124 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. • February 16, 
FARMERS’ CLUB 
[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.] 
THE PANSY AND ITS SEEDS. 
Value of “ Old Maids.” 
G. E. L., Lynn, Mass .— I can buy from 
a local popcorn factory the refuse com, 
which is sometimes called “old maids”; it 
is partly popped and burnt kernels of corn. 
They sell it for 50 cents for a sugar barrel. 
Hens will eat it, and I want to find out 
whether there is any virtue in it and if 
it pays to feed it at that price. 
Ans.—W e can find no analysis of such 
refuse, but would gladly pay that price 
for it. We should feed it on the basis of 
In an ounce of pansy seed there are 
about ten thousand seeds; it sells in this 
country from $2 to $10 an ounce. With an 
ounce of seeds one should raise at least 
4,000 plants. They are used for cut flow¬ 
ers in Winter, for vases in the Spring, 
also for bedding. In the cemeteries of 
Greater New York they are planted by 
the millions, and almost every house 
where there is a garden shows some also. 
The pansy industry is not only profitable 
for market plants, but also for the seeds. 
There is imported to this country at least 
500 pounds every year; Uncle Sam buys 
at least 50 pounds. Instead of buying 
these seeds abroad they could be raised 
in this country in places where the cli¬ 
mate is moderate and the ground fertile. 
Anyone with a little teaching can pick 
the seeds; children before and after school 
can do it, also in vacation. When the 
pansies are ready to pick, the weather 
is pleasant and healthful to be outdoors 
and much better than to be in the city 
'or locked up in a factory. Children ed¬ 
ucated in the garden when they attain 
their majority can start for themselves 
in a small way. 
Pansies for business are sown around 
New York from July 15 to August 15; 
they can be sown later, but here they want 
the quantity, not the quality. A plant 
in full growth with from six to 10 flow¬ 
ers is what the people like; so long as 
they show flowers they sell. After the 
plants are big enough to transplant from 
September to October they are planted 
in rows in frames or outdoors. Those 
planted in frames arc protected in the 
cold weather with hotbed sash, 0 by G 
The plants commence to sell at Easter 
and sales last till Decoration Day, but 
the bulk of the business is from the 
first of April to May 15. The plants 
are sold in boxes, called flats, about five 
inches deep. There are 50 plants in a 
flat. The plants are also sold in baskets, 
about a dozen in each; the flats are sold 
to florists, the baskets to retail customers. 
The boxes from which flats are made are 
bought in Summer, packed up in the yard, 
and in Winter when the work is slack 
then the pansy man makes his flats. 
A successful pansy grower—John Lappe 
of Long Island—commenced 10 years ago 
with a few sashes in rented ground; 
three years ago he bought the place, and 
now he has 3,000 sashes, a large green¬ 
house and a fat bank account. He em¬ 
ploys as many as 10 men in Summer; 
they get from $20 a month and their 
board. Last Summer he gathered at least 
30 pounds of pansy seeds. That shows 
pansy seeds can be raised in this country. 
If you have a good crop you can raise 
20 pounds of pansy seeds on an acre; 
at $2 per ounce it wouldn’t be so bad. 
Growers commence to pick seeds from 
the middle of May till July. The ground 
can be used for other crops afterwards; 
celery, cabbage, turnips, lettuce, radishes, 
spinach, etc. 
European pansy seed conies too late for 
this country. We don’t get it before 
August. The seeds for next year are not 
good, and will not germinate freely. 
What we need here is fresh seed, and 
American seed for American climate is 
good advice. Lots of seeds that come 
from France can be grown in this coun¬ 
try: cabbage, kale, radish, carrot, beet, 
spinach and many other articles, only 
we need good articles. Some say labor 
of Europe is cheap. That is true enough. 
How is it that the manufacturers export 
to Europe in large quantity? In this 
country we have more room, more virgin 
soil; the soil of America is not so ex¬ 
hausted as the old soil of Europe. 
HENRI BEAULIEU. 
ordinary corn. 
Sassafras for Fence Posts. 
A. L. G., Princess Anne, Md .—What is 
the value of sassafras for fence posts? I 
wish to build about two miles of fence, and 
in this part of the peninsula we have a 
dearth of material for posts. I can cut a 
large number of young sassafras and am 
told by some that they will last for many 
years 
Ans. —The Forestry Division of the De¬ 
partment of Agriculture informs us that 
sassafras is a decidedly durable wood in 
contact with the soil, and will, there¬ 
fore, give excellent service in use as 
fence posts. _ 
Basic Slag and Lime. —The Mark Lane 
(London, England) Express contains the fol¬ 
lowing. It is known that slag contains nearly 
50 per cent of lime: “Many of our readers 
will, doubtless, remember the time when lime¬ 
kilns existed in many districts, where they 
are now conspicuous by their absence, and 
farmers’ teams used to rumble along the 
roads during the Winter laden with this 
material for the land. In some localities 
liming used to be another word for manuring, 
and the landlord who wanted to encourage 
a tenant on a farm where the land was not 
up to the mark did it by providing him with 
lime. We do not hear so much of lime now, 
and another word has taken its place to a 
large extent. It is basic slag, and in many 
districts farmers talk about ‘slagging’ just 
as their fathers talked about ‘liming.’ ” 
\ 
Your garden will 
be a mass of bloom¬ 
ing roses or it won’t cost you a cent—your 
money back on every rose offered here 
that doesn’t bloom the first season. 
No offer like this was ever made before. Roses must ba 
mighty good to do it, and C. «fc J. Roses IRK good—our 
guarantee proves that. 
Our Roses are the product of years of experience, and are 
of such quality that even amateurs have great success—often 
over two hundred blossoms from 12 bushes the first season 
—next year better still. 
Here is an offer absolutely unparalleled : 
12 ROSES for $1.00 
such kind as Pink Maman Cochet, Baby Rambler, Clotilde 
Soupert, and the splendid new red Rose, Madame Marlitt, at 
less than 9c. a piece, labeled, postpaid, and every Rose 
guaranteed. Order now while we have the Roses (to be sent 
when you wish to plant). 
S«»nd today for our new Floral Guide all about Roses »nd 
hundreds of other choice plants— complete with cultural 
directions. Should be in every home. 
THE CONARD & JONES COMPANY, 
“Growers of the Best Roses in America” 
Box W, West Grove, Pa. 
CUCUMBER 
Our strain for growing in hot-honse is remarkably 
true in shape, eolor and size. Seed grown by a 
Market Gardener. Trial Packet, 25c. Our25 years’ 
practical experience enables us to oiler only the 
Highest Grade Seeds 
thoroughly tested and of known vitality. Onr 
190? Catalogue contains a very complete list of 
Highest Grade Seeds, also Poultry Supplies and 
Sundries. We mall it free. 
H. E. Fiske Seed Co., 12 & 13 Faneuil Hall Square . Boston 
m 
ETS TREES’PLEASE 
^GeneseeValley grown. 150acres. Established 
1869. “ No t tli e cheapest but the best. ” Catalog free. 
CEO. A. SWEET NURSERY CO., 
Maple St., Danavllle, New Yerk. 
F OR SALE—Crimson Clover Seed, #4.50 bushel. 
Red Clover Seed, #7.50 and #8.00 bushel. 
Onion sets, #2.00 and #2.5 0 bushel. Cow Peas 
#2.50 to #2.75 bushel. Joseph E. Holland, Milford, Del. 
CTRAWRPRR PQ Some 200,000 strong, well- 
■j I nHlfULnniLOi rooted plants, No. 1 stock. 
Thirty varieties of the best. Must be sold by May 
20 th. Prices reasonable. Send for descriptive cata¬ 
logue. C. W. GRAHAM, Afton, N. Y. 
S TRAWBERRY PLANTS .forty of the best 
varieties: prices reasonable. Write for catalog, it 
is free. J. K. LOSEE,Elnora, Saratoga Co., N. Y. 
STRAWBERRY PLANTS^S’S 
2 best Standard Sorts. Sent by mail prepaid fortl.OO. 
Catalog free. SLAYMAK.EK & SUN, Dover, Del. 
TDCCC York State grown. We offer this famous 
I It LLw stock at low prices. Send for free Cats- 
log. ROCHESTER NURSERY CO., Rochester, N. Y. 
PI AMTQ PflR <JA| P-Early Cabbage, Early 
FLAN Id rUn CALL Tomato, Egg Plant, 
Celery, Sweet Potato, Pepper, Strawberry, A sparagus, 
etc. PriceUstfree. S. C. Atherton,Greenwood, Del. 
P OTATOES—Bovee, Carman, 6 Weeks, Hustler, Noroton Beauty, 
Longfellow, Wonder, 85 kinds. C. W. FOKD, Fishers, N. Y. 
ORFFS 
SMALL 
will send free 3 splendid Blackberry 
plants post-paid to introduce and 
prove my stock the finest grown. 
kMany or my customers realize 
$300 PROFIT PER ACRE 
My handsome, new catalog of small fruits, fruit 
i and ornamental trees, farm and garden aeeds and 
.general nursery stock sont free. Gst It—write to-day. 
W. N. Scarff, New Carlisle, O v 
STRAWBERRY 
Blackberry and 
Raspberry Plants 
Extra heavy-rooted, high-grade stock, true to name. 
Write us what you will need for spring planting. We 
will quote you special prices by return mail. A. R. 
WESTON & CO., R. D. 8 , Bridgman, Mich. 
K 
NIGHT’S 
FRUIT PLANTS 
Do yon want the beet 
northern grownStraw- 
berry. Raspberry, 
Blackberry, Currant 
and Grape VINES 
WE HAVE THEM 
at a reaeouabl e price. We guarantee our plants to reach you In 
fine growing condition and true to name. We have had 30 years* 
experience and ship plants to every State. Our 32-page Catalog 
Is valuable to any fruit grower. Send for it 
DAVID KNIGHT & SON, Sawyer, Mich. 
The Chipraan Strawberry is a Winner. 
Send for free catalog describing this and forty other 
best varieties. 12 Advance, Hummer or Buster 
plants mailed April 1st for five one cent stamps and 
name and address of five fruit growers. Send now. 
W. S. TODD, Greenwood. Del. 
IF YOU WANT 
STRAWBERRIES from August to November 
Try PAN-AMEBIC AN and AUTUMN. Fall bearers, 
sure. Circulars free. Plants for sale by 
SAMUEL COOPElt, Delevan, N. Y. 
NURSERIES sell Direct 
pay freight, give FULL value 
„ Founded 1825. Large NEW Fruit Book 
free. STARK BRO’S, Louisiana, Mo. 
FRUIT TREES ggjgE- 
Apple and Peach for $2.00. Agents \Vanted. 
MITCHELL’S NUR 8 EKY, Beverly, Ohio. 
P EACH TREES, 4 to 5 feet, 6 c. each. Klberta, 
Crosby, Smock, etc. Send for our catalogue. 
WOODBINE NURSERIES, W. A. Allen,Geneva, O. 
STRAWBERRY PLANTS 
at $1.00 per 1,000 and up. Catalogue free. 
R. E. ALLEN, Paw Paw, Mich. 
tl nnn Hollars from one Acre. The second 
VlfUUU year 21,000 seven hundred and 80 quarts of 
Strawberries per acre. A variety I want you to 
plant, It will do you good 1908. List free. 
Kevitt’s Plant Farm, Athenia, N. J. 
MID-SEASON 
PEA 
s ^d!> 
One of the iweetest 1 
peas known. Preserves its 
tenderness and flavor long 
after it is young and retains its'. 
beautiful dark green color after 
cooking. Vines grow 2 feet high, and are very 
productive. Pods are large and well filled. 
l A pt. 15c; pt 25c; qt. 40c; 4 qts. $1 Postpaid. 
Selected Farm Seeds 
I have had 25 years of practical experience 
with various fodder and soiling plants and different 
varieties of corn and oats, and have made hundreds 
of tests at my Floracroft Trial Grounds. My cata¬ 
logue Is complete in the best varieties of 1 
farm, fodder, soiling and catch crops, v 
seeds, millets, clovers, etc , and shows 
actual photographs of what they have produced 
Write for it and tell me your problems 
—give details about soiling and kind of stock 
you want to feed, and I 'll be glad to help you. 
Stokes’ Seed Store, 
Walter P. Stokes, of the 
late firm of Johnson & Stokes. 
1219 narket St., Philadelphia.’' 
Oats 
Largest Growers of Oats, 
Farm and Vegetable Seeds 
in America. 
FREE 
Our mammoth 148 -page Plant 
and Tool Catalogue is mailed 
free to all intending buyers, or 
send 6 c. in stamps and receive 
free samples of new Two Foot 
Long Oats and other cereals ' 
andBigSeedCatalogueFree. 
JOHN A. SALZER SEED CO. 
La Crosse, Wis. 
FREE 
BOOK 
FOR 
YOU 
mw t 
■i M, A 
AND HOWTO 
ikjFW .f d 
’ 
YOU 
NEED 
THIS BOO 
GROWTHEM 
■ 
K 
ASK 
W~~ FOR 
IT TO-DAY 
I ^HE BEST BOOK ON STRAWBERRY 
- CULTURE ever written, because it explains every 
dotail of the work from the time plants are set out until 
the berries are picked, and tells how to prepare the plants 
for a big second crop. 125 Pictures of strawberries 
and strawberry fields. This book is worth its weight in 
gold. If we knew your address, would mail you one Free. 
R. M. KELLOGG COMPANY, Box, 480 Three Rivers, Mich, 
STRAWBERRIES 
•S3* 
■'V.-'i 
BSSiPSi 
big, red and luscious 
are grown from 
ALLEN'S choice 
vigorous strawberry 
plants. None better.* 
Good Luck, Cbesa* 
peake, Virginia and 
Jartlinal, new Glen I 
'Mary, Haverland, 
Dunlap, Marshall, (j' 
Klondvke, Gandy, 
"Bubaek, Climax, and all 
I 1 best standard sorts, 90 varieties. 
_ “rices right. DEWBERRIES, f 
Austins, Lueretia, and Premo. I have big 
stock and they are fine. Also Raspberry. Cur¬ 
rant and Gooseberry plants, and Grape 
vines. In SEEDS I have the leading varie- ( 
ties for Held and garden. My 1907 supply of ’ 
Peas, Beaus, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, and 
Cucumber seeds Is very choice. Millions 
1 of vegetable plants in season. My 60 page 
Catalogue for 1907 tells about lots of good 
I things lor the farm and garden and where to 
Lgetthem. IT'S FREE. Send name and ad- 
sdress on postal to-day to 
W. F. ALLEN, 
. Pop!. 17 ,Salisbury. Maryland 
The Best Strawberries 
grow from Farmer's plants. Introducer of 
‘‘Oswego” strawberry and “Plum Farmer” 
raspberry. Fruit plants, all kinds. Catalog 
tree. L. J. Farmer, Box 720,Pulaski, N. Y. 
THAT BEATS THEM ALL. 
Pure Bred—Thoroughly matured and well dried; hand 
picked, sorted and selected; tested and best quality; 
yields 20 to 40 bu. more per acre than ordinary sorts, 
and has often made 100 bushels per acre. 
Try some of our new im- 
>rovert varieties this year, 
’hey are bright, clean and 
pure stock; are hardier, 
more vigorous and yield better; strictly Iowa grown 
new crop, at low prices. Our big annual illustrated de¬ 
scriptive catalog of all Farm and Garden seeds mailed 
FREE if you mention this paper. 
RATEKINS* SEED HOUSE, ■ SHENANDOAH. IOWA, 
SEED OATSe 
Luther BurbauK’s Latest 
The Ghiloe Squash 
25c per pkt. 5 pkts. Cl postpaid 
Very prolific. Keepiuuarlytheyear ro M nd; 
averages 30 pounds. Dark orange flesa, 3 
to 4 inches thick. Entirestock secured by 
a. Extra sweet. Toiutroduce this latest 
roduction of Mr. Euxbank’s wo offer; 
FREE, ono ounct of Our Best Mixed 
Sweet Peas with each packet of squash eoed. None but the latest, 
largest, improved, named varieties used. Our own mixture—-none 
better sold at any price. Write us to-day. 
ROSS BROS. CO., 92 Front St. WORCESTER. MA8S. 
Al A C If A DFAQ $3.00 per bus.; First and Best, 
iLnw) $2.50perbus. All sealed stock. 
Prize Taker Onion Tested Seed, $ 1 .00 per lb. Subject 
to being unsold. 
EDWARD RIGG, JR., Burlington, N. J. 
ALFALFA 
J. E. Wing & Bros., Box 23, Me “l^7ia 0 ” 
—Best seed for sale. Write 
forsamples, prices, and FREE 
directions “23” o.n growing. 
C LOVER SEED, TRUE MAMMOTH, 
MEDIUM, ALSIKE, ALFALFA, also 
TIMOTHY and SEED OATS. Pure clean 
trustworthy seeds direct to farmers. 
O. C. SHEPARD CO., - - Medina, Ohio. 
All the best novelties and standard sorts of Garden and Farm 
seeds. Send for handsome, illustrated catalogue of Seeds, 
Plants, Poultry Supplies. Nursery Stock, etc., and special 
Bargain List of Vegetable and Flowerseeds 
at 2 cents per packefand upwards. 1 Mailed 
to you, if you mention this paper, ’ 
IOWA SEED CO.. 
FREE 
Des Moines. Iowa. 
SEEDS SEEDS SEEDS 
TREILMANN’S carry a full line of ONION SEED for Sets and Large Onions. We ’can please you. 
Send for prices and catalogue. THIELJ1ANN SEED CO., Erie, J’a. 
Pedigreed Strawberry Plants Choice 
A quart to the plant of big red berries. Twenty years’ experience 
growing strawberries. Booklet, “ Strawberry Culture,” free. 
CHARLES WILLEY, - - East Patchogue, L. I. 
