1894 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
185 
a crust of kainit on its back for hours. On the other 
hand, there are records of careful experiments under as 
nearly natural conditions as possible, which demon¬ 
strate, to me, at least, that salt, kainit, muriate of pot¬ 
ash, or nitrate of soda will not kill wireworms when 
used, at the rate of less than two tons per acre. I refer 
to the facts recorded in Bulletin 33 of the Cornell Ex¬ 
periment Station. But in the same bulletin is demon¬ 
strated the fact that one can apply these substances in 
sufficient quantities to kill wireworms. However, it 
will require from four to six tons per acre to accom¬ 
plish this, which is altogether out of the question from 
the practical standpoint of the farmer. Again, salt 
was found to be more effective than either of the 
others ; kainit is about one-third salt. 
There is a chance that less quantities of these sub¬ 
stances may destroy the softer and less resistant 
bodied grubs, maggots, and caterpillars feeding on 
farm crops. But as I have said above, there are as yet 
no experiments recorded that demonstrate that such 
is the case. And until we do have such experimental 
knowledge which will demonstrate beyond a doubt 
that insect life can be thus destroyed and our fields be 
given at the same time new life, I think it is a mistake 
to advise farmers to buy commercial fertilizers with 
the expectation that they can, with these substances, 
destroy the insects working in their fields. I do not 
wish to be understood by this as saying that the use 
of commercial fertilizers is not to be encouraged. On 
the contrary, I believe that their use so stimulates 
and increases the vigor of the plant that although it 
may be severely attacked by insects, it outgrows the 
injuries and develops a good crop. 
Right here is, I believe, the vital point in this ques¬ 
tion of fertilizers acting as insecticides. We are led 
to think that the insects have been killed because the 
plants are so vigorous and healthy, while those plants 
not fertilized are weakened or die from the attacks of 
the pest. One farmer-entomologist has recorded that 
he had observed in his practice on the farm that the 
use of stable manure on sod infested with white grubs 
and wire-worms, had the effect of producing a good 
crop of corn when plowed under, while on adjoining 
land not fertilized, the attack of these insects was 
very destructive. 
So that, for the above reasons, I am not yet ready 
to advise farmers to buy commercial fertilizers for the 
purpose of killing their insect enemies. But I do 
believe that many times an application of such quickly 
available plant food as the commercial fertilizers give 
will stimulate the growth to such an extent during the 
attacks of the pest, that the insect may get its normal 
amount of food from the plant and yet the latter 
suffer but little from the loss. However, the insect 
still remains. 
In direct answer to D. B. S., I would not apply over 
600 or 800 pounds of kainit per acre, and think it 
advisable to apply it broadcast while the land is being 
fitted for putting in the seed. 
To W. M. A., I would say that it is neither a beetle 
nor a moth that lays the eggs which produce the onion 
or cabbage maggot. In each case it is a small fly about 
as large as, and closely resembling, a common house¬ 
fly. The insect infesting the onion differs not only 
specifically, but generically from the caobage maggot, 
but the flies look very much alike to the ordinary 
observer. The onion maggot is Paorbia ceparum, and 
the cabbage maggot bears the name of Antomyia 
brassicse There are several broods of each pest dur¬ 
ing the season. It has been recorded that kainit can 
be applied without injury to onion plants at the rate 
of one pound to one gallon of water, or at the rate of 
600 pounds per acre. So it can probably be applied 
without danger when the plants first show symptoms 
of an attack by the pest. The most satisfactory 
methods now in practice to combat these cabbage and 
onion maggots, are by a rotation of crops, not grow¬ 
ing the cabbages or onions more than two or three 
years in succession in the same field. If a field be in¬ 
fested one season, grow some other crop which is not 
attacked by the maggots as grain, corn, potatoes, 
etc., on this plot for the next two years, and have the 
onion or cabbage field as far away as possible. Some 
report good results from the application of two ounces 
of hellebore steeped in three gallons of water or 
kerosene emulsion. Have a man go ahead to scrape 
away the soil about the infested plants, and follow 
with the sprayer (a knapsack pump would be very 
handy for this) and apply the liquid around the base 
of the plant and return the earth to its place. 
Cornell Experiment Station, m. v. slikgerland. 
Dipping Hens in Tobacco Water. 
J. J. iff., Bossville, N. Y. —In The R. N.-Y. of March 
3, page 145, I notice an article on dipping hens. How 
strong should the tobacco water be to take effect on 
the lice ? Must tobacco be soaked, or would not stems 
soaked do as well ? What quantity would be necessary 
to soak in an ordinary pail of water ? 
Ans.— Surprise is expressed at the idea of dipping 
fowls in a liquid to free them from lice, but it is a 
common practice with many, and far preferable to at¬ 
tempting to clean them by means of any of the powders 
made for that purpose. If the tobacco water is made 
as strong as possible, a nice, warm, sunny day se¬ 
lected, and the water well warmed so as to avoid a 
shock to the fowls, they can be cleaned of lice and nits 
at the same time, as rapidly as they can be dipped and 
the liquid made to thoroughly penetrate the feathers. 
If a powder be used, it must be well worked down 
under the feathers to kill the lice, and then in a few 
days afterwards it must be used again to kill the lice 
which have been hatched from the nits. No powder 
will kill the latter or remain in the feathers more than 
a few hours. If the roosts be lousy, as is nearly al¬ 
ways the case, the lice swarm back over the chickens 
at night, or within a few hours after the powder is 
used. Where strong tobacco water is used, the feathers 
are given an odor of tobacco which lasts three or four 
days, during which time no lice will go near them. 
One good spraying of the roosts and the walls of the 
chicken house with strong tobacco water will do 
more to clean out the lice than the use of whitewash 
or any other material I have ever tried, and it lasts 
longer. 
If, after the fowls have been well dipped in the to¬ 
bacco water, the roosts are painted on their under 
sides and edges with gas tar about once a week, no 
further thought need be given to lice. This tar kills 
the lice on the roosts, and they will not return until 
its odor is entirely gone. After a hen has become 
broody, and before she is given her eggs, if she be 
given a good dipping in tobacco water, and then pro¬ 
vided with clean straw in a nest where the lice from 
other chicks cannot get upon her, there is no need to 
keep dusting her or the eggs during incubation. The 
water cannot be too strong, and does not injure either 
the old fowls or the young chickens, but need not be 
nearly so strong for the chicks. As soon as the lay¬ 
ing hens dry off, they go on their nests and lay as 
usual, and never skip an egg. p. A. lehmann. 
How Ashes Weaken Hen Manure. 
W. P., Quhservllle, Cal. —In a recent issue of The 
R. N.-Y. I noticed the statement, “Never mix hen 
manure with ashes.” It seems that whenever these 
two articles are considered of any value and worth 
saving, they invite one another as companions. Will 
The R. N.-Y. kindly explain to those at the bottom of 
the class in agricultural chemistry (like myself) the 
reason why this mixing should not be done ? 
Ans. —The most valuable thing in hen manure is the 
nitrogen. Wood ashes contain potash and lime—as 
carbonates. In this condition they act rapidly on 
nitrogenous substances and convert nitrogen into am¬ 
monia in such form that it will escape into the air. 
In other words the ashes tend to break up the com¬ 
binations that hold the nitrogen securely and turn it 
into such form that it will escape. This action has 
been compared with that in a glass of soda water or 
a seidlitz powder. Let the contents of the blue paper 
represent ashes and that of the white paper hen 
manure. When they come together in a moist place 
ammonia is set free in one case just as in the other 
there is a fizz and great display of gas. You should 
not mix the hen manure and ashes days before using 
for the same reason that you should not mix the 
powders a day before drinking the mixture. 
Where to Put Fertilizer. 
C. C. TY., (Address Mislaid.) —1. I would like to have 
the experience of potato growers as to the best method 
of applying fertilizers in the drill; whether over or 
under the seed. 2. I would also like to know if the 
New “ Carman No. 1” potato as advertised by A. W. 
Livingston’s Sons is the genuine stock. 
Ans.—1. The R. N.-Y., for a number of years (see 
New Potato Culture) carried on experiments to deter¬ 
mine this question. About 80 trials were made during 
three years. The first year (season favorable as to 
rainfall) the yield was at the rate of 15 bushels in 
favor of the fertilizer over. The second season (wet) 
the yield was 33 bushels in favor of over. The third 
year (very wet) the yield was 20 bushels in favor of 
fertilizer under. A general summary of all the experi¬ 
ments gives 9 68 bushels in favor of fertilizer over. 2. 
Unquestionably. But they have none for sale. 
How to Broadcast Fertilizer; Tobacco for Lice. 
B. W. B., Saratoga County, N. Y.—Ot the many who 
use large quantities of fertilizers, some must broad¬ 
cast it. 1. I would like to know how some of them 
handle it in broadcasting, by hand or machine, if the 
latter, what machine ? 2. What liquid can I use to 
kill lice on cattle and make a sure job ? Will kerosene 
emulsion do it and will it harm the cattle in any way? 
Is there anything better ? I mention liquid because 
liquid can be got on to every part and powder cannot. 
Liquid would also be likely to destroy the eggs, 
wouldn’t it ? 
Ans. —1. Thera are several machines made for broad¬ 
casting fertilizer—one is made by the Spangler Co., 
York, Pa. A great many farmers use the grain drill 
and let the fertilizer run through the grain tubes or 
put a slanting board under the tubes to throw the fer¬ 
tilizer all over the ground. A favorite plan is to run 
the drill across the furrows and thus half-harrow at 
the same time the fertilizer is distributed. On Long 
Island, some of the farmers who use a ton or more per 
acre, put the fertilizer in the wagon box and drive 
across the field scattering it with shovels. 2. A tobacco 
tea made by steeping tobacco stems in water should 
kill the lice. Apply it warm and keep the cattle cov¬ 
ered after it unless they are in a very warm barn. 
Value of Sheep Manure. 
L. E. A., Smyrna,Del .—Does sheep manure need pot¬ 
ash mixed with it, and how much to the ton ? What 
is good sheep manure worth per ton ? 
Ans. —Yes ; potash may be added with good results. 
Sheep manure is higher in potash than any other ani¬ 
mal excrement, but a very large proportion of the 
potash is found in the liquids. The solids are but 
little higher in potash than swine manure. You can 
safely add 50 pounds of muiuate or 200 pounds of 
kainit to the ton. 
Some Big: Blackberries. 
J. P. B., (No Address .)—1. What are the three latest 
varieties of blackberries in cultivation, including the 
Lawton, arranging the three names, first according to 
lateness, second to size, third to hardiness? 2. What 
are the three largest varieties of blackberries in culti¬ 
vation, including the Lawton, arranging the three 
names, first according to size, second to lateness, thira 
to hardiness ? 3. Is the Lucretia dewberry larger 
than any variety of high blackberry ? 
Ans.— 1. Lawton, Stone’s Hardy and Taylor. 2. 
Lawton, Erie and Minnewaski. 3. It is somewhat 
larger. 
When to Use Fertilizer ; Estimates of Fruits. 
F. W. M., Centralla, III. —1. When is the best time to 
apply fertilizer to strawberries ? 2. When should fer¬ 
tilizer be applied to potatoes ? 3. Would The R, N.-Y. 
advise planting the Royal Church raspberry, Tim- 
brell strawberry and Minnewaski blackberry ? 
Ans. —1. In early spring before growth begins. 2. 
Sow broadcast at the rate of from 500 to 2,000 pounds 
per acre, as you can afford. 3. Royal Church is in its 
trial stage. Some make fine reports. It has not as yet 
done remarkably well at the Rural Grounds. Ti mbrell 
is fine and well worth a trial. Minnewaski thrives 
with us. It is hardier than Kittatinny, though not 
quite as good in quality, and resists rust better. We 
would not advise you to plant it largely before a trial 
in a small way. 
Fruits for Canning:. 
0. A., Clarendon, N. Y .—Whica is the best kind of 
fruit to grow for canning factories ? One man says 
Shaffer’s Colossal raspberry ; others say the Cuthbert; 
some say currants. Is there much difference in the 
yield of Cherry and Pay currants ? Our soil is good 
and will raise almost any kind of fruit. 
Ans.—R aise the kinds the canners who take your 
crop want. They will tell you which varieties they 
prefer. The Pay is usually considered more prolific, 
and seems to be preferred by cultivators in general. 
Differences in soils, locations and methods of culture 
sometimes make great differences in yield. 
Cheese in a Warm Country. 
W. B. W., Hopedale Ranch, Otis, New Mexico. —The 
farmers of this v.cinity are thinking of organizing a 
cooperative cheese factory ; the plant to be suffident 
to manufacture the product of 150 cows. Can The R. 
N.-Y. give us the cost per pound of manufacturing 
cheese in a plant of this capacity ? Are there statis¬ 
tics showing the average yield of cheese per cow in a 
number of factories in the United States ? Are there 
many or any successful cheese factories in the S 3uth ? 
We have been told recently that a good quality of 
cheese could not be made in a warm climate and that 
cheese could not be held any length of time, as it soon 
spoiled. Good butter can be made here eight months 
in the year without ice. 
Ans.—I see no reason why cheese should not be 
made where the curing rooms can be kept at a uniform 
temperature of 70 degrees, and the cheese after curing 
be kept at a temperature of 50 or 60 degrees. The 
Georgia Experiment Station has successfully run a 
cheese factory for two seasons. This correspondent 
would do well to communicate with Director R. J. 
Redding, Experiment, Ga. The total cost of manu¬ 
facturing cheese in this State is not far from $1.25 per 
cwt. This is the price usually paid by cooperative 
factories where the maker furnishes everything, in¬ 
cluding factory and equipment. One hundred pounds 
of milk will make rather more than 10 pounds of well 
made cheese provided the milk contain 33^ per cent 
of fat. You should get as many hundred ^pounds 
of cheese from a cow per year as she gives thousand 
pounds of milk. The cpws in New York State aver¬ 
age about 3,000 pounds of milk per year. H. h. winh. 
Cornell University. 
