1895 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
7oi 
COVER FOR A WISCONSIN POTATO CELLAR. 
What is the best, cheapest and most effectual roof or covering 
against frost, for a potato cellar, 20x40 feet, most of which is 
beneath the surface ? Can I cover by having one side one foot 
lower and making a flat roof? The thermometer goes down as 
low as 30 degrees below zero here. Can I keep the frost from 
penetrating the sides with a single wall of stone, 20 inches thick, 
by covering the surface of the ground with horse manure ? 
Wisconsin. A. J. F. 
A Cheap or a Permanent Cellar. 
We would advise A. J. F., if he wish to make a 
cheap potato cellar 20x40 feet to have it as much as 
possible below the surface, and then set up planks 
two inches in thickness for sides, and make a roof of 
poles slightly slanting, on top of which put one to 
two feet of straw and several feet of earth. We 
believe this will effectually keep the potatoes from 
freezing where the thermometer does go down as low 
as 30 degrees below zero. If he wish a more expens¬ 
ive cellar, let him build a wall of stone 20 inches in 
thickness ; that is the thickness of our cellar, and it 
was 22 degrees below zero last winter, and we did not 
lose a single potato by freezing. 
To roof this building we hardly know how to advise 
for his latitude, but would suggest that the roof be 
flat, or a shed roof with a pitch of one-half to two 
feet to 20 feet and the rafters be 2xl0’s, the roof to be 
covered with tight boards, on top of which use the 
best quality of felt roofing. Inside of the rafters 
paper with heavy building paper, and cover with 
seven-eighths matched stuff. This will give an air 
space of 10 inches. kdward f. dibble seed co. 
A Straw Cover and Good Drainage. 
Straw is probably the best material to use in such a 
case, and I should advise putting it on in a very thick 
layer before putting on the horse manure. It is quite 
as necessary to protect the potatoes from the warmth 
of the fermenting manure as to protect them from 
the external cold : otherwise they will be injured, 
either by sprouting or decay. Great pains should be 
taken to prevent the admission of any water to the 
pit, either from rain or melting snow. It is also im¬ 
portant to make the pit over a porous subsoil, so that 
any water penetrating the covering in thaws or rains, 
will be immediately absorbed. If there is danger of 
this sort, there should be a protected drain connected 
with the pit, and so arranged as to allow all seepage 
of surface water to escape, without the admission of 
the cold external air. In deep sand or gravel, such a 
precaution is not so necessary as in a less porous soil; 
but it is a point to be well guarded. If water should 
enter and stand in the pit, even a few days, the pota¬ 
toes would almost surely be spo'led. I have myself 
seen this happen in an otherwise well-constructed pit. 
The points are to keep the pit dry and as cool as pos¬ 
sible without admitting frost. T. H. H. 
A Cellar in a Cold Country. 
I have built this year a potato cellar 18 x 120 feet on 
my farm in the Red River Valley where the mercury 
goes down to 40 degrees below zero. An excavation 
43^ feet deep was first made, with a shallow trench 
the whole length leading to a well three feet deep ; 
2 x 4s were laid across the cellar, two feet from center 
to center and floored over with first common boards. 
The sides and ends were built of two-inch plank four 
feet from the bottom, and above that two thicknesses 
of second common boards witli tar paper between. 
The gable roof was double-boarded, with tar paper 
well lapped between, the outside boards running up and 
down the roof, battened and painted. Scuttles 22x36 
inches were put in one side of the roof to spout in 
potatoes, and ventilators 10 x 10 at intervals in the 
peak ; also one over the well through which to pump 
out water. The earth is graded up to the eaves and the 
whole roof will be covered with horse manure after 
cold weather sets in. In another cellar built precisely 
as this is, we were obliged last winter during ex¬ 
tremely cold weather, to have a few kerosene lamps 
burning, though at most times it was found necessary 
to keep the ventilators open. During the coming 
winter we shall have a few small oil stoves for use 
when occasion requires. e. w. allen. 
Wilkin County, Minn. 
How to Make a Permanent Cellar. 
It is hard to give a specific answer to A. J. F., with¬ 
out knowing what is required. If the structure is to 
be temporary, then the best and cheapest covering 
will be alternate layers of earth and straw. He 
might pile on three feet of earth, and when the tem¬ 
perature goes 30 degrees below zero it would freeze 
through ; but by putting on three coats of straw and 
three of earth, each only six inches thick, no frost 
would ever get through, if it were 10 degrees colder 
than that. Nothing is so good a protection as dead air. 
If he wishes to make a permanent cellar and have a 
durable roof, make it flat with one foot fall in 20. By 
having a beam across the middle, 2x6 roofing joists 
would be strong enough. On the under side put on 
building paper, and ceil upon this with good lum¬ 
ber. On top of the joists spread another layer of 
building paper having the laps come on the joists. 
Over this, on the joists, put two inch strips, and over 
these another layer of paper with the laps again on 
the strips. With the roof boarding laid upon this, no 
frost would come through ordinarily ; but 30 degrees 
is pretty cold, and there is “ no danger in being safe.” 
So I would advise another set of furring two inches 
thick and another coat of paper before putting on the 
roof boards. There would now be two coverings of 
boards, four coats of paper and three dead air spaces, 
and if the material is good, and work well done, no 
cold will ever get inside. 
I would not let the potatoes come in contact with 
the stone wall, if four feet thick, as frost is sure to go 
through. Better put up thin strips and ceil inside, 
and it would be well to put paper under the ceiling. 
Wherever the wall comes above the ground, it should 
be more than 20 inches thick, and would be better if 
built hollow. The outside should be banked up with 
earth quite to the eaves. Of course, it can be covered 
and banked with horse manure, which will be very 
effectual in keeping out* cold, but I don’t like the 
appearance, and would much prefer putting up the 
earth. 
If there is a window in the cellar, it should by all 
means be double, and should have a good, substantial 
shutter besides, to keep out cold and light as well. 
If the roof is flat, it can be covered with good roof¬ 
ing felt with pitch and gravel. In this case, I would 
put on three coats of paper, three of pitch, with gravel 
on top, putting the paper on lapped like shingles, 
with the edges well nailed. While this will be quite 
an expensive roof, if well put on, it will last a good 
many years. Where shingles are cheap, the roof may 
be given a quarter or third-pitch above the paper as 
described and covered with shingles. 
The chief requisites in keeping potatoes well, are 
moist air, darkness and even temperature—as near 35 
degrees as possible. It won’t do much harm if it vary 
from 32 to 40 degrees. J. s. woodward. 
TALE OF A TRIO OF TRICKSTERS. 
Three reports come to us from different parts of the 
country, of the operations of swindlers whose aim is 
to get something for nothing. One appeared in a 
good-sized country town, bought some powdered alum 
at a drug store, put it up in neat packages, and by 
means of his glib tongue and persuasive manners, 
sold a large number of them as headache powders. 
But not all people had need of headache powders, and 
that these might receive the benefit of his great wis¬ 
dom—and powdered alum—he changed the labels, and 
dealt them out as cures for any other ills with which 
the people might happen to be afflicted. After all 
were cured (?), he began selling a powder guaranteed 
to prevent the explosion of kerosene lamps, and thus 
disposed of a goodly quantity more of his powdered 
alum. But as his arduous labors necessitated a change 
of climate for the benefit of his own health, he silently 
took his departure without leaving behind his future 
address, and is probably still doing his level best to 
decrease the stock of powdered alum in the country. 
Philanthropist No. 2, re nembering the adage that 
cleanliness is next to godliness, engaged in the praise¬ 
worthy effort to sell soap. Making his headquarters 
at the county seat, he engaged a team to take himself 
and his oleaginous wares into the country roundabout. 
For §5 he offered a box containing 100 cakes of soap, 
and each customer was to receive a prize from a long 
list of marble clocks, lace curtains, etc. But, for 
advertising purposes, it was desired to exhibit these 
articles at the county fair soon to be held, after which 
they were to be delivered to the fortunate customers. 
The soap was delivered on the spot, and, of course, 
the bagatelle of a price collected. The fair came and 
went, but the soap dealer and his magnificent collec¬ 
tion of prizes differed in that, while they went, they 
didn’t come ; at least, no one has seen any of them. 
But the buyers have several hundred dollars worth of 
soap among them ! Yes, and the soap is probably 
worth less than the boxes in which it is packed. 
No. 3 had an itching to educate the people—and he 
did, some of them. Coming to a good-sized village, 
he proclaimed abroad his desire to found there a great 
business college, which should be a means of great 
education to the attendants thereof, and bring much 
fame to that village. Would-be students were to re¬ 
ceive a membership with all accruing rights and privi¬ 
leges, for a certain specified number of dollars paid in 
hand. A goodly number availed themselves of this 
“ opportunity of a lifetime.” Unfortunately, the 
plans of this college founder were unceremoniously 
interfered with by the appearance of an unfeeling 
minion of the law, from another town where this great 
educator had founded a similar college—and collected 
the small membership fees—and had forgotten to 
leave an explanation of his absence. He had, also, 
incidentally forgotten to pay his board bill. For¬ 
tunately—for him—he didn’t personally meet this 
minion of the law, hence was able to leave for some 
other town where he might found another college— 
and collect more fees—and where the people may not 
attach so much importance to the matter of a man 
leaving town between two days. Thus may virtue be 
its own reward. F. H. v. 
WINTER PROTECTION FOR TENDER PLANTS. 
We have several plants of novelties of questionable hardiness, 
that we would like to carry through the winter safely. Is there a. 
better way than to place a barrel over each with a small quantity 
of straw, hay or leaves ? 
I do not think the barrel method so safe as laying 
down and covering with earth. To avoid fracture in 
bending down, it is well to make a slight mound over 
which the plant may be gently and carefully bent, 
and there secured by holding, or by crossed stakes, 
until the covering is made firm. It is a good plan to 
leave these stakes in place all winter, as the elasticity 
of the bent plants may cause them to throw off the 
earth when softened by rain. Where snow can be de¬ 
pended on to stay all winter, it is easy to get a good 
protection for tender plants by placing obstructions so 
that the snow will drift over the bent-down plant or 
shrub. This way is best where available, as the snow 
cannot injure the tenderest plant, while soil may not 
be quite safe. T. H. HOSKINS. 
Vermont. 
The best method of protection depends on what 
kind of plants are to protected. For deciduous plants 
a barrel, well ventilated and filled with dry leaves or 
hay, and so covered as to keep out all water, I have 
always found good. Figs may thus be kept outdoors. 
For evergreens like Rhododendrons, kalmias and 
tender conifers, a thorough shading with evergreen 
boughs, is as good as anything. 
It seems to be the change from cold to the direct 
rays of the sun towards spring that seems most pro¬ 
lific of mischief. n. haddock. 
To protect small trees or shrubs that are not quite 
hardy, an open barrel is an excellent thing to use, 
but secure it so that the big wind storm that is sure 
to come in the winter will not displace it. 
For evergreens, a mulch over the ground, and 
straw in the barrel; leaves would pack down, hold 
the rain, and be apt to smother the plant. We place 
evergreen boughs around a tender plant by using 
boughs of pine, spruce or fir a little longer than the: 
plant is tall, sticking the ends of the boughs in the: 
ground around the plant, and tying the tops together 
above the plant. A second tie lower down will prevent, 
the structure blowing over. This protects from drying 
winds and a hot sun, while it admits plenty of rain 
and light. e. hicks. 
Long Island. 
Many Connecticut farm gardeners combine milk 
production with their vegetables. There is a good 
deal of refuse that can be fed to stock and the manure 
is very useful. This year the milk has saved many 
such men. Vegetables have been so low in price that 
they have hardly paid for cost, while milk has fur¬ 
nished the cash to pay expenses. 
BUSINESS BITS. 
The Johnston Harvester Co., Batavia, N. Y., have a very pretty- 
illustrated fall catalogue of their cultivators and disc harrows 
ready. If you want one, send them your address. 
Most kinds of food are improved by cooking or steaming for 
stock of all kinds, and hot water is always a necessity around 
the farm buildings. J. K. Purinton <fe Co., Des Moines, la., make 
a boiler just suited to this work. They will be glad to tell you 
all about it. 
O. E. Thompson <fc Son, Ypsilanti, Mich., send out a very pretty 
hanger showing their Banner root cutter and wheelbarrow seed 
sower. We suppose that it would be sent to any one applying for 
it. Their full illustrated catalogue of the same goods, will, we 
know, be sent on application. 
There is no better way by which water can be elevated for irri¬ 
gation or use at house and barn, than by the hydraulic ram, if 
the ram be a good one. The Rife ram is a good one. To learn 
all about raising water for any purpose in any quantity and 
any distance, write the Rife Engine Co., Roanoke, Va. 
If you have grain to grind this winter, and don’t know whether 
you will grind it at home or cart it to a mill and pay for having 
it done, send to Nordyke & Marmon Co., 270 Day Street, Indian¬ 
apolis, Ind., and ask them to send their “ Book on Mills,” and 
sample of meal. They will send them free because they have 
mills to sell. 
One of the most delicate questions The R. N.-Y. has to treat is 
the commission man. We find some who earn our confidence, but 
many whom we look upon with suspicion. Many of them are in 
the produce business simply for plunder, and when driven out of 
one place bob up in another under a new name. They get goods 
from country people by sending out prices higher than the mar¬ 
ket price. It doesn’t matter to them about the price. They never 
pay anything. We have cards in our advertising columns from 
some good houses in New York and one good one in Pittsburg. 
Pa., and one. Summers, Morrison & Co., 174 South Water Street, 
Chicago, Ill. These will be a convenience to shippers; but it will 
be best to write them about the conditions of the market before 
shipping, and it will not be safe to ship inferior goods at any 
time. Sort well, pack neatly, and always notify the merchant 
whep shipped. • 
