MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
'[ 1281 
7 
^ijn[g rtf a IfuraM 
DAILY RURAL LIFE. 
From the Diary of a Gentleman near New 
York City. 
ABOUT POND-LILIES. 
Aug. 1. —The Japan lilies are glorious plants 
and their introduction has done much to¬ 
wards awakening an interest in the w hole 
“lily tribe,” even to the hunting up of our 
various species, as well as a more general 
appreciation and cultivation of the same 
than formerly. But there ore other kinds of 
likes (hut not LiUums) which deserve to 
come in for a share of the attention being 
paid to their more aristocratic namesakes of 
“ uplandom.” Of course 1 refer to the pond 
or water lilies, some of which have no su¬ 
periors and few equals among the most re¬ 
markable vegetable productions found in 
our garden conservatories. 
The Victoria regia of the Amazon is one 
of the wonders of the floral kingdom, with 
its immense floating leaves five to six feet in 
diameter, and beautiful pink, fragrant flow¬ 
ers thirty to forty inches in circumference. 
Unfortunately, this species is not hardy In our 
climate, and none but the rich can afford to 
keep it in artificial tanks under glass, and 
supply the requisite heat in winter. The 
water lilies of the Nile or “ Sacred Bean,” of 
Egypt are famous plants of history as well as 
furnishing a theme for many a page in the 
note books cf travelers to those regions at 
the present tame. But we are not compelled 
to search the Amazon or Nile to find mag¬ 
nificent “water nymphs,” worthy of our 
tendered care and admiration, for in many a 
pond and brook, both North and South, fra 
grant, showy water lilies are more or less 
abundant. 
The largest and one of the most desirable 
is the Yellow Nclumbo, (Nelumblum luleuvn) 
or as it is called at the South “ water chin- 
quepin.” “Nelumbo,” is the C jylonesename 
for the East Indian species, hence the Latir. 
name of the genus. We have but one native 
species and if is not very common, although 
found sparingly in the Southern Slates, and 
in a few localities in the Northern, it is 
found in Big Sodas Bay, (Lake Ontario), in 
the Connecticut river near Lyme, Conn., and 
formerly, if not at present, it was growing in 
the Delaware below Philadelphia. In all 
these Northern localities it is supposed to 
have been introduced by the Aborigines who 
valued the seeds as food. The large, fleshy 
roots are also edible, but would scarcely be 
considered a delicacy by the side of our boat 
cultivated roots. This magnificent plant 
might be readily introduced into every fresh 
water pond in the country and became quite 
an interesting feature of LUO same. 
Three years since I procured a few seeds 
through one of my correspondents, and upon 
their arrival, J threw them into a shallow 
pond from which I had taken out peat. 
Although the water in this pond is not more 
than two feet deep even in winter the plants 
have not suffered from cold. Some two 
dozen are growing finely and nearly half the 
number have already bloomed or are show¬ 
ing flower buds. The flowers are six to 
eight inches in diameter, of a clear pale 
lemon yellow, and possessing a dekeate fra¬ 
grance. In my opinion they far surpass in 
beauty and fragrance the great “golden 
banded ” Japan lily, of which so much has 
been written during the past few years. 
Besides this, they require no hoeing, staking, 
or other care, and are not likely to become 
“ too familiar,” as everybody wik not have 
ponds in which to grow them. 
The leaves of the Nelumbe are very large, 
flat and round, floating on the surface of the 
water, but the flower stems shoot up two to 
ree feet above, bearing one large blossom 
on the apex. The seed vessels are top-shaped 
four to five inches broad and one and a half 
thick, each seed is of the size and form of a 
small acorn, resting in a separate compart¬ 
ment, the walls of which shrink away at 
maturity allowing the seeds to move about 
within the receptacle like the contents of a 
child’s rattlebox. One of these pods or seed- 
vessels which. I have kept for many years as 
a botanical specimen contains twenty-eight 
of the acorn-like nuts. 
THE NYMPHAAS. 
These are more common than the Nelumbo, 
and are generaUy known as the “Pond-kkes.” 
The flowers are similar in form but of smal¬ 
ler size. The most common is the sweet- 
scented white, (Nymphaea odor at a). The 
flowers are however sometimes of a piuk or 
reddish color. A larger species known as 
the “Tuber bearing,” (N-tuberosa) is quite 
common on the borders of the Western 
Lakes. The flowers are white, emitting a 
very faint odor. The roots bear tubers upon 
their surface, hence the specific name. The 
roots of the latter two pond-kkes are of im¬ 
mense size, frequently six inches in diameter 
and several feet long, consequently not very 
easily lifted from their subterranean beds of 
mud, but the seeds which ripen under water 
can be procured by hooking up the flower 
stems in the fak before they drop out of the 
pods. 
NUPHARS. 
This genus of water plants is closely allied 
to the Nymphcea *, but. too common, and not 
sufficiently showy to be very desirable. They 
are commonly known as “Spatter Dock,” 
and are found in ponds and ditches almost 
everywhere. The most common is Nuphar 
advena, or yellow pond-lily. The flowers are 
about an inch in diameter, deep golden yellow 
emitting a disagreeable fragrance. The 
leaves rise out of the water and are of an 
ovate oblong form. Both leaves and flowers 
are the favorite food of the Donaciae, an ex¬ 
tensive genus of beetles belonging to the 
Chrysom elide#. 
There arc scores of beautiful .aquatic plants 
worthy of attention and fully equal to many 
kinds cultivated in gardens, but the Nelum- 
Hums and Nympbans should lead the list, 
for they are the largest, sweetest and most 
showy. 
A TRICK OF A CITY FARMER. 
Aug. 2. —When a man from the city moves 
into the country and commences farming, 
all Hjc old “ bred-in-the-bone ” farmers iu 
the neighborhood turn prophets, putting 
their heads together and guessing how long 
it will take the sidewalk gent to “ run 
through his pile.” 8ix mouths to three 
years are the usual limits named, according 
to the amount of cash the man is supposed 
to possess, and the manner he commences 
operations. Of course the prophecies made 
are sometimes fulfilled but there is one point 
upon which the “regulars” frequently 
make a mistake In proclaiming the downfall 
of these supposed to-be novices in farming, 
and that is, a goodly number of these city 
gents were farmers' boys, have had a little ex¬ 
perience in raising and hoeing corn and pota¬ 
toes before their appearance on tile side¬ 
walks, hence they possess a slight knowledge 
of the business in advance of later attempts 
in kfe. In addition to this it would surprise 
many of my country friends who don't take 
an agricultural paper, to know how many 
thousands of city men do. They uol only 
subscribe for various agricultural and 1/orti- 
cultural journals, but read them carefully, 
besides purchasing various books treating of 
the same subjects. 
It may be safely asserted that at least one- 
half of the present residents of large cities 
expect at no future day to own (if they do 
not already) a place in the country, conse¬ 
quent^ they are inclined to read and learn 
what it is best to do with it when purchased. 
I know of men residing in New York, who 
have subscribed for agricultural papers, and 
purchased and road nearly every new book 
published relating to rural affairs, simply 
because they were, “interesting reading,” 
and some day the knowledge obtained might 
be made useful in practice. Of course I am 
read)- to admit that theoretical farming is 
not quite as safe as the practical, still I would 
rather wager my money ou the mau who 
has read up his subject thoroughly, before 
beginning practice than the one who attempts 
to learn everything from personal experience. 
Life is altogether too abort for a man in these 
days to expect to keep up with hisneighbois 
in any profession if he ignores the experi¬ 
ence of others, which he practieahy does if 
he neither reads books or periodicals. But as 
an illustration of how a city farmer’s theor¬ 
ies and practice may win, and cause confusion 
in the camps of the bred-in-the-bone class I 
will tek a kttle story. 
Not a hundred miles from where I grow 
potatoes, a city gent purchased a small farm a 
year or two since and commenced operations 
in the spring after his own fashion. Of 
course there was much speculation among 
his neighbors as to how things would come 
out, as the laud had been skinned by Its 
former owner, one of the old “regulars,” in 
that business. Some of the new potatoes 
must be tried, but the land was dreadfully 
poor and very kttle manure could be had at 
any price, therefore something must be done 
to prevent failure and the fulfilling of adverse 
prophecies. But Mr. Sidewalk had read 
that potash was a good fertilizer for pota 
toes, iu fact the best crops of this tuber were 
usuaky produced on new lands full of ashes 
and decayed vegetable matter, consequently 
he set to work to supply the first of these 
ingredients if not both. In the neighborhood 
there is a sawmill and about it as usual 
quantities of old sawdust, a few loads of this 
were hauled home and heaped under a shed. 
In the meantime Mr. Sidewalk had ordered 
sent out from the city two hundred pounds 
of pure potash. This was dissolved in water 
and poured over the sawdust, a kttle at a 
time, and the heap worked over and then 
more of the liquid put on, until at last the en¬ 
tire two hundred pounds had been taken up. 
Of course this made rather an expensive 
fertilizer and one that would scarcely be 
profitable in a long run, but it was city versus 
country and the former was bound to win, 
and he did. The land wn3 plowed and har¬ 
rowed and then furrowed out for the pota¬ 
toes. A liberal quantity of the sawdust 
spread in the trenches, potatoes dropped up¬ 
on it und covered. Of course the neighbors 
saw the sawdust, but the potash part was 
kept secret. The potatoes grew amazingly 
and the yield wassomething never before seen 
on that farm iu the memory of the oldest in¬ 
habitant. The next spring Mr. Sidewalk 
had made provision for other and cheaper 
kinds of manure, consequently did not care 
about any more sawdust, but bis neighbors 
did, and there was a great scramble for all 
that could be had at the sawmill, and it went 
into furrows and hills in large quantities, no 
questions being asked or explanations re¬ 
quired of the city farmer. 
It is probably unnecessary to mention the 
results, but I would advise any one going 
that way not to mention “sawdust” in the 
hearing of those who thought that they had 
learned a new “Kink ” in potato growing 
from a city man turned farmer. 
^kricitUural 
AMERICAN SUMAC. 
The demand for American sumac, says 
the Shoe and Leather Reporter, has increas¬ 
ed largely of late years among morocco 
manufacturers and dyers, aad many im¬ 
provements leave been made in its prepara¬ 
tion. The quality of the native article has 
now arrived at great perfection, and mills 
for grinding have sprung up all through the 
Southern and Middle States. It has not been 
a profitable bnisness for the past years, hav¬ 
ing suffered from the depression incident to 
all branches of trade. 
Sumac grow* all over the United States, 
but that best suited for tanning und dyeing 
purposes grows spontaneously in a belt of 
country, running from Maryland down 
through Virginia and the Curoknas, thence 
through the northern sections of Georgia, 
Alabama and Mississippi, and in portions of 
Kentucky and Tennessee. The northern 
climate seems too cold to develop the tan¬ 
ning properties of this plant, but large quan¬ 
tities of Pennsylvania and New York sumac 
are sold in the leaf to tanners of goatskins, 
who put it in the vats to strengthen upand 
keep the sewed skins from leaking, and it is 
also used by many tanners who wish to 
brighten the color of their leather. 
The Indian name of surnac is killikl-nick ; 
they use It, and it is stik used, to mix with 
tobacco for smoking purposes. 
Virginia stands at the head of all the 
States in producing sumac, and owing to the 
cai-e taken here in selecting and grinding, its 
quauty is unsurpassed. The towns famous 
for toe sumac trade are Richmond, Freder¬ 
icksburg, Alexandria and Winchester. 
The season for picking sumac commences 
with the first of July and ends the last of 
September, or with the first frost, for this 
turns the leaf red, and then it is worthless. 
The stems, except the leaf stems, have no 
strength, and should not be gathered, They 
are full of pith, and if ground they only 
absorb the strength of the leaf and depre¬ 
ciate the value of the article. Sumac should 
be gathered in this way, viz,: Break off the 
parts of the bush containing the leaves, but 
do not gather the blossoms or berries. Some 
sumac gatherers allow the leaves to wilt a few 
bom’s iu the sun while others convey them 
immediately into the shade or under cover. 
Cure it under shelter to preserve its color and 
strength ; when it is dry put it in bulk, and 
when dry and windy days set in, Bpread it 
out iu beds as you would wheat or oats, on a 
clean plank floor. Then thresh it with a 
flail, Jwhen the leaves and stems will break 
up fine, and rake out the large stems and 
throw them away. In drying, before thresh¬ 
ing, it should be frequently thrown over 
with a pitch fork to let the air get to every 
part of it. Remember to take out aU the 
sticks, stems and berries. The strength is in 
the leaf and leaf stem. 
The griudei-s of sumac are obliged to have 
ample storage room, as they purchase then- 
supply for a year’s griuding in the months of 
July, August and September. Care must be 
taken to have it thoroughly dry before pack¬ 
ing, to avoid spontaneous combustion. Good 
ventilation should always be secured after it 
is packed. 
j&ckirlim ami tSsjefinl. 
CONCRETE. 
In answer to your question respecting 
concrete or asphalt, I have done a great deal 
successfully for walks and some kind of 
floors, such as the floor of a pig-house, but 
have never attempted it for heavy trafllc. It 
is neither difficult nor expensive. Of course 
a great deal depends upon the cost of ma¬ 
terial ; the labor Is trifling. I have used 
screenings of gravel (I don’t like it clean, 
but mixed with sand); I have used sand 
alone when I could not get anything better, 
blacksmiths' ashes, and ashes from my en¬ 
gine. The last I did was for our churchyard 
walks ; for those 1 got the screenings of 
Leicestershire granite, which made a splen¬ 
did path, but of course, more expensive— 
the granite cost 10a.per ton. It is quite an 
unnecessary expense and trouble boiling the 
tar. Get your material dry, mix it with 
tar, turn it over twice, and let it lie a couple 
of days, then turn it again, and mix a kttle 
lime with ft, about a tenth, let it lie another 
day and then on a fine, sunny day lay it on, 
rake it even, and roll well as soon as it will 
roll, in an hour or two s time; if the rok 
does not work well (it ought to do if the 
stuff Is not mixed with too much tar), scatter 
a little dry sand over it. Every summer T 
brush my walks over with cold tar, aud give 
a good sprinkling of sand, and they are as 
good now as when first put down, fifteen 
years since. Any laborer can do it, only 
take care before laying it down it is of proper 
consistency. When ready, it ought not to 
show the least of tar, but should be a dull, dead 
black, and when moved with a shovel, ought 
to be “lively,” exactly like a mass of mites 
in a cheese. The stuff will keep a long time 
in aheap if covered up or kept, dry. I shall 
be glad to give any further information.— 
John Turner, in London Agricultural Ga¬ 
zette. 
-♦♦♦ 
THE INFLUENCE OF MUGGY WEATHER. 
Herbert Spencer advances a theory sin¬ 
gularly consonant with some popular impres¬ 
sions. All know how enervating is the damp 
“ muggy ” weather. This debilitation is due 
to the difficulty of carrying on the normal 
evaporation of the body, when the air is 
already loaded with moisture. Spencer finds 
that it is the hot and dry regions of the earth 
which have produced the smartest races, 
while the hot aud moist have produced the 
Ethiopians. The great raiuless quarter, ex¬ 
tending across North Africa, Arabia, Persia 
and Thibet, has produced all the conquering 
races of the world. The Tartar, A.yan, 
Semitic and Egyptian races have all sprung 
from this region and gone forth from it, to 
conquer the earth. On this continent it is 
the rain! ess region of Mexico, Central Ameri¬ 
ca and Peru which attained high develop¬ 
ment in the pre-historic era. Livingstone 
and Schweinfurth attribute blackness of 
skin to the union of heat aud moisture. 
Spencer has here put in sober scientific 
form what shrewd observers have long 
noticed sporadically. The rainless climate 
of Cakfornia gives great snap to her people, 
and so does the rarefied air of Colorado 
affect the settlers of that region. AU Ameri¬ 
cans, in fact, are more active and mercurial 
than the descendants of our common an¬ 
cestry still dwelling In dripping England. 
The singularity of it is that the Aryan race 
received such tremendous vitality from the 
original high and dry steppes as to be able in 
successive ages to colonize and hold the best 
part of the world, overcoming all climatic 
influence with the impetus received from its 
SCIENTIFIC AND USEFUL NOTES. 
Poisoning by Matches. —Phosphorus, large¬ 
ly used in making friction matches, is a 
powerful poison when swallowed, inducing 
bloody discharges from the bowels and 
bladder, and great derangement from the 
nerve-centers. If swallowed the antidote is 
spirits of turpentine, diluted with milk. An 
adult should take an ounce of turpentine, 
and if this is vomited, more should betaken. 
If retained, a quarter of an ounce the next 
day, will usually complete the cure. It is 
believed that phosphorus loses its power to 
ive off toxic vapors and other influences 
estructive to life, in the presence of turpen¬ 
tine. 
The Beet Teeth.— The London Medical 
Record says :—“It has long been noted in 
this country that in those districts where the 
use of oatmeal (in place of wheaten flour! 
prevails, we find children and adults with 
the best developed teeth and jaws ; aDd so 
well recognized is the influence of oatmeal 
upon the teeth that many practitioners 
order its use as au article of daily diet for 
children, in cases where dentition is likely to 
be either retarded or imperfect.” 
