1911. 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
471 
Ruralisms 
FLOWER GARDEN ENEMIES. 
A. J. B., Phishing, N. Y. —1. Last season 
my Dahlias were attacked by a worm which 
entered the stalks several inches above the 
ground and fed on the inside portion of the 
stems, causing the blooms to blast and the 
stems to flop over. On taking up roots in 
the Fall I found the worms' had eaten down 
into the tubers. What are they? Do they 
lay their eggs in the roots or is the ground 
infested? Would soaking roots in formalin 
before planting, as seed potatoes are 
treated, destroy them? If so, how should 
it be used? Or should the beds or plants 
be treated, and how? 2. I would also like 
to know how to kill scale insects on holly¬ 
hocks. 3. Is there any effectual remedy for 
the Hose chafer? I have tried arsenate of 
lead with indifferent results, as they come 
in such great numbers, just as roses are 
bursting into bloom, that they devour them 
bodily, and previous applications of the 
arsenate of lead do not seem to stop them ; 
it also discolors both flowers aud foliage. 
Ans. —1. This Dahlia trouble has never 
come under our observation, and we 
find no reference to it in accessible 
Dahlia literature. But an old volume 
of Harris's “Insects Injurious to Vege¬ 
tation,” issued in 1862, describes the 
corn spindle-worm, a pest commonly at¬ 
tacking corn, as also boring into the 
stems of Dahlias, and the same insect 
is described by Mrs. Mary Treat in 
“Injurious Insects of the Farm and 
Garden” ( 1882 ), under the name of the 
potato stalk-borer. Mrs. Treat says this 
insect attacks potatoes, tomatoes, Dah¬ 
lias, Asters and Indian corn. It is the 
larva of a small moth, and leaves the 
stalk in which it has burrowed the 
latter part of July, entering the ground 
for its chrysalis state. The moth 
emerges from the end of August to the 
middle of September, probably hiber¬ 
nating in sheltered places. It will be 
seen that any treatment must be given 
to the garden, not to the Dahlia roots, 
since they are not infested. As soon 
as any wilt is noticed, remove the stalk 
and look for the depredator. It is quite 
probable that frequent surface cultiva¬ 
tion, which is excellent for Dahlias, 
would disturb the pupating insect, as we 
do not understand that it goes down 
very deep. As the Dahlia especially 
needs this cultivation during the dry 
period of July and August, which hap¬ 
pens to be the time the insect is pupat¬ 
ing, we do not think it would he difficult 
to keep it in check. Mrs. Treat says that 
the common cockle-bur is a favorite host 
plant for this insect, which reminds us 
once more that weeds are not only un¬ 
sightly but also a refuge for garden 
pests. 
2. We have never yet seen scale in¬ 
sects on hollyhocks—not that such in¬ 
festation is impossible. But is it surely 
scale, and not aphides or plant lice, 
black or green? Some years, when 
aphis infestation is prevalent, these 
lice attack many strong-growing garden 
plants, such as hollyhocks, Rudbeckia 
Golden Glow, etc. If aphides and not 
scale, where there is strong water pres¬ 
sure they are often dislodged by a strong 
douche of cold water from the hose, but 
a vigorous dose of tobacco water or 
kerosene emulsion is always effectual, or 
whale-oil soapsuds. If scale really does 
affect hollyhocks, we doubt whether any 
spray could be used, and would cut and 
burn the infested stalks. 
3 . The disgusting Rose-chafer seems 
to flourish upon cold poison applied as a 
spray, and the only thing we can recom¬ 
mend is hand-picking into a pail con¬ 
taining kerosene and water; the layer 
of kerosene on top of the water dis¬ 
courages the insects, and we then burn 
the mass. Arsenic dusted over the rose 
plants is fatal to them, but is entirely too 
dangerous to use about our roses. Some 
years we have little trouble with Rose- 
chafers, but when they come in force 
there is little protection against them. 
They always attack the light-colored 
flowers first, owing, entomologists say, 
to their excessive short-sightedness, so 
we can only pick them as far as pos¬ 
sible, and comfort ourselves with Prince 
Camille de Rohan, Alfred de Rouge- 
mont, Ulrich Brunner, and the other 
glowing crimsons that do not attract 
them. 
Apples for Maryland. 
best of the Winter apples, and the old 
Winesap is a standard there, too. York 
Imperial is a good bearer and the tree is 
suited to the climate of the coast coun¬ 
try, but the apples are not of very high 
quality. Grimes is one of the very best 
in flavor of all apples, and bears well in 
that section, but it is not a late keeper. 
However, the fruit sells well and there 
is no danger of any serious loss in the 
crops. There is fair profit in growing 
early apples on the Chesapeake penin¬ 
sula, for they are close to the big mar¬ 
kets and ripen before there are many on 
sale from other sections. The Randolph 
is one of the best of this class. Yellow 
Transparent is earlier, but it is very 
delicate and must be handled with ex¬ 
treme care. Oldenburg comes later but 
will bear early. The bulk of an apple 
orchard in the region mentioned should 
be of Stayman and Winesap. The last 
three, Randolph, Yellow Transparent 
and Oldenburg, will be very good to 
plant as fillers among the later varieties. 
H. E. VAN DEMAN. 
Spraying in a Small Way. 
IF. G., Yonkers, X. Y .—Would the sub¬ 
ject of spraying a few trees and shrubs 
interest many of your readers? I should 
think you would have many who, like my¬ 
self. cannot afford expensive apparatus, yet 
would like to treat their trees as iu a com¬ 
mercial up-to-date orchard. I have used the 
small hand sprayers, hut it is impossible, to 
give the time and labor necessary with 
them on fairly large trees to insure a good 
job. 
Ans— The small hand sprayers and 
even the more powerful “bucket 
pumps” offered by dealers in horticul¬ 
tural supplies are not only relatively in¬ 
effective when used for any but the 
smallest trees and shrubs, but, in the 
writer’s experience, quickly get out of 
order with even moderate use. The 
most practical implement is a well-made 
force-pump with cylinder and valves of 
brass, or other non-corrosive metal, fitted 
with a good Vermorel nozzle and 10 to 
15 feet of the strongest half inch rub¬ 
ber hose. Such an outfit costs about 
$10, exclusive of barrel or container 
of spray material, and will last many 
years and be always ready for use if 
thoroughly washed out with pure water 
after using and stored in a dry, cool 
place. Do not accept a pump with rub¬ 
ber or leather valves or packing at any 
price, as it will rarely be found in proper 
condition when urgently needed. A 
pump of this kind may be had ready 
mounted on barrel and truck for a few 
dollars additional, or a similar effective 
contrivance may be rigged up at home. 
With such a pump fair spraying work 
may be accomplished single-handed, but 
two operators are needed for best re¬ 
sults. An effective pressure of 75 to 
80 pounds can be maintained, and the 
home-yard trees and shrubs given a 
thorough spraying with little loss of 
time. It does not “pay” to bother with 
low-priced or ill-made pumps. 
w. v. F. 
Alfalfa in Corn. 
Would you sow Alfalfa in corn after the 
last working, using a small spike-tooth cul¬ 
tivator to cover, on good land that lias had 
a liberal supply of lime drilled in with the 
corn? J. f. c. 
Marietta O. 
While some good reports are made from 
this practice, we prefer fitting the land 
well and seeding the Alfalfa alone. 
RAKES HAY RIGHT WAY 
r Genuine New Vork Champion 
Hay Hake, now an Iron A ge prod¬ 
uct, made from original patterns; light^ 
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IRON ME 
Kepair parts supplied for old rakes. 
Farm and 
Garden Tooia 
Stock carried at Canastota and Elmira, N. Y., Spring- 
field, Mass., Burnham, Me., and by our agents 
generally. Write to day for Anniversary “Oood Old ; 
Catalog, showing Potato Machin- Friend of J 
ery, Hay Bakes, Garden, Or- jv- Former” 
chard and other tools— free. 
BATEMAN MTG CO 
Box 102 R 
ORENLOCH. ** 
pa 
S. L. B., Cambridge, Aid. —-I am expecting 
to plant about 20 acres in apples. What 
would you advise planting of Winter apples? 
While being familiar with fruit growing 
(my orchards consist mainly of peaches and 
pears) I recognize the importance of good 
and suitable varieties, also the fact that 
a commercial orchard would differ some¬ 
what from a “home orchard.” 
Ans. —There are many good apple or¬ 
chards on the eastern shore of Mary¬ 
land and in Delaware, and there is no 
question of their profit where properly 
handled, Stayman is one of the very 
GET THE BEST 
A Good Spray Pump-earns 
big profits and lasts for years. 
THE ECLIPSE 
is a good pump. As 
.practical fruit grow¬ 
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sprayers in our own orchards 
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invented the Eclipse. Its 
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You take no chances. We 
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MORRILL & MORLEY, Benton Harbor, Mich. 
Western Apples 
Outsell Eastern 
k HE large,' worm-free western apple 
sells for $2 to $4 more per barrel than 
the better flavored product of the east. 
Wake up to the fact that effective spraying 
will free your orchard of the insect pests that 
cause your low yield of small, wormy fruit. 
One spraying with Swift’s is often 
equal to three or four with the old- 
fashioned mixtures, because it sticks 
through even heavy rains. 
Swift's Arsenate of Lead mixes readily 
with water, stays in suspension, and can 
be used with any pump. Easy to use. Fatal 
to leaf-eating worms and insects. 
Write for our valuable free 
book on Apple Culture 
It is plain, easy to understand and com¬ 
plete. When writing, please give your 
dealer’s name. 
MERRIMAC CHEMICAL CO. 
31 Broad Street, Boston, Mass. 
Spraying as 
Necessary as Plowing 
Every orchardist must spray to protect his trees against insects 
that eat up profits. His best defence is the surest, safest, strongest 
insecticide made— 
ELECTRO Arsenate of Lead 
(in Powdered Form) 
Surest and strongest because it contains 50% more arsenic oxide than any other 
brand—32^ to 33% guaranteed. Our Electro process combines a greater percentage of 
arsenic with the proper amount of lead than can be obtained in any other brand. This 
means better adhesion; greater killing power, suspension and distribution. 
Safest because there is less than y z of 1% of water-soluble arsenic—the tenderest 
foliage is never injured. 
For these reasons, Electro is most economical—less material need be used. 
Tests by Conn, and N. J. Agri. Exper. Stations prove our claims. Send for these and for 
valuable folders on Electro Arsenate of Lead and on Electro Lime-Sulphur 
(certain death to San Jose Scale). 
If your dealer cannot supply, write for prices, proofs, and name 
of nearest distributor. 
THE VREELAND CHEMICAL CO. 
33 Church Street, New York 
SPRAY1W, ly the N.Y .State Fruit Growers’Ass’n- 
, PAY YOU TO USE EITHER. 
PASTE OR POWDERED 
FOR ALL LEAF EATING INSECTS 
RESPONSIBLE DISTRIBUTERS andA6ENTS WANTED 
KEY BRAND 
RIGHT PRICE AND MATERIAL 
FUNGICIDE and INSECTICIDE 
USE 
INTERSTATE CHEMICAL. CO. 
H BAYVIEW AVE..JERS EY CITY. N.J, 
WRITE FOR PRICES,CIRCULARS ETC. CORRESPONDENCE SOLICITED! 
POTATO 
233 Bushels 
more per acre by 
Spraying 
That is what the 
New York Kxper-^ 
iment Stati 
reports as a 
year average i 
Gain by Spray-' 
ing potatoes. 
Don’t let 
blight, scab, 
rot, and 
bugs cut 
your crop in half— but get a HURST Sprayer and 
make all the Money you are really entitled to for 
your work out of your Potatoes or fruit. Spray 
first, then if you buy, Pay Us out of the "Extra Pro¬ 
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Shipped on Free Trial 
without a cent in advance, 
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We pay Freight. 
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Writensaletterorcard 
and tell ns which mach¬ 
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valuable Spraying Guide 
—Catalog—and ourspec- 
lal Free Offer to first in 
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i H. L. HURST MFG. CO.. 
288 NORTH ST., CANTON, OHIO 
S5B &I 
SPRAY 
FRUITS AND 
„ FIELD CROPS 
ana do whitewashing in most effectual, economical, 
rapid way. Satisfaction guaranteed. BROWN’S 
/ POWER R Auto-Sprays 
No. 1, shown here, is fitted with Auto-Pop Nozzle— 
J doe* work of 3 ordinary Bprayers. Endorsed by Ex- 
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i and valuable spraying guide in our Free Book. 
Write postal now. 
THE E. C. BROWN COMPANY 
2d Jay &L , Rochester, N. Y. 
“ONE FOR ALL,” No. I 
DEATH TO IM 9 CCT 3 A FUNGI 
Barrels. 425 lbs. —.,05c. per l6: 
Yx Bbls . 
100 Lbs 
50 lbs. 
25 lbs_ 
r o 
Wool Grease, Arsenate of Lead, Lime-Sulphur 
Combined. A Contact and Poison Spray. 
Aft Insecticide & Fungicide.' 
Only Thing Needed for all Pests or Fungus. 1 
WRITE FOR BOOKLET. 
MANHATTAN ’’OIL COMPANY 
Established 1852. 
$1 Front Street- New YorM 
PEAR 
PSYLLA 
The worst enemy of the Pear growers can 
not be controlled with lime sulphur, but 
t A 
9 9 
used in the Spring just before leafing will not only 
control the Psylla but San Jose Scale and all 
fungus troubles controllable in the dormant season. 
PRICES: In barrels and half barrels, 60c per gallon; 10 
gallon cans, 80 00; f> gallon cans, $3.25; 1 gallon cans, 81.00. 
Conclusive proofs in Booklets, “ Orchard Dividends ” and 
“Modern Methods of Harvesting, Grading and Packing 
Apples." Both free. 
If you want cheap oils, our “CARBOI.EINE” at 30c 
per gallon is the equal of anything else. 
li. G. FKATT CO., Mfg. Chemists, 
50 Church St., New York City. 
1911 DEYO POWER SPRAYERS 
IO Years of Success 
FRIEND FRUIT GROWER : Uncle Sam says 
you must spray. Users of the Deyo are relieved 
from experimenting. After ten years of service the 
Deyo is still giving perfect satisfaction. Our cus¬ 
tomers are our reference, ask the user. We sell 
direct to yon. Deyo pays all freights to Missis¬ 
sippi River shipping points. Write for catalogue 19. 
DEYO-MACEY ENGINE CO., Binghamton, N. Y. 
