THE BUBAL .NEW-YORKER. 
137 
official. * No,’ was tlio reply. * Well, then,’ con¬ 
tinued the official, ‘ he is the champion.’ ‘ Ycb, 
that in clear; Home one must be champion. 
i oij | you don’t understand me. He is Hkenan h 
■ victor, and we aro proud of him.(!) After 
describing Mr. Kino’s grounds the arttclo closes: 
“Long may ho reign to wear the peaceful 
emblems on his breasts Boses and Camellias, 
an< * • place them near his soul. 
- Not in his heart, indeed, but in bis button-hole.' " 
Wo wonder if the Rubai, has any circulation 
among prize-fighters. If so, lot them road the 
abofb- quit fighting and go to cultivating 
flowers. Perhaps they will take a prize-bo 
esteemed as “ good neighbors and supporters of 
the society.” 
Macadam Ro-ads.— In Paris, the London 
Garden says, roads of all kinds are in the most 
perfect condition of repair. The excellent 
Macadam roads aro nearly as smooth as asphalte, 
and less noisy than it or wood, while they aro 
also dry and clean. Roads with a wide space of 
Macadam in the center have frequently stone 
pavements on each side. 
Tbliobaph Cucumber. —All seem to agree in 
England that this is about the best Cucumber 
for hot-hod cultivation. 
Lilacs.- -Mr. Ellwanoer at tho late session 
of the N. Y. H. 8., speaks an enthusiastic and, 
we think, merited word for the neglected Lilac. 
He says that in “our latitude” it takes tho 
place of the Rhododendron. 
The Centennial. - President Barry, speaking 
of the horticultural display of the Centennial, 
Ba i,t : _“ A few men as Bcwt, lloorES. Meehan, 
Vance and Parsons mode fine contributions, 
but as an exhibit of tt.e condition of horticulture 
in tho U. 8., he thought It a failure. Had suit- 
aide facilities been provided by tho Centennial 
authorities, men enough stood ready to pour into 
Philadelphia fine fruits, flowers and plants to 
make a display never to be forgotten. 
What is the Difference? We see advertised 
in tho same catalogue Sail* laurifolia (Laurel- 
loaf Willow) and Snlix penUindra (Bay Willow). 
Aro they not the same variety and is not pentan- 
dra tho proper specific name ? 
An English opinion of American Potatoes. 
“ On the other hand,” says D., Deal, in the 
London Journal of Horticulture, “Snowflake 
has still further confirmed me in the good 
opinion 1 had formed of it. Although tho season 
and this soil were against it, yet tho produce 
was large in quantity and most excellent in 
quality. It is, indeed, as far as my own experi¬ 
ence goos, the only one of the American potatoes 
worth growing.” (!) 
[Let Mr. Pringle rejoice;—we sympathize 
with Mossrs. Brownell, Compton & Co.] 
--— 
CATALOGUES. 
Sense Floriculture,” embodying cataloguo of 
Plants, 8eods, Bulbs, Ac. 
-—♦♦♦-- 
PRUNING EVERGREEN HEDGES. 
Please inform me when is tho proper and best 
time to trim or shear evergreens ? Can Norway 
Spruce bo trimmed like evergreens of finer 
growth ? Please give any information in regard 
to tho matter you may know.—11. J. B., Wake- 
man, Ohio. 
Wo consider early spring the best time to prune 
evergreen hedges; and by this wo mean any 
time after tho coldost weather is past nnt.il the 
plants liavo commenced growth. But it will an¬ 
swer to do it later in tho season, although wo 
prefer pruning early. If tho hedge increases in 
size too rapidly, thou it may he prunod again in 
August. 
Tho Norway Spruce thrives under such treat¬ 
ment, but does not make quite as closo and com¬ 
pact a hedge as the Arbor Vit®, Hemlock and 
other small, Blender-twigged kinds. The objects 
of pruning aro to give the desired form to tho 
hedgo, keep it within certain proscribed limits, 
and iucreaao the density. 
THE CLEMATIS AGAIN. 
I notice in the Rural of Feb. 3d yon say you 
“ do not believe Clomatis can bo grown from cut¬ 
tings.” We have grown thousands of such varl 
etics as Standishi, Jaehnnni, Viticelld venom, 
Axnrea grandiflora, etc., from cuttings of half- 
ripened wood in summer; also from soft wood in 
spring. Clematis cuttings do not grow as readily 
as many other plants; but Btill they can bo 
profitably grown. 
Amateurs will generally succeed better by lay¬ 
ering them. 
I once offered my propagator five dollars each 
for all tho Cftlycanthus plants he could grow 
from cuttings. Afterward I saw in a neighbor¬ 
ing nursery thousands of Onltfoanthua Fl.oridiis 
grown from cuttings taken from tlie branches. 
Boot cuttings of this plant grow readily, e. y. t. 
--- 
HOW TO MAKE A HOT-BED. 
Stair & K end el, Cleveland, Ohio.—This cata¬ 
logue is neither more nor less than it assumes to 
be, viz., a Price List of Native and Imported 1 
Field, Garden and Flower Seeds, Agricultural 
Implements, Ac. 
Tho business of this firm was established in 
1839, and has since, until recently, been known 
as B. H. Stair A Co. It has, however, been 
carried on exclusively by Mr. Kkndri. for six or 
eight years past, owing to the ill health and de¬ 
cease of Mr. Stair, and it has uow been thought 
advisable to change tho stylo as above, the in¬ 
terest of Mr. Stair passing to his mother, Mr. 
Kkndkl’b present partner. 
Tili.inohaet Brothers, La Plume, Luzerne 
Co., Pa.—A. modest but “ muoh-in-littlo’’ cata¬ 
logue of Warranted Vegetable and Flower Seeds, 
Vegetable Plants, Choice New Seed - potatoes, 
Ac., Ac. 
These gentlemen take the view that the ele¬ 
gantly - printed and magnificently - illustrated 
catalogues which aro sent out by many seeds¬ 
men. how pleasing soever they may be to the 
eye, have to he paid for by their patrons, and 
aro really of little value to the practical gar¬ 
dener. However this may be, we note that the 
vegetable seeds offered by this establishment 
are surprisingly low, and we know the firm to be 
men of experience in whom our readers may re¬ 
pose all nodded confidence. 
In flower seeds they offer to send thirteen 
packets (the purchaser’s selection) for 50 cents— 
an offer to which we call the attention of our 
lady readers. 
Cole Brothers. — vegoutme and Flower 
Seeds, Pella, Iowa.—“ Catalogues free to all.” 
Hovey A Co., 53 North Market St., Boston, 
Mass.—Illustrated Guide and Seed Cataloguo. 
“ Free on application.’* 
Burleiou A Brothers, Plainfield, Conn.— 
Catalogue of Flower and Vegetable Seeds, Bulbs, 
Choice Plants, Ac. 
A Whitcomb. Lawrence, Kansas.—Descriptive 
Cataloguo of New and Popular Bedding and 
Greenhouse Plants. 
Long Brothers, Buffalo, N. Y.—“ Common 
A good hot-bod may be made upon tho surface 
of the ground, piling up tho manure from two 
feet six inchos to three feet high, and at least 
six indies wider all around thau tho frame. This 
extra width tends to prosorvo tho heat within 
the frame; and if it be a foot wider than the 
frame it would bo better thau six inches. The 
situation should bo where tho soil is dry; anil 
the bed should front to tho south, or as nearly 
south as tho location will permit. The sashes 
should cither bo procured before tho bed is 
made, or their exact size should bo known when 
tho framo is made ; and tho frame may be made 
to hook closely together, so as to bo removed, 
and easily stored away when not In use. Fresh 
horse dung is tho best manure to produce heat. 
It should bo thrown iuto a heap and wot slightly 
about a week before it is placed on the bed, and 
turned over oiteo or twice boforo using it to in¬ 
crease the heat. When put on tho bed, tread 
it down firmly, and cover it about six inches 
deep with light, rich soil, and ascertain the 
degree of heat when you desire to sow your 
seeds, by plunging a thermometer into the soil; 
and if too warm, wait a day or two for tho bod to 
cool. 
Seeds will stand a heat of 90 degrees very 
well. Sometimes seeds aro sown in pots and 
pans, which are plunged into the manure without 
any covering of soil; but In such a case, it 
should he coverod threo or four inches deep with 
sand or ashes to retain tho heat. Wooden boxes 
six inches deep, made of very thin boards, 
about two feet long, and on© foot wido, would bo 
better than pans and pots for Home kinds of 
plants. Tho bottoms might ho of zinc, or gal¬ 
vanized sheet-iron, perforated with small holes 
to allow water to pass through them, if the 
watering should be too copious. Such boxes 
could be packed in without any waste of room ; 
and they could be easily removed to fork up tho 
hod anew to increase tho heat, or to allow a new 
bed to be made, when tho heat of the old one is 
too much exhausted. T. B. Miner. 
Linden, N. J. 
only this, but It. appears to bo hold in very high 
estimation, epicures disputing fiercely as to tho 
comparative merit, of one or two year old roots. 
Further, the loaves make a most agreoablo salad 
if blanched In tho same maimer as Endive, and 
tho half-developed flowers cooked in strongly 
salted water, aro described as a moBt delicate 
dish, far superior to the Artichoke. The plant 
is easily raised, both from seeds and roots, and 
grows without difficulty in any light soil, so that 
such of our readers as may bo disposed to test 
its merits for themselves, whether as a medicine 
or as food, can very readily indulge their curios¬ 
ity. We shall be happy to learn the results of 
theiv oxperieueo from either point of view. 
®|t Outtpri), 
DISCOUKAGED ABOUT GRAPES'. 
“I’m quite discouraged about grapes,” was a 
common remark at the late annual meeting of 
our State Horticultural Society, ami such also is 
the tone of a number of letters I have received 
of late from correspondents residing in Central 
and Southern Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Mis¬ 
souri. In all this Southwestern region, the past 
two seasons have been quite unfavorable for 
grapes, causing a general failure by rott ing or by 
mildew mostly the former. Even tho Concord, 
which all felt sure they could rely ou as “tho 
grape for tho million,” rotted very badly, espe¬ 
cially the past season, and, in many localities, 
during two or three past seasons, so that people 
are very uaturully at a loss to know wliat kind, 
if any, it is worth while to plant, while many 
say they will plant none at all. I wish to offer a 
few words of advice to such; for I feel a deeji 
sympathy for those who must live where they 
cannot grow grapes, at least for homo uho. 
THE CAUSE OF GRAPE ROT 
raaynot.be understood; but wo know that the 
disease is most prevalent in seasons like the past 
one, when there is a good deal of rain in Juno or 
July, and on soils which absorb and retain a good 
deal of moistiu'o, and are not thoroughly drained. 
Another fact of importance is, that old vines 
which have grown quite thriftily, on deep and 
loamy soils which have a moist subsoil, are most 
sure to fail by the rot, or by mildew, if such 
kinds as Delaware and Rogers’ hybrids, which 
are liable to Mildew Instead of rot. 
foctivo if usod in time, and is neither difficult nor 
exponsivo, as compared with tho valuo of a crop 
of fruit. J refer to what is known among vine- 
yardists as the “ Sulphur Remedy,” and which is 
now being usod annually on some of our lurgo 
vineyards in Northern Ohio, with very satisfac¬ 
tory rosults, both as a preventive of mildew and 
rot. Tho method and time of doing this I must 
leave for another article. 
WHAT VARIETIES TO PLANT' 
is always a common inquiry in tho spring. My 
answer is, the same as heretofore: such as you 
lilto host and havo found generally adapted to 
your soil and olimato. Tho Concord, Hartford 
and Delawaro aro among tho surest; and depend¬ 
ing on tho Bnlphur remedy for mildew, if it 
appears, I would include aomoof the finer kinds, 
as Salem, Wildor and Agawam ; and I havo still 
faith that even the Elimolan and Iona, with tho 
beautiful Croton and Bickett’s fine seedlings 
will yet bo grown successfully in some of tho 
districts where now people doclaro they aro dis¬ 
couraged about growing grapes. 
Palnosvllle, O. M. B. Bateham. 
P. S.—I havo no grape-vinos to sell! 
--- 
PRUNE YOUR GRAPE-VINES. 
The proper time to prune grape-vinos is in 
the fall; hut many persons neglect to prutio at 
that season, and In cases whore the vinos havo 
not. been primed, thoy should be attended to tho 
first pleasant, day, and not wait till tliosap begins 
t,o flow, as then they would “ bleed,” and bo badly 
Injured. Ill pruning grape-vines, you are merely 
to put tho vines in good shape, being careful to 
save tho most of the best canes of last, year’s 
growth, which may be known from their reddish 
color. The ends of the canes saved may bo cut 
off to suit your trellis space, and the side spurs 
out, back to one bud, eras many as you please, 
according to the length of tb© spurs. A spur 
four feet long, with eight to ton buds, I should 
out, back to two or three buds, and the cut is to 
bo made several inches from the nearest bud. 
As you approach the end of tho cane whore tho 
spurs are shorter, one or two buds only should 
be left. Where vines are laid down and pro¬ 
tected for the winter, of course, no pruning can 
ho done till taken up; but I presume that no 
one, who is worthy of owning a grape-vine, has 
laid down his vines unpruned. 
Linden, N.J. T. B. Miner. 
IS HELLEBORE EDIBLE I 
The Agricultural Gazetto treats us with the 
following about the value of the old Christmas 
Rose, which we have long supposed wrm a poison¬ 
ous plant: 
The root of the JTellehorus niger, or Christmas 
Rose, is chiefly known in tho British Isles for its 
supposed medicinal virtues. It figured In our 
Pharmacopoeia until tho recent revision of that 
interesting volume by a committee of learned 
physicians, and was there described as having a 
very acrid and bitter taste, and as possessing a 
powerful drastic purgative and emmouagogue 
action. We learn, therefore, with considerable 
t surprise, that it is largely usod in many parts of 
( Austria as a vegetable for table use; and not 
THE PRACTICAL LESSONS 
taught by those facts are plainly these : First of 
all, that the failure of any kind of crop, from 
one or two bad seasons, ought not to cause such 
discouragement as t,o deter peoplo from further 
efforts to grow such a crop, if it is ono that is 
really desirable and known to bo generally ( 
adapted to the soil and clinmto. It is more 
than probable that the seasons will again eonm 
around favorable, and that improved modes of 
planting or culture will bo devised, which will 
render tho crop less liable to failure. Secondly, 
more care should be taken to select, the dryest 
ground for grapes, and have it thoroughly un- 
detdrainod, but do not try to make it deep awl 
rich; but lot tho subsoil boas poor as it will, 
and only have tho surface soil rich, say ti or » 
inches in depth, so that tho roots will not ho in¬ 
clined to run into the moist subsoil to find nutri¬ 
ment, hut remain within tho warming influence 
of the sunshine. For tho same reason, choose, 
if possible, a slope, or a side hill, and arrange 
tho rows and alleys so that by ridging the soil at 
tho rows the water from heavy rains will flow 
away rapidly, without much soaking into the 
soil. 1 would always aim to havo the rows 
ridged up and tho alleys smooth and clear dur 
Lng tho mouths of June and July, especially 
when there was any chance for rain. There is 
very little danger to bo apprehended from tho 
ground being too dry for grapes. Tho best vine¬ 
yard countries are those which bavo tho loast 
rain-fall during summer, or none at all, aH in 
California and Palestine. 
Another suggestion is, that inasmuch as old 
vinos are evidently failing on account of their 
roots going too deep into the moist subsoil, it is 
little use trying to reclaim them. They may do 
some good in dry seasons, for a fow years, while 
young vines aro coining on ; but the true way is, 
at once to go to work and plant enough young 
vines for a family supply and he sure that you 
have a supply —set them on a dry and hard spot, 
as above directed, and a few against tho sides of 
buildings,^especially on tho east and south, whore 
but little rain will reach them. Then, in three 
or four years’ time, plant a few more vines—thoy 
cost but a trifle—or set a few every year, go that 
as fast as any shall fail hereafter from rotting 
they can bo cut away without much loss, and the 
young ones be ready to fill their places. 
MILDEW 
may ho considered as practically another mani- 
| festatiou of tho same disease as the rot, and in- 
i clucod by the same causes. But there is this 
advantage in tho case of mildew—it can ho 
, reached by a direct remedy which is quite of- 
Idromii) tjjf lUpublic. 
THE COMING GRASSHOPPER. 
A correspondent of tho Springfield Republi¬ 
can, writing from Denver, Gal. gives a not. very 
assuring picture of tho coming grasshopper 
crop. IIo says: 
Young grasshoppers aro going to hatch out, 
next Bpring. by the ton, not only in Colorado but 
also in Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota, ©to., for 
the eggs are here waiting for warm days. Thoy 
report in Kansas that the young ones hatched in 
tho fall and afterwards died, which may bo true, 
but the eggs of theso were laid early, and there 
is no doubt but a good supply Is left of later 
broods. It is tolerably safe, In a grasshopper 
country, to disbelieve every word that is said of 
these insects as being In favor of tho farmer, for 
it will be sure to turn out that evil prophecy will 
be true. The experience of our veteran farmers 
is, that, when flying grasshoppers come In the 
fall and stay more than 24 hours, they will lay 
eggs, and that those eggs will hatch in the spring 
as surely as the muon rises and sets. Periodi¬ 
cally, we hear about worms and other parasites 
eating Into the entrails of them, and that so tho 
plague will disappear. 
Possibly, worms and birds, too, and chickens 
and skunks and other things destroy ten hun¬ 
dred thousand millions of billions of grasshop¬ 
pers, but what of that, since nobody misses any? 
It is safe to believe all you know about, grass¬ 
hoppers, not any more. Tho farmers aro uow 
so usod to these fellows they are about as much 
concerned as if they had the itch in the family. 
It is a bad job, surely, but it must bo cured. 
Grasshopper machines are as common as mow¬ 
ers ; they run over the ground much in tho same 
way, and having in front burning wood or coal, 
or tar or oil, the young ones hop up, are burned 
to death ; and so. 10 to 20 acres are cleared in a 
day. The great dread was of the young ones, 
but. uow it is the flying ones, and what can be 
done with them is tho question. They seldom 
come soon enough to injure wheat or early- 
planted corn, but they are omnipotent In gardens 
and op lawns, and they clean out women’s plant¬ 
ings, such as flowers, garden herbs and nice 
hill© things, almost in the twinkling of an eye. 
Their case in still on. 
--- 
Grouse and the Grasshoppers. —Professor 
Riley declares that ono Prairie Chicken will m 
one season consume tho eggs and larva of grass¬ 
hoppers enough, if hatched out, to destroy one 
I hundred acres of wops, and yet hunters ate 
permitted to destroy these birds by the hun 
dreds of thousands in the very regions where 
i their useful work Is most needed! 
