THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
January 3 
FARMERS’ CLUB 
[Every query must be accompanied by 
the name and address of the writer to in¬ 
sure attention. Before asking a question, 
piodse see whether it is not answered in 
our advertising columns. Ask only a few 
questions at one time. Put questions on a 
separate piece of paper.] 
Keeping Apple Trees Over Winter. 
C. L. 8., Ashhjf, Mass.—l have a few apple 
trees that I intended to plant last Fall. 
How can I keep them best this Winter? 
Would a cool cellar be a good place? 
Aks. —The trees may he kept in a cold 
cellar if not too moist or too dry. They 
should be heeled in as is often done in 
the open ground, the roots being cov¬ 
ered with moist sandy soil or sphagnum 
moss, and kept at or near freezing. 
Freezing will not injure them, but it is 
not best to handle them until they be¬ 
come thawed out. The greatest danger 
to trees under these conditions will be 
from too high temperature and mois¬ 
ture. They may be frozen all Winter 
as they would be out of doors without 
injury. s. t. m. 
Cut Bone as a Fertilizer. 
East Grant)!/, Conn.—How much is fresh 
cut green bone just as it comes from a 
Mann bone cutter worth per ton as fertil¬ 
izer? Would It be a good plan to add some 
muriate of potash to it? 
Ans. —An average sample of green 
cut bone contains 60 pounds of nitrogen 
and 330 pounds of phosphoric acid per 
ton. If to be used as a fertilizer we 
should add 300 pounds of muriate of 
potash per acre. As it comes from the 
cutter it is too moist and sticky to make 
a good fertilizer. It will not handle 
well, and will be too apt to decay. It 
may be dried out with plaster or dry 
dirt and then mixed. We consider it 
far better economy to feed the cut bone 
to noultry or hogs. 
When to Thin Out Young Trees. 
Reader, Burlington, Yt.—l have a grove of 
young pines growing on my farm. At what 
age should they be thinned out, and when 
should It be done? 
Ans. —Laymen would probably be 
mostly too quick with their thinning. 
The White pine especially requires to 
be grown very closely in order to clear 
the stems of branches. The first thin¬ 
ning should probably not take place un¬ 
til they are 15 or 20 years old. As to 
the season for doing the cutting, the 
Winter is always the best, both for the 
remaining trees and for the material 
removed, because then both fungus and 
insect life is quiescent, and proper sea¬ 
soning goes on long enough to prevent 
the entrance of either, n. e. fernow. 
Tar for the Apple Borers. 
9 
C. L. 8., Ashhy, Masa.—T>o you know of any 
growers using tar for the Apple borers? 
Ans. —I know of no one who is using 
tar for preventing borers in apple trees. 
Common coal tar varies very much in 
composition, and sometimes seriously 
Injures apple trees, especially young 
trees, and cannot be safely applied for 
this purpose. It has been proved by a 
long series of experiments that none of 
the many substances recommended to 
prevent the working of the Apple bor¬ 
er has proved a certain preventive. 
The best method of preventing their in¬ 
jury is to examine the trees in June 
and August, and dig out the borers 
found with a stout knife and a wire. 
The Round-headed borer, the one most 
injurious to the apple trees, lays its 
eggs on the bark near the ground in 
July and August. The larvae the first 
Fall feed on the inner bark and are 
easily found and killed by peeling off 
the outer bark. The next Summer they 
work in deeper into the wood, and often 
go upward into the trunk several 
inches, often making a turn toward the 
bark, so that the only time when they 
can be easily destroyed is the first sea¬ 
son or during the early part of the sec¬ 
ond. After the borers have completed 
their work they come out through the 
bark, leaving a hole three-sixteenths to 
one-fourth inch in diameter. These 
holes when found should be stopped up 
by crowding in putty or grafting wax. 
S. T. MAYNARD. 
Fertilizing Value of Corncobs. 
It. E. IF., Uniontoum, Kg.—We have a lot 
of well-rotted cobs at our elevator, I judge 
to be 50 loads. Would it pay to haul them 
for manure, and if so, what could they be 
used on for best results? They have been 
here for three or four years. 
Ans. —It is impossible to give the ex¬ 
act value of such cobs. Much depends 
upon the amount of water they contain. 
The following comparison is about fair 
for an average sample. Pounds in one 
ton: 
Nitro- Pot- Phos. 
gen. ash. acid. 
Average manure....10 13 5 
Corncobs . 5 5 
Thus it will be seen that the cobs have 
little fertilizing value—less than $1 per 
ton compared with what it will cost to 
buy this plant food in other forms. If 
we had the chance we would haul them 
during the Winter and scatter them on 
the lighter soil for Spring plowing, or 
use them for a mulch in the orchard. 
Some farmers have extravagant ideas as 
to the value of corncobs and hen ma¬ 
nure. The ashes of corncobs are very 
rich in potash, but a ton of cobs will 
give only about 10 pounds of ash. A.' 
for hen manure it is often compared 
with Peruvian guano. The food eaten 
by the animal largely determines the 
value of its manure. The guano is from 
sea birds which live largely upon fish, 
and also contains bodies of the birds 
themselves. Of course it is richer in 
plant food than manure from hens 
which are fed chiefiy on grain. 
The Fertilizing Value of Salt. 
J. T. H., Verona, Kg .—Does common salt 
have any fertilizing properties, and, if so, 
is it of a potash nature, and about how 
many pounds would you apply to the acre, 
broadcast? 
Ans. —There is no potash in common 
salt. It is chemically known as chlor¬ 
ide of sodium, composed of chlorine and 
soda, though the refuse article, which 
is commonly used as fertilizer, contains 
small quantities of other substances. All 
soils capable of producing crops contain 
all the soda and chlorine that ordinary 
plants require, so that salt is not to be 
considered a true fertilizer. It belongs 
to the class of substances which benefit 
crops by the work they do in the soil 
rather than by directly supplying plant 
food. Several years ago many reports 
favorable to the use of salt, especially 
on grass and grain, were published. 
Now we seldom hear of them. One rea¬ 
son for this is that the potash salts, like 
muriate and kainit, now largely used, 
contain considerable salt, and give most 
of the results formerly obtained from its 
use. As they also supply potash they 
are more economical than the salt. 
On very rich soil, where grain and 
grass frequently “lodge” or fall down, 
salt usually prevents this trouble, giving 
a shorter and harder stem—delaying the 
ripening for a time. It was first thought 
that the salt set free certain minerals in 
the soil like silica and potash, which 
thus gave a harder and stiffer straw. To 
some extent this is probably true, but 
the chief effect of the salt now appears 
to be retarding or holding back nitrifica¬ 
tion. That means the changing of nitro¬ 
gen into forms which are quickly avail¬ 
able to the plant. As we all know from 
observation, the tendency of plants when 
grown in very rich soil is to make a 
very rapid and tender growth. When 
we speak of a “rich” soil we mean one 
containing a large amount of soluble 
nitrogen. Salt holds back the formation 
of this soluble form of nitrogen so that 
the plant will make a slower but more 
uniform and solid growth. As an illus¬ 
tration, we can Imagine a young man 
left with a good-sized fortune. This 
might come to him in cash or in prop¬ 
erty which he could easily sell. The 
chances are that he would make a growth 
like the overfed plant, and weaken him¬ 
self in body and character. It would be 
much better for the young man if by 
some wise provision in the will that 
property could be tied up securely so 
that he could touch only what he actual¬ 
ly needed of the Income! In a way that 
would be like putting salt in a soil con¬ 
taining too much nitrogen! Salt also 
retards or holds back the formation of 
starch, and thus had a bad influence on 
the flavor of fruits. It Is likely to make 
soggy potatoes for this reason. Some 
plants, like asparagus, can utilize far 
more salt than others. Salt attracts and 
absorbs moisture. Also, like lime, it has 
power to flocculate the soil. That means 
to lump or bunch it up—uniting the 
smaller particles into larger ones. It is 
said that on the sea coast, when streets 
are sprinkled with salt water they are 
less muddy than when fresh water is 
used. When the fresh muddy waters of 
rivers reach the salty waters of the 
ocean much of the fine particles which 
form “mud” bunch together and sink, 
thus forming the sand bars or “deltas” 
found there. We do not advise the use 
of salt as a fertilizer. If the effects it 
brings about are really needed in the 
soil we would prefer to use kainit or 
muriate of potash, since these give the 
action of salt and also supply potash. 
Salt has some power to kill or weaken 
insects. In order to damage the insects 
we would have to use so much salt that 
the crops would suffer. 
For the land’s sake, use Bowker’s Fer¬ 
tilizers. They enrich the earth.— Adv. 
Fruit Packages 
Send postal for onr latest catalogue of 
Climax Baskets and Bushel Stave Baskets 
for Peaches, Grapes, Melons, and other 
fruits and products. Ix)w 
^delivered prices quoted 
on carloads of 12,000 
or more peach or 
grape Climax, 
6,000 or more mel¬ 
on Climax, or on 
100 or more dozen 
Bushel Baskets, 
all with covers. 
The rierce-Williams Co., 
South Haven, Mich. 
;ENDiOG FOR 40-PAGE BOOKLET 
Cl 
Tells how to grow seven tons of sorghum hay 
per acre. Chapters on .Soybean, cow pea, beet 
and strawberry culture. All about cement laying. 
Ilhietrated plan of hog house. Price list free. 
Address tVAl.l>0 F. ItltOWF, Oxford, O. 
n-' - -c 
JiAMMONDS 
ted Potatoes; 
y LEAD 
Seed 
Potatoes 
91‘SO a barrel and up. 
Michigan Northern Grown are always 
the best. 30 best varieties. Blight proof, 
enormous yielders. Highest quality, 
lowest prices. Sold in any quantity, one 
pound to a carload. 100-page Catalogue 
free on request. 
Harry N. Hammond Seed Co. Ltd. 
Box *2 , BAY CITY, MICH. 
Largest growers in America of Vegetable, 
Field and Flower Seeds. 
UflilTCp Ilf ADV off er shows how easy 
ft in I Cn ff UnlV you can make some 
casli and get your own Trees and Plants free. 
Write to day for particulars and terms. Also ask for our 
new Illustrated and descriptive catalog. It’s free. 
THE GEO. A. SWEET HURSERT CO., Bor 1605, Dansvilit, N. Y. 
At Tree Agents Prices? 
Why not save half your money by buying direct 
of us, the growers of trees, plants andvinesV We sell 
Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, Roses, Bulbs 
and -Small Fruit plants, at one-half ngente’ prices. 
Correspondence solicit-.d. Illustrated catalogue free. 
Established 25 years. 3O0 acres. T60,000 Apple, 
I'eacli and Cherry Trees for sale. Secrets of 
Fruit Growing. 15(J photos, mailed for 10 cents. 
GREEN’S NURSERY CO., Rochester, N. Y. 
Oninn hardy in this country. 
UIIlull uCCU Lb.. $2.50; oz.. 20c. Size and sbape 
same as Portugal. BEAULIEtJ, Woodhaven. N. Y. 
For nearly 
half a century 
Seeds 
have been growing famous Inevery 
kind of soil, everywhere. Sold by 
all dealers. 1 !>0{5 Seed Annual 
postpaid Iree to all applicants. 
». M. FERRY A CO. 
Detroit, Mich. 
TREES BRED FOR BEARING. 
Direct from the Nursery to the Grower. 
Wcftt MIchlifiin 'i recR are “bred for 
bcarlniif,” every bud cut from the iTCstfrulted 
bearing trees. Insures stock true to name and 
variety. Over three million Apple, Peach, Plum. 
Pear and Quince Trees^ Also ornamental trees 
and shrul>s. Send for beautifully illustrated 
catalo^fue. We mail it free- 
WEST MICHIGAN NURSERIES, 
N Box 54, Benton Harbor, 311ch» 
CLIMAX STRAWBERRY-SUrar. 
est producer. For particulars see Rural of June 2;, 
or send postal for onr new Berry catalogue. Big stock. 
Best Berry Plants of all good kinds. Botmm prices. 
SLAYMAKEH & SON, Dover, Del. 
450.000 
200 varletleK.Al6oGrapcA,SinaH t ruit^etc, lootr- 
ed stock. Genuine, cheap. 2 sample currants mailed for 
10c. Desc. price list free. LEWIS ROESCH, Fredonia, N. 
Northern-Grown Fruit Trees 
Grown in the best section of northern New York. 
Hardy, thrifty and well grown. ‘‘Highest quality; 
lowest price." Headquarters fur Parking Deal¬ 
ers’ Orders. 75,000 Peaches, large stock of Apples, 
Pears. Cherries and Plums; three grades. Send for 
my free and interesting Spring Catalogue. A aluable 
Premium with «*arlv or<lers. 
MARTIN M AUL, Dept. II. Rochester. N. V. 
You Will Find 
Our Fruit Trees, Vines, Shrubs, Roses, 
Palms, etc., perfectly healthy, -well- 
growu and true to name. 
Send for Catalogue. 
P. J. BERCKMANS CO. (INC.), 
Frultland Nurseries, 
Established 1856. AUGUSTA. GA. 
SiBALL FRUITS. 
Standard and improved varieties of Raspberries, 
lilackl)erries. Gooseberries, Currants, Grai>es, Strawberries, 
etc. Kvery pUnt (trown And fcuftnutced bjr me. bbip only oie*n, vlforou9, 
well root^, freeh dug plautu th&t give reeulU. Write fur late catalog. 
Allen L, Wood, Wholesale Grower, Rochester N.Y. 
300,000 
Apples 2 years old and one 
year on 3 year Roots. Pears, 
Plums Peaches and Cherry. 
Shadeand ornamental Trees, 
Vinesand Small Fruits. Everything for theOrchard 
I.,a\vn and Garden absolutely free from all disease. 
We Pay Freiglit and guarantee .safe arrival of 
goods. Get your own trees free. Gnrcatalog tells how 
11 is free to all. Secure varieties now; pay in spring. 
Sheerin Wholesale NurserieH, Dansville.N. Y. 
GRAPE VINES 
Currants, Gooseberric.s, Illaclt- 
berries, Raspberrlt-s, Straw¬ 
berries. Price liist KREK. 
Send 2c «lanip for illnstriUed descriptive cntslog. 
T. S. HUBSARD CO. Fredonia. N. V. 
PERCH. 
Finest Early Cling 
For early ri|>cning and fine flavor it has 
no sui>crior. I.argejuicy add finely colored. 
^Prolifii and brings top jirices. llleloy and 
many other choice varieties. Free catalog. 
I HARRISON’S NURSERIES. Box 29. Berlin. IVId. 
VegeirtOie anu 
Flower. In fact 
Bad B B tIL everytiiing in tlie 
BfiBol Niiritery and Flur- 
kH intliue. We send by 
mail postpaid Seeds, 
Plants, lioses, Bulbs. 
' ” Small Trees, Etc., safe arrival ana 
satisfaction guaranteed, larger by express 
or freight. Send for our elegant 168 page free 
catalogue and see what values we give for your 
money. 49 years, 44 greenhouses, 1,(XX) acres. 
THE STORRS & HARRISON CO., 
Box 19 ^, PAINESVILLE, OHIO. 
TREES 
$8 per 100 
i —APPLE. PEAR, PLUM and PEACH; healthy, true to name 
and Fumigated. All kinds of trees and plants at low wholesale 
prices. Don’t buy until you get our catalogue, which is free, or send list of wants for 
special price. Address RELIANCE NURSERY, Box 1, Geneva, New York. 
THAT 
SUCCEED 
The seed house of D. Landrolh & Sons, the oldest in .Vinerica, lias had 1 la years’ experience with 
seeds, and the results of this are placed at the service of fanners and gardeners in a linely illus 
tiated catalogue, issued free. No grower of seeds, professional or amateur, can alford to be 
without the valuable information contained in this catalogue. Send for it. 
yHHITE STAR CLBIRBER 
No one beside Landi'eth offers tins exquisite in-door Winter climber for window decoration. - In 
the house it will bloom all Winter, covering a window; and in Hpring, after iHnnccut d wn and 
nanted out, will grow 15 feet high before Mid-Summer. Kegolar price 20c, but oifered lUiW for 
bur 2 c stamps if ordered immediately. 
Good Gardens 
Assured 
4AS, VICK, former!/of nochealer, 
Manager of Mall Order DetiartmeDt. 
r 
10 
D. Landreth & Sons, 
Philadelphia. 
