THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
the Maryland Horticultural Society will hold a 
Grand Exhibition of fruits, plants, flowers and 
other products of horticulture, by which an in¬ 
creased interest will he given to the occasion. 
Packages of fruits, with the names of the 
contributors, may be addressed as follows: 
‘ ‘ American Pomological Society, care of William 
B. Sands, Baltimore/’ 
All persons desirous of becoming members can 
remit the fee to Thomas P. James, Esq., Treas¬ 
urer, Cambridge. Mass. Life-membership, ?20; 
Biennial. J4. Life-members will be supplied 
with back numbers of the proceedings of the 
Society as far as possible.— Marshall P. Wilder, 
Pres.; W. C. Flagg, Bee. 
--- 
SWEET POTATOES. 
Mr. M. B. Prince of North Carolina, as well 
as many other persons, does not succeed in keep¬ 
ing Sweet Potatoes. If be will give our plan a 
fair trial, we think lie will have no more trouble 
on that score. At, least, we have not failed once 
in twenty years, keeping them sound all winter, 
and frequently until the new crop came. The 
philosophy of our success, we presume, is, as 
Mr. P. suggests, keeping them at an oven tem¬ 
perature. We uever have been able to regulate 
the temperature, and we believe no one else 
can, by ventilating or leaving air-holes for the 
escape of heat, sweat, etc. This is almost the 
universal experience, and thus it. is that so many 
lose their potatoes, often before the winter is 
half over. Of course wherever the air passes 
out it also passes in and subjects the potatoes to 
every change of temperature, and sometimes 
these changes are very great with us. 
We have seen tight and warm houses, cellars, 
and pits under ground, none of which was ns 
good as simply a kiln or heap on tpp of the 
ground—a hundred bushels if you choose; cover 
well with straw and then with earth, not only a 
few inches, but at least a foot or more, well 
packed down, “head and ears," no air-holes. 
Sweet potatoes can stand a good deal of heat, 
but not frost. It is said that what will keep out 
cold will keep out heat. But, what of the inter¬ 
nal heat which necessarily follows anything in 
bulk ? Plenty of straw and dirt absorbs a great 
deal of heat and moisture, but you should look 
after them. Everything requires some atteu- 
tion. Rats and sometimes two-legged animals 
prey upon them. In tho course of ten or fifteen 
days open the top well, and if hot and you find 
potatoes sprouting, they are then kiln-dried and 
safe, and should bo left open a day or two if the 
weather is favorable, until perfectly cool. Then 
cover them up securely and yott will have no 
further trouble. If you wish to two out of the 
hill, select a favorable opportunity and take out 
enough to answer for a time, and do net open 
every day or two. 
Most persons in our section have lost their 
sweet potatoes this winter. Last fall a fine crop 
was harvested and sold in our markot at 15 to 25 
cents per bushel. Those who plant for seed will 
have to pay t 2 to $3 per bushel, and it is very 
scarce at that. Irish potatoes are now selling at 
•f 2 per bushel. 
I would state further that we invariably dig &b 
soon as frost kills the vine, put right up the same 
day if possible, shelter them, and when we want 
them we know where to find them. 
B. F. Transou. 
-»♦*- — 
EDIBLE CALADIUM—(Caladium Esculentum.) 
Probably thousands of tho readers of the Ru¬ 
ral New-Yorker have cultivated the above 
named plant for ornamental purposes, without 
ever attempting to test the quality of tho bulbs 
by cooking and serving them up for the table. At 
tho South, this plant goes by the common name 
of “Tanyah,' and D. II. Jacques, in writing to 
tho Semi-Tropical, assures its readers that those 
who have not learned to like this root, have 
cause to regret tho defect in their gustatory edu¬ 
cation. It is one of the best and most whole¬ 
some of our vegetables, and one that can be 
served in as great a variety of ways as the sweet 
potato. It should be planted this month and, if 
if possible, in very moist,, rich soil. It will grow 
in any garden, if the soil he made rich and deep ; 
but it is better to choose for it some low, fertile 
spot on the borders of a stream or swamp. Make 
beds f< r it as for the sweet potato, and plant the 
seeds two feet apart. 
HARD ON RADISHES. 
Julia Colmar, in writing to the Phrenological 
Journal on garden vegetables, is particularly hard 
on radishes. Here is what she says: 
“ We mention these simply to put in our pro¬ 
test against them as food ; and if we could have 
our way, to turn them out of the dining-room, 
and tho garrl o as well. We really do not know 
a thing they ; re good for, only to look bright 
and fresh on the stand of the huckster, when 
there is very little else that looks bright. As for 
looking pretty on tin- ‘able, flowers far surpass 
them. They me wiplo, hard, difficult of diges¬ 
tion, innutritions, acrid, and, to a delicate, heal¬ 
thy and rightly cultivated taste, simply abomi¬ 
nable. Any one who needs such a relish to make 
his food go down, would better wait till he can 
get that finer relish, hunger, and it will do him 
far more good. We cannot even say in this case, 
leave them to the lower animals, for we know of 
no animals that eat them with apparent relish." 
--- 
PROPAGATING GERANIUMS. 
Will yon be so kind as to give us the rules for 
propagating new geraniums. Last fall we plant¬ 
ed a few seeds from the “ Gen. Grantsome of 
them came up, and are growing finely. Now. 
how long will it bo uut.il they blossom, and will 
they bo like the blossom, or not ?— Clifton. 
The seedlings will probably bloom this sum¬ 
mer. but should any fail, take them up in the 
fall and pot them in the usual manner. Possibly 
some of the seedlings will resemble tho parent 
variety, hot the chances are in favor of tho ma¬ 
jority being quite distinct. Wo have raised 
many needling geraniums, and we never had one 
just like the paront stock; hence arises tho in 
centive and pleasure of raising seedlings of fruits 
and flowers. Variation seems to be a law of 
nature, and it is perhaps well for our pleasure 
and profit that it is so. 
--—-. 
ANOTHER OFFER TO RURAL SUBSCRIBERS. 
I have a few flower seeds more than I need 
for myself and would be very glad to give them 
to any Rural subscriber that cares enough for 
them to send me a stamped and addressed en¬ 
velope. They are White Candytuft—Snapdra¬ 
gon, two colors—Double Dwarf Rocket Lark¬ 
spur, two colors, pink and purple—Petunias, 
single, mixed colors Portulaca, single, mixed 
colors Pinks, two kinds—Morning Glories, mix¬ 
ed colors. 
I am very much pleased with this flower ex¬ 
change. In looking over my seeds, I see that I 
have received one hundred and eleven papers of 
seeds, somo of which are very choice. The Ru¬ 
ral ladies that havo exchanged with me have 
been very liberal indeed. Please accept many 
thanks for all favors. Mrs. Sarah Barber. 
Castalla, Erie Co., Ohio. 
-- 
NOTES, 
Pelargonium Fernifolium. — An extract 
from our article upon this plant quoted by the 
London Journal of Horticulture, put an interro¬ 
gation after the specific name. 
We havo already stated in the Question and 
Answer column, that this should be jUicifolium 
—tho Latin of Fern-lear. But it was first made 
known here as fernifolium fa moDgrel of En¬ 
glish and Latin) and as it is almost exclusively 
known by that namo, we havo used it in speak¬ 
ing of this exquisitely cut-leaved plant. 
-»»• 
EXCHANGE, 
I HAVE a quantity of garden or border Oxalis 
bulbs, which I will exchange for Dahlias- espe¬ 
cially Bouquet—Gladiolus, Lilies, or other flow¬ 
ering bulbs. L. Webber. 
Poland, Mahoning Co., Ohio. 
Jfarm (brottomu. 
SOW CLOVER AND GRASS SEED. 
Ir is now time to sow clover and grass seed in 
most of tho Northern States, if it was not done 
last fall. When the seeds are sown among win¬ 
ter grain, it should be done in spring, while the 
ground is yet soft and wet, in order that tho seed 
may sink into the soil, or be beaten in by the 
heavy spring rains. Borne farmers practice sow¬ 
ing on top of a light fall of snow, and this will 
do very well, provided the ground is not frozen 
underneath, for in that case much of the seed is 
likely to be washed away, should a heavy shower 
follow. 
In addition to sowing grass or clover seed upon 
winter grain, it is well to go over old meadows 
and pastures and scatter fresh seed upon bare 
places, or where the sward is thin, through the 
killing-out of the old roots. In some instances 
it may be advisable to put on the harrow and cut 
up the old sward, thus exposing some of tho soil 
before sowing, thereby giving the seed a bettor 
opportunity to take root. 
We tried this plan upon a few acres of meadow 
last September, and, on examining a few days 
since, found the young grass from the seed sown 
looking even more healthy and vigorous than that 
from the old roots. Of course top-dressings of 
ashes, plaster, salt or any other kind of fertilizer, 
will do good at this season, but a little now, good 
seed, added at the same time, will help wonder¬ 
fully in thickening the sward in the fall, even if 
it adds nothing to the crop at mowing-time the 
present season. 
PUT ON THE ROLLER. 
| Winter grain, which has boon partly lifted out 
of the ground by frosts, will be groatly benefited 
if rolled early in spring, or so soon as the land is 
dry enough to admit of a team passing over it. 
Rolling presses the loosened roots back into place, 
bringing the soil into close contact with each 
fiber, preventing drying up and injury from ex¬ 
posure to air and light. All lumps of earth are 
thus broken down, while at the same time the 
small interstices between the plants aro filled in. 
leaving the surface smooth, level and in excel¬ 
lent condition for the reaper or mower, later in 
the season. If grass or clover has been sown 
previous to seeding, a much more even stand of 
plants will be secured than if this very important 
operation is neglected. 
No farmer can afford to lie without a good 
roller, or neglect to use it frequently upon his 
land, whether light or heavy; but there arc 
many, we regrotto say, who never had snob an i 
implement on their farms. Should these attempt 
to put our hint into practice, they would be 
forced to borrow ono from a neighbor ; but the 
better way would be either to buy or hire one, 
and pay a fair price for its use. 
Meadows as well as winter grain may bo great¬ 
ly benefited by rolling in spring, for the grass 
roots aro often disturbed by tho frosts of winter, 
and compacting the earth about them will result, 
in a more vigorous and early growth. Tho rapid¬ 
ity with which this operation may ho performed 
loaves no excuse on the score of expense or want 
of time, and moreover it. can be done before much 
other kinds of spring w ork are begun. One trial 
will usually suffice to show the unbelieving farmer 
that rolling grain and meadows is a profitable in¬ 
vestment. 
+ »♦ ■ 
PERCENTAGES. 
We have before us a very complete and woll- 
arrranged Descriptive I*rice Current, which is 
issued by the Mapes' Formula and Peruvian 
Guano Co., but which wo have every reason to 
believe owes its good points to Mr. Males, 
whoso experience in fertilizers is very extensive. 
Tho system of percentages is hero carried out to 
its fullest extent, and wo begin to sou how tho 
farmer dually can buy a fertilizer that is appro¬ 
priate to tiis needs, without shutting his eyes 
and buying at a venture, much as the “ ponny- 
grabs " are operated at a fair. 
This Company havo systematized tho fertilizer 
business to such a degree of perfection that a 
purchaser need only to send a memorandum of 
the conditions of his land, its chief soil eharac- 
teristiPs, and the crop, or rotation of crops, ho 
desires to plant, and bo will bo furnished a for¬ 
mula-yes, a series of formulas (including Prof. 
Villes’) —that will, at least, enable him to go 
about hi6 work understanding^. On the other 
hand, if ho prefers to buy his own material and 
compost for himself, he bus an opportunity to 
buy tho component parts of his prospective fer¬ 
tilizer on tho basis of tho percentage it contains 
of ammonia, acid, etc., thus really paying the 
market price for the constituent only, receiving 
the bulk of whatever material holds it free, as a 
part of the transaction. 
We do not know a simpler or more rational 
way of selling fertilizers, and do hope the farm¬ 
ing community will havo sufficient perspicacity 
to test the plan, believing that the results will 
give them new ideas on the subject. 
DEPRESSION OF FRENCH INDUSTRIES. 
Three of the chief industries of Franco are 
at this moment in t he highest degree unprosper- 
oub. The crops of grapes and beet-root sugar 
were only half as large last year as on tho pre¬ 
ceding years, and the Lyons silk trade is in an 
equally precarious condition. The silk trade of 
France normally amounts to one-seventh of tho 
total exports of French products, while wine and 
silk together constitute one-fifth of tho entire 
value. Tho value of these exports last year was 
the smallest known for seventeen years, amount¬ 
ing only to a little more than three-fifths of the 
value exported seven or eight years ago. The 
value of exportations has gradually declined 
since tho Franco-Prussfan war. before which 
time the maximum was reached. This decline 
cannot bo attributable in any groat degree to 
foreign competition, for the importation of silks 
has remained about tho same during the period 
since 1870—that is, between twenty-nine and 
thirty-nine millions of franca, while tho exports 
have declined from four hundred and eighty-five 
millions to two hundred and ninety-seven mil¬ 
lions of francs during the same time. 
-»4-+- — 
PEAT FOR FODDER. 
Corn cobs and sawdust may do to give vol¬ 
ume to richer kinds of food for stock, but wo al¬ 
ways had our doubts about their nutritious prop¬ 
erties. J3ut now comes a Frenchman, Mona. Bu- 
rino, who has conceived the brilliant idea of 
using peat-meal as fodder. He claims to have 
m 
been led to this by a consideration of its chemi¬ 
cal composition, containing, as it does, a consid¬ 
erable amount of nitrogen ; and by noticing, as 
almost every farmer has done at ditYorent times, 
that horses often nibble at. a hit of sod or lump 
of peat which may happen to be within their 
reach. By mixing at the rate of 500 pounds of 
Indian corn or llye moal with 700 of peat-meal, 
then udding 12 of salt, he claims to havo obtained 
a mixture upon which horses feed greedily and 
thrive amazingly. 
We give the gentleman’s statement for what¬ 
ever it is worth, but think it is a good deal like 
“ stone soup.” tho value and flavor depending 
upon the meal and salt added. 
EFFECTS OF COLD STORMS ON POULTRY. 
Each season of tho year brings its special 
work and cure, demanding the .attention of tho 
keepers of poultry. Excepting the first bleak 
autumn storms, no period of tho year is so trying 
to the constitution of fowls’as cold, spring rain¬ 
storms. Birds that havo stood tho severity of 
winter without any apparent signs of disease, 
often succumb to tho effects of a chilly rain¬ 
storm. The germs of disease, however, aro 
sometimes contracted during confinement in 
winter, and tho sudden change of weather, ex¬ 
perienced during a cold rain, will develop tho 
malady, which is likely to become contagious. 
Fowls that havo been highly fed and kept warm 
to induce laying, will, like a forced plant, bo too 
tender to stand neglect during the early, drench¬ 
ing rains that ponotrato to their very skins. 
The danger need not bo feared, however, by 
those who will take a littlo extra care of their 
stock during uuoli weather. Ah soon as the 
earth softens under tho first mild breath of 
Bpring, fowls aro all awako to tho prospect of 
getting worms and other insocts from tho 
ground. They will then bo off, prowling about 
before it is light enough even to see their prey, 
but. as they evidently know that tho early bird 
oatohos the worm, they aro on tho ground be¬ 
times. Perhaps tho noxt day there is a severe 
change in tho weather, with sleot or rain, and 
you will seo the birds hunting about, in hopes of 
finding insects, till they get soaking wet through 
tlieir feathers, and if not well cared for, this 
often proves fatal. 
Most fanciers havo noticed that a cold storm 
frequently stops hens from laying for a week. 
Now, this delay and risk of sickness may often 
ho prevented by giving them a liberal mess of 
soft, warm food, with a littlo cayenne pepper in 
it. To this should be added a generous amount 
of animal food, either scraps or haslets, to take 
tho placo of tho supply of worms, which is stop¬ 
ped when the fowls cannot got out. With this 
little extra care, hens will often keep on laying, 
retain perfect hoalth, and be profitable to their 
keepers. Henry Hales. 
- 4 -*-*- 
A POULTRY ACCOUNT. 
I A3i very much interested in the Poultry De¬ 
partment of the Rural, and think my success 
with fowls is largely duo to frieudly instructions 
and useful hints received through its columns 
during tho past eight or ton years. I send you 
a statement, copied from my farm book, for the 
year 187G, of my account with 84 fowls. All 
the feed was weighed or measured, and I believe 
the account to be perfectly correct. My fowls 
were nearly pure - blood Dominiques. I have 
made no charge for labor in caring for them, 
and have not credited them with as much for 
hen manure as it is worth, as I have been of¬ 
fered 30 cents per bushel for all I have: 
In Account with BiGUTV-rouH Fowls. 
Jan. 1,1S76. Dr. 
To 84 fowls at50 cents each..$12 i)) 
2 tons wheat scrrenltujii, $31 per ton. 02 00 
1 top cracked Corn. 25 03 
t bushel* hucliwheat. T'ic. per bushel. 3 00 
» bushels oats, 500. per bushel . 2 (HI 
tOO lbs. corn tueal, $1.10 per 100 lbs. 7 00 
10 barrels scraps. 20c, per barrel. 2(0 
30 dozen eggs act. 20c. per dozen. 7 20 
Total cost.$150 00 
Dee. 31, 1870. Cr. 
By 747W dozen e«KR. *lfiil 87 
42 hens sold June 10. 31 10 
82 chickens told Oct. 20. 47 8!) 
114 fowls on hand, worth 50c. each. 72 00 
Hen manure(estiraated). 14 85 
Total proceeds.$352 80 
Deduct cost...J50 20 
Net profit.$202 00 
The highest price received for eggs was 38e. 
per dozen; lowest, 17c. Average price per doz., 
25c. I saved the eggs from Bept. 1, and sold 
them Dec. 29, and the increase in price was 
quite an object. 
In cold weather I fed warm feed, and think it 
was profitable to do so. My present flock is 
doing still better than the one I had a year ago. 
Perhaps I ought to add that I seldom keep my 
fowls over two years. Wm. C. Hart. 
Walden, N. Y. 
