better day8, and, as a dernier resort, fatally de¬ 
cided to try bis hand at market gardening. He 
hired a large place, and paid $150 for one quar¬ 
ter’s rent in advance; but that was nothing; 
he bad got ideas in his head, which, if realized— 
and why should they not lie?—would repay that 
in three months ten-fold, no had seen some¬ 
where that a certain never-failing mode of pro¬ 
ducing fine Cauliflowers was to manure the 
ground with mgs. I do not know in -what quan¬ 
tities or at what, cost, but the rags were procured, 
and the plants, supposed to be Cauliflower 
plants, were procured from one of the Washing¬ 
ton Market hucksters, 5.000 for $50. Cheap 
enough, if they hud been what he had supposed 
them to be. But llie victim of this crotchet 
watched, but vainly watched, for the expansion 
of the Cauliflower, only to see it develop into a 
genuine Bergen Cabbage, some lime in August, 
when, perhaps, it was hardly worth the price 
paid for the plants. This, of course, was the 
finishing blow to the poor man. He left the 
Jersey farm, but, fortunately, got into something 
more congenial to his ability. 
GARDENING FOR PROFIT. 
THAT BED-BUG QUESTION. 
Evert month, and, indeed, every week, we 
receive letters inquiring whether market gar¬ 
dening or fruit growing cannot be made profita¬ 
ble in a certain locality. Perhaps the writer has 
ten or more acres of land that is now unproduc¬ 
tive. He would like to furnish the land as his 
part of the investment, if he could find a good 
gardener to work it and divide the profits. As a 
general thing, the responses we are compel¬ 
led to make to such inquiries we have reason 
to believe aio quite unsatisfactory to those who 
receive them. Whether a horticultural venture 
of the kind is successful or not depends much 
upon the manner in which it is conducted, just 
as would be the case in any other business. It 
takes the merchant or mechanic long to build up 
a paying business, and where one succeeds others 
fail. In horticultural operations, a serious out¬ 
lay must be made at first, and a patient waiting 
is necessary before full returns can be expected. 
As a general rule, capitalists become tired of 
this delay, and often sell out. or do worse, just as 
they are about to realize the fruits of their labor 
and expenditure. A market gardener in the 
neighborhood of New York furnishes the Horti¬ 
culturist a valuable article on this subject, which 
will be profitable, we think, to many of our 
readers. We give the principal portions below: 
Every spring I am assailed by scores of gen¬ 
tlemen. who have purchased, some as an invest¬ 
ment, some with a prospective view to a home in 
the country, and some, no doubt, from other 
causes; but usually all on the same string. They 
have five, ten, or twenty acres on hand, and they 
wish to know if they cannot make it pay in the 
meantime; the land is always good, in close 
proximity to a railroad depot or steamboat land¬ 
ing, and why can’t it be let to a market gardener, 
hired on shares by such, or a man he found to 
work it for the owner? To all such, my reply is 
a negative shake of the head. 
If the bachelor who is nightly besieged with 
bed-bugs will go to the druggists and get a pint 
of alcohol, also two ounces of corrosive sublimate, 
and put into it, and apply it to every crack and 
crevice of bis bedstead and tiedroom with a 
feather, I will warrant him to be more speedily 
rid of them than if he went to the trouble and 
expense of ihe Yankee girl, who would fail to 
clear them out even with a dozen sharp sticks.— 
Lydia. 
Noticin'!} an inquiry of an old bachelor for a 
cure for bed-bugs, I send two, which 1 think will 
be found as sure, and considerably cheaper, (in 
these times of war.) than the one given by “W.” 
No. 1.—Take hog’s lard and mix copperas in it 
as long as it will contain it. Then fill every 
crack and hole about the room and bedstead 
with the mixture, and your bed-bugs will disap¬ 
pear in double-quick. 
No. 2—Get Vermillion green, such as is used 
by painters, and serve your room and bedstead 
in the above manner, and the bed-bugs will 
“ skedaddle ” to Canada, or some other place, as 
fast as did some ot our brave young men last 
fall.— A Farmer’s Daughter, Willow Lawn, 
N. Y., 1863. 
I know of a sure way to get rid of bed-bugs. 
Take a straw and tickle their ears; this will make 
them open their mouths and then have a little 
kerosene oil ready to put in. This will fix them; 
and 1 don’t know of a better employment for an 
old bachelor. — Rural, Lisbon, N, Y., 1803. 
DOMESTICATION OF WILD FLOWERS, 
garden two varieties of Lobkliacea, the 
SylphilUica and Gardmtlis , both of which flour¬ 
ish luxuriantly, and the latter much increased in 
size, and possessing one of the most beautiful 
colors in the floral kingdom. They readily 
change their habits from a low and wet situation 
to a dry or ioainy soil. Three or four varieties 
of Spiriea, the Goat’s Beard, S, aruncus and 
Prunifolia and Filipendula, or Pride of the 
Meadows, all do well. The Anm TryplUlum, 
with its peculiar looking spathe in early spring, 
is to many who have not seen it quite a curios¬ 
ity. Two varieties of Campanula, very common 
in the meadows of Northern Ohio, and the 
Aplectrum, or Adam and Eve, I have also 
brought in. Most of the Ferns of this section 
will bear transplanting, and also the different 
species of Violets, the latter of which are much 
improved. The Hepatica, or I liverworts, are 
especially desirable, from the fact of their fol¬ 
lowing so closely after the reign of snow, along 
with the Bloodroots or Sanyuinaria, both of 
which are finely personified by Mr. Biglow as 
Spring's Pickets, while in the same class are the 
Crocus and Anemone. The Convalhuia or Seal 
family, several varieties Aristolochia, or Wake 
Robins, and the Cbelone, or Snake’s Head, 1 
have Introduced. 
The Ariellnum, or Ladies’ Slipper, or Mocca. 
sin flower, is very fine and desirable, and abounds 
along the margins of some of our swamps. The 
Phlox, Clematis, and G'raucsbill, two or three 
varieties of the latter and two species of Diely¬ 
tra, I have growing. The Aquilegia, or Wild 
Columbine, and Meadow Lily, both do well. 
We have succeeded in removing successfully 
nearly all the wild plants in our vicinity that are 
desirable, by observing the proper time, and 
leaving a sufficiency of earth attached to the 
roots. 
FRENCH ROUS, INDIAN BREAD, &c. 
Ens. Rural New-Yorker:— Some time ago 
I noticed an inquiry in your paper concerning 
the making of “French Rolls.” Not having 
seen an answer, I send the following recipe, 
which toe think excellent:—One qnurt sweet 
milk; one-fourth pound of butter; one cup hop 
yeast; two eggs; one tablespoonful saleratus. 
Mix about as stiff as biscuits; lettbem stand over 
night; in the morning make them up in rolls 
and bake for breakfast. 
Indian Bread. —Hero is a good recipe. Scald 
one quart of Indian meal and sponge it with 
hop yeast. Next morning add two teaspoonfnls 
of molasses, one teaspoonful of saleratus, and a 
little salt. Harden with wheat flour, not making 
too still'. Bake nearly an hour In a slow oven. 
New Year’s Cake.—T hree-fourths pound of 
butter; ono pound of sugar; threo pounds of 
flour; half pint of water; one teaspoonful of 
soda; two of cream of tartar; and caraway seeds 
to your taste. Roll them out and cut in dia- 
iTKindu, stamping thorn with any pattern you 
choose. They are excellent, and will keep fresh 
a long time. E. b. 
Perry, Wyoming Co., N. Y., 1863. 
SINGLE TULIP — DUO VAN THOL, 
must make their selection, prepare the ground, 
and plant in the autumn. The following direc¬ 
tions will be of service to many of our readers: 
Snow Drop. —The bulbs are quite small; the 
leaves and flowers about six inches in height, 
riant in the fall, in bedB or masses, two inches 
apart, and about the same in depth. Every 
third year, at least, it is well to take up the 
bulbs after the leaves have died, and re-plant in 
October. 
Crocus. —The proper time for planting is 
about the first of October, though a week or two 
earlier or later will make no material difference. 
Set the bulbs about three inches apart and cover 
with two inches of earth. Rakn off the bed 
nicely, and before winter sets in cover it, with a 
little straw, coarse hay, or other litter, which 
This prevents throwing 
Mice here for the first time last August and now they are 
abundant. Dow long Shall we he troubled with them 1 
Are they birds of passage, or shall we bo troubled with 
them for years to come V All of us are ashing what shall 
we do to destroy the worms V If we have got to have a 
continual warfare we ahull give up Ihe bushes.—A. Will- 
sox, Alarcetlui. V Y. 
'Ve rather think our friend has a big job on hand. Tf 
you have any hushes of via partieulur value bum them up 
at once, worm* and all. Those that you arc anxious to 
save must he attended to promptly and continually. Dust 
slaked lime over the plants, shake llio bushes as you 
have done—any way to kill them. Powdered Uelobore is 
a good thing for dusting the hushes. If any one has dis¬ 
covered an easy way for kililng the worms wo would like 
to know it. 
In most, cases, 1 
am unable, from want of time, to stale the rea¬ 
sons why the attempt would be useless, and as 
many such persons are no doubt readers of the 
Horticulturist , with your consent I will avail 
myself of your columns to make a general reply. 
In the first place, there is no part of Horticul¬ 
ture in which there is such close competition as 
in market gardening: consequently, it. is only 
profitable under the most favorable circum¬ 
stances, and where the owner is able and willing 
to put his shoulder to the wheel with a will. 
There are several scores of us in this vicinity, 
and I know of no one who has been successful, 
but has been so in a great degree by his own 
personal labor. 
Again, market, gardening in this neighborhood, 
as a rule, cun only be made profitable within six 
miles of New York, on a good level wagon road, 
and every mile nearer the city enhances the 
value of the land for that 
may bo convenient, 
out by the frost, which sometimes occurs, unless 
Ihe ground is very high and dry. Nursery men 
and gardeners generally take up the bulbs every 
summer alter the leaves have decayed, and re¬ 
plant in the fall, but the more satisfactory course 
for amateurs would be to allow them to remain 
where planted for three years, then take them up 
and replant, in other beds. 
Hyacinths.— Set the bulbs six inches apart 
and four inches deep. Before winter sets in 
cover the beds with leaves, or if these are not to 
be had, with a coarse manure, in which is con¬ 
siderable straw. 
In about five or six weeks after flowering, 
when the leaves are dead, the bulbs may be 
taken up, dried, and packed away in paper for 
fall planting. If the bed is wanted, lor other 
flowers, they may be removed in three weeks 
after flowering, the flower stem cut off, and the 
bulbs laid on a dry bed and covered with a little 
earth until the leaves have ripened, when they 
should be packed away as before recommended. 
Many persons ordering Hyacinths from the 
seedsmen and nurserymen entertain the idea 
that none but double ones are desirable. This is 
not the case. The value of this flower depends 
principally upon the form of the spike and the 
arrangement of the single flowers or bells upon 
the flower stem. The truss of bloom or spike 
should be pyramidal, and the flowers close 
enough to conceal the stalk. 
Tulips.— Tulips are divided into two general 
classes, Early and Late, The early Tul ips flower 
in this latitude about the first of May. The 
earliest of the first class is Dut: Van Thol, 
single and double. They are red, edged with 
yellow. Of the single variety wo give an en¬ 
graving, taken from nature, and we not only 
recommend this, but the early Tulips generally, 
to the favorable notice of all who desire spring 
(lowers. 
The later class are larger, more stately, of 
better form aud more brilliant colors. Tulips 
may be grown in any rich, garden soil. It 
should be well drained, and if a little sandy, all 
the better; if inclined to clay, add a little sandy 
loam, and if poor, add rotted turf, or soil from 
tlu old pasture, with any thoroughly rotted 
manure. There is no difficulty, and need he no 
mystery, about the culture of the Tulip. 
The time of planting is in October. Make the 
bed prepared for them fine and mellow, and 
plant the bulbs in rows from six to eight inches 
apart each way. Unless the ground is quite 
light, it is well to surround the bulb with sand at 
the time of planting. This is for beds entirely 
devoted to the Tulip, but they look well if placed 
in the border or on the lawn, half a dozen or 
more in a cluster. Bulbs can be obtained from 
the nurseries and seedsmen at prices varying 
from one dollar to three dollars per dozen. 
purpose. 
Again, for every acre cultivated, the beginner 
requires a capital of $200 per acre. This is the 
rock on which more than one-half split, from the 
common notion that the cultivation of vegeta¬ 
bles gives a quick return. This is a great 
mistake. Take uuy ordinary farm, and it will 
take three years before you can get it into the 
condition of a proper market garden, before it 
will pay more than current expenses, by any 
means that can be adopted. I have broke in 
four such farms, with all the advantages of ma¬ 
ture experience, and in every ease it required 
full three seasons before the capital sunk began 
to be returned. 
Another consideration of vital importance is 
manure, every acre requiring annually at least 
fifty tons of well-rotted stable manure, which, at 
great distances from the city, cannot be procured 
at a price that will pay, aud concentrated ma¬ 
nures will not answer, as they exert little or no 
mechanical influence in pulverizing the soil, 
which is of as much importance in the cultiva¬ 
tion of some vegetables as the fertilizing proper¬ 
ties. 
These are some of the reasons why it is use¬ 
less to suppose it will remunerate any gentle¬ 
man with land removed milesfrom the city, who, 
in utter ignorance of the business, would hardly 
risk the necessary capital, and the almost impos¬ 
sibility of being able to hire a suitable man if he 
did; and the certainty, should he succeed in let¬ 
ting it, or hiring it on shares, that his tenant 
would fail, from the causes given. 
For these reasons, I would advise all who have 
such notions, that they had much better allow 
their land to lie waste, than attempt to make it 
pay by cultivating it, either as a market garden 
or farm. 
There is in the district in which I reside, where 
the soil is better adapted for the purpose of 
market gardening than any other around New 
York, from seventy-five to a hundred engaged in 
the business, at distances varying from one to six 
miles from New York, their gardens running 
from three to twenty-five acres each; average, 
perhaps, of ten acres. But, like men in all 
other kinds of business, there is not universal 
success. There is not more than one-fourth that 
have made money. Another fourth, perhapsi, 
make a comfortable living. Another live from 
hand to mouth. The remainder have failed, lost 
their all, and left. 
You may think this is rather a gloomy picture; 
hut I do not know that it is more so than that of 
“any other trades or occupations. The cause of 
failure, in nine cases out of ten, has been insuffi¬ 
ciency of capital; for the parties engaged in this 
business are usually sober, industrious, unpre¬ 
tending men. Occasionally we get one among 
For our Lady Readers. — Procure a tin 
box—any tinsmith can make one—two inches 
deep, and about a foot in diameter, made in a 
circular form, having a space one and a half 
inches wide around the outer edge, (tv small tin 
pan placed in a larger one, will perhaps give an 
idea of it,) have it painted green, and keep the 
space around the edge filled with water. Ar¬ 
range flowers in it, and it presents tho appear¬ 
ance of a wreath lying on tho table, tho water 
keeping the Hewers fresh and bright A lamp, 
gas burner, statuette or vase of flowers can be 
placed in the center. It forms a very neat floral 
ornament.—,4/aine Farmer. 
Far too little attention is paid to the 
wild flora of the country, and the beauties of 
our gardens would be much enhanced if more of 
them were removed to the borders. 
Inland, Summit Co., Ohio, 1863. CTlas, A. Perdue. 
Caterpillars, —I have a neighbor whose orchard is 
being destroyed by caterpillars. They first began four 
years ago. They are about one inch long, brown or dark 
color, by some called measuring worms. There are sixty 
Urge apple trees that haw; not a leaf or greon thing on 
them. Tlioy are eaten oil' as fast as thev grow. By shak¬ 
ing Uie limbs they drop, down hanging fly a web and soon 
are on the tree again. He. lias tried malty things to de¬ 
stroy them but to no effect- Can you give some informa¬ 
tion on the subject.—A. Lewis, J/awpadch, Ind. 
These worms can be killed. Go at it jn earnest deter 
mined to kill every one, no matter at what cost, and you 
will not find the work so difficult as you imagine. 
CULTURE OF BULBS 
Cream Beer.— Two and one-fourth pounds of 
white sugar, two oz. tartaric acid; juice of half a 
lemon, and three pints of water,— boil together 
five minutes. When nearly cold add the whites 
of three eggs beaten to a froth; one-half cup of 
flour, well beaten, and half an ounce of winter- 
green essence. Bottle aud keep in a cool place. 
Two tablcspoonfuls ot this sirup in a tumbler of 
water, with one-fourth teaspoon of soda. It is 
ready for use as soon as made, but age improves 
it, and it will keep any length of time. Shake the 
bottle well every time before using.—M. A. 
Many and very specific are the directions 
given in the books for the preparation of the 
soil for tubers and bulbs, as though it was a 
matter requiring the greatest skill and precision. 
All this may be necessary to grow flowers that 
would compete successfully at Rome of the great 
floral exhibitions, but we are pleased to state to 
the lovers of flowers with little leisure time and 
limited means, that good flowers can be grown 
without this labor. To those who have been 
discouraged by the formidable array of direc¬ 
tions, we say despair not, the gay Crocus, the 
fragrant Hyacinth, the brilliant, dashing Tulip, 
can be grown by any farmer or farmer’s wife or 
daughter—may decorate every humble cottage 
garden. A few rods of ground, a little taste and 
some patience, is all that is needed. Every one 
lias the necessary materials at hand, almost 
without money and without price. 
Any good, mellow soil, if well drained, will 
grow bulbous flowers, but most -oils designed 
for this purpose would be benefited by being 
enriched with stable manure thoroughly rotted, 
which should be well mixed with the soil or with 
surface earth from the woods. The manure from 
an old hot-bed is excellent, but not more so than 
cow manure, which may he freely used even 
when fresh, but should not cume in contact with 
the bulbs. To prevent this it should be mixed 
thoroughly with the soil, and a little sand placed 
around the bulb at planting. This practice is 
always beneficial in a stiff soil. 
The mechanical condition of the soil may be 
improved very easily. If naturally very stiff; an 
addition of sand and leaf mold from the forest 
will he of great benefit. Tho ground for bulbs 
should be dug deep, a foot at least, and be well 
pulverized and drained before planting bulbs of 
any variety. 
One reason why bulbs are not more cultivated 
is, that they must be planted in the autumn. 
Any time during our fine fall weather, before 
severe frosts, will answer. The majority of 
amateur gardeners do not wake up to the. impor¬ 
tance of providing plants for their gardens until 
spring, aud then, when the bulbous,plants are in 
full flower, and cannot be moved, often send 
orders to nurserymen and seedsmen. Those 
who wish a show of bulbous flowers in the spring 
Wiiat Airs the Apple Teres.—I notion in tny orchard 
a good many trims this bark of which in becoming black, 
oven into the limbs. Cun any one of your subscribers 
tr i me tho cause, or give a remedy or u pure ?—N. Mo., 
Luke City, Minn. 
jgortirultural 1 
Jefferson Cocntt Horticultural Association.— 
Thu Summer Exhibition of this Association is to be held 
at Watertown, N. Y., JuJy 6 , 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 —day and 
evening. 
Lemon Dies. —Thinking my recipe for making 
lemon pies might not come amiss to some of the 
readers, I will give it. Two lemons, squeeze the 
juice; chop the peel very fine; add ono cup of 
sugar; oue cup of molasses; one teacup of rai¬ 
sins, chopped; three eggs,—beat all up together, 
then add ono cup of water; a pinch of salt, and 
you will have something extra for lemon pies.— 
Rural Reader, Illinois, 1863. 
Tomato Economy. — A correspondent of the Neva 
England Farmer says, that after trying all methods of 
training, he finds it best to let the vines take their own 
course over brushwood placed for them to ruu on. 
To Destroy Worms on Fruit Trees.—M ake a swab, 
fix to a loDg pole, dip it in oil, no matter what kind or 
how strong, (the stronger the better,) thrust it through the 
nest and turn it round a few times. That will destroy the 
“varmints” better and quicker than burning them.— 
Bum, Lanaboro , Man. 
Ginger Snaps.—A t the Chenango Co. Fair 
the ginger snaps made from the following recipe 
took the premium: 
One cup best molasses; one-half cup sugar; 
two-thirds cup butter; one teaspoonful alum; 
two teaspoons saleratus; one-half cup water, one 
tablespoon ginger.—Mrs. Charles S. Chekver, 
New Haven, Oswego Co., N. F., 1863. 
Fruit Growers’ Society of Western- N. Y.—Tho 
Summer Meeting of the Fruit Growers’ Society of West 
em New York, will be held at tho Court House, in Uie 
City of Rochester, on Wednesday, the 24th day of June, 
and a general attendance of the Members and Fruit Grow¬ 
ers, is earnestly solicited. There will be an exhibition of 
Strawberries, and any other Fruits in season, to which 
those attending the meeting are invited to contribute. 
Ginger Cookies. — I send the Rural a recipe 
for ginger cookies. By leaving out the ginger 
they are perfectly harmless for the uick, and can 
be eaten when nothing else is allowed. Two 
cups molasses; one of laid: ono of sweet milk; 
one tablespoonful of soda; ono of ginger.—M rs. 
E. L. Calkins, Smyrna, N. Y, 1863. 
Depredations or the May Bug.— We are informed 
by a gentleman from Lee county that these bugs are ap¬ 
pearing in myriads in tiie forests and orchards of that sec¬ 
tion of country. On his place which is some distance 
from timber, they have destroyed every vestige of fruit 
and leaf from his orchard, consisting of apple, pear and 
cherry trees, where a few days since they promised an 
abundant yield of fruit. They first appeared on the lilacs 
about his house, and have extended to the cotton woods, 
stripping them bare. In sections uear the timber the dam 
age to fruit is not so much as with him .—Prairie Farmer. 
The May bug was never before so numerotifl as it lias 
been here this season, and though it has done no very 
great mischief in the winged state, the grub lias proved 
very destructive to strawberry plantations aud many other 
crops for several years past. We have seen large patches 
of potatoes destroyed by them. 
Removing Orange Stains—W ill some one 
please inform me, through the Rural, how to 
remove Orange stains from white kid gloves? — 
Mrs. II. E. H., Denmark, N. Y., 1863. 
inquiries m\ Smsuirrs 
Gooseberry on Currant Worms.—W hen we are in 
trouble we call on you to help us out. We are infested 
with worms on our currant bushes—how shall we get rid 
of them ? Our mode has been to spread newspapers un 
der the bushes and shake the worms on them, tint they 
are continually hatching out, and probably will be ail 
summer, and it is discouraging. They made their appear 
[special noticb.1 
Good Cooks.— Ladles, if you would be known as good 
cooks and would avoid the mortification of having poor 
biscuit for tea when you have company, use D. B. DeLaud 
& Co.’s Chemical Saleralus, and that only. 
i 
■L'W 
y " * 
