King’s Excelsior, Stray Gem, Red King and 
Perfection were planted April 20. 
Niagara, Columbia. M. P. Wilder, Putnam’s 
Choice, Four naught, Howard and Early Gem 
were planted April 1\J. 
New .subscribers should be informed that 
the above tests were made iu rich garden soil 
especially prepared for potato culture. 
♦ 
EARLY GARDENING. 
The first plantings and the best varieties; 
how to secure early vegetables. 
There is a peculiar satisfaction in an early 
garden. The first dish of a vegetable always 
tastes the best, and the flavor is perceptibly 
[lightened if the vegetable is fit to gather in 
our own garden a little earlier than in our 
neighbor’s—not that we would have our 
neighbor succeed less than ourselves, but 
there is a luxury in being able to present one’s 
neighbor with the first mess of spinach, let¬ 
tuce or green peas before his own are fit to 
use. “It is more blessed to give than to re¬ 
ceive,” 
The sooner our early plantings are made 
the better, provided the soil is not worked be¬ 
fore it is sufficiently dry. The garden should 
not be stepped upon so long as the earth packs 
into clods beneath the feet. But when the 
surface soil has become so dry that it no 
longer sticks to the shoes, and a shovelful 
thrown upon the ground breaks up into many 
fragments, the sooner the seeds of carrots, 
parsnips, lettuce, onions, beets, spinach, rad¬ 
ishes and peas are planted the better. The 
first four named rorely vegetate well unless 
planted very early. The others need not be 
hurried so much, except that we want them 
early for the table. 
An excellent way to plant the seeds of car¬ 
rots and parsnips, which are especially liable 
to fail, is to use a 13-inch board having a strip 
of lath nailed along one edge, as a hand- 
moulding is nailed ou a door casing. Rake the 
bed level, nud made the surface fine. Lay the 
board across it, so that the lath comes down¬ 
ward, and just where you wautthe first row. 
Walk across on the board once or twice, and 
the lath is pressed into the soil, making a 
plain mark. Turn the board over, ami plant 
the seeds in this mark, and instead of covering 
them With soil, use fine sand, filling the mark 
just level full. The sand acts as a mulch, keep¬ 
ing the seeds moist In it there are no lumps 
to hold the plantlets down, and it plainly 
marks the rows so that, the lx*d may be hoed 
over before the plants are up. The earliest 
carrot is the French Forcing, called also 
Early Forcing, Extra Early Forcing, etc. For 
the main crop the half-long sorts are more pro¬ 
ductive. In parsnips nothing is better than 
the old Hollow Crown. For lettuce, Prize 
Head, Black-seeded Simpson, All the Year 
Round, White Chnvigne and Deacon are all 
excellent. For early onions it is best to plant 
“sets.” For the main crop nothiog is better 
thau Yellow Danvers. 
Egyptian is the earliest beet. It is well to 
make a planting of Half-Long Blood in May 
for winter use. The Viroflay is the most rap¬ 
idly growing spinach. Of radishes. Early 
Long Scarlet and Wood’s Early Frame are 
perhaps as good as any. The pea sold as Cleve¬ 
land's Rural New-Yorker (this is not its only 
name) is perhaps as early as uny. The Alaska, 
a modern Kentish Invieta, is quite us early. 
A planting of either of these with one of 
American Wonder, the earliest wrinkled pea, 
issutticient fur a start. 
It is best to plant radishes iu a bed of sand, 
otherwise the roots are very liable to he 
ruiiftd by the larva* of the radish fly. Pro¬ 
cure from some market gardener a few plants 
of Early Wakefield or Etampes Cabbage and 
of Henderson's Snowball Cauliflower. Pre¬ 
pare in some sheltered spot a bed for celery 
plots, sowing the seed iu the manner describ¬ 
ed for carrots and parsnips. Crawford’s 
Halt-Dwarf and Coles’ Solid Red are good. 
Geneva, N. Y. k. s. goff. 
NOTES AND COMMENTS. 
I consider the Rural New-Yorker Pea one 
of the very best extra early {teas we have 
in cultivation, und really indispensable to the 
amateur cultivator us well as to the profes¬ 
sional market, gardener, not only on account 
of its earfiness, but also on account of its pro¬ 
ductiveness when the quantity, size of pods, 
ami weight of shelled peas are taken into con¬ 
sideration. A great point in its favor is that 
the greater portion of t he crop can be gathered 
at one picking, so that the land can be then 
planted with another crop. Market gardeners 
aud others who have only a limited area will 
greatly appreciate this desirable quality. Am¬ 
ateur cultivators aud others who desire to ob- 
taiu pea? as early in the season as possible will 
find this strain to be of special value, aud I ad¬ 
vise all such to plant this variety giving it as 
warm and sheltered a situation as they possi¬ 
bly can. I have been familiar with this pea 
and have grown it ever since its introduction 
and distribution by the R. N.-Y., and it has 
always given me entire satisfaction. Of 
course, I am aware that some have obtained 
quite a different result, but I incline to the 
opinion that when this Las occurred the strain 
was not quite true to name, for unless the 
greatest care has been exercised in the selec¬ 
tion of the seed, a satisfactory result cannot 
be expected. 
Is not the new Jessie Strawberry being too 
highly praised? In favored situations, with 
good cul*ivation,it may be all that its introduc¬ 
ers claim for it; but away from home aud with 
the cultivation usually bestowed upon straw¬ 
berries T doubt if it will prove to be superior 
to the varieties we have in cultivation at pres¬ 
ent. In most cases such large berries ripen 
unevenly, the base being over-ripe, w hile the 
tip is yet green. I prefer a medium-sized, 
fully ripe berry to one that ripens so unequally. 
As far as my experience has extended, I find 
but very little difference, us far as earliness is 
concerned, between the Egyptian, Eclipse and 
Dewings Extra Early Turnips, while the Bas- 
sano Blood Turnip and Early Yellow Turnip 
are about a week later. I grow a few rows of 
the Egyptian ou account, of its earliness, but 
with me the demand is for the Bassauo, and 
when that can be had no other will answer. 
The table qualities of beets depend iu a great 
m anuer upon the rapidity of their growth, and 
vation cr in gathering the fruit. Remove all 
fruit as soon as it is large enough for use; for 
as soon as the seeds commence to increase in 
size, the flowers cease to set. 
Queens, N. Y. chas. e. parnell. 
Early Harvest Blackberry. —The Early 
Harvest Blackberry is not hardy in Western 
New York. It has never given us a berry, 
and has winter-killed regularly. We have 
been told that we did not have it true. Re¬ 
cently T learned from three prominent grow¬ 
ers here who received their plants from vari¬ 
ous sources, that it is tender with them. 
Monroe Co., N. Y. chas. a. green. 
'&\)t tHtmjnriJ. 
A CRITIC CRITICIZED—THE ALICE 
GRAPE. 
The Rural of Feb. 12 contains some “Crit¬ 
ical Notes” by E. Williams. Among the sub¬ 
jects is the Alice Grape. The criticism is 
quite illogical. The Rural's accustomed fair¬ 
ness, it is believed, will accord me space to 
reply. He says; “The Alice Grape is another 
plump, new horticultural wonder. Taken up 
from its birthplace in the spring of 1884 and 
reset in more congenial soil, it fruited in 1885. 
Was that the first crop? This is the natural 
inference." This is his first incorrect infer¬ 
ence. Any grape grower finding a chance 
seedling fruiting in an out-of-the-way place 
would first test the fruit, aud if it promised 
superiority, would afterwards take cuttings 
' 
• - 
. -.7 y" ' i' i 
.' 7 ?.--- 8 ! l " jr 
HOWARD POTATO. From Nature. Fig. 111. (See page 134.) 
so'every available means should be employed 
to secure a rapid and uninterrupted growth 
from the start, while m order to maintain a 
suitable succession, a sowing should be made 
as soon as the ground can be properly pre¬ 
pared, and afterwards every two weeks up to 
the middle of July. Where beets are to be 
grown in frames or uuder glass, the Egyptian 
or Eclipse should be chosen, as these produce 
fewer leaves than the other varieties. There 
appears to be little demand for the yellow va¬ 
rieties. For winter use, the Long Blood Ls the 
favorite here. chas. k. parnell. 
At one time or another I have grown almost 
all of the different varieties of cucumbers 
enumerated in the catalogues of our seedsmen, 
aud from them I have selected three varieties 
which, in my opinion, embrace every desirable 
quality. They are Green Prolific for pickles; 
Gen. Grant for show or exhibition or where- 
ever large, fine specimens are desired for table 
use; and Tubby's Hybrid. The last is the best 
variety where cucumbers arc required and for 
general cultivation. It is a cross between the 
White Spine aud one of the English Frame 
varieties, and while it is more hardy aud pro¬ 
ductive than its English parent, it retains the 
large size and smooth beauty of its American 
progenitor. It, is its productive as the White 
Spine, while the fruit is much longer. 
Do not sow cucumbers in the ground until 
the weather has become warm and settled. It 
is well to plant a dozen or more seeds in a hill; 
but never permit more than four plants to re- 
muiu, Well rotted stable manure is best, and 
the ground cau hardly l>e made too rich or 
deep. Do not bury the manure in a heap; but 
thoroughly and deeply iutormix it with the soil. 
Keep the crop free from weeds aud do not 
disturb the vinos after they commence to run. 
Be careful lu gathering the fruit : cut them off 
with a knife or pair of scissors, and on no ac¬ 
count pull or twist them off. One reason why 
so many vines die as soon as they Commence 
to l>eai\ is that the vines are iujured iu culti¬ 
from it for propagation. If any one should 
transplant the wild vines growing so numer¬ 
ously in our hedges and woods, before fruiting 
aud showing their qualities, here in Ulster 
County, he would be adjudged a lunatic. And 
upon this uncommon sense “inference” rests 
all of E. W.'s “criticism.” Again, he asks: 
“What was the use of removing it [the origi¬ 
nal viuej when about a dozen new vines were 
already in position and fruiting?” The dozen 
young vines were not already iu position or 
fruiting, but were set at the same time the 
old vine was transplanted—in the spring of 
’84—having been previously started from cut¬ 
tings. As to the removal of the origiual vine 
from an unprotected, out of-the-way place, 
out of sight from our buildings, to a place 
where it could be better protected, most men 
would see abundant cause iu these circum¬ 
stances. 
Reader's will understand that E. W. has 
not seen the fruit or vines of the Alice. The 
Rural has, and its favorable opinion is con¬ 
firmed by all who have tested the grape, aud 
especially by those who have seen it fruitiug. 
Another year, and I trust E. W. will find it 
convenient for himself, and advantageous to 
the cause of horticulture, to call and inspect 
it. Meantime, if the weather permits, I will 
forward a few more samples to the Rural 
office, hoping that a specimen may reach 
E. W. WARD D. GUNN. 
Clintondale, N. Y, 
[R. N.-Y.—We thought that Mr. Williams’s 
criticism was kindly intended. The Alice is a 
promising grape in so far as we may judge by 
the fruit, and Mr. Williams will say so. That 
is the main point- Mr. Gunn has fully ex¬ 
plained what seemed a little obscure. 
Kelsey's Japan Plum is mentioned iu a 
late Rural as too late. l T . S. Pomologist 
Yandemau says it is uot hardy north of Ken¬ 
tucky. This surprised us, as it is the first 
statement we have received to that effect. 
Monroe Co., N. Y. chas. a. green. 
lUi.scfltancoujs 
'VTOTIITNG IS KNOWN TO SCIENCE AT ALL COM 
A parable to the PtvricruA Remedies in their mar- 
veJlous properties of cleansing. purifying and beauti¬ 
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itching, scaly and pimply diseases of the skin, scalp 
Beauty 
3ofE 
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F^estored 
vv by the* 
Cot i c or/\ 
ReM edies* 
and blood, with loss of hair. 
rvriri iiA, the great Skin Cure, and Citutua Soaf, 
an exquisite Skin Bcautlfier, prepared from it. extern¬ 
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Sold everywhere Price. CUTtcrnA, line.; Rfsolvent- 
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Send for "How to Cure Skin Diseases." 
U A Ufi 8 Son as dove's down, and as white, by 
FI H (1 U w using CCTictniA Medicated Soap. 
HAYE YOU SEEN IT? 
Theorigimtl Mtuon'i Mum.- Chart of 
imcrui tiim lur Piano anti Organ Play¬ 
ing, comnling of 4 fornu and frame 
tilting ever Key Hoard iron A lOrimr* 
Wo evst in .«i-i/iy the pri ,-r nt Music IjCs- 
■31*11- Sent fwtpuid with .MUSIC 
A L B V M, Continuing ill pieces vocal 
and instrumental ntu'ie, ou receipt of 
price, *1.00, nr IV ■ r.piive Circular 
sent on receipt of damp. »J. .V. 
Ron* «fc <’*»., No.'.'9 Oliver Street, 
Burton, .Mass. 
THE FAMOUS CUSTOM-MADE 
PLYMOUTH ROCK $3 PANTS. 
Any person writing to the 
American ExpressG’o., 
in Boston, inquiring about 
us, will receive 11 reply con¬ 
cerning rmr reliability, and 
particularly referring to our 
readiness to rrluud mon¬ 
ey at buyer's request for 
aur cause. even when it 
is clearly the buyer's fault 
in measuring, we are so 
seldom called upon to thus 
buy back our goods that we 
can well afford to make this 
offer, for that privilege anil 
the general excellence of 
these famous pants have 
won us tin* confidence of 
mail buyers from Maiue to 
California. We also refer 
to 30 of the leading weekly 
papers of the laud. 
send us 6 cts for package 
of-am pies nnd rules for self 
measurement Will Inelude 
good linen tape measure if 
you will mention this paper, or. if you cannot 
wait to see samples, tell us about what color you pre¬ 
fer. and send your inside leg and waist measures, to¬ 
gether with $3.u0. and o cents postage and packing, 
and we will tuke entire risk of pleasing you. sending 
them by mall or prepaid express. 
At our office may be seen thousands of testimonials, 
like the following from Hist.-Attorney Neal, of 
Clifton. Dakota- who write-: ' Allow me to acknow¬ 
ledge the receipt of two pairs of pants reaching me to¬ 
day; they are au excellent rtt. 1 may say (erfecilu 
every particular—substantial and well made, with 
good, deep pockets of heavy material, and are much 
better than 1 expected. The same pants, poorly made, 
would cost here «•to *T W>. Many of mv friends 
have examined them, and you will get numerous orders 
here. You may put me down as a regular customer." 
> PLYMOUTH ROCK PANTS CO., 
« SI Milk Street. Boston, Mass, 
OMALL STEAM Y ACHTS AND STEAM 
IxJ I,.AUSCHES,—Our boats arenot experimental, 
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either coal or wood. Do not require experienced engi¬ 
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Illustrated Catalogue, including engines, boilers, pro- 
I*ellcr wheels, also six phoi"graphs of -otnpleted 
launches, sent on Tveiut <>f six ttn> cent stamps. CHAS. 
V. WILLARD it C<>„ 3$2 Michigan St,. Chicago. 
HOMPSON’S 
““."."SEEDER 
, Sou.- Clover. Flax. Red Top, and all kinds 
of G rues Seeds, any quantity to the sere, as 
evenly and .tec irately as the best gram 
drilL Unrivalled for fast and accurate 
work, Indispensable for sow¬ 
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Send for descrip¬ 
tive circular, tes- 
|\ 'smonials, Ac., to 
)l, E. THOMPSON 
.So-'-.tfnaq/acfur«r, 
1PSIU5T1, RICH. 
We deliver on tri 
Fully wsrrunli 
till nu'tiil parts 
It. $. Standard 
3-Ton Wagon Seal 
Jkl .j covers cost 
timbers and worl 
1-arger sixes in p 
portion. 
I'luMr.u'-i book FR 
OSCOOO & Cl 
■M36IUXT0S. S. 
T HE AMERICAN GARDEN is an Illus¬ 
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Fruit-Growing, Market Gardening, Land¬ 
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free specimen to E. H. LIBBY, Publisher, 47 
Dey.bt., N. \ . Price reduced to 91 a year. 
