1900 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
865 
Lime and Limekiln Ashes. 
T. F. K., Carmel, N. Y.—A Arm handling 
lime say they can sell me wood ashes and 
lime mixed together for $3 per ton—the pure 
lime costs $5. In your opinion, can they be 
genuine at that price? Canada wood ashes 
cost here $14 per ton. I bought some last 
Spring for that price and sowed them, and 
have not yet seen any great effect. 
Ans.—W hat they offer you is limekiln 
ashes. In burning the lime in kilns 
wood is used for fuel. It is the ashes 
of this wood mixed with lime and dirt 
found at the bottom of the kiln that the 
company refers to. They will not com¬ 
pare in value with unleached wood 
ashes. Samples which were analyzed at 
the Connecticut Station contained 1 y 2 
per cent of potash, one per cent of phos¬ 
phoric acid and 37 per cent of lime.with 
some sand and charcoal. They will, of 
course, vary in quality. If you were 
sure of getting a good sample it would 
pay to buy these limekiln ashes, but do 
not imagine that they are worth as 
much as the pure unleached wood ash. 
A Mulch for Strawberries. 
F. W. S., Boston, Mass .—Which is better to 
use for the Winter protection of straw¬ 
berry plants, straw or spruce boughs? If 
straw, how much? If spruce boughs, how 
many thicknesses? If straw is to be used 
as a mulch when should it be put on and 
how? 
Ans. —While spruce or other evergreen 
boughs make the best possible Winter 
covering lor most plants, clean straw is 
to be preferred for strawberries, as a 
fruit mulch is wanted in order to keep 
the berries from the soil when ripening, 
as well as protection from frost. Clean 
oat or rye straw is best. Wheat straw 
often contains Chess seeds, which make 
a troublesome weed to eradicate in suc¬ 
ceeding years. Salt or marsh hay is still 
better. In December, when the ground 
is first firmly frozen, the salt hay or 
straw should be strewn over the whole 
field two or three inches thick, taking 
care it does not lie in bunches. When 
growth begins in the Spring the cover¬ 
ing may be parted over the crown of 
each plant, which will soon grow up 
through the opening. After fruiting the 
mulch should be raked away in order to 
cultivate the plants. 
The Law of Newspaper Subscriptions. 
J. T. t'., Harts town. Pa.—I inclose a clip¬ 
ping from a religious journal which is self- 
explanatory. If this is the law do not 
publishers have liberty unjustly to impose 
upon the reading public? I should be 
pleased to hear your statement of the 
truth of the matter. What is in The K. 
N.-Y. we set down as gospel. 
Ans. —The clipping purports to be a 
collection of “newspaper subscription 
laws.” Here are three of them: 
The courts have decided that refusing to 
take periodicals from the office, or remov¬ 
ing and leaving them uncalled for, is prima 
facie evidence of intentional fraud. If sub¬ 
scribers pay in advance they are bound to 
give notice at the end of the time if they 
do not wish to continue taking it; other¬ 
wise the publisher is authorized to send 
it, and the subscriber will be responsible 
until an express notice, with payment of 
all arrearages, is sent to the publisher. The 
latest postal laws are such that newspaper 
publishers can arrest anyone for fraud who 
takes a paper and refuses to pay for It. 
Under this law the man who allows his 
subscription to run along for some time 
unpaid, and then orders it discontinued, or 
orders the postmaster to mark it “refused," 
and have a postal card sent notifying the 
publisher, leaves himself liable to arrest 
and fine, the same as for theft. 
We stamp the last statement as abso¬ 
lutely false. Paragraphs 635 and 536, on 
page 1,083 of the United States Official 
Postal Guide for 1900, cover this matter, 
and are as follows: 
525. There is nothing in the postal laws or 
regulations concerning the liability of a 
subscriber for the subscription price of a 
newspaper or periodical. 
53G. When a subscriber of a newspaper or 
periodical refuses to take the same from 
the office, or neglects to call for it for the 
period of one month, it becomes the duty 
of the postmaster to notify the publisher 
of the fact. If the first notification is dis¬ 
regarded, a second may be sent, calling 
attention to the previous notice. The re¬ 
fused matter should then be held for 30 
days, after which the same, and all copies 
thereof subsequently arriving, should be 
placed with the waste paper. 
It is thus comparatively easy for a 
subscriber to stop his paper if he desires 
to do so. Let him notify the postmaster 
in writing that he does not want it. If 
it is handed out to some one else for de¬ 
livery send it back to the postoffice un¬ 
opened. 
"Grubs” and Cutworms on Peas. 
Reader, Indiana.—I have 12 acres of Blue 
grass and Timothy sod, that I intended 
plowing last Pall, and wanted to plant in 
peas for canning factory, the latter part of 
April, but I fear the grub and cutworms 
may destroy it. The seed alone will cost 
me $108. This is more than I would like to 
chance if there is danger of the worms 
taking it. What is your opinion? 
Ans. —In general it is not advisable 
to plant crops which may be injured by 
cutworms or White grubs immediately 
after sod, as sod land is their native 
feeding ground. If necessary to do so, 
plow the land as early as possible in the 
Spring or late Winter, and keep well 
cultivated, so as to keep down the weeds 
and grass, upon which the cutworms 
feed, before the cultivated crop appears. 
If the cutworms are numerous about 
the time tne peas commence to show 
above the ground, try to destroy them 
with a poisoned bait. For a large area, 
clover sprayed with Paris-green or other 
arsenite, one pound to 75 gallons of 
water, and scattered in small bunches 
over the infested field, will probably be 
found satisfactory. This has also been 
recommended for use against White 
grubs. If the land has been kept free 
from grass and weeds the cutworms 
will be hungry enough readily to feed 
upon the poisoned clover and will thus 
be destroyed. e. d. s. 
WISDOM BOILED DOWN. 
Are there any satisfactory tools for 
picking or raking stones into heaps or 
windrows? 
We have not heard of any. Stone 
forks are made for putting the stones 
on wagons. One farmer wrote us of 
dragging a steel rail from the railroad 
over the ground with a team at each 
end. This scraped many stones togeth¬ 
er. The Hoover potato digger picks up 
large stones and carries them up as it 
does potatoes. A machine somewhat on 
this principle might work. Hand pick¬ 
ing is surest. 
* * * 
Is it true that Potato scab is carried 
from one crop to another by weeds or 
other plants? 
Yes. A number of weeds “catch and 
carry” this disease. Beets undoubtedly 
carry it and probably radish and tur¬ 
nips. This may explain why scab ap¬ 
pears in land years after a potato crop 
was grown on it. 
* * * 
Do you believe in the reading course 
for farmers at Cornell University? 
Certainly it is an excellent thing. By 
all means write to Prof. John Craig, 
Ithaca, N. Y., if you are at all interested 
in printed agriculture. 
* * * 
Is the folding sawing machine adver¬ 
tised in The R. N.-Y. a practical tool? 
A number of questions about this saw 
having been asked we wrote to a score 
of farmers inquiring about it. All who 
have replied praise the saw and say it 
will do good work. We have not used it 
ourselves. 
* * * 
Is salt water used to test potatoes? 
Yes. The potato contains more or less 
starch—its cooking quality depending 
largely on the amount. The more starch 
the more “mealy” the tubers, and the 
more valuable for food. Stareh is 
heavier than water—therefore, the po¬ 
tato sinks. Salt changes the specific 
gravity of water, or in other words, 
makes the water heavier. Put several 
varieties of potatoes in a deep vessel 
filled with water. They all sink, because 
each is heavier than an equal volume of 
water. Add salt slowly. It dissolves 
and adds to the weight of the water. At 
last a point is reached when the potato 
is lighter than an equal volume of the 
water and the potato rises and floats. If 
you try this you will be surprised to see 
how some potatoes will rise and float, 
while others remain at the bottom until 
more salt is added. The last to rise and 
float are the heaviest, and contain most 
starch—therefore are best in quality. 
California Fruit Grower says that the 
celery crop of Orange County, in that 
State will amount to 1,000 carloads this 
season. A little later New York will re¬ 
ceive large quantities of this California 
product. 
A Canadian Grafter.—I notice refer¬ 
ences to price paid for grafting. I charge 
five cents for live grafts. I find all but 
board, and make two or three rounds dur¬ 
ing the season; shave up wax and rub off 
sprouts. At last round the farmer and 1 
count live ones, book number, and take 
pay when I get it, which is one or two 
years in some cases. I guarantee to dis¬ 
bud throughout tree. I get an average of 
90 per cent to grow. w. j. h. 
Orangeville, Ont 
Headache may be called a woman’s 
ailment. Some men suffer from it. But 
almost all women have to endure its pain 
with each recurring month. This fact 
oints at once to the intimate relation 
etween the health of the delicate 
womanly organs, and the general health 
of the whole body. Dr. Pierce’s Favor¬ 
ite Prescription banishes headache by 
banishing its cause. It cures the dis¬ 
eases which irritate the delicate womanly 
organs, fret the nerves and waste the 
strength. It increases the vitality and 
builds up the nervous system. M Favorite 
Prescription” contains no opium, cocaine 
or other narcotic. 
«I want to praise your medicine,” write* Mrs. 
Sarah J. Burney, of Cresent City, Putnam Co., 
Fla. " I have been sick for twenty years, and 
have been almost in bed five years, and now I 
am able to work all day. I have taken eight 
bottles of ‘ Favorite Prescription ’ and four of 
‘Golden Medical Discovery’ and one vial of 
‘Pellets.’ I praise your medicine to all. I had 
the headache but it is gone. My throat is well 
and cough gone, and all my old troubles are 
better. I tried many other kinds of medicine 
and four doctors." 
FAVOmTt PRESCRIPTION 
HAKES WEAK WOMEN STRONG 
AND SICK WOMEN WELL. 
This is an Era of Scientific Achievement. 
Veterinary Pixine 
Contains the most vital healing elements known 
to science. It is a marvelous combination, anti¬ 
septic and penetrating powers. Absolutely free 
of any mineral or poisonous substances. The 
only veterinary preparation that heals sores, 
speed cracks and chronic scratches, by granula¬ 
tion, the only natural way. Indorsed by highest 
veterinary authority. Sold under an absolute 
guarantee. 
p|,T|in j 2-oz. box, • 25o, 
rKIU1C 1 V4- lb . box, . SOc. 
Includes expensive “Almanac and Manual of In¬ 
formation for 1901.” Handsomely illustrated. 
Invaluable for a lifetime. Not a 
putent medicine book. 
JgfeiU At all Druggists and Dealers, or mailed 
postpaid. 
TROY CHEMICAL CO., 
TROY, N. Y. 
REBUILT MACHINERY 
and SUPPLIES at Bargain Prices. Larg¬ 
est Machinery Depot on earth. We buy 
buildings and plants; among 
others we bought the World’s 
i Fair, the Omaha Exposition, the 
Chicago Post Office, and other 
1 structures..We rebuild machin¬ 
ery of all kinds, and sell with 
binding guarantees. Boilers 
from $25 up; Engines from $35 
up; Steam Pumps^from $15 up, 
etc. We carry com 
plies, such as BEL 
HANGERS? I’ll.-.,. 
PIPE, IRON ROOFING, HARD 
WARE, VA LVES & FITTINGS, 
PLUMBING MATERIAL, etc. 
Will pend free, our 250-page Catp.log No. 57 
Constantly buying entire stocks 
at Sheriffs’ and Receivers’ sales. 
Chicago House Wrecking Co.. 
W. 35th & Iron Sts., Chicago, III. 
Clubbing List. 
We can save you money on any paper or magazine. 
We give you a list below. If you do not find all you 
want here, send us a list, and we will quote you price 
by return mall. It will save you trouble to send all 
your orders to us at one time. The price opposite 
each paper is our price to you for it. Every order 
must, of course, Include a subscription to The RPRAi, 
New-Yorker at $1. To make up a list start with 
THE K. N.-Y. at $1, then take as many of the others 
as you need at price opposite each. 
American Bee Journal, Chicago, Ill. 
American Poultry Journal. Chicago. Ill. 
American Sheep Breeder, Chicago, 111. 
American Swineherd, Chicago. Ill. 
American Queen, New York. 
Arena, The, Boston, Mass. 
Atlantic Monthly, Boston, Mass. 
American Gardening, New York. 
Ave Marla, Notre Dame, Xnd. 
A Few Hens, Boston, Mass. 
American Agriculturist, New York. 
American Boy, Detroit, Mich. 
Babyhood, New York. 
Blade, Toledo, O. 
Blooded Stock. Oxford, Pa. 
Bee, Toledo, O. 
Baptist Union, Chicago, 111. 
Breeder’s Gazette, Chicago, Ill. 
Cincinnati Weekly Gazette, Cincinnati, O. 
Cosmopolitan Magazine, Irvington, N. Y. 
Courier-Journal, Louisville, Ky (begin Jan. 1>... 
Cleveland Dally World, Cleveland, O. 
Century, New York. 
Christian Herald, New York. 
Constitution, Atlanta, Ga. 
Commercial Tribune, Cincinnati, O.. 
Cleveland Leader, Cleveland, O. 
Conkey’s Home Journal, Chicago, 111. 
Courier, Buffalo, N. Y. 
Chronicle Telegraph, Pittsburg, Pa. 
Country Gentleman. Albany, N. Y. 
Coleman's Rural World, St. Louis, Mo. 
Cleveland Plain Dealer, Cleveland, O. 
Courant (Daily . Hartford, Conn. 
Courant iSemi-Weekly), Hartford, Conn. 
Columbus Press Post, Columbus, O. 
Dispatch, Pittsburg, Pa. 
Drainage Journal, Indianapolis, Ind. 
Demorest’s, New York. 
Delineator, New York. 
Designer, New York. 
Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester, N. Y. 
Dairy and Creamery, Chicago, Ill. 
Enquirer, Cincinnati, O. 
Evangelist. New York. 
Everybody’s Magazine, New York. 
Examiner, New York. 
Examiner (Daily) San Francisco, Cal. 
Examiner (Weekly) San Francisco, Cal. 
Every Where, New York. 
Fruit, Dunkirk, N. Y. 
Forum, New York. 
Free Press, Detroit, Mich. 
Frank Leslie’s Monthly, New York. 
Farm Journal, Philadelphia, Pa. 
Farm Poultry, Boston. Mass. 
Family Herald and Weekly Star, Montreal. Can. 
Farm and Fireside, Springfield, O. 
Farm and Home, Spriugfleld, Mass. 
Gleanings in Bee Culture, Medina, O. 
Globe Democrat (Weekly), St. Louis, Mo. 
Golden Days, Philadelphia, Pa. 
Green’s Fruit Grower, Rochester, N. Y. 
Good Literature, New York. 
Garden and Farm, Springfield, O. 
Household, Boston, Mass. 
Horse Review, Chicago, Ill. 
Horse World, Buffalo, N. Y. 
Harper’s Bazar, New York. 
Harper’s Magazine, New York. 
Harper’s Weekly, New York. 
Housekeeper, Minneapolis, Minn. 
Housewife, New York. 
Hoard’s Dairyman, Ft. Atkinson, VVIs. 
Holstein-Friesian Register, Brattleboro, Vt. 
Home Journal, Boston, Mass. 
Independent, New York. 
Inter Ocean, Chicago. Ill. 
Inter-8tate Poultryman, Tiffin, O. 
Journal, Boston, Mass. 
Judge, New York. 
Jersey Bulletin, Indianapolis. Ind. 
Journal, Indianapolis, Ind. 
Journal of Agriculture, St. Louis, Mo. 
Little Folks, New York. 
Lippincott’s Magazine, Philadelphia, Pa. 
Ledger Monthly, New York. 
Living Church, Milwaukee, Wis. 
Leslie’s Weekly, New York. 
McClure’s Magazine, New York. 
Mayflower, New York. 
Munsey’s Magazine. New York. 
Meehan's Monthly. Philadelphia, Pa. 
North American Review, New York. 
News and Courier, Charleston, S. C. 
National Stockman, Pittsburg, Pa. 
New England Homestead, Springfield, Mass. 
Ohio Poultry Journal, Dayton, O. 
Ohio Farmer, Cleveland, O. 
Outlook, The, New York. 
Poultry Keeper, Quincy. Ill. 
Press, Philadelphia, Pa. 
Public Opinion, New York. 
Poultry Monthly, Albany, N. Y. 
Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn. 
Post Express, Rochester, N. Y. 
Puck, New York. 
Practical Farmer, Philadelphia, Pa. 
Review of Reviews, New York. 
Register, Wheeling, W. Va. 
Reliable Poultry Journal, Quincy, Ill. 
Republican, The (Weekly), Springfield, Mass.... 
Scribner’s Magazine, New York. 
Scientific American, New York. 
Spirit of the Times. 
Star, Kansas City, Yip. 
Sentinel, Indianapolis, Ind. 
Swine Breeder's Journal, Indianapolis. Ind. 
Sunday-School Times, Philadelphia, Pa. 
St. Nicholas, New York. 
Success, New York. 
Southern Cultivator, Atlanta, Ga. 
Strawberry Culturist, Salisbury, Md. 
Table Talk, Philadelphia, Pa. 
Tribune (Weekly). New York. 
Thrice-a-Week Tribune, New York. 
Times (Weekly), Cincinnati, O. 
Trained Motherhood, New York. 
Truth, New York. 
Turf, Field and Farm, New York. 
Union Gospel News, Cleveland, O. 
Wool Markets and Sheep, Chicago, Ill. 
Witness, New York. 
Woman’s Home Companion, Springfield, O. 
World, Tri-Weekly, New York. 
Youths' Companion.New, $1.25; renewal. 
Young People’s Weekly, Chicago, Ill.. 
$0.90 
.20 
.80 
.30 
.45 
1 80 
3.25 
LOO 
1.70 
.30 
1.00 
.00 
.90 
.00 
.15 
.OU 
1.10 
.80 
.85 
.00 
1.30 
3.00 
1.10 
.05 
.45 
.80 
.30 
.80 
.00 
1.50 
.00 
1.40 
0.50 
.85 
.85 
.55 
.55 
.95 
.95 
.86 
.55 
.25 
.55 
3.00 
.85 
1.80 
0.40 
1.20 
.35 
25 
2.00 
.00 
.85 
.20 
.05 
.80 
.25 
.40 
.50 
.80 
2.35 
.20 
.25 
.25 
.00 
1.00 
1.20 
3.30 
2.70 
3.30 
.40 
.26 
.66 
.85 
1.80 
1.90 
.75 
.26 
.95 
4.10 
1.10 
.00 
.80 
1.15 
1.75 
.80 
1.00 
3.10 
.00 
.26 
.90 
1.80 
4.10 
.80 
.90 
1.00 
.25 
.55 
2 80 
.20 
.00 
2.10 
.30 
.86 
.00 
4.10 
.85 
2.10 
.80 
.30 
.90 
2.85 
2.00 
3.20 
.26 
.30 
.45 
.80 
2.00 
.70 
00 
.20 
.85 
.26 
.75 
.30 
.00 
1.95 
2.10 
.30 
.30 
.85 
.70 
.06 
1.75 
.40 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER NEW YORK. 
