1898 
RURALISMS. 
(CONTINUED.) 
The last of our Crimson clover was 
spaded under May 17. It was that in the 
rose plot, sown last August—about the 
15th. The clover was, all of it, beauti¬ 
fully luxuriant, averaging from 12 to 18 
inches in height. We have never before 
so felt like praising Crimson clover. 
Surely it is better that the land should 
be covered with it from September until 
May than to leave it bare as when culti¬ 
vated. Crimson clover in the climate of 
the Rural Grounds will fail, possibly, as 
we have shown, one year in three or four. 
But we shall take the chances hereafter, 
and sow Crimson clover between the 
raspberries, strawberries, grape vines 
and roses. Besides enriching the soil, 
its bright green color and luxuriousness 
during the cold months, are in them¬ 
selves reward enough. Evergreen trees 
and shrubs are valued more for their 
Winter than for their Summer effect, 
because they do not bear showy flowers 
as do deciduous trees and shrubs. But 
the color of evergreens during the cold 
months is dull as compared with that of 
Crimson clover, and just the same may 
be said of our best lawn grasses. 
Saghalin (Sacaline) is growing this 
Spring with wonderful vigor. Cold 
weather and rain seem to suit it well. 
There are strong shoots here and there 
as far as 20 feet from the original plant. 
That is certainly a good idea of Mr. 
Martin, as told by Mr. Grundy, on page 
368. Tomatoes vary from season to 
season as raised from seed, and we can 
have no assurance that a prized strain 
of this season will be equally prized next 
year. Tomatoes grow readily enough 
from cuttings. If, then, we find one 
plant that bears fruit more satisfactory 
in every way than that of other plants, 
the only way that we may with cer¬ 
tainty perpetuate it from year to year is 
by cuttings. 
HOPE FARM NOTES. 
SWEET POTATO CULTURE. 
We have a thin, dry ridge at Hope Farm, which 
seems, from what we can read, well adapted to 
sweet potato culture. We know little about the 
crop, and must depend on “ book farming” for 
our start. The ground had a thin crop of rye 
growing on it. From what we could study out, 
we planned to plow under the rye and roll it down 
hard. Then we expected to use Cutaway and 
Acme, and follow with the Robbins planter to 
drop fertilizer and make ridges on which the 
plants were to be set 18 inches apart. This was 
the best we could make out from printed ac¬ 
counts. Mr. Warren Atkinson, of Gloucester 
County, N. J., is a good farmer who succeeds 
with sweet potatoes, and we went to him to have 
this plan set right. 
“ I do not like that rye crop for sweet potato 
ground,” said Mr. Atkinson. “ I know that you 
are working to get vegetable matter into the soil, 
but I would not like to have it in my sweet potato 
ground.” 
“ Why not ? ” 
“ In order to turn it under and keep it there, 
you will have to plow deeply; that is just what 
the sweet potato crop does not want. Even if you 
roll well, it will not harden the bottom, and the 
rye will keep it loose.” 
“ Then sweet potatoes want a hard bottom, do 
they ?” 
“ Yes, like onions, they need a soil bottom that 
has not been disturbed. My experience is that 
soils differ greatly in growing sweet potatoes. 
On some soils, the tubers will grow short, no mat¬ 
ter how sandy and naturally loose the soil may 
be; in other cases, the tubers will always grow 
long unless care is taken not to stir the ground 
under the hill more than three inches in depth.” 
“ Well, if you object to the rye crop, what 
would you do with it ? ” 
“ If I had that piece of land, I would cut the 
rye off about as high as I could set the bar of the 
mower, feed it green, or cure it like grass, and 
use it for cow feed. Anyhow, I would get the 
bulk of the crop out of the way. Then with the 
Cutaway, work the ground thoroughly not over 
three or four inches deep. Even on some of my 
quite heavy land, I have merely worked it up with 
a disk harrow, and obtained fair results." 
“ Well, that disposes of the rye question. Now 
what ? ” 
“ The sweet potato crop requires a large 
amount of potash. I would first broadcast 200 
pounds of muriate of potash per acre, and thor¬ 
oughly work it into the soil before applying 
other fertilizer. There is no doubt about the value 
of muriate in sweet potato culture.” 
“ Well, we can do that without trouble. What 
next ? ” 
“ Take your Robbins potato planter, and put 
on your fertilizer. We set the plow to open a 
shallow furrow about two inches deep. We raise 
the tube in the rear, that carries the shoe, and 
set the disks down so as to throw a very little 
earth. You must set the disks down well into the 
ground, for when there is no man on the rear seat 
and one in front, the rear naturally rises a little. 
Put on the fertilizer long enough rhead of the 
time for setting, so that the rains will dissolve 
the fertilizer and scatter it.” 
“ Is it not a good plan to put the fertilizer on 
just before setting ? ” 
THE RURAL N 
EW-YORKER. 
4o3 
“ No, the fertilizer should be in the ground long 
enough to get some rains on it so as to dissolve 
and carry it through the soil. Again, if the fer¬ 
tilizer is applied long before setting, and the row 
is ridged up immediately, the ridge will get 
packed down, and weeds and grass will begin to 
grow by the time you could put out the plants.” 
“ You would then ridge up later on ?” 
“ Yes, about the time I got ready to set out my 
plants, with a one-horse plow I would throw up 
the ridges over the line where the fertilizer was 
distributed, throwing the soil both ways. This 
will make a high ridge of fresh soil, and use up 
about all the earth between the rows. I think 
that a fresh plowing of this ridge is equal to one 
good cultivating or hoeing.” 
“ What is the need of such a high ridge ? ” 
“ It is the nature of the tuber to require an 
elevation. I have seen new beginners plant their 
sweet potatoes flat, and in the Fall, the crop was 
hardly worth digging. It will not do to start 
them on a low ridge, and then try to ridge them 
later in the season.” 
“ How far apart do you make your ridges, and 
do you plant in hills or drills ? ” 
“ We plant from two feet six inches to two feet 
eight inches apart both ways, that is, the ridges 
two feet eight inches apart and the plants the 
same distance apart on the ridge. This will give 
us about 6,000 plants per acre. In order to mark 
spaces for the plants, we tie trace chains two 
feet eight inches apart on a long pole and let two 
men mark or check it off by walking across the 
ridges. A man needs to have a straight eye in 
order to get these marks straight. In setting 
out, the plants are dropped where the marks of 
the chain cross the ridges.” 
“ When are the plants set ? ” 
“ From May 25 up to any time about the first 
week in June will be early enough for your 
country. I have sometimes waited for days for 
just the right kind of weather, as I prefer to set 
when the wind is south and the air is soft and 
balmy. Give the plant one warm night and one 
warm day, and it will defy cold weather after¬ 
ward. But if you start the plant when the wind 
is northwest and the nights are cold, it may 
stand a week before putting out roots. If the 
ground is damp when the ridge is made up, and 
the weather is damp or a rain has fallen, of 
course, water will be unnecessary. It generally 
pays, however, to put a little water about the 
plant when first set, if only a pint to three or four 
hills.” 
“ Do you set by hand ? ” 
“ A boy or man goes ahead and drops the plants 
where the chain marks cross the ridges. The 
setter follows, generally using a puncher and 
tongs. A puncher is about four feet long with a 
wedge-shaped point generally covered with steel, 
and a strap around the upper end to slip the 
forearm through, and the handle part of an old 
shovel fitted midway down for the hand to take 
hold of. The tongs are made of white pine strips 
about an inch wide and %-inch thick, tapering 
to %-inch, 3*4 to 4 feet long, with a block of wood 
between the upper ends so as to throw the lower 
ends open, and thus enable the operator to grasp 
the sprout. With puncher in one hand, the 
operator opens a hole on the ridge; he then 
grasps the sprout with the tongs, and pushes it 
into the hole made by the puncher, scraping and 
patting a little dirt around to firm it. It takes 
some little practice to do this right, and you will 
probably do better setting by hand or with a 
trowel.” 
“ I expect to buy Yellow Nansemond plants at 
Vineland, N. J. What shall I look out for in buy¬ 
ing?” 
“Be sure to get strong plants, and not the kind 
seedsmen often send. I have seen buyers for 
seedsmen go to beds after we were through, and 
pull and ship everything. A sprout, in order to 
start well, should have age, and should be 
toughened. A big, tender plant of quick growth 
will grow only under the most favorable circum¬ 
stances. Ask for the best of the first pulling, 
which would be cheaper at $2 a thousand than 
second pulling, weak plants as a gift.” 
We have decided to go ahead in setting our 
sweet potato plants, on about the plan advised 
by Mr. Atkinson. Probably it would have been 
bet.er if we could have applied the muriate of 
potash a month or so ago, but that is too late 
now, and we shall go ahead and do the best we 
can to follow the instructions. Later, when we 
get ready to cultivate the plants, we shall try to 
tell what our many friends advise us to do in case 
we can get the plants fairly started. h. w. c. 
What is Scott’s Emul¬ 
sion ? 
It is the best cod-liver oil, 
partly digested, and com¬ 
bined with the hypophos- 
phites and glycerine. What 
will it do ? It will make 
the poor blood of the anaemic 
rich and red. 
It will give nervous energy 
to the overworked brain and 
nerves. It will add flesh to 
the thin form of a child, 
wasted from fat-starvation. 
It is everywhere acknowl¬ 
edged as The Standard of 
the World. 
50c. and $1.00, all druggists. | 
SCOTT & BOWNK, Chemists, New York. 
| C'inci 
ARMSTRONG & McULLVY 
Pitutburgk. 
Bi i’MER-BAUMAN 
Pittsburgh. 
DAVIS -CHAMBERS 
Pittsburgh. 
FAHNESTOCK 
Pittsburgh. 
ANCHOR ; 
Cincinnati. 
ECKSTEIN ' 
ATLANTIC 
BRADLEY 
BROOKLYN 
JEWETT 
ULSTER 
UNION 
SOUTHERN 
SHIPMAN 
COLLIER 
MISSOURI 
RED SEAL 
SOUTHERN 
New York. 
Chicago. 
) St. Louis. 
JOHN T. LEWIS & BROS CO 
Philadelphia. 
M0KLEY Cleveland. 
SALEM Salem, Mass. 
CORNELL Buffalo. 
KENTUCKY Louisville. 
A PROMINENT wholesale and retail 
dealer in paints writes : “We have 
discontinued handling mixed paints 
entirely, for the reason that we can furnish 
Pure White Lead (see list of genuine brands) 
and the National Lead' Company’s Tinting 
Colors with which to make any shade de¬ 
sired, thereby giving our customers the best 
paint that can be made; besides, we know 
what we are selling, and are not afraid that 
the purchaser will come back next year and 
ask us to paint his house over again.” 
By using National Lead Co.’s Pure White Lead Tinting Colors, 
any desired shade is readily obtained. Pamphlet giving valu¬ 
able information and card showing samples of colors free; also 
folder showing pictures of house painted in different designs or various styles or 
combinations of shades forwarded upon application to those intending to paint. 
National Lead Co., 700 William St., New York. 
Farmers be wise, deal with Us and Save 40 per ct. on your Fertilizers. 
You Save Salesman's Expenses and Agent's Profit. 
Analysis. Phos. Aoid, Ammonia, Actual Potash, 
Percent. Percent. Percent. 
Pore Raw Bone Meal.. 22 to 25 4 to 5 . $ 32.00 per ton 
Poor Pold Pertilizer. 9 to 10 2to3 2 to3 16.00 “ 
Smoky City “ .... 8 to 10 IK 2J4 1% to 2% 15.00 H 
Big Bonanza “ ............ 9to 10 2 %to 3)4 4 toft ao.oo " 
Potato Special “ . 9 to 10 8 % to 4\ 6 to 7 S 3.00 " 
Tobacco Special “ . 11 to 12 3to4 4to5 21.00 " 
A Bone and Meat. . 13 to 15 4 to 6 . 18.00 “ 
s For sampjesand pamphlet, write WALKER_ SJRATMAN & CO. Herr’s Island, Pittsburg, Pn. 
POTATOES 
TRUCK 
CORN 
OATS 
High-Grade BONE FERTILIZERS are best, most per¬ 
manent and cheapest. Our goods are especially adapted to 
spring crops. Special brands for potatoes, corn and oats, 
supplying plant food available for immediate use, and leaving 
something for future grass crops. None better or cheaper. 
I. P. THOMAS & SON CO., ttf- 
OOOMMMMOOOCMMMMMMMOOOOOO 
Profits 
of Fanning 
Gardening and Fruit Culture 
depend upon Good Crops and 
they in turn upon Good Fer¬ 
tilizers. The uniformly boot 
fertiliser for all Crops sod all 
soils is made by 
THE CLEVELAID NYN 60., 
CLKVKLASD, O. 
Material s supplied /or "Home Mixing.'' 
$20 Phosphate for Wheat and Grass 
Sold to farmers direct. We have no agents. Send for 
Circular. Low prices for car-load lots. 
YORK CHEMICAL WORKS, YORK. PA. 
anfilfifi 
Hilllllll 
r»j [ r j 
gngp |1 
full 
CABLED POULTRY and GARDEN FENCE 
Cabled Field and Hog Fencing with and without lower 
cable barbed. Steel Web Picket Fence for Lawns and 
cemeteries. Steel Gates, posts, etc. 
DE KALB FENCE CO., 315 High St., DE KALB, ILL. 
Armed Intervention 
is not necessary to the peace of stock or safety 
of crops about which Page Fence Is erected.. 
PAGE WOVEN WIRE FENCE CO., Adrian, Mich. 
BECAUSE IT IS BETTER 
than others is the reason why most farmers use the 
;keystone woven wire fence 
#Better adjustment—complete expansion and contraction. 
% All cross wires are interwoven—not merely twisted on up 
^and down across the main wires. A hand machine can t 
^makesuch a fence as the Key&tone. 
^ If your dealer doesn't keep it order direct from us. 
Wepax/ the freight. Circulars and Prices Free. 
• KKYSTONfi WOVKN WIRE FENCE CO. 19RushSt.Peorla,Ill. 
BEATEN TO DEATH 
liUPlii ADVANCE 
FENCE 
WOVEN 
;==========;;»; WIRE. 
: -»«ij« direct to the farmer & 
—— «■'<■! paying freight thereon 
W0 not only save him all of the middle man’s profit but 
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way down. It is a cheapor and better fence than can bo 
made by any hand machine for the money. It’s all Inter¬ 
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nrurUDCQ IT S SOLD ONLY DIRECT TO THE FARMER 
m.lnE.naDCll tgr W rite for free circulars and extra 
special discount, better writo at once. 
ADVANCE FENCE CO.. 9 Old St.. Peoria Ill. 
[ADAM 
THE FENCE MAN 
Makes Woven Wire 
Fence that ‘ ‘Stands 
Up.” Cannot Sag, 
| Get his newcatalogue. Ii 
I tells all about The Best 
t Farm Fence Made. 
A Fari 
D 
W. J. ADAM, Joliet, 
Galvanized Barbed Wire 
Best, quality, $1.90 peril*) pounds. Write for prices, 
delivered at your railroad station. 
JAMES S. CASE, Colchester, Conn. 
'TANDARD SCALES 
Full Descriptive Catalogue FREE 
OSGOOD SCALE CO., "‘fflg’WIg- 
Fire-Weathsr-Lightning Praaf 
Black, painted or galvanized metal ROOFING 
and siding; (brick, rocked or corrugated) 
METAL CEILINGS AND SIDE WALLS 
Write for Catalogue. 
Penn Metal Celling & Roofing Co.. Ltd., Philadelphia. 
How's Your 
Roof? 
Ton may 
need a new 
one thla 
Spring. 
Avoid mistakes and secure the 
very best thing of the kind made. 
_ Uxa Sykes “Old Style" 
It la made In a var- IRON ROOFING. 
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IIGHTNING PROOF. 
ALSO 
FIRE, 
WIND 
AND 
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PROOF.. 
Lightning rods are expensive, and are not necessary with 
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No building covered with it has ever been damaged by 
lightning, illustrated Booklet and Prices sent Fit EE. 
0EDGE Bk05 IRON R00FINQ CO., Box 19, Anderson, Ind. 
