-418 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
April 17, 
CUTTING ICE BY MOONLIGHT. 
Page 358 “A Cheap Icehouse,” The 
R. N. - Y. says: “ We must, of course, 
understand that Vermont is a cool 
country, with at least 50 days less 
of melting weather than States far¬ 
ther south.” ■ Practical experience 
here in Massachusetts is to the ef¬ 
fect that a roof is unnecessary to keep 
ice well where plenty of sawdust 
can be had. In some years a peculiar 
condition of Winter weather up to 
March 10 made a short ice crop, none 
being harvested up to that time. A few 
days of cold weather mtide the ice of 
suitable thickness (about 12 inches) but 
the sun being high, daylight could not 
be used to harvest ice, and we cut all 
night for many nights, harvested suf¬ 
ficient ice to make a stack 60 feet by 
45 and 15 feet high. Cheap grade lum¬ 
ber was used -to hold sawdust in place 
and a good depth of sawdust covered 
the top. We never have had ice keep 
so well as in this case. The stack was 
located some 300 feet from the dam and 
about 30 feet lower than the pond. A 
cheap chute was constructed from the 
dam to stack and the ice shot down by 
gravity, making a cheap method of har¬ 
vesting as well as storing ice. Our 
greatest trouble was to prevent the ice 
from going down too rapidly. This 
was accomplished by driving heavy 
nails partly into the bottom of the con¬ 
veyor. These nails acted as brakes. 
Fortunately the moon was near full and 
our work went on with good speed. 
Hampshire Co., Mass. H. 
Shape of Potato Seed. 
C. P., Penobscot, Me .—Do you know of 
any experience or experiments showing any 
increase or decrease; in net profit per acre 
of potatoes from planting small potatoes 
(either whole or halved) that are well-kept 
and firm, or seed cut from larger market¬ 
able stock? The market stock to he rated 
at $1 per bushel and the small at about 
30 cents. Do you know whether seed cut 
from irregular or overgrown potatoes is 
more likely to produce irregular and over¬ 
grown potatoes than seed cut from smooth 
stock? How long after cutting may pota¬ 
toes be kept with no loss of vitality, and 
what is the best method of doing it? 
Ans. —The experiments with potato 
seed at the experiment stations show 
great variation. It seems to be demon¬ 
strated that provided the tubers are 
sound and well matured little difference 
will be found. The tubers may be 
large, small, ill-shaped or well-formed, 
but there will be little difference if they, 
are fully ripe. Of course, if the po¬ 
tato was small because it did not get 
a full chance to mature, it would not 
make good seed. The surest results 
would therefore be expected from large 
it does succeed, but so seldom that we 
never feel like recommending any iar- 
mers to try this method. We find that 
the field can be plowed up. plowing 
deeply and immediately re-seeding the 
Alfalfa; this plowing will not kill near¬ 
ly all the old plants, and the second at¬ 
tempt should be successful. The lime 
mentioned is reasonable in price for 
both kinds. It is probable that the agri¬ 
cultural lime is a trifle cheaper for the 
amount that would be accomplished, but 
we would slightly prefer using the 
ground limestone at this price, because 
it leaves the ground in so much better 
condition, and in the long run we be¬ 
lieve it will be cheaper than the agri¬ 
cultural lime. chas. b. wing. 
CABBAGE MAGGOT. 
H. U. C., Elizabethtown, Pa .—My cab¬ 
bage plants last year were eaten off by an 
insect or collection of insects at the stem. 
What were they? 
Ans. —Your cabbages were attacked 
by the cabbage maggot, the larva of a 
small fly that lays its eggs on the stems 
of the plant just beneath the soil. Not 
much can be done after the maggots 
appear. The best preventive is to en¬ 
circle the stem of each plant as soon as 
set in the field with a piece of, ordi¬ 
nary tarred building paper three or four 
inches broad. Make a small hole in 
the middle of the paper large enough to 
receive the stems and cut a slit from the 
outside to the hole so that the paper 
can be slipped on after the plant is 
set. This prevents the fly from lay¬ 
ing the eggs. The paper must lie flat 
on the soil encircling the stems, and 
will be thrown off as the stems grow. 
Carbon bisulphide injected under the 
roots at the rate of one teaspoonful to s 
each plant will destroy the maggots, but « 
is expensive and somewhat dangerous j 
to use. 
Training Tomatoes. —On page 337 I 
see L. B. Crookcr’s article on how to 
train up tomatoes. I have a plan that 
beats his to a standstill. Set plants in 
straight row. When they are 12 to 
14 inches high drive stakes each side 
about 8 feet apart. Nail on slats top 
of stakes, stretch any old woven wire 
fencing over the top. The plants will 
go through them, so your fruit will be 
off the ground and hang in clusters. 
You can prune them handily. No 
strings to use, no sun-baked tomatoes. 
Geneseo, Ill. a. a. s. 
or medium-sized well-formed tubers cut 
to an average of three eyes with a good- 
sized cut. As a rule planting entire po¬ 
tatoes gives too many sprouts. The 
irregular or “overgrown” potatoes re¬ 
sult from stones or other obstructions 
in the soil or from overfeeding and thus 
would not transmit these qualities to 
the crop. Cut tubers left as they are 
cut will lose vitality and wilt quickly. 
They ought to be planted within a 
week. The best plan is to dust them 
with plaster or sulphur as fast as they 
are cut. This prevents evaporation to 
some extent and the pieces keep better. 
Thin Alfalfa; Lime. 
G. E. M., Delaware Co., O .—We have a 
piece of Alfalfa, sown last Summer which 
is frozen out in spots. Would it be right 
to broadcast on more seed, then go over 
it with disk fertilizer drill, sowing on 
about 500 pounds of lime per acre? Which 
is cheaper, ground limestone at $2.50 per 
ton, or agricultural lime at $5 per ton? 
This includes freight. 
Ans. —It seldom pays to thicken a 
thin stand of Alfalfa. We worked for 
many # years with different methods try¬ 
ing to accomplish this, and it is our 
opinion that three times out of four, it 
will fail. -The seed comes up all right 
Short Hoe for Planting. — I have 
found a common hoe with the handlq 
cut off to about half length the best 
tool with which to set out cabbage, 
strawberry and such small plants. 
Strike into the ground, pull the hoe 
slightly towards you, raise it a little, 
holding the earth on it while you place 
in the- root of the plant; then let the 
earth drop back. Step forward so as 
to bring the ball of your foot over the, 
root of the plant, and you are in a posi¬ 
tion to repeat the process. Stepping 
on the root sets the earth firmly, which 
is very important. It is not all neces¬ 
sary that plants be put in upright; the 
plants will do quite as well if on a 
slant, and indeed, the outer leaves will 
often wilt down ‘and cover the eye, and 
protect it much better than when 
placed in an upright position. 
Monroe, Wash. t. r. h. 
PLUMS PLUMS 
ABUNDANCE, BURBANK, LOMBARD, 
4 to 6 ft. trees. Hardy, Thrifty, Well-Developed. 
10 Cents Each. C. O. I). 
How Many ? 
Be Quick with your order as this ad. will not 
appear again. 
THOS. MARKS & CO., Nurserymen, 
Geneva, New York. 
LETTUCE, BEANS and CUKES 
and seems to do well for a few weeks, 
but at the end of the season there is 
practically none of it left. Occasionally 
Ship them in the South Side Hampers. 
Send for Catalogues. 
SOUTH SIDE M’F’G CO., PETERSBURG, VA. 
SPRAYED TREES ONLY ONES THAT 
YIELDED FRUIT. 
F. E. Schriver, Greenlawn Farm, 
Grafton, Ohio, writes: “Our season 
here was such that it was almost im¬ 
possible to find a suitable day for spray¬ 
ing. I sprayed but once and then only 
a part of our trees. Where I used 
Pyrox I got apples and where I did not 
I harvested none. I used it also on 
pears and they were as nice as any 
one could ask for. Pyrox is the best 
spraying material I have ever used and 
I expect to use more of it next season.” 
“Pyrox” kills insects and prevents fun¬ 
gous diseases; it does not wash off the 
foliage like Paris green, but sticks like 
paint even through heavy rains. Ad¬ 
dress Bowker Insecticide Co., Boston, 
Mass.—Adv. 
LEGGETT’S DUSTERS 
HAUL 
Distribute 
Insecticides 
In dust form 
NO WATER TO 
LE66ETT’S 
CHAMPION 
,DUSTER 
THE CHAMPION 
dusts two rows of pota¬ 
toes as fast as you walk. 
THE BEETLE 
Potato Duster (Horse Pow 
er) dusts four rows. 
THE JUMBO 
dusts trees. 
Illustrated Spray Calendar giving concise in¬ 
formation regarding Dusters and address of 
nearest dealer. Mailed on request. 
LEGGETT & BR0„ 301 Pearl St., NEW YORK 
No Clogging of Nozzles 
When using Bordeaux mixture or 
Lime-sulphur wash made with 
PINE CONE LIME FLOUR 
because it is screened so finely and solu¬ 
tions made from it are just as strong and 
effective as if lump lime were used. 
Price—$2.25 per bbl. of 250 lbs. at shipping point. 
ROCKLAND-ROCKPORT LIME CO., 
New York. v Boston,- 
Flatiron Building. P - • 24 Milk Street. 
POTATO CROP- 
INSURANCE 
Spraying is a necessity. Do it with the ma¬ 
chine that makes your work count. There^ 
nothing up to the great 
Aspinwall 
4-Row Sprayer 
Tbat’s what potato growers 
say .and they know. Book free. 
Get it and see how we lead the 
world on potato machines. 
ASPINWALL MANUFACTURING CO. 
437 Sabin Street Jackson, Mich. 
Canadian Factory: Guelph, Canada 
One Pair Outlasts Three 
to Six Pairs A 1-Leathers 
P®*- ''SsT'oRB The comfort, economy and durabil- 
Dce.4, 05. ity of Steel Shoes is amuzing. 
Others I ending. Thousands are throwing away 
leather soled shoes, boots, rubbers, etc., und wearing 
■'Steels" instead. They keep your feet dry—prevent 
colds, sore throat, rheumatism, etc. Suving in doctors’ 
bills pays for them over and over again. They tit 
fine and feel easy—no corns, bunions or soreness. 
Soles and an inch above is light, thin steel. Uppers of 
wnterproof leather. Bottoms studded with Adjustable 
Steel Rivets. Hair Cushion Insoles give elasticity 
and absorb perspiration. Sizes 5 to 12. Steel Shoes 
are not any heavier than ordinary work shoes. 
Send $3.00 for 6-inch highpnir or S3.60 for 9-inch high 
pair (state size). Book FREE. Order a pair today and 
you will save $6 to $10 of your shoe money this year. 
STEEL SHOE CO., Dept. 73 , Racine, Wl8. 
Canadian Branch, TORONTO, CANADA 
Nitrate ot Soda 
In Original Sags 
NITRATE AGENCIES COMPANY 
64 Stone Street, New York 
Keyser Building, Baltimore, Mdt 
36 Bay Street, East, Savannah, Ga. 
305 Baronne Street, New Orleans, La. 
140 Dearborn Street, Chicago, Ill. 
1103 Temple Bldg., Toronto, Canada 
San Jose, Cal. 
321 Stimson Block, Los Angeles, Cal. 
603-4 Oriental Block, Seattle, Wash. 
PLANT WOOD’S SEEDS 
For Superior Crops. 
Cow Peas 
The Best and Surest Cropping 
of Summer Soil-improving 
and Forage Crops. 
Makes poor land rich; makes rich 
land more productive, and im¬ 
proves the condition and produc¬ 
tiveness of soils wherever they are 
grown. 
The crop can be cut for forage, V 
making a large-yielding and most Q 
nutritious feed, and the land can ** 
be disked afterwards—not plowed 
—making an ideal fertilization and 
preparation for wheat and all fall- 
sown grains. All of our 
Cow Peas and Soja Beans 
are recleaned, free from hulls and Im¬ 
mature peas, superior both in cleanliness 
and quality, and of tested germination. 
Write for prices and ‘‘Wood’s Crop 
Special” giving timely information a- 
bout Seasonable Farm Seeds. 
T. W. WOOD & SONS, 
Seedsmen, - Richmond, Va. 
DIBBLE’S 
HIGH GRADE SEED CORN. 
Best obtainable regardless of price. 
MAM MOTH YELLOW FLINT 
Earliest, hardiest, most productive Flint ever 
grown. Matures with us in 100 days. Ears 10 to 
16 inches long, stalks 8 to 10 feet high. 
Bu. 82, 2bu. *3, 10 bu. *13.50, bags free. 
EIGHTY DAY DENT 
The earliest Dent in cultivation. The best kind to 
grow where seasons are short, either for crop or 
sil °' Prices same as above. 
DIBBLE’S IMPROVED LEAMING 
The best Dent for the Middle and Eastern States 
lor the silo. Matures here on our farms in 100-110 
days. Grows 10 to 14 feet high. 
lin.82, 2 bu.bag S>3, 10 bu.* 12.50, bags free. 
This is all Pedigree Seed testing 96-98 << germination. 
10,000 Bushels SEED POTATOES 
20 kinds, early and late, still in stock. 
Send for catalog. 
EDWARD F. DIBBLE, Seedgrower 
Box C, Honeoye Falls, N. Y. 
ALFALFA 
All Northern Grown and 
guaranteed to be 99 per cent 
pure. Should produce hay 
at $40.00 per acre annually. Write for Free Sample 
and Instructions on growing. 
GRAIN AND GRASS SEEDS 
Northern Grown and of strongest vitality. We invito you to 
get Government Tests on our samples. Send for Cat. No. S3 
THE J. E. WING & EROS. SEED CO. 
Box 223, Mechanicsburg, Ohio 
CAR CAI C—Medium Clover Seed, $5.60to $7.50 bu.; 
■ Un vHLt Crimson Clover Seed. $3.50 to $4.60 bu. ; 
Onion Sets, $2.50 bu.; Cow Peas. $1.75 bu.; Cow horn 
Turnip Seed, 40c. lb. Joseph E. Holland, Milford. Del. 
THE BEST CORN FOR NEW YORK. 
Also high bred ensilage seed. Write to-day. 
CLIFTON-HILL FARM, Ballston Lake, N. V. 
A SENSATION — Weight 40 lbs. bushel. 
^ J I 10 bush,, $8.00. Mammoth and Little 
® Red Clover, $6.00 bush. Timothy, $2.50. 
Samples and catalogue free. Theo. Burt & Sons, Melrose, Ohio 
S EED COEN—Mammoth Yellow Dent; great yield- 
er ; produces 100 bn. shelled corn per acre; hand 
shelled, at $2.60 per bu. Amos Zigler, Rowenna, Pa. 
C hoice clover and grass seeds sold 
direct to the farmer. We have reduced our 
choice seeds to the present market value. Write 
for samples and prices at once. Address 
N. WERTHEIMER & SONS, Ligonier, Ind. 
FOR SALE — Palmetto Asparagus Roots, 
$3.50 per 1.00(1. GOULD BROS., East Hampton. L. I. 
FERTILIZER LIME 
WALTON QUARRIES, Harrisburg, Pa. 
Manufacturers of all 
kinds of Fruit Baskets 
and Crates. Write for 
catalog and price list. 
WEBSTER BASKET CO. 
Box 41, Webster, Monroe Co., New York. 
NO ZERO WEATHER 
In Tidewater Virginia and Carolina. Rich lands. 
Delightful climate. Three and four crops a single 
season. No heavy frosts, blizzards or droughts. 
Fertilizing and irrigating unnecessary. Best prices. 
Unequalled railroad service. Everything from 
onions to cotton. Best corn, hay, potato and truck 
lands. Lands on easy terms. For full particulars, 
write 
F. L. MERRITT, Land & Indust'l Agent, Norfolk and Southern 
Railway. 36 Citizens Bank Building, Norfolk, Va. 
You will be satisfied with the products of 
Burpee’s “Seeds that Grow” 
Shall we mail you our New Complete Catalog? 
W. ATLEE BURPEE & CO., Burpee Building, Philadelphia. 
