Inquiries anil ^Insroers, 
vine?, plants, or seeds, are at ucir service it tney 
choose to accept them, are generally all the etloit 
necessary to enable one to rid himself of a bur¬ 
den, and, at the same time, confer a real favor on 
others. But as there ia. perhaps, a class whom 
this means would fail to reach— a class composed 
of persons inexperienced in and therefore uncon¬ 
scious of the measure and the advantage of cul- 
in habit, keeping close to the ground, and sending 
up flower stalks about four inches in height, with 
fine clusters of red flowers. 
The Siceet Scented Violet is the sweetest of 
all the early spriDg flowers, and, like the Sweet 
Mignonette, it is a general favorite on account of 
its fragrance. A single flower will perfume a 
room. A cluster or two, which any person can 
procure at. a nursery for 25 cents, will make the 
garden deliciously fragrant from early in April 
until June, 
both s 
I'kkBKRVi.no Furir. fee. - Your Yftbmble patier seems 
to In* a medium for reciprocal improvement and informa¬ 
tion among your numerous readers. 1 desire a little 
information, and know no better way to get it than to 
apply at once to you for your decision, or tliat you may 
■ • • • * • *>■■> :.~r.- numerous corres- 
, and then wo will 
large, continually 
and what 1 wnnt to know is:— 
pooilents, ‘.Strawberry time is coming, 
nave a succession of Iruits, small aod 1 
throughout ih" season. .— — 
1 st. flow to preserve specimen fruits, so a* not to damage 
llie appearance, color, ike., ol them. Alcohol will pre¬ 
serve tliem in perfect form, but strawberries and I,lack- 
berries bleach in it so as not to look natural, 2d, By 
wbat process can strawberries and blackberries be put up 
in rails so as act to lose color and flavor. If any? 
I have a word to *#y on strawberry culture. I.astsnm- 
mer and fall I planted some ten beds of strawberries. 
Soron I mulched with pine sawdust, when planted, and 
some with loam late in the rail; ami one bed planted in | 
rows Alter all was planted, 1 mulched half the bed, 
across the rows with pine sawdust, and left the other 
half unprotected. The result tells the tale morn forcibly 
than I can write it* On the mulched half, every plant is 
living and doing well, white on the other half, at least 
half the plants are dead, and the balance look as though 
they needed <|uinine. Those mulched with the soil, late 
In the season, (ono half inch deep.) look much bettor 
tliau th« Inst named, but not near so well a* the first. 1 
should mention that this has been ao unusually dry 
<mrlng in this section. A splendid Reason to try the 
AN INQUIRY-WASHING MADE EASY, &c. 
*. There are white and blue varieties, 
single and double, but the double blue is 
r> all that admire flowers plant them, then | the best, 
gardens would become more worthy of the 
e Did all who plant, care for them as they 
ild, then our gardens wonld soon blossom as e arly Tulips are improving, 
rose, and many waste places would be made variety are now in fl — r ‘.V 
ttiful But, as a people, wc are impulsive them last week, t . 
impatient. We see beautiful flowers in nur* 8 emi-double, ii 
es and in the gardens of the careful and pains- double, white. 
ng, and are taken with a sodden love of brilliant red. 
crs. We are ready to seize them at once- with orange. 
-v them home, and plant them; or to run to The common Fritillana or Checkered At/y 
"nearest nursery and order just the things although seldom seen in our gardens, is well 
ch have excited onr admiration. We act like worthy of attention. It is sometimes called the 
Idren who gather the dandelions and butter- Guinea Hen Flower on account of its checkered 
,8 bv the road-side, carry them home, stick the flowers. There are several varieties, differing 
ns in the ground, and make their childish only in color, of various shades ot brown pur- 
..... gardens In the autnmn and the spring, pie, aud yellow, singularly mottled or checkered, 
en the flowers are gone, and when trees and In the grounds of Ellwanoeb & Barry, we 
nhs arc destitute even of their summer robes, noticed in flower, to-day, (May 5th ) Romulus, ycl- 
fwe forget their^beauty,-our love for the low, checkered with light purple; Andrmnda 
intifnl flowers are gone,-and will not again be maroon, checkered with pink; Rubens, puiple an 
msed nntiTthe warm sun and balmy zephyrs of lilac; Nymph, white; Isabella white and lilag; 
v shall awake to life again tbe flowers of Multijlpra, creamy white, checkered with lightish 
on,r. Then we will be seized with another purple; Pluto, veTy dark, brownish purple, c ec*- 
ered with purple of a lighter shade. 
Eds. RrKAi, Nkw-Yobkhr:—I wish to make an 
inquiry through the columns of the Rural, think¬ 
ing that, by so doing, I may get an i-— 
some ono of its numerous t- 
of great service to me, 
Can any <—-- 
disease, tbe asthma? 
It, more or 
THE FLOWER GARDEN. 
‘ l answer from 
readers, that might bo 
‘ and perhaps to others, 
ono afford a remedy tor that distressing 
I have been troubled with 
less, for about three years, it being 
worst in the fall and spring seasons. I have tried 
various remedies recommended; also have applied 
to a physician,but only find temporary relief, and 
not always that. Each succeeding paroxysm be¬ 
ing harder and lasting longer. Tf any one has a 
remedy that contains curative powers, and will 
forward It in the Nkw-Yorkkk, the suffering of 
tbe afflicted will be greatly alleviated, and for 
which I would tender my hearty thanks, and 
wonld pay almost any price. 
Washing Made Easy.—To all the lady readers 
of the Rubai, who wish to Bave elbow grease, and 
also soap, I would say, buy half a pound of good 
saltpetre, dissolve it iu two quarts of rain water, 
anil intr it uu from the air. When going to wash, 
bulbous flowers. 
The Hyacinths are in perfection now, and the 
.-;—^ much greater 
■ : n flower than when we noticed 
. Rose Vernon, dark rose or red, 
a fine variety. La Candeur, fine 
Tmperalor Rubra, double, very 
Gloria Solus, double, red, tipped 
THE SPERGULA PILIFERA. 
This plant, wc have before informed onr readers, 
is beginning to be used in England as a substitute 
for grass in making lawns. If this is desirable 
in England, where the climate is so moist aud so 
favorable to the -living green,” which we always 
admire in English lawns, surely in this country, 
where onr grass becomes scorched uuder a burn¬ 
ing July’s sun, if it bears our climate, it will bo a 
great acquisition. We have the seed planted, and 
we believe plauts have been imported, so that in 
a little time it will have a fair tesL I n the Revue 
llor tic ole, we noticed au engraving of this plant, 
and an article on its history, Ac, which we noted 
for translation, butthe last number of the Horti¬ 
culturist contains the same, which we copy: 
Ooky a sn Grades in Eavi-r.—t wish to soy a word 
and ask a auction or two. 1 live lu “ Egypt.” nm 
where thora is plenty of corn when they have none in 
other places. Yes, wo can't be beat raising corn. You 
put mitue of onr neighbors iu your paper last fall, with 
their great, crops, but tlml was nothing. You ought 
to bo hero and see Tor yourself. But that is not what I 
was going to ask you about. T wna jost telling you tliat 
wo can raise corn. Now 1 w"lit. to auk yourauncti about 
grapes. Cun wo make it profitable raising grapoa on our 
soil, which is known In Illinois ns *and prairie: A rich 
sandy loam, a little clay in subsoil. From four to ux 
fed Jeep, ivp find pure sand and gravel Our land 
requires no undordraining. 1 have a serious notion ot 
setting a few acres to vinos, but before doing so,» waul 
some good advice. Do you think It would pay: What 
varieties wonld you recommimd: Would you prefer 
training the viuoa to stakes,or trellises' Would it be 
best to iml a locust grove on the north mid west for a 
wind breaker? Answer these queries and oblige—A, A. 
Davison, Sand Prairie, Ta'.r.weU Cu , III., 1S00. 
WK have uo doubt grapes would do well, and pay. Wo 
would rscouimend a low trellis, say six or seven feet In 
height* A belt of some kind of trees wo would advise, 
by alt means. The locust might answer, hut it would be 
better to have a part evergreen trees, as they would afford 
„ butter nrotoction against the winds of winter. The 
spasm of admiration, as sum i-u*cu > 
as before. The planter needs forethought, faith, 
and patience. He must be willing to labor and 
wait for coming good* 
trees and shrubs. 
The Flowering Shrubs and Trees arc beginning to 
he quite attractive. The Japan Quince should be 
planted in every garden, and we know of no decid¬ 
uous plant at the North that will make a finer orna¬ 
mental garden hedge. There arc two varieties, 
bright red and rose-colored. Every collection of 
shrubs should contain both of these, for when 
planted together the effect la charming. The Mag¬ 
nolias, (Corupiaui and Soulangiana,) are in bloom, 
making a most magnificent show. It is strange 
that these are not more generally planted. 
Scarcely one in a day’s travel is to he seen in 
garden or lawn. The people have some way got 
the idea that the Magnolias are tender, southern 
plants, needing protection, and hence they seldom 
order them from the nurseries with other hardy 
trees and shrubs, while the fact is, several varie¬ 
ties are as hardy as apple trees, and as beautiful 
as tbe most fastidious can desire. 
The Conspicua, or Chandalier Magnolia, is a 
Chinese variety, quite hardy in the Middle States, 
and is one of the most beautiful small trees imag¬ 
inable for tbe lawn. It branches low, and is in 
every way desirable. 
Tbe Purpurea is another small cmavmt: It 
Bottle up 
Moldy. 
and autumn. Small, starry, very wane, ana ' 
slightly fragrant, they tmcceed each other in great ' 
quantities, and in fading leave no disagreeable 
traces, 
Of very rapid growth, tbe smallest portion, 
planted in tbe spring, forms daring the current 
year a tuft from ten to twelve inches in diameter; 
it consequently covers the ground vapidly, and 
appears perfectly adapted for forming edgings, 
turf walkB, or lawns, of the most pleasing effect. 
It can also probably be used advantageously in 
ornamenting rock-work, Ao. It grows well in the 
shade, and experiments already made lead to the 
belief that it will thrive equally when fully ex¬ 
posed to the sun, preserving its verdure and re¬ 
markable freshness of appearance. 
A mossy rural turf, requiring no mowing or 
cutting of any kind, which may, indeed, be Haul 
to need no earn, requtv's no eulogy, and by thesfr 
qualities alone, vceommendB itself to amateurs. 
Its propagation is very easy, either by seed or 
by the division of the stands, which may he sep- 
■ ~ ' ' r; a small package of the 
few tufts of the plant, are therefore 
The sowing should be in 
' -* in the ground, 
small, should be very slightly 
Norway Spruce ia junt the triso needed, 
well known varieties of grapes we think 
such as the Catawba, Isabella, Concord, Dii 
ware, __ 
Patknt-Okfich Seeds—Creeper Peas. 
to ask ii few questions, as I consider the 
it... i u »ut mediums of information wo niivo 
I sen.rm to get Heeds and plants that are dlstriOuteu 
r t0m the FfttenfrOfflco? Where should I send to get the 
Agricultural Reports of the IM-mt-omo*, and are they 
tree nr not:- Can the Strawberry Creeper f was be got 
In Rochester,and at, what pricu?—W., ( nlUmitcr, A. 1., 
I t 800 ' . , 
No needs or plants are distributed hy tho Patent-Office | 
this year, we believe. The Reports Rl'Osent Tree,amt you 
may obtain them by writing to your .Senator or Repre¬ 
sentative in Congress. The Strawberry Creeper is a very 
dwarf pea, not growing more Ilian six inches in height, 
oot giving a good crop, aod we thought hardly worthy 
of cultivation, it can be obtained of Tuoum R.v ,V Co., 
Xew i urk, oi It. Bums', Philadnlphia, hut is not P*r sale 
in this city, it costs about seventy-flvu cents a quart. 
There Is a very good Hold pea called the Creeper, which 
sells hero at ono dollar por bushel. 
I would like 
A NEW KNIFE-CLEANER, 
Eds. Rural New-Yorker:— I would here like 
to present your intelligent readers a plan of my 
own invention for cleaning knives. The figure is 
a side view. It consists of two wheels, i) inehca 
in diameter, placed on the samo shaft, the insides 
of which arc covered with leather. The wheels 
slide longitudinally on the shaft, and are made to 
press against each other, by tbe thumb-screws in 
the wheels near the shaft. U nderneath the wheels 
I is a box, C, 12 inches long, 0 wide and 3 deep, 
FRITILLARIA, PLUTO. 
The form and general appearance of the flower 
is shown by the engraving. The stem is from six 
to eight or more inches in height, bearing one or 
more bell-shaped flowers, which droop very grace¬ 
fully. The bulbs are abuut the size of those of 
the crocus. They may he obtained of almost all 
nurserymen and florists, and should be planted 
ia a variety produced by 
ireeeding. The flowers are 
orple. It is very hardy, and 
It is now in full flower, and 
1 obiect to be seen iu our 
arated almost Infinitely 
j a | seeds, or a i... - 
I sufficient for a stock, 
the open air, whether in pots or 
The seed being very t..\. ' 
covered, or it is sufficient to leave it on tbe sur- 
Pehsoss who cultivate flowers and small fruits face of the ground, in which fuse it should bo 
merely for family use, and so, of course, want kept in the shade. The young plants should be 
but a limited supply of each kind they raise, are pricked out into the open ground where they are 
often perplexed to know how to dispose of their to remain, at a later period. II it is intended 1 o 
surplus plauts. In good garden soil, varieties of form an edging, the plants should be placed at a 
easy propagation soon increase beyond the needs distance of from eight to ten inches apu . 
of the owner; and, as one is loth to destroy any- turf walk or a lawn is to be made, the plants 
thing capable of giving such pleasure to the should he placed checker-wise, at distances of w\ 
5 iftto tie the, are allowed to multiply or eight inches. The spread of the plants m so 
till they become quite burdensome. Strawber- rapid that they will Boon form a continuous car¬ 
ries, for instance, if permitted to run, spread so pet, compact and inimitable, 
rapidly, that by the second or third year after 
planting they need thiuning out; but, so great is JMk 
the reluctance to throw away bearers of this de- U.W7 '3*pi W a m 
licious fruit, that frequently, on this very account, \ Yip j {//'..%$ f kl/ f\ \ / [ill 
in the absence of demand for plants, the beds are 1 v fjlvvA k\fv^"' IK 
suffered to remain more thickly stocked than is 
profitable. Blackberries and raspberries, too, in 
mellow ground, and unhindered by grass and 
weeds, extend their roots and establish new I gS 
plants very fast, soon exceeding the space appro- 
printed to them, if unchecked; and, in time » §|>j 
coming to be really troublesome, unless the j 
young plants are destroyed or removed to answer ^ 
the demands of neighbors and friends. Many the bpbrgfla rruTEiu* 
kinds of flowering plauts, also, increase m a few Ag tQ tbe _ uality ot - so ji rt ., lu j lC o, this plan 
years far beyond the wants ot the cultivator; doea not ap pcar to be difficult, and it is probald 
but, if they happen to be lavorites, and the sm- w -^ t jj r ; ve almost anywhere in a soil sonu 
plus ia not drawn off to supply applicants, a w | ia t compact, provided there are a few inches < 
large stock ia apt to accumulate, tending \eij VC( r e table mold. If the soil is not naturally con 
much to discourage the introduction of other it should be made so by using the roller, 
desirable varieties into the garden, by so occupy- 1 e 
ing the ground as to make it difficult to find Mr. Lucre* Geouoes, to whom is due the ini 
room for new acquisitions. ^ive employing this plant m the ornament 
' These superfluities of the garden may he made tion of gardens, gave it the name of Bag** 
the articles of a very pretty neighborhood com- laru in distributing i iu *‘ inLe u “ ' l h ‘ 
’ rnerce. An exchange of visits between amateur In Englandl it was.supposed to be the Sperg>< 
1 cultivators of fruits and flowers, and a compari- pWfera, aud it is by this name that it has b 
r son of tbe contents of their gardens, could announced in the catalogues and broughtforwa 
1 hardly fail to show that each bad varieties to in the.horticultural journals, which have eutogiz 
• spare"which the other would be glad to possess, it very highly. In coasequenco of this name 
- and thus both parties be gratified at finding an ing that under which it appeared in the Lortic 
r opportunity for profitable barter. Those who tural world, we preserve it; it is proper to si 
UASI'BKRRIKS and Blackberries. — Can you inform 
mo thronnh the Kuual, or othorwlso, which Is tho most. 
iiro’fUuhlo crop to rai.«c lor market, tho lanvtoii Black- 
hurry, ortho common Black Raspberry: What may he 
cotihi'Wod a lair crop of each per acre. How far apart 
shouhl the IiuhIiCh tic sol? 1- >t host to market the li ait 
„ r j r |«J? By answering those (Hiestiona, m some 
S, you will very ranch ohl.«o-A SUIimiRilUSR, Onwt- 
dufrtL yalleyi 
Which would be uio.it profitable lor culture, on a Inrya 
scale, would depend upon tho market. Near a large city 
any quantity of either could bo *old at good prices, but 
in most places it would ho found that a portion of each 
would bo better. Wo have seen very largo statement 
of tbe products or each to the acre, - one before us give' 
over one hundred bushels, but, with good culture, both 
would yield a large and remnnerative crop. AU that can 
be JiBiiosed of should be sold fresh. Dry to prevent loss 
a 
HORTICULTURAL EXCHANGE. 
LEMON AND ROOT BEER, 
Eds. Rural New-Yorker:— Our Lyons friend, 
G. H. 1C, wished a recipe for making Lemon or 
Root Beer. Tho following, I think, will answer 
for the former:—Two gallons of water; 2 lbs. of 
sugar; 1 oz. ginger; I oz. lemon; i oz. of cream 
tartar; 1 teacup of yeast. In a few days it is 
ready for use, and may be called a refreshing 
drink.—R. P. S., Lyons, N. K, I860. 
Ens. Rural New-Yorker:— Seeing an inquiry 
in a late Rural for a recipe for making beer, I 
send you one given me by a friend, which I find a 
little ahead of any beer I ever tasted. Take a 
small bottle, and get equal parts of the oil of 
spruce, sassafras and wintergreen,—enough to last 
the season if you like. Now for the beer. I take 
a three gallon jug and put in 2 quarts of boiling 
water, then add 60 drops of tbe oil; 0 quarts cold 
water; 4 pint molasses; .j pint yeast, and let it 
stand iu the sun 12 hours. I’ut in the cellar over 
night, and in the morning you will find it right— 
E. II. Hawley, Pittsfield, Otsego Co., N. Y., I860. 
Hubbard Squash.—H aving just received a pacnage oi 
Hubbard Squash needs, please let mo know thro,,^, the 
it! UAL, how to cultivate aud uso thorn. RURAL 1 RD-AD, 
Middleburgh, N. Y., lhOO, 
Plant in a good soil, about the middle ot May, or as 
soon as danger of frost and cold weather is over. An 
soon as the plants come up, look out for the bug*. A 
good way is to make a shallow frame, covering it with a 
light ol‘ glass. The glass may ho removed on warm day*, 
and tho box covered with inillinot. This will give air, 
and protection from the hugs. Thu Hubbard Squash has 
a hard shell that cannot be cut with a knife, and must 
be split or sawed. Divide in quarters, and bake ia the 
Sweet Apple Pudding.— Rare anjl cut m tincK 
slices, or quarter and core, sweet apples sufficient 
to fill the dish yon wish to bake the pudding in. 
Put them in a kettle and add new milk sufficient 
to scarcely cover them, heat It, hoiling hot, and 
stir in Indian meal enough to make it a stiff bat¬ 
ter. Salt, sweeten, and spice, to suit the taste. 
Butter your dish, put in the pudding, spread a little 
cream over the top to keep it trom scorching. 
Bake three hourB or more, according to size. 
Serve with cream or butter. Good, wholesome, 
and cheap.—1’. H. B., Litchjield, Conn,, 1860. 
New Perennial Spinach. —This is likely to 
prove a great acquisition to the kitchen garden 
summer crop, as it is very hardy and will stand 
the dry hot weather better than the common 
spinach. It has a large, thick and fleshy leaf, and 
will stand two years in thiB country without seed¬ 
ing.— Eng, Cor. Gardeners' Monthly . 
We have obtained this seed and hope to have 
an opportunity to report favorably in. regard to 
its adaptation to this country. 
