333 
MOORE’S RURAL- MEW-YORKER. 
,§rarg of a JRuraltsl. 
DAILY RURAL LIFE. 
From the Diary of a Centleman near New 
York City. 
HARDY PLANTS FROM CUTTINGS. 
Dec. ?.—The pleasant warm weather which 
still continues, although long past the usual 
time of frosts and snows, reminds me of the 
unusual opportunity for doing up fall work. 
Among the little odd jobs which are likely 
to be neglected is that of making cuttings of 
various plants generally propagated in this 
manner. Of course it can bi done later in 
the Beason, b it every da . ’s delay lessens the 
chances of success with many kind < of fruits 
und fiowerint plants, even with those con¬ 
siders perfectly hardy. 
If one has plants enough of all the various 
sorts of gooseberries, currants and grapes, it 
is we 1 to start a few cuttings for a time of 
need, because young plants will, with many 
kinds, give better fruit than the old ones. 
This is especially the case with the choice 
sorts of gooseberries, which are so liable to 
be attacked by mildew when the plants be¬ 
come enfecbkd with ago or slight over-pro¬ 
duction. 
The greater part of our ii .rdy. ornamental 
shrubs may be rapidly pro; agated with ripe 
Wood cuttings taken off in the fall and buried 
in the cellar or some dry place in the open 
ground. Almost any old plant of Weige.la, 
Spiraea , Deulzia , or Philudelphus (Syringa) 
will furnish a hundred or more cuttings, and 
these may become in one year, with very 
little care, as many good, strong bushes. If 
you are at a loss what to do with this num¬ 
ber, I wi 1 sugg *@t a hedge of the same plant¬ 
ed almost anywhere can scarcely fail to be 
acceptable to yourself and others. 
Country places arc, as ageneral rule, rather 
barren of ornamental plants, a single bush cf 
a few of the most common kinds bging con¬ 
sidered sufficient. If hedges are thought of 
it is for forcing purposes and not as an orna¬ 
ment. Cuttings made of this year’s growth 
and six or eight inches iong, will usually 
grow quite readily (of the common kinds 
especially) if made m the fall and caretuliy 
heeled-in. 
There are a few kinds, however, which do 
not grow from ripe wood cuttings, at least 
not very readily, in our Northern climate, 
tut most of thev can be rapidly mult.iphcd 
by cuttings of the roots. The common double 
flowering Almonds are plams of this kind, 
aud the best way to manage them is to take 
up a quantity of the roots in the fall aud cut 
into pieces two to three inches long ; then 
mix with pure sand, after which s t away in 
the cellar or bury in some dry place in the 
open ground until spring. 
The Pyrus Japan tea, which is quite difficult 
to propagate from cuttings of the branches, 
grow readily from cuttings of the roots when 
treated in this m inner. In the spring the 
cut.-iDgs may be sown in drills, then covered 
v,o or three inches deep with good, mellow 
soli. A i the varieties of the blackberry aud 
the raspberry which naturally produce suck¬ 
ers, may be propagated to an almost unlim¬ 
ited extent in this way, and yield even better 
plants than are produced naturally. But 
plains of such fruits are usuully abundant 
enough ; not so ornamental shrubs, and 1 
would like to see more clumps, groups and 
hedges of cur snowballs, lilacs, Weigelas 
and similar plants, aud perhaps my wish 
might be gratified if everybody knew how 
readily they are propagated. The new double 
Dents La ore nakt grows as easily from cuttings 
as the currant., and is also one of the neatest 
of ornamental hedge plants. 
ALCOHOL FOR SCALE INSECTS. 
Dec. 8.—I presume that almost every one 
having kept house plants has, at some time, 
found various minute insects upon them. 
The red spider (acwu*) can be got rid of by 
using water pretry freely overhead and keep¬ 
ing the plants in a mo st atmosphere. The 
green fly (Aphis) is easily destroyed with 
tobacco smoke ; but wheu it ouraes to the 
scale insects and mealy bugs, all these reme¬ 
dies fail and more severe means must be 
employed. Dipping the plants in soapsuds, 
heated to about 120° to 130°, has been my 
method heretofore of destroying these pests, 
and I never discovered that the degree of 
heat named injured the most delicate plants, 
although the Editor o a new “Garden” 
journal informs its readers tliat pure water 
heated to 120° “• will take nil’ every leaf.” 
But a vessel of hot water of just the right 
temperature is not- always conveniently at 
hand when one happens to discover a few 
scales on the leaf or stem of some favorite 
plant, and I have been looking about for 
a more handy weapon. A neighbor (who, by 
the way, is also a correspondent of the Rural 
New-Yorker,) suggested alcohol, and I have 
been giving it a trial on the mealy bugs and 
oleander-scale with splendid success. John 
now keeps Ids bottle and brush where he can 
dress down the pests whenever one appears; 
This is certainly a handy remedy and thus 
far 1 have not noticed that it injures the 
most delicate Fuchsia, Geranium, or any 
similar plant. Probably whisky, or “Jersey 
lightning,” also known as "Apple Jack,” 
would answer the purpose equally as well. 
Perhaps the use of these stimulants might, 
in some cases, be injurious to the gardener ; 
but a little doctoring in advance (of the alco¬ 
hol, not the gardener,) would prevent any 
such disastrous results. 
This is not patented, nor “ patent applied 
for.” 
SCENTED LEAF GERANIUMS. 
While the rage for the showy Zonal, Bi¬ 
color and Tri-coior Geraniums is so potent, it 
is to be feared that some of the good sorts in 
other classes are being overlooked. When it 
comes to making up & bouquet in winter a 
few leaves of some of the sweet-scented sorts 
work in very agreeably, especially the rose, 
lemon and pennyroyal. In addition to the 
fragrance of the leaves they are also quite 
showy when well grown. For instance, Lady 
Plymouth is a variety of the common Rose 
GerauiiSm with the leaves distinctly tipped 
with white, the contrast in color being so 
decided that it could sarcely^fail to attract 
attention. Then there is apple-scented, balm- 
scented, citron, nutmeg, peppermint, orange, 
myrrh and (perhaps the grandest of all in 
appearance, at least,), the Fernifolia, or fern- 
leaved. This is a splendid plant, with the 
leaves so finely cut that they appear more 
like a ruaea of green silken fringe than a tree 
leaf. The plant is a strong, vigorous grower, 
but not cfiaioe and straggling, like the old 
Rose Geranium, I am quite certain that 
this variety will become a general favorite 
among the ladies when better known. 
STATE DISTRIBUTION OP SPAWN AND 
FISH. 
In delivering spawn and living fish from 
the State Hatching House, the following 
rules have to lie obeyed exactly : 
Ouly public waters (and no private ponds) 
con be supplied. 
The impregnated spawn of Salmon Trout 
and Whitefish can be sent in October to such 
places as have conveniences for hatching it. 
Li ving Salmon Trout and Whitefish can only 
be delivered at Caledonia, and all persons 
wanting living fish of any kind must send a 
man for them, as there are 646 lakes in this 
State, not to speak of streams and rivers, 
aud the means at the disposal of the Com 
missioners are too small to justify the at¬ 
tempt to deliver fish at, the expense of the 
State. To avoid jealousy and dissatisfaction, 
no exception will be made to this rule. The 
expenses of the person coming for the fish 
will Ivj 50 cents at Caledonia and $2 at Roch¬ 
ester, for cartage, besides traveling expenses. 
ioung Whitef!-h are m condition to trans¬ 
port frum the 1st to the 10th of February ; 
{Salmon Trout from the 10th to the 20th. 
Oswego Bass, Strawberry Bass .White Bass, 
Rock Bass. Block Bass, Yellow Perch, Pike, 
Perch or Wall-Eyed Pike and Bull-Heads can 
he delivered at Rochester at any time during 
the winter months. Application to be made 
at No. 16 Mortimer st. 
Milk cans are used to carry all kinds of 
fish. A five-gallon milk can will hold 8,000 
Whitefish nr 1,000 Salmon Trout, or from 10 
to 20 of the other fish above-named, accord¬ 
ing to their size. 
AH communications must be addressed to 
the undersigned, and must describe particu¬ 
larly thB waters to be stocked,, giving their 
names, locations and size, and slating 
whether the ponds Lave rocky or muddv 
bottoms, or have eel-grass, flags, and pond 
lilies. The Wall-Eyed Pike, Rock Bass, 
White Bass, Black Bass, Whitefish and 
Salmon Trout are suited to clear watei s with 
rocky bottoms, where the Crawfish is to be 
found, and Oswego Bass, Perch, Strawberry 
Bass and Bull Heads will only live on muddy 
bottoms with flags and pond lilies. It should 
also be stated what kinds of fish are found 
In the lake. 
- It is almost useless to stock rivers which 
overflow their banks and flood much extent 
of country, as the fish are stranded by the 
receding waters aud get into pond holes, 
where they perish in dry weat her. 
All fish should be deposited as near the 
head of the lake as possible, so they will not 
go into the outlet before they become fami¬ 
liar with the waters. The young fish should 
be deposited during the night, when most 
large fish do not feed, and will find hiding 
places before moraine. 
Seth Green. Superintendent, 
No. 16 Mortimer st., Rochester, N. Y, 
Ipatrfliw of Huskmlrg. 
TALK WITH GRANGERS. 
The Dirigo (which means Maine) Rural 
talks in this wise under the above heading : 
To those who have joined the Farmer’s 
Movement; those who arc Patrons from a 
sincere and earnest desire to protect, instruct 
to elevate the fanners so that they may be 
able to meet any and all other classes, at any 
and all times ; that they may claim the right 
to be represented as well as taxed, and of 
speaking for themselves w herever their in¬ 
terests are concerned ; to those well meaning 
brothers and sisters we will with all serious¬ 
ness put a few questions. Are you doing all 
in your power to advance the interests of 
the Order to which you are confidently look¬ 
ing for such results f Do you endeavor to 
strengthen your Grange by inviting and 
trying to persuade all persons suitable for 
membership to join i Do you aim to inform 
yourself so that you will be able to show 
them, that, in common with yourself, their 
only hope is in co-operation, and that there is 
not the remotest hope of successful co opera¬ 
tion without, organization ? The organiza¬ 
tion you now have, is perfect and full of 
power if it is wisely managed and sufficiently 
prized ; it is everything you desire if you in 
return but do your duty to that. Organiza¬ 
tion, however, of itself is inanimate and only 
prepares you for t he work you must certainly 
perform or you are only an inefficient, element 
that tends to weakness, and not strength. 
Let every member of both sexes be fully' 
impressed with the idea that there is ivork 
for each and all to do ; there is no avenue to 
success in this movement, and through this 
organization, ©von, except by work. If all 
do their duty, their desires are within easy 
range of possibility, and their fondest hopes 
may be realized. On the other hand should 
members,’as soon as the novelty of initiation 
is worn off, become sluggish and cold cer¬ 
tainly' no progress can be made. It is only' 
by keeping the importance of the movement 
constantly in view', never forgetting the fatal 
consequence of letting the fires on the altars 
go out, or e.ven burn too low', through in¬ 
difference aud neglect of those who are most 
interested, and on whom it a’onedependafor 
success. Do you realize that if the present 
movement fails, in the interests of manhood 
and labor, it will be utterly impossible to ever 
rally again ? If the Order disband now we 
shail w'hollv lose confidence in ourselves, 
become thoroughly demoralized, and further 
weakened by our failure ; we shall then be 
the unresisting and easy prey of those from 
whose clutches we vainly thought to escape. 
Capital will then indeed be king, with abso¬ 
lute and undisputed sway, and laboring 
humanity' will then bend and groan beneath 
its heavier burdens with, none to hear their 
cries and pity their oppressions; with no 
appeal from the cruel fate that remorselessly 
follows them, except in bloody revolution. 
Aud, this, even affords no hope; the history 
of the communists and bread rioters is but 
the history of failure—struggling for a foot¬ 
hold among humanity, they have but sunk 
themselves in deeper degradation. The only 
hope is in the Grange. There is no escaping 
the conclusion ; w'e all know it, let us there¬ 
fore, iu the name of justioe and country' and 
posterity to oome, rouse up, fire our hearts 
with new zeal for the work that must be 
done if this new sun is not to go down leav¬ 
ing us in darkness and utter despair. 
--- 
GRANGE NOTES AND ITEMS. 
The Wisconsin Patrons have already for¬ 
ty-one co-operative associations for selling 
goods and manufacturing, and twenty-nine 
insurance companies. 
Some of the Patrons of Rice County' re¬ 
cently combined and bought 500 barrels of 
apples which were distributed to the mem¬ 
bers at wholesale cost. That is the kind of 
co-operation that pays. 
Elect your most efficient and well-posted 
man to be Master in you r Grange. Efficiency 
is what is most needed. The next person in 
importance is the Secretary, who should be 
active, energetic ami affable, 
r.ATrrc Grange, 1820, St. Louis County, Mo., 
has a handsome and neatly furnished hall, 
a reading room where all the leading Agri¬ 
cultural and Grange papers are kept on file, 
and the nucleus of a fine library'. 
In bis speech at Dalton, Ohio, Brother L. 
H. Ellis said that he had attended public 
Grange gatherings in twenty different coun¬ 
ties of this State without seeing a drunken 
man, and hearing but one profane word. 
Brother John Lc.sk of Clinton, Miss., ad¬ 
vocates the plan of Patrons making their 
own boots and shoes, and thinks tanneries 
and shoe factories organized in every county 
would pay. We reckon Brother Lusk is 
mistaken. It is a great mistake to suppose 
the Grange can do everything. Use brains, 
brethren—not shoeleather. 
Much depends on the master oi the Grange. 
He should be a progressive, reading, thinking 
active man. He should lead as an officer, 
and have his suggestions matured and sound, 
and then he will have the confidence of the 
members. Let the masters wake up to the 
importance of their position, and be pre¬ 
pared for an emergency .—Southern Ag. 
The concluding sentiments of Master 
Hamilton’s address to the California State 
Grange contain some good advice, as appli¬ 
cable here as there : 
“ And now, Patrons, let me again remind 
you, we have our task before us, and all our 
ability will be taxed to devise plans to ac¬ 
complish it ; all our energies will be required 
to carry it into effect. Let each brother and 
sister do all that is in his or her power to 
promote harmony ; and if we cannot all 
reach Iho point at which we aim by one 
road, let no one falter or grow weary by 
well doing, but let our course ba upward aud 
onward ; let charity and fraternity be our 
motto. With these for ou r watch wo rds, and 
with reform for our object and aim, we can¬ 
not fail if we are but true to ourselves and 
the cause we have espoused.” 
®he dfiitulcit. 
DOES CABBAGE POISON THE GROUND! 
In a recent issue of the Rural New- 
Yorker Mr. Nash makes this inquiry, and 
my answer, no, is from practical experience 
and observation. Since I havo assumed the 
duties of a farmcrine our garden has been 
enlarged and the new ground is used for 
growing cabbage, beets (in fact anything 
that I see fit to grow upon it), and upon the 
beds that usually grow cabbage I have grown 
all the kinds that are generally grown in 
gardens, and never had a single plant suffer 
from any cause (without the cut-worms 
thought, they had a better right to the ground 
than I had). 1 plant beets between the 
squares of cabbages and the nicest beets 1 
ever saw were growm in this way'. I have 
planted citrons and muskmejous among my 
cabbage, and have raised as fine an article 
there as I did in any other part of the garden. 
I am aware that some writers affirm that 
potatoes, sweet corn, &c,, &c., cannot be 
grown as successfully where cabbage has 
been grown, but I accept it all as “bosh,” 
for my own experience is all to the contrary. 
Is the early Minnesota sweet corn a hum- 
humbug ? 1 have seen grown what people 
call Minnesota corn, and theirs were nubbins 
for sure—the ears of corn I mean. Vick 
speaks of it in his catalogue, plant, dwarf, 
ears fine for so early a variety, and of good 
quality. Any one acquainted with field corn 
knows that the early' kinds are always small¬ 
er and inferior to the later sorts. If Mr. 
Nash wants good-sized early corn, let him 
try Russel’s Prolific and Moore’s Early Con¬ 
cord. But for my own raising I prefer wait¬ 
ing a few days longer for Crosby’s Early, 
sucoeedea by Stowell’s Evergreen. 
Young Farm Matron. 
-- 
GARDENERS’ NOTES. 
Red Kidney Bean.— i( How does this bean 
yield, compared with other varieties ) Is it 
a bush or pole bean, and where can the seed 
be obtained 1” So asks J. R. SOOTT. The 
variety known as Red Kidney produces 
rather less than the White Kidney, is a simi¬ 
lar bean in habit (that is, requires no poling), 
but is really' not a kidney bean at all, although 
so called. If it cannot be obtained of the 
seedsmen advertising in our columns, we 
cannot inform our correspondent where he 
can get seed. 
Yellow Danvers Onions—( J. E. D.)—We 
do not advise you to cut the tops off your 
onions (though they will grow again if you 
do, but will keep better if you do not), nor 
to put them in a cellar, unle-a it is a cool and 
dry one and easily ventilated, nor to put them 
into bins more than 10 or II? Aches deep. 
The best way' is to put them .i a cool, dry 
room, where they can be wen spread and 
kept from freezing by covering with dry 
straw, chaff, hay, &e. 
Marblehead Squash. — I notice in Rural 
New-Yorker of Nov. 2lst you say'Aunt Lou 
writes that “Marblehead squashes bloomed 
finely' but dropped off without setting.” I 
had the same experience, planting on good 
land ; had fine growth of vine but no fruit. 
Is this the experience with many or only 
exceptional i—+, B. Jones. 
