866 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
December 2, 
uralisms 
WWW T ^yTTV TT T t 
NOTES FROM THE RURAL GROUNDS 
What About Burbank?— Few indi¬ 
viduals save presidential candidates and 
multi-millionaires have been favored with 
such astonishing press exploitation as 
Luther Burbank, the California plant 
breeder, since the announcement of a suffi¬ 
cient grant from the Carnegie Institution 
to enable him to continue his interesting 
work without financial worry. First 
came the pretentious high-priced maga¬ 
zines, then the Sunday papers, weeklies 
and syndicates. The 10-ccnt magazines 
ha^e since had their innings as well as the 
patent inside and local country news¬ 
papers, the whole punctuated by tele¬ 
graphic announcements of new wonders in 
plant “creation” in the regular daily press. 
1 he matter is now dribbling out through 
the multitude of mail advertisement pub¬ 
lications that use clippings and second-hand 
news for their reading pages. From first 
to last, in all grades of periodicals, the 
tone of these Burbank write-ups has been 
in the highest degree sensational. Wild 
gush and screaming exaggeration is the 
keynote. The statements and language 
are all so similar, no matter whose name 
is signed to the various articles, that a 
common origin seems evident. There is 
a real public desire for reliable informa¬ 
tion about Burbank’s work and the gen¬ 
eral possibilities of plant breeding, as the 
subject is novel and fascinating to many, 
but this sensational press booming, which 
has culminated in the recently issued 
book. “New Creations in Plant Life,” by 
W. S. Harwood, tends to confuse and 
disgust readers with the whole subject. 
Mr. Harwood has missed a great oppor¬ 
tunity to give the horticultural world real 
information, and has filled his hundreds 
of pages with fulsome personal praise of 
Mr. Burbank, depicted as the greatest 
genius among plant breeders, with a pre¬ 
ternatural ability for molding refractory 
plants into new, astonishing and superla¬ 
tively desirable forms. Air. Harwood’s 
ignorance of the actualities of the sub¬ 
ject, about which he writes, is all-pervad¬ 
ing, and his profound wonder at the com¬ 
monplaces of propagation and breeding by 
hybridization and selection, as practiced 
by hundreds of intelligent gardeners all 
over the world, is almost pathetic. His 
estimates of the value of certain of Bur¬ 
bank’s productions, such as the calcula¬ 
tion of a profit of $485,000 to be realized 
in 12 years from 160 acres of land, planted 
to hybrid walnut trees, 36 to the acre, 
seem too absurd to mention, but this is 
only a sample of the tenor of the whole 
book. 
How far Mr. Burbank is responsible for 
such bosh is not known. If he does 
not enjoy this booming no public disclaim¬ 
er has yet been made. The R. N.-Y. has 
appreciatively followed Burbank’s work 
for many years, and has first figured and 
described the majority of his productions. 
Nearly everything that he has given to 
the public has been grown on our trial 
grounds. We believe him to be an en¬ 
thusiastic and energetic originator, but we 
do not consider him the foremost plant 
breeder in the world, if measured by the 
general success of his introductions to 
date. He may be the most extensive 
breeder in regard to the variety of plants 
he is working on, and in the number of 
seedlings grown. He has exclusively en¬ 
gaged in this work for the last 12 years, 
while other highly successful plant-breed¬ 
ers have kept within the bounds of busi¬ 
ness caution, and devoted their energies 
to the perfection of special products. Thus, 
without touching on the invaluable ser¬ 
vices of such originators, now dead, as 
Ephraim W. Bull, raiser of the Concord 
grape, or Peter M. Gideon, who gave the 
Wealthy apple to the Northwest, we may 
mention the grand and little rewarded 
work of Jacob Aloore, New York, produc¬ 
er of Brighton, Moore’s Early and Dia¬ 
mond grapes, as well as splendid currants; 
T. V. Munson, Texas, who has rehabili¬ 
tated the grape industry of the Old World 
through breeding resistant stocks, and has 
originated scores of new varieties of the 
greatest value, and the venerable H. A. 
Terry, Iowa, for 36 years a patient and 
successful breeder of valuable paeonies 
and native plums. It is no kindness to 
mention the name of the California grow¬ 
er, now heading towards the poorhouse, 
after giving the State two of the most 
profitable stone fruits ever grown. These 
men are all “great” in their specialties, and 
have given horticulture enduring and val¬ 
uable novelties without receiving a frac¬ 
tion of the praise landed by Burbank. 
Instead of using weird and peculiar 
methods of inducing plants to yield to his 
desires, Burbank employs the ordinary 
manipulations of plant breeders—selec¬ 
tion, hybridization, re-selection and prop¬ 
agation by seeds, grafts, cuttings or divi¬ 
sion, and only differs from the most ob¬ 
scure worker by going into the business 
on a larger scale. He has been helped and 
hindered by the peculiar California cli¬ 
mate ; helped by having a longer and more 
economical working season each year, with 
little need of glasshouse protection, and 
hindered by being deceived as to the gen¬ 
eral value and actual hardiness of new va¬ 
rieties bred under such conditions. 
As far as his climate gives him a prac¬ 
tical monopoly of experimental breeding 
with certain plants, such as Pacific coast 
flowers, his products are unique, and may 
be superior to previously existing varieties, 
but when he handles subjects worked on 
by breeders in other localities, he does not 
always make a specially brilliant showing. 
I hus the novelties he has sent out among 
Amaryllis, Aquilegias, field daisies, callas, 
Cannas, Gladioli, Nicotianas, Verbenas, 
roses, rhubarb and tomatoes are not by 
any means world-stunners, but have been 
greatly surpassed by other raisers. The 
same may be said of his Rubus berries, 
quinces and chestnuts. What he has in 
store for the public we do not know. The 
plants named above have been grown on 
the Rural Grounds, or accurate informa¬ 
tion has been received from unprejudiced 
sources. His Primus and Phenomenal 
hybrid berries are outclassed by the 
Loganberry, raised by a Californian. The 
Loganberry is so successful in Europe that 
French gardeners talk of uniting to award 
the originator, Judge Logan, a medal for 
his service to horticulture. The Burbank 
plum, the most successful of all Japan va¬ 
rieties, was not produced by Luther Bur¬ 
bank. It originated in Japan and was 
named, propagated and disseminated by 
Burbank in his capacity of nurseryman. 
The Burbank potato, one of his earliest 
novelties, has probably met the widest ap¬ 
preciation of any of his productions. It is 
a dark-skinned variety, much grown near 
the Pacific coast, but long superseded in 
the Last by the splendid kinds raised by 
the late E. S. Carman, former editor of 
T he R. N.-Y., and others. The statement 
that the Burbank potato is conquering the 
Potato blight of Ireland, and is to add un¬ 
told millions to the resources of the Brit¬ 
ish Islands, should be taken with many 
grains of allowance. It is adapted to 
moist climates, being extensively grown in 
Oregon and Washington, and may endure 
blight better than European kinds. Alar.y 
American potatoes have this advantage, 
including the excellent Gold Coin, raised 
by E. L. Coy, Vermont. 
Burbank is not a “wizard” of horticul¬ 
ture, nor a “creator” of anything what¬ 
ever. He is a skillful and experiencec 
plant breeder, and a sincere plant lover. 
The plant-breeder’s work is to direct ex¬ 
isting life forces in desirable plants, so 
as to produce useful and interesting varia¬ 
tions. The public is not greatly interested in 
freaks and oddities of vegetation that do 
not have positive ornamental or economic 
value, but does want superior forms of 
plant life that may enhance the beauty or 
increase the productiveness of the earth we 
live on. The Carnegie grant will enable Mr. 
Burbank to do much better in the future, 
in that he will not feel obliged to part with 
a new production until satisfied it is really 
better than its predecessors in some partic¬ 
ular, and that it has at least sufficient 
vigor to live out of California under ordi¬ 
nary cultivation. Probably no fragment 
of the mountain of money known as the 
Carnegie fortune will do more real good 
than the very moderate sum to be used for 
carrying on Burbank’s work. 
Florence Fennel. —One of several 
minor vegetables, new to our markets but 
old to southern European cultivators, is 
the sweet or Florence fennel, Foeniculum 
dulce, a moderate “hand” of which is 
shown in Fig. 387, page 863. It is a great 
favorite among Latins and is now abund- 
antly grown and used by our Italian immi¬ 
grants. Plants or hands double the size 
of the illustrated specimen are common 
in the East Side street markets of New 
York. Florence fennel is an easily grown 
annual, thriving luxuriantly in any deep, 
rich soil. It may be sown like the carrot, 
to which it is related, and the seedlings 
thinned to four inches apart in the row. 
The shoots or leaf stalks are bleached by 
earthing up like celery, and are ready for 
use in 12 to 14 weeks after sowing. Plant¬ 
ings may be made in succession, but a 
sowing in April and another in July give 
a fair supply, as all plants do not develop 
at the same time. Sweet fennel is eaten 
like celery, and is also boiled and served 
in salads. The flavor is mild and agree¬ 
able when one becomes accustomed to it. 
It adds a pleasant relish when ground or 
chopped raw into pepperpot and similar 
preparations. The plant is extremely orna- 
mentaHn the garden, while the airy, grace¬ 
ful foliage makes a desirable green for cut 
flowers, lasting many days in water. The 
seeds are aromatic, and are used to some 
extent in medicine and for confections, but 
the fennel-seed of commerce comes chiefly 
from a near relative, the common fennel, 
F. officinale. The Giant fennels some- 1 
times grown for ornament belong to the 
genus Ferula. There are two species, F. 
1 ingitana and F. communis, differing but 
little in garden effect, though the latter is 
the more compact of the two. They grow 
very tall, and develop large, beautifully 
divided leaves and heads of yellow blooms. 
w. v. F. 
Business and 
Exercise 
For Men or Women 
A good paying business 
with exercise enough to 
keep you hearty and alert. 
You work when you feel 
like working; you rest 
when you feel like resting. 
You’re in good company 
—with The Ladies’ Home 
Journal and The Satur¬ 
day Evening Post. 
And there’s more money 
in it than the average 
American makes. Let us 
tell you about it*—write 
to-day. 
The Curtis Publishing Company 
C 86 Arch St., Philadelphia 
Stylish 
Cutters 
Latest styles, newest 
models. Sold direct 
from factory to user at 
factory prices. 
Kalamazoo Axle Runners. 
Make an elegant sleigh of your buggy, quic k. easy, 
cheap. Adjust for uny axle. Write forcatalog now 
bo tore sleighing time. Special discount on bug¬ 
gies and carriages for the next 60 days. Address 
Kalamazoo Carriage and Harness Co., 
Box 220, Kalamazoo, Mich. 
KEEP WARM! 
Don’t risk comfort, health and life itself 
by going through the cold drives of another 
winter without 
The Standard Carriage Heater. 
Keeps you as warm as if you were at 
home, and at a cost of less than two cents 
for a whole day. No trouble, no smoke, 
no smell, no danger. 
Notice the sloping shape of the Standard 
Heater, which is so restful to the feet, It 
is recognized as the standard of QUALITY 
and EFFICIENCY, and is 
GUARANTEED UNCONDITIONALLY. 
Money refunded if not in every way 
satisfactory. 
An ideal Christmas present. 
Most dealers handle the Stan¬ 
dard. Write to-day for 
souvenir blotter, and illus¬ 
trated circular which tells 
you all about 
them—free. 
I The Xgg, 
Standard^&Lssa 
Stamping 
| Marysville. Ohio 
‘WONDERFUL* 
CUTTER OFFER 
*4 
QE buys this new 
30 ISOS Cutter 
.Gear, as illustratad. 
Attach your buggy 
body to this gear in 
twenty minutes and 
you have a perfect 
and complete cutter. 
buys 
this 
hand¬ 
some 
new 
1 SOS 
style 
Plano 
Body 
Cutter. 
Illustrated, the 
• w e 11 e st square 
body cutter on the 
market. 
WE S ELL all 
grades of latest 
style Portland Cut¬ 
ters complete with 
prii 
bef 
'ore heard of. 
WE CAN SHIP ON AN HOUR’S NOTICE. 
We have a big stock of all styles on hand and can make 
Immediate shipment. For the most wonderful cutter 
offer ever heard of, astonishingly low prices, liberal 
terms, guarantees, etc., cut this ad. out and send to us, 
or on a postal card, or in a letter say, “Send me your 
Gutter Catalogue." Y ou willrecelve by return mail, free, 
Dostpaid, our latest Cutter, Sleigh and Bob Sled Cata- 
ogue in colors, all our price offers, terms, etc., and THE 
MOST LIBERAL cutter offer ever heard of. Address, 
SEARS, ROEBUCK & CO., CHICAGO, IT.., , 
Portland Cutter 
Only $16.70 
This handsome, stylish and popular cutter Is 
made of guaranteed materials throughout. The 
body Is the latest style, 30 x 34 Inch, 22-inch back, 
gives warmth, comfort and elegance In appear¬ 
ance. Gear woods are select air-seasoned, runners 
are rock elm, steam bent, x % Inch. Knees and 
beams x % inch, channel shoes Inch, 
braces clipped to knees and gears Ironed up very 
strong and secure. Removable trimmings, dark 
green union cloth or whipcord, as preferred; regular 
stuffed cushion and spring back. Paint—body black 
with fancy moulding, gear and shafts Brewster green 
or carmine neatly striped. Complete with shafts and 
shifting bar. Only S1G.70. 
A Full Line at Factory Cost 
All these cutters, except the Speeder, L-230, have 
channel shoes and removable upholstery. All of 
them, Including the Speeder, are fitted with good 
shafts and quick shifting bar, which Is held in posi¬ 
tion by thumb-screw, can be changed from one posi¬ 
tion to another in a minute’s time and gives you 
choice of having horse travel straight ahead or at one 
side. Remember this, more cutters are made In 
Kalamazoo than In any other city In the United States 
and when you deal with us you deal at headquarters 
and pay one smallprofit only, to actual shop cost. 
. $20.50 
A favorite cutter, ele¬ 
gant design, extremely 
substantial, heavily Ironed, 
well braced, wing dash, ex¬ 
tra high roll back. Body 34 
, __ in. wide, 30 in. long, seat 18 
„ , , .. , In. deep, highly flnlshed, 
spring cushion and back removable. Trimmed In 
green cloth or whipcord. Has carpet, nickel arm and 
dash rail. Body painted In black, striped with green 
or carm ine, gear also striped. Channel shoes. This 
cutter is extra quality, only $20 50 
Only $21.50 
This Great Eastern Port¬ 
land Cutter,very fine, high¬ 
ly finished,nicely trimmed, 
extra roomy, easy riding. Is 
trimmed In heavy green 
wool cloth or whipcord. 
Body painted rich black, L-IOO 
striped with green or carmine, gear also striped. 
Channel shoes and removable upholstery. Carpet 
and all other trimmings. Price $21.50. 
Only $26.00 
Our Old Comfort cutter Is 
simply fine. Very roomy, 
spring cushion seat and 
high back.trlmmedlnextra 
quality heavy broadcloth 
_or whipcord, and all other 
L-180 trimmings strictly first- 
class. Body painted black and tastefully decorated. 
Channel shoes and removable upholstery. You 
can’t possibly make a mistake in buying this cutter. 
Only $29.50 
This is the very latest 
style and can’t be beat any¬ 
where In the world at this 
price, it’s one of our very 
best, too. Has wing dash, 
spring back and cushions, 
fine broadcloth trimmings *--60 
and all other trimmings to match. Channel shoes 
and removable upholstery. Has flue wire screen on 
dash; and the price, only $29.50. 
$peeder, only 
$46.50 VOTy ,e fine 
light cutter for speeding 
or pleasure, made from 
absolutely the best ma¬ 
terial that can be obtained. 
L-230 Every knee and beam well 
Ironed and braced. Shafts, best selected hickory. 
Seat 85 In. wide: back 14 In. deep; height from 
ground to under side of body where step fastens, 
24 Inches. All with green broadcloth trimmings. 
Painting strictly high class. This speeder is a beauty 
and the price is factory price. 
Extras for any cutter. Pole, instead of shafts, 
add $1.50; pole and shafts, add $3.00; genuine 
car plush, red or blue, add $3.75; 2S-oz. rubber top 
for auy cutter, add $12.50. 
We will stake our business reputation on these 
cutters. They are high class and cannot be dupli¬ 
cated by anybody else for the price and we will prove 
It. Select the cutter you want, send us the whole 
amount with order or $3.00 just to show good faith 
and we will ship the cutter at once on approval. If 
satisfied pay the freight agent the balance due. If 
It is not exactly as represented, we will pay freight 
both ways and at once refund your $3.00 or any other 
amount you have paid us. Seud forournew general 
catalogue C87. Full of bargains in everything for 
the farm and home. 
Buffalo 
Robes $1.00 
ON APPROVAL 
For buggy, sleigh or auto¬ 
mobile there is nothing 
finerto be had at any price. 
American Buffalo Robes are 
a thing of the past, but we 
offer the “KAZOO” BUFFALO ROHKS, a substitute that has 
every appearance and many advantages over the genu¬ 
ine Buffalo Skin Robe. They are pliable, soft, lined with as¬ 
trakhan and interlined with rubber cloth, making them ab¬ 
solutely wind and waterproof and much wanner and more 
comfortable than any stiff skin robe. These robes are worth 
$10.00 of any man’s money and you will say so when you see 
it. You cannot buy a more elegant appearing or more ser¬ 
viceable robe at $25.00 retail. We sell to you direct at almost 
factorvcost. 54x52.. $5.00 54x02. .$6.00 54x72. .$7.00 
Send $1.00 as guarantee of good faith. Pay the agent the balance 
when you got your robe. If you are not absolutely satisiied, 
tell the agent to return it to us at our expense and we will re¬ 
fund you your $1.00 and pay charges both ways. 
Why not order robe and cutter together and save 
all transportation charges on robe—will pack It 
under seat of cutter and guarantee safe delivery. 
CASH SUPPLY & IYIFG. CO. 
536 Lawrence Sq., KALAMAZOO, MICH. 
HARNESS 
; by 
MAIL 
Direct from the factory. 
Selected stock, oak-taiuiea, 
custom-made. All styles. 
Guaranteed to give satisfac¬ 
tion, or return goods at our 
expense and get your money 
back. Illustrated catalogue 
F and price-list FREE. 
Tiie KING HARNESS CO. 
6 Lake St., "* 
O wego, Tioga Co., N. Y. 
