DEC. i 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
353 
sowing and harvesting with the amount of labor 
required, and the times of the year it will be 
needed. I then compute as nearly as I am able 
from past experience and the condition of the 
market, the probable proceeds of each crop per 
acre, deducting cost of seed and labor. This 
will show which of all tho crops for which each 
field is adapted, will give the largest probable re¬ 
turns. Having gone through with each field in 
this way and decided what crop or crops will 
give the largest net returns, I next put them all 
together, and see how the labor is 
distributed, and how much grain of 
each kind I am to sow or plant—If 
I find too much labor required at 
any one season, I turn back to tho 
pages containing tho fields with tho 
conflicting crops, and select the best 
crop which will remedy the labor 
difficulty. 
Much can bo gained hi the way of 
economy in farm labor by using tho 
best means aud implements. Fall 
plowing of wet lands and surface 
draining when needed, greatly fa¬ 
cilitate early work in tho spring. J 
Mew and improved tools are also a — - { 
groat advantage in doing work 
quickly and economically. Farmers ■^1 5 5 
often work year after year with old, 
worn-out tools, when the extra crops 
which could ho raised with new la- L 
bor-saving implements in one year, 
would pay for half a dozen such 
tools. The neglect of cultivating 
hoed crops, until the weeds got — - 
fairly rooted, not only injures tho 
crop, but adds greatly to the labor of caring for 
it and destroying the woods. 
Cultivation promotes curliness as well as 
growth, and partly supplies tho place of manure; 
and in laying out tho year's work, every farmer 
should bo careful not to put in any thing which 
will have to bo neglected. Hotter till five acres 
well, thau plant ten aoros and leave tho crops to 
fight it out with tho woods. Plan your work 
carofully, making due allowance for rainy weath¬ 
er and lost time, cultivate thoroughly, and man¬ 
ure well and you will bo suro to get tho largest 
possible returns for your labor, 
An Old Farmer. 
horticultural. 
FARM AND GARDEN NOTES. 
Thebe is no better time thau just the present 
to thin out trees and shrubbery. This is gener¬ 
ally neglected until spring and then it is hastily 
and ineffectually done. Gather muck from 
low places, sods from wherever they can be ob¬ 
tained, and spread thorn out us the foundation 
of a compost heap. Collect all tho rubbish 
about the premises or fields and, placing it upon 
this heap, set lire to it, and let the ashes remain, 
which should at once bo covered with soil. 
Manure nifty then form tho next layer, the 
whole to remain for several mouths, when it 
can he turned and nioro manure added. Moil 
formed in this way is most efficacious for any 
cro,« whatover. 
Wherever young trees are not growing satis¬ 
factorily, it is well to cover tho soil about their 
roots with manure. This also serves as some 
protection to the roots. We feel confident, also, 
from OUr own experience that young evergreens 
thus treated are benefited far beyond the labor 
and cost of tho application. 
In protecting Roses, it is our plan simply to 
lay them over “ on their sides.” Hold them by 
placing sticks of wood upon the ends and then 
throw over all a light covering of salt hay, 
straw or leaves. If the last be used a little 
earth hero and there will keep them in place. 
Tho plan of tying up Roses in the shape of thin 
solid cones is, as we have said before, worse 
than useless. Wo believe of two Roses, tho one 
tied up in that way—the other left entirely un¬ 
covered, tho latter will ho found in spring to be 
harmed the less. 
Asparagus and Htrawberry beds may now bo 
covered somowhat, though later, if equally con¬ 
venient, will answer just as well. 
We believe that it is more important to pro- 
teot against “January thaws," than against 
the coldest weather and that more injury is 
done, at least to tho roots of trees, in February 
and March thau during December or January. 
-—— 
EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENTS’ 
LETTERS. 
The Japan Persimmon. 
I was taken aback at your remarks on Tricyrtis 
grand., in Rubai, of Nov. 3. With us it is a 
favorite; it blooms so long aud profusely, and 
the flowers aro so agreeable. 
In same number I observe, in “ Notes from 
Texas,” a plant spoken of as “ Meapilus pru- 
nus,” or “Japan Plum." Your correspondent 
says: “ Tho fruit is eatable, and resembles, in 
shapo, size and color, a Persimmon," Now, I 
think we have tho same thing on this coast. If 
so, your correspondent is wrong in tho botanical 
name. The fruit I speak of is a recent intro¬ 
duction from Japan; botanical namo, “ Dios- 
pyros Kakicommon names, “ Japancso Per¬ 
simmon,” “Japanese Date Plum,’’ and “Fruit 
of the Gods." If you think it desirable, I could 
send you a description of it. How it will suc¬ 
ceed I cannot say at present. Am trying the 
flowers moro. Well, I found Sweet Alyssum, of 
all sizes, from the fourth of an inch to throe 
inches in bight, tho latter just beginning to 
bloom. These will last through November, and 
by outtiug them back, conld bo made to bloom 
longer, but tho smaller plants will take their 
place. These came from tho seeds dropped 
from tho old plants, and are ho protected by 
them that they can withstand several hard 
frosts. Ho, ladies, it is not yet too lato to secure 
ho self-sown plants. If you have none in tho 
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SMALL COTTAGE — GritOUNl) PLAN.-(See page 354.) 
trees, however, and they are being tried through¬ 
out the State. 
I was also interested with “Farm Notes," by 
Mr. Mason, in Ids paragraph “ Scraping Ac¬ 
quaintance." lie hits exactly the plan we have 
for taking soil specimens for the Paris Exposi¬ 
tion. w. o. I.. ». 
El Dorado, Cal., Nov. 12 . 
| We do not know to what plant Mr. Marti re¬ 
ferred. Mespilna (Crata-gua) pruuifolia ia near 
it in name but quite different in description. Rut 
wo do not think it is the Japan Persimmon, This 
was Bent to this country by Mr. Thomas Hogg 
about ton years ago, and is now offered by nurs¬ 
erymen East aH well as West, though in this 
climate it will not stand our severest winters, a 
fact not ao much to be regretted, on account of 
the astringency of the fruit-— Eds.] 
Sweet Alyssum. 
Tueuk is often a scarcity of while flowers, for 
the house, in winter. With a little care tho 
common Hweet Alyssum may bo made to bloom 
in profusion, all through tho winter and oarly 
spring. 
The pride of my tlowor garden, the past sum¬ 
mer, was a largo, oval bed, of scarlet geraniums, 
bordered with Sweet Alyssum. (I hope every 
“ Rural" lady will have one next summer.) 
i It baa not yet boon injured by the few fight 
frosts wo have had, so, to-day, I went to it to 
gather a little stock of plants for the house. I 
had already secured my Geraniums, by Betting 
slips in July. Now, they aro thrifty little plants, 
not tall, hut round, and full of bright green 
foliage. They aro determined to bloom, but I 
Shall not allow that until winter, when we need 
garden, a few seeds planted now in a box, and 
kept in an east or south window, will furnish 
you with flowers for Christmas. Moisten every 
evening, oarefnlly, with tepid ruin water. 
I am never without the Sweet Alyssum, either 
in summer or winter. It is so delicate and 
fragrant that it deserves a place in every house 
and garden. A neat little pot of this modcBt 
plant, in full bloom, on the breakfast-table, is to 
mo quite as satisfactory as a white Hyacinth, if 
not so stately. I advise all ladies, who have not 
doue so, to try the Sweet Alyssum. 
October, 29, 187T. Mary G. Rand. 
Chrysanthemums, Etc. 
I sitom.D like to tell my kind horticultural 
friends how I keep my Chrysanthemums over 
winter, as so many complain of having them 
frozen out during that bleak season. 1 think a 
yard incomplete without a fow good Chrysan¬ 
themums. Their coming in bloom when nearly all 
onr other flowers havo faded, makes them of 
more value, lasting as they do, till winter snows 
cover them from our sight. 
Our house stands fronting the south and has a 
portico in the center, on each uido of which I havo 
& row set out of different varieties at a short dis¬ 
tance from the brick walls which protect them 
from oold, north winds. These come up much 
earlier than those I have grown in other placos 
and last much longer in early winter. For pro¬ 
tection, I go to the woods and gather leaves and 
cover up my pets well with them, sprinkling on 
enough soil to keep the leaves in their place. 
I have never lost one by freezing ont. In 
spring, on uncovering, I find them all up 
through tho ground and growing finely. This 
method of preserving them seems to me much 
easier than taking them up and storing them in 
a cellar. For indoors, 1 take vases, pitchers, or 
anything 1 want to fill, put in sand, fill up with 
water, a little moro than the smut will hold, and 
place tho Chrysanthemums nicely in them, tho 
sand holding them in place. By sprinkling them 
once in a while, and, when needed, putting on a 
little more water, they will keep beautifully for 
a long time. * 
As for my treo Roses, I take a little of the soil 
from one sido of the roots, turn 
them over on tho ground and cover 
all up with soil, uncover in tho 
spring, straighten them up and they 
are alw ays in excellent condition. 
JIus. C. McCoy. 
Coshocton, Co., Ohio, Nov. 14. 
Exchange. 
j I have some twenty or moro 
blooming bulbs of Japan Lily which 
I will offer in exchange fur other 
choice plants. They aro the variety 
called Lancifoliuw rubrum aud are 
hanqsomo, hardy, and desirable ev- 
fl jV J — cry way. I would like Lilinm longi- 
florum or exoclimm and others, but 
don't want Tiger Lily unless It is the 
double. I also have plenty of caudi- 
Sjyp*- dum and the oonininn Day Lilies. I 
jj BajULZ-F - would like some varieties of Anm- 
ftlu * many othor things. If 
any apply they had hotter do so by 
- letter or (lostal-card, stating what 
they have to spare, and 1 will reply 
immediately. Jennie Hoffman. 
Say brook, conn. 
Dear Rubai, : —Of tho many things which 
you have done to promote a love for the beauti¬ 
ful, I think your offer to allow exchanges of- 
soeds and plants to be effected through tho 
medium of your columns is one of tho best I 
have a quantity of Colchicnm bulbs which I 
would like to exchange for Gladioli bulbs, seeds 
of Mollucoa Balm or line single Tulip bulbs. 
Wayne Co,, N. Y., Oct. 27, S. A. Little. 
Seeds. 
I have not thanked you for those flower seeds 
you send mo last winter. They came all right. 
I planted them in tile spring, and I think every 
seed grow. I gave away a good many, and a 
great many other parties havo them also. The 
Antirrhinums were beautiful, tho Hollyhocks 
are very thrifty and I think, next summer, they 
will bloom l eant!fully if the caterpillars do not 
destroy them, though they were dreadfully in¬ 
fested with them, but I picked thorn off almost 
every day. I am very fond of llowors. l’lease 
accept my thanks for your favors. 
Iowa, Oct. 28. L. 0. Branson. 
-- - - 4 4 ♦- 
DFACJENA GOLDIEANA. 
(See page 3f<6 for illustration.) 
Dracvenas have many frionds, and thoir im¬ 
provement and the introduction of foreign va¬ 
rieties by enterprising florists, havo become a 
matter of stirring competition. Among tho most 
recent introductions, there Is probably no other 
that is more distinct than Goldieuua, of a leaf of 
which wo give a picture. As it is valued for its 
foliage, and Bince the loaves aro all similar, as 
good an idea of the complete plant may be gained 
from a portrait of a leaf as from one of the plant 
itself. 
It is described in English journals as a native 
of Western tropical Africa, of erect habit. Tho 
stems are closely set, with spreading leaves, the 
petioles of which aro of a grayish color. The 
blade of the leaf is eordato-ovaio, acuminate, 
with a yellowish-green costa, and marblod and 
irregularly handed with dark-groon and silvor- 
gray 111 alternate straight or furcato bands, the 
odors being about equally distributed. Tho 
back of the unfolded loaves is a yalo reddish- 
purple color. To ttioso who can provide for tho 
needs of stovo plants, this Dracama is doubtless 
a worthy acquisition. 
-- 
A HEW DOUBLE VIOLET. 
(See paifO 355 for illustration.) 
We aro always glad of tho opportunity of 
“having a hand" in the introduction of a “ new” 
plant, though disappointed always, if the now 
plant does not prove all that Us first announce¬ 
ment bespoii ks for it. 
Violets aro universal favorites, and to speak 
of improved varieties, seems a slight to the wild 
violets, that, in truth, aro perfect in themselves, 
and cannot therefore bo improved upon. In the 
hands of the florist such varieties of the newer 
sorts as, Victoria Regina, Purple Prince, and 
many others, havo been made to do good service 
for bouquets, and the plants have met with a 
ready sale. 
A new double white Violet of French origin, 
Bello de Chatenay, has been advertised for 
some time in England for the trifle of 4s. 7d. 
