few inches in height, to transplant them from this bed to 
a cold frame, which is rimpiy a frame, as described above, 
placed in a warm situation over a good mellow soil. 
Here the plants may be ret out a few inches apart, and 
they will grow stroug and harden, so as to bear exposure 
without injury. If placed in small pot* and placed in 
this frame, they can be removed to the open ground 
without receiving any check. 
so much so, that by the 
up the cellular tissue 
time spring fairly sets in, ami the sap is required 
to All out the buds and blossoms, or by the time 
these are in full vigor by an inherent force in 
nature, the subsequent supply from the root is 
tardy, and fails, so that the bloasoms fall and the 
pistils remain barren. 
Trees sheltered from subsequent cold winds 
and rains have escaped, and such as wero neg¬ 
lected in a manner, and not so Busooptiblo of vig¬ 
orous action, like the Auer and more prized varie¬ 
ties. This is, however, not the only cause, but, 
among others, one of the causes. 
Now, it is worthy of close inquiry, whether 
such years when snows were for a long time 
lodged (till enrly spring,) around tho base of fruit 
trees, and tho soil not free from frost, till tho 
spring had fairly set In, If then there was notan 
abundance of fruit? Should this prove to bo the 
case, it would seem that tho open, porous soil, 
whoa frozen, Hhould remain ho, in order that the 
sun’s rays might not stimulate tho rootlets to pre¬ 
mature action. This, in open, snowless winters, 
would indicate the propriety of some artificial 
protection, such as a litter of manure around the 
bole of the trees, and boards over this, If need he. 
This litter might induce mice to take shelter and 
endanger tho base of such trees, unless protected, 
or by a watchful eye guarded against in certain 
localities. 
Having no orchard to experiment upon, to test 
the theory advanced, the suggestion may be fol¬ 
lowed by those more fortunate in this respect, as 
there is but little cost and trouble; and, if cor¬ 
rect, a full crop would certainly pay the experi¬ 
menter. 
Circumstances are so varied, aud the conditions 
so diversified in numerous instances, that no gen¬ 
eral rule can be relied upon; yet,there nre certain 
physiological principles that operate uniformly, 
(all things being equal,) which, when studied and 
considered with surrounding conditions, will aid 
us grernly in coming to clear deductions. 
The fertility of the soil produces a vigorous 
growth of moat classes of plants, which, in our 
variable climate, is not always successful, and a 
judicious retarding, or an effort to prevent premn 
lure action of the sap vessels in exposed situa¬ 
tions, is advantageous to the subsequent develop¬ 
ment and continuous uninterrupted process of 
growth to maturity. 
Whether my deductions are correct or not, T am 
not aware of havi ng s- on that view taken of the sub¬ 
ject, and therefore throw ont these hints for what 
they may be worth—having had my attention 
called to it with a view to examine tho case as an 
entomologist, rather than that of a vegetable 
Jacob Stauffer. 
END OF VOLUME FOR 1860. 
One more number closes tbe present year. The 
pleasant acquaintance commenced with some a 
year sgo, and with others many years since, is 
not at end. nor likely to end in many years, we 
verily believe; but we have arrived at an era in 
our acquaintance, the close of another year, when 
it is fitting, perhaps, that we should Bfiya word 
of the past and of the future. Like the traveler 
who reaches another milestone in his journey, we 
may pause for a moment,—recall the pleasures 
and toils of the past, that we may gain courage 
for those which are to come. Our work for 1860 
is about accomplished;—it is before our readers. 
How well we have performed our pleasant task, it 
is not fitting for us to say. We have endeavored 
to make all our teachings as plain and practical 
03 possible. We have labored to teach the [earn¬ 
er facta and modes of cnlture essential to success. 
No Journal has labored more zealously in the 
field of horticultural literaturo the present year, 
than the Rural, and wo have no reason to be- 
Never 
lieve that our efforts have been in vain, 
before was American Pomology in as good a 
position as at the present time. We have much 
yet to learn, but we are making rapid progress, 
and the people are anxious for information. 
During I860 we have given in tho Horticultural 
Department, over 600 articles, about 120 engrav¬ 
ings, and enough reading matter to make two 
books of 500 pages each. All thia our readers 
have received for the trifling subscription price, 
besides a vast and far greater amount of matter 
on other Impoitnnt and interesting subjeota. For 
the futnre we have only to any that, the enlarge¬ 
ment of our pages (which will take place with the 
first number of the ensuing Year and Volume,) 
will afford us nioro space, which we hope to im¬ 
prove for the benefit of our readers. The next 
number will mainly be occupied with index, title, 
&c., so that wo shall have no space for horticul¬ 
tural matter, yet we have not the slightest cause 
to suppose that these are parting words to any 
of our readers. On the contrary, we have every 
reason to believe that all who have perused this 
department of tho Rural the present year, will 
continue its fast friends, and exert themselves 
manfully to add to the number of the great Rural 
family circle, and llius aid us in onr efforts to in¬ 
crease knowledge and improve taste, until onr 
houses shall become turn! homes, tho lily spring 
up where once grew the thorn and the briar, 
waste hearts, as well os waste places, be made 
glad, and tho deecrt blossom as the rose. With 
our immense weekly circulation, we may, without 
boasting, say that, we are doing a great work for 
the Horticukurs of the country, and have a claim 
upon the kind offices of the lovers of fruits and 
flowers. With confidence, therefore, wo call upon 
all the disciples of Flora and Pomona to aid us 
in extending the circulation of a Journal so well 
calculated for doing good, us it is at once a Hand- 
Book for the Farm, the Garden, the Orchard and 
the Kitchen ; a companion for the Fireside and 
the Parlor. 
yucca stricta. 
duces finer and richer wine. 3d. The vine stands 
the winter freezing better than the Catawba. 4th. 
It standB the spring frosts better. 5th. The 
grapeH never rot. Cth. No falling of the leaves 
until tho grape is iipe. 7tb. The certainty of 
their growing, and the general hardiness and 
healthiness of the vine. 
Tho Chairman of this Committee has already 
planted twelve hundred Delaware vines with 
such success that ho is preparing the ground 
for twelve hundred more in the spring. 
Du. 8. Mosher, ) 
If. Buchanan, .-Committee. 
J. E. Mottier, ) 
It is a stemlcss plant, presenting at the base a 
swollen appearance, very marked, produced by 
the insertion of tho leaves, which are numerous, 
somewhat fleshy, about fifteen inches long, and 
two Inches wide, narrow at the base, attenuated 
at tho Bumrnit, and terminating in an obtuse 
point, not very resiBtaut, straight, sometimes twlat.- 
ed, strongly channeled, and bordered with several 
grayish-white filaments. Tho Btcm is green, pu¬ 
bescent, very strong, attaining the height of five 
to seven feet. The brunohlets are very Btrong, 
about six or eight Inches long, green, averaging 
from twelve to fifteen flower*, which aro grocniBh- 
white, bell shaped, and pendulous. 
It blooms the latter part of July, and from the 
stately habit of the flower stem, its large whitish 
blosBoms, and the remarkable disposition of its 
branchlcts, it has an aspect unique and striking, 
and when seen across the lawn, backed up by 
evergreens, forma one of tho most attractive 
objects in our grounds. 
Mr. Hovky says it is perfectly hardy in this 
country, and is not particular as to soil; only the 
height of its flower stem is augmented when 
planted in deep, rich, sandy loam. 
physiologist. 
Lancimter, i’a, 1800. 
horticultural 3NTotcs 
north as sixty dogices of latitude. Even in tho 
Orkney and Shetland islands very good apples 
grow. Mr. Kniuht computes tho ordinary dura¬ 
tion of a healthy tree grafted on a crab stock, and 
planted in a strong, tenacious soil, to bo two 
hundred years. 11alt.br mentions some trees 
that attained the age of one thousand years, and 
were highly prolific. This, then, would Indicate 
Its climate and longevity. It is also generally 
admitted that all the numerous varieties of the 
apple, which are so extensively cultivated in 
most parts of Europe and America, have been 
derived from the crab. 
Grafting must have been known and practiced 
at an early period; for Pliny, speaking of it, 
says, “ that it will honor the first grafters for¬ 
ever.” 
The varieties were numerous so early as 1650. 
Hartlit supposes there were five hundred sorts 
then in England. The second edition of the Cata¬ 
logue of Fruits published by the Horticultural So¬ 
ciety of London in 1831, contains tho names of 
1,400 sorts of apples. Thia number is now greatly 
increased through the increased zeal and industry 
of modern gardeners, bo that there are an endless 
number of names and synonymns rather perplex¬ 
ing to the inquirer. 
Many of the vatieties and sorts once highly 
prized among early writers, are not to be found, 
or are so degenerated or diseased as no longer to 
deserve the attention of the planter; hence, an 
opinion hus obtained that tho culture in some 
way limits the duration of the tree. Mr. Knight 
THE DELAWARE GRAPE AT CINCINNATI. 
A Com jnTTEE appointed by the Cincinnati 
Horticultural Society to take into consideration 
the cultivation and general treatment of grapes, 
and the best variety for that locality, has submit¬ 
ted the following very interesting and important 
report: 
To the President of the Cincinnnli Ilort. Society, 
TEE YUCCAS, 
CURE EOR IN-GROWING NAILS. 
It is stated by a correspondent of the Medical 
and Surgical Journal., that cauterization with hot 
tallow is an immediate cure for in-growing nails. 
Ho says:—“ The patient on whom I first tried this 
was a young lady who had been unable to put on 
a shoe for several months, and decidedly the 
worst case I had ever seen. The disease had been 
of long standing. The edge of the nail was 
deeply undermined; the granulations formed a 
high ridge, partly covered with skin, and pus 
constantly oozing from tho root of the nail; the 
whole toe was swollen, aud extremely tender an l 
painful. My mode of proceeding was this:—I 
put a very small piece of tallow in a spoon and 
heated it over a lamp until it became very hot, 
and dropped two or three drops between tho nail 
and grauuIatiouB. The effect was magical. Pain 
and tenderness were at once relieved, und in a 
few days the granulations were all gone, the dis¬ 
eased parts dry and destitute of feeling, and the 
edge of the nuil exposed so as to admit of being 
pared away without any inconvenience. The cure 
was complete, and the trouble never returned. I 
have tried this plan repeatedly since, with the same 
satisfactory results. The operation causes little 
if any pain, if the tallow is properly heated.” 
Sweet Aiti.e Jelly.—I should like to know 
if any one lias made sweet apple jelly that will 
compare with tho rich, thick juice, which will be 
left in a tin where Bwect apples arc baked, and 
Housewife. 
The Yaccas are among the most striking 
objects of onr gardens, and are particularly 
adapted to the luwn, in near proximity to the 
house, where their tall flower stems, and rigid 
foliage, harmonize with its architectural features, 
and give somewhat of a foreign color to the whole 
lawn. It has about the same effect as the intro¬ 
duction of a fine Century plant to the lawn, which 
many of onr readers must have observed. For 
some reason the opinion has become general that 
these plants are tender, and in consequence they 
are to bo found in very few gardens; but there 
are several varieties as hardy as any one can 
desire. They have dark-green leaves, and throw 
up in midsummer a tall flower stem, covered with 
cream-colored flowers, and forming somewhat of 
a pyramid. Bat aside from the flowers the leaves 
are beautiful the whole year. Plants so orna¬ 
mental should be introduced into every good 
garden, as they require no special care, and will 
flourish in any fair garden soil. Plants can be 
obtained in the spring at any of the nurseries, 
where a good assortment of hardy plants are kept 
for sale. 
Yucca fii.amentosa, or Hardy Adam's Needle, 
is the most common variety, and is hardy even at 
the far North. 
Yucca glaucescens has flower stems over 
five l'eet in height. Flowers large and greeniah- 
white. 
Y’ucca flaccida is one of the most common, 
and easily cultivated, and has flower stems from 
two to three feet in height, with milk-white blos¬ 
soms. 
Yucca anqustifolia is a very desirable spe¬ 
cies, of small growth, the flower stems not 
branched, the flowers greenish-white. 
The Yuccas are mostly of American origin, 
and the French have obtained many species from 
California and Texas; which through this source 
find their way to the nurseries of this country. 
How many of these will prove hardy at the North 
time must determine; but we have enough already 
proved to furnish the lovers of flowers with a good 
collection. One of these, recently introduced, 
the Yucca stricta, we find figured and described 
in Honey's Magazine of Horticulture. It was first 
described by Carriers, in the Heme Horlieole, 
It is “intermediate between two types, equally 
stemless, the Y. Jlaccida and Y, filamtntosa , being 
more nearly allied to the former than the latter.” 
It is distinguished by its more erect leaves, and 
by its mode of vegetation, forming a less number 
of underground stems or drageons than other 
species. 
Fucit Growers’ Society of Western Nkw York.— 
Tbo Auouftl Meeting of the Fruit Growers' Society of 
Western New York will commence at the Court House, 
in Rochester, on Wednesday, Jan. 9,18UX, at 11 o’clock 
A. M. It will contribute much to the interest of the 
sessions, if members having Interesting specimens of 
winter fruits, particularly pears, also ol’ preserved fruits, 
&c., Ac,, will please bring them for exhibition at thia 
meeting. C. F. Biamct.!., Secretary. 
Rochester, N. Y., Dec, 12,1880. 
Sir:— The Committee who were appointed to 
take Into consideration the cultivation aud gene¬ 
ral treatment of grapes suited to our locality, and 
to ascertain what is the most advantageous va¬ 
riety for our use, submit the following report:— 
The growing interest taken in the cultivation of 
hardy grapes for wine and table use, seems to 
your Committee to call for better and more sys¬ 
tematic treatment for our vineyards than wo have 
generally found them to have received. 
A very erroneous system of pruning ia gene¬ 
rally practised; that is, too short summer pruning, 
or breaking the shoot off at one leaf after the lust 
bunch of grapes, instead of leaving three or four 
leaves to nourish the grapes, and keep them in 
good growing and healthy condition. The result 
of this short pruning is, that part of the grapeB 
never ripen, from a deficiency of foliage; for if 
tho vineB are stopped too short, not only does 
this cause a deficiency of leaves, but it hastens 
I the maturity of thuwood, and thereby causes the 
falling of the leaves before the maturity of the 
fruit After the leaves are off; tho fruit makes no 
further improvement or ripening. 
It ia tho opinion of your Committee that grapes 
will undoubtedly pay better even than any other 
fruit or crops, if they receive good and proper 
cultivation; at least, we have found it so in our 
practice, from an experience of thirty years. 
Inquiries anb ^Insroers. 
HOT-Bkd.—I desire to conatret a hot-beil capable of 
starting -100 or 600 plant* —of cabbage, tomatoes, «c. 
Will yon, or some of the nuu.erou.i readers of your ever 
welcome and imilructlv» paper, he kind enough to give 
gome timely hint* on the proper construction and xnau- 
a-rement iff hot-bed*? By so doing they will oblige many 
besides—W. O. B,, MbUtVille, A. U , 1860. 
A hot-bed to grow plants for tho open ground should 
not bo ntozteil until the Unit or April. If commenced too 
early, the plants become too Urge before the woather 
will admit ol their being transferred to tbo open ground. 
A very good size for a hot-bed, and one that we think 
wonld suit tho wants of our correspondent, is live feet 
wile und twelve feet long. Thu frame should be made 
Of one and a half or two inch plunk, and may bo nailed 
to posts in the corners. The back or the frame should 
be about two feet high, and tbo front about fourteen 
Inches. A frame of the s!/.e mentioned will require four 
rushes, three feet wide. These are somewhat similar to 
window rash, bat have no crow-bars., tbu upper panes of 
glass overlapping the lower, so ns to shed the rain. 
Tho best material for producing heat is fresh manure 
from tho horse stable. This should bo thrown into a 
pile and allowed to beat, under cover, if possible, about 
a week, when it Is ready for use. Now dig a pit about 
eighteen inches deep, and a foot larger than the frame, 
each way. Ful this pit with the manure yon have pro. 
pared, and continue to put on the manure evenly until 
you have it raised up about two feet above the natural 
surface of the ground, which will give it three and a half 
feet of manure. Care should be taken tu pntthe manure 
on evenly, and have it well packed down, by beating It 
with the back or a fork. Rake down tho edges carefully ) 
eo that they will present a nice, even appearance. The 
frame and glass Bhouid now be put on, ami be kept close 
for a day or two. After this, it will ho necessary to open 
the Ba*h a Utile during the middle of the day, for a 
couple of days, to allow the steam to »soape. About six 
inches of good, mellow, warm soli, must now bo put 
Inside the frame, and all closed up for a day or two, until 
the earth becomes warm. Examine occasionally, and if 
the heat appear* too great, open the sash a little on the 
back side. It is now ready for the need, which should be 
Bown quite thin, and in drills. Air must be given on 
fine days, or the plants will grow weak and tender. To 
raise fine tomato plants, it is best, as soon as they get a 
how it is made? 
Frenchi Cake. —Two eggs; I teacup sugar; j 
do. cream; 4 do. butter; 4 teaspoon soda; I do. 
cream tarter. Flavor to suit the taste.— Nannie 
G\, Grove laud, Lie, Co., N. Y., 1860. 
—t -"• 
Buckeye Cake.—O ne pound of sugar; 1 cup 
milk; 1 cup butter; 6 eggs; 1 teaspoonful soda; 
2 cream tartar; 4J cups flour.—M. Todd, Green¬ 
ville, N, Y, 1860. 
own 
In our visits wo have found one vineyard 
which, was managed In a manner deserving of 
high commendation. The same system of tying 
and summer pruning was practised in it as that 
which has been observed in the vineyard of the 
Chairman of your Committee. The results are 
such aa to give unmingled satisfaction, in our 
visits we also found some promising new varie¬ 
ties of grapes. The Norton’s Virginia Seedling, 
a dark-colored grape for red wine, is highly 
spoken of; but the Delaware Btands at the 
head of all the hardy grapep, either for wine or 
the table. We have been watching the Delaware 
for three or four years very closely, and find that 
the vines Btand the freezing and spring frosts 
better than the Catawba, equally exposed and 
unprotected. No rot or mildew has yet been dis¬ 
covered, and no falling of the leaves until the 
fruit is fully ripe; and it ripens folly three weeks 
earlier than the Catawba. 
We have seven reasons why we place the Dela¬ 
ware at the head of the hardy grapes: 
1st. Superior quality for table use. 2d. It pro- 
[SPBCUL NOTICB.l 
After all the paiuB and labor tukon by D. B. Dk Land & 
Co. to produce a pure Saloratus, we are rejoiced to find 
that the public generally appreciate, and are liberally 
patronizing this celebrated manufactory. Du Land A 
Co.’b Saleralus baa a world-wide reputation for its perfect 
purity, #nd there is no longer any reasonable excuse for 
obliging people to eat disgusting and unwholesome bread, 
biscuit, pastry, tza , made ho by impure .'-'al'.-ratus. I), B. 
Ds Land Js Co.’:i Manufactory L at Kalrport, Monroe Co., 
N. Y., where the Saleratu* can be procured at wholesale- 
It is also sold at wholesale by the principal grocers iu 
large towns, and at retail by grocers and storekeepers 
everywhere. 
If 
IA'j 
L§ 
