OORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER 
APRIL 3 
of a pluralist. 
DAILY RURAL LIFK 
From the Diary of a Centleman Near New 
York City. 
MAKING A HOBBY OF IT. 
March 22.—In gardening, as in many other 
occupations pursued for pleasure or profit, 
there is a tendency to spread capital and 
labor over too large tin area to insure any¬ 
thing like perfection in any one thing. In 
the earlier days of horticulture as an art, 
when the entire number of species of plants 
scarcely exceeded the varieties of some of 
the most popular ones, at the present time, 
a man might be excused for al tempting to 
bring the greater portion into his collection, 
even as an amateur cultivator; but multi¬ 
plicity of both species and varieties during 
the past century makes any attempts in 
that direction, appear exceedingly fallacious. 
In fact the world appears to expand or in¬ 
crease in size and multiplicity of productions 
in proportion to the extent of our researches 
in any one direction. Our scientific investi¬ 
gators in the various branches of natural 
history having recognized this fact (or at 
least a majority of them) confine themselves 
to a limited field and become what, is termed 
“specialists,” preferring to devote their 
lives to acquiring much knowledge of a few 
things than to know very little of many. 
Now the same ideas or principles are as 
applicable to ordinary gardening as to any 
other branch of science or art, and the 
mistakes made by the. amateur florist are 
usually of a similar nature to those who 
commence, studying natural history, with 
the expectation of going over the whole 
field very thoroughly, but find to their dis¬ 
may that a lifetime will notsufilce for inves¬ 
tigating the members of many a single genus 
or family of plants and animals. Many 
ladies and gentlemen take more pride in the 
number of species and varieties of plants 
cultivated in their gardens than in the quality 
or perfection of tlic same, which I think is a 
mistake, leading more to disappointments 
than true progress. Better grow a few 
plants well, than many indifferently, Is a 
far better motto for professional as well as 
amateur florists. To use a common phrase, 
a person to acquire groat success, must, 
make certain plants a “hobby," devoting 
extra care to their culture in order to insure 
extra results. 1 know that it Is quite difficult 
to make a selection of a few really good 
kinds of plants, when there are so many 
named in our seedsmen's and florist’s cata¬ 
logues, and perhaps all equally desirable 
undor certain circumstances, still perplexi¬ 
ties on this score can readily be avoided by 
following the “hobby system,” that is, 
making a few a specialty each year, or for 
a succession of seasons until one has thorough¬ 
ly mastered t he difficulties which may ap¬ 
pear in this culture. Borne of the best dis¬ 
plays 1 have ever seen of certain classes of 
plants, wore produced by this plan. One of 
my neighbors for t he past two or three years 
has made the culture of Petunias a hobby, 
and another pays especial attention to the 
Pelargoniums, the success in both instances is 
a marvel to those who spread an equal 
amount of skill and labor over a greater 
number of kinds, and less upon any particu¬ 
lar genus. Of course neither of the persons 
referred to omit the culture of everything 
else except their specialties, but the plauts 
named receive the largest share of attention 
and the results justify the expenditure. 
Prom inv own experience in floriculture 
and gardening in general, I conclude that 
this plan of special culture of a few kinds of 
plants at a time will give greater satisfaction 
to the cultivator than the more usual one of 
attempting to introduce everything which 
may be highly recommended. There are, it 
is true, a few kinds of plauts which are 
always desirable, like the best, roses, hardy 
herbaceous plants and ornamental shrubs 
but among the annuals, biennials and tender 
“bedders” there is an abundance of room 
for “ playing hobby,” to an almost unlimited 
extent. 
rotation in floriculture. 
March 23.—Much has been written of late 
years in regard to the value of a rotation of 
crops upon the farm, and T am inclined to 
think it is just as essential in floriculture, 
Without attempting to discuss the theories 
advauced in regard to the exhaustiou of 
certain elements in the soil by certain plants 
or the poisonous excretions of others, I think 
as a source of variety rotation may be intro¬ 
duced into floriculture with beneficial results, 
and I have in my mind certain country 
gardens located near a road that I hav e 
traveled for quite a number of years, all of 
which would be much improved by a rota¬ 
tion or at least a variation of crops. It 
appears to me that the same dozen or more 
zinnias, large double marygolds, clump of 
hollyhocks, two or three crimson petunias 
and perhaps a half dozen Bcarlct pelargoni¬ 
ums have occupied the same spot every 
season during the period named. Now I 
have no objection to these good old flowers, 
but to see them in the same Identical spot, 
“for ever and ever” without the least 
change of position, becomes painfully monoto¬ 
nous. A single row of tall, slender zinnias 
or big double rnarygolds, or plants of the 
same, scattered here and there among border 
plants, is enough to give one a fit of lone¬ 
someness, through sympathy, but to see the 
same unartistie arrangement repeated for 
half a lifetime in the Bame garden, is enough 
to make me wish there was a society to 
prevent cruelty to plants, as well as animals, 
While 1 am about it perhaps 1 may venture 
to suggest to my neighbors, and the rest of 
mankind, that it is possible to make a change 
in the appearance of one’s garden every year 
without uny change in the kinds of plants 
cultivated. The Coleus this summer may be 
planted where the Pelargoniums were last, 
and the Petunias in the Verbena bed, and so 
on through the entire list. These changes in 
arrangement will doubtles strike your old 
visitors us a decided improvement over that 
of last year, besides a change in soil may lie 
quite beneficial to the plants. Next season 
the reverse of this may be adopted if no 
better arrangement can be devised, thereby 
securing rotation and variation in appear¬ 
ance without incurring any extra expense. 
But do not forget to sow the zinnias, double 
maty gold and similar plants in masses, in¬ 
stead of dotting them here and there about 
the borders, without any regard to the blend 
ing or contrast of colors with other plants in 
close proximity. 
(frarta. 
A SELECTION OF VEGETABLES. 
HAVE WE MOVED NORTHl 
Never in my recollection has there been 
such a severe cold winter as the present- one. 
On this 28d of March the fields are covered 
with snow so compact and hard that a team 
and sled can be driven over it without real 
Jy making a visible impression. Two years 
ago my neighbors had their peas and pota¬ 
toes planted the It.h of this month, the 
ground being warm enough to plow and 
work easily. My garden has been covered 
with snow ever since lust Ghristuias, not 
once has the earth been seen since, and from 
present appearance it will not be for a month 
yeU It must have been unusually cold fur¬ 
ther North, for the birds of the arctic regions 
have reached New Jersey, else New Jersey 
has taken a jog to the northward, lam at a 
loss to know which. To-day the Pine («ros- 
beak (Ptuicula Canadensis) has made its ap¬ 
pearance upon our pine and Norway spruces, 
searching for seeds, also snow buntings and 
several other species of arctic birds, are 
about in considerable numbers, and I should 
not be surprised to see at any moment, a I o- 
lar white bear coming across the fields t.o my 
barnyard. Let us go to Florida, or petition 
Congress to lubricate the earth s axle-tree. 
It may be that “ Old Probability ” has done 
all tliis mischief. 
WOODCHUCK TANNING. 
Please tell C. C., Keepvjlle, Pa., that the 
best way to tan woodchuck Bkins with the 
hair on is to sprinkle salt and alum on his 
hides, roll them up and let them lie until the 
salt is melted. r lotau without the hail on, 
he wants to put his hides into a bucket of 
ashes and water, let it lie until the hail 
comes off fully, then take the hair off, then 
put it (the skin) into soft soap, let it lie there 
until the lye eats the flesh off, then take it 
out and mb it dry over a Binoke. Then ho 
has a hide that can’t be beat for toughness. 
Parishvllle, N. Y. a. C. 
--- 
Cleaning Oil Paintings.—A correspondent 
of the Scientific American asks “ How can 1 
clean an oil painting that is injured by dust 
and particles of wrapping paper t It is re¬ 
plied : _We can recommend the following: 
Take the picture out of frame, lay a coarse 
towel over it- for ten or fourteen days; keep 
it continually wet.until it has drawn out all 
the filthiness from the picture; pass some 
linseed oil which has been a long time sea¬ 
soning over it, in the sunlight, to purify it, 
and the picture will become as lively on the 
surface as new. 
Egg-plant.— Several new species and va¬ 
rieties have been introduced within the past 
few years, but the greater part are more or¬ 
namental than useful. The Pekin Black is 
one of the largest and probably one of the 
very best in market. The New York Im¬ 
proved Purple is also a well-known and pop¬ 
ular sort. 
Endive.—We have seldom found this most 
excellent vegetable except at the hotels and 
restaurants of our large cities. Few persons 
who are fond of an excellent salad would 
think of dispensing with the Endive, The 
Green Curled is one of the hardiest and easi¬ 
est grown sorts. 
Kohl-Paid, or “Turnip-stemmed Cab¬ 
bage,” may frequently take the place of the 
belt turnips, as it remains a long time in ex¬ 
cellent condition for use. The hulls can be 
readily kept over winter, and are not so 
liable to become tough and spongy as even 
the longest-keeping varieties of the turnip. 
There are only a very few varieties in culti¬ 
vation, and the Early White Vienna is a fine, 
early sort and of excellent quality. 
Lettuce Among the curled - leaved sorts 
the Early-curled Simpson will seldom disap¬ 
point the cultivator, and for a head lettuce 
Tennis Ball lias few or no superiors. 
Melons.—' With so many that are really su¬ 
perb, it is difficult to make a selection, par¬ 
ticularly as all the varieties do not succeed 
equally well in all localities and soils. The 
past year t-he Gipsy was the most popular 
watermelon received in our markets from 
the South ; but the Black Spanish and Moun¬ 
tain Sweet are our favorites for u Northern 
climate and home use. Among the musk- 
melons it is also difficult to draw lines in 
making selections ; but those w ho like a 
green-fleshed variety will find Skillman’s 
Fine-netted and Ward’s Nectar most excel¬ 
lent, as well as early. Largo Yellow Canta¬ 
loupe wifi please those who are partial to a 
yellow-fleahed sort. As it is always more or 
less difficult to obtain pure, uncontaminated 
seed of the different varieties, it. is uu excel¬ 
lent plan, when one obtains a variety that is 
satisfactory, to discontinue the cultivation 
of all others, and then endeavor to improve 
it, by careful selections of the earliest and 
best for seed. 
Onions.— The light-colored varieties, like 
Yellow Dutch and White Globe, are of a 
milder flavor than the dark-red sorts ; but 
they seldom grow ns large or keep as easily 
over winter. Btlll we should select them for 
home use. The Weatherslicld Large lied is 
the most popular sort of this color, being 
largely cultivated for market . Both the Top 
and Potato onions are excellent, for an early 
crop, but not otherwise of any great value. 
Onions. —MeLean’s Advance for an early 
and Champion of England for a late or gen¬ 
eral crop are as good as anything we have 
ever found for home use. With market 
gardeners a few days’ difference in earlincss 
is a merit worthy of consideration ; but the 
amateur can afford to wait a little, if the 
delay is made up in quality and quantity. 
Spinach.— For sowing in spring the Round- 
lea Yed is preferable ; the Prickly-leaved is 
usually sown in the fall for use in winter or 
early spring. 
Squashes. —The Boston Marrow and Hub¬ 
bard are still the most popular late fall or 
winter varieties for tableaux. The Early 
Bush Crookneck Is one of the best of its class. 
Tomatoes.— We almost fear to touch upon 
this sharply -contested question of “ which is 
the best tomato,” and will only say, Try a 
few of those most highly recommended, and 
then make your own selection after a sea¬ 
son’s trial. When “the tomato” has been 
found, endeavor to keep it. pure, as well as to 
further improve it,. The Trophy, Conqueror 
and Canada Victor are good sorts with which 
to commence. 
Turnips. —Among the early white-fleshed 
sorts there is not much choice ; but the Red- 
top Strap Leaf is probably as good as any. 
The Small Berlin or Telton is the riohest fla¬ 
vored of the early, yellow-fleshed varieties, 
but rather small, unless sown upon very 
strong soil. “ Robertson’s Golden Ball ” is a 
larger sort, also of excellent quality. For a 
late winter variety we have never found 
any, superior to the “Sweet German” for 
table use. 
--— 
savoriness in the very name. There may be 
likewise order and beauty in it. The most 
unsatisfactory things in gardens, especially 
small ones, are the herbs, scattered hither 
and thither all over the place, and time and 
patience are exhausted iu hunting them up 
when required. Quite a useful feature 
might be made in every garden, however 
small, of the herbs, were they only brought 
together into one place and arranged in or¬ 
der. The best disposition for herbs is in 
beds. These may lie from two to four feet 
wide, with foot’alley b between them, and 
the length almost double, or, al the least, 
one-third more than the width. This tfr- 
rangement in beds is the very essence of an 
herb garden. Of course hi small gardens one 
entire bed will not be needed for any herb. 
In such cases several kinds may be easily 
grown together—such, for instance, as com¬ 
mon and lemon Thyme, Pennyroyal and 
Marjoram in one ; Fennel, Sage and 1 arra- 
gon in another ; and Basil, Summer, Savory 
and Golden Purslane in another. Mint 
should always have a bed for itself, as mint 
sauce is much in demand. Chervil, again, is 
much wanted in many families for salads, 
also Burnet, Hyssop, &c. These three are 
the semi-cordial herbs : Hoarliound for sore 
throat, Tansy for tea (not that anybody ever 
drinks it), Camomile for face-ache and Btom- 
ach ailments, Rue for the gapes In poultry, 
Lad's Love, and any curious herbs that the 
villa gardener may have a fancy for. 
A bed should also be reserved for Angelica, 
used by those who know the luxury of its 
shoots candied in sugar, and for the growth 
of Borage, for flavoring claret cups in hot 
weather. Again, the herb garden is just 
the place for the orderly and systematic 
cultivation of all small salading, such as 
Mustard and Cress, a constant succession of 
young Onions, a bed of Chives, tlio cultiva¬ 
tion of Radishes throughout the season, and 
the growth of Rampion, Lettuces, Endive, 
<*e. All this would find abundant furniture 
for a good many beds, and by changing these 
for the different products a nice succession of 
cropping might be maintained. 
Finally, several beds should be set aside 
for the high class cultivation of Parsley a 
plant sadly neglected in small gardens. 
Nothing is more useful in a household for 
flavoring or garnishing, and it is just os 
easy, on a right system, to have magnificent 
leaves, exquisitely curled and clean, because 
raised high above the ground by their 
strength and stature, as to have and use the 
small, dirty leaves that have to do duty as 
parsley in so many houses. Let the parsley 
have a bed of rich, deep soil—if a yard deep 
all the better ; sowagood curled kind thinly ; 
as soon as fairly up thin the plants to a foot 
apart, anti let them grow away ireely. That 
is the whole art of growing and using Parsley- 
ami making it, really one of the most beauti¬ 
ful plants in the garden. Sow in March, May 
and July for succession. If the garden of 
herbs is too small for the devotion of one or 
more beds to Parsley, sown at different 
seasons, then the whole lierb garden might 
be fringed round with Parsley, and the gar¬ 
nishing and flavoring plants themselves be 
garnished with its beauty. No portion of 
any garden, large or small, not even exclud¬ 
ing thut wholly devoted to flowers, will af¬ 
ford more pleasure than an herb garden well 
furnished and kept. There wifi always be 
something growing and doing in it. 
A SMALL HERB GARDEN. 
The Villa Gardener has these hints, which, 
if followed out, in whole or in part, would 
add greatly to the attractiveness and utility 
of American gardensThere is poesy and 
---- 
REPLANTING OLD STRAWBERRY BEDS. 
Last fall I plowed up half an acre of 
struwherries that had borne two vears. I 
would like to set a new patch there this 
spring. Can I raise as good berries on it by 
using plenty of manure as I could l>y leaving 
it, till 1 can got good sod to turn under ?— 
Novice. 
We should much prefer to use the ground 
where strawberries had been growing last 
year for the same crop again this, than to 
run the risk of planting upon newly-turned 
sod. It would be better, however, if you 
have other suitable land that can be spared 
for strawberries, to use it and plant the old 
bed with corn, potatoes, or similar crop, this 
season, and put the strawberries upon it 
next. But if this is not convenient use the 
old bed, plowing in the manure applied this 
spring, and if three or four bushels of salt 
per acre is scattered broadcast a week or two 
before the plants are set out it will help to 
destroy noxious insects which may be in the 
ground ; besides, it is a good fertilizer when 
used in small quantities. 
Our objection to newly-broken sod for 
strawberries is that the _ white grubs, so 
destructive to the plants in many localities, 
ara usually far more abundant than in land 
which has been recently cultivated. The 
game objection may be urged againt re¬ 
planting old strawberry beds ; but the grubs 
are not usually as abundant on them as in 
meadows and pastures. 
