220 
THE 
AMERICAN CA^ 
[Nov 
adaptaWlity to Uie growtli of tho ^ ‘ „„(i 
tural staples, of every State, 
county in tUe United States, and of eacn o 
Canadian provinces. '„,«,Rtnto. ter- 
In it is given the populatron of eve o Sta^ 
■ ritory, county, and county-seat, o _ 
cities and towns, and of abnost 
wliich a newspaper is published, also 
population, by counties, in tbc Soutbei ».ul 
south-western States, and the 
on tho Paciiio Slope. It also gives PoW.cal 
majority of every State, territory, 
It has a list of the cities, towns, ® 
the United States having a population of 11 
thousand and upward, arranged m alphabetical 
order. 
It is unequaled for fullness, correctness, com¬ 
pactness of statement, variety and value of con¬ 
tents, and freedom from favoritism or prejudice. 
Price, S3.00, carriage paid. 
New-York Agricultural Experiment Station. 
— Report for the year 1883. This, the second an¬ 
nual report of Director Dr. E. L. Sturtevaiit, gives 
a still clearer insight into the scope and amount 
of work carried on at tho Station than the pre¬ 
vious one. Some of the results of the year s work 
have already been made known to our readei-s 
through the Station Bulletins, from which we 
have given frequent quotations. These weekly 
bulletins. Issued by the director, are of inesti¬ 
mable value to the farmers of the State, and the 
entire countrj- in fact, not only in giving accounts 
of the latest discoveries and investigations, but 
because they are distributed in so judicious a 
manner as to reach the largest possible number 
of readers. A million of volumes could not ac¬ 
complish nearly the amount of good these little, 
unpretending IVeekly Bulletins do. Let us have 
the Annual Reports for reference in our libraries; 
but for the most extensive distribution of kuowl- 
edge, and for effective, practical work, give us 
the Bulletins. 
One of the most formidable difficulties which 
confront the director, as well as agricultural ex¬ 
perimenters generally, is to make farmers under¬ 
stand that the object of experimental work is not 
to raise the best and largest crops—market gar¬ 
deners do this—but to discover the wliys and 
whereofs, to verily and to disseminate. 
“ Agriculture in its practice,” says the doctor, 
“ is a complex art; it deals with factors of varied 
character and great divergency. Under the con¬ 
crete terms of seed, soil, fertility, climate, protec¬ 
tion, etc., we express the combined results of also 
varied and divergent factors. Were it possible to 
give expression to the values of each and all of 
these factors, not only by themselves, but in their 
relations, then we could hope to have an exaet 
science, admitting of definite expression, admit¬ 
ting of verification, admitting of dupheation in 
experimental trials. It seems to me that a though t- 
ful con-sideration of the principles involved in this 
idea must give hope that progress can be made, 
and that sooner or later the results of a careful 
study into the principles and relations governing 
agricnltural pursuits will enable tallies of con¬ 
stants to be c,stablished which shall avail to inter¬ 
pret for us the discrepancies now so familiar to 
practice, and will enable us to secure with accu¬ 
racy the results for whicli we may plan. It a 
practice be claimed as successful, then shoiilfl we 
be able by tiial to verify its claims, eliminating 
thcefl'cctof local conditions, and getting an un¬ 
derstanding of the truth or falsity of the j.rin- 
ciples upon which the claim may be founded,” 
The plat system of experimenting generally 
adopted by experiraonters cvcrywjierc was at 
the station, found more apt to afford incorrect 
than correct conclusions, caused by lack of iinl 
formlty of clmracter lii the seed used, ditleronees 
in the number of plants which survive and attain 
maturity, and in differences in the soil of iiir. 
various plats. 
such ns ours must miowlcdgo of the 
the most o.iroful land application in agri- 
action of tho .Ithods for the appUcatiou 
"imwirdge^nodin^ 
be forwarded.” .i„„it„riat. Mr. E’ S- 
Tho report of the hort ^ important 
Goff, shows that a conspic . has been 
part of the garden ^ ,^m-o planted 
tlic careful test of vaiietaes. niaiits ofl’orctl 
of almost the entire list of "“miv 
hy our American ^ f .^rlc wore 
others from foreign coiiiitiics. In tins . 
had other olfiects in view that, the ^ 
son of yields and qualities. All who hat e nai o 
the least study of v.arictics in vegetables lu 
th.it there is much confusion in 
was oudeavored, ns far ns possible, to ‘1*scovoi 
how many of the so-called varieties planted are 
really distinct, and how many arc only 8yuoii.Vin8. 
It was also desired to study tlie fixity of varieties, 
the trueiiess to which seeds reproduce to name 
aud the variation, which arc apt to occur. 
The special reports show the period required 
for the geriniuation of each variety, tlic percent¬ 
age of vegetation, yield, and general character¬ 
istics, The extent of this work may bo imagined 
when it is stated that of Beans alone two hundred 
and fifty varieties were grown. 
So far tho Station work has exceeded all 
reasonable expectations, aud we feel pretty sure 
that the State of New-York has never appropri¬ 
ated money to better advantage than when it 
founded its Experiment Station, 
CATALOGUES EEOEIVED. 
John S. Collins, iloorestown, N. J.— Catalogue 
of Strawbeny, Raspbony, Blackberry, and other 
Small Frtiit plants, Gr.apes, Fruit-trees, etc. A 
very complete list of all standard kinds, with de¬ 
scriptions and illustrations of tlie leading novel¬ 
ties, most prominent among whicli are May King 
Strawbeny, Early Clitstor Blaekbeny, and Coinet 
Pear. 
Thomas W. Wheathered, dG Marion street, 
jYcic-rorA:.—Catalogue of Hot-water Boilers, and 
everything necessary for Heating and Ventilating 
j Greenliouses, This elegantly gotten up and 
richly illustrated pamphlet gives, in addition to 
descriptions of the different patterns and styles 
of the justly eelebrated heating and ventilatiii” 
apparatus mnniifaetnred by tliis firm, a large 
amount of useful information about heatiimand 
ventilating gi-eenliouses in general, of int'ercst 
and value to every owner of a gi-cenhousc. 
ANSWEES TO COEEESPONDENTS. 
Achimenos and 01o.xinias.- 
of these and other gesneraecoiiH plants slionld bo 
number of the current, yea,r '’ " 
This plant, whose propru biH;:,! el’! 
mansla suaveotens. Is a native ,, 
been III ciiHIvatloi a I, ‘ '■"« 
fiuci.tiynietwit:';:;;;::i:!-''-'j;;'-otas^ 
our winters outdoors mni i. ""•■«i»n(l 
the approach of frost, phmtld 1" ’'l>'it 
large box or tub, and stoled In a f I' """'“‘‘"‘tl.V 
giving It not more water than i/' 
Uk rootH from Hlirlvf'Iliifr r„ ,.i t tokcoji 
ton to twelve feelMigi'!; It ! I ';:!" «.'ow 
from stein or '■oot cuttings, 
Mlics and Bulbs.-// „ , 
Im/.-Itlsnotadvlsable to plant nil * 
flowcrlng bulbs together In 1 1, ' "I'tlng 
for t!!ls liia 1, for 
7"“’®"““'"'"t''Vthey oaniiot be lie- 
our path to be marked with failures, sacideiibr '’! "'•thoiit injuring one or ,1"'^»aiuo 
.. 
“A close acquaintance with thedlfllciilties that 
beset our path,” says the director In regard to 
this, -leads us to the candid adinlssloi, that tl e 
most important portion of our work is the learn 
ing how to experiment, and how to interpreter 
remits. We must expect to find 
labor thrown away upon efforts which shall no! 
yield an adequate return, and we must exneet 
ftlir nnfll in hn rrtn^lrr.,1 n-.ii... 
for future progress. Indeed, In well-directed ex 
Vorbcnns nro spoolnlly adapted for 
orPortulacns maybe sown even 
of the flowering season of the bulbs ® 
a glorious mass of flowers all , 
injuring tbe bulbs in tho least. 
Asparagns.-J®. S., Pulnatn Oo.,if y 
giis roots may bo planted now or in 
eitber case tho ground should be liberali?”®^; in 
before planting. One hundred plants 
for will yield enough for a famfly of ^ ®*^ 'ibid 
Plants older thamtwo years arenotdcsiMs'”^ 
unless two-year-old roots have bad sufliei “"'1 
wliilc growing, wo would prefer gooi 
onc-ycnr-old ones. If planted in thofau 
covering of coarse stable manure durin ’®*’®''^ 
will prove bciioflcial. 
Eiicharis.—J. J., Parry Sosmd, 
n boMioiiso plant, belonging to tho 
family, and requiring during Its growing 
toniporatui’o of not less than to^ In day-tim**®"* 
not less than 00° during night, with pleni'*"'* 
water and full sunshine. It may bo potted if 
time. The soil most suitable for Its growth 
compost consisting of about equal parts of ] *** 
leaf mold, sand, and wcU-decomposed manr’ 
After blooming, they should be kept in a loJ*’ 
tempera ture and receive less water, butsulHcie'! 
to picveiit their drying off entirely, which shoiiw 
never lie nllowcd. During tho summer months 
they may ho placed outdoors to advantage,. For 
fuller directions, see May number of this year. 
Propagating Dahlias— 11. O.,Pelateare,0nt,-. 
Tlie, clumps may he divided in spring as soodm 
the buds appear; theymay then be separated into 
as m.aiiy pieces as there are eyes with a tuber to 
each. When large quantities tire required they 
arc propagated by cuttings. About Pehruaty the 
clumps are placed in a warm greenhouse or hot¬ 
bed, to he forced into growth, and as soonasthe 
shoots iiave grown two or three inches in length 
they are out off at the base, potted singly in very 
small pots, and placed in a hot-hed. Where there 
is a propagating bench they may he planted in 
tins, the same ns other soft-wood cuttings. As 
they grow they have to be shifted into largcrpots, 
aud ill JJay, after danger of frest is over, they are 
to he trinisteiTed to tho open ground. 
Mnininoiicl’.s Slug-Sliot and Paint Works, 
located for the past ten ye.ars at Mount Klsco, X. 
Y., arc about to bo removed to Fishkill on the 
Hudson, as the constantly increasing demand lor 
the goods manufactured by this firm requires 
more extended facilities than an Inland village 
afloi’ds. We are glad to notico this indication of 
suc cess, wliicli, having ourselves used large quan¬ 
tities of the iiiamifuctures of this Him, wc knoa 
to he fully deserved. 
Eadie.s’ Art Association.—Air. Authony Hoch 
stein, tlio well-known artist of this city, teaches 
oil Saturday afternoons at the rooms of 
coUciit society. No. t West Fourteenth street H's 
insi ruct ion is specially adapted to the hi® ® 
education of those who nro nfroady tcaol'i"S 
Hclionls mid somtnnrlcs, ns well ns to 
wish to draw on wood for book ilUistratlous. i 
ihoNo (leNlrliig to porfoct themselves in the ar 
this offers araro opportunity, ns in the deli"®® ' 
and povlriilturo of flowers, plniits, I!!',,y 
oliieelH generally Mr. Hochstoin Ims foW, 1 *' •’ 
siilicrlors In thlH country. ___ _ 
Twoiily-llvo llunilrcd -blcat-oboppcrs 
nmimrael.ured every week liy the 
^tiinnfuclHring Company of 
adverilsenuMit iippears on the ""t®***® 
This will not surprise any one wlio hns ®''®' |„g 
IIiIn excellent mneliUie. Of all the liilibP® 
I'lililemeiits used lii our klteheii this br"' 
imlm. For ehopptiig up meat of any h 
'logree ef leiideruesH or louglniCBS, as *' 
may be, a more elVeotlve mui oomplel® 
mice eanmit be iiimglnod. It Is workw 
"ad vapidly, Is readily cleaned, and "’**as 
"Imiilo In eoiiHtriiellon aud so durably 
Hill, to get mil, of order under deooat trc" 
^1, is a gem, ^ 
Patieriis of your own selootlon, a'l^ Brest’s 
sign, given with every numlior of Don* ^ 
Monthly. See iidvertlsoinont. 
