126 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
February 16, 
HOW TO PACK GREENHOUSE 
PLANTS. 
We do not handle vegetable or small 
fruit plants to any extent, but we do ship 
the most tender greenhouse plants to the 
most distant points in this country almost 
every day, and many times a day during 
the Spring season, and any notes on pack¬ 
ing such stock would apply equally well 
to vegetable or fruit plants. It is obvious 
that the principal points to be avoided 
are heating of tender green tops and dry¬ 
ing of roots, and in cold weather protec¬ 
tion from frost must always be provided. 
To prevent heating of green tops is by 
far the most serious problem, becoming 
much more difficult in very hot weather, 
and it is most fortunate that most pack¬ 
ing is required to be done in the early 
Spring months when temperatures are 
moderate. Many large shippers pack with 
roots close together at the bottom of the 
box, tops up and exposed to the air and 
light. Plants so packed look all right 
when they leave the packer, but many 
boxes so packed reach their destination 
in utter ruin. If such a box has any 
kind of a top on it (even slats) it is 
almost sure to land bottom up many 
times during its journey. It is useless to 
print a warning “This side up” on it. 
And if the top of the plants be left ex¬ 
posed they may not be turned over but 
something will surely be thrown on them. 
I believe the best packing for nearly all 
weather conditions to be as follows: 
Wrap plants in separate packages of from 
five to 25 plants, according to size, or to 
make a package that shall be not more 
than two inches through, a little soil 
should be left on the roots, but even if 
the plant is from a two-inch pot it is 
not necessary or desirable that it should 
all be left on; one-half or more should 
be shaken off. The bunch of roots and 
soil should now be well covered with 
moist sphagnum moss, which must be 
wrapped in oiled or waxed paper covering 
the entire plant. Packages so wrapped 
should be packed tightly, in layers, a 
row of roots at each end of a box with 
tops to the center and overlapping. Layer 
after layer may be packed in one box, pro¬ 
vided they are so tight that they can¬ 
not move, and any space in the center or 
top must be packed full and tight with 
excelsior, to avoid any possible move¬ 
ment of the plants. Many packers use 
sticks nailed crosswise of the box to hold 
plants in place, but they often cause seri¬ 
ous damage to plants so packed. The 
wax paper is of great importance, not 
only to keep the moss and soil moist, but 
to prevent moisture reaching the tops to 
cause heat and decay. Tops must be dry 
when packed, and the wax paper will keep 
them so, even though the moss and roots 
be quite wet. Any other paper coming 
in contact with the wet moss would act 
as a sponge, and would wet the entire 
package Most plants so packed will be 
sufficiently separated by the paper to pre¬ 
vent heating but if the tops are very heavy 
a thin layer of excelsior between each 
layer of plants will be of great service. 
After you have your box nicely nailed up 
I advise that you take it to the highest 
pohit on the roof of your house and 
allow it to roll gently down, strike the 
porch if possible and bound to the ground. 
If it passes through this test satisfac¬ 
torily, it is likely that it may travel from 
Maine to California safely. 
Oakton, Va. w. r. gray. 
MAKING LIME AND SULPHUR WASH 
What is the best plan for making lime 
and sulphur for 500 to 1,000 trees? 
For a few trees, or even an orchard of 
100 trees, the old method of boiling in a 
furnace kettle out of doors is still in use, 
but when the number of trees runs up to 
500 or 1,000 one must find some quicker 
method of handling and preparing the 
wash than this. Perhaps there is no bet¬ 
ter wav than boiling with live steam, as 
they do at Geneva Experiment Station, 
but as nearly all the farm power is gas¬ 
oline engines now the steam boiling will 
require a separate plant, and be quite 
an expense, therefore we have prepared 
our wash with what is called the self¬ 
cooking method—that is, cooking it with 
its own heat and a little caustic soda 
added. We tried a large tank on the 
barn floor, drawing the prepared wash 
from the bottom of the tank into the 
spray wagon at the basement of the barn, 
but the sediment, where so much lime is 
used, bothered so we had to give up that 
method, and now we use a low platform 
and 50 gallon barrels to prepare it. As 
our spray tank holds 150 gallons we have 
to use three barrels, and allowing it to 
settle slightly and dipping it out with 
pails we get rid of much of the trouble¬ 
some sediment. The method of self¬ 
cooking is very simple, and after a little 
experience one will seldom fail getting a 
good wash. First the sulphur must be 
stirred into a paste and then the fresh 
stone lime put in, and hot water used to 
slake the lime to save all the heat possi¬ 
ble. If this is done right and a few 
pounds of caustic soda is added just be¬ 
fore the boiling from the lime heat stops 
a dark olive green color comes, and the 
whole thing has only taken a few min¬ 
utes, where it would take an hour of 
“fire cooking” in a kettle. After the 
cooking is done the barrels may be filled 
full with cold water and it is ready to be 
sprayed ^t once. white & rice. 
A Case of Alfalfa Fever. 
L. A. B., Bangor, Mich ,—I have a mild hut 
well-developed case of “Alfalfa fever.” I 
have done a little experimental sowing, not 
with results that I hoped for, but with 
enough to lead me on. Where could I secure 
Alfalfa seed grown in New York, say from 
the section near Syracuse, of which you have 
written so favorably? Michigan and New 
York apple conditions and varieties are so 
similar, mayhap our Alfalfa conditions may 
also be similar. I would like lo try New 
York seed if it can be procured, and would be 
willing to pay a premium over the regular 
price if necessary in order to make another 
trial. I have used Crimson clover very suc¬ 
cessfully, in fact, I could give a “record” ex¬ 
perience of what one bushel of tlie seed did 
for me; how far I .made it go. 
Ans. —We advise you to use seed from 
Kansas or even farther west. This advice 
is based on the statements made by Prof. 
Cottrell in his articles last year. No 
doubt eastern seed can be obtained if de¬ 
sired. By all means give us the Crimson 
clover experience. 
45DJDD. TPggR 
SOO varieties. Also Grapes,Small Fruitsete.liest root¬ 
ed stock. Genuine, cheap. 2 sample currants mailed for 
10c. Desc. pries list free. LEWIS KOESCH, Fredonia, S. Y. 
Bargains in Surplus nt 10 cts. each. 
All first-class. Fresh dug. No cold 
storage. 38th year. 80 page catalog. G. C. STONE’S 
Wholesale Nurseries, Dansville, New York. 
APPLE TREES, 
" Nothing But Apple Trees. 
The Safest and BEST Apple 
Trees in the World. 
We offer nearly 100.000 thrifty one and 
two year old apple trees, all bred from 
selected bearing parents. Every tree 
our own growing. 
ROGERS ON THE HIT.I., 
Apple Breeders, Dansville, N. Y 
HARDY 
To j 
prove they are 
healthy and vigorous we’ll 
send Four Trees 3 yrs. old free to 
property owners. Mailing ex¬ 
pense 5c. A postal will bring 
them and our catalog with 64 ' 
colored plates. Write today. 
THE GARDNER NURSERY CO., 
Box 816, Osage, Iowa, 
KNOW APPLES 
I’ve sola many Dig or¬ 
chards. Consequently I 
know what varieties are 
best adapted to your soil 
and climate. My stock in¬ 
cludes all the money-mak¬ 
ers—fancy and common va¬ 
rieties. They are well- 
grown, carefully packed, 
__lly guaranteed. I pay freight, 
catalog of ornamental and fruit 
trees, shrubs,etc. C.A.Maxson, Mgr.Miohigan 
Nursery & Orchard Co.,Kalamazoo, Mich. 
EVERGREENS 
Mention 
this 
paper. 
Nursery grown, hardy everywhere. 
All sizes for all purposes, lowest 
prices. 50 bargain lots, first class, 
prepaid $1 to $10 per 100. Also Nurs- 
ery grown Forest Trees. 
FREE:—One beautiful Black Hill 
Spruce to every customer. Send 
for free Cat. and Bargain Sheet. 
D. Hill, Evergreen Specialist 
Box 74. Dundee. Ill. 
P 
EACH TREES 
PLUM TREES 
And all other kinds of Trees and Plants. 
Catalogue Free. 
JOS. H. BLACK. SON & CO.. 
Hightstown, New Jersey. 
TREES THAT GROW! 
I offer a fine lino of the leading varieties of Apple, 
Pear, Peach, Plum and Cherry trees for Spring 
planting. All my stock is true to name, healthy and 
free from scale. Prices are low, quality considered. 
Have had 40 years actual experience in growing fruit 
trees and can furnish the best. Wholesale prices on 
large orders. Write me before placing your order. 
Address B. E. KEAN, Nurseryman aud 
Orchardist, Stanley, New York. 
ARE YOU READY 
to place your order for Fruit Trees now, 
while the Nurseries have a full stock, 
and while you have time to attend to 
it? Call’s Nurseries, Perry, O., make a 
specialty of dealing’ direct with their cus¬ 
tomers. They employ no agents, hut 
have the reputation of sending out the 
finest trees that can he grown. Write 
them for Price List. 
FRUIT TREES 
& SMALL FRUITS 
Highest grade. 
$1.50 p.r 100 op 
- __ __KKKIGHI’ PAID 
Illustrated catalogue free. Send for one to-day. 
HIGHLAND NUKSERIE8, KOCHESTEK, N. Y. 
THE VERY BEST 
STRAWBERRIES 
Af $2 per 1OOO and Upwards 
Strawberry plants by the million; 
Blackberries, Raspberries, Cur¬ 
rants and Grapes. All thegood old 
and choice new varieties at lowest 
price for best quality. For 30 years a 
Small Fruit Specialist, illustrated, 
descriptive catalog, tellinghow to plant 
and grow—with prices, FREE TO ALL. 
J. T. LOVETT, Little Silver, N. J. 
Tree Buyers 
Start buying Harrison trees and you’ll 
never want stock from any other nurs¬ 
ery. 1000 acres in trees. 
APPLES 
BALDWINS do well every- ■fSIHUMMl® 
where. A great showing for 
spring 1907. 100 varieties. 
Grimes Golden, 
Jonathan, Wagener, 
Winter Banana, York 
Imperial, Yellow Transparent, Early 
Ripe, Fourth of July, etc. 
A hundred varieties; nearly a million trees. 
Let us aid you in selecting kinds for your 
locality. 
PEACHES 
Two-year Harrison trees 
equal to three-year trees 
from other nurseries. 
Strong rooted, strong H 
growers, bred for prolif- 1 
ic bearing. Ray justly ' 
a favorite; choice, beautiful, great bearer. 
Elberta, Chairs. Crawford, Carman, etc. 
Every good variety. No other climate for 
starting peach trees like ours. 
Pears, Plums, Cherries, Grapes, Straw¬ 
berries and Asparagus. Everything best of 
its kind. Get 1907 free catalog. 
HARRISON’S NURSERIES, 
Box 29, Berlin, Md. 
FRUIT TREES 
Start your orchard now. Fortunes have 
been made by it. Start right by planting hardyj) 
well-cultured stock that will live anywhere— 
guaranteed—materially less than agents’ price. 
Ask for prices on 1,000 lots. Illustrated 
catalogue free. 
Chattanooga Nurseries, Box 36, Chattanooga.Tenn. 
w 
W.V- 
SEND 
FOR THE 
Up to Date Berries 
IN CALIFORNIA 
CATALOGUE 
NOW READY 
A. Mitting 
Santa Cruz 
California 
Strawberry Plants 
Large stock of thrifty, young 
*-inc fruit bearers*. 
plants 
from a strain of prolific "fruit"bearers. 
Also Trees, Vines, California Privet, 
Asparagus Roots, Garden Tools, Spray 
Pumps, etc. Catalog free. Write. 
ARTHUR J. COLLINS, BOX R 
MOORESTOWN, N. 0. 
‘STRAWBERRY PLANTS THAT GROW.” 
Best varieties, also Raspberry, 
_ _ _ __ Blackberry, Gooseberry, Cur- 
rantand Grape Plants, Asparagus Roots and Seed Potatoes in assortment. All stock Warranted 
“True to Name” and of grade represented. Descriptive Catalog with Cultural Instructions Free 
to all who askfor it. C. F. WHITTEN, box 11, Rridgmau, Mich. 
WE GROW PEACH TREES. 
We also grow Apple, Plum and other Fruit Trees, Grape Vines, Currants, Asparagus roots. 
Berry plants and a general line of choice Nursery Stock. We have supplied trees for some of the 
largest orchards in New England and the Middle States, We guarantee satisfaction. Send for 
our valuable free illustrated catalogue. BARNES BROS. NURSERY CO., Box8, Yalesville, Conn. 
HEALTHY NATIVE-GROWN FRUIT TREES. 
ORNAMENTAL TREES, VINES, SHRUBS, ETC. 
We offer for Spring of 1907 the finest and most complete list of Nurseiy Stock we have ever grown. 
Our stock can always be relied upon for It is all selected and grown on our own grounds under constant 
expert inspection. We guarantee every specimen true to name and free from disease. Give us a chance 
to figure on your ll-.t of wants before ordering elsewhere. We do LANDSCAPE GARDENING in all 
its Branches. Write now for our Free Illustrated Catalogue. Address 
T. J. DWYER 6 COMPANY, ------- Box 1, Cornwall, New York, 
OUR TREES BEAR FRUIT 
They Represent Pennsylvania’s Best. Special Fine Stock for Spring 
Early orders solicited, Largest and most complete line of Trees, Vines and Plants, 
in Western Penna. Highest indorsement by State Department of Agriculture. 
Special Premium List for our customers this spring. Write for Fine Illustrated 
Catalogue and Price 1 ist. THE RIVERSIDE NURSERY CO., Confluence, Penna. 
TREES 
PLAIN, CLEAN, 
HARDY, RELIABLE 
Fruit Trees 
With Nothing on Them But a TRUE LABEL. 
Our catalog with endorsements will prove to you that the most careful conservative Planters want 
ourtrees. H. S. WILEY & SON, Drawer 122, Cayuga, New York. 
WUITC FI M Tlle crowning glory of American forests, 6 to 8, 8 to 10, 
1 10 to 12 feet, all other sizes up to 4 to 6 inches cali.ier. 
Largo stock of other Shade and Omumentul Trees; Muple, Oak, Ash, Birch, 
Alder, Gjitalpu, Linden, Willow, Poplar, Etc. Large quantities of Oriental 
Plane. A full line of Weeping and Drooping trees, also Evergreens, Shrubs, 
Vines, Paeonias, and other herbaceous plants. 50 acres of Hardy Boses, none 
better grown. A large and superb lot of Cannas. 44 greenhouses of Palins, 
Ferns, Ficus, Araucarias, Geraniums, Everbloomlng Hoses, and other 
things too numerous to mention. Seeds, Plants, Hoses, Etc., by mail, 
postpaid. We guarantee safe arrival and satisfaction. Larger by express 
or freight. An elegant 188-page Catalogue FREE. Send for it and see what 
values we give for a little money. Many choice sets cheap. 63 years, 1200 acres 
THE ST0RRS & HARRISON CO., Box 459, PAINESViLLE, OHIO. 
