202 
MARCH 20 
&\) t (ftumfll. 
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
[Every query must be accompanied by the name 
and address of the writer to Insure attention.] 
Miscellaneous. 
J. P. T., Norwalk, O.— 1. One of the teats of 
a cow was cut off last Fall by another cow 
stepping upon it ; as it leaked milk all thetime 
I was compelled to dry her up; when she 
comes in agaiu, will the teat hold milk? 2 . 
Are coal ashes a good mulch for currants? 3. 
Is sawdust a good application to keep weeds 
down in the berry patch? 
Ans. —1, If the teat leaked milk after it 
became sound, it will l»e quite likely to leak 
always. If the cow is coming in, you had 
better try whether the teat leaks, and if it 
does so badly, dry up that quarter of the udder 
for this Summer, and fatten the animal next 
Fall. 2. Coal ashes are a capital mulch for 
any bush or tree. Director Sturtevant.of the 
New York Experimental Station, reported 
very fine effects fromtbciruse on the grounds 
Of Robt. J. Swan, President of the Board of 
Control. Placed round the stems of currants 
and quinces, he found that they checked the 
ravages of the borer. They were Leaped up 
six or eight inches high, and extended about 
two feet from the stem. 3. Yes, if you put 
it on thick enough. 
W. H. B., St. Catharines, Canada.— 1. In 
planting potatoes which is the better—to 
plant two or three pieces in a place, three by 
throe feet apart, or iu rows three feet apart 
undone foot apart iu the row? 2 How deep 
should furrows be iu a sandy soil? 3. Is the 
cultivation at the Rural Grounds perfectly 
level? If so, will not soma of the tubers lie ou 
the surface and be scalded by the sun? 
Ans. —1. We much prefer drills three feet 
apart, the pieces one foot apart. There is less 
crowding of the tubers, and, as we believe, a 
larger and better crop. 2. Six inches deepj 
Then drop the pieces, then cover lightly and 
sow the fertilizer and fill. 3. Perfectly. Not 
to the extent one supposes previous to experi¬ 
ment. When the vines begin to die there can 
he no harm in covering th° exposed tubers. 
Let our friend try a plot. 
A. S. II., Providence, R. I. —1. Which isthe 
best early potato for market, and the best late 
lor Winter keeping ? 2, Which will produce 
the largest yield, stable manure from grain- 
fed cows, or chemical fertilizer, or both? 8 . 
How much fertilizer should be used, and what 
kind ? 
Ans.— 1. It is not wise that we should com¬ 
mend any potato as the best early or late. 
Our friend, from reading what is said of [iota- 
toes iu our columns, might better judge for 
himself. There are now several potatoes 
claimed to be earlier and more prolific than 
the Beauty of Hebron or Early Rose. 2. Both, 
no doubt. The trouble we find with farm ma- 
uureis that it induces grubs, wire-worms, etc., 
which chemical fertilizers seem to repel 8 . 
On poor laud 800 pounds broadcast per acre. 
Any standard kind. 
F. F. G., Alton, III.— 1. Is the Van Wick 
Crab a good variety, and what advantage 
have sweet, crabs over common apples? 2. Can 
the Eariy May Cherry be grafted ou a stock 
that will neither dwarf the tree nor sprout? 
3. Will the Russian Apricot stand 20 degrees 
below zero and bear fruit? 4. Is there any 
advantage ill Fall-plowing a light sandy soil? 
Ans.— 1. We do not know the Van Wick 
Crab. We can see no object In plauting crabs 
where any other kinds of apples will grow. 
They are merely a poorapology for apples. 2. 
It can be grafted on any stock suitable for any 
cherry. 3 We doubt it very much. We should 
let untested things “ Russian” alone just at 
present, except in an experimental way. 4. 
We think not, if it is well drained so that it 
can be plowed early iu Spring. 
A. W. F., Atwood, Can. —1. My Miner Plums, 
set out six years ago, blossom early each 
Spring, but the fruit turns yellow and falls 
w hen the size of peas; why? 2. Which grape 
is best for this section—Duchess, Prentiss or 
Feck ling ton? 3. Is the Mann a first-class 
apple? 4. Is it worth while planting the 
Russian Mulberry for fruit? 
AN 8 .—1. We do not think the Miner or 
any of its class of plums will prove satisfac¬ 
tory so tar uorth. 2. Neither, we think, 
would ripen, as they are several days later 
than the Concord. Try the Jessica. 8 , 
No, about second; but it is very bardy and 
quite productive. 4. The fruit of the Russian 
Mulberry is not as good as that of the com¬ 
mon White Mulberry; but the tree is more 
hardy. 
W G. M , Brandon, Wis. —1. Will Fall rye 
sow n in the Spring make good pasturage for 
hogs? 2. If sow'll in the Fall and not winter- 
killed, would, it prod lire a good crop in Sum¬ 
mer? 3. Where can the Rural Union Corn 
be purchased? 4. TVliat is the difference in 
appearance, between the Early and Late 
Beauty of Hebron Potatoes? 
Ans —1. Yes. Sow as much as 2Jo bushels 
per acre, aud it should be pastured close enough 
so that it will uotsond up seed-stalks. 2. Yes. 
All the better if pastured close this Summer. 
3. It cannot be got anywhere, at any price, at 
present. 4. There is very little difference, in¬ 
deed. The Late is a sport from the Early 
and, except that the tubers are larger and it is 
later, no one could tell the difference. 
J E. G , Put-nam, Conn.— 1. What isthe 
best method of cultivating the blackberry, 
and how can they be kept from spreading? 2 . 
What variety of blackberry is the best? 
Ans —1. We suppose you mean for garden 
culture. Prepare your laud well. Get plants 
aud cut thorn back to within one foot of the 
ground. Dig holes, into which set the plants, 
spreading the roots w r ell in the holes. The 
plants should be set eight by four feet, apart. 
Keep down all weeds, and hoe out all 
suckers to prevent spreading. If your laud is 
light it will be advisable to mulch upon the 
appearance of very dry weather. 2 . It would 
l>e difficult to say which is best. Lawton, 
Snyder and Kittnt.iuny are all good in certain 
sections, and under certain conditions. 
C. M G., Snnbrirjht, Tenn.—U Can apples lie 
grafted ou our native sour crab? 2. Will a 
change form North to South change the 
character of apples? 
Ans.—1. Yes. 2. No, it will not change 
their nature, but it. will change their season, 
the Winter apples becoming Fall or Summer 
fruit, and the Summer and Fall sorts much 
earlier. There are also many Northern vari¬ 
eties of fruit that fail to do well in the South, 
aud currants and gooseberries are more or less 
failures in that section. It would be best to 
learn from neighboring fruit growers who 
have experimented in this line what kiuds do 
best. Much time and money and serious dis¬ 
appointment may r thus be saved. 
“ A Subscriber," No address. —1. Should a 
horse’s shoes be taken off at. the end of three or 
four months, when he is used, only three or 
four times a week? 2. Which is the better for 
a horse to stand on iu the stable—the ground 
or a board floor? 
Ans. —1. Three or four months is as long as 
any horse should be allowed to wear a set of 
shoes without resettiug, even if he is not used 
at all. The feet are continually growing, aud 
if not shod, they would constantly be wearing 
off. As the shoes prevent this, they should be 
removed and the feet be pared dow'n so that 
they will uot get too long. 2. The ground, by 
all means—nothing so good as that. 
.4. J. C., Valley Station, N. S ,—1. What is 
the matter with my calla? It did very well 
nn t.il last, year, when it was set out in a larger 
pot; now the stalks turn soft, aud every leaf 
that comes out wilts. 2. Are Ellwanger & 
Barry the most reliable nursery linn iu 
Rochester? 
Ans —1. It, looks very much as though you 
did not give your calla enough water. With 
plenty of moisture, aud well fertilized soil, 
we see uo reason why it should not flourish, 
unless you keep it in a room which contains 
a great deal of coal gas. 2. Ellwanger & 
Barry are thoroughly reliable, aud so are 
other nursery’ firms in Rochester. 
4 S, Weslover, Md .—1. How does the Han- 
sell Raspberry compare with the Cuthbert? 2. 
What kind of blackberry is the Wachusett 
Thornless? 
Ans.— 1. The Hansell is probably the earliest 
of red raspberries. Kis firm, of good quality, 
but not SO large as the Cuthbert; neither is 
it so strong a grower. The Cuthbert Is late, 
firm; but not so firm as the Hansell, and it is 
of rather belter quality. 2 . It has not borne 
with us. It is not very productive, aud needs 
better culture than that given to better known 
kinds • 
“ Subscriber, Ann Arbor, Mich. —1. Will 
cabbage and peas do well ou a mellow marsh 
soil well drained? 2 . What is the best va¬ 
riety of pea to sow? 8 . Are com, peas and 
other plants that, mature early as good for 
fattening stock as those that take a longer 
time to mature! 4. What is the best grass 
for hay on mucky land? 
Ans. —1. Yes. Apply wood ashes for the 
peas. 2. The small Canada. 3. Yes. 4. 
Timothy (Phleutn pretense). 
G. If. H., Short Creek, Ohio ,—Should quince 
and apple seeds be planted in the Fall or 
Spring; and should they be frozen before they 
are planted? Is the Jefferson Grape as hardy 
as the.Concord at the Rural Grounds? 
Ans.—I t is not necessary that they should 
be frozen. If they have become very dry 
they should be soaked a few hours in warm 
water. Plant them as soon as possible in 
Spring in rich ground. 2, So far, It lias pro¬ 
ved bardy; hut It is yet much too soon to give 
s valid opinion as to its hardiness. 
L. H. P, Wykoff, Minn, —1. Is the firm of 
Starkey & Palen, of Philadelphia, responsible 
and reliable? 2. In general, does the Rural 
indorse the probity and straightforwardness 
of those who advertise in its columns? 
Ans. —1. We believe Starkey' & Palen to be 
entirely “ responsible and reliable.” 2. To 
the extent that, we are as careful as we know 
how to be, not to admit a fraudulent adver¬ 
tisement, aud when, by r chance, one does steal 
into our columns, we expose the fraud or 
humbug as soon as possible, and in a specially 
emphatic manner. 
W. M. C., lies? Point, Wis ,—In the Seed 
Catalogues. I see White Elephant described 
as a white potato. Those grown from the 
Rural's seeds were the same color as the 
Beauty of Hebron. Which is right? 
Ans, —White Elephant and Beauty of Heb¬ 
ron sprang from the same stock, aud there is 
but very little difference between them in 
color. Both are of a light huffish pink, but 
the color may vary greatly in differeut soils. 
* Turkey,** Allandale, Canada. — What is 
the best way of using tobacco sterna as a fer¬ 
tilizer, especially on radishes and turnips? 
Ans. —An experienced tobacco grower says 
he has used tobacco stalks both as a top¬ 
dressing for grass land, aud as a compost with 
barnyard manure for various crops, always 
with excellent effect, and he thinks the stems 
would be more valuable than the stalks. A 
dressing of uncomposted stems would be likely 
to keep insects from radishes aud turnips. 
F. C. B.. Rich ford, N. Y .—1. How should 
seed potatoes be cut? 2. How many eyes is it 
best to have on a seed piece ? 
Ans. —1. Practically it makes but little dif¬ 
ference how potatoes are eut for seed, pro¬ 
viding only about two eyes are left on each 
piece. There are various theories on the sub¬ 
ject, but as yet they are mere theories. 
Leave as much and as great a depth of flesh 
as possible. 
D. H, Anthony, Kansas.— How should 
Chinese Lilies be treated? 
Ans. —They should be given deep plauting, 
aud not be disturbed for several years. In the 
North it is well, before " inter, to cover the 
ground overandaround the bulbs with three or 
four inches of haves, straw, or coarse manure 
as a Winter protection. The soil should have 
good drainage, and be well manured. 
J. G A\ K., Lovettsmlle , Va .—Do musk rats 
eat fish? 
Ans. —Like the common rat, the musk rat 
is onmiverous, feeding ou grasses, roots, vege¬ 
tables, mussels and other mollusks, fruits, fish 
aud even flesh. While they can get plenty of 
the others, however, they seldom eat fish or 
flesh, hence trappers seldom catch them with 
bait of either kind. 
H. C , Liberty Mills, Ind. —In planting po¬ 
tatoes is one eye in a pie e, the pieces to be 
12 inches apart in a drill three feet apart, 
enough ? 
Ans.— For main crop we prefer two eyes to 
a piece. Unless the variety to be planted pro¬ 
duces very heavy tops, the distance mentioned 
is just right according to our experience. 
G. H'., Kcnnchunk. Me. —Where can I pro¬ 
cure pyrethruru powder, and with what bel¬ 
lows should it be applied? 
Ans —We do uot see it offered by New Fug- 
laud seedsmeu. Most druggists keep it. The 
Woodasou Bellows, sold by T. Woodason, 
Canalport Ave., Chicago, 111. 
-4. W. R., Donndlville, Ill.-A hog of miue 
has for a longtime been sniffling severely at 
the nose, aud though he eats heartily he does 
uot thrive. What should be done with him? 
Ans. —Probably he has got something grow¬ 
ing in his nose like polypus in human beings. 
Tbe best thing is to fatten and kill him. 
.4. K., Washington, Mo. —How does the 
Golden Grains, or Palestine Mammoth Wheat 
succeed? 
Ans.—E xcept in Colorado, California, Ore- 
gou and some of the other new States and 
Territories, the reporta of it show' that it is 
worthless either for Spring or FalL 
S. R. S,, Fayetteville, Arlc., asks where 
in that section can Yorkshire and Suffolk 
Swine be obtained? 
Ans.—C. O. Blankenbaker, Ottawa, Kans., 
is tbe nearest breeder of Yorkshires w-e know 
of. We do not know of any breeder of Suf- 
folks in that section. 
G. A S., Lawrence, Mass. —1. Is the Wat¬ 
son Seedling Potato the same as the Early 
Rose? 2 Is the Black Wax Bean as fine-fla¬ 
vored as other beans? 
Ans.— 1. The potato is a distinct variety. 
2. The Black Wax (yellow) is tne best snap 
bean we know of. 
H. E.. Dartmouth, N. Y ,—What are the 
names of the Garden Treasure*? 
Ans. -Seeds were received from every part 
of the United States, as well as from Canada, 
South A juerica, England, France, Australia 
and New Zealand, so that, w e really cauuot 
tell tbe names. 
B. B., Milwaukee, Wis. —What is the ad¬ 
dress of some lady bee-keeper? 
Ans.— Mrs. J. W. Knadler, Valley Station, 
Ky. Mrs. R. K. Eastman, Webster City, la. 
Your first question has been answered re¬ 
peatedly of late. For the third see the Eye- 
opener. 
//., Turkey Cove, North Carolina. —When 
and how shall I sow Pearl Millet ? 
Ans.—S ow during April tor your climate, 
in drills tnree feet apart, and thin out the 
drills to two feet apart. A quart of seed to 
the acre is enough. Cultivate the same as 
corn. 
J. A. II,, address mislaid. —Is the LaJy- 
finger Potato a small, dark, extra-early varie¬ 
ty, called Cow-horn? 
Ans.— No; it is a small, cylindrical potato, 
with smooth, white skin and full eyes. It will 
uot pay to raise it. 
A. C., Brooklyn, N. Y,— 1. Is tankage a 
good fertilizer for general field crops? 2. How- 
will it work in connection with kaimt or un¬ 
leached wood ashes? 3. Where eau it be had? 
Ans.— 1. Yes. 2. Well. 8. At any bone- 
boiling works. 
.4. T. M., Martinsburg, Mo. — Will Blue 
Grass growing among my grapes, cause them 
to rot? 
Ann.—T he Blue Grass will not cause the 
grapes to rot. It can be easily destroyed by 
cultivation. 
A. II. J„ Catlett, Fa,—Where can tubers of 
Cuba Yam be obtained? 
Ans.—W e do not know. It needs a warmer 
temperature t ban is fouud in the United States. 
You could not grow It except in a greenhouse. 
G. A. H., Newcastle, Me, —What is the best 
work on bee-keeping for a beginner in both 
Florida and Maine? 
Ans —The Bee-Keeper’s Guide, by Prof. A. 
J. Cook, Lansing, Mich. Price .$1.25. 
W. S. R, Hackettslown, N. J.—Which 
would be the best strawberries for family use 
in this section? 
Ans.— Oar choice would be Dowming, Cum¬ 
berland Triumph, and bbarpless. 
A. C,, North Platte, Neb.— What is the best 
kind of corn to plant for fodder rather than 
ears? 
Ans. —For this purpose we would prefer tbe 
Rural Thoroughbred Fliut to any other. 
M. D. M., Steele, Dakota,—Are garden 
seeds grown iu the East likely to do as well in 
Northern Dakota,as those grown in the North¬ 
west? 
Ans.—Y es, just as well. 
J. C. D„ Cove, Oregon.— Can the Rural 
furnish seeds or cuttings of the apples illus¬ 
trated in its columns? 
Ans.—N o; nothing whatever is sold at this 
office except the Rural. 
L. A/., Wuutonia, Wis.—Is there any va¬ 
riety of buckwheat which will not be injured 
by the Summer suu. 
Ans —There is no variety that will not be 
burned by the hot suu. 
F. -I. B., Lancaster. Ohio. - What commer¬ 
cial manure would be good for strawberries? 
Ans.—W e should uow apply wood ashes 
liberally, or the commercial fertilizer known 
as potato fertilizer. 
A, M. Easton, Md .—Where can pure¬ 
bred Suffolk swine be obtained? 
Ans— From W. Atlee, Burpee & Co., or 
Beusou, Maule & Co., Philadelphia, Pa. Send 
for catalogues. 
H. A. IP., Fluvanna, N. Y.— Will strong 
roots of strawberries grown in pots produce 
fruit this season, if nicely cared for? 
Ans.—Y es; but it is better to plant in early 
Fall. 
It. A. H.. Osage, la.— Where can the Cor- 
lis Matchless Potato bo bought? 
Ans. —This potato was sent to us by T. Cor 
lis, Lockport, N. Y. 
D. P. /?., (llenullen, D. T. — l. What is a 
good substitute for sawdust for ice? 
Ans.—C ut hay or straw, or chaff. 
S'. C., Michigan,—The Tyler Cap is early 
and productive. Hee other queries for Hau- 
sell. Send for the catalogues announced. 
We beg to refer many inquirers to our ad¬ 
vertising columns for “band cultivators," 
’'mplements which gardens, of over an eighth 
of an acre, can by no means afford to be with¬ 
out. 
Communications Rkckived koh thk wkek Ending 
Saturday, March 22 
I. E. B. S.-A. H. H. M. R. R.-H. F. I.-S. G. P.-S. 
W. J.-J. H. P.-W. H. B. F. F. SI.-SI. O.-M. T.—J. 
A. R.-E. A. P.-C. E. N. W. Y.-F. W. E.-J. M. S.— 
A. E. S. J. V. M.-W. J. B -A. B. A. J. J. A.-L. H. T. 
W. H. H.-K.R.S.-M. W. H.-A. S. M.-J. FL—A. P.— 
W.A.-F.D.C. T. II. L B. A.-H.G.-S. P.F.-M. L. 
S.-E. M — SI. S. J. E. H.- F. G, S.-M. H.-C. H. C.- 
H. S. M. M.P.-K. B. X.-W. B.-vX. W.-C. E. F.-W. 
\V. W.-W. n. 1. M. M. E.-J. a P. M. A. SI. 1*. w. 
P, B. F.~J. H. J. T. H,—potatoes and potato seed* 
received—thanks—J. D.—J. s.—T. u. -H A. T. —E. 8 
U.-8, U, -M, lb II■ SI —N O. 11, -W: M P X. 
