752 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
November 5 
Common-sense style of bottle ; it is easier to clean, 
neater, and will not break if exposed to freezing 
weather. To my mind, there is much more danger of 
contagion from paper or metal tickets that are used 
over and over again, and often handled by people who 
are not over clean. We prefer the kinds used only once. 
Connecticut. h. 0 . Manchester. 
GROWING POTATOES UNDER STRAW . 
HOW THEY SUCCEEDED THIS SEASON. 
Two years ago, Mr. D. F. Miller, of Belleville, Ill., 
wrote us an interesting account of how he grew pota¬ 
toes under straw. The potatoes were planted about 
as eastern farmers plant them, with high ridges over 
the rows. After these ridges wpre made, the whole 
field was well covered with straw, and left for the 
season, no cultivating or weeding being necessary. 
The straw remained like a mulch over the entire 
field, and the potatoes grew up through it. We have 
been curious to know how such a method of potato 
growing would answer in this past disagreeable sea¬ 
son. Mr. Miller now sends us the following account 
of this year’s operations. We have tried this plan on 
a small scale for two seasons, with very satisfactory 
results : 
“ Straw potatoes, on account of the very wet Spring 
and wet season throughout, are not a full crop in this 
county, and owing to the failure of wheat last 
year, the acreage is also small. On account of this 
scarcity of straw, I planted some cultivated potatoes 
alongside of the straw potatoes. The season was 
much in favor of the latter, but the general yield was 
about the same, with that even quality and high flavor 
in favor of the straw potatoes, and with knotty ones 
and general waste on the side of cultivation. This 
comparison is made only with early sorts, as we would 
not think of growing late kinds without straw. 
“ This year, like last year, the Sir Walter Raleigh 
yielded best with the least waste ; the yield was not 
large, about 200 bushels per acre of beautiful smooth 
and even potatoes, with about one-half of one per 
cent of small ones, and about two to three per cent of 
unsalable potatoes, including those cut by the digger. 
In growing straw potatoes, I would prefer to have the 
season rather dry, than inclined to be wet. We plant 
in good ridges in order to throw off excessive moist¬ 
ure as quickly as possible. In the great drought of 
last year, of 90 days’ duration, we averaged more than 
a half crop of very fine potatoes of the different new 
and leading sorts that were planted. When we dug 
these potatoes, the ground was as hard and dry as 
ground can get, those sorts with most vitality, or 
strong, deep-going roots, would hold out longest; the 
Carman No. 3 was next to the last to die or ripen be¬ 
fore its time. 
“ Last Fall, I drew the attention of a friend, and said, 
‘ You see that remaining green on the left of that 
potato field ! That is the farmers' friend ; it is the Sir 
Walter Raleigh still holding the fort.’ The Sir Walter 
Raleigh gave us the best yield and the nicest and 
largest potatoes ; they were shown at our State fair, 
and took the blue ribbon in competition with every¬ 
thing that the professional exhibitor could buy or lay 
hands on from Cairo, Ill., up to Canada. In growing 
straw potatoes, we do not need as much rain as by 
cultivation, and while we dread too much wet, we are 
not affected by light rains. It takes a good rain to 
soak through the straw.” 
A TALK ABOUT FIRE INSURANGE. 
WHERE THE PREMIUM PROFIT GOES TO. 
Great Company Profits. —Most farmers insure 
their property. They know not when fire will come. 
They fear it, and the old style insurance companies 
have played on this fear. Here is an instance. One 
company situated in a small city in northern New 
York was organized in 1864, with a capital stock of 
$200,000. This company has received in premiums, 
from customers, $16,158,251, but has paid out only 
$7,792,124. Over one-half of all paid them is clear 
profit. This $200,000 has made $720,000 in dividends 
and there are $1,876,590 not yet divided. 
In the year 1897, one company received $1,159,437 in 
premiums, and paid out $413,844 for losses. The 
salaries paid by the first company are liberal, only 
$67,054, and the advertising is credited at $58,415. In 
spite of all this, the company is able to declare an an¬ 
nual 20-per-cent dividend, besides 20 to 40 per cent 
addition to the surplus. Try to buy a share in this 
company, and you will find that they are appreciated. 
Is it necessary for this enormous amount of money to 
be paid ? Some say that a surplus is necessary to 
make the company solid. It certainly does this for 
the stockholders, but it’s hard on the patrons. 
Some Startling Figures. —This company has 
$167,852,505 insured, and has $200,000 capital stock and 
$1,876,590 surplus to pay with. Should all the prop¬ 
erty insured by the company burn it could not pay for 
the fences around it. I do not mean that it will, or 
that there is any danger of its not paying losses, but 
to show how little money is really needed to protect 
a large amount. 
The results of all this are that the oppressed have 
combined and formed cooperative mutual companies, 
for protection against robbery as much as fire. These 
companies are successful. Compare these figures, for 
the year 1897, taken from the New York insurance 
report, which shows what the stock and mutual com¬ 
panies have done in New York State : 
Premiums Losses 
received. paid. 
53 New York joiut stock fire companies. 531,918,257 515,155,573 
13 New York mutual fire companies. 557,492 250,436 
70 joint stock (of other States) companies.. 53,313,967 27.470,592 
1 mutual (of other State) company. 373,277 214,418 
29 foreign companies of other countries. 41,532,555 20,996,942 
Total received.5127,695,518 
Total paid. 64,093,961 
563.601,587 
Think of it, only $63,000,000 used up in dividends, 
salaries and expenses. One concern organized in April, 
1897, in its report at the end of the year, or nine 
months’ business, gives $57,175 surplus on a capital 
stock of $200,000 ! 
The Several Counties Cooperative Company, with a 
territory of 10 counties, insures $12,000,000 of prop¬ 
erty. Comparing its safety with other companies, 
we find that every man in the company has given a 
legal bond to pay his pro rata share of all losses. 
Should there be a total loss of all property insured, the 
land on which the buildings stand would pay every 
dollar. The property which is insured for $12,000,000 
is estimated to be worth $25,000,000. Which system 
is the safer ? This company allows its members to 
keep and use at home until needed all this 50 per cent 
and more of surplus, dividend, and extravagant sal¬ 
aries. There is no need of a surplus, and the law 
under which the company is chartered prevents the 
accumulation of it. No member can be assessed for 
any purpose whatever except an actual loss by fire. 
Since the adoption of the guarantee fee, which is 
paid at the time of joining the company, all losses 
are paid on the day of the adjustment, spot cash, and 
but one assessment is made, each year, for all losses 
occurring during that time. The company has been 
doing business 12 years, and every loss has been paid. 
An average annual loss of $25,000 costs those pro¬ 
tected something like $30,000, while $60,000,000 in 
losses in Massachusetts, insured in the stock com¬ 
panies, is said to have cost $100,000,000. That means 
66% per cent of profit. Those who insure themselves are 
practicing true economy by keeping this large profit 
in their own pockets. 
I think one foolish who does not insure, and still 
more so who gives all he has for the protection. A 
man had hired a heifer pastured during the Summer. 
When he went to get her in the Fall, the bill was $7. 
He remonstrated to no purpose, but received an offer 
for the heifer of $7 from the owner of the pasture. 
After some banter, he said, “ It is not enough for the 
heifer, but if you will pasture her three weeks longer, 
we will call it a bargain.” The stock companies, like 
the man, get it all if you give them time. 
_C. E. CHAPMAN. 
WHAT MULCH FOR STRAWBERRIES? 
Wintering the strawberry field is especially hazard¬ 
ous with us in Colorado, because of the generally dry, 
open Winter weather, with mostly bright, sunshiny 
days and freezing nights. Mulching is a necessity, 
but we have no salt meadow hay or marsh grass. 
Wheat or oat straw is out of the question, on account of 
the seeds. We pile up stable manure, giving it a 
chance to heat, which pretty effectually destroys the 
seeds, and then spread it on after the ground freezes 
in December. Cow manure from the dairies is, also, 
frequently resorted to after being piled and partly 
rotted and dried. But Spring generally reveals to us 
many spots and streaks of winterkilled plants, though 
the manure has been spread lightly or heavily, has 
been raked off early or late. Again the question 
comes up, Does the manure contain substances in¬ 
jurious to the plants ? Is cow manure poisonous, but 
horse manure safer ? All we can be sure of is that 
the plants are killed, and that there is nothing but 
manure to mulch with. Can you clear the farmers’ 
best friend, the manure pile, of so serious a suspicion ? 
Denver. Colo. a. h. r. 
R. N.-Y.—Last year we used various substances for 
mulching—horse and cow manure, cow-pea vines, corn 
stalks, straw and leaves. The cow manure seemed most 
injurious, that is, most plants were lost under it. This, 
we thought, was because the cow manure froze into 
tough, hard clumps which were lifted by the frost, 
often leaving the plants exposed. The coarser mulch 
like stalks, straw manure and cow-pea vines, was 
best, while the fine manure and leaves were not so 
successful. We like the plan of growing cow peas on 
some waste land, cutting the vines and using them for 
a mulch. Fine, well-rotted manure is not so good for 
mulching as coarse manure, full of bedding. 
TEMPORARY CORN CRIBS. 
HOW THEY DO IT OUT WEST. 
Many of our readers have, doubtless, seen pictures of the open 
corn cribs said to be used in the Far West. They are made of 
slats and wires, without bottom or top. The following notes will 
show what they are and what they do: 
I do not think them practicable here, except for 
temporary use, where the corn is to be shelled as soon 
as husked. I think you have too much rain in the 
East. C. H. SEARLE. 
Edgar, Neb. 
They are made of wire and slats. Usually a length 
of 50 feet of this wire-and-slat fencing is formed into 
a circle, strongly fastened together with wire, placed 
upon boards on the ground, and the corn thrown in. 
When full, another section is placed upon top, and 
filled; this will hold about 500 bushels, and does very 
well for a temporary corn crib. I would not advise it 
for permanent use. Such cribs can be covered with 
hay, straw, or corn fodder, and will keep the corn in 
good condition for a few months. wm. m. clark. 
Lincoln, Neb. 
The portable corn cribs are all that is claimed for 
them. They are used quite extensively in the West, 
not so much as permanent cribs, but to hold corn for 
a short time. I have seen thousands of bushels piled 
up here for the Winter, with neither cover nor bottom 
except the ground. The same thing is used quite ex¬ 
tensively for fencing, called slat-and-wire fencing. 
While some of it for cribs has heavier and longer 
slats, many farmers use the four-foot length for mak¬ 
ing temporary cribs. n. woodford. 
Chester, Neb. 
They are mostly used as temporary cribs to be set 
up in fields that are large, where the corn has to be 
husked with a rush, and soon fed out, or later moved 
to permanent quarters. Our western corn will keep 
all right under conditions that would be fatal to corn in 
your country. I was the son of a farmer in central New 
York (Cortland County). New-husked corn in that 
county would immediately spoil by heating, if cribbed 
as corn is cribbed in the West. For this reason, I think 
the portable cribs would not be of any use in the East. 
Council Grove, Kan. d. p. Norton. 
FEEDING POTATOES TO STOCK. 
We were surprised to find potatoes selling at 25 
cents a bushel in northern Ohio, and we learned that, 
in the Northwest, they have been cheaper even than 
this. We always have a number of questions each 
year regarding the economy of feeding potatoes to 
live stock. We are now feeding small potatoes to 
hogs, but find it desirable to cook them. We would 
never feed more than one peck per day of raw potatoes 
to a horse or cow. In France and Germany, we under¬ 
stand, large crops of potatoes are raised on purpose 
to feed to milch cows. In ordinary seasons, it would 
hardly pay to feed potatoes in this country. Still, it 
is evident that this has been done in years past. 
A reader in Wisconsin says that, in 1896, immense 
quantities of potatoes were fed, the market price 
going down to four and five cents per bushel. These 
potatoes were boiled and mixed with bran or corn 
meal, though middlings were generally preferred to 
the bran. Hogs fed in this way and finished off with 
corn, made excellent pork. Farmers in that country 
seem to think that potatoes cut in a root cutter, and 
fed raw, are best for cows. Just now, few potatoes 
are being fed to stock in that country, as the market 
price is fair. It is said that even culled and frozen 
potatoes, which have not been thawed out, find ready 
sale at the starch factory at 10 cents per bushel. 
Mr. W. B. Bartlett, of Eagle Point, Wis., says that 
he has fed one peck of raw potatoes once a day to 
cows with good results. He does not consider them 
worth over 10 cents per bushel, as regular feed, 
although this price, of course, is compared with grain 
as sold in that country. He fed corn meal, ground 
oats and wheat bran while feeding potatoes. A neigh¬ 
bor fed the raw potatoes heavier than he did, and the 
cows nearly died. It is quite necessary to cut the 
potatoes or have them mashed in order to prevent the 
cows from choking. 
A reader sends us $1 for The R. N.-Y., which, he 
says, represents the net proceeds of over 30 small 
baskets of Concord grapes which were sold in the 
Boston market. Most of the proceeds from these 
grapes have gone to .the railroads and the commission 
men. 
S. D. Willard writes that he considers Cox’s Orange 
Pippin apple the finest dessert apple grown in this 
country, ripening in the Fall. He says he has only 
one graft of this apple, the wood of which was im¬ 
ported. It is a late Fall and early Winter sort, cer¬ 
tainly of very high quality, as judged by an imperfect 
specimen sent by Mr. Willard. 
