22 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
January 11 
; Ruralisms 
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NOTES FROM THE RURAL GROUNDS. 
Better A ppees Wanted. —Dr. P. D. 
Keiser, of Cartoon Co., Pa., thinks apples 
of better quality than 'those now grown 
in his locality are wanted. Rhode Island 
Greening and Grimes Golden are all 
right, but there are not enough of them. 
Among the Russians he only finds three 
worth growing, the Yellow Transparent, 
Duchess of Oldenburg and Red Astra- 
chan, and these are of very ordinary 
quality, though useful. Fallawater is 
coarse in grain and not over delicious, 
but is the best paying apple grown there. 
He finds it a waste of time to bother 
with southern kinds, and asks where 
the New York -Somerset, a small apple 
of best quality, may be obtained. The 
Somerset occasionally grown in western 
New York is described as a small round¬ 
ish russety-yellow apple with tender 
yellow flesh of excellent quality. It 
ripens in September. We have never 
seen it catalogued. 
An Interesting Hybrid Tobacco.'— 
The various species of Nicotiana have 
always been attractive subjects to ex¬ 
perimenters in hybridization. The long- 
tubed flowers are easy to manipulate and 
tolerably sure to accept foreign pollen. 
They are naturally self-fertile, the 
transfer of pollen from the anther to 
the stigma being usually made by night- 
flying insects. When positive results 
are wanted the blooms should always 
be covered by a paper or light, fine- 
meshed bag after emasculation, and un¬ 
til the style withers after the applica¬ 
tion of the selected pollen from other 
kinds, but we have had fully as ac¬ 
curate results by omitting the covering 
and preparing the blooms by cutting 
away the corolla tube, carrying all the 
stamens before the flower would natur¬ 
ally open and allowing the bare style to 
project. Insects seldom visit flowers 
when the showy parts have oeen re¬ 
moved. Pollen is applied as soon as the 
stigmatic surface becomes sticky, which 
occurs in Nicotianas about 24 hours 
after the tubes are apparently ready to 
open. All seeds grown from blooms so 
treated have produced plants showing 
evidences of hybridity, and we may say 
the same of most plant species experi¬ 
mented with. One wonders what has 
become of all the hybrid Nicotianas 
produced by the early students of hy¬ 
bridization, as their works teem with 
descriptions of the characteristics of 
the offspring of their numerous crosses. 
It would be expected that some would 
prove distinct and attractive enough to 
preserve, but the trade plant and seed 
lists show only three or four compara¬ 
tively new species in popular demand. 
Most Nicotiana hybrids are self-sterile, 
and produce no seeds except occasion¬ 
ally when pollinated with one of the 
parents, and thus may only be perpetu¬ 
ated by cuttings or root division. Lu¬ 
ther Burbank produced several such hy¬ 
brids, said to be very fine, also a very 
striking cross between a Nicotiana and 
a Petunia, which has since perished 
from difficulty of propagation. 
In the Summer of 1900 the writer ap¬ 
plied to blooms of a handsome red- 
flowered variety of field tobacco, Nico¬ 
tiana Tabacum, pollen from N. sylves- 
tris, a fine new species from Argentina, 
bearing profuse clusters of long white, 
very sweet-scented flowers. The seed¬ 
lings grown the past Summer were very 
vigorous, and remarkably uniform in de¬ 
velopment, being exactly alike to all 
appearances. They grew about six feet 
high, with broad dark foliage, and pro¬ 
duced immense trusses of light carmine 
flowers an inch broad and nearly five 
inches long. They remained widely 
open, not partially closing on dull days 
like some others, and were faintly 
scented during sunlight and more 
strongly in the evening. They were 
strikingly handsome when first in bloom 
in early August, and grew more effective 
as the season advanced. Like most hy¬ 
brids between tobacco species they were 
entirely sterile, and produced no seed 
at all, thus preserving their energy for 
the extension and enlargement of bloom 
panicles until they became enormous. 
As the nights grew cooler the color 
deepened and the blooms increased in 
size, until the plants were cut down by 
hard frost early in November. Not lik¬ 
ing to lose such a showy plant some 
cuttings were rooted to be wintered un¬ 
der glass and planted out next May. It 
is not likely that any conceivable sterile 
Nicotiana would be worth propagating 
in a commercial way, as we already have 
so many fine decorative plants that sub¬ 
jects so coarse in growth are little need¬ 
ed. We would advise all who have not 
yet grown N. sylvestris to do so next 
Summer if they have room for large 
plants. The seeds are now very cheap, 
and they can be started indoors like 
Petunias. Plant out when the ground 
becomes warm in rich soil, and you will 
surely be pleased with the profusion of 
snowy, sweet-scented blooms. It has 
much better foliage than the well-known 
N. affinis. 
Not an Evergreen Rose. —A sub¬ 
scriber asks whether the Ruby Queen 
rose is warranted as an evergreen va¬ 
riety, the plaut received retaining its 
glossy foliage after many hard freezes. < 
We make no claim of this kind, though 
Ruby Queen, in common with many hy¬ 
brids of Rosa Wichuraiana, holds its fo¬ 
liage very tenaciously until past mid¬ 
winter, especially on the younger canes, 
but the increasing power of the sun in 
January generally causes the leaves to 
drop. In very sheltered situations and 
southern localities the foliage will prob¬ 
ably be retained through the Winter, 
and may even keep its deep green color. 
Ruby Queen has received many appre¬ 
ciative notices lately in the European 
horticultural press, and may be expect¬ 
ed to grow in favor as the young plants 
increase in strength. It is quite certain 
that Rosa Wichuraiana is destined to 
play an important part in ffie creation 
of a group of beautiful hardy roses suit¬ 
able for garden culture. Many are be¬ 
ing brought forward each season, and 
most of them possess attractive quali¬ 
ties, but a careful weeding out of the 
less distinct forms must necessarily 
take place. The vigor of Wichuraiana 
seedlings is often phenomenal. We 
grow several hundred yearly, and the 
blooming season is always a revelation 
of delight—they are so dainty and varied 
in color and outline, and profuse .in 
bloom, but very few are worth preserv¬ 
ing. One two-year-old plant set on a 
poor gravelly slope developed a trailing 
branch 26 feet long last Summer, the 
growth starting in July, and only ceas¬ 
ing with a sharp November freeze. For 
covering waste places, old fences and 
unsightly objects no other roses can 
equal this new type. w. v. f. 
Killing Woodchucks.— I notice a short 
article in your issue of December 14 about 
woodchucks. We were troubled by the 
brutes for years, before we found a per¬ 
manent remedy; now there are but few 
alive on our farm. The remedy was ap¬ 
plied as follows: A few pounds of bisulphide 
of carbon were procured, bought at most 
drug stores, usually for 25 cents a pound. 
Some old cotton rags were made into a 
loose round ball, held in place by a string. 
As much of the carbon is put on the ball 
as it will hold, then roll the ball down in 
the woodchuck’s hole, packing each and 
every hole tightly to keep vapor from es¬ 
caping. All the chucks in the burrow will 
be stifled. Hundreds of burrows have been 
doctored, and not over two or three chucks 
ever dug out. Some kill foxes in the same 
way, but they are not so troublesome as 
woodchucks. s. h. l. 
For the land’s sake, use Bowker’s Fer¬ 
tilizers. They enrich the earth.— Adv. 
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. 
flMM 
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WE HAVE HEARD 
OF IT BEFORE 
There Is no necessity for as to suffer 
pain end endure useless agony. There 
It a remedy for all aches and pains— 
for Rheumatism, Gout, Lumbago, 
Neuralgia, Sciatica, Pleurisy, Sore¬ 
ness, Stiffness, Headache, Backache, 
Pains In the Limbs and Pains ta the 
Feet that remedy Is 
StJacobs Oil 
It never falls. It acts like magic. 
Instantaneous relief from pain always 
follows. It has cured thousands of 
oases which had been given up as 
Incurable. One trial will convince any 
sufferer that St. Jacobs Oil 
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1 Conquers Pain 
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Price, asc and 50c. 
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■OLD BY ALL DEALERS IN MEDICINE. 
RUBEROID 
THE 
POULTRY-HOUSE 
ROOFING 
As a water-proof covering for Poultry-1 
Houses, RUBEROID has no equal. Keeps 
the houses cool during the warm weather, 
I and warm In Winter, and the chicks dry and | 
comfortable. The sun cannot melt it. 
THE STANDARD PAINT CO., 
IOO William Street, 
NEW YORK. 
PEGOSII 
•*, SEED ;, 
£atalogU| 
the original introducer of the Miller 
Melon, Cory Corn, All Season’s Cabbage, 
the Hubbard Squash, and a score of other 
vegetables that are now raised all over 
the United States, I offer the public 
head-quarter’s seed. Send for free catalogue. 
J. J. H. GREGORY & SON, Marblehead, Mass. 
x& ! - v Jr *1- 
SECRETS OF FRUIT CROWING. 
C. A. Green has been photographing orchards, 
vineyards, berry fields, etc., and has collected 
over 100 photographs in a new book with helpful 
suggestions to fruit growers, instructing the 
reader in the secrets of fruitgrowing. It is unlike 
anything published, illustrating and describing 
methods of planting and growing trees, etc. 
Something every fruit grower should have. The 
price is 25c., but we will accept 10c. if you will 
mention this paper. Our new fruit catalogue will 
be sent in the same package. Address, 
GREEN’S NURSERY CO., Rochester, N.Y 
Poor 
Soils 
are made rich¬ 
er and more 
productive and 
rich soils retain 
their crop-pro¬ 
ducing powers, 
by the use of 
fertilizers with 
a liberal percentage of 
Potash. 
Write for our books—sent free — 
which give all details. 
GERMAN KALI WORKS, 
93 Nassau Street, New York City. 
PROFIT or LOSS? 
That’s the Question 
THE EC LIPSE 
SPRAY PUMP 
Will settle that in your 
orchard. With it you 
LAN make a profit, with¬ 
out it what do you get ? 
Send for Catalogue. 
MORRILL & MORLLY, 
BENTON HARBOR, MICHIGAN. 
CLIMAX 
Fruit 
For 
Peaches 
Grapes 
Melons 
Baskets 
We are in position to fur¬ 
nish Growers with peach, 
gvai>e and melon baskets on 
short notice. On carloads of 
12,ouo or more 1-8 bu. and 
1-5 bu. peach baskets, 
or 8 lb. grape baskets; 
1 or C,000 or more 1-3 bu. 
melon baskets we can 
name very low prices, 
delivered anywhere in the United 
States. Our Climax Baskets are all 
nailed by hand and can be relied upon to carry 
the fruit safely. Send for illustrated catalogue 
and state what packages you need this season. 
THE PIERCE-WILLIAMS CO. 
South Haven, Mich. 
TUflUDCnil’C Wheelbarrow' 
inumrdUll OGrassSeeder 
isn’t like any other—It’s better. Itsowg all kinds 
of Grass Seed. Itsows Clover. Alfalfa, Ked Top, 
Orchard Grass, Millet, Flax Seed, Kic. We make 
anextra large, roomy hopper for sowing Wheat, 
Rye, Oats nnd Hurley. It 
sows 30 acres a day easily. 
Wind can’t stop you; it’s so 
close to the ground. Don’t 
need to “stake off”— 
just follow the drill 
marks. It welghs40 lbs 
and is well and durably 
made. Write for Ring, 
trated catalogue etc. 
0. E.Thompson&Son. 
Ypsllsnti, Slick, 
A MAN SAVED 
BYUSINCAFOLDINC SAWING MACHINE. 
One man cun saw more 
wood with it than two 
in any other way and 
do it easier. 9 CORDS 
IN 1 O HOURS. Saws 
any wood on any 
ground. Raws trees 
down. Catalog free.* 
First order secures agency. _ 
Folding Sawing Mach. Co., 55 N. Jefferson St, Chicago, I1L 
mm I DRILLING 
WwEiLli 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 oatalog. 
WILLIAMS BBOS., Ithaca, N. X. 
Empire King 
He who attempts to grow fruits without a 
Sprayer is handicapped. Blight,bugs.rot and 
rust, mold and mildew all conspiretodamagetheerop, 
J 'and in all cases succeed if the farmer does not spray. This is the only 
hand pump having automatic agitator and brush for cleaning strainer. Valuable 
book of instruction free. FIELD FORCE PUMP CO., 2 Market St., Lockport.N. Y. 
