5o8 
June 29, 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
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 Quinces; and One Apple. 
B., Central Ohio. —1. What has been ascer¬ 
tained in this country, in regard to the 
French quince, Borgeat? Has Mr. Burbank’s 
new variety. Van Deman, proved valuable? 
Rea’s Mammoth does not seem productive 
enough; and so with Champion. The old 
Orange quince still stands well in most local¬ 
ities. 2. What is the origin, the color, and 
the time of ripening of the Kinsman apple? 
Ans. —1. The Borgeat quince has not been 
extensively grown in America, but it has 
been tried enough to prove that it is a 
good variety. Van Deman has not proved, 
as far as I know, to be any improvement 
on the Orange and other varieties we 
have been growing. It is later than sev¬ 
eral of them. Orange is generally con¬ 
sidered the best one to grow. 2. The 
Kinsman apple is a variety that I have 
never seen, and there is no record of it 
at the U. S. Department of Agriculture 
or anywhere that I can find. 
H. E. VAN DEMAN. 
How to Kill Woodchucks. 
J. F. B., Forth Andover, Mass .—How can 
I banish or destroy woodchucks? They have 
burrows in an adjoining field, and they come 
out near my tennis court. I fear they will 
extend their work on my grounds. 
Ans.— A good-sized steel trap set at 
the mouth of the hole will generally get 
them. Have a stout chain fastened to a 
stake that cannot be pulled out. Some re¬ 
port success with bisulphide of carbon. 
This is a liquid which readily evaporates, 
and gives off a heavy, poisonous vapor. 
A quantity of cotton wool is wrapped 
around a good-sized stone, the liquid 
poured over it and the whole thing rolled 
down into the hole, after which the open¬ 
ing is covered over. Be careful not to 
breathe the vapor or bring a flame near 
it. One reader reports that the wood¬ 
chucks can easily be poisoned by putting 
a mixture of Paris-green and salt near 
their hole. The surest way is to put a 
good marksman with a rifle near their 
hole about sunrise or about five in the 
afternoon, when woodchucks come out to 
feed. 
The Culture of Ginseng. 
N. M. B. Gallant, Ala .—I am Interested 
In growing ginseng and would like your ad¬ 
vice on same. I have about 700 plants put 
out last Fall, which seems to be doing well. 
1 have bad no experience in growing “ ’samg,” 
and would like to have information from 
those who have had experience. I planted 
some seed last Fall; but get no results. I 
would like to know how to handle seed so as 
to make them germinate; also how to plant, 
fertilize alnd cultivate, value of the product, 
both green and dry. 
Ans. —The growing of ginseng has been 
well explained in some of the papers and 
in bulletins issued by the United States 
Department of Agriculture and some of 
the State Experiment Stations. The prin¬ 
ciple of ginseng culture is to plant it in 
naturally suitable soil and climate and 
give it proper shade. It requires a cool, 
deep woods and the best of soil, well 
drained, to grow naturally to perfection. 
Nearly all of it is found in the hills or 
mountainous regions of the Northeastern 
States, but it may be grown over a much 
wider region by proper treatment. The 
soil must be made very loose and filled 
with humus that is not rich in nitrogen. 
Ordinary manure is not good for ginseng, 
but woods mold is. After the roots are 
set in the soil, about three inched below 
the surface, the whole should be covered 
two inches deep with woods mold or old 
sawdust. The shade should be made of 
lath that covers two-thirds of the sur¬ 
face overhead. The laths should extend 
north and south to provide the most reg¬ 
ular and even distribution of the sun¬ 
light. Ginseng seeds should never be al¬ 
lowed to get really dry, but kept packed 
in damp, sifted leaf-mold and stored in a 
cellar or buried in the ground from the 
time they are gathered until the next 
August or September, when they should 
be sown one inch deep in the shaded 
garden, and mulched as for the roots. 
They ought to come up the following 
Spring, 18 months after having been gath- 
eied. One or two years afterwards the 
plants should be set in the permanent beds 
6x6 inches apart After four years more 
of growth they should be ready to be dug 
and dried. The ginseng business has been 
over-boomed by interested propagators 
and sellers of seed and young plants, but 
the market for dried root is steady and 
reliable. h. e. van deman. 
Building Fish Pond. 
A. S., Arnold, Pa .—I contemplate building 
a fish pond. Could you give the necessary 
information; how to construct and dimen¬ 
sions? Would a two-inch galvanized iron 
pipe carry water enough to fill it? Where 
can I get fish to stock the pond? 
Ans. —It is almost impossible to give de¬ 
tailed information in a case of this kind 
without knowing something of the circum¬ 
stances. A small stream is sometimes 
dammed to make a fish pond. A neighbor 
of mine kept carp in such a pond for a 
number of years, but they are always open 
to two objections. They are liable to fill up 
with sediment and it is difficult to keep 
fish from being lost from overflow in 
time of heavy rainfall. To avoid these 
objections the pond can be excavated, and 
it is probably something of this kind that 
the inquirer has in view from the fact 
that he asks whether a two-inch pipe will 
furnish water supply. To this last it is 
impossible to give a definite answer. It 
will depend upon the size of the pond and- 
what kind of a bottom there is in refer¬ 
ence to the seepage of water. A two-inch 
pipe, if it be long and has but little fall, 
will deliver but a small amount of water. 
A. S. may build a fish pond of consider¬ 
able size with a comparatively small 
amount of work if he selects a site with 
a natural depression and uses two-wheeled 
scoops to remove earth and form an em¬ 
bankment surrounding. If the soil is nat¬ 
urally somewhat impervious to water and 
he has an abundant supply no artificial 
bottom may be needed, or he may puddle 
the bottom and sides with clay. I have 
seen a successful fish pond about 40 feet 
in diameter made by excavating the earth 
to a depth of four or five feet, and the 
sides laid up with a stone wall. The bot¬ 
tom of such a reservoir may be cemented 
over, and in this case a small amount of 
water will be sufficient to fill and main¬ 
tain it. As to where to get fish, I can 
give no information. In this State (New 
Jersey) we have fish and game wardens 
who will supply them usually. He may 
inquire of some of his county officials 
and can perhaps get some information. 
GRANT DAVIS. 
Liquid Manure and Grass. 
W. E. //., Cataicissa, Pa .—I Lave frequent¬ 
ly noticed that where the cattle urinate in 
a Timothy pasture the grass makes a wonder¬ 
ful growth, dark green in color, and I have 
been wondering what would be the best appli¬ 
cation to make the grass ®row equally well 
over the entire field. Can you give us the 
analysis of ordinary cattle urine? 
Ans. —We must know what the liquid 
contains if we try to duplicate it. A ton 
of fresh cow urine contains 12 pounds 
of nitrogen and 10 pounds of potash, with 
very little or no phosphoric acid. If we 
took a 40-gallon barrel of water weighing 
about 325 pounds, and dissolved in it 12 
pounds nitrate of soda and four pounds 
muriate of potash we would have a liquid 
with about the fertilizing strength of cat¬ 
tle urine. You will notice, however, that 
stock rarely eat this rank growing grass 
when it is green. Cut it and let it wilt on 
the ground and they will eat it fairly well. 
Put a good handful of wood ashes on the 
clump or a mixture of ground bone and 
potash and the cattle will soon eat the 
growing grass. We learn from this that 
in order to be profitable a fertilizing mix¬ 
ture must be well balanced. Soluble ni¬ 
trogen, such as is found in this liquid, 
promotes a rapid growth which in grass 
is too tender and lacking in the flavor 
which cattle seek for. Instinct teaches 
them to let it alone as they would weeds. 
Potash and phosphoric acid are needed to 
give the grass quality and attract stock 
to it. In case of this liquid there is too 
much nitrogen in proportion to the pot¬ 
ash. We have claimed repeatedly that 
the most economical way to use farm ma¬ 
nure is to value it for the nitrogen it con¬ 
tains, and add potash and phosphoric acid 
enough to give it a fair “balance.” Ex¬ 
periments have shown that where this has 
been done four tons of manure with the 
chemicals give as good results as six tons 
alone. A simple mixture of chemicals for 
grass is 500 parts each of nitrate of soda, 
ground bone, acid phosphate and sulphate 
of potash. Some 800 pounds of this mix¬ 
ture per acre will make grass grow—but 
you do not want grass like that growing 
in clumps in the pasture. 
Poisonous Gas in a Henhouse. 
P. C. H., Cornplanter, Pa. —I read on 
page 436, of fumigation for vermin. I saw 
the same article a good many years ago, 
but paid no attention, to it, btit now can see 
the good that may follow if we will only use 
it. I want to use it in my hen coop, but 
am afraid to try it until I get a little more 
information. Will you make it a little plainer 
in regard to mixing? 
Ans. —You cannot use this successfully 
unless the henhouse is absolutely airtight. 
The gas formed when the cyanide of pot¬ 
ash is put into the acid is very active, and 
will escape through any hole or crack. It 
will not do much good unless you can hold 
it in the henhouse for at least half an 
hour. Cover all the cracks and holes air¬ 
tight. Be sure to have the door so you 
can shut it quickly and make it tight. 
Put the acid and water in a dish or jar 
and place it inside near the door. Have 
the cyanide in a paper bag. Put this on 
a broad stick and reach in so as to hold 
the cyanide over the jar. Have your hand 
on the door, take a long breath, turn your 
head away, drop in the cyanide, drop the 
stick inside and slam the door at once. 
Then let the house alone, and if you 
have made the house tight and have used 
the right amount of chemicals, the gas 
will kill every breathing thing inside. 
Lima Beans on Trellis.— On page 473 
Mr. White recommends planting Lima 
beans to poles. I did so for a great many 
years, but for the last 10 years have 
planted and trained to trellis and find it 
much better and more profitable to do so. 
I use old telephone wire—two wires will 
do, three are better—putting a stout post 
at each end (I use old railroad ties), sink¬ 
ing them deep enough to make them firm. 
Almost any kind of small stick will sup¬ 
port the wires when necessary. In this way 
of planting there is no danger of poles 
blowing down, and it requires very few 
small poles to answer the purpose; be¬ 
sides, they are much easier to gather. A 
few strings of binder twine may be useful 
for them to climb on. wm. Johnson. 
Illinois. 
Corsican Strawberry. —I noticed an arti¬ 
cle in The R. N.-Y. last Summer in regard to 
the Corsican strawberry. I have grown that 
variety with very good success; in fact I con¬ 
sider it very good for home or market use. 
Purdy Station’ N. Y. w. B. L. 
Tarring Seed Corn. —'Being a constant 
reader of your Hope Farm news, and learning 
things there that have been of great help to 
me, I thought, after reading your description 
of fixing your corn for “Charlie Crow’s” 
benefit, I could save you some of that “stir¬ 
ring” you spoke of. First after pouring your 
corn in a box, barrel, or tub, pour hot water 
on it nearly to the boiling point, then a littl® 
over a tablespoonful of gas tar, if it is 
warm will tar a bushel of com. After 
stirring the corn until the tar has run all 
over it, sprinkle a little dry wood ashes, 
plaster, or air-slaked lime over all. I prefer 
dry wood ashes. w. J. miller. 
Maryland. __________ 
For the land’s sake use Bowker’s Fer¬ 
tilizers.—They enrich the earth.— Adv. 
When you write advertisers mention The 
R. N.-Y. and you’ll get a quick reply and 
“a square deal.” See guarantee, page 8. 
Save $10 to $20 
BY BUYING FROM US AT 
WHOLESALE PRICES 
S49.75 
This Splendidly Built Two-Seated 
FARMER’S HANDY 
WAGON, -sKKs 
Many other styles of strictly high-grade wagons at 
factory cost. (Each and every part strictly guaran¬ 
teed). Wo want to prove that we can sell you a New 
York State Wagon at the lowest price ever quoted on 
this grade of work. Send postal for our Free Carriage 
Catalogue of over 70 different styles, with Wholesale 
Price List. 
THE ROCHESTER VEHICLE CO. 
362 Main St., Rochester, N. Y. 
DOG POWERS 
■will run hand cream, 
separators, churns, 
_ fan mills, washing 
HARDER MFG. CO. machines, etc. 
ROX It. Cobleskill. N. Y. Cheapo* t. 
QUAKER CITY 
GRINDING MILLS. 
For Corn and Cobs, Feed and Table Meal, 
bend for all mills advertised, keep the best and return 
all others. We pay the freight and send mills on 
10 days’ free trial. 89th Annual Catalogue FKKE. 
THE a. W. STRAUB CO. t PhUadelphia?Pa! 
’"Easy Put Up 
Can’t sag or loosen 
- when it is up, because 
every wire and stay in the 
FROST WIRE FENCE 
ii strongly made and carefully tested, j 
Wears far longer than ordinary woven wire 
fence. Scud for free catuiogiie. We pav freight. 
TUB KK08T WIKK FKNCK 10., Cleveland,' Ohio. 
H. B. I)KAKK A CO., 00 West 8L, Hew lork, N. Y. 
CTKAWHEKBY PLANTS—None better grown. Buy 
direct from a specialist. Catalogue free. 
GEO. It. SCHADBEli, Box It, Ballston Lake, N. Y. 
Fill I PROP 1908 from our mid-summer 
TULL onur STRAWBERRY PLANTS. Send 
for List. Kevitt’s Plant Farm, Athenia, N. J. 
P OTTED STRAWBERRIES. 
A full list of kinds @ $2.00 per 100 for 
August delivery provided the order is 
sent before August 1st with cash. Address 
JOS. H. BLACK, SON & CO., 
Hightstown, N. J. 
F OR SALE—Crimson Clover Seed, *4.50 bushel. 
Red Clover Seed, *7.50 and *8.00 bushel 
Onion sets, *2.00 and *2.50 bushel, Cow Peas 
*2,75 to *3.25 bushel. Joseph K. Holland, Milford, Del. 
I nnn nnn Cabbage and Celery Plants. 
■ UUUiUUU Send for Price List. 
CALEB BOGGS & SON, Cheswold, Delaware 
CABBAGE PLANTST™”*<32££ B p " 
alogue 
IT. M. PATTINGTON, Scipioville, New York. 
CELERY and CABBAGE 
PLANTS.—4,000,000 stalky plants. Fine large roots. 
Plants taken up with forks to preserve all the roots 
on each plant. A customer who ordered 40,000 plants 
last year wrote: “The plants you sent me were the 
finest lever saw come into this place.” Celery- 
Golden Self-Bleaching (French Seed), White Plume, 
Winter Queen, Giant Pascal, and Golden Heart. 
Cabbage—Danish Ballhead, Surehead, Flat Dutch, $1 
per 1,000; 5.000, $4. F. W. ROCHELLE, Chester,N. J. 
ALFALFA 
J. E. Wing & Bros., Box 23, 
—Best seed for sale. Write 
forsamples, prices, andFRKE 
.23” on growing. 
Meehnniesburg, O. 
or Eutaw, Ala. 
directions “i 
APPLE TREES THE HILL, Dausville, N. Y. 
THE RIGHT SEED POTATOES 
The Stock is right. The Prices are Right. I will Use you Right. Write me 
for free descriptive catalogue, containing every standard variety grown. 32nd 
anniversary. S. J. CONNELLY, Fishers, Ontario Co., N. Y. 
CRIMSON GLOVER 
The great soil improver. Valuable 
also for early green food, grazing and 
hay crop. Special circular free; also 
sample and price of seed on request. 
HENRY A. DREER, 
914 Chestnut Street. Philadelphia. Pa, 
