458 • 
TIIH RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
June 10, 
NOTES FROM THE RURALGROUNDS 
Asparagus and Salt.— Practical grow¬ 
ers from tlie earliest times have insisted 
that salt in considerable quantity is ben¬ 
eficial to the asparagus plant. Asparagus 
was formerly closely grown in heavily 
manured beds, and it was a common cus¬ 
tom to empty on these beds the brine in 
which the family supply of meat was 
packed in Winter. These brines con¬ 
tained much soluble nitrogen from the 
meat, and often were fortified by nitrate 
of potash or saltpetre, added as a preser¬ 
vative. I he result of such applications 
to a plant able to resist the action of 
salt could not be otherwise than benefic¬ 
ial, but there has always been testimony 
to the effect that asparagus was bene¬ 
fited by applications of pure salt, chloride 
of sodium, containing no other fertiliz¬ 
ing matter whatever. Others claim that 
salt is only indirectly helpful by its tend¬ 
ency to increase soil moisture, make 
other fertilizing matter already in the soil 
available, and suppress weeds. Large 
growers, however, do not appear to get 
much benefit from salt as an asparagus 
fertilizer, and rely on the usual ma¬ 
nures and chemicals for feeding their 
beds. I he Arkansas Experiment Station 
has been making some interesting trials 
of this kind, which are detailed in the 
recently issued Bulletin No. 8 ( 5 . Half a 
ton of salt to the acre did not give ap¬ 
preciable results either in increasing the 
crop nor in checking the growth of 
weeds, but a further treatment next sea¬ 
son, of two pounds to the square yard, 
or nearly five tons to the acre, in two 
equal applications, twenty days apart, on 
the same plot, sligh'ly increased the 
yield of shoots as harvested the following 
Spring, and appeared to promote vigorous 
growth, at the same time greatly dis¬ 
couraging weeds, only a few of which ap¬ 
peared during the entire Summer. The 
plants also gained a strongly increased 
bloom or glaucous appearance which 
would seem to indicate added resistance 
1o disease. Such varieties as Argenteuil 
and Palmetto, having well-developed 
bloom, are plainly less susceptible to rust 
than pale or bright green kinds like Col¬ 
umbian or Conover. Five tons to the 
acre, however, is expensive treatment for 
the small advantage returned, and the 
outlay would better be made in more ef¬ 
fective manures where asparagus is grown 
on a large scale. For the family bed, 
two pounds salt to the square yard and 
the yearly application of meat brine are 
not out of the way, and may be worth 
their cost in keeping down weeds. The 
Bulletin recommends the salt treatment 
for asparagus when grown as a Summer 
screen along boundary and division fences. 
The airy, graceful foliage of asparagus 
softens if not conceals harsh outlines and 
backgrounds, and being of rapid growth, 
is admirably adapted for the purpose, but 
we all know the difficulty of keeping fence 
rows and corners clean of weeds and 
grass by the usual means. Salt here 
serves an excellent purpose by helping the 
asparagus and suppressing weeds, but it 
must be borne in mind that no trifling 
application will answer. By the testi¬ 
mony of this bulletin and much personal 
expciuen'ce two or more pounds to 
the square yard each season will be 
needed. The salt should be sprinkled on 
the soil and well hoed in to prevent rain 
from washing it away. Two applications 
appear to be more effective than an equal 
amount put on at the same time. 
Butted Glass for Greenhouses. —Sev¬ 
eral glasshouse men have had their say 
regarding butted versus lapped glass for 
greenhouses, and their conclusion that in 
general it is better slightly to lap the 
panes, using a less expensive grade of 
glass, than try to make a close fit by but¬ 
ting together, may be taken as correct. 
The Rural Grounds glasshouse was built 
10 years ago, using double thick glass of 
the best quality, to inches square, butted 
together, tor the roof, there has been 
less glass broken by frost or wind during 
this interval than in any similar con¬ 
struction with lapped glass that has come 
under the observation of the writer, and 
the roof is about as clean and light as 
when finished, there being small chance 
for the lodgment of light-obstructing 
matter in the close joints between the 
panes. No white lead nor metal strip 
were used in the joints, and they do not 
appear to have been needed. The sash 
bars were spaced one-eighth inch farther 
apart than the width of the glass, thus 
giving sufficient play to make a good fit 
in almost every instance. The glass be- 
hip, square, we had a choice of edges ex¬ 
cept in the case of one box, Hi x 32 
inches, which had been substituted for two 
boxes of 10 x 10. Here we were restrict¬ 
ed in choice, and the long 32-inch panes 
had proportionally less play than the 
shorter ones. The fit is less perfect, but 
the cracks between the ends are not great¬ 
er than can be found between the sur¬ 
faces of lapped panes in any house con¬ 
structed on that principle. It is well 
known that window glass is not really 
flat, having a bulge or convexity on one 
side and a corresponding hollow or con¬ 
cavity on the other, due to the cylindrical 
form in which it is blown. It is the uni¬ 
versal custom in greenhouse glazing to 
lay the panes with the bulge or convexity 
outside, as it is supposed better to resist 
wind pressure and other strains than if 
laid the other way. This rule is followed 
when glass is butted as well as when 
lapped, but in the case of panes having 
different degrees of curvature there may 
be greater space when lapped than when 
straight edges are butted together. In 
most lapped glass constructions joints 
may be found between panes of different 
curvature through which a tolerably thick 
knife blade may easily be passed. Such 
small openings quickly seal in frosty 
weather, and are really only objectionable 
because they accumulate dirt and admit 
wind in chilly weather above the freezing 
point. 
No Putty Used.— Butted glass is laid 
without nails or putty. The panes are 
laid directly on the grooves of the bars 
and held in place by accurately fitting 
wooden caps, screwed down after the 
glass is in place. All the woodwor 
should receive two or more coats of best 
white lead paint before glass is put in. 
This form of glazing is much easier and 
more rapid than bedding in putty, the 
work can be done with comparatively in¬ 
experienced labor, and glass can be more 
readily replaced in case of future break¬ 
age. as it is only necessary to loosen a 
few screws, spring up the caps and slip 
in new panes of the same size, afterward 
turning the screws to their former place. 
I here is some leakage of wind and rain 
around the edges of the glass when laid 
on the bare wood iu this manner, but a 
perfectly tight joint can easily be made 
by laying strips of ordinary cotton candle- 
wicking, soaked in boiled linseed oil over 
the edges of the glass close to the tongue 
before the caps are screwed in place. This 
cheap and convenient packing ,is quite 
commonly used, and tends greatly’to make 
the roof warmer and drier during stormy 
weather. As to drip, our experience is 
there is less than wi'h lapped glass for the 
same pitch of roof. More water may 
make its way between the joints, but it 
tends to cling to the under surface of the 
glass and run down to the eaves, where a 
shallow inside gutter should be provided 
to carry it away from the benches. When 
drip starts to run down the under surface 
of lapped glass it finds interruptions like 
the jogs of a shingle roof at each joint 
and thus drops off on the plants, walks 
or benches. Buffed glass roofs should 
have a pitch of eight inches or more to 
the foot, so that the drip will adhere and 
rapidly run to the bottom. 
^ Butted System More Expensive.— 
Sash bars with cap, cut for butted glass, 
cost a trifle more than the ordinary kind, 
but this expense is offset by the saving in 
putty and zinc nails, to say nothing of the 
economy in time and labor in glazing, bu' 
the best grade of glass must be used if 
close and uniform joints are expected. 
1 he Rural Ground greenhouse was built 
m 1895, when glass was very cheap. For 
$2.50 per box of 50 square feet we se¬ 
cured as good glass as could be bought 
now for $5. It is clear, thick, uniform 
and cut almost perfectly square. Herein 
lies the only real objection to tlie butted 
system. Low-grade glass, roughly cut. 
cannot make a tight fit and satisfactory 
job. laid edge to edge, but will answer 
fairly well for a time when lapped. For 
commercial structures glass of ordinary 
grades, slightly lapped, is most practical. 
We can recommend the butting system 
however, for amateur and other small 
glasshouses where neat, light, durable 
glazing and freedom from annoying 
breakages are the objects, rather than the 
utmost economy in first construction. 
w. v. F. 
Bowker’s 
Insecticides 
Disparene, 
the most powerful known. 
Destroys codling-moth, 
canker-worm, elm-leaf beetle, gypsy and brown- 
tail moths. Used and endorsed by Ohio, New York, 
New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and other 
experiment stations, park superintendents, tree war¬ 
dens, and large orchardists everywhere. All ready 
to use by adding water. Enough for a large 
orchard, $4.25. Enough for 75 gallons spray for $1. 
A 2-lb. sample for 50 cents. One application lasts 
months. Not washed off by heavy rains. 
Boxal, 
rust, and 
combined. 
especially for potatoes, serves three pur¬ 
poses : it kills bugs, prevents blight and 
prevents rot. Insecticide and fungicide 
Enough for an acre, $ 1. 
Our large handbook of insect pests and plant diseases is worth 
50 cents, but we mail it FREE 
BOWKER. INSECTICIDE COMPANY 
BOSTON NEW YORK CINCINNATI 
For All Leaf Eating Insects 
spray with 
SWIFT’S 
Arsenate of Lead 
is uu Illustrated Booklet which 
will save you money. It’s free to 
you if you give your dealer’s 
name. Write to address below. 
Beware of other brands of Paris 
Green on the market, which even 
i f “pure, ’ ’ may contain ‘ 1 free’ ’ acid 
and which when applied, may 
burn or destroy the leaves of your 
crops and trees. You have your 
profits at stake, and should use 
ANSBAC/fEJtiS 
It will not burn. It sticks 
and will not wash off. 
CO., 
I 11 use by successful Farmers and 
Orchardists since half a century. 
It's 
ABSOLUTELY PURE! 
DEADLY IN RESULTS! 
HARMLESS TO FOLIAGE! 
Reject all substitutes. If your 
Dealer won’t furnish it, write us, 
and we’ll see that you get it. 
Comes in 5 lb., 2 lb. and x lb. 
boxes, sealed with Ansbacher’s 
guarantee of purity. 
For Booklet, etc. drop postal to 
A. B. ANSBACHER & CO., 
5 Murray St., New York. 
Please mention your Dealer s name when writing. 
MADE ONLY liY THE 
MERRIMAC CHEMICAL 
BOSTON, MASS. 
Be sure and get Swift’s. If your dealer 
does not handle it, write direct to us. 
SAN JOSE SCALE 
and other IN8KCT8 killed by 
GOODS 
Caustic Potash Whale-Oil Soap No. 3 
Endorsed by U. 8. Dept, of Agrl. and State Experiment 
Stations. Thissoaplsa Fertlllaeras well as an Insecti¬ 
cide. 60-lb. kegs.I-!.60; 100-lb kegs,$4.60; half barrel, 
170 lb., per i b; barrel.426 lb.,3)^c. Send for booklet. 
•JAMI5S 00(111, Original Maker, 
939-41 N. Front Street. Philadelphia, Pa. 
HURST’S POTATO SPRAYER FREE 
Sprayseverything. Trees, potatoes, 
truck, orchards and small patches 
equally well. Rows, 4 at a time, 20 
acres per day. liven 2 acre growers 
say.*'Paysitself4irst season." hirst 
order (where no agent) Wholesale 
price and agency. Ten days'free 
trial, or wdl take extra yield one 
acre our pay. Write TO-DAY for 
one free iu each locality. 
H. L. HURST MFG. CO., 
Dept. £ Canton, Ohio. 
The 
WATSON 
Four Row 
’ Potato Sprayer 
I Covers 60 to 40 acres jar day. 
Straddles 2rows, sprays 4 id 
a time. Wheels adjust lor dif¬ 
ferent widths. Sprays toanv 
Oneness, amt gearing id pump to wheel of oart gives any 
pressure desired. Autoinalio agitator and suction strainer 
cleaner. It never apoils foliage or clogs. Free instruction and 
formula book shows the famous Garfield, Umpire King 
Orchard Monarch and other sprayers. Write lot it. 
Field Force Pump Co., a ilth St., Elmira, N. V. 
A single dose relieves. 
Pratts Heave Cure. 
Made by Pratt Food Co., Phila. Over 30 years old. 
Many valuable horses saved 
Pratts Veterinary Colic Cure. 
Made by Pratt Food Co., Phila. UvcriiVyeajsviU. 
FERRES FRUIT BOX 
Is cheaper, lighter, stronger and better looking than 
wooden boxes. 
The saving made on express shipments on account of less 
weight will more than pay for the boxes. 
Write us for circulars and prices, also state the kind and 
quantity of fruit you ship. 
The J. W. Sefton Mfg. Go., box 15 Anderson, Ind. 
