370 
iDhe RURAL NEW-YORKER 
March 10, 1917 
railroads'or other tree destrovors, niid -we 
want their fiRvires. Such tiguros will he 
far more useful than an:: theory of what 
a tree ought to be worth. A rule laid 
down by many is that a healthy apple tree 
of a standard variety, well plante<l and 
one year old, is worth one dollar. For 
each year of strong, healthy growth it 
makes thereafter it adds one dollar to its 
value. For peach trees substitute 50 eents 
for the dollar. This is theory, but is a fair 
standai'd for argument. We want some¬ 
thing more practical than this, and there¬ 
fore ask for actual figures of damage 
which fruit men have received. Help us 
out. 
fhe Culture of the Blueberry 
The Infancy of a Great Business 
r.\RT II. 
rt.virGixG Fine Friuts. —Miss' White 
began her search for these superior ber¬ 
ries in 1011. That year she spoke to 
one of the pickers about it, and he se¬ 
lected three bushes. In 1012 several 
people became interested, and 20 or more 
plants were obtained. It then became 
necessary to establish some sort of 
standard to guide pickers in their se¬ 
lection, so Miss White had gauges made. 
The hole ran a trifle less than five-eighths 
of an inch in diameter, which was the 
minimum of size wanted in the berries. 
In addition to the gauge each picker who 
was interested carried three two-ounce 
jars and he also had a typewritten paper 
giving Oill directions. Contained in the 
jars were wooden plant labels for the 
Imshes. There was also a bottle con¬ 
taining a solution of one part of formalin 
to 15 parts of water in which to keep 
the berries, in good condition. This 
work of selection went on in a small way 
until 1914. In that year about ‘lO su¬ 
perior* plants were marked. In Novem¬ 
ber. after the plants had become dor¬ 
mant, three weeks were spent in dig¬ 
ging these plants out The plants were 
so widely scattered that five bushes a 
day was about the best which IMiss 
White could accomplish in this remov¬ 
ing. Last year, and the year before, the 
price for finding these superior bushes 
was raised, but it was required that at 
least five berries on the bush would not 
drop through the gauge. Fig. 150, page 
568, shows one of these supei-ior bushes 
as it stood in the swamp befoi'C remov¬ 
ing. This is known as the Mick variety, 
named after the finder. Under cultiva¬ 
tion this is proving one of the superior 
varieties. Fig. 149 shows another va¬ 
riety known as Harding. This picture 
was taken showung the growth under cul¬ 
tivation. 
Pine Woods People. —Miss White 
pays a high tribute to the people of the 
piney woods who have helped her locate 
these plants. Many stories have been 
told during the past years about these 
people, and their bad points and habits 
have been exaggerated. They have their 
good points, and in their work through 
the swamps and woods they show a high 
degree of intelligence. Miss White tells 
how they are able in some mysterious 
way to follow their track through the 
swamps, and find the bushes which per¬ 
haps weeks before they have marked. To 
one who does not know the swamps all 
bushes are alike, and it would seem im¬ 
possible to locate ja bush in some thicket 
marked only with a small label. At 
any rate superior plants were obtained 
in this way and a start made at blue¬ 
berry culture. 
Transplanting.-^MIss White has 
tried all sorts of plans for moving the dor¬ 
mant bushes. She finds that on the 
whole Autumn is the more convenient 
season; because the swamp is drier 
at that season and because there are sev¬ 
eral weeks between the falling of the 
leaves and freezing ground. For many 
reasons it is seldom practical to move 
the entire plant. Miss White says that 
the.se bushes cost more than $5 each by 
rite time they have been safely delivered 
at the bog for planting or propagating. 
As to methods of handling she says: 
Experience has proved not only that 
it is better to leave no top in connec¬ 
tion with these roots, but that it is 
best to out the entire plant, root and 
branch, into small sections, and start 
them as tubered cuttings: even the 
chunks of root as large as your fist. 
When a piece of root is i)lanted directly 
in the field it sends up from two to a 
dozen or more sprouts which really make 
from two to a dozen or more independent 
plants all crowded into one hill. When 
treated as a tuliered cutting these sprouts 
are divided as soon as they are well root¬ 
ed. at the end of the first .'jea.son. and 
each given stiflicicnt space to develoj) to 
l»erfection. Fy the latter method we 
get the first fruit from the new iilants 
a year later than by the fii-st. but we 
get more plants and the plants not being 
crowded together develop more rapidly to 
!i <’ondition wheie they are capable of 
Itroducing a commercial crop. 
ItESfLTS Obtained. —Thus far 36 of 
ihe.se superior swam]i bushes have been 
fruited. There are only two of these 
stocks which are con.sidered good enough 
to ])roi)agate extensively and five or six 
have been entirel.v discarded, since* they 
show unde.sirable qualities such as temler- 
ness. {)oor texture or flavor or unilesir- 
a'ble habit of growth. Thus we may see 
the i)atience and skill as well a.t the cour¬ 
age required to nturt an industry of this 
sort. 
Cri.TT'HE AND l*ROPAGATION. -Wc .shall 
give a little later something of the story 
of cultivation and propagation required 
in this blueberry culUire. This will in¬ 
clude the very remarkable work of Prof. 
Uoville at Wa.shiugton. 'Phe object of 
this brief and general di.*icussion is to 
call attention to what we consider one 
of the most promising horticultural de¬ 
velopments yet started in this country. 
We believe there is a great opportunity 
for blueberiw cultui-e in thou.sands of lo¬ 
cations where the conditions are favor¬ 
able. The business is in its infancy and 
much work must be done in the way of 
testing and trying out, but Miss White 
has .started it, and we wish that good 
observers everywhere could try some of 
these superior plants, even on a small 
scale, and give them full trial. Thou¬ 
sands of amateurs would find in this the 
finest sort of an experiment. 
Song Birds and Cherries 
I have the only sprayed cherry orchard 
in our vicinity, and the birds seem to ap- 
pri'ciate the Lact. Last*season they car¬ 
ried off three-fourths of my crop, notwith¬ 
standing that I had rigged up “Teddy 
bears'’ and other devices in the trees to 
frighten them away. Can you tell me 
some plan to save my crop.s, and do no iu- 
jurv to the birds? e. c. t. 
Wellsville, O. 
The average robin will have little re¬ 
spect for a “Tedd.v bear.” Most likely 
they would roost on his head and sample 
his eyes to see if they were cherries, in 
fact most of the songbirds seem to realize 
that laws are being passed to protect 
them, and they seem to dare the hunters 
to shoot them. Several of our readers 
make it pleasant f<n- the neighbors’ cats 
in cherry time, and even put them up in 
the trees where they do good work in 
chasing the birds away. Others wdio, like 
yourself, want no injury done to the birds, 
kill the cats, bury the carcass beside a 
favorite tree or shrub, stuff the hides, 
fasten them to boaials and locate them 
throughout the trees. This beats the 
'(Teddy bear,” but leads to great i eigh- 
borly trouble, and after a while the birds 
recognize that the eat has no life. It is 
very hard to keep these birds awmy. We 
have known people to emplo.v a boy to 
fire blank charges from a shot gun into 
the tree at intervals. This frightens the 
birds away if it can be kept up. Others 
put a bell on a swinging limb, or hung 
from a string in the tree. When the 
wind is blowing this will frighten the 
birds, but it will also prevent sleep. 
About the only effective plan is prohibi¬ 
tion. This means covering the tree or a 
portion of it with netting of some kind. 
Mosquito netting is frequently used, and 
near the ocean it is often possible to buy 
worn-out fishing nets, which serve the 
purpose well. The English farm papers 
usually contain a number of advertise¬ 
ments of nets of this kind, sviited to use 
of cherry growers. Unless you can use a 
net of this sort, the birds are sure to get 
more than their share of such a crop. 
The matron of a certain hospital in 
France, for some reason of her own, 
thought that the “Tommies” under her 
care should not visit a neighboring vil¬ 
lage. Pa.sses were allowed. Imt they were 
few and far between. One day a “Tom¬ 
my” applied for a pass, and the matron 
asked him why he wanted to go to the 
village. “I want to get something from 
a shop there,” he said. “Well, as I am 
going to the village myself, I may as 
well get it for you,” was her reply. 
“Well, bring me a hair cut and a' shave!” 
replied the man.—Melbourne Leader. 
TOHN ALTER, Belle Plaine, Kansas, won’t 
have anything but Moncrief trees of 
known performance. He has just accepted 
$7(X) an acre for his 26 acre crop. Otnera 
are making high profits and so can you. 
You can get big sure yields of fine, easy- 
selling fruit if you plant Moncrief's 
Silver Medal 
WINESAP 
Scions right from the Alter $17,500 orchard. 
Trees of known record for regular and heavy yields of high 
grade apples. By getting the Alter strain yoa can equal the Alter 
success. Only a few trees—big demand. Order now. Stop guessing. 
LI it D n ■■■ ■■■ HIM own book, niustrated in colors. 
Explains the Moncrief principle of 
n known parentage. Lists many varie- 
—— ties, fruiteu berries, etc. Get this book 
even if you’re not quite ready to buy fruit. It will aid you greatly in making selections. Write today. 
JF. MONCRIEF. Pres., _ 
WINFIELD NURSERIESa 4307 Ash Street, WINFIELD, KANSAS. 
The FRUIT TRIUMPH 
r. OF A CENTURY 
Prof, hansen’s hybrid plums. 
A truly wonderful fruit produced by 
Prof, Hansen, of the Brookings Agricul¬ 
tural ^.hool, So. I^k. Trees planted this 
year will blossom and bear next season 
and produce paying crops the second year. 
Big Bargain Oner of ten different varfetltrs 
4 to 5 ft. high, $3.50 and 26 Progressive Ever- 
bearing Strawberry plants with Compass Cherry 
Tree with this order. Order direct from this adver¬ 
tisement. Shipments made according to your instruc¬ 
tions. Trees will produce the most delicious fruit 
/ou ever ate. Packed in straw and moss. For further 
^formation send for my big 160-pago catalog-—it’s 
FREE with Gurney Free Service booklets, containing 
valuable information on planting and growing. 
GURNEY SEED & 
NURSERY CO. 
100 Gurney Square 
Yankton, S. D. 
FRASER’S TREE 
A catalogue of good fruit trees for the family 
orchard or the commercial grower. It gives many 
hints on planting, pruning and cultivating. It 
also lists the leading varieties of Apples, Pears, 
Cherries, Peaches, Plums, and the smaller bush 
fruits—Raspberries and Currants. 
Send today for a copy of this booklet. It’s 
yours for the asking. 
SAMUEL FRASER NURSERY, Inc. 
126 Main Street Geneseo, N. Y. 
REES alHalFAsenis Prices 
Baldwin Apple 9 to 7 ft. ® $9-00 per 100 
Bartlett Pear 6 to 7 ft. @ 11.00 “ “ 
Elberta Peach 6 to 7 ft. @ 9.00 “ '• 
We Prepay Freight and Guarantee aafe delivery. 
Free Catalog. Complete Line. 
THE WM. J. KEILLY NIIKSEKIF.S 
>6 Ossian St. - DANSVILLE. N. Y. 
Guaranteed by Certified Grower- 
Millions of Trees 
PLANTS, VINES, ROSES, ETC. 
The oldest, largest and most complete nurscryin 
Michigan. Send for catalog. Prices reasonable 
1. E. ILGENFRITZ’ SONS CO. 
THE MONROE NURSERY Monroe, .Michigan 
450.000 
200 varieties. Also Grape*, Small Fruit*, etc. Best rooted 
stock. Genuine, clieap. 2 saniide currants mailed for 10c. 
Catalog free. LEWIS ROESCH, Box L. Fredonia, N. Y. 
RELIABLE 
TREES 
PLANTS 
SHRUBS 
If you intend to plant Fruit, Shade or Orna¬ 
mental Trees or Plants, and want the hest, 
write for our Price-Catalog. We deal dirctU, 
iind guarantee satisfaction. Estab. 1877. 
CULL'S HURSERIES BoiRO PERRY, OHIO 
NUT TREES 
start right with my hardy 
Pennsylvania grown grafted 
trees and avoid disappoint¬ 
ment. Handsome catalogue 
free. 
J. F. JONES 
THE NUT TREE SPECIALIST 
Box R, Lancaster, Pa. 
JOS. H. BLACK, 
SON & CO. 
NURSERYMEN 
F or forty year* we have been sending 
out fruit trees from these nurseries and 
number among our present customers some ^ 
who bought of us in those early years and 
many sons and grandsons of those patrons. 
Other people may grow as good trees but 
none give any better results. 
We offer; 
PEACH—on natural N. C. stocks 
CHERRIES—on Mazzard stocks 
PLUMS—on Myrabolan stocks 
APPLES — on best crab stocks 
Quinces and small fruits of the 
very best varieties. 
In Ornamentals we have a fine complete 
line of the best and hardiest varieties. 
Send for our catalog. 
JOS. H. BLACK, SON & CO. 
HIGHTSTOWN, N. J. 
Contains 1917 prices. Lists a wide variety of 
all the paying fruits. Every shipment back¬ 
ed by the strongest guarantee. 37 years 
experience and five Kelly Bros.’ person- 
supervision insure your satisfaction. 
Kelly Bros. Wholesale Nurseries 
tiiil Main St. Dansville, N. Y. 
Grapes for the 
lEarm Garden 
Grapevines take but little room. Train 
u vino over the porch or on a trrlHs 
at the back door. Let them run on thf 
Crarden fence. 
Hubbard’s 1917 Catalogue 
tells bow to raise and use Grapes and other 
Niniill fruits. It is a piantioK ituide and a 
housewife's helper, showinK wavs of pre- 
|)arin»r and serving fruits. Send today 
or a copy. 
T. S. Hubbard Co. 
BOX 20 
FREDONIA, N. V. 
Trees 
"illaSr And OrnctmeniaJs — 
For Garden. I.awn and Orchard. Rrown In the larg-est 
nurseries In New Vork—gruaranteed first class. Sold direct to 
you at wholesale prices. Will increase the value and beauty 
of your place. Send for bijr free catalog today. Get better 
stock for much less than from agents. Folder "How to Care 
for IVees and Shrubs." Free wUh catalofir. 
_ MALONEY BROS. & WELLS CO. 
^ 48 East St. OensviH* 
-. SHRUBS. ROSES AND VINES ts 
CafAloj' wifheoiored iHusirotiont FRE£' 
F. A. GUKKNSKY & CO.,Inc.,Schoharie, N.Y. 
LARGE WHOLESALE CD|||T »)>d Orna. 
GROWERS * *^*^*-'^ in e n t a Is 
Establisheil 27 years. .ASK FOR OUR I'RICES. 
TREES 
APPLE 
PEACH 
PEAR 
Fruit trees ami iJiants of all kinds. Keliable, true to jiaiiifc 
stock at reasonable prices. Catalogue free; also booklet, 
“How to Plant Trees,” if you ask for it and mention this 
paper. 
The Barnes Brothers Nursery Company 
Box 8 Yalesville, Conn. 
I 
PEACH 390,000 
100 lots. 5-6 ft. lie; 4-5 ft. 8c; 3-4 ft. 51ae; oOO.OOO apple 14c; llk^e; 
8!ijc: 6}4c- Thousands of pear, plum, cherry, grapes, roses. 
shrul)s. etc., boxed free. Tlie beststock weever grew and we have been at it 24 years. 
Xo Cold Storages, everything FHESH DVG and you get tlie varieties you order, our 
Guarantee Protects You. A trial order is all we ask. Honey refunded if you are not 
perfectly satisfied. Order now. pay after you have received and examined stock. You are the Judge. 
Catalog free to everybody. TIIOS 1 A 8 K. 8IIEEI11X, KEKSEKYMAX, 11 Main SI., Ilnnsvllle, N.Y. 
I 
HARDY NORTHERN GROWN TREES and PLANTS 
HUNDKEDSof THOUS.4NIJ.S of strong, ihiifty trees, plants, shrubs, small fruit plants and viue.s, 
grown In bur own nursery in northern Ohio. Send for catalog. 
T. B. WEST, MAPLE BEND NURSERY. Lock Box 1 10, PERRY. OHIO 
