1900 
5 
rHE RURAL NEW-YORKER, 
Ashes and Dissolved Rock for Potatoes. 
D. H. P„ Bowling Green, Kg.—We have 
say, 10 or 12 tons of hickory ashes. We 
intend using them on potatoes in the 
Spring. We wish to mix Tennessee rock 
with them. Give the amount of rock to 
use with the ashes. 
Ans. —The chances are that the use 
of these wood ashes on potatoes will 
not be very satisfactory. A ton of the 
ashes contains about 600 pounds of lime. 
Where the germs of the Potato scab are 
in the soil or on the seed, the lime will 
be likely to increase its growth. The 
Potato scab is a disease produced by a 
fungous growth, and lime in the soil 
gives a condition favorable for its 
growth and development. In some 
parts of the country wood ashes are 
safely used on potatoes without trouble 
from scab. But in these cases it has 
been found that few, if any, of the scab 
germs were in the soil. If you are 
usually troubled with Potato scab we 
would not advise you to use the ashes. 
As for mixing the ashes with phosphate 
rock, that will depend upon whether the 
rock has been cut by an acid or is sim¬ 
ply ground in its natural state. When 
phosphate rock is treated with sulphuric 
acid, it is dissolved, or “cut,” and the 
phosphoric acid becomes soluble in 
water. When lime is mixed with this 
dissolved rock, the phosphoric acid “re¬ 
verts,” that is, it takes up a particle of 
lime in chemical combination, and ties 
itself up, so to speak, so tightly, that it 
will not dissolve in water. Therefore, 
by mixing lime even in the form of 
wood ashes with the dissolved rock, you 
destroy much of the good results ob¬ 
tained by the use of acid in cutting the 
rock. We would not advise a mixture 
of wood ashes and dissolved rock. It 
would be better to broadcast the ashes 
in the Fall or Winter and then use the 
rock along the rows at the time of 
planting. You must remember, too, 
that the wood ashes and the rock to¬ 
gether will not give a complete fertil¬ 
izer. Neither of them contains nitro¬ 
gen, and this element must be supplied 
iu some form if you wish to produce a 
good crop of potatoes. 
Long Distance Telephones. 
G. S. P., Menlo, Ga.—ln issue of December 
9, there is reference, from Vermont, to a 
country line of telephones. We are trying 
to get up such a line at this place, but are 
so hedged in by the telephone companies 
that we cannot get any reliable informa¬ 
tion. We do not want the big companies 
to put in the line, but wish to own it our¬ 
selves. We would like to have the help of 
The R. N.-Y. We are unable to get prices 
on transmitters, receivers, switchboard, 
etc. The fruit business is mostly located 
in continuous lines on the ridges here, and 
quick communication is absolutely neces¬ 
sary. We wish to put in phones so that 
we can connect with the long distance 
companies. 
C. S. P. does not say whether the 
“long-distance companies” are Bell li¬ 
censees or independent companies. If 
the Bell Telephone people own and con¬ 
trol the long-distance lines in the vicin¬ 
ity where C. S. P. lives, it will be ab¬ 
solutely necessary for him to make a 
joint-traffic arrangement with the Bell 
Company and lease Bell instruments, in 
order to connect with their long-dis¬ 
tance lines. The Bell Telephone Com¬ 
pany never sells any of its instruments, 
but leases them to persons desiring to 
operate local lines, charging to the 
lessees from $5 to $8 per year rental, 
with the privilege of running through 
one of their exchange switchboards on 
to their trunk lines. The Bell people are 
very “conservative” people—I think 
that is the polite term to use when you 
mean something else. Now, if C. S. P. 
finds that he is obliged to use the lines 
of the Bell Telephone Company to get 
out on, he should apply to the nearest 
local manager for terms, and he will 
put him in the way of getting all the 
information he needs as to instruments, 
lines, etc. If C. S. P. can connect with 
an independent company that has long¬ 
distance lines, he should apply likewise 
to the nearest local manager of that 
company for information, as he will find 
that long-distance telephone companies 
are careful about making connections 
with local companies, and will insist on 
the instruments and the outside con¬ 
struction being in good shape, for the 
very good reason that the transmission 
of a telephone message requires two 
good instruments, one at each end. If 
either is faulty, the message is a failure. 
I should advise C. S. P. to correspond 
with the Western Telephone Construc¬ 
tion Company, New York or Chicago 
(either address will reach them), or the 
Victor Telephone Manufacturing Com¬ 
pany, Chicago, Ill. These are large con¬ 
cerns that carry everything pertaining 
to the telephone business, unless it be 
the lady operators, and they can usually 
be secured where needed. s. w. c. 
THE OHIO STATE HORTICULTURAL 
SOCIETY'S MEETING. 
Part II. 
Dr. Georgie Merriman read a very Inter¬ 
esting and valuable paper on The Dietetic 
Value of Fruits. Among the many prac¬ 
tical points she showed the value of fruits 
as a water supply for the human system, 
as it was refreshing and delightful, and 
was rendered antiseptic by the properties 
of the acids contained in it. It was shown 
how the human stomach might be continu¬ 
ally outraged by the heavy diet of meats 
and rich, almost indigestible, substances, 
until the specialist who must iinally be 
consulted, in sheer desperation, and at his 
wits’ end, orders his patient to the “grape 
cure” of southern France. Here the sub¬ 
ject eats nothing but grapes; drinks noth¬ 
ing but pure juice of the grape; sleeps 
under a grape arbor and dreams of noth¬ 
ing but grape culture. It was pertinently 
suggested that those who were likely to 
be aliiicled, and every one who owns a bit 
of ground might greatly economize by 
growing, in his own door-yards, and about 
his own home, this healthful, luscious 
fruit. Americans, she said, eat more meat 
than other nations, and fruits must be used 
in great abundance to counteract the ef¬ 
fects of such a diet. Bvery person should 
be supplied with one pint of fresh and pure 
fruit juice, in some form, every day. The 
seeds of fruit were declared, however, to 
be only for reproduction and not for food, 
and should be discarded. It was declared 
that fruits long exposed for sale in the 
open air should be scalded in boiling water 
before the outer covering should enter the 
stomach. Fruits and grain—or cereal foods 
—and fruits and nuts, were mentioned as 
a healthful combination. Almonds and 
raisins were especially mentioned in this 
connection, and are equaled only by the 
hickorynut and apple. Bananas were 
spoken of as harder to digest than some of 
our own fruits, and they are greatly im¬ 
proved by slicing with other fruits. Fruit 
and vegetables were said to be an injudi¬ 
cious combination owing to the wide differ¬ 
ence in time required for digestion. 
A member asked the Doctor why an apple 
or two, eaten Just before going to bed, 
seemed to be a preventive of insomnia. 
She replied that the cause of insomnia 
was due to too much blood in the brain; 
and that the apples eaten before retiring 
attracted a part of this blood to the 
stomach. Another member asked why a 
piece of mince pie would not do as well. 
Dr. Merriman humorously admitted that 
it might do so, but the chances were that 
the consequences might be even worse than 
insomnia. 
A discussion on cherries revealed the 
fact that Montmorency often bears when 
Early Richmond is killed; that English 
Morello and Wragg are practically the 
same, although a few thought there is a 
slight difference. After an extended dis¬ 
cussion as to this, President Cushman 
made a hit by suggesting that, as time was 
limited, he thought they had “chewed the 
Wragg ” long enough. 
Prof. Webster, of our Experiment Sta¬ 
tion, presented an able and very original 
discussion of the laissez falre or let-alone 
policy as applied to the control of insect 
pests. He showed that female insects are 
capable of producing more young than en¬ 
vironment is able to survive. As an ex¬ 
ample: So long as the oak tree remains 
healthy and stalwart the soil beneath it is 
practically free from attempts at reproduc¬ 
tion from falling acorns; but, when the 
tree is removed, hundreds of seedlings 
spring up, only one or two of which will 
ever reach maturity—the others being 
crowded out. Under primitive, natural 
conditions insect distribution was governed 
in somewhat the same manner; as uncon¬ 
genial environment partially prevented 
their multiplication until natural enemies 
would prey upon them. But when the 
“new man,” with his ideas of special cul¬ 
ture of special crops, entered the natural 
arena, and cleared away acre after acre 
of this promiscuous primitive vegetation, 
and planted the ground to a certain crop, 
he produced a disturbance in the insect 
world, by introducing the opportunity for 
those insects which feed upon that particu¬ 
lar class of vegetation to gain such an 
ascendency over their enemies that they 
were held no longer in check. This will 
readily be understood when it is remem¬ 
bered that primitive Insect distribution 
was regulated by very natural conditions, 
viz: Insects that fed upon plants; insects 
that fed upon insects; plants that fed upon 
Insects and plants that fed upon plants. 
Thus it is that, as we get away from na¬ 
ture, we need artificial protection. And 
the insect scourge of the present time is 
due to the fact that a great many planters 
have not and do not attempt to control 
the insects that attack their own crops. 
Poor fruit or grain is no eye-sore to the 
lazy man, and up-to-date growers will suf¬ 
fer greatly in mind, if not more in purse, 
than the lazy man, while the latter is to 
blame for it all. As to the importation of 
insect pests, Prof. Webster recommended 
National legislation to protect from for¬ 
eign infesters, and drastic State measures 
to combat the few that manage to escape 
the National quarantine. In conclusion, 
the let-alone policy does not belong to civi¬ 
lization, but the primitive forest. 
Mr. E. H. Shuey gave a fine illustrated 
lecture on Home Beautifying, which, Presi¬ 
dent Cushman feelingly stated, was the 
most wonderful thing he ever saw and 
heard. It was shown by fine stereopticon 
views what it is possible for a factory to 
do for working people when Christian sen¬ 
timent and horticultural teaching are com¬ 
bined. The subject is of too much im¬ 
portance to treat in this already long re¬ 
port, but, if possible, we will take it up 
later on, as it is the grandest idea ever put 
into practical execution, and its influence 
is going to be felt in no small way in our 
rural districts. The idea of a factory 
turning out enthusiastic young florists and 
horticulturists, as well as their regular 
legal product is, at least, a novel one. 
F. H. BALLOU. 
“To Err is Human .'' 
<But to err all the time is criminal or 
idiotic. Don't continue the mistake of 
neglecting your blood. When impurities 
manifest themselves in eruptions or vohen 
disordered conditions of stomach, kidneys, 
liver or bcnvels appear, take HoocTs Sar¬ 
saparilla. It void make pure, live blood, 
and put you in good health. 
Like a Bull Dog. 
That’s the way this lock and 
fence stay (trips the wire and 
hangs on. It’s “a fence stay 
that will stay.” No twisting, 
straining or breaking of 
wires; no shaking loose or 
slipping. Makes the most 
rigid, strongest, most dur- 
fence that can be made out of wire. 
It’s just as easy us nailing pickets. Any 
luind or size of wire may be used. 
\1/ C Uf HUT AfirUTQ In every locality. Exelu- 
WC WHd I HUCH I o S ive territory to the right 
men. No expensive tools required. Cheaper than any 
other of same weight ami strength. Write today for 
catalogue and samnle— free. 
CHANDLEE FENCE CO.,'7 S. Howard St., Baltimore, Md 
No. 7 
Kurd 
Steel. 
In speaking about Scott’s 
Emulsion for children, you 
should not forget that it con¬ 
tains lime and soda, just 
what the child must have to 
form strong bones and good 
teeth. It’s this forming time 
you want to look after. 
Growing bodies must have an 
easily digested fat Just think how 
much of it there is in milk, as cream. 
Scoil’s Emulsion 
is even more easily digested than 
cream. It’s surprising how chil¬ 
dren thrive when given it. 
Don’t keep the children living on 
the edge of sickness all the time. 
Make them strong and rugged, 
plump and hearty. Scott’s Emul¬ 
sion of Cod-liver Oil and the Hypo- 
phosphites of Lime and Soda will do 
this for them. 
At all druggists; 50c. and $1 .00. 
SCOTT & BO 
iggists; 
WNE, 1 
Chemists, New York. 
1,000 SAMPLES FREE 
of our new Success fence ratchet 
which tightens any wire fence, new 
or old. Grips automatically as wire 
Is wound on. No holes to bore In posts. Attaches 
midway of the fence. We will mail yon a sample to 
test if yon will send us 12o. to cover postage only. 
Cir. free. W. H. MASON A CO., Box 67, Leesburg, O. 
DON’T BUY POULTRY NETTING 
until you get our illustrated circulars giving net 
prices of the best POULTRY FENCING. We 
can ship from Colchester, New York or Chicago, and 
pay freight charges to your railroad station. Sample 
of best fence made, 4c. Circulars free. 
•JAMES S. CASE (Box N.), Colchester, Conn. 
in— 
—!! 
- Dtpr - 
: rAuL : 
THE OPEN DOOR POLICY 
sounds all right, but the open field had better have 
Page Fence around It, with one or two Page Gates. 
PACK WOVEN WIRE FENCE CO., ARRIAN, JUCH. 
M. Mm S. 
WAdAAAA 'rdA 
POULTRY FENCE 
Has more good qualities than all others combined— 
cabled selvage anti a cable every foot in height of fence 
Requires fewer posts and No Top or Bottom Rail— 
PLEASINGSER VIC ABLE PRACTICAL 
ECONOMICAL SATISFACTORY. 
Saves 50 per cent. In cost ot completed fence. 
NOTE—Even If netting be donated, the complete fence 
will cost more than where M. M. 8. POULTRY FENCING 
is used ut regular price. Deduct price of netting from 
Estimate No. 2, and sec. 
We also make Hog. Field and Lawn Fencing. 
yAr/ ~ \/ m '~y v v x 
£33 
Pat. July ‘21, 
96. Pat. July 6, '97. 
ESTIMATE No. 1. 
6# rods 4-foot M. M. S. Poultry Fence made of 
No. 19 galvanized steel wire, @ 65c per rod t 59.00 
61 posts, @ 20 cents .... 12.20 
Setting posts, 5 cents each .... S.06 
No Top or Bottom Kail Required. 
No Labor Putting Rail on Posts Required. 
No Nalls lo Attach Ralls Required. 
5 lbs. staples, @ 7 cents ... .35 
4 hours labor stretching up fence, @ 25 cents 1.00 
Total cost . ... . $ 55.60 
Draw your own conclusions 
ESTIMATE No. 2, 
60 rods old-fashinned diamond netting. 4 feet 
in height, made of No. 19 galvanized steel 
wire, @ 65 cents per rod t 39.00 
121 posts, ® 20 cents - ... 24.20 
Setting posts, @ 5 cents each - - 6.06 
1,320 sq. ft. in top and hot. rail, $20.00 per M - 26.40 
30 lbs. 20d nails, @ 5 cents ... 1.50 
8 hours labor putting up rail,® 25c. per hour 2.00 
10 hourslaborstretching netting,® 25c prhour 2.60 
10 lbs. staples. @ 7 cents - • .70 
Total cost ... . $102.86 
and then write us for clrculurs. 
DEKALB FENCE CO., Box S, De Kalb, III. 
The 
Fence 
Of the 
Times. 
The best spring steel wires, twisted main cables, well woven cross wires. Heavy 
enough for all purposes, yet low in price. Heavy galvanizing, expansion ana 
contraction provided for. Once properly pat up will last practically forever. 
THE ELLWOOD FENCES 
Sold by our agents everywhere. If no agent in your town write direct to 
AMPDIfAM CTPRI X- U/IDP C.Ci 
