1898 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
85 
similar material hung over the side. 3. A tigh'tly- 
closed house would naturally hasten sprouting because 
of its warmth. Around Philadelphia! where a great 
many onion sets have been grown, they are usually 
stored in the truck-house loft, single-walled and un¬ 
heated, but the weather is much milder there than in 
Indiana. 
“Average Profits ” in Sugar Beets. 
A. F., Holley. N. Y. — The R. N.-Y. of November 27 hart a Very ih- 
teresting article on beet sugar, in which was included a state¬ 
ment from Mr. A. C. Beathka, near Syracuse, N. Y., on the cost 
aiifl.net profit on five acres of sugar beets, which must be quite 
encouraging to farmers. But at the meeting of the Farmers’ In¬ 
stitute in Rochester, Dr. Wiley’s opinion puts quite a contrary 
phase on the cost and net profits on an acre of sugar beets, 
that, in my opinion, is not quite encouraging. The doctor said 
that we can get an average profit of !f6 an acre, after paying all 
expenses, from a sugar-beet crop. I, as a farmer, would like to 
know which of the above statements is correct. 
Ans. —Both statements j on have seen about growing 
sugar beets and the profits therefrom are correct. Mr. 
Beathka did better than the average farmer will do. 
If you are taking for your standard the average, we 
advise you not to try raising beets. The average po¬ 
tato crop in this State is from 60 to 75 bushels per 
acre. The average wheat crop is about 14 bushels. 
If the above is an average, you will readily perceive 
that many are raising crops which give a less yield 
per acre than the yields given above. What has been 
the average profit on an acre of potatoes for the past 
three years? It has been very little above cost of 
production, yet at the same time, many farmers have 
realized very satisfactory profit. Should one state at 
a farmers’ institute the average profit on any crop, 
there would be very little inducement for any one to 
raise that crop at the figures stated, l. a. Clinton. 
Color of the Brighton Grape. 
R. F., Wauwatosa, Wis. —Some time since, I got a grape vine 
named Brighton; it bears black grapes. Is not the Brighton a 
red grape ? I read in a paper that Lady Brighton received the 
first prize, then Brighton took the second prize. Is there one 
called Lady Brighton? 
Ans.—Y es, the Brighton is a red grape, light red at 
first, changing to a darker color. We do not know of 
any Lady Brighton grape. 
Weight of a Bushel of Corn in Pennsylvania. 
V. K. 8., Hocktown , Pa. If the legal weight of a bushel of corn 
is 56 pounds, why do millers take 60 pounds of corn or rye for a 
bushel when they give only 56 pounds ? If they buy 15 bushels, 
they can then gain four pounds on each bushel, or one bushel in 
15, thus selling 16 bushels with a profit of one bushel on 15, plus 
the difference between their buying aud selling prices. Is there 
anything that gives them the right to do it? If this practice of 
taking much and giving little is unlawful, is there not a way to 
stop such wholesale robbery? If they have a car-load sent to 
them from some other States, they get only 56 pounds to the 
bushel, and have to pay the cost of transportation; yet, when we 
farmers sell a bushel of corn, 60 pounds, we get no more for it 
than they have to pay for 56 pounds, not considering their cost 
of transportation. 
Ans. —The Pennsylvania law fixes 56 pounds as the 
legal weight of a bushel of corn or rye, but in prac¬ 
tice, this is simply a standard in cases of a bargain in 
which no weight has been specified. If either party 
chooses to demand or take 60 pounds, the bargain will 
hold good in courts, I think, provided it is or was so 
specified in the bargain. But I cannot imagine a 
condition which will permit the same miller to buy at 
60 pounds to the bushel, and sell at 56, thus making 
four pounds on each bushel. If C. E. S. bought his 
corn at the specified rate of 60 pounds per bushel, and 
sold it at the rate of but 56 pounds, he could have no 
remedy at law if these weights were specified In the 
two bargains. Nothing will prevent my making pur¬ 
chases of corn or rye and demanding that 100 pounds 
shall be deemed to be a bushel ; but if I cannot prove 
this to have been the bargain, I cannot hold the seller 
(in our State) to more than 56 pounds per bushel. If 
C. E. S. sell corn to his miller at so much per bushel, 
and no weight is specified in the bargain, the miller 
cannot legally demand more than 56 pounds ; but if, 
when the bargain is made, it is understood that 60 
pounds would be demanded, C. E. S. would have no 
remedy at law. tiios. j. edge. 
A Fertilizer for Beans. 
8. C., Syracuse, N. Y. —I have a 10-acre field which has been 
mowed—Timothy—for two years. I wish now to crop and improve 
it at the same time. It is too far from the dwelling to draw farm 
fertilizers. I had thought of the following plan, and would like 
your opinion concerning it: Plant to beans, and use 200 pounds 
of the following mixture per acre: 1,600 pounds dissolved bone, 
guaranteed 13 per cent available phosphoric acid: 200 pounds 
nitrate of soda, guaranteed 50 per cent available nitrogen, and 
200 pounds muriate of potash, guaranteed 50 per cent available. 
This would make me a fertilizer containing five per cent of nitro¬ 
gen, 10J4 of phosphoric acid, and five of potash. After the beans 
are harvested, I contemplate plowing and sowing heavily to rye, 
using again 200 pounds per acre of the above mixture, and when 
the rye is about one foot high the following spring, to plow and 
plant to potatoes. 
Ans. —There must be something wrong about this 
statement of analysis. Nitrate of soda contains, on 
the average, about 16 per cent of nitrogen. We think 
that you must have your statement concerning the 
“ 50 per cent available'’, mixed up with the analysis 
of muriate of potash. 300 pounds of nitrate of soda 
contains only 33 pounds of nitrogen, or less than 
two per cent to the ton. A better mixture for the 
beans would be made by using 300 pounds of nitrate 
of soda, 300 pounds of muriate of potash, 1,300 pounds 
of dissolved rock, and 400 pounds of cotton-seed meal. 
As a rule, beans do not require a high percentage of 
nitrogen, although on poor soil, a small amount of 
nitrogen is helpful to all the leguminous plants. 
What Form of Potash ? 
J. M. 8., Emmitsburg, Md. —Is muriate or sulphate of potash 
better to use with kaiuit on muck to be spread on land for 
peaches, in fact to use on all crops, but mostly peaches ? The 
land is a light loam, and peaches do well. It is of soap slate 
nature, with flint. I fear that the kainit will not furnish potash 
enough. • 
Ans. —The muriate is the cheapest form in which 
to buy potash. Kainit contains about 13)4 per cent of 
this substance, while muriate contains 50 per cent. 
Kainit will furnish potash enough if you use enough of 
it, but on peaches, we would prefer to use muriate, as 
we would save the increase of freight and handling of 
a large amount of useless material. Sulphate of potash 
costs more than muriate, and contains about the same 
amount of actual potash. For crops like potatoes, 
beets and others where extra quality is desired, the 
sulphate is better. For ordinary crops, the muriate is 
better. 
How to Treat Alfalfa. 
G. F. G., Clayton, Del. —I have two acres of land on which were 
sown, last June, three pecks of Alfalfa. It seemed to take very well 
at first, as the conditions were all favorable to the young plants’ 
growth. I mowed the weeds and grass three times during the 
Summer, setting the mower as high as practicable, but my stand 
of Alfalfa seemed to fade away or disappear, until now, I do not 
think that it is more than half thick enough. There is a plentiful 
growth of Crab grass, which covers the land at present. Will it 
kill my Alfalfa to burn off this grass in April ? If not, would you 
advise harrowing the ground with a sharp spike-tooth harrow, 
and sowing another peck to the acre, or would you plow and sow 
again ? I do not want to follow the latter plan if I can get the 
same result by harrowing, as I might not get any better stand 
than I had at first. 
Ans. —Many other good farmers in this State have 
reported Alfalfa experience similar to that of (1. F. G. 
These cases are quite inexplicable to me. I have no 
more, perhaps less, uncertainty in Alfalfa than in Red 
clover. The soil must be good, not too wet, and have 
natural drainage, say 10 to 30 feet to the springs, and 
it is well to apply a good, complete fertilizer with the 
seed. G. F. G.’s treatment with the mower was cor¬ 
rect, though it may just as well be run ordinarily close 
to the ground. It may be that he still has a sufficient 
stand. When Alfalfa plants are mature, they will 
make a full crop at six inches apart, and if they stand 
close when young, tend to thin out, year by year. 
That Crab grass can be safely burned when dry at any 
time before the Alfalfa starts growth, but G. F. G. 
will find it difficult to catch such a time. If frost 
should heave the plants somewhat, the damage will 
be much greater. With the grass removed, the spike 
harrow or. better, the slanting-tooth harrow, will get 
in more seed without injury to the Alfalfa. As the 
plants get older and stronger, the harrow should be 
used in Spring, before growth starts, whenever the 
soil is dry enough, with sufficient thoroughness to de¬ 
stroy all other live plants. When the plants are ma¬ 
ture, hardly any tillage, short of the plow, can do 
them any harm. Alfalfa is the best soiling and hay 
plant ever grown here, and ought to be in evidence all 
over the Peninsula. k. H. Bancroft. 
Delaware. 
Maine or California Shingles. 
M. 8. P., Massachusetts. —I can buy tbe best Maine and New 
Brunswick White cedar shingles for the same price as California 
Red cedar shingles. Which shall I purchase, and what is the 
relative durability of the two ? Is cypress equal to cedar for 
posts, shingles, gutters, etc. ? 
Ans. —Without having any reliable data regarding 
the comparative durability of White cedar (Thuja 
occidentalis, Arborvitae), and Red cedar of California 
(Thuja plicata, Giant Arborvitse), there is no good 
reason to expect any difference, provided the material 
is treated and used in the same way. The California 
shingles may run clearer, and thereby deserve prefer¬ 
ence. Cypress, sound heartwood, I should class decid¬ 
edly equal to cedar in durability. B. K. fkrnow. 
Wintering a Herd of Mule Colts. 
<). M. FK, Maywood, hul .—I have 60 mule colts which I want to win¬ 
ter well. I have good sheds, plenty of mixed Timothy and clover 
hay, and a good 10-acre Blue-grass lot for them during pleasant 
days. What would be the best grain feed for them, aud how much 
for the herd ? I wish to feed them altogether, and want them to 
grow nicely. 
Anc.—M ules should be fed a good deal like hogs— 
all they will eat from the time they are weaned until 
ready for market. Fat counts on a mule as much as it 
does on a hog when he is to be sold. Early develop¬ 
ment is, also, desirable in raising mules, and it takes 
good feed and pasture to produce it. To your mule 
colts, feed equal parts of corn and oats, twice a day, 
all they will consume. Many feeders prefer oats in 
the sheaf, and feed corn, fodder and all. Along with 
the mixed hay, you should have some fodder, anyway. 
Provide water in the barn, and salt, also, so the mules 
can have access to them when they wish. It seems 
that water is almost as necessary as feed, for mules 
will not do just right if they are turned out in lots 
for drink once or twice a day. Have plenty of room 
in the sheds, and there will be no occasion whatever 
for them to be turned outdoors, unless on days when 
they can pick grass in the lot. Don’t let the manure 
accumulate and heat in the sheds. If you do, the mules 
will have sore feet, and not do well. Never let them 
out in the mud. If you have straw, bed the stables 
down liberally—if knee deep, all the better. The 
best troughs for feeding mules in are made something 
like a wagon box, and set about 1)4 foot from the floor 
of the stable. In these boxes, which should be 6 x 13 
or 15 feet, feed both grain and hay or fodder. The 
mules gather around them to feed, and nothing will 
be wasted. Mules do better fed in good large bunches 
than to be stalled off separately. w. w. s. 
FINE MANURE 
Only, Is available as Plant Food. 
Much depends therefore upon the mechanical condition 
of manure. It should be thoroughly fined aud evenly 
spread to produce the best results. 
...KEMP’S... 
Manure Spreader 
is the oidy machine known to man that will do both and 
do it better and cheaper than it can be done by hand, 
Has Stood the Test of IQ Years 
and daily grows in popular favor. Send for catalogue 
and “Treatise on Manure.” FREE to inquirers. 
KEMP & BURPEE MFG. CO., 
Box 38 Syracuse, M. Y. 
THE PARKER 
STUMP PULLERS, 
Grubbing Machines, 
Derricks, Hoists, But¬ 
ter Workers, Bread Kneaders and attachments are 
the best, and fully warranted. AG ENTS W ANTED. 
Send stamp for “ CATALOGUE R.” Address 
THE PARKER CO., 
205 SHEFFIELD AVE., CHICAGO, ILL., U. S. A 
The Farmers HANDY WAGON 
Company, 
SAGINAW, Mich, 
are makers of 
Low-Down 
Wlde-Tire 
FARM . 
TRUCKS. ,„ 0 
METAL 
WHEELS for 
Old Farm Wagons, and 
All-Steel Trucks. 
Ciroulart Fr„. 
Have you seen the Bul¬ 
letin of Missouri State 
Experiment Station on 
wide tires ? It’s just out. 
L’hey made a hundred tests 
to ascertain difference in draft 
of wide and narrow tires. They give photographs of 
the ruts made in the ground, then sum it all up by 
saying, “Six inches is tbe best width of tire fora 
combination farm and road wagon. The three or 
four inch tire is unsatisfactory in running over the 
ruts made by narrow tires, inasmuch as these ruts 
are wide enough at the top to allow the four inch tire 
to sink down at least a portion of their depth, there¬ 
by greatly increasing the side friction and the draft. 
Tbe six inch tire on the other hand will run over 
these ruts aud in a few trips will completely fill them. 
From every point of view the six inch tires will be 
more satisfactory for farm use.” That is Just wliat 
we have always said, atid we have never built any¬ 
thing hut six inch tires, unless especially ordered. 
We wish also to advise ordering our wood wheels as 
you can’t buy durable metal wheels with more than 
four inch tread for there is nothing to support the tire. 
Minnesota Lands 
C. J. WRIGHT, 
Fergus Falls. 
Our perfect knowledge of this wagon and the quality of 
material used in its construction leads us to declare it 
to be the NEATEST, STRONGEST, MOST DUR¬ 
ABLE, LONGEST LIVED, EASIEST TO LOAD 
wagon made, lias our famous straight or stagger spoko 
Electric Steel Wheels 
Wheels have any width of* tire, from 2 to 8 inches; 
any height, from 24 to GO inches. Impervious to 
heat or cold; can’t dry out, get loose or rot; NO RE- 
SETTING TIRES and repalrn. Rest angle steel 
62E?L3SSr All F. 0. B. For $25.00 
It has given universal satisfaction and will At your re¬ 
quests exactly. Don’t buy until you get our FREE 
catalogue and prices. Write for them at once. 
ELECTRIC WHEEL CO. BOX 88, QUINCY, ILLS. 
$650 
6 85 
920 
Huy. 4 BLfiHY \ $ 
- . Buy. 4CAKIUADK ( 3" 
Buy. 4 Bilk, Mill or Light (£ 
Delivery Wagon J 
Withsteeltiroon and hub banded. Good 
substantial wheels. Hundreds of testi¬ 
monials. New wheels are cheaper than 
repairing old ones. Can furnish axles 
and boxes. Send stamp for price list & 
directions for measuring. Wllmlngtou 
W heel Co., Wilmington, Del. 
Best for sowing all Clovers, Alfalfa, all Grass Seeds, 
Flax & Red Top. Hopper for Wheat, Rye and Oats. Wet, 
dry or windy weather makes no difference. No stakes to 
set—just follow the drill marks. If there is no man 
about to run it a boy will do just as well. Can’t sow 
too thick or too thin. Free catalogue and price list. 
0 E THOMPSON & SONS, 17 River St. Ypsilanti, Mich. 
Is simple, strong and durable, 
sows all kinds of seeds per¬ 
fectly even, saves % labor, F6 
of seed. SO years experience 
(sold cheap), price and circu¬ 
lars free. Address Champion 
Seeder Co., Urbana, lnd. 
“CLIMAX’'POULTRY NETTING. 
Strongest and best. Prices low and freight paid 
Send stamp for catalogue. 
JAMES S. CASE, Colchester, Conn. 
