1894 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
Farmers' Club Discussion. 
{Continued ) 
Potatoes Sport, Ifot Mix. 
S. W. S., Downieville, Cal. —So mucli 
has been said about potatoes mixing in 
the hill, which is impossible, that an ex¬ 
planation of the phenomena on which 
the believers base their belief, is due. 
Nothing will convince a man who plants 
one kind of potatoes and digs another 
that something has not happened. I 
have been planting one kind of smooth 
white potatoes resembling Snowflakes, 
and saving my own seed for 12 years. 
Every year when I dig, I find two other 
kinds with different tops and different 
potatoes. One a longer, flesh colored 
potato with deep eyes; the other a 
roundish potato with purple patches on 
it. These potatoes bear seeds, the ones 
I plant never do. These potatoes come 
where I know I do not plant them. The 
change cannot be due to “ mixing,” for 
there is nothing to mix with; besides, 
an enlargement of the root cannot mix 
any more than the limbs of two apple 
trees can mix. I do not know the origin 
of my variety of potatoes, but I believe 
the two kinds I mention were the par¬ 
ents, and my potatoes are simply sport¬ 
ing back, as all plants are liable to do 
when of a hybrid origin. The fact that 
my plants do not bear seed is an indica¬ 
tion that my theory is correct, as a hybrid 
is liable to be barren. I have never 
raised either kind of my sports except 
as they came in the general patch, but I 
have tried planting these sports and 
found them to come true, but to be in¬ 
ferior to what I consider their offspring. 
Let us not say that potatoes mix in the 
hill, but that they sometimes sport. 
R. N.-Y.—Hybrids are often sterlile it 
is true. But potatoes crossed with pota¬ 
toes are not hybrids. Late Beauty of 
Hebron is a sport of the Early, etc. 
As .John Saul suggests in our bright 
contemporary, Gardening, The Perpetual 
magnolia would be a suitable “common” 
name for that grand variety, Lienn6i. 
After it begins to bloom in the spring 
(April), it is never out of bloom at the 
Rural Grounds until after the first frosts. 
Its great flowers are of a claret purple 
outside, lighter—nearly white—within. 
It is not quite so hardy as M. Soulan- 
geana, which bears a smaller flower of a 
whitish color, the lower parts of the 
petals being purple. Probably both Len- 
1,61 and Soulangeana are seedlings of M. 
conspicua and M. purpurea. Three years 
ago we crossed the first two, and have 
now about 20 plants from two to five 
feet high, which in habit and leaf vary 
astonishingly. Several of them resemble 
the Umbrella magnolia in leaf and habit, 
a similarity not easy to account for. 
Lenn6i never bears perfect fruit Ac¬ 
cording to our observation, the sexual 
organs of magnolias do not mature at 
the same time, so that the pistils of every 
flower must depend upon pollen from 
some other flower for fertilization. This, 
however, is not alone the cause of the 
imperfect, cone-like fruits of M. Lenn6i. 
They are never perfect—like those of the 
Cucumber magnolia—always ill-shapen 
and deformed. 
In our cross LenE6i was the seed-bear¬ 
ing plant. 
The outcome of last year’s work in the 
way of crossing many kinds of roses upon 
Rosa rugosa, is now apparent as to num¬ 
bers. There were about 1,200 hybrid 
seeds planted in boxes last fall. These 
boxes were placed in a cold frame, cov¬ 
ered with wire netting first and then pine 
needles (leaves) two or three inches 
deep. The netting was to prevent any 
accident from animals, and the leaves 
from heavy rains. About 100 seeds germi¬ 
nated, and of these 70 were potted last 
week. The only reason we can assign 
for this low per cent of germination the 
past season as in previous seasons, is im¬ 
perfect seeds. The seeds seem to be per¬ 
fect, but most of them when cut in two 
are merely shells without embryos. Most 
of these seedlings will die on account of 
mildew or because they will not prove 
hardy enough to stand next winter un¬ 
protected. Hundreds of these hybrids of 
Tea parentage, on the male side, have 
perished in years gone by. No one could 
eren guess what these more tender plants 
might have proved had they been pro¬ 
tected or raised under glass cover. We 
have no facilities of this kind, and so it 
happens that the survival of the fittest 
is restricted to those of a hardiness suffi¬ 
cient to endure the trials, unsheltered, 
of our trying winters. The “fittest” 
will be hardy if nothing more. 
Last summer we crossed Dougal’s No. 
2 gooseberry upon the Carman. We se¬ 
lected the Dougal because of the tree 
form of the plant and its comparative 
freedom from thorns. There are about 
100 seedling plants, but all of them, even 
when only an inch or so high, show that 
they will be far from thornless. 
The fact that the Paragon chestnut 
matures its nuts a week or more before 
native chestnuts ought to give it an ad¬ 
ditional value. Reports of this excellent 
variety are now appearing in all the 
papers, and the praise given to it fully 
corroborates The Rural’s estimate of 
it, which ought to have influenced our 
readers to plant a tree, or hundreds of 
trees, four years ago. 
It will be remembered that from a hun¬ 
dred or more patient trials to cross the 
Alkekengi upon the tomato and vice 
versa, two fruits formed on the Alkekengi 
which yielded a great many seeds—per¬ 
haps 200. These were sown in a box 
about 18 inches long, 12 inches wide and 
3 inches deep on March 14. As there was 
no sign of germination until about May 
1, we concluded that the seeds were seeds 
in appearance only. They (many of 
them) then began to germinate, how¬ 
ever, and have since made a feeble 
growth. The cotyledons vary just a lit¬ 
tle in shape, and the second leaves, so 
far as can now be judged, are those of 
the Alkekengi. We have not much faith 
that anything of value will come out of 
this piece of work—have you, good 
readers ? 
nock willow sort; its light branches are 
simply flowing and graceful, swaying 
with every breeze. It is a tree that one 
may fall in love with. But it is one that 
should stand all alone. 
Direct. 
-Dr Holmes: “It is the part of 
humility to listen with respect to the 
good opinions which others express of 
us, however exaggerated and extreme 
they may appear at first sight. For a 
man to place his own low self-estimate 
against the favorable opinion of his fel¬ 
low-man shows that he foolishly over¬ 
values his own judgment. Nothing can 
be more painful than such a picture of 
modesty committing suicide.” 
-The Arena : Presence of courage, 
or the absence of it, determines truthful¬ 
ness or duplicity of character.” 
Souuow l8 real: but the counterfeit 
Which folly brings to It, 
We need thy wit and wisdom to resist 
O rarest Optimist. 
-Meehan’s Monthly; “The Jujube 
tree.—It does not seem to be generally 
known that this tree, a native of Egypt 
and Syria, is absolutely hardy in most 
parts of America. In the vicinity of 
Philadelphia it is as hardy as an apple 
tree.” 
PisiJcUatteottisi 
In writing to advertisers, please always mention 
Tub rurai, Nbw-yorkbb. 
cN>’'.cooc<:5CCCC .xx: 
What a wondcilul thing l.s a live * 
fmiuature, old or fUwl it may the Sttioo* x 
How to know ? Old gardeners say that 
\ieedi^r(m 
\ ITils Is the proof of life. When grown we give 
, our word you will be i* 
18 ours FARM ANNUAL 
’ for 1894, 172 iKLoes tells all 
Btedt that Grow. The newspapers call it f/ut 
; loading American Seed Catalogue. Yours 
i free tot the asking If you plant seeds. 
, ArUE BURPEE & CO , Philadelphia. 
C RLE KY.—White Plume, or.ce transplanted 
sheared. Mall, prepaid, .'iOc. lUU; exp. }:i.50 1,000 
STKAWItEKKY -100.000 strong plants; pedigree 
record 8,000 boxes on whole ucies. Mall, t).^c. 
per 100; express, $.'> per 1 000. 
MOUNT POMONA B'RUIT EAH.M AND NUKSEHY 
Swanton, Md. 
Naw York Atuiicui.TtrKAi. Ex. Station | 
Geneva. N. V. ( 
KoiTOHS ot' Rural Nkw-Yorkkr: 
In vonr editorial ot .May 5 concerning the valuable 
article by Professor Johnsjn, wltb reference also to 
ibo forthcomlDg article oy Dr. l.awes, 1 tulnk that 
you are In danger of misleading your readers in 
reference to a matter concerning which there 
already exists very widespread muunderstandlng. 
You apparently confound the agricultural and crop- 
producing value to which Dr. I^awes refers, with the 
market value of fertilizing constituents which fs so 
ably discussed by Professor Johnson. 1 Infer this 
from the statement in your editorial that Dr. Lawes 
e:)nirary to our (Station) valuation places a higher 
value upon nitrogen in the form of nitric acid as 
nitrate of soda than that In ammonia salts.” Now I 
presume tha. Dr. Lawes will entirely agree with the 
market valuatl )n which this Station places upon the 
fertilizing constituents of oirr ordinary commercial 
fertilizers. Indeed, 1 cannot see how he could do 
otherwise, since these valuations represent only the 
facts of the market; and Professor Johnson is him¬ 
self one of the Association of Agricultural Chemists 
who annually meet and discuss these market values 
and hx the scale of prices. It Is from Professor 
Johnson hlmseif lh»t this Station obtained the scale 
of prices which we have adopted In estimating the 
maiket value of fertilizers. peter colubr. 
Director. 
Sir J, B. Lxwes and Prof, Johnson 
agree that the agricultural value of 
nitrogen as nitric acid in nitrate of soda 
is somewhat higher than nitrogen in the 
form of salts of ammonia. Now, the 
farmer, according to the latest station 
schedules must pay 4)^ cents par pound 
more for the latter than the former. 
This was the point we desired to empha¬ 
size. 
There are few trees more perfect in 
everything that is graceful and light and 
airy than the Pendulous White birch. 
We are writing of one that his grown on 
a wide lawn, all alone, for some 25 years. 
It is 40 feet high and nearly as wide. Its 
white, silvery bark makes a bright con¬ 
trast with the brilliant green of its 
foliage. It is not a “ weeping” tree of 
the stiff, ungainly, unnatural Kilmar- 
PLANTS 
1 am booking ciders for Cab¬ 
bage, Caulitlower and Celery 
_ _ — Plants. Will send 15 cabbage 
and 10 cauliflower plants for 2t>c. by mall. Cabnage 
plants, *1.60 per 1 000. Send for epecial price for large 
lots; lastof May or June delivery. 
C E. KELLEY, Newark, N. Y. 
AN EARLY CARDEN. 
150 plantH i>osti>al4l for KXl. 26 B. Tomatoes 
.60 E. Cabbages, 25 bead Lettuce, 25 K Beets, 26 Prize 
taker Onions. The best early kinds; transplanted 
well packed. White and Brown S. C. Leghorn, and 
S. S. IJarnburg eggs, 75 cents per 16 
V. 8TONBROAD, Lewlstown, I’a 
it 
Finest Corn in America”!! 
331 
Buy your Paints direct. 
Save 40% 
We are manufacturers and sell 
direct to Corporations and Prop- 
erty Owners, in bulk, thus saving 
cost of package, also jobbers' ana 
agents’ commissions. We give ref¬ 
erences from those who have used 
our Paints for years, including cor- 
. - --porations and" property owners in 
every section of the U. S. They are used extensively by rail¬ 
roads, and elevated railroads in New York, Brooklyn and 
Chicago. Also hv U. S. Government, and corporations in 
general, for the painting of their plants. They are the Recog¬ 
nized Standard for Quality. Satisfaction guar.antecd 
Th»v are specified by Architects and Enoinkers Sold, any 
quantity, from i gal. opwn-d. Write for samples and prices. 
NATIONAL PAINT WORKS, Williamsport, Pa. 
/ \ / \ y \ / rrr 
tsxsxsxsxs 
I \ / V / w 
r v 7 \ 7 \ / O "t 
T?te mesh around the ponel offence 
sficws how the fence is made. 
FARM FENCING 
Is cheap, but still It Is said to cost more money than 
all the buildings on the farm. Are you using the 
best and cheapest kind on the market? Henu for 
Catalogue. Address 
KEYSTONE WOVEN WIRE FENCE CO., 
No. 40 Locust Street, TREMONT, Tazewell Co., HI. 
LOKO ItltOS., 
Agents for New York, 
Mendon Center, N. Y. 
K. II, SMITH, 
Agent for Nevfc.Tersey, 
Salem, N. J. 
CABLED FIELD AND KOG FENCING 
4 
tit 
Also Steel Web Picket Fence and Steel Wire 
Fence Board. Write for circulars. 
DeKALB FENCE CO.. 17, HiahSt., DeKalb. III. 
“FAKMKKS’ VKIHE” 
WORLD'S FAIR PREMIU.MS. 
Also pronounced by Agricultural Department and 
thousands of leading farmers' fairs, etc., to be far 
beyond any other, both In yloid and quality; guaran¬ 
teed to make one-quarter more tn same laud than 
any corn ever grown. We have nlghly Improved It 15 
5 ears ; she .s over one pound of corn to ear ; pure 
wQice kernels, nearly one Inch long; very tllntv 
wlae ana plump. Matures in lOOriays; so It can be 
planted North and West as well as South. Half 
pound package. 25 cents ; inree pounds. $1 by mall 
postpaid, or If you have time send for descriptive 
circulars. i»lOO In cash will be paid by ns frr 
sample of better corn Address 
J. L. ANDERS, Seedsman. Ivanhoe, N. C. 
CRIMSON CLOVER SEED. 
PURE JERSEY RED PIGS. 
Send for Catalogue. 
ARTHUR J. COLLINS, Moorestown, N. J. 
Hew Angle Steel Post 
Plain Wire Fence. 
will not burn, blow or rot down, and the price has 
been put <lown from *1 to 05 cents per ro<l, 
complete with wire stay. Our tightener will tighten 
your old wire fences. Call on your dealer or order 
direct. Write for circulars. Agents wanted. 
HOMER STEEL FENCE CO., Homer, Mich. 
WOVEN WIRE 
FENCE 
2 No. 9 and 11 No. 14 wires 
50 in. high. Make it your¬ 
self for 16 c per Kod 
TIorso high, bull strong, 
pig tight. Make It yourself 
for 315 Cents Per Kod. 
Catalogue free. Address 
KITSELMAN BROS. 
idgeville, Indiana* 
POTATO DIGGER 
—THE— 
‘HOOVER’ 
A IG-page pamphletfree 
Mention this paper. 
HOOVER, PROXJT & CO., Avery, O, 
KING OF THE POTATO FIELD. 
IMPROVED 
PATENT 
Write for 
Descriptive 
Catalogue and 
Testimonials. 
H. W. DOUGHTEN, 
Won Every Field Contest 
In '91 and ’92. 
SIMPLE in Construction 
PERFECT In Operation. 
High Grade. Low Price. 
GUARANTEED 
THE BEST DIGGER ON EARTH, 
liJEGAKIlLKSS OF COST. 
Sole Manufacturer, 
Moorestown. Burlington Co.. N. J. 
