and the Lilacs, of which there are now half-a-dozen 
good varieties. As the Lilacs were about loosing 
their flowers, the members of the spicy Caliranthus 
family, the African Tamar ix, the Deutzia gracilis, and 
several of the Spiricas put on their holiday dress. Of 
the latter the lanceolata, though common and cheap, 
is one of the very best. It was figured and described 
in the. Run a i, of January 1*2, the present year. This 
will bring us to about the ^Otli of June, when that 
most magnificent Chinese shrub, the Weigela rosea, 
will flower, and prove the most attractive object on 
the lawn; and he who plants a Weigela will never 
regret the trouble or the investment. It follows that 
old favorite, the Snow Hall. 
Here we have a succession of flowers from the first 
of April until July, or about three months, from 
shrubs alone, and the Indigo Shrub, the Smoke Shrub, 
and the Altheas, and others, will prolong this season 
unite into the autumn, while the Snotc Deny, with 
COLORING RECIPE, CAKES, &c, 
In our last we promised to name a few of the trees 
and shrubs most desirable for the lawn. It may he 
observed, in the first place, that the trees suitable for 
the lawn, depends upon its size. It is a great mistake 
to put large trees on a small lawn, so that two or 
three will shade the whole ground and prevent the 
growth of everything else. If you have hut li.tie 
room, therefore select but few' trees and those o( 
small growth. A portion, say one-fourth, should be 
evergreens, as they produce a fine effect both in sum¬ 
mer and winter. The A orway Spruce makes a pretty 
large tree, and this should be understood at planting, 
or it may be placed so near the house or some impor¬ 
tant walk that its destruction will he necessary when 
it obtains anything like full size. The Arbor Vitas 
and the Red Cedar are small growing trees, and pro¬ 
duce hut little shade. For deciduous trees, the 
Mountain Ash and trees of a like character are desira¬ 
ble, and the Magnolias should have a place on every 
lawn. Magnolia tripetula, or I mbrella J ree, macro’ 
phylla, or Broad Leaved, conspicua, or Chandelier, 
purpurea, Soulangeana, and .glauca, are of small 
growth and the hardiest. Every year we have them 
flowering in our grounds, and we are surprised that 
CULTURE OF THE PLUM, 
Eds. Rural New-Yorker: — It must be acknowl¬ 
edged that in Western York the Peach is an uncertain 
crop. We had fruit last year, but the present spring 
our buds are killed, and we shall have no fruit, — 
and this was the fate of our fruit for several years 
previous to the last. Now. we want a substitute for 
the peach—a more certain crop. 
HOW TO MAKE TOILET SOAP, 
Apples will do for 
a winter fruit, but they cannot take the place of our 
summer peaches. The pear is being cultivated by 
many fruit growers, and the summer varieties may <lo 
tolerably well to take the place of the peach, hut I 
think the Plutn is, in many respects, a better substi¬ 
tute for the peach, being mnch more like that fruit, 
while in some respects it has an advantage over that 
old and deliciousfavorite. For cooking and preserv¬ 
ing there is nothing equal to the plum,— in fact it is 
the only fruit that is improved by cooking. By 
The common White Thorn is a very being cooked, the peach and pear lose their flavor, but 
of a branch, w jio w j[[ 8 py that the Damson family is nut much 
improved by cooking, and there is no fruit, if we 
except the cranberry, that is equal to it for tarts, 
pies, and sauce, while for bottling, this class of plums 
is uneqnaled. 
The plum is now sought by shippers for the 
Eastern and the Canada markets, and last season I 
noticed threo dollars per bushel was paid for good 
plums, while the best English Damsons were eagerly 
purchased at four dollars per bushel for the Montreal 
market. I sold some at this price, ami was informed 
by the purchaser that ho had a contract for all he 
could furnish at $(i., r )(l in Montreal 
diversified with rock, wood and water. The scenery 
is picturesque ami grand, and the natural advantages 
and capabilities of the place are well appreciated by 
the proprietor, and none of its natural beauties have 
been marred, but rather improved by art. In forming 
my designs, and in the execution ot the work as tar 
as completed, 1 have strictly adhered to the natural 
style, and my views in this respect have been in ac¬ 
cordance with those of the proprietor. In ground 
operations no leveling has been attempted, except to 
overcome some steep ascent in the drives, or to 
remove some slight obstruction on the surfaoo. I he 
fences, cates, bridges, Ac., are all executed in rustic 
Eds. Rural New-Yorker? —In reply to L. M. C„ 
St. Mary’s, 0. W., here are two recipes for making 
Toilet Soap, which are very good, at least, so I think: 
Transparent Soar.—O ne pound common bar soap; 
1 pint, alcohol; 15 drops citronclla, or other perfume; 
half oz. spirits of hartshorn. Have your soap cut 
very lino, put all the material in a clean iron kettle, 
stir it slowly until all is dissolved. Let it. just come 
to a boil, then take It up in any shape you please, lu 
molds or bars. 
White Bah Soap.— Eight quarts of water; I lbs. 
common bar soap; half pound sal soda; l o/,s. alco¬ 
hol; 2 ozs. saltpeter; 1 oz. borax. But all into an 
iron kettle, stir till all is dissolved, then boil ten 
minutes.—J. E. Wolcott, Pittsford, A'. V., 1801. 
\T 
COMMON WHITE THORN. 
The Flowering Thorns are a very interesting class 
of small trees, not as generally planted as they 
deserve to be 
pretty shrub, and we give an engraving 
but the Double 'White, and Double Red, and the Pink 
and Scarlet single varieties, make beautiful trees, and 
nothing is more beautiful when in flower. They can 
be obtained at most of our nurseries. The White 
Fringe ib a very small tree, growing from twelve to 
eighteen feet in height, bat flowering when quite 
small, and very desirable both on account of its large 
and fine foliage, and its singular fringe —like white 
flowers, having the appearance of cut paper. Where 
the Laburnum or Golden Chain is hardy, it should be 
planted, but in this latitude it is a little tender. We 
might add to this list, but our object is to name only 
a few of the best varieties. Of course those who have 
a large extent to plant will not neglect the Horse 
Chestnuts and other beautiful trees of large growth, 
both native and foreign. 
How to take Care op the Hair.— As to men, 
we say, when the hair begins to fall out, the best 
plan is to have it cut short, give it a good brushing 
with a moderately stiff brash, while the hair is dry, 
then wash it well with warm soap suds, then rub into 
the scalp, about the roots of the hair, u little hay rum, 
brandy, or camphor water. Do these things twice a 
month — the brushing of the scalp may be profitably 
done twice a week. Damp the hair with water every 
time the toilet is made. Nothing ever made is better 
for the hair than pure soft water, if the scalp is kept 
clean in the way we have named. 
The use of oUb, of pomatums, or grease of any 
kind, is ruinous to the hair of man or woman. We 
consider it a filthy practice, almost universal though 
it be^for it gathers dnst and dirt, ami soils.wherever 
it touches. Nothing but pure soft water should ever 
be allowed on the heads of children. It is a different 
practice that robs our women of their most beautiful 
ornament long before their prime; the hair of our 
daughters should be kept within two inches, until 
their twelfth year.— Hull's Journal of Health. 
gn<iuirie0 and Answers 
PEACHES FOR MARKET. 
Will you please inform mo and others tlie best ton varie¬ 
ties of peaches for market, commencing at the earliest, and 
so ouf I wish to plant »u orchard of about two thousand 
trees, and want to elect, so that I cau harvest at all seasous. 
Are free or cling stocks the best for budding?—8. H. ColK, 
Allenitiille, Indium. 1801. 
The kind of stocks will make no dilfcrence. Iu preference 
to naming the varieties best suited to this locality, wo give 
our Indiana friuud extracts from the Reports of several of 
the Western States to the American homological Society, of 
the varieties best suited to their several localities, judging 
that this course will best convey the information needed. A 
committee was appointed at the last session of this Society to 
prepare, with the aid of local committees, lists of fruits 
Adapted to OilVerenf -ectlons of the country, “ due. regard 
being bud to soil, climate, and other circumstances, aliectiug 
the tree and fruit.'" The committee, we undent tend, have 
entered upon their work with energy, and we anticipate great 
good from their labors, and much light upon the diBicult. 
question—What varieties are best adapted to the dilferout 
sections of the country? 
Thomas S. Kknnkdy, Chairman of the Kentucky Fruit 
Committee, makes the following report on Reaches:—“The 
following list of twelve varieties, which are named In tint 
order of ripening, and which embraces a period extending 
from July to October, is recommended for an orchard tor 
family use, of oue hundred trees, to bo divided In equal pro¬ 
portions of each kind. For an orchard of one thousand trees 
for market purposes, the earliest kinds sell for the highest 
prices, and the late varieties are generally in great demand 
for preserving; lienee a larger portion should bo of llie early 
and late kituls, when prices are high, instead Of the kinds that 
mature during the glut of the season. 
“ Early Tiilotson, free; Crawford s Early, free; New York 
Cling, (Syu., Rope's Cling); Van Zandt's Superb, free; Old 
Mixon, free; Catharine, cling; Crawford’s Late, free; Colum 
Now, 1 ilo not 
nay that thiB price may always he obtained, but T do 
think that good cooking plumB will always sell at a 
remunerating price. They bear transportation well, 
if picked at a proper time, and there is little danger 
from bruising iu shipment, while a few days’ delay 
that would ruin a cargo of peaches, causes no injury 
to plums. This makes them safe for shippers. 
Tlio Cureutia hud tb.. Ulauti K-n-t jiruwl or, injuri¬ 
ous to the plum that its culture for a time was almost 
abandoned, but. now they are not serious. A proper 
use of tho knife will prevent injury to the trees by 
the knot, while a little care will save abundance of 
fruit. This all will admit, I think, who have had 
experience during the past three or four years. 
Monroe Co., N. Y., 1801. Pbunibr. 
Apple Pie.—I t is a conceded fact that the most 
superior apples make but an insipid pie in the 
spring. I would like to give the numerous lady 
readerB of the Rural the benefit of my improved 
recipe, “if you please.” 
Make a nice, fluky crust, pare and cut the apples in 
rattier thick aliceB, spread them on yonr plate an inch 
thick, or more, sprinkle a handful of sugar over them 
(1 prefer white,) then spread two or three tablcspoon- 
fulB of currant jelly over them, a little flour from a 
Hour dredge, nutmeg, three tablespoonl'uls of water, 
and a lump of butter the size of a small butternut, 
and you will have a superior pie. Grated wtiite 
Bugar on the top crust beforo putting iu the oven is 
an improvement. To prevent the juice boiling out 
in the oven, wet the edges of your crust with the white 
of an egg; water will do, but egg Is better.— .). E. 
Wolcott, Pittsford, A T . Y., 1861. 
GRAFTING THE GRAPE-VINE 
daphne mezereon. 
In selecting Bukubs, it is best to do so with refe¬ 
rence to their season for flowering, so as to have as 
long a season as possible, and an uninterrupted suc¬ 
cession of bloom. First among the early spring flow¬ 
ering shrubs, is the Daphne Mezereon , tlie pink (lowers 
of which will begin to appeal about the lust of April 
in thiB latitude. This is followed by the Japan 
Quince, with its bright scarlet bloom, and Forsythia 
viriditsma, one of the prettiest of the early flowering 
shrnbB, the flowers appearing before the leaves, and 
some 
Jelly Cake.—T hree eggs; 1 cup sugar; half cup 
butter; lj cup flour; half teaspoon saleratus; bake 
in thin loaves. Spread the jelly on when the cake is 
warm, and roll immediately. 
Ginger Cake.— Two-thirds cup molasses; one- 
third cup butter; 7 table-spoonfuls water; oue tea¬ 
spoon ginger; half teaspoonful salt; half do. saleratus; 
li cup flour; bake quick. 
Ginukk Cookies.—O ne cup molasses; half do. 
butter; half do. water; half teaspoonful saleratus; 1 
do. ginger; flour sufficient to stiffen enough to roll 
out.—I da, Saw/uoit, A. Y., 1861. 
which one of the drives is carried, and which is 
marked 10 on tb« map, that is well worthy of notice, 
rising as it docs from the copter of the road with a 
A Delicate Dessert. Lay half a dozen crackers 
in a tureen; pour enough boiling water over them to 
cover them. In a few minutes they will be swollen 
to three or four times their original size. Now grate 
loaf sugar and a little nutmeg over them, and dip on 
enough sweet cream to make a nice sauce; and you 
have a delicious and simple dessert, that will rest 
lightly upon the stomach —and it is so easily pre¬ 
pared. Leave out the cream, and it is a valuable 
recipe for sick room cookery. 
AN ORNAMENTAL FARM 
We have in this country but few fine rural resi¬ 
dences,—such as would he called in Europe country 
seats,—all laid out in parks, lawns, and gardens, for 
beauty and pleasure, Buch as is very common in 
England, and which gives such a pleasant variety to 
its scenery. We do not regret that this is so, for 
where we find a few sufficiently wealthy thus to 
gratify their taste, we find many poor. Here wealth 
is divided among the people, few amassing a very 
large amount, and few fail to obtain sufficient to 
gratify all reasonable wants. But where persous 
have, by industry, or ability, or good luck, accumu¬ 
lated a large fortune, we are pleased to see them 
expend a portion in the cultivation of the beautiful 
trees and plants which the Creator has placed here 
for our enjoyment,—in showing how nature and art 
combined can make a copy, imperfect though it be, of 
the first and best of all gardens, where grew every 
tree that was pleasant to the sight and good for food. 
Such establishments serve as light-houses, to guide 
the masses in the work of improvement. 
Last season we received an invitation to visit the 
country seat of Wm. P. Lktchwoktu, Esq., on the 
A Cure for Rheumatism. —Bathe the part affected 
in water in which potatoes with their skins have been 
boiled, as hot as can be borne, just before going to 
bed. By the next morning the pain will be much 
relieved, if not removed. One application of this 
aim pie remedy has cured tho most obstinate rheu¬ 
matic pains. This is vouched for by au English 
paper; it looks to us like an “old soldier,'’ but if it 
lie a remedy, God bless the afflicted. 
Spreading Straw on Meadows, lea. - A number of sub¬ 
scribers, as well as myself, wish to know through the means 
of your valuable papnr, if the spreading of dry straw from 
tbs stack on meadows is of any, and if so, what benefit to it? 
also, would it bo a hew fit to spread it under apple trees which 
stand on meadow land? Any comments or suggestion* on 
the matter will be greatTully received. — Alonzo Deyo, 
Colon, 1861. 
Straw, or anything spread on the grass under young trees 
that would have a tendency to destroy tho gTass, would be ben 
etieial to the trees. This straw would do if thick enough to 
exclude light and partially the air. Of course this system 
would not bo advantageous to a meadow. Whether a light 
covering of straw would help the grass or not, we must leave 
to those who have tried the experiment. 
[SPECIAL NOTICE.] 
Ti*y it. —With these words the strauger put a package ol 
Dk Land is Co.’b Saleratus into Katk’b hand, and disap¬ 
peared. Ever after this memorable day, poor bread, dingy 
pastry, and sulphurous biscuit, were unknown in this fam 
ily, but tho fume of Katk’h excellent pastry, bread, Ate., 
spread over the wholu school district, and led many envious 
people to make the inquiry, “ Whose Saleratus do you use?” 
to which she invariable replied, D. if- I?K Land A Co.’s. It 
cun be purchased from most grocers and storekeepers, and is 
for sale at wholesale by the manufacturers, at Fair port, Mon 
roe Co., N. Y., and by the grocers in the cities and village* 
throughout the country. 
KORBYTHIA VIR1DIS3IMA. 
of a clear, deep yellow color. Our engraving shows 
a branch in bloom with the leaves just appearing on 
the point. 
From our notes taken last season, we find that 
the Tartarian Honeysuckle was the next in flower, 
followed by some of the early Spirieas, as Nicondertii, 
