February 20 
138 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
VEGETABLE GROWING IN PORTO 
RICO. 
One of the earliest impressions a 
northern man receives on his first visit 
to Porto Rico is that this tropical island, 
with its sunshine and showers and free¬ 
dom from frost, must be an ideal place 
for growing tomatoes and other vege¬ 
tables for shipment north during the 
Winter months. Nearly all the Ameri¬ 
cans who go there to work on the land 
get that idea, and proceed at once to 
make gardens and plant seeds brought 
from the States, and try experiments in 
this line. Quite a number of skilled 
truck growers from Florida, and in fact 
market gardeners from nearly every 
State in the Union, have gone to the isl¬ 
and during the last few years, and made 
plantings on a variety of soils and un¬ 
der different conditions. Many of these 
planters had plenty of capital behind 
them, and went into the business on a 
rather large scale. The experiment sta¬ 
tion located at Mayaguez was and is well 
equipped for this kind of work; they 
have tested nearly all the garden and 
field products of the temperate zone. Tha 
general results of all these trials have 
been disappointing. Of course tomatoes, 
string beans, lettuce, radish and the like 
can be grown there to some extent. I 
have repeatedly eaten them fresh from 
the garden in January, February and 
March during the four Winters T have 
spent there, but it has been, so far as I 
can learn, the universal verdict of the 
growers that the small inferior crops ob¬ 
tained have cost them more than they 
were worth. As a financial venture it is 
safe to say that trucking on the island 
has thus far been a failure. The prob¬ 
ability is that Porto Rico will never be 
such a Winter garden for us as some an¬ 
ticipated a few years ago. One indica¬ 
tion that northern vegetables do not 
thrive is the fact that the markets of 
San Juan, Ponce and other cities and 
towns of the island are so poorly sup¬ 
plied with them. I found the supply no 
better last Winter than it was four years 
previous. 
I confess that when I first visited the 
island and looked over the situation, 
saw the poor vegetables offered for sale 
and learned the crude methods of the 
natives, I concluded at once that Ameri¬ 
can enterprise and energy would soon 
work a revolution in the truck business. 
I now think that possibly the natives 
know better than I what the island is 
capable of, and that the people there are 
not quite so stupid as I supposed. An¬ 
other fact is that no vegetables of any 
commercial importance so far as I have 
been able to learn, are or have been 
shipped north. Evidently this would not 
be the case if they could be easily and 
cheaply produced there. Canned vege¬ 
tables and fruits brought from the North 
are used in large quantities; in fact, 
they are better and cheaper than the 
home grown. The general conclusion of 
those best posted is that tropical condi¬ 
tions are unfavorable to the growing of 
most of the northern truck crops. Per¬ 
haps some of the principal reasons for 
failure are the bright sunshine, high 
temperature, trade winds, insect pests, 
fungous and bacterial diseases. I have a 
notion also that the condition of the soil 
is in some way unsuitable; the torrential 
rains beat it down, and of course they 
never have any frost to sweeten and 
mellow it. As a rule, garden seeds come 
up quickly, look well for a few days,then 
gradually wither and disappear. I have 
done some planting there myself, and 
have visited quite a number of gardens 
planted by others, but I have never seen 
a good garden there, or one that grew 
what we in the United States would call 
a good crop of any one of our numerous 
garden products. What I have written 
applies only to northern garden crops. 
Sweet potatoes and several other trop¬ 
ical garden products not so well known 
by us are largely grown and are staplu 
articles of food for the people there, but 
as a rule they are net relished by north¬ 
ern people. These flourish, for they are 
indigenous to the climate and soil. 
I have only good wishes for Porto 
Rico. I have stated what I believe to be 
facts with the simple desire to give in¬ 
formation, for I know that many who 
contemplate visiting the island entertain 
hopes in the gardening line which are 
not likely to be realized. It is certainly 
better for us to avail ourselves of the 
experience of others if we can. As to 
orange growing for commercial pur¬ 
poses, that is still an experiment. My 
own opinion is that on a deep, rich, well- 
drained, sandy loam, like that near the 
mouth of the Bayamon River, the out¬ 
look is very promising, but where the 
subsoil is a hard impervious clay at the 
depth of a foot more or less, and much 
of the land is of this character, the out¬ 
look is unpromising. g. f. r. 
Connecticut. _ 
SPRAYING REPORTS WANTED. 
I have been lying low for reports on 
Bordeaux spray for potatoes in The R. 
N.-Y.; have found only a few scraps 
since last Fall. As I regard The R. N.- 
Y. as my authority on matters pertain¬ 
ing to potato culture, I confess I am 
somewhat disappointed in failing to see 
reports from growers or the professors 
of agricultural colleges and experiment 
stations. The report of the editor him¬ 
self, as I recollect, was meager, but as 
blight and rot were mentioned the “dry 
dust” does not seem to have been a 
great success. Ruralisms has a little on 
the subject, but as to quantity and num¬ 
ber of “dustings” it is silent. It is true, 
we possess bulletins on wet Bordeaux, 
and where five barrels are recommended 
to prepare the mixture. Then recall the 
wet conditions of last season, and im¬ 
agine a horse sprayer wading through 
your patch. On the one hand the experi¬ 
ment stations were urging the farmers 
to spray, and on the other hand existed 
the doubt of the efficacy of the fungicide. 
Who has sprayed last season, how, and 
with what result? Has nothing better 
been discovered? It seems perhaps to 
be a topic out of season, but we believe 
in the motto: “In time of peace prepare 
for war.” As a number of your readers 
are engaged in growing the tuber in this 
section this subject becomes one of in¬ 
terest. w. o. l. 
Macungie, Pa. 
THE BRASSINGTON. 
The Brassington Cherry, now being 
introduced by Call’s Nurseries, Perry, 
O., originated in Oceana County, Mich., 
where it has been fruited for several 
years. It is a very prolific, annual 
bearer. The Fruit is Large Size, Dark 
Red, Sprightly Rich Acid flavor, ripen¬ 
ing several days earlier than the Early 
Richmond. The tree is a thrifty, up¬ 
right grower, and bears such immense 
crops of extra fine cherries that one fruit 
grower who saw it in bearing ordered 
six thousand of the Brassington Cherry 
trees. Write Call for Price List. 
TD CEO— On 0 dollar’s worth up at wholesale prices; 
I IILLO secure variety now; spring payment; 80- 
page catalog. G. C. STONE, Wholesale Nurseries, 
oansville, N. Y. Established 35 years. 
TfiPPP and PLANTS at Wholesale Prices 
I K r.r.N Apple, Pear and Plum, $8 per 0. Cat free 
i nunu reliance Nubseby, BoxlU,Geneva,-N\Y 
Wiley’s 
Trees.. 
Plants and 
Seeds 
never disappoint— 
My patrons tell the 
rest. To get cata¬ 
log you must name 
this paper. 
H. S. WILEY, CAYUGA, N. Y. 
I Probably you know how Ayer’s Hair Vigor always re- 
stores color to gray hair; makes the hair grow. &&STm£!e 
DWYER 9 S 1904 
CATALOG 
Sent free on request. Full of information 
about fruit and ornamental trees, small 
__ ______ _ fruits, vines and plants for garden or lawn. Grown on our own 
GlJKPffWC grounds; true to name; guaranteed to grow. Prices just right. 
T. J. Divyer's book on hardy trees, plants and 
vines, 50 cents. Sent free loith sjrring oi’ders. 
T. J. DWYER & CO., Orange County Nurseries, Cornwall, N. Y. 
DCAPII TDEEQ Fine, stocky, hardy, grown on the bank of Lake 
r cnon I IlCCv Erie, two miles from any peach orchards, free 
of borers and all other diseases. Large stock of Apple, Pear, Plum, 
Cherry, etc. Headquarters for Ornameutal Trees, Shrubs, 
Plauts, Vlues, Mulbs, Seeds. 40 acres hardy Roses, including 
45,000 of the famous Crimson Humbler, 44 greenhouses of Palms, 
Ferns. Ficus, Itoses, Geraniums, etc. Mail size postpaid, larger 
by express or freight, safe arrival and satisfaction guaranteed. Direct 
deal will insure you the best and save yon money. Try ns. Valuable cata¬ 
logue free. Correspondence solicited. 50 years. 1000 acres. 
THE STORRS & HARRISON CO., Boi 173, PAINESVILLE, OHIO. 
TEMPLINS 
beautiful catalogue of 
IDEAL SEEDS, PLANTS, ETC. 
pages, fully illustrated, colored plate, lithograph 
f old embossed cover. Every seed buyer should see 
cring elsewhere. If you are a lover of flow ers here is ‘ 
■ ftl ftrrrp THAT SHOULD INTEREST YOU. Send us six' 
All Ut run centsin stamps to pay the postage, and we will mail 
you the catalogue, also one large packet, (100 seeds) of Templin’* New Clant" 
Rutiled, Blotched and Striped Pansies. (Price 15c) With Pansy Booklet, telling how to growthem. Alsolpkt. 
(50 seeds) celebrated New Dwarl Stone, the best "up-to-date'’ Tomato, (Price 10c) All lor only 6c In stamps. 
SATISFACTION GUARANTEED. L. TEMPLIN & SONS,Box 87, CALL/j, OHIO. 
Hoyt’s Trees 
“Hoyt” ought to knowsomething about 
growing trees—been at it more than 50 
years and has more than 500 acres m 
nursery stock. Our stock is all grown on 
rich soil of 1 ew England’s rugged hills; 
guaranteed healthy and true to name. 
We have an extra large and fine lotof Peach Trees 
and Forest Trees at this time. W rite us at once about 
anything you want In trees, plants and vines. 
Full Catalogue Free. 
THE STEPHEN HOYT’S SONS CO., 
NEW CANAAN, CONN. 
WST MICHIGAN TREES 
are “bred i'or bearing.” That's why we 
cut all buds from the best fruited, bearing 
trees. It also insures stock true to name »nd 
variety. Over three million trees—913 acres. 
All new and standard varieties of Apple, 
Peach, Pear. Plum, Quince, etc. Also orna¬ 
mental trees and shrubs. We sell direct at 
who!e«ale prices. Illustrate d cata logue free. 
WEST MICHIGAN NURSERIES, 
Box 64 , Benton Harbor, Mlch. 
FRUIT TREES 
Guaranteed by ns to Bear Fruit of Best Quality. 
We Pay Freight. Catalogue and Seautiful 
Calendar FREE. Write to-day. 
Central Michigan Nursery 
Wholesale Dept. 
Kalamazoo, Mich. 
TREES SUCCEED WHERE 
’Largest Nursery. OTHERS FAIL 
Fruit Book Free. Result of 78 years’ experience 
dSTARK BROS, Louisiana, Mo.; Dansville, N. Y.; Etc 
BARGAINS IN PLANTS AND TREES 
worth double the money, by mail postpaid. 
BOO Marie Strawberry ,1 00 
100 King Raspberry 1 00 
100 Ea. King Blackberry 1 00 
100 Ohmer “ 1 00 
20 Niagara Grapes 1 00 
20 Worden “ 1 00 
20 Wilder Currants 
20 Fay “ 
20 Elberta Peach 
10 Pear assorted 
10 Cherry assorted 
15 Apples 
tl 00 
1 00 
1 00 
1 00 
1 00 
1 00 
Everything for the fruit grower best varieties cheap 
Free catalog of great bargains—3 new strawberry 
plants free for 6 names of fruit growers and 2c stamp. 
W. N. SCARFF, NEW CARLISLE, OHIO 
THE WARD BLACKBERRY 
77 fi£6 
Fruit and Ornamental. 
Shrubs 
Evergreens 
Roses 
Hardy Plants 
All the Best and Hardiest Varieties. 
Largest Collections in America. 
Illustrated Descriptive Catalogue. 
FREE on request. 
ELLWANGER & BARRY, 
Nurserymen—Horticulturists. 
Mount Hope Nurseries, 
Rochester, N. Y. 
Established 1840. Mention thla publication. 
s 
* 
<D 
CD 
__ 
If you desire the very best fruit 
trees that can be pfrown— large, 
smooth, disease free, true to 
namo, well rooted, fresh dug, buy 
Sweet's 
1 
'rees 
GENESEE 
VALLEY 
are 
TREES . 
T 
rees 
We have Apples, Plums, Pears, 
Cherries, Peaches, Apricots, Quin¬ 
ces, Grapes, all kinds of Aspara¬ 
gus, Khubarb and Ornamental 
fhat 
Deciduous Trees. Every standard 
1 
variety and many tested new 
kinds. Our new catalogue names 
and describes each. Gives much 
Please 
valuable information to orehard- 
ists, fruit growers and others. 
Write today foracopy. Sentfree. 
Ceo. A. Sweet Nursery Co., 
20 Maple St. Dansville, N.Y. 
THI8 IS something new and of real merit. Very 
1 few new fruits have as high endorsement. 8 end for 
illustrated circular and pricelist! n quantities Small 
well-rooted plants by mail, *1 per dozen, 84 per hun¬ 
dred. Also Peach and other Fruit Trees, St rawberry 
and other Small Fruit Plants at reasonable prices. 
All stockpacked in first class order free of charge. 
Address CHARLES BLACK, Hightstown, N. J. 
EVERGREENS 
Hardy aorta, 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 Catalogue 
and Bargain Sheet. Loral Agents wanted* 
D a H jII j Specialist, Dundee, III, 
TREES AND SHRUBS 
IN GREAT VARIETY. 
WELL GROWN, HEALTHY AND TBDB 
TO NAME. Many New and Rare Plant*. 
Largest Stock in the South. 
Illustrated Catalogue Free. 
P. J. BERCKMANS CO. (INC.) 
Frnltland Nurseries, Augusta, Ga. 
Established in 1856. Over 400 acres In Nurseries. 
HARRIS’ high - class SEEDS. 
W E ARE seed growers (not mere dealers) and raise seeds on our own farms, and by careful 
selection keep them up to the highest standard of qualit . Yet we a e able to sell them at 
prices lower than many others charge for seeds not so carefully raised. Our specialties are 
choice Vegetable Seeds, Seed Potatoes, Selected Seed Corn, New and Improved Oats aud 
other farm seeds. Every one who wants a good garden and profitable crops should give our seeds 
a trial. Catalogue free, It will pay you to see it. 
JOSEPH HARRIS CO., Moreton Farm, COLDWATER, N. Y. 
The Burpee Quality in Seeds 
Rnrl |Jio( C/\T\ flP firnwn ? new * Silent Salesman” of the largest mail-order seed trade in the world will be sent 
ell U tt 11 • wit k j 78 p a g C s 0 { useful information and hundreds of true illustrations—if you mail a postal to 
W. Atlee Burpee & Co., Seed Farmers, Philadelphia 
