stranger always pauses, and bears tribute to the 
taste of its inhabitants, while he walks beneath the 
grateful shade ot' its lofty rows of trees. Tot a 
large part of the finest of these trees were planted, 
and the whole ot the spirit which they hare inspired, 
was awakened by one person — Mr. Hillhuitse. He 
lived long enough to see fair and lofty aisles of ver¬ 
dure, where, before, were only row- of brick or 
wooden houses; and. we doubt not, he enjoyed a 
purer satisfaction than many great conquerors who 
have died with the honors ot capturing kingdoms, 
and demolishing a hundred cities. Lot no person, 
therefore, delay planting shade trees himself, or 
persuading his neighbors to do the same. Wher¬ 
ever a village contains half a dozen persons zealous 
in this excellent work of adorning the country at 
large, let them form a society and make proselytes 
of those who are slow to he moved otherwise." 
Growing Rosks from Cuttings by Amateurs. — As the 
season is drawing near for raising rose slips, r thought t would 
send ray way to the KtTRAt. readers, as l have been very sue 
cessful for several years. In the latter part of summer, or 
the first of fall, I take boxes about a foot deep or more, and 
lill them with rich dirt from the wood pile, thoroughly mixed 
with sand, t prefer to pull the slips instead of cutting them 
oil' the hushes. Tile slips should have not less than live eyes, 
though they ran be raised from less. Three of tile eyes 
should be placed under the ground; then put. where the 
morning and evening but not noon, sun can shine on them, 
and water them from two lo three times every day for live or 
six weeks, until they begin to grow nicely. After that, once 
a day is sufficient until cold weather sets iti. .lost before the 
ground begins to freeze., lmt them in the hotdied, and do not 
water them but two or three times during the winter. The 
boxes should lie mode very loose, so that the water can pass 
off rapidly. By following these rules l tiavc raised hundreds 
of roses from slips 
I raise many other things from cuttings ,n the same way 
Verbenas can be preserved through the winter in the hot-bed. 
I have the Rose Manual, written hy Uoiihrt IJuist, which 
l would recommend to the lovers of roses. — g. p ( Salem 
N. Y., 1862. 
nine-jointed; the crown of the head and eyes are. 
black, as are also three large continent spots in the 
center of the trunk, and also a large patch on the 
breast or sternum. 
situation, as oti the north Bide of a fence, but too much shade 
is not beneficial. By September the plants may be removed 
to the border, where they are to (lower. Give them a place. 
Where water will not lay during the winter or spring. Tho 
best hook for your use is The Plot err Garden -, by Bkkck. 
\Ye are still suffering in this section of the country 
from the extreme drouth, as we have had but one 
good shower in forty days. During that time only 
three-fourths ot' an inch of water has fallen, and our 
condition and wants may he very easily imagined. 
Strawberries are beginning to ripen, but the crop 
will he very light and the quality poor. The cher- 
r i es are suffering from drouth, and dropping from 
the trees, and seeds planted in the open ground have 
a hard time to get up, while it is almost impossible 
to transplant from the hot-betl or cold frame. The 
days are hot, but. the nights are cool, and nothing 
seems to make much growth. We are sorely in 
want ot warmth and moisture. We hear the same 
complain** from parts of Canada- 
On the night ot the 15th iusi, we were visited 
with a heavy frost, which did considerable damage 
in low grounds. We have seen scores of grape 
vine6 so injured as to destroy nearly all tire fruit, 
while tomatoes and other tender things are com¬ 
pletely ruined in particular locations. 
From some unknown cause we are remarkably 
free from insects this season. The orchards show 
very few caterpillars; that, pest, the currant worm, is 
doing less mischief than usual; and we have yet 
hardly observed the mark of the cureulio. The 
prospect is still good for an abundant crop of fruit. 
COFFEE SUBSTITUTES 
The love of coffee is an acquired taste. Perhaps 
nine-tenths of the families using it “burn” it almost 
to a coal, so that, in reality, any other burnt bitter 
would answer quite as well. In fact, multitudes in 
the far West, removed from markets, have become 
accustomed to use burnt, bread-crust as a substitute, 
which certainly is not injurious, but it. is a known 
fact that a cup of some mild, hot drink at meals is a 
a positive benefit, while a glass of the purest, cold 
water is as certainly an Injury, especially to invalids 
and to all who do not have robust health. 
The following substitutes for coffee have been col¬ 
lected, in all ol which it is suggested, first, that, the 
substitute be mixed with the genuine articles, half- 
and-half; second, that in order to know what, you 
are really drinking, roast and grind your own coffee. 
In this way only cun you know that you are not 
imposed upon, or may not. be drinking some cheap 
material, either filthy or poisonous. 
1. It is said that three parts of Rio, with two parts 
of old Government Java, well prepared, is quite as 
good, it not superior, to that made of tho latter alone. 
2. Wheat Coffee.—W heat coffee, made of a mix¬ 
ture of eight quarts of wheat to one pound of real 
coffee, is said to afford a beverage quite as agreca- 
GROWING DOUBLE FLOWERS 
We cannotexplain all that a correspondent would 
like to know about Double Flowers—why they be¬ 
come double, &c.; nor can we fell from the appear¬ 
ance ot a seed whether it, will produce double or 
single flowers. It seems to be admitted, generally, 
that, seed that have been kept a number of years 
will produce more double flowers than if sown the 
first season. In this opinion our correspondent is 
supported by good authority, yet we have always 
doubted whether there is any good reason for the 
belief. On this subject we give an extract from a 
volume of the lievue Jlorticole: 
“It is impossible for any inquiring mind not to 
attempt an explanation of the fact that many plants 
which, in a slate of nature, never present more than 
a single row of petals, begin to assume several rows 
under continued cultivation 
Ornamental Grasses.— For forming largo beds or groups, 
the ornamental grasses are very interesting, and to many may 
make a new feature in the appearance of their grounds. 
Zen Mays, or Indian corn, llnlcus saeckaratus — all the 
African varieties are very striking; their long leaven mottled 
with various colors produce r singular ofttect Rryanthus 
Ravennea and Gynerium orgmteum are both splendid for u 
collection. They can bo grown from seed, as the above are, 
and planted out in the beds. Panicurn, Ttalicum and Sorghum 
tricolor can both he planted out in the open ground Tho 
latter blooms early uml bears an abundance of millet seed, 
(t is very graceful and attractive. SUpa jimnatci is trouble¬ 
some to grow from seed, but after once getting it, it may bo 
divided every spring, like all other herbaceous plants, being 
perennial. Brisa maxima ., dwarf and pretty. The following 
lire especially worthy of selection: AgrostLs nebulosa, Avma 
sterilis, CUorU rndiata, Hordeum juhatum. Logurus ovalus, 
Pennixetum longistilwn, Tripsaemn daidyloides, Cypma 
aJnprcuroules. 
There are fifty others worthy of a place in an ornamental 
garden, and a collection would afford much amusement and 
instruction. The conn non (Jut-ex of the swamps is nil excel¬ 
lent plant of this kind for such a collection.—C. 15. M. 
GOOSEBERRY SAW FLY. 
The grub, cocoon, and perfect insect. 
The broods of caterpillars appear in succession 
occasionally from May till October, but in greatest 
numbers in June. After becoming full grown, the 
grubs descend to the earth, spinning themselves 
a yellowish cocoon, and in two or throe weeks, 
according to the warmth of the soil, come out again 
perfect insects or flies, ready to lay another brood of 
eggs. Thus u perfect succession is kept up us long 
as there are leaves to supply them wit h food. Those 
that descend late in the season, when the ground is 
cold, do not come out perfect insects until the fol¬ 
lowing spring. 
We don’t know of any remedy yet proposed that 
seems likely to stay the ravages of this destroyer, 
and we may have to abandon the culture of the cur¬ 
rant for a time. A few years ago we could not keep 
even a choice gooseberry in our garden without, 
constant watching. After several seasons of labor 
we dug up every currant and goose)awry bush, anti 
burnt them root and branch. Now, we have a few 
choice plants of gooseberries, and no insect casts a 
longing eye toward them. We presume they have 
been starved out or emigrated to better quarters. 
THE CURRANT WORM, 
Eds. Rural New Yorker: —How, or in what 
manner, do the worms that now so generally infest 
currant and gooseberry bushes, propagate, and 
wbat can be done to exterminate them? Would it 
it not be well to cut off, near the ground, the present 
growth of old bushes, and burn them, trusting to a 
new growlh thaUwill spring from the roots that 
remain? Are not those worms hatched in the cavi¬ 
ties of the old stalks? and do they not feed on the 
pith while in their first stage of growth, leaving, as 
soon as sufficiently matured for egress and locomo¬ 
tion, for outside depredations? Any one who will 
give sufficient light on the subject to enable us to 
effectually destroy these pests, will merit the thanks 
of community generally. 
I find, on examination of the old stalks of the 
currant bushes, that they have more or less cavities, 
caused by the eating out of the pith, with evident 
signs of the fact that small worms have inhabited 
these cavities, and have emerged from them, to com¬ 
mence their ravages on the leaf; and if this be true, 
it would lead us naturally to suppose that the de¬ 
posit (eggs) of the worm, or insect, is made in the 
crevices of the old and decaying stalks, where they 
are hatched, and while in the larva state find their 
way to the pith and feed upon it until they are per¬ 
fected in formation, which enables tbera to find their 
way to the outside in search of food. But this is a 
surmise of mine. I hope some one who has suffi¬ 
cient knowledge on this subject to set us right, will 
let his light shine. 
I have tried all the popular remedies, and all, with 
me, fail to accomplish the object I do not recollect 
of seeing anything in yours, or any other paper,con¬ 
cerning this scourge of one of the best family luxu¬ 
ries. Our currant bushes will be entirely destroyed 
as well as the fruit If any way is known to save 
both, it would be welcomed by thousands of those 
who love a dish of currant sauce for tea. I have 
asked these questions, and thrown out these ideas of 
my own, merely to see if anything can be learned 
beneficial in the matter. You will do as you see 
proper, of course, about giving the space to such an 
article. Alex. Coe. 
Albion, N. Y., Jane, 18C®. 
Tub worm that destroys the leaves of the ourrant 
Is not the same as that which enters the wood, but a 
far more numerous and destructive enemy. The 
latter is an JEgeria, and probably A. tipuUfarmis of 
Linneaub —a borer. The moth lays an egg near a 
bud, and when hatched the borer penetrates the 
wood to the pith, which it devours, and thus forms 
itself a burrow. As it increases in age and size, it 
enlarges the hole by which it entered, so that tho 
moth, to which it is soon transformed, may escape. 
In small limbs, so much of the wood is eaten away 
as to cause them to break, and in larger branches 
the foliage and lmit soon show signs of disease, and 
finally die. 
The worm that is destroying our currants and 
gooseberries by eating the leaves, is the grub of the 
Gooseberry Saw Fly. Wo have several times publish¬ 
ed a descri ption of this fly, and we have also given the 
various remedies recommended, yet with little faith 
that they would prove successful. The truth is, we 
have tried so many plans that we have become dis¬ 
couraged. It is easy to save afow plants, butthosewbo 
have a currant plantation must make up their minds 
to give about their whole time and attention lo the 
work of saving them, or yield gracefully and allow 
the insects peaceable possession. We have known 
scores of persons who commenced the season with 
strong faith in their ability to combat any army of 
insects that could be brought against them, yet who 
have acknowledged themselves completely routed 
before the end of summer. These currant worms 
are regular secessionists, there is no yielding or 
compromise about them,and theonly wayis to meet 
them iu a like spirit, and choke them to death, or 
trample them under foot. 
The grub that eats the leaves is the product of the 
Gooseberry Saw Fly, which emerges from its quar¬ 
ters in the ground, where it has lain iu a kind of 
coeoou all winter, some time in May, according to 
the forwardness of the season, and soou after the 
female begins to deposit her e,ggs on the under side 
of the newly expanded leaves, choosing the sides of 
the veins or nervures as a fitting place. The larva 
is hatched in about a week, aud commences feeding 
on the leatj increasing in Bize, and frequently chang¬ 
ing its skin, dll it is about three-quarters of an inch 
in length. It is now of a dull, pale-green color, the 
first thoracic segment being deep yellow, the penul¬ 
timate being aUo of the same color,; the feet, tail, 
and head are black, and each segment is dotted 
black also, some having as mauy as twenty-four 
spots arranged in lines dow n the back, white those 
on the aides are more irregular, with one Large one 
at the base of each foot They have six pectoral, 
sharp, horny feet; the fourth segment appears desti¬ 
tute of feet, but the six following are each furnished 
with a pair of legs, which assist them in walking; 
they have also a pair of feet at the extremity of the 
last segment 
In the fly state it assumes an ochreous color; the 
body is orange, sometimes bright; the wings are 
iridescent, and, when expanded, are about two- 
thirds of an inch in length; the anteunm are almost 
as long as the body, bristly, brownish above, and 
The effects of a richer 
Foil, and other genial circumstances, or the mere 
accident of double petals in one plant, transmitted 
with improvement through its progeny, are the com¬ 
mon explanations; and they are generally received 
as satisfactory, without reflecting that what we call 
accident is itself a result of some cause, and that 
change of condition must attack some physiological 
principle before it can have any effect iu modifying 
the character of a plant. Nothing is now so com¬ 
mon as double flowers; and to explain the phenom¬ 
enon, we must make practice agree with theory. 
Every gardener who bows seed wishes to obtain 
plants with double flowers, so as to have blossoms 
which produce the greatest effect Every double 
flower is a monstrous vegetable. To produce this 
anomaly, we must attack the principle of i ts crea¬ 
tion —that is to say, the seed. This being granted, 
let us examine in wbat way these seeds ought, to be 
treated. If, after having gathered the seeds of Ten- 
weeks’ Stock, for example, we sow them immedi¬ 
ately, the greater number of the seedlings will pro¬ 
duce single flowers; while, on the oontrary, if we 
preserve these same seeds for three or four years, 
and sow them, we shall find double flowers upon 
nearly all the plants. To explain this phenomenon, 
we say, that in keeping a seed for several years we 
fatigue and weaken it, so that the energy which 
would otherwise have been expended in producing 
stamens, produces petals, 
Strawberries in Missouri —I believe no report regarding: 
tlie vie Id and quality of various varieties of strawberries has 
appeared in the Rural from any point so far West as this. 
We arc now in the height of the strawberry season, and their 
yield lias been very abundant this year. The only misfortune 
is, that With us this delicious fruit is entirely neglected, con¬ 
sequently we are almost nimble to speak with Confidence in 
regard to lie comparative value of varieties. 
Of the varieties we cultivate, the Wilson’s Albany sustains 
fully the character given it, at, the Rost It is productive, its 
size is very large, the berry is firm, suitable for market The 
Boston Pine is not so productive as the former, hut it is nearly 
as large. The berry is also quite firm, the flavor pleasing ami 
aromatic. The Iowa is more productive than any variety we 
name, ripens very early, quality very good; the berries small 
to medium in size. Scott's Seedling is a promising Variety, 
we think highly suited to our Western climate, anil appears 
to endure dry weather without injury to fruiting or quality, 
The Early Scarlet is a fine variety; berries good size, quality 
very good; tho yield, however, i* medium Hooker’s Seed¬ 
ling and Triomphc do Gaud promise well. — A. Durreb, 
tyeitem Missouri, June 2, 1802. 
IMPROVEMENT OF GROUNDS 
The following valuable article on a subject of 
great interest to all who own'the soil on which they 
live, whether in country or village, is by A. .1. 
Downing: 
“ Pleasure and profit are certain, sooner or later, 
to awaken a largo portion of mr countrymen to the 
advantages of improving their own private grounds. 
But wo find that it is only under two conditions that 
many public improvements are carried on. The 
first, is when nearly the whole of the population 
enjoy the advantages of education, as in New Eng¬ 
land. Tho second, is when a few of the more spir¬ 
ited and intelligent of the citizens move the reBt by 
taking the burden in the liegirming upon their own 
shoulders by setting the example themselves, and 
by most zealously urging all others to follow. 
u The villages of New England, looking at their 
sylvan charms, are as beautiful ns any in the world. 
Their architecture is simple and unpretending — 
often, indeed, meagre and unworthy of notice. The 
houses are surrounded by enclosures full of trees 
and shrubs, with space enough to afford comfort, 
and ornament enough to denote taste. But the 
main street ol the village is an avenue of elms, 
positively delightful to behold. Always wide, the 
over-arching boughs form an aisle more grand and 
beautiful than that of any old gothic cathedral. 
Not content, indeed, with one avenue, some of these 
villages have, in their wide, siugle street, three 
lines ol trees, forming a double avenue, of which 
any grand old palace abroad might well be proud. 
Would that those of our readers whose souls are 
callous to the charms of the lights and sh idows that 
bedeck these bewitching rural towns and villages, 
would forthwith set out on a pilgrimage to such 
places as Northampton, Springfield, New Haven, 
I’ittsiteld, Stock bridge, Woodbury, and the like. 
“ When we contrast with these lovely resting 
places for tho eye, embowered iu avenues of Elms, 
graoefully drooping like fountains of falling water, 
or Sugar Maples swelling and towering up like 
finely formed antique vases, some of the uncared 
for towns and villages in our own 8(ate, we are 
almost forced to believe that the famous common 
.'■ebook of New England teach the icsthetics of art, 
and that tho beauty of shade trees is the care of 
especial professorships. Ilomer and Y r irgil, Cicero. 
Manlius, and Tally, shades of the great Greeks and 
Romansk-our citizens have named towns after yon, 
lmt tho places that boar your names scarcely hold 
leafy trees enough to renew the fading laurels round 
your heads!—while the direct descendants of stern 
Puritans, who had a holy horror of tilings orna¬ 
mental, who cropped their hair, and made penalties 
for indulgences in fine linen, live in villages over¬ 
shadowed by the very spirit of rural elegance! 
•‘It is neither from a want of means, or want of 
time, or any ignorance of what is essential to the 
beauty of body or ot mind, that we seo this neglect 
of tho public becomingness. There are numbers of 
houses iu all these villages, that boast their pianos, 
while the last Paris fashions are worn in the par¬ 
lors, and the freshest periodical literature of both 
sides of the Atlantic fills the center tables. But 
while the comfort and good looks of the individual 
are suffici *nHy cared for, the comfort and good 
looks of tho towu are sadly neglected. Our educa¬ 
tion here stops short of New England. We are 
elow to feel that the character of the inhabitants is 
always, in some degree, indicated by the appear¬ 
ance of the town. It is, unluckily, no one’s espe¬ 
cial business to ornament the streets. No one feels 
it a reproach to himself, that verdure and beauty do 
not hang, like rich curtains, over tho street in which 
he lives. And thus a whole village or town goes 
on from year to year, in a shameless state of public 
nudity and neglect, because no one feels it his par- 
t cular duty to persuade his neighbors to join him 
in making the town in which he lives a gem of 
rural beauty, instead of a sorry collection of unin¬ 
teresting houses. 
“ It is the frequent apology of intelligent persons 
who live in such places, and are more alive to this 
glaring defect than the majority, that it is impossi¬ 
ble for them to do any thing alone, and their neigh¬ 
bors care nothing about it 
“ One of the finest refutations of this kind of delu¬ 
sion exists in New Haven. All over the Union, 
this town is known as the “ City of Elms.” The 
Death op M. Vtlmokts, Sr.— By recent advices from Paris, 
we learn of the death of this distinguished horticulturist, oil 
the 21st of March, iri the With year of his age. He was the 
founder of the well-known firm of Viltnorin, Andrienx & 
Co., one of whom, M Louis Vilinorin, a young mau of great 
scientific promise, died last year, as already recorded in the 
Gardiners’ Monthly. The business will he continued under 
the old name by Madame Louis Vilmorin and her sous.— 
Gardeners' Monthly. 
Some (if the best seeds we have ever procured in Europe 
were furnished hy this establishment. Our readers will 
recollect they were the first to introduce the New Double 
Zinnia. In. 18,52, we purchased of these gentlemen some 
Double China Pink seeds, and a part planted produced flowers 
so fine—much better than some we have procured with great 
names and some reputation — that we have planted a little 
every year since, and now have plants about ready to flower 
from seeds sown late last season This shows that Chiuu 
Pink seed will retain its vitality for a long time. 
Then, when we place it 
in a suitable, soil, we change its natural state, and 
from a wild plant make it a cultivated one. What 
proves our position is, that plants in their wild state, 
shedding their seeds annually, and sowing them as 
soon as they fall to die ground, yet in a long succes¬ 
sion of time scarcely over produce plants with 
double flowers. We think, then, after what we have 
said, that whenever a gardener wishes to obtain 
double flowers, he ought not to sow the seeds till 
after having kept them for as long a time as possi¬ 
ble. These principles are equally applicable to 
melons, and all plants of that family. Wc admit, 
like many observers, that melon plants, obtained 
from seeds the preceding year, ought to produce, 
and do produce, really very vigorous shoots, with 
much foliage; but very few fruitful flowers appear 
on such plants; while, on the other hand, when we 
sow old seed, we obtain an abundance of very large 
fruit. In fact, in all varieties of the melon, tho 
seeds should always be kept trom three to eight 
years before being sown, if we would obtain fine 
fruit and plenty of it.” 
We have kept Balsam and Ten-week Stock seeds 
for ten years, sowing some every year, and we could 
not discover improvement by age in any respect. 
Much more depends upon the manner in which the 
plant that produces the seed is grown than upon its 
age. The idea of the seed being fatigued or weak¬ 
ened by age so as to produce double flowers, seems 
to us very much like nonsense. What we want to 
produce good flowers, is short, stocky plants. If the 
plants become drawn when young, the flowers, as a 
general thing, will be worthless. 
Peggi.NO bows Rohes. — [ saw a method of training roses, 
last year. This is neither more nor less than simply pegging 
down roses so as to cover the whole surface of the soil in a 
bed, instead of training them up to stakes in the usual way. 
Strong forked branches of trees, cut so as to make pegs of 
them, are used, anil the beds are beautiful in the extreme, if 
such beauty can he aptly termed extreme. The beds 1 saw 
had but one kind in each,— one 1 remember was of Louis 
PhiUippc; this was crimson. Another was Cels, nearly .a 
white. There were also some beds with Hyrid Pn-petoaD, 
which, though not making such a brilliant effect as the former 
kinds, were very pretty indeed, and they seemed to flower 
much more freely treated in this way than when grown as 
usually, upright— Gardeners’ Monthly. 
Fried Cakes, Crullers, Ac.— Wishing to con¬ 
tribute my mite to the column of “ Domestic Econ¬ 
omy,” I send the following recipes: 
Fried Cakes. — Two eggs; two cups sugar; one 
cup butter; three of buttermilk; one spoonful soda; 
flour enough to make, quite stiff. These absorb but 
little fat, and are always very light. 
Crullers, —One teacup sugar; three eggs,—mix 
hard,—fry in lard. 
For Burns.— Indian meal poultice, covered with 
the moistened leaves of green tea, and laid over 
burns or frozen flesh, as hot as can be borne, will 
give relief in a few minutes.— M. L. Clark. 
Bangor (Mk.-| Horticultural Society.—T he following 
are the officers for 1802' President — Albert W. Paine. 
Vice President — Samuel 11. Dale. Recording Secretary — Fred. 
C. Low. Corresponding Secretary— J. Wingate Carr. Trias 
urer— John E. Godfrey. 
Fine Strawberries. — We are indebted to J. Smith, Esq., 
of I.e Koy, for a box ol' strawberries, the first of the season 
and as fine a lot as we could desire. They were Wilson’s 
Albany, very large and well ripened. 
^ovticultural 
Mr. J. G. VB1TCH, one of the most recent as well as one of 
the most successful collectors in Japan, has just returned to 
England after a two years’ trip, having already sent home 
many novelties. 
Fruit Growers’ Society op Western New York bolds 
its next summer meeting in this city on the 25th of June. 
Brooklyn Horticultural Society. —We are indebted to 
the Secretary, O. B. Miller, for the proceedings of the last 
semi monthly meeting of the Brooklyn llortieulturol Society. 
The exhibition of flowers and plants was an unusally inter¬ 
esting one, and quite a display was made of some remarkably 
fino strawberries from seedlings, cultivated by Mr. W. A. 
Burgess, of Glen Cove, L. I. They were collected together 
on separate plates, under the following liameB, General Scott, 
General Lyon, General Anderson, and Garibaldi. President 
Degraijw improved tho opportunity to make some remarks 
on a subject to which wo called the attention of readers of the 
Rural lust week, the very little genuine taste and love of 
flowers that exists among us, although there is abundance of 
love of display. He remarked that his position as President 
of tho Society in whiuh he had undertaken at one time to 
collect dues from members, had afforded him many i I lustra 
tions of the lack of taste and appreciation of the subject of 
horticulture among those who possessed green-houses attached 
to their dwellings, many of whom had them placed there 
merely for show—one wealthy gentleman residing iu this city 
that he could mention, even going so far as to make his green¬ 
house a source of pecuniary proJU arising from the sale of his 
Jloivers to gardeners fur bouquets. On one occasion, also, 
while visiting Che residence of a wealthy man of this city, to 
collect tho fees for his ticket of membership, a duty the Presi¬ 
dent hail volunteered to perform in his eagerness to see the 
Society sustained, he was met with a rebuff that showed the 
character of the man he was applying to. Fortunately this 
tasteless dollar- worshiper had a sensible lady for his wife, 
who happened to be in the parlor ut the time her husband 
was excusing himself for not paying the fee of three dollars 
for the member’s ticket. On inquiring of her husband who it 
was lie was talking to, he replied that it was “the collector of 
the Horticultural Society.” This lady, It appears, possessed 
some taste, and fully appreciated the advantages derivable 
from the Society, and therefore, requesting the collector to 
enter the parlor immediately handed the amount required to 
the President, at the same time expressing her hope that the 
Society would be fully sustained by the wealthy citizens of 
Brooklyn. After some further converse with the lady in 
question, the President left, and having promised to send her 
some flowers, he made up a handsome bouquet from tho 
collection in his green-house, and sent the same with his 
complimeuts to the new lady member, and it was then only 
that she learned that the “collector” was the worthy and 
esteemed President of the Society. 
Coloring a Permanent Black.— Being a con¬ 
stant and interested reader of the Rural, and hav¬ 
ing gained much useful information from its domes¬ 
tic column, 1 would he pleased if some one would 
give me a recipe for coloring woolen yarn a perma¬ 
nent black, without causing it to become harsh and 
rough, as it does when colored hy the recipes I now 
possess, and oblige— Mrs. A. V. B., Brighton, 111., 
1862. 
imiuUlts and gtwsMMia 
How CAN Ants he Destroyer 0 —If you, or any nf your 
readers, know what will destroy ants, both black and red. in 
flower beds, without lulling the flowers, you will confer a 
favor on several readers of tile Rural by answering through 
its columns. They make their ue-ts in among the roots, and 
soon kill them, uuless removed.—N. G. N . Hopewell Center 
Baker’s Gingerbread.— One quart molasses; 
four ounces butter; one ounce alum; one ounce 
pearlasb; one ounce ginger. Dissolve tho pearlash 
in vinegar, boil tho alum in three gills of wafer, 
which must be put in last, make soft dough, bake 
fifteen minutes.— Mrs. H. H., bYedonia, N. I". 
•'Frosty” Localities— Tiikir Cause. —I wish to inquire 
through the medium of tho Rural the causes of frost in cer¬ 
tain localities, while others, having apparently the same soil, 
climate, and altitude, are comparatively free from frost Iii 
the counties of Steuben, Schuyler, and Yates, in all of tho 
valleys that have an outlet to the south, it is frosty, and those 
having an outlet, lo the north are comparatively free from 
frost. Where two streams rise and run toward such ottier, 
and form one stream, the one that rises in the north and runs 
south is frosty and the one running toward the north is com¬ 
paratively free from frost. In all the valleys having* northerly 
outlet, the soil is well adapted to growing all kinds of fruit 
and grapes, but in the valleys having a southerly outlet, no 
fruit can be grown with success, except apples, and they arc 
not a sure crop.—B. 8 , Barrington , .V K, 1862. 
To ColorOrange—Washing White Merino.— 
Will some one through your paper give a recipe for 
coloring orange on cotton, and also how to wash 
white merino and flannel, to keep if clear’ and nice? 
—M. H. R., West Milton, IFw., 1862. 
Quinces. — Wc have a couple of quince trees which we 
bought of a (raveling agent some eight or nine years ago. and 
they nevci have borne any fruit. Is it because they have 
never been grafted? If they need grafting, what kindWould 
be the best lor this part of the State? Will you, or some of 
your numerous renders, please auswer rue?— Myra A. Haw¬ 
kins, Herkimer, N. J", 1862. 
We cannot say what is the difficulty with your quinces. 
They should bear fruit of some kind, even if not worked. 
Perhaps the growth Ls too luxuriant, and a little root pruning 
may induce fruitfulness. 
Fried Potatoes. — Can some of tho Rural’s 
readers give the method of preparing and cooking 
the celebrated fried potatoes which we find in 
saloons, restaurants, >fcc., and oblige a constant 
reader?—R., Homer, M Y., 1862. 
Leopard Cake. — 1 would like to inquire through 
the columns of the Rural for a recipe for making 
Leopard Cake. Will some one inform and oblige— 
H. E. S., Berkshire, N, Y., 1862. 
Growing Perennial Flowers. —Will you please answer a 
few questions through the Rural? Du you think it too lute 
to sow seeds Of perennial flowers, such as Columbine, Aconite, 
and Campanula, or Everlasting Peas? Does the book you 
advertise, /‘leery Lw.ty her own Flower Gardener, give direc¬ 
tions for cultivating all sorts of annual and perennial flowers, 
and do you think it a* good a guide as the more costly books? 
—N. H. H., Nassau, liens. Co., N. i'., 1862. 
Any time in June, or early in July, will answer for sowing 
seeds of perennials. They do best if sown in a rather cool 
Tomato Wine. — Will some of the numerous 
readers of the Rural please give a recipe for 
making tomato wine, and oblige — A Subscriber? 
Bloomfield , N. J., 1862. 
