296 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. • 
April 6, 
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. 1 
Dimensions of Tennis Court. 
J. W. L. (No address ).—'How large a piece 
of ground is necessary for lawn tennis? Must 
it be perfectly level? What is the cost of 
lawn tennis outfit? 
Ans. —The outside dimensions of a 
tennis court are 78x36 feet. This allows 
for inner courts 42x27; any little manual 
of the game will give the proper diagram. 
The ground should be level and well 
drained; a dirt court should have a foun¬ 
dation like a macadam road for perma¬ 
nent service, though we have seen fairly 
good results from careful packing and 
rolling without this. A grass court needs 
much care, but is pleasant to play on. 
Any “home talent” sufficient to establish 
a lawn ought to be able to put a tennis 
court in condition. The price of outfits 
varies; rackets cost from $1.50 to $8 or 
$10, but we have found one at $2.50 very 
serviceable; balls 25 to 50 cents each; 
poles $1.25 to $3; nets $1.50 to $4; back¬ 
stop nets, $2.75; center iron, 50 cents; 
marking tape, $3.00; dry marker, 98 cents. 
Apples for Oklahoma. 
Reader. Mineral, Okla .—What kind of 
apples would you advise for this part of 
the country? I am on the line between 
New Mexico and Oklahoma. Our land is 
quite rolling; soil is red, sandy loam, with 
red clay subsoil; holds moisture very well. 
In April and September It blows considerably. 
Would you advise me to plant the seed and 
bud seedlings to the Spy, and after two or 
three years bud them to such fruit as you 
recommend for this part of the world? 
Ans. —The region mentioned is one in 
which the Northern Spy is not so success¬ 
ful as some other varieties, and I would 
not advise planting more than a few trees 
of it. The Jonathan is one of the best 
for that section, and always sells for a 
high price when properly grown and pre¬ 
pared for market. It is also excellent for 
home use. Rome Beauty is another good 
apple for that region; Grimes also does 
well. Ben Davis and its type is at home 
there, but the quality of the fruit is so 
poor that I would advise growing some¬ 
thing better. It would be unnecessary to 
plant seeds of Northern Spy to grow 
stocks on which to bud or graft other 
varieties, for the seedlings of that variety 
are not superior to all others. It is usual¬ 
ly cheaper and better to buy good trees 
raised in a nursery than to try to grow 
the trees from the start on the farm. 
H. E. VAN DEMAN. 
An Acre of Strawberries. 
O. W. S., Elmira, N. Y .—What midseason 
varieties would you recommend for this 
valley? Can I get layer plants this Spring 
and pot them and force them for setting 
about July 15 to August 1 profitably? I 
have the necessary pots. IIow many plants 
are required to set an acre, and how far 
apart each way do you recommend for matted 
rows? As our ground is fairly early here 
I wish to put in early potatoes and set the 
strawberry plants after the potatoes are out. 
The ground is gravel and clay loam, gravel 
predominates. I shall have well-rotted stable 
manure spread on thickly with a manure 
spreader and well harrowed in after plowing. 
Then plant potatoes deeply with hardwood 
ashes and hen manure in furrow around the 
seed. Is this advisable for the preparation 
of strawberry bed? 
Ans. —I recommend Lovett and Haver- 
land. Forcing layers is a new proposition 
to me, but I question its being profitable. 
They would require large pots and a great 
deal of care to keep them in good condi¬ 
tion until so late. I would advise rather 
that he buy 1,000 layer plants this Spring 
and set them 3x1 fool on a piece pre¬ 
pared as he suggests for his potatoes. 
Then use his pots for the runners as they 
appear, or let them root as usual and, 
when ready to transplant after the pota¬ 
toes, moisten the soil and take up a small 
ball of earth with each plant. He should 
get plenty of vigorous plants this way, and 
if he immediately destroys all runners he 
does not need the original thousand plants 
should more than pay for the work. To 
set an acre 15,000 are required at that sea¬ 
son; 7,000 in Spring set 3 x 2 feet. His 
description suggests an excellent prepara¬ 
tion. G. A. p. 
Ground Fish for Tomatoes. 
,J. E. B., Maryland .—Is there any objection 
to using fine ground fish, as the source from 
which to derive nitrogen for tomato crop? 
Will it pay to spray tomatoes with Bordeaux 
Mixture, for blight? 
Ans. —In trying to discuss the tomato, 
its cultivation and food, there are two 
questions that come up at once. Are we 
trying to grow early fruit for the market 
or stock for the canner? This the in¬ 
quirer fails to say, but in either case fine 
ground fish is one of the best forms of 
organic nitrogen we have, and in some 
sections one of the cheapest forms, while 
in others it is not to be had at any price. 
The inquirer asks “Is fine ground fish the 
proper source from which to obtain ni¬ 
trogen for the tomato crop?” indicating 
that this is the only source from which 
he is to derive his nitrogen. There is 
where I think too many fall down. This 
assuming that one form of nitrogen is all 
that is necessary is a mistaken idea. Were 
I planning for the early crop for the 
market and striving for the best possible 
yield with earliness as first consideration, 
I would use four forms of nitrogen in the 
order named, nitrate of soda, sulphate of 
ammonia, ground fish and tankage. These 
ingredients give up their plant food one 
after another, and supply all that is needed 
for the entire crop, and do it when needed. 
For the late crop or cannery stock the 
nitrate of soda and sulphate of ammonia 
could be cut out altogether, and fish and 
tankage or fish and bone could be used 
instead. Our late tomato crop is grow¬ 
ing at a time when nitrification is going 
on very rapidly; hence we can save our 
most soluble forms, and depend on or¬ 
ganic forms to furnish our late crop with 
all it needs. The quantity of nitrogenous 
fertilizers applied to the tomato crop is, 
in my judgment, of as much importance 
as the form used. The nature of the 
tomato plant is to make vine, hence we 
should guard against using nitroeenous 
manures in too large quantities, particular¬ 
ly on the late crop, otherwise we will get 
too rampant a growth of vine at the ex¬ 
pense of fruit. “Will it pay to spray for 
blight?” That depends largely on how 
bad the blight is in one’s neighborhood. 
Here there has been but little spraying 
done, depending on rotation to avoid the 
disease. In southern New Jersey spray¬ 
ing for blight has been carried on for 
some years, and claimed by many to be 
successful. If spraying is attempted it 
should be begun early in the season, as it 
is a preventive, not a cure. Where 
blight is only occasionally present it 
might not pay; the grower could resort 
to rotation and probably have fair crops 
If the neighborhood all has the disease 
I believe spraying is the only remedy. 
New Jersey. c. c. hulsart. 
It was at a class in arithmetic that the 
following household problem was exactly 
solved: “Suppose that in a family of 
five there were only four potatoes for 
dinner, and the mother wants to give each 
of the children an equal share—how is 
she going to do it?” For a few minutes 
there was silence in the room while every¬ 
body calculated hard. Finally, one of 
the little boys rose to his feet, and, after 
attracting the attention of the school¬ 
master, gave his unexpected answer: 
“She’d mash ’em, sir.”—Melbourne 
Leader. 
FARM TELEPHONES 
Save their cost in one year 
D<» you realize the real value of the actual 
lime you spend going to town or your 
neighbors on errands you could do on the 
phone? You want John to come to work 
for you tomorrow; you want to know If 
a machine part has arrived at the Express 
Office; you want the Doctor for a sick 
child, or the Veterinary for a sick horse. 
You say there Jr no telephone system? 
Then you are just the man we want to 
correspond with. We can show you how 
to make a handsome profit by organizing 
a farm telephone line and we will tell 
you how to organize, how to build and 
how to operate. Write for our free bul¬ 
letin 224X, 
American Electric Telephone Co., 
C-J00 State Street, Chicago, Ill. 
!™ WATER SYSTEM SS8" 
Is easy and Inexpensive If you have a 
uiook, spring or pond on your place. Let 
Power Specialty Company 
—. Fit vou out with a simple. 
P0WEII SPECIALTY COMPANY, 
Fit you out with a simple, 
automatic, guaranteed Rife 
Hydraulic Ram or a Foster 
High Duty Ram. Water raised 
to any height. No trouble, no repairs. 
Free Catalogue gives valuable sugges¬ 
tions- Address 
111 Broadway, N»» York Clt» 
When Is a Gate Not a Gate ? 
Steven's Revolver Is Never a Jar 
But is at last 
A Perfect Home=Made Farm Gate. 
Following are just a few of its individual char- 
actenstics . 
It is the only gate on earth that goes over and over 
when opened and closed, because it is protected by 
the ONLY PATENT EVER ISSUED by the U. S. 
Patent Office on such a gate. 
It will not sag, twist or get out of shape, as it is on 
the ground all the time and lias positively no strain 
whatever upon the supporting post. It never lias to 
be locked for it stays shut of its own accord and no 
animal but a pig can get through it when not locked. 
It will operate over any height of snow and can be 
made any length without affecting its durability; the 
wind can not open it when not locked and it will stay 
open at all times when desired -whether fastened or not 
Send $1.00 for the patent right to make and use the 
gate upon your farm, together with a complete set of 
working drawings and specifications telling exactly 
how you can make any of the gates you now have, 
either wire or wooden, into a Stevens Revolver, for 
an [outlay not to exceed 35c„ and when made, if it 
does not do as claimed, we will cheerfully refund the 
dollar sent. __ 
S. GEO. STEVENS, 
Consulting Engineer and Patents, 
120 5th Avenue West, Duluth, Minn. 
They Last Forever 
STANDARD STEEL FENCE POSTS 
ARE TO BE DRIVEN 
One-third Cheaper Than Wood Posts. 
rOSTS MAIIE FOR ALL Pl’RPOSES. 
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 sold last 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, Now York City. 
\PATENTE0 
[heaviest fence hade 
\ All No. 9 Steel Wire. Well galvanized. Weighs J 
more than most fences. 15 to 85c per rod J 
^delivered. We send free sample for lnspcc - A 
Ition and test. Write for fence book of 133^ 
^styles. The Brown Fence A; Wire 
Co., Cleveland, Ohio. 
When you write advertisers mention The 
R. N.-Y. and you’ll get a quick reply and 
‘•a square deal.” See guarantee, page 18. 
wmm 
FARM AND 
ORNAMENTAL 
Handsome, easy to build, always 
stands erect. Ask for Fence Book D. 
ANCHOR FENCE & MFC. CO. 
Clevgl»nd| Ohio* 
nchor Fence 
Combines strength and 
beauty with long life. Large, 
jfiard steel wires. Heavily 
galvanized. 
(afyn 
&=< thT 
CYCLONE 
Catalogue, 32 pages, 
showing Ornamental 
Fences Gates,Arches 
Vines, Trellis, Lawn 
Border, etc., will in- 
^ terest you. Write for it today. Address 
The Cyclone Woven Wire Fence Co., Cleveland, Ohio. 
FENCE 
Strongest 
Made—** 
Made of High Carbon colled wire. We 
have no agents. Sell direct to user at 
factory prices on 30 days free trial* 
We pay all freight. Catalog shows 37 
styles and heights of farm and poultry 
fence. It's free. Buy direct. Write today 
COILED SPRINC FENCE CO. 
Box 263. WINCHESTER, INDIANA 
EMPIRE 
The Fence 
of To-day. 
IT’S THE BIG 
WIRE FENCE 
that’s the lasting fence. Little wires have had 
their day. Look around you at some of the little 
wire fences and see why: Rusted out, twisted, 
rooted and pushed apart, broken down. 
EMPIRE No. 9 
HARD STEEL WIRE 
fence is taking their place. Knots, stays, hori¬ 
zontals, all same size. Woven so that every wire 
stays where it’s put. No slips, no holes, galvan¬ 
ized so there’s no chance for rust. 
THE FENCE THAT LASTS, THE FENCE FOR YOU. 
We sell only direct and do not sell through 
agents or dealers. Write for prices and particulars. 
BOND STEEL POST COMPANY 
Adrian, Mich. 
, Buggy 
aCmm®? 
FREE 
MOST WONDERFUL VEHICLE BOOKS FREE 
IF YOU EXPECT TO BUY a Vehicle—Buggy. Road Wagon, Farm Wagon. 
Surrey, Phaeton, Business Wagon, Shetland Pony Cart, or any kind of a rig 
or any style harness—write for our 1907 Vehicle Book and see the wonderful 
offers we now make. Our low prices will astonish you; our “free trial, money 
back” offer, quality and safe delivery guarantee, one small profit above our 
manufacturing cost, our Profit Sharing Plan are marvelous inducements, 
advantages we alone can offer you. We own the largest vehicle factory 
in the world and turn out the highest grade of Solid Comfort rigs, sold 
direct to you at one small profit above manufacturing cost. Prices about 
One-half what others charge. We can save you $5.00 to $15.00 on a road 
wagon, $15.00 to $40.00 on a buggy, surrey or phaeton, $20.00 to 
*35.00 on a farm wagon, $35.00 to $45.00 on a business wagon 
us a letter or a postal card _ 
and say, “Send me your new |p 
Vehicle Book,” and you will 
receive it by return mail. In 
our new Free Wagon Cata¬ 
logue we show every kind of farm 
wagon, also business delivery wagons 
for grocers, butchers, bakers, milk 
dealers, etc. Don’t fail to write and 
-- — ask for our free Wagon Catalogue. _ __ __ _ .. _ 
THESE ARTICLES FREE IF YOU BUY FROM US. 
You get our valuable Profit Sharing Certificates on every puKhase. as ®P°It in- 
have $25.00 in our Profit Sharing Certificates, you can get the 
tosh free or a boy’s suit, parlor table, fine lamp, mantel clock, all entirely free, or tne 
_ Morris chair couch.or dresser free for larger amounts. All fully explained in the 
InB* M couci^or upgser Write at once; state if you want 
sc Vehicle or Wagon Catalogue. ..... -- 
.ue free Vehicle Book or the free Wagon Book and get all our 
wonderful 1907 offers on rigs and harness. P rl fes. terms, induce¬ 
ments, advantages you can t afford to miss. Address, DepL 11. 
SEARS, ROEBUCK & CO., CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. 
3 Bowls in_L 
The important thing for you to be sure 
of before you put any money into a cream 
separator is that it is a clean skimmer. 
Now every mechanical cream separator has a 
bowl which does the skimming. But the Im¬ 
proved 
U C CREAM 
• 9* SEPARATOR 
Only 
2 
Pacts 
Inside 
has 3 bowls in 1! (the picture will show you). Every 
drop of milk run through a U.S. is skimmed 3 distinct 
. times. The remarkably thorough separation for which 
the U. S. Separator is famous is due to this exhaustive 
process and the wonderful skimming efficiency of the two sim¬ 
ple corrugated cups. The U. S. has held the World’s Record for 
clean skimming since 1901. 
Cream is money. The U. S. gets more than any other separator. 
Now, we have n’t room here to explain all about the clean 
skimming of the U. S. or about its many other fine points. But if you 
want, we ’ll be right glad to mail you a copy of our big, handsome, new 
catalogue free. It’s mighty interesting and tells all about the U. S. 
Just say “ Send catalogue number B 159 ”, A postal is all right if it’s 
handiest. Better write now while you think of it, addressing 
VERMONT FARM MACHINE CO., Bellows Falls, Vt. 
Prompt deliveries of U. S. Separators from warehouses at Auburn, Me., Buffalo, N. Y., Toledo, 
Chicago, Ill., LaCrosse, Wis., Minneapolis, Minn., Sioux City, la., Kansas City, Mo., Omaha, Neb., 
San Francisco, Cal., Portland, Ore., Sherbrooke and Montreal, Que., Hamilton, Out., Winnipeg, A 
Man. and Calgary, Alta. 
Address all letters to Bellows Falls, Vt. 44<L 
