1901 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
373 
The Cornell Reading Course. 
Edited by John Craig, Professor of Uni¬ 
versity Extension, and Editfjr Fanners'’ 
Reading Course, Cornell University, 
Ithaca, N. Y. 
A Quiz on Plant Physiology. 
Your reading lessons have all been very 
interesting and Instructive to me, and will 
bear much thought and study. The sub¬ 
ject of film moisture was entirely new to 
me, and corrects many mistakes I was 
laboring under in regard to moisture in 
the soli. I readily understood how the 
soil water enters the roots of plants by 
the process known as osmosis. Is it this 
same process which forces the sap to the 
top of tall trees away above the limit of 
capillary attraction or atmospheric pres¬ 
sure? Given two equal plants, one in 
"poor” soil and the other in "rich” soli. 
Does not the plant in the poor soil have 
to absorb and transpire an excessive 
amount of water? Or, in other words, will 
not an abundant supply of water in the 
soil make up in a degree for a deficiency 
in plant food? b. h. c. 
East Bloomfield,- N. Y. 
“Osmosis” is the principle which dis¬ 
tributes the food throughout the tree, 
but it is not due to this cause that we 
have the phenomenon of sap pressure. 
Those who have practical acquaintance 
with sugaring operations know that 
after a sharp frost they may expect a 
good run of sap. In the maple, the pres¬ 
sure is downward, not upward, as in the 
case of the birch. There has been thus 
far no satisfactory explanation of this 
phenomenon of sap flow in Spring. One 
of the most reasonable theories is this: 
The action of the frost is to withdraw 
from the cells the water which they con¬ 
tain, and collect it in the air spaces or 
interspaces between the cells. The air 
is reduced in bulk by the fall in tempera¬ 
ture, and the sap still further com¬ 
presses it. On the return of higher tem¬ 
perature the water and the air expand. 
This brings about a general condition of 
tension, and this tension continues until 
the cells have reabsorbed through their 
walls this sap water which was with¬ 
drawn. Now while this explanation ap¬ 
pears to be a plausible one of the pres¬ 
sure of sap in the maple, it does not ex¬ 
plain the upward root pressure that is 
found in the birch. It was formerly 
held that osmosis did it all—but now 
investigators say “don’t know.” 
i do not think that one plant in poor 
soil could equal the growth of another 
plant in rich soil simply by an extra sup 
ply of water. Undoubtedly the larger 
amount of water would enable the plant 
more thoroughly to utilize the elements 
of food which the soil contained, but it 
would not make up for the difference in 
iquality or quantity which existed. A 
generous supply of water in a poor soil 
might keep a plant going for some time, 
ibut there would eventually come a 
period when more than water would be 
required. Neither a concentrated food 
on the one hand, nor a very dilute liquid 
ration on the other would be likely to 
produce a healthy organism. Plants 
take this food from the soil in the form 
of a soup, but it must not be too thin. 
More Light Wanted. 
1. I have seen a notice of the Cornell 
Reading Course, and wish I could know 
more about it. We have a large garden 
and wish to get the most out of it for 
family use. I would like to know about 
fertilizers. It is difidcult to get good stable 
manure; the soil Is loam. 2. We have two 
pear trees which are troubled with blight. 
Last year 1 dug the earth from the roots 
of one of them and sprinkled sulphur 
plentifully over them, covered; then I 
trimmed all the affected branches from the 
tree and dusted sulphur on the surface, 
and no other limbs were affected during 
the remainder of the Summer. 3. Will 
you give a treatment for lawn where 
creeping weeds have appeared? s. w. h. 
Waverly, N. Y. 
1. The Cornell Reading Course is a 
correspondence course in agriculture 
free to residents of New York State. In¬ 
formation and copies of the lessons of 
the first series of the Farmers’ Reading 
Course are sent to all who deserve them. 
Lesson 3 gives information regarding 
the function and use of commercial fer¬ 
tilizers. if you study this carefully i 
think it will heip you materially. 2. i 
do not think that such treatment as you 
have given your pear tree will in any 
way prevent the recurrence of blight. 
This is a disease which finds entrance, 
not through the roots, but through the 
partly-grown leaves and young shoots, 
it is caused by a germ which spreads in 
the sap of the tree. The only way to 
prevent is by practicing good sanitation. 
As soon as a diseased branch makes its 
appearance it should be cut off and de¬ 
stroyed. I'he pruner ought to be care¬ 
ful to cut well down into the healthy 
tissue, so that all the microbes which 
cause this disease are likely to be re¬ 
moved. Trees making a rank sappy 
growth are more susceptible than those 
growing siowly and ripening their wood 
thoroughly. 3. Lawns which are shadeu 
by trees or are imperfectly drained are 
difficult to keep In a good grass sward. 
The only way to keep weeds out is first 
to destroy them as they make their ap¬ 
pearance, and second to encourage the 
growth of grass by the application of 
fertilizers, it is a good plan to sprinkle 
the lawn two or three times during the 
season with a fertilizer containing some 
of each of the three principal elements 
of fertility—namely, nitrogen, phos¬ 
phoric acid and potash. A light applica¬ 
tion, say 200 pounds per acre, should be 
made in early Spring, and other appli¬ 
cations should follow at intervals during 
the Summer. Top-dressing with barn¬ 
yard manure is objectionable. 
Bleeding from Grapevines, 
J. R. F., Belleville, i'a.—Does bleeding 
hurt grapevines, and why did they do so 
when I pruned them last Eall? i thought 
tlie cut would be healed sufficiently to 
shut off the sap, but it is not so in this 
case. Is it caused by very warm weather 
after a late cool Spring such as we have 
had? 
Ans. —Bleeding, or the oozing of sap 
from cut vines and branches is not con¬ 
sidered harmful, as probably no more 
sap is lost than would be supplied to the 
part cut away. Vines do not often bleed 
when pruned so early, as the cut surface 
should be well sealed by Spring. Prob¬ 
ably the best time to prune grapevines 
is in late February or early March. The 
cut ends generally dry over, and the loss 
of sap should be very small. The cause 
of the excessive bleeding in your case 
seems to be quite obscure. 
Temperature for Coo! Grapery. 
IF. H. IF., Malden, Mass.—What tempera¬ 
ture should be maintained by day In a cold 
giapery? 
Ans. —During the greater part of the 
growing season the cold grapery is kept 
at about the same temperature as outside 
by means of free ventilation. In pleas¬ 
ant weather the ventilators should re¬ 
main open all night, but during cold 
storms they may be closed. As the sea¬ 
son grows colder they should be closed 
sufficiently to maintain about 70 degrees 
when possible. Hot graperies, when first 
started, should have about 50 degrees at 
night and from 65 to 70 degrees daring 
the day. In three or four weeks it may 
be raised to 60 degrees at night and 80 
or more during the day. Ventilation 
should always be freely given on bright 
days, but the houses may be closed early 
in order to trap the sun heat and warm 
the houses for the night. 
SCRAPS. 
Kansas Fruits.— Among the best very 
early peaches are Triumph, Sneed and 
Greensboro. Of the late kinds Chairs, 
Fitzgerald and Heath Cling are excellent. 
Elberta is good for midsummer. There are 
two classes of plums that succeed In Kan¬ 
sas, the Japan and American. Of the 
former the following kinds are good: 
Abundance, Wickson, Burbank and George- 
son, and of the native kinds, Wild Goose, 
Milton, Hawkeye and Wyant are among 
the very best. There are so many good 
strawberries that it is difficult to name 
any one as the very best of all. Besides, 
the use for which a variety may be intend¬ 
ed is an Important point. I would suggest 
the planting of at least two kinds, whether 
their flowers are perfect or imperfect. 
Glen Mary, Warfield, Carrie and Gandy 
make a good list for family use. 
H. E. V. D. 
Tasmania now raises 500,000 bushels of 
apples a year. The trees are set very 
closely, about 10 feet apart, it is said; 
large crops are raised, England now being 
the chief market outside of Australasia. 
Tasmania ships green fruit to Australia 
and New Zealand. It raises quantities of 
pears, plums, cherries, and within the past 
few years has been exporting about $150,000 
worth of jam annually. Tliis latitude gives 
the strawberries, raspberries, grapes and 
other small fruits an excellent flavor, and 
the Tasmanian jams go as far north as 
the Philippines. 
Oats and Spring barley are all up nicely. 
Corn planting begins to-day in many fieids. 
Nearly all breaking done. Early-sown 
wheat all gone; late-sown looks fine, 'i'lie 
Hessian fly seems to be afflicted with para¬ 
sitic enemies, and may cease its ravages. 
Pastures short and dry feed still shorter. 
Peaches in full bloom. Corn, 50 cents; 
wheat, 80 cents; oats, 33 cents; hay, $16 per 
ton; eggs, 12 cents; butter, 14 cents; pota¬ 
toes, 60 cents; hens, eight cents; hogs, $5.25. 
Of sheep and cattle none is changing 
hands. Tobacco selling rapidly at seven 
to 10 cents per pounds. The river is all 
over bottom lands. c. d. l. 
Brown Co., O. 
Remember a fifty cent bottle 
of Scott’s Emulsion given in 
proper quantities will last a 
baby fifty days; a child six or 
seven, thirty days; and a child 
of ten or twelve, twenty days. 
'Dlanchard’s White Leghorng.—The leading 
^ strain of heavy layers. Eggs for hatching from 
finest stock. Ill.clr.free. H. J. Blanchard,ttroton.N.Y. 
"OUFF and BARRED Plymouth Rocks. 
fjDFF Cochins, Rose-Comb Brown Leghorns. 
^^XTRA-FINE Cockerels and Pullets for Sale. 
iti HOS in Season, Satisfaction guaranteed. 
Catalogue free. J. L. HERMAN, Le Moyne, Ohio. 
from choice heavy laying 8. C. 
White Leghorns, Silver Wyan- 
dottes and Buff P. Rocks. II OO 
per 15; |2per30. Safe arrival and good fertility guar¬ 
anteed. T. D. GOODWIN, Columbia Station, Ohio. 
EGGS 
—Fertility guaranteed. By the sitting 
or hundred. 23 varieties of prize-win¬ 
ning land and water fowls. Big Cata¬ 
logue free. Our guarantee means something. 
PINE TREE FARM, Box T, Jamesburg, N. J 
Will Sell Ho More Wyandotte Eggs 
after this month. But It’s time enough for Brown 
Leghorns yet. Some of the best Leghorns grown are 
hatched in June and July. Eggs that hatch: $1 per 
15; $5 per 100. J. E. STEVENSON, Columbus, N.J. 
INCUBATOR EGGS 
from purebred White Wyandottes, 13 per 100. 
SILAS DEAN, Oak Hill, N. Y. 
p Hatch guaranteed. Barred Rooks, 
El White Rocks, Black Minorcas, In¬ 
dian Games, Buff Cochins, White Wyandottes, Pekin 
Ducks, 12 per 15, each variety. Winners in Madison 
Square and Orange Shows, 1901. Eggs from my own 
Breeding Yards. Orders filled promptly WHITE OAK 
RIDGE POULTRY YARDS, East Orange, N. J. 
Wysfidoitss Scotch Collies 
* Best of both. Handsome booklet free, 
BEAVER HILL FARM, - - BEAVER, PA, 
INCUBATORS 
From 85.00 Up. 
BROODERS FROM $3.80 DP. 
Free Catalogue. 
L. A. BANTA, Llgonier, Ind. 
It’s a very economical medi¬ 
cine. 
If the child is sickly, without 
appetite, it will nourish and 
bridge it over until it can take 
its usual food. 
naftlh In I Chicks 
UUfllll lU LIwO 84-page Book FREE. 
D. J. LAMBERT, Box307, Apponaug, B. I. 
Does Hot Weather 
make your wire fence sag? Not If It’s PAGE. 
The coll in the horizontals prevents sagging. 
PAGE WOVEN WIRE FENCE CO., ADRIAN, 31ICH. 
For delicate children without 
any real disease, it can be used 
with splendid results. 
We’ll send you a little to try, if you like. 
SCOTT &. IIOWNE, 4 og Pearl street. New York- 
Farm Blaeksmithing. 
An Illustrated book writ¬ 
ten expressly for farmers. 
It tells all about making 
and tempering steel tools, 
making chains, hooks, 
rings, clevises, bolts, etc., 
etc. Filing saws, spUciug 
rope, shoeing horaes. 
Price 50c., cloth bound, 
by mail post-paid. Address 
J. M. DREW. 
St. Anthony Park, Minn. 
BINDER TWINE 
FARMERS wanted as agents 
AUGUST POST, Moulton, la. 
RUBEROID 
■X'ZXXS 
POULTRY-HOUSE 
ROOFING 
As a water-proof covering for Poultry-1 
I Houses, RUBEROID has no equal. Keeps 
tne houses cool during the warm weather, 
and warm In Winter, and the chicks dry and | 
I comfortable. The sun cannot melt It. 
THE STANDARD PAINT CO., 
100 William Street, 
NEW YORK. 
ii 
FUMA 
00kills Prairie Dogs, 
Woodchucks, Gophers 
and Grain Insects. 
“ The wheels of the 
Gods grind slow but 
exceeding small." 8o the weevil, but you can stop 
Blsulphiile”.n5*o'iS 
BO WARD B. TAYI.OB, Penn ¥nn. N. Y. 
In 35 years we have lost more money through bad 
debts than we are worth to-day. We are tired of 
this manner of doing business. Now if you want 
Scales for cash, we will give you prices that will 
astonish you. Jones of Binghamton, N. Y., Jones be 
pays the freight. 
ORNAMENTAL FENCE 
Ho designs, all steel. 
Handsome, durable.— 
Cheaper than a wood 
fence. Special induce¬ 
ments to church and 
cemeteries. Cstslosus/Ves. 
KOKOMO FENCE 
MACHINE CO., 
464 North St.. 
Kokomo, IndlMa, 
HORSE-HlfiHI 
... BULL-STROMO ... 
Withour Duplex Automatlo 
Ball Bearing Woven Wire 
Fence Machine, an; farmer 
can make 100 Styles,'and from 
SO to 70rodma d»y 
of the best and most practi¬ 
cal fence on earth at a coat for 
the Wire to make It of ifrom 
20 to 30om per jrod 
We sell Ornamental Fence 
and Oates, Farm Fence smd 
Gates, Plain, Barbed and 
OoHed Sp^tntr WKp# 
direct to the farmer at whole¬ 
sale prices. Catalogue free. 
KITSELMAM BROSS 
Box D9z. Munoio, Ind. 
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AMERICAN 
FIELD AND HOG FENCE 
FULLY GUARANTEED. 
Best steel wires heavily galvanized. Strong, 
economical, efficient, anrable. Local agents 
everywhere. If no agent in your town write 
to the makers. 
American Steel & Wire Co., Chicago or New York. 
BINDER TWINE 
It affords us great pleasure to quote prices for our famous and well-known grades of binder twine as follows: 
Pure White Sisal, 8c per lb. Standard, 8c per lb. Manila, 9^c per lb. 
These prices are tor any quantity not less than a 60-pound bale, free on board cars Chicago, and are not subject to 
discount. TEKMSi—Cu.h to accompany order. 
The above twines are our unexcelled "SMYTH” UR.\XII, pronounced by all who have heretofore used them 
to be the best In the world. They are prepared with special care from first quality selected hemp, every ball being 
Heparately teHted for evenneio* and tensile strength and Insect prepared before being allowed topas.s examination, 
hence it Is absolutely perfect, is reputed the very best binder twine In the market and we believe it to be 
worth 2c per pound more than any other binder twine in the market. 
WF Rll ARANTFF customers against any change in our price and if we go lower, you will be refunded 
MWHnHUlfcu the difference lu price. We treat all our customers alike and the early buyer is affoi-ded us 
inucli protection as tlie late one. 
QAM PI FQ FRFF guarantee our twine, every pound of it, and we will refund your money Instantly and 
rntt» writhout a question if It fails to come up to our representation either in quality or count, but 
if you prefer to see samples before ordering, then write to us and we will send samples by return mail so that you 
can see and test It. 
JOHN Mi SMYTH GOi ISO-iee and 287-289 W. MADISON ST. CHICAGO) ILLi 
