1901 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
189 
"Billion-DoUar Grass" Exposed. 
]■'. L. D., VMorin, Mn.—l send a sample of 
Salzer’s Billion Dollar grass. Will you tell 
me the true name of it, and also tell me 
whether it is good for any purpose? Is it 
an annual or perennial? 
Ans. —The above is only one of many 
inquiries concerning Salzer’s Wonderful 
Billion Dollar grass, claimed to produce 
12 tons of dry forage to the acre. A 
sample was submitted the seed special¬ 
ist of the United States Department of 
Agriculture, and the following report 
received: 
The seed sent is that of Japanese millet 
(Panlcum crus-galll). This is a strong¬ 
growing variety of the common Barnyard 
grass, and under certain conditions is a 
very good forage plant. I had noticed Mr. 
Salzer’s advertisement, and thought that 
some of the agricultural papers ought to 
call attention to the misrepresentations 
concerning this very grass. The common 
Barnyard grass is well known as one that 
makes a rank growth in rich, moist soil, 
but is usually regarded as a weed In this 
country. The Japanese variety is of a 
.stronger growth, and if sown thickly on 
good soil will make excellent green fodder, 
but grown on poor, dry soil it is of very 
little use. The sample of seed sent is of 
.special Interest from the fact that it con¬ 
tains quite a proportion of Foxtail seeds 
(Chajtochloa glauca). This fact probably 
infllcates that the plants from which this 
millet seed was grown were raised on rather 
l)Oor soil, and did not attain a growth of 
more than two feet. Growing on good 
corn land the Japane.se millet ought to 
make a growth of from four to six feet. 
A. J. PIETERS. 
While this Japan millet possesses 
genuine merit under special conditions, 
it is an inexcusable exaggeration to 
make such inflated claims for it as the 
Salzer Seed Company is doing. The 
Japan millet was introduced several 
years ago by the Department of Agri¬ 
culture, and will doubtless in time de¬ 
velop value in favored locations, but is 
plainly unfit for general cultivation. 
The Terrible Melon Blight. 
L. D. A., Cnmhridge, O .—I have been 
bothered severely with what is called the 
blight on my muskmelons and cucumbers. 
It generally commences about the time the 
melons begin to ripen, and the vines are 
soon all dead. It begins on the top of the 
leaves, and they look as though they were 
frostbitten. Can you tell the cause of it, 
and a preventive for It? 
Ans. —This Melon leaf-blight is get¬ 
ting to be a serious matter. Practically 
all the melons in northern New Jersey, 
including an excellent stand on the 
Rural Grounds, were badly injured or de¬ 
stroyed by this subtle disease last year. 
Most of the growers attribute it to at¬ 
mospheric and temperature changes, and 
it cannot be denied that hot, moist wea¬ 
ther, interspersed \Vith sudden cool 
showers, favors the rapid spread of the 
trouble, but the general appearance of 
the dying foliage impresses one with the 
idea that it is really of bacterial origin. 
Our vegetable pathologists have thrown 
very little light on this troublesome and 
widespread affection; at least no special¬ 
ly useful information concerning it has 
come to us. It is evident that until some 
way of controlling or avoiding the blight 
is developed, it will be well to confine 
our planting to quick-growing and early- 
maturing varieties, as the disease is 
plainly more destructive to the later 
kinds. We regret to say that neither 
cause nor cure is known to us. 
How Much Wood Ashes ? 
J. A. J., Washington, O.—ln the case of a 
dark Iron-colored sugar tree land under¬ 
laid with gravel and sand, and In good me¬ 
chanical condition, what amount of hard¬ 
wood ashes per acre should be used broad¬ 
cast, and when applied, before or after plow, 
ing the land for corn? The same question 
also applies to a white clay, poor in fer¬ 
tility, also to a black rather mucky soil. I 
can use any amount of highly concentrat¬ 
ed hard-wood ashes that would give best 
results. I have used 400 pounds per tree 
around bearing apple and pear trees, and 
with good results, and wish now to try 
them on corn ground. 
Ans. —Of course we cannot tell much 
about these soils from this brief descrip¬ 
tion. Wood ashes are useful chiefly for 
the potash and lime which they contain. 
As a rule the dark-colored soils are most 
likely to need potash and lime, while the 
white clays usually lack nitrogen. The 
clays are often greatly helped by lime, 
which opens them up, giving better 
drainage and preventing lumps. We 
should expect the last named soil to give 
best returns from wood ashes, with the 
lii'.st named next. We prefer to broad¬ 
cast ashes after plowing and then har- 
low in. With 400 pounds per tree and 
35 trees to the acre you use seven tons. 
This gives over 2% tons of lime and 700 
pounds of potash per acre—far more 
than ordinary crops can ever make use 
of. We would not use such heavy doses 
year after year. Three tons of ashes 
would be about our limit. You are 
probably in a position to buy such ashes 
at a very low flgure, but we would cau¬ 
tion you against using too much lime. 
The “Book Worm.” 
C. T. W., Elizabeth, N. J.—Do you know 
of any remedy for the book moth, or the 
insect that eats wall paper and books? 
The Insect is of a silver color. 
Ans. —Doubtless this “book moth” is 
the insect which has received the popu¬ 
lar name “silver flsh,” on account of its 
peculiar fish-like form and scaly, glis¬ 
tening body, together with its very rapid 
movements and active efforts at conceal¬ 
ment whenever it is uncovered; it is also 
sometimes called the silver louse or 
witch. It belongs to the lowest order of 
insects, is wingless, and of very simple 
structure. The head carries two prom¬ 
inent antennae, and at the tip of the 
body there are three long, bristle¬ 
shaped appendages. The body is only 
about one-third of an inch in length, and 
it is covered with very minute scales 
like those of a moth. The general dis¬ 
tribution of the insect about rooms, in 
bookcases and under wall paper renders 
the application of insecticides difficult 
and often impracticable. It readily suc¬ 
cumbs to pyrethrum or insect powder, 
and wherever this can be applied, as on 
bookshelves, it furnishes the best means 
of control. P''or starched clothing and 
similar objects liable to be injured by it 
there are no means except frequent 
handling and airing, and the destruction 
by hand of all specimens discovered. 
Little damage is liable to occur in 
houses except in comparatively moist 
situations or where stored objects re¬ 
main undisturbed for a year or more. 
M. V. SLINGERLAND. 
SPRAYING FRUIT TREE«>. 
The (luestion of spraying fruit trees to prevent 
the depredations of insect pests and fungous dis¬ 
eases Is no longer an experiment but a necessity. 
Our readers will do well to write Wm. Stalil, 
Quincy, Ill , and get his catalogue describing 
21 styles of Spraying Outfits and full treatise 
on spraying the different fruit and vegetable 
crops, which contains much valuable iuforma 
tion, and may be had for the asking. 
SAN JOSE SCALE. 
And other Insects can be Controlled by Using 
Good’s Caustic Potash Whale- 
Oil Tobacco Soap No. 6. 
Kegs, 50lbs. ea., 5IjiC lb. 1^ Bbl., about2751bs.,4c.lb 
Kegs, 1(10lbs. ea., 5c. lb. Hbls.,about425 lbs.,344c.lb 
Kegs. 170 lbs. ea., iVics. lb. 
barge quantities special Rates. Send for Circulars 
JAMES GOOD, 937 N. Front St., i’hlladelphla. Pa- 
Cyanide 
Guaranteed qU to gg per cent., for generating 
Hydrocyanic Acid Gas 
the most effective fumigating material, to 
destroy scale insects on fruit trees and 
plants. The only positive eradicator of 
the dreaded San Jose Scale. Endorsed by 
all Agricultural F-.-tperiment Stations. “ .A 
perfect practical remedy,” says Prof. W. G. 
Johnson, State Hltymologist of Maryland. 
MA.NUKACTUKKI) IIV 
The Roessler & flasslacher Chemical Co., 
No. 100 William Street, New York. 
Buy a Good 
Spray 
Pump 
ou’t experiment- 
costs money. We have done 
the experimenting—used the 
common spray pumps in our 
own orchards, noted their 
defects — then invented the 
KCLIPSK. You get the beue- 
Ht of our experience free. 
Send at once for catalogue. 
MORRILL & MORLEY, Benton Harbor, Mich, 
For 
Fruit Growers 
fertilizers 
Bone, Muriate Potaeh,Sulphate Potash, 
Acid Phosphate and Kainit. 
FUNGICIDES 
Ammonia, Sulphate Oop,>f-r, Bordeaux 
Mixture. 
INSECTICIDES 
Arsenate Lime, Paris Green, Arseiiite 
I, end. Whale Oil Soap, Kerosene Kmtil- 
SlOll. 
Semi for prioes. Kstablished 2(1 yrs. 
W. S. POWELL & CO., 
Baltimore, Md. 
Insure Your Crops 
of wh(!at and oats. This is best done 
by applying 100 lbs. of 
Nitrate of Soda 
per acre early in the spring. Promotes 
stooling, stimulates growtli, increases 
yield. Of great value on all crojis, veg¬ 
etables, gra.S3, fruits, etc. Get free 
book, "Food, for Plants,” wdiich tells 
wliv. Address John A. Itlycrx, 
120 John St, New York. Filtrate for 
sale htj fertilizer dealers ereriiwhere. 
Two hundred bushels of po¬ 
tatoes remove eighty pounds 
of ‘ ‘actual ’ ’ Potash from the 
soil. Unless this quantity 
is returned to the soil, 
the following crop will 
materially decrease. 
We have books telling about 
composition, use and value of 
fertilizers for various crops. 
They are sent free. 
GERMAN KALI WORKS, 
93 Nassau St., 
New York. 
Seeds! Seeds! 
Write mf onco for List of Doalerm, 
Describing fully a number of the most 
wonderful vegetable introductions of 
the New Century, including: The Earliest 
Sweet Corn In the World, The Famous 
Holmea-Houser Cabbage, and other novel¬ 
ties of extreme merit. Write to-day for cata¬ 
logue. It is free. A postal card will bring it. 
HARRY L. HOLMES, Seedsman, Harrisburg, Penna* 
7 7 til Annnal Priced Oatalograe of 
Vegetable, Farm and Flower Seeds 
Is now ready and mailed fre« to all applicants. 
BRIDGEMAN’S SEED WAREHOUSE, 
87 East 10th Street, New Tork CItv. 
rnW Ppac—Kftrly Black, Whippoorwill and New 
UUW lOao Bra. C. C. BROWN, Brldgevllle, Del. 
Do You Want the Best Strawberries for 
Home use or Market? Thon plant your beds from 
my extra tine stock. 
W.M. PKKUY, Cool Spring, Del. 
CITT? A T 7 fn 5 PT 3 T 5 V plants - Nettie, 
U 1 Xbil VV JDijJCVXb I Robbie,Sample and 
other new and standard varieties. Cat. free. 
B. KING, Tewksbury, Mass. 
ASPARAGUS 
Roofs, 
Address CHAS. H. MATHIS, 
Rlackvllle, 8. C. 
Mention this Paper. 
POTATOES—Bovee. Carman, Cobbler, Harvest, 
A Six Weeks, Ohio, Rose. Astonisher, 85 kinds. 
C. W. FORD, Fishers, N. Y. 
SEED POTATOES 
$1.BO a Barrel and up. 
Michigan Northern Grown are always 
the best. 20 best varieties. Blight 
proof, enormous ylelders, highest 
quality, lowest prices. Sold In any 
quantity, one pound to a car load. 
Catalogue free on request. 
^ Harry M. Hammond Seed Co ^ 
Boxil , Bay City, Jtich, 
JFomierly of 
Largest growers of B<>ed pota¬ 
toes In America. 
EATEST OF 
CEREALS 
Spelfz Startled the 
Farmlne World 
In 1900; 
it will capture every 
heart in 1901, with Its 
80 bu. of grain and 4 
tons of hay, equal to 
Timothy, per acre. 
Get theKenume,buyof 
Salzer, the intr<klucer. 
Combination Corn 
Is one of the greatest 
things of the century. 
It is early and an enor¬ 
mously. fabulously big ylelder, a sort bound 
to revoliitioiilzo corn growing. 
Salzer’s Vegetable Seeds. 
The beauty about Salzer’s vegetable seed Is, 
that they never fall. They sprout, grow and 
produce. They are of such high vitality they 
laugh at droughts, rains and the elements, 
taking 1st prizes e verywhere . We warrant this. 
For 14 Gents and This Notice 
we send 7 packages of rare, choice, fine, splen¬ 
did vegetable novelties and 3 packages of 
brilliantly lieautiful flower seeds, all worth Rl, 
and our big catalog for only 14o and this 
N otlee. In order to gain 250.000 new customers 
In 1901, or lor lOe, 10 rare farm seed samples, 
fully worth 810.00 to get a start 
and our great catalogue. 
JOHN A. SALZER 
SEED CO. 
LA CROSSE, WI 8 . 
ROUGH RIDER. 
SEN. DUNLAP, 
and other 
CUMBBRLAND 
KING OP 
pilPppC^ OFARM ANNUALr9°o1 
UUIll LL 0 “Q^ARTER■ CENTURY EDITION” 
A Grand New Book of two hundred and twenty pa^es. Entirely rewritten at our famous 
FORDHOOK FARMS— the largest Trial Grounds in America. New Directions for culture, New 
Leaflets, New Novelties of unusual merit in both Vegetables and Flowers, Elegant New Colored 
Plates. The Quarter-Century’s Record of Progress, New Cash Prizes, and other New Features.' 
The largest, most complete, and BEST SEED CATALOGUE ever published. Mailed for ten 
cents, which is less than cost per copy. Name this paper, send ten cents (silver or stamps) and with 
this great catalogue we shall send a 15-cent packet of either Burbank’s Unique Floral Novelty 
or Burpee’s wonaerful, new, dwarf, meaty, bright-red, earliest Tomato,— “■Quarter-Century." 
Should you object to paying ten cents for a seed catalogue (even though it is worth a dollar), 
then write a postal card for Burpee’s^**SEED-SENSE*’ for 1901, —a “strictly business” 
catalogue of ninetypages. ^ ATLEE BURPEE &, CO., PHILADELPHIA, PA. 
Goulil$“Kerowater”Spraver 
For Emulsifying and Spraying Kerosene 
and Water. 
Endorsed by the leading Horticulturists and State Experimental 
Stations. A kerosene sprayer which accurately proportions the 
mixture for any desired strength. Built In three sizes, for tank, 
barrel or knapsack use. There is a great demand for them. Ask 
your dealer or write direct to us. 
“How to Spray, When to Spray, What Pumps to Use,” a valu¬ 
able Booklet, free for the asking. 
The Goulds Mfg. Co., 
SENECA FALLS. N. Y. 
WiiferootnB: 16 Mipr^y St., New York. 
