48o 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
July 14 
Farmers’ Club. 
[Every query must be accompanied by the 
name and address of the writer to insure atten* 
tlon. 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.] 
Killing Flies in Stable. 
W. P., Woodbine, N. J.— We want some 
remedy against flies in the stable. We use 
Shoo-fly on the animals and that keeps the 
flies off them. The walls of the stables 
are full of flies. I would like to know 
whether there is any poison to spray on 
the walls to keep the flies off. 
Ans. —Try spraying the walls with 
kerosene oil or crude petroleum. I think 
the latter would be as effective in killing 
the flies, and it would be more lasting; 
possibly its odor would keep the flies 
away for -iveral days. m. y. s. 
Grafting Chestnut on White Oak. 
J. M. It., Cory, Ind.— Can the chestnut be 
grafted or budded on the White oak or 
hickory? If so, when is the best time for 
doing it? 
Ans. —The chestnut cannot be grafted 
upon any of tne oaks with any degree of 
certainty or profit. I have heard that 
there have been very rare cases in which 
such union has taken place, but only for 
a short time. While I have never heard 
of an attempt to graft the chestnut upon 
any of the hickories, I do not think it 
would be of any use to attempt it; be¬ 
cause there is too much difference in 
their natures. h. e. v. d. 
Cherries on Mazzard Stock. 
C. P. B., Missouri.— I have always used 
Mahaleb cherry for stock, but this year I 
am growing Mazzard, with which I have 
had no experience in regard to time of 
budding. Will the season apply to both 
stocks alike, that is, August and Septem¬ 
ber? Give particulars if the budding time 
is different. Are they equally easy to 
take? 
Ans. —The Mazzard type of the cherry 
family is among the earliest to ripen 
its wood and foliage, and it requires 
early budding. The last of July is some¬ 
times none too early to begin the work 
in Missouri. The Mahaleb makes a much 
better stock for the sour cherries than 
the Mazzard, and I would not advise 
using the latter except for the Heart and 
Bigarreau types. The buds take very 
well on the Mazzard, but the growth of 
that and the sour cherries is so different 
that the union is poor, and the two 
rarely work well together, either budded 
or grafted. h. e. v. d. 
Root Rot of Apple Trees. 
R. C. C., Willmathsvillc, Mo.— Some of my 
apple trees have enlarged crowns and some 
of them have died. The bark turned red 
and some looks as though blighted. It 
commences at i.ie ground and extends up 
on the trunk. Can you tell me the cause 
and cure? 
Ans. —The disease mentioned seems to 
be what is known as root rot of the ap¬ 
ple. It is a very serious trouble, and is 
particularly bad in Missouri and neigh¬ 
boring States. There is no known reme¬ 
dy, so far as I have heard. There are 
various theories advanced regarding pre¬ 
ventives and remedies, but none of them 
seems to prove effective when put to the 
test. It is, however, wise to burn all the 
affected trees and their roots, as far as 
may be possible. h. e. v. d. 
Grapevines in Shade. 
A. O. Q., Ottawa, III.—I have 10 wild or 
native grapevines three years set, which 
blossomed freely this year, but only two 
show fruit. They are on the north side 
of a nine-foot brick wall, and are also 
shaded by large trees. Will Clinton or 
Bacchus grow in this shade and pollinate? 
Do they blossom at same time? Is there 
any grape which will do well in this shade? 
Or any fruits which would do well? 
Ans. —It is doubtful whether Clinton, 
Bacchus, or any cultivated or wild grape 
will bear much fruit in so shady a place 
as is described. Grape vines love the 
sunshine. Their roots may be in the 
shade, but their bearing vines will be 
found in the open sunlight. The Clin¬ 
ton and Bacchus bloom at about the 
same time, and are selMertile, so far as 
I have observed them. Currants are 
more likely to bear profitable crops of 
fruit than any of the fruits with which 
I am acquainted. They do quite well in 
the shade, and especially need it in re¬ 
gions where the Summers are long and 
hot. The north side of a wall or fence 
is much better for currants and worse 
for grapes than any other side. 
h. e. v. D. 
About Cherries. 
Q. F. W., Fairport, N. Y.—I have a little 
cherry orchard here in western New York 
of about 300 trees, that are nearly 10 years 
old, and the behavior of some of the va¬ 
rieties puzzles me. Of the sour varieties 
I should much prefer the Olivet, except for 
one serious defect, which thus far it per¬ 
sistently maintains, and that is very light 
bearing. The tree is a vigorous grower, 
hardy and healthy; the leaves are large, 
dark green and abundant. The fruit ripens 
about with Montmorency, size, large; pit, 
small; color, dark red, almost black; taste 
all that is most desirable in the sour va¬ 
rieties and mildly acid. Why does it not 
produce fruit even moderately well? The 
trees blossom profusely. Apparently the 
fruit sets. The young cherry swells in the 
blossom and when the petals fall it is 
there in apparently good condition; then it 
turns yellow and falls, and a tree that 
ought to produce 100 pounds will yield 15 ox- 
20. On one side of a row of Olivet is a 
row of Early Richmond, and on the other 
side a row of Montmorency. All blossom 
at the same time. The Richmond and 
Montmorency bear profusely. There is 
one Important consideration in cherry cul¬ 
ture, I think, which usually escapes ob¬ 
servation. That is the stock on which the 
varieties are budded. Mahaleb stock is 
largely used by nurserymen. That is, I 
think, all right for Dukes and Morellos 
and the sour kinds, but not suitable for the 
Hearts and Bigarreaus, which are sweet 
varieties. These latter will not make large 
trees on Mahaleb stock, and they will be 
short-lived. The Mazzard stock should be 
used, if you want long-lived, large and 
healthy trees, and they will bear just about 
as early. 
After setting a cherry orchard I would 
cultivate and keep it open for three or four 
years, then seed for pasture and keep 
sheep in it. When fruiting comes on freely 
apply a top-dressing yearly of fertilizer; 
if there are thin spots in the pasture and 
the sheep eat them too close put on barn¬ 
yard manure in the Pall. Never plow the 
cherry orchard after it is laid down to 
grass. Pasture close and top-dress liber¬ 
ally. Plowing a cherx-y orchard after it 
had grown several years in sod would prob¬ 
ably kill a lot of the trees. If the soil Is 
good and of the right quality the trees will 
grow very thrifty while being cultivated 
the first three or four years. They will 
need no stimulation from fertilizers. When 
put down to grass the growth will be 
checked, which in most cases is as it should 
be. When the pasture is fully established 
and top fertilization practiced the growth 
will be healthy, well matured and sufficient. 
The sour varieties need to have their tops 
thinned and opened for several years by 
pruning, but the sweets need scarcely a 
touch of the knife, unless it be to cut the 
leading branches of some varieties that are 
inclined to go too far skyward. 
Ans. —The failure of the Olivet cherry 
to bear is common wherever the trees 
are grown, so far as I have seen or 
heard. It is only suitable for home use, 
a tree or two being grown for the sake 
of having something good for the home 
folks. The reason of the failure to bear 
well is not clearly understood, so far as 
I know, but is probably some constitu¬ 
tional defect of the floral orgahs. I have 
had very similar experience to that of G. 
F. W. in regard to cherry stocks. 
should even then soon give way to 
water. If the Bordeaux dries into a 
cake, a stick should soon dislodge it so 
that water will get at it quickly. 
Doubtless no serious injury would result 
to the pump if kerosene were used at 
once after Bordeaux, but I would always 
thoroughly rinse it out with water, as 
the kerosene and Bordeaux will form a 
coarse ineffective mixture. 
M. V. BLINGERLAND. 
Selling Vegetables by Weight. 
Several Subscribers .—We notice the en¬ 
closed clipping going the rounds of the 
papers. What is the truth about it? “The 
Cleveland Retail Gi-ocers’ Association will, 
on April 15, inaugurate an innovation which 
promises to revolutionize the green grocery 
trade of the city. After that date all vege¬ 
tables will be sold by the pound instead of 
by measure, as at present. The move is to 
shut oii|t unscrupulous dealers who use 
false measures.” 
Ans. —Mr. C. W. Nokes, a fruit dealer 
in Cleveland, Ohio, sends us the follow¬ 
ing statement: “We find that all the 
trade are not following out the system, 
-but that those who are progressive 
enough to try it, would not change back 
to the old system for $1,000 a year. It 
is right in line, and fully in accord with 
“money weight” ideas. One of the prin¬ 
cipal reasons which suggested the plan 
to the trade was the fact that so many 
clerks are so careless of the proprietor’s 
interests—in measuring up vegetables or 
small fruits in small measures, they will 
crowd the measure to overflowing to 
please the customer and give away the 
small profit on the goods. Or in other 
words, a bushel of beans, potatoes or 
other vegetables would only measure out 
23 to 27 quarts. There was no means of 
knowing what a bushel of goods would 
or did result, while the plan of weighing 
everything is just to everybody. The 
retail trade are making the change slow¬ 
ly, and only working on vegetables as 
yet, until they get the consuming trade 
used to the new idea. In regard to the 
street huckster, would say that during 
the Fall, when potatoes are being bought 
freely for Winter use, the street man in 
many cases, or in all cases, sells his lead 
by the measure, and uses a bushel bas¬ 
ket that will not hold over 50 to 53 
pounds, and even cuts his baskets down 
after they have been sealed by our city 
sealer until they will only hold 40 to 45 
pounds, just as his conscience will allow. 
Too much cannot be said in favor of the 
change.” 
Digging Up Asparagus Plants. 
P. /?., Louisville, O.— Can a person dig up 
old asparagus plants at this time of year, 
and transplant them so that they will 
amount to anything next season? I have 
some neighbors who have some out in the 
field that they don’t take any care of, and 
will allow me to dig them out. 
Ans. —It would not pay to disturb as¬ 
paragus plants now, just at the season 
of their strongest growth. Old plants 
do not take kindly to removal at any 
time, as their root system is too exten¬ 
sive to be dug up without serious Injury. 
They may be moved in the Fall or 
Spring, while growth is still dormant. 
Young plants are quite cheap, and will 
give better satisfaction in the end. 
erable, as no energy is used in ripening 
seeds, but they are not easy to select be¬ 
fore they have shown bloom. 
For the land’s sake, use Bowker’s Fer¬ 
tilizers. They enrich the earth.— Acbv. 
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, 
Briarciilf Manor. Westchester Co.. N.Y 
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. 
JOHNSON & STOKES , 2 ' Pli IiIa D KLPHfA ^ 6 
400,000 Premium Flat Dutch Cabbage 
Plants, $1 per 1,000 ; 5,000 for $4; 10.000 for $7.50; 
Pepper and Egg Plants, 30 cents per 100. 
CALEB BOGGS, Cheswold, Del. 
pCI CDV PI A NTQ~ Str0,1K fleld K r °wn In eight 
ULLCn I iLHIl I O varieties in any quantity. 
Extra selected stocky plants. 
WM. S. HERZOG. 
$1.50 per 1.000 cash. 
Morris Plains, N. J. 
RIMSON CLOVER SEKD growers’ prices. 
ELERY PLANTS ALS" 
AliHAGE 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: 500,75c.; 1,000, $1.25; 5,000. $5. 
WILSON BROS. & CO.. Tecumseh. Mich. 
r pHOS. McELROY, European Seed Commission 
Merchant, Mercantile Ex. Bldg., 6 Harrison St., 
N. Y„ offers Crimson Clover, Essex Dwarf Rape and 
English Perennial Rye Grass Seeds; spot and to ar¬ 
rive. Samples & prices on application. The trade only 
c 
RIMSON CLOVE 
Do 
D 
not be deceived in buying 
cheap foreign seed. M m. 
We are Headquarters for pure Delaware Seed. 
New crop. Write for prices. 
II. L. HOLMES, Seedsman, Harrisburg, Pa. 
C rimson 
Clover. 
Genuine Delaware Seed, also other seeds for Summer 
sowing. Write for our Midsummer Catalogue. We 
send it Free. Henry A. Dreer, Philadelphia. 
Beautiful Strawberries in 1901 
We can furnish you with 
pot-grown Strawberry Plants 
' that will bear a full crop of 
;fruit next year. Celery and 
Cabbage Plants. Full line of 
Fruit and Ornamental Stock. 
Write at once for our Summer 
land Autumn catalogue. It 
^explains all. Fruit packages 
oof all kinds for sale at low 
oprices. T. J. DWYER & SON, 
Orange County Nurseries, Box 1, Cornwall, N. Y. 
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. 
Mahaleb is not suitable for the sweet 
varieties, but the Mazzard is. If it were 
not for the sprouting, I would like the 
sour varieties on their own roots. The 
trees have grown and borne better for 
me that way than otherwise. 
H. E. VAN DEMAN. 
Cleansing Sprayer. 
A. P. C. (No Address).— How should a cop¬ 
per knapsack sprayer be cleaned after 
using Bordeaux? What will remove the 
blue deposit when dry? What will be the 
effect on the asparagus of using kerosene 
after Bordeaux without first cleaning? 
Ans. —Properly-made Bordeaux Mix¬ 
ture should not stick to copper so that 
it would require anything more than 
water to clean it off. A thorough rins¬ 
ing with water soon after using Bor¬ 
deaux Mixture should be sufficient to 
clean a pump. If the pump stands x.or 
months and the Bordeaux dries on, it 
When to Cut Asparagus Stalks. 
B. II., Highland Mills, N. Y.-We are young 
at the asparagus business. Shall we cut 
seed stalks now, or let seed ripen first? 
Ans. —Let the seed ripen before cut¬ 
ting the stalks away, as any early cut¬ 
ting would at once be replaced by new 
flowering shoots. If there is any evi¬ 
dence of rust, burn the stalks when cut 
to destroy spores. Male plants, or those 
producing only pollen flowers are pref- 
Trees. Plants. 
We have all kinds of Nursery Stock. 
Catalogue Free. 
JOS. H. BLACK, SON & CO., 
HIGHTSTOWN, N. J. 
m 
STARK BRO’J 
TDrrC BEST by Test— 
I ntM 74 YEARS. Larg¬ 
est Nursery. FruitBook free. We 
DAV cash WEEKLY* want MORE 
I /\ I home & traveling salesmen 
STARK BRO’S, LOUISIANA, M0. ; Dansville.N.Y. 
POT 
GROWN 
STRAWBERRIES 
descriptions of the best varieties wit h cultural directions mailed on request. 
ELLWANGEK & BERRY. Mount Hope Nurseries. ROCHESTER, N. Y. (i 
We shall have our usual supply 
of line plants ready about July 1 . 
Catalogue containing correct 
it. 
Both Year. 
For $i I will send by express or freight, i Alpha, i Paragon, 
i Numbo Chestnut Tree grafted, worth $ 2 . 20 . Full line of 
NT ~. ARTHUR J. COLLINS, 
JN Ursery otOCK. Lxertlticate. Moorestown, Burlington County, N. J. 
