Marrow are the beet dwarf beans, and Case- 
knife, and what is here called the Pole Cran¬ 
berry Bean the best Pole beans. I Hhall raise 
no more Early Feejee, Valentine, Black Indian 
Chief or Giant Wax, because the beans that are 
left after picking tho shells, are not fit for bak¬ 
ing dry in my opiuioo. I have an early kind of 
Pea Beau that does the best, grown in among the 
corn. The Yellow Chit sells for two cents higher 
per quart than any other kind, but it does not 
yield as well as the Pea Bean in the corn. I can 
make more money from an old garden and under 
Apple and Pear trees if beans are planted there, 
using ashes in the hill. The white and Hoarlet 
running beans make a nice show planted to¬ 
gether, tho white and red blossoms side by side. 
They yield well loo and I consider the white bet¬ 
ter for use than the Horticultural. 
The Goldeu Trophy tomato here grows large, 
irregular shaped with the stem sunken deep, 
few on the vine and a little late. The Green 
Gage is a small, smooth, yellow tomato, but 
neither of these or the Conqueror doeB so well 
a9 the Canada Victor with me. 
The Early Rose potatoes are running out and 
I have tried sixteen kinds of new ones to get an 
early kind to take its place, but I have not got it. 
Bresee's Prolific, Snowflake, Genesee Co. KiDg 
yield the best. 
Grapes are very abundant this fall w'orth two 
cents a pound. The Concord does not ripen 
every year. I like the Adirondac and Hartford 
the best. 
The Turban is the best fall squash and the 
Marblehead the best whiter one. Splendid 
weather now, no frost; everything ripening 
well. G. W. Crane. 
Candta, N. J. 
-- 
MUSK MELLON. 
Two years ago we procured seed of all the 
novelties which were at that time obtainable, 
and tested them in the Rural grounds. With 
the exception of the “ Green Climbing" Melon, 
bo few ripened, and those so inferior in taste to 
old sorts, that wo did not attempt any experi¬ 
ments last season. 
The Green Climbing is a small, sweet melon, 
in no way superior to the Nutmeg. 
English horticultural journals are at present 
praising the melon of which the accompanying 
is a portrait from a photograph. 
It is described as being one of the deepest 
fleshed melons, the seeds occupying the “ small¬ 
est possible space." The flesh is green, moder¬ 
ately firm, yet very juicy, ripening back to the 
rind “ leaving it no thicker than a sixpence.” 
Tho flavor is said to be uneqnaled, the plant 
vigorous, “ the original one the past year hav¬ 
ing ripened four crops, in all twenty fruitB." 
We have only to oall tho attention of our 
seedsmen to the above novelty as being at least, 
worth a trial in this climate. 
^rfrorktilteral. 
UPING RHODODENDRONS. 
SAMUEL PARSONS. 
We propose to say a word on this apparently 
simple subjeot, not because we question the skill 
of many who exeouto such work, but for the 
purpose of correcting some prevailing errors 
that are apt to mar the result. It is a common 
remark of people proposing to plant, that they 
do not wish to crowd their limited space. Tho 
answer that a thinning out of overgrown trees 
and shrubs, after a period of ten or fifteen years, 
will remove all difficulty and permit enjoyment, 
during the meantime, of mauy more plants, does 
not satisfy. Large trees are wanted at once, 
and in 6Uob limited quantities as will remain at 
convenient distances for a life-time. We do not 
say that people are conscious of just such de¬ 
sires,but that their remarks give this impression. 
As a result of this feeling, trees are planted, 
hap-bazard all over the grasB, without regard to 
definite plan or tasteful arrangement, and, 
above all, w ithout attaining those long vistas and 
sweeps of pleasant turf wLioh no lawn can af¬ 
ford to lose. In a few years, this lietreogeneous 
mass of foliage requires the sharp use of the 
ax, and only the greatest judgment and skill 
can develop graceful groupings out of the exist¬ 
ing chaos. Of course, the chief lesson to be 
drawn from all this is, that the planter must 
have a well considered plan before commencing 
his work. 
As the subject of general grouping, however, 
is quite a wide one, we will couteut ourselves, at 
present, with making some practical suggestions 
as to the formation of a very striking and effec¬ 
tive group on the lawn, that of Rhododendrons, 
and indicating thereby something of the manner 
in which general grouping of trees should be 
studied. We have all experienced much pleas¬ 
ure, now and then, on observing a charming bit 
of landscape in an opening or edge of woodland. 
No analysis of this effect is usually made. We 
feel a thrill of delight and pass on ; but if we 
will examine more closely, it will appear that the 
grouping of color and form is arranged on a 
definite plan of its own, but varied and shaded 
in a very irregular and exquisite style. 
Now Nature does this work so well that we 
cannot do better than follow her lessons. Our 
Rhododendron groups in the woods wander 
down the banks of streams in masses both pic¬ 
turesque and attractive, but devoid of all forrn- 
about 1,300,000,000 bushels), it will present the 
following figures: 
Weight of grain. 78 . 000 . 000.000 lbs 
“ BtalkB. 117 , 000 , 000,000 ” 
Total weight. 190,000,000,009 “ 
Value of grain.$1,040 000 000 
“ ** stalks. 620 . 000 ,U00 
Total value.l,560,ooo,ooo 
If we now estimate the entire value of the 
orop in terms of the grain; in other words, if 
we take, as in the former estimate, seventy 
“EXQUISITE" MELON. 
(From a Photograph.) 
ality. In a similar manner, the artificial group 
should be constituted. The outline of the bed 
should be varied and graceful, and not oval and 
circular except where absolutely necessary. All 
tendency to formality and sameness should thus 
be entirely avoided, and either a bank of foliage 
and flowers sloped upwards from the eye near a 
wall or solid background, or a still more irregular 
mass formed by placing, here and there, a 
larger specimen in tho middle, graduating either 
way with smaller plants. 
A good ©ye for color and knowledge of the 
appearance of different kinds will enable any 
one to contrive an arrangement of various hues 
that will enhance the beauty of each variety, 
and improve the general effect. Neither should 
the plants be huddled together to obtain at ouco 
the fullest effect of mass, but placed three or 
four feet apart according to size, bo that, for 
several years at least, breathing space may be 
allowed without at the samo time losing the 
compact appoara nco proper to a group. We 
have here only made certain suggest ions relative 
to the grouping of Rhododendrons, but there 
are principles underlying even so limited a sub¬ 
ject, that will bear much wider application. In¬ 
deed. too little attention is everywhere given 
to grouping trees on really sound principles 
of art. 
FOOD RESULTS OF THE CORN CROP OF 
THE UNITED STATES. 
POSSIBILITIES OF BEEF, BREAD, AND OTHER STAPLES FROM 
THE CROP OF A SINGLE YEAR. 
CONRAD WILSON. 
In a former estimate, published in an¬ 
other paper, giving the amount per acre of 
the food staples resulting from corn, I have 
already shown that the grain of this cereal, as 
compared with the stalks, is very nearly in the 
proportion of two to three by weight, and as two 
to one, in the value per acre; or, in other 
words, that a bushel of corn weighing sixty 
pounds, represents a product of stover eqnal to 
ninety pounds, and that when the grain is worth 
eighty cents per bushel, the stover producing it 
should be worth forty cents. From this it ap¬ 
pears that an acre of corn amounting to sev¬ 
enty bushels, would give the following re¬ 
sults :] 
Weight of plain, 4.20i> lbs 
*• " stalks, 6,8W “ 
Value of grain, $56.00 
“ " stalks, 28.U0 
Total weight.... 10.600 " Total value.... $84.00 
Now, if we apply these estimates to the entire 
corn crop of the country, (which, according to 
the average of the last three years, is equal to 
I bushels of the grain as equivalent to lflO bush¬ 
els, when the stalk value is added, we then have 
1.859,000,000 bushels, as the measure of value 
for the total crop, according to the standard of 
fifty-six pounds to the bushel, at over 1,700,000,- 
000 bushels, on the basis of 60 pounds to tire 
bushel. 
Let us now see what amount of each of the 
leading food staples of this country the yearly 
corn crop is capable of producing separately, ac¬ 
cording to the above calculation. 
The feeding value of corn, for the purpose of 
this investigation, may be proximately estimated 
by taking 
1 Bushel of corn as equivalent to gfe lbs of Beef 
16 “ Hutton 
•• “ - 16 “ Pork 
'* " " 6 “ Butter 
" *• “ 120 “ Milk 
“ " “ 120 “ Corn Bread 
Without claiming that these figures are rigor¬ 
ously exact, they are still not far from the 
average experience of farmers. In fact, they 
are every year surpassed, and some of them 
greatly surpassed, by the achievements of suc¬ 
cessful men. But taking the figures as here 
given, it will be found that the corn crop of the 
United .States, when measured separately by 
these staples, is capable of producing either of 
the following food results : 
Beef. 14.450.000.000 lbs 
Mutton. 26 6iHi.000.000 " 
Pork.. 26.601) OflO.WK) “ 
Butter. 10 , 200 , 000.000 " 
Milk. 20*1,000.000.000 " 
Corn Bread. 204.000.000.000 “ 
Assuming the population of the United States 
to be 45,000,000, the above products, if distribu¬ 
ted equally among the people, would give to 
every man, woman, and child in the country 
either of the following amounts of food: 321 
pounds of beef, 56G pounds of mutton, 566 
pounds of pork, 4,532 pounds of milk, or 4,532 
pounds of corn bread- 
Having thus estimated the total corn product 
separately for each of these staples, let us now 
suppose the crop to b© so divided as to apply 
one-half of it to the production of beef, and one- 
eighth each to the production of mutton, pork, 
milk, and bread. The result would then bo a 
greater variety of food, while tho relative pro¬ 
portion of each kind would supply a larger 
amount of nutriment than either kind sepa¬ 
rately. 
The entire crop, when thus distributed, would 
be sufficient to furnish annually to each inhabi¬ 
tant the following variety and amount of food : 
160 pounds of beef. 70% pounds of pork, 70)^ 
pounds of mutton, 566 pounds of milk, and 566 
pounds of com bread. Total weight, 1,433 
pounds. 
Finally, if this food were divided into daily 
rations, it would be found sufficient to furnish 
to each inhabitant of the whole country 11 
ounces of corn bread *, 11 oz. of milk, and 6 oz. 
of meat, making a total of 28 oz. daily for 800 
days. 
But the proportion of nutriment contained in 
this ration is quite beyond the ordinary require¬ 
ments of an average population. Even in the 
case of able bodied men, a less proportion of 
muscle-forming food has been found sufficient 
to maintain their strength and weight unimpair¬ 
ed. Prof. Jounbton has cited the experience of 
some institutions in Scotland, from which it ap¬ 
pears that more than two-thirds of the inmates 
either roaiutaiued or increased their weight on a 
daily ration of seventeen ounces each, while in 
the present case, the ration indicated amounts 
to twenty-eight ounces eaoh for the entire pop¬ 
ulation, including children and infants. 
If then, this ration were reduced to the stand¬ 
ard quoted by Prof. Johnston, it is perfectly 
clear that the total food product resulting from 
our oorn crop would feed the people of the whole 
country, not for 800 days only, but for more than 
1.200 days. Is there any other country on the 
globe in which such an amount of food and of 
such variety, can bo produced in a single year 
and from a single crop P If there is, the fact is 
well worth knowing, for the subject is one of more 
than usual interest, and prospectively import¬ 
ant to the human race. 
(fcntomo logical. 
THE COLORADO POTATO BEETLE. 
PROF. CYRUS THOMAS. 
Cabbonhale, Ill., Dec. 26., 1877. 
I have just received from Dr. Hayden, the 
U. S. Geologist, colored figures of the Colorado 
or Ten-lined Potato Beetle in its various stages, 
and of its work as it appears to our Dutch 
friends across the water. It came over in a let¬ 
ter from G. Janse, conservator of the Royal 
Society of Zoology, Amsterdam. These figures, 
although perhaps slightly erroneous in some 
minor details aro nevertheless very good, and 
sufficient to enable anyone to determine the spe¬ 
cies. I mention this fact as showing the way they 
go to work in Europe to prevent the progress 
of a dangerous insect enemy ; to wit, by mak¬ 
ing it thoroughly kuown to the people. 
And now that I am on the subject of this no¬ 
torious species, I wish to call attention to a part 
of its history which appears to have been over¬ 
looked by recent authors, even those who claim 
to give it fully. 
On the 7th of July, 1861, Mr. “ J. E.” (after¬ 
wards ascertained to be J. Edoerton) wrote to 
the Train© Farmer, aB follows: '‘Crops of all 
kinds bid rail* to be very heavy, except potatoes 
in some places are much injured by a striped 
bug, very much the shape of a grain of coffee, 
but about twice as largo. They mad© their ap¬ 
pearance as soon as the potatoes were up, and 
soon had a host of grubs, or larvie to help them, 
totally ruining many and damaging others. It 
is something I never saw before.” 
This was published in tho Prairie Farmer of 
July 18, 1861. and I believe is noticed by one of 
the numerous writers on this insect; Prof. 
Riley omits it iu his history of the species. On 
tho 2nd of August 1801. Mr. Edoerton sent 
another letter to the editors of the Prairie 
Farm or, accompanied by specimens of the in¬ 
sects alluded to in tho former communication. 
These with tho letter, were forwarded to me for 
determination, and were received Saturday, 
August 24th. On Monday following, I returned 
an answer which, with Mr. Edoerton’s letter, 
was published in one article of the Prairie 
Farmer, Aug. 29, 1861. From this I quote the 
following: 
“Eds. Prairie Favmor:—Your box contaiuing 
some specimens of a species of beetle, with ac¬ 
companying letter, came to hand last Saturday, 
and to-day (Monday) I return you an answer. 
The specimens enclosed by Mr. Fdoerton, be¬ 
long to Dorypbora 10-Iiueata (Say) and is the 
Polygramma 10-liueata, Cbeycolat., and Melshei- 
mer Catalogue, and P. junota (Germar).” After 
this follows a description and other romaks. 
Here then is the determination of tho spe¬ 
cies fully a year in advuuc© of any thing by 
Messrs. Walsh or Riley, and the connecting 
link upon which Mr. Walsh afterwards, iu part, 
based the correct theory of their march east¬ 
ward ; yet neither Mr. Walsh nor Prof. Riley 
takes any notice whatever of this, really the 
starting point of the history of the specieH as a 
potato-eating insect. The letter of Mr. Edqeb- 
ton which is published in the same paper is re¬ 
peatedly alluded to, but by some strange over¬ 
sight this part of its history is left blank. 
Perhaps it is due to the fact, that although 
correctly determining the species, 1—following 
our highest authority on Coleoptera—included 
juncta as belonging to the same apocies. But 
this furnished no reason for omitting this part 
of its history, especially when we remember that 
Dr. Fitch, Mr. Walbu and Pror. Riley all did 
the same thing until 1860, when Mr, Walsh 
called attention to the distinction between the 
two ; Prof Ri ley oven bred the Potato Beetle and 
traced it through its stages as did also Mr 
Walsh without then even suspecting the error 
