208 
March 20, 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
HOW TO KILL TREES. 
Girdling in Spring. 
The attempt of C. K. (see R. N. Y., 
page 967) to kill poplar trees by “cutting 
around them” (I suppose he means 
girdling them) in the dark of the moon 
in August was not the best way to 
secure the end desired. If he had 
girdled them in early Spring and left 
the trees standing, they would have 
been dead, root and top, by the follow¬ 
ing Spring, and no sprouts would have 
troubled him. In girdling, only the 
bark should be removed, leaving sap 
wood uninjured, thus allowing sap to 
pass freely to the top, which will make 
the usual growth until late Summer, 
when the leaves will begin to turn yel¬ 
low and fall. This growth is made 
wholly at the expense of the roots, 
which thus become very weak, and if the 
supply of nourishment gathered by the 
leaves is cut off by girdling, the roots 
die and cannot send up sprouts. Trees 
make growth in Spring, and until about 
July 1, from nourishment stored in 
their tissues the previous season. Near¬ 
ly all of such nourishment is gathered 
by the leaves and passed on to the roots 
tli rough the new cambium layer to 
make new root growth. If this nour¬ 
ishment for the root is cut off by gird¬ 
ling the root will die, for it must 
make a new cambium layer each year 
to retain life. Dead roots can neither 
send up sprouts nor nourish the top 
the next season. 
The superstition about cutting brush 
in the dark of the moon in August 
or any other time of the moon, is 
sheer nonsense. The moon has no in¬ 
fluence on the growth of plants, and 
they would grow grow just as well if 
there was no moon. The sun is the 
sole source of power to make plant 
growth. Its light and heat make the 
plants grow, and when those diminish 
or fail, the plants become dormant, or 
die. In some sections of the country 
it is common practice to clear off the 
forest by girdling the trees in Spring 
instead of cutting them down. The 
trees are left standing, and are dead 
and lifeless the next season, and the 
ground is cultivated for crops. As the 
trees arc dead, root and top, the roots 
soon decay and the trees fall and are 
removed, leaving the land clear of 
stumps. The fact that perennial plants 
make growth in Spring from nourish¬ 
ment stored in roots, thus weakening 
the roots, can be made of use in de¬ 
stroying many noxious weeds. Brush of 
all kinds, and plants like quack grass 
and thistles, and such like, which grow 
in Spring from nourishment stored in 
the roots, should not be attacked in 
early Spring, or late Autumn, to ac¬ 
complish their destruction easily. Let 
such plants grow until in bloom or a 
little later, then when the roots are 
weakened from early growth of top, 
cut them down or plow up, and the 
labor of destroying them will be much 
less than if attempted at any other sea¬ 
son. M. MORSE. 
Experience With Japan Plums. 
My experience is very limited as com¬ 
pared with W. H. S., page 196. However, 
it all points the other way. Ten years 
ago I planted five Abundance and two Bur¬ 
bank Japan plums, alternating them in a 
row with Lombard and Bradshaw. To 
date wc have had less than one bushel 
from the Abundance trees, and the quality 
is so poor when canned as compared with 
the Lombard that they are not worth the 
trouble. We shall grub them out and plant 
others. Burbank has given us two crops, 
but the quality is not worth ljoasting of. 
Both of these varieties bloom freely, but 
fail to set fruit. They were cultivated for 
a few years, but are now in sod, and are 
mulched with what grows about them. 
Another tree, the Ilale, planted in hen- 
yard seven years, has never borne a single 
fruit. There may be better varieties, but 
I know of none that is satisfactory here. 
Schoharie Co., N. Y., d. w. southard. 
The recent articles on Japan plums make 
manifest the desirability of getting reports 
on the subject from all sections of the 
country where this class of plums is grown, 
for it is plain that the Japanese and 
hybrid plums are what may. be termed 
local fruits. They may do well in one 
place, while in another, not far removed 
they will be a decided failure. If all 
the readers of The R. N.-Y. who have 
grown, or attempted to grow, this class 
of plums in commercial quantities, will 
make a report on the behavior of the 
different varieties as observed by them, it 
will result in a mass of information that 
will be of the greatest assistance to those 
who contemplate planting. In this lo¬ 
cality, southern Rhode Island, on the 
Miami silt loam and near the sea level, 
I have had six years experience with a 
thousand or more planted of the following 
varieties: Abundance, Burbank, Red June, 
Wickson, Chabot, Climax, Combination, 
Waugh, Gonzales, Goosedye, and Doris; a 
list that covers many crosses of different 
strains, I must say that practically all 
have been failures, with the possible cr 
ception of Burbank and Red June, and 
even two, these have not given results that 
'would lead me to plant them again if I 
were to set out another orchard. Burbank 
grows prodigiously for a few years and 
then becomes feeble and prone to die back. 
Red June has grown less freely, and ap¬ 
pears hardier, but so far has borne very 
sparingly. The same story is essentially 
true in the other orchards I have seen, 
and while most growers are enthusiastic 
at first over the growth of the trees and 
the fine appearance of the fruit, the rapid 
depreciation in vigor and fruitfulness has 
been very disappointing, while the poor 
quality of the entire group, so far as I 
have tested it, does not tend to foster the 
habit of plum eating, which I consider a 
very bad feature, for it should be an es¬ 
sential part of every fruit grower’s pro¬ 
gramme to produce fruit so good that who¬ 
ever tastes once is filled with longing for 
more and more. h. w. heaton. 
Rhode Island. 
Value of Selected Scions. 
In order to get materials for our ex¬ 
periment upon the value of heredity and 
scion selection in improving the yield and 
quality of apples, we defeire to locate the 
best trees possible of each of the follow¬ 
ing varieties. To obtain those that are 
best under Pennsylvania conditions is pre¬ 
ferred. But anyone anywhere knowing of 
distinctly superior trees of any of the va¬ 
rieties indicated below, will kindly send the 
facts to J. P. Stewart of the Department 
of Experimental Horticulture, at State Col¬ 
lege, Pa. : Stayman Winesap, Baldwin, 
Smokehouse, Rome (Beauty), Maiden Blush, 
Early Ripe, Esopus (Spitzenburg), Tomp¬ 
kins King, Northern Spy, Jonathan, Grimes, 
Paragon, Summer Rambo, Williams Red, 
Salome. jno. p. stewart. 
“STRAWBERRY PLANTS 
THAT GROW.” 
All standard varieties. Also Raspberry, Black¬ 
berry, Currant and Grape Plants and Asparagus 
Roots in Assortment. Warranted Trne-to-name, 
and of Grade represented. Catalog, with Cultural 
Instructions, Free. 
C. E. WHITTEN, Box 11, BRIDGMAN, MICH. 
pARHIgjK ON THE STRAWBERRY 
A practical treatise on Strawberry 
Culture by L. J. Farmer, who has 
spent 25 yrs. among berries.'‘Worth 
its weight in gold” but costs only 
25c, coin or stamps. Money back 
if not satisfied. Send for complete 
catalogue of Berry Fruit plants, 
FREE. Ad. L. J. Farmer Nurseries, 
Box 920. Pulaski, N. Y. 
| choice STRAWBERRIES 
Fresh dug, high-grade 
plants. Valuable informa¬ 
tion about varieties. Cat¬ 
alog FREE. 
OThe Flansburgb & Palter Co. - 
Box 14 Leslie, Mich 
40 @ 15? = $6.00 
40 ® 10? = 4.00 
SEND 
Your selec¬ 
tion. List 
Cool Spring. Del. 
VEGETABLE PLANTS 
AND FLOWERS. Send for Price List of Trans¬ 
planted, Well-Hardened Plants. 
THE J- E. HUTTON CO., Conyngham, Pa. 
STRAWBERRY PLANTS 
Send $2.00 for 1000 plants ; 40 varieties finest 
Tennessee grown. Free Catalog. JOHN Light- 
FOOT. Dept. 36. E. Chattanooga, Tenn. 
WHOLESALE PRICES 
Strawberry. Raspberry, Blackberry, drape au<l Currant Plants 
Extra Heavy Rooted High Grade Stock. 
17th Annual Wholesale and Retail Catalogue Free. 
A. R. WESTON & CO., H. 8, Bridgman, Mich. 
Strawberry Plants That Grow. 
Leading Varieties. Blackberry, 
Black and Red Raspberry. Positive¬ 
ly true to name, no substitutions. 
Lowest price. Send for circular. 
A. G. BLOUNT, 
Bastings, Oswego Co., N. Y. 
STRAWBERRY PLANTS 
30 of the Best Varieties. 
Illustrated Descriptive Catalogue Free. 
BASIL PER RY, Box 18, Cool Spring, Del, 
pi rn U ■ DV—RECORD BREAKING STOCK 
ULtN-lnAnT of strawberry plants. 
50,000 quarts now grown on one acre-my system. 
Send for Chart. T. C. KEVITT, Athenia, N. J. 
300 Strawberry Plants $1 
Free. WM. PERRY, Co 
STRAWBERRY PLANTS^g.AST. KtS 
and Promu Dewberries and Jersey Yellow Seed 
Sweet Potatoes. Pure healthy stock. Send for 
price list. JOHN OASAZZA, VinelaDd, N. J. 
F OR SALE—Dewberry and Blackberry Plants. 
Asparagus Hoots, Sweet Potato Seed. 
MICHAEL N. BORGO, Vineland, N. J. 
S TRAWBERRY PLANTS—Reliable,money-making 
varieties, only $1.50 and $1.75 per 1000. New 1909 cata¬ 
logue Free, S. A. V1RDIN, Hartly, Del. 
S trawberry Plants —Chipmaii, a leading variety. Also all 
other reliable varieties. Sen.l for my Tree 1909 Catalogue. 
Prices from $1.50 up. DAVID HODWAY, Hartly, Del. 
Strawberries very best plants 
at reasonable priees. 27th annual catalogue free. 
SLAYMAKER & SON, Dover, Del. 
THE FAMOUS 
FENDAIL STRAWBERRY 
HIGHLAND, NORWOOD, GOLDEN GATE, 
and other Choice Varieties. 
Send for Catalogue. It's Free. 
CHAS. E. FENDALL & SON, Towson, Maryland. 
enn Q A I r—Medimn Glover Seed, $5.50 to $7.50 
run OnLL bu.; Crimson Clover Seed, $3.50 to 
$4.50 bn.; Onion Sets, $2.50 bu.: Cow Peas, $1.75 bu. 
JOSEPH E. HOLLAND, Milford, Delaware. 
for our special prices of Farm Seeds, 
_Oats, Corn and Potatoes. Flue Stock. 
SMITH BROS., Seedsmen, Auburn, N. Y. 
$ 2.00 
40@$5.00= 200.00 
40@ 3.00= I ZO.OO gQ QQ 
The explanation of the above figures 
in the story of a man who planted an 
acre of ground to fruit trees. 40 trees 
were planted with the best trees 
he could buy at 15c. each. Another 
was planted with cheap trees at 10c. 
each. At the end of five years the 
value of the first acre is $1200, while 
the cheaper trees on similar soil, and 
receiving exactly the same care, is only 
valued at $ 120 , showing $78 in favor 
of the high-grade trees. 
We should like to have every prospective 
purchaser see for themselves the class of 
strong, well-rooted stock grown at 
Harrison’s Nurseries. 
For those who cannot visit us and make 
selections, we have a catalogue giving plain, 
honest descriptions of all our stock, with 
photographs; so that everyone who reads it 
will get a fair idea of every variety offered 
and grown on our 1,100 acre nursery. 
Write today for catalogue—it is free, bnt will lie 
worth many dollars to you if you buy a tree, plant, 
or ornamental stock this season. 
HARRISON’S NURSERIES 
Box 432, Berlin, Md. 
The Deyo Power Sprayer 
Buy the original and save trouble and ex¬ 
pense. Others have copied. Our 3 H. P. Air- 
Cooled Engine is furnished with pulley for 
other work. Seven years of success. Ask the 
user. Write for catalogue 19 and our Liberal 
Proposition. 
R. H. DEYO & CO., Binghamton, N.Y. 
Compressed 
Air Sprayers 
Holds over 4 GALLONS. Sprays 
trees, vegetables, etc. Saving in 
labor pays for the SPKAYKIt 
the first month it is used. Write 
for circulars and price list. 
J. F. GAYLORD, 
Box B. 
Catskill, N. Y. 
Fancy Yellow Globe Onion Seed ?rice$°i.“ 
lb. Write " ' ” ' 
POTATOES PAY 
Make them pay by using the machines that 
really do the work— 
CUT, PLANT, 
SPRAY, 
DIG and 
SORT 
There’s nothing In 
potato machinery 
up to 
ASPINWALL. EQUIPMENT 
Write for copy of our free book telling how 
to make money, growing potatoes. 
ASPINWALL MFG. CO. 
437 Sabin St., Jackson, Mich.,U.S.A. 
Pioneer Makers of Potato Machinery 
T Jk CT-A new potato — proved its worth by 
* r* l I jo years’ experience—tested on the 
Rural Grounds and elsewhere as No. 52. Heavy 
yielder; tubers practically all marketable. Season 
medium late. Compares favorably with Carman 
No. 3. Price, by exp., peck, $2; Hi-lm., $3; bu., $5. 
D. J. MILLER, Millersburg, O., R.2. 
B. A. LANDIS, Avonia, Penn. 
C LOVER SEED $6.25—'Timothy. Onion Sets, Garden 
Se ' ~ ~ - ■»- 
Seeds. Buy direct. Gi.icK’S Seed Farm, Lancaster, Pa. 
HAVE YOU TREES, PLANTS OR SHRUBS? 
DO YOU 
WANT THEM 
IF SO — 
YOU NEED 
Vigorous, Healthy and Productive 
*“ a BRAHD Lime Sulphur Solution 
Decidedly the best material with which to Spray. Absolutely effective against San Jose Scale, Leaf Blister Mite and all forms of Sucking Insects, 
and at the same time a fungicide that prevents Apple Scab, Plum and Grape Rot, Blights, Rust and Mildew. Mixes instantly with water—stays 
mixed— always ready. Can be applied with any style of Spray Pump— power or hand* No sediment, no clogging of nozzles. Acts as a tonic to plants. 
__ PRICE REASONABLE. __ 
The best for Beetles, Bugs, Worms, Caterpillars, Moths, Etc. Destroys 
all chewing insects. Sticks to foliage. Cannot be surpassed as an insecticide. 
NIAGARA BRAND ARSENATE OF LEAD. 
Niagara Brand Tree Borer Paint • A new scientific discovery. Does the work every time. 
Niagara Bordeaux Arsenate • A Fungicide and an insecticide—combined. Destroys Blights, Mildews and chewing insects at the same time. 
Most convenient for persons in cities and towns who have only a few trees and flowers, as well as for large orchards. 
Also the Niagara Gas Sprayers, built in 7 Styles, for Green House, Lawns, Parks, Orchards, and for Vegetable Crops. 
Descriptive Catalogues, Circulars, Prices, Etc., mailed you for the asking. Address 
NIAGARA SPRAYER COMPANY , - -_ Middleport, N. Y. 
