for i\)t JXoimg 
THE 
HORTICUUTURAU CLUB 
OF THE 
RURAL NEW-YORKER! 
AWARDS OF PRIZES IN THE WATER¬ 
MELON CONTEST. 
part as much as I have mine. It is a pleasant 
thing to feel that by such means as we use 
and through our Horticultural Club, we may 
incite young minds to greater activity, and to 
a desire to excel in this kind of work. We 
hope that the young folks appreciate our ef¬ 
forts to do them good, as we do their good 
words and wishes which come to us almost 
every day, to encourage us in our work. The 
prizes will be forwarded to their proper desti¬ 
nations as soon as possible. ITncle Mark. 
- 4 -*-*- 
Extracts from Prize Winners’ Letterq 
The People’s Journal of Agriculture and Horticulture* 
Who the Lucky Ones Are—A List of A11 
the Competitors Who Have Re¬ 
ported—The Success They Had 
—Insects and Wet Weather 
Shortened the Crop- 
Remarks. 
Probably those of the Horticultural Club 
who have been engaged this Summer in rais¬ 
ing watermelons from the seed which we sent 
out in the Spring, are very anxious to know 
who are to carry off the prizes, and now I 
am able to make tbe announcement. First, 
let me say a few words, it will be seen that 
all told there were but 2G reports. Not¬ 
withstanding the lateness of the Spring, the 
cold, wet weather, the insects, etc., which in¬ 
jured the melon crop, it seems as if there 
should have been more to report their suc¬ 
cesses or their failures than there have been. 
Out of so large a number as received tbe 
seeds we have now to record the names of 
only 26, yet we feel assured that it is not 
from a lack of interest that the reports have 
been so few. Many have written that their 
seeds did not sprout, or that the young plants 
died out entirely soon after coming up, hence, 
if things had been more favorable to their 
growth, we should now have bad names 
enough to fill a column or more. 
It is a satisfaction, however, for us to know 
that so good a variety of watermelon has 
been so widely distributed. Nearly every re¬ 
port has testified to the superior quality of the 
fruit, the thinness of the white riud, and in 
many ways it has been highly commended. 
This is tbe object of our seed distributions, to 
place good things where many can enjoy 
them. So we hope that another year every 
member of the Club will take special pains to 
secure a good crop, and not only that, but 
shall put it in the power of others to enjoy 
the same good things. But to come to the 
point, which is now of most interest, I will 
announce the prize winners: 
FIRST PRIZE. 
Awarded for heaviest crop (140 pounds) 
to Claude Irwin Fosque, Hayes’ Store, Va. 
SECOND PRIZE. 
Awarded for second heaviest crop (131 
pounds), to J. R. Peebles, Disputanta, Va. 
THIRD PRIZE. 
Awarded for third heaviest crop (109 pounds) 
to Andrew Benton, Grundy Center, la. 
FOURTH PRIZE. 
Awarded for heaviest single melon, exclu¬ 
sive of those above mentioned, (3l}-£ pounds), 
to Virgil At Herron, Caldwell, Texas. 
FIFTH PRIZE. 
Awarded for second heaviest single water¬ 
melon (29% pounds), to Walter Herron, Cald¬ 
well, Texas. 
The prizes, os previously announced, are— 
(l.) A Silver Cup, with winner’s name 
beautifully engraved upon it. 
(2.) “Young Americans in Japan,” a 
book of 372 large octavo pages and 171 illus¬ 
trations. 
(3.) “ Zig Zag Journeys in the Orient.” 
Another beautiful volume of 320 pages and 
150 illustrations. 
(4.) “Farming for Boys.” Such a book 
as every farmer’s boy would delight to read. 
(5.) “Raleigh; his Exploits and Voy¬ 
ages.” An entertaining book for young 
people. 
Below is given the names of the other com¬ 
petitors, in connection with the prize-winners, 
with the total weight of each crop raised, the 
weight of the heaviest single melon, the num¬ 
ber of melons and of vines, set opposite. 
Names. 
Claude Irwin Foque 
J. R. Peebles. 
Andrew Benton. 
Vlrpil A. Herron. 
Walter Herrou _ 
T. J. Towner.... 
T J. Feeli es... 
Ida Reeves. 
Earnest Wolwsr 
Maud Van Allen 
Auulu Hall. 
Annie Palmer.. 
Bertha Cross.. 
Annie Winfrey. 
George Fox. 
Claude Irwin Fosque:— We began to pull 
the melons by the middle of August, as the 
first were ripe then; we pu lied two, but they 
were not as large as three that we pulled on 
the25tb (August). We did not plant our seed 
until about tbe first of June. The land was 
plowed up into a bed about six feet wide and 
the hills were ten feet apart, well manured 
with Btable manure. The melons were dark 
green; flesh red, sweet and delicious; fruit 
long in shape; rind half an inch thick. My 
largest melon weighed 30 pounds, and tneas 
ured 30 inches around crosswise and 48% 
inches around lengthwise. We had five vines 
that grew; six seeds sprouted, but one vine 
died when it was quite small; we only planted 
one seed in a hill. The very wet weather we 
have had all along hurt the vines much. Pa 
raises a great many melons for market, but he 
has none that are as delicious as mine While 
his are someti 68 larger, he thinks that mine 
will be early nnd productive, and at tbe same 
time very saleable on account of their supe¬ 
rior quality. Many thanks for your kind gift 
of seed. 
Andrew Benton:— The prizes are beyond 
my expectations, but I would like to tell you 
what became of the melon seed you so kindly 
sent me. The six seeds were planted in gen¬ 
erous soil in the center of the garden, tbe 20th 
of May. The weather became so cold that 
but one seed grew. That one vine was my 
pride until the 3rd of Sept., when a severe 
storm of rain and hail ruined it. At one 
time I counted 27 small melons on it; all 
blighted but five. I leTt them on the injured 
vine until frost. Their weights were then 
26, 25, 21,19 and 18 pounds making a total of 
109 pounds. It seems very prolific; is finely 
formed but under the circumstances cannot 
judge the quality. 
Virgil A. Herron; —I hardly expect a 
prize, but think much of your good opinion, 
so I report. The vines I found to be rampant 
growers, averaging 20 feet in length. The 
melons were nearly black in color; flesh, pink 
and firm and sugary when fully ripe. This 
melon requires, with us, two weeks longer to 
ripen than the Excelsior. The soil was 
sandy new ground, turned over in March; 
no manure. My heaviest melon weighed 
31% pounds. 
John R. Peebles:— I received six seeds and 
planted them May 1, one seed in a hill: four 
sprouted. The vines grew very thrifty and 
were not infested with bugs as I took the pre¬ 
caution when the vines were young to dust 
them with plaster occasionally while the dew 
was on. I had 12 melens weighing 131 pounds; 
the heaviest one weighed 21 pounds. Father 
bought my largest one for the seed. The 
melons were very nice and sweet but not as 
large as the Cuban Queen. 
-»--■»--- 
LETTERS FROM THE COUSINS. 
Dear Uncle Mark: —I should like to be¬ 
come a member of the Horticultural Club, if 
it is not too late. I am a little girl, 12 years 
old, and live in the State of Massachusetts. 
My father has taken the Rural for about 10 
years. I like to read the letters from the 
Cousins. I think Barbara and Eliza Brown 
are right in saying that we ought to take bold 
and make the Rural interesting. There has 
not been any puzzles in for a long time. Why 
don’t somebody contribute? If any one else 
will I will. But I think my letter is getting 
too long so I will close. Your niece, 
Franklin Co., Mass. Sadie. 
f ( shall be pleased to enroll your name on 
my list if you send your full name and 
address.—u. M. 
Dear Uncle Mark:— I thought I would 
write and tell you how my watermelon is 
getting along. I planted the seeds, and three 
came up, but the little pigs got out one night 
and rooted one up, and one of the calves got 
out and stepped ou one, and the other is doing 
real nicely; it has five little melons on it, but 
I am afraid it is too late in the season for 
them to ripen, I have a few peppers; they 
are a small kind. Mamma had 52 plants which 
she rooted this Sommer. We have about 50 
little chickens. Papa has 18 stacks of oats and 
one of wheat, and had 50 acres in rye. My 
little sister and I walk a mile-and-a half to 
school. Your niece, Sarah McDonald. 
Butler Co., Iowa. 
FOR THE NORTH, SOUTH, EAST & WEST. 
-^ 023 ^- 
500 engravings from nature yearly. The best artists-the best writers in 
the land—Original from beginning to end. It costs more in its make-up than any 
other weekly rural journal published. It has introduced and disseminated free 
among its subscribers some of the most valuable farm and garden seeds and plants 
in cultivation. Ask those who know. The first journal to have established Experi. 
ment Grounds. All novelties tested and reported upon according to their merits 
without fear or favor. Two thousand dollars in presents to be awarded to those who 
raise tbe largest yields of the Rural Thoroughbred Flint, and Heavy Dent corn and 
the Fultzo-CIawson Wheat. Two hundred Thousand vines to be raised from the 
seeds of the Niagara Grape to be sent out in the Rural's present Free Seed Distribu¬ 
tion. A large amount to be offered for the best seedling vines so produced. Try 
tbe new Blu&li potato—an intermediate of remarkable keeping qualities and yield. 
The Rural New-Yorker has disseminated free to its subscribers the White Elephant 
and Beauty of Hebron potatoes—the best early and late potatoes known. It has 
introduced many other valuable seeds and plants, notably the Cuthbert Raspberry— 
Blount’s White Prolific Corn—the Rural Thoroughbred Flint, the most remarkable 
corn known—the greatest fodder producer -the largest ears—many measure 16 inches. 
It bears its ears low. Each kernel will produce from 8 to 15 stalks, many 
bearing one ear or more in favorable seasons. Inquire of those who read this journal 
and subscribe for it as a measure of economy. Progressive farmers, gardeners, 
pomologists and stockmen cannot afford to do without it. It is conscientious, alive 
and trustworthy. It is conducted by practical farmers, and unites tbe true interest 
of the farm, garden, orchard and country home with the editorial labors of a 
rural journal. Thus it iB that the Rural New-Yorker has gained its present 
acknowledged position as the first agricultural and horticultural journal of America 
—16 pages weekly—fine, natural-colored paper—$2.00 per year invariably in advance. 
Send for premium lists and posters. 
—— 
THOUSANDS OF TESTIMONIALS: 
Allow me to congratulate you upon the success you have achieved in making the Rural 
one of the best journals I have over become acquainted with. For 15 years or more I have 
been a constant reader of the Rural, and each succeeding year, while under its present man¬ 
agement, I have been pleased to see the sure and steady progress it has been making until it 
now stands pre-eminent, always doiug better than it has promised. What the Rural ad¬ 
vises I have no hesitancy in adopting; what it condemns 1 find it best to let alone. Its edi¬ 
torials are an outgrowth of careful thought regarding the present and future interests of 
agriculture. Its Free Seed Distributions, and tbe results of its experiments given to its 
readers and patrons, mark a step far in advance of any journal of my acquaintance. In a 
word, an investment in the Rural pays a better dividend than one in any other agricultural 
periodical in the land. 
Logan Co., Ohio. Geo. A. Henry. 
I have been taking a number of rural (?) periodicals until this year, and exchanged with 
a neighbor for the Rural New-Yorker. They were cheap. (Ij Their contributions were 
free and from illiterate, inexperienced people and contained no scientific agricultural infor¬ 
mation. Thev gave merelv results without comprehension of causes. 1 have discontinued 
them. The R’ukal New-Yorker is the Only genuine Simon-pure farmer's paper that has 
come under my observation. Its contributors are learned agriculturists, pomologists, ento¬ 
mologists, etc., who reason from cause to effect and know whereof they affirm. I shall 
support the Rural New-Yorker so long as it maintains its present high standard of ex¬ 
cellence. 
Greene Co., Mo. H. E. Branch. 
I have been an enthusiastic friend of the Rural since I have become acquainted with it. 
Among my neighbors there is a general idea that the editors of agricultural papers know 
nothing of farming, and, moreover, they do not think that farmers at the South could get 
much useful information, anyhow, from papers published at the North, because there is so 
much difference between the agricultural methods and crops of both sections; but the Rural 
is good enough for me, for in it every week I find matters that are of interest and practical 
utility, although I must confess it is the only agricultural paper of which I can say the same, 
and I have tried several others. 
Travis Co., Texas. Phineas Burchard. 
Here are two dollars for another year—the best investment I can make. Go on, O Rural! 
joyfully and cheerfully in your honest, honorable and useful career. Your weekly yisits are 
pleasant and instructive, your occasional gifts are valuable; and if it is more blessed to give 
than to receive, the Rural New-Yorker must be a very happy institution. 
New York Co., N. Y. E. H. Kimball. 
The Vermont Watchman, in its ably conducted Agricultural Department, acknowledging 
the receipt of the Fair Number of the Rural New-Yorker, says: “This wonderfully able 
and successful journal now confessedly stands at the head of the agricultural newspapers of 
the world. No other approaches it in the value of its articles, tbe abundance, variety and 
excellence of its engravings, or in the relative cheapness of its price.” 
In renewing my subscription I take occasion to say that T cannot well do without the 
Rural. I regard it as the best of the agricultural press. The Experiment Farm is of value 
to all and I look with interest to its results. 
Vigo Co., Indiana. J. A. Foote. 
The Rural has been a great help to me in farming under many severe difficulties—up¬ 
hill work. One year it saved me $50 through the information given in the crop reports. 
New Haven Co., Conn. N. H. Williams. 
I cannot do without the Rural; it has been of such great value to me. Following its 
advice on one subject alone was worth many times the subscription price to me. 
Otsego Co., N. Y. Henry Wood. 
Let me congratulate you on the manner in which you sustain the Rural. It grows bet¬ 
ter as it grows older. Its chief merit is that it is so eminently practical. 
Center Co., Pa. ‘ J. H. Woodward. 
I have already been offered for mv White Elephant Potatoes from the seed you sent, 
more than the cost of the Rural New-Yorker for two years. 
New Haven Co., Conn. Marshall Darling. 
The Rural is very highly prized in our family circle. The seed distribution is a grand 
scheme, whtch I shall make tbe most of. 
Benton Co,, Oregon. G. N. Hobart. 
The Rural is more eagerly read than all the other five papers we take. We keep it on 
file and often search it over for advice about our farm and garden work. 
Broome Co., N. Y. Jasper Barnes. 
No progressive farmer can afford to do without it. 
Livingston Co., N. Y. D. k L. Bellinger. 
It is the paper of the country. 
Bonham, Texas. R. E. Allen. 
