i89i 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
245 
become a building location; in consequence, I had to take 
the shed down and put it up In a different place.” 
That tax collector understood his business well, and 
acted in accordance with the single-tax theory. The part 
of the garden where the shed was built had a “site 
value;” the shed was built where the missionary wanted 
it for his convenience, but to escape the additional taxa¬ 
tion the site value would bring upon him, he tore it down 
and built it where he did not want it. The single-tax 
theory and practice in Japan, according to Mr. Garst’s 
own theory, do not work well. J. w. I. 
Sugar Run, Pa._ 
Reform Yourself First —Farmers here are generally 
very much in debt for land and implements, though half 
of them leave the latter out in the weather the year round 
and then blame everybody from the President down to the 
country peddler “ for their ill-luck.” The cry of “reform” 
is constantly heard. I think reformation should begin 
right at home by refraining from purchasing things we 
can get along without; but which two-thirds of the farm¬ 
ers get because they can run up a bill at a store, though 
they have to pay from 10 to 15 per cent extra for the favor. 
I, for one, have learned by sad experience that such is the 
case. I shall adopt this motto, for the year 1891—Pay cash 
or go without. Then throughout the whole year I shall 
be free from worry at the prospect of big bills at the end 
of it, and when that time comes 1 can enjoy the Christmas 
and New Year’s festivities all the more because free from 
the trouble of indebtedness. 
I like the pluck shown by W. B. Green, on page 64 of The 
Rural for January 24. I, too, ask no favors of any ’crat. 
Still I have beaten him on the mortgage by between $500 to 
$600, besides paying over $150 for hardware, groceries, doc¬ 
tors’, blacksmiths’ and other bills on a 95-acre farm, besides 
making a fair per cent interest on my own investment 
therein; but I work the land and myself for all there is in 
both of us. I think Mr. Greeen is mistaken in his idea 
that Western mortgage holders would be willing to lose 
the interest due on their investment provided they could 
get their money back, and let the land go. I could name 
scores who would push their victims to the wall before they 
would lose one copper. I live in the West and know whereof 
I speak. Though not a grumbler, I, too, am one of those 
countlesss numbers who took their chances with money¬ 
lenders. Grasping as my creditor is, he has been consider¬ 
ate with me; but he received his interest when due, and I 
believe being in debt is often the making of the right sort 
of man, to some extent, for it teaches him to save his hard 
earnings and make this or that plan and study the best 
methods of doing his work and taking care of his stock 
and crops; and, in a word, of working out his own salva¬ 
tion to the benefit of himself and family. J. w. H. 
Barry, Ill. 
The Farmers Club. 
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
[Every query must be accompanied by the name and address 
of the writer to insure attention. Before asking a question, please 
see if it is not answered in our advertising columns. Ask only 
a few questions at one time. Put questions on a separate piece 
of paper.] 
WHY USE SUBSOIL PLOWS ? 
A few years ago we heard much about the value of sub¬ 
soil plowing. Now we hear little or nothing about it ex¬ 
cept when some enthusiast comes up with a tale which 
few seem to believe. Let us hear from a few persons who 
still use subsoil plows. Let us see if we can learn when, 
where and why they are of service. Here are the questions: 
1. Does it pay to use subsoil plows ? 
2. For what crops ? 
3. On what soils are they needed ? 
4. When and how should they be used t 
5. What marked benefits come from their use ? 
6. When should they not be used ? 
For Potatoes on a Stiff Clay Soil. 
1. Subsoiling pays me well. 2. It is the best for potatoes 
and corn, especially for the former. 3. The effects are the 
best on clay soil, but the results are good in loose black 
ground also. 4. I usually follow the plow in the spring 
with the subsoiler, as the ground is then soft and the 
draft much lighter than at any other time. 5. Subsoiling 
makes the water soak down more quickly in wet weather 
and in dry weather the subsoiled ground holds moisture 
longer on account of its being more porous. 6. When the 
soil is too wet or soggy I would prefer not to use the sub¬ 
soiler. I purchased a subsoiler two years ago and tried ft 
in alternate lands for corn, and I could see a difference in 
the corn to the very mark where I subsoiled and where I 
did not. The season was very dry and the subsoiled land 
seemed to hold moisture better. ISRAEL denlinger. 
Montgomery Co., Ohio. 
Retains Moisture in New Mexico. 
Here in New Mexico our soil (that which is not under 
irrigation) is new, rich and very productive. If we have 
rains during the growing season, or if we can retain suf¬ 
ficient moisture in the soil from the rains and snows of 
winter to carry the crops to July 15th, at which time our 
rainy season usually commences, our crops will be abun¬ 
dant. To retain the needed moisture I find deep plowing 
is necessary and for this purpose there is nothing to equal 
the subsoil plow. I use it for all crops, on ail soils and 
always in the fall of the year. First, I run the turning 
plow six or seven inches deep, and follow closely with the 
subsoiler, drawn by a strong team, lifting and loosening the 
soil from eight to ten inches more, thus putting the land 
in good shape to receive and retain all the moisture that 
may come upon it during the winter months. I know 
there are some who object to the use of subsoil plows on 
some lands, and who believe in shallow plowing for some 
crops, but here in our sunny Territory, which we hope 
is soon to be the “Sunshine State” the retention of moist¬ 
ure is the principal object, and I believe this can be best 
done by subsoiling—in fact, it can be done only by deep 
plowing. WALTER M. TABER. 
Santa F<5 County, N. M. 
Gives Roots a Better Chance. 
I. Yes; on close, compact soils. 2. For all crops grown 
on soils retentive of surface water, especially for plants 
producing tubers or fuciform roots. 3. It is. Subsoiling 
is needed on all clay soils. 4. On fields where the subsoil 
is very retentive, in every furrow follow an ordinary plow 
with the subsoiler. If a root crop is to be grown, after plow¬ 
ing and harrowing, mark out trenches three or four feet 
apart and on the bottom of each run a subsoil plow or 
cultivator, breaking the earth to a total depth of 18 inches; 
apply fertilizers, ridge over, back down and drill. 5. A 
marked development of root and fiber. 6. Never upon soils 
so loose as to freely admit of rapid absorption or filtration. 
Bucks Co., Pa. D. LANDRETH & SONS. 
Breachy School Children. 
J. II. G., Barrington, II. I. —My grounds adjoin the dis¬ 
trict school yard. The partition fence has been partially 
destroyed by the school children, and at noon and recess 
they trespass upon and destroy my property. What can I 
do about it ? 1. Can I sue the trustees and obtain a judg¬ 
ment for damages already done ? 2. Can I compel the dis¬ 
trict to repair the fence ? 
Ans. — 1. Yes. 2. Yes. The Rhode Island statutes pro¬ 
vide penalties for all sorts of trespass on another person’s 
land. In all cases of controversy with regard to partition 
fences and the rights of parties therein as well as their ob¬ 
ligation to maintain the same, the matter is to be settled 
by a fence-viewer of the town and the proceedings thereon 
are all definitely pointed out by the statute. 
Sawdust In Manure; Nitrate of Soda. 
B. W. G., Rockville, Ind. —1. Will it pay to use stable 
manure, where bedding is made of straw and sawdust, the 
straw predominating, on clay land in a medium state of 
fertility at a cost of $1.25 per ton. 2. Can nitrate of soda 
be used profitably on clay land that has been well manured 
with fresh stable manure for clover 1 If so, what is a rea¬ 
sonable amount to use per acre f 
Ans.— 1. Unquestionably, yes; unless, Indeed, the propor¬ 
tion of sawdust is excessive. Unless well rotted, one need 
not look for startling results from such manure. Its effects 
are slow. The sawdust is chiefly valuable as an absorbent 
of urine. 2. Yes, perhaps. But we should not sow it until 
the plants are knee-high and then only in trial quantity. 
One bag (200 pounds) to the acre will be enough. 
Treatment of Seed Potatoes. 
B. F. B., New Holland, Pa. —How can I prevent the 
rotting of large potatoes cut to two eye3 to a piece, and 
planted in trenches six to seven inches deep 1 Mine al¬ 
ways rot. 
Ans.— Six or seven inches are too deep, especially if the 
soil is clajey. Four to five are deep enough. The best 
way is to expose the seed to light and sun for at least two 
weeks before planting—that is, if the potatoes are not 
sprouted. The sound eyes will push and develop chunky, 
warty growths that will be sure to grow when planted. 
“Blind” eyes are the pieces that rot in the ground. It is 
well to roll the fresh-cut pieces in plaster. 
“ Bakewell Sheep”—Leioesters. 
H. P. D., Warwick, N. Y. —None of the authorities with¬ 
in my reach mention the Bakewell sheep; but old butch¬ 
ers say they were a large, white-faced, gentle breed, with 
very fine carcasses and wool; are they known by any other 
name ? 
Ans.— Yes. The so-called Bakewell sheep were the 
Leicesters which were greatly Improved by Mr. Bakewell, 
the prominent English breeder of sheep and cattle. The 
name is now obsolete, just as the name Durham applied 
to Short-horn cattle has gone out of use, having lost its 
significance. These sheep are a large, white-faced, long- 
wool breed, having a fine, silky fleece, but they have failed 
to become acclimated in the United States, probably on 
ascount^of their high breeding and feeding mainly upon 
root crops and green fodder crops which American farmers 
will not grow. There are very few kept in the United States 
and but two flocks known to us in Canada. Tne mutton 
of the Leicester is very fine, the carcass Is large, weighing 
150 to 180 pounds dressed, but is apt to be too fat. It is 
unfortunate that this sheep cannot be made profitable 
here, on account of its fine mutton, but the wool Is going 
out of fashion and the breed is rapidly decreasing in Eng¬ 
land. The best mutton sheep is now the Shropshire. 
Some Choice Conifers. 
J. H. C., Bradford, Pa. —In former issues The R. N.-Y. 
used to be enthusiastic about the Hemlock Spruce. What 
are its advantages over the Norway or Blue Spruce ? Are 
they equally good for protection against cold winds ? 
Does the Balsam Fir make as quick a growth t How does 
the White Pine compare with the spruces ? 
Ans.— The two trees differ in many ways. The Norway 
is not suited to small places; the Hemlock is, if judiciously 
pruned. No amount of pruning can fit the Norway for 
such situations. The Hemlock is a graceful tree owing 
to its slender and numerous branches which respond to 
every breeze. The Norway is as stiff as a stick. If left to 
itself, it becomes somber-looking in 15 years, and begins to 
lose its lower branches. Its growth is twice as rapid as 
that of the Hemlock, and it is less liable to be injured by 
the weight of snow. As a protection from cold winds we 
should prefer the Hemlock. These remarks do not equally 
apply to all situations. The Hemlock delights in a rather 
moist soil and sometimes burns in a close Southern ex¬ 
posure. The Blue Spruce (P.pungens) is, in so far a 3 we 
may judge with far less experience than with the Norway, 
far superior in every way to the latter except that it is a 
slower grower. The Balsam is a rapid grower and beauti¬ 
ful in youth. It becomes a scraggly, ugly old thing. It Is 
one of the conifers that finds no place at the Rural 
Grounds except as one or two of the collection. We have 
a great regard for the White Pine. Cut back for a few 
years, it becomes a graceful, close-branched tree of great 
beauty and hardiness. 
MISCELLANEOUS. 
Fertilizers, Etc. —G. H. F., Russell, Miss.—For potatoes 
and corn on sandy, gravelly soil our inquirer can do no 
better than to use the potato fertilizer offered by re¬ 
sponsible firms at about $40 per ton. For corn, the same 
fertilizer will answer, though corn fertilizers are put up. 
They are essentially the same, however. The R. N.-Y.’s 
great yield of corn was made on fields which received the 
fertilizer sown broadcast and merely harrowed in. We 
have not tried the Eclipse corn planter, but it is highly 
recommended and has had a large sale. We know nothing 
about the Great Eastern Fertilizer. 
A Small Fertilizer Application.—J. C. D., Viola, Del.— 
To use 55 pounds of nitrate of soda on 20,003 potato hills so 
that all will receive some of the fertilizer, add five times as 
much soil as you have nitrate, and intimately mix the two. 
Fertilizer for Celery.— E. H. C., Euclid, Ohio.—For 
celery following cauliflower heavily manured with horse 
dung, well rotted farm manure would be our choice 
thoroughly mixed up with the soil. Of fertilizers, the 
potato fertilizer would probably answer as well as any. 
Preparing Sod Land for Potatoes.— W. T. McC., Chil- 
licothe, Ohio.—To prepare “ sandy land with a heavy sod 
of grass turned under late last fall,” for potatoes, we 
should plow it again and use a disc harrow for broaking 
up any unrotted, upturned sods. 
Currants.— D. E. P., Adrian, Mich.—Fay’s, and white 
and red Cherry Currants, are the best for jelly or market. 
The white currant makes a superior red jelly, according to 
E. P. Powell. The whites are always less acid than the 
reds. Currant bushes may be set four feet apart each 
way. You may plant cuttings now. Make them six 
inches long and plant them in good soil so that the tops 
shall just reach the surface soil. 
A Bad Manure Mixture: Salt on Wheat.— J. C. H., 
Kirkland, Ohio.—" A mixture of hen manure, slaked 
lime and wood ashes,” is a bad combination for any crop. 
Why use the lime at all f If the ashes be used in liberal 
quantity they will furnish all needed lime. Unleached 
ashes and hen manure should never be mixed. Better use 
them separately or If both are quite dry, they should be 
used immediately after mixing. Sometimes salt sowed on 
wheat, away from salt water, strengthens the straw and 
increases the yield ; but it Is not a manure. 
Mixed Fertilizer.— M. N. E., Ansonia, Conn.—For a 
“ good fertilizer for potatoes, garden truck and fruits,” 
a mixture of your unleached wood ashes and ground bone, 
weight for weight of each, would answer very well. Nitro¬ 
gen needs to be added in some form. To every 200 pounds 
of bone, add 25 pounds of nitrate of soda. 
Currants Again.— B. C., Sterling, N. Y.—Of Fay’s Pro¬ 
lific and the Cherry Currants, The R. N.-Y.’s choice would 
be Fay’s. Yes, the variety would do well on a sandy soil; 
but a summer mulch would help the yield. About 100 
bushels per acre would be an average crop. 
Imperfect Nectarine Flowers .—With regard to your 
nectarine tree which blossoms profusely, but sheds all Its 
bloom when partly open, the flowers are imperfect as to 
pistil or stamens. 
A Manure Mixture.— P. W. M., New Canaan, Conn.— 
It will not be well to mix the unleached ashes with 
either the hen manure or the fish scrap. A loss of nitrogen 
would follow. The fish and hen manure may be mixed if 
desired. 
Indebbed Subscribers.—T. McA., Raymond, Dak.—You 
say that at the beginning of the year you ordered a paper 
stopped that was coming to you on credit. The publisher 
said you must pay up or he would keep sending it. Hav¬ 
ing no money to pay for it, and not wishing to go into 
debt any further, you want to learn whether you can stop 
it. According to the postal rules, if a man is Indebted to 
the publisher of a paper for his periodical, and the pub¬ 
lisher is “obstinate,” he can continue to send his paper 
till the debt is paid in full, and can legally collect for it, 
if the receiver is responsible. Sensible men will strain a 
point to get out of debt in such cases, and then leave such 
people severely alone. 
The Crandall Currant.—A. L., Agassiz, B. *C.—It is 
probable that the reason why your Crandall Currant did 
not bear fruit, though it blossomed freely, was that it is 
not a fixed variety, but that it comes from more than one 
seed. Hence its variability in different places and seasons. 
THE R. N.-Y. purchased a plant when it was first an¬ 
nounced. This plant has not as yet fruited, though it has 
bloomed abundantly. We would advise our inquirer to 
try it yet another year. Yes, it may be grafted to either 
the currant or gooseberry. 
Sawdust as a Mulch: Wire-Worms in Potatoes.— 
Subscriber, Nichols, Conn.—We do not like sawdust for a 
mulch. It becomes too hard and compact, excluding the 
air, absorbing moisture and giving a favorable nidus for 
lots of insect foes. Having been troubled with wire-worms 
in potatoes last year, if you plant the same ground with 
potatoes again this year, you will probably be again 
troubled with them, but not necessarily. We have raised 
potatoes on the same land for 12 consecutive years. The 
wire-worms were as plentiful in the beginning as they are 
now, or nearly so. 
“ New ” Oats.— H. L. J., Canaseraga, N. Y.—The R.N.-Y. 
has very little confidence in the superior value of any of 
the so-called new oats. The Welcome, of the hard-coated 
kinds, is as good as any. As a matter of fact, the Welcome 
is an old oat carrying a dozen different names. 
