5o6 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
June 23, 
]Ruralisms ; 
r 'rwv T^ r ▼ ▼ »[ 
assist it to reseed itself on plots that are 
not wanted for the season by heating off 
the ripe seeds and loosening up the mat¬ 
ted, dying stems with a rake. In some 
places the growth is so dense that all 
weeds are crowded out. The most favor¬ 
NOTES FROM THE RURAL GROUNDS 
Luxuriant Crimson Clover. —Crim¬ 
son clover has never wintered better in 
our experience. There was slight heav¬ 
ing during the March freezes, but scarce¬ 
ly enough to thin the stand, which is un¬ 
usually luxuriant. We depend almost ex¬ 
clusively on this valuable annual for soil 
renovation, and sow it on all temporarily 
vacant plots. Red clover and cow peas 
are occasionally used where no Summer 
crop is grown, but have not proved as 
reliable. At least three Summers out of 
the last seven have been too cool for 
vigorous cow pea growth, and our Springs 
are likely to be too droughty for seeding 
Red or other perennial clovers. There 
has been ample Summer rainfall since we 
began the use of Crimson clover, 11 years 
ago, not only to secure germination on 
freshly plowed land, but to insure a dense 
stand from self-sown seeds, wherever the 
soil has become fitted for the growth of 
the plant. We call 'attention to this point, 
as it required a persistent struggle to es¬ 
tablish this indispensable legume on cer¬ 
tain especially barren places. The Rural 
trial grounds now consist of a plot of 
about six acres, extending 800 feet down 
the eastern slope of glacial hill or mor¬ 
aine, with a fall of something over 50 
feet in that distance. The soil varies 
from deep loam to light sand and even 
yellow clay where the top soil has been 
washed away during generations of care¬ 
less farming. For several years before it 
came into the writer’s possession it had 
been planted with nursery stock—ever¬ 
green trees and berry plants—exposed to 
continuous cultivation during Summer, 
with no, adequate fertilization, and had 
become practically exhausted of humus. 
To restore this invaluable element of fer¬ 
tility without recourse to stable manure 
has been our aim, and we feel that at 
least partial success has been attained. 
It required four to six successive seedings 
of Crimson clover along some of the bar¬ 
ren gully sites before the plants would 
grow a foot high, or attain sufficient root 
development to live over Winter, but now 
we have a thick stand, so tall that it 
lodges by the end of May, and has re¬ 
seeded itself for several successive sea¬ 
sons, Formerly the little starved plants 
had no visible root tubercles, but now 
their successors are plentifully sprinkled 
with them, and the soil is becoming dark 
and mellow in place of the original hard 
and gritty clay or cement-like sandy loam. 
Some chicken manure and chemicals have 
been used to grow annual crops, and feed 
the various fruit trees planted from year 
to year, but we rely on the clover to 
restore humus and fix nitrogen. No help 
of this kind was given one or two small 
areas, the intention being that the legume 
work out its own salvation without any 
assistance beyond the necessary reseeding, 
and this we have proved it competent to 
do. 
Manure a Great Helper. —Of course, 
stable manure has been used with suffi¬ 
cient liberality on crops that appear to 
demand this form of plant food, and its 
beneficent effect in introducing the clover 
germs as well as in supplying direct nu¬ 
triment, is plainly seen when clover fol¬ 
lows an application. Progress is less 
marked when phosphoric acid and potash 
in inorganic forms are used, though the 
latter greatly benefits the plant in the 
outcome. Nitrogen in such quickly avail¬ 
able forms as nitrate of soda, sulphate of 
ammonia and Peruvian guanos seems to 
have a highly stimulating but somewhat 
demoralizing effect on this clover. It 
makes a quick start under their influence, 
but the nodules do not multiply enough 
to carry on the growth after the chemicals 
are exhausted. We sow Crimson clover 
after any crop that can be removed be¬ 
fore September 15. We sow it between 
rows of corn that remain later, and we 
able time to seed on freshly prepared soil 
appears to be the end of July, though our 
September sowings have often succeeded 
well. 
Why Not Alfalfa? —Chance seedlings 
of Alfalfa that appeared nine years ago 
are still vigorous, though many times cut 
each season. Doubtless this hustling for¬ 
age plant would thrive well, but as no 
stock is kept except fowls we cannot 
utilize it for feeding, and it is not a de¬ 
sirable occupant of orchard and garden 
plots on account of the difficulty of get¬ 
ting rid of its tough roots and its capa¬ 
city for draining away moisture that may 
be needed for other things. Crimson 
clover cut in bud and the White or Dutch 
clover that so abundantly accompanies it 
in the permanent seedings make quite an 
ideal hay ration for hens during Winter. 
Cured Alfalfa may contain more nutri¬ 
ment, but appears best adapted for larger 
animals. 
Grow Strawberry Seedlings. — The 
strawberry crop promises so well that in¬ 
terest in this most desirable of all early 
fruits ought to be stimulated, even with 
those who do not generally grow it. It 
is a favorable time to start a few seed¬ 
lings, as it has been many times demon¬ 
strated that quite as good berries for 
home use are likely to be produced by 
seedlings from the best commercial vari¬ 
eties as by propagated plants. Select seeds 
from good berries on the most vigorous 
and productive plants that come under 
your notice, or in default of opportunity 
for field selection choose the best flavored 
and developed berries you can buy, re¬ 
gardless of variety. Pare off the seeds 
with a shaving of pulp, rub between 
layers of paper or cloth to remove mois¬ 
ture and separate the seeds, which may 
be further isolated by mixing with a 
small quantity of dry sand. Stir until 
they no longer stick together, and sow. 
sand and all, thinly in pots or boxes of 
light, moderately rich soil. Cover very 
thinly and water well, placing the boxes 
or pots in a rather shady place. It-is not 
necessary to store the seeds in the refrig¬ 
erator so they may have ‘’a touch of Win¬ 
ter,” as a garden magazine writer advises. 
If sown at once after cleaning they will 
grow quite as well. The seedlings should 
begin to appear in about three weeks, 
and should be carefully weeded and wat¬ 
ered until they have made one or two 
characteristic leaves, and then transplant¬ 
ed singly in small pots, or set two inches 
apart in ordinary flats or plant boxes. By 
the middle or end of August they should 
make fine plants, quite comparable to 
propagated runners, and may be set in the 
fruiting bed in the same manner and the 
same distances apart as ordinary plants, 
giving them similar cultivation and Win¬ 
ter care. A good proportion of the 
strongest ones should make fruiting 
crowns and bear light crops next season, 
but like all Autumn-set strawberries it 
is not until the second year that full 
bearing is to be looked for. Some of the 
smaller plants that fail to fruit quickly are 
likely to turn out best in the end. A con¬ 
siderable variation in the plants and 
fruits is to be expected. Most seedling 
berries are too soft for commerce, but 
may be excellent for the table. They are 
soft because that is the natural condi¬ 
tion of the fruit. The firmness so de¬ 
sired by shippers is an accidental char¬ 
acter appearing in seedlings on rare oc¬ 
casions, and quite usually developed at 
the expense of quality. Don’t bother 
much about the chance of raising a val¬ 
uable commercial variety, unless you pro¬ 
pose to get down to systematic breeding 
for special points of excellence.. Your 
chance of producing a valuable new kind 
from a casual sowing of seeds is perhaps 
better than one in a million, but not so 
much better that you can afford to an¬ 
ticipate. Practically all cultivated straw¬ 
berry varieties are seedlings, as useful 
sports or bud variations in this plant are 
extremely rare, and the good ones have 
been finally selected from among the 
countless failures. If you are lucky 
enough to get a real improvement it is 
generally easy enough to propagate it 
after its excellencies have been proved by 
several years of culture. We grow many 
seedlings each year, and prefer the berries 
for table use to those of even the most 
highly favored commercial kinds. All 
seedlings do not bear fruits of the highest 
quality, but the general run appears far 
better than those of the market kinds. 
Some fairly promising varieties have been 
secured but, as yet, no special wonder has 
turned up. w. v. F. 
THE GLORIOUS 
th 
J 
Celebrate safely with at reliable firearm and i 
blank cartridges. Show your boy how to use it and 
avoid high explosives and dangerous toys. 
Yount 
.E ACTION 
REVOLVER 
ig America 
DOUBLE ACTION 
■ JU Reliable 
—i Durable | 
22 Caliber, 7 Shot, Rim Fire. 
32 Caliber, 5 shot, Rim or Center Fire, 
If not to be had of your dealer send money 
order, stating preference, and we will send by re¬ 
turn mail or express, prepaid. Catalog free. 
HARRINGTON & RICHARDSON ARMS CO. 
390 Farit Are., Worcester, Mass, 
Saw Mills 
If you need anything in saw mills or woodworking ma¬ 
chinery, Bend for our catalog. Our line is complete. 
Goods highest quality and prices reasonable. 
Afflorican Sav Milt Mch. Co., 129 Hopest.,Hackettstown,N. j 
New York Office, 610 Engineering Building. 
Demlng Power Sprayer 
8 elf-contalned, simple, light, pract¬ 
ical. Load it on wagon box or tank 
wagon and attach hose and you are 
ready for work. The ideal outfit 
for orehardlsts and park 
managers. The only really 
efficient gasoline englneout- 
flt that Bells at a reasonable 
price. 
Everything in Sprayers 
Bucket, Barret, Knapsack. 
Hand, Etc. outfits adapted 
to every purpose. Don’t buy 
till you Investigate the 
famous Demlng line. 
Catalogue Fret. 
THE DEMING CO, 
200 Depot St. 
SALEM, OHIO. 
i Dig Your Potatoes With a 
Dowden 
Get them all in any soil, \<TWdeepor shal¬ 
low, hilly or level, light or heavy vines. 
Potatoes come clean and sound. The ma¬ 
chine that workBrlght and lasts. Write for catalog. 
Dowden Mfg. Co, Box 622, Prairie City, Iowa. 
HURST’SI 
POTATO 
, SPRAYER , 
freetrialI 
Sprays Everything. 
Potatoes, Truck, etc., 4 
rows at a time, 20 acres 
a day. Even 2-acre grow¬ 
ers say, “Pays for itself 
first season," as it has so I 
many uses. (Also a first class Tree Sprayer). 
Has HI(JH PRESSURE, and delivers a“FO(i"like spray 
Perfect agitation. All working parts made of “ BRASS". 
Runs very easy, a BOY 16 years old can operate it with 
ease. (Horse-hitch for hilly country). FIRST ORDER 
where no Agent, gets wholesale price, or will take extra 
yield one acre our pay. Sent on 10 DAYS* TRIAL—does 
not cost you one cent if not satisfac ory. GUARANTEED 
for 2 yrs. \N e give one away, in each locality for a little 
help in Advertising. Write today for our liberal terms. 
H. 1. HURST MFG. CO., 1 501 North Street, Canton, 0. 
Spre^ Poteaoe.r 
E. C. Brown Co.. 
6 rows at a time, any 
wioth, with 
Pmu/n’e traction 
DlOWn S COMPRESS E D 
AIR SPRAYER. 
Constant pressure up to 150 lbs • 
Power costs nothing. 100 gal¬ 
lon cypress tank, all brass 
pump. Perfeetlj adapted also to or¬ 
chard work. Wo arothe largest man¬ 
ufacturers of spray pumpa in tho 
world, hand and power,including the 
famous “Auto-Spray.’* 
Send for Catalogue. 
28 Jay St., Rochester, N.Y. 
Oar 
Factory 
Price 
THE PRICE MOVES THEM 
This is a special for 1908 that we are building by 
hundreds And they are going as fast as we can build 
them You will pay a dealer J:t 0 more. No such 
bargain ever thought of by a mail order house. Our 
old time I.bcral terms 
30 DAYS FREE TRIAL 
with right to return at our expense It It's not a bargain. 
Great bargains on full line light vehicles. Sendforfree 
catalog. Also special bargain circular. 
KALAMAZOO CARRIAGE A HARNESS CO , 
Box 26 , Kalamaxoo Mich. 
Leggett’s Dusters 
DISTKIBUTR 
INSECTICIDES 
IN DUST FORM 
saving Fruit and Vegetable Crops when other 
methods fall. 
NO BARREL OF WATER TO HAUL 
LEGGETT’S 
CHAMPION 
Potatoes dusted as fast as 
you walk. 
•Several styles for 
GARDEN, 
FIELD 
OH 
ORCHARD 
Our Spray Calendar given eoneise Information regarding 
Spraying, Dusters and Materials. Mulled free on request. 
Leggett & Bro., 301 Pearl St., New York. 
£ RD AY '* EMPIRE KING ” 
UW Iff BJL I and bugs, worms, blight, etc., will 
ll' h a v'e no terrors for you. Bestccu- 
atruction, perfect agitators, no scorched 
foliage. W e make all sizes and styles. Free book 
on spraying. Agents wanted. 
FIELD FORCE PUMP CO,, No. 2 Eleventh St., Elmira, N. Y. 
Let Me Quote You a Price on a Made-to-Order Buggy 
I have a special proposition to make you. 
Don’t do a thins: about buying a vehicle un¬ 
til you let me write and tell you what it is. 
Just drop me a postal and I will give you the 
full details. 
I want to tell you why a made-to-order buggy 
is 33*4% better than a stock buggy—better in 
tinish—better in workmanship. 
I want to tell you how and why we make 
split hickory vehicles to order, and sell them 
direct from our factory to the consumer. 
I want to quote you a price on just the job 
you want, made to your order. 
I want to tell you of our Free Trial Plan on 
made-to-order buggies—how we take it back at 
our expense if it doesn’t please you. 
You can’t be a cent out by the trial. 
I want to tell you about our 2 year Iron clad 
guarantee, how the immense stock we carry 
and our facilities enable prompt shipment of 
any vehicle made exactly to your order. 
Will you let me do this?—Will you write me 
today—now? 
I will answer at once and send you our latest 
Split Hickory Vehicle Book—the finest buggy 
book ever published 
— FREE. It’s valu¬ 
able reading to a pro¬ 
spective buggy buyer. 
Address me per¬ 
sonally. 
H.C. PHELPS, Pres. 
The Ohio Carriage 
Mfg. Co. 
Station290. 
Cincinnati, Ohio 
THE BOSS POTATO DIGGER 
works well in 
stony ground and 
on side hill. Digs 
every row. WARRANTED. 
Thousands in use. Write for 
prices. Manufactured by 
E. R. ALLEN FOUNDRY CO., 
Corning, N. Y. 
STODDARD LINE 
-OF- 
GASOLINE ENGINES 
For farm, shop or mill use. Vertical 
or horizontal. Mounted or Stationary 
Sizes from 1*4 to 100 H. P. 
Pumping and Electric Lighting Outfits a Specialty. 
Sold under Our Guarantee. 
STODDARD MFG. CO., - Rutland, Vt. 
Write for Catalog E. H. 
