[1] Miss Moll says that this rusting can be prevented by only hoeing
the beans when the soil is dry. We would also particularly recommend
_Burpee’s Perfection Wax_, a fine new variety, that has so far
proved free from rust.--ED.
[2] See the method of covering the seed of Lima beans described by Miss
L. M. Moll, and our note on the same.--ED.
[3] We would also particularly recommend _Burpee’s White Zulu_, a
new variety of 1888. It is one of the earliest of pole beans, immensely
productive, and the broad, handsome, white pods, eight to ten inches
long, are of the choicest quality.--ED.
[4] The _Extra Early Express_, a new variety, just introduced
from France, and seed of which we distributed for trial this year,
has proved _eight to ten days earlier_ than the Etampes. The
heads do not average quite as large as the Etampes, but are of equally
as good quality and of the shape shown in the illustration on page
60.--ED.
[5] For years, Mr. Vandergaw, a large cabbage grower of Long Island,
has had a _second-early_ cabbage fully as early as Early Summer
and with much larger heads. This is known as _the Vandergaw
Cabbage_, and is only now being generally introduced. The heads
are very large and solid, of the shape shown in the illustration on
page 64; it is a good keeper, and altogether a good variety, also, for
winter use.--ED.
[6] Other distinct and good varieties of American onions are _Southport
Yellow Globe_ and _Large Red Globe_, _Yellow Strasburg or Dutch_, and
the _Extra Early Red_. For more complete information, invaluable to
all who propose growing onions on a large scale for market, see the
new book, “HOW TO GROW ONIONS, WITH NOTES ON VARIETIES,” an exhaustive
treatise written by T. Greiner, of New Jersey, Col. A. H. Arlie, of
Oregon, and W. Atlee Burpee.--ED.
[7] Equally as early is _Laxton’s Earliest of All_, which is a
blue-seeded variety, of very fine quality and handsome appearance.--ED.
[8] The _Stratagem_ is also a remarkably fine pea, of the same type
as _Pride of the Market_, except that the large, handsome peas are
_wrinkled_.--ED.
[9] Mr. Darlington’s remarks on the varieties of peas would be
incomplete without reference to two remarkable new peas, obtained by
crosses made some years since, but only now (1888) being introduced.
These peas have been called _Burpee’s Quantity_ (which is
illustrated above), and _Burpee’s Quality_,--the former because
it is the most productive of all, as many as ninety pods having been
counted upon a single vine--the latter, because, while also very
productive, it excels other varieties in its peculiarly rich, sugary
flavor. Both varieties grow two and a half feet high, but will well
repay brushing, and both are main-crop peas,--Burpee’s Quantity being
ready for the table in about two months, and Burpee’s Quality in seven
weeks from planting.
Probably no one in America is better posted as to the relative value in
the garden of the different peas than MR. WILLIAM FALCONER,
Glen Cove, N. Y., the well-known writer on garden topics. A few peas
of Burpee’s Quantity (then known as No. 75) were sent to Mr. Falconer
for trial. On Oct. 28th, 1887, he writes, “The pea, No. 75, I had from
you this year has given me much satisfaction; indeed, so well pleased
am I with it that I wish to grow it next year as a main crop. Season
medium to late, grows two and a half feet, and in the way of Abundance;
peas large, closely packed together in tight pods, and, when cooked, of
capital quality. _Without any exception, the heaviest cropper among
all my peas this year._”--ED.
[10] A very distinct and novel variety has just been introduced from
China, under the name of _Celestial Pepper_. The small, nearly
heart-shaped fruits are produced in great abundance, growing upright,
and are of a beautiful creamy yellow color until fully ripe, when they
turn coral red: the plant is handsome enough for the flower garden.
Among the largest of the sweet, mild red peppers are _Spanish
Monstrous_ and _Procopp’s Giant_, while among the hottest of
all peppers is the _Long Narrow Cayenne_.--ED.
[11] While both of the varieties named are excellent for pumpkin pies,
a new variety from Washington County, New York, is of superlatively
fine quality. It is known as _The Quaker Pie Pumpkin_, as it had
been kept for many years in a family of “Quakers,” or Friends, whose
pumpkin pies became famous throughout the neighborhood.
The _Saint George_ or _Old Negro_ pumpkin of New England is
also a great favorite, from the choice quality of its fine-grained
flesh.--ED.
[12] We must differ with Mr. Darlington as to the usefulness of
the winter radishes. Their fresh, pungent taste is very refreshing
in winter, when there is such a scarcity of vegetables. The most
popular varieties are the _California Mammoth White Winter_,
_Chinese Rose Winter_ and the _Round Black Spanish Winter
Radish_.--ED.
[13] For forcing, _Wood’s Early Frame_ is preferred to the Long
Scarlet; it is of same shape, but not so long, and has less foliage.
Other good early radishes besides those named are _Early Round Dark
Red_, _Half Long Scarlet_, _Early Oval Dark Red_, _Early White Turnip_,
_French Breakfast_ and the _White Tipped Turnip Radishes_. A variety
of these handsome little radishes on the table is both attractive and
appetizing.--ED.
[14] In addition to the varieties named, the _White Strasburg_,
_Burpee’s Surprise_ and _Chartiers or Shepherd_ radishes are
particularly valuable for summer use. The latter is very handsome, of
large shape, clear rose color, shading off into pure white; it is also
remarkable from the fact that it retains its fine quality, even when
grown to an extraordinary size.--ED.
[15] Mr. Darlington has only named some of the best of the large
varieties of tomatoes. The very small tomatoes, such as _Victoria_,
_Red Cherry_, _Pear-shaped Yellow_ and _White Apple_, will be found
useful and ornamental for preserving.--ED.
[16] In addition to the varieties named, we would recommend _Phinney’s
Early_, as probably the best early melon of good size; also the _Ice
Cream_ and _Jordan’s Gray Monarch_, as very choice melons of oblong
shape.--ED.
[17] While, as stated, a well-drained soil is most desirable for the
garden, and its value is not to be underrated, yet success in gardening
can be had on almost any soil. The more unfavorable the circumstances,
the greater credit is due the gardener, and many cannot afford
expensive underdraining.--ED.
[18] The suggestion as to applying manure in the spring is good, as
far as the well-drained land is concerned; where the land is not
well-drained, however, more of the good properties of the manure are
retained by applying the coarse manure in the fall, as it then fills
the soil with decomposing vegetable matter.--ED.
[19] The parsley seed will germinate quickly if soaked in tepid water
for twenty-four hours before planting. We must also take exception to
the statement that the plain-leaved sorts are superior to the curled
varieties for seasoning purposes.--ED.
[20] The reason here presented for not growing late cabbage, because
the worms might damage some of them, is quite original, and about equal
to not planting any potatoes, because the bugs might eat the tops. We
can hardly conceive of a garden, however small, without late cabbage.
For the prevention of the ravages of this pest we would suggest the use
of alum water, as being sure, easily applied and entirely harmless to
the user.--ED.
[21] It is the extreme richness of the soil, which is claimed by Miss
Moll to be requisite to the growth of the Tomato, that, in her case,
renders the use of the trellis and pruning necessary, as it induces
too rank a growth of vine, covering the ground so that the sun and air
cannot penetrate unless the vines are tied up. We can hardly see any
_degradation_ in allowing the plant liberty to grow in the manner
intended by nature. More than this, as seedsmen, we pride ourselves on
the new and improved varieties of Tomatoes that we have introduced,
and the finest we have ever grown--finest alike for size, color,
quality and productiveness--have been grown on poor clay soil, that
looked fairly yellow when at all dry, and we have never been able to
equal them on either rich heavy loam, or on light soils. We would not
undervalue the tying up of a few plants for early use, but claim that
it is unnecessary for the general crop.--ED.
[22] As stated, these Tomatoes were undoubtedly originated from the
same stock. We received the Turner Hybrid in the spring of 1884, a
small packet of seed being sent us by one of our customers--Mr. J. W.
Turner, of Iowa. This seed we had planted, and were surprised at the
wonderful growth, size and quality of the variety, but unfortunately
there were two distinct colors: some were a rich deep red and some a
pale pink, of a not very attractive shade. So we grew it carefully for
another season before sending out, that we might have them all of the
best color. This, we believe, is not the case with the _Mikado_,
as in our trial the two colors were present, although they both are
evidently of the same origin.--ED.
[23] This idea of a mulch of light material to cover the freshly
planted beans in a wet season is a very good one; but we would think
that saving and applying _Coffee Grounds_ for a bean patch of
the size it should be in a garden of one acre, would be a good deal
like “emptying a hogshead of water with a teaspoon.” We would suggest
the use of sand, sifted coal ashes, chaff or buckwheat hulls, as
answering the purpose equally well, and as being much more readily
obtained.--ED.
[24] We think that the melons, cucumbers, etc., get a better start
(and we would include the pole beans) when the hill for seed is raised
slightly above the surface, as it greatly lessens the danger of the
young seedlings “damping off,” and instead of the watering, which is
here claimed to be necessary, we would suggest a thorough loosening of
the soil around the roots.--ED.
[25] Leek is both wholesome and palatable. We heartily endorse the
words of recommendation, and trust that many readers will include
it in their gardens. Kohl Rabi is another vegetable but little
known in America, and which Miss Moll is also fully warranted in
recommending.--ED.
[26] The plan here described involves much unnecessary labor. It takes
considerable time to dig the trenches, and, unless the soil of the
garden were unusually deep, this depth of trench, fourteen inches,
would bring up and mix with the surface a great deal of very poor
subsoil. As rich soil cannot be found at this depth, a liberal supply
of manure must be put down, for the roots to feed upon, where it
will not be available for any future crop, unless the trenches were
located in exactly the same spot each year. The increase in the labor
of digging for storage would be considerable over the plan of surface
culture as recommended in Mr. Darlington’s treatise. Miss Moll gives
as a reason the greater heat in her locality, to overcome which we
would suggest planting between rows of tall-growing sweet corn, and
also recommend the use of some of the self-blanching varieties of
celery.--ED.
[27] Endive, commonly known in restaurants as _Chicorée_, is one
of the most attractive and refreshing of salads. It is particularly
appetizing when served mixed with lettuce, with plain French
dressing.--ED.
[28] This is also sown at the same time as late cabbage, and grown in
the same manner, being used as a fall and winter supply of greens, and
we think is most palatable in this way.--ED.
[29] In this locality (Philadelphia), parsnips and salsify will start
into growth, and become worthless for the table if left in the ground
after it has become possible to work it in the spring. For a late
supply, the roots should be dug and stored in a very cool cellar. This
method does not interfere with the garden being all thoroughly plowed
in the spring.--ED.
Transcriber’s Notes:
1. Obvious printers’, punctuation and spelling errors have been
corrected silently.
2. Some hyphenated and non-hyphenated versions of the same words have
been retained as in the original.
3. Superscripts are represented using the caret character, e.g. D^r. or
X^{xx}.