V c . -it ■ 
A 
f * 
300 
waxy surface, while any drop of moisture readily 
runs over the surface of the leaves of such weeds 
as mustard, king-head, and Canada thistle. A drop 
of moisture upon a mustard leaf extends at once 
almost over the entire surface. The result is, that 
the spray solutions on such weeds come into direct 
contact with the juices of the plant and at once 
begin their killing effect; while in the case of wheat 
and other cereals and grasses the spray solution 
stands in large drops and the first gentle wind 
rattles it off. In the wheat field practically the 
only injury occasioned is where large drops chance 
to stand for a long period in the axils of the leaves 
or upon some bruised or injured spot. At first 
it was not thought that flax, as a crop, would admit 
of spraying. It has been found, however, that if 
taken at the proper time the crop is well protected 
by its waxy coat or bloom.” 
THE MANURE SPREADER. 
Experience of a Pennsylvania Man. 
We haul our manure out in big heaps during the 
Winter, generally on snow. In the Spring, just as 
the grass begins to show signs of growth, we spread 
it on the field we intend to plant to corn the 
following year. We have drawn and spread at the 
rate of four loads per hour, two men loading. The 
manure goes much farther and does much more 
good, as every bit is broken up, torn apart, and 
scattered evenly on the ground. It takes away the 
drudgery of drawing manure and makes it a pleasure 
compared with the old method. I disagree with Mr. 
Haas in regard to a wagon-box spreader. We use 
a 50-bushcl machine of a standard make, and two 
horses of 1,100 pounds each can easily handle it 
on hard ground. The machine cost $115, but it 
is one of the best investments I ever made. Again, 
when I want a spreader I want a spreader. One might 
wish to use a wagon and a spreader at the same 
time, or might have a load standing on one or the 
other. Again, no common farm wagon is strong 
enough to endure the strain to which it would be 
subjected. My rear wheels have four-inch tires, and 
I have seen them buried several inches in soft 
ground while turning around. This would have 
twisted an ordinary wagon wheel all out of shape. 
Again, a narrow tire would cut up the soil. Neither 
would it furnish friction enough under most con¬ 
ditions to drive the required machinery. The wagon- 
box spreader will not cut under so as to turn squarely 
around. I prefer the return apron as it is nearer 
force feed. I know of no objection to it, and I 
think it is not so heavy. Although the regular 
spreader costs more, I believe it is the best and 
cheapest in the long run. E. C S. 
Susquehanna Co., Pa. 
AN ILLINOIS SPRAYING OUTFIT. 
How the Mixtures Are Made and Handled. 
The spraying plant proposed by W. A. Bassett, 
page • 190, is correct in a general way, but I would 
suggest changes in dimensions and arrangement, 
and some additions. The spraying platform used by 
L. R. Bryant & Co. for several years is the basis 
for these suggestions, together -with such changes 
as experience has shown to be necessary and entirely 
practical. Fig. 162 gives a very good idea of the 
plant. The roof is not shown, and while desir¬ 
able, is not necessary. The enclosed part is 10 by 
16 feet, seven feet above the ground, with an open 
platform three by 12 feet, and three feet below the 
level of the rest. About the only use we make of 
this platform is transferring barrels of lime and 
sacks of copper sulphate, etc., from the wagon to 
the mixing platform, when the difference in level 
is a great convenience, enabling two men to handle 
a barrel of lime easily, and in filling the wagon 
tank this low platform enables a man to handle 
the hose from the mixing tanks without getting 
into a tortuous position. 
The water supply tank is set four feet above the 
platform level, and in one corner out of the way. 
This may hold 300, 400 or 500 gallons. Close 
to this, and along the edge of the platform, are 
the two mixing tanks, made by sawing a 200-gallon 
oil barrel through the middle. A discharge hose 
from each of these joins together by means of a 
“Y” connection into one hose. It will be found con¬ 
venient to have a hose of large diameter (two 
inches) with a valve shut-off near the supply tank, 
and just low enough to reach either of the mixing 
tanks, and another °r one-inch hose long enough 
to reach any part of the platform, with a shut-off 
nozzle. On the corner across from the supply tank 
is a lime-slaking box, about two feet wide, four feet 
long and one foot deep, elevated three feet from 
the platform. This is provided with a four or five- 
19 ' 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
inch slide opening and spout on the end near the 
bottom. Half a barrel of lime is dumped into this 
mixing box, the operator stands on a box one or 
two feet high and uses hose and hoe to complete 
the slaking. The mixture is then run out of the 
spout through a strainer into a 50-gallon barrel. 
This barrel is then filled up, and one gallon will 
contain two pounds of lime. (We find that barrels 
of lime as purchased frequently are not up to 
weight, so it is well to use an excess.) The barrels 
for the different solutions are placed where con¬ 
venient. In dissolving copper sulphate we place 
a short tripod on the end of an open 50-gallon barrel 
nearly full of water, suspend 100 pounds of the cop¬ 
per sulphate in a sack, dipping a considerable dis¬ 
tance into the water. As the copper sulphate dis¬ 
solves the sack is raised. While using from one 
barrel another is in preparation. A gallon of this 
solution contains 2 pounds of copper sulphate, thus 
giving a unit of measurement. 
Following is the method of procedure in putting 
on a load of Bordeaux Mixture and insecticide. 
The wagon is driven alongside the lower platform 
to correct position. If power is used to elevate 
water the pump is at once started. Then the water 
is started, running from the supply tank into the 
mixing tanks. The lime and copper sulphate solu¬ 
tions are stirred, the proper amount of lime put 
in one of the mixing tanks, and of copper sulphate 
in the other. The Paris-green or arsenate of lead 
is then mixed and put in one of the mixing tanks— 
Paris-green in with the copper sulphate and arsen¬ 
ate of lead with the lime. The water is shut off 
as soon as the mixing tanks are full and while one 
man stirs the mixture (a separate paddle for each 
tank), the other places a strainer in the wagon tank 
and lets down the discharge hose, the lime and 
copper sulphate mixing as they run without forming 
any precipitate. These solutions should always be 
prepared and diluted before mixing, and some 
method like the one described is the only satisfac¬ 
tory way to do it. 
When kerosene emulsion, lime-sulphur solution, 
etc., are used in but small quantities, I think this 
arrangement of platform will be found sufficient. 
When they are to be used in quantities some changes 
might be advisable. I am not sufficiently familiar 
with the use of them in quantities to make sug¬ 
gestions. It would seem to me, however, that if 
a steam generator was to be used, it should be 
placed on the ground, because of its weight, and to 
save raising the fuel to the platform. A con¬ 
venient way of dissolving the arsenate of,lead paste 
is to take one of the empty kegs and fix a vertical 
shaft in the center with a handle to revolve it by. 
Cross arms should be fitted so as to just scrape the 
sides and bottom. A few minutes’ churning will 
dissolve a sufficient amount for a batch. 
Now, as to getting the water from the stream to 
the supply tank, if only 300 gallons per hour is to 
be pumped, a pipe one inch in diameter would be 
sufficient for a distance of 165 feet. The friction 
in this pipe would amount to 1.39 pounds, which 
would be the same as raising the water an extra 
April 10, 
3*4 feet. However, it is our experience that it would 
be advisable to pump as much as 1,200 gallons per 
hour, sufficient to fill a 200-gallon tank in 10 min¬ 
utes. If this quantity were pumped through a one- 
inch pipe the friction would amount to 20.3 pounds, 
equal to elevating it 47 feet. Obviously, this is too 
much resistance. Using a lJ4~i n ch pipe the friction 
is reduced to 6.72 pounds, equivalent to an elevation 
of 1514 feet; with a lj4-inch pipe to 2.74 poundf 
Because it is cheaper and of a more serviceable size 
for other purposes, we should choose the lj4-inch 
and put in an air chamber near the pump. We know 
little about hot air engines, but think they should' 
be placed in a permanent and protected location, 
and as the first cost is somewhat high and use is 
limited to pumping, we doubt if it would be advisable 
to get one in this instance. Whether a Aermotor 
or other gasoline engine is to be used will depend 
entirely on the use it is to be put when not pumping. 
One and one-half horse power would be ample for 
the pumping. Less than three horse power is not 
considered of much use for general farm use. 
Our idea would be to locate the pump at the creek 
and put in quadrants, or, rather, straight arms, with 
connecting wires, as shown in Fig. 161, and make 
use of the engine on the spraying rig, thus saving 
a second engine. We take it for granted that a 
power sprayer is used. If not, it will pay to put 
one in. We shall this year use an outfit designed 
according to our ideas of a practical and durable 
outfit. We wanted one especially for our use, but 
the firm manufacturing it has decided to put them 
on the market this year. The engine is one we 
have used for several years. The pump is a double¬ 
acting Myers. The entire outfit is mounted on a 
cast-iron base 27 inches square, with a total weight 
of only about 350 pounds. One desirable feature 
of this outfit is an attachment on the jack for con¬ 
necting on a rod which may be run to a pump 
under the spray platform, or, as mentioned in this 
article, to a quadrant for operating the pump at a 
distance. A heavy plank should be set flat in the 
ground in the driveway with a 4x4 inch guide on 
one edge, and the wheels on one side of the wagon 
run on this plank close to the guide until in con¬ 
tact with a small chuck, thus placing the wagon 
in exactly the same position each time. The rod 
from pump to engine is quickly attached or removed. 
Bureau Co., Ill. frank r. bryant. 
THE FARMER’S HORSE. 
That eastern farmers are beginning to realize the 
folly of raising light-weight horses of trotting blood 
and are taking an interest in draught breeds, is 
shown by the many carloads of horses brought from 
the West and sold for good prices. There are, 
doubtless, cases where the purchase of these western 
horses is the best policy, but what the eastern farmer 
does not always realize is the fact that we can pro¬ 
duce a much better quality of horse than the West 
sends us, and that it is possible to breed and realize 
a profit from good farm mares. Farmers who have 
good sound mares of draught type are fortunate, 
for they make the best farm teams, and may pro¬ 
duce colts at the same time if given right care. 
For increasing interest being taken by eastern 
farmers in draught breeds of horses thanks are due 
the manufacturers of heavy modern farm imple¬ 
ments. On these tools the farmer finds the light 
trotting-bred horse simply out of place, and he sees 
the value of the horse that does a good share of 
its drawing by its weight in the collar. While 
good foundation stock of draught breeds is not 
plentiful in the East, it is increasing, and the farmer 
who has a good mare to breed (and he should not 
breed any other) should not begrudge the time taken 
to go a considerable distance for the use of a 
superior stallion. 
New Jersey has set a good example for other 
Eastern States in expending $20,000 for the purchase 
and maintenance of draught and coach stallions, 
which are to be distributed in the State through 
farmers’ organizations. Another good New Jersey 
law is the disqualifying of mongrel stallions. Of 
course, speed is very attractive, and many farmers 
have followed the lure who would have been better 
off if they had left the breeding of trotters to 
the millionaire farmer, who could afford the time, 
patience and ability required for their development. 
For every trotting-bred horse that sell£ for a big 
price there are nine others that will not sell for 
a good price, neither are they good farm horses. 
The farmer should raise the type of horse with- 
which he will run the least risk—a horse of docile 
disposition, adapted to farm work and always in 
demand at a good price with little time spent in 
handling. What horse fills these requirements so 
well as the draught? m. p. 
Vermont. 
