1014. 
THE RURAI> NEW-YORKER 
1443 
Ruralisms 
THE TEXAS BELL TOMATO. 
S OME years ago a person in Austin, 
Texas, sent me a paper of tomato 
seed marked Texas Belle, as a re¬ 
markably disease-resisting tomato. In 
a recent article in a Texas paper Mr. F. 
T. Ramsey says that the name is Texas 
Bell, as it was produced by selection by 
Mrs. Texas Bell of Gonzales County. I 
grew the tomatoes in North Carolina in 
soil badly infested with the Southern 
bacterial blight, and never saw a rotten 
fruit nor a diseased vine, and the plants 
went through till frost carrying a load 
of tomatoes all the time. Since then I 
have grown them here in Maryland with 
similar results. 
This is a very small tomato of biscuit 
shape, evidently the result of crossing the 
small round tomato with a larger one. Its 
chief value is in its wonderful resistance 
to all the diseases that attack the toma¬ 
to, and hence of great value in the South, 
where the blight is so destructive to to¬ 
matoes. The keeping quality of the fruit 
after it is ripe is another great ad¬ 
vantage. One Summer in Raleigh, N. C., 
I left a lot of the ripe fruits on a bench 
in an empty greenhouse, and went off for 
a month's trip at farmers’ institutes. On 
my return I expected to find all the to¬ 
matoes decayed and ready to clean out 
the seed. But to my surprise, while 
many of them were shrivelled and dried 
up there were many also perfectly sound 
and smooth, and not a rotten one. 
It seems to me that here is a chance 
for good work in the breeding of a dis¬ 
ease-resistant tomato of a larger size and 
marketable character, and it is a work 
that the Southern stations especially 
might take up. In its present shape the 
Texas Bell is not a good salable tomato 
for the Northern markets, though its 
immense productiveness would make it 
of value for the making of catsup. Noth¬ 
ing I have ever grown in the shape of a 
tomato will make a larger number of 
fruits per plant. The last time I grew 
them two years ago, having plenty of 
large tomatoes, the few Texas Bell were 
let alone, and the fruit was literally in 
heaps on the ground, and never a rotten 
tomato was seen. This season I intend 
to get more seed and grow a few plants 
for crossing with some larger and more 
solid tomato to try to produce a larger 
and more solid tomato with the same re¬ 
sistance to all the rots that affect the 
tomato. This is about the only improve¬ 
ment we can now hope for in tomatoes, 
for so far as the character of the fruit 
is concerned we have about reached the 
top notch in tomatoes. With a disease 
resistant tomato of equal quality with 
the best we now have, there would be an 
immense gain to growers. The eating 
quality of the Texas Bell is as good as 
any, and for cooking they are all right. 
Few will run much over two inches in 
diameter: w. F. MASSEY. 
caused by the removal to the open 
ground. If the growth is soft, such as 
will be produced in good soil in a high 
temperature under glass, any disturbance 
of the root system or sudden change to 
a lower temperatir-e or both, will always 
result in a check of top growth, droop¬ 
ing and finally the turning yellow of the 
leaves which will drop, a new shoot push¬ 
ing out at the axil of the leaf when 
growth has been re-established. In pot- 
grown plants this condition is not pres¬ 
ent to so great an extent as in flat or 
boxed plants, as little root disturbance 
takes place when the plants are trans¬ 
planted to the open ground, the change 
of temperature being about the only dis¬ 
turbing factor, which will cause more or 
less of the leaves to turn yellow. When 
field growth has taken place it is natural 
for the plants to lose their main stalk 
leaves, branches taking their place. K. 
Transplanting Clove Pinks and Peonies. 
W IIAT is the best time to transplant 
clove pinks? I have a clump of 
them and want to put them into a 
border. 2. When will be the best time 
to move peonies and what precaution is 
necessary? s. A. b. 
Vineland, N. ,T. 
1. Transplant the pinks very early in 
the Spring, as soon as the frost is out 
of the ground. They should be moved 
before they begin to make new growth. 
As their favorite situation is in warm 
soil, free from surface ice, they begin to 
grow quite early. A protection of snow 
is very congenial to them, but they al¬ 
ways suffer if in a place where ice can 
form over the crowns. 
2. Peonies may be planted in Fall or 
in early Spring, before growth is made 
It is generally considered that the best 
time is from the middle of September to 
the middle of October, which gives the 
roots a chance to take hold before the 
ground freezes. The crowns should be 
set about two inches below the surface. 
A deep, I’ich, moist soil is desirable; the 
peony is a gross feeder, and abundant 
moisture is especially necessary during 
the period of bud formation. Fresh un¬ 
rotted manure is undesirable, and it is 
considered good practice to enrich the 
ground thoroughly the season before 
planting. After planting a light mulch 
of well-rotted manure may be given in 
November, and forked under lightly the 
following Spring. Liquid manure, given 
about every 10 days, is desirable during 
the blooming period. 
Crooked Asparagus: Yellow Eggplants. 
W IIAT is the cause of asparagus com¬ 
ing up crooked, even growing so 
under the ground before it shoots 
up. 2. What is the cause of eggplant 
turning yellow after being set out. 
Bethel, Conn. d. f. c. 
1. It would appear that you have some 
plants of the species Streptopus, mixed 
in with the variety of Officinalis. The 
natural inclination of Officinalis is to 
grow erect and straight; occasionally a 
stalk will come somewhat twisted or 
wavy, but such growth is usually caused 
by some obstruction in the soil, such as 
stones or other hard substance that the 
stalk is compelled to go around, which 
will cause slight distortion or crooked 
growth of the stalk. The species Strep¬ 
topus. however, seldom comes straight, 
the name defines its nature, which is to 
twist or turn. It is no uncommon thing 
for this species to produce distorted 
stalks which are as a rule abruptly bent 
in the middle, or arched shape, the tops 
of the stalk returning to the ground. 
This species will produce mostly crooked 
stalks, no matter how loose and friable 
this soil may be. 
2. The discoloring of the leaves of egg¬ 
plant or any other plant, removed from 
the seed bed, flat or pot, particularly if 
they have had the protection of glass or 
protecting cloth, may be attributed to 
two principal causes, the disturbance of 
the roots and the change of temperature 
Treatment of House Plants. 
F LOWERS, like people, require fresh 
air. Ideal conditions of temperature 
and ventilation for human beings will 
be found satisfactory for flowers, says M. 
F. Ahearn, associate professor of horti¬ 
culture in the Kansas State Agricultural 
College. It won’t hurt plants to have a 
bath occasionally to remove the dust from 
the leaves and open up the pores. This 
is best done by placing the plants in the 
sink or a tub and spraying the leaves 
with water. A damp sponge can be used 
for this purpose. If the leaves on your 
flowers get yellow and drop off, it is quite 
possible that you have been overwateriug 
the plant or possibly have been drowning 
it. Sometimes plants need watering every 
day, and again once in two days is 
enough. No exact rule can be given. 
If you rap your knuckles sharply against 
the pot and it gives forth a hollow or 
ringing sound, the plant needs watering. 
Always water from the top. Use enough 
water to moisten the soil clear to the 
bottom of the pot. If any water runs 
through into the saucer or jardiniere, 
empty it. This water, if allowed to re¬ 
main there, will cut off the roots’ supply 
of air. In Winter the plants should not 
be repotted. The best time to repot is 
in the Spring. In Winter the roots of 
many plants lie dormant and the roots 
should never be disturbed during this 
period. One of the greatest enemies of 
plants grown indoors is coal gas. Illum¬ 
inating gas is nearly as bad. The slight¬ 
est trace of gas will retard the growth 
of the new leaves. 
“Mother.” asked,Tommy, “is it correct 
to say you ‘water a horse’ when he is 
thirsty?” “Yes. my dear.” said his 
mother. “Well, then.” said Tommy, pick¬ 
ing up a saucer. “I’m going to milk the 
cat.”—Ladies’ Home Journal. 
“For the Land’s Sake, use Bowker’s 
Fertilizers; they enrich the earth and 
those who till it.”— Adv. 
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94 - % 
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50 Church St., New York City 
SAN JOSE SCALE REMEDIES 
KIL-O-SCALE, LIME SULPHUR SOLUTION ami ORCHARD 
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spray remedies for sale. Ready for use by 
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HENRY A. DREER, PHILADELPHIA, PA. 
13 Cents Per Rod Up 
. Strongest, heaviest wire. Double gal 
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THE BROWN FENCE & WIRE CO. 
Department .',9 Cleveland. Ohio 
of 
The Morrill & 
Morley Way 
Th® ECLIPSE Spray Pump 
has been in service 20 years. 
Durable,efficient,economical. 
The U. S. Department 
Agriculture uses it, and 
yo,u can make it profit- 
able in jour orohard, vh 
jard or potato field. 
Catalog sent free, on 
request. 
Morrill 8 Morley 
Mfg. Co., Box 4, 
Benton Harbor, Mich. 
• 3 * 
Eclipse Spray Pum 
Czzt&w&y 
Disk Harrows and Plows 
are for intensive tillage. Ask your dealer 
to show them. If he doesn’t sell CUT¬ 
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THE CUTAWAY HARROW COMPANY 
Maker of the original CLARK disk harrows and -plows 
839 Main Street Higganum, Conn. 
Catalogue 
fand Directions 
CPR&Y 
^1 Wemake Bucket, Bar- 
pel.Knapsack, Automatic Po¬ 
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A sprayer for every need. Automatic liquid agitators 
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Ask for free book with valuable spraying information. 
FIELD FORCE PUMP CO., Dept 2. Elmira, N. Y. 
We have about 1000 engines on hand,I 
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the prices down to practically cost.! 
Stock includes all sizes from 1 to 121 
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A postal brings you details and prices. [ 
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602 Boston St., Detroit, Mich.I 
[DEC trial DECC | 
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NlttMDAYSDLjjl 
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1X3 Lincoln Ave. Grov® City, Pa. 
Cushman lightweight Truck 
This is the light-weight, quick-action CM 
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circulation to water tank on front of truck 
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Cushman Engines are not cheap engines, 
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For All Farm Work 1 
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And For the Binder 
running permits Cushman 
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ASK FOR FREE ENGINE BOOK 
CUSHMAN MOTOR WORKS 
847 North 21st Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 
£ 
For Spraying 
Cushman 4 H. P. can 
be used on any sprayer 
—belt, gear or chain 
drive. Runs on side 
hills as well as on level. 
Clutch pulley permits 
stopping pump with¬ 
out stopping engine. 
