1904 
9i 
DOES POTATO SPRAYING PAY? 
Experience With Bordeaux Mixture. 
It is one of the most characteristic of 
human traits for an individual to con¬ 
clude that what has happened to him 
once or twice is true for all people 
everywhere, and the only corrective is? 
prolonged trial by many people in 
many places, and a fearless report of 
what experience teaches regardless of 
whether or not it agrees with previous 
opinions or statements. Many an error 
is kept alive long after its propagators 
have learned that it is an error, by the 
dislike we have of confessing that we 
have been mistaken. 
Does potato spraying pay? In other 
words, does it protect from blight 
enough to pay for the expense? Up to 
the last two years I should have said 
yes, emphatically, but my experience 
during 1902 and 1903 obliges me to say 
I do not know, and to ask your readers 1 
foi their experience. In 1902 I gre\V 
about 30 acres of potatoes of various 
sorts, all grown from Maine seed in 
good condition. They received good 
care all through the season. The 
spraying was done with one of the best 
hand barrel pumps, using two Vermorel 
nozzles over each row. The formula 
used was 5-5-40, and the potatoes were 
sprayed four times, beginning early in 
July. It will be remembered that July 
and August, 1902, were very wet 
months, and the spray did not have a 
fair chance, as it was usually washed 
off within a few days after its applica¬ 
tion. Consequently, I did not feel 
much surprise when blight appeared 
early in August, and killed the vines 
promptly. I should say, however, that 
blight appeared nearly two weeks 
earlier on some of my neighbors’ fields, 
who did not spray at all, or delayed 
until the blight made its appearance, 
which, of course, is too late to expect 
good results. But I must also add that 
some other neighbors' fields that were 
not sprayed at all did not show blight 
as early as mine. So much for 1902. 
In 1903 I planted about 50 acres, with 
seed from the North, South, and home¬ 
grown, and prepared to keep blight 
away. I had no doubt then that I could 
do it with ordinary weather. The bar¬ 
rel pump worked hard, and the Ver¬ 
morel nozzles, in spite of careful 
straining of the mixture, would clog 
up considerably, so I purchased a new 
mechanical sprayer which broke up the 
liquid into a very fine spray and threw 
it with considerable force, which ow¬ 
ing to the location and inclination of 
the sprayers, caused considerable 
liquid to be sprayed on to the stems 
and undersides of the leaves as well as 
on top. I arranged tanks So that the 
diluted copper and lime solutions 
might mix evenly as they fell into the 
sprayer tank, and altogether I felt that 
I was in position to do good work. I 
began spraying June 14, when the 
potatoes were two or three inches high 
and went over them about once in 10 
days on an average during June. July 
and part of August, the time varying as 
we had rain or fine weather. My inten¬ 
tion was to keep the vines coated, and 
if it rained the day after spraying, we 
sprayed again. Some of the fields were 
sprayed six or seven times, using about 
one barrel of spray mixture per acre 
each time. 
What was the result? The middle 
of July showed a change in color and 
stoppage of growth on one field, which 
was entirely dead by August 10. On 
the other two fields, the blight showed 
about August 1, and killed the vines 
in two to four weeks. My neighbors 
did not spray, and their fields showed 
the disease at the same time, i.e., be¬ 
tween July 10 and August 15, dif¬ 
ferent fields being affected at different 
times. It is noticeable that the dis¬ 
ease progressed slowly, it taking two 
to four weeks, after its first appear¬ 
ance, before all vines were killed. 1 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
must also say that I had practically 
none of the late rot which made such 
havoc in some sections, and which in¬ 
jured some of my neighbors’ fields tcT 
the extent of 50 per cent of the crop, 
but it is also a fact that some other 
neighbors who did not spray at all had 
no more rot than I did. I, of course, 
used the arsenical preparations to kill 
the bugs, applying them with the Bor¬ 
deaux Mixture, and had no trouble to 
speak of from this source, but the pre¬ 
vention of blight is something I have 
not mastered, and if any of your 
readers can help to find the remedy, 
there are a good many besides myself 
■who will gladly do him honor. It 
seems to me that the publication of a 
large number of actual results from 
practical growers, who understand 
why, when and how to spray, would 
prove of great value. I emphasize the 
necessity of looking only to those 
growers wlio spray intelligently, for 
the evidence of those who do the work 
blindly, or improperly, is valueless as 
a means of estimating the value of the 
procedure. To judge by the experi¬ 
ment station reports the conclusion 
would be that spraying is a sure pre¬ 
ventive of blight, but from conversation 
with individual members of the sta¬ 
tions, the tone of comment is much less 
enthusiastic, and the field experience 
of many of the large growers in this 
district is still more dubious. Will not 
the whole army of potato growers help 
to settle the question? Does potato 
spraying pay? H. w. heaton. 
Rhode Island. 
Air Sprayers.— Will some of your read¬ 
ers give their experience with small com¬ 
pressed air sprayers? I have heard of 
their bursting, and of one man having his 
hand hurt in that way. H. R. T. 
Bristol, R. I. 
Sweet Corn Failure. — I see inquiries in. 
Hope Farm Notes for the cause of failure 
of corn crops. My corn was late, and be¬ 
fore it was far enough advanced for ear¬ 
ing the winds and rains had beaten most 
of the pollen off, so there was not enough 
left to fertilize the ears, consequently I 
got but little corn. Others may have had 
same trouble. k. 
Hammonton, N. J. 
Careful of Silage.— While my practice 
is rather limited among farmers, and con¬ 
sequently I do not get many cows to 
treat, I remember once being called to a 
fine herd of Jerseys which began dying. 
I made an autopsy and found the organs 
normal except the rumen (paunch), which 
was greatly distended with silage. I made 
inquiry and found they were feeding near¬ 
ly a bushel basketful to each (small) cow 
at a feed. 1 ordered the silage reduced 
in quantity and other foods substituted, 
and there was no further trouble. The 
little cows’ appetites were too good for 
their ability to digest so much cold wet 
stuff, and if 1 remember rightly, I think 
it had passed the vinous to the acetic 
stage, but am not positive of that, but I 
think 1 can remember the odor. There 
can be no advantage in feeding horses 
ground wet food, for as I understand it, 
the only advantage in silage is to cause 
the animal to in jest that much more 
water in order to produce that much 
more milk and give color to the product. 
The nutritious elements are all retained 
in the dried stover, and we only get rid 
of the water, which is that much gain. 
Philadelphia, Pa. c. williams, v. m. d. 
For the land’s sake, use Bowker’s Fer¬ 
tilizers. They enrich the earth.— Adv. 
THE WARD BLACKBERRY 
THIS IS something new and of real merit. Very 
1 few new fruits have as high endorsement. Send for 
illustrated circular and pricelisti n quantities. Small 
well-rooted plants by mail, $1 per dozen, $4 per hun¬ 
dred. Also Peach and other Fruit Trees, Strawberry 
and other Small Fruit Plants at reasonable prices. 
Ail stock packed in first class order free of charge. 
Address CHARLES BLACK, Hightstown. N. j. 
12 
Choice Strawberry Plants, Dunlap, Suther¬ 
land or Texan, mailed April 1 for live le atampn and names 
ami addresses of five fruit growers, send names at once. 
Send for free catalogue. W. S. TODD, Greenwood, De\ 
CHOICE STRAW BEERY PE ANTS. 
500.000 Climax, $2 per M; all other leading varieties 
Write for prices. JOHN W. GREEN. Bridgeville, Del 
fiEPJM nc WCT NEW JERSEY 8EED- 
Ullll L LiL IlLlj DING STRAWBERRY. 
“ The best one on your farm to-day”; statement by 
Fred.Tuezner, of Red Bank,N J., June, 1903. Ournew 
catalogue Free. Kevitt Plant Farm, Athenia, N. J. 
BERRY 
PLANTS 
Ask for our 22nd Annual Catalogue. 
CLIMAX, the wonderful new jarly 
Strawberry, with many other kinds 
fully described Good varieties as low 
as$l 50 M. Slay maker & Son, Dover, Del. 
NEW FRUITS. 
The Regal grape, Comet currant, Blowers and 
Kenoyer blackberries and the “ Beaver ” straw¬ 
berry. Send postal for catalogue. 
M. Crawford Co,. Box 1005, Cuyahoga FaUs, O 
BEST PLANTS 
at the lowest possible prices. Best new and standard 
Strawberries, Raspberries nd Blackberries. Heavy 
Rooted. True to name. Satisfaction guaranteed. 
Catalogue free 
A. R. WESTON & Co., R. F. D. No, 10. ridgman, Mich. 
These Small Fruits OCe 
J Model small garden collection of 
strong, well rooted plants, prepaid. 
6 Echo Strawberry, 2 Erio Blackberry, 2 Wood’u Cuthborfc Raspberry,! 
Fay’s Currant, 1 Concord Grapo. Ask for tenoral small fruit catalogue, also 
special circular of 12 Bargain Fruit Collections. Sent free on application. 
ALLEN Li WOOD, Wholesale Grower, Rochester, N. Yr 
[ESSIE STRAWBERRY PLANTS for sale. 
’ Truotoname. J. K. LOSKE, Elnora, N V 
TT) 17170 an( l PLANTS at Wholesale Prices 
I 11 r.r. A Apple, Pear and Plum, S8 per 190 Cat. free 
reliance nursery, BoxlO.Geneva.N.Y 
TRFR -0ne <i0,lar ' R worth up at wholesale prices; 
I IlLLO secure variety now; spring payment; 80- 
page catalog. G. C. STONE, Wholesale Nurseries, 
Dansville, N. V. Established35 years. 
SUCCEED WHERE 
Largest Nursery. OTHERS FAIL * 
rger 
Fruit Book Free. Result of 78 years’ experience 
'STARK BROS, Louisiana, Mo.; Dansville, N. Y.; Etc 
A Wholesale Catalogue of Fruit Trees, Plants, 
Ornamentals and Roses Free. A pamphlet all 
about Cow Peas and and Crimson Clover Seed. This 
firm sells the bestseed Pamphlet mailed for 2c stamp. 
Est 1870 Milford Nurseries, Box (!4, Milford, Del 
FfiR Q AI C—Second Growth Seed Potatoes Early 
I Ull OnLL Rose, $2.50 per bbl; Crown Jewel, $2 50 
per bbl.; Polaris,$2.50 per bbl Home-grown Crimson 
Clover, $3 50 per bu. Cow Peas. $1 50 per bu. ODion Sets, 
$2 00 per bu. J. E, HOLLAND, Milford, Del. 
MAINE SEED POTATOES. 
Prices given on any quantity delivered In "New 
York. Catalogue CARTER & COREY, Preaque 
Isle, Aroostook Co. Maine, Over fifty varieties. 
SWEET CORN. 
Plant Ordway’s Golden and you wi 11 have the most 
delicious corn you ever tasted. Carefully selected 
seed of this variety sent by return mail, postpaid, on 
receipt of price. Trial packet, 10c; half pint,25c; 
pint, 40c; quart, 75c. Address O. P. OltDWAY, 
Saxonvilie, Mass. Send for testimonials. 
The best that money can buy. 
Big catalogue free, write to-day. 
Alfalfa Clover Seed, the money - maker, 25c lb , 
100 lbs.,S17.VOGELER SEED CO.,SaltLakeCity,Utah 
TEKINS 1 
OUR BIG TWENTIETH Annual Illustrated 
Catalog no w ready. It tells you all about every Farm 
and Garden Seed and crop that grows Our Seeds all 
pure, clean, fresh and new; grown in 1903 and guaran¬ 
teed to grow; cheaper than others sell at wholesale. 
Our Catalog FREE to all who want 8eeds, if you 
mention this paper. Send lor it to-day. 
RATEKINS’ SEED HOUSE. Shenandoah. Iowa. 
Ma.ny a. reputation 
for punctuality 
rcjts upon the 
ELGIN 
WA T C H 
Every Elgin Watch is fully guaranteed. All jewelers have 
Elgin Watches. “Timemakers and Timekeepers,” an illus¬ 
trated history of the watch, sent free upon request to 
Elgin National Watch Co., Elgin, ill. 
20 BELOW ZERO. 
And still the Arctic Peaches are unin¬ 
jured. M. J. Graham, proprietor of the 
“Riverside Fruit Farm,” Adel, la., writes 
under date of January 18, 1904: “Two 
years ago I bought one dozen of the 
Arctic Peaches of S. W. Call, Perry, O., 
and now find it to be one of the most 
hardy in bud in all my collection of 
forty varieties. On the 3d of this month 
temperature was 20 degrees below zero, 
and since that date I find that the Arc¬ 
tics are practically uninjured, while on 
all other varieties (except the Victor, an 
early peach), the fruit buds are badly 
discolored.” 
If you wish the Arctic order direct 
from Call’s Nurseries, Perry, Ohio. They 
have a large stock of the Arctic and 
Graves, and all of the leading varieties 
of peaches. 
Fruit and Ornamental, 
Shrubs, Roses, Bulbs, 
and Seeds. 
Sending by mail post¬ 
paid a specialty, bat all 
large trees or large order ex- 
pressed or freighted. Safe arrival and 
~ satisfaction guaranteed. Send us your 
address (letter or postal) and receive otir val- 
nable catalogue free. Correspondence solicited. 
50 years, 44greenhouses, 1000 acres. 
THE STORKS A HARRISON CO., 
BOX 172, PAINESVILLE, OHIO 
FRUIT TREES 
Guaranteed by us to Bear Fruit of Best Quality. 
We Pay Freight. Catalogue and Beautiful 
Calendar EREE. Write to-day. 
Central Michigan Nursery 
Wholesale Dept. Kalamazoo, Mich. 
Peach Trees 
Beautiful, straight, smooth, bright Peach 
Trees of all the good old and choice new 
varieties, warranted clean and healthy, 
at $3 per 100 . 
Also Fruit and Ornamental Trees 
and Small Fruit Plants 
of all varieties worth growing. Cata¬ 
logue of 52 pages, giving descriptions and 
full details, for the asking. 
J. T. Lovett, Little Silver, 
New Jersey • 
Peach Trees 1 yr. from bud 2 to 4c. Sample 2 to 3 ft, 
by mail oi larger sizes by express 25c. Also Plum 
Apples, Pear, etc. R. 8. Johnston,Box 4, Stockley,Del 
DIBBLE’S SEED OATS 
“Twentieth Century,” best variety for the East. 
Here Is the proof from customers’ letters: 
“100 bn. on l acre.” “68 baitsfrom 2 l-2bu.” “1300 bu. on IGacrea.” 
“Over 2000 bu. on 26 acres.” “Straw -I feet high, heads 13 inches.’’ 
These Oats are early, have never blighted, heavy- 
pure white* grain. Catalogue showing “Twentieth 
Century” Oats In five colors painted from nature 
Free. Send for it now. Address EDWARD F. 2XBBLE, 
Seed Grower, Honeoye Falls, N. Y. 
Write for our 1904 Annual See d 
Catalogue, mailed free; also Price 
List of Re-cleaned Red, Alslko 
and Alfalfa Clovers, Timothy, 
Kentucky Blue Grass, Orchard 
Grass, also other Farm Seeds and 
Grains. 
Feeding Corn and Oats In car 
lots deliveied on track at your 
station. Let us know your wants. 
The Henry Philipps Seed and Implement Co., 
115-117 St. Clair St., Toletfo, Ohio 
65c a bu. and up. 
The cleanest, heav¬ 
iest. best yielding 
oats are Michigan Northern Grown. Hammond's Mor- 
gan-Fellor, Hammond's English Wonder, Czar of Russia 
and Michigan Wonder, the four best varieties. Rust 
proof, stiff straw, have yielded 220 bu. per acre. Cata¬ 
log describing these oats and all other farm seeds free 
on request. HARRY N. HAMMOND SEED CO, Ltd., 
Box 42 Bay City, Mich. 
to SOWERJ 
We’re not in the combination of seed sell¬ 
ers that has been formed to keep up prices. 
We grow our seed, make our own prices 
and sell direct to planters. 
We’re not agents for anybody’s old and stale 
stocks. We guarantee ours fresh, plump and 
absolutely reliable. Exceedingly Lif prices 
on Beans, Corn, Peas, garden and field seeds. 
To Mtroduco our Honest Seeds In Honest 
Pacfcaaes. we will send the followli^ 
50c 
Collection of 1 ££** 
Seeds for 1 
One package each of Early Blood Turnip Beet, 
Early Turnip Radish, H.O. Parsnip, Sweet German 
Turnip, Crookneck Squash, Prize Head Lettuce, 
Long-Orange Carrot,Early Jersey Wakefield Cab¬ 
bage, Beauty Tomato, Rocky Ford Musk Melon. 
Write for catalog which tells how to obtain all 
aoeds at 3c a pkg. Put up In honeat packages. 
FORREST SEED CO., 
34 Main St.. Cortland. N. Y. 
