1884 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
858 
merely upon an opinion. Mr. Meehan’s opin¬ 
ion is entitled to great respect; but it may be 
questioned whether he himself would be will¬ 
ing that the pear should be named “hybrid” 
upon the weight of his opinion alone. We 
have recently ealen a Mikado (Japan) pear, 
the quality of which was fully as good as that 
of many Kieffers. Shall we call it a hybrid ?” 
—Eds.] 
CARE OF CIONS OF THE STONE 
FRUITS. 
PROF. J. L. BUDD. 
A student came to me to day with a copy 
of the Rural, and directed my attention to 
your advice to E. K. T. in a late issue. Said 
he: “Our class notes say pack all cions in dry 
forest leaves.’’ 
The subject is worthy of more attention and 
careful experimentation than it has yet re 
ceived. An experiment like tbefollowiug will 
be conclusive:—Pack away a bundle of cherry 
cions in November in moderately moist moss, 
in a moderately moist cellar. In January use 
these for putting up, say, 500 root grafts. At 
the same time, and with the same roots, put 
up 500 grafts with cions of the same variety 
packed in November in dry leaves, in a box in 
the same cellar. Set by the same man in sim¬ 
ilar soil, it will always happen that the stand 
will be from twenty to fifty per cent, better 
with the dry cions. If the cions be used for 
top-grafting, or crown grafting iu the open 
air, the difference ia the stand will be far 
greater in favor or the dry cions. 
My attention was first called to this subject 
iu March, 1870 The cherry cions I was using 
iu top-working were cut iu November and 
kept in the cellar in quite dry moss. They 
were nice and plump, with a show of cullus- 
ing at the base. I was sure they were in fine 
order, yet less than five percent. of them grew. 
The same day it happened that I put in a 
dozen or more cions, received by mail from 
the old homestead in New York. These were 
so dry that the bark was shriveled, and i only 
expected to save the variety by the possible 
growth of one or two specimens; hut they all 
grew. Since that time I have experimented 
largely with the stone fruits, und am certain 
that the cions should be kept us dry as is safe. 
In all cases—unless the cions be scarce and 
valuable—they are thrown away if they show 
the least trace of the starting of a single bud 
or of callusing at the base. 
The principle involved is the reverse of our 
attempts to graft the cherry after the water 
coining up from the roots has commenced to 
change ihe starc h of the cell structure of the 
stock into .sugar water. If we expect a uni¬ 
form and satisfactory union of cion and stock, 
both must be in dormant condition. The cions 
of the uople and pear do not absorb water so 
readily; yet with these I have known many 
poor stands to result from the use of water- 
soaked cions. 
Ames, Iowa. 
)t Poultnj-Dart!. 
LIGHT BRAHMAS. 
The Light Brahma cockerel, shown at Fig. 
537, is re-engraved from a supplement of the 
London Live Stock Journal. It is a part of 
the experiments at the Rural Grounds to try 
the various breeds of poultry. We have 
giveu the Light Bruhmas an exhaustive trial 
and have reported the results from time to 
time. They gave us fewer eggs during the 
Winter than any other breed; their eggs 
average seven to the pound in weight. Over¬ 
feeding reduces the egg production more iu 
this than in other breeds. Perhaps, however, 
no breed is better entitled to the name of the 
“farmer’s fowl" than the Light Brahma. It is 
without doubt the first fowl for eggs, chick¬ 
ens and flesh, and is, furthermore, a hand¬ 
some bird; while its docility und inability to 
scale fences recommend it to all poultry 
men. The hen's are hardy and the yellow 
flesh and legs are attractive to consumers. 
The origin of the Brahmas is enveloped in 
mystery. During 1850 and ’52 birds ealled 
Brahmapootrua were exhibited simultane¬ 
ously in different parts of New England, 
mostly iu Connecticut. This name was after¬ 
ward shortened to Brahma, and the character¬ 
istics of the Dark and Light Brahmas be¬ 
came fixed. 
The warm praise given these fowls by many 
who rai?e them would indicate that they fill 
the position well of a general purpose fowl. 
Their line appearance is ulso in their favor. 
The average weight of the hens is 10 pounds, 
and of the cocks 12 pounds. The breed at 
present under test at the Rural Ex. Grounds 
is the Wyandotte, respecting which we shall 
be able to make a full report next year. Their 
eggs at this time, from spring-hatched chick¬ 
ens, are of medium size—to a pound. 
Societies, etc. 
THE ILLINOIS HORTICULTURAL 
SOCIETY. 
(RURAL SPECIAL REPORT.) 
The horticulturists of Illinois met at the 
Industrial University at. Champaign, Dec. 
9th, bringing with them a very large and 
creditable collection of apples. Mr. Henry 
Mortimer preferred a northern slope for apple 
oichards. He would set two-year-old trees; 
would cultivate thoroughly while the trees 
are grovviug, but would take off uo crop with¬ 
out extra manuring. He would set the 
larger growing varieties not nearer than 35 
feet apart each wuy. He recommended Red 
Astracban for Summer, Maiden’s Blush for 
early Full, and Famouso for late Fall and 
early Winter. For Winter he kuow of uo 
varieties that are regular, prolific bearers of 
fine fruit. Among the more satisfactory 
are Jonathan, Dominie, Rawle’s Janet 
and Minkler. 
Mr. O. B Galusha stated that the Salome 
Apple w r as least iujured by the cold winds 
that proved very injurious to other apples 
while the trees were in bloom the past sea¬ 
son. 
In discussing the question as to whether 
high or low laud is most favorable for or¬ 
chards, Prof. T. J. Burrill, of Champaign 
University, said success depends neither upon 
high nor low ground, but upon securing the 
conditions that favor abundant moisture dur¬ 
ing the drier part of the season. The diseased 
condition of the apple trees in Uliuois is 
largely due to the second growth that takes 
place in Autumn, when abundant rains and 
warm weather succeed a severe summer 
drought. The unripe wood thus formed 
subject to injury by frost. The summer sun, 
by drying the bark, causes it to- crack, per¬ 
mitting the entrance of bacteria, which hasten 
the destruction. For an orchard he would 
select the soil that is least subject to summer 
drought, and that is not made over-wet by 
abundant auttimn rains. The culture adopted 
should ha such as favors these conditions. 
Two members thought, that in apples a rela¬ 
tion exists bet ween the size and texture of the 
leaf and hardiness, asserting that the larger 
and thicker-leaved varieties are the most 
hardy. 
Prof. Burrell mentioned an orchard of seed¬ 
ling pear trees, near Warren, IU., that has 
shown no blight during the past 20 years. 
This orchard stands on soil so wet that the 
water stands within a few inches of the sur¬ 
face the greater part of the year. 
Dr. Sanborn stated that the improved va¬ 
rieties of the plum can no longer be profitably 
grown in Southern Illinois. Some varieties 
of the native wild species, however, beur 
abundant crops. He has grafted many trees 
of the improved sorts with the Wild Goose 
Plum, and the fruit produced wus better in 
size and quality than that grown on the wild 
trees. 
The Yellow Spanish Cherry was reported 
the most profitable in Southern Illinois, and 
the Rockford the second. The Early Rich¬ 
mond proves very reliable. 
Mr. E. A. Reihl has found the Brandywine 
Raspberry most profitable in the Chicago 
market. He would never summer-prune the 
red raspberry, as this favors winter killing. 
Mr. H. IC, Vickeroy has found the Gregg to 
produce the largest berries, and the Ohio to be 
the strongest grower. He preferred the Turn¬ 
er for family use, but thought the Outhbert 
the best for market. He found the Mansell 
too small for profit. Mr. Galusha found 
Shaffer’s Colossal nearly double the size of 
the Cutbert, the plant more hardy, and ex¬ 
tremely productive. Its color, however, is 
agaiust it, as is its flavor, if allowed to become 
too ripe. 
Mr. Vickeroy said Red Clover is largely 
grown between the rows of blackberries about 
Normal; it is mown several times during tbe 
season, ami serves as a cheap and excellent 
mulch, aud keeps down weeds. Mr. Galusha 
thought the Snyder the most profitable black¬ 
berry for market, and advocated severe pruu- 
iug' Among the newer varieties of strawber¬ 
ries Mr. Galusha has found Mrs. Garfield most 
satisfactory. Jumbo grow well, and produced 
well, and formed berries of medium size. At¬ 
lantic and Prince of Berries are promising. 
Mr. E. \V. Kndicott has found the Ives the 
most profitable grape. He trains it upon one 
wire, planed sufficiently high to permit a horse 
to pass under it, thus allowing cultivation 
both wry8. As a protection against mice aud 
rabbits, a member strongly recommended 
wushiug the fl unks of small fruit trees with 
whitewash, in which sufficient copperas has 
been dissolved to give it a dark-green color. 
“ELM.” 
-- 
MICHIGAN HORTICULTURISTS. 
(RURAL SPECIAL REPORT). 
The fifteenth annual session of the State 
Horticultural Society closed at. Ann Arbor 
Dec. 3. Au unusually large attendance was 
present from the local societies of the State, 
and a number from other States and from 
Canada. President D. W, Beadle and Secre¬ 
tary Win, Saunders, of the Ontario Fruit 
Growers’ Association, were present and went 
from here to attend a meeting ot the Ohio 
Society. 
Ann Arbor is the largest fruit-growing cen¬ 
ter in the Stato outside of the “fruit belt.’’ 
The peach crop has failed for the past two 
years, aud moro attention is being given to 
small fruits; but the peach orchards are in ex¬ 
cellent condition und others are being planted. 
Professors of the State University located 
here, and of the Agricultural College, took 
part in the meetings, und the delegates en¬ 
joyed a brief visit to the University under the 
guidance of its genial president, Dr. J. B. 
Augell, 
Tbe last evening was. as usual, given to 
music and semi-horticultural speeches, in 
charge of Secretary Garfield, and was en¬ 
joyed by everyone. 
There was a fine exhibit of fruits aud vege¬ 
tables, many of which will go to New Orleaus. 
A special feature was the questions and an¬ 
swers, and many were the “pointers” given 
and received, Here are some of them: 
The grape rot is becoming serious; high and 
dry locations are best. 
The K idler Pear is losing a few friends. 
The Vick Strawberry has lost all. The Wood¬ 
ruff No. 1 Strawberry is a favorite here 
where it originated. The Cuthtert is the 
most profitable raspberry. The Concord Grape 
has a rival—the Worden. The Champion 
Quince is too late. Why plant the Smock 
Peach when Beer’s Smock is like it in every 
respect, but. larger? The Baldwin is the best 
apple (of course). 
The “apple maggot” is a new pest in this 
State. It is worse than the codling moth, and 
cannot be trapped in the same way: keep hogs 
in the orchard. 
There is a need of horticultural statistics. 
We need fewer worthless papers. There is need 
of better judging at fairs, and better lighted 
buildings to exhibit iu. No more outlandish 
names for fruits must bo admitted to the cat¬ 
alogue of the American Pomologic.nl Society. 
Wheat raising in Michigan must decrease and 
fruit raising increase. a. a. crozier. 
MICHIGAN STATE BEE KEEPERS’ 
CONVENTION. 
(RURAL SPECIAL REPORT.) 
The Mich. State Bee keepers’ Association 
held its 19th annual convention, Dec. 10 and 
11 at Lansing. The exhibition of honey and 
implements was fine, the attendance good, and 
the mooting lively, interesting and instructive. 
The first topic discussed was reversible frames. 
Reversal secures the fastening of the combs to 
the bottom bar and the removal of the honey 
from the brood nest to the surplus depart¬ 
ment. When hives are put tip in tiers, an en¬ 
trance to each story is undesirable, as the 
openings ullow the escape of heat, One en¬ 
trance is sufficient, and that should be at the 
bottom. Bees that are slow in commencing 
work iu the surplus department, can often be 
induced to begin work by giving them two or 
three boxes, with the adhering bees, from 
some colony that has already commenced 
work. To dispense with separators, use sec¬ 
tions not moro than one-and three fourths 
inch wide; fill them with comb foundation, 
and give the bees no more room iu the surplus 
department, than they can occupy. The honey 
in thin combs Is ripened and sealed more 
quickly than that iu thick comns. All things 
Considered, the one-pound section is the most 
profitable size. The evidence was almost 
unanimously in favor of the ease system of 
raising comb honey, as compared with wide 
frames; and especially was what is kuowu as 
he II eddon case found to glvo satisfaction. 
Queen excluding honey boards appeared to be 
gaining favor. The tying-up of sections found 
many advocates. Prof. Cook aud others said 
that bees secreted but little, if auy, wax when 
there was no use for it in the hives, while oth¬ 
ers had secured better results by allowing the 
bees to build their own combs In the brood 
nest; but they would use fouudatious iu the 
surplus department. To got the bees out of 
the eases of honey when finished, first smoke 
out as many us possible, then set the case in 
front of tbe hive and drive out the remainder 
with smoke, or else carry the cases into a 
building or tout from whi h the bees can es¬ 
cape through some opening at tho top. 
To prevent, after-swarming, place the swarm 
in a now hive upon the old stand; set the old 
hive on one side, the back ends of the hives 
being iu contact, and the fronteml,orentranee 
of tbe old hive, being turued to one side at an 
angle of 45 degrees; each day turn the old 
hive slightly towards the new one, until they 
stand oide by side. On the sixth day carry the 
old hive to a new stand, when so many bees 
will return to tbe old stand, and join the new 
colony, that the old one will cast no more 
swarms. 
The Carniolan bees were described as 
resembling the German variety, being very 
gentle, hurdy, industrious, and good comb 
builders; bub greatly Inclined to swarm. 
Tho “pollen theory” was extensively discussed, 
aud it wus pretty generally concluded that 
although tees ofteu winter well with large 
quantities iu the hive, yet the less pollen in 
the hives during Winter, the tetter. 
It was conceded that honey differs greatly 
in character, and that a sirup of pure cane 
sugar is superior, asa winter bee-food, to many 
kinds, and equal to auy honey. There is a 
saving of at least ten pounds of honey per 
colony in wintering bees in a cellar over win¬ 
tering them in the open air. A stream of 
water flowing through a cellar in which bees 
are wintered is an excellent, thing, equalizing 
the temperuture, and purifying the atmo¬ 
sphere. Hives need be no farther apart than 
to afford plenty of room for manipulation. 
When bees are taken from the cellar iu the 
Spring, it is not necessary that each colony 
should be placed upon the same stand it occu¬ 
pied the previous season, Alsike Clover is an 
