638 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
August i'll, 
Ruralistns 
23 
NOTES FROM THE RURAL GROUNDS 
High Priced Potatoes. —Last April pot- 
grown plants of the Eldorado potato, a 
new British variety claimed to resist blight 
and rot, were offered at £10 10s., equiv¬ 
alent to $ 52.50 each. One grower is said 
to have sold plants to the amount of $2,000 
at this astonishing price. The plants were 
rooted cuttings or “slips” detached from 
the tubers, which had sold as high as $800 
a pound in certain instances. Some of the 
above plants were exhibited at the Spring 
horticultural shows, and quite a number 
were finally donated to the new British 
Potato Society for trial purposes. Disin¬ 
terested observers describe these plants as 
exhibited and as now growing in various 
trial plots as very indifferent specimens— 
anything but robust in character. This is 
to be expected from the wholly artificial 
manner of their propagation. The Eldo¬ 
rado must, indeed, be a wonder if it 
emerges from this forcing process with its 
vigor unimpaired. Such prices for a new 
vegetable variety, no matter how urgent 
the need, are purely speculative, and are 
sure to end in loss to late buyers, though 
the promoters may reap a golden harvest 
while the craze is on. 
American Varieties Abroad. —The po¬ 
tato is such an important food item in 
Great Britain—something over $ 50 , 000,000 
worth are annually imported—that growers 
are making every effort to breed or dis¬ 
cover varieties able to resist the European 
blight fungus. Countless American kinds 
have been tried, but very few turn out to 
be adapted to the peculiarly humid climate 
of the British Islands. Coy’s Vermont 
Gold Coin has met with considerable favor 
during the past two years, and Burbank, 
an old favorite on the Pacific coast, is 
claimed to do remarkably well in Ireland. 
Beauty of Hebron and Early Puritan have 
also been successful abroad. The season 
our plants were able to endure the intense 
and long-continued cold with no covering 
save their own withered tops, and start 
out bright and fresh in Spring as though 
the Arctic freeze was a commonplace affair 
in the life history of the species. 1 he big 
Aster-like purple-blue blooms are better 
this season than when newly planted. We 
ventured the prediction last year that this 
charming plant might measurably replace 
the uncertain and disease-stricken China 
Aster for florists’ purposes and garden use, 
and that in time other desirable colors 
than the acceptable blue of the type would 
likely be secured. The Southern Floral 
Co., of Fruitdale, Ala., experienced grow¬ 
ers of the Stokesia and other indigenous 
plants, did not share this view, and wrote 
they had little reason to expect color 
“breaks” except to white, which had al¬ 
ready been secured. They have since 
found occasion to change their opinion 
and write under date of June 5 : 
We wish to make a withdrawal of a part 
of what we wrote you last Fall in regard to 
Stokesia cyauea. After very close study of 
them in bloom this season we find a great 
deal of variation in coloring, much more than 
we 'had any idea existed. We wrote you at 
that time that we did not expect any other 
distinct colors excepting white, hut we have 
now selected not only some very pure whites, 
but some very delicate light blue shades, as 
well as a few quite distinct purples. We 
propose that these be known as Stokesia 
cyanea alba and S. cyanea purpurea, with 
some distinctive name for the other light 
shades as soon as a stock of them can be 
worked up. We find our wild beds very full 
of large fine blooms at this time, three to 
four inches in diameter, and growing as 
thickly as a good field of Red clover in the 
North. They make a very brilliant display of 
color. The plants bearing white and purple 
flowers are very rare, one having to search 
a long time to find good specimens of them, 
and it will be some time before a sufficient 
stock of them can be worked up so that they 
can be offered at anything but fancy prices. 
We now have no doubt that under the hand 
of careful cultivators as wide a range of dis¬ 
tinct colors may be brought out as has been 
done in the Ceutaurea cyanea or bachelors’ 
buttons, and its large size and great beauty 
will make them far superior for general cul¬ 
tivation. We look for this to become one of 
the most popular of all our hardy bedding 
plants as soon as its merits are well known. 
so far is quite dry and hot over large areas 
of northern Europe, and potatoes are not 
as likely to be troubled by the usual dis¬ 
eases as during a rainy Summer. 
Williams Favorite Apple. —Notwith¬ 
standing the great variety and abundance 
of fruits at this season there is an appre¬ 
ciative demand for good eating apples 
which is not always supplied by the varie¬ 
ties found in the markets. Light-colored 
sorts like Early Harvest, Sweet Bough 
and Yellow Transparent bruise and dis¬ 
color so easily when fully ripened that 
they are usually shipped while immature. 
Red Astrachan is brilliant and (attractive, 
but too acid for most palates. In Williams 
Favorite we have a good-sized, highly- 
colored apple ripening for several weeks 
in midsummer, of fine, agreeable quality, 
and firm enough to bear handling without 
deterioration. Fig. 280 , first page, is a 
portrait of fair specimens, just in good eat¬ 
ing condition. It makes a well-shaped, 
vigorous and productive tree in good 
soil. The apples are usually fair and 
highly colored, and are not greatly 
subject to insect or fungus attacks. 
The flesh is yellow, with a red tinge near 
the surface. The quality may be described 
as an agreeable sub-acid, not high, but 
generally liked. Retail city buyers would 
soon learn to appreciate this apple if the 
supply should become more certain. A 
few Williams Favorites are now seen on 
the city fruit stands. They sell well at 
three for five cents, their rich coloring and 
generally attractive appearance making up 
for lack of highest quality. They make 
very tolerable eating, however, for mem¬ 
bers of the Apple Consumers’ League. 
Earliness in bloom and increased size of 
flower having already been secured in a 
comparatively short period of cultivation, 
these color variations become doubly wel¬ 
come as indicating still higher possibilities 
of development and adaptability. The 
Stokesia may in time be so greatly modi¬ 
fied as to rank among the most valued 
decorative plants. w. v. f. 
FRUIT IN N. W. MASSACHUSETTS. 
The past very severe Winter proved too 
much for most varieties of fruit in this sec¬ 
tion. A great many well established apple 
trees of all ages were practically killed, hav¬ 
ing dropped most of their leaves, and will he 
of no further use unless for firewood. Black¬ 
berries were badly killed; red raspberries in 
favorable locations wintered fairly well, even 
when not covered. Strawberries were nearly 
a total loss. Out of upward of 30 acres in¬ 
tended to supply our local markets (North 
Adams and Williamstown) there was less 
than 10,000 quarts, and many of very in¬ 
ferior quality, so poor that in ordinary years 
when the markets were well supplied they 
could not have been sold. We find the trans¬ 
portation facilities for shipping perishable 
fruits a long distance so improved that the 
market is no longer governed by the local 
supply. Strawberries were shipped into our 
market from Oregon and arrived in very good 
condition, hut I do not think could have 
left the grower any profit, as they were sold 
for six cents per box holding about one quart 
each. I think the only grower that will make 
a financial success in the future is one who 
will make a specialty of the business and 
spare no time or expense in producing or try¬ 
ing to produce the best fruits that can be 
grown, and take great pains in sorting and 
packing that he may establish a name for a 
good article. The new fields to be fruited in 
1905 are looking the best they have in years, 
and give promise of a large crop. About the 
same acreage planted as usual. 
Massachusetts. george g. walker. 
Stokes’s Aster is Hardy. —The past 
Winter was a severe test of the hardiness 
of plants lately introduced to general cul¬ 
tivation. Among those tried on the Rural 
Grounds and not found wanting we are 
glad to include the Cornflower Aster, 
Stokesia cyanea. Though a native of the 
Gulf States, where the soil rarely freezes. 
City Max in the Country. —Some day I’ll 
tell you the experiences of one city man 
changing to farming in middle life. 1 shall 
succeed I am sure; I have been at it now 2(/> 
years. Next year I think it will support it 
self, but it has not been all pleasant sailing, 
and but that I have burned my ships I might 
be tempted to give it up on the eve of suc¬ 
cess. The R. N.-Y., Cornell and Dr. Voor- 
hees have been a great help and encourage¬ 
ment. w - 
^ Advice FREE 
Dr. S. A. Tuttle, a veterinary sur¬ 
geon of tong experience has writ 
ten a book entitled ‘'Veterinary 
Experience” on the diseases of 
horses, giving symptoms and 
treatment in plain terms. It is 
fully illustrated with diagrams 
the skeleton and circu- 
digestive systems with 
that make them plain, 
how to buy a horse and 
or not. Every horse owner 
know whether it is 
should have one. It is sent to any one. 
TUTTLE’S ELIXIR 
is the only guaranteed cure for Colic, Curb, recent 
Shoe Boils and Callous. It locates lameness, relieves 
and cares Spavins, Ring Bone, Cockle Joints. Greaso 
Heel, Scratches, Catarrh, etc. Send today ana get the 
book f ree and information about Dr. Tuttle’s specifics. 
Tutile’s Elixir Co. 30 Beverly Si. Boston, Mass. 
Avoid ali blisters; they are only tenporary relief. 
Standard for 13 Years. 
The pioneer prepared ROOFING. Outlasts xnetal or 
shingles. Any one can apply it. Contains no tar. 
Will not melt. Fire-resisting. 8end for Booklet K. 
MANUFACTURED SOLELY BY 
THE STANDARD PAINT COMPANY, 
IOO William Street, New York. 
Let Us Send You 
Our Book. 
about good wheels and good wagons that will save 
you a lot of work and make you a lot of money—the 
ELECTRIC STEEL WHEELS 
-and the- 
ELECTRIC HANDY WAGON. 
By every test, they are the beet. More than one and 
a quarter millions sold. Spokes united to the 
hub. Can’t work loose. A set of our wheels will 
make your old wagon new. Catalogue free. 
ELECTRIC WHEEL C0.,Box 88, Quincy, Ills. 
WE LEAD THE WORLD 
We are the largest manufac¬ 
turers of Grooved and Plain 
Tire Steel Farm Wagon 
Wheels in America. We 
guarantee our patent 
Grooved Tire Wheels to 
be the best made by anybody 
anywhere. Write us. 
HAVANA METAL WHEEL CO. 
BOX 17 HAVANA, ILL. 
FARMERS 
HANDY 
iWACON 
Low steel wheels, wide tires, make 
loading and handling easier. We fur¬ 
nish Steel Wheels to fit any axle, to 
carry any load. Straight or staggered 
spokes. Catalogue free. 
EMPIRE MFG.C0., Box 70-p, Quincy, III. 
When you write advertisers mention The 
R. N. V. and you will get a quick reply and 
“a square deal.” See guarantee, page 8. 
is as necessary to 
the healthy growth 
of grain as grain 
is to the health of 
man. 
Our valuable books on 
“Fertilization,” sent free 
to farmers upon request. 
GERMAN KALI WORKS 
93 Nassau Street New York 
CANADA HARDWOOD ASHES 
Do you want to seed down a field to grass this year? 
Or do you want to grow a big crop of live or Fall 
Wheat? Then use the Joynt Brand of Pure tin- 
leaclied Hardwood Ashes, and use one to two 
tons to the acre “according to the condition of 
the soil ’ before seeding, and you are sure to g> t large 
returns for your money. Write for delivered prices 
and information and address, 
JOHN JOYNT, Lucknow, Ontario, Canada. 
Keference—Dominion Bank, Wingham,Ont. 
“FUMA 
■ ■kills Prairie Dogs, 
' 'Woodchucks,Gophers, 
and Grain Insects. 
“The wheels of the 
gods grind slow but 
exceedingly small.” So the weevil, but you can stop 
“ "Fuma Carbon Bisulphide ’’.rJS 
EDWAKD R. TAYLOR, Penn Yan, N. Y. 
BORDEAUX MIXTURE 
To 1 gal add 49gallonsof waterand ready for spraying 
CONVENIENT and EFFECTIVE. Cost only $1 
MON E Y ORDEK, li EG ISTERE D LETTER or CHECK 
SMEDET CHEMICAL COMPANY, 
8. E. Cor. 11th and Master Streets, Philadelphia, Pa. 
NEW CALEDONIAN BEAN 
HARVESTER AND BUNCHER. 
Pays for It, 
Belf with two 
days’ use. 
Dumps auto¬ 
matically, 
and leaves 
the BEANS 
FREE from 
WEEDS, 
DIRT and 
STONES. 
White To-Day 
FOB CATALOG 
CALEDONIA BEAN HARVESTER WORKS 
CALEDONIA, N. Y 
»6°.a 
Bugg 
HONESTL 
MADE 
WE ARE MA NLFA CTLRERS 
Buggies, harness, farm and blacksmith tools, 
fencing, etc. Price* rock bottom, same to everyone, 
tojis, wheels,bodies, gears, etc., at wholesale prices, 
ampleof our economical methods. Itistho lowest priced 
afford to buy. It is well made with best materials. Price $38 
factory. Body, 24x54 or smaller. Seat, solid panel, spring back; green 
cloth, whipcord or imitation leather trimmed; top rubber-lined except side 
curtains; 3or4bow- end spring; double reach; sarvin or compressed 
wheels; body black; gear green or carmine. Free bargain sheet. ’ Indi- 
dicate your needs. 0. A. BOTTGEK it CO.,21 Bright St., Cleveland Ohio 
And a«ll to 
dealers and 
contuDi ers. 
Nothing shoddy, 
implements and supplies. 
Our factories furnish 
This buggy is an ex¬ 
buggy you can 
f. o. b. 
Inexpensive, Durable, Attractive 
Farm Houses, barns and all other buildings can be 
erected of our Hollow Building Blocks, either FAAIN' 
or ItOCK FACE, at a less cost than of brick. 
Also used for foundations. 
Prices and catalogue furnished upon request. 
NATIONAL FIREPROOFING CO., Room 
SEED DOWN THIS FALL WITH 
HUBBARD’S 
FERTILIZER 
FOR CRASS AND CRAIN . 
TOR-DRESS NEXT SRRING WITH 
HUBBARD’S 
FERTILIZER 
FOR OATS AND TOR-DRESSING. 
These are the Famous Hay Makers used and recommended by Hon. Geo. M. Clark, of Higganum, Ct. 
MANUFACTURED BY 
Til© Rogers tfc TlnJolDarcL Co., 
Middletown, ConiioeticYit" 
