788 
N'ovember 14 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
FARMERS’ CLUB 
[Every query must be accompanied by 
the name and address of \he wi-iter to in¬ 
sure attention. Before aski.ng a question, 
please see whether it is rot answered in 
our advertising columns. Ask only a few 
(lucstions at one time. Put qu(}.si;ions on a 
.separate piece of paper.! 
WHAT TO DO FOR A CORNFIELD? 
ir. B. K., No. Tarrytown, N. Y .—I have two 
fields which had not been plowed for 18 
years previous to my plowing them two 
and three years past respectively. At the 
time of plowing the only vegetation on 
them was blackberries, wild strawberries, 
sumach and sundry other weeds usually 
found on neglected land. The fields both 
face west, and slope about 15 feet in 400; 
the soil is from sandy loam to heavy loam. 
1 have had one in corn three years, the 
other two year.s. and each year there is 
some improvement in the crop, but it runs 
to stover rather than ears. The stalks 
are from seven to 10 feet high, and have 
that dark green color characteristic of 
^'igorous crops, but besides the ears being 
small, there arc many stalks that bear 
no ears at all. 1 have tried dent and flint 
corn, both of my own raising and seeds 
bought from reliable seedsmen, with the 
same result. The rows are checked 38 
inches between hills. This year I have 
u.sed in same field in sections the best of 
manure, hen manure, fertilizers, phos¬ 
phoric acid 10 , potash eight, and nitrogen 
three per cent, phosphoric acid six and 
potash 10 , and one section no manure or 
fertilizer at all, and the only perceptible 
difference was that the part that was not 
manured at all had both short stalks and 
ears. I cultivated until corn was in tassel 
and now at cutting time the fields are 
practically free of any weeds. If some 
of your practical farmers can give me 
some solution of the difficulty they wdll 
greatly oblige me. I would also add that 
betw'een cultivating and time for cutting 
corn the ground became covered with moss 
and has a tendency to run to sorrel, which 
indicates sourness. 
Ans.—I t seems evident from his de¬ 
scription that sufficient fertility is in 
the soil to grow the stalks, but not to 
carry out the crop .of grain under the 
conditions as he give® them, and are 
not these conditions responsible for the 
outcome? We find the planting too 
close, SS-imh check row, and too much 
seed in the hill would account for the 
short ears and absence of ears. This 
close thick planting and growth of 
stalk seven to 10 feet so shades the 
ground that as he says, It is covered 
wiith moss and sorrel, sure evidence 
that the corn is too thick on the"ground, 
preventing the sun from perfecting the 
crop as it otherwise would. White 1 
believe that potash and ground bone 
would materially assist in sweetening 
the soil and perfecting the crop, I 
would, if the case were mine, seed the 
ground to clover. Top-dress liberally 
with a complete fertilizer, mow the first 
crop, pV>w under the second crop, and 
get more vegetable matter into the soil, 
which it evidently needs, and which in 
my experience has never failed to grow 
whatever kind of a crop I wished to 
raise. In a word, aerate the soil by 
growing and plowing under some kind 
of leguminous crop, and the foundation 
is laid for future success. I have had 
convincing proof upon the two points 
to which I have called your attention 
the past season—thin planting of corn 
because of poor seed resulting in fine 
large ears, and its splendid growth re¬ 
sulting on Crimson clover sod, no fer¬ 
tilizer being used. Walter f. taber. 
Dutchess Co,, N. Y. 
R. N.-Y.—We should try a fair dress¬ 
ing of lime with the clover. 
Insects Affecting Iris Roots. 
F. M. L., No. Wilmington, Mass.—My tuber¬ 
ous plants, especially my Iris, are badly 
infested by borers which eat into the 
tubers and kill the plants. It is some¬ 
thing entirely new to me, and I would like 
a remedy if there is one. 
Ans.—R oot-eating insects are not easy 
to control. Probably the best remedy is 
tobacco dust or chopped tobacco stems 
scattered an inch thick about the plants. 
If pure it is a good fertilizer, and the 
leachings are not relished by most in¬ 
sects. Probably your Iris roots are 
eaten by white grubs, the larvae of May 
beetles. There are few borers that at¬ 
tack soft tubers. 
« 
Succession of Peaches. 
Redder, New Holland, Pa.—Name best eight 
varieties of peaches needed to make a 
perfect succession in Lancaster Co., Pa. 
Ans. —The writer does not say what 
use the orchard is for, but I suppose 
for the family and not market. The 
earliest good peach is Bishop and fol¬ 
lowing that are Mountain Rose, Bar¬ 
nard, Elberta, Oldmixon Free, Chairs, 
Salway and Heath C^ing. This list will 
also do very well for market purposes 
in Pennsylvania. h. e. v. d. 
White Grubs in an Orchard. 
IV. A. R., Whiiefish Bay, Wia.—As white 
grubs are sometimes very numerous on the 
roots of grass, have they ever troubled 
Mr. Hitchings in his orchard? I read in 
an agricultural paper from the old country 
that white grubs eat the fine soft bark 
which is found around apple tree roots, 
thus causing sometimes great damage. 
Ans. —We have never had any trouble 
with white grubs in our orchards. If I 
were afraid of their eating apple tree 
roots I sihould sow some clover seed, 
using Cutaway harrow to loosen up sod 
so seed would catch. I feel sure a grub 
would take a clover root as first choice 
for his dinner, grant g. hitchings. 
Peaches Planted in Sod. 
O. E., New Holland. Pa. —I Intend starting 
a peach orchard of eight acres in a heavy 
sod, following the mulch method. The field 
Is on a steep northern slope. What distance 
should trees be set apart? Is it advisable 
to set the trees out this Fall? 
Ans. —We are planting peaches under 
such circumstances 16 feet apart. The 
trees do not, with us, grow as large as 
the cultivated trees. They make more 
of a bush form. We advise you to keep 
a space of at least four feet in diameter 
well hoed around each "tree. We prefer 
to set peach trees in Spring. 
The Sudduth and Snyder Pears. 
.1. P. H., Merclmntsville, N. J.—Will you 
tell us some of the good points of the 
Sudduth and Snyder pears, as they are 
new ones to me? 
Ans. —The Sudduth pear is remarka¬ 
ble for its freedom from blight and early 
and abundant bearing. The quality is 
only fair, and coming at a season when 
pears are plentiful, about August and. 
September, it will have many competi¬ 
tors of higher quality. The color when 
fully ripe, as I have seen the fruit in all 
stages, is green, which, unfortunately, 
is not in its favor for market purposes. 
The Snyder pear I do not know. 
H. E. V. D. 
Stark Star Grape. 
IV. O. M., Montclair, N. J. —What do you 
know about the new Stark Star grape? 
Will it do well in the vicinity of New York? 
Ans. — I have known this grape for 
several years before the Stark Bros, got 
hold of the stock. Last Fall I was in 
the vineyard in northwest Arkansas 
where it was first grown and was 
pleased with the vine and the fruit, as 
I had been with the fruit before. I now 
have a bunch of the grapes in my room 
from the originator, Mr. Bachman, and 
it is of the same character as before. 
The quality is not high, but it is good 
•and the bunches are large and well 
formed. The color is black. There is 
no doubt in my mind that it will suc¬ 
ceed in New Jersey and over the United 
States generally. ii. e. v. h. 
Peach List for Colorado. 
F. A'., Glenwood Sprmgs, Col.—I should like 
to have advice regarding peaches. Quality 
is not so much wanted as quantity. I want 
large and, if possible, yellow peaches. 
Give me the names of peaches in succes¬ 
sion, from the earliest to the latest, so 
that I ca7i have them during the whole 
season. Do not give me more than one 
name of each sort, for if you do I shall 
get mixed up again. 
Ans. —It is evident that a list of mar¬ 
ket peaches is what is wanted. As 
Glenwood Springs, CoU, is on the west¬ 
ern side of the Continental Divide, 
where I have seen many large and suc¬ 
cessful peach orchards. It Is probable 
that almost any of the best varieties 
will succeed there. A good list would 
begin with Belle of Georgia, which is 
a red and white peach, but a very pro¬ 
fitable one for market. Elberta will fol¬ 
low it, and after that Chairs, Gold Drop, 
Salway and Smock, all of which are 
yeI(low freestones and reliable market 
varieties. They are mentioned in order 
of ripening. h. e. v. d. 
MORE ABOUT TREE PAINTING. Q 
The Station orchard is keiJt under thor¬ 
ough cultivation, and during the 13 years 
I hape been here I have not observed half 
a dozen borers. For this reason I have 
never tried the remedy suggested. In gen¬ 
eral, however, I should expect no harm 
from the treatment proposed by Prof. Al- 
wood, as we freely paint wounds made in 
pruning, and the healing process is not 
retarded. I shall proceed to paint some 
trees this Fall. w. m. munson. 
Maine Exp. Station. 
I have used crude oil on both peach and 
apple for the scale with good success, and 
have known of other oily mixtures being 
used; I would not fear to use lead and oil 
and I really think it w'ould do what Prof 
Alw’ood claims for it. I have had so little 
damage from mice and rabbits that I have 
never used anything to prevent their 
gnawing the bark. I see a neighbor paint¬ 
ing his trees with some tree paint, and 
he says it is nothing but coal tar and 
roofing paint. u. t. cox. 
Ohio. 
Noticing that Prof. Alwood advises 
washing fruit trees with white lead and 
oil to stop rabbits from gnawing the bark, 
would consider such paint injurious to 
trees, as closing the pores. Upon West- 
leigh Farms we cultivate 60 acres of apple 
trees, and the last of October or first of 
November we paint all trees with a paint 
composed of five parts ocher (earth paint) 
.and one part sulphur, mixed with skim- 
milk, and applied with a brush. We find 
this very effectual. Every Spring we 
apply wash made of whale-oil soap, which 
lasts until the application of the sulphur 
paint in Fall. westleigh farms. 
Indiana. 
I have never used any mixture as a pro¬ 
tection against rabbits and mice. I would 
not want to use a paint of white lead and 
oil. unless in a small Aay, first to experi¬ 
ment, fearing a thick coating over the bark 
might be injurious to the trees. As re¬ 
gards rabbits, I like a good rabbit pie too 
well to be troubled any with them, and 
for the mice we always bank up our trees 
in the Fall, from eight inches to a foot, 
and this serves a double purpose; it Is 
sure to keep the mice away and it also 
keeps the water from settling around the 
trees and freezing in the Winter; also helps 
hold up the trees in the heavy winds, es¬ 
pecially the young trees. This Fall I 
notice another good thing about this plan. 
I left one block of trees banked last Spring, 
and do not find any borers to speak of as 
yet. Of course there might not have been 
any there anyway. t. h. king. 
Tompkins Co., N. T. 
For the land’s sake, use Bowker’s Fer¬ 
tilizers. They enrich the earth.— Adv. 
SAN JOSE SCALE. 
And other Ingects can be Controlled by Using 
Good’s Caustic Potash Whale 
Oil Soap No. 3. 
It also prevents Curl Leaf. Endorsed by Entomolo¬ 
gists. This Soap is a Fertilizer as well as Insecticide. 
.’)0-lb. Kegs, $2.50; 100-lb. Kegs, $4.50; Half-Barrel. 
270 Ids., 3t4c. per lb.; Barrel. 425 lbs., 3 Mc. Large 
qiiantitles. Special Kates. Send for Circulars. 
JAMES GOOD, 939 N. Front St., Philadelphia, Pa. 
ALFALFA 
THE GREAT PROTEIN CLOVER. 
Our booklet tells all about 
it, free. Prize Medals two 
AmericanExpositions, and 
at Paris (France), 1900. 
The C. A. Smorthwaite Produce 6o., 
OGDEN, UTAH. 
111 I who gather or cultivate GINSENG will do well 
ALL to write for prices before selling. Address, 
LEMUETj BLACK, Exporter of Raw Furs and Dealer 
In Ginseng. Hlghtstown. N. J.. Lock Box 48. Refer¬ 
ence: First National Bank of Hlghtstown. 
When you write advertisers mention The 
R. N.-Y". and y.ou will get a quick reply and 
“a square deal.” See our guarantee 8th page. 
Glenwood Nurseries 
Most complete assortment of choice 
Ornamental trees, Shrubs and Vines 
Bend for Descriptive Illustrated Catalogue. 
THE WM. H. MOON CO., MORBI8VILLB, PA. 
80 miles from New York; 30 miles from Philadelphia. 
TREES AND SHRUBS 
IN GRE.AT VARIETY. 
WELL GROWN, HEALTHY AND TRUE 
TO NAME. Many New and Rare Plants. 
Largest Stock In the Sonth. 
Illustrated Catalogue Free. 
P. J. BERCKMANS CO. (INC.) 
Eruitland Nurseries, Augusta, Ga. 
Established in 1856. Over 400 acres In Nurseries. 
DON’T WAIT 
till Spring to buy those Trees, 
Plants or Ornamental stock which 
you have in mind. Send us your 
order now and save money. Get 
first-class goods and avoid the 
rush of Spring orders. We have 
a large stock to select from and 
guarantee satisfaction. Ours is 
the largest Nursery in New Eng¬ 
land—over 200 acres in trees. 
Catalogue sent free to R. N.-Y. 
readers. Send your address. 
THE STEPHEN HOYT’S SONS CO., 
NEW CANAAN, CONN. 
»FES SUCCEED WHERE 
'Lar?e~r,ery. OTHERS FAIL 
., 
Fruit Book Free. Result of 78 years’experienc# 
Rons Iniilalflna. Mo.: Dausville. N. Y.: Etc 
and other FRUIT TREES at fair 
prices. Circular free. K. S. JOHN¬ 
STON. Box 4, Stockley. Del. 
100,000 Apple, 200,000 Peach, 
30M. SOUR CHERRY. Low Prices. Catalogue. 
WOODVIEW NURSERIES, B. 2, Mt. Holly Springs.Pa 
My Illustratad Catalogue of Trees and Plants at 
WHOLESALE PRICES. Buy direct, and save 
commissions. 1 pay the freight when cash accom¬ 
panies order. 
E. O. PETERSON, MONTROSE NURSERIES, 
Montrose, N. Y. 
NORTHERN GROWN TREES. 
Best climate. Best soli. Best for the Fruit 
Grower. Best for Agent and Dealer. Best Cata- 
logrne, Best Prices. My treatment and trees make 
permanent customers. Once tried, always wanted. 
Catalogue free. Instructive, Interesting. 
MARTIN WAHL, Rochester, N T 
EXCELSIOR 
The “moneymaker” in 
STRAWBERRIES. 
The earliest berry grown and The Best Early Market Berry” 
Its superior carrying qualities and beautiful rod color make 
11 vorj popular 1 n .11 the big mu-kets. 1 bare millions of pluits of this .nd 
W. F. ALLEN. Salisbury. Md. 
buds I 
niousl 
./af.4 Ti ra 
THE TREE OF LIFE 
Is one budded upon a branched root seedling, buds 
taken from bearing trees, grown upon the famous 
Michigan fruit land, dug by our root protecting 
tree digger and handled iu our mammoth storage 
cellars. Small fruits and everything In nursery 
and greenhouse lines true to name at wholesale 
prices. tSTWe guarantee safe delivery. 
Catalogue FREE. Write today. 
CENTRAL MICHIGAN NURSERY, Kalamazoo, Mich. 
Michigan*6Mammo(hNurse>'ie9 
PECAN TREES AND NUTS aSuSf'cf 
3 years old.) TIIK 0. B. BACON PKCAN CO., (loe.) D«wltt, Qt. 
“ How to Grow Paper-Shell Pecans,” 
FREE. Best varieties in U. 8. True to variety. 
Cions cut from bearing trees by member of firm. 
;^11 descriptive Catalogue of ALL FRUIT trees free. 
B. W. STONE At CO., Thomasville, Ga. 
Id writing lueution Rural Nuw-Yorker. 
TREES 
An nrn inn apple, pear, cherry, and peach, healthy,true to name and 
rLn lUUi Fnralgated. 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. 
MONTMORENCY 
CHERRY TREES, two-year-old. bred from Geo. T. Powell’s 
Orchards. Send for prices of these and other business trees. 
ROGERS ON THE HILL, Dansville, N. Y. 
STARK GRAPE NURSERIES are in the heart of the famous Chautauqua 
Grape Belt, which produces the finest vines grown in the U. S. We have 
an immense stock of all leading sorts; quality perfect; prices low as those of 
any reputable grower. Send us your orders—one vine or a car load. A com- 
lete line of fruit trees, small BRO*S PORTLAND, N. Y. 
VINES i 
ruits, etc. Price List free. 
Louisiana, Mo. 
etc., have been the standard of excellence for half a 
century. The best always cheapest. Have hundreds 
of carloads of 
Fruits and Ornamentals. 
40 acres of Hardy Roses including 46,000 of the 
- - — famous Crimson Rambler. 44 greenhouses of Palms. 
Kicus, Ferns,Roses, etc. Correspondence solicited. Catalogue free. 60th year. lOOOacres. 
THE STORRS & HARRISON CO., Painesville,0« 
