293 
i89i 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
Business. 
A NEW YORK FARMER’S POTATO BUSINESS. 
Wife a special partner; potatoes pay the rent; out of 
debt; "old style ” potato culture; “ clover! more 
clover! all the clover I can grow! ” 
Our farm (I say our because my wife is a partner) con¬ 
sists of 150 acres, 130 of which are tillable, the rest being 
woods and rough pasture. It is assessed at 12,600. There 
are six horses, 120 sheep, four cows and four young cattle, 
three hogs and about 40 hens. There were raised on the 
farm the past year 264 bushels of barley from 19 acres; 
200 bushels of oats from 10 acres (neither was half of 
an average crop); 425 bushels of ears of corn from 3>£ 
acres; 70 bushels of wheat from three acres; 60 tons of 
hay from 28 acres, and 3,600 bushels of potatoes from 27 
acres, besides probably 800 bushels lost by rot. Twenty- 
two acres of the potatoes were planted on shares by ten¬ 
ants; but their half of the crop is not, of course, included 
in the following statement: 
FARM CREDIT. 
Pota oes. 
Grain sold. 
Butter. 
....*1,566.00 
81.42 
73.35 
.... to.00 
Wool. 
.... 221.95 
Stork. . 
.... 150.(0 
Sundries. 
.... 128.00 
Total sales.... 
... $2,206.72 
Net profit In favor of farm 
EXPENSES. 
Dry goo*s and clothing.$62.82 
Groceries. 70.41 
Farm implements. 22 50 
Repairs. 15.00 
Labor. 45.35 
Taxes. 27.22 
Sundries .126.59 
Total expenses.$369.59 
*1,837.13 
There are seven In the family, including five children, 
the oldest nine years of age. I am 32 years old. Seven 
years ago we were $5,000 in debt; to-day we have more in¬ 
terest coming in than going out, and have a good set of 
farm buildings, one half of which have been put up while 
we have been paying for the farm. I let a part of it be¬ 
cause it is fully as profitable as to hire so much help; be¬ 
sides, men take a greater interest in the work if they are 
to share in the proceeds. Another reason for doing this is, 
that we wish to have our home to ourselves as much as 
possible. 
Growing and Harvesting the Crop. 
The soil of my farm is a warm, gravelly loam, originally 
covered with beech and maple timber. It produces good 
crops of clover, wheat, corn or any other grain. The sod, 
usually two years old, is plowed in the fall about seven 
inches deep. As soon as possible in the spring it is culti¬ 
vated with the Whipple wheel harrow and Perry spring 
tooth drag until there are three or four inches of loose 
soil on top. It pays to drag the ground once or twice after 
the hired man says enough. Next the field is laid off in 
rows 34 inches apart each way with a one horse marker 
containing three teeth. There is a fortune awaiting the 
man who will put a good marker on the market. Each 
tooth should be independent of the rest. I try to get the 
marks about three inches deep. If on a hill-side the rows 
run diagonally down the hill to allow the water to soak in 
and prevent washing. My theory of seed is that the eyes 
on a potato form a descending scale from the strongest to 
the weakest; if we plant a whole potato only four or five 
of the strongest eyes will sprout; if the potato is cut into 
halves about the same number of eyes will start on each 
piece; if cut to four-eye pieces perhaps only two or three 
will grow; while if cut to single eyes all will grow; 
therefore I cut to two eyes on a piece and put 
two pieces in a hill. I use only large seed—that is, pota- 
tatoes just as they are dug with the small ones thrown 
out. The seed is covered with a two-horse coverer. The 
field is cultivated at least once before the potatoes are up 
with a Vowel’s two horse cultivator, and as soon as the 
rows can be seen, I cultivate the opposite way. The crop 
is usually cultivated twice each way; then comes the 
shovel plow or hiller, which goes through as many times 
or more until the potatoes are well hilled up. I suppose 
many readers of The Rural will think this method of 
working potatoes is out of date. I can only say that I 
have tried the drill method until completely satisfied that 
I had enough of it. The Rural’s method of planting in 
trenches has not been tried. I do not think my soil is 
deep enough, and the work of digging would be greater, 
but perhaps I shall try it yet. 
Digging commences about the 15th or 20th of September. 
Several different kinds of diggers have been tried; the 
best is a good man with a four-tined fork or hook. The 
Williams and the Mattice & Keeler diggers do very good 
work if the ground is not too wet. Each h as a blade that 
cuts through the hills below the potatoes, and a reel behind 
separates and throws the potatoes to one side. If digging 
with hooks a cultivator is run between the rows, cutting 
away about one-third of the hill on each side, which 
lessens the work very much. The potatoes are picked up 
into crates holding a bushel level full. They are then 
emptied into the wagon, if going to market; if not, the 
crates are placed on the crate rack, which is on a low pair 
of trucks. The rack will hold 24 crates on the bottom. 
Usually two tiers or 48 crates are taken to the cellar at a 
load. The potatoes are there emptied into a chute, which 
carries them into the cellar. I expect to get from 60 to 
80 bushels into the cellar for each man in a day. I aim to 
market about half of the crop in the fall when digging. 
Those in the cellar are usually sold on the first market in 
the winter, in Janury or February. I generally sell to 
some of the produce dealers in the nearest market, some¬ 
times in car lots. Having good stock, I can get from three 
to five cents more per bushel than the market price. 
We depend almost entirely upon clover for manure for 
the crop. If the field has been mown twice a light coat of 
barnyard manure is sometimes applied; but with some 
risk. Last season where some manure had been put on 
thin spots in the different fields two-thirds of the potatoes 
rotted. My aim is to put the manure on the following 
crop of barley and clover. Several brands of phosphate 
have been tried; but without much if any bf nefit. None 
of the special potato manures has been used. After re¬ 
peated experiments with plaster or gypsum I have stopped 
its use entirely. My motto is clover 1 more clover 1 all 
the clover I can get to grow 1 The trucks spoken of above 
have a set of detachable wide tires which have only to 
be seen to be appreciated by any practical farmer. They 
prevent the wheels settling down in the loose soil. 
Steuben Co., N. Y. webster edmunds. 
HOME-MIXED FERTILIZERS. 
V e have never known when so many questions have been 
asked about the profit of mixing chemical fertilizers at 
home. Mr. Johnson’s practice, described last week, of 
adding dissolved bone-black and muriate of potash to his 
hen manure, has saved him a good deal of money ; but he 
may not have reached the bottom of the matter yet. 
Other forms of chemicals may prove cheaper and more 
effective. For example, the Connecticut Station shows 
that phosphoric acid in dissolved bone-black costs 7 % cents 
per pound, while in Thomas slag it costs only four cents, 
and in “precipitated phosphate”—a waste product of 
glue manufacture—only 5% cents. 
The Connecticut Station, as stated elsewhere, has done 
a great deal of work in testing this matter of home mixing. 
It has had the aid of a dozen or more wide-awake farmers 
In different parts of the State, who have made up special 
mixtures till they have found one that seems just suited 
to their soils. In the annual report of the station—just 
issued—3ome of these mixtures are described, analjz 9 d, 
and their values figured to show what home mixing saves. 
Here are a few of these mixtures: 
Designed for Corn Growing. 
Pounds. 
500 Ground bone. 
200 Muriate of ootash. .. 
100 Sulphate of potash.. 
500 Dissolved bone black 
350 Tankage. 
5C0 Nitrate of soda. 
Cost. 
*8.25 
. 4.25 
1.50 
6.50 
6.13 
2.150 $39.13 
Cost of materials $ 6.40 per ton. 
Pounds. Cost. 
1.668 Dissolved bone black....$21.63 
1,334 Tankage. 23.34 
334 Muriate of potash. 7 . 1,9 
668 Sulphate of potash. 10.02 
333 Sulphate of ammonia... 12.48 
500 Fine ground bone. 8.25 
4,887 $82.86 
Cost of materials, $34.26 pet ton. 
The materials for making No. 1 cost $36.40 per ton. 
Analysis showed it worth $37.06 at the prices paid for 
chemicals in standard fertilizers. No. 2 shows a value 
of $35 55. 
Fertilizers Designed for Potatoes. 
No. 4. 
Pounds. Cost. 
800 Blood, bone and meat...$'.4.00 
400 Bone. 6.60 
550 Dissolved bone-black_ 7.15 
50 Sulphate of ammonia ... 1.87 
50 Nitrate of soda. 1.25 
100 Sulphate of potash. 1.50 
50 Muriate of potash. t.06 
2,000 $33.43 
Cost of materials, $33.43 per ton. 
No. 3 gave a valuation of $32 84, while No. 4 was valued 
at $36 25—a cheaper mixture apparently. 
Pounds. ‘ Cost. 
200 Muriate of potash.*4.26 
300 Sulphate of potash.4.60 
750 Tankage:.13.12 
350 Nitrate of soda. 8.75 
500 Dissolved bone black.6.50 
2,100 $37.13 
Cost of materials, $35 36 per ton. 
Difference Between Cost and Value. 
The mixtures given above are typical one 3 . Others for 
general farm crops are given in the report. The average 
cost of the materials in eight different mixtures was $34.23. 
It Is estimated that $2 will fully cover the cost of screening 
and mixing—making the average total cost $36.23 per ton. 
The average valuation, figuring the nitrogen, phosphoric 
acid and potash at the prices asked for them In the regular 
market, is $34.85. The difference, then, between cost and 
value which the fertilizer dealers allow for bagging, mix¬ 
ing and expenses of selling, Is $1 38, or less than six per 
cent. Contrast this with the differences shown in some of 
the standard brands of factory-mixed fertilizers. Here are 
a few figures: 
Manufacturer’s price. 
Value, per ton . 
Per cent of difference 
$41.00 41.00 42.50 
35.55 34.15 34.22 
15.3 20.1 24.2 
37.00 40.00 34.00 
20.35 30.73 24.30 
28. 30.2 40.5 
The average difference in 66 standard brands was 18 per 
cent against six per cent for the home-mixed materials. 
Cheapest Sources of Supply. 
We learn from this report that, for this seasoD, nitrogen 
has cost most in the form of ammonia salts—nitrates 
furnishing it about two cents per pound cheaper. Cotton¬ 
seed meal is the cheapest source, It costing in this sub¬ 
stance from 12 to 14 cents per pound. Dissolved bone black 
is commonly used to supply phosphoric acid in these mixt¬ 
ures, but dissolved South Carolina rock is a cheaper 
source. So Is Thomas slag, which does well in some soils, 
or finely ground bone. Potash is cheaper in muriate. As 
every one knows, nitrogen is the most expensive element 
in chemical fertilizers. We can understand how Mr. John¬ 
son was able to save the cost of a large part of the nitrogen 
he needed by utilizing the cheap supply in his hen manure. 
Without the needed potash and phosphoric acid his nitro¬ 
gen could not make itself fully useful. When they were 
supplied it was able to do its best. 
SWEET CORN FOR A SUMMER HOTEL. 
Providing For a “Succession.” 
One year ago I contracted to furnish one of our largest 
hotels here with sweet corn during the summer season I 
was to furnish them with what corn they could use (esti¬ 
mated at from 200 to 400 ears daily) said corn to be of good 
quality and as early as any raised here, they to pay one 
cent per ear for it. I am not inexperienced in growing corn 
generally; but to supply a large hotel of from 500 to 700 
guests with a continuous supply of sweet corn was new 
work for me. I selected for seed four quarts of Cory and 
two quarts each of the following: Boston Market, Crosby, 
Moore’s Early, Squantum, Livingston’s and Stowell’s Ever¬ 
green. The season here was very cold, wet and late. 
I notified them that my corn would be ready on the 
first of August. The order was for 300 ears daily till 
changed. The Cory looked well, but yet I knew full well 
that it could not hold out against that slaughter till the 
later lines of the Boston Market and Crosby could come to 
its rescue. Next came an order for 360 ears ; then one* for 
400 ears daily till changed. The Cory held out well for 
seven days, then it was completely exhausted and the 
Boston Market was just in the silk. To make things 
worse corn was very scarce and high everywhere. The 
season continued backward and my corn seemed not to 
ripen one bit. It was now evident to me that what I had 
calculated on for my main supply would be entirely too 
late. Therefore I went to the manager, stated the actual 
case to him and requested him to get his supply from 
other sources and charge me with the difference in the 
price. The former he kindly consented to do; the latter 
he generously refused. The people .took all from me that 
I had while the season lasted (till September 1), and I sold 
in all 5,532 ears. Had I planted some kind that ripened 
between the Cory and Boston Market in place of some of 
the late kinds, as the season proved, it would have been 
far better and I could have furnished them with all. 
That mistake lost me $50 at the least calculation. But 
by careful picking and sorting what I did sell, it gave ex¬ 
cellent satisfaction. I also gained much in experience and 
consider the business, although not very remunerative the 
past year, by no means a complete failure. My Cory- 
four quarts seed—was fit for use on August 1; yield, good 
for the season, and I sold 2,006 ears. My Boston Market- 
two quarts seed—was fit on August 13, and gave a fair 
yield and was sweet and large; I sold 1,080 ears. My 
Early Crosby—two quarts seed—was fit for use about 
August 17, and was a very strong grower and prolific; I 
sold 1,440 ears. My Moore’s Early, Squantum and Liv¬ 
ingston’s Evergreen all came fit for use at about the same 
time—August 25—which was too late for my purpose, as 
the guests were then fast leaving. Of these I sold 986 ears. 
Block Island, R. I. E. P. c. 
R- N.-Y.—We want to hear from other farmers who 
have tried similar experiments. Let each tell what va¬ 
rieties and what quantities of seed would be required in 
his locality. 
IMPLEMENT NOTES. 
Where Shall We Use Subsoil Plows? 
In my opinion the decrease nowadays in the practice of 
subsoiling is largely due to the enthusiasts of years ago 
who found it a good practice on some soils, and at once 
advocated it as a “cure-all ” on every soil. Subsoiling is 
of great value on the hard clay hills of the Piedmont coun¬ 
try of the South, and its general adoption would greatly 
lessen the number of red “gulls ” and gullies which dis¬ 
figure so much of this country, and it would lessen the 
necessity for “terrace culture” on our hills. In a level 
clay soil needing drainage the subsoil plow is a useless im¬ 
plement until after the soil has been under-drained, and 
in a light, sandy soil It is of course not needed. Some 
years ago I had a steep hill field near the base of the Blue 
Ridge in Piedmont, Va., which had for generations been 
scratched with shallow plowing, until the soil a few inches 
below the surface was so hard that the rain would run off 
its steep surface before it could penetrate it. The field 
had been some time in pasture, but the grass was so thin 
that gullies began to form on the hill side, and soon would 
become ravines. So I determined to get it in good grass 
if possible. My neighbors warned me that if I ever broke 
it up it would all wash away into gullies before grass 
would grow on it; but I concluded that it could not wash 
much faster; so, late in autumn, I set to work with heavy 
plows drawn by thrae mules each. Each plow was fol¬ 
lowed by a two-horse subsoiler and the soil was loosened 
fully 15 inches. A neighbor, passing while this work was 
In progress, told me that the whole surface as deep as my 
plows ran would wash away before spring. I confess that 
I looked at the hill with a great deal of uneasiness all 
winter. To my great gratification I found that I was 
right in supposing the water would sink into the loose 
soil and not wash it disastrously, and in spring I had a 
seed-bed as mellow as an ash heap and not gullied at all. 
clover and Blue Grass. The growth of grass was the won¬ 
der of the neighborhood and is still a grand sod in place of 
a poor and worn-out one. My neighbor, who prophesied 
in fall that the hill would wash away, watched it all win¬ 
ter, and in spring I found him at work with a three-horse 
plow and a subsoiler getting a mountain-field ready for 
corn; and he made a heavier crop than the land had ever 
been known to produce. On soil of this character I would 
subsoil deeply every time the sod is broken. But subsoil¬ 
ing on a fiat, wet clay is perfectly useless, unless under¬ 
drained. w F MASSEY. 
North Carolina Experiment Station. 
S. H. Parvin s Sons, of Cincinnati, O., the advertising 
agency that handles so much farm implement advertising, 
started business in 1851, just 40 years ago. Just in the 
prime of life—you see. 
NOVELTIES AND STAPLES. 
From the Catalogues. 
Jas. M. Thorburn & Co., 15 John Street, N. Y._This 
is a catalogue of French hybrid gladioli, lilies and other 
bulbs and roots; also a select list of new flower seeds of 
unusual merit. Tuberous rooted begonias are offered for 
$1.50 a dozen. Every reader should try some of these 
most interesting and easily-cared for plants. Among 
vines, Ipomcea Bronsonii is new and remarkable—remark¬ 
able for its corrugated stem, something like the corky 
ridges of the Liquidambar. We are credibly informed 
that at the South it will make a growth of 50 feet in every 
direction. The flowers are an inch in diameter, white and 
of pleasing fragrance. A new lawn-mower is announced, 
viz., The New Model. The price is but $8 for 14-inch cut 
and, it is claimed that for lightness of draft it excels any 
other make. 
“ When we find a paper that has bach bone enough to 
tell the truth, let us have bach-bone enough to help it 
along.”— l. w. lightly. 
