1884.] 
THE AMERICAN GARDEN. 
ISS 
OUE BOOK TABLE, 
Tlio Flax Plant, liv I'miil- re. 
Waj/iie, Iwh—A imtnphlot oc'i,w„„( v ‘ 
giving tUo hlslory, value, au,l 
tlou for seed niul liber. ciiltiva- 
Kansa.s Statellouv,! orAgHcuUnvo.-Mouthly 
Koport, oontnlnlug a au.n.anvy of vo„o..i8 h to 
tUo condition of Wheat, Coin, Oata, and 1?, a t 
togothor tvlth oxpovlniontH ndth Fertni.ors, etc 
Clna-k W, Kiyau & Co., IToluoh-e, Mau- nnl, 
llshors of tho “ Paper World,” “Huiuior '’ etc 
haTC,wlththelrrnpldly increasing ln.slnoas’,f.a.nd 
it necessary to open an odlce la Now-Yorlc it is 
located at Trinity Building, in Broadn-a C where 
they ivill be glad to see their friends. 
Fall Plowing Front resulting fron, a proper 
propnration of tho soli. Also Culture of Grass 
Poor oatohes. Failure of Seeding, Loss by dry 
weather and Inscets, Its failure attributed to the 
right cause. Two articles by Br. Iloury Stewart 
Published in pamphlet form by Aash <c Srol/icr 
Millington, N. J. ’ 
Dimision. Its appllc.ation to .Sugar Cano and 
record of experiments with Sorghum in 1883 , by 
H. IT. h'ifci/, chemist to the Doparhnciit of Agri- 
oulture.-Tho results of tho experiments so "far 
show that tho yield of sugar from this method is 
just about double that obtained by the large 
factories at Bio Grande, Champagne, and other 
places. 
“The Tribune and Farmer,” formerly pub¬ 
lished at Philadeliihia, has followed “The Conti¬ 
nent,” .and transferred its homo to Now-York, “ the 
acknowledged commoreial and literary head of 
this commonwealth.” It ch.angcs, at the same 
time, from a four to an eight page paper, and 
shows decided improvement in geiierai appear- 
anoe as well as in its contents. 
The Diet Question. Giving the Reason Why, 
from “Health in the Household,” by Jfrs. Su¬ 
sanna IT. Dodds, M.D. 12mo, paper, 25 cents. 
Fowler & Wells Co., Publishers, 753 Broadway, 
New-York City.—This book gives tho reason w'hy 
some articles of diet are better than otlicrs, more 
economical as well as more healthful. It also 
gives tables showing the constituent eiomeuts of 
different articles of food; the relation of food to 
physical development as well as to intellect and 
morals. 
Godey’s Lady’s Book for August is an especially 
good number, and, considering the liigh standard 
of this excellent mag.azine, this is perhaps ns 
generous praise as could bo bestoTved upon it. 
The book is Just entering upon its fifty-fifth year, 
and celebrates this matiu'e anniversary in a fitting 
manner. 
That all maj’ bo able to see how beautiful tho 
book is, the publishers (J. H. Haulenbeek & Co., 
Philadelphia) offer to send the now volume (six 
months) to an 3 ' address for $ 1 . 00 . 
Russian Apples, by Charles Gibb, Abbotts- 
ford, Quebec, Canada. A treatise on the varieties 
of Apples imported by the United States Depart¬ 
ment of Agriculture in 1870 .—In this pamphlet 
theauthorhassucceeded in bringing order in to the 
hitherto alarming confusion of Russian nomen¬ 
clature, and has condensed and translated into 
English many of tho unintelligible n.amcs. An 
accompanying map gives a clear idea of tho 
different fruit regions; and copious notes from 
tho author’s .and Prof. Budd’s experiences during 
their visit to Russia, make the work highly valu¬ 
able to all interested in this important class of 
Apples. 
“ The Bm-al New Yorker.”—It gives us 1’!°“®"^'® 
to note that editor D. 8. Carman has ‘ 
with himself jlfr. J. S. Woodward, . 
writer, and one of the most successfu ’J 
Western Now-York. This is a most 
combination, upon which both parties 
congratulated. Mr. Carman’s ener^ m wood- 
itable perseverance, combined with • 
ward’s thorough practical knowledge . 
judgment, caimot but result in the 8*^ 
usefulness and excellence of tUo in 
weR as to tho benefit of agrlcultiu-al intciests m 
general. 
“ Outing ” for August is a 
of fresh and vlvld lnterest, “s J nndperti- 
of Garrett’s best drawings, wltha jjj 
uent poem by Charles E. Pratt, outi 
August.” Natural history is represented in a 
clmrming paper by Bradford Torroy, entitled 
i-ciniiliig A(!(iu«lnt;mK;e with tlic Jilrds,” which 
n'u'T. m'I',’’"'*®"'' ‘’'’®0''''atlmi, as well as a 
delightful skill III piitHiif; ](,„ I'CHiilis into words, 
iho editorial doiJartiinent.s arc full and Interest- 
lug, as usual, and the inoiitiily record affords 
rcovoa(,lvo lilstory wliieh will be found worth pre- 
sorviiig, “ Outing ” is giiliiliig steadily In Itsliold 
upon the public, and Us unique Held Is one that It 
mis handsoinoly. 
.Swine Products of tho United .States. A re¬ 
port from thcCoininlssloii appointed by the Presi¬ 
dent to oxaniiiio Into tho swine industry of tho 
United States, and Into tlio allegations ns to tiic 
licalthfiiincss of the porlt products of this coun¬ 
try.—This is an exhaustive report, tho result of 
much careful Investigation. Wo regret not to 
have space to enter into its details, which prove 
nniiiistiikably tliat our exported pork in all its 
forms is fully equal, perhaps superior, in its free¬ 
dom from taint of every kind, oitlier from disease 
01 dcterior.atiou after slaughtering, to the pork of 
Franco or Goriiiaiiy, or any country in wliicli the 
hogs arc coniined within a narrow compass, and 
do not enjoj’ that free run and pasturage which 
tliey get in tlio liog-growing regions of the United 
States. There is no general prevalence of disease 
among swine in any portion of this country. 
Ohio Agricultural Exiierimcnt Station_ An¬ 
imal lieporL—This, tile second report of Director 
ir. Jt. Lazcnbij, more tli.an fidnus all reasonable 
expectations that liave been entertained at the 
organization of tile .Station under the direction of 
Prof. Lazcnb.v. As during last j^car, field experi¬ 
ments with Wlieat .and Com liave been prominent 
features in the j’car's work. Wiicu we consider 
tlic wide area of the State over which tliesc 
cereals .are successfully cultivated, and tliclr 
aggregate annual value, tiie iniporlance of this 
work is at once manifest. Tlie field experiments 
are not oonfliied slmplj' to comp.arativo tests of 
varieties, or jdelds of deflnlte areas under the 
Influcucc of different inctliods of culture and 
different inaniires. Thcjrinclude a careful stiidj’ 
of the quality and vigor of tho seed; the growth 
of the root; the result of checking growth in one 
direction in order to stimiilatc it in another; the 
effects of self and cross fertilization; the best 
time and condition for performing the various 
processes of planting, manuring, cultivating, har- 
ve.sting, and marketing; the treatment of insect 
enemies .and diseases; a study of oliraalio condi¬ 
tions, etc. In short, tho work includes all the un- 
portant factors that influence the gi-owth and 
fruitfulness of the Individual plant. Potatoes and 
garden vegetables, grasses and forage plants', 
fruits and flowers, liave also been subjects of care¬ 
fully conducted experiments. 
A good amount of work has been done in seeds, 
especially Corn. Over fom- hundred samples 
from various parts of tlio State wore examined 
and tested during tiie ye.ar, and we have not tho 
least doubt that these tests alone have saved to 
the farmers of the State more than the annual 
appropriation for tho support of the Station. 
Considering the limited means at the directors’ 
disposal, and tho short time of tho Station’s exist¬ 
ence, the amount of work already done is surpris. 
ing, and refleets high commendation upon tho 
judicious management of the Board and tho ear¬ 
nestness and ability of tho director. 
ANSWEES TO OOEEESPONDENTS. 
Keeping Winter RadisUes.—Jl F. D-, Lans- 
dalc. Pa.—Any land of pure sand or dry soil will 
do to paolc tho Radlsiics in. Take a bo.v, cover 
tho bottom with an inch of sand, place a layer of 
Radishes upon it, shake sand between and on 
them till they .are entirely covered, then .another 
layer of Radishes, and so on. The tops have to bo 
out off, of course, but not the end of the roots. 
Treated in this waj', most roots v’lU winter well. 
Lilacs not Blooming.—E. C. P., Berlceley, Cal. 
—It is difficult to say why Lilacs do not bloom, 
without a knowledge of the conditions under 
which they are grooving. Tho probability is that 
tho soR la too rich, producing too much loaf, 
growth, to the detriment of flowers. In this case, 
transplanting to some less fertile spot may bo 
necessary. Cutting off about one-half of aR of 
this year’s growth may also produce the desired 
effect. Boot-pruning may also be tried. 
I’lantlng Rliododendrons _ 0. H. II., Dick- 
man, Ky.—In your State, Rhododendrons may bo 
planted eltiicr in autumn or spring. In tho 
Nnrtlicrn States spring planting is preferable, 
and also wlicrover tho ground is not perfectly 
drained. The proper selection of varieties is of 
tile greatest importance. More plants are lost 
from not being suited to outdoor culture than 
from any other cause. In our Juno number we 
gave a select list of hardy v,arlctic8. 
Soil for “ Starting Slips.”-IF. IT. F., Miller’s 
Slatlon, 7’a.—Tlic best medium in which to place 
cuttings of nearly all the ordinary Imusc-plants is 
pure building-sand. Tills is to be kept very wet 
until the cuttings become rooted. Tho young 
plants are tlic.n to be transplanted in small pots,— 
two to two and a lialf indies in diameter,—in soil 
consisting of aliout equal parts of well-decom¬ 
posed nianure, loamy garden .soil, and sand. See 
article on “ Soil for Pot Plants,” in June number. 
Cabbage Going to Seed.—If. S., Indianola, 
Texas.—Tho natural tendency of all Cabbages is 
to run to seed the first year, the he.ading charae- 
tcr having been produced by long-continued 
cultivation and selection; and unless the most 
favorable conditions are iirovided, they will revert 
to the natural type—that is, go to seed. Highly en¬ 
riched ground, thorough cultivation, and moisture 
are the best preventives .against Cabbages going 
to seed. Wintered plants are also more apt to go 
to seed than those raised in tho same year. 
Early Wliite Clirysantliemums.— Mrs. S. P. H., 
Noriealk, 0.—The differences between florists’ 
flowers are often so smaR that it is impossible to 
give their names without seeing the whole plant, 
and even then it is not alw.aj's an easy task. 
From the description given, we should judge this 
to be La Pclilc Marie. This is the earliest flower¬ 
ing Chrysanthemum we are acquainted with, and 
holds out till frost. The flowers arc pure white 
with yellow center; the plant is very dwarf, and 
Continuous!}’ covered with flowers throughout 
the season. 
Clematis not Blooming.—jifrs. J. B., Decorah, 
loxca, writes: ‘ ‘ Two years ago I received a Scarlet 
Clematis as apremium toTiiB Ajieeicax Garden. 
A neighbor received one at the same time. I ma¬ 
nure the ground heavUy every year, and now my 
plant is seven feet high, while my neighbor’s is 
not much over three; yet hers is in fuR bloom and 
had flowers last year, while mine had none yet.” 
This is an excellent description of thousands of 
similar cases, not only with Clematis, but with 
other plants. Excess of manure produces leaf- 
growth, while it diminishes the tendency to flow¬ 
ering. If manure is withheld, the plant wUl, no 
doubt, bloom next year. 
FEOM OUE FEIENDS, 
I Uko Tiie Ajiericax Garden Immensely. It is 
constantly improving.— C. M., SI. Louis, Mo. 
I find sufBcieut information in a single number 
of Tub Ajiericax Garden to pay the cost for a 
yeiu’.-Jfrs. J. E., Chicago, 111. 
The cover is a great improvement. It not only 
looks well, but preserves the paper in nice condi¬ 
tion for binding. I like The Ajiericax Garden 
exceedingly.-N. M., Portland, Me. 
I am much pleased with The American Gar¬ 
den. The instructions contained in It are good 
and reliable, and tho iUustrations are beautiful. 
I cannot do without this paper.- C. IT. B., Wash¬ 
ington Co., Utah. 
The American Garden pleases mo very much. 
I enjoy every word of It, and the colored plates 
are simply exquisite. It is especiaRy gratifying 
to me to hear that you mean to keep tho paper 
strictly and exclusively horticultural. Long may 
you think so!— Mrs. J. B. C., Cainbridgeport, 
Mass. 
The American Garden Unsitrpassed as an 
Advertising hledinin. — From the Buhaeh Pro¬ 
ducing and Manufacturing Co.: “ Out of a large 
list of agricultural and horticultural papers in 
which wo have advertised this season. The 
American Garden has boon surpassed by none, 
and equaled by but one. It has brought us 
vastly larger returns than papers which cost us 
four times as much.— Jas. E. Condon, Manager.” 
