644 
September 12 
FARMERS’ CLUB 
[Every query must be accompanied by 
the name and address of ihe writer to in¬ 
sure attention. Before asking a question, 
please see whether it is rot answered in 
our advertising columns. Ask only a few 
questions at one time. Put t;ue.stions on a 
separate piece of paper.] 
What is Bird Lime? 
J. 8. B., Fayetteville, 2}. G.—Ot what Is 
birdlime compo.sed, and where is it obtain¬ 
able? Is it probable that it would hobble 
rabbits if placed where they pass under 
a fence? 
Ans.—T he old bird lime was made 
from holly twigs by steeping a long 
time in water and boiling down to a 
thick, gummy extract. It was always 
scarce and rather expensive. It is sel¬ 
dom made now, but a very tolerable im¬ 
itation can be easily made from linseed 
oil, by boiling say two quarts of oil in 
an old iron kettle with a close cover. 
The boiling should preferably take place 
out of doors, as the oil in the kettle 
should be set on fire, after it has boil¬ 
ed some time, and allowed to burn out 
until it becomes a thick tarry mass. It 
is then extinguished with the cover. 
The gummy substance left is fully as 
sticky as the old bird-lime and may be 
used for spreading on twigs, pieces of 
paper, bark or leaves and placing them 
where rabbits or other vermin will pass 
along, such as under fences. It glazes 
over in two or three days and should 
therefore frequently be renewed. There 
is no doubt it will hobble rabbits and 
small animals. 
Work of the Fall Webworm. 
L. E. W., Norfolk, 3fass.—Under separate 
cover in a tin box I send you evidence 
that caterpillars eat fruit, green or un¬ 
ripe fruit as well as leaves, a fact that is 
new to me. I do not know that the fact 
is new to other people, nor whether it is 
of sufficient importance for you to take 
note thereof. 
Ans. —These fruit-eating caterpillars 
were the common Fall webworm which 
is unusually numerous in many parts of 
the country this year. They make tents 
or nests similar to those of the tent 
caterpillars which work in early Sum¬ 
mer, but the Fall webworms live inside 
their nest all the time. They extend 
their nest around new feeding grounds 
instead of going out at night on forag¬ 
ing expeditions like the tent caterpil¬ 
lars. In the case cited by the corre¬ 
spondent, the webworms happened to 
include a fruit-bearing branch in their 
nest and ate the fruit. It is nothing new 
for caterpillars to eat fruits. The green 
fruit-worms which have been w'orking 
in New York apple orchards for several 
years, live almost entirely by eating 
large holes in the young apples. The 
Palmer worm which suddenly appeared 
in New York apple orchards in 1900, and 
as mysteriously disappeared the next 
year, also ate holes* in the young fruits. 
Other examples of fruit-eating caterpil¬ 
lars might be mentioned, but enough 
has been said to establish the fact that 
it is not a very unusual thing. 
M. V. SLI 1 VGERI.AND. 
Tobacco Stems for Mulching Trees. 
J, R., Reading, Pa.—l have 10 acres of 
land planted to apple trees and peaches in 
between on a hillside. I would like to 
know whether tobacco stems are good to 
place about trees to keep away insects, 
larvae, and whether mice would nest in the 
stems in Winter time? Is there any fer¬ 
tilizing value in the stems for plowing 
under? 
Ans.—T he tobacco stems make a good 
mulch. They are worth about four times 
as much as ordinary stable manure for 
fertilizing. They will keep off some va¬ 
rieties of insects but we do not know 
what effect they will have on mice. We 
have obtained the following notes from 
the South: 
Neither tobacco nor any other mulch 
is used in this section, and I have no ex¬ 
perience, but should feel very doubtful 
as to the claim that tobacco stems will 
keep away mice where these animals 
are commonly troublesome. The nico¬ 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
tine in the stems is soon leached out 
and there is then little difference be¬ 
tween the stems and any other form of 
organic trash. gerai.d M’c.\RTHy. 
North Carolina Station. 
I have not had opportunity to observe 
personally whether mice will attack 
fruit trees which are mulched with the 
stems of tobacco. I know that these 
stems are largely used throughout the 
tobacco growing districts of Virginia, to 
mulch trees, and I use them for this pur¬ 
pose on my own farm, where I have sev¬ 
eral thousand young trees. I paint the 
trunks of the trees. During all my work 
in the State of Virginia, which has led 
me to travel into every part of the same, 
I never heard it stated that mice are 
deterred from gnawing fruit trees by the 
presence of tobacco stems. For the past 
12 years I have been advising the use of 
pure white lead and linseed oil for the 
prevention of injury by mice, and other 
rodents, and this prescription has work¬ 
ed like a charm, where a pure paint has 
been used. I have never known an in¬ 
stance of the trees being gnawed, nor 
have I ever known this substance to 
harm an apple or pear tree. I cannot 
speak so confidently about its effects 
upon peach and cherry. 
Va. Exp. Station, wm. b. arwood. 
/\ Metal Roof and Lightning. 
W. 8., 8al)illaavill€, Md.—is it safe to use 
a metal roof (iron or steel) where thunder¬ 
storms are frequent, without using light¬ 
ning rod? I expect to use paper under 
metal. Will paint on metal roof affect 
water for drinking purposes? 
Ans.—A metal roof does not material¬ 
ly increase the liability of being struck 
by lightning. If any precautions are 
thought necessary do not use lightning 
rods, but connect the metal roof with 
the ground or a cistern of water by 
iron conductors. This will lead the elec¬ 
tricity off harmlessly in case the build¬ 
ing is struck. I have never heard of 
paint on a roof being injurious to the 
cistern water. I see no reason why it 
should if good material is used in the 
paint. G. D- 
Planting Melon Seed by Machinery. 
R. B., Phoenix, Arte.—Has anyone suc¬ 
ceeded in planting melons by machinery? 
We have thought it might be done with 
a corn planter, but want to know if any¬ 
one has tried it before we begin to ex¬ 
periment. 
Ans.—I n regard to planting melons 
by machinery, I do not think it would 
work, as seed would be in a bunch. It 
has been done in this section but not 
successfully. We plant most of our cu¬ 
cumbers with a drill, sowing a solid 
row, then thin out so that plants stand 
12 to 15 inches apart. The yield is 
usually double that planted in hills. 
Have grown melons the same way. It 
is, of course, a waste of seed, but saves 
time and there is plenty of vine left 
after the bugs have had their fill, which 
is one of the main objects in planting 
the solid row. a. 0 . miller. 
Elmira, N. Y, 
Cherry Wood for Shingles. 
H. A. F., M'Graw, N. 7.—Can you or any 
of your readers tell me whether Black 
cherry makes good serviceable shingles, 
and should they be green or seasoned? 
Ans. —Hard wood is usually very poor 
shingle timber. It splits easily when 
nailing, does not wear long and is too 
valuable often to make it practicable. I 
have never seen Black cherry in use 
Even if it had lasting qualities if one 
had it, 1,000 feet would buy 2,000 feet of 
cedar. A nice quality of cherry would 
be worth $30 per thousand and large 
wide boards very much more. Another 
difficulty with hard wood is the warping 
upon the roof. Hemlock and tamarack 
have lasting qualities but they warp 
and check, which of course ruins their 
value. Pine and cedar are now about 
the only kinds found in our northern 
markets. Good sound heart spruce is 
fully equal to cedar but this stuff is very 
high, by reason of the demand for paper 
pulp. H. E. c. 
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. 
FARM BRED YOUNG 
MAN, of good appearance 
and address, with a turn for 
business, will find a good open¬ 
ing for permanent position with 
prospects of early advancement, 
by addressing “ Employer,” 
care The Rural New-Yorker. 
WANTED. 
Eldorado Blackberry and Golden Queen 
Raspberry Plants. Address, Box 227, 
North Collins, N. Y. 
niDDi the heaviest yielding, 
Invincible Seed Wheat prolific variety in culti¬ 
vation. It stands up llLe a wall against all storms, 
has never lodged, has never been attacked by the 
Hessian Fly,has never winter killed. Weofferyou 
the product of over two hundred acres of our own 
growing, thoroughly redleaned, as low as II per 
bushel. Also, the best Bye grown. Elegantly 
lithographed catalogue free. Address 
EDWARD F, DIBBLLhoS^fK^ 
CHOICE SEED WHEAT. 
Dawson s Golden Chaff, $1; Kentucky Giant, II; 
Chicago World’s Fair, $1; Mealy, $1 10: Mam. White 
Hye, II; Choice Timothy, 11.85; Choice Clover, KJ.T.'i. 
All per bushel. Bags 15 cents. 
HARVEY SEED Co., Buffalo, N. V. 
DCn cccn U/Ucat— “harvest king.” Great 
nCU OllU TtiilAI yielder. Not bearded, II per 
bushel. Good bags, 16 cents extra. 
A. W. GRAHAM, Portageville. N. Y. 
Mealy Wheat, yielded 49M bushels to the acre, atll.lO 
per bushel. We have also American Wonder, Fultz, 
and Dawson Golden Chaff. Write for circular. 
The Theilmann Seed Company, Erie, Pa. 
SEED wheat! 
60 BUSHELS PER ACRE ; product of crop 
grown from our Imported Malakotf ; purebred; 
grandest New variety ever Introduced. Re¬ 
quires less seed per acre; stools better; gives 
better and heavier quality of grain; not at¬ 
tacked with rust or fly; hardy as Rye. SI. 60 
per buahel. Turkish Red, S1.1 0 ; Mammoth 
White Ryo, SI.00. No extra charge for sacks. 
Ask for prices on Timothy, Clover and all farm 
seeds. 
RATEKINS* SEED HOUSE, Shenandoah, la. 
straw just sold at 
Cb el bC T E. $20 per ton, carload lots. 
Send for Rye Circular with list prizes at State Fairs. 
Pan-American, and picture rye Held. 11 per bushel. 
E. L. CLARKSON, Tivoli, N' Y. 
Bed Alsike, 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, deUvered on your track. 
Clipper Grain & Seed Cleaners 
Let Us Know Tour Wants. 
The Henry Phi 
ipps Seed & Implement Co., 
“ A.” Toledo. Ollio 
2,000,000 pKes 
We offer 2,000,000 Elberta June Buds, besides largt 
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. 
Pan-American Strawberry. 
A genuine Fall bearing Strawberry, plants, II each; 
6 for $5; 12 for 110; 100, 175. By mail or express pre- 
Duld upon receipt of price. Addr -ss all orders and 
inquiries to SAMUEL COOPER, Delovan, N. Y. 
TREES SUCCEED WHERE 
"ijargest Nursery. OTHERS FAIL 
rtll^Yruit Book Free. Result of 78 years’ experience 
^/^STARK BROS, Louisiana, Mo.; Dansville, N. Y.; Etc 
I ’^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 29, Berlin, Md. 
MAIDEN’S BLUSH 
Is but one of hundreds of varieties of trees grown 
by us. We send FREE, upon request, new hanil- 
some, complete illustrated catalogue, giving valu¬ 
able liiiits and suggestions on selection and care 
of stock. Wc have Largest Nurseries, Most Com¬ 
plete Facilitie.s in Michigan. Write us to-day. 
CENTRAL MICHIGAN NURSERY, 
liUKerymjn, i'L:T:ziz, Laalsjaye AraiiitaaU. KaianiazM, HiJh 
THE RANDOLPH APPLE 
Most profltable early market variety. Very hand¬ 
some, bright red, good quality, excellent shipper, 
early annual bearer. See R. N Y. Aug. 22, page 695. 
Scions from vigorous trees, free from scale, per 
hundred buds by mall 50 cents. Express per thousand 
$2.00. Orders booked now: shipped when wanted. 
YV.Vl.TKK 1.. VAN AUKEN, Camden, Del. 
THE 
Half a eentarr of fair dealing has given 
our products that prominence which merit 
deserves. We still offer everything of 
the best for Orchard, Vineyard, 
Lawn, Park, Street, tiardea 
and Greenhouse. Catalogus 
No. 1. 112 pages, free to pur¬ 
chasers o. Fmit and Ornamental 
Trees. No. 3, 64 pages, free to buyers 
of Holland Bulbs and Greenhouse 
Plants. Try ns; we gnarantes 
^satisfaction. Correspondence solicited. 
STORRS & HARRISON CO*i 
PAINESVILLE, OHIO. 
Dest Nursery Stock—At the old reliable Milford Nurs- 
^ eries. Established, 1870. Peach Trees, 4c.; Plums 
and other stock. Shiide and Holly Trees for the Lawn. 
Catalogue. Milford Nurseries, Box 64. Milford, Del. 
100,000 APPLE, 200,000 PEACH, 
20,000 SOUR CHERRY I logue. Fumigation 
WOODVIEW NURSERIES, B. 2, Mt. Holly Sprlngs.l’a 
A GRAND LOT OF TREES 
Grown on virgin soil In the mountains of Western 
Pennsylvania. No scale, no disease of any kind. 
None better, none cheaper. Our business is growing 
trees for the commercial orchardist and farmer. 
Write for descriptive catalogue and price list. Address 
The River Side Nursery Company 
Confluence, Penn. 
NORTHERN GROWN TREES. 
Best climate, Best soil Best for the Fruit 
Grower. liest for Agent and Dealer. Best Cata¬ 
logue. Best Prices, My treatment and trees make 
permanent customers. Once tried, always wanted. 
Cat:ilogue free, instructive, interesting. 
MARTIN WAHL, Roebester, N Y 
My Illustrated Catalogue of Trees and Plants at 
WHOLESALE PRICES. Buy direct, and save 
commissions. I pay the freight when cash accom¬ 
panies order. 
E. O, PETERSON, MONTROSE NURSiERIES, 
Montrose, N. V. 
5,000 
Sample Strawberry Plants for 
8i 15,00. KEVITT’S plant B’AKM, 
Athenia, N. J. 
THIS IS THE BEST SEASON TO PLANT 
All the HARDY FRUITS AND ORNAMENTALS listed and described 
in our Autumn Catalogue. We send it post paid free. Write for it to-day 
and for any information you need on Horticultural matters. We have the 
time and wish to answer your questions. 
T. J. DWYER & SON, ORANGE COUNTY NURSERIES, CORNWALL, N. Y. 
FRUIT TREES 
FOR FALL PLANTING 
We do not hesitate to say that you will get most 
excellent results from planting our Trees In Oct(> 
ber and November. A lull line of varieties, named 
in my Catalogue, which is free. Get i t to-day. 
n. IS. TTVIXxEY, „ 
Cayuga Nurseries, Cayuga, Jx. »■ 
Free fro m Scale. New and Choice Varieties. 
Blackberries, Strawberries, Raspberries. 
Our FREE CATALOGUE will save you money. MYER & SON, Bridgevllle, Del. 
TREES AND PLANTS 
TREES 
prn inn apple, pear, cherry, and peach, healthy, true to name and 
iPO I Cn lUUi 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 10, Geneva, New York. 
ROGERS TREES FOR SAFETY. 
Rogers Trees are bred from Selected Rearing Trees, with personal attention aud safety m 
every operation. Carefully inspected, fumigated, and sold under our purity guarantee of 5 to i. 
the strongest and safest guarantee ever given. Other nurserymen do not know enough about the 
trees they sell to give such a guarantee. VVE GROAV EVERY TREE AVE SELL. WE KNO» 
OUR TREES and we want you to know more about them too. The Tree Breeder (Free) will tell you. 
ROGERS ON THE HILL, Tree Breeders, Dansville, N. Y. 
