THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
7 
As to pikes, we would select first of 
all the old Pinus strobus—the White or 
Weymouth pine. The R. N.-Y. alone— 
so far as we know—has, during the last 
22 years, tried the experiment of dis¬ 
budding this tree every year—not cutting 
it back. The result is a compact, grace¬ 
ful, lithe, round, slightly conical mass 
of foliage of silvery green. Other White 
pines in The R. N.-Y. collection, planted 
at the same time, are 40 to 45 feet high ; 
the lower branches are dead, while in 
the higher parts of the tree, the long in¬ 
ternodes and stretching lateral branches 
are fully as conspicuous as the foliage. 
The disbudded specimen is but 25 feet 
high and at a little distance not a bare 
branch is to be seen. It is a mass of 
feathery green, beautiful during the 
growing season, a delight during the 
winter. 
To both the Austrian and Scotch pines 
there are objections except for extensive 
grounds. The Swiss Stone pine in so far 
as appearance is concerned, is a dwarf 
White pine and is, perhaps, the best of 
all the pines for small places. We are 
trying Pinus Pallasiana, Jeffi'eyi and 
Ponderosa from the northwest, and 
Monspeliensis from Europe. Except for 
the marked contrast in color, wc do not 
see much, if anything, about them that 
would commend them above the Scotch 
and Austrian pines. 
THE UMBRELLA PINE. 
Sciadopitys verticillata—the Umbrella 
pine—though it has been known in this 
country upwards of’30 years, is yet known 
to comparatively few and is rarely seen 
outside of choice collections. This may 
be owing to the fact that it is difficult 
to propagate, except from seeds. Our 
own specimen, planted in the spring of 
187(5—then 18 inches high—is now about 
five feet high, its growth having been 
retarded by two removals. But it is, in 
early life, of very slow growth anyway, 
though said to be of rapid growth as 
age increases. In planting home grounds 
of limited area, too little thought is given 
to the selection of the varieties as dis¬ 
similar as possible. A single specimen 
or so of one kind is enough. The greater 
the variety and the greater the dis¬ 
similarity, the more there is to delight 
and instruct us. The misfortune is that 
most people who select the plants for 
their grounds know little or nothing 
about them and instead of consulting 
those who do know, choose the lowest- 
priced sorts from catalogues or the 
thriftiest, largest, cheapest plants of the 
nurseries. And so it comes to pass that 
the Balsam Fir—one of the ugliest ever¬ 
greens in age—or the arbor-vitae, notable 
for its pyramidal gracelessness, or the 
Norway spx-uce, inferior to many other 
spruces, holds a monopoly of the ever¬ 
green trees of the average counti'y or 
suburban home. 
The Umbrella pine differs as much 
from other conifers as the Sugar maple 
diifei’s from the Cucumber magnolia. 
The leaves fi’om two to four inches long, 
grow in whorls of 25 or more at the 
nodes and ends of the bx*anches. These 
leaves often spread out like the skeleton 
of an umbrella, whence the familiar 
name. There is one objection to this 
tree. The leaves ax*e somewhat thick 
and fleshy. The weight of the umbel is 
such that dux-ing winter storms, the ice 
or snow clinging to them so weighs them 
down that the branchlets are often torn 
from the main stem. 
It has thus far proved hardy at the 
Rural Grounds, and we learn that it is 
also hardy in Massachusetts, and very 
likely further North. 
The Umbrella tree is a native of Japan, 
where it reaches the height of from 50 to 
over 100 feet. Several writers consider 
this tree the finest conifer of that counti'y, 
presenting an appearance as strange as 
elegant, in consequence of its innumer¬ 
able ramifications which always end in a 
parasol-like tuft of long fleshy leaves. 
It is by no means our wish to condemn 
the Norway spruce or the Balsam fir, or 
the Scotch or Austrian pine, or the 
American arbor-vitae, or any other of the 
well-known species of conifers. In some 
places the one or the other of these ti*ees 
may thrive better than any other kinds. 
Neither is it our intention to set up any 
of the rarer spruces, pines, firs or retinis- 
poras as alone worthy of a place in the 
home grounds. We are advocating va¬ 
riety according to the space to be planted, 
and that the variety shoxxld comprise a 
selection of the finest conifei's that will 
thrive in the soil and climate of the 
grounds to be planted. If, for example, 
arbox*-vitaes alone among conifers were 
adapted to the environment, then let us 
not choose a dozen, 50 or 100 American 
arbor-vitiBS, but one or sevex'al (accord¬ 
ing to the size of the place) of each 
variety now offered by nurserymen. For 
example, during many years of seedling 
cultivation, the vetei*an Robert Doixglas, 
of Illinois, has selected and introduced a 
dozen different varieties which differ as 
much from one another as do the Japan 
Retinisporas, while in the catalogues of 
the day may be seen a dozen or more, 
each one of which is peculiar to itself. 
If you want to enjoy Norway sprixces, 
arbor-vitjes, and Balsam fix's, enjoy them 
in the grounds of yoixr next-door neigh¬ 
bor, while, in due time, your neighbor 
will have occasion to take an interest in 
your collection and regretfully to ask 
himself the question, “ Why did’t I have 
the sense to select such trees ? ” 
Mr. II. L. Fairchij,i> of Nichols, Conn., 
says that the Alaska quince introduced 
by C. A. Green box*e with him the past 
season its first fruit. It is quite lai'ge. 
handsome, round, with a small abrupt 
neck. The flesh, he says, is pale, tender, 
somewhat gritty and very much lacking 
in flavor. This is the first report we have 
seen of the new quince Alaska. Our 
plants have made a strong growth, and 
will probably bear next year. 
Mr. Fairchild compai'es the two new 
gooseberries Columbus and Utah grow¬ 
ing in parallel rows three feet apart. 
The Columbus berries are vex*y uniform 
in size while those of the Utah vary, 
some being larger and some smaller. 
The Utah berry is a dark red when ripe. 
The bush is a more upright grower than 
the Columbus. 
We want our readers to bear in mind 
the Ridgeley chestnut, to which we have 
several times alluded as being nearly as 
large as the Paragon and of better qual¬ 
ity. In fact, the quality is equal to our 
own native chestnuts. Mr. Chas. Wright, 
of Seaford, Del., writes : 
I note what Emerson says of the Ridgeley in 
November 10th issue of Tun R. N.-Y. All things 
considered, I believe it is the chestnut for all pur¬ 
poses. I had nuts on trees in the nursery grafted 
last spring. 
A. II. Griesa, of Lawrence, Kan., 
throws a little light confii'matory of our 
views as to the fruitfulness of chestnut 
trees, lie says : 
I have two Paragon chestnuts and they blos¬ 
somed and set burrs every year, but did not ripen 
fruit for the first two or three years; the last two 
years have had fine, large nuts, the present year 
had over two quarts. They evidently need no fer¬ 
tilizer or male tree. I had a farm near here with 
25 chestnut trees of American variety. One tree 
was so fruitful from the first that it was really a 
prize; it was the largest tree of the lot. Of the 
others, only a few had any fruit, and some none. 
All of the trees, except the fruitful one, were cut 
out, yet this one tree continues to bear as usual. 
I think some chestnut trees do not bear nuts, as 
some mulberries all blossom, yet only a part bear 
fruit. Such as are productive bear alone, as they 
produce flowers of both sexes. This may be the 
case with chestnuts. 
We Grow T 0 h ( rM?." Roses Annually 
Many other things as largely. Are headquarters for the choicest 
Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, Vines, Roses, Plants. 
NO FINER ASSORTMENT OF LARGE OR SMALL FRUITS, 
SHRUBS OR ROSES IN AMERICA. 
With more aci'es of Ornamentals than any other nursei'y can show. 
Planters as well as Nurserymen, Florists and Dealers are cordially invited 
to call and inspect our stock. CATALOGUE Fit EE. 
29 GREENHOUSES. 
41st YEAR. 1,000 ACRES. 
STORRS & HARRISON CO., Box 4 
Painesvillt, Ohio. 
JERRARD’S SEED POTATOES > 
are always THE BEST. Grown from pedigree seed in the 
new lands of the cold North-East, they yield Earliest and 
largest crops in every climate. 
JEBMRD’S NORTHERN SEEDS ✓ 
produce earlier vegetables than any other on earth, 
fy OUR NEW ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE MAILED FREE. Address 
The George W. P.Jerrard Co., Caribou. Maine. 
Complete Fertilizers 
(or potatoes, fruits, and all vegetables require (to secure the largest yield and best quality' 
At Least io°/ 0 Actual Potash. 
Results of experiments prove this conclusively. How and why, are told in our pamphlets. 
They are sent free. It will cost you nothing to read them, and they will save you 
dollars. GERMAN KALI WORKS, 93 Nassau Street, New York 
Leave 
Doubtful Seeds alone. The best 
are easy to get, and eost no 
more. Ask your dealer for 
FERRY’S 
SEEDS 
Always tlxe best. Known 
everywhere. Ferry’s Seed 
_ Annual for 1895 tells you 
'what, how, and when to plant. 
' Sent Free. Get it. Address 
D. M. FERRY & CO., 
Detroit, Mich. 
KGRAPE VINES 
1 00 Varieties. Also Small Fruits. Trees, Ac. Bestroot- 
edstock. Genuine, cheap. Si sample vines mailed for l(lc. 
Descriptive price-list free. LEWIS KOESClI,Fr^onIa,N. Y. 
QTDAW/PEQDV Wonder of the Season Is 
OlnAYYDCnni Lady Thompson. The Rasp 
berry for money—Miller. All Berry Plants described 
in our new Price List. Sent free. Best JPlants. Low¬ 
est prices. SLAYMAKER & SON, Dover, Del. 
Japan Plums—Standard Pears, 
and Peach Trees. If you Intend to plant, send for our 
list. It tells you what to plant for profit, and how to 
care for It, with price of trees. HENRY LUTT8, 
Niagara River Nurseries, Youngstown, N. Y. 
SEEDS 
That You're 
Sure Of. 
Seed Potatoes, Fruit Trees, Plants, and Vines. 
Lotta best Black Raspberry. Our New 
Catalogue— a book of straight-forward talk 
—tells prices you’ll he glad to pay. It’* Free. 
FRANK FORD & SON, Ravenna, Ohio. 
ODORLESS GUANO 
MINERAL UUHHU 
delivered at your 
nearest station, for 
*20.00 per ton. 
Agents wanted In every farming town. Send for 
circulars to TIIE FOREST CITY WOOD ASH CO., 
No. 9 Merchants Row, Boston, Mass 
Free 
fertilizers in the winter time- 
freight paid. Write for particulars, 
giving references and shipping point. 
POWELL FERTILIZER & CHEM. CO. 
Powell’s Fertilizers, 
BALTIMORE. MD. 
We ship our best 
Screened Canada 
Unleached 
Hardwood 
at bottom prices. Analysis and Weight Guaranteed 
Address THE FOREST CITY WOOD ASH CO., 
No. 9 Merchants Row, Boston. Mass 
NEW PEACH 
JERSEY PRIDE 
Largest,handsomest and 
tlnest-ilavored Peach In 
cultivation. Originated and for sale only by The 
Newark Nursery, Newark, N. J. Send for particulars. 
Small Fruits. 
Largest and best stock In Ohio. All leading old and 
new varieties. Be sure to get my catalogue before 
buying. W. N. SCARFF, New Carlisle, Ohio. 
NURSERY STOCK! 
Cut this out and paste It In your hat. We offer 
for the Spring Trade : 
250,000 PARKER EAItl.E. ( 15,000 BEVERLY. 
50,000 TlMBRELL. ) 115,000 SMITH’S SEEDLING 
50,000 PRINCESS. ) 12,000 BlSKL. 
50,000 BUBACH. ) 45,000 GOV. HOARD. 
;i00,000 Lovett’s Early. ( 25,000 Wolverton. 
00,000 Greenville. c 20,000 Dayton. 
300,000 Beder Wood. ( 10,000 Leader. 
250.000 IIaverland. ) 10.000 Saunders. 
00,000 Iowa Beauty. ) 10,000 Edgar Queen 
70,000 Barton’sEclipsk ) 10,000 Van Deman. 
75,000 Gandy S 5,000 Belle No. 5. 
300,000 Warfield. ( 4,000 Aroma. 
250,000 Michel’s Early. ( 3,000 Cyclone. 
No Better Plants Grown. 
Consumption 
was formerly pronounced incurable. Now it is not. In all 
of the early stages of the disease 
Scott’s Emulsion 
TRADE MARK. 
will effect a cure quicker than any other 
known specific. Scott’s Emulsion pro¬ 
motes the making of healthy lung-tissue, 
relieves inflammation, overcomes the excess¬ 
ive waste of the disease and gives vital 
strength. 
For Coughs, Colds, Weak Lungs, Sore Throat, 
Bronchitis, Consumption, Scrofula, Anaemia, 
Loss of Flesh and Wasting Diseases of Children. 
Buy only the genuine with our trade¬ 
mark on salmon-colored wrapper. 
Send for pamphlet on Scott’s Emulsion. FREE. 
Scott & Bowne, N. Y. All Druggists. 50 cents and $ I. 
Packed in our special shipping crate 1,000 each. 
Send us a list of your wants at once, and we will quote 
prices on 500 or car load. 
WEST MICHIGAN NURSERIES, ““’’WcTf.’*’ 0 ’’ 
Crimson Clover Seed Strawberry Plants. 
Quality best. It will pay to write me, stating wants. 
E. G. PACKARD, Seed Grower, Dover, Del. 
CCCV1C CLOVER, ALSIKE, 
O EL LUO. TIMOTHY. 
We BUY. Send Samples for our bids. 
We SJELL. Every quality. Our Samples free. 
The Whitney-Noyes Seed Co.,^SSfcffi!S5»t. 
BINGHAMTON, N. Y. 
TDECO nf fifll n plum, SPLENDOR prune. Van 
I IlLLO Ul uULU DEMAN quince— ctunce of 
Burbank’s 20 Million “new creations.” STARK 
Trees PREPAID everywhere. SAFE ARRIVAL guar¬ 
anteed. The“great nurseries”save you over HALF. 
Millions of the best trees 70 years’ experience can 
grow; they “live longer and bear better."— Sec. 
Morton. STARK, B29, Louisiana,Mo.,Rockport,III. 
First Lessons in Agriculture. 
F. A. Gulley, M. S. This book discusses the more 
Important principles which underlie agriculture, 
In a plain, simple way. It Is just what the prac¬ 
tical farmer, without a knowledge of chemistry 
or botany, needs. Cloth, tl. 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. New YORK, 
