212 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
March 33 
; Ruralisms ; 
NOTES FNOM THE RURAL GROUNDS. 
A Sthexvious February. —February 
has locally broken all records in con¬ 
tinuous low temperature and bright sun¬ 
shine. Practically every day but one 
was clear and bright, but persistently 
cold. The temperature at no time went 
below 10 above zero, but on the other 
hand scarcely rose above the freezing 
point during the mildest portion of the 
sunniest days. High northwest winds 
prevailed most of the time, and dried 
the soil to an unusual degree despite its 
frozen condition. Bare grass lands have 
doubtless suffered considerably, and 
young or newly-set evergi-eens show by 
their browned foliage that a higher rate 
of evaporation has been demanded from 
the exposed foliage than the frozen roots 
could well supply. Fruit buds and es¬ 
tablished plants show no indications of 
damage as yet, as the continued cold has 
kept them in a very quiescent condition. 
Notwithstanding the unusual percentage 
of sunlight in February plants under 
glass have not, as a rule, done well. 
Nearly all the cut-flower men report 
their plants as ‘ off crop.” They g ow 
vigorously and make lots of foliage, but 
do not bloom with freedom. This is 
rather surprising, as we have always 
thought that the slow movement of 
plants under glass during midwinter 
was chiefly due to lack of sunlight, as 
the days are generally dull as well as 
short, but the experience of the past 
month, with its phenomenal record of 
bright sunlight, shows it is not really 
as important a factor as has been credit¬ 
ed, at least when accompanied by ex¬ 
treme cold and high winds necessitating 
hard firing and preventing sufficient ven¬ 
tilation. If plants do not greatly thrive 
under such conditions, the various in¬ 
sect pests incident to glasshouses find 
them much to their liking, and a con¬ 
stant battle must be kept up between 
the gardener and his foes. There are 
many insect killers for greenhouse use 
on the market, but they are nearly all 
expensive in proportion to their effi¬ 
ciency, and difficult or disagreeable in 
their application. We find a semi-week¬ 
ly fumigation with dampened tobacco 
stems and an occasional pinch of red 
pepper the best practical thing we can 
use. Forcible syringing with cold water 
is generally sufficient to keep the trou¬ 
blesome Red spider within bounds, and 
dislodge any chance Mealy bugs that 
may fasten on woody plants. When any 
of the various scale insects appear we 
find an application of kerosene emulsion 
or the new and cheap liquid, Leggett’s 
Sprayall, quite effective. Sprayall is now 
being prepared in combination with 
whale-oil soap, which makes it more 
searching in its effects on both insect 
and vegetable life, but its action is 
easily regulated by adding more or less 
water as expeiuence indicates. 
Eggs in Coi.o Weather. —Our output 
lliri'c are eompensalions when fair suc¬ 
cess IS secured. 
Odd Pi,.\xts Uxdeb Gi-.\ss. —In the 
prosecution of experimental work on the 
Rural Grounds it is often necessary to 
grow plants under glass that would not, 
under ordinary conditions, be given 
space. Their behavior under the artifi¬ 
cial conditions of Winter forcing is often 
quite interesting. Three varieties of 
garden peppers, taken up just before 
frost, have bloomed and fruited in quite 
a normal manner, except that the pep¬ 
pers are beginning to color before they 
have reached more than half their usual 
size. Although peppers love warmth 
they endure the chilly nights of a Win¬ 
ter greenhouse very well. White field 
lieans and yellow-podded wax beans 
grown in pots have set a number of 
pods, which are filling up in a satisfac¬ 
tory manner, but the plants show in 
their pale foliage the effects of uncon¬ 
genial conditions. A large clump of 
sweet William in a 12-inch pot has made 
a pretty show with its crown of dense 
and glossy foliage, and is now blooming 
profusely. There are many plants more 
unattractive than this old garden favor¬ 
ite regularly forced for Winter bloom. 
Winter Rhubarb Likes Warmth.— 
The rhubarb roots planted December 12 
in the warm cellar are yielding a fairly 
constant supply of tender stalks since 
the first week in F’ebruary, while the 
similar lot in an unheated cellar have 
scarcely begun growth, and do not 
promise an edible result much before 
the usual outdoor period. The soil tem¬ 
perature of the first lot averages about, 
55 degrees, and the latter below 40 de¬ 
grees during cold weather. This experi¬ 
ment seems to dispose of the prospect 
of forcing rhubarb in Winter without 
some provision for maintaining a mod¬ 
erate degree of heat. 
New Hardy Ross, Alba Rubifolia.— 
Fig. 90, page 207, shows this beautiful 
new hybrid of the .Japan trailing rose, 
R. Wichuraiana, which was crowded out 
of the columns of the catalogue review 
number. Alba Rubifolia originated on 
the Rural Grounds in the same lot of 
hybrid seedlings that produced Ruby 
Queen. It is a result of crossing Wichu¬ 
raiana and the double yellow Tea rose. 
Coquette de Lyon. It is a very strong 
grower, much of the foliage and young 
growth being a bright, cheerful brown¬ 
ish red. The flowers are very double 
and pure white. The mature foliage is 
thick and bright green, remaining on 
the plant most of the Winter, so that it 
always presents a neat appearance. It 
seems to be as hardy as the other Wich¬ 
uraiana hybrids, and should prove a 
most desirable variety for permanent 
planting. w. v. f. 
VELVET 
AND 
Two of the most valuable for. 
age and soil-improving crops in 
o.xistence. 
Soja Beans make the “balanced 
ration required on the farm,” 
make a larger yield of forage in 
on 11 dry, liot weather than Cow Peas 
AllJA or icny other forage crop, and 
when used as a soil improver are 
n r 111Q equal toi a “ coat of manure.” 
ULnllUi Velvet Beans cost less per acre 
to seed than Cow Peas or any 
other similar crop, make an enormous growth 
and yield, and promise to take the place of 
Cow Peas to a very great extent, both as a soil 
improver and a forage crop. 
Write for prices and special circulars, giving 
full information in regard to these crops. 
of eggs for January was 300, and 263 for 
the shorter and much colder month fol¬ 
lowing. This is in no sense a record- 
breaker for a flock of 25 hens, although 
several are really superannuated old 
biddies, kept for sentimental reasons or 
as an honorable compensation for past 
services, but we have the satisfaction of 
knowing these eggs are produced under 
normal conditions of good care and 
wholesome feeding with sound grains 
and table scraps. Three sittings of eggs 
yielded 30 chicks, which are now enjoy¬ 
ing themselves immensely in a wire- 
guarded inclosure in the greenhouse, 
quite oblivious of the frigid weather 
that has prevailed outside. Successful 
poultry-keeping means a continuous 
round of detailed work, which must ever 
be conducted with scrupulous care, and 
no little worry over the endless compli¬ 
cations that continuously arise, but 
T. W. WOOD & SONS, 
SEEDSMEN, - Richmond, Va. 
Our Descriptive Annual Catalogue gives infor 
’nation about all Forage crops. Sorghums, 
Cow Peas, Teosinte, Pearl iTillet, Ensi¬ 
lage Corn and all Seeds for the Farm. 
Mailed free upon request. 
ni AilTC —Strawberry, cabbage, tomato, pep- 
rLAIl I VI per, sweet potato, cauliflower, celery 
and egg plant. Asparagus roots. Catalogue free. 
CALEB BOGGS & SON, Cheswold, Del. 
PBTV17T-2 ft. fine, $ 2.1 per 1,000; ft. 
. lull Ell JI 8 per 1,000; all well rooted and 
branched. Asparagus Roots, Barr’s Mammoth, 50c. 
per 100; $3.50 per 1,000. A good variety of Apple, 
Pear. Plum and Peach Trees. Send for special rates 
by 100 or 1,000. JOSIAH A. ROBERTS, Malvern Nur¬ 
series, Malvern, Pa 
The President 
Wilder Currant 
heads the list as a producer and 
a money-maker. Plant no other. 
Prices given on application. 
S. D. WILLARD, Geneva, N. Y. 
Dwyer’s i8th Annual 
Spring Catalogue 
contains a thorough description of all the good fruit for 
commercial and garden purposes; also descriptions and 
illustrations of ornamental trees, plants, vines, etc., for 
beautifying the home grounds. Mailed free to all who apply for It, and mention THK Rural New- Yorker. 
This book is useful and instructive. The colored plates are works of art. Do not fail to write for it at once. 
Address T. J. DWYER & SON, Orange County Nurseries, CORNWALL, N. Y’. 
100 
20 
30 
VARIETIES JAPAN PLUMS 
in Trial Orchard. 
Listed for Sale. 
Thrown Away. 
We paid from $1 to $5 apiece for trees when introduced, and many times that for experience. We give 
away the experience, and sell the trees at a nominal price. We have some ^artetles we know are gwd. 
and plenty we know nothing abont, if you prefer to pay for your own experience. FREE CATALOGUE- 
rr.U Tre.., B.,r, P1..M, UMIoll. CONK. 
TREES 
EsVd 1847. Cat. Free. 
that Live, Grow and bear the kinds of fruit you buy. Hardy Trees, 
that fruit Early. Why? Because budded from bearing trees of 
Early Fruiting Habits. Prices! Well, a Peach Orchard, 100 
trees, best kinds, $4.00. Apple Pear and Cherry; 3 Clifton Park Peach 
mail for 50c.: former price 50c. each. All Stock Fumigated, unless other- 
u'ise ordered. H. S. WILEY, Cayuga, N. Y. 
SEEDS. PLANTS, 
ItoHOfi, Itiilbs, Y IneK, 
KltriibH, Fruit und Oriia- 
nientul Trees. The best 
by 47 years test. 1000 acres. 
40 in Hardy Roses. 44 
Green houses of Plants and 
Everblooining Roses. Mail 
size postpaid, safe arrival 
guaranteed. Try us, our 
goods will please you and 
direct deal will save you 
money. Valuable 168-page 
Catalogue Free. 
THE STORKS A HARRISON CO.. 
Box 486 PAINSVILLE, OHIO. 
WE OFFER A GRAND COLLECTION OF 
Novelties in 
Chrysanthemums 
for this season. It is some time since so large a 
list of valuable sorts has been offered. We can 
recommend the following very highly, viz.; 
ALICE BYRON, MRS. BARKLEY, MRS. 
COOMBES, TIMOTHY EATON, LADY ROB¬ 
ERTS, NELLIE POCKETT, MRS ELMER D. 
SMITH, lOLANTHA, MME. DEIS, T. CAR¬ 
RINGTON, MALCOLM LAMOND, and MARY 
HILL. 
.50c. each, $5.00 lur doz. One each of above 12 
sorts for $5.00. 
YVe can also offer a grand stock of COL. D. 
APPLETON, sent out by us last spring. This 
has proved to be tlie tluest yellow chrysanthe¬ 
mum ever introduced. 
20c. each, $2.00 per Dozen. 
Full descriptions will be found in our catalogue 
for 1901, sent free on application. 
/?. F^iERSON CO., 
Tarrytown-oii-Hiidson, 
P. O. BOX R, NEW YORK. 
T^ees 
Fruit Trees, Small Fruits in¬ 
cluding Grapes. Ornamental 
Trees, Evergreens and Flower¬ 
ing Shrubs for public and 
private grounds. Shade Trees 
for streets. Hardy Roses, 
Hardy Plants, Climbers, etc. 
Our beautifully illustrated 
catalogue contains accurate and 
trustworthy descriptions of the 
choicest varieties, and is replete 
with practical hints indispen¬ 
sable to planters; it will be 
mailed free on application. 
ELLWANGER & BARRY, 
Ml Hope Nurseries, ROCHESTER, N. Y. 
Established over 60 Years. 
Mention this publication. 
ASPARAGUS 
Address CHAS. H. MATHIS, 
BlackvdUe, S. C. 
■ Mention this Paper. 
fNUR ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE for 1901 ex- 
plains nhat can be done with WELL-GROWN 
TREES AND PLANTS 
Mailed Free. W. M. PETERS SONS. Wesley, Md. 
300 ACRES. 
For more than 50 years we have grown nursery 
stock—only varieties of known worth. Fruit, Orna¬ 
mental trees, Shrubs and small fruits. October 
Purple Plum, fruited with us last year, excels 
Abundance and Burbank In every way and Is one 
month later In ripening. We have large stock of 
two-year old trees. Extra fine stock of Green 
Mountain Grape. Catalogue free. 
STEPHEN HOYT’S SONS, 
New Canaan, Conn. 
PEDIGREED 
TREES o o 
New Fruits and B e r r 1 e s—Low Prices. 
Everything for the Fruit Grower. Catalog FREE. 
LINDSLEY’S NURSERIES, Whiteliouse,N. J. 
EVERGREENS 
Largest stock In Amer¬ 
ica, including 
Colorado Blue Spruce 
and Douglas Spruce 
of Colorado. 
Also, Ornamental, 
Shade and Forest Trees, 
Tree Seeds, Etc. 
R. DOUGLAS’ SONS, 
Waukegan, 111. 
EVERGREENS 
B.rdy .orti, Nur»ery grown, for wind¬ 
break., ornament and hedge.. Prepaid,$1 
to $10 per 100—50 Great Bargain, to .elect 
from. Write at once for free Catalogue 
Bargain Sheet. I.oeaI Ageata wanted. 
. HilIjSpeciali.t, Dundee, III. 
WoodvIewNurserles' 
Catalogue Is now ready. Lowest prices for strictly 
reliable stock. True to name. Fruit Tree Seedlings 
York Imperial, Kieffer, Peach—Specialty. 
Box 100, Uriah, Pa. 
Tn A 1AJDCIAIAIC& f beadquarteks for high qkadk 
; Plants and Seed Potatoes. 
Descriptive Catalogue Free to All. 
/nJiNSBURGH A PEIRSON, Usito, Mloli. 
ROUGH RIDER, ^ 
SEN. DUNLAP, 
and other 
CUMBERLAND RASPBERRY, 
KINO OP MICHIGAN POTAXa 
“STRAWBERRY PLANTS THAT CROW 
9f 
LUTHER 
other Strawberries. 
Most promising Extra Early, $3.50 per M. BOUGH RIDER—Best ^uh 
Also, Raspberry and Blackberry, Currant and Grape Plants. CATALOGUE^ "i 
CULTURAL INSTRUCTIONS FREE. 
C. E. WHITTEN, Bridgman, Mich. 
Apple, Pear, Peach, Plum and Cherry Trees. 
Two-year, Fine Thrifty Trees. Price.s right. Catalogtie free. 
XX -r- J. Oollixxs, - _ - IVEooireistox^ZL, 3 Sr. J. 
Three Profit 
The York ImpertuI Apple jnst 
what you have been looking for. 
Large, brightred winter variety. 
Satistiea tue most eiacting. Robust, 
hesvy bearer. 55 others jpeschea, peats; 
everything for the orchisril and garden. 
Catalogue Free. Send to-day. 
Harrison’s Nurseries, 
Bringers. 
KIEFFER Pear. Enormously 
jroductive. Handsome fruit— 
ripens iate. A rapid grower. 
ASPARAGUS. All standard 
varieiles. Our specialty, Donald’s 
Elmira. Yeu certainly want It. 
Box 29, Berlin, NId. 
