i4o 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
February 1 25 
; Ruralisms ; 
3^ V W y y f y y ? '▼ 
THE R. N.-Y. POTATO FLOWER¬ 
POT EXPERIMENT 
WHAT IS THE BEST METHOD OF FINDING 
OUT WHICH ARE THE MOST PROFIT¬ 
ABLE KINDS OF POTATOES ? 
A New Method Proposed and Tried. 
ALL OF OUR POTATO-INTERESTED READERS 
AND THE EXPERIMENT STATIONS WERE 
SOLICITED TO CO-OPERATE. 
(Concluded.) 
Outside Check Plants. 
Five days afterwards, the following 11 
varieties were planted in one row about 
20 feet from the flower pot. They were 
planted, in all respects except two, in 
the same way as those of the flower pot: 
One was, the Richards transplanter was 
not used ; the other was that no unusual 
stirring or intermingling of the soil was 
given* 
No. 1.— Thirty-Day Triumph.— From John A. 
Salzer Seed Company, La Crosse, Wis —Seed, 6 
pieces, 3 medium-sized tubers cut in half length¬ 
wise. Round potato. It is, say the Salzer Com¬ 
pany, “ a selection from 5 years of the Bliss 
Triumph. We selected one plant that was ripe 
much sooner than any other of the Triumph 
potatoes out of a large field. This selection has 
been continued. We think, as a result, that we 
have a Triumph or Stray Beauty much earlier 
than the old kind.” July 12, few vines, medium 
habit. Some of the leaves drying up. July 22, 
dying. August 7, dead First hill yielded 13 
tubers, weight 17 ounces; second, 5, weight 14 
ounces; third, 5, weight 11 ounces; fourth, 6, 
weight 10 ounces; fifth and sixth missed. A total 
weight of 52 ounces for 4 hills. 
No. 2 —Secretary Wilson —From John A. Salzer 
Seed Company.—This is a seedling of Salzer's 
World’s Fair introduced by Mr. Olds. Seed, 3 
long potatoes were cut into 8 pieces. July 12, 
vigorous vines, medium habit July 22, changing 
slightly. July 29, beginning to die. August 7, 
dead. First hill yielded 13 tubers, weight 24 
ounces; second, 5, weight 10 ounces; third, 8, 
weight 19 ounces; fourth, 9, weight 18 ounces; 
fifth, 17, weight 32 ounces; sixth, 11, weight 19 
ouuces; seventh, 15, weight 33 ounces; eighth, 8, 
weight 22 ounces. A total of 177 ounces for 8 hills. 
Perfectly-shaped tubers; resembles Sir Walter 
Raleigh, but Is earlier. 
No. 3.— Junior Pride. —From Edwin E. Har¬ 
rington, Charlestown, Mass —This is a sport of 
Junior Pride of the South, which is itself a sport 
of Bliss Early Triumph. Seed, 6 pieces July 12, 
medium habit. Some of the leaves beginning to 
dry up. July 22, dying. July 29, dead. August 
30, first hill yielded 9 tubers, weighing 32 ounces; 
second, 9, weight 21 ounces; third, 9, weight 2114 
ounces; fourth, 7, weight 16 ounces; fifth. 8, 
weight 19 ounces; sixth, 8, weight 25 ounces. 
Total of 13414 ounces for 6 hills. Round, smooth 
and shapely tubers; few eyes, light skin. 
No. 4.—McKinley —From D. L. Passavant, 
Jumonville, Pa.—No history except “ raised from 
a seed-ball.” Seed, 1 large tuber cut in two. 
July 12, spreading habit. July 22, green. August 
7, dying. August 14, still somewhat alive. August 
21, dead. First bill yielded 10 tubers, weight 28 
ounces; second, 18, weight 49 ounces. A total of 
77 ounces for 2 hills. Resembles Carman No 3 
in every way. 
No. 5.— Bryan —From D. L. Passavant.—Seed, 
4 pieces, 2 tubers cut in two. July 12, medium 
habit, vigorous vines. July 22, green. July 29, 
turning brown. August 14, still somewhat green. 
August 21, dead. First hill yielded 9 tubers, 
weight 22 ounces; second, 6, weight 15 ounces; 
third, 11, weight 22 ounces; fourth, 11, weight 33 
ounces. A total of 92 ounces for 4 hills. Not re¬ 
markable in any way. 
No. 6.—Unknown to us —From D. P. Hamblin, 
Vienna, Va.—Sent that we might give the name 
of the variety.—Seed, 4 pieces, 2 tubers. July 12, 
medium habit, vigorous vines. July 22, changing 
slightly. August 14, dead. First hill yielded 8 
tubers, weight 24 ounces; second, 8, weight 34*4 
ounces; third, 5, weight 16 ounces; fourth, 9, 
weight 26 ounces. A total of 101 ounces for 4 hills. 
Resembles Beauty of Hebron in shape. 
No. 7.— Early Dawn —From Henry C. Marsh, 
Muncie, Ind.—“ Uniformly larger at seed end, 
nearly round, very early, large cropper.” Seed, 
4 entire tubers. July 12, medium habit. July 22, 
beginning to die. August 7, dead. First hill 
yielded 4 tubers, weight 15 ounces; second, 8, 
weight 25V4 ounces; third, 7, weight 8 ounces; 
fourth, 9, weight 35^4 ounces. Total of 84 ounces 
for 4 hills. Resembles Early Rose. 
No. 8.— Early Andes.— From H. C Marsh, for 
comparison with Early Dawn.—Seed, 2 pieces. 
July 12, medium habit. July 22, beginning to die. 
August 7, dead. First hill yielded 6 tubers weigh¬ 
ing 20 ounces; second, 9 weighing 43 ounces. 
Total of 63 ounces for 2 hills. Oval, slightly flat¬ 
tened, few eyes, perfectly smooth, buff color, 
pink eyes. 
No. 9.— Alexander’s Extra Early.— From O 
H. Alexander, Charlotte, Vt — Seed, 4 pieces. 
July 12, medium habit. July 22, changing slight¬ 
ly. July 29, half brown. August 7, dead. First 
hill yielded 9 tubers, weight 17*4 ounces; second, 
9, weight 25>4 ounces; third, 9, 21 ounces; fourth, 
8, 15 ounces. A total of 82 ounces for 4 hills. 
No. 10.— Granite State. —From G. R. Barton, 
Grantham, N. H.—Seed, 6 pieces. Note.—This 
variety was not planted until four days after the 
others, viz., April 27—July 12, medium habit, 
vigorous vines. July 22. changing slightly. July 
29, half brown. August 7, dead. First hill yield!d 
8 tubers weighing 30 ounces; second, 7, weight 
17^4 ounces; third, 7, weight 2854 ounces; fourth, 
11, weight 26*4 ounces; fifth, 12, weight 22 ounces; 
sixth, 11, weight 26‘ / 4 ounces. A total of 151 
ounces for 6 hills. Tubers rather long, variable 
shape, light buff skin. 
No. 11.— White Beauty— From O. H. White, 
Miller Corners, N. Y.—Seed, 5 pieces. Note — 
This variety was not planted until May 5 —July 
12, upright vines; light green foliage and stems. 
July 22, changing slightly. August 7, dead. First 
hill yielded 3 tubers, weight 5 ounces; second, 6, 
weight 5 ounces; third, 16, weight 17 ounces; 
fourth, 9, weight 19>4 ounces; fifth, 6, weight 6 
ounces. Total weight of 5214 ounces for 5 hills. 
Comparative Yields. —We will take 
the 49 hills (11 varieties) of the outside 
potatoes, and compare them with 49 
hills of the Flower pot (19 varieties) in 
order that we may show the differences 
in the yields. We beg the reader to bear 
in mind that we are comparing 49 hills 
of the outside yield with 49 hills taken 
at random planted in the Flower-pot. 
Forty-nine hilts of the outside plot yield¬ 
ed 66 pounds , 10 ounces. Forty nine hills 
of Flower-pot yielded 30 pounds, 7% ounces, 
a difference against a perfect commin¬ 
gling of the soil of about 36 pounds, as 
compared with potatoes planted and cul¬ 
tivated in the usual way. The R. N.-Y. 
has no comment to make, the result be¬ 
ing precisely the reverse of what was 
looked for. 
The Weather. —Careful weather notes 
were taken from day to day, but a sum¬ 
mary will be all that our readers will 
care for. Our notes were taken from 
April 25 to August 19. From April 25 
to 28 there was plenty of rain, cold 
nights, some frost. Between April 28 
and 30 a long storm occurred, and there 
were light frosts. From April 30 to May 
9 the weather was cold and rainy ; floods 
were feared. From the last date to May 
20 alternate days of sun and heavy rain. 
Some shoots appeared in the Flower-pot 
May 16. From May 20 to 23 warm, pleas¬ 
ant weather. From May 23 to 30 steady 
rain. Before June 18 rain needed. June 
25, heavy thunderstorm, thermometer 
96 degrees. The thermometer in New 
York City registered 107 degrees on July 
I , and on July 3, 111 degrees. From this 
until July 14 fine weather, cool with occa¬ 
sional showers. From July 14 until July 
31 there was plenty of rain, cloudy and 
sultry weather ; from that until August 
19 the weather was, one day or another, 
sultry ; there were heavy showers, and 
the soil was a puddle of mud. 
Among the fancy fruits offered in the London 
market the latter part of January, were plums 
from the Cape of Good Hope, which were re¬ 
ceived in fine condition, after a three-weeks’ voy¬ 
age. The prices ranged from 10 shillings to 12 
shillings, English currency, per box of 24 fruits 
At the same time, choice pears from California 
sold for 18 shillings the case of 108 fruits. 
Root Tubercles. —So much has been said 
about the galls or tubercles on the leguminous 
plants, that people are looking for them every¬ 
where. They are found on flowers, on the roots 
of various trees, on the turnip, etc., and farmers 
often think this indicates that these plants are 
also nitrogen gatherers. So far as is yet known, 
the legumes or pod-bearing plants are the only 
ones which extract the nitrogen directly from 
the air. Many of the warts or growths on roots 
are formed by insects, and indicate disease 
rather than health. Clover, pea and bean are 
sure partners with nitrogen. 
Twigs Dried Out.— It is not generally known 
that trees are often damaged by drying out dur¬ 
ing the severe cold weather. While the ground 
is thoroughly full of frost, no water or at most, 
very little can be taken up by the tree. At the 
same time, considerable water is constantly lost 
by evaporation, especially through the thin bark 
of young twigs. Prof. Bailey calculates that a 
large apple tree loses daily in this way, through 
the Winter, about half a pint of water. If the 
ground remain frozen for a great length of time,no 
water will be supplied, and the tree might easily 
suffer damage from drying out. Prof. F. A. W augh, 
of the Vermont Experiment Station, calls atten¬ 
tion to this matter in his annual report, and 
says there is no doubt that twigs of young fruit 
trees are damaged by this drying instead of by 
freezing. The tissues become so dry that in the 
Spring they cannot recover. 
Every tree, plant or vine bought at Reid’s Is well- 
rooted, vigorous, and true to name. Every care 1st 
taken in growing to insure absolute certainty to the’ 
buyer. Save one-half on anything you need In ths 
nursery line, by buying at Reid’s. 
We’ll help yon to choose by sending complete catalog, esti¬ 
mates, or any Information you may ask for, free. 
REID’8 NURSERIES, BRIDGEPORT, OHIO, 
MONEY 
CROWS 
If it is invested in the new Excelsior Strawberry. 
They will make big money for shippers in the 
markets of ’99. We have over 21,000,(00 straw¬ 
berry plants, all healthy, well-rooted, ready to 
grow big crops. In our nurseries are over 1,000,000 
Peach Trees up to the high standard of the Har¬ 
rison’s Nurseries, free from insect pests, or disease of any 
kind. Columbian Asparagus Roots are fortune-build¬ 
ers for those who cultivate them. Write for catalogue of all 
our specialties to-day. HARRISON'S NURSERIES, BERLIN, MD. 
The most com¬ 
plete and help¬ 
ful list of 1899 
strawberries and 
blackberries is contained in onr new catalog. Make your selections from the 
biggest assortment of the finest varieties ever offerod. 80 best, newest and most 
prolific varieties of strawberries, including Nick Ohiner, iSealord, Jlar- 
garct. Ilall’s Favorite arid Nina—the best early strawberry grown. Wo 
have all kinds of trees— fruit and nut. Catalog describes them ; mailed free. 
JOS. H. BLACK, SON &. CO., Hlghtstown, N. J. 
A First Rate Catalogue 
of fruits, large and small, forest and ornamental trees, roses, etc. Our new specialty, 
the October Purple Plum, is acknowledged the finest of all Japan varieties—color-plate 
picture of it, pretty enough to frame, with 64-page catalogue, free. Write to-day. 
Established 4 Syears. STEPHEN HOYT’S SONS, Box 10 New Canaan, Conn, 
and especially Fruit Trees, should be grown with a 
view to Long Life and Fruitfulness, such are made 
Constitutionally Strong by guarding the Parentage 
in Propagation. Men of thought know this to be 
F\ACT, not theory. If you want proof, write us. Many 
of our customers after trial increase their orders. A trial order will make a lifetime customer of 
vou. We promise only best values. Among the new but well-tested FRUITS we are offering the 
liencrDEAll Dl A Plf DCD D V We also offer a whole Peach Orchard 
IVIkrl^ tlx El U DLAvlvDCnlil ■ for $5, and many other things that will 
interest you. Free catalogue if this paper is named. Cash Premiums with Choice Seed Potatoes. 
ESTABLISHED 1847. WILEY & CO., Cayuga, N. Y. 
ARE YOU IN DOUBT Where to Buy It? 
Would you like to find one catalogue that tells the truth about varieties, one that does not praise anything 
and everything, especially every new thing? Then our new 80-page book. Orchard Improvement, is what 
you are looking for. You will find it is like a ray of sunshine breaking through the cloud of doubt and _ 
confusion, for the truth Is good enough to tell, and it tells it. It speaks for itself. May it speak to you 
about our trees, our BUSINESS TREES—the BEST TREES? It’s free. 
The Business Farmer. THE ROGERS NURSERIES, DANSVILLE, NEW YORK. 
THE STRAWBERRY PLANT 
tit to set has been fed and cared for. We have several millions of that kind. They cost but little more per 
plant, and much less per pound than the plants of the cheap, careless grower. Get the best in plants 
vines, trees, shrubs, roses, etc., of 
THE BUTLER &. JEWELL CO., Cromwell, Conn. 
Every land-owner should have our free catalogue. 
SEEDS, ROSES, PLANTS, Etc. 
advertise themselves. The best always 
cheapest. Can supply all your wants from 
Flower and Vegetable Seeds to Street Trees at 
- - —- low rates. Try ns, onr stock and prices will 
please you. Have hundreds of car-loads of FRUIT AND ORNAMENTAL TREES. SHRUBS. 
ROSES, PLANTS, ETC. Correspondence solicited, catalogue and price list free. 
THE STORRS & HARRISON CO., Box449 Painesville, O. 
BIG SWEET CHESTNUTS 
New Japanese varieties for ornamenting grounds and 
estates, and profitable orcharding. New Japan plums, 
big Peaches, big Berries, etc. Free catalogue. 
J. H. HALE, South Glastonbury, Conn. 
Choice Fruits 
are the only kind that pay for the cost of 
growing and marketing. My catalogue tells 
all about the Echo Strawberry, Loudon and 
Columbian Raspberry, Erie and Rathbun 
Blackberry, Pearl Gooseberry, Pomona and 
Red Cross Currant, etc. All varieties are 
strong, fresh dug, well rooted. Immense 
stock. Warranted true to name. Catalogue 
(worth dollars to you), telling all about 
small fruits, free. 
ALLEN L. WOOD, 
Wholesale Grow er. Rochester, N. Y. 
The Best 
is always the cheapest, and especially so 
when the best cost no more than the othet 
kind. All the standard and new varieties 
of fruit trees, plants, vines, etc. No 
“ extras ” for packing. Catalogue free. 
T. J. DWVER & SON, Box 1, Cornwall, N. Y. 
TREES. 
BISMARCK Apple, October Cherry and Japan 
Plums very cheap. Catalogue free. 
C. F. MACNAIR & Co , Dansvilie, N. Y. 
The President 
Wilder Currant 
heads the list as a producer and 
a money-maker. Plant no other. 
Prices given on application. 
S. D. WILLARD, Geneva, N. Y. 
