1897 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
535 
Overdoing the Duck Business. 
M. E. G., Stealing Junction, Mass — 
I have been 12 years in the poultry busi¬ 
ness and like it quite well, although 
there is not a fortune in it, as some of 
the poultry papers would make it ap¬ 
pear. I saw an article on ducks by a 
man not far from Boston, claiming that 
he gets as high as 40 cents per pound 
for early ducks. I had them for sale in 
May, and had hard work to get 18 cents 
per pound, as the dealers said that they 
had all the good frozen ducks that they 
needed. Ducks are selling now for 12 
cents per pound in Boston. I believe that 
there is a possibility of overdoing the 
duck business, as they are so easy to 
raise. 
That Whitewash. 
R , Kansas. —Fifty years ago, the 
recipe (R. N.-Y., page 293), went the 
rounds with the additional statement 
that it was the kind used on the White 
House at Washington. My father 
thought it would be just the thing to 
brighten up the place, so he put one-half 
bushel of lime in a barrel in the wood- 
house, poured several pailfuls of “ boil¬ 
ing water” into the barrel, and tried to 
“cover it during the process”. The heat 
developed was terrific. We escaped 
without injury, but when that little 
volcano had subsided, the barrel was 
nearly empty, and the interior of the 
woodhouse was whitewashed, but none 
left for other purposes. We pronounced 
that recipe a daisy. 
Fertilizers on Long Island. 
N. Hallock. —Some of the best of our 
farmers who plant potatoes largely, say 
that there is no economy in using over 
1,000 pounds of fertilizer per acre, and 
more use less than 800 pounds. Those 
who used 600 to 800 pounds this year in 
the early crop, are getting better re¬ 
sults than those who used 1,000 pounds 
from the fact, I think, that June and 
early July were very dry, and the larger 
quantity burned the roots, which was 
not the case with the lesser. In the ex¬ 
periment at Jamesport, L. I., I know 
that the 1,000 pounds gave more profit 
than 2,000 pounds did, as the 1,000 
pounds gave an increase of 42 bushels 
in 1895 and 38 in 1896, when no fertil¬ 
izers were used ; 2,000 pounds increased 
the yield only two bushels over the 1,000 
pounds in 1895, and 11 8 bushels in 1896, 
an increase of only 14 bushels for 1,000 
pounds. Both seasons were not con¬ 
sidered unfavorable for potatoes. That 
experiment was very carefully made, 
and great pains taken to get correct re¬ 
sults. By that one experiment, I am 
led to believe that over 1,000 pounds of 
fertilizer (high-grade), are of little use. 
Truckers here, as a general thing, use 
no more, as they find that they do not 
get enough more to pay the extra ex¬ 
pense. 
“Mysterious Barn Fires.” 
A. R. P-, Chagrin Falls, O.—I am 
glad to notice a free discussion of this 
important subject. I hope that others 
will report authenticated instances of 
the anomalous origin of fires, whether 
in the barn or other buildings. The 
bright milk can, the bottle of water, the 
self-igniting match, etc., are good, and 
all tend to clear up or throw consider¬ 
able light upon a subject about which 
all farmers need to be well informed. 
In my former article, I made no mention 
of spontaneous combustion. I had not 
sufficient data concerning that origin of 
fires to discuss it. Does any one know 
Are You 
willing to roll up your sleeves and work ? If so, 
we want you to represent THE RURAL NEW- 
YORKER at your fair this year. We want a 
hustler at every fair in America this year. This 
is the time; now speak quick before the other 
fellow gets the appointment! 
whether mows of damp or insufficiently- 
cured hay or grain may develop heat 
enough to start a fire ? Let us hear 
from these men, and all others who 
know how fires get started in queer and 
unthought-of ways. 
The Honest Tree Agent. 
W. S. C., Collingswood, N. J.—I was 
glad to see C. W. A. come to the defense 
of tree peddlers, as we are termed 
through the papers and catalogues by a 
few have-been tree agents, some of 
whom most likely have lied themselves 
out as agents, and started in, in another 
form, to fleece the people. Beware of 
the man who tries to make you believe 
that he is the only honest one in the 
business. I have sold and delivered 
nursery stock for some of the most reli¬ 
able firms in the country, and planted it 
alongside of the often worthless, Cheap- 
John stock, and my stock shows up by 
its fruit, and will out-grow, out-bear 
and out-last the other every time. I 
sell, deliver, prune and guarantee for a 
year, and replace free. There are firms 
who sell good stock cheap, but do not 
deliver or guarantee, and sell principally 
mailable stock. There are agents who 
sell by catalogue and plate-book, and 
delivei seconds, or refuse stock. These 
are the ones that injure the trade. If 
the purchaser would study up horticul¬ 
ture and agriculture and read up The 
R. N.-Y. and the experiment station 
bulletins, there would be fewer dishonest 
tree agents. 
Cattle Flies in Texas. 
Prof. M. Francis, College Station, 
Tex. —We have very few flies in this 
country. One never sees animals tor¬ 
mented with them here like those north 
of the Ohio River and in the West and 
Northwest. During nine years’ residence 
here, I have never seen fly-nets on a 
horse or any occasion for them. Some¬ 
times we are troubled for a short time 
by horn flies on cattle. These stay with 
us only 10 to 20 days, and are very 
troublesome while here. The only prac¬ 
tical measures available under our Texas 
conditions are to allow the cattle to pas¬ 
ture in the underbrush. They soon learn 
to care for themselves. 
We attempted a trap on one occasion 
without practical results. Gentle dairy 
cows are usually treated with some oil 
having considerable body. The plan of 
putting lime on cow manure to prevent 
the reproduction of the fly is ridiculous 
in this climate. We have a large cattle¬ 
dipping vat we use to destroy ticks on 
cattle. For flies it is much cheaper and 
better to move the cattle to brush than 
to use any kind of individual treatment. 
The Oleaster Family. 
Prof. J. L Budd, Ames, Iowa. — 
Mr. Benjamin Buckman reports Elaaag- 
nus angustifolia peculiarly fragrant 
when in bloom In parenthesis, it is 
stated that this is the E. hortensis of the 
catalogues. With U3, the E hortensis is 
not hardy. During even mild winters, 
it is killed back at the points of growth. 
In 1882, I found the E angustifolia in the 
Volga region of east Europe on the 53d 
parallel of latitude; hence it is not 
strange that it has proved hardy all over 
Minnesota and Dakota, and well out on 
the plains, where it endures drought as 
well as severe winter cold. Mr. Buck- 
man’s tree came from our importation. 
We also introduced from east Europe 
another type, said by Dr. Regel to be 
a good species, under the name of Elseag- 
nus sativa. This is equally hardy, as¬ 
sumes a more symmetrical form of top, 
and has larger fragrant flowers and 
larger fruits which, in east Europe, are 
used for a sweet pasty marmalade 
found in the Persian markets. Some of 
our students are fond of the mealy fruits 
of this species. 
We have still another species from 
Turkestan that is bushlike in habit, 
which bears still larger and juicier fruits 
like those of E. longipes ; but in foliage 
and flowers, it comes nearer E. sativa, 
which is not hardy with us. It may be well 
to add that the bushy Turkestan species 
grafts readily on seedlings of *Elseagnus 
angustifolia or sativa. 
Potash. 
plies them with profit to himself. 
All farmers know 
its value. The wide¬ 
awake farmer recog¬ 
nizes the importance 
of fertilizers, and ap- 
An illustrated book which tells what Potash is, how it 
should be used, and how much Potash a well-balanced 
fertilizer should contain, is sent free to all applicants. 
Send your address. 
GERMAN KALI WORKS, 93 Nassau St., New York. 
Save Money ! We Sell Direct to Farmers ! 
Why not economize ? 
Pure Raw Bone Meal.co 
Scientific Corn & Grain Fert... 55 
Scient ific Economy Fertilizer .>* 
Scientific Tobacco Fertilizer.. ^ 
Scientific Potato Fertilizer....^ 
Bone and Meat Fertilizer <j 
You save $10 to $12 on every ton of Fertilizer you buy from us. Per ton 
Ammonia. 4 to f> p.c. Phos.Acid, 22 to 25 p.c.$22 
Ammonia, 2 to 3 p.c. Phos.Acid, 8 to 10 p.c. Potash, 1)4 to 2*4 p.c. 16 
Ammonia, 2)4 to 3)4 P-C.Phos.Acid, 10 to 12 p.c. Potash, 3 to 4 p.c. 20 
Ammonia, 3 to 4 p.c. Phos.Acid, 10 to 12 p.c. Potash, 3)4 to 4)4 p.c. 22 
Ammonia, 3 to 4 p.c. Phos.Acid, 10 to 12 p.c. Potash, 5 to 6 p.c. 25 
Ammonia, 4)4 to 5)4 p.c.Phos.Acid, 13 to 15 p.c. 18 
FOR SAMPLES AN1) BOOK WHITE 
THE SCIENTIFIC FERTILIZER CO.. P. 0. Box 1017.708 Bingham Street. Pittsburg. Pa. 
Farmers, 
Gardeners and 
Fruit Growers 
To economize should freely use the time 
tested reliable brands of FERTILIZERS 
we manufacture. The goods Increase 
quantity and improve quality of drain, 
Grass, Vegetables and Eruit, and make 
healthy Trees , Vines and Shrubs. 
Brands for all soils and all or ops. 
t3T Some prefer making their own “ home 
mixings,” for such we always keep In stock the 
Chemicals and crude materials required. 
THE CLEVELAND DRYER CO., 
No. 130 Summit Street, Cleveland, Ohio. 
■ Bfl Farmers wishing to fertilize and im- 
La I Iwl Ca prove their land, should send at once 
and get a car-load of Pure White Rock Lime. Ana¬ 
lysis 96)4 per cent pure Carbonate Lime. Price only 
$1.50 per ton. Shipped to any part of the country In 
good tight box cars. Address WHLTE ROCK LIME 
AND CEMENT CO.. McAfee Valley, N. J. 
MANURE VALUE 
depends very largely upon its being 
properly pulverized and evenly spread. 
This can be done quicker, cheaper and with 
more certainly of good results with the 
LC r IWI D MANURE... 
rv EL 1VI r SPREADER 
than by any means known. Spreads any kind of 
manure better than it can be done by hand. It 
saves all waste from “bunchy spreading,” makes the 
manure go farther. 16 YEARS on the MARKET. 
Largest and oldest makers of Manure Spreaders 
In the world. Send for 1897 CATALOGUE—FREE. 
KEMP & BURPEE MFG. CO • Syracuse, N. Y, 
1 
2 
cents per square foot for a good 
corrugated STEEL ROOFINC, 
for farmers’ houses and barus. 
Circulars explain all about it. 
THE BERLIN IRON BRIDGE CO. 
EAST BERLIN, Connecticut. 
$20 Phosphate for Wheat and Grass 
Sold to farmers direct. We have no agents. Senp 
for Circular. Low prices for car-load lots. 
YORK CHEMICAL WORKS. York, Pa. 
A'DAM 
THE FENCE MAN 
Makes Woven Wire 
Fence that “Stands 
Up.” Cannot Sag. 
Get bfs new catalogue. It 
tells all about the Heat 
Farm Fence Made._ 
Also Steel Lawn and Cemetery Fences. 
W. J. ADAM, Joliet, Illinois. 
Dompetitors Oarry One Point. 
Certain manufacturers who use cheap material* 
t together without provision tor the demands or 
ture (contraction and expansion) are able to pay 
ir commiMNfoil*. This is the one claim lor 
ueriority with which they often try to bribe 
ents to desert us. They seldom win, as a con- 
lentious man will refuse to handle itiierioi* 
imls even for greater profit. 
“THE MOST VALUABLE FRUIT BOOK EVER PUBLISHED.” 
Thomas’ American Fruit Culturist. 
TWENTIETH EDITION. 
Revised—Enlarged—Up to Date. 
Contains Over 800 Pages and 796 Illustrations. 
JUST PUBLISHED. 
READ WHAT IS SAID OF IT: 
The Country Gentleman says : “ The book is needed by every fruit-grower, no matter what else he 
may have in his library.”- Am. Agriculturist says it is “ Indispensable to any one interested in 
fruit culture; ” and Meehan's Monthly that it “ Is the great text book.” -Tub Rural Nbw-Y'orker 
says: “ Every fruit-grower should have this book.”- Garden & Forest claims that it is “The best 
manual of fruit culture which we have in America; ” and the National Nurseryman says. “ No other 
book of its kind contains so much practical information or so complete and up-to-date lists of fruits 
as this.”- Vick's Monthly calls it “The standard pomologlcal authority of this country.”-The 
St. Louis .Journal of Horticulture endorses it as “Undoubtedly the best book of reference on all 
matters pertaining to pomology, quite up-to-date on all the latest and most improved modes of fruit 
culture and treatment.”-The Farm Journal says it is “The most valuable fruit book ever 
published.” 
Sent Free by Wlall from the Office of this Journal on Receipt of $2.50. 
