884 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
December 26 
FARMERS’ CLUB 
[Every query must be accompanied by 
the name and address of the writer to in¬ 
sure attention. Before askl.tg a que.stion. 
please see whether it is rot answered in 
our advertising columns. Ask only a few’ 
questions at one time. Put quo.sdons on a 
separate piece of paper.] 
QUESTIONS ABOUT ROSES. 
A., Murquctle, Mich.—I have lately become 
Interested in roses, and set out a bed of 
Hybrid Perpetuals this Fall, put a fence 
around them and filled in with leaves. Our 
Winters are very severe. Will this be a 
sufficient protection? Can you tell mo (he 
best Hybrid Perpetuals for this climate? 
Would any of the Hybrid Teas winter hero 
even w’ith protection? ^^ill the Clothilde 
Soupert live here? Can you (ell me where 
I can get the June rose, Centifolia or Cab¬ 
bage? 
Ajrs.—The hardiest Hybrid Perpetuals 
seem to be Anne de Diesbach, very large, 
carmine; Baron de Bonstett/n, da.rk red, 
Baroness Rothebild, light pink; Caroline 
de Sansal, flesh color; Chas. Margottin, 
deep red; Earl of Dufferin, bright crim¬ 
son; Francois Levet, cherry red; Gen. 
Jacqueminot, brilliant crimson; Mabel 
Morrison, white; Mrae. Gabriel Luizet, 
shell pink; Margaret Dickson, white; 
Marshall P. Wilder, bright carmine; 
Paul Neyron, very large, silvery pink; 
Ulrich Brunner, bright cherry. Many of 
the Hybrid Teas are quite resistant to 
cold. Kaiserin Augusta Victoria, cream 
w'hite; Mme. Caroline Testout, clear 
pink, and Meteor, deep crimson, repre¬ 
sent the class very "well and possibly 
could be wintered over in your climate 
with good protection. Clothilde Soupert 
is likely to kill closer to the soil than the 
Hybrid Teas above mentioned under 
similar conditions, but it usually starts 
vigorously from the roots, and is very 
soon in bloom. The adaptability of va¬ 
rieties for your climate can only be de¬ 
termined by actual test. We do not find 
Rosa centifolia in the typical form of¬ 
fered in any catalogue at hand. The 
Moss rose. Gracilis, represents it very 
well with the addition of the attractive 
mossy fringe on the buds. Modern Moss 
roses have been developed from the old 
R. centifolia. In severe climates earth 
makes the best protection for tender 
roses. It should be mounded a foot 
or 18 inches high about the plants before 
freezing weather. The exposed twigs 
above may winterkill but the portions 
covered will endure intense cold. Ever¬ 
green boughs come next in efllciency, fol¬ 
lowed by leaves and litter that may not 
be packed by snow or rains. We cannot 
regard your roses as entirely secure, but 
with the protection of the fence as a 
windbreak they may come through all 
right. _ 
The Winter Damson. 
A. L. 0., Butler, Ky.—Is the Winter Dam¬ 
son a good plum? What time does it ripen? 
Atts. —There is a plum by the name of 
“Winter Damson,” but it is rarely 
grown, and little is known of its be¬ 
havior. It is rarely offered by the nur¬ 
series for sale, if at all. The special 
merit of this plum is its very late ripen¬ 
ing in the Fall, which enables it to be 
kept into the early Winter. By cold 
storage it might be kept all Winter. 
There are other late varieties of good 
quality, but may not be properly called 
Winter varieties. h. e. v. d. 
Persimmons for Pennsylvania. 
W. G. B„ North East, Pa.—What do you 
think of the culture of the persimmon in 
this country, which Is near Lake Erie? 
How far north will the native and Japan 
kinds succeed? 
Ans. —Our native American persim¬ 
mon is hardy as far north as the shores 
of the Great Lakes, and in some cases 
farther, but it is very doubtful if it will 
really pay for the attempt to grow it so 
far north, except for the pleasure of 
having a tree or two as an experiment. 
The trees may be obtained from some of 
the nurseries at very reasonable rates, 
or they can be grown from seeds, which 
sprout and grow very readily. Almost 
anyone in the Southern States can send 
them to those interested in persimmon 
culture. There are some excellent kinds, 
some of which have been named and are 
being propagated by grafting. Early 
Golden is one of these. The Japanese 
species, which is a success south of Vir¬ 
ginia, is too tender to endure the Win¬ 
ters north of that State, and some will 
not succeed there. We may yet get hy¬ 
brids between the two species—our na¬ 
tive one and this foreigner—which will 
probably bear large and excellent friflt, 
and be hardy in tree over a large part 
of the country. n. e. v. d. 
Curing Mole Skins. 
S. J. P., Grand Rapids, Mich.—Can you give 
me any information concerning how to 
cure ground moleskins, so I can have a 
collar made from them? I have six fine 
skins cured by tacking on a board and 
rubbing in salt and pepper, but the skin 
is stiff, and it may crack when made up. 
I wish to cure them as we catch them one 
by one. 
Ans.—T he tanning process is done by 
chemicals and different manufacturers 
have some special secret by which they 
cure their skins. If S. J. P. will follow 
the following old-fashioned method the 
mole skins will be usable: Clean skins 
from all fatty or meaty substance, have 
skin well dried, flesh side out. Make a 
strong brine-like solution of alum and 
water. Apply on flesh side of skin and 
place skin in sun, if possible, or some 
warm place. Apply three times in about 
one week. When dry the last time apply 
powdered alum, dry and put so as to 
cover the flesh side well and let lie for 
three days. One side at a time can only 
be done, all times being careful not to 
touch the fur. This method is old- 
fashioned and simple, yet I think very 
easy and sufficient for the moleskin. 
li. B. 
Humus for Oregon Orchards. 
A. R. J., Albany, Ore.—We are in a fine 
fruit country, as you know, but our soil 
is becoming poor In humus, where it has 
long been cultivated. What we need to 
know is what we can do the cheapest to 
restore a sufficient supply of humus in our 
orchard soils? 
Ans. —As the clovers and vetches flour¬ 
ish in the Willamette Valley they would 
seem to me to be the proper crops to 
grow in the orchards to get something 
to work into the soil that will make a 
rich humus when rotted. Perhaps the 
vetch which is grown in Oregon and 
Washington to some extent, and is 
usually called Winter vetch, is the best 
of all the crops, so far well tested, to 
use there for this purpose. I saw it do¬ 
ing well in several places in both those 
States two years ago, when I was look¬ 
ing over the fruit farms there. It is 
sown in the late Summer and allowed to 
grow and cover the ground until the 
next Spring, when it is plowed or disk- 
"ed under. It will grow nearly all Win¬ 
ter in the mild climate of the Pacifle 
coast valleys, and not only add humus 
to the soil when worked into it, but it 
gathers nitrogen from the air, which is 
so much clear gain. h. b. v. d. 
Steam or Water for Heating. 
R. A. L„ Washington, D. O.—My house la 
on the highest and bleakest point of my 
farm, and I wish to heat it with water or 
steam. Which means shall T take? A 
brother’s experience with burst pipe in a 
blizzard in the city inclines me adversely 
to water, for in the country plumbers can¬ 
not be secured in such exigency, but may 
not steam have equally vexatious acci¬ 
dents and sound objections? 
Ans. —Opinions as to the comparative 
merit of steam or hot-water heating for 
dwellings differ greatly. The water sys¬ 
tem, using larger pipes and radiators, is 
most expensive to install, the difference 
being 20 to 30 per cent more than steam, 
but it is more economical to operate, is 
entirely noiseless and from the larger 
heating surface, furnishes a more agree¬ 
able quality of heat, especially in mild 
weather. A steam system adapts itself 
better to an irregxilar circulation, and 
the boiler requires less attention, as the 
dampers are usually self-regulating, be¬ 
ing controlled by steam pre.ssure, which 
is not available in the water system. 
Steam radiators and pipes are even more 
likely to get out of order than those 
used for water on account of greater 
strains. If fitted wdth first-class valves, 
allowing a slight circulation at all times 
a water radiator should never freeze 
even if turned off hard in the coldest 
weather, provided there is sufficient fire, 
and the general water circulation Is not 
blocked. The installation of either sys¬ 
tem should only be entrusted to expert 
workmen or responsible contractors. 
Seaweed for Mulching Strawberries, 
Reader (No Address).—Will sea weed an- 
.sw'er for mulching straw’berries? 
Ans. —It has been used to some extent 
here in the past. The chief difficulty is 
that if the season chances to be wet 
while the berries are growing, the sea¬ 
weed mulch seems to favor rotting of 
the fruit. If the finer kinds, such as 
the Irish moss, are used it may pack so 
closely as to smother out some plants 
during Winter, but if ribbon-weed or 
eel-grass m'ake up the bulk of the ma¬ 
terial there will be little trouble from 
this cause. [Prof.] itrbd w. oaud. 
Rhode Island. 
FARM AND GARDEN SEEDS 
C FROM ASIA MINOR. 
Every kinds of seeds are sent from this country to 
any part of the world In Postal Union. Sample 
ounce packages are sent through registered mall on 
receipt of 20 cents In American stamps. Postage 
prepaid. For postal card answer Inclose two cents, 
for letter answer inclose live cents. Seedsmen are 
Invited to communicate. Address for particulars 
ir, CAKAIVXANIAN, Amassla, Turkey. 
P otatoes—Bliss, Bovee, Carman, Cobbler, Harvest, 
Ohio, Bose, Six Weeks. C. W. Ford, Fishers, N. Y. 
<JARden,farm: 
1 Co 1 CUand flower 
SEED 
Agricultural Implements, and Poultry Supplies 
Send for Catalogue. 
YOUNG & HALSTEAD, 2 and i Grand St., Troy, N. T. 
PC AIM nc \A/CT JERSEY SEED- 
UlII L Ul itlI) ling strawhekky. 
“ The best one on your farm to-day”; statement by 
Fred. Tuezner, of Bed Bank, N.J., June, 1903. Ournew 
catalogue Free. Kevltt Plant Farm, Athenla, N. J. 
m 
TREES SUCCEED WHERE 
^ Earje^ery. OTHERS FAIL 
Fruit Book Free. Result of 78 years’ experience 
100,000 Apple, 200,000 Peacli, 
»03V1. SOUR CHERRY. Low Prices. Catalogne. 
WOODVIEWNUUSEBIES, B. 2, Mt. Holly Sprlngs.Pa 
TREES AND SHRUBS 
IN GREAT VARIETY. 
WELL GROWN, HEALTHY AND TRUE 
TO NAME. Many New and Rare Plants. 
Largest Stock in the South. 
Illustrated Catalogue Free. 
P. J. BERCKMANS CO. (INC.) 
Frultland Nurseries, Augusta, Ga. 
Established In 1856. Over 400 acres In Nurseries. 
EDUCATED TREES 
BRED FOR BEARING 
TRUE TO NAME because all our Buds 
are cut from our own ‘ Fruit Belt” 
Bearing Trees. Illustrated Catalog free. 
WEST Michigan Nurseries, 
Box 64, BENTON HARBOR, MICH. 
4,000,000 PEACH TREES 
TENNESSEE WHOLESALE NURSERIES, 
WINCHESTER, TENN. 
Exclusive Growers of Peach Trees 
June Ends a Specialty. 
No agents travel, but sell direct to planters at whole¬ 
sale prices. Absolutely free from diseases and true 
to name. Write us for catalogue and prices before 
placing orders elsewhere. Lar;;est Peach nursery m 
the world. Address „ 
J. C. HALE, Prop., Winchester, Tenn. 
When you write advertisers mention The 
R. N.-Y. and you will get a quick reply and 
“a square deal.” See our guarantee8th page. 
THE TREE OF LIFE -N 
is one budded upon a branched root seedling, nods J 
taken from bearing trees, grown upon the famous I 
Michigan fruit land, dug by our root protecting 
tree digger and handled in our mammoth storage 
cellars. Small fruits and everything In nursery 
and greenhouse lines true to name at wholesale 
prices, tjr We guarantee safe delivery. 
Catalogue FREE. Write today. 
CENTRAL MICtilQAN NURSERY, Kalamazoo, Mich. 
ifidiigan’uMammothXurgmHet 
PUBLIC OPINION. 
Many of our leading horticulturists 
appear to have formed the opinion that 
Call’s Nurseries, Perry, Ohio, grow the 
finest Fruit Trees that can be found. 
Hundreds of them write like the fol- 
lovdng: 
Henry Grover, Riverside, R. I., says: 
‘T ordered trees this season from three 
different nurseries, but those received 
from S. W. Call, Perry, Ohio, were the 
best of all; Best Trees, with Best Roots 
and Packed the Best.” W. E. VanHorn, 
Lockwood, Ky., says: “I think the Best 
Trees that ever came to this section, 
were sent me from Call’s Nurseries, 
Perry, Ohio.” Allen Crites, Stoutsville, 
Ohio, "writes: “The Best lot of Trees 
that I ever received came from S. W. 
Call, Perry, Ohio.” A. Sutton, Farm- 
dale, Ohio, writes: “The Fruit Trees 
that I received from S. W. Call, Perry, 
Ohio, were the Finest I ever received.” 
Hundreds of others write the same. 
If you wish the best, write Call for 
Price List. 
HOYT’S TREES. 
The man behind the tree is the best 
gnarantee that it is true to name, healthy 
and will grow into a strong vigorous 
bearer. “Hoyt” has stood for the best 
there is in tree growing for more than .5(1 
years. Shade Trees, Ornamentals, Pruii, 
Vines and Plants. 
Catalogue free. Send your name 
THE STEPHEN HOYT’S SONS CO. 
NEW CANAAN, CONN. 
Our Ben Davis 
I Is after all the apple of real 
I prollt. We’ve bred up for 
I Planting a pood many thous- 
I and trees that are not ap- 
[ proached elsewhere. Also York 
I Imperial, Greening, Baldwin, 
I Grimes Golden. 
100 Varieties of Apples 
j including Bummer, fall and winter. No finer 
trees can be grown. Our trees 
have a preeminence every- 
where.strongly r»o ted,smooth, 
shapely and bred to bear. Our 
catalog is our salesman. Ask us 
for It. Delivery In perfect con¬ 
dition guaranteed all over the 
United States. 
HARRISON’S NURSERIES, 
Box 29, Berlin, Md. 
TDPPC'anff PLANTS at Wholesale Prices 
I K r r N Apple, Fear and Plum. $8 per 100. Cat. free 
X keliance Nl’ksery, Box 10,Geneva,N.Y 
NORTHERN 
GROWN TREES 
BEST climate. BEST soil. 
BEST for the Fruit Grower. 
BEST for Agent and Dealer. 
BEST Catalogue. BEST Prices. 
My treatment and Trees make permanent 
customers. 
Once Tried. Always Wanted. 
Catalogue Free. Instructive ; Interesting, 
MARTIN WAHL, ROCHESTER, N. Y. 
A C* J5TARK GRAPE NURSERIES are in the heart of the famous Chautauqua 
1 W Grape Belt, which produces the finest vines grown in the U. 8. We have 
* m. K aw immense stock of all leading sorts; quality perfect; prices low as those oi 
■m rm 'm.r m reputable grower. Send us your orders—one vine or a car load. A com- 
\/ I INI r-* plete line of fruit trees, small CT ADI^^ PORTLAND, N. Y. 
f 1 1 N fruits, etc. Price List free. O I /VlxIV. Dtvv/ O Louisiana, Ma 
I DA DTI tTTT 
I kiL I I lOb. Bred from Geo. T. Powell's bust bearing trees. 
THE TREE BREEDERS. ROGERS ON THE HILL, DANSVILLE, N. Y. 
PEACH TREES.’ 
Grand lot, grown on the bank of lake Erie two milefl 
from any peach orchardH, free from borers and ail 
__ other diseases. Large stock of J^ear, Plum, Cherry, 
Apple* etc* Immense supply of small fruits, headquarters for 
Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, Plants, Seeds. 
40 aores hardy Rose*. Including 45,0(X) of the famous Crimson Rambler. 44 green¬ 
houses of Palms, Ficus, Ferns, Roses, Geraniums, etc. Mall slzeMstpaid. Direct 
deal saves money, try us. Valuable catalogue free. 60th year. 1000 acres. 
THE STORRS &. HARRISON CO., Palnesvllle, Ohio. 
