2S2 
THE RURAL NEW-YORMER. 
not tempt even a boy’s appetite for sweets. 
Since then I have never doubted that the 
swelling of the buds affects the sap. 
ANENT THE TARIFF. 
A. C. C., Farmington, Minn.— Bucephalus 
Brown, in speaking of the tariff, or rather of 
free trade, with Canada, says: “No doubt it 
will pay individuals on both sides, but will it 
be an advantage to the States as a whole?” If 
it be of advantage to individuals, it must be 
of advantage to the country, unless it causes 
an unjust distribution of wealth. As an un¬ 
just distribution of wealth can be brought 
about only by monopoly, I fail to see 
wherein free trade with Canada, or any other 
country, can tend to produce that result; 
while in doesn’t take a giant intellect to see 
just how protective tariffs tend to foster mon¬ 
opoly and hence an unjust distributor of 
wealh, or the product of labor. Further on 
B. B. says: “We could live in comfort, and 
luxury even, if we should closeevery port and 
allow not a car to pass our boundaries.” If 
t‘iat statement is true, it is a pity that we 
don’t do it, for many of us now do not live in 
comfort, to say nothing about luxury. “A 
few theorists, too insignificant in number to 
be considered,” is the way B. B. disposes of 
“Free Traders.” Never mind number, but 
consider the “theory;''’ 1888 years ago Chris¬ 
tianity was supported by very “insignificant 
numbers.” And probably B. B. can remem¬ 
ber the time when “Abolitionists” were too 
“insignificant in number” to demand for their 
“theory” more attention than a few rotten 
eggs. 
A CORRECTION. 
J. H. Hale, South Glastonbury, Conn.— 
I desire to call attention to the following 
remarks, which appeared in a recent number 
of the Rural New-Yorker: “J. H. Hale, 
of South Glastonbury, Conn., says the curl in 
peach leaves is of little account, and can be 
got rid of by stimulating a rapid growth. 
Borers have killed in his orchards more than 
all other causes combined. He thinks that 
three-quarters of the cases of so-called yellows 
are due to borers. He cures what he believes 
to be yellows with applications of potash with 
nitrogen added sometimes. He would not 
cut down a tree suffering from this disease 
any more than he would cut down a friend 
who had malaria, a disease about which 
doctors know as little as we do of yellows 
They brace patients up with quinine. A tree, 
he says, affected with yellows is sick, and 
should receive treatment.” Mr. Hale did not 
say he had lost more trees by borers. What 
I did say was that “the country over more 
trees were killed by borers than by all other 
causes combined,” and knowing this, we take 
extra precautions to keep them out of the 
trees by our borer wash, and then carefully 
inspect each tree and dig out the “critters’’ 
if any have managed to get in. So that as a 
matter of fact the borer does us but little 
damage. 
R. N.-Y.—This is what Mr. Hale said about 
the preparation and use of this wash: “This is 
about the correct thing for a common water 
bucket full: Two quarts strong soft soap, 
one-half pint of crude carbolic acid, two 
ounces of Paris-green, water and lime enough 
to make a thin paste that will adhere to the 
tree; if convenient, we add a little clay, which 
aids in making'it stick. We apply with a 
swab or brash the first of June; the offensive 
odor of the carbolic acid tends to drive the 
insect away in search of some more attract¬ 
ive place of deposit for the eggs: the soap en¬ 
courages the growth of a smooth, healthy 
bark, and the Paris-green makes handy feed 
for anything in the way of borers, mice, rab¬ 
bits, etc., that like peach bark as a daily ra¬ 
tion, while the lime and clay furnish a good 
body to the mixture. This wash thoroughly 
applied at the base of the tree and in the 
crotch of the main branches, is almost a sure 
preventive of the borer, and yet it will pay to 
look at each tree in October, and where traces 
of the “critter” are seen, such as gum exuding 
from the bark or sawdust-like chips at the 
base of the tree, scrub off the gum, and with 
a good, sharp knife, cut away the baik a little 
and with a piece of wire to follow up any 
channels that it does not seem best to cut 
open, you will soon have the satisfaction of 
finding the cause of the trouble, which is 
usually a single borer one-half to an inch or 
so long, although I have found as many as 32 
in a single tree.” 
J. M. R., Conway, Kans.— In a late Rural 
A. K., of Washington, Mo., was advised to 
sow Red-top and Blue Grass for meadow. 
It may be good advice for that section, but in 
Southern Iowa the question is how to get rid 
of Red-Top as it is almost worthless except in 
low, rich land and Blue Grass is only good for 
pasture, and when it gets into the meadows 
the only way to kill it out is to plow it up and 
cultivate in corn for two years. But vey few 
of the tame grasses have been tried here and a 
fair estimate cannot be made as to their value. 
H. A. W., Fluvanna, N. Y.—I very much 
disagree with the advice given in a late Rural 
to “plant evergreens as soon as frost is out of 
the ground.” Better leave them until the first 
of June or until they have begun to put out 
new growth. I have transplanted many and 
never lost one when they were put out at that 
time. Be sure to give space and do not crowd 
the roots,and if well puddled in one need have 
little anxiety about success. 
E. T., Waterbury, Conn. —I notice in 
“Brevities” of the Rural of March 24 that 
the editor proposes to use ashes to strengthen 
the straw of cereal crops. I have never seen 
ashes used for that purpose; but have seen 
ground bone used with good success. 
RURAL SPECIAL REPORTS. 
Dakota. 
Mandan, Morton Co , March 24.—For the 
last three days we have been having some of 
that New York blizzard weather. It began 
on the evening of March 23, and snowed all 
night and all next day—wind from the east- 
south-east and blowing at the rate of 40 miles 
an hour. Next day the snow and high wind 
continued, the wind having shifted to east- 
Dorth-east. Then on the third day we had a 
high cold wind from the north-east in the 
morning and the north in the afternoon. 
During the past winter the wind has been 
more violent than any ever before felt—gen¬ 
erally from the southeast or northwest. Very 
pleasant just now with about 15 inches of snow 
on the ground. G. w. G. 
Georgia. 
Augusta, Hancock Co., March 29 —Permit 
me to say that the “prominent Georgia Agri¬ 
culturist” who informed Mr. T. B. Terry 
that “not one farmer in 500 in Georgia reads 
any agricultural literature,” greatly exagger¬ 
ates the conditions here. The flourishing ag¬ 
ricultural papers in Georgia are evidence 
enough to.refute the suggestion. I am quite 
sure the excellent Rural alone is read by 
more than one in 500 of the farmers in this 
county, not to mention other Northern and 
Southern agricultural papers. Will not Mr. 
Terry kindly give us the name of the “promi¬ 
nent agriculturist” who said that? I want to 
give him some facts to go by. I know he is 
far wrong, and he ought to be willing to be 
convinced to the contrary. Who is he, Bro. 
Terry? March has brought us as much cold 
weather this year as all the three previous 
months together. We have had floodsof rain, 
but no snow; nor has there been any great 
damage by storm, except over small areas. 
The week of your great blizzard was open, 
fair and mild here—just cool enough to be 
bracing. 
A freeze of 23° degrees, on March 23, has 
killed our peach crop effectually, and also the 
Le Conte and Kieffer Pears, and the plum 
crop is about half destroyed. But we have 
apples, berries and late pears to fall back on, 
and our melon crops, not yet planted, will fill 
the gap pretty well. We abound so in fruits 
here that any two or three kinds missed can 
be made up for by others, in a measure. Here 
at Augusta, in October next, will be opened 
a National Exposition that promises to be a 
great inter-State display. We have booked 
already many extensive exhibits from Eastern 
and Western manufacturers in all lines, and 
in the agricultural display Georgia and 
neighboring States will make a magnificent 
show. The occasion will be worthy the no¬ 
tice of all your readers who care to use the 
facilities it will offer for seeing our section 
and learning the advantages it offers to all 
who would escape the rigors of Northern 
winters. Here farmers work all the year out- 
of-doors, and nature yields her gifts at less 
cost and more abundantly. Lands are cheap 
and all facilities for comfortable living are to 
be had. And the people here are ready to 
welcome all who come. j. h. a. 
Illinois. 
Catlin, Vermillion Co., March 29.—Wheat 
is coming out in fine shape. Average number 
of acres sown and good stand except in low 
ground where it is ice-killed. We are putting 
in some tile drains now—frost not all out yet. 
No oats sown or potatoes planted. Spring 
pigs abundant and doing well. Plenty of fat 
hogs going at $4.75; corn scarce at 50 cents; 
oats abundant at 33 cents; hay scarce at $12 
per ton. f. m. c. 
Champaign, Champaign Co., March 15.— 
we are having fine March and winter-wheat 
killing weather. The crop for the south 
counties of Illinois will not be over one third 
of the average; and for the middle not exceed¬ 
ing two-thirds. During the violent snow 
storm of March 12, in the East and after, we 
were having clear skies, a raw air and $ 
northeast wind. b. f. j. 
North Carolina. 
Mooresville, Perguimans Co., March 21, 
—Farmers are well up with their work. Oat 
seeding is all done. Breaking land for corn 
is about done and some corn has been planted. 
It has been a very favorable spring for farm 
work; very little rain. The weather has been 
too cold for gardening. Now, however, it is 
warmer. Wheat looks well; a full crop seems 
probable. There will be a large area in cotton 
this year. Farmers are in better condition 
than they have been for several years, having 
plenty of corn and provender and their stock 
is in good condition. There is quite a demand 
for farm labor. The farmer’s Alliance istak- 
ing in large numbers of farmers and they seem 
determined to look after their own interests 
hereafter. A spirit of progress prevades this 
section. Farmers are breeding better stock, 
especially cattle. The Jersey is quite a favorite, 
but some are trying the Holstein-Friesians 
and are well pleased with them. Peaches are 
in bloom; some are killed but there is enough 
for a crop yet. w. H. b. 
Virginia. 
Bedfordville, Bedford Co.—In the past 
winter we have had little snow, but there was 
some hail and sleet. Our deepest snow was on 
Christmas morning—about one and a half 
inches. We have had plenty of cold weather, 
however, and plenty of rain. March has been 
cold and disagreeable. Although the ground 
has been bare most of the winter, wheat is 
looking better than it has for several years 
past. Young clover has suffered from freez¬ 
ing out. Few oats have been sown yet. Stock 
have wintered well. Cattle and hogs are 
scarce through this portion of the State. 
G. P. L. 
Grasses. —Of meadow, grasses, hardy and 
nutritive, says Daniel Batchelor, there are 
but few that will come on uniformly in hight 
and ripening with Timothy so as to make 
good, heavy hay, and these are Tall Fescue, 
Italian Rye grass, Yellow Oat-grass, Red-top- 
Fowl Meadow-grass, and Rough-stalk. He 
purposely excludes Orchard Grass and Tall 
Oat Grass from the foregoing designation, as 
these are too early to grow with Timothy 
and the other named meadow grasses. But 
when Orchard Grass and Tall Oat-grass are 
sown together, without any other kind, and 
at the rate of one bushel of seed of each to the 
acre, these two make a tremendous crop, 
which may be cut twice in a season for hay. 
For grazing, a mixture of Oat Grass and Or¬ 
chard Grass would stand well, as the Oat 
Grass stools finely, and will fill the interspaces 
between the tufty Orchard Grass, thus mak¬ 
ing a dense sod. For meadow artificially or 
naturally drained, and on fair loamy soil, per 
acre, he would sow Timothy 12 pounds, Ital¬ 
ian Rye-grass five pounds, Tall Fescue five 
pounds, Red-top three pounds, Rough-stalk 
Grass three pounds, medium clover five 
pounds. 
• ^ 
Akebia quinata.— We could hardly spare 
this useful and pretty vine, says a writer 
in Garden and Forest. Its trifoliate 
leaves, though apparently so tender, when 
young, are sturdy enough for any weather, 
and the plant itself defies our most severe win¬ 
ters. Its] rapid growth and its early plum- 
colored flowers, with their delicious fragrance, 
make it altogether desirable. When planted 
where thick, yet not dense shade is required, 
no vine is more effective. One of the best 
ways to propagate the Akebia is to take half- 
ripened wood in midsummer, cut into lengths 
of from one to two eyes each, and insert them 
in pans of sand and water. This vine is among 
the hardiest at the Rural Grounds. 
Transplanting Evergreens.— C. F. Gar¬ 
dener gave his very sensible method before the 
Iowa Horticultural Society. He sets a trifle 
deeper than the tree stood before, reducing 
the top enough to prevent it swaying in the 
wind. He digs the hole and half fills it with 
water. He then throws in fine earth and 
mixes it well, continuing to throw in earth 
and mixing until a mortar is formed. Into 
this set the tree, and throw in enough fine soil 
to cover the mortar. Beat the surface slight¬ 
ly with the spade and let it stand half an 
hour; then fill with earth. The tree will stand 
firmly and require no staking. Covering with 
fine soil will prevent baking. Unless the 
trees are sufficiently pruned to render the 
head lighter, the operation will fail. The 
roots must be kept moist while they are out of 
the ground. This is very important, though 
no less so than that they must not be exposed 
to the sun or wind. 
Different Ways of Preparing Seed Po¬ 
tatoes. —It is singular that the same potato 
experiments in different places give such dif¬ 
ferent results. Years ago we tried large po¬ 
tatoes for seed, cutting out all but one eye. 
The yield was unaccountably and unreason¬ 
ably small. The same experiment was tried 
in a more extended way at the Wisconsin 
Station. The following table shows the inter¬ 
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It will be seen that the large seeds with all 
but one eye cut out gave much heavier yields 
in every case. Large potatoes cut to two eyes 
each gave the next' largest yield, and small 
seeds the least. It appears that, according to 
these experiments, it is not well to keep the 
“seed potatoes long after they are cut. This 
agrees with our own trials, but not with those 
made by the N. Y. Ex. Station. 
The Black Walnut is perhaps the most 
profitable of all trees to plant in deep, damp 
soil. Walnut is in constant demand, the 
supply is nearly exhausted, and a whole gen¬ 
eration of time must be allowed to a young 
plantation befoie the trees can possibly attain 
a utilizable size. Robert Douglas, the fore¬ 
most forest tree grower and planter of our 
country, pronounces the Black Cherry (P. sero- 
tina) to be a still more profitable tree to the 
planter, as it can be planted closer, is very 
easily grown in any ordinary dry soil; does 
not injure vegetation beneath; it attains lull 
size for cabinet maker’s use in half the time 
required by the walnut; and brings in some 
markets quite as high a price. Horatio Sey¬ 
mour is quoted as having advised the plant¬ 
ing of these trees for their habit of growing to 
a good hight with a single stem—a merit in 
which the larch and conifers generally excel, 
and the locust is rather deficient. But seed¬ 
lings of locust, cherry, and walnut will be 
found, on examination, to differ in their style 
of growth as different sorts of apple trees do 
in an orchard, and as is common to trees and 
plants in general. The writer, many years 
ago, grafted a lot of locust and elm seedlings 
with sorts of peculiarly neat growth with 
gratifying results. In the case of the Yellow 
Locust, which grafts as easily as apple wood, 
it would pay abundantly to graft with a sort 
at once thornless, erect, straight-limbed, and 
free-growing. Nurserymen, having once 
obtained such a sort, could soon supply trees 
of uniform, erect, and vigorous growth, from 
root-grafts, for farm or avenue planting. 
A very distinctly superior seedling in these 
respects was lately cut on the grounds of 
Edmund Waring, Tyrone, Blair County, Pa. 
He preserved cions, and would send a few to 
any Rural applicant sending stamps to 
clear the packing and mailing, as long as his 
stored supply lasts . -. 
SAMPLES AND COMMENTS. 
Pres. McCann, of the Elmira Farmers’ 
Club, has lately been shown potatoes of the 
crop raised in 1886, which were still fresh. 
They had been kept in cold storage and are 
supposed to be superior for seed. 
Mr. Collins remarked, as reported in the 
Husbandman, that he can raise mangel wur- 
zels for three cents a bushel. This will cover 
all expenses from the time the seed is put in 
the ground until the crop is stored. Taking 
them out of the ground is a small matter of 
cost, and he can top 500 bushels in a day. In 
one day, with one man to assist him, he has 
drawn from the field to the cellar 1,100 bush¬ 
els. In drawing he piles about 70 bushels on 
the wagon; then, when driven to the cellar, 
they go in by a shoot as rapidly as they can 
be thrown. G. W, Hoffman has topped and 
