6i4 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
AtltfUit W 
NOTES FROM THE RURAL GROUNDS 
Some Pkomtsing New Perknxiaes.— 
No class of ornamental plants has more 
rapidly gained in public favor of late 
years than the hardy herbaceous peren¬ 
nials. The tendency in decorative gar¬ 
dening is now away from transient bed¬ 
ding effects with tender plants, that 
must first be handled under glass, to¬ 
ward hardy, reliable and quite perma¬ 
nent species, such as were high favorites 
in old gardens. This change in popular 
taste is certainly for the better, as there 
is far more beauty and extensive variety 
among hardy plants, which may be so 
arranged by appropriate selection as to 
give constant succession of bloom from 
earliest Spring to late October. An al¬ 
most endless variety is now offered by 
nurserymen, but new species having de¬ 
sirable qualities continue to be intro¬ 
duced, chiefly as the result of botanical 
explorations carried on in countries 
formerly difficult of access. We have 
been able to secure seeds of a few rare 
kinds in advance of their general dis¬ 
semination, and will announce results 
or their trials as they come into bloom. 
An Imposing Thistee. —Fig. 230, page 
610, shows a blooming plant of Onopor- 
don bracteatum, from the northern 
slopes of the Himalaya Mountains. It is 
closely allied to the Scotch thistle, 0. 
Acanthium, very common in Europe and 
rarely found growing wild in this coun¬ 
try near the Atlantic coast. This Asiatic 
thistle grows about seven feet high, 
branches sparingly, and produces five to 
seven pale purple flower heads, over two 
inches across. The seeds are large, but 
being armed with bristles instead of 
plumes like the Canada and native 
thistles are not carried far by the wind. 
The great peculiarity of this species is 
its extraordinarily spiny stem and foli¬ 
age. It fairly bristles with prickles in 
every part, and is as striking in its ar¬ 
mored rigidity, while the bloom spike is 
developing, as a tree cactus of equal 
size. It seems to he properly a biennial, 
dying In August after the seeds ripen, 
but most of our plants are going through 
the second year with no signs of bloom. 
The woolly foliage of these young plants 
is silvery white, the leaves, being over 
a foot long, make a very striking 
rosette-like appearance. One may im¬ 
agine this thistle, with bold and rugged 
form and glistening foliage, making an 
effective show against a dark back¬ 
ground of shrubbery or as a central 
figure in a bed of cacti or other suc¬ 
culents. It would be out of place in an 
ordinary flower border, and is not effec¬ 
tive when photographed without a 
screen, as in Fig. 230, though this speci¬ 
men individually attracted great atten¬ 
tion, J'.one of the Onopordons, of which 
there are more than 12 species, are 
much grown in this country, possibly 
from a fear that they may become dis¬ 
seminated as weeds. There seems to be 
little danger of this species or the 
Scotch thistle escaping far from cultiva¬ 
tion, as the seeds do not travel well, and 
the plants are easily killed out by clean 
cultivation, but it would be safe prac¬ 
tice to destroy the seed heads before 
maturity. 
Inula Roylkana beans large bold 
yellow flowers in July. The terminal 
bloom Is about six inches across, with 
oddly twisted sunflower-like rays. The 
color is bright orange with a dark 
brownish disk. The flowers borne on 
the branches grow progressively smaller 
as the plant gains maturity. They are 
quite lasting, and are very decorative 
when cut. The foliage is broad and 
large, like a foxglove, lying close to the 
ground during the first year’s growth. 
Inulas are fairly hardy, but our plants 
of this species, which comes from the 
Caucasus, did not long survive after 
blooming, though the young plants seem 
quite resistant. Yellow composite flow¬ 
ers are very numerous, but there seems 
a place for this new-comer on account 
of its size, brilliancy and early bloom. 
It is a near relative of the well-known 
Elecampane, I. Helenium, much grown 
for medicinal purposes. The Inulas 
grow readily from seed, and are easily 
handled. 
The Shrubby Campanula, Adeno- 
phora Potanini, was described on page 
438 of the current volume. It is again 
in bloom on the Rural Grounds, and 
gains in beauty, though not greatly in 
stature, by increased age. The bluebell¬ 
like flowers are prettily arranged on the 
spikes, and are of good size. The plant 
promises an acceptable addition to the 
permanent border, as it will doubtless 
prove more herbaceous than shrubby in 
our climate. 
CoRiAKiA Teuminalis. —This is a neat 
trailing plant with reddish stems and 
smooth oval opposite leaves. The flow¬ 
ers are not conspicuous, but are follow¬ 
ed in late Fall by beautiful crystalline 
orange-colored fruits at the end of each 
twig. These last well into freezing 
weather. The aspect of the plant before 
the fruits enlarge is much like the famil¬ 
iar Partridge berry, Mitchella repens, so 
common in eastern woodlands, but the 
berries are infinitely larger and more 
showy. The surface growth disappears 
by Spring, but the root stock persists 
and sends up new shoots later on. It is 
disposed to die out at the Rural 
Grounds without shade in Summer and 
light protection in Winter. 
Aubrexla Leicutlini is a very pretty 
* 
crimson trailer, excellent for edging 
flower beds or for rock work. There is 
less of the purple shade common to 
other Aubretias, while the blooms are 
larger and most freely produced. It 
should not be planted where water or ice 
will cover it in Winter. 
Budoleia Vauiabilis. —Although a 
hard-wooded shrub reaching eight feet 
in height in China, this newly-intro¬ 
duced species grows best in the herba¬ 
ceous manner with us. It commences 
blooming in early July, and steadily in¬ 
creases in beauty and luxuriance until 
frost. The new growth is so sappy that 
it kills down to near the soil line during 
Winter, but the established roots and 
stubs of the more prostrate branches 
start vigorously in Spring. It makes a 
fine specimen for the lawn, growing by 
August over four feet high, and as many 
more in diameter, always preserving its 
characteristic arched, fountain-like 
habit. The racemes of drooping lilac 
sweet-scented blooms reach nearly a 
foot in length, covering the whole plant. 
There is a neat yellow “eye” in each 
little flower that greatly enhances its 
beauty on close inspection. It demands 
good feeding to keep up such rapid 
growth, and responds quickly to nitrate 
of soda or other available nitrates such 
as are usually found in liquid manures. 
Frequent applications of soluble ferti¬ 
lizers keep the foliage dark and greatly 
increase the size and abundance of the 
blooms. We have not found protection 
necessary in Winter, but farther north a 
loose covering would probably be help¬ 
ful. Some of the plants noted above are 
not yet in American commerce. The 
Buddleia has been offered in plant and 
seed form by several nurserymen for 
the last three years. Inula Royleana 
and Adenophora Potanini were first of¬ 
fered this Spring by different seedsmen. 
We have never come across quotation.^ 
of the other varieties. w. v. f. 
THE BIRD OR THE FRUIT.7^ ^ 
A School Teacher Abroad. 
For many years I was a school superin¬ 
tendent, and conscientiously taught my 
pupils how wrong it was to wear birds as 
ornaments; that many species were about 
exterminated, and that Insect pests would 
overrun the country, and Longfeirow’s 
“The Birds of Killingworlh,” and similat 
stories, were used to point the moral. On 
coming to the Eastern Shore of Maryland 
this Spring, 1 was surprised t© find what 
I had been led to believe was almost a 
birdless country, was swarming with birdt 
of every kind. They pulled my corn, beans 
and other vegetables, causing a great dea. 
of replanting. Blackbirds and orioles 
stripped my vines of peas, and it was m. 
use to go over the vines after them, foi 
the job was complete. Their latest out¬ 
rage is to pick holes in my musk anc 
watermelons, possibly to see whether thej 
are ripe or not. Cherries are all eaten hert 
by the birds, and pear trees are protectee 
by scarecrows, twine string and other 
methods. My point of view has changei 
in coming from the school to the farm 
and the bird has suffered by It. 
Princess Anne, Md. w. e. b. 
Heartbreaking Nonsense About Birds. 
1 wish to add my protest against the 
laws protecting birds that rob fruit, vines 
and trees, it has become an unbearable 
and intolerable nuisance. 1 have a smai. 
place at Port Jexlerson, on Long Islauo 
and my taste runs to fruit, i have hac 
success with strawberries, raspberries, 
blackberries, gooseberries and cherries, 
with the exception that the birds get th 
fruit aim not i. They must be thinned, u 
no person can be considered of sounc 
sense who devotes time, money and laboi 
to raising fruits. The Brown thrush also 
pulled up every spear of sweet corn I had 
in over luo hills. They also have attackec 
my early apples, it is beyond endurance, 
and getting to be an absolute calamity, 
it is heartbreaking nonsense to say tin. 
birds do more good than harm. Experi¬ 
ence proves the contrary. c. u. 
New York. 
“Get Your Gun " in Iowa. 
1 never saw the robins, thrushes, cat 
birds and woodpeckers so destructive tc 
fruit as this year. Strawberries, cherries, 
aaspberries, in fact, all kinds of fruit; ii 
any preference, cherries and black rasp 
berries suit them best, but all kinds ii. 
their season go, and now the tomatoes 
seem their special delight. The robin i; 
the most destructive of all-; he comes earl> 
but does not stay so late as the catbiro 
Jays, thrushes and woodpeckers destroy 
more than they are worth, song and all. 
It is not for song nor sentiment alto¬ 
gether that 1 labor to grow fruit, but for 
some good fruit that 1 can pick without 
being challenged for every berry I get by 
these innocent birds. They want the best, 
and get it, do not eat it all, but just spoil 
10 times more than they can possibly eat. 
No gleaning in the meadows for them, like 
the lark, doves and blackbirds. I con¬ 
sider the Meadow, lark the best singer and 
the farmer’s best friend among the bird 
tribe, without it is the Meadow owl. Their 
singing, though, has not been very well 
developed, but for mousing they are great. 
Now I go after these robbers just as I do 
after a skunk hunting chickens, with a 
gun. They are like some men; will not 
take a hint until you knock them down. 
If possible, I would like to protect all an¬ 
imal or bird life, but it sometimes becomes 
necessary to protect oneself, then I say, 
go after them. a. j. m. 
Iowa. 
Save Paint Bills 
When you write advertisers mention The 
R. N.-Y. and you will get a quick reply and 
“a square deal.” See our guarantee 8th page. 
V.r order lo introduce their Low Metal Wheel/ 
Wide Tu’es, the Empire Manufacturiiif 
Oompauy, Quincy, Ill., have placed upon tli 
market a Farmer’s Handy Wagon, that is onl, 
25 inches high, fitted with 24 and 30-inch wheel 
vinch tu’e, and sold for only $21.06. 
Millet in the Silo. —We have never put 
any millet in the silo. I see no reason 
why it should not be as easily preserved 
in the silo as clover. In most seasons It 
would probably be quite as satisfactory 
to cure it as to preserve it in a silo. If I 
were to experiment with it I should cut 
it before the seed began to form, and 
when slightly wilted pack it well. 
[Prof.] H. H. WING. 
This wagon is maue of the best roaterla 
shroughout, and really co.sts but a ti’ifle moiT 
than a set of new wheels and fully guaranteec 
for one year. Catalogue giving a full description 
will be mailed upon application by the Empire 
Manufactm-iug Co., Quincy, Ill., who also wi’. 
furnish metal wheels at low prices made any sh' 
and width of tire to fit any ax'e. 
Rooflng,whlch requires 
painting every 
two years, nse 
Arrow flrand 
Asphalt 
' Beady Hoofing 
already sur¬ 
faced with gravel, and which needs no painting. 
asphalt READY ROOFING CO. send for free 
8 % Pine St., New York. samples. 
fi 
RUBliiiip 
. ,. . (TRADE-MARK-.KeQiSTEREb)' -■ 
ROOF IN G 
For residences, taarns, poultry* 
houses'and silos. • Positively the 
iTTiost durable,: and economical 
roofing ofe-the market.Anyone 
can apply it; Water-proof.. Con¬ 
tains no tar. Will not melt. Lasts 
indefinitely. ■ < l . - . : - 
SEND^FOR BOOKLET K. -.;... . 
THE STANDARD PAINT CO. 
■ 100 William St;, New-York. 
PREPARED ROOFING FELTS. 
We can save you money on your wants in 
this line. We offer you Two-Ply Tarred 
Hoollng Felt. 108 square feet to the roll, 
complete with caps, nails and cement, 
per roll, 411.15, Three-ply complete, per 
roll, 411 . 35 . Vulcanite, the highest 
grade on the market,complete as above 
Price per roll, #1.50. We have all kinds 
o*' Hoofing. Write for Free Catalogue No. 
67 on material bought from Sheriffs’and 
Ki celvers’Sales. ClllCUiO HOl'SK WRKCK. 
IMt CO.. W. 85lh and iron Hlrreia, Chlragn. 
Best for Water 
RALPH B. CARTER CO. 
26 Cortlandt St., New York, N. Y. 
P^RD 
“Everybody knows, or 
should know, of the old 
reliable Blizzard. The 
Original successful 
Cutter and 
Shredder^ 
with Wind Elevator. Justthink, 
it does everything, cuts hay, 
straw, ensilage, shreds fodder, 
and nils any heightU silo. 
Remember one and the same 
machine does it all. Sold on 
full guarantee. Write today for catalogue, etc. 
JOSEPH DICK AGRICULTURAL WORKS, 
Box 88, CANTON, OHIO. 
WELL 
DRILLING 
MACHINES 
Over 70 sizes and styles, for drilling either deep or 
shallow wells in any kind of soil or rock. Mounted 
on wheels or on sills. With engines or horse powers. 
Strong, simple and durable. Any mechanic can 
operate them easily. Send for catalog. 
WILLIAMS BROS., Ithaca, N. Y. 
CLARK’S IZi hT GROPS 
Clark’s Reversible Bush 
Plow and Harrow. 
Cuts a track 5 ft. wide, 1 
ft. deep. Heath to bushes 
witch grass. Kills any 
bush, grass, rose or plant 
that grows. Can plow a 
newly cut forest, stump or 
bog land, leaves the land 
true and clean for grain or any crop. 
Clark’s Dbl. Action 
Cutaway Harrow. 
Moves 15,(XK) tons of earth a 
day. 
Clark’s 8 ft. Smoothing 
Harrow, 
Will smooth an acre as true as a 
mill pond in 2U minutes. 
Clark’s Cider Mills, 
for horse, hand or steam power. 
From five gallons to eight barrels. 
Perfect Grinders. Will grind 75 
bushels per hour easily. Send for 
circulars. 
CUTAWAY HARROW GO. 
Nigganum, Conn., U. S. A. 
The Agricu ltural Drain Tile ALBANY, N. Y., are the vekv 
made by JOHN H. JACKSON, 
thor 
' 1.3 
, . , , . , BKST that long experience.' th 
ough equipment and superior clay -wlL produce. Tile drained land 
the earliest, easiest worked and most productive. Make also Sewer Pipe. 
Chimney Tops, Red and lire Brick, Oven Tile and Supply Mortar Colors, 
Cement, Plaster, Lime, etc. Write for what youwaui. 75 ^Third AvSi 
