302 
MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
Jraijg of a pluralist. 
DAILY EUEAL LIFE. 
From the Diary of a Gentleman near New 
York City. 
DETERIORATION OF THE POTATO, 
r Oct. 18.—For the past third of a century or 
more we have been frequently informed by 
men who pretended to know that the potato, 
as found under cultivation in its innumerable 
varieties, was running out. The theories ad¬ 
vanced in support, of the assertion are vari¬ 
ous, but they are mainly “hinged” upon 
some sppposed existing principle or law of 
Nature which consigns all earthly things to 
oblivion in the course of time, or, to put in 
plainer language, that races and species Of 
plants and animals must naturally deterio¬ 
rate and die out when they arrive at a cer¬ 
tain ago. Tills theory of natural degenera¬ 
tion of varieties had many advocates during 
the early part of the present century under 
the leadership of Thomas Andrew Knight, 
a noted horticulturist of England. 
The supposed instances, however, of de¬ 
generation cited by him as facts, upon which 
he based his theory, were long ago disproved, 
still thousands of persons, both in this coun¬ 
try and Europe, cling to the dark side of 
this subject, refusing to listen to arguments 
which would be likely to give them light. 
This is particularly the case in regard to the 
running out of the potato. Disease attack¬ 
ing ft few or many,sorts of this esculent is a 
positive proof to them of a natural degene¬ 
ration of the entire species, just as a few 
moralists would fain make us believe that the 
presence of ft scoundrel or two in a commu¬ 
nity are unmistakable evidence of a total 
depravity in the human race. There is also 
a great similitude in the expressions em¬ 
ployed by the theorists who advocate thor¬ 
ough reconstruction. One sighs for the good 
old times when all men wore honest (which 
must ante-date Darwin’s monkey); others 
talk of (he days when their potatoes were 
excellent in quality and yielded prodigiously. 
I have myself a faint recollection of a time 
when 300 or 400 bushels per acre was not 
considered anything extraordinary for the 
old Pinkeye and Mercer. But I also remem¬ 
ber that the land upon which they were 
grown was new, rich and full of potash ; the 
latter being one of the most essential and 
valuable of all fertilizers for the potato. Ad¬ 
mitting that the potato is subject to various 
diseases the same as animals, it does not fol¬ 
low that it must necessarily degenerate or 
run out as a species ; in fact, our statistics 
do not show any such pending condition of 
things. If we look at some of the figures 
given by committees to examine and weigh 
the products cf the newer sorts, which 
should, in accordance with the “declining” 
theories, be weaker than the parent stock, no 
indications of a running out is apparent. One 
gentleman reports this season 10)£ pounds of 
tubers from a single seed (not a tuber) 
planted last spring. This enormous product 
of a single seed does not indicate weakened 
vitality, and 1 doubt if its equal was ever 
known before. From 400 to 600 pounds from 
one used in planting are becoming quite 
common instances of a good yield in this 
country, while over 1,000 from one has been 
produced in England this season with Brown¬ 
ell’s Beauty—an American sort sent, over last 
year. 
But. some persons may say these are new 
sorts, given extra culture in order to see 
what could be done, regardless of expense or 
cost of production, or that, being new, they 
have not begun to degenerate; hence the 
large product. *1 admit the Erst proposition 
willingly, for it only proves that much of 
what has been termed running out of vari¬ 
eties is merely the consequence of poor cul¬ 
ture and poorer soils. The second proposi¬ 
tion is also admitted on the same basis, i. c., 
as care in culture relaxes deterioration Com¬ 
mences. Within the past three years I have 
seen as large a yield and as fine a quality of 
tuber of the old Mercer potato as I ever saw 
thirty years ago, but it is only fair to add 
that it was upon new and virgin soil. Dis¬ 
eases may drive a variety out of cultivation 
in one locality, while the same may stand at 
the head of the list in another. This shows 
that the failure of a variety is not a proof of 
any inherent weakness, but is mainly, if not 
wholly, owing to non-adaptation to climate, 
soil or mode of culture. 
A change in climate may affect one sorb 
more than another, thereby producing a lo¬ 
cal degeneration or running out of a variety, 
but this rarely occurs where farmers keep 
up the fertility of their soil and a thorough 
and judicious system of culture, in which 
should be included proper selection of tubers 
for seed, mode of harvesting and keeping 
overwinter. 
BREAKING OP A RASPBERRY PLANTATION. 
Oct. 20.—Some ten or twelve years ago I 
made a new specimen plantation of raspber¬ 
ries for the purpose of testing all the then 
known varieties likely to thrive in this cli¬ 
mate. The land was prepared expressly for 
the purpose by being plowed deep and heav¬ 
ily manured. Besides the many sorts which 
I had on hand at the time, others were pro¬ 
cured from every available source, until I 
bad something like 150 named varieties of 
the various species. The Sftlmonberry irom 
Humboldt Valley, Cal., was secured after 
two or three attempts, the plants usually 
arriving in bad order; but, I succeeded at 
last, only to learn by experience that it was 
too tender for our climate even with winter 
protection. This is one of the species which 
has perennial canes like the Flovjcring Bram¬ 
bles {Hahns a dor at vn and ll - Sutkanus). 
Another rather curious variety, formerly 
classed as a species of tlie Black cap by the 
earlier botanists under the name cf Hxtbus 
leucodcmniH, I obtained from Oregon. I his 
has proved to be perfect!}' hardy, but the 
fruit is Inferior to our more common and 
better known varieties of the same species, 
viz , JR. Ocoidenialis. 
Arnold’s Hybrids were also secured at an 
early day and before introduced to the trade, 
and although interesting as showing what, a 
skillful pomologist may do in the way of 
hybridizing fruits, still they were more cu¬ 
rious than useful, as their fruit fell below the 
average of our best, sorts. 
From Mr. Rivehh, the veteran pomologist 
of Saw bridge worth, England, 1 ohtiine 1 
through the kindness of a friend, some hy¬ 
brid sorts, few, if any, of which have ever 
been named in nurserymen’s catalogues. 
Heinrich Maurer, who is perhaps the 
most noted cultivator of small fruits in Ger¬ 
many, sent me a large collection of raspber¬ 
ries, in ndd'tion to other choice fruits. In 
fact, 1 bought, begged and exchanged plants 
in order to make my collection complete. Of 
course 1 received old sorts under neto names, 
and the same sorts under many different 
names; but this only added something to 
one’s interest in finding which was the right 
and which tlic wrong one. 
Now, as is well known to every cultivator 
of the raspberry, to keep a large collection 
unmixed and in vigorous growth requires no 
small amount of labor, care and-vexation. 
I have done it moderately well foradoz n 
years, aud to-day concluded to drop that 
hobby. The “ historical John,” as neighbor 
Oauman calls my colored gardener, nas been 
at work to-day demolishing that specimen 
plantation, reserving only about a dozen 
sorts for future usa. lu a few days the 
greater pait of Arnold’s, River’s, Bripckle’s, 
Herstinc’s and Souchette’a.&eedlings will end 
in smoke and ashes, at least those which 
have, had a home in my ground. There arc 
many good varieties among the number, but 
they have served their purpose in my grounds 
and I have no further use for them ; there¬ 
fore I can say good-by without sorrow in 
parting. It is true, a fellow cannot help the 
little twinges which come across his mind as 
he sees these sort® go into the file, and for 
little, half-dead canes of which he paid a few 
years ago 85 to 810 per dozen ; but if a phi¬ 
losopher, he will set the amount, down to 
pleasure account or expenses of education. 
Perhaps 1 shall enjoy planting and earing for 
the newer sorts which come along from year 
to year all the more for the absence of the 
older ones, although I have retained enough 
of the standard varieties for comparison. 
It’s a great pity that we could not have au 
experimental garden in every State sup¬ 
ported by the Governmeut, where all the 
different fruits and useful plants adapted to 
the climate could be preserved for reference 
and general information. Our agricultural 
colleges should have such gardens, but I sup¬ 
pose this cannot be until they are either 
more liberally endowed or the" importance 
of horticulture in geueial is more fully un¬ 
derstood and appreciated. 
PLANTS FOR NAMES. 
Daily Rural Life:—W ill you be kind 
enough to tell mo through tbe Rural the 
names of the inclosed flowers and confer a 
favor on ft lover of flowers? They are ah 
perennials and past their prime, sa ve No. 1, 
which is an annual and in its prime.—L over 
of Fiowers. 
No. 1 is Princes’ Feather ( Polygonum Ori¬ 
ental. No. 2 is the Red - flowering Yarrow 
( Achilla millefolium). No. 3 is the Rose 
Campion or Mullein Pink of gardens ( Lych¬ 
nis coronaria). ho. 4 is the Meadow Sweet, 
or Spiraea salicifolia. No. 5 is a species of 
Veronica which I cannot determine without 
a better specimen. 
^borkuttural 
WHY SODDED GROUND IS INJURIOUS 
TO TREES. 
It is held by some respected authorities 
that sodded ground, which in the same situa¬ 
tion will remain longer frozen than naked 
soil, is favorable to the w ell-being of certain 
trees, and especially conducive to fruitful¬ 
ness by retarding the blossoms, which, if 
not held in cheek, are liable to be blasted by 
late spring frosts. 
We do not question that sod is a better 
non-conductor of heat than naked soil. Tbe 
layer of dead gra^s that accumulates, as well 
as the grass Jtbat remains green, upon sods 
renders it so. But this one advantage is se¬ 
cured in other ways without, its evident dis¬ 
advantages. The earth of sods, and under¬ 
neath them, necessarily becomes hard, and 
its capacity of supplying moisture to the 
roots of trees, during drouths, materially 
lessened. Confined air is a better non-con¬ 
ductor of heat than earth. As earth becomes 
dense air is excluded, and its conducting 
powers increased. Our clothing offers a con¬ 
vincing proof of this. A loose or spongy 
texture admits a quantify of air that is so 
far confined or interrupted as to be prevented 
from forming these currents, by which, 
chiefly, a change of temperatnre is effected. 
If we wr-h to protect our bodies against 
scorching heat or excessive cold, a fur gar¬ 
ment (the liner the better) would best serve 
us. In the first instance, heat of a higher 
temperature than our bodies is to be exclud¬ 
ed ; in the second, cold is to bo excluded and 
the heat of the body retained. It is thus 
cats are enabled to lie inclose proximity to a 
red-hot. stove without discomfort. It is thus 
that seals can easily endure the cold of their 
arctic homes. We should soon roast the one 
and freeze Ihe other if, confined in those sit¬ 
uations, their fur coats could all at cnee be 
consolidated. Jn breaking up the soil about 
trees, ourebjeet is to present to every parti¬ 
cle of earth a smaller surface of contact with 
other particles. If we heat an iron ball, and 
place it in contact with one that is not 
beaten, the latter receivingits heat by radia¬ 
tion through the air, and by conduction 
through the siugle point ot contact, its tem¬ 
perature rites slowly. If plain surfaces of 
iron be substituted the communication of heat 
would be almost instantaneous, because, un¬ 
interrupted by the air, the heat is transmitted 
at once by innumerable points of contact 
from the one to the other. 
But dense earth, while it facilitates the 
passage of heat, opposes the passage of wa¬ 
ter. A comparatively gentle rain penetrates 
the loose roil to nourish loots, both in its 
passage downwards and in its return, by ca¬ 
pillary attraction and osmotic phenomena ; 
while it is alow to penetrate the compact 
earth just in the ratio that it is compact. 
The greater part, of a short drenching shower 
is held upon, or near the surface, until it. runs 
off or is evaporated, and only long, steady 
rain will find its way through the sod to the 
roots and fibers beneath. 
When we consider what an essential part 
of the miti jmeut of ail plants is derived di¬ 
rectly from the air, i s is sho^n by air plants, 
by plants germinating and making a consid¬ 
erable growth in pure sand or upon naked 
locks—the importance of breaking up the 
soil about trees and climbs is suggested. 
But when we consider that pilant food con¬ 
sists exclusively of liquids and gase?, and 
that even the finest particles of solid matter 
ean not be absoibed by the fibers of their 
roots, the necessity of preserving the soil 
about the stems loose and mellow so as to 
admit in the most liberal manner the feed¬ 
er that which is indispensable to the creation 
of the food, upon which their existence de¬ 
pends—presents itself as one of vital import¬ 
ance. 
The advantage, and the only advantage, 
as far as we can see, which sodded ground 
secures over naked ground, is that the grass 
(alive or de->d) tends to equalize the temper¬ 
ature of the earth, and to deter the evapora¬ 
tion caused by winds, But it would seem 
that, tills is more than neutralized by the so¬ 
lidity which sodded ground necessarily ac¬ 
quires, which at once renders it a better 
conductor of heat, and obstructs the gases 
and liquids upon which tbe vigor of the plant 
must depend. And the good effect of the 
sod as a non-conducting protection could be 
just as well furnished by a covering of hay, 
straw, bark, litter or manure spread over the 
naked earth. 
When trees have attained age, we know 
that if cultivated upon lawns, it is objection¬ 
able that a yearly increasing circle of earth 
should be cut proportionate to the spread of 
the branches. This would mar the appear¬ 
ance of the lawn upon which they are 
planted. And it may be questioned whether 
when their roots have extended over a good 
deal of surface, and to a depth where moist¬ 
ure may be perpetual, the cultivated ring 
of naked earth may not then be dispensed 
with. Speaking for ourselves, we do not 
believe it ought ever to be dispensed with 
and we hold that it is as essential to the full 
vigor and beauty of fruit and ornamental 
trees and shrubs—irrespective of age. or the 
ramifications of the roots—as it is to the pcr . 
faction of cereals or saiden vegetables. In 
the case, however, of annual crops, a tingle 
season determines the beneficial or injurious 
effects of special culture; while in the in¬ 
stance cf trees and shrubs, their long lives 
and robust constitutions render the harm 
winch is being gradually wrought all but 
impcrceptille. 
It is not uncommon to see fruit trees that 
are stricken with death literally Jaden, among 
the dead branches and half a-dozen leaves, 
with imperfect fruit. That for a season, or 
for several seasons, fruitfulness should be 
promoted by planting sods close to the stems 
of mature trees, is rather evidence cf injury 
than of benefit. . It Is of the same feather as 
bending branches, root, pruning, d Mealing 
and ringing, in which cases we endanger tho 
life of the tree or some of its parts for the 
sake of the prolific though weakening strug¬ 
gle it necessitates the tree to make in order 
to recover. 
in cultivating trees we should seek to sup¬ 
ply them with just exactly what them sys¬ 
tems demand, modified always by the situa¬ 
tions in which they grow—neither more nor 
less. And as w8 depart from this by induc¬ 
ing a premature or abundant fruitfulness on 
the one hand, or an excessive leaf and branch 
growth on the other, we infringe upon the 
immediate or ultimate welfare of the tree. 
If it, is in the nature of a perfectly healthy 
tree to bear fruit at the age of ten years, we 
do but hasten decay by forcing an earlier 
maturity. E. S. Carman. 
River Edge, Bergen Co., N. J, 
^loricultuiral. 
LOBELIA SYFHILITICA. 
One of the prettiest wild fiowers that we 
have ever gathered or seen, not in general 
cultivation, is the blue Cardinal Flower—and 
we can assure our readers that its singular 
beauty will w ell repay the trouble of a trip 
to the low lands or shady fields where it is 
most likely to be found. 
We may call the plant two feet high, 
though it varies greatly in different situa¬ 
tions. The flowers have the effect of a 
raceme, though they are ready solitary in 
Hie axils of each leaf which subtends them 
like a bract. The general shape of the 
flower is that of a tube an inch long parted 
at the top into two lips, at right angles to 
the tube, of two and three lobes, each margin 
coarsely toothed. The lobes me a vivid 
blue, "bile t he tube as tlm sun slimes upon 1t> 
Is alternately a changeable blliebh-purple 
and w hits in parallel lines. There are about 
twenty-five flowers in the terminal leafy 
raceme as it may be culled. 
Mr. Darwin holds that all bright flowers 
are fertilized by insects; w hile small, dull 
flowers are fertilized by the wind. Hence, 
tlio terms onctnophilous (wind lovers) and 
enlomophi/ous (insect lovers). Bin this plant 
owes thanks to neither wind nor insects for 
the formation of seeds. Bolanicnlly tpeak- 
iug, the stamens are monadelphoua as well 
us syngenesious—i. e. the nlaments as well 
aB the anthers are united about the pistil. 
Just before the flower opens, tho stigma is 
inclosed by the anthers which then shed 
their pollen. Subsequently, the anthers 
remaining coherent, the pistil makes a 
growth which forces the stigma through the 
stamina’.e tube and beyond the anthers 
nearly the -ixteenth of an inch. Fertiliza¬ 
tion, therefore, must have taken place 
betore the generative organs were exposed 
to wind or insects. 
If “ Nature looks with horror upon in-and- 
in breeding,” as’M uller and others teach 
Nature in the instance of Lobelia syphilitica 
ought to explain herself. e. s. o 
. — -»♦-» - — 
THE BOUQUET PEA. 
Peter Grieve, to whom we ore indebted 
in a great measure for the beautiful varie¬ 
gated Pelargoniums of which Mad. Pollock 
is one of the earliest as it is one of tbe best, 
describes in the London Garden the Bouquet 
Pea as having red ami whin*flowers, exceed¬ 
ingly pretty, each spike forming of itself a 
bouquet as it were, so that it well deserves 
its name. It grows or 3 feet high, and 
the stems at the bottom are rot thicker 
than a straw ; but nearer the top " here the 
flowers are produced, it acquires nearly the 
thickness of a man’s finger. The spikes of 
bloom, when cut, keep well in water, and, 
when better known, it will probably, on this 
account, be much in request. 
