9 
a shade or mulch, protecting it from summer 
heat, or if this is unnecessary, it may he 
gathered, as cut, into the hox in front, and 
removed as fast as filled. 
These mowers are made for hand or horse 
power, of dilTerent sizes, and may be ob¬ 
tained of R II. Allen & Co., 189 Water 
street, New York—from whose beautiful and 
extensive Catalogue of Implements, Machin¬ 
ery, «fec., we learn that the prices range from 
$30 to $310, according to size and capacity. 
iLtnbscaac (fjarbfning 
rbnricnltmrc 
CHICAGO PARK SYSTEM 
UPRIGHT TREES. 
BY EDUAK HANDERS. 
In all windy and exposed situations, re¬ 
cently set trees are quite certain to get out 
of a perpendicular position if not staked up. 
Make it a practice when a tree is planted in 
an exposed situation to stake it and tie it up 
with soft, broad bands; or keep the trees 
properly ballasted over the roots by heaps of 
stones. In the majority of cases the former 
plan will prove the best, if the work be care¬ 
fully performed so that the roots are not in¬ 
jured by driving the stakes. 
Trees out of true line can be made to as¬ 
sume the perpendicular by loosening the 
soil over the roots, especially on the leaning 
side. Should the trees be large, it will he 
found necessary to cut off an obstinate root 
to get the tree erect. When in position, re¬ 
tain it there by staking as before noticed, or 
by a rope extending from one of the branches 
to a stout peg driven in the ground a few 
feet distant. 
It. is a source of much annoyance to culti¬ 
vate crops in an orchard when trees lean 
much. Many fruit trees, because of their 
inclination, cannot he cultivated within a 
distance of ton or twelve feet on one side> 
with a horse, and this space must lie stirred 
by band or left for noxious weeds. Trees 
thus inclined are liable to decay in conse¬ 
quence of the unequal straining of the sides, 
checking and absorbing water.— e. d. s. 
Chicago may he said to have had the “ park 
fever ” rather badly the present winter, the 
direct result of which is that so far as acts 
of the Legislature arc concerned, the city has 
a pretty good foundation now on which t,o 
build up something of a system of parks 
that will one day do it credit. Nature has 
done btit. little for us here, always excepting 
our noble lake, towards rendering our city 
beautiful; and the landscapist will have vir¬ 
gin ground on which to build up a system 
of parks, and must needs create about every¬ 
thing before his work will tell much on the 
imagination of the visitor. 
We have comparatively no hills hex*® 
overlooking the surrounding country, like 
Cincinnati for instance, and no rocks to build 
bridges and other rugged scenery like your 
Central Park. All is flat, and tame, with but 
little woods in any direction save the ever¬ 
lasting scrub oak that dots all poor spots of 
the prairie country. 
Nor do we need immense reservoirs of 
water in our parks to be used as a supply 
for the thirsty souls of a pent-up city, as our 
lake tunnel is abundantly able to furnish us 
all the water, of the purest and best kind, 
we are likely to want for some t ime to come. 
Tin; natural divisions of our city pre¬ 
cluded all hope of obtaining one grand park, 
and as a consequence we are to have a sys¬ 
tem of them connected together, more or 
less, by wide boulevards. This will, no 
doubt, be by far the best for general utility, 
ultimately, since although the same breadth 
of land, all in one mass, might lie some¬ 
thing grand to contemplate, large breadths 
of houses would necessarily be far removed 
from the grand breathing spot, and hence, 
one part of the city's domain he much bene¬ 
fited at. the expense, of the others. 
It will also have the advantage of giving a 
far greater amount of park fronts or conti¬ 
guity, liencM in a measure preventing the 
favored few enjoying its blessings alone. 
As it now stands our parks have an area 
of something like the following.:—The North 
side has Lincoln park, already partly im¬ 
proved, having a frontage on Lake Michigan 
of about one and a half miles, and containing 
something like three hundred acres. 
The South side will have two parks, one 
on the lake shore, and the other half a mile 
nearer the city, the two containing over 
1,000 acres. 
The West side will have two, not to exceed 
two hundred acres each, by which it may 
readily lie inferred that, now that we have 
begun, we are likely to get enough land to 
last us some t ime for park purposes. 
There is a long, narrow strip of Lake 
Michigan fronting on Michigan avenue, and 
between it and the Illinois Central Railroad 
track, that is likely to be sold for building 
these parks, and if so, although now water, 
(except a portion already reclaimed that 
parties stand ready to pay a million dollars 
for,) it is estimated that ft vast sum can he 
got for it; some estimates go as high as ten 
or twelve millions. This sum will go a good 
way towards making even our forbidding 
GRAPES —WHAT TO PLANT, 
The Mississippi Valley Grape Grower’s 
Association discussed this subject in this way: 
Mr. Pearson asked, what grape shall we 
plant? What is the variety that in three 
years from now will he most in the market? 
Mr. Etsknmeykk said, if you plant Hart¬ 
ford Prolific, Concord, Herbemont and 
Taylor's Bullitt, he thought it best, not to 
plow very deep—twelve to fifteen inches— 
and put them on the poorest soil. For slow 
growing varieties plow twenty inches deep. 
This was best, according to his experience. 
Wherever you can raise Delaware, on rich 
bottom, raise them. lie did not praise the 
Clinton much, but thought it well enough to 
have a few of them. It is a strung, healthy 
grower. 
Mr. Pr.AOG said we should cultivate grapes 
1 hat will both sell and make wine. He should 
plant early, medium, and late sorts; is inclin¬ 
ed to choose lyes, Concord, and Catawba. 
Dr. Dewey said he had fruited Rogers’ 
No. 4 two years; it is healthy and does not 
drop. Does not think Ives make a good 
market grape. In his locality (Chariton 
county, Mo.,) the Delaware does finely, makes 
a vigorous growth, and has no fault. 
Mr. Peabody said, if planting largely for 
market, Mr. Flagg’s suggestion is good. 
Concord cracked badly in Jefferson county, 
Mo., last year. The ('reveling is a delicious 
grape, next to Delaware—not quite so com¬ 
pact— same luxuriance as Concord; has 
borne abundantly two years; delicious, high 
flavored and sweet. Rogers’ No 1 does well 
on our bluffs; more prolific than No. 4. 
What would do well on Mr. Flagg’s soil 
would not probably do so well on mine. 
Every locality must experiment for itself. 
Mr. Richmond, of Sandusky, Ohio.—The 
Rogers’ Nos. 4,15 and 19 arc our best grapes. 
Catawba is still considered one of our best 
grapes. 
Mr. Eisknmicyer. —Concord sells better 
than Ives. 
Dr. Claggett of Rt. Louis.—The most 
saleable grape is the Delaware, next the 
Concord ; believes more buyers will take the 
Concord at the same price in preference to 
the Delaware, but Delaware will command 
the highest price. 
A COMPLETM L’-MIlltACULCM. 
summer house, and those important in or¬ 
der to secure, in the greatest degree, the 
pleasurable effects it is capable of afford¬ 
ing when properly constructed, are a bower, 
with open sides, that the fanning breeze may 
sweep through without obstruction. Ilow 
wanting in these essentials are summer houses 
usually constructed! 
With close, rain proof, vaulted roof, and 
latticed sides, with occasionally two cramped 
doors, though generally but one, closely 
planted on all sides, as if effectually to ex¬ 
clude the genial breeze, lest it might chance 
to disturb the securely sconced spider, cater¬ 
pillar and other vermin, with which they 
are usually well stocked; with close, wooden 
floors, and heavy, clumsy, stationary seats 
facing the center of the prison-like struc¬ 
ture; at best, anything hut what they are 
intended to he —a cheerful, cool, fragrant, 
breezy bovver, for a retreat from the fervid 
summer sun. This is no exaggerated descrip¬ 
tion of these horrid architectural abortions, 
but a truthful one of a number that the 
writer lias had the pleasure of seeing demol¬ 
ished and removed to give place to his beau 
■ideal in a structure for this purpose. 
These posts are to project but a few inches 
above the surface of the ground, as their 
purpose is to attach eight chains, which 
extend up and are attached to a hoop made 
of three-fourth inch gas pipe, twenty feet in 
diameter, which is suspended on eight 
similar aliuins, attached to the pole beneath 
the cage. 
Wires are then woven into the umbrella- 
shaped top, forming a good support for the 
vines which uro trained up the chains and 
over the head, on which the different varie¬ 
ties ot foliage and flowers are mingled and 
entangled, forming a mammoth bouquet, 
vvliich perfectly shades the graveled space 
described. Under this are placed movable 
seats, constituting a delightful summer house. 
The chains leading from the ground to the 
head have a little slack, thus allowing the 
whole head to wave or vibrate in the breeze, 
giving it a very pretty effect, 
Tliis arrangement produces a fine shade 
overhead; and yet a full view out on all 
sides, and has none of the objectionable 
features of the old style of house described. 
As it is difficult to get runners of the 
choice flowering varieties to cover the struc- 
ACCLIMATION OF PLANTS. 
I frequently read of the prospective ad¬ 
vantages of acclimation of plants portrayed 
by various writers; but my practical knowl¬ 
edge of any such obtainable advantage lias 
been anything but favorable in its making 
plants strictly half hardy, entirely hardy. 
I have tried growing i lie Magnolia maero- 
phylla, the Catalpa and Paulownia, the 
orange, lemon and fig,—growing them from 
seed and protecting them by leaves, barrels 
and evergreen branches until they were so 
old as to have rough bark on their main 
stems; and then after giving them a partial 
protection for a year or two have left them 
to take care, of themselves; and I suppose 
they have done so, for of a certainty, after 
one or two years, I have had no more care 
of them, because they were not alive in my 
grounds. 
This acclimation of trees to a climate 
has been the talk of some tree dealers South 
and West, they claiming great superiority 
for those of the same sorts when grown in 
Tennessee and Alabama over the growths of 
New York or Massachusetts; but after trav¬ 
eling not. a little, and carefully examining, 
I have failed to find anything to support the 
statements — in fact I have frequently found 
orchards ot trees obtained from the North 
superior to those of trees grown from the 
lmd at the South. I have, therefore, no faith 
in accltma(inn. 1 don’t believe change of 
climate will change the natural order of the 
tree or plant. If any one does, I should like 
him to give me some tangible proof of liis 
beliefs,—something beside imaginary theory. 
A. Thorn. 
Blackberry Notes in Illinois.— “Rural,” in 
Chicago Tribune, says:—“The Lawton black¬ 
berry lias thus t ar proved t he best for the gar¬ 
den. The Kitfutinny and Missouri Mammoth 
have both come through the past winter in fine 
condition, and have the appearance of being 
equally hardy with the Lawton at this point; 
but they should have further trial before being 
largely planted. We have been disappointed in 
other sorts that for a year or two gave good 
promise. The Lawton.is now largely cultivated at 
Bouton Harbor. Mich. The rule is to cut it back 
in summer to about two l'eet. It will then send 
out strong side shoots, which are in turn short¬ 
ened in like spurs. By this mode of pruning the 
crop is supposed to be more certain, more 
abundant, and of bet ter quality. From what 1 
have seen ol’ this mode of treatment, it would 
appear to be the best. The rows should be eight 
foot wide, and the plants put at two feel in the 
row. This gives about twenty-five hundred 
plants to the acre. The rows are worked with a 
double shovel-plow, and all young plants, ex¬ 
cept those for the new shoots, treated as weeds. 
A small, one-horse steel plow, with share tiled 
sharp, so as to out off the plants, is sometimes 
used, When the land is well packed, after a 
rain, the small plow will be found the most 
useful. 
1 suppose the Lawton, or the new sorts that 
prove equally hardy, may bo cultivated for 
family use in the north part of the State of Illi¬ 
nois, by the mode stated; provided that they 
are covered with straw Or prairie hay in the 
winter, to guard against the sudden changes of 
winter. When shaded for part of the day they 
are more certain; in fact, a little shade appears 
to suit this fruit. I cannot too earnestly urge 
the keeping down of suckers and severe cutting 
back, as above directed. It is certain that this 
plan is much better than tying to stakes or 
trellis. 
Showing Construction of Umbhaculum 
The reader will not consider it egotism or 
vanity in me if I here describe in detail a 
•summer house which I have originated and 
erected, a number of which have given the 
fullest satisfaction, and have been acknowl¬ 
edged by those of highly cultivated rural 
taste to be the fullest realization of what 
should constitute this important, time-hon¬ 
ored feature of rural decoration, than which 
no other is nearer the embodiment of true 
luxury to our most exalted senses. 
1 have christened this structure an Um- 
braculum. (See engraving.) It is made by 
setting firmly in the ground a rustic pole of 
proper length and size, on I he top of which 
is built a tasteful bird-cage. Around the 
base of the pole the natural soil is removed, 
so as to form a circular area some twenty 
feet in diameter, and to the depth of ten or 
twelve inches. 
This excavation is filled to the level of the 
tore fully, for two or three years, I plant 
hops in one side of each of the borders, and 
train them up the chains and over the head, 
which they will cover perfectly Ihc first 
year, and may all be removed when the 
oilier plants are well grown. Some are well 
satisfied with the perpetual use of the hops, 
which tlu-y say are profitable as well as 
ornamental. Strong growing roses may, 
with propriety, be used with running vines. 
Baltimore, Md., 1869. 
CURCULIO DISTURBING 
Reading to-day of various ways of keep¬ 
ing the cumiljo from injuring, or rather 
from destroying, the plum, I thought of a 
successful practice I once saw pursued by 
Mr. E. Cable in His plum orchard near 
Cleveland, 0. It. is many years since, but 
perhaps the method will be now none the 
less successful. 
His orchard was in sandy, loamy soil. It 
was plowed lightly with a one-horse plow 
early in spring, the plow cutting a little 
more than two inches deep. During the 
summer, uniil about the first of August, it 
was cultivated with a horse cultivator about 
once in two or three weeks, or just often 
enough to keep the weeds down. As soon 
as the plum trees opened their blossoms, Mr. 
Cable employed boys of about fourteen or 
sixteen years of age, at a cost of eight dollars 
a month and board. In the hands of each 
boy he placed a pole about ten feet long, on 
the end of which was fastened a broad- 
mouthed lln cup, holding about three half 
pints; and these boys were kept from the 
first rays of light in the morning until sun¬ 
down, going from tree to tree dipping the 
sandy loam into then' cups and then scat¬ 
tering it among and through the branches of 
the trees, thus so disturbing the curculio that 
he failed to inflict any material injury on the 
fruit. In fact, Mr. Cable told me at the 
time he almost wished the boys were not 
quite so faithful in their work, for, if he 
could have had one-fourth the plums thinned 
out, the crop would have been better, because 
the plums would have been larger. 
This work of curculio hunting or disturb¬ 
ing was continued steadily irom the time of 
the first setting of the fruit—which is even 
before the whole of the blossoms have fallen 
—until it was more than half grown. Some 
RURAL DECORATION. 
BY J. WILKINSON. 
In addition to the positions described in 
previous articles as most appropriate in or¬ 
namental grounds, for tall growing, decidu¬ 
ous and shade giving trees, we may add that 
a few of the choicest varieties may surround 
the dwelling at, a proper distance from it 
and from each other, that the intervening 
space may admit of growing evergreen trees 
and shrubs, also of deciduous flowering 
shrubs, and yet not produce, after many years 
of the most luxuriant growth, a thicket, the 
density of which shall obstruct the view from 
the house, or the growth of grass and (lowers 
around it. They may also be used with great 
propriety for planting screens, for hiding the 
unsightly features of the place, or those on 
neighboring grounds. 
For this purpose, too, the evergreen, in all 
its varieties, may be made to mingle their 
varied forms and peculiar foliage in pleasing 
contrast. 
The main decoration in t he way of trees 
and shrubs should be evergreens, as they tend 
greatly to modify and enliven the gloom of 
winter, in which their rich and varied tints 
of green arc most advantageously displayed, 
as they gracefully bow their lower limbs be¬ 
neath a thick mantle of snow, and firmly 
bold erect their delicate, spiny heads, in cl<*- 
fiance of t he tempest. 
The summer house, if not. quite rem ote 
from the dwelling, need not be construe fled 
as it. usually is, as if it were intended as a 
shelter from ram and wind, a most, / 
IMPROVED LAWN MOWER, 
Our illustration represents what many of 
our readers need now-a-days—a very com¬ 
plete and perfect lawn-mower. Indeed it is 
regarded as indispensable by all owners of 
large lawns who value a tine, close and evenly 
cut turf, such as it is impossible to obtain by 
the use of lawn scythes without an undue 
Fruit Product of Naples, \. V.— The Horticul¬ 
tural Society has gathered the following- statis¬ 
tics of this town. This embraces only Naples, at 
the head of Canandaigua Lake. Adjoining towns 
have as large (or nearly so) products of fruit. 
Tills is a low estimate, and truthful, for 1868. 
About one-half of the acres of grapes are uot in 
bearing yet:—Bushels apples, ”0.405; pounds 
dried apples, 23, 186; bushels poaches, 2,440; 
pounds dried peaches, 3,412; bushels plums, 1,416; 
pounds dried plums. 4,(109; bushels cherries, 404; 
pounds dried cherries, 553; bushels pears, 71; 
pounds grapes, 553,453; acres of grapes, 38;}; gal¬ 
lons wine. 14,089; cans fruit, 0,795; quinces, 37; 
barrels of cider, 499. — S. L. Deyo, Sec. Naples 
(N. I r .) Horticultunil Society. 
The Improved Lawn-Mowing Machine, 
surface of the soil around it, with broken 
stones, or brickbats, and these neatly covered 
and graded, with slight convexity, with 
gravel. The pole ds set in the center of a 
walk which is widened out into the circular 
plateau, above described. Around this are 
prepared eight fertile borders, in which eight 
varieties of strong growing, running vines 
are planted, and a post firmly set by the side 
of the plant. 
amount of labor and time, even by the most 
experienced hands. 
This machine, properly used, leaves the 
grass not only evenly cut, but the heavy 
roller compacts the soil and the sod to the 
permanent improvement of both. Made 
iviLli compound swivel rollers, they can be 
turned squarely round with ease, and with¬ 
out marking the lawn. The cut grass may 
be scattered evenly over the lawn, acting as 
Illinois Strawberries from South Pass were on 
the Chicago market April 2S. 
