THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
having lost money before learning what kinds 
were adapted to the soil and climate. Some 
have netted as high as $100 in a year, from an 
aero of peaches or grapes.Thia figure is, how¬ 
ever, au exception, yet fruit-growing has be¬ 
come «n occupation which, with all the draw¬ 
backs incident to it, is aa lucrative as any other 
branch of farming. It ia important that all 
kinds arc cultivated, for every one who has had 
experience, knows that one or more is liable to 
fail, and if that bo the only reliance, then there 
will be no income for that special year. Accord¬ 
ingly there ia sometimes wisdom in having 
many irons in the fire. 
The subjoined figures will give some idea of 
the extent of fruit-growing along tho line of the 
Raleigh and Oaston Rail Road, a distance of 
forty-seven miles, but it must bo remembered 
that the business is still in its infancy: Shipped 
from JUy 1 to September 6, 1877Peaches, 
crates, 26.819; Grapes, crates. 1,251; PearB, 
crates, 190; Apples, crates, 49 ; ChorrioB, crates, 
10; Damsons, crates, 79; Strawberries, quarts, 
21,658; Blackberries (wild), quarts, 8,700. Dried 
fruit, mostly peaches, 55 barrels, and more yot 
to go forward. 
X. C., Sept.. 17. 
- - - 
Si'Koi mens of Pears of Souvenir du Congres, 
exhibited at the N. 1. Horticultural Show, are 
much smaller than our portrait of this variety 
represents. (See p. SGI 1875). It lias had a 
considerable time for trial, but does not npi>ear 
to receive very strong praise from any quarter. 
^rlrorirulturai, 
ORNAMENTAL SHRUBBERY. 
BY W. H. WHITE. 
As the taste for ornamental grounds becomes 
better educated, shrubs and shrubbery are made 
to occupy a more prominent position, especially 
on limited grounds. Instead of stately troos, 
ornamental shrnbs seem to be growing in popu¬ 
larity with many who have only small lots. Trees 
are beautiful in their appropriate places, but to 
plant only trees in ornamental grounds wo be¬ 
lieve a mistako. A judicious planting of shrubs 
often gives tho impression of extant to a place 
of moderate dimensions. I would not exclude 
tall-growing trees from ornamontal grounds, 
but they should he admitted only in their appro¬ 
priate places. \V I tile some shrubs are grown only 
for the beauty of their foliage, others are prized 
mainly for their dowers. In planting at the 
present day wo are too apt, with tho high-sound¬ 
ing names in tho catalogues before us, to neglect 
tho older and more common shrubs which give 
us equally as great or bettor blossoms and 
beauty. What more beautiful spring-blossom¬ 
ing shrubs than tho Lilac and Snow-ball, tall and 
dwarf ? I might name over a long list of beautiful 
shrubs, some of which are in blossom from early 
spring to mid-winter, or nearly ; but any one so 
disposed can obtain such information by obser¬ 
vation atnl from books. 1 shall confine my re¬ 
marks to only a few small shrubs which I highly 
prize and which may find an appropriate place in 
the garden or on the limited lawn. 
if I could only have four or five, or a few (low¬ 
ering shrnbs, I certainly should select first the 
Deutzia gracilis, Weigela rosea, Cydooia Ja- 
pouica. and Forsytbia viridissima. These all 
blossom early, have fine foliage when tho blos¬ 
som is over, are hardy, and of easy propagation 
and culture. Very much of beauty depends 
on the modoof culture, prmung, etc.; and as the 
Weigela and Deutzia may bo molded to will 
more easily than some others, 1 shall describe in 
the following my mode or treatment, premising 
a few observations. 
I ho Weigela rosea, as its name indicates, has 
a rose-colored blossom which is borne in dense 
masses or racemes covering the shrub, often 
causing the slender branches to droop quite low. 
I have often had people, not particularly fund of 
ilowers, stop to admire and inquire what that 
pretty llower was. The Deutzia gracilis is equally 
covered, first with white buds, to he succeeded 
by small and delicate white flowers which the 
beautiful green of the small leaves sets off to the 
greatest advantage. So delicate and beautiful 
i-i it that a friend of mine who seldom notices 
any flowers, called the attention of a lady ac¬ 
quaintance to it, remarking that when she 
wanted to trim her now hat, she should take 
that flower or pattern from it. 
these shrubs may bo grown from cuttings 
started in a shaded and spent hot-bed. Many 
other shrubs may be started in the same man- 
nei ^ train tho Weigela to a single stem grow- 
from ten to twelve inches high before branch¬ 
ing' I then cut it in bo as to cause it to throw 
out branches and shoots as close together as 
possible, and aB tho shrub grows I prune, bo as 
to form a pyramidal or rounding head. I prune 
and cut back immediately after the blossoming 
reason is over; for by so doing I find that I can 
obtam a much thicker and handsomer head than 
by pruning at other seasons. I give very little 
other culture, the Bhrub growing well in either 
grass ground or arable soil, provided it is in fair 
heart. The Deutzia gracilis I cause to come 
with numerous shoots from the roots and shear 
it, immediately after the blossoms are shed, into a 
conical or pyramidal head which pleases me bet¬ 
ter than what I frequently see among my neigh¬ 
bors, where the shrub is allowed to grow in a 
more loose form. I like to see shrubs so trained 
and pruned that when they come in blossom 
the bloom is massed, and when the blossoms are 
shod the foliago hides, in a great measure, the 
naked branches. 
Worcester Co., Mass. 
[In horticultural matters, variety is the spice 
of life—and wo think every one’s taste entitled 
to a meed of respect. Speaking for ourselves, 
we prefer to let shrubs grow pretty much aa na¬ 
ture intends they should.—E ds.J 
-- - 
THE PURPLE BEECH AND ITS VARIETIES. 
BY SAMUEL l'ABBONH. 
One of tho most fleeting and variable things 
in nature is the color of foliage. In spring it 
warms the bursting leaf bud, then glows on tho 
perfected loveliness of June, and, fading before 
the strong heat of July and August, finally reap¬ 
pears with renewed intensity in the falling leaves 
of autumn. It is necessary, therefore, to boar in 
mind this chameleou-like quality of foliage-col¬ 
oring in passing judgment on any variegated leaf 
plant. 
There arc undoubtedly vast differences in tho 
permanence and distinct character of variega¬ 
tions; but, unfortunately, a slight deviation of 
tint, briefly shown during early summer, may 
suffice to secure the addition of a new variety to 
the catalogue, and the dissatisfaction of the pur¬ 
chaser must, in many cases, accept consolation in 
the thought, that all pleasures arc truly Hooting. 
Many notable instances exist, however, where 
the main coloring remains permanent during tho 
greater part of summer, certainly during May, 
June, and a part of July, to ho renewed during 
a portion of tho fall. The Purple Doecli forms 
nearly tho most perfect and effoolivo of these 
instances. But in using tho term Purple Beech, 
wo use it advisedly, to clearly mark tho differ¬ 
ence between it and the lighter Copper Beech, 
which name SOdio mistake for a mere synonym. 
The fact is that the taste of tho public lacks cul¬ 
tivation on this vory point, for I he reason that 
ignorance is always tempting it to accept the 
cheaper plant on the representations of irre¬ 
sponsible parties, who are hero to-day and gone 
to-morrow beyond recall. Much deception, iu- 
tentioual or otherwiso, arises by advocating the 
employment of seedling Purple Beeches, and 
othor variegated leaf plants. No permanency of 
color can bo thereby obtained. It may he pur¬ 
ple or variegated, or it may bo green, as tho 
sportivo nature of seedlings determines. 
Grafting or budding Las, for this reason, be¬ 
come the only satisfactory way of securing trees 
of fairly constant color. But before grafting, 
certain other difficulties may so enter in as to 
partially bar tho very results desired from this 
operation. The proper selection of wood for 
grafting forms one of these difficulties, and to 
carelessness and want of Judgment in such selec¬ 
tion, may be attributed tho existence of many 
poorly colored beeches and variegated loaf plants. 
More than thirty years ago, Mr. Thomas Rivers 
of England exhibited great judgment in select¬ 
ing his grafting or budding wood aud eyes, and 
hence wo have a variety in tho trade, produced 
by him and bearing his name, which is unsur¬ 
passed for permanency, breadth of loaf and 
depth of color. AIL propagators should select 
their cions or buds from this variety, or from 
the vory darkest portion of the best Purple 
Beeches they possess. It is to be noted that 
this coloring is deeper and richer usually on the 
leaves of the onter portion of the branches, 
where the sunlight most pcrfoctly accomplishes 
its share of the work. 
Such a system of propagation would soon tend 
to fix definite and permanent colors on all varie¬ 
gated plants, which would do much to warrant 
a faith in then' constancy that certainly is not 
w arranted at present. 
lodintlfaral, 
NOTES FROM THE GARDEN. 
To chronicle the various successes and fail¬ 
ures in gardening operations, for only a limited 
number of years, would necessitate a vast amount 
of time and labor, and would undoubtedly bo of 
very little interest to the average reader, yet I 
have decided, within the limits of these notes, 
to give some of thoso experiences which are 
most prominent in my recollection. 
The first of these is a grand total failure in my 
zeal to produce a fine crop of cucumbers for 
family use last season. I had always been told 
by farmers that chip manure was one of the best 
fertilizers to bo found, and upon taking posses¬ 
sion of the premises I now occupy, I found a 
a large quantity of that artielo in a thoroughly 
decomposed condition. Now, thought I, for a 
mammoth crop of cucumbers. I hud neither hot¬ 
bed nor cold-frame to forward tho plants in, 
and so, as soon as I considered tho ground 
sufficiently warm, I excavated a hole about 18 
inches deep, and from 2 to 3 feet in diameter, 
where I wished each hill to bo located, and then 
placed about a bushel of tho chip manure in 
each hole, and covered it with enough surface 
soil to raise the hill two or three inches above 
the general level of the ground. Then I planted 
tho seeds. 
How eagerly I watched for tho appearance of 
each plant above gronnd ! And how vigorously 
they grew for tho first few weeks! But, alas! 
the drought oamc and my visions of vinos cov¬ 
ered w ith the cooling and refreshing fruit, began 
to fade; fot in spito of all my attention the 
plants would turn yellow, and after a few weeks' 
struggle for existence, they would, everyone of 
them, die! I also tried the manure in the 
bills of corn, and found that those which had 
nouo were nearly equal to thoso having the ex¬ 
tra application. Tally quo lesson in experience. 
Tho lesson taught by last year’s experiment 
proved, first: that chip manure was too drying, 
| especially if the weather was dry, and second: 
that It needed composting with somo other 
manure. Accordingly for this year’s crop I 
adopted another plan: 1 covered tlie ground de¬ 
signed for cucumbers about six inches deep with 
woll rotted cow manure composted with hog 
manure, arid plowed the ground deeply. T then 
let it sunburn for a few days, then marked it off 
in drills, about six feet apart, and planted the 
seed in the drills, abont two inches apart, and 
when they began to run. I thinned them to six 
to eight inches, and I find tho rosult perfectly 
satisfactory. 
Another experience I have had in the culture 
of peas, an experience 1 do not care to have 
repeated, and yet one I don’t know how to avoid. 
I planted my peas last year, and also this, in 
double row's in good garden soil on an elevated 
position, where a good ourront of air could bo 
obtained, and took the usual care, such as hoeing, 
bttBhing, etc., yet I have been disappointed each 
time by my entire crop mildewing! My neigh¬ 
bors, on tho other hand, who have planted tho 
same varieties (Early Kent aud Champion of 
England), have obtained good oropB with no ap¬ 
pearance of tho mildew. Will some one enlighten 
me as to tho cause of my ill-luck aud give a 
remedy ? 
I also had a queer experience this spring in 
raising Tomatoes. The seeds wore planted in a 
pan, and when the plants wore of wuitablo sizo, 
they were transplanted into a box, divided into 
compartments of about throe Inches square, by 
pasteboard partitions, and having a movable or 
loose bottom. Tho plants started well, grow 
after being transplanted for a few days, and 
then came to a standstill. Despite all my care 
aud nursing they wouldn’t grow, but stood 
there sickly, puny, insignificant little things. 
Finally when tho ground became settled, I turned 
them out to live or die, when lo ! they begun to 
grow and soon became thrifty and strong, and 
are now (Hept.) laden with the beautiful fruit. 
But I will reserve somo other experiences for a 
future time, fearing that they would weary your 
patience too much if I were to present more of 
them now, and hoping that tho successes and 
failures of the writer may not only be a benefit 
to himself, hut also to those of your readers who 
may be in a like position. 
An Amateur Gardener. 
A WOMAN’S IDEA OF A KITCHEN GARDEN, 
FOR A FARMER'S FAMILY OF MEDIUM SIZE. 
I know of no one I pity so much as a farmer’s 
wife who has to cook for a family of men and 
children, and has no garden ; but my sympathy 
wanes when I find the kitchen slops in a pool 
beside the door (and perhaps the well), and chil¬ 
dren old enough to sow seeds and pull weeds, 
yet running wild with mischief. 
Just at tho time a garden should be com¬ 
menced, in order to be profitable, the men are 
so busy with getting in the more important crops, 
that their excuse is at first: “ T have no time,” 
and next: “Mioau too late." Almost any man, 
however, could bo persuaded to plow and thor¬ 
oughly harrow, a small garden plot noar the 
door. 1 think it necessary it should bo near tho 
kitchen door, as such a position for it saves many 
steps in going to arid from it; and, moreover, it 
ia much more convenient to savo the slops from 
tho kitchen which are a great help toward mak¬ 
ing tho garden. Any woman able to work, 
would be all the better for spending a couple of 
hours, or so, each day oat of doors, and these 
are some of the thiugs she could do. First, rake 
over tho gronnd and make the drills for some 
PEAS. 
Of these there should be at least, three varieties; 
the early, tho late, and those that ripen between 
the two ; and if the second sowing of tho late 
ones is made, there will bo a further supply of 
this excellent vegetable. Next, keep a small bod 
of earth as rich as possible very near the door for 
t RADISHES. 
Rake evenly aud sow in rows ; after the seed is 
nicely up, water with liquid manure once or 
twice and pour on everything in the shape of 
liouso slops, except that which is good for the 
swill barrel. Tho soil must be kept all the time 
moist to have good radishes. 
IETTUCE 
is to be sown at tho same time and treated in the 
same way. Thtu out by using the largest first, 
and prolong by sowing in a few seeds where the 
first of both of these vegetables are taken out. 
BEETS. 
parsnips, salsify, are all tho bettor for being 
sown early. I am too saving of work to make 
beds. I rake the ground smoothly off and, with 
stako and lino to mark it, make a small drill and 
sow the seeds, leaving a wider space between 
every three or four rows for paths. 
CUCUMBERS 
should be planted as soon as there is no danger 
of frost. A few hills kept well watered, and 
treated occasionally with liquid manure will 
afford a good supply of pickles. Every family 
should have a good bed of 
ONIONS. 
There should he threo kinds at least. First, the 
English Multipliers ; second, the small sets from 
the Black Heed, and tho Black Seed. Tho Multi¬ 
pliers will afford largo onions by the middle of 
.Tmio, and after that there will be a supply of 
both large and small. There is a kind called 
with us, tho Everlasting. Tboy make but a small 
bulb, but are perfectly hardy, and are ready to 
be pulled and used for green onions as Boon as 
tho frost is out of the ground. The small sets 
require setting in mid-sumtuor to be ready for 
the next year. A few 
CABBAOE 
seed should bo sown early, in a warn i place, and 
transplanted as soon as largo enough. If 
watered with liquid manure onoo or twioo, after 
they are nicely up, it will hasten their growth 
aud mako them much stronger. Do not let them 
grow too thick. There Bhould bo a couple of 
hills of 
SUMMER SQUASH. 
I like the Early Bush Scallop, because the vines 
do not overrun tho garden, but modestly keep 
the place allotted them. 
TOMATO PLANTS 
should ho set out after frosts are over. If pos¬ 
sible, the place for them is tho south side of a 
fence, and as they grow, tack them up, pinching 
off the ends after they are threo feet high. A 
few rows of early sweet corn, and also of tho 
wax bean are needed to complete the garden. 
As tho early peas are taken out, seeds of tho 
sweet turnip can bo sown. 
Ah I sail! at first, any woman can do this ; not 
know when she did it, and bo tho hotter for it. 
Tlie children will be interested and glad of the 
chance to he with you ; doing what you do, and 
learning lessons of providence and industry. I 
want to tell my *Utor friends a secret: when the 
hurry is over, the men will look at tho garden 
and seeing things up and growing, will find odd 
moments fm* hoeing, and children will pull a 
good many weeds for tho promise of a visit, a 
ride, or a penny, and nine times out of ten, if 
tho garden is once made, you will have sufficient 
success to relievo the anxiety of cooking, and 
answer tho everyday question: “ What shall I 
have for dinner ? Betsey Badger. 
-»♦» --- . 
GARDEN DECORATION. 
BY W. C, L. DREW. 
Of the many modern systems of garden deco¬ 
ration, the bedding system stands pre-eminent, 
and is one which is likely to keep its hold on ns 
for several years to come. When well dono, none 
is attended with better and more satisfactory re¬ 
sults to the artistic planter. Tho amateur, or 
professional, who would desire a pleasing offeot 
to attend his labors, should make a particular 
study of this method. 
As an ill effect will be sure to follow any indis¬ 
criminate planting under this system, the hight, 
the tone, the contrasts and harmonies of each 
subject used, should ha well studied in theory 
before being reduced to actual practice. 
When employing this method, tho amateur or 
planter, should first go over tho entire work in 
detail on paper, By this moans, and this moans 
only, can the effect of the different colors be 
studied, and each subject worked into tho place 
it will fill to tho best advantage, so as to makeup 
a complete whole. For the preliminary work of 
testing on paper, it is absolutely necessary to 
adopt some scale to work by, otherwise some 
subject, which it is really necesmiry to employ, 
may be crowded out at planting time. 
Every plant to bo used should be fully consid¬ 
ered beforehand, in regard to lime and duration 
of bloom, its capability of resisting drought, 
