1898 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
595 
; Ruralisms ; 
INTERESTING NOTES FROM 
SIR J. B. LA WES. 
Dated July 24, we have received a per¬ 
sonal letter from Dr. Lawes, from which 
we are taking the liberty to quote a few 
paragraphs : 
“ We (that is to say my younger assist¬ 
ant, as 1 must call him, although he is 
over 80 years of age, J. H. Gilbert), are 
still hard at work, and we generally 
publish not less than two papers each 
year ; our last was upon the sugar beet. 
There has been a considerable agitation 
on the subject of making sugar in this 
country, but I do not think we shall 
hear much more about it. Our climate 
is too cold. It requires about 70 degrees 
F., while our hottest week in the year is 
not more than 60 degrees F. 
“ I feel very confident that, if I could 
place my wheat fields in the several parts 
of the world favorable to the growth of 
the various grain crops, the effect of the 
different manures would be very similar. 
“ I do not require any experiments to 
tell me that, if you require great corn 
crops, you must have an abundance of 
nitric acid in the soil, or that all of the 
organic or combustible matter comes 
from the atmosphere and not from the 
soil.”. 
I)k. Lawks heartily favors an alliance 
between England and the United States, 
lie writes: “The one thing that has 
given me more real pleasure than any 
thing that has occurred for a long time 
is the prospect of a close alliance be¬ 
tween your country and our own.”. 
Dr. Lawks was born in 1814. He is 
now, therefore, over 84 years old. His 
father died in 1822. J. B. Lawes was 
educated at Eton and at Brasenose Col¬ 
lege, Oxford, from which he was gradu¬ 
ated in 1835. He afterwards further 
pursued the study of chemistry in Lon¬ 
don. Somewhat later he took posses¬ 
sion of his property at liotliamsted, and 
began tin experiments in agricultural 
chemistry, the grand results of which 
are well known to the civilized word. In 
1843 he secured the services of Dr. J. H. 
Gilbert, who was then 26 years of age. 
So closely have the names of these two 
grand men been associated, that the 
name of one is rarely mentioned without 
that of the other. 
The R. N.-Y. was the first American 
paper favored with Dr. Lawes’s agricul¬ 
tural contributions, and it was the first 
to present his likeness to the American 
public. His first portrait appeared in 
these columns in December, 1878. 
Among the several hundred little ever¬ 
greens sent to us by mail two years ago, 
late in the Fall, by Robert Douglas & 
Sons, of Waukegan, Ill., was a Douglas 
Golden juniper. It is a trailer about 
one foot high by two to three feet in 
diameter. It is in its way a perfect little 
beauty, retaining its bright golden color 
during the entire Summer. It has proved 
thus far quite hardy. 
About the Willard Plum. —We have 
told our readers that the three Willard 
plum trees at the Rural Grounds were 
diseased. One of them died. The disease 
is the Shot-hole fungus, according to the 
fungologist of Cornell University. At 
the Rural Grounds, the Willard has 
proved among the earliest of the Japs. 
Nothing else may be said in its favor, 
except that it may be of value for jams 
and preserves, and that it is not injured 
by the curculio. No one would care to 
eat it out of hand after a bite. In this 
opinion, our respected friend, Mr. S. 1). 
Willard, of Geneva, N. Y., does not quite 
concur. He writes: 
The feature you refer to in regard to the foliage 
of the Willard plum showing purplish and red, is 
a condition I have noticed since we first began 
to grow it, yet I have seen no instances where 
this has seemed to weaken or imperil the life of 
the tree. On the other hand, this variety has, 
with us, been one of the most hardy of all of the 
Japan plums. 
But Mr. Luther Burbank, of Santa Rosa, 
Cal., who has had, more than any other 
person, to do with the introduction of 
the Japan plums, fully agrees with us. 
He writes : 
I notice that your Willard plums are blighting. 
I congratulate you. You, probably, do not realize 
how fortunate you are, that is, if they are no 
better there than here. It was one of my importa¬ 
tions from Japan, and would never have been 
sent out, but a Louisiana nurseryman begged a 
few buds of all the new kinds before they had 
fruited, which were received tinder numbers 
without names. As soon as it fruited, 13 years 
ago, it was promptly discarded as utterly worth¬ 
less. Here it is very small, not very early when 
compared with many others. Fruit insignificant 
in size, quality absent altogether. Tree dwarfish, 
unproductive and sickly. Nature has been In 
your favor in this instance. 
A New Swket-Corn Disease. —A few 
weeks ago, we told our readers that a 
peculiar disease was raging, so to say, 
among the early corn growing in the 
fields about the Rural Grounds. We 
could discover no cause. The plants 
simply wilted and died. One plant was 
sent to Geneva (N. Y.) Experiment Sta¬ 
tion with the request for information 
regarding the cause. Director Jordan 
kindly replies by sending us two bulle¬ 
tins regarding this disease with this 
comment: “I regret to state that the 
study of this disease has not progressed 
far enough to allow a definite recommen¬ 
dation as to prevention.” 
We quote from the bulletins*: 
In the market gardens of Long Island, early 
varieties of sweet corn are much subject to a 
wilt disease in which the fibro-vascular bundles 
of the plant are gorged with multitudes of short, 
yellow bacilli. * * * 
The disease seems to be confined to sweet corn, 
and is most destructive to early varieties. Field 
corn and pop corn are entirely exempt. Outside 
of Long Island, it is positively known to occur 
only in Iowa, but, probably, careful search will 
show that it is widely spread. It is disseminated 
chiefly by means of the germs which cling to the 
seed, but also by manure, implements and wash¬ 
ing of the soil. As for remedial measures, the 
principal things to be observed are: 1, Care in 
the selection of seed, aud, 2, the planting of re¬ 
sistant varieties. Lime and sulphur, applied to 
the soil, have been tried and proved unsuc¬ 
cessful. * * * 
Although we had here to deal with a disease of 
considerable economic importance, it soon be¬ 
came evident that it is an undescribed disease 
caused by a species of bacterium which is prob¬ 
ably unknown to science. * * * 
In the split stems of diseased plants, these 
fibro-vascular bundles appear as yellow streaks 
in the pith; while upon cutting across the stem 
drops of a viscid, yellow substance exude from 
the ends of these cut vessels. Examination of 
a drop of this substance through a compound 
microscope shows that the yellow color is due to 
the presence in the plant juice of countless mil¬ 
lions of bacteria. A thin longitudinal section of 
a fibro-vascular bundle looks, under the micro¬ 
scope, like a chimney from which smoke is pour¬ 
ing, the “smoke” being the swarms of bacteria 
floating in the water in which the section is 
mounted. * * * 
If necessary to plant grain to which suspicion 
attaches, or if a susceptible variety is chosen, it 
may be of advantage to soak the seed in some 
germicide, as corrosive sublimate, one ounce to 
eight gallons of water. Manure from animals 
fed upon diseased corn stalks should not be used, 
neither should a field free from the disease be 
tilled with tools used in a badly-affected field. 
Regarding this disease, we have the 
following note from Mr. J. H. Vander- 
vort, of Hudson, Mich.: 
I see by Ruralisms that you have the new corn 
disease. It is quite commou here in early corn 
only. It used up my Cory. Evergreen near it is all 
right, Squaw corn slightly affected. I planted 
an early flint on strawberry ground June 23. 
Season favorable, growth rapid. Corn now more 
than half dead. No insect enemy in sight. I 
sent specimens to the Experiment Station, but 
haven’t heard from it yet. f have seen the dis¬ 
ease for two years at least. 
ARMSTRONG & McKELVY 
Pitisbunrh. 
BEYMER-BAUMAN 
Pittsburgh. 
DAVIS-CHAMBERS 
Pittsburgh. 
FAHNESTOCK 
Pittsburgh. 
ANCHOR 
| Cinci 
New York. 
| Clii' 
Cincinnati. 
ECKSTEIN 
ATLANTIC 
BRADLEY 
BROOKLYN 
JEWETT 
ULSTER 
UNION 
SOUTHERN 
SHIPMAN 
COLLIER 
MISSOURI 
RED SEAL 
SOUTHERN 
JOHN T. LEWIS & BROS CO 
Philadelphia. 
MORLEY Cluveland . 
SALEM Salem, Maas. 
CORNELL Buffalo. 
KENTUCKY Louisville. 
Chicago. 
S St. Louis. 
W E believe that Pure White Lead, 
made by the “old Dutch pro¬ 
cess,” and Pure Linseed Oil, 
make the best paint; and all we ask is 
that makers and sellers shall brand and sell 
their mixtures for what they are, rather than 
as “White Lead,” “Pure White Lead,” 
“Tinted Lead,” etc. 
Buyers and consumers are certainly en¬ 
titled to know what they are getting. 
See list of genuine brands. 
By using National Lead Co.’s Pure White Lead Tinting Colors, 
any desired shade is readily obtained. Pamphlet giving valu¬ 
able information and card showing samples of colors free; also 
folder showing pictures of house painted in different designs or various styles or 
combinations of shades forwarded upon application to those intending to paint. 
National Lead Co., too William St.. New York. 
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Jb. Perfect Farm Fence. 
r ' steel wire. Top »ml bottom win 
L ...I V.v 1 t fl.nu4i.ono 
The Mesh Around The Panel 
,S«ows How The Fence Is Made. 
Made of best doubly 
Ji annealed galvanized 
>p and bottom wires No. B. All other 
wires No.ll. We use the strong¬ 
est stay wire in any woven wire 
fence on the market—hence more 
strength anti durability. Our* 
I Ann If HA#( entirei y uow feature E 
LDOp IVIlUlpatented), provides 
perfect expansion and contrac¬ 
tion, and keeps it tight at all temper¬ 
atures. Our Loop Knot being uni¬ 
formly distributed throughout each 
foot of the fence is, in effect, the 
foot throughout the entire 
same as placing one con ot a spiral spring in every foot throughout the entire 
length of fence, BESIDES GREATLY STRENGTHENING IT. Our Loop 
Knots make the fence plainly visible and impossible for stay wire to slip or give. OUK SBU1, 
It is Hog-tight and Bull strong. Will turn all kinds of stock without injuring them Where we have 
no agents, a liberal discount will be given on Introductory order. Reliable farmer agents wanted Id 
every township. Send for Catalogue and Prices. PITTSBURG WOVEN WIKK FKNCK CO.. Pittsburg. Pa 
gOODHP 
Bat van- '<> 
tied 
i Steel 
Self-oiling, 
Best Governed, 
Acknowledged 
, to be the most' 
[ i powerful and 
durable made. 
We have every-' 
thingthe farmer ( 
needs in this line. 
Towers, 
Tanks and 
Pumps, 
> Cutters, Grfndors, 1 
Shelters, etc. 
DOWER AND 
TUM 
UtVIPING 
Catalogue. Full of valuable points, I 
Appleton Mfg. Go - 
27 Fargo St. . BATAVIA, ILL.' 
mills; 
le points, free. ^ 
lWELL drilling machinery, 
manufactured by 
WILLIAMS BROTHERS*. 
ITHACA. N.Y„ 
|mounted OR ON sills, F0« 
l DEEP OR SHALLOW WELLS, WITtf 
\ STEAM OR HORSE POWER 
SEND rOR catalogue 
n * JVI C Tbe DOUBLE-ACTING KAMS 
’ L» 0 pen the valves as well as shut 
them off with the power of .the water. More 
water raised in proportion to waste then any 
ram made. No stopping. 
C. HODGKINS & SONS, Marlboro, N. II. 
CIDER 
MACHINERY 
Hydraulic, Knuckle Joint and Screw 
Presses, Graters, Elevators, Pumps, 
etc. Send for Catalogue. 
BOOMER & BOSCHERT 
PRESS CO., _ 
1 18 W. Water St.. Syracwae, N. Y 
CIDER & WINE PRESS 
MACHINERY. 
POWER AND HAND PRESSES. 
Capacity, 10 to 120 Bbls. in 10 tire 
SEND POR CATALOGUE. 
EMPIRE STATE PULLEY & PRESS CO. 
(Sue. to Schenck & Sheridan) 
FULTON. Oswego County. N. Y. 
We are the largest 
manufacturers of.. ^ LCCJ 
Truck Wheels 
for farm wagons in America 
Send for Catalogue 
Havana M»ial Wheel Co , Havana, III. 
FRAZER ,££. 
BEST IN THE WORL1). 
Its wearing qualities are unsurpassed, actually 
outlasting three boxes of any other brand. Not 
affected by heat. 1 1f~ GET THE GENUINE. 
FOK SALK BY DEALERS GENERALLY. 
ADAM 
THE FENCE MAN! 
Makes Woven Wire 
Fsnce that “Stands 
Cp,“ Cannot Sag 
Get hit spas'catalogue. I<. 
tells all about The Beat 
Farm Fence Made. 
W. J. ADAM, 
A LONG SIEGE. 
After thirteen years of continuous assault by ajl 
kinds of stock, the first Page fences we built are still 
impregnable against ‘ ‘land forces. ’ ’ 
PAGE WOVEN WIKK FKNCK CO.. AdrU*. MIeJh. 
Some Points..., 
stick out like barbs 
on a wire* 
Our good points are 
apparent but 
NOT 
BARBED* 
It will hold your 
stock without injury 
to either animals or 
fence. 
LAMB WIRE FENCE CO. 
Adrian, Mich. 
WIRE NAILS 
Many sizes become 
mixed at the mill. They 
are branded “Farmers 
—Mfxed Nails.” A good 
assortment of sizes in every keg of 100 lbs. Price, $1.50. 
All kinds of nails aud fence wire at low prices. 
Write for prices delivered at your railroad station, 
price-list free. JA8. S. CASK, Colchester, Conn. 
Fire-Weather-Lightning Proof 
Black, painted or galvanized metal HOOKING 
and siding; (brick, rocked or corrugated) 
METAL CEILINGS AND SIDE WALLS 
Write for Catalogue 
Penn Metal Ceiling & Hoofing Co.. Ltd., Philadelphia. 
Kills Prairie Dogs, Woodchucks, Gophers, and Grain 
Insects. 
‘ Fuma ” Carbon Bi-Sulphide Did It. 
“I treated 500 inhabited (prairie dog) holes two weeks 
ago, and not a hole opened up.’ — Richard Kksuch. 
Send for free illustrated pamphlet. It is beautiful, 
Interesting, readable, and will save you money. 
EDWARD R. TAYLOR, Cleveland, Ohio. 
FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE, 
FOR NORTHERN FARM PROPERTY, 
that desirable farm, Situated at Sandy Hook. Va., 
100 acres, known as Meadow Brook. Fine climate, 
northern community. 
K. L. BURROWS, Sandy Hook, Va. 
NEW YORK’S ZS 
takes place at Syracuse, week commencing 
August 29 and ending September 3. 
THE MOST ELABORATE EXHIBITION EVER 
OFFERED BY THE EMPIRE STATE. 
Unprecedented Special Attractions. 
GRAND EVKN1NG PKRFORMANCK, presenting 
Pain’s Celebrated Manhattan Beach Spectacles, 
The Fall of Manila, 
The Destruction of Cervera’s Fleet at San¬ 
tiago, and all the up-to-date pictures, in fire, of our 
Naval Heroes. 
Startling Roman Chariot Races. 
Wonderful Feats on a High Wire. 
The Greatest Diving Dog in the World—climbing a 
50-foot ladder, and diving from top into a net below. 
Excursion Hates on all Railroads entering the city 
