B75 
HYACINTHS FOR WINTER FLOWERING, 
Few prettier or cheaper winter floral ornaments 
can be obtained than is furnished by a dozen or even 
half this number of Hyacinths, They can be grown 
so easily, and in ao many ways, either in glasses, or 
dishe9, or little pots of earth, and are sure to flower, 
their colors are so brilliant, they are so fragrant and 
of such fine habit, that it seems as though everybody 
would obtain a few to beguile the dreariness of win¬ 
ter. Good bulbs can be obtained of most nursery¬ 
men and florists at from SI to SI.50 per dozen. The 
following on the subject is from the London Gar¬ 
deners '' Chronicle 
Hyacinths in Glasses.— The bulbs should be 
firm, clear, and evenly formed, not over large, (the 
different sorts vary considerably la size,) and per¬ 
fectly sound. The glasses should be nearly filled with 
soft water, just so that when the bulb is placed in its 
position it may all but touch the surface of the svater. 
After planting they should be set away in a close, 
dark place, w. erc the temperature is moderate and 
equable, and the atmosphere at least not parching; 
no place la better thau an ordinary cellar. They 
remain in this position for n month or six weeks 
until roots have become freely developed, and then 
may be removed to a cool room, and gradually innred 
to bear exposure to the full light. The glasses are to 
he kopt filled up with water as it wastes: and the 
water is not to be used at a temperature below that 
of the room, and need not be changed unless it 
becomes offensive, which is seldom the case. A 
cool room, where they can be fully exposed to the 
light, is the best place for them after the leaves are 
put forth, but in cold weather they must be removed 
from the window at night or they will be liable to 
sustain an injurious check if the temperature falls 
very low. A portion may be accelerated by being 
kept in a warm living room after they begin to grow. 
Hyacinths in Bowls and V asks. — When Culti¬ 
vated in howls or vases, the vessel may fce filled 
either with clean damp moss or moistened sand, the 
former being pressed moderately firm. In either 
case the bulbs should bo placed so as to leave about 
one-third of their upper surface exposed. Like those 
in glasses they should be set in a dark, dampish place 
to root, before being exposed to light or stimulated 
by heat. The colors, too, should be tastefully 
grouped, and the vavlcties selected with reference 
to their vigor, so that the tallest may occupy the 
center of the gror.p. 
By another plan it has been recommended to place 
the bulbs in a flat dish of porcelain, glass, or other 
material, in which about half an inch of water is first 
put. Under such conditions the roots are sure to 
spread horizontally and to clasp each other so as to 
form a mutual support. Shallow vessels of ordinary 
pottery ware might be planted in this way, and after¬ 
wards set Into ornamental dishes, the coarser mate¬ 
rial being hidden by a covering of moBB. 
Hyacinths in Pots. After all, however, there is 
no mode Of culture within doors which iB so thor¬ 
oughly satisfactory as pot culture, and we conclude 
this notice with tho following very judicious sum¬ 
mary of this method of cultivation from the Bulb 
Catalogue of Mr. W. Paul, of Waltham Cross, who 
has been a successful exhibitor, and herein explains 
the ground of biB success: 
11 Hyacinths for winter flowering in potB may bo 
potted from September to Christmas, in order to 
secure a succession of bloom. October iB perhaps 
the best time for potting the mass. Fill the pots 
with a compost of turfy loam, with a plentiful admix¬ 
ture ofsand and well decayed manure. Five and six 
inch pots are the sizes ordinarily used; but I prefer a 
deeper pot, with more upright sizes, and would 
recommend such when it can be procured. In pot¬ 
ting, one-third of the bulb should be left above the 
surface of the soil, and the pots should be placed on 
the level ground, out ol doors, having previously 
taken precautions to prevent the ingress of worms 
through the holeB at the bottom of the pots. Cover 
the pots with six inches of cinder ashes, coarse sand, 
or any porous material, leaving them so covered for 
at least a month, then removing them at intervals as 
required to a cold frame or forcing honse. As the 
leaves expand, place the pots close to the glass; give 
plenty of air and water, and protect from frost.” 
Persons need not take so much trouble to secure 
fair flowers. Fill the pots nearly full of earth, and 
plant the bulbs, as recommended above. Allow them 
to remain in a place of moderate temperature and 
somewhat dark, until evidence of growth is seen, 
then bring them to the light, and keep moderately 
warm and well watered. 
DWARF CHERRIES. 
The cherry on the Mazzard stock makes a large 
tree; yet the form is bo good that in many gardens it 
takes the place of shade trees, and is better adapted 
for this purpose than any of our common fruit trees. 
The Heart and Jiigarrenu varieties are of much 
larger growth than the Duke and Morello. Both of 
the latter grow slowly, have erect branches, and when 
mature, make very pretty trees. Where both shade 
and ornament are desired, as in village or city door 
yards, the more free growing varieties should be 
selected; but of late, and particularly in severe cli¬ 
mates, the cherry has suflered by bursting of the 
bark, and thousands have been destroyed. The 
attention of fruit growers has been called to this 
subject, and the only feasible remedy seems to be 
the planting of dwarf trees, that are less exposed on 
account of their small size, while at the same time 
the trunk is protected by the branches. The Mahaleb 
stock is well adapted for this purpose, as it makes the 
trees smaller and more prolific. It is also hardier 
than the Mazzard, and will flourish on many soils 
where the latter would perish. For Bmall gardens, 
too, the dwarf cherry is especially desirable. 
On the value of the Mazzard stock we give the fol¬ 
lowing opinions of some of the most experienced 
Pomologists in the country, as expressed at a meeting 
of the Fruit Growers of Western New York: 
W. P. Townsend thought the wood of the Mahaleb 
stock more dense and hardy than the Mazzard, and 
the tree is not as subject to bursting of the bark. 
Some varieties are peculiarly adapted to this stock. 
Geo. EllwangKr. — The Mahaleb answers on a 
greater variety of soils than the Mazzard, and is par¬ 
ticularly adapted to a clay soil. The bark is not as 
liable to burst as upon the Mazzard stock. In fact 
some varieties now cannot be grown to advantage on 
that stock. This is the case with the Black Tartarian 
and Kirtland's Mary. When worked low the hud will 
not outgrow the stock. Grown in this manner, they 
stand the winters well. The tree when young makes 
a vigorous growth on Mahaleb stock, but after three 
years old the growth is slower, and the tree is not as 
large. 
CuA3. Downino. — There is a tree in my neigh¬ 
borhood on the Mahaleb stock, 18 to 20 inches in 
diameter, 40 years planted. This stock is no doubt 
better adapted to the South and West than Mazzard. 
The engraving represents a tree of Knight's Gariy 
Black, about ten years old, trained in pyramidal 
form, growing in the gronnds of Ellwangkr A 
Bakhy. These gentlemen say:—“ Wecan recommend 
this mode of training for all garden cherry trees, as 
superior in all respects to the old standard form, 
requiring long ladders to reach the top, either to 
prune or gather the fruit. The trunk of the treo is 
always protected by the branches, and avoids the 
accidents and diseases which, in the standard form, 
they never escape. No trees in our grounds have been 
more admired during the past seven or eight years than 
our pyramid cherries. The Mahaleb stock readily 
adapts itself to almost every variety of soil, which 
the Mazzard cannot do.” 
the hawthorn hedge. 
Eds. Rural Nkw-Yorker:—I was much pleased 
with tho remarks of Mr. Enoch Williams, in No. 42, 
on the subject of Hawthorn Hedges. With him, I 
think the great trouble is “its vigorous growth,” 
henoe I have ever discountenanced manuring, but 
our people are so fast a people that they destroy 
their object by a bad beginning. I will give yon an 
instance. One of the beat raisers of the Hawthorn 
I ever knew wub engaged to put in a hedge for a far¬ 
mer in this town. Uo did it, and did it well. The 
farmer inquired if the application of a heap of hog 
manure would not be of benefit. The man being but 
a new arrival, ana not knowing the nature of our soil 
and’ climate, replied affirmatively. Tho result was 
the plants so treated were killed by aphis. This I 
have found to be invariably the ease. A neighbor of 
mine learned this by experience,— and came near 
killing his hedges, in the same wuy, ten years ago,— 
and yet I perceive another close by has followed, this 
fall, the same course of manuring; next summer and 
fall he will discover his error. People are apt to 
think an excessive growth a desideratum in a hedge 
plant. Such is not the truth. Experience Rays 
such is not the case. 
It is this unjust desire that causes me to advise 
plushing. A plashed hedge I abominate, though the 
Yorkshire farmer says a seuure fence cannot be made 
in any other way. Mr. Williams’ objections are 
both admissible and inadmissible. Plashing by cut¬ 
ting has the evils lie speaks of; but plashing may be 
effected in other ways without injury to the stock, 
save an unsightly fence, when devoid of foliage, which 
it is generally from five to six months yearly. 
To obtain a good hedge requires from four to six 
years. 1 have made it in three years, by using extra 
sized plants, and extra care. A slow growth will 
give a better hedge, one that will require less atten¬ 
tion when arrived at maturity, than the most thrifty 
plants that can be obtained will do. 
I have seen much on the subject of Willow as a 
profitable plant for hedges. 1 have an idea that I 
know a plant less objectionable and far more profit¬ 
able, that I may at a future day say somewhat about. 
Skanesteles, N. Y., 18(51. W. M. Beauchamp. 
WESTERN EDITORIAL NOTES. 
THE EARLY MAY CHERRY. 
I uave just received from my friend, Hon. M. L. 
Dunlap, his Illinois Farmer for October, in which 
he announces to his readers that he has visited 
James Waxeman, “the owner of the large orchard 
of the May Cherry,” Ac., Ac. It Is the same Ja MRS 
Wakeman of whom the writer wrote in his notes 
published in the Rural July 13th. It will be remem¬ 
bered that I wrote of the Early Richmond cherry—it 
being the one cultivated by Mr. Wakeman. 
Now the cherry referred to is either the Early 
Richmond, or it is not. Mr. Wakeman calls it the 
Early Richmond; Mr. Dunlap the Early May, or 
rather the “May Cherry,” which is, according to 
Elliott, a synonym for the Early May, which is the 
right name for a cherry described on page 217 of 
Elliott’s Fruit Book. The question is, which cherry 
is Mr. W. cultivating in his orchard and sending all 
over Ihe country? If it is the Early Richmond, as 
ho believes, and which the writer believes it is, 
according to Elliott, it ought not to be called the 
Early May or the May Cherry by any one; especially 
should it be correctly called by our venerable friend, 
so long identified with pornologlcal matters in the 
West. If, on the other hand, Wakeman is wrong 
and Dunlap is right in calling it the Early May, the 
question ought to be established beyond ft doubt, 
and the public taught to know and call it by its 
proper name. 
The writer believes the cherry cultivated so suc- 
cessly by Mr. Wakeman, and his neighbor, Mr. Cask, 
to be the Early Richmond without the shadow of fi 
doubt; and he does not believe the Early Richmond 
and the Early May identical, by any manner of means; 
therefore lie believes bis friend Dunlap unmistakably 
wrong in calling Wakkman'h cherry anything else 
than the Early Richmond,—and this conviction is 
expressed with the most profound respeet for Mr. 
Dunlap’s age, experience and wisdom. 
The writer has carefully compared the fruit grown 
in Mr. Wakkman’b orchard with the description 
given by Elliott, several times, and believes it to 
be identical. Elliott calls it productive, as it is; 
he also calls it worthy general cultivation indis¬ 
pensable to every garden”—which is true. But he 
places tho Early May in the list “unworthy of culti¬ 
vation,” which is the right place for it, as it has 
been found throughout this State by the writer. 
A case in point. A few weeks since I visited Mr. 
Dunlap and onr mutual friend H. L. Brush, E«q., 
of Ottawa. We had been walking through tho vine¬ 
yard and orchard, when we came upon a group of 
cherry trees. “There,” said he, “are some of our 
friend Dunlap's Early May cherry trees.” 
“Well, what do you think of them? Are they 
productive? and are they identical with the Early 
Richmond ?” 
“Why, you know Mr. Dunlap claims they are 
identical; but the Early May I got from him are 
worthless. They arc unproductive, and kill down 
hero winters; whilo the Early Richmond which we 
get from Wakkhan and Kknnicott bear early, are 
hardy, and extremely productive.” 
I repeat this conversation to show that the cherry 
which my friend Dunlap sold to Mr. Bursa as Early 
May is radically unlike that obtained from Mr. 
Wakkman as Early Richmond. The dissimilarity, 
according to the testimony of Mr. Brush, is a very 
important one Indeed—precisely the same, substan¬ 
tially, as that made by Elliott. 
The trees referred to were sold Mr. Brush some 
years since; doubtless Mr. Dunlap has the Early 
Richmond now; indeed, the writer is confident ho 
has seen it on his grounds; but if he has, and is 
selling it as the Early May, or May Cherry, ho is, In 
my opinion, Committing a serious pomological sin,— 
and I have great respeet for his venerable self. 
It is a matter of not a little importance, this ques¬ 
tion in nomenclature, and ought to be settled. Will 
my friend D. aid in doing it? 
Smlicnltnvat Uoteisi. 
STRIKING CUTTINGS IN AUTUMN. 
Is a communication which appears in the Journal de la 
Societe Imperial* et Cenlrate d’ Horticulture, from M. Varan got, 
of Mulun (Seine et Marne.) the author gives, in the first 
place, an account of the usual mode of propagating rosea In 
France, and then reports in detail the plan which ho himself 
successfully practices. 
It is the custom, says M. Varungot, of those who propagate 
roses to be grown on their own roots, to form the cuttings 
before the plants make their spring growth, inserting them 
either under glass or out of door*, in a bed dug out to the 
depth of eight or nine inches, and filled up witli prepared 
soil, leaving ouly one eye of the cutting above ground. This 
mode of proceeding answers very well for Bengal*, Teas, 
Noisette*, and Bourbons, but it is not so Successful in the 
case of the Hybrid i’erpetuuls and other hard wooded kinds. 
Growers of roBes on ihcir own roots generally make the 
cuttings while the shoots are in leaf, and as soon ax the 
wood is well ripened, during the lime of, or after (lowering, 
especially iu the cate of now varieties. Tho cutting pots are 
plunged in a bobbed among tan or sawdust. The bed is 
made up as near the glass as possible, and the cuttings are 
covered with bell or hand-glasses. They arn inspected daily; 
to prevent dumpning off, the glasoes arn wiped, the air is 
renewed, water is given when necessary, and shading is 
afforded from strong sun, but otherwise light is freely 
admitted. 
To tavo trouble, the glass is sometimes white washed; but 
this causes the plant to draw, and occasionally to die off. 
Nevertheless, under such circumstances, many of the most 
easily propagated varieties are struck. 
Others take the cuttings after (lowering, and before the 
second flow of sap, (which usually takes place in August,) 
choosing the young shoots produced iu spring, and strike 
them, without the aid of bottom heat, under cloches or 
frames in a shady situation on a bed of soil prepared for the 
purpose. They make the cuttings in the same way as iu 
propagating in fpring, retaining some portions of the leaves, 
usually the first pair of leaflets at the base of the leaf-stalk. 
This mode is partially successful as regards Bourbons, 
Noisettes, and Tea roses; but it is unsatisfactory In Its v-suUb 
w hen applied to Pei petunia and other hybrids with hard wood. 
iu my autumn practice, I have not ouly been successful 
with thft varieties which are the most difficult to propagate, 
but I have even found that there is au advantage in striking 
cuttings in autumn; for kinds may be thus preserved which 
are liable to be killed dowu by frost, so that no cuttings 
could be obtained from them in spring; as, for instance, Teas 
and others with tender wood, which are often killed to the 
stalk in severe winters. The mode of proceeding which I 
have adopted involves but little trouble. Iu September or 
October, when the young wood is well ripened, I take off my 
cuttings and cut them in the usual manner in two or three 
eyes, according to the distance which these arc apart, taking 
care at the same time to retain a portion of the principal 
leafstalk and some of the stalks of the ffrst leaflets, f then 
put them singly iu small cutting pots or in pans, using plenty 
of drainage and filling op with peat, or with a compost of 
fiand and leaf mold. 1 plant with a small dibber, pressing 
the soil firmly to the base of the cutting. I then water, and 
pUmge the pots to half their depth on a bed sloping about 
six inches, and welt exposed to the sun; then I cover with 
hand-glasses, lu a fortnight or three weeks, the cuttings 
will have collused and emitted some rootlets. At thiB season, 
they do not succeed well in the shade, especially if put in 
near evergreens. An old melon bod is very suitable, n« it 
does not afford too much moisture, Shading should be 
attended to for some time, .is t.he autumn buo has stilt great 
power. At the end of a fortnight, air must be giveu by raising 
the edges of tho hand-glass ou a small pot. 
When frost sets in, the glasses are kept perfectly close, and 
leaves put round almost ns high as the tops of the hand¬ 
glasses. Shading is not required from November till March; 
during which period the cuttings are left to themselves; 
nevertheless, it is well to give air in favorable weather, and 
to stir the soil occasionally. By April or May. the pot* will 
be filled with roots, even iu the ease of the most difficult 
varieties to strike. The young plauts are now slightly 
shaded, and gradually inured more and more to air and suu. 
When this has been effected, all that is to be done is to take 
off the hand-glasses, remove the cuttings to another spot, 
cut off the points of tho yowxg shoots, and plucb off tho 
flower buds, lu order that tho plauts pmy gain streugth and 
throw out branches. Tho pots are then plunged iu a hod iu 
the open air, advantage being taken 0 p mild weather to ropot. 
In June, all those which have been struck iu the name pan 
are separated, so as to preserve as far as possible a ball to 
each, potted singly, and piuuged to half tho depth of the 
pots; they require to be shaded for n short time, but they 
soon begin to grow, auit will cotne into Mower at tho end of 
tho season. They will then bo well established plants, „uita 
ble for sale or for planting out. 
This mode of proceeding requires less time and trouble, and 
is less expensive than where artificial heat is employed.— 
Gardeners' Chronicle. 
Fruit and Pnouroc in tuk New York Market —Many 
frnit growers now consign their products to New York, to 
the care of commission merchants. A few hints on the sub¬ 
ject will bo of advantage to many of our readers. Hat every¬ 
thing up iu ncut packages, and mark plain directions on each 
that cannot be rubbed off, including weight ami tare, uumber 
or quantity, with namo of article, always, If fruit, giving the 
name of the variety. Always send a bill with the packages 
and another by mail, with notice when and by what convey¬ 
ance the things are forwarded The commission ranges from 
five to ten per cent., according to quantity, trouble, See. The 
following are the present prices, aa reported in the ,V. m lurk 
Tribune .- 
Potatoes - The receipts continue light, and prices of I’uach 
blows and common sorts are Rgai^higher. We quote 
Peach blow*, Northern, ¥1 bbl. .JU.ffffyd.H 
PcucUblows, .Imsoy, hbl. ...... . l.euSjll.50 
Buckeyes, )) bid . 1.88® 1,50 
Me we i choice, );) bid. l,876jl2.0O 
Mercers, Rochester, iu bbl., in bbls. . -miz.iio 
Mercers, fro.v. »} bid.. l,MXad.7S 
Mercers, seedling, j-,1 bbl... 2.00(h.*: 12 
Rough and Ready, Troy, ¥1 bbl. .. 1 20dm.Ml 
Jackson W(liter, V bbl.. -(ill,28 
Junes, 1 I bbl fi i 2 s 
Prince Alberts,Tff bbl. —Ml.38 
Western Beds, 'll bill . —(iSi.lZ 
Nova Ncollas, line!, . Dipii 45 
Sweet Potatoes, lu bids. . .3.23(„)3.fl0 
fresh fruit. 
AI'vi.ks—T he market is again better. The receipts from the 
West are now principally of Winter fruit. Mixed lota are brine 
ing $2.75®S.00 )» bill. 
Ckanukiuukr- - Extra, (!) bbl., $7. do., good to choice, $0.000ii 
$5.50. 
Dmitri Fruit — Wo quote. 
Now State Apples, ’iff tb. /PihdfiVc 
New Western, (I lb.. ft (iilftfj 
Cherrieq. .. 18 rtui'J 
Dried Peaches, now.10 (t 018 
plums, choice, ip lb.H Sift 
Raspberries,. 18 fold 
Blackberries,.. . .0 Mil) 
Onions Red, ii) hbl , ; Yellow, (I bbl., *1(<L1.25; White 
$l.2f<u c ; bunch., 'll hood., $2®2.Z5. 
Tuauti'M, KI'TAIUOA — gJ bid.. MJa7ftc. 
Marrow 8quASH —Jersey, (D bbl., 75e(pr$I ; Boston, $1.25. 
Chestnuts - )) bush., Ft.uooi 3.2ft. 
IIicKORV Nuts fl bush.. 75 c(«)$I.12. 
Honey Wo quote: Clover (in comb,) 11 lb., 15(ail8c ; Buck¬ 
wheat (in eoinb,) (.1 tb.. KK». r 12c. 
Illinois Static Horticultural SOCirty —Annual Meet¬ 
ing .— To all the Brotherhood of Rural Art and Science, West 
and East, and all who wish to learn the secret* of Horticul 
ture or nro willing to teach theta, I hereby announce our 
annual meeting for Tuesday the 3d day of December, 1861, at 
Bryan Hall, Chicago, to continue four (lays The Galena k 
Chicago Union, 0. & N Western, C. k Milwaukee, anil C. k 
St. Louis railroads have promised to return all 1,1 members ’ 
of the society free, and the O. B. k Quincy railroad for 
20 percent, of the ordinary fare. The other roads have not 
yet responded, but we have good hopes of them, aud alHO of 
the citizens of Chicago who have intimated their intention of 
joining us and extending tho usual hospitalities on such 
occasions to the distant membora and distinguished guests of 
the society. We shall have an unusnal ar»ount.of interesting 
business before us, and the discussions promise to take a 
broad range, *o as to embrace subjects oPgreat moment to 
the initiated horticulturist, and of equal interest to the taste¬ 
ful amateur, and unadvised begiuuer in the nursery,— lawn 
and garden,— in the orchard aud on the farm. 
Let all coinn prepared with notes Tor the information of 
others, or of questions to be asked, for we wish to publish a 
volume of Proceedings for the benefit of the North West. 
Bring specimens of fruits ror examination, and brief papers 
for reading or reference! Aud come, any way. I hope to 
meet at least two hundred of you, and shall try to do my 
part. The valuable volume of Slate Ag’l Transactions, con 
taining over 100 pages of Proceedings, is promised us for free 
distribution to members, who will also be entitled to copies 
of current publication. 
Boxes of specimens may be forwarded, by express or other¬ 
wise, care of Prairie Farmer Office, 204 Lake St., Chicago.— 
Jolts A. ItKNXrcoTT, Pres. III. Stale Hort. Society. 
Hawthorn Skkds anb Plants.— in answer to an inquiry 
on this subject, in onr last, it was slated that u wi cannot 
say where Hawthorn seed can be obtained, nor the price.” 
After our paragraph was written, aud indeed ready for tho 
pruKB, an advertisement of Hawthorn seed was received and 
inserted in the tamo paper—of course without our knowledge. 
We therefore repeat the advertisement this week, adding the 
fact (which we have just learned,; that the advertise, —a 
reliable English gentleman—can alxo furnish plants. 
Massachusetts Horticultural Society.—A t the annual 
meeting of this Society, recently held, the following officers 
were elected: President- Joseph IIkkck. Via p,rsulerd.<- 
(Vacancy) E. Wight, W. C. Strong,.!. F. C- Hyde. Treasurer 
— Wm. R. Austin. Corresptmding Secretary —Ebon Wight. 
Recording Secretary F. Lyman Winship. Professor of H»A- 
any and Vegetable I V, ;/.•■ inlay y —A^a Gray. I ’rofettor of Zoology 
— J. W. P. Jeoks, Prof-Sear of Horticultural Chemistry —A. 
A. Hayes. 
The Pittsburg Clmmide says that more than 12,000 gallons 
of wiue have been made this year in Alleghany county, Pa., 
exclusive of that made from grapes in private gardens. 
ittquules fttta 
Plants for Name. — Inclosed find specimen, the name 
of which I would be glad to know. It came up with some 
tomato plants. I got the seed* from Ontario county. If has 
live sty)*-* and petals. Think it is near Jletleborus or in I tell ch¬ 
orea 1 , Yon will confer a favor by giving me the botanical 
name— John W. Stkuaut, Pmn Van, A. Y. 1861. 
It is a AigclUi; probably .V. arvensis, 
I menu yon a specimen of a beautiful wild flower growing 
in wet situations. I would like to know the name.—C. F W 
Fne Co., .V. F, 1 SGI. 
Lobelia rartlinalis, or Cardinal Flower. 
Winter Covering for Strawberries, &C.— Can you 
inform me through the Rural what to cover strawberry 
plants with to keep them from freezing out of the ground? 
Also, cao you inform me where I can procure a good book on 
strawberry culture?—R yan W., Champaign City. Champaign 
Co., 111., 1861. 
Cover with leaves, if you cart procure them; if not, straw 
is tho next best material. Tho ouly book published on straw 
berry culture exclusively, is by R. G. Pardee. We can mail 
it, postage pre-paid, for 66 cents. 
Fruit Growing in Orange and Adjoining Counties.— 
Is the gravel and stoni soil among the hills of Orange and 
Rockland counties of New York, and the Northern counties 
of New Jersey adjoining, adapted to the growing of fruit, 
more especially the giape? A reply from parties having 
experience or knowledge will greatly oblige—S., Albany, N. 
x.j 1861. 
fttwsttf toiwmg. 
ARMY MITTENS.-TO PATRIOTIC WOMEN. 
In the Crimean war great numbers of the soldiers 
sent to the hospitals for treatment were there for tho 
solo reason that their hands hail been frozen, and the 
fore-finger seemed especially subject to the action of 
frost. Our Government furnishes no mittens for its 
soldiers, nor are the kind required for those iu the 
field, with 
“A thumb and finger 
To pull the trigger,” 
made by machinery, but must be knit stitch by stitch 
by the nimble fiugerB of our enterprising aud patri¬ 
otic women. 
Quarter Master General Mriok about two months 
since called on the people for some two hundred 
thousand pairs of such mittens to meet the wants of 
his Department. To a greater or less extent this call 
lias been met, no doubt, but. as the “ Soldier’s Mit¬ 
ten ” is a sort of uovelty in construction, we give, 
from an old New-Engluud newspaper, the following 
directions for their manufacture: 
“ Sol in Kit's Mittens. —Cast twenty-four stitches on 
the needles, aud twcuty-three on tho middle ono. 
Knit a long wrist ribbing two plain, two seam. Knit 
round once plain and the wrist is done. Then set 
the thumb by seaming a stitch and widening each 
side of the middle stitch on the needle of twenty- 
three stitches. Then knit once round plain, turning 
the seams, however. Then widen next time around, 
next inside of each of the seam stitches, on the thumb 
needle. Then knit plain twice round, only turning 
the seaniB. Then widen as before, then knit again 
twice plain, and so on until there are twenty-seven 
stitches between the seam stitches. Run a thread 
through the twenty-seven stitches, taking them off 
tiie needles. Cast ou ten stitches for the gore, aud 
narrow them away to one stitch, knitting once 
around between each narrowing —there will then be 
twenty-three stitches on each needle. 
Knit eight times arormd after finishing the gore. 
Then set the finger by taking off’ tho hand on two 
needles — eleven stitches on each—and east ten 
stitches on the third needle of tho gore - narrow off 
two stitches on tho gore, which leaves ten stitches ou 
each needle. The finger should be about three Inches 
— narrow off the gore on the hand. Knit up the 
hand and narrow It off a little longer than the 
finger. Take up the stitches for the thumb, and nar¬ 
row off the gore to ten stitches on each needle. Knit 
the thumb two and a half inches long.” 
Tt is to be hoped that the daughters of America 
will nromptly respond in a substantial manner to this 
cull of the Quarter Master General. Let there be no 
frost-bitten fingei’B among those who have gallantly 
gone to do battle for the country. Knitting Asaoci- 
tiona can exemplify “Women's Rights” in a more 
forcible manner than all the rostruma in Christendom. 
ii ii m . i * 
HINTS TO HOUSEKEEPERS. 
I am very much obliged to Lucie for tho recipe to 
make picture frames. I intend to try it. I wiah the 
lovers of the beautiful would oftener give us direc¬ 
tions for making some tasteful article to add attrac¬ 
tive fleas to our homes. In these “hard times” we 
have, some of ua, little means to expend for any¬ 
thing but the really essential things of this life — but 
our perceptions of beauty are just as keen, and the 
gratification of the taste just as soothing and refresh¬ 
ing to us aa though wo were children of fortune. 
And we do not need wealth for the accomplishment 
of this object,—onr own skillful hands may gather, 
these line Autumn days, from Nature's storehouse, 
many pretty things to arrange during the compara¬ 
tive leisure of the coming winter, to ornament our 
wallB and Bhulvea. Among these I would mention 
shell and cone frames, moss and Bholl bouquets, 
bouquets of Autumn leaves, fadeless llowcrs, and 
evergreens. Will not some of the Rural readers 
give ub various methods of making these and other 
ornaments? And will not those who are skillful in 
blending the useful and beautiful, impart their knowl¬ 
edge to others? How do you cover those comfort¬ 
able lounges so tastefully, those pretty ottomans, and 
footstools, and chairs, and sewing tables? 
Let each one who can, add his or her mite to this 
liBt of directions, and we will see what a constant 
source of pleasure may bo given to the home 
atmosphere. m. a. h. 
Portsmouth, R. I., Nov., 1861. 
M aking Brine for Beef. — Seeing an inquiry in 
the Rural for a recipe for making a brine for beef, 
to keep it through summer, I send you mine, which 
I have found to answer. Pack your beef close into 
the barrel, then take three ounces of saltpetre, ten 
pounds of salt, aud twelve quarts of water, for every 
ono hundred pounds of beef. Put these into your 
kettle and boil until well dissolved. Then pour boil¬ 
ing hot upon the beef, cover the barrel close to keep 
in the steam. If you want to dry any portion you 
can take it out of the brine in forty-eight hours aud 
hang up. In the spring take out the beef aud cleanse 
the brine, adding one-half the original quantity of 
salt and saltpetre, and as much water as will cover 
the beef when repacked, letting the brine stand until 
cold before pouring it ou the beef.— Robert Doug¬ 
las, 'Talley, Onon . Co., N , V., 1801. 
Citron Pie. —Take the citron when grown, and 
before it ripens, pare and cut in small pieces, stew 
until soft, in very little water. For each pio take half 
a teacup of sugar; one tablespoonfnl of butter; one 
heaping teaspoonl'ul of cream of tartar. Flavor with 
nutmeg or lemon, sprinkle a little Hour over the 
whole and bake with two crusts, same as apple pie. 
This recipe is for the benefit of those who have not 
the Pie Melon, and who live where they are obliged 
to eat turnips for apples.— Lucy A. Bkamuall, 
Wilmington, III., 1801. 
Popped Corn Pudding. —Take oue pint of popped 
corn and soak it iu one quart of milk for three hours; 
then add three pounded crackers; one egg, and salt 
and sugar to the taste. Bake three-quarters of an 
hour. 
Chicken Pie.—W ill some of the lady readers of 
the Rural give me the best method of making a 
Chicken Pie, and oblige— Anna C., Melrose, Wis, 
Boston Brown Bread.—M y wife wishes a recipe 
for making what is called Huston Hroum Bread, and 
what’kind of pan it is baked iu, whether tin, iron, or 
earthen? —n. S. A., Brooklyn, N. K, 1801. 
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