necessary on the part of the sap to make good the 
loss; and thus from above downward is that per¬ 
ceptible flow of the fluids of trees, which we call 
bleeding, effected. 
"The well known fact of trees sprouting in the 
spring, although felled in the autumn, proves that 
the sap bad not at that time quitted the trunk to 
take refuge in the roots. Such a common occur¬ 
rence should put people on their guard against 
falling into the vulgar errors on this subject.” 
most destructive to the cereal crops of all the feathered race 
Now, Bewick, in his “British Birds,” says: “It has been 
observed that a single pair of sparrows, during the time they 
are feeding their young, will destroy about 4.000 caterpillars 
weekly; they likewise feed their young with butterflies and 
other winged insects, each of which, if not destroyed in 
this manner, would be productive of several hundreds of 
caterpillars. 
In “ White’s Selbourne,” in a note, the editor says: “A 
young sparrow which I picked up in my garden, and placed 
in a cage for the purpose of ascertaining what food would 
be brought to it by its parents, was almost wholly fed on 
cockchafers. ' 
Lastly, I will quote Dr Stanley, the lute Bishop of Norwich, 
who states that 'sparrows feed their young thirty-sis, times 
in an hour, which, calculating at the rate of fourteen houre 
a day in the long days of spring uni summer, gives 3,500 
times per week — u number corroborated on the authority of 
TO MINERVA —A HINT 
A few of the herbaceous plants are in flower, but 
the garden at this season depends almost entirely 
upon the bedding plants and annuals for its beauty. 
There is no more interesting part of the garden 
than the herbaceous border. Every day almost 
during the flowering season it furnishes some new 
object of interest. And yet. the place devoted to 
these plants should not occupy a conspicuous place 
in the garden, as perhaps less than a quarter will be 
in flower at one time. He who places his herba¬ 
ceous plants on the lawn, or in any place where a 
constant display is required, therefore, makes a mis¬ 
take. Such beds should be occupied by plants that 
continue in flower during the whole season, like the 
Petunias, Verbenas and Scarlet Geraniums, or the 
free blooming annuals, the Phlox DrummorulvL 
Double Zinnia, &c. 
Among the plants now in flower in the herbaceous 
department, the most striking are the -Delphiniums , 
which make a grand show, and keep in flower a 
long time. They are of the most brilliant shades of 
blue and white, and are in all respects desirable. 
They may be grown from seed, and will flower the 
second year; or roots can he obtained in the nurse¬ 
ries in autumn. 
The Aconite is another valuable flower now in 
bloom, the flowers growing in spikes, which in 
some species are two feet long. The best sorts are 
blue, of different shades. 
The Digitalis or Foxglove is one of the most 
showy aud desirable of our biennial flowering 
plants, though but seldom seen in our gardens. 
For these reasons we call the attention of our read- 
Ji.ns. Kural New-Yorker:—I must dispute with 
“Minerva about the wonderful efficacy of her 
doughnuts. Really, and seriously, the less we eat 
of cakes fried in grease, the better off we shall be, 
and the more cheerful, because more healthful. We 
eat too much cake, and too many flxins, and con¬ 
trive too many ways to torture our stomachs to 
disease. 
I should expect that the ultimate tendency of 
doughnuts would make my children cvy, or groan, 
or fret. As for my husband, he is a confirmed dvs- 
NEW EVERGREENS-EFFECT OF PAST WINTER. 
Fob several years, H. W. Sargent, Esq., of 
Woodenethe, near Fiskhill Landing, who imports 
and tests the new evergreens, on his beautiful place 
near the Hudson, as fast as they are obtained, has 
furnished the Agricultural and Horticultural press 
with much valuable Information as to their hardi¬ 
ness aud adaptation to this country. His annual 
reports are always looked for with eagerness by the 
lovers of the beautiful class to which Mr. S. has 
been so much devoted. His report of the effects of 
the winter of 1861- 62, which we find in the Horti¬ 
culturist, is ns follows: 
“Though the winter generally was much less 
severe in cold than many previous ones, and the 
spring was equally favorable, yet about the average 
amount of disease and disaster has taken place, 
though not. always in the same or even expected 
subjects. A coniferous friend of mine, and an ex¬ 
perienced (though now discouraged) planter of the 
half hardies, has a theory that the life of an im¬ 
ported tree depends mainly upon the amount of 
vitality which it brings over with it across Hie 
water, and unless immediately adapting itself to 
this climate, it gains no new strength from being 
transplanted here, and only survives as long as its 
foreign tone and vigor continue to support it, and 
as this year by year fades out, the tree passes away 
with it 
“I have been coming, very unwillingly, to a 
Bimilar conclusion the past year or so, for I think 
it within the experience of most planters of im¬ 
ported trees, (which are not unquestionably hardy,) 
that they sometimes look worse and grow less every 
succeeding year, until they entirely fade away. 
More than this, when we find a tree able to with¬ 
stand a winter such as lS60-’fl], where the thermom¬ 
eter indicated, in February, Is to 20 degrees below 
zero, and apparently doing well and growing vigor¬ 
ously the succeeding summer, we are very apt to 
make up our minds that this tree is quite safe at this 
temperature hereafter, and are very much surprised 
and puzzled to find it does not withstand the suc¬ 
ceeding winter when as favorable as the past year. 
I find several trees here dead this spring which 
have sustained several winters a cold of 15 degrees 
below zero; among them the Fuonymus maritima, 
the Chariuvcyparis variegate, Glyptostrobus hetero¬ 
phyllous, etc. Now, this winter has not destroyed 
them; but if my friend’s theory is correct, they were 
obliged to give up so much of their English vitality 
during the winter of 1S60-’61, that they had not 
enough left to carry them through the winter of 
1861-62. 
“ We all know, I believe, that foreigners always 
suffer les3 from heat and cold the first year of their 
residence in this country than natives, and do not 
for their first year readily lose the fine florid look 
belonging to all healthy Englishmen; the second 
and third year both the color disappear from their 
cheeks and tone from their constitutions. Why 
may not the same be true of plants? 
“ I have been led to make these remarks, to show 
how difficult it is to make any decisive rules by 
which we can judge of the entire, hardihood of any 
plant, except after the experience of a long series 
of years has proved it to be so. 
“Among the new things which have gone through 
this winter with entire success, are Thujopsis berre- 
ulis, Chamcecyparis thurifern. Cupressus Lawsoni- 
ana, Pinus Beadsleyi, P. Jeffreyi, P. fientharniana, 
Abies amabilis, A. grandis , A.'lasciocarpa, A. Par- 
sonianu, A. Pultonii, A. Hbokerii. 
“The latter is said to he one of the handsomest 
of evergreens, having the grace of form and habit 
as well as color of the Deodar, but much greater 
vigor and strength. Among the new Arbor Vital I 
have found glauca, gigantea, compada , Lobbii, Ho- 
veyi, Buistii, CralgidM, and Menzesii, perfectly 
hardy. 
“ As the true Gigantic—rising to an altitude of 
HO leet—is one of these, (either Lobbii or gigantea ,) 
it is very gratifying to know we are to have such a 
valuable addition to our ornamental trees. Cer¬ 
tainly Craigiana, gigantea, and Lobbii are among 
the most beautiful of trees, unquestionably the most 
so of Arbor Vita 1 . 
“ Wdlingtonia seems to do perfectly well here, 
with a little advantage of position; and the Golden 
Yew is decidedly hardy and most distinctive. 
“ Cryptomerias seem to have worked up into an 
improved condition of health, as well as Cedars of 
Lebanon, though neither can be, I think, depended 
upon for large trees. 
“ Deodars, 1 fear are hopeless, except as bushes. 
“ Among the older evergreens, Douglasii, Clan- 
brasiliemis , Cephalonica, monstrosa, Hudsonii, Kem- 
f&ri , nobilis, Nor dm Indiana, Piiisapo, orient alls, 
Webbiana, Whittlnaniana , etc., among the Firs; and 
Austrktea, Benthamvma, Fremontiana, Ceml/ra ex- 
celsa, Lancia, Moritmia, Five.a, pond&rosa, pamilio, 
Pyrenmca, Pygmtva, etc., among the Pines, continue 
with me to withstand periectly both summer’s heat 
and winter’s cold. 
“ All I have etfer said or written in favor of Rho¬ 
dodendrons, Azalias, Kalmias, and Mahonias, I wish 
to confirm. 
“I do not even think now that shade is essential 
for the Catawbiensis variety of Rhododendron, 
though the foliage is better out of much sun; but 
certainly neither sun nor cold affects them. Maho¬ 
nias sometimes suffer a little, and occasionally die 
back, but sharp pruning to live wood makes them 
soon recover all they have lost. 
“ The English Hollies, Lame], Portugal Laurel, 
and many others of the broad-leaved evergreens, 
can be grown perfectly well if taken np in winter 
and removed to a cold pit; a system of cultivation 
eminently adapted to this country.” 
A Lonci-Kebping Applk.—I send you specimens of a seed¬ 
ling apple, raised by R. B. Lockrart, of Sheldrake, for your 
examination arid opinion. The apple, in my mind, is worthy 
of general cultivation, both from its flavor nnd its quality as a 
long keeper, maintaining, unlike most apples of Its class, its 
freshness and juicy character until August, if It is desirable to 
keep it so long, In the fall, it is hard, with an unpleasant 
flavor, and would lie rejected as poor, its qualities not being 
seen until after April, when it begins to ripen. Tho apples 
inclosed were placed in a barrel in the collar along with the 
other kinds, without any further care than is usually bestowed 
by farmers in keeping their fruit; and while the other varieties 
are all gone from rot, these have kept perfectly, with little 
decay. If any one desires grafts as far as tho tree goes, they 
can he had without charge.—T, M. Coleman. Sheldrake 
Point , A', F, 1882. 
The apples received were rather below medium size, of fair 
quality, though not equal in this respect to the Northern Spy, 
and somo other varieties. Its hardiness and long-keeping 
qualities may make it valuable. 
Veal Cutlets. —Cutlets are cut either from the 
fillet or the ueck, but chops are taken from the loin. 
Some persons have deprecated the practice of beat¬ 
ing meat, but. it is essentially necessary in veal 
cutlets, which otherwise, especially if merely fried, 
are very indigestible. They should be cut about 
one-quarter, or, at the most, one-half an inch in 
thickness, and well beaten; they will then, when 
fried, taste like sweetbread, be quite as tender, and 
nearly as rich. Egg them over, dip in bread-crumbs 
and savory herbs, fry, and serve with mushroom 
Bauce and fried bacon. Or, prepare as above, and 
fry them; lay them in a dish, and keep them hot; 
dredge a little flour, and put a bit of butter into the 
pan; brown it, then pour a little boiling water into 
it, and boil quickly; season with pepper, salt, and 
catsup,and pour it over them .—Gcnhys Lady's Book. 
Crops in Michigan. — A correspondent in Wayne county, 
Michigan, writes:—“ We have a fair prospect of good crops 
generally, and fruit in great abundance. Cherries have taken 
upon themselves the task of yielding the heaviest crop ever 
known in this State. The aphis spoken of by a correspondent 
of the Ritual recently has infested my dwarf trees in greater 
numbers than I ever saw before; but, unlike the genus homo, 
they can't endure the filthy weed, and disappear on the first 
application.” 
Two Nkw Camellias. — Ammia is perhaps the finest 
Camellia yet raised. The petals are beautifully smooth, 
carnation striped, tho flower very double, and the habit at’ the 
plant excellent. The other is Punicca, the flowers large, 
double to the center, the petals firm and smooth, evenly 
cupped, and of the richest crimson — so rich and bright that 
some of the good old reds look like brick-dust beside it; the 
foliage a rich deep green, aad broadly oval.— London Gar¬ 
deners' Weekly. 
To Clean Feathers fob Beds. —Mix well a 
gallon of clear water with a pound of quick-lime; 
when the lime is well dissolved, let it settle, and 
pour off the lime-water; put the feathers In, adding 
two gallons of water; stir the feathers occasionally; 
let them remain in the water three or four days, 
then squeeze them out and wash them well in a 
tubful of clean water, then squeeze them out and 
put them in nets, loosely tie them up, and hang 
them up to dry. When they begin to come through 
the nets, tie a sheet loosely around them, and hang 
them up in the. air and sun to dry; open them occa¬ 
sionally, and pull them apart The process will be 
complete in about three weeks.— Lady's Book. 
Wilson Strawberry — Productiveness.— In the spring 
of 1801, I set out twenty-four strawberry plants of the Wilson 
variety on one hundred and twenty-nine feet Of laud. Thi* 
year I picked from those plants sixty-eight quarts of berries, 
or two and one eighth bushels, from less than half a rod of 
land. Who can heat this?— Aliikrt Griswold, Xtmark, 
1 Vayne county. N. F, 1S82. 
Black Eagle Cherries. —Among the very fine specimens 
of cherries we have received from fruit-growing friends in 
this section, none were finer than a sample of the Black 
Eagle, grown by Dr. C. Camk, of Pittsford. 
Bottling Cherries.— In answer to “ A Country 
Curate’s” inquiry, I can assure him, if he tries.the 
following recipe, he cannot- fail to have delicious 
fruit for tarts, through the winter:—To every pound 
of fruit, add six ounces of powdered lump sugar. 
Fill the jars with fruit; shake the sugar over; tie 
each jar down with two bladders, as there is danger 
of one bursting, during the boiling. Place the jars 
in a boiler of cold water, and after the water has 
boiled, let them remain three hours; take them out, 
and when cool, put them in a dry place, where they 
will keep over a year. We have tried this recipe 
for several years, and never found it to fail .—London 
Field. 
DIGITALIS, OR FOXGLOVE. 
ers to its merits, and also present an engraving of 
the plant as it appears in flower. The seed may be 
sown in the open ground any time in the spring or 
the early part of the summer, so that good strong 
plants are obtained during the first season. In 
June and Jnly the next season they will he in 
flower, while an occasional spike may be seen at 
almost any time during the summer. Any good 
garden soil will answer for this plant, though if 
rather cool and moist, all the better. There are 
several varieties of the Foxglove, but the best we 
have ever grown is Alba, white, spotted with red¬ 
dish purple, and Iiubra, red, with white spots. 
Plants often flower the third year, but after the 
first season's flowering it is better to divide the 
roots, and in this way the number of plants are 
increased, and they may be kept in good condition 
for an indefinite time. 
Among our annuals just coming into flower, we 
have several new and fine things. Bulens atrosan- 
guinea was announced last year in Europe, and in 
the summer the Botanical Magazine, Belgique Hor- 
ticole and Gar den flora gave colored plates of the 
flowers, while Ortgiks, and other florists and bota¬ 
nists, represented it as one of the finest additions to 
our flowering plants. It was discovered by Rokzl, 
in Mexico. The appearance and habit of the plant 
are similar to the Dahlia, and indeed, at first sight, it 
would be considered a dwarf Dahlia. The leaves 
are very similar, anil the flowers resemble a small, 
single, dark colored Dahlia. Roezl named it 
Dahlia Zirnapnni, but further investigation has 
proved that it is a Bulens. The plant is dwarf¬ 
ish in habit, growing only about a foot in height, 
even with the best of culture, branches very much, 
and blooms most profusely. The flowers are borne 
on long, slender 6tems, from eighteen inches to two 
feet in height; are single, dark velvety reddish- 
brown, called in Europe “blood-brown,” with a 
cone of disc flowers, like the Single Zinnia. The 
blooms remain fresh a loDg time. Our first flower 
opened two weeks since, and is now as fresh as at 
first We have placed this flower in the hands of 
our artist, and will give a correct engraving soon. 
Cuphea Zirnapuni is also one of Roezl' s recent 
introductions, and is by far the finest of this class of 
flowers. The plant grows to the height of four feet, 
and branches freely. The flowers are large, of a 
rich velvety purple and violet, and are borne in 
great abundance. In situations where tall plants 
are required. It will be found very desirable. 
Dwarf Double Striped French Marigold .—This is 
new. and a decided acquisition. The plant is of a 
dwarf, compact habit, the flowers perfectly double, 
beautifully striped with rich brown and bright yel¬ 
low, producing the most striking effect. It is also 
destitute of the peculiar fragrance of the French 
Marigold, which makes this flower offensive to 
many. Some of the plants did not prove true, 
being brown, but those that came true were really 
beautiful, making a most brilliant show, especially 
in the sunshine. 
Trcpeolum Dxcarf Crystal Palace- Gem.—This is 
the first dwarf Nasturtium we have ever grown. 
Sarmibxta RKPX.V8, —This is a pretty Gesneriaeoons plant, 
recently introduced into England, liaving scarlet flowers and 
small round leaves, and it is supposed will become u very 
popular basket plant, or employed in rockwork under glass. 
To Clba.x a Strawbirrt Bbi> — I wish some of the readers 
of the Rural would inform me whether it will answer to 
mow the bed in order to clean it? Will it injure the plants 
Or riot? It is a bed two years old. I would like to be informed 
through the Rural.—O. Selkirk, Bethlehem, N. T. 
Mowing will not clean an old strawberry bed. We judge 
your strawberries have been so much neglected that the beat 
way would be to set out a new bed, taking the young, well- 
rooted plants. 
Dourlk Campanula.— I would like to inquire if double 
Canterbury Bells are known to florists. Among my blue 
Canterbury Bells this summer is one plant bearing double 
blossoms. There are generally three or four bells enclosed 
one within the other, then closely filled with irregularly sized 
petals, all the edges turning back from the ceuter, resembling 
somewhat a rose at the mouth of the bell. Inclosed is a 
specimen which may be to you, as it is to us, a curiosity — 
8. It. M., Binghamton, N. K, 1862. 
With the above we received a very double flower of the 
Canterbury Bell Campanula media. We have double Canter¬ 
bury Brils, both blue arid white, but have never seen one so 
large and perfectly double as the specimen sent us by our fair 
friend of Binghamton. 
Raspberry Cream.— Rub a quart of raspberries, 
or raspberry jam, through a hair seive, to take out 
the seeds, and then mix it well with cream; sweeten 
with sugar to taste; put into a stone jug, and raise a 
froth with a chocolate mill; a3 your froth rises, take 
it off with a spoon, and lay it upon a hair seive. 
When you have got as much froth as you want, put 
what cream remains into a deep china dish or punch 
bowl, and pour your frothed cream upon it, as high 
as it will lie on. 
Cooking Peas.— I send you a recipe for cooking 
peas for what it is worth. At all events I think it 
worthy of trial. Take about halt the pods after 
shelling, and boil them pretty thoroughly, then take 
them out and boil the peas in the same water, and 
season as usual. There is more sweetness, richness, 
and virtue in the soup of the pods than there is in 
the soup of the peas.—A Subscriber, Lockport, 
N. Y., 1862. 
Whortleberry—Huckleberry.— I should like to inquire 
of the III hal. or some of it9 numerous contributors, the dif¬ 
ference between Huckleberry and Whortleberry? There are 
two kinds growing here — one low, un dry land; the other 
high, ou wet land, and I can’t learn which name belongs to 
either.— A. K. M., St. Joseph, Her. Co., Mich. 
Whortleberry and Huckleberry are different names lor the 
same thing, the latter being only a corruption of tlie former; 
but it has become so common as to be adopted by authors, 
and authority for its use maybe found in Webster. There 
are several varieties of berries sold under the common name 
of Huckleberries. The tall variety mentioned by our cor¬ 
respondent is probably the common swamp Blueberry. The 
low growing kind we could not name without a specimen, as 
there are many varieties that closely resemble each other. 
A Good Pudding. —Ono quart sweet milk; one 
pint bread crumbs; one cup of sugar; a piece of but¬ 
ter size of an egg; the yolks of four eggs; rind of one 
l'emon, grated. Bake half an hour. Take the whites 
of the eggs, one cup of sugar and the juice of the 
lemon; beat the whites stiff, add the sugar and 
lemon, and pour over pudding when done. Set in 
the oven and slightly brown.—A Scdscriber, Her¬ 
kimer, N. Y., 1862. 
Insect on Grabs Vines—Citron. —A little mischief-maker 
has appeared in this neighborhood this spring, but a9 yet in a 
Single garden It has destroyed all the grapes in that one. It 
destroyed all the fruit while in the bud. and later, the iarvie 
has made itself at home on the leaves. 1 inclose one of the 
larva, the only one I could find; alsu two of the perfect insects. 
Whether they ire of the original stock, perfected from larva 
deposited this past spring. 1 do not know If you are 
acquainted with them, please tell us what you know. Can 
you tell me how to preserve citron ius it is prepared for market? 
—ML H. O., Penn Van, iV. F, 1862. 
This insect is the grape vine flea beetle, and was described 
in Rural of May 18th, last year, and May 31st of present 
volume. A strong decoction of tobacco or wormwood will 
cheek their ravages, and Prof. Harris thought walnut leaves 
would answer, applied in the same manner. The citron of 
commerce is a fruit resembling the orange, and very different 
from our melon-like citrous. 
To Clear out the Moths.— For the benefit of 
Rural readers, I send a recipe to prevent moths, 
and at the same time create a nice perfume. Take 
cloves, cedar and rhubarb, each one ounce; pulver¬ 
ize, and sprinkle it in the chest or drawers. It will 
create a beautiful scent, and prevent moths.—R. P. 
Post, Durham, 1862. 
Plain Bread Pudding. — Take a quart of milk, 
in which soak crumbs of dry bread or crackers 
until they are soft and as thick as batter; then add 
three eggs, two tableepuonfuls of sugar, and a very 
little naleratus; bake about three-quarters of an 
hour; serve with butter, sugar, and nutmeg, beaten 
together. _ _ 
Fruit Rice Pudding.— Swell the rice with milk, 
over the fire; then mix fruit of any kind with it— 
cherries, currants, gooseberries, quartered, apples,, 
or anything you like; put in one egg, to bind the 
rice; boil it well, and serve with butter and sugar, 
beaten together, with nntmeg or mace. 
Plants for Nank — You were so kind last year as to 
answer some inquiries relative to flowers, or names for them, 
.id as we are in the fame place again, having flowers without 
satisfactory names, I have concluded to appeal to you aa 
undisputed authority. Enclosed you will find several different 
plants, or portions ot plants. 
No. 1. Raised from seed sent me from Connecticut. By 
some it is called Loly of the Lake. 
No. 2. Also raised from seed sent from Connecticut. It goes 
by the name of Red Yarrow. It is Yarrow, I think, but find 
no notice of it in botany or elsewhere. Have never seen it in 
aDy garden, except the one from which it was taken, and our 
own. Do you think it worthy of cultivation? 
No. 3, is a climbing plant from the woods. I never saw 
but this specimen. 
No. 4, is a v ery smaU sprig of n plant brought from Phila¬ 
delphia. It seems to be a sort of mint. What name have 
you for it?— E. A. Whittlesey, Clyde, y. F. 
No 1. Physostegia Virpint ana, (Dracocephalum Virgima- 
rntm of Littnceus)—False Dragon-Head, It is seldom seen in 
our gardens, but is for sale at most nurseries, and usually 
under the old Linn;eu name. 
No. 2. Achillea millefolium roieum — Red Yarrow. It is a 
very pretty plant. 
No. 3. SmiltU) Hispula — Catbriar. 
No. 4. Name not known. The specimen sent was not in 
flower. 
fwtinrtturnl 
Coloring Sky Blue.— Will some of the numer¬ 
ous correspondents of the Rural please favor me 
with a recipe for coloring sky blue, or a shade 
darker, on woolen, and oblige—C arrie W.. East 
Avon, N. Y., 1862. 
Utility of Small Birds,—Iu several of the public prints, 
especially in the Times, there have lately appeared very 
interesting letters on the destruction of small birds; and I 
would ask your numerous readers, oountry gentlemen, 
farmers, and others, to think this matter coolly over, and con¬ 
sider if there is not a great necessity for the preservation of 
these small birds, from the simple fact that where they haTe 
been exterminated, as in France, there has been such an inroad 
of caterpillars that they have been compelled to legislate for 
their preservation. 
Let us look at the case of the house sparrow, perhaps the 
To Dye Silk Slate Color.—W ill some of the 
lady readers of the Rural please inform me how 
light changeable silk may be colored a dark slate 
color, and oblige —Miriam, Westfield, Chau. Co., 
N. Y., 1862. 
