8o 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
February 4, 
NOTES FROM THE RURAL GROUNDS 
No Faith in Pedigree Plants.— A 
year ago Matthew Crawford, Cuya¬ 
hoga Falls, Ohio, the veteran strawberry 
grower, issued a call in the form of a paid 
advertisement in many horticultural jour¬ 
nals for direct information from planters 
concerning the behavior of “pedigree” or 
thoroughbred strawberry plants, and also 
for the purchase of “scrub” or degenerate 
plants of well-known varieties for compar¬ 
ative trials with the so-called pedigree or 
intentionally bred plants of same varieties, 
as offered by occasional dealers. The call 
promised information in due time to those 
willing to assist in this investigation. Mr. 
Crawford has recently distributed a six- 
page circular entitled “The Pedigree Ques¬ 
tion,” as the first installment of informa¬ 
tion gathered from correspondents in re¬ 
sponse to this call. Many of the quoted 
writers, evidently practical men, report 
absolutely no advantage from the pedigree 
plants furnished often at increased cost 
by clamorous advertisers over ordinary 
“scrub” plants taken from worn-out 
fruiting beds when given exactly the same 
cultural conditions. They have no con¬ 
fidence in the theory of improving given 
varieties of useful plants that are propa¬ 
gated by division methods by selection of 
runner plants, offsets, scions, buds or cut¬ 
tings, except in so far as the parents are 
free from observable disease. They con¬ 
tend no improvement or change can he ex¬ 
pected in plant life except through the 
seed. Others report a trifling gain in 
some respects from pedigree plants, four 
times as large when set, as from scrub 
plants of the same variety, but by no 
means enough to warrant the extravagant 
claims of the pedigree plant exploiters. 
It is becoming evident to those most inter¬ 
ested that the matter of improving recog¬ 
nized plant varieties, from the gardener’s 
standpoint, by hud selection or asexual 
propagation alone is likely to be a long 
and uncertain process except in the rare 
instances where well-marked variations, 
“sports” or direct mutations, chance to 
be found. The principle of always breed¬ 
ing from the best available material is 
sound, and until the possibilities of im¬ 
provement by bud selection are better 
worked out it is not well to make claims 
so quickly disproved by comparative’trials. 
Influence of Stock on Scion. —When 
we come to the influence of stock on bud 
or scion it is evident the problem is 
more complicated. While the distin¬ 
guishable influence in the vast majority of 
cases is only that of greater or less inten¬ 
sity of nutrition certain modifications are 
occasionally noted, grading all the way 
to a complete fusion or graft hybridization 
between the characters of the stock and 
scion. More than one instance of the 
latter has been recorded in which the 
graft-hybrid has retained its characteris¬ 
tics when propagated on either of the 
parents, or on other congenial stocks. 
Thus Laburnum Adami originated in 
France as a graft-hybrid between the 
Golden Chain tree, Laburnum vulgare, 
and Cytisus purpureum. The latter is a 
purple-flowered, drooping shrub, while 
the former often grows 20 feet high, and 
has bright yellow flowers and distinct 
foliage. The graft-hybrid is intermediate, 
but often bears branches having flowers 
and foliage typical of one or the other, 
and sometimes of both parents. Such re¬ 
sults are so rare, however, that they are 
never taken into consideration in prac¬ 
tice, and a quite pardonable scepticism as 
to any result aside from lessened or in¬ 
creased vigor, when mixed or seedlings 
stocks are used, is expressed by most 
nurserymen and propagators. Certain dif¬ 
ferences in the product of plants or trees 
grafted on diverse stocks can only be ex¬ 
plained, if the culture is uniform, by the in¬ 
fluence of the stock, and it is evident that 
there is room for careful discrimination in 
the choice of the latter. It is quite pos¬ 
sible that in the course of time stocks will 
be selected to a large extent for the special 
varieties which they are to be grafted. 
Grafting Changes Grapes. —It is well 
known that since the dissemination 
abroad of the phylloxera, or native Grape 
root-louse, the vineyards of France have 
been largely rehabilitated by grafting the 
local varieties, so nearly destroyed by this 
pest, on resistant stocks of American 
origin. Our native grape species have be¬ 
come so indifferent to the attacks of 
phylloxera from centuries of association 
that they can he regarded as practically 
immune. A vast amount of intelligent 
breeding has been done, both here and 
abroad, to produce vigorous and congenial 
stocks with resistant roots on which the 
desired Vinifera grapes can be worked, 
and the quest has been rewarded with the 
most complete success as far as the vigor, 
productiveness and probable longevity of 
grafted vines is concerned, but careful 
growers report many puzzling changes in 
the appearance and quality of the grapes 
borne when certain varieties and stocks 
are worked together, resulting at times 
in reduction of value in the product. As 
these grape stocks, like the fruiting vari¬ 
eties used for scions, are grown from 
cuttings, they are true to type, and the 
variations in the fruits borne by the 
grafted plants are more 'constant than 
could be expected if the stocks were 
grown from seeds, like those used for 
orchard trees. Progress is being made 
in adapting those stocks to varieties, so as 
to secure good vines with the smallest 
obtainable deviation from the desired qual¬ 
ity and type of fruit. 
T he Holly-Leaved Cherry. —One of 
the several handsome evergreen shrubs or 
small trees indigenous to the California 
coast region is the Holly-leaved cherry, 
Prunus ilicifolia, known also as the Span¬ 
ish wild cherry and Evergreen mountain 
cherry. It is neat and compact in growth, 
bears rather conspicuous white flowers in 
Spring, and large purple or black fruits, 
in racemes of three or more, in Autumn. 
The leaves are glossy, somewhat crinkled, 
and armed at the margin with spines 
somewhat like our eastern holly, but are 
duller in color. The tree is not hardy in 
the Atlantic States, hut is frequently 
planted for hedging and as an ornamental 
in California. Forms with larger, smoother 
leaves and more showy fruit are found 
in the islands off the southern California 
coast. The best of these is known as the 
Santa Catalina variety. Fig. 34, page 74, 
shows fruits of this as improved by se¬ 
lection by Luther Burbank. Leaf and 
fruits are represented life size, but the 
latter shriveled and became detached from 
the stem during their long journey by 
post. Mr. Burbank thus calls attention 
to the quality of the cherries: 
These Prunus ilieifolia fruits are not only 
large, but if you have never tasted the ordi¬ 
nary kind, they are very superior in size, 
abundance of flesh and quality, as well as in 
beauty of form and productiveness of tree. 
However, there is plenty of work to be done 
in reducing the size of the seed. 
We never tried the ordinary form, but 
judge from these samples there is a long 
road to travel before an acceptable des¬ 
sert fruit can be evolved. The plant 
breeder never knows, however, what sur¬ 
prises nature has in store to reward his 
efforts. If this wild fruit can usefully he 
modified in the lifetime of one individual, 
Mr. Burbank’s skill, enthusiasm and ex¬ 
perience may be counted on to accomplish 
it. We can well believe that he has al¬ 
ready created by selection alone a most 
charming and interesting ornamental. 
This Holly-leaved cherry is a close relative 
to the European evergreen Cherry laurel, 
Prunus Laurocerasus and the wild or 
mock orange of the Southern States, P. 
Caroliniana. Both have glossy ornament¬ 
al evergreen foliage, small white blooms 
and black, inedible fruits. w. v. f. 
A CREAMY FOOD 
Scott’s Emulsion is cod 
liver oil prepared as a food— 
not a food like bread or meat, 
but more like cream; in fact, 
it is the cream of cod liver 
oil. At the same time it is a 
blood-maker, a nerve tonic 
and a flesh-builder. But 
principally it is food for tired 
and weak digestions, for all 
who are fat-starved and thin. 
It is pleasant to take ; children 
like it and ask for more. 
We’ll send you a sample, free 
SCOTT & BOWNE, 409 Pearl Street, New York. 
Prevent the Blight 
and the bugs. For $1 
per acre you can in- 
/*■ 4 sure a full potato 
'Jz'f crop of 400 bushels an 
& A acre when you might 
V? A have nothing. The 
f/ SPRAMOTOR 
'j does this and the proof 
is positive. 
Sl’ltAMOTOlt CO., 
Buffalo, N.Y., London. Can. 
PISOS CURE FOR 
CURES WHERE ALL ELSE FAILS 
Best Cough Syrup. 
Use in time. Sold 
Tastes Good, 
by druggists. 
CQNSUMPTIOTnI 
Arc You Happy 
after shaving? Is it easy 
and pleasant? It de¬ 
pends on whether you use 
WILLIAMS’ l H 3 v A N S 
Sold everywhere. Free trial sample 
for 2 -cent stamp. Write for “The 
Shavers Guide and How to Dress 
Correctly." 
The J. B. Williams Co., Glastonbury, Conn. 
GET THE BEST 
A Good Spray Pump earns big 
profits and lasts for years. 
THE ECLIPSE 
is a good pump. As 
practical fruit growers 
we were using the com¬ 
mon sprayers In our 
own orchards — found 
their defects and then in¬ 
vented THE ECLIPSE. Its 
success practically forced us 
into manufacturing on a 
large scale. You take no 
chances. We have done all 
the experimenting. 
Large fully Illustrated 
Catalogue and Treatise 
on Spraying—FREE. 
MORRILL & MORLEY, Benton Harbor, Mich. 
MADE 51725 T 
in spare time and home coun¬ 
ty. You may do as well. 
Orders come fast for the 
“Kant-Klog” Sprayer 
with new spring shut-off. Catch a 
good thing quick. Write for free 
. sample plan and full particulars 
Rochester Spray Pump Co.. 16 East Ate..Rochester,N.Y. 
—THE— 
Deming Knapsack Sprayer 
leads everything of its kind. 5 gal. cop¬ 
per tank, brass pump, bronze bull 
valves, mechanical agitator. Easily 
carried. Pump right or lelt hand. Knap¬ 
sack and Bucket Sprayer combined. 
W t make 20 styles sprayers. Write for Catalog. 
THE DEMING CO., Salem, O. 
Henion & Ilubbel), Weat’n Apts., Chicago. 
with EMPIRE 
tbc ftfl&Sf* 
or GARFIELD KNAPSACK 
PERFECT AGITATORS. No scorching foliage. 
No leather nor rubber valves. All styles of Spray 
Pumps. Valuable book of instructions free. 
FIELD FORCE ITMI* CO., 2 11th St., Elmira, N. Y. 
Hardie Spray Pumps 
Make perfect Fruit 
Ton don’t have to take onr word 
for it, road what The French Nursery 
of Clyde, ()., says about their HAltDIE 
SPRAY PUMP: 
“The spraying outfit wo purchased of you 
has given the very best satisfaction. Any- 
ono in neod of a spray pump makes no mistake 
when they buy the Hardio ,v 
The French Nursery, Clyde, Ohio. 
Rend today for our free hook on Npray. 
Ing, complete formulas and valuable intor- J 
mat ion on howto make your orchard pay. 
IiOOK-11 AKDIF CO., Hudson, Mich. 
Ill Mechanic St. 
ORR1V for scale wilh the WALLACE 
■ ^FRAYERH. No expense for power 
wl ■ Wallace Machy. Co., Champaign, Ill. 
stillleads all others. Sows all Clovers, Alfalfa, Timothy, 
Red Top, all kinds of Crass Seeds, Flax, etc. Special hop¬ 
per for Crain. Sows 20 to 40 acres per day. Hopper being 
close to the ground the wind can not blow the seed away. 
Used thirty years. 200 thousand sold. Catalogue free. 
0. E. THOMPSON & SONS, YPSILANTI, MICHIGAN. 
GOOD POTATOES 
BRING FANCY PRICES 
To grow a large crop of good potatoes, the 
soil must contain plenty of Potash. 
Tomatoes, melons, cabbage, turnips, lettuce 
—in fact, all vegetables remove large quanti¬ 
ties of Potash from the soil. Supply 
Potash 
liberally by the use of fertilizers containing 
not less than 10 per cent, actual Potash. 
Better and more profitable yields are sure to 
follow. 
Our pamphlets are not advertising circulars 
booming special fertilizers, but contain valu¬ 
able information to farmers. Sent free for the 
asking. Write now. 
GERMAN KALI WORKS 
93 Nassau Street, New York. 
HOWTO RID YOUR ORCHARD 
OF 
SAN JOSE SCALE 
PATENTED JULY 5, 1904. 
CONCENTRATED LIME-SULPHUR WASH 
Dilute One Gallon of “CONSOL” with 
Forty Gallons of Water. No Cook¬ 
ing. No Wasting of Material. 
See IRON-CLAD GUARANTEE 
in Our Booklets. 
AMERICAN HORTICULTURE 
DISTRIBUTING CO., 
Martinsburg, West Virginia. 
SAN JOSE SCALE 
and other INSECTS killed by 
GOOD’S 
Caustic Potash Whale-Oil Soap No. 3 
Endorsed by U. S. Dept, of Agri. and State Experiment 
Stations. Thissoapisa FertiUzeras well as an Insecti¬ 
cide. 60-lb. kegs.$2.50; 100-lb. kegs,$4.50; half barrel, 
170 lb., SHc per lb; barrel,425 lb.,3^c. Send for booklet. 
JAMES GOOD, Original Maker, 
939-41 N. Front Street. Philadelphia, Pa. 
SALIMENE 
KILLS SAN JOSE SCALE 
Write for circulars and testimonials. 
DRY OR LIQUID FORM. 
Monmouth Chemical Works. Shrewsbury, N. J. 
ERODES DOUBLE OUT cuts from 
PRUNING SHEAR KJ “ft* 
not bruise 
the bark. 
We pay Ex¬ 
press charges 
on all orders. 
Write for 
circular and 
prices. 
423 West Bridge St., GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. 
PAT. 
RHODES MFC. CO. 
GRASS SEEDERS ffi: Si 
C Aa and up. Particulars and cuts free. 
vVv. SEKDKR MFG. CO., Box 4, Homer,Mich. 
PROFIT 
flRCHARD 
B a - depends upon working all the 
wM fruit into a salable 
cider for f nstanee. If 
pure it sells readily at a profit. 
The best is produced by a 
HYDRAULIC C,D P E R B ESS 
Made in varying sizes, hand 
power. Catalogue free. 
HYDRAULIC PRESS MFC, 
38 Cortlandt St., New 
POST’S'BWAP SPOUTS 
GIVE 
More Sap 
every day 
for 
More Days and make 
More Money t f h°a r n£ny 
other, and there isa scientific 
reason for ltexplained in our 
FRH.B CATALOG or with 
samples of each 0 cents. 800 
delivered at any R. it. station. 
THE AIR TRAP 
_i£3 does it. 
No. 1, Length, 3 \i in. 
Genuine baa signature 
on each label. 
No. 2 length, 3)4 lui. 
No. 1 .$1.86 
No. 2, »1.60 
per 100. 
AGENTS 
WANTED. 
C. C. 8TELLE, 75 Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
