1008. 
THE RURATj NEW'VORKKPt 
i-i.xr; 
Hope Farm Notes 
Ale Sorts.—A long-drawn-out March 
wind has been the feature of the past 
week. The mercury did not try to hide 
in the bulb, but the north wind was 
fierce and held up most of our work. 
We could not spread fertilizer even with 
the drill. Plowing is not satisfactory 
in such a wind, as the soil dries out 
quickly into clumps. I do not like to 
plant young trees in such a gale. The 
wind showed us the weakest point in the* 
mulch system. Our folks were at din¬ 
ner when they suddenly saw a cloud 
of. smoke rising behind the hill. That 
meant fire in the woods, and all knew 
the danger to our mulched orchards. 
Mother is a good hand in an emergency, 
and she sent her army out against the 
enemy at once. The leaves and mulch 
were as dry as powder. The fire was in 
five different sections at once and in 
spite of all our fighters could do it swept 
through three orchards. Last Fall I sent 
the boys to bank up the trees; that is, 
throw a mound of earth around them. 
They threw about three times as much 
as I intended, hut by doing so they 
saved the trees, as this kept the fire 
from the trunks. Where they were not 
mulched in this way, or plowed, T fear 
many trees arc killed, though I cannot 
be sure of that until they start out. T 
have thought trees and vines killed 
before now only to have them come out 
later in good condition. Our folks got 
the fire out at last, but this shows us 
the danger point of mulch. Like the 
man who locked the stable door after his 
horse was stolen (in order to save the 
other horses) we are plowing several 
furrows around each orchard, and shall 
now keep a mound of clean soil or 
coal ashes around each tree. This fire 
damage must, however, be recognized 
and guarded against. . . . Our first 
plowing was done April 7—in a sod 
orchard where the seeding has run out. 
This is an orchard of mixed peaches 
and apple. We plow so as to leave a 
strip of sod about four feet wide along 
each row. The grass which grows on 
this will he cut and put around the trees. 
In the middles we shall plant our flint 
corn and give it good culture—seeding 
to Crimson clover and turnips in 
August. This method of culture pre¬ 
vents washing on the hillside, gives us 
at least two good corn crops and then 
leaves the ground in good shape for re¬ 
seeding. . . . The oats and peas 
were seeded April 5—at least the peas 
were. They were put in the old high¬ 
headed orchard near the barn. There 
was a big pile of brush and trimmings 
there. T got up early with the hoys 
and started a fire in the brush pile. The 
hoys kept it going. They had a base¬ 
ball, and practiced throwing a few 
curves while the fire was burning. T 
broadcast the peas, sowing them evenly 
all over the ground. The little girls 
came out to see the first real farm 
work of the year, and half a dozen cats 
chased after them. Peter, the pony, 
came out of his box stall and rolled in 
happiness over the moist soil. It was 
quite a family party. After breakfast 
Philip hitched Bob and Jerry to the 
right-lap Cutaway and proceeded to 
chop those peas under. The disks were 
set so as to dig from three to four 
inches deep, and the Cutaway ran the 
long way of the orchard. When the 
peas were covered the oats were seeded 
on top and covered with an Acme run 
across the. track of the Cutaway. Now 
let’s see what follows. T want to cut 
these oats and peas in July, chop up the 
stubble at once and sow Japanese millet. 
If the apple crop is good T shall cut 
out the millet and turn the hogs in to 
clean the oat and pea leavings, and eat 
the fallen fruit, following with rye in 
the Fall. . . . Several people have 
warned me against trying Kevitt’s plan 
of close culture with strawberries on 
that old blackberry patch. As several 
of them are older than T am, T will take 
their advice, put potatoes on that field 
and put the strawberries in another 
place. T shall also modify the plan 
somewhat by giving the plants a little 
more space. Instead of one foot each 
way T will put them 18x12 inches. That 
gives us a better chance to fight the 
weeds. 
“The Tramp."— The following state¬ 
ment is from one of my neighbors: 
On page 310 the Hope Farm man tells 
Hie story of the prodigal son who called at 
his house in January, lie says “ho may 
have been a faker—if so, he was a master 
at it." That Is what f have been wonder¬ 
ing about for some time, and now I am 
sure of it. We live In the same section, 
hut nearer thb railroad. The young man 
• nlh'd on us, and told the same plausible 
story in every particular, except that his 
home was in Madison Co., instead of Col¬ 
umbia Co. He said it would take about 
• i to get home. We could not spare that 
amount but gave him a dollar, and hi* was 
very particular to take my name and ad¬ 
dress so that he could return the money. 
I sent him to our minister, telling him 
that he was acquainted in New York State 
and that through him he might get the 
names of some people who could help him 
to get home. lie never went to the minis¬ 
ter. When I spoke to the latter about it 
he said that about two years ago he gave 
.$3.75 to a young man on hearing the same 
story, only to find afterward that there was 
no such name at the address given. This 
is another fake for people to look out for, 
and the worst of it is that if a worthy man 
should really need help now In this section 
he would have a hard time to get it. 
G. E. 
We shall have to put this fellow clown 
as a faker. Even the children now give 
him up. I have no doubt this slick ras¬ 
cal took $25 out of this section. Some 
day a deserving man in real trouble will 
come along and suffer for the sins of 
this one. 1 have no doubt lie has men¬ 
tioned every county in New York State 
by this time. This mail is all the more 
dangerous because he is such a plausi¬ 
ble rascal, and can make such an appeal 
to tender hearts. I have no doubt he 
could go into a Sunday school, make his 
talk, pass around the hat and carry off 
a good load of hard-earned coin. Look 
out for him, but do not turn everyone 
with this story down. You may miss 
the chance of helping a real prodigal 
on his way, and you cannot walk in a 
better path than such people travel. 
Wisdom Wanted. —Here are three 
questions out of the ordinary: 
I’loaso answer me the following interroga¬ 
tions : Why is the first of April counted 
a day for fools? Why is the Statue of 
Liberty a woman and not a man? What 
is the meaning of saying “God bless you,’’ 
when anybody sneezes? l. c. 
Some of my friends give me a chance 
to appear as a wise man by answering: 
The custom associating April 1 with 
practical jokes is regarded as a survival 
of the ancient heathen revelry associated 
with the beginning of Spring. The custom 
extends all over Hu rope; in France the 
person fooled is called an April tlsh (pois- 
son d’Avril), and in Scotland an April 
gowk (cuckoo). The Hindus played simi¬ 
lar jokes on March 31, at their Hull fes¬ 
tival. 
The Romans had what they called a 
“feast of fools,” probably on March 25, 
which used to be New Year’s day. Thus 
the people who spend their time trying 
to make others ridiculous are doing the 
things which others have done for cen¬ 
turies before them. 
As for the third question, the fol¬ 
lowing answer is given me: 
The custom of blessing a person who 
sneezes is said to be a survival from mc- 
diteval times, when some forms of the 
"plague,” so-called, were preceded by chill 
and sneezing. The person sneezing was 
thus regarded as already marked for death, 
and the blessing was given to avert the 
omen. 
As for the sex of the Statue of Lib¬ 
erty, I have heard various opinions ex¬ 
pressed. One good lady who believes in 
woman suffrage says it is a sarcasm, 
because women have never had half of 
the liberty they are entitled to. She says 
that from earliest times woman has 
been nothing but the slave of man, 
either conquered by brute force or 
wheedled by flattery and handsome pres¬ 
ents. On the other hand, an old bach¬ 
elor tells me that woman has always had 
far more liberty than she deserves. ITe 
says that she has bossed and driven man 
in all ages. In fact, he makes man out 
to he a very sorry sort of a slave—led 
by an apron string. You may take your 
choice of these extremes. My own idea 
is that poets, artists and sculptors who 
leave the ideals of history in enduring 
form look to some woman (with whom 
perhaps they are not fully acquainted) 
as the highest conception of nobility and 
virtue. They know that from their very 
nature and from the work they must 
do men falter and swerve, while the 
faith, courage and hope of an inspired 
woman endure forever. You would not 
think of putting up a soldier as the em¬ 
blem of liberty. True, he may have 
driven out the powers of oppression at 
the end of his bloody sword, but some¬ 
thing greater than brute force will be 
required to hold that liberty for the peo¬ 
ple. Except for the ideal which covers 
it a statue has no more sentiment than 
a hitching post. How many men do 
you know who can stand up in the 
glare of a searchlight and show ideals 
that are.not shopworn? H. w. c. 
USE 
Averill Paint 
AND SAVE 50% 
IT lasts more than twice as long as most 
1 paints. This means a positive saving of 
one-half on your bill. 
AVERILL PA TNT lias stood the test of 
+1 years of extensive successful use on 
houses small and large. It is ready for 
use.easil.v applied, and dries with a beauti¬ 
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write fot card of beautiful shades and 
prices direct. 
AVERILL PAINT CO., 240 Plymouth St., Brooklyn, N.Y. 
MANUFACTURERS. ESTABLISHED 1866. 
For Abundant Crops 
p with a generous supply of Potash in the 
fertilizer at the 
RING 
WANTING 
Crops cannot thrive in the most care¬ 
fully prepared soil, even with the most 
skilful planting, unless supplied with 
the necessary plant-food. 
POTASH 
is absolutely necessary to plant growth. 
“Plant Food” is the title of a hook which we publish and mail free to farmers. 
It is not an advertising pamphlet, but a book which every farmer should have. 
GERMAN KALI WORKS 
New York—93 Nassau Street Chicago—Monadnock Building 
Atlanta, Ga.—1224 Candler Building 
ALL-STEEL TEDDER 
I If you raise hay you neod a Tedder. It shortens the 
time between cutting and housing—which often 
means it saves the crop. Tedded bay is always 
worth more on the market and for feeding than uh- 
Itedded hay: also the saving in the item of help la 
worth considering in theso days of searco and ex¬ 
pensive help. 
The Walter A W ood All-Steel Tedder is 
substantially built and braced, nicely balanced, 
equipped with cushion springs, fitted with 
roller hearings, provided with convenient 
lovers for t hrowing in and out of gear and 
tor regulating height of forks. It is 
smoothly running, easy riding, long 
lasting machine. Without a 'Tedder 
you are losing money on your tiay 
—think that over, then write for 
catalog describing our Tedder 
and you’ll see how it will sav 
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Don’t buy a Tedder or a 
Hay Bake until you know 
all the good features 
of the Walter A.Wood 
machines. 
m 
HAY 
RAKES 
can be depended upon 
for good, clean work and 
lots of it. They clean up 
the field thoroughly and 
quickly and ean be managed 
by anyone who can drive a 
horse. Our rakes are substan¬ 
tially constructed for the most 
part of angle steel; the tooth-hold¬ 
ers, however, aro malleable iron 
and the axles cold-rolled steel. Teeth 
aro made by a special process and se¬ 
verely tested before sending out. Wheels 
have easily renewed three-piece hubs. If 
the hub wears out you need only a new hub— 
not an entire wheel. A slight pressure on the 
root-lever and the teeth raise until the releasing 
adjustment allows them to return to the ground. 
The position of the teeth and their return to tho 
WALTER A. WOOD MOWING & REAPING MACHINE CO. 
Hooslck Falls. N. Y 
The World’s Oldest and Largest Independent Concern 
. .. i iw i i m—n i i i .nfc y 
A. Weed Exterminator 
Every farmer needs this tool. Cuts up every little 
g rowing weed. Works in stiff soil or mellow. 
;eeps ground level, tine and clean. 
Shallow cultivation is right cultivation. Pre¬ 
vents heavy rains washing off fertility— saves 
moisture for plant growth. The 
KEYSTONE WEEDER 
and Shallow Cultivator 
is the best paying tool a farmer can use. Works 
4 to 8 rows (leave shovels off teeth which run over 
rows) and thoroughly stirs the soil. Write for 
book of actual scenes, showing use with all hinds 
of crops. 
KEYSTONE FARM MACHINE CO., 
1202 North Beaver St., York, Pa. 
This cut shows 7J foot weeder for one 
horse: we make 12 foot size for two. 
Biding sulky and grass seeder 
attachments for both sizes. 
Page Fence Protects Stock 
Your stock Is secure behind a Page Fence. The 
cross bars in every Page Fence are continuous 
and closely woven around every horizontal strand. 
The bars can’t come off or spread apart. Page 
Fence saves you money—requires few posts and 
staples. Before you buy your fence, learn more 
about a Page. Send for catalog and folder. 
PAGE WOVEN WIRE FENCE CO., Box 718, ADRIAN. MICH. 
PREVENT ROT 
Doubles the life of fence posts, porches, tanks, 
sills, etc. Prevents warping of shingles. Use 
AY ENA It I US UARBOLINEIIM 
Endorsed by the U. S. Department of Agriculture. 
On the market since 1875. Booklet Free. 
Surest Remedy Against Chicken Lice and Mites. 
Carbolinenm Wood Preserving Company 
351 West Broadway, New York, N. Y. 
better work 
LESS LABOR 
Two things much desired by every 
farmer. Two things you’re sure 
to get in Iron Age Imple 
ineuts. For over 70 years they 
have been recognized tho load- 
ers because they do bet- ^ /I 
ter work, doit easier, 
do more of it, and Sr, 
thus nave hired ***** HO{ 
help. ExceP' 
tionally well 
made — dur¬ 
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No. 6Com- .V'Vv 1 
b i n e d 
Double YVMx 
and 
Siu- 
Wh 3 e 
doe, Hill anc 
Drill Seeder 
shown here 
Is the mosi 
complett 
tool made. 1901 
catalog free. 
BATEMAN MFQ.CO 
Box 102G 
Grenioch, N. J 
Fertilizer Sower 
Handles All 
Commercial 
Fertilizers 
•wet or dry, 
coarse or lino. 
Positive teed, no 
choking, no 
skips. 
Broadcast 
•dressing 
or Drilling 
In Hows. 
Spreads to 
width of 6 ft. 
10 Inches, ZOO 
to 4000 lbs. per 
LOW—EA3BEST TO LOAD 
H Broad tires, no rutting. Quick changes from drill¬ 
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descriptive circulars and testimonials. 
Special Largo Size, Sows 8 Feet 3 Inches Wide. 
BELCHER & TAYLOR A. T. CO.. 
Box 75. Chicopee Fails, Mass. 
