1903 
i 
125 
notes on the ben DAVIS APPLE 
I cannot help but think that your views 
in regard to the Ben Davis apple are not 
what they would be had you had the same 
experience as I. I was born and raised In 
Onondaga, N. Y. My father had two or¬ 
chards of considerable size, of such apples 
as Greening, Spy, Spitzonburg, etc., and 
you can imagine my surprise when I picked 
up my first Ben Davis apple and bit It. 
But I soon learned to like them and I be¬ 
lieve this is the experience of most people. 
Missouri. H. M. WALtiACE. 
B. N.-Y.—What other apples did you have 
to .select from at the time? We might 
quote Pope's well-know'n lines: 
‘‘Vice is a monster of such hideous mien, 
Tliat to be hated only need be seen; 
Yet seen too oft, familiar with its face. 
We fir.st endure, then pity; then embrace." 
Your experience is not that of the con¬ 
sumers in the large cities who are to buy 
our apples. You cannot make them share 
your views about the flavor of Ben Davis. 
They will let all apples alone rather than 
eat it out of the hand! 
Ben Davis Invades Alaska. 
The following from The Towa Pruitman 
is not bad: 
*T met an old acquaintance here not long 
ago. I think that you know him, a Mr. 
Davis. He retains the same old arrogant 
manner. I presume that you know his 
reputation was gained from his financial 
standing. He reminded me of a near 
neighbor T had in Towa, who always re¬ 
garded men for their worldly w’ealth and 
honor—more particularly for their wealth. 
Mr. Davis, as you well know, lacks refine¬ 
ment. even if he does dress well and put 
on airs, but in spite of all this. T was ex¬ 
ceedingly glad to meet him and I really 
felt as if I could eat him, which T at once 
proceeded to do. What a thrill of Joy It 
would be if I could see the delightful Miss 
Dyer or the refined Miss Snow, or could 
meet with Brother Jonathan or Mr. 
Grimes, and do you know that I scanned 
the many arrivals during the Autumn and 
early Winter, hoping, almost against hope, 
that I might see .some of them, and, once. 
I really thought that I saw Miss Dyer in 
the distance, but on closer approach wa.* 
doomed to disappointment for I found 
that it was an entire stranger, and not 
Miss Dyer at all. Again, not long ago. 
I was deceived by a red coat and thought 
that there was Brother Jonathan sure 
enough, but, on closer approach found that 
It was only Mr. Davis with a dress In 
imitation of Brother Jonathan.” 
Sitka, Alaska. oko. van houton. 
Ben Davis in Indiana. 
I take several horticultural papers, for 
in horticulture I am especially interested, 
and I can say truthfully, that yours is 
the best I read. Of course you permit 
articles from fellows I call egotists. Those 
fellows who are eternally Jumping straddle 
of the Ben Davis apple and the Kleffer 
pear, and do not propose anything as a 
substitute that will produce as much fruit 
of better quality are simply considered in 
our part of the country here as egotists 
and nothing more. We all admit that the 
Ben Davis is not grown for quality, but It 
is grown for apples, and Is better than 
none. The Kieffer pear is by no means a 
good pear, but everything else with us will 
blight, so what are we to do? Follow the 
"cranks” and destroy our trees and do 
without fruit? One J. H. Hale in a talk 
before the Indiana State Horticultural So¬ 
ciety some time ago at Indianapolis was 
exceedingly severe on the Ben Davis and 
Kieffer pear. No doubt he grows Elberta 
peaches and sells them for first-class fruit. 
The Elberta stands to the peach family as 
the Ben Davis and the Kieffer does respec¬ 
tively to the apple and pear. Everybody 
knows the Elberta is a peach of inferior 
<iuality, but it sells because it looks well 
and is large. w. s. t. 
Franklin. Ind. 
Fruifs for Maine. 
(-1. Ij. L., Lynn, Mos.?.—What fruits will do 
well in Dexter, Me., such as peaches, 
plums, pears and Winter apples? The cat¬ 
alogues do not advise setting Stark in that 
locality, but the farmers do. Would you 
iidvise setting Stark apples there; also why 
will not the Baldwin do well in that neigh¬ 
borhood? The farmers down that way say 
the Baldwin dies young and never does 
well. Did you ever hear of it? 
A.\s.—It would be useless to attempt 
to grow peaches as far north as Dexter. 
Very few are grown in the State, and 
these only in the southwestern part. All 
of the other fruits named, however, will 
do well. The Stark apple is vigorous, 
hardy and productive, and will thrive in 
the region named. It is not, however, 
of high quality, and is of a dull color, 
hence is not as popular as some other 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
varieties. On certain soils and in certain 
locations the Baldwin is not satisfactory 
in eastern Maine, but as a rule it does 
well if top-worked on some hardy, vig¬ 
orous stock. Stark or Northern Spy 
would be excellent for this purpose. 
Nearly all hardy plums, pears and apples 
may be grown in Penobscot County, and 
the grower’s individual preference, to¬ 
gether with the purpose for which the 
fruit is to be grown, must determine the 
choice of specific varieties. The follow¬ 
ing may be named as among the kinds 
which do well: Apples; Spy, Hubbards- 
ton, Tolman, Stark, Grimes, Hurlbut. 
Pears; Clapp, Bartlett, Sheldon, Law¬ 
rence, Howell. Diel, Bose. Plums; Arc¬ 
tic, Burbank, Bradshaw, Lombard, 
Bavay. The last named should be top- 
worked on Lombard to insure hardiness 
of tree. w. m. munson. 
Maine Agr’l Exp. Sta. 
Evergreen Vine for Fence. 
8. D. E., Ch-eyon.—What kind of an ever¬ 
green trailing vine can I use to cover a 
woven wire fence, that stock on one side 
of enclosure will not eat? 
Ans.—T he Chinese honeysuckle, Loni- 
cera Japonica, and Hall’s honeysuckle, 
Ij. Halleana, are nearly evergreen in this 
climate and may be altogether so In 
Oregon. They are vigorous and rapid 
growers with sweet scented white 
blooms, changing to yellow, borne all 
Summer. Cattle do not relish honey¬ 
suckles, and seldom eat the growths un¬ 
less very closely confined. We know of 
nothing better for your purpose. 
Strawberry and Fertility Queries. 
T. 8., Nyack, N. F.—1. Which are the best 
two or three kinds of strawberries for 
sandy ground? What is the best fertilizer 
to use on them, and how much per acre 
may be used with safety? 2. I have a piece 
of ground where corn was grown last year, 
that I want to seed down next Fall. Will 
it pay to sow oats on It this Spring to be 
turned under later on, and when? 
Ans.— 1. There are few strawberries 
that succeed well in light soil. Michel’s 
Early, Success and William Belt ought 
to be satisfactory. Good stable manure 
at the rate of 20 tons to the acre is safe 
and effective. Any reliable high-grade 
chemical fertilizer, containing about four 
per cent nitrogen, eight of phosphoric 
acid and 10 of potash may he applied at 
the rate of 1,000 pounds to the acre; 500 
pounds broadcast and harrowed in be¬ 
fore the plants are set, and 500 pounds 
during July or August, strewn along 
the rows and worked in during culti¬ 
vation time. 2. Oats are better than 
weeds as a cover crop for Summer. 
They should be thickly sown, three 
bushels to the acre are not too much, as 
soon as the ground can be worked in the 
Spring, and plowed down just before 
ripening. It is a question if Early Black 
cow peas broadcast at the rate of two 
bushels to the acre in early June would 
not give better results. 
ISTEELHORSECOLLIRS 
Pi Are 'better and cheaper { no hames; 
b V will not gall but care aore ahoalder*. 
11 Sensible, practical, humane. Agents 
I • make big money. Write for descriptive 
I p catalog and free territory. 
If HOWELL & SPAULDING CO. 
/ 713 State Street, CAKO, MIOll 
r PT Seed POTATOES are Hall's Superior Second- 
Lu I Crop. My free Catalogue will convince you 
’ t.heir merits. .Tohn W. Hall. Marion Sta , Md. 
TREES BRED FOR BEARING 
Dirictfrom the Kurteryfoihi Grower. 
■West Michigan Trees are “bred for 
every bud cut from the best fruited 
bearing trees. Insures stock true to name and 
variety. Over three million Apple, Peach, Plum, 
Pear and Quince Trees, Also ornamental trees 
and shrubs. Send for beautifully illustrated 
catalogue. We mail it free. 
WEST MICHIGAK OTRSERIES, 
^ Box 64, Benton llarbory Bleh* 
ClimbingCurrant 
A NEW NOVELTY. 
Send for Circular. 
E, H. FAY & SON, Portland, N. Y. 
TREES 
ENTRAL MICH. 
ARE FAMOUS FOR 
HEALTH & HARDINESS 
Ours are budded upon a branched root seedling, 
buds taken from bearing trees, dug by our root 
protecting tree digger and handled in our mam 
moth storage celiurs. Small fruits and everything in nursery 
and greenhouse lines true, to name at wholesale prices. We 
guarantee safe delivery. Catalogue FKES. |y“Write to*day. 
CENTRAL MICHIOAN NURSERY, Kalamazoo, Mich. 
. Michi(/at/s Mammoth Nunreries. 4 
rm ruTh — 
Preserve Your Fences 
— sills, planking and all other woodwork that is likely to rot, by treating with 
Conservo Wood Preservative. 
It will pay you to use it on every stick of timber. Costs but a few cents a stick, and 
saves dollars in repairs, by preventing decay. It also kills germs and insects, and foul 
smells. We have studied wood preservation for twenty-five years, and believe Conservo 
— is the best preservative that can be made. We know it is the best now made. 
SenJ for circular, it costs nothing, and may save much. 
SAMUEL CABOT, Manufacturing Chemist, gl K'lUy St., Boston, Mass. 
ir iri 
Do You Want Help on the Farm 
this Summer ? If so, try 
Hubbard’s Fertilizers 
They are active, quick, faithful, and to be depended upon. 
They never strike or quit work until the crop is ready to harvest, then they rest, 
and if you will try them this season, at harvest time you will say they deserve to rest- 
Our pamphlet, “Hubbard’s Fertilizers for 1903”, giving full particulars, 
sent free to any address. 
ROGERS & HUBBARD 
MIDDLETOWN, CONN. 
Sanderson’s 
High=Qrade Fertilizers 
are made to supply the exact plant-food 
needed by each particular crop—‘ ‘Potato 
Manure,” “ Corn Superphosphate, ” 
“ Fruit Mixture,” “ Top-Di-essing Fer¬ 
tilizer,” etc. Sanderson's Special con¬ 
tains 10 per cent of potash. We will 
.sell you these specially-prepared ferti¬ 
lizers at the lowest prices for high-grade 
goods. Let us send you our pamphlet and 
prices ; also FREE DIARY, 
Sanderson Fertilizer and Chemical Co., 
NKW HAVKN, CONN. 
100% Investment. 
A few dollars invested in Oimamental 
Trees, Vines, Plants and Flowers to 
decorate your home and ysird, will add 
double the cost to its appearance or sell¬ 
ing value. Our catalogue shows oiir fine 
stock of large Maple and other B’orest 
Trees. Beautiful Hydrangeas and all 
kinds of Shrubs and Vines. Also a full 
line of Fruit Trees and Plants. Send your 
addre.ss for catalogue. 
STEPHEN HOYT’S SONS, 
New Caiiiiaii, Conn. 
HARDY ROSE ^C. 
BUSHES f ^each. 
Large, two-year old, field-grown bushes, 13 inches lo 
two feet high, with four to seven branches. All line, 
sturdy bushes; will give a wealth of bloom the tirst 
season. Sent by express, purchaser paying charges. 
Over 50 varieties to select from. Send for our com¬ 
plete Seed Catalogue containing list. 
KLBKIOGJE K. ‘WHEELKK, Seedsman, 
Box ISa. Bridgeport, Conn. 
7^/6 
Fruit and Ornamental. 
Shrubs 
Roses 
Hardy Plants 
All the Best and Hardiest Vari- 
eties. Large.st Collections in 
America. Illustrated De.scrip- 
tive Catalogue FREE on Request. 
ELLWANGER & BARRY, 
Nurserymen—Horticulturists. 
MOUNTHOPE NURSERIES, 
Rochester, N. Y. 
Established 1840. Mention thin pa{)cr. 
Fairfield Strawberry 
than Michel’s Karly, BOo. per dozen by mall. Circular 
free. STANTON B. COLE, Bridgeton, N. J. 
CLIMAX 
est producer. For particulars see Rural of June 21, 
or send postal for our new Berry catalogue. Big stock. 
Best Berry Plants of all good kinds. Bottom prices. 
8LAYMAKER & SON, Dover, Del. 
Almost half a century of fair dealing has given our products that prom¬ 
inence which merit deserves. We still offer everything of the best for 
Orchard, Vineyard, Lawn, Street, Garden and Green¬ 
house. Seeds, Plants, Roses, Bulbs, Small Trees, Etc., 
sent by mail postpaid, larger by express or freight, safe arrival and .satis¬ 
faction guaranteed. Elegant 168 page catalogue free, send for it^nd see 
wliat values wegivofora little money. 41)years,44greonlumsos, l OOOac.-es. 
THE STORRS & HARRISON CO., Box 202, Painesville, Ohio. 
THE GREAT 
First choice amonjj winter apples 
Is the York Imperial* Hardy, 
juicy, fine flavored, lonjj keepinj; 
and an enormous l>earcr. Should 
be in every orchard. The Con¬ 
cord Ora pc is standard and justly 
the most popular on the market. 
HARRISON’S NURSERIES, 
FRUIT TRIO 
The Ulclcy Peach is large, 
rich, creamy white and delicious. 
.V fine early shipper. One of the 
very i)est of clings. Tree hardy. 
Our stock of these fruits is su¬ 
perb. Free catalogue shows many 
other choice varieties of each. 
BOX 29, BERLIN. MD. 
Western New York Orchard Spray Pamps, 
Buy the Best Farming Utensils, Horticultural Imple¬ 
ments, Spray Mixtures, Insecticides. 
Western New-York is noted for the most suc¬ 
cessful orchards in the world. Here are made and 
used the newest forms and inventions in spray 
pumps and other singular devices. If you wish 
information on this subject, or are thinking of buy¬ 
ing spray pumps or other horticulture or farming 
implements, send for our illustrated catalogue (tell¬ 
ing how to make spray mixtures), which will be 
sent on application. We sell Spray Pumps and 
outfits, Pruning Knives, Shears, Saws, etc. Farm 
Utensils, Horticultural Implements, Insecticides, 
Spray Mixtures. 
Green’s Nursery Co Rochester, N. V. 
