7532 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
May 22, 
FARMERS’ CLUB 
[Every Query must be accompanied by the name 
and aduress 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 
separate piece of paper.! 
BEN DAVIS APPLE AND KIEFFER PEAR. 
Our Mr. Gossard has been giving 
me the results of an orchard's work 
in Ohio last year: From 14 acres were 
sold $7,000 worth of apples, and from 
one acre of your despised Ben Davis 
were sold $1,400 worth, or $1,000 
worth after paying all expenses. So 
much for Ben Davis! Two years ago 
I began planting a 20-acre orchard in 
which I planted 10 acres solid with 
Gano, which you know is a half-broth¬ 
er, or something of the sort, to Ben 
Davis, only a little more highly col¬ 
ored. After planting the orchard I 
made a trip through the Southern 
States, and in every city I found Gano 
on the fruit stands. Finally I con¬ 
cluded I would buy some, just to see 
whether it was fit to eat or not. From 
that time on I bought Gano every op¬ 
portunity I had, and came home with 
a very clear conscience respecting my 
planting that variety. Some people— 
our friend Dr„ Chamberlain among 
them—rank the Kieffer pear in the 
same category with the Ben Davis, but 
1 have discovered that a Kieffer pear, 
when properly ripened, is a fruit that 
no lover of fruit need despise. A 
whole lot—and a very big whole lot 
—depends upon the way these fruits 
are handled at ripening time, and both 
Ben Davis apple and Kieffer pear, if 
handled Fielter-skelter, are likely to be 
very unsatisfactory, but when properly 
handled either fruit is a very long 
way better than no fruit at all. Mr. 
Gossard tells me that the San Jose 
scale also has so poor an opinion of 
the Kieffer pear that it will not eat it, 
which is so much the better for poor 
humanity. Unfortunately, the scale 
does not discriminate against Ben Da¬ 
vis. All this apropos of a little edi¬ 
torial anent Louis Erb, page 42S. 
CHARLES E. THORNE. 
Ohio Exp. Station. 
R. N.-Y.—We consider a properly 
canned Kieffer pear are about the high¬ 
est in fruit preserves. We have lit¬ 
tle use for the raw Kieffers. No doubt 
Ben Davis is a money-maker now, but 
there is an increasing demand for 
higher flavored apples. 
The Moon and Tree Planting. 
,7. IF. C., Flat Rock, Ind .—What effect 
if any, would signs of moon have on set¬ 
ting nursery stock in regard to bearing 
early? 
Axs.—Ancient astrology tapglit that 
the anatomy of man’s body was gov¬ 
erned by 12 constellations; and almost 
every old almanac contained an illus¬ 
tration of a man and the 12 signs, and 
to this day some people govern many 
of their plans by the moon’s phases. 
I remember when a boy hearing two 
farmers arguing about the right time 
to salt down meat, one contending that 
it should be done on or just before the 
full of the moon, otherwise it would 
shrink when cooking if done after the 
full or on the old or declining moon. 
The other farmer finally answered that 
he had found it always shrunk fast 
after being cooked and placed on the 
table before a lot of hungry men. If 
J. W. C. will study the varieties, the 
soil, fertilization and cultivation, he 
need not trouble about the moon or its 
signs. If he plants a dwarf and a 
standard Duchess pear on the same 
day in the same soil and at the same 
time of the moon, the dwarf will fruit 
first, because it is on an unnatural 
root-system, and according to the laws 
of nature it will make every effort to 
reproduce itself before it dies, while 
the standard, being on its natural root- 
system takes its time. But if he should 
take two trees of the same variety and 
the same root system, and plant one 
on a light warm soil and the other on 
a heavy cold soil, the one on the light 
soil would as a rule come into bearing 
sooner. Or if he planted a Yellow 
Transparent, Oldenburg, or similar va¬ 
rieties of apples on the same kind of 
soil as he did a Spy or Baldwin, the 
former two would fruit first according 
to their nature, regardless of the moon. 
Let J. W. C. read carefully the pages 
of The R. N.-Y., attend the institutes, 
horticultural and agricultural meetings 
and the many sources of information 
that are open to every boy and man at 
little or no cost, and get his knowledge 
from up-to-date methods, and apply it 
with practical common sense, and then 
drop out the moon and the almanac 
signs. E - s. black. 
Value of Pond Muck. 
F. TV. tSG Shelter Island, N. Y .—I have 
a pond in the woods that has been there 
for years and the, leaves and sticks have 
rotted in it until there is 10 feet of rotten 
substance. Will it pay me to dig it out 
foi manure, and if so, how is the best way 
to treat it. I get labor for $1.60 per day, 
teams $4.SO per day. 
There is no doubt considerable plant 
food in that material. As it comes out 
of the swamps this stuff is sour and 
should be fermented before being used 
on the soil. Your best plan will be 
to make compost heaps. Haul out the 
muck to a dry, well-drairted place and 
throw it in piles eight feet wide and as 
long as you like. Drive over the length 
of the pile and let out the load. For 
each load of muck scatter on 100 
pounds or more of lime. This will 
start fermentation and in six months or 
so the stuff will be sweetened, and will 
crumble up fine. 
About Alfalfa. —I have not had much 
experience with Alfalfa, but I believe that 
it can be successfully grown in Steuben 
County, N. Y., on such soil as E. E. X. 
mentions. My experimental plot is one- 
tenth of an acre. I>ast Spring one year 
ago, I applied a good coat of barnyard 
manure on a piece of land that had grown 
beans the year before on a light sod, just 
broken, and where clover had not grown 
in several years. This was not plowed last 
year, but harrowed with the double-action 
Cutaway harrow, at intervals of perhaps 
a week or 10 days, until July 25, when 
the seed was sown and lightly harrowed 
in. 1 did not sow any “inoculated soil.” 
for the reason that I had more faith in 
barnyard manure than in that. Now, 
please recollect the extreme drought which 
we were passing through at that time; 
but the seed germinated finely and in 32 
days' time some of the Alfalfa stood nine 
inches high, by actual measurement. It 
was mowed once last Fall, not very close, 
and has come through the Winter in nice 
condition. I have not seen any winter- 
killed plants. A little seed and fertilizer 
lias been sown on this Spring, and the 
Cutaway harrow run over it at a very 
slight angle; and I am now expecting very 
favorable results. I would not expect to 
succeed with corn growing on the field. I 
should prefer to give clean culture to fine 
the soil thoroughly and destroy the weeds 
that might start, and then sow the seed 
the last of July or first of August. 
F. H. D. 
$ i will open a bank 
JL account for you in 
The First Mortgage Guaran¬ 
tee &Trust Co., of Philadelphia 
The president of this institution, the Hon. Leslie 
M. Shaw, former Secretary of the United States 
Treasury, believes 
that the best help to 
thrift is a savings 
fund account; and 
that the idea should 
be especially encour¬ 
aged with those of 
modest means. 
The hardest thing 
about saving is to 
make a start. Mr. 
Shaw’s plan makes it 
easy to start, NOW, 
at the moment you are 
reading these words. 
Simply mail a dollar 
(more if you wish) 
and theCompany will 
open an account in 
your name and send 
your bank book by 
return post, together 
with pamphlet of 
banking information, 
paid on savings fund accounts. 
2% on accounts subject to check. 
Savings fund deposits accepted up to $1000. 
The First Mortgage Guarantee and Trust Co., 
LESLIE M. SHAW, President 
949 CHESTNUT STREET, PHILADELPHIA 
HOOVER 
POTATO DIGGER 
T HE Standard Digger for 25 years—the first successful Elevator Digger—has been im¬ 
proved to date, and lias proved itself superior *,o all imitators or any digger of 
every shape and kind. It gets all the potatoes, and is the only digger that will 
successfully dig potatoes in any kind of soil, and among rocks, vines, grass and weeds. 
Its use means MORE PROFITS for potato growers. 
The above illustrates our Digger with seven-foot elevator and vine separator. Thi s 
vine separator .attachment kicks ajl vines or weeds to the rear, and they are deposited 
at one side, leaving the potatoes in a clean, narrow row in the rear of the machine. 
Saves % the work in picking up. The Digger is fitted with Side-Hill Spurs to prevent 
sliding on hillsides. 
To prove to you all the good points of the Hoover Digger—that it is superior to any 
• i\ e r I , lla< llnt “ a . n< j that it will work to your satisfaction right on your own farm—we 
will let you try it in your own field and judge for yourself. If you grow potatoes it will 
pay you to write us to-day for catalogue and full information. 
THE HOOVER MFG. CO., averyT&uo 
Transfer Points—Buffalo, N. Y.; Detroit, Mich.: Milwaukee, Wls.; St. Paul, Minn.; Mar¬ 
shalltown, Iowa; Ulauo Falls, Idaho; Portland, Oregon; Spokane, Wash.; Winnipeg, 
Man - Hami r.nn Ont 
LIGHT, WATER AND POWER 
WITHOUT EXPENSE 
Do you have a run or creek on your land ? If so, why don’t vou put it to work ? 
A small stream of water on one of our five or six-foot wheels will develop enough 
a°saw to Baw'wood^ etc 10 Eo 5’ our house, or a pump to raise water to any elevation, or 
™°i r Rn ? n ? ine ’ THE STEEL OVERSHOOT WATER WHEEI. is always 
ready for u. e. It can.be depended upon at all times. There is nothing about it to get out 
of order, and it requires no attention except occasional oiling. 
IT COSTS NOTHING TO OPERATE AFTER ONCE BEING I VST AT TVB 
IT FURNISHES THE BEST, MOST USEFUL, AN DMOSTEW)\OM( VL 
DOW Ell IN THE WORLD. IT Is BEYOND COM FA BISON \Y ITIIYiVm 
BOTH FOB EFFICIENCY AND ADAPTABILITY. BAM, 
Let us know how large a stream of water you have, how much fall you can obtain and 
" bat you want to use it for, and we shall be glad to give you our best prices and advice. 
FITZ WATER WHEEL CO., Hanover, pa. 
WaterSupply * for Country Houses. 
The Problem Solved 
No elevated tank to 
freeze or leak. Tank 
located in cellar. 
Any pressure up to 
60 lbs. The ideal „ 
fire protection. Send for ' 
Illustrated Catalogue Q. 
Let our Enpineersfigureout your needs 
Lunt-MossCo.43S. MarketSt. Boston 
DO YOU SHIP PEACHES? 
If so, write for Catalogue 
and Price List of the 
SOUTH SIDE M'F'G CO., PETERSBURG, VA, 
POTATOES —Carman, Cobbler, Coin. Giant, Green Ml., 
I Hebron, Jewel, Longfellow,85 kinds. C. W.Ford,Fishers,N. Y- 
FERTILIZER LIMEYS 
WALTON QUARRIES, Harrisburg, Pa. 
FOR <5ALF- Crimson Clover Seed, $4.00 bushel 
Cow Peas, $1.75 to $2.00 bushel 
Low-Horn turnip Seed. 40c. pound. 
J. K. HOLLAND, Milford. Dela. 
LUMBER FOR FARMERS 
AT LESS THAN HALF PRICE 
We have 700 slightly used bass wood boards 2(5^1x40 
inches, which we will sell cheap in part or whole. 
Any man who intends building chicken coops, runs 
or outhouses can save half the cost of lumber by 
purchasing these. Write or call for particulars. 
THE NATIONAL PRINTING AND ENGRAVING COMPANY, 
244 West 49th Street, New York City. 
HARRISON’S NURSERIES, Berlin, Mil. 
1100 acres trees and plants. Catalog free 
nnn QU'IiXS of strawberries 
yUUU now growing on one acre, mj system. 
Come June 10, see me win or lose, as Collingwood 
says. T. C. KEVITT, Athenia. N. J. 
C HOICE CLOVER AND G BASS SE EDS sold 
direct to the farmer. We have reduced our 
choice Hungarian and Millet seeds to the present 
market value. Write for samples and prices at 
once. N. WKRTHlfilMKR & SONS, Ligonier Ind. 
VIRGINIA FARMS 
And timber lauds, improved and unimproved, 
$5.00 per acre and up. Heavy crops, good market, 
healthy climate and happy farmers. Catalogue free. 
B. T. Watkins,Box G.600 E. Main St.,Richmond,Ya. 
A Commuter’s Farm. 
The hired man can make this 53-acre farm pay 
you a handsome profit while you go to your busi¬ 
ness in New York every day; excellent 10-room 
2-story house, splendid stable; buildings almost 
new: adjoins 2,000-acre estate for which N. Y. 
banker paid $150 an acre; healthful location, high 
altitude; charming view over 10 miles of beautiful 
country; only $5,500, part cash; photograph of 
residence page 35, Stront's Bulletin, copy free; 
E. A. ST ROUT CO., Dept. 1099, 47 W. 34tb St., cor. 
Broadway, N. V. 
P llIDE OF THE NORTH YELLOW DENT 
SEED CORN— Early to mature ami heavy 
yielder— $2 per bushel. Wo also grow it for ensil¬ 
age. E. L. CLARKSON, Tivoli, New York. 
1,000,000 
for price list. 
Cabbage, Cauliflower. Sweet 
Potato. Tomato and Ituby 
King Pepper Plants. Send 
Caleb Boggs & Sou, Cbcswold. Del. 
FARM SEEDS. 
We are Recleaners and Dealers in Red 
ALsike, Alfalfa, Crimson and White Clovers; 
also Timothy, Harley, Seed Oats and Corn and 
a full line of Farm and Garden Seeds. Write 
for price list and catalogue mailed free. 
NE.W YORK 
PHILADELPHIA^ 
BALTIMORE 
WASHINGTON L 
RICHMOND 
JACKSONVILLE ^ 
LAND OF\ 
IAMATEE 
FARMS. 
Why not locate in Manatee 
County,(West Coast)? Ten 
acres net as much as a hun¬ 
dred in Northern States. 
Delightful climate, abundan 
rainfall, convenient markets. 
VEGETABLES NET 
$1000 ACRE. 
Outdoor work the year 
round, several crops a season. 
Lands reasonable. Write 
for full information. 
J. W. WHITE, 
General Inol. Agent. 
SEABOARD AIR LINE, 
DEPT. 18. 
PORTSMOUTH, VA 
GULF 
OF 
MEXICO 
I ne Henry mlipps beed and Implement Co. 
115-117 St. Clair St., Toledo, Ohio. 
12 ASSORTED POST CARDS lOc. 
Decoration Day, 4tli July. Floral, Birthday, etc., beauti¬ 
ful designs. Deeply embossed, rich colors, unequaled 
value; all different. Star Post Card Co., 135 So. Sth St., Chilli. 
FOR SALE CHEAP TO QUICK BUYER, 
No. 3 AMERICAN SAWMILL. 
Four head blocks and dogs, saw dust conveyor. 
good as new $£5U.OO. Address 
H1RSCHFELD, 50 Church St., New York City. 
Delaware Fruit Farm 
62acres, ’-j mile to R. It. station; 500 bearing peach 
and 150 bearing apples and pear trees. C acres in 
berries; 10-room house, barn, granary, wagon sited; 
driven well; one good crop of fruit will pay for 
farm; owner’s business in other state forces him 
to sacrifice; only $2,700, part cash and easy terms; 
see picture, page 53 Strout’s April Bulletin i f Farm 
Bargains, copy free. Dept. 1099. E, A • STIIOUT 
CO., Land Title Bldg., Philadelphia. 
FOR SALE 
!—One hundred acres level land, 
__eleven room house, fine condi¬ 
tion, well watered, two barns, basement, carriage 
house, 24 x60. other outbuildings, two orchards, 
main road. Price, $3,500, one-half cash, balance 
five years at five per cent. . , 
HALL'S FARM .\LKNCY, Owego, New York. 
