896 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
December 1, 
Pluralisms 
▼TTT T TT T 
NOTES FROM THE RURAL GROUNDS 
A Shrubby Goldenrod. — Bigelovia 
graveolens, a low-growing and very 
hardy shrub common to sterile soils 
throughout the Rocky Mountain region, 
bears profuse blooms so like those of 
the goldenrod that it may be regarded 
horticulturally as only a shrubby form 
of the latter. It appears to grow well 
in the East in any dry situation, soon 
forming bushy, spreading clumps three 
or four feet high and as much in diam¬ 
eter. The leafage is narrow but dense, 
and covered with short woolly hairs, giv¬ 
ing the plant a distinct if not especially 
ornamental appearance. The yellow in¬ 
florescence consists of abundant feathery 
flower-heads thrown well above the foli¬ 
age and is produced in September. While 
not comparable in floral effect to the 
most showy species of Solidago or gol¬ 
denrod, to which it is closely related, its 
shrubby habit and distinct appearance 
make it worthy of a place in mixed 
plantings. It is readily increased by 
seeds, layers and cuttings. Nurseries 
generally offer collected plants, as the 
demand is too limited to encourage prop¬ 
agation. We have received a dwarfer 
variety, known as Albicaulis, from D. M. 
Andrews, Boulder, Colorado. The foli¬ 
age is densely woolly. Mr. Andrews con¬ 
siders it a suitable shrub for low hedges 
and edgings as well as mixed borders. 
Gooseberry Mildew in Europe.— Men¬ 
tion has been made of the consternation 
caused by the appearance of American 
Gooseberry mildew in portions of north¬ 
ern Europe, where the gooseberry is al¬ 
most the most important fruit. The Eu¬ 
ropean gooseberry in most of its varie¬ 
ties falls a helpless victim to this fungus, 
as all know who have tried to cultivate 
it in this country. Our native species, 
having always been accustomed to the 
parasite, are measurably resistant to its 
most destructive effects, but it appears 
that European varieties in their native 
home are so very susceptible and so read¬ 
ily injured that little relief is had from 
liver-of-sulphur sprays that have been 
considered fairly effectual in this coun¬ 
try. The only hope in Europe is to stamp 
out the disease wherever it appears by 
the utter destruction of all infected 
plants, and to prevent its recurrence, if 
possible, by the most rigid sanitary pre¬ 
cautions, including the absolute prohibi¬ 
tion of importations of gooseberry or 
currant bushes from any suspected local¬ 
ity. It is evident the horticultural au¬ 
thorities abroad may have a hard task to 
control the pest, as it has appeared since 
1900 in such widely-separated countries 
as Ireland, Germany, Sweden and Rus¬ 
sia. The stiffest fight against it is being 
made in Sweden, where the gooseberry is 
of the highest importance as a commer¬ 
cial fruit. The Swedish National Pom- 
ological Society has vigorously taken up 
the matter by direct investigation, and 
the publication of pamphlets, and with 
the co-operation of the newspapers have 
aroused fruit growers to the necessity of 
exterminating mildew wherever it ap¬ 
pears, while the Minister of Agriculture 
has appropriated a sum of money to be 
used as partial compensation for de¬ 
stroyed plantations. This is excellent as 
far as it goes, but the history of similar 
movements to control horticultural pests 
does not offer great encouragement for 
its ultimate success. There is constant 
interchange of disease and injurious in¬ 
sects between the old world and the new, 
and there appear no effectual means of 
prevention short of the Stoppage of all 
intercourse. We have received and nat¬ 
uralized about all the pests in the way of 
weeds, fungi and insects they can sent 
us, including the comparatively recent but 
terribly destructive Brown-tail and 
Gypsy moths. In return we have export¬ 
ed the Woolly aphis, generally known 
abroad as American blight, Phylloxera 
and the Gooseberry mildew. The Potato 
beetle has appeared in England and Ger¬ 
many, but owing to its conspicuous ap¬ 
pearance and limited range of food there 
has been little difficulty in eradicating it. 
Phylloxera and Woolly aphis are con¬ 
trolled by grafting on resistant stocks, 
which in the case of the former have 
been intentionally bred for the purpose 
from resistant American grapes. The 
more probable solution of the Gooseberry 
mildew problem, if sanitary methods fail, 
will be the production of meritorious ic- 
sistant varieties, and it appears certain 
that for this purpose our native species 
must be used. 
Immature Potatoes for Seed. —One’s 
first thought concerning seeds, bulbs or 
tubers for planting is that they should 
be well matured, but practice brings out 
many exceptions to what appears a nat¬ 
ural rule. Rose seeds, for instance, ap¬ 
pear to germinate better if taken from 
the hep just as it begins to color than 
if left to apparent full maturity, pro¬ 
vided they are at once planted. Tomato 
and a few other vegetable seeds from 
scarcely ripe fruits produce more rapid 
growing and precocious plants than 
those allowed fully to mature. On the 
other hand, most seeds of the cabbage 
family and of the cucurbits or inelon- 
like plants are considered to improve by 
full maturity and moderately long keep¬ 
ing before sowing. While dry or woody 
seeds may not always be helped by full 
maturity the conditions would appear dif¬ 
ferent with bulbs or watery tubers. The 
general impression is that full ripeness 
not only aids the keeping quality, but 
favors stronger growth of the plants 
that proceed from them. We held this 
view regarding Gladiolus conns for 
many years, and always tried to defer 
digging until full maturity as indicated 
by decay of roots and tops. The exig¬ 
encies of varying seasons, however, often 
forced the taking up of corms that did 
not appear sufficiently ripe, and observa¬ 
tion repeatedly showed that slightly im¬ 
mature ones better retained higher vital¬ 
ity during storage, and grew more vigor¬ 
ously when planted next season, oilwr 
conditions being equal. Our practice 
now is to take up when foliage begins 
to yellow, and before all roots have per¬ 
ished, using due care to cure evenly and 
gradually before Winter storage. 
Overripe Potatoes Not Best for Seed. 
—The general preference for northern- 
grown or second crop southern-grown 
potatoes for seed purposes is well sus¬ 
tained by practical results. The usual 
reasons given for their superiority over, 
the ordinary home product are the bene¬ 
fits to be derived from “change of seed,” 
more congenial soil and location, tending 
to perfect growth, and the better con¬ 
dition in which the seed potatoes thus 
grown keep over Winter. The last con¬ 
tention is the most logical, and appears 
to be due to the comparative immaturity 
of the tubers when harvested. Northern- 
grown potato seed is best for the North 
and southern second-crop for the South, 
as well as for intermediate localities, ap¬ 
parently for the same reason. Recent ex¬ 
periments in northern Europe, where the 
potato crop is of the utmost economic 
importance, tends to confirm the prevail¬ 
ing impression that seed pieces cut from 
the “seed end” are likely to be more pro¬ 
ductive than similar cuts from the um¬ 
bilical or stem end. The reason given is 
that the seed end or growing point of the 
tuber is younger and less mature than 
the stem end, formerly attached to the 
plant and that not only are the “eyes” or 
buds more numerous on a given area, 
but the stored food materials are more 
soluble and in a state of higher vitality. 
The starches and other materials in the 
stem end are drier and have become fixed 
in a less active condition, so that the 
young sprouts are not likely to be as 
well nourished or get as good start as 
those from the other end. The collapsed 
British potato boom, with its accompany¬ 
ing intense desire to secure the largest 
possible yields while the prices of new 
varieties remained high, was fruitful in 
investigations of this nature, and the 
general concluson is that slight imma¬ 
turity of the potato tuber is favorable to 
productive growth, and that the proper 
degree of development is best secured by 
digging as the foliage dies before the 
tops are completely withered, and by us¬ 
ing for seed potatoes from a locality 
having a short growing season, or in a 
small way by taking cuts or sprouts from 
the “seed” or distal end rather than from 
the more mature stem end. w. v. F. 
M'WW'M'Wfl' 
4 
4 
4 
4 
* 
4 
4 
4 
4 * 
4 
4 * 
4 » 
4 » 
4 
4 
4 
I 
Children thrive 
on Scott’s 
Emulsion. It 
is concentrated 
nourishment in 
easily digested 
form. Their health 
improves after 
taking it a short 
time. It is the 
greatest child- 
food in the 
world. 
ALL DRUGGISTS; 
50c. AND $1.00. 
4 
4 * 
4 * 
4 * 
4 
4 
4 * 
4 * 
4 
4 * 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
444444444 
HURT, BRUISE OR SPRAIN 
ST. JACOBS OIL 
THE OLD-MONK-CURE RELIEVES FROM PAIN 
Price 25c and 50c 
AGENTS 
WANTED 
For Mend-a-Rip 
Greatly improved. Better than ever. 
Dues ail kinds ol light and hear j 
riretingand 
stitching. 
Saves its 
coat many times a year. A per¬ 
fect Hand Sewing Machine and Riveter 
combined. Notice the Automatic Spacer 
which makes neat, even stitching. To 
show it means a sale. Agents make 
$3 to $15 a day. One agent made %’ 0 first 
day and writes t.. hurry machines to him. Write forspoo* 
Ul »gt». price. J B. Foote Foundry Co.Dep 418 Srederlcktown.O 
(The Great Agents Sufihly House ) 
CALDWELL 
TANKS 
are nothing like the or¬ 
dinary kind. Better ma¬ 
terial, better hooping, 
better woikmanslilp, re¬ 
sults in better service, 
longer life, less repairs. 
Give unexcelled ser¬ 
vice to farmers and 
stockmen at reasonable 
cost. Ask for illustrated 
catalogue. 
W. E. CALDWELL CO., Louisville, Ky. 
. /steel. Woodv 
la,,k " ( GiUvHiilzed ) lowcr8 
Wind Mills, Pumps, Gas Engines. 
MACHINERY 
C IDE 
Best and cheapest. 
Send for catalogue. 
BOOMER & BOSCHERT 
PRESS CO., 
118 West Water St., 
hV KACL'SK, K. Y. 
Monarch 
Hydraulic 
Cider Press 
Great strength and ca 
pacity; all sizes; alsc 
1 gasoline engines, 
steam engines, 
saw mills, thresh- 
— —ers. Catalog free, 
■onarch Machlniry Co., Room 161.39 Cortlandt St., Nav York. 
Elite Oil. 
A high-grade, perfect burn 
ing oil. Never fails to 
please where a clear,strong 
light is desired. Made 
from Pure Pennsylvania 
Crude. Write lor particu¬ 
lars and prices 
DERRICK OIL CO., 
Titusville, Penn. 
SAWS? 
1 Mail Sawing Machine Beats 
ANY WOOD 
IN ANY POSITION 
ON ANY GROUND 
I In to B ft. Through 
2 MEN with ■ 
Cross-cut Ssw 
B to 9 cords dally Is tho usual average for ono man. 
Our 1907 Model Machine saws faster, runs easier and will last 
longer than ever. Adjusted in a minute to suit a 1'2-year-old 
boy or the strongest man. Send for catalog showing latest 
Improvements. First order gets agency. 
Folding Sawing Mach. Co., 158 E. llairlson St., Chicago, III 
ELY’S 
Dandy Hay Knife 
will do the work of an extra man, 
thereby saving more than its cost 
in one day. Can be used for cutting 
sod from ditches. Made of malle¬ 
able iron and steel, with oil-tem- 
E ered steel knives. Combination 
and and foot power makes it easy 
to work. Insist on having Ely’s 
because it has many important 
advantages over other kinds, 
if your dealer doesn't keep them, write 
us and we'll see that you get one. Write 
to-day for free catalogue. 
THE0. J. ELY MFQ. CO., Girard, Pa. 
5% 
YOUR IDLE MONEY 
SHOULD EARN 
I NSTEAD of keeping unemployed the funds you 
expect to have use for later, they may be in¬ 
vested with tins Company, withdrawn when 
you wish. We pay you earnings for every day 
and can handle sueh temporary investments 
as profitably for you as more 
permanent accounts. 
Assets, $1,750,000. 
Established 13 Years. 
Banking Dept. Supervision 
Let us send you further and 
more detailed information,with 
endorsements of those whom 
we have served. 
INDUSTRIAL SAVINGS AND LOAN CO. 
5 Times Bldg., Broadway, New York. 
PHYSICIANS FAVOR 
the application of Electricity for many 
modern ills. It is a logical, natural and 
scientific faet that ELECTRICAL 
VIBRATION banishes pain and relieves 
much suffering, it is better than medicine 
because it stimulates circulation and invig¬ 
orates the body and mind. 
THE VOLTAMP ELECTRIC 
BATTERY 
leads all others in efficiency, in perfect con¬ 
struction and in design - For liome-treat- 
ment and self-application there is no better 
battery made. SOLI) BY DEALERS 
EVERY WIi ERE. Wo issue an entertaining 
Booklet “FARADIC HINTS’’ which is a 
complete education in ELECTRICAL VI¬ 
BRATION TREATMENT as a curative. 
It is deeply interesting, highly instructive 
and FREE for tlie asking, Write for it 
to-day. Department R. 
VOLTAMP ELECTRIC MFG. CO., 
BALTIMORE, MD. 
IN DRUROID 
ROOFING 
Requires no Coatincr or 
Paint. 
Acid and Alkali Proof. 
Elastic and Pliable 
Always. 
Strong- and Tough. 
Absolutely Waterproof 
Climatic Changes Do Not 
Affect It. 
Practically Fire Proof. 
Can Be Used on Steep or 
Flat Surfaces. 
Any Workman Can Put 
It On. 
No Odor. 
Will not Shrink or Crack 
Light in Weight. 
Does not Taint Water. 
Write for samples, prices and 
circulars. 
H. F. WATSON CO. 
EBIE, PA. 
Chicago, Boston. 
Mention R.N.-Y. 
WARREN'S 
WALRUS 
ROOFING 
Tough and tight as a walr 
hide, and just as pliable a 
lusting. Summer sun, wint 
ice, wen’t affect it. It can't rust and woi 
crack. Anybody can lay it. Send for sampl 
JVarrenChemjcal&jVlfg.Co., !6Batter.y PI, NewYc 
Mo. 9 Multi- 
i>l« Conduit. 
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 m 
car loads. 
Write 
H. B. Camp Co. 
Bessemer Bldg. 
PITTSBURG, PENS 
Try It. Freight Paid. 
40 years the leader, better than ever 
and price lower. 
Quaker City 
mills grind ear com and 
all grains, separate or 
mixed. Don’t be misled. 
Quaker Cities make good 
everywhere. Investigate. Catalog free. 
TIia I Uf CM ,011 h Pa U™! Filbert St., Phils. Pa. 
Hie A. If. OllflUD UU. 47-40 tumi st., clicuko, iu 
