1911. 
THE RURAb NEW-YORKER 
1007 
Ruralisms 
SPINELESS PRICKLY PEAR. 
Fig. 442 shows fruit above and leaf 
below of the spineless prickly pear, 
Opuntia vulgaris var. It is not native 
here. I got it more than 30 years ago 
near Albany, N. Y., from L. Menand, 
who had probably the largest collection 
of cacti in the United States. He had 
three varieties, including this spineless 
one, that were hardy there. I am sure 
he did not know its origin, otherwise he 
would have told me. I think it must be 
a selection from seedlings of the species 
I have seen growing on the rocky hills 
near Poughkeepsie, N. Y., foy the latter 
resembles it more closely than any other 
SPINELESS PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS. 
Fig. 442. 
Opuntia that I know. Like all Opuntias 
this spineless one has bristles at the 
buds, but this variety has few and very 
small ones. I brushed them off the 
piece I sent you, also off the fruits. It 
has no spines. It is prostrate in habit. 
It has beautiful yellow flowers, and a 
plant I have covering about a foot 
square has about 50 beautiful purple 
fruits. I could send you a larger piece 
or small plant with fruits, but the new 
growth and fruits would be broken off 
in transit. I have a very thorny 
Opuntia, hardy in New Jersey and New 
York, that grows four or five feet high. 
It attracts much attention. 
The prickly pears look attractive in 
jars-of preserved fruits, the pulp being 
edible. f. e. aspinwall. 
Kentucky. 
R. N.-Y.—The common prickly form 
of this Opuntia is found in many parts 
of New Jersey and is a handsome plant 
in dry sunny places, especially banks or 
ledges. Eating the fruit, however, is 
not very pleasurable, owing to the abom¬ 
inable little spicules, which cause much 
misery; the smoothness of the plant Mr. 
Aspinwall sends is a great advantage, as 
it can be handled without discomfort. 
The fruit is handsome, and the pulp 
pleasant in flavor, but very seedy, though 
we used to eat them with relish in child¬ 
hood. The “Indian fig,” sold in the 
Italian sections of New York and other 
cities, a large, meaty, yellow fruit, is 
usually Opuntia Ficus-indica, though O. 
Tuna is called Indian fig also. The 
Indian fig abounds on the lava slopes of 
Mount Etna, where the roots penetrate 
and break up the lava, and by natural 
growth and decay form the vegetable 
mold in which vines are planted. 
Tub Help Question. —I was much inter¬ 
ested in the article upon the labor question 
on page 862 by N. M. C., of Manchester, Vt. 
There are some skilled gardeners and small 
fruit growers who are out of employment. 
I once knew of a lady who advertised for a 
gardener and she had just 40 applications. 
She selected the best one, and he was her 
gardener for several years. Another person 
advertised for a foreman and had 51 appli¬ 
cations ; these he sifted down to three, and 
after an interview with each he selected 
one of the three. Let N. M. C. do the same. 
Newport, N. H. F. j. t. 
Varieties of Apples for Pennsylvania. 
Generally speaking, Pennsylvania may 
be considered as being divided into two 
quite distinct sections, so far as their 
adaptation to apple varieties is con¬ 
cerned. The first of these may be 
designated as the Winter apple belt and 
includes the northern part of the State 
and the higher altitudes of the central 
part, where long, cold Winters and deep 
snows are the rule. The other section 
comprises the southern part of the State 
and the lower altitudes of the central 
part. Many varieties which are stand¬ 
ard Winter varieties in the northern 
section become Fall varieties when 
grown in the southern section, while 
standard varieties in the south often 
lack size and color and sometimes qual¬ 
ity when grown in the north, though 
the tree may be perfectly hardy. For 
this reason it is essential in selecting 
varieties for any one locality, that the 
adaptation of these varieties to the 
given locality be considered. In pass¬ 
ing it may be remarked that a few 
’•arieties appear to do equally well in 
both sections. 
The following lists give the varieties 
which have proven successful in each 
section. Those in italics are profitable 
commercial sorts; those in common 
type are good varieties for the home 
orchard or for commercial planting on 
a small scale: 
Varieties for northern Pennsylvania 
and high altitudes in Central Pennsyl¬ 
vania: Yellow Transparent; Red Astra- 
chan; Oldenburg; Primate; Graven- 
stein; Maiden Blush; Wealthy; Twenty 
Ounce; Tompkins King; Hubbardston; 
Wagener; R. I. Greening; Northern 
Spy; Baldwin. 
Varieties for southern Pennsylvania 
and the lower altitudes in central Penn¬ 
sylvania : Summer varieties: Early 
Ripe; Williams Red; Primate. Early 
Fall varieties: Summer Rambo; Jef- 
feris. Late Fall and Winter varieties: 
Smokehouse; Grimes; Stayman (Wine- 
sap); Jonathan; York Imperial; Lank¬ 
ford. 
When you write advertisers mention The 
It. N.-Y. and you'll get a quick reply and a 
“square deal.” See guarantee editorial page. 
RED 
It’s the Red Blood Corpuscles that Proper 
Food Makes. 
An Ohio woman says Grape-Nuts food 
gave her good red blood and restored 
the roses of youth to a complexion that 
had been muddy and blotchy. She says: 
“For 10 years I had stomach trouble 
which produced a breaking out on my 
face. The doctors gave it a long Latin 
name, but their medicines failed to cure 
it. Along with this I had frequent head¬ 
aches, nervousness and usually pain in 
my stomach after meals. 
“I got disgusted with the drugs, 
stopped them and coffee off short, and 
ouit eating everything but fruit and 
Grape-Nuts, with Postum for my table 
beverage. 
“The headaches, stomach trouble, and 
nervous weakness disappeared almost 
like magic, which showed that when the 
cause was removed and .good food and 
drink used nature was ready to help. 
“My blood was purified and my com¬ 
plexion became like a young girl’s while 
my weight was increased from 90 to 120 
pounds in a few months—good, solid 
firm flesh, where it used to be soft and 
flabby. 
“I recommended Grape-Nuts and 
Postum to one of my friends, who was 
afflicted as I had been. She followed 
my advice and in a short time was re¬ 
stored to complete health and in about 
8 months her weight increased from 
100 to 148 pounds. 
“Our doctor, observing the effect of 
Grape-Nuts and Postum in our cases, 
declared the other day, that he would 
hereafter prescribe these food products 
for gastritis.” Name given by Postum 
Co., Battle Creek, Mich. 
Read the little book, “The Road to 
Wellville,” in pkgs. “There’s a reason.” 
Ever read the above letter ? A new one 
appears from time to time. They are genu¬ 
ine, true, and full of human interest. 
Spray Your Trees Before Spring Plowing 
Sand free them from San Jose\and other scale and eggs of destructive 
insects. Spray thoroughly, before foliage appears, with 
ECTR 
JNCENTRATED) 
Lime-Sulphur 
Solution 
the most dependable^and successful insecticide for winter use and the 
coming summer sprayfbr fungous troubles. It\is a clear, cherry-colored 
liquid, free from sediment, atuLguaranteed to contain the maximum per¬ 
centage of soluble sulphur — the'acnve insecticide. 
Se M-p.' e rio f o“ EE “Spraying Simplified” 
It tells just when and how to spray to control insects\ind. 
fungi A valuable booklet every farmer neetJ 
and can have for the asking Write today 
The Vreeland Chemical Co. 
32 Church Street 
New York 
SPRAY TREES NOW 
( While they are dormant) 
With SCAL1ME 
A perfect concentrated lime and sulphur 
spray that has stood the severest tests of the 
experiment stations. Strength guaranteed. 
Being scientifically prepared and always uni¬ 
form, it is far more effective than home-made 
solutions. Stronger than other brands, it 
will stand more dilution—therefore cheaper. 
SCALIME used now will positively control San 
Jose and other scales; destroy eggs of Aphides 
and other pests that winter over on twigs and 
bark, as well as spores of fungus diseases. 
Sold by good dealers everywhere. Write 
for leaflet on Fall and Winter Spraying. 
HORTICULTURAL CHEMICAL COMPANY 
131 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, Pa. 
Fakers Exposed! 
In keeping with its policy of service to the 
farmer. Farm Journal is distributing broad¬ 
cast a book which exposes the worst class of 
swindlers that prey upon the farmer. 
“Horse Secrets” 
by Dr.A.S. Alexander,famous veterinarian,is a 
complete give-away of all the slick tricks the 
smoothest horse-trading swindlers are up to. 
Exposes the “widow dodge,” the “ginger” and 
‘‘bisliopiug’’ tricks. Tells the secret of “plug¬ 
ging a roarer,’’“shutting aheaver” and affords 
absolute protection to the farmer against all 
such roguery. Besides, it gives the most expert 
advice for feeding and conditioning of stock, 
together with the best remedies for diseases 
and vices of horses. We want every farmer to 
have this valuable book, because 
Farm Journal 
is the sworn enemy of all fakers, quacks and 
swindlers. They are strictly barred from ex¬ 
ploiting their grafts througli our columns, and 
we take every opportunity of exposing them. 
Therefore, we are making it easy for everyone 
to own this book by offering it, witli a four 
years subscription to Farm Journal, the most 
helpful, practical, widest-read and best loved 
farm paper in the world, 
Both For $1.00 
The wisdom of this paper and the protection of 
this book will save and earn you many dollars. 
You never invested adollar to better advantage. 
Farm Journal, 130 N. Clifton St., Philadelphia 
14 More Water lUc/h'y ;t 
“American’' Centrifugal Pump 
than by others because the impeller 
is accurately machined to the casine, 
preventing any sudden 
change in direction 
of the water. Not 
ctn ounceot power 
js wasted. Every 
“American” Cen¬ 
trifugal absolutely 
guaranteed. 
Write for new 
catalog. 
^THE AMERICAN WELL WORKS 
Office and Works, Aurora, Ill. 
Fir.tXation.l Bank Building, CHICAGO _ 
FLORIDA 
HOMESITES 
CnDAY We Make 
jrK A '„fK;j?Kdv 
Bucket, Barrel, 4-Row Potato Sprayers, 
Power Orchard Rigs, etc. 
There’s a field sprayer for every need, pro¬ 
nounced by all experts the world’s best line. 
THIS EMPIRE KING 
leads everything of its kind. Throws 
fine mist spray with strong force, no 
clogging, strainers are brushed and 
kept clean and liquid is thoroughly 
agitated automatically. 
Spraying Calondar Free. Write for di¬ 
rections and formula. Also catalog on 
entire sprayer line. We have the sprayer 
to meet your exact wants. Address 
FIELD FORCE PUMP CO., 
2 1 1th St., Elmira, N. Y. 
/•Earn $10 a day v 
Sawing firewood, lumber, lath, posts, 
etc., on contract work. You can cut 
more and cut much easier with a 
Hertzler & Zook 
Portable 
Wood 
As low as 
You can buy your winter homesite 
at Allandale, Port Orange, on fa¬ 
mous East Coast, and build your 
homo for less than the cost of 
wintering at a Florida hotel. 
Fishing, boating, finest automobile racecourse on 
ocean beach. Write for the Allandale booklet. 
THE ALLANDALE COMPANY, Daytona, Florida 
FflR ^Al F—If you want the best farms for the 
lUll On LL money, send for our large free catalog. 
HALL’S FARM AGENCY, Owego, Tioga Co., N.Y. 
FLORIDA GRAPEFRUIT & ORANGE GROVE 
For sale. 10 acres bearing. Other valuable assets. 
Fronts large lake, Quarter mile to depot, Well ele¬ 
vated. $5,500, Three other similar opportunities, 
No attention given to land agents. Address Owner. 
L. O. FEAGIN, Winter Haven, Florida, 
Absolutely the cheapest and best saw 
made. Guaranteed lor 1 year. 
Sold at factory prices—$10 and up. 
Save middleman’s prolU. Operates 
easier than other saws because 
stick is low aud the saw 
draws it on as soon as it 
touches the saw. Only $10 
saw to which rippiug table can 
be added. Big money makers 
and savers. Send for Catalogue. 
HERTZLER <fc ZOOK CO. 
Box 3 Belleville, Pa. 
COMPARE! 
Compare the big extra size 
frame, the heavy all No. 9 Peer¬ 
less Fence filling aud the 
GALVANIZED COATING 
of the Peerless gate, to the light, flimsy 
frame, small wire filling aud paint cover¬ 
ing of the ordinary gate. Besides this, the 
PEERLESS SELF-RAISING GATE 
never sags or drags on the ground. Automatically 
lifts up free and clear, swings over snow, ice, grass or 
rubbish. You can see a difference. 
Ask your dealer to supply you. If he will not, ask us. 
^Peerless Wire FenceCo.UmiATln.c.i 
LOW PRICES handsome FENCE 
100 other styles. Many cheaper than wood—all better. For Lawns, 
Churches, Parks, etc. Write for Pattern Book aud special offer. 
THE WARD FENCE CO.| Box 945 Decatur* ln<k 
KITSELMAN FENCE 
Sold direct to you at factory 
prices on 30 days trial. Save 
the dealers profit. Farm, Hog 
and Poultry Fence at from 
1 1 ’/ s CENTS A ROD UP. 
All wires are heavily galvanized 
80 rod spool of Ideal galvanized 
Barbed Wire SI .40. Write 
to-day for large free Catalog showing 
100 different styles ancj heights of fencing 
Box 230 KITSELMAN BROS. MUNCIE, INO. 
150 FarmsH R . SATiE CHEAP ' ln fertile 
and map free. 
Delaware Valley. Now catalogue 
Horace G. Reeder, Newtown, Pa. 
MODERN 
fruit; 
METHODS 
“Modern Methods of Harvesting, Grading and Packing Apples” is a book that should be in the hands of every orchardist 
who is desirous of getting the highest possible price for his apples. It illustrates and describes the Western methods of 
fruit packing. The fruit grower of the East is greatly indebted to his Western brother for showing him the great possibili¬ 
ties that lie in the fruit business, and if, with the great natural advantages of soil, rainfall and close proximity of market, 
he does not profit by this example, he has no one to blame but himself. 1 A postal request to Dept “N” will bring you by 
return mail, free, the above book and new booklet, “Scalecide—the Tree-Saver.” If your dealer cannot supply you with 
“Scalecide” we will deliver it to any railroad station in the United States east of the Mississippi and north of the Ohio 
rivers on receipt of the price. 50-gallon barrels. $25,00; 30-gallon barrels, $16.00; 10-gallon cans, $0.75; 5-gallon cans, $3.75. 
Address, B. G. Pratt Company, 50 Church Street, New York City. 
