8 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
January 0, 
STONE DITCHES 
Within the last five years I have dug 
and laid something like 300 rods of 
stone drains. Thinking that my ex¬ 
perience might be of benefit to some 
people, I will endeavor to tell and illus¬ 
trate what I have learned about ditch¬ 
ing with stone. For lateral or side 
drains I have found that a ditch con¬ 
structed like No. 1, Fig. 8, gives good 
results in blue or yellow clay. For 
hardpan or very hard ground No. 2 
gives the best results. For loamy or 
very soft ground No. 3 is best. Any 
of these drains will carry about the 
same water as a five or six-inch tile. For 
ditches which have two or more side 
drains emptying into them I would 
recommend No. 4 and No. 5. No. 4 
Sugar Beet Culture and Slavery. 
The daily papers report sensational testi¬ 
mony before the agricultural committee at 
Washington regarding the way workers are 
treated in the Colorado beet sugar fields. 
It was said that under control of big and 
brutal bosses, women and children are kept 
In a form of slavery. We sent these state¬ 
ments to a Colorado friend who knows the 
business and makes this report: 
“I cannot say how much truth there is 
in this so-called peonage system. The ma¬ 
jority of beet growers in Colorado contract 
the thinning and weeding of their beets, 
as well as the harvesting, to either Japan¬ 
ese, Mexicans, or Russians. Nearly all the 
Russians we have in this part of the State 
make their living by working in the beet 
fields. In fact, there is a Russian settle¬ 
ment in nearly every town like Fort Col¬ 
lins _ and Greeley. The majority of these 
families, when it comes to beet thinning 
time, move into a sort of shack in or near 
for hard ground and No. 5 for soft or 
loamy ground. For main ditch where 
several side ditches empty into them, 
would recommend No. 6 and No. 7. No. 
4 and No. 5 will carry about the same 
water as an eight or 10-inch round tile. 
Fig. No. 6 and No. 7 will carry about 
the same water as a 12 or 16-inch tile. 
These ditches are almost vermin-proof, 
as the side stones are all wedged fast. 
All of these ditches except the main 
ditch have V-shaped bottoms. With this 
form of bottom no matter how small the 
stream there is always a current which 
carries the sediment through instead of 
letting it clog or dam up, as on a level 
bottom. I also find that by filling the 
ditch with fine stone up to within plow 
deep, during a very wet spell when the 
throat will not carry all the water, the 
water will raise up in the fine stone, 
thus giving a foot or 18 inches pressure 
to the water in the throat, thus giving it 
a greater velocity which carries all the 
sediment through the ditch, and gives 
the ditch a thorough sweeping out every 
heavy rain. In constructing these ditches 
I find a mason’s hammer and a short 
piece of railroad rail to be used as anvil 
about the tools. For covering and side 
stones, use stones not less than lJ/£- 
inch and not more than three. During 
the five years I have had no trouble 
except once when a covering stone 
broke, so feel that I can safely recom¬ 
mend them. k. r. 
Alderson. Pa. 
Ashes from Garbage. 
J. S., Beaver Falls, Pa .—We have a gar¬ 
bage crematory here where they cremate the 
town garbage. Are the ashes from this 
crematory of any value as a fertilizer? 
What in your opinion would be their value 
and how would you advise the using of 
them as a top-dressing or mixed with the 
soil? 
Ans.—T he value will depend on how 
carefully this garbage is picked over be¬ 
fore burning. If the bones are sorted 
out it will not be worth so much. An¬ 
alysis runs from four to six per cent 
potash and seven to 10 per cent phos¬ 
phoric acid, and about 20 per cent lime. 
Of course there is no nitrogen since 
burning drives this substance away. 
Thus an average sample of garbage 
ashes should be worth from 10 to 30 
per cent more than good wood ashes. 
They will make a good top-dressing for 
grain or grass or for corn. They would 
be particularly good for clover or Al¬ 
falfa. 
tlio boot Holds and evory one of the family, 
from the old grandfather down to the two- 
year-old. for what I know, gets out and 
weeds beets. In fact, this is carried on 
to such an extent that nearly all of our 
domestics in town leave the kitchens vacant 
during the beet weeding and topping sea¬ 
sons. I suppose that the ‘big boss’ in this 
case, which is the man of the family, sees 
to it that all hands put in a full day’s 
work, but so far as there being any slavery 
proposition to it. I do not know that they 
are doing any more than they were used 
to in the old eountry, or much more than 
you and I did back in Michigan on the 
farm at the same age. 
“Of course, this is hard work and the 
amount of money they make on these con¬ 
tracts depends entirely upon the number 
of acres they can take care of during the 
season. It is true that few of our Ameri¬ 
can farmers in this part of the State will 
do this kind of work. You can readily 
see that no farmer could, without hiring 
help in this way, take care of any acreage 
of beets, though it is necessary to have 
a certain acreage, from five to fifteen thou¬ 
sand in a comparatively short distance of 
the factory in order to make it possible 
to run a factory, and we have in Colorado 
14 or 15 factories. I suppose that this 
system is more or less against the theory 
of child labor that is advocated in most 
places, as nearly all these foreign children 
are taken out of school during these periods. 
I do not believe, however, that there is any 
great injustice in the system. 
“The sugar beet business, at the present 
time, seems to be in more or less of a 
transitional stage. For the last two or 
three years, the factories have been grad¬ 
ually raising the price per ton for beets, 
and this was necessary, as many of our 
growers have found that they are losing 
money rather than making money out of 
their beets, and were going back to grain 
and Alfalfa. In fact, for the past two 
years, they have had to double up and keep 
part of their factories closed, both in 
northern Colorado and in the Arkansas 
Talley district. This year they are talking 
about more liberal terms to the growers 
and, as we have had a fairly good beet 
crop, I think probably there will be more 
beets grown next year than before for the 
last two years. This is particularly true 
in the Greeley district, where potatoes were 
a failure thi$ year. 
“We have a more or less perennial ques¬ 
tion of the sugar content in beets. The 
growers maintain that they are not always 
getting the square deal on the percentage 
of sugar, yet they of course cannot analyze 
it for themselves, and where they have 
hired a chemist to do analyzing for them 
they cannot see why their beets should run 
a different per cent of sugar from their 
neighbor over the fence, and soon begin 
to accuse the chemist of giving crooked 
returns; so that at every meeting we at¬ 
tend we hear this same discussion. I do 
not see from the face of the matter that 
it can ever be any different, as we all 
know that different ways of handling beets 
and a little different condition of soil or 
fertility may make as high as three or 
four per cent difference in the sugar content 
of beets.” 
We are fortunate in having had an ex¬ 
cellent hay crop in this section, when the 
yield within almost a dozen miles of us 
was very poor. My own yield per acre 
was 30 per cent, better than last year, 
but I have been bringing up some pretty 
badly run down land. A man managing 
a large estate near Hartford told me that 
he only cut 200 tons this year, where he 
usually had 400. Good Timothy hay is 
bringing about $22 a ton delivered near 
here. My Hartford friend, who had just 
been on an extensive trip after hay, told 
me that he expected stock hay would bring ! 
$30 before Spring. Fotatoes have been ! 
the worst crop ever known. Most of our small 
nearby manufacturing population buy their 
Winter’s stock of potatoes from the farm¬ 
ers, but I sold this year a hundred bushels 
to the storekeeper, who said he had never 
been able to sell so many potatoes before. 
I think many have been buying small quan¬ 
tities, hoping for a drop in the market. 
The price was a dollar a bushel In Sep¬ 
tember and early October, and I am of¬ 
fered 90 cents now for all I have on 
hand. I sold 250 bushels of seconds to go 
to Waterbury. for 50 cents a bushel. 
Usually I should have had difficulty in dis¬ 
posing of that quantity at all. Yet I 
sold 400 bushels of last year’s crop in 
April for 45 cents on the cars. I could 
have had about 55 the previous Fall. Most 
of the milk from our shipping station goes 
to New York at exchange prices, which 
are now netting us four cents a quart. I 
have been shipping cream until this month, 
and raising heifer calves, which seems to 
me more profiable than selling milk if you 
can get the calves. But it has recently 
been so difficult to get the calves that I 
am going into the milk business for a time 
at least. And it may be that the heifer 
business is being overdone. I recently 
saw a dozen in one yard, all under six 
weeks, and I think I never before saw so 
many all over the country. Prices for 
butter fat have been excellent: July, 30 
cents; August. 33%; September, 36; Oc¬ 
tober. 37%. and November, 39. A. 
Litchfield. Conn. 
FOR 12 LARGE 4 TO 5 FT. FEACH TREES 
Selected to cover season early to late. Collection in¬ 
cludes one each—Carman, Champion, Early Crawford, 
Fitzperald, Elberta, Niagara, Belle of Georgia, Mat¬ 
thew’s Beauty, Crosby, Late Crawford, Laxnout and 
Sal way. Agents would ask $4,00 for the same lot. 
WE GROW OUR OWN TREES 
And guarantee them to be true to name. Have equally 
attractive collections of Apple, Pear. Cherry, Plum and 
ornamental trees. Also shrubs, berry bushesj plants, eto. 
GET OUR 1912 CATALOG F 
Contains information every fruit grower should know. 
The result of 44 vears of nursery experience. Write to¬ 
day. We pay freight on orders amounting to $7.50 net or 
over. 
Wm. P. RUPERT & SON 
20, Seneca, N. 
WANTFn~ A second-hand Corn Husker and 
f * L**' Shredder. Must be in perfect run¬ 
ning order and reasonably cheap. P. O. Box 214, 
Millerton, N. Y. 
240Page Book On 
and Silage 
Most complete work on this subject 
published. Used as text book by 
many Agricultural Colleges. Gives 
the facts about Modem Silage Meth¬ 
ods—tells just what you want to 
know. 240 pages—indexed—over 40 
illustrations, a vast amount of useful infor¬ 
mation boiled down for the practical farmer. 
Tells How to Make Silage”—“How to Feed 
Silage”— ‘How to Build Silos”—“How to Main¬ 
tain Soil Fertility by Silage System.” All about 
Summer Silos” and the Use of Silage in Beef 
Production. Limited Revised and Enlarged 
Edition now ready. Send for your copy before 
too late. Enclose 10c in coin or postage stamps 
and mention this paper. 
Sliver Manufacturing Co., Salem. Ohio 
10 ° 
LOW-PRICED A | rrilC 
HIGH-GRADE A U I I/O 
Used cars rebuilt and guaranteed by manu¬ 
facturer same asnewcars. Best for rural roads. 
A high-grade high-powered car for very little 
money. Postal brings full information. 
Steddard Motor Co., 229 W. 57th St., New York 
PRUNING SAW 
Operates from ground. No breaking of limbs 
by climbing. No moving- of ladders. No -living 
of wrong limbs. Can reach topmost branches and 
shape tree better than by old methods. Will save its 
cost in one flay. Nothing to get out of order. Will last 
for years. Thousands in use. Recommended by all users. 
If your dealer can’t furnish it, write for full descriptive 
circular and prices. Satisfaction guaranteed. Address 
FRUITGROWERS’ SAW CO., Scottsville, N. Y. 
A Safe, Sane Hoist 
i that LOCKS ITSELF 
30 Days' Free Use gaStfiSS.TS?! 
rent plnn for trying it out. This device 
oes everything from stretching wire fences 
to lifting the wagon while you’re shifting 
the gears. As a hog-hoist it’s a winner. 
Strings ’em up—holds ’em up alone. Saves 
time, money, muscle 40 different wuys. 
Can't be beat—can’t let go. It's a 
JUMBO 
Safety Hoist and Wire Stretcher 
Earns Cost—Costs Little. It lifts loads like ordi¬ 
nary block and tackle. But the minute you let up on 
S ull rope the automatic locking device of the 
umbo grips onto the pull rope and it's fast. The 
heavier the load the tighter that grip. It’s the grip 
that can't slip! It treats all ropes alike. ^ 
whether they’re old, new, wet or frazzled. ■* ~ ? m fl 
Adjusts itself to size of rope. Made of 
best steel, critically tested and inspected 
before shipment. Shipped for 30 days’ 
FREE use anywhere; guaranteed every¬ 
where. Nine different sizes; capacity 
400 lbs. to 6 tons. Mail your name 
and your dealer’s for the catalog 
and that BIG FREE OF¬ 
FER—right nowi (3) 
HALL MFG. CO. 
553 Main St., Monticello, la. o'* _ 
ALBERTA’S 
Reports from the grain fields of Alberta, 
.Western Canada, show splendid 
.yields of wheat, oats and 
| barley. 
Many farmers have paid 
for their land out of the pro¬ 
ceeds of the crop of 1911. 
At exhibitions throughout 
I the U. S. wherever the grain 
lfrom this Province has been 
I shown it has received the 
highest commendation. 
Free Homesteads of 160 acres 
j and adjoining pre-emptions of 
<160 acres(at $3 per acre) are to 
be had in the choicest districts. 
Schools convenient, climate 
excellent, soil of the very best, 
railways close at hand.building 
lumber cheap, fuel easy to get 
and reasonable in price, water 
easily procured, mixed farming 
I a great success. 
Write as to best place for settlement, 
settlers’ low railway rates, pamphlet 
“Last BestWest,” and other Information, 
to Supt. of Immigration, Ottawa, Can-, 
or to Can. Oov. Agt. 
J. S. CRAWFORD 
301 B. GENESEE STREET 
Syracuse, N. Y. 
GRAIN 
CROP 
rDIRIGO SILOS- 
are better and more durable than other silos 
because we use higher grade lumber, are of 
superior design and we furnish a GENUINE 
wood preservative. They cost less because we 
sell direct and save you agents’ profits. 
Special Discount for Early Orders. 
Post card will bring full information. 
STEVENS TANK & TOWER CO. 
AUBURN, MAINE. 
S ave Money-Buy 
A Lacey Silo, save from $10 to $30 and I’ll guar¬ 
antee to give you the finest Silo lumber, best 
construction and most durable Silo in America. 
Lacey Silos have best patented doors, extra 
strong patented hoops — fit perfect — prevent 
shrink or bulge. My Silo Hoops are really the 
strongest made—sold on money-back guarantee 
after inspection—priced as low as 63c. Write me 
today and I’ll surprise you with low quotations. 
ELMER B. LACEY, Box 80. Union. X. Y. 
I/ACEYS SILOS 
The’Quality” 
SILOS 
Why buy a tub when you can get a Silo T Why 
accept a substitute which only holds your com 
when you can get a Harder Silo which prossrvos it 
and converts it into rich, succulent silage of great¬ 
est milk-producing value T Why not investigate the 
feeding value of Harder Silage ? Literature free. 
HARDER MANUFACTURING CO., 
Box 11 , Cobleskill, N. Y. 
j WWWi: 111 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 
3 h i * i W l ife IJ 't r. * r A j r A g r d ji r A j r A { r t } r A 3 r, j r A } r A g r A g r A j r A g \ 
LOW PRICES “ 
handsome 
FENCE 
100 other stvles. Many cheaperthan wood—nil belter. For I.awns, 
Churches, Parks, etc. Write for Pattern llook and special offer. 
THE WARD FENCE CO., Box 945 DECATUR, IND. 
Patented 
Oct. 6tli 
1908 
IDEAL FENCE 
'Republic Ornamental Fence 
combines beauty and utility. 
'Never bors or bulges, many 
'beautiful patterns. Easily put 
1 np. Also fulP.ine High Car- 
' bon, tubular steel Farm bates 
Secure Free Catalog. 
Republic Fence 4 Gate Co, 
211 B. St. North Chicago, 111. 
1’titup Pure Wnterwlth Impure— Use pornl^ 
or stream water to pump pure water 
from your spring 
with a double¬ 
acting _ 
~ Raises 
_ _ _ ___ "water 30 ft. 
1 R AM each foot of 
^all—no trouble or 
"pumping expense. Satis¬ 
faction guaranteed. Booklet, 
"plans, estimate. HIKE. 
Rife Engine Co., 2429Trinity Bldg., N.Y. 
FOR MENDING HARNESS 
ents. awnings, pulley belts, car¬ 
pets. saddles, suit cases, buggy tops, 
dash boards, or any heavy material. 
_ —iyu’Ocgfr' Stewart’s Automatic 
from spool and Awl is the only per- 
does the work of Sewing 
any harness maker Xi 
machine. It is indis¬ 
pensable for farmers. 
Agents wanted. Sent prepaid 
for $1.25. Send at once for 
catalog. STEWART-SKINNER CO. 
35 Hermon Street, Worcester, Mass. 
O WN A SOUTH CAROLINA FARM—Seventeen Thousand 
Acres rich virgin land, practically ready for culti¬ 
vation, on main line Seaboard Air Line Railway, at 
McBee, S. C. SIS.00 to §25.00 per acre. Investigated 
and endorsed by Commissioner of Agriculture of South 
Carolina. Will divide to suit. Easy payment plan. 
Specially adapted for growing truck, fruit, corn and 
cotton. High and dry; no swamps. Ideal climate. 
Near famous winter resold* of Southern Pines and Cam¬ 
den. Three railroads through property. Eighteen hours 
to New York. Low freight rates. Write for literature. 
SOUTHERN LAND DEVELOPMENT COM l’ANY 
Department 12, Laurens, South Carolina 
HUDSON VALLEY FARMS 
erties in the Hudson River Valley for sale. Prices 
less than buildings are worth. Write for informa¬ 
tion. RURAL LIFE CO., Kindf.rhook, N. Y. 
QO AfRFS - '^ miles from Elmira. Good 
Uu nLIVLu buildings, land lies fine, well wa¬ 
tered with springs and fish pond; twelve cows and 
a Holstein bull; good roads to the city. All for 
$4,000. Terms, $1,500 down, balance five tier eent. 
HAUL’S FARM AGENCY, Owego, Tioga Co., N.Y. 
VIRGINIA FARMS AND HOMES 
FREE CATALOG OF SPLENDID BARGAINS. 
It. It. CHAFFIN & CO., Inc., Iticliniond.Va. 
The GULF STREAM 
LAND OF 
MILD WINTERS 
Thousands of Acres— Rich, Black 
Sandy Loam Soil; Virgin Farm 
Lands, fronting on the ocean. 
Ample monthly rainfall. 
Nearby markets. Twelve 
hours from New York. 
Low priced farming lands. Monthly Excursions. 
Write for Free Colored Maps and Descriptive Litera¬ 
ture. Address W. W, CR0XT0N, G. P, A., Norfolk 
Southern R. R., Dept. D, Norfolk, Virginia, 
CAROLINA 
COAST 
COUNTRY 
ALONG 
THE 
CHOICE VIRGINIA FARMS 
C.&O.Ry —As Low As $15.00 Per Acre 
Fertile 10 acre (adjoining) tracts of land, suitable for poultry, truck and fruit, near Railway 
station, only $275. 20 acres for $500. "Country Life in Virginia” booklet of 134 pages gives 
full description of broad tracts for alfalfa, corn, and other grains and grasses. Abundant rainfall— 
excellent markets—delightful climate. Low excursion rates and booklet free. Address : 
K. T. CRAWLEY, Industrial Agent, Chesapeake & Ohio Railway, Richmond, Va. Box A. T. 
