FES 47 
•502 THE RUSAL WIW'YOBiER.' 
(T')c ( J )umst. 
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
[Every query must be accompanied by the name 
and address of the writer to Insure attention.] 
THE RURAL'S METHOD OF AWARDING T11E 
CORN PREMIUMS. 
S. K. W., Stanford i:ille, N. F.—What meth¬ 
od of computation do you employ in reckon¬ 
ing the yield of corn of those prize winners ? 
In Rural of January 20th you give the yield 
of Wm. H. Chamberlain as 155 pounds of 
shelled corn on a plot 33 feet square, and state 
the yield at the rate of 150.5 bushels per acre. 
Now how do you make that out ? If 1 40 of 
an acre produces 155 pounds, 40-40 will pro¬ 
duce 40 times 156 pounds: 155 multiplied by 
40 equals 6,200 pounds shelled corn; 6,200 
divided by 56 equals 110 5-7 bushels shelled 
corn per acre. All your reports show 
the same discrepancy, and I cannot under¬ 
stand it. They say “figures will not lie,” 
but in these cases they produce some in¬ 
comprehensible results ? Is there something 
“ crooked” in thiB whole transaction ? As 
one of the competitors I claim the right 
to know how you figure. My yield was 
1S1>£ pounds shelled corn from 127 grains that 
grew on a plot about 32 feet square; by your 
way of figuring how much is that per acre ? 
Would it not be over 100 bushels per acre and 
bring me in the list of winners ? I cannot 
make any of the yields nearly as large per acre 
as you do, and would be pleased to have it 
explained. 
Remarks. —It seems that there are a few 
“ doubting Thomases” who, after all oar pre¬ 
vious explanations, still think we have done 
an injustice in awarding the corn premiums; 
that, perchance, we have chosen 27 of our in¬ 
timate friends or relatives and have given 
them the prizes. Indeed, we have been accused 
of being in a “ ring,” and of “ knowing noth¬ 
ing” about corn, etc., etc., hence to escape 
“ everlasting reproach” for not justly distrib¬ 
uting 27 premiums among something like 1,000 
competitors, we hereby give our method of 
computing the yield per acre, in detail. In 
the Rural of February 11, 1883. we said that 
more than enough kernels of the corn would 
be sent out to each subscriber to plant one- 
fortieth of an acre, having the drills or rows 
four feet apart, the kernels being placed two 
feet apart. This would give eight square feet, 
theoretically, for every kernel that was 
planted. In computing the yield per acre it 
would manifestly not be just to say that a man 
who reported 100 pounds of shelled corn from 
the full one-fortieth of an acre, was entitled 
to as large a computed yield per acre as one 
who, for instance, reported 100 pounds from 
one-half the plot 33x33 feet square, or one- 
eightieth of an acre; the yield per acre of the 
latter, at that rate, would be precisely twice 
as great as that of the former. But we based 
our calculations, justly, as all must admit, 
on the number of kernels that grew, 
and allowed each kernel the space of eight 
square feet, as we requested it should have in 
planting. Now, take the report mentioned 
above in the query. The plot, as first laid 
out and planted, was 33 feet square, but only 
100 kernels grew (see report, page 36, January 
20, 1883), hence a space equivalent to only 800 
square feet (instead of 1,089) was used, i. e., 
it was 1 54.4 of an acre instead of 1-40 of an 
acre. Now if 1-54.4 of an acre yields 155 
pounds (see report), one acre will yield 54 4 
times 155 or 8,432 pounds. Reckoning 56 
pounds to the bushel, we have 150.5 bushels per 
acre, which was to be proved, as geometricians 
say. Is there anything “ crooked”about that I 
As we have previously said, we asked affi¬ 
davits of all who reported 160 pounds or more 
from the plot, thus allowing all who raised at 
the rate of 100 bushels, or more, (providing 
they used the exact fortieth of an acre) to 
compete for the premiums. Your report (see 
above query; was 131}^ pounds from 127 ker¬ 
nels. Being less than 140 we did not ask your 
affidavit, and even computing your yield for 
the precise space occupied, it would be but 
100.4 bushels to the acre, which is lower than 
the yield of the 27th prize-winner. We hope 
this will be considered a“fair” and satisfactory 
explanation. We have merely to add that in¬ 
stead of favoring our friends or acquaintances, 
we have no acquaintance whatever with any 
one of the prize-takers. Even their names, with 
two exceptions, are strange to us. 
training grape-vines. 
J. R. Q., Walkerton, Va. —How should I 
stake 100 grape-vines most of them two years 
old? It does not suit me to have a trellis; but 
a stake six feet high stands by each vine. 
A ns. —These vines are just the right age to 
adapt them to sonu system very readily, and 
with the stakes our friend proposes to use he 
can readily adopt the Kuiffin system now so 
popular in this region. The bight of 18 Inches 
or the main stem would be too low for our 
soil and climate, according to our experience. 
We prefer, for severed reasons, to get the 
fruit farther from the ground—three feet at 
least. We thus get a better circulation of air 
and less liability to mildew. If the vines have 
made a growth three or more feet high, let a 
bud grow from either side at that bight, and 
when long enough tie to the side stakes, 
selecting a bud above these to continue the 
main cane up the center stake, as shown at 
Fig. 74. These lower branches, as they get 
strong enough, can gradually be tied down 
on the stakes at auy point, and by pinching 
the ends, plump well developed buds can be 
secured at the very base. The next season cut 
off these branches up to near the stakes or to 
about five buds, but not too short to tie to 
them even if necessary to bend the end lower 
than its junction with the main cane to secure 
a vigorous growth of the base bud, which is 
to be the arm the year following. Each of 
these buds will set fruit next year, probably 
two to three bunches each. If the vine grows 
vigorously this season, pinch off the end of 
main cane when it reaches the top of the stake 
and train a lateral from either side out to 
the side stakes, as at Fig. 75, and thus secure 
Fig. 75. 
the four arms in one season. When well 
established, renew the arms every year by 
cutting off the old cane nearest the main stem 
and bringing that one around to occupy the 
place of the one removed. This is the easiest 
and simplest system we know of. If a caue 
five buds long, is too short to reach the side 
stakes, cut it longer and rub off the outer 
buds, also the weaker one where two start 
from the same point and all on the main stem, 
but the four needed for the arms. There are 
thus on the four arms or branches 20 buds 
capable, on a good one, of producing 40 to 60 
clusters of fruit; fully enough for a well estab¬ 
lished vine, better less than more, for there will 
be less danger of injury from overcropping. 
PERIOD OF HEAT AND GESTATION IN ANI¬ 
MALS, ETC. 
F. F. H., Monroeville, Pa —1. Is there any 
advantage in substituting barley for oats in 
the rotation for a butter-dairy farm? I have 
been told that barley should be marketed as 
soon as possible as it is hard to keep in bins, 
is that so? 2, Which is the better plan, to apply 
nitrate of soda, bone dust and plaster in the 
Spring, or just after the first cutting of grass, 
when we may expect it to produce a good 
second growth? 3, Are the Essex pigs poor 
nunes, and, as between them and the Berk- 
shires, which breed is the better. 4, What are 
the regular periods of heat, and their duratiou 
and also the periods of gestation in domes¬ 
tic animals? 
A NS. —1. Barley requires a moist and loamy 
Boil. It will do very well on a light clay, but 
does not do well on a sandy or dry, gravelly 
soil. It is more difficult to cure than oate, 
and must be perfectly dry before putting into 
the mow or in a grain bin. When it is thor 
oughly cured and perfectly dry it will keep 
all right. It must not be wetted after cutting 
or its market value is lessened. 2. Apply 
nitrate of soda and bone dust in the Spring 
in the ground with the seed. Plaster may be 
applied the same way or sowed broadcast over 
the young plants, and again after the first 
cutting of grasB, aud also on the stubble after 
the grain has been harvested where there has 
been a seeding with grass. 3. Essex swine 
are no poorer nurses than any other line or 
small breed of hogs. Coarser-bred hogs are 
better for milk in proportion to larger frame 
and development. 4. In mares the period of 
heat is from three to four weeks; duration 
three days to a week. In cows the period of 
heat is three weeks; its duration one to 
two days. The period in sows is three weeks; 
its duration two to four days. In ewes the 
period is two weeks; the duration one to two 
days. Heat will vary with cows from one 
day to two weeks, the time increasing as they 
grow older. Ewes will also vary a few days. 
Sows rarely run beyond the allotted time. 
The period of gestation in domestic animals 
varies considerably, but the average is ap¬ 
proximately as follows:—Ass, twelvemonths; 
mare, eleven months; cow, two hundred and 
eighty-five days; sheep and goat, five months; 
sow, four months; dog, sixty-two to sixty- 
three days; cat, fifty days; rabbit, thirty 
days; Guinea-pig, twenty-one days; turkey, 
twenty-six to thirty days; Guinea-hen.twenty- 
flve to twenty-six days; pea hen, twenty -eight 
to thirty days; ducks, twenty-five to thirty- 
two days; geese, twenty-seven to thirty-three 
days; hens, nineteen to twenty-four days, or 
an average of twenty-one; pigeons, sixteen to 
twenty days; canary-birds, thirteen to four¬ 
teen days. Cold w'eatber, or a prevailing 
east wind, will lengthen the time a day or 
more, while warm weather and an attentive 
sitter will hasten it; stale eggs also hatch later 
than fresb. The small breeds of all animals 
require less time than the large breeds; Ham- 
burgs generally hatch at the expiration of the 
twentieth day, Gime Bantams often even on 
the nineteenth. 
AN ACRE OF GARDEN. 
R. T. McN., Jackson, Mich. —Many men en¬ 
gaged in city occupations live in the suburbs 
and own rather a large piece of ground. They 
cannot give much time to working it them¬ 
selves, nor afford to pay a gardener to take 
care of it. Is it possible or practicable for 
such a man having, say, one acre of ground, 
to employ a man at $390 or $400 a year who 
can do what he is told, to do the w r ork, the 
owner himself planning the arrangement of a 
garden, the kind of vegetables to be raised 
and time of sowing as well as the marketing 
of the crops, and, in short, all the head work 
which he could do while at home, and make 
his acre pay for the wages of the man, the 
rent of the ground, manure and other ex¬ 
penses; besides vegetables and fruits for bis 
own table? 
A ns. —We do not believe that this plau will 
work in a majority of cases. If the mauager 
knew what to plant aud if the seasons were all 
favorable, the acre would pay well. Special¬ 
ties—new potatoes, for instance—often pay a 
thousand dollars or more per acre. We have 
known a new kind of Lima Bean to sell for 
$20 per quart. New peas of value are sold 
for immense prices. Strawberries and grapes 
might pay, and often have paid, $1,000 per 
acre. A great deal will depend upon the na¬ 
ture of the market and its distance from the 
producer. An acre of skillfully cared-for gar¬ 
den near a large city and in a climate suitable 
for the growth of choice products for the 
market there, may pay well under the above 
conditions; while an acre of the best garden 
would uot “ begin to pay ” even with the be a t 
skill, either at a greater distance from market 
or where the marketing facilities are not good, 
or in a climate unsuitable for the thrifty 
growth of high priced products. 
TRUCK PATCHES. 
E. F S., Atlantic City, N. J. —1. I under¬ 
stand that men like Peter Henderson and E. 
P. Roe thiuk highly of the use of the sub soil 
plow in the truck patch and in raising small 
fruits; when, where and how often should it 
be used to prove of advantage ? 2. Will 
commercial fertilizers give good crops the first 
year on sandy soil? 3. Will these fertilizers 
restore worn-out land ? 4. Would muck taken 
out in Spring and therefore not exposed to 
the action of frost, be beneficial on such soil ? 
Ans. —1. The use of sub soil plows is ndvauta 
g®ous in stiff lands. Where the soil is loose 
and the drainage perfect the case is other¬ 
wise. We would gladly bear from our friends 
on the subject. 2. If the right kind of fertil¬ 
izer be used and in sufficient quantity, and 
there is sufficient rainfall, w e say yes. 3. They 
have been used on land for 40 years, the land 
produeiug good crops every year unless the 
weather prevented. The “ restoration” of 
worn out lands may mean more or less. Read 
Dr. Lawes’s article in the Rural of Jan. 13. 
4 That depends upon what kind of muck it is. 
I^eaf-mold from the woods is one bind of muck. 
If th^> muck has accumulated uudor flowing 
water or has been much washed, it can only 
be of service in acting mechanically. If the 
muck is full of fibrous roots uot decayed, it 
would be better to compost it with lime and 
leave it to the action of the weather for a 
year or so. Exposure of muck to frost is ben¬ 
eficial mainly in that the nctiou of alternate 
freezing aud thawing disintegrate* nud helps 
to pulverize the mass and so permits the air 
to act the more readily upon the beneficial and 
injurious ingredients, rendering the former 
available as plant food, and neutralizing 
the latter bj' forming chemical combinations. 
FERTILIZERS FOR GARDEN. 
W. S. V., Rome, N. Y. —1. Could a mar¬ 
ket garden be made successful with commer¬ 
cial fertilizers and, 2, could good ashes be 
used as a top-dressing after hilling to any ad¬ 
vantage? Barnyard manure costs $1.50 and 
swamp muck $1 per load, the price of haul¬ 
ing included. 
ANS.—1. No, not for any length of time 
if the soil were poor. If the ground is rich 
and in good order many good crops could be 
obtained by the aid of commercial feitil- 
izers. In this vicinity fertilizers are gener¬ 
ally used in the following manner: a light 
dressing of stable manure is applied in the 
Fall, and plowed under; In the Spring the 
ground is again plowed and thoroughly har¬ 
rowed, and the fertilizer is applied in drills 
or in the hill and worked well in the ground. 
In this way very satisfactory results are ob¬ 
tained. 2. Yes, a handful of good ashes 
spread around the hill just before hilling and 
thoroughly mixed with the hoe, will greatly 
improve the crop. If barnyard manure can 
be obtained at $1 50 a load, we think you had 
better purchase it, aud let the swamp muck 
and fertilizers alone. Good ashes and good 
barnyard manure are the best fertilizers ob¬ 
tainable. In this vicinity we have to pay 
from $3 to $4 per load for good barnyard 
manure. 
Miscellaneous. 
E. J. C., Muscotah, K'ans. —1. Being a new 
subscriber to the Rural, I would like to pro¬ 
cure the seeds of its former distributions; can 
it furnish them i 2. Is the Perfect Gem Squash 
advertised by Burpee & Co., of Philadelphia, 
the same as the squash of the same name in 
the last Rural Distribution ? 3. Where can 
1 get seeds of the Challenger Lima Bean ? 4. 
Where those of the Rural Heavy Dent and 
ThoronghbredFIintCorn,a8wellas,5,the Beau¬ 
ty of Hebron and White Elephant Potatoes ? 
6, Which is the earlier—the Early Ohio or Beau¬ 
ty of Hebron ? 
Ans. —1. We have nothing to do with them 
after distribution. Our object is simply to 
introduce them. 2. No doubt. 3. Of Thor- 
burn & Co , 15 John Street, N Y. 4. Of B. 
K. Bliss & Sons, 37 Baraclay Street, N. Y. 5. 
Of all seedsmen. 6. The Early Ohio is earlier 
than B. of H. It may not yield so well. 
J. C., Herron, Fa. —1. Will it “pay” to 
set out a lot of wild black raspberries and 
cultivate them, or should I get tame red rasp¬ 
berries ? 2 Which would pay better—to 
raise small fruits and grapes or potatoes and 
vegetables ? I’m a “ new beginner,” on a 
farm with a dark loam soil, having a solid 
clay subsoil, verv easily drained, and 10 
miles from a good market. 
Ans. —1. Go slowly. Don't touch wild 
raspberries. They will not pay you to move 
them. Buv Turner, Cuthbert, Brandywine 
(for mai ketl, Herstine, Philadelphia, Caroline, 
Gregg and Kouhegan. 2 Should try potatoes 
and vegetables first. Begin small fruits in a 
small wav. Enlarge as your experience 
guides you. Read the Rural carefully. 
Fuller’s Small Fruit Culturist i9 as good as any 
for a beginner. Am. News Co., New York. 
D. H. J , New York City. —1. Would Rural 
Heavy Dent Corn or Burpee’s Mammoth 
White Surprise or Hiwassee Corn ripen in 
Somerset Co., N. J., in ordinary seasons ? 2. 
Does the Rural know anything for or against 
B. M. White Surprise or H. Corn as to 
whether it is a desirable variety, or approaches 
Rural Heavy Dent? We raise ordiuary 
white dent c^rn and if we could be sure of 
ripening the Rural Dent, we would like to try 
it. 3. Is B. lv. Bliss’s Rural Dent genuine ? 
4. Does the Rural know anything about 
Burpee’s Welcome Oats? 
Ans. —1. Yes; either would ripen. 2. We 
have never tried either. 3. Yes. 4. We have 
a trial lot to try. The oats are short, fat, 
clean and heavy. 
G. R. B., North Chatham, N. Y. —1, Can 
grape-vines bo successfully pruued in Feb¬ 
ruary * 2, If there is danger of their bleeding 
to death, would the sticking of a piece of po¬ 
tato or wax on the cut end j reveut the 
calamity? 3, Would it “do” to prune them 
when frozen ? 
Ans. —1. We do most of our grape-vine 
pruning in the Fall. Next we prefer early 
Spring. If pruned in February select a warm 
spell. 3. That would not help) much unles 
the wax was applied before the cane began 
to bleed. We do not think any vine would 
“bleed to death.” The flow in early Spring 
is mostly water. 3. We should prefer not to 
pruDe in severely cold weather. The expo¬ 
sure of the p>art* would induce killing back. 
W. S. N., Perry, N, Y, —1. My twenty plum 
trees blossom full every year, but the fruit 
all drops off when about half grown. What 
will prevent this mishap ? 2. How can I grow 
apples that won’t get wormy f 
ANS.—The dropping of the fruit is doubtless 
due to the ourculio. The beetles should be 
caught in sheets placed under the trees. 
A sharp) rap on the tree with a mallet 
