1008 . 
THE RURAL 
NEW-YORKER 
SOS 
NOTES ON ALFALFA. 
The best Alfalfa field to my knowledge is 
owned by the LaPayette Stock Farm, and 
was formerly an old brickyard; 18 inches 
of the soil has been used in making brick, 
leaving a yellow clay subsoil which was 
manured and fitted for the seed. The best 
patches other than this have been on com¬ 
paratively new land that is never cropped, 
where old buildings lmve stood, or on ditch 
banks in the earth thrown out of the ditch. 
Is there anything in this uncropped soil 
to inoculate ground for Alfalfa? Let “S.” 
of Missouri, page 383, scrape off a part of 
the top soil of his upland and try it. 
Indiana. c. w. R. 
R. N.-Y.—The only way the soil could be 
“inoculated” would be to start in it the 
bacteria which develop on the roots of Al¬ 
falfa. They might come on the seed and 
the soil might be so well fitted and the 
conditions so near right that the Alfalfa 
would succeed. Certainly wherever an old 
building, a stone wall or anything else that 
covers the ground has stood you will find 
rich soil. 
Your remarks about your Alfalfa crop 
and your experience leads me to report on 
the Iowa experiment. Our Winter was one 
of the open freeze-and-thaw kind; no very 
extreme cold for this section, neither any 
snow to amount to much. But the Alfalfa 
is right there. And while I bad formed 
some gloomy forebodings from my last trip 
in the Fall, and from what some who never 
saw a field of Alfalfa told me of its pros¬ 
pects, they are all dissipated by what 
shows up this Spring. The crop on the 
high clay ground is certainly fine. While 
not a perfect stand, yet it has almost taken 
all the ground. It stands to-day near 20 
inches high with occasional patches still 
better, and in the best patches as thick as 
the proverbial hair on a dog’s back. Mr. 
Seymour, who owns the farm and was born 
and always lived there, now 50 years, is 
very highly pleased. He said: “I am 
satisfied so far. I got at least a ton of 
good hay per acre last year, the first sea¬ 
son, and a month’s good pasture. That 
is all one could expect here from Timothy 
and clover.” Now I think the first cutting 
will go a good deal better than a ton to 
the acre. If it improves this year as it 
has the past year I shall continue to ex¬ 
tend the area. As to the lowland piece, 
which was sown last August on land that 
has received the wash from the barnyards 
for 40 years, the stand is reasonably good, 
the growth now about 12 inches, but wo 
have had an excess of rains and cold 
weather the past 30 days; May 20, and 
corn planting just beginning. If Mr. Sey¬ 
mour’s Alfalfa will withstand one of the 
old-fashioned Winters, 30 below and five 
feet of frost, it will be a winner. 
•Clinton, Iowa M. p. w. 
The fine four-acre field of Alfalfa, of 
which I wrote to you last October, did not 
look quite as promising as expected this 
Spring. In spite of a good covering of 
well-rotted horse manure, applied during 
last December, about 30 per cent of the 
plants were heaved out by the frost. On 
April 15 the field looked like a failure 
and my foreman informed me he wished I 
had sown this land to Timothy and clover. 
Unknown to him, I disked the field severely, 
setting the harrow at a light angle and 
applied to the acre 500 pounds of fine 
ground bone, muriate of potash and nitrate 
of soda, which mixture analyzed phosphoric 
acid, 9.5 per cent; potash, 11 per cent, and 
nitrogen, 3 per cent. A week after the 
foreman was a very much surprised man 
when he visited the Alfalfa failure; it sim¬ 
ply grew and has grown ever since. May 
20 it stood 14 inches high, and with the 
exception of a few spots, which are still 
thin, represents a fine even stand. Alfalfa, 
it seems, likes to have its back scratched. 
I sowed a little more seed, about five 
pounds to the acre, after disking, which 
has sprouted nicely and will probably im¬ 
prove the stand some more. The field will 
be disked and some more seed sown when 
the first crop is off. We all feared the 
disk harrow would surely exterminate the 
Alfalfa, and I expected a few days later to 
find it ruined; anyway it looked down and 
out when we were through with the har¬ 
rowing, but it seems to be game to the 
core. Disking is what was needed to loosen 
the soil around the plants, incidentally kill¬ 
ing some weeds, but not the Alfalfa, whose 
roots were deep enough in the soil. 
Rockland Co., N. Y. h. h. l. 
As to the question of the man from 
Missouri, on page 383, I can tell what I 
have seen and what I think on the subject 
of Alfalfa. I have seen it grow on the 
deserts of New Mexico when irrigated. I 
have seen it grow on the salt spots of 
Oklahoma, where there is so much salt 
nothing else will grow. I have seen it grow 
upon alluvial soils as rich as there are on 
this earth. I have seen it grow on the 
roadbed of the Santa Fe Railroad, where 
there were 18 inches of limestone ballast. 
I have seen it grow in West Virginia in 
pure marl beside a limestone rock on a hill¬ 
side. I have seen it grow there in soil 
only a few inches thick on top of the lime¬ 
stone. I sowed such a piece several years 
ago in Pocahontas County, W. Va., and I 
have recently heard that it is growing 
vigorously now. So I conclude, first, that 
lime and plenty of it is essential; second, 
that an excess of mineral over organic mat¬ 
ter is beneficial; third, that an excessive 
amount of salt is not detrimental. I think 
the salt marshes when drained, if they have 
plenty of lime, would grow Alfalfa. There 
is nothing in having a loose, light soil. 
Many of the gumbo soils of the Southwest 
on which it succeeds are tighter. and 
closer than any soils of the North or 
East. After you have the proper soil the 
only question bf the amount you can raise 
per acre is how much water you have. In 
all soils the plant does better after the 
roots penetrate the subsoil far below all 
vegetation. M. a. dunlap. 
Oklahoma. 
TALKS WITH A LAWYER. 
Drainage From Road. 
The highway authorities have cut a deep 
ditch from the road on to my property, 
causing me inconvenience. Can I make 
them cover or bridge the ditch? c. j. J. 
New York. 
The roadway is your property and yoiu 
must take the surface water from it as 
from the rest of your place. If you do not 
provide sufficient ditches the highway com¬ 
missioner may have it done. Of course 
they must cause you as little injury as 
possible. We suggest that you confer with 
them and request them to cover the ditch. 
Husband’s Interest in Wife’s Property. 
A husband and wife are partners in 
business. At the death of the wife she 
bequeathes all of her property to a grand 
child. What right has the husband in the 
matter? E. b. 
New York. 
The husband has a partnership interest 
in the business and the partnership prop¬ 
erty but he has no right in her personal or 
real property, as she has willed that to tne 
grandchild. The rights of a married 
woman have been extended until she has all 
the property rights of a single woman. 
Right of Way Across Private Property. 
iSome of my neighbors cross my land fre¬ 
quently. Will this make it a private way? 
New York. a. r. t. 
There is no danger of it becoming a pri¬ 
vate way, as that requires the consent of 
the owner. But your neighbors may ac¬ 
quire an easement or right of way after 
using it openly for 20 years. If anyone 
has been crossing your land for many years 
you should assert your authority and stop 
them occasionally, put up a sign forbidding 
trespassers, or charge them a nominal sum 
for the use of the way. If once a right of 
way is secured it will last as long as it is 
used. 
Removal of Division Fence. 
A neighbor has torn down a hedge di¬ 
vision fence on the promise to build an¬ 
other fence. lie refuses to put up another 
fence now. What should I do? o. p. w. 
New York. 
If you have proof of the conversation 
you can sue him for breach of contract, 
and recover for all the damage caused to 
you. Another method would be to send him 
a written demand to erect a suitable fence 
according to his agreement. If he does 
not do it call in the fence viewers, who will 
report as to the facts they find, and then 
build the division fence according to their 
report. You should send a written demand 
to your neighbor, keeping a copy of the 
letter. 
Tenant’s Right in Wire Fence. 
I have erected a woven wire fence on 
the place I rent. In leaving am I at lib¬ 
erty to take down the wire and pull up the 
posts? K. H. H. 
Connecticut. 
You may remove these things, as their 
removal will not injure the property you 
rent. Tenants are allowed great latitude 
in removing the improvements they erect; 
this is to encourage thrift and progress. 
The rule is otherwise when you sell the 
place; then you must not remove anything 
affixed to the realty. It is wise to get the 
consent of the owner before a tenant erects 
any improvements, so that he will agree 
that same may be removed at the end of 
the tenancy. 
Return Packages. 
I ship many fruit packages bearing my 
name and address. Some of these have 
been returned to other shippers. Can I 
claim them? The dealer has agreed to re¬ 
turn all empties to me. h. m. c. 
Pennsylvania. 
In the absence of a contract custom con¬ 
trols as to the ownership of the empties, 
but as there was an agreement with the 
dealer you are the owner of all packages 
and can claim them. When the packages 
are marked with name, address with direc¬ 
tions “to return to” shipper, then the world 
has notice that you still retain title. It 
will dispel many doubts if shippers would 
stamp or mark all packages “Property of 
A. B.” and at the same time instruct the 
dealer that you still own the packages, 
which must be returned to you. 
Orphans Claim to Pension. 
A soldier died, leaving a child. Has this 
child any claim for the pension formerly 
paid to the deceased father? w. m. w. 
Michigan. 
No; pensions paid by the Federal Gov¬ 
ernment are personal gifts, and do not con¬ 
tinue to the widow or child except under 
special acts. 
Scaly Legs in Fowls. 
Will coal or gas tar cure scaly leg in 
chickens ? I have tried kerosene and kero¬ 
sene and lard, but it does not seem to cure 
D. H. S. 
Cogan Sta., Pa. 
I do not think coal or gas tar would 
penetrate deep enough to reach the mites 
that burrow under the scales on the hens’ 
legs, and it would certainly cause a most 
unsightly appearance of the fowls. Kero¬ 
sene and linseed oil mixed is very good, as 
the linseed oil is healing and modifies the 
blistering effect of kerosene when applied 
alone. The failure of kerosene to cure is 
frequently due to the fact that the roosts, 
nests and sometimes floors also are more or 
less infested with the insects that cause 
the scaly legs; and as the kerosene evap¬ 
orates and is gone a new crop of mites get 
on the legs. There is a great difference 
In fowls about being susceptible to that 
trouble; the scales on the legs of some 
seeming to lie so close that the mites can¬ 
not get under the scales, as their legs will 
remain smooth, although running every $ay 
with badly affected birds. If the legs are 
dipped in the kerosene and linseed oil every 
few days for a month and roosts and sup¬ 
ports painted with the same, nests cleaned 
out and whitewashed, I think the mites can 
be got rid of, but doubt if it is possible ever 
to get good smooth legs on very bad cases 
of scaly legs. geo. a. cosgrove. 
Roof 
That Is a Roof 
A roof that gives only half the 
service that a roof should is only 
half a roof. REX Roofing makes 
the roof that is a roof. REX gives 
full service and full protection. It 
keeps out wet and dampness, it 
protects stock from extremes of 
temperature, wind cannot pene¬ 
trate it or blow it off. Falling 
sparks or firebrands do not ignite 
it. It will not rot, melt, crack, 
peel, blister or curl, and withal 
REX 
FLINTKOTE 
ROOFING 
has the greatest durability—be¬ 
cause it is made honest all through. 
Its quality is in its body as well as 
in the surface coating—it is made 
of dense long-fibred felt. Any farm¬ 
hand can lay REX Roofing—every¬ 
thing needed but the hammer 
comes in the roll. 
I 
ISalf Is 
[One! Hina] 
«Feed is an¬ 
other. Don’t 
Animals do 
better when they get 
when the taste 
craves it. Place 
Compressed Pure-Salt Bricks 
In their reach with our Patent Feeders. 
It’s notan expensive way and they get 
the purest refined dairy salt—always 
just as they want it. That pays. Deal- 
| era Bell it. Write us for booklet. 
Belmont Stable Supply Co., 
Patentees & Mfrs. Sta. C, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
R oss . 
SILO FILLING MACHINERY 
Witt BLOWER and Travelino FEED TABU 
OUR 
RECORD 
58 YEARS 
Our oatalog shows 
the most complete) 
line of Silo Filling Machin 
ery on the market. WE 
GOODS to be the best. We 
chines themselves. Give us a 
ROSS 
ma- 
THE E. W. KOS8 CO., Box 13 Springfield, O. 
Largeat manufacturer* of Ensilage Machinery in the 
world. Wa mafca ROSS SILOS and MANURE SPREADERS. 
Write for Book and 
Samples—Free 
Make the fire test, try its strength, note 
its pliability; and when you go to your 
dealer’s, be sure you are given the “ Look 
for the Boy” trade-mark kind. 
J. A. & W. BIRD & CO. 
70 India Street, Boston, Mass. 
Agents everywhere. 
* 
THE BEST IS THE CHEAPEST 
Why buy an inferior 
STANCHION 
when you can get the 
McGUIRE. 
It has the BEST points 
of all, and the weak 
points of none. Sen’d 
for illustrated circular 
mentioning this paper. 
LANOON A. CREEN, Manufacturer, Ogdensburg, N. Y. 
BALES'VSay hay 
—often 18 and 20 tons. Such wonderful records 
are possible because our Gem Full Circle Steel 
Baler has a large feed opening, automatic 
brake device, small trip lever and long pitman 
travel. Either two or three stroke, and self¬ 
feed if desired. We will save you $25 or more 
in first cost and much more every year in 
repairs. Drop us a postal for prices and a 
free copy of our “Baler Book.” 
6 l ° Ertel^i^'Co.. Quincy. III. 
‘ANDWIGH BELT POWER PRESS 
Capacity 2 to 4 Tons Per Hour. ^ 
Eight horse gasoline or steam power runs largest size to full capacity, while many 
customers are using smaller power. Equipped with Block 
Dropper which Is safe and sure In operation. Simple 
and effective Self Feeder, easy and fast to serve 
and one which handles large or small Chartres. A 
Simple, Solid, Buslnessllka Outfit. A Monoy-Makor. 
It is not made up of a maze of gears, tangle of shafts 
and friction clutches. Uses no balance wheel, does 
not need any. Motions slow and powerful, no rapid 
or jerky movements. Wood or Steel Mountings. 
Lever Brake. Lined throughout with heavy sheet 
steel. Don’t fail to write today for our 64 page cata¬ 
logue , mailed free on application. Address, 
Wa make 
hersa paw«r 
presses tea. 
SANDWICH MANUFACTURING CO„ 157 Main Street, SANDWICH, ILLINOIS. 
Every Farmer Should Have His Own Thresher 
“Little Giant" Thresher runs with light power and will clean all kinds of grain— I 
wheat, rye, oats, rice, flax, barley, kaffir corn and grass seeds. Attachment* for 
threshing cow peas and Tor “pulling" peanuts. Made in three sizes—for 3, 6 and 8 
H. P. Gasoline Engine. Any power can be used. We also make Lovel-Tread Powers, 
Feed and E nsila ge Cutters, Saw Machines, etc. Send far FREE catalogue. 
HEEBXER dfs SONS, 22 Broad St., Lanadale, Pa. 
WATER SYSTEMS 
AND PUMPING PLANTS 
Pneumatic or Direct 
Ideal Systems for Country Homes, Factories, Public Buildings, 
not connected with City Pressure, operated with 
ABENAQUE 
GAS OR GASOLINE ENGINES 
Write For Catalogue ■•O” 
ABENAQUE MACHINE WORKS 
Bost “ n 77 o*ber street Westminster Station, Vi. 
