3132 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
November 2.". 
FARMERS’ CLUB 
( Every query must bo accompanied by the 
name and address of the writer to insure 
attention. Before asking a question, please see 
whether it is not answered in our advertising 
columns. Ask only a few questions at one time. 
Pul questions on a separate piece of paper.] 
Raising Aster Seed. 
J. 8., Warner, N. Y .—I would like some 
instructions about raising Asters for seed. 
Is it best to buy imported seed? What 
is the usual price per pound for such 
seed? How shall I prepare my seed bed? 
What kinds of fertilizers shall I use? About 
what date should the transplanting be 
done? How far apart should the plants 
be? What varieties would be best? Can 
different colors be adjacent without mix¬ 
ing? IIow is the seed separated from the 
chaff? Those I have raised this year are 
many of them imperfect blossoms, some not 
full to the center, others one-sided blooms. 
What reason can you suggest for this? 
Should only the larger and perfect blos¬ 
soms be gathered for seed? 
Ans. —For this purpose seed should 
be sown in a cold frame. Both the 
seed bed and the field in which the 
plants are to be grown should be well 
manured in the Fall. In the Spring the 
ground should be plowed and the sur¬ 
face finely pulverized. Transplanting 
in the frame is useful, but not abso¬ 
lutely necessary. Seed should be sown 
?bout the middle of April. In five or 
six weeks, when the ground is warm 
and dry, the plants should be set in the 
field, in rows at least 30 inches apart 
and 12 or 14 inches apart in the row. 
If more plant food is needed wood 
ashes or a standard commercial fertil¬ 
izer will be better than manure. It is 
not best to buy imported seed. There 
is no “usual price per pound” for 
Aster seed. The price varies with the 
season. In an average year seed of 
some good varieties can be had for 
about $25 a pound. That of varieties 
of less merit sells much lower, and seed 
of some exceptionally good or rare 
kinds cost $100 or more a pound. The 
seed of some novelties probably could 
rot be had, even in quarter-pound lots, 
at any price. A pound of seed should 
produce plants enough for at least five 
acres of land. Tf planted in adjacent 
rows varieties will mix. There are 
1 'terally hundreds of varieties. None 
of them is absolutely the best. Before 
engaging in growing seed for market 
a contract for the product should be 
made with a seedsman and he should 
select the varieties and fix the propor¬ 
tions of each. A small quantity of 
seed can be separated by rubbing the 
dried flower heads over a sieve of the 
proper mesh. Where large quantities 
are grown a light machine is used. 
Only perfect heads should be saved for 
seed. Seed growing is a business that 
needs to be learned, and it is not wise 
to start on a large scale. The imper¬ 
fection of the blossoms grown this year 
may have been caused by insects, but is 
more probably due to their being mixed 
with daisies, or to the plants having 
been grown from inferior seed. 
ELLIOT. 
The Massachusetts Corn Show. 
The two corn shows held in New England 
last week were very successful. The 
Maine growers held an exhibition at Tort- 
land. while the Massachusetts corn show 
at Springfield was nearly as large as the 
show last year which covered all of New 
England. The early frost cut down some 
of the most promising yields, and the Dent 
varieties made rather a poor showing, as 
many of them did not mature fully. Troh- 
ably seven-eighths of the exhibit were Flint 
varieties. Those have been, and are being, 
constantly improved by careful selection. 
T T ntil now the best of these Flints are, with¬ 
out question, the most successful varieties 
of corn known in this country. They are 
specially adapted to New England condi¬ 
tions. which are particularly a short grow¬ 
ing season with early frost, soil which re¬ 
quires good quantities of commercial fertil¬ 
izer, and a cold and late Spring. When 
these qualities are considered properly, 
there Is no question but that some of these 
Flints are the most remarkable varieties 
of maize now grown. Practically all of the i 
prize crops were grown with commercial j 
fertilizer on a good sod. In some cases I 
manure was used, or a light dressing of 
tobacco stems or other refuse, but the corn 
show demonstrated that the New England 
crop depends upon large dressings of chem¬ 
icals for its success. The largest crops are 
evidently grown in the river valleys, rather 
than on’the hills, although the latter situa¬ 
tion gave some fine crops. Some most re¬ 
markable yields are reported, more than 
100 bushels per acre of dry corn reduced 
to a 12 per cent water basis. In one case 
a yield is claimed of 160 bushels of har¬ 
vest measure. This means 112-08/100 bush¬ 
els of crili dry corn, that is, corn contain¬ 
ing only twelve per cent of moisture. 
Another yield is reported as follows: 07.9 
bushels of shelled corn containing 12 per 
cent moisture, valued at $73.42; 1.111.80 
pounds of cob, containing 12 per cent of 
moisture, valued at $3.89: 7,733.9 pounds 
of stover containing 40 per cent of moisture. 
valued at $30.03. Total value per acre 
was $108.25. Total cost of growing the 
acre, including fertilizers, labor of caring 
for crop, cost of husking, harvesting, etc., 
$42.50 ; net profit, $65.75. 
A feature of this contest was the prizes 
offered by various fertilizer companies for 
the best yield. We shall take this up as 
a separate article and analyze the returns, 
after obtaining additional facts from corn 
growers. These fertilizer contests have, no 
doubt, drawn out some excellent yields, and 
encouraged farmers to do their best. The 
results, however, are very confusing as It 
is quite difficult for the average reader to 
separate one such contest from another, and 
learn anything in particular about the 
best combination of chemicals for the corn 
crop. 
Coming Farmers’ Meetings. 
National Apple Show, Spokane, Wash., 
November 27-30. 
Winter Short Courses, Cornell University, 
Ithaca, N. Y., November 28-February 23. 
__ Federation of Agricultural Associations, 
Keyser, W. Va., November 27-December 1. 
N. Y. State Fruit Growers’ Ass’n, Ro¬ 
chester, N. Y., December 3-5. 
National Irrigation Congress—Chicago, 
December 5-9. 
Inventors’ Exposition, Buffalo, N. Y., 
December 5-9. 
N. Y. State Dairymen’s Ass’n, Olean, 
December 12-13. 
New Jersey Horticultural Society, Free¬ 
hold, December 12-13. 
Illinois Agricultural Society, Urbana, Ill., 
December 12-14. 
Maine Dive Stock Breeders’ Association, 
Orono, December 14-15. 
Eastern Fruit Growers’ Ass’n, Raleigh 
Hotel, Washington. 1). C„ December 12. 
National Mid-Winter Sheep Show— 
Omaha, Neb., December 13-16. 
Farmers’ Week. Kingston, R. I., Decem¬ 
ber 25-30. 
Farmers’ Short Course, Burlington, Vt., 
December 26-Februar.v 24. 
State Farmers’ Institute, Manhattan, Kan¬ 
sas. December 26-30. 
Farmers’ Week. New Brunswick, N. J., 
December 25-.Tanuary 1. 
Farmers’ Week, State College, Ta., De¬ 
cember 27-.Tnnunry 3. 
Farmers’ Short Course, Ames, Iowa, Jan¬ 
uary 2-13. 
Farmers’ Short Course, Columbus, O., Jan¬ 
uary 2-*Februar.v 23. 
Farmers’ Short Course, Durham, N. H., 
January 4-March 8. 
Farmers’ Week, Purdue Tnlverslty, La¬ 
fayette. Indiana, January 8-13. 
Farmers’ Week, College Park, Md., Janu¬ 
ary 8-15. 
Corn Growers’ and Stockmen’s Conven¬ 
tion, Urbana, 111., January 15-27. 
Live Stock Week, East Lansing, Mich.. 
January 16-18. 
Connecticut Dairymen’s Ass’n, Unity Halt. 
Hartford. January 17-18. 
Conventions, Pennsylvania Live Stock and 
Horticultural Associations. Duquesne Gar¬ 
den. Pittsburgh, January 15-20. 
Livingston County. N. Y., Poultry Show, 
January 16-19. 
N. .T. State Board of Agriculture, Janu¬ 
ary 17-10, 
Farmers’ Week. Canton. N. Y„ School of 
Agriculture. January 22-27. 
Ohio Apple Show. Marietta, O., January, 
23-20. 
Minnesota Short Course, Minneapolis, 
Minn.. January 23-February 17. 
Farmers’ Week. Durham, N. II., January 
29-February 3. 
N. Y. State Grange, Auburn, N. Y., Feb¬ 
ruary 6-9. 
Farmers’ Special Course, Morgantown, W. 
Va.. February 1-16. 
Farmers’ Short Course, Madison, Wis., 
January 30-February 0. 
Poultry Week. East Lansing, Mich., Feb¬ 
ruary 12-17. 
Farmers’ Week. State School, Lyndon Ctr., 
It.. February 12-17. 
Farmers’ Week. Cornell University, 
Ithaca, N. Y., February 19-24. 
Farmers’ Week, Burlington, Vt., February 
19-24. 
Poultry Convention, Amherst, Mass., 
March 5-8. 
Farmers’ Week. Amherst, Mass., March 
11 -15. 
r-Fruit Trees-'* 
That Thrive and Bear 
Thrifty, vigorous trees; trees with lots of good 
roots and linn, mature wood—these are the kind of 
trees that we grow. They begin bearing early and 
they continue to bear abundantly for years. 
At our nurseries the soil and climate arc just 
right to produce trees that ore hardy and reliable. 
Our success and experience of 25 years is your 
guarantee that everything in our stock lias been 
carefully selected and thoroughly tested. All kinds 
of fruit trees—apple, peach, pear, cherry, etc. 
Write lor our latest Catalog. It’s free! 
Barnes Bros. Nursery Co. 
^Box 8, YALESVJLLE, CONN. ^ 
“How to Growand Market Fruit” 
Tells the Whole Story in One Volume; oives Lifetime Exper- 
ence of Practical Growers. 2,COO Acres in Nursery Stock. 
Large Stock of Peach and Apple Trees, 
Write for catalog and how fo get the book free. 
HARRISON NURSERIES , Berlin , Mtl. 
50,000 WILDER AND FAYS 
One and two year old, $14 to $18j)erM. 5000 lots, 
less. J* F. WYGANT, Marlboro, New York. 
LOOMIS CORN HUSKER 
tjPi 
Run by 3 II. P 
Husk 25 bushels 
an hour. 
Price on application 
L. R. LOOMIS, 
Claverack, N. V. 
zTf‘ Wray Dairr Bam t Fran i /in , Mass, 
, Put a Good Roof on a Good Barn - 
This is a model dairy—fancy stock, scientific stable ar¬ 
rangement—everything just right. And the roof selected for 
PAROID ROOFING 
The Real Rival of Best Shingles 
The matter of price had nothing to do with its selection. NEpdnset Paroid was 
chosen because it lasts longer than shingles and adds protection—therefore makes a 
better and safer roof. Yet Neponset Paroid actually costs less than shingles both to 
buy and to lay. You will agree with leading farmers everywhere when you really 
know NEponseT Paroid. It is the permanent-wear, economical roof for barns, stables 
—all farm buildings. 
Write for all the facts in the NEPDNSET book and for name of NEPDNSET dealer. 
NEPdnseT Proslate Roofing for houses—looks like stained shingles, 
F. W. BIRD & SON, 137 Neponset St., East Walpole, Mass., U. S. A. 
Established 179S 
Now York Washington Chicago Portland Ore. Ban Francisco 
Canadian Mills and Offices , Hamilton. Ont. 
'S***m4 
—> • t -i .-Qirjfr.">« f vs 
C 
GALVANIZED ROOFINl 
n 
I Corrugated $096 per square. 
1 or V crimp Del. your station 
Send postal for new catalogue 13 
L 
L 
3RIFFIN LIMBER CO., HUDS N °\ FAUS J 
■ 10,000 High 
Lifts Saned 
Electric 
Easy work for you, light draft for horses. The 
one unbreakable, low-down handy wagon. Steel 
wheels, all heights and tire widths. Save rutting. 
Send for free hook on labor saving farm hauling. 
* ELECTRIC WHEEL CO„ Box 48, Quincy, III. 
j—99 %, % Pure—j j 
American Ingot Iron Roofing 
Guaranteed For 30 Years 
Without Painting 
The Only Guaranteed Metal Roofing ever put on the 
market. Samples Iree. Write for a free book showing 
remarkable tests. A way out of your roof troubles. 
THE AMERICAN IRON ROOFING C0. f Dept. 0, ELYRIA, OHIO 
1 — ■ ■ — ———— m m -W 
Pav Rip 1 Strong I* LA N T S 
uoubeperries ray Dig . rea<iy for S } lipm()nt 
J. GEORGE DAGES. Blue Anchor, N. J. 
FRUIT TREES 
We are ready to take orders for 
FALL DELIVERY' for 
BLACK’S QUALITY TREES 
Send for Booklet 
JOS. H. BLACK, SON & CO., H1GHTSTOWN. f J. 
Peach and Apple Trees 
For fall or spring planting. Prices right; stock 
right. MYEK & SON, Jiridgeville, Delaware 
Wins 
Every 
Race! 
‘The 
’fifth!, 
steers” 
Of course every boy and girl wants a steering sled, but they want more 
that—they want a Flexible Flyer. It has more steering surface than 
other tleds. This gives perfect control. Can be steered at full speed in any desired 
direction, around all obstacles and past all other sleds. Also has grooved 
runners instead of flat or rounded runners. This prevents '“skidding” and adds 
to the speed. Light and graceful. Easy to pull up bill, yet so strong it 
outlasts three ordinary sleds. 
Just the sled for boy or girl. Saves shoes, prevents wet feet, colds, and saves doctor’s bills. 
Saves many times its cost each season. Insist on a FlcxibleFlycr. Get the advantage of its ex¬ 
features. It isn’t a Flexible Flyer unless it bears this trade-mark, 
working model. Also beautiful booklet illustrated in colors 
showing coasting scenes, etc. Both free, just write a 
name and address, and say "send model and Booklet.” 
S. L. ALLEN & CO., Boxll02E, Philadelphia, Pa. tradl-makk 
APPLE SEEDLINGS 
ALL J Both American and French Grown ) ORDER 
GRADES [ Straight or Branched Roots } NOW 
APPLE GRAFTS 
Piece or Whole Roots 
Long List of Varieties. Ask for Prices 
ALSO A GENERAL LINE OF NURSERY STOCK 
ADDRESS 
Shenandoah Nurseries 
D. S, LAKE, Prop, 
SHENANDOAH . . . PAGE COUNTY, IOWA 
