1895 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
777 
Plums on Peach Stocks. 
W. II 8., Rocky Hill, N. /.—Will a plum tree live as long when 
budded on peach stock ? What is the advantage or disadvantage 
to the grower of the fruit ? Are not the Japan strains of plums 
short lived ? 
Ans. —In light soils, the peach stock has occasion¬ 
ally been used advantageously. In so far as our own 
experience goes, we would prefer plum to peach 
stock—no matter what the soil. A plum tree will live 
longer upon a plum stock than upon a peach stock. 
The longevity of the Japan plums in this country has 
not been ascertained. Their introduction is too 
recent. 
An Apple Buyer On “ Worms.” 
H. J. II., Oran, JV. Y .— An apple buyer in this place claims that, 
if one wormy apple is placed in a barrel of apples, the worm will 
come out and bore every apple in the barrel. What is The 
R. N.-Y.’s opinion about it? 
Ans. —The “apple buyer” is wrong. There are two 
broods of the Codling moth, and the larvse of the 
second brood mature during late autumn or early 
winter. If, then, the apples are gathered and stored, 
they leave the apple and spin cocoons in some suitable 
place, often between the hoops and staves. There is 
proof that the grubs do attack a second or perhaps a 
third apple after leaving the first, but their life as 
larvae or grubs is ioo short to do more than that. 
Any Remedy for Grape Phylloxera ? 
F. B. T., Visalia, Ky .— 1. My vineyard was affected with phyl¬ 
loxera, according to the diagnosis of Prof. Garman, of the 
Kentucky Experiment Station. All the leaves on Delaware vines 
were destroyed, and only one-half the grapes ripened. Other 
varieties were not injured so much. Is there anything that can 
be done ? 2. Will the Lucretia dewberry do well on low, but not 
overflowed bottom land near a river where the fogs are frequent 
and heavy ? 
Ans. —1. There is not any practical remedy. Sub¬ 
mersion is said to kill the louse, but the land, we are 
told, must be covered with water a foot deep, any¬ 
thing less being useless. A liberal admixture of sand 
is recommended, as the louse does not thrive in sandy 
soils. Fertilizers rich in sulphate of potash and 
nitrogen, refuse of salt works, soot and wood ashes, 
have given good results in some cases. So, too, bisul¬ 
phide of carbon and the kerosene emulsion are said to 
be efficacious, but the cost of application is too great. 
2. We would guess that the Lucretia would thrive on 
such land. 
Some Questions About Ensilage. 
E. 1). B., Seneca Falls, N. Y .— I filled my silo with fully matured 
corn, well eared. How much of such ensilage is it safe to feed 
per day, and what kind of grain feed would be best ? Would dry 
corn fodder, cut one-quarter inch long, answer for roughage, or 
must I feed hay ? 
Ans. —We would feed 35 to 40 pounds of such en¬ 
silage per day. Cotton-seed meal and bran, equal 
parts by weight, will go well with it. Ilay is not 
absolutely necessary with the ensilage. The cut 
stalks will provide the necessary dry roughage. The 
best way to feed them would be to mix them with the 
ensilage a few hours before feeding. Some dairy¬ 
men feed the chopped stalks alone at noon, and en¬ 
silage night and morning. 
The Carman Potatoes Discussed. 
II. F., Shenandoah, Iowa.—l. In what respect does the Carman 
No. 3 potato differ from the R. N.-Y. No. 2? 2. Will spraying with 
Bordeaux Mixture prevent or cure the “early blight”? 3. What 
is your experience with the Howe’s Premium potato, as to earli¬ 
ness and yield ? 4. Is the Keiffer pear self-fertilizing ? 
Ans. —1. The No. 3 is later—the latest of the three 
varieties—Carman No. 1, R. N.-Y. No. 2 and Carman 
No. 3. The tuber averages larger, longer and more 
“hilly.” The flesh is whiter and, generally, of bet¬ 
ter quality. The habit of the plant is more spread¬ 
ing. The No. 3 is the heaviest yielder ever grown at 
the Rural Grounds, and there are fewer small tubers— 
practically none. 2. In most cases where a thorough 
trial has been given, yes. 3. We tried it in 1889. 
Three hills yielded 12 large and 7 small tubers, 
weighing 6% pounds. Shape roundish and irregular. 
Eyes rather deep, purplish It is medium as to earli¬ 
ness. 4. Yes, it is self-fertile. 
A Wash for Trees. 
0. G., Bridgeton, N. J. —1. Will a wash of lime, a very little 
crude carbolic acid and a little Paris-green applied to trunks of 
my young fruit trees late in spring, prevent borers, or be an in¬ 
jury ? Thick soft soap will not adhere, I fear, long enough dur¬ 
ing the season. 2. I have a plot of ground filled in with mud exca¬ 
vated from a small pond, and the ground is two to three feet 
from spring water. Will plums on plum stocks grow thereon ? 
Ans. —1. It does not matter particularly what wash 
is applied to the trees, so long as it disguises the 
tree, or is offensive to the beetle that deposits the 
eggs. We doubt whether Paris-green would have any 
effect, since the egg is usually deposited under the 
scales of the bark, so that the grubs which hatch 
later would not be affected by it. We know from 
personal experience that a wash of raw linseed oil 
extending around the trunk from the soil to a foot 
above, is quite effective. We know of one orchard of 
trees treated in this way for many years, that is free 
from borers. We have ourselves used a wash of lime, 
crude carbolic acid and sulphur, colored to resemble 
the bark of the tree, and know it to be effective also. 
2. Yes, perhaps, if the soil be well drained. Such soil 
would, no doubt, be benefited by an application of 
potash and bone. 
American Jersey Cattle Club. 
R. B., Langley, B. G. —What is the address of the American 
Jersey Cattle Club ? I have some calves which I wish to register. 
Ans. —Write to Secretary American Jersey Cattle 
Club, No. 8 West 17tli Street, New York City. 
A Liquid “ Thistle Destroyer.” 
G. T. A., South Haven, Mich.— Can The R. N.-Y. give me any in¬ 
formation regarding “ Lindgren’s thistle destroyer?” Is it known 
to be practical on a large scale ? Will it injure the soil ? 
Ans. —We do not know anything about this “ thistle 
destroyer ” here at this experiment station. Accord¬ 
ing to the manufacturers’ circulars, it is a liquid 
which is to be sprayed on the plants, or poured on 
their base. Its expense, 30 cents per gallon in barrel 
lots, and cost of applying to individual plants, must 
render it impracticable on very large areas contain¬ 
ing many thistles. I cannot find that it has been used 
on such a scale, neither do there seem to have been 
any experiments on its effect on the soil. It will re¬ 
quire a chemical analysis of the liquid, and careful 
scientific experiments with it before we can answer 
the questions more definitely. m. y. s. 
Bugs, Mustard Seed and Clover. 
J. W. II G., Canton, Mont.—I send some little bugs, some mus¬ 
tard seed and some kind of clover. This mustard is what we call 
wild mustard here, and I would like to know whether there is any 
place where I could sell it; we have about 75 to 80 bushels, which 
we got from the grain this fall when we thrashed. It is so thick 
in the grain, that one can hardly get a binder through it. If this 
mustard seed were ground and mixed with some wheat and oats 
ground, would it be of any value to fatten hogs ? A strawberry bed 
which was plowed last spring, is all grown up with this clover. 
What is the name of it, and would it be of any value to plow 
under like Crimson clover ? The little bugs are found on the oats, 
and they live on the mustard, too. They are so thick on the oats, 
when we cut them, that there is a thick paste on the platform of 
the binder. They don’t seem to cut the oats off any. 
Ans. —The “little bugs” proved to be a kind of plant 
louse ; they are probably the common grain plant 
louse, but were too much dried up for definite deter¬ 
mination. Plant lice suck their food, hence could not 
cut off the oats, but simply weaken them by sucking 
out the sap. I know of no way to combat them in 
grain fields. The seeds sent were from the plant 
known to scientists as Brassica sinapistrum, the com¬ 
mon wild mustard, which is a noxious weed in grain 
and other cultivated fields all over the country. The 
seeds are, doubtless, rich in some of the food elements, 
especially the oils, and would thus form a valuable 
addition to the rations for stock if it were not for 
their pungency or mustard-like property. The regu¬ 
lar mustard of commerce is made from B. alba, the 
white mustard, which we know could not be fed to 
stock in any quantity. While the seeds of the wild 
mustard are possibly not as pungent as those of the 
commercial species, I think that it will require but 
about half a teaspoonful of the seed of the former to 
convince one that they are not desirable food for man’s 
stomach ; I speak from experience. I do not think 
that it would be safe to feed them, ground or un¬ 
ground, to stock of any kind in feeding quantity. I 
have talked with Prof. Roberts and our botanists 
here, and no one can suggest any use to which the 
seed can be put. The clover seed was Melilotus 
officinalis, the common sweet clover. 
M. V. SLINGERLAND. 
Questions About Water Pipes. 
S. B., Eaton, N, Y .— 1. In bringing water in pipes from a spring, 
which kind of pipe is best and most durable—the cast iron, 
wrought,'or galvanized wrought iron ? 2. In a fall of about 50 
feet, would a three-quarter inch pipe be large enough for a dis¬ 
tance of 1,000 feet ? If not, how would it do to start with a larger 
pipe for about half way ? 
Ans. —1. For pipes that are to be placed under 
ground, cast iron would be most durable ; the scale or 
coating which is formed by the contact of the molten 
iron with the sand of the mold during the process of 
casting, is an excellent protection against rust. What 
are known as “soil pipes,” area light-weight pipe, 
which, if carefully handled under light pressure, 
answers very well ; it is made in live-foot lengths, 
and from two inches in diameter, up. The cost of 
this pipe is about the same as the wrought iron, three- 
quarter-inch diameter. The joints in this piping can 
be made with what is known as a rust joint, which is 
made by mixing into a paste with water, one ounce 
of flour sulphur, two ounces powdered sal ammoniac 
and five pounds clean iron turnings, which may be 
obtained from almost any machine shop ; this is well 
rammed into the joint. The disadvantage is that it 
cannot be taken apart readily. Resin melted and run 
into the joint, might answer. If the piping is going 
over rough ground, where it is liable to any knocks, 
etc., then use wrought iron ; but galvanized will be of 
very little advantage over plain pipe, while its cost 
will be greater. 
2 . For a run of 1,000 feet, three-quarter-inch pipe is 
very small. A good velocity for water flowing through 
pipes is GOO feet per minute, so that a three-quarter 
inch pipe would give 138 gallons per minute ; but 
when the friction for so long a length of pipe is con¬ 
sidered, this will reduce the stream. The head of 50 
feet, would give a pressure of 21 % pounds to begin 
with ; if there are short bends, they will reduce the 
pressure about one pound for every turn. To start 
with a larger pipe, part way. would add to the cost 
without giving a very great advantage, except where 
water can be taken from the large pipe without inter¬ 
fering with the supply of the smaller one. It would 
be better to use the two-inch cast-iron pipe, giving 
over six times the area, consequently an increased 
supply, while the cost would probably be the same. 
There would also be considerably less chance of the 
pipe being stopped up by any leaves or other foreign 
matter that might chance to get in. 
Turning Clover Into Hogs. 
F. II R., Westboro, Mass. —1. What is the best breed of hogs for 
clover pasture ? 2. How large a plot is required for 100 hogs ? 3. 
What is a fair estimate of the cost of a hog weighing in the neigh¬ 
borhood of 200 pounds, or seven or eight months old ? 4. Is the 
entire food clover ? If not, what? 5. How much cash would a 
person need to try the venture of raising 100 swine, if he had 
plenty of land, etc.? 
ANSWERED BY I.. N. BONIIAM. 
It is difficult to answer all these questions with the 
exactness a beginner would like. 1. Any of the 
American breeds, Poland-China, Chester White, Duroc- 
Jersey or Victoria, do well on clover pasture, as all of 
them have been produced in regions where clover has 
been the standard grazing plant for hogs. Of the 
English breeds, the Berkshire, Tamsworth and York¬ 
shire do well. A cross of any of these breeds will do 
as well for grazing and feeding. It is not so much a 
matter of breed, that the feeder is to look at, as that 
he secures healthy, thrifty stock. lie cannot be too 
careful on this point. He cannot afford to buy his 
stockers from the stock yards, or pigs that have been 
shipped in stock cars. The history of the business in 
the West is a record of disaster to feeders who have 
stocked up with pigs from stock yards. If one has a 
farm suited to swine, with plenty of water, shade and 
grass or clover, with grain enough to raise his own 
stock, the chances are better that he may escape loss 
by pestilence, which is invited by large herds on 
unsuitable keep and premises. 
2. One can handle 100 pigs on 25 acres of clover ; 
but he must be prepared to supplement the clover 
with peas, green corn or sorghum, after the clover has 
passed its prime. He cannot pasture clover before the 
middle of April or first of May. His herd, in an aver¬ 
age season, with a good field and plenty of water and 
shade, can do well on the clover from the middle of 
April to the middle of J uly. If the spring be late, 
and the summer hot and dry, the season and amount 
of pasture will be lessened accordingly. 
3. This depends on the kind of stock, kind of keep 
and skill in handling, as well as on the market price 
of corn, mill feed and pasture. It is not safe to count 
on more than 10 pounds of growth for every bushel 
of corn, or its equivalent of mill feed, clover, peas, 
etc. With corn at 50 cents a bushel, a pound of growth 
costs five cents ; at 25 cents a bushel, the pound of 
growth costs only 2% cents. It is a common estimate 
that we can count safely on four tons of green clover 
for grazing hogs, on one acre, in a good average sea¬ 
son. And 20 pounds of clover is estimated to make 
one pound of growth. Coburn claims that 15 pounds 
of clover will make one pound of growth, and counts 
on 12,000 pounds of clover to an acre. This amount 
can be cut from an acre often, but not grazed in a 
warm, dry season. An acre of clover is estimated to 
be equivalent to 3% acres of wheat, 1% acre of corn, 
and 2% acres of oats for making growth of pork. With 
such data, we can make a reliable estimate of the cost 
in advance, as the condition of herds varies as much as 
seasons and prices. 
4. From what has been said, we cannot expect the 
pigs to subsist on clover alone, for more than three 
months. The older the pig, the better it does on 
clover alone. Pigs under four months make little 
gain on clover alone, except in size of stomach. Such 
pigs need, with clover, some richer feed, and there is 
nothing better than bran and middlings, half and half, 
or corn and oats ground, half and half. 
5. To buy 100 shoats of 125 pounds each, would, at 
four cents, cost $500 ; and counting 10 bushels of corn 
for each, it would take 1,000 bushels to finish them. 
If they are a thrifty lot and have done well on the 
clover, less corn would be required. If one has “plenty 
of land, etc.,” hogs can be raised and fitted for mar¬ 
ket for less than I have estimated ; but he must have 
a good stock of the “ etc.,” which means much, as 
one will learn by experience. If one buy any un¬ 
thrifty or sickly pigs in the lot, he may lose enough 
hogs to make him very sick of hogs and clover. With 
good judgment and skillful feeding, one with plenty 
of land can succeed with hogs. But success depends 
largely on the skillful purchase, handling, feeding 
and marketing. 
Butler County, O. 
