1911 
2oa 
THE RURAL, NEW-YORKER 
Ruralisms 
GARDEN NOTES. 
Rhubarb. —In conjunction with fruit 
growing, we have been accustomed to 
raise about 1,000 hills of rhubarb and 
have uniformly found it second to no 
other crop in profit on our local market. 
The first of it sells at 50 cents the dozen 
bunches, and these bunches are small. 
Later the price drops to 40 cents, and 
stays there throughout the season, while 
the bunches grow larger, longer and 
heavier as the stalks reach their full 
size. In years when fruit is scarce, the 
demand for rhubarb persists from Spring 
till frost, and the aggregate of sales 
shows that in such years the income 
may reach the rate of $1,000 per acre. 
The culture of rhubarb is exceedingly 
simple, and this low cost of production 
adds to the profit of its sales. In the 
late Fall the hills are covered with a 
mound of stable manure besides a dress¬ 
ing between the rows. Rhubarb is a 
gross feeder , and seems able to endure 
unlimited quantities of fertilizer. The 
stable manure also furnishes protection 
against frost. It also conserves and 
stores up heat from the Spring sun 
rays, and thus stimulates'growth at that 
early date when the market is impa¬ 
tiently waiting for the first succulent 
growth of Spring. If the market justi¬ 
fies it (and it generally does), a more 
business-like system of forcing may be 
employed by setting barrels over the 
clumps. These exclude the cold and 
concentrate heat and the heads may be 
kept off or on according to weather con¬ 
ditions. Up till very late years rhubarb 
was one of the few fruits and vegetables 
that was immune from the attacks of in¬ 
sects and diseases. Quite recently, how¬ 
ever, in southern Illinois, where it is 
largely grown for Northern city markets, 
it has become a victim to a peculiar form 
of root rot that originally developed on 
certain weeds. The scientists of the ex; 
periment station appealed to, had to con¬ 
fess themselves powerless. The result 
is that it is recognized as a precarious 
crop and has been abandoned by many 
growers. Here no sign of disease ever 
presented itself till last year, when quite 
universally, so far as 1 can hear, the 
plants died out during the latter part of 
the Summer. Before 1 heard of the root 
rot, I had presumed that some abnormal¬ 
ity in the season was responsible. From 
about the first of June there were seven 
weeks of rain, followed by a long 
drought. 
Seedlings Versus Piece Roots. —A 
nice question of morals has lately pre¬ 
sented itself. So far as my experience 
has reached, a rhubarb root for planting 
has meant a divided root, containing one 
or more eyes. No other sort has ever 
come under my notice. When, however, 
I made my order last Fall from a cata¬ 
logue that listed Linnaeus and Victoria 
at so much per root, and sent a check 
for 1,000 Linnaeus, I was more than sur¬ 
prised on receiving a small sackful of 
seedling roots. My impression was that 
seedling roots did not come true to 
name, and therefore could not properly 
be sent out to represent a distinct va¬ 
riety. On looking around for evidence, 
I quite incidentally met a large grower 
of southern Illinois who told me lie had 
been sent seedling roots by an Eastern 
firm, enough for four acres, and that 
he considered himself out $500 by the 
deal. His judgment was that seedling 
plants were not worth planting. Look¬ 
ing further, I found an Arkansas bulletin 
that said not more than 1-15 of seedling 
plants came true to name. An Arkan¬ 
sas firm dealing in roots, wrote me on 
inquiry that they never sent out seedling 
roots as they were quite unreliable and 
worth much less than piece roots. A 
horticulturist of national reputation 
rwrote me that he used seedlings for his 
own garden and secured good plants by 
selecting only those whose leaves and 
-stems showed fine quality, discarding all 
others. A writer in the January “Mar¬ 
ket Growers’ Journal” on rhubarb culture 
says: ‘‘Seedling plants are variable. 
Many of them produce weak or spind¬ 
ling leaves.” This seemed to establish 
my position pretty thoroughly, so I have 
returned the seedling roots to the ship¬ 
pers and bought 1,000 piece roots from 
a grower nearer home. On delivery these 
weighed 200 pounds and filled a sugar 
barrel heaping- full. The seedling roots 
might have weighed as much as 50 
pounds, and would not have made more 
than one-fifth the bulk. The import of 
all this is that when you are ordering 
rhubarb, be sure to specify whether you 
want piece or seedling roots. For my 
part I do not see how a dealer can hon¬ 
estly send out seedlings to fill an order 
that specifies a pure variety, such as 
Linnaeus or Victoria. 
Blight in Seed Potatoes. —Another 
question of morals came up some time 
ago in regard to seed potatoes. A friend 
had gone to great care and expense in 
fitting a 12-acre field for potatoes. The 
ground was broken by three draft horses 
pulling a plow 12 inches deep. The 
after preparation was thorough, and the 
field looked in as perfect order as it was 
possible to fit it. Resolved on a com¬ 
plete change of seed and won over by 
some glowing stories of big yields in 
New York State, he sent for so many 
barrels. They arrived in good order, but 
counting cost and freight they stood him 
a tidy sum. The tubers were cut to one 
eye and the result of the planting was a 
wellnigh perfect stand. Everything 
looked most propitious. No finer looking 
field of potatoes was ever seen in this 
neighborhood. Growth and cultivation 
kept pace with each other. The coming 
crop was prized beyond measure because 
it was relied on to pay off a pressing 
load of debt. That 12 acres of potatoes, 
which should net at least 2,000 bushels, 
was to be a mortgage lifter. It was 
literally fraught with destiny. But man 
proposes only. On the Fourth of July 
inspection revealed small areas with 
some affection of the leaves. These areas 
extended until they covered the field. 
Then the stunning realization came. It 
was the blight. Its recognition was 
slow, because it had never been seen or 
even heard of in this region. Instead 
of 2,000 bushels there were 300 or 400, 
and not a cent to put on the debt. The 
ultimate result was the loss of the farm 
and a change of habitation on the part 
of the owner that had far-reaching re¬ 
sults on his life. Where did that blight 
come from, the first and last ever seen 
seen here? From those seed potatoes, 
of course. That will hardly be disputed. 
The shipper (the grower of them) must 
have known they were from an infected 
field. They were shipped to an innocent 
party with results most momentous. In 
a large measure they became the arbi¬ 
ters of a human life. The import of this 
little story is that unless you are pre¬ 
pared to spray your potatoes for the. 
blight and fight it from the start, it 
would be wise to demand assurances 
that there had been no blight among 
the seed potatoes. l. r. Johnson. 
Cape Girardeau Co., Mo. 
R. N.-Y.—But where can you go to be 
sure of such seed? 
THE HAMILTON RESERVOIR 
ORCHARD 
HEATER 
Positively 
the most 
effective 
heater be¬ 
cause of its 
REGULATED 
FIRE. Many 
other points of suneriority. 
Write for our RED BOOK on orchard 
heating free. Tells you how best to smudge 
HAMILTON ORCHARD HEATER CO.. Grand Junction, Coin. 
Congo on Fruit-Ohl Bldg., 
Sharon, Pa. 
Roofed to Last 
With Congo 
Here is a building roofed with 
Congo 2 ply in 1909. 
In 1913 and in 1917 the roof will 
require an inexpensive coat of 
paint. In 1919 the owner will say 
“That roof hasn’t leaked or re¬ 
quired any special attention during 
the whole ten years.” 
Tf he can’t say that he can say 
“The manufacturers guaranteed 
that they would pay for all repairs 
and they did.” 
That roof cost no more than 
roofs that are not guaranteed at all, 
but the owner knows he is certain 
to get satisfaction. There is in his 
safe a Surety Bond issued by the 
National Surety Company of New 
York making the guarantee easily 
enforceable. 
Send for sample and copy of 
Congo Guaranteed Bond. 
UNITED ROOFING & M’F’G CO. 
Philadelphia Chicago Kansas City San Francisco 
"ONE FOR ALL,” No. J 
OCATH TO INSECT* 6 FUNS' 
Barrels. 425 „Q5c. per lb 1 
H Bbls ,200lbs...r_C5H * / 
100 
..~.v:r.™-.06>4\ « 
25 lb ».-o >-.08 -J 
r o. a. New vonn 
(Wool Grebee, Arsenate of Lead, Lime-Sulphur 
^Combined. A Contact and Poison Spray. 
;Afi Insecticide & Fungicide. 
(Only Thing Needed for all Pests or Fungus. 
WRITE FOR BOOKLET. 
MANHATTAN OIL COMPANY 
SiMbtiihed 1852 
(51 Front StreeC (New York. 
SPRA f Acl°pted by the N.Y. State Fruit Growers Ass’n 
grnH > IT WI LL PAY YOU TO USE EITHER. 
FOR ALL LEAF EATING INSECTS 
R ESPO NSIBLE DISTRIBUTERS axdAGENTS WANTED 
KEY BRAND 
“* RIGHT PRICE and MATERIAL 
FUNGICIDE and INSECTICIDE 
TTr —■ imur m ari 
When you write advertisers mention The 
R. N.-Y. and you’ll get a quick reply and 
‘‘a square deal.” See guarantee 
INTERSTATE CHEMICAL CO. 
ll'BAYVIEW AVE.,JERSEY CITY. N J 
WRITE FOR PRICES.CIRCULARS ETC. CORRESPONDENCE SOLICITED^ 
Your Profit 
is determined largely by the 
care you take of your or¬ 
chard. The grower who 
sprays his trees thoroughly 
with the right material is sure 
to have more and better fruit 
than the one who does not 
spray, or who uses an inferior 
material. 
Sherwin-Williams 
New Process 
Arsenate of Lead 
is a safe, sure and economical poison. 
It contains pure ingredients, rightly 
prepared in the correct proportions 
by experts and thoroughly tested so 
as to insure the foliage against injury 
by burning. It is effective, as it con¬ 
tains the proper amount of arsenic 
(combined). Increase your profit 
by using S-W New Process Arsenate 
of Lead. Send for spray book. 
The Sherwin-Williams Co. 
G35 Canal Road 
Cleveland, 
Ohio 
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. 
Lasts a lifetime. No leathers to dry up, wear 
out, of 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 
for it today and we will also send our illus¬ 
trated circular showing how this pump pays 
tor itself many times over the first season. 
The Standard Stamping Co. 
94 Main Street Marysville. O. 
-—--r 
Patented 
Oct. 0, 1908 
Sent free, “Spraying, a 
Profitable Investment." 
FRUIT GROWERS FAVORITE SAW 
IS THE MOST PRACTICAL TREE PRUNER EVER INVENTED 
Because it saves timo ami labor anil is so easy to 
handle. It is made with a 15-iueh draw cut blade 
and has a 7 or 8 foot handle. 
Write today for Descriptive Circular and Prices. 
FRUIT GROWERS SAW COMPANY. Scottsville, New York. 
KILL ALL TREE PESTS 
and fertilize the soil by spraying with 
Good’s 
Potash Whale Oil Soap No. 3 
The surest death to San Jose Scale, fungi, apple scab 
and all other enemies to plant life. Contains rich active 
fertilizers. Free from any injurious ingredients. Used 
and endorsed by State Experimental Stations and 
U. 8. Department of Agriculture 
60 lbs., $2.60: 100 lbs., $4.60; larger quantities proportion¬ 
ately less. Write for free “Manual of Plant Diseases." 
JAMES GOOD, Original Maker, 945 H. Front St.. Philadelphia 
DEFEND YOUR FRUIT TREES 
Flom San Jose Scnlo ami fungus 
diaousen with a Defender Sprayer. 
Powerful two-line Hpraxing ap¬ 
paratus Made of ht'A&a; perfect 
construction. Quickly attached 
to barrel ; easy working. Saves 
time, labor and fruit. Satisfac¬ 
tion guaranteed. 
Descriptive circular and price 
list free. Write today. 
C. S. HARDER, 
Box 76, Catskill, N. Y. 
JARVIS SPRAYING COMPOUND 
IS THE CHEAPEST AHD BEST. IT HAS NO SUPERIOR. 
SURE CURE FOR SAH JOSE SCALE. 
Buy direct from the manufacturer anil save money 
Spraying Compound ready to mix with water. One 
: gallon of Spraying compound will make from Bixteon to 
twenty gallons of Hpray. 
Terms:— In bbl. lots (50 gal.) 30c. per gal. 
We would refer you to J. 11. Hale, the Peach King, or 
Prof. .Jarvis of the Connecticut Agricultural College. 
They will tell you there is nothing better. 
THE J. T. ROBERTSON CO., BOX R, MANCHESTER, CONN. 
that I 
apples 
“ I HAVE SO LITTLE FUNGUS 
to “p* m V fruij with Bordeaux/* says # Mr. Geo. T. Powell of Ghent, N. Y.. a grower of fancy 
l 1 have less scale and finer foliage than ever before/* REASON: Six years consecutive use of 
tt 
SCALEC1DE 
cheaper, more effective and easier to apply than Lime-Sulphur. Send for Booklets, “ Orchard Dividends." and 
'Modern Methods of Harvesting, Grading and Packing Apples." Both free. 
PPIPCQ ■ In barrels and*half barrels, 50c. per gallon; 10 gallon 
rniUH ■ cans, $6.00 ; 5 gallon cans, $3.25; 1 gallon cans. $1.00 
If you want cheap oils, our “ CARBOLEINE ’’ at 30c. per gallon is the equal of anything else. 
B- <4. PltATT CO., MFG. CHEMISTS, 50 CHURCH ST., NEW YORK CITY 
'with 
the 
Empire King. 
CDDAY 
SflA H He who attempts to grow fruits without a Sprayer is haudi- 
^ capped. Blight and bugs, rot and rust, mold and mildew, all 
y * conspire to damage the crop, and in all cases sacceed if the farmer does 
not spray. This is theonly hand pump having automatic agitator and brush fur clean- 
tng strainer. Valuable book of instruction free. FIELD FORCE PUMP CO.,(2 lllH Si.. ELM!**. N. 
Look at the H. P. 
Spramotor spraying an acre 
ot‘ potatoes in fifteen min¬ 
utes. There are three noz¬ 
zles to a row and four rows, 
two spraying from the aides 
and one from the top. Ad¬ 
justable as to height and 
width up to 40-inch rows. 
Absolutely non-clogging noz¬ 
zles. 12-gallon air tank, au¬ 
tomatic and hand controlled. 
1*25 lbs. pressure guaranteed 
with 12 nozzles open. Has 
agitator clean-out pressure 
relief into tank, and nozzle 
protector, all under control 
of driver from seat. For one 
or two horses. Fitted for 
orchards, vineyards and 
grain. Write for booklet. 
E. H. HEARD, 1325 ERIE STREET, BUFFALO, N. Y. 
