4-26 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
May 27 
^uralisms 
NOTES FROM THE RURAL GROUNDS 
The Chinese Weeping Cherry. —One 
of the most delightful weeping trees, and 
one of the earliest to bloom, is the Rose¬ 
bud cherry, Prunus or Cerasus pendula, 
generally sold as Japan weeping rose- 
flowered cherry. It grows naturally as a 
small tree with crooked, drooping 
branches, and is probably native to China, 
though very common in Japan. As culti¬ 
vated for ornament it is usually grafted 
on straight Mazzard cherry stocks five to 
eight feet high, thus allowing the graceful 
pendulous branches to spread widely be¬ 
fore reaching the ground. The rose-pink 
blooms are beautiful in bud, and when 
open. They are borne in the greatest pro¬ 
fusion, entirely wreathing the branches, 
and come out in late April, just before 
the leaves appear. The color is most 
cheerful, and the tree, either in foliage 
or flower, makes an elegant specimen 
adapted for any situation, but most effec¬ 
tive when backed with dark evergreens. 
Fig. 178, page 423, shows a 12-year tree in 
a backyard near the Rural Grounds. Noth¬ 
ing finer could have been chosen for the 
situation, and it would equally grace the 
most pretentious pleasure grounds. Trees 
with three-year tops, grafted on tall stocks 
may be had from first-class nurseries at 
$1.50 each, and are likely to prove a good 
investment in beauty and pleasure. There 
are few diseases or pests, except the San 
Jose ,scale, to contend with. Trees trans¬ 
plant quite readily, but grow rather slow¬ 
ly afterwards for several seasons. When 
established, however, they rapidly increase 
in size and attractiveness. The Rose-bud 
cherry seldom fruits in this country. The 
little cherries are small, dark and astrin¬ 
gent, of little edible value when they do 
appear. 
Controlling the Currant Worm.— 
Few insect pests are at the same time so 
destructive and so easily controlled as the 
imported Currant worm. These little 
green and black “caterpillars” familiar to 
everyone who grows a gooseberry or cur¬ 
rant bush, are the larvae of a very hand¬ 
some black and yellow saw-fly, scarcely 
larger than the common house fly. The 
eggs are laid on tufts of leaves in the 
center or base of the plant, and the first 
visible indication is the appearance of 
riddled or gnawed foliage at this place. 
A puff of white hellebore, Paris-green or 
London purple from a powder gun, or a 
wetting with a mixture of a teaspoonful 
of either of these remedies with a gallon 
of water, will at once check the trouble. 
If neglected the worms rapidly eat out¬ 
ward, defoliating the branches as they 
go, and great damage may quickly ensue. 
The first brood usually appears in early 
May, soon after the blossoms fade. Goose¬ 
berries are almost invariably attacked in 
preference to currants, but if the adults 
are numerous eggs will be freely depos¬ 
ited on both kinds. Bushes should be 
examined, daily at this season, looking 
carefully about the base for the tell-tale 
holes about the midrib of the leaves, 
where the minute, newly-hatched larvae 
begin their work. In late June or July a 
second brood appears, and may do con¬ 
siderable mischief unless routed, as if the 
bushes are defoliated even after the fruit 
is off, the succeeding crop is sure to suf¬ 
fer. We have never observed either the 
native or imported Currant worms on the 
strong-smelling black currant, or the vari¬ 
ous ornamental flowering currants. The 
damage appears confined to garden goose¬ 
berries and the ordinary red and white- 
fruited currants. 
Working Currant Worms to Advan¬ 
tage. —There are doubtless many insects 
more'or less helpful to the interests of 
man by assisting in the pollination of 
blooms,' aerating the soil, preying on in¬ 
jurious insects and to some extent at 
least in restraining weedy growths, but it 
is not often that visible good can be ex¬ 
tracted from the workings of a recognized 
pest. We were able, however, to use the 
Currant worm to advantage last Summer 
in controlling the growth of a particularly 
fine Triumph gooseberry planted in an 
angle on the north side of a dwelling, 
where it is in continual shade. This bush 
is about six feet high, with a spread of 
over eight feet, in the best of vigor, and 
\ early bears a good crop. We find it 
desirable to start some new canes near 
the center every second year to replace 
the older ones as they are pruned away. 
The usual May attack of the Currant 
worm was promptly suppressed, by helle¬ 
bore, and no more were noticed until 
July. It seemed necessary to trim out 
the center, which was rather dense after 
the berries were picked to allow the se¬ 
lected sprouts to grow through to the 
light, and a start was made toward thin¬ 
ning out the interfering foliage, when a 
moderate brood of newly-hatched worms 
was noticed. As we had no great han¬ 
kering after the job of pruning a thorny 
bush at this busy season, it was decided to 
allow the worms to eat out the foliage, 
permitting them to work outward chiefly 
on the branches that were to be cut 
away the following Spring. Within 10 
days they had thinned the foliage in just 
the right proportion and were stopped with 
a light application of Paris-green. The 
new canes came through in due time, and 
made a strong growth, as they appeared 
rather stimulated than otherwise by the 
reduction of foliage on the old growths, 
and consequent increased air and light. 
A plant situated in full sunlight would 
not have fared' so well, but under the cir¬ 
cumstances half an hour of disagreeable 
work was saved and the plant benefited. 
The Levin Pruner. —How many R. 
N.-Y. readers have this most useful of 
pruning tools? When accustomed to its 
action, few implements are more conveni¬ 
ent and effective, up to the limit of its 
capacity. We have used many makes of 
light primers, including some of the best 
foreign manufacture, but find the Levin 
the handiest and most effective of all. It 
is light and strong, has no projecting 
sharp points, and being small enough to 
be carried in the pocket is always ready 
for use. The blade is guarded on both 
sides, and makes a clean cut, seldom get¬ 
ting out of order. Owing to the unusual 
extent of winter-killing of shrubs and 
trees commonly regarded as hardy in this 
locality there is an endless amount of 
trimming to be done this season, and this 
neat and handy implement is a comfort 
to use. The cutting notch will only ad¬ 
mit branches of half an inch or less, but 
one is certain to make a neat and clean 
cut. With the old style of secateur or 
pruning shears one is constantly tempted 
to strain the implement on wood too thick 
or hard to cut with the leverage obtain¬ 
able. Of course in a regular pruning cam¬ 
paign one needs powerful long-handled 
primers, saw, knife and even chisel, in ad¬ 
dition to pocket tools, but the Levin is 
sure to be needed to lop off the smaller 
twigs. We have, however, known expert 
primers accustomed to the regular style 
of spring shears who could not be induced 
to use the Levin, saying it was too slow 
and trifling. Onef familiar with its use, 
however, it is likely to become the daily 
companion of the tree grower. It was ex¬ 
tensively distributed six years ago as a 
premium by The R. N.-Y., and we fancy 
few tools have given the recipients better 
service. _ w. v. F. 
Flour of Lime. —While the lime question 
is up for discussion I would like to know 
how many readers of The R. N.-Y. have 
“caught on” to using quicklime ground in 
the form of flour. Our attention was called 
to it a few years ago and since then have 
used nothing else. It is made by a firm at 
Fostoria, O., and costs 75 cents per barrel of 
200 pounds at tue factory. Other firms may 
make it, but I have never heard of them. It. 
is simply fresh-burned lime ground through 
powerful mills as fine as flour. For spray¬ 
ing purposes it is unexcelled, there being no 
foreign matter or particles to clog the noz¬ 
zles. Lime prepared in this way will also 
alr-slake much slower than .when in lumps. 
For making the lime-sulphur solution it is 
ideal. Both being in the flour form we mix 
the two thoroughly before slaking the lime. 
Theoretically every particle of lime touches 
a particle of sulphur. Boiling hot water is 
applied, and by the time the slaking process 
is over the two seem to have made a chemi¬ 
cal combination without any further boiling. 
At least we have the brick red color which 
does not change by any amount of boiling. 
For applying to land lime in the flour form 
must also be ideal, although we have never 
used it for this purpose. w. a. bassett. 
Seneca Co., N. Y. 
Leggett’s Dusters 
Distribute Insecticides 
In Dust Form. 
No Barrel of Water to Haul. 
Several styles for garden,field or orchard. Full line 
of the needed powders. Also dry and liquid Bor¬ 
deaux Mixture Spray Calendar with concise infor¬ 
mation on request. 
LEGGETT & BRO., 301 Pearl St., N. Y. 
When you write advertisers mention The 
R. N.-Y. and you'll get a quick reply and 
“a square deal." See guarantee, page 8. 
SHOO-FLY ~ 
Kills every FLY it strikes. Keeps the rest off Cows while in 
pasture, louder than any imitation. Used by leading dairymen 
since 1885. If your dealer does not keep the genuine, send us $1.00, 
will return latest Improved 3-Tube Sprayer and enoutrh “ Shoo- 
Fly " to protect 200 cows. Name Exp. Office. Free Hook let. 
S1I00-FI.Y MFC. CO., 1020 Pairmonnt, Philadelphia, Pa. 
EDITOR knows from experience “ Shoo-Fly " is O. K. 
For All Leaf Eating Insects 
spray with 
SWIFT’S 
Arsenate of Lead 
It will not burn. It sticks 
and will not wash off. 
MADE ONLY BY THE 
MERRIMAC CHEMICAL CO., 
BOSTON, MASS. 
Be sure and get Swift’s- If your dealer 
does not handle it. write direct to us. 
SAN JOSE SCALE 
and other INSECTS killed by 
GOODS 
Caustic Potash Whale-Oil Soap No. 3 
Endorsed by U. S. Dept, of AgrI. and State Experiment 
Stations. Thissoapisa Fertilizeras weilas an Insecti¬ 
cide. 60-lt>. kegs.$2.50; 100-lb. kegs,$4.50; half barrel, 
170 lb., 3Mc per 1 b; barrel,425 lb. ,3J4c. Send for booklet. 
•JAMES GOOD, Original Maker, 
939-41 N. Front Street. Philadelphia, Pa. 
HURST’S POTATO SPRAYER FREE 
Sprayseverything.Trecs, potatoes, 
truck, orchards and small patches 
equally well. Rows, 4 at a time, 20 
acres per day. Even a acre growers 
say,“Pays itself first season." First 
order (where no agent) Wholesale 
price and agency. Ten days’ free 
trial, or will take extra yield one 
acre our pay. Write to day for 
one free in each locality. 
H. L. HURST MFG. C0. f 
Dept. Canton, Ohio. 
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, 
The 
WATSON 
Four Row 
Potato Sprayer 
Covers 30 to 40 aores per day. 
Straddles 2rows, sprays 4 at 
a time.Wheels adjust for dif¬ 
ferent widths. Sprays to any 
fineness, and gearing of pump to wheel of cart gives any 
pressure desired. Automatic agitator and suction strainer 
cleaner. It never spoils foliage or clogs. Free instruction and 
formula book shows the famous Garfield, Empire King, 
Orchard Monarch and other sprayers. Write for it. 
Field Force Pump Co., 2 11th St M Elmira f N. Y. 
F 
E^C. Brown Co., 
6 rows at a time, any 
width, with 
Rrnu/n’c traction 
Drown S COMPRESSED 
AIR SPRAYER. 
Constant pressure up to 150 lbs. 
Power costs nothing. 100 gal¬ 
lon cypress tank, all brass 
pump. Perfectly adapted also to or¬ 
chard work. We are the largest man¬ 
ufacturers of spray pumps In the 
world, hand and power,including the 
famous ‘•Auto-Spray.** 
Send for Catalogue. 
268 State St., Rochester, N.Y. 
4 "flow To Use 1 
PARIS GREW 
| Infieldand Orchard 1 
is an Illustrated Booklet which 
will save you money. It’s iree to 
you if you give your dealer’s 
name. Write to address below. 
Beware of other brands of Paris 
Green on the market, w’hicli even 
if “pure,’’may contain “free” acid 
and which when applied, may 
burn or destroy the leaves of your 
crops and trees. You have your 
profits at stake, and should use 
ANSBAC/fE/fS 
PARIS CRM 
In use by successful Farmers and 
Orchardists since half a century. 
It’s 
ABSOLUTELY PURE! 
DEADLY IN RESULTS! 
HARMLESS TO FOLIAGE! 
Reject all substitutes. If your 
Dealer won’t furnish it, write us, 
and we’ll see that you get it. 
Comes in 5 lb., 2 lb. and 1 lb. 
boxes, sealed with Ansbacher’s 
guarantee of purity. 
For Booklet, etc. drop postal to 
A. B. ANSBACHER & CO., 
5 Murray St., New York. 
Please mention your Dealer • name when writing. 
Disparene 
The most powerful Insecticide made; 
kills all leaf-eating insects; the only one 
that will destroy both broods of the codling- 
moth. Used and endorsed by Ohio, New 
Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode 
Island, and other experiment stations, park 
superintendents, tree wardens, and large 
orchardists everyv here. 
Professor Smith, of New Jersey, says: 
“My experience has been so satisfactory 
I have recommended it highly.” 
Enough for a large orchard, $4-25 
Enough for 75 gals, spray . 1.00 
2 lb. sample.50 
Large illustrated catalogue free. 
BOWKER 
INSECTICIDE 
COMPANY 
Address nearest office: 
Boston, New York, or Cincinnati 
SAVE TREES BEFORE DISEASED 
by spraying, and thus add to your profits. Use THE 
PERFECTION SPRAYER for all insects and fungi. 
8prays everything. Saves its cost in oue season. 
Combined hand and horse power. Catalogue FREE. 
THOMAS PEPPLER, Box 45, Hightstown, N.J. 
FERRES FRUIT BOX 
Is cheaper, lighter, stronger and better looking than 
wooden boxes. 
.The saving made on express shipments on account of less 
weight will more than pay for the boxes. 
Write us for circulars and prices, also state the kind and 
quantity of fruit you ship. 
The J. W. Sefton Mfg. Co., box 15 Anderson, Ind, 
Hammond’s Slug Shot for Potato Bugs, Currant, Cabbage Worms, Etc. 
To the Editor op American Gardening: 
In your issue of June 18, rnpage 399, I notice a good article on the Colorado Beetle or Potato Bug. For 
the benefit of your numerous readers I would advise them to try Hammond’s Slug Shot. I have used it here 
this season with excellent results, < n Potatoes, Ege Plants, Cucumbers and Squash,—for Potato Bugs and also 
for Striped Beetles, and it is the best remedy I kno w of, simple and effective. I purchased two of the Dusters 
which he advertised in your paper, and they are very useful articles. The best time to dust the plants is early 
morning, as the substance adheres much better when the d<=w is on. A light dustiug is sufficient, and woe bet de 
the bugs or the larvaj. Once they get a taste of it they shrivel up right away. 
Sold by Seed Dealers and Merchants all over America. 
GEORGE STANDEN, Gardener to Col. D. S. Lamont, Millbrook, New York, 1904. 
Send for Pamphlet on Bugs and Blights to Benj. Hammond, Fishkill-on-Hudson, N. Y., for information about solution of Copper, Bordeaux Mixture. 
Grape Dust and Cattle Comfort. 
