4887 
THS SURAL HEW-VORSfffc. 
®?7 
STRAWBERRY NOTES. 
Bubnch; Logan; Itasca ; .Jersey Quern; Jes¬ 
sie; Wabash; Henderson; Cumberland; 
Truitt's Surprise; Ohio. 
Fori many years past I lmve endeavored to 
tost all promising novelties among strawber¬ 
ries, but I never had the pleasure of fruiting 
as many fine varieties in a single season as I 
have had in this. Bubach, Logan ami Itas¬ 
ca comprise the list, and judging from their 
behavior this year, they will soon displace 
many popular old sorts in my patches. Not 
a trace of blight was visible on any of them, 
while all old varieties near them, except Jer¬ 
sey Queen, were almost destroyed by it. In 
vigorous growth and freedom from disease, 
they seemed more desirable than any old var¬ 
ieties. The berries of Logan are very largo 
and beautiful, and it is possible that it is the 
most productive large berry yet offered to (he 
public. Bubach is the only variety that can 
compare with it in these particulars, but Bu¬ 
bach is not so uniform iu shape, nor so good in 
flavor, nor quite so firm. Ltasca is larger and 
more productive than Crescent, almost or 
quite as firm as Wilson, and of the best flavor. 
Last year from seven plants of Bubach I 
derived 1,000 new ones, and a proportionate 
increase from two plants of Logan. These two 
varieties are remarkable for the dense and 
rapid formation of their matted rows. 
The best matted row In my straw¬ 
berry beds this year was ouc of Lo¬ 
gan, with Crescent on one side of it and 
Jessie on the other. I have not yet fairly 
fruited Jessie, but it is a strong grower, and 
exhibits no trace of blight. I hope much from 
it- Mr. J. A. Foote’s uew seedling “Wabash,” 
and Uendcrsou produced some of the largest, 
most beautiful and delicious berries of the 
season. But Henderson is un uncertain hearer 
and subject to blight. Wabash seems much 
more promising, and when it strikes a congen¬ 
ial soil, it will no doubt create a very pleas¬ 
ant sensation. Jersey Queen proves to be 
much more productive than I anticipated, and 
this year was my most profitable variety. But 
a more general trial of the new sorts I have 
named will probably cause it to be displaced. 
Cumberland blighted bndly this year in well 
cultivated beds, and was free from disease 
where it grew partially iu grass. Truitt’s 
Surprise is a large, line berry of good quality. 
I have fruited it three seasons and found it 
very satisfactory until this year, when it 
blighted badly. Ohio, the new rival of Ken¬ 
tucky in lateness and productiveness, is a 
strong grower, and thus far has shown no 
trace of blight, although somewhat inclined 
to it in other localities. I have not yet fairly 
fruited it. Last year, after it fruited, 1 tried 
tire ou a strawberry patch of about one acre, 
as a remedy for blight. I fired the thin straw 
mulch loft on it from the preceding winter and 
burned the entire bed over. Many plants 
were killed, but euough survived to make a 
fair stand, but the remedy was of no benefit, 
as the plants blighted worse than ever this sea¬ 
son. G. COWING. 
Delaware Co., Ind. 
NOTES FROM KENTUCKY. 
The Old Virginia Sweet Potato Pumpkin is 
an excellent wiuter vegetable. It is about as 
good in quality as the Hubbard or Marble¬ 
head squash, and is considered better by 
some. It is very prolific, early and a good 
keeper. It is a much surer cropper than any 
of the winter squashes in this State, never 
beiug troubled by tho squash bug, It is al¬ 
most impossible to grow the winter squash 
here with any degree of success, ou accouut 
of this pest. _ 
1 have always had better success in keep¬ 
ing early Irish potatoes by not digging until 
after a killing frost iu the fall. They keep 
better iti the ground during warm weather 
than anywhere elso. 
YVk have had a three-months’ drought 
which has proven alarmiugly disastrous to 
the corn crop, iu some localities the crop is 
a total failure. The Mammoth Cuban corn 
has been equal to the occasion, however, and 
On good land will produce 50 or (10 bushels per 
acre in spite of the drought. It is enormously 
prolific, very early, and is practically drought- 
proof. It, is a yellow dent variety r and I be¬ 
lieve the best corn ever introduced, 
I have been iu the habit of taking the suck¬ 
ers off tomato vines. This year I let every¬ 
thing grow, and 1 believe it the letter plan. 
The tomato needs shade. It is much bettor 
when ripened iu the shade. I have also found 
that a mulch of partially decayed straw or 
hay is of much advantage to a crop of to¬ 
matoes, especially during a dry season. It 
keeps the soil moist and cool, and prevents the 
hot radiation from the parched earth from 
blistering the tomatoes. I bagged a few choice 
specimens of the Optimus and Essex Early 
Hybrid Tomatoes this year just as they began 
to color, or even a little before. They ripened 
beautifully, and I imagined were much better 
than those not sacked. I used one and two 
pound grocer’s sacks, and sometimes put t,wo¬ 
rn- three in one bag. When chickens are trou¬ 
blesome, among tomato vines, sacking is a 
decided advantage. rustic. 
Princeton, Ky. 
TAILBY’S CUCUMBER. 
Tailby’S Hybrid Cucumber is described us 
being a cross between the Early White Spine 
and one of the largest of the English Frame 
varieties, and if I were confined to the choice 
of one variety for cultivation under glass, or 
in the open air, 1 would certainly select this. 
[This has been the Rukal’S opinion often ex¬ 
pressed since its introduction.—Eos.] ft, 
proves to be ns hardy and as productive as 
the White Spine, while it retains all the ten¬ 
derness of flesh and smooth beauty of its Eng¬ 
lish parent. The fruit is also much larger 
than the White Spine, and averages from nine 
to 12 inches in length. One dozen hills will 
furnish an ample supply for a family during 
the entire season, if the vines are properly 
grown and cared for. The cucumber does 
best when grown in a deep, well-enriched, 
loamy soil, and the seed should be sown in 
hills four feet apart each way, A good 
shovelful of well-decayed uninure should be 
placed in each hill and thoroughly incorpor¬ 
ated with the soil, at the same time forming a 
slight hill in which the seeds are to be placed. 
Some eight or 10 seeds are to be placed iu each 
bill, about, an inch apart, and covered to the 
depth of an inch, and when all are up, re¬ 
move all but four of the most promising. 
The first, sowing should bo iuudo about the 
10th of May, aud other sowings every two 
weeks up to the first of July for a continued 
succession. In gathering the fruit cut the 
stem from the vine, instead of pulling it off, 
and in cultivation a little fresh earth should 
be drawn up around the plants. In doing 
this, as well as in gathering the fruit, care¬ 
fully avoid disturbing or mutilating the vines, 
and gather all fruits before they are fully 
grown. CHARLES E. PARNELL. 
Queens, N. Y. 
«♦«- 
TAYLOR’S PROLIFIC BLACKRERRY. 
I think this a more delicious fruit than any 
variety of the hardy blackberries. The canes 
are hardier t,bau those of Kit.tatinny, endur¬ 
ing 28 degrees below zero, and they are very 
prolific. Fruit longish aud of full medium 
size. This variety is not as profitable for mar¬ 
ket as Snyder, but it is more desirable than 
any variety for family use. At a tempera¬ 
ture of w iu us 82 degrees last winter, the caues 
were damaged somewhat more than those of 
Snyder. 1 have fruited it every year since 
its introduction. b. g. o. 
North Peoriu, 111. 
Various, 
THE QUEENS COUNTY, N. Y., FAIR. 
(RURAL SPECIAL REPORT.) 
The -filth annual fair of the Queens Couuty 
Agricultural Society was held at Mineola, I,. 
I., September 27, 28, 29 and 30. The duration 
of the fair for four days instead of three as 
was the former custom, is a decided improve¬ 
ment. It makes two “middle” days instead 
of one, aud prevents overcrowding when the 
weather is fair or disappointment when it. is 
stormy. People who wish to see the exhibits 
of fruits, implements, etc., go ou the first day 
ami thereby avoid tho crowd and excitement. 
One excellent feature of this fafr is the loca¬ 
tion id tho fakirs aud catchpenny shows out¬ 
side the fairgrounds. The management would 
also do well to banish some of the cheap res¬ 
taurants and vendors of peanuts and other so- 
called refreshments from the grounds. A 
large restaurant on the combined European 
aud American pluus would add very mater¬ 
ially to the comfort of visitors and the treas¬ 
ury of the association. A pleasing feature of 
the fair is tho well kept lawn, studded with 
brilliant, flower beds aud shade tree* *. 
The fruit display was very flue. Among 
the exhibitors were Wrn. Falconer, Scudde-l* 
& Townsend, E. Williams, Charles J. Copley, 
and Hicks & Son. One of the judges in tins 
department was an old aud experienced fruit- 
dealer. We noticed that his judgment, some¬ 
times differed from that of other judges. He 
looked for uniform size and smoothness in 
apples, pours, etc., while his colleagues judg¬ 
ed chiefly by the size ami number of fruit 
shown. He remarked that ho would not won¬ 
der hereafter why tho better class of fruit¬ 
growers wore the of tones t dissatisfied at the 
returns. The display of vegetables, particu¬ 
larly of tho rarer and finer sorts, was very 
fine. Some excellent specimens of late varie¬ 
ties of peas, sweet corn, beans, etc., wore 
shown. The implement department was more 
co m phi to than heretofore. It was led ns usu¬ 
al by H. M. Willis, who, in addition to the 
various implements for which ho is agent, 
had on exhibition his treadle attachment for 
grindstones, new fodder cutter and other 
implements of value, Including ft new churn 
of merit. 
Messrs. Swift Sc Monfort exhibited their 
new reversible hay carrier, and Messrs. Swift 
Bros, their roller gate. H. B. Griding ex¬ 
hibited the Spangler implements, the “ Iron 
Age” horse hoe and a great variety of farm 
implements. The fertilizer dealers were out 
in full force. Amoug them wo noticed tho 
exhibits of Mapes, R. J. Baker Sc Co., Williams 
Clark & Co. and Lister Bros. It is a reumk- 
ablo fact that the vegetable exhibit by the 
fertilizer men was considerably better than 
the regular exhibit in tho vegetable tent. The 
display of carriages was remarkably fine. It 
was led as usual by James Downey of Brook¬ 
lyn. Although sleighs arc not used to any 
great extent on the Island, a number of them 
were on exhibition. 
The Ladies' Building was filled with many 
products of art and domestic handiwork. 
The display of rugs, afghans, quilts, crochet 
needle-work, embroideries, pottery, and water 
ami oil paintings, was much better than last 
year. It is evident that special attention to 
this department is developing local art work. 
In tho cattle department tho Guernseys 
made tho most creditable showing; while tho 
Jerseys aud Holsteins seem to be falling off 
both in numbers and merit, tho Guernseys are 
improving. An unfortunate clause in the 
premium list limits the prizes on single ani¬ 
mals to those bre<l or owned in the county— 
henco the remarkably meagre display of cat¬ 
tle. In the sheep department, some tine 
Shropshire* were exhibited by David Curll of 
Dix Hills. 
The poultry display did not differ mate¬ 
rially from those of previous years. Messrs. 
Sounder & Toimsend exhibited some of their 
model Plymouth Rocks, E, P. Seaman also 
exhibited some fine fowls. Arrangement should 
be made to give the department bettor accom¬ 
modation. The facilities are insufficient to 
display the fowls properly, and they do 
not therefore retain anything like the atten¬ 
tion they deserve. In a suburban district, 
like Queens County, poultry raising ought to 
be a protitatfio business and it- should attract 
more attention from the managers of the 
fair. A special prize was offered for the best 
essay on snade aud ornamental trees—the en¬ 
tries were by Miss Susie J. Jennings, of Hemp¬ 
stead. John Thorpe,, of Queens, and William 
Falconer, of Glen Cove. G. 
CATALOGUES, ETC., RECEIVED. 
Business School.— Catalogue from Bry¬ 
ant and Stratton Business Colledge, Buffalo, 
N. Y. A now feature of this excelleut college 
is a Correspondence Business School. This 
is the only school now organized to give in¬ 
struction by mail in tho special branches of 
business educat ion. A plan has boon perfect¬ 
ed to impart a business education on tho prin¬ 
ciples of the Chautauqua Literary and Scien¬ 
tific Circle. Instruction is given through the 
mails. Thus a person who is uuablo to at¬ 
tend a school either by reason of lack of funds 
or inability to leave his work can take this 
course at, one-third the cost of actual atten¬ 
dance at school, and employ his spare time iu 
study. Tho student has every advantage that 
ho would enjoy at school except that of talk¬ 
ing with Ids teachers, and tho fact that all 
questions must bo asked and answered by 
mail, tends to develop tho ability to write a 
good letter. Wo believe this to be an excel- 
lent chance for farmers and their sons and 
daughters to learn the elements of business, 
cheaply and well. Send for tho circular aud 
read it. 
—Tubular Well Machinery.— Pamphlet 
from the Chicago Tubular Well Co, Chicago, 
Ills. Wo uro glad to call the attention of 
our renders to this pamphlet which is one of 
the most complete wo have ever examined. 
Every tool that could possibly bo needed iu 
the art of well sinking is boro fully illustrated 
and described. The illustrations are excelleut 
and the descriptions uro so clear and simple 
that auy purchaser can easily And what he 
wants. Tho importance of good wells has 
been strongly emphasized this year In many 
parts of the West. Well machinery has been 
greatly improved of late and intelligent men 
can make such machinery very profitable. 
Many a farmer with a few hundred dollars to 
invest could buy a set of tools and provide 
himself with a permanent aud paying busi¬ 
ness. All such will be sure to find at tho 
hands of this company, honorable dealing and 
first class implements. 
Foods and Food Adulterants. —Pamph¬ 
let from The Department of Agriculture, 
Washington, D. C. This is part second of the 
series aud has to do with the adulteratiou of 
spices and condiments. Part first, it will be 
remembered dealt with oleomargarine and 
adulterated cheese. It appears that the 
cheaper poppers, mustard, cloves, cinnamon, 
nutmeg, allspice etc., etc., on the general mar¬ 
ket are quite largely adulterated. Most of the 
adulterants used are comparatively harmless, 
one Arm in this city using 5,000 pounds of 
finely ground eoeoanut shells in their spices. 
The history and extent of this adulteration so 
far os known, the method employed in detec¬ 
tion and laws regulatiug the matter are given 
in tiffs pamphlet. 
Creosote Wood Stains. —Pamphlet from 
Sara’l Cabot, 70 Kilby St,. Boston, Mass. One 
of the most important Ingredients of these 
stains is creosote, well known ns a preservative 
of vegetable tissues. The stains will not only 
impart to the wood upon which they are used 
a desirable color, but they will very effectu¬ 
ally preserve the wood from decay. They are 
much cheaper than paint, with greater pre¬ 
servative power, while tho color-are equally 
attractive. It will pay farmers to investigate 
this substance. Send for the pamphlet. 
Ohio Improved Chester Swine.— Pamph¬ 
let from the L. B. Silver Co., Cleveland, Ohio. 
This is a very strong pamphlet. There are 94 
letters from those who have bought these 
swine. Judging from the tone of these let¬ 
ters the Ohio Improved Chester is the hog for 
the farmer to raise, beyond any question. 
IVoman’s Work. 
CONDUCTED BY EMILY LOUISE TAPLIN. 
CHAT BY THE WAY. 
Verily, the artistic young woman has gild¬ 
ed almost everything that can lie gilded, and 
she now sighs for “Fresh fields and pastures 
new.” A really pretty decoration is a cluster 
of gilded horse chestnuts—not just the nuts 
themselves, but the spiny burrs before they 
open. They make an effective ornament for 
a waste-paper basket, much superior to tho 
bunches of artificial fruit in vogue. A pretty 
waste-paper basket is a plain, upright jar of 
silvery birch-bark.with abaiulof twisted hick¬ 
ory' hark at top and bottom, and a crimson, 
olive, or dull blue ribbon sash around it, with 
a cluster of the gilded horse-chestnuts on the 
bow. The fruit of the liquid-amber are 
also pretty when gilded. 
* * 
This is the season of church fairs and 
charity bazars, and one is agitated by the 
question of what to make. Pincushions are 
always a standby, though it is difficult to 
strike anv novelties. Pretty and new ones 
are tho double miniature sofa cushions, laid 
one on top of the other diagonally, so as to 
show tho eight corners. They are made iu 
the same or contrasting colors of silk, satin, 
velvet or plush, finished around with a little 
silk cord They are neatly joined where it 
will not show. They are usually four to five 
inches square. 
* * * 
A pretty cover for a baby carriage is of 
cream-white linen, worked all over with a cross¬ 
bar design iu yellow washing silk, with a bunch 
of yellow ribbons in one corner. Cream white 
and yellow is now the most fashionable com¬ 
bination of color in fancy work. Another 
cover for liaby’s carriage is of cream madras, 
plaited over yellow sateen, bordered by a 
plaited frill, and completed by a yellow bow 
in the corner. 
# * * 
We all have a fancy for pure white bed- 
coverings, as having a look of purity and in¬ 
viting daintiness, hut there is now a tendency 
to introduce a little color. A very pretty bed¬ 
cover, for a room where piuk and gray Avere 
tho sole colors used was of gray linen momie 
cloth, covered with an all-over design of wild- 
roses, done iu outliue embroidery with pink 
washing silk. Another style is to cover tho 
bed with a delicate flowered sateen, and in¬ 
stead of tho conventional pillows and shams, 
liav r e a round holster covered with tho sateen, 
gathered into a frill at the ends, and tied with 
ribbon bows of harmonizing or contrasting 
hue. Or, instead of the sateen, the covering 
may bo of a solid color, tho material beiug 
what our English cousins call “art muslin,” 
Danish cloth or plain scrim being our nearest 
substitute. Willow green or faint terra cot¬ 
ta are pretty colors. 
CONFESSIONS OF A COUNTRY GIRL. 
SECOND SERIES. 
There are many girls liviugquietlyin seclud¬ 
ed neighborhoods, who are clothed aud cared 
for by their parents, yet who never have a 
penny of their own, nor the personal disposal 
of a single dollar. Aud no matter how well 
they are cared for, they feel wretchedly poor 
iu consequence. We don’t mean that such 
cases are confined to country neighborhoods; 
| but hero a girl.is made rather.more unhappy 
