April 27 
3io 
Rurallsms J 
MOTES FROM THE RURAL GROUNDS. 
A Fine Tomato. —^We have just ripen¬ 
ed a perfect specimen of the Ponderosa 
tomato, weighing a trifle over 14 ounces. 
It was quite smooth, colored to the stem, 
and contained less than 30 seeds, so that 
its solidity and high table quality are 
at once evident. This is, of course, not 
an unusual specimen as regards SiZe, as 
Ponderosa tomatoes have been grown 
weighing three to four pounds under the 
most favorable garden conditions, but 
this one was produced on a cutting 
growing in a seven-inch pot. The Pon- 
derosa does not usually produce enough 
pollen for self-fertilization under glass, 
and is not at all adapted for Winter 
forcing, though it is constantly growing 
in favor witii amateurs who take plea¬ 
sure in bringing it to perfection in their 
gardens by careful culture and training 
on a stake or other support. The large 
size and good quality of Ponderosa are 
very taking characteristics when it 
ripens thoroughly without the hard 
green core about the stem, which may 
result from unfavorable conditions. The 
particular fruit in question would be 
worth about 16 cents at this season in 
the local grocery, and it certainly re¬ 
quired an expense in greenhouse space 
of several times that amount to produce 
it. The object in growing the Ponder¬ 
osa was to secure a cross with other de¬ 
sirable varieties, which has been effect¬ 
ed. Our plants of Combination x Best 
of All have been very productive, con¬ 
sidering the harsh weather conditions, 
and bid fair to earn more than $1 per 
plant, based on local prices for Winter 
tomatoes. The Ponderosa plant shows 
an inclination to redeem its reputation 
by setting more fruits, which should 
ripen long before the garden tomatoes 
may be expected. 
The Great Japanese Parlor Flow¬ 
er. —At this season, when the com¬ 
muter’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts 
of gardening the sidewalks of the vari¬ 
ous city streets leading to the Jersey 
and Long Island ferries are at times al¬ 
most blocked with stacks of roses, 
shrubs, evergreens, fruit and ornamen¬ 
tal trees, all with their roots tied up in 
moss and earth ready to be taken home 
and planted, as well as vast lots of 
Summer-blooming and left-over h’all 
bulbs. The dealers who offer these odds 
and ends of horticultural merchandise 
usually have a very casual idea of the 
proper names of the varieties, and some 
extraordinary and original labeling re¬ 
sults therefrom. When one was asked 
the names of some dried-up Crocus 
corms he replied that he “didn’t know 
just exactly, but he thought they were 
called Parotitis,’’ which is a very good 
medical name for the disease commonly 
known as the mumps, but had never be¬ 
fore been applied to the modest Crocus. 
A chronic offender is always offering 
bulbs of the “Great Japanese Parlor 
Flower.” The attention of possible pur¬ 
chasers is assisted by a large and high¬ 
ly-colored painting, apparently repre¬ 
senting a cross between a hollyhock and 
the brilliant South African orchid, Disa 
grandiflora. The bulbs offered by this 
ingenious fakir vary according to the 
season, from several species of Narcis¬ 
sus to lilies, Crinums, and occasionally 
the Elephant’s Ear, Colocasia antiquo¬ 
rum. As most of the bulbs sold seem 
to be already dried up or dead, it is 
probable that flowers are not often pro¬ 
duced to disappoint the buyers with 
their lack of resemblance to the painted 
representation. 
More Jersey Asparagus. —That our 
Monmouth County asparagus growers 
are not discouraged by the flght with 
rust is evidenced by largely increased 
planting about Morrisville and Holmdel, 
not far from the Rural Grounds. These 
hamlets have long been noted for as¬ 
paragus production, and the famed Con¬ 
over Colossal variety first appeared in 
the vicinity. The Conover has been 
grown almost to the exclusion of other 
varieties until the advent of the rust, 
four years ago. Observation of differ¬ 
ent plantings, as well as information re¬ 
ceived from the State Experiment Sta¬ 
tion at New Brunswick, has convinced 
these practical men that the Palmetto 
and. Argenteuil varieties resisted the 
rust much better, and they are now be¬ 
ing planted locally to the exclusion of 
all other kinds except McDonald’s El¬ 
mira, which is being cautiously tried by 
a single planter. Something more than 
64 acres are now being planted with 
Palmetto and Argenteuil, preference be¬ 
ing given to the first-named variety. 
These farmers say that more asparagus 
is being used than ever before. The 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
crop is reasonably sure if the soil is 
congeniai and the cultivation thorough. 
The profits are not great, but are less 
uncertain than in many other crops. 
These Jerseymen think by planting re¬ 
sisting varieties, shortening the cutting 
season, and keeping up high culture 
with thorough fertiiization the ravages 
of rust may be greatly reduced. They 
don’t take much stock in the practical 
economy of spraying for Asparagus rust, 
but may come to it in time. 
Enduring Spring Bulbs. —Quite a 
collection of hardy Spring-flowering 
bulbs was planted six years ago, tuck¬ 
ing the groups away in odd corners, and 
the smaller varieties in iittie ciumps 
under the grass of the lawn. No cul¬ 
ture has since been given, and the only 
care taken at the time was to set each 
variety at the proper depth in fairly 
good soil. Most of the tulips and Nar¬ 
cissi remain to gladden us each Spring, 
though they have so increased ihat the 
foliage overshadows the blooms. The 
hyacinths have all disappeared except 
the Grape and Musk varieties, which 
hold on bravely. Among the minor spe¬ 
cies the snowdrops and Chionodoxas 
have alone survived. All the Crocuses, 
Irises and Scillas vanished after the 
second bloom. The Chionodoxas have 
sturdiiy increased, and quickly follow 
the snowdrop, opening before all the 
blooms of the latter have faded. They 
are very pretty with their intense blue 
flowers borne six to 10 on each spike. 
The bright color is relieved in some spe¬ 
cies by a conspicuous white center. C. 
Sardensis is ail deep true blue. C. Lu- 
cilise and C. gigantea both have the 
white eye, but the latter has the larg¬ 
est blooms of the genus. These charm¬ 
ing little bulbs come from Asia Minor 
and the Island of Crete. They are now 
sold very cheaply under the popular 
name of Glory of the Snow. They hy¬ 
bridize at times with species of Scilla, 
but the hybrids are of Iittie horticul¬ 
tural value. w. V. e. 
When you write advertisers mention The 
R. N.-Y. and you will get a quick reply and 
“a square deal.” See our guarantee 
For the land’s sake, use Bowker’s Fer¬ 
tilizers. They enrich the earth.— Adv. 
Sudden and Severe 
attacks mt 
Neuralgia 
come te 
many of us, 
but however 
bad the case 
St. 
Jacobs 
Oil 
penetrates 
promptly 
and deeply, 
soothes and 
strengthens 
the nerves 
and brings 
a sure cure. 
A 
No Water or Plaster. 
DUSTS TREE, }iUSH 
OR VINE. 
Two rows of potatoes as 
fast as you walk,wide or 
narrow planting. AKents 
wanted. Catalosrue and 
spray calendar free. 
Leggett & Brother, 
301 Pearl St.. New York. 
Send for color card and price 
THE A. E. SWAN CO. 
‘16 NASSAU STREET, NEW VOBK. 
PAINT IT WITH INDURINE 
I and it will stay painted. It wdll neither wash,! 
I rub or wear oif; will not scale or blister. It is I 
I weatherproof and fireproof. It costa 65 per cent less than I 
lead and oil paints and lasts longer and looks belter. Itisl 
a powder and prepared for use by simply mixing it with! 
I cold water. Furnished in brilliant white and colors. I 
-Suitable for all inside and outside surfaces, liest thing on | 
I earth for houses, bams, dairy buildings, poultry houses, 
I picket fences, etc. Send at once for color cards, circulars, 
I etc. Ask your local dealer for *‘lnduHne.” If he does| 
QOtkeep It w'rite us direct. We will see you supplied. 
Casein Company of America, Box 17, Bellows Falls,Yt. I 
BERRY BASKETS. 
Wire-stapled Berry Baskets 
are the best in the market, 
being uniform In size and un¬ 
equaled In strength. 
PRICE, »12 FOR6 M. 
Special Price on Car Lots. 
Write for Descriptive Catalog. 
WEBSTER BASKET CO., 
Monroe Co. (Lock Box 43). WEBSTER, N. Y. 
DO YOU SPRAY7 Compraued Alr^rayu 
and WhltewMhing Machine throws the fineat epray 
and naee lees solution. Continnooeetream SOft Tested 
to 60 Ibe. Holds 5 gale Has eafety valve j can’t buret. 
Gueranteed. Made of copper A galv. *ron. Circulara free. 
RIPPLEY HARDWARE CO., Box 223 GRAFTON, ILL 
Field Force Pump Co. 
FINE AS FOG 
covering every bit of folUge wHh the 
moat thoroughly mixed spray, easy to 
work, long i ived and dorabla* Thee# 
are the strong pointaof the 
EMPIRE KING. 
It’s the only pump with anAotomatlo 
Agitator and Brush forstrainer. Braea 
vslvea. No robber or leather to rot. 
Alletylea and sizesof sprayer*. Book 
on S praying freo. Write na. 
2 Market Street, Lockport, R. T. 
Buy a Good 
Spray 
Pump 
—d o n ’ t experiment- 
costs money. We have done 
the experimenting—used the 
common spray pumps in our 
own orchards, noted their 
defects — then invented the 
ECLIPSE. You get the bene¬ 
fit of our experience free. 
Send at once for catalogue. 
MORLEY, Benton Harbor, Mich, 
SPRAYING FRUIT TREES. 
The question of spi-aying fruit trees to prevent 
the depredations of insect pests and fungous dis¬ 
eases is no longer an experiment but a necessity. 
Our readers will do well to write Wm. Stahl, 
Quincy, Ill, and get his catalogue describing 
21 styles of Spraying Outfits and full treatise 
on spraying the different fruit and vegetable 
crops, which contains much valuable informa¬ 
tion, and may be had for the asking. 
No 
crop 
can be 
grown 
without 
Potash. 
Supply 
enough Pot¬ 
ash and your 
profits will be 
large; without 
Potash your 
crop will be 
“scrubby.” 
Our books, telling about composition of fertilizers 
best adapted for all crops, are free to all farmers. 
GERMAN KALI WORKS, 
Q3 Nassau St., New York. 
Thai Drouth 
which usually strikes the Eastern 
States early in June, and always 
damages crops, can be mitigated 
by the judicious use of 150 lbs of 
Nitrate of Soda 
per acre about tlie middle of May. It 
invigorates the growth and enables the 
plants to pass through this trying period 
unscathed. Try it on your potatoes and 
garden crops. A request for free liter¬ 
ature and list of dealers will receive 
prompt attention if made to .f oliii A. 
lYIj'crs,12-0 John St.,New York City. 
A POTATO BUG 
is most useful when he Is dead. Klli him with 
“BOXAL,” and prevent blight by the same 
same operation. $1 buys 10 pounds. 
Catalogue No. 24 free. 
BOWKER CHEMICAL CO., Boston. 
THE “HARDIE” 
Spray Pumps 
are the most powerful, easiest 
worked, most modern, simplest 
In construction and moderate In 
price. DON’T BUY A PUMP 
until you have sent for our cata¬ 
logue “C” and treatise on dis¬ 
eases of fruits, etc., sent FREB. 
Hardle Spray Pump Mfg. Co., 
66 Lamed St. W., Detroit, Mich. 
SPRAY PUMPS. 
A!I BRASS; three BEST made. 
New Wonder, with air chamber. $7; Little 
Giant, lever pump, one line hose. $9; Defender, 
lever pump, two lines hose, S12. Express prepaid. 
Satisfaction guaranteed, or money refunded. Write 
for Catalogue and get treatise on Spraying. Mention 
this paper. J. F. GAYLORD. 
(Successor to P. C. Lewis Mfg. Co.), Catskill, N. Y 
1901 
THE SOUTH SIDE 
FRUIT CARRIERS AND BASKETS 
PETERSBURG, VA. 
WRITE FOR CATALOGUE AND PRICES 
A Perfect Sprayer. 
The “SCHANCK” 8-row will spray any 
_ kind of liquid poison. 
I iV has no small nozzles to stop up. 
I I will not spray on horse or driver. 
I I has no pumps, pipes, blowers nor cog-wheels. 
I I will do more work better and with less trouble than any other 
sprayer. Price, #56. Send for circular. 
JOHN R. SHANCLE, NIfr., Hightstown, N. J. 
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have inoreaaed 26 to 60 per cent, when they began to ipray (A* right uay— • 
with the right sprayer, the p^PLER AND CLIMAX SIX-ROW SPRAYE/S. : 
They will do as much for you. Read nowthey spray 30 acresa day, , 
« how they save ^ the poison, increase crops one-half, pay for them- . 
•elves in one season. Oatalogne contains spray calendar, formulas, etc. Sentfres. > 
I also manufacture the improved Riggs Plow and Riggs Furrowers. ' 
THOMAS PEPPLER, Box 60, HICHTSTOWN. N.J. 
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