7o 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
January 30 
Wants Free Rural Delivery. 
N. C. V., Ava, N. Y.—Please to con¬ 
tinue your crusade in the cause of 
free rural delivery of mail for the mutual 
benefit of publisher and subscriber. 
When farmers can get just recognition 
in this matter, rural life will be relieved 
of one of the greatest, if not the greatest, 
source of inconvenience and isolation to 
which it is now subject. We live 1% 
mile from the postoffice, get our mail 
two or three times a week, and, in the 
course of the year, must needs travel 
from 312 to 468 miles to get it. Some 
live much farther away than we, and 
have still greater trouble in communi¬ 
cating with the world at large. For all 
such, a weekly paper or no paper at all 
makes very little difference, and I do not 
wonder at their indifference in subscrib¬ 
ing. 
Keeping Ice. 
W. C. R., Flint, Mich. —I noticed the 
query of a Michigan correspondent in 
regard to storing ice. I want to ask him 
if, in the instances which he mentions 
where the ice was all melted before 
July, there was plenty of ventilation 
above the ice ? After repeated failures, 
I have found that there should be open¬ 
ings in the gable ends over the sawdust. 
I think that if the building is fully ex¬ 
posed to the sun, two feet is better than 
18 inches of sawdust around the sides. 
We have no inside partition, simply pile 
up the ice cakes on edge, and keep filled 
solidly all around with sawdust, prefer¬ 
ably pine. We use an adze to keep the 
upper surfaces even as each layer is put 
in, so that there will be no crevices. 
Placing the cakes on edge does not en¬ 
courage melting as does placing them 
flat, because percolation is more rapid 
through the pores by the latter method. 
It is essential to keep the sawdust well 
trodden down as the ice is taken out. 
Forest Trees For a Creek Bottom. 
E. A. R., Afton, III.—The answer to 
the question of J. C., of Ohio, on this 
subject, on page 4, I do not think the 
best. Very many, or rather, nearly all 
trees will grow and thrive on land that 
overflows, even fruit trees, provided 
they are not overflowed for any great 
length of time the same season they are 
planted. When newly planted, they are 
easily killed by overflow. When once 
established, to be overflowed even for a 
period of a month or more, will do no 
harm provided the tops are not sub¬ 
merged. For varieties, it will depend 
on what the timber is wanted for ; if for 
posts, stakes, etc., for use on the farm, 
I would prefer the mulberry and Ken¬ 
tucky coffee tree, if it will thrive where 
it is intended to make the plantation. 
The Kentucky coffee tree is a clean, 
rapid, upright grower, one of the most 
durable timbers that we have, and has 
been strangely overlooked as a tree for 
planting. 
In making a tree plantation, it is best 
to plant several varieties, as they grow 
better when so planted than where they 
are all the same. They can be so planted 
as to have the more valuable ones 
farther apart to be left after removing 
the less valuable ones between. Pines 
are an exception to this rule ; they grow 
best in groves by themselves, and are 
found so growing in nature. 
A Desirable Muskmelon. 
W. W. W., Tyrone, Pa.—A mong all 
the varieties of muskmelons that have 
been planted in our garden, I don’t think 
that we ever, until last season, had any 
that would mature a whole crop of fruit 
on the vines, on account of the late 
spring and early fall frosts that we gen¬ 
erally have here. We never start our 
melons in the hot-bed, not having enough 
room, and, after this, I think that we 
shall have very little need of doing so, 
for the Grand Rapids Early Market, not¬ 
withstanding its long name, requires 
but a very short season in which to ma¬ 
ture its fruit. The seed, last spring, 
was planted about May 25. The hills re¬ 
ceived no extra manure ; but a heavy 
coat of cow dung had been spread all 
over the ground in the winter, and 
plowed under just before planting. The 
vines of the Grand Rapids grew larger 
and faster than those of the other vari¬ 
ety, the Melrose, in the same patch ; 
also, the fruit grew to be more than 
twice as heavy, and every one ripened 
during the last of August and first of 
September. Judging from this, the crop 
could be gathered in three months or 
less from germination, and, being all 
matured, the green ones could be ripened 
indoors, or shipped. 
The melons vary in shape, some being 
round, some elliptical, and are yellow 
when ripe. The Melrose is an early 
melon, but did not ripen half a crop for 
me. It is a very prolific variety of small 
size, smooth, dark-green skin (almost 
black), and excellent quality. The flavor 
is spicier and a little better than that of 
the Grand Rapids, which is very good. 
Judging from my own experience, I 
would recommend the Grand Rapids as 
a large, prolific melon of good to very 
good quality, and of especial value in 
the North, believing it to be capable of 
being grown farther north than any 
other large melon, and, so far as I know, 
it may be, as has been stated by a gar¬ 
dener, “at least two weeks earlier than 
any other muskmelon.” 
Warm 
Rich, nourishing blood in winter keeps the sys¬ 
tem healthy and strong, and wards off colds, 
fevers, pneumonia and bronchitis. It is given by 
Hood’s 
Sarsaparilla 
The best—in fact the One True Blood Purifier. 
Hood’s Pills 
are the best after-dinner 
pills, aid digestion. 25c. 
REENVILLE APPLE 
(formerly Downing's Winter Maiden Blush.) 
CREENVILLE STRAWBERRY or anything else 
in the nursery line. Send for free particulars. Address 
15. 91. BIJECHLY. GREESV1LLE, O 
GRAPE™!? 
All old and new varieties Extra quality. Warranted 
true. Lowest rates. Descriptive Catalogue Free. 
T. S. HUBBARD CO., FItKDONIA, N. y. 
M Y Catalogue of Strawberry Plants CD ft 
80 varieties. E. J. HULL, Olyphant, Pa. f H CC 
SEEDS! SEEDS! 
73d Annual Priced Catalogue of 
Vegetable, Farm and Flower Seeds 
is now ready, and mailed free to all applicants. 
B RID GEM AN’S SEED WAREHOUSE, 
37 East 19th St., New York City. 
1 1 not only named, but first offered 
Mastodon Corn 
Freeman Potato 
Prizetaker Onion 
as well as dozens of others of the 
most popular Garden and Field 
Seeds of to-day. If you wish an 
u P - 
>-to-date Garden 
Y You must sow 
r MAULE'S SEEDS 3 
My New Seed and Plant Book free 
to all gardeners who mention this 
paper. It contains everything worth 
growing, old or new. Address 
TO. HENRY MAULE, 
1711 Filbert St., Philadelphia, Pa. 
Eruit Growers’ Needs 
TBI* is our special study—supplying them, our sole business. Have you need of EadBHM 
small fruits, fruit or ornamental trees, vines, roses? Ourstockis 
the largest and fullest in the United States; our prices the lowest. All of the best old 
% arieties, the choicest of the new kinds—many sorts exclusively ours. Great reduction I 
on large lots—estimates furnished upon application. 
Send for complete illustrated catalogue and learn how you may save 50 per cent. 
Fruit crates and baskets. REID’S NURSERIES, BRIDGEPORT, OHIO. 
IUMPH 
The only Yellow 
Freestone PEACH 
Ripening with Amsden. 
Descriptive Catalogue FREE. 
PEACH TREES 
75 Varieties in Stock. Largest 
JOS. 
75 Varieties in Stock. Largest 
stock of Peach Trees in the coun¬ 
try. PRICES are all right for the times. 
, . „ If you have never received our three-colored 
plates, send 10c. for three-colored plates of New Fruits and one Triumph Peach. 
BLACK. SON & CO., Village Nurseries, HIGHTSTOWN, N.J. 
TREES-SHRUBS-ROSES 
The largest and most complete collections of GENERAL NURSERY STOCK 
in America, including all desirable novelties. Beautiful Catalogue (168 pages—1896 
edition) free to customers; to others 10 cents. Every intending buyer should have it. 
ELLWANCER Sc BARRY, Mount Hope Nurseries, Rochester, N.Y. 
DWYER’S 
New 1897 Cat¬ 
alogue is now 
ready. Send 
for it. 
A 4 - 4 -Vtpk we ask for our Nurser y 
Fm- l- 1.11C 1 1 vC Stock, we could not afford 
to send an agent to solicit your orders. To do this we would 
have to double the price of our TREES, plants, etc. Think 
this over, and see where you come in. Our representative 
is a new book on FRUITS. At your request our Catalogue 
mailed free. Fresh-dug, first-class home-grown stock. 
T. J. DWYER, CORNWALL, N. Y. 
TREES 
Fruit and Ornamental. 
WHY NOT PLANT THIS SPRING ? 
Don’t delay or another year is lost. For best re¬ 
sults buy direct from the grower, fresh-dug, well- 
ripened stock, true to name. Send at once for our 
new catalogue, mailed free on application. 
Established 1869. 150 acres. 
The Geo, A. Sweet Nursery Co,, Dansville, N. Y. 
■■ ■■ and especially Fruit Trees, Should be grown with a hardy 
constitution. A sickly, weak tree constitutionally must be short- 
lived and unfruitful. Our method of growing stock is correct, and a 
well-guarded parentage is the principle on which to make 
Long-lived Fruit Trees Such trees we make and sell. The 
secret with quotations, together with strong words from scores of 
men who witness to the value of our stock because Started right, will be mailed you for 
the asking. WILEY & CO., Cayuga Nurseries, Cayuga, N.Y. 
EXPERIENCE 
AND 
ECONOMY 
have helped many a farmer on toward success. Our little book for 1897 will 
give you a share of the benefit of both. You will be Interested in George 
T. Powell’s article, written especially for us, giving the benefit of his 
years of experience in successful packing and shipping fruit. This and 
other items make it a catalogue of real practical value. Our prices, 
too, and easy terms are of especial interest. You will wonder how we 
can sell trees for so much less than others, but business economy is the 
secret of our successful competition. Our little book will tell you more 
about it. Write to-day. It’s free. 
ROGERS NURSERIES, Dansville, N. Y. 
A PEACH 
equal iu all respects to El- 
berta, and two or three 
weeks earlier, will he 
hailed with delight. Such 
a one may be had in CONNET’S EARLY, only it 
has white flesh with a red cheek, and ripens a 
full week in advance of Mt. Rose; TRIUMPH, the 
earliest yellow freestone; EMMA, the Elberta’s 
twin sister, but a week later; SNEED, earliest in 
cultivation and a host of all the standard varie¬ 
ties. Don’t you want some ? As fine trees as you 
ever saw, any grade. 
CHAS. WRIGHT, Seaford, Del. 
TREES AND PLANTS. 
Full assortment. Special prices on PEACH TREE8 
Large stock CALIFORNIA PRIVET, NORWAY and 
SILVER MAPLE. 
N. P. BROOKS, Lakewood, N. J. 
STRAWBERRIES, 
Raspberries. Blackberries, Currants 
Grapes, Gooseberries, Novelties, etc. 
Our illustrated 70-page 1897 Catalogue tells how 
to plant and grow fruit. Our Free offer on page 2 and 
low prices will save you money. Catalogue free. 
L. M. BRANDT & SON, Box 475, Franklin, Ohio. 
Bv Mail, $1.50 for $1. 
12 Glen Mary Strawberry.75c. 
12 Loudon Raspberry.75c. 
Catalogue Free. 
T. C KEVITT, Athenia, N. J. 
BERRY PLANTS 
of all kinds at right 
prices. Catalogue F 
with remarks on bkkry growing free. 
R. J. STAHELIN, Bridgman, Mich. 
IT PAYS 
to Grow Strawberries. Send 
for our 15th Annual Catalogue and 
get started right. First - class 
plants at low prices. All about the new and old varie¬ 
ties. SLAYMAKEK & SON, Dover, Del. 
CHOICE* STRAWBERRIES 
W FOR THE GARDEN AND FIELD 
BARGAINS IN PLANTS FOR 1897. 
CATALOGUE FREE TO ALL. 
C. N. FLANSBURGH, LESLIE, 3Iicliigan. 
Stark fruit Book 
1 
contains new and copyright 
colored plates of over 
IOO rare fruits, etc.—write 
for particulars. Ask for list of 
Stark Trees— $3 per IOO and 
up. Stark Bko’s, Stark. Mo. 
whl. 
Spineless Gooseberry 
IS PROVED 
FREE FROM MILDEW. 
For colored plates, testimonials, etc., address 
C. H* JOOSTEN, 193Greenwich St., New York. 
BOTH 
FOR 
50c. 
The Meadowbrook Pruning Shears.50c. 
10 Long lslaud Beauty Strawberry Pits, 50c. 
Actual yield, $1,000 per acre. Both for 
50c , mail prepaid 100,000 Cal. Privet for 
sale at 5c. M. MATTISON, Englewood, N..I 
B uy 
ERRY 
OXES of 
32-page Illustrated Catalogue 
for 1896-7 mailed FREE. 
Climax Baskets for Peaches, Grapes and Melons. 
