-736 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
August 14. 
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 
separate piece of paper.] 
HYBRIDIZING GLADIOLUS. 
C. S. F., Chicago , HI .—I need a little 
advice concerning cross-breeding Gladioli. 
I have read some of Prof. Bailey's articles 
upon plant-breeding, hut I wish to avoid 
if possible the necessity of bagging the 
flowers or of cutting off the corollas. I will 
outline my plan : I propose to plant the 
Gladioli on a farm isolated from others 
(more than one-half mile distant). I shall 
use one variety only for pollenizers, and 
plant say three dozen of this variety, two 
corms every other day until all planted. 
The several varieties to be used as seed- 
bearers 1 shall plant in a row adjacent to 
the pollenizers, but all on one day on the 
date intermediate between the first and 
last planting ot the pollenizers, thus se¬ 
curing a supply of pollen covering a vari¬ 
ation of flowering time of the seed bearers. 
I am ignorant as to whether or not the 
anthers and stigmas mature at the same 
time in Gladioli in the same flowers, but 
I would like to delay the removal of the 
anthers until the flowers opened naturally 
instead of removing the entire corolla when 
the flower is in bud, as directed by Prof. 
Bailey. 
Ans. —This plan of hybridizing Glad¬ 
ioli is entirely feasible. Modern, large- 
flowered Gladiolus blooms seldom pol- 
lenizc themselves; in fact, some varie¬ 
ties will not pollenize even by bees and 
other insects, as the flowers are so large 
that they do not come in contact with 
the stigma and anthers when they en¬ 
ter and leave the flowers. It is scarcely 
necessary to destroy the corollas, or 
even remove the stamens in many va¬ 
rieties. Of course, one feels more se¬ 
cure in doing the - latter. This should 
be performed in early morning, after 
the flower naturally opens. You will 
find some difficulty in securing pollen 
from your pollenizing varieties if you 
do not cover the spikes to protect them 
from the smaller bees, as they are 
greedy pollen eaters, and dig the im¬ 
mature pollen out of the anthers before 
it is ready for use. A very practical 
way is to make some large bags of very 
fine netting; the ordinary bobbinet mesh 
answers very well, and pin or tie these 
over the flowers in the morning after 
they have naturally opened. The pol¬ 
len will be matured sometimes before 
noon on a sunshiny day, and may be 
then applied to the seed-bearing plants 
with the ball of the finger, or, better 
still, by holding the anthers in a small 
pair of tweezers and pushing them over 
the stigmas until it is seen that they are 
well covered with pollen. It is scarcely 
necessary to cover the flowers after pol¬ 
lenizing, as the bees seem unable to 
get at the pollen, though they often try 
to do it. The whole work is very sim¬ 
ple; 100 pollenizations are easily made 
when suitably prepared for. You will 
certainly secure a much larger quantity 
and probably a better quality of seed 
than if you leave the work to nature 
unaided. __ 
Care of Kevitt Strawberries. 
S. D. G., Warren, Mass .—Would a 
strawberry patch of one-half aero planted 
according to your modification of the 
Kevitt system (two feet by 18 inches) be 
too much for one man to care for? I wish 
to begin preparing my ground now. What 
would be the best varieties for local mar¬ 
ket? _ 
Ans. —It will depend on how much 
other work you have to do. Tf you 
are growing the ordinary farm crops 
found on a one-man farm, we think the 
half-acre will prove too much for you, 
provided you expect to keep it per¬ 
fectly clean. You can keep the run¬ 
ners cut off and most of the weeds out, 
and make a fair showing on the half 
acre, but July and August will give you 
a struggle. If your soil is strong and 
reasonably moist we advise Marshall, 
Chesapeake, Stevens Late and William 
Belt. 
Cost of Alfalfa Hay. 
K., Morris County, N. J .— What does Al¬ 
falfa hay cost per ton at New York City? 
IJo horses and cows cat it up clean, or do 
they leave the coarse parts? In what 
States is the most Alfalfa raised? What 
do the raisers themselves get per ton? 
Ans. —As to Alfalfa in New York 
City, the American Hay Company says: 
“We handle Alfalfa at most times, but 
just at the moment we have none on 
hand, except a small quantity. The Al¬ 
falfa which we have handled of late has 
sold from $18 to $19 per ton, New 
York rate of freight.” 
Not much Alfalfa hay is bought here. 
Cattle eat it clean when well cured. 
Horses often leave the coarse stems. 
When run through a cutter the whole 
plant is eaten. The States west of the 
Mississippi River grow most of the Al¬ 
falfa, though its use is growing rapidly 
in the Central and Eastern States. 
Alfalfa in Central New York. 
On page 655 of The R. N.-Y. I noticed 
an inquiry by II. F. S’, in regard to sow¬ 
ing Alfalfa, which was answered by our 
neighbor on the opposite side of the Genesee 
River, T. E. Martin. lie is probably just 
as successful in growing Alfalfa, and I 
have no doubt if II. F. S. will follow the 
plan outlined by Mr. Martin he will suc¬ 
ceed in getting a good stand of Alfalfa that 
will produce abundant crops. I doubt, 
however, if many farmers will think that 
they can afford it. By this plan one year's 
use of the land is lost; which, from my 
experience of 12 years in growing Alfalfa, 
is unnecessary if the ground is thoroughly 
prepared and fertilized as suggested by Mr. 
Martin, and sown with a nurse crop (bar¬ 
ley preferred) as early in the Spring as 
the ground can be properly fitted. 1 have 
tried different methods. First I sowed the 
Alfalfa alone, and while it came up nicely, 
the hot sun and dry weather scorched the 
life out of it wl ile the plants were small. 
Since then I have sown with barley or 
•oats, but find barley much better, as oats 
shade the plants too much and retard 
their growth. I sow with grass seeder be¬ 
hind grain drill. I have tried harrowing 
in with smoothing harrow, and have tried 
the weeder, following in either case with a 
roller, but have bad better results by roll¬ 
ing immediately after the seeder. I sow 
from 15 to 20 pounds per acre, which is 
as thick a seeding as I want. I cut .30 
acres this season that averaged two good 
loads per acre first cutting, 10 acres of 
which was new seeding last year. I sow 
from 32 to 48 quarts of barley per acre, 
from which I harvest 30 to 60 bushels, 
besides getting a good stand of Alfalfa. 
I have never used Inoculated soil, but be¬ 
lieve it much safer to do so on soil not 
adapted to Alfalfa. I have seen a number 
of excellent seediugs that were seeded with 
oats in the town of Caledonia, Livingston 
Co., N. Y. The soil in that section seems 
particulary adapted to Alfalfa and is quite 
easily started. I would say to every far¬ 
mer. by all means start a field of Alfalfa 
at whatever expense; you cannot afford to 
do without it. J. n.' mcpherson. 
Monroe Co., N. Y. 
The Novelties. —A . serious mistake 
many farmers are making is in jumping 
to conclusions whenever a novelty in cereal 
grains is being introduced without testing 
the new thing in a small way, which can 
be done so simpy and easily. A few years 
ago the writer sent for a lot of seed corn 
of a highly praised strain, and planted 
most of land to it. While it may have 
possessed qualities worthy of praise, yet 
it proved of no value for my soil and 
climate. Next I sent for wheat, raised 
seed and discarded a variety that is adapted 
to our lands and got left again. I have 
changed my plan and now send for sam¬ 
ple quantities which any seedsman will 
send for a reasonable amount to pay him 
for his trouble, seed and postage. I keep 
the old strains until by these tests I find 
something superior to them, and in this 
way save much annoyance and loss. An¬ 
other mistake I formerly made, and which 
was rectified mainly through the agricul¬ 
tural press, was ignoring the fact that no 
matter how well our soil is supplied with 
plant food, without proper drainage com¬ 
plete success is not to he looked for. 
Humus, plant food, drainage, tillage and 
seed must co-operate. g. w. 
Missouri. _ 
Said the doctor to a local angler who 
was suffering from typhoid: “This is 
probably caused by some water you 
have drunk. When did you take some 
last?” The Patient (after racking his 
memory) : “About three years ago, I 
think.”—Melbourne Australasian. 
1037 
1808 
Shipping Wheat West? 
Yes, It Has Been Done This Summer 
E. Frank Coe Fertilizers 
(Standard For Over Fifty Years) 
Are Making This Possible. 
You Should Use Them For Your Own Fall Seeding' 
Send for “ Shipping'Wheat West.” Free if 
you mention The Rural New-Yorker. 
THE COE - MORTIMER COMPANY 
24-26 Stone Street, New York City 
“I HAVE SO LITTLE FUNGUS 
that 1 cannot afford to mark my fruit with Bordeaux." says Mr. Geo. T. Powell of Ghent, N. Y., a grower of fancy 
apples I have less scale and finer foliage than ever before." REASON : Five years consecutive use of 
“SCALECIDE” 
cheaper, more effective and easier to apply than Lime-Sulphur. Send for Tioolclet, Orchard Insurance, 
nniPCQ ■ I" barrels and half barrels, 50c. per gallon; 10 gallon 
rnlULO ■ cans, SO. 00 ; 5 gallon cans, S3.25 ; 1 gallon cans, SI. 00. 
if you want cheap oils, our “ CARBOLEIXE ” at 30c. per gallon is the equal of anyth inf? else. 
B. G. PRATT CO., MEG. CHEMISTS, 50 CHURCH ST., NEW YORK CITY r . 
{ 
CLARKS 
CUTAWAY 
TOOLS 
I 
DOUBLE ACTION “CUTAWAY” HARROW 
1 
WITH EXTENSION HEAD. I) i-' made especia y _ „,.• ....:n 
work. It will increase your crops 25 to 50 per cent, ihis machine will 
cut from 28 to 30 acres, or will double-cut 
15 acres in a day. It is drawn by two med- 
horses. It will move 15,000 tons of 
lum 
earth one foot in a day, and can be set to 
move the earth bnt little, or at so 
great an angle as to move all the 
earth one foot. Runs true in line 
^ of draft and keeps the surface 
trne. All other disk harrows have to run in half lap. 
The Jointed Pole Takes All the Weight Off the Horses 
Necks, and keeps their heels away from the disks. 
We miike 120 sizes ami styles of IMsk Harrows. 
Every machine fully warranted. Entire satisfaction 
guaranteed. Send for KKKE Hook let with full particular#. 
CUTAWAY HARROW COMPANY, 
839 Main St., HICCANUM, CONN._ 
BIG 
CROPS 
CRIMSON CLOVER 
The great soil improver. Valuable 
also for early green food, grazing and 
hay crop. Special circular free; also 
sample and price of seed on request. 
HENRY A. DREER, 
714 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa 
rnn Dll DC WATER Use slate spring boxes, well 
run lUnC YYHlLil curbs and covers, cistern 
linings, house tanks and roofs. It’s a good time 
now to fix the water supply. 
Fnf Ploan Uillf and an odorless dairy room, use 
TUI OICull lYlllh slate shelves, walls and floor 
tile. Slate is non-absorbent: acid, alkali and 
grease-proof; absolutely sanitary: specified for 
hospitals, sanitariums and places where perishable 
articles are kept. Prices and suggestions fur¬ 
nished on application. 
NO GERMS in our-Sanitary Moulding Board for 
clean bread. One thing less to scrub. Send $2 today. 
Koval Standard Slate Co., Poultney, Vt. 
CORN HARVESTER 
That beats them all. One horse cuts two rows. Great 
labor saver. Carries to the shock. No twine. Worked 
by 1, 2 or 3 men. We also manufacture Stump 
Pullers and Tile Ditchers. Write for catalog. 
H. L. BENNETT & CO., Box 11, Westerville, Ohio. 
C hoice clover and grass sici:ds sold 
direct to the fanner. We have reduced our 
choice Hungarian and Millet seeds to the present 
market value. Write for samples and prices at 
once. N. WERTHEIMER & SONS, Ligonier, Ind. 
S END tor Circular to originator of Jones’ Winter 
Wheats, which are leaders wherever known. 
A NEW ONE FOR 1909. Address JONES, 
THE WHEAT GROWER, Batavia, N. Y. 
HC| CQY—BEST VARIETIES. Full count of 
UCI.Cn I heavily rooted, stocky plants. 
H. A. TODD, Doylestown, Penna. 
of sun-touched early apples 
Fultz Wheat... o NE 
Best Milling Variety. Good Yielder. 
Sure Cropper. 
Our crop pure and carefully prepared for sowing. 
Also Poole. Mammoth White Rye, New Crop 
Timothy. Write for samples, circulars, prices. 
The 0. C. Shepard Co., 9E St., Medina, Ohio. Q 
The Big Crop 
closely the big crop of strawberries. General in¬ 
formation for fruit buyers and also farm oppor¬ 
tunities for home-seekers furnished by 
State Board of Agriculture, Dover, Del. 
CRIMSON CLOVER r 
per bushel. E. RIGG« Jr,, Burlington, N. J. 
Quart of Strawberries Plant 1 'll) 10 
Send for Catalogue and Prices. 
T. C. KLIVITT, Athenin, N. J. 
CAD cm E— CRIMSON CLOVER SEED, Ki.00 
rUn OflLL bushel. COW-HORN TURNIP 
8 EED. 40c. pound 
JOSEPH E. HOLLAND, Milford, Delaware 
ORN TIE—Cheap, quick, reliable. $1.50 per 
hundred. RELIABLE TIE CO..Chadwicks, N.Y. 
SEED WHEAT. Monarch 
400 acres. Grown especially for seed purposes in ! 
the wheat belt of Lancaster County, Pa. Return 
of seed allowed and money refunded if not satis¬ 
factory. The best varieties smooth and bearded. 
I issue a neat circular. It is free, but you must ask 
for It. A. H. HOFFMAN, Bamt'ord, Pa. 
JONES’ 
RED WAVE. 
Budded from 
bearing trees. 
SEED WHEAT 
First-Class FRUIT TREES 
Grown in the famous Genesee Valley. 
SAMUEL FRASER, Geneseo, N. Y. 
LONGHEAD WHEAT 
red, hard, bearded. There is none better. $4.00 
for two bushels. MYRON CLOSE, Cato, N. Y. 
nri All TDCCC- If you w nnt them from 
lELAUn I nEXO the block budded from 
hearing trees, better order now. List and full Catalog 
free. W. P. RUPERT & S ON, Box 15, Seneca. X. Y. 
HARRISON’S NURSERIES, Berlin, Aid. 
1100 acres trees and plants. Catalog free. 
Hydraulic 
Cider Press 
Great strength and ca¬ 
pacity; all sizes; also 
gasoline engines, 
steam engines, 
sawmills, thresh- 
ers. Catalog free. 
Monarch Machinery Co.. 609 CortleedtBldg.. New York 
CIDER 
MACHINERY 
Power presses, pumps, etc .—the 
most satisfactory ami profit¬ 
able. Used by largest maki 
The Boomer SBoschert 
Press Co. 
312 Water St., Syracuse, N.Y, 
ALFALFA 
All Northern Grown onfl 
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 td 
ret Government Tests on our samples. Send for Cat. No. 83 
THE J. E. WING & BROS. SEED COe^ 
Box 223. Mechanicsburg, Ohio 
FIX YOUR ROOF 
R»Dap Cmnra -We win e5i» rantee t0 
DC rCF o qua re, any 0 id ie»ky, wom-ou*. 
rusty, tin. Iron, steel, paper, felt or shingle roof m 
perfect condition, and keep it in perfect condition 
for 5c per square per year. 
ft r II* The Perfect Roof Preserver, makes old, 
Unnr L I V worn-ont roofs new. Satisfaction guaranteed 
nlllll~ri A or money refunded. Our free roofing book 
IIUul 1 IA tell# all about it. Write for it today. 
Die Anderson Manufacturing Co.. Depl. 35. Elyria. 
