kinds will show on a chemical analysis as 
great a proportion of sugar as this old Wil¬ 
son. The sweet or sour taste in fruits does not 
depend so much on the amount of sugar they 
contain as on their proportion of sugar to 
acid. The Clinton drape, so highly detested 
by many for its extreme acridity on its 
first coloring, shows on analysis when ripe, 
a greater per cent, of sugar than most 
other popular varieties. The sugars and 
acids of fruit consist of the same elements 
—carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. These 
sugars and acids being of the same chem¬ 
ical elements, the arch chemist. Nature, in the 
process of ripening fruits in her private lab¬ 
oratory. readily changes a portion of their 
acid to sugar, so that the process of ripening 
is in the perfection of the seeds for the per¬ 
petuation of the plant and adjusting its in¬ 
gredients to the wants of man and the lower 
animals—literally changing the acid to sugar. 
And so we never get a perfect fruit till it is 
perfectly ripe, and that’s what’s the matter 
with the Wilson. It has in my opinion more 
of the real elements of fruit than any of 
the larger kinds, the increased size of the lat¬ 
ter being made up of an increased quantity of 
water alone. 
Growers for the market know* that it is al¬ 
ways marketed before it is fully colored, and 
when they partake of it themselves, they al¬ 
ways select the ripe ones. 1 am well aware 
that many palates are better suited with these 
large diluted berries, but I consider that an 
evidence of a weak stomach, for I have al¬ 
ways noticed that as a rule the healthiest per¬ 
sons have the least taste for sweets. I was 
one of the first to introduce this berry into 
my neighborhood, and I have ever since 
watched it and such of its rivals as have come 
within my reach, and I believe at this late 
day that there has been no new fruit of any 
kind introduced into the Northern States, 
that is as great an improvement over pre¬ 
existing kinds as this very Wilson Straw¬ 
berry. While it bears with patience and for¬ 
titude every kind of abuse and neglect, it 
readily responds to judicious culture even on 
our light and almost blowing sands w ithout 
manure. I have even come to the conclusion 
that for this berry on our light soil the appli¬ 
cation of any bam-yard manure does not 
compensate for the grass and weeds it intro¬ 
duces, but that a frequent stirring of one or 
two inches of the surface at a proper time 
gives triple compensation. 
Muskegon Co., Mich, S. B. Peck. 
-- 
CALIFORNIA BRANCH PEA BEAN. 
There is considerable excitement here over 
what is called the California Branch Bean. 
After giving it a thorough trial, I have satis¬ 
fied myself that its excellent qualities are 
firmly established. It is what its name indi¬ 
cates, a branching bean. It grows to the bight 
of 18 or 20 inches, branching out in all direc¬ 
tions, bearing its grain so high that the pods 
do not touch the ground, enabling it to stand 
a wet spell without injury to the crop. All 
who have raised beaus know that where the 
pods are in contact with the ground after 
ripening, a very little rain ruins the crop, 
turning the pods and beaus black. As a gene¬ 
ral thing, this bean will yield from 150 to 200 
pods to the plant. Mr. J. Holmes, of this 
State, counted from one extra hill last season 
1,175 beans. The yield, on an average, will be 
about 60 bushels per acre, depending on the 
richness of the soil. One party in this State 
raised, last season, at the rate of 114 bush, to 
the acre. The grain somewhat resembles the 
common Navy Bean, but is rounder at tbe ends 
and very white. It cooks in much less time 
than the navy, and is of fine flavor. Beans of 
this variety should be planted in good soil as 
soon as danger of frost is past, in row's 
feet apart, 15 or IS inches apart in row, one- 
bean in a hill. If more are planted, thin out 
to one when about two inches high. Do not 
let them stand thicker than above stated, as 
they w'ill be crowded and seriously reduce the 
crop. They will completely cover the ground 
planted, as stated above. They are much more 
easily cultivated than the smaller-growing 
varieties, with five to seven stalks in a hill, 
and it is much easier work to harvest them. 
I hope all our farmers will try them, and for 
field or main crop beau, they will grow no 
other after one trial. o. h. a. 
Charlotte, Vt. 
NOTES AND COMMENTS. 
From what I had seen in the various peri¬ 
odicals concerning the Manchester Straw¬ 
berry, I W'as of the opinion that it would 
prJve to be a very distinct sort, as well as a 
very desirable addition to our list of straw¬ 
berries, so my surprise can well be imagined 
on being told that it was only that fine old 
Hovey’sSeedling under anew name, at leust 
this is wo at Messrs Hovey & Co., assert. If 
such is the case, it seems very singular to me 
why such eminent fruit grow'ers as Messrs. 
Mead, Roe, Collins and others did not dis¬ 
cover their identity when they saw it in fruit 
at Manchester N. J. last June. 
As far as my experience with Hovey’s Seed¬ 
ling has extended, I can say that it has re¬ 
quired high cultivation in order to obtain sat¬ 
isfactory results. Now Horticola (see Rural 
of July 29,1881) iu speaking of the Manchester, 
remarks, “ It produces fine results in nearly 
pure sand.” Will the Hovey do this? I do 
not think it will. 
While speaking of these two varieties of 
strawberries, I w'ould remark that the Man¬ 
chester was awarded the first premium for 
the best new variety, by the Mass. Horticul¬ 
tural Society. As Boston is the home of the 
Hovey, and as the fruit committee of that 
Society is one of the most careful and accurate 
tember. The flowers are very freely produced 
and of a chocolate-brown color and very fra¬ 
grant. They are produced in dense lateral 
clusters. It will be found to be a very desira¬ 
ble addition to any garden, as it is perfectly 
hardy. Seeds are freely produced, and from 
these young plants could no doubt be readily 
obtained. C. E. Parnell. 
Queens Co., L. I. 
- »*-4 - 
The Evergreen Blackberry. 
We have received from our respected con¬ 
tributor, Mr. C. E. Parnell, of Queens Co., 
Long Island, N. Y., the following note: “I 
am quite certain that the Evergreen Black¬ 
berry (see page 237 Rural April S) is identical 
with the Cut leaved. I had a number of 
plants of the Cut-leaved, but I did uot con¬ 
sider them worth the room thoy occupied, so I 
stances, ripened earlier than the same variety 
inclosed later. 
3. The color, size, bloom and quality of most 
varieties were improved by the operatiou. 
4. They were kept from cracking, cooking and 
decaying, and protected from the attacks of 
the birds, wasps, ants and bees, and, I may add, 
from the bugs, when all the clusters upon a 
vine were done up. 
5. The grapes were protected from frosts 
some late clusters ripened up fully after the 
leaves had partly fallen. 
6. I kept some clusters upon tbe vines in 
prime condition until November, even through 
a temperature which formed ice upon water. 
7. I found by experience that I could pin 
the bags on much faster than I could tie them. 
8. After singling out the cluster I carefully 
slipped the sack ou with both hands, folded 
the left corner over the left forefinger, held it 
Gloria Mundi Apple.— From Nature.—Fio, 130. 
iu this or any other counti y, it would almost 
be impossible for the committee not to recog¬ 
nize it as the Hovey. 
Mu. Harris’s notes on the Lima Bean (see 
Rural March 11, p. 169) prompt me to say 
that when apersou can afford the necessary 
time and is willing to go to a little trouble, 
he can obtaiu Lima Bea ns at least two weeks 
earlier by starting them on inverted sods in a 
hot-bed, and removing them to the open air 
when the weather has become warm and 
settled. A piece of sod, three inches square, 
will hold two beans, and the pieces can be 
placed in a shallow box, the beans placed 
firmly in them, eyes down, and covered with 
light, sandy soil; the beans will root firmly 
in them, and can be removed to the open air 
without sustaining the least injury. 
The earliest potato that I have ever grown 
is the Alpha. W ith me it proves to be ten 
days earlier than the Early Rose. For ama¬ 
teurs it is nn excellent early variety for home 
use, but I do not think it would prove to be a 
very desirable market sort. The tubers are 
of an oblong shape, somewhat flattened; of 
medium size, of a white color, with a reddish 
tinge about the eyes. The tuber cooks dry and 
mealy and is of excellent flavor. The stalks 
are dwarf, seldom exceeding a foot in bight. 
With me, the 1 dossoms drop off before they ex¬ 
pand. The Alpha is a very superior sort for 
forcing, and ou this account is especially val¬ 
uable to amateurs and others who desire 
early vegetables. I would advise a trial of it. 
One of the very best Fall turnips in my es¬ 
timation is the White Egg. It is not a new 
variety, but it is not as W'ell kuown as its 
merits entitle it to be, and o i this account I 
desire to call attention to it. It is of a pure 
white color and grows remarkably smooth; 
it is of an oval, or egg, shape, and is a very 
desirable sort for table use. It is also au ex¬ 
cellent keeper and is a good Winter turnip. 
It can be sown as late as the last week in Au¬ 
gust. 
It is said that the beautiful bouvardia Al¬ 
fred Neuner, can be propagated true to its 
kind by cuttings of the leading shoots only. 
Plants obtained in any other manner produce 
single flowers only. 
Cobjea scandens is well known as an ex¬ 
cellent climbing plant for either the flower 
garden or greenhouse. It is often successfully 
grown as a climbing plant for the window 
garden, and is thus made to do double duty, 
and the same plant is retained year after 
year. For the first two years the plant does 
well enough; it grows and flowers freely; but 
soon after this it declines. Now it is a waste 
of time to try to restore such a plant. Throw 
it way and start a new one. It can be readily 
raised from seed and now is the time to sow 
it. The Ground-nut or Wild Bean (Aphios 
tuberosa) is a very pretty and desirable or¬ 
namental climber. It grows from six to ten 
feet in hight, fcnd flowers from J une to Sep- 
destroyed all with the exception of one small 
plant. It fruited sparingly, the caue trailing 
along the ground, and sometimes attaining a 
length of six or eight feet. The growth was 
vigorous, but the stalks were not strong 
enough to stand erect unless well pinched back 
and supported. The fruit is of fair size, spar, 
ingly produced, and of a peculiar flavor. 
With me, however, it was not evergreen, but 
retained its foliage very late in the season, 
occasionally retaining some all Winter. In 
a protected situation I do not doubt but that 
it would retain most of its foliage all Winter: 
the foliage would not retain its green color, 
but would become of a brown color, after a 
very heavy frost. Will Mr. Green please let 
me know how his plant compares with mine 
in this respect?” 
^Tomo Logical. 
Gloria Mundi Apple. 
Of this apple Mr. Charles Downing writes to 
us: “A very large, coarse apple of poor qual¬ 
ity for the table, and only second-rate for 
culinary purposes. Tree vigorous, upright, a 
moderate bearer, aud the fruit is apt to drop 
from the tree. This varietj' is unprofitable, 
and not worthy of cultivation now we have so 
many better.” 
- 4 4 4 - 
GLORIA MUNDI: LYMAN’S PUMPKIN SWEET 
• APPLE. 
I send you a specimen of supposed Gloria 
Muudi Apple (Downing, page 218). The va¬ 
riety bears every year heavy crops of fine, fair, 
large fruit, much sought after by the house¬ 
hold w ho eat out of hand. 
I do not remember ever having seen this 
apple in the nurserymen’s lists, and consider it 
; quite rare. The specimen sent is below the 
medium size. This and Lyman’s Pumpkin 
Sweet are among our most productive apples, 
never failing to bear fruit. Downing gives 
the season of the latter as from September to 
December. With us it keeps until Spring w ith 
the loss of a few only. I wish I had ten acres 
of it in bearing. It sells well where known, 
and is of great value for stock. 
Ch as. A. Green. 
BENEFITS FROM BAGGING GRAPES. 
Last Summer I put manilla paper sacks 
upon more than 3,000 grape clusters. The 
work was not begun until the grapes were 
nearly half grown and was continued, at in¬ 
tervals, until the fruit had completed its 
growth, and in some instances had begun to 
color. The following are some of the import¬ 
ant points deduced from the experiment, or 
learned from the operation. 
1. The sacks retarded the ripening of the 
fruit slightly. 
2. A variety sacked early, in several in- 
between said finger and left thumb; then 
folded the right comer aud held it by tho 
same finger vice, and pinned, being careful to 
fold corners close up to the fruit stems to keep 
out little tourists. 
9. Before separating the sacks from their 
packages, while firmly packed together and 
somewhat stiff, with a sharp knife I cut a 
little groove across the thickness of the 
package, thereby making a little notch at the 
center of the bottom of each sack. 
10. I picked my grapes into large baskets, 
with the sacks upon them, and placed them in 
an airy, cool room upon she' ves and tables, 
and took them out of the sacks principally only 
for market and use. 
11. Perhaps it was fancy, but the thinner 
the skin, and the more delicate tho grape, the 
greater seemed to be the gain from sacking. 
12. I left some sweet very early varieties to 
hang late upon the vines, and when taken out 
they had been nicely evapoi’ated and but for 
poverty of pulp would be called good raisins. 
I fruited the Rochester, Amber Queen, Lady 
Washington, and Eldorado last season, and 
can commend them all as to excellence of 
quality thus far. R. A. Waterbury. 
Livingston Co., N. Y. 
■ 
Bagging Grapes. 
We are advised to bag our grapes as a pre¬ 
ventive against mildew, grape rot, etc. Just 
how this will prevent loss caused by diseased 
vines, is not clearly apparent. This practice 
would protect the fruit from destruction by 
birds and insects, and may be advisable for 
persons w ho only grow a few grapes. Large 
growers can hardly afford the time required. 
Suppose the yield to be four tons per acre— 
allowing three clusters to the pound—it would 
require 24,0U0 bags—no inconsiderable item of 
expense ns well as of labor. Besides, with me 
grapes ripen unevenly, and to select well 
ripened clusters requires strong light, and even 
thou I sometimes make mistakes. Must these 
bags be removed and ropluced, or is there some 
other way of judging when the fruit is well 
ripened ? Nelson Ritter. 
Onondaga Co., N. Y. 
tlo riaii.1i tr a L_ 
SOLOMON’S SEAL. 
Tms familiar hardy perennial so common in 
country gardens, may be readily recognised 
on the right-hand side of the illustration, Fig. 
131, page 289, where it is shown as naturalized 
on the verge of a stream meanderiug through 
a wooded glade. The Solomon's Seal is a 
plant of considerable beauty and attraction, 
but its companion in the picture, the Herb 
Paris, which is the four leafed plant growing 
over the higher knot of tree roots to the left 
of the Solomon’s Seal, has greenish flowers 
aud is not a beautiful plant in a garden sense, 
though it may be admitted, as we see it in the 
illustration, for naturalization in moist, 
wooded places, for variety’s sake. The Solo¬ 
mon’s Seal of our gardens, botanieally kuown 
as Pulygonatum multiflorum, is a European 
plant, found wild skirting rich woods, in open 
places in the woods, and in rocky ground 
where an accumulation of decayed leaves has 
formed a rich black humus. As a garden 
plant it will grow almost anywhere—in the 
open border, in a sunny or a shady place, 
beneath the trees, among the bushes aud else 
where, but its most appropriate place seems 
to be ainoug the shrubbery where its roots are 
sheltered from the drying sunshine by the 
branches and its stems can rise above the 
bushes to show off their arching wands of 
pendant bells. Naturalized as we observe it 
in the engraving, is a charming way to use it, 
and as such is its natural condition anyway, 
and it is so hardy, grows so readily and in¬ 
creases so fast,who, having au overstock in his 
garden would east away the surplus rather 
than plant it out among thejwild lings near his 
home, and thus add one more pretty plant to 
the local tioru nature has supplied beside him? 
How comely it would seem among the Bell- 
worts, the Cucumber Rout, the Meadow 
Beauty, the Cardiual Flower, the Blue Lobelia, 
and even our common American smaller 
