i 89 t 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
267 
Sharpless seems to ship better than the 
Bubach, but is not by any means so attrac¬ 
tive, and will not bring as good prices. It 
follows, therefore, that H. A. J. must, in 
his planting, take into consideration the 
marketing facilities, else he may be work¬ 
ing more for the grocer than for himself. 
Cash Profits of the Farms. 
C. L H., Okemos, Mich.—I n the last 
Rural, page 213, Henry Stewart takes the 
sales of a Vermont farm previously given, 
and states what items should be put on the 
credit side of the book and what expenses 
and incidentals should be charged against 
the farm. I have no fault to find with his 
credit account, but differ with him as to 
some of the expenses charged the farm. 
The charges for taxes and incidental ex¬ 
penses are just; in regard to interest, here 
in Michigan money is worth seven per cent, 
and it could not be got on real estate for 
less than that. I think he is in error in re¬ 
gard to the expenses for labor. The boy 
ought to be paid. But if the father has 
invested his capital, has received his inter¬ 
est theieon, he is left with his hands, and 
if he provides a house for his family, sup¬ 
plies them with good food and clothes, and 
educates them, he has done well; and he 
should not charge the farm for his labor. 
Take our farmers as they average, if their 
capital were taken from them, could they 
provide for their families as well as now ? 
I think not. Again, the wife is allowed 
$365 for the year for her work. They have 
received the interest on their capital, have 
had their house rent and all the flour, 
meat, vegetables, etc., used in the family, 
and it seems to me that it is not fair to 
charge the farm for her work. She does 
this out of love for her children, just as the 
wife of a mechanic does, and I think it 
would be just as reasonable for the me¬ 
chanic’s wife to charge her husband’s em¬ 
ployer for her services, as it would to 
charge the farm that has paid interest on 
its value, for the services of the farmer’s 
wife. I believe in large sales. Here in 
Michigan our farms are worth from $40 to 
$70 per acre, according to location, and in¬ 
terest is worth seven per cent, and the 
farmer who clears his interest is usually 
satisfied. 
Kansas Flax Culture. 
Scott Elliott, Anderson County, Kan. 
—As the season for sowing flax is ap¬ 
proaching, I will describe the method 
usually followed here. As soon as the 
sowing of oats is finished preparations are 
made for sowing flax. The ground usually 
selected for this crop has been in corn the 
preceding summer. If the corn is not cut 
in the fall the stalks are cut in the spring 
with a stalk cutter, when the ground is 
dry and not frozen. It is then cultivated 
with a cultivator or corn plow, and har¬ 
rowed to level down the ridges, as flax 
seed will not come up when very deeply 
covered. The seed is then sowed broadcast, 
about three pecks to the acre being used., 
and the ground is harrowed lightly so as 
not to cover the seed too deep. The flax is 
cut when three-fourths of the balls have 
turned brown, a self-rake reaper being 
used. Some thrash from the field, but the 
method usually adopted is to stack and 
thrash at the most convenient season. The 
yield is 10 to 12 bushels to the acre. The 
bulk of the crop last fall was sold at $1.20 
to $1.30 per bushel. A large crop will be 
put in this season. 
Value of Corn Fodder. 
is fit for the crib, and is bound in bundles 
and secured in the barn or stack early in 
November. During last February I trav¬ 
eled 500 miles in Ohio, and saw thousands 
of acres of corn fodder (much of it with the 
corn still unhusked) standing in the fields, 
and often in water six inches to a foot 
deep. A friend in Indiana, who owns a 
fine herd of Short-horns, told me that 35 
cattle and eight horses were wintered on 
the fodder from 15 acres of heavy corn, cut 
close to the ground, and run through a 
machine that both crushed and cut the 
stalks. This was fed as chop, wet and 
mixed with bran and other ground feed; 
and my friend told me that he considered 
the fodder fed in this way nearly as valu¬ 
able as the corn, and that it was eaten 
without any waste. 
David B. Woodbury, Oxford Co., Me. 
—If you will examine some potato flowers 
next summer, you will find that they do 
not yield their pollen till after they 
open. Consequently cross-fertilization is 
very common. Tomatoes and potatoes 
should not be planted near each other. 
Potatoes are more subject to rust, and if 
they do rust it will get on the tomatoes if 
they are together. 
R. N.-Y.—Our friend should have noticed 
that the stigma of potato blossoms often, 
if not generally, protrudes beyond the 
blossom before the bud opens. This would 
further facilitate cross-fertilization. But 
the trouble i» that the stamens (anthers) 
yield less aDd less pollen as the cultivation 
of the potato plant for its tubers continues. 
PITHS AND REMINDERS. 
Mr. Crawford, of Cuyahoga Falls, O., 
gives a part of his time to potato trials, 
though strawberry culture is his specialty. 
He says of the Ideal that “quality and 
productiveness are its most prominent 
characteristics.” By some it is considered 
“ better than the old Peachblow,” of which 
it is a seedling. It is an intermediate as 
to time of ripening. 
According to Mr. Crawford, the Racster 
Strawberry, a report of which, as it devel¬ 
oped itself at the Rural Grounds, was 
given last year, should be called the Beder 
Wood, after the man with whom it origin¬ 
ated. It appears that Mr. Wood trusted a 
few plants to Mr. Racster who, thereupon, 
propagated and sold it under his own name. 
Among the latest strawberry novelties 
(not tried at the Rural Grounds) the fol¬ 
lowing may be mentioned; Gov. Hoard 
Mr. Crawford considers a variety of great 
promise. It is free from rust and has shown 
no weakness of any kind. It is a seedling 
of the Sharpless; flower perfect, fruit pro¬ 
duced in great abundance; size, large; 
ripens all over ; flesh, firm ; flavor, superior. 
Woolverton : Splendid grower, abund¬ 
ant bearer ; blossoms perfect, berries large, 
like Bubach; quality good. Originated in 
Canada... 
Saunders : Another Canadian berry of 
great value to the market grower. Plant 
vigorous; blossom perfect; enormously 
productive—was the wonder of all who saw 
it on Mr. Crawford’s place. Fruit large 
and of good quality. 
Waldo F. Brown, Hamilton County, ^ late bulletin from the Michigan Ex- 
tion gives the preference to Cory, Crosby, 
Concord, Stabler and Gold Coin. The sta¬ 
tion finds Gold Coin, as did The R. N.-Y., 
later than Evergreen. Its quality, how¬ 
ever, was found to be inferior. 
ABSTRACTS. 
-Harper’s Weekly: “It is obvious 
that no class of the community is more 
vitally interested in roads than the farmers, 
and all industries which require heavy 
teaming. No public works enhance the 
reputation, and consequently the pros 
perlty, of a neighborhood so promptly and 
so largely as good roads. They are the 
first necessity of civilization and the surest 
signs of its advance.” 
-Connecticut Experiment Station : 
“ Cotton-hull ashes of the best quality are 
the cheapest source of potash, free from 
chlorides, to be found in our markets.” 
“ Cotton seed meal of good quality, 
such as is used for cattle food, continues to 
be one of the cheapest sources of available 
nitrogen in the fertilizer market, and that 
which is ‘off color’ supplies nitrogen at 
an even lower price.” 
-Summary of Experiment Station 
Reports : 
“ Disadvantages of Alfalfa.—1. It is not 
easily established. 
2. It is less hardy than clover. 
3. If allowed to grow too long Its stalks 
become hard and woody. 
4. Except in dry regions cattle can not be 
safely pastured on it. 
5. It requires peculiar treatment to make 
good hay. 
Advantages of Alfalfa.—1. When estab¬ 
lished it does not run out. 
2. It withstands drought much better 
than clover. 
3. It grows rapidly and may be cut early 
in the season. 
4. It gathers a large amount of nitrogen 
from the air as well as from the soil, and 
is therefore very valuable as a fertilizing 
crop. 
5. It furnishes several large crops of 
green fodder each season. 
6. When properly cured it makes an ex¬ 
cellent hay. 
7. It is relished and digested by all farm 
animals and is an excellent flesh and milk 
producer. 
8. It makes muscle rather than fat, and 
is therefore valuable to use with corn and 
other fat-producing crops to make a well- 
balanced ration for cattle.” 
- Life : “ The sluggard who will not go 
to the ant, frequently seeks consolation 
with the ‘ uncle.’ ” 
In writing to advertisers please always 
mention The Rural New-Yorker. 
Insects on Fruit Trees. 
These pests are rapidly multiplying and every 
year their ravages Increase; they destroy the apples, 
plums, cherries and peaches. Yet they can be exter¬ 
minated by judiciously spraying the trees. The Field 
Force Pump Company, of Lockport, N. Y„ have Just 
published a very instructive treatise on this subject, 
which they will send free on application. 
R ECIDUOUS TREES ffijg 
^1 For Avenue, Lawn, Park and Cemetery Planting - 
Ca FRKK es The Win. 11. Moon Go., Morrisville, Pa. 
IF YOU WOULD HAVE 
CHOICE VEGETABLES 
And Beautiful Flowers, 
You must plant Good Seeds. 
Do not go to the village store 
But write to-day l'or 
Burpee's Farm Annual 1891 
Which plainly tells 
How to get the Best Seeds, 
Without any Extra Cost, 
Direct from the Growers. 
It describes Rare Novelties 
Which can not be had elsewhere. 
W. ATLEE BURPEE A CO. 
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 
IS GRAPE VINES 
lOOVarletles.AisoSmall Fruits,Trees,&c. nest 
rooted stook. Genuine, cheap. i£ Hamplo vines mailed for 14c. De¬ 
scriptive price list free. LEWIS ROESCH.FreikmU, Ji.Y. 
crape vines, 
Strawberries* Blackberries, 
W&SQKjL Raspberries, Currants at reduced 
Write for New Catalogue 
of NurHory Stock, Farm and Garden 
SRKDS, with infltructionB for pruning, planting, Ac. 
JOEL IIOUNKU A SON, Delnlr, Camden Co., N. J- 
GRAPE VINES 
Plants of Boot Quality. -Warrantodtruo to namo. Lowost 
Prico3. Lareost Stook and Assortment of Old and Now 
Variotios. Bond for Prico List. 
BtJSH b SON & MSISSm, Bnshkorg, Mo. 
nninr uiurc* -° n receipt *1.00 i 
unfliL nluo. ^viurT. 
early Spring !) vines White Grapes, .1 Martha .! Pock- 
I lug ton, 8 Niagara ; or ii vtnes Red Grapes, 8 Hrlghton, 
:l Salem, 8 Agawam; or !»vines Ulaek drapes, 8 Moore’s 
Early, 8 Worden, 8 Wlbleiv: or !) vines, one each ol 
»- hove 9 varieties, for $1.85; or 2? vines, three each ol 
above !) varieties, for *2.50. First-class, properly 
labeled: postage prepaid, and safe delivery In good 
condition gua anteed. 
.1. II. Tit YON, Willoughby, Ohio. 
37 ®FRUIT TREES 
( VINES, PLANTS, Etc.* 
Apple, Pear, Peach, Cherry, Plum, Quince, 
Ht.ru wherry. Raspberry, Blackberry, tair- 
raiitH, Grapes, Gooseberries, &o. bendfor cat¬ 
alogue J. S. COLLINS, Moorestown, N. J. 
For Shed or Poultry Building I (111 P 
Excellent roof complete. Anyone can lay It U Ig 
$2 per 10OSq. Feet, i UlIL 
-— -• — LOW PRICE, 
I RUBBER ROOFING 
ins I |& | | ■BATHING PAPER. Water, wind and 
® r damp proof. Keeps building cool in 
r summer, warm In winter. 
et. i villi GOO Square Feet, S3.00. 
LOW PRICE, DURABLE, FIRE PROOF. 
1 Rubber roofing is unequalled for house, barn and all build¬ 
ings: costs half the price of shingles, tin, or iron. 
; ft Is ready for use, easily applied by any one on steep or flat 
Surface, or over old shingles, and is guaranteed water tight. 
i STATE SIZE OF ROOF 
and we will mail special low estimate and full particulars. 
SAMPLE FREE IF YOU SEND STAMP. 
ZWrite at Once. Indiana Paint and Rooting Co., New York. 
PRAY YOUR TREES. $17 Express Paid, for $ 5 . 50 . 
Outfit Combines 3 Complete Brass Machines. Will thoroughly fo^ACR§ P er ^ a Y* 
A valuable Illustrated Hook (ivorth $5) on “ Oitr Insect Foes,” given to each purchaser. My agents 
[are making from $5 to $20 per day. Goons Guaranteed as Represented or Money Re- 
I FUNDED. Don’t buy a spraying outfit until you receive my illustrated circulars, price list, and 
other valuable matter on spraying fruit trees and vines. Write <it oner ap/l mention this pivper. 
Address, P. I.EVVIH, (utsnill, Pi. f. 
O.—I wish to add my testimony to the 
value of good corn fodder after a quarter 
of a century of experience feeding it. 
There are many farmers who, like 
The Rural’s New York correspondent, 
think the stalk has no feeding value, 
but both practical experience and chem¬ 
ical analysis show that this is a mis¬ 
take, and that when cut so that it can 
all be utilized, the stalk is worth as much 
as the blade and husk. Even if it had no 
food value, I would still cut up my corn, 
because I believe it to be the best and 
cheapest way to save the fodder. I have 
had an average of 20 acres of corn cut up 
and shocked for many years at a cost of 
$1.25 per acre, and I much doubt if corn 
can be topped and bladed for that sum. 
I think the corn is not damaged at all 
when cut up and shocked at the right time, 
while if topped and bleded early enough so 
the fodder will be at its best, the corn will 
shrink, as whenever any one removes top 
and blade the ear dries up; and if one 
waits until the corn is ripe enough so as 
not to shrink, the fodder has passed its 
prime. What I mean by good fodder is 
that which is cut soon after the corn has 
glazed, and is husked as soon as the corn 
periment Station (L. R. Taft, Horticultur¬ 
ist) confirms The R.N.-Y.’a estimate of the 
Tree Tomato. “Another trial of this sort,” 
it says, “ only confirms our former impres¬ 
sion of the lack of any value in this variety 
even for home use.”. 
Tobacco stems, as a fertilizer, are not 
fairly valued. Prof. S. W. Johnson found 
that after the leaves were stripped off the 
stems—the stems then containing 46 per 
cent of water—100 pounds contained 2.6 
pounds of potash, 0.36 pounds of phosphoric 
acid, and 1.85 pounds of nitrogen. Prof. 
Storer says that from 1,500 to 2,000 pounds 
of the dry stalks, containing from $15 to $20 
worth of fertilizers, may be yielded by an 
acre of land...... 
The price of the new Chinese Weeping 
Lilac—Syringa ligustrina Pekinensis pen- 
dula—is $5. 
The new hardy hydrangea, H. vestita, 
grows from four to six feet high only. The 
foliage is handsomer than that of the coarse 
H. paniculata grandiflora and the flowers 
are borne in flat umbels or cymes of pure 
white five to six inches in diameter. 
For succession of the best varieties of 
green corn the Michigan Experiment Sta- 
JERRflRD’S SEED POTATO CATALOGUE 
lUTY SEED POTATOES are grown from the Choicest Stock, In the virgin land* 
iVA of the cold North-East I have the best New and Standard Sorts, and warrant 
them superior to all others for seed. I raise my SEED CORN 160 mfles Farttwj 
North than the North lineot Vermont, and for Early Crop* my CARDEN SEEDS 
I offer*this season my new HARBINGER POTATO, whichj beileve will be 
the Great Market Potato of the thture. And my new EARLY BRYANT CORN 
a handsome yellow variety, the Earliest of All. I h ave Special Low Freight Kate*, 
everywhere. My fine new Catalogue Mailed Free. tW Name this Paper and addrest 
f CEORCE W. P. JERR ARD, Caribou, Maine. 
Home Grown, Honest, Reliable. 
t I offer you my Vegetable and Flower Seed Catalogue for 
Ht i 8 gi FlUili. Note the immense variety of seed it con- 
tains, and that all the best novelties are there. Not 
muc h mere show about it (you don’t plant pictures) 
-■'TjSShbut fine engravings from photographs of scores of the 
t vegetables I have introduced. Would it not 
fflwbc well to get the seed of these from first hands? To be the 
ay oldest firm in the United States making mail and express 
r business a specialty proves reliability. Honest and hon¬ 
orable dealing is the only foundation this can rest on. My Cata- 
;ue is FREE as usual. A matter on second page of cover will 
terest my customers. J, J, H. GREGORY & SON, Marblehead, Mass. 
SffRECORp 
tgATALO&Ml 
GRAPE 
NIAGARA 
and all ul<l and new 
varieties. Extra Quality, 
Warranted true. Low¬ 
est rates. Introducers 
of the new Black Grape 
Ulftnl mEATON. V RllBiw 
Also other SMALL. FRUITS. New Descriptive Catalogue Free. T. S. HUBBARD CO., I UEDONIA, N.Y. 
VINES 
