1904 
i - 1 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
21 
EVERYBODY'S GARDEN. 
Winter Rhubarb.— Will J. E. Morse de¬ 
scribe as fully as possible his method of 
forcing rhubarb in Winter from the very 
start to the selling of the finished product? 
Gettysburg, Pa. w. F. a. 
This would require many limes the 
available space in The R. N.-Y. and for 
details covering nearly every possible 
contingency we refer you to the text¬ 
book on this subject, which may be had 
from The R. N.-Y. upon receipt of 50 
cents, postpaid. We can, however, touch 
upon some of the vital points and assist 
in getting a start. 
The Roots. —These should be strong 
and thrifty, not less than two years old 
from transplanting, and better three. It 
is not reasonable to expect a young ap¬ 
ple tree to bear as much fruit as an old¬ 
er one, and the rhubarb stalks cannot 
grow unless there is root surface and 
force to produce them. They may be 
dug up any time in late Fall or even 
Winter, when the ground is not frozen 
too hard to admit of digging. All the 
soil possible should be taken up, and 
the clumps be left whole (not divided). 
When the clump (earth and roots) is 
thoroughly frozen trim off the prongs 
and round or square them, so they will 
sit close together. They are easiest 
handled while frozen, as then they can 
be tumbled or rolled about like stones. 
This is not material, as they may be 
dug and placed directly in the cellar or 
shed and let freeze afterward. Bear in 
mind, however, that they must be frozen 
before the forcing is started eise they 
will be disappointing. 
The Forcing Peace. —The house cel¬ 
lar, root cellar, shed or any place may 
be used provided, only it can be made 
entirely frost proof. They will bear any 
amount of freezing before growth starts, 
but the frost will kill the stalks as read¬ 
ily as any other tender plant. So it 
must be kept out as also the light. No 
light other than artificial must be allowed 
while the stalks are growing else the 
leaves will grow large and turn green. 
Tlie floor may be brick, cement or earth 
whichever you have, and the clumps are 
set right on the cellar bottom and close 
together, but leaving a passage way here 
and there for convenience in getting 
through. It is well to fill the spaces be¬ 
tween the clumps with loose soil. Liquid 
manure in quite liberal quantities ap¬ 
plied before growth starts is very benefi¬ 
cial, and occasional watering is also 
helpful, especially if the soil becomes 
dry. 
Temperature. —The roots must have 
sufficient heat to make stalk growth, but 
this may vary from 50 to 00 degrees. 
Lower than the former will give very 
slow growth and the stalks will be 
tough and of little value. The higher 
temperature will give rapid growth, but 
best results will be obtained by a me¬ 
dium degree of heat. The plants are 
very accommodating, and if the fire goes 
out and the temperature goes down it 
will do no harm so that frost does not 
get in. The heating may be done with 
stove, lamps or lanterns, any convenient 
way. A recent issue (page 885) also re¬ 
fers to this subject and will be useful. 
Maturing. —This depends entirely up¬ 
on amount of heat used and condition of 
plants when it is started. If the clumps 
are frozen considerable time and heat 
will be consumed in the thawing out. If 
the natural temperature has already ac¬ 
complished this so much time and fuel 
expense will be saved. This last point 
is worthy of attention, as w r ith sheds or 
outside cellars where the use of manure 
or litter is not objectionable they can be 
covered so that very little artificial 
warmth will be required. Under gener¬ 
ally fair conditions 35 to 45 days will be 
lequired for the first picking, and it will 
continue to mature same as out in the 
open ground. The time for picking must 
be determined the same as for the out¬ 
door crop. If picked too soon there is 
loss from under size and weight. If left, 
too long it will lop over and grow crook¬ 
ed and spongy. The size of the leaf will 
be no criterion as there is very little 
leaf growth at most, and many do not 
open out at all. A little experience will 
soon set this matter right, and the bet¬ 
ter plan is to watch closely and gather it 
between the two extremes. 
Preparation for Market. —The pick¬ 
ing and handling require care as the 
stalks are very tender and liable to 
break, but it will also stand transporting 
to long distances. There is always a 
white hull at the base of the stalk which 
would best be removed to improve ap¬ 
pearance of bunch. In some markets it is 
sold by weight and in others by the 
dozen. When sold in the former way it 
can be put up in any sized bunches, 
tying butts and tops with gardener’s 
bunching twine. When sold by the 
dozen, the usual way is to tie three to 
five stalks at the butts. Tie 12 of these 
bunches into a bundle and the whole is 
called a dozen. The single bunches are 
tied but once, at the butts, but the 
dozens are tied at butts and tops, 
wrapped in paper and boxed, any con¬ 
venient number if prepared for shipping. 
If sold in nearby markets wrapping is 
unnecessary. When selling by the 
dozen the small bunches should be aver¬ 
age size as neariy as possible, which is 
done by putting more or less stalks to¬ 
gether. The dozens are the wholesale 
packages, while small bunches are the 
retail size. 
Transplanting. —When the picking 
season is over the heat should be discon¬ 
tinued and this should be done before 
the roots are exhausted. They will grow 
themselves to death if allowed to do so, 
and it does not pay to let them. So be¬ 
fore they are worn out they should be 
cooled down below growing tempera¬ 
ture, and thus left until time to trans¬ 
plant This can be done as early as the 
soil will work nicely. Divide the clumps 
into two to four parts, transplant in rich 
soil and with good culture they will be 
ready for forcing again in two years. 
Michigan. j. E. morse. 
For the land’s sake, use Bowker’s Fer¬ 
tilizers. They enrich the earth.— Adv. 
CHOICE ST It A W li E It It Y PLANTS. 
150,000 Climax.and 50 other best varieties at the low¬ 
est prices. Free catalogue will interest you; send 
for one. W. H. TODD, Greenwood, Del. 
BEST PLANTS 
at the lowest possible prices. Best new and standard 
Strawberries, Raspberries nd Blackberries Heavy 
Hooted. True to name. Satisfaction guaranteed. 
Catalogue free. 
A. R. WESTON & Co., R. F. I). No. 10. Bridgman, Mich 
BOOK¬ 
KEEPING 
TADCKT 
FREE 
Mm 
A GOOD POSITION and a 
larue salary always await an 
expert Book-Keeper. We teach 
you book-keeping thoroughly 
by mail, and make absolutely 
no charge for tuition until we 
; place yon in a paying position. 
If you wish to better yourself, 
write for our guarantee offer 
and our FREE book. 
Comm('rclalCorre»pon(lenee Schools 
Drawer 424 C. B., Rochester, N. Y. 
Rotary Disc 
AMERICAN H °“ 
STANDARD Automatic 
“ THE OLD RELIABLE.” 
E ASILY OPERATED BY BOY OK GIRL ’ 
POINTERS. 
An absolutely successful rotary drop¬ 
ping disc—adjustable for all sizes and 
numbers of kernels ; drops accurately 
and never skips a hill or clogs. 
A sheet spring brass “cut-off'' that 
does its work perfectly; does not i n- 
jure the grain and never wears out. 
This planter is better made, has 
reached a better sale, has proven 
more popular and has given better 
satisfaction than any other bard 
planter ever manufactured. 
SOLD IN FORTY-SIX STATES AND 
TERRITORIES OFTHE UNION,also 
SEVEN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 
Send for Descriptive Circu¬ 
lars and Prices. 
SHEFFIELD MFO. CO.. Burr Oak., Mich., U. S. A. 
MAPLE SUGAR MAKERS 8KS4S® 
The GRIMM Sap Spout, Tapping Tools 
and Cover* are perfect. Guaranteed 
increase in yield more than payB the 
Investment in one season. 
Otherwise return purchase 
at my expense. Only one 
bore. No Injury to trees, 
and better quality. Proper tapping 
only possible with the Grimm System. 
System and samples Free. Don’t delay 
ordering. 
G H. GRIMM, RUTLAND, VERMONT. 
E Wood Saws 
will both rnako and sav« monoy at the pres¬ 
ent high price of coal. Wo have them In 
circular and drafc of all kinds. Also powers 
to run them. Do* Powers, Rye Thresher and 
Binder, Fanning Mills, Ensilage and Fodder 
Cutters and Shredders and a full line of 
Farm Machinery. Send for free catalog. Ask 
especially for catalog of Hound Silo l. 
HARDER MFG. CO., COBLESKILL.frLV- 
THE 
REAL ARTICLE. 
FROST™ 
BEST* 
CHEAPEST ■_ 
iVhen you buy Frost coiled spring steel wire, you have 
,he (real thing), as we are the originators, and aiiour 
fenoes contain this wire in connection with heavy hard 
spring stays,fastened at crossing with the best metal 
jindingever invented. Writefor samples, catalogues, 
»tr». THE FROST WIRE FENCE UP., Cleveland,Q. 
When you write advertisers mention The 
R. N.-Y. and you will get a quick reply and 
“a square deal.” See our guarantee 8th page. 
DON’T UNDERTAKE TO CUT THE 
No. 7 top wire on Page Stock Fence with wire cut¬ 
ters. You can’t do It, and you’ 11 break your cuttors. 
PAGE WOVEN WIRE FENCE CO., Adrian. Michigan. 
UNION LOCK Poultry 
Fencing 
has been fully tested 
and found superior 
to all others. 
Has Fine Mesh at 
Bottom forSmall 
Chicks. 
This feature adds greatly to the value of the 
fence, and places it In a class by itself. 
Every Fart, Stretches Perfectly ; 
does not sag between posts, and will lit uneven 
ground without cutting. 
UNION LOCK POULTRY FENCING 
Is made at mills in Connecticut, Illinois and Cali¬ 
fornia. Wo pay freight, and allow 30 days free 
trial. Send for FREE catalogue of Farm, Lawn 
and Poultry Fencing Do it to-day. 
CASE BROS., COLCHESTER, CONN. 
AUTO-POP, 
AUTO-SPRAY. 
Great cleaning attachment on per¬ 
fect compressed air sprayer. Note 
how easy—cleans nozzle every time 
used, saves half the mixture. Brass 
pump, 4 gal. tank. 12 pi unger strokes 
compreBBoa air to spray W aero. Wo manu¬ 
facture the largest lino In America of high 
gra<lo hand and power sprayers. Catalog free. 
E. C. BROWN & CO., 
268 State St., Rochester,N. Y. 
SAN JOSE SCALE. 
And other Insects can be Controlled by Using 
Good’s Caustic Potash Whale- 
Oil Soap No. 3. 
It also prevents Curl Leaf. Endorsed by Entomolo¬ 
gists. This Soap Is a Fertilizer as well as Insecticide. 
50 -lb. Kegs,$2.50; 100-lb. Kegs. *4.50; Half-Barrel. 
270 lbs., 3&C. per lb.; Barrel, 425 lbs., 3M«- Large 
quantities, Bpeclal Rates. Send for Circulars. 
JAMES GOOD. 039 N. Front St.. Philadelphia, P». 
If you have not been able to get a 
HYDRAULIC PUMP OR RAM 
and are in need of one, we are just in¬ 
troducing our new standard Hydraulic 
Pumps, the simplest, best, cheapest, and 
most convenient in every way, and you 
can secure one at cost by writing the 
STANDARD HYDRAULIC PUMP CO,, 
ROANOKE, VA. 
wri te for Catalogue. 
Turn icmine fic nmiiniinc wlllL ’ esc, ' ittere<loveriliocountryttilKne,ttSi)ri " K ' They 
I nUUoAllLJO Ur UlAHIUIlUw Will not be the cold, white Brilliants, but they will be the 
hoi mv nminunoii 
BLACK 
DIAMONDS 
WHICH ARE PRINTED ON EVERY BAG CONTAINING THE GENUINE 
HUBBARD FERTILIZERS. 
99 
THEY ARE YOUR PROTECTION AND OUR’S. 
Our new book, " HUBBARD'S FERTILIZERS FOR 1904," is ready, and we will he pleased 
to send you a copy free. Send us your name and address, mentioning this paper. 
THE ROGERS & HUBBARD CO., 
MIDDLETOWN, CONN. 
Makers of the HUBBARD FERTILIZERS 
>END 10c. f or Forty -page Booklet 
01 
■J i‘‘ EXPERIMENTS IN FARMING.’ 
^—Something about alfalfa; strawberry growing; 
sorghum as a stock food: directions for laying cement, 
etc. Thirteenth thousand. Address 
WALDO F. BROWN, D. 5, Oxford, Ohio. 
60 Varieties Strawberry Plants, * 2 ai ri 000 
A general line of Nursery stock. Send for 11)04 Cata¬ 
logue now. H. W. HENRY, LaPorte Indiana. 
(J |h|— Early 8 Rowed Yellow, tested 98, 
White Star Oats. Samples free. 
(Hostage 2 cents). First Premium N. Y. State Fair. 
SMITH’S POTATO FARM, Shortsville, Pa. 
SEED TEST 
means purity, freshness, vitality.I 
Note our trademark. Our first aim | 
QUALITY. 
You can rely on 11 i n our Northern 1 
Grown vegetable and flower seeds. I 
Writefor our beautiful < atalojg of I 
choice varieties. We mail it free*I 
S.M. ISBELL & CO;Set(ismen,\ 
Dept. B, Jackson, Mich. 
BARGAINS IN PLANTS AND TREES 
worth double the money, by mail postpaid. 
200 Marie Strawberry *1 00 
100 King Raspberry 1 00 
100 Ea. King lilaek berry 1 00 
100 Dinner “ 1 00 
20 Niagara Grapes 1 00 
20 Worden “ 1 00 
Every thing for the fruit grower best varieties cheap. 
Free catalog of great bargains—2 new strawberry 
plants free tor 6 names of fruit growers and 2c stamp. 
W. N. SCARFF, NEW CARLISLE, OHIO 
20 Wilder Currants 
20 Fay “ 
20 Elberta Peach 
10 Pear assorted 
10 Cherry assorted 
15 Apples 
*1 00 
1 00 
1 00 
1 00 
1 00 
1 00 
A Planet Jr. For Every Garden. 
No. 25 Planet Jr. is a combination of tools right after the gardener’s own heart. The illustra¬ 
tion below on the left suggests its many uses. Note it set up as a planter for either hill or drill 
seeding. It is but a minute’s work to convert it into a Single or Double Wheel Hoe, Cultivator 
or Plow. Its marker is perfection. It plants in hills or drills 4, 6, 8, 12 or 24 inches apart In 
other forms it is a matchless tool for surface work, weed killing, cultivating, furrowing, ridging, 
throwing earth to or from row, etc. It comprises about every need of the gardener. 
No. 16 Planet Jr., a lighter and less expensive tool than the Double Wheel Hoe, does similar 
work, except seeding, but in a diiferent way. The rakes are valuable additions, each serving 
a spe cial purpose. Handles adjust for height, and by setting the wheel to one side, both sides 
- of the row can be cultivated at one time. Write to-day for our new 1904 Catalogue.^ 
It shows the full “Planet Jr.” line embracing Plain and Combined Seeders, 
k Wheel Hoes, Hand Cultivators, Walking Cultivators, Harrows, One and 
Two-Horse Riding Cultivators, Sugar Beet Cultivators, etc. More 
than one hundred illustrations, including sixteen beautiful half 
tones from photographs showing home and foreign farm 
and garden scenes. It is a book full of interest to all 
gardeners. 
Free For The Asking. 
® / \ 
< < 
S. L. ALIEN & CO. ,J 
Box U07-V 
l Philadelphia, Pa, 
Syracuse Jr. Sulky. 
No other sulky gives the operator such easy control over the 
angle of the wheels and the nice regulation of its landing 
on hillside as well as on level. A model in its lever ami reg¬ 
ulation features. Automatic rear wheel lightens draft, 
and lessens labor of using. Large clearance under beam 
avoids choking and permits use of large rolling colter. A 
of many features, in right or left hand. Ask any 
agent to show you. If noneinyour town write us direct. 
Catalogue and beautiful souvenir mailed free. 
SYRACUSE CHILLED PLOW COMPANY, 
Syracuse, New York. 
JAYNE’S TONIC VERMIFUGE 
CURES DYSPEPSIA and BRINGS HEALTH 
