1892 
NEW-YORKER 
The  Home  Garden. 
As  a  result  of  a  widespread  series  of  ob¬ 
servations.  The  Rural  is  impelled  to  say 
that  the  average  home  garden  on  the 
farm  is  a  very  meager  affair,  in  no  way 
creditable  to  the  owner.  It  is  perfectly 
safe  to  say  that  a  well-managed  home 
garden  is  the  most  profitable  piece  of 
land  on  the  farm,  no  matter  in  what 
aspect  we  view  it.  Merely  from  a  stand¬ 
point  of  dollars  and  cents,  it  is  always 
profitable,  and  when  we  come  to  look  at 
it  in  a  broader  light,  it  becomes  of  such 
paramount  importance  that  neglect  of  it 
seems  inexcusable.  The  farmer  who 
cares  for  his  wife  as  he  should,  and  as  he 
told  her  he  did  in  his  courtship  days, 
owes  it  to  her  to  provide  her  with  a  first- 
class  garden,  upon  which  she  may  confi¬ 
dently  rely  for  a  supply  of  all  seasonable 
vegetables.  The  head  of  the  household, 
in  the  larger  operations  that  engross  his 
powers,  is  apt  to  forget  the  domestic  side 
of  his  duties.  He  is  apt  to  forget  the 
obligations  he  owes  to  his  wife  and 
family  ;  in  so  far  as  the  garden  is  con¬ 
cerned,  he  is  too  apt  to  look  upon  it  as  a. 
petty  affair  not  worth  any  extended  ox- 
systematic  care.'  If  he  coxild  change 
places  with  bis  wife  for  a  single  summer 
month,  he  would  never  again  be  guilty 
of  neglecting  the  garden.  Morning, 
noon  and  night,  every  day  in  the  year, 
she  must  settle  that  ever-recurring1  prob¬ 
lem,  “  What  shall  we  cat?”  and  it  is  no 
easy  task.  But  with  a  well-stocked  gar¬ 
den,  her  cares  in  this  direction  are  re- 
duced  to  a  minimum  and  her  toils  largely 
decreased. 
We  do  not  think  we  are  far  wide  of  the 
mark  when  we  assert  that  less  than  20 
per  cent  of  the  farms  of  the  country  can 
show  a  good  bed  of  asparagus.  Now, 
whxit  possible  excuse  can  the  farmer  give, 
who  has  not  provided  his  family  with  this 
most  excellent  article  of  food.  Its  ad¬ 
vantages  are  so  many  that  it  would  seem 
as  if  such  an  omission  would  not  be  en¬ 
dured.  It  comes  to  the  table  about  the 
first  green  thing  in  the  season,  when  such 
things  are  especially  welcome,  and  from 
a  dietetic  point,  iscspecially  valuable.  It 
is  easy  to  gx*ow,  and,  when  once  estab¬ 
lished,  takes  as  little,  if  not  less  labor 
than  any  other  other  crop.  If  thex-e  is  a 
reader  of  The  Rural  who  has  hitherto 
neglected  this  matter,  we  hope  the  com¬ 
ing  spring  will  see  his  carelessness  reme¬ 
died.  A  hundred  roots  can  be  purchased 
for  a  dollar  or  less,  and  they  will  make  a 
bed  large  enough  for  any  ordinary  family. 
Give  the  order  for  them  at  once,  and,,  as 
soon  as  the  ground  can  be  worked  in  the 
spx-ing,  set  them  out. 
Many  exaggerated  ideas  have  prevailed 
in  the  past  as  to  the  labor  necessax-y  to 
'  prepare  and  set  out  a  bed  or  plat  of 
aspai-agus.  It  is  only  necessary  that  the 
ground  should  be  in  good  tilth  and  deeply 
plowed  or  spaded.  For  home  use,  we 
would  plant  the  roots  about  four  or  five 
inches  below  the  surface,  and  fi*om  20 
inches  to  two  feet  apart.  The  old  style 
of  deep  trenching  and  filling  the  trenches 
with  manure,  has  been  found  unneces¬ 
sary.  Each  gardener  must  decide  for 
himself  as  to  the  location  of  his  plat,  but, 
as  it  is  a  permanent  affair,  it  is  well  to 
locate  it  where  it  will  not  be  in  the  way  of 
or  interfere  with  other  opei-ations.  Hav¬ 
ing  once  planted  it,  keep  it  free  from 
weeds.  In  the  summer,  when  grass  and 
weeds  grow  fastest,  a  light  top-dressing 
of  salt  will  keep  them  down,  will  tend  to 
keep  the  soil  moist  and  will  not  harm  the 
asparagus.  In  the  fall,  before  the  berries 
containing  the  seeds  fall,  cut  off  and  burn 
the  tops;  otherwise  the  bed  and  sui-round- 
ing  gx-ound  will  become  a  nursei-y  for 
asparagus  plants.  Then  give  the  place  a 
liberal  top-dressing  of  stable  manure  and 
let  it  go  into  winter-quarters.  In  the 
spring,  spade  the  manure  lightly  under, 
taking  care  not  to  disturb  the  roots.  Yoxx 
may  cut  a  little  the  second  year,  more 
the  third,  and  all  you  want  forevei-  after. 
Conover’s  Colossal  seems  to  be  the  most 
approved  variety  in  general  cultivation. 
The  Palmetto  is  well  spoken  of,  but  has 
not,  as  yet,  been  largely  planted. 
THE  RURAL 
SAMPLES 
AND  FULL  INFORMATION 
FREE! 
1 79 
NECESSARY  TO  THE  SUCCESS  OF 
POULTRYMEN  AND  FARMERS. 
Neponset  Water  Proof  Fabrics. 
Cover  and  Slienth  your  Barn,  all  ol  your  Outbuildings.  Protect  your  Green  Houses  and  Hot  Beds.  Sheath  your  Houses,  etc.  The  best 
thing  made,  and  is  Low  Cost.  They  Cost  very  much  less  than  Shingles.  Absolutely  WATER  PROOF,  FROST  PROOF  and  AIR  TIGHT. 
Any  one  can  nut  them  on.  They  will  save  you  Money.  W  rite  at  once  to  • 
F.  W.  BIRD  &  SON,  Sole  Manufacturers,  E.  Walpole,  Mass. 
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(piiHnmiii 
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Sows  any  kind  of  Seed.  Saves  its  cost  every 
year.  Once  seen— it’s  Keystone  or  nothing. 
Send  for  Harrow  book,  "The  Henson  Why," 
Free.  Mention  this  paper. 
KEYSTONE  MFG.  CO., 
Branches:  Sterling,  III. 
Kansas  City,  Mo.  8t.  Louis,  Mo 
Council  Bluffs.  Ia.  Columbus,  O. 
SPRING  GURRY  COMB 
Patented  In  United 
States,  July  16,  1889,  and 
in  Ton  Fortiipfn  Countrii* 
A  comb  that  combines  the  strength  of  metal  with  tb 
elasticity  of  a  bnish.  Efficient,  humane,  conveni«»i* 
and  durable.  PoHurfptlve  circulars  on  appiicatim 
Bend  50»»  for  Rfimplo  by  mail.  If  not  sold  by  your  deni*  i 
SPRING  GURRY  COMB  CO.  South  Bend,  Ind 
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BELLE  CITY 
ENSILAGE  PISTTRB 
FODDER  kyiUL” 
Only  Self-Feeder  Bade. 
All  sizes  for  Hand  or  Power 
.Iso  Horse  Powers.  Root  Out 
J  ers,  Saw  Frames,  Feed  Grind 
ers,  full  line  of  Hand  A  Watei 
Carts,  Harrows,  Cultivators, 
Mangles,  etc.  Send  for  Cata 
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UACLNK 
Please  mention  this  paper. 
nsilace 
!.  wTs 
THOMPSON'S  GRASS 
SEEDER 
Sows  CLOVER 
TIMOTHY, 
RED  TOP 
and  all  kinds  of 
CRASS  SEEDS 
140  to  40  acres 
per  day. 
Sows  any  quantlty- 
evenly,  accurately, 
amai^jtln  wet, 
dry  and  windy 
weather. 
O.E.Thompson  &  $ons.Ww  T 
No.1T  ltlver  Street,  YFSILANTI,  MICH 
Just  DriYe  ’Em  In  and  CLINCH  ’Em. 
THEY’LL  DO  THE  REST. 
Rapi4  HARNESS  A\ENDER5. 
WILL  MEND 
Any  Harness,  Halter  or  Strap  in  less  time, 
tnd  do  the  work  better  than  any  Harness 
maker  can,  AND 
C05TS  ONLY  HALF  A  CENT 
Sold  by  Grocers  and  Hardware  Dealers.  Cost 
only  35c  per  box  of  one  gross  (three  sizes.) 
g<S£iSl  (pj) 
BUFFALO  SPECIALTY  MFG.  CO., 
BUFFALO.  N.  Y. 
I?  A  R  M  RflD  CAM?  Low  Price!  eagy  terms.  1 
TrllllU  rUA  OnllJu  have  about  275  acres  in 
all,  now  worked  as  two 
farms,  and  I  will  cut  it  up  into  smaller  farms  of  any 
size  to  suit  purchasers.  It  is  a  rare  opportunity  for 
the  right  parties  III  health  compels  me  to  sell 
Fertile,  warm  early  soil.  Good  Grass  Land. 
Good  Butter  Farm.  Good  Truck  Farm.  Good 
Fruit  Farm,  Good  Poultry  Farm.  Deposit  of 
Pink  Granite.  Deposit  of  Fine  Molding  Sand. 
Famous  Spring  of  Pure  Water.  Two  large 
houses  in  good  condition ;  big  barn  and  outhouses 
Twenty-seven  miles  from  Boston  Six  good  manu 
faeturing  village  markets  within  seven  miles;  one 
mile  from  railroad  station,  post  office,  etc. 
Address  WM,  YOUNG.  Jr,,  Hopkinton,  Mass. 
FARM  TO  LET  for  one  or  two  years,  with  an 
oo- Ion  for  purchase,  only  to  a  good  farmer  with 
some  capital.  WM.  YOUNG,  Jr.,  Hopkinton,  Mass. 
SPRAY  PUMPS 
KtT  Bm.  .i6IVe\  I  DOUBLE  (THOUSANDS  \ 
fm  1*?^ BUCKETS  1  ACTING  1  IN  USE. 
^  LARGEST  PUMP  X.HAY  TOOL  WORKS 
INTHEU.S.  Catalogue  Free. 
^  WRITE  FOR  PARTICULARS  .PRICES,  ETC 
F.E.MYERS81BRO.  Ashiano.Cl 
lhavpjusffinishedi 
'rom\ 
eight  acres.  which 
were  cu/hvahed 
fees 
The  weeds  on  the ,  Q  _ 
entire  p/ace  you .  K  5 
could  (any  off  inf  3 
your  coat porkti.  SvIWAoei’ 
J.H.Warn. Potato  \  & 
[R/mmis.  o.  Q rower. 
General  Agents,  THE  GEO.  L.  8QUIER  MFG.  CO 
New  York  City;  JOHN  FOSTER,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 
POTATOES 
660  BUSHELS  PER  ACRE.; 
You  can  produce  the  same  yield  if  you 
vill  follow  the  advice  and  buy  the  seed  of 
he  “GILT-EDGED  FARMER.” 
“Secrets  of  Success” 
Sent  for  a  Cent. 
Send  your  address  on  a  postal  card  to 
The  Buck-Thorn  Fence  Co.,  Trenton, 
N.  J.,  and  they  will  send  you  samples  of 
their  fencing,  and  a  circular  with  many 
valuable  hints  on  Fence  Building.  The 
Buck-Thorn  is  the  Strongest,  most 
Sightly,  and  Handsomest  Barb  Fence 
made.  If  not  sold  in  your  neighborhood 
you  can  order  it  direct  from  the  mill,  all 
freight  paid. 
What  Mr.  Lowe  Says: 
The  Buck-Thorn  has  given  me  excellent  satis¬ 
faction  and  I  have  always  been  well  pleased  in  deal¬ 
ing  with  your  house. 
Geo.  A.  Lowe,  Salt  Lake  City. 
Farming  Tools  for  Brazil. 
Will  ten  you  how.  write  for  full  partit 
lars.  II.  II.  DEWEESE,  Piqua,  O. 
AWKEYE 
UB^  STUMP 
MAKE! 
ffi  CLEF 
of  two  Acres  at  a  sitting.  A  oiaa,  a  boy  and  a  horsecanoncr 
it.  No  heavy  ChnliiHor  rods  to  handle.  The  erop  on  a 
acres  the  first  year  will  pay  for  the  Machine.  It  will  only  c 
you  a  postal  card  to  send  for  an  Illustrated  Catalogue  giv 
price,  terms  and  testimonials.  Address  the  Manufacturer 
JAMES  MJLNE  &  SON,  SCOTCH  GROVE,  10V 
IT  COSTS  BUT  ONE  CENT. 
CONTENTS. 
Pittsburgh,  Pa. 
Editorial  Notes. 
or 
Horse  and  Horsemen. 
Buffalo,  N.  Y., 
Horticulture. 
will 
Theory  and  Practice. 
bring 
Swine  Department. 
you 
Sheep  Husbandry. 
a 
Scrap  Gorresptmdence. 
Sample  Copy 
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of 
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the 
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largest 
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and 
Horse  Notes. 
by 
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thousands 
Trade  and  Crop  Brevities. 
considered 
Information  Wanted. 
Veterinary  Column. 
the 
General  Notes  and  News. 
best 
Editorial  Briefs. 
Organization. 
weekly 
Chicago  Business  Letter. 
The  Household. 
agricultural 
paper 
Our  Young  Folks 
Market  Department. 
Pittsburgh  Live  Stock 
In 
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Market. 
24  pages 
Buffalo  Live  Stock  Market- 
each  week. 
One  cent 
No 
for  a 
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Issues. 
addressed  to 
Every 
THE 
copy 
NATIONAL  STOCKMAN 
a 
and 
fair 
FARMER, 
sample. 
UAIIC  STUDY  Thorough  and  pract 
nllmf  M  1  Instruction  given 
■  M aii,  in  Book-keeping,  Business  For 
.  _  Arithmetic,  Penmanship,  Shortht 
etc.  Low  rates.  Distance  no  objection.  Circulars  f 
Bey  ant  &  Stratton,  415  Main  Street.  Buffalo,  N.  Y 
The  attention  of  manufacturers  is 
invited  to  the  following: 
The  Escola  Agronomica  is  newly  es¬ 
tablished  on  a  fazenda  of  500  acres  in 
the  State  of  Sao  Paulo — the  richest  agri¬ 
cultural  region  of  Brazil.  Tt  is  organized 
in  the  interest  of  progressive  agricul¬ 
ture,  provides  a  scientific  course  of  four 
years  with  daily  labor  for  students,  and 
sets  apart  the  fi  rst  Saturday  of  every  month 
for  the  entertainment  of  visitors.  It  is  the 
first  college  of  the  kind  in  South  America, 
is  endowed  by  wealthy  and  influential 
citizens,  anti  is  attracting  widespread 
attention. 
Among  other  things,  the  institution 
aims  to  introduce  better  implements  for 
the  cultivation  of  the  soil — especially  the 
tenacious  red  clays  of  the  rolling  lands — 
and  for  harvesting  and  handing  crops ; 
but  it  desires  first  to  ascertain  what  are 
best  suited  to  the  conditions  that  prevail. 
To  this  end  the  college  makes  the  fol¬ 
lowing  offer  to  the  manufacturer  of  any 
farming  tools  likely  to  succeed  :  If  you 
will  donate  the  sample  or  samples — made 
precisely  like  those  for  the  regular  trade 
— we  will  pay  all  cost  of  transportation, 
and  afford  every  facility  for  trial  and  ex¬ 
hibition,  the  tools  to  remain  the  property 
of  the  college. 
Shall  not  the  United  States  secure  her 
share  of  the  trade  sure  to  follow  this 
stimulus  to  the  introduction  of  improved 
machinery  ?  The  college  knows  of  no 
better  way  than  this  to  enable  her  to  do 
so  nor  to  give  all  an  equal  chance  to  dis¬ 
play  the  excellence  of  their  goods. 
Any  manufacturers  accepting,  please 
mark  goods  “For  Escola  Agronomica, 
Piracicaba,  S.  P.  Brazil,  care  Sr.  Louiz 
Queiros,”  and  ship  to  the  Thompson  & 
Houston  Electrical  Company,  115  Broad¬ 
way,  New  York,  who  will  receive,  pay 
freight  and  forward.  Also  please  advise 
the  subscriber  by  letter  of  such  ship¬ 
ment,  and  of  terms  on  which  orders  will 
he  received. 
EUGENE  DAVENPORT,  Director. 
