642 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
September 26 
THE LONGEVITY OF SEED CORN. 
It is rarely that we make a request of 
our readers to answer questions regard¬ 
ing their experience as to any ordinary 
matter, that we do not receive a liberal 
response. Our inquiry as to “How long 
seed corn may be kept and yet germin¬ 
ate,” has not brought us one response. 
We conclude, therefore, that but little is 
known regarding the longevity of the 
corn kernel. We are glad to be able to 
throw some light upon the question 
from our own positive evidence. 
It is, at least, 18 years ago that Dr. W. 
J. Heal of the Michigan Agricultural 
College sent us ears of (1) field corn, (2) 
pop corn and (3) sweet corn, some of the 
ears consisting of all three. How long 
Prof. Heal had kept these ears before he 
sent them to us, or in what year they 
were raised, we may not say. We are 
positive that he sent us the ears, at 
least, 18 years ago. They were placed 
on a shelf in the writer’s office, a dry 
room in the second story of his dwell¬ 
ing. It occurred to us last spring to test 
the viability of this corn. 
A short row of the several kinds was 
planted in the garden June 10, another 
in the field July 1, another in the garden 
August 15. In the second and third 
trials, the several kinds were planted 
separately. Of the sweet corn, 75 per 
cent of the kernels germinated ; of the 
pop, 60 per cent; of the field, 30 per cent. 
Of the mixed lot shown at Fig. 201, the 
highest plants were eight feet high Sep¬ 
tember 6 ; the lowest six feet. The man 
behind the corn is nearly six feet tall. 
The pop, field and sweet corn glazed at 
nearly the same time, viz., September 5. 
One kind of field corn, a yellow dent, 
bore ears 13 inches long, eight rows, im¬ 
perfectly filled out as isolated plants are 
likely to bebecauseof insufficient pollen, 
or rather, we should say. because the 
wind is liable to blow the pollen away 
from the silks. Another not infrequent 
cause is that the tassels do not always 
mature with the silks. 
One of the pop corn ears was eight 
inches long, the kernels of various colors, 
16 rows. Another plant bore ears eight 
inches long, with the kernels so irregular 
that there were no rows, so to say. We 
estimated them to be 24. Hoth the ker¬ 
nels and their position on the cob re¬ 
minded one of the Zig-zag or Country 
Gentleman or Ne Plus Ultra varieties. 
The quality was very good, better than 
that of the “ First early” sweets. 
A Most Promising Late Cherry. —On 
September 5, we received from Dr. A. 
W. Thornton (West Ferndale, Whatcom 
County, Wash.,) special agent of the 
United States Department of Agricul¬ 
ture, a few Bigarreau cherries. This is 
the second year the seedling tree has 
borne. Last year, the cherries remained 
on the tree until the middle of Septem¬ 
ber. The Doctor says that the habit of 
the tree is different from that of any 
other. While the leaves of others are 
fading and falling, those of this seedling 
are still green, remaining so until late 
in the fall. Though making no pretense 
as a judge of cherries, we would regard 
this, judged by what little information 
we do possess, as by far the best late 
cherry we have ever seen. The cherries 
measured fully one inch in diameter. 
The color was a deep crimson, gradually 
shading to a lighter color on one side. 
The pit was small, flesh firm, meaty, 
half juicy and fine. The cherry clings 
firmly to a slender stem two inches long. 
It strikes us that this variety must prove 
a valuable acquisition. 
We go further than Mr. Meehan in the 
matter of summer transplanting. We 
transplant at any time, both deciduous 
and evergreen shrubs and trees as the 
desire or necessity prompts, and we 
recall few instances of failure. During 
the past August, a lake bank was ex¬ 
tended and, without plants, the added 
bank gave a new and unfinished appear¬ 
ance to that part of the grounds. We 
transplanted three Yuccas, a Euonymus, 
a clump of the Akebia vine, a Crimson 
Rambler and a Wichuraiana rose, and 
finally a seedling Norway spruce nearly 
seven feet high. A hole of sufficient 
circumference to accommodate the roots 
of the spruce without cramping them, 
was dug, and a pail or so of water was 
poured in. The tree was then set and 
soil thrown upon the roots until they 
were covered. Several additional pails 
of water were poured upon the soil, and 
the hole was then filled in to within 
about two inches of the surface. The 
next day. and the next, more water was 
given and the hole finally filled. The 
other plants were treated in much the 
same way. We can not say at this time 
whether all of the plants will live or 
not. But we have little or no solicitude 
about it. 
With roses, it is well, if not necessary, 
to cut off the canes to within about a 
foot of the roots, and to shade the 
plants for a day or so. In this way, we 
successfully transplanted six Rosa ru- 
gosa hybrids, some of which were five 
feet high and as many in breadth. All, 
save one or two of the shorter canes 
were cut off a foot above the roots. 
The leaves of the preserved shoots 
scarcely wilted, though not shaded at 
all, and the plants have since made a 
healthy growth. So, too, in the hottest 
part of July, we transplanted a Crimson 
Rambler, this time shading it for a few 
days. The leaves wilted somewhat, but 
sood recovered. 
Some years ago, as an experiment, we 
transplanted a young seedling grape 
vine, a foot high. Not a leaf was re¬ 
moved. It was watered every day for a 
week, and the vine afterwards made 
some little growth, living through win¬ 
ter and grooving thriftily the next 
season. 
On September 3, Mr. D. S. Marvin, of 
Watertown, N. Y., sent us a bunch of 
his white seedling grape, Shelby. He 
says that it again proves to be the earli¬ 
est grape he has among many. He mar¬ 
keted a few baskets August 26, and they 
sold for eight cents. The color of the 
Shelby is a pea green with a delicate 
white bloom. The skin is very thin, yet 
moderately firm The pulp is dissolving, 
readily liberating two or three small 
seeds. The grape is of high quality, 
vinous and rich—better, we think, than 
the Delaware. 
Mr. Marvin alludes to a vine of the 
Shelby he sent to the Rural Grounds a 
year or so ago. We are sorry to say that 
we have no record of the grape, and the 
vine cannot be found. Possibly, we have 
it without the label. Many labels were 
lost as one of the results of the tornado. 
The illustration, Fig. 200, shows a photo¬ 
engraving of the bunch Mr. Marvin sent. 
Our friend, J. A. Foote, of Terre 
Haute, Ind., says that his experience 
with the Cupid sweet pea is similar to 
ours : “ Onlyja little over one-half grew, 
and not one bloomed. It ought to be 
suppressed.”.-. 
cisely two inches from the bottom, of the 
cavity to the bottom of the basin. The 
flesh was white. Mr. Green regards it 
as equal to the Fame use in quality. We 
regard it as of somewhat higher quality. 
In color, the skin is a dark red with ob¬ 
scure streaks of lighter red. Fig. 202 is 
Fanny’s portrait, for which we are in¬ 
debted to Mr. Green, who writes as 
follows : 
During tlie last years of Chas. Downing’s life, 
I frequently corresponded with him, and received 
his opinion in regard to various fruits. He sent 
me scions of the Fanny apple, with a special re¬ 
quest that I propagate it, since he considered it a 
variety of great excellence, and worthy of more 
attention than it had received. He also sent me 
a specimen of the Fanny apple, which pleased 
me by its handsome appearance and superior 
quality. This year, among 100 varieties we have 
fruited at our farm, is the Fanny apple, which 
has yielded a large crop of beautiful specimens. 
I am delighted with it. The Fanny begins to 
ripen the last of August, and is good for a month 
after that date. It is a red apple, splashed with 
dots; the flesh is nearly white. In quality, it re¬ 
minds me of the Fameuse. While 1 have not a 
Fameuse at hand with which to compare its 
quality, my opinion is that Fanny is fully as 
good. If I were to eat a piece of Fanny in the 
dark, I should be tempted to pronounce it 
Fameuse. Fanny is a large apple, apparently 
two or three times as large as Fameuse. It seems 
to me to be the best apple of its season, as re¬ 
gards beauty, size, productiveness and quality. 
No other rose in our collection gives 
so many blooms at this time (September 
9), as Clothilde Soupert. And the flowers 
are as large and as perfect as those borne 
earlier. The plants were not hurt by 
the past winter, which was exception¬ 
ally severe. 
In writing to advertisers, please always mention 
The RtrKAL New-Yorker. 
Pure 
Rich blood is the basis of good health, and 
Hood s Sarsaparilla purifies, vitalizes, and en¬ 
riches the blood. Infact 
9 
s 
Sarsaparilla 
Is the one True Blood Purifier. All druggists. $1. 
Hood’s Pills 
cure nausea, indigestion, 
biliousness. 25 cents. 
TREES AND PLANTS Varieties. 
Blackberries, Strawberries. 
MILLER mAODRCQDIlQ The Great 
loudon nHarDcnnico market reus. 
Triurn. h Peach, Wickson Plum. Our catalogue, free, 
will save you money. Ml'ER & SON, Bridgeville, Del. 
CRIMSON CLOVER 
We are headquarters for Recleaned Seed, 
10c. per lb. to $3.50 per bush.; $5.50 per 100 
lbs. Sow 15 lbs. to an acre. Circulars free. 
HENRY A DREER (inc.), Seedsmen, 
No. 714 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 
Ciovers-AisiKeJ 
TIMOTHY, &c.i 
SELL Every "Quality. Samples FREE.! 
)WE BUY— Send samples for our bids, 
WE “ “ " 
THE 
J Specialists in 
Seed-Cleaning. 
WHITNEY-HOYES SEED CO. 
BINGHAMTON • N. Y. 
HDiUCnU PI nilED-The largest handler 
UnimdUll ULUILn of American-grown 
Crimson Clover 8eed in the United States, is JOSEPH 
B. HOLLAND, Grower and Jobber. Milford, Del. 
Also, Cow Peas, Winter Oats. Timothy Seed, etc. 
S EED WHEAT—Grown from hand-assorted seed 
Eight leading varieties of the world; selected by 
careful test. Send for circular of great value to 
every wheat-raiser. M. SAGER, Orangeville, Pa. 
GRAPE 
All old and new varieties Extra quality. Wnrrnnted 
true. LoirrM rate*. Descriptive Catalogue Free. 
T. S. HUBBARD CO., FRRDON1A, N. Y. 
Summer and Autumn Catalogue 
of POT-GROWN and layer STRAW¬ 
BERRY PLANTS. 
FRUIT TREES, Plants, Vines, etc., 
mailed free on application. 
T. J. DWYER I Nurseries, Cornwall. N.Y. 
^ ^ Brandywine, Timbrell, Rio. Parker Earle, 
Greenville, Gandy Belle or Bubach No. 5 
Strawberry Plants postpaid, $1. 
WM. PERRY. Cool Spring, Del. 
12 LOTTDOV 
12 MILLER 
BY MAIL, FOR $1.00. 
T. O. KEVITT, - - ATHENIA, N. J. 
Peach Trees 
—FULL ASSORTMENT. Apply to 
U. 8. JOHNSTON, Stockley, Del. 
PLANT 
PLANT 
PLANT 
PLANT 
CurraDts, the most valuable of all 
small fruits. 
PRESIDENT WILDER, the best 
Red Currant. 
WHITE IMPERIAL, the best 
White Currant. 
IN THE FALL, WHICH IS THE 
BEST SEASON. 
WRITE to the subscriber for prices and 
description of plants. 
S. D. WILLARD, GENEVA, N. Y. 
DON'T FAIL to submit a list of your 
Wants and get our Prices before placing your 
order for any kind of Nursery Stock. Apples , 
Pear , Cherry, Plum, Quince, Grape, Small 
Fruits , Ornamentals, Currant Cuttings of the 
very best quality, in surplus, on which surpris¬ 
ingly low prices will be given on application. 
GREEN'S NURSERY CO., 
{Catalogue free.) Rochester, N. Y. 
Fruit and Ornamental. 
SHRUBS, ROSES, Etc. FOR FALL PLANT¬ 
ING. LARGEST AND CHOICEST COLLECTIONS IN 
AMERICA. General catalogue beautifully illustrated FREE to regular customers, to 
others 10c. ELLWAN CER &. BARRY, Mt. Hope Nurseries, Rochester, N. Y. 
BIG RED APPLES 
FIND READY MARKET, bring best prices. Why 
not raise them ? Our trees last and bear a lifetime, 
and enough to plant an acre cost only $3 to $5. 
90,000 thrifty, well-rooted trees in best varieties. 
None hardier, none healthier, none better. Our increased sales to business farmers during these 
bard times speak for the popularity of our prices. Our low prices are the result of BUSINESS 
ECONOMY, and ECONOMY is the secret of SUCCESSFUL COMPETITION. No matter WHERE 
you’ve BEEN buying, we can make it pay you to give 
our Fresh-Dug Trees a trial. Our catalogue is free. 
Rogers Nurseries, Dansville, N. Y. 
......... 
■ m***a*. 
■ ■ - 
TREES 
Fruit and Ornamental 
WHY NOT PLANT IN THE FALL 
and gain nearly a year? With well ripened 
stock fall planting is safer than spring. 
THEN WHY DELAY? 
Send for new illustrated catalogue mailed 
free on application. Estab. 1869. 160 acres. 
Geo. A. Sweet Nursery Co., Dansville,N.Y. 
■ i i i i i l a -m w 1 1 ■ a i e i i i i i i in m l i l i i im rw 
tw i i m* 
The growth of the vines of the 
"Wichuraiana rose is surprising. Many 
of them are from 12 to 25 feet long, 
carpeting the soil as would ivy with a 
dense mat of its rich, dark green little 
leaves, and seeming to thrive as well in 
dense shade as in sunlight. Its exceed¬ 
ing hardiness fits it admirably, there¬ 
fore, to use in place of grass where 
grass will not thrive, such as rock work, 
steep banks, terraces, and the like. It 
is, too, as well adapted to arbors and 
trellises and lattice work as any vine 
we can think of, and is, for such places, 
particularly valuable on account of its 
rapid growth. 
The Fanny Apple. — A fully ripe 
Fanny apple was received from Cnas. A. 
Green, September 3. It measured pre¬ 
cisely 3% inches in diameter, and pre¬ 
TRIUMPH 
The only Yellow Freestone PEACH 
Ripening with Ainsden. 
▼e 
The Latest and Largest 
Yellow Freestone PEACH, 
EMPEROR 
MERCER{ 
The only Sure-Bearing, 
Non-Rotting CHERRY. 
For full descriptions send for Catalogue (too.) Wewill send out Beautifully Rlus. Catalogue with 
the Col’d Plates of the 3 Wonderful New Fruits, and 1 Emperor Peach June Bud bi 
mail, postpaid,lor 10c. JOS.B. BLACK, SON & CO., Village Nurseries, liightstonu^N. j 
_30O0JI 
Trees and Small Fruits. We have a c i 
large and full assortment of all lead- 
_ _ _ ing varieties of Peach, Apple, Pear, 
Plum, Cherry, etc. Largest stock of small 
fruits in the United States. Estimates given 
on large lots at reduced rates. Send for our 
illustrated catalogue and save money. 
REID’S NURSERIES, BRIDGEPORT, OHIO. 
LORENTZ 
PEACH. 
TIMBRELl 
STRAWBERRY. 
ELDORADO 
BLACKBERRY. 
