672 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
October 4 
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.] 
MECHANICAL GRADERS FOR FRUIT. 
Several Readers .—The mechanical graders 
are used in California and other sections 
for sizing fruit, but have eastern growers 
ever used them? 
We think the mechanical graders or 
sorters of but little practical benefit to 
fruit growers. The only place we have 
ever seen them used was in drier houses. 
Seneca Co., N. Y. b. 
I have not yet been able to find a 
grader that was practical, although I 
expect an agent here soon with one that 
is made in Canada. There are no grad¬ 
ers of any kind used in this section. 
Wayne Co., N. Y. b. j. c. 
I have been over the orchard districts 
and have nt>t seen a single grader or 
sorter such as you mention. There are 
now several hundred men and women 
sorting near here. We pick in baskets 
and put on to a canvas-covered table 
where sorters work. Apples are put di¬ 
rectly into barrels and into cars which 
are rushed into storage. J. h. s. 
Richview, Ill. 
At the Orleans Co. (N. Y.) Fair just 
closed was on exhibition an apple 
grader, the only one I ever saw. Peo¬ 
ple came here by invitation of one of 
our business men who saw it at the 
Toronto Fair. A half bushel of apples 
that were run through and over the 
grader for three days were a good dea' 
the worse for wear. I saw no bad ef¬ 
fects on them for first few times they 
were used. It seems to me that to be 
available for orchard work they should 
be mounted on wheels. I have seen no 
one who has used one. header. 
Albion, N. Y. 
No mechanical graders or sorters have 
been used in our vicinity to any extent, 
and no effort has been general by manu¬ 
facturers to induce them to purchase 
such within my circle of growers. Such 
are used to a limited extent for potatoes 
and do good fair work satisfactorily. 
Our dealers rig up a homemade affair 
to use in repacking apples for imme¬ 
diate shipment, but if fruit needs to be 
held after passing over the grader they 
would show the effects of the bruises. 
I would not tolerate any machine in my 
orchard; nothing but careful hand work 
for me. c. b. 
Spencerport, N. Y. 
I have never seen one in this section. 
While in California I saw a grader 
working successfully on oranges. You 
seldom see wormy oranges, and the 
grader selected them as to size with 
rapidity. Any imperfect ones, of course, 
had to be hand picked. There may be 
mechanical devices different from what 
I have seen for fruit sorting, but these 
could hardly be made practical for 
apples. Although there would be no 
severe bruising the distance in rolling 
would have a tendency to discolor the 
skin and make the fruit look bad, and 
then there is so much imperfect fruit of 
deciduous varieties that in my opinion 
nothing would be gained. It requires 
the vigilant eye and careful hand to sort 
fruit properly. j. m. c. 
Five Corners, N. Y. 
REASON FOR LEFT-HAND PLOWS. 
J. H. G., Long Island .—During a recent 
trip west I was surprised to see farmers 
plowing in the fields and throwing the fur¬ 
row to the left, the moldboard being to 
the left of the beam. Is this the common 
custom, and are plows so manufactured 
for the Ohio and western trade? The plows 
were not sidehill or reversible. 
The left-hand plow is, undoubtedly, a 
production from the old, original Penn¬ 
sylvania Dutchman. They are to-day 
used principally and almost entirely in 
any territory where they are accustom¬ 
ed to driving a horse with what is 
known as a single or “jerk” line. There 
is no particular advantage in the use 
of either plow, and the dividing line as 
to just where they are used is a very 
difficult matter to tell. Commencing at 
a point 40 miles south from Toledo, you 
will find that south of that line the 
country invariably uses left-hand plows. 
North of that line they invariably use 
right-hand plows. When you strike 
Tennessee they seem to turn back to 
right-hand goods again. Almost all of 
Indiana could be classed as left-hand 
territory. The same may be said of 
Illinois, while if you take Michigan,Wis¬ 
consin and Minnesota one never sees a 
left-hand plow except when it has drift¬ 
ed in as a stray one. There is a great 
advantage in using a left-hand plow 
where a man desires to back-furrow. He 
throws two furrows of land together as 
he starts his plow, and then drives 
right around the land and keeps throw¬ 
ing his furrow in towards the furrow 
first started. This gives a man an op¬ 
portunity of working a very uneven 
team of horses, by placing the slowest 
horse in the furrow, and the fastest 
horse on the off side, using a “jockey 
stick” to keep them off the proper dis¬ 
tance, a tie strap to tie them back to the 
lead horse trace to hold them where you 
want; then by making a left-hand or, in 
common farmer parlance, “a haw turn,” 
he always has his fastest horse on the 
outside of the circle as he makes the 
turn. This keeps the plow double-tree, 
or single-tree from working under the 
horses’ feet. The only advocate that 
anyone could have for a right-hand 
plow would be that in the event that he 
is a right-hand man, and has more or 
better use of his right arm than his left, 
it enables him to have the long handle 
of the plow, or the one attached to the 
moldboard, where he can more readily 
handle it with his strongest or right 
arm. I would think that a crude esti¬ 
mate of 70 per cent of walking plows 
turned out are right-hand, and 30 per 
cent left-hand, the Toledo plow co. 
Toledo, 0. 
While there is not a large percentage 
of left-hand plows used in the West 
proper such is the case in the Middle 
West and East. Throughout the States 
of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, 
West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky 
and Tennessee, left-hand plows are used 
to a considerable extent. A few years 
ago we took the matter up and our in¬ 
vestigation showed that our sales ran in 
the ratio of about 65 per cent right-hand 
to about 35 per cent left-hand plows. 
The users of left-hand plows claim that 
theirs is the natural manner in which 
to plow, but on the other hand the 
right-hand plowmen make the same 
claim. We know that we are obliged 
to make both, and in some sections the 
trade is divided between right and left. 
In Pennsylvania it runs very largely to 
left-hand, also in northern and central 
Ohio and northern and central Indiana. 
We know of no specific reason why 
there should be this division, but we 
have to meet it, and supply the goods 
wanted, whether right or left. The ex¬ 
port trade is all right-hand with the ex¬ 
ception of a very small proportion of 
left-hand which we have in France. 
OLIVER CHILLED PLOW WORKS. 
So. Bend, Ind. 
Moving Large Box Trees. 
G. T. S., Northport, N. 7 .—I have two large 
box trees that I wish to move. I would 
like to know the best time and method to 
move them, etc. 
Ans. —The best time to move ever¬ 
green box trees is during May, after the 
new growth has started. The only prac¬ 
tical method is carefully to dig as large 
a ball as can be handled, undermining 
the roots and turning the tree slowly to 
one side, then encase the earth and 
roots with an old piece of carpet and 
move as quickly as possible to the place 
of replanting. A large wide hole should 
be dug, the tree carefully set in, and the 
carpet drawn off; then fill the hole with 
rich earth carefully rammed about the 
roots. Water well after planting if the 
soil is at all dry, and mulch carefully 
with old manure, straw or something 
that will preserve the moisture. Thus 
handled even the largest box trees 
should not only live, but grow on with 
very slight check. 
Heating a Conservatory, 
N. J., Cuba, Mo.—What is the best way 
to heat a conservatory in Winter, size 
10 x 20? I have tried Rexford’s and other 
favorite oil stoves, but they all smell of 
the oil used at times, and the wicks in 
the burner creep, and at night are danger¬ 
ous. Last Winter I tried a King heater 
stove, but it will not retain the heat, and 
the fire goes out. Will some one who suc¬ 
ceeds in keeping his conservatory warm 
on cold nights give me his plan, or the 
kind of heating apparatus used? 
Ans. —We have repeatedly tried oil 
stoves as heaters for small glass struc¬ 
tures, and found them unsatisfactory 
except for very brief periods, and would 
not care to rely on them for a Winter’s 
service. We successfully heated a well- 
built little greenhouse, 16x9 feet, with 
a small hard-coal-burning “egg stove,” 
placing stove in a pit and running the 
smoke through a six-inch terra-cotta 
flue under the north bench, and four 
feet above roof at further end. By get¬ 
ting a good bed of ignited coal about 
10 P. M., and adjusting the dampers 
properly, fire was in every case retained 
until morning. We would be glad to 
have the experience of our readers on 
this subject. 
Raspberries for Vermont. 
C. B. S., Garfield, Vt .—I desire informa¬ 
tion about raising red and black rasp¬ 
berries in this latitude, the northern part 
of Vermont. I would like the habits of the 
different kinds of raspberries forming 
shoots for new plants, also the best mode 
of culture and the best kinds to grow for 
this section. 
A ns. —There will be no trouble in 
growing all the raspberries you want in 
northern Vermont, provided you give 
them reasonably good attention. You 
may possibly find that the vines will be 
killed back by cold weather in Winter. 
In that case you have only to bend them 
down and hold them there by laying on 
poles or something of that sort. In case 
the raspberry bushes themselves do not 
catch snow enough to keep them well 
covered, some pine, spruce or hemlock 
boughs should be thrown on to them to 
help in catching the snow. If the 
bushes are bent over in this way before 
the snow comes it will form a fine pro¬ 
tective covering for the Winter. In case 
the snow comes on before the canes are 
covered it is likely to break them down 
badly. As to varieties Cuthbert is one 
of the best. The fruit is red and the 
plant sprouts up from the roots. Shaffer 
and Columbian are good sorts, except 
that the color is a rather unattractive 
dirty red. The quality is all right, 
though. The plants root mostly by lay¬ 
ers from the tips. For a blackcap rasp¬ 
berry you would better try Kansas and 
Souhegan. These both root from the 
tips. F. A. WAUGH. 
I raise S. S. Hamburgs purely for fancy, 
and I much prefer the old hen for raising 
my chicks to incubators and brooders, and 
the experience of others has been my 
guide, although back in Ohio there were 
some who could succeed fairly well with 
the machines, but it was very noticeable 
that the failures much outnumbered the 
successes. I have spent 14 years with the 
S. S. Hamburgs and have good reasons 
to believe that I have one of the best 
strains to be found. G. a. w. 
Montrose, Col. 
CHOICEST FRUIT 
and Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, Roses. 
Plants, Bulbs. Direct deal will save 
you money; try us. ■ Valuable Catalogue 
free. 49th Year. 1000 Acres. 44 Greenhouses. 
THE STORRS & HARRISON CO., 
PAINESVILLE, OHIO. 
Clenwood Nurseries 
Most, complete assortment of choice 
Ornamental Trees, Shrubs and Vines. 
fiend for Descriptive Illustrated Catalogue. 
THE W\i H. MOON CO . MORRI8VILLE, PA. 
30 mlies from New York: 30 miles from Philadelphia. 
YORK IMPERIAL 
APPLE is the favorite wherever 
grown. We have a large stock of 
vigorous trees. Also other favorite 
varieties: Winesap, Gano. Bald¬ 
win, Rome Beauty, etc. Write for 
Catalogue and Prices. 
HARRISON NURSERIES, 
Box a 9, Berlin, Aid. 
Trees, Plants and Vines 
That should be pla nted in October and 
November, are named in our free 
FALL CATALOGUE. Write lor it 
to-day. 200 Acres in Fruits ami 
Ornamentals. Stock first-class; 
prices right. Send us your list of wants 
for estimate. Call at our Nurseries, 
and make your own selections. 
T. J. DWYER & SON, 
Orange County Nurseries, 
Box 1. CORNWALL, N. Y. 
Hyacinths/#^ TUlips'./ 
50 Different Bulbs all for 30c. 
By mail with cultural directions, for garden or pots. 
1 Bolden Sacred Lily 3 Ixlas, 3 sorts 
3 T’ullpn, 1 d'ble.l single. 8 Spa rax is, 3 sorts. 
3 Narcissus," “ 
3 Belgian Hyacinths. 
3 Grape Hyacinths. 
3 Giant Crocus. 
3 Star of Bethlehem. 
3 Oxalis, 3 sorts, 
3 Alliums, 3sorts. 
3 Trltelela, white star. 
3 Saiifraca. double white. 
3 Giant Ranunculus. 
H Spanish Iris. 
H Freeslas, mixed. 
All dillerent colors, and fine flowering hardy bulbs. 
Also Free to all who apply, our elegant Fal' Fata- 
_ .... f T> ..11... Dl n n ,* .1 Oa o/I ., fTP *> 11 talo I In i r q ml 
Daisy,BlueColeus,Cardinal Freesia, Branching Tulip,etc. 
John Lewis Childs, Floral Park, N.Y. 
MAMMOTH white winter rye. 
Mr. T. S. Cooper and others, who have grown 
our Rye, sent large orders this Fall Send for Cir¬ 
cular and Photograph of cur 7-ft. Strsw, awaroed 
Dipioma at Pan-American Exposition. Price. $1 per 
Bushel. E. L. CLARKSON. Tivoli. N Y. 
(ImSam P.l. No more of them. Sow my 
UnlOn WwIS hardy White, earliest, Yellow 
and Red. 3 kinds. Send for testimonials and prtoea 
BEAULIEU. theOnion Specialist, Woodhaven, N Y 
GINSENG 
$ 25,000 FROM 
...... HALF AN 
PROFIT ACRE OF___ 
Was made in one year. Demand is increasing. Easily 
grown and hardy everywhere in the United States 
and Canada. Can be grown in small gardens as well 
as on farms. Most profitable crop known. Cultivated 
roots and seed for sale. S nd four cents to help pay 
postage and get o r complete book telling all about 
this wonderful GINSENG 
CHINESE-AiM ERIC AN GINSENG CO., 
Department AC. Joplin, Mo. 
FI 
RE 
| m| 1 1* V A 'T' A I Witz? An Illustrated and interesting 
Iw! 1 w At t J-A IwW w U t—. booklet, containing full informa- 
tlon about trees and plants. All the latest and standard varieties. Send for it. 
| ARTHUR J. COLLINS, Moorestown, N. J. 
Wo 
odvi 
iew 1 
N 
■ ask the favor of your request for their cata 
IIV^AFIflC logue before you buy your trees. They have 
I SK| |Bo very fine trees at very attractive prices. 
1WW BOX 100, URIAH, PA. 
TRE 
:es: 
£ Q nrn inn APPLK ’ PEAR, PLUM and PEACH; healthy, true to nam- 
)0 I til IUUi and Fumigated. All kinds of trees and plants at low whole¬ 
sale prices. Don’t buy until you get our catalogue, which is free, or send list of wants 
! or special price. Address RELIANCE NURSERY, Box I, Geneva, New York. 
| CO 1? P A I 1 Hyacinths, Tul : ps, Crocus, Narcissus, Lilies, &c. 
■ V III U W ■ H our New Bulb Catalogue is sent free. It tells all 
PLANTING about the best bubs; also seasonalle seeds and 
* *■*“*■» ■ mvi plants, including o r celebrated grass mixtures 
HENRY A. DREER, Philadelphia, Pa. 
With 
Either 
Fall Planting 
or Spring Planting 
the most important part of all 
is to get the kind of trees you 
buy. The name on my frees means something. It doesn’t always on others. 
The Tree Breeders. ROGERS ON THE HILL, Dansvilhjj N. Y. 
