189 § 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
323 
HOPE FARM MOTES. 
Cheap Hay. —All through the Winter, 
we fed the horses on sweet-corn stalks. 
They kept well on this fodder, but when 
hard work came in sight, we felt that 
hay was needed. The stalks are good 
for wintering, but sweet, well-cured hay 
makes the best roughage for work. 
Major’s teeth are bad, and he cannot 
handle the stalks very well. We bought 
loose hay of excellent quality at 65 cents 
per 100 pounds. Baled hay is cheaper 
yet, but we like the loose hay better. 
Only a few years ago, our farmers ob¬ 
tained 81 25 and 81.50 for their hay. The 
cut in price makes a great difference in 
their income, for under the old sys¬ 
tem of farming, it was thought necessary 
to have a large share of the farm in 
grass each year. Of late years, this has 
not been so much for the hay, but be¬ 
cause we all consider a good sod neces¬ 
sary where fertilizers are used heavily. 
I am satisfied that it pays us better to 
buy what little hay we need, and use 
cow peas and Crimson clover to make 
the sod. 
Lively Days. —Our first potatoes were 
planted April 12, in a very light, warm 
soil. We plowed in a good share of our 
manure, worked the ground well with 
the Acme, and used about 700 pounds of 
fertilizer per acre in the drill. The fol¬ 
lowing Sunday, a cold, dismal rain came 
on. In planting these earliest potatoes, 
we put the disks on the planter, and 
left quite a ridge over the rows. This, 
we expect, will let the soil dry and 
warm out quicker than would be the 
case if it were left level, or if the seed 
were left in hollows. Just before the 
sprouts appear above ground, we want 
to run the weeder along these ridges, 
and smooth them down. Then if there 
be danger of frost, we can put the side 
wings on the two-horse cultivator, and 
cover the plants with an inch of soil at 
the rate of an acre an hour. After the 
danger is over, we can quickly work off 
this cover with the weeder. 
Risk in Farming. —We may say what 
we will about Wall Street operators and 
the chances they take, but the profits on 
many farms are measured a good deal 
by chance. There is not only the risk 
and chance of climate and season, but 
the condition of other farmers will in¬ 
fluence our own outcome. The past 
fearful Winter has greatly injured the 
western wheat crop, and destroyed 
thousands of beef cattle. The wheat 
growers of New Jersey will be helped 
by this calamity. The death of these 
western cattle, and the facts about “ em¬ 
balmed beef ” will, I think, do much to 
revive an old industry of fattening beef 
cattle on our eastern farms. The loss of 
the peach crop is leading many farmers 
to invest heavily in melons and tomatoes. 
The Asparagus rust has led many men 
to invest in asparagus roots. Some 
people figure that the early potato crop 
will be short, and they are rushing into 
that. Thus it is that the element of 
risk and gamble enters into farming. 
I have heard of dairymen who were so 
sure that the Five States Association 
could force up the price of milk, that 
they borrowed money and bought new 
cows. The farmer who puts his fields 
through a definite rotation, does the 
safest business, for he takes fewer 
chances. On farms like ours, cow peas 
and Crimson clover provide a sod in six 
months. We do not have to wait two 
years for it, and can start anywhere 
with almost any crop that promises good 
returns. 
Potatoes in Hills. —A reader in New 
York asks how and why we plant pota¬ 
toes in hills. We have one grassy field 
that is sure to be filled with weeds. It 
will be cheaper and better to work this 
both ways with the horse cultivator. 
With plants thick in the drill, we could 
not keep the weeds out except by hand 
pulling. I also think that hilled pota¬ 
toes stand the better chance with rot 
and blight. We shall plow the field 
when it is dry enough, and put most of 
our fertilizer on broadcast. Then the 
Cutaway will be u’ed to work in the 
fertilizer. The surface will be worked 
down with the Acme. We shall then 
make furrows 30 inches apart, dropping 
the rest of our fertilizer with the potato 
planter. The field will then be checked 
across the furrows with the pole and 
chain—the marks 30 inches apart. The 
seed will be cut into large pieces. Fair¬ 
sized tubers will be cut in two length¬ 
wise, and the largest ones quartered. 
We shall drop one large piece, or two 
small ones, at each check, and kick a 
little soil over each piece as it is dropped. 
Then we shall work along the furrows 
with the two-horse cultivator, and fill 
them nearly level. This will leave the 
hills 30 inches apart each way. We hope 
to use the weeder at least five times be¬ 
Tiie Thistle Killer. — A mucky piece of 
ground, never plowed, thistles higher than one’s 
head, paths where the cat'.le went, was broken 
up in the Fall, planted to potatoes in Spring, and 
well tended. At digging time, there was such a 
mat of thistles about one foot high as you would 
rather see on some one’s farm than on your own. 
Such was the condition, and then war was de- 
c’ared. As soon as thistles showed themselves 
in Spring, they were plowed and dragged, which 
was done over again as soon as the first sign of 
the thistles appeared. It was plow and drag un¬ 
til time to sow the buckwheat, which crop ended 
the war. The next year, Spring wheat was put 
on the ground, with no sign of thistles two or 
three feet from the edge. 
The leached ashes were spread on an old Tim¬ 
othy meadow. The next year, Red clover came 
in. Each year, the ashes from the leach tub were 
spread a little farther on the Timothy, and clover 
appeared the next year, and nowhere else. 
Where did the clover come from? No seed was 
sown. It was, no ashes, no clover! e. w b. 
Elmira, N. Y. 
R. N.-Y.—Our belief is that the lime in the 
lightens 
the 
load— 
shortens 
the 
road. 
Crease 
helps the team. Saves wear and 
expense. Sold everywhere. 
M| MADE BY 
W STANDARD OIL CO. J 
FRAZER CREASE 
BEST IN THE WORLD. 
fore the cultivator is necessary. 
The Dog Question. —I don’t care for 
dogs, but I say little against them, as we 
have one at Hope Farm. I have known 
institute speakers to howl at dogs while 
they fed a perfect cur at home. It is 
hard to tell where this dog came from. 
Like Topsey, he “jest growed.” He is 
said to be a “bird” dog, but the only 
appropriate bird I can think of in his 
connection is the English sparrow. To 
the children this animal is a hero. To 
the rest of us, he is a nuisance. I have 
often wished some one would steal him, 
but while thieves take worthless thing3 
sometimes, they refuse to take the 
children’s estimate of this dog’s value. 
Why not kill him and use him for hen 
food or fertilizer ? He seems to have a 
greater fertilizing value in life. He 
scours the neighborhood for bones, and 
faithfully brings them home and buries 
them. The boys claim that he has 500 
pounds of bones buried in various parts 
of the farm. That means 15 pounds of 
nitrogen and 125 pounds of phosphoric 
acid. Not bad for a 20-pound dog ! That 
beats 20 pounds of cow-pea seed for 
bringing fertility to the farm. The 
only trouble is that the dog would dig 
up a five-cent strawberry plant to bury 
a quarter of a cent bone. I wish the 
children didn’t think so much of that 
dog ! 
“Play Ball!” —This is the season 
when most boys have their minds run¬ 
ning on “ballbearings.” The average 
boy will carry a base ball bat three 
miles, while an armful of stove wood 
will make his back ache ! Our folks are 
interested in base ball, though most of 
us have long been on the retired list. 
The Graft and the Scion hope to repre¬ 
sent us some day, but if it were abso¬ 
lutely necessary, Hope Farm could put 
a fair nine in the field. If we can use 
the man who sometimes works for us, 
we could play a few innings, at 
least. We would put Cnarlie behind 
the bat, and your humble servant would 
try to recall a few of his old curves in 
the box. Uncle Ed will hold first, and 
the hired man will capture everything 
at short stop. The Madame will be re¬ 
quested to talk to everything that comes 
near second and the Cutting will raise 
the game to the third power. Of 
course, I shall try to strike out the oppos¬ 
ing batsmen, but if any flies are knocked 
to the field, Grandmother, Aunt Patience 
and the Graft will surely attend to them. 
With the Scion to umpire, the Bud to 
keep score, and the little Scion to carry 
water, and Major and Frank as substi¬ 
tutes, we are ready for the game. We 
have a strong club against us. Phytoph- 
thora infestans, otherwise known as 
Potato blight, is the catcher, Ragweed 
is pitcher, Colorado potato bug plays 
first, with various other members of 
their family in the other positions. The 
stake is a good potato crop, and we hope 
to win the game after a hot contest. 
_ h. w. c. 
Regarding Bee Questions by A. B. U , in Tiie 
R. N.-Y of April 8, there is another point regard¬ 
ing the flight of bees not touched on in the reply. 
When bees come home heavily loaded, they fly 
low on approaching the hive. I have noticed 
them bumping against the boards of an open 
board-panel fence about eight feet in front of the 
hives. The fence was built of boards six inches 
wide, with spaces about eight inches between 
the boards. Most of them flew over the fence, 
the rest, probably, tried to. A high board fence 
in front of the hives would, I think, be very an¬ 
noying to the returning bees, but would, prob¬ 
ably, induce higher flying. w. H. 
Pennsylvania. 
leached ashes was responsible for the clover. 
The seeds were in the soil. The lime neutralized 
or sweetened the soil, and gave the clover bac¬ 
teria a better chance to grow and thrive. 
The slight cough may 
soon become deep-seated and 
hard to cure. Do not let it 
settle on the lungs. 
Think! Has there been 
consumption in your family ? 
Scott’s Emulsion is Cod- 
liver oil with hypophos- 
phites. These are the best 
remedies for a cough. 
Scott’s Emulsion has saved 
thousands who, neglecting 
the cough, would have drift¬ 
ed on until past hope. It 
warms, soothes, strengthens 
and invigorates. 
50 c. and $ 1 . 00 , all druggists. 
SCOTT & BOWNE, Chemists, New York. 
IU wearing qn&lltlea are »nsurpassed, actually 
•utlastlng three Dozes of any other brand. Net 
affected by heat. fW~ GET THE GENUINE. 
rOB SALB BT DEALERS GENERALLY. 
BUY THE BEST. 
If you want the best low-down wagon you 
should buy the Electric Handy Wagon. It is the 
best because it is made of the best material; the 
best broad tired Electric Wheels; best seasoned 
white hickory axles; all other wood parts of the 
best seasoned white oak. The front and rear 
Wood Ashes 
Direct from Canada, col¬ 
lected by ourselves in the hard¬ 
wood districts, tested, and shipped 
under our own guarantee of 
strength and purity. Buy ashes or 
other fertilizers only of responsible 
concerns. Our twenty-five years in 
business, ample capital and facili¬ 
ties, combine to make our guarantee 
of value. 
BONE AND WOOD-ASH FERTILIZER, 
$25 per ton. An excellent combina¬ 
tion. Write for particulars. 
RflWITR fertilizer company, 
UUITIXLII 43 Chatham St., Boston. 
Manufacturers of Special arid Gen¬ 
eral Fertilizers for all crops and 
all soils, Bowker’s Lawn Dressing, 
livery thing in the fertilizer line. 
v w vvvYyy w vvvNvrwv vy t 
Farm Wagon for only #19.05. 
In order to introduce their Low Metal Wheels 
with Wide Tires, the Empire Manufacturing 
Company, Quincy, Ill., have placed upon the 
market a Farmer’s Handy Wagon, sold at the 
low price of 819.95. The wagon is only 25 inches 
high, fitted with 24 and 30-inch wheels with 4-inch 
tire. 
Electric 
hounds are made from the best angle steel, which 
is neater, stronger and in every way better than 
wood. Well painted in red and varnished. Extra 
length of reach and extra long standards sup¬ 
plied without additional cost when requested. 
This wagon is guaranteed to carry 4,000 pounds 
anywhere. Write the Electric Wheel Co., Box 88, 
Quincy, Illinois, for their new catalogue which 
fully describes this wagon, their famous Electric 
Wheels and Electric Feed Cookers. 
L ARGEST manu¬ 
facturers of the 
best steel wheels 
for farm wagons 
America. Any size, 
straight and staggard 
spokes, any width tire. 
The head of 
spoke in the 
groove can't 
wear off. 
Make best 
Handy Steel Wagons. 
.All steel, and wood. 
Four different kinds. 
SEND FOR CATALOGUE 
Havana Meta! Wheel Co. 
Hava na, 111. 
[FROM MAKER! 
Ito user 
direct at mini 
^WHOLESALERS 
This wagon Is made of best material throughout, 
and really costs but a trifle more than a set of 
new wheels and fully guaranteed for one year. 
Catalogue giving a full description will be mailed 
upon application by the Empire Manufacturing 
Company, Quincy, Ill., who also will furnish 
metal wheels at low prices made any size and 
width of tire to fit any axle. 
Btiyyieft $35 anti Up. 
“WINNER” 
TOP BUGGY 
$35mQO 
Thoroughly good. Fully guaranteed. No I 
better one retails for $60. Such a price 
with quality is only possible under our 
plan of business. 
We sell you direct from our Factory | 
At Wholesale Prices. 
rSurrles, Phaetons, Buggies, Spring Wag- | 
oas and Kou<l Wagons. Our vehicles excel in 
quality of stock, material, workmanship, fin¬ 
ish and style. We make every vehicle we 
1 advertise. In Single and Double Harness 
everything you could wish. An excellent single 
Harness aslow as $4.80. Illustrated cata¬ 
logue sent free. All prices marked in plain | 
figures. Write at once. Address, 
EDWARD W. WALKER CARRAQE CO. 
13 Eighth St. GOSHEN, INDIANA. 
No. 214 —Three-spring Extension-Top Car¬ 
riage. Price, complete, with lamps, fenders, cur¬ 
tains, storm apron and pole or shafts, $65; usual 
retail price, $95. 
and guarantee and warrant everything. 
Elkhart Carriage and Harness Mfg. Co. 
BUY A T WHOLESALE 
and save all intermediate profits and expenses. Traveling men’s 
expenses, agents’ and dealers’ commissions, 
losses on bad accounts, etc. 
We have no AgentSm 
We sell to you direct from our factory 
at wholesale prices. We are the larg¬ 
est manufacturer* of vehicle* and 
harness in the world Helling to the 
consumer exclusively. You may not 
have been accustomed to dealing this 
way but just one trial will convince you 
of its advantages. We are not dealers 
or jobbers. We make every article 
we Hell. 170 styles of vehicles and 65 
styles of harness to select from. No 
matter where you live, we can reach you. 
We ship our goods anywhere for examination 
Send for our large Illustrated Catalogue^FREE. 
W. B. PRATT, 
Secretary. 
No. 100 —Double Buggy 
Harness. Price, full nickel 
trimmed, $17; as good as 
retails for $‘25. 
Elkhart, Indiana. 
