104 
THIS RURAL NEW-YORKER 
February 6, 
FARMERS’ CLUB 
[Every query must be accompanied by the name 
and address of the writer to insure attention. Be¬ 
fore 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 
Beparate piece of paper.] 
Paper Pots for Early Vegetables. 
G. B., North Collins, N. Y .—Can you 
give me any information on the use of 
paper pots for early vegetables? 
Ans. —We have used the paper pots 
and like them. They do not cost much 
to make. They hold enough soil to 
give the plant a good root, and when 
put in the ground either decay or can 
be easily torn off to give the plant a 
chance. We like them better than 
earthen pots or strawberry boxes. 
Removing Stumps with Saltpetre. 
E. H. M„ Spar kill, N. Y .—I think 
It was in your paper that the fol¬ 
lowing was advised for removal of tree 
stumps: Saltpetre is put into an auger 
hole, left through the Winter and pene¬ 
trates to the roots, so that if coal oil is 
admitted and lighted in the Spring the 
stumps burn up. I would like to be 
assured that this is reliable by some one 
who has done, or have it contradicted. 
Ans. —No, you never saw any such 
advice in The R. N.-Y. Every now 
and then this advice goes the rounds of 
some of the papers. It is a fake. Our 
people have tried it, and found that it 
does not work. 
Use of “ Floats ” with Manure. 
W. IP. C., New London, Conn .—How 
much better in money value is it to use in 
a poultry plant, floats at $15 per ton over 
finely sifted coal ashes, not wood ashes, at 
no cost whatever, both as a preventive of 
vermin and as a preserver of manure. 
Ans. —We use the sifted coal ashes 
and find them very useful. They con¬ 
tain practically no fertility whatever. 
We think the floats are a little better 
as absorbents and for dusting vermin. 
They contain phosphoric acid, which is 
not available. Just what effect the 
manure has upon the “floats” is not 
known. We think $15 is too high a 
price and would use the sifted ashes in¬ 
stead. 
Fertilizer for Cabbage. 
C. A. S., Ransomville, N. V.—I am going 
to put out four acres of cabbage where 
I had cabbage last season after corn. I 
am going to use a good brand of com¬ 
mercial fertilizer. The soil is a clay loam. 
What analysis of commercial fertilizer 
should I use for best results? 
Ans. —We should use at least four 
per cent of nitrogen with a large pro¬ 
portion of nitrates, eight of phosphoric 
acid and seven of potash—half a ton 
or more to the acre. As for following 
cabbage with cabbage again—this usual¬ 
ly means maggots and club-foot on our 
soil. We like fresh ground for cab¬ 
bage. If repeating the crop we would 
give a good coating of lime before set¬ 
ting the plants. 
Vacuum Principle in Refrigeration. 
..S. 11. 31., Columbus, 0. —Couldn’t an ice 
house be constructed on the same principle 
of the much-advertised Thermos bottles? I 
am not mechanical enough to work out any 
designs along that line, but you doubtless 
have plenty of ability to do it in your 
sanctum if you think the idea worth while. 
The cost of a vacuum pump would be 
slight as compared with the increased value 
of a cold storage room or ice house. 
Ans. —In the construction of the bot¬ 
tles referred to by this correspondent 
their efficiency rests primarily upon the 
exceedingly perfect vacuum which it is 
possible to secure and maintain with 
such a structure. When it comes to a 
large structure, such as an icehouse 
must be, the difficulties of construction, 
such as would permit a large chamber 
to be surrounded by an air vacuum and 
yet support the heavy load of ice which 
would be required, and at the same 
time resist the tendency of the outside 
air pressure to cause the structure to 
collapse, are so great as to make the 
idea too expensive for practice when 
applied to an icehouse or cold storage 
in any form. Even if only a partial 
vacuum was maintained the difficulties 
of constructing walls absolutely air¬ 
tight are so great that it would be 
found in practice absolutely necessary 
to keep the vacuum pump working con¬ 
tinuously, if any considerable vacuum 
was maintained, but high efficiency is 
associated only with the very perfect 
vacuum, which can readily be secured 
where glass is the material used and 
the apparatus is small. f. h. king. 
Nitrogen in Low Grade Fertilizer. 
J. Q. It., Glens Falls, N. Y .—I have often 
read your advice against buying fertilizers 
with less than three per cent nitrogen. IIow 
about the phosphoric acid and potash? Are 
they just as good in the low grade as in 
the high grade fertilizers? What analysis 
do you consider good for sandy loam soil, 
inclined to be dry, where considerable man¬ 
ure is also used ? I raise a variety of vege¬ 
tables for market. 
Ans. —Let it be understood why we 
advise buying a fertilizer with a high 
per cent of nitrogen. Only in that way 
can you feel satisfied that you are get¬ 
ting soluble nitrogen. They must use 
the soluble forms, like nitrate of soda or 
dried blood, in order to give at least 
three per cent in the ton. The low- 
grade fertilizer usually contains acid 
phosphate and kainit or muriate of 
potash. The higher grade fertilizers 
may have some of the phosphoric acid 
in bone, guano, fish or tankage. You 
are safe in buying the phosphoric acid 
and potash in the low-grade goods if 
they are up to guarantee, but you would 
get them cheaper by buying acid phos¬ 
phate and muriate of potash separately. 
The humbug that is possible in low 
grade goods is in the nitrogen. They 
may offer you one per cent or 20 pounds 
to the ton. With this small quantity 
it would be possible to use dried muck, 
leather or coarse tankage. By mixing 
in a little cotton-seed meal it would be 
hard for the chemists to detect the 
frauds. You would be obliged to pay 
the price of the most valuable nitrogen 
for this worthless stuff. They cannot 
work it off on you and guarantee three 
or four per cent. A sandy soil is apt 
to be lacking in potash. With a good 
supply of manure we would use a mix¬ 
ture of three parts acid phosphate and 
one part muriate of potash and add 
nitrate of soda as needed. 
K GRAPEVINES 
69 Varletles. A Iso Small Fruits, Trees, Ac. Best Root¬ 
ed Stock. Genuine, cheap. 2 sample vines mailed for joe. 
Desci'iptive price-list free. l.ewi»Rocs<!h.BoxK ,Pi'edonla,N. v 
MILLIONS OF TREES 
PLANTS, VINES, ROSES ETC. 
The oldest, largest and most complete nursery 
in Michigan. Send for catalog. Prices reasonable. 
Agents wanted. I. E. niGENFKITZ SONS GO. 
The MONROE NURSERY, Monroe. Michigan. 
THAT DO NOT DISAPPOINT 
oexfh* 
I® I* I I Sold on The Ford Plan, which guar- 
O 8_ L EF B J antees satisfaction and saves you 
— ^ money on every purchase. Our cat¬ 
alog tells about it, gives descriptions and low prices on 
Best varieties, Garden, Flower and Field Seeds, Potatoes, 
Bulbs, Trees, Shrubs and Small Fruit Plants. Contains 
lots of testimonials from our customers. It’s free. 
(TORI! SEED CO., Dept.24Ravenna, Ohio. 
Potatoes— Choice Seed 
We have raised a very fine lot of potatoes 
(over 3000 bu.) on our own farm, under the best 
possible conditions to produce seed free from 
disease and of the highest quality. We offer some 
very fine new varieties as well as the best of the 
older kinds. Ask for catalogue and wholesale 
price list of seeds. 
JOSEPH HARRIS CO., Coldwater, N. Y. 
PEDIGREED SEED CORN. 
Have You Ever Used a, Real Pedigreed Com? 
COLLIER’S EXCELSIOR will prove to you 
the value of Pedigreed Seed. Behind it are eight 
generations of highest productivity. After personal 
inspections, highest indorsement given my methods 
of corn breeding and results attained by Corn 
Experts of National reputation, including Prof. 
W.P.Massey and others. Corn Booklet and samples 
froe. W. Oscar (’oilier, Corn Specialist, Easton,Md. 
Tree Talks 
The difference between profit and 
loss in fruit growing is in getting 
started right by planting only the 
choicest stock. Let us tell you about 
Harrison’s trees — they are grown in 
Southern Maryland where the soil con¬ 
ditions are ideal for growing nursery 
stock. The growing season is longer 
than in most nursery sections, which 
gives us a larger and stronger tree, and 
better matured. Thus a two year old 
Harrison tree may be as large as a tree 
two and a half or three years in other 
nurseries. 
Our nursery comprises 1,100 acres 
(the largest tree-growing establish¬ 
ment in the world). The growth of 
our business is due to the quality of 
our stock, and the painstaking manner 
in which all orders are filled. We have 
700,000 peaches, 500,000 apples, 6,000,000 
strawberry plants, besides a large stock 
of pears, plums and ornamental stock. 
If you want a dozen trees or a carload your 
order will have the same personal attention. Write 
us about your needs for Spring planting—advice in 
selections and catalogue free, 
HARRISON’S NURSERIES 
Box 421, Berlin, Md. 
{A Grapevines £1 AA 
■■■ V Sent Postpaid ^prJL®vF\J' 
— Strong, Hardy, Two-Year-Old Vines — 
A remarkable collection of grapevines at an ex- 
exeeedingly low price. Best varieties—red, white, 
black—just what (he town man or the fanner needs 
for planting along fences and buildings. Vines can 
be arranged to cover unsightly places with beauti¬ 
ful foliage and at the same time furnish fresh 
grapes for the table. Wc also offer 
5 Three-Year-Old Vines for $1.00 
These are strong, hardy vines, and will bear the 
year after planting. Order now and vines will be 
sent proper time to plant. W ith every order is sent 
free our valuable book how to plant, cultivate and 
prune. Grapes are easily grown and should he in 
every garden. 
T. S. HUBBARD COMPANY, 
Grapevine Specialists, Fredonia, N. Y. 
Established, 1,2 years. 
Peach Trees 
Fine, stocky, hardy. Grown 
on the banks of Lake Erie. 
Free of borers and all peach 
di-eases. Everything of the 
best for Orchard, Vineyard, 
Lawn, Park, Street, Gar¬ 
den and Greenhouse. Cata¬ 
log No. 1, 112 pages, FREE to 
buyers of Ornamental and 
Fruit Trees. No. 2, 168 pages, 
to buyers of Seeds, Bulbs, 
Roses, Palms, Ferns and greenhouse plants in 
general. Immense stock of SUPERB CANtiAS, the 
queen of bedding plants. Seeds, Plants, Roses, etc., 
by mail postpaid. Safe arrival and satisfaction guar¬ 
anteed. Direct deal will insure you the best and save 
vou money. 55 years. 44 greenhouses. 1200 acre»- 
THE STORRS & HARRISON CO. 
BOX 185, PAINESVILLK, OHIO 
EVERGREENS 
38 Hardy Tested Varieties 
Nursery grown, suitable for all pur¬ 
poses. 85.00 and up per thousand. We 
have 50 millions. Our low pricey will 
astonish you. Also Hardy Fore. trees. 
Shade, Ornamental and Fr:. - trees. 
Shrubs, Vines,etc. Our beautif:.' Catalog is crowded 
with valuable information. This and 50 Great Bar¬ 
gain sheet are free. 
D, HILL, Everqreon Specialist, Box 212, Dundee, III- 
PEACH TREES 
HARDY, NEW ENGLAND GROWN. 
Fine Stock, true to name at $1 per doz., $6 per 100. 
3 ft. Following varieties:—Elberta. Crawford Late, 
Crawford Early, Champion. Carman, Belle of Ga., 
Stump, Oldmixon, Waddell, Mt. Rose, Globe, 
Greensboro, Foster, Fitzgerald, Niagara. Send 
order today. No catalogue issued. Address 
BlTllll NURSERIES, 
Box Y, - - Manchester, Conn. 
P EACH TREKS—Orchard size, 4 and 5 cents each, El¬ 
berta, Etc.; write for free catalogue. Woodbine Nur¬ 
series, W. A. ALLEN, & SON, Geneva, Ohio. 
“LION BRAND” 
SPRAYING MATERIALS. 
For 20 years we have been manufac¬ 
turing spraying materials—our reputa¬ 
tion and experience insures you the 
lowest prices consistent, with 
STANDARD UNIFORM QUALITY. 
Why risk injuring your trees and plants 
with untried mixtures ? Always use 
Lion Brand Arsenate of Load 
Lion Brand Pure Paris Green 
Lion Brand Lime Sulphur Solution 
Lion Brand Concentrated Bordeaux 
Mixture 
Our Lime Sulphur Solution for San 
Jose Scale is all ready for use—no 
disagreeable boiling necessary—just 
mix with water. 
Send at once for ottr Free Booklet— 
When, Why. How to Spray, 
and What to Spray With. 
THE JAS. A. BLANCHARD CO., 
Cortiandt Terminal Building:, 
New York City. 
FROM GROWER TO PLANTER 
New and 
Shrubs, Roses 
Evergreens 
Fruits 
Hardy Plants 
Best Stock at Reasonable Prices. 
No Agents. Commissions saved. 
Collections unequalled. 
Beautiful Illustrated Descriptive 
100 page Catalogue and Guide mailed 
free upon request. 
Ellwanger & Barry 
MOUNT HOPE NURSERIES 
Established 1840 Box K , Rochester, N.Y. 
FRUIT TREES 
Every Farm and Garden should have on it 
some fruit, as nothing pleases the palate of both 
young and old so much as fruit taken direct from 
the vine or tree. 
Let us tell you all about how to grow them and 
what kinds to plant. 
Our handsome descriptive catalogue is free. 
JOS. II. BLACK, SON & CO., 
Ilightstown, N. J. 
YORK STATE GROWN, 
TRFFQ w . . ^ 
M n and choicest Fruit and Orna- 
■ E SoaikiW mental, also Small Fruit, 
Shrubs, Roses, etc. Our 
prices are right for quality. We charge nothing for 
packing and boxing. We guarantee safe arrival. Get 
our Catalog before placing your order, A postal card 
willbringit. ALLEN L.WOOD, Rochester.N.Y* 
ASPARAGUS 
Six varieties of Healthy, Thrifty, one and two year old 
Roots. Also a full line of Fruit and Ornamental Trees, 
Strawberry Plants, Vines, California Privet, Garden 
Tools, Spray Pumps and mixtures. Write for 
Catalogue and valuable Spraying Chart. It's free. 
Arthur J. Collins, Box R, Moorestown, N. J. 
POTATO BROWERS 
WANTED 
To send for our Seed Potato catalog, the best Farm 
Seed book of the year. The covers are ha ndsomely 
printed in colors and the pages profusely illustrated 
with hal'-tone engravings showing our seeds as 
they are. The printed matter contains clear, 
accurate descriptions of thirty varieties of pota¬ 
toes, including the four proven to be the “ Best in 
the World” out of over 1,000 so-called varieties 
tested 
Our Seed Potatoes are Northern-grown on soil 
naturally adapted for each variety and Every 
Bushel of f our stock was saved from fields free 
from blight or disease. We are Headquarters 
for Seed Potatoes aDd sell direct from our 1,200 
acre Seed Farms to you. This is the catalog for 
the business farmer and it is Free. 
Write for it right now. 
EDWARD F. DIBBLE 
Seedgrower 
Box C. HONEOYE FALLS, N. Y, 
S6-50 
SPECIAL VALUES 50 PLUMS I 
FOR so HAYS SOCHERRIESf 
Beautiful well formed, well rooted 2 year trees, 3k: to 5 ft. Your choice delivered to all New England 
points; also in N. Y., N. J., Pa., Ohio, Mich., Ind., and Ill. Many other attractive offers in our complete 
catalog—it is free. Hundreds of Rural readers are familiar, by test, with the values we have offered 
through these columns for nearly a quarter of a century. Established 1847. 
, H. S. WILEY & SON, Box 13, Cayuga, New York. 
H 
ARDY Fruit and Ornamental Trees 
" SHRUBS, SMALL FRUIT PLANTS, Grapevines, etc. 
Grand lot of Peach and other Fruit Trees. We aim to give satisfaction. Send for Catalogue. 
Address, T. 1i. WEST, Lock Box 387, Maple Bend Nursery, Perry, Ohio. 
CHERRIES, PEARS PLUMS AND 
_ OTHER FRUIT TREES AND PLANTS 
of all the desirable varieties. We have grown a large stock to meet the needs of our customers 
old and new for Spring, 1909, delivery. It is a distinct advantage to you to place your order early 
SEND EOR CATALOGUE. 
•FI ATI TSTTiS BROS, NURSERY, Box 8 , Yalesville, Conn. 
Send for Free Catalogue that describes over 400 Varieties and tells 
how two Rural New-Yorker readers found we were reliable 
W. P. RUPERT & SON, Seneca, New York 
