720 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
October 31 
usually sand or gravel, which will absorb or carry off 
the water if the opportunity is afforded. In such a 
case, all that is needed is to make a sufficient number 
of openings through into the pervious sub-stratum, 
and the drainage is effected. 
I have drained about one-half acre on my place by 
making a single opening through the bottom. It re¬ 
ceives the surface drainage from a considerable tract 
of land—not less than 40 acres. During the present 
wet year, this one opening has not been sufficient to 
carry the water away as quickly as it should have 
been done, and more than one-half the crop I had 
growing was spoiled. In drier seasons, the drainage 
has been ample. Previous to the drainage no crop 
could be raised there. The pond was so near the 
corner of the field, the surface in the corner being 
only two feet higher, that I determined to try digging 
a hole right in the corner, and did so. After going 
through about a foot of surface loam and five feet of 
impervious clay, a water-bearing stratum of coarse 
sand and gravel was struck. Thinking that it would 
make a good well for stock water, I curbed it with 
cement tile two feet in diameter, sinking them three 
feet into the sand. Then I ran a broad, open ditch 
along the line of the diagonal dead furrow to the 
center of the pond. 
Before turning the water of the pond into the well, 
I had nearly three feet of water in the well, and it 
was a serious question in my mind, whether it would 
drain the pond at all; but it did easily. There was 
enough spare room in the sand to take all the water 
that came, and more, too, and has been ever since. 
Several times, heavy rains and melting snows have 
filled the pond above the top of the well, but the 
water has all been taken away within 48 hours. That 
is not quickly enough to get the water off from a 
growing crop, and I purpose, at some future time, to 
sink another well in the lowest ground, run several 
lines of tile into it, and arch the well over deep 
enough down so that the plow will not strike it. I 
might dig a hole and fill it with stone, as has often 
been done, but such a drain is pretty sure to get filled 
with silt, and stopped up sooner or later, and the 
stoppage is likely to come at a time when it can least 
be afforded. Every man who has a wet place on his 
farm, with no practical surface outlet for drainage, 
should try whether he cannot make a hole through 
the bottom of the basin, and let the water out that 
way. It will not, usually, cost much to try it, and 
it may prove a very profitable investment. 
Kalamazoo County, Mich. f. hodqman. 
Notes from the Rural Grounds. 
FOUR GRAND EVERGREENS. 
It is many years ago, friends—more years than many 
of our readers have lived—25—that the writer of these 
notes began to take an interest in ornamental trees 
and shrubs. It came about through our determina¬ 
tion to have about our home—the Rural Grounds—all 
of the trees and shrubs which would thrive there. We 
thought, too, of variety. Our idea was to plant but one 
or two of a kind that we might study and enjoy dur¬ 
ing the entire growing season, the habits, the bloom¬ 
ing periods, the notable characteristics of every one. 
It has always seemed to us an almost inexcusable 
error that people who have the means and the disposi¬ 
tion to surround their homes with trees and shrubs, 
that they so often fail to study the subject with a 
view of securing to themselves the most pleasure and 
instruction from those surroundings. So it occurs 
that we see in most collections the same plants, and 
many—too many—of a kind. Among spruces, we see, 
for the most part, the Norway spruce, the Hemlock, 
the Balsam fir, the Common Arbor-vitm; among 
shrubs, weigelas, Japan quince, lilacs, Philadelphus, 
deutzias, spiraeas and the like, often many plants of 
the same variety and those, too, which may be seen 
in almost any other grounds, whether public or 
private. The price of these standbys is, generally, 
lower than for rarer plants of the same species, and 
those who buy, without having studied the matter, 
are apt to regard the thriftiest and lowest priced 
plants as the best. All of us realize the necessity of 
variety in food, association, enjoyments, but we do 
not always realize that there is just as much necessity 
for variety in our hardy plants which are to be our 
constant companions for many years, or during our 
entire lives. 
Near the Rural Grounds lived the late A. S. Fuller, 
recognized then, as at the time of his death, as one of 
our foremost arboricultural authorities. It was to 
him, more than to any other person, we are indebted 
for the advice which led us to consider variety as a 
very first consideration, and it was by him, for the 
most part, that we were guided in our first selection 
of hardy herbaceous plants, trees and shrubs. Later 
on we determined to plant all promising new plants, 
so that we might keep those which proved to be of 
real value, and destroy those of lesser value. It is 
true that we have destroyed a dozen where one has 
been retained. But we have, as the result of this 
selection, year after year, a collection that, at this 
time, we know not how to improve upon, and that 
gives us a hundred distinct kinds to study and enjoy 
from spring until fall, while, with a less varied col¬ 
lection, the pleasure of going from one plant to an¬ 
other and dwelling upon their peculiarities and 
changes during the season would be proportionately 
lessened. We have also studied diversity as well as 
variety, choosing those trees and shrubs which, 
whether evergreen or deciduous, were the most 
unlike, though, perhaps, of the same genus or even 
species. 
It is too late now to transplant evergreens. But 
those of our friends who propose planting next 
spring, may well study the question of what kinds 
they would better select, having in view the most 
important considerations, viz., variety, diversity, 
hardiness, size, and a perfect adaptation or fitness 
for the places where they are to grow to mature 
size. 
The view, Fig. 232, on our first page, shows a group 
of trees planted in the Rural Grounds about 22 years 
ago. They are the Oriental spruce (Picea orientalis), 
the tree to the right in the picture ; the Pendulous 
hemlock (Tsuga Canadensis pendula), just to the left 
of the Oriental, and back of the dog, Alcock’s spruce 
(Picea Alcocquiana), just behind the Pendulous hem¬ 
lock and Oriental spruce—behind it is a tall maple, 
the top of which is cut off by the picture, and the 
Broad-leafed hemlock (Tsuga Canadensis macro- 
phylla), directly to the left of the Pendulous hemlock. 
The lamentable mistake we made, and one which 
every inexperienced planter is liable—we were about 
to write, sure—to make was in planting these trees 
too close together. The Alcock’s spruce, Pendulous 
hemlock and Broad-leafed hemlock, already interfere. 
It is the choicest and most interesting group of ever¬ 
greens we have, and our readers may easily imagine 
how much we have to regret—and the regret will 
never grow less, that the trees making the group 
were not planted much further apart. 
The Oriental spruce is now about 18 feet high and 
10 through the base. The lower branches rest upon the 
soil, and they are, as yet, as fully clothed with leaves 
as are the upper branches. The new cones of the 
tree are very small and quite resemble strawberries 
at a little distance, both in shape and color. It is a 
magnificent tree, showing a stronger contrast of 
light and shadow than any other spruce we know of, 
because of the deep and broad pockets or bays, a 
striking part of its habit. 
Alcock’s spruce is 25 feet high and 20 broad. Its 
habit is more that of the Blue spruce than of the 
Oriental. It is a majestic tree, and the difference be¬ 
tween the color of the under part of the leaf which is 
a steel or bluish green, and the upper part of the 
leaf which is rather a dark green, gives it a beauti¬ 
fully changeable appearance while the wind blows. 
The Broad-leafed hemlock is now 10 feet high by 
six feet broad. It is well suited to lawns of limited 
size. The leaves are much broader and darker than 
those of the Common hemlock. All are perfectly 
hardy at the Rural Grounds. 
We have solicited the opinions of several dis¬ 
tinguished horticulturists regarding these four trees, 
and we are glad of the opportunity of presenting 
them below: 
From Josiah Hoopes. 
The Oriental spruce (Picea orientalis) is one of the 
most valuable conifers in the entire list, hardy, reli¬ 
able, free from disease, and grows rapidly when es¬ 
tablished. Aleock’s spruce (Picea Alcoquiana) is very 
distinct and attractive, owing to the silvery glaucous¬ 
ness of the under side of the leaves. In Pennsyl¬ 
vania, it is entirely hardy, and may be recommended 
without reserve. Two forms of the Common hemlock, 
named respectively, Weeping (Tsuga Canadensis pen¬ 
dula) and Large-leaved (Tsuga Canadensis macro- 
phylla), are worthy a place in our list of available 
ornamental trees. Indeed, they are both remarkably 
beautiful and very different from all other trees ; the 
former on account of its graceful, drooping habit, 
and the latter for its rich, deep green color, compact 
habit of growth, and largo foliage. 
West Chester, Pa. 
From W. A. Stiles. 
The Weeping hemlock is, certainly, a very pretty, 
low-spreading shrub which, ultimately, makes a mass 
of beautiful green foliage. Individuals have varying 
habits. I have seen trees six or eight feet high which 
covered an area of 12 feet across. If you don’t think 
the Oriental spruce (Picea orientalis) a good tree, go 
and look at some specimens in Prospect Park, Brook¬ 
lyn, just beyond the entrance from Flatbush Avenue. 
They are much more elegant, and keep better fur¬ 
nished than any other spruce with the exception, 
perhaps, of our own White spruce ; but this is a north¬ 
ern tree, and the leaves are not so close and fine. 
The prettiest spruce I know is a P. orientalis, in 
Flushing, (50 feet high. Alcock’s spruce, as I know 
it, is a very handsome tree while jmung, but I think 
there may be better ones. 
New York. 
Mr. Dawson, the propagator of the Arnold Arbor¬ 
etum, writes to Mr Stiles, the editor of Garden and 
Forest, that, while he can distinguish no botanical 
difference between the Broid-leaved hemlock and the 
type for garden purposes, the variety seems suffi¬ 
ciently distinct. The plants they have in the Arbor¬ 
etum hold their characters ; that is, they have larger 
leaves and, therefore, darker and denser foliage. He 
doesn’t see why it will not make a distinct tree for 
planting, perhaps better for a small lawn than the 
ordinary hemlock. 
From Prof. J. L. Budd. 
The conifers mentioned are not hardy here. Per¬ 
haps they would endure our winters if the heat, 
aridity of air, and often long-continued drought, were 
not too much for them. The conifers of eastern 
Colorado, the Black Hills and the section west of 
Lake Ontario, endure our conditions best. Just now, 
our Norway spruces, and Scotch and Austrian pines 
are, usually, in poor condition and often dead, as the 
result of our recent protracted drought, yet our field 
crops averaged well through the dry period, and 
many fine conifers are as bright as ever. 
Iowa Agricultural College. 
From Prof. L. H. Bailey. 
All the trees which you mention are very good for 
lawn purposes. I especially like the Oriental spruce 
because of its habit of holding its lower limbs green 
and full for many years. In fact, I do not know of 
any spruce which is hardy in the North, which holds 
its lower limbs so long as this. The cultivated forms 
of our Common hemlock are always interesting, and 
people should grow them more than they do. 
Cornell University. 
From S. B. Parsons. 
All of the evergreens you mention are most desir¬ 
able as lawn trees, provided space will permit their 
use. The Oriental spruce rcquii’es considerable room 
to develop into a handsome tree; with this in view, 
there are few grander trees. The Weeping hemlock 
is the queen of its class—that is, of weeping ever¬ 
greens. Alcock’s spruce requires less space than the 
Oriental spruce ; it is very symmetrical and dense. 
The Large-leaved hemlock is striking as a dark- 
foliaged evergreen. I should, certainly, plant this in 
a general collection. It is my opinion that none of 
these trees should be placed too near a dwelling. 
Flushing, L. I. 
The Farmers’ Club. 
[Every query must be accompanied by the name and address of 
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see whether it is not answered in our advertising columns. Ask 
only a few questions at one time. Put questions on a separate 
piece of paper.l 
Curious Results with the Tuberculin Test. 
8 ., Rhode Island. — I was recently talking with a milk producer 
who was having his cows tested with tuberculin that very day, 
and he informed me that, if cows were tested once and did react 
and did not pass, the same cows, if tested again very soon, or 
within three months, would not react on the second test, and 
would pass all right, and that, if no one knew of the first test, 
they could be sold on the record of the second test. He said that, 
if he knew that his cows were to be tested by the State veteri¬ 
narian on a certain date, say, 10 d ays ahead, he could hurry and 
get another veterinarian to test them immediately, and those that 
reacled- sliowcd evidence of disease—would not react when the 
State expert tested them 10 days later. He could then sell the 
cows all right on the strength of the State veterinarian test. He 
said that, six months after the first test, the cows would react 
again on the second test. But they react slower, and it takes 
longer to take their temperature. He says that the test is worth¬ 
less to the man that b\iys cows, provided the'Owner chooses to 
make it so by having a private test a short time previously. 
Ans. —The first injection of tuberculin does confer 
a slight, temporary immunity, so that a second injec¬ 
tion within a week or 10 days is frequently followed 
by a lower reaction, or, occasionally, by no reaction 
at all. In the majority of cases, however, the second 
test, even though made within five to ten days after 
the first, will be followed by a tuberculin reaction 
(l. e., a rise in temperature of, at least, two degrees 
F.) sufficient to condemn the animal. It is only in 
about one case in eight or ten, that no reaction would 
result from a second test following too closely upon 
the first. I recently had occasion to make a State 
tuberculin test on two dairy herds comprising 85 
cows. As a result of the test, I condemned and killed 
49, all of which were tuberculous, as was shown by 
the autopsies. A private test made eight days before, 
on the same animals, gave 56 tuberculous reactions. 
While it is thus possible that a farmer might save an 
occasional tuberculous animal by preceding the State 
test by a private test, the number so saved would 
be so small that they would-hardly warrant the trpu- 
