J'Hl-C RURAL NEW-YORKER 
683 
RURALISMS 
THE MANNA-BEARING ASH. 
Among seeds received from Darjeeling, 
India, described in Bulletin 100 of the 
Office of Foreign Seed and Plant Intro¬ 
duction are those of a species of ash, 
Fraxiuus floribunda. 
This Fraxinus, commonly known as the 
Nepal ash. is a large deciduous tree 
found in the Himalayas at altitudes 
ranging from 5000 to 8500 feet, and at¬ 
taining a height of 120 feet and a dia¬ 
meter of five feet. A concrete, sacchar¬ 
ine exudation called manna is obtained 
from the stem of this tree and is em¬ 
ployed as a substitute for the official man¬ 
na. The sugar contained in this exuda¬ 
tion, called mannite, differs from cane 
and grape sugars in not being readily 
fermentable, though under certain condi¬ 
tions it does ferment and yields a quan¬ 
tity of alcohol varying in strength from 
13 to 33 per cent. Like the officinal man¬ 
na this is used for its sweetening and 
slightly laxative properties. The wood 
is white with reddish tinge, soft to mod¬ 
erately hard in structure, resembling in 
some respects the European ash. The 
wood is very valuable and is used in the 
manufacture of oars, jampan poles, plows, 
platters, spinning wheels, and for many 
other purposes, while tin' tree itself is a 
fine avenue ornamental. 
The officinal manna of the T T . S. Dis¬ 
pensatory is produced by the flowering 
ash. Fraxinus ornus, a native of south¬ 
ern Italy, but there are several other 
forms of so-called manna. One form is 
produced by a species of tamarisk native 
to desert countries of western Asia. At 
certain seasons the stems art* punctured 
by a small insect; from these punctures 
a honey-like liquid exudes, which hardens 
on the stems, and is collected by the Bed¬ 
ouin Arabs, who preserve it like honey. 
Another sort of manna is produced by tin* 
camel thorn, a spiny bush growing in 
Syria, Persia, Bokhara, and other parts 
of Asia. During the heat of the day a 
sweet gummy substance exudes from the 
leaves and stems; this hardens, and is 
collected by Bedouins, in Bokhara to 
such an extent as to be used for sugar. 
In addition to these forms of manna, 
the name is also given to a lichen occupy¬ 
ing vast tracts of barren plains and 
mountains in Western Asia and Northern 
Africa. It is very light, and is often 
carried great distances, falling in a lay¬ 
er several inches in thickness. Sheep 
eat it, and in times of scarcity it is made 
into bread. 
Good Shade Trees. 
In the article on page 436 I notice that 
soft maple is advised as a shade tree. It 
seems to me that it is a mistake to plant 
any kind of a maple. They are short¬ 
lived at the best, and are not very sightly 
after they begin to die. For a quick¬ 
growing shade tree nothing can compare 
with the Carolina poplar. Tn good soil 
it is easy to get trees 25 feet tall and 
spreading nearly as wide in live or six 
years. The great objection to them is 
that they grow very large and either 
take up too much room or become so 
large that they break from their own 
weight after 30 to 40 years. At the end 
of that time they will furnish a large 
amount of good box boards or crate stock. 
A tree which has much to recommend it. 
as an ornamental is the whitewood. tulip, 
or yellow poplar. (Liriodendrnn tulipi- 
fera). It is quite rapid in its growth 
when young and is usually free from dis¬ 
ease or insect injuries. The greenish yel¬ 
low flowers are borne in large numbers 
in early Summer, and may cause some 
trouble when the petals fall. This only 
lasts a short time, and the tree is one of 
the most symmetrical ones we have. 
Wayne Co., N. Y. a. r. w. 
Flowers Around Stone Pile. 
Will you give some suggestions as to 
"hat kind of flowers to plant around a 
ugly stone pile? K. c. 
Harbor Creek, Pa. 
This inquiry does not tell whether 
screening plants are required, or whether 
something is wanted to trail over the 
pile. If a screen is desired, nothing is 
better than ('annas. There are many 
fine varieties; one of our special favor¬ 
ites is King Humbert, which has dark 
reddish bronze foliage and orange scarlet 
flowers. It is very massive in growth, 
height four to five feet. A good Ameri¬ 
can variety, growing five to six feet high, 
is Long Branch, with green foliage and 
orange and scarlet flowers; this is excel¬ 
lent to plant behind King Humbert, be¬ 
ing taller, and affording a .showy con¬ 
trast in foliage. Any lower-growing an¬ 
nuals or bedding plants may be set in 
front of the Cannas, and a complete 
screen secured. 
If. however, trailing plants are re¬ 
quired to run over the stone pile, climb¬ 
ing nasturtiums will give the best quick 
effect; they are often seen growing very 
well in such a location. The perennial 
or everlasting pea (Lathyrus latifolius) 
loves to ramble over a stone pile, and 
other permanent vines suited for such a 
place are the wild Clematis (C. Virgin- 
iana) Virginia creeper (Ampelopsis 
quinquefolia) and bittersweet or climb¬ 
ing waxwork (Celastrus scandens). 
These three native vines are often seen 
at their best clambering over a ruined 
stone wall or rocky bank, and are at 
their best in such a situation. The won¬ 
derful Autumn coloring of the Virginia 
creeper renders it especially desirable. 
Cracking Butternuts. 
On page 299 L. S. L. asks for a way 
to open butternuts other than with a 
hammer. Try a blacksmith’s iron vice. 
Open vice wide enough to allow nut to 
be placed horizontally at right angle be¬ 
tween jaws, bold in place with finger 
and thumb, close vice sufficient to crack 
the nut. This way will not crush the 
common butternut as a hammer will; 
it. is very seldom, however, that the long 
variety can be cracked without crushing 
the meat more or less. There is a va¬ 
riety that is more the shape of Black 
walnut; 00% of the meats will come out 
in halves, when cracked with hammer or 
vice. We have one tree of this kind that 
produced last year over three bushels of 
nuts. Try the vice cracking plan, and 
when you get the bang of it you will 
never use a hammer to crack butternuts 
or hickory nuts. edwin waters. 
Grafting Bartlett on Kieffer. 
Fan Bartlett be successfully grafted on 
Kieffer, and if not why not? k. g. c. 
New Egypt, N. .7. 
It. can be done and is done, but there 
are conflicting reports of the ultimate suc¬ 
cess because of uncongeniality of the 
wood. I have never tried it out. nor seen 
prolonged tests by others, and therefore 
have no first band knowledge on the sub¬ 
ject. II. E. VAN DEMAN. 
Keeping Russet Apples. 
In answer to your question (I\ B. J., 
New York) regarding the care of russet 
apples, I will say that we have been suc¬ 
cessful in keeping our apples, including 
russets, without wilting. In the late Fall 
we bury our apples in the following man¬ 
ner: After placing apples in wooden box 
place the box on the top of the ground, 
dig a ditch around it. cover the top of 
the box with an old piece of oilcloth or 
rubber to make it airtight, then cover the 
entire box with about six inches of earth. 
Tn the Spring, when the frost is out of 
the ground, dig the apples and put them 
in a cool place. c. n. w. 
English Walnuts in Pennsylvania. 
The English walnut is attracting wide 
interest in Pennsylvania as a commercial 
orchard tree. Scarcely a week goes by 
at the Pennsylvania State College with¬ 
out receiving inquiries concerning this 
nut. Because of the interest manifested, 
the Department of Horticulture of the 
College has planned a thorough investiga¬ 
tion of the subject. This will begin with 
a survey of the State to determine the lo¬ 
cation of all trees. In order to make this 
survey as complete as possible, the De¬ 
partment urgently requests the assistance 
of everyone who can give facts concern¬ 
ing such trees, especially as to location, 
character of nuts, age of trees, hardiness, 
etc. Whoever is growing such trees is 
invited to write to F. N. Fagan, State 
College, Pennsylvania, giving information 
both as to the trees and to the property 
upon which they are located. 
Top-working Pears. 
Having seen many inquiries from time 
to time regarding the changing over of 
Kieffer pear trees and having many times 
seen articles discouraging same I would 
like to tell you of an experience that I 
have been following up. I have had no 
personal experience, but I go around 
quite a bit noticing all things of the sort, 
and I will give you an idea of what a 
friend of mine has done. For the last 
four years he has been changing over 
about 400 pear trees, changing them all 
to the Beurre Bose. Among the 400 
were the following varieties: 200 Kieffer, 
•‘10 Beurre d’Anjou. some President Du- 
ard. Vicar. Lawrence. Early Wilder, 
Dorsey, Boussock, Krull, Madeline, Ver¬ 
mont Beauty and other*. He has top- 
worked all those trees over by budding 
and grafting, and out of the lot there is 
no stock that takes so kindly to the 
changing over as the Kieffer,' or that 
makes as good a union. Some of these 
trees are bearing now. w. p. r. 
T HE County Fair Board used to give an annual prize for the best kept farm 
in Union County. Mr. Howard won the prize so continuously that 
interest flagged and the prize was discontinued. For years, the score 
or more buildings on Mr. Howard’s farm have been painted with white lead. 
Your buildings can have a “prize-worthy” appearance if you instruct your 
painter to use 
Dutch Boy White Lead 
ana i^uxcn 
•**•'* lJUy “uvuvio imu wisiHJy is CI4SUG 
enough to prevent cracking, may be tinted as you please, wears long and does 
not have to be scraped or burned off. 
Will you make a simple test that will add to your paint knowledge? We 
will send you materials and directions for such a test, together with _ 
booklet of practical suggestions and color schemes. Ask our near¬ 
est office for Painting Aids No. 295. 
NATIONAL LEAD COMPANY 
New York Buffalo Boston Chicago Cleveland 
St. Louis Cincinnati San Francisco 
(National Lead & Oil Co., Pittsburgh) (John T. Lewis & Bros Co., Phila.) 
I 
\M 
& 
WAGE 
Riding Cultivators 
have that accuracy and ease 
of control that fits every con¬ 
dition of soil and growth of 
plants. Evcrythinsris at your 
finger t»os—easily shifted, ad¬ 
justable for all kinds of work. 
Lever controlling width of cul¬ 
tivation does not change angle of 
teeth—very important. Steel frame. 
Guided by ball-bearing pivot 
wheels,excellent for hill-side work. 
Parallel gang shift, high and low 
wheels, dust-proof bearings, etc. 
One or two row. 
Ask your dealer to show them and 
write us for free booklet, “Two 
Horse Riding and Walking Culti¬ 
vators. ** 
BATEMAN M’F'G CO. 
Box 2? Gronloch, N. J. 
SAVE HALF Your 
Paint Bills 
By using INGERSOLL PAINT —proved 
best by 66 years’ use. It will please you. 
Only paint endorsed by the “Grange.” 
Made in all colors—for all purposes. 
DELIVERED FREE 
From the Mill Direct to You at Factory Prices. 
INGERSOLL PAINT BOOK —FREE 
Tells all about Paint and Painting for Durability. 
How to avoid trouble and expense caused,by paints 
fading, chalking and peeling. Valuable information 
free to you, with Sample Color Cards. Write me. DO 
IT NOW. I can Bave you money. 
O.W. Ingersoll, 246 Plymouth St., Brooklyn, N.Y. 
FRUIT PACKAGES 
Peach,Truck and Berry Baskets, Berry 
Crates, Apple Boxes, Ladders, etc. 
Write for Catalog 
C. N. ROBINSON & BRO. 
Dept. A Baltimore, Md. 
Equipped with either Steel Wheels or 
Wood xVheels. Handiest tool you will have 
on your farm. You’ll not lilteh to your high¬ 
wheeled wagon any moro to do work around 
the farm. With a good farm truck you’re 
always ready for business, r’ree Catalog. 
HAVANA METAL WHEELCO., Box 17, HAVANA, ILL. 
4 Empire £ 75c 
that’s the cost per year on basis of ser¬ 
vice. They last 20 to 25 years. Average 
cost $13. Save labor, time, horses, roads, 
money. Put a set on your wagon at our 
risk. Write for catalog and prices. 
Empire Mff. Co., Box ess Quincy, III. 
WELL DR r%'s NG WELL 
Own a machine of your own. Cash or easy 
terms. Many styles and sizes for all purposes. 
Write for Circular 
WILLIAMS BROS., 432 W. State St.. Hh.ex, N. T. 
Learn Carpentry at Home 
There’s a book on the sub¬ 
ject of Good Carpentry that 
you may get for the asking— 
it is free, absolutely, and it will 
he of great value to you. W rite 
today for Vol. 36, Cypress 
Pocket Library—it is “IT” 
A REAL GUIDE BOOK 
Rural Life, Rochester, N.Y., says: 
“It is a Guide Book for the man or 
boy who can handle a saw or ham¬ 
mer and wants to know how to hand¬ 
le them to the best advantage.” A 
true saying. 
FOR BOYS OR MEN 
. . This Carpentry Book has 48 pages of 
interesting reading and illuminating pictures, and a plan sheet 24x36 inches 
showing how to make easy a dozen hard jobs of house and barn building. Every boy and 
every man who sees this advertisement should write for the free book—it is / 'ol. 36. 
CYPRESS LUMBER AND SHINGLES 
This splendid book also tells a lot about the superlative quality of Cypress wood and 
how it lasts and defies decay under the most trying conditions. It is a natural farm wood 
—none other like it. V our local lumber yard carries Cypress, or it will get it if you insist 
hard enough. 
FOUR FREE FARM BOOKS 
Vol. 4 is the BAR N Book, with plans for 4 barns; 
Vol. 20 is the FARM NEK OS Book, with plans for 8 farm 
outbuildings; Vol. 3fi is the CARPENTRY BOOK, with 12 
plans and sketches of difficult jobs in carpentry, and Vol. 
37 is the NEW SILO BOOK. 
Southern Cypress Mfr’s Ass’n. 
126 Hibernia Bank 
Bldg. 
New Orleans, La. 
126 Heard Nat’l 
Bank Bldg. 
Jacksonville, Fla. 
(Address nearest ojjlce 
for quick service) 
So. Cypress Mfrs’ Ass’n. 
Department 126 
Please send me Free books marked 
i’’ the squares: 
__ Barn Book (4 plans) Vol. 4. 
= Farm Needs Book (8 plans) Vol. 20. 
_ Carpentry' Book (12 plans) Vol. 36. 
_ Silo Book (plans) Vol. 37. 
R.F.D _ Town 
State - 
