MARCH 26 
241 
THE RURAL MEW-YORKER. 
N. Y., Troupsbnrg, Steuben Co., March 1.— 
We have had very cold weather since about 
the middle of November, with good sleighing 
most of the time. Hay is selling in the barn 
for from $13 to $15 per ton; oats, 40c. per 
bushel; corn, 60c. This section is well adapt¬ 
ed to grazing and cows are the principal stock 
kept. 
Va., Bufordville, Bradford Co., March 10.— 
I live in a beautiful valley or cove formed by 
the Blue Ridge Mountain and one of its spurs, 
38 miles west of Lynchburg. Fine beds of Iron 
ore are all along the Blue Uidge Mountain. Some 
of them near the A. M. O. K.R.. are now being 
worked and the ores shipped North and EaBt. 
Tobacco is the principal crop. As fine a leaf 
as is raised in any State Is produced in this 
neighborhood. Planters sometimes average 
from $35 to $30 per hundred for their crops. 
The Winter has been severe. Lauds are sell¬ 
ing in this county for from $5 to $15 per acre. 
Wheat looks bad, as we have bad but a few warm 
days since the middle of November, a. l. b. 
Wash Tkr., Yakima City, Feb. 38.—The 
Winter has been very severe in this section. 
Residents of old standing report that nothing 
like it has been known before. Losses in stock 
are very heavy. Hay that sold for $4 a ton in 
the Fall has gone up to $75 a ton and hard to 
get. w. D. 
Wisconsin, Whitewater, Walworth Co., 
March 12 —We are having a very hard Winter 
in this section. Snow, rain and wind most of 
the time for 10 day6; roads all blocked up; 
railroad trains delayed three days, and it is 
snowing very hard to-night: a heavy northwest 
wind is blowing all the Bnow off the prairie 
and marshes, and piling it in sheltered places 
around houses, barns, etc. Plenty of hay in 
this part. Corn at 45c; hogs, $5; hay, $7 to 
$10. H. A. s. 
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
Green Manuring. 
F. G. A., 31. Petersburg, Pa., says he has 
some poor land which he wishes to render pro¬ 
ductive, but he has no manure. Last Fall he 
sowed it to rye, which he intends to plow un¬ 
der next June, and he asks whether millet is a 
good crop to sow after that, to be turned under 
in September ; would it fit the land for seeding 
the following Spring—soil clayey. 
Ans. —Buckwheat would be the best plant 
for “ green manuring,” on a poor clay soil. It 
is certain to germinate, grows rapidly, shades 
the ground most perfectly, and leaves the land 
in a friable condition. Sow about one-half 
bushel of seed per aero any time after all dan¬ 
ger from frost Is past; plow under when in 
full bloom. Millet is somewhat uncertain in 
germinating, grows slowly when young, and 
leaves the land rather the reverse of friable. 
If the land is to be seeded to Timothy (Herd’s 
Grass) it should be sown by the first week in 
September; if with clover, another crop of rye 
might be sown, and turned under the first or 
second week In May. This would be early 
enough to insure a good “cateh ” of clover, if 
no grain was sown with it. A plow with a 
jointer should be used in order to perfectly 
bury all the vegetable matter. Give most 
thorough and persistent surface culture, and 
give a little lime for plant-food to be set free 
before any seed iB again “ cast in " and it will 
then germinate quickly and grow rapidly. To 
illustrate experimentally the effects of superior 
culture a friend selected in 1873, a piece of 
poor clay Boil upon which was growing a very 
light crop of oats. Two-fifths of an acre was 
moBt thoroughly prepared and sown to wheat in 
the Fall of 1874, and it has borne a crop of 
wheat, without any fertilizers whatever, every 
year since, except in 1879, when the ground was 
summer-fallowed. 
The results are as 
follows: 
IbS. 
1875 
season 
poor; yield 
168 
1870 
a 
fair; “ 
369 
1877 
14 
superior; “ 
694 
1878 
14 
fair; " 
637 
1880 
44 
fair; " 
720* 
* 30 bushels per acre. 
Making 
an Aquarium. 
D. S., 
Burlington, Ind,, aeks.l, 
how to 
make an aquarium; 3, what kind of plants 
should be put in one j 3. where can they be 
obtained, and whether a small water turtle in 
one would be likely to eat the fish it contained. 
An a.—1, Most aquaria are square in form, as 
the greater the number of sideB, the greater is 
the liability to leakage. If metal posts are 
used, they should be plated, as oxidation often 
proves disastrous. Hydraulic cement should 
be used to keep the plates in position, but if 
putty is UBed, it should be painted, and the 
tank filled with water a week or more before 
the fishes aud plants are put in. Cover the 
bottom to the depth of an inch or more with 
sand and on this strew pebbles ; rocks contain¬ 
ing much mineral substance should be exclud¬ 
ed, and shells should be rid of all organic mat¬ 
ter contained in them. The tank should be at 
least a foot deep, and when filled with water 
to within an inch or two of the top, it is ready 
for occupation. 2, River or pond plants that bud 
and root from joints on the stem can be raised 
by securing them in tufts to the sand in the 
bottom of the tank, by a light layer of pebbles. 
Water thyme, water crowfoot, milfoil, and 
starwort may be planted in this way. Caution 
should be taken as to the number of inmates 
and tbeir habits. The gold fish is most com¬ 
monly used, with the perch, minnow, stickle¬ 
back, etc 3. We have seen small turtles in such 
tanks and have never heard of their destroy¬ 
ing their "room-mates.” We should think 
that sufficient plants for the purpose could be 
obtained along banks of streams and ponds 
with little or no cost. 
Leather na a Fertilizer. 
T. H. TV., Oberlin, Ohio, wishes to know 
how beBt to convert old boots, shoes and bits 
of leather into an available fertilizer. 
Ans. —Such leather contains, according to 
Prof. S. W. Johnson, from five to eight per 
cent, of nitrogen, but it is totally unavailable 
to vegetation, of course, unless the leather is 
brought into a state of decay or is acted upon 
by some powerful chemical agent. But it is 
specially prepared to resist decay and hence 
is very slow to fall into that condition when 
brought into the soil. The activily of leather 
as a fertilizer is hastened by fine division ; but 
there have been no cheap means devised of 
pulverizing It. Prof. Johnson Bays It may be 
rendered brittle by roasting at a moderate 
heat, aud then may be easily ground to pow¬ 
der. Prof. Storer has shown that roasted 
leather, while it shows some sl’ght nourishing 
value. Is still comparatively so iuert that it 
can scarcely have any definite money value as 
a manure. It is, in fact, no better fertilizer 
in respect to nitrogen Bupply than Simple peat. 
Question as to cheese will be answered in due 
time. 
Marking Sheep. 
J. A., Jamestown, N. Y., asks what is the best 
method of marking sheep—he objects to cut¬ 
ting their ears. 
Ans. —The only permanent marks for sheep 
are the car-marks of metal inserted in the ears 
in holes made by a punch. There is no cruelty 
in the operation. It is not nearly so painful 
as docking a lamb, or a hundredth part so 
much as castration. The cut in the ear is made 
instantaneously and at every shearing the 
sheep is considerably more hurt by cutting 
than in ear-marking in the above manner. 
Temporary marks may be made across the nose 
by means of red, blue and black paint soMIb- 
posed as to represent the numbers. Any per¬ 
son can form his own key of numbers. But the 
objections against marking by means of the 
metallic clips are in reality quite groundless. 
MUcellaneous. 
H. T P., Glens Falls, N. Y., asks, 1, what 
amount and kind of manure or commercial 
fertilizer would be best for a small garden in 
town, the soil of which is naturally rather 
poor, low and damp; 3, which is the hardieBt, 
most productive and finest-flavored of the 
three raspberries—Guthbert, Gregg and Car¬ 
oline. 
Ans.—L It should be drained before plants 
will thrive, uo matter what manure may be 
used. It would then be best to plow or spade 
under a heavy spread of stable manure. A top- 
dressing of bone flour and wood ashes raked 
In might also prove advantageous. 3. They 
are all extra-hardy kinds. The Guthbert is 
red; the Caroline yellow or salmon ; the Gregg 
black. The last-mentioned is large but of 
rather poor quality. The first and second are 
excellent. Considering quality alone, we 
should prefer the Caroline. 
E. D. B., Seneca Falls, N. Y., asks, 1, would 
It do to sow Honey Locust where a hedge is 
wanted and afterwards thin out the young 
plantlets; 2, is it best to 60W seed so soon as 
the ground can be got ready, taking the risks 
of a severe frost afterward; 3, should last 
year's growth be cut down to the old wood j 
4, where can a work on hedges be purchased. 
Anb.— l. There would be too many lapses. 
It would also be more troublesome to cultivate 
them. Better to raise them in nursery rows. 
3. Yes. 3. That Is just as you prefer. It de¬ 
pends, however, somewhat upon the length of 
the old wood aud upon the number of secoc 
dury branches. If the plants are sufficiently 
thick, then leave some of the new wood. 4, 
Warder’s Hedges and Evergreens; price $1.50, 
to be had through the American News Com 
pany, thiB city. 
G. S. F., Stoney Creek, Ont., Can., and, sev¬ 
eral others, ask whether Manning’s Illustrated 
Stock Doctor is reliable ; and where can it be 
bought and lts price. 
Ans.—I n our notice of the book In the Ru¬ 
ral for March 13, we stated that the work is 
chiefly a careful compilation from various 
good authorities on the subjects discussed. We 
understand that the compilation was made 
mostly by Jonathan Perlam of Chicago, a care¬ 
ful and experienced agricultural writer. The 
price of the book bound in cloth, is $4.75: and 
bound in leather $5.75. It can only be ob¬ 
tained through the agents or canvassers of the 
publishers, Messrs. Hubbard Bros., 733 Chest¬ 
nut St., Philadelphia, or direct from that ad¬ 
dress. 
J. n. 0., Piltsford, N. Y., asks what kind of 
commercial fertilizer iB best for raising onions 
from the seed and how to apply it—barnyard 
manure he fiuds produces too many weeds. 
Ans. —We presume that that formula which 
approximates most nearly to barnyard maDnre 
would suit best for onions. Such manures are 
put up by the Mapes, Bowker or other fertili¬ 
zer companies. Or the different fertilizers 
may be purchased separately and mixed when 
and as desired. All of our fertilizer companies 
prepare their manures for special crops, such 
as for wheat, corn, grass, onions, cabbages, 
tobacco, etc. All interested should send for 
pamphlets, etc., which will explain such mat¬ 
ters. 
W. D. Yalcirna City, Washington Terri¬ 
tory, asks, what can he do to save his Bix-year- 
old pear trees barked by hares. One tree haB 
the bark on the main stem peeled off for half 
a foot, and he wishes to learn what he should 
use to coat oyer the wound in the bark. He 
intends to wrap canvas tightly round the tree 
and then on this apply a coat of pitch, and he 
asks whether it should be left on through the 
Spring. 
Ans. —We believe that a simple wash of 
whale-oil soap and lime has saved our fruit 
trees. The rabbits bavenot touched the stems 
where this has been applied. The canva9 
without the pitch is as good as anythiug we 
can suggest. 
W. C. 3., Jefferson, la., wishing to plow un¬ 
der a piece of rye and plant the ground to po¬ 
tatoes, asks whether the heating of the green 
crop will injure the potatoes, if planted every 
third row, and whether rye is good for that 
particular crop ; also when would be the right 
time to plow it under iu order to get the best 
results. 
Ans. —If we understand the above question 
rightly, we must take the view that the rye 
should be turned under as soon as the ground 
becomes dry enough to plow—else we should 
thin k the potato crop would prove unsatisfac¬ 
tory. Rye i6 about as good as any green ma¬ 
nure. 
A. C. It., South Richmond, N. Y., asks which 
is the best early Strawberry for market, and 
where is the best place to get plants. 
Ans. —Probably we bad best refer our friend 
to the 8mall Fruit Number. Crescent Seed¬ 
ling. Duchess. Crystal City, Glossy Cone, 
French's Seedling are among the earliest, but 
they should be purchased only with a knowl¬ 
edge of their peculiarities and the conditions 
under which they thrive. Any of the nursery¬ 
men who advertise them in the Rural, will 
supply what they offer. 
E. C. E-, Blodgett Mills, IV. Y., asks, 1, the 
address of a manufacturer of email-fruit bas¬ 
kets ; 3, whether there is any unoccupied land 
on Long Island. 
Aus.—I, N. B. Batterson, Buffalo, N. Y, ; 
3, There is a considerable area of unoccupied 
land there; but it is all owned by somebody, 
some of it beiug held for speculative purposes. 
Most of that sort of land lies at the eastern 
end of the island. 
J. H., West Granby, Conn., asks, 1, where 
can he get the wild corn of America ; 3, what 
is the best work on ornithology. 
Ans. —1. We do not know. Except for ex¬ 
perimental purposes or curiosity, it is a worth 
less sort. 3. Audubon and Bonaparte’s is 
probably the best American work on the subject; 
price $7 50, to be had through the American 
News Co,, N. Y. 
The Booster Drill Co , Richmond, Ind. sayB: 
" Mr. Sadet wisbeB us to purchase him a good 
corn husker. We would like to know of you 
if you have any knowledge of a successful one 
and, if so, where ?” 
E. H. N., Shoreham, Vt., asks, 1, how far 
apart should sorghum be planted In drills; 3, 
how near should asparagus be planted. 
Ans.— Both these queries are answered in 
" Notes from the Rural Grounds ” In this issue. 
G. H. P., Brooklyn, N. Y., asks when to 
plant doura, sorghum, teosinte and millet. 
Ans.— Plant the latter part of May. It would 
avail nothing to plant earlier. 
plants!, 
THE COMING STRAWBERRY 
The Genuine 
He aiia « ar ter 
Stock. Having se¬ 
cured from the 
originator nil of 
hia stock aud also from Mr. T. T. Lyon. Prea't Mich. 
Pom. Society, and disseminator of the Bidwell, all the 
atock owned aud controlled by him, I am able to supply 
this moat promising of the new strawberries m limit. 
BIDWELL. 
celebrated. 
CUTHBERT RASPBERRY, 
An exceedingly liberal offer of these two liDe fruits, 
with my b<jok Success with Small Fruits." Descrip¬ 
tive Catalogue free. Address 
E. E. ROE, 
Coi'iiwnll-on-Hiidson, N. Y. 
JOHN' SAUL'S 
CATALOOtTE OF 
N&w, Rare and Beautiful Plants, 
Will bP ready February 1st. with a Colored Plate, 
It Ik foil to really Good and Beautiful Plants. Nepen¬ 
thes, New Driuvwmn, New (Irot/'UK. New Pelargoniums, 
New Hoses, Geraniums, Fncbsias, etc., with a rich col¬ 
lection of Flue Kolingn.md other Grconhoiiseand ilot- 
Hotiae Plants, well grown and at Low Prices. Fukb 
to a i,i, ova Customers; toothers, loots.; or a plain 
copy free. Catalogue* Needs, Boses, Orcluds, Fruits, 
etc., free. 
.JOHN SAUL, Washington, D. C, 
H0VEY& GO. BOSTON 
END TIIEIIt NEW CATALOGUES OF 
SELECT SEEDS 
NEW AND CHOICE PLANTS, 
For 18S1 FREE to aU who apply. 
HOVEY & CO., 10 So. Market St., Boston, Mass. 
strXwberriesT 
The New and the Choicest. 
I will send this whole collection of 122 plants by mall for 
S84.00; by express for $3.00. See my free catalogue for 
special offers on New Grapes. Fruits and Flowers for 
the Family, It o. Strawberry Culture for n i-oent^taiup. 
12 Kirkwood or Mt. Vernon, $1: 12 Longfellow, 50c ; 12 
Warren,oOo. *’12 Morviu, 50c.: 12 Brilliant, fiOc.; 12 Glen 
dale 50c.12 HharplcMK, 25c.; 12 Cum. Triumph. 25c.; 12 
DueheBs, 26a ; 12 O Downing, 25c.; and 2 of thp Kid. 
well, 25a Order early. 
GEO. 8. WALES. Rochester, N. Y. 
NIAGARA 
The New White (irape. 
A few responsible parties 
in good grape regions are 
4 wanted to plant Vineyards 
of tbia most promising ora II grapes, to whom special 
inducements will be given, and payment for vines 
made contingent upon production of fruit. 
Address THE NIAGARA GKAPE CO., 
Lockport. N. Y. 
PT For description of this Grape, see Rural New- 
Yorker of March 5. 
MANdEL, CARROT 
AND 
TURWIP 6» KED. 
Yellow Globe, Giant Red, etc., 40c per lb. Ask for 
Catalogue. Stamp required for Sample Packet of 
Vegetable or Flower Seed. 
TUISCO GREINER. Naples, N. Y. 
BRAPniM 
AU leading varieties in supply. Warranted true 
to name. Prices low. Also the celebrated N EW 
WHITE GKAPE, PRENTISS. AIbo trees.small 
fruits, etc. T. S. HUBBARD. 
FREDONIA. N. Y, 
GET YOUR VINES AND BERRY PLANTS OF 
E.&J. G. WILLIAMS, 
UT Catalogues Free. 
Montcluir, N. J. 
^ NICE CONCORD GRAPE-VINE* 
lil for 81. by mail post paid, flunk a/'it! Order 
jj S if now for earl v Spring shipment. Wrtutoii/rw. 
* v Wm. IS. Reed, ChAinli«'r«lui rgNur- 
Iteriea. CliandMTibnrs, Pa. Mention itua paper. 
BULBS 
Seeds, Plants, 
6 pkg’s flower seeds,..luc. 
5 good Gladioli.10c. 
h good roses. $1. Try them. 
Catalotnic free. H. HALIQCK, 
Creedmoor, N. Y. 
For all CVTHBEKT or 
s H vK FLKss Free. I OO 
kinds. For circulars with 
Paints and prices, address 
E. B. UNDERHILL, rouoHKamrsra. N. Y. 
Communications received fob thb week end¬ 
ing Saturdat, Mahch 19. 
M. E. & M. H. B.—F. A. G,—H. A. C.—8. A. B.— 
R. M. M..-H. N. P — K. T. D„ thankB.-J. G.—W, 
B. H.—G, M. D.—C. R.—W. H. R.—B. O. C.—E. B. 
R.—M. W. F.—E. 8.—T. T, L.—8. F. B,—S. B. P., 
MlOh.-C. L. B.-M. C. B.-A. A. B.-E. E. S.-J. 
W. B.—M. M. W—M. 8. M—J. C. D.—C. H. B. 
—8 S.—SV. H. P„ thanks.—J. II. P. S.—A. B. M.— 
M. F.-H, S.-W. H. L.-J.C.K.-R, M.-M. U. 8.- 
K. L. H.—M. R.-S. T., thanks.—M. O. It—C. E. 
B.-H. J. L.-8. O. L.-J. Y.-P. R. C.-D. D.-D. 
\y. P.—F. E. G.—F. I. W.—I. E, G.—W. H. G. 
THE DING EE & CONARD 
ROS 
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IE; 
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describes 500 newest and choicest varieties— f ree to all. 
THE DINCEE & CONARD CO. 
Rots Growers, West Grove, Chester Co., Fa. 
