124 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
February 17, 
PEACHES IN CENTRAL NEW YORK. 
The reports that appeared in some of 
the New York papers recently that Prof. 
Hunn, of Cornell University, stated that 
the peach buds in this section were all 
killed, was misleading, and my son, who 
is there at school, tells me that the Pro¬ 
fessor told him he made no such statement. 
We all fear the effects of the warm 
weather, but the conditions on the west 
bank of Cayuga Lake, 12 miles north of 
Ithaca, are about as follows after the ther¬ 
mometer being on February 3 four degrees 
below zero in the morning, and near zero 
or below the rest of the day, with a heavy 
gale blowing: Sweet cherries, all right; 
Horton, Carman, and Triumph peaches, 
all right; Smock, Salway, Rareripe, 90 
per cent alive; Elberta, 60 per cent; 
Abundance plums, 50 per cent; Burbank 
plums, 10 per cent. These were trees 
near the house. T. H. K. 
Trumansburg, N. Y. 
THE BACK YARD CARDEN. 
Continuing the subject of the small back 
yard garden from page 106, the question 
arises, how shall we prepare the ground? 
Should the soil be naturally moist, all the 
better for the garden. If very moist, a 
few loads of sand or fine gravel spread 
over the surface may be required. On the 
other hand, if the soil is somewhat dry 
and sterile, the addition of a few loads of 
good loam will be beneficial. A load of 
stable manure spread over the surface 
would be well, depending somewhat upon 
the natural fertility of the soil. Plowing 
and harrowing will then be in order. If 
the ground is in sod this should be very 
thorough. If plowing and harrowing be 
impracticable, the ground may be brought 
into condition with a spading fork. This 
is pretty hard work, but in a small garden, 
say 50x50 feet, one or two day's work will 
put the ground into good planting condi¬ 
tion. Some of the commercial fertilizers 
having a basis in ground bone which I 
have tested have produced fairly good re¬ 
sults, but on the whole fine ground bone 
in connection with wood ashes has been 
with me more satisfactory. Usually these 
have been applied in the hill or trench 
after the ground has been thoroughly pre¬ 
pared. 
In the next place, what shall we plant? 
Of course, of the 40 or 50 different fruits 
and vegetables we shall not have room for 
them all. We must therefore select such 
as will prove to be the most useful, and 
especially such as rapidly wither or lose 
their freshness, such as are seldom ob¬ 
tained in the public market in their best 
condition—green peas and string beans for 
example. The following list comprises 
about all that I have found it profitable to 
grow in a small garden. The dates for 
planting are for the latitude of New York- 
City, varying as the season is early or late. 
Rhubarb roots, April 1 and later; straw¬ 
berry plants, April 1 to September 1; let¬ 
tuce, April 1 to May 15; spinach, April 1 
to May 1; cabbage, April 15, transplant 
May 15; turnips, April 15 to July 1; beets, 
April 15 to May 1; onions, sow seed April, 
transplant May and June; early potatoes, 
April 15, May 1; peas, April 15, May 1, 
15, June 1; string beans. May 1, 15, June 
1; Lima beans, bush and pole, May 1, 15; 
sweet corn, May 1, 15; Summer squash, 
May 1, 15; cucumber, May 1, 15; musk 
and watermelons, May 1, 15; tomato, set 
plants May 15. 
For the past eight years I have culti¬ 
vated a garden located in southeastern 
Connecticut, about 10 miles from tide¬ 
water. The soil is a porous sandy loam, 
with gravelly subsoil, sloping westerly. 
Not holding moisture well, the frequent 
use of garden hose has been necessary. I 
have found that for most garden crops 
such a soil is preferable to that of clay. 
Although fertilizers exhaust sooner, the 
crops mature more readily and are of bet¬ 
ter quality. 
Rhubarb. —Seven years ago I planted a 
dozen rhubarb roots, two feet apart, 
working in about one quart of fine ground 
bone to each hill. From old boards a 
wind-break about four feet high was built 
on the north side. No other fertilizer has 
ever been used on these plants, and no 
bone since first application. I have not 
cultivated since the second yaar. Plants 
have annually increased in size and prod¬ 
uct, last year producing three or four 
times as much as an ordinary family 
would use. Rhubarb seems to be immune 
from attacks of injurious insects or dis¬ 
eases of any kind. It is about the earliest 
garden crops, and the first growth is de¬ 
cidedly the best. Plucked when the stalks 
are about three inches long it makes most 
delicious sauce. Later the texture 
coarsens, acidity increases and much of 
the nice flavor is lacking. It is seldom on 
sale in the open market until well grown. 
Strawberry Plants. —In a garden 
measuring 50x50 feet I should devote two 
rows to strawberries, setting the plants 
about 18 inches apart in the row, and rows 
three feet apart. Seventy-five plants would 
thus be required. Five pounds of ground 
bone or high-grade commercial fertilizer 
to each row, deeply and thoroughly 
worked into each hill before plants are 
set, will be about right. Plants should be 
puddled with earth and water when set, 
especially in dry weather. 'I rim roots to 
three inches, spread out well and pack 
earth very solid in the hill, close to but 
not covering the crown of the plant. 
Strawberries do well with almost any kind 
of fertilizer when thoroughly mixed with 
the soil. Several years ago I had a lot 
of salt mackerel which had become rusty. 
This was strung along and buried an inch 
or so in the trench in which the plants 
were set. The resulting crop of berries 
was simply immense. Give thorough cul¬ 
tivation. Do not allow a weed to grow. 
Cut off the blossoms the first year, and 
all runners except one or two of the most 
vigorous, allowing two new plants to form 
from each original hill for transplanting 
in July or August. Varieties which have 
produced the best with me are Cumber¬ 
land for early, Brandywine and Parker 
Earle for mid-season and late. These are 
among the best for quality. A friend of 
mine, however, whose garden is inclined 
to clay, reports poor success with the 
Cumberland, but finds the Meade a won¬ 
derful berry. Very likely it will be well 
for the amateur grower to test several va¬ 
rieties in selecting those best adapted to 
his garden. h. h. boardman. 
PLEASE 
—- (.enesee Valiev grown. 150 acres. Established 
1869. “ Nottlie cheapest but the best. ” Catalog free. 
CEO. A. SWEET NURSERY CO., 
1 Maple St.- DintvIllA. n«i»i Va.w. 
Strawberry Plants S5ie^anT*°i.oo 
per 1OOO. Big assortment trees, plants, shrub- 
berry, roses, &c. Write for New Catalogue. CHAT- 
TANOOGA NURSERIES, Chattanooga, Tenn. 
^GRAPEVINES 
BKYnrletle*. Also Small Fruit*, Trees, Ac. Best root¬ 
ed stock. Genuine, cheap. 2 sample vines mailed for 10c. 
Descriptive price-list free. LEWIS ROESCH, FREDONI A,N.V. 
Get best plants of all good 
T 
prices. 24th Annual Catalo; 
slaymakkr & so 
rue Free. 
Dover, Delaware. 
RUBY RED RASPBERRY 
Best to grow for all purposes. Order early as our 
stock is limited. Send for circular. 
C. G. VEUIE & SON. Marlboro, N. Y„ 
Valley View Fruit, Farm. 
UIIT TRPPQ Japan Chestnuts and Walnuts, Paragon 
lUI I I flLLd Chestnuts, Ridgely and American. 
MANCHURICA WALNUTS. 
CALIFORNIA PRIVET, extra fine and cheap. 
Fruit trees and small fruits in every kind worth fruit¬ 
ing. Catalogue free. Address, 
JOS. FL BLACK,SON & CO., Hightstown.N, J. 
CARFFt RASPBERRIES 
I grow millions of raspberry plants 
that yield luscious fruits. All true 
\to name—full of life. They’re 
^ money—coiners that will yield 
$300 PROFIT PER ACRE 
I My h.ndflom., n.w efttalog of until frulte, null 
f tnd orntmeutml tree,, farm and garden aeedl and 
general nursery stool sent free. Getlt—write today. 
W. N. Beam, New Carlisle, O. 
POTATOES c s h e% ce 
We have raised a very fine lot of potatoes (over 
3000 bush.) on our own farm under the best possible 
conditions to produce seed free from disease and of 
highest quality. We offer some very fine new varieties 
as well as the best of the older kinds. Ask for cata¬ 
logue and wholesale price list of seeds. JOSEPH 
HARRIS CO.. Seed Growers, Coldwater, N. Y. 
Qfi Evergreens—10 kinds—and how to grow them, 
L U delivered for 25 le. stamps. Order them at once. 
Cat. free. Evergreen Nursery, Sturgeon Bay.Wis. 
Peach & Other Fruit Trees cfrcular e FK 1 EK riCCS ' 
R. S. JOHNSTON, Box 4, Stockley, Del. 
Steven’s Champion Strawberry .Large, late,productive 
Plants, $2 per 1000. Alfred W. Leeds, Moorestown.N.J 
THE BEST STRAWBERRY 
is Senator Dunlap—large, fine colored, 
very productive. Catalog of Straw¬ 
berry and other berry plants FREE. 
L. J. Farmer, Box620, Pulaski, N, Y. 
*9 
t—All kinds, cheap. Freight paid. 
" Catalog free. Agents wanted. 
MITCHELL’S NURSERY. BEVERLEY, O. 
K FRUIT BOOK 
'shows in NATURAL COLORS and 
accurately describes 216 varieties of 
fruit. Send for our liberal terms of distri- 
r bution to planters.— Stark Bro’s, Louisiana, Mo. 
TREE PROTECTORS 
75 c. per IOO— $5 per IOOO 
Send for free samples and testimonials 
Do not wait until Rabbits and Mice 
ruin your trees. 
WRITE US TO-DAY, 
Hart Pioneer Nurseries, 
Fort Scott, Kans. Box 73. 
Age 
keeping of an accurate record of the performance of every 
plant in the garden. A removable record card is held in an 
iron frame at convenient angle for reading. Protected by 
weather-proof mica cover. Shows variety, date of planting, 
fertilizer used, date of maturity, amount or quality of yield or 
any other information desired. 
Horticultural 
Label and 
IRON ACE 
ROW INDEX 
gives a valuable record of this year’s experience as a guide for next year’s gar¬ 
den. Enables you to duplicate successes, and avoid the repetition of mistakes. 
Made of high quality iron and wiU last a lifetime. For sale by dealers or sent 
S repaid for 80 cents In stamps. Lower price in quantities. Send for our 
K\V IRON AGE ROOK describing the famous Iron Age implements. 
Valuable for its labor-saving hints. Free on application. 
BATEMAN MFC. CO., Box I02B, Crenloch, N. J. 
GOOD 
SEEDS 
CHEAP 
grown 
A wonderful big catalog CD EX 
Full of engravings of every rllCL 
variety, with prices lower than other 
dealers. The book is worth a dol¬ 
lar to any one who plants seeds. 
Big Lot of Extra Packages Free to 
Every Customer. 
Send yours and neighbors address. 
R. H. Shumway, Rockford, Illinois. 
STRAWBERRY PLANTS at $1.00 PER 1000 
and up. Catalogue free. R. E. ALLEN, PawPaw.Mich. 
STRAWBERRY PLANTS*» ”*»• of bMh 
Write for catalogue. 
old and new varieties. 
J. K. LOSEE. Elnora. N. Y. 
POP 6 A |_C Good two-year old Palmetto 
■ Asparagus Hoots. Address 
H. A. MUMPER, Mechanicsburg, Penna. 
■HBA ■ ■ ■■■ We grow and sell direct 
L I II I to you all the good and 
III I tested varieties of 
■ H ■ ■ Large and Small Fruits. 
Highest grade only. Guar¬ 
anteed to live and true to 
name. One-third Agents’ 
prices. Illustrated and 
descriptive catalogue free. 
Send for one to-day. 
Highland Nurseries, Dept. R., Rochester,N.Y 
TREES 
Strawberry Plants 
1000 up. Send for m 
LAVID 
or my n< 
KODW 
New and choice vari¬ 
eties. From $1.25 per 
new catalogue FREE to-day. 
‘AY, Hartly, Delaware. 
FIRST PRIZE MEDAL rles and Gooseberries 
shown at St. Louis Fair. Write for catalogue. A. T 
GOLDSBOKOUGH,Wesley Heights, Washington, D.C 
5,000,000 STRAWBERRY PLANTS. 
42 Varieties, price $1.25 to $1.75 per 1,000, best stock, 
satisfaction and safe delivery guaranteed. Free 
catalogue. Write to-day. Address 
THE FRUIT VALE FARMS, 
Dept. 56. Parsonsburg, Maryland. 
TREES 
All First-class. Freshdug. Nocold 
storage stock. 38th year. 80-page 
catalog. G. C. STONE’S WHOLE¬ 
SALE NURSERIES, Dansville.N. Y. 
Strawberry Plants 
lng the best varieties at lowest price is ready for 
mailiDg and will interest you. Send for one at 
once. W. S. TODD, Greenwood, Del. 
Strawberry Plants. 
$1.50 per M. and up. Also RASPBERRY and 
BLACKBERRY plants at low prices. Healthy, 
heavy rooted stock. True to name. Price list free. 
A. R. WESTON & CO.. R. D. 8, Bridgman, Mich. 
DON’T MISS 
THIS-^nCHANCE 
$00* 
Yon 
can make 
your years' 
success an assured certainty by sending at once 
for a free copy of Salzer’s remarkable Book of 
SEED BARGAINS 
and taking advantage of the astonishing offers 
made therein. They cover such varieties as Oats, 
Barley, Corn, Speltz, Clover, Timothy, Wheats; 
also Cabbage, Radish, Beets, Peas, Beans, Onions, 
Tomatoes, etc., all of the strongest, hardiest 
Northern Grown, pure, pedigree stock. 
5 Tons Crass Free I 
Everybody loves a rich, prodigal growth of 
grass or fodder for cattle, sheep, horse or swine! 
If you will send this notice in to us to-day, 
you will receive our Bargain Seed Book free, 
together with sufficient grass seed to grow 
6 tons of rich grass hay on your lot or farm 
this summer. All free for the asking. 
Kemlt 4e and we add package or Cosmos, 
the most fashionable, serviceable, beautiful 
annual flower. 
Try the New 
Majestic Tomato 
rThe greatest vegetable novelty of the sea* 
"son. By all odds the largest, finest flavored 
and most productive in existence. Thou¬ 
sands of our customers have written us that 
It surpassed all other sorts and produced 100 
, lbs. to 147 lbs. of fruit to the plant. Many 
.reported single tomatoes, weighing 3 lbs. 
ijy^to 6% lbs. each. lust think what this 
kind of a crop woula mean on an acre of 
.ground. The fruits are not coarse grained 
=and poor like other large sorts, but are 
smooth, solid, have few seeds, and are 
unsurpassed in quality. Of fine shape and 
beautiful color. The first season the seed 
sold at 40c a packet of 100 seeds, but this 
r season we have reduced price to 15 cents, 
and in addition to this we are offering 
$100.00 in Cash 
prizes this year on them. 
Our large illustrated cat* 
describing the above 
WvwShHa ana many other choice 
(novelties will be sent free 
f if you mention this paper. 
IOWA SEED CO., 
De. Molno., Iowa. 
FRUIT TREES THAT GROW 
and bear fruit true to label. Fine assortment of stock. 
All conveniences for packing FRUIT GROWERS 
and DEALERS ORDERS. Can save you 15 to 30 
per cent on large or small orders. Get my prices and 
free catalogue without delay. 
Martin Wahl, Nurseryman, Rochester, N. Y, 
TREES 
ftp: PCD FREIGHT PAITl Apple. Pear, Plum, Cherry, Peach and Carolina 
rCn IvUf rnulUnl rfllU Poplars, healthy, true to name and fumigated. 
All kinds of trees and plants at low wholesale prices. Remember we beat all other reliable 
Nurseries in quality and price. Catalogue free, Reliance Nursery, Box 10, Geneva, N.Y. 
TRADE MARK. 
It’s Better to be Safe than Sorry. 
ROGERS’ TREES ARE SAFE TREES. 
Rogers on the Hill. 
_ Apple Breeders, _ Dansville, N. Y. 
OUR TREES BEAR FRUIT. 
200,000 Apple Trees, 50,000 Peach Trees, 20,000 Pear Trees, 20,000 Plum Trees, 10,000 Cherry 
Trees, 10,000 Quince Trees, and thousands of all of the leading varieties of small fruit plants, Grape 
Vines, Currants, Gooseberry Plants, Roses, Shrubbery, Evergreens and Shade Trees. Every tree and plant 
a gem bred to bear and yield results. We have what you want, let us supply you with it. Write at once for 
catalogue and price list. 
THE RIVERSIDE NURSERY COMPANY, Confluence, Penna. 
One and two year 
old must be sold 
as they are on ren- 
ted land. All 
thrifty and healthy. Prices low. Send for catalog of Trees, Plants, Vines, California Privet, 
Garden Tools, Spraying Mixtures, Pumps, etc. ARTHUR J. COLLINS, Boi R, Mooresfown, N. J, 
800,000 Asparagus Roots 
ISBELLS 
SEEDS, PRODUCE THE BEST VEGETABLES and CROPS GROWN 
Admiral Togo wonderful new bean, resists rust and blight, $4.75 bu. 
Earlibell Tomato earlier than Earliana. Better Quality 50c. oz. 
Monarch of Earlies, earliest, tenderest, finest pea grown, $3.25 per bu. 
« -r 
-= O 
.bp—i 
= DO 
>>UJ 
ctj rr- 
3’*’ 
We challenge anyone to 
furnish better Onion Seed 
than our Extra Select 
^tockj^Oc^eMb^u£^ 
Guaranteed 
Our Northern Grown 
SEED POTATOES are 
Fancy Choice stock, Price 
$2^50pei^arreU^ 
Complete line, including many now varieties of Hardy, Vigorous 
£2 Michigan Grown Extra Recleaned Farm Seeds, Northern 
Grown, Carefully Tested. Sure to Grow are ISBELL’S 
All the above Mentioned and 25 New Varieties of Choice Vegetables, 
fully illustrated and described in our Beautiful IOO Page Catalog. 
Write" Postal *Today. Address S, M, ISBELL & Co,, Dept, R, 
SEEDS 
«T aelkson. 
MIOII. 
