464 
THE RURAI> NEW-YORKER 
April 24, 
Ruralisms 
Hybrid Freesias. — Another season’s 
trial of hybrid Freesias, including the 
blooming of 2,500 new cross-bred seed¬ 
lings, appears to indicate a bright fu¬ 
ture for these pretty and interesting 
Winter - blooming plants. Freesia 
breeding for the greatest part of a 
century has been along the lines of 
selection for the purpose of elim¬ 
inating the yellow and occasional 
purple shades found in F. refracta, 
the species first cultivated, as well as 
in perfecting the form and increasing 
the size of the flowers. The variety 
Purity, frequently noticed in The R. 
N.-Y., may be taken as the best result 
of this arduous and long-continued 
work. In size, finish, purity of white 
coloring, vigor of plant and florifer- 
ousness under ordinary greenhouse 
conditions, it leaves little to be de¬ 
sired, although the yellow markings in 
the throat have not entirely been ob¬ 
literated. With the introduction of the 
pink-flowered Freesia Armstrongi from 
Natal, South Africa, a few years ago, 
the prospect of greatly extending the 
color range of these charming flowers 
induced cultivators in various locali¬ 
ties to hybridize the new species with 
the best of the older kinds. Two new 
colored varieties have already been 
placed in commerce, and others are 
likely to follow as stocks are worked 
up. The newcomers are Tubergeni and 
Amethyst, both raised in Holland. Tu¬ 
bergeni produces abundant good-sized 
blooms, rosy carmine,with yellow blotch 
in throat, while the coloring in Ame¬ 
thyst may be described as a delicate 
shade of lavender blue. Both are ex¬ 
cellent growers and free in bloom, 
producing as many as 14 flowers on a 
spike, and more than 100 to each plant 
under Rural Grounds’ glasshouse con¬ 
ditions. These meritorious novelties 
have received high honors abroad and 
are said to result from inter-crossing 
Armstrongi with pure white forms of 
Refracta. They are well worth grow¬ 
ing anywhere. Our own experiments 
are mainly with Armstrongi and Pur¬ 
ity, though selected florists’ strains of 
Refracta alba have been used. The 
hybrid seedlings show a great range 
of coloring, lavender and light purple 
predominating, but there are many 
shades of clear rose and pinks in one 
group, and bronzy yellow in another. 
One apparent gem has particularly fine 
trusses, flesh pink with yellowish cen¬ 
ter, the blooms being compacted in al¬ 
most circular clusters like those of a 
gigantic trailing arbutus, a faint but 
pleasing fragrance carrying out the re¬ 
semblance. Armstrongi and most of its 
direct hybrids are scentless, but the 
dilute or second generation crosses 
have considerable fragrance. The 
work of selection and propagation 
among so many promising seedlings is 
far greater than that of pollination, as 
many who attempt it soon discover. 
There is promise of great advancement 
in the near future, but discrimination 
is needed in putting new kinds on the 
market. 
Freesia Chapmani is also a very 
attractive new yellow-flowered variety, 
bred in England as the result of re¬ 
peatedly crossing the odorless and ir¬ 
regular-flowered F. aurea with re¬ 
fracta. The color is bright golden 
yellow, with deep orange blotch in 
throat. The fragrance is more like 
that of orange blooms than the apricot 
odor usually associated with Freesias. 
Our trial plants grow well and bear 
many good-sized and finely-formed 
blooms. 
Plant Evergreens. — This oft re¬ 
peated advice will never grow stale. 
Taken all in all the conifers are the 
most valuable forest trees we have. 
Cement and metal will be increasingly 
used in large constructions, but the 
easily-worked and clear-grained wood 
of the tall-growing conifers will ever 
be needed for countless minor uses. 
But it is of the ornamental features 
that we desire to speak. It seems im¬ 
possible to ignore the cheerful effect¬ 
iveness .of even the commonest varie¬ 
ties at this season of early Spring, to 
say nothing of the grateful memories 
of Winter shelter from cutting, frosty 
winds. The time has passed when the 
somber Norway spruce is densely 
planted in narrow door yards. Rightly 
used and given space for full develop¬ 
ment the Norway spruce is a noble 
tree, and should not be omitted where 
it will not crowd out more desirable 
varieties. There are more cheerful 
subjects among our native conifers, 
however, that should be given prefer¬ 
ence where no great assortment is de¬ 
sired. The White pine, the northern 
White spruce and the Colorado spruce 
in its ordinary green-leaved form, are 
in every way handsomer trees, though 
the latter is of considerably slower 
growth. The hemlock spruce is king 
of them all—the most graceful and re¬ 
freshing of evergreens in its coat of 
vivid green, defying the fiercest blasts 
of Winter, and only changing to more 
tender beauty as the young growth 
starts in June. It is reliably hardy as 
regards cold and is everywhere so sat¬ 
isfactory that nurserymen are pleased 
when it is ordered. When properly 
cared for it makes the finest evergreen 
hedge known. The Red pine is a fast 
grower, adapted to all but very wet 
soils, and especially effective for 
masses or wind-breaks. The western 
Yellow or Heavy-wooded pine^ Pinus 
ponderosa, is a bold and upright tree, 
growing well in most localities, and 
especially interesting for its very long 
glaucous needles, only exceeded by the 
tender long-leaved pine of the South. 
In exotic species we have the Austrian 
and Scotch pines, very ornamental 
when young, the beautiful Nordmann’s 
fir from the Crimea and the Cephalon- 
ian fir from Asia Minor and the moun¬ 
tains of Greece. These are all hardy, 
cheap and easily transplanted. They 
are offered by all ornamental nursery¬ 
men advertising in The R. N.-Y., some 
in mail collections of young seedlings 
at exceedingly low prices. 
Plenty of Dwarf Varieties. — The 
above species are all of large growth, 
suitable for fairly extensive yards and 
lawns, though useful as specimens in 
smaller places. There are many 
dwarfer kinds, including the arbor 
vitaes, yews, junipers, the Japan Retin- 
osporas and some of the cypresses 
that are exceedingly attractive for even 
the smallest grounds. We do not think 
the less of deciduous trees and shrubs, 
nor of the broad-leaved flowering ever¬ 
greens, but confess an increasing lik¬ 
ing, as the years go by, for the sturdy 
and enduring conifers. Evergreens are 
far better grown by nurserymen than 
formerly, and present no difficulties 
in planting if the roots are never suf¬ 
fered to dry while out of the ground. 
The work may be done much later 
than with deciduous species, as coni¬ 
fers, with the exception of the Taxo- 
dium or bald cypress of the South and 
the larches are never devoid of fo¬ 
liage. Most nurserymen agree that the 
month of May, just as the young growth 
starts, is the best time to move them, 
though if the work be done with cau¬ 
tion it is in order practically every 
month in the year. It is not neces¬ 
sary to invest in large and expensive 
specimen trees. Plant well-rooted 
young ones and mulch them well. 
Their growth after becoming estab¬ 
lished will be surprisingly rapid. 
W. F. V. 
DR. JABEZ FISHER RECOMMENDS PYROX. 
Dr. Jabez Fisher, the well known 
horticulturist, of Fitchburg, Mass y 
writes: “I am so well satisfied wi h 
the use of Pyrox that I place my prin¬ 
cipal reliance upon it as an insecto-fun- 
gicide. It seems to have all the quali¬ 
ties that the fruit grower can expect in 
any one preparation. It is convenient^ 
clean, easily applied and. above all, per¬ 
sistent. For the best results it should 
be applied very thoroughly and repeat¬ 
edly as various circumstances demand. 
I know of nothing else that is likely to 
supersede it.” “Pyrox” kills insects 
and prevents fungous diseases; it does 
not wash off the foliage like Paris 
green, but sticks like paint even through 
heavy rains. Address Bowker Insecti¬ 
cide Co., Boston, Mass.—Adv. . 
S DOAV Your Fruits, Crops, 
* * Poultry Houses, and 
do whitewashing with The 
AUTO-SPRAY. Factory price 
and guaranteed to satisfy. Kitted witli 
Auto Pop Nozzle does the work of three 
ordinary sprayers. Used l>y Experiment 
Stations and 300,000 others. We make 
many styles and sizes. Spraying Guide 
Free. Write for book, prices and Agency 
Oder. The £ c Brown Co. 
28 Jay Street, Rochester, N. Y. 
FIX YOUR ROOF 
e. n A . Crtliara -We will guarantee to put 
DC r 61 OSJUnie, atl y old leaky, worn-out, 
rusty, tin, iron, steel, paper, felt or shingle roof in 
perfect condition, and keep it in perfect condition 
for 6c per square per year. 
The Perfect Roof Preserver, makes old, 
worn-out roofs new. Satisfaction guaranteed 
or money refunded. Our fro© roofing book 
1 Iclls all about it. Write for it today. 
tfic Anderson Manufacturing Co.. Dept. 35. Elyria. Qbtk 
iUI oc pci 
Roof-Fix 
LEGGETT’S DUSTERS 
Distribute 
Insecticides 
In dust form 
WO WATER TO HAUL 
LEGGETT'S THE CHAMPION 
CHAMPION 
DUSTER 
dusts two rows of pota¬ 
toes as fast as you walk. 
THE BEETLE 
Potato Duster (Horse Pow¬ 
er) dusts four rows. 
THE JUMBO 
dusts trees. 
Illustrated Spray Calendar giving concise in¬ 
formation regarding Dusters ami address of 
nearest dealer. .Mailed oil request. 
LEGGETT & BRO., 301 Pearl St., NEW YORK 
POTATO CROP- 
INSURANCE 
Spraying is a necessity. Do it with the ma¬ 
chine that makes your work count. There’s 
nothing up to the great 
Aspinwall 
4-Row Sprayer 
That's what potato growers 
say.and they know. Book free. 
Get it and see how we lead the 
world on potato machines. 
ASPINWALL MANUFACTURING CO. 
437 Sabin Street Jackson, Mich. 
Canadian Factory: Guelph, Canada 
Niagara Brand 
Products 
Unsurpassed for— 
Convenience, Economy 
and Effectiveness• 
Niagara Lime Sulphur Solution — 
For Sucking Insects and Fungus. Better than 
any other Spray material. 
Niagara Arsenate of Lead —Kills Bugs, 
Beetles, Caterpillars, Etc. 
Niagara Bordeaux Arsenate —Insecti¬ 
cide and Fungicide Combined---beats ail sum¬ 
mer sprays. 
Niagara Tree Borer Paint —Controls 
Borers absolutely. 
Niagara Gas Sprayers-- Built in 7 styles. 
Send for descriptive catalogues,prices, etc., ERFE. 
Niagara Sprayer Co, 
Middleport, N. V. 
Baskets 
Crates 
Ladders 
Wholesale and Retail 
BACON & CO. 
APPLETON, N. Y. 
- ONE MAN DOES 
WORK OF TWO 
With Iron Age Biding Culti- 
vntora. You can do it easier and 
better, because they are built ou 
lines that make this possible. 
Hoes are under perfect control. 
Can regulate depth and 
keep hoes desired dis¬ 
tance from growing 
plants. More ad¬ 
vantages in our 
IKON AUK 
Book* i t’t 
FREE. 
Pivot ot fixed 
whee*. wheel* 
MFG. CO.. Bax 1Q2-C, GRENLOCH, N. J. 
LARK’S “CUTAWAY! 
We mako 120 
sizes & styles of 
Disk Harrows 
for every purpose. Farmers and 
Orehardists increase their crops 
2.»to50£. Let us prove this. Send 
today for our FREE Booklet and 
special prices. Cutaway Harrow Co. 
839 Main Street, Higganum, Conn. 
Wood Saws 
that nr o guaranteed to give 
satisfaction or money re¬ 
funded. 1 Wood Saw I'nuiie 
Coinplctfl with 18 hi. Circular San. $Hi; 24 ir.., $141.01; 241 in., 
JiiKt the thing for the fanner and fruit-grower lor 
t-awing crate lumber, hewing fence posts, etc. Send foi circular. 
HFKTZLKK & ZOOK, Belleville, l’a. 
WHEELS,’ FREIGHT PAID $8.75 
for « Buggy Wheel*. Steel Tires. With Rubber Tires, SI5.20. I 
mfg. wheels to 4 in. tread. Buggy Top* J5.60. Shafts $2 00 T«p 
BoRles U3: Mar»ess,$5. Leara bow to boy direct-Catalogue Tree. Repair 
Wheels. £5.00. Wagon Umbrella kbelW R BOOS, Cledaostl, 0. 
FARM USES 
of CAR BOLIN EU M are completely explained in 
BULLETIN 26 
covering Kinds and Habits of Lice—The care of 
Silos. Preservative treatment of Shingles and 
Fence posts and the care of Fruit and Shade 
Trees. Mailed free upon request. 
ENDORSED BY 17. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRH’UETUHE. 
CARBOLINEUM WOOD PRESERVING CO., 
351 West Broadway, New York. 
AGRICULTURAL 
OR 
FERTILIZING SALT. 
Write for prices. 
THE ONONDAGA COARSE SALT ASS’N.. 
i Syracuse, .... New York. 
FERTILIZER LIME 
WALTON OU A It KI ICS, Harrisburg, l’a. 
JARVIS SPRAYING COMPOUND. 
Im the Cheapest and Bert. It Iln* No Superior. 
Sure Cure For Sun Jo»e Seale. 
Buy direct from the manufacturer and save money. 
Spraying Compound ready to mix with water. One 
gallon of Spraying Compound will make from sixteen to 
twenty gallons of spray. 
TERMS j—In barrel lots (50 gals. ) SO cent* per gal. 
We would refer you to J. H. Hale, the Peach King, or 
Prof. Jarvis, of the Connecticut Agricultural College. 
They will tell you there is nothing better. Address 
The J. T. ROBERTSON CO.. Box R. Manchester. Conn. 
TARGET BRAND 
QUICK BORDEAUX, 
a spray material for use on trees and 
plants in foliage. The unique met hod of 
packing makes it entirely different 
from other prepared Bordeaux. Send 
for testimonials and opinions showing 
liow to increase the yield of your fruit 
and potatoes from o(l£ to 1005 by its use. 
TARGET BRAND, Box 721, /Vlartinsburg.W. Va. 
SEA GREEN AND PURPLE SLATE 
is nature’s own product—not man made. Quarried from solid rock—split into 
convenient form for laying, and then in its natural state ready for the roof. 
SOLID ROCK CAN NOT WEAR OUT it can’t bum 
rust, warp, crack, tear, or decay. 3 hat’s why Sea Green or Purplo Slate Roofs 
never wear out and never require painting and repairing like all other roofing. 
Sea Green & Purple Slate Roofs are suitable for any [buildiny , new or old. 
Give perfect protection. Reduce insurance rates because spark and fire-proof. 
Afford clean cistern water. Not affected by heat or cold. First cost—only a 
trifle more than short lived roofing. Settle your roof question for all time. 
Don’t spend more money for poor roofing. Write to us for our free book 
“ROOFS”—it will save youmouey. Give name of yourlocal roofer. Write today. 
AMERICAN SEA GREEN SLATE CO.. Box ic. Granville, N. Y. 
Abenaque Water Supply Systems 
- ; - and 
Pumping Plants 
Are described in detail in our new Water 
Supply Catalogue. We can furnish outfits 
for all purposes. Submit us your Proposi¬ 
tion and let us submit Price on a suitable 
system. Engineering advice gladly given 
free of charge. Write for Catalogue “O.” 
Abenaque Machine Works Westl v£mont tatjon 
Boston Salesroom, 77 Oliver Street 
