She  RURAL  NEW-YORKER 
1421 
Soil  Fertility  Problems 
Simple  Tests  for  Acid  Soils 
About  one  year  ago,  perhaps  18 
months,  I  am  told  Tins  R.  N.-Y.  pub¬ 
lished  an  article  on  the  determining  of 
the  acidity  of  soils  and  the  relative 
ammiut  of  lime  needed.  This  was  a  new 
method  to  me.  It  seemed  so  simple  I 
wish  to  use  it  in  a  class  of  agricultural 
students.  Please  give  me  the  particu¬ 
lars  of  this  method  if  possible. 
Indiana.  a.  m.  n. 
You  may  refer  to  the  Truog  system  of 
soil  testiug  which  we  described  in  detail. 
This  is  somewhat  complicated  and  for  a 
good  description  you  should  send  to  the 
Wisconsin  Experiment  Station  (Madi¬ 
son)  and  ask  for  a  bulletin  on  this  test. 
Perhaps  you  mean  the  litmus  paper  test 
which  is  much  simpler.  “Litmus  paper’ 
is  a  form  of  blotting  paper  stained  with 
a  blue  color  obtained  from  moss  or  lich¬ 
ens  growing  upon  rocks.  This  color  is 
very  sensitive  and  changes  to  a  red  when 
put  with  acids,  and  hack  to  blue  when 
put  with  alkaline  substances.  In  making 
this  simple  test  a  fair  sample  of  the  soil 
is  taken  and  packed  into  a  glass  or  deep 
dish — just  moist  enough  to  make  it  solid. 
Then  a  kuife  blade  is  pushed  down  into 
it  and  a  piece  of  the  blue  litmus  paper 
inserted  and  the  soil  firmed  around  it. 
In  about  an  hour  take  out  the  paper  and 
notice  the  color.  If  the  soil  is  sour  the 
color  will  have  changed  to  a  pink  or 
red.  This  test  does  not  show  just  how 
much  lime  is  needed.  If  the  paper  turns 
red  it  is  evidence  that  the  land  is  sour, 
and  the  equirlaent  of  1,500  pounds  or 
more  per  acre  should  be  used. 
"4130” — that’s 
the  name  of  it. 
"$20.00  ” — that’s 
the  price.  "Cloth- 
craft”  the  make. 
That  means  good 
looks,  good  fit  and 
good  service.  The 
Clothcraft  people 
have  had  70  years 
in  which  to  learn 
how  to  make  such 
a  good  blue  serge 
suit  at  so  low  a  price. 
I  ,  I  understand  (despite  War's  I 
|  increase  in  price)  you  have  low  J 
'  contract  for  miles  of  best  hard-  a 
l  wire  steel  fencing.  So  send  I 
*  new  catalog  free  (prices  start-  • 
I  ing  16c  instead  of  18c  per  rod.)  ■ 
•  A 
J  Name . . . .  ? 
Address . . . . . 
MANUFACTURERS’  OUTLET  CO. 
The  Mail-Order  House  of  the  East 
602  Walden  Ave.  BUFFALO.  N.  Y, 
SERGE  SPECIALS 
”5130”  Blue,  $16.50 
”4130”  Blue,  $20.00 
”3130”  Gray,  $20.00 
At  FARM  WAGONS 
Send  for 
Catalog. 
Eifrh  or  low  wheels— 
IT — — 7£-ri'- steel  or  wood—  wide 
V,-  A  JL-y  or  narrow  tires. 
(LlicjL  Wagon  parts  of  all 
®  K  J?  kinds.  Wheels  to  fit 
‘Xujr  uV7v.}7»  nny  running  gear. 
y  C&ttlog  Illustrated  in  colon)  frcij. 
Electric  Wheel  Co.,  48Elm  St..  Quincy,  III, 
The  CLOTHCRAFT  STORE 
IN  YOUR  TOWN 
NEW  YORK  STATE  FARMS  •gf5{SK 
Tell  ns  wliat.  kind  of  farm  yon  want  and 
how  much  cash  you  can  pay  down,  and  we 
will  prepare  purposely  for  y  ou  a  list  of  Just 
such  places  in  many  parts  of  the  State. 
THE  FARM  BROKERS'  ASSOCIATION.  Inc.,  ONEIDA.  NEW  YORK 
Other  oQicujs  throughout  tho  State, 
Fertilizers  in  Storage 
I  have  some  nitrate  of  soda  that  was 
bought  in  March,  1916.  If  this  nitrate 
were  used  during  Spring  of  1917  in  a 
fertilizer  mixture,  would  it  be  worth  as 
much  as  nitrate  freshly  purchased  dur¬ 
ing  Spring  from  same  company  V  This 
has  been  kept  in  a  dry  place.  Is  acid 
phosphate  which  has  been  kept  one  year 
just  as  good  to  use  in  a  home  mixed  fer¬ 
tilizer  as  acid  phosphate  that  is  new? 
This  was  to  be  used  in  a  mixture  con¬ 
sisting  of  nitrate  of  soda,  tankage, 
ground  fish  scrap  and  acid  phosphate. 
Maine.  P.  C. 
If  this  nitrate  of  soda  has  been  kept 
dry  it  has  not  lost  nitrogen.  In  this 
form  nitrogen  would  be  lost  only  by  leach¬ 
ing  or  washing  out.  The  nitrate  may 
have  hardened  or  “caked”  so  that  it  must 
he  crushed  in  order  to  mix  well,  but  un¬ 
less  it  has  been  soaked  it  has  not  lost 
plant  food.  The  same  is  no  doubt  true  of 
the  acid  phosphate.  If  it  has  been  kept  dry 
the  phosphoric  aeid  has  not  been  washed 
out.  As  with  the  nitrate  very  likely  the 
phosphate  has  “caked”  into  lumps.  These 
must  be  smashed  and  fined  before  you  can 
mix  well  with  other  chemicals. 
Clothcraft  Clothes  for  Men  and  Young  Men,  Ready-to-Wear,  $12.50  to  $25.00 
Made  by  The  Joseph  &  Feiss  Co.;  Cleveland 
The  South  for  Farm  Profits 
Southern  land*  are  low  In  pries  -rive,  large  yields  of 
corn  nnd  other  grain):,  grasses  ntid  forngo  crops,  all 
kinds  truck,  crow  fine  fruit.  You  can  get  goodlands 
in  healthful  locntiou,  where  climate  is  pleasant  and 
works  for  yon.  whore  two  and  throe  crops  grow  ate 
nually,  for  $15  to  $50  un  acre,  according  to  Improve¬ 
ments.  Great  opportunity  for  general  farmers,  stork 
raison,  dairymen,  poultry  raiser*,  fruit  and  truck 
growers.  Information  on  venues t.  M.  V.  Richards,  Ind. 
S  Aor  Csmmr.,  Room  B7.  Southern  Railway, Woshinoton,  D.  C. 
5-'’  Share  la  the  pre« perky  that 
'  await*  you  In  t  hr«e  nai  ure-Ianored  loealltle*.  ^7** 
FYult,  and  poultry  fiiruiitiic  pay*  womlorfully. 
Rich,  farulo,  wall-  wmt«rnd  noil,  mild  climate,  grow¬ 
ing  Mid  nfiX*©«bl*  neighbor*,  Rxc«U«nl  farm 
l*fiil«$L5ftcr«  and  up.  Witte  for  Ut*st  frsltaUrv,  soaps 
'  and  full  Information— -freu  0x1  roqueat. 
f.  H.  LsBaume,  Agr'l  Agent,  N.& W.  Ry, 
211  N.  &  W.  Bldg.  Roanoke,  Va. 
PROSPERITY  IN  CANADA— $900,000, 000  In 
new  wealth  added  in  1015.  Enormous  crops  and 
low  taxation  make  farmers  rich.  Wheat  aver¬ 
age.  30.10  bushels  per  acre  in  Alberta,  28.75 
bushels  per  acre  in  Saskatchewan,  28.50  bushels 
per  acre  in  Mauitoba.  Taxes  average  $24  and 
will  not  exceed  $35  per  quarter  section,  In¬ 
cludes  all  taxes;  no  taxes  on  improvements. 
Free  schools  and  full  religious  liberty;  good 
climate.  Get  your  (arm  home  from  tho  Cana¬ 
dian  l’aeltic  Railway;  20  years  to  pay.  Good 
land  from  $11  to  $30  per  acre;  irrigated  lands 
from  $35,  and  the  government  guarantees  your 
land  and  water  titles.  Balance,  after  first  pay¬ 
ment,  extended  over  nineteen  years,  with  In¬ 
terest  at  0% ;  privileges  of  paying  in  full  any 
time.  Before  final  payment  becomes  due  your 
farm  should  hate  paid  for  Itself.  We  Will  lend 
you  tip  to  $2,000  in  Improvements  in  certain  dis¬ 
tricts,  with  no  security  other  than  the  laud 
itself.  Particulars  on  request.  Ready-made 
farms  for  sale.  Special  easy  terms.  Loan  for 
livestock.  In  defined  districts,  after  one  year’s 
occupation,  under  certain  conditions  we  advance 
cattle,  sheep  and  hogs  to  farmers  up  to  a  value 
of  $1,000.  We  waul  you;  we  can  afford  to  help 
yon.  We  own  the  land;  we  want  the  land  cul¬ 
tivated.  Our  interest  are  mutual.  Buy  direct 
and  get  your  farm  home  from  the  CANADIAN 
PACIFIC  RAILWAY.  Send  for  free  book.  J.  S. 
Dennis,  Assistant  to  the  President,  Canadiau 
Pacific  Railway,  303  Ninth  Ave.,  West,  Calgary, 
Alberta,  Canada. 
Hen  Manure  for  Sale 
Do  you  know  of  any  market  for  such 
material  as  dry  pulverized  hen  manure? 
I  have  been  handling  some  iu  this  way 
for  some  time,  and  as  I  do  little  planting 
have  made  practically  no  use  of  it.  I 
gather  the  contents  of  the  droppings 
boards  daily  and  spread  it  out  under 
cover,  where  it  dries  quickly,  and  then 
run  it  through  n  grist  mill.  P.  n.  N. 
No.  Uxbridge,  Mass. 
It  will  be  difficult  to  sell  dry  hen  ma¬ 
nure  for  distant  shipment.  It  is  too 
bulky,  and  does  not  contain  enough  plant 
food  to  justify  the  buyer  in  paying  heavy 
freight  rates.  We  have  tried  to  interest 
fertilizer  dealers  and  manufacturers  in 
this  hen  manure,  but  they  say  it  is  too 
bulky  and  varies  so  in  composition  that 
they  cannot  afford  to  handli  it  for  their 
mixed  fertilizers.  If  a  poultryman  had 
large  quantities  of  it,  we  think  he  could 
develop  a  good  business  by  mixing  acid 
phosphate,  nitrate  of  soda,  and  some  form 
of  potash  with  it,  make  a  uniform  mix¬ 
ture,  and  then  offer  it  as  a  farm  or  gar¬ 
den  fertilizer.  Some  of  our  readers  use 
the  hen  manure  iu  this  way,  and  make 
a  very  good  mixture,  one  that  ranks  well 
with  some  standard  brands.  Wo  do  not 
know  of  anyone  who  has  tried  selling 
such  a  mixture  ou  the  regular  market, 
but  have  often  wondered  why  some  of  the 
larger  poultry  plants  do  not  try  this. 
Last  year  we  had  letters  from  several 
people  who  wanted  to  buy  hen  manure 
as  a  fertilizer,  and  we  found  10  or  15 
people  who  had  the  manure  to  sell,  to 
one  who  was  willing  to  buy  it.  Gener¬ 
ally  speaking  hen  manure  of  average 
quality  is  worth  about  four  times  as 
much  ton  for  ton  as  average  stable  ma¬ 
nure. 
On  Hartman's  Special  Farm  Credit 
Only  HARTMAN'S,  with  their  $12,000,000  capital,  their  tremendous  organization,  and  over 
two  million  customers  nre  capable©?  such  n  record  smashing  oiler  as  thia.  You  can  order  any 
Bize  or  6tyle  engine  you  want— we  will  send  it  at  once.  You  pay  no  money  down;  make  no  bank 
deposit;  no  C,  O.  IX  We  ask  for  no  security.  Every  thing  confidential  between  you  and 
Hartman’s.  When  the  engine  comes,  work  it  as  though  it  was  your  own  for  £0  clays,  nnd  if 
you  are  not  fully  satisfied  with  it  in  every  respect— eend  It  hack  at  our  expense,  nnd  you'll  not 
be  out  one  cent.  If  you  are  completely  convinced  that  the  "‘Majestic”  is  a  wonderful  bargain 
and  just  exactly  tbc  engine  you’ve  been  waiting  for.  then  keep  it  and  pay  cs  ono-tenth  in  SO 
days;  or  one-sixth  in  60  clays,  giving  you  10  months  or  a  full  year  to  pay,  whichever  you  prefer. 
These  liberal  terms  apply  to  all  sizes  and  styles  of 
The  Great  Majestic  Engines 
Sizes  2,  3,  5,  7 ,  9  and  14  ff-P. 
STATIONARY,  HAND  PORTABLE,  HORSE  PORTABLE 
Send  coupon  for  FREE  Book  and  learn  just  what  size  and  style  is  best  for  your  require¬ 
ments.  Note  the  sensationally  low  bargain  price  put  on  each  engine.  lrou  wouldn’t  believe  it 
possible  that  such  a  high-grade  engine  could  be  sold  for  so  little.  But  Hartman  does  it.  And 
you  are  not  asked  to  pay  a  cent  in  advauce  or  keep  the  engine  if  you  don’t  think  it  the  most 
wonderful  bargain  ever  offered. 
The  Majestic  is  the  simplest,  most  durable,  most  powerful  for  its  II-P.  rating  and  moat 
economical-to-operate  gasoline  engine.  Not  a  bit  like  old  etvle,  over-heavy  types  of  gasoline 
engines  which  consume  enormous  amounts  of  fuel  ar.d  are,  therefore  expensive  to  operate;  or 
like  others,  that  are  so  light  they  literally  jerk  ar.d  tear  themselves  to  pieces  when  running  at 
high  speed  or  under  a  heavy  load. 
The  Majestic  is  the  “happy  medium”— neither  too  heavy  nor  too  light.  Has  fewer  num¬ 
ber  of  parts— a  marvel  of  eiihplicity.  Perfectly  balanced— just  the  right  weight  for  the  power 
it  is  designed  to  develop— no  excessive  friction.  Has  big  improvements  in  all  vital  points. 
Convenient,  compact.  Gives  good,  efficient  service  without  tinker  or  bother. 
Mail  Coupon  for  Free  Book 
E  ""SwThB  most  valuable  engine 
book  ever  published.  Tells 
about  the  wonderful  Majes¬ 
tic,  how  made,  anil  why  it  is  the  i 
higtt'  st  engine  value.  Tellsbow  J 
to  pick  ed;  size  and  stylo  engine  fi 
best  suited  to  your  needs,  and  0 
explains  the  famous  farm  credit  M, 
plan.  Mail  coupon  or  postal, 
THE  HARTMAN  COMPANY  J§ 
4019-21  LaSalle  St.,  Ciucaao  Eg 
FERTILIZERS 
Hasten  Maturity 
Improve  Quality 
Sead  for  Crop  Photograph  Book  G 
Dealers  and  Agents  Wanted 
S.  M.  HESS  &  BRG.,  Inc, 
4th  &  Chestnut  Sis. 
PHILADELPHIA 
SUBSIDIARY  OF  THEAMERICAN  AQRI.  CHEM.  CO. 
THE  HARTMAN  Co.  4012-21  LaSalle  St..  Cliicaoo 
Withoijt  obligating  me,  send  your  Engine  Catalog 
No.E*<iN  and  p&rcieuiars  of  Farm  Credit  plan. 
HARTMAN’S 
MAJESTIC  ENGINES 
Name 
Address 
P.  O.  Box 
or  R.  F.  D. 
Town 
When  you  write  advertisers  mention  'Tho  R.  TV. - Y.  and  you’ll  get  a 
quick  reply  and  a  “square  deal .**  See  guarantee  editorial  page. 
