1900 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER, 
145 
Carrier for Potato Digger. 
L. 8. 8., Tolono, III .—Does any reader of 
The R. N.-Y. know whether there is any 
potato digger made that will elevate the 
potatoes into the wagon while digging and 
at one operation? If so, where and by 
whom manufactured? 
Ans. —We all want to know about this. 
About 10 years ago we heard of a man 
in Michigan who fastened a wagon be¬ 
hind a Hoover digger so that the po¬ 
tatoes were carried to the wagon box. 
We tried to learn the particulars, but 
could never trace the man down. Has 
anyone ever really done this thing? 
R. N.-Y. readers will know if it has been 
done. Last Winter a man wrote about 
a design for a potato picker. 
Grading and Buying Cucumber Pickles. 
J. Q. TV., Wilmington, N. 0.—What are the 
rules for grading cucumbers for pickle fac¬ 
tories, and what price is usually paid? 
As regards grading cucumber pickles 
for the factory, the practice in this sec¬ 
tion is as follows: The pickers go over 
the patch as often as every two days, 
picking every cucumber that is two 
inches long, or longer. At the packing 
shed (usually a rude, temporary affair 
erected handy to the field) the baskets 
of pickles brought in by the pickers are 
emptied on to a table or long bench, to 
be sorted. This sorting (or grading) is 
done entirely by the eye and hand. Two 
to four inches long is the required size 
for first-grade pickles here. Cucumbers 
from four to five inches in length are 
classed as seconds. All over five inches 
(or overripe) are worthless for factory 
purposes, and so these latter are, in 
sorting, thrown out entirely. No at¬ 
tempt Is made (in this section) to sort 
into more than the two grades above 
mentioned. Possibly the requirements 
may vary with different factories in dif¬ 
ferent parts of the country: I can, of 
course, only speak of the factory cus¬ 
toms here in Michigan. The price paid 
(under contract between grower and 
factory) is usually from 75 to 85 cents 
per 100 pounds of first-grade pickles— 
delivered at the factory. Seconds bring 
usually 25 or 30 cents per 100 pounds. 
About two bushel basketfuls weigh 100 
pounds. If the cucumber patch could 
be regularly and thoroughly picked by re¬ 
liable, careful pickers it might be pos¬ 
sible to do away with sorting and sec¬ 
onds entirely by not allowing the cu¬ 
cumbers to attain a size over four inches. 
In other words, if every pickle were 
picked off at the right time and none 
overlooked there would not be any sec¬ 
onds or overripe specimens. But such 
an ideal state of things is hardly to be 
hoped for, so the sorting table is neces¬ 
sary. Pickers are generally paid by the 
day—$1 or $1.25 per day of 10 hours. 
The sorting is usually done by the own¬ 
er of the patch, or by some of his fam¬ 
ily. The pickles must be picked regu¬ 
larly and often in order to keep the 
patch continually producing. Fifty 
dollars per acre net is considered a good 
yield for this crop. w. e. Andrews. 
Van Buren Co., Mich. 
Truck Growing in the Gulf States. 
N. G., Grand Rapids, Mich.—A northern 
truck grower wishes to locate in Georgia; 
extreme northwest corner of the State. 
The soil is a yellow clay, somewhat loose 
and stony, southeast slope. It produces 
fine strawberries; most of it is virgin soil 
with a good quantity of leaf mold. Will 
rhubarb and asparagus grow profitably? 
How should they be planted? Will cucum¬ 
bers, lettuce and radishes do well in green¬ 
house in such soil? How would solid 
benches do? Can Winter cabbage be 
grown, and when should it be set? Why 
are the houses set on posts, instead of wall 
and cellar? How should I make a large 
cistern on a hill to pump water into, and 
what kind of pump is needed to supply 
water for greenhouses and other building? 
Ans. —The soil described should be 
quite suitable for trucking operations, 
though more sand and fewer stones 
would render it more manageable. Rhu¬ 
barb and asparagus will grow well with¬ 
out doubt. The question of profit in 
these crops is mainly one of accessibil¬ 
ity to good markets. One or two-year 
roots should be planted in late Fall, or 
as early in Spring as ground can be 
worked, in soil very well prepared by 
deep plowing and thorough fertilization. 
Rhubarb can be set four feet apart each 
way and asparagus three feet by two. 
With the addition of one-half rotted 
sods or one-fourth finely composted 
stable manure, the soil in question ought 
to prove well adapted for glasshouse 
crops. Without the humus supplied by 
manure, or something of that character, 
it would probably be too compact, un¬ 
less the proportion of leaf mold was in¬ 
creased at the expense of fertility. Solid 
benches are preferable to raised ones for 
lettuce and radishes, but not for cucum¬ 
bers, though they are less objectionable 
in the Soutn, owing to the greater ele¬ 
vation of the sun in Winter. Winter 
cabbage is rather uncertain in the high¬ 
lands of northern Georgia, but it some¬ 
times comes through in good shape. 
The plants can be set in November. 
We assume this inquiry refers to 
southern dwelling-houses. During sev¬ 
eral years’ residence in Virginia and 
Tennessee we found that cellars and 
tight walls under houses were consid¬ 
ered unhealthy, but could find no evi¬ 
dence to support the assertion. The na¬ 
tives like to have the air pass freely 
under the houses and dry out the soil 
over which they stand. 
If the subsoil on the hill is firm it 
can be excavated to the required dimen¬ 
sions and cemented up with only suffi¬ 
cient wall to extend below any possible 
frost, say 18 inches to two feet, but it is 
always safer to line the entire cistern 
with brick or stones before applying the 
final coat of cement. Any of the wind¬ 
mill manufacturers advertising In The 
R. N.-Y. can furnish you with a suitable 
pump. 
Timber for Marsh Land. 
L. E. M., Climax, Mich.—I have about three 
acres of marsh land that had from two to 
three feet of muck burnt from the surface 
last Fall; it is wet, but still the muck left, 
in places, clay bottom. What kind of tim¬ 
ber will It grow best, and how can I get It 
started? 
Ans. —Black ash would probably make 
best growth upon the land described. 
The timber is, however, of less value 
than that from some other kinds of 
trees. We suggest that Black ash, 
White ash and elm and basswood be 
tried on the land. In all probability the 
White ash will not grow, but it is worth 
while to try the experiment. The trees 
can be obtained from Douglas & Son, 
Waukegan, Ill. It is probable that the 
same firm would be able to give valu¬ 
able advice with reference to setting the 
trees. 
Quantity of Fine Trees 
We have almost everything wanted In our line 
October Plum, 
Peach and Apple Trees. 
Green Mountain Grape Vines. 
FOREST TREES AND SHRUBS are our groat 
specialties. We have, however, quantities of other 
Nursery Stock too numerous to mention. 
Send for our Free Catalogue. Address 
STEPHEN HOYT’S SONS, New Canaan, Conn. 
FRUIT ™ PROFIT 
Echo Strawberry. 
London and 
Columbian Raspberry. 
Erie and Rathbun 
Blackberry. 
Pearl Gooseberry. 
Pomona and 
Red CroBS Currants. 
My new catalogue is free. 
Last year it was conceded to be 
the most valuable issued. Let 
me send it to you. All fruits 
warranted true to name. They 
command the market. 
ALLEN L. WOOD, Wholesale Grower, Rochester, N. Y. 
The President 
Wilder Currant 
heads the list as a producer and 
a money-maker. Plant no other. 
Prices given on application. 
S. D. WILLARD, Geneva, N.Y. 
Grape Vines 
Descriptive end Price List free. 
Currants, Gooseberries and Other Small 
Fruit Plants. Extra quality. Warranted true. 
T. 8. HUBBARD CO., FKEDONIA, N. Y. 
For Spring Planting 
The reliable new EVERBEARING PEACH 
Also, the KLBERTA and other choice varieties. 
JAPAN PLUMS—all the most approved sorts. Se¬ 
lect assortment small Fruits. Prices for above very 
reasonable. Address 
MILFORD NURSERIES, Milford, Del. 
PEACH TREES 
First size 4*4 conts; 3 to 4 
feet, 314 cents; 2 to 3 feet, 
214 cents each, all one year 
from bud.healthyandthrifty; no scale. Official certi¬ 
ficate with each shipment. Sample by exp. if wanted. 
Ship any time. Trees kept dormant until May 10th. 
R. S. JOHNSTON, Box 4, Stockley, Del. 
VINES, TREES, SHRUBS, 
_ best varieties for Northern 
5 Planters. Also Seed Corn and 
potatoes. For anything in nursery stock, at reason¬ 
able prices, consult our catalog, sent free. 
COE & CONVEKSE, Box 9, Ft. Atkinson, Wls. 
nnil’T glve an order for Nursery Stock again 
UUIl I until you have read my illustrated 
catalogue, and see low prices, 
etc. Remember it_ pays to 
by mail. You will 
Bargains by mail, 
have them sent 
PLANT THE BEST 
rejoice if you 
Send to HALL’S NURSERY, Cherry Valley, Ill. 
Trees. Trees. Trees. 
Every tree a pedigree tree, every tree boars loads of 
highest quality of fruit when properly cared for. 
Our orchards prove it. We have the Pedigree York 
Imperials of the country. All fruits. Carloads of Peach 
and low price. 33 years’ experience. Name size, num¬ 
ber wanted and variety. 
Woodview Nurseries, Box 100, Uriah, Pa. 
10 
Peach Trees 
10 Apple, Plum or Pear 
80c.; 10 Dwarf Pear 60c. 
10 Quince 75c.; 10 Grape, 
Gooseberry or Currant 
50c. Write Quickly. C. NURSERY AND ORCHARD 
CO., Charleston, W. Va. 
50c. 
Ohio Notes.— We are located in north¬ 
western Ohio. Our land will produce al¬ 
most anything, and is selling very high at 
present, from $35 to $60 and $90 per acre, ac¬ 
cording to value of buildings. Clover seed 
was good quality, about three bushels per 
acre. Young meadows are not very good; 
too dry. j. r. h. 
Mercer Co., O. 
Our Illustrated Catalogue for 1900 
Explains what may be accomplished by using 
well-grown trees and plants. Mailed free. 
W. M. PETERS’ SONS, Wesley, Md. 
The Wonderful FROST-PROOF PEACH 
IRON MOUNTAIN Everywhere. 
Fine PEACH TREES a specialty. Everything 
for the Fruit Grower. Catalogue (in colors) 
free. LINDSLEY’S NURSERIES, Whltehouse, N.J. 
:x 
EVERITT'S 
Earliest of All 
..TOMATO.s 
A week ahead of all others! 
bright scarlet, smooth, solid, fine. 
productive.Plant It & surprise every¬ 
body. Packet lO cents. Write cor¬ 
rectly ourtrademark (Swords <►, 
and 2 letters) & receive your 
choice of any pkg. of seeds ini 
ourcatalog free. Getour free 1 
catalog before buying any seeds' 
J. A. EVER ITT, Seedsman, 
Dept835lndlnnapolls, Ind. Trade Mark 
-.\._nFor40y ears the favorite with prao- 
tica 1 gardeners and florists. The 
£-9i2§dS5jniew 1900 catalogue describes all va- 
. r rioties. Send for it. 
.1. J. II. (IKKIJOliY St SON, Jl.irbl.hcd, ■»«. 
BEST SEEDS 
for the 
least 
money. 
All Seeds In PAPERS postpaid for TWO cents 
each. YOUR OWN SELECTIONS. No blow or 
humbug, but the plain truth. Catalogue Free. 
SIEGEL, the Seodsman, ERIE, PA. 
SOUTHPORT GLOBE ONION SEED. 
Meeker’s Smoothing Harrows, Onion Seed Drills and 
Hand-Wheel Hoes. C. O. Jelliif & Co., Southport, Ct 
The Admiral Dewey Pofato. 
Still at the head with a yield rate of 977 bushels 
to the acre in 1898, with from 60 to SKI pounds from a 
pound of seed planted in 1899. It resembles the 
Rose in color of the skin, but the flesh is whiter and 
the quality is unquestionably the best of its type, 
and should supersede all others for main crop. 
Price, 75c. pound; 3 pounds, $2. post or express paid. 
Send for circulars and testimonials to C. M. ROBIN 
SON. Manorvilie L. I., or JOHN DUKYEA & CO 
27, 29 and 31 Gansevoort Street, New York City. 
E. A. Hill, Windham, Greene Co.,N.Y. 
(This ad. will not appear again.) 
Bovee, Carman No. 3, Sir Walter, Uncle Sam. 
Try some seed from the eastern Catskills, the 
natural home of the potato, where varieties improve 
both In vigor, yield and quality. 
AM MAYING a specialty Of socond-growth Seed 
Mill 1,1 Ml\111U Potatoes. It will save you money 
to buy direct from farmer. 
prices and references. Address ALFRED A, 
WHITTINGTON, Marion Sta., Somerset Co., Md. 
Will be glad to give 
ALFI- 
S EED POTATOES-Sir Walter Raleigh, Early 
Bovee, Early Michigan, Gem of Aroostook, $2.35 
three-bushel barrel; $3 four-bushel barrel. Early 
Thoroughbred, Uncle Sam, Carman No. 3, $2 three- 
bushel barrel, $2.05 four-bushel barrel. 
Dll „ C. W. BURNETT, Phelps, N. Y. 
Ship from Lyons or Phelps. Ref.: Lyons Nat’l Bank. 
To be GIVEN AWAY, a bushel of 
THE DEWEY POTATOES 
with every tenth order. The largest yielder. best 
eater, and the coming market potato. Send for cir¬ 
cular. W. B. STOPPARD & CO., 245 West Fayette 
Street, Syracuse, N. Y. 
Maine uBBu I OldTOBSanteed Puke. Address 
HENRY ELWELL & CO., 310 Washington 8treet, 
New York. Mention this paper 
Northern-Grown Seed Potatoes._ 
Hammond’s Wonderful, Enormous, Bovee, and 20 
others. Com and Oats. Grapevines. P. Rock and 
White Wyandotte Eggs. Circular free. 
IRA P. WATSON, Fredonia, Chaut. Co., N. Y. 
A | Strawberry Plants—Excelsior, 
Ml Early. List free. P. SPEER 
Gibson, Johnson 
, Passaic, N.J. 
inn APRPQ In Strawberry Plants. Wholesale 
IUU nUflLO List free. T.C. Kevitt, Passaic, N.J 
New Seedling Strawberries. 
Free Sliver and Winehel No. 3 just out and 20 other 
varieties. Write for free catalogue. RIDGE PLANT 
FARM, G. W. Winehel, Prop., Toblnsport, Ind. 
N EW way to grow Lucretia Dewberries. Best re¬ 
turns without expense of Stakes, also bottom 
prices on all good Berry plants. In our new cata¬ 
logue. Free. Slaymaker & Son, Dover, Del. 
STRAWBERRY PLANTS 
Clr. free. B. KING, Tewksbury, Mass. 
r “He That Stays 
Does the Business.” 
All the worldadmires 4 ‘staying power." 
On this quality success depends. The 
blood is the best friend the heart has. 
Hood's Sarsaparilla is the best friend the 
blood over had; cleanses it of everything, 
gives perfect health and strength. 
Never Disappoints 
JOHNSON’S EARLY STRAWBERRY. 
You cannot afford to be without It, if you need a 
large early, firm shipping berry. Send for circular. 
O. A. JOHNSON, Upper Falrmount, Md. 
ISDAUCC New Early Yellow DCIPti 
UnA V tO FREESTONE rtAUVI 
Price-list free. W. J. Graves, Originator, Perry, O. 
nr ■ pi!CC — Something new. The earliest, 
■ CAUnCw latest, hardiest, most profitable 
trees ever offered. Varieties that will fruit in all 
sections of the United States. Our Guide, “Peach 
Culture” tells all about them. Free. 
HENRY LUTTS & SON, Youngstown, N. Y. 
STRAWBERRIES— 90 Varieties. 
« I IIM I* UtlinitO IncludlngnewGladstone, 
Pennell, Senator Dunlap, Twilight, Livingstone, Em¬ 
peror, Empress, Rough Rider, W.J. Bryan. All stand¬ 
ard, well-rooted plants. Don’t miss our plant collection 
oners. FLANSBUSGH & PEIRSONj LESLIE, MICH. 
POTATOES, 
Early Snowball and 
twenty other leading 
varieties. 
Catalogue Free. 
NEW STRAWBERRY 
“ROUGH RIDER" L |tf s 
It Is the firmest, latest and best.beeping straw, 
berry yetintroduced. Extremely large,immense¬ 
ly productive. Sold at 20c per qt wholesale season of 1899. Endorsed by best authorities. We are the introducers. 
Send 10c for 6 months subscription to Farmers Fruit Farmer. Catalog free. L. J. FARMER, Box 80 Pulaski, N.Y 
Good work done quickly will 
make a profit In truck 
growing where slow 
work would 
mean a 
loss. 
When you make a wheel hoe of 
the No. 4 Iron Age combination 
tool you remove the seed drill attach, 
ment and have a light, strong, convenient 
hoe, double or single wheel. AH the other 
attachments are separate and independent, so you 
don’t have to push any extra weight, only the light 
frame and the tool you are actually using. The 
drill attachment can be put on or off in two or 
three minutes, using no tool but the wrench. It 
takes care of truck from first to last—sows, rakes, hoes, 
cultivates, plows, levels, furrows, covers and hills. It 
is built simply and strongly. The good work it has done, 
In the Held increases Its sale every season. The No. 4 
IRON ACE 
Combined Seed Drill anti Wheel Iloe Is fully de¬ 
scribed and illustrated, with other time and money-saving 
tools in the Iron Age Book for 1900. Write for a copy 
THE BATEMAN MFG. CO., Box 102, Grenloch, N. 1. 
