THE APRIL “CENTURY 
grow as long as 22 inches, and to be the finest 
for table use. W. Atlee Burpee says he has 
grown them to weigh over six pounds each. 
We shall try it. 
We have a Gregory’s Spruce that is at least 
15 years old, and not over two feet high aud 
nine feet in circumference. It is very com¬ 
pact and perfectly hardy at the Rural 
Grounds. Dwarf evergreens are not planted 
as much as they deserve to be. 
Henry Stewart reminds the leaders of the 
Times that we do not sow oats early enough. 
The land should be plowed in the Fall, and 
prepared as if the seed was then to be sown. 
Then iu the Spring sow directly upon this 
soil as soon as the upper four inches are free 
from frost, and dry. This generally happens 
in March in the North. Then use the harrow 
across the furrows to cover the seed. 
Oats need the longest possible growing sea¬ 
son, they like cool weather, and moist, well 
drained land. It is difficult to secure a large 
crop of oats from late sowing, aud the grain 
is always light... 
Opr Summers leap from the lap of Winter, 
with scarcely any Spring, so that oats have 
little time to make growth, Let us provide 
against this as far as possible by sowing early. 
Oats, as Mr. Stewart remarks, are a more 
exhaustive crop than many suppose, being, ac¬ 
cording to analysis, two-thirds as exhaustive 
as wheat. 
Much mischief is done by overfeeding brood 
sows nearly farrowed, in the belief that they 
will be ltetter able to nurse their young brood. 
On the contrary, the food should be given 
very moderately before the litter appeal's, aud 
afterward should be increased unly as the 
growing demands of the nurselings call for it. 
A farmer who is noted among his neighbors 
for his fine pigs, feeds the sows a mixture of 
two bushels of buckwheat, and one of corn 
ground together, the meal being made into a 
.slop. This food is given in moderate quanti¬ 
ties only, apportioned so as to keep the sow iu 
a somewhat thin condition and without mak¬ 
ing flesh or fat. Before fan-owing, the sow is 
lightly fed, and if it can be avoided no grain 
is given. In this way the sow farrows safely 
and never feels inclined to molest the young 
pigs when they are dropped. 
Select young trees rather than larger or 
older ones. All things equal, the young tree 
will make a healthier growth than the old one. 
Work the soil carefully and thoroughly 
among the roots. Handle the roots tenderly. 
When covered, tramp the soil firmly over 
them, so that the tree will be firm by the sup¬ 
port of the soil. Don’t forget this. 
Superphosphates, fish guano aud poud- 
rette are characterized by the pamphlet of one 
firm as “incomplete, one-sided, stimulating 
fertilizers.”. 
Bell’s Messenger says that all milk should 
be boiled before it is used for human con¬ 
sumption...*. 
Don’t be deceived in feeding corn-meal to 
milk cows, says the U. S. Dairyman. Feed 
freely, it at first inei’eases the milk flow, but 
soon goes to fat and lessens the milk. Many 
a valuable cow has been injured by over¬ 
feeding in this way.. 
It is a pretty good rule to wait until the 
buds swell before grafting. . . Prepare for 
sowing earliest peas as soon as the soil will 
permit. Is your brush ready? . . . Give 
the grass plots a dressing of wood ashes and 
raw bone Hour..... 
Speaking of peach trees, EUwnnger & 
Barry remind their inexperienced readers that 
it should always be borne in mind that the 
fruit is produced on wood of last season’s 
growth. Heuee the necessity of keeping up a 
will be necessary to present a chromo with 
every Kieffer pear tree sold. He deems the 
pear all one could ask as to size a nd color. 
The Kieffer Pear has, however, friends in 
Southern New Jersey and Pennsylvania where 
it thrives; there are few pears better for can¬ 
ning, and occasionally the quality is tolerable 
when eaten out of hand.. • - - 
Mr. Ward named for profitable pears Giff- 
ard, Clapp, Bartlett, Boussock, Seckel, Shel¬ 
don, Clairgeau, Anjou, and Hovey. It will 
not be long we think, ere the Frederick Clapp 
will become a favorite for October use, though 
where it will thrive best is not as yet known. 
We hope all who can afford to do so will plant 
this tree. 
We are pleased to know that E. Williams, 
the hard-working Secretary of the New Jersey 
H. S. had a number of Kieffer pears sent to him 
last season and among them were one or two 
that he called good. Mr. Rogers also, in a lot 
sent to him. found “half-a-dozen or so that were 
good.” Pres. Baker had eaten Kieffers which 
he pronounced “fine, melting and juicy.”. 
One thing is evident, it would appe r, viz., 
that good Kieffers cannot be raised in North- , 
era New Jersey. 
The new Rose Celery is highly spoken of as 
a strong grower, stalky and of the best qual¬ 
ity... 
The Ruby King Pepper, Dr. Ward, the 
Chairman of the Vegetable Committee, said 
grows bushy, 18 inches high, producing the 
largest peppers he had ever seen. 
Mr. Caywood said the curculio took all his 
plums till he made a thorough application of 
slaked lime after every rain, from the time 
the fruit set till the pit hardened—and ever 
since he has had tremendous crops. The same 
application to peaches resulted in smooth, per¬ 
fect fruit. He tbiuks that lime will also save 
grapes from mildew apd rose bugs. 
Mr. Caywood was better pleased with the 
Jewell Strawberry than with any other. Mr. 
E. Williams, the Secretary, remarked that 
there was no other so promising. 
The Cobansey Strawberry was mentioned as 
a new variety of great promise. The R. N.- 
Y. will make an effort to procure a few plants. 
Mr. Minch kept some of the above berries 
four days after ripe, and they were still sound 
and of good color. 
Buback’s No. 5 is another new strawberry 
of promise. 
The Rural's advice, given years ago and 
since repeated, not to cultivate strawberries 
until after they bear fruit in the Spring, ex¬ 
cept, it may be, barely upon the surface, is 
strongly supported by many experienced 
growers. Others, however, raise the finest 
crops through cultivating up to three weeks 
of the ripening of the fruit..... 
Mr. Wilcox, in reply to a question by a 
member of the society, saul that Meeeh’s 
Prolific Quince is an old variety, and that it 
had been disseminated by three different par¬ 
ties from 15 to 20 years ago. Mr. Jones 
showed a picture of this quince as shown in 
Mr. Meeeh’s circular, which was “reduced 
one-third in size.” Mr. Jones, to show the 
absurdity of this claim, presented a picture 
enlarged one-third, it measured 18 inches 
in circumference. He asked Mr. Meech, who 
was present: “Is this true?” Mr, Meech made 
no response. Taking a large pineapple from 
the table, Mr. Jones showed that the size of 
the quince, as claimed by Mr. Meech, was 
larger than the pineapple. Other claims of 
Mr. Meech were disproved. 
Speaking of starting celery seeds, several 
members said that they should be sown in 
rich, mellow soil aud not covered, but merely 
pressed into the soil with the foot or a board. 
Then keep moist. ... 
Mrs. E. A. Rogers, iu expressing her views 
as to the low price of fruit, said that prices 
could be improved and the demand doubled 
by the prohibition of the liquor trafic, which 
would close the saloons. 
A mellow soed-bed; sow early one-aud-a- 
balf bushel of oats per acre, if the land is 
fertile. The Welcome or White Australian is 
one of the best varieties. Thu Sehoenen is 
good. The Black Tartarian is perhaps the 
best side oat, but late and light. 
Prof. Budd says that in Russia the Duchess 
of Oldenburg Apple has been cultivated for 
hundreds of years aud innumerable seedlings 
raised. They are in flavor from sweet to sour, 
aud cover a period of three months in matur¬ 
ing their fruit. The Duchess therefore rep¬ 
resents a family of apples, aud not a distinct 
variety as in this country... 
Mr. T. V. Munson, of Texas, says that the 
Niagara Grape shows unmistakable signs of 
foreign blood.....* • • 
You may prune evergreens until the buds 
begin to swell. 
The new Giant Pera Cucumber is said to 
(Continued from page 119.) 
better than the Spanish, and, as we think, 
nearly as good as the American. The skin is 
bitter, it is tine.— Eds.] 
■ Contains one of the most 
attractive features ever pub¬ 
lished in a magazine,— the 
story of the naval duel be¬ 
tween the “Kearsarge” and 
three narratives by partici¬ 
pants, with numerous illus- 
LTFE ON THE “ALABAMA,” 
By One of her Crew. 
A narrative of the two-years’ 
cruise,—the character of the 
officers and men,— and a. 
ing of the “ Alabama.” 
COMBATS OF THE « ALABAMA,” 
By her Executive Officer. 
Life on the ship as viewed from the quarter¬ 
deck-meeting the “ Kearsarge ’’—rescue of 
Captain Seinvnes by the yacht “ Deerhound.” 
THE DUEL BETWEEN THE 
“KEAE8ABGE” AND “ALABAMA.” 
By the Surgeon of the “Kearsarge.” 
The challenge—the fight in circles—the de¬ 
struction of the Confederate cruiser. 
OTHER FEATURES 
Of the April CENTURY, many of them illus¬ 
trated, include: “ Creole Slave Songs,” by G. 
W. Cable; “Italy,from a Tricycle"; W. D. 
Howells’s new novel, “TheMinister’s Charge”; 
short stories by Arlo Bates and Edward Eg¬ 
gleston ; “Toy Dogs”; “ Glimpses of Longfellow 
in Social Life”; “ Christianity and Popular Ed¬ 
ucation,” by Washington Gladden; “Strikes, 
Lockouts, and Arbitration,” etc. 
Price 35 cents. Sold by all dealers. 
differences between the wood of the 
JAPAN AND SPANISH CHESTNUT. 
Mr. J. J, Harrison, of the Stori-s & Har¬ 
rison Co., Paiuesville, O., kindly sends us twigs 
of each of the above, aud the differences will 
at once appear to the reader who compares 
our sketches. The shoots of the Spanish are 
thick ami stubby (Fig. 140). and the buds are 
twice the size, while they are further apart as 
we near the base. The color ot the bark is 
lighter, approaching a gray. The Japan 
shoot (Fig. 141) is slender. The buds grow 
8 BUILDINGS on FIRE 
Six were saved by the use uf three ol Lewis’s Com¬ 
bination lliiinl Force Pumps. For a description 
of sold lire, uinl the saving Of many other buildings by 
the use of the above Pump, semi for my Illustrated car 
aioKlte. This Pump make's :{ complete ranchlues, 
(Seeout). 1 have .agents all over the U. 8. who are 
making *10 to *Z5 pet day selling them. I give their 
names and address Iti catalogue. 7'o introduce it, 1 
will send a sample Pump, express paid, to any express 
station in the V. S„ for fS.ftO. Made of brass; will 
throw water from 50 to 00 feet and retails for only 
Mi.OO. Indispensable for spraying fruit trees. The 
Potato-Bug attachment Is a wonderful Invention. They 
sell rapidly. Agents wanted everywhere. Send at 
once fur illustrate*! catalogue, price-list and terms. Ad¬ 
dress. P. C. C’ntskill, N- Y. 
Fig. 140. Fig. 141. 
closer as we near the base. The bark is thin¬ 
ner and of a chestnut color. If any of our 
readers have trees which they are uncertain 
about, our engravings should enable them at 
once to determine whether they are the Japan 
or Spanish. The steins have been cut in two 
to save space. 
Cult lvators. 
With double-row Corn 
Pin liter and Fertiliz¬ 
er complete In one ma¬ 
chine. Crowned with 
Medals a luce 1879. 
Ulna the bun 
Thousands are In use, giving satisfaction, 
anted. Catalogue free. Name this paper. 
HKNCir«fc D ROSE GOLD, Yor 
CHAMPION HARROW 
A Corn Cultivator (cultivating two row* at once). 
Potato Digger, and Spring Tooth Hiding 
Harrow, combined In one and sold at price or one. 
Sold ou Its merits iuid Is the cheapest made. 
New Victor Cultivator aud tlorse Hoe com 
blued. Light aud strong; easy to hold, aud of easy 
draught. Six teeth. 
Agents wanted. Send for circulars. 
JOHN It. VVHITTEMORE, 
Chicopee Falls, Muss. 
WHICH MAY REMIND YOU 
In the discussion of the last meeting of the 
N. J. H. 8., Mr. Quinn remarked that he did 
not consider that we have made much progress 
in 25 years pomologically. He did not know 
of a good pear except Clapp’s Favorite, and 
there is no strawberry to supersede the Wilson. 
In the talk about the disease known as yel¬ 
lows, potash aud bone were commended as 
preventives and even as cures, using from 
three to four pounds of muriate of potash to 
four to five pounds of bone to each tree 
according to its size or age.. 
Frof. Cook says that kainit has 12 percent, 
of potash, while the muriate has 48 to 50 per 
cent. If kainit costs §10 per ton and muriate 
of potash *40, the cost of potash in either case 
is the same...... 
Mr. Minch does not believe that peach 
seeds from trees having the yellows will pro 
duce unhealthy trees. From such seeds he 
agrees to grow fine, healthy seedlings. He 
deems the man who contends that it is a con¬ 
tagious disease is a dangerous character.. 
P. M. Augur, of Conn., has an orchard of 
1,800 trees. Me has used large amounts of 
potash ou it every year for years, but there 
are many showing signs of yellows. Other 
members of the society mentioned cases iu 
which potash or potash and bone had not only 
prevented yellows but cured the disease . 
Judge Parry remarked that size and 
beauty arc the two essentials to make fruit 
sell well. It must please the eye or purchas¬ 
ers will not buy. We should bear in mind 
that the more beautiful the object that de¬ 
ceives us, the deeper and more lasting the im¬ 
pression ... 
Mr. Quinn thinks that 10 years hence, it 
of all 
kinds for 
TO FARMERS 
Mmle of solid sll 
where there Is \ any ooreuem. Made or solid sir 
ver, anti sent by ' mull t^liy uddross oti reee pt of 
the price, fill ats. Address The Milking lub* Co.. UK 
Friendship Street. Frovldcnee, 1C I.__ 
SEND postal card, coating ON K CENT, ajjdaak 
&%1B0II,KK and ENGlNK?Xfo“ 
!^hi&B01XKK and ENGINE 
eying, to 
Reference, nuy Bank In Watertown. _ 
A V K You r POSTS mid use SHA W”S \V I It K 
fKNCK TIGHTEN Kit. Can be adjusted to any 
’oodcu post; can tlgbien or slacken, according U) ell 
lute, with an ordinary monkey wrench. I rice »S 
e r due. For rnll particulars, apply to 
W. SHA\V, 
Delaware, Ontario, Cauada. 
Agents wanted, PA tom applied for. _ 
More Men Wanted, 
At AVnges. 
or local and travelling Salesmen. Enclose "temp 
i-rlte for terms to E. B. K H, HARDSON &■ C.O», 
(Continued on page 221.) 
gUvntis'infl 
FOR A DELICIOUS 
AND 
Best Hatch pi- 
on EARTH. 
Hatches Ducks,Turkeys, 
Geese and Chickens. 
Received Finn Premium 
where exhibited. 
Bend for Circular. 
AND HEWS’ 
llntrlicr Co. 
Elmira. N. A". 
Mention RURAL N.-Y. 
ATISFYING 
BREAKFAS 
Nothing equals Griddle Cakes 
raised by means of the Health- 
preserving, Pure Vegetable Dry 
Hop, 
HOLLARS each for AVw mid 
Perfect SEW 1 Mi M.U'll IS IS. 
. trial II do- 
To be had of all Grocers. 
AT 10 CENTS A BOX 
JO Cakes iu a Box. 
I M W«rnuiU-d live year.. S. ulon 
I Mi sired. I*uy direct un.l wive t 1 ' to $-5. 
Orieuoglvcn a* premium!. Write for FREE cir¬ 
cular with tOOO le.tluionlaU from avery state. 
UEO. I'AYNE A CO., 47 3rd Are. Chicago, ill, 
Insist that;your Grocer keep It, 
