APRIL 28 
265 
spasms were over they would get up and eat. 
He said he fed them nothing but corn. It was 
the corn which did it. and after their feed was 
changed to wheat shorts the spasms ceased 
and the pigs did well. The corn was too 
hearty feed aud caused indigestion. If this 
feed had been continued it would have pro¬ 
duced inflammation of the bowels aud the pigs 
would have died. 
EXTRAVAGANT CLAIMS IN ADVER¬ 
TISING. 
In a late Western paper the editor calls 
attention to the extravagant advertising 
in giving descriptions of new varieties of 
grains, plants, fruits, etc. He says: "We are 
sorry that reputable and honorable Anns have 
drifted into the habit of giving extravagant 
praise in so many cases.” When we read of va¬ 
rieties of corn which will yield 30 to 40 bushels 
more than other good varieties, or which give 
usual yields of 80 bushels; of oats which yield 
100 bushels per acre. etc.; of a dozen varieties 
of potatoes, each of which is unequaled in 
quality, productiveness and most other good 
qualities, we wish men wouldn't write such 
nousense. For the last 25 years the writer has 
tested most of the new sorts of oats and pota¬ 
toes. and therefore has learned by actual ex¬ 
perience on his farm how frequently and per¬ 
sistently seedsmen will over-praise their new 
sorts. Take the Norway Oats, as sent out by 
Mr. Ramsdell. What n rage was created for 
them at the time, and what astounding results 
were advertised almut their yield and qualities. 
Many farmers fell in with Mr. Ramsdell in 
praising the Norway Oats. The writer, so far 
as he knows, was the first that denied the as¬ 
sertions in the advertisements of Mr. Rams¬ 
dell, which he did nfter the first season’s ex¬ 
periment with them. A few other fnrmei-s 
also said they were no bettor than ordinary 
oat®, if so good, but such feeble utterances 
from a few private fanners availed nothing; 
the oats must run their course, and they did; 
but not to benefit the farmers of the country, 
as was stated in the flaming advertisements in 
their favor. They passed away as many other 
sorts have done: and as many more highly- 
praised sorts are likely to do in the near future. 
Take potatoes; let those persons who have 
tested them tell how many failures have oc¬ 
curred. Of all the seedlings originated by the 
Rev. C. Goodrich, of Utica. N. Y.. the Garnet 
Chili was the most popular sort with the 
fanners of the country. That produced the 
Early Rose, which almost every producer and 
consumer knows. It has been one of the most 
popular potatoes for producer and consumer. 
Perhaps it is not too much to say that it has 
been more popular than any other sort, yet its 
qualities were only negative; it was not of such 
good quality as Rnowflake, Pride of America, 
or White Star, as grown onlhe farm of the 
writer; while the Beauty of Hebron far excels 
the Early Rose as an early or late-keeping 
potato in its best days, ns they have grown on 
this farm where both sorts have been more large¬ 
ly grown than any other early sorts, while wo 
are now testing a number of early sorts, which, 
if they are not over-praised by the adver¬ 
tisements, would bo batter potatoes; but I do 
not expect to find a better sort among them 
all than the Beauty of Hebron. I wish men 
wouldn't write such nonsense about new sorts 
of seed grains aud new sorts of potatoes, etc. 
Rome, N. Y. Jonathan Talcott. 
Codling Moth in California. 
The rapidity with which the Codling Moth 
has become disseminated throughout Cali¬ 
fornia has aroused the greatest anxiety among 
fruit-growers. At present there is hardly an 
orchard between Del Norte rind San Diego in 
which the pear and apple-t rees are not more 
or less infested. The few aud praiseworthy 
exceptions arc in those cases where the owners 
have clone good, hard work in comliating the 
pest. In the Golden State the Codling Moths 
begin to show themselves about March 1st.. 
Bandaging the trees should begin by the 1st of 
April, and if the season is early, two weeks 
sooner. From all accounts the orehardists 
are preparing for an unusually successful as¬ 
sault on the enemy this year, as the State 
Commissioner has sent out additional direc¬ 
tions to aid in the warfare. The Legislature, 
now in session, is expected to pass more strin¬ 
gent laws, enlarging the powers of the hor¬ 
ticultural officers and enforcing a stricter 
responsibility upon the owners of infested 
orchards. c. h. s. 
-- 
A Remarkable Egg. 
One of my Bremen geese, imported stock 
pure white, presented ns with an egg measiu'- 
ing 13 inches the long way, and 10 inches 
round the middle, and, after I thought it had 
been emptied by blowing out its contents, it 
was found on opening to contain another per¬ 
fect egg iuside, measuring seven by eight-and- 
three-eight inches, both eggs yielding 14 
ounces of white’ aud yelk. That goose’s eggs 
are larger than those from her sisters, generally 
nine by eleven inches, and she is the largest 
of the flock—all very docile, most feeding 
from the hand. heins. 
A Microscopic Correction. 
Professor A. J. Cook writes us:—"In my 
article on Lenses and Microscopes in a late 
Rural, achromatic should have been used in. 
stead of chromatic. The Tolles’s lens is an ach¬ 
romatic triplet, white the Coddington is not. 
This makes the latter much cheaper, and it 
really does very good work. Though inferior 
to the Tolles’s I should buy it, had I notalready 
the Tolles’s in my possession. A. J. Cook.” 
- - 
Brine Not Injurious to Hogs.— There is a 
mistake committed by mauy, and among them 
by some writers in the Rural —namely, that 
brine will kill hogs if they swallow it. After 
the meat is taken out of the brine I always 
pour it into a trough where all my stock get 
their salt—either in the yard or pasture—and 
no harm has ever befallen any animal from 
the use of the brine. If any domestic animal 
eats too much salt, in brine or otherwise, it 
will prove injurious or fatal. j. r. p. 
• ^ m - 
For the Striped Squash Bug’s Benefit. 
—Powder the little rascals with sulphur while 
the dew is on. Result, a stampede. Repeat 
dose if needed. r. j. w. m. 
♦ * ♦- 
CATALOGUES, ETC., RECEIVED. 
The Mapes Formula and Peruvian 
Guano Compant, 158 Front Street, N. Y. 
Circular of No. 1 Peruvian Gnano. We are 
informed by Dr. Habirshaw, Chemist to the 
N. Y. State Ag. Society, that this is pure and 
genuine Peruvian Guano just ns received from 
the deposits by Messrs. Richard Irvin & Co., 
the present consignees. It is free from lumps 
and stones and has been screened at the de¬ 
posits during the loading of the vessels. Every 
cargo has been sampled during its discharge at 
this port and analyzed by Dr. Habirshaw. 
The Mapes Co. are prepared to supply this 
guano in lots to suit purchasers. 
Sackett Plow and Pulverizing Co.. 
Waterford, N. Y. An interesting illus¬ 
trated pamphlet on "How Crops Grow,” writ¬ 
ten with a view to introducing the Sackett 
Pulverising Plow and showing how its use 
facilitates the growth of plants as compared 
with ordinary plows. There is a great deal of 
clever mechanism about, tills implement as 
will appear to the reader upon an examination 
of the illustrations, We have not seen it at 
work in the field—the only true test—and must 
therefore leave our readers to judge of its 
merits for themselves. 
Ellwanger & Barry, Rochester, N. Y. 
Catalogue (No. 7) of new and rare roses for 
188S. This presents an alphabetical list with 
letters prefixed so as to show to what class they 
belong. We are glad to see that it speaks a good 
word for the Polyantha Roses to which we 
have before called the attention of our read¬ 
ers. They are indeed valuable in-doors and 
out to the florists and the amateur. 
Bradley & Co., Syracuse, N. Y. Road 
cart catalogue, giving illustratious of various 
patterns with full details as to materials used, 
manner of construction and prices. We be¬ 
lieve with this company that a two-wheeled 
vehicle, built upon the right principle, is a 
source of pleasure to its owner and a very de¬ 
cided help to the horse. Besides, they cost 
less; are more easily kept clean and require 
less repairs. Free to applicants. 
The Cornell University Register for 1882-’3. 
Those of our readers interested in agricultural 
colleges should examine this register. The 
college owns aud operates a farm under the 
direction of Professors Roberts. Caldwell, 
Comstock, Law, Prentiss aud Williams. We 
understand that it will be sent to all who ap¬ 
ply to the Treasurer of the University, Ithaca, 
New York. 
Proceedings (188 pages) of the New Jersey 
State Hort. Society, held January 9 and 10 of 
this year. This is a report of much value 
made up of the experience of practical men. 
We should be pleased if one of them were in 
the hands of every subscriber E Williams 
Secretary, Montclair, New Jersey. 
The Higganum Man. Corporation. H ; g- 
gauum, C'onn.. Warehouse No. 38 So. Market 
St.. Boston, Mass. Illustrated circulars of the 
Corbin Wheel Harrow, Hay, Straw and Cot¬ 
ton Press, the Boss Wheel Hoe and Cultivator, 
Monitor Rake, Root Cutters, Cider Mills, etc. 
Coleman Anthony & Co., Geneva, N. Y. 
A descriptive catalogue of fruit and ornamen¬ 
tal tret's, roses, small fruits, shrubs, plants 
grape-vines, evergreens, climbing plants, etc. 
We have been told that whatever this firm 
promise they will perform. 
Everett & Gleason, 34 South Market-st., 
Bostou, Mass. Catalogue and price-list of 
vegetable and flower seeds, herb, tree aud 
grass seeds, seed grain, etc. An enterprising, 
trustworthy firm. 
Bkukikfort Cart Co., Bridgeport, Conn. 
Catalogue and price-list. These carts have 
been so improved that unpleasant jogging 
motion is done away with. 
Porter Blanchard’s Sons, Concord, N. 
H. Circular of the celebrated Blanchard 
Butter Worker and letters of commendation 
from dairymen. 
Gf.o. B. Forrester, 169 Front St., N. Y. 
Catalogue of Forrester’s Chemical Manures, 
showing results by practical farmers. 
Agricultural Education. An interesting 
address by Prof. J. M. McBryde of the South 
Carolina College, Columbia. 
T. C. Robinsos & Co., Owen Sound, Ont. Canada. 
IIlUBtraied eataloduo (50 pages! of small fruits and 
grape vines. Two colored plates. 
Gibson & Bennett, Woodbury, N. J. Descriptive, 
illustrated catalogue of small fruit, ornamental 
trees etc. 
E. W. Parsons & Co., West Chester, N. Y. Cata¬ 
logue of seeds, plants, small fruits, etc. 
Bkckeht Bros., Allegheny City, Penn. Catalogue. 
7f> pages, of seeds. 
City Manure. —An editorial in the New 
York Times points out that there is no greater 
loss to the farmer in any way than in purchas¬ 
ing what is known as city stable or street 
manure at the present high prices. If this 
were free from admixture of rubbish, a dis¬ 
tinct value could be put upon it. But it is so 
variable in character and so high in price that 
the attention of farmers has been turned very 
seriously to its actual value, and it is certainly 
a matter for their careful consideration how 
they can secure themselves in purchasing this 
kind of manure, for which they pay very often 
83 per ton. of which 1.500pounds is water, and 
perhaps at the best only 10 pounds of nitrogen 
worth 81.10; 10 pounds of potash, worth 60 
cents, and five pounds of phosphoric acid, 
worth 25 cents. 
C. W. Idell says, in Bliss's Garden, that 
machines for evaporating fruit are now so 
cheap that every fruit-growing district should 
have at least one. When the price of fruit 
falls below a paying figure these driers can 
always utilize the crop. Dried blackberries 
usually sell for about eight cents per pound; 
raspberries from 25 to 30 cents per pound; 
while cherries range from 21 to 23 cents per 
pound. Evaporated apples and peaches always 
meet with a ready sale, the former ranging 
from 14 to 15 cents. While peaches, peeled, 
range from 23 to 25 rents, unpeeled peaches 
sell at from 12 to 14 cents per pound. He be¬ 
lieves it would pay a grower to raise raspber¬ 
ries exclusively for drying, when a drying- 
house is located near him. Even the wild 
huckleberries, dried, have become an article 
of shipment, and are now selling at from 12 
to 13 cents per pound. 
♦ ♦ 4 
Mr. Isaac F. Tillinghast has given 
enough attention tea comparison of the newer 
potatoes to make his opinions of some value. 
For very early use he thinks the Early Beauty 
of Hebron is yet held in higher esteem than any 
other, which is welt known. Clark's No. 1 is 
perhaps fully as early, but will not equal it in 
yield or quality. For medium early kinds he 
mentions Pride of America, Brownell’s Best, 
Earlv Telephone and Snowflake. All these 
are fine potatoes but so uearly alike that it is 
hard to distinguish between them. Among 
late varieties he mentions the Belle and White 
Elephant as standing highest. He then men¬ 
tions that the late Beauty of Hebron and 
White Elephant are so closely allied as to be 
scarcely distinguishable. We have heard tliis 
stated before, aud are therefore preparing to 
plant them side by side in order to judge them 
for ourselves. 
Dr. Hexamer expresses himself, in his Gar¬ 
den, that the sharp distinction which is gener¬ 
ally made between gardening and farming is 
a great obstacle to the most advantageous eul 
ture of vegetables and fruits. In fact, the 
garden and farm are frequently worked 
entirely independently of each other, as if they 
belonged to two different establishments, wast¬ 
ing thereby enqugh labor to produce—if puop- 
erly applied—an abundance of vegetables and 
fruits for every family in the land. You may 
grow all important vegetables in the same 
rows with corn or potatoes with little addi¬ 
tional expense. 
One of Mr. O. S. Bliss’s earliest recollections 
Is stated in the N. Y. Tribune as being that of 
digging the artichoke in his father’s garden, 
and all his life he has witnessed spasmodic 
efforts to popularize it. Perhaps, as some sav, 
it will produce 1,500 bushels to the acre, and 
he has no doubt about very large crops liav- 
tug been produced on small areas of rich laud. 
Perhaps it may pay some man who is keeping 
swine to do their own harvesting to raise 
artichokes for stock. It may in some cases 
pay to raise the tubers for market, as many 
people have a fancy for an occasional dish of 
them, and they are used to some extent for 
pickles. But, as a rule, the best use of the 
artichoke is to fill a place in catalogues. 
PITHS AND SUGGESTIONS. 
At the late meeting of the New Jersey Hort. 
Society, Worden was spoken of as a much finer 
grape than Concord. Brighton was said to 
produce many bunches nearly a pound in 
weight. Early Victor was said to be no 
earlier than Moore’s Early, though the quality 
is pure and good.... 
Jersey Queen (Durand’s) was pronounced 
the largest and showiest of strawberries. 
Plant vigorous, but unproductive. Very high 
culture is needed. This has been vei’y suc¬ 
cessful in gaining premiums for size. 
The Manchester was spoken of in terms 
little less favorable than those which the 
Rural offered upon first fruiting it. 
Fairy (a white strawberry) seemed more 
productive than Lennig’s White. 
The new Early Harvest Blackberry was so 
early last season that all the fruit was gone 
before the first Wilsons. The berry is of 
small size ....... 
The Wilson Jr., a new seedling of the old 
Wilson by Judge Parry, was not referred to. 
The Rural has several plants to test. .. 
The Superb and Montclair Raspberries were 
pronounced quite similar, the first being 
rather more acid. Shaffer’s Colossal the past 
season gave a heavy crop of very large, dark 
berries. Caroline (yellow) was praised for the 
home garden... 
The Souhegan (Black-cap) was deemed a 
week earlier than Doolittle and as large as 
Mammoth Cluster. The Gregg was pro¬ 
nounced a strong grower: berries of great 
size and late..... 
Dr. J. B. Ward, in an excellent essay on 
"Floriculture for the Young,” referred to 
Uncle Mark’s "Youth's Department” in the 
Rural as doing a good work for the elevation 
of his youthful readers, which must tell on the 
next' generation. 
Dr. James R. Nichols recommends as th 
best fertilizer for fruits and most cereal crops, 
a mixture of finely ground fresh bones and 
good wood ashes—six barrels of the former 
and twelve of the latter, to be well mixed 
together on a shed floor, adding during the 
mixing twenty buckets of water and one 
barrel of gypsum or plaster. 
Careful attention to the hot-beds. Raise 
the sashes whenever the air is mild. Thin out 
the plants so as to prevent them from be¬ 
coming slim and leggy.. 
Water-cresses, Pie-plant, Rhubarb, Horse¬ 
radish, Asparagus—we do not hear much 
about them, except the last... . 
Have you sown Lettuce, Beets and Radishes? • 
Sow the seeds of Onions in a thoroughly pre¬ 
pared level bed... 
Try Salsify and treat it the same as you 
would the Parsnip or Carrot. Sow Spinach, 
Sow a small plot with Celery seeds. . 
If it is worth your while to buy fruit trees, 
it Is certainly worth your while to plant them 
carefully. Order of responsible firms. Do 
not plant too closely together. If you have 
not full space for two apple or pear trees, 
plant but one.. 
If you are going to seed to grass you cannot 
now sow too soon. Many a Spring grass seed¬ 
ing has been ruined by dry weather. 
Shenstone says:. "A miser grows rich by 
seeming poor, an extravagant man grows poor 
by seeming rich. 
H. P. Child, the Superintendent of the Kan¬ 
sas City Stock-yards, finds the percentage of 
hogs as to color is as follows: 94.36 black, 4.96 
white, 0.68 red. The figures are given by the 
Live Stock Indicator... 
Plant Lilium longiflorum and r/uulidum; 
plant Clematis, selecting Jaekmanii, Lawson- 
iana. Fair Rosamond. Cocciuea. Sophia and 
Henryii. Of Gladioli, Dr. Hexamer recom¬ 
mends Eugene Scribe, Milton, Shakespeare aud 
Addison among others.The response of the 
members of the society to a question by the 
President was unanimous that the English 
sparrow should be exterminated.Speak¬ 
ing of the absorbing topic of "Grafting the 
Grape,” Mr. Pearson meets with success by 
grafting below ground, splitting the stump 
the same as in graftiug fruit, trees, and then 
molding a ball of clay over the stump and 
around the cions. Another member suggested 
that the cions should be kept dormant and the 
operation performed after the vines had start¬ 
ed.One of the banes of horticultural 
or agricultural societies us thut people whose 
love of talking is greater thau their love of 
work, study or investigation, waste a con¬ 
siderable portion of the time in parading 
their generalities before the reluctant listeners. 
Mr. Idell expressed this tersely and forcibly 
when he remarked that “modesty conceals 
real worth while ignorance is fond of ex¬ 
hibiting itself.”. 
