886 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
December 26 
uralisms f 
NOTES FROM THE RURAL GROUNDS 
The Best Earlv Tomato. —Few indi¬ 
viduals have as good opportunity to 
compare the merits of commercial vege¬ 
tables as Howard M. Earl, manager of 
Burpee’s famous Fordhook Trial Farms. 
Ho writes concerning the Earliana to¬ 
mato, noted on page 678, as probably the 
most useful early variety: 
I am much interested in all early toma- 
toe.s, having made a carerul s'.udy of them 
for many years, and having watched 
Sparks Earliana tomato in particular al¬ 
most since it originated in the h.ands of Mr. 
Sparks of southern New Jersey, I do not 
agree at all with Mr. Gregory that Nolte's 
Earliest sitrpasses the Sparks Earliana, as 
I consider that Sparks Earliana is the best 
of all the extra early tomatoes on the 
market to-day. With Sparks Earliana as 
with any other variety of tomato a great 
deal depends on the stock. When proper 
selection has not been given to 'he stock 
one cannot expect the best results. Sparks 
Lrarliana has proven now for many years 
past to be a “money winner” for the ma¬ 
jority of the south Jersey growers. No 
ether variety of tomato has touched it as 
an extra early variety. All who have had 
any experience in growing tomatoes know 
that the extra early tomatoes never pro¬ 
duce the smoothest fruits. The smoothest 
earl.v fruited red tomato on the market to¬ 
day is undoubtedly Chalk’s Early Jewel, 
but this does not come in for at least 10 
days or two weeks later than Sparks 
Earliana; 
This is high and disinterested praise, 
as Earliana was distributed by another 
seed house than the one Mr. Earl is 
identified with. Those who plant the 
true stock find it most profitable of all 
extra earlies now before the public. 
Too Many Shrubs? —The police of a 
considerable western town complain that 
the residents have planted shrubs much 
too freely about their homes, thus form¬ 
ing hiding places for thieves and crim¬ 
inals, making it almost impossible to 
catch a thief or burglar, who may dis¬ 
appear at once in the thickets when de¬ 
tected. We had supposed shrub planting 
could not well be overdone, and still 
hold to the opinion that abundance of 
shrubs plus a wide-awake policeman is 
highly preferable to barren parks and 
yards maintained in empty desolation 
for the benefit of the usual drowsy local 
“cop.” 
Shortage in Cucumber Seeds. —As a 
result of successive unfavorable seasons 
a serious shortage of cucumber seeds, 
especially of the widely grown pickle 
varieties, is reported. Contract seed 
growers are only able to deliver a frac¬ 
tion of the amounts wanted, the turnout 
being generally of light weight as well 
as scanty. Seedsmen able to secure even 
25 per cent of their usual stocks at con¬ 
tract prices are sure of a profit, as gar¬ 
deners and truckers are ready to pay 
anything in reason for seeds offered, but 
the growers generally come out at the 
little end of the horn. Cucumber seeds 
retain vitality for over 10 years, but old 
seeds will not afford much relief this 
season, as about all old stocks worth 
planting were used up last year. Some 
dealers will not now accept an order for 
cucumber seed alone, and with general 
orders only a fair pro rata share will be 
given, thus protecting actual consumers 
as far as possible. 
Othe: Scarce Seeds. —Some of the 
finer wrinklea peas are in very short 
supply. One dealer placed contracts for 
80 bushels of Gradus peas and received 
18 bushels; others are about in the same 
boat. Planters shy at the price of $10 
or $12 a bushel for seeds of this pea, but 
such is its superiority in discriminating 
markets that it is being sold at the 
prices mentioned in advance of cata¬ 
logue issues. Many varieties of sweet 
corn are scarce and poor. This applies 
particularly to the later kinds, and some 
independent growers have realized good 
prices for their partial crops. Egg plant 
came near total failure, some growers 
actually harvesting less seed than they 
planted, but the deficiency of this com¬ 
paratively unimportant vegetable will 
doubtless be met by importation. The 
tomato seed crop also got a decided chill 
during our cool and rainy Summer, but 
there will probably be enough to go 
around. High germination in 1903 to¬ 
mato seeds is not to be expected, as 
some lots were saved from immature 
fruits. Peppers throve much better than 
might be expected from their tropical 
origin, and fair seed crops were secured 
from all but the latest-ripening kinds. 
Melon seeds in most varieties are more 
abundant than cucumber, but no one is 
prepared to guarantee the quality. 
Grapes in Mis.sissippi. —Grape varie¬ 
ties are almost as local in their require¬ 
ments as strawberries. Each kind must 
be tested on its merits and success or 
failure in special localities does not in¬ 
dicate corresponding behavior elsewhere. 
Concord is without doubt the most use¬ 
ful native grape, but does not compare 
In the South with newer varieties. C. 
Forkert, Ocean Springs, Miss., furnishes 
tliis very interesting report of his grape 
trials: 
W. V. F. says Brilliant makes a good 
pollenizer for R. W. Munson. This does not 
hold good with me; here the Brilliant has 
berries the size of green peas when R. W. 
Munson begins blooming. This variety 
sets, how'ever, and does splendidly here, 
seemingly without a pollenizer. Brilliant, 
Manito and Wapanuka do well with me, 
and all three are very desirable grapes. 
Gold Coin is a weak grower, though the 
grape is line. Gi'een Moun'min and Moore’s 
Diamond are two very desirable grapes, 
and do very well here. Herman Jaeger and 
Nectar have been discarded, the latter 
never amounted to anything. Campbell's 
Early is a fair grape and bears well here, 
but is not early. Niagara is nearly gone 
when Campbell’s Early ripens. If there is 
anything popular about Triumph it is a 
“popular mistake” that it is a widely- 
grown white variety in the South; it is 
really a pity that it is not. It has immense 
w'ell-shaped bunches, but it ripens so un¬ 
evenly it is no good here. Many others 
like Concord, Worden, Eaton, Isabella, 
Esther, Pocklington and some others which 
have been tried had to be discarded on ac¬ 
count of ripening unevenly. Many of Prof. 
Munson's creations have been tried anJ 
several like Bailey, Muench, Big Extra, 
Cloeta and those named above and some 
others do splendidly here: some of them 
are much more satisfactory than older va¬ 
rieties, and ought to bo more largely 
planted. 
The Borgeat Quince. —Fig. 327, page 
882, shows the characteristic form of the 
Borgeat quince as grown on young trees 
on the Rural Grounds. The illustrated 
specimen is of very moderate size, some 
of its companions nearly doubling its 
weight, but all are quite similar in out¬ 
line. This variety was lately introduced 
from Europe, and has not been widely 
tested in this country. The tree has 
larger foliage and a more vigorous and 
upright growth than other kinds. It is 
claimed to bear extremely young but our 
trees have been in no hurry to distin¬ 
guish themselves in this way, the first 
quinces being borne four years after 
planting. They are bright clear yellow 
in color, cook very tender and have a 
mild and agreeable flavor. They are said 
to keep longer when mature than other 
kinds. Our fiuits were all blown off by 
the gale in early September. Those test¬ 
ed at the tim,e were already of good 
quality, which was improved in some 
specimens cooked a month later. The 
variety is certainly worth planting for 
the neat habit of the tree and the good 
quality of the fruits, which may be 
cooked almost as readily as apples. It 
is claimed to be unusually productive 
when it gets into full bearing. The 
Childs quince, originated by Luther 
Burbank, again demonstrates its fine 
rich quality. It is an early and abun¬ 
dant bearer but does not grow as vigor¬ 
ously with us as Borgeat. w. v. r. 
Mr. H. O. Snyder, of Milton, Pa., writes: 
Our egg record for Jan. 1st to Jan. 1st, 
from IG hens was 2112, and we raised four 
broods of chicks in that time. We u.sed 
Bowker’s Animal Meal.—Adv. 
HORSE COLIC, 
Distemper, Founder. Pnea« 
monla, etc., as well as all 
forms of Lameness, Contract* 
ed Cord, Curb, Splint, etc., 
are instantly relieved, and In¬ 
variably cured by the use of 
Tuttle’s Elixir. 
Satisfaction guaranteed or 
refunded. Used and 
by the Adams Ex* 
press Company. Used by leading breeders and 
turfmen everywhere. Has saved and cured many 
valuable horses. May do likewise for you. 
TUTTLE'S FAMILY ELIXIR cures rheumatism, spralna 
bruises, etc. Kills pain instantly. Our 100-page book, 
“Veterinary 'toperience’' F REl^ 
Dr. S. A. TUTTLE, 30 Beverly St., Boston, Mass. 
Rewftre of so-called Elixirs—none frenaine bnt Tattle*!* 
4T0icl «.U blisters; they oiTeronlTt«XDporarTrelief If anTa 
Horse Owners! Use 
QOMBAULT’S 
Caustic 
Balsam 
A Safe, Speedy, and Posltlie Cur* 
The safest. Best BLISTER ever used. Takes 
the place of all Itnamcnts for mild or severe action. 
Removes all Bunches or Blemishes from Horses 
and Cattle, .SUPEBSEOES ALL CAUTERY 
OR FIRING. Impossible to produce scar or blemish 
Every bottle sold Is warranted to give satisfaction 
Price »1.60 per bottle. Sold by druggists, or sent 
by express, charges paid, with full directions for 
Its use. Send for descriptive circulars. 
THE LAWRENCE-WILLIAMS CO., Cleveland. O. 
IfEWTON’B ReBT*, C«n(h, Dl«- 
tamper and Indi^tUuo Caro* 
A veterinary specilic for wind, 
throat and stomach troublts. 
Strong rtcommtndo. $1.00 per 
can. Dealers. Mail or Ex. paid. 
Newton Horse Remedy 
Toledo, Ohio* 
E 
KREE 
This booklet tells how 
to make money on the 
farm, and outlines our 
course of home study in 
Modern Agriculture, 
Under Prof. Wm. P. Brook--,, 
Ph. D., of the Mass. Agri¬ 
cultural College. Treats 
of soils, tillage, drainage, 
fertilizers, crop rotation, 
stock - feeding, poultry- 
raising, dairying, etc. Also 
Horticulture under Prof. Bailey, of 
Cornell University, and Agricultural 
Bacteriology under Prof. Conn, of 
Wesleyan. Full Commercial, Normal a 
Academe Departments. Tuition nominal. 
Text-books FREE to our students. 
Cata. and particulars free. Write tn-dau, 
THB HOME CORRESPONDENCE SCHOO" 
Sept. 18 Springfield Hass, 
Bi-Pedal Sickle 
ai\d Tool Grinder 
Geared like a bicycle, fitted with 
famous Carborundum wheel (grinds 
20 times as last as sand stone. For 
Sickles, Edge Tools, Saw Gumming, 
Polishing. Farmers* Special Offer, 
10 Days Free Trial. Price $8.50. 
Retumt f notsstiRfsetorv . Agents Wanted* 
K. Luther Bros. Co., 
22 Penn St., N. Milwaukee Wis. 
S CIENTIFIC GRINDING MILLS grind Cora 
in the ear, or Grain in any form. Strong, exact, 
reliable. Catalogue D mailed free 
FOOS MFG. CO., Springfield, Ohio. 
A crop that pays may not 
pay as well as it should 
Potash 
is a plant food wliich all crops must have. 
Without sufficient Potash to feed upon 
no crop can reach that 
point wliere it pays l>esf. 
Kxperiments have de¬ 
monstrated the value 
of Potash. 
We will send free, 
to any farmer who 
will write for it, a 
little book that will 
give facts in full. 
GERMAN KALI 
WORKS 
93 Nassau Street, 
New York. 
READY 
ROOFING 
Buy of us Direct and 
Save Money. 
Best goods. Ourpiicei 
surprise. Write ns. 
S. E. McDonough & co. 
Dept. O., Pittsburgh, Pa, 
NO PAINTING REeUIRED^^l^S 
Rooting. Can 
be easily laid 
as tbo work 
only consists of 
mailing and co¬ 
me nti ng the 
Joints. Samples,prices & bookletgiving instructions 
ASPHALT READY ROOFING CO.l^ri&YiagBent 
8% Pine St,, New York. postpaid. 
Constant Force 
on the nozzle, a fine spray and thor¬ 
ough agitating of the mixture, all 
from driving along the orchard row, with 
WALLACE'S 
POWER SPRAYER 
It fits any wagon gear and attaches 
to any shape supply tank. Saves 25% 
of liquia and half the labor of 
operating. High pressure 
through compressed air- 
enough to keep two 
4 point Vermorel 
nozzles go¬ 
ing. Only 
band work 
Is directing 
the nozzles. 
Write for free booklet 7 , 
WALLACE MACHINERY CO. 
Champaign, III. 
YOU 
VyAISlT 
YYAJER 
and yon want Money. There is a way 
to get both by using our late improved 
Well Machinery —the most profitable 
business for men of moderate means. 
Address for catalogue 
LOOMIS MACHINE CO,, TIFFIN, OHIO. 
SEND US 
A COW, 
Steer, Bull or Horse 
hide, Calf skin, Dog 
skin, or any other kind 
of hide or skin, and let 
us tan it v/ith the hair 
on, 'soft, light, odorless 
and moth-proof, for robe, 
rug, coat or gloves. 
But first get our Catalogue, 
giving prices, and our shipping 
tags and instructions, so as to 
avoid mistakes. We also buy 
raw furs and ginseng. 
THE CROSBY FRISIAN FUR COMPAQ, 
116 Mill Street, Rochester, N. Y. 
% Safe and Sure 
5 per cent, is 1 or IJj per cent, more than 
most small suras are earning. Let us inform 
you hvow we earn 5 per cent, for you, how 
you are secvired, who our investors are; 
and learn what they think of the Company after 
5 to 10 years’ experience. The information 
may prove well worth writing for. 
5 por cent, per annum—<juar- 
terly, by check. Withdrawal 
at your pleasure, and full earn* 
Ings paid to then from the day 
your funds were received. 
Assets, . . $1,700,000 
Surplus and 
Profit. . $175,000 
Under New York Banking Dept. Supervision, 
INDUSTRIAL SAVINGS & LOAN CO., 
1134 Broadway, New York. 
«NEW RIVAL” 
Loaded Black Powder Shells 
shoot stronger and reload better 
than any other black powder 
shells on the market, because 
they are loaded more carefully 
and made more scientifically. 
Try them. They are 
jnC I1LNTER’8 FAVORITE 
