SEED WAR E HOUSE 
l4*.iittM««tf»l5A.M c#'vTc KtiftufiiMtiwitVci,; 
ness of the other, will be apparent. What farmer 
does not know that a two-year-old steer Is less 
valuable than a yearling of ttie same size and 
proportions; and in this respect, only in a 
greater degree, is a “yearling” more desirable 
than a two-year-old vine. 
I have a vineyard, embracing several acres, and 
planted with five varieties, In about equal pro¬ 
portions, in Ibe spring of I860 — last year, only 
sixteen months since, from which, In about 14 
months, I expect to gather grapes enough, at a 
very moderate price, to pay the entire cost of 
the land, which was $200 per acre; while a 
neighbor of mine, planting at the. surne time, 
will not get grapes enough to pay for gathering. 
And jnsthere I will take occasion, most earn¬ 
estly to invite and urge the neighboring grape 
growers to call wheu convenient, and examine 
this vineyard; and though it may seem like 
boasting, I will venture to suggest, that It will 
pay them, even though they may have to step a 
little out of their way. 
In relation to the adaptation of varieties to 
particular localities, or sections of country, I ob¬ 
serve, that our experience will not warrant a 
definite determination in all cases, or even gen¬ 
erally; nor can we perhaps even expect to be 
able to satisfy ourselves, in a majority of cases, 
except by that only sure test, experimental 
demonstration. “Try all things” is wisdom’s 
injunction, and one that should be “brought 
home” to every one about to plant a vineyard to 
a new variety, or one that has not been fairly 
tested in his near vicinity. 
Mo grape should be regarded as of any 
value, for vineyard purposes, when, as a general 
rule, it does not carry a healthy leaf throughout 
the growing season, and mature both fruit atul 
wood perfectly. 
The Catawba is a splendid grape; the Dela¬ 
ware is even bettor than the Catawba; while 1 
do not hesitate to allirrn, that the Iona Is better 
than either. But any and all of them are good, 
“ very good." Plant them, you who are so for¬ 
tunate as to occupy sections and situations 
known to be favorable to their production; but 
you who are so unfortunate us to be situated 
outside of the boundaries of “ Canaan”—(though 
as for myself, my Canaan is limited by these 
lineB, and if I wub not quite certain that I was 
safely within them, I would “strike my tent” 
at once and travel; nor should the sole of my 
foot “find rest” until I reached the “promised 
land,” even though I might “ wander in the 
wilderness” for forty years)—you “ Egyptians,” 
plant you only such as Providence has provided, 
or will approve, be they Isabellas, Hartford 
Prolific*, Norton’s Virginia, Ives’ 8eedling, or 
even Concords; and attend punctually and con¬ 
stantly to their proper cultivation. Gather In 
due season (not before) their luscious fruits, eat, 
drink, and be content; or if you find with the 
writer, that you cannot be satisfied with them, 
and snch as these; why then “ rise up quickly” 
aud come to the “south shore,” or go to any 
other place, where the choicest grapes can tie 
grown as successfully, If indeed there be such 
places; and I for one, shall be happy to learn 
that there are many, and of great breadth. 
The importance of thorough tillage, frequently 
Btirring the surface, and keeping the vineyard 
entirely free from grass and weeds, It is believed 
is not very generally appreciated, even by onr 
oldest and most experienced cultivators; and 
therefore, as i do not design to write lengthy 
articles, I will omit the discussion of this branch 
of my subject, for the preseut. 
FLOWERS THAT STAND HARD FROSTS 
PREMIUMS FOR LADIES, 
Eds. Rural: — 1 present yon with a collection of 
Flowers cat this morning (Oct. 98th) for the purpose 
of showlDg the varieties that will endure quite hard 
frosts without injury. In September we usually have 
frosts that cut down every thing tender, and after 
this more than a month of delightful weather. It is 
interesting to know which or our flowers will endure 
the early frosts without injury, and give us plenty of 
blossom In the garden until winter commences in 
earnest, Jas. Vick. 
The above note was laid on onr table this 
(Monday) morning, Oct. 28tL, and in connection 
therewith a collection of fresh and brilliant 
flowers, which at this period of the year, after 
the many hard frosts that have entirely defoli¬ 
ated the forest*, is truly surprising and worthy 
of noting for guidance in future planting. 
First here is the stately and brilliant Tritona 
Uvaria, a tine illustration and description of 
which will be found In the issue for May 11th 
of the current volume. 
Phlox Drummondii is particularly varied and 
fresh in color. No annual exceeds this for a 
brilliant and constant show; it is an excellent 
bedding plant and makes a tine border or low 
hedge. It presents a muBs of dazzling bloom 
from early summer until snow flies. We give 
on this page a good illustration of the flower and 
stem of Phlox. 
Delphinium formomm. a perennial Larkspur, 
is a spike of brilliant blue flowers with white 
eyes. An illustration will be found in the issue 
dated Aug. 3d of this volume. 
Double Dwarf Scabiosa of various colors. The 
Seabiosa is shown in the number dated Jan. 5th 
of this year. They are very showy flowers, ex¬ 
cellent for cutting, and of many colors. 
Verbena. — There are several colors in the 
handful of this delicate and choice bedding 
plant. Who does not admire a bed of fine 
Verbenas—especially at this season ? 
Ten Weeks Stock. — This fragrant flower is a 
great favorite, blooming, as it does from July 
to November. Transplanted to pots it makes u 
flue bouse plant, giving flowers and fragrance all 
winter; therefore, don’t let Jack Frost finally 
have your best specimens. 
Japan Pinks are rich and varied in color, and 
look fresh as though their season was but just 
begun. 
Carnations are fragrant, varied in color, and 
full of anopened buds. They, too, will bear 
potting and house culture. 
Antirrhinum .—Showy spikes of flowers. 
Petunias are well known as splendid bedding 
plants, making a brilliant show all summer. 
Btandiug the frost well adds much to their value. 
Ptmsies grow brilliant as the season wanes; 
they are pre-eminently valuable for show late in 
the autumn and early in the spring. The collec¬ 
tion before us embraces a great variety of colore. 
Pansies Bhould be transplanted now into beds 
for next spring’s showing. 
Lychnis Chalevdonica is a bright scarlet peren¬ 
nial, the clusters of flowers somewhat resem¬ 
bling verbenas. 
Hollyhock .—Very brilliant and showy. 
We have indicated those varieties in the above 
list that have been portrayed in this volume of 
the Rural; the rest have been illustrated in 
former volumes. 
To the many inquiries from ladies, asking 
whether we offer the same Sewing Machine 
Premiums for olubs us last year, we answer — 
Yes, and “more too.” We offer the Wheeler 
& WiLSON nnd Hown Sewing Machines ; Lamb’s 
Family Knitting Machine; Washing Machines 
and Clothes Wringers; and also Castors, Photo¬ 
graph Albums, and various other articles. Send 
for our Premium last.. Many ladies have already 
opened the campaign, hut there Is yet abundant 
time for uuy one so disposed to form a club and 
secure a valuable premium. We send specimen 
numbers, show-bills, prospectuses for names, 
etc., free to all applicants. 
CIDER MAKING-OLD AND GOOD RECIPE 
Tnz following letter dated Raleigh, July 25th, 
1819, contains sound advice : — Three months 
ago 1 was at the house of Nicholas Nall, Esq., 
who lives near Deep River, at the upper extrem¬ 
ity of Moore County, where I drank old cider 
of a very superior quality; and as the habitual 
use of cider Is eminently conducive to health, 
Insures sobriety, imparts the agreeable sensation 
of strength and vigor, and is a pleasant bever¬ 
age that can be afforded at a small expense, I 
took cure to be exactly informed of the manner 
Of making, refining and preserving It, in hope 
that advantage might accrue in the publication 
of it. Mr. Nall had In his cellar, as well as I 
now remember, about eight or ten hogsheads 
and liftyor sixty barrels of cider of different ages 
—the oldest, was beat; nor did he think any was 
lit to drink until it was at least a year old. That 
which 1 drank was three years old, and it was 
excellent. His oldest eider I did not taste, as 
he intends it os a treat for his executors. He 
complained thathls stock was too small to drink 
it of the age he wished, but. Intended to fill an¬ 
other cellar. I here copy Mr. Null’s recipe, as 
he gave it to me In writing in April last: 
All apples fit to be eaten will make good elder. 
The grand Heeret Is In cleansing it from the tilth 
and dregs ub curly aa possible. Each sort of 
apples are to be beaten and pressed by them- 
bcIvos. Two kinds of juice, both good, would 
if mixed often make bad cider. Throw out all 
imperfect, sorry and sunburnt apples, os well as 
dust and trash. Beat yonr apples before much 
mellowed, us they lose their strength, sound 
ness and spirit, If too mellow. Let them stand 
half a day after being beaten, before put Into 
the press; then press them slowly; discontinue 
it as soon as the juiee appears thin and watery. 
The advantage of slow pressure is in making the 
liquor ran pure. Let your casks, previously well 
cleansed, be filled quite full, to permit the froth 
and pumice to discharge itself at the bung. 
When the fermentation abates, cover the bung 
closely with something that may' bo lifted by the 
fixed air that escapes during the. future, lermenta- 
tion. In a week rack off the cider carefully, 
ceasing the moment you observe it, to run mud¬ 
dy ; now stop the cask more firmly. In teu 
days rack it off a second time, and in fifteen 
days a third time. In every instance the cask is 
to bo clean and perfectly filled; and when filled 
for the lost time, to be bunged close In a deep, 
dry collar, never to be moved until drawn for 
use. Latecidernced not be racked until March, 
and then one racking, or at most two, will be 
sufficient. Be. very careful that no water, not 
even the little that will adhere after rinsing the 
cask, is mixed with the elder. The smallest 
quantity of rain water will render cider unfit to 
keep. The addition of any quantity of distilled 
spirits is not only useless, but injurious. Mr. 
Nall’s method Is the result of long experience, 
and its success justifies me in recommending it 
to the public. I hope it will be tried. 
I ought to have mentioned that Mr. Nall told 
me he hud for many years tried various plans 
for clarifying elder, to prevent its souring, by 
mcuuB of milk, isinglass, scalding and skim¬ 
ming, filtering through sand, <Sc., and found all 
useful, but is satisfied that frequent racking or 
drawing is far preferable to any other method 
he has attempted. 
PHLOX DRUMMOND1T. 
cipal Express Companies. The establishment 
occupies a block 65 by 45, and four stories in 
height. On the lower floor are the office and 
sales-room for home customers; the next con¬ 
sists of a largo room where Beeds are packed 
to till orders—fifty persona, or more, being thus 
employed during the business season — a room 
devoted exclusively to the work of opening 
letters, of which a thousand are. sometimes re¬ 
ceived in a day; another room contains the or- 
dere filed for future reference. On the third 
floor one large room is used for packing flower 
seeds in bags, another for vegetable seeds, and 
there Is likewise a printing room filled with 
presses, &c., for working the colored plates and 
putting the Catalogues and other matter in type. 
The upper story is used for storage. 
The Garden and Grounds of Mr. V. are prin¬ 
cipally located on East Avenue, where he resides. 
He here owns and cultivates twenty-three acres. 
These grounds arc mostly devoted to growing 
flowers for seed. The display of flowers during 
the season has been far abend of any thing of the 
kind ever before seen In this country. More 
than one hundred thousand tulips bloomed on 
the ground, and the most prominent varieties of 
annuals opened their brilliant blossoms over 
many acres. 
— If any think the above a simple “puff,” or 
paid for or solicited notice, they are mistaken. 
It is entirely voluntary, without hint or solic¬ 
itation from Mr. Vick,— given because we be¬ 
lieve the man and his establishment worthy of 
being commended to tint Urns of thousands of 
our readers who cultivate or admire the most 
beautiful of earth’B products—Flowers. 
the south shore of Lake Erie, to he reminded 
that in the application of this test, we are nearly 
in range with Cincinnati; and I will take occasion 
here to observe, that additional encouragement 
is guaranteed by the fact that the rain fall, du¬ 
ring the growing season, is at least one-fourth 
less ou our lake shore than at Cincinnati, and 
along the southern boundary of Ohio; and when 
it is remembered that, except in the very driest 
seasons, we have here more rain than Is desir¬ 
able, the relative chances of success are seen to 
he greatly in our favor. 
In making these comparisons, I by no means 
Intend to undervalue the Ohio valley, as a grape 
or wine district. My only object is to relievo 
our own cultivators from their Ul-founded ap¬ 
prehensions and misgivings, regarding low tem¬ 
perature, &c. Again, those districts, orseetions 
of country, where the health and vigor of veg¬ 
etation is maintained for the greatest number of 
days, are, as a general rule, most favorable for 
growing and ripeuing the grape. 
To maintaiu the life aud vigor of grape foliage 
for the longest possible period, is the great de¬ 
sideratum in grape culture; and hence those 
sections of country most favorable to this con¬ 
dition, may be regarded as the best grape dis¬ 
tricts. At the first view, the reader will be 
likely to conclude that these sections are to be 
sought for In the Southern States, that, as a 
matter of course, the country will be found less 
favorable for grapes ns we pass to the North. 
But this is by no means the case. Indeed it is 
so Tar otherwise as to fix the southern limits of 
practical grape culture north of the. 80th parallel. 
It is the opinion of the writer, from many years 
experience and careful observation, that the nar¬ 
row belt of country lying along the south shore 
of Lake Erie, will compare very favorably with 
the best localities on the Continent, east of the 
Rocky Mountains (or west indeed, for that mat¬ 
ter) In Us adaptation to growing grapes. 
Thus, while the unseasonable and blighting 
frosts, both late in the spring aud early in au¬ 
tumn, are the gruut terror of our grape growers 
in Missouri and Southern Ohio, we are here so 
far exempt, us to be almost entirely freed from 
anxiety. Again, colder periods have been real¬ 
ized ut Cincinnati, and even as far south as 8t. 
Louis, than ever have been registered along our 
favored “south shore.” 
Regarding what kind of soil b best adapted to 
growing grapes, there has been, and Btill contin¬ 
ues to be, a great variety of opinions. On the 
one hand it is contended that clay soils are al¬ 
ways to be preferred, and the stiller and the 
heavier the better; while others maintain the 
superiority of the light soils, and, as if insisting 
upon the opposite extreme, they tell ns the 
“lighter the soil the better;” while others 
again, planting themselves (and their vines as 
well) upon middle ground, prefer a gravely loam, 
or shale, with a slight mixture of clay, and 
always, the drifts, to any and all other condi¬ 
tions, or combinations of soil. 
But it is worthy of remark, that very satisfac¬ 
tory results have frequently been realized upon 
every variety of soil, and therefore, by the every 
where recognized rule—“by their fruits,” *c., 
no composition of soil, as yet occupied, can, as 
a matter of course, be rejected. The truth is, 
the nature and condition of the subsoil arc of 
far more consequence than the nature or com¬ 
position of the surface; and as my main object 
is to impress and instruct beginners, 1 will take 
the liberty to add, though perhaps out of place, 
in a formal discussion of this subject, that at¬ 
mospheric conditions, aside from temperature, 
are vastly more important than anything relat¬ 
ing to the soil, or the depths below, intermedi¬ 
ate or remote. And yet, it must be bom in 
mind, that a dry soil, or a porous subsoil, or such 
thorough aud complete drainage aa will allow 
the water to pass freely from even the lowest roots , 
is indispensable. And as this is a condition 
hard to maintain, or even to secure temporarily, 
except at an expense absolutely impracticable, 
upon the stiff elay beds, my own preference is 
for a lighter soil, and always for the drift soils. 
But more upon this point, when I come to 
consider the preparation of the soil for plant¬ 
ing, &c. 
In putting out a vineyard, it is all important 
to secure strong, healthy, well-rooted plants. 
The conditions if “feeble and sickly,” and 
“ vigorous and robust,” or healthy, belong as 
well to the animal kingdom; and when it is 
considered, that these habits are as often “ con¬ 
stitutional ” hi the one ease as the other, the 
relative value of good and poor plants, or rather 
the desirableness of the one, and the worthless¬ 
8ENECA BLACK CAP vs. MIAMI RASP 
BERRY, 
I accept Mr. Purdy’s proposal, contained in 
Rural of Oct. 26, for the exchange of plants 
and testiug of their claims by Fruit Committee, 
as you suggest, with this condition: that the 
plants exchanged he selected or assorted by 
some competent raspberry grower, and would 
name O. J. Weeks of West Webster, N. Y., as 
a suitable person—each party to pay him for his 
services in visiting their respective grounds aud 
assorting their plants. I make this condition 
because I assort out aa worthless from one- 
tenth to onc-half of all the plants I send out,— 
but the common practice of dealers 1 b to call 
every piece of cane that has roots on a plant; 
and, further, I believe Mr. Purdy’s practice 
is to permit his irresponsible laborers to fill 
his orders, because a year ago last spring I re¬ 
ceived 25 plants from him in three days from 
packing, and not one of them could I make live. 
They were black and rotten, while strawberry 
plants, in the same package, were fresh,— i. e., 
the raspberry plants were rotten when packed, 
and whoever packed them knew it, if they knew 
anything about their business, which I suppose 
Mr. Purdy does. 
If Mr. Purdy accepts this condition he can 
notify Mr. Weeks when he is ready for him to 
select the plants. H. H. Doolittle. 
Oaks Corners, N. Y., Oct. 96,1867. 
Horticultural Notes and Queries 
A “Freak” in Ai-i-i.kb, — Mr. Rtjbsell Park, 
Geneva, N . Y., has forwarded us a branch of an apple 
tree, which, from the same graft apparently produces 
two varieties of apples. The fruit Is supposed to be the 
russet, anti some perfect specimens are outlie branch ; 
a few inches above and at the end are some having 
the outaide appearance of greenings, but the flavor 
varies but little If any from the russet. We have 
often seen greenings, to all outsidu appearance, on 
russet apple trees, while the flavor and lleah were, 
true russet This appears to be a similar case, tliongh 
it is possible that a “ freak” has occared and a variety 
differing somewhat from the original has grown on 
the same branch with it. 
Tine Qtitxois Blight— Salt. — We are informed 
that a gentleman in this city observing that his quince 
trees were being blighted and dying off, resorted to 
the iibc of salt as a preventive. lie dug about the 
roots of the affected trees; supplied a liberal coating 
of salt to the soil and replaced that which had been 
removed. The result was tliat the present season 
passed over without any appearance of blight while 
the yield of fruit was munificent In quantity aud 
in quality all that could have been desired. If the 
salt was the cause of the improvement—aud such is 
assumed to be the fact — why may not equally benefi¬ 
cial results be obtained by a corresponding applica¬ 
tion to the roots of pear trees? It will cost but little 
to make a trial. If successful, the gain will be great, 
but Bhould the experiment result in failure the loss 
will be a trifling one. Try the salt next year. 
How to keep Meat Fresh.— Simply Immerse 
it in buttermilk. This will keep it lor several 
days, when the milk should bo changed, and 
fresh milk substituted. In this way, beef, veal, 
dec., can be kept for several weeks and it will bo 
us sweet and fresh at the end of that time us 
when first put in. Our butcher furnished ns 
with the receipt. The whole neighborhood is 
now saving its meat in this way. It is equally 
efficacious in the hottest weather. — F. G., in 
Jtural World. 
VICK’S SEED ESTABLISHMENT 
James Vick is a name fast becoming famous 
—a household word—among the cultivators and 
lovers of Flowers all over thv lfiRili And its 
possessor is entitled to both fame and fortune 
for his persistent, long-continued and successful 
efforts to improve the taste for and culture of 
the most beautiful products of the Floral King¬ 
dom. As an editor and writer Mr. Vick aecom. 
plished much, years ago, (through the pages of 
the Genesee Farmer, Horticulturist and Rural 
New-Yorker,) to promote improvement in 
Floriculture,—and we have known him as a 
careful aud successful cultivator of choice 
flowers for over a quarter of a century. For 
many years he was an amateur — cultivating 
flowers for the love of them only; hut a few' 
. years ago he entered the arena os a professional 
' cultivator, and also as an importer and grower 
of seeds, bulbs, etc., in which field he rapidly 
acquired a reputation and celebrity that pluces 
a him in a most enviable position. From a com¬ 
paratively small beginning Mr. V. has, by care, 
« industry and the display of rare taste and skill, 
<s] established an immense trade —so great that he 
has been obliged to largely increase his grounds, 
and seek a commodious block for his headquar- 
& ters in this city—both of which are briefly 
E? described below. 
3 Mr. Vick’s Warehouse, represented above, 
S is in a new building on Mill st., near the post- 
14 office, and between the offices of the two prin¬ 
GRAPE CULTURE 
The primary conditions of successful grape 
culture, says Wm. Griffith of North East, are, 
a well adapted climate, suitable soil, strong 
healthy plants, of varieties suited to the partic¬ 
ular locality to be occupied, and thorough till¬ 
age. Many other things are important, and by 
no means to be disregarded; some of which, in 
order to secure any great measure of success 
should receive careful attention; but these are 
altogether indispensable, as experience has 
abundantly demonstrated. 
The isothermal lines indicate with tolerable 
accuracy, the requisite temperature, and with 
due deference to different varieties, may be re¬ 
lied upon to determine the boundaries and fix 
the limits of what may be regarded as grape or 
wine-growing districts. It will he borne in 
mind that these lines are seldom found to 
traverse the lines of latitude, for any consider¬ 
able distance, being interrupted and varied by 
local conditions, as by large bodies of water, al¬ 
titude, &c., so that, in many instances, they 
cross lines of latitude at angles quite acute, so 
as not to be recognized, except by scientific ob¬ 
servations ; in other cases they are interrupted 
and diverted suddenly, with variations of several 
degrees. 
Perhaps it may considerably abate the anxiety 
of some who are about to plant vineyards upon 
Chicken Soup without Chicken. —Take one 
dessert teaspoonsful of flour and rub smooth in 
oue gill of milk; put in oue ounce of butter, and 
pepper and salt to suit the tast j; pour in a half 
pint of boiling water, boil ten minutes, and pour 
over toasted bread. Thyme or parsley, as is 
most agreeable, may be added. 
American Pomoloqical Society.— The Secretary 
of this Society, F. It. Elliot, Cleveland, Ohio, haw 
issued a circular letter to the friends of Pomology, 
soliciting communications for the biennial report, of 
the Society, soon to be Issued. Information relative 
to new seedlings; the comparative values of different 
fruits; diseases of the same; Boils adapted to the 
growth of the various kinds, la aolicited. Also sam 
pics of new seedlings or unnamed fruits, that com 
purUon*, drawings and descriptions of the same may 
be made and forwarded to competent pomologists for 
information in regard to them. The Amcricuu, 
United States and Union Express Companies will 
transport all samples anil packages of fruit, for these 
purposes, free of charge. Due credit will be given 
to contributors for the information supplied. Ad¬ 
dress Secretary Elliot, Cleveland, Ohio. 
Cottage Pudding.— One pint of flour, two 
teaspoonsful of cream of tartar, a little salt, a 
piece of butter as large as an egg, one cupfull of 
white sugar, one egg, a large teacup of milk with 
a teospoonfull of soda well dissolved in it. Bake 
half an hour. 
Cottage Cake. — One quart of flour, three 
cups of sugar, one cup of butter, two cups of 
milk, four eggs, two teaspoonfuls cream of tar¬ 
tar, one t easpoonful of Boda, one-half of a nut¬ 
meg, and a few currants. 
Aitles in Michigan. —In portions of Michigan 
apples are quite plentiful. The price per barrel, for 
shipment, is from $1.75 to $9 
Inq> iky. —Can any reader of the Rural tell 
how soft tallow may be hardened so as to make 
good candles?—T. P. Boyd, Liu, Co., N. Y. 
It is said that most failures in plantiug raspberries 
and blackberries, arise from planting too deep. 
