258 
TIIE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
March 23 
STATE EXPERIMENTERS’ LEAGUE. 
Yearly Meeting at Ithaca. 
Part II, 
Following the experiences with potatoes, W. 
T. Mann of Niagara County told in some de¬ 
tail how he had grown up an apple orchard 
of standard varieties in a comparatively short 
time to a point of profitable production. Ills 
soil was stony, hut has now been pretty well 
cleared, and he has given constant cultiva¬ 
tion. He selected trees that were not count¬ 
ed as extras, because lie wanted those that 
had not been forced too much. Two-year 
trees were purchased. The top was left low, 
and the treees were not heavily pruned. The 
standard trees were set 40 x 44 feet with 
khort-lived trees half way between in both 
directions. He has sprayed each year, and 
has applied one load of manure yearly to each 
25 or 30 trees. The seventh year from plant¬ 
ing the trees produced .$75 worth of fruit per 
acre. In the eight years since planting this 
orchard there has been a total net profit of $05 
per acre. F. A. Salisbury gave some interest¬ 
ing experiences with fruit. D. It. Pease, of 
Tompkins County, gave detailed descriptions 
of how he had made cherry growing a very 
profitable industry. Prof. .Ttidson outlined 
some of the proposed experimental work in 
horticulture for the coming year. Among these 
are orchard cover crops for the latter part of 
the season, spraying with mixtures of differ¬ 
ent strengths; treatment of nursery stock to 
see if dipping trees with the lime-sulphur 
wash will not answer in place of the pres¬ 
ent practice of fumigation. The latter method 
sometimes proves ineffective and sometimes in¬ 
jures the stock. M. M. Underdown described 
some work at Rangerfield Farms which is the 
beginning of an undertaking to test progres¬ 
sive methods with n-ference to profits. The 
experiment is still too young to make any 
definite report, but an organization of the 
business has been effected and plans well laid 
out. There is some fruit, but the dairy, hops 
and potatoes are to be the chief dependencies. 
The major portion of the evening session 
was given up to the consideration of poultry. 
I,. F. Hoyle, of Ithaca, spoke of incubators. 
_ and by means of the stereopticon illustrated 
his incubator house. This building is mainly 
below ground, though partly above. There is 
plenty of air space, and the walls are so 
constructed that outside temperatures affect 
the inside but little. Mr. Doyle went over his* 
experiences with an incubator, telling how he 
increased his hatches from 25 per cent to 
<><> per cent, mainly by proper applications of 
moisture to the eggs. Miss Nixon, of Tomp¬ 
kins County, went into details to show how 
a hen moults, and compared the process to 
- that by which tlie chick changes its covering 
from down to feathers. Stereopticon pictures 
were used to make her studies clear. It us¬ 
ually takes from 10 to 13 weeks to complete 
the moult, though one hen commenced laying 
after seven weeks. One hen that laid 214 
eggs in the year moulted in quick time. The 
industrious hens produce eggs at a cost of 
11 Vi cents a dozen, but the average cost is 
about 15 cents. O. W. Conover, Monmouth 
County. N. J„ gave a detailed account of the 
construction of a poultry house. The founda¬ 
tion and floor is of cement. The building de¬ 
scribed is 12 x 24 feet and is supposed to 
accommodate SO fowls. The essential feature 
of this building might, perhaps, he consid¬ 
ered the combination of glass and canvas 
front. At the close of the evening's pro¬ 
gramme Prof. Jackson discussed “Distribu- ' 
tion of Plant Disease by Seeds.” He spoke 
of many plant diseases which are disseminated 
in this manner, but gave most of his time 
to describing diseases of beans and peas. I 
Reans that show any signs' of spots of dis¬ 
ease should never be planted. 
The Friday morning session was taken up 
largely by a discussion of subjects relating to 
the dairy. Dr. L. I,. Van Slyke, of Geneva, 
discussed the present condition of cheese man¬ 
ufacture very carefully. He believes it would 
result to the advantage of dairymen if the 
manufacture and sale of skim cheese should 
be absolutely prohibited in this country, as it 
is in Canada. He spoke of the effect of the 
recent pure food laws upon cheese manufac¬ 
ture. The requirement of 50 per cent of fat 
In water-free cheese is not Ji'igher thgn the 
lowest found in full cream cheese found' on 
the market. E. IT. Dollar, St. Lawrence 
County, told how. by introducing better blood 
into his herd, and by more careful and liberal 
feeding he has increased the production of his 
herd from less than ISO pounds of butter fat 
a year to something over four hundred 
pounds. Prof. II. E. Ross spoke of bacteria 
in their relation to milk, and by means of 
tubes and Petri plates gave a pretty good 
idea of how bacteria are studied. He charac¬ 
terized as criminal the practice of selling to 
any dairyman who would buy cows that are 
tuberculous. Such cows should be destroyed. 
Anthrax is another disease that is causing 
much trouble in several parts of the State. 
This disease is certainly communicable to hu¬ 
mans, and even with the best of treatment 
results in almost certain death, and that 
speedily. The germs are very tenacious of 
life, and when once in a stable or pasture 
are extremely difficult of extermination. 
R. D. Woolsey of Tullv Farms gave a con¬ 
cise description of cerlified milk production. 
Healthy cows, clean stable and careful men 
are essentials. Mr. Woolsey believes in the 
stable having a slorage over it for all rough- 
age. The main thing in this form of barn is 
to have chutes outside. He believes the prob¬ 
lem is now whether the farmer with moder¬ 
ate means can produce this grade of milk. 
It has been heretofore done bv men of un¬ 
limited means almost entirely. 1<\ M. Holmes. 
Schuyler County, gave in detail his method 
of feeding cows so as to afford succulence 
without silage. This he accomplishes by the 
use of malt sprouts well wetted up. So much 
water was applied that one pound of sprouts 
increased to (5% pounds. He used formerly 
a ration having a ratio of 1 :6.5. The change 
to malt sprouts, with oTtber grains nearly the 
same, gave him a ratio of 1 :5.3, and at the 
same time cheapened his daily ration from 
15.45 cents to 11.08 cents. The results of 
the feed were rather remarkable. Tie changed 
one cow from 17 to 18 pounds daily produc¬ 
tion to 25 or 28 pounds, and others in about 
the same proportion. Hothouse lambs was a 
subject Presented bv W. C. Buell. Ontario 
County. Mr. Buell finds Merino blood crossed 
on Dorset or some similar breed best for 
his business. The lambs should come the 
last of October and in November for the most 
profit, but a little later is to be expected from 
some. He sells the early ones at SI2. and 
later they averaged, last year. $10.52. After 
June the results are not so satisfactory. 1-1. 
N. Wells. Wyoming County, spoke of his suc¬ 
cesses In making selections of seed corn, oats 
and potatoes. These selections are made in 
the field before any harvesting has been 
done. He finds his experiments have result¬ 
ed profitably. 
The last two speakers of the morning were 
Prof. Stone and Prof. Warren. The former 
went: very quickly over the results of last 
year's Cornell co-operative experiments, and 
the latter spoke of the prospects and plans 
for the coming year. About 150 experiment¬ 
ers took poultry last year; 4 worked on an¬ 
imal husbandry, with valuable results; 20 
had horticultural subjects; 40 plant breed¬ 
ing, and 507 questions in agronomy. Of the 
last-named subject only 300 reports have as 
yet been received. Prof. Warren remarked 
that every farm must Ik 1 more or less experi¬ 
mental. but careful, systematic work is what 
is needed. He went briefly over tlie fifty or 
more topics that are listed, and remarked 
that there is room for anyone to undertake 
any other experiment lie may wish, and have 
the co-operation of the College of Agriculture. 
Alfalfa and plant breeding were subjects spok¬ 
en of as of prime Importance. The treatment 
of meadows with some such fertilizer as a 
12-15-10 mixture for increasing the yield prof¬ 
itably is also an experiment that promises 
well. 
Friday afternoon was given up in part to a 
discussion of the rural school situation. E. 
J. Snyder. Tompkins County, II. II. Lyon, 
Chenango County, and Superintendent F. H. 
Briggs, of the State Industrial School, Roch¬ 
ester, spoke on various phases of the sub¬ 
ject. Mr. Snyder sees many difficulties in 
the way of adequately teaching the elements 
of farming in rural schools. Among these 
are to be found a lack of proper text books, 
qualified teachers and money adequate to the 
proper support of the rural schools. Mr. 
Lyon appeared more optimistic, but believed 
the Department of Education should give the 
work more recognition. Sunt. Briggs said 
that out of the (1,000 or 7.000 boys that 
have been in the Industrial School since he 
has been in charge npt one came direct from 
farm homes. He spoke of the young men 
whom he sees on the streets in the city who 
are from the counirv and are looking for au.v 
job they can get there. They are without 
homes in tlie city, and in many cases might 
have homes of comfort on the farms from 
where they came. Prof. Briggs spoke of rais¬ 
ing 100 bushels of potatoes per acre as 
(Continued on next page.) 
MAR.K 
T 
No rubber wears as well as new pure 
Para rubber. It has stretch and don’t 
crack. Put on good canvas and duck 
it will outwear any other kind three 
times over. 
Buffalo Brand 
Rubber boots are made of new pure 
Para rubber. They stretch where 
the strain comes. That's why they 
wear better. Other kinds of rubber 
will crack because there’s no 
stretch in it. To any user of 
Rubber Boots who will send 
for our beautifully illustrated 
Booklet C, we will send a 
handsome Souvenir Watch 
FobFltEi;. Supply is Uni¬ 
ted. Write today. 
Established Over Fifty Tears 
WM. H. WALKER & CO.. 
77-83 So. Pearl St.. 
Buffalo. N. Y. 
EMPIRE 
FENCE 
LASTS 
The life of a fence is no 
longer than the life of the I 
smallest wires in it. Rust 
soon eats through small wire. There are no 
small wires in ‘‘EMPIRE.” Every wire is of 
uniform size. The Knot, stays, laterals are 
ALL No. 9 
HARD STEEL WIRE 
heavily galvanized. Every rod is guaranteed. 
Shipped, all woven, ready to set up, freight prepaid. 
In “EMPIRE” you get more weight, greater 
strength, longer service, at proportionally less 
cost than any other fence. 
Write today for prices, also ask about the 
‘‘Bond Splice” the best device made for joining 
two wires. We sell only direct and do not£sell 
through agents or dealers. Address 
BOND STEEL POST COMPANY 
Adrian, Mich. 
FENCE Strongest 
Made- 
Made of High Carbon eolled wire. We 
have no agents. Sell direct to usor at 
factory prices on 30 days free trial. 
We pay all freight. Catalog shows 87 
styles and heights of farm and poultry 
fence. It's free. Buy direct. Write today 
COILED SPRING FENCE CO. 
WINCHESTER. INDIANA 
L_l 
The most satis-1 
factory and econom-1 
leal fence to buy is the I 
FROST WIRE FENCE 
Owing to its weight and wearing I 
qualities it will last three times as I 
long as woven fabric. No soft wire I 
used. Don’t buy a fence until you get our [ 
free catalogue. \Vepay freight. 
THE FROST WIRE FENCE CO.. Cleveunb. Omt. 
11. U. hriik. A Co., 28 Broadway,New fork. 
|§|||pPFour out of Five Karmen; 
^P^DuyAmerican fence -Why 
Because it’s the best fence. There could be no other 
reason why over 80 per cent of all the wire fence made 
and sold is AMERICAN Fence. We have always kept 
AMERICAN FENCE 
the Standard of the World. While the many improvements we are 
constantly making cost us a large sum of money, yet on account of 
the immense amount of Fence we turn out, this expense has not 
increased the price of AMERICAN Fence, and these improvements, 
adding years to the life of our Fence, constantly decrease the cost 
of wire Fence to you, per rod per year. 
NOTE— I want to send you the combination key-ring, shown in the corner, with our 
compliments, as a continual reminder of AMERICAN FENCE. Wo register your 
name and number on our books, and return keys without cost, if 
found and sent to us. 
FRANK BAACKES, Vice-Pres. & Gen. Sales Agt, 
American Steel & Wire Co., Chicago, Ill. 
Drop men postal—tell me how much Fence you need thi 
year. I’ll write you personally about AMERICAN 
FENCE and send you this registered combination 
key-ring, screw-driver end bottle-opener. Cf> 
SENT 
TO YOU 
FREE 
OHNSTON 
BOOK 
Tells All About The 
“CONTINENTAL” 
You don’t buy a harvester 
every day. But when you 
do invest in such a ma¬ 
chine don’t you want to 
feel pretty certain that 
you know all about all 
the binders on the market, so that you can select the 
one best suited to your needs? For that reason 
you’ll want the Johnston Book. The ” Continental ” 
Binder described in the Johnston Book, cuts, reels, elevates 
and binds all kinds of grain on any kind of ground. It ties 
every bundle without waste —handles down and tangled grain 
perfectly and is light in draft. Its elevators cannot clog and 
are self-adjusting to light and heavy grain; its knotter is gear 
driven and never fails to work; its reel is also gear driven and 
adjustable to all conditions; levers are all right-handed; all canvases have 
tighteners with wood 
bearing boxes which can 
be cheaply replaced. The 
Johnston “ Continental” 
is King of Binders, and, 
best of all it’s not built 
nor sold by a trust. Write 
today for the Johnston 
Book — you’ll want to 
know all its good points 
before you buy a binder. 
We’ll send it free. 
The Johnston Harvester Co., 
Box 81 Batavia, N. Y. 
saMPLE 
vs V***" 
A ** Every wire— 
both strand and stay—No. 9g« 
Thickly galvanized. Best grade steel, we mail tree sample 1 
for inspection and test Amoreisubstantial, stock-resist-1 
15 35crs.' 
PER ROD 
DELIVERED 
THE 
CYCLONE 
r 
Catalogue, 32 pages, 
showing Ornamental 
Fences Hates .Arches 
Vines, Trellis, Lawn 
Border, etc., will in¬ 
terest you. Write for It today. Address 
The Cyclone Woven Wire Fence Co., Cleveland. Ohio. 
IPAIgNTCP^ 
They Last. Forever 
STANDARD STEEL FENCE POSTS 
ABE TO HE DRIVEN 
One-third Cheaper Than Wood Posts. 
POSTS MAKE FOK AM, PURPOSES. 
Farm, field, lawn, clothes, 
hitching, street-sign and grape 
posts. 
Plain, barbed and woven 
wire of every description can 
be used with these posts. 
250,000 soltl lust year. 
500,000 for sale this year. 30 
miles of 58 inch, heavy woven 
wire fence erected on Standard 
Steel Posts on one estate. 
Write for circular price list, 
and reference to J, H. downs, 
289 Broadway, New York City. 
TWO PAINT BOOKS FREE. 
WRITE US 
BQI 
pxM k. aj mm 
sai h BU 
BL.J EL. .J 
outm lL i i ir n 
CSSS r: J in _ 1 
JETl i_J ft 1 , t 
Cz.J * 1 i 
['’1 L - 2 L. J 
fix7J n J C.-J 
E5J CL n 2 C.J 
0m mm sb 
••.. c a 
and say: “Send 
me your new 
Pa i nt Offers,” 
and we will send 
you FREE by 
return mall, 
our two paint 
books, most 
valuable and attractive ever offered; one a text book. 
"How to Paint;” tells everything about painting, the 
other; a big complete sample book, with cxactshades 
of every color house paint., barn paint. Chinese Gloss 
Lacquer, for reflnishing furniture (makes old articles 
like new), varnishes, stains, enamels, etc., shows 
harmonizing color selections and our wonderfully 
low prices. We own our own btR paint factory and 
sell you direct on the basis of material and labor 
cost one-half what you must pay all others. Our 
paint is guaranteed ten years, smoothest, easiest 
working, covers double the surface, lasts twice as 
long as others, and YOU SHARG IN OUR PROFITS. 
vnil PAW fiCT this couch. Morris 
IUU LAN ULI chair, or choice of 
hundreds of other valuable articles free, 
according to our revised, more liberal 
tliau ever plan of shar- 
. mg pro 
|customers all fully 
'explained in the free 
paint books. Write at 
once and get the paint books. Address, 
SEARS, ROEBUCK & CO.,ChloagO. 
