H84 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
April 
Ruralisms 
The San Jose Scale War is waged 
with greater vigor and higher hopes 
this Spring than ever before. The 
demonstrated efficiency, within the last 
few years, of the lime-sulphur washes 
and the new soluble oils has greatly en¬ 
couraged fruit growers. Hitherto 
neglected orchards are being pruned 
and sprayed, and those previously bet¬ 
ter cared for are getting the most thor¬ 
ough treatment of their existence. 
Fruitmen now think that with diligence 
the pest may he controlled, and better 
crops grown than ever. For the first 
time in a generation the ordinary New 
Jersey apple orchard is considered a 
commercial asset rather than a mere 
home convenience for the farmer. Last 
season’s crop sold readily, the finer 
grades being largely shipped abroad, or 
to distant consumers. It was generally 
handled by the growers, comparatively 
few lots having been packed by the 
buyers. Home apple culture has re¬ 
ceived an impetus that will scarcely de¬ 
cline with a season or two of lower 
prices. Pear growers had a bad year, 
but hope to recoup their losses with the 
next full crop. The peach industry is 
on a less satisfactory basis. The trees 
are so sensitive to scale that constant 
attention is needed from planting to full 
fruition. It is generally doubted that 
trees will endure annual or semi-annual 
applications of oil even in the form of 
the convenient and efficient commercial 
emulsions, and the lime-sulphur com¬ 
binations are to many so troublesome to 
prepare and disagreeable to apply that 
only those equipped to handle them on 
a considerable scale are likely to per¬ 
sist in their use. Their undoubted 
economy, harmlessness and their valu¬ 
able fungicidal properties, in addition 
to the scale-controlling function, are 
strong inducements for extensive opera¬ 
tors, but casual growers are inclined to 
delay planting until the effects of re¬ 
peated applications of the handy soluble 
oils on young trees have been better 
worked out. Plum growing is on the 
decline. The Japan varieties have been 
so poorly received in market and the 
trees are generally so short-lived and 
subject to fungus and insect troubles 
that planting has about ceased. There 
is need for many more Bartlett and 
other European pears. Good Bartletts 
are about the highest priced of domes¬ 
tic fruits. Though readily attacked by 
scale, the trees endure the oily applica¬ 
tions well, and have been little troubled 
by blight for several years. Where soil 
and location are suitable and good nur¬ 
sery trees are to be had, Bartlett cul¬ 
ture appears to offer an inviting field. 
Care of Dahlias. —Please inform me 
liow to handle Dahlias so as to get the 
host results. Also name a few of the best 
varieties of the cactus and other classes. 
Berkeley, Cal. w. H. P. 
The garden Dahlias are descended 
from species native to the hilly regions 
of Central Mexico, where hot bright 
days are succeeded by cool nights. 
Though the plants grow vigorously 
during the hot weather of our North¬ 
ern Summers, and may be started early 
enough under protection to begin flow¬ 
ering in July, they seldom produce per¬ 
fect blooms until the nights grow long 
and cool. Late September and early 
October are the periods in normally 
mild Autumns that Dahlia blooms arc 
best and most abundant, so there is 
little need of planting before late May. 
Plants that come early into flower are 
quickly exhausted, and the resting 
period that follows docs not usually 
end until danger of killing frost is near 
at hand. 
Dahlias for planting are offered in 
three forms; rooted cuttings, pot-grown 
tubers and divided field-grown tubers. 
The planting of clumps of tubers with¬ 
out division is never recommended, as 
the result is usually imposing masses 
of foliage but few and inferior blooms. 
All the above forms have their advo¬ 
cates, and blooms of the highest grades 
are certainly grown from each. In our 
own experience, which is far from ex¬ 
tensive, best results have been attained 
with pot-grown tubers, there appearing 
greater sustained vigor of growth dur¬ 
ing the entire season than with either 
cuttings or field tubers. 
The Soil should be deep, moist and 
thoroughly enriched with fine old 
manure. Peruvian guano and wood 
ashes in moderation are also excellent 
fertilizers. In their absence bone flour, 
muriate of potash or a standard potato 
fertilizer may be used to advantage. 
These chemicals should be very thor¬ 
oughly mixed in the soil before plant¬ 
ing, or afterward applied as top-dress¬ 
ings at some distance from the fleshy 
stems. They cannot replace animal 
manures with their cooling and mois¬ 
ture-retaining stores of humus, but 
greatly assist the plants in their rapid 
growth. Dahlias need considerable soil 
moisture and in dry climates like that 
of California this, as a matter of course, 
would be supplied by the usual means 
of artificial irrigation. As far as the 
blooms are concerned the less rain the 
better, though buds and foliage appear 
benefited by reasonably heavy dews. 
For best results in bloom and growth 
the plants should stand four or five feet 
apart each way and should be in¬ 
dividually supported by strong stakes, 
unless otherwise well protected from 
wind. Clean and frequent cultivation 
from time of planting until late Sum¬ 
mer, followed by generous mulches of 
litter or strawy manure, spread as far 
as the foliage extends, is practiced by 
the most successful growers. As the 
finest blooms are produced at the end 
of the season when frost is imminent it 
is often worth while to provide cover¬ 
ings on threatening nights for the 
choicest plants. The clumps need not 
be lifted until the tops are well black¬ 
ened by frost. The work should he 
done when possible in bright drying 
weather, but the adhering earth need 
not be removed. They winter best in 
cool dry cellars where frost does not 
enter. 
Varieties. —The question of varieties 
is largely a matter of personal taste. 
There are several classes with long 
lists of named varieties in each. New 
ones come out by the score each season. 
A few sorts are so excellent in their 
way and so well-liked by everybody that 
they deserve to be included in all col¬ 
lections. The most popular “cactus” 
Dahlias are possibly Kriemhilde, shell 
pink with creamy center; Winsome, 
pure white; Brunhilde, plum color; 
Flamingo, vermilion red; Prince of 
Orange, old gold, yellow shadings; 
Gloriosa, bright crimson; and Arachne, 
cream white edged with crimson. In 
the “show” or formal double type the 
following never have been excelled: 
A. D. Livoni, clear pink; Grand Duke 
Alexis, ivory white; Le Phare, flaming 
scarlet; Electric, rosy purple; Queen of 
Yellows, clear yellow, and Hero, dark 
crimson, tipped white. There are many 
claimants in the new broad-petallcd 
“decorative” type, but the following six 
varieties are universally admired: 
Sylvia, soft pink and white; Wm. 
Agnew, dazzling scarlet; Catherine 
Duer, deep red; Clifford W. Bruton, 
rich yellow; Nymphsea, blush pink, and 
Black Beauty, deep maroon. The most 
reliable single-flowered kinds appear to 
be Twentieth Century, rosy crimson 
tipped with white, coloring varies with 
season; Ami Bardlet, bright crimson, 
bronze foliage; Snow Queen, pure 
white; Wildfire, bright scarlet; Gold 
Standard, yellow, and Fashion, dark 
crimson. There are some good and use¬ 
ful dwarf or Pompon Dahlias: Sun¬ 
shine, scarlet, remarkably free in bloom. 
Little Beauty, pink, quilled petals, and 
Kleine Domitea, orange buff, are uni¬ 
versally liked. w. v. f. 
THE DEYO 
POWER SPRAYER 
Tt is protected from spray mixture. Our3-H.P. 
air-cooled engine can be easily detached and used 
where ever power is needed. Six years of success. 
Ask the user. Write for catalog 19. 
It. H. DEYO £) COMPANY., Binghamton, N. Y. 
Leggett’s Dusters 
DISTRIBUTE 
INSECTICIDES 
IN DUST FORM 
saves Fruit and Vegetable Crops when other 
methods Fail. 
NO WATER TO HAUL 
LEGGETT'S The CHAMPION 
rnAMDIHU lists two rows of pot.a- 
InAllirlUrt toes or tobaceo as fast 
nncTm as you can " alk - 
UUMfcK The BEETLE 
Potato Duster (Horse 
Power) dusts four rows. 
Illustrated Spray Calen¬ 
dar gives concise infor¬ 
mation with name of 
nearest agent. Vailed 
on request. 
LEGGETT & BROTHER, 301 Pearl St., New York. 
Farmers! You Should Spray 
Spraying is cheap but effective 
insurance against crop destruction — 
the best policy is a 
DEMING 
Sprayer 
Eighteen styles, built 
for hard service with 
brass working parts throughout— 
not affected by chemical action. 
Consult your own interests and 
investigate the “ Denting.” 
(Had to send our Ninelccn Eight 
catalogue and “ Expert Testi¬ 
mony ” on request. 
Til E DEM ING COM PANT 
615 Depot St., t*alem, Ohio. 
IT PAYS TO 
SPRAY 
The Iron Age Crow Rprayor 
gives perfect satisfaction. Ihits solu¬ 
tion just where needed and in fog¬ 
like mist. J’umpdeliversspray under 
high pressure, thus reaching every 
part of vine, effectually kill- ' 
ing bugsnnd preventing 
blight. Has Orchard 
Spraying attach¬ 
ment. Write for 
free Catalog 
illustrating 
Sprayer 
and 
other 
BATEMAN IYIFG. C0.,Box 102S Grenloch, N.J. 
THE PERFECTION SPRAYER 
Sprays Everything— trees, potatoes, etc. Furnished 
•omplete with Cart and Barrel. Combined hand and 
horse power. Don't buy until you get my catalogue, Free. 
THOMAS rKI’UJ.KK.HuibnllightStown.N.J. 
Nitrate of Soda 
NITRATE SOLD IN 
ORIGINAL BAGS 
The Nitrate Agencies 
Company 
64 Stone Street, New York 
Orders for All Quantities Promptly 
Filled-Write for Quotations 
fFYw 
Hat to the _ 
Tho only Glass Vnlvo Pump—never 
sticks —never fails —always reudv. 
Also HAY TOOLS, Burn Door 
Hangers, Hay Itaek ( lamps. 
Write today for Circulars and Prices. 
F.K.ytyers K Bro., 16 Orange St,, Ashland,(>. 
PUMPS 
For Rapid, Easy Spraying—The 
M AlltO-Pop” nozzle 
I Slight pressure on lever starts dense 
spray. Automatic shut-oif. Doubles ca¬ 
pacity. Saves solution, time, labor. 
INCREASE THE CROPS 
I by using the “Auto-Pop" nozzle 
the “Auto-Spray" pump. 
Write if you want agency. 
|E. C. Brown Co., SSJ.yst, Rochester, N. 
| HEAVIEST FENCE MADE | 
t All No. 9 Steel Wire. "Well galvanized. Weigh* j 
H more than most fences. 15 to 86c per rod, 
, delivered. Woscnd free sn in pie for inspection / 
uud test. Write for fence book of 133 Btylcs. 
Tho Brown Fence A; Wire Co. 
Cleveland, Ohio. 
THE SUPERIOR FENCE 
Made oi heavy gauge, 
Nol.S, 9 and in High Dur¬ 
ban Colled Spring 81 eel 
Wire, bound together with Su¬ 
perior bock, making (strong¬ 
est fence In existence. I’: ices 
low. Easy terms. Write for Free Catalog, 
THE SUPERIOR FENCE CO. 
Dept. I, Cleveland, Ohio 
A Good Eye 
for Fence 
can’t get away from the big steel 
wires, the strong splice, the lock¬ 
ing of stays and laterals, and 
the heavy galvanizing of 
Empire 
Fence. That's 
everything in 
the fence question but 
the price. And we’ve 
got that right, too. Sell 
direct from factory only, 
wholesale price. 
WE PAY THE FREIGHT 
We want the little orders; they lead to 
big ones. You need long lasting Empire 
Fence. Let’s get together. Address 
Bond Steel Post Co., Adrian, Midi. 
■m—— mi iwfnrr 
THE NIAGARA SPRAYER COMPANY, middleport, n. y. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 
The Niagara Gas Sprayer, 
Niagara Brand Lime&Sulphur Solution, 
Niagara Brand Ready Bordeaux, 
Niagara Brand Arsenate of Lead. 
The Power Sprayer without a pump. Is the cheapest in price, best in quality, sim¬ 
plest in operation, and with proper use would last a lifetime. Equipped witli aluminum 
fittings. "Best on earth.” The Niagara Brand Lime and Sulphur Solution which lias 
become so famous in killing Seale in Oregon, Washington, and California: no sediment: 
all ready for use. Write for circulars and price list of our complete line of sprayers and spraying materials. 
NIAGARA SPRAYER CO., Middleport, N. Y. 
Mr. Edwin C. Tyson, of Flora Dale, Pa., is agent for the State of Pcnna. for Niagara Gas Sprayers. 
This shows the result 
of using a 
HORSE POWER 
SPRAMOTOR 
oil potatoes in Forost- 
ville. Conn., and the 
testimonial of the user 
will speak for itself. 
Aug. 6tli, 1907. 
Df:au Sms: —Your ma¬ 
chine has given good satis¬ 
faction running at high 
pressure, and so simple any 
man who can run a harrow 
can run it. 
Jos. A. Fagan. 
Agents Wanted, 
Free Particulars Apply, 
E. H. HEARD, 
1211 Erie Street, Buffalo. N. Y. 
