3o4 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
April 26 
FARMERS’ CLUB 
[Every query must be accompanied by 
the name and address of the writer tp in¬ 
sure attention. 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.] 
Questions About Squabs. 
J. N. II., Yaphank, N. Y .—Which are 
harder to raise, Homers or Runts? In 
buying pigeons, would it be better to buy 
mated adults, or to get young birds (three 
to five months) with a difference in price 
of $5 per dozen? Must they be dressed for 
the New York market? Could one reason¬ 
ably expect to net $1 per pair per year on 
a large number of pigeons? 
Ans. —Runts do not breed so freely as 
Homers, and as a rule the rate of mor¬ 
tality among the squabs is greater. The 
same holds true with all the extra large 
breeds, and while they produce larger 
squabs they cannot compare favorably 
with the Homers for number and qual¬ 
ity. If I were sure of getting breeders 
all mated and not over one or two years 
old at $5 per dozen advance over the 
price of young birds, would take the 
mated birds, but if not sure of the age 
or the mating the young birds would be 
the best bargain, as at the age men¬ 
tioned they should begin mating, and 
when once mated they should continue 
to be profitable breeders for several 
years, which might not be the case with 
the birds of uncertain age. Squabs may 
be marketed either alive or dressed, but 
the difference in price in favor of the 
dressed birds would pay for the little 
extra work many times over, this being 
one of the few instances where the farm¬ 
er can get well paid for his time. If the 
birds are separated so as to have not 
more than 50 to 100 pairs in each flock 
it will not be difficult to induce them to 
return $1 per pair profit on any number 
that can be properly housed and cared 
for. j. e. s. 
Fruit Questions. 
II. Y. 8., Goxsnckie, N. Y .—What are the 
characteristics and quality of the follow¬ 
ing fruits: Alice grape; Pineapple and Van 
Deman quinces, both originated by Luther 
Burbank; Missing Link, Delicious, Early 
Melon, Chicago and Senator apples; Fame, 
Krull and Lincoln pears? 
Ans. —The Alice grape is a very late 
variety. It is very productive, of me¬ 
dium size, is red, but not a very clear 
red, and does not seem to be of more 
than fair quality, judging by what 1 
have seen of it. The Van Deman quince 
is a variety that has only been tested in 
a small way, and the same is true of the 
Pineapple. They are both wonderfully 
fine in California, and excel any varie¬ 
ties that I have seen grown elsewhere, 
but they may not prove so good in other 
regions. Missing Link is a Winter apple 
from Illinois that i have seen several 
times, but I do not think one would miss 
very much ii he never had it. However, 
it may prove better than I now think, 
and I hope it will, but several of the best 
fruit growers in Illinois have told me 
that they do not like it. Delicious as I 
have tasted it has not been of more than 
ordinary flavor, and I saw no other 
striking features about it. Melon is a 
Fall apple, and not an early variety, of 
the very best quality. Its color is yel¬ 
low, indistinctly striped with reci and 
marbled with russet. The size is me¬ 
dium. In New York and farther north 
it will keep into the Winter, and is one 
of the old varieties that deserves to be 
planted more than it is. Chicago is one 
that 1 know too little about to warrant, 
an opinion. Senator is another and 
later name for one of the new Arkansas 
seedlings that is properly called Oliver. 
It. may prove to be a good variety for 
general use, but there are few sections 
where it has been tested sufficiently to 
warrant planting commercially. It has 
good size and quality, and is handsome 
in appearance. It seems to keep well. 
Fame is a new pear that I know noth¬ 
ing of beyond what those who are push¬ 
ing it say. Lincoln (not Lincoln Core¬ 
less, which is worthless) is a Fall pear 
of good size and color. Krull is a very 
late variety and is much like Lawrence. 
I think it wen worth testing. 
H. E. VAN DEMAN. 
Salting Cucumbers. 
C. II. F., Rives Junction, Mich .—How are 
cucumbers prepared for the vinegar where 
pickling is done on a large scale? 
Ans. —Cucumbers are simply put 
through a salting process before pick¬ 
ling, which serves two purposes—to pre¬ 
pare them for the vinegar and to pre¬ 
serve them for future pickling. The 
strength of brine used at start and the 
amount of salt added varies. Some salt¬ 
ing houses start with brine strong 
enough to prevent fermentation, and 
aim to prevent the latter until the cu¬ 
cumbers are freshened for the pickle. 
Others start with weaker brine and 
allow the fermentation to be completed 
during the period of salting. The latter 
method is considered the best by one of 
the largest pickle firms in the United 
States. Those who prefer to prevent 
fermentation at time of salting start 
with a brine of 60 on the saltimeter (a 
hydrometer for testing salt solutions) 
using enough brine to cover bottom of 
vat or barrel to a depth of eight or 10 
inches; in addition salt is added with 
each layer of pickles—about one peck 
being allowed for each barrel of pickles. 
After vat is filled with pickles enough 
brine is added to cover them. The brine 
is tested frequently, and as it weakens 
by extraction of water from the pickles, 
more salt is added, keeping it as near 
60 as possible. Where fermentation is 
allowed to take place during the process 
of salting, a brine of 40 is used. This 
is allowed to run as low as 30 while fill¬ 
ing the vat. About one peck of salt is 
added for each barrel of pickles, and 
the brine is brought back to 40 within 
a period of two weeks. If the pickles 
are to be held for a long period the 
brine can be raised to 60 after all fer¬ 
mentation has ceased. f. a. sirrine. 
New York. 
flHE CREATEST INVENTION OF THE m CENTURY. 
ISRAEL'S CARDEN AND FLOWER SEE0 . 
IN A TISSUE PAPER STRINC 
'PLANT THE STRING” 
NO thining,- no transplanting- and.tissue 
PAPER ATTRAeTS MOISTURE 
FAMIlY GARDEN ASSORTMENT (to IT/W1 writ. 
PRERAlB JO/ IK » TAM 1*5 
OUR PLANTER 
AND FORTY', 5 / SPOOLS 
ASSTD./6.SS - 
(A CM>lO CAN NUN IT.) 
, i (ATALOCUfe ntEE 
The Most Successful Remedy 
The old reliable remedy for Spavins, Ringbones.SplInt*, 
Curb*, etc., and all I.nmcncss. Relieves immediately, 
cures quickly. Price, $1; six for $5. 
Cured Spavins of Ten Years’ Standing. 
Earlville, N. Y., Mar. 11,1901. 
Dr B. J. Kendall Co., Gentlemen:—Some years ago I used your Kendall’g 
Spavin Cure on a horse that had two Bone Spavins, and it removed them 
entirely. These Spavins had been on him from birth, and were of ten years* 
standing. I now have a case of a mare that was injured by falling through 
a bridge, and am going to give her complete treatment with your Spavin 
Cure. Very truly yours, CLARK O. PORT. 
Ask your druggist for KENDALU* SPA YIN CURE, 
also “A Treatise on the Horse,** the Book free, or address 
DR. B. J. Kendall Co., Enosburg Falls, Vt. 
Sharpen your,;;* 
LaWn IVlOWBr MowerSharpener. 
Thousands in practical use. oOc. by mail. 
i ABER, JR.. 365 Muluerry St., Newark, N. J 
The‘‘WeberJunIor 
Pumper* 
Can also 
be used 
for other 
power 
purpofr 
ea. 
Is all complete, ready to at* 
tach to pump. Equal* 30 men 
pumping water. 
Uses but little gas¬ 
oline. Is shipped 
crated completely 
erected, all connec¬ 
tions made. Easy to start, any 
jone can operate it. Every 
one guaranteed. Other sizes 
to 60 H. P. Send for cat- 
WeberGasA Gasoline 
Engine Co, Box 102 
Kansas City, Ho. 
CHARTER 
Gasoline Engine 
USED 
Any Place 
By Any One 
For Any Purpose 
Stationaries, Portables. Kngines 
and Pumps, Hoisters, 
Sawing Outfits. 
Send for Illustrated Catalogue and 
Testimonials. Btateyour Power Needs. 
Charter Gas Engine Co., Box 26, Sterling, III. 
DRILLING 
Machines 
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. Any mechanic can 
operate them easllv. 8end for catalog. 
WILLIAMS BROS., Ithaca, N. X. 
THE MIETZ & WEISS 
Kerosene Engines. Sizes, 1 to 60 H.P 
Cheapest and Safest Power 
Known. For pumping and 
eiectrlo lighting, grinding 
Com, separating cream, 
■awing wood, and all power 
purposes. Awarded Gold 
Medal Pan American Exp.. 
Buffalo, 1901 Send for Cat. 
A. MIKTZ, 
128 Mott Street. New York 
DOLLARS 
BUYS 
AN 800 LB. SCALE. 
ON WHEELS. 
HARDENED PIVOTS. 
PLATFORM 1 8 X 25 IN 
Delivered to your Railroad Station. Accurate, 
durable and well finished. No agents needed. 
BUY OF THE MAKER. 
sizes and styles made. Circulars free 
you address Box 5 
JONES OF BINGHAMTON, BINGHAMTON, N. Y. 
HE PAYS THE FREIGHT. 
The Side Delivery 
Hay Windrower 
and Clover Buncher 
is the best haymaker on the market. 
8aves all raking and tedding. Fits any 
mower. If your dealer doesn’t handle 
it, write us for catalogue. 
The Side Delivery Buncher Co., 
TOLEDO, OHIO. 
In the accompanying illustration is shown the spot that marks the centre of population of the United States. This spot is situ¬ 
ated four miles east and two miles south of Columbus, Ind., very near the residence of Mr. Henry Marr, which, together with his 
barn, is shown in the photograph. Having just purchased a new McCormick binder, Mr. Marr consented to have himself photo¬ 
graphed on his World-Centre machine at the spot marking the centre of population of the United States. The machine owned by 
Mr. Marr and shown in the illustration, is fully illustrated in a beautiful book entitled the “World-Centre,” which will be mailed 
free upon application to McCormick Harvesting Machine Company, Chicago, U. S. A. 
