466 
Fighting Frost; Seedling Potatoes. 
M. McLean, Allegheny County, Pa — 
May 16 was so chilly in the evening that 
we felt sure the early potatoes were shiv¬ 
ering. They had been covered twice before 
with straw, but had grown too tall for that 
method. I did not want to lose them, as 
some of the seed had come from Maine. I 
considered that newspapers would protect, 
but it was difficult to keep them in place. 
Some old mosquito netting doubled, and 
some worn curtains, sheets and tablecloths 
were spread over the rows. The broad, 
white stripe across the garden was very no¬ 
ticeable in the moonlight. Quiteas'rong 
contrast was the tomato patch adorned 
with barrels, baskets, buckets, boxes, and 
an old toy drum with a hole in its head. 
Jack Frost was beaten. The potatoes and 
tomatoes are growing finely and have buds. 
The potatoes are on a sort of experiment 
patch. Two rows were planted with very 
small whole potatoes—Early Rose and Pu¬ 
ritan—left from last year’s crop. The third 
row was set with pieces of Jerrard’s New 
Queen and Minister. 
I have read the New Potato Culture, and 
have two rows of seedlings from a packet 
of seed bought of W. W. Rawson. The seed 
was sown in the hot-bed, transplanted in 
pots, and set out when it seemed likely to 
rain. The soil was very dry, and to protect 
the plants from sun and wind the rows 
were covered with boards supported on 
flower pots. The boards kept off the frost. 
Since the rain the little plants look well. 
One day the fleas began to eat them, but 
were driven away by the application of 
ashes from burned weeds and vine trim¬ 
mings. After the pests had left, a tent of 
mosquito netting was spread to keep off 
the beetles. The fleas destroyed the tops of 
a few plants. Potatoes had begun to form 
the size of radish seed, and small peas. The 
tops were hardly three inches high. 
“ Insect Life ” and Its Inaccuracies. 
Albert E. Menke, Director Arkan¬ 
sas Station.— In the Special Notes of 
Insect Life, Nos. 7, 8, Vol. III. occurs the 
statement that veratrin was employed by 
the Arkansas Station as an insecticide in 
the proportion of one-fourth of a pound 
added to one pound of flour. It should 
have read one-fourth of an ounce to one 
pound of flour. 
The editor also insists on the fact that 
Prof. Gillette’s discovery of an aqueous ex¬ 
tract of pyrethrum made into an emulsion 
with kerosene is equivalent to the discov¬ 
ery of a kerosene extract of pyrethrum 
made into an emulsion with soap and 
water. The merest tyro in chemistry will 
readily see the difference. 
He further states that Prof. Jerome Mc¬ 
Neil, one of the Department’sspecial agents 
gave me the idea of using the combination. 
As this is quite serious, I make the follow¬ 
ing statements for the benefit of the readers 
of The Rural New-Yorker. 
Prof. McNeil has never made any claim 
to me personally of being the originator of 
the idea. In a conversation held between 
Mr. Mally, (a United States Division Ento¬ 
mologist), Prof. McNeil and myself, I in¬ 
formed them of the extreme cheapness of 
pyrethrum powder; the price amazed them, 
and to clinch the matter 1 showed Prof. 
McNeil my invoice. Such was their eco¬ 
nomic knowledge of an insecticide “sug¬ 
gested by one of them to me.” 
If Prof. McNeil ever mentioned the mat¬ 
ter before we started it, it was certainly in 
his dreams. I ask Prof. Riley and Prof. 
McNeil to reply in some widely read paper 
like The Rural New Yorker, one to 
prove that kerosene extract of pyrethrum 
formed into an emulsion with soap and 
water is the same as pyrethrum tea made 
into an emulsion with kerosene; the other 
to state when, where and how he origin¬ 
ated my combination. Discoveries in eco¬ 
nomic entomology are few, hence the rum¬ 
pus. 
Feeding Turnips to Milch Cows. 
S. A. L., Seneca County, N. Y.—I can 
scarcely believe that Col. Curtis really in¬ 
tended to advocate a free feeding of turn¬ 
ips to milch cows when he made the remarks 
which are going the rounds of the papers 
in regard to that subject. A considerable 
crop of turnips is raised on our farm every 
year and when the beets get scarce, the 
men like to slip a few turnips into the cows’ 
daily rations, thinking that my objections 
to the plan are based upon pure prejudice 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
JUNE 20 
and that I will not know the difference, 
but the secret is learned after two or three 
feedings, if not after the first. Of course 
any vile odor in stable or barn yard injures 
the milk, but a strong-smelling food taken 
into the system, like turnips or onions, is 
still worse. 
It seems as though the genial Col., in his 
strong advocacy of the cheaply grown tur¬ 
nips, had forgotten that milk from improp¬ 
erly kept stables, plus the taste of turnips 
taken at second hand, was worse than milk 
which had only the “manure taste” to 
which he refers. Understand me : I do 
not speak in favor of the latter horror, but 
thoroughly object to the former one as well. 
R. N.-Y.—It makes much difference when 
the turnips are fed. We fed them to a Jer¬ 
sey cow this spring at every feeding for 
four days and then sent samples of her 
cream about, to have it tested for a “bad 
taste.” Not a complaint has reached us. 
The turnips were fed at milking times. 
Peach Leaf Curl. 
W. C., Springfield, O.— Regarding the 
question discussed on page 401, Prof. F. 
Lamson Scribner in his little work on the 
fungous diseases of the grape and other 
plants has denominated this Taphrina 
deformans and says: “Nothing really is 
known of what becomes of the spores or of 
the fungus, after it has run its course and 
the effects of its ravages have disappeared. 
It is probable, however, that portions of 
the mycelium remain dormant in the 
tissues of the tree near the buds from one 
season to the next, awaiting the tender 
spring growth to produce anew the disease. 
It is evident that it is possible for the 
fungus to attain any marked development 
only at the commencement of the growing 
season when the tissues of the young trees 
are succulent and tender. When these 
tissues reach a certain degree of firmness 
the fungus has no longer the power to 
penetrate between the mature cells. 
As an experiment, we would suggest that 
the trees be washed or sprayed in March or 
before the buds begin to swell, with a 
strong solution of sulphate of iron (30 or 40 
per cent). 
Is there any Calf-medicine In an 
E gg? 
F. H. S., Elmwood, Conn.—T he above 
query appeared in The R. N.-Y. of May 2. 
During a period of the epizootic type of 
scours in calves for the first two weeks after 
birth, in a herd of about 60 cows, and ex¬ 
tending over a period of over two years, I 
had occasion to try numerous remedies. 
Among the various agents employed were 
raw eggs. I began giving them the first 
year after the trouble appeared, adminis¬ 
tering one with the morning and evening 
feed. Having obtained some seemingly 
good results therefrom, I gradually in¬ 
creased their use, and decreased the quan¬ 
tity of other foods—gruels, milk, etc—until 
with the last few cases, as soon as the 
symptoms of scours appeared, the patient 
was immediately placed upon an exclusive 
egg diet, getting six to eight eggs per diem, 
for one or two days, by which time the 
symptoms would disappear and ordinary 
food was gradually resumed, while I de¬ 
creased the eggs and increased the gruel, 
milk, etc., from three to eight days bsing 
required, according to the demands of the 
case, ere the full return to ordinary diet 
was accomplished. I pursued this treat¬ 
ment with some calve3 only 24 hours old 
when first attacked. I have also adminis¬ 
tered eggs to calves 8 to 12 months old, 
for diarrhea, two at a time, and have sel¬ 
dom had to repeat the dose. The percent¬ 
age of cases of the epizootic type recovering 
increased with the use of the eggs up to the 
use of an exclusive egg diet, when no case 
proved fatal. Almost coincident with this, 
the outbreak itself disappeared and I have 
since then—1887—not had a case of this type 
of scours. Various medicinal agents— 
castor oil, catechu, chalk, ginger and pep¬ 
permint—were used In conjunction with 
the eggs and I suppose the apparent effic¬ 
iency of the eggs was due to their nutritive 
qualities more than to any therapeutic value 
they may have possessed. 
The recuperative powers of nature are so 
great and the processes of nutrition so in¬ 
tricate, as to make the conclusions result¬ 
ing from individual experiences of any lay¬ 
man, such as a farmer must necessarily be 
in veterinary matters, open to grave doubts 
as to their correctness and subsequent 
value. However, the experiences of several 
agreeing upon any one point must be ac¬ 
cepted as worthy of careful consideration 
and as indicating more than common merit, 
if not absolute fact. Recognizing the truth 
of this statement, I have been led to dwell 
at such length upon this question, as sup¬ 
porting the experience of Mr. Lee, as re¬ 
ported in The Rural. In conclusion, I 
would add the old and sound doctrine that, 
“ to find and remove the cause of any dis¬ 
ease must necessarily be the most important 
factor for its treatment.” 
A MODEL RAILWAY. 
The Burlington Routs C., B. & Q. R. R. 
operates 7,000 milts of road, with termini in 
Chicago, St. Louis, St. Paul, Omaha, Kan¬ 
sas City and Denver. For speed, safety, 
comfort, equipment, track, and efficient 
service it has no equal. The Burlington 
gains new patrons, but loses rone.— Adv. 
THE LATEST AND BRIEFEST. 
The Yellow Wood (Cladrastis tinctoria) 
blooms this year just before the first day of 
summer. It is a grand tree—but not a per¬ 
fect tree. 
The word graceful has a distinct signifi¬ 
cation, hasn’t it ? But if you want to see 
its perfect personification, look at the 
flowers of a well grown specimen of the 
Chlonanthus VIrginica or Virginia Fringe 
Tree or, as it is sometimes called In the 
South and not without some appropriate¬ 
ness, Old Man’s Beard. But the beauty of 
this American shrub is never seen at its 
best, either in foliage or flower, unless the 
specimen stands alone—that is, not dwarfed 
by other overshadowing trees or shubs. 
A new canna, Madame Crozy, is offered 
by Vaughan of Chicago, who sent us a 
single plant that is up to this date the most 
strikingly beautiful of any we have seen. 
The flower is large (four inches across) 
with wide petals of a flame scarlet, the 
petals having a border of brilliant yellow. 
The plant blooms when a foot high and 
fully realizes all that has been said of the 
improved Crozy strains. 
At this date The R. N.-Y. has the finest 
stand of potatoes under experiment that it 
has had for many a year. Among the 
questions to be answered by the crop is the 
effects of tobacco both as a fertilizer in 
varying quantities and as an insecticide.... 
Question : Will a given amount of ni¬ 
trogen and potash, as furnished by nitrate 
of potash, give a larger yield of potatoes 
than the equivalents of nitrogen and pot 
ash as furnished by nitrate of soda and 
sulphate or muriate of potash ? We are 
trying to solve this problem. 
“Soluble Fir Tree Oil.” Have you 
tried it as an insecticide ?. 
The way to make work agreeable and 
profitable—dilute it with wholesome play.. 
(Continued on next page.) 
Advertisers treat all correspondent.- 
well if they mention The Rural New 
Yorker. 
If You 
Feel Tired 
Weak, worn out, or rtn down from hard work, by 
imDoveri&he 1 condition of ihe blood or low state of 
the system, you should take Hood’s Sarsaparilla. The 
peculiar toiling, purifying, and vitalizing qualities 
of this sucecss'ul medicine are soon felt throughout 
the entire system, expelling disease, and giving quick, 
healthy action to every organ. 
Hood’s Sarsaparilla 
Sold by all druggists. $1; six for $y. J’repared only 
by C. I. HOOD & CO., Apothecaries, Lowell, Mass. 
IOO Doses One Dollar 
Stops Pain, Cramps, Inflammation In body or limb, 
like magic. Cares Croap, Asthma, Colds, Catarrh, Chol¬ 
era Morbus, Diarrhoea, Ithoumatism, Neuralgia, Lame- 
back, Stiff Joints and Strains. Full particulars free. Price 
86 eta. post-paid. L S. JOHNSON & CO., Boston, Mass. 
BEST- CO UGH-MEDICINE 
CURES WHERE ALL ELSE FAILS. 
iastes good. Use it in time. 
Sold by Druggists. 
FOB - CONSUL RT I O M 
MAST, FOOS&CO, 
SPRINGFIELD, 0. Manufacturers of 
BUCKEYE 
WIND 
ENGINES 
.Strong ami I)ur- 
able; handsome: 
Simple in eon- 
P Mtruction: and will 
be sold as cheap 
“ or cheaper than 
any other first-class 
Engine. The 
B uckeye 
FORCE PUMP 
Works easily and throws a constant 
stream. Has Porcelain Lined and Brass 
Cylinders. Is easily set. Is the Bkst 
Force Pump in tiik Wori.d for Deep 
or Shallow Wells. Never Freezes In 
winter. Also manufacturers of the 
I ron Turbine Wind En gin es. It uck eye Force 
I’umpN, Buckeye, trl ^IqA: C'hiwnphm Lawn 
Mowers Buckeye «lght iron Fenelug. 
Cresting, Ac. Writs > t circulars and prices. *£ 
POTATO BUG POISON 
82.50 per 1 OO lbs 
YORK CHEMICAL WORKS 
York, Ph. 
P.P, Green 
Package makes 6 gallons. 
Delicious, sparkling, and 
appetizing. Sold by all 
doilers. FREE a boantiful 
Picturs Book and cards 
•ant to any ono addressing 
a B. HIRES A CO.,' 
Philadelphia, 
WHY PAY RETAIL PRICES 
When you can buy hand-made oak leath. 
er Harness, single $7 to $30. Double 
S 18.50 to $40. Illustrated catalogue free, 
rder one. KING &CO., Mfrs. Owego, N.Y 
PAQTC buggies, 
U H It I O ROAD WAGONS, 
A Wholesale Prices where we have no Agents. 
I^-Seud lor Catalogue to OAV & SON, Ottawa, Ill. 
STUDY Thorough and practical 
Instruction given by 
Mail in Book-keeping, Business Forms, 
Arithmetic, Penmanship. Shorthand, 
etc. Low rate*. Distance no objection. Circulars free. 
Bryant & Stratton, 415 Main Street. Buffalo, N. Y. 
chgrthand:; 
animation* procured all pupi 
Wend for circular. W.G.CTIAF 
y mail or personally, 
pupils when competent. 
‘ "KKE.Oswego.N.Y. 
Bookkeeping aud Penmanship thoroughly taught 
by mail. 
Uf II I DA DPR attractive styles, at ex- 
IHLkL rHrtn tremeiy low prices. Kor8c. post¬ 
age we will *end to any address samples with borders 
to match, of papers ranging in price from Oc. to 50c. 
a roll. A. L. DIAMENT & CO., 1208 Market Street 
Philadelphia. Pa. 
PAIN Troops 
DIXON S SILICA GRAPHITE PAINT 
W ater will run from It pure and clean. It covers double 
the surface of any other paint, and will last four or five 
timeslonger. Equally usefulforanvlronwork. Sendfor 
circulars. Job. Dixon Cuuchjlk Co., Jor«ey City, N. J. 
An Excellent Opportunity 
for investment in the Orange Belt at RIVER¬ 
SIDE, CAL. Young groves for sale at bargains. 
Net profits, $500 per acre. Low taxes. Climate un¬ 
surpassed. For further particulars and terms address 
C. K. MriiRlDE. Mansfield, Ohio, or 
J. H. FOUNTA I.Y, Riverside, Cal. 
275 ACRE FARM. 
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. 
Twenty-seven miles from Boston. Six good manu¬ 
facturing village markets within seven miles; one 
mile from railroad station, post-office, etc. 
1ST FOR SALE AT LOW PRICE. 
May be divided into two farms. Two houses 
barn, etc. 
Address "FARM,” care The Rural Nkw-Yorkkb 
"THE FLORIDA REAL ESTATE JOUR¬ 
NAL,” $1.00 a year. Arcadia, Florida. Cheap homes, 
cash or time. Sampiy copy, with State map, 10 cents 
HOMES FOR ALL 
MOBILE <fc OHIO RAILROAD. Cheap lands 
rood health, gooa water, a miiu climate, good markets 
for your products, aud in fact all that conduces to 
success in Agricultural and Mechanical pursuits. You 
can purchase BOUND TRIP LAND-SEEKERS’ 
TICKETS VIA I^K AlOBIL^ dk 6UI6 KaIILI 
ROAD, from 8T. L Ot’IS, MoT to almost any 
polntin our teriTtoryTatTerylowTatea, GOOD FOR 
FORTY DAYS from date of sale, with privilege it 
STOPPING OFF AT PLEASURE south of the 
OHIORivCT^Fo^7url1ie?TnfonnaUou in regard to 
rates address J. IV’. KBERLE, Land and Immigra 
tion Agent, No. 423 ChesUiut Street, ST. LOUIS. 
MO., or G. W. KUVG, General Passenger Agent 
MOBILE, ALA. Address the ALA. 
development co.. 
or HENRY FONDK. Pre»., MOBILE, ALA., for 
cireulars or other |i| ■ ■ m n a mm m 
“ IN ALABAMA. 
