38 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
January 17 
; Ruralisins 
NOTES FROM THE RURAL GROUNDS 
Tjjjc States oi'- the Pi>ant Bueeuek. 
—Plant improvement by selection and 
hybridization is now having a notable 
boom. The steady output of new varie¬ 
ties thus produced, some of undoubted 
•value, and the recent conferences on 
plant breeding in London and New York 
have directed much popular attention to 
this important work, which is occasion¬ 
ally called a science, but in its present 
undeveloped stage should only be con¬ 
sidered a rudimentary art. The enor¬ 
mous possibilities involved in the im¬ 
provement of useful and ornamental 
plants is being widely recognized, and 
some rather belated efforts are being 
made by experiment stations and insti¬ 
tutions enjoying public aid to extend the 
work. Good results in collating and dis¬ 
seminating information, and research of 
the biological laws underlying the 
growth and reproduction of plants, is 
to be expected from these well-equipped 
investigators, but it is not likely they 
will turn out much of immediate prac¬ 
tical advantage in the way of developed 
varieties. Time aiid space are great fac¬ 
tors in plant breeding. The processes 
of nature are slow, and many genera¬ 
tions of culture must often pass before 
the desired changes, if at all possible, 
can be brought about, and the necessity 
for operating on an extensive scale, so 
that a final selection may be made of 
the best from a large number of hybrids 
or pedigree seedlings is quite impera¬ 
tive. The changing personnel of the 
workers at the experiment stations and 
tlie absorption of teachers and students 
in other duties in the agricultural col¬ 
leges and kindred educational institu¬ 
tions quite certainly precludes the sus¬ 
tained effort often needed in dealing 
with plants of slow maturity, while the 
pressure of other investigations cuts 
down the space and facilities required 
by the plant breeder. Even the National 
Department of Agriculture is now com¬ 
pelled to curtail its breeding experi¬ 
ments on account of lack of space and 
appropriations for the work. It is easily 
comprehended that private investigators 
with limited means are likely to have a 
hard time in carrying on plant breeding 
in an effective manner. The annals of 
American horticulture are strewn with 
records of sacrifices for the common 
good made by enthusiastic breeders in 
developing their favorite plants. The 
names of Ephraim W. Bull, of Concord 
grape fame, and Peter M. Gideon, the 
originator of the Wealthy apple, occur 
at once as instances of extreme devotion 
and sacrifice to highly successful ideals 
with no recognition and compensation 
during life, and many other instances of 
successful but unrecompensed work of 
this character might be quoted. The 
most successful breeders of to-day, such 
as Luther Burbank and Prof. T. V. Mun¬ 
son, would probably bear testimony to 
the claim that plant breeding while an 
absorbing and highly important occu¬ 
pation, is anything but profitable in a 
commercial way, though public recogni¬ 
tion and hearty approval have not been 
withheld from these successful origi¬ 
nators. Lack of protection from com¬ 
petition in the sale of useful horticul¬ 
tural “creations” or inventions is the 
chief factor in reducing the chances of 
compensation. A plant having within 
itself vital powers of reproduction is not 
considered a proper subject for a patent 
or effective trade mark. Anyone secur¬ 
ing the new plant is on precisely the 
same footing as the originator as far as 
his privilege to propagate and sell the 
novelty is concerned. No matter how 
valuable his products may be the plant 
breeder or introducer has no advantage 
over any chance dealer except the slight 
one of priority, and must see his choicest 
products become common property long 
before he has been reimbursed for the 
time and outlay expended in developing 
them. This never deters the true en¬ 
thusiast. He goes on with the work as 
far as his limited equipment and oppor¬ 
tunities permit, but it cannot be denied 
a fairer compensation would greatly in¬ 
crease the chances of good results by 
enabling originators who are thoroughly 
in earnest to enlarge their scope. 
A Tiny Sc.\t.e Eater. —For several 
past years we have noticed quantities of 
little roundish black beetles, scarcely 
larger than a pin head, on young trees 
crusted with Pernicious or San Josd 
scale during the early Winter months. 
They hide in the loose bark about the 
base of the trees if the cold is severe, 
but crawl actively about over the larger 
branches whenever the temperature 
rises above freezing, and are especially 
noticeable on the sunny side of the trees 
in bright weather. They seem to feed 
voraciously on the dormant scales, being 
always more abundant about the thick¬ 
est colonies. Under a hand glass many 
scales show a scooped-out appearance 
like opened oysters. These beetles are 
yearly increasing in numbers, and are 
only noticed on trees thickly crusted 
with living scales. By actual count 164 
were found on an Infested Japan plum 
tree not over two Inches in diameter 
near the ground one sunny afternoon in 
mid-December, and doubtless many es¬ 
caped notice, as they are not easily seen 
when quiescent. They seem about as 
plentiful at this writing (January 2) in 
a temperature of 34 degrees above zero. 
A few specimens, with accompanying 
notes, were submitted to Prof. John B. 
Smith, Entomologist of the New Jersey 
Experiment Station, and the following 
Interesting information has been sup¬ 
plied: 
The specimens are at hand. You are 
right In your belief that they are feeders 
upon the San Jos§ scale. The species Is 
the little Pentilia mlsella, which Is one of 
the most active feeders of the scale that 
we have In the United States. The unfor¬ 
tunate part of the whole thing Is that 
while the species Is very common about 
this time of the year It seems to drop out 
of sight In Spring, and we see nothing of 
It during the breeding season of the scales. 
1 have tried to determine what It Is that 
checks the Increase of this little beetle 
during the early Summer; but have been 
unable to discover any adequate cause. 
Nor has anyone else with whom I have 
consulted been able to determine what It 
Is that prevents these little creatures from 
becoming more abundant than they are. I 
am glad to hear you say they seem to be 
increasing on your plants. 
It gives US much pleasure to learn the 
proper name of this enterprising little 
scale-eater, and we may be permitted to 
express the hope his shadow will never 
grow less in the land while his services 
are needed. There is no apparent rea¬ 
son why a Pernicious scale on the half¬ 
shell should not be as acceptable to the 
Pentilia as a Blue Point oyster to our 
taste. An adult scale must bear about 
the same relation to the minute size of 
this beetle as one of the 75-pound giant 
clams of the Indian Ocean to a human 
oyster-eater, so he may always find 
abundant provender as long as scale in¬ 
fection lasts. 
The Pernicious Scale Must Go.— 
The Pernicious scale evidently does not 
possess the haughty exclusiveness of the 
Potato bug, which no self-respecting 
parasite will touch. The former is ap¬ 
preciated by more than one carnivorous 
Insect, and it seems certain that the days 
of his aggressive expansion are number¬ 
ed. We hope the bug sharps at the ex¬ 
periment stations will find out how to 
increase the Pentilia as well as the na¬ 
tive and Chinese ladybirds, for it is to 
such parasites, natural or acquired, that 
we must eventually look to check the 
scale. Fumigation and insecticide sprays 
are all very well to protect valuable cul¬ 
tivated trees, but the pest continues to 
thrive on wild vegetation. The greatest 
danger comes from neglected places, 
where these parasites can do the most 
effective work. Meanwhile it is well to 
be chary of treating infected trees and 
shrubs when parasites can be detected 
at work. We have never been able to 
find any in March, which is the most 
suitable month for spraying with oily 
or soapy insecticides. w. v. r. 
Farm Wagon only liiC21.05. 
In order to introduce their Low Metal Wheels 
with Wide Tires, the Empire Manufa<‘turiug 
CJompauy, Quincy, III., have placed upon the 
market a Ifarmer’s Handy Wagon, that is only 
115 inches high, litted with 24 and 8(Mnch wheels 
with l-iuch tire, and sold to- only 121 .‘.I5. 
This wagon is made of the best material 
througliout, and re.ally costs but a trille more 
than a set of new wheels and fully guai-anteed 
for one year. Catalogue giving a full description 
will be mailed upon application by the Emi)ire 
Manufacturing Co., Quincy, III., who jilso will 
furnisli metal wheels at low prices made any size 
.and width of tire to tit .any axle. 
I Will Cure You of 
Rheumatism 
Else No Money Is Wanted* 
Any honest person who suffers from 
Rheumatism is welcome to this offer. 
J am a specialist in Rheumatism, and 
have treated more cases than any other 
physician, 1 think. For 16 years 1 made 
2.000 exiieriments with different drugs, 
testing all known remedies while 
.searching the world for something bet¬ 
ter. Nine years ago I found a costly 
(hemical in Germany which, with my 
previous discoveries, gives me a certain 
cure. ■ 
1 don’t mean that it can turn bony 
joints into flesh again; hut it can cure 
the disease at any stage, completely and 
forever. I have done it fully 100,000 
times,. 
I know this so well that I will furnish 
ray remedy on trial. Simply write me 
a postal for my hook on Rheumatism, 
and I will mail you an order on your 
druggist for six bottles Dr. Shoop’s 
Rheumatic Cure. Take it for a month 
at my risk. If it succeeds, the cost is 
only $5.50. If it fails, I will pay the 
druggist myself—and your mere word 
shall decide It. 
I mean that exactly. If you say the 
results are not what I claim, I don’t ex¬ 
pect a penny from you. 
I have no samples. Any mere sample 
that can affect chronic Rheumatism 
must lie drugged to the verge of danger. 
I use no such drugs, and it is folly to 
take them. You must get the disease 
out of the blood. 
My remedy does that even in the most 
difficult, obstinate cases. It has cured 
the oldest cases that I ever met. And 
in all my experience—in all my 2,000 
tests—1 never found another remedy 
that would cure one chronic case in ten. 
Write me and I will send you the or¬ 
der. Try my remedy for a month, as it 
can’t harm you anyway. If it fails it is 
free. 
Address Dr. Shoop, Box 570, Racine, 
Wis. 
Mild cases, not chronic, are often 
cured by one or two bottles. At all 
druggists. 
Big Profit on Small Investment 
in owning a WRgoD scale, Kvervooe 
says so about the 08000D. Kelt 
materials and workmanship. Kimple. 
Aocurute. No repairs. Any 
kind of beam or platforni. 
Guaranteed 80 days trial. 
Prices and terms reasonable. 
414*1 to -- rricea ano terms reasonanie. 
080000 8CALK tO., jjjj Central 81., BInghamioD, N, Y. 
STONE BOAT HEAD- 
A great thing. Write for 
fVee catalogue and prices. 
Agfnl.. Wanted. 
KiriTARP KATES, 
IS Jsmr. Kt. l*urtland, Mlch, 
STEVENS 
FIREARMS 
have stood tlie test for89 years, 
and are the popular ARMS to¬ 
day. Wo make a large line of 
RIFLES 
From $:i.00 to 1150.00 
PISTOLS 
From t2.60 to *50.00 
SHOTGUNS 
From $7.50 to $25.00 
Nearly every dealer in Sport¬ 
ing Goods and Hardware can 
supply our tlrearms. If you 
cannot ilnd them, we will ship 
direct (express paid) on receipt 
of price. Send for our 128-page 
Illustrated Catalogue. 
J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co. 
No. 775 Main Street. 
emcOPEM FAHI.8. MASS. 
, cS-'? 'i- ■ 
(TT jr. 
I 
I 
TVINCHESUR 
“LEADER” FACTORY LOADED SHOTGUN SHELLS. 
For uniformity of loading, evenness of pattern, strong shooting qualities 
and all-round superiority, Wintf-hester Factory Loaded “Leader” Shells 
excel. The next time you buy, insist upon having these shells. : : ; : 
THEY ARETHE SHELLS THE CHAMPIONS SHOOT. 
Made 
Roderick Lean^ / 
FARM 
Implements.!^ 
Made by experienced! 
workmen of Hpecial ma-l; 
terlai. Acknowledged by 
farmers superior to all others. 
Sold oil Xlieir NlerltH. 
Spike Tooth Harrows. Spring Tooth 
Harrows. Disc Harrows. 
Land Rollers. Hand Carts. 
;^rite for catalogue. 
[RODERICK LEAN 
MFC. 
COMPANY, 
or Mansfield. Ohio, 
ou Kcar. 
SEE THE SEED DROP. 
In plain sight of the operator.. 
MAnHEWS-litiproud for 1903 
NEW UNIVERSAL 
Hand Seedtrs and Cultiyatora. 
bv the moat auccewful gardenera. 
Tb«y do perfect work. Save time and 
- mooey. Open furrow, droplyieed, 
I cover any desired depth, also marks 
next row. Latest and best Cultivating 
Attachments. Beit material throuabout 
___ catalog describing our full IlDe, free. 
AMES PLOW CO., 04 Market St., Boston^ 
STEEL ROOFING 
FREIGHT CHARGES PAID BY US 
Strictly new, perfect, Semi - Hardened 
Steel Sheets, 2 feet wide, 6 feet long. Th. 
best Koofliiir, Siding or tVlilng you can uae. 
No experience necessary to lay it. An 
ordinary hammer or hatchet the only 
tools you need. We furnish nails free 
and paint roofing two sides. Comes 
either flat, corrugated or “V” crimped. 
UrllTorrd free of all rharxn to alijiointa 
In the U. S., east of the Mississinpi River 
and North of the Ohio River , 
AT $2.25 PER SQUARE 
Prleaa to other poInU on applleatlon. A square zueaun 100 
square feet. Write for free Catalogrue No. 57 
CHICAGO HOUSE WRECKINO CO.. W. 35th and Iron Sts., Chicaeii 
THE KELLY 
tested and guaranteed. Send for onr new catalogue 
and Prof. Miles’ essay ’‘The Jfieonomy of Ground 
Feed,” free. THE O. S. KEI.I.Y <’<)., 
Hept. X. Spriniflleld, Ohio. 
Cattle and Hogs 
and indeed all live stock do better and i>roduce 
better results on ground feed. Nothing fits such 
a variety of grains and conditions so well as the 
Scientific Grinding Mills. 
Wo make numerouskiuds, both sweep and now* 
er. Also grinders and power ooinbinod. We can 
flt tshe man who needs a mill, both as to kind and 
price. Don’t buy a mi 11 of any kind until you send 
for our New Catalogue It. Mailed free. 
The Foes Mfg, Co., Springfield, O. 
DUPLEIX 
FEED MILL 
does perfect work 
grinding ear corn. 
In husk or out, mixed 
feed In any proper 
tions, with or without 
clover, cotton seed. 
Kufiir corn, or any 
grain that grows. Has 
duplex 
grinding 
surfaces, 
andsbows 
a greater 
capacity, 
per unit, 
of driving 
power than any 
other mill. 
Gives a uniform 
rlst for stock 
eed of any de¬ 
sired fineness. 
Every machine 
