THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
March 8 
ll2 
Ruralisms ; 
’fnr'V^ TTV ▼ VT VT I 
NOTES FROM THE RURAL GROUNDS. 
Tough Oranges. —The news that 20,- 
000 carloads of California oranges will 
be shipped east this Winter is not re¬ 
assuring. The quality of a large share 
of the Pacific coast oranges hitherto 
marketed here has been so low, especi¬ 
ally during the off-years of the Florida 
crop, that the popular appreciation of 
this superb fruit has been perceptibly 
dulled. It is discouraging to buy time 
after time large and handsome oranges, 
paying a fair price, and have them open 
up all “rag” and weak acid, with little 
trace of the piquant but honeyed taste 
a good orange should possess. We can 
forgive the little sour fellows, as we do 
not anticipate high quality, and they 
are at least frankly keen in flavor, but 
the big ones with the rhinoceros-like 
hides, fibrous interior and washy qual¬ 
ity are very disappointing. Undoubted¬ 
ly some really good oranges are shipped 
from California, but the average buyer 
has little certainty of getting them in 
the general market. Years ago, before 
the Florida and California plantings 
came into bearing, an orange was a a 
orange—something of a known quan¬ 
tity. They came mostly from the Med¬ 
iterranean countries, with early ship¬ 
ments from the Bahamas and West 
Indies. These last were generally poor 
enough in quality—only tolerated on ac¬ 
count of their early season, but sold on 
their merits, or, rather, lack of merit 
.;nd purchasers knew about what to ex¬ 
pect. The Mediterranean oranges, as 
the writer remembers them, were uni¬ 
formly good in that they were at least 
a characteristic fruit. They might be 
viciously sour—mere bags of sharp acid, 
but the skin was usually thin and the 
pulp tender, or they might rarely have 
the delicious sweetness that should be 
the ideal of every orange grower. The 
orange taste was there, however, and 
not solely the flavors of turpentine in 
the rind and weak vinegar in what 
ought to be the pulp. It may be in the 
varieties grown or in the manner of se¬ 
lection, but imported oranges seem 
more uniform in quality than the home 
product. 
the name of “Coral-berry.” It was 
planted in fairly good soil and given but 
little cultivation, being allowed to 
sucker at will. Its appearance and 
growth soon showed a relationship to 
the Mayberry of Burbank, which is con¬ 
sidered a type of the Japan Rubus mi- 
crophyllus. Like the Mayberry, the 
canes are quite permanent, branching 
freely and increasing in size year by 
year. The first berries were borne 
sparingly two years ago, and resembled 
fruits of the Mayberry, being the size 
of a large blackcap, coral red in color, 
shading to amber yellow. They were 
firm and handsome, but rather dry, and 
slightly astringent in taste, not com¬ 
parable in sweetness and delicacy to the 
bright yellow Mayberry. The flowers 
were of the same snowdrop-like form, 
hanging from the slender branches, 
blooming in May, and the berries ripen¬ 
ing in June, a few days later than the 
Mayberry, it seems to be hardier than 
the latter under our conditions. Last 
season a fair crop was produced, and a 
quart or two of the berries converted 
into jam in the usual manner. A trial 
a few days ago showed the product to 
be superior in consistency and flavor to 
that made from any similar fruit. The 
firmness and astringency seemed just 
what was needed to develop a pleasing 
flavor when prepared in this way, 
though rather objectionable in the fresh 
berry. This variety does not appear 
productive enough to pay for cultiva¬ 
tion, but it looks as though it is able to 
hold its own if naturalized in favorable 
places, and for Winter preserving would 
certainly be liked. The many and sharp 
thorns make the berries troublesome to 
gather, and its habit of profuse sucker- 
ing is objectionable. Young canes sub¬ 
mitted to a good botanical authority on 
brambles could not be identified as a 
known species, but we prefer to regard 
it as a type of B. microphyllus, and 
nearly related to the Mayberry. 
w. v. F. 
Red Cedar.— We have a word of praise 
for our native Red cedar (Juniperus Vir- 
giniana). This is, of course, an evergreen, 
and a “clump" of it grown together in its 
natural way is about as fine and pleas¬ 
ing a sight as one can behold. The trees 
all grow upright, and are pyramidal shape, 
yet the decided contrast in their different 
forms furnishes shades of color. Some of 
them fruit profusely, while others are 
barren, so that one can hardly realize 
About 20 years ago, in the heyday of 
the Florida orange production, before 
the great blizzards nipped the vigorous 
young orchards, we got some fine fruits 
at moderate prices. The best were al¬ 
ways sold as coming from the Indian 
River district, but as a matter of fact 
sweet, heavy and tender-meated or¬ 
anges coming even from the highlands 
of Jamaica were always sold as Indian 
Rivers. Even among the cheap mix¬ 
tures sent from Florida at that time 
one could expect a proportion of fairly 
good ones. They are much less reliable 
since the freezes, but on the whole the 
Florida oranges are a safer investment 
than the California product as now 
marketed. 
Many years ago the writer had the 
good fortune to test the Bahia, now 
known as Washington Navel, orange, 
near its native home in Brazil, and 
fancied nothing could be better in the 
form of an orange. The variety was 
then being disseminated from the pub¬ 
lic gardens at Washington, D. C., for 
planting in Florida, California, and the 
Mississippi Delta, and high hopes were 
realized of the vast improvement the 
extensive cultivation of this superior 
variety would make in our native prod¬ 
uct. The trees grown in Florida and 
along the Atlantic coast proved unpro¬ 
ductive, though bearing some fruits of 
good quality, while the Pacific coast 
trees are entirely too productive, judg¬ 
ing by the trainloads of overgrown and 
insipid fruits, bearing the characteris¬ 
tic umbilical mark, sent here for con¬ 
sumption. Some good ones, it is true, 
come with the lot, but it is an expensive 
hunt to find them. We do not pretend 
to know what the cause of this falling 
off in quality may be, but it is evident 
the superb Bahia orange does not live 
up to its reputation under its new name 
and amid strange surroundings. The 
appearance of the Washington Navel in 
quantity, however, has started a de¬ 
mand for seedless oranges, and it seems 
that an endless variety of vapid freaks 
of this kind is being propagated, though 
it is claimed all are variations of the 
one type. The immediate result of 
flooding eastern markets with low 
quality oranges is to increase the de¬ 
mand for apples, on the principle, we 
suppose, that an acute social observer 
claims, “the more she sees of men, the 
better she likes dogs.” 
What is the Coral-berry?—F ive 
years ago an unidentified species of 
raspberry was sent for trial under 
that they are all of the one family. 
These native cedar trees are of slow 
growth and mature their wood thoroughly. 
The wood is very solid and durable. We 
have seen posts taken from an old vine¬ 
yard after over 40 years of constant use, 
with the “red heart” still in good con¬ 
dition. T. j. D. 
THE OCTOBER 
Purple Plum 
Luther Burbank's latest and best, which 
h is gained a popularity from ocean to 
ocean was introduced by us in 181IS). 
Also introducers of Green Mountain 
Grape. Orders for stock of these popu¬ 
lar fruits are coining fast. Early orders 
most sure of securi g the stock. Orderat 
once We have 200 acres of the best-kept, 
nursery in New England, and none sur¬ 
passes it anywhere. Fruit Trees, Shade 
Trees, Ornamentals. Shrubs, etc. A flrst- 
rate catalogue free. Send your address. 
STEPHEN HOYT’S SONS, 
New Canaan, Conn. 
Established 1848. 
QUALITY LEADS. 
Quality in SEEDS brings quantity in crops. 
Market Gardeners who want select SEEDS send 
for Price List. 
E. E. BURWKLL, Sta. A, New Haven, Ct. 
EVERGREENS 
Hardy sorts, Nursery grown, for wind 
breaks, ornament and hedges. Prepaid, $1 
to $10 per 100-50 Great Bargains to select 
from. Write at once for free Catalogu* 
Bargain Sheet. Local Agents wasted. 
Hillj Specialist, Dundee,III. 
Clenwood Nurseries 
Most complete assortment of choice 
Ornamental Trees, Shrubs and Vines. 
Bend for Descriptive Illustrated Catalogue. 
THE WM. H. MOON CO., MORRI8V1LLK, PA. 
50 miles from New York; 30 miles from Philadelphia, 
Illustrated Catalogue of 
Choice Evergreens, Shrubs, 
Fruit and others Trees, Roses, 
Water Lilies, etc. Prices low. 
Beautify your home at small expense. 
B. 8. PETERSON & SON8. Box 15, Montrose, N. Y. 
A notable Illustrated Catalogue of Hardy 
American Plants and Carolina Mountain 
8 lowers is now ready. Every reader of 
The Rural New-Yorkek should havethis 
unique publication, as it deals entirely with 
native pi dints, and is filled witli original illustra¬ 
tions. My stock is grown in the high Carolina 
Mountains (3,800 feet elevation). It is hardy and 
free from disease. Apply at once to 
Proprietor IIAKLAN P. KELSEY, 
Highlands Nursery, Tremont Building, 
Kawana, N. C. Boston, Mass. 
The Tree of Life 
is one budded on branched root seedlings and grown 
upon our high lands. Twomillion Apple. Pear. Plum, 
Cherry. Peach. Shrubs, etc. Leading Northern vari¬ 
eties. Buds from bearing trees, guaranteed true to 
name. We invite you to visit our nursery. Large 
greenhouses. Catalogue free. Order your Hoses 
direct. Best Spray Pump on earth. 
CENTRAL M ICHIGAN NURSERY 
KALAMAZOO. MICH. 
Write for our books—sent free — 
which give all details. 
GERMAN KALI WORKS, 
93 Nassau Street, New York City. 
Poor 
Soils 
Potash. 
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 
Dwyer's 
Nurseries 
Established 1884. 
One Hundred and Fifty Acres devoted 
to the propagating of Fruit and Orna¬ 
mental Trees, Vines, Shrubs and 
Plants in aU the standard and promising 
new varieties. Landscape Gardening 
and ttie beautifying of the Home 
Grounds our leading specialties Write 
to us for our free Descriptive and Illn^- 
t.-ated Catalogue and for any Informa¬ 
tion you may need on Horticulture We 
can help you in making selections of de¬ 
sirable varieties and in the locating and 
planting of Trees and Plants. 
T. J. DWYER <£ SON 
Orange County Nurseries, 
Box 1. CORNWALL, N. Y. 
FRUIT 
of Superior Qual¬ 
ity. Get my cata¬ 
logue to-day, with 
indorsements from 
many Orchardists who have Bearing Orchards of my trees many years planted. Any¬ 
one can produce testimonials of recent shipments. A period of years of fruitage is 
the TRUE TEST. Yes, sir, 1 fumigate ; was among the first to advocate it. Special 
inducements prior to March 15 on Apple and Pear trees. H. S. WILEY, Cuyuga.N.Y. 
FRUIT 
ieties right here in the nursery. Sei 
For more than 33 years we have been growing all kinds and varieties 
of nursery stock. We have reached the point where we can guaran¬ 
tee best stock at lowest prices. Our ■ 
_ _ _ _ _ fruit trees are all budded and we test var-" 
ieties right here In the nursery. Send for Large Illustrated Catalog Free. 
Geo. A. Sweet Nursery Co., Box 1605, Dansville, N. Y. 
VA LHC! pwiLlU nucic WC Uctu & Ucll txu- 
TREES 
Would you 
Like a 
Fruit Farm 
•/> 
f 
In Wonderful Washington? 
“The State that is Altvays Green/' 
Low Settlers’ 
Rates 
to tKe NortHwest 
Every Day During March and 
April, 1902. 
Free land; low-priced land; fine climate; 
splendid crops; good schools and churches; 
’good neighbors. The growth and prosperity of the wonderful I 
Northwest is unequalled in the history of America. Now is your J 
opportunity to secure a home and farm. Don’t neglect it. Write to¬ 
day. The good land is going fast. It will soon be gone. 
The*© Bulletins tell you all about it. Send 2c stamp 
for each one wanted. 
North Dakota Bulletin Colville Reservation (Wash.) Bulletin 
Milk River Valley (Mont.) Bulletin Stevens County 
Flathead County " “ Central Washington 
Cascade County “ “ Wenatchee Valley 
Map and description of Washington (Folder.) 
Write for rates and full information to any agent of 
Great Northern FLailway, 
NEW YORK, 41? Broadway. MILWAUKEE. 6G Wisconsin St. 
BOSTON,211 Washington St. CINCINNATI, 5th & Walnut Sts| 
PHILADELPHIA, 836 Chestnut St. ST. LOUIS, 403 Carleton Bldg. 
BUFFALO, 408 I’rudentiul Building. KANSAS CITY, 822 Walnut St. 
PITTSBURG, 902 Park Bldg., fatliAve. DE8 MOINES, 407 Walnut St. 
DETROIT, Nor. S. S. Co.’s Dock. ST. PAUL. 332 Robert St, 
MINNEAPOLIS,300 Nicollet Avenue. 
MAX BASS, 
Gert’l Immigration Ag’t, 
220 S. Clark St. 
CHICAGO. ILL. 
F. 1. WHITNEY. 
Gen. Pass. & Ticket Ag't, 
ST. PAVL, MINN. 
