6 
January 4 
Down on the Robin. 
T. J. McL., Salem, Pa. —The robin is 
surely a pretty bird, and his song is 
charming. The question is as to whether 
the few insects he eats, pay for what he 
destroys ? I live on a hill farm, which 
slopes to the south, and is well located 
for fruit growing, and is almost covered 
with fruit. In fruit time, the robin 
comes to destroy the strawberries, but I 
never yet saw one catch a cricket, or 
any other kind of insect. When the 
strawberries are done, he attacks the 
cherries, raspberries, blackberries, and 
even red apples and peaches. 
In the berry season, one can go a mile 
below my farm or in any direction, and 
see robins coming to my farm to destroy 
the fruit. They never come near before 
to catch bugs or worms. I think that 
they are like the worthless cur dog on 
the farm, which so many keep to drive 
the stock; but they do the dogging them¬ 
selves, and the dog gets the meat. I 
have had 50 cherry trees loaded with 
cherries, time and again, and had hardly 
enough for my own use ; they had to be 
picked when half-ripe to keep them from 
the robins. 
Insurance at Cost. 
G. C. H., Roskndale, Wis.— Wisconsin 
has a law which enables the farmers in 
from one to four townships to organize 
for mutual insurance against fire and 
lightning. The following is the state¬ 
ment of business done by the Rosendale 
Insurance Company for 1894. The com¬ 
pany does business in four townships, 
and has been in existence 21 years, dur¬ 
ing which time it has saved the farmers 
many thousands of dollars. The com¬ 
pany is carrying 727 policies, amounting 
to $1,358,000. 
LOSSES SUSTAINED IN 1894. 
From fire.$1,070.00 
From lightning. 229.00 
Other losses. 39.49 
Expenses. 573.21 
Total paid out.$1,911.70 
Cost of Insurance on $1,000, $1,407. 
In addition, the policies cost $1.50 each, 
and one mill on each $1 for five years. 
This furnishes a fund sufficient to pay 
the running expenses, and, in some 
years, pays the losses also. The secre¬ 
tary receives a salary of $200 per annum, 
and the directors and adjusters receive 
$2 per day for actual service. 
Ragweed and Corn. 
B. B., Farmingdale, III.—In discuss¬ 
ing the question as to why the ragweed 
throve with a vigorous growth, where 
corn failed, 1 think that you have hit on 
an exceedingly interesting and import¬ 
ant, as well as difficult problem. I wish 
that those who are capable—I am not— 
would take up the trail and hunt the 
game home, for it is certainly worth 
the ammunition. I doubt whether it 
will be found, as you intimate, that the 
weed has better “staying qualities’” than 
the corn ; but, rather, that it, too, if 
raised as a crop, will temporarily ex¬ 
haust the soil of the parts necessary to 
the best development of the weed. Then 
another weed may take its place, and so 
on indefinitely, so long as the land is 
cultivated. After a while, however, corn 
may be planted again—or the ragweed— 
and succeed as at first. If tillage be 
stopped then, a new order of plants 
come in, one species succeeding another, 
as the ground hardens and crowding and 
rivalry obtain, until the wild prairie or 
some later-introduced or more persistent 
grass rules. This, however, only shows 
a battle of plants and the survival of 
the one fittest to the natural conditions 
of soil and climate. It shows, too, that 
the corn and the ragweed cannot fight 
their own battles, but must be assisted. 
But what of the question, “Now, why 
is this ? ” Does not the ragweed take 
from the soil something different from 
that appropriated by the corn, even 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
though the analysis of both be much the 
same ? Coal and diamonds are not put 
to the same use, even though they both 
be carbon ; neither does the ragweed 
contain the nutriment of corn, even 
though it has a “ greater proportion of 
minerals.” 
A Florida Man Beats Chapman. 
A. E. M., New Smyrna, Fla. —C. E. 
Chapman may raise potatoes at 11 cents 
per bushel, but he can’t raise them and 
plant them on October 22, and in nine 
weeks dig them as large as, and larger 
than, hens’ eggs, as I am doing, and have 
been for some time. I plowed the ground 
with one horse in two hours—one-fourth 
acre—furrowed it, manured in the row 
with four one-horse loads of well-rotted 
stable manure, dropped the seed, two 
bushels cut, and covered it in one-half 
day. I cultivated it when well up, in 
one hour, hoed once in two hours (of 
course, I did not hill much). The total 
time spent was 10 hours, with a man 
and horse, at $2.50 per day. I could sell 
my potatoes for 30 cents per peck if I 
wished. 
Feeding Twice a Day. 
II. A.W., Berwyn, III.—The question 
was asked, who has had experience in 
feeding cattle twice a day ? In the spring 
of 1880, I bought of one of the best 
farmers of our vicinity, four cows, pay¬ 
ing $195 for the four. I inquired as to 
his manner of feeding. He replied, “ I 
feed at 0 A. m., at noon, and at 3, 6 and 
9 p. m. just a little hay, and grain at 7 
A. m. , noon, and 7 P. M. , thus making nine 
feeds in 24 hours.” llis recommendation 
as to the quality of the cows was first- 
class ; he said that I could not pick four 
more equal in every respect out of the 
herd of 30 left. I took them home and 
somewhat changed the manner of feed¬ 
ing, gradually getting down to two feeds 
in 24 hours. The looing and moaning 
for food was something frightful for 
several days. In two weeks, they were 
contented with my other cows, with two 
feeds a day, and the flow of milk was 
perceptibly increased. 
For more than 30 years, I had fed 
nothing—horses, cattle or hogs—more 
than twice a day. A neighbor, a team¬ 
ster, had a pair of mares weighing 3,200 
pounds, which were on the road six days 
out of seven the year ’round. He fed 
them all the grain they would eat three 
times a day. Once on his trip, he met 
an old schoolmate who had a fine pair 
of fat horses, and they discussed the 
relative merits and looks of their teams. 
The fat horses, for several years, had 
had but two feeds a day, receiving the 
heavier feed at night. The difference 
in the looks of the teams caused this 
man to conclude to experiment; so 
he gradually cut off the noon feed of 
one of his horses, giving him only a 
small handful of hay, while the other 
had his eight quarts of oats, as usual. 
(Continued on next page.) 
lUiscolUincoutf gUrntteintj. 
In writing to advertisers, please always mention 
Tub Rural New-Yorker. 
War 
Is declared by Hood’s Sarsaparilla upon impure 
blood and all its disagreeable symptoms. By 
purifying the blood it cures rheumatism, neural¬ 
gia, scrofula and catarrh, and gives vitality. 
Hood’s 
Sarsaparilla 
Is the One True Blood Purifier. $1; six for $5. 
Prepared only by C. I. Hood & Co., Lowell, Mass. 
Hood’s Pills 
are gentle, mild, effective. 
Always reliable. 25 cents. 
Plant the Best Currants 
WHITE IMPERIAL excels all others in quality 
for a fine table currant. 
PRESIDENT WILDER combines qualities that 
make it the most valuable market and table Reg 
Currant that has been put upon the market. For 
prices apply to 
S. t>. WILLAHD, Geneva, N. Y. 
FERRY'S, 
SEEDS. 
Perfect seeds grow 
'payingcrops. Perfectseeds^ 
Pare not grown by chance. Noth-1 
r lng Isever left to chance in grow-' 
ing Ferry’s Seeds. Dealerssell 
them everywhere. Write for 
FERRY’S 
SEED ANNUAL 
for ISO6. Brimful of valuable, 
informationaboutbestand new¬ 
est seeds. Free by mail. 
D. Nl. FERRY & CO., 
Detroit, Mich. 
FORD’S 
1896 
BOOK 
OF 
CHOICE 
TESTED 
GARDEN 
FLOWER 
& FIELD 
EEDS 
Largest y ield in g com .oats 
potatoes. Fruits, plants 
and trees. Accurate des¬ 
criptions. Money-saving 
prices. Write today it's 
Free. If you plant a tree 
ior sow a seed you need it. 
'If you are a market gard¬ 
ener, let us know it Men¬ 
tion this paper. Frank 
Ford A Non, Ravenna, O. 
ha m?c°™ ew SEED potatoes 
are always the best. CARMAN No. 3. Best Potato 
grown. Early Michigan. Best Extra Early. Michi¬ 
gan Wonder Oat. Most productive grown. Ham¬ 
mond's Corrosive Sublimate Compound, guaranteed 
to prevem potato scab. Choice varieties at $1.50 per 
barrel. Catalogue and Potato Culture in a Nutshell. 
The book of the year. It is free. Do not fail to get 
it before ordering your seeds. Address 
HARRY N. HAMMOND, Seedsman, Decatur, Mich. 
Send for onr 1896 Catalogue of Northern Grown 
SEED POTATOES. 
Catalogue I Prices Keduced to I AGENTS 
free. I suit the times. | WANTED. 
HOOKER, GROVER & CO,, 
Nurserymen and Seeds¬ 
men, Rochester. N. Y. 
$10.00 
FOR LARGEST POTATO, 
Rural New-Yorker No. 2, 
sent, me and raised from seed purchased of me this 
season, will be awarded October 15,1396. Potato must 
reach me by mail, postpaid, on or before that date. 
Seed, five pounds, 30 cents; one barrel free, to person 
sending in first order. Address all orders to 
A. C. GEARHART, West Decatur, Pa. 
SEED POmOES-Sr-D^,. 1 '^; 
Rural New Yorker No. 2, Burpee's Superior, and 
American Wonder. $150 per barrel. These potatoes 
are guaranteed first-class. References if desired. 
LATIMER BROS., Arkport, N. Y. 
Pear, Apple, Plum 
Cherry and Peach Trees 
We have a large block growing on rented land. The 
lease expires this spring. The stock must be sold 
without regard to cost of raising. Have fixed the 
lowest prices ever quoted. THE TREES ARE FINE. 
This is, do doubt, the best opportunity offered plant¬ 
ers during the past 25 years. WHITING NURSERY 
CO., Itoxbury, Mass. Nurseries at Geneva, N. Y. 
STRAWBERRY PLANTS THAT GROW. 
I have a large stock for spring of 1896, including t he 
standard sorts; also many of the later introduc¬ 
tions. such as Brandywine. Bisel, Eleanor, Clyde. 
Splendid. Satisfaction, Wm. Belt, etc. My prices are 
right. Send for list. 
C. K. WHITTEN’S NURSERY, Bridgman, Mich. 
45ttonD_ TPEES 
200 varieties. Also GrMpes,SiniillKriilt«,ct<w5est root¬ 
ed stock. Genuine, cheap. 2 sample currants mailed for 
10c. Dose, price list free. LEWIS H0E8CU, Ercdonia, A. Y, 
AAtli DC 1C *1 P er bushel, sacked. Second- 
OU If I CAw Crop Carman No. 1 and White 
Bliss potatoes. The best early potato grown. Lady 
Thompson Strawberry Plants. $2 per 1,000. 
T. B. PARKER. Goldsboro, N. C. 
Letellier’s SPINELESS GOOSEBERRIES 
For colored Plate, description and price address 
C. U. JOOSTEN, 36 Dey Street. New York. 
p the best early Strawberry, New and 
I Kl I If L t fllll - v described in our 1896 Catalog 
Large stock of all berry plants at 
very low prices. IM ILLKK, the New Early lied Rasp¬ 
berry, reduced to $2 per 110. 
SLAYMAKER & SON, Dover, Del. 
STRAWBERRIES. 
Introducer of Satisfaction Strawberry, has Clyde, 
Wm. Belt, Marshall, Bisel, Brandywine, Eleanor, 
Mary, Staples, Brunette. Over 40 other best varieties. 
Large stock very fine plants. Descriptive Catalogue 
free. ENOS W. DUNHAM, Stevensvllle, Mich. 
ELLWANGER & BARRY’S (1896) CATALOGUE will be the largest.handsomest 
ami most valuable that they have published. It will contain accurate and reliable descriptions of the largest 
and choicest collections of fruit and ornamental trees, shrubbery, roses, etc., ever offered, besides ample 
cultural directions. It will be richly illustrated with half tone engravings, and will have a colored plate or 
new and unique design, and Illustrated cover. It will be mailed to regular customers free, to others on receipt 
of 10 cents to cover postage. KLUVANGEK & BARRY, Mount Hope Nurseries, Rochester, N.Y. 
Our New 1896 Catalogue 
of FRUIT TREES, PLANTS and VINES ; COMPLETE LIST OF 
ORNAMENTAL STOCK—all hardy and reliable—mailed free. 
T. J. DWYER, Orange County Nurseries, CORNWALL, N. Y. 
A LIVE 
CAT 
FOR BUSINESS FA It M E It S. That’s Rogers’ cat. Not a big cat 
that’s only good to look at. but one that will pay to have around. One that you 
can put your confidence in without getting “bit.” He is of fair size, well 
built; with no remarkable “ tale.” and a shiny black and white, but when you 
get one, he will be re(a)d. He won't cost you anything, and will save you 
money; send Rogers Nurseries, Isaac C. Rogers, Mgr., Dansville.N.Y. 
"Vour Name address 
Plainly written on a postal card and addressed to 
W. F. ALLEN , JR., SALISBURY. MD.. 
i-il will hr!ntr vou free of charere his 32-page Illustrated 
AT* yj§| Strawberry Catalogue, containing several original 
\ if-_ yy md 
iiLLE.N MARY L@8 wood engravings, and honest descriptions of over 60 
BSjUr^ xut jjDfpl varieties (largest and best Strawberry Catalogue pub- 
llshed); also sample copy otThe Strawberry OulturUt. 
Cdun unu/ If you grow strawberries, you 
OLIlU llUVrl can’t afford to be without It. 
TRIUMPH 
The only Yellow Freestone PEACH 
Ripening with Amsdea, 
▼e 
MERCER 
The Latest and Largest 
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EMPEROR 
{ 
The only Sure-Bearing, 
Non-Rotting CHERRY. 
For fall descriptions send for Catalogue <10«.) We will send onr Beautifully TUut. Omt*ton*'HHk 
the Dol’d Plates of the 3 Wonderful New Frulta, and 1 Emperor Peach June Bnd bj 
mall, postpaid,for 10c. 40S.H. BLACK,SON * CO., Village Nurseries, llighUtewa,H.J 
JERRARD’S SEED POTATOES > 
are always THE BEST. Grown from pedigree seed in the I 
new lands of the cold North-East, they yield Earliest and 
largest crops in every climate. 
JER RARD’S NORTHERN SEEDS 
produce earlier vegetables than any other on earth. 
^ OUR NEW ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE MAILED FREE. Address 
The George W. P. Jerrard Co., Caribou, Maine.[ 
Fall Supply Of All Kinds Of Nursery Stock in 
PLUM,PEACH,PEAR, 
Apple, Cherry, Quince, Crape Vines, with all kinds 
of Small Fruits. Also Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, 
Roses and Seeds, Japan, Holland and other Bulbs. 
Everything of the best— for Orchard, "Vineyard, Lawn, Part, Street, OardensndCon* 
•ervutory. Mil lions of Trees, Shrubs, Roses, Vines, Bu'bs, Greenhouse Plants, etc Why not pro¬ 
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we will quote you lowest prices. _ . 
Price list and catalogue free. 48ndyear. lOOO acres. 8# Greenhouses. 
THE STORRS & HARRISON CO. a Box23 Painesville,Ohio. 
