APRIL 2 
227 
THE RURAL ^EW-VORKER. 
Palestine Mammoth Wheat. 
E. 8., West Union, N. Y., and several, others, 
ask, 1, who sells the Golden Grain or Palestine 
Mammoth Wheat; is it a Springor Winter sort, 
and its price; 2, have we catalogues of the 
Free Seed Distribution. 
Ans. —1. It is offered in a dozen or more of 
the catalogues which we. have noticed. The 
grain is very large and closely resembles 
the Black-bearded Centennial. It cannot 
be claimed to be the largest grain, since 
it is no larger than the Centennial. We 
have been unable to learu anything as to the 
size of the heads or the number of grains in a 
spikelet. J. J. II. Gregory, of Marblehead, 
Mass., offers this grain at 25 cents for a small 
packet. Other seedsmen offer it, Messrs. 
Haines & Co., who introduced this wheat, sayit 
has proven a Winter wheat in Pennsylvania 
and a Spring wheat in the West and South. 
We should like to know what is meant by that. 
We believe that this grain will disappoint 
people or that it is the Black-bearded Centen¬ 
nial. We havo a trial quantity and respect- 
lull y advise our friends to await further in¬ 
formation before sowiug it. 2. We have no 
catalogues. Our Seed Distribution was fully 
explained Iu our Fair Number Supplement, 
copies of which we send to applicants without 
charge. 
Itice Corn. 
F J. G ., Bobb's Ferry, N. Y., asks for in¬ 
formation about Rice Corn. 
Ans.— There are a great rnaDy varieties of 
Sorghum vulgare, not one of which iB every¬ 
where known by the same familiar name. 
Thus we have Durra, Douhra, Rice Corn, Egyp¬ 
tian Corn, etc. Some of these bear upright 
heads of grain—others drooping, whence the 
botanical name of S. cernuum has been given. 
But it is now conceded that the drooping head 
is not sufficiently distinctive to justify the 
specific name. Nearly all of these varieties 
produce a single heavy stalk for which reason 
they are not prized as fodder plants. The 
grain is valuable as a chicken food and when 
ground makes a starchy flour less nutritious 
than wheat flour. We should not cultivate it if 
we could raise corn. The Rural Branchiug Sor¬ 
ghum is a variety of Sorghum vulgare throw¬ 
ing up many leafy stalks from a single seed. 
This also, unlike the singlt-stalked kinds, will 
bear cutting two or three tirneB according to 
the length of the season. The stalks continue 
to grow just as well after as before cutting. 
“RiceCorn' 1 seed may be obtained of aLy of 
our prominent seedsmen. 
MoUtening Old, Dry Clieene. 
T. II. W., Olferlin, Ohio, having a few old, 
sharp, dry cheeses of good flavor, asks by what 
process can they be best preserved and ren¬ 
dered palatable. 
AN8WEK BT PROFESSOR L. B. ARNOLD. 
8canty moisture in cheese is a most favorable 
circumstance for long keeping. The cheeses 
described, being dry, are already in condition 
for preservation and will doubtless last as long 
as desired. The sharp flavor is also largely 
due to their being dry. It can be very much 
abated and the cheese made palatable and 
otherwise more desirable, by makiDg them 
moist. This can best be done, after washing 
them with weak lye to get the grease out of 
the way, by keeping them wrapped in wet 
cloths. The absorption of water will be slow, 
but if persevered in it will beeffectual. It can 
be facilitated by making small holes in the 
side aud tilling them with water. After cut¬ 
ting it may also be hastened by applying wet 
cloths to the cut surface. It will not do to 
immerse the cheese iu water, either before or 
after cutting, as the water will dissolve out its 
goodness. 
MUcellanooua, 
E. A.. F., Brighton 0., asks, 1, whether Oxford 
Dowu Sheep are heaviei-fleeced than Shrop¬ 
shire Downs ; 2, is the market for pork likely 
to be high or low the coming season; 3, can 
different varieties of potatoes be planted close 
together without impairing the purity of the 
seed. 
An s.— L, Oxford Down sheep are long-wools, 
and Shropshire Dowu, medium-wools. The 
fleece of the former averages somewhat heav¬ 
ier than that of thelatter. 2, Inordinaiy times, 
it would be veiy imprudent for any journal to 
predict, a considerable time ahead, what the 
price of hog products would be the coming 
6eason, as this is regulated not only by the re¬ 
lation of supply and demand, but olten also 
by speculative movements, such as that which 
sent “ mess pork” so extremely high a few 
months ago. Ditlleultas it would be at any 
lliue to forecast correctly the price of pork, 
to do so at present would be extra-hazardous 
owing to the uncertainty as yet with regard 
to the effects the present European scare about 
danger of trichinosis from the use of American 
pork, may have upon the trade. 3. Yes. They 
can only mix through the seed proper—“seed- 
balls" as tin y are called. 
11. A. M., Wayne Co., N. Y., asks, 1, where 
can the Mapes Perfect Corn Manure be had, 
and Its cost; 2, would it be advisable to use iton 
a clay soil; 3, how much should be applied 
per acre aud how ; 4, where can he get seed 
of the Golden Ovoid Mangel and at what price ; 
5. have the seeds of the Free 8eed Distribution 
been sent out yet. 
Ans. —These manures ate advertised in our 
columns, to which we refer our friend for the 
address. The price is $50 per ton. or $5 00 
per 200-pound bag. 2. We can not advise as 
to the use of special manures. The advice 
would be purely guess-work. 3, All the way 
from two to five hundred pounds. It is best to 
mix it thoroughly with soil—say three parts 
of soil to one of fertilizer, sow broadcast and 
harrow in. It may be used in the hills or drills 
also. 4. The Golden Ovoid wap introduced by 
the Rural New-Yorkkb in 1872. It is now 
offered in several of the catalogues we have 
lately noticed as “ Yellow Ovoid" at 50c. per 
pound. 5, The columns of the Rural will an¬ 
swer this question. 
M. S. M., Norfolk, Va., has a cow about 18 
months old, he thinks, that calved a couple of 
months ago. Her bag is very fleshy, but she 
gives little milk, and he asks, 1, whether there 
is any way to enlarge the udder. She is sup¬ 
posed to be a cross between Ayrshire and 
Jersey, and he inquires, 3, would the offspring 
of such a cross be hornless, as she is ; she is a 
very large beast. 
Ans. —1. Give plenty of good feed, air and 
exercise, aud miJk three times daily. Prob¬ 
ably the yieJd of milk will be more satisfactory 
after the second calf. 2. The Ayrshire and 
Jersey are both horned and their offspring 
should therefore be horned too, unless dis¬ 
horned artificially. From the fleshiness of the 
bag, the great size of the animal, and her 
horned head, we are persuaded that this beast 
cannot be a cross of the Ayrshire and Jersey. 
She may be a cross of one of the polled or 
hornless breeds, but, not knowing her color, it 
would be useless to conjecture which. 
M. W. F., Bryn Maior, Fa., asks how long 
the cyclamen remains in bloom. 
Ans. —How long the cyclamen will remain 
in bloom depends npon the temperature iu 
which it is growu. Iu a moderately low tem¬ 
perature we have had flowers remain in good 
condition for three mouths or more, about two 
months being a fair average. The duration 
of the bloom, as a rule, is shortened in propor¬ 
tion to the rise iu the temperature. The cy¬ 
clamen is not a hot-house plant. We agree 
with our eoi respondent, that the cyclamen is 
a beautiful as well as an interesting flower. 
We recently placed a bud of the beautiful Rose, 
Perle ties Jardins, in water in a cold room. It 
preserved its freshness and beauty for a full 
mouth. This is a beautiful rose with large 
flowers of a golden yellow and high fragrance 
T. Y. W., Cornwall-on-the-Hudson, N. Y, 
asks how to produce bottom heat on a Bmall 
scale for a hot-bed, by the use of wood, coal or 
fluid. 
Ans. —The above is so peculiarly corded that 
we scarcely guess what it means. Neither 
wood nor coal is used directly for bottom heat 
to a bol-bed. As to fluid, hot water (in pipes 
or a tank) is sometimes used, and there is noth¬ 
ing better, but it is not economical on a small 
scale. Manure is the material in common use, 
and it will yield a lasting heat if mixed with 
a goodly bulk of leaves. If our friend will 
tell us the extent of his proposed hot-beds, and 
for what purpose they are to be used, we can 
tell him whether hot water or manure will be 
the better for him, and how to employ them. 
I. C. I)., Valencia, Pa , has a two-yeai-old 
Jersey cow that has dropped her first calf. It 
has hair growing on its eye balls just as on the 
rest of the body—one about half covered aud 
the other about one-third; but it can see a lit¬ 
tle ; the heifer yields milk on one side only, 
the other 6ide of the udder never having en¬ 
larged or shown any appearance of contain¬ 
ing milk, aud our frieud asks whether such 
mishaps are not rare, and what can be done 
to remedy them. 
Ans.— Such cases are certain'y rare. If the 
animals are thought worth it, the services of a 
veterinary surgeon should be employed. The 
cow’s udder may turn out all right after her 
second calf. It might be as well to make beef 
of the one and veal of the other. 
8. 0. A., Allegan, Mich , asks, I, whether 
Pearl Millet is good for Winter feed; 2, what 
kind of soil suits it best; 3, would it be advis¬ 
able to raise it for fodder instead of corn ; 4, 
how much seed would be needed for au acre 
and how should it be planted. 
Anb,— 1. It is not as good as corn-stalks. 2. 
With us it has doue beBt on a clay soil, though 
It is supposed to do better on a Bandy one ; 8. 
No; we much prefer corn. 4. A quart is 
enough for an acre. Sow it in drills three feet 
apart and thin out in the drills to two feet 
apart. 
P. J)., Short Creek, W. Va., asks where and 
at what price can he obtain seed of the White 
Burley tobacco, and how to cultivate and cure 
it. 
Anb —8eed of the White Burley variety of 
tobacco can be procured of the Western Tobac¬ 
co Journal, 140 West Front Street, Omeinnati, 
Ohio, or of J. 'I'. Boggcss, Felicity, Ohio. The 
seed is warranted fresh and true to name. 
Price 50 cents per ounce or $4 per pound. 
The method of culture and of curing seed leaf 
tobacco is applicable to the White Burley in 
the North, for which see articles in course of 
publication in the Rural. 
Ji. M., Mitchell, Ont., Canada, aekB whether 
the Arbor-viia pyramidaiis is as hardy as the 
Norway Spruce, and what nurseryman can 
supply plants 2J feet high. 
Ans. —The disposition of the American Arbor- 
vilse to grow into a narrowly pyramidal form 
is seen in many seedlings. Some catalogues 
offer it as a distinct sort. There is no differ¬ 
ence in hardiness between this aDd the less 
pyramidal kinds. We caDnot say which is 
hardier, the American Arbor-vilie or the Nor¬ 
way Spruce. Both are among the hardiest 
conifers known. 
N. C. B.. Clarksburg, W- Va , ask whether 
the Bowker Fertilizer Co , of this city is O K , 
and whether he would be likely to get as good 
a stand of grass by using Us special grass ferti¬ 
lizer as by using guano. 
Ans. —Yes, it is “O. K." Yes, we think you 
would. We believe that the fertilizer prepared 
for grass by this and other good fertilizing 
companies is better than guano, for the reason 
that the former contains the nutriment that 
grass requires in more nearly the right propor¬ 
tions. 
J. C. T., KendaUviUe, Ind., asks, 1., the 
names of some histories suitable for children ; 
2, do we recommend the Compound Oxygen 
advertised in the Rural. 
Ans —1, Green’s English History in short 
stones is an excellent work; histories of 
the serie? now being pubiishtd, called the 
" Epoch Series ” are also good. They can be ob¬ 
tained through the nearest book-store ; 2, We 
have never tried the Compound Oxygen treat¬ 
ment; but we have heard of several cases in 
which its use produced good results. 
J. G. .1., Baltimore, Md., asks, 1, how to 
mix cement for making a walk; 2, a remedy 
for lice on a dog. 
Ans.— One part of cement to three of coarse 
sand. It is best to dig out the paths first to a 
depth of a foot or more aud fill in with broken 
or small stones. Then mix the cement so that 
it will run between the stones, finishing with 
that which is mixed with less water and a 
larger proportion of cement to sand. 2. Car¬ 
bolic or tobacco soap. Whale- oil soap is good. 
G. T. J., Goldsboro, N. 0., asks, 1, what 
kind of fish will be suitable for a small garden 
pond 12 feet wide, 20 feet long and three feet 
deep; 2, where can the fish be got; 8, what 
books will " post” him on fish matters. 
Ans. —1. European carp— Cyprinxs carpio. 
2. Of Professor Baiid, Washington, D. C. 3. 
There is no book that treats fully of fish iu a 
email compass. The reports of the U. S. Fish 
Commission are useful but voluminous. 
S. A. B., Edwardsrille, III, wishing to plant 
some shrubs, asks which would be the better 
soil for the purpose—one composed of 6ftndy 
leaf mold and the natural black soil of the sec¬ 
tion from the foot of steep hills, or one of a 
rather grayish color mixed with leaves, but 
containing little sand, taken from the bed of a 
small lake that is usually dry in Summer. 
Ans. —We should use only the soil which is 
described as “of sand, leal-mold and black 
soil." 
G. I+. B., Wabash, Mioh., asks where can 
the Niagara Grape be got. 
Ans. —We do not understand that the grape 
is for Bale, but responsible parties are wanted 
to plant vineyards of this grape, to whom 
special inducements will be given. That is, 
payment for the vines will be made c<intin- 
gent upon- the production of fruit. The an¬ 
nouncement will be found in our advertising 
columns. 
J. S. W, Whitley, III, asks whether a cow 
that is milked slowly—sav for 25 or 30 min¬ 
utes—will give as much milk for as long a time 
as oue that is milked more quickly. 
Ans. —The milk should be drawn as quickly 
as possible. Such slow milking would soon 
diy up a cow. 
J. H F., Cobbleskill, AT. Y., asks if Daniel 
Beatty is the manufacturer of organs and 
pianos advertised in the Rural, and whether 
they are good instruments. 
Ans — Yes. Yes. 
J. B. N., Austin, Neb., asks whether the 
Albany and Hoosler grain drills sow garden 
seeds as well as plant corn. 
Ans. —The first does. The latter is intended 
for corn or seeds as large as corn. 
♦ ♦- 
Communications ksorivbd for the week end¬ 
ing Saturday. March 38. 
“ Improvement.' 1 '—J. T.—O. J. C.—J. L. H.—J. 
M.—8. K—fl. L. W.—C. A. C--W. M. M.—H. C. 
P.-I. W. C.-G.C.B.—M. P. B.-W. L. F.—H. E. 
B.-F. D. C.-A. S.-P. 8. B.-A. R. C.—M. E. B.— 
Mrs. W. V. A.—M. J. A.—J. H. P. 8.-A. K. W — 
J. H. B.—P. 8. W\—W. M. N.—W. H. Y.—A. S.—I. 
S.—P. B. M.—J. U. P. 8.—T. J. E.—M. \V.~ C. 8. J. 
-J, B. N.-J. M.-J, 8. M. W.-H. A. M.-8. O. A. 
—M. A. G.—R. 8.—E. T. <SS CO.-J. G. A.-S. B. P.— 
H. C. P„ thanks for suggestion—we fear we caunoc 
work It up.—Mrs. M. II.—I. P.—F. Y— J. L., an¬ 
swer by mall.—P. 8. W.—B. C.—8. B. C.-R. M.— 
M. H.-W. A. H.—A. L. F.-J. P.-M. M. 8.-A. 8. 
®tw, 
BIDWELL. 
THE COMING STRAWBERRY 
The Genuine 
He-adaii ar ter 
Stock. Haying: se¬ 
en rod from the 
originator all of 
hits stock and also from Mr. T. T. Lyon. ITes't Mich. 
Pom. Society, and disseminator of the mol well, all the 
stock owned and control led by him. I am ab e to supply 
this moat promising of the new atrawberriw in limit¬ 
ed quantities. The FiratPren.lln.ju was awarded to the 
Bidwoll u« the " BeBt New Variety and Plant, by the 
N Y Hort,. Society in 16S0. Also a superb stock of the 
celebrated. 
CUTHBERT RASPBERRY. 
An exceedingly liberal offer of these two fine fruits, 
with my book Success with Small Fruits.* Descrip¬ 
tive Catalogue free, A-flrtreas 
E. F*. ROE, 
Coruwall-on-niuleon, N. Y. 
RUSSIAN WHITE. 
Bcstin cultivation. lOObush- 
ela an acre. Rust-proof and 
hardy, lib., mail, postpaid, 
50c. ;31b.,mall, postpaid,fl.00; 
J5 bush, by freight or ex press 
$1.50; 1 bush, by freight or ex press, $2.50. New bags,25c. 
D. M. FERRY & GO., Detroit, Mich. 
RAISIN CRAPE VINES 
By mail. BEST, 38c. each ; 8 for St. Cuttings, warrant¬ 
ed to grow, loc. each. W. A. SANDERS 
Sanders, Fresno Co.. California. 
3YIANGEI, CARROT 
AND 
TURWIP SEED. 
Yellow Globe, Giant Red, etc., 40c per lb. Ask for 
Catalogue. Stamp required for Sample Packet of 
Vegetable or Flower Seed. 
TIJISCO GREINER, Naples, N. Y. 
GET YOUR VINES A-\I) BERRY PLANTS OF 
E.&J. G. WILLIAMS, 
S3T" Catalogues Free. Montclair. N. J. 
10 
NICE CONCORD GRAPE-VIMip 
for si, hv mail post-paid. Think if it! Order 
now tor early Spring shipment. Circulars free. 
VViii.lt. Keetl.tliambersbarcNnr- 
SEMI-CENTENNIAL 
ALBANY SEED STORE 
Established 1831. 
PRICE & KNICKERBOCKER, 
SUCCESSORS TO 
We celebrate our Fiftieth Year hy 
publishing a more complete Catalogue 
than ever before. 72 pages, profusely 
illustrated. Sent, free by mail. 
PRICE & KNICKERBOCKER, 
SO State St., Albany, N. Y. 
800,000 No. 1 PEACH TREES. 
Over eighty varieties. Among which can be found 
kinds suited to all sections, including all the new and 
old standard sorts. Also MOO.WKl Apple Trees 200,000 
of them extra long-keeping varieties, adapted to 
Southern planting or wherever Ionv.keeping apples 
are desirable. 1 also offer a full line of all kinds of 
Nursery stock, at prices to suit the times. Apples and 
Peach Trees, Grapevines. Raspherrio.M. Blackberries. 
Strawberries. Roses, Shrubbery and Hothouse plants 
gent bv moil toall eei-ttons- Catalogue.- showing bow 
and what to plant, with much valuable information, 
mailed , araHs to all applicants. RANDOLPH PE¬ 
TERS, Grout Northern and Southern Nursery, Wil¬ 
mington, Del 
YD CEO ™ ITand 
I HCCdI ORNAMENTAL. 
One of the largest and most complete assortments of 
any slzo desired. Also, Flowering Shrubs, Grape 
Vine-, and small Fruits. 
STKAVVBEKKY I’l.ANTS A •SPECIALTY. 
Send for trices aud Descriptive Catalogue tree. 
\VM . H. MOON. Morrisville. Pa. 
60 -miles from Few York and 3ti miles from Phttad'a 
THE NEW CRAPES. 
Lady, Brighton, Jefferson, Lady Washington. Moore's 
Early. Duchess, urity, Preutloe. Highland, Noah and 
El Dorado. Also Concord. Rogers'* best Hybrids, and 
other older varieties of merit. Splendid 1 ami 2 vears 
Delawn ve )aycis.$Sto *12peri(xi,*6o to ijiwper I,mm. 
Fine foreign -.Tape*, including U elvaiue, for viner¬ 
ies. ( utlilicii, Gregg, aud H.unuiuih I luxicr 
Raspberries. tSlendal* and “.harpies* Straw¬ 
berries. Magnificent ever-blooming Roses, by mail, 
f l per dozen; t>y express, *6 per imi, *50 per 1,000. 
‘hree strong 2 years, or four I year Lady or Brighton, 
post-paid, for *1. Circulars free 
GEO. W. CAMPBELL 
Dei-awake, Ohio, 
CHOICE PLANTS * LOW PRICES 
These collections (Strawberries excepted), jmarked m mn» 
«V/Wy a thic'y doy*' jnumsy if the order is sent early. 1 
prepay mail packages; purchasers pay express charges. 
At these prices no alterations made, small be pleased to 
double but oau not divide ft collect!, ,U. 
‘l Prentiss, si.of). 1 Brighton, 30c. 
1 Moore’s Early, GOe. I Lady, 4l)c. 
lly ruoiL, S3.50; by express, 82.2o. 
«sTRAWBEURtE8- „ ^ „ 
13 Kirkwood. 12 Marvlii, 12 Longfellow, ISWurea, 
12 Brilliant, lfiGlelidale, 12 Sr.arr.es?,, 12 Duchess. 
ISC-Downing. 13 Cumberland Triumph, and S of the 
Bid well. Order early. The supply of Bidwell is 
limited By mail, St l.OO. By express, 83.00. 
RAMP BERRIES- _ , , . % 
lu Highland Hardy (earliest i, 10 Brandywine (later), 
10 Franconia (later), Ul Onthbert .latest). 
B\ mail, 81,dO. By express. $1.00. 
A RARE OFFER- ^ 
1 Hydrangea 1’j.nloulat.i. 1 Viburnum Pbcatum. 
5 Rose* (.11.1 J . out: year old plants, choice varieties, my 
selection), 
4 Grapes (Prentiss, Moore's Early,Brighton, Lady,) 
30 Raupborrie . including III Cilthlicrt. 10 Gregg, 
l'i Blackberries (Snyder mid Kittatiny), 
6 (';errant* (Red and Wlilte), 
lot) Choice strawberries, (niy selection , <f varieties'. 
By express only for bo.OO. 
Vetcripi(ve Cu'rt u/u*. Stro t rber~- y On Itu re for \c.atamp- 
LEO. 8. VV ALES. Rochester, N. Y. 
