APRILS 
really tropical luxuriance, is rarely seen in our 
Northern or Western homes. The leaves are 
heart-shaped, nearly round, often a foot iu 
diameter and growing closely enough together 
to form, iu effect, a shingled roofing over what¬ 
ever they cover. The llowers arc of a dull 
brown color, with a curved, tubular perianth 
and a trilobate limb which forms a Mat border 
bearing altogether a rude resemblance to the 
typical Dutch pipe. With us this vine breaks 
bud in late April, if it. can be said to have any 
buds, as the new growth shoots out of last 
yeur's petiole-scar, like a Crocus from the 
earth. It blooms iu lute May. It is found wild 
iu some parts of Pennsylvania, Kentucky aud 
the more Southern States, always in rich 
woods, growing from tweuty-fiye to thirty feet 
in higiff, while its stems Sometimes attain a 
diameter of two feet. 
We have never been successful iu striking 
this plant from cuttings, though, iu truth, we 
have never tried very hard. It grows very 
slowly duriug the first two years after trans¬ 
planting, aud then very rapidly. It is a twiner 
aud cannot support itself, like the Ivy or 
Trumpet Creeper, and ought therefore to be 
planted at the base of trellises or arbors. We 
have never known it to be injured by our 
severest winters. 
“ Geranium New Life.” 
We are far from wishing to injure the sale 
of any uew plant, provided it has auy merits 
iu keeping with the price asked for it. When, 
however, the contrary is the fact, we make it 
a part of our business to preseut the case as it 
seems to us, and then our readers may the 
more discriminatingly judge for themselves. 
This Pelargonium is offered in this country the 
present season, by most of our progressive 
florists, at an average price of £1.50 each. Its 
leaves and habit are similar to those of any 
other of the dwarfer sorts. The llowers are 
borne in very small trusses. Thus far we have 
uotbiug very novel. The novelty is iu the 
flowers, and consists, we should say, in the pe¬ 
culiarity that no two are alike. Indeed upon 
the same umbel the flowers are often strikingly 
unlike. In a plant before us. of five flowers, 
one has two petals crimson lined with white, 
one petal crimson, the other two half crimson 
ami half salmon; another flower has three 
petals white shaded with rosy-salmon, one 
petal hulf crimson and half rosy-white, aud a 
fifth crimson; another flower has four petals 
crimson splashed and lined with white or rose, 
and a fifth petal salmon; while the two remain¬ 
ing llowers are rosy white with a sal mo u cen¬ 
ter. The variety docs not seem possessed of 
much vigor, aud the (lowers, aside from ihe odd¬ 
ity of being so singularly marked, are neither 
well formed nor durable. The Rural has often 
urged upon its readers that they send tor many 
catalogues and compare prices. We tlud tbul 
iu one catalogue this New Life” is quoted at 
50 cents; in another at £2.00. Such differences 
would more than justify the soundness of our 
advice. We do uot believe that “New Life” 
will live long. 
A Poultry Record. 
There is one phase of the poultry question 
that, it seems to us, has never been sufficiently 
dwelt upon; namely, that all persons if so dis¬ 
posed, can keep a few hens with profit, if they 
have a space of 50 feet square, or eveu less, in 
which to keep them. Iu order to write from 
experience we, last year, began the experiment 
of confining a few birds iu a small space aud 
noting the results. In early spring lour Ply¬ 
mouth Rocks, three Black llamburgs, one 
Partridge Cochin aud five cocks of the several 
breeds were hatched out. Without loss or 
sickness they were reared by two mothers all 
confined iu au area of about 40x40 or 1600 
square feet. The house is nearly square 7x7 
feet with a roof slautiug ten degrees, built of 
hemlock boards with lights in the front (south; 
about 6x3 feet. Iu this are plain board nests 
uud ordinary perches. The iuclosure is of 
piue pickets. 
Care and Pood. 
Their water has beeuchauged daily ;—besides 
wheat, a little corn etc, their food lias beeu 
everything from the table, raw meat occasion¬ 
ally and green stuff almost daily. We have 
purposely avoided such stimulauts as red 
pepper aud hot boiled food, eveu iu the coldest 
of the past winter. The house has beeu cleared 
of the droppings almost daily—the task of a 
moment merely, a hoe beiug always at hand— 
the nests have had Hour of sulphur scattered 
about them every two or three weeks, aud 
kerosene has been poured into the cracks and 
supports of the perches every month, or there¬ 
abouts. The entire care of these fowls, though 
it seems much greater us wc write out the de¬ 
tails, has required the services of a man scarcely 
fifteen miuutes per day duriug the winter. 
Egg Record. 
Hie Plymouth Rocks began laying first; the 
Black Hamburgs second, the Partridge Cochins 
last. For reasons that need not be explained, 
no account of the eggs was kept uuiil Feb. 1st. 
M e may say, however, that the average for six 
weeks previously was greater thau since. 
I rom Feb. 1st until March 24th these eight hens 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
t4§ 
have laid 278 eggs—an average of six and a 
half per day. We have neighbors to the right 
aud left of us, who, during the past winter, 
have kept from 25 to 75 fowls that have for 
the most part been obliged to take care of 
themselves. We state what we know to be 
tlie truth when we say that the highest number 
(75) have not laid twice as many eggs as ours 
have during the same period, and that the 
smallest number (25) have not laid so many 
during the same period. At our own farm, 
the average of fowls, from one year to another, 
is over 100. They are of mixed breeds. There 
they have been kept the same as nine farmers 
out of every twelve keep theirs,—with the ex¬ 
ception of thegraiu thrown out to them every 
morning, they have been left to themselves. 
The entire llock is more or less lonsy, and is al¬ 
ways so. Diseases carry off considerable num¬ 
bers during every year. We are confident that 
these fowls, kept in this way, do not pay, aud 
it would be money saved were we to buy the 
chickens and eggs needed by the family. Our 
experiments with small numbers and with all 
sorts of breeds (always thoroughbred) will con¬ 
tinue. We are now erecting another house 
aud iuclosure 25x25, aud propose to add one or 
two each of four additional breeds for this and 
next year. 
Special Trees. 
Among the trees of this place are several 
for which we have a special likiug. We make 
brief mention of them uow that those who de¬ 
sire to purchase may do so at this season of 
general plantiug. We have always regretted 
that the Lawson's Cypress is not hardy enough 
for this climate, as it has always seemed to us 
one of the most perfect of Evergreen trees. 
Ketinospora pisifera, Japuu Cypress, resembles 
it in many respects and this we have choseu 
to fill its place. Whenever a tree by nature 
possesses marked peculiarities which seem to 
be the work of hnmau bauds, that tree is cer¬ 
tain to provoke a good deal of remark, if uot 
of admiration. Abies excelsa couica (or stricta) 
is such a subject. It is a dwarf variety of the 
Norway Spruce and grows in such a completely 
conical torm that one can scarcely look at it 
aud believe it has never been shaped by the 
pruning knife. For small lawns or among 
evergreens of smaller size, it is most desirable. 
Menziea’s Spruce (Abies Menziesii) is of 
rapid growth and of that whitish-blue-greeu 
which few evergreens, otherwise desirable, 
possess. This is a conical, compact grower 
with sharply-pointed, rigid leaves. 
From time to time we have writteu In detail 
oi Magnolias—those noble trees that seem to 
be planted only iu the inverse ratio of their 
surpassing beauty. There is no other tree so 
well fitted as this to form pleasing contrasts 
by its breadth of leaf, Us wealth of flowers, 
its majestic form aud distinctly tropical ap- 
pearauce. There are several uew species of 
tine promise, to which we have no space further 
to allude. Magnolia acuminata (the Cucum¬ 
ber Magnolia) is one of the hardiest species 
and, if cut back for a year or so, forms a 
pyramidal true with the lower branches sweep¬ 
ing the ground. M. ruacrophyila bears the 
largest leaves of any of this family, growing 
sometimes three feet in length. M. uuriculata 
(Fraseri), tripetala (Umbrella), couspicua and 
giauca are all hardy each possessing pecu¬ 
liarities of size, leal and flower. Aiuoug the 
later varieties M. Soulangeana and Leaner are 
the most beautiful. The Purple Beech—the 
Purple Birch—the Japan Maples, auy one or 
all, aud the Fern-leaved Beech (Fagus he ter o- 
pkylla) are the oilier trees which we desire to 
specialize. 
^rirorirnltural. 
EVERY-DAY NOTES. 
samuel parsons. 
The Sweet-Seemed Shrub. 
Every one knows the Sweet-scented Shrub, 
(Calyoanthus). As children wo have doubtless 
rolled its chocolate-colored llowers iu our 
handkerchiefs and inhaled their sweet odor, 
aud that of its camphor-scented wood; but do 
we realize the plant's full excellence? It has 
become so common that, like all familiar 
things, it has failed perhaps with time to retain 
its proper hold on our regard. 
There are several varieties, the best known 
of which are O', lloridus and C. kevigatus. 
Then, there is C. macropkyllus of the Pacific 
coast, which is not quite hardy, aud several 
others of less value. The kind, however, that 
is best known to us aud which is at the same 
time the best plant, is C. lloridus. It bus the 
largest llowers and leaves, and is ot unques¬ 
tioned Uardiuess aud vigor, well suited iu every 
sense to do good service on the lawn. It may 
not have the high degree of excellence pos¬ 
sessed by some other shrubs that could be 
named, but its foliage is rich aud shining, 
quite noteworthy iu general character. Its cur¬ 
ious reddish-brown, or purplish flowers, more¬ 
over, form a feature possessing much Interest. 
The Calycauthus has been thought in the past 
a somewhat difficult plant to grow, but it is 
really not specially difficult to ptopagnte from 
root cuttings. Seed would, of course, produce 
it, but seed is uot easily obtainable and In other 
ways, affords a less ready method ®f propaga¬ 
tion. Altogether the Sweet-Scented Shrub (C. 
floridus), is a flue old hardy plant that we 
cannot afford to neglect in making tup onr 
collections of ornameutal shrubbery. 
The Siberian Stone Pine.—(Pious Ceiubra 
Mandseliurlca.) 
In Italy we have the Stone Pine (Pinna pinea), 
somewhat umbrella-shaped in contour of fol¬ 
iage. Switzerland and Northern Europe con¬ 
tribute the Swiss Stone Pine (Piuus Cembra 
Uelvetica), and Siberia, the Siberian Stoue 
Pine (Piuus Cembra Mandsehurica.) the tree 
which I specially wish to uote. 
The Italian Stone Pine, though picturesque, 
is uot hardy iu our climate, and so I pass it 
without further comment. Swiss Stone Pines 
are more or less common, and always admired 
on the lawn. Their excellences have received 
a fair degree of attention, although no more 
than they deserve, but 1 hardly thiuk the same 
can be said of the Siberian Stone Pine, (Piuus 
Mandsehurica. Yet it is altogether a more 
noteworthy tree. The leaves are stronger and 
massed together iu a more effective way. 
Broader contours and greater bight also give 
it more imposing qualities. It has, indeed, 
according to Gordon, been known to grow a 
hundred feet. Pines, iu their breadth and 
masses and drooping grace of clustered needles, 
are in some sense the Palms of the north, and 
among Pines few are more effective than the 
Siberian Stoue Pint! with its great cones of 
extraordinary ieugth. These reddieli-A'own 
cones of such unusual size are very effective, 
eoutrasted in fall with the long heavy hanging 
pine needles. 
Jfloricnltural, 
SPRING FLOWERS. 
Wintry snow-storms are still whistling 
around, and it seems hard to believe in Spring 
Flowers. Yet they are coming, surely coming; 
even now down under the snow banks tiny 
rooilets are stretching, and tiny buds prepar¬ 
ing for that kiss 
" which ones the violets' ej es. 
Ami culls up troops of frail Anemones." 
Before we realize it. the tender leaves and 
flowers will be opening to the showers and 
shines of April. The beautiful process of 
lengthening day.i is fairly in operation. Every 
morning the rising sun steals an atom farther 
north, and every afternoon he lingers with ns 
a few moments longer than he did the day be¬ 
fore. so that instead of sitting under lamp-light 
ut half-past four, we can sit by lire window 
and pursue our avocations till nearly six. The 
•• backbone of winter is broken,” aud we are 
justified in dreaming of Spring Flowers. It is 
none too soon for those who are intending to 
be “Pilgrims of Nature” next season, to be 
preparing to welcome intelligently the vernal 
blossoms. Young persons who live in the coun¬ 
try, girls and boys who tiavc tko delightful 
privilege of climbing hills and exploring val¬ 
leys aud meadows, who are not afraid of a bit 
of bog or the wettish places in pasture lands, 
—these have materials from which to manu¬ 
facture the sweetest kiud of country happi- 
uess. 
But the simple act of picking wild flowers, 
captivating as it is, may he made doubly de¬ 
lightful by calling in a little science, by which 
the searcher for llowers may understand some¬ 
thing of the structure and habits of these wood¬ 
land frieuds. It is so pleasant to be able to 
find out to what family a plant belongs, aud 
who are lts sisters aud eousiu.-s; when the dif¬ 
ferent members may he expected to pat on 
their spring or summer dresses, and what lo¬ 
calities they select. It is au unfailing delight 
to feel a personal acquaintance, a friendship 
for each “fragrant, flower-crowned head;" to 
greet them when they come ; to call them by 
their names, not merely the common names, 
though many of these are expressive aud 
sweet, but by their scientific names. Though 
many of these are hard and terrific, yet they 
are the names which learned men have bestow¬ 
ed, and cultured persons must know these 
names if they would have au accurate knowl¬ 
edge of the inhabitants of the woods and wilds. 
A friend of the writer had occasion to lament 
the strange ignorance of a rural population in 
these matters. Knowing well the Northern 
wild flowers and beiug located duriug tho war 
in a beautiful Southern regiou, he was charm¬ 
ed with the prospect of ntakiug a collection of 
Southern flowers, though uot having time to 
study them out. He sought, therefore, to dis¬ 
cover either scientific or common names from 
the natives arouud, but the only reply to bo ob¬ 
tained to any question as to what the beauti¬ 
ful strangers were galled, was, “Oh, they're 
Posies ,"—a pretty name, it is true, but not very 
satisfying to a botanical collector. A very 
desirable preparation for those who hope to 
spend many a day next season iu searching for 
wild flowers, would be to devote a little time 
now to becoming familiar with the elements of 
botany. A small book by Prof. Gray, called 
“ How Pluuts Grow,” gives all requisite infor¬ 
mation for beginners, aud as the student ad¬ 
vances, more elaborate books are ready. I 
wish I could persuade every young person iu 
this laud to take up the healthful and delight¬ 
ful study. There are no wearisome hours, no 
lieavy-kangiug time for those who love and 
study Nature. God has thrown around the 
shaded wood-path, the tangled bog, the opeu 
Held, the marsh and the meadow, such a sub¬ 
tile aud simple charm, influences so sweet and 
satisfying that, amidst the cool, green and 
fragrant surroundings, the heart forgets the 
fashions and follies of the world and puts far 
away “ the crush and din” of its madness. 
iortiraltural, 
OUR GARDEN. 
’LIZA LEAFTREE. 
“ Don’t you think we might have a garden 
Joel? ”1 asked it timidly the first week in 
April iu one of the early years of my married 
life. 
“ Where is the good?” said my husband, 
"we have our potato and carrot patch and I 
guess it’s the Rural has put that into your 
head. ” But Joel was really good-natured, 
and so Anslem, our hired man, had orders to 
turn iu and plow and harrow the last year’s 
carrot patch for my use. 
It was a little rough, but with the aid of a 
reel and line I got the beds into order, and 
will give you a little idea of the crops we 
planted and sowed -. 
All round the edge of the onion bed, planted 
with Wethersfield Red, I stowed parsley seed, 
and between the rows of Carter’s First Crop 
peas, we put in dwarf celery for a second crop 
after the last hoeing. Stout Anslem worked 
the ground with the horses at the time of the 
carrot and other green crop hoeing, and made 
the head-iauds of potatoes. I procured strong- 
rooted Currants aud Gooseberries, aud planted 
them out iu rows wide enough apart for the 
horses to cultivate, and grew every kind of 
vegetables the first year, except asparagus. 
Since then, a bed of this has beeu made aud 
is the most eagerly sought and highly prized 
of them all. Two rows of Strawberries, 
planted along the fence, supply us with mam- 
inoLk Jucuuda sufficient tor preserves aud a 
good table supply, while by keeping onr few 
Raspberries cut back and trained to a trellis, 
we have fine large fruit, and enjoy it better 
than any we could buy'. The Early Vermont 
potato is a superior variety, and we use early 
and late sweet corn, to prolong the season. 
It is astonishing how small apiece of ground 
will supply a family. If It is properly enriched, 
and attention paid to planting wide, with a 
view to a second crop. Radishes among beets, 
are soon out of ike way. So are lettuce among 
carrots and at the same time this practice 
tends to keep the garden tidy and free from 
unsightly rubbish. I sowed some of the low- 
growing aunual flowers along the sides of my 
vegetable beds, aud their bright bloom was 
alwaj'S before me when gathering anything for 
dinner. 
Turnips I found did well sown, late between 
the rows of ouians which were pulled up late 
in August and laid to dry. The turnip fly does 
not seem to like the smell of onions, aud left 
ours unmolested. And for the squashes, both 
summer and winter, which we grew, I found 
diluted cow manure effectual in keeping off 
the bugs and strengthening ihe plauts. Up 
the side of the house grows a Delaware grape 
vine now, aud half a dozen Damson plum trees, 
uot far off, supply us with tills choice preserve. 
I keep the rubbish in the compost heap all 
winter, and make it the place for soap-suds 
aud other good things, and wheu the pile is 
removed iu spring to the garden, its removal 
leaves a rich spot where one may safely drop 
u few melon aud cucumber seeds, aud if cov¬ 
ered with a pane of glass placed over a 
bottomless box, the melons ripen a week 
earlier thau iu the open air. Half a dozen 
tomato plauts put iuto a warm, dry, uot too 
rich corner, supply us for first use, and a few 
later plauis, a second crop, for preserving and 
canning, may be put in after any of the early 
vegetables — spinach, beets or radishes—are 
pulled. Cabbage and cauliflower are grown in 
small quantities, the trouble with the caterpillar 
being so great that we have to apply air-slaked 
lime several times, aud then if the plauts 
ehauce to be neglected for a few days, we find 
the leaves are riddled. 
Still, Joel now thinks we cannot do without 
our garden plot, aud countiug up, the other 
night, the profits aud benefits therefrom, he 
concluded by saying: “Well.’Liza, the gar¬ 
den and the Rural Nbw- Yorker are worth 
more to us than if we had “ struck ile.” 
8 EA KALE (Crambe maiitima). 
This is a vegetable that is very seldom found 
in the farmer’s garden, though iu Europe it is 
