224 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
March 25 
; Ruralisms ; 
Mr. L. H. Read, of Grand Rapids, 
Wis., writes us a note which astonishes 
us, as to the large amount of tubers that 
may be grown in the seedling hill. He 
says that the largest number that he has 
raised from one plant is 105 ; but he has 
found that, where the seedling plant ma¬ 
tures so many, the established variety 
will always produce small tubers. The 
largest seedling tuber that he has ever 
raised weighed 13 ounces. The largest 
yield, both in weight and good-sized 
tubers, was from a seedling of the 
Rural New-Yorker No. 2. A photo-en¬ 
graving will be seen in Fig. 82, page 218. 
There were 25 tubers of marketable size, 
and several smaller ones ; total weight 
of hill, nine pounds. The weights in 
ounces of the 10 largest tubers were as 
follows 8%, 8%, 7%, 1 %, 6%, 6, 6. 6, 6, 6 
They were all much like the parent, the 
R N.-Y. No. 2. 
In all of our experience in seedling 
potato culture, we have never dreamed 
of such yields as those which Mr. Read 
describes. 
Mr. J. L. Childs, of Floral Park, N. Y., 
in his latest catalogue, claims that his 
new wrinkled pea, Morning Star, is 
earlier by a week than any of the small 
round varieties. He claims that it is the 
earliest pea grown, by nearly a week. 
It is also claimed that it is the most re¬ 
liable wrinkled pea for Fall use, say 
August 1. This new pea was introduced 
during 1894, but we have not heard very 
much abo.it it since. 
Years ago, we tried planting peas at 
various depths—from one to eight inches 
deep. Those planted three inches deep 
gave the best results, while most of those 
planted six inches deep, and all of those 
planted eight inches deep, did not ger¬ 
minate or, if they did, the plants failed 
to reach the surface of the soil. D. M. 
Ferry & Co., the great seed growers of 
Detroit, Mich., tell us that they meet 
with the best success, as to their general 
crop, by sowing all the different varieties 
comparatively early, depending for suc¬ 
cession upon selecting sorts that follow 
each other in ripening. The earliest peas 
are produced when the seed is covered 
only one inch deep ; but larger pods and 
more of them will be produced if the 
seed is planted in trenches, three to six 
inches deep, covered with only one or 
two inches of soil, and when the plants 
are five or six inches high, filling the 
trench level with the surface. This will 
prevent mildew, and prolong the bearing 
season. Ferry & Co. tell us emphatically 
that the crop should be gathered as fast 
as it is fit for use. If even a few pods 
begin to ripen, new pods will not only 
cease to form, but those partly advanced 
will cease growing. 
Opalescent, a new apple, was sent to 
us February 4, by J. W. McNary, Dayton, 
O. The seedling tree grew near an oak 
stump, in an old orchard. This splendid 
apple has, we are told, been kept until 
May. The specimen sent to us measured 
11 inches around horizontally, and 12 
inches around, taking in stem and calyx. 
It is of a deep red color with numerous 
yellowish dots, and the skin, assumes a 
fine polish if rubbed a little. The stem, 
is short, the calyx basin moderately 
deep and perfectly regular. The shape 
is nearly oblong—perhaps ovate-oblong. 
The flesh is exceedingly tender, white, 
moderately juicy, and in flavor between 
King and Spitzenberg. It is a splendid, 
showy apple. 
February 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 were the 
coldest days ever experienced at the 
Rural Grounds, with one exception, when 
the mercury fell to 23 degrees below 
zero. On the above days, the mercury 
recorded, respectively, 5, 8, 20, 10 and 10 
degrees below zero. On the 13th, a snow 
blizzard occurred, lasting until the 14th. 
Railroads all stopped—no milk. Ho w die 
the new Japan plums stand it? Anc 
how did the raspberries and blackberries 
stand it ? We shall have a rare oppor¬ 
tunity of judging of their comparative 
hardiness. 
The first real complaint against Luther 
Burbank comes to us from Mr. H. 0. 
Mead, of Lunenburg, Mass. He says, 
under date of the 1st instant: “ Having 
fruited the Giant prune [Burbank] two 
years, I must say that, for me, it has no 
value. The tree is very subject to black- 
knot, and the plums are not a dark pur¬ 
ple, unless so ripe as to be valueless for 
market. My wood came from Mr. Bur- 
lank ”. 
For home use, our friends are askec 
to try the Tailby’s Hybrid cucumber ; in 
quality, it is not excelled, and it is 
nearly seedless, as we have often said... 
Mr. Burbank’s new plums, the Cli¬ 
max and the Bartlett, among his bes; 
productions, are crosses between Simoni 
and others. The changes which occur 
from crossing different varieties of fruits 
and flowers are remarkable indeed. We 
should never have chosen Simon’s plum 
as a parent to improve the best of our 
other kinds, being small and of inferior 
quality. 
On the nights of January 1 and 2, 
writes Mr. L. Bell, of Sparkill, N. Y., 
nearly all the blossom buds of peaches, 
apricots, and some kinds of Japan plums 
were killed. The thermometer rangec 
from 8 to 20 degrees below zero. Among 
25 varieties of peaches which Mr. Bel 
selected on account of their supposed 
hardiness, he has failed to find a single 
sound bud except, it may be, upon Hill’s 
Chili, Champion, Crosby, and Smith’s 
Late White. The Japan chestnuts, 
too, are, for the most part, badly injured 
or killed. The exceptions are Numbo. 
Paragon and Cooper. Of the Japan 
plums, all seem to be hardy in wood. He 
finds the Burhank to be most injured as 
to its blossom buds, Hale next, Abund¬ 
ance, a little better, and Ogon and Red 
June injured least of all. The native 
plums are all right, as are, also, Duke 
and Murello cherries; but the sweet 
varieties have lost nearly all their blos¬ 
som buds. 
The son, P. B. Crosby, of an old friend 
of The R. N.-Y., sends us an exceedingly 
interesting sheet which announces a 
great auction s^tle of the Iona and Isra- 
ella grape vines. It says: 
“ The sale will take place at 2 p. m., 
but this is designed to constitute only 
an incident in the programme. The sale 
will occupy but a short time, after which 
the assembly will resolve itself into a 
convention for the discussion of topics 
relating to horticulture generally. The 
discussions will be continued through the 
evening session, and will, also, occupy 
the greater portion of the next day.” 
The sale of vines and the convention 
were held on the grounds of C. W. Grant, 
on Iona Island, near Peekskill, West¬ 
chester County, N. Y. We much regret 
that the date of the sale and the meeting 
is not upon the sheet which our friend 
has sent us. But a list of the names of 
the most distinguished men, the greater 
number of whom have now passed away, 
who addressed the gathering cannot fail 
to interest our readers. THE Apple : by 
the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher; Forest 
Trees: by Hon. Horace Greeley; The 
Grape Vine: by Peter B. Mead: The 
Pear : by P. Barry ; Field Culture of the 
Raspberry: by Dr. C. W. Grant; Horti¬ 
culture as an Educator : by the Rev. Dr. 
Osgood. Among the officers were Wil¬ 
liam C. Bryant, president; Chas. Down¬ 
ing, vice-president. Among the members 
of the Executive Committee, were Wil¬ 
liam C. Bryant, Horace Greeley, Henry 
Ward Beecher, Peter B Mead, Wilson 
G. Hunt and Charles Downing. It is 
pleasant to recall that our earlier en¬ 
deavors to promote the best interests of 
horticulture were made by such men. 
We are too likely to forget the obliga¬ 
tions we owe them. 
Every tree, plant or vine bought at Reid’s Is well, 
rooted, vigorous, and true to name. Every care let 
taken in growing to insure absolute certainty to the’ 
buyer, lave one-h&lf on anything you need In the 
nursery line, by buying at Reid’s. 
We’ll help you to choose by sending complete eataleg, m 
mates, or any Information yon may ask for, free. 
REID’S NURSERIES, BRIDGEPORT, OHIB. 
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 48years. STEPHEN HOYT’S SONS, Box 10 New Canaan, Conn, 
III ^IP 1 to plant for profitable results are 
■■ ll| | named in our Spring Catalogue. 
■ I m | I This Book names all the Trees and 
Plants that will succeed in a northern climate, gives accurate descriptions of 
varieties, and instructions about planting. The Catalogue explains all. Mailed 
free at your request. After receiving it, write to us for any further information 
you need about fruits. 
s,x vir. t " T. J. DWYER & SON, Orange Co. Nurseries, Bo* I, Cornwall,N.Y. 
□ 
DID YOU EVER GET DIT 
buying novelties or old varieties under I 
new names ? Are you tired of catch -1 
penny schemes? If you would like to find one honest catalogue, our 80-page ] 
book, Orchard Improvement, will help you. Better see it before you buy. No( 
fake wholesale (?) prices, but BUSINESS TREES for business fanners; honest 
trees at honest prices. THE ROGERS NURSERIES, Dansville, New York. 
n 
and especially Eruit 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 
PACT, not theory. If you want proof, write ua. Many 
of our customers after trial Increase their orders. A trial order will make a lifetime customer ef 
yon. We promise only best values. Among the new but well-tested FRUITS we are offering the 
MCDCCDC A I I D| APlfDfDDY We also offer a whole Peach Orchard 
IVICnoCnCAU DLAV/hDCnn I ■ for *5. and manv other thing! that will 
eed Pc 
Interest you. Free catalogue If this paper is named. 
for 15, and many other thln| 
Cash Premiums with Choice S« 
Potatoes. 
ESTABLISHED 1847. 
WILEY & CO., Cayuga, N. Y. 
and Roses 
for public and private grounds, as 
well as for the orchard, farm, gar¬ 
den or city lot. Our General 
Catalogue and Planter’s Guide is 
beautifully illustrated, contains 
accurate, trustworthy descriptions of 
the most valuable varieties, and is 
replete with practical hints and sug¬ 
gestions indispensable to planters. It 
is the most complete published, and 
will be mailed free on application. 
Choice Selections. Best Goods. Prices 
Reasonable. Prepare Your Orders Now. 
ELLWANGER & BARRY, 
Mt. Hope Nurseries, Rochester, N. Y. 
Established Fifty-nine Years. 
BUY' DIKXSCT and pay 
but one profit. Our assort¬ 
ment. is ono of the best 
and most complete in 
Fruit and Ornamental 
Trees, Shrubs, 
Plants, Roses, Vines, 
Bulbs, Seeds. 
Barest new, choicest old. Send for our 
catalogue today; it tells it all; an elegant 
book, magazine size, profusely illustrated, 
free. 
Seeds, Plants, Bulbs, Small Trees, etc., by mail 
postpaid, safe arrival and satisfaction guaran¬ 
teed. Larger by express or freight. 45tli year. 
44 greenhouses. 1000 acres. 
THE STORRS & HARRISON CO., 
Box 452 PAINESVILLE, OHIO. 
VOUR GROUNDS 
* and garden..... 
Will have fresh interest when our Garden Manual has been 
read. Sent free. We offer practical and skilled aid to those 
who want beautiful grounds and success m gardening, with 
economy. Ourpricesadinitof no competition. Forinstancc, 
sixty l«‘»t varieties Shrubs and Trees, ten 
for a dollar. $S,VO per lOO. 
THE SHADY HILL NURSERY CO., * 
102 State St., Boston, Mass. 
THE READING NURSERY 
and Its illustrated catalogue, to be appreciated, 
should be patronized. Price-List Free. 
JACOB W. MANNING, Prop., Reading, Mass 
OCTOBER FRUITING CHERRY 
Mr. Spaeth’s greatest creation, $4 per 12; *80 per 100. 
NEW BUSH CllEKUY, Japanese Novelty, only four 
feet high, wonderful fruit; $3 per 12, mailed. TWO 
SURE TWICE- BEARING STRAWBERRIES: 
St. Joseph , red; perpetual bearer, immense crops. 
L. Gauthier, or Mammoth White—berries weigh 4 
ounces ! two crops yearly, $1 per 12, mailed, $0 per 100 
-BISMARCK APPLE- 
our introduction. Bears 2nd year from graft. Send 
for photo. $1.50 per 12; $10 per 100, by express. 
ALLRED APPLE: bark, leaves, Howers. fruit, red. 
$4 per 12. GIANT “WHITE-BLACKBERRY,” Ice¬ 
berg, a 2,500 dollar berry, $1.50 per 12, mailed, $8 per 100. 
NEW GOLDEN AND PURPLE STRAWBERRY- 
RASPBERRIES. Immense fruits, Immense crops, 
$1 per 12, mailed. $0 per 100. 
All the Novelties in Plants. 8end for Catalogues. 
A. BLANC & CO., PHILADELPHIA, PA. 
EVERGREENS 
Largest stock in Amer¬ 
ica, including 
Colorado Blue Spruce 
and Douglas Spruce 
of Colorado. 
Also, Ornamental, 
Shade and Forest Trees. 
Tree Seeds, Etc. 
R. DOUGLAS’ SONS 
Waukegan, Ill. 
WIITQ FflR DD FIT —Contains 157 pages on the 
llUIO lUn rnUril propagation and cultiva¬ 
tion of Nut-Bearing Trees, describing varieties best 
adapted to various sections; harvesting and marketing 
their fruits, with recipes for cooking them. Sixty 
illustrations, carefully engraved from Dature, show¬ 
ing sizes, forms, etc. Price, postpaid, 50c. Circular 
of contents and testimonials free. JOHN R. PARRY, 
P. O. Address—April 1 to December 1, Parry, N. J., 
December 1 to April 1, Orlando, Fla 
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. 
CHESTN LIT <fc- A1 P hu - Paragon. Beta, 
^ Seifert, Reliance and 
Rldgeley Chestnut Trees and Scions. 
E. A. ATWATER & SON, Cheshire, Conn. 
TREES. 
BISMARCK Apple, October Cherry and Japan 
Plums very cheap. Catalogue free. 
C. F. MacNair & Co., Dansville, N. Y. 
IRON MOUNTAIN,,,:™,, 
PEACH, PEAR, PLUM, APPLE Trees. New Fruits 
and Berries—Specialties. Lowest prices. Catalogue 
free. J. H. LINDSLEY, White House, N. J. 
APPLE SCIONS Fr ° m Tree e s arinK 
SUTTON BEAUTY, Maiden Blush, liubhardston* 
• J. S. WOODWAliD, Lockport, N. Y. 
Trees and Plants 
ihe Geo. A. Sweet Nursery Co., B. 1005, Dansville,N.Y 
TREES. 
If you want fine Peach Trees, Pear Trees (including 
Kleffer), Apple. Cherry, Plum, or anything else in the 
way of fruit trees: small fruits. Shade Trees, Ever- 
greens. Shrubbery, or Hedge Plants, write to THE 
WILLOWDALE NURSERIES for prices. We are 
well prepared to All orders for llrst-class stock, free 
from all injurious insects or diseases, and at low 
prices. 8end us list of what you want. 
R A KESTBA W & PYLE, Willowdale, Chester Co.,Pa. 
