1065. 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
359 
Hope Farm Notes 
Farm Notes. —Wliat about the Alfalfa? 
Two weeks ago 1 about concluded that we 
should call it another partial failure. There 
were a few scattered large plants in sight, 
but by no means a good stand. I have learned 
to wait after I have labored, and so I waited. 
It is well I did, for with the warmer weather 
thousands of little plants have started up all 
over the field, and it looks now more like a 
success than I ever expected. I find the 
nodules or little warts on the roots where 
we used the culture and also where we tried 
Alfalfa two years ago and failed. Those 
Alfalfa plants rank second as welcome vis¬ 
itors this year. First place must of course 
be given to Mother and the children when 
they come back about M’ay 1. The 
best young grass seeding we have on the farm 
this Spring is where the grass seed was put 
In with buckwheat last August. We let the 
buckwheat rot on the ground without at¬ 
tempting to cut it, and the grass has come 
up through the buckwheat straw like a lawn. 
This grass is evidently better than that seed¬ 
ed in rye or seeded alone last Fall. This is 
the third time we have had this success when 
seeding to buckwheat. . . . No time to 
stop and hear the birds sing now. An excep¬ 
tion might be made with the hens. They are 
singing with good results. The Spring has 
run up on us and brought oat sowing and 
clover seeding, spraying, garden making, tree 
and potato planting and fertilizer spreading 
ail in a bunch, it takes nice planning to get 
tnem all done. As is pretty well known, tree 
planting is done at a lively rate at Hope 
Farm. We do not blow big holes with dyna¬ 
mite, or dig them either. We cut root and 
top of the tree so as to get it as close to the 
condition of a cutting as possible. Small 
holes are then dug, usually right in the sod, 
and the tree is planted about an inch lower 
than it stood in the nursery row, with the 
soil pounded firmly around it. 
We do this because experience shows that 
on our soil trees planted in this way make 
a splendid root system and give us full con¬ 
trol of the top. They start close to the 
ground, and we can head them about as we 
please. Again, this plan of planting and car¬ 
ing for trees suits our conditions and works 
in with the plans we have made for handling 
the farm. When we started this Stringfellow 
method of tree culture most of the experts 
called it a very good joke. I have some let¬ 
ters of warning from well-known fruit grow¬ 
ers, which if printed with fair pictures of 
my trees would make such gentlemen very 
weary. I am told by nurserymen that more 
and more planters are cutting off the roots 
and shearing away the top. . . . Our 
oldest peach trees are simply alive with fruit 
buds. I have never seen buds crowded so 
close together. There are more than the 
trees can ever mature. That means thinning 
them down, though it seems like a shame to 
pull olf these promising little peaches. We are 
not after little peaches—we are after big 
ones. Last year Mother caught me thinning 
a peach tree near the house, and was quite 
Indignant at what seemed such a waste. Na¬ 
ture is a little too liberal in her ideas on 
such trees. . . . .Tack is to he master of 
ceremonies In the poach orchard this Sum¬ 
mer. By the first of May he will have a fair¬ 
sized circle hoed around each tree, and two to 
three pounds of good fertilizer scattered out a 
little farther than the branches extend. Then 
he will haul manure, trash, forest leaves, 
anything that will rot and put a good coating 
under each tree, not up close to the trunk, 
but so as to leave a clear space there of about 
a foot. Then during the Summer weeds, 
grass, brush, whatever grows or comes to us, 
will be cut and put around the trees In a 
wider and wider circle. As older readers 
know, some of our orchards are in rough land 
that has not been plowed for years, and has 
grown up to cedars, birch and brush. There 
is not grass enough in these fields to make 
good mulch. Jack wants to try to break up 
part of this tough land with a one-horse 
plow, plant a low-growing kind of corn, and 
at the last cultivation sow Crimson clover 
and turnips. I started to let that field go 
without any particular help except fertiliz¬ 
ing so as to see just what it would do. 
Jack’s plan is a good one and I am glad to 
give it a trial. 
Potatoes ox Son.—Here Is a question from 
Michigan : 
“Would you briefly give full directions for 
growing a large crop of potatoes on a Tim¬ 
othy sod. clay loam? I have plenty of cow 
manure that can he used, also a quantity of 
hen manure.” v. A. s. 
It is not our plan in this section to plant 
potatoes on a sod. We prefer to put corn on 
the sod and potatoes on open ground. I have 
planted two small patches of potatoes in sod 
and had good yields. With my present expe¬ 
rience T would proceed as follows: Haul 
about 15 good loads of cow manure per acre 
and spread it on the sod. Plow just before 
planting, turning the furrows so as to put the 
grass under out of sight. I would not use a 
spring-tooth or any harrow that would tear 
up the sod, but some form of drag that 
would level and crush down the surface. On 
a small field I would mark both ways, so as 
to make hills three feet apart without deep 
furrows, and use a hand potato planter to 
put in the seed or open with a hoe, drop in 
the seed and cover. Tf using a planter T 
would run the drills with the furrows, though 
T should prefer planting in hills. I would 
dry and fine the hen manure and scatter a 
handful of it over each Hill at about the first 
cultivation. My obiect: would l>e to keep that 
sod covered as much as possible. Tf you chop 
il up or turn the grass up it will be hard to 
keep the field clean, and the sod rotting 
under ground will give the potatoes just what 
they need. To reseed for grass I would want 
the sod to be chopped up so it could be killed 
out before the new seeding, but for potatoes 
I would keep it covered and packed down. 
Or.p Age.—A Connecticut reader sends me 
the following note : 
“I should like to know what the Hope 
Farm Man thinks of Dr. Osier. I hope that 
he is a long way off from the days of anaes¬ 
thesia. lie has broken more hearts than he 
will ever know : he has made them feel what 
before they only knew in a general way. If 
they would only hunt for the microbe of old 
age and slay it what a blessing!” 
I presume most of our people know that Dr. 
Osier, a famous physician, was reported to 
have made the statement that a man lias seen 
his best at 40 years, and that when he gets 
to be 00 he should be chloroformed. When 
this report was first printed I asked a well- 
known man what he thought of it: lie said: 
“Osier has either not been reported rig;ht. 
he is seeking notoriety, or else he is losing 
his wits.” 
My judgment is that all three guesses were 
right. Dr. Osier has since explained, lie 
was merely joking when he spoke of killing 
off men of 60—I understand he is 58 himself. 
What he claims to have said was that the 
years between 25 and 40 are usually the part 
of life when men originate things and lay 
the foundation of success. 1 must agree with 
him that if a man at 40 years has not learn¬ 
ed to do some one thing well he is not very 
likely to master any trade or profession after 
that age. I have no ri"ht to base an opinion 
upon any life but my own. It seems to me 
now that much of the work I did before 1 
was 40 was that of a pupil—not of very great 
value to anybody. I thought at the time 
that I came near moving the world on sev¬ 
eral occasions, but I didn't. If the world 
hadn't been very good natured it would have 
rolled over me as the only movement it felt 
called upon to make. I conclude that any 
one who says man cannot grow and develop 
after 40 doesn't know what he is talking 
about. You might just as well tell me that 
a ripe apple in December is not as good as a 
sour unrfpe fruit in July. Nonsense! The 
ripe and ripening years of life are the best. 
There are plenty of things I could do 25 
years ago which I know I can't do now, but 
I am thankful that there are many things 
now which I could not do then. It is true that 
many of us are sorry to admit that we are 
growing old. There is a charm about youth 
which is beyond price. Yet I cannot think 
of anything"more absurd, not to say pitiful, 
than some elderly person trying to conceal 
age and pass as young. If any of us are to 
be experimented with I suggest some of these 
gay old boys. I am sorry that some reporter 
started this senseless discussion. It has hurt 
many who were trying bravely to keep up 
and "forget their years and infirmities in their 
duties. All such things encourage the foolish 
belief that because a man has gray in his 
hair he must step aside for younger men. 
Let a man stop for a moment and realize 
what would happen to the world if all at 
once the experience and caution of people 
past 50 years were withdrawn from society, 
and things were left entirely to the young. 
In one year there would be a smash that 
would require 50 years to repair. Every man 
and woman should retain a hold on property 
or affairs as long as they can. Let us also 
try to take care of ourselves so that we may 
he active and vigorous as long as possible. 
As for the "microlie of old age" it will never 
be killed. The best we can do is to grow Into 
the years gently and calmly. Carry some 
good hobby along with you, and come as close 
to the Golden Rule as you can as you go 
along. H. w. c. 
SPRING TOOTH 
HARROWS 
Frames Lined and Faced, or unlined. 
Teeth Full Weight, Best Made. 
Send to-day for Special Circular and Price List. 
LANSING IMPLEMENT CO., Lansing, Mich. 
Hallofck 
; Flat Tooth 
Weeder 
Kills weeds, stirs top soil, makes dust mulch, 
preserves moisture. Great benefit to all 
crops. Manufactured under special license. 
Seeder Attachment insures uniform sowing 
and right covering of all grasses. Sows 2 to 
18 quarts per acre. Ask for book of field 
scenes showing weeder at work. 
Keystone Cultivator Attachment 
for Sulky, Riding, Walking or Two Row 
Cultivators. Runs on 
the row, where Shovels 
cannot reach. Uncov¬ 
ers corn, stirs soil, 
kills weeds. Great cul¬ 
tivator feature. 
Write for descriptive 
circulars. 
Keystone Farm Machine Co., 
1547 N. Beaver St., York, Pa. 
Harrows $ 5.80 Up 
Cut this out and send to us 
g 1 v SScljApC* with the price as printed. We 
will at once ship you this well 
VrTvSsssrN knownKalamazoo manufactured 
high grade Spring Tooth Harrow. 
ricelGToOth Not Lined, $5.80 
Price, Lined . 
. . 3 6.40 
“ 18 “ 
44 
6.30 
44 44 
. . 7.00 
“ 20 “ 
it 
6.80 
it tt 
. . 7.60 
“ 24 “ 
tt 
8.75 
tt (4 
. . 10.75 
Extra Harrow Teeth, each, 20c; Channel Steel Clips, 
2c each, or 22c per dozen. 
Lined Harrows are used on stony land lnN.Y.,Pa., 
W.Va.. and all through New England. Ours are lined 
full length and tooth bolts are protected by Channel 
Steel Clips. Every Harrow has stump guard. Full 
length oil-tempered spring teeth. Oak frames. A 
better Harrow cannot be bought at any price. 
Can ship an 18-tooth Harrow to Portland, Maine, or 
Baltimore, Md., for $1.00. Points at a less distance 
proportionately less. Send now; have the harrow 
on hand ready for spring work. At this low price you 
can’t afford to bother with the old one. We have man¬ 
ufactured Spring Tooth Harrows for 26 years. It was 
originally Invented by a Kalamazoo man. We are 
headquarters. Also get a copy of our big catalogue 
No. 86, showing everything used on the farm- It’s 
nee. CASH SUPPLY & MFG. CO. 
406 Lawrence Sqr. Kalamazoo, Mich. 
i 
GOO&MEjj 
WANTED 
/ 
i 
In Every 
Locality 
% 
vmm 
To Introduce OSGOOD’S 
“New Idea” Steel Pitless Scale 
Every farmer admits he needs a scale and is losing money without 
one. He has no excuse, 
now. Our “Ready to 
Weigh” Scale requires no ' 
pit wall or timber except¬ 
ing platform plank. With our 
full line we can furnish him 
anything he wants, on time if de¬ 
sired, 30 days’ trial. An agent can make $500.00 
extra money this year by writing now for our Ex¬ 
clusive Agency and prices. Show this ad to your 
nei ghb ors. Write us about Scale for yourself. 
| Osdood Scale Go.. Box 167. Bln^bamton.rl.T, 
EXAMjNjyW^RAME 
It controls the life of a Spreader. It must carry a heavy load on 
rough and uneven ground and sustain the strain of all working ma¬ 
chinery. Perfect construction is necessary. The Standard frame has 
heavy sills into which the cross sills are held by large tenons, and 
joint bolts. Centre truss rods run fromend to end, and;help support 
strong centre sills. The] 
STANDARD MANURE SPREADER 
Is the only spreader having three shafts under frame at rear and 
one in front extending entire width. These tie the frame, but their 
most important duty is to give a wide bearing for all gears, prevent¬ 
ing the cramping and breakage that trouble other spreaders. Large 
broad face apron rollers securely pinned and screwed to sill, and two apron chains insure a free running a- 
pron or bottom. Every part of machine Is designed for unusual strength and simplicity. Strongest wheels, 
strongest braced box; strongest beater connections. Non-breakable change of feed mechanism. Simplest 
Spreader to operate. One lever starts entire machine. Endgate lifts easily because moves back from 
load, then forms a Hood over beater. Insures even spreading. Spreads light and also the heaviest—5^ to 35 
• loads per acre. Rake prevents spreading in bunches. Apron returns automatically. Write for catalog,^ 
THE STANDARD HARROW CO., Dept. K UTICA, N. Y. 
Makers of Harrows, Cultivators, Potato Harvesters, etc. 
DoIjOACH 
Avoid imitators and infringes and buy the Genuine. 
Catalog Free of Saw Mills. 4H. P. and up. Shingle 
L Planing, Lath and Corn Mills; four Stroke Hay 
L Presses. Water Wheels. We pay freight, 
K DeLoach Mill Mf g. Co., Box 1002, Atlanta,Ga- 
AW MILL 
CUTAWAY TOOLS FOR LARGE HAY CROPS 
Clark’s Reversible Rush & Bog Plow, cuts a track 4 ft. wide. 1 ft. deep. Will plow a new 
cut forest. His Double-Action Cutaway Harrow keeps the land 
true, moves 18,000 tons of earth, cuts 30 acres per day. His Rev. 
DiskPlowcutsafurrowStolOln.deep, ^^s>jl4 in.wlde _ 
All these machines will kill witoh- — 
grass, wild muBtard, charlock,hard- 
hack. sunflower, milkweed, thistle 
or any foul plant. Send for clr’lars. 
CUTAWAY HARROW CO., 
Hl'tganum, Conn., U. S. A. 
RIIPi/EVE Pivot Axle Disc 
DUutiElE Riding Cultivator 
The farmer who possesses a Buckeye Pivot Axle Disc Riding Cultivator reaps 
many benefits. He has a cultivator that in efficiency, convenience and eco¬ 
nomy is unsurpassed. With wheel guide, double 
tongue, drop hitch, adjustable arch, spring 
pressure, beams adjustable to or from 
^ row, it makes cultivation sure, easy and 
cheap. Especially constructed for 
cultivating in pea vines and weedy, 
foul ground. It does as good work 
on the hillside as on the level, and 
it always gives satisfaction. It’s a 
cultivator so made that it won’t 
wear shaky or lose its rigidity. 
Ask to see the complete Buckeye line 
of implements at your dealers. Write 
for catalogue and full description. 
Ho. 50 Buckeye lMse Biding Cultivator. P. P, MAST & CO., 9 Canal St., Springfield, OtliO- 
THE 
Tandem Garden 
Lou Dillon CULTIVATOR 
A Savings Bank on Wheels 
THE Greatest Time Saving garden tool ever Invented. Built for more 
speed and better work. Teeth changed from 8 to 16-inch row (or to any width 
between) in an inst>- nt. No wrench needed. Shallow, Medium or Deep Culti¬ 
vation obtained by simple movement of the foot. Works soil at an even 
depth all down "the row. No hit and miss and keeps going. At least 
One-Third Quicker Than Any Other Garden Cultivator on Earth. 
Easier to push than a lawn mower. No Gardener can afford 
to be without oue of our time savers. Built for the big gar¬ 
dener and the little gardener. Used for any garden crop. 
Last season’s shipments went into every quarter of 
the country. Scores of unsolicited testimonials. Ask 
for descriptive catalog and order direct or of your 
local dealer. Write to-day. 
ScliailDlo Mnfg. Oo- 
Dopartmont O 
SIZES 
3 to 13J4 feet 
Agents 
Wanted. 
Rulverizing Harrow 
Clod Crusher and Leveler. 
SENT ON TRIAL*. 
To be returned at my expense if not satisfactory. 
- The best pulverizer—cheapest 
Riding Harrow on earth. The 
Acme crushes, cuts, pul¬ 
verizes, turns and levels 
all soils for all purposes. 
Made entirely of cast 
Kk steel and wrought iron 
—indestructible. 
Catalog and booklet. 
“An Ideal Harrow” by 
____ Henry Stewart sent free. 
I deliver f. o. b. at New Y ork, Chicago, CoInmbas.LoalaviHf. Kansas City, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Portland, etc, 
DUANE H. NASH, Sole Manufacturer, Millington, New Jersey. 
BRANCH HOUSES: 1 10 W. Washington St., CHICAGO. 240-244 7th Avc. S., MINNEAPOLIS. 13 16 W. 8th St.. 
KANSAS CITY. MO. 210 lOth St., LOUISVILLE, KY. Cor. Water and W. Gay Sts., COLUMBUS, OHIO. 
PLEASE MENTION THIS PAPER. 
