1898 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
4i9 
Blush, were planted May 14, after plowing under 
Crimson clover. The ground has been wet and 
soggy ever since, but the potatoes have started 
well—and so has a crop of clover which worked 
through the soil enough to give quite a red color 
to the field. We can see no harm in that. The 
flea-beetles have done very little damage to po¬ 
tatoes thus far—so little that it seems hardly 
worth while to try to fight them. In this wet 
season, the value of a two-horse cultivator Is 
very evident. With this tool, the middles may be 
worked deeply, and soil enough thrown to the 
row to make a ridge which will dry out much 
faster than when the whole space is left level. 
By putting wings on the single cultivator, we 
may throw earth to the row, but it is impossible 
to control the work and go down in the middle as 
one can with the two-horse tool. 
What About the Crop ?—In our part of the 
country, the early potato crop will be short. That 
will lieli) us, for our local markets depend largely 
upon local supplies. The weather has been so 
cold and wet that many farmers could not plant, 
and on some fields, the seed rotted in the ground. 
Our dry, warm soil has helped us this year, and 
if we had put the whole farm into potatoes, I 
rather think we could have bought a new buggy ! 
The chances are, too, that the late potato acreage 
will be reduced somewhat. Why not plunge in, 
then, and plant a lot of late potatoes on the 
ground we had designed for sweet corn ? We 
can, probably, plant up to June 15, and expect a 
fair crop. I think many of our farmers are likely 
to do that very thing, therefore it is a good thing 
for us not to try it. There seems to be a general 
opinion among our farmers that the potato acre¬ 
age has been reduced, and that it will pay them 
to take the risk of very late planting. In that 
case, it will pay us better to stick to sweet corn, 
for which I expect to see fair prices. Our first 
two acres of Evergreen corn were just coming up 
on Decoration Day. What a slow poke that 
Evergreen corn is to start ! Crosby and Perry’s 
Hybrid, planted on the same day, were out of the 
ground a week ahead of it. Many farmers in 
our part of the country, having been disappointed 
in early potatoes and sweet corn, will set out 
great blocks of tomatoes and late cabbage. 
Potatoes Under Mulch.—On March 26, we 
planted a small patch of potatoes under horse 
manure. The soil was worked up fine,and potato 
fertilizer at the rate of 1,000 pounds per acre 
worked into it. Small whole tubers of June Eat¬ 
ing potatoes were planted in shallow drills 15 
inches apart each way, and covered about two 
inches deep with soil. The whole patch was then 
covered three inches deep with horse manure, 
and has not been touched since. Every plant 
started, and on Decoration Day, at least a dozen 
of them were in bloom. The seed was some of 
our last year’s crop—little nuts too small to sell 
even to bakers. This scheme of planting early 
potatoes under a mulch, on light warm soil, cer¬ 
tainly works well. I wish now we had put pota¬ 
toes into half an acre of light, warm sand in just 
this way. It would have paid this year. 
Various Notes.—Alaska and Nott’s Excelsior 
peas were in bloom on Decoration Day. They 
were both planted on ground where the Crimson 
clover was about three inches high when turned 
under. Lots of it kept right on growing, and 
now the beautiful crimson heads are growing 
right in the rows with the white pea blossoms. 
We shall plant Nott’s Excelsior and Telephone 
peas up to July 4 for late cropping. The Wilder 
currant is a strong, vigorous grower and a heavy 
yielder. Last year, we set out 250 each of Wilder 
and Prince Albert of the same age. With the 
same care, and side by side, the Wilders will out- 
yield the Prince Alberts nearly two to one. The 
Kansas blackcap raspberry has made a flue 
growth, and wintered well, rather better than 
Gregg. We are planting some Velvet beans this 
week as a Held crop, also on the west side of the 
old house. 
The Hen Record.—The hens laid 1,602 eggs in 
May. The average price for eggs has been 15 
cents per dozen, which makes the month’s out¬ 
put worth $20.02. The grain cost $8.70. The Leg¬ 
horn’s laid 705 eggs. The 10 old Minorca hens 
laid 206 eggs, while last May, they laid only 163. 
An average of 20.6 eggs per hen in 31 days strikes 
us like a good record. Suppose that we multiply 
that by 12, and claim that the hens averaged 246 
eggs per year ! I wonder whether “ egg records ” 
are ever made on that basis 7 In March, April 
and May of last year, the 10 Minorcas laid 459 
eggs. In these months of the present year, they 
have laid 528 eggs—a gain of 69. This gain is 
largely due to the fact that we know how to care 
for them better than we did last year. One of 
the Brahma hens lost interest in her egg record 
April 28, and has been incubating since then. 
The other one laid 18 big eggs in May. That seems 
like a fair record, but 20 Miuorca pullets and the 
10 old hens laid 537 eggs—an average of 17.9! Last 
year, the hens fell off quite rapidly in June, but 
there is no indication of it this year. Since giving 
the hens more range, we have changed the feed. 
We now give more corn and a stronger morning 
mash. This has certainly given us more eggs. 
u. w. c. 
“ Now is the time to stick to the hog,” says L. 
N. Bonham, in the Breeders’ Gazette. “ New 
markets for pork products are opening, and after 
the war ends, Cuba and Porto Rico v ill require 
more pork than ever.” He says the market is 
not as clamorous for lean pork as certain writers 
would have us believe. Stick to the hog that has 
given good results in the past, and feed him well! 
The Garden. 
Window Plant for Shaded Situation. 
E. E. B ., Cook County , III .—I want some plant 
to fill a window box in an unfavorable location. 
The window is quite heavily shaded at all times, 
and ordinary plants will not live there. Some¬ 
thing that could be kept inside during the Win¬ 
ter would be preferred. 
Ans. —In the situation described by E. 
E. B., it would be useless to attempt any 
flowering’ plant, or one with delicate 
foliage. The best thing for the place 
would be Aspidistra lurida, sometimes 
known by the popular name of “ Tin 
plant.” This belongs to the Lily fam¬ 
ily, and has firm, shining deep green 
leaves, in shape rather like those of 
the Plantain lily. There is a variegated 
form, in which the leaves are striped 
irregularly, with ivory white. Some¬ 
times half the leaf will be white, or it 
may be sparingly striped. This plant 
endures indifferent light and unfavor¬ 
able care with entire equanimity. It is 
excellent for window boxes, either in¬ 
side or out. It will endure a small 
amount of frost without injury, though 
it cannot be called hardy in this latitude. 
The Aspidistras are propagated by means 
of division ; they are natives of China, 
and require a sandy loam, with a little 
leaf mold or rotten sod and manure. 
They will stand plenty of water, hence 
require good drainage. It is the florists’ 
verdict that one cannot kill an Aspi¬ 
distra; hence the plant possesses especial 
value for inexperienced cultivators. 
Treatment of Acacia. 
O. B. L., Millersport, ft—What is the proper 
treatment of an Acacia, during both Summer 
and Winter. I have no greenhouse. My plant Is 
two years old. There are always one or more 
leaves slowly turning yellow and falling off. 
It Is in a gallon bowl, and the stock seems 
perfectly healthy, sending out new branches and 
leaves constantly. 
Ans. —G. B. L. does not give any clue 
to variety of Acacia, which compels 
directions given to be general, as some 
Acacias like a little more heat than 
others. The yellowing and falling of 
the foliage is doubtless caused by over¬ 
watering and poor drainage. The refer¬ 
ence to a gallon bowl suggests that the 
plant is in a glazed vessel, which would 
be very detrimental. Better select a por¬ 
ous pot, and repot in a mixture of sandy 
loam and fibrous peat; it is likely that 
the present soil will be found sour and 
soddened. The general treatment for 
most Acacias is similar to that given to 
Azaleas. Plunge the plant out of doors 
during the Summer, and bring inside in 
the Fall. This Summer treatment ripens 
the wood, and thus provides for bloom 
the following Spring. During the Win¬ 
ter, p temperature of 45 to 50 degrees, 
with plenty of light, is ample. Do not 
overwater at any time. During the Win¬ 
ter, a too-generous treatment will en¬ 
courage a growth of young shoots, which 
will prevent flowering ; for this reason, 
a moderate temperature and moderate 
allowance of water are necessary. 
Berry Baskets. 
Quarts, Shorts, Pints, Thirds, etc. 
Peach Baskets. 
Sizes, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, H and 
16' quarts 
Grape Baskets. 
Sizes, 3J£, 6, 8, 10 and 15 lbs. 
Peach Covers. 
Wood, burlap and cotton. 
Berry, Peach and Grape Crates. 
Crate stock and box sbooks in all sizes, dLrect from 
the manufacturers. Special prices to dealers and 
car-load buyers. Write for catalogue. 
A. H. MONTAGUE & SON, 
Manufacturers and Agents, 
120 Warren Street. New York City 
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Runyon’s Gauge and Lock 
Wire Fence.—New plan to 
weave fence cheap and 
fast on farms without ma¬ 
chine. Township and 
County rights for sale 
cheap. Agents make 
money fast. Lewis M. 
Runyon, Allamuchy,N.J 
ARMSTRONG & McKELVY 
Pittsburgh, 
BE YMER-BAUMAN 
1 'it t shurgh. 
DAVIS -CHAMBERS 
Pittsburgh. 
FAHNESTOCK 
Pittsburgh. 
ANCHOR ) 
r Cincinnati, i 
ECKSTEIN ) 
ATLANTIC 
BRADLEY 
BROOKLYN [ 
JEWETT 
ULSTER 
UNION 
SOUTHERN 
SHIPMAN 
COLLIER 
MISSOURI 
RED SEAL 
SOUTHERN 
JOHN T. LEWIS & BROS CO 
Philadelphia. 
MORLEY Cleveland. 
SALEM Salem, Mass. 
CORNELL Buffalo. 
New York. 
Chicago. 
) St. Louis. 
T HERE are several sorts of reputation 
— good, indifferent, bad. A good 
reputation is the sort that pays— 
the only sort that you, as a dealer or painter, 
can afford to have. It can only be acquired 
by selling and using the best material. In 
paint, Pure White Lead (see list of genu¬ 
ine brands) and Pure Linseed Oil are the 
best. 
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 color* free ; also 
folder showing picture of house painted in different designs or various styles or 
combinations of shades forwarded upon application to those intending to paint. 
KENTUCKY Lonisvilla. 
National L.ead Co., ioo William St., New York. 
SAVE MONEY.—DIRECT SALES TO FARMERS. 
7ou h»Y 0 the benefit of the Agents’ Commission end the Ulddloman’s profit. 
, vr . t vqtq PBos. Acid. Ammonia. Actual Potash. 
A A a percent. percent. percent, 
Pure Raw Bone Meal. 22 to 25 
Scientific Corn & Grain Fertilizer 9 to 10 
Scientific Bconotny Fertilizer. 9 to 10 
Scientific Tobacco Fertilizer.. 11 to 12 
Scientific Potato Fertilizer.. 9 to 10 
Bone and Meat.,. 13 to 16 
THE SCIENTIFIC FERTILIZER CO., 
For samples and book, write P. O. Box 1017. Herr’s Island, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
4 to 6 
2 to 3 
2% to 3^ 
3 to 4 
3% to 4% 
4 to 5 
2 to 3 
4 to 6 
4 to 6 
6 to 7 
$22 oo per ton 
16 oo “ 
20 OO “ 
21 OO “ 
23 oo “ 
18 oo “ 
aoewwfleeowMeeea e 
Profits 
of Fanning 
Gardening and Fruit Culture 
depend upon Good Crops and 
they in turn upon Good For- 
tllizoro. The uniformly boot 
fertiliser for all Crop* and all 
soils is made by 
THE GLEYELAID NYEt CO., 
CLKYELAID, O. 
Materials supplied/or ••Seme Miming." 
Kills Prairie Dogs, Woodchucks, Gophers, and Grain 
Insects 
“Fuma” Carbon Bi-Sulphide Did It. 
■‘X treated 500 Inhabited (prairie dog) holes two weeks 
ago, and not a hole opened up.’’— Richard Kesuch. 
Send for free illustrated pamphlet. It is beautiful, 
interesting, readable, and will save you money. 
EDWARD R. TAYLOR. Cleveland. Ohio. 
COD Oil C— Irrigated Farm of 450acres, situ- 
|UH OALC ated in the celebrated Boise 
Valley, 10 miles from State Capitol. Unequaled op¬ 
portunity for general Farming or Horticulture. For 
particulars address TATE & STEIN, Boise, Idaho. 
A DARNING MACHINE. 
This is the only successful darning 
machine we ever saw. We have tried 
others that were absolutely of no value. 
This one is little short of perfect. It 
enables you to mend underwear, stock¬ 
ings, curtains, table linens, clothing, and 
does an endless variety of art and fancy 
weaving better, easier and quicker than 
$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. 
WE HATE TO 
Hav-ana trouble with the Spaniard, but in America 
he’s like wood fences, behind the times, and will 
have to go. Buy of the 
PAGE WOVEN WIRE FENCE CO., Adrian, Mich. 
/V 
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aa 
STEEL P 
GKET LAWN FENCE, 
Field and Hog Fence with or without bottom cable 
barbed. M. M. S. Poultry Fencing. Lawn and 
Farm Steel Gates and Posts. 
UTVIOIY FENCE CO. I>cKall>, Ill. 
ATAWATATAWATATi 
WOVEN 
WIRE 
FENCE 
MiTiW 
With our Duplex Automatic I 
Machine you can make a gen- I 
uine Rabbit-Proof ferae, rad I 
one that la also Horae-blgh “ 
162 A ROD 
rad Bull-strong for 
a Hog fence for 12o. — 
k and a Stook or Chicken fence for 18o a rod. Plain, Colled 
Spring rad Barbed wire to farmers at wholesale prices. Catalogue Free. 
KITSKLSAN BROTHERS, BoxlOG . Bldgeville, Indiana. 
Galvanized Barbed Wire 
Best quality, 11.90 per 1UU pounds. Write for prices, 
delivered at your railroad station. 
JAMES S. CASE, Colchester, Conn. 
01) OWE 
IT TO YOURSELF 
^ to investigate carefully 
t tho claims of makers 
before 
*3 purchasing 
wire fence 
for yourself. 
We In vite close scrutiny 
LAMB WIRE FENCE CO. 
Adrian, Mich. 
by any other way. Full directions ac¬ 
company each machine. When a lady 
has once used this little machine, she 
would not do without it for any con¬ 
sideration. We will send it postpaid for 
$1, or for two new yearly subscriptions 
at $1 each. All money returned if not 
satisfied. 
If you want to make sure of getting 
up at the right time in the morning, you 
will appreciate this alarm clock. It will 
go off at just the right time, and ring 
until you get up, and turn a lever and 
stop it. It is, besides, a nice appearing 
clock, nine inches high, cast-metal case 
finished in oxidized copper. Price, $3.30. 
It and one new subscription, $2.65, or 
for a club of seven yearly subscriptions, 
new or renewal, at $1 each. 
The Rural New-Yorker, New York. 
