OOBE’S 
RAL  NEW-YORKER. 
THE  DECAY  OF  FRUITS. 
At  a  recent  meeting  of  the  Oesdlsduift  natur- 
forschenden  F7'eunde  zu  Berlin,  Dr.  Brefeld  re¬ 
ported  tlie  results  of  his  investigations  on  the 
decay  of  fruits.  He  says  it  is  a  universally  recog¬ 
nized  fact  tliat  a  rotten  apple  ivill  infeot  a  sound 
one  with  which  it  may  be  in  contact.  We  cajmot 
conceive  infection  in  the  absence  of  an  active 
agent  producing  it,  and  calling  forth  and  determ¬ 
ining  the  form  of  this  phenomenon.  These  in¬ 
vestigations  embraced  the  examination  of  rotten 
fruits  of  various  kinds  from  the  most  widely 
diverse  localities,  and  at  diilorcnt  seasons  of  the 
year.  The  tissue  Avas  invariably  found  to  be  ex¬ 
hausted  and  withered,  the  cells  had  lost  their 
turgidity,  the  contents  were  contracted,  and  the 
cell-sap  dispersed  in  the  inter-cellular  spaces. 
With  certain  exceptions,  alluded  to  below, 
Brefeld  found  the  entire  mass  of  cells  permeated 
in  all  directions  by  the  easily  seen  spawn  of 
fungi,  but  the  threads  were  merely  interlaced 
among  the  cells,  noA'or  piercing  the  colls  them¬ 
selves.  The  fungi  present  belong  to  very 
common  molds  of  two  distinct  kinds ;  one  with 
broad  dense  tubes  without  partitions,  the  other 
w'ith  narrower,  frequently  septate  tubes,  both  be¬ 
ing  very  much  brauched. 
The  former  consisted  mainly  of  Mucor 
stolonifer  more  rarely  of  M.  racemosus,  and  the 
latter  of  Botry  Us  cinera  and  Penicillium  glaucurn. 
There  seems  to  be  no  doubt  that  these  jjarasltios 
are  nourished  by  the  cell-sap  which  has  i)soai>ed 
I  into  the  iutor-collular  spaces ;  but  the  most  im- 
!  p<jrtant  question  for  elucidftlion  was  whether 
those  fungi  are  the  cause  of  decay,  or  simply 
accompanying  conditions.  To  determine  this 
point,  several  series  of  experiments  w  wo  under¬ 
taken  with  the  jiure  I'ungus  and  iicrfectly  sound 
fruit.  Hpoi'es  were  IhicIUy  spriulded  over  sound 
fruit,  and,  to  make  the  experiment  more  con- 
eluHive,  the  spores  are  oonvoyed  to  the  fruit  in 
water  and  the  fruit  afterwards  i>laecd  under  a 
bell-glass  in  a  moist  utmosphero.  As  might  have 
been  expected,  the  fruit  remained  sound,  the 
spores  failing  to  germinate  allogetlier,  or  germi¬ 
nating  only  very  sparingly,  lu  conHequouco  of 
the  absence  of  a  nourishing  Iluid,  the  sxiores 
possessed  no  poAver  to  attack  tlie  tissues  of  the 
fruit. 
A  second  series  of  experiments  Avas  instituted, 
in  AA'hich  the  spores  Avere  dipped  in  a  nourishing 
solution  of  fruit  pulp,  in  Avhich  they  could  germi¬ 
nate  and  form  a  mycelium,  and  this  was  laid  on 
sound  fruit  with  a  pencil.  Soon  some  of  tlio 
fruits  began  to  show  hero  and  there,  in  the  least 
protecto*!  places,  symptoms  of  decay,  spreading 
with  varying  degrees  of  rapidity  over  the  whole 
fruit.  Kolhing  was  easier  to  observe  than  that 
the  penetrating  fungus  Avas  actually  the  cause  of 
the  decay.  Another  sot  of  experiments  more 
fully  proved  this  to  be  the  case.  Some  sound 
apples  Avere  artilicially  Avounded,  and  infected 
AiAith  the  spores,  vihich  grew  and  sjiread  in  the 
the  same  manner.  Otiier  sound,  bruised,  hut 
not  infected  apples  showed  no  symptoms  of 
decay. 
From  a  large  number  of  experiments  it  was 
found  that  the  more  unripe  the  fruit,  and  the 
denser  its  tissue,  the  less  poAver  the  fungus  had 
of  taking  possof  sion  of  it ;  but  with  the  increase 
of  saccharine  matter,  and  the  decrease  of  acids, 
the  fruit  becomes  more  susceptible.  Unripe 
fruit  artilicially  infected  with  fungus  did  not 
decay,  as  the  fungus  did  not  hnd  a  suitable  host. 
Concerning  the  relative  growth  of  the  fungi 
named  above  it  AA’as  found  that  Mucor  stolonifer 
was  by  f.ir  the  most  rapid.  Peai-s  infected  with 
the  fungus  beoome  thoroughly  decomposed  in  a 
few  days,  and,  strange  to  say,  no  outward  trace 
of  it  is  usually  discernible  before  the  whole 
interior  is  destroyed. 
Now  arises  the  question,  Do  fungi  ahvays 
cause  the  decay  of  fruit  S'  This  is  easily  answer¬ 
ed  in  the  negative,  far  many  pears,  and  in  a  still 
more  striking  manner  the  Medlar,  exhibit  a  kind 
of  spontaneous  decay,  equally  as  rapid  in  its 
course  as  is  the  case  Avhere  molds  are  present. 
This  kind  of  decay  is  what  Ave  find  in  a  “  sleepy” 
pear  and  a  blet  medloi',  in  Ashich,  according  to 
Brefele,  there  is  no  fungus  present.  Otherwise 
the  decomposition  of  the  tissue  proceeds  in 
exactly  the  same  manner  in  both  cases.  The 
foregoing  extracts  fully  confii-m  practical  experi¬ 
ments,  and  suggest  the  means  for  preventing  the 
spread  of  these  insidious  organisms— the  molds— 
in  the  fruit  room. 
- - 
ALMOND  CULTURE  IN  CALIFORNIA. 
Our  cousins  on  the  other  side  of  the  moun¬ 
tains  ai-6  becoming  quite  elated  with  their  suc¬ 
cess  in  almond  cultiu'e  and  aao  con  only  wish 
them  success  in  this  duection. 
The  San  Luis  Obispo  Tribune  has  been  at  some 
pains  to  investigate  the  condition  of  almond  cul¬ 
ture  ill  that  county.  It  says:— “A  few  trees  ; 
have  been  planted  in  almost  every  yard  and  1  i 
orchard,  but  In  no  single  instance  have  they 
been  planted  in  numbers  to  constitute  an  orch¬ 
ard.  The  nearest  approach  is  upon  the  place  of 
J.  P.  Andrews,  about  throe  quarters  of  a  mile 
from  the  court  house.  Here  we  find  a  little 
cluster  of  sixteen  trees  uoav  seven  years  old. 
These  trees  have  thoii'  third  full  crop  upon  the 
boughs,  Avhich  is  a  sight  to  gladden  the  heart  of 
man.  Mr.  AiidrcAvs  informs  us  that  two  years 
ago,  when  the  trees  were  tut  five  years  old,  the 
anyone  who  might  see  them,  not  acquainted 
with  the  wonderful  productiveness  of  our  climate 
and  soil.  The  whole  plantation  is  on  gravelly, 
though  Urvel  footliill  land,  and  the  cultivation 
has  been  thorough,  not  a  weed  or  blade  of 
could  be  seen  from  the  drive.  Mr.  Neff  Inform¬ 
ed  me  that  their  men  go  through  the  whole  plan¬ 
tation  six  times  a  year  with  the  most  approved 
tools  for  cultivation.  By  this  frequent  disturb¬ 
ance  of  the  soil  moisture  is  retained  near  the  sur- 
moltjcoklIjA  x-iA-iiivitt.  — (SKJi; 
gathered  crop  was  one  hundred  pounds  to  the 
tree. 
Last  year,  OAving  to  OA^erbearing  the  prcAdous 
yeai-,  it  was  fifty  liounds  to  the  tree.  This  year 
it  is  far  in  excess  of  two  years  ago,  from  the  fact 
the  ti’oes  are  much  larger,  but  Ave  Avill  call  the 
present  crop  one  huudi'cd  cents  per  pgaiid  for 
California  soft  shells,  will  give  *17.2lr as  the 
annual  cash  returns  pw  tree.  Witli  lOti  trees  to 
the  acre,  bearing  equally  well,  we  should  have  a 
cash  return  of  5il,720. 
The  cost  of  production  could  not  in  any  case 
exceed  t  wenty  iier  coni,  of  the  product,  which  de¬ 
ducted,  leaves  a  clear  profit  of  $1,870.  This 
is  better  than  the  best  orange  orchard  in  the 
world.  It  may  be  urged  that  wo  cannot  rely  up¬ 
on  these  returns.  All  we  can  judge  by  Is  Avhat 
has  been  done  and  hero  we  have  throe  successive 
crops  to  base  our  calculations  upon.  Those  in¬ 
clined  to  doubt  the  profits  of  this  businoss should 
go  to  Mr.  Andrews’  place  before  he  gathers  his 
crop  and  judge  for  themselves.  We  are  Avilling 
to  cut  down  the  crop  to  20  pounds  and  then  we 
can  SCO  ton  times  the  money  in  almonds  that 
there  is  in  barley,  Avheat  ur  sheep  and  Avith  little 
more  labor.” 
- 4-*-^ - 
ALMOND  CULTURE  IN  SANTA  CLARA 
VALLEY. 
A  ooBBESPOjiCENT  of  tlie  Rural  Press  tells  his 
story  in  rogai'd  to  the  success  of  almond  cultm’e 
in  Santa  Clara  Valley. 
In  tlie  southwestern  portion  of  tliis  valley 
there  are  several  quite  extensive  orchards  of  the 
almond  tree,  which,  so  far  as  I  Lave  observed 
are  doing  very  well.  Of  these,  the  orchard  on 
the  Spring  Brook  ranch,  near  Los  Oatos,  is  the 
most  prominent  as  to  size,  location  and  thorough 
culture,  as  for  as  my  observation  has  extended. 
Wliile  diiviug  in  this  neighborhood  last  week  I 
was  so  attracted  by  tlie  beautiful  dark  green 
appearance  of  this  plantation,  the  uniform  size 
of  the  trees  In  their  straight  rows,  and  the  gen¬ 
eral  neatness  of  tho  whole  place  as  seen  from 
the  road,  that  I  opened  the  big  gate  and  drove 
doAVU  the  avenue  through  the  orchard  to  the 
dwelling  house,  which  is  pleivsautiy  located  about 
half  a  mile  from  tho  road  at  the  foot  of  the  hills, 
and  near  the  fine  springs  that  have  suggested 
tho  name  of  the  ranch.  Here  imder  the  shnilc 
of  some  fine  trees  in  the  yard  I  had  the  pleasure 
of  meeting  the  proprietors  i  if  the  pro^ierty  Messrs. 
Gardener  and  Neff,  of  Placer  county,  from 
Avhom  I  received  the  following  information  in 
regal’d  to  their  almond  enterprize : 
The  orchard,  which  is  of  the  Languedoo  va¬ 
riety  of  almond,  covers  an  area  of 
ONE  HUNDRED  ACRES, 
and  numbers  20,000  trees.  Although  only  two 
years  old  from  the  nursery  last  winter,  they  are  i 
so  lai'ge  aud  well  grown  as  might  well  surprise  I 
face  of  the  land  tho  whole  summer  through. 
It  would  seem  that  a  fcAV  more  years  will  settle 
the  question  as  to  whether  almond  culture  can 
be  made  profitable  in  this  portion  of  tlie  valley, 
if  indeed  there  remains  any  question  on  tho  sub¬ 
ject.  Everything  so  far  looks  favorable  for  tlie 
best  results.  The  trees  are  healtliy  and  grow  re¬ 
markably  Aveli  under  good  cultivation  without 
irrigation,  aud  come  into  hearing  very  early,  as 
may  be  seen  by  many  of  these  young  trees.  Tho 
proprietors  estimate  tho  crop  of  nuts  this  year  at 
10,000  pounds — pretty  good  for  trees  less  than 
throe  years  old  from  the  nursery.  Tho  only 
drawback  to  realizing  large  crops  every  year  is 
lute  spring  frosts,  but  in  this  locality  tho  proba¬ 
bilities  are  tliat  no  serious  trouble  will  oome 
from  this  source.  There  are  seA’oral  other  almond 
and  AA’aluut  orchards  in  this  neighborhood, 
which  I  wish  to  notice  in  some  future  letter. 
®j)(  ^oultrg 
KEEPING  POULTRY.-No.  2. 
I  NOW  come  to  breeds  of  fOAvls  that  require 
still  more  room  than  those  named  last  week. 
These  are  Game,  Dorking,  Uamburgs  and  Polish 
fowls.  Let  it  bo  remembered  that  I  have  not 
advocated  keeping  any  fowls  in  coiifineuiont,  but 
simjily  stated  the  breeds  that  will  best  endure  it. 
I  Avill  also  say  again,  that  almost  all  can  be  kept 
within  cireuinscribed  limits,  but  some  require  a 
groat  variety  of  food  and  more  care  than  others, 
and  sooner  get  out  of  couditiun. 
The  breeds  last  raeutioued  do  well  with  their 
lilierty,  on  farm  or  .Iuavu,  and  make  a  brilltaut 
shoAv.  What  can  he  more  beautiful  than  a  fine 
lot  of  Game  fOAvls  running  at  large  on  a  grass- 
plat,  AAdth  their  neat  forms  and  dose,  dean  feath¬ 
ering,  tho  ombodyment  or  life  and  vigor.  See 
the  bnlliant  eye  and  dauntless  carriage  of  the 
cook,  combined  with  his  bright  plumage.  1  will 
say  nothing  of  the  vulgarity  connected  with  some 
people’s  ideas  of  this  breed,  aud  hope  my  read¬ 
ers  will  tliink  no  more  than  1  say. 
Of  the  Dorkings,  a  sufllcieut  description  of  the 
Silver  Gray  was  given  in  tho  Rural  recently ; 
the  same  description  holds  good  for  tho  Gray  or 
colored,  except  color.  Much  the  same  for  the 
White,  they  are  smaller  than  the  Colored,  and 
perhaps  a  little  tenderer.  In  the  Hambiug,  we 
have  a  delightful  bu'd,  Avith  its  fine,  rose  comb, 
widely  different  plumage — some  almost  as  bril¬ 
liant  as  any  of  the  feathered  tiibe.  What  cau  be 
handsomer  than  Golden  Penciled  or  Spangled 
Hambm’gs ;  or  the  beautiful,  delicate  Silvers  ? 
The  peculiar  clearness  and  sprightliuess  of  this 
breed  make  them  admired  by  all  who  appreciate 
the  beautiful.  They  almost  equal  the  Pheasant 
in  thia  respect,  and  are  often  referred  to  under 
this  misnomer.  As  layers,  this  breed  surpasses 
I  all  others,  except  the  Polish.  Perhaps  some 
fanciers  may  differ  Avith  me  on  this  point,  but  I 
am  only  giving  my  own  experience.  I  found  the 
Polish,  wliile  they  had  full  range  on  a  good  run, 
the  best  layers  I  over  kept. 
Of  the  Lcgliorns  and  Hamburgs  there  is  but 
little  difference,  but  I  tJiink  the  Hamburgs  have 
tlie  advantage  in  number  but  not  in  size  of  eggs, 
all  the  conditions  being  tho  same. 
The  Polish  fow'ls  equal  tho  Hamburgs  for 
beauty  in  tho  Silver  and  Golden  kinds,  and  branch 
into  equally  as  great  a  number  of  varieties,  such 
as  white,  black,  and  olao  block  with  white  top- 
knots.  Contrasted  Avith  their  horned,  coral-like 
combs,  they  make  a  very  noble  appearance.  I 
saw  a  trio,  a  fow  days  ago,  OAvned  by  a  member 
of  the  Bergen  Co. ,  N.  J.,  Poultry  Association,  that 
reminded  one  of  timei  Avhen  brilliant  feathering 
and  beauty  of  form  Avero  not  always  shown  in 
competition  with  hones,  lltifTy,  intestinal  fat,  and 
diminutive  combs  aud  tails. 
VERMIN  AMONG  POULTRY. 
At  this  season  of  tho  year  insects  increase 
rapidly,  and  it  requires  a  little  active  vigilance  to 
keep  them  in  check.  To  oxtonninate  them,  it  is 
necessary  to  understand  enough  of  their  nature 
to  go  to  work  so  as  to  make  sure  of  your  prey. 
There  are  at  least  tAvo  distinct  kinds  of  parasites 
on  fowls,  and  what  will  destroy  one  AviU  not  af¬ 
fect  the  other.  One  kind  lives  on  tho  bodies  or 
feathers  of  the  fowls,  aud  is  a  louse.  These  may 
be  got  rid  of  by  dusting.  See  that  the  fowls 
have  di7  ashes  and  sand,  to  which  aild  flour  of 
sulphur.  Borne  foAvls  running  at  lai’ge  will  not 
use  the  place  assigned  to  them  for  dusting,  in 
which  case,  watch  for  their  favorite  dusting  hole 
and  put  in  some  sulphur.  If  confined,  supply 
them  in  their  liousu  or  run.  I  have  hod  fowls 
that  could  not  bo  induced  to  dust  in  a  box.  A 
good  Avay  is  to  have  a  shallow  box  aud  sink  it 
partly  in  the  ground,  so  that  the  inside  looks  a 
little  below  the  floor  level,  when  they  aa"!!!  take  to 
it  more  readily.  A  little  sulphur  in  soft  food  is 
also  good  occasionally. 
The  other  parasite  tliat  infests  tho  hennery  is 
a  mite  or  miriulo  spiiler.  It  should  never  bo  con¬ 
founded  with  tlio  louse,  as  dusting  does  not  af¬ 
fect  it,  for  It  does  not  live  on  the  fowl,  but  in 
cracks  and  crevices  of  tlie  housu,  iiodts  and 
perches,  coming  out  while  the  fowls  arc  roosting 
at  night,  preying  on  tho  fowls  and  retm’uing  to 
their  hiding  places.  If  they  are  alio  well,  through 
neglect,  to  get  too  numerous,  they  then  ovemiu 
tho  nests  aud  roosts.  There  is  only  one  sure 
remedy  for,  this  pest,  aud  that  is,  fumigation. 
Btop  all  tho  opoiungs  of  tho  house  as  light  as 
possible.  Start  a  fire  in  a  small  charcoal  fur¬ 
nace  with  a  few  pieces  of  coal,  (this  can  be  done 
outside),  Ijay  on  a  good  handful  of  damiiened 
tobacco  (cigar  makers'  refuse  stems  will  do)  for 
the  top  layer.  I’ut  about  half  a  pound  of  roll- 
brimstone,  broken  ux> ;  set  it  in  the  house ;  shut 
up  for  two  or  throe  hours.  Whitewash  nests, 
AA'hich  should  be  all  portable,  adding  oaj’bolic 
acid  III  the  wash,  and  you  Avill  make  a  clean  job 
of  it.  Thia  should  be  done  tAvice  or  more  in  a 
year.  If  fowls  ai’e  kept  where  fumigation  is  not 
possible,  Uien  use  crude  petroleum,  or  kerosene. 
Apply  with  a  brush  to  all  parts  of  the  house. 
FEEDING  YOUNG  POULTRY. 
The  great  secret  of  raising  very  large  birds  of 
such  breeds  as  are  desired  for  show  or  premium 
bii’ds,  lies  in  careful  feeding  at  this  season  of  the 
year,  while  Uie  chicks  are  growing  ai  id  foathc  ring 
rapidly.  When  tho  weather  is  very  hot  and  the 
birds,  like  most  of  us,  feel  a  lilUe  lazy,  tliey  fre¬ 
quently  got  doAvn  in  couilitlou,  aud  to  prevent 
this,  feed  them  well  with  soft,  easUy-digestiug 
food  and  they  will  keep  groAving  wonderfully. 
Wheat  is  good  food  for  growing  chickens— it 
makes  more  bone  than  corn  and  gives  them  a 
robust  constitution.  Let  them  have  all  they 
will  eat  of  grain  and  soft  food  twice  a  day,  such 
as  boiled  rico  and  a  little  soaked  bread.  Such 
feeding  would  be  loo  strong  for  old  fowls  making 
them  too  fat  for  laying.  Always  keep  plenty  of 
fresh  water  at  hand.  The  difference  between 
such  fed  chickouB  and  those  that  ai’e  left  to 
shift  for  tliemselvcs  will  astonish  tlie  negligent 
breeder. 
’The  same  treatment  holds  good  for  early 
broilers ;  they  will  come  to  maturity  long  before 
neglected  chicks  and  pay  theii’  owners  better. 
This  may  seom  unimportant  to  some,  but  let 
anyone  Avho  wants  very  large  fowls  try  this 
method  and  they  Avill  be  satisfied  Arith  the  result. 
U.  Hales. 
- ♦♦♦ - 
That  Dutiful  Son  Again.- Recently  I  de¬ 
scribed  a  dutiful  son  that  helped  his  mother  to 
hatch  her  second  brood  of  chicks.  His  mother, 
after  running  witli  her  chicks  tho  usual  time, 
made  up  her  miud  to  dismiss  thum  to  s/art  for 
thetnselves.  She  commenced  at  hoc  oldest  son 
first ;  but  he  would  not  stand  that  sort  of  treat¬ 
ment  and  showed  fight ;  they  had  several  bat¬ 
tles.  His  mother  finally  became  so  disgusted 
with  his  behavior  that  she  deserted  him  and  her 
family  aud  took  lodgings  on  another  part  of  the 
farm.'  The  cockerel  keeps  with  the  chicks,  and 
at  night  plays  mother  as  best  he  can.  h.  h. 
