36J 
March lt>, 
FARMERS’ CLUB 
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Put questions on a separate piece of paper.} 
ASPARAGUS FOR FAMILY SUPPLY. 
W. It. M., Selbyville, Del .—I see an arti¬ 
cle on page 189 in regard to green aspara¬ 
gus. I would like to know how to plant, 
cultivate and grow this vegetable. Tell 
me also the best variety to plant for home 
use. I want to put out a patch for my 
own family use. I have a family of about 
12 in all, and I want to put out a patch 
large enough to supply us during the sea¬ 
son. 
Ans.—G reen asparagus will do well 
under good cultivation upon a variety 
of soils, but will not do well on land 
that bakes or is too wet. The time to 
plant the roots is as early in the Spring 
as the ground can be worked. In pre¬ 
paring the ground for asparagus apply 
broadcast a heavy, coat of well-rotted 
stable manure and plow deeply. Har¬ 
row as often as necessary to get the 
ground in line mechanical condition. 
Plant one-year-old roots of the Giant 
Argenteuil. For family use I would 
plant them in straight roms four feet 
apart and set plants 18 inches apart 
in the row, and in furrows six inches 
deep. For field use in rows S l / 2 feet 
apart and eight inches deep. The per¬ 
son setting the roots should spread 
them out and firm down well with the 
foot on each side of the plant. Cover 
at once with two inches of soil; the rest 
is gradually worked back during the 
season. The reason for this is that 
if the furrow was filled up at once it 
would use up too much of the plants’ 
strength in pushing through so great a 
depth of soil. About a week or 10 
days later, after growth appears, apply 
down the furrow a dressing of high- 
grade commercial fertilizer. As soon 
as weeds appear the cultivator should 
be used and frequent hand hoeing to 
keep ground mellow and loose; never 
allow it to become overgrown with 
weeds. 
To kill the asparagus beetle, apply 
dry Paris green with a gun in early 
morning when dew is is on the plants, 
and as often as necessary, for if they 
are allowed to defoliate the plants it 
will run to. seed. Another great enemy 
of the asparagus grower is the rust, 
which usually appears in late Summer 
or early Fall. For this there is no 
known remedy. Keep the plants in 
good vigorous growth by frequent 
cultivation, and delay its attack and 
thus diminish its power. Asparagus is 
a gross feeder, and should be supplied 
liberally with humus and a high grade 
commercial fertilizer. In early July 
apply broadcast a liberal amount of a 
high-grade fertilizer. In the Fall, after 
the first heavy frost, when the tops 
turn yellow, they should be cut off and 
burned to do away with insect pests 
and disease. Then apply broadcast a 
heavy coat of stable manure as a pro¬ 
tection, for the soil and for the addi¬ 
tion of plant food. The first year after 
planting a few cuttings may be made, 
but it must not be continued or it will 
injure the bed. The following year it 
may be cut for a month; after that the 
whole season of eight or nine weeks. 
When the ground warms up in the 
Spring and before cutting season begins, 
a slight ridge is made over the plants. 
Green asparagus is cut when six inches 
above ground and two or three inches 
below the surface. I think 200 roots 
when well established should furnish 
enough green asparagus for the needs 
of a family of 12. G. G. I. 
Potatoes in Drills and Hills. 
A. Z., Succaaunna, N. J .—Which is the 
more advantageous method of planting 
potatoes, in checks (hills) so as to culti¬ 
vate both ways, or in rows (18 inches in 
the row), and cultivate one way? 
Ans. —We get a little larger yield by 
planting in drills, and the potatoes can 
be planted by machinery. There is less 
loss of spray material, and the machine 
digger works to better advantage. When 
in hills potatoes are dropped by hand. 
In spraying, it is easier to get up under 
the plants on all sides. By working 
both ways you can keep down grass 
and weeds to better advantage. On an 
old sod or very weedy ground we 
would rather plant in hills, as this will 
give a better chance to subdue such soil 
with less hand work. 
THIS RURAL 
LARGE PUBLIC QUESTIONS. 
[Editor's ‘Note.—U nder this heading we 
intend to have discussed questions which 
particularly interest country people. We 
do not agree with all that our correspond¬ 
ents say, but we shall give men and women 
who possess the courage of conviction an 
opportunity to say what they think about 
certain things which interest country peo¬ 
ple.] 
An Agrarian Party—Is It Desirable? 
The knowledge that so-called agrarian 
parties exist in Europe and form dis¬ 
tinctive political groups in legislatures 
for the purpose, first of all, of protect¬ 
ing and promoting their own special in¬ 
terests, has no doubt prompted certain 
articles that have recently appeared in 
the farm press, advocating the organiza¬ 
tion of a kindred political body in this 
country. At first glance such a proposal 
might favorably appeal to the farmer 
and those solicitous for his welfare, but 
a more leisurely consideration will, I 
think, pronounce it not only impractica¬ 
ble but undesirable as well. 
In the first place, there is not room 
and never will be for a third party of 
any permanence in the United States. 
It is becoming more and more evident 
that there is only one great natural 
cleavage in the political thought of man, 
and its result is to align him either as 
a liberal or conservative on the issues 
of his time. The numerous political 
groups which we see in the parliaments 
of France and Germany are indicative 
in the former of inexperience in demo¬ 
cratic government and in the latter 
chiefly of the dominance of aristocratic 
classes who do not truly represent the 
masses. In Great Britain, the mother 
of representative government, we find 
but two parties of any consequence 
which, as Liberals and Conservatives, 
probably represent the ultimate evolution 
of political divisions. 
Agrarianism in Europe has always 
stood for landlordism and its immediate 
selfish interests. The German agrari¬ 
ans are opposing the entry of American 
farm products, and for many years have 
quite effectually thwarted the import of 
beef and pork. It matters not to them 
that the working classes are crying for 
cheaper meat. They are aristocrats who 
are keenly alive to their land revenues 
with which they maintain their rank. In 
England agrarianism is also identified 
with the great landlords, and it was 
against the Tory peers that Cobden and 
Bright had to wage their historical 
struggle for the abolition of the corn 
laws which were impoverishing the peo¬ 
ple. In this country we have not yet 
reached, and it is to be devoutly hoped 
that we never will reach, the era of 
aristocratic landlordism. It is indeed 
true that the tenant farmer now con¬ 
stitutes 37 per cent of all our farmers, 
and that the trend is undeniably in the 
direction of a fixed landlord and tenant 
class, but we may rightfully cherish the 
hope that the evolution of democracy, 
which was never more active, not only 
here but over all the world, than in this 
age, may succeed in disclosing a solu¬ 
tion for this menace. It will be a bad 
day for our country when political par¬ 
ties in Congress stand for class distinc¬ 
tions such as agrarianism, labor or capi¬ 
tal, for it will mean the predominance 
of purely selfish interests over the gen¬ 
eral welfare, as well as the kindling of 
class hatreds. I see only one safe 
way for an agrarian party to exist 
here, and that is for the farmer 
to assert himself as an active and 
influential factor in one of our two 
great parties, either by offering him¬ 
self as a candidate or by insur¬ 
ing the election of a man who is friend¬ 
ly to his interests. The great majority 
of our legislators, State and National, 
owe their places of trust to the rural 
vote, and are keenly responsive to the 
demands of the farmers. There is no 
class in the nation which has been re¬ 
ceiving the universal solicitude of their 
brethren, from President on through 
manufacturer, banker, merchant and 
humble consumer, than have the culti¬ 
vators of the soil. Beginning with the 
farm commission of Roosevelt the whole 
nation has busied itself with their af¬ 
fairs as the National bread-winners. 
That National respect and that solicitude 
bids fair to endure as long as the farm¬ 
er does not corrupt his present sterling 
virtue by embracing an agrarianism that 
ignores the public good for selfish in¬ 
terests. L. R. JOHNSON. 
Gape Girardeau Co., Mo. 
R. N.-Y.—If they have received this 
“solicitude” what else of really practical 
benefit has gone with it? 
N EW'YORKBR 
Because there’s 
no waste power 
That’s why the Cartercar can do things that are impossible for 
gear driven cars. The test shown above gives you a fair idea of 
what this remarkable car will do. 
It’s the patented Friction Transmission of the Cartercar that gives 
it this tremendous power. Being supplemented by an excellent 
chain-in-oil drive, practically every bit of power is delivered to 
the rear axle. 
Seven-passenger, equipped, $2100 Five-passenger, equipped, $1600 
Your Cartercar will fly over the smooth places on the road and 
will go easily and noiselessly through muddy and sandy places. 
It is easy for anyone to drive, and a pleasure to ride in, because 
the friction drive prevents jolts and jars in starting and changing 
speeds. 
We have embodied every7modern idea of motor car construction 
in the Cartercar. Self-starter, full floating rear axles, long wheel 
base, valve encased motor, etc. All models fully equipped. 
Write me personally for information and complete catalog. 
HARRY R. RADFORD, Sales Manager 
CARTERCAR COMPANY 
PONTIAC, MICHIGAN 
Branches: New York City, Chicago, Kansas City and Detroit 
FRUIT TREES and PLANTS 
AT VERY LOW PRICES 
Apples, $15.00 per 100 
Peaches, 8.00 per 100 
Cherries, 7.00 per 100 
Plums, 9.00 per 100 
Pears, Currants, Raspberries. All strictly 
first-class stock, and Government Inspect¬ 
ed. Send to-day for our Free Catalogue on 
Fruits and Ornamentals and buy direct 
from the Growers. Our trees are grown 
in that well known nursery belt of Ontario 
County. 
ONTARIO NURSERY CO. 
INC. 
GENEVA, N. Y. Box 21 
FOR 12 LARGE 4 TO 5 FT. PEACH TREES 
Selected to cover season early to late. Collection In¬ 
cludes one each—Carmau, Champion, Early Crawford, 
Fitzgerald, Elberta, Niagara, Bello of Georgia, Mat¬ 
thew’s Beauty, Crosby, Late Crawford, Lamout and 
Sal way. Agents would ask $4.00 for (he 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 bushes, plants, etc. 
GET OUR 1912 CATALOG F 
Contains Information every fruit grower should know. 
The result of 44 years of nursery experience. Write to¬ 
day. We pay freight on orders amounting to $7.50 net or 
over. 
Wo, P. RUPERT Ct SON 
BIG FRUIT 
CROPS 
If you set out an orchard 
with our stock, you will 
have fruit trees and plants 
of splendid hardiness and 
■ ■ i great productiveness, corn- 
lined with the best quality of fruit. For 
fears we have been growing the kind you 
:an absolutely depend on. Persons who 
>uy from us once come back every season. 
>ur Booklet contains the best of our ex¬ 
perience, gathered during the thirty years 
/ve have been growing fruit. This practi- 
;al book is free. Write for it new). 
BARISES BROS. NURSERY CO. 
Box 8, Yalesville, Conn. 
“BLACK’S QUALITY” 
FRUIT TREES 
NONE BETTER 
None Give Better Returns when They Fruit 
Buy Direct From the Nursery 
and save agent’s discounts and middleman's 
profits. When you buy our trees you get a 
Dollar’s Worth of Trees 
for every one hundred cents you remit to us. 
PEACH and APPLE TREES 
a specialty. CATALOGUE FREE 
JOS. H. BLACK, SON & CO. 
HIGHTSTOWN. N. J. 
Inoculated Alfalfa Soil 
75c. per 100, or $10.00 per ton, f. o. b. cars Ashville, 
Pa. Send for free booklet. “How to Grow Al¬ 
falfa.” DR. H. SOMERVILLE, Chest Springs, Pa 
Fruit and Ornamental Trees 
EVERGREENS, SHRUBS. 
ROSES and VINES. 
dougTasmtrees 
are sold direct at wholesale prices; have a world 
wide reputation and are backed by 60 years’ ex¬ 
perience. Send to-day for Fbkk copy of our 
catalog. 
R. DOUGLAS' SONS, -WAUKEGAN, IllintU. 
TREES and PUNTS-i I ! ! M Sl*r t E ; 11 „t> 
sale pi-ices. Big supply Apple & Peach Trees. Privet 
Hedging. The Westminster Nursery. Westminster, Md. 
Come to Berlin 
VISIT OUR NURSERIES and ORCHARDS 
Find out how we grow trees and make these trees 
bear fruit—our experience will help you avoid costly 
mistakes. In our widely scattered orchards we have 
learned which kinds are best for most localities and 
we can tell you what and what not to plant. 
While here you can select your trees, if you wish 
to buy, though you will not obligate yourself to pur¬ 
chase by coming. Let us know when you can come 
and we will pay your hotel bill during your stay. 
Send ior Our Catalog 
If vou can’t come to Berlin, our service department 
Will help you select your trees and you can order by 
mail. When you write for the book, tell us how much 
tree planting you think of doing. 
Better send 50 cents, too, for copy of “How to Grow 
And Market Fruit”—our new book which tells all 
about how to make your orchards profitable—rebated 
on first order for $ 5.00 or more. 
