Il.r.VSTItA'TKb CATALOGUE* FltEIS. 
A. D.COWAN & CO 
11 1 Chamber* Street. New York. 
J*ZfSfcFOR 1886. 
1TU1 tx nullwt FREK »o »11 appllosct*, «nfl 40 onitoiMn of 
lul Tu; vfihoai Ofdirtaf 14. 14 oeoUloi»4oit ItO PM*** 
•00 Uls*4l»M«n», prtoM, ucnrrt* d«»«ripUoM v»lo»bl* 
AlroMons tor plkatiu ■!! vtriittM of TB11KTABLK 
lirkoi/KB *F.E1»8, BULBS. «*• 
to all MCMltll; 4o lfark«4 OardaoK*. Bona tor 14. k, 
D. M. FERRY A CO., Detroit, Michigan. 
for i\jt Doimg 
. WISH some of the hoys would 
write us about traps for catch- 
ing rabbits and birds. I used 
to set snares and box-traps when 
''Krai I l* I was a boy—now I want to 
) AT know ^ any new kinds are in 
use. Let us hear about this, 
▼ Many of the Cousins write 
me that they are studying music. I am glad 
of that. It is nice to be able to sing or play. 
It adds more to life than you can imagine. 
The trouble about learning to play on an in¬ 
strument is that the practice is so tiresome 
that we lose interest in it. But we must re¬ 
member that “practice makes perfect. 11 If we 
could sing or play so beautifully without any 
work or trouble there would be little satisfac¬ 
tion in it. Pleasure is measured by work and 
self-denial. Never give up because a thing 
seems hard. Every good thing is hard to do 
at first. Only the bad things seem easy. 1 
suppose many of the Cousins go to singing- 
schools. The trouble with them used to be 
that the people cared more for the good times 
than they did for the singing. I wonder how 
they are now. _ 
Will not a little chicken make a good pet for 
those who have no canary bird ! To be sure it 
can't sing, but it mil be cunning enough 
while it is small. I can remember that the 
first experience I ever had with a brooder was 
the result of an accident. We had an old hen 
that stole her nest, and hatched out a brood 
of chickens in January. There were six of the 
little fellows, and tu add to their discomfort, 
the old hen broke her leg and had to be killed. 
The “men folks” thought the little things were 
not worth raising, but the “women folks'' 
thought differently. If you will notice, you 
will see that the good mothers aud sisters are 
the ones that generally look after those who 
cannot help themselves. They brought these 
little chicks in and put them in a large box by 
the fire. They were fed all they could eat, and 
had room to run about and get in the sun¬ 
shine every pleasant day. At night, they 
would crowd up into a piece of an old blanket 
that hung in one corner of the box. We had 
a great air-tight stove where the fire kept all 
night long. We could put the box behind the 
stove every night, and there they would be 
safe aud warm. And how they grew I We 
could almost see the growth from day to day. 
We had them all named, and we were all sorry 
enough when they got so large that they 
could run out-of-doors with the other chickens. 
No doubt they soon forgot us, but we always 
remembered them. Now don’t let any of the 
poor little chicks die from cold or exposure. 
You can save them if you will only try. 
LETTERS FROM THE COUSINS. 
Dear Uncle Mark: I wonder if you and 
all the Rural Cousins have seen a mirage. 
Perhaps you have not, so I will tell you about 
it. We often see mirages here. On a clear 
morning, just after sunrise, houses aud other 
objects that are out of sight over the hills 
come into full view, while those that are 
nearer and in sight seem to come still nearer 
and to be on lower ground. Sometimes it will 
look as if there were trees where there are 
none, or like a broad expanse of water where 
there is nothing but grass. Sometimes towns 
12 or 15 miles away come into full view, aud 
sometimes, but not often, are seen as if turn¬ 
ed up-side down in the air. We all like the 
Rural very much. I always look for the 
letters the first thing. We have no school 
here this Winter, so I study at home. We 
have been having steady cold weather. The 
mercury was 20 degrees below zero one morn¬ 
ing. Uncle Mark I would like to know ho^v 
many nieces and nephews you have. If you 
send us any beans or other seeds this year, I 
hope I will have better success. 
Your niece, 
Axtell,Kearney Co., Neb. ISA b. wells. 
[I have a pretty large family. These letters 
are read by more than 50,000 people, so you 
see we have quite an audience.— uncle mark.] 
Dear Uncle Mark: The beans that you 
sent me I planted, but we live a little too far 
north for them to succeed well. But few of 
them ripened. Now I wall tell you about my 
father’s seedling strawberries that I spoke of 
last Winter. Most, of them bore fruit in less 
thau one year from the time that the seed was 
sown. We throw away all the weak plants 
when in the third or fourth leaf. The Prince 
of Berries, crossed by Great American, pro¬ 
duced showy bunches of fruit, standing well 
up from the ground. The Vick, crossed with 
Sharpless, is low, with large fruit near the 
ground. The^DaniePBoone, crossed by Ken¬ 
tucky, were strong, leafy plants with fruit of 
fine red color. We have the Amateur from 
Mr. Hart of Connecticut. We crossed it with 
Prince, Primrose, Bid well and Mount Vernon. 
The plants are strong aud vigorous, We pre¬ 
fer those kinds with perfect flowers. I will 
try to help my father remove the au there in 
blossom time, and I intend to use au anther 
hook made from a pin, with the point bent 
acutely. It is recommended by Prof. Tracy. 
From your niece, 
Coopersville, Micb. minia a. wilde. 
[I hope you will be able to develop some 
good berries. Such experiments are valuable. 
—UNCLE MARK. 
Dear Uncle Mark: Here is another little 
boy wants to join the Y. H. C. My papa has 
a dry-goods store, but we have a small farm, 
too. Our Rural corn had a number of ears 
ripened, but the mice have got at them and 
nibbled some. Wc have enough left to plant 
a good many kinds, though. Something ate 
our peas, aud we did not kuow what it was; 
but one day we went tip to the farm and saw 
a little rogue of a woodchuck there. I guess 
he did it. I have two little brothers and a 
little baby sister. She is just begiuuiug to 
talk. I think she is the best pet in the world, 
but you did uot mean babies, did you i We 
have a dear little pouy, all black; her name is 
Fly. I am going to have a little garden of 
my own in the Spring and when 1 learn to 
write better I will tell you about it. Manuna 
helped me write this letter, but I am going to 
school every day, and I trill soon know how to 
spell all the words. Your nephew, 
Peterboro, Ontario. locis turnbull, 
[That woodchuck was a rascal, surely. Ba¬ 
bies just beginning to talk are very cunning. 
Never mind about waiting to learn how to 
spell and write better. Uncle Mark can read 
all the letters, and he is always glad to get 
them.] 
Dear Uncle Mark: Last Summer I had 
a nice bed of geraniums, one of pansies and 
petunias. We also had a nice display of pop 
pies, the seeds of which were sent by the 
Rural. I love flowers very much and hope to 
have more next year than ever before. I am 
very much pleas-xl with the letters written by 
the Cousins, Cousin Mattie Gray's in particu¬ 
lar. I thiuk she must indeed have her hands 
full attending to so much live stock. 1 would 
like to see her feeding ducks and Guineas. I 
have one brother. He is older than I, but I 
guess I will not trade him off, because he takes 
me on sleigh rides. He has a pony of his own. 
Her name is Dollie. I have also a baby sister. 
Her name is Mary. anna Roberts. 
Elmira, N. Y. 
[I hope you will have more flowers. You 
had better not let your brother go. 
—uncle mark.] 
Dear Uncle Mark: I am a little boy 11 
years old, and I waul to be one of your neph¬ 
ews. We live on a farm of 208 acres, one half 
mile from town. I have half an acre of ground 
to cultivate for myself. I want your advice. 
Please tell me what to raise that will bring me 
the most money. I have $80 in the 1 tank, and 
I always intend to have money there, but don’t 
think I am stingy because I want to make 
money. I give some of my dimes occasionally 
for our church. I have never been to school 
because I am not very stout. I hope this will 
escape the waste basket. lee webster. 
Salem, Marion Co., ills. 
[I must know more about your land and how 
uear you are to a good market before I can 
advise you properly. I guess you have more 
money thau I have. I am glad you are not 
stingy. There are many other things besides 
money to Ik- gaiued in this world. 
—uncle mark.] 
Dear Uncle Mark: As I do uot see many 
letters from Vermont, I thought I would 
write. 1 have a garden every year: last year 
I raised corn, potatoes, peas, beans, cabbages, 
turnips, onions, lieets, carrots, radishes aud 
melons. I planted some peppers last year, 
but the frost came so early that they did not 
get ripe. The corn and peas that you sent 
did nicely; some of the stalks wore 14 feet in 
bight ; one stalk had eight perfect ears, an¬ 
other four. Pa has taken the Rural three 
years. His year is out, but he is going to 
subscribe over. I am 11 years old. I have HI 
sheep to take care of, two cows and a calf, n 
pig and 20 liens, and a small lamb that was 
disowned by its mother. I would like to join 
the Y. H. C. As it is time to let out the cows 
and fodder, I will close. 
Your nephew, Elyin Savage. 
Windsor Co., Vt. 
[I am glad you had such a nice garden. It 
is a good thing to learn to take care of stock. 
—u. m.] 
Don’t be discouraged if your letters are not 
printed at once. Your names all go on the 
list, 
ANNA ROBERTS. 
LEE WEBSTER. 
and flanta. 
S ibley’s Tested Seedffc 
Catalogue free on application. Send for It. 
Iliram Siltlcy Co., |1 
Rochester, N. Y., and Chicago, Ili.. 
APPLE SEEDLINGS. 
Two years, extra choice, S3 per thousand. 
Smiths, Powell & Lamb, 
Syracuse, N. Y. 
“SEEDS 
without writlng\tor/dur Catalogue. Our 
prices DEFY COMPETITION, and Seeds 
are NEW, PUHd57 1 P±><*ED, RELIABLE. 
PPPP Catalogue, Invaluable to all, 
■ ■» off 136 imges, Igeluding Plants, 
Fruits, anjfprlee list. witti'SOO illustra¬ 
tions. Lpl as licar from you. ltYspectlully, 
THE STORRS & HARRIS6N4J0. 
PAINESVILLE, LAKE CO., OHIO. 
Marlboro Raspberry, Ulster Prolific and Pouqh 
keevatc lied (Jrapea. Send for description and price 
to A. J. CAY WOOD & SON. .Marlboro, N. Y. 
BARLEY. 
A N EW KIND OF BARLEY. 
PEARL OR III LLF.SS BARLEY. 
It has as thin a bran as wheat, and weighs 62 pounds 
per bushel. It yields from 30 to 60 bushels per acre. 
Price, by mall, 80 cents per pound; or will send by ex¬ 
press four pounds for $l, or 82.iV! per peck- Address 
O. F. GILBERT, 
Ellendale, Hickey Co.. I>. T. 
SMITH’S 
FLOWER and VEGETABLE 
SEEDS. 
Hive them a trial. Illustrated Cata¬ 
logue /rcc. \V,M II. SMITH, 
Box 1570. Phi I a.. Pa. 
Mention this paper. 
___ Mi l sEN l> J-OH OUR BISAt- 
ri L r Itifvu.yillustrated 
II I" ” *“1886 ” CATALOGUE OF 
IV La SEEDS. ROSES, PLANTS,Ac. 
mailed to any addrws ritPP I 
| | It will tell YOU bow L K L |> f 
B»fely and CHEAPLY f || L L I 
| you can obtain them, Ac., Ac. 
CH AS. C. McCOLGAN A CO., 
58 Light Street. _Baltimore, Md. 
U I SEND 
r ITIFULJ.Y 
»»41 llttil ” 
I LA el A 
FREE! 
SEEDS. 
My Annual Priced Catalogue is now ready, and mail- 
1 free to all applicants. It contains all the leading 
la r sorts of 
Sly Annual > 
ed free to all a 
and most popu 
Address E. PI• 
P.ease mention this paper. 
Small Fruit Plants.— First come first served. 
Price List free. G.'S.lButler, Cromwell, Ct. 
GRAPEP a®VIN E S 
Uliai D OKI, A WARE, WOK- " 1BDU 
DEN. JEFFERSON. AMBER OI'F.EN. and 
oilier vnrieiir*. Also flic FATA WBA SEED 
LING. “MA ttV/' h lied Grape originated In 
Oswego Co., N.Y. Karty ns Cont-ord a ml us heavy bearer. 
Fruit has been kept until May. Thi-. Grape itniew, 
bus not been on iheumrUi-i before. 1 have just 
bought r he cut ire stock of the originator, and shall have 
the entire control for someyears of same. Prices of vines 
within reach of all. 1,2 and 3year vines. Send forlisi. 
tVERETT BROWN, IMr&W. 1 n 1 ! 
600 ACRES. 
13 CREENHOUSES. 
contains all the leading 
VEGETABLE, FARM, 
FLOWER seeds. 
Besides all the desirable novelties of last season, and 
nearly everything else in my line of business. 
ALFRED BRlD(iEMA\, 
37 East 19th St., New York. 
From whit Nurseries thill I Buy ay Tree; ? 
FROM THE 
ELGIN NURSERIES 
(Ket&blished 18M—32d Year.) 
The Leading N urser ies of the West. 
We glte .'vet, mio » chance to try 
3 sample package of Trvr*. from S to 
1,300 tree, m micli lot— your choice of 
siity-or.c different lots of * great 
many varieties. 
Bead lor Catalogue—free to all. 
EVERGREENS BY THE MILLION. 
Td - H* ItIClvIf-jR & 
uvu rsuiM-u* _•j- — 
TREESsPLANTS 
Wc offer forth.- Spring Trade a large and line stock of 
every description of Fruit and Ornamental 
Trees, Slirubs. Roses. Vines, Small Fruits, 
Hedge Plants. Fruit Tree Seedlings and 
Forest Tree Seedlings. Priced Catalogue, SpriDg 
18S6, .mailed free on application. Address, 
BLOOM INCTON (PHdNlX) NURSERY, 
Established <852. BLOOMINCTONj ILL. 
AGEVI’S WAMISD. 
To canvaKS in every town for the wile of the GREG¬ 
ORY FINGER WEEDF.U, an entire new Idea 
fora wheel hoe and finger vveeder eouibincd. It can 
be carried about from house to house, anil sells readily 
Profits to agents satisfactory. Address 
JAMES J. 11. GREGORY, 
Seedsman, Marblehead, Mass. 
NORTHERN-GROWN 
. SEED POTATOES AND SEED GRAIN. 
Send for price list. free. Address S. FROG NEK, 
Herman, Grant Co.. Minn. 
.flA M mm* aal-nm Garden Uuloc 
|Lbi Q g WF8F.K 10 all. I on should 
^Jtoi varieties. 
waCOLEA BBO.. Beeilniien Pella, jiwn 
ALESMEN 
WANTED TO 
ELL 
NURSERY 
T0CK! 
Energetic 
anti reliable men 
of good 
address to 
travel and for 
local work. For 
terms address 
The HooverS Gaines 
COMPANY, 
Daytou Star Nurseries, 
Davtou. Ohio. 
rnrrc OV Util 21) Kluffar Pears, grafted, for 
TKtfcv o' IllAILsi Send postal for Cata¬ 
logue. Our Specialty. Mt:ten's PnouKicyuiM E, in any 
quantity; also, New and Valuable Fruits, Berries, etc. 
We send Instruct ions how to grow them profitably. 
Wc-t Jersey Nursery Co., Bridgeton, n. J. 
tUilN, IDb 
AgEMiSEEDS FREE!! 
Even one known that NORTH ERN GROWN 
SEEDS produce Huer. earlier and larger Vegeta¬ 
bles than any others. We have bought 65,000 $1 .w lots 
of Garden and Flower Reeds, grown In Minnesota and 
Dakota, right under the North Star, ami want you 
to trv tin-ill. Wc publish THE HOUSER LEl'LK. 
85,000 circulation and in Its ninth year no chick¬ 
en,” you ace). Wo arti ambitious to bring this Home 
Paper up to 150,000 circulation. Bunco thoolfurs we 
make you: 
1st OFFER—Ttn: Houhekv.kpkr is a monthly, 
$1.00 per year. If you scud your subseilptlon for 
1880 and si.(Mi, wc will scud you si mi worth or garden or 
flower seeds. For every two additional subscriptions 
secured byyou at Sl.00, wc will scuil you$1.00 In seeds 
as above, ami will :tlst> ae lid $1.00 In seeds to each 
subscriber secured. 
3d.—ir yon send your subscription to Titk House¬ 
keeper fur 0luontiis at 50COnti, wc will send Wets, lit 
seeds as above. For each two subscript Ions tor 8 mouths 
secured by you at. .‘,0 reins wc will scud AO cents’worth 
of seeds us above.and s.uiieamounttoeach subscriber 
3<L—Toany lady who sends her address for a speci¬ 
men copy (tree) of Tmc HoUtOtKKKPRR, ami tl cents 
postage, we will send ft 25 cent (retail price) packet of 
the new aud beautiful Giititi Ihiiisy (Imported Trim- 
ard'-Mit, flowers '1% to3 Inches In dlfimci.cr). 
tin receipt of subseriptiimx, wc mall catalogue of the 
well-known seedsmen Northriro, Ri-aslan & Co., 
Mitmeaimlls, Minn., with an ortlcr for amount due in 
seeds, which order will lie filled Immediately when sent 
with your sHoction. to Nortlirup, Braslan.v Co. The 
InidMO itprefullfr* u/ thtt C/ttdjOfmt tdUl (Mi .tdivrli-srd in 
Morrh Hmisr/.-.viu-r and neleeaonnmav be rnwle from that 
h.-t bu "II subscriber*. Address BUCKEYE PUB. 
CO., Minneapolis, Minn. 
J^THIS OFFER WILL NOT APPEAR AGAIN. 
r mV C U RRANT CRUDER BEST « - 0CK 
|AT HEADQUARTERS UnAl tv World. 
. pa a fa h ■ and all tho other best Grape Vines, 
U|A ktnillfO VTOtfl now und oW - Vi,,cs wintered in 
nMMHM. C.IIIIIII C add Mammoth stone cellars with roots 
IIIUUUIU^ V in Une sand. Trees and Small Fruit 
Plants. Bv mail, express or freight.. Lowest prices ever known for Dealers, Agents, 
Painters and Everybody. In every respect a Model and First-class Establishment. Accu¬ 
rate naming and highest grading. Freu Illustrated Catalogue. Pitas# write me lierurc you buy. 
CEO. S. JOSSELYN, Fredonia, N. Y, 
fSV CURRANT rn, 
rAl HEADQUARTERSUnI 
Niagara, Empire State 
Plants. By mail, express or freight. Lowest prices 
