Inquiries anti Answer3 
years, but intends to leave it to his family, 
know there is nothing in the soil or climate 
prevent or discourage the growth of ever- 
■o seen tlonrish- 
with all the luxuriance and 
Culture op ASPARAGUS.—As you seem to have a de¬ 
sire “ to do good uud to communicate," and ns everybody 
expects you are fully compe'ent to tell them all they 
wish *o know about everything, \fill you he so good ns 
to inform me the best methodol cultivating Asparagus. 
(J.vk WHO Lovas IT. 
Iv planting an asparagus bed, it is the better way, if 
possible, to procure the plants or a nurseryman. Two- 
year-old plants can bo obtained Tor about two dollars per 
buudred, and a crop will be grown two years sooner 
than if the seed was Bown, The best variety is the Pur¬ 
ple-Top, which is the purplish-looking variety commonly 
seen in our markets. Seme suppose there is a larger 
variety, resembling this in everything but its size, while 
others think it is only good cultivation that makes the 
dilVerence. We have seen that raised from what was 
called giant scod made very dwarjuh by poor culture. 
To raise plants from seed It. must be sown early in spring, 
right, under the cornice of a book-i 
other part of the vines over a doi 
dosed during the winter,) and, turnii 
of the room, over a window, and 
beyond. 
From the several parallel vines, m 
spreading up and down from thet 
beautiful festoon. At the tub, the o 
is not larger than a pipe-stem, hut e 
into several vines, the united length 
husband thinks, would exceed one 
twenty feet. Mrs * 
Toledo, Ohio, I860. 
The Climbing Cobea, which our < 
found so useful and beautiful as r 
ment for the sitting-room, is one of 
most rapid growing of onr summer 
greens, for onr native varieties ar 
ing in the vicinity 
beauty of an Eden. 
Now, this farmer we have dc( 
found in nearly every neighbor' 
town of all the counties in the 
only advise the planting of evergreens in yards 
about nur dwellings, as heretofore practiced by 
those who have possessed taste uud judgment 
enough to do so, but we are about to advise what 
may seem radical, and really is, hut nevertheless 
quite practical, as wo hope to prove. 
We advise planting a row of evergreens that 
will make trees of the largest class, to serve as a 
screen or belt, to protest the dwelling and yard 
about it, and also render the place ornamental, 
attractive and pleasant. 
We will suppose the dwelling is from two to six 
rods from the road; if from six to ten, it would 
suit ns much better. First, plant a row of ever¬ 
greens along the street, four or five feet Irom the 
VALUABLE RECIPES. 
Patent Indian Pudding.—' This pudding can be 
made at any season of the year when milk can be 
obtained, and requires no eggs, which are not 
very plenty in the winter. Four bowls or coffee- 
cups of tnillt, one of tine Indian meal, is the pro. 
portion, which may be Increased according to the 
quantity you wish to make. Grease the kettle 
you wish to raako it in, as it is not so likely to 
stick.and burn. Sliroftcn. Put two howls of milk 
on the fire to boil, and stir the meal in the other 
two, cold. When it boils, pour it in, stir it around, 
and let it Bimmcr up but not boil. Take Irom the 
1 (lie and, when partly cool, add one-halt cup 
molasses, one small teaspoonfol salt, one ginger, 
another spice, cinnamon, or nutmeg, and a few 
raisins. Bake one and a half or two hours. 
Spots on Furniture.— To remove white spots 
from tables, or other furniture, rub the part with 
camphor, and it will disappear. 
Si.atb Color on Cotton or Woolen.— Take 
beech bark, boil it in an iron kettle, skim out the 
chips after it has boiled sufficiently, then add cop- 
THE VEGETABLE GARDEN, 
a good stait in the spring. Onr readers will not 
therefore have time to read long articles on the 
culture of any particular vegetable. All that is 
needed is a few hints to refreshen the memory, so 
that nothing may be forgotten. Asparagus and 
Rhubarb heds should now be put in order. Cab¬ 
bage and Cauliflower seeds should ba sown in a 
warm and sheltered position. Carrot* for table 
use do best sown early—the Early Short horn is 
the best variety for culinary purposes. Beets 
should be sown the first of May for an early crop. 
Spinach sow at onco, and continue to sow a little 
every 1 two or three weeks for constant use. Let¬ 
tuce, if not already in the ground, sow at once. 
Peas should be in the ground as early as possible, 
as frost will not injure them. Sow a quar' or so 
occasionally to keep good the supply for the table. 
Rave the brush in readiness for sticking, as well 
as the poles for beans. Plant Early Potatoes as 
soon as yon can get the ground ready. Everj- 
body should have good early potatoes on the 
table by the Fourth of July. 
About the last of this month Radishes may he 
sown, and earlier it - the weather and boII is favor¬ 
able. Radishes always do well on new ground, 
and fanners should take advantage of the fact, as 
they generally have somo virgin soil that could 
he used for the purpose. 
, gel. tut' mu.. ®. . > - 
The width of this yard, or the area between the when the trench is covered, thn crowns o 
belt, along the road, must be governed by tho wilI b „ ftbout two inches bdow the surface 
depth from the highway to the dwelling, as it Ag the plants are put in, drawn little enrtl 
should bo twice its depth; the distance in rear of so as to secure them In their places, rtu 
the house is not so important, as that would be one row, cover them and rake oil evenly, at 
.governed by the situation of other build Inga and ^ ^ ^ Rive four row „ 
/the make of the ground; and even the make of ^ ^ w R no , mre tho lir9t 
‘ the ground in front may require a deviation Horn s . |np)y to j ogtr0 y the weeds, and this k 
right angles, or straight liues. This line should Cllr( ,| u i| v> so li3 not to injure tho plants, 
he a greater distance from large and high build- 90Wll pretty freely before planting, tho wi 
ings, than small and lower ones. be troublesome; if nut, salt can bo sown < 
If White Pine can be procured near by, from au y 
i ten to twenty feet high, this will bo the best ma¬ 
terial, nnd will form a screen sooner than any 
' other kind of tree. Trees of this size, with 
) limbs near the ground, can he moved with safety 
S during the winter season. Dig a trench around 
^ ( the tree to be moved, eighteen inches or two feet 
ball of earth around it three to 
SELECT ORNAMENTAL TREES IN WINTER, 
In choosing frnit trees, wo ))&$ attention prin¬ 
cipally to the quality of the fruit they arc expected 
to yield, its time of ripening, its keeping quali¬ 
ties, the age at which the trees come into bearing, 
their hardiness, their exemption from disease, 
and other points relating to their utility; the 
beauty of the trees, though by no means a matter 
of indifference, is yet the last consideration. No 
one thinks of sacrificing any want of size, flavor, 
texture, productiveness, or other excellence of 
fruit, or any substantial quality of tree, to a fanci¬ 
ful growth of branches or gracefulness and pro¬ 
fusion of foliage. 
Bnt, when wc come to select trees solely for 
shade and ornament, our sense of the beautiiul 
may be indulged to any extent; us, also, in choos¬ 
ing vines and shrubs for mere decoration. We 
arc apt, however, in making choice of ornamental 
trees, to take thought only of their snnunei 
beauty, overlooking the important fact that the 
different varieties of trees which drop their leaves 
in autumn, are as unlike in their appearance in 
winter as in summer, many of them even more 
sicCnct than when covered with foliage. Thus, 
. j time ilufing tho Bummer. Enough nut to kill evevy 
weed will bo only a nice relish to the Asparagus. In 
November cover the beds with three inches of rotted 
manure. In the spring this may be lightly dug in with 
a fork, care being hud not to go deep enough to injure 
the crowns. 
Tho second spring, if the cultivator is'very anxious for 
Asparagus, the ntrongBBt can he cut, though most gar 
doners recommend leaving thorn untouched until the 
third year. Wo should not hesitate, however, to cut 
moderately the second season, if wo had no other way 
to get this delicious vegetable. All thn care the beds 
will require after this, tt to cut down tho old stalks, pull 
up the weeds, and cover with manure every fall, which 
uhnnld ho forked in in the spring. Alter tho manure is 
deep, leaving a 
four feet in diameter; after letting it stand a few 
days, until the earth is frozen, pry or draw it over 
with a team, and let it lie until the bottom iB also 
frozen, then draw it on a sled and place it where 
it is to Stand; till ill about the ball, then build a 
frame about the trunk to steady it, or drive three 
fifteen to twenty feet from tho 
PAPERING WHITEWASHED WALLS 
Eds. Rural New-Yorker:— Seeing an inquiry 
from Cora Lee, as to tho best method lor making 
wall paper Btlck on whitewashed walls, T will 
“tellmy experience.” Wishing top&porsome old 
or four stakes, 
trunk, and brace with wire running from the 
stakes to the body of the tree, two-thirds the dis¬ 
tance from the base to the top, similar to braces 
attached to a tent. 
Tf large White I’ines cannot ho procured from 
iBt, then put tho ground in good order, and 
or Norway Spruce; they arc 
and make largo trees. White 
to plant near 
belt, at a distance 
oessfully. Where the coating of whitewash is 
thick, being the accumulation of years, 
scraping is the only sure method I know of. Hut 
I have tried with good success the following:— 
Apply a solution ol‘ common glue to the wall, hot. 
Cannot give a definite recipe, but the solution 
may he quite thin, and as it grows thick, add more 
boiling water. The brush should be applied 
thoroughly (a clean whitewash brush is best,)and 
tho wall must be well saturated with tho solution. 
Apply a day or two before papering. 
lu papering, mix flour, for the paBte, with a 
weak solution of glue, lu this way you can avoid 
using thick paste, which is very detrimental to 
the beauty and durability of a papered wall.—B. 
If., (Irani/ Blanc , Mich., I860. 
Observing an inquiry iu a late number of the 
Rural, in which the inquirer wished to know how 
to make paper stick to a wall that has been white¬ 
washed, 1 would Bay, make a strong brine ot 
salt and water, heat It boiling hot, then take a 
broom and Bcrub the wail with it. When dry, put 
the paper on as you would on a new wall, and it 
will stick quite as well. Having tried it on a wall 
that had been whitewashed for years, I know it to 
be good.—M arietta Wai.ratii, Sharon, Scho¬ 
harie Co,, N, V; 1800. 
Bering in inquiry in your paper from Cora 
’ Lee, asking how to make paper stick to a wall 
\.v Unknown Insect on tub Pkail— Inclosed please 
find a 8tuition ufa Duchess Dwarf, which was set one 
v ,,,u airo this Spring, with about forty others, they 
.i — row t.h of wood. au*t look well, with 
racking of tho hark, which is caused 
. .Insect. On oxaminitig one of these 
’vxill find pggs nr nits deposited. The unes- 
_/ Injury to the tree.' If to, wbat, 
ut them from doing the Injury? Some 
:ul with The cracks, from tho (.•round 
Please answer through the Kiuut., 
the fore 
plant Scotch Firs 
rapid growers, 
Pines are nut suitable for yards, or 
dwellings; but for a sc 
from buildings, or -or a 
a good purpose. 
A second row, planted twenty feet outside oT 
the first, would afford a greater protection from 
high winds, though, perhaps, would uot. add much 
to its appearance. Is it said that farms aie often 
bounded by the center of the highway, and that 
others may own the land on tho opposite side, ot 
the road? Then purchase the privilege of the 
owner. Any person owning land through which 
a highway runs, not less than three rods wide, has 
the right to plant and protect trees outside of the 
highway fence. 
Wo anticipate the first question—“will this 
pay?” Imagine such a belt of evergreens thirty 
feet high, standing around a good farm dwelling; 
you would think its proprietor insane, should he 
prize it less than two to five hundred dollars, or 
have made a good gro 
one exception, 'ho cr 
by tho allvig of 8<*nm ii 
cracks, you r t. - 1 
lion is. wifi they do any 
can 1 do to prevoi.- 
of the tree* are cover'’' 
if worthy ol noti m. Piano I. IIicks, Bristol, N. Y , i860, | 
|0 v UR siuco we have known anything nt pear trees, we 
have noticed tho marks of the iuseet of which <•»>• cor¬ 
respondent complains, but not iu sulllciont numbers to 
cause any apprehension. A cat seems to be made iu tho 
outside bark, about ono-Hxth ol an inch iu length,— 
Small, while, transparent eggs are then deposited In tho 
inside bark. Wu know nothing of the insect that de¬ 
posits the.se eggs. They secra to bo laid iu tho latter 
part of the summer, and to hatch out in the following 
spring. We shall eudeavor to keep those sent us by our 
correspondent iu a proper condition for hatching, and 
learn something of their nature uud habits. 
mer tree, has comparatively nine comuiiueon w 
recommend it as a winter ornament when its 
fallen leaves expose the scarcity of its brunches 
and the loose, spreading, untrim manner of their 
growth. 
EVERGREENS. 
We know a farmer who resides, in this county, 
has a very comfortable dwelling, fully equal to 
tho average, and perhaps the buildings of but 
few counties in the State will average better; stir 
rounded with good barns and out-buildings; bis 
farm is cleared up, well fenced, and is product¬ 
ive; he is railed a good fanner; and yet, strange 
as it may appear, not a single evergreen tree is 
growing about his dwelling. 
This farmer is not a cripple, nor is he illiterate; 
can read and write, and transact ordinary busi¬ 
ness; takes and reads the newspapers of the day, 
and therefore is not blind; he is not intemperate, 
but a moral man, and more, is a member of a 
church. 
He has a wife and children, too, who live with 
him on this farm, just as any other family live to¬ 
gether; all occupy this dwelling, Bummer and 
winter; he is sociable, and makes and receives 
visits; there is nothing strange about him, his 
wife.or children; she is not a slut or a scold, but 
industrious, intelligent, tidy and sociable, and, in 
I short, a good wife and mother, so that no domes- , 
tic jars have strangled a manly and commendable ] 
desire to make home cheerful, or aroused a baser 
passion of revenge to render it most dreary, 
gloomy and forbidding. 
He attends church with his family, and sends 
his children to school; yet, we repeat, strange as 
it may appear, not a single evergreen tree is grow¬ 
ing about his dwelling. 
This farmer has some deciduous trees about his 
house, from which the leaves dropped last Octo¬ 
ber, and since that time, uot a green leaf has been 
seen about him. This man and ais family have 
arisen from their slumbers, and looked out upon a 
picture where not a green shrub, twig or tree, is 
seen in the fore or background, to cheer and glad¬ 
den their souls, but the whole scene is wintry, 
wintry, indeed. 
This has been repeated about one hundred and 
sixty-five days, and enough more must follow to 
make up two hundred,—full more than half the 
y ear —before leaves will again appear. 
This apparently inhospitable, wintry abode, is 
not endured alone by this family, for many pass I 
[ every hour, and this dreary sight is inflicted upon 
, the public without, as well as those within. 
1 What man, woman, or child, possessing the 
] finer feelings of our nature, could pass without a 
t sympathetic sigh and shudder, though conscious 
i- it is to be of but a moment’s duration ? The pub- 
ci lie have an interest in the general appearance of 
e the country, and the passer-by shares the pleasure 
o imparted by every green and cheerful spot, 
d This farmer owns that land; he is not a Miller- 
8 ite, who would expect all to he consumed in a 
Flowkr Sheds—(0., Courllmd, fl I.J - 
good manor# for almost all trees and 
(I in mode rat" quantities, Of course, it 
r to keep tho Toots constantly soaked in 
re don’t kuow that they in,) uni any tiling, 
p S . cherry trees. Wo have injured thorn* 
ihf-8, and rather think that soapsuds do 
Tho bust way to got a package of (lower 
•ticulur variety that you need, is to send a 
some seed dealer, enough to pay for what 
because we do not look at them. 'I here is as 
great a difference between the delicate spray of 
the hard maple and the coarser twigs of the 
black walnut, as there is between the finest thread 
lace and the commonest cotton fabric; and one 
cannot recognize the attractions a fine specimen 
of the former presents during the season ol frost 
and snow, without being at a loss to determine 
whether its summer or its winter beauty is most 
admirable. If, then, some trees are more orna¬ 
mental in winter than others, it is certainly wise 
to choose them at that season of the year. 
One needs, also, to observe trees iu winter, to 
learn what varieties birds most select for building 
their nests iu. These cunning little architects 
hide away their houses so securely under the 
leaves, that without close search they escape 
observation till frost and wind have scattered 
their roofing to the ground. To one accustomed 
to look for these beautiful little structures, a tree 
in winter, without a bird's nest, looks compara¬ 
tively sorry and desolate. It is curious, too, to 
see how small a tree of some kinds is found large 
enough to hold a bird’s nest, while you may 
examine scores of certain other varieties, and 
of all sizes, in search of them, without finding a 
single one. It may be laid down as a rule, that 
those trees are handsomest all the year round 
which birds choose for their summer homes; the 
beautiful tree wins to itself the beauty of the 
bird's uest, thus securing an ornament that adds 
to its own attractions when winter has stripped 
it of the leafy glory wherewith it protected the 
dear little house and its inmates in summer. 
South Livonia, N. Y,, I860. A. 
IRE Off THK STRAW MERE v. - Will yon. or Home of 
respondents, he good enough to instruct me as to 
mode of cultivating the following varieties of the 
itvY 1 how by your paptT tluit dt^cripliooM 
(o ho cultivated <» the hill, and that, n that a hoc- 
,t when allowed to run and cover the ground. I 
learn the host treatment for each, viz.:— rtomphu 
I Hooker's Seedling, \Vh sou's Albany. Pyramidal 
profit and pleasure derived from tms aione suouiu 
not be overlooked. 
<1 Iu lulling strains the feathered warblers woo.” 
pleasant, cheerful, desirable, and 
Information Wanted. —Can, ov will, some ot 
your patrons, or correspondents, please inform 
me, through the Ru rat., what is the best absorbent 
remedy for the eyes, where absorbents are neces 
sary. l’lease grant me this request, for in so do 
ing you will perform a great kindness, and oblige 
—II. Beals, Lamimt, Ottawa Co., Mich., 1860. 
What more . 
Edeu-like, than a house surrounded by these for¬ 
est songsters, of varied plume and note? 
•* Their warbling notes from inward cheering llow.” 
Is it said that no such planting has been done? 
How long since we talked by lightning, and rode 
through the country by steam? and why not the 
rural, as well as the business portion, improve? 
and why not improve our homes, as well as our 
highways? ^ * R0ST ‘ 
Havana, N. Y., I860. 
;y of room, bo that each plant may bo 
Nor do wo think allowing beds to run 
ive the most quarts to tho acre. 
Bakers’ Gingerbread.—O ne tabiespoontui oi 
I® pulverized ,I«m; oee do. .alaratu.; to this add 
:ho compound apple, or tho apple, part . c 0 p boiling hot wator. Let the mixture cool, 
^ttaSKSf^oSSrtWdlS the,, add 3 cups ot motao., ! cup ot butte,; a 
,hlB does not appear very connate nt to tablesnooaful of ginger. Bake quick. This is 
n art ft? from oacli of four <blUir<?nt built* n /-f /■-»_ at \r 
!l phould grow, would not this form a good.—S. h. I HILLIPS, Bergen, Ben. Co., A. *• 
i»rh quarter would be dk« that from -» - 
,f the bud was taken? And would not a l emos 0 r Hoot Beer.—T wo or three subsenb- 
ora have requested me to inquire ot the 
-R. T. F. Rural correspondents have a good recipe for 
d sour apple was no doubt a freak or Lemon or Root Beer. If they have, 
. i_l i*__ Hnn .< riiiu Anvrua. ® . . . . n m 
horticultural 2v T otcs 
Fruits Received,—F rom J. S. Guark, ot Greece, 
beautiful specimens of the Ladies’ Sweeting apple, one 
ol’ the very Urst of winter sweet apples, and the very 
best for the dessert. 
nrnuARD Squash —I raised a few of the celebrated 
Hubbard Squash last season, which I think, for size, will 
beat anything in the country. I weighed four as follows: 
25, 26>i, 30, and 35 )i pounds each,respectively. Can any 
Of your readers beat ft? N. B.-No seeds for sale.— C. C. 
C'ooLkv, Manchester, Ohio. I860. 
Rbmkiiy kor Strd'kd Bugs. —Take of aisafoctida, not 
particular as to quantity, dissolve in hot water, or high- 
wines, and when the bug makes its appearance, take a 
feather and sprinkle a little on the vines. One or two 
„T.nlie»tions will do the iob. I have triedi t with success. 
pondent is correct in Ul6 supposition, wc turns:. 
True alpine STRAW HURRY.—Will you inform us of the 
value of the Alpine Strawberry as a fruit for culture for 
market purposes, through ” our” KOttAL, and very much 
oblige—0, II. M., Hu,Hulo, Y. Y., 1860, 
Thk Alpine strawberries are too small to be popular as 
a market fruit, and the picking is slow, and consequently 
expensive. A large, bright berry, and rather firm, sells 
the beat. __ 
Locust Seeds— (G. IT. flew Providence.)— Locust 
seeds if old will not germinate, that is if they have been 
kept dry. Pour hot water upon them and let them stand 
for five or six hours, then repeat the hot water, and keep 
I them iu a warm place for 36 or 48 hours,and all the good 
seeds will germinate. 
A BEAUTIFUL WINTER ORNAMENT, 
9 
y | i'§ ; o 
i 
