236 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
March Ifi, 
VOTES FROM THE RURAL GROUNDS 
The Christmas Rose. —Fig. 112, page 
227, is much reduced from a photograph 
taken outside January 22, 1906, by A. B. 
El well, Lockport, N. Y., of a plant of the 
European Christmas 'rose, Helleborus 
niger, grown by him and in bloom at that 
tarly date. Mr. Elwell writes: 
The plant Is growing In the open air, and 
has no protection but the chance leaves 
gathered by the wind, which may be seen 
iu the picture. Bees were working on the 
(lowers at the time, but the day was so 
too long exposure was needed to 
the flowers clearly, to allow of 
bees at work. 
be remembered that January 
year was exceptionally mild, but 
even vigorous plants 
rose to bloom so well 
dark that 
bring out 
taking tin 
It will 
of last 
it is not usual for 
of the Christmas 
at that early date, though a few warm 
days any time after December may he 
expected to bring out a few of the best- 
developed buds. 
The large white-flowered Christmas 
rose illustrated is by far the most popu¬ 
lar member of the genus Helleborus, com¬ 
prising less than a dozen species of hardy 
herbaceous plants, mostly with evergreen 
foliage, natives of Europe and western 
\sia. I he Asiatic species, H. orientalis, 
sometimes known as Lenten rose, has 
many varieties with purple bloom, vari¬ 
ously marked with green and white, and 
some hybrids that are well worth grow¬ 
ing. but appears to be little known in 
American horticulture. Of the several 
imported kinds we have bloomed F. C. 
Ileineman, large purple flowers; Rubro- 
purpureus, tall grower, spreading dark 
purple flowers and Guttatus, green out¬ 
side. white, crimson-spotted, within, are 
the best. All grow well in ordinary moist 
garden soil, and bloom in earliest Spring, 
or even midwinter, if the season is mild, 
but, on the whole, do not appear as desir¬ 
able as the subject of illustration. There 
is much charm in the great white blooms 
coming in at this unusual season. One 
really does not expect them, no matter 
what elaborate preparations have been 
made. The element of surprise when they 
actually open in mild Winters is always 
present. The large evergreen leaves, one 
for each blooming crown in the clump, 
finely set off the conspicuous flowers. 
Christmas roses may either be grown 
from seeds or propagated by clump divi¬ 
sion. Many plants sold in this country 
tire imported so late in Autumn that they 
rarely become sufficiently established to 
bloom well the following Spring. Home¬ 
grown clumps may usually be had from 
nurserymen, either in early Fall or Spring 
at from 25 to 50 cents each, and succeed 
much better. They should be carefully 
planted as soon as received, taking care 
to spread the dark, fleshy roots in a nat¬ 
ural position and to firm the earth well 
about them. F'ew plants more strongly 
resent having their roots huddled or 
cramped together than the hellebores, and 
it may also be said that few plants not 
really difficult to transplant so plainly dis¬ 
like removal after becoming established, 
so that it is best to make a thorough and 
permanent job of it when Christmas or 
Lenten roses are to be planted. If mid¬ 
winter flowers are specially desired a 
warm and sheltered position should be 
selected, as the blooms, like those of the 
snowdrop and other hardy early flower¬ 
ing plants, do not open while the soil re¬ 
mains frozen. The simple protection of a 
cold frame or unheated glasshouse will 
bring out blooms in any season not ex¬ 
ceptionally cold. They may also be eas¬ 
ily forced with mild heat if strong plants 
are potted up and gradually accustomed 
to the higher temperature. A well-devel¬ 
oped Christmas rose measures quite three 
inches across, and is a beautiful and last¬ 
ing flower. When planted outside the soil 
{ should be made deep and rich, and an 
annual covering of coarse manure applied 
to lessen the chances of heaving by frost. 
Christmas roses are occasionally grown 
for commercial cut blooms, and are al¬ 
ways highly appreciated by purchasers, 
but few florists have patience to work 
up a sufficient stock of plants. When 
grown for this purpose it is best to plant 
in permanent beds, placing the crowns or 
divisions not less than 18 inches apart. 
Azaleas From Seed. —Most Azaleas 
may be propagated by layers, grafting and 
cuttings of manure wood taken in the 
Fall and rooted under glass. Special 
varieties must of necessity be increased 
in one or another of the above methods, 
but seedlings of the more vigorous kinds 
are not particularly difficult to grow, and 
it is by the latter means that new kinds 
are produced. The seeds are minute, but 
germinate quite readily when sown in 
well-drained pots or pans of light, sandy 
leaf mold or seasoned peat or swamp 
muck, the surface of which should be well 
mixed with finely-sifted sphagnum moss. 
Seeds should he very lightly covered with 
equal parts of soil and sifted moss, and 
disturbed as little as possible by water¬ 
ing. Moisture is most safely supplied by 
standing the pots in water so that it rises 
through the drainage openings and sat¬ 
urates the soil. The pots may with ad¬ 
vantage be covered with glass and shaded 
with paper until the seedlings begin to 
come up, when they should be placed in a 
good light, hut not necessarily in full sun. 
A temperature averaging 55 degrees ap¬ 
pears most suitable. When the first true 
leaves appear an occasional watering of 
well diluted liquid fertilizer made from 
cow or sheep manure is of much advan¬ 
tage. When large enough to handle, 
the seedlings may be transplanted, two 
inches apart, to boxes of similar soil, 
four inches deep. During Summer the 
boxes may be placed outside in partial 
shade. Watering should he done in a 
methodical way, as the fine rootlets arc 
quickly injured by drying out. Regular 
applications of liquid animal manure are 
very beneficial, hut phosphates, ground 
bone, guano, ashes or other materials 
containing lime should be avoided. After 
the heat of Summer is past the boxes 
may be removed to full sunlight and less 
water given, as the foliage matures. 
When freezing weather begins they may 
he removed to a frame, cold greenhouse 
or light cold cellar, and thus wintered 
over, applying only water enough to keep 
the soil reasonably moist. Solid freez¬ 
ing of the soil under shelter should not 
injure the hardy kinds, but frequent thaw¬ 
ing should he avoided. Early next Spring 
the year-old seedlings may he planted out 
in beds or nursery rows, placing them at 
least a foot apart, that they may have 
room to grow to blooming size without 
further disturbance. The soil should be 
light, well enriched and as free from 
lime as possible. Cultivation should be 
frequent but shallow, as the roots run 
near the surface, and the plants are much 
benefited late in the season after weed- 
growth has been conquered by a thick 
mulch of stable manure, which should 
remain over the succeeding Winter to 
prevent heaving. Seedlings of the A. 
mollis type usually grow well, and may 
produce a few blooms the second year, 
but other species need several years’ 
growth to gain sufficient development 
to bloom. Even with Ad oil is seedlings 
the true character is seldom shown until 
the fourth or fifth year. Care is needed 
to place the more delicate and shade-lov¬ 
ing kinds in the situations to which tliev 
are best adapted, and it is often worth 
while to incorporate a considerable quan¬ 
tity of leaf mold or peat in the soil when 
they are planted. Soil from about the 
roots of the common wild Pinxter flower 
and A. viscosa appears to favor the ger¬ 
mination and growth of such difficult 
seedlings as those of Rhodora and A. cal- 
endulacea, better than ordinary leaf mold 
or peat, thus apparently indicating that 
some fungoid organism may aid our na¬ 
tive Azaleas to assimilate nourishment 
from their rooting medium. w. v. F. 
Paint Without Oil 
Remarkable Discovery That Cats 
Down the Cost of Paint Seventy- 
Five Per Cent. 
A Free Trial Package la Hailed to Every¬ 
one Who Writes. 
A. L. Rice, a prominent manufacturer of 
Adams, N. Y., has discovered a process of 
making a new kind of paint without the use 
of oil. He calls It Powdrpalnt. It comes In the 
form of a dry powder and all that Is required Is 
cold water to make a paint weather proof, lire 
proof and as durable as oil paint. It adheres to 
any surface, wood, stone or brick, spreads and 
looks like oil paint and costs about oue-fourth as 
much. 
Write to Mr. A. L. Rice, Manuf’r., 113 North 
St., Adams, N. Y., and he will send you a free 
trial package, also color card and full informa¬ 
tion showing you how you can save a good many 
dollars. Write to-day. 
YEARS 
OF 
SUCCESS 
the 50th Anniversary o 
| Cahoon Hand Broadcast Seed Sower. 
This machine will sow from 4 to 5 
acres per honr and lasts a lifetime. 
We want you to get acquainted with 
The Deyo Air Cooled 
POWER SPRAYER 
No Water Required. Hundreds In Use. 
Write for 
Spraying 
Catalogue 5 
CAHOON 
Write today for our new book "Sow¬ 
ing for Results" which tells just how 
much seed to use for best results, 
^and our 50th Anniversary 
k Souvenir. It also tells 
. how you can save time, 
| seed and money. 
GOOD ELL COMPANY, 
14 Main Street, 
Antrim, N. H. 
Simple 
Durable 
Economical 
K. H. DEYO & CO., Binghamton, New York. 
THE “KANT-KLOG” SPRAYERS 
Something New. Gets twice the results withs amc labor 
and fluid. Mat or round, fine or coarse sprays from same 
i fh Nozzle. Ten styles. For trees, vines, 
vegetables, whitewashing, etc. 
Agents 
Wanted. 
Booklets free. 
Bochuter, B. T. 
Rochester Spray Pump Co., 16 Easl A*a., 
TO 
ST SPRAYERS 
FREE TRIAL 
and better ones, earlier to mature 
and using less seed, when you plant 
with our 
Acme Hand Planter 
| Deposits seed at just the right depth in 
[ moist soil. Neither seed nor soil can dry 
out. Seed grows at once. Cheapest and 
oaulCHt way to plant. Works well in any soli, 
sod or new land. If your dealer can't fur¬ 
nish it, send tl ana his name; we will 
ship charges paid. Writefor tiooklet, 
^ “The Acme of J’otato 1'rollt,” Free 4 
Potato Implement Co., 
Box 525, 
f Traverse City. 
/ Mich. 
i—Tree Ills Cured— 
" The Good’s Caustic Potash Whale-Oil 
Soap J used on my orchard and garden last 
year gave me great satisfaction. San .lose 
Scale, apple tree scab, peach curl and rot. 
have all yielded to the treatment." 
L. B r . M., Kensington, Maryland 
_, , Caustic Potash o »r o ' 
Good s whaie-oii ooap No. 3 
Write for Manual of Plant Diseases, free. 
James Good, Sr) l ^ i . n pront Sei Philadelphia. 
No Money in Advance—pay when 
convenient. The “FITZ- ALL” tits- 
|on-iuiy-barrel or tank. Sprays all so¬ 
lutions. Proven best and most dur¬ 
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Kraus Kali Valves Cylinder .Plunger. 
etc. Strainer Cleaner and 3 Agitators. 
200 lb. pressure. A boy can operate It. 
After trial if yon keep It—pay when 
yon ran. Wholesale price whoro no 
agent— Agents Wanted. Special 
Free OITcr for flrut in each locality. “Spray¬ 
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H.L.Hurst Mfo.Co.. g North St.,Canton.O. 
For Rapid, Easy Spraying—The 
**AutO-Pop” nozzle. 
Controlled by one finger, regulates spray 
from a steam to a fine mist. Doubles ca¬ 
pacity. Saves solution, time, labor. 
INCREASE THE CROPS 
by using the “Auto-Pop” nozzle on 
the “Auto-Spray” pump. 
Write if you want agency. 
E. C. Brown Co., 28 J.jst., Rochester, N. Y. 
High Grade Brass 
Sprayers 
Single and double act¬ 
ing. Bucket, Knapsack, 
Barrel, Pumps, nozzles 
and appliances. 
) Best and most complete pump a 
sprayer line made. Catalog free. 
BARNES MFC. CO., Dept, 19, Msntfleld, Ohio, 
Save 
Your Crops 
From Insects 
You can secure absolute protection 
from the ravages of all leaf-eating 
insects by spraying with 
Arsenate of Lead 
This is the best insecticide for all 
insects feeding upon foliage, and in 
fact the only insecticide that will 
destroy every species. It has the 
further advantage of sticking to the 
foliage after application, so that rains 
will not wash it off. It cannot burn 
or scorch and is used without danger 
in application. 
Write for booklet telling nil nl>ont the use 
ami value of Swift’s Arsenate of Lead, and 
giving recommendations of leading growers. 
MERRIMAC CHEMICAL CO..31 Broad St.,Boston. Mass. 
The Perfection Sprayer 
combines hand and horse power, and haa both cart and barrel, 
1 1 *8 simple, reliable, practicable ami durable. Sprays everything, 
trees, potatoes, vines. Catalogue, telling how to spray and con¬ 
taining valuable formulas, FRISK. 
No More Hand Pumping 
No coal. No steam. No oil. No packing or labor. 
No Cost for Motive Power 
NIAGARA AUTOMATIC BUMP | 
(Hydraulic Iiatn) 
works night and day on any brook, 
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Used and endorsed by Gov¬ 
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public Institutions, farmers, 
owners of factories, country 
homes and mines. Write to-A 
day for free booklet. I 
Niagara Hydraulic Engine Co. 
HO NASSAU 8TREEET, NEW YORK. FACTORTrChcutcr, F». 
GET THE BEST 
A Good Spray Pump earns big 
profits and lasts for years. 
THE ECLIPSE 
is a good pump. As 
practical fruit growers 
we were using common 
sprayers in our own orchards 
-—found their defects and 
invented the Eclipse. Its 
success forced us to manu¬ 
facturing on a large scale. 
You take no chances. We 
have done all the experi¬ 
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Treatise on spraying FREE. 
MORRILL & MOP LEY, Benton Harbor, Mlcb. 
DESTROY 
SAN JOSE 
SCALE 
before it destroys your trees. The 
one absolutely sure way to eradicate 
this pest entirely is by using 8ALI- 
MINK— the best, safest, cheapest, 
concentrated spray on the market. 
The original 
TRADE 
SALIMINE 
MARK 
is the result of ten years "At It” and 
‘Know How.” It is a Lime, Salt, Sul¬ 
phur, and Caustic Potash solution. 
Recognized by all experimental sta¬ 
tions as the best insecticide for thor¬ 
oughly eradicating scale. One gallon 
mixed with cold water makes 20 gal¬ 
lons of the standard solution. Write 
to-day for free circular with prices. 
Monmouth 
Dept. 
A. 
Chemical Works 
SHREWSBURY, N. J. 
PRATT’S 
SCALECIDE 
WILL POSITIVELY DESTROY 
99 Soluble 
Petroleum 
SAN JOSE, COTTONY MAPLE SCALE, PEAR PSYLLA, ETC. 
,r -. Samples, Prices and Endorsement of Experiment Stations on Application. 
Without Injury to the Trees. 
PRATT CO., Dopt. A, 
11 Broadway, WE’W 
CITY 
