©7 a 
THK RURAL NEW-yORKER 
December 19, 
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.l 
TREE BORERS AND A MULCH. 
I notice you are having some trouble 
with borers in your peach trees. Did 
it ever occur to you that by mulching 
trees you are making just the nicest 
kind of a seed bed for the rascals? 
I used to do that way by the advice of 
some wiseacre, and had your trouble. 
So I changed to the other extreme and 
instead of piling light material, rich in 
humus, against the tree trunk, I spread 
it around at a distance, and packed 
sand or subsoil 'solidly around the 
stems of the tree, and had no further 
trouble from borers. Iiji one case a 
young apple tree three or four inches 
thick was almost eaten off by worms. 
With faint hope of saving it a cart¬ 
load of sand was mounded^ up around 
it and so left till now, 20 years or 
more later, the tree is large and in full 
bearing, one of more than 20-inch 
diameter. It looks very reasonable to 
me that the proper place for mulch is, 
not up against the trunk but over the 
extending roots. wm. T. s medley. 
R. N.-Y.—The Apple borer and Peach 
borer are quite distinct. The eggs of 
the first are laid by a beetle while the 
parent of the Peach borer is a moth. 
Our experience goes to show that Mr. 
Smedley is right about the Apple borer. 
The insect appears to work under the 
mulch, and when it is close to the tree 
they are more troublesome. We keep 
the mulch away with a little mound of 
coal ashes or dirt close around the 
base of the tree. With the Peach borer 
the case is different. The instinct of 
the moth is to lay her egg on the bark 
at the surface of the ground. When 
the mulch is piled around the tree she 
cannot do this, but lays the egg higher 
up on the trunk. We found this true 
of many trees this Fall when digging 
out the borers. They had not worked 
so far down to the roots as had those 
which started at the base of the ground. 
The worst objection we found to a 
mulch close around the tree is danger 
from fire. We have lost a number from 
that cause. We would prefer a mound 
at the base of the tree and the mulch 
some 18 inches out. With young trees 
just planted, especially in a very dry 
season the mulch close to the tree helps. 
PARAGON CHESTNUTS IN WESTERN 
NEW YORK. 
In Brevities, page 938, The R. N.-Y. 
asked if Paragon chestnuts are hardy in 
western New York. Many years ago, 
probably 15 or more, I sent to H. M. 
Engle, of Pennsylvania, for some Para¬ 
gon chestnut trees. From scions cut 
from these trees I grafted a lot of 
sprouts from ordinary sweet chestnuts, 
many of which grew. Only one of the 
original trees lived, but that and the 
grafted trees are all alive, and never 
one has in any degree been injured by 
the Winters, although the mercury some¬ 
times goes down to 20 below zero. The 
original tree stands out in an open place 
and is shaped much like an apple tree, 
but the grafted trees are very much 
larger and all bear annually large crops 
of chestnuts. In same grove is a tree 
of Numbo, and this also is perfectly 
hardy and an abundant bearer; and the 
nuts are nearly or quite as large as 
Paragon. Both kinds are good growers 
and the foliage is very large and strong, 
but the trees bear so abundantly that 
they do not make as much growth as the 
ordinary sweet variety. I do not think 
the quality of nut is quite as good as 
the native, but both are very good when 
baked or boiled, and if the skin that sur¬ 
rounds the nut inside the shell is re¬ 
moved the quality is much improved for 
eating raw. The greatest drawback in 
chestnut growing here is the boys. Un¬ 
less one gathers them before frost or 
“sleeps with both eyes open” he will fail 
to get but a small share of the crop. 
j. s. WOODWARD. 
Grafting on Toiman. 
II. L. II., Canandaigua, N. Y .—On page 
894 E. Van Alstyne states lie lias grafted 
his Toiman Sweet trees over. 1 would like 
to know what was grafted on, sweet or 
sour apples, and if the flavor was good. 
I have a dozen Toiman trees which hear 
well, but I find them not marketable and 
poor for elder. On another farm I have 
Greenings grafted on sweet apple and they 
are doing well. 
Ans. —The variety grafted on was 
Baldwins. This was done some 20 
years ago. I have never noticed any 
modification of the Baldwin flavor. 
These trees, however, do bear as fine 
Baldwins as I raise; whether this is 
due to the cutting back, and thinning 
incident to the grafting, or the combi¬ 
nation I don’t know. Thi.s is certain, 
that the Toiman is a very strong, vig¬ 
orous grower, with a good root system, 
hence a good stock to work on. 
EDW’D VAN ALSTYNE. 
Does Scale Prefer Some Varieties? 
Would not a discussion of the fact 
that San Jose scale will injure or kill 
much more quickly some varieties of 
apple trees than others be of benefit to 
your readers? I know from experience 
that it is a fact that some varieties re¬ 
sist the ravages of the scale much longer 
than others. My experience is limited to 
a few varieties, but where the scale is 
known to exist I would not plant Ben 
Davis, Gano, Nansemond Beauty or 
Grimes. Winesap, York Imperial, Ralls 
and Rome Beauty stand the scale here 
better than any others, with, I think, the 
York Imperial in the lead. I would like 
to know the experience of others, and 
believe such a discussion would be of 
benefit to fruit growers and farmers. 
Virginia. J- E- w. 
R. N.-Y.—Here is an important mat¬ 
ter, and we call for a record of experi¬ 
ence. Please tell us what you have no¬ 
ticed in this regard. Have you found 
any varieties of apples more susceptible 
than others ?_ 
DRAIN THE WATER PIPES. 
I have just read with great interest the 
ingenious scheme outlined on page 890 for 
furnishing a kitchen with hot water at a 
trifling expense. But I hasten to call the 
attention of your readers to the deadly 
possibilities attending an attempt to use a 
water front under the circumstances he de¬ 
scribes. With a coil or bent return pipe, 
sucli as Mr. Keeler uses, building a hot 
fire after a night with the thermometer at 
zero in the kitchen would result in nothing 
worse than a split pipe; but with a water 
front the almost certain result would be an 
explosion that would wreck the range and 
kill or maim any occupant of the room. 
With a water front it is absolutely essen¬ 
tial, and with a coil it is expedient, to 
have a faucet attached to the pipe within- 
a foot of where the water enters the range. 
After a cold night if the water does not 
run freely from this faucet, defer building 
the fire until you have established a per¬ 
fect circulation. This is the only safe plan 
for cold weather if a fire is not kept over 
night. And let me add that the life of the 
coil in the fire-pot can be made practically 
perpetual by having it: made of brass in¬ 
stead of iron. If the iron does not soon 
rust out it will clog with rust. 
FRANCIS E. WEBSTER. 
Middlesex Co., Mass. 
goods without losing trade. Many bakers 
in t’nis city feel very blue over the outlook. 
One told me that he paid $20 for his last 
00-pound tub of butter, and 40 cents for 
eggs. Jlis trade is perhaps a little more 
critical than others in that vicinity, yet if 
he raised the retail prices many would buy 
at cheaper places and take goods that they 
would not accept from him. In addition 
to this he must continue a custom, which 
was the outgrowth of good times, of mak¬ 
ing “New Year’s cakes,” weighing upwards 
of two pounds, as gifts for all regular 
customers. 
Wool.—T he prices secured at recent 
London sales were a decided advance, and 
trade in this country is now feeling the 
effect in a stronger market and higher 
prices on some items. Just how long this 
will continue is uncertain, as mill men an¬ 
on willing to stock up heavily at the ad¬ 
vance until they find that the increased 
prices have backbone enough to stand 
pounding. The use of wool in clothing 
lias not. in the past 20 years, increased 
in proportion to the growth of population. 
In Hie matter of underwear, linen and spe¬ 
cial weaves of cotton have in many cases 
supplanted wool. Formerly a large per¬ 
centage of those living In the North wore 
flannel in Winter, at ieast, and many the 
year around. Now thousands of these peo¬ 
ple wear linen, lisle or other forms of 
cotton. This one item makes a material 
difference iu the market for raw wool. 
Butter.- —The steady increase in price 
is causing discussion as to the possibility 
of a butter trust being responsible for it:, 
and there is a report that the Government 
authorities are looking into the matter for 
possible violation of the Sherman Anti- 
Trust law. Whether any such definite un¬ 
derstanding exists among butter operators 
ns is found in the alleged criminal trusts 
may be doubted, but it is a fact that the 
essential bone and muscle elements which 
make certain business combinations in¬ 
tolerably hoggish and unjust exist in the 
butter and egg trade, made possible by 
unlimited opportunity for secret cold stor¬ 
age of these products. Let it be known 
whether a scarcity is actual or artificial, 
and the price will regulate itself on the 
only fair basis of actual supply and de¬ 
mand. Nominal reports of the quantities 
of butter and eggs in cold storage are 
made at intervals, but these reports are 
not believed to be anywhere near com¬ 
plete. w. w. H. 
Why Not Use Hubbard’s 
HE DID—AND WAS SATISFIED. 
Kant Taunton, Maes., Oct. 28, 1908. 
The Rookrh A HiinnARD Co., 
Mlddletnwn. Conn. 
Gentlemen :—It la very noticeable, aa well aa quit* pleaa- 
Iiir, to hear the good reports of Hubbard’* Fertilizers 
amongourtrade and to noletba gradual gain In cuatomera, 
route coming to ua for Hubbard’a Fertilizer* who do not 
generally trade with 11 a. Thlaaeema to come about through 
Hoeing cropa grow on Huhhard'a at nelghbora’ farm*. V.'e 
like to aell Huhhard'a Fertilizer*hecauao a ruatoiner la aure 
to come hack for more. Truly youra, 
J. J. O' Connor 
Huhhard'a Vertlllaer Almanac for 1909 now 
ready and will be lent free to any addrei*. 
THE ROGERS & HUBBARD CO., 
Makers of Hubbard’s Fertilizers. 
Miridletowu, Conn. 
ISBELL’S 
BELL BRAND 
CLOVER 
and other Farm Seeds are of 
the highest quality. We are in the great¬ 
est producing section in the World and j 
can quote 
HIGHEST QUALITIES AT RIGHT PRICES. 
State what you want to buy and ask for 
samples and prices. 
S. M. ISBELL «fc CO., Seedsmen, 
Box SI, Jackson, Mich. 
FOUNDATIONS OF 
AMERICAN GRAPE CULTURE. 
By T. V. MUNSON, Denison, Texas. 
Grandest and most valuable work on 
Grapes in the U. S. is now offered on 
subscriptions. Send for terms to 
T. V. M UNSOX SON, Publishers, 
Denison, Texas. 
A PRACTICAL OUTFIT for soldering tools 
and instructions, $1.50. EDW. FRANK, No. 12 
W. Otli Street, Oswego, N. Y. 
THE ENORMOUS YIELD of 50,000 quarts of 
» Strawberries now growing by my system on 
one acre. Send for CHART. 
KEVITT’S PLANT FARM, Atlienia, N. J. 
DIRECT from FACTORY at 
Wholesale Prices, Freight Paid 
We sell to you at the same price wo would aell to 
the dealer—pay the freight besides. Stove pol¬ 
ished. ready to set up, safe delivery insured. 
Then, after 
ONE YEAR'S TRIAL 
we refund your 
money if you are 
not satisfied. 
Gold Coin 
Stoves and Ranges 
standard for fifty 
years. 
Oar Illustrated 
8tove Book, 
free, tolls ali 
about stoves, 
drafts, chimneys, 
etc. Send for it. 
Gold Coin Stov© 60 . 
3 Oak St Troy.NY. 
If you arc in want of anything for 
ORCHARD, VINEYARD, LAWN, PARK, 
STREET, DARDEN OR GREENHOUSE 
why not putronize tho old, 
reliable, up-to-date S. & 
H. Co., who have made a 
specialty of dealing direct 
with planters for over hnlf 
n century? Seeds, Bulbs, 
ltoses. Vines, mail size 
Shrubs nnd Trees post¬ 
paid. Safe arrival and sat¬ 
isfaction guaranteed. Im¬ 
mense stor k of SUPERB 
CANNAS, the queen of 
bedding plants. Catalog 
No. 1, 112 pages, FREE to 
buyersof Erultand Orna¬ 
mental Trees. No. 2, 168 
pages, to buyers of Seeds, 
Bulbs, Roses, Ferns, 
Palms nnd green bouse 
ilants in general. Try us. Wo will give you 11 squure 
leal. 65 yours. 41 greenhouses. 1200 acreB. 
THE STORRS & HARRISON CO. 
BOX 183« PAINESVILLE, OHIO 
FASTEST JCE CUTTER 
Boats 50men with saws, and does it in 
most economic way. Our Red, White 
and Blue Ice Plow is the best, low- 
§ riced plow for 
utchers, dairy- fit ) . . tooth anc 
men, farmer* and hotel*. J ./ Swing Gllide. 
AMES PLOW CO., Dept.nf T- Ice Tool:i t all 
54 BOSTON, MASS. kinds, Catalog tret. 
Has 
patent 
clearing 
riu 
TO GROW A GOOD 
GARDEN 
good cultivation is absolutely neces¬ 
sary, but it can’t be done with i>oor 
tools. Here’s an Iron Age Tool 
especially made for garden work. It 
not only does good work, but it is 
easy to operate. The boys 
and girls cun do tho 
gardening and pro¬ 
duce big crops, if 
you’ll equ ip them 
with Iron Ago 
Tools. Send 
for our 
1908 cat¬ 
alog. 
CHAIN HANGING 
CATTLE STANCHION 
The Most Practical 
CATTLE FASTENER 
ever invented. 
Manufactured and for 
sale by 
O. H. ROBERTSON, 
Forestville, Conn. 
WARRINER’S h ^S,ng STANCHION 
I. B. Calvin, Vice-Pres¬ 
ident, State Dairy Asso¬ 
ciation, Kowanno, Ind., 
says; 
“I think them 
PERFECT.” 
Send for BOOKLET. 
W. B. CRUMB, 
73 Main Street. 
Forestville, Conn. 
TRYON STANCHIONS 
SIMPLB, DURABLE AND SAFE. 
A trial order will convince you that 
we havo a stanchion that combines 
the good qualities of all other makes, 
without tlie objectionable features 
of any of them. 
'Write for booklet. 
TRYON SPECIALTY CO., 
Le Roy - - New York. 
CALIFORNIA PRIVET 
Shade Trees, Spruce and Arbor Vita; Hedging, 
Cherry Trees a Specialty. Tkkks and Plants by 
Mail Postpaid will save you express costs. Send for 
our Catalogue, (It is Free), it will tell yon the rest 
JOS. H. BLACK, SON & CO., Hij;litstown, N. J. 
WE MAIL OUR CATALOGUE FREE. 
PRODUCTS, PRICES AND TRADE. 
Potatoes are arriving in liberal quan¬ 
tities from Europe, and the market is dull, 
with a disposition to shade prices In order 
to make sales. 
Tons of Toys. —Nuremburg, Germany, is 
noted for its manufacture of toys, which 
are shipped to various parts of the world, 
thousands of American small gii’ls and 
boys having shared in the Noah’s arks and 
other delights turned out by the artisans 
of the ancient city. A Ilamburg-American 
ship just arrived at New York brought 5,000 
tons of Nuremburg toys. No passengers 
were carried, the whole vessel being given 
up to the jumping-jack cargo. 
Eggs. —The prices are getting to be ex¬ 
treme. Strictly fresh gathered are very 
scarce, wholesaling above 50 cents. The 
conditions are particularly hard for bakers. 
They must have eggs, and have lo pay in 
the neighborhood of 40 cents for anythjr>>*. 
suitable, yet are unable to make a pro¬ 
portionate advance In the price of bakery 
The New Modern Litter Carrier 
is the greatest time and labor saver for bai 
•ns and stables—carries the manure away from 
buildings and one man can do the work quicker 
than two can without it. Figure out the sav¬ 
ing in dollars and cents this saving would 
mean to you in the course of one year—our 
carriers with ordinary care will last a lifetime. 
Once installed in your buildings you would 
not be without it for many times the cost. 
The “NEW MODERN” 
as the name implies, is the most practical and 
up-to-date carrier on the market. It has 
double trolley and double chain hoist, easy to 
operate and nothing to get out of order. We 
also make a special carrier for carrying 
ensilage from silo to stable. 
OUR “NEW MODERN” 
SWING CATTLE STANCHIONS 
with individual mangers, WATERING 
BASINS, PC to., are superior to all others. 
If you want anything for a modern dairy barn, 
write us. Illustrated circulars showing all 
flxtui’es Free. Write us today. Address 
GLOR BROTHERS & WILLIS MFG. CO., Box 19, Attica, New York. 
