6-4 O 
\TETE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
FARMERS’ CLUB 
[Every query must be accompanied by the name 
and address of the writer to insure attention. Be¬ 
fore asking a question, please see whether it is not 
answered in our advertising columns. Ask only 
» few questions at one time. Put questions on a 
separate piece of paper.] 
MORE ABOUT JAPAN PLUMS. 
On page 394 is something about the 
origin of several of the Japanese plums, 
including a quotation from Luther Bur¬ 
bank’s catalogue. In this is a list of 
varieties that he says, if the catalogue 
is properly quoted, and it must be, for 
it was photographed, that he originated 
among others listed. Abundance, Bur¬ 
bank, Satsuma and Shiro. * Now the 
real truth is, unless there is some grave 
error in history, that he did not origi¬ 
nate any one of these four varieties, 
and I am amazed to see them included 
in a list that should be and probably 
was prepared in person by or under Mr. 
Burbank’s direction. He surely knows 
that he did not originate them and that 
he was not the original importer or in¬ 
troducer of some of them, althoug'h he 
plainly says that they are “of my pro¬ 
duction.” As I have read and under¬ 
stood the history of Abundance a num¬ 
ber of trees of it were imported from 
China previous to or about 1884 by the 
direction of Mr. James Lick, of Cali¬ 
fornia, of Lick Observatory fame, and 
some of them were planted at his home 
at or near San Jose, others going to 
the Shinn nursery at Niles, California. 
On this lot of trees was said to be the 
terrible pest which has since been called 
the San Jose scale. This scale spread 
rapidly and trees of the variety were 
sent east from the nursery at Niles and 
were planted by J. T. Lovett, of New 
Jersey. That is how this scale insect 
came to get an early start in that State. 
I saw some of these trees on the Lovett 
farm in 1887, and Mr. Lovett told me, 
when showing them to me, that he did 
not know why they were growing so 
feebly, but in after years we knew the 
reason well enough, and why the pest 
was scattered far and wide from the 
Lovett nursery. It was J. T. Lovett who 
gave the variety the name “Abundance, 
as I have understood the history, and 
if I am wrong will be glad to be cor¬ 
rected. The name in Japan was Bo- 
tankio, so Prof. K. Tamari and other 
Japanese people told me at the time the 
variety was first coming to public notice, 
about 1886. Some gave the name as 
simple Botan. Owing to the opinion 
among pomologists that this was 
thought to be the name of a type or 
class of plums in Japan, the name 
Abundance was generally accepted as 
proper for American use, at least, and 
it has stood until this day. 
About the Burbank plum I have a 
very distinct knowledge of its early his¬ 
tory and have published the same at 
various times and have supposed that 
Mr. Burbank and all others acquainted 
with the real facts would not be in doubt 
or continue to believe or state anything 
but the facts. I have thought it well 
settled and known generally that this 
plum was an importation and not a pro¬ 
duction by Mr. Burbank. To make it 
clear I will state the facts again: Soon 
after I organized the Division of Porno-, 
logy in the U. S. Department of Agri¬ 
culture Mr. Burbank and I began a very 
interesting correspondence, and he sent 
me, among other fruits, specimens of 
various plums from trees that he stated 
were imported by him from Japan as 
little seedlings. As they came into bear¬ 
ing he sent me the fruit of many kinds, 
and the specimens of one number (for 
he sent them under numbers for dis¬ 
tinction) were so much better than all 
the rest that I thought the variety 
worthy of a name, propagation and trial 
and asked Mr. Burbank to allow me to 
name it in his honor, as he was the im¬ 
porter of the original seedling. To this 
he readily agreed and I made a descrip¬ 
tion of the fruit, the first one ever made, 
and had it published in my annual re¬ 
port for 1887 to the head of the De¬ 
partment, with a colored illustration, 
where the same can be seen by anyone 
who cares to look it up at any time. 
Satsuma is a variety that was intro¬ 
duced from Japan along with the earliest 
importations of plums from that coun¬ 
try, but just when and by whom I am 
uncertain. I showed specimens of it to 
Japanese residents visiting in America 
about 1887, who told me that the variety 
was called Smomo in Japan, that it al¬ 
ways had red flesh, and was very late. 
This is true of it in this country. My 
recollection is that I described this plum 
in my first annual report as Pomologist, 
in 1886. 
Shiro is another native of Japan that 
was imported some time about 1885 or a 
little later. The Japanese told me it is 
considered a good plum with them. 
Shiro means white or light colored. I 
am sorry that about all the Japan plums 
have proved a disappointment because 
of their inclination to rot and their in¬ 
ferior quality^. h. e. van deman. 
Patching Up a Lawn. 
L. E. P., Relay, Md. —I desire some advice 
regarding my lawn. The ground was worked 
and seeded two years ago this Spring, was 
not limed. It now appears to be quite 
sour, and the weeds are beginning to get 
a good hold and in some places the ground 
is entirely bare. Would you advise scat¬ 
tering hydrated lime or phosphate or both 
together, and should I sow seed before or 
after fertilizing? 
Ans. —If we used any form of lime 
at all it would be wood ashes or ground 
limestone. As a rule, the application of 
lime on top of the sod does little good. 
The ground limestone will be more ef¬ 
fective than most other forms, but we 
should not expect to improve the lawn 
very much without thickening the stand 
of grass. This we have not been able 
to do satisfactorily without plowing or 
spading and seeding anew. The fertilizer 
will help the grass now on the lawn, but 
with the best seeding and raking you 
will have trouble in getting a new stand 
unless you can work up quite large 
patches, fit the soil properly and seed 
as you would for a new lawn. You can 
patch it up by seeding and raking over 
after fertilizing, but it will not be entire¬ 
ly satisfactory. 
Preventing Onion Smut. 
The Ohio Experiment Station issues a 
leaflet on onion smut. This is a disease 
spread by spores which attack the plant 
just after germination. These spores are 
carried from one season to another in the 
ground. Onion seedlings started under 
glass or sets grown in clean soil are not 
affected by the disease. The Ohio Station 
finds that a solution of one pound of 
formaldehyde in 25 to 33 gallons of water 
will prevent the smut. A “drip attachment" 
is used on the seed drill, which drops the 
solution along the drill as the seed is 
planted. Several manufacturers make this 
drip attachment for onion seeders. The 
Station Bulletin says : 
“Homemade attachments may be made 
from empty syrup cans inverted, using a 
perforated rubber stopper in the outlet, 
connected by suitable rubber tubes with a 
drawn glass tube point at the end of each. 
This rubber tube will require a pinch cock 
to shut off the flow, and the point will need 
to be set so that the solution falls with 
the seed before the earth covers it over. 
The profits from smut treatment where any 
disease exists are very great, and for this 
reason the Experiment Station recommends 
it most strongly.” 
TATE'! I drilling 
TT Lt is Lt MACHINES 
YOUR HOME SHOULD 
attract attention 
If you want to add not only 
to the appearance of your 
property but to its value, put 
up an attractive and durable 
REPUBLIC 
ORNAMENTAL FENCE 
thus combining artistic appear¬ 
ance, permanence and economy. 
Republic are built not only for beauty, 
F F" M P V c ^ ut ,or u, 'l*ty. The fabric 
* _ ™ L t o • g made of best quality 
heavily galvanized cables and heavy upright 
pickets, corrugated only wh* -e they engage 
the cablrtf line wires. These features com¬ 
bine to make a rustproof fabric. 
Made in attractive designs, for 
either wood or iron posts. Self ad¬ 
justing to uneven ground and easily 
put up. 
Write for catalog of Republic Orna¬ 
mental Fence and Farm Gates. 
It’s FREE. 
Republic Fence 4 Gate Co., 
211 Republic SL, North Chicago, Ill. 
DONT FAIL TO PLANT 
SOME OF THE 
Meadozvvale Gladioli 
THIS SEASON. 
Write for Free Illustrated Catalogue at once. 
ARTHUR COWEE 
Meadowvale Farm, Boa 54, BERLIN, N. Y. 
n Alii j AO—TWENTY kinds (my selection) $1. 
UHnLlHO Satisfaction guaranteed. Write for 
full particulars- H. F. BURT, Taunton. Mass. 
PHR QAI c—Cow Peas. $2.50 to $3.00 bushel; 
rUll OHLC Crimson Clover Seed, $8.50 bushel: 
Black-Eyed Peas. $3.00 bushel. 
JOSEPH E. HOLLAND . . Milford. Del. 
OLYMPIC NATURE NURSERY 
Rhododendrons, Madron as, Oregon Grapes, Huckle¬ 
berries and other wild shrubs, plants and flowers. 
By mail, 10 for 50 cents, 24 for $1.00 postpaid. 
Money back it not satisfied. 
JOEI. SHOMAKEK, Nellita, Washington. 
STRAWBERRY PLANTS 
Mary, $2.25 thousand; 
Aroma. Bubacli, Gandy, Oswego, Sample, Success, 
Brandywine, $3.25 thousand: Norwood, $7.50 thou¬ 
sand. Fifty others. Asparagus roots, $2.90 thousand. 
All leading varieties Raspberry, Blackberry, Goose¬ 
berry, Currant, Rhubarb, Vegetable Plants, Fruit 
Trees. Everything highest grade. Liberal discount 
oji large orders. Catalogue free. 
HARRY S. SQUIRES, Remsenbnrg, N. Y. 
i Strawberry 
800.000 Glen Mary ") 
500,000 Climax 
500,000 Stevens L.C. , 
200,000 Gandy | PJailtS 
100,000 Sample j 
5.000 Lots, $1.50 per 1,000 
1,000 Lots, $1.75 per 1,000 
KEVITTS PLANT FARM AT 8!T A 
S 
TRAWBERRY PLANTS only $1.50 & $1.75 per 1000. IUus. 
Catalogue Free. S. A. VIRDIN, Harily, Del. 
S TRAWBERRY PLANTS—New and old varieties. Send 
for new Illns. Catalogue for 1911. Prices from 
$1.50 per 1,000 up. DAVID RODWAY, Hartly, Del. 
STRAWB E RRIES 
Plan to have plenty in yonr own garden. 100 plants 
in three best varieties, $1.00 postpaid. 
Geo. R. Schauber, Box R, Ballston Lake, N. Y. 
STRAWBERRY PLAKTS 
as grown, $1.50 per 1,000 and up. Descriptive :i!ust. 
catalog free. G. E. BUNTING, Selbyvllle.Del. 
Dewdrop Everbearing Strawberry 
Largest in the World. Bears First Season. Free 
circular. H. F. DEW, Albion, Mich. 
Over 70 sizes and styles for drilling either deep or list free. W. S. FORD & SON, Hartly, Del. 
Over 70 sizes and styles, for dniiing either deep or 
shallow wells in any kind of soil or rock. Mounted on 
wheels or on sills. With engines or horse powers. Strong, 
simple and durable. Any mechanic can operate them 
easily. Send for catalog. 
WILLIAMS BROS., Ithaca, N. Y. 
SCALEC1DE ” 
If Will positively destroy SAN JOSE SCALE and all 
I soft bodied sucking insects without injury to the 
■ tree. Simple, more effective and cheaper than 
| Lime Sulphur. Not an experiment. One gallon 
| makes lti to 20 gallons spray by eimiily adding water. 
Send for Booklet, “Orchard Insurance.” 
I B. G. PRATT CO., 50 CHURCH ST., NEW YORK CITY. 
BINDER TWINE, 6ic lb. fhTTeT? 
made. Farmer agents wanted. Sample 
fognefree. THEO. BURT & SONS, Melrose,Ohla 
Sweet Potato Plants 
& s 
April 29, 
When you write advertisers mention The 
R. N.-Y. and you'll get a quick reply and a 
“square deal.” See guarantee editorial page. 
NO TIME TO LOSE 
There are Flowers and 
Many Kinds of Plants 
That You Must Attend to 
IN THE SPRING 
NOW IS THE SEASON 
To learn all about the Special Value of 
We are very enthusiastic about having 
yon know how our seeds have been care¬ 
fully cultured to germinate and mature in¬ 
to plants that show a real pedigree source. 
We would like to make a catalog of this 
advertisement, but the space does not per¬ 
mit. So we invite you to write us all about 
your garden needs. We will cordially 
respond, and send you our new 144 page 
illustrated catalog free. We are introduc¬ 
ing some seasonable seed ’novelties at a 
special packet price. Eschscholtzia 
Thorburni (California Poppy) the grand¬ 
est of all Eschscholtzias. We will mail a 
packet of this valuable novelty and a copy 
of*our beautiful catalogue— the Best Seed 
Anjiual published in America— for only 10 
cents, stamps or coin. (Regular price of 
seed 15 cents packet.) WRITE TODAY. 
J.M.THORBURN & CO. 
Dept. Y 
33 Barclay Street, New York. 
ALFALFA 
All Northern grown, guaranteed to be 99 percent 
pure and free from dodder. Write for free sample 
on which we Invite you to get Government test*. 
This seed should produce hay at $60 per acre] an¬ 
nually. Free instructions on growing. 
GRAIN AND GRASS SEED 
Northern grown and of .strongest vitality. We 
handle export grade only and can furnish grass 
mixture suitable for any soils. Write for cat alog. 
WING SEED CO., Box 223 Mechanicsburg, O. 
PIONEER 
S™S 
FOR ALL KINDS OF 
CLOVER and FiBLD 
SEEDS also GARDEN, 
FLOWER SEEDS 
and Implements 
Write to this Old Reliable 
House—Catalogue Free 
and Field Seed Price List 
mailed you on application. 
THE HENRY PHILIPPS SEED AND IMPLEMENT CO., Toledo, 0. 
SALESMEN WANTED 
Free outfit. Commission paid weekly. Write for 
terms. PERRY NURSERIES, Rochester, NewYork 
Black's Peach Trees-1911 
D. _• ' a i%_>^.P eac h Trees are one of our specialties—we«j 
Sfafra grow for quality and not quantity alone. Our 1 
trees » however, cost little, if any, more than the! 
ptjr ordinary sort— we employ no agents, but seljl 
direct,saving middleman’s profits.* w ■ ■ ■ 
New bxiklet, “Springtime andY9lU3Dl6 
Harvest for the Fruit-grower,” free, b . ■ • 
Joseph H. Black, Son & Co. DOOKlGl 
m 
f Box V, Hightstown, New Jersey 
Sent Free 
FRUIT TREES AND PLANTS 
AT VERY 
LOW PRICES 
Apples . . . $15.00 per lOO 
Peaches ... $8.00 per lOO 
Cherries . . . $10.00 per lOO 
Strictly First-Class Stock, Government In¬ 
spected . Write today for our free catalogue 
on Fruits and Ornamentals, and buy direct 
from the growers. Our trees are grown in that 
great nnrserv belt of Ontario County. 
ONTARIO NURSERY CO., Inc. 
GENEVA, N. Y. Box No. 21 
PEARS, APPLES and PEACHES 
All selected stock and in perfect condition, at a liberal discount, for the next ten days. 
Free Catalog. H. S. WILEY <& SON, Cayuga, NewYork. 
PEACH TREES 
KLBERTA, CABMAN, HIEI.EY, and all the 
leading varieties at prices that will save yon money. 
We have APPLE, PEAR, PLUM, and other varieties of 
fruit trees also. Catalog free. 
BARNES BROS. NURSERY CO. ISfc™* 
NATURAL Ground PHOSPHATE 
In Rotating Your 
Crops don’t fail 
lo apply Natural 
F ine-Grou n d 
Phosphate when 
breaking your clover, 
grass or grain stub 
sods. sThis is the best 
time toapply it to the 
soil direct. Add 
The right amount 
applied just then, 
at not over $1.00 
per acre cost per 
crop, will increase 
„ each crop grown dur¬ 
ing the rotation from 50 
to 75* Write for free 
Booklet, telling all 
bout it. 
THE FARMERS GROUND ROCK PHOSPHATE 
“NEW MODERN” Sanitary STEEL STALLS^ 
Simple, Strong", and Vermin Proof. 
Easily Installed for Concrete Work. 
“NEW MODERN” SWING STANCHIONS 
Swivel or Chain, Wood or Steel 
When open is held firmly in position by automatic latch, yet 
when elosed swings easily on metal bearings with every head 
movement. Extension bar prevents cattle entering at side. 
Plans and Estimates Furnished Free. All 
Material and Workmanship Guaranteed. 
Write todav for full details and our new catalog covering 
LITTER, ENSILAGE and PLATFORM CARRIERS, WATER BASINS 
with covers, STEEL STALLS, GATES, TANKS, etc. 
Sales Agents for Foster’s “ CHAMPION ” Steel Stanchion 
GLOR BROS- & WILLIS MFG- CO-, 91 Main St-, Attica, NewYork 
