322 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKEE 
March 9, 
Pecans in Virginia. 
A. B., New York .—I read the pecan arti¬ 
cle in a recent! issue of Chas. K. Tabst and 
H. JE. Van Deman, and would like to know 
what the latter thinks about the alluvial 
soil on the Nausemond River, Virginia, 
and whether the paper-shell kinds of the 
South will do well there. Also if you can 
give me some general idea of the country 
around Suffolk on said river and what is it 
good for? 
Ans.—I t is certain that the Northern 
types of pecan will flourish in the coast 
country of Virginia, and it is possible 
that Southern types may do so, but this 
is doubtful as yet. The climate is much 
milder than in the same latitude away 
from the coast. That country is not so 
rich as the alluvial soils of the larger 
river systems, but the soils are mostly 
humus mixed with Sand and not much 
clay. The region is ideal for peanuts, 
and that is one of the principal crops 
grown. H. E. VAN DEMAN. 
Grape Grafting 
G. M.j Benton Harbor, Mich .—About a 
year ago I saw an article on grape grafting, 
which did not Interest me at the time, and 
which I would like to have you explain 
ag^ln. Can grapes be budded like peach 
trees? I let a young vine grow during the 
Summer and bud in August. Why should 
grafting be done at the root instead near 
the crown. 
Ans. —Grape vines seem so consti¬ 
tuted that they cannot be budded. I 
have tried it several times without any 
success, and I have known of other 
such attempts. But they can be grafted 
with reasonable success. My first ef¬ 
fort was in April, 1867, and with very 
good results, and wherever it has been 
desirable to graft them it has not been 
satisfactory. The place to do the work 
I have been told is several inches be¬ 
low the surface of the ground and I 
have never tried it elsewhere or known 
of others doing otherwise. It may be 
possible to do the grafting at the collar 
or above ground, but some persons with 
whom I have discussed the matter sug¬ 
gested that as canes would come out 
below the place of grafting it would 
be safer to have all parts above ground 
of the desired variety. But it would be 
very easy to test the matter by ex¬ 
periments. The vine should be packed 
with earth nearly to the top of the 
ecion. No waxing is needed. 
H. E. VAN DEMAN. 
Propagating Hydrangeas and Syringas. 
C. II. L., East Milton, Mass .—When shall 
1 take cuttings from my hardy Hydrangeas? 
When can I begin to root the cuttings? 
What is the best way? Can I root cuttings 
frm my Syringas? 
Ans. —The Hydrangea is propagated 
by cutting of half-ripened or nearly ripe 
wood under glass in Summer, also by 
hardwood cuttings, layers, suckers and 
divisions of the old plant. Syringas 
could be propagated in the same way, 
whether you refer to the lilac, botan- 
ically Syringa, or the mock orange, Phil- 
adelphus, commonly called by the for¬ 
mer name. If you have no greenhouse, 
the easiest way would be to make lay¬ 
ers this Spring, which is a very simple 
matter, and usually entirely satisfactory. 
Wait until the leaves are fully expand¬ 
ed, and the season’s growth in full prog¬ 
ress. The process is simply the bend¬ 
ing down of a branch, leaving it at¬ 
tached to the parent plant, incising it so 
that the downward flow of sap is 
checked, and the branch must make 
roots to sustain itself; the tip of the 
layered branch becomes the new plant. 
Make an incision in the branch to be 
layered, just below a bud, cutting 
through the bark and into the branch 
a little way; then split lengthwise of 
the branch about an inch, forming a 
tongue. The branch is then bent down, 
fastened down with a hooked peg, and 
the end tied upright to a stake. The 
place where the incision is made is then 
covered with earth, to exclude light and 
air, and keep it moist. The branch will 
quickly make roots, and by the next sea¬ 
son the branch may be severed from 
the parent, and be treated as a separate 
plant. A great variety of shrubs and 
vines may be propagated in this way, 
and it is especially satisfactory where 
the grower has no glass structure for 
propagating. 
Questions About Fruit 
Is the annual use of basic slag in a bear¬ 
ing apple orchard advisable, or is there 
danger of too much lime? Is it definitely 
known that for best results bearing 
orchards should be in neutral or slightly 
acid soil? 
No, we are unable to find any definite 
facts about it. Many fine orchards are 
reported on limestone soil where the 
land is alkaline. A soil that will pro¬ 
duce good clover is usually good apple 
land. The evidence seems to be that 
slag may safely be used year after 
year with good results. A. T. Repp of 
New Jersey uses lime freely in all his 
orchards and has fine crops. It is 
known that the cranberry and the 
strawberry do best in an acid soil. So 
far as they have gone the scientists 
seem to agree the apple is not like these 
berries in the soil requirements. 
Is there definite knowledge regarding the 
relative quality of fruit grown on fertilizer 
containing muriate and sulphate of potash, 
respectively? Is the free chlorine from tho 
muriate harmful in bearing orchards? 
Very little. So far as we know the 
results obtained by Prof. Brooks of 
the Massachusetts Station are the most 
definite. We do not believe that the 
muriate would prove injurious to bear¬ 
ing orchards. Potatoes and sugar beets 
are usually taken as the crop most likely 
to show superior quality with sulphate 
of potash. Dr. Lipman of the New 
Jersey station puts it in this way. The 
chances for injury in using ordinary 
amounts in apple orchards would be 
very small. 
“It is true that muriate of potash, when 
used in excessive amounts, may reduce the 
proportion of starch in potatoes or the 
proportion of sugar in sugar beets. It all 
depends, however, on the definition of the 
term “excessive.” Now, it may be said that 
even large amounts of mixed fertilizers, 
as they are used in potato growing, do not 
contain excessive amounts of chloride. It 
is my impression that an application of one 
ton of 4-8-10 goods, containing an equiva¬ 
lent of 400 pounds of muriate of potash, 
would not introduce an excessive amount of 
chloride. It is possible that amounts great¬ 
er than that indicated might prove detri¬ 
mental to the production of potato tubers 
of high quality.” 
Has the use of lime, sulphur as a gen¬ 
eral spray been as satisfactory in 1911 as 
was hoped? Our own experience Is highly 
satisfactory; we have had less scab, fewer 
wormy apples, and cleaner looking trees 
than ever before, and we have used pre¬ 
pared lime-sulphur only; first spray one to 
10, later sprays one to 40, with three 
pounds of lead arsenate to the barrel of 
mixture, and no trace of damage to foliage. 
Is it possible for the small orchardist to 
prepare the concentrated lime-sulphur, that 
will keep, without live steam and with such 
apparatus as he can afford to own, or would 
it be better for those who only need a few 
barrels of the concentrated lime-sulphur to 
buy the commercial preparation? 
On the whole, yes. The interview re¬ 
ported by Mr. Van Deman on page 276 
gives a fair statement of the facts. The 
lime-sulphur has not proved a complete 
substitute for Bordeaux Mixture as was 
hoped it might—otherwise it has proved 
very satisfactory. In our own case we 
prefer to buy a good brand of commer¬ 
cial mixture rather than make small 
quantities. 
A Chemical Humbug. 
I send a sample of a chemical that I 
bought this morning, which if it does all 
they claim is a gold mine indeed. If not 
I am not much out. as I bought only an 
ounce. This Is what they claim: You 
dissolve one ounce in 25 gallons of water 
for 96 hours, and then soak your seed in 
It for 20 minutes, and then they claim 
that the plant will be immune from all 
bugs and blight for the season. They claim 
that it prevents potato bugs or potato 
blight, and also prevent those small yellow- 
striped bugs on melon and cucumber vines. 
Paulsboro, N. J. a. 
This is a good example of the frauds 
practiced on gardeners. The sample was 
blue vitrol or sulphate of copper used 
with lime in making Bordeaux mixture. 
The claims made for it are lies pure and 
simple. There is no way of making plants 
immune, to disease or insects by soaking 
the seed in chemicals. We do soak small 
grains in a solution of formalin to prevent 
smut, and we do soak potato seed to pre¬ 
vent scab, but this will not affect the in¬ 
sects. This game of selling ordinary chemi¬ 
cals for about 50 times what they are worth 
on the strength of extravagant “claims” is 
an old one. Do not believe any one who 
tells you these big stories! 
LOW FACTORY PRICE 
ON EMPIRE FENCE. 
Sold direct to yon. The fence that Iras stood 
the hardest test of service on some of the biggest 
farms in the country. The Empire is made of 
ALL BIG WIRES. 
Of Basic Open Hearth Steel with special Stay Tie—the 
strongest made. Heavily galvanized against rust. 
All No. 9 Wire JgS 
Write for 
Free Book 
fu 11 of profit-making 
facts for you. A postal 
brings it. Alio free 
sample and direct-from- 
factory price. Write 
BOND STEEL POST CO. 
23 Matinee St., 
Adrian, Micitigan. 
Pomme de Feu Apple. 
I am sending you an apple that we think 
Is all right. I think they were planted for 
the Blue I’earmain, but the pomologist at 
Washington wrote me that they were an 
apple considerably grown in Canada under 
the name of Pomme de Feu. Our soil Is 
very light and sandy here, and this apple 
Is about the only one that seems thrifty 
here. I am grafting a lot of natural fruit 
into this variety. It is a good keeper and 
my friends and neighbors are always ready 
to buy any fruit I have to spare. 
Massachusetts. i. A . G . 
The apple is a good one—a fine specimen 
of the variety named. Here is a case where 
the nurseryman’s substitution worked well. 
We should let these trees alone and grow 
this variety. 
SEED CORN 
Write today for our Free Catalogue telling how 
we select and dry the seod and showing actual 
photographs of our high yielding varieties. 
C. C.VALE, It. No. lO, New Carlisle, O. 
RITE to Mathias Hahn, of Greenwood, Del., for 
Catalog of Farm Bargains. 70 farms for sale. 
W 
“For the Land’s Sake, use Bowker’s 
Fertilizers; they enrich the earth and 
those who till it.”— Adv. 
WHOLESALE PRICES 
On Strawberry, Raspberry, Blackberry, Gooseberry, | 
Currant, Asparagus and Grape Plants, Heavy Rooted, 
High Grade Stock. 20th Annual Catalogue Free. 
A. R- WESTON & CO., R. g Bridgman, Mich, j 
ONION SEED serminatFon 
Yellow Danvers, $1.10: Yellow Globe Danvers, $1.25; 
Southport Yellow Globe, $1.50: Ohio Yellow Globe, 
$1.50; Prizetaker,$1.40; Southport lied Globe,$1.40; 
Red Wethersfield, $1.25 per pound, postpaid. 
ONION SETS — Fancy Yellow, $2.25; White, 
$2.75 bushel. 
Write for Seed Catalog and FREE trial pkt. of 
New Enkhuizeu Glory Cabbage. 
J. AUG. DRAKE, Seedsman, 100 Main St., Chester, N. J. 
MANHATTAN STRAWBERRY PLANTS 
The largest berries, strongest growers, $2.00 per 
100, $15.00 per 1,000. Bountiful, largest, prolific, 
early Berry, 75 centsper 100, $5.00 per 1,000. 
*' T ” WILS~'’ - 
BEEKMAN & 
jSON, Middletown, N. J. 
S TRAWBERRY PLANTS—Guaranteed true to name; 
good as grown: prices low. Descriptive Illus. 
Catalog free. G. E. BUNTING, Selbj ville, Del. 
Strawberry Plants 
35 VARIETIES 
Hardy Plants 
LOWEST PRICES FOR NORTHERN GROWN. 
CATALOGUE FREE 
H. H. HENNING, It.F.D. 8, Clyde, N. V. 
STRAWRFRRIFS~ Get the best Plants at 
low prices. Send for our 
30th Annual Catalog. Try BETHEL, best new 
one. SLAYMAKER & SON, Wyoming, Del. 
OTRAWBERRY PLANTS—Reliable money-making varl- 
0 eties only $1.75 and $1.98 per 1000. New 1912 Hlus. 
Catalogue free. S. A.VIRDIN. Hartly, Delaware. 
Strawherrv Plants 9 ver Fort y Varieties, at 
Otxciwuerry T lams $2 .50 per i.OOO. Descriptive 
Catalog E ree. BASIL PERRY, 0-18, Cool Sprino, Del. 
POTATOES— Bliss. Bovee,Carman, Gobbler, Giant, Hustler, Ohio, 
Ionia,Queon, Jewel,Wonder; 8 . kinds. C.W. Ford, Fishers, N. Y. 
C XT' T7' TV P otat oes, Red River. Seed Corn, 
M Oats, etc. Write ns. McAdams 
Seed Co., Columbus Grove, Ohio 
Pure Field Seeds 
Clover, Timothy, Alsike, Alfalfa and all kind* of 
Pure Field Seeds direct from producer to con¬ 
sumer; free from noxious weeds. Ask forsamples 
A. C. HOYT & CO., Fostoria, Ohio. 
Q rv Ar Jc> If you want the very 
9u6QS rlG© best Farm, Garden 
and Flower Seeds 
you must sow JUNG QUALITY SEEDS. To get 
new customers we will send Free, with our beauti¬ 
ful catalog, a pkt, of Giant Prizetaker Tree Tomato. 
J. W. JUNG SEED CO., Dept. 28, Randolph, Wis. 
SEED POTATOES 
MAINE GROWN—EARLY and LATE. 
COBBLERS A SPECIALTY-CATALOG. 
A. H. HOFFMAN.KAMFOKD, PA, 
0QD SEEDS 
■ ^ BEST IN THE WORLD 
Prices Below All Others 
I will give a lot of new 
sorts free with every order I 
Sr* fill. Buy and test. Return if 
’not O. K.—money refunded 
Big Catalog FREE * 
Over 5T00 illustrations of vege¬ 
tables and flowers. Send yours 
and your neighbors’ addresses. 
. SHUMWAY, Rockford, Illinois 
70 TONS OF CORN FROM OINK ACUK 
Mrs.H. WillIlarris.of Michigan.planted Eureka Ensilage Corn and won our $50 gold prize for 
heaviest yield—over 7 0 tons to the acre. Eureka Com grows tallest—baa most, leaves— 
greatest numberof ears, the resultof long time breeding. Don’t plant your whole farm 
when four acres will fill a 200-ton silo. Four heaviestacres last year grown by competitors 
for nnrnnvA wprA? . wiiju— t. .. .., 
for our prize were: 
70 tons,'- 800 lbs. 
47 tons, 7 6 lbs. 
42 tonB, 860 lbs. 
40 tons, 360 lbs. 
Total 200 tons, 96 lbs. 
__ Wildbauk, Adrian, Mich.. Nov. 9. 'LL. 
EOSS BEOS. CO., Worcester, Mass. 
The Eureka Ensilage Com seed bought of you was the finest corn for En¬ 
silage ever grown in Michigan. Corn is fine, too. One acre grew over 50 tons 
of fodder and corn and over 100 bushels of good ear corn. We also grew two 
acres of this corn; one of these grew TO tons and 800 pounds, which 
won your prize. Prom these two acres we have kept 5 cows, 4 horses, a 
number of hogs, geese, etc., and still feeding. Com grew from 1 5 to 20 feet high and had from 8 to 5 
ears of good corn. Everything eats it as it it were sweet corn—cattle, horses, hogs, 
geese, etc. MBS. H. WILL HAEBIS. 
Plant Eureka Ensilage Corn this year and do the same as Mrs. Harris did. 
$100 Gold Prize for Heaviest Yield. Equally divided in case of tie. WlnnerB 
announced at Corn Show, Boston, N ov.20-24,1912. Prices low—write to-day. 
SHEFFIELD PRIZE FLINT CORN still holds the world’s flintcoru record, es¬ 
tablished in 1910, of 128.8 bushels of crib dry corn from one acre. Won first 
prize and the only first prize in 1910 at New England Corn Show for heaviest 
Yield of corn from one acre. Sheffield Flint Corn won drat, and sweepstakes 
for best 80 ears of flint corn at Mass. Corn Show in loll. We offer $20.00 in 
gold for best 10 ears to be exhibited at the Worcester Horticultural show* 
October 10,1912; first prize, $10.00; second prize, $6.00; third prize, $4.00. In 
case of a tie, prizes will be equally divided. On account of early frost our 
stock of this variety is limited. Therefore advise placing? orders early, for 
there is not enough to go around. Our 1912 book tells all about these wonderful kinds 
of com* It is free, sent postpaid. W rite for it to-day. 
m 
ROSS BROS. CO.) 13 Front St., ’Worcester, Mass. 
Fall Bearing Strawberries 
These Berries are truly wonderful. They bear fruit every fall as well 
spnpe. three crops in two years. They have yielded as high as 
10,000 qts. to acre in Aug., Sept, and Oct. of first year, with us. We can- 
not get enough fruit to supply the demand at 25c per qt. wholesale. I 
know of nothing in the fruit line quite so profitable. We are also 
beadquarters for Plum Farmer, Idaho and Royal Purple Raspberries, Early Ozark 
Strawberry, Watt Blackbevry, Hastings Potato. Catalogue of all kinds ol Bern 
Plants free. Address L. J. FARMER. Box 220, Pulaski. N. V. 
ASPARAGUS 
Eat Asparagus and be healthy* # Grow your own roots. It’s easy. 
Jty J912 one and two-year old stock is unexcelled. Six of the strongest,, 
healthiest, thriftiest varieties. Place your order now. Special prices 
on lai*ge orders. Free catalog of Ornamental Trees, Fruit Trees, 
Small Fruits, Vines, California Privet, Spray Pumps. Send for it now* 
ARTHUR J. COLLINS, Box R, Moorestown, N. J. 
OATS 
Sworn yield 259 
bushels per acre. 
You can beat that. 
Why not try in 1912 
A. SALZER SEEP COMPANY. Boxl 44 , La Cros <*@ 5 Wis. 
Largest growers of pedigree farm 
and garden seeds in the world— 
Clovers, Grasses, Oats, Rye, Bar¬ 
ley, Potatoes, Seed Com, etc. We 
breed only pedigree heavy yield- 
ingstocks. CATALOGUE FREE. 
