452 
June 20 
FARMERS' CLUB 
[Every query must be accompanied by 
the name and address of the writer to in¬ 
sure attention. Before asking a question, 
please 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.] 
VIOLET CROWING ON THE HUDSON 
The New York Herald recently printed 
an article in which claim was made that 
farmers near Red Hook, N. Y., are neglect¬ 
ing their farm crops to grow violets. The 
new business, it is said, is very profitable. 
A R. N.-Y. reader in Connecticut read 
this article and writes: “Is there anything 
printed that can be used as a guide to 
start one here in the business? The soil 
here is nearly identical with that' of Red 
Hook, and I shall begin next Fall if I can 
get hold of any data as to how to begin.” 
Violet Culture, by B. T. Galloway, is 
supplied by The R. N.-Y., price $1.50. It 
is the best book we know on the subject. 
Regarding the business in the Hudson 
River Valley the following information 
is given by growers: 
In a measure the article in the New 
York Herald relating to the culture of 
violets in this part of the country is cor¬ 
rect. Some farmers have and are build¬ 
ing houses, not. however, neglecting 
their farm work, but as a sort of side is¬ 
sue for Winter employment. At Rhine- 
beck I think there are about 100 houses. 
I have been engaged in violet growing 
for three years, and find it in a measure 
profitable, although many expenses must 
be deducted and much and constant care 
given. I have three houses, two of 125x 
25 feet and one 75x25 feet. J. s. a. 
Red Hook, N. Y. 
It is to a great extent as the New York 
Herald states, this being the case at 
Rhinebeck and vicinity. As I understand 
it there are something like 100 violet 
houses at present, and there are 50 new 
houses being built this Spring; that is, 
if they can get men to build them. As 
to the farmers neglecting their crops 
and going into the violet culture, I do 
not believe that to be so, although there 
are quite a number of them erecting 
houses, but I will tell you what they are 
doing, and that is supplying the Rhine¬ 
beck violet growers with soil for their 
houses, and they get a large price for 
their soil; this every year, as no doubt 
you are aware the soil in violet houses 
has to be renewed every season. It 
seems that this Rhinebeck soil is well 
adapted for that purpose, more so than 
the soil up around here, about seven 
miles from Rhinebeck. Your Connecti¬ 
cut friend would better go slow to start 
with. I am sorry to say we are suffer¬ 
ing badly for rain; everything is burn¬ 
ing up. The hay crop is almost a fail¬ 
ure, and pastures are all dried up. 1 
planted corn two weeks ago; to-day 1 
was looking at it, and it is not even 
spi'outed, and again a hill here and there 
is up. The ground is so hard that plow¬ 
ing is impossible, this being clay soil. 
Some farmers have not got their ground 
plowed for corn. The apple crop looks 
like an average one, but I am almost 
afraid this dry weather will affect the 
crop. w. B. D. 
Annandale, N. Y. 
More Capacity for a Scraper. 
SuhKrriber, Mmroe Go., N. Y.—How can I 
make a cheap scraper to move earth? T 
intend to build a roadway, and the earth 
is all to be mtjved down hill. It is im¬ 
practicable to use a wheel scraper, and 
the ordinary two-horse scraper is too 
small, as going down hill it runs off in 
front of scraper and by the time we get to 
the dump there is not much left. The 
dirt is to be moved from five to 12 rods. I 
do not want anything expensive, but do 
not know just how to make one. 
Ans. —Why not get some heavy gal¬ 
vanized or sheet iron and raise the sides 
of an ordinary hand scraper? Put a 
heavy piece of strap iron around the top 
of it and then fasten securely to the 
scraper. This would treble the capacity 
and I should think would work satis¬ 
factorily. Do not put this iron near 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
enough to the side edge of the scraper 
to bring great pressure against it. The 
extra sides can be used only for storage 
for the dirt taken up by the heavy iron 
part of the original scraper. Build it 
large enough so the draw iron can turn 
without breaking the extra sides. 
H. E. c. 
Wash for the Teeth. 
TT. .S'. /?.. Plymouth, The Hope Farm 
man gave a recipe about one year ago for 
a wash for the teeth. I have used it and 
like it. but have lost the recipe and would 
like it repeated. 
Ans.—T he wash is made by mixing one 
ounce of boroglyceride with three ounces 
of boiling water and adding five drops 
of oil of wintergreen. This wash is used 
when there is a recession or shrinking 
of the gums so that the teeth become 
loose. 
Mazzard Cherry Stock. 
It., Virginia.—Is not the Mazzard a more 
desii-ahle stock for cherries in a place 
where cultivation is impossible? 
Axs.—For all of the varieties of the 
Heart and Bigarreau types the Mazzard 
is the best stock, but for the sour cher¬ 
ries it is not suitable, because they do 
not bud or graft together wqjl. The 
Mahaleb is the proper stock for the sour 
cherries, as it does not sprout from the 
roots and is suitable otherwise. Both 
these stocks do well with or without 
cultivation. n. e. v. d. 
Use of Arsenite of Soda. 
F. A., Gi-eenlawn, N. Y.—Do you consider 
the arsenite of soda formula, white ar¬ 
senic, two pounds, sal soda, eight pounds, 
water, two gallons, one pint to 45 gallons 
water as efficacious in the destruction of 
leaf-eating insects as Paris-green? Is the 
sal soda indicated the common washing 
soda in domestic use? 
Ans. —We have not used the white ar¬ 
senic, but reliable men who have used 
it praise it highly. In preparing the 
mixture the white arsenic and sal soda 
are boiled in the water until dissolved. 
One pint of this solution is poured into 
45 gallons of water. It is safer to put 
some freshly-slaked lime into the water 
with it in order to prevent burning of 
the foliage. 
Turnips for Pigs. 
H. L. B., Valley Falls, N. Y.—The Hope 
Farm man has .spoken of feeding the pigs 
turnips. I am quite an extensive grower 
of both turnips and pigs, but the only way 
I can get them to mix is to starve the pigs. 
We feed the pigs all the apples that are 
not barrelable, sugar beets, etc., and if w’e 
find some root that we can grow as a 
catch crop that the pigs will relish it may 
help us solve the help question. 
Ans. —We grow the yellow turnip 
(rutabagas) and have no trouble in get¬ 
ting the pigs to eat them. We sow these 
yellow turnips in July often after some 
early crop like peas or even early pota¬ 
toes. They are drilled about three feet 
apart and given good cultivation. With 
us they make far better hog feed than 
the flat turnips. For several years we 
cooked them, feeding hot and adding 
meal or bran. Last Winter they were 
fed raw. With clover hay they make 
neai-ly a Winter ration for brood sows. 
A Tough Clay Soil. 
E. E. E., Tennessee.—What treatment would 
you consider best for a tough clay, to 
soften it and mellow it, so that it would 
work w'ithout forming into brickbats, 
soon as exposed to the sun? It is the 
toughest clay I ever saw anywhere; when 
wet w'ill slice up like dough and when dry 
you cannot break it with a sledge, hardly. 
I have given it plenty of manure, literally 
covered it, tried lime and ashes, perhaps 
not enough or not at the right season. 
Ans. —We have seen such a clay 
greatly helped by subsoiling and the use 
of lime. The subsoil plow followed the 
turning plow, going at least eight inches 
below it, and ripping up the under soil 
without turning it over. At least 3,000 
pounds per acre of lime should be used, 
and it is best applied when the soil turns 
up without lumping. The action of lime 
on the heavy clay soil is to bring the 
fine particles together, thus making a 
coarse and more open texture. Ordinary 
sand plowed into such a soil will help 
it, and so will a crop of rye. The object 
of the subsoiling and the sand or vege¬ 
table matter is to keep the soil open and 
give it better drainage. 
Fish and Seaweed in Alaska. 
V. F. S., Bumdum, Alasfco.—What more do 
I want for a complete fertilizer than fish 
and .seaw’ced? Can I burn it, or must I 
grind for best results? 
Ans.— The fish contains nitrogen and 
phosphoric acid, but little or no potash. 
The seaweed contains a small amount of 
potash but in a form that is not avail¬ 
able to most plants. If you can burn 
the seaweed or driftwood to an ash and 
use this with the fish you will have a 
complete fertilizer. It will not pay to 
burn the fish, as by doing so you will 
drive off the nitrogen, but if you can 
grind or crush it you will make it more 
available. 
Curing Smut in Broom Corn. 
J. B. F., Mattoon, Ill.—l wish to treat 114 
bushel of broom corn seed with formalin 
to kill the smut. How much formalin shall 
I use, and how shall I use it? This amount 
of seed will plant 25 to 28 acres, so you 
will understand the small amount treated. 
The smut attacks broom corn the same as 
oats, filling the seed pods with smut; then 
if we have to thrash it after a shower 
when wet it gets in the machine, making 
the brush all black, frequently damaging 
it to the extent of $20 or $25 per ton. 
Ans. —Broom corn smut is like Oat 
smut in that it can be prevented by seed 
treatment. I found hot water the most 
efficient treatment (135 degrees for 15 
minutes); next, thorough sprinkling 
with potassium sulphide (rate one pound 
to 10 gallons water). I did not find the 
formalin so efficient, as I probably did 
not use strong enough solution, and as 
it did not seem to penetrate the cover¬ 
ing glumes so easily. If I were to use 
formalin again I should thoroughly 
sprinkle the grain with a solution at 
least at rate pf one pound formalin to 
30 gallons water, and leave grain in 
sacks for a day before planting or dry¬ 
ing. [Prof.] G. P. CLINTON. 
Conn. Exp. Station. 
For the land’s sake, use Bowker’s Fer¬ 
tilizers. They enrich the earth.— Adr. 
Water Supply 
Is the sure result of the use of our 
Webster 
Handy Man " 
Gasoline Engine. 
Walking beam pump 
jack attached. Fits any 
pump and suited to 
either deep or shallow 
wells. Best thing ever 
made for the purpose. 
11-8 Full Horse Power. Pulley for belting to 
light machlnerj’—grinding, separating cream, 
churning, spraying, irrigating, etc. Simple, 
Bofc, efficient. Fully guaranteed. 
CftUlogof Vertical and HoriiontalEnginea ofallklndi. FREE. 
WEBSTER MFC. CO., ZOII W. 15th St., Chicago, lilt. 
Trees, Plants and Vines 
Ornamentals, Shade Trees, Shrubs, 
Flowers—everything to make the home 
grounds beautiful. Fruit Trees, too, 
Send for Catalogue. 
STEPHEN HOYT’S SONS, 
New Canaan, Conn. 
TREES SUCCEED WHERE 
i:arfe"“ery. OTHERS FAIL 
l^lt Book Free. Result of 78 years* experienoi 
BUDDED FRUITS. 
Peach, Apple and Pear Buds. 
Largest and best assortment In the United States. 
Write us to-day for the list of varieties & prices. 
Harrison’s Nurseries, Hox 2t), IJcrlin, Md. 
f'KLEKY PL.VNTS I CTHAWBERKY fPotted 
^ only $1 per 1.(100. I Plants) $1 per 100. 
Address SLAYMAKKK & SON, Dover. Del. 
CELERY 
PLANTS.—G. 8. B., ?1 per 
1,000 : 70c. per f)00. Strong, 
healthy plants from imported seed sown thin (in 
rows) In rich beds. Plants are kept in even steady 
growth by irrigation. W. P., G. II. and G. P. f1.30 per 
1,000 : 90c. per 500. l.ftOO,000 plants. I ship in ventilated 
boxes. Roots in damp moss. 
K. W. ROCHELLK, Drawer 1, Chester, N. J. 
Celery and Cabbage lUants for Sale.— 
Leading varieties carefully packed with moss in bas¬ 
kets, and delivered here ai express office. Cash with 
order. Celery plants ready July 1. Cabbage plants 
ready now. Write for varieties and prices. 
WOODLAND FARM. ^ anastota, Madison Co.. N. Y. 
CABBAGE 
will bo high next Fall; 
plants are scarce. While 
they last, I will sell the leading varieties: 1.000 for 
$ 1 ; 10.000 for $7.60. Shipped safely anywhere. Circu¬ 
lar free. A. B. KATKAMIER. Macedon, N. Y. 
D A MQV I’KKRET. Send for 
■ /AIHO ¥ circular. Beaulieu, Woodhaven, N. Y. 
See Ruralisms, Page 371. 
f _ _ _ I ^-Home-grown Crimson Clover 
r or Seed, $3.50 per bu.; Cow Peas, 
$1.50 per bu. J. K. HOLLAND, Milford, Del. 
Seed Buckwheat.—$1 per bushel; bags 
free. J. S. BULL, Cortland, N. Y. 
MACHINERY 
e lDE 
Best and cheapest. 
Send for catalogue, 
BOOMER & BOSCHERT 
,„PRESS CO., 
118 West Wmtor St., 
SIRACUSE, N. Y. 
Can be made at the actual cost of wire. 
Over 1(X) Styles, and 60 to 70 rods per day, 
Horse-high, Boll-stroDg, Pig and Chicken-tight. 
THE DUPLEX MACHINE 
makes it. The Hachlno Is Antomatle, simple 
in construction, runs easy, works rapidly. 
§ ent on Trial. Plain, barb wire and 
ates at wholesale prices. Catalog free. 
KITSELMAN BROTHERS, 
BoxD92 Muncie, Indiana. 
Wanted.—A complete set or number 
of consecutive volumes of The Rural New-Y'orker, 
cither bound or as issued. Reply to 
A. C. LANK, Box 2244, Boston, Mass. 
WELL 
DRILLING 
MACHINES 
Over 70 sizes and styles, for drilling either deep OJ 
shallow wells In any kind of soil or rock. Mounted 
on wheels or on sills. With endues or horse power* 
Strong, simple and durable. Any mechanic o*.r 
C 5 >erate them easily. Send for catalog. 
WILLIAMS BROS., Ithaca, N. X. 
CHARTER 
Gasoline Engine. 
For Grinding, Shelling, Fodder Cutting, 
Threshing, Pumping, Sawing, etc. 
STATIONARIES, PORTABLES, SAWING 
AND PUMPING OUTFITS, ETC. 
Send for Illust’d Catalog & Testimonials. 
State Youa Power Namdmrn 
CHARTER 6AS ENGINE CO., Boi 26 STERLING, ILL. 
The New York State Fair 
Prize List is now ready for 
distribution, and can be had 
by applying to S C. Shaver, 
Sec’y, Albany, N. Y. 
We Make and Sell 
The Frost’’ Pence Colled Spring Wire and Steel 
Gates every working day in tho year. Weight and 
quality sell the goods. 
THE FROST WIRE FENCE CO., Cleveland, 0. 
frte- 
HANlOVt tAIE CO 
272 KUR0N STL. CHICAGO, 
lEEHEni 
Self-Openlnj? Chit 
\Ym last a lifetime, 
guaranteed to work 
any time, and look 
well nil the time. 
Now You’re Happy 
If your farm is fenced with THE PAGE. Your crops 
are protected, your stock safely enclosed. 
PAGE WOVEN WIRE FENCE CO.,A BRIAN,MICH- 
CHAMPION Hfiv Balers 
If Wanting a Hay Press, Address 
FAMOUS MFG. CO.east Chicago, ind. 
Bales Hay, Straw, N/loss, Husks, 
Resultsand durability are the features that have made Dederick 
Baling Presses so famous. Satisfaction always follows their 
purchase. Our catalogue Illustrates a variety 
of styles covering every baling need. You’ll 
know how to buy to bestadvantage if you 
get a copy. It is free. Send for It to-day. 
Dederick’Scil Press 
an af/ round machine 
' all buL 
I pur- 
. Re 
ires 50 
‘ cent 
s draft 
f other full circle press. 
