THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
THE GREAT 
CALIFORNIA 
ECT POWDER! 
EXPERIENCE ON A RUN-DOWN FARM. 
EMBARKING IN SMALL FRUIT CULTURE. 
Just before leaving our city home for the 
farm, I happened to be in the office of a large 
fruit grower, who asked what I intended to 
do on the newly-purchased farm, I replied 
that I did not have any definite plans ma¬ 
tured. 
“Why do you not begin small fruit-grow¬ 
ing ?” he asked. 
“Why; we are twelve miles from 
Rochester,” I replied, “ which is too far dis¬ 
tant for supplying the city.” 
1 ‘You are not too far out,” he replied. “for 
you have a community around you, that 
you can supply, composed of neighboring 
villages and farmers. You will be surprised 
to learn that there is a large demand for 
fruits among this class.” 
As I had, in my boyhood, displayed a passion 
for fruit-growing, knew every wild raspberry 
and blackberry bush within several miles of 
the old homestead, and had planted in the gar¬ 
den seedlings from many a hill side, and had 
marketed with great profit strawberries from 
the garden beds, the idea of devoting the 
farm to fruit culture struck me as a happy 
thought, and I seized upon and pushed it with 
vigor. Having access to a large library, I 
immediately began reading every book upon 
fruit culture or farming, that I could dis¬ 
cover. I remember with what delight I read 
Johnson’s “Agricultural Chemistry,”and the 
back volumes of the “Horticulturist,” during 
thB years when edited by A. J. Downing, 
Patlick Barry, James Vick, and other fa¬ 
mous meu. I also subscribed for every paper 
in the country devoted to fruit culture, and 
read them with great relish. As I read I en¬ 
tered in my note book facts that appeared to 
be of practical interest. As I turn back to 
this note book now, after many years of per¬ 
sonal experience, I find that they were often 
unpractical, and that, bad I followed their 
teachings on a large scale I should have met 
with disaster. 
LESSONS FROM READING. 
This teachesme that such information as the 
inexperienced may gather from the writings 
of even the best men, do not furnish a safe 
guide. This is owing to the fact that the 
novice gathers information from different 
sources, and is not able to unite all in any 
one defined plan. For this reason, I have al¬ 
ways advised beginners in fruit culture to 
commence on a small scale, and gradually ex¬ 
tend th.dr planting as they gain experience. 
That was the way I began. I ordered a few 
hundred black and red raspberries, peaches, 
pears, apples, etc., and three thousand straw¬ 
berry plants. I knew nothing about the new¬ 
er varieties, which were not grown at the time 
I was on the farm. It would have been easy 
to have been led astray in regard to varieties, 
and to have planted those that would have 
yielded me no revenue. I luckily blundered 
on to well established varieties,but made some 
mistakes in that regard, which, however, were 
not serious, as the amount planted was small. 
MISTAKES. 
I committed grievous blunders in many 
ways in beginning fruit culture. It is a mat¬ 
ter of regret that fruit growers do not more 
often mention their blunders as well as 
their successes. From the ordinary tenor of the 
current literature of the day, the young fruit 
grower may be led to suppose that fruit grow¬ 
ers generally have no reverses ard make no 
blunders. lam satisfied that this is wrong, 
and believe that my experience has been that 
of the majority. My first mistake was in 
mixing small fruits of all kinds, ana peaches 
and dwarf pears between rows cf trees in an 
apple orchard. We planted SOO Baldwin 
apple trees, and among these planted rasp¬ 
berries, blackberries, strawberries, dwarf 
pears, peaches and grapes. Everything went 
well the first year or two, but gradually the 
red raspberries and blackberries forced their 
way into the apple tree rows. The apple or¬ 
chard could only be cultivated one wav, thus 
along the row9 was a plot of grass occupied by 
straggling raspberry bushes, in which the 
mice made nests and destroyed a number of 
valuable trees. We found that peach trees, 
plum and dwarf pears require higher culture 
than apples. The larger trees absorbed fertil¬ 
ity from the soil, and the peach trees especial- 
less to animal and plant 
life. Send vour address 
for Circulars giving full 
particulars. 
BUHACH 
PROD. & M'F’G. CO., 
■19 Cedar St.. N. Y. 
The accompanying engraving represents the ele¬ 
gant Colored Plate URxl4KInches,of Roses and 
Pansies Given Away to each subscrljer to 
VICK'S ILLUSTKATL'I' SIGNTHLY MAGAZINE, at 
*1 21 per year. It Is a beautiful Garden Magazine of 
22 pngeB reading matter, colored plate and many tine 
engravings each month. 
Avy person Bending Four Subscriptions to the 
Magazine, at <1.25; or <5.00 for the four names, will 
receive a 
PORTFOLIO of RARE and BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS, 
consisting of Six I.ttTgc Colored Plates, size 
Inches, representing some of the most rare 
and beautiful flowers In toe world, and which. In 
the natural state, few persons will be apt to see. 
The Roar and Panny Plate sent to each member 
of the club. Price of Portfolio alone. <2.00, and of 
Rose and Pansy Plate 35 cents. Everyone should 
have a Portfolio. It Is worth the effort. 
JAMES VICK, Seedsman, 
ROCHESTER, N. Y 
w ' MQK? r E9TiFtt,r8lirD 
1828 
STERLING WORTH AND QUALITY 
wkas made UL’IST’S the most popular brands. I 
E2f~Sow them and you will use none but Bl'IMT’S. 
SATISFACTION IS UL AltANTEF.U or money 
relunded. Garden Guide mailed on application. 
ROBERT BUIST, JR. 
Seed Grower. PHILADELPHIA. 
GARDEN, FIELD, FLOWER AN3 
UIIMj H etc 
Catalogues on application mailed free. 
jglrMjook out for our New Extra Early Potato, the 
scription and price in December. 
FOR S A X. E. 
Splendid slock and grain farm in Shelby Co., Mis 
sourl, -320 acres rolling prairie, mostly seeded to 
timothy and clover. Three miles from town of 
fliteen hundr-d inhabitants, half mile from school 
and church. Two houses two barns, tool house,grain 
ary and corn erlbs- stream of running water,cisterns 
and wells- a bearing and a young orchard. Everything 
In the best order. Splendid opportunity to obtain a 
good farm cheap. I’or further purtlaulurs address 
B'. D. wan MORE, Quincy. III. 
THORBURN 
Pomona j\*i€rseries 
ESTABLISHED 1838. 
Again surpassed all others, 50 be«t varieties, at 
POMON % NUH-iHHIES. 
And received three more rntsr PREMirxs and two more special 
awards at Hoorestown, Vineland and New York St-awberry 
Sliows. Also the first premium aDd sweep-task prize over all 
new varieties at Providence, R. I. Send for testimony from va¬ 
rious States. 
The Largest Early RASPBERRY. 
Wilson .Tunior, 
The Largest known BLACKBERRY. 
“It Is nearly a week earlier than 
son's Early.’*—Wllmcr Atkinson In Farm jg 
Selected Berries measured 11$ inches In 
circumferences leugthwtse by :'hj -f-V., yp 
inches crosswise, and pro- 
163 Bushels per acre. 
Long Inland Cabbage Seed is the very best. 
FRANCIS BRILL, Seed-Grower, 
ltiverbeud, T.ong Island, N. Y, 
FAMOUS MAMMOTH DEWBERRY 
Everyone should plant the luscious Dewberry. We 
are headquarters for supply. Also of Tulin iwblte- 
wood) Sweet Gum, Red Bud. Dogwood and Catalpa 
Speclosa, Strawberry Plants. Write for prices. 
BAILEY & HANFORD, 
Maknnda, Jackson Co., III. 
N unsery Stock. 
Small Norway. Sugar aud Silver Maples. Black 
Walnut, one to two feet, for nursery planting. Apple, 
Peach ant other fruit-trees Nice stock at moderate 
prices. Add ess JOSTAH A. ROBERTS, Mal¬ 
vern, Cheater Co., Pn. 
CATALOGUE FREE. HEADQUARTERS FOR 
SIEXTBR AND LAWSON FEARS, GRAPES, CURRANTS, BTC., 
WILLIAM PARRY, Parry P. O., New Jersey 
Gipwu from French Grab seed.—A superb lot of 
stock. Perfectly healthy and vigorous. To those 
in want of such stock we will send samples gratis. 
Nursery Stock 
Well-known SYRACUSE NURSERIES l-nus ur 1!y C FINE STOC 
STAMD1RD IPPLISand dw a & r rfP[IRS HD PLUM 
ROOT GRAFTS 
Apple, Plum, etc., 2C0 sorts to select from. New 
Price List frt e. Address 
PHOENIX & EMERSON 
NURSERYMEN, 
BLOOMINGTON, ILL. 
the growing of which they have made A SPECIALTY for years, and for which they have a NATIONAL 
REPI TVTION. Also'Sour Cherries, Pocklingtou Grape*. kilninrnnnck Willows. Camper- 
down Elms, Roses, Shrubs, and a general line of ' ursery stock, both Fruit and Ornamental 
tar-PRlCES ON APPLICATION. We Issue no price-list. Address 
SMITHS, POWELL & LAMB, Syracuse, N. Y 
Garloe.k’g Imported and Michigan Bred Shrop¬ 
shire dhecn. The popular mutton and wool breed- 
Oldest flock lu Michigan. Flock now headed by James 
Fuz James 6! ■, and Lionnle Prince Chnrlev A.H.K.A. 
Stock for »a!e SVeslcy J. ttnrlock, Howell. Midi. 
m GRAPE VINES 
WINTER WORK. 
To reliable, energetic and suece-'fiil men wo will 
give steady work uud good wages right through the 
Winter from November till April Enclose stamp 
aud write for terms to K. B. Richardson & Co., 
Geneva, N. Y., Kundcsnga Nurseries. 
"rults. Quality unsurpassed. Warranted true. Very chea 
descriptive price list free. LEWIS ROESCH, Frrdonia, j. 
IOO Varieties. AlsoSmall 
3 sample vines mailed for 15c. 
BUIjBS. 
HYACINTHS, named varieties, post free. ♦! per doz. 
TULIPS, do do. do. 50c. do. 
NARCISSUS, do. do. do, 50c. do. 
CROCUS, do. do. do. 2t’c. do. 
A collection of IS of the above bulbs. "0c. Illustrated 
cataloguefree. D. Kerris & Co., 56 finest.. N.Y. 
will pny you to get JOHNSON Ar STOKES’ Garden and Farm Manual mailed free), 
4 and improved for 1SNO. It contains hundreds of illustration* with oosenprtons and directions forcul- 
[M\arlv 3,000 varieties Beat Garden, Farm mid Flower Seeds, including Valuable Novelties, 
nlellod Special Offers. Remarkable Collection*. Liberal Ca-.li Prizes for best \egeta- 
luHtmnora of last year need not write for it. Our Seeds ant preferred by Market Gardeners everywhere. 
: ciIeaper: JOHNSON & STOKES LSVAllS •Street PHILADELPHIA. PA. 
C 1 I If you love Rare Flowers, dint cent 
L 1 l only, address ELLIS 1:HOT 1IEUS. Keene. 
It will astonish and please. FREE. 
LARGE STOCK 
WANTED AGENTS 
Four large Plaut*, vour choice, Roses, Geraniums, 
Carnation*, or Fuchsias, for winter bloom free to 
all sending 60 rent, for onr Beautiful Illustrated 
monthly otic year. Sample copy and j aeket choicest 
Patsy seed for three 3c. stamp*. We w 111 send It fr.-e 
one year to purchasers of one dollar’s worth of Seeds 
or Plants am/ dealer. Address 
Thru! World Magazine, Highland Parb, Chicago, PI. 
unort unco. 
Empire State, Niagara, Delaware, F.lvlra, Ives, 
Pockitugton, Brighton, Early Vic tor. Vergeunes, Lady, 
Iona, Jefferson Uwhe**, Hayes, Worden s Seedling, 
Moore'a Karly, Roger*’ Hybrids, and hundred* of oth 
ers 1 00.000 dr*t-elil>»» Concords at <2 tier lUO, 
<12 per 1 , 1 X 10 . Catalogue* free. 
GEO. W. CAMPBELL, Dclwarc, Ohio. 
To Sell Nursery Stock for the Spring trade-in cities 
and towus. All the new specialties are offeJed. 
S- eady employment to good meu. Salary and com¬ 
mission. For to ms address 
AI ID CONTI N E NT A L NURSERIES, 
Kiuisum City. iHn. 
ibley's Tested Seed 
T>T / . llli’lllfT and lota cf the- can be 
Jrj I It l> 1. U ll l * J -’ grown If t,ou follow our 
^ meShtkt. Fni;i<Cataloguc disK-rlbcs all va¬ 
rieties. Also Em-hurt black cap Rasp. A valu 
able novelty. SfuUcrops each season bruits from 
June to Nov. Hale Bros., So. Glastonbury, Conn. 
SEED POTATOES. -The choices! varieties. 
For descriptive "rice List addles* <4. K. COTTON, 
, Horiit-ilaville, N. Y. 
Catalogs free on application. Send for It. 
Iliratu Sibley *fc Co., 
Rochester, N. Y„ and Chicauo, III. 
Medium heft trees, flral-elass roots, bodies and 
tops at following price*, standard Pear, v5c. each ; 
Dwarf Pear, l-c,- quince. He.- Cherry trees, ISO.; 
Apple tree*. l?o. Ouo year old apple trees lit r' per 
10O. All trees vigorous, young aud houltliy No culls. 
Strawberry, blackberry, and ra*nhi-rry plant* by the 
million »t low prices; nl*o grape vine* and other 
small fruit*. 
HOW TO PROPAGATE aud Grow Fruit, a book of 
ICO pages, colored plate, und 90 Illustration*, price 50 
cents; also Grcrn'w Fruit Grower one vear also the 
Rural New Yorker, with It* seed* for one year, all for 
<2.'25. Or we will send above Book, Fruit Grower.aud 
Farm und Horne'• book nnd two valuable paper*'all 
one year for JO cent*. Sample copy of our <llu«trntod 
Fruit Paper fre., and our 70 page Fruit Catalogue 
free. Address 
GREEN’S NURSERY CO., Rochester, N. Y. 
MELON SEEDS. Sweet Potato, and Cabbage 
Plants are my specialities. 1 defy competition for 
good stock and low price*. Price list ■ » application. 
FREEMAN Hi'llFF, Scccd-inan, 
Su'riii'Nbtirn, J. 
LOVETT’S GUIDE TO FRUIT CULTURE 
1* a book ot OVER 60 PAGES, with ILLU M IN ATCO COVER, 
eniln-lli*hed with nearly ‘JOO engraving* oi ORCHAnO and 
SMALL FRUITS. NUTS, Gives honest dcoriptious o! 
oxer 4011 varieties uf traits.and matructlone lor plum¬ 
ing, pruning, cultivation, ami management, with LOW 
PRICES TOR TREES ANO PLANTS, and instruction, -o clear that 
even a novice etui readily determine i.-'r -f o-i'l how to i.-nlrr 
Price, with color,--1 sliiir*. 10c. W iihoot plate*, 5c. 
PRirE-I-lST OR TREES VNU IM.AMTS I'll EE. 
All who mention this paper will rev-ive a copy ot "Orchard 
aud Ourdwu ” tree, J, T. Lovett, Little Silver, N, J. 
The famous Summer resort ‘'The Oakwood.*’ 
Green Lake Wisconsin. Is for sale wlthlis extensive 
Gardens aud Grounds Write to the Owner and 
Proprietor. DAVID UR KEVWA Y, 
Welcome Oat*. —The best ever Introduced’ 
Weighs 4 1 to 48 pouuds per bushel. Send 25 cents for 
suck. Address W. V. COOK, Box 119, Manton, Mich. 
