282 
* 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. $}AY 4 
OJumsf, 
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
Plant Lico Etc. 
D. IT. Elliott, Suwannee Co., Fla., has sent us 
specimens of insects which prey upon all ihc 
plum trees in his orchard with a request to give 
their name. lie also inquires what produces 
the dark-colored insects surrounding the stem 
and whether they are the cause of the decay and 
fall of the young fruit; what has the longer in¬ 
sect pinned to the aooompanying plum to do 
with the damage; what attracts the flies, 
samples of which are sent along, and which 
gather so thickly as to sound like bees swarming. 
For several years the plum treeBin his neighbor¬ 
hood have been injured by these pests. 
An s.—The dark-colored insects surrounding 
the stems are plant-lice (Aphis). What the par¬ 
ticular species is cannot be said, both because 
too little attention has been paid yet in this 
country to the discrimination of the species, and 
because the specimens aro iu too dry and injur ed 
a condition. In their general characters, how¬ 
ever, all apliidos agree, inasmuch as they are 
produced throughout the warm season directly 
in an active condition from other aphides; that 
is to say, they come after the first spring gener¬ 
ation, not from eggs but from buds; they punc¬ 
ture the tender par ts of plants with their beaks 
and suck out the sap, thus weakening or destroy¬ 
ing the plant; they exude a sweet liquid from 
special organs, and by the overflow of this liquid 
cause the leaves to become coated with a viscid, 
honey-like matter called honey-dew. 
The longer insect had become detached from 
the plum, but among the debris shaking about 
in the btx were found fragments of two or 
three forms of insects which feed upon the 
plant-lice. 
One six-legged black insect, having the general 
appearanoe of an alligator, and dotted with red 
dots on the back, is the immature form of 
another which occurred in the box and may he 
generally known as a Lady-beetle; the latter is a 
rather flat, circular beetle, red with a black dot 
on each wing-cover above, and blaok beneath. 
The beetle lays its eggs in small-scattered 
patches on the leaves, and the young catohes and 
sucks the blood ou t of the plant-lice. It is called 
a Coccinella. 
A gray-striped, fleBh-colored, legless maggot, 
slender in front, thick behind, and Beeming to 
have had its hind end cut off squarely, was also 
found in the box. This maggot catches the 
plant-lice and sucks out their blood. It develops 
into a Gay-fiy, more accurately called a Syrphus. 
The flies are attracted by the sweetness of the 
honey-dew, which they drink. Ants are the 
particular visitors to herds of plant-lice, and 
treat the plant-lice with as muoh care as women 
give to the treatment of cows, milking them and 
sometimes oarrying them from and to pasture. 
Sumach. 
M. F., Tioga Co., IT. I", inquires: 1, for what 
purpose the sumach of commerce is used; 2, 
who will buy the article that grows abundantly 
in this State, and what would be its value in the 
market. 
Ass.—The sumach of commerce until lately 
consisted entirely of the imported leaves of 
Rhus ooriaria of southern Europe and northern 
Africa, which greatly resembles in appearance 
our stag’s-horu sumach, and like that forms a 
small tree. It is largely cultivated iu Sicily 
wheuce most of that used in this country is im¬ 
ported. In growing it, suckers are planted in 
rows about four feet apart, and the shoots are 
yearly cut back to within a few inches of the 
ground, the crop for the following year being 
fnrnished by the new stems that push from the 
stumps. The shoots are dried and threshed; 
the leaves ground and bolted, and the powder 
put in sacks of 163 lbs. each, for shipment. The 
pure product contains from 30 to 35 per cent of 
tannin. This sumach is used for tanning light- 
oolored leathers and in dyeing and calico print¬ 
ing. With different mordants it yields a great 
variety of tints. It is only Bince the civil war 
that any attention has been given to the Ameri¬ 
can varieties, and only in Virginia where the 
headquarters of the industry arc at Richmond. 
The smooth, the stag’s-horu and the mountain 
sumach are collected indiscriminately and as 
these, especially the first, grow wild so abun¬ 
dantly, no cultivation has hitherto been at¬ 
tempted. The gathering begins early in July 
aud continues until frost. The leafy tops of the 
plants are broken off and carefully dried; the 
best being that dried in the shade. When dry 
it is beaten with sticks and the leaves are taken 
to the mill to receive the same treatment to 
which Sicilian sumach is subjected. The Amor 
icau article contains from 15 to 20 per cent of 
tannin. Lately the luxuriance with which the 
more valuable varieties flourish in California has 
attracted considerable attention in some parts 
of that State, to the possibility of utilizing it 
there. There is no doubt hut that in the rush 
and bustle of American life, many sources of 
wealth and profitable industry are for the time 
overlooked. Among the crowded population of 
Europe, content with moderate profits, these 
would long since have been brought into use, 
and will doubtless, ere long, be utilized here. 
The sumach that flourishes wild in many parts 
of the country will probably bo then turned to 
profitable use, but at present inquiries in differ¬ 
ent parts of this city have failed to discover any 
market for the domestic product except for that, 
from Virginia. 
Miscellaneous. 
Young Farmer, Chenango Co., E. Y. wants 
1, a description of a cheap, serviceable aud con¬ 
venient farm gate, not liable to be unfastened by 
cattle aud horses: 2, information about raising 
Pekin ducks; 3, the name of a reliable commis¬ 
sion merchant in New York city. 
Ans.—C uts and descriptions of two kinds of 
gates that fill the above bill, can be found in the 
issues of the Rubai, for the 18th of August and 
the 1st of September, last year; and a cut and 
description of an excellent gate-latch in the 
Run An for March 23, this year. We cannot im¬ 
press too strongly on our readers the advan¬ 
tages of preserving the hack numbers of the 
Rubai., for iu a file of old papers there will al¬ 
ways be found a valuable fund of information 
on all topics connected with their business. 
Regard for the interests of the great body of our 
friends forbids us to repeat in ttieso pages ar¬ 
ticles which have only lately appeared in them; 
and hence we have often, by letter and other¬ 
wise, to refer inquirers to back numbers. 2, 
Au article on tie l’ekin duck appeared in Rubai. 
for 19th of last January. They require no 
special oare iu raising, beyond that bestowed on 
the successful keeping of ordinary ducks. 3. 
For a commission house considered trustworthy, 
see answer to Jno. Welfabe, Jr. We must ab¬ 
solutely decline to recommend, in these columns, 
any special business house iu this city or else¬ 
where, beyond stating plainly either the general 
reputation of the firm, or an opinion formed from 
our own dealings with it. In no case do we under¬ 
take any responsibility in the matter, except that 
of giving au honest opinion. 
Jno. Welfare, Jr., Williamstown, Mink., asks 
us to state in Questions aud Answers if Walter, 
Cabb A Co, Produce Commission Merchants, 
New York are trustworthy. 
Ass,— 1 This house is one of the largest in its 
line. We know nothing about their mode of 
treating customers, but their credit is considered 
above question. This answer will also serve for 
several others who have inquired for tho name 
of a reliable commission house in this city. V 
An inquirer asks for tho name and publisher 
of a work on capon raising. 
Ans.—W e know of no work specially devotod 
to this subject; but several poultry books treat 
of it in connection with ordinary poultry koeping, 
notably Dixon & Sear's "Ornamental and Do¬ 
mestic Poultry" published by Butlor & Co., 
Philadelphia, Pa., and "The American Poul¬ 
terer’s Companion" published by Saxton and 
Miles, Now York city. The former of these 
bears date 1855 ; the latter, 1845. 
A Header inquires: Will some expert state 
how he takes up and lays sod on a lawn, giving 
particulars ; also the manner of laying a strip of 
sod along the edge of a path ? Give some errors 
likely to be made by a beginner. 
Communications received fob the week ending 
Satdkdat, Apbil, 27TH. 
N. C. — E. M. 8. — G. C. — G. E. II.— J. J. C, — 
S. S. O.— M. B. D.—Miss Smith—S. B. P.—W. J. B. 
—S. S. — R. M. C.—F. D. C.—M. I.. S,—“ Margue- 
rete" — M. B. P. — B. F. T. — F. G. F. — n. S. F.- 
E. W. S. — M. C. — G. M. S. — J. W. W. — H. O. — 
F. n. D.—D. E. 8. —R. L. S.—O. I.—E. G.—A. K.— 
R. E. M.—J. T — J. D.—“ Olive Irwin”—F. D. C 
No. 2. 
EMIGRATION TO NORTH CAROLINA. 
rnOFESHOE A. W. MANQUM. 
In view of the efforts being made to induoe 
emigration from the North to the South—es¬ 
pecially to this State—it is believed that plain 
and candid information and advice on the sub¬ 
ject, from a disinterested party, will fce duly 
appreciated. lama native of th6 State, have 
resided iu widely-separated portions, and 
traveled from tho western boundary to the 
ocean. I was raised on a country-farm, have 
had immediate connection with agricultural 
interests, and have always kept myself in 
sympathetic relations with the industrial classes 
around me. I have no motive, but tho best 
wishes for all concerned, to prompt what 1 shall 
write. 
Without hesitancy I can indorse the state¬ 
ments which have been published as to tho 
variety of the climate. The Blue Ridge moun¬ 
tains of the west descend, in diminishing un¬ 
dulations, into the hills of the center; aud these 
gradually molt away iuto the broad plains of the 
east: all, together, constituting a romarkably 
varied territory, and offering what, in this re¬ 
spect. is an unusually favorable field for the 
gratification of diverse tastes. The summers 
are generally very warm, but tho sea-coast and 
tho mountains furnish delightful resorts. The 
winters, severe in the west, are, on the average, 
mild in the ceuter and comparatively freo from 
intense cold in much of the east; but they are 
marked by such sudden, frequent aud great 
changes, at Last in a large part of the State, as 
make them qnite trying to feeble constitutions. 
Tliis changeablenoss I oonsider the most un¬ 
favorable peculiarity of tho climate. 
As to hoalthfnlness, that may be inferred, in 
part, from the indications of the climate. The 
west, like all mountainous districts, is very 
favorable to health. The air aud water there 
are priceless boons. In much of the central 
portions, the air is quite pure and bracing, the 
water is generally cold and good, and no local 
causes of disease exist, except in narrowly lim¬ 
ited communities. Iu the east there has long 
been a decided tendency to malarial diseases, 
but this has been to a considerable degree modi¬ 
fied by draining the lands, putting rnauy of the 
swamps iu cultivation, aud discovering, per¬ 
haps, better modes and meanB of medical treat¬ 
ment. The clay lands, down there, are healthier 
than the sandy lands. As a rule, very little at¬ 
tention is given to sanitary matters iu the 
State : even tho larger towns neglecting the most 
simple and inexpensive precautions. 
Every intelligent emigrant would be glad 
to lmow about the relalive productivenes of 
labor and tho prospect of success in different 
occupations. I will speak first of farming. 
In this many who have come South have been 
grievously disappointed. The causes of their 
disappointment are easily explained. They 
came with notions and customs and methods 
adapted to an entirely different climate and 
soil, aud they acted presumptuously on their 
mistaken judgment, to early and serious loss, 
if not financial ruin. They oaum to deal with 
a kind of labor that is altogether different from 
that employed on Northern farms; and from 
that they may have Buffered much before they 
learned how to manage it most successfully— 
if, indeed, they ever learned. It must be re¬ 
membered that we have long, hot, often dry 
summers. Hence there is need of deep 
plowing. But the plow must not rim deep 
where tho soil is shallow; and such is much 
of the soil in tho Htate, particularly m tin up¬ 
lands ; aye, even on many of the old bottoms. 
As au extreme illustration, take this case: A 
northern farmer came to the State and pur¬ 
chased a worn-out farm. Ho mistook the red clay 
(denuded of soil) for the soil itself, and affirmed 
that he would plow so deeply as to find the bot¬ 
tom of the soil. Result: His plows with the 
clay-stains far up the handles, were soon fur 
sale at the door of the Court House. Of a 
colony from Pennsylvania, all hut two com¬ 
paratively failed. Oue of these was discouraged 
aud decided to move to Missouri. Tho other 
rejected the advice of native farmers, to an 
extent, and regretted it afterwards. But he 
moved cautiously, worked faithfully, and is now 
decidedly succeeding. It is said that he was 
the only good manager—the only one who un¬ 
derstood fanning—of all the company. 
In muoh of the State there is a clay sub¬ 
soil that guarantees profitable results to wise 
methods of cultivation looking to the improve¬ 
ment of the land. Clover and the grasses grow 
finely. Pea-vines, rye, clover furnish ready 
means for increasing the fertility. Field hands 
get about ? 10 and board per month ; from $1% to 
$15 when they board t hemselveB. The division of 
the State lying between Raleigh and the Blue 
Ridge aud the Virginia boundary and a liuo 
running due east aud west from Charlotte, 
contains what is probably the most inviting 
portion for small farmers, or, indeed, for any 
farmers that have been accustomed to raise the 
common products of the North. In that di¬ 
vision there are respeotable facilities for trans¬ 
portation by railroad; though other lines are 
greatly needed. This division embraces some 
cotton territory aud the lauds that produce the 
finest tobacco ; aud the greater part is adapted 
to the several cereals. Mere laborers who 
cannot buy aud stock a farm and live for a year 
on means that they bring with them, will not 
bo apt to meet with success, if they come. Reu¬ 
ters rarely become laud-owners to a respectable 
or comfortable degree. Mortgaged farms, 
run on credit, do not pay for themselves. Labor¬ 
ers who hire for wages seldom rise to any better 
condition. Even when they can buy a few acres 
aud erect a cabin, they sown to improve their 
fortune little if at all. Besides, labor is Dot iu 
special demand* The people who havo farms 
are generally without the means to employ 
much more labor than they have had. It is 
hazardous for a man to come with tho expecta¬ 
tions of making a support by working for wages. 
He does not know how to obtain employment 
readily, and our people have not. yet learned to 
interest themselves in behalf of strangers so 
much as to help them to get remunerative 
plaoes. The immigrants are left to shift for 
themselves. They generally receive attention 
according to the money they have, aud not ac¬ 
cording to the money they need. They are 
quietly welcomed to the community, ou fair and 
equal relations, and expected to take care of 
themselves. Plenty of people are ready to sell 
their land, aud will if asked, give them such 
advice as they aro capable of giviug. So far as 
tha Bureau of Immigration is concerned, it ap¬ 
pears to ho free from all pecuniary considera¬ 
tions, and will, no doubt, extend all practicable 
help to those who apply for information. I may 
follow this with other articles, bearing upon 
other kinds of occupation. If any of the read¬ 
ers of tho Ruual wish candid statements on 
any snbjeot connected with immigration into 
this State, I will gladly furnish what they desire, 
as far as I can, through the columns of the 
paper. 
Chapel mil, North Carolina. 
-»-» 4 - 
FRUIT AND AGRICULTURAL NOTES FROM 
CALIFORNIA. 
W. C. L. DBEW. 
Oub orchards at this season of the year never 
looked more promising ; pear trees aro masses of 
snowy bloom, while apple, plutu and peach 
blooms completely cover the trees. OrobardistB 
are somewhat behind-hand with their season 
work, owiugto the many and too frequent show¬ 
ers. The last few days have been very pleasant 
and warm. All hands havo made tho most of it, 
and pruning and grafting, plowing aud spading, 
have been the rule of tho hour. With reasonably 
fair weather from this forward and a few good 
showers during May, our brightest hopes will, 
no doubt, be realized. 
The planting of ornamental trees has been 
’more extensive than iu any former year. The 
Eucalyptus is being planted very extensively in 
all our towns and along the road-sides. Expe¬ 
rience has demonstrated that it can be grown 
successfully in nearly all sections of our State, 
making in a few years fine specimeu trees, thirty 
to fifty feet high. The Eucalyptus is propagated 
only from seed. There are many varieties, 
but only one—E. globulus, the true Blue Gum— 
is being extensively planted. 
The seed is sown in cold-frames in March, 
transplanted into nursery rows in May, where 
they only reqnire proper irrigation to make good 
trues from three to ten feet high. I find by 
experience that they do best transplanted in 
December or January. In removing them it is 
very necessary to keep tbe roots covered. An¬ 
other popular ornamental tree is the Cypress. 
Of this we have several native varieties, C. Mc- 
Nabtana ; 0. maorocarpa or Monterey Cypress, 
and 0. Goveniaua. Those are all evergreeriB 
and aro tho handsomest trees I am acquainted 
with. In some sections the Magnolia thrives 
remarkably well; aud where it does grow there 
is nothing auy prettier. The most popular treo 
we have for cemetery decoration is the Italian 
Cypress—O. pyramidalis. Lemons, Limes. Or¬ 
anges and the new Japanese Persimmon will also 
occupy a place among ornamental trees in many 
sections, where it will not pay to grow them ex¬ 
tensively. 
In the small fruit departments, everything is 
rushing. Strawberries, all masses of bloom. In 
our section there is a greater interest being 
taken in small fruit, and another season bids 
fair to see many acres set out in strawberries, 
raspberries, currants, gooseberries and such. Iu 
the vegetable gardens all looks fine. 
Feed is finer than it has been for many sea¬ 
sons and stock is doing well. As a dairy season 
this will be a remarkably prosperous one ; stock 
is worth from two to three times what it could 
havo been purchased for six months ago. 
Ei Dorado Co., Cala. 
- *■*-■* - 
RURAL SPECIAL REPORTS. 
Humboldt, Tenn., April 20, 1878. 
Oub spring is about three or four weeks in 
advance this season, and np to this date, at least 
one-hal f the time too wet to plow, consequently 
crops of corn, cotton, A a, are not all planted 
yet. Warm growing weather. Wheat was 
thought to bo unusually promising, also oats: a 
larger average sown than usual iu Tenneseo. 
Tho warm and wet weather now while headiug, it 
is feared is damaging, as rust has already made 
its appearance. Clover and grass look fine: a 
fine prospect for fruit of all lauds. Strawberries 
ripening and wo expect to ship hugely from this 
section. Caterpillars are again abundant in or¬ 
chards and unless destroyed, must do great 
damage to apple and plum orchards, not only 
destroying the crop of fruit, but iu many in¬ 
stances the trees. Wo presume all danger of 
frost is now over, and wo aro safe on that score. 
Grapes and blackberries now bloomiug, I think 
much earlier than usual with us. 
B. F. T. 
Whitney’s Point, Broome Co., N. Y., April 22 . 
Weatheb has beou very mild during this 
month. Last night was the coldest night we 
have had. Thermometer, at sunrise, denoted 
36°; at 8:15 o’olock, 60°. Vegetation very for¬ 
ward ; cherry buds swelled to bursting ; apple 
buds full; wheat looks nice. Eggs, 10c.; oats, 
35o.; potatoes, 30c. m. b. d. II 
