1903 
69 
EVERYBODY'S GARDEN. 
Iowa Truck Gardening.— I live in a 
town having 3,000 inhabitants and most of 
them make their own garden; three larger 
cities near by. There are also three other 
gardeners here beside myself. I have just 
commenced gardening, last year being my 
first. I own two acres of land, with house, 
barn and other out-buildings, with plums, 
gooseberries, currants and red raspberries. 
1 can get stable manure for hauling. I 
have hired six or seven acres of land about 
half a mile from residence (June-grass 
sod). I did not hire it in time to plow last 
Fall. I have one horse. What shall I 
raise to sell? Can 1 Injure the land with 
stable manure? Can I fit the land for 
vegetables this Spring? Shall I raise to 
ship or sell at home? Others sell at home. 
I am not strong and depend a good deal 
on hired help if I peddle at home. 
Manchester, Iowa. w. n. s. 
This question is hard to answer, as you 
do not state whether you have the land 
you speak of hired for the season only 
or for a term of years. If the latter, 
then you would naturally be figuring 
ahead for other seasons, as well as^ this. 
First of all, however, make the most 
possible out of your small fruits. De¬ 
cide upon what market you will use, 
then study its demands as thoroughly 
as possible. You will run hard up 
against competition in whatever market 
you seek. That, however, will be the 
life of trade. You will find if you make 
specialties even of the most common 
crops that you will get your share of 
trade, and a few well-grown varieties 
will be better than to try to grow every¬ 
thing. I would be very sorry to advise 
impractically; but think it would be safe 
to depend entirely upon the home 
ground for the vegetables for the com¬ 
ing season. For the other ground, as 
much sweet corn as you think you can 
dispose of; then field corn, potatoes and 
Hubbard squashes. For the sweet corn, 
plant early, medium and late varieties 
to have as long a season as possible. If 
you fear getting “stuck” on too much 
sweet corn a family cow and some pigs 
will help you out. With that much land 
there ought to be a living for them any¬ 
way, so that living would hardly be 
missed and you will find them very 
helpful in turning what would otherwise 
be waste into money. 
You need have no fear whatever of in¬ 
juring the land with manure, and for a 
few years the more you can get the bet¬ 
ter. Some vegetables, such as rutabagas, 
turnips, snap or field beans, etc., would 
do well, but for most varieties of garden 
truck the ground will require more 
working to be at its best. With plenty 
of manure this Spring and any of the 
crops above mentioned it will be in good 
condition for almost any crop next year. 
Unless you have thoroughly reliable men 
to ship your crops to, you will be very 
likely to meet with disappointment. My 
advice would be to use the home mar¬ 
ket. Select the crops that you like best 
to grow, even if they are very common. 
Kill off competition by making them so 
gbod and so far ahead of the other fel¬ 
lows’ vegetables that everybody will 
v/ant them. Of course, I can only say 
what I think I would do were I in your 
place, but your judgment after all must 
be the court of last appeal. Personally, 
I prefer the private market every time. 
That usually means smaller quantities 
but a greater variety. But if we double 
our prices it is better. I would rather 
any time sell a bushel of tomatoes for 
50 cents than two bushels for half a dol¬ 
lar. This is my experience, but your 
personal circumstances must be your 
guide. 
Hotbeds.— I notice what you say regard¬ 
ing hotbeds on page 866, issue of December 
27 last. I make the beds the same as you 
do. For cover I use the common grade of 
muslin, “S. S.” grade. I take two strips 
a little longer than hotbed and sew the 
edges together, making a sheet six feet 
wide. I use two pieces of half-round 
molding, placing one edge of sheet between 
them and nail together. The other edge 
i.i fastened to back of bed, just below the 
edge. The two half-rounds make a roller 
for rolling up the sheet. When cover is 
over bed. I also fasten ends of sheet and 
roller with lath. I do not paint the cover 
at all, but use It as it comes from the 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
store. Of course, when very cold or rainy, 
I must cover with boards or tarred felt. 
The advantages are that when both wind 
and sun come together, you can fasten the 
cover on and leave them without any fear 
of the plants being injured, as they will, 
if left neglected under glass. They get all 
the air needed through the muslin. I usu¬ 
ally start my beds about March 20. For 
cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi, etc., I 
make the bed same as for tomatoes; but 
after the plants begin to show, even the 
muslin is left off, unless very cold (cold 
enough to freeze the ground). w. h. h. 
Letcher, S. D. 
Of course, there is no objection to the 
longer unbroken stretch of cover pro¬ 
vided one prefers to do that way To me 
it would be very cumbersome, as often 
in transplanting in the beds the plants 
require to be shaded as fast as trans¬ 
planted. Then extra covers must be 
used. It seems objectionable to have to 
unfasten the entire cover every time the 
bed requires attention. Why not use 
the single frames, and fasten to the bed 
with a screw eye and hook. Why not 
paint the cloth, which will stand almost 
any amount of rain and dispense with 
the tarred felt? There is very little 
danger of plants injuring under painted 
cloth, in any reasonable time. The ob¬ 
ject in the hotbeds is to grow the plants 
when the weather is too cold to grow in 
the open ground. No kind of garden 
plants will grow at a temperature but 
little above freezing, and if they are to 
be left thus uncovered I would see no 
object in the use of the hotbed. In my 
own practice, and in so far as observa¬ 
tion goes, I have never found any satis¬ 
factory results with unpainted cloth, ex¬ 
cept for temporary purposes of shading 
plants. Of course wherever it does give 
good results the trouble and expense of 
painting may be dispensed with. But I 
believe it is always safe and wise to give 
the plants the advantages of every pos¬ 
sible chance in their favor. 
Michigan. J. k. morse. 
The Book of the Hamburqs, by Theo. 
Hewes; 45 pages; illustrated; price, post¬ 
paid, 50 cents. An attractive pamphlet de¬ 
voted entirely to the various types of Ham¬ 
burg fowls, but of interest to poultrymen 
in general. 
A Journey to Nature, by J. P. Mow¬ 
bray. This is the story of a New York 
stock-broker who is ordered by his doctor 
to adopt a quiet and simple country life if 
he would prolong his life. The narrative 
is told with much charm of expression, its 
strongest appeal to country dwellers being 
the fresh point of view with which many 
familiar themes and Incidents are treated. 
We think that such books not only lead 
city dwellers closer to nature, but also give 
rural readers a fuller appreciation of their 
surroundings, and awaken an Interest in 
the literature of country life. The author 
is well known in contemporary journalism 
as “J. P. M.”, through a series of 
charming essays on kindred subjects. 
Published by Doubleday, Page & Co., New 
York, price J1.50 net, postage additional. 
JUST OUT. 
Those of our readers that are wishing 
to set Fruit Trees next spring, should 
send for Price List of Call’s Nurseries, 
Perry, O. It will be sent Free to any one 
asking for it. Call is enjoying the well- 
earned reputation of sending out the 
Finest Fruit Trees that can be Grown. 
They are good size, Healthy, Hardy, 
Thrifty and Young. A. large number of 
our best Fruit Growers say that The 
Finest Fruit Trees they ever saw came 
from these nurseries. You can find Poor 
Trees for Less money, but if you wish 
the Best that can be grown at reasonable 
Prices send for Call’s Price List. 
OOM PAUL 
STRAWBERRIES 
sold at the rate of $320 per 
32-quart crate; $10 was paid for 
one quart box Of six berries at 
our field meeting. List Free. 
KEVITT’S PUNT FARM, 
Atlieiiia, N. J. 
Money in Strawberries 
' Ip you get Good Plants. One of my cus- 
1 tomers the past season sold $600 worth of < 
I Strawberries from one acre. I sold him the ' 
1 plants for 120. You can do the same if you btiy , 
' the besf^and that’s the kind I have. Cata -1 
Iloguel H. LIGlll'FOOT, Chattanooga,Tenn.' 
BIG STRA'I/^BERRIES. 
Fine varieties of strawberries are my specialty. With 
an e'^porionce of 20 years I have selected and perfected 
a list of tue leading and flne.st sorts. A tine selection of 
Raspberries and lilackberrles. Currants, 
Grapes, etc. Everything true to name, guaranteed. 
Send for free catalOj'ue to-day. 
D. KKANDT, Box 306, Bremen, Ohio. 
GRAPE VINES 
Cnmtnta, Oooaebeniea, Black* 
berrlca, Raapberrle^ Straw- 
berrlea. Price List FRKK. 
Send to itamp for illnitrated deserlptlTO entalog. 
T. S. HUBBARD CO. Fredonia, N. Y. 
TW 
J roots. 
XY THODSAND 
Apple Trees. Best Commercial Sorts 
clean, smooth, tlirifty: no end to 
Peach, Plum, Pear, (iherry. Quince, 
etc., cheap. Woodview nurseries, Mt, H0M.y springs. Pa. 
APPLE. SCIOIMS 
for grafting from clean, healthy young trees, true to 
name,of Winesap, York Imperial, Ben Davis, Stay- 
man’s Winesap, Albemarle Pippins, Mammoth Black 
Twig and Paradise varieties. Write for prices. 
Geo. B. Murrell Orchard & Nursery Co., Fontella, Va. 
CThBK TREES succeed where 
\IAW:arJ"NurRery. OTHERS FAIL 
All A Fruit Book Free. Result of 78 years’ cxpcnenca 
^/^STARK BROS, Louisiana, Mo.; Dansville, N. Y.; Etc 
By doing a little easy work for us 
this winter. Not only all the trees 
you need, but money besides. We have 
matured an attractive plan. Let up lay 
It before you. Write ua about It. 
4C0. A. SWEET NUASERT CO., Box 1605, Dansville, New York. 
TREES BRED FOR BEARIMG 
Direct from the Nursery to the Grower. 
Wept Mlchlgran Tree* are ‘‘bred for 
beiirlnjCi” every bud cut from the best fruited 
bearing trees. Insures stock true to name and 
variety. Over three million Apple, Peach, Plum, 
Pear and Quince Trees. Also ornamental trees 
and shrubs. Send for beautifully illustrated 
catalogue. We mall it free* 
WEST MICHIGAN NURSERIES, 
Box 54, B«nton Harbor^ 
GET 
TREES 
A nil D A III Strawberries sold for $10 per quart 
r AUL at our field iiieetiiig last .Tune. 
Kevllfs Plant Farm, Athenia, N. J. 
List Free. 
STRAWBERRY PLANTS 
Excelsior, Rio, Clyde, Senator Dunlap, Bnbach, 
Parson’s Beauty, Brandywine. Plants best on 
market; cheapest to buy. Write for prices and 
save monev. Write to-day. 
W. S. PEBDUK & SONS, Parsonsbnrg, Md. 
Strawberry Culture. 
By M. Crawford. Over 40 years’ experience. 
A 60-page Book—not a catalogue. Send 10 cents 
for a copy, read it, then return it and get your 
money back if you want to. 
M. CRAWI’OKD COMPANY, 
Box 10(6. Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. 
SMALL FRUITS. 
_ Standard and improved varieties of Raspberries, 
Blackberries, Gooset)crries, Currants, Gr.ape8, Strawl>crries, 
«to. Everj pUnt y^own Gnd {^anunteed bj m«. Shlponly olekn, Tlgoroui, 
well rooted, freeh dugplente that glre reaulte. Write forlete oetolog. 
Allen L Wood, Wholesale Grower, Rochester,N.Y. 
GIANT ARGENTEUIL ASPARAGUS 
Fine plants. 
G. B. PACKARD, Dover, Del. 
n 
AT 11 
PFflPrtWM fromsElccteo 
|> 1L» VIf\UVT fX bearing TREES 
wJREE’ 
OUR BOOK 
HOWTOGROW 
FRUIT 
TITUS NURSERYr^mmNEB 
FREICHTpaViV 
450000 
aoo TartetleK.Al8oOrape898iDftll Fruitnetc.Best root* 
ed stock. Genuine, cheap. 2 sample currants mailed for 
10c* Desc. price Ust free. LEIV18 ttOBSCU* Fre4onU« N. Y* 
PEACH. 
MAMIE ROSS 
Finest Early Cling 
I For early ripening and fine flavor it has 
DO superior. I .arge Juicy and finely colored. 
-^Prolific and brings top prices. Illeley and 
^many other choice varieties. Free catalog. 
I HARRISON^S NURSERIES. Box 29, Berlin, Md, 
At Tree Agents Prices? 
Why not save half your money by buying direct 
of UB, the growers of trees, plants and vines'/ We sell 
Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, Roses, Bulbs 
and Small Fruit plants, at one-half agents’ prices. 
Correspondence soliciU'd. Illustrated catalogue free. 
Established 25years. 300 acres. 760,000 Apple, 
Peach and Cherry Tree, for sale. Secrets of 
Fruit Growing. 150 pbotos, mailed for 10 cents. 
GREEN'S NURSERY CO., Rochester, N. Y. 
Northern-Grown FruitTrees 
Grown In the best section of northern New York. 
Hardy, thrifty and well grown. “Highest quality; 
lowest price.” Headquarters for Backing Deal¬ 
ers’ Orders. 75,000 Peaches, large stock of Apples, 
Pears, Cherries and Plums; three grades. Send for 
my free and Interesting Spring Catalogue. Valuable 
Premium with early orders. 
MARTIN WAHL, Dept. H, Rochester, N. Y. 
THE TREE OF LIFE 
is one budded u)>oii a branched root seedling, buds 
taken from bearing trees, grown upon the lainous 
.Michigan fruit land, dug by our root protecting 
tree digger and handled In our mammoth storage 
cellars. Small fruits and everything In nursery 
and greenliouso lines true to name at wholesale 
prices. CiT We guarantee safe delivery. 
Catalogue FREE. Write today. 
CENTRAL MICHIQAN NURSERY, Kalamazoo, Mich. 
Mtchigan'uMammothNurseria 
4 
WAUKEGAN NURSERIES 
Evergreen and Ornamental Trees 
Fruit Trees, Shade Trees, 
Shrubs, Vines, Roses, Etc. 
WHOLESALK AND RETAIL 
R. DOUGLAS’ SONS, 
r ▼ ▼ T ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ 
WAUKEGAN, ILL. 
STRAWBERRY PLANTS THAT GROW” 
The best Siandatd Varieties and many of the newet soris at reasonable 
Descriptive Catalogue with Cultural Insttuctions Free, 
C. E. WHITTEN’S NURSERIES, BRIDGMAN, MICH. 
TREES 
APPLE, PEAR, PLUM and PEACH; healthy, true to name 
ZpO pGr lUU and Fumigated. All kinds of trees and plants at low wholesale 
prices 
special i>rioe, 
Don't buy tmtU you get our catalogue, which Is free, or send list of wants for 
! - Address RELIANCE NURSERY, Box 1, Geneva, New York. 
DWYER’S I9D3 SPRING CATALOGUE 
Two Hundred Acres of Hardy Fruits and Ornamentals. 
Reliable descriptions; perfect illustrations and beautiful colored plates. T. J. Dwyer’s Book on 
Hardy Trees, Plants and Vines 25 cents. This work will be sent postpaid, free, for all Spring 
orders. The Catalogue is free. Write for it to-day. 
T. J. DWYER & SON, Orange County Nurseries, Cornwal l, N.Y ._ 
“rma unr Just as represeirted. Will save you disappoint- 
ment. Suffer one indorsement from the hun- 
eds of distinguished fruit growers whom I supply: 
“ 'I’ho 1500 trees sent me in April, 1902, and the 1200 sent me this Fall, have caus^ 
✓ me to raise my Ideal several points as to what constitutes a first-class, well- 
developed tree. Enclosed find another order for Spring 1903.”-7GrantHltchIng8. 
as such indorsement any significance ? Catalogue on applicatmn. A little booklet 
i Peach Culture sent free to all who mention this paper. Address H. S. Wiley, Cayuga, IN. . 
HDRO’BRED TREES 
grown on the same principles of breeding 
and selection as have been applied for 
years in the improvement of the high-grade 
m H —-—-— dairy cow and other domestic animals. 
u can buy the “common stock” trees, the “Beef kind” anywhere, the kind that are grown to sell. 
But ROGERS TREES are DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS. 
r plan leads onward and upward toward the production of trees with a pedigree for 
r, productiveness and fine fruit, and that’s one reason why Rogers Trees are the Safest Trees 
d the Kent Tret^s that money can buy. Our Tree Breeder will tell you more about it. We send ii 
e for one year if you mention The Rural New-Yorker. 
THE TREE BREEDERS. Rogers on the Hill, Dansville, N. Y. 
