284 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
March 31,* 
FRIEND OF PRIZETAKER ONIONS. 
Market Demands. —On page 18G J. P., 
Westfield, N. Y., asks a number of onion 
questions which T. M. White ably an¬ 
swers, but as to Prizetakers not as fully 
as they deserve, and as J. P. seems to be 
a new beginner, undecided as to variety 
to plant, will give you some of my experi¬ 
ence, growing Prizetaker onions exclu¬ 
sively for over 12 years. First he asks: 
“Is it true that the trade does not want 
large onions, but prefers medium size?” 
In our mqrket I can sell large fine Prize- 
takers much easier at from 20 to 25 cents 
per bushel higher than medium size onions 
of the same, or other varieties. I have 
offered them to, dealers who told me they 
were overloaded with onions who would 
on seeing them buy as many as 10 bushels 
at my own price. Last Fall I put off 
some at a store at $1 per bushel; when a 
man drove up loaded with nice Yellow 
Globe Danvers, offering them for 70 cents 
per bushel or 10 bushel lots at 05 cents, 
he was able to sell a few when I told the 
dealer I was about sold out. 
Is the Prizetaker sought in market and 
will it yield as largely as some of the 
seedsmen state, 1,200 or more bushels per 
acre? In our market it is second only to 
the large “Spanish” put up in three-quar¬ 
ter bushel crates in price; demand it is 
maybe 100 to 1 ahead. I believe were I 
to grade my Prizetakers carefully, both 
as to color and shape, and put them on the 
market in same kind of packages, 1 could 
sell them for the same price as the Span¬ 
ish are sold, and nine out of ten buyers 
could not tell the difference. As to grow¬ 
ing 1.200 bushels per acre—well, I never 
yet came quite within 400 bushels near it. 
I am, however, positive I can grow one- 
third more Prizetakers per acre than any 
other variety I ever tried. 
Preparation and Culture.— For a two 
or three-acre plot I would grow Prize- 
takers first, last, and all the time, but 
would not advise a new beginner to grow 
over one-quarter acre to start with, of any 
variety. Last Spring a farmer a distance 
west of me told me he would sow about 
three acres to onions and asked me what 
variety I recommended, I told him Prize- 
taker for one-quarter acre. “Well, and 
what variety on the rest of the ground?” 
he demanded. I said either Carman No. 3 
or Sir Walter Raleigh. “Why,” he said, 
“those are potatoes.” I told him I knew 
it, but they with the one-quarter acre 
Prizetakers would bring him more money 
in the Fall than the three acres of onions 
would. No use, the man had read up 
and “figured out” the result of three acres 
of onions and planted them (he had a 
large mortgage to lift). After they were 
planted it rained, as people around here 
know how easy it was last year for rain 
to drop out of the clouds; then it rained 
some more. In the meantime the onions 
came up, and so did the weeds, then it 
rained again. The man was never seen 
on the onion market in the Fall—the 
mortgage still hangs fire. 
“Stable manure being impossible to get, 
what is next best and how much of it 
would you use?” I am in the same boat as 
J. P., no manure for onion ground, there¬ 
fore have to part company here, with the 
professional onion grower. My method of 
growing onions from the standpoint of 
the professional writer at least, must seem 
heresy, not having tons upon tons of 
well-rotted manure to spread upon a sandy 
loam—my soil being a somewhat heavy 
clay, but strong and productive. Having a 
clover sod, from which I take off first crop 
for hay, if manure is available (it seldom 
is), I spread it on now and let second crop 
grow through it. and just as it comes in 
bloom I mow it and let it lie on the 
ground, leaving a third crop to struggle 
through it, and am sometimes obliged to 
mow again so none will go to seed. 
The last thing before freezing weather 
let it lie until Spring. During the 
leave it lay until Spring. During the 
Winter I spread on this ground the ac¬ 
cumulation of the year’s ashes (both wood 
and coal sifted) ; if possible buy some, 
and as early in Spring as ground is fit 
to go on, the spading harrow cuts up this 
ground at least six inches deep without 
further plowing. From 300 to 400 pounds 
of muriate of potash per acre is applied 
broadcast (this varies somewhat owing 
to the amount of ashes I am able to ap¬ 
ply) : 1,200 pounds of steamed bone meal, 
two to three per cent ammonia and 16 to 
18 phosphoric acid is also sowed on, and 
all harrowed in. Ground in condition I 
drill in Prizetaker onion seed with 
Planet, Jr., drill in rows 12 inches apart. 
When up and weeded first time, I apply 
about 100 pounds nitrate of soda, sowing 
it on broadcast. I have at times made 
three applications, but have no fixed rule 
in this; sometimes the onions grow so 
well that nothing more seems wanted, and 
again some years they seem to need some 
assistance. Formerly I grew onions on 
the same ground year after year in suc¬ 
cession, but now only one year, on a 
clover sod every time. Perhaps it may be 
well to state that I only grow a limited 
amount, never over an acre, but this would 
be my method if I grew 10 acres or more. 
My onion ground, though heavy clay, is 
loose and friable. I am not troubled with 
weeds as much as formerly, and have 
much larger specimens and larger crops 
than I had growing on the same ground 
in succession. 
Harvesting Onions. —I differ somewhat 
with Mr. White; he says pull the onions 
or rake them out, and leave them in wind¬ 
rows to cure on the ground. 1 used to do 
this, but found the method faulty in wet 
weather or even heavy dews at night, and 
a hot sun in daytime leaves the onions 
in bad shape. I pull them and throw them 
in windrows a day or two, then haul 
them, tops and all, on the barn floor in a 
pile about two feet deep. Here they sweat 
and dry and cure out as perfectly as one 
can wish. With shears we trim off roots 
and tops, leaving about one inch of top. We 
trim enough every day for the market 
wagon to go to town with other stuff un¬ 
til all are sold. There may be better ways 
of curing onions, but this method is cer¬ 
tainly good. A word about onion seed, 
I have tried to buy it pure everywhere; I 
don’t believe it is on the market. I have 
now in the cellar one-half bushel of fine 
large perfect globe shape, light straw-col¬ 
ored onions, tops thinner than a lead pen¬ 
cil, just such a onion as the Prizetaker 
was originally. I shall try to grow my 
own seed. I do not want to do it, but am 
compelled to, as I cannot get pure seed 
anywhere; it is a mixture wherever I buy, 
more or less of red, white, brown, yellow 
or silver skin in color, and globe, flat, 
round and almost anything in shape. 
Ohio. J. H. BOLLINGER. 
BUSINESS BITS. 
Fon more than 55 years The Johnston 
Harvester Co., of Batavia. N. Y., have man¬ 
ufactured harvesting machinery and disk im¬ 
plements that have earned for them, both 
reputation and success, solely upon genuine 
merit, high quality and practical adaptability 
of tbe machines they make. Send to The 
Johnston Harvester Company, Batavia, N. Y. 
for their catalogue of farm tools. 
Southviu.e. Mass., January 30, 1005. The 
Lawrence-Williams Co., Cleveland, O. : I 
have used two bottles of your Gombault's 
Caustic Balsam in the past two years for 
treating three severe cases of lameness of 
horses and cows. In every case the cure 
was complete. As a liniment for human use, 
in cases of sore throat or sprains, it is 
superior to all I have ever used. C. A. 
Chamberlain. 
People living right in Cincinnati, which 
leads the United States in number of vehicles 
produced annually, can not buy any cheaper 
than the farmers out in the country. If you 
are interested in the purchase of a vehicle 
or harness, get the catalogue of Tbe Columbia 
Manufacturing and Supply Co.. 808 Vandalia 
avenue, Cincinnati. They make a very com¬ 
plete line, have been in the business a long 
time, and are thoroughly reliable. 
The International Fence Company, sole 
makers of “Jones” fence, are putting out a 
gate, which, in every respect, is tbe equal 
of their famous fence. It is poor econoim 
to put up a good, high-grade fence and finish 
it off with a poor gate. Readers will do 
well to investigate the claims for “Jones'* 
fences and gates. They may be sure of fair 
and just treatment, getting 100 cents worth 
for every dollar they spend. Send for the 
new catalogue to. International Fence and 
Fireproofing C’o., Columbus. O. 
In Winter when the ground is frozen, in 
early Spring when grass is slow, in the hot 
days of midsummer when the fields are 
parched and bare, that farmer is both wise 
and lucky who has made provision to feed 
his stock with sweet, fresh, juicy silage. 
Green Mountain silos are specially valuable 
as a protection against the Summer drought. 
If pasturage fails, cows shrink their milk, 
and never return to full flow until they come 
fresh again. Green Mountain silos are in 
use on the finest farms in the country, 
especially in dairying districts. 
The Acme harrow was perfected by Duane 
H. Nash. Millington, N. .1.. who gave iip many 
of the best years of his life to working out 
what, in his judgment, was the ideal harrow. 
It is generally known and more accurately 
described as a pulverizing harrow, clod 
crusher and leveler. There is ample reason 
for the hearty commendation that every user 
gives his Acme harrow. Good farmers value 
good work and the Acme harrow prepares 
the soil as no other does. Look into it, if 
you need a harrow this Spring. An adver¬ 
tisement with some particulars will be found 
elsewhere. 
The Economy Silo, as its name implies, 
does the work with the greatest economy. 
It is made from the best materials and can 
easily be erected by anyone. The doors are 
continuous from bottom to top and can be 
removed and replaced by a boy without the 
use of a hammer, wrench or other tools. 
While tbe doors are free from complicated 
fastenings and easy to adjust, they fit so 
tightly even the sifage at the doorway does 
not turn mouldy. The entire silo is abso¬ 
lutely air-tight. Write the Economy Silo and 
Tank Company, Frederick. Md.. for their cata¬ 
logue I. which tells all about the Economy 
Silo and gives the experience of users. 
The Ohio Carriage Mfg. Co., claim that 
in their special split hickory buggv at $50, 
ihev turn out a vehicle that would co^t $75 
anywhere else. They sell tbe $50 split 
hickory special on their 30 Days Free Trial 
Plan and guarantee every vehicle for two 
years from the time it leaves the factory. 
In spite of the general advance in cost of 
all raw materials, and the higher prices paid 
their skilled workmen, they don’t charge a 
cent more for the “Special” this year than 
thev did last. Readers can get a copy of 
their handsome 1906 catalogue by sending a 
postal to H. C. Phelps, President of The Ohio 
Carriage Mfg. Co. His address is Station 
290, Cincinnati, Ohio. 
Kendall's Spavin Cure was compounded 
and used in a small way about 30 years ago 
by Doctor B. J. Kendall in the village of 
Enosburg Falls, Vt. Since then the name 
“Kendall’s Spavin Cure" has gone to all 
parts of the world. The merits, and the 
merits alone, of the remedy have done it. 
While Dr. Kendall was practicing he wrote 
a little book entitled "A Treatise on the 
Horse and Ills Diseases,” and no more popu¬ 
lar work on this subject has ever been pro¬ 
duced down to tbe present day. It was orig¬ 
inally handed out to the horsemen with whom 
he came in personal contact. It is said 
that now upwards of 12.000,000 of these little 
books have been published and gratuitously 
distributed. _ 
What Killed It?—A neighbor has had 
the following experience with Alfalfa: Two 
years ago lie had a very promising stand of 
it, and cut it three times, but last season 
could find no trace of it whatever. The 
soil is a gravelly loam with natural under¬ 
drainage, moderately rich, 'but no lime in it. 
Can you or any of your readers give a prob¬ 
able cause for its failure? w. h. n. 
Painesville, O. 
Hay Rogues. —I read your article “Ilav 
Rogues Found Green Farmers,” page 223. 
Does it not strike you that in cases of this 
kind farmers and farmers only are at fault? 
In every farming section you will find one or 
more good reliable dealers who are always 
ready to pay every dollar a crop of hay is 
worth, and pay cash for same; however, it is 
a great temptation to the farmers to take a 
chance and save a portion of the dealer’s 
profit, and when he gets caught he squeals. 
No legislation is required to cover this sort 
of a deal: they simply need guardians. When 
a slick city commission man comes around 
and cannot deal with a shipper it is a good 
plan for the farmers to let him alone. 
o. c. goldsmith. 
R. N.-Y. As was recently stated, it looks 
as if this game was so old that grandsons 
of the original rogues are still cheating the 
grandsons of the original victims. 
When you write advertisers mention The 
R. N.-Y'. and you’ll get a quick reply and 
“a square deal.” See guarantee, page 18. 
Write 
to-day. 
Motsinger Auto-Sparker 
Starts and Runs 
Gas Engines without Batteries. 
Noother machine can do it auccensfully 
for lack of original patents owned by 
Uss. No twist motion In our drive 
No belt or switch necessary. N T o 
batteries whatever, for make and 
break or jump-npark. Water and 
dust-proof. Fully guaranteed. 
MOTSIXGKH DEVICE M’F’G. CO. 
58Main Street, Pendleton,In«i. y U. S.A. 
100 PER CENT INVESTMENT. 
We can prove to anv fair minded man that 
W'onder Gasoline Engines 
are 100 per cent. Cheaper, 100 
per cent. Lighter and 100 per 
cent. Simpler than any other 
make of Engines anywhere, 
and we' 11 prove it by a Free 
Trial on your own farm. 
Write and ask us. R. M. 
Cornwell Co., 444 So. Salina 
St., Syracuse, fs. Y., 434Park 
Row Bldg., New York City. 
iCIICIIT nflCTC Cheaper than wood, make your 
1 L111CII I rUulw own on a Hercules Post Ma- 
■ chine. Also Building Block Machines. Catalogue free. 
'Hercules Mfg. Co., Dept. A-3S. Centerville, Iowa 
LEARN TO BE A JUDGE! 
OF WIRE FENCE. 
The size of tbe wire and the form of the “knot” 
are tbe vital points to be considered Ask different 
makers for FREE SAMPLES of these parts, compare 
them carefully, and you won't need advice from any¬ 
body. Our Sample is ready for the asking. 
BOND STEEL POST COMPANY, ADRIAN, MICH. 
m «Jk«_ 
AROOF 
P THAT IS 
1PROOF 
TAgainst lightaing.flre, -- 
Iwind & water. Both Iron & Steel. Catalogue 4 prices f 
- - > Oo_ Nuea, O.Ji 
— rS-tew 
Free. Niles Iron & Steel Roofing 
LAWN FENCE 
Many designs, any 
height up to 6 ft. for 
Parks. Ourprice,freight 
paid, will i .ter t you. 
Cyclone Fen e Co., 
Waukegan, Ill. 
Holly, Mich. Cleveland, O 
Wire Fence 90r 
48-in. stock fence per rod only “ * 
Best high carbon coiled steel spring wfr<\ 
Catalog of fences, tools and supplies FREE. 
Buy direct at wholesale. Write today. 
MASON FENCE CO. Box 67 , Leesburg, 
THE TOWNSEND 
WIRE STRETCHER 
is the most easily attached or detached 
of any implement made. Stretches to last 
post as well as to any. Steel grips thHt 
never slip. Can be got at any Hardware 
store. Write lor circulars. Satisfaction 
guaranteed. 
F. R. TOWNSEND, Painted Post, N. Y. 
JDNESi OATES 
•re HONESTLY HADE through »nd 
through. Coiled spring wires, heavy 
stays, locks that won't Blip, GOOD 
galvanizing. Easy to put up—last 
longest—therefore 
CHEAPEST IN THE END. 
If you are going to buy fences or 
gates writs for aatalog No. 2. 
istirsatiohal fence a- F. CO. 
j 622 Buttles Are., Columbus, Ohio, 
"'C'tn.'i ..Agents wanted where we have none 
>tpDK«fftf _, * 
YES, WE 
PAY FREIGHT 
and give a large cash discount on 
25 rods or more of the Frost Fence. 
Better still, we give you a fence that 
looks better and wears longer than any 
other niAke. Write at once for catalogue. 
H. B. Dhake & Co., 29 Broadway, N. Y. 
The Fkost Wire Fence Co.,C leveland, o. 
HEAVIEST FENCE MADE! 
lOAIINo. 9 Steel Wire. Well Galvanized. Weighs 
K more than most fences. 16 to 85c per rod 
. delivered. We sell all kinds offence wireat 
wholesale prices. Write for fence bonk show- 
u lng llOstyles. The Brown Keneetind. 
b ire Co., Cleveland, Ohio. 
A Power to Fit. 
Buy a power to lit your needs, don’t try to fit your needs 
to a power some one wants you to buy. You know what 
you want to accomplish, we know what our powers will 
do. Let us get together and work the problem out right. 
First Cost Not Everything 
Some look only at first cost. Others look more at duty, 
service, requirements, responsibility of the makers and 
the help they get from them. We get letters from both 
classes, but we sell most to the latter. 
T YOU MAY NEED HELP. No gasoline engine made will run right without intelligent hand- 
liBg. Conditions may arise where you’ll need advice or assist- 
I ance Noother concern takes the care of its patrons that we do. Organization, facilities men- 
I all at your disposal if you use our engine. Write for our Farm Power book ’ 
Ifh 
an uu y uui uisposai h you use our engine, write tor our Farm Power book. 
The Fairbanks Cos, New York. « ,ban A i BaIti,n 0 o r ^,. Bai,9 n 0r ’ Me - Boston . Buiiaio. Haruord, 
11 N ew Orleans. Phil’a., Pittsburg, Syracuse. London. Eng’ 
t i 
ABENAQUE 
Write for Free Cat. O. 
99 COMBINATION CIRCULAR AND DRAG 
SAW OUTFIT WITH 5 H. P. ENGINE. 
Everything 
on one set 
of trucks. 
Simple, 
Strong, 
Easy to 
Operate. 
GASOLINE 
ENGINES 
and 
SAW RIGS 
ABENAQUE MACHINE WORKS, WestminsterSta., Vt. 
lO Lights 
lO Hours 
lO Cents 
Name 
Town 
Make Yotxr Own Light 
The Fairbanks-Morse Electric Light Outfit gives 
plenty of good light at a moderate cost. 
Gas, Gasoline or Kerosene Engines for all purposes, 
from 2 h. p. up. 
Cut out complete advertisement and send to 
Fairbanks, Morse 6v Co., 
Morvroo St., Chlcecgo, Ill. 
Please send me Illustrated Catalogue No. C 598 
Gasoline Engines. 
I may want_h. p. to run_ 
_Street No._ 
.State_ 
DON *T BUY GA SO LINE ENGINES 
revolutionizing-gas power. Costs Less to Buy and Less to Run. Quickly, easily started. No vibration. Can be mounted on any wagon at small cost—portable, sta¬ 
tionary or traction. Mention tins paper. Send for Catalogue. THE TEMPLE PLMP CO., Mfrs.; Meagher 15th St«., Chicago. THIS IS OUR^FIFTY-SECOND ^ YEAR. 
