4 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
January 2 
FARMERSCLUB 
[Every query must be accompanied by 
the name and address of \he writer to in¬ 
sure attention. Before asking a question, 
please see whether it is rot answered in 
our advertising columns. Ask only a few 
questions at one time. Put questions on a 
separate piece of paper.] 
What Ailed the Grapes ? 
C. E., Portland, Ore .—What is the cause 
of berries shelling off grape bunches, not 
at all overripe? Is there not a lack of 
certain ingredients in the soil? As it 
seemed to prevail more than usual this 
year in this vicinity, some think it is due 
to climatic conditions which, to say the 
least, have been peculiar the past Summer. 
Ans.—A deficiency of one or more fer¬ 
tilizing elements In the soil is more like¬ 
ly to favor imperfect development of the 
grapes than the special trouble you re¬ 
port. It is probably a climatic affection 
due to excess of moisture and lack of 
sunlight during development of the 
fruits. 
Freezing of Water Tanks. 
A. B., Fern Bank, O —What is the best way 
to keep water from freezing in a galvanized 
iron tank, standing In an open barnyard 
and fed by a windmill pump? Tank stand* 
on posts about four feet from the ground 
and holds about 300 barrels. 
Ans. —Artificial heat is sometimes used 
to prevent tanks from freezing in 
such locations, but it is trouble¬ 
some and dangerous. Since the tank 
is built in the open yard there is no 
other way to keep the water in it from 
freezing tnan to enclose it with boards, 
leaving a space of three feet all about 
the sides of the tank. Pack' underneath 
with straw and around the sides with 
fresh strawy manure from the horse 
stables. Then with a tight cover and 
straw thrown over all it will not freeze 
even in excessively cold weather. G. d. 
Plants for a Warm Cellar. 
L. B. B., Exeter, N. H.— The steam boiler 
that heats our house keeps the thermom¬ 
eter at about 75 degrees In two cellars. 
These cellars are not very light, so that 
plant growth does not take on the green 
coloring matter. Is there anything that 
would pay to raise in this place, and would 
it affect the health of the people in the 
house? 
Ans. —Seventy-five degrees is too 
warm for a cellar. It would seem good 
economy to coat the boiler and pipes 
with asbestos or other non-conducting 
material to reduce radiation; 50 to 65 
degrees is sufficient warmth to force 
rhubarb in the manner frequently re¬ 
commended in The R. N.-Y., or to grow 
mushrooms. Neither of these operations 
requires light, but ordinary plants can¬ 
not be induced to thrive without ample 
sunlight, and certainly would not thrive 
under your conditions. If managed with 
ordinary cleanliness growing the crops 
above mentioned need not affect the 
health of those dwelling above. Full di¬ 
rections for growing mushrooms are sent 
out by all dealers in spawn. 
Black Ben Davis. 
W. E. H., Cataioissa, Pa .—I think that Mr. 
Van Deman told your readers about a year 
ago that he had secured a few of the Black 
Ben Davis apples, and that he would tell 
us later about their good qualities if they 
have any. Did he forget? 
Ans. —No, I have not forgotten about 
the Black Ben Davis apples that I got 
in Arkansas in the Fall of 1902, along 
with specimens of Gano, Ben Davis and 
some others taken from the trees by my¬ 
self at that time and brought home for 
testing. As I then said, I could see no 
difference between those three kinds ex¬ 
cept in their external color, and after 
repeated examinations during the fol¬ 
lowing Winter and Spring the same 
proved to be true. They kept alike, 
tasted alike and looked alike inside. Ex¬ 
ternally they averaged quite different in 
appearance, the Black Ben Davis being 
about as much redder than Gano as Gano 
was redder than Ben Davis. This is the 
only distinction that I could see in the 
bearing orchards, and I have had no 
ether opportunity to see them all to¬ 
gether in the orchard. It is my purpose 
to see much more of these same orchards 
and others next Fall, In which the va¬ 
rieties are in bearing. The only true 
way to observe and decide all points of 
difference in fruit is in the orchard, 
where the “run of the tree” can be seen, 
and not to judge from selected speci¬ 
mens. H. e. v. D. 
Pine Needles for Mulching. 
K. T. Y. (No Address).— Some of my black¬ 
cap raspberry bushes did very poorly this 
year. One of my neighbors said it was 
owing to the fact that I mulched them with 
pine needles I raked up in the grove; said 
it was the resin in them that affected them. 
Is the use of such material detrimental to 
the plant? 
Ans. —Pine needles are rather astrin¬ 
gent during decay, and do not seem to 
agree with bramble fruits. Vigorous 
raspberry plants are not common in pine 
forests, and blackberries there found are 
usually quite inferior. Pine “straw,” 
as the needles are called in the South, 
makes a good mulch for strawberries, 
and is much used where plentiful. The 
strawberry does not object to the astrin¬ 
gent qualities of the needles, but we 
would not care to use them on rasp¬ 
berries. 
A Green Crop Before Beans. 
E. B. O., Penn Tan, N. Y.—I have a flald 
that has raised a crop of beans two years 
in succession. Is there anything I can sow 
in early Spring that will get sufficient 
growth, say in two months, to pay for 
turning under for another crop of beans? 
How would cow peas do? Would like to 
hear from some practical man. 
Ans. —We would all like to hear from 
practical farmers who have tried this. 
Cow peas will not do. They could not be 
planted much before the beans. They 
are too tender. Oats would make a fair 
growth. It is possible that one of the 
vetches would answer. You could bow 
Dwarf Essex rape as early as turnips. 
This rape is really a turnip with the root 
grown to top. It grows slowly at first, 
but finally makes a heavy growth, and 
in two months would give a thick mat 
for plowing under. Rape will not add 
any actual fertility to the soil, as it does 
not like clover or cow peas, takes nitro¬ 
gen from the air. It will loosen the soil 
and add humus, but fertilizer should be 
used with it. 
Planting Shade Trees. 
J. M. R., Ridgway, Pa .—In regard to Bet¬ 
ting out shade trees such as maple, chest¬ 
nut and poplar, how long would you cut 
the roots, and how deep would you dig the 
holes? Would you trim all the limbs off 
close? Can they be set out any time In 
the year, or which would be the best time? 
What trees will make the best shade trees? 
Ans. —In moving shade trees, especial¬ 
ly from the forest, the greatest care 
must be given to have all the roots that 
can reasonably be taken up with them. 
The tops should be cut back rather se¬ 
verely. No exact rule can be given, but 
anyone who has transplanted trees or 
seen it done can be guided by their good 
sense in this matter. The Fall or early 
Spring are both good times to move 
them, and sometimes it may be done to 
advantage in Winter, when the ground 
is frozen, thus leaving big clumps of 
earth about the roots. The Sugar maple, 
elm, tulip tree (yellow poplar of some), 
ash and oak are all beautiful and long 
lived shade trees. n. e. v. d. 
SEEDS 
r include every thing the best to 
, plant in the garden-vegetable c. 
flower. The prod uct o f the 1 argest green - 
houses and nurseries in the world, l he 
choicest, freshest, surest seeds to sow. 
Dreer’s 1904 Garden Book 
full of valuable cultural information, and 
one package each of Aster, fink, and 
Penny, will he sent free to any address for 
10 c. in stamps, or silver, to cover postage. 
henry a. dreer, 
714 Chestnut St., Philadelphia. 
SEEDS 
AND 
GRAIN 
Red Alsike, Crimson and Alfalfe 
Clovers. Timothy and Grass Seeds 
Hungarian, Millet & Buckwheat 
Dwarf Essex Rape and Sane 
Vetches. Turnip Seed and Seet 
Wheat. 
Feeding corn and Oats in ca- 
lots, delivered on your track. 
Clipper Grain & Seed Cleaners 
Let Us Know Your Wants. 
The Henry Phi 
Ipps Seed & Implement Co., 
Department “ A,” Toledo. Ohio. 
NORTHERN GROWN TREES 
Best climate, Best soU. Best for the Fro! 
Grower. Best for Agent and Dealer Best Ca rs 
logue, Best Brices. My treatment and wees mak 
permanent customers. Once tried, always wantec 
Catalogue free. Instructive, interesting. 
MAHT1N WAHL, Rochester, N Y 
BURPEE’S Farm Annual for 1904. 
Will bk V LEADING AMERICAN SEED CATALOGUE 
rnr r x _ii who want the BEST SEEDS! 
a I ICQ r lx t- C. tO 311 An elegant new book of 178 pages, 
with hundreds of illustrations and six superb colored plates, it is now brighter 
and better than ever before. Many new features for 1904,—including valuable 
RARE NOVELTIES which cannot be had elsewhere. Write TO-DAY! 
A postal card will secure a copy by first mail—provided you intend to purchase 
seeds ;—otherwise the price is ten cents, which is less than cost to us. 
W. Atlee Burpee &, Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 
Now is the time to plan for early spring planting. 
You will want to grow the finest vegetables. We 
have the best seeds, and we have the greatest cata¬ 
logue of the season. It is expensive but we will 
send it to you FREE. 80 pages. Illustrations, 
photographs from life, prove that "Holmes Vege¬ 
tables are always on top.” AO IF is the time to 
send for this fine catalogue. Mention this paper. 
HOLMES SEED CO., Harrisburg, Pa. C 
Prices of Seeds. 
Fvery sensible man wants the highest 
class seeds he can get, hut he does not 
want to pay any more for them than 
necessary. We raise seeds on our own 
farm and keep the quality up to the 
highest standard and our prices are 
low. We raise all kinds of vegetable 
seeds, as well as Potatoes, Field and 
Sweet Corn, new varieties of Oats, 
etc. Catalogue tree. Drop us a card 
to-day. JOSEPH HAREIS CO., Moreton 
Farm, Coldwater, N. Y. 
450000 
3OO varieties. Also Grape.,Small Kruttietclfiest root, 
ed stock. Genuine, cheap. * sample currants mailed for 
10c. Desc. price list free. LKWIS Konst H, FredonL, N. I. 
E lberta Peach 
The perfect freestone. Very 
large and fine. Golden yellow, faint¬ 
ly striped with red. Fruit deliciously 
flavored. Early August. Tree hand¬ 
some and most prolific. Fine market 
variety .All choice kinds.Catalog free. 
Harrison’s Nurseries,Bx29,Ber!in,Md. 
40 Plants for only $< 
Prepaid. 12 Echo and 12 Brandywine Strawberry, 6 
Wood ’b Cuthbert Raspberry, 4 Eric Blackberry, 3 Fay's Currant, 1 
Pearl Gooseberry, 1 Concord and 1 Niagara Grape. Well rooted strong 
fruiters. Ask for circular of 11 other special bargains, also catalog, free. 
Allen L. Wood, Wholesale Grower, Rochester, N. Y. 
Trees Free 
By doing a little easj 
work m for us this 
_ winter. Not only all 
the trees you need, but money besides. We have matured an 
attractive plan. Let us lay it before you. Write us about it. 
Established 1869. Write for our new Catalogue. It’s FR EE. 
GEO. A. SWEET NURSFRY CO . 20 Maple St.. Dansville, N. v 
GRAPEVINES 
Cnrrantfi Gooseberries, Black, 
berries, Raspberries, Straw* 
berries. Price List FREE. 
Send 2c (tamp for illustrated descriptive catalog. 
T. S. HUBBARD CO. Fredonia, N. Y. 
GEN’L DE WET, 
NEW JERSEY HEED- 
| LING STRAWBERRY. 
“ The best one on your farm to-day"; statement bj 
Fred. Tuezner, of Red Bank, N.J..June, 1903. Ournew 
catalogue Free. Kevitt Plant Farm, Athenia, N. J. 
100,000 Apple, 200,000 Peach, 
JJOM. SOUR CHERRY. Low Prices. Catalogue 
WOODVIEW NURSERIES, B. 2, Mt. Holly Springs,Pa 
rnr'DC' and PLANTS at Wholesale Prices 
I 11 T r N Apple. Pear and Plum. $8 per 100. Cat. fret 
t uddu reliance Nukseky, Box 10,Geneva,N.Y 
EDUCATED TREES 
BRED FOR BEARING 
TRUE TO NAME because ( all our Buds 
are cut from our own “Fruit Belt” 
Bearing Trees. Illustrated Catalog free. 
WEST MICHIGAN NURSERIES, 
Box 54, BENTON HARBOR, MICH. 
Vegetable and 
Flower. In fact 
everything in the 
[Nursery and Flor¬ 
ist line. We send by 
mail postpaid Seeds, 
Plauts, Hoses, Bulbs. 
- Small Trees, Etc., safe arrival and 
satisfaction guaranteed, larger by express 
or freight. Send for our elegant 168 page free 
catalogue and see what values we give for your 
money. Correspondence solicited. 50 years, 
44 greenhouses, 1000 acres. 
THE STORRS & HARRISON CO., 
Box I 70, PAINESVILLE, OHIO. 
Your ground costs so much, and your 
labor costs so much. Get the most out of 
them by using seeds that not merely grow, 
but produce fine, early vegetables, com¬ 
manding highest prices. Send for our 
Garden and Farm 
Manual—Free 
Shows by actual photographs what our 
seeds have produced and what you can 
grow yourself. 
JOHNSON & STOKES Department R 
By Special Appointment 
“ Seedsmen to the Aloncj-Malert " 
217-319 Market St. Philadelphia 
potatoes—Bliss, Bovee, Carman, Cobbler, Harvest, 
Ohio, Rose, Six Weeks. C^W. Ford, Fishers, N. Y . 
trees succeed where 
’Largest Nursery. OTHERS FAIL 
'Fruit Book Free. Result of 78 years’ experienca 
'stark BROS. Louisians. Mo.: Dansville. N. Y.: Etc 
Strawberry Culture 
A t>0 page book, makes you un¬ 
derstand the whole subject. Sent 
postpaid on receipt of 25c, silver 
or lc stamps, Worth four times 
tile price. Money hack if > ou don't 
think so. Beautiful illustrated 
Strawberry Catalogue Free. , 
W.F. ALLEN, SALISBURY, M0. 
250,000 
APPLE TREES, First 
Class, 6 to 7 feet, 13c. each; 
5 to 6 feet, 10c.; 4 to 5 feet, 
7c.: 314 to 4 feet, 5c. Boxing free. Secure vari¬ 
eties now, pay in Spring. Large Catalog and 
Lithograph Plate Book showing 150 plates of 
fruits and flowers in colors drawn from Nature, 
free to everybody. . _ _ 
Sheerin’s Wholesale Nurseries, Dansville, N.Y. 
TREES AND SHRUBS 
IN GREAT VARIETY. 
WELL GROWN, HEALTHY AND TRUE 
TO NAME. Many New and Rare Plants. 
Largest Stock in the South. 
Illustrated Catalogue Free. 
P. J. BERCKMANS CO. (INC.) 
Erultland Nurseries, Augusta, Ga. 
Established in 1850. Over 400 acres In Nurseries. 
buds J 
mousl 
ni inrr 
e- THE TREE OF LIFE 
Is one budded upon a branched root seedling, puds 
taken from bearing trees, grown upon the famous 
Michigan fruit land, dug by our root protecting 
tree digger and handled in our mammoth storage 
cellars. Small fruits and everything in nursery 
and greenhouse lines true to name at wholesale 
prices. CiT We guarantee safe delivery. 
Catalogue FREE. Write today. 
CENTRAL MICHIGAN NURSERY, Kalamazoo, Mich. 
Michigan’oMummothMureerice wmmmmommmm 
Trees 
True to Name 
We sell only the best 
rooted, straight, clean, 
well branched trees, t rue 
to name, at attractive 
prices. 
For Sale at Bargain Prices 
Now Niagara Peach Trees, 3 to 4 ft. high, at $6.75 
per 100. Apple Trees, $6.00 per 100 and up. 
Standard Pears, $8.00 per 100 and up. Plums, 
$ 1 0.00 per 1 OO and Cherries, $ 1 5.00 per 1 00 and 
up. These trees are 4 to 6 feet high and desir¬ 
able for orchard planting. Send lor our new 112-page 
illustrated catalog. Send us a list of your wants for 
special prices. We can save you money. 
Green’s Nursery Co., Rochester, N.Y. 
Mention this paper and pet copy of Fruit Magazine .tree. 
GRAPE 
STARK GRAPE NURSERIES are in tne nearc oi urn lamous onauutuqua 
Grape Belt, which produces the finest vines grown in the II. S. We have 
an immense stock of all leading sorts; quality perfect; prices low as those oi 
any reputable grower. Send us your orders—one vine or a car load. A com- 
I |VT LV piete line of fruit trees, small 
V 11 T LfO fruits, etc. Price List free. 
STARK BRO’S? 
PORTLAND, N. Y. 
Louisiana. Mo. 
SI D A DTI g* TP 1" 30,000 one and two year old trees at $12.50 to $15 ,-.t 
r U WiLLIb Eak/ArV I Lab E I 100 . Bred from Geo. T. Powell's best, hearing trees. 
THE TREE BREEDERS. ROGERS ON THE HILL, DANSVILLE, N. Y. 
