiming that they ripened ing the manner in which the caterpillar was stad- 
together, sent us a bunch of each grown in the died and dragged along nolens, volens, like a culprit 
same situation, and so far as we could judge, equal- i n the hands of an official, who glories in his office, 
ly ripened. The color is a fine reddish lilac, thickly purring now and then, as cats do over a mouse,— 
covered with bloom, and the berries generally 
marked with three or four indistinct star-like 
specks. The fruit when fully ripe abounds in fine 
rich juice, vinous and aromatic, from which all the 
the movements were energetic, and its wings in 
constant vibration. I followed them up the gravel 
Bread from a Barrel of Flour. —According 
to the statement made by a quarter-master in the 
United States army, one barrel of flour (10(1 pounds) 
when in dough, contains about 11 gallons or 00 lbs. 
of water, 2 gallons of yeast, and 2 lbs. of salt, mak¬ 
ing a mass of 305 lbs. which evaporates in kneading 
and baking about 40 pounds, leaving in bread 
about 2G5 pounds, the bread thus exceeding in 
weight the flour employed by 33.50 per cent. Du¬ 
mas informs us that 130 pounds of the common 
path some twenty yards, when a halt was made, the white brea(1 of Pari8 arc obtained from 100 pounds 
False Report—Thorough Draining. — In a 
few remarks made by me at the late Fruit Growers’ 
Meeting, as given in a monthly journal of this vicin¬ 
ity, I am entirely misrepresented. I never stated 
that it was Smith of Deanston’s system, to drain by 
“tapping the springs.” My observations were de¬ 
signed to show that the system which I supposed 
was referred to by Mr. Barry was superseded by 
Smith’s more certain method, that of meeting the 
water by parallel drains, by cutting across the 
strata. I hope the misrepresentation is not willful— 
in this instance. I have assisted in “ thorough 
draining” in the best Model Farm of my native 
country, and would not be likely to commit such 
an egregious error. My reason for troubling you 
in this instance is, that I have already learned to 
avoid any correspondence with the journal in ques¬ 
tion. The name of Elkington was mentioned by 
me at the time. No such statement is to be found 
in the full report in the Rural, of January 23.—R. 
R. Scott, Rochester, N. Y. 
Easter Beurre Pears.—Eds. Rural: —Please 
accept a few of the Easter Beurre Pear, which I 
consider ranks with the best of winter varieties.— 
I am satisfied if our farmers would turn their 
attention more to the raising of Pears it would be 
a source of profit equal to any other branch of Hor¬ 
ticulture. I have had pears on my table for seven 
months in the year, a luxury which all might enjoy. 
They are as easy raised as apples, and more sure 
to bear every year.— Lewis Bup.tis, Genesee Street, 
Rochester, Feb. 3, 1858. 
Remarks. —The pears accompanying the above 
were in fine condition, and no small luxury at this 
season of the year. Pears on the table, as com¬ 
mon as apples, seven months in the year, is some¬ 
thing to be proud of. 
ricn juice, vinous ana aromatic, trom which all the crippled criminal laid down, our bailiff made a few n m,. tl ; , , ,, f ,, , . 
offensive native odor has disappeared. It hangs rapid evolutions as if reconnoitering the spot, then 17 r)Cr ceQ t. of water the produce being then enuiv- 
long on the vines, is not injured by severe frosts, commenced scratching away small particles of sand, j t tQ 150 pounds of bread to 100 pounds of flour 
and keeps admirably for winter use. It is exceed- an d with his powerful jaws seize upon a pebble-like As the Amer i ca n wheat flour seldom contains more 
ingly productive and very vigorous, when the pellet, whfch was laid aside, when lo and behoffi tba n 14 per cent the statement of the auarter-mas- 
plants are old, but when young they make a very the cell of the insect was revealed With the ranid * '. j 
, . , , *1 1 , ! -.i . me ceu 01 me insect was reveaiea. w 1111 xne rapiu ter corresponds very nearly with that of the French 
slow and slender growth, unless forced with extra- movements of regular business habits, the cater- chemist> The increase 0 f weight in the bread over 
ordinary manming. This is our experience. The pillar was again seized, dragged to the hole and ... ftf flmir onffh t tn o,u„,i !ln 
7 TV i “.I V me cen 01 me insect was reveaieu. vvimmerapiu ter corres ponds very nearly with that of the French 
slow 3 . 11(1 slendei growth, unless foiced with cxtr3- movements of recrulftr business li3bits the cuter- • a m /. . . . 
mn.nvin. J. • „ . rp , movcmtiuBui rcguidT uusintss nauiis, tne caier chem i st# The increase of weight in the bread over 
oidmary manuiing. this is our experience. The pillar was again seized, dragged to the hole and f tl . „ , t , 
plants are yet somewhat scarce, but are advertised thrust into it with a hearty good will-the wasp ‘ ° 1 remune- 
by most of the nurserymen at $1 each. The Diana giving a whir-r-r, at every thrust, as if to say, “there 1 
originated in the neighborhood of Boston, and is now, — that’s so.” Satisfied that it was well stowed p r , _ . ., , . - » n 
a great favorite with many growers. away, the insect replaced the pellet, covering up fam ji y physician^"says “ buckwheat'cak’es arc ~un- 
, _ : , . 4li T tke , hole mth A the nle f t pl ' ecisi01 '’ r atc, r« UP Wholesome food.” What say you and your readers? 
A Prolific Strawberry.—A writer in the Lon- the loose sand against it so as to effectually con- .1 n 1 * 
, ™ • , , T , , , 0 , , „ / Mustwe give up eating pancakes? Gan the Faculty 
don Llorist and r milts t, says the Sir Harry is a ceal its whereabouts. A few hasty turns to inspect . , . „ , ... , 
. „ , . .. T 1 . , i. r l x , , „ . , , , , „ T J ,, , , 1 give us license to eat and grow lat on good pan¬ 
miracle in itself. I planted two feet apart each that all was right, and before I could nab the crea- B ... 
• x, • x x ® ... cakes and’lasses, or will they, too, persist in eating 
way, in the spring of I 806 . twenty-five plants; did ture, it was off. One which I believe to be identi- thembecauBe tbeyi , e good, knowing them to be bad! 
not crop them that year but kept them for this; cal was captured subsequently, from which my Y ou and I are somewhat interested in this matter, 
I think many of these plants had from two hundred drawing is made. , .. . . ... . .. ’ 
, , j , , . T . , x - . and would like to see the facts with the rind taken 
to three hundred berries. I sent one plant in a The color is blackish-brown, antennae about 14- ,, . T , 
bushel pan to the Wimborne show, where its in- jointed, the basal joint yellow, the collar; a spot ^ L ^ ,, , 
numerable family excited wonder and admiration, near the insertion of the superior wing—two on the Remarks.— e vote that they are good for the 
I could not, however, drive any of the berries of thorax and a triangularly lobed spot on the rump P a a ^ e an easy to unw w isome, wc uve 
these twenty-five plants to the size and quality of or post-scutellum, all of a yellow color, as also the havC run c o ,18ldorable risk within a month or two. 
the berries derived from their runners in the fall first scale of the abdomen, (th cfuniculum) and the What says lajRAL readcrs - 
of 185G. If you can get July runners, Sir Harry shins and tarsi were yellow, tibia two-spurred with _ _ ' 
will show, as a plantling, a larger crop the first blackish knees—tarsi all slightly spurred, the last lo Remove Iust.— 0 leuiove ius rom stee , 
year than any other I know of, and it will bring its joint with a pulvillus and two strong claws. cover with sweet oil, we ru >bed on it; in forty- 
Buckwiieat Cakes — Are they Injurious ?—Our 
family physician says “ buckwheat cakes are un¬ 
wholesome food.” What say you and your readers? 
miracle in itself. I planted two feet apart each that all was right, and before I could nab the crea- 
way, in the spring of 1856. twenty-five plants; did ture, it was off. One which I believe to be identi- 
not crop them “ that” year, but kept them for this; cal was captured subsequently, from which my 
I think many of these plants had from two hundred drawing is made. 
to three hundred berries. I sent one plant in a The color is blackish-brown, antenna: about 14- 
Remarks. —We vote that they are good for the 
noble fruits to perfection in detail. It is of excel- j have in my collection a number of similar 
lent flavor and an eariy ripener. I gathered a fine jn gec ts, differing, however, in the venation of the 
dishout of doors the 17th of the June last year, wings, jaws and coloring. Owing to the imperfect 
from the runners of 1850. It should be almost descriptions of authors, mostly European, I am una- 
purple before gathered. hip. to name them, and shall await an onnortunit.v 
x • n i- i xi 1 xi 1 x To Remove Rust.—T o remove rust from steel, 
blackish knees—tarsi all slightly spurred, the last . , ., „ ,, , . 
. . x , x x 1 cover with sweet oil, well rubbed on it; in forty- 
joint with a pulvillus and two strong claws. ... , , ’ . , ’ J 
oiglit hours unslaked lime, powdered very line.— 
I have in my collection a number of similar Rob it till the rust disappears. To prevent the rust 
insects, differing, however, in the venation of the mjx with fat oU varnish four-fifths of well rectified 
wings, jaws and coloring. Owing to the imperfect spirits of tul . pcntine . The varnish is to be applied 
descriptions of authors, mostly European, I am una- b mean9 of a spongc; and articles varnished in 
ble to name them, and shall await an opportunity thig manner will retain their brimaHey) aH d never 
Flower inform me „hcr, ,1« co„ t r M any of ru,E It my bo.pplicd to 
seeds of the annual flowers you have been describ- the sun shine, or reposes among the herbs and ™ P , P , er ’ phllosop lca m 8 truments, c. London 
ing in the Rural, during the past year, can be ob- flowers in our path, but has something of interest ^ -* 
tained? L. P. I’ixley, Independence, Mo. connected with it. And as we examine and con- Molasses Pie.— Take nine tablespoonfuls of mo- 
Remarks. —J. M. Thorburn & Co., whose adver- template upon the diversity of the forms, colors lasses, 6 tablc-poonfuls of good vinegar, 1£ table- 
tisement may be found in this number of the Ru- and habits, we cannot help but look up through spoonfuls of flour, a small piece of butter, a few 
ral, will supply any of our readers with flower Nature “to Nature’s God” —and be the better and slices of lemon or grated lemon peel; cover with a 
seeds of good quality. Most of the flower seeds the wiser for it. J. Stauffer. rich paste. This is decidedly the best substitute for 
sold all over the souutry are worthless. Mount Joy, Fa., 1858. apple pie. 
contract any spots of rust. It may be applied to 
copper, philosophical instruments, &c .—London 
FielfL 
Molasses Pie. —Take nine tablespoonfuls of mo- 
