48 
January 16, 
Ruralisms 
Kelsey’s New Locust. —The beauty 
of the blooms of the common Black, 
Yellow or timber locust of eastern 
North America is universally recog¬ 
nized. Were it reasonably free from 
insect pests it would be widely, planted 
as a lawn or shade tree, but injury from 
the Locust borer is so general that its 
use as an ornamental is avoided. In 
Northern Europe and our Pacific coast 
regions where the borer beetle lias not 
found its way the locust is a prime 
favorite, being often planted under the 
names of Hardy or Mock acacia, and 
a number of horticultural forms, some 
without thorns, and others with yellow 
foliage, rose-colored flowers in distinct 
habit, are propagated by means of suck¬ 
ers or grafts. The long racemes of 
deliciously fragrant cream-white, pea¬ 
shaped hlooms are freely gathered by 
every schoolboy during the brief blos¬ 
soming period in early June. There 
are only a few species of the genus 
Robinia, to which the common locust 
belongs. The botanical name is Robinia 
Pseudacacia, and the next most famil¬ 
iar species is R. hispida, the Rose 
acacia, or Moss locust, native to the 
mountains of Virginia and the Caro- 
linas. In habit this is a sprawling, awk¬ 
ward shrub from three to eight feet 
high, with bristly trunk and branches, 
vastly different from the lofty and im¬ 
posing common locust, that sometimes 
rises 80 feet high. The foliage is hand¬ 
some and the large rose-colored blooms, 
borne for a long period in early Sum¬ 
mer. are very pleasing though lacking 
in fragrance. It spreads freely from 
the roots and should have considerable 
space to itself, that it may not inter¬ 
fere with other plants. Other species 
are R. viscosa, a small scarce tree 
found naturally in the lower Allegheny 
Mountains, and R. Neo-Mexicana, a 
low shrub, confined to the southwest¬ 
ern portions of North America. Both 
bear racemes of attractive pink flow¬ 
ers but are rarely seen in cultivation. 
Robinia Kelseyi was discovered in 
North Carolina by Mr. Harlan P. Kel¬ 
sey, Boston, Mass., a well-known grow¬ 
er of native plants, and introduced 
to cultivation about seven years ago. 
The garden name of Allegheny Moss 
locust has been proposed for it, as it 
has bristly or hairy branches like the 
Rose acacia. As it grows wild it forms 
a good-sized but quite compact shrub 
with leaves like the common or yellow 
locust and clusters of bright pink flow¬ 
ers, very freely produced. When in 
bloom it is a strikingly beautiful ob¬ 
ject, though the individual flowers are 
smaller than those of .the Rose acacia. 
It has met with much favor both here 
and abroad, where it shows an incli¬ 
nation to grow into tree-like size under 
good culture. It is easily propagated by 
grafting on roots of the common locust 
and also by seeds that are far more 
freely produced than on the Rose 
acacia, which does not fruit readily ex¬ 
cept in its native mountains. The nu¬ 
merous hairy seed pods the new species 
carries are conspicuous and ornamen¬ 
tal on account of the reddish hue that 
is maintained throughout midsummer. 
The Allegheny Moss locust appears to 
be as hardy as others of its genus, and 
bids fair to become a valued flowering 
shrub for northern gardens. 
Those Big Crops. —The Agricultural 
Department’s final estimate of $7,778,- 
000,000 as the value of the farm crops 
of our country for the year 1908 ap¬ 
pears particularly impressive to the edi¬ 
tors of financial and business periodi¬ 
cals. There has been much comment 
concerning this vast contribution to the 
Nation’s wealth, and some intimations 
are made that the farmer was now get¬ 
ting, at least, his full share of the 
year’s prosperity. All admit that agri¬ 
culture, as proved by this tremendous 
total, is still the pre-eminent industry 
of the country, and likely to increase 
rather than diminish its lead over the 
commercial and transportation interests 
that so arrogantly control the resources 
of the people. This seven billions and 
more is the ultimate estimated value of 
our farm products, it is true, but it 
does not indicate the cost of agricul¬ 
tural production, the percentage of 
profit to the farmer in relation to his 
investments, nor the distribution of the 
proceeds among those who performed 
the labor. Authoritative statistics of cost 
and profits (if any) of farm opera¬ 
tions would be of intense interest for 
comparison with the final values. The 
direct investigations of The R. N.-Y. 
indicate that in many instances farm¬ 
ers do not receive more than 30 to 40 
per cent of the cost to the consumer— 
. 1 . • • &T-i 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
the big end of each dollar being re¬ 
tained by the transportation agencies 
and middlemen for distributing services, 
leaving the cost of growing and 
packing and interest on investment 
to come out of the small fraction left, 
before a penny of profit can be reck¬ 
oned. Of course staple cro_ s grown in 
quantity are marketed without such 
great loss, but the cost of production 
is so high under present conditions that 
it is an unusually successful farmer who 
can figure out a substantial profit after 
deducting all legitimate charges and al¬ 
lowing for the up-keep of his equipment. 
Exact statistics are hard to collect, but 
the writer’s impression is that farmers 
consider themselves fortunate if they 
realize three to five per cent over the 
cost of production, without charging for 
personal labor and supervision. 
Responsible manufacturers have testi¬ 
fied at hearings of the Tariff Commis¬ 
sion, now in Washington, that profits of 
25 to 30 per ceni were absolutely es¬ 
sential to their business and have been 
forced to admit when confronted with 
records of cost and selling values, that 
100 per cent and more had been realized 
in many lines of effort. 
Improve the Farm. —Railroad author¬ 
ities claim that $5,000,000,000 will be 
needed within the next seven years for 
necessary impfovements to existing 
lines, largely to transport the expectel 
increases in agricultural production. We 
would all like to know the actual pro¬ 
portion of the value of our seven bil¬ 
lion crop production of last year that 
will be available for farm betterments 
throughout the country. We fancy an 
even larger amount is needed than the 
railroad magnates claim is essential for 
their purposes. An incalculable value 
will indeed be expended in farm im¬ 
provements the coming year, and every 
succeeding year, on the 6,500,000 farms 
of the country, but it will be in labor 
rather than in money expenditure for 
the all-sufficient reason that in many 
cases sufficient money for best results 
is not to be had. A better cash return 
is absolutely needed that farmers may 
fully share the benefits of modern 
conditions. . w. v. F. 
Our guarantee—as good 
as any bank—covers every 
inch of 
Genasco 
Ready Roofing 
We put our guarantee in 
writing and back it with our 
thirty-two-million-dollar or¬ 
ganization. We can afford to 
guarantee Genasco ; and you 
can afford to use no other. 
Genasco is made of 1 rinidad 
Lake Asphalt—the toughest 
and most enduring water- 
proofer known. 
Mineral or smooth surface. Insist on 
Genasco. Look for the trade-mark on every 
roll. Write for Book 10 and samples. 
THE BARBER ASPHALT 
PAVING COMPANY 
Largest producers of asphalt, and largest 
manufacturers of ready roofing in the world. 
PHILADELPHIA 
New York San Francisco Chicago 
SCALE DESTROYER 
FOR SAN JOSE SCALE 
For sale at a thousand agencies 
covering all important fruit sec¬ 
tions. Send for name of dealer 
nearest you. Evidence proving it 
CHEAPEST as well as 
MOST EFFECTIVE 
remedy also mailed free on request* 
TARGET BRAND, Box 721, Martinsburg W. Va. 
When you write advertisers mention Thh | 
R. N.-Y. and you’ll get a quick reply and 
“a square deal.” See guarantee page 10. 
HURST sprayers 
n u,v o„ free trial 
I NO MONEY IN ADVANCE—no bank] 
I deposit. Shipped direct to you at deal¬ 
er’s WHOLESALE prices. Spray first, I 
1 then pay out oC extra profit. We pay | 
| freight and guarantee sprayers 6 
THE HURST POTATO AND ORCHARD SPRAYER 
doubles your crop. IT SPRAYS ANY¬ 
THING— trees, potatoes, vineyards, truck, etc. High! 
pressure. Easy to operate. Cheap in price, light* strong J 
and durable. Brass valves, plunger, 
strainer, etc. Hurst Horse- 
Power Sprayer for orchards, | 
vineyards, otatoes, etc. * ‘No tree too I 
high, no field too big for this king of I 
sprayers.” These and other sprayers I 
sold on same liberal No-mon-1 
ey-in-advance plan. Write [ 
today and ask us for our 
Free Spraying Guide, 
Catalog and Special , 
I r Free Offer to first 
in each locality. 
H. 1. CURST MFG. CO., 
4L North St., Canton, O. 
What Even Sowing Means. 
Even sowing means even growing, 
even ripening and proper grading of 
the grain. The feed of a grain drill, 
as well as the furrow opening devices, 
are of great importance. Some styles 
of furrow openers are best adapted to 
o - kind of soil and some to others. 
The Farmers’ Favorite Grain Drill, 
manufactured by The American Seed¬ 
ing-Machine Co., Incorporated, Spring- 
field, Ohio, is positive in its sowing of 
all known seeds, both large and small, 
as well as all kinds of fertilizers. It 
is a decided success in all parts of 
the world where grain is raised. It is 
made in large variety of styles and 
sizes, fully and honestly guaranteed to 
do the best possible work. Wherever 
you live or whatever your seeding 
conditions may be. you can get a Far¬ 
mers’ Favorite Drill that will do your 
work as you want it done. Send to the 
manufacturers today for their Far¬ 
mers’ Favorite catalogue and any in¬ 
formation you desire. Then go to your 
local implement dealer and insist on 
seeing the Farmers’ Favorite before 
purchasing any other drill. 
ROOFS THAT 
NEVER WEAR OUT 
Sea Green or Purple Slate 
is nature’s own product—not man made. 
Quarried from solid rock—split into con¬ 
venient form for laying,and then in its 
natural state ready for the roof. 
SOLID ROCK CAN not wear out 
It can't burn, rust, warp, crack, tear or de¬ 
cay. That’s why 8ea Green or Purple Slate 
Roofs never wear out and never require 
pai nt ingaud repairing like all other roofing. 
Sea Green or Purple 81ate Roofs are suit¬ 
able .for any building, new or old. Give 
perfect protection. Reduce iusurancerates 
because spark and fire-proof. Afford clean 
cistern water. Not affected by heat or cold. 
First cost—only a trifle more than short 
lived roofing. Settle your roof question for 
all time. Don’t spend more money for 
poor roofing. Write to us for our free book 
“ROOFS it wiif save you monev. Give 
name of your local roofer. Write today. 
AMERICAN SEA GREEN SLATE CO. 
Box IO Granville, N. 
“KANT-KLOG” 
SPRAYERS 
Something New 
Spraying 
Guidc Free 
Gets twice the results— 
with same laborand fluid. 5sv £3 '"’ * 
Flat or round, fine or coarse sprays 
from same nozzle. Ten styles. For 
trees, potatoes, gardens, whitewashing, 
etc. Agents Wanted. Booklet Free. 
Rochester Spray Pump Co. T . 
The Deyo Power Sprayer 
Buy the original and save trouble and ex¬ 
pense. Others have copied. Our 3 H. P. Air- 
Cooled Engine is furnished with pulley for 
other work. Seven years of success. Ask the 
user. Write for catalogue 19 and our Liberal 
Proposition. 
R. H. DEYO & CO., Binghamton, N.Y. 
r Take-Off YouT 
Hat to the 
The only Gloss Valve Pump—never 
Sticks —never fails — always ready. 
Also HAY TOOLS, Barn Door 
Hangers, Hay Rack Clamps. 
Write today for Circulars and Prices. 
F.H.Bly.rs k Bro., 24 Brnngr St., Ashland, O. 
THE 
PUMP 
THAT 
PUMPS 
“ Maple ” Evaporators ^ 
Oar “Maple Evaporator” it the most durable and noit 
economical on the market, only selected material* being 
used In ft* construction. Heavy cast-iron frame, rein¬ 
forced sheet steel jacket, extra heavy specially rolled tin 
or galvanised Iron pans. 
Easily erected, uses very little fuel either 
wood or coal, works smoothly and evap¬ 
orates quickly, producing very fine sugar 
and syrup. Hundreds in use giving 
splendid service. Moderate in cost. 
We carry a full line of sugar camp sup¬ 
plies. 
McLane- 
Schank 
Hard¬ 
ware Co. 
Linesvllle 
Pa. 
BIGGER GARDEN CROPS 
depend very largely on having the proper tools 
for seeding and cultivating. We make garden im- 
.i-thebe ' ' “ 
plements of all kinds- 
aest for the purpose are 
MATTHEWS’ NEW UNIVERSAL 
Hand Seeders and Cultivators 
singly or combined with Hoes, Plows. Rakes 
* _ Markers, etc. Over 20 styles* 
FREE BOOKLET giving de¬ 
scription and prices. Mailed to 
any address. **■ 
Write today. 
AMES PLOW CO., 
Dept. 54, BOSTON. MASS. 
— 99 %, % Pure— 
American Ingot Iron Roofing 
Guaranteed For 30 Years 
Without Painting 
The Only Guaranteed Metal Roofing ever put on the 
market. Samples free. Write for a free book showing 
remarkable tests. A way out of your roof troubles. 
THE AMERICAN IRON ROOFING CO., Dept. D, ELYRIA, OHIO 
ICE PLOWS 
day. 
that will cut two rows at a 
time, runs smooth, draws 
with less draft than any 
other, pays for itself in one 
Also, IGF, TOOLS. Write for prices. 
WM. II. PRAY, (love. New York. 
LET US TAN 
YOUR HIDE, 
Whether Cow, Steer, Bull, or Horse 
Hide, Gulf. Dog, Deer, or any kind of 
hide or skin, soft, light, odorless and 
moth-proof for robe, rug, coat or gloves, 
and make them up when so ordered. 
Hut first get our illustrated catalog, 
with prices, shipping tags and instruc¬ 
tions. We are the largest custom fur 
tanners of large wild and domestic 
animal skins in the world. 
Distance makes no difference what¬ 
ever. Ship three or more cow or horse 
hides together from anywhere, and 
Crosby pays the freight both ways. We 
sell fur coats and gloves, do taxidermy 
and head mounting. 
THE CROSBY FRISIAN FUR COMPANY, 
Rochester, N. Y. 
SEE THEM GROW 
WHEN YOU HAVE SPRAYED YOUR TREES, PLANTS AND VINES WITH 
N I AGARA BRAND 
The great all around Spraying Material. It acts as a tonic and it kills- Scale and 
prevents Fungus. Put up in packages to suit the lady with her rose garden or the 
man with an orchard. Prices with full description mailed you Free for the asking. 
Address NIAGARA SPRAYER CO., Middleport, N. Y. 
PRATT'S 
“SCALECIDE 
99 SOLUBLE 
PETROLEUM 
TRADE MARK REGISTERED U. S. PATENT OFFICE. .. 
Will positively destroy SAN JOSE SCALE and all soft bodied sucking insects without injury to the tree. Simple, more Effective and Cheaper than 
Lime Sulphur. Not an experiment.-Write for FRKB sample and endorsements of leading fruit growers and entomologists who have used it for years. 
PRICES:— 50 gal. bbl. $25.00; 30 gal. tin $15.00; 10 gal. can $6.00; 5 gal. can $3.25; 1 gal. can $1.00 f. o.b. New York. 
One gal lon makes 1G to 20 gallons spray by simply adding water. Pocket Diary and Spray Calendar for 1009 sent k It Hit. Mention this paper._ 
, Q. Pratt Co., Mfg. Cliemists, Dept. 3ST, 50 Church St. UNToxat Yorls. City. 
