6I2 
August 29 
FARMERS’ CLUE 
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“CH/(/G£RS” OR RED MITES. 
II. W., CUnton, III .—I would like infor¬ 
mation about an insect that we have here 
called a chigger. The chlggers bury them¬ 
selves in the skin, making a very dis¬ 
agreeable itching similar to hives, are so 
small few of them can be seen, red in 
color when large enough to be visible. 
They seem to be about orchards, not in 
open fields. Some places are entirely free 
from the pest, while the nlghboring place is 
badly infested. Some people (generally 
men) can live among them without being 
bothered at all, as I used to, but now they 
“eat me up.” AVhat can be done for them 
to kill them out? I have had the place 
eaten off close with a flock of sheep for 
three years, but they are as bad as ever. 
I do not know whether they are on the 
grass, trees or grapevines, but think they 
are on all. Sheep did not run on the 
ground all the time, but only a couple of 
times each season for a few days. 
Ans.— “Chiggers, harvest-bugs, red- 
bugs or jiggers,” as they are called in 
various localities, are very minute ani¬ 
mals known as mites; the well-known 
“red spider” on house plants is a fam¬ 
iliar mite. Two kinds of these “red 
bugs” occur in this country, mostly in 
the Mississippi Valley. One kind, the 
American Harvest-mite (Leptus Ameri- 
canus), lives mostly upon the scalp and 
under the armpits of children. It does 
not bury itself in the flesh, but simply 
Insinuates the front part of its body just 
under the skin, thereby causing intense 
CHIGGER OR HARVEST MITE. Fio.232. 
irritation, followed by a little red pim¬ 
ple. By far the most numerous and 
troublesome “chigger” is the Irritating 
Harvest-mite (Leptus irritans). It is 
one of the worst pests of man and do¬ 
mesticated animals during July and Au¬ 
gust, or at “harvest time.” These two 
kinds of minute enemies are shown 
much enlarged in Fig. 232. They are of 
a bright red color and so minute that it 
is only by the closest scrutiny that they 
can be detected. Normally these “chig- 
gers” feed or live upon plants, and they 
often occur in large numbers in all kinds 
of low-growing vegetation. Just what 
form this six-legged creature developes 
into if unmolested and allowed to pur¬ 
sue the even tenor of its way upon a 
vegetarian diet seems never to have been 
determined. It is supposed, however, 
that it changes into a larger, eight¬ 
legged species of Trombidium mite. One 
who “has been there” states that those 
who have ever passed through meadows 
infested with “red bugs” wiil remember 
the occasion. When brushed from the 
leaves of various plants on to the hands 
or clothing of peopie and to the bodies 
of other animals, the mites proceed to 
burrow into the skin, notwithstanding 
the fact that, so far as we know, this 
proceeding is absolutely fatal to them, 
and prevents any possibility of their 
maturing or producing eggs. With the 
strong jaws the “chiggers” are able to 
bury themselves completely in the flesh, 
thereby causing a red sweiling with a 
pale pustulous center, containing watery 
matter. If, in scratching, one is fortu¬ 
nate enough to remove the mite before 
it enters, the part soon heals. But oth¬ 
erwise the irritation lasts for two to four 
days, the pustulous center reappearing 
as often as it is broken. 
Horses and other animals in pastures 
suffer mainly on the lower part of the 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
face; if kept in their stables the inflam¬ 
mation caused by the mites will soon dis¬ 
appear with the mites themselves. Dogs 
and cats suffer greatly in regions where 
such mites abound, and look a;s scabby 
and mangy as if infested by some itch- 
mite. Other animals do not escape, and 
the parasite has been found upon the 
mole, field mouse and bat. There is 
great difference in the susceptibility 
shown by different persons to the at¬ 
tacks of this pest, some not seeming to 
be affected seriously by them, while oth¬ 
ers must submit to extreme torture 
every time they happen to become at¬ 
tacked by them, even if not few in num¬ 
ber. As the mites are invariably secur¬ 
ed by working among raspberries, cur¬ 
rants, grapes or other shrubbery which 
harbors them, or by walking in grass 
or low herbage where they occur, some¬ 
times even by sitting or lying for a short 
time upon grass or clover, the best pre¬ 
caution for susceptible persons is to 
avoid all such exposure Where this is 
impracticable, it would be well to have 
the clothing fit closely at the wrists and 
ankles, and then as soon as possible 
after having been exposed to the mites 
m.ake an entire change of clothing, bathe 
in hot water, and if any indications of 
the mites are present wash the affected 
parts with diluted carbolic acid, one 
part acid in 50 or 100 parts water. Rum 
and whisky is also recommended as a 
wash (not an internal application), and 
diluted alcohol can be used with good 
results. In some localities where these 
pests abound, sulphur is often sprinkled 
in foot-gear as a protection during “jig¬ 
ger” season. Sulphur ointment is the 
best remedy against the effects of these 
mites, and saleratus or salt water will 
probably allay the irritation. Any oily 
substance will act as a preventive; 
sweet oil is recommended. Why they 
should infest one field and not another 
is difficult to explain, unless there is a 
more frequent rotation of crops and con¬ 
sequent cultivation of the soil in the 
non-infested fields. Such a short rota¬ 
tion of crops would decidedly tend to 
reduce the pest, and I can suggest no 
better wholesale method for treating 
them in fields. It would be rarely prac¬ 
ticable to spray infested fields with an 
oil or a soap mixture, and these crea¬ 
tures requires a strong dose of such 
things to make them give up their ne¬ 
farious business, m. v. slingerland. 
Fertilizing Grass for a Second Crop. 
M. K. W., Northville, N. Y .—I have cut my 
hay, a good crop, too, and will cut a sec¬ 
ond. After cutting, shall I spread ashes, 
manure, etc., or would you advise some 
kind of cheap fertiliser, say 1-7-3, at $25 
per ton? Would it be better to put on this 
Pall? I can get more ashes in the Spring, 
and It is hard to get teams to haul them 
now. 
Ans. —We would not advise a “cheap” 
fertilizer for any crop, least of all for 
grass. You will receive little benefit 
from either the ashes or the fertilizer 
this year. We would wait until Spring 
before applying them. What that grass 
needs now is nitrogen in some available 
form—nitrate of soda, cotton-seed meal 
or dried blood. 
Do Mulched Trees Stand Firm? 
M. O., Whitehall, Ya .—Does Mr. Hitchings 
have trouble with his mulched trees blow¬ 
ing over? A grower near here tells me 
that in a certain part of his orchard, 
where he mulched for several years, the 
trees rooted so much upon the surface 
that many have blown down. If this dan¬ 
ger is a necessary accompaniment to the 
mulch method, it certainly is a great ob¬ 
jection to its adoption. 
Ans. —We have never had any trees 
blown over, and do not think there is 
any danger when properly set. In fact, 
the trees being headed low the wind does 
not have the leverage on them as it 
would on those headed higher, which 
would be necessary in order to cultivate. 
It is a mistake to believe that mulched 
trees only send out surface roots. 1 
have found roots from them four feet 
below the surface. The fibrous or feed¬ 
ing roots are sent out towards the sur¬ 
face but many of the large roots from 
them penetrate the soil as deeply as 
trees that are cultivated. 
ORANT G. HITCHINGS. 
The Hitchings Orchard; Danger from Fire. 
J. R. 8., Lincoln, Fo.—I should like to ask 
Grant Hitchings if the soil on which his 
orchard grows is not a mixed glacial clay 
that is much more retentive of moisture 
than the residual soils of the southern Ap¬ 
palachians. What is the nature and depth 
of Mr. Hltchlngs’s soil and subsoil, and 
what lies under the subsoil? Here we usu¬ 
ally have rotten rock at three to four feet; 
Loudoun Co., Va., slope of Blue Ridge, 
elevation 1,000-1,300 feet. Is there not great 
danger of fire from the mulch when it is 
dry in the Spring? We have a period here 
usually from late March to early M 
when forest fires are dangerous, and when 
an old clover field may burn over like a 
forest floor. Is not this a serious menace 
to a mulch orchard? How can it be gpia-rd- 
ed against? 
Ans. —Our soil is a mixed glacial clay 
with a good many stones of glacial 
origin, underlaid with slate shale or 
rock. It is retentive of moisture and 
will analyze high in potash. The slate 
rock varies in depth found below the 
surface from three feet to more than 60 
feet, the well on the farm being the 
latter depth without striking the rock. 
Our elevation is about 1,200 feet. We 
have not had any trouble from fire; the 
grass keeps moist until new growth 
starts up through; we often burn brush 
in orchard and the fire will not spread. 
To guard against loss by fire keep soil 
loose and free from mulch a foot from 
body of tree. 
GRANT G. HITCHINGS. 
SEED WHEAT! 
aO BUSHELS PER ACRE ; product of crop 
grown from our Imported MalakofI i pure bred; 
grandest New Tarlcty ever introduced. Re¬ 
quires less seed per acre; stools l)etter; gives 
better and heavier quality of grain; not at¬ 
tacked with rust or fly: hardy as Rye. a 1 .BO 
per bushel. Turkish Red, Sl.lOt Mammoth 
White Rye, SI .00. No extra charge for sacks. 
Ask for prices on Timothy, Clover and all farm 
RATEKINS* SEED HOUSE, thonandeah, la. 
When you write advertisers mention The 
R. N.-Y. and you will get a quick reply and 
“a square deal.” See our guarantee 8th page. 
Arr|S|lf||rj| T— Prosperity Red, White Chaff, 
VblaU wVIbIbAI Ball-head, very hardy,insect 
proof, sure cropper, heavy yielder,$l per bushel; sack 
free. Cash with order. Also, Tunis Rams, full- 
bloods and half-bloods. 1). 0. MCPHERSON SEED 
..OMPANY.Scottsville, Monroe County, N. Y. 
QCen \A/UCAT—I>escrIptlon, price 
OlLU IViILHI 13 varieties. Save dollars ez- 
S erimenting. Sample free of best yielding kinds. 
IcKinley, Red Wonder, Mealy, and others. 
SMITH’S WHEAT FARM, Route 1, Shortsville, N. Y. 
DIBBLE’S the heaviest yielding, 
Invincible Seed Wheat prollflc variety in cultl^ 
vation. It stands up like a wall against all storms, 
has never lodged, has never been attacked by the 
Hessian Fly, has never winterkilled. Weofferyou 
the product of over two hundred acres of our own 
growing, thoroughly recleaned, as low as $1 per 
bushel. Also, the best Rye grown. Elegantly 
lithographed catalogue free. Address 
cn\A/*Dn c nioni i: „ .. 
FARMER’S FRIEND WHEAT. 
KING OF THE WHEAT FIELD. A great 
iensation everywhere. Fly-proof hardy. Tests 60 to 
16 lbs. Big, hard, red berry; Immense ylelder. Fosters 
improved, lA)ngbeiry, longest heads, bi.gest straw of 
any wheat grown. Our Catalogue No. 26, tells all 
about il. and other good sorts. It’s free with samples. 
MAPLEWOOD STOCK FARM, Allegan, Mich. 
n A M Q'V MADAME PEKRET. Send for 
■ I circular. Beaulieu, Woodhaven.N.Y. 
Bee Rurallsms, Page 374. 
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, Box !J9, Berlin, Md. 
2,000,000 pR, 
Wo offer 2,000,000 Blberta June Buds, besides large 
stock of Belle of Georgia, Mamie Ross, Hlley, Car¬ 
man, Greensboro, etc., all for Fall delivery. Big as¬ 
sortment of 2-year Apple, 1-year Pear and Cherry, 
and small fruit plants. Write for catalogue. 
Chattanooga Nurseries, Chattanooga, Tenn. 
NORTHERN GROWN TREES. 
Best climate. Best soil Best for the Fruit 
Grower. Best for Agent and Dealer. Best Cata¬ 
logue, Best Prices. My treatment and trees make 
permanent customers. Once tried, always wanted, 
Catalogue free, instructive, interesting. 
MARTIN WAHL, Rochester, N Y 
Dcn cccn U/UCat— “harvest king.” Great 
IilU OllU TTnuAI Ylelder. Not bearded, $1 per 
bushel. Good bags, 15 cents extra. 
A. W. GRAHAM, PortagevIIle, N. Y. 
CEED WHEAT.—Hand weeded, recleaned, Fultzo- 
^ Mediterranean and Mealy, $1.15 per bushel; bags 
free. Track, Brie, Pa. SIEGEL, The Seedsman. 
A GRAND LOT OF TREES 
Grown on virgin soil in the mountains of Western 
Pennsylvania. No scale, no disease of any kind. 
None bettor, none cheaper. Our business is growing 
‘rees for the commercial orchardlst and farmer. 
.Vrite for descrlpti vo catalogue and price list. Address 
IP Jk Dawson’s Golden Chaff, 
I most vigorous and largest yleld- 
Ing'variety. Pure’clean seed per bag of 2)^ bushels, 
$2.65; 10 bushels or more, at $1 per bushel. 
JOSEPH HARRIS CO., Coldwater, N. Y. 
Mealy Wheat, free from Cockle and Rye, $1.10 per 
bushel. We have Kentucky Giant, Fultz, American 
Wonder, and Dawson Golden Chaff. Write to-day. 
The Theilmann Seed Company, Erie, Pa. 
CHANGE YOUR SEED 
Wheat, It will pay you big. Raise a crop of pure, 
clean wheat, and sell It to your neighbors anotbei 
year for seed. We can furnish pure Fultz, Poole, 
Mealy, Dawson’s Golden Chaff, Red Wonder, Fultzo 
Mediterranean. Also Rye and Timothy. 
Phe River Side Nursery Company 
Coufluenc •, Penn. 
(> I n was paid for one quart of Oom Paul Straw 
V I U berries at our field meeting,6 berries to a quart. 
100 potted plants for $2.50. List Free. 
KeVITT’S PliANT FARM, Athenia,N.J. 
THE 
Half a Mntary of fair dealing hu glTen 
our products that prominence which merit 
deserveH. We still offer everything of 
the best for Orchard, Vineyard, 
Lnwn, Park, NtreeL Uardea 
aud Greenhouse. Oatslogus 
No. 1. 112 pages, free to pur- 
cbzisers oi Fruit and Ornamental 
Trees. No. 3, 64 pages, free to buyers 
of Hollzuid Bulbs and Greenbouss 
Plants. Try ns; we guaranty 
fsatisf action. Correspondence sol ioited. 
STORRS A HARRISON CO«. 
PAINESVILLE, OHIO. 
THE O. C. SHEPARD COMPANY 
MEDINA. OHIO. 
Red Alslke, Crimson and Alfalfa 
Clovers. Timothy and Grass Seeds. 
Hungarian, Millet & Buckwheat. 
Dwarf Essex Rape and Sand 
Vetches. Turnip Seed and Seed 
Wheat. 
Feeding corn and Oats In car 
lots, delivered on your track. 
Clipper Grain & Seed Cleaners 
Let Us Know Your Wants. 
The Henry Philipps Seed & Implement Co., 
Department “ A,” Toledo, Ohio. 
100,000 2-YEAR APPLE 
$7 to $14 per 
100. Best com¬ 
mercial sorts, 
nnn rUPDDV ®arly Richmond, Dyehouse, 
4u,UUU VULAnl Large Montmorency. 
200,000Peach,75,000 June Buds. Fumigation. Thisstock 
cannot be surpassed, and we can save you money. 
WOODVIB W NUR8KKIES, B10, Mt. Holly Springs, Pa 
WANTED. 
Eldorado Blackberry and Golden Queen 
B,aspberry Plants. Address, Box 237, 
North Collins, N. Y. 
TREES 
CQ PER inn APPLE, PEAR, CHERRY, and PEACH, healthy,true to name and 
yO run lUUi Fumigated. All hinds of trees and plants allow wholesale prices- 
Don’t buy until you get our catalogue, which is free, or send list of wants for special 
price. Address KELIANCE NLKSEKY, Box 10, Geneva, New York. 
Free from Scale. New and Choice Varieties. 
_ ____ Blackberries, Strawberries, Raspberries. 
Our FREE CATALOGUE will save you money. MYER & SON, Bridgevllle, Del. 
TREES AND PLANTS 
Every tree we offer is our own growing. No scale here, no risks, but safety and personal atten¬ 
tion in every operation. Trees bred from selected bearing parents, labelled before dug, Inspected, 
I'umigated, guarantee of purity 5 to 1—the Safest Trees and the Best Trees that money can buy. 
Our list of varieties is selected for business. We have not all the kinds you read about, but if 
you want fruit, the best fruit, we have the kinds you need. 
Our Tree Breeder will tell you more about our trees, and our prices. You ought to have a 
copy. It’s Free. 
DOCEDS ON THE HILL,DAN3VILLE,N.Y. 
