147 
1905. 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
Gfd'wing Figs in Maine. 
F. C. C., Bridgeton, Mr .—Can wa success- 
fully grow fig trees ami make them fruit in 
Maine in llie open garden without having re¬ 
course to tlie greenhouse? They would need 
to lie placed in tlie root cellar by the middle 
of September to avoid frost and we are not 
safe from' Spring frosts until the first of 
June. 
Ans. —Hardy varieties of the fig. such 
as Brown Turkey, can probably be grown 
in your locality, if planted in tubs and 
sheltered from freezing in a cellar or 
other safe place. This variety produces 
fair fruits without artificial fertilizing or 
the action of the Blastophaga insect, is 
an abundant bearer and ripens very early. 
You will probably need to get your trees 
out of the cellar as early as possible, and 
started into growing, in order to have 
full benefit of the warm season, as figs arc 
sometimes very deliberate in developing 
young fruits. 
Dwarf Rocky Mountain Cherry. 
E. B. ft.. Providence, It. I .—Is the Dwarf 
Rocky Mountain cherry advertised by some 
nurserymen anything like what we call here 
the Reach plum, which bears a fruit about 
the size of a cherry and makes very fine pre¬ 
serves? I thought of ordering some of these 
cherries but thought perhaps it was nothing 
more than the Beach plum, of which 1 have 
hundreds all over my place. It is a hand¬ 
some sight in May to see them .in bloom. 
Ans. — I he Dwarf Rocky Mountain cherry 
is entirely distinct from the eastern Beach 
plum. The former is a true cherry, grow¬ 
ing only IS to 20 inches high in bush form. 
It is very hardy and productive, as well 
as ornamental when in bloom. The cher¬ 
ries very much resemble in appearance the 
black Mazzard variety so common here, 
but have little value, being so harshly 
flavored that they arc scarcely eatable. The 
plant also is very subject to twig blight 
when grown near the coast. We have 
been obliged to destroy all Rocky Moun¬ 
tain cherries on the Rural Grounds on 
this account, though we prized them for 
their beauty when in bloom. 
Propagating Currants. 
F. M. /?., Bridgeport. Iiul .—Will you in¬ 
form me how to propagate currant bushes 
from cuttings? I have a few plants each of 
the North Star and Kay, from which I 
want to get more plants, and do not under¬ 
stand how to proceed to lie successful. My 
rose hushes that I got from you are doing 
nicely. 
Ans.— Currants are generally propa¬ 
gated by cuttings of young ripe wood, seven 
or eight inches long, taken just before 
freezing weather. If possible they should 
be cut with a slight heel of old wood, but 
this is not absolutely necessary. The cut¬ 
tings should he very firmly planted in a 
trench, made in moist, rich soil, deep 
enough to hold the cuttings, with only 
the top bud above the soil. They should 
be thoroughly tramped in, as some pres¬ 
sure on the cutting at the bottom seems to 
be needed to start the roots. They should 
be placed about six inches apart, and 
slightly covered, after the trench is filled, 
with forest leaves or evergreen boughs, 
to prevent freezing. The cut surfaces will 
callus during the Winter, and roots start 
early in the Spring. The plants need not 
be disturbed for two years, when they can 
be t ransplanted to the fruiting ground. 
Small Greenhouse vs. Hotbeds. 
Which do you prefer for an average farm 
gardener, hotbeds or small greenhouses? 
Ans..—I take it you mean a farm of 
say 40 or 50 acres, about the size of ours; 
if so, I say no greenhouse for me. I 
have seen one tried by my brother; it 
might be all right for a gardener on a 
small place. We grow all kinds of truck, 
including nearly all sorts of fruit, also 
live stock. We use a hotbed for toma¬ 
toes only, or sometimes a few early cab¬ 
bages. We have been successful in grow¬ 
ing tomatoes in the open ground from 
seed. We aim to grow a variety of prod¬ 
uce suitable to our small market. I 
( 
would suggest that if there is a side hill . 
convenient, use it to economize fuel; if 
on level 1 would favor the ends to be 
north and south. 1 think the farmer could 
build it himself; in some cases 10 by HO 
feet would be large enough, which should 
not cost much over $100. Hot water is 
best for the growth of plants. Heating 
would need anywhere from two to five 
tons of coal, depending on the season and 
length of time in use. h. h. dunn. 
Ontario, Can. 
1 am most decided in my belief that for 
the average farmer hotbeds are better than 
any form of greenhouse. It requires a 
good deal of experience to grow plants 
that are “hard” (able to stand transplant¬ 
ing) in a greenhouse, and quite simple in 
hotbeds. .Most farmers have considerable 
practical knowledge in this work, and 
making the frames and handling them do 
not require expert carpenters or gardeners. 
In our experience glass is much better 
than the cloth substitute for either early 
or later plants. w. s. bucklin. 
Monmouth Co., N. J. 
I have never had any experience with 
a greenhouse, but from the very satisfac¬ 
tory results I have had from hotbeds at 
moderate cost, it is my opinion that where 
no greater area than .100 square feet is 
required, the balance of advantage is de¬ 
cidedly with hotbeds. For the last four 
years my hotbed has consisted of 15 sash 
(> by 1 feet 4 inches, which equals just 
the area I have named, and produces from 
”,000 to 8,000 good, hardy tomato, egg 
and pepper plants. One great advantage 
of hotbeds to the man of limited means 
is their comparatively slight original cost, 
and the fact that where either capital or 
experience is lacking, a start may be made 
with a very few, or even one sash, and 
additions made as required. There is 
considerable economy in that the entire 
space is occupied by plants. The out¬ 
door conditions that may be secured by 
removing the sash when hardening off 
for transplanting is another great advan¬ 
tage in their favor. To be sure, if the 
north wind howls or the snow or rain 
beats down at the time the beds must be 
made up and sown, one is disposed to 
envy the man who can go into his warm 
greenhouse and have a pleasant job, 
but during the Summer, if the hail should 
rattle down, as it sometimes will, and did 
here last season, it is some compensation 
to know that your glass is safely stored. 
Pennsylvania. n. r„ hartman. 
Success with Lime and Sui.piiur.— 
We were not troubled here with San 
Jose scale until about three or four years 
ago. We use this formula and find it 
killed almost all the scale: Fresh stone 
lime, 20 pounds; flowers of sulphur, 15 
pounds; common salt, 10 pounds; water, 
50 gallons. Boil 20 gallons of water in 
an iron pot or hog scalder, add the proper 
quantity of stone lime. First slake the 
lime, then add sulphur, which should have 
been previously moistened to form a thick 
paste. I his should be mixed with a lit¬ 
tle hot water. Add the salt a little later, 
when the mass is boiling. If water was 
boiling when this was added, boil 30 
minutes. The sulphur should be thor¬ 
oughly dissolved, producing a clear amber- 
colored solution. When the mixture has 
boiled sufficiently add the amount of hot 
or cold water to make 50 gallons; care¬ 
fully strain. We spray here in March, 
when the buds begin to swell. h. w. g. 
Tyaskin, Md. 
Makes more milk and butter 
Pratts Cow Tonic. 
Made by Pratt Food Co., Phila. Over 30 years old. 
VICTORY FEED MILL. 
Oldest and Best Grinding Mill 
Made. Will crush and grind 
corn and cob and all kinds of 
grain, mixed or separate, 
i. Grinds faster, finer and with 
less power than other mills. 
Are built strong, well made of 
good material, and will last 
a lifetime. Small size adapt¬ 
ed for windaud tread power. 
Made in four sizes for 1,4,8 
and 10 H. P. Free Catalogue. 
TIIOS. ROBERTS, 
Box 92. Springfield, O. 
No. 110 
Iron Ago 
Orcha d 
and Variety 
Cultivator 
CULTIVATION PAYS 
An old saying, “Tillage is manure,” applies closely to nil 
cultivation. It has been proven that it pays big money to till the 
orchard; in fact, no orchard can be kepi in a paying condition 
without it, since larger crops, better quality and toporieesare 
the direct results. In the family of famous 
Iron Age 
Implements 
our No. 110 Orchard Cultivator, shown in cut, will be found invalua¬ 
ble as a money maker and labor saver for the farmer and fruit grower. 
It may also bo adapted to other than orchard uses. 
The No. C Combined Double and Single Wheel Hoc, Ilill and Drill 
Seeder, is also a sure money maker in its Bpeeial Held. A new free 
book, “Iron Age,” describes other labor-saving, money-making 
implements, including Horse Iloes, Potato Planters, Sprayers and 
Fertilizer Distributors, etc. Send for It to-day. 
BATEMAN MFG. CO., Bo, 102. GREULOCh, N. J. 
MATTHEW’S “NEW UNIVERSAL” GARDEN TOOLS, 
6 STYLES SEE»E«Stl»„M»»rSi»,,I.Wh..l« B .'5 Toa J s | n j a ^^ 
Combined seeder, marker. ^- J ' • 
STYLES J E , E “ ERS Double or Single Wheel Hoe, 
0 es Cultivator, Plo.v, Rake. Changesquick- 
01 ly made Cultivate between or astride 
the rows. Any depth, any 
width.. 
Opens fur¬ 
row, drops 
in plain 
sight, 
covers, 
■narks. 
Accuracy. 
Note High Arch and Plant Guards 
Bent Oak Handles on all Tools. 
Combined seeder, marker, 
hoe, rake,plow, cultivator. 
Single or double wheel. 
Every adjustment 
easily made. For 
planting and all 
kinds of cultiva¬ 
tion. 
AMES PLOW COMPANY. 
Send for FRSS BOOKLET of valuable Informa¬ 
tion for planting and cultivating the garden and tuii 
description of these implements. 
64 MARKET STREET, BOSTON, MASS. 
A PERFECT SEED 
ow that always please 
:ar, nearest perfectiot 
Syracuse 
Harrow. 
The only Spring tooth harrow that always pleases is the one here shown. Best in con¬ 
struction, best in wear, nearest perfection in working qualities. It is the 
Lever Spring 
Tooth 
Frame ofangle steel bars with steel protecting shoe. Best adjust¬ 
ment of teetli for depth and clearance. Easy adjustment for dif¬ 
ferent soils. Teeth raised and carried on runners in transporting. 
Draft central ami direct, no side motion. With teeth having 
plainer separate points. Seeing it work is to want it. Ask the 
Syracuse dealer. If none in your town, ask us. Catalogue free. 
SYRACUSE CHILLED PLOW COMPANY, 
SYRACUSE, N. Y. 
DoLOACH I?A.T 
Avoid imitators and infringersand buy the Genuine 
Catalog Free of Saw Mills, 4 H. I*, and up. Shingle', 
Planing, Lath and Corn Mills; four Stroke Hav 
Presses. Water Wheels. VVe pay freight, 
Del.oaclt Mill 31 fg. Co., Box 1002, Atlanta,Ga- 
Sure, quick hoof grower 
Pratts Peerless Hoof Ointment. 
Made by Pratt Food Co., Phila. Over 30 years old. 
Make your own Fertilizer at small cost with 
Wilson’s Phosphate Mills 
From 1 to 40 H. 1’. Send for catalogue. 
WILSON BttOS.,Sole Mfr»., Dept. N L,.tuu,P«. 
THE FARMER’S MONET MAKER 
Why the 20 th Century is one of the best investments a farmer can make; 
why it saves time, money, patience, and increases the farmer’s bank ac¬ 
count; why it is durable, strong, needs few repairs; how it withstands hard 
usage without harming it; how it increases the fertility value of manure, 
how it advances the market value of every square foot of ground it runs 
over, these, with a hundred and one other questions vital to every farmer, are 
answered in our handsome, new, free catalog NoA- 7 . Write for it. Read it. 
The J. S. Kemp Manufacturing Company 
Newark Valley, N. Y. Waterloo, Iowa. 
Steel Roofing 
100 Square Feet, 
$ 2.00 
WE PAY FREIGHT EAST of COLORADO 
Kxeept Oklahoma, Indian Territory and 
Texas. Strictly new, perfect steel sheets, 
Gaml s feet long. The best rooling, siding 
orcelllngyou can use; painted two sides. 
Flat, 82 ; corruguted or V crimped. 82.10 per 
square. Wrlti* for free catalogue No. II- 67 
o.-i m.wri.l from Sheriffs' uml Kecidver.* Halos. 
CHICAGO lloi'sK H RECK1NOCO. 
85th A Iron Sts., Chicago. 
TRY IT“ EF “ 
'Vi 
rn 
tiling to let you prrve It. 
DITTO’S 
you BUY IT 
Wt believe we have the best 
farm grinder made and are 
wiilipg to let you prrve tt. 
Triple Geared Rail Rearing 
FEED GRINDER 
on trial* If It is not the largest capa¬ 
city, easiest runner, don't keep it. 
4L M. 1>ITTQ, lioi;',G, JoHct.I11. 
>For this 12-16 all steel 
■disc harrow. Frame is 
made of best angle steel. 
Axle of cold rolled pol¬ 
ished steel. Discshighest 
grade tempered steel. 
Spring seat. Draft i s di¬ 
rect from axle. Guaran¬ 
teed i n every way. 
Calumet check row 
planter with automatic 
reel and 80 rods wire. 
Never misses, drops in 
hills and drills. W e chal¬ 
lenge the world with this 
planter. Wewillshipon 
U 
for this Com 
Garden Drill. 
Furnished with dial indica¬ 
tor marker, coverers and 
rear wheel. With H tools 
complete $8.50. We can 
save you money on any- 
trial. Write for catalog, 'thing umed on a farm. 
$8 M 
for 40 
ft. 
Hay 
Car¬ 
rier 
outfit. 
One 
car¬ 
rier, 1 
fork, 
13 raf- 
•ter irons and hooks. 180 ft. 
rope. D floor hooks, 3 pulleys 
r»HT TUIO An AMT and send it to us and we will mall .von our Agricultural 
vU I I lllw MU UU I and Farm Machinery Catalogue FREE. Do If now. 
for this 
sickle 
grinder; grinds heel and 
point at same time. 
Grinds 6 ft. sickle in 10 
min. With 1 stone for 
- r -sickles, J2.78. With 2 
Wood, steel and cable track stones for grinding all 
outfits any lengths. | kinds of tools, J3.10, 
^1 fj Buys this 
Planter 
w 
for 
catalog. 
Plants in 
hills or drills, corn, 
beans, peas, garden seed, 
etc. Plants lzacres a day. 
Fertilizer attachment $2 75 
extra. If you want a ma¬ 
chine or implement of any 
kind, write for catalogue. 
$ 2 *° 
Steel Cultivator, 
plain, with 6 shovels, 
spreads to 33 inches. 
$6.55 umsa 
oMong galva- 
nized 9 l / 2 bbl.ttaK^fiGsgl 
steel tank with heavy 
Anglo steel rims. We make all 
sizee au J styles. SEND FO& 
CATALOGC£ TO-DAY. 
MARVIN SMITH CO. CHICAGO. ILL. 
