say: spread 100 pounds of nitrate of soda per 
acre on the mowing field and on the weak 
patch of wheat. This will make them jump.” 
Yes, it will help them if the land is fertile; 
otherwise it would be a bad thing to do. 
Fifteen years ago Thomas Meehan ex¬ 
pressed the necessity of pressing the soil close 
to the seeds which, of late years, Mr. Hender¬ 
son has popularized as “firming the soil.” The 
principle is this:—Seeds want moisture to 
make them grow, but they must also have air: 
one is an evil without the other. If deep they 
get only water, in which case they rot. If 
entirely on the surface they get only air, and 
then they dry up. But why beat the soil so 
firm? Large spaces in soil enable the earth to 
dry out, rapidly; small spaces, on the other 
band, hold water. Crushing earth, when dry, 
gives it. these small spaces, or as gardeners 
call it, j itakes it porous; and thus you see we 
have set our seeds where they will be near the 
air, and fixed them so that they shall be regu¬ 
larly moist, . 
A whiter iu the Weekly Press mentions 
that a neighbor had a cow sick with tubercu¬ 
losis. He killed her, anil threw' the carcass 
uncooked into a pin where there were nine 
thrifty growing pigs, weighing about 100 
pounds each. The pigs ate of this meat as 
they saw r fit. A short time after five of these 
pigs were sold, the neighbor keeping the re¬ 
maining four. For a w hile these pigs grew 
and did well, but iu less than three months 
they began to languish and one after another 
died, until not one of the nine was left, all dy¬ 
ing of tuberculosis. This happened in the case 
of domestic animals, but why should not the 
result have been the same if a human being 
had eaten of the diseased meat? If the meat 
had been cooked the result might have been 
different, but who wishes to eat diseased meat 
even after it has been cooked?... 
The entrance gate, as Mr. Meehan remarks 
in the last number of the Gardeners’ Monthly, 
is an important part, of ornamental grounds. 
It is like clothing on a man. Wheu we get to 
know him well it makes little difference how 
he is dressed. But the dress of a stranger is 
our first clue to his character. So we get our 
first impression from the entrance gate... 
Mr. E. S. Goff seems to have shown that 
the hereditary law of the t ransmission of vig¬ 
or and health holds as strongly in the vegeta¬ 
ble as iu the animal kingdom. He selected 
seeds iu 1883 from a feeble tomato plant and a 
healthy tomato plant of the same variety. 
The next spring the t,w r o kinds of seeds were 
sown, and the growing plants transplanted to 
adjoining rows iu the garden. A row’ of 
feeble plants from the feeble parent and a row 
of healthy plants from the other were the 
result. The difference w as so marked that it 
was difficult, to believe the plants were of the 
same variety. The same selections of seeds 
were continued through UJ85 and 1886 with 
the same results. Last season the progeny of 
the feeble plant of 1883 scarcely exceeded one- 
fourth the size of that of the vigorous one, 
while the plants lay prostrate on the ground 
with discolored and sbiveled foliage, and 
with the fruits fully one-half decayed before 
frost came. In another series of experiments, 
plants were grown through three successive 
generations from seed taken from green to¬ 
matoes. The effect of the immature seeds 
upon the vigor of the progeny was precisely 
similar to that of the seeds from the enfeebled 
plant above noted. These are certainly in¬ 
structive experiments. 
RURAL SPECIAL REPORTS. 
Colorado. 
Monte Vista, Grande Co., Feb. 14.—We 
are having pretty nice weather now; it has 
been pretty cold and we have had a good deal 
of snow /or a country in which snow seldom 
falls. The ground is frozen about 18 inches 
deep. Oats and wheat are selling at 81.at) per 
100 pounds. Potatoes one cent per pound. 
Last, year’s crops in the valley were good and 
the prospect is good for similar crops this 
year; lots of snow is falling iu the mountains. 
Wo irrigate iu this country, w. k. 
Indiana. 
Pendleton, Madison Co., Feb. 20.—Wheat 
continues to look well, but without snow' to 
protect it, it may yet be seriously injured. 
Local prices of wheat 75 cents. Hogs are 
scarce. Owing to ravages of cholera, every 
one hastened Ins sales and sold off close. 
Fewer left for spring market by 25 per cent, 
than usual. Local price five cents. Stock cat¬ 
tle are plenty, Prices rule low—3 to 83., cents. 
'Feed abundant. 8t w M 
Oregon, 
Shedd, Linn Co., Feb. 18.—We had a tine 
winter to the first of January; then the rain 
oommenced in earnest—warm rain till the 
first of Feb. Snow began to fall by the 8th, 
and was six or eight Inches deep and the mer¬ 
cury fell to zero, and stayed there two days. 
Butthat washing enough to kill the blackber¬ 
ry canes and rose bushes. I fear all the fruit 
is injured, as the buds were ready to open, 
and some did bloom in January. Grain was 
well protected and looks well. d. a. d. 
Wyoming, 
Buffalo, Johnson Co., Feb. 20.—Cattle 
were never in a worse condition at this date 
since the range was stocked, and unless we 
have a remarkably early and mild spring, 
there must be a heavy loss in this section. All 
farm crops must be irrigated here to succeed. 
Wheat, oats, barley, hay aud garden truck do 
well, but the season is too short and cold to 
raise corn successfully. j. r. h. 
Communications Received son the Week Ending 
March 12, 1887. 
L. W. B.—N Q. N.— J. E. S.—H. S.—T. T. L.—W. F. B. 
A. E.H.-C. E. P.-E. K. R.—W. M. L.-T. H. H.—R. G. 
.1. E.-Jt. A. L. R.-T. G. K„ thanke.-J. W. S.-M. M.— 
m. h.—e. D. H.—j. T.—"Hen-woman"—E. b. j p. r.— 
M. T A.-L. G.—J. S.—F. W. E.-H. L.-N. II—T. E. S„ 
thanks.—J. T.—B. P. K.-N. W. S.-.7. D.—M. It.—J, W. 
S.-H. & IC.—O. V. F.—E. G-— J. V. H. N.-J. C. P„ 
thanks— .1. M. Pennington. tlianks-A. V. H.-M. A.L. 
K.-C. E. S.-T. G. K.-J.-M. D.-T.W.-. C. S. thanks 
.1. McC.-W. C. R.-P. R R.. thanks-A. S. N., don’t- 
H. A. B.—F. A. B., I hanks—J. D — K A. F. 
Piscdlanrou.s JSUvmising. 
That Tired Feeling 
The warm weather has a debilitating effect, 
especially upon those who are within doors most 
of the time. The peculiar, yet common, com¬ 
plaint known as "that tired feeling,” is the 
result. This feeling can be eutiroly overcome hy 
taking Hood’s Sarsaparilla, w hich gives new life 
and strength to nil the functions of the body. 
“I could not sleep; had no appetite. I took 
Hood's Sarsaparilla and soon began to sleep 
soundly; could get up without that tired and 
languid feeling; and tny appetite improved.” 
R. a, Sanford, Kent, Ohio. 
Hood’s Sarsaparilla 
Sold by all druggists. $1; six for £5. Made 
only by C. I. HOOD & CO., Lowell, Mas*. 
IOO Doses One Dollar 
ASPARAGUS ROOTS. 
Extra In-aw, lyr.l’ouover's Collosol Asparagu°roots, 
St forano, $: for too, by mall, prepaid. w$S so per LOO. 
*ir. for via, by Ext nwor Freight. Address 
The Oakland Nuuskhv Co., Forgy P. o., Clark Co., O. 
MEW Catalogue of Select Fruits, Ornamental Trees, 
L I' lowering Shrub*. Vines etc.. Now ready. 
new Brunswick Nurseries, n. j. EDWIN ALLEN. 
VORTHERX GROWN Seed Potatoes and Spring 
Wheat Price List Free. Send for It. Address 
S. FROGNER. nrR.irAX. ,vrxx. 
STRAWBERRY PLANTS- 
All the leading varieties, true to name, at half the 
usual rates. Send for special prices, staring quantity 
wanted. Address JOHN S. BARNHART, 
Wtuawwos, del. 
IFAf. H. MOOX'S NEW CATALOGUE 
Of FRUIT and ORNAMENTAL TREES, shrubs, Small 
Fruit, Grape Vines, etc., Free to all. 
Address MORRISVLLLE, PA. 
M O T D A C kl but strong, well-grown 
I ™ I ^ ^ *■ Plants. Vliiee. etc. of all 
the Best Fruits at reasonable prices, can be had of 
K. & .). C. \V1LI.IA JIS, .Montclair, N.J. 
The NEW BLACK CR APE 
“BATON,” 
HARDY, VIGOROUS, AND PRODUCTIVE. 
BUNCHES FROM ONE POUND TO THIRTY OUNCES. 
Awarded Two First-class Certificates of Merit 
John B. Moore & Son, 
CONCORD. MASS. 
Gov. Robie. 
Send for our pamphlet. 
BOWK Eli FKRT1 
of Maine, says: "I am 
satisfied your goods are 
what they are claimed 
pm 
600 ACRES. 
FERTILIZER CO.. Rustem. 
ifDREER’S 
^GARDEN SEEDS 
4y.\ PLANTS, BULBS. 
Wr ID riser'a Garden Cnlen- 
[rjy.7dnr tor 1887, otTerintr 
tK/ everything for the Garden 
ff'J A Farm sent for 80 . iu stamps. 
K/8eril Catalogue I’ll El'.. 
XilKNKY A I) It Kelt.Seedsman 
711 ChenUiut. St. Philadelphia. 
13 CREENHOUSES. 
TREESPPLANTS 
Wo offer for the Spring trade * large and lino stock 
of every description of FR C IT and Orimiuental 
TUBES, Shrub*, Host's, Vines, S.IIAIJ, 
FRUIT*, Hedge Plant*. Fruit Tree Seed- 
ling* aud Fore*t Tree Seedling*. Priced Cat* 
SEITZ CORN. 
Best and Largest 1 ieldiny Corn in 
.4 merino, 
SAMPLE BOX, tO CENTS. 
Golden Gulin a Corn. 100 bushels corn aud 10 tons of 
the bent fodder per norm per packet, to cents, glitz 
L ongberry Wheat, Sample Box. Be. Best Early aud 
Second Early Sweet Corn Sample Box, 1J cents. Best 
Early Simp Betui. Sample Box, 10 cents. Best Early 
and Late Cabbage seed and Beat Tomato, per packet, 
4 cents Seed of the largest ami boat p!e Squash in the 
world. 25 cent* ouch. For IH.it/ Early Hone, pearl and 
Wlille star Potatoes; DtUTZ Patent Emit Drier, Fodder 
Cutter aud Fgg Preserving material* write for price*. 
G# A. DE1TZ, Oiuuibcraburg, Fit, 
AND OTHER SPRING- BULBS, etc. 
Our Descriptive List of above will be mailed, on application, to any of our 
riends who have not yet received it. 
All requiring High Grade Vegetable or Flower Seeds, should not 
fail to have our priced General Catalogue, 
J.M. Thorburn &Co..15 JohnS: NewYork. 
IT IS IMPORTANT 
W. W. RAWSON & CO. 
34 South Market St., Boston, Mass., 
Importers and Growers of Garden, Field and Flower Seeds. 
SUCCKSaOjlS TO * 
B. K. BLISS & SONS, formerly of New York. 
O UR New Catalogue for 1887, beautifully illustrated, with two 
large colored platen aud many choice engravings. 92 pages, 
Sx 11 inches, wilt be .out to onr customers ot Inst year, alio to 
former custumer* of B. K. Bli.v, fc Sons, without charge— to alt 
others upon receipt of 10 cent" in stamps, which will be refunded 
with first order. B. K. BLISS, surviving partner of above 
* NEW BOOK ON GARDENING. from*Scrr^mVATmi^ 6 hi * attenfion to order. 
g PCCKSS in Market Gardening and Vegetable Grower’* Manual, by W. W. Rawson, Practical Market 
Gardener. I he met instructive work of the kind ever published, t * j 11 of important information to market gardeners and 
to all growers of vegetables in large or small quantities. 180 pages, full v illustrated, sent post-paid by mail, upon receipt of ♦1.00. 
Hand Book 
'Sz&P* 
AND GARDEN*, 
requisites- 
m 
Vo! 
'C**, 
ONION SEED 
CROP OF 1886 . OUR OWN GROWTH. 
SPECIAL OFFER! 
•SB' Oar SEED is of the very cliolcMt . _ , J( _ . , £$ r X b A 
quality, and we deliver it to any address Large tied Wethenield Union, \)Lo0 
in the i nited states, at these prices, in Large Oval Yellow Danvers. 2.00 
ordering name your nearest express office. Send /_»/// n * l nr , . r n 
for our Garden Guide, ios pages of useful Large Yellow Dutch orStrasburg, 1.50 
information on gardening, for nothing. Address White Or Silver Skin, - 3.00 
ROBERT BUIST, Jr., Seed Grower, PHILADELPHIA, PA. 
OF CHARGE B express. R 
.You WiU Not Find 
cr.v.'ie with years, 
and greater travellers than Stanley; seed saved ftoni the odds 
ends of var.ous crops; seed raised from unsalable 
f - onions, headless cabbages, strangling carrots, or refuse 
beets. (/ am aJviays ftafipy to shota my seed stocky But 
(t you want Northern seed, honestly raised, home 
p grown (not more than two other ca-.a’.ogues contain as 
-/^roany'), seed warranted (see the cover), vaktab’e novelties, some 
of which are to be found in no oilier, send for my vegCable and 
Itower-seed catalogue for 1887, FRET to nil. It contains 60 varie- 
- ties of Beans, 43 of Pears, 41 , i Cabbag.s, 53 of Melons, 44 of 
Corn. etc., etc.. besides a large and choice variety of dower seed. 
JAMES J. n. tiKEttOKY. Marblehead, Mass. 
VF 
% 
_ . ROSES 
A OLLUO,PLANTS 
< rA» FRUIT°»ORNAMENTALTREES, GRAPE VINES 
f OR ANYTHING IN THE NURSERY LINE, without first writing 
^for our valuable FREE Catalogue, the I 21 LARCE CREENHOUSES 
BEST we ever issued, containing the Barest Sew and I 33 d YEAR. 700 ACRES. 
Choice* Old. the STORRS & HARRISON CO. PAINESVILLE. OHIO. 
Dl MJTC BYMAILaqx/Mny. 
iLAIt I O Niagara, and a full 
sttwit of other G rn pc*,. 1 ne.r *vnk 
Siirawbrn'icitna Kuspberrles* 
Urle aud other lAbtckbcrrii'*. A — 
iHirugif. R‘»n». etc. Dos. Catalogue 
Free; contains 8 I • S - >t $3 O'llec’ns A instruct ions 
for planting. J0£L HORNER A SON, MarcbaatvUle, N J. 
FOR 8.V l,E. “JOO barrel* Moralng-Sinr t‘ota 
toes. J. A. ltUBINSON, Itelclier, N 
FOR S.V I.E. I have 11 tine lot of the celebrated 
Empire State Potatoes, which 1 offer at $UK> per bush¬ 
el, *2.r>e per bill., f. o, b. here. 
E. I). CO HP, C’littuu Spring*, N, Y. 
HIGH CLASS GARDEN SEEDS. 
Special Offer. 1 ‘J following 
choicest new varieties hy mull 
for 7A cent*. Holden Seir- 
BLnnehliig Celery, All Seasous 
Cabliafse, l’erpigmtin Let time, 
KetHantl Glam Musk Melon, 
Minkers Sugar orn, King of the 
Garden Ninas, Alaska Pea. Sear 
I t WaxPitsh Beau. Golden cius- 
n-r Pole Iiean. Mammoth Salsify. 
Beamy Tomato and C'hartltcs 
Radish. Catalogue mailed on receipt of 3< ts In stamps. 
Win. C. BKChKKT, Seedsman, ai i.kuiikny,Pa. 
MAPLEWOOD OATS. 
The most productive variety known. Entirely new. 
Sample and full particular-, sent on application to 
MAHLKYVOOD STOCK FARM, 
ATTICA, NEW YORK. 
JBWBIit. STH. A WBMH »T. 
Best and most prod net lve. Full deseriptlon, o'e., free. 
Beautiful colored plate for a two rent stamp. Also 
other new varieties Gldress originators. P. >t 
AUGUR X'SONS, Nurserymen, .Mlddlelleld, Conn. 
CHAS. D. MERWIN, 
SEED GROWER, 
Mll.FOKlt. CONN. 
Batabllshed ls50: grow* the Bent Onion Seed in 
Atnerlea. White Globe per pound, *3; Red Globe, *2; 
Large Red Wether*Meld. $2; Yl'lJOW Ulohc Panvers, 
jW.M); VeUow Danwr*, #2, 
NEW FRUITS 
FOR 
NORTH, SOUTH, EAST, and WEST 
New Plum. Newberries 
Ijentlintr varieties* nil other fruits. 
INTRODUCERS SHIPPER’S PRIDE PLUM 
CATALOGUE FREE. WILF.VA CO.. CAYUGA. N Y. 
ALBAN YSEED STORE 
ESTABLISHED 1S31. 
PRICE&KHlMRBOCKfR 
IMPORTERS, GROWERS AND DEALERS IM 
SEEDS! 
ALL VARIETIES OF 
Flower, Vegetable and Field Seed. 
11 lu*t rated Cat ulogne sent FR EE on application. 
SPECIAL K ATEsto Market Gardeners and 
Trueker*,aml persons buy Ingtnlaraomnuti ties. 
) FOREST TREES. 
Catalpa Speeiosa, 
White Ash, European 
Larch, Pines, Sprucea, 
Arbor Vila's, etc., etc. 
'■ OUiitpa Spteiosa Seed. 
Forest and Evergreen 
Seeds. . 
R,DOUGLAS & SON. ^ 
Waukegan, Hi, 
