726 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
October 26 
; Ruralisms H 
yr'y^l 
NOTES FROM THE RURAL GROUNDS. 
Prof. Munson’s New Grapes.—^^V e 
have about a dozen of Prof. T. V. Mun¬ 
son’s new hybrid grapes under trial, 
most of them being selected for this 
northern locality. Three varieties, grow¬ 
ing in a favorable place on the south 
wall of a poultry yard, fruited quite pro¬ 
fusely, considering they have only been 
planted two years. The others are 
young vines set this season, and with 
one exception have made a satisfactory 
growth. The three bearing vines all 
made a tremendous growth of canes, 
which is explained by the roots getting 
under the poultry run. R. W. Munson 
was the first to ripen, coming in by Au¬ 
gust 30, just before Concord. The clus¬ 
ters were large and round, with an occa¬ 
sional shouldered specimen. The ber¬ 
ries were of medium size, running a lit¬ 
tle smaller than fine Concords; black in 
color, with a thin blue bloom. They 
hung on well, and resisted rot better 
than any grape on the grounds. The 
quality was sweet and juicy with a mild 
acidity in the tender pulp about the 
seeds. The foliage is healthy, and is 
holding on well. Evidently a very 
promising variety for our conditions. 
Big Hope also made a strong growth, 
throwing canes over 18 feet long. It set 
many long straggling clusters, some 
containing 10 to 12 ounces of grapes. 
They were barely ripe enough to be 
agreeable October 1. The berries are 
very persistent, clinging tightly to the 
pedicel, globular in form, and rather less 
than medium in size. The color is rich 
dark red, and the quality sprightly acid, 
with a small tender pulp. It appeared 
very resistant to rot and mildew this 
trying season. The parentage of both 
Big Hope and the preceding variety is 
given as Post Oak (Vitis Linsecumii) x 
Triumph, but the varietal differences 
are well marked, R. W. Munson being 
plainly the most desirable grape for our 
use. In the Munson catalogue Big Hope 
is offered as especially adapted for the 
South, though it may develop value here 
as a late variety. 
Brilliant set some fine clusters 
which were decimated by rot, while the 
leaves were damaged by mildew. A few 
bunches ripened up by the middle of 
September. The berries were handsome 
dark red, and of fair but not high qual¬ 
ity. This variety is a cross of Bindley 
and Delaware, and is becoming well 
known in the North. We have seen 
some fine clusters of excellent quality 
at exhibitions, but its susceptibility to 
rot may greatly lessen its value for 
commercial purposes. The growth of 
canes is all that can be desired in our 
plant, and it is probable, with increas¬ 
ing age and in a normal season, that 
Brilliant will acquit itself more credit¬ 
ably. The grapes on these young vines 
were borne too near the ground for good 
results. Next year we hope to have 
them at a height of five or six feet. 
The Wickson Plum. —'One of the in¬ 
teresting hybrid plums sent out by Bur¬ 
bank is the Wickson, which has been 
quite generally planted, and is now 
fruiting in many places. It is given as 
a hybrid between Kelsey and Prunus 
Simoni. Some of the very large yellow 
plums, labeled Wickson, seen at late ex¬ 
hibitions, were remarkably like Kelsey, 
though the latter is supposed to be out 
of its range in New York. It is possible 
that some mixtures have occurred in 
budding, as Wickson is a dark red plum 
of less average size than Kelsey, though 
of the same form. Fig. 328 shows a 
fair specimen. The red ground color is 
dotted and shaded with yellow. The 
quality is very good, the fiesh being 
meaty and solid, clinging to the stone. 
It ripens in early September, but keeps 
fairly well, and is likely to prove a good 
shipper. It Is regarded In some quarters 
as a light bearer, but its beauty and good 
size secure It a market when seen. Our 
young trees are among the earliest 
bloomers, which is certainly not a 
recommendation, but have not yet been 
allowed to bear. The blossoms are al¬ 
most as flimsy as those of its pollen 
parent, P. Simoni, and would appear 
quite susceptible to injury, but some of 
the shrewdest growers who have fruited 
it are planting more, showing that they 
are satisfied of its merit. The tree is a 
vigorous and very upright grower. 
Ferry’s New Morning-Glory. —Seeds 
of the new morning-glory Aurora, dis¬ 
seminated by D. M. Ferry & Co., De¬ 
troit. Mich., were sown last April in 
pots, and turned out in the garden in 
May, together with plants of the giant 
Japan or Emperor morning-glory of 
which Aurora is said to be a hybrid. 
Both varieties grew with vigor, and 
came into bloom late in August. The 
blooms of Aurora are large, and pro¬ 
duced with remarkable freedom. The 
colors are bright crimson or deep blue, 
both with white throats. Neither shows 
the beautiful markings and odd frills 
so common in the Emperor type, but 
the new variety is plainly more robust 
and free than the common morning- 
glory, though much later in coming into 
bloom. Although our plants had little 
chance to display their capabilities, the 
great knotted masses of vine show that 
they would climb high and cover an im¬ 
mense surface. The seeds germinate 
freely, and in this respect are more sat¬ 
isfactory to handle than the Japan va¬ 
rieties, which generally need to be 
notched or filed before planting, and 
often come up weak and spindling even 
under the most careful treatment. The 
coloring of some of these oriental forms 
is marvelously fine. They are usually 
grown in pots in. their native country, 
and particular varieties are highly 
prized. Early in the last century the 
culture of fine morning-glories had a 
great boom in Japan; seeds of prized 
sorts seliing at a price equivalent to $30 
apiece. These varieties were first intro¬ 
duced as a novelty in this country about 
six years ago, and some of the earliest 
specimens were grown on the Rural 
Grounds. The original defects of weak 
germination, lack of vigor and late 
blooming have been corrected to some 
extent by importations of better seeds 
and the production of some good home¬ 
grown strains, but they are not yet seen 
as frequently as their merit deserves. 
Aurora should meet the popular demand 
for a vigorous and free-blooming annual 
climber for quick effects on porches, 
screens and trellises, but is not equal to 
many Japan sorts for individual beauty. 
Both the common and Japan morning- 
glories probably belong to the same 
species, Ipomoea hederacea, though the 
Japan sorts are supposed to have been 
crossed with related species, w. v. f. 
Fruit Notes from California. 
whi'n p-^operly handled. Is most deli¬ 
cious for baking about Christmas, but 
if picked too green it never becomes 
palatable. Our work In peaches and 
prunes is about over, but the almonds 
are mostly on the trees yet. I have been 
contemplating a trip through the Pa- 
jaro Valley for the purpose of seeing 
the apple orchards and the process of 
harvesting for market, and also methods 
of drying apples. I understand that the 
windfalls will be dried this year, as the 
price is high enough to warrant it. Or¬ 
dinarily this fruit is allowed to rot on 
the ground, and only the sound fruit 
saved for shipment. On account of fog, 
which is very frequent at Pajaro, the 
curing of the apples must be done with 
evaporators. The apples are put in a 
machine that pares, cores and slices 
them at one operation. This produces 
what is called “ring cut’’ apples. They 
are first put in salt water and then 
lightly sulphured to fix the color as 
white as possible. h. g. k. 
Edenvale, Cal. 
The Alton Peach. 
The Alton peach originated near Al¬ 
ton, Ill., and was first put out as Emma. 
Another Emma from Texas was already 
on the market, hence that of Illinois had 
the name changed to Alton. It ripens 
about the same time as Mountain Rose, 
is better in quality, and in southern Illi¬ 
nois has proven among the better. I 
doubt whether it has been tested in New 
Jersey sufficiently (if at all) to know 
what it will do. It has only been out a 
few years, and was first brought to the 
attention of New Jersey growers in the 
Winter of 1899-1900 and then as for trial. 
J. B. ROGERS. 
The Pruning of Sweet Cherry Trees. 
Thei’e has always been an objection 
to the growing of sweet cherry treea in 
that their nature is to grow tall and 
spindly, making it difficult to gather the 
fruit, and impossible to spray thorough¬ 
ly. The tree can, however, be made to 
assume a form quite similar to that of 
the sour cherry. This can be accom¬ 
plished by careful and judicious prun¬ 
ing, which should be practised from the 
very start. First select stock with a low 
branching head, and retain four or five 
of the lowest branches, cutting out all 
others. G. T. Powell recommends close 
pruning for two or three years, after 
which one may a:low the tree to grow 
as it will, cutting out only dead and 
superfluous wood. If pruned properly 
at the start, the tree will retain more 
or less of a low branching habit. In dry 
windy districts a low head is especially 
desirable, as it shields the trunk and 
limbs from the hot rays of the sun, and 
thus prevents cracking and decay. But 
great care should be exercised to prevent 
the head from becoming too bushy, as 
an excessive growth of foliage will cause 
a decrease in fruit production. 
A. F. B. 
TH 
■ Combined Feed Cutter & Shredder 
bandies all fodder crops and ensilage. Stationary or traveling feed 
fable, Foursizes—13, 16, 18 and 20 inches. Right, leftorstraigbt 
away Swivel and Giant Klevalors or special Blower 
Outfit. They are doubly Mrontr 
durable, rastand efUcIcnt. 
be used mounted or unmounted. 
Send for special Illustrated Cata> 
Jogueof Farm Machinery. 
J K. \VILl>I*:U & soxg, 
Boj 20 Blouroe, Michigan* 
The Rambo is a poor apple in this 
valley when allowed fully to ripen on 
the tree, but if picked as soon as the 
seeds are brown, and ripened in boxes, 
it is delicious. I shall try some other 
poor varieties that way, the Ben Davis 
for instance, but it is too late this year. 
It is possible that the Stark, Ben Davis 
and perhaps other varieties may be im¬ 
proved by proper treatment. Most fruit 
growers are familiar with the fact that 
the Bartlett pear must be picked while 
yet hard and ripened in boxes to pre¬ 
serve its flavor. When allowed to ripen 
LLS 
FOU EVEK1 
PURPOSE. 
We make mills for every purpose—fo 
grinding any kind of grain 
crnsliing and grinding feec 
clover liay, corn stover, l)ai 
ley, etc, MiUs shipped anj 
where on 15 days trial. Fret 
1 • T. , catalogue of Flour Mil 
Machinery, French Burr and Attrition Mills 
Corn Shellers, Elevators, Ore Crushers,Shatting, etc 
SPROUT, WALDRON & CO., Box 13. Muncy, Pa. 
mmous NFG. CO. CHICAGO 
Soft 
Harness 
You can make your har¬ 
ness os soft as a glove 
and as tough as wire by 
using EUREKA Har- 
neae Oil. You can 
lengthen Its life—make it 
last twice as long as it 
ordinarily would. 
EUREKA 
Harness Oil 
makes n poor looking har¬ 
ness like new. Made of 
pure, heavy bodied oil, es¬ 
pecially prepared to with¬ 
stand the weather. 
Sold everywhere 
in cans—all sizes. 
Made bj STANDARD OIL CO. 
BEFORE BUYINO 
A NEW HARNESS alogue giv- 
— ing full de¬ 
scription and prices of all kinds of single and 
double harness and save 25 per cent. 
King Harness Co. 510 Church St., Owego.N.Y. 
$8.00 one of the 
Buvs best made 
^00 Lb. Platform Scales 
ever Sold. Well made, 
WILL LAST A LIFE TIME. FULL 
Size Platform. Catalogue free. 
JONES (HE PAYS THE FREIGHT). 
BINGHAMTON, N. Y. 
□ Cider Machinery .—Send for catalogue to Boomer & 
Boschert Press Co., 118 West Water St., Syracuse,N.Y 
IPPLEY^S 
COOKERS. 
from $.5.00 to $15.00, Made of 
steel. No Hues to rust or 
Can’t blowup. Guaranteed to 
cook 25 bu. feed in 2 hours, and to 
heat water in stock tanks 200 feet 
away. Will heat dairy rooms. Cat¬ 
alogue and prices mailed free. 
RIppley Hardware Co. 
BoxSSS Grafton, Ills. 
COOK YOUR FEED and SAVB 
Half the Cost—with the 
PROFIT FARM BOILER 
With Dumping Caldron. Empties its 
kettle in one minute. The simplest 
and best arrangement for cooking 
food for stock. Also make Dairy and 
Laundry Sloves, Water and Steam 
Jacket Kettles, Hog Scaldera, Cal* 
drone, etc. Send for circulars. 
D. K. SPERRY & CO., Batavia. Ill. 
Howto urain Lana Profitably. 
On every farm there is probably some land 
that could be made more productive by under- 
Irainage. Properly drained land can always 
>e worked earlier, and more profitably. Th* 
best and mot-t 
economical wa) 
to drain is ex 
plained in the 
book, “Benefits of Drainage and How to Drain,” 
which Is sent/rdd by JOHN H. JACKSON, 
76 Third Avenue, Albany, N Y. 
CHARTER 
Gasoline Engine 
USED 
Any Place 
Uy Any One 
For Any Pnrpose 
Stationariea, JPortablet, JEnffinea 
emd Pumps, Hoiatera 
Send for Illustrated Catalogue and 
Testimonials. State yonr Power Needs. 
Quarter Gas Engine Co., Box 26, Sterling, III. 
THE MIETZ & WEISS 
Kerosene Engines 
Cheapest and Safest Power 
Known. For pumping and 
electric lighting, grinding 
corn, separating cream, 
sawing wood, and aii power 
purposes. Send for Catalog. 
A. MXETZ, 
lSt8 Mott Street, ISew Tark 
OURS IS NOT 
only “Like the Page,” but IS the genuine PAGE. 
PAGE WOVEN WIRE FENCE CO., AI)UI AN, 
on the tree it is dry and tasteless. On 
the other hand, some varieties of apples 
as well as pears are injured by picking- 
too soon. The Easter Beurre pear and 
the Newtown Pippin and White Winter 
Pearmain are examples, and yet thou¬ 
sands of boxes of Newtown Pippins 
have already been picked in California 
for shipment to eastern markets. We 
shall not pick ours for two weeks or 
more, depending somewhat on the 
weather. The Easter Beurre pear. 
Don’t 
W?' take a Bubstl- NS 
f/ tute for“Bal?-Band” 
f Boots. There are no V 
wool cr rubber booto ' 
or socks made that ap¬ 
proach this famous brand 
in comfort giving and 
wearing qualities. 
Get them of your 
k local dealer. j 
|\ Mishawaka Woolen /A 
Mfg. Co., /A. 
Mishawaka, 
Jnd. 
Look ' 
for the 
RED 
BALL 
Knit Boots, Socks, 
Rubber Boots, 
. Shoes, and J. 
Urctics 
trade-mark, 
