3o6 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
April 28 
Ruralisms 
A VISIT TO HOPE FARM. 
A 24-mile ride from New York on a 
branch of the Erie Railroad, in a north¬ 
erly direction through Bergen Counity, 
brings us to the village of Woodcliff, 
where we find H. W. C., with his new 
and lively road horse. A brisk drive of 
10 minutes brings us to the entrance of 
the compact little farm, now as familiar 
and interesting to multitudes of R. N.-Y. 
readers as our personal homes. An old 
stone house, belonging to the early years 
of the century, strongly and neatly built, 
but with many late additions, stands 
with its gable to the road. A famous 
old native grape vine on a broad trellis, 
and a veritable Methuselah of a Te- 
coma, or Trumpet creeper, shade the 
porch, which faces the east. The 
dooryard contains some venerable 
cherry, apple and pear trees, and fine 
old shrubs, which must give a 
pleasing succession of bloom. Driving 
through to the stables, we enter a square 
formed of the various farm buildings, 
quite in the English style. All are in 
good condition, having been kept neatly 
painted, and show evidence of careful 
home labor in their construction. Pass¬ 
ing through the lane dividing the farm, 
we ascend a long slope and come out on 
the crest of a lofty ridge commanding a 
glorious view of fertile valley and wood¬ 
land, stretching away seven miles or 
more to the Palisades, which just hide 
the Hudson River from this point. On 
either side of the lane lie fields outlined 
by great stone fences composed of the 
“hardheads,” which must have thickly 
strewn the ground in past times. By 
noting the size of these big stones and 
the length of the walls (H. W. C. says 
there are nearly three miles or them on 
the place), one gets a faint iaea of the 
immense labors of past generations, who 
have unconsciously fitted the place for 
The R. N.-Y. agricultural experiment 
station. Old orchards of pears and ap¬ 
ples, considerably past their prime, are 
standing to the right and left. These 
are again to be made fruitful through 
cow peas, cultivation and Crimson 
clover; the three big C’s of successful 
farming, where a limited amount of 
stock is kept. 
A great stone wall runs to the right 
of the lane, lined with vigorous seedling 
cherry and apple trees, some of which 
will make admirable stocks for grafting 
tested varieties. Farther back, we enter 
a fine tract of woodland, nearly 30 acres 
in extent, containing a surprisingly high 
percentage of vigorous young chestnuts, 
40 to 50 feet high. This forms an ad¬ 
mirable timber reserve, constantly grow¬ 
ing in value. At the extreme western 
end is an old field, now growing up in 
brush, and surrounded on all sides by 
forest, that appears to be an ideal situa¬ 
tion for a trial apple orchard. As has 
already been told in Hope Farm Notes, 
the place has been out of cultivation for 
many years, and affords a good oppor¬ 
tunity for a systematic restoration of the 
soil, which was originally good, as the 
tree growth ana tough old sod, which 
covered many fields, plainly show. An 
invaluable spring arises at the foot of 
the steep slope, and the streamlet cross¬ 
es several fields, showing possibilities for 
future experiments in irrigation. Re¬ 
turning to the house we meet the Bud, 
Graft and Scion, ready for a foot race, 
and later the Madame presides over a 
thoroughly appreciated lunch. The Hope 
Farm man has here in this 90-acre tract 
a variety of soils, aspect, and elevation, 
that will render his attempts at the re¬ 
habilitation of this old Jersey homestead 
of the greatest interest, and our readers 
may depend on getting an account of all 
failures as well as any successes that 
may follow his carefully-planned efforts. 
W. V. F. 
FACTS ABOUT THE CLINTON GRAPE 
Better varieties have killed the de¬ 
mand for the Clinton grape among vine- 
yardists, who once planted it to some 
extent, chiefly for wine. It is too small, 
skinny, seedy, and sour to compete as 
a market grape. It makes a fair wine 
with age, but quite rough when new. 
For the home garden, I value it very 
little, about the same as Ives, as it 
colors a good while before it becomes 
sweet and fit to eat, and this early col¬ 
oring invites the birds and boys, so that 
by the time the fruit is really fit to eat, 
it is so depredalted upon that none re¬ 
mains suitable to go to the table. If 
merely an arbor vine is wanted, it serves 
pretty well far north, where great hard¬ 
iness is required, but there are others 
equally hardy, handsomer, equally as 
leafy, and bear better fruit The Taylor 
is such, with white fruit; the Berck- 
mans, with red fruit, almost as good as 
Delaware; a Clinton-Delaware hybrid is 
another. Others still might be men¬ 
tioned. 
In the South, we have so many grapes 
superior in every way to Clinton as mar¬ 
ket, home and ai'bor grapes, that Clin¬ 
ton is not thought of. The Herbemont 
and Le Noir, far to the Southwest, in 
Texas, Oklahoma, etc., where the cli¬ 
mate is dry and hot, whicn they endure 
well, long have been popular, until now 
hybrids of the native Post-oak grape (V. 
Lincecumii), with Herbemont and other 
varieties, are rapidly gaining favor. In 
the Southern States eastward from 
Texas, the Norton and Scuppernong are 
favorite wine and arbor grapes, while 
Niagara, Ives and Concord have been 
much planted tor market, yet are not 
very satisfactory, and the Carman, Gold 
Coin, Beacon, Fern and some others are 
rapidly gaining favor, so that Clinton is 
rarely, if ever, planted. 
Texas. t. v. munson. 
THE SAGE AND THE APPLE TREE. 
“Not half as many apples are now 
raised in Michigan, as formerly.”—Ex¬ 
change. 
J. H. Hale, of Connecticut, delivered 
a lecture on “Apple culture for profit” 
before the Massachusetts Horticultural 
Society at a recent Saturday meeting. 
He said in part: New England, as re¬ 
gards soil and climate, is better suited 
to the apple than other sections of the 
country. We can grow apples of finer 
color, flavor and texture in New Eng¬ 
land than anywhere else. Hereupon, J. 
W. Adams, of Springfield, Mass., sends 
us the following advice: 
Here plant the apple tree, 
Dig deep its future bed and broad; 
Spread wide its roots, not deeper than it 
grew. 
Bring garden loam, enriched the year be¬ 
fore ; 
Thy thick-soled boot should every crevice 
fill, 
And then with mallet made of wood, 
sound to the core 
Press down the soil, until the tree defies 
the strength of youth to move it. 
Its top reduce one-half, or more; 
Let no excuse prevent its early setting, 
See that no insects suck rich juices from 
its silky bark, 
Made crimson by their getting. 
Protect its trunk from sunshine’s most in¬ 
tensive rays. 
And place a guard, lest mice, so skillful 
To destroy, when hidden by the snow; 
May then elude thy sight. 
Thus by thy labor well performed, 
Thy sleep is sweet, 
Thy conscience clear, 
Thy basket will in time a harvest reap; 
Thy store with plenty filled. 
SMALL HOLES FOR TREES. 
We have had a good deal to say about 
the “Stringfellow’ method of setting 
trees. lit is advocated by H. M. String- 
fellow, of Texas. He tells Texas Farm 
and Ranch how he set out a large or¬ 
chard. His story gives a good statement 
of his peculiar method: 
1 laid off my rows with a strong line and 
tags tied securely where the trees were to 
stand. I then measured and marked the 
ends of the rows, the rows being just long 
enough to allow of stretching the line nice¬ 
ly. This was all on virgin, unbroken 
prairie sod. I then got a two-inch iron bar, 
sharpened at the end, and 3% feet long and 
also a 10-pound sledge hammer. I had two 
men; one held and carried the bar, setting 
it at each tag, while the other man drove 
it down about one foot. It was heavy 
work, and they had to alternate every five 
or six holes. Well, the first day I wore that 
iron bar off to 18 inches, and drove 900 or 
so holes. The next day I tried a 1% inch 
bar and battered that away by night and 
drove about as many; the third day I got 
a one-inch steel bar, and that stood much 
better and drove about 1,200 holes. I then 
root-pruned all the trees and stuck them 
down to the bottom, pears in the larger 
holes and apples in the smaller. I had a 
wagon with a barrel of water and a half 
load of fine silt from a creek bed, with a 
boy to drive and wait on us. I dropped the 
trees, carrying two buckets, one of the 
earth and the other water, and a small tin 
cup. After sticking the tree in the hole 
they took a handful of dirt and a cup of 
water and poured them slowly into the 
holes at the same time until filled up. This 
settled the earth nicely about the roots and 
stem. We set the whole 3,000 in less than 
three days. Every tree is growing finely. 
* * * Now, you just look out for the 
finest, healthiest and most productive or¬ 
chard in the country. 
Mr. Stringfellow is showing his faith 
by his works in the above account, but 
after all, his final success w„il only show 
that his method is of value in that par¬ 
ticular locality where there are special 
conditions of soil moisture, and a long 
growing season. Setting the tree right 
is an important point, but the after 
treatment is what determines the actual 
success or failure of any tree to return 
profit to the planter. 
During February of this year 1 contracted a severe 
cold which caused me to cough continuously. 1 
commenced using Jayne’s Expectorant, which gave 
me instant relief, and speedily effected a permanent 
cure. I have had no return of the symptoms.—DAVID 
L. BAKKEK. Deputy, Indiana, October 4. 1895. 
If bilious take Jayne’s Painless Sanative Pills.— 
Adv. 
The Best 
Power 
ror all purposes is an U prlght or Horizontal combined 
Engine and Boiler such as we show here. 
It is of special value in cu ttlng und grind* 
lug feed, shelling corn, 
threshing, pumping water, 
separating cream, sawing 
wood, Ac., Ac. 
Leffet 
Engines 
represent unusual merit in de¬ 
sign, material and construction. Quick steamers, 
economical of fuel und safe. We make them from 
3 Horse Power up. Prices very low quality con¬ 
sidered. Special Engine Book mailed free. Address, 
JAMES LEFFEL A CO., 
Box BO. Springfield Ohio. 
Soon Saves Its Cost 
A Labor Barm, 
A 12-Year 
Old Boy 
can do more and better work, eltbec 
In the held or garden, with th 
HAND CULTIVATOR 
than three men can do with common hoes. 
Plows, hoes, cultivates —astrideor between rows. Ifnosgent 
in yonr town send (1.85 foi sample delivered and terms to agents. 
Ulrich Mfg.Co.,20Rlver St.,Rock Falls,III 
Steel Wheels « 
Any size wanted, any width of tire. Hubs to 
fit any axle. For catalogue and prices write 
Empire Manufacturing Co., Quincy, III. 
STEEL WHEELS and HANDY WAGONS 
of every style and price are made in oui 
mammoth factory and sold direct to farmers. 
We supply all trucks used by U. 8. Govt. 
Farmer’s Handy Wagon Co., Saginaw, Mich. 
M. M. S. POULTRY FENCING 
requiresfewposts.no top or bottom rail. Will not 
sag or buckle: easily erected; when completed costs 
less than old-style netting. Our circulars give net 
prices. Freight paid. 
JAMES S. CASE (Box N). Colchester, Conn. 
fills completely all fence requisites as to beauty, utility 
and durability. Specially designed for lawns, parks, 
cemeteries, school grounds, &c. Looks best ami is best 
when built with our steel posts. Illustrated catalogfreo. 
HARTMAN M’F’Q CO.. BOX 19 KLLWOOD CITV. PA. 
Or lfoom 70, 809 Broadway, New York City. 
FARM FF\PF to 24 cents per rod. Built without 
1 hllill 1 LtlH/b machine. First inquiring, where 
not introduced, gets special terms and agency. 
BOCHANAN FENCE CO., Box 258, Smtthville, O 
M. M. 8. POULTRY 
Half cost of Netting; 
Requires few posts, no 
FENGESSB 
rails. Best Hog, Farm, Yard, 
Cemetery Fences. Freight paid. A A/v 
KANSAS STEEL A WIRE WORKS. Kansas City. mo. 
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 mall you a sample to 
test If you will send us 120 . to cover postage only. 
Cir. free. W. H. MA80N A CO., Box 67, Leesburg, O. 
EARS OF CORN 
can’t hear the Farmers’ loud praises of Page Fence. 
PAGE WOVEN WIRE FENCE CO., ADRIAN, MICH. 
Perfect Fruit... 
is produced by perfect spray- 
ing.Perfect, spraying is done by 
EMPIRE KING 
AND 
GARFIELD KNAPSACK 
The finest tn the spray, most thorough 
in the stirring, easiest in the work. 
An automatic brush keeps the strainer 
free from thick, raw poison. Impos¬ 
sible to scorch the foliage. No leather 
or rubber valves. Send for free book 
on spraying. Agents wanted. , 
FIKLD FORCE PUMP CO., 
2 Market St., Lockport, N. Y # 
your Fruit Trees and 
24 styles spraying outfits. Best 
and cheapest. For prices and 
full treatise on spraying all Fruit and Vegetable crops 
address WILLIAM STAHL, Quiucy, Illinois. 
LEGGETT S CHAMPION 
DRY POWDER DUSTER. 
Dusts two rows of po- 
tatoes, tobacco, etc., 
as fast as you walk. 
Also a full line of Hand Sprayers. Write for circu¬ 
lar. Agents wanted. 
LEGGETT & BROTHER. 301 Pearl St., NEW YORK. 
Cyanide 
Guaranteed 98 to 99 per cent., for generating 
Hydrocyanic Acid Gas 
the most effective fumigating material, to 
destroy scale insects on fruit trees and 
plants. The only positive eradicator of 
the dreaded San Jose Scale. Endorsed by 
all Agricultural Experiment Stations. “A 
perfect practical remedy,” says Prof. W. G. 
Johnson, State Etymologist of Maryland. 
MANUFACTURED BY 
The Roessler & Hasslacher Chemical Co., 
No. 100 William Street, New York. 
Fruit Packages 
OF ALL KINDS. 
Wire-Stapled Standard Berry Baskets. 
These Baskets are stronger, more durable, and far 
superior to any other basket made. Write for 
catalogue and price-list. 
WEBSTER BASKET CO., 
Monroe County, (Lock Box 43), WEBSTER, N. V 
Good Fruit 
(always finds a ready market, but to bring top 
prices it must be put up in neat, attractive 
and substantial packages. We have every¬ 
thing in the basket line. All sizes of 
Berry 
Baskets, 
Peach and Grape Crates. 
Buy direct from the manufacturers and 
•ave money. Write to-day for catalogue and 
new price list. Special price in carload lots. 
A. H. MONTAGUE & SON, 
120 Warren .Street. New York City. 
AN EARLY ORDER WILL SAKE MONEY, 
Other People’s Profits 
have Increased 25 to 50 per cent, when they began to spray tha right 1 ray — 
■^with the right sprayer, the PEPPLER AND CLIMAX SIX-ROW SPRAYERS. 
They will do as much for you. Read now they spray 30 acres a day, \ 
-- —how they save the poison, increase crops one-half, pay for them- 
selves in one season. Catalogue contains spray calendar.formnlas, etc. Sentfree. . 
I also manufacture the Improved Riggs Plow and Riggs Fnrrowers. 
THOMAS PEPPLER, Box 60 , HICHTSTOWN, N.J. 
f vre Mi i m i iinm I' n T Yrrr » r * r » i 
Poultry-House Roofing 
must be cheap, durable and entirely 
airtight and waterproof. 
P & B Ruberoid Roofing 
is what you want. Invaluable for siding and for 
keeping floors dry and warm. 
Write us for samples and prices. 
THE STANDARD PAINT COMPANY, 
Sole Manufacturers, 
Nos. 81 and 83 John Street, New York. 
