338 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
May 7 
The Best Way to Select Seed Corn. 
Bulletin 154, of the Michigan Experi¬ 
ment Station, goes into this question 
very thoroughly. The character of the 
season has much to do with the value of 
the seed selected. Director C. D. Smith 
finds that, if the season has been such as 
thoroughly to mature the crop until the 
kernels are well filled out. packed tightly 
together on the cob, the crop grown from 
such seed will be larger than if the seed 
is defective in these respects. Two plots 
at the station. 94 rods long and wide 
enough to contain each four rows 42 
inches apart, were planted, the one with 
seed corn grown in 1895, and the other 
with seed from 1896. The treatment of 
the seed had been identical after harvest¬ 
ing it but, in 1895, the crop was fully 
ripened, while in 1896, the weather was 
wet and cold just prior to harvesting, 
and it was impossible to find as fully 
matured ears as were found in 1895. The 
plots were planted alike, and treated the 
same during the season. 
From the time that the corn was an 
inch high, there was a conspicuous dif¬ 
ference in the growth of the two ad¬ 
jacent plots. The one planted with the 
seed of 1895 grew more rapidly and more 
vigorously, the seed germinated more 
quickly, and the shoots were more vig¬ 
orous from the start. The results at 
hardest were as follows : 
POUNDS PER ACRE. 
Gross yield. Dry matter. 
Plot 4, seed of 1896. 17.210 6,970 
Plot 5, seed of 1895. 19,134 7,749 
At the Rural Farm, the average area 
(20 years) given to field corn was about 
eight acres. Except for special experi¬ 
ments, Chester County Mammoth and 
Blount's Prolific, as we have said, were 
the kinds planted. Our way of selecting 
the seed was to walk between every two 
rows every week or so after the silks ap¬ 
peared. Whenever in all particulars 
(height of plant, size of stalk, number of 
ears to the stalk and how placed, whether 
high or low) the plant promised to give 
the most valuable seed, a conspicuous 
rag was tied about it. At harvest time, 
these plants were placed together, the 
ears husked, and the most careful selec¬ 
tions made. The selected ears, as soon 
as thoroughly dry, were placed in an 
upper chamber of the house, there to re¬ 
main until the next planting season ar¬ 
rived. In this way, our seed corn was 
preserved as well as, in our opinion, it is 
possible to preserve seed corn, and the 
improvements that we made in those two 
varieties from year to year, were, in a 
measure, ascribed to this treatment of 
the seed corn. 
An examination of the fruit buds of 
the Japan plums—we have at present no 
other kinds—shows that they have sus¬ 
tained no injury because of the several 
frosty nights which have occurred since 
the petals began to show. The Hale 
Japan, planted three or four years ago— 
the record is not before us—is bearing 
more fruit buds than any other plum 
with which we have had experience. The 
branches from the lowermost to the top¬ 
most are compact wreaths of blossoms. 
We do not mention this as an item in 
favor of this variety, but merely to show 
how bountifully it will fruit at an 
early age. The R. N.-Y. is more than 
ever glad that it was the first publica¬ 
tion to call attention, as the result of 
its own experience, to the Japan plums. 
The Abundance was the first to fruit at 
the Rural Grounds, and we fancy that 
it may still be classed as the first in 
value among those fruiting during its 
season. 
Another Winter proves that the Crim¬ 
son Rambler is one of the hardiest 
roses in cultivation. It is surprisingly 
hardy. We have it growing among 
rocks, near tree stumps, near the water, 
and in the garden. Even canes that 
have made a growth of 15 feet in length 
have not been injured by the past Win¬ 
ter. In most cases, the terminal buds 
are alive and plump. The Crimson 
Rambler is a grand acquisition, and we 
wish it w r ere in the gardens of every one 
of our readers. 
The Crimson clover growing among 
the strawberries was spaded under last 
week. The plants had not suffered in 
the least by Spring frosts ; they were, at 
least, six inches high, vigorous and 
healthy, and of a soft, intensive tint of 
green peculiar to this beautiful clover. 
Later we shall spade under the clover 
growing among the grape vines, rasp¬ 
berries, blackberries, gooseberries and 
roses . 
Our Raspberry Crosses.—R. N.-Y. 
readers may remember the crosses which 
we made three years or more ago, be¬ 
tween the Loudon and Columbian, the 
former the mother parent. The seeds 
were sown the following February, and 
the seedlings planted in the garden the 
following May. Planted about two feet 
apart, the row extended across the back 
garden, a distance of 75 feet. The plants 
are interesting at this time in many ways. 
Some were severely killed back the past 
Winter, others are alive to the tips. Some 
of the canes resemble the Loudon, the 
bark being of a dull buff color and readily 
exfoliating, while other canes are of a 
bright purple. Some of the canes are 
almost without prickles. Many of the 
plants are unusually vigorous and strong. 
A few are weakly, some starting into 
growth a week earlier than others. Two 
of the plants fruited last year. We should 
say that all will fruit the coming sea¬ 
son. The two that fruited last season 
bore fruit somewhat inferior to either 
parent. 
Rose-Bug Remedy. —An esteemed cor¬ 
respondent says that he has, for several 
years, applied a simple and effective rem¬ 
edy—dry wood ashes—blown or spread 
upon vines, roses or trees infested with 
them, early in the morning while the 
dew is on. Several applications are neces¬ 
sary. He has, also, used the same rem¬ 
edy for the curculio, on plum trees, and 
has never known it to fail to save the 
crop if begun in season and followed up 
regularly two or three times a week. 
Origin of the American Wonder Pea. 
—Under the head of Ruralisms, you 
speak of “ Bliss’s American Wonder, 
which originated with Mr. Pringle, of 
Vermont.” The late Mr. Charles Arnold, 
of Paris, Ontario, is the man to whom 
belongs the credit of first producing 
the pea, a man who spent much of his 
time, during his life, on the subject of 
cross-fertilizing, and the American Won¬ 
der was the offspring by a cross between 
McLean's Little Gem and the British 
Champion. I well recollect when I re¬ 
ceived from my friend, Mr. Arnold, about 
a pint of the peas. He said in his letter, 
“You must not sell any of the produce, 
as I have sold out all my right in the 
said peas to the firm of Bliss, of New 
York.” I think they gave, in their cata¬ 
logue, Mr. Arnold, the credit for produc¬ 
ing so good a pea. chas. j. fox. 
South London, Ont. 
We stand corrected, and thank Mr. 
Fox for calling attention to our mistake. 
The writer well knew the origin of the 
Wonder pea, but he wrote the paragraph 
alluded to thoughtlessly, giving Mr. 
Pringle instead of Mr. Arnold as the 
originator. 
The Government Free Seed Distribution. 
The following note from the Rev. Rich¬ 
ard Nott, of Burlington, Vt., the origi¬ 
nator of Nott’s Excelsior and Nott’s Per¬ 
fection peas, etc., needs no comment be¬ 
yond our thorough indorsement : 
I want to indorse, as strongly as possible, all 
that The R. N.-Y. has ever said, is still saying, 
or can say in the future, editorially or other¬ 
wise, against the Government free seed distri¬ 
bution. That is one of the greatest humbugs 
ever perpetrated on a long-suffering nation. I 
join hands heartily with all who are fighting 
against its continuance, along the lines it has 
always followed. If the Department would con¬ 
fine its operations to looking up and testing, im¬ 
partially and thoroughly, new things, with a 
view to purchasing and sending out articles of 
real merit, there might be some good reason for 
its existence. But its business seems to be not to 
do important work of this sort. For several 
years, I have taken special pains to send to the 
Government trial grounds, at Washington, and 
nearly every State and Territory in the Union, 
new varieties of potatoes, peas, corn, etc., with 
requests for trial and reports; but in no solitary 
instance have I been favored with the report of 
tests made. This has not been because articles 
sent for trial were all worthless, for not a few’ of 
them have been introduced and popularized 
through leading seed houses, but apparently, 
because no attention was given them at the Gov¬ 
ernment stations, which I have been in the habit 
of supposing are established and maintained, in 
large part, for just this sort of work. I now 
spend no more time or money sending samples to 
Government trial grounds, for I have learned 
that it is of no use to do so. But if I have an 
article that, after long and careful trial myself, 
I deem worthy of wider acquaintance and confi¬ 
dence, I send it to The R. N.-Y. trial grounds, 
with the feeling, always, that it will there be 
tried impartially, on its merit or demerit, and 
judgment rendered accordingly. 
My experience w’ith the Government seeds has 
been similar to that of all others whose letters so 
often appear in The R. N.-Y., and of numberless 
others with whom I have talked on the subject. 
As a rule, the seeds are either worthless in the 
matter of vitality, or old, standard sorts that can 
be bought for a small price at any and every 
crossroads store in the country. Lots of them, 
too, are untrue to name. I once had 13 different 
varieties of squash from one packet marked 
pure Hubbard, and not a Hubbard in the lot. So 
in regard to melons, cucumbers, carrots, par¬ 
snips, beets, peas, etc. Now, when I receive any 
of these little Government subsidies, my rule is 
to make our hen-feed barrel their common dump¬ 
ing place, and then I try to smile and keep on 
paying cheerfully my share of the $200,000, or 
more, tax necessary for maintaining this Govern, 
ment nuisance. 
Experience 
PEACHTREES 
at wholesale or retail. Officially declared free 
from tcale or injurious insects. Best stock 
grown. Strawberry Plants —63 varieties; all 
from new beds. Apple, Pear, Plum, and other 
stock. Send for new Catalogue to-day. 
HARRISON’S NURSERIES, Berlin, Md. 
STRAWBERRIES 
Finest young plants. By express only—cash with 
order. Gandy, Haverland. Crescent, Warfield, 
Michel’s Early. Bubach, Greenville. SI.50 per M. 
Brandywine. Eclipse, Enhance. Rio. Henry Ward 
Beecher, Tennessee Prolific, Lady Thompson, $2 
per M. Offer good for one week only. 
JOS. H. BLACK, SON & CO., Hightstown, N. J. 
\\/_ f) A \f CASH each WEEK the year round, if 
TT v5 I t\ I you sell Stork Trees. Outfit free. 
STARK NURSERY, LOUISIANA, MO., Stark, Mo., Rockport, 111., taville, N. Y 
nr I nil TREES, 3c. All kinds of stock cheap. 
ILnUrl Reliance Nursery, Box 10, Geneva, N. Y. 
SURPLUS STOCK CHEAP. 
Minnewaski and Erie Blackberry Plants, $0 per M. 
Marlboro Red Raspberry, $3 per M. 
Strawberry Plants, 23 varieties. 
VanOrnatn’s Earliest, Potato; very choice, $1 perbu. 
WALTER F. TABER, 
Lakeview Farm. Poughkeepsie, N. Y. 
DEDOV Dl AIITC From $1 - 12 P er kooo «i 
DCnn I I LAIl I O Send for price-list 
H. L. SQUIRES, Flanders. N. Y. 
6 CARRIE / 
PARKER EARLE JUNIOR -By Mail for $1. 
NIC OHMER \ 
T. C. KEVITT. Athenia N.J. 
Grow “Big Crops” 
by planting our Seed 
Potatoes—B ovee, Sir 
Walter Raleigh and 14 
other varieties. Darke 
County Early Mam¬ 
moth field corn.MOKT- 
GAGH Lifter and 
Michigan Wonder 
Oats. Garden Seeds. 
Catalogue Free. 
GEO. W. MACE, 
Box C. Greenville, O. 
And Not Experiments, Should Be 
Your Aim in Buying Medicine. 
Let others experiment; you should he guided 
by experience. Experiments are uncertain in 
result; experience is sure. Experiments may do 
you harm; experience proves that Hood’s Sarsa¬ 
parilla will do you wonderful good. Thousands 
gladly tell what Hood’s has done for them. 
Hood’s Sarsaparilla 
Is America’s Greatest Spring Medicine. $1. 
Hood’s Pills cure all liver ills. 25 cents. 
Potato Test. 
1 will send 300 additional packages on the condi¬ 
tions given April 10. page 283, except that instead of 
Early Ohio, you may use any extra-early variety 
that has made a record for two years at an Experi¬ 
ment nt.ation. The variety to be used is to be named 
when order for Early Andes is given. Any one who 
has accepted the first tost can not accept the second. 
If more than 800 orders are received, I will return 
eight cents of the postage sent. Orders for three 
pounds tat $1) will not he received. No more than 
one pound at 50 cents to a person (report in this 
case optional!. Supply limited. 
HENRY C. MARSH, Muncie, Ind. 
Dreer’s Garden Calendar 
< Is the handsomest Catalogue of the year, lllus- 
| trating and describing the best of everything in 
J SEEDS, PLANTS and BULBS 
4 Send for onr “Peerless” Collection of Flower Seeds 
i —12 grand varieties for 50 cents (value $1 00). 
i Calendar FREE to buyers, or will be sent to any address 
i for 6c. in stamps. 
< HENRY A. DREER, H* Chestnut St., Philadelphia. 
Dntotnnc Ear *y Ohio, Bully Boy, UncIeSam, King 
rUldlUCO of the Boses, Sir Walter Raleigh. Good 
News, Rose. Carman. Quaker City, Stump the World, 
85 kinds. What kinds; how many do you want? 
Prices fair. Chas.W. Ford & Co.. Fishers. Ont Co.,N.Y. 
Choice Seed Potatoes 
by the bushel, barrel or car-load, including the best 
new and standard varieties; prices right. Write for 
catalogue. THE C. C. BRAWLKY SEED AND 
IMPLEMENT CO.. New Madison. Ohio. 
S WEET POTATO PLANTS — Yellow Nanse- 
mond, $1.50 per 1.000. Write for Circular of other 
kinds. F. S. NEWCOMB, Vineland, N. J. 
Vegetable Plants Cheap, 
Cabbage and Celery Plants ready April 1. Tomato, 
Mango Pepper. Cauliflower and Egg Plants ready 
May 1. The above are all fine, large transplanted 
plants, well hardened and true to name. Write for 
circular and prices. Address 
J. E. HUTTON, Conyngham, Pa. 
Trees, Plants. PRICES. 
For first-class stock all Standard Varieties: Apples, 8e.; Pears, 8c.; Cher¬ 
ries, 7c.; Japan and other Plums. 9c.; Currants, 2 year, $15 per 1.U00; Marlboro, 
Cuthbert Raspberries, $6 per 1,000; Strawberries, all good varieties, $2.50 per 1,000. 
Pr srg! uae T. J- DWYER & SON, CORNWALL, N. Y. 
»>"»„■ TOO MANY STRAWBERRIESs..l 
unless we sell about four million more plants, and you will not have any next year, unless you set some 
NOW. Don’t put it off; order at once. Everything worth having in hardy fruits. Free catalogue. 
The Butler & Jewell Co., Cromwell, Conn. 
for BUSINESS TREES for BUSINESS FARMERS 
HONEST TREES at HONEST PRICKS, write to 
NURSERYMAN TO 
THE BUSINESS FARMER. 
ROGERS, DANSVILLE, 
N. Y. 
5,000 KEIFFER PEAR TREES 
Three years. Clean, bright, healthy, thrifty. Just the kind to plant a new orchard or REPLANT an 
old one. All the leading sorts of Fruit Trees and Plants. PRICES RIGHT. Catalogue Free. 
ARTHUH J. OOXjIjINS, Moorestown, N. J. 
SHRUBS, FLOWERS AND FRUITS. 
Most complete General Collection in America. Three thousand 
varieties described in a 200-page (free) Catalogue. “THE 
LEADING NEW ENGLAND NURSERY.” 
JACOB W. MANNINC, Reading, Mass. 
