1900 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER; 
3o7 
HOPE FARM NOTES. 
Canning Sharks.— I have printed little 
thus far about the canning factory in our 
neighborhood, because I felt that the farm¬ 
ers might be able to make it go after 
all. It was put up by a company of “pro¬ 
moters”—the agent being one Briggs, who 
has been mixed up with a number of un¬ 
savory schemes. It was the old story— 
often told. Farmers were told all sorts of 
stories, and strange to say, they believed 
them; and subscribed for stock. There 
was no competition and Briggs charged 
them $8,200 for the factory. I don’t pretend 
to be an expert on such matters, but I feel 
sure that this figure was about $2,000 too 
high. The result was that when Briggs 
collected all that was due him there was 
little left to use as needed capital. That is 
the way the thing has gone in dozens of 
places, and I did my best to tell people so. 
Some of the farmers were as pleased with 
the new factory as a child would be with 
a new toy. My opinion is that they will 
feel more like the child after he sucks 
paint off his toy before they get through. 
What About It?— It turns out to be a 
bad bargain, but how can that bad be 
changed into good? Suppose I came to New 
York, and was induced by some good 
talker to pay $500 for a big team of horses, 
such as haul the heavy trucks! When I 
got them home I would find that they ate 
twice as much as Frank and Dan, and 
that my harness is too small and my tools 
not powerful enough to give them full 
play. Besides all this I would have $250 
too much locked up in them. The chances 
are that my family would know that some¬ 
thing was wrong, but I wouldn’t shoot 
the horses or let them stand still. I’d try 
to get the money somewhere to fit them 
with harness and proper tools, and then I'd 
try to work them, so as to get that money 
back. Now, it’s just so with that can¬ 
ning factory. The only way to make it pay 
is to put up more capital and crowd it with 
work. Some of these farmers think that 
they can haul the best of their stuff to 
Paterson or New York, and send the refuse 
to the canning factory. That’s where they 
make their mistake. I think it will be a 
hard struggle at best to make a factory 
pay in our neighborhood, but to try to run 
it on any such system would be folly. The 
men who put up $100 would better make up 
their minds to tie another $20 on to it. 
The $100 will surely run away if left alone, 
but the $20 may coax it back. How many 
things there are that fail within a dollar of 
of the goal, because those who ought to 
push them lose heart and quit! 
Cherry Sprouts.— A Pennsylvania friend 
has this to say: 
"Page 247; see Wild Strength. Don’t re¬ 
plant those cherry sprouts that come up 
around the trees along the stone wall. 
Dig them up by all means and throw them 
upon the brush heap to burn. Why should 
you have a hedge-row of cherry brush all 
along your stone wall? For my part, I would 
feel like abolishing the trees from which 
the sprouts came. Seedlings of Morello and 
hardy cherries are easily and cheaply 
raised, or Mazzard stocks either cheaply 
bought or grown from the seed. Why ex¬ 
haust the soil beneath the stone walls in 
growing a wide hedge-row?” 
Why not “exhaust the soil” under those 
walls? What is it good for? What Is any 
soil good for but to give up its strength to 
useful crops? As well lock gold up in a 
trunk and keep it there. I have heard of a 
man who kept a supply of gold in that 
way. He would handle it and let it fall 
through his hands at night because he 
liked the feel of ill ! ! No! No! I want 
no buried treasure in the soil of Hope 
Farm. I will get all the fertility I can rea¬ 
sonably put into it, and then pull it out 
again with the best plants I can think of. 
The following note from our old friend, D. 
D. Cottom, of Ohio, is nearer my idea: 
“In the issue of January 20 you wrote of 
planting cherries along that stone pile. I 
would suggest to move the stones, so as 
to plant the row in the middle; planting 
closer in the row than in an orchard. The 
rocks conserve the moisture, also the heat 
of the sun, which w'ould on some occa¬ 
sions save the bloom or young trult irom 
frost. The buds would not start so soon 
in the Spring. The area covered by those 
rocks, if you plant the Montmorency (Or¬ 
dinaire) cherry, will return an annual in¬ 
come of about five times as much as a 
crop of Sugar corn, with no labor but the 
picking, and do that with scissors.” 
The Soil.— Our last three crops were 
grown on light, warm soil, which was 
easily worked. Last year we planted our 
first potato field on April 12. We planted 
potatoes in the garden April 19 this year, 
but the crop will not get in much before 
May 1. Last year we could work the 
ground a few hours after a heavy shower. 
We can’t do that on our heavier soil. I 
started the team at harrowing the day fol¬ 
lowing a rain, and was surprised to find 
the field a perfect mud bed. No use work¬ 
ing in mud. You will only lump it up. It 
hurts my feelings to stand still waiting for 
a field to dry out, but the feelings will 
recover when old Drought comes at us 
later, and we see how this soil is going to 
hold the moisture. I find, too, that the 
horses cannot work over so much land in 
a day with this heavier soil. The tools 
worked easily in our lighter sand on the 
old farm. Very likely some of the tools I 
praised so highly for what they did in the 
light soil will fall here. It is a great mis¬ 
take to give any tool unqualified praise, 
for It Is sure to fail In some situations. 
The Acme harrow comes about as near to 
general utility as any tool I know of. Our 
sulky plow does great work. It gets a firm 
hold on the soil, and is not so easily 
thrown out as a walking plow. 
Potato Points. —A few weeks ago I told 
what we aim to do with potato seed in 
order to start it right. We like to plant it 
as soon as possible after cutting. In for¬ 
mer years planting has been easy. We got 
the soil in good shape, and then hitched 
the team to the Robbins potato planter. 
The seed hopper and fertilizer box were 
filled, and off they started—Charlie driv¬ 
ing and Uncle Ed “playing piano” behind. 
This planter left to Itself would skip now 
and then, so one man rides behind and puts 
seed into the missing places. The motion 
he makes with his hands would make good 
wrist exercise for a piano player. This 
year I fear we must give the planter a 
rest, and drop our seed pieces by hand in 
the hills. 
Jack Frost tussled with the sod, but I 
fear the Jersey article is too much for him. 
It is turning up green and smiling, and we 
shall have to fight it all Summer. Nothing 
but cold steel will prevent old Brother Sod 
from stealing our fertilizer right under the 
eyes of the potatoes. Do you know that in 
spite of all the extra work he will give us, I 
have great respect for Brother Jersey Sod. 
It is a blessed thing that grass is so tough 
and vigorous, for it holds the farm to¬ 
gether. All flesh is grass, and there would 
be some pretty flabby flesh if grass were 
easily killed out. 
What To Do.—If the sod prove as green 
as I think we shall operate about as fol¬ 
lows: Charlie will go ahead with the Cut¬ 
away and chop up about one day’s work. 
If it is possible to do a good job at it he 
will then plow deep and use the Acme. If, 
as I fear, too much grass is turned up, we 
shall omit the plowing and Cutaway twice, 
then he will move on and Uncle Ed and 
Hugh will follow. Old Major will be 
hitched to the Hudson fertilizer drill. This 
is a box on wheels, with a hole at the 
bottom. There is a shovel plow in front, 
and a mixer behind. This will open fur¬ 
rows three feet apart, and mix the fertilizer 
in the soil. These furrows will be cross- 
marked 30 inches apart, and good-sized 
seed pieces will be dropped at the cross 
sections, the dropper kicking a little soil 
over each piece. The furrows will be filled 
with the cultivator. Thus we hope to cul- 
tibate both ways and keep the grass from 
stealing the fertilizer. Some of our friends 
will say use the planter anyway, and trust 
to the weeder to keep the grass down. On 
lighter soil we might risk it, but in rainy 
weather there might come a week at a 
time when we could not get into the field. 
That would give the grass such a start that 
nothing could get it out of the drills. Of 
course this plan may be changed. I don’t 
like to change plans, but have seen the 
time when there was nothing else to do. 
“Admiral Fillings.”— The Hope Farm 
folks get much advice and help from R. 
N.-Y. readers. One lady has sent the 
Madame a recipe for what she calls 
“admiral fillings” for cake. I give them 
here for the benefit of all—hopeful or hope¬ 
less: 
Dewey filling: One cupful powdered 
sugar, one tablespoonful butter, white of 
one egg, one teaspoonful vanilla. Rub the 
butter in the sugar until creamy, add the 
beaten white and vanilla, and spread be¬ 
tween cakes when cold. Sampson filling: 
One cupful powdered sugar, one tablespoon¬ 
ful butter; juice and grated rind of a lem¬ 
on. Hobson’s choice: One cupful pow¬ 
dered sugar, one tablespoonful cocoa, sifted 
with sugar, one tablespoonful butter, white 
of one egg, % cupful chopped hickorynuts, 
one teaspoonful vanilla. Be sure to have 
the cake cold before using filling. Wat¬ 
son’s filling: Same as Sampson’s, using an 
orange instead of a lemon. Schley filling: 
Same as Dewey, using a teaspoonful of ex¬ 
tract of lemon instead of vanilla. When 
the filling is spread over cake place sliced 
bananas on before adding the next layer. 
You may use fresh strawberries Instead of 
bananas, or fresh cocoanut, or the pre¬ 
pared cocoanut by soaking it in milk, or 
brush the cake over while warm with jelly 
spread on thinly. 
We are not very great cakers at Hope 
Farm, but Aunt Jennie has tried the 
Dewey filling on us. We vote for it. It’s 
fine. Let Dewey put an equally appro¬ 
priate filling into his ideas regarding the 
United States Constitution and we will 
vote for him, too. h. w. c. 
The Arkansas Cultivator remarks that 
apple growers should sow hogs for an or¬ 
chard crop. 
In every town 
and village 
may be had, 
the 
Made 
Standard 
OU Co. 
that makes your 
horses glad. 
Horeo Owners Should Uso 
GOMBAULT’S 
Caustic 
Balsam 
The Great French Veterinary Remedy. 
A SAFE, SPEEDY AND 
POSITIVE CURE. 
Prepared 
exclusive- 
ly by J. K. 
Oomhuult 
ex-Veteri- 
nary Sur¬ 
geon to tliu 
French 
Govern¬ 
ment Stuil 
SUPERSEDES ALL CAUTERY OF FIRINC 
Impossible to produce any scar or blemish. The 
safest best Blister ever used. Takes the place 
ol all liniments for mild or severe action. Removes 
a! I Hunches or Blemishes from Horses or Cattle. 
As a HUMAN REMEDY for Rheumatism, 
Sprains, Sore Throat, Etc., itismvuiuuble. 
UfC PlllDIkITCC that one tablospoonful of 
nt uUAnAN I tt caustic balsam win 
produce more actual results than a whole bottle of 
any liniment or spavin cure mixture ever made. 
Every bottle of Caustic Balsam sold is Wnrrnn- 
ted to «ive satisfaction. Price S 1 .50 per bottle. Sold 
by druggists. or sent by express, charges paid. with cull 
directions for its use. Send for descriptive circulars, 
testimonials, etc. Address 
THE LAWUENOE-WILLIAMS CO., Cleveland, Ohio 
LIGHTNING WELL MACHY 
IS THE STANDARD 
STEAM PUMPS. AIR LIFTS, 1 ' 
GASOLINE ENGINES j 
WRITC FOR CIRCULAR ISSf .l , I 
THE AMERICAN WELL WORKS ':T. 
AURORA.ILL - CHICAGO - DAL LAS.TEX 
WELL 
jy 
n 
DRILLER' 
Water, 
Oil,gas 
and coal 
T WO hundred bushels 
of Potatoes remove 
eighty pounds of “actual ’ Pot¬ 
ash from the soil. One thou¬ 
sand pounds of a fertilizer con¬ 
taining 8% “actual” Potash 
will supply just the amount 
needed. If there is a de¬ 
ficiency of Potash, there will be 
a falling-off in the crop. 
We have some valuable 
books telling about composi¬ 
tion, use and value of fertilizers 
for various crops. They are 
sent free. 
GERMAN KALI WORKS, 
03 Nassau St., New York. 
Your Orchard 
Is it apples, peaches, pears, plums or 
small fruits and berries? Why is it not 
more profitable? How can you make it 
more profitable? 
Nitrate of Soda 
and agricultural chemicals do the work. 
Make healthier, hardier, disease resist¬ 
ing trees, plants and vines. Fully ex¬ 
plained in free pamphlet, secured by 
addressing John A. Myers, 12 OJohn 
St., New York. Nitrate for sale by fer¬ 
tilizer dealers everywhere. 
Write at once for List of Dealers. 
The Slag Phosphate 
1b not In the Fertilizer Trust, o We are 
still selling at old prices. Orders must 
be sent in early to receive prompt 
shipment. Address 
JACOB KEESK, 
400 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 
« 
SWIMBATH 
>> 
N ON-POISONOUS 
Sheep Dipping Powdel 
l» (PATENTED) . 
prevents and destroys fly, lice, ticks and 
all parasites, on sheen, cattle, horses and 
dogs. An Invaluable ouro for scab. 
Easily prepared, easily used. Most eco¬ 
nomical. Perfect satisfaction guaranteed 
If used as directed. On receipt of 50c 
sufficient powder for 20 gallons of “dip” 
will be delivered free. 
Write for full particulars. 
THETOBACCO WAREHOUSING AND TRADING CO. 
LOUISVILLE, KY. 
DRILLING 
Machines 
SHKKP-SHEAKING REVOLUTIONIZED. 
Chicago Sheep-Shearing Machine. 
Btewart’s Patent. 
Price, $15.00. 
The only Sheep Shearing 
Machine ever Invented. 
| The day of the old fash¬ 
ioned hand shears is past. 
Over one million sheep 
shorn last season with this 
machine. Thousands of 
testimonials. Saves from 
one-half to one pound wool 
from each sheep. Pays for 
Itself the first season. Be 
humane and don’t butcher 
your sheep. Send for laras 
illustrated circular. 
CHICAGO FLEXIBLE 
SHAFT CO., 
158-00 Huron St., Chicago 
Over 70 sizes and styles, for drilling either deep or 
shallow wells In any kind of soil or rock. Mounted 
on wheels or on sills. With engines or horse powers. 
Strong, simple and durable. Anv mechanic can 
operate them easily. Send for catalog. 
WILLIAMS HBOS., Ithaca, N. T, 
7 JfEk. 
h?o. 
the least power. Carries the heaviest tools. Drills 
much faster. Lasts longer and makes the owner 
more money than any other Drilling Machine on 
earth. Machines made for drilling any depth or 
diameter, and for Horse, Steam or Gasoline Fewer. 
LOOMIS & NYMAN,TIFFIN,OHIO, 
\ 
DIP 
YOUR 
SHEEP 
COOPER 
DIP 
\ 
m 
0 
<D\C? 
25-gallon pkt., 50c.; 100-gallon pkt., $2. 
If druggist cannot supply send $1.75 for 100-gallon 
pkt. to J. 1>. MERCER, 08 Murray St., New York. 
Premiums to Patrons. Get Pamphlet. 
