Sli2 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
July 27, 
ALFALFA AT RED GATE STOCK FARM. 
The illustration, Fig. 338, on page 811, 
represents an Alfalfa field on the Red 
Gate Stock Farm, Madison County, N. 
Y. The proprietor, W. D. Hatch of 
New York City, is seen seated. Cer¬ 
tified milk for New York City is pro¬ 
duced, and as the farm is not run as a 
show place, but for the profit it will 
produce, any crop that will cheapen the 
cost of milk production is sought for. 
In giving a short history of the Alfalfa 
field shown I wish first to state that al¬ 
though in this case the results have 
been very satisfactory, there are some 
points of which I do not approve, and 
do not recommend to be followed. 
These will be shown later. 
As the result of poor seed corn and 
a bad year in 1910 we were left with 
three acres of corn failure, and de¬ 
cided to then start our first work with 
Alfalfa. The soil is what we con¬ 
sidered well adapted to the crop, being 
of a deep gravel formation and nat¬ 
urally perfectly drained. It had been 
well manured in the Spring with about 
10 loads of cow manure per acre. This 
might be considered by many as a 
rather light dressing, but as we use 
only shavings for bedding, we consider 
10 loads equal to at least IS of mixed 
droppings and straw litter. The first 
week in August the ground was plowed 
and harrowed several times. After an 
application of about 1,500 pounds of 
lime, and about 200 pounds of soil from 
a neighbor’s Alfalfa field per acre, the 
seed was broadcast at the rate of 18 
pounds per acre. Right here are two 
points 1 do not recommend, and as a 
correction would sow a little earlier if 
possible and at the rate of 30 pounds 
per acre. Each Winter when the ground 
is frozen we top-dress with five loads of 
manure per acre. In the season of 1911 
we had a fair cutting the first time, 
but the second, on account of the bad 
season, was light, giving us a total of 
about three tons per acre. The third 
was short, and so was only clipped off 
and left. 
This year, as the illustration shows, 
we begin to get good results, the Al¬ 
falfa over nearly all the field standing 
42 inches high, and giving us a yield 
of about three tons per acre. We are 
so well satisfied with our first experi¬ 
ence that we intend to seed five to 10 
acres each year to this valuable crop. As 
far as 1 have been able to note, I con¬ 
sider Alfalfa hay far superior to any 
other variety. Just what the feeding 
value is, I am not able to state, but 
I do know that when the Alfalfa was 
gone our yield of milk dropped. I 
will, however, make the statement and 
am confident I am nearly right. If I 
were feeding 10 pounds of hay and 12 
pounds of grain in connection with 
silage, 1 would not hesitate to add two 
or three pounds of Alfalfa, and deduct 
a like amount from the grain, and I 
think anyone who tries Alfalfa will find 
out that it does not cost $30 per ton 
to produce as our grain costs at the 
feed store. As an ending to this arti¬ 
cle, will summarize as follows: 
1. Select a field with perfect drain¬ 
age and manure well. 
2. Harrow till a perfect seed bed is 
obtained, tire surface being nearly dust. 
3. Lime thoroughly (would do this 
whether I thought it needed it or not). 
4. Inoculate with soil from a well 
established Alfalfa field. (Same after¬ 
thought applies as in No. 3.) 
5. Sow broadcast in July or early 
August, with 30 pounds seed per acre, 
and harrow lightly. 
6. Top-dress each Winter. 
Madison Co., N. Y. e. tarbell. 
Spreading Lime. —Ground limestone can 
be spread quite evenly with an ordinary 
manure spreader. Cover the bottom of the 
spreader with some coarse cheap cloth (old 
sacks will do, letting them lap), leaving it 
loose so it can roll under and back with 
moving bed, tacking it at each end and 
probably iu center. Gear the grader at its 
lowest rate, which is four loads per acre. 
Spread one-fourth of quantity of lime meal 
over bottom of spreader and it will be scat¬ 
tered quite nicely. J. G. b. h. 
Hopkins County, Ky. 
Spraying for Curl-Leaf. — I saw a com¬ 
ment on spraying for curl-leaf this week. 
It was a mere chance that we sprayed this 
Spring. Having a barrel of concentrated 
lime-sulphur from last year we sprayed the 
young orchard and a few old trees around 
the house to use it up. , saved our 
peaches. Even the carelessly sprayed trees 
show the difference iu control. All un¬ 
sprayed trees (old) show very badly. Is 
it known to affect apple trees? I thought 
I noticed a few leaves. w. g. 
New Jersey. 
NOTES ON AN EUROPEAN TRIP. 
Part II. 
Our American farmers are far ahead of 
European farmers in intelligence, enterprise 
and energy, due to the fact of their higher 
education and freedom, so that they com¬ 
pare favorably with any class that we have 
in the United States. The trouble in Europe 
is, that a great deal of land is owned by 
land-holders and rented out to tenants on 
long time, and either cash or crop rental. 
These large land-holders have experts em¬ 
ployed who direct the cultivation of their 
various estates. Ownership of land amongst 
farmers is small, and values are so high 
that it is difficult to acquire same; whereas, 
in the United States the land is so cheap 
and fertile, and there is so much of it to 
be had that the greater percentage of our 
farmers are their own bosses. Therefore, 
this independence stimulates their energy 
and intelligence and makes the best class 
of citizens that any country can have. Con¬ 
sequently, they are much better off than 
the European farmers. 
Another thing, Germany, France and Au^ 
tria have to-day more standing timber than 
they had 50 years ago. A private owner 
of timber land (although the bulk is owned 
by the government) in some States is not 
permitted to cut but 1-80 of his timber 
yearly, and then for every tree that he cuts 
he must replant under government super¬ 
vision. If every farmer in the United 
States would plant from one to five acres 
of timber, using the most undesirable land 
they have, for this purpose, in 50 year* 
the United States would likely catch up for 
the enormous destruction that has taken 
place in our forests, and at the same time 
he would be providing a future inheritance 
for his children and children’s children. In 
a great many localities a nut tree, like wal¬ 
nuts or hickory nuts, could be planted that 
in the course of time would bring in a 
revenue in nuts as well as timber. The 
farmers in different localities could easily 
have laws passed in their respective coun¬ 
ties, exempting such land from taxation for 
the length of time that the land is used 
for wood purposes only ; some States now 
have this law; and after the land is planted 
to these trees they require hardly any at¬ 
tention. Most trees iu Europe are pine. 
The seed is planted an eighth of an inch 
deep, in the Fall, in a seed bed of rich soil 
from decayed leaves, the ground firmly 
pressed, and covered over with pine needles 
at this season of the year. Next Spring, 
when they come up, they are left iu their 
seed bed for a year and transplanted two 
or three times, after which they are planted 
in the forest or locality where they are to 
remain permanently. By planting these pine 
trees three or four feet apart, they grow 
very tall and it does not take over 10 to 15 
years to make fence rails. They can then 
be thinned out,and in about 30 years they 
are of a diameter of 10 to 15 inches on 
sandy soil. Of course the growth will be 
much more rapid in better soil. 
There is no great secret about forestry. 
Our Forestry Department, agricultural col¬ 
leges, experimental farms, farmers’ jour¬ 
nals, all give good information when asked 
for, and the time is coming when every 
farmer should look to the future require¬ 
ments of the farm. Of course, European 
governments are more parental in their 
forms of government, and use their author¬ 
ity in conserving the natural resources, 
whereas we have had so many of them that 
our idea has been to look out for ourselves 
and let posterity look out for itself, which 
is a wrong idea. For private individuals 
to plant forests is too expensive; that is, 
large tracts, and large corporations or the 
government alone can do this to obtain any 
revenue out of them, but on every farm 
there is more or less waste land, land that 
is not used, or cannot be profitably farmed, 
which could just r.s well as not be used for 
a good-sized wood lot. And then, Took at 
the pleasure derived from seeing something 
growing, interesting the children on the 
place, and in future years to have the satis¬ 
faction of knowing that you have planted 
this forest that is growing under your su¬ 
pervision. It does not take long, 10 years 
soon pass, and you get the benefit of know¬ 
ing that your farm is well provided for 
fence rails and building material, and a 
paid-up endowment policy for the children. 
Another thing: Our country roads are 
unnecessarily wider than they need to be. 
In Europe they are not over 20 or 25 feet 
wide, and 10 feet in great many instances, 
which prevents weeds from growing in the 
roadway; and especially through Austria, 
you will find along these roadways fruit 
trees planted, cherries principally, acting 
not only for shade but as a source of 
revenue for adjoining property. Of course 
these fruit trees are planted under govern¬ 
ment supervision and are rented out. and 
the crops sold (certain sections of it) to 
the highest bidder, but individuals could 
just as well do this. A neighborhood of 
progressive farmers along our highways 
could just as well plant fruit trees in front 
of their lot line along the road, through 
associations or Granges, which would be a 
great benefit not only for themselves but 
the whole neighborhood. Any improvement 
that is inaugurated in any district increases 
the value of all the property in that dis¬ 
trict. If your neighbor is a successful 
farmer and gets his land in fruitful, well¬ 
paying condition, it shows what you can do 
and in that way increases the value of your 
land and section. It is a great deal better 
to own property next to a successful farmer 
and easier to sell it, than to be in a dis¬ 
trict where none are successful. So, looking 
at it from the standpoint of a financial in¬ 
vestment. our farmers should be more co¬ 
operative iu improving their districts. 
Children should be taught in district 
schools at least a half hour a day about 
the cultivation of fruit trees, forest trees 
and flowers. It is a fact that whatever a 
person can do the best he likes the best, 
and whatever he knows the best be likes 
the best, and a little extra instruction on 
any one point along farming or agricultural 
lines, adds to the interest that children 
will take on the home place. 
Colorado. l. f. liebhardt. 
LONG ISLAND POTATO OUTLOOK. 
During the first of the season the weather 
conditions on Long Island were encouraging, 
and the farmers were predicting the largest 
potato crop in some years. There was an 
excellent tsand, and up to five weeks ago 
the appearance of the fields was all that 
could be desired. However,' this is all 
changed, for there has been no rain for six 
weeks, and the intense heat is having a 
very bad effect. There have been innum- 
rable showers on the west end of the 
Island, while there have been only two 
showers of short duration at Orient, Green- 
port and Southold, and extending from 
Manorville and Speonk to l’econic on the 
main line of the Long Island It. It. to 
Peconic and on the south side to Amagan- 
set hardly a drop of moisture has fallen 
during the time. Tbd wind has remained 
steady at the north and northwest the 
greater portion of the time, so that the 
south side farmer has not got the benefit 
of the usual moisture brought in on a 
south wind from the Atlantic Ocean. The 
only redeeming feature of the situation 
comes from the fact that for the first time 
in four years the rains of the early Spring 
filled the wells and springs, and it was from 
this source that the crops got a good start. 
It is a question if a fall of rain would 
now do the early crop any good, and it 
might do harm, for in some cases the tops 
are showing signs of decay. The light 
showers which Orient was favored with will 
bring the potatoes to maturity, but the 
farmers are not looking for a very large 
crop. The fields outside of Orient and 
contiguous territory are now showing signs 
of the extended dry spell. The extreme 
heat of the past three or four days has 
caused the leaves to “tip-burn” and the 
vines in general to show signs of weakness. 
The present general conditions and the 
high price of seed potatoes in the Spring, 
together with the high prices for all kinds 
of feed for both horse and cow, is causing 
the farmers to speculate as to the out¬ 
come. 
Just from what standpoint the farmers 
figure as to the market is not known, but 
it appears to be the prevailing opinion that 
the market will not go over 60 cents per 
bushel F. O. B. shipping point during the 
height of the season. Every acre has got 
to turn out at least 100 bushels in order 
to show the grower a profit. The usual 
increase in the acreage which ordinarily 
follows a season when high prices prevail 
did not hold good this season, owing to 
high prices of seed. It is estimated that 
there is about 12,000 acres in potatoes in 
Suffolk County this season, which is about 
300 acres short of the normal acreage. The 
uncertainty of the potato crop is causing 
the farmers to plant a larger acreage of 
cauliflower in the hope of making up for 
a possible loss in the potato crop. 
From information at hand from New 
Jersey it would appear that the conditions 
there arc but little better than on Ixing 
Island. The manager of one of the Jersey 
farmers’ exchanges writes as follows: “We 
are still having extremely dry weather and 
no prospects of rain. Our vines have dried 
out very last, and our crop is going to 
be short, and we think this applies all up 
the State. At present it does not look 
that we could have a very good Western 
market this year on account of the crop 
conditions in the Western States.” This 
does not look very good for Jersey, but 
Maine, though late in planting, has the best 
of prospects. The heat for the last 10 days 
all through Aroostook County has been in¬ 
tense, but this is just what was required 
to bring the crop along. Almost every day 
during the heated term there were heavy 
showers of rain, making an ideal condition, 
and the outlook for another prosperous year 
for the Aroostook farmer is bright indeed. 
C. E. E. 
Rye and Buckwheat on New Land. 
Would it do to sow buckwheat and rye 
together on a piece of rough land just 
plowed for the first time, the buckwheat 
to be cut when ripe and the rye left to turn 
under in the Spring? E. S. B. 
Torrington, Conn. 
Yes, this has been done with fair sue- j 
cess. You cannot expect a full crop of 
buckwheat on such soil and with such 
seiding. Both buckwheat and rye will grow 
if there is moisture enough. The buckwheat 
will get ahead and the rye will not be 
seen until after the buckwheat is cut. Then 
the rye will come on and make a fair 
growth through the Fall and Winter. 
When you write advertisers mention Tiie 
R. N.-Y. and you’ll get a quick reply and a 
“square deal.” See guarantee editorial page. 
Lovett's Pot-Grown Strawberry Plants 
Set Out this August Will Give a Crop ef Deli¬ 
cious, Big, Red, Juicy Berries 
Next June 
I am recognized throughout this country as a straw¬ 
berry plant grower. For 34 years and more I have spe¬ 
cialized in strawberries. 
Some of the most widely-known and most successful 
varieties were introduced hy me. 
Readers of The Rural New-Yorker want berries 
quickly. None of you want to wait two springs for a 
crop, as you positively must If you set out anything but 
pot-grown plants. 
This year I have a magnifleent lot of plants or two of 
the wonderful Van Fleet hybrids, two varieties that I 
have been testing during tlie Inst four years, and I ean 
conscientiously say 1 have never grown strawberries that 
I can recommend more highly, as best in every way. 1 
have named them 
Early Jersey Giant * Late Jersey Giant 
They are strong, healthy growers and immense .field¬ 
ers of brilliant red berries of enormous size, with the ex¬ 
quisite flavor of the wild strawberry. 
Write for my Strawberry Booklet 
I will gladly mail a copy to you free. It tolls all about 
the Jersey Giants, the valuable EVERBEARING sorts, 
and gives full descriptions of twenty-five other choice 
varieties, with prices, and full cultural directions. 
I'll tell you how to properly prepare the bed for largest 
yield of biggest and juiciest berries. 
J. T. LOVETT, Monmouth Nursery, Box 237, Little Silver, N. J. 
CRIMSON CLOVER 
The great soil improver and valuable for early 
green food, grazing and hay crop. Special 
circular free, also sample and price of seed 
sent on request. 
Alfalfa 
High-grade American grown seed. Write for 
sample and price of seed also a copy of our 
Alfalfa Leaflet, free. If in need of Farm Seeds 
of any kind, please write to us for prices. 
HENRY A. DREER 
- PHILADELPHIA, PA. - 
C ABBAGE and CELERY PLANTS-Best variety. SI per 1000, 
$7.50, ll>.000;Tomato, Sweel Potato and Peppers, $1.50 per 
1000; Cauliflower, $2.50 per 1000. J. C. Schmidt. Bristol, Pa. 
For Sale 
$7.00 bushel 
JOSEPH E. 
Cow Peas, $2.00 to $2.50 bushel: 
Crimson Clover Seed, $0.00 to 
Red clover Seed, $12.00 bushel. 
HOLLAND_ Milford, Delaware 
WE HAVE ENOUGH FOR EVERYBODY 
Tomato, Cabbage and Celery Plants 
Can fill your orders for as many as you want. Spe¬ 
cial prices on large lots. Send for our 1912 price-list. 
ROMANCE SEED, PLANT & TRUCK FARM. 
Caleb Bouos S Son, Cheswold, Del. 
APPLE BARRELS- Car Lots or Less 
ROliT. GILLES MEDINA, N. Y. 
Wlieat to Sow 
10 Big Ylelders—Smootli and Bearded— 
llardy and Reliable—Clean and Pure— 
Sold Right from Farm—Close Prices. 
If You Don’t Like It WE TAKE IT BACK, 
RETURN YOUR MONEY & PAY FREIGHT 
Write for Wheat Catalog No. 33—IT IS FREE. 
A. H. HOFFMAN, Bamford, Lancaster Co., Pa. 
ft A D D A fa C — Celery. Cauliflower, Strawberry, 
UflDDHUC Asparagus plants. Catalogue freo. 
HARRY L. SQUIRES, Good Ground, N. Y. 
Seed-Down 
Trade Mark Reg. U. S. Pat. Office 
Your Fields 
Permanently 
Use our Grass and Grain 
fertilizer and you won’t 
have to plow your grass 
fields every few years. 
Send for our booklet on “ Soil Fertility ” and read 
about the famous Clark hay field which lias just been 
mowed for the 22d .consecutive year. It is top-dressed 
every spring with Hubbard’s “ Bone Base ” fertilizers. 
Our Almanac, Page 35, will tell you how to seed 
down a field either with nurse crop or grass alone. 
A postal brings them. 
THE ROGERS & HUBBARD CO. 
MIDDLETOWN, CONN. 
