96 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
February 11, 
FARMERS’ CL US 
T 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. 1 
Charcoal as Fertilizer. 
/., Snubb’e 8 id in;/, Del. —Is charcoal dust 
or refuse of any value as a fertilizer? On 
my farm at a railroad siding is a coalyard 
and shed. Large quantities of charcoal 
(burned from spruce pine wood) is hauled 
here, dumped on the yard and shipped away 
by rail; it is all forked up, leaving the small 
coal and dust and ashes as waste. There are 
probably one hundred loads on the yard now, 
Land sandy and light, good for truck and 
fruit. 
Ans. —Charcoal dust is of no value as a 
fertilizer; that is, it contains no actual 
plant food. It has, however, other values, 
which in some cases make it worth using. 
For instance, charcoal has a wonderful 
power to absorb moisture or gases like 
and fill up with water; this will show the 
space that can be filled with sand and 
concrete mixed. Then take this volume 
and mix it one part cement to three of 
sand, and you will have a Very safe con¬ 
crete. We must remember that complete 
concrete Construction means that the 
space shall all be filled so that a thin 
Coating of cement shall be brought into 
immediate contact with every particle of 
sand, and over the surface of each piece 
of stone or gravel. You can more ac¬ 
curately determine the cement require¬ 
ment by adding water to the sand, and 
note how much is required to fill the 
spaces. Ordinarily one to three will an¬ 
swer; sometimes it will require one to 
two. For all kinds of surface work where 
great wearing durability is needed al¬ 
ways use one part cement to two of sharp 
sand. I had an experience last Fall that 
may be of value, although not directly 
applicable to this question. All of the 
cement floor work that I had previously 
done had the foundation laid of small 
field stone filled in with sand and cement. 
ammonia. Experiments have been tried in 
covering the body of a dead animal like 
a dog or cat with a heap of charcoal. At 
the end of a few weeks it was found that 
everything but the bones had been decom¬ 
posed without any odor whatever. The 
charcoal simply absorbed the gases which 
arose from the animal. Heated charcoal 
is often thrown into wells or other places 
to purify the water, which it does by ab¬ 
sorbing the foul odors. Charcoal there¬ 
fore is excellent to put in manure piles, or 
to have in the stable. On light sandy 
soils a fair dressing of charcoal will 
darken the color of the soil, thus warm¬ 
ing it up and making it easier to work, and 
quicker and earlier in the Spring. This, 
of course, refers to charcoal, and not in 
any degree to either bituminous or anthra¬ 
cite coal. Either of these will be injurious 
to the soil in large quantities. Hogs and 
chickens are very fond of charcoal. It is 
well to keep some of it before them all the 
time. If we had a chance to get the pure 
charcoal you speak of we would haul all 
we could get of it. Mix large quantities 
of it through the manure, keep it before 
the hogs constantly, and spread it eight to 
10 loads to the acre over light, sandy soil, 
working it in with a harrow or cultivator. 
We should expect good effects from such 
use, although you must understand that 
this good effect does not come from the 
plant food of the charcoal. 
Short Talk About Concrete. 
S. J., Steubenville, 0 .—How many feet 
of concrete properly mixed will one barrel 
of Portland cement make? Limestone can be 
had on my land for less than 25 cents per 
yard quarried. Can you give me any idea as 
to the cost of crushing the same fine enough 
for concrete? Is the crushed limestone equal 
to screened gravel for my purpose, house 
building with molded building blocks? 
Ans. —Crushed stone is better than 
gravel for concrete construction on ac¬ 
count of the rough surface making for 
more complete union between cement and 
stone. For floor work either will do. The 
concrete blocks that I have seen have 
been made of sand and cement without 
stone or gravel. I would hardly think a 
finely finished block could be made if stone 
were used. The surface of the block 
would be decidedly rough. It would be 
all right for foundation construction, but 
here you would not need blocks. Forms 
put up and filled in with a mixture of 
Portland one part, sand three parts, 
crushed stone eight parts, would do the 
work as well as expensive blocks. The 
cost of crushing stone will vary, depend¬ 
ing upon circumstances. If you wanted 
only a few and had to get a crusher and 
power, they would no doubt cost $2 a 
yard for the labor. If you could drive 
direct to a machine already set and at 
work you could probably secure them for 
50 cents per cubic yard, loaded in your 
wagon, or at the most not over $1. There 
is no definite rule for the amount of 
wall that can be made from a barrel 
of cement, for the reason that the ma¬ 
terial used is not always alike. The cor¬ 
rect manner of securing proper proportion . 
is to take a given quantity of crushed stone 
We put down a factory floor, using river 
gravel instead of these small stones; find¬ 
ing at the conclusion of the job that we 
had used nearly one-half more cement for 
an equal area than we used with the 
field stone foundation. I am willing to 
say that for a concrete wall or floor upon 
which heavy pressure is brought to bear 
the gravel job would be best, but for all 
kinds of flooring it is not superior. Of 
course these small field stones are not 
available everywhere, but where they are, 
should be used. H, E. <e. 
Spraying Clean ThkIcs.—O h page 024 con¬ 
cerning trees having no 6cale, the editor 
thinks yes, and from this answer one might 
conclude that his experience has taught him 
that spraying was fun. If so, I have missed 
a lot, for my own spraying has been very 
hard and trying work. I do not think that 
spraying should be done on general principles 
just because it is a good thing and a part of 
good farm practice. To accomplish results 
we must know just what is expected to accom¬ 
plish. To do this we must know what in¬ 
sects are causing damage, and what fungus 
diseases are present or are in our neighbor¬ 
hood. Then we can go ahead with the work 
intelligently, applying an arsenical for a leaf- 
eating insect, kerosene emulsion for a sucking 
insect, or the Bordeaux Mixture for various 
fungous diseases. Simply to spray here and 
there on general principles, is, in my opinion 
at least, time and money wasted. 
Chicago. HOWARD evarts weed. 
ISENI) FOIt our hand 
I some catalog of Trees 
I Shrubs,Roses, K 
I greens, etc. We 
Ideal direct. ?■ 
I agents. O u 
prices are the 
[ lowest. 
Our Mr. M. 
Wragg U I 
an expert land¬ 
scape gardener, 
and his services are 
available for our cus- 
->mers. M. J. Wragg I 
Nura ry Co., soo Good) 
Block, Dca Moines, Iowa. 
STRAWBERRY PLANTS 
1,000 and up. Catalog Free. 
R. E. ALLEN, Paw Paw, Mich. 
and 
r'by, 
and 
Blk’by plants, Vigorous. Heavy Rooted, and 
True to Name. High quality and Low Prices. 
Perfect satisfaction guaranteed. Price List FREE. 
A. R. WESTON & CO 
R. F. 1). No. 8 Bridgman, Mich. 
5,000,000 STRAWBERRY PLANTS 
Of all leading varieties, new and standard. OurStock 
of Plants is the best in the world. Price KM.75 
per M. Read what a customer says: ‘‘Received 
the plants in good shape; they were the best I ever 
bought. Your way of packing is good. Thanking 
you for your liberal count of plants, I remain, your 
customer, Jas. D. Clark, Mateer. Pa.” 
We guarantee safe delivery and satisfaction. 
Wholesale and Retail Illustrated Catalogue Free. 
Write to-dav and save money. Address 
W. S. PERDUE & SONS, Box 115, Parsonsburg, Md. 
80 VARIETIES 
BEST NEW 
Standard Strai 
Kas’by, Grape 
1,000,000 CLIMAX 
and other varieties of Strawberry Plants, true to 
name. SeDd for price list and description. 
JOHN W. GREEN, Bridgeville, Del. 
THE GREAT HERBERT RASPBERRY 
Originated at Ottawa, Can. nowon the market for 
the first time. Tested for 14 years, has proved the 
hardiest, most productive, and best all-round berry 
in existence. The notes for 1904 from Central Ex 
perimental Farm, Ottawa, are; *■ Very strong grower, 
good crop, fruit large to very large, bright to deep 
red. moderately firm, juicy, sprightly sub-acid, good 
flavor, good to very good quality; promising from 
all points of view. Should be quite firm enough for 
shipment. Yield from 12 plants, 60 baskets of fruit.” 
For further information, write, 
W. J. KERR. Nurseryman, 
Renfrew, Ontario, Can. 
Save Morey or Fruit Plahts 
Strawberry Plants,$1,75 to $3 p m 
All Kinds of Small Fruit Plants. 
Seed Potatoes, $2.50 to $3 bbT. 
Special prices on a quantity. 
Satisfaction Guaranteed. Catalogue Free. 
O. A. E. BALDWIN, 
Oak Street, Bridgman, Mich. 
NEW RED 
Phenomenal Raspberry 
BEATS THEM ALL. 
GIVING A CRATE OF BERRIES TO A PLANT 
FOURTEEN MONTHS FROM PLANTING. 
Returns This Season Over $1,400 Per Acre. 
The Berries are three inches long r nd inches in 
circumference; they will ship 1,000 miles easily. 
Acres and acres are being plantea In California for 
Canning Purposes, and the plants are in great 
demand. Send for photograph, description and 
prices of tip plants. Plants ready to ship from 
January 15th to April. 
CALIFORNIA CARNATION CO., 
L; Box 103, Loomis, California. 
Right Road to Success 
Straight Goods at Fair Prices Bought Direct 
f 
Fifty 1 iar« of Square Deal¬ 
ing entitles the dealer to the 
consideration of all who buy 
his sort of goods. Responsi¬ 
bility should always count. 
Our specialty is, and has been, 
selling direct to the planter, 
who thus pays hut one profit. 
We offer everything of the best 
for 
Orchard, Vineyard, Lawn, 
Park, Street, Gardon 
and Greenhouse 
Rarest, New, Choicest, Old. 
The Rest Always the Cheap¬ 
est. We 6end by mail, postpaid. 
Seeds, Plants,Vines, Bulbs, 
Roses, Shrubs and 
Small Trees 
and guarantee safe arrival and 
satisfaction. Larger sent by ex¬ 
press or freight. A valuablel68- 
page catalogue Free. Send for 
It and see what values we give 
for your money. Correspond¬ 
ence solicited. 61 Years. 44 Greenhouses. 1000 Acres, 
THE STORRS & HARRISON CO. 
Box 224 Painesville, Onto. 
Strawberries [ 
The Mark Hanna 
should be included in every or¬ 
der. A great n e w variety. 
Strong growing. regular and 
prolific bearer of excellent 
large berries. We grow 
All Varieties 
and we want you to see what Harrison quality 
plants means. None better grown, vigorous, well 
rooted, sure bearers. Prove by sending us trial 
order, any size. 1905 catalog ot' all fruits free. 
Harrison’s Nurseries, Box 29Berlin, Md. 
FRUIT 
A Large Assortment of the Finest Quality 
of Fruit, Shade and Ornamental Trees, 
at very Low Prices. We make a Specialty 
of dealing Direct with the Farmers. 
Write for Price List. 
CALL’S HTJRSERIES, Perry, O. 
Blackberries 
All the best varieties. Plantssuperblyrooted and vigor- w_ 
ous. We suggest as a leader for every order the de- £)J 
licious RATHBUN. Largest of all, a great bearer Y 
aid oneofthemostvigorousand hardy. Easily firstchoire I 
in the market on account of quality and appearance. It I 
pays to plant Wood’s quality Strawberries, Raspberries, f 
Currants, Gooseberries and Grapes. Send for catalogue. 
ALLEN L. WOOD, Wholesale Grower , Rochester, M, Y. 
Berry Plants 
all good kinds 
Cat. free. 
Over $2110 netted last year per 
acre from Parson Beauty Straw¬ 
berries, also, from Miller Rasp¬ 
berry. We sell plants enough 
of either sort for 1 acre for $15 
8LAYMAKER & SON, Dover, Del. 
KFRUITBOOK 
- shows in NATURAL COLORS and 
, accurately describes 216 varieties of 
fruit. Send for our liberal terms of distri- 
"butiou to planters.—Stark Bro’s, Louisiana, Mo. 
Trjfs 
Fruit T recs, Small Frnlts,Oroamcntnl Trees, 
Evergreens nnd Shrubs, shade Trees, Hardy 
Hoses, Hardy Plants, Climbers, etc. The 
most complete collections in this country. 
Gold Medal—Paris—Pan-American— 
St. Louis. 102 prizes New York State 
Fair, 1904. 
Illustrated Descriptive Catalogue 
FREE on Request. 
ELLWANGER & BARRY 
Mt- Hope Nurseries, Rochester, N. Y. 
Drawer iom l Established 6S Years. 
Peach Trees and 
Strawberry Plants. 
We have them by the 100,000. to¬ 
gether with general line of nur¬ 
sery stock. Prices low; quality 
best. Write for new 1905 Catalog. 
CHATTANOOGA NURSERIES, 
Chattanooga, Tennessee. 
PFAPM TDCCQ A fullilneof varie- 
rtHL/n i riELCj ties, new and old 
apple trees, 
Summer, Autumn and Winter Varieties. 
QUINCE TREES are scarce, 
but we have them. Get our FR KK descriptive Cata¬ 
logue. JOS. H. BLACK SON & CO., Hightslown. N. J. 
WE OFFER A FINE STOCK 
of tho following trees and plants: 
The New Rush Hybrid Chinkapin. 
Paragon; Ttidgley and Japan Chestnuts* 
Caper shell Pecans, Japan Chestnuts, 
Grapevines, Roses, etc , etc. 
Send for free Catalogue. 
SUMMIT NURSERIES, Monticello, Florida. 
r TWO MILLION-t 
Strawberry Plants 
Free from disease and in the most thrifty grow¬ 
ing condition. Guaranteed true to name and va¬ 
riety. No grower can produce anything better. 10 
different kinds. Also a few thousand Peacli Trees, 
Elberta and other leaders. Positively no scale or 
other disease. 20 page catalogue free. Write to¬ 
day. It’s sure to save you money. 
.mi J. W. JONES & SON, Allen, Md. 
“GREAT SCOTT” 
A. 3NTow Strawtoorry 
S. H. WARREN, Weston. Mass. 
miMICUmLMEl 
ere ••lircd lor bearing.” That’s why we 
cut all buds from the best fruited, bearing 
trees. It also Usures stock true to name and 
variety. Over three million trees—913 acres. 
All new and standard varieties of Apple, 
Peach. Pear, Plum, Quince, etc. Also orna¬ 
mental trees and shrubs. Vie sell direct at 
whoYnflle prices, illustrated catalogue free. 
WEST MICHIGAN NURSERIES, 
Itpx 54 ? Benton Harbor, Mich.^^^1 
% 
ST JOSEPH MISSOURI 
!s the first authority for farmers and fruit¬ 
growers in the great fruit-growing centers. 
The April number will be a “special” de¬ 
voted to an extended discussion on the 
profitable raising and marketing of 
CmaII r.iiil. Every berry-raiser, every 
dmall i lUilS farmer, should get this as 
well as every other number of this paper. 
The Fruit-Groivcr is “tho handsomest 
farm paper pubH*bed’’and cost* 
60o a year. Send C5c and namoB . 
of 10 person* interested in 
fruit-growing for a yenr’* 
trial. Faetcm £dition 
tor States east of Ohio. 
The Fruit-Grower Co. 
1251 S. 7th, 
St. Joseph, Mo. 
APPLE TREES $5.00 TO $10.00 PER 100 
Currant Bushes and Grape Vines, also Poplar 
Trees, for sale at bargain prices, boxed free. 
These trees, plants and vines must be sold at bargain prices, as we 
are overstocked with them. We have a surplus of both Carolina and 
Lombardy Poplars. Help us to sell i, 000,000 first-class trees, shrubs 
and vines as described and priced in our large new catalogue, which is 
mailed free when requested by postal card. Established 25 years 
$ 100 , 000.00 capital. Trees true to name, boxed free. Let us price 
your list before buying elsewhere. Mention where you saw this adver¬ 
tisement and we will mail you a copy of Green’s Fruit Magazine. 
Address GREEN’S NURSERY CO., Rochester, N. Y. 
TREES 
$5 PER 100, FREIGHT PAID, 
true to name and Fumigated. All ktndsof trees and plants at low wholesale 
prices. Remember we HEAT all other reliable Nurseries in quality and 
price. Catalogue free. RELIANCE NURSERY, liox lo. Geneva, N. Y. 
D A DTI CTT__P P rTS _Bred from' selected bear- 
D MIX I la CL I I uCl/WEiL lng parents. Tbe three 
greatest, high quality business pears. Why risk time and money on doubtful varieties? There are no 
better pears than these. Our Tree Breeder (f ree) will tell you about the safest and the best trees, and 
recommends safe kinds only. We offer you SAFETY, and “ You can rest your minds at ease, in planting 
the ROGERS TKKES.” 
The Tree Breeder. ROGERS ON THE HILL, DANSVILLE. N. Y. 
DO YOUR FRUIT TREES BEAR TRUE TO NAME? 
A problem confronting Fruit Growers and Farmers throughout the Country, and a serious one 
to solve. I have studied the question many years aud can give you valuable information. Send for 
my FREE Catalogue. Fifty Fruit Trees FREE with early orders. 
MARTIN WAHL, Nurseryman, Rochester, N. Y.. 
