528 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
August 8 
reproduce itself by runners, when there were thou¬ 
sands of strong established plants all ready for busi¬ 
ness. So I changed my instructions, and told the men 
to take the strong plants, avoiding the original 
mother plant, and also the young plants. The result 
was that, where the young plants were set, I had, 
possibly, one-fourth of a crop of vines and fruit, cer¬ 
tainly three times as many as from some very fine 
potted plants set three weeks earlier, while the old 
vines formed as fine a matted row as one would wish 
to see, and produced a fine crop of berries. 
This year, I have not hesitated ; when there were 
varieties that were not satisfactory, I plowed them 
under and replaced with those that suited me. Plants 
put out three weeks ago, are already throwing out 
runners and give evidence that, before fall, they will 
have “ occupied the land.” 
I wish to indorse the words of praise The R. N.-Y. 
gave, a few weeks since, to the Richards transplanter. 
It is a boon to the strawberry grower, and a great 
improvement over the spade. We have used it exclu¬ 
sively this summer in transplanting, and certainly 
would not do without it for 10 times its cost. We use 
it somewhat differently, however, from that intended 
by the inventor. The 'ilant, after being taken up by 
a transplanter, is slipped out into a cart until the floor 
is covered, hauled to the new bed and dropped in the 
hole made by the excavator, which it fits perfectly ; 
the planter steps on it. and it is as ready to go right 
on growing as though it remained in its original loca¬ 
tion. This plan, I presume, would not answer in a 
sandy, loamy or crumbly soil ; but in our meadow 
soil, especially when wet, the cylinders cut by the 
transplanter stand up like bricks. 
When we wish to renew beds, or increase new varie¬ 
ties, we aim to do the work at the very earliest pos¬ 
sible moment after fruiting is over, for in this, every 
day counts. B. L. howkll. 
Burlington County, N. J. 
" DRY” BORDEAUX MIXTURE. 
The recent articles in The R. N.-Y. on this subject, 
have again called attention to the use of powders as 
fungicides. In this connection, we may be pardoned 
for referring to a statement of ours made three years 
ago, which, from recent experiments, we have seen no 
reason to change. In speaking of powders vs. liquids 
as fungicides, we said : 
Powders, especially lime and sulphur, have been used as fungi¬ 
cides for many years. At the beginning of the present century, 
they were employed to a considerable extent in combating plant 
maladies; but it was not until about 1847 that the practice of 
treating plants with sulphur and other powders assumed notable 
proportions. The large increase in the use of powders as fungi¬ 
cides at this period was, unquestionably, due to the rapid spread 
of the grape Oidiurn, a fungus which, at one time, threatened the 
vine industry of Europe. With the spread of this great pest 
throughout France, Germany, and Italy, the use of sulphur be¬ 
came almost universal. In 1857, we are informed that the con¬ 
sumption of sulphur for the purpose of combating the Oidiurn in 
France, reached the enormous amount of 7,700.000 pounds. Sul¬ 
phur, in the form of powder, continued to be the chief agent for 
the destruction and prevention of parasitic fungi until about 
1878, when the appearance of the downy mildew in France made 
it necessary to look for more efficient remedies. 
From 1878 to 1885, many experiments with both powders and 
liquids were made, in the hope that a means of preventing the 
downy mildew might be found. In 1885, it was discovered that 
a mixture of lime, milk, and copper-sulphate solution would, 
when properly applied, almost wholly prevent the attacks of the 
downy mildew. The preparation in question was nothing more 
than the now widely-known Bordeaux Mixture. The success 
attending the use of this fungicide directed attention to the value 
of liquids as preventives of parasitic fungi, and in a short time, 
many solutions, mixtures, etc-, were on the market. For the past 
five or six years, liquids have been extensively used, and we 
believe that it has been conclusively demonstrated that, for gen¬ 
eral work, they have been far more successful than powders. In 
other words, all the evidence seems to show that most of the well- 
known liquids in use more nearly fill the requirements of an ideal 
fungicide than the best powders on the market. 
Of course, there is, as yet, no really ideal fungicide. In order 
that any preparation should be classed as such, it must have, in 
addition to properties detrimental or destructive to the growth of 
fungi, other qualities equally as important. It must be cheap; 
easily prepared and applied; not readily removed by rain, wind, 
and dew; harmless to the most tender growing parts; and finally, 
as free as possible from qualities which would make, or tend to 
make, the parts treated injurious to health when used as food. 
This, we will admit, is rather a formidable array of requirements, 
and it will likely be some time before they are all combined in one 
preparation. When we come to apply them to the best powders, 
we find the latter lacking in several points. Admitting that the 
powders will destroy or prevent the attacks of fungi, that they 
are cheap and easily applied, they still have the serious objection 
of being easily removed by rain and wind, and what is more im¬ 
portant, they are, in most regions, at least, likely to injure cer¬ 
tain crops unless used with great caution. 
Last year and the year before, the writer made a series of ex¬ 
periments with several of the best-known powders, sulpbosteatite 
(powdered copper sulphate, sulphur and powdered soapstone), 
and precipitated sulphur beiog among the number. The principal 
object of this work was to obtain some reliable data as to the 
value of the powders as fungicides when compared with the well- 
known ammoniacal solution of copper carbonate and Bordeaux 
Mixture. Grapes, celery, potatoes, and wheat were the principal 
crops under treatment, the diseases combated being black rot 
and downy mildew of the grape, leaf blight of celery, and rust of 
wheat. In the case of grapes, it was found that, where Bordeaux 
Mixture saved 90 to 100 per cent of the crop from rot, the best 
powder, namely sulphosteatite, applied in the most careful man¬ 
ner, saved little more than 20 per cent. Besides this, the sul- 
phosteatitej seriously burned the foliage, young wood, and even 
green fruit, while the Bordeaux Mixture did not cause the slightest 
injury. In our experience, a single rainfall of three-fourths to 
one inch was sufficient to remove nearly every trace of powder, 
while after continued heavy rains of two, and even three, weeks, 
the Bordeaux Mixture showed plainly on the foliage. Looking at 
the matter in the light of all the facts at hand, it seems evident 
that the use of powders is warranted only when they maybe 
applied as curatives. 
To explain, it may be said that there are certain fungi whose 
growth upon the host or affected plant is almost wholly super¬ 
ficial, as, for example, the various powdery mildews attacking 
the grape, apple, cherry, and other economic plants. Here the 
application of a powder, sulphur or sulpbosteatite, would imme¬ 
diately destroy the reproductive bodies and vegetative organs of 
the parasite; but at the same time, in case it should rain in an 
hour, two hours, or a week, it would be necessary to make 
another application. 
A liquid, such as the ammoniacal solution of copper carbonate 
or Bordeaux Mixture, would, not only effectually destroy the re¬ 
productive bodies and mycelium, but would, also, by its adhesive¬ 
ness and other equally important properties, protect the plants 
for two, or even three, weeks regardless of rainfall. In a climate 
where rain seldom falls, or under glass, where this question does 
not necessarily have to be considered at all, powders for superfi¬ 
cial fungi, like the powdery mildew, will answer as well as liquids. 
The superficial fungi, however, are few in number, and the 
regions where the rainfall does not have to be considered are 
comparatively limited in extent ; hence liouids, for the present, 
at least, are the safest and most reliable remedies under all cir¬ 
cumstances. 
It must fie remembered, in considering 1 this matter, 
that, because powders are often effective insecticides, 
is no reason that they will prove successful against 
fungi. The treatment of most fungous parasites is 
preventive, not curative, as is often the case with 
insect enemies. 
We do not know the composition of any of the so- 
called “ dry” Bordeaux Mixtures on the market ; but 
from our knowledge of the chemical and physical prop¬ 
erties cf this preparation, we do not believe that a 
powder can be made warranting the name. In other 
words, Bordeaux Mixture, properly made, has certain 
marked physical and chemical characteristics, and to 
have these characteristics, it must be a liquid. 
U. S. Dept, of Agriculture. b. t. galloway. 
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piece of paper.] 
HOW MUCH HAY FOR A HORSE? 
HOW MANY TONS A YEAR ? 
Our opinion is that farmers generally feed too much hay to their 
horses. Ten or twelve pounds per day of good, bright hay, ought 
to be enough for a horse at moderate work. 
From 10 to 15 Pounds Enough. 
You are quite right in saying that farmers, particu¬ 
larly, generally feed too much hay ; 15 pounds per 
day, and in some cases but 10, are sufficient for an 
ordinary driving horse of from 800 to 1,000 pounds, 
unless the horse be driven every day for many hours. 
In addition to the hay fed, it is well to keep bright 
straw in the bottom of the manger. The horse will 
eat a part of it if the hay fed be not sufficient to dis¬ 
tend his stomach. He will not over-eat of straw, and 
the refuse may be used as bedding. Our horses, 
grade Percherons, weigh, on an average, about 1,350 
pounds each, and during last winter, they ate 20 
pounds of hay per day each. These horses were used 
every week day to draw coal for the University. The 
loads averaged two tons each, and the road rises, 
from the coal pockets to the University buildings, 400 
feet. You can see how severe the work of these 
horses must have been ; yet they remained healthy 
and fat during the whole winter, and drew the 4,000 
tons of coal required for the University. 
New York. i. p. Roberts. 
Farmers Feed Too Much Hay. 
Farmers, as a rule, and with very few exceptions, 
feed more hay than is good for their farm horses, 
even those that are at slow work. I would not be 
willing to cut my driving horses to 12 pounds ; 20 
pounds will keep an average horse in better shape, 
year after year. Of course, when we wish for a su¬ 
preme effort, either on the track or road, we cram the 
horses with a muscle-maker up to their ability to use 
it ; but it is like feeding a cow for a test, she has to be 
let down some time, and so with a horse. I think 
that 20 pounds of hay per day will give better results, 
through the natural period of usefulness of the horse, 
than less or more. A horse of a nervous disposition, 
inclined to scour, should have all the hay that can be 
got into him, in addition to the regular grain ration ; 
that is, however, my opinion, which may be erroneous. 
I have had horses in training which were such gross 
feeders that I was obliged to get peat moss for bed¬ 
ding, in order to keep them from stuffing with bed¬ 
ding. Of course, we could have muzzled them, but I 
do not like to make a horse wear a muzzle all the time. 
Vermont. c. a. chapman. 
It Depends Upon the Horse. 
It is difficult to say what amount of hay should be 
given to a horse to keep him in good condition for a 
year. Horses vary greatly as to the amount of hay 
which they will require, depending something upon 
the animal, as well as the weight. A horse that is 
inclined to be lank, lacking in barrel, would require 
much more hay than one of the opposite form. A 
horse that is snugly made, full barreled, and an easy 
keeper, would require a very small amount of hay, 
with grain three times a day. especially if given oats 
and bran. We are satisfied that horses, generally, 
especially in the hands of farmers, are fed too much 
hay to have them in good working condition, especial¬ 
ly for the road; but no prescribed amount can be 
fixed upon as a ration for all horses. The attendant 
should use good judgment, depending upon the 
horses in charge, and after a few trials, can decide 
for himself just what the proper allowance should be. 
New York. smiths & powell co. 
Opinions are Divided. 
I have talked with several persons about the mat¬ 
ter. One says that four tons of hay will be right for 
a 1,000-pound horse, a year. Another says that a 
horse should have 18 to 20 pounds per day. The stage 
driver insists that 25 pounds per day are none too 
much. My own observations of 20 different horses in 
nearly the same conditions, and over a period of seven 
years, make me th nk that one can tell no more about 
it by rule, than one can about what different people 
will eat and still keep healthy. The horses that l 
have noticed differed greatly ; one I have in mind 
that would not have eaten 10 pounds if hitched to a 
hay mow. All agree that an over supply of hay hurts 
any horse. c. m. 
Vermont. 
Half the Ration in Hay. 
My opinion is that, while each horse should be con¬ 
sidered by himself and fed accordingly, an animal of 
1,000 pounds requires about 20 to 25 pounds of food 
each day. I think it better to give not more than 
one-half of the amount in hay, the larger portion of 
which should be given at night. The grain ration 
should be adapted to the individual and the work he 
is required to do. As the horse likes a variety in his 
food, as well as the rest of us, I think it wise to supply 
it. Perhaps the best single food is oats ; but often, 
it is better to make a mixture of oats and shorts or 
oats and corn with some oil meal. For a very high- 
spirited horse, which is sometimes needed for farm 
work, barley may be better than anything else. 
Study the needs of each horse, giving what is best for 
him, and water before, not after, the grain feed. 
New Hampshire. w. k. dean. 
A WINTER OVERCOAT FOR WASHED SOIL. 
SOMETHING TO DIE IN SPRING. 
My land washes badly in winter and spring-, if exposed with 
nothing green on it. The work of repairing gullies, and the waste 
of fertility, are serious. Is there any crop which can be sown as 
late as August 1, or later, which will make a good growth before 
winter, and all die in winter, so as not to be troublesome in 
spring cultivation? A nitrogen gatherer would be preferable. I 
tried Crimson clover; but when I wanted it to winterkill, it would 
only do so in part, and when I wanted it to live, it wouldn’t. Peas 
are good, but the seed is expensive. m. morse. 
Massachusetts. 
Winter Rye or Turnips. 
In my own case, I use winter rye for this purpose, 
and either graze off in the spring or cut for soiling. 
This, of course, does not die in the winter, but I have 
no trouble in plowing it under in the spring. Neither 
is it a nitrogen gatherer from the atmosphere, but it 
is a hustler after what is in the soil, and is well suited 
to moist soils in Massachusetts. Prof. Brooks of Am¬ 
herst recommends white mustard sown about August 
1 , and says that it usually continues to grow until the 
middle of November. I have thought some of trying 
rape for this purpose, but it is considerable trouble to 
get seed of either rape or mustard. I am inclined to 
think that, perhaps, the common early strap-leaved 
turnip would serve the purpose well ; 50 cents or a 
dollar’s worth of seed would, I think, be ample for 
an acre. f. a. putnam. 
Massachusetts. 
Some Suggestions From Rhode Island. 
We have leguminous plants which respond to culti¬ 
vation. but most of those of which the seed is small 
and cheap when a sufficient amount for an acre is 
considered, require about the whole season for their 
growth. If some other than a leguminous plant were 
to be used, oats or barley would answer the purpose, 
and so, also, would round turnips or rape, of which 
the Dwarf Essex produces very abundant foliage in a 
very short time. Either of these four would be sure 
to do well until winter weather. I think that M. 
Morse could very safely try either the black or white 
