1911. 
11 
Ruralisms 
LEAVES ON THE LAWN. 
F. TF. A., Louisville, Ky. —The grounds 
of my home to the extent of 28 acres are 
beautifully laid out in lawn and shrubbery, 
with border plantations containing between 
400 and 500 fine old forest trees of about 
every variety which will do well in this 
part of the country. Of course from such 
a number of large trees there is an im¬ 
mense leaf fall commencing (according to 
variety) in the Fall and lasting right up 
to Spring. For some years past I have 
been accustomed to have these leaves raked 
up three or four times during the Winter 
because the appearance of the grounds is 
improved by having the leaves raked up. 
The leaves are so much more easily raked 
up soon after they fall than they are in 
the Spring after lying on the ground all 
Winter under the snow and rain. My men 
have plenty of time during the Winter for 
that kind of work, whereas if - left until 
Spring it would be a very big job at a time 
when the men are busiest. I am of course 
aware that in raking up the leaves at all 
we are interfering with nature’s mbtbod 
of returning to the soil what the roots of 
the trees take out of it. Considering that 
the leaves will be raked up every season, 
does it matter whether the work is done 
In the Fall or Spring? In other words, 
would it bo of any particular benefit to 
the soil to allow the leaves to remain on 
the ground just during the Winter? Can 
you inform me what fertilizer is the best 
to use every year to take the place of the 
leaves which are raked up? 
Ans. —New-fallen forest leaves de¬ 
cay so slowly during cold weather that 
little can be gained, except in the way 
of protection of tender plants, by al¬ 
lowing them to lie until Spring. The 
gain in fertility by leaching is small in¬ 
deed compared to the convenience in 
getting litter off the lawn when labor 
is not otherwise busily employed. The 
removal of the leaves drains the fer¬ 
tility of the soil mainly in the actual 
potash and phosphorus taken away, as 
the nitrogen content is not high. An¬ 
nual dressings of fair grade potato or 
other complete chemical fertilizers at 
the rate of 200 pounds to the acre 
should more than restore the lost ele¬ 
ments. Leaves are often more useful 
for the ameliorating effect on the soil 
of the humus produced by their slow ' 
decay than for their actual fertilizing 
constituents, but humus may be main¬ 
tained in wooded lawns as well as in 
meadows by the decay of grass, herbace¬ 
ous plant roots and even tree rootlets, 
the growth of which can be stimulated 
by appropriate chemicals regularly ap¬ 
plied. ' w. v. F. 
THE RURAb NEW-VORKER 
Peach Growing in the Berkshire Hills. 
II. II., Massachusetts. —For several 
years I have tried to raise peaches in the 
Berkshire Ilills of western Massachusetts, 
but tlie trees do not thrive or die. What 
are the chief reasons for failure in that 
country ? 
Ans.— I have in mind two or three rea¬ 
sons for his failure. One is that it 
sounds like borers; another is that in 
that locality with an elevation of 1600 
feet the thermometer may register as 
low as 30 or 40 below bero, which would 
kill most varieties. Another is that in 
Otis and several of the other towns on 
the same elevatibn, the soil is very 
heavy and wet, and seems to be in the 
track of severe northwesters, which 
bring a low temperature after the buds 
have started in the Spring. This does 
not reach the locality where I am. I 
never have known peaches to succeed 
in that locality, but in the Housatonic 
and Green River valleys peaches do well, 
that is, the reasonably hardy kinds. 1 
have raised a few Stump-the-World, 
Crawford Early and Late, and Elbertas, 
and they have always done well;.have 
had Crawford trees 20 years old that 
have borne nearly every year for that 
time, which is a very good record. I 
had an Elberta tree this year five years 
old that gave me two bushels of the 
nnest of fruit, and took premium at the 
fair. I have not raised peaches very 
c xlensively, as they are not as sure a 
crop as apples, but call for more care. 
I would not advise anyone to make 
peach growing their only business in 
Berkshire County. r. henry race. 
Greenhouse Adjoining Dwelling. 
S. A 7 . D., West Hartford, Conn. —I desire 
to build a small greenhouse about 10x15 
feet adjoining my house, and have the same 
connected with the hot water heating ap¬ 
paratus of the house. As so situated it 
will be on the south side of the house. Do 
you recommend that I construct it of double 
thick glass instead of glass of single thick¬ 
ness, and do you further recommend that I 
build it with two layers of glass after the 
style of the ‘‘double glass sash"? If the 
latter, should the air space be closed or 
open so that there can be a circulation of 
air through it, and if not open at both ends, 
should it be open at one end so that the 
air will not become dead in the air space? 
How much of an air space should be al¬ 
lowed? Do you recommend double wood 
walls with four-inch air space between, and 
should this be open at the top or closed? 
What kind of wood should be used? What 
is the most economical size of glass to use? 
On a house 10 feet wide how much higher 
than the eaves should the ridge be? 
Ans.— There would be no necessity 
for using two layers of glass in glaz¬ 
ing such a greenhouse, especially when 
the house may be properly heated from 
the hot water apparatus. Double glaz¬ 
ing also has the disadvantage of collect¬ 
ing dirt between the two layers of glass, 
and thus obstructing the light to a 
greater or less extent. The most eco¬ 
nomical size of glass to use for the 
purpose is 10 x 15 inches, using it the 
15 -inch way between the glass strips. 
Double wooden walls closed at the top 
form the best protection from the 
weather, and the best wood to use for 
all parts of a greenhouse is cypress. On 
a house 10 feet wide the height to the 
bottom of the ridge should be seven 
feet, or allowing for walls three feet 
high, the ridge would be four feet above 
the eaves. Double thick glass is best. 
w. H. taplin. 
Twenty Ounce Apple in Kansas. —I saw 
your report of the Ilitchings Twenty Ounce 
apple; that is a good apple in western 
New York, but here it is not hardy in tree, 
and his sport may not be. One thing: 
here top-grafting a tree is never a success 
because after starting to grow they blight 
first at the graft, then the dead tissue 
continues down the tree till all is dead I 
tried it repeatedly, and others with the 
same result. On young trees one or two 
years in orchard it does well, but never 
much older. a. h. griesa. 
Kansas. 
SAVE 
50 % 
Of Your 
Calk Bills 
you buy Ring-Point Calks-the Improved 
Tool Steel Centers”—you are getting a calk that 
will wear twice as long as any other calk made. 
That means you can save Just half your calk 
money this winter. Avoid the old-fashioned wiro- 
g in center calks, whose centers drop out. Use 
ing-Points—their wedge-shape center of genuine 
tool steel is welded in and cannot fall out : making 
them genuine self-sharpening calks. 
Stop at once the useless expenditure of money 
for the old method of sharpening your horses’ 
shoes. You know how costly it is—how long it 
takes. You can do away with this expense and 
delay with - 
ROWE 
RING-POINT 
Read what one user of Rine-Points says: 
Wore Well Every Way. 
m ,, Nkw Albany, Pa., April 11. 
Ihk Rowr Calk Selling Co., Hartford, Conn. 
Hoar Sirs —1 he calks received from you proved very 
satisfactory. They wore well, the centers remaining 
snarp when the calks were worn nearly to the shoe, and 
the centers did not break on frozen ground and stones 
as they do in some calks. 1 consider them a superior 
article. Yours very truly, Uarkz H.Lyox. 
tio to your horseshoer for Ring-Points. Try one 
box at our risk. If they prove unsatisfactory you 
can have your money back by returning them 
with the label on the box and this ad. If your 
local man don’t handle them, y 
send us the name and address 
of your horseshoer, with the 
size and quantity you want and 
we will have you supplied at the 
regular price. 
Send for our great free book¬ 
let 300 Short Stories for Horse- 
shoers.” It will put you “calk 
wise.” Split samples of Ring- 
Points and wire centers will be 
sent to the first ten requests 
from each town. 
Horseshoers Protected 
Rowe Calk Selling Co. 
4703 Mechanic Street 
Hartiord, Conn. T in* 
S1 f 35 n a re n oil| S1 u“~? 2 I*' Hand,e , $1-85-Without Handle 
THE inFflf pBilMiwp c*X°pn ,rC n 1;,r ‘ Agents wanted. 
iHt IDEAL PRUNING SAW CO., Dept.-; M, Webster. N. Y. 
When you write advertisers mention The 
R. N.-Y. and you’ll get a quick reply and 
a square deal.” See guarantee page 12. 
San Jose 
Scale 
T HE growth of your orchard 
trees, the size of your fruit, its 
color, cleanliness and your 
profit, all are affected by this sap¬ 
sucking insect. If you permit this 
insect to multiply there is but one 
end—unsaleable fruit, if any, and the 
destruction of your orchards. 
SHERWIN-WILLIAMS 
LIME-SULFUR SOLUTION 
is a simple and economical remedy 
for this small, tough-skinned insect. 
It contains no sediment, does not 
crystallize as does the home-boiled 
solution when cold, retains its strength 
indefinitely, can be used as a Summer 
spray by proper dilution, gives the 
fruit and foliage added color and a 
smooth appearance and kills San Jo6e 
Scale without injury to the tree. 
Write for prices. 
The Sherwin-Williams Co. 
■ The Best Spray Pump 
Sprays the tallest fruit trees from the ground 
Special nozzle for grape vines, shrubs, etc 
Sprays quickest and best. Does the work in 
half the time and does it thoroughly. Always 
ready. Used with bucket, barrel or tank. 
I,ast.s a lifetime. No leathers to dry up, wear 
out, or make trouble. 
Standard Spray Pump 
Warranted for 5 Years. Price $4.00. * 
It will not cost you a cent to try it. Our 
special offer gives complete details. Write 
tor it today arid we will also send our illus- 
tiated circular showing how this pump pays 
for itself many times over the first season. 
The Standard Stamping Co. 
94 Main Street Marysville, O. 
635 CANAL ROAR 
048 
CLEVELAND, O. 
This book, “Spraying— | 
a Profitable Invest¬ 
ment,” sent free. 
“ONE FOR ALL,” No, 1 
Wool Grease, Arsenate of Lead, Lime and 
Sulphur. Both a Contact and Poison 
Spray. An Insecticide and Fungicide. 
Positively the Only Thing Needed for all Pests or Fungus 
A tonic for vegetation. Sick trees made well • 
old trees rejuvenated to youthful vigor: better 
foliage; larger and more abundant fruit. Neither 
sucking or chewing insects nor fungus will attack 
wood that has ‘One For All” upon it. After one 
tall spraying no dormant spraying will be needed. 
Spraying confined to the growing season. Scale 
exterminated. Positive evidence from practical 
growers furnished upon application. 
Prices, F. O. B. New York 
Barrels, 425 lbs.05c. per lb 
A Bbls., 200 lbs. 05J4 
100 lbs . 06 ” 
50 }bs. 06'A “ 
MANHATTAN OIL COMPANY 
Established 1852 
Front Street New Yorfr 
The Hurst Potato and Orchard Sprayer 
doubles your crop. IT SPRAYS ANYTHING — 
trees, potatoes, vineyards, truck, etc. High press- 
.Easy to operate. Cheap in price, light, strong, 
aod durable. BRASS valves, plunger, strainer etc 
HURST HORSE.POWER SPRAYER for orchards,' 
vineyards, potatoes, etc. "No tree 
too high, no field too big for this 
king of sprayers.” All HURST 
sprayers sold on same liberal No¬ 
money-in-advance plan. Writ, 
to-day for our FREE Spraying 
Guide, Catalogue and 
SPECIAL FREE OF- 
FER to FIRST BUYER 
in each locality. 
H.L. Hurst Mfg. Co._. 
282 North St., Canton, O. 
CDD AV COMPLYING WITH THE INSECTICIDE ACT OF 1919 
r KMT IT WILL PAY YOU TO USE EITHER) 
*• 1 PASTE OR POWDERED »4, 
FOR ALL LEAF EATING INSECTS 
RESPONSIBLE DISTRIBUTERS AND AGENTS WANTED 
KEY BRAND 
" RIGHT PRICE and MATERIAL 
~ FUNGICIDE AND INSECTICIDE 
_ii^TTBAArTTi 
INTERSTATE CHEMICAL CO. 
14 BAYVIEW AVE..JERSEY CITY. N J 
WRITE FOR PRICES.CIRCULARS ETC. CORRESPONDENCE SOLICITED. 
“KANT-KLOG” 
SPRAYERS 
Spraying 
Guide Free 
Patented 
Oct. (i, 1908 
Something New l 
Gets twice the results — 
with same labor and fluid, * 
Flat or round, flue or coarse sprays 
from name nozzle. Ten styles. For - 
trees, potatoes, garden.), whitewashing, 
etc. Agents Wanted, Booklet Free. 
RocttiUr Spray Pimp Co. 
FRUIT GROWERS FAVORITE SAW 
IS THE MOST PRACTICAL TREE PRUNER EVER INVENTED 
Because it saves time and labor and is so easy to 
lade 
handle. It is made with a lS-inch^raw^ut^ft 
and has a 7 or 8 loot handle. 
Write today for Descriptive Circular and Prices. ' 
FRUIT GROWERS SAW COMPANY, Scottsville, New York. 
'with 
the 
Empire King. 
CHDAY 
lfl BEA AnA A He who attempts to grow fruits without a Sprayer it handi- 
A^ A ^ capped. Blight and bugs, rot and rust, mold and mildew, all 
A ** conspire to damage the crop, and in all cases succeed i f the farmer does 
not spray. This is the only hand pump having automatic agitator and brush for clean- 
jpg strainer. Valuable book of instruction free. FIELD FORCE PUMP C0..<2 * llTH Si.. ELMIRA. M. Y 
“ORCHARD DIVIDENDS • Apples from trees sprayed with 
*6 
SCALECIDE 
J9 
some as many as nine consecutive times, took all the first prizes at the Pennsylvania 
Horticultural Society Meeting; all the first prizes this year and last at the New Jersey 
at the New 
- - -- uv«/» a t y uiA iiaav mou A 1GVO UU1C3 j GC*1 LVliU X CIO 1/ <X U tfXJLV 
Horticultural Society Meeting; a long list of sweepstakes and first prizes 
England I ruit Show in Boston ; also first prize at the Ohio State Fair. 
Write for full information and Booklets, “ Orchard Dividends." and 
“Modern Methods of Harvesting, Grading, and Hacking Apples." Both free. 
B. G. PRATT CO., Manufacturing Chemists, 50 Church St., New York. 
| RHODES DOUBLE CUT 
THE only 
* pruner 
made that cuts 
from both sides of 
the limb and does not 
bruise the bark. Made in 
all styles and sizes. We 
pay Express charges 
on all orders. 
Write for 
circular and 
prices. 
