£o}iics. 
HYBRIDS BETWEEN RYE AND WHEAT 
ORIGINATED AT THE RURAL 
GROUNDS. 
Probably at least 50 Different Vari¬ 
eties will b:i the Outcome. 
SECOND HYBRIDIZATION BETWEEN THE HALF- 
BREEDS, AGAIN CROSSED WITH RYE, 
GIVING PLANTS BY PARENTAGE 
THREE-QUARTERS RYE. ONE- 
QUARTER WHEAT. 
(Sfopcdmfttt (Luoiuub’ of the §UrnI 
^tfro-Uovkcr. 
THE PLANTS MOST RESEMBLING WHEAT. 
As has been stated in these reports, a cross 
was effected between wheat and rye during 
the season of 1882. As among hundreds of 
different varieties of wheat, that known as 
Armstrong, but since popularized as Land- 
reth. proved as hardy and productive as any. 
it was chosen, as the female or mother plant. 
The anthers while green were removed by the 
aid of a pointed stick as with our wheat cross¬ 
ings, and the head was then bound with tissue 
paper, twisting it above aud tying it about the 
stem just under the first spikelets. In a day 
or so the paper was removed, the palets and 
glumes (envelopes of the flowers) were again 
opened and pollen from rye flowers was drop¬ 
ped upon the stigma (the head of the pistil or 
female organ of the flower) from the point of 
a knife. The envelopes were closed and the 
tissue paper was again secured above the head. 
In this way the pollen was applied several 
times. 
Ten more ordess imperfect kernels formed 
which were planted September 22, one foot 
apart, nine of which germinated, passed 
through the Winter and matured grain the 
next year. Eight of the plants resembled 
wheat more than rye, and it is of those alone 
that we have to speak in this issue of the 
Rural, reserving yet for a few weeks an ac¬ 
count Of those resembling rye, with illustra¬ 
tions of the characteristic heads. It may, 
however, be well to remark that we have 
effected two further crosses upon these wheat- 
rye plants, one during the season of J 884, the 
other last season, using again rye [Milieu which, 
by parentage, makes the plants (20 in num¬ 
ber) three-quarters rye. Thus far they are 
wintering as well as any of the others. 
Now in the eight original plants resembling 
wheat (or the female parent) more thau rye, 
there was very little difference as to the heads. 
They were all somewhat bearded, all about 
the same shape. The plants, however, varied 
in vigor as well as in the size of the stems and 
leaves, in the number of stems to a plant aud iu 
hight. Tbe best of these heads wore selected 
to furnish seed which was planted September 
29, one kernel each in the intersections of ten- 
ineb squares. 
The reader will, perhaps, share our surprise 
when he is told that the plot of about one- 
twentieth of an acre, presented tbe next season 
when the heads appeared, as varied an ap¬ 
pearance as if kernels of all the most dissimi¬ 
lar wheats in cultivation had been sown. 
Our eugraviugs, time to nature iu every way, 
will serve to present this remarkable fact in 
the most forcible way. 
Nos. 5,0,7,8anil 9 (Fig@8, first page) are beard- 
lessaud club-headed, curving a little in the num¬ 
ber of breasts aud iu their position upon the 
stems, No. 5 being most crowded; No. 9 the 
least. Nos. 10 aud U are partially bearded, and 
though bearing a close likeness to the female 
plant (Armstrong) in shape, they are much 
larger (as grown in this soil) aud the number 
of kernels to the breast is greater. In several 
of the breasts of one or the other—we forget 
which—as many as seven kernels were counted, 
a not uncommon occurrence perhaps in the 
wheat portions of Colorado, Moutana aud Ore¬ 
gon, but never before observed in any of the 
hundred or more varieties grown in the impo¬ 
verished soil of our test plots. 
No. 1 (Fig. (57, first page,) is notable for the 
average length of head. No. 2 was cut from a 
low, feeble plant. No. 8 was also a feeble plant, 
but very different from No. 2. No. 4 and the 
horizontal head above do not differ materially 
from several old varieties of bearded wheat. 
Some of the plants were marvels of vigor 
with very heavy straw of various colors—yel¬ 
low, dark-brown, purplish. Some plants were 
exceptionally productive, as we have said, 
while others bore only two grains to a spike- 
let. aud still others were half sterile. The 
grains themselves varied as much as tbe heads 
or plants, some being long aud narrow, others 
short and plump. 
It will probably require several years to 
separate these wheats so that they will resolve 
themselves into fixed and uniform varieties. 
The best beads were selected last Fall with a 
view to this, and they were divided into at 
least SO different lots And planted’as heforelin 
September, one kernel 10 inches apart either 
way. Looking at the plants at this time, one 
is struck with their dissimilar habits. Some 
tiller remarkably, some very little. Some 
grow upright, others close to aud spreading 
over tbe ground. 
Our next aud concluding account of these 
hybrids will, as we ho ve said, describe aud 
illustrate those which most resemble rye. 
In writing the above, we have kindly been 
permitted by the Agricultural Editor of the 
Weekly World to avail ourselves of a well- 
prepared account of these new varieties of 
cereals, which appeared iu that journal of 
January 20. 
That the Winter, thus far. has been a re¬ 
markable one, has beeu a subject of common 
remark. As additional evidence, I will state 
that. I iJanted bulbs from time to time out-of- 
doors until the seeoud of January, at which 
time the grouud was free from frost, and 
worked as pleasantly as it does in May. 
* * * 
I have reason to know that some of us who 
write for the information of beginners are not 
always understood when we speak of the size 
of a flower pot. When, for example, we use 
the word Inches, and say “a four-inch pot,” 
some take the iuebes to mean diameter and 
others depth, while others again are at a loss 
to know which is meant. Gardeners, of course, 
will understand us whether we say •‘inches,’' 
or “pints,” “quarts,” etc.; but amateurs, es¬ 
pecially that large class who are just entering 
the charmed circle of plant culture, many 
times will not. Let it be understood that 
when we use the word inches, we moan the 
diameter of the pot at the top, and many will 
be spared a good deal of perplexity. It seems 
but a small matter, but it is in small matters 
that we usually fail in imparting knowledge 
to others. It will usually be safe to assume 
that the novice knows too little rather than 
too much. 
* * * 
I think it was Mr. Parnell who lately spoke 
a good word for tbe Rostiezer Pear. He could 
scarcely say too much in praise of its quality. 
I esteem it as the best pear of its season. Last 
Fall it was difficult to get one worked on tbe 
quiuce; and yet I find it generally to yield 
abundantly as a dwarf. It is objected to it 
that the fruit is small and the tree a straggling 
grower. That shows how unreasonable some 
people can bo. If I must choose between 
goodness and size, give me goodness all the 
time. As to the tree being a straggling 
grower, I remember an apposite old saw, 
“Handsome is that handsome does.” A judi¬ 
cious use of the kuife when the tree is young 
will give it a somewhat comely form. If you 
want a delicious early pear, plaut the 
Rostiezer. * * * 
I am greatly pleased with “Christmas Eve” 
Chrysauthemum, a grand white variety of the 
Japanese type. At present I am inclined to 
think it is the best of its color, though I want 
to see more of it before making up my mind 
fully. The time has come to go slow in ad¬ 
mitting new kinds. Seedlings are living pre¬ 
sented in large numbers, and though some of 
them are very fine, aud worthy of a name, 
the majority, I should say, from what I have 
seen, should be allowed to siuk quietly out of 
sight. It is not going to be au easy thing to 
produce anew and distinct variety better than 
those we already have. I should like to see 
one, however, aud would not, therefore, dis¬ 
courage the raising of seedlings, but only the 
indiscriminate introduction of kinds similar 
to, and no better t han, those wc already have. 
* m= * 
The Editors ask for a good preservative for 
shingles, aud a correspondent recommends 
petroleum and Virginia tar. These I kuow to 
be good. There are several forms of petroleum 
that may be used for the purpose with more 
or less success. Tbe best, so far as my exper¬ 
ience goes, is what is known as “finishing oil.’’ 
It is about of the consistency of linseed oil, or, 
perhaps, a little heavier. It is applied with 
the common paint brush, and the shiugle 
should receive a coat on each side to insure the 
best results, or it may be dipped in the oil. 
There is another good form of petroleum, of 
about the consistency of wax, which can easily 
be applied when melted. It penetrates every 
pore when it hardens, and renders the wood 
impervious to water. It is now often used on 
hard-wood floors, which can then be highly 
polished. Both these forms of petroleum are 
much cheaper than linseed oil, 
Me * * 
Mr. Williams’s description of the Alley 
Strawberry is about as nearly right as one 
could wish. It is a large and handsome berry, 
but very acid; tco acid for me. People who 
are fond of sugar will find the Alley pretty 
good to flavor it with. I prefer a plant that 
will give me a happy combination of flavor 
and sugar in the fruit. It is so much better 
that way. To my apprehension, Mr. Alley has 
better seedlings thau the one referred to. 
* Ms * 
I would suggest that the Gem Tomato be 
omitted from seed catalogues hereafter. It 
has been there too long already. [That is 
* true.— Eds.] It is not a gem, aud there seems 
to be no further use for it. 
M" * * 
Two years ago 1 budded a large lemon on a 
seedling stock three years old. At the same 
time I made cuttings of three pieces left over. 
The buds took handsomely and the cuttings 
are growing finely. From which shall I get 
fruit first! 1 
* Ms Ms 
The figures of Fovsythia, in a late number 
of the Rural, remind me that some two or 
three years ago 1 saw Forsythia viridissima 
growing on a rather steep hillside, and it 
struck me at the time that I had never 
before seen it growing on a spot so ad¬ 
mirably adapted to its habit of growth. 
It was in flower at the time, and very beauti¬ 
ful. I will add that it was growing as 
Nature intended it should grow, and not in 
the wretched moped-headed style all too com¬ 
mon iu our parks and gardens. 
Me Ms M< 
Mr. Falconer does not seem to like the tur¬ 
nip-rooted celery overmuch. I can not say 
that I think much of it myself, when eaten iu a 
plain way; but when stewed and eaten as a 
salad, if only simply dressed with oil and vine¬ 
gar, it is very nice. Try it this way, Mr. 
Falconer, and give it auother chance. 
Ms Ms * 
Porous vases are a comparatively new in¬ 
troduction here. A potter, with his wheel, 
was one of the interesting features at the late 
fair of the American Institute. He made a 
good many of these vases for the edification 
of tbe boys and girls, large aud small, and 
got orders for more than he made. They are 
made iu various forms, classical aud otherwise. 
They are filled with water, which very soon 
permeates them. The outside is then thickly 
covered with grass seed, which soon vegetates 
in a warm room, aud you have a pretty ob¬ 
ject for the mantel, the center-table, or 
other suitable place. Different forms are 
made for growing ferns, which would seem 
to answer the purpose very well for sonic 
kinds, though I have not given them a trial. 
The price is an “unknown quantity” to me. 
* ♦ # 
To see the Japanese village uow on exhibi¬ 
tion in New York is the next thing to ^siting 
.Japan. I can not remember ever having 
seen an exhibition so instructive and interest¬ 
ing. The Japs are working at their trades 
and professions just as they do at home. The 
work of these remarkable people, especially 
their paintiug and inlaying on vases, etc., is 
exquisitely beautiful. They do some things 
upside down, a good deal better thau we do 
them right side up. As the village passes 
through the country the readers of the Ru¬ 
ral should by all means go to see it. Be sure 
to take the children. horticola. 
<i!)c &piflriatL 
SIXTEENTH SESSION OF THE NORTH 
AMERICAN BEE-KEEPERS’ ASSO¬ 
CIATION. 
(RURAL SPECIAL REPORT), 
Continued from page 25. 
Bee-keepers' appHcunces; foundation; bee¬ 
keeping asabusiness; successes and failures; 
the Government and bee-keeping; advan¬ 
tages of reversible frames; the “pollen 
theory"; wintering bees; cellar wintering; 
some statistics; races of bees; conclusion. 
Mr. A. I. Root, in his paper “Cheapness or 
Excellence—Which f” advised buying the 
cheaper articles till experience showed that 
expensive implements were 'needed, aud then 
buy carefully. Always make the bees pay iu 
advance. Mrs. Harrison of Illinois, said she 
used simply loose bags tied over the bands to 
prevent stings. She did not like rabl*er, pre¬ 
ferring liuen. Dr. Mason found rubber gloves 
with finger ends cut off answered well, W. 
F. Clark used linen, with Canton flannel. 
Prof. Cook said the short hairs on the hands 
and fuzzy clothing induced stinging; the 
hairs should he burned off,and the fuzzy clothes 
avoided. Most present used no gloves and need¬ 
ed none. He said the idea that some were very 
apt to be stung while others were not, was 
due largely to nervousness. With his muny 
students, he saw little to support the view 
that bees had favorites. Mr. lleddou thought 
the same. Mr. Doolittle hud seen people who 
could, with perfect safety, go about any bees 
unprotected. 
Mr. Vandervort spoke of comb foundation. 
He^would use six feet. to the pound for brood 
combs, and no wire. For sections lie would 
use 12 feet to the pound. The wax should be 
soft and the foundation fr*>sh. Old foundation, 
however, could lie warmed, when it would be 
acceptable to the bees. Mr. Jones used seven 
feet to the pound, aud found it best in the 
sections. It- saved time, and, if crowded, the 
bees would thin it out well. Messrs. Pierce 
and Barber, of New York, thought tbe same.- 
Mr. Boardman used thin foundation for sec¬ 
tions. Mr. Dadaut wished five feet to the 
pound iu the brood chamber, and 11 feet to 
the pound in sections. He said that founda¬ 
tion in the center of the cluster would warm 
it and the bees would work ou it at once. Dr. 
Mason warmed old foundation or dipped it 
into warm water. Mr. Manum had used 
foundation successfully in the same way even 
when ten years old. 
Dr. C. C. Miller discussed the bee business. 
He had not found it os profitable as other 
kinds of business, but it, kept him at home, out- 
of-doors. and gave him health. So though he 
had two years of comparative failure, he was 
not yet ready to abaudou the business. This 
year bis entire crop would be less than 1,000 
pounds. Mr. S. D. Pettit, Ontario, said 75 per 
cent, of bees in Ontario died last Winter—cause, 
cold aud inexperience. He thought the honey 
produced iu Ontario the last 10 years had cost 
25 cents per pound; the causes were unripe 
honey,adulteration by dealers aud inexperience 
Our journals show the bright side too often, 
aud the failures too seldom. Mr. Root, said Mr. 
Miller left a sfi.000 position to go into bee-keep- 
iug. He could return to the old business at 
anytime; but he preferred good health even 
with less money. And who wouldn’t? Mr. 
Emigh, Ontario, said he had never lost his 
bees. In the Fall of 1884 he had 170 colonies; 
in the Spring of 1885, 1*58. He had secured (>,- 
IKK) pounds of comb honey and 500 pounds of 
extracted. He sold 7tl colonies in the Spring, 
and has 170 good colonies now. He was satis¬ 
fied with the bee keeping and thought any one 
would be, who learned his business, and gave 
it attention. Prof. McLean, of the Depart¬ 
ment of Agriculture, said the Government 
now for the first time recognizes this industry. 
He gave the result of his very elaborate exper¬ 
iments which show that bees do not injure 
sound grapes. They only take the juice from 
such as are ru [ itured. He had fertilized queens 
by artificial ini induction of the semen from 
the drone into the vulva of th^been. It must 
be doin ' during the orgasm of the queen. Res¬ 
olutions were passed thanking the Commission¬ 
er of Agriculture for his action, and urging 
that, bee and honey statistics be included in 
the monthly reports, aud that analyses be 
made ol' different grades and kinds of honey. 
James Heddon, of Michigan, discussing re¬ 
versible frames, said these were exceedingly 
valuable. They secured full frames of comb, 
united on every side to the frame, and, by 
judicious manipulation, all the honey could be 
secured in the sections. He preferred a hive 
which enabled him to reverse all at once and 
not each frame singly. Reversing secures 
more honey, stronger combs and more speedy 
capping. It also keeps brood chambers full 
of brood, noti honey, and prevents swarming. 
Dr. Whiting said that if we reverse, just be¬ 
fore the close of harvest, cells are filled and 
capped much better. Mr. Heddon said that 
inverting prevented swarming, os it caused 
the bees to tear down the queen cells. 
Prof. Cook spoke of the “Pollen Theory.” 
Ho showed that without pollen diarrhea did 
not occur, That auimals that hilieruate and 
people long sick, live for long periods with no 
food except the stored fat of the body. Pollen 
for food is hard to digest aud affords more re¬ 
fuseor waste than the carbohydrates. *Bees 
iu Winter are very quiet if the} - winter well, 
and, like hibernating animals and people in 
sickness, need no albuminoids in the food. We 
know this as they often winter as well, and 
many think Letter, on clear honey or sinip, 
which has no nitrogenous elements in It. As 
the bees retain their feces nil Winter, when iu 
health, it seems scientific and in accord with 
analogy, as well as sustained by experience, 
that they may, In some eases, winter better if 
all pollen is excluded from their winter rations. 
If the heat is kept right, however, we need 
pay no heed to the pollen. 
Mr. Ira Barber of New York, in the mast 
valuable pa[>or of the meeting, discussed the 
wintering problem. He said, “I have winterer! 
colonies by the hundreds now for 25 years aud 
with no loss. Hence, I fe, 1 free to say that 
wintering with me is safe, in all (hat time, 
80 per cent- have wintered perfectly. The two 
essentials are heat and dampness. They are 
not safe without the heat, and will not remain 
us quiet iu a very dry ntmoshore. The cellar 
is al ways kept f rom (50° to 90 s ’ F. The only ven¬ 
tilation is a stove pipe, which passes through 
the wail to the top of the cellar and pusses up 
several feet; this keeps the room from becoming 
too warm. When very cold, we keep fire in the 
