the 10th of March, and for over one hundred days we have had
winter--winter; but very few real mild and bright days, such as we had
"when I was a boy." The Mississippi is frozen over still, with no signs of
breaking up, and men, women, and children are sighing for sunshine and
showers, and daisies and violets. The wood and coal bills have been
enormous; the pigs squeal in the open pens, and cattle roam, as usual,
shivering in the lanes and along the streets. The song of a robin
to-morrow morning would be a joyous sound to hear. T. G.
Prunings.
Tree-worship among the ancients had a most important influence on the
preservation of forests in circumscribed places. Beautiful groves, which
would otherwise have been sacrificed on the altar of immediate utility,
were preserved by the religious respect for trees.--Milwaukee Sentinel.
F. K. Phoenix. "Small trees have larger roots in proportion, (2) they cost
less, (3) expressage of freight is less--expressing small trees is usually
cheaper than freighting large ones, and then so much more speedy, (4) less
labor handling, digging holes, etc., (5) less exposed to high winds which
loosen roots, and kill many transplanted trees, (6) planters can form
heads and train them to their own liking, (7) with good care in, say five
years, they will overtake the common larger sized trees. Without good
care, better not plant any size."
The coming currant is Fay's Prolific. It originated with Lincoln Fay, of
Chautauqua county, N. Y. For many years he endeavored to raise a currant
that would combine the size of the Cherry currant with the productiveness
of the Victoria. To this end he fertilized one with the pollen of the
other, and raised some thousands of seedlings, from out of which he
selected this as the one that most nearly realized his desires. It is now
sixteen years since this seedling was obtained. For some eight or nine
years Mr. Fay tested this variety by the side of all the sorts in
cultivation, until becoming convinced of its superiority in several
particulars over any of these, he planted it extensively for his own
marketing.
At a late meeting of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the currant
worm came in for a good deal of talk. Mr. Satterthwaite said that
hellebore, as we have often printed, was the most effectual "remedy." He
mixed it with water and applied it with a brush or whisk of straw. If not
washed off by rain for twenty-four hours and used every year, the worms
were easily got rid of. Mr. Saunders, Superintendent of the Government
Gardens at Washington, and a gentleman thoroughly conversant with every
branch of horticulture, said that there was nothing so effectual with
insects as London purple, and, though equally poisonous as Paris green,
was much cheaper. Tobacco stems and refuse have also been found of great
value in fruit culture. Pyrethrum, he said, would also kill all sorts of
leaf-eating insects; it is now largely cultivated in California, and is
hardy at least as far north as Washington.
JOSIAH HOOPES in New York Tribune: In Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey,
where, literally, no pears have been grown of late years, the Kieffer is
doing well. I know of no fruit so variable. I ate specimens last season
finely flavored and delicious; again when they were weak and watery. This
fruit needs thinning on the trees and careful ripening in the house. Don't
understand me to say that Kieffer is "best of all." But here it is the
most profitable for market that I know of, as this is not a pear country,
as are portions of New York State. As we go further south the Kieffer
seems to improve, and I think Mr. Berckmans, of Georgia, will give it a
good name with him. Yes, the Kieffer will command a higher price in
Philadelphia than any other pear, and we think some people there know what
good fruit is. Don't imagine I have any axe on the grindstone in this
matter; pecuniarily the Kieffer is no more to me than the Bartlett or
dozens of other varieties.
[Illustration: FLORICULTURE]
Some New Plants.
ABUTILON THOMSONII PLENA.
It is one of the peculiarities of plant culture, that after a certain
number of years of cultivation, any plant having the properties of
sporting freely, that is, changing greatly from the original wild
character of the plant, will become double. In most cases it first arises
from seed, but with the plant under notice it appears that it was what is
called a bud variation, that is, that from some freak of a particular
branch of a plant of the well-known A. Thomsonii, the ordinary single
flowers were found to be double. This happening on a plant under the eye
of a professional florist was taken off the plant and rooted, and at once
became its established character. This phenomena of variation being
"fixed" by separate propagation, is by no means rare, and not a few of our
choice fruits, flowers, and vegetables had their origin by the same means.
It remains to be seen whether in this case it will be of much value except
as a curiosity, it having precisely the same leaf markings as the
original, which are a very distinct yellow mottling of the leaf in a field
of green, and for which the plant is valuable alone, the flowers being
quite of a secondary character. The flowers are said to be perfectly
double, resembling in form a double hollyhock, color deep orange, shaded
and streaked with crimson. This is the first year it has been sent out,
and we shall not be surprised if it is soon followed by others, for
usually, when the "double" condition of things has arrived no one has a
monopoly of the curiosity.
ALTERNANTHERA AUREA NANA.
This is a charming new plant of decided merit to the carpet style of
bedding or edging, being very compact in growth, easily kept to a line of
the finest character, and producing what is of great importance in the
summer, a line of golden yellow. At times the old kind, A. aurea, would
come very good, but more often it had far too much of a green shade to
furnish the contrast sought after, and, as a result, failed to bring out
the effect the planter studied to produce. It is a fitting companion to A.
amabilis, A. paronychioides, and A. versicolor, and will be hailed with
delight by our park florists and other scientific planters.
BOUVARDIA THOMAS MEEHAN.
Here we have a double scarlet bouvardia from the same raisers, Nanz and
Neuner, that astonished the floral world a few years back, with the double
white B. Alfred Neuner. This new addition, unlike the old, which was
another "bud variation," was secured by a cross between the old B.
leiantha, scarlet with a single flower, and Alfred Neuner, double white.
If this is the real origin of the kind, which we somewhat doubt, for if
our theory is correct, that a certain amount of cultivation predisposes to
double variation, then it is not necessary to cross the double, which in
fact can not be done with a perfectly double flower--the organs of
fructification being wanting with that of a single and seed-producing
kind, to account for the origin of a new double.
As is well known the old leiantha is one of the best scarlets yet, and
this new candidate for favor is said to unite the brilliant color and
profuse blooming qualities of the old favorite B. leiantha with the
perfect double flowers of B. Alfred Neuner.
There are now of this class of plants the three colors--white, scarlet,
and pink--in double as well as single; for instance, a pink President
Garfield sported from and was "fixed" from the white A. Neuner, a year or
two ago.
STATICE SUWOROWII REGAL.
In this we have a right regal plant. We first heard of it from the German
catalogues, early in the past winter. This plant is now offered for sale
by the florists of this country. Its description from the catalogues is as
follows: "One of the finest novelties in the list of showy annuals lately
introduced. Its branching flower spikes, of a very bright rose, with a
crimson shade, appear successively from ten to fifteen on each plant, and
measure, each, fully fifteen to eighteen inches in height, and from
one-half to one inch in breadth; the foliage, laying flat on the ground,
is comparatively small, and completely hidden by the numerous flower
spikes, each leaf being five inches long, and from one-half to two inches
broad, undulated and glaucous. It is constantly in bloom during the summer
and autumn, and when in full bloom is a truly magnificent sight, being one
mass of flowers." This class of plants are great favorites, and we should
judge by the colored flowers and description that this variety is a
decided novelty.
TEA ROSES, WHITE BON SILENE.
This is another new aspirant for favor, and comes out with the high
sounding character of being in a white what the old Bon Silene is as a red
winter tea rose. The description from the catalogue is: "The buds are
larger and more double than its parent (the red B. S.) and will produce
more flower buds than any other white rose in cultivation."
It was raised by Francis Morat, of Louisville, Ky., four years ago; it is
also a "sport," and from the old B. silene. Should it retain the good
flowering qualities, fragrance, and substance of the original kind, with a
pure white bud, it will very soon work its way into popular favor. Usually
a white variation has not the vitality that its colored progenitor had, so
that we say, wait and see. EDGAR SANDERS.
[Illustration: OUR BOOK TABLE]
Pamphlets, Etc., Received.
A full and detailed account of the Polled Galloway breed of cattle is sent
us by the Rev. John Gillespie, M. A., Dumfries, Scotland. The catalogue
has also an appendix containing a correspondence on Polled-Angus versus
Galloway cattle for the Western States of America.
Jabez Webster's descriptive wholesale and retail price list of fruit and
ornamental nursery stock, etc., Centralia, Ill.
Illustrated catalogue and price list of grape vines, small fruits, etc.
John G. Burrow, Fishkill Village, Dutchess county, N. Y.
The Canadian Entomologist, by William Saunders, London, Ontario. This is
an exceedingly neat little pamphlet, and contains articles upon many of
the most important subjects relating to entomology, by a number of
prominent and well-known writers of the day.
The Argus Almanac for 1884. This almanac is replete with useful
information concerning the Government, public debt, State elections from
1873 to 1883, finances of State of New York, biographical sketches of
State officers and members of the Legislature, etc., etc. Price, 25 cents,
Albany, N. Y.
"A Primer of Horticulture for Michigan Fruit Growers." This pamphlet has
been prepared for the use of beginners in horticulture by Charles W.
Garfield, Secretary of the Michigan State Horticultural Society, and will
be found very helpful to all such. Price, 15 cents.
Waldo F. Brown's illustrated spring catalogue of vegetable and flower
seeds. Oxford, Ohio.
R. H. Allen & Co.'s descriptive catalogue of choice farm, garden, and
flower seeds. Nos. 189 and 191 Water St, N. Y.
The Manifesto, a pamphlet devoted to the interests of our Shaker friends.
Compliments of Charles Clapp, Lebanon, Ohio.
"THE THIRD HOUSE."
Its Good and Bad Members--The Remarkable Experiences of a Close Observer
of Its Workings During a Long Residence at Washington.
[_Correspondence Rochester Democrat._]
No city upon the American continent has a larger floating population than
Washington. It is estimated that during the sessions of Congress
twenty-five thousand people, whose homes are in various parts of this and
other countries, make this city their place of residence. Some come here,
attracted by the advantages the city offers for making the acquaintance of
public men; others have various claims which they wish to present, while
the great majority gather here, as crows flock to the carrion, for the
sole purpose of getting a morsel at the public crib. The latter class, as
a general thing, originate the many schemes which terminate in vicious
bills, all of which are either directed at the public treasury or toward
that revenue which the black-mailing of corporations or private
enterprises may bring.
While walking down Pennsylvania avenue the other day I met Mr. William M.
Ashley, formerly of your city, whose long residence here has made him
unusually well acquainted with the operations of the lobby.
Having made my wants in this particular direction known, in answer to an
interrogative, Mr. Ashley said:
"Yes, during my residence here I have become well acquainted with the
workings of the 'Third House,' as it is termed, and could tell you of
numerous jobs, which, like the 'Heathen Chinee,' are peculiar."
"You do not regard the lobby, as a body, vicious, do you?"
"Not necessarily so, there are good and bad men comprising that body; yet
there have been times when it must be admitted that the combined power of
the 'Third House' has overridden the will of the people. The bad influence
of the lobby can be seen in the numerous blood-bills that are introduced
at every session."
"But how can these be discovered?"
"Easily enough, to the person who has made the thing a study. I can detect
them at a glance."
"Tell me, to what bills do you refer?"
"Well, take the annual gas bills, for instance. They are introduced for
the purpose of bleeding the Washington Gas Light company. They usually
result in an investigating committee which never amounts to anything more
than a draft upon the public treasury for the expenses of the
investigation. Another squeeze is the _abattoir_ bills, as they are
called. These, of course, are fought by the butchers and market-men. The
first attempt to force a bill of this description was in 1877, when a
prominent Washington politician offered a fabulous sum for the franchise."
"Anything else in this line that you think of, Mr. Ashley?"
"Yes, there's the job to reclaim the Potomac flats, which, had it become a
law, would have resulted in an enormous steal. The work is now being done
by the Government itself, and will rid the place of that malarial
atmosphere of which we hear so much outside the city."
"During your residence here have you experienced the bad results of living
in this climate?"
"Well, while I have not at all times enjoyed good health, I am certain
that the difficulty which laid me up so long was not malarial. It was
something that had troubled me for years. A shooting, stinging pain that
at times attacked different parts of my body. One day my right arm and leg
would torture me with pain, there would be great redness, heat and
swelling of the parts; and perhaps the next day the left arm and leg would
be similarly affected. Then again it would locate in some particular part
of my body and produce a tenderness which would well nigh drive me
frantic. There would be weeks at a time that I would be afflicted with an
intermitting kind of pain that would come on every afternoon and leave me
comparatively free from suffering during the balance of the twenty-four
hours. Then I would have terrible paroxysms of pain coming on at any time
during the day or night when I would be obliged to lie upon my back for
hours and keep as motionless as possible. Every time I attempted to move a
chilly sensation would pass over my body, or I would faint from hot
flashes. I suffered from a spasmodic contraction of the muscles and a
soreness of the back and bowels, and even my eyeballs become sore and
distressed me greatly whenever I wiped my face. I became ill-tempered,
peevish, fretful, irritable and desperately despondent."
"Of course you consulted the doctors regarding your difficulty?"
"Consulted them? well I should say I did. Some told me I had neuralgia;
others that I had inflammatory rheumatism, for which there was no cure,
that I would be afflicted all my life, and that time alone would mitigate
my sufferings."
"But didn't they try to relieve your miseries?"
"Yes, they vomited and physicked me, blistered and bled me, plastered and
oiled me, sweat, steamed, and everything but froze me, but without avail."
"But how did you finally recover?"
"I had a friend living in Michigan who had been afflicted in a similar way
and had been cured. He wrote me regarding his recovery and advised me to
try the remedy which cured him. I procured a bottle and commenced its use,
taking a teaspoonful after each meal and at bed-time. I had used it about
a week when I noticed a decrease of the soreness of the joints and a
general feeling of relief. I persevered in its use and finally got so I
could move around without limping, when I told my friends that it was
Warner's Safe Rheumatic Cure that had put me on my feet."
"And do you regard your cure as permanent?"
"Certainly, I haven't been so well in years as I am now, and although I
have been subjected to frequent and severe changes of weather this winter,
I have not felt the first intimation of the return of my rheumatic
trouble."
"Do you object to the publication of this interview, Mr. Ashley?"
"Not at all, sir. I look upon it as a duty I owe my fellow creatures to
alleviate their sufferings so far as I am able, and any communication
regarding my symptoms and cure that may be sent to me at 506 Maine avenue
will receive prompt and careful attention."
"Judging from your recital, Mr. Ashley, there must be wonderful curative
properties about this medicine?"
"Indeed, there is, sir, for no man suffered more nor longer than did I
before this remedy gave me relief."
"To go back to the original subject, Mr. Ashley, I suppose you see the
same familiar faces about the lobby session after session?"
"No, not so much so as you might think. New faces are constantly seen and
old ones disappear. The strain upon lobbyists is necessarily very great,
and when you add to this the demoralizing effect of late hours and
intemperate habits and the fact that they are after found out in their
steals, their disappearance can easily be accounted for."
"What proportion of these blood-bills are successful?"
"A very small percentage, sir. Notwithstanding the power and influence of
the lobby, but few of these vicious measures pass. Were they successful it
would be a sad commentary upon our system of government, and would
virtually annihilate one branch of it. The great majority of them are
either reported adversely or smothered in committee by the watchfulness
and loyalty of our congressmen." J. E. D.
MISCELLANEOUS.
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invested in a postal card and addressed as below
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320 ACRES
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ADDRESS:
JAMES B. POWER, Land and Emigration Commissioner, ST. PAUL, MINN.
[Illustration of a scale]
CHICAGO SCALE CO.
2 TON WAGON SCALE, $40, 3 TON, $50. 4 Ton $60, Beam Box Included.
240 lb. FARMER'S SCALE, $5. The "Little Detective," 1/4 oz. to 25 lb.
$3. 300 OTHER SIZES. Reduced PRICE LIST FREE.
[Illustration of a tool]
FORGES, TOOLS, &c.
BEST FORGE MADE FOR LIGHT WORK, $10. 40 lb. Anvil and Kit of Tools. $10.
Farmers save time and money doing odd jobs.
Blowers, Anvils, Vices & Other Articles AT LOWEST PRICES, WHOLESALE &
RETAIL.
HOOSIER AUGER TILE MILL.
[Illustration of a tile machine]
Mills on hand.
Prompt delivery.
FOR PRICES AND CIRCULARS, ADDRESS NOLAN, MADDEN & CO., Rushville, Ind.
DON'T you want a $30, 26 Shot Repeating Rifle for $15, a $30
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WANT
Send at once for our Illustrated Catalogue of Watches, Self-cocking
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[Illustration of a magnetic truss]
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A PRIZE. Send six cents for postage, and receive free, a costly box of
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TRUE & CO., Augusta, Maine.
$1000 Every 100 Days
Positively sure to Agents everywhere selling our New SILVER MOULD WHITE
WIRE CLOTHES-LINE. Warranted. Pleases at sight. Cheap. Sells readily at
every house. Agents clearing $10 per day. Farmers make $900 to $1200
during Winter. _Handsome samples free._
Address, GIRARD WIRE MILLS, Philadelphia, Pa.
PUBLISHERS' NOTICE.
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[Illustration: THE PRAIRIE FARMER]
Entered at the Chicago Post Office as Second-Class Matter.
CHICAGO, MARCH 22, 1884.
WHEN SUBSCRIPTIONS EXPIRE.
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[Transcriber's Note: Original location of Table of Contents.]
The next fair of the Jefferson County, Wisconsin, Agricultural Society
will be held the second week in September.
* * * * *
The potato which has sold for the highest price in Boston all the season
is the Early Rose. This has been one of the most remarkable potatoes known
in the history of this esculent.
* * * * *
A Gentleman residing at Milk's Grove, Iroquois county, Illinois has
obtained a patent for a new and cheap building material; this material is
straw and concrete pressed together and bound with wires. He thinks he has
a good thing. Time will tell.
* * * * *
The Chamber of Commerce at Lyons, France, protests to the government
against the embargo on American pork. Trichiniasis prevails in various
parts of the German empire. It is traced to the use of uncooked home-grown
pork. Here we score two points in favor of the American hog product.
* * * * *
The excellent articles on Silk Culture by E. L. Meyer, Esq., have
attracted very general attention, as is proven by the number of letters we
have received asking for his address. This was unintentionally omitted.
Mr. Meyer resides at Hutchinson, Kan. The article was originally prepared
for the quarterly report of the Kansas Board of Agriculture.
* * * * *
Our Indiana friends should remember that in that State, Arbor Day occurs
April 11th. A general effort is being made to interest the teachers,
pupils, and directors of the district schools in the observance of the day
by planting of trees and shrubs in the school yards. It is to be hoped
that the people generally will countenance the observance in all possible
ways.
* * * * *