384 
Farmers’ Club. 
[Every query must be accompanied by the 
name and address of the writer to Insure atten¬ 
tion. Before asking a question, please see 
whether It Is not answered In our advertising 
columns. Ask only a few questions at one time. 
Put questions on a separate piece of paper.] 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKERJ 
June 2 
Manure Containing Excelsior. 
T. A. M., Upper Totowa, N. J.—l under¬ 
stand that manure containing excelsior 
has a tendency to sour the land. Would 
It pay to take It as a gift? 
Ans. —“Excelsior,” or small wood 
shavings, like sawdust, contains, when 
fresh, an acid that is injurious to many 
plants. It would not be wise to use 
either when fresh. When they are well 
mixed with manure, particularly with 
the liquids, the acid is neutralized, and 
no damage will be done. Farmers have 
used fresh planer shavings and severely 
injured grass or grain. These shavings, 
when used as bedding and mixed with 
the manure, would benefit the crops. We 
would take all of such manure we could 
get. If the excelsior seemed too fresh 
and bright, we would pile the manure 
and m Ike a compost of it. 
What Ails Roses ? 
M. G. E., Richardson, III.—I have a collec¬ 
tion of hardy and Tea roses; I have given 
them good care In pots, since they came, 
and they have started to grow. One, 
South Orange Perfection, was troubled with 
what I take for mildew, the leaves being 
partially covered with something re¬ 
sembling a fine powder. The leaves curl 
and finally turn brown. Since that one of 
the Teas has similar symptoms. What 
shall I do for them? 
Ans. —The roses are affected by Pow¬ 
dery mildew, a microscopic plant that 
feeds near the surface of the leaves and 
tender stems. The white powder is com¬ 
posed of the spores and fruiting 
branches of the parasite. Rose mildew 
checks and disfigures the plants for a 
time, but seldom proves fatal. The most 
effective remedy is thorough dusting 
with sulphur, applied when the foliage 
is wet. Buy the precipitated sulphur In 
preference to the ordinary sublimed or 
powdered sulphur. It costs more, but is 
considerably more effective, being in an 
extremely fine state of division. Re¬ 
peated applications may be necessary to 
conquer the trouble. 
A Late Strawberry Bed. 
J. W., Ancram, N. Y —Will you please give 
me information as to setting strawberry 
plants? How far apart should the plants 
be set, and what kind of soil is the best? 
What is the best way to prepare the soil 
now, as it is in heavy sward? What are 
the best varieties for shipping? What va¬ 
rieties of red raspberries are the best? 
Would you advise setting both in the same 
ground? 
three varieties in general cultivation 
may be fairly conceded to be Miller’s 
Early, Cuthbert and Loudon. 
How to Grow Dahlias. 
F. U., Abington, Mass .—Will you give me 
information concerning raising Dahlias? 
What fertilizer is best, and what kind of 
soil? 
Ans. —Well-rotted stable manure, the 
older the better, is undoubtedly the best 
fertilizer for Dahlias, as the roots run 
freely in the decaying humus. They 
thrive best in rather light soil, such as 
best suits corn or potatoes. The ground 
should be deeply worked, and the fer¬ 
tilizer well mixed with it before plant¬ 
ing. The tubers or young plants, as the 
case may be, can be set out any time af¬ 
ter the trees in the woods have begun 
to leaf out. Tubers should be covered 
not more than two inches, and placed 
about three by four feet apart. The 
subsequent culture consists simply in 
keeping the plants clean and well cul¬ 
tivated, and in giving an abundance of 
water during very dry weather. This 
is essential to obtain first-class blooms. 
The top can be cut off as soon as killea 
by frost, the tubers lifted and cured in 
the shade, after which they may be 
stored in any cool, frost-proof place dur¬ 
ing the Winter. A little powdered char¬ 
coal sifted over them will go far to pre¬ 
vent decay while dormant. 
Handling an Old Asparagus Bed. 
J. R. T., Greenlaton, N. Y.—I have just 
come into possession of a farm which ha:; 
been neglected, unoccupied and unculti¬ 
vated for three years. On it is an aspara¬ 
gus bed of about an acre, covered with 
grass, weeds and brambles; it is about 
seven years old. The neighbors adjoining 
have been cutting it pretty freely. It Is 
now coming up but the stalks seem small. 
I want to cut it this Spring and cultivate 
and fertilize so as to bring it up. What is 
the best way to treat it, and when should 
I begin? I can find plenty of directions 
for setting out and caring for new beds, 
but none for working up and caring for 
one in this condition, that is young enough 
to be in its prime. I am afraid to plow or 
cultivate it now, on account of shoots just 
coming up. 
Ans. —The only thing to do, apparent¬ 
ly, is to plow lightly between the rows, 
and then use hoe, mattock and culti¬ 
vator until the weeds and brambles are 
removed. Apply 10 to 15 tons of good, 
rotted stable manure, or 800 to 1,000 
pounds of a high-grade complete fer¬ 
tilizer per acre before the last cultiva¬ 
tion. You will, of course, sacrifice the 
young growth and many roots which 
have formed near the surface during 
these years of neglect, but a start must 
be made, and the beginning of June is as 
good a time as the year affords. If well 
carried out, the starved asparagus 
should make a good start. Clean culti- 
by sowing as early as danger of frost is 
over in the Spring, endeavoring to get 
the crop off before the hottest weather. 
In practice this is seldom done, as other 
crops demand attention at that time. 
Better results are to be expected if the 
ground can be plowed some little time 
before sowing, and occasionally worked 
over during the interval. This is par¬ 
ticularly true when sown late, since at 
that time weeds or grass have absorbed 
much of the moisture from the soil, and 
if the grain is sown immediately after 
plowing, the soil is likely to be loose 
and dry, capillary action deficient, and a 
poor start the result. About one-half 
bushel per acre of seed is used. I can¬ 
not speak of its value as a poultry food 
used in the way H. W. R. suggests, 
is a grain which shells very easily, and 
on that account might not be so satis 
factory as some others. It must be cut 
when the straw is very green, and would 
uemand considerable curing, 1 should 
suppose, to insure its keeping in a mow 
Buckwheat is not commonly used as a 
nurse crop in seeding to grass, yet good 
results are often obtained when it is so 
used. I certainly should not expect to 
be able to cut any grass the same year 
from seed thus sown, though often a 
crop of grass from previous seeding 
may be first cut, if done rather early, 
and the land then plowed for a crop of 
buckwheat. If H. W. R.’s meadow is not 
too far gone, he might in that way get 
some grass 'before, but not after the 
buckwheat crop. 
[PROF.] FRED W. CARD. 
Rhode Island. 
Ans.—S trawberry plants are generally vation should be carried out through the 
planted 18 to 20 inches apart, in rows 3% 
feet apart. Strawberries succeed in 
quite a variety of soils, but ordinarily a 
rich, light soil, such as would suit pota¬ 
toes or garden vegetables, is to be pre¬ 
ferred. As your ground is in sod it will 
not be possible to plant before August. 
It may be plowed or spaded at once, and 
hoed or cultivated several times during 
the Summer to keep the grass and weeds 
down. In late August it should be 
turned over again, when it should be in 
good condition to receive the plants. 
There is a great difference of opinion as 
to the most profitable varieties, and it 
is safest to plant the kinds successfully 
grown in your locality. Marshall, Ten¬ 
nessee Prolific, Greenville and Gandy 
make a good assortment, quite certain 
to succeed with fair treatment. There 
are scores of other good varieties, and 
great claims are made for some of the 
new ones, but it is not safe to venture 
largely until they have been well tested 
locally. Red raspberries may be conve¬ 
niently planted on the same ground, but 
it is best to have a separate plot for 
them, when obtainable. These rows 
should be at least seven feet apart, when 
planted among strawberries, and the 
plants three feet apart in the row. A 
row of strawberries can then be planted 
between two raspberry rows. The best 
It 
School of Practical 
Agriculture and Horticulture. 
THE SMALL FARM WELL TILLED. 
To teach the art of Fruit Culture. Gardening 
Landscape Gardening, Dairying and allied subjects 
Greenhouses and Poultry. 
Course begins in September, and is open to men 
and women for training in practical and scientific 
work. Address GEO. T. POWELL, Director, 
Briarclifl Manor, Westchester Co., N.Y 
The Beautiful Egyptian Lotus for 
tub, tank or pond. Two fine roots for one dollar. 
R. P. GRIFFING, Riverhead (L. I.). N. Y 
G 
RIMSON CLOVER SEFD grow ers’ prices. 
ELERY PLANTS ^M: 00 
ABBAGE and Potted Strawberry Plants. 
Circular free. Slaymakek & Son, Dover, Del. 
CELERY PLANTS 
Grown by the acre on land especially adapted to 
them. With our system of growing and irrigating, 
each plant is strong and stocky, with a large mass of 
fibrous roots. We ship safely to all parts of the 
United States and Canada. Varieties: White Plume, 
Golden Self-Blanching and Golden Heart. 
Price: 5(10, 75c.: 1,000, $1.25; 6,000,15. 
WILSON BROS. & CO., Tecumsoh, Mich. 
White Black-Eyed Peas. 
Mature in 60 days from planting. New crop ready 
to ship July 4. Will mature up to latitude 44 if 
planted bv July 20. Finest table pea. Good ylelder 
Price bv mall, postage paid, 1 pound, 25c.: 3 pounds, 
50c. By express, not prepaid. 75c. per peck, $2.50 per 
bushel. J. M. HUDSON, Pine Bluff, Ark. 
Cfifi fifirt Tomato. Pepper, Egg, Cabbage, Sweet Po- 
JUU,uUU tato and Celery Plants. Send for Catalogue 
and prices. 
CALEB BOGGS, Chcswold, Del. 
whole growing season, and another ap¬ 
plication of manure or fertilizer made in 
February or March next, before starting 
cultivation. 
A Crop of Buckwheat, 
II. TV. R., Caryville, Mass .—In your issue 
of February 24 you have an article on buck¬ 
wheat. I would like to know more about 
it. If practicable to do so, I should like 
to turn over a piece of grass land that Is 
nearly run out, sow It to buckwheat and 
grass, cut the buckwheat before It Is too 
ripe, and use it for poultry feed In scratch¬ 
ing pens as a litter and feed together, as 
I understand that it is a very good poultry 
feed used that way. If buckwheat and 
grass are sown by June 15, will the buck¬ 
wheat be ready to cut, so that the grass 
will make growth enough for cutting this 
season? 
Ans. —Buckwheat is one of the easiest 
of grain crops to grow, yet, withal, one 
of the most uncertain, for much of the 
success of the crop depends upon the 
weather. The plants are very easily in¬ 
jured by frost, yet it is essentially a 
cool-weather plant. If overtaken by hot 
dry weather during the blooming period 
it will not fill well, no matter how good 
the other conditions may be. For this 
reason, and also for convenience in con¬ 
nection with other farm crops, it is 
usually sown late, about July 1, in 
northern Pennsylvania. Some seasons 
equally good results might be obtained 
OWEET POTATO PLANTS — Jersey Yellow, 
« $1.50 per 1,000. Vineland Bush. $1 per 100, by mail 
Also ot her varieties. Send for circular. 
FRANK 8. NEWCOMB, Vineland, N. J. 
HOPPER’S 
DRY POWDER GUN 
Kills more insects with less powder than any duster 
on the market. Dusts two rows at a time. Will kill 
insects under the leaf. For tree, vine, bush or plant. 
Weight, complete, with tubes and nozzles, 4 pounds. 
Circular free. Agents wanted. 
A. & T. R. HOPPER, Highland, N. Y. 
I COMPREEiSCD AIR 
4 ...SPRAYER- 
j HOLDS FOUR GALLONS, 
ill - I P. ■ DNLY TAKES A MOMENT TD 
- PUMP IN THE AIR.NO MORE 
T I LABOR REQUIRED. 
COMPLETE.5ENT TO ANY AD- 
lllWl^S. AGENT5 WANTED. 
IbV^r'VmY^D.B.SMITH LED.UTICA,N.Y. 
44 
Think of Ease 
But Work On.” 
If your blood is impute you cannot even 
'‘think of ease." The blood is the 
greatest sustainer of the body and when 
you make it pure by taking Hood s Sarsa¬ 
parilla you have the perfect health in 
(which even hard work becomes easy. 
m 
STARK BRO’5 
TDrrc best b T Jest— 
1 BfcM 74 YEARS. Larg¬ 
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DAV CASH WEEKLY & want MORE 
I A I home & traveling salesmen 
STARK BRO’S, LOUISmi, MO.; Dansville.N.Y. 
Trees. Plants. 
We have all kinds of Nursery Stock. 
Catalogue Free. 
JOS. H. BLACK, SON & CO., 
HIGHTSTOWN, N. J. 
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. 
10 
50c. 
The Counter Edition of our 
Garden and Farm Manual 
contains besides the very complete line 
of GARDEN AND FLOWER SEEDS a 
Great Variety of GARDEN AND FARM 
TOOLS and SPRAYING OUTFITS. Send 
for it. Send also for our Poultry Supply 
Catalogue. 
imiuonu P OTfil/CO 217 and 210 Market Street, 
JUllNoUN & olUKLO, PHILADELPHIA 
r PHOS. McELROY, European Seed Commission 
Merchant, Mercantile Ex. Bldg., 6 Harrison St., 
N. V., offers Crimson Clover, Essex Dwarf Rape and 
English Perennial Rye Grass Seeds; spot and to ar¬ 
rive. Samples & prices on application. Thctradeonly 
FOR SALE Seed; 1,000 Bushels Cow Peas. 
JOSEPH E. HOLLAND. Milford, Del 
rimson 
Clover. 
Genuine Delaware Seed, also otherseeds for Summer 
sowing. Write for our Midsummer Catalogue. We 
send It Free. Henry A. Dreer, Philadelphia. 
Seasonable Seeds — TilE WOSOEItFlIL 
s 
OJA OR SOY BEAN, 
OUTHERN COW PEAS. 
ALL VARIETIES. 
SORGHUM OR CANE SEED —Early A *bor& Orange. 
MILLETS —Hungarian anil Southern Gorman. 
JWSPSend for Descriptive Circular. 
J. Ghas. MgGuIIouqIi, cin1hn 8 nat?,’ o. 
Cleaning Dep't, Vine and Water. Otlice, Second and Walnut Sl«. 
GARDEN HOSE 
at SKc Per Foot 
We bought at Sale 75,lHX)f t. 
Brand new, inch. 60foot 
lengths, with coupling.. 
Write for free Catalog No 57 
on merchandise of all kinds 
Wl'lt PRICES XIIK 
ONE-HAUMII OT1IKHS. 
Chicago Rouse W reeking C»- 
West :15th & Iron Sts., 
CHICAGO. 
Soon Saves Its Cost 
A 12-Year 
Old Boy 
can do more and better work, either 
in the field or garden, with this 
—HAND CULTIVATOR 
'' s> 2k. than three men can do with common hoes. 
Plows, hoes, cultivates—astride or between rows. Ifnoageut 
to your town Bend *1.35 for sample delivered amt terms to agents. 
Ulrich Mfg.Co.. 20Rlver St.,Rock FallsJII. 
SLUG SHOT 
KILLS INSECTS IN THE GARDEN. 
In use since 1880. Is effective and safe to use. 
SOLD BY SEEDSMEN EVERYWHERE. 
Send for Free booklet on Bugs and Blights to 
B. HAMMOND, ElshklU-on-Hudson, N. Y 
For $2, I will send by express or freight, i Alpha, i Parry’s 
Giant, i Early Reliance and i Paragon chestnut tree grafted, 
worth Full line of Nursery Stock. Certificate. 
' ^ a nrimnn t DOT T TXTB "!Lf rwwoct.nnrn UllPl I ncrt.fm O 
ARTHUR J. COLLINS, Moorestown, Burlington County, N. J- 
