THE BUBAL NEW-YORKER SUP LEMENT. 
S90 
3. Its abnndance of leaves. 
4. The sweetness of the stalks. 
5. Its continued growth after being cut. 
6. Its power to resist drought. 
We have tried this Branching 8orghum both 
at the Rural Farm and Rubai. Grounds tor 
two seasons, with such success that we cannot 
think otherwise than that it is destined to take 
a high and permanent rank among the forage 
plants of our country. Its suckering habit is 
remarkable. The plant from which our en¬ 
graving was made bad 12 distinct stalks. We 
have, however, counted upon a single plaut as 
many as 19, specimens of which may now be 
seen at the Rural Farm. The engraving is re¬ 
duced to one-qnarter of the natural size, as it 
then (July 1st) appeared. 
T1IE ARGENTEUir, AND GIANT DUTCH PURPLE 
ASPARAGUS. 
It is strange that, in this country at least, no 
extended, careful experiments have been 
made to produce new and superior varieties of 
asparagus, the choicest vegetable, perhaps, 
that grows. We do not know that onr efforts 
in this direction will be attended with any suc¬ 
cess. Perhaps there is but one kind, and that 
all variations arc due to climate, culture, or 
both. Be this as It may, we have forwarded 
our orders for a sufficient quantity of both the 
Argenteull (the French kind) and the GlaDt 
Datch Purple, to supply all of our readers who 
may apply, with euough seed to plant a good- 
ly-Bized plot. Both of the above varieties are 
in appearauce very distinct from oars, the one 
being of a silvery, the other of a purple color. 
Whether they will reproduce themselves from 
the seed remains to be seen. We doubt not 
that our subscribers will heartily join us in 
the test. We ask them to read the article of 
Mr. Robinson, which will be found in the Fair 
Number of the Rural New-Yorker, 
Picoteea, Cnroationit, Chines Dlaitthun. 
(Dianthus Chinensis and Caryophyllns.) 
It has been a difficult matter—almost vexa- 
tiously so—in the selection of our Flower 
seeds, for the Rural's distributions, to hit upon 
those which were of the first value and yet free 
to germinate in the amateur’s hands. Many 
of our subscribers have from time to time 
written us that their flower seeds failed; while 
ail the others succeeded well—as if the fault 
were with the seeds! But we must unquali¬ 
fiedly insist that this is simply impossible, as 
the multitudinous and trustworthy reports in 
these columns of those with whom all the kinds 
we have sent out have germinated will fully 
attest. Different seeds to germinate require 
different conditions and treatment, in the ab¬ 
sence of which, they must as surely perish as 
if they had been thrown into the fire. In the 
present instance, however, we have accepted 
the happy suggestion of a friend, and imported 
kinds which, while they make the most beauti¬ 
ful of plants, whether for out or in-door cul¬ 
ture, will germinate aud grow as readily as 
the eeeds of the cue umber or beet. These seeds, 
the best of their kinds, have been added to our 
preseut distribution, then, for the benefit of all, 
but more especially for the benefit of those who 
have either failed or found it difficult to suc¬ 
ceed with other flower seeds which exact more 
experienced culture. We have selected, there¬ 
fore, a careful assortment of the Chinese pinks; 
of carnations and picotees. Among them 
will be found the following kinds, which are 
probably as beautiful and effective as any 
plants ©f their class in cultivation. No others 
are more fragrant; none better suited for cut 
flowers; none more captivating for house cul¬ 
ture:—First (in one packet mixed) we shall 
6end: 
Dianthus Chinensis Heddewifril, 
“ “ albu8fl.pl. 
“ •• Btriatus, 
“ “ “ Eastern Queen." and 
" * - CrimBon Bolle" tested here 
(Rural Grounds) last year. 
Dianthus Chinensis inmerialis. 
" “ laciniatus. 
In a second package, the following kinds 
will be found. 
. Carnations. Beads raised from choicest varieties 
—Bcarlet, white, yellow, 
Picotees. Seeds saved from double flowers. 
We hope the above, in a different way, may in 
the end prove as popular with our readers as 
the Chater strain of hollyhock, which we sent 
out several years ago and which are now so 
highly and justly esteemed. 
For a number of years we have here culti¬ 
vated the Chinese pinks, They bloom the first 
season if started early and during most years 
will Btand the climate and make a fine display 
the second year. A covering of fine manure is, 
however, desirable. 
WASHINGTON OATS 
were received in Washington Co., N. Y., three 
years since from Illinois, where they were 
found growing in a wheat field that was sown 
with wheat imported from Germany. The in¬ 
troducer says he has tried nearly all the new 
varieties of oats and considers this by far the 
best yet introduced, yielding one-third more 
than the common oat. The grain is very hand¬ 
some and heavy, weighing about 42 pounds to 
the bushel. The straw is very stiff and heavy. 
On rich soil where most varieties arc liable to 
lodge, the introducer says that these always 
sLand until fully ripe. This quality Is of great 
value, as any cultivator will readily see. Now 
we do not pretend to know anything about 
these new oats from our own experience, not 
having tried them. But the specimen sheaf 
sent to the Rural office is by far the finest 
sample of oats we have ever seen, The straw 
is heavy and live feet in bight, with a remark¬ 
ably large ntimber of oats in a panicle. Had 
we not been thus forcibly struck with the 
seeming valne of this new variety, we should 
not, two years successively, have placed oats 
in our Distribution. The specimen sheaf may 
be seen at the Rural office. 
-- 
PLEASE NOTE. 
Only yearly subscribers are entitled to apply 
for this Distribution. 
Two threo-cent stamps must be Inclosed in 
the letter of application or we cannot agree to 
fill the order. Our object in bearing half of 
the expense is. as heretofore, to prevent the 
possibility of a suspicion that we receive in any 
form the slightest compensation for our labor 
or for the heavy cost of the undertaking. As 
stated elsewhere, however, we have made 
such arrangements with the Chicago Inter- 
Ocean, Detroit Free Press, N. Y. World, St. 
Louis Globe-Democrat, St. Paul Pioueer Press, 
Weekly Cincinnati Gazette, Elmira Adver¬ 
tiser. New York Evening Post, and several 
others, as will he seen, that those who order 
those journals with the Rural New-Yorker 
will receive the seeds without application and 
without the postage, that being included in the 
Cluh price, to simplify matters. 
Each letter of application will be .numbered 
when received, aud the seeds and plants will 
be sent in that order. 
It will save us Iron-bit-. audit will sane one sub¬ 
scribers trouble and expense if they will make 
their application for the seeds and plants in the 
same letter in which they renew their subscrip¬ 
tions, We would also thank them merely to 
6ay. “send seeds.” Those two words will 
convey all the instructions we need. 
All questions appertaining thereto should 
be written on separate slips of paper. otherwise 
there is a chance of their being entirely over¬ 
looked. or, at least, of not being promptly an¬ 
swered. 
Finally, in order to provide against the pos¬ 
sibility of mistakes, disappointment or any 
dissatisfaction, we agree to duplicate all orders 
that from any cause may have failed to reach 
their destination at the close of the Distribution, 
which will be the latter part of next Spring. 
The most careful details of instruction as to 
the treatment of the seeds, will he given in 
future numbers of the Rural New-Yorker. 
The White Elephant potato — the Rural 
Branching Sorghum—the Argenteuil and Dutch 
Asparagus — the Chinese Diauthus, Picotees 
and Carnations in great variety and of the 
the choicest kinds—the Washington Oats make 
up, us will be seen, our Plant and Seed Distri¬ 
bution of the present offering. All are new to 
thiB country except the Dianthus, and among 
them will be fouud several new strains. Ail 
of onr readers who apply must give them 
careful tests, in which case we feel confident 
that their reports will prove them to be—as 
many others of the Rural’s 6eeds and plants 
have been—the most valuable of their kinds in 
cultivation. So may it prove—for this is the 
chief—almost the only object we have in their 
costly distribution. 
-+ ♦ ♦- 
It will be UBelesB for any persons to apply for 
our seeds or plantB unless they are yearly sub¬ 
scribers. The reasonableness of this restric¬ 
tion will appear without further remark. We 
might be willing, or even desirous, to supply 
our seeds to all who read our announcement; 
indeed we would be glad to do so since, there is 
no more effectual way of promoting the inter¬ 
ests which the Rural has at, heart. But this 
is obviously impossible. Hence we Btrictly 
limit our distributions to subscribers. 
We desire to make it plain, also, that our 
seed 8Dd plant distributions are In no sense 
premiums. As it is optional with us whether 
we offer them or not, it is our privilege to state 
when the distributions shall begin and when 
they shall be discontinued, so long as we liber¬ 
ally fulfill every obligation to which we com¬ 
mit ourselves. 
--— ■■ ■ 
We presume there are few readers who will 
not find something to interest them in our 
new premium list. It will offer valuable 
presents to all who send ua subscribers, wheth¬ 
er two, a dozen or a hundred. We have made 
these presents more valuable than ever before, 
desiring to reward those who increase the 
Rural’s influence as liberally as we can afford 
so to do. 
- — ■ •» » »- 
The Rural New-Yorker began its exist¬ 
ence in 1850. Age without itB infirmities; age 
with its experience and with the enthusiasm of 
youth are what we modestly claim for it now. 
--♦♦♦ — ■ ■ 
Seven subscriptions ($2 each, our only 
price) will entitle the sender to one copy of 
the Rural New-Yorker for one year. 
THE 
Rural New-Yorker. 
A Representative American Farm, Garden and 
Home Journal conducted to meet the 
wants of the times. 
For the Thinking, Progressive Farmer and Horticulturist. 
For the Suburban and Country Home. 
For the North, South, East and West. 
Bright, Sparkling, Conscientious, Impressive, Original. 
THE BEST WRITERS OF AMERICA AND ENGLAND. 
Praises and Congratulations from all (Juarters. 
I I IV. f (ffffVffl 
/ « (M( II /ft (I / 
A. A A . AiU.VlUiVV, AVI , JV., 
. i .“.The AW is emphatically a live paper, and a live farmery paper", too, in all the term implies - 
which lo ns includes a C reat deni that is given the cold shoulder bv most agricultural journals The AW/ 
seemed good enough a year ago. but it is Idly per cent, hotter this rear. We have not heretofore praised 
me Rural as we r elt it to deserve, because nf onr own lelntions with il as a contributor. .Now we have 
said what we think, and il anybody desires to at!libnte it to anv but an honest motive to do justice to the 
d domestic paper in the world, why, let him." 
best agricultural and 
Mr. A. B. Allen, the founder of the American Agriculturist snv>. *‘ I think you are pub¬ 
lishing the smartest paper in the country, and aho the most suiwhlc’, useful and interesting to 
the rural population.’' b 
Five hundred engravings yearly of ail kinds of fruits, farm and garden 
helps, the choicest of our trees and shrubs ; of farm animals 
and rural buildings. Everything for the Country Home. 
Dk. E. Lewis Sturtevant, says; “ The Rural New- Yorker has the best list of con 
tributors of any paper of its class in the country and is doing a noble work." 
Professor W. J. Beal, of the Michigan Agricultural College : “ The Rural New- 
Yorker is now the best paper." 
Professor E. M. Shelton, of the Kansas Agricultural College The Rural New 
Yorker has more in fluence and is more quoted than all the rest put together." 
Pres. T. ’I. Lyon : 11 The Rural is the best paper P see." 
IT WILL HELP YOU TO MAKE MONEY 
AND TO SPEND IT JUDICIOUSLY. 
“ I cannot afford to do without it,” is the comment of hundreds of our subscribers. 
B. Pickman Mann, of Cambridge : " For years l have taken the leading agt {cultural 
journals and they all seem lame when compared with the Rural New- Yorker." 
SUBSCRIBE FOR If AS A MEASURE OF ECONOMY. 
SUBSCRIBE NOW I! A XZS» PA :i*cZS2 
It will interest and instruct every member of the household, and it is the 
earnest desire of the management that it shall in every way prove worthy of 
the unqualified trust and respect of its readers. 
The Rural New-Yorker is not afraid to tell the TRUTH in the interests of Agriculture 
and Horticulture, no matter whose individual toes it treads upon." 
Peter B. Mead, Ed. Horticultmis.. 
'T'he crop specials of the Rural New- Yorker are invn/uab/e to the country." 
_ James M. Thorburn & C<>. 
All novelties are tested at our Experiment Grounds, and reported upon impartially. 
Every family that owns or hires a square rod of ground needs the Rural New-Yorker, 
and will be repaid ten-fold by its trustworthy advice. ’ Such is essentially the testimony of 
thousands throughout the country. 
The Rural New- Yorker is conscientious, alive, practical. It is acknowledged by lead lu¬ 
men to be 
THE FIRST AMERICAN AUTHORITY IN ITS SPECIAL FIELDS OF INQUIRY. 
For the Country, Village and City ; for everybody that loves ins home and desires .-o to 
elevate agriculture and horticulture that they shall lie recognized as the noblest pursuits of 
men ; for the market gardener, the florist and nurseryman, the fruit grower, the small fruit 
culturist; for the largest farms, the smallest flower plots ; for the herdsman, the dairyman, 
the apiarian, the scientist, everywhere. No sectional prejudices. 
FARM AND HORTICULTURAL GROUNDS OF 82 ACRES WORKED IN THE 
INTERESTS OF SUBSCRIBERS. 
The Free Plant and Seed- Distributions have been worth more to Subscribers than the. 
subscription, price of the Paper. 
It will aid you to make and to save money. It will tell you what new varieties of seeds 
and plants to select without regard to advertising interests. 
Special Departments devoted to the News of the Week, to Women, 
Domestic Economy, to Religious Matters, Fashions. 
Trustworthy MARKET REPORTS FROM ALL CENTERS a specialty. 
TUP COMPLETE RATf02i.iL FAMILY JOVUNAL. 
Address, THE RURAL NEW-YORKER, 34 Park Row, New York. 
