344 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
April 23 
THE FAT OF THE LAND. 
In this book the author. Dr. John Will¬ 
iams Streeter, says he was “weaned on 
The R. N.-Y.” It is evident that he has 
read with great care the discussions re¬ 
garding Clark’s grass, “robber cows” and 
fruit growing. There may be some differ¬ 
ence of opinion among practical farmers 
as to the value of Dr. Streeter’s book, be¬ 
cause it is the story of a “factory farm.” 
We regard it as a valuable contribution to 
farm literature, and an entertaining story 
as well. The author was a successful phy¬ 
sician, who. at 53 years, broke down and 
was forced to give up his practice. He 
was well-to-do, and might easily have 
stopped working, but he became possessed 
of a desire to own and work a farm. He 
went at it on a scale which would shock 
or bewilder what people are pleased to 
call “the average farmer.” He bought 500 
acres of land and planned to establish a 
“factory farm” where large crops of grain 
and fodder were to be grown and fed out 
to animals which would carry the least 
fertility away. He selected Holstein cat¬ 
tle, White Wyandotte poultry and Chester 
White hogs. A fair saipple of his plans 
will be found in his reasons for keeping 
Holstein cows. Thompson, his foreman, 
asks why he does not buy Jerseys. “They 
will give as much butter, and they won t 
eat more than half as much.” 
"You don’t quite catch my idea, Thomp¬ 
son. I want the cow that will eat the 
most, if she is at the same time willing 
to pay for her food. I mean to raise a lot 
of food, and I want a home market for it. 
What comes from the land must go back 
to it, or it will grow thin. The Holstein 
wall eat more than the Jersey, and, while 
she may not make more butter, she will 
give twice as much skimmed milk, and 
furnish more fertilizer to re'urn to the 
land.” 
The plan of the farm was to grow the 
largest possible crops of clover, Alfalfa, 
grass, oats and corn, and sell butter, eggs 
and pork, feeding skim-milk to hens and 
hogs. Tn the meantime a 50-acre apple 
orchard was growing to fruitage In order 
to get all the wheels at work in his “fac¬ 
tory farm” Dr. Streetjr invested $106,000 
in land, buildings and stock. His figures 
show that in the seventh year after start¬ 
ing his net income, after paying all ex¬ 
penses, was $7,692. In four years this net 
income was $18,936. We must refer the 
reader to the bo «k for the stow of how 
this was done. This book ought to be read 
by well-to-do people who have a liking for 
farm life. It will help to pull them to the 
country, and thus help out a much de¬ 
sired National movement. We do not say 
that this is a book for the w’ealthy alone, 
for there is a surprising amount of shrewd, 
practical Information in it. Dr. Streeter 
believes that any farm of even 40 acres 
can be worked into a “factory,” but he 
fails to realize that the average farmer 
does not possess his enthusiasm and man¬ 
aging skill. We can imagine a man read¬ 
ing this book and becoming d'scouraged 
as he realizes not only that he cannot 
raise the capital required to carry out 
these elaborate plans, but that he is al¬ 
ready under the shadow of a mortgage. 
Tf that same man, however, could read 
this book in the right spirit, and study to 
apply to the management of his own farm 
the system and thoroughness which Dr. 
Streeter advocates, he would surely he 
helped by it. “The Fat of the Dand” is 
published bv The Macmillan Co.. New 
York. We can supply it at the retail price, 
$1.50. _ 
ORCHARD NOTES FROM MICHIGAN. 
Fast year we put in 10 acres of cow peas 
to try them, two fields of about five acres 
each. We let them stand all Winter, pre¬ 
ferring to do this rather than plow them 
in and leave the land bare. The leaves 
caught in the vines and the heavy snows 
covered everything. One field we expect 
to plow very soon; prepare the seed bed 
by rolling and working with the Acme; 
then sow June clover. This field is almost 
destitute of humus, and needs “steaming 
up.” The other field w r e sowed with Crim¬ 
son clover the last time we cultivated the 
peas. We expect to plow that down about 
May 10 and put in corn. We have been 
drawing manure on that field all Winter 
as fast as we made it; we do that the year 
round. One year we let the manure lie in 
the yard to rot, but we have got over that. 
I cannot say what benefit we shall derive 
from the cow peas. They did not do as 
well as we expected; did not make as much 
growth. It was too cold. We dug up sev¬ 
eral roots and found the little nodules on 
them, so we hope they took in nitrogen 
and got bacteria as well. We find the 
bacteria thrive the best where we put on 
good barnyard manure; at least I think 
so, judging by the plant growth. My 
greatest objection to cow peas is that they 
are so short-lived as compared with clover. 
If our farms were fenced I could get more 
out of cow peas, for about the time they 
bad their growth I would turn stock on to 
them to pasture. We have taken about 
1.200 loads (of a cubic yard or more each), 
of the deposit apt of the creek Ip ttir^s 
years and put on the sand knolls. We do 
this work after our Summer’s work is 
done, and allowing a reasonable sum for 
men and team, I think it costs us about 
20 cents a’ load; that is certainly cheap, 
considering that the water course is much 
improved and the land also. I do not 
think the land responds to it as quickly 
as it would to manure, but I think it will 
last longer. We can see a very marked 
improvement in the soil where we have 
spread it. With plowing and cultivating it 
becomes incorporated with the land and is 
soon a part of it. 
We seeded our young peach orchard with 
oats and Crimson clover last August 1. 
We had a good season, and got a good 
catch. W.e expect to plow it in about May 
15, cultivate until end of July and seed 
again. I am thinking of putting in about 
400 pounds of commercial fertilizer to the 
acre, next time; that will cost about five 
cents a tree, and I expect it will prove to 
be a good investment. We think that 
the best fruit pays the best, and we are 
planning to grow first-class fruit and get 
for it what it is worth. It may interest 
you to know that R. Morrell, of Benton 
Harbor, claims to have taken $3,300 off 
three acres of Elbertas one year. I heard 
him make this statement in public. I don’t 
expect to do anything like that. 
We have had the longest Winter in 30 
years I think; 100 days of sleighing. Our 
peach buds seem to be alive and well. The 
coldest we had it was 12 degrees below. 
Thanks to Lake Michigan, our prevailing 
winds being from the west, become tem¬ 
pered by passing over the water. 
Yan Buren Co., Mich. j. stout. 
WE WANT TO KNOW? 
Corn Stubble for Oats.— Have any or 
the readers of The R. N.-Y. experimented 
in preparing corn stubble for oats? My 
practice has been to plow in Fall, if pos¬ 
sible, if not in Spring; then work with dlsK 
to form a fine seed bed. After sowing l 
roll; my soil is heavy clay. Have any of 
your readers tried cultivating with a two- 
horse cultivator, then using the disk har¬ 
row? On our soil we consider the disk the 
most useful implement we have. b. f. 
St. Catharines, Ont. 
As help is very scarce in this section, 
especially during the haying season, we 
need to turn our attention to labor-saving 
inventions; and having had the hay-loader 
brought to my attention recently I would 
like to hear from some of the readers of 
your paper as to the practical worth of 
that piece of machinery; also whether it 
is necessary to have a side-delivery rake 
to use in connection with it. These inven¬ 
tions have not as yet been adopted by the 
farmers of Orange County. I would like 
to hear from some who have used them. 
Bellvale, N. Y. E. w. w. 
Air Pressure Pump.—W e have a bored 
well about 115 feet deep, five inches diam¬ 
eter. The water stands in it at least 50 
feet, probably 65. A deep-well pump of the 
usual pattern gets out of order, and needs 
to be pulled up and fixed every year or 
two. This is no easy task with the help 
and appliances at our command. I have 
heard of a plan for raising water from 
such wells bv the use of compressed air, 
blowing it out somewhat after the plan of 
a steam ejector. Is such a plan practica¬ 
ble for hand pewer, and would the pipe 
require pulling up frequently to be doc¬ 
tored? Who can tell me? f. g. 
Chattanooga, Tenn. 
Round vs. Horseshoe Tile.— In Bulletin 
No. 187, Drainage of Farm Lands, published 
by the Department of Agriculture, Wash¬ 
ington, C. G. Elliott, says; “The tiles used 
should be round,” also, “the porosity of the 
tile is not important, as all water enters 
at the joints.” There are many farmers 
in this section who will not use the round 
tile, believing they get out of place easier, 
clog quicker, and do not have the “draw'” 
that the horseshoe tile has, and that much 
water finds its way into the drain directly 
through the walls of the tile; and that a 
porous tile is better than a vitrified tile. 
In our own practice we lay horseshoe tile 
on a board and cover with straw before 
filling in ditch. We would like to hear 
from others on this subject. o. b. s. 
Red Creek, N. Y. 
Dry Feed for Chicks.— In regard to 
feeding dry feed to chicks, I raise between 
250 and 350 chickens a year, with hens. 
For the last two or three years I have fed 
dry feed, and I do not think I shall use 
wet feed again. When I can get Light 
Brahma chicks to weigh five pounds at 13 
weeks I don’t wish to change. I give the 
chicks for the first feed fine cracked corn 
and whole wheat, and a little something 
for grit. I feed the com and wheat twice 
a day, but give them enough so that prac¬ 
tically they have it before them all the 
time.* In about three or four days they 
get some beef scraps. After they have 
their crops full for the night I like to see 
them eat boiled potatoes. Once in a while 
they have sour-milk cheese if we have it, 
and being shut up with the hen, they have 
to have some green grass thrown in oc¬ 
casions llv. That is all we have to do, and 
the hen does the rest for about six weeks. 
Since the cold weather is gone I have had 
to reduce the feed for the hens 25 per cent. 
Eafceport N. Jf. v. *- 8- 
The Extra Money 
that the dealer charges (hie profit) 
makes the fence no better. Yon might 
ae well keep that part (the profit) your- 
eelf. It le eaelcrto buy your fence 
direct from the factory—it gives you a 
larger line to choose from. We sell 
at wholesale prices and pay freight 
to your railroad station on 40 rods or 
SSr FREE FENCE BOOK 
Illustrates 28 Styles, and tells how the ADVANCE FENCE is constructed. The Stay Wire Can’t Slip and 
there are no loose ends at the top and bottom of the fence. Stock can’t injure Advance Fence without tear¬ 
ing the wires. We use only the best quality galvanised steel wire._You take no risk at all—we 
Sf"‘ ON THIRTY DAYS FREE TRIAL SUJIUS.’B 
you are not perfectly Ratisfied after giving it a fair trial you can Rhip it back at oar expense. We sell all our 
fence tinder these conditions. None of It comes hack. On r customers are satisfied. They know our prices 
and quality. If you knew we could expect an order from you. Your name and address on a postal card will 
brine on? Hook nnd Wholesale Prices. Write today. 
ADVANCE FENCE CO., 7224 Old St., Peoria, III. 
We -Ship Union Lock Quick* 
Mills in Connecticut, Illinois and California. Shipment made from 
mill nearest you and freight paid to nearly all points. 
UNION LOCK IS THE 
POULTRY FENCING 
THAT'S STRONG. 
The reason is all horizontal lines are cables. Stretches perfectly, but 
never sags. Covers uneven ground without cutting. Small meshing below for small chicks. All 
sales direct from factory att factory prices. Write today for free catalogue of Farm, Lawn and 
Poultry Fences. CASE BROTHERS, Colchester, Conn. 
wimrsniii 
■f ivni 
ESiMiSsBiSSSS! 
3 m, 
■m. 
! Saves money and makes friends. We’ve 
l been proving it seventeen years. Write 
| for prices on wire fence, plain and barb 
wire. Address house nearest you. 
CYCLONE FENCE CO. 
[ Waukegan, III. HOLLY, MICH. Cleveland 
r' 
J Wauk 
== 
■Ban 
nd, O. j 
IT PAYS 
FROST 
BEST 
SS&HEAPE5T 
buy a fence that contains the weight, strength 
ind lasting qualities to last a life time. Does it pay 
o buy a flimsy woven wire fence every three to five 
fears? Catalogue free. 
TUB FROST WIRE FENCE CO . Cleveland, Ohio. 
ALL STEEL LAWN FENCE 
CHEAP AS WOOD 
Wo make all kinds of 
Lawn, Farm, Park and Cem¬ 
etery Fence, AND SELL 
DIRE£T TO YOU at m»nu' 
facturers* prices. SAVE 
AGENTS COMMISSION by 
writing for our FREE 
-. T — . . « CATALOGUE. 
- 1’ TO-DATE MANUFACTURING CO., 
985 ••rth Tenth Street. Tkrre IIautk, Ind 
ijownoM 
WELL 
DRILLING 
MACHINES 
Over 70 sizes and styles, for drilling either dee or 
shallow wells tn any kind of soli or rock. Mounted 
on wheels or on sills. With engines or horse power*. 
Strong, simple and durable. Any mechanic can 
operate them easily Sendfor catalog. 
WILLIAMS BROS.. Ithaca, N. ¥. 
A Never Failing Water Supply, 
with absolute safety, at small cost may be had by using tho 
Improved Rider Hot Air Pumping Engine and 
Improved Ericsson Hot Air Pumping Engine. 
Built by us for more than 30 years and sold in every country in the world. Exclu¬ 
sively i'nt nd 'd for pumping water. May be run by any Ignorant boy or woman. 
.to well bu It that their durability is yet to be determined, engines which wore sold 
iO years ago being still in active service. 
Send stamp for “C4” Catalogue to nearest office. 
rider-ericsson ENGINE CO., 
85 Warren St., New York, 259 Franklin St., Boston. 
40 Dearborn St., Chicago. 692 Craig St., Montreal, I*. Q. 
40 North 7th St., Philadelphia. 22 Pitt St., Sydney, N. S. W. 
Tenlente-Rey 71, Havana, Cuba. 
H fln/l Sent free on request. Full of information 
13 Ww Wn about fruit and ornamental trees, small 
fruits, vines and plants for garden or lawn. Grown on our own 
C fjz grounds; true to name; guaranteed to grow. Prices just right. 
■■■ T J jy W y e r'8 book on hardy trees , plants and 
vines, 50 cents. Sent free with spring orders. 
T. J. DWYER & CO., Orange County Nurseries, Cornwall, N. Y 
CATALOG 
/”>• f-fc A r* n STARK GRAPE NURSERIES are in the heart of the famou* Chautauqua 
I J L% r* r* Grape Belt, which produces the finest vines grown in the U. 8. we have 
an immense stock oi all leading sorts; quality perfect; prices low as those oi 
■ >> w> any reputable grower. Send us your orders—one vine or a car load. A com- 
\f 1 |\I |—i plete line of fruit trees, small ot i n I/' DDA’C PORTLAND, N. Y. 
▼ 11* L 4 O fruits, etc. Price List free. •O 1 /Ylv IV Dt\U o Louisiana Mo. 
HARRISON’S 
THE APPLE is always first. We 
lead all growers in quality ofstock. 
Summer, fall and winter apples, 
well rooted, healthy, strong fruit- 
>j ers, over one hundred varieties. 
CONCORD CRAPES never go 
out. Stock large and exceedingly 
HARRISON’S NURSERIES, 
FRUITS. 
fine. Moore’s Early and all the 
other choice sorts. We are strong 
on the great ELBERTA PEACH. 
None more delicious or prolific. 
Beautiful golden yellow. A fine 
market sorts. All the other good va¬ 
rieties. Ask for 1901 free catalogue. 
BOX 29, BERLIN. MARYLAND. 
TREES 
$8 Pei 100 
APPLE, PEAR, CHERRY and PEACH, healthy, true to name 
and fumigated. AUkindsof trees and plants atlov whole¬ 
sale prices. Don’t buy until you get our catalogue, which is free, or send listo' 
wants for special prices. Address RELIANCE NURSERY. Box lu. Geneva. N v 
GRASS SEED 
Choice re-cleaned seed for ail purposes. 
Dreer’s Permanent pasture grass is recommended 
to those who desire quick results. VVe furnish Grass 
and Clover Seeds of all kinds and in any quantity 
desired. Write for prices on any seed needed. 
HEISIRV a - HREER. Phi!a.. Pa.' 
Grass Seed 
These Brands of 
Timothy and Clovers 
Sold Only in 
Machine Sewed Bags 
- - —v—■*- ' ' - - • 
- Ask Your Dealer for Them 
