666 
TIIE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
September 1, 
; Ruralisms ; 
#▼ yy y t w w 
NOTES FROM THE RURAL GROUNDS 
I 
New Yellow-flowered Callas. —Sev¬ 
eral hybrid yellow-flowering Richardias, 
popularly known as callas, have recently 
been put in commerce. They have all been 
produced by inter-crossing species native 
to South Africa, and are handsome deco¬ 
rative plants, especially suitable for sub¬ 
tropical garden effects. While some of the 
species are not over-vigorous and gener¬ 
ally need glass protection, the hybrids are 
of the easiest culture in the open. The 
large tubers winter perfectly if kept warm 
and dry, and may be planted out any time 
after the ground warms up in Spring. 
They grow well in any sunny situation, but 
are most effective in beds or borders of 
deeply-dug, well enriched, and if possible, 
moist soil, such as tbe Elephant’s Ear 
Colocasia delights in, and makes a par¬ 
ticularly satisfactory appearance in groups 
of five to seven plants spaced about 10 
inches apart. Blooms are produced from 
June to August. When the foliage be¬ 
gins to yellow in September the tubers 
should carefully be lifted, cured in shade 
and stored like potatoes in a dry, frost- 
free cellar or other suitable place. 
Richardia Elliottiana, introduced in 
1800, has foliage of moderate size, green, 
thinly spotted with white, and lustrous 
deep yellow flower spathes of good size 
and fine open form. It does not thrive 
under garden conditions, but requires 
rather careful greenhouse treatment. It 
is, however, of interest as a parent of 
some of the best hybrids. A variety of 
Elliottiana named Rossi is far more vig¬ 
orous and grows well outside on the 
Rural Grounds. The foliage is beauti¬ 
fully mottled, and the fine yellow blooms 
have small purple blotches at the base. 
R. Pentlandi is a newer species with 
massive deep green leaves, with reddish 
stalks or petioles and large well-formed 
canary yellow blooms. Like Elliottiana it 
is best suited for glasshouse culture, and 
is the parent of interesting hybrids. 
Mrs. Roosevelt, a hybrid of Elliottiana 
and the well-known R. albo-maculata, 
raised by J. Tailby & Sons, Wellesley, 
Mass., is of unusual vigor, with broad foli¬ 
age, profusely spotted with white, and 
large pale yellow flowers, widely opened 
and well-raised above the leaves. It is 
a handsome and striking plant. 
Burbank’s Hybrid evidently has a 
trace of R. Pentlandi, at least the petioles 
are reddish at the bases, but the leaves 
are profusely mottled. The flowers vary 
considerably in color, some being almost 
as rich in their yellow coloring as El’.iott- 
iana, others simply dull white. It is a 
very good grower. 
Leichtlin’s Hybrid. —This was raised 
in the Rural Grounds from seeds of R. 
Adlami, a superior form of R. albo- 
maculata, fertilized with pollen of Elliott¬ 
iana in Germany by Herr Max Leicbtlin, 
Baden-Baden. The foliage is richly mot¬ 
tled with white and the flowers bright 
lemon or canary yellow, with a deep choc¬ 
olate-colored throat. In good soil leaves 
and blooms reach a height of quite four 
feet, and make a most imposing show. 
Large tubers, three inches or more across, 
produce plants that bear several blooms 
in succession. 
Solfatare, with the parentage of R. 
Adlami x R. Elliottiana Rossi, is also 
an extra vigorous grower with broad, 
thinly spotted foliage of a duller green 
than other varieties, and handsome broad 
> flowers varying from creamy yellow to 
1 golden yellow, with purple black center. 
Aurora is reputed to be the product of 
Elliottiana and R. melanoleuca. As 
grown here it is rather dwarf, with well- 
formed spotted foliage and broad light 
yellow spathes, spotted at the base with 
violet, and usually open from the base up¬ 
wards. 
These hybrid varieties make an inter¬ 
esting collection, and are all worthy of 
extended cultivation. Some will undoubt¬ 
edly be used in quantity as stocks increase 
sufficiently to warrant economical prices. 
At present tubers cost from 25 cents to 
$1 each, and those sent out are rarely 
strong enough to make good showings 
the first season. Increase by proliferation 
of small tubers around the edge of the 
main one goes on at a satisfactory rate, 
and seedlings are not difficult to grow, 
though it needs three years to produce 
blooming plants, which also cannot be re¬ 
lied on among the hybrid kinds to come 
true to type. There are other hybrids of 
botanical, if not popular interest. We 
have cross-bred many of the described 
sorts with exceedingly encouraging re¬ 
sults as far as they have bloomed, and 
liope in time to develop something fairly 
distinct. 
The Rose-coi.ored Calla. —Richardia 
Rehmanni gives fine results as a pot plant, 
producing in succession a number of rosy- 
purple flowers of small size. The lance¬ 
shaped leaves are very distinct among 
plants of the genus. It has a firm, good- 
sized tuber, easily wintered over, and 
probably would grow well in the garden, 
but we have not tried its culture outside. 
A hybrid has been produced in England 
between this species and R. melanoleuca 
with resulting intermediate foliage and 
darker flowers. An account of this 
species appears on page 490, R. N.-Y. for 
1905. 
Iris Japonica, the tender or greenhouse 
Chinese Iris, was briefly mentioned on 
page 586. Fig. 275, page 662, roughly out¬ 
lines a flower as seen from above, but ut¬ 
terly fails to indicate the charming and 
harmonious coloring, shading from the 
palest porcelain blue at the edge through 
lilac blue and yellow to rich orange on 
the crest of the falls, quite hidden in the 
picture. Each bloom lasts only a day, but 
they are freely produced. A bloom spike 
on a young plant set in April in the bor¬ 
der of a grapery produced 33 blooms in 
a period of 12 days, opening eight on the 
day of greatest perfection. This fine 
plant should be more commonly grown in 
conservatories and cool greenhouses. The 
large glossy foliage is decorative at all 
times. 
Guano as a Garden Fertilizer. —We 
are well pleased with the action of guano 
as a stimulating fertilizer for soft-rooted 
vegetables such as celery, melons, cucum¬ 
bers, radishes and lettuce, and for pushing 
forward such susceptible shrubby plants 
as roses and gooseberries. Stable manure 
composts are indispensable as far as they 
go, but when it is desirable to supplement 
their action with quickly soluble fertilizing 
material tbe gardener is often in a quan¬ 
dary. Potash may always safely be add¬ 
ed in the form of sound wood ashes, or, 
if the most ordinary caution be observed, 
in sulphate of potash, but nitrogen in ni¬ 
trate of soda or sulphate of ammonia 
often proves a tricky material. One-half 
ounce of either chemical to the gallon of 
water is a reasonably safe solution, but 
even then unsatisfactory effects at times 
appear. The acid phosphates, either of 
bone or rock origin, are too often actively 
injurious to tender rootlets, while raw 
bone flour is usually accompanied, dur¬ 
ing its decay in the soil, with fungus 
growths deleterious to susceptible vegeta¬ 
tion. In guano we have a fairly soluble 
material, rich in phosphorus and nitrogen 
in acceptable forms, that may be applied 
suspended in water or directly to tbe soil 
above the roots with satisfactory results. 
The actual quantity needed can only'- be 
learned by trials, but it is evident that it 
is better to err on the side of under 
rather than over-dosing. Brands vary in 
their analyses and consequent value, so 
that a careful study of the guaranteed 
components should be made. All true 
guanos are deficient in potash, but as be¬ 
fore remarked, that element is convenient¬ 
ly added in separate forms. From 20 
years’ experience with guano in intensive 
gardening we prefer to use a reliable 
Peruvian brand in quantities of not over 
a heaping tablespoonful to four gallons 
water, or a similar amount to each half 
square yard of soil surface, to be imme¬ 
diately worked in. Wood ashes at discre¬ 
tion supply the potash and also lime, or 
a half teaspoonful of high-grade sulphate 
of potash to the tablespoonful of guano 
may be used. Applications of this strength 
may be made every two to four weeks as 
appears to be needed. It is, of course, 
understood that adequate animal manures 
are already in ilie soil, and that guano is 
used only for special effect. For ordinary 
field crops, and such vegetables as pota¬ 
toes, corn, tomatoes, etc., animal manures 
and complete chemical fertilizers of ordi¬ 
nary commercial make-up, supplemented 
by turning under legumes or other green 
crops, are economically sufficient. Fair 
grades of guano may now be had for $40 
to $60 the ton. A hundred weight would 
go a long way in experimental or ama¬ 
teur intensive gardening. w. v. f. 
When you write advertisers mention The 
I t. N.-Y. and you’ll get a- quick reply and 
“a square deal.” See guarantee, page 8. 
Clothing 
Made I 
to Order 
at the 
Mill I 
Save Half | 
Buy your clothing di¬ 
rect from the mill. Cut 
out the dealer’s profits. 
Get two suits for the 
price of one. All wool 
suits and overcoats 
MADE TO ORDER 
handsomely trimmed 
and guaranteed to give 
satisfaction. Many pat¬ 
terns to choose from. 
Men’s wo!,! Suits 
Overcoats and Raincoats 
MADE TO ORDER 
$7:22 to $15=°2 
Women's dress goods 
direct from the mill to 
the wearer at wholesale 
prices. All the newest 
styles and colors. Chev¬ 
iots, Broadcloths, Bril- 
liantines, Panamas, 
Henriettas, Shepherd’s 
Checks, Mohairs, Silk- 
downs. Every yard guar¬ 
anteed. EXPRESS CHARGES 
PAID. Write for samples 
and catalogue. 
Ladies’ 
Fall 
Dress 
Patterns 
In all 
Shades 
CLEN ROCK WOOLEN MILLS, 
203 Main St., Somerville, N. J. 
BUILDING MATERIAL 
for houses, barns and farm 
buildings of every description. 
Stands greater 
weight, and is 
cheaper than 
brick, stone or 
cement. Send 
for estimates. 
Samples sent 
free. Freight 
prepaid. 
Sold only in 
car loads. 
Write 
H. B. Camp Co. 
Itegsemcr Iffdg. 
No. 3 Multi¬ 
ple Conduit. 
PlTTSBl RG, PK.NN 
GAIN ACRES 
byclcaringrthat stumpy piece 
jofland. The Hercules Atump 
_ . _ 'Puller pulls any stump. Saves 
— --'time, labor and money* 
Catalog FREE. Hercules Mfg, Co., Dept. BS Centerville, la. 
U. S. GOVERNMENT 
STATES THAT 
TAK-A-NAP SOFT NAPTHA SOAP 
makes the best Emulsion to kill 
Tobacco Thrips and Scale. 
40 pound keg, $1.90; 100 pound keg, $4.50, less freight 
in East. Special low prices in larger quantities. 
THAYER-HOVEY SOAP CO., Darby, Penn. 
WRITE 
FOR 
FREE^SAMPLE 
PpHE thrifty farmer doesn’t wait until 
«*- after the frost has gilded his pump¬ 
kins before he thinks about the protection 
of his stock in the c-o-l-d Winter days. 
Now—in the beautiful days of Autumn 
—is the time for thought and act ion. 
Carey’s Roofing affords the best protec¬ 
tion for all farm buildings. Is easily and 
cheaply laid over old shingle and metal 
roofs, without removing same. Is equally 
adapted to flat or steep surfaces. Being a 
non-conductor of heat and cold, 
H , u CAREYS r 
ROOFING 
is the very best material for siding stock 
buildings and poultry houses. 
The Illustration shows the construction of 
Carey’s Hoofing. The base Is of felt—not cheap 
shoddy, but long fibred wool. On top of this base 
Is Carey’s asphalt cement—the marvelouB com¬ 
position which forms the real body. Imbedded In 
the upper surface of the asphalt cement Is East 
India burlap, the weather side of which Is treated 
with our cement compound, completely filling 
meshes and pores. The four layers, under tre¬ 
mendous pressure, are compressed into a solid, 
but flexible, Indivisible sheet. 
Carey’s Roofing resists fire, will notmelt, 
dry out, rot, crack or break and its elas¬ 
ticity is as great years after the ravages 
of heat and cold, as on the day laid. The 
Carey patent lap protects nailheads, assur¬ 
ing a perfect union of roofing to roof-board. 
Carey’s Roofing is sold from shipping 
points conveniently located all over the 
country, insuring lowest freight rates. 
Write to-day for a sample of Carey’sRoof- 
lng and Illustrated booklet—both Fkeb. 
THE PHILIP CAREY MFG. CO. 
42 Wayne Ave., Cincinnati, O. 
Fill out this coupon, mentioning size of 
your building, and mail to us— 
The Philip Carey Mfg. Co.: —Mail Free 
Sample of your Roofing and Catalog to 
Name.. 
Town . 
State . R. F. Z>.. 
Site of my building.. 
CDDAY "EMPIRE KING” 
jBK mA | autl bugs, worms, blight, etc., will 
Ilf ^ have no terrors for you. Kestcou- 
atruction, perfect agitators, no scorched 
. r°l la 15 e * ^ e make'all sizes and styles. Free book 
on spraying. Agents wanted. r J 
FIELD FORCE PUMP CO., No. 2 Eleventh St., Elmira, N. Y. 
Well 
DRILLING & 
PROSPECTING MACHINES. 
Fastest drillers known. Great money earners 1 
LOOMIS MACHINE CO- TIFFIN. OHIO. 
5% 
SMALL SUMS 
SAFELY INVESTED AT 
W HEN you understand the nature of our busi¬ 
ness and the safeguards that surround it, 
and have read what hundreds of patrons say 
concerning their experience with us in the past 
thirteen years, you will hardly doubt that your own 
funds would he safer with us than elsewhere, as well 
as more profitably employed. 
We splicit correspondence. 
Assets, $1,750,000. 
Established 13 Years. 
Banking Dept. Supervision. 
Earnings paid from day ie- 
ceived to day withdrawn. 
Letters of inquiry solicited 
and promptly answered. 
INDUSTRIAL SAVINGS AND LOAN CO. 
G Times Bldg., Broadway, New York. 
THE BOSS POTATO DiGGER 
works well in 
stony ground and 
on side hill. Digs 
every row. WARRANTED. 
Thousands in use. Write for 
prices. Manufactured by 
E. R. ALLEN FOUNDRY CO., 
Corning, N. Y. 
PRATT’S 
“SCALECIDE 
9 9 Soluble 
Petroleum 
WILL POSITIVELY DESTROY 
San Jose, Cottony Maple Scale, Pear Psylla, Etc. 
W ith out Inj ury to the Trees. Samples, Prices and Endorsement of Experiment Stations on Application. 
G-- PHATT CO., Dept. A., 11 Broadway, NEW YORK CITY. 
