4o4 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
June 8 
Jarmers Club. 
[Every query must be accompanied by 
the name and address of the writer to In¬ 
sure attention. Before asking a question, 
please see whether it is not answered in 
our advertising columns. Ask only a few 
questions at one time. Put questions on a 
separate piece of paper.] 
Compost of Fish. 
W. Ilnrnhy Island, B. C.—How can I 
convert dogfish into manure to be drilled in 
with crops or spread broadcast and har¬ 
rowed in? A neighbor advised me to get a 
barrel, put fish in with water, and add 
some muriatic acid; then dry with swamp 
muck or road scrapings or dust; that is, 
after the fish had been dissolved by the 
acid. What kind of acid should I use, and 
what amount to a 50-gallon barrel of dog¬ 
fish? 
Ans.— We hardly think it would pay 
to use acid on the fish. Where crops 
like corn or cabbage are planted in hills 
the fish can he dropped in like manure 
and covered. Some'farmers near Long 
Island Sound are said to get good re¬ 
turns from fish used in this way. Fish 
can usually be rotted in a compost with 
lime, muck or manure. By putting the 
fish in layers with muck between and 
using lime freely a fair compost results. 
A Potato Picker. 
Reader (No Address).—! have invented a 
machine to pick up potatoes after being 
dug with a digger. It is simple and strong, 
and can be sold for from $50 to $75 with a 
fair profit to the maker and seller. It will 
take one man and boy who can handle a 
team to run it. It will handle the potatoes 
without bruising or skinning the tubers 
any more than when handled on an aver¬ 
age by hand. Would there be sale enough 
to warrant anyone in putting money into 
a machine of that sort? 
Ans. —We doubt it. The picker would 
cost too much for the average farmer. 
What is to prevent its picking up small 
stones with the potatoes? On stony 
farms this would be a great objection. 
Some of the larger growers in the West, 
on level ground, free from stones, could 
probably use such a machine, but we 
doubt whether it would have sale 
enough to pay. 
Sterile Grapevine. 
L. O., Independence, O.—We have a seed¬ 
ling grapevine which blossoms abundantly 
and in large clusters. The vine Itself Ib 
strong and vigorous. The blossoms fall off, 
but the fruit does not set. It seems to 
blight. Can you give me any information 
in regard to its cause, or how to induce It 
to bear? The vine is nearly five years old. 
Ans. —It is probable that the vine is of 
such character that its fiowers are im¬ 
perfect and will not produce fruit. In 
some cases the flowers are staminate, 
and in others they are pistillate. In the 
latter case they sometimes may be fer¬ 
tilized by the pollen of other varieties; 
but there are great variations in the po¬ 
tency of the pollen of one variety upon 
another, or they may not always bloom 
at the same time. The best way to treat 
this vine would probably be to graft it 
next Spring to some good variety. 
% 
Home-Grown Grass Seeds. 
Several Readers.—Why can we not raise 
our own seeds of Timothy, Red-top, Or¬ 
chard gra.ss, etc., as we do seed of wheat, 
oats or corn? Is there any good reason for 
not doing it? Is there any book which tells 
how to do it? 
Ans. —There is no reason why farm¬ 
ers should not raise their own grass seed 
as well as their own clover seed. The 
principal difficulty is the thrashing and 
cleaning of the seed. For home use this 
is, however, not such a serious matter, 
since seed is just as good when sown in 
the rough as when sown clean, although, 
of course, a great deal more must be 
used, and this increases the trouble of 
handling. There are usually very few 
weeds in the grass fields that are as tall 
as the grass, and that ripen at the same 
time. For instance, in Kentucky Blue- 
giass fields there are very few weeds 
when the field is well kept, and those 
that are present generally ripen their 
seeds later than the Blue-grass harvest. 
This seed could readily be stripped with 
a hand stripper, cured and dried, and 
run through a feed cutter to make it 
gasier tp handle. It can then be sown 
in the rough with quite as good results 
as when the fancy seed is used. Usually 
there is about 60 per cent of fancy seed 
in the rough. Orchard grass, Timothy 
and fescue might be run through a regu¬ 
lar thrashing machine with the cylin¬ 
ders set close. The chaff could be blown 
out as much as convenient with a hand 
fanning-mill and the remainder used on 
the home farm. In the early days of the 
settlements in America clover seed was 
sown in the hull, there being no con¬ 
venient means of hulling it. When 
clover seed became an article of com¬ 
merce it was, of course, impossible to 
handle it in that way, but this method 
gave good satisfaction on the home 
place. I know of no pamphlet or book 
dealing with the commercial handling 
or preparation of grass seeds except one 
book in German, which is hardly accessi¬ 
ble to American readers, and this applies 
more to German than to American con¬ 
ditions. This office has in preparation 
a paper on Kentucky Blue-grass seed, 
and we hope to follow this with other 
papers on the various grass seeds. 
A. J. PIETERS, 
In Charge of Seed Laboratory, Dep’t of 
Agriculture. 
Japan Millet for Pasture. 
TV. O. B., Fairfield, CoMn.—Will the annual 
Japan millet do for pasture? We have 
pasture so far from home that it is im¬ 
possible to grow fodder to cut green every 
day, yet we wish to sow something to in¬ 
crease the amount of feed. Is there any¬ 
thing better than millet? 
Ans. —Millet is not a valuable crop 
for pasturage. It will not remain vigor¬ 
ous when constantly “cropped off” by 
cattle, as it naturally makes a thin bot¬ 
tom growth, with very little tendency to 
produce turf. If millet is wanted for 
cutting green and for feeding in the 
manger or feeding rack, it will make 
good fodder for use in ihe latter part of 
July and the early part of August. It 
requires about eight weeks from seed¬ 
ing to be in condition for feeding. Bet¬ 
ter crops for pasturage are rye or barley. 
The latter, when sown about July 20 at 
the rate of two bushels per acre, will 
produce good pasture feed from Septem¬ 
ber 20 until the ground is badly frozen. 
c. 8. PHimPS. 
The Resin-Lime Spraying Mixture. 
IV. T., Belle Plaine, In.—Tell us how to 
make the “resin-lime mixture.” Isaw it 
in The R. N.-Y. last year; I think it was 
in Hope Farm Notes. 
Ans. —This is the formula given by the 
New York Experiment Station: Five 
pounds of pulverized resin, one pound of 
concentrated lye, one pint of fish oil, five 
gallons of water. The oil is used to 
soften or dissolve the resin. Boil the 
oil, resin and water in an iron kettle. 
When the resin is softened add the lye— 
first dissolving it in water. Stir this 
well and then add four gallons more of 
hot water. Boil all this until you have 
a clear, amber-colored liquid which 
unites with cold water. This makes a 
“liquid soap” which when put with the 
Paris-green and water will make it stick 
well to leaf or stem. It is hard stuff to 
spray—only a powerful pump will force 
it through the nozzle. When you add 
the potash and water vou must let the 
kettle cool slightly. If this is not done 
the whole mass may boil over and the 
oil and resin will take fire. 
Self-Cleaning Cattle Stables. 
IV. R., Wingham, Ont.—I Intend to re-model 
my cattle stables, and would like to adopt 
some plan which would allow of the manure 
being removed at Intervals of two weeks 
or more. Instead of having to clean stables 
every day as at present. The self-cleaning 
stables, described in E. W. Stewart’s book, 
“seeding Animals,” I think would meet 
the requirements of my case if they can 
be relied upon to do the work in common 
practice. As I have never had the oppor¬ 
tunity of seeing a stable fitted with these 
grates I would like to read the experience 
of some practical farmers who have tested 
the self-cleaning stables. 
Ans. —We have seen the iron grating 
over a trench behind the cows in opera¬ 
tion, but do not think it is in common 
use. In some modern barns a steel rail 
is run behind and over the cows. On 
this runs a sheet-iron car or large scoop. 
The manure is thrown into it as it passes 
along and it is finally run out to the 
yard and dumped. In some bank barns 
there is a cement or plank gutter be¬ 
hind the cows. Every 50 feet or so there 
is a trap door through this gutter, un¬ 
der which hangs a large steel box. The 
manure is pushed along with a scraper 
and falls through the trap door into the 
box, which is unloaded by driving a 
dump cart under it and tipping it up. 
There are other plans ter getting rid of 
manure, and we shall be glad to have 
our readers describe the devices they 
have found useful. 
Sprays for Plum Blight and Red Spider. 
A. B. TV., Newlin, Pa.-I. I wish to use Bor¬ 
deaux Mixture on my plum trees, also on 
grapevines, I see it recommended for rot 
in both cases. How much dry Bordeaux 
can I mix with a gallon of water, so it 
will keep off the rot, and at the same time 
not injure the foliage? 2. What shall I 
put on my rose bushes to kill the red 
spider, the leaf hopper and the slugs? 
Ans. —1. The foliage of plums and 
most other stone fruits is quite sensitive 
to copper sulphate applications. To fight 
the I’ot successfully it is necessary thor¬ 
oughly to spray before the buds open, 
using a mixture of four pounds copper 
sulphate and six pounds lime to 50 gal¬ 
lons water; again soon after the blooms 
have fallen and finally as the fruits be¬ 
gin to color. All applications after the 
leaves come out should be reduced to 
half strength or at the rate of two 
pounds copper sulphate and three ot 
lime to 50 gallons of water. Lry Bor¬ 
deaux and Fungiroid may be used at the 
rate of one pound to three gallons of 
water for first application and one to 
five or six gallons for the subsequent 
ones. 2. Cold water sprayed forcibly and 
repeatedly on under-side of the leaves 
is a sure cure for red spider, and will 
do much to dislodge leaf hoppers. 
Whale-oil soap, four to six ounces to 
the gallon of water, applied in the same 
manner, is more effectual. Dusting the 
bushes with dry quicklime is best for 
slugs, though dry road dust will often 
check their ravages. 
The Idaho Pear.— This is grown here in 
very limited quantities, and no new trees 
are planted out. The fruit grows very 
large, and is of little value. It ought to 
be picked before it is ripe, and laid away 
in a cool place, and then it will mellow 
somewhat; otherwise it is too gritty. When 
it does ripen, it ripens all over and at 
once, lasts just one day in good condition, 
and the next it is all mushy. As we are 
about 1,000 miles from the Rocky Mountain 
region I am not advised, how it does there; 
I can only speak for Oregon, Washington 
and Idaho. Personally I would not give it 
room in my grounds. It is worse than the 
Ben Davis apple. henry e. dosch. 
Oregon. _ 
When you write advertisers mention The 
R. N.-Y. and you will get a quick reply and 
“asquaredeal.” See our guarantee 8th page. 
ABM8TKONO * McKELVY 
i’ittsburgh. 
BEYMER-BAUMAN 
PittsI lurgh. 
DAVIS-CHAMBERS 
Pittsburgh. 
FAHNESTOCK 
Pittsburgh. 
ANCHOR 
ECKSTEIN 
ATLANTIC 
BRADLEY 
BROOKLYN i 
JEWETT 
ULSTER 
UNION 
SOUTHERN 
SHIPMAN 
COLLIER 
MISSOURI 
RED SEAL 
SOUTHERN 
JOHN T. LEWIS * BROS CO 
Philadelphia. 
CincinnaU. 
New York. 
Chicago 
^St. Louis. 
MORLEY 
SALEM 
CORNELL 
KENTUCKY 
Cleveland. 
Salem, Mass. 
Buffalo. 
Louisville. 
HE cost by the pound or gallon is 
not the true measure of paint 
economy. Considering the cost of 
material and labor necessary to paint a 
house, Pure Dutch process'' White Lead 
is the cheapest and, durability considered, 
by far the most economical, and is the only 
paint that will give permanent satisfaction. 
The brands named in the margin are 
genuine. 
By using National Lead Co.’s Pure White Lead Tinting Colors, 
any desired shade is readily obtained. Pamphlet giving valuable 
information and card showing samples of colors mailed FREK to 
all applicants. 
National Lead Co., lOO William Street, New York. 
School of Practical Agriculture 
and Horticulture. 
Two years course In Gardening. Fruit Culture, 
Greenhouse Work, Poultry and General Agriculture. 
Begins September. Fur particulars address 
GEO. T. POWELL, Director, 
Brlarcllff Manor, N. Y. 
Dl JUITC—Tomato, Cabbage, Sweet Potato, 
rLllll I V Pepper and Celery. Price-list free. 
CALEB BOGGS & SON, Cheswold, Del. 
POTTED KANSAS STRAWBEBRY 
IPLANTS for J1.50. Send for List. 49 
varieties. T. C. KEVITT, Athenla, N. J. 
SUCCEED WHERE 
Largest Nursery. OTHERS FAIL. 
Headquarters 
for the October Purple Plum and 
Green Mountain Grape. The largest 
New England nursery. .500 acres. Strong 
stock of all fruits, ornamental trees and 
shrubs. Catalogue free. 
STEPHEN HOYT’S SONS, New Canaan, Conn. 
For Salt' bu.; 600 bu. Crimson Clover Seed ® 
16 per bu.i *,000 bu. Cow Peas @ 11.26 to $1.76 per bu. 
J. H. HOLLAND, Milford, Del. 
NEW CRIMSON CLOVER SEED 
My own growing. Ready July 1. Orders booked 
now. Sample and price sent for approval before 
shipment. Cow Peas. Soja Beans. Circular free. 
F. G. PACKARD, Seedsman, Dover, Del. 
j Onions 
and all Garden Truck are vastly 
benefited and quickly grown by 
the use of 
Nitrate of Sodsm 
No scallions; no club root; no 
pithy centers; only firm, solid 
vegetables. A lot of information 
and valuable booklets on these 
subjects free by asking John A. 
Myers, 12-0 John St., New York. 
Nitrate for sale by fertilizer dealers every¬ 
where. 
Write at once for List of Dealers» 
Sweet Potato Plants.—Jersey Yellow, 
S1.60 per 1,000. 100 by mail, 60c. 11 kinds. Send for 
circular. F. 8. NEWCOMB, Vineland, N. J. 
Early Tomato and Celery Plants tending to 
set. write Frank Shearer & Son. Binghamton, 
N. Y,, for prices on stocky transplanted plants. 
PLANTS ONLY *1.00 per 1,000; 
one million ready July first. lOO 
StrawberTy PiuTits-, In pots, for 
SLAYMAKEK & SON, Dover Del. 
CELERY PLANTS. 
Grown by the acre, on fine irrigated land. Extra 
large root development. Large stocky plants. 
Shipped safely to all parts of the United States and 
Canaoa. White Plume, Golden Self-Blancblng^and 
Giant Paschal. Price: 600,75c.; 1.000, $1.25; 5,000, $5. 
WILSON BROS. & CO., Tecu mseh, Mich. 
BUDS IN SEASON 
Peach, Apple, Pear and Plum. Write for 
prices, giving quantity wanted. 
HARRISON’S NURSERIES, Sox 29, Berlin, Md. 
CRIMSON CLOVER 
“ uiKRYjj, 714 ohesinui si., Philadelphia, Pa. 
In sowing this valuable clover it is im¬ 
portant that American seed is used. 
supply genuine Delaware seed only. 
special circular describing uses of Crimson 
