392 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
May 13, 
FARMERS’ CLUB 
f 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 
Mixing of Pumpkins and Melons. 
C. L. G., McNabb. III. —Would watermelons 
and pumpkins, or squashes and pumpkins mix 
when planted near together? Would the 
fruits mix, or would it be just the seeds 
that mixed? 
Ans. —Many experiments have shown 
that watermelons do not mix or hybridize 
with pumpkins, squashes, cucumbers or 
muskmelons. They may he freely planted 
near these vegetables without injury to 
the fruits or the seeds. Watermelons oc¬ 
casionally hybridize with the preserving 
citron, and the different varieties of 
watermelons very freely mix if planted 
together. There is little or no change in 
the fruits the same season, but the seeds 
cannot be relied on to come true the 
succeeding years. 
Sal Soda for Hen Lice. 
C. II. M., Portvlllc, X. Y. —I have read 
that sal soda or common washing soda was 
better and cheaper than any other spray for 
henhouse to kill mites and lice. IIow many 
pounds to a given quantity of water, and 
how used? 
Ans. —I have never heard of the use 
of sal soda for spraying henhouses. I 
should think it would require quite a 
strong solution, which would be as ex¬ 
pensive as some other mixtures that are 
known to be effective. It would not kill 
the lice, as they are on the hens, but the 
mites live during the day on the perches 
and walls of the house, going on the hens 
like a bedbug at night. One could use 
common lye, at the rate of one pound 
in three or four gallons of water, or a 
good strong whitewash is good, but a fine 
spray of pure kerosene is, I think, the 
best of all. A gallon will go a long way 
in a very fine spray. 
M. V. SLINGERLAND. 
Growing and Using Celeriac. 
F. II. G., Tekamoh, Neb. —Will you give 
some information concerning celeriac? We 
do not succeed well in growing celery. Is 
celeriac a substitute? Is is grown in a level 
bed or ditches? Does it have the same flavor 
as celery? Are the tops used, or only the 
roots? Is It cooked or eaten raw? 
Ans. —The culture of celeriac or turnip- 
rooted celery is quite identical with that 
of ordinary celery, except that it needs 
no earthing up or blanching, as the en¬ 
larged root is eaten instead of the top 
or stems. The seeds should be sown 
very early in Spring in a well-prepared 
seed bed on frame in a shaded position. 
The bed must be kept well watered, as 
the seeds germinate slowly. When large 
enough to handle they should be trans¬ 
planted about three inches apart each 
way, and later transplanted to rows in 
the garden about two feet apart, and six 
to eight inches apart in the row. The 
soil should be light and rich and very 
thorough cultivation given so that the 
roots may grow to the largest size. It is 
always grown by level culture. The roots 
are peeled, put in cold water for half an 
hour, then cut in squares, put into boil¬ 
ing salted water and cooked until ten¬ 
der. Drain, and serve with cream sauce. 
They are also used as a salad; boiled, 
sliced and served cold with mayonnaise 
or French dressing. 
Horseradish Questions. 
L. At., Onwrga, III. —Is it possible to grow 
a salable horseradish root from a three-inch 
set put in a four-inch deep hole? A salable 
or marketable root, I understand, should be 
10 to 14 inches long, equally thick at both 
ends, weighing on an average three-quarters 
to one pound, smooth, with not more than 
two or three heads or crowns. I am planning 
to plant a couple of acres this Spring, and 
therefore am very much interested in the 
question. 
Ans.—W hile it is possible to grow a 
horseradish root 10 to 14 inches long 
from a three-inch set in one season, I 
doubt very much if the above results can 
be obtained by an amateur, or one having 
no experience in the cultivation, or a 
thorough knowledge of the requirement 
of the crops. Such results are obtained 
by growers who have the most favorable 
conditions, such as a moist and very 
rich soil. Most of the horseradish on 
the markets to-day is much smaller in 
size (three-quarter inch in diameter and 
about six to eight inches long), put up in 
bunches weighing about two pounds. It 
is useless to expect to make the crop 
profitable on ordinary farm land with the 
care usually given to a crop of corn or 
potatoes. I would advise the questioner 
to go slow; try a small piece, say one- 
quarter acre. The reason that sets are 
preferable for planting is because a set 
has but few dormant eyes, and if the eye 
nearest the top is from one to two inches 
under the surface of the soil it will read¬ 
ily start, and the others remain dormant, 
whereas if the sets were carelessly put 
in, or were put in horizontally, several 
eyes would start, and rootlets to sup¬ 
port those eyes would soon fill the soil, 
which would make the root unsalable, 
which is the case where crowns are set. 
As horseradish is usually grown as a 
second crop, which fact accounts in a 
measure for the small size roots offered 
for sale in a climate where the season is 
short, one cannot expect to grow roots 
14 inches long and one inch in diameter 
in one season. The crop must be dug 
at the end of the first season, otherwise 
if left over it becomes of little value, if 
not a most noxious weed. One writer 
claims to have sold $1,000 worth of roots 
from one acre. I would be satisfied with 
much less, say $250 or one-quarter as 
much. JOHN JEANNIN, JR. 
Nitrate of Potash and Bone. 
J. L. P., lirooklyn, N. V.—For potato fer¬ 
tilizer how would this work per acre: Nitrate 
of potash, nitrogen 13 per cent; potash, 44 
per cent, 200 pounds; steamed bone dust, 
nitrogen 2.1 per cent, phosphoric acid, 2*.75 
per cent, 337Vi pounds. As I figure it this 
is equivalent to 1,000 pounds of 3.3, 9.28, 
8.8. Theoretically this should work all right. 
Is there any practical reason why something 
else would be better? 
Ans.— The most practical objection to 
this mixture is the cost. Nitrate of pot¬ 
ash is expensive, the nitrogen in it cost¬ 
ing more than in other forms. A mixture 
of nitrate of soda and sulphate of potash 
would give as good results at less cost. 
Another objection is the fact that this 
mixture contains too small a fertilizer of 
organic nitrogen. The theory in making 
a fertilizer for potatoes is to mix several 
kinds of nitrogen together so as to have 
one become available after another, and 
thus be sure to carry the crop through. 
One great reason why stable manure gives 
such excellent results is that it becomes 
available through the season, thus con¬ 
stantly feeding the crop. While a concen¬ 
trated mixture of chemicals is excellent 
for indoor culture or where all the condi¬ 
tions are under control, for most outdoor 
work more bulky mixtures are preferred, 
as it is easier to spread them evenly. 
When you write advertisers mention The 
B. N.-Y. and you'll get a quick reply and 
“a square deal.” See guarantee, page 8. 
PROPER CULTIVATION. 
The subject of cultivation of crops is very 
important in the minds of all farmers at this 
time. 
The “Iron Age" Biding Cultivators will do 
it best, whether the crop is grown on level, 
rolling or hilly land, and whether the crops 
are planted in narrow or wide rows. The 
No. 80 Iron Age l’ivot wheel Biding Culti¬ 
vator is up-to-date in every particular. 
Write for the “Iron Age” book which will 
describe our many different style cultivators, 
likewise. Wheel Hoes, Seed Drills, Ilorse 
Hoes, Potato Planters. Potato Sprayers, etc., 
etc. Bateman Mfg. Co., Box 102, Grenloch, 
N. J. 
ROT, BLIGHT, MILDEW 
d. 
Prevent it with the original 
and only “ LION - BRAND" 
Bordeaux Mixture. 
Concentrated and scientifically prepared. Ready for immediate use by simply adding 50 parts water, 
I nuf Pficf f Ffforiitio f P ut up in Q narts - Gallons, 5-Gallons, Vj Barrels and 
Lvn UU9I ■ tllCvllV v ■ Barrels. Our business is to manufacture Agricultural 
Sprays and Fungicides, Paris Green, Kerosene Emulsion; and .Limey Sulphur and Salt. 
In ordering specify “LION BRAND”—Manufactured by 
THE JAMES A. BLANCHARD COMPANY, 01 Maiden Lane, NEW YORK. 
DOWNICIDE 
The only preventive to vegetation of fungus, blight, 
curl leaf and San Jose Scale, Sure death to every 
known insect. An economical, clean, efficient, ready 
to use insecticide and fungicide. Satisfaction 
guaranteed or money refunded, Write for book. 
Downicide Chemical Co.,Middleport, N.Y. 
.TOP BUGGY. 2 year guarantor. 
Ion 30 days Free Trial. It's a 
Jgenuine Split Hickory. That s 
■ means value. Guaranteed 
■solid rubber tires. Worth 50%^ 
Imore than we ask. 192-page 
\catalog free. Send now. m 
The Ohio Carriage 
Slfg. Co. 
tH.C. Fhelps,Prcs.r 
Station *>90 
Cincinnati* 
Ohio 
CHAIN-HANGING 
CATTLE STANCHION 
The Most Practical 
CATTLE FASTENER 
ever invented. 
Manufactured and for 
sale by 
O. H. ROBERTSON, 
Forestvllle, Conn. 
To Introduce 
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WEEDSPORT SILOS 
The three styles we build are mod¬ 
els of up-to-date silo construction. 
The cut shows the “ Weedsport 
Improved Silo.” with removable 
sliding, interchangeable doors, and 
Octagon Shingle Bcof. 
A Silo ‘will pay its cost in one 
year from saving in fodder and 
increase of milk. Special prices 
on orders for shipment July 1st. 
Write for Catalogue, stating size 
wanted. 
The ABRAM WALRATH CO. 
I, Box 83, 
WEEDSPORT, N. Y. 
PIDDIfSC PLANTS. 300,000 E. J. Wakefield 
OhDDAUC and E. Summer. Very Strong. $1. 
1000: $8,10,000. F.W. Rochelle. Drawer 3. Chester, N.J. 
*1 r*| r* Q n 11 from a vigorous growing field of 
MLirtLln OUIL Alfalfa, three years old, $1 per 
hundred pounds; 10 per cent discount on 500 pounds 
or over. R. I). BUTTON, Canastota, New York. 
VELVET BEANS 
♦♦♦♦ A 1 
200 bushels in two-bushel sacks. 
Brooksville, Fla. 
PRIMUS GARY, Box 34. Brooksville. Florida. 
♦♦♦♦ 
$2 per bushel f.o.b. 
Climax, Parson's 
Beauty, Senator 
Dunlap and 50 other varieties. Rend for price list to 
D. RODWAY, Hartly, Delaware. 
STRAWBERRY PLANTS 
The Farmer’s Friend 
STEEL FRAME 
PLANTER 
A simple, compact, easily handled tool— 
plants corn, beans, peas, popcorn, carrot, 
beet, turnip or onion seed, with or without 
fertilizer, in hill or drill. 
Not a New Planter, but New to Some People. 
In sections where The Fnrmor’* Friend is not used 
we will sell a few machines direct to users at 
wholesale prices. Writeatonce. The No. i Tiger 
Planter, a real two row planter— not two single 
planters In one frame. The most up-to-date planter 
made. Full information and prices sent on request. 
Stoddard Mfg. Co., Rutland, Vt. 
STRAWBERRIES 
You want strong rooted, vigorous plants, right 
varieties and bred to bear. If you have 
never tried Harrison plants before 
you should do so this spring. 
The name Harrison is a guarantee of strawberry 
plant excellence. You are sure to get just what 
you order and we guarantee you’ll be pleased with 
the stock. 60 varieties, every favorite. 
Bubach, Brandywine, Bismarck, Crescent, 
Excelsior, Candy, Haverland, Mark Hanna, 
Michell'a Early, Parsons, Warfield, Etc. 
Wrapped and packed to go safe anywhere. Prices 
right. We guarantee arrival in pe-rfect condition. 
Hare us ship you any sized trial order. We 
know you'll come again. Catalog free. 
Harrison’9 Nurserie 9 , Box 29, Berlin, Md. 
SWEET CORN 
bag, $3; 5 bags, $12.50. 
Seedsmen. Buffalo, N 
Choice Stowell’s Evergreen 
Seed, high vitality, 2 bushel 
O. XV. CLARK & SON, 
ew York. 
FOR SALE 
I—CRIMSON CLOVER Seed, $5 50 
_ bushel; Cow Peas, $1.75 bushel; 
2nd growth Seed Potatoes, $3.00 to $3.50 barrel; Onion 
Sets, $3.00 bushel JOSEPH E. HOLLAND. 
Milford, Delaware. 
THE GOOD TIMES. 
A new potato from Aroostook County, Maine. Rot 
and rust proof. A big yielder. The balance of our 
stock at greatly reduced prices to close them out. 
Also 15 other leading kinds, including the Spaulding 
No. 4 which beat 190 other kinds last year. This is 
your opportunity to change your seed stock. Send 
for catalogue and price. ROSS BROTHERS, Front 
Street, Worcester, Mass., N. E. Greatest Seed Store. 
K FRUIT BOOK 
'shows in NATURAL COLORS and 
accurately describes 216 varieties of 
fruit. Send for our liberal terms of distri- 
r butiou to planters.—Stark Bro’s, Louisiana, Mo. 
Potted Strawberry Plants 
List Free. T. C. KEVITT, Athenia, New Jersey. 
SEED POTATOES 
A fine lot of EARLY NORTHERS grown on 
virgin soil. $1 per bushel: $2.50 per barrel while they 
last. T. DRISCOLL, Kauneonga.Sull. Co.. N. Y. 
DHTITflCC Vermont Gold Coin and 
I U I A I UCw Irish Cobblers, $3 per 4 bu. 
bbls.; White Mammoth and Carman No. 3, $2 peri 
bu. bbls. GEO. A. BONNELL, Waterloo, New York. 
DRTATntQ S rown especially for SEED. 15 
I U I H I UCw varieties, price right, list free. 
GEO. H. COLVIN, Crest Farm, Dalton, Pa. 
YOUNG STRAW BERRY PLANTS at $1.50 per 
M.—Nick Ohmer, Wolverton, Saunders, Brandywine, 
Haverland, Seaford, Enormous, Wm. Belt, Marshall. 
Excelsior, New York, Rough Rider, Senator Dun¬ 
lap. Fresh dug, well packed, 600 Wealthy, 300 York 
Imperial, 300 Rome Beauty, 2 yr. 5 to 7 ft. Grand stock. 
Low price. Arthur J. Collins, Moorestown, N. J. 
TREES 
SHRUBS 
ROSES 
The largest and most com¬ 
plete collections In America, 
including all desirable nov¬ 
elties. Illustrated descrip¬ 
tive catalogue free. Gold 
Medal—Paris, Pan-American, 
St. Louis. 102 prizes New York 
State Fair, 1904. 
ELLWANGER & BARRY 
Mount Hope Nuroerlw, 
Drawer 1044 — I, Rochester, N.Y. 
Established 18^0. 
Vegetable Plants. 
ASPARAGUS, Palmetto and Connovers, - 1000, $5 
SWEET POTATO, Yellow and RedJersey, 1000, $1.50 
CELERY, White Plume and other, - - - 1000, $1 
“ “ " " transplanted, 1000, $2.50 
CABBAGE, All Varieties. 1000, $1.25 
transplanted, 1000, $2 
TOMATO, All Varieties, 1000, $1, $2, $5 and $10 ac¬ 
cording to size of plants. Special prices on 10,000 and 
100,000 lots. Price list mailed free, covering all kinds 
of Vegetable and Flower Plants. Cash with order. 
LUDVIG MOSBAKK, Oimrga, Illinois. 
STRAWBERRY PLANTS THAT GROW Best Standard Varieties 
Also Raspberry, Blackberry, Currant and Grape Plants, Asparagus Boots and Seed 
Potatoes in assortment. All stock warranted high grade and true to name. Forty-page Cata¬ 
logue with cultural instructions, Free. C. E. W HITTEN, Box 11, Bridgman, Mich. 
Every variety of seed the farmer needs 
- to make the farm pay. Northern grown, 
hardy varieties. We carry an especially attractive lot of Grass Seeds—Clover, 
Alfalfa, Timothy, Millet, Blue Grass, Harvey’s Special Pasture Mixture, etc. 
HARVEY’S SURE SEEDS 
are all tested and true to name. Field Seed*. Potatoes, Oats, Wheat, Barley,—the 
best that grow. Corn—the regular sorts and several new varieties of money¬ 
makers, some especially suitable for ensilage--fine for the dairy farmer. Write 
for complete free catalog. Harvey Seed Co., 113Ellicott Street, Buffalo, N, Y. 
$5 Per 100 . 
Apples. Pear, Plum, Cherry, Peach and Carolina Pop¬ 
lars. Healthy, true to name and Fumigated All 
kinds of trees and plants at low wholesale prices. 
Remember we BEAT all other reliable Nurseries in quality and prices. Catalogue free. 
RELIANCE NURSERY,.Box 10. Geneva, New York. 
