192 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
March 15 
Ruralisms • 
NOTES FROM THE RURAL GROUNDS. 
Damage from Ice. —Those who yearn 
for “old-fashioned Winters” with plenty 
of snow and sharp cold should be high¬ 
ly gratified at the record of the present 
season. The past February has been 
the most severe for many years on the 
New Jersey coast, with a phenomenally 
low average temperature, and frequent 
wild storms, though at no time did the 
thermometer register below zero. There 
was more rain than snow, but the latter, 
driven by high gales, drifted badly and 
filled the protected hollows, while the 
exposed knolls were quickly bared. As 
cold weather has been fairly continuous 
since December, vegetation is in a very 
dormant condition, and little injury to 
any useful plants seemed to occur until 
the freezing rain of February 21-22 so 
coated trees and shrubs with ice that 
most extensive and disastrous break¬ 
downs occurred. Some exposed orchards 
and woodlands are practically ruined, 
and minor destruction is evident on 
every side. A hasty survey shows that 
all species suffered to some extent. The 
damage to evergreens appears propor¬ 
tionally less than to deciduous trees, 
though the former suffered badly 
enough. The worst harm seems to have 
come to stiff, unbending trees such as 
oaks, native willows and persimmons, 
and lanky growers like elms and Silver 
maples. Many specimens or both types 
as totally wrecked. The Kieffer pear 
suffered least among orchard trees, 
though many small limbs were broken, 
and the same may be said of the Catalpa 
among ornamentals. The damage to 
apple and peach orchards is most dis¬ 
couraging. While we have many lesser 
breakages on the Rural Grounds, the list 
of destroyed trees only foots up a Hale 
chestnut, Wild Goose plum and a Wad¬ 
dell peach, but we hope to renew the 
chestnut by means of a sucker above 
the graft. We keep our trees well head¬ 
ed in on account of the exposed situa¬ 
tion, and the heavy ice had less lever¬ 
age than where more open growth is al¬ 
lowed. In some restricted localities Na¬ 
ture has done her Winter pruning on 
such a gigantic scale that many years 
must pass before the deplorable injuries 
now so evident are obliterated. 
Sowing Fine Seeds. —Beginners in 
gardening usually have trouble in the 
management of fine seeds such as Be¬ 
gonias, Gloxinias, Petunias and Nico- 
tianas, and as choice strains of these de¬ 
sirable plants are expensive, much loss 
often ensues. Some of these seeds are 
almost microscopic in size, and the com¬ 
mon mistake is to cover them too deep¬ 
ly in hard soil. They really should not 
be covered at all, but so arranged that 
they lie on a moist but loose sprouting 
medium, and are shielded from strong 
light, while constantly bathed in moist 
air. These conditions are not difficult 
to secure in a window garden where the 
temperature may be kept near 60 de¬ 
grees, while in a tolerably equipped 
greenhouse the chances are naturallv 
better. Small seeds are most easily man¬ 
aged in shallow wooden trays or flats 
containing not over two inches of fri¬ 
able soil. These trays may be cut out 
of cheap grocery boxes, and need not be 
over three or four inches deep. For 
scarce and very finest seeds like rare 
Begonias a shallow cigar box answers 
very well, and is much used by profes¬ 
sional growers. Very free drainage 
should always be supplied by boring 
several good-sized holes in the bottom, 
which may be covered by burlap, moss 
or other fibrous material to keep in the 
soil. The most approved compost is 
made up of equal parts fine old manure, 
garden soil and sand, which latter may 
be taken from the roadside. The ingre¬ 
dients are mixed together and sifted 
through an oat sieve (about one-eighth 
inch mesh). When leaf mold or fine 
woods soil can be procured it is well 
to add a fair proportion in place of so 
much loam. The compost may be steril¬ 
ized by baking in the oven until a po¬ 
tato bedded in it is fairly cooked. This 
will dispose of all weed seeds and dis¬ 
ease or fungus germs, but the soil should 
be well moistened after cooling, and al¬ 
lowed to stand until it regains the prop¬ 
er texture, which may be tested by 
squeezing a handful firmly. If it re¬ 
tains its form without stickiness after 
being released it is in the right condi¬ 
tion and may at once be sifted in the 
tiays. Do not pack down, but settle by 
jarring. Level off with a thin board 
and set the tray in a tub containing an 
inch or so of lukewarm water, taking 
care it does not rise above the sides 
When well saturated take out and drain 
until settled. The seeds are best sown 
by spreading on a piece of writing or 
other stiff, smooth paper and distribut¬ 
ing over the prepared soil as evenly as 
possible by lightly tapping with the 
finger. The usual recommendation is 
now to cover the trays with glass to 
keep in the moisture, and very good re¬ 
sults often follow the practice, but ger¬ 
minating seeds need air rather than 
light, while it is necessary to retain the 
moist conditions. A most satisfactory 
covering is found in wire mosquito net¬ 
ting placed over the tray and covered 
half an inch thick with chopped moss 
kept moist by light spraying with water 
at 60 to 75 degrees when needed. This 
supplies just the needed conditions, and 
may be kept on until the seedlings ap¬ 
pear, when glass, kept free from the 
edges of the trays by wooden wedges, 
may be substituted. When water is 
needed, which should not be oftener than 
once or twice a week, it is best given 
by absorption, by setting the trays in 
water as at first The tiny seedlings 
should be kept from direct sunlight at 
first, but may by degrees get accustomed 
to it and the glass gradually discarded. 
As soon as a leaf or two is made they 
can be pricked out in similar trays of 
prepared soil, using a sharpened stick to 
make the transfer, and placed one or 
two inches apart according to variety 
Water is best given as before until the 
little fellows are established, when a fine 
sprinkler may be used, taking care to 
shower them only in bright weather, 
when the leaves will quickly dry. From 
this second tray they may again be 
transferred to pots or the garden as the 
case may be, when growth crowds. Other 
small seeds may be planted in the same 
manner, but a light covering of fine 
earth or chopped moss can be sifted over 
them, and compacted by a small board, 
few species requiring the extreme care 
needed for Gloxinias and Begonias. The 
use of pots for growing delicate seed 
lings should be avoided in the window 
garden, as they dry out too rapidly, but 
they can be used to good advantage in 
the greenhouse if very thoroughly drain¬ 
ed. It is hoped that these directions 
may encourage R. N.-Y. readers to try 
some of the more difficult seeds, as suc¬ 
cess in growing these choice plants is 
most gratifying. w. v. f. 
For the land’s sake, use Bowker’s Fer¬ 
tilizers. They enrich the earth.— Adv. 
If you grow BERRIES, 
PEACHES, GRAPES 
nr IIFI MK Bend us your 
UI fflCLUnw, name and 
’’address on a postal, and secure a 
_ 'copy of our latest catalogue and 
price list of Berry Boxes and Fruit Baskets. 
THE PIERCE-WILLIAMS CO. 
Sonth Haven, Mich. 
STONE BOAT HEAD 
A GREAT THING. 
Write for Prices. 
RICHARD BATES, 
Portland, Mich. 
STANDARD HORSE-CARTS. 
Twelve Stylos—2 and 4- 
Wheel—Wide and Narrow 
Tires—Steel Axles. Low rate® 
of freight from our Works - 
Tatamy Pa.—to all points. 
Adopted by farmers, con¬ 
tractors, miners, gardeners 
cemetery authorities, etc., 
wherever the best is wanted. 
H0B80N & CO., Manufrs., l‘J State 8t., New York. 
How to Drain Land Profitably. 
On every farm there is probably some land 
that could be made more productive by undei 
drainage. Properly drained land can always- 
b e worked earlier, and mo re profitably. Tin 
best and mos 
I economical way 
to drain is ex 
plained 
. in thi 
book, “Benefits of Drainage and How to Drain,’ 
which is sent/r<?« by JOHN H. JACKSON, 
76 Third Avenue, Albany, N. Y. 
a 
KING 
of the 
Corn¬ 
field.” 
Corn, Bean and Pea Planter 
and Fertilizer Distributor. 
Strong, 
Durable, 
Easy Draft, 
Easily Handled 
Fully 
Guaranteed. 
For planting Field, Ensilage or Fodder Corn, Broom 
Corn, Beans, Pens, Sugar Beets, Buckwheat, etc. 
Drops the seed in hills or drills. Will plant corn and 
beansat thesame time. Will put pumpkins orsquash 
i n with the corn. Plants 4>4, 9.12, 18. 24, 30 and 72inches 
apart. Distributes wet or dry fertilizer at the rate of 25 
to 700 lbs. per acre. Equipped with anew and Improved 
row marker. Agents wanted In all new territory. 
Catalog, special terms, etc., free. 
BELCHER & TAYLOR A. T. CO., 
Box 75., Chicopee Falls, Mass. 
Half Enough Water 
is quite enough for some people, but most 
people want water every day. If 
Rider or Ericsson Hot-Air Pumps 
are used, you can have water every day in 
the year, and your cook or the stable boy 
is the only engineer needed. 25,000 in 
daily use. 
Catalogue “C4" on application to nearest store. 
RIDER-ERICSSON ENGINE CO., 
40 Deal born St., Chicago 
22 CortlandtSt.. NewYork 
209 Franklin St., Boston 
692 CraigSt..Montreal.P.Q 
4dN.7th St.. Philadelphia 
Tenlente-Key 71. Havana 
22a Pitt St... Sydney, N. S. W. 
Write for 
Special r a 
Of,er <$A S0 ^ 
Standard since 1885. Reliable always. 
'O.good 8«»le Co., 10 *l>ntr»l St. Binghamton,\.Y 
THE'tLEVELAND 
PURIFYING 
CHAIN PUMP 
ALL STEEL AND 0ALVANIZED. 
For mil or Cistern IS Feet or Shallower, 
* 6.00 DELIVERED. Add 12c for every addi¬ 
tional hot. Complete and properly fitted to 
your mil.. M years on the market. Will 
convert a cistern, into a mountain spring. 
CATALOGUE FREE. 
CLEVELAND GALVANIZING WORKS 
14-24 Cooper it — Cleveland . O 
v- ■■ ■ 
Th. 
tyQeveh 
I Ijpur'f'rk* ■ 
If 
1| 'Pva’P - 
THOMPSON A SONS 
the fellows who make the famous Thompson 
Wheelbarrow Crass Seeder. It sows 
all Gran* Seeds, all Movers, Red 
Top, Alfalfa, Orchard Grass, Millet, 
Flax, Klc. Special larj?e hoppers for 
sowing Oats, Wheat, Rye, Barley, 
Etc. Capacity 30 acres a day. Sows 
In any wind. Don’t need stakes—fol¬ 
low drill work. Thousands In use. 
Catalog Free* Write us as above. 
YOUR 
ThiBiseasy to do ifyou spray your trees. 
Now a word aboutsprayers. Get 
the best when voii huv. 
THE HARDIE 
SPRAY PUMPS 
are tnie best, because they have brass 
ball v«l ve». patent agitator, an adjust¬ 
able plunger that will never leak. No 
leather nor rubber about them. 
That’s why they work so easy, 
give such a fine spray and cost 
nothing for repairs. 'We make 
them all sizes,to supply from one 
to elprht nozzles. Our catalog tells 
the whole Rtorv. Itlafree. Ask for It. 
THE HARDIE SPRAT PUMP MFG. CO., 
74Lim*d St., Detroit, Mich. 
with the “incomparable’ 
BORDEAUX NOZZLE) 
and onr world’s best outfit you are abeo f 
{lute master of the situation. Insects and dirt 
btll before thia all conquering outfit,? 
|Se* the book. It k free. Write for it now. j 
THE DIMING CO., SALEM, OHIO. 
Western Agts., Henion h Hubbell, Chicago. 
SRRAY 
EMPIRE KING. 
This is the only hand pump hav¬ 
ing a mechanical automatic agi¬ 
tator with a brush for keepin g the 
suction strainer clean. This Co. 
also make the (iarflrld knapsack and 
Orchard Monarch, and can furnish 
the New Proems Lima, which require, no slack¬ 
ing or straining. Valuable hook sent free. 
FIELD FORCE PCHP CO., 
2 Market 81., Lockport, N. Y. 
PROFI T or L OSS? 
That’s the Question 
THE ECLIPSE 
SPRAY PUMP 
Will settle that in your 
orchard. With it you 
CAN make a profit, with¬ 
out it what do you get ? 
Send for Catalogue. <- 
MORRILL & MORLEY, 
BENTON HARBOR, MICHIGAN. 
IT PAYS TO SPRAY 
even under ordinary conditions and in the ordinary way, but 
it pays especially well to spray when you can do the work 
r thirty acres a day with the 
SIX-ROW 
SPRAYER 
either hand or horse power. Pump is positive In action and 
never loses force. Liquid does not enter the working parts 
of the pump to corrode it. Simple, easily adjusted 
and operated. Tue manufacturer has spent twelve 
years in bringing It to its present state of perfec¬ 
tion. Sprays Bordeaux and all mixtures without 
^trouble or waste. Write for free catalog. We also 
make the Improved Riggs 
Plows and Furrow ere. 
THOM * S PEPPLEB 
JBox Zt ilightstown 
[TVRf 
The 
New 
VERSUS 
The Old 
the Auto-Spray 
The HEST, CHKAPEST and MOST EFFECTIVE device for 
spraying Gardens, Orchards, Lawns, Stables, Chicken Houses, etc. No 
continuous pumping. Compressed air drives the spray automatically. 
Can be operated by a boy, will save its cost ill a few days. Never breaks 
down or gets out of order. Nozzels, stop cocks and all fittings which 
come in contact with insecticide solutions are solid brass. The 
AUTO-8PRAY cannot rus t, c orrode or leak. The 
is one of our promi- 
_ _ nent attachments. 
It is the only torch which really kills worms, etc. It burns kero 
WC^gene vaporized with oxygen and a single blast will destroy a nest 
of caterpillars. Ask Y our Healer for the Auto-Spray, or write 
us for free instructions, “How and When to Spray.” which will 
lie gladly sent to any address. Write us jf you want agency^ 
A(JlV>ornA x I uoi. wiiyuc UI i 
Auto-Spray Torch 
E. C. BROWN «fc CO., ltept. F, 
KOCH ESTER, N. Y. 
This Yankee 
Spring Tooth Riding Harrow 
is the best and only practical riding spring tooth harrow made. Equal of similar 
harrows sold at more than twice the price. Wheels are set on a long steel axle— 
cannot become untrue, rock or wabble. Frame is high, almost impossible to clog 
it. Front end is supported by large strong castor wheels or shoes according to 
whether the ground is rough or smooth. Strong, convenient levers for control¬ 
ling depth and regulating teeth; throws them entirely out of the way in moving 
harrow from place to place. Lightest draft. Consider these points. Do not buy' 
before seeing our large General Catalogue of Farm Implements and Field and 
Garden Seeds. Mulled lree on request. 
_ROSS BROTHERS, WORCESTER, MASS._ 
IX L Combined wS 9 Cultivator & Harrow 
Strong, durable, efficient, with its various advantages does the work of half a dozen special ma-. 
chines at the cost of one. Seat folds forward. We furnish handles, making it an ideal walk- ' 
ing cultivator. Uses either spring or eagle-claw teeth. We furnish center 
section which makes it a fallow cultivator. Wood orsteel\vheels, adjustableto 
work wide or narrow. Also Bean Harvester and Broadcast Seeder attachments, i 
ir KKAilT VnilD ADVICD now, although we know you will not I 
'E TV All I lUUll UnkJELn need the cultivator for many weeks.' 
We can sell cheaper now than later, if we can determine how many cultivators to 1 
make. We make the price an object to you. We do not want your money now ,' 
but we do want your order. 500,000 Farmers will see this ad. Probably 
5,0^0 of them would buy this cultivator if they could see it and know how’ cheap we will sell it. In order 
to determine the number needed and to enable us to manufacture intelligently, we solicit advance orders, 
which will insure prompt shipment and lower prices. On such advance orders we quote a price of only 
CCilH CO HO anc * or< * er the cultivator now. The balance to be paid when shipment is made and you receive the culti- 
gCnll )fciUU vator and find it as represented. If not entirely satisfactory, ship it back; we will pay the freight both 
ways and refund you your $2.0'. You risk absolutely nothing, but have the opportunity of saving fully $10.00. We guarantee 
the cultivator against defective workmanship or material, and will replace, at our own cost, anything breaking from the above 
causes during the first season’s work. Every part of this cultivator is manufactured under our personal supervision, that is why 
we guarantee it as wedotoyou. We will ship whenever you desire, up to as late as May 15. 
lilDlTC Tfl RAY Tor our Special I X L Cultivator Circular, which fully illustrates, describes and prices this 
VV If I I C I U - U A I implement and its various attachments. We will also send Free our new’ catalogue No. C-82, show¬ 
ing almost everything used on the farm for spring and summer months, also new Vehicle and Harness Catalogue No. B-81, show¬ 
ing more than 150 styles of buggies, carriages, surreys, etc., and harness for every purpose. We add only one small profit to 
first factory cost and make lowest prices on best grade of work. We have no agents, but sell direct to the consumer and save 
you money. We ship direct to responsible purchasers, on trial, no money or deposit required. Write us to-day. 
CASH SUPPLY & MFC., CO. Department C, KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN. 
I3T H < rtcommcnd <A« abort firm to our readtu at rtHabit in tvtry way. — i‘uU\thtr, 
